ORY

;BOROUGtl

HAMPSHIRE

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

Ex Libris

Katharine P. Richmond

and Henry C. Fall

HISTORY

OF

WOLFEBOROUGH

(NEW HAMPSHIRE)

BY

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PARKER

Hoc solum fcelix, haec jucundissima Terra, Agrestem gaudet, gravem reddetq ; Laborem ; Frumentum et Tritticum largedat fertile campum. Winnipesocke Palus (quamvis sis Nomine rudis) Primum inter Stagna praeferres in Ordine Famce, Luciolis. Truttis aureisq natantibus, undis.

//. A: Antl'jal INSCRIPTION ON PROPRIETORS' RECORDS.

PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN A.D. MDCCCCI.

PRESS or

OACTSTIC At CLAFLIN

F INTRODUCTION.

N the preparation of this volume, one thing, above all others, has been kept in mind — accuracy. The work is a history in fact as well as in name.

The author, during his long life, was privileged to come face to face with most of his living sources of t information. All other matters considered are based upon authen-

ticated records and documents. Although Mr. Parker was not permitted to see the completion of his life work, his ideas in this particular have been strictly adhered to by those who succeeded L him. The story of a historic town, as told in succeeding pages, is

a true story and, we confidently assert, an unusually interesting , one.

The town first took action in the matter in 1898, when Messrs. Edwin H. Lord, Albert B. Rust, and Frederick W. Prindle were appointed a committee to confer with the author. As a result of their interested and painstaking labors, this volume, published under an appropriation of the town, is now offered to the public. The book is not particularly rich in genealogies. Much valuable material of this sort remains unused among the author's papers. Not because it lacked value, not because it was uninteresting, but for the sole reason that the scope of the work forbade its incor- poration therein.

This history of Wolfeborough, then, written by one who for more than three-fourths of a century lived in and wrought for the town, is respectfully presented to those who, by right of birth or adoption, proudly call themselves her sons and daughters.

THE EDITOR.

NEW HAMPSHIRE.] History of Wolfeborough. New Hampshire. •iy B. F. Parker. A unique copy of this scarce town history, published n 1401. A prominent New Hampshire collector gathered nearly 100 iignatures of people mentioned in this volume and mounted the auto- iraphs along the margins. Among the famous names are John Went- \orth. John Usher. Matthew Thornton, and a number of the original proprietors of the town (1759). Attractively bound in \ morocco. S6?> S45.00

[WOLFEBOROLGH.] History of Wolfeborough. New Hampshire By B. F. Parker. A unique copy of this scarce town history, publishe in 1901. A prominent New Hampshire collector gathered nearly 10 signatures of people mentioned in this \olume and mounted the auto graphs alone the margins. Among the famous names are John Went

" t '.: -i '• "3 uorth. JohrTUsher, Matthew Thornton, and a number of the ori«im,

proprietors of the toun (1759). Attractively bound in ; morocco._

CHAPTER I.

DISCOVERY OF PISCATAQUA RIVER — NEW ENGLAND — COUNCIL OF PLYMOUTH — GORGES AND MASON — LACONIA — FIRST SET- TLEMENTS AT PISCATAQUA — NEW HAMPSHIRE — MASON'S GRANT — DEATH OF MASON AND KIS HEIRS — LAND SOLD TO SAMUEL ALLEN — YOUNG MASON'S CLAIMS AND THE DISPOSAL OF THE PROPERTY.

BEFORE proceeding with the particular history of the town of Wolfeborough it may not be uninteresting or unprofitable to briefly consider the titles by which the lands in this and many other towns in the state of New Hampshire are held. It is well known that the European governments claimed the right to hold such lands as might be discovered on the American continent by their subjects. In 1614 that remarkable voyager, Captain John Smith, while examining the coast from Penobscot River to Cape Cod, discovered the Piscataqua River, which he de- scribes as "a safe harbor with a rocky shore." On his return to England he published a description of the country with a map of the sea-coast, which he presented to Prince Charles, who gave to the region the name of New England.

In 1620 King James constituted a council of forty persons — "noblemen, knights, and gentlemen, by the name of the Council Established at Plymouth, in the County of Devon, for the Plant- ing, Ruling, and Governing of New England in America." They were a corporation with perpetual succession, vacancies being filled by election of the majority. Their territory extended from the fortieth to the forty-eighth degree of north latitude. This charter was the foundation of all grants that were made of the

6 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

country of New England. Two of the most active members of this Council were Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Captain John Mason.

In 1622 Gorges and Mason obtained a grant of all the lands between the rivers Merrimac and Sagadahock, "extending back to the great lakes and river of Canada," which they called La- conia. They, having formed a co-partnership with several Eng- lish merchants, the following year commenced settlements on the Piscataqua River. In 1629 Mason obtained a patent from the Council of Plymouth for the land "from the middle of the Piscataqua River, and up the same to the farthest head thereof; and from thence northwestward, until sixty miles were finished : also, through Merrimac 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 sixty miles accounted frcm Piscataqua River, together with all the islands within five leagues from the coast." This tract of land was called New Hampshire. A straight line from the two inland points indicated would pass through the town of Wolfeborough ; while a curved line, as it was claimed it should be, would probably be as far north as Moultonborough. The territory included with- in these lines is but a small part of that which now constitutes the state of New Hampshire.

In June, 1635, the Plymouth Council was required to surrender its charter to the king. Mason, however, had taken the pre- caution to have his former grant confirmed previous to the sur- render. He immediately commenced making arrangements to send men and supplies to New Hampshire, a step rendered neces- sary by the lanquishing condition of the settlements on the Piscataqua. His death, which occurred within the year, pre- vented the accomplishment of his purpose. In his will, after be- queathing several legacies, he devised the residue of his estate in New Hampshire to his grandson, John Tufton, and his lawful issue ; the legatee, in any case, being required to take the sur- name of Mason.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 7

In 1638 the widow of Mason, who was also his executrix, at- tempted to carry out his plans of settlement through an agent, but, finding that the expenses exceeded the income, gave up the attempt ; and for the time the property became valueless. In 1641 the few settlements in New Hampshire came under the juris- diction of Massachusetts. In 1652 Joseph Mason, an agent of the executrix, made an attempt to recover the interest of the estate in the territory, but failed of accomplishing his purpose.

John Tufton, the first named residuary legatee in Mason's will, died in infancy, and, consequently, Robert Tufton, at the death of the widow, succeeded to whatever rights the family might still possess in the New Hampshire property. He assumed the sur- name of Mason, and on the restoration of Charles the Second, ap- plied to the throne for redress. The response was favorable, but no immediate beneficial results followed. Becoming discouraged, he, in 1674, seriously thought of alienating his right to the crown. This scheme was, however, abandoned, and the following year he again petitioned the king for the restoration of his property. The matter was referred to the proper law officers, and it was finally determined that Mason had a legal right to the lands which he claimed. This decision eventually led to the separation of New Hampshire from Massachusetts, which event took place in 1680.

Mason, having been appointed one of the council of New Hampshire, repaired to the province, when commenced vexatious disputes between him and the individual landholders in relation to titles. He died in 1689, leaving his sons, John and Robert, heirs to his claim — and his controversies.

In 1691 the two heirs sold their rights to Samuel Allen, a Lon- don merchant. Allen had the address to successfully defeat an attempt which was then made to re-annex New Hampshire to Massachusetts, and to secure the appointment of his son-in-law, John Usher, to the office of lieutenant-governor of the province.

A change of claimants did not render the settlers any more acquiescent, and they as resolutely resisted the demands of Allen

g HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

as they had previously those of Mason. At length a compromise was proposed ; and arrangements were being made to effect an amicable adjustment of the matters in dispute, when Allen died. His son and heir renewed the controversy, but soon died. His other children being minors, no further effective efforts were made by the family to substantiate its claim.

When John and Robert Mason sold their claim to Samuel Allen in 1691, it was supposed that there might be a flaw in the transfer. No notice was taken of this, however, during the lives of the two Masons. John, the elder, died without issue. Robert married in New England, and had a son, who, after the death of his father, conceived hopes of invalidating Allen's purchase and re- covering his paternal inheritance. He, however, died before he had obtained sufficient means to prosecute his claim. His eldest son, John Tufton Mason, arrived at his majority in 1738, at which time a controversy in relation to jurisdiction between the province of Massachusetts and that of New Hampshire was in agitation. The politicians of Massachusetts, conceiving that it might be for their advantage, advised young Mason to assert his pretensions. They purchased of him a quit-claim of nearly four thousand acres of land lying within the border towns of the province, and paid the expenses of a voyage to England, that he might better prose- cute his claim. The agents of Massachusetts, afterwards learn- ing that by pressing the claim of Mason they might prejudice the court in relation to their own interests, released him from further obligation to them.

Thomlinson, the ever-watchful agent for New Hampshire, be- ing apprised of this action, entered into an agreement with Mason for the release of his claim to the provincial assembly. A variety of circumstances conspired to prevent the ratification of this agree- ment, and in 1/46 he conveyed his whole interest in New Hamp- shire lands to Theodore Atkinson, Mark H. Wentworth, Richard Wibird, John Wentworth (son of Governor Benning Went- worth), George JarTrey, Samuel Moore, Nathaniel Meserve,

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. g

Thomas Packer, Thomas Wallingford, Jonathan Odiorne, Joshua Pierce, and John MofTat for fifteen hundred pounds. Atkinson had three shares ; Mark H. Wentworth, two ; and the other ten purchasers, one share each. These persons were styled the Pro- prietors of Mason's Patent, or the Masonian Proprietors.

CHAPTER II.

GRANT OF TOWNSHIP — KINGSWOOD — ADMISSION OF ASSOCIATES —How THE NEW TOWN WAS NAMED — THE MILES ROAD — ELISHA BRYANT FELLS TREES — FIRST MEETING OF TOWN PROPRIETORS — TOWN NAMED, SURVEYED, AND DI- VIDED— EFFORT TO PROMOTE SETTLEMENT — TERMS UNDER WHICH LAND COULD BE ACQUIRED — SEPARATION INTO LOTS — DESCRIPTIVE BOUNDARIES — BOUNDARIES OF SUB- DIVISIONS AND ADDITIONS.

ON the fifth day of October, 1759, the principal part of the territory now embraced within the limits of the town of Wolfeborough was granted to certain persons by the following instrument : —

Prov. of New Hampshire — At a Meeting of the Proprietors of the Lands purchased of John Tnfton Mason, Esq., or the Pro- prietors of Mason's Patent so-called holden at the House James Stoodley, Inn-holder at Portsmouth, the fifth day of October, Anno Domini, 1759.

Whereat sundry young Gentlemen of the Town of Portsmouth in said Province have applied to said Proprietors and repre- sented that they are disposed to make a settlement of a new Plantation and to advance all such Sums of Money from Time to Time as should be necessary to a Vigorous Prosecution of that Design if they could obtain the Title of said Proprietors to a suitable Tract of Land for that Purpose and thereupon have requested such a Grant, and said Proprietors being willing to encourage a proposition so likely to be of public Utility, there- fore

Voted That there be and hereby is granted unto William Earl

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. n

Treadwell, Henry Apthorp, Ammi Ruhamah Cutter and David Sewall all of Portsmouth aforesaid and such others as they shall admit as Associates with them and their respective Heirs and Assigns forever all the Right, Title, Estate, Property & Demand of said Proprietors of in and into a Certain Tract of Land in the Province aforesaid Equal in Quantity to thirty Six square Miles Bounded as follows Viz : beginning at the North Easterly corner of a Tract of Land granted by said Proprietors to Jonathan Chesle & others known by the Name of New Dur- ham then running North forty Eight Degrees East on the Head or uper Line of a Tract of Land called Micldletown and on that called Salmon falls — Town or as those head Lines run join- ing thereon and running so far as that a Line runing from thence Six Miles North West and then South West to Win- nepiseoky Pond and then by the side of said Pond joining thereon untill the aforesaid Corner first mentioned bears South East and then running South East to the said Corner makes up the aforesaid Quantity of thirty Six square Miles, Excepting and reserving as is herein after Expressed and on the Con- ditions and limitations and Terms herein after declared to have and to hold the said granted Premises with the Appurtenances to them the said William Earl Treadwell, Henry Apthorp, Ammi Ruhamah Cutter and David sewall and their Associates their several and respective Heirs and Assigns forever on the Terms reservations Limitations & Conditions following Viz. — First that the said Tract of Land be at the Cost of the Grantees and their Associates laid out as soon as may be into four equal Parts both for Quantity and Quality and one of the said Parts to be determined by Lot be & hereby is Excepted and reserved to the said Proprietors and their Assigns, which Quarter Part shall be also laid out at the Expense of the said Grantees and their Associates when requested by said Proprietors into twenty Shares or Lots three of which shall be for the following Public Uses Viz. one for the Use of a School, one for the LTse of the

I2 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

first Minister of the Gospell who shall Settle there the other for the use of the Ministry of the Gospel who shall settle there forever, and the other Seventeen Lotts to be for the Use of the other Persons to whom they shall fall by Lot hereafter to be drawn their Heirs and Assigns by which Method also the afore- said Lots for Public uses shall be determined and all necessary Public or General High ways shall be laid out in the said re- served Quarter at the Expense of the said Grantees and As- sociates, no High way to be less than two Rods \vide and all the Shares Lots and Divisions in the said Quarter Part shall not be liable to any Charge in setling and carying this Proposal into Execution untill the same shall be improved by the respec- tive owner —

Secondly the said Grantees shall have ten Families setled on said three Quarters of said Tract of Land within three Years after a Public Peace shall be concluded between the English French and Indians and within Eight Years after such a Peace to have forty Familys settled there and a Convenient House built for the Public Worship of God and all necessary High ways shall be laid out thro' the said Land of the Breadth aforesaid, all the said Matters and Things are to be done at the Charge and Ex- pense of the Grantees and their Associates, Provided that if after such a peace a war with the Indians should again com- mence before the Expiration of the several periods before Limited the like Time shall be allowed as before specified after that Impediment shall be removed — Moreover all White Pine Trees fit for his Majesty's L'se in the services of the Royal Xavy are hereby reserved to his Majesty's Use his Heirs & Successors for that Purpose that are or hereafter shall be grow- ing on said Land — And in Case the said Grantees and their Associates shall neglect and omit to perform the Articles Mat- ters or Things before mentioned by them to be done or that shall be added by Agreement between said Proprietors & them according to the true Intent and meaning hereof and within the

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. l$

Time limited for that Purpose ; it shall & may be lawfull to and for said Proprietors and they are hereby authorized either by themselves or any of them their Agent or Agents or Attorneys in their Name to Enter and take possession of said Granted Premises & become Reseized thereof & be again instated as in their former Estate and as if this Grant had never been made — And further it is agreed and this Condition Added that the Grantors Lots shall not be subjected to any Town or Parish Charges or Tax neither by Act of Assembly or otherways until they shall by them be respectively Setled or Sold by the Grantees and their Associates shall keep and save them wholly indemnified from the same, and also that neither the Grantors nor their Heirs shall be by Virtue of this Grant bound or held to Warrant the said granted Premises to the Grantees nor their Associates. And that there be also reserved in the most con- venient Place in the said three Quarter parts of said Tract hereby granted, Ten Acres of Land, to be laid out by the said Grantees and their Associates, in, or as near as can be in a Square, for Public Uses for the Benefit of the Inhabitants of the whole Tract herein" described Viz. for a Training Field, Burying Ground and any other Public Use.

Copy of Record Examined Per Geo. Jaffrey, Proprietors' Clerk."

The foregoing instrument shows how Treadwell, Apthorp, Cut- ter and Sewall became the proprietors of the original township of Wolfeborough. Twenty-one days after receiving the aforesaid grant, they admitted with them twenty associates by the following conveyance : —

To whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:

Whereas, the Proprietors of Mason's Patent so called for the Encouraging the Settlement of a new Plantation, on the fifth

I4 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Day of October Instant Granted and conveyed unto us Wil- liam Earl Treadwell & Henry Apthorp Merchants Ammi Ruhamah Cutter physician and David Sewall Attorney at Law- all of Portsmouth in the Province of New Hampshire all the Right Estate and Demand of said Proprietors to a Certain Tract of Land equal in Quantity to thirty Six square Miles Bounded as follows (The boundaries are the same as in the grant) to Have and to Hold the said Premises with their Ap- purtances to us and our Associates & our Respective Heirs and Assigns under the Reservations and on the Conditions and Limitations Expressed in the said Grant as may more fully ap- pear by reference thereto.

Now know ye, That We, the said William Earl Treadwell, Henry Apthorp, Ammi Ruhamah Cutter and David Sewall for carrying on & making the said settlement have admitted as As- sociates in the said Grant Daniel Peirce, Esq., Paul March, Gentlemen ; John Rindge, Daniel Rindge, John Wentworth, George Meserve, Robert Odiorne, Jotham Rindge, Samuel Moftatt, Thomas Wentworth, Merchants ; George King, Henry Rust, John Parker, Isaac Rindge, Mariners ; Joshua Brackett, Gentleman, All of Portsmouth ; William Parker of Kingston in said Province, Gentleman ; Nathaniel Peasely Sargent of Haverhill, County of Essex, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Attorney at Law ; Daniel Tredwell of New York, Province of New York, Gentleman ; Thomas Darling, Master of the Mast- si lip, called the Strajford and John Long, Master of the Mastship called Winchester both lately residing in said Portsmouth.

In consideration of the Sum of Five Shillings to us in hand paid by them the Receipt whereof to our full satisfaction we do hereby acknowledge Have given granted bargained & sold and by these Presents Do give grant bargain Sell Convey and Con- firm unto them our said Associates all our Right Title Interest

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. i$

Estate and Demand which we have by Virtue of the said Grant of in & unto Twenty, Four-and-Twentyeth Parts of three Quar- ters of said Tract of Land Excepting only Ten Acres which is to be held in Common for Public Uses To Have and To Hold the said Granted & bargained premises with the Appurtenances unto them the said Associates viz. To Each of them one four & Twentieth Part aforesaid & to his Heirs & Assigns Forever on the same Terms Limitations and Conditions mentioned in the Grant to us ; by us and our Associates to be performed & Done they doing Paying and performing each his Respective Share and Proportion thereof And Whereas our Share Part & Propor- tion of said Land which Remains to us being four twenty fourth Parts of the said three Quarters is in Common un- severed we hereby mutually agree to divide, and by these Pres- ents do sever divide & make Partition of the same to each, one fonr & twentieth Part of the said three Quarter Parts to hold, to each his Heirs & Assigns in Federally, forever, In Witness whereof we have hereunto Set our hands and Seals the twenty fourth Day of October Anno Domini 1759.

Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of us

Joseph Wiggin William Earle Treadwell

William Parker H. F. Apthorp

A. R. Cutter David Sewall

Province of New Hampshire — October 26th 1759 then the within Named Henry Apthorp Ammi Ruhamah Cutter & David Sewall Personally appearing acknowledged this Instrument to be their free Act & Deed

Before William Parker Justice of Peace. The organization of Kingswood, a town chartered by Gov-

j6 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

ernor Belcher, October 20, 1737, embracing within its limits a portion of the territory included within the boundaries of Wolfe- borough, may now very properly be considered. This town was situated north of Rochester and Harrington, and comprised Middleton (including Brookfield), New Durham, New Durham Gore (now Alton), and parts of Gilmanton, Waken" eld, and Wolfeborough. The boundaries of the tract were as follows : —

"Beginning at the southeasterly corner of Barnstead, and from thence to run the same course as Barnstead's easterly side-line runs to Winnipisioky Pond ; from thence upon a right angle till it comes to the boundary-line between our said province of New Hampshire and that which was formerly called the province of Maine ; from thence on the same boundary-line runneth to the northeasterly corner of the town of Rochester; from thence by Rochester and Barrington head-lines to the bounds first men- tioned."

The sixty proprietors to whom the town was granted were Eleazer Russell, Nathaniel Rogers, Matthew Livermore, Thomas Peirce, William Parker, Benjamin Walton, Samuel Hart, Joseph Molton, John Cut, Thomas Wright, John Ayers, Solomon Cotton, Daniel Jackson, Jr., Samuel Sherburne, merchant, Henry Sher- burne, Jr., ditto, \Villiam King, John Sherburne of Little Harbor, Joseph Sherburne,son of Joseph Sherburne, Esq., Nathaniel Men- dum, George Rogers, Joseph Whipple, John Ross, Charles Frost, N. Castle, John Shackford, Jr., John Wood, William Frost, Ben- jamin Miller, Daniel Moulton, Benjamin Gambling, John Pray, Solomon Pike, Nicholas Whidden, John Fellows, Thomas West- brook, Daniel Rogers, Samuel Sherburn, Innholder, Elliot Vaughan, Peter Grcly, Ichabod Plaisted, Thomas Newmard, John Kennard, Henry Sherburne, Jr., of the Plains , John Dennet, son of Ephraim Dennet, Esq. , Moses Dennet, Joseph Langdon, Samuel White, George Pierce, Joseph Jackson, Moses Noble, Sharach Walton, Esq. , George Jaffrey, Esq. , Ephraim Dennet, ESCJ. , Joshua Pierce, Esq., Joseph Sherburn, Esq., Jotham Odi-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. ij

orne, Esq. , Henry Sherburne, Esq. , Richard Waldron, Esq. , Theodore Atkinson, Esq.

By the conditions of the grant the proprietors were each to build a dwelling-house, and settle a family in the town within five years. They were also to build a meeting-house within the same time, and settle an orthodox minister within seven years. Should wars occur, the time for doing these things was to be extended. They were to reserve three hundred acres of land for the first ordained minister that should settle in the town, a like quantity for the second, six hundred acres for parsonages, and three hun- dred acres for schools. The proprietors were to pay the govern- ment an annual quit-rent of ten pounds of hemp, if demanded, and reserve for it all mast trees. The committee designated by the governor to call the first meeting consisted of Nathaniel Rogers, Eleazer Russell, and Matthew Livermore. Rogers was chosen moderator, and Livermore, proprietors' clerk.

At subsequent meetings a tax to meet current expenses was assessed. John Fellows was appointed tax-collector, and Henry Sherburne, Esq., treasurer. The committee that called the first meeting was authorized to make surveys and secure settlers. Subsequently, Sherburne, Livermore, and Richard Waldron were appointed a committee to make arrangements for settling the town by giving to sixty persons each a lot not to exceed three hundred acres of land. They were also to lay out three lots of the same size, — one for the first minister, one for a parsonage in the district first settled, and one for a school in the same district. Each proprietor was also to have a similar lot. The settlements were to be located in the southern part of the grant. It is not known that any effective measures were adopted to secure the contemplated object. The scheme proved a failure, and in 1739, when Governor Belcher was removed, the charter was annulled. It is possible that a few persons located in the southern part of the grant and remained until New Durham was organized, as a road had been cut from Dover to Lake Winnipesaukee in 1722.

jg HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

and the town of New Durham, in 1767, had a population of one hundred and fifty-seven persons, while Wolfeborough at the same time had not a single inhabitant.

Kingswood, although perhaps only a paper town, had a name which has proved transferable, and is, therefore, entitled to con- sideration.

At a meeting of the twenty-four town proprietors, held at the house of John Stavers, in Portsmouth, on the fourteenth day of November, 1759, at which Daniel Pierce was appointed mod- erator, and David Sewall, clerk, it was voted "that the township, in honor of the late renowned and illustrious General Wolf, de- ceased, be called Wolf-Borough."

It will be observed that the orthographic error in Wolfe's name was transcribed to that of the town. It was retained in the char- ter granted in 1770, and continued in general use for nearly a century. This method of spelling the name of the town has some- times led to the conjecture that it might have originated from the numerous haunts of that cowardly marauder then roaming in the forests — the American wolf. The foregoing record, however, shows that the town was named in honor of the heroic English general, James Wolfe, who, on Sept. 13, 1759, at the age of thirty- three years, fell at the head of a victorious army on the Plains of Abraham, Quebec, while engaged in a battle with the French. Wolfe had previously associated with the New Hampshire soldiery in military expeditions on the eastern coast of the country, and was a very popular officer.

Wolfeborough is an uncommon name for localities. There is one town in England, one in the state of South Carolina, and one in the state of New Hampshire that bears the name. A neighbor- hood in the town of Stetson, Maine, in which a considerable num- ber of Wolfeborough people settled about sixty years ago, is called the "Wolfeborough Settlement."

At this same meeting of the proprietors Daniel Rindge, George Meserve, and A. R. Cutter were appointed a committee to procure

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. Xg

a survey and division of the township into four parts. A tax was assessed for the purpose of defraying the cost of surveying and other current expenses. The survey and division were made by Walter Bryant, Jr., who constructed a camp for shelter near the present site of the South Wolfeborough woolen manufactury. On account of delays he did not complete the work until 1762. The grantors drew the northern quarter of the township, which was the least valuable division. This was afterwards known as the "Lords' Quarter" — a term which has, however, been gen- erally confined to the southerly portion of the division lying near the center of the town. This particular locality was comparatively early settled, and tolerably populous for a farming district. Some other portions of the "Quarter" have always been very thinly in- habited ; much of it is still pasturage or woodland. In April, 1762, Paul March, John Wentworth, and A. R. Cutter were ap- pointed a committee to settle five families in the township ; and were authorized to grant to the same a tract of land not exceeding one thousand acres, and to pay each settler a sum not exceeding two hundred and fifty pounds, old tenor.

January 19, 1764, the committee on settlements was authorized to settle seven additional families, "provided that the expense of settling the seven families did not exceed fourteen hundred pounds, old tenor." On the seventeenth of the October follow- ing, the same committee, increased by the addition of Daniel Pierce, was instructed to make a road in said township.

In March, 1764, this committee was directed to grant one ad- ditional thousand acres of land to encourage settlements. The following May it was instructed to publish in the newspapers notices of the favorable terms which were being offered to settlers in the town of Wolfeborough, and also to procure a survey for a road. This road was "spotted" by John McDuffee, and "cut" by Josiah Miles the same season. The next year Miles bridged the few smaller streams over which the road passed, not including Smith's River. This road commenced opposite the cove in Lake

20 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Winnipesaukee, about one mile west of New Durham line, and extended to the western boundary of Wolfeborough, being, with alterations and extensions made in 1779, the main thoroughfare from Tuftonborough to New Durham through the villages of Wolfeborough and South Wolfeborough, now known as North Main Street and South Main Street. It was for many years called the "Miles Road." The portion opened by Miles was about five miles in length.

Thus far the efforts of the proprietors of Wolfeborough to se- sure settlers in the township had been of no avail. They now granted full discretionary power to the committee on settlements, and voted additional sums of money for accomplishing their ob- ject. Still their lands remained unoccupied. The difficulty in obtaining settlers arose from the fact that in New Hampshire there was more land offered for occupancy than there were per- sons to occupy it. While the controversy between this and the neighboring province of Massachusetts in relation to their boundaries continued, the governor of the latter granted large tracts of land in the disputed territory to persons and organiza- tions. When, in 1741, Benning Wentworth was appointed gov- ernor of New Hampshire, he evinced an equal readiness to char- ter townships, and thereby largely increased his wealth by ques- tionable business methods — so charged his enemies. In 1746 the Masonian Proprietors purchased Mason's right, and being de- sirous to realize from the bargain, offered their lands on what seemed advantageous conditions to township proprietors ; but for reasons already named, these sometimes had more perplexi- ties than profits from their ventures.

As the town proprietors of Wolfeborough held their lands on certain conditions pledged to the Masonian Proprietors, which had not as yet been fully complied with, it became necessary to adopt some measures that would prove more effective in secur- ing settlers. Therefore, in order that each proprietor might have a direct personal responsibility in the matter, they, in October,

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 21

1765, voted to divide the three-quarters of the township, which they had hitherto held in common, into twenty-four shares of equal value. Before the division took place, however, they voted to reserve one hundred acres of land around the falls on Smith's River for a mill privilege, and a tract of one thousand and fifty acres in the southern part of the town for Elisha Bryant and others, who proposed to become settlers.

It is said that Bryant and three sturdy sons afterwards came to the place, and using the camp formerly occupied by Walter Bryant, the surveyor, as a dwelling, commenced felling trees. They, however, remained only a short time. The elder Bryant, having a relish for strong drinks, complained that the pure stream of water which flowed near his temporary abode furnished an un- palatable beverage. The tract of land assigned to him was in- tended for seven families. It afterward reverted to the proprie- tors.

A contract was made with Paul March to procure a survey of the lots for twenty pounds, lawful money. Walter Bryant, Jr., immediately commenced the work, and completed it the same season.

On the nineteenth of February, 1766, the proprietors met at the inn of Captain Zachariah Foss, in Portsmouth, for the purpose of drawing their respective lots of land. It appears that after the twenty-four lots had been laid out, there remained a tract of land bordering on Tuftonborough, and extending from Winnipesaukee Lake to the "Lords' Quarter." It was three hundred and two rods wide at the easterly end, one hundred and eighty-six at the westerly, and comprised seventeen hundred and fifty acres. Of this tract Daniel Pierce, by agreement, took as his share one thousand acres, and relinquished all his other rights as a grantor and grantee. This lot was for many years known as the "Great Lot," and a small portion of it remained in the possession of the Pierce family until about 1840. By the exchange here noticed,

22 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

lots numbered eleven and fifteen in the grantors' quarter came into the possession of the grantees.

The remaining seven hundred and fifty acres of this tract, to- gether with lots numbered twenty-two and twenty-three, were granted to Paul March on condition that he should waive all other claim to a right as a grantee and settle nine families thereon by the first day of the following October. This tract, which em- braced about nineteen hundred acres, extended from Tufton- borough line to what is now Friend Street. Here were made the first permanent settlements in Wolfeborough, but not at so early a date as that agreed on by March. Some subsequent proceed- ings of the proprietors would indicate that a portion of this tract came again into their possession.

Having completed arrangements with Pierce and March, and thereby disposed of lots numbered twenty-two and twenty-three, there remained twenty-two lots to be drawn by twenty-two pro- prietors. Two lads, one of whom was Henry, son of Captain Henry Rust, officiated at the drawing. This was the result : —

Lot Xo. i of 640 acres was drawn by Jotham Rindge.

" " 18 " 600 " " " John Rindge.

" " 7 " 642 " " " John Wentworth.

" " 4 " 560 " " " John Long.

" " 19 " 560 " " " " Nathaniel P. Sargent.

" " 24 " 600 " " " John Parker.

" " 15 " 600 " " " Henry Rust.

" " 13 " 480 " " " George King.

" " 12 " 550 " " " Thomas Wentworth.

" " 8 " 648 " " " Daniel Rindge.

" " 9 " 642 " " " Henry Apthorp.

14 " 480 " " " Daniel Tread well.

" " 17 " 600 " " " Robert Odiorne.

" " 20 " 710 " " " William E. Treadwell.

" " 2 " 600 " " " " William Parker, Jr.

" " ii " 550 " " " Joshua Brackett.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 2$

Lot No. 21 of 650 acres was drawn by George Meserve.

" " 16 " 440 " " " David Sewall.

" " 3 " 550 " " " Thomas Darling.

" " 10 " 648 " " " Samuel Moffatt.

" " 5 " 648 " " " Isaac Rindge.

" " 6 " 648 " " " " A. R. Cutter.

The lots were appraised of equal value. They averaged about six hundred acres each, but varied considerably in extent — the largest, which included within its limits what is now Pine Hill cemetery, containing seven hundred and ten acres, and the smallest, within whose boundaries is now situated an im- portant part of the Bridge village, four hundred and forty acres. Lots near the Miles Road appear to have had the greatest acre value. They were those numbered thirteen, fourteen, and sixteen. Lots numbered twenty-two and twenty-three, located on the same road, had already gone into the possession of March. Land in the southwestern part of the township was appraised a little higher per acre than that in the northeastern, probably on account of its proximity to Lake Winnipesaukee, and conse- quently, to the road leading from Merry Meeting Bay to Dover ;' thereby rendering access to the settled portions of the province less difficult, and the land more available for early settlement. The water privilege on Smith River would also have a tendency to increase the value of land near its locality. It is evident that these lands were at first the most highly prized in the town, as they were the earliest settled. The entree of Governor Wentworth on his domain in the east side of the town, however, brought a prestige to that section that counterbalanced the natural ad- vantages on the west side.

It was required in the grant from the Masonian Proprietors that their division of the township should be surveyed, and subdivided among them at the expense of the grantees. According to ar- rangement their reservation was divided into eighteen shares, which were drawn bv lot as follows : —

24 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Lot No. 9 for the Ministry.

" " 17 " John Wentworth.

" " 15 " Joshua Peirce.

" " 12 " George Jaffrey.

tc « ft a Thomas Packer.

" " 14 " John Moffatt.

" " ii " D. Peirce and M. Moore.

" " 2 " Mark H. Wentworth.

" " 4 " Thomas Wallingford.

" " 18 " The First Minister.

" " 7 " John Rindge.

" " 3 " Solly & March.

" " 8 " Meserve, Blanchard & Co.

" " 5 " Tomlinson & Mason.

" " 3 " Richard Wibird.

" " 16 " Jotham Odiorne.

" " i " The School.

" " 10 " Theodore Atkinson.

These lots, with the exception of that numbered one, averaged about three hundred acres each. This contained four hundred and fifty.

Four additions have been made to the area of Wolfeborough since it was chartered. They will now be briefly noticed, and in subsequent pages more fully considered. Descriptive boundries of the original township, its additions, and subdivisions will also be given, and such allusions made to them as will render it com- paratively easy to determine localities. This will, of course, im- pliedly lead to the anticipation of some historic events.

The boundary of the original township of Wolfeboro begins near the southeast corner of the farm occupied by Charles F. Chase, and runs northeastly on a line west of the Neil Cate farm and east of the Martin farm, until it reaches a point near the dwelling

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 2$

formerly occupied by John W. Cotton. It then turns toward the northwest, and passing a little east of the Joseph Jenness house, and between the farms once owned by Stephen Nute and Nicholas Nute, reaches Dimon's Corner, and so on by the road leading from that place to Water Village, past the farm of Joseph H. Bickford, where, there being a curve in the road, it goes through a meadow, and reaches Tuftonborough near the foot of the Goldsmith hill. Here it turns towards the southwest, and runs for a short distance on the road leading from Water Village to Wolfeborough Falls, then near the northern shore of Beech Pond, and farther on, by the house of Charles Bassett, until it reaches Lake Winnipesaukee at the southwesterly corner of the John Fullerton farm. Then, turning again to the left, it follows the lake shore and Alton line until it reaches the starting point.

The additions which have been made to the territory of Wolfe- borough have modified its exterior lines. Its present southeast corner is near Mount Long Stack, from which the northeast line extends about one mile to the corner of the original township near the farm of Charles F. Chase, and continues in the same direction, until it approaches the village of North Wakefield, where, at a point distant one mile and seventy rods from the northeast corner of the original township of Wolfeborough, it turns to the left, and runs in the direction of the road leading to Ossipee Corner eleven hundred and ninety rods. There, turn- ing to the left, it runs eighty-three rods towards Wolfeborough, where it turns to the right and runs on the north side of Trask and Batson Mountains about one and three-quarters miles. At that point turning again to the left, it runs directly to Wolfe- borough line. There is another change in the town line where it reaches the farm formerly owned by Benjamin Wiggin, situated in the westerly corner of the town. Here it turns somewhat to the west as it approaches Lake Winnipesaukee. From the lake shore

26 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

it runs directly to Alton near the foot of Dug Hill, including with- in its line the four principal islands that lie in Wolfeborough har- bor. The length of an air line from Tuftonborough to Alton is about seven miles ; the sinuous shore-line, which fronts every point of the compass, is nearly twice as long.

In the town proprietors' allotment of land in Wolfeborough, lots numbering from one to ten, a double row one and one-half miles long and two hundred and fifty rods wide, were situated in the north-eastern part of the town, and, as a group, were bounded by the Lords' Quarter, the Addition, Brookfield, and Lake Went- worth.

Lot numbered one, drawn by Jotham Rindge, bordered on Brookfield, Lake Wentworth, and lots two and six, and included within its limits Martin's Hill and Mount Delight. Lot num- bered two, drawn by William Parker, Jr., was bounded by lots one, three, seven, and Lake \Ventworth. It included land now occupied by Thomas L. Whitton and others. Lot three, drawn by Thomas Darling, was bounded by lots two, four, eight, and Lake Wentworth. On this probably stood the Governor's house. Lot four, drawn by John Long, was bounded by lots three, five, nine, and Lake Wentworth. It included portions of the meadow lands. Lot five was bounded by lots four, ten, eighteen, and the Lords' Quarter. It was drawn by Isaac Rindge, who erected a house on it known as the "Rindge House." It stood where now stands that owned by Harry Smith. Lot numbered six, drawn by A. R. Cutter, situated in the east corner of the three-quarters, was bounded by lots one and seven, the Addition, and Brook- field. Cotton Mountain, within its limits, was at first called Cut- ter's Mountain.

Lot seven, drawn by Governor Wentworth, was bounded by lots two, six, eight, and the Addition. The farm of Timothy Y. Cotton is within its limits. Lot eight, drawn by Daniel Rindge, was bounded by lots three, seven, nine, and the Addition. Within its limits is the farm occupied by Cyrus Jenness. Lot numbered

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 27

nine, drawn by Henry Apthorp, was bounded by lots four, eight, ten. and the Addition, and included Frost's meadow. Lot ten, drawn by Samuel Moffatt, was bounded by lots five and nine, the Addition, and the Lords' Quarter. It probably included the Wil- mot Bickford farm. Lot numbered eleven, drawn by Joshua Brackett, extended from the Bryant Reservation to the Sands, a distance of two miles on the headlines of New Durham and Brook- field. Its opposite boundary was, for a distance of four hundred and forty-two rods, on lot numbered twelve, and then on the shore of Lake Wentworth. The hamlet called Brackett's Cor- ner is within its limits. Lot numbered twelve, drawn by Thomas Wentworth, was bounded by lots eleven and thirteen, the Bryant Reservation, and Lake Wentworth. Within its boundaries is the farm of John T. Furber.

Lot thirteen, drawn by George King, was bounded by lots twelve, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen and Lake Wentworth. It embraced the home farms of the Brewsters. On it was the ele- vation called King's Hill. Lot fourteen, drawn by Daniel Tread- well, was bounded by lots thirteen, fifteen, sixteen, and Lake Winnipesaukee. Within its limits stands the old Hart house now occupied by Mrs. George W. Furber. Lot numbered fifteen was a part of the Bryant Reservation, and included the Rust and Parker farms, most of Rust's Pond and South Wolfeborough vil- lage. It was, by agreement, assigned to Henry Rust. Lot six- teen, drawn by David Sewall, was situated on both sides of Smith River, and embraced much of the territory on which now stands Smith's Bridge village. Within its limits was SewalFs Point.

Lot seventeen was drawn by Robert Odiorne, but soon went into the possession of William Torrey. This lot was four hun- dred rods long and two hundred and eighty rods wide, embracing within its limits the entire mill-lot of one hundred acres, the re- maining portion of the village of Wolfeborough Falls, Crooked Pond, and the outlet of Lake Wentworth. Lot eighteen, drawn by John Rindge, was bounded by lots five, seventeen, nineteen,

2g HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

twenty, the Lords' Quarter, and Lake Wentworth. Included within its boundaries, was the large tract of woodland formerly owned by George W. Hersey.

Lot numbered nineteen, drawn by Nathaniel P. Sargeant, was bounded by lots eighteen, twenty, twenty-one, the Great Lot, and the Lords' Quarter. Within its limits is Lily (formerly Sar- geant's) Pond. Lot twenty was bounded by lots seventeen, nine- teen, twenty-one, and twenty-two, and included the Avery woods. It was drawn by William Earle Treadwell, but subsequently be- came the property of George Meserve. Lot twenty-one was drawn by George Meserve. It lay northwest of lot twenty, and probably included within its limits the site of Pine Hill school- house. It was bounded by lots nineteen, twenty, twenty-three, and the Great Lot. Lots twenty-two and twenty-three lay be- tween lots twenty and twenty-one, and Lake \Vinnipesaukee. They were conditionally relinquished to Paul March. Lot twenty- four embraced Wolfeborough Neck, and was assigned to John Parker. At first the Neck was allotted to Henry Rust and John Parker, as, before measurement, it was supposed to contain land sufficient for two lots. It was, however, afterwards ascertained that its superficies equalled only five hundred and forty-seven acres. This tract was, therefore, given to Parker for his share, and Rust received six hundred acres of the Bryant Reservation.

The first row of lots in the Lords' Quarter, numbering from one to six, bordered on a range-road extending from Dimon's Corner to Frank B. Home's farm. The most southern lot con- tained four hundred and fifty acres. It was numbered one, and appropriated for schools. The other seventeen averaged three hundred acres each. Lot number two was situated northeast of lot one. On it is the farm of Charles C. Thompson. It was drawn by Mark H. Wentworth. Lot three was drawn by Richard Wibird. On it stands the dwelling of Sylvester Twombly. Lot numbered four was drawn by Thomas Wallingford. Here is Charles H. Bennett's farm. Lot five, on which is the house of Walter

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 2$

Sherburne, was drawn by Tomlinson and Mason. Lot numbered six was drawn by Thomas Packer. The Haines family have been occupants of it from the early settlement of the town. Parallel to this range of lots are two others. The middle range has the odd numbers, and the northwestern range the even.

The middle row of lots has had but few inhabitants. On lot numbered seven, which was drawn by Solly & March, is a por- tion of Samuel B. Sawyer's farm. Lot fifteen was drawn by Joshua Pierce. It embraces a portion of the Jacob Home farm. Lots eleven and fifteen, by an arrangement with Daniel Pierce, came into the possession of the grantees of Wolfeborough. Lot seventeen was drawn by John Wentworth. The Nathan Weeks place was within its limits.

The northwestern tier of lots bordered on Tuftonborough. Lot numbered eight was drawn by Meserve, Blanchard & Co., and included the John L. Goldsmith farm. Lot ten was drawn by Theodore Atkinson, and was distant one hundred and seventy- five rods from the Ossipee town line at the foot of Goldsmith Hill. Lot numbered twelve was bounded by lots ten, eleven, fourteen, and Tuftonborough. It was drawn by George Jaffrey, and was one hundred and eighty-five rods wide. Lot fourteen was of the same width, and was bounded by lots twelve, thirteen, and sixteen, and Tuftonborough. It was drawn by John Moffatt. Lot numbered sixteen was drawn by John Odiorne, and included within its limits a portion of Beech Pond. Lot numbered eighteen extended to the Great Lot, and included within its limits the site of Elijah Home's last dwelling. It fell to the first minister.

In the Addition, which became a part of Wolfeborough in 1800, lot numbered one, owned by Jonathan Warner, had an extent of nearly nine hundred acres of land, and was bounded by Brook- field, Ossipee, lots six and seven in the original township of Wolfeborough and lot two in the Addition. Lot two was bounded by lots one and three in the Addition, lots eight and nine in the old town, and Ossipee. It probably included within its limits

30 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the Brown Tavern, for many years a noted hostelry. It was owned by James Stoodley. Lot three was bounded by lots two and four in the Addition, nine and ten in the old town, the Lords' Quarter, and Ossipee. It was owned by Dr. Hall Jackson. Lots one, two, and three were of the same size. Lot four was bounded by three and five in the Addition, the Lords' Quarter, and Ossipee. It was owned by Stephen Batson, and included the mountain and pond which now bear his name. Lots four and five each contained four hundred acres. There are about thirty- five hundred acres of land in the Addition, but being mountainous, it was estimated at the time of its annexation to Wolfeborough to contain less than three thousand acres.

That portion of Wolfeborough that came into the possession of the town proprietors was at first divided into twenty-four lots. Two of them were conveyed to Paul March for purposes of settle- ment, reducing the number to twenty-two. The Masonian Pro- prietors' Quarter was divided into eighteen lots, and the Addition contained five. Thus there were in the town forty-seven divisions of land, — one series of lots being numbered from one to twenty- two ; another, from one to eighteen ; and a third, from one to five. There were, therefore, in each series, lots numbering from one to five, a circumstance which has occasioned some per- plexities in transfering land.

VIEW FROM

PANORAMIC VIE// C

'OLFEBOROUGH BAY

CHAPTER III.

TOPOGRAPHY — BAYS OF WOLFEBOROUGH HARBOR — SMITH'S POND AND RIVER — LAKE WENTWORTH AND ITS ISLANDS — ITS MEADOWS, BEACHES, AND TRIBUTARY STREAMS — CROOKED POND — LOON ISLAND — SCENIC VIEWS FROM THE LAKE — TUMBLE-DOWN DICK — COPPLE CROWN — LONGSTACK — BELKNAP — OSSIPEE — PRESIDENTIAL RANGES — NEIGHBOR- ING FOOT-HILLS — RUST'S POND — PERRY'S BROOK — MIRROR LAKE — BEACH, LILY, AND BATSON'S PONDS — MESERVE AND FACTORY BROOKS — CENTER SQUARE, STOCKBRIDGE, BATSON, TRASK, WHITEFACE, AND COTTON MOUNTAINS — THE VAL- LEY ROAD — MINERALS — PRODUCTS — INDIAN RELICS.

IN the foregoing pages it has been the purpose to show where Wolfeborough is — to tell of its boundaries, its additions, and its subdivisions ; in those which immediately follow it will be the endeavor to show what it is — to describe somewhat its mountains, hills, plains, valleys, and islands ; its lakes, ponds, and streams. Within the territory of Wolfeborough are included several bays, that set in from Lake Winnipesaukee. The most important of these is that which lies south of the principal village. It has an area of about five hundred acres, and is partially shut in from the broad of the lake by islands, which renders it a very safe har- bor. Farther inland is a smaller bay that extends to the foot of the falls on Smith's River. The two are connected by a narrow strait, which is a continuation of Smith's River. Another bay sets in towards South Wolfeborough village, and still an- other towards Wolfeborough Neck. A large bay, formed by the projections of the two peninsulas, Wolfeborough Neck and Tuftonborough Neck, lies partly within the town. The por- tion of this bay within the limits of Wolfeborough is called "Winter Harbor." It was so named because a loaded boat,

31

32 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

destined for Moultonborough, was forced to seek shelter here, was frozen in, and remained during the winter.

In the south central part of the town lies a body of water nearly four miles long and three miles wide, formerly known as Smith's Pond, but now called Lake_Wentworth. Smith's River, which connects Smith's Pond with Lake Winnipesaukee, and Smith's Bridge, the part of Wolfeborough village situated near the out- let of Smith's River, derive their names from the same source, and are supposed to have been thus called from an English hun- ter named Smith, who visited this region. Nothing is now known of his history. The story may be wholly legendary. It is, how- ever, certain that the town proprietors applied the name "Smith" to the pond and the river before there were any inhabitants in the town. Still it has been deemed proper to change the name of the pond, or lake, to that of the town's most distinguished early patron, who was at one time the possessor of a large por- tion of its shore-line.

The lake is somewhat oval in shape and has an area of 3094 acres. It has twenty islands, the most important of which are situated in the central part of the lake. The largest was called Mill Island by the proprietors of the town, probably because it was granted to the builders of the first mills. Subsequently, it received the name of Stamp Act, which it still retains. Why it was thus called is not known. The town proprietors first granted the land with other property to George Meserve as a consideration for his building mills at the falls on Smith's River within a definite time. He did not fully comply with the con- ditions of the agreement, and the island reverted to the original owners. In 1765, Meserve was appointed distributor of stamps for New Hampshire, but the hostility of the people to the odious Stamp Act was so great that he immediately resigned the office on arriving at the province. It is difficult to see how this affair should have had anything to do with the name of the island. The name not being euphonic, and to the present generation

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

33

apparently meaningless, should be changed. Perhaps it would not be amiss to restore the original name.

The island was covered with the usual forest trees, some of them lofty pines. Here, from the recollection of the oldest in- habitant until a recent date, when the trees were felled, was a heronry. The area of the island is ninety acres. At its east end is a point of land called East Cape ; south of this is a sandy recess in the shore named Big Cove.

North of Stamp Act Island and nearer the shore of the lake, is Triggs's Island, containing twenty acres of land. It takes its name from Thomas Triggs, its original owner, in the posses- sion of whose family it remained until the decease of its last member, which occurred a few years since.

Farther east, and north of Stamp Act, is the Mink group, con- sisting of three islands, the largest of which contains three acres of land. West of Stamp Act, is a cluster of seven islands called "The Sisters." The largest one contains five acres and the next in size, three ; the others are small. Most of this group are occupied in the summer by cottagers. Near the easterly shore of the lake is Turtle Island, the area of which is about three acres. A causeway from it to the mainland is partially built. This is supposed to have been constructed by Governor Wentworth. About a half-mile from the southerly shore of the lake is an island-rock, about forty feet long and thirty feet wide, called the Governor's Rock, or Tea Rock. Near the west shore of the lake is another similar rock, named Gull Rock, where a gull was formerly accustomed to breed its young. Near the north- western shore of the lake is a small island known as Goose Island. Between Stamp Act and the southern shore of the lake are two islands. One of them, containing about one acre of land, was formerly called Townsend's Island. It is now known as Bass Island. The other, situated east of this, is smaller, and has no name.

South of Stamp Act are several huge boulders, which, lying

34

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

on a sandy bottom, rise above the surface of the water. Near these a very fine echo may be heard. The shores of the lake are generally low. There are several beautiful beaches and excellent natural meadows. Several of the latter border the streams that flow into the lake. They were utilized somewhat in the early settlement of the town, before the forests were cleared, for fur- nishing hay. The principal meadows are on the northeastern and southwestern shores of the lake. From Moose Point on the western shore, a sand beach extends for several miles. Near the outlet of the Warren Brook, east of the lake, is a large deposit of alluvium known as the "Sands." A little north of this is the only point where land much elevated borders the lake. Here, Mount Delight reaches the shore, and near here, is the greatest depth of water in the lake, which is generally shoal. Farther on, toward the south, are Townsend's Sands, Oak Bluff, Rocky Point, Point Breeze, Profile Rock, and Gate's Sands.

Ten streams flow into the lake. They are the Harvey, Hersey, Fernald, Clay Pit, Rye Field, Warren, Townsend, Red, and Heath Brooks, and Willey's Mill Stream. Harvey Brook flows from the west. Some seventy years ago, William Kent built on it a saw- mill, which was afterwards removed to the upper falls on Smith's River. The brook now furnishes motive power for the ma- chinery of a carpenter's shop. It rises in meadow-land formerly belonging to George Meserve, one of the original town pro- prietors ; hence probably came its name, as, in olden times, Har- vey and Meserve were names sometimes used interchangeably. A little north of Harvey, is Hersey Brook, the outlet of Lily (for- merly Sargeant's) Pond. It has a course of two miles, with a descent of about one hundred feet. Nearly a century ago there was a grist-mill on it, owned by John Lucas. This was situated near the present highway. About 1820 William Kent and James Hersey erected a sawmill farther up the stream. This was after- ward rebuilt by George W. Hersey. None of these mills are now standing. Still farther north, is Fernald's, in earlv times called

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

35

Rattle Snake Brook. There were once on it a tannery and a shingle-mill.

Northeast of this, is the most important stream that flows into Lake Wentworth. It is formed by the confluence of the outlet of Batson's Pond, the Seavey Brook and other small streams. For- merly its water was used as motive power at several different localities ; now it only turns the machinery at V. B. Willey's saw- mill. It is called Willey's Mill Stream. On this stream were once a tannery and brick-yard on the road from North Wolfe- borough to Water Village, a sawmill and a grist-mill on that now leading from Wolfeborough Center to Ossipee, and a small tur- ner's shop on the road from Center Wolfeborough to North Wolfeborough.

Farther east is Clay Pit Brook, so called because clay has been dug from its borders. It runs through a large meadow, and in early times, a small grist-mill stood on its banks. Still farther east, is Rye Field Brook, one branch of which has its rise in Cot- ton Mountain. On its banks may still be seen evidences of the existence of a sawmill, which is supposed to have been built by Governor Wentworth. At the "Sands" flows in the Warren Brook, which has its source in Brookfield, and flows through extensive meadows. It bears the name of a family once living on its banks, in which were reared to adult age twenty-one children. Farther south is Townsend Brook, so called on account of its flowing through the farm formerly owned by Isaac Townsend, the first minister ordained in Wolfeborough. Still farther south is an- other small stream, called Red Brook. Its waters are colored either by absorption from the roots of shrubs growing in it, or by percolation through mineralized earth. Next in order is the South Branch, or Heath Brook. It has its rise in New Durham, where on its banks was once a grist-mill. It flows sluggishly through extensive meadows, its outlet being on the southern shore of Lake Wentworth.

At least thirty square miles of territory are drained by the

36 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

tributaries of Lake Wentworth. A considerable portion of its volume of water is probably furnished by springs hidden in its bed. Most of the sources of the streams flowing into it are at some distance from its shore ; hence there are very seldom sud- den overflows of water, and the lake is comparatively free from the effects of droughts or freshets. As a reservoir it is remarkably uniform in its supply of water.

The outlet of Lake Wentworth is Smith's River on its western shore. For about one-third of a mile this is a narrow stream. It then broadens into several irregular shaped bays, and takes the name of Crooked Pond. This is about one mile long. It has one small island called Loon Island. One of its bays is named Porcupine Cove. The river narrows again a little above its fall, which is twenty-eight feet, and running about one-fourth of a mile, flows into the inner bay that extends to Smith's Bridge. Into this bay flow two small streams, one of which is called Var- ney's Brook because of its running through the premises of the Joseph Varney family. On this many years ago was a small bark- mill. The other stream was utilized for some years by Hiram Ham, a manufacturer of lumber.

The scenic views from Lake Wentworth are very attractive. Toward the southeast lies Pleasant Valley, its acclivities gradually rising towards Mount Dick in Brookfield and the towering Copple Crown in New Durham. A depressed line of hills continues until Long Stack, partly in Wolfeborough, is reached, while farther on, toward the south, and then toward the west, appear the moun- tains of Alton, Gilmanton, and Gilford, including the Belknap range with its numerous peaks. Toward the north is seen the dark browed Ossipee, more distant, the rugged Chocorua, and still farther on, encircled by its lofty neighbors, the hoary head of that monarch of New Hampshire mounts — Washington. With- in the limits of Wolfeborough, and in a narrower circle, the eye of the observer beholds Garland Heights, Center Square, Stock-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

37

bridge, Beacham, Moody, Batson, Trask, Whiteface, and Cotton Mountains, Martin's Hill and Mount Delight.

Rust's Pond is situated in the southerly part of Wolfeborough. The town proprietors named it Middle Pond, it being located be- tween Lake Wentworth and Lake Winnipesaukee and not far from either of them. (Both the lakes were then termed ponds.) Henry Rust, a town proprietor, afterwards came into possession of the lot in which the greater part of the pond lies, and it took his name. It is of an oval shape, and has an area of perhaps a hundred acres. Its principal tributary is Perry's Brook, which takes its rise in New Durham and runs through a farm once owned by John Perry. A small brook near its northern shore is called Deland's Brook. The water of Rust's Pond flows into Lake Winnipesaukee by a stream, which in a distance of one-third of a mile falls seventy feet, furnishing an excellent mill privilege. As the traveler from Wolfeborough village to South Wolfe- borough passes over the brow of the Brewster Ridge, there sud- denly bursts upon his sight the lakelet, cradled in the little valley that extends nearly to the base of the diminutive Pierce mountain — a landscape picture of surpassing loveliness.

Mirror Lake lies mostly within the limits of Tuftonborough. It was first known as Livius's Pond, taking its name from Peter Livius, a member of Governor John Wentworth's council. Through his agents Livius commenced farming operations on the western shore of the pond. There he dug a channel, by which he purposed to drain the pond, and convert it into a grass meadow. This channel still exists. He erected a house, the cellar of which can still be seen, and employed a large number of laborers under an overseer who is said to have had a seat on the top of a stump twenty feet high, where he could overlook his gang of workmen. The scheme for an artificial meadow proved a failure, either be- cause of the unsuitable character of the soil, or Livius's enforced departure from the province of New Hampshire. Being a royalist, he retired to Canada, where he obtained a government office. In

38 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the dark days of the Revoluntionary War he wrote to General Sullivan and vainly sought to induce him to abandon the American cause. The name Livius was contracted to Levis, and by that name the pond was known until a family named Lang settled on its eastern shore. It then took the name of that family, and re- tained it until a few years ago, when a post-office was established in the vicinity. Since then it has been called Mirror Lake. It is a beautiful sheet of water, and its present name is both appropri- ate and euphonic and will doubtless be abiding. Tradition says, and no doubt speaks truly, that the outlet of the pond was origi- nally at the "Narrows." Since the time of Livius the water has flowed through the artificial channel.

Beech Pond, which is supposed to have taken its name from the beech forests that formerly grew on its borders — although it is not certain that its name did not arise from its fine sand beaches, and that it should not have been called Beach Pond — is a superior reservoir of very pure water which furnishes an abundant supply for Wolfeborough village, distant three and a half miles from it, and situated four hundred feet below it. (The exact fall of the water to the level of Lake Winnipesaukee is four hundred and seventy-five feet.) The pond is evidently fed by springs whose fountains are hidden in the lofty hills that border its eastern shore, as only one small stream flows into it. Its area is three hundred acres. Its surplus water flows through a short channel into Lower Beech Pond, and eventually reaches the Saco River in Maine. On the western shore of the pond is a natural embankment of earth about one hundred rods long and one hun- dred feet high. A narrow valley extends to its base, from which issues a spring whose water is supposed to possess medicinal prop- erties. Many years ago it was a popular resort for invalids. This water is supposed to pass through mineralized earth from the pond above. The spring is one of the sources of Nineteen Mile Brook which empties into Lake Winnipesaukee. If the foregoing hypoth- esis is correct, the water of Beech Pond reaches the ocean by

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

39

two outlets, the Saco River in Maine and the Merrimac in Massa- chusetts. There are very few inhabitants dwelling in the neigh- borhood of this pond, and the drainage of farm buildings and fre- quented highways does not contaminate its water. It is sur- rounded by pasture and woodland.

Lily Pond is situated northwest of Center Square. It is circu- lar in form, and has an area of nearly two hundred acres. Border- ing on it are some cranberry meadows, but no fine beaches. On its muddy bottom grow many aquatic plants, among them a profusion of water-lilies, which in their season cover the surface of the pond with a mantle of white. Until within a few years this body of water was called Sargeant's Pond from the name of the town proprietor within the limits of whose lot it lay. Two brooks flow into the pond ; the larger, Hill's Brook, from the east ; the other, Hyde's Brook, which is quite small, from the north. Its outlet is Hersey Brook, a stream about two miles long, which flows into Lake Wentworth.

Batson's Pond, which derives its name from an original pro- prietor of the Addition, is situated in the northerly part of the town near Ossipee line. It is circular in form, and has an extent of about twenty acres. Its water flows southerly for several miles and is then discharged into Lake Wentworth. Hidden behind Batson's Mountain, and at some distance from a public highway, it has probably never been seen by one in twenty of the inhabi- tants of Wolfeborough.

There are two brooks that flow directly into Lake Winnipesau- kee. One is a small stream in the westerly part of the town known as Meserve Brook. It rises in land formerly owned by George Meserve, a town proprietor. The other enters the lake near South Wolfeborough village. It is called Rust's Brook.

The surface of the town of Wolfeborough is generally uneven. It has several fine ridges of land with moderately sloping sides. Among these may be noticed the two which are near the Bridge village, one rising from the level of the lake toward the north and

40

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the other toward the south, also the background of Pleasant Val- ley in the southeast, a portion of the Governor Wentworth farm stil! farther east, and Garland Heights. Bickford's Ridge, in the north, is perhaps as marked as any. It is certainly nearer the clouds than the others. Much of the town's surface, however, consists of irregular hills, of moderate size, and narrow valleys. In the north it is mountainous ; yet the peaks are so low that they are generally utilized by the farmers. The most noted elevations are those which will now be described.

Center Square is noticeable only on account of its location, it being situated near the center of the original township of Wolfe- borough. Stockbridge Mountain, so called from a farmer former- ly dwelling at its base, is a solitary peak, mostly denuded of trees, situated in the westerly part of the Masonian division of the town. It affords a very fine view of the Winnipesaukee lake region. East of this mountain is a chain of high hills sometimes termed the "Alps of Wolfeborough." It includes Beacham and Moodey Mountains, some of whose peaks are twelve hundred feet above the ocean. East of this range, is Batson's Mountain with an alti- tude of one thousand feet. About one and one-half miles, as the bird flies, southeast of Batson's is Trask's Mountain, so named from a family that lived on its eastern side. Between these two mountains is a deep, narrow valley, through which runs the road leading from Wolfeborough to Ossipee. About two miles in an easterly direction, Whiteface rears its head to an elevation of twelve hundred feet, just equalling the height of Trask's. A precipice several hundred feet high on its eastern side gives the mountain its name. Trask's and Whiteface, like Batson's, are within the limits of the Addition.

About two miles southeast of Whiteface is Cotton Mountain, which is so called from a group of families of that name that have for many years dwelt on its sides and in the adjacent valleys. Its first name was Cutter's Mountain, it being included within the limits of the lot, which in the division of the town fell to Dr. A. R.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 41

Cutter. The height of this mountain is only fifty feet less than that of Whiteface. It is the most southerly of the four distinct ele- vations of land about equal in height and nearly equi-distant from each other that are situated in an almost direct line on the north- east side of Wolfeborough.

The water which flows down the north side of this mountain reaches the ocean by Saco River, that from the east side makes its way to the Piscataqua, while that from the west side forms a tributary to Lake Wentworth, and eventually arrives at the Mer- rimac. Thus the rain, which falls within a circle whose diameter is about a half mile, reaches the ocean by three distinct rivers that open into it from three different states ; viz., the Saco in Maine, the Piscataqua in New Hampshire, and the Merrimac in Massa- chusetts.

The points from which fine landscape views may be obtained are numerous in Wolfeborough. Perhaps that from Trask's Mountain, the top of which can be easily reached with carriages, is of greater extent than any other in the town. Here, in almost every direction, rise isolated peaks, or chains of mountains of ever-varying contour, while the valleys are diversified with lakes and streams, that, glistening in the sunlight, form a striking con- trast to the dark shades of the forest-clad hills. In the north, is seen the Kearsarge of Bartlett ; in the west, the Kearsarge of Warner. Alike in name, they resemble each other in aspect. From Mount Dick, situated in Brookfield, a little outside the limits of Wolfeborough, can be obtained a bird's-eye view of the town and the Winnipesaukee Lake region that furnishes a panorama of surpassing loveliness. Copple Crown, eighteen hun- dred feet high, although within the limits of New Durham, is yet, on account of its proximity to Wolfeborough, a striking feature in its scenery .

Wolfeborough is not rich in minerals. Small quantities of bog- iron have been found on the northern shore of Lake Wentworth. A chalky earth has been obtained on Stamp Act Island. Crystals

42 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

of quartz and garnets are sometimes found. Coarse granite abounds. There are deposits of clay in different localities. A con- siderable part of the principal village is built over a substratum of this earth.

The soil of Wolfeborough is varied, but generally fertile, readily producing Indian corn, wheat, and other small grains ; grass both for hay and pasturage ; also potatoes and such vegetables as are adapted to a northern climate in great perfection. Pears do fairly well ; apples extraordinarily so. Plums and cherries are with difficulty raised, not so much on account of defects in the soil and climate as the prevalence of harmful insects.

The primitive forests of Wolfeborough were diversified. White pine prevailed in the central and southwestern portion of the town. One locality is still called ''Pine Hill." Hemlock, beech, maple, oak, and other hard woods were to be found in all parts of the town. Masts cut in the vicinity of Lake Wentworth were floated across that body of water and down the upper section of Smith's River to a cove situated in Wolfeborough Falls, still called "Mast Landing.''

Little is known of the history of the aborigines who made their homes on the territory now included within the limits of Wolfe- borough and other lake towns. That the shores of Winnipesau- kee were to the denizens of the forest a desirable abode or a fre- quent resort, is not to be doubted. Here they could easily obtain an abundance of peltry and foods. Sometimes, when they had been on marauding expeditions to the settlements on the sea- coast, they had been pursued to Lake Winnipesaukee. On its shores the English built a fort and stationed a garrison of scouts to protect the frontier towns. The Indians which dwelt in this region are supposed to have been subject to the Penacook tribe, whose headquarters were on the Merrimac River, where the city of Concord now stands. The chief of the Penacooks governed all the tribes on that river and its tributaries. Indian relics, such as axes, chisels, and other stone tools, have been found on the

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

43

borders of streams and ponds of Wolfeborough. Many years ago a stone hearth and several caches were discovered on the southern shore of Lake Wentworth. Within the limits of Pine Hill ceme- tery there was, when Wolfeborough was first settled, a cleared spot of ground called the "Indian Dance."

CHAPTER IV.

NOTICE OF PROPRIETORS' MEETING — FORM OF CONTRACT — NOTE TO JOSIAH MILES — MARCH'S CONTRACT — TITLES TO PRO- PRIETORS' LOTS — RUST'S DEED AND A DESCRIPTION OF His LOT — DESCRIPTION OF SUNDRY LOTS — GEORGE MESERVE'S CONTRACT TO ERECT MILLS — LIVIUS' PROPOSITION — ME- SERVE'S FAILURE AND THE NEW CONTRACT — LANDS FOR- FEITED BY A FEW PROPRIETORS AND RE-GRANTED TO GOV- ERNOR WTENTWORTH — BLAKE AND LlBBEY FELL TREES —

RUSTIC SURGERY — TOWN PERMANENTLY SETTLED IN 1768 — EARLIER VISITORS IN THE TOWN.

A LTHOUGH the action of the town proprietors of Wolfe- /~V borough in some matters has been already partially de- scribed, yet as the proprietary records are not very full or explicit, copies of certain documents, fortunately preserved, that may help to a better understanding of that action, are here introduced.

Here follows the warrant for what was probably the second proprietary meeting: —

"Province of To the Proprietors of the Tract of Land

New Hampshire. called Wolfs Borough. —

Greeting:

You are hereby Notified and required to assemble yourselves at the dwelling House of Mr. John Stavers, Innholder, in Portsmo., on Wenesclay, the 3d Day of Sept. next, at Six of the

** HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Clock in the afternoon, then and there to receive the Report of the Committee employed to Lay out said Tract, if they are ready for the same — to examine the Treasurer's ammounts. — To raise such Sum or Sums of money as may be found necessary. — To de- termine some method relating delinquent Proprietors' taxes. — To alter the Name of the said Tract Called Wolfs Borough, if you think proper, and to door act on any other matter or Thing relating to said Proprietry, as shall by you be thought Proper & needfull.

Dated at Portsmouth the 5th Day of August, anno Domini, 1760.

David Sewall, Prop. Clerk. Not't Ten the 6th of August, 1760.

3 Sept. Do. 4. — Proprietors met & voted that Dan'l Peirce Esqr. be moderator for this meeting. Voted this meeting adjourned to the 1 7th of this Instant September at place before mentioned 7 o'clock afternoon."

Here is the form of a contract to be made with any settlers : —

"This Indenture made & Executed by & Between Paul March, John Wentworth Jun'r & Ammi Ruhamah Cutter, all of Portsmouth in the Province of New Hampr. Gentlemen as a Committee of the Proprietors of a Tract of Land in said Province called Wolfborough for this Special Purpose Chosen and Appointed at a Meeting of the Proprietors Legally assembled Decem'r 8th, 1762, of the one Part & L. M. of Portsmouth afores'd f eoman of the other Part.

Now this Indenture witnesses That the said Committee in Pursuance of their said Trust for Promoting the Settlement of said Tract, In Con- sideration of the Covinants herein expressed on the Part of said L. M. to be done and perform'd have and hereby Do give, grant, Bargain, Sell, Convey and Confirm unto him the said L. M., all the Right, Title, Interest, Property & Demand the said Proprietors have unto

acres of Land within said Town ship being No. in a plan of

said Township Returnd by Walter Bryant Surveyor with the Prive- lidges and appurtenances thereof to have and to hold the said de- scribed Premises with the Privelidges thereof to him the said L. M. his Heirs & Assigns to his and their use Benefit and Behoof forever and the said Committee do covenant Grant and agree to and with the said L. M. that within the Term of Three Years they will pay or

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

45

cause to be paid unto him the said L. M. or his Order the Sum of

£ old Tenor money of the Province of New Hampr. or other

money equal thereto. Whereupon the said L. M. Doth on his part Covenant Grant & agree to and with the said Comee. their Exer. & adminr. that he will within Three years from the Date hereof clear up Five acres of Land fit for the Mowing & Plowing and Build a House 18 feet Square & will Reside with said Tract of Land called Wolf borough for the Term of 15 Years to the true and Faithfull per- formance of which the said Partys have hereunto Interchangeably Set their Hands & Seals the Day of, &c."

The committee on settlements had at some time made arrange- ments with Josiah Miles, Elisha Bryant, and others to settle. It appears that they had not complied with the terms agreed on, and here is a copy of a letter, the purport of which will be readily un- derstood.

"Portsmouth Nov'r nth, 1765.

Capt. Josiah Miles, Sir — As you have thought fitt to neglect fulfilling your agreement with the Proprietors of Wolfeborough in Setling a number of families, &c. & have not complied with any part thereof we think it necessary to advise you that we look upon Said agreement as wholly void & of none Effect & that before you pretend to do anything in Setling s'd Township You have a new bargain to make with us — for which end it will be highly neces- sary you should meet us here as soon as your Conveniency will admit.

We are &c.

D. P. D. R. A. R. C. J.P."

In the autumn of 1765. Paul March made a contract with the proprietors, of which the following is the copy :

"Portsmouth, Nov. n, 1765. Whereas Capt. Josiah Miles has forfeited his agreement with

46

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the Proprietors of Wolfeborough with Regard to Settleing said Township & has not complied with any part thereof, the same necessarily becoming void & of none effect, Therefore we the Sub- scribers being a Committee fully impowered to Contract with any persons to Settle Said Township do hereby agree with Paul March Esqr. that in consideration of his Settleing ten Families this fall or Winter on that part of said Township adjoining to Tuftonboro' & which we have sat off for that purpose we will confirm to each Settler One hundred & fifty acres of Land and to s'd March the same Quantity of land — that is 150 Acres — for his trouble herein. It is to be understood that each Settler shall have by the first day of May next four acres of Land Cleared fenced & fit for tilling one half of which to be sowed or planted next Spring & by the first day of October next to have a good tenantable House built, at least twenty feet Square — or equal thereto — & to be there inhabiting on the Spot & there to remain ten years mak- ing progressive improvements, or some one else in his or her stead.

Copy.

D. Pierce Dan'l Rindge A. R. Cutter Jno. Parker. Province of New Hamps.

I the Subscriber do hereby agree with the Committee above mentioned to comply with & fulfill in every Respect the above written agreement upon Penalty of forfeiting my Right in the Township of Wolfeborouo'h £ twenty five pounds Lawful Money besides. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal the nth clay of Oct'r, 1765.

Paul March (L. S.)

Witnesses.

George Mesen e Will'm Tor rev"

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 47

March did not comply with the terms of the foregoing contract ; but, as will subsequently appear, he did evidently commence a course of action that essentially promoted the settlement of the town.

The titles by which the town proprietors held their respective lots of land were evidently established by the record of the draw- ing of said lots in the "Proprietary Book of Record" by John Parker, proprietors' clerk, a sworn officer. This drawing was according to a "Plan of Wolfborough" prepared by Walter Bryant, Jun. agreeably to a survey made by him, and took place, as previously determined by a vote of the town proprietors, at the house of Zachariah Foss, innholder, in Portsmouth. N. H., Feb. 19, 1766. The "Plan of Wolfborough" as well as the account of the drawing was placed on the "Proprietary Book of Record."

In only one instance is it known that the town proprietors gave a written conveyance of land to one of their number. Surveyor Bryant had estimated that Wolfeborough Neck contained twelve hundred acres of land, and divided it into two lots, which were drawn by John Parker and Henry Rust. An actual survey, how- ever, showed that the "Neck" contained only five hundred and forty-seven acres. This was given to Parker, and Rust was al- lowed to take six hundred acres from the "Bryant Reservation."

Here is a copy of the conveyance of his lot : —

"Wolfborough May 2Oth 1767 Pursuant to Orders from Mr. John Parker, the Proprietors Clerk of said Wolfborough, I have laid out to Capt. Henry Rust one of the Proprietors of said Wolf- borough Six Hundred Acres of Land in said Township as his Share and Proportion in the Division of the Lands in said Town- ship, regard being had to the Situation, Quantity & Quality of said Lands, which Lot is Bounded as followeth. Viz., Beginning at the Northeast Bay of Winnipisiokee pond, where the Dividing Line of the Highway Between Lott Number fourteen in said Town (and one Thousand & Fifty Acres left & Intended for Elisha

48 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Bryant & other Settlers in the Southeast Corner of said Town- ship) takes its Departure from said Pond & thence running Northeast bounding on said Highway which makes the Afore- said Division and also by part of Lott Number Thirteen to the Westerly Corner of Lott Number Twelve thence turning off at right Angles and Running Southeast on the highway adjoining Lott number Twelve to a Tree marked No. four on one side & three on the other side thence turning off at right Angles and run- ning Southwest to the Southwesterly Boundary Line of said Township thence turning off at right Angles and running North- west to the aforesaid Pond and also by said Pond to the Bounds first Mentioned, which is Lott No. 15 in said Township. Laid out by Walter Bryant Jun. Lott Layer for said Proprietors re- corded agreeably to the Return made by said Walter Bryant Jun. which is on File.

John Parker, Proprietors Clerk."

As within the limits of this lot is situated the principal part of the village of South Wolfeborough, it seems proper to more fully describe it. Beginning at the bay referred to in the foregoing conveyance was a range-road which extended to Lake Went- worth, a distance of four hundred and forty-four rods. For three hundred and fifty rods this range was the northwesterly boundary of Rust's lot, and separated it from lot fourteen (Treadwell's) and lot thirteen (King's). That portion of this range which now connects the highway leading to South Wolfeborough with the one leading to Pleasant Valley was subsequently opened to the public. At a point on this range ninety-four rods distant from Lake Wentworth, commenced another range road, now a public highway, which extended to New Durham line. For two hundred and seventy-five rods this range formed the northeasterly bound- ary of Rust's lot, and separated it from lot twelve (Thomas Wentworth's). The other lines of the lot are easily determined, one running directly to Lake Winnipesaukee and the other forming

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

49

a portion of its shore. Within the limits of the Rust lot, were situated the larger portion of Rust's Pond, the Col. Rust farm, afterwards known as the Parker farm, the William Rust farm, the Henry Rust farm, generally called the "Rust farm," and the Rich- ard Rust farm. A considerable portion of the last named farm still remains in the possession of the Rust family, and the greater part of South Wolfeborough is built on land that was once a por- tion of it.

Lots thirteen, fourteen, sixteen, and seventeen are, as a whole, more densely populated than other portions of the town, and the endeavor is made to determine with a tolerable degree of ac- curacy their boundary lines.

Lots thirteen and fourteen were situated between Lake Winni- pesaukee and Lake Wentworth, the former adjoining Wentworth, and the latter Winnipesaukee, their southeast border being the range-road which extended from one lake to the other, the head of the Rust lot, and their northwestern boundary a parallel line which separated them from lot sixteen (Sewall's) and lot seven- teen (Torrey's). The abutting line between these two lots prob- ably extended from a point near the site of the Parker house, and ran southwesterly of the older Daniel Brewster house to a point in the farm of Joseph L. Avery, northeast of the present high- way and nearly opposite Green Street. Each lot contained four hundred and eighty acres of land, having a length and breadth of about equal extent.

Lots sixteen and seventeen had the same southeastern line al- ready described, bordering on lots thirteen and fourteen. Their combined northwestern boundary line was seven hundred and eighty rods in length, a portion of the range-road that ran from Lake Winnipesaukee near Sewall's Point to Center Square. The abutting line between these two lots commenced a little east of the Joseph Varney premises near Bay Street, ran in the rear of the site of the shoe factories to Pickering's Corner, and con- tinued in the same general direction until it reached the neighbor-

^o HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

hood of Green Street. This description of lines determines the location of Sewall's lot. Its northwestly line to Sewall's Point was three hundred and eighty rods long ; that to Clark's Point, probably less than two hundred and fifty rods. The lot at its widest part measured two hundred and eighty rods, but was very irregularly shaped. It contained four hundred and forty acres.

Three lines of lot seventeen have already been described. The other, the northeastern line, abutted on lot eighteen, which eventually became a part of the Wentworth Farm. It was sep- arated from that by a range-road about one hundred and fifty rods long, which commenced at a small bay that sets in from Lake Wentworth, near Moose Point. This lot was four hundred rods long, two hundred and eighty rods wide, and contained seven hundred acres. Writhin its limits, extending from Picker- ing's Corner to the land now occupied by Charles D. Hersey, was the one-hundred-acre mill-lot, a tract one hundred and sixty rods long and one hundred rods wide, which now includes within its boundaries the most of the business section of Wolfeborough Falls.

From the foregoing description of the boundaries and divisions of lots thirteen, fourteen, sixteen, and seventeen it will be seen that the territory included within these four lots was either bor- dered or crossed by three parallel lines that began at Lake Winnipesaukee and ran in a northeast direction, two of them reaching Lake Wentworth, and the other the extreme south- western border of the Wentworth Farm. Transverse lines sep- arated lot thirteen from lot fourteen, and lot sixteen from lot seventeen. These lines were not continuous, the former being situated about fifty rods northeast of the latter. Lot thirteen had but one set of buildings on it, those erected by Daniel Brewster; all those situated on South Main Street, from the Henry Rust line to Green Street, are within the limits of lot fourteen. Almost the whole compact part of the "Bridge." including Sewall Street and Sewall's Point, is within the limits of lot sixteen. About one-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. $i

half of Factory Street, that part of South Main Street between Pickering's Corner and Green Street, Center and Pine Streets, the whole of Wolfeborough Falls, Whitten's Neck, and the most of Bay Street are within the limits of lot seventeen. "King's Hill," "Sewall's Point," and "Torrey's Opening" — terms applied to cer- tain localities at the time of the early settlement of the town — indicate the ownership of certain original lots.

The proprietors of Wolfeborough obtained possession of the township in the autumn of 1759. It is not known that special efforts were made to secure settlers until the spring of 1762, when PauMVlarch, John Wejntworth, and Dr. Ammi R. Cutter were appointed a committee with authority to offer gifts of land and money to settlers, and adopt such other measures as would be likely to promote settlements. Their efforts were not successful. Other members were added to the committee, and its powers were enlarged : still the coveted success failed to materialize. At the beginning of the year 1766 no permanent settlers had been se- cured.

On May 26 a meeting was held to consider the proposal of George Meserve to build a saw-mill and a grist-mill on Smith's River. The agreement made between Meserve and the pro- prietors \vas that Meserve should build a saw-mill "to be ready to go" by the last of November and a grist-mill in two years from date. That is, the saw-mill was to be fit for use in November, 1766, and the grist-mill in May, 1768. The proprietors were to give Mieserve the right of ownership to the mill-lot of one hundred acres with all the privilege pertaining thereto, the largest island in Smith's Pond, supposed to contain one hundred acres, and forty-five pounds, lawful money. Meserve was to pay for any excess of land, should it contain more than one hundred acres, and give the proprietry a bell, when it should be of use in the township. Peter Livius, who had commenced an agricultural en- terprise in Tuftonborough, on the shore of the pond in the south- ern part of the town, desired to have an interest in the mills equal

c2 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

to a Wolfeborough proprietor, and was allowed the privilege. It is probable that Meserve built the saw-mill that season, but not the grist-mill.

October u, 1769, the proprietors took the following action in relation to the matter :

"Whereas the Conditions on which the Mill Stream & privilege at Smith's River were agreed to be granted away, appear to this propriety not to have been complyed with in the Article of a Grist Mill as well with respect to the time as the Quality thereof in the said Conditions expressed — therefore Voted that the same Stream & privilege are forfeited & revert to the Grantors for non-perform- ing the said Conditions — and that Henry Rust be and hereby is appointed & authorized special Agent & Attorney to the Pro- prietors to enter into & take into his actual possession the said Mill privilege and Stream and all buildings thereon for the use of said Proprietors." The buildings were probably a saw- mill and dwelling-house, which Meserve had erected, having re- ceived the pledged forty-five pounds.

March 28, 1770, it was voted "that the Mill Stream & Privilege on Smith's River with the Appurtenances which were formerly granted to George Meserve, but were forfeited and reverted to the Proprietors, be & hereby are granted to Dr. A. R. Cutter & David Sewall to them & their Heirs & Assigns forever on Con- dition that they have a good Grist-Mill built to the Acceptance of the Proprietors in eighteen months from this Date & that they keep said Mill & the saw mill in good Order & Repair."

At a proprietors' meeting held March 13, 1771, George King, William Torrey, and John Parker were appointed a committee to inquire if the mills met the required conditions, and report at the adjournment.

At the adjourned meeting, held May 7, the committee above mentioned made the following report :

"It appears that Ammi Ruhamah Cutter and David Sewall have

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

53

erected a good Saw Mill & Grist Mill on a Stream issueing from Smith's Pond into Winnipissiokee Lake & upon the Land & Falls in Wolfeborough commonly called the Mill privilege & have fully complied on their part with the proposed Conditions of their hav- ing the Lands called the Mill privilege with the Falls Stream & Appurtenances containing one hundred Acres together with a cer- tain Island in Smith's Pond called Mill Island suppossed to con- tain one hundred acres."

Upon hearing this report of the committee, the following ac- tion was taken : —

"Voted that the said Land called the Mill Lot with the Mill privileges therein together with the aforesaid Island called Mill Island now in the Actual Tenure & Occupation of the said Cutter & Sewall with the Buildings and Appurtances be and hereby are given granted and Confirmed to them the said Cutter & Sewall their several and respective Heirs and Assigns forever, and to perpetuate this Grant and Confirmation John Parker the Clerk of this Proprietry is hereby directed at the Request of the said Cutter & Sewall to make an Exemplification of the same in the Name of the Proprietors and having affixed the Proprietors' Seal thereto to acknowledge the same before any Justice of the Peace of the Province as the Act and Deed of this Proprietry."

At a meeting of the proprietors for drawing lots, held in Feb- ruary, 1766, it was voted that each proprietor should settle one family on his ''right" on or before the first day of March, 1769, or forfeit two hundred acres of land.

A meeting was called April 12, 1769, to ascertain what pro- prietors had failed to put settlers on their respective lots, and who of them had neglected to pay the tax assessed on their prop- erty. At this meeting it was voted that the time limited for settling lots be extended to the last day of the following June, when, in case of non-compliance with the original agreement, two hundred acres of each delinquent's land should be sold at public

54 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

vendue. It was also voted to sell land in the same way to pay overdue taxes.

Another meeting of the proprietors was held September 13, for the purpose of ascertaining what persons were still delinquent in settling their lots or paying their taxes. This meeting was ad- journed to October n, when portions of six lots were sold for taxes, and two hundred acres of each of four lots declared forfeited to the proprietry. These forfeited lands were at the same time granted to "His Excellency, John Wentworth, Esq., on condition that he complies with the terms of settling said rights within twelve months from this date."

In 1767 it became evident that the time was approaching when the efforts of the proprietors to secure settlers for Wolfeborough were to be successful. Individual proprietors were making strenuous efforts to induce families to settle on their respective lots, and March's schemes seemed likely to succeed No family came to the town to reside until the following year, but during the summer, Benjamin Blake and Reuben Libbey commenced felling trees on lots they had selected for future occupancy. Just as they had nearly completed their labors, Libbey's leg was broken by a falling tree. Blake set the bone as well as he was able, built a booth over his companion to protect him from the summer sun, placed near him the scanty remnant of food and a vessel of water, and set out for Gilmanton to procure aid. He was unavoidably absent two days. Libbey, in the meantime, hav- ing drunk the water left him, suffered much from thirst and an- noying insects which swarmed from the surrounding forest. On the evening of the second day help arrived, and an examination by the medical attendant showed that Blake's surgery needed no emendation.

The permanent settlement of Wolfeborough dates from the year 1768, although a few persons, unaccompanied by their fam- ilies, had previously spent limited portions of time within its bor- ders. The region was noted for its peltry, and was frequently

GOVERNOR JOHN WENTWORTH

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

55

visited by hunters. Persons also who had settled on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee came to the meadows on the borders of Lake Wentworth in the hay season, cut and stacked the grass, which grew there bounteously, and in the winter removed it to their homes on the ice. William Rogers, when a lad, spent an en- tire winter on the shore of Lake Wentworth, caring for neat stock, which was kept in a hovel. He was visited only occasionally by members of his family with supplies of food.

CHAPTER V.

GOVERNOR JOHN WENTWORTH — PARENTAGE AND ANCESTRY — A STUDENT AT HARVARD—FRIENDSHIP WITH DR. AMMI R. CUTTER — BECOMES AN INTERESTED PROPRIETOR OF WOLFE- BOROUGH — APPOINTED JOINT AGENT FOR THE PROVINCE AT THE BRITISH COURT — MADE SURVEYOR OF THE KING'S WOODS IN NORTH AMERICA AND GOVERNOR OF THE PROV- INCE— His RECEPTION AT PORTSMOUTH — FELICITOUS COMMENCEMENT OF His ADMINISTRATION — LADY WENT- WORTH— THE GOVERNOR'S INTEREST IN DARTMOUTH COL- LEGE AND ROAD-BUILDING — LIVIUS' CHARGE OF MAL- FEASANCE — POLITICAL ANTAGONISMS — REVOLUTIONARY FORESHADOWINGS — GOES TO PORTSMOUTH — HlS LAST OF- FICIAL ACT — SUBSEQUENT CAREER AND DEATH.

GOVERNOR WENTWORTH was from the first a most zealous promoter of the settlement of Wolfeborough, and as early as 1/68 commenced operations on his own lands. Be- fore proceeding with a particular account of the settlement of the town, therefore, it may be well to give a sketch of its most dis- tinguished patron.

John Wentworth, the last provincial governor of New Hamp- shire and proprietor of a large estate in Wolfeborough, was born

56 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

in Portsmouth in 1737. He was the son of Mark Hunking Went- worth, a prominent merchant of that town, the grandson of Lieutenant-Governor John Wentworth, and the nephew of Ben- ning Wentworth, his immediate predecessor, who acted as gov- ernor of the province of New Hampshire from 1741 to 1767. At the age of fourteen years he entered Harvard College, making the journey to Cambridge on horseback, accompanied by a servant. Here he met Ammi Ruhamah Cutter, who for two years had been a student at the college. Between these two young men com- menced a close intimacy that lasted for a score of years, and a friendship that was lifelong. The parting of the political ways, however, forbade companionship through the greater part of their protracted lives. Society in the sober classic town was not wholly agreeable to the lively young denizen of the busy seaport, as will appear from the following letters addressed to Dr. Cutter, who had just commenced the practice of medicine in Portsmouth.

To Mr. Ammi Ruhamah Cutter, in Portsmouth, per Post, 3s.

Cambridge February 28th 1754. Dear Sir

I with pleasure received your kind favour by Mr. Warner, who ar- rived here last Wenesday night. I do assure you Sir it is with the sin- cerest pleasure that I see a Prospect of renewing my literary correspon- dence with my agreeable friend Doctor Cutter, Qui semper mihi clarte- simus fuit & semper erit. The observation you make of the great Va- riety of pleasing scenes we pass thro' is unjust, as it is now entirely chang'd from what it was then when your presence bless'd us, and if we had as pleasant living as ever yet without you it wou'd be imperfect to me. The College now is filled up (allmost) of Boys from 11 to 14 Years old and them seem to be quite void of the Spirit & life which is a general concomitant of Youth, so you may Judge what kind of life I now live, who was won't to live in the gayest and most Jovial manner, when I was at first admitted one of this Society which I then thought was a Com- pound of Mirth and Gaiety as it is now of Gravity. Should you go into a Company of Schollars now, you'd hear disputes of Original Sin, ac- tual Transgression & such like instead of the sprightly turns of Wit & Gay repartees which the former Companys used to have, which makes me cry out (& with reason) with a certain Author Oh Alma mater, how hast thou degenerated from thy Pristine Glory! So that you might have

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

57

spar'd the Compliments of my Good nature as I cannot please myself more than in writing you. Pray don't let that Opinion of my likeing Brevity prevail as I assure you the other is my Choice as you may see by the length of this Epistle which I hope You'll excuse as it is a pleas- ure to Sir Your assur'd Friend

J. Wentworth. To Dr. Cutter.

To Dr. Ammi R. Cutter In Portsmouth, per favour of Mr. Treadwell.

Cambridge April 23rd 1754.

Dear Sir. — I some time since had a pleasing hope that our Correspon- dence was to be again renewed, which hope does now but faintly glim- mer, tho' I do not yet despair, & hope you'll hinder me from Despairing by letting me hear from you when at leisure which 'do now assure you wou'd be a great and sincere pleasure to me. I hear that we are like to have Treadwell as schoolmaster at Portsmouth which I shou'd be very glad of as he is a young Gentleman that I have a great regard for & believe it will be for his advantage; Treadwell tells me there is as great Scarcity of Pedagogues with you about Portsmouth which 'hope will be supplied by some of your & my Cantabridgian acquaintance; both for your sake & mine as we shall then have a set of Companions that we can make merry with. Cambridge is barren of news at Present, so I hasten to subscribe myself your sincere friend & hble servant

J. Wentworth. To Dr. A. R. Cutter.

To Doctor Ammi Ruhamah Cutter In Portsmouth Per Post 3s.

Dr. Cutter Sir: I with great pleasure received your favour, which you intended by the young Colonel, who is arriv'd here safe; I am great- ly oblig'd to you for the Compliments you have so liberally bestowed upon me, and wou'd now in my Turn return them, but it is impossible to make any Upon Doctor Cutter, as let one say what they please they can't say more than the Truth of you, so hope all things consider'd you'll excuse the deficiency of this letter in Compliment. As to Cambridge it is as barren of news as Portsmouth for there is none stirring here ex- cept that Commencement is to be new stile this year, at which time shall be glad to see you here to Celebrate my entrance upon the last year of my Pilgrimage among the Heathen. Shall be very glad to hear from

^8 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

you by ev'ry Opp'ty when you are at leisure your Compliance of which & Acceptance of this will Greatly oblige your friend & most obedient h'ble

servant.

J. Wentworth. Cambridge Sunday noon, May 27th 1754.

On leaving college young Wentworth entered the counting- room of his father, and was engaged in mercantile business for a few years. In October, 1759, he became one of the proprietors of the township of Wolfeborough, and in April, 1762, was appointed one of the first committee on settling the town, his associates being Paul March and A. R. Cutter. He took a lively interest in the matter of settlement until the autumn of 1763, when he sailed for England, where he remained four years.

Theodore Atkinson, secretary of the province of New Hamp- shire, thus writes to Thomlinson, one of the most active friends of New Hampshire : —

"Now, Dear Sir, Let me beg the favour of your wonted free and candid advice to the bearer, Mr. John Wentworth, my brother Mark's eldest son. (Atkinson married Wentworth's sister.) He will want nothing more than your common civility, and I'm sure y'll have pleasure in every favour of that kind you bestow upon him, as you will, I am persuaded, find him a worthy agreeable fellow."

In another letter he says : "Mr. Wentworth is taking a trip to England by whom you will receive this. I know I need not recommend him to your house. You'll find him deserving every favour granted."

At this period there was an animated and bitter controversy in the British government in relation to the American provinces. Wentworth, though young, was very active in promoting the interests of his native land. It is said that his influence in securing the repeal of the Stamp Act was not inconsiderable. So greatly did his conduct commend itself to the New Hampshire people, that a resolution was passed by the legislature, July 12, 1766, ap-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

59

pointing him and Barlow Trecothick "joynt and separate agents for this Province at the Court of Great Britain." Secretary Atkin- son adds, "Accept our grateful thanks for your spirited and kind assistance in the affair of the repeal till you have it in a more general address which was designed you."

August n, 1766, Mr. Wentworth was appointed by his Majesty, George III., governor of New Hampshire, and also "surveyor of the King's woods in North America." Sailing from England, he arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, in March, 1767. Thence he traveled through the provinces, registering his commission of surveyor in each of them, and arrived at Portsmouth, June 13. The young governor was received by the citizens of his native town with marked demonstrations of respect and joy. A deputation met him without the limits of the town, and escorted him to the more compact part, where the military was paraded to receive him.

Cannon at Fort William and Mary and extemporized batteries boomed ; church bells rang, and there was a banquet of the officials and principal citizens: Portsmouth had such a gala- day as it had never before witnessed.

July 2 the governor met the council and assembly in session, and in his inaugural remarked : "I embrace the earliest oppor- tunity of meeting the Assembly, being desirous to afford my con- currence to those Measures that may be necessary for the public service, which will ever meet my dilligent attention." At the close of his speech he adds : "It remains for me to observe that unanimity, Wisdom and application in all your proceedings will be the best means to compass the great End of your Consulta- tions, therein preserving the Honor of the Crown, and advancing the unlimited Prosperity of the Province, which are at present the only objects of my Wishes."

July 4 the assembly replied to the governor's inaugural as fol- lows : —

"May it please your Excellency —

The House of Representatives have considered your Excel-

60 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

lency's Speech at the opening of this Session and returned you our sincere thanks for your care of the Publick service discovered by such an early meeting of the Assembly, after such a long, tedious and fatiguing journey and voyage as you have had to your Government, and giving us an opportunity to attend to the Business immediately necessary to be transacted. Your expres- sions and assurance of a Ready concurrence in that regard with those measures we shall pursue to the end, Deserve our thankful notice & acknowledgement.

We acknowledge the Propriety & Reasonableness of our early and speedy attention to making an adequate & honorable sup- port for his Majesty's government in money of a fixed value, and the Lawfull money of this Province by a Law of the Province is now well ascertained and fixed. There is likewise the strongest icason from every just principle of Government for establishing the fees of all the officers of the government, which has been several times under the consideration of this and former As- semblys, but the former fluctuating state of the currency made the business difficult. Silver and gold currency have been estab- lished, we have made some progress in preparing a suitable table of fees, but have not yet been able to accomplish it.

As the present season of the year with the peculiar Difficulties attending at this time render our attendance to these important affairs impracticable so far as to effect the same, we are neces- sarily obliged to pray your Excellency to suspend the business for such a short time as the state of our Husbandry requires."

The members of the assembly, as intimated in the foregoing reply, desired to harvest the hay crop before spending more time in legislating ; so after a session of three days the governor adjourned the house to August 18. Before separating, however, a committee consisting of the whole house visited the governor in the council-chamber, and presented him with a formal address prepared by a committee appointed for that purpose. Here fol- lows a coov of it : —

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 6l

" May it Please Your Excellency —

The Representatives of his Majesty's Loyal and Dutifull sub- jects of the Province of New Hampshire concur in the General joy diffused thro' the same on the happy event of your safe arrival among them. Penetrated with the most lively sense of His Majesty's Paternal Regard to them in the appointment of Your Excellency to the chief seat of Government here, they make their very gratefull and humble Acknowledgments.

Your well known Benevolent Disposition, and other amiable qualities exhibited in private life, your abilities and inclination to Discharge the Special Duties of your exalted Station, with the connection usually arising from birth, education and fortune in the same place, gives the most sanguine Hopes that the Province will always have a strong interest in your esteem and affection. Your knowledge of the British Constitution and form of Govern- ment, and the high esteem you have always had for it, the remark- able opportunity you have had of hearing every Branch and part of it pass the most critical Examen that any age has ever seen, as it furnished a more intimate acquaintance with the extent and limits of every part, has we doubt not enhanced your esteem of this Constitution.

We would also remember the eminent service you rendered this Province as an Agent at that critical conjuncture of affairs when it was threatened and in danger of irreparable Burthens ; and in the Name and behalf of our Constituents return our sin- cere and hearty thanks.

The Result is — The most pleasing hopes that the civil and Religious liberties of the People under your Government will always find Protection and safety thro' your whole administration ; and more especially as they have hitherto preserved the character of quiet, loyal and dutyfull subjects, firmly attached to his Maj- esty's person and government, and we flatter ourselves they will never forfeit that character ; that they will always be disposed to

g2 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

demonstrate the truth of their profession by paying that Honor and Duty to his Representative here which his character and station demand, and especially to your Excellency whose advance- ment is follow'd with the highest satisfaction and acquiescence ; We therefore congratulate you, Sir, upon the Honor and trust his Majesty has conferr'd on you and on the other propitious at- tending circumstances.

We add our earnest Desires that the General Complacency appearing on this occasion may continue during the whole time of your Administration, and that be long prosperous and happy to yourself and all under your care and charge."

The governor replied to the address briefly and appropriately. Thus felicitously did John Wentworth, at the age of thirty years, enter upon his duties as chief magistrate of the province of New Hampshire, — a young man beloved by his youthful associates, respected by the maturer citizens of his native town, connected with its most influential and wealthy families, and developed by unusual facilities for acquiring theoretical and practical know- ledge. What seer had vision keen enough to predict that in less than ten years he would be an exile from the home he so loved and appreciated, and that through no fault of his or of those by whose direct agency it was brought about?

.November n, 1769, Governor Wentworth was married to

.,» . .'« t»v^|( -n •»!"/• t-

. ,v Mrs- Frances Deering Atkinson, the widow of his and her cousin, Theodore Atkinson, Jr. When quite young John Wentworth and his cousin, Frances Deering Wentworth, became mutually attached ; but while he was absent in England, Mr. Atkinson, whose mother was a sister of Mark Hunking Wentworth, wooed and won her. After the governor's return to New Hampshire, the families, who lived neighbors, kept up their friendly relations. Mr. Atkinson died on the twenty- eighth day of October, 1769. By order of the governor minute-guns were fired at the fort and on board the ship-of-war, Beaver, then in the harbor. Thirteen days afterward the governor and Mrs. Atkinson were united in

LADY FRANCES WENTWORTH

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 63

marriage. This may seem a strange proceeding, but the union may have been in accordance with the expressed wish of the deceased husband. In an account of the wedding in the "Boston News Letter" of November 17, the correspondent says of Mrs. Wentworth, "She is a lady adorned with every accomplishment requisite to make the marriage state agreeable." She subse- quently accompanied her husband to England, where she was distinguished for her beauty and conspicuous at court, being maid of honor to the queen. She died at Berks, England, in 1813. Governor Wentworth had one son, Charles Mary, born in Ports- mouth in 1774. He acquired much wealth, was never married, and died at Kingsand, England, in 1844. Two New Hampshire towns were named in honor of the governor's wife, Deering and Francestown.

Governor Wentworth was indefatigable in his efforts to de- velop the resources and promote the interests of the province. Education, agriculture, and internal commerce, to be facilitated by opening roads from the remote parts of New Hampshire to its only seaport, were matters that received his absorbing atten- tion. He evinced his interest in education by chartering Dart- mouth College in the wilderness for the double purpose of en- couraging settlements in the region and affording an opportunity for the untutored natives and a rural population to acquire knowl- edge. His great outlay on his extensive agricultural enterprise commenced in Wolfeborough is proof of his personal interest in the cultivation of the soil. He was especially earnest in urging the inhabitants of the province to construct roads to facilitate travel and the transportation of the products of their farms to market. Two of these, which would have incidentally promoted Wolfeborough interests, will now be noticed.

The Pequaket or Conway Road commenced at Brookfield line, and passed through Cotton Valley to Frost's Corner, and over Hardy's Hill and the east side of Trask's Mountain to Ossipee. It was "spotted" by David Copp. In 1769 three miles

64 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

of it were "cut" by Jacob Sceggel, Aaron Frost, and Grafton Nutter, and cleared by John Jammer, Esq. The remainder of it was "cut" by George Woodhouse. in 1771, bridged by Aaron Frost in 1772, and subsequently completed under the direction of Henry Rust. It was constructed at the expense of the town proprietors of Wolfeborough. From Wolfeborough the Pequaket Road was continued through Ossipee, Effingham, Eaton, and Conway to the Saco valley. It crossed the outlet of Lake Ossipee, where are still seen the foundations of a bridge.

June 5, 1772, an act was passed by the provincial government, authorizing the "clearing and making passable a road from Con- way to Connecticut River on the east side of the White Hills." Had this been constructed, as was then intended, it would have opened a thoroughfare from the Coos region through Wolfe- borough to Portsmouth.

April 12, 1771, an act was passed, authorizing the construction of what was known as the College Road. Here is a copy of a portion of the act : —

"Whereas the opening and making of roads through the various parts of the province is of great publick utility; and the making of a road to Dartmouth college will greatly promote the design of that valu- able institution:

Be it therefore Enacted by the Governor, Council and Assembly, that there shall be a road laid out three rods wide, and made passable, from the Governor's house in Wolfeborough, through part of Wolfeborough, Tuftonborough, Moultonborough, New Holderness, Plimouth, and from thence on the straightest and best course to Dartmouth college, in Han- over. And that Joseph Senter, Samuel Shepard, and David Copp, be and hereby are appointed a committee to lay out and mark said road, and make a plan thereof, from the Governor's house aforesaid, to Pemigewas- set river, near the mouth of Baker's river, at the charge of the province, not exceeding twenty-five dollars And that John House, — Freeman, and David Hobbart, be and hereby are appointed a committee to lay out and mark said road, and make a plan thereof, from Pemigewassett river aforesaid to the college, at the expense of the province, not exceeding twenty-five dollars. And that the proprietors and owners of the land within the towns respectively, through which the said road shall be laid out, shall forthwith cause the same to be made passable, to the accept-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 65

ance of the respective committees laying out the same, at the charge of such respective town, by an equal rate on all the land therein, except land reserved or laid out for publick uses."

Here is the report of the committee for surveying the first portion of the College Road : —

"In Pursuance of our Appointment By Act of the Generall Assembly, We have Survayed Marked & Measured a Road, From the Governor's House in Wolfeborough To Plymouth, Which Road is Marked for Three Rods Wide, Begining at the Governor's House in Wolfeborough Afore- said.

Running from Thence North 27 Degrees East 1 Mile And y4 to Mr. Rindges —

From Thence W — 45 — N: % of a Mile on Wolfeborough Road From Thence W — 41 N — 7 Miles to Miles Road So Called From Thence W — 45 N — % of a Mile To Squire Livius From Thence No. 40 W. 5 Miles on Miles Road To Melvins River From Thence N — 32 W — 3 Miles & ya on Said rode to Colonell Moul- tons

From Thence N — 34 W — 1 Mile to Ebenezer Blakes From Thence W— 20 S— 6 Miles & y± To Senters From Thence W — 40 N — 8 Miles & ya To Shepards From Thence N — 20 W — 1 Mile & yz to Squire Livermores From Thence N — 25 W — 2 Miles & % Pemagawasset River at the En- trance of the Mill Brook So Called The Whole of Which Being Computed To Be 36 Miles & s/4ths All Which we Have Carefully Survayed Plainly Marked And Do Report Capable of Being Made a Good Road Of Which Survay We Have Herby Mad a True Return All Which is To Your Ex- cellency & Honours Most Humbly Submitted —

Dated Sept 20th 1771—

Joseph Senter ^

David Copp I Com.

Samuel Sheperd, J

Remarks explanatory of the survey — The first course — from the governor's house to Mr. Rindge's, one and one-fourth miles — was quite direct, passing over a portion of the meadow, where were formerly the remains of a corduroy road, and east of John A. Chamberlain's buildings, to those now occupied by Harry Smith, where stood the house of Isaac Rindge. The second course — three-fourths of a mile on Wolfeborough Road — was a small

66 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

portion of the road leading from the southeastern to the north- eastern part of Wolfeborough. The third course, almost directly west — seven miles to the Miles Road — crossed the farm now owned by James Stevenson, whose grandfather, Thomas Steven- son, used to point out the remains of a bridge over which the College Road passed. Thence it probably went north of Center Square to the outlet of Lily Pond, and from that point to the site of the Hersey cemetery. Continuing in the same westerly course, it passed east of Mirror Lake, and came to the Miles Road near the "Narrows." There, turning to the north, one- fourth of a mile might have reached land claimed by Peter Livius. His farm buildings, however, were situated a mile farther on, near the artificial outlet of Mirror Lake, then Livius' Pond. There it undoubtedly became the Pond Road, until it reached the "Upper Bay" in Tuftonborough. From there it continued towards Melvin River, passing over Bean's Hill, and subsequently becoming the County Road. Leaving Melvin, it continued in the same direction three and one-half miles to Moultonborough Lower Corner, the home of Colonel Jonothan Moulton. One mile beyond it reached Ebenezer Blake's. There its course was changed to a little south of west, and it continued six and one-fourth miles to the southern part of Moultonborough, where was situated the home of Joseph Senter, from whom Center Harbor perhaps took its name. If so, it should have been called Senter Harbor.

The College Road was completed as a horseway to Hanover, and used as such. Moses Neal, for many years Recorder of Deeds for Strafford County, said that when a student at Dart- mouth College, he, in company with several other persons, rode over it. The following item from the "New Hampshire Gazette" of August 23, 1771, is conclusive evidence that it was used for travel : "His Excellency Governor Wentworth with a number of gentlemen set out from here (Portsmouth) for Dartmouth Col- lege by way of Wolfeborough. They went to be present at the commencement exercises."

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 67

In 1772, when the province of New Hampshire was divided into counties, Peter Livius, one of Governor Wentworth's council, desired to be appointed Justice of the Common Pleas, but failed to secure the office. Thereupon he went to England, and presented to the Lords of Trade charges of malfeasance in office against the governor. The principal complaints were that a large number of his family connections were members of the council, and that he had improperly disposed of lands previously granted. These charges were rigidly investigated, but were finally dis- missed.

The proceedings were as follows : The investigations and find- ings of the Lords of Trade went before the Privy Council of the king, which reported : —

"Upon the whole, therefore, the Lords of the Committee sub- mit to your Majesty, That there is no foundation for any censure upon the said John Wentworth, Esq., your Majesty's Governor of New Hampshire, for any of the charges contained in Mr. Livius's complaint against him, whose general conduct, in the administration of affairs within your Majesty's government of New Hampshire, is represented to have tended greatly to the peace and prosperity of the said Province."

The declaration of the king in relation to the matter was : "His Majesty, taking the said report into consideration, is pleased with the advice of his Privy Council, to approve thereof, and to order, as is hereby ordered, That the said complaint of the said Peter Livius be dismissed this board.

Signed,

G. Chatwood."

This transaction took place at the Court of St. James, the eighth day of October, 1773. The affair was the occasion of the following address to the governor : —

"To His Excellency John Wentworth Esqr. Capt. General and Govern- or in Chief in and over the Province of New Hampshire. —

68 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

The inhabitants of the town of Londonderry beg leave to approach your excellency, and express their sentiments of gratitude and affection to your excellency's person and administration. — We esteem it a pe- culiar mark of the favor of his gracious Majesty that he has appointed to the supreme command here a gentleman whose birth and education have been in the province over which he presides. From the circum- stances and your excellency's known character, we early conceived the most sanguine hopes from your administration. Nor have we been dis- appointed. The unabated attention you have given to the interests of the province has not only been felt by the people of your charge, but has been observed (we had almost said envied) by our neighbors who are without the limits of your jurisdiction. — The cultivation of land within the government, and the extension of settlements even to regions that were scarce known when your excellency came to the chair, must be at- tributed in a great measure to your care and the benignity of your gov- ernment, But it has not been in this view alone that you have been the patron of this people. To extend settlements or to cultivate lands while the people that settle & cultivate are without the means of knowledge, might be rather injurious than beneficial. But these have not escaped your excellency's attention. The institution of a college in the wilder- ness, and the liberal encouragement it has received from your hand is abundant evidence of this attention.

We cannot help mentioning as a peculiar happiness of the people un- der your excellency's charge, that your ears have always been open to their voice. The easy access they have gained and the polite reception they have met with from you, has afforded them the means of communi- cating and your excellency of receiving all necessary information of their wishes and their wants.

We have been excited to make this address to your excellency as a testimonial of our sense of your benign administration, and as an evi- dence of our opinion of any suggestions that may have been made to the predjudice of your excellency in these respects, and to assure you of our loyality to the king, and of our affection to your person."

This address was signed by the town clerk of Londonderry, and was probably a fair expression of the attitude of the people of New Hampshire towards Governor Wentworth at the time of its writing, 1773. It is evident that the Livius episode did not disparage him either with his sovereign or subjects.

In the earlier stages of the controversy between the home government and the provinces, Governor Wentworth counseled moderation and loyalty to the King of England, of whom per-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

69

sonally there was little complaint, and by his cautious words and guarded strategy endeavored to prevent the occurrence of events that might be hazardous to the quiet of the community. Loyalty to his government would, of course, require of him the enforce- ments of its enactments, while aggressive laws would justify resistance on the part of the people ; hence although there might exist between the governor and citizens personal friendships, there would also be political antagonisms. The inhabitants of New Hampshire were as determined in their opposition to the aggressions of the British government as were those of any other province, but the kindly feeling generally existing between the governor and people had a tendency to prevent violent out- breaks. The frequent occurrence of exasperating events, however, increased estrangement, and a rupture was unavoidable.

The first overt act which led to the departure of Governor Wentworth from New Hampshire occurred early in June, 1775. Colonel John Fenton, who had been elected to a seat in the pro- vincial assembly by the citizens of Plymouth, but who had not been allowed to take that seat on account of an alleged infor- mality in the election, was charged with hostility to the American cause. So great was the excitement among the people, that he feared assault, and fled to the governor's house for protection. Here is an account of the affair as given by the governor himself in a letter to General Gage, of Massachusetts, dated June 15,

1775 :—

"The spirit of outrage runs so high that on Tuesday last my house was beset by great bodies of armed men who proceeded to such length of violence as to bring a cannon directly before my house, and point it at my door, threatening fire and distruction, unless Mr. Ferston (a member of the Assembly then sitting) who happened to call upon me, and against whom they had taken up such resentment as occasioned him some days to retire on board a man-of-war in the Harbour out of their way, should instantly deliver himself up to them; and notwithstanding every effort to procure effectual resistance to disperse the multitude, Mr. Fenton was obliged to surrender himself, and they have carried him to Exeter about fifteen miles from Portsmouth, where he is, as I am informed, kept in confinement.

7Q HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Seeing every idea of the respect due to his Majesty's Commission so far lost in the frantic rage and fury of the people as to find them to proceed to such daring violence against the person of his Representative, I found myself under the necessity of immediately withdrawing to Fort William and Mary, Both to prevent as much as may be a Repetition of the like insults and to provide for my own security.

I think it exceedingly for the King's service to remain as long as possible at the Fort, where I now am with my Family in a small incom- modious house without any other prospect of safety, if the prevailing madness of the people should follow me hither, than the hope of retreat- ing on board his Majesty's ship Scarborough; if it should be in my pow- er. This fort, although containing upwards of sixty pieces Cannon, is without men or ammunition."

The governor writes again under date of June 19: —

"Besides the inconvenienceof being crowded into this miserable house, confined for room and neither wind or water tight, I am inevitably ob- liged to incur some extra expense for my safety and existence even here. Being of necessity compelled to make some small repairs to make it hab- itable, and to employ six men as watches to prevent my being surprised, and made prisoner. These, with my three servants, and Mr. Benning Wentworth, and Captain Cochran are divided into three guards of four hours each; by which means I have some security of getting on board the Scarborough. The six men are at the expence of Twelve dollars per month each, including their dieting, allowance of Rum, &c.; under which expence no trusty man can possibly be had for so unpopular a service in this time of general opposition to Government."

Governor Wentworth still continued to hold official relation with the province through its secretary, Hon. Theodore Atkin- son, and there was considerable correspondence between them in relation to various matters. Here follows a copy of a letter from Wentworth to Atkinson : —

Fort William & Mary,

17th August 1775. Sir—

I desire that you will summon the Council to meet here this after- noon at 4 o'clock, if possible, if not at nine o'clock to morrow morning without fail, having occasion to lay some matters concerning his Majes-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH. 71

ty's service before them for their consideration and advice. Please to send me an answer as soon as may be.

I am, Sir, your most obedient Humble Servant

J' Wentworth. The Honorable Theodore Atkinson, Esq.

It is doubtful if the council had a meeting, but here is a copy of Atkinson's reply : —

Portsmouth, August 17, 1775 half after 4 o'clock, P. M.

Sir — I this Inst. received your Excellency's Command, of this Day, but too late to Summon the Council to attend your Excellency at Fort Wm. and Mary but shall endeavor to do it so as to attend on your Ex- cellency on the morrow as you order.

I am your Excellency's most obedient Humble Servant.

A. ' •

Another letter from Wentworth to Atkinson : —

Fort William & Mary, August 23, 1775. Sir—

I find it necessary to go to sea for a few days, and I must desire that in the mean time you will use your best endeavors to preserve peace and quietness as much as possible. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant.

J' Wentworth. Honorable Theodore Atkinson, Esq.

The reply : —

Portsmouth, August 29, 1775.

Sir — I received your Excellency's favour of the 23rd, and shall use every method to preserve the peace of town and land. I hope it will not be long ere your return.

I have been importuned to write a few lines to the Commander of his Majesty's guard ship at Nantasket, in favor of Mr. Hale appearing for the freighter of the ship Elizabeth. A copy you have enclosed. Your Excellency's most obliged and most obedient humble servant,

Theodore Atkinson.

72 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Here is a copy of the letter from Governor Wentworth, ad- dressed to Secretary Atkinson, accompanying the proclamation by which he prorogued the general assembly of New Hamp- shire : —

Gosport, September 21, 1775. Sir- Being just arrived at the Shoals, and pressed for time, I can only de- sire that the Enclosed Proclamation for Prorogueing the General Court to the 24th of April next, may be forthwith published and made effectual to its intent. Mr. King will transmit me the copy of Captain Gamble's Patent properly countersigned.

I am, in haste, dear Sir, your most obedient humble servant.

J' Wentworth. Honorable Theodore Atkinson, Esq.

The following is the proclamation : —

Province of New Hampshire — By the Governor. A Proclamation.

Whereas, the General Assembly is now under adjournment to Thurs- day, the 28th Instant, and it appearing to me no way conducive to his Majesty's service or the welfare of the Province, that the Assembly should meet on that day, but that it is expedient to prorogue them to a farther time, I therefore thought fit to issue this Proclamation, prorogue- ing the meeting of the General Assembly to be held at Portsmouth on the 28th of September instant, to the 24th of April next, at ten o'clock in the forenoon; and the General Assembly is hereby prorogued according- ly, to that time, then to meet at the Court House at Portsmouth afore- said; and hereof all persons concerned are to take notice and Govern themselves accordingly.

Given at Gosport, the 21st day of September, in the fifteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the Third, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. and in the year of our Lord Christ, 1775.

By his Excellency's Command, J' Wentworth.

Theodore Atkinson, Secretary.

The issuing of this proclamation was the last official act of Governor Wentworth's administration. Never again did he set foot within the province of New Hampshire. It appears, however,

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 73

from letters which he wrote that he continued to remain in this country two years or more after hostilities commenced, expecting the subjugation of the colonies and consequently a return to his former government. From Nantasket Road, under date of March 18, 1776, he writes to the Earl of Dartmouth, "On the withdrawing of the troops from Boston I have taken a vessel for my removal to whatever place the Fleet and Army shall go to, and purpose to remain under its protection." He next writes from Halifax, April 10, 1776; then from Long Island, November 5, 1776; from New York, January 6, 1777; from Flat Bush (Long Island), January 17. 1777, he writes to his sister; again, February 3, 1777, from the same place he writes to the Secretary of the Treasury (Eng- land) thanking him for a grant of five hundred pounds a year; and in a letter dated London, May 15, 1778, he says he sailed for England, February 7, 1778, and resides in London.

The departure of Governor Wentworth from New Hampshire was in striking contrast to his triumphal entrance as chief magis- trate of that province. He was compelled to leave the land of his nativity, the home of his dearest and most constant friends, the scenes of his brief official career, the estate where he hoped to illustrate the profits of agriculture and the pleasures of rural life, and the province which he so much loved, just beginning to give evidences of an approaching vigorous prosperity, — to become literally a wanderer. And this had occurred through no fault of his or the people whom he had governed. Such are at times the inexorable mutations of human life. The departure from New Hampshire is thus announced to the provincial congress, sitting at Exeter : —

Portsmouth, Aug. 25, 1775. Sir:

We beg leave to inform the Honorable Provincial Congress that yes- terday his Majesty's ships, Scarborough and Canso, sailed from this Har- bour, 'tis said, for Boston, with Governor Wentworth and his family on board.

74 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

I am, by order of the committee of safety, Sir, your most Humble Servant,

H. Wentworth, chairman.

To the Honorable, the President of the Provincial Congress.

In 1792 Governor Wentworth was appointed lieutenant-gov- ernor of Nova Scotia. He resided in Halifax, where he died April 8, 1820, aged eighty-three years.

CHAPTER VI.

SKETCH OF DR. AMMI RUHAMAII CUTTER — A NOTABLE FIGURE IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE TOWN — OTHER PROPRIE- TORS— JUDGE DAVID SEVVALL.

NO person not a resident of the town of Wolfeborough, except Governor Wentworth, sustained so intimate relations with it as did Dr. Ammi Ruhamah Cutter, and therefore it is fitting that a somewhat extended notice of him should be given.

Dr. Cutter was the eldest child of the Rev. Ammi Ruhamah Cutter. He was born at North Yarmouth, Mass, (now Maine), March 15, 1735. At the age of twelve years, accompanied by a servant, he rode on horseback, mostly through a wilderness, one hundred and fifty miles to Cambridge. After a year's preparatory discipline, he entered Harvard College, and graduated with honor in 1752, being seventeen years old, and began the study of medi- cine with Dr. Clement Jackson of Portsmouth, N. H. He was induced to select this town to pursue his medical studies on ac- count of pleasant companionships formed at Harvard with young men from that place. Among his most intimate friends was John Wentworth, afterwards Governor of the Province of New Hamp- shire. He was soon after admitted to practice, and was appointed surgeon of a body of rangers which formed a part of the army on

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

75

the frontiers in the war with the Indians in 1765. He remained with the army until the spring of 1768, when he was attacked with small pox. On his recovery from this, he returned to Portsmouth. In 1758 he married, and entered on the practice of medicine in Portsmouth, where he was eminently successful. He was urged to enter the army again, but declined.

The friendship between Dr. Cutter and Governor Wentworth commenced in youth and ripened with the increase of years, al- though on the great questions soon agitating the country they differed. The Governor offered him a commission as counsellor, which he declined. Here is a copy of his reply : —

"May it please your Excellency, — the unexpected honor you have done me in recommending me to a seat in his Majesty's Council for this Prov- ince, and my Appointment in Consequence, demand my grateful Ac- knowledgements, but at the same time I beg leave to inform your Excel- lency, that the necessary attention to my Profession as a Physician, and the present unhappy Controversy between the Parent State and the Colo- nies, are the Reasons that oblige me to excuse myself from accepting the Honorary Appointment intended me.

I am, with the greatest Respect, Your Excellency's Most Obedient Servant."

In joining the Whigs, therefore, against the Governor, which Dr. Cutter did early and decidedly, he had to make a sacrifice of private feelings on the altar of patriotism which fell not to the lot of all. Their friendly intercourse was not interrupted, how- ever, by difference of political opinions, for after the Governor had been compelled to take refuge on board the ship-of-war near the fort, he sent a pressing request to Dr. Cutter to give him an- other meeting. It was their last interview, as the Governor soon after left the harbor never again to return, and Dr. Cutter was probably the last New Hampshire gentleman whom he had an opportunity of seeing within the limits of the republic. Forty years afterward, when a gentleman from Portsmouth happened to see Sir John at Halifax, Nova Scotia, when he was Governor of

76 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

that province, the first question he asked, after the usual saluta- tion, was as to the welfare of his early friend.

In the beginning of the year 1777 Congress resolved to re- organize the medical department, and Dr. Cutter was called upon to give his time and his services to his country in her hour of need. He had then a family of ten small children and an exten- sive and lucrative range of practice, but in those days no man felt at liberty to choose between the service of his country and his own convenience. The post offered to him was that of Physician General of the eastern department, and his station was ' to be at Fishkill, on the North River. The following extract of a letter from General Whipple, one of the signers of the Declara- tion of Independence, will show the nature of this appointment, and serve to exhibit the high estimation in which Dr. Cutter was held. It is dated at Philadelphia, April 15, 1777.

"The army now forming will, I hope, under Heaven, free America from the calamities of a destructive war. The scenes of horror and dis- tress, occasioned by some mismanagement in the medical department last year, were real shocking to humanity. Congress being sensible of this, and determined to remedy the evil, if possible, have formed a plan on the most liberal principles with a design, if possible, to draw into the service of their country gentlemen of the first eminence from different parts of the continent, many of whom have already engaged. Your hu- manity and firm attachment to the most glorious cause that ever man- kind was engaged in, will, I flatter myself, induce you to forego the pleasure of domestic happiness for a time, as you will thereby render a most essential service to your country. I hope, therefore, soon to have the pleasure of hearing your acceptance of the trust, and of your arrival at tfle hospital, which for the department in which you are placed will be at some convenient place on the eastern side of the Hudson River."

Dr. Cutter remained at Fishkill most of the year and until the beginning of the next, when the circumstances of his family com- pelled him to resign his office. He gladly returned to his family and the business of his profession.

Dr. Cutter had no taste or time for political life, and held no civil office except a seat in the convention that framed the Con-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 77

stitution of the State of New Hampshire. Before and after the Revolution he allied himself with those political organizations that entertained the most liberal views. Foregoing pages have given something of his history as connected with the town of Wolfe- borough. He died suddenly on the eighth of December, A. D. 1820, aged eighty-five years. His old and constant friend, Gov- ernor Wentworth, died the same year. A son, Nathaniel, spent the latter part of his life in Wolfeborough. His remains were in- terred in the Wolfeborough cemetery.

It may not be out of place to give in this connection brief sketches of the proprietors. Few of these men became settlers, it is true, but it is largely due to their enterprise that the town was settled at all, and there is little evidence that they profited greatly by their association with the new town.

Thomas Packer, a purchaser of Mason's Patent, was the sheriff of the Province of New Hampshire who executed Ruth Blay in December, 1768. He is represented as an upright man, faithful but rigidly severe in the discharge of his duties.

Theodore Atkinson was the largest owner of the Masonian claim, having purchased one-fifth. He was educated at Harvard College, graduating in 1718. Soon after he was made a lieutenant and in 1720 clerk of the court of common pleas. For many years he commanded the first regiment of militia in the province. He held the offices of collector of customs, naval officer, and sheriff, in 1734 was admitted to a seat in the Council, in 1741 was appointed secretary of the province, in 1754 was a delegate to the Congress that met at Albany, and was afterwards a justice of the superior court. He died in 1779.

Mark H. Wentworth, father of Governor John Wentworth, was a merchant, and furnished large quantities of masts and spars for the British navy. His various business operations brought him a large fortune. He was one of the original purchasers of Mason's Patent, of which he owned two-fifteenths. A large claimant against the confiscated estate of his son, he generously withdrew

78 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

his claim that other creditors might be paid in full. He was for many years a member of the Provincial Council. He died in

1785-

George Jaffrey was treasurer of the provisional Council for sev- eral years. He was for a long time clerk of the Masonian Pro- prietors, of whom he was one.

John Parker, second son of William Parker, Esq., was born in 1732. He was made sheriff of the province in 1771, and after the division into counties, was appointed sheriff of Rockingham County. When the federal government went into operation, he was appointed marshal of the district of New Hampshire. These offices he held until his death, which occurred in 1791. His de- scendants have played a prominent part in the history of this town.

Joshua Brackett was born in Greenland in 1733, and graduated at Harvard in 1752. He studied theology, and was for a time a preacher, but afterward took up the practice of medicine, in which he won great honor. In 1783 the Massachusetts Medical Society elected him an honorary member, in 1791 "he was complimented by his alma mater with a medical doctorate." The same year he was made first vice-president of the New Hampshire Medical So- ciety, and in 1793 succeeded Governor Bartlett as president. He laid the foundation of the society's medical library by a gift of one hundred and forty-three valuable books, and bestowed certain property valued at fifteen hundred dollars upon the University of Cambridge for a professorship in natural history and botany. He was appointed judge of the maritime court of the state at the be- ginning of the Revolution. He gave his nephew, John Brackett, one hundred acres of land out of his proprietor's lot, No. n. His death occurred in 1802.

Daniel Pierce was characterized as being "affable, judicious, and sensible" and a friend to the poor. He usually acted as moderator at the proprietors' meetings. He held the offices of

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

79

recorder of deeds and justice of the peace, and in 1766 was ap- pointed one of His Majesty's Council. He died in 1773.

David Sewall, after practicing law for a time in Portsmouth, moved to York County, Maine. He was afterwards judge of the United States Circuit Court. He frequently visited Wolfe- borough, being for many years joint owner with Dr. Cutter of the mills on Smith River. Sewall's Point, to which now leads Sewall Street, was named for the Judge. At his death he bequeathed to the public the landing, now covered with buildings and con- trolled by private individuals. This bequest is treated of else- where, at greater length.

William Parker, Jr., was probably a brother of John Parker and a son of William Parker, Esq., of Portsmouth. He died in 1813.

Jotham, John, Daniel, and Isaac Rindge were relatives of Gov- ernor Wentworth. Jotham appears to have had the care of the Governor's estate. He was authorized to call the first meeting of the inhabitants of Wolfeborough, and was appointed the first town clerk. Daniel was a member of the Provincial Council, be- ing appointed in 1776. Isaac was quite prominent. He aided in establishing the north-east boundary, and during the Gov- ernor's operation built a house here. As he was a loyalist, the Provincial Congress directed him, November 15, 1775, to remove himself to some place at least fifteen miles from Portsmouth and there to remain until he was granted leave to go abroad. This restriction was removed January 3, 1776. Wolfeborough was doubtless the place of his exile, as he was evidently here before and after the Governor's departure.

Thomas Wallingford was a native of Somersworth. He en- gaged in business and was very successful. By becoming a pur- chaser of the Mason Patent he acquired great landed interests in various parts of the province. He commanded a regiment of militia and was one of the judges of the superior court. He died in 1771.

So HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Jotham Odiorne was a member of the Council and a purchaser of Mason's Patent.

James Stoodley was a noted taverner in Portsmouth. His hotel on Daniel Street was burned in 1761, and rebuilt. His place was for years the usual resort for travelers from Boston to Maine.

Jonathan Warner married a cousin of Governor Wentworth and was a member of the Council previous to the Revolution. His tax in 1770 was exceeded in amount by only two persons.

George Meserve, Esq., of Portsmouth, is considered in a pre- ceding chapter.

CHAPTER VII.

THE GOVERNOR'S FARM — INNATE LOVE OF EARTH — INFLUENCE OF ENGLISH COUNTRY LIFE ON GOVERNOR WENTWORTH — LOCATION AND AREA OF THE FARM — THE MANSION- HOUSE AND SURROUNDINGS — How THE LAND WAS PRE- PARED— THE WALL — THE PARK — PROMOTION OF LOCAL INTERESTS — THE PISCATAOUA CANAL — ROADS TO CANADA — PURSUITS OF FIRST SETTLERS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE — DR. DWIGHT'S CHARACTERIZATION — DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOVERNOR'S PLANS — His INTENTIONS — OCCUPATION OF THE NEW HOUSE — NEW HAMPSHIRE'S OLDEST WATER- ING PLACE — LEGENDARY LORE — THE GOVERNOR'S SLAVES — THE "HIGH GUST OF WIND'' — DESCRIPTION OF THE MAN- SION IN 1770 — THE GOVERNOR'S RETAINERS — WAR CLOUDS ARISE — HURRIED VISIT TO THE FARM — THE FINAL SCENES OF THE DRAMA.

MEN love the solid earth ; other possessions seem evanescent, but a portion of terra firma appears tangible and perma- nent. Thus it is that so many persons, on retiring from official po- sitions or active business life, are desirous of possessing real estate.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. gl

John^Wentworth spent a portion of his early manhood in Eng- land. His family and social relations in America were such as to entitle him to a place in the higher ranks of society in the mother country, many of his friends being noblemen who pos- sessed baronial estates. He was charmed with their mode of liv- ing, and on returning to his native land, where there was ample opportunity to gratify a natural taste for agriculture, intensified by association and observation, it is not strange that he should have essayed to establish an extensive domain.

When the township of Wolfeborough was divided into pro- prietary lots, its northeast portion consisted of two parallel tiers of five lots each, numbering from one to ten, the tiers adjoining Lake Wentworth bearing the smaller numbers. Several of the town proprietors, as already mentioned, because of neglect to pay their taxes and non-compliance with the terms of settling their lots, forfeited portions of their lands to the proprietry. These were sold at auction. Lots one, two, three, and four came into the possession of Governor Wentworth either by purchase or an agreement to settle them. The tract embraced by these four lots / lay between Lake Wentworth and the Cotton Valley road, and had an average width of a little less than five hundred rods. In length it extended from Middleton to the Triggs farm, eight hun- dred and sixty rods. Its area was two thousand three hundred , and fifty acres. Within its limits is the site of the governor's buildings, Mount Delight, Martin's Hill, and the "Meadows."

At the drawing of the lots the one numbered seven, the second in the more easterly tier and abutting on lot two, fell to Went- worth as a town proprietor. It extended to Wolfeborough Ad- dition, was two hundred and fourteen rods wide, and contained six hundred and forty-two acres. Lot eighteen, six hundred acres, was drawn b\ John Rindge. It extended on the Lake \Ventworth shore from lot four to Moose Point. Its northern boundary was for a short distance on the line of the road leading from Center Wolfeborough to Wolfeborough Falls, then on that

g2 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

of a portion of the range-way from Center Square to Lake Win- nipesaukee. On the west it abutted on the Torrey lot. Within its limits are situated the farms now owned by John F. Chamber- lin, Frank B. Kenncy. Henry J. Coleman, George Tyler, and a portion of the land where stood the Hersey woods. This lot also became a part of the Wentworth Farm. The amount of land in lots seven arid eighteen added to that contained in the four lots just referred to equals three thousand five hundred and ninety- two acres, the amount of land in one body possessed by Governor Wentworth in the town of Wolfeborough. It is said that he had fifteen hundred acres adjoining this in the second division of Middleton (now Brookfield) and New Durham, and the statement is probably correct, as the following extract from the doings of the New Hampshire committee of safety would indicate : —

"State of New Hampshire — In Committee of Safety.

Sept. 8, 1780. To Capt. Gilman, Trustee of the state of the late Governor Wentworth 's estate :

Provided any person in behalf of the heirs of Joseph Simms, late of Portsmouth, deceased, should bid off any lands belonging to said estate in Middleton in the County of StrafTord at vendue, you are desired to take security, and not demand the money."

This would indicate that the governor had a claim on such lands. If so, he possessed in one compact body upwards of five thousand acres of land.

Governor Wentworth commenced operations on his farm in 1768. In a letter written by him April 25, 1768, to Colonel Thomas M. Waldron of Dover, N. H., he states that it was not alone his desire to form an English country-seat here that caused him to obtain and develop the land of which he was then in posses- sion, but that his chief object was to rapidly develop the resources of the province, and that he looked for others to follow his ex- ample in this field. In the same letter he writes: "Mr. Benjamin Hart, overseer of mv designations in the wilderness, and Mr.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 83

Webb, who is to reside there as farmer, are now there on their first expedition to clear a few acres and build a humble habita- tion for me."

In 1768, 1769, and 1770 a large force of laborers was employed, a great extent of forest cleared, fields sown, orchards planted, a large garden laid out, and the mansion erected, though not fin- ished. The site of the house was a small plain about one hun- dred rods east of Lake Wentworth.

The house was one hundred feet long and forty feet wide, as shown by the cellar over which it stood, and fronted both east and west. It was two-storied with a gambrel roof, the upper story be- ing eighteen and the lower twelve feet high. Its windows, glazed with small panes of glass, were six feet wide. A hall twelve feet wide extended across it, entered at each end "by massive doors, the keys of which weighed one and one-half pounds each. Mrs. Ray- nard, the last occupant of the house before it was burned, sent one of them to the governor, then an octogenarian, who was deeply moved upon its receipt. The principal room in the upper story was the "East India chamber," the walls of which were covered with finely painted paper, representing life scenes in the East. Here was a white marble fireplace ; on each side were niches in which to place statues. On the same floor were the "green room" and the "blue room," thus named from the color of their finish- ings. Here also was the "king and queen's chamber," which had a fireplace of gray marble and niches where stood the statues of the king and queen of England. In the lower story were the store-room, kitchen, dining-room, drawing-room, and library. In the last named room was a black marble fireplace with a tile hearth. At the southerly end of the house was a one-storied building called a porch, which was probably used for various domestic purposes. At a little distance was a dairy with a well and fireplace.

The principal barn was one hundred feet long. It is still in existence, one-half of it standing on the farm of Hon. Thomas L.

g4 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Whitton and the other half on that of his son, Charles A. Whitton. Other barns, stables, and out-buildings were erected.

A large extent of land was cleared, the most of it in the ordinary way — by felling, piling, and burning the trees. Where a smooth surface was required for pleasure-grounds, gardens, orchards, etc., however, a more expensive and expeditious method was adopted, the roots of the tree being removed with the bodies. Some of the grounds were enclosed by carefully constructed stone walls that remain standing at the present time. A mall was built, ex- tending from the shore of the lake to the mansion and ground beyond, a portion of which is still in a state of good preservation. This was bordered with elms, some of which still guard the un- frequented way. A park was also constricted, and stocked with deer and moose. It was fenced in the following manner : a ditch twelve feet wide was dug, and an embankment formed on the outer side from the earth thrown out ; on this were piled large trees with the branches interwoven. Near the park was the house of Robert Calder, the Scotch gardner, the hearth-stone of which is still to be seen.

The northerly end of the house, nearly one-half of it, was never completed. It was, no doubt, intended by the governor for court- rooms. He had been largely instrumental in dividing New Hamp- shire into counties, of which Strafford was one. The subsequent action of the provincial legislature indicates his purpose in relation to the location of the courts. June 13, 1772, the council voted "that all the courts for the county of Strafford be held for the term of seven years at Dover, and afterwards one-half of them at Wolfe borough." The assembly concurred with the action of the councif with this proviso, "that after seven years held at Dover, one-half of the courts be held at some other place as the Governor and Assembly shall then direct and order." Wolfe- borough, at the time of this legislation, was in an inchoate state, and in no condition to entertain the courts ; nor was the neighbor- ing population sufficiently large to require them. In seven years

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 85

the governor expected it to be a thickly inhabited town, sur- rounded by a somewhat populous district.

While endeavoring' to promote the interests of the whole province, the governor was especially desirous to secure for Wolfeborough all possible advantages. This is seen in his efforts for the construction of the Pequaket, College, and Connecticut River Roads, all of which were designed to reach Wolfeborough. In the matter of the Strafford County courts is seen the same purpose to favor this locality. Had England and the American provinces remained united, and Governor Wentworth continued to be the chief magistrate of New Hampshire, it is probable that at the beginning of the nineteenth century Wolfeborough would have been, next to Portsmouth, the most important town in the province. Of course, the improved modes of travel and trans- portation since introduced would eventually have changed the current of business, and the same causes which enabled Boston to absorb a large amount of the trade of Portsmouth, Newburyport, and Salem would have rendered it as today the emporium of New England, and, as a consequence, changed the condition of many New Hampshire towns, perhaps of Wolfeborough.

Without doubt Governor Wentworth, as did others, expected that at no distant period Lake Winnipesaukee and Piscataqua River would be connected by a canal commencing at Wolfe- borough, and that water-ways and roads would be extended to the Canadian regions. As early as 1768 he advocated such meas- ures, and gave assurance that he would endeavor to secure the co- operation of the members of the provincial legislature and other inhabitants.

In the establishment of the provincial governments, each province conducted its own internal affairs quite independently of its neighbors. There was little concerted action, except in the war with the aborigines, until the revolt against British tyranny. Consequently, New Hampshire was the exclusive domain of Gov- ernor Wentworth when he became its chief magistrate.

86 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Almost the only pursuit of the earliest settlers of this province was the catching and curing of fish. The manufacture of lumber soon followed, however, as the shores of the Piscataqua and its tributaries abounded with oak and pine timber, and numerous cascades furnished ample water-power. These commodities, fish and lumber, were taken to the West Indies, and exchanged for rum and molasses. The latter was brought to Portsmouth and distilled, and the product of the distillation shipped to the neigh- boring seaports and sold. The traffic was very lucrative, and the town merchants became wealthy. The result was that farming was neglected, and provisions and other necessities of life were imported. These were oftentimes scarce and sold at exorbitant prices.

It was the purpose of Governor Wentworth to equalize the in- dustries of the province, and advance to its proper position the most neglected, yet most important one, agriculture. This seems to have been his prime object in commencing his enterprise in Wolfeborough, as intimated in his letter to Mr. Waldron, already quoted. Firmly believing that farming would prove a remunera- tive business, he engaged in it not only for the purpose of stimu- lating others to follow him, but also with an expectation that its pursuit would accrue to his own personal benefit. Xo doubt his anticipations would have been realized, had he been permitted to continue the business without interruption, since agriculture was the principal pursuit of the people of New Hampshire during the following half-century. His zeal for the general welfare of the province led Rev. Dr. Dwight, president of Yale College, to thus write of him : ''Governor John Wentworth was the greatest bene- factor of his province. He was a man of sound understanding, refined tastes, enlarged views, and a dignified spirit. His manners were elegant and his disposition enterprising. Agriculture here owed more to him than any other man. He originated building new roads, and improved old ones. He was very popular, had an unimpeachable character, and retired with a high reputation."

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 87

It was not, however, the sole object of Governor Wentworth in engaging in the Wolfeborough enterprise to prepare a farm for strictly agricultural purposes. His visit to England had increased a previously possessed desire to have a large landed estate like the baronies of the British Isles. Securing the lands in Wolfe- borough and vicinity afforded him an opportunity to gratify his tastes in this particular. The locality was a desirable one for his purpose. The plain, which lay adjacent to the lake-shore, spread- ing out in different directions, was a fitting place for his residential mansion. There was ample room for wide fields and extensive gardens and orchards, the broad incline to the southeast, sym- metrical to its very brow, being well adapted to successful hus- bandry or beautiful horticulture. The near-by plateau, Martin's Hill, illumined by the rays of the morning and evening sun, sur- rounded by the dark shades of the wooded valleys below, pre- sented a pleasing picture. Mount Delight, overlooking the little bay at its foot and the broader blue of Lake Wentworth, added its charm to the scene, while the more distant hills and far-away mountains, whose cloud-capped tops hover the shores and island bedecked waters of Winnipesaukee, furnished views of unsur- passed loveliness.

The lumber for constructing the buildings of the farm was probably manufactured on the premises, as there is evidence still existing that a saw-mill once stood on the Rye Field Brook. If not thus obtained, it must have been brought from the Cutter & Sewall mill, a distance of about five miles. It is said that the bricks of which the great chimneys were built were made at the foot of Smith's River falls of clay brought from Clay Point in Alton. They were then taken to Mast Landing, which is on a level with Lake Wentworth, and conveyed in a two-masted boat, called the Rockingham, to the place of destination. As the old inhabitants of Wolfeborough estimated it, they cost a fabulous sum, and no doubt they were quite expensive. It was not known

88 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

then that there were several deposits of this earth within the limits of the town.

The fine material for finishing the house and the furnishings were taken from Portsmouth to Wolfeborough by the only feasible route then existing between the two places, which was by gondolas or other river-craft to Dover, and from thence by teams to Merry Meeting Bay, a road from Rochester to that place hav- ing been opened by soldiers, who were acting as scouts to pro- tect the frontier settlements from the incursions of the Indians. Here the freight was taken by the governor's sloop to Wolfe- borough, where it was portaged above Smith's River Falls, and conveyed by water to the Wentworth Farm.

There was another route from Portsmouth to the Wentworth House for travel only. It was the one usually, perhaps always, taken. It was as follows, the distance and stopping-places being given: from Portsmouth to Newington Ferry (Knight's), six miles: Dover (Hanson's), six; Rochester (Stephan \Vent- worth's), ten; Rochester (Roger's, now Haves'), four; Middle- Ion (Drew's, no\v Prcscott'sV ten; Middleton (Guppy's, since Buzzell's), one; Wentworth House, twelve. On the border of Middieton. near Wolfeborongh line, dwelt Nicholas Austin. His home was afterwards known as the Hodge place. Here was the end of the road, until the Pequaket was opened. From Ports- mouth to Plummer's Ridge, then within the limits of Rochester, now a part of Milton, the governor's family rode in carriages, the remaining distance to the farm on horseback. Esquire Plummer usually accompanied the party on the latter part of the journey.

In 17/0 the governor's house, though not finished, was taken possession of by him and his family, as shown by the following extract from the "Xcw Hampshire Gazette" : "Last Tuesday, His Excellency, our Governor, set out for his country seat on Win- nipiseogee pond, and we hear his lady sets out next week for the same place to reside during the summer season."

During this and the four succeeding years it is probable that

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 89

Governor Wentworth and his family spent a large portion of the warm seasons on the Wolfeborough plantation, engaged in clear- ing and improving the land, erecting and finishing buildings, en- tertaining friends, and securing for himself those enjoyments that a busy rural life would bring to a person of his tastes.

The opportunities for recreation at the governor's establish- ment for denizens of the town were many. The stately moose and wary deer roamed in the surrounding forests, while an abundance of smaller game was found in its covers near the out- skirts of the cultivated fields. Lake Wentworth teemed with pickerel and other food fish, as did the hillside streams with the speckled trout. These were sources of wholesome and palatable food for the larder

Jotham Rindge, the governor's factotum, let loose English pheasants in the woods, but they disappeared. He also put cusk, a salt water fish, into Lake Wentworth, but they evidently passed down Smith's River to the larger body of water, Lake Winni- pesaukee, where they have become habitats, and have stocked neighboring lakes and ponds with their kind. Within this decade they have also been caught in goodly numbers from Lake Went- worth ; these are probably the progeny of such as have been re- cently placed in that water.

There were several favorite resorts about the farm for out-of- door dinners and teas. One was an island-rock in the southern part of Lake Wentworth, still called "Tea Rock," or "Governor's Rock." It was about forty feet long and twenty feet broad. Turtle Island, near the north shore of the lake, was also a feasting- place. This island was connected with the mainland by a narrow causeway. A large pine tree on Mount Delight was also a chosen spot for afternoon entertainments.

The Wentworth Farm was essentially a watering-place, prob- ably the first in Xew Hampshire, perhaps the first in the country. It differed from those of the present time in this respect — it was not established for pecuniary profit, the entertainment of guests

00 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

being entirely gratuitous. These consisted of the higher class of Portsmouth citizens and the especial friends of the governor. Among the latter was his college chum, Dr. A. R. Cutter, who usually accompanied him on his visits to the farm in the double capacity of companion and physician.

The effect on the visitors to the farm was similiar to that which ordinarily takes place when residents of densely populated com- munities visit sparsely settled regions, and exchange the impure atmosphere of crowds for the invigorating oxygen of the forests and fields, and the dull hues of shaded walls for the bright foliage of the dells and the green of meadows — the muscles became more elastic and the spirits more buoyant, the staid conventionalisms of the town gave way to the unrestrained gaieties of the country. There have been numerous legendary tales concerning occur- rences at the farm, some of them being quite humorous, but as they are not fully authenticated, they may as well remain unre- corded, or be preserved only in the memory.

There is, however, one event which took place at the Went- worth House that should be noticed. It is the marriage of Lemuel Clifford, a farm-hand, and Betsy Fullerton, daughter of widow Alary Fullerton, a household domestic. The governor, at- tired in scarlet, tied the nuptial knot, while her ladyship, dressed in blue, honored the occasion with her presence. The feast, which was provided at the expense of the governor, was sumptuous, and the company, which consisted of town guests, neighbors, and do- mestics, remained at the banquet until the wee hours of the next morning.

This affair caused the grateful husband to become devotedly attached to the governor and his interests. Not long afterward, however, he unconsciously did him a wrong. The newly married couple had made for themselves a home where the late Nathan Shackley's residence now stands. One day, in the absence of the husband, a deer came near the house, and was shot by the wife. On examination, a marked strap was found about the neck of the

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. yi

animal, indicating that it had escaped from the park. Betsy, fear- ing her husband's displeasure, secreted the strap, and Lem. in- nocently feasted on the governor's venison.

The governor's servants are said to have been much attached to him and careful of his interests. On one occasion he desired to send a live moose, recently captured, to the King of England as a present. It was fastened with a rope to a tree to render it more secure. In its struggles to escape, its neck was broken. A Scotchman named McDonald reported the affair to the gov- ernor, expressing regrets that his own neck had not been broken instead of that of the moose.

In the governor's family were two adult negro slaves. They remained on the farm after his departure. The husband was sub- sequently killed by a rolling log, and the mind of the widowed Hagar becoming disordered, she took her son Remus, and wan- dered to New Durham, where she found a home in a kind famUy named Willey. There are persons now living who can remember seeing the aged negro, Remus Willey.

The following letter, written by Lady Wentworth, is a graphic picture of life at the farm : —

Wentworth House, October 4th, 1770. My Dear Mrs. Langdon:

I hope tnere requires no profusion of words to convince my dear Friend how very happy her obliging letter made me, as surely she must be sensible of the kindest feelings of my heart towards her, and, believe me, my dear Mrs. Langdon, I was extremely uneasy till I heard you got safe to Portsmouth. Mrs. Long told me you had met with some incon- venience at the Ferry, which really alarmed me exceedingly for you. However, I was soon quieted by receiving a line from you with mention of your health. The time you kindly spent with me in this solitary wil- derness has riveted a lasting impression of pleasure upon my mind; nor do I forget our tedious walks which the charms of the meadows scarcely made up for. I have taken but one since, and then lost both my shoes and came home barefoot.

Mrs. Livius arrived here on Monday afternoon, and appeared nearly as tired as you was, but would not own it.

She staid here three nights for fair weather, and at last went over the

g2 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

pond in a high gust of wind, which made a great sea and white caps as large as the Canoe.

I was much afraid for her, but she got over quite safe. She told me you was unwell when she left town, and I am anxious to hear you are re- covered again. I wish you had tarried at Wolfeborough till you had established your health. Indeed, you ought to be mighty attentive to keep your mind easy and calm, or you will be often subject to indispo- sitions that will become mighty troublesome to you. I was pleased at all the intelligence you gave me; for although I live in the woods, I am fond of knowing what passes in the world. Nor have my ideas sunk in rural tranquility half enough to prefer a grove to a Ball-room. I wish you were here to take a game of Billiards with1 me, as I am all alone. The Governor is so busy in directions to his workmen that I am most turned hermit.

The great dancing room is nearly completed, with the Drawing Room, and begins to make a very pretty appearance. I hope you will be here next summer with all my heart, and then our house will be more in order than it was when you last favored me with a visit, and less noise. For in fact my head is most turned with a variety of noises that is every- where about me, and I am hardly fit to bear it, as I have been in poor health ever since you left me, and am hardly able to live. However, I hope to be stout now the winter comes on, as the summer never agrees with my constitution, which looks strong, but is quite slender. When Mrs. Loring left me, I gave her in charge your side saddle, which she promised to send home to you. I hope it was not forgot. If it was, it must have been left at Staver's tavern, and you can send for it, if you have not received it before this time.

The cruel came safe, and I will trouble you for the worsted you men- tioned, as it will do just as well as English; and, if you please, one skein more of cruel, as we were much in want of it.

I have done very little work since you went away; not because I was indolently disposed, but because you did so much in helping me that I have nothing to do. So now I read or play as I have a mind to do. I get but very little of my Governor's company. He loves to be going about, and sometimes (except at meals) I don't see him an hour in a day. The season of the year advances so rapidly now that we begin to think of Winter Quarters, and I believe we shall soon get to town. I guess we shall set off about the time we proposed. You may easily think I dread the journey, as the roads are so bad, and I as great a coward as ever existed. I tell the Governor that he is unlucky in a wife having so timid a disposition, and he so resolute. For you know he would at- tempt, and effect if possible, to ride over the tops of the trees on Moose Mountain, while poor I even tremble at passing through a road cut at the foot of it.

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93

Your little dog grows finely, and I shall bring him down with me. You never saw such a parcel of animals in all your life, and they have lessened poor Phyllis' courage down to a standard, for she can hardly crawl along. But I intend to send some of them off soon. We have given Mr. Livius one, and our neighbors all around are begging to have one, so that the stock will soon be lessened, and I intend to see that yours is the best taken care of amongst them. Mrs. Rindge seems now to falter in her intentions to spend the winter in town, but she says she is fixed on passing a month or so there. I believe it all a matter of un- certainty; for the roads are so precarious in the winter months, that 'tis impossible to fix on anything. Her baby seems to grow considerably and looks better than it did, so that I begin to think now she has a chance for his life. You know it looked in a great decline at the time you was with me. I am obliged for your charge to the House you lodged at on the road to be in readiness for our return. I desire things only a little clean; for elegance is not to be found in the country. 1 hope Mr. Lang- don and your little ones are in health. I pray 'you'l present my best compliments to him, and tell him I hope the roads will be better next year to induce him to try another journey to Wolfeborough. The Gov- ernor has just come in, and says I must send a great many compliments to you and Mr. Langdon, and tell you he knows you'll forget how to eat beef at Portsmouth. Wolfeborough is the place to recover appetites and learn people to relish anything that is set before them. But adieu. I could write you all day, but am called on for my letter by Mr. Russel who is just setting out for his journey. This relieves you from the trouble of reading a long penned epistle from one who need not say she loves you; since you know you can command every friendship that flows from the heart and mind of

your sincere Friend and very humble Servant

Frances Wentworth

Mrs. Langdon, to whom the above letter \vas written, was the wife of Hon. Woodbury Langdon, who afterwards became gov- ernor of the state of New Hampshire. Mrs. Loring was a very intimate friend of Mrs. Wentworth's. They were about the same age, and were married the same year. Her husband was a native of Boston, Mass. They had a son, John Wentworth Loring, born the same year as was Governor Wentworth's son. Mr. Loring lost much property on account of his adhesion to the British gov- ernment. He died in England in 1789. Through the representa-

94 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

tions of Lady Wentworth, his widow was placed on the English pension list. Mrs. Livius was the wife of Peter Livius of Ports- mouth, then a member of Governor Wentworth's council. She was en route to her husband's country establishment in Tufton- borough by way of Lake Wentworth and the Miles Road. Livius commenced operations on his land near Mirror Lake about the time Governor Wentworth began his enterprise in Wolfeborough. The delay in Mrs. Livius' journey on account of the state of the weather, and the passage across the water in "a high gust of wind with white caps as large as the Canoe," is a vivid description of scenes and events familiar to the present inhabitants of the region. Mrs. Rindge was the wife of Isaac Rindge, the town proprietor who drew lot number five. Mr. Rindge, who was a cousin to the governor, and supposed to be friendly to the English in the time of the Revolutionary War, was not allowed to reside within fifteen miles of Portsmouth. It is probable that he retired to his farm in Wolfeborough.

The governor and his family were at their town residence in November, as shown by the following : —

"THE GOVERNOR AND LADY INVITE TO

TEA ON THURSDAY NEXT

MR. & MRS. LANGDON.

TEA AT FIVE O'CLOCK P. M.

PORTSMOUTH, FRIDAY EVENING, Nov. 23, 1770."

Until 1775 a large part of the warm seasons was spent by the governor and his family at the farm. This was probably his choice, although once in addressing the assembly, he assigns as a reason for so doing the inadequacy of his salary to enable him to live in town. Here, undoubtedly, he spent some of the happiest months of his life, being in a measure removed from official cares and perplexites and actively employed in the entertaining and in- vigorating business of husbandry, enlarging the area of cultivated

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

95

land and in various ways improving it. A man named Sherburne was hired to build stone fences, which were so well constructed that portions of them are still standing, and are known as the Sherburne walls.

Two large orchards were planted. Fruit at that time was mostly native, and generally not of remarkably fine flavor. One apple grown on the farm became quite popular among the inhabitants of the town, and its product was considerably increased by graft- ing. It was a large, oval apple of a red color and a flavor which would not be considered particularly fine now. Its name was the "Farm Sweet." Better varieties have displaced it, and it is now seldom seen in the market.

There was on the farm a pear tree that bore fruit of an ex- cellent quality, concerning which a ludicrous incident is told. A person who had a strong penchant for pears, and was not over- scrupulous in relation to the manner of obtaining them, en- deavored to secure some of these by converting his nether gar- ments into a sack and filling it with the coveted fruit. A sans culolte, he set out for home with his bagged booty. In crossing a pasture where a herd of cattle were grazing, a vicious bull espied him, and with loud bellowings gave chase. The purloiner, like an affrighted politician, scurried to get on the safe side of the fence, in his haste scattering his plunder by the way. He succeeded in escaping bodily harm, minus the pears but saving the trousers.

It seems from the following letter that Governor Wentworth had some idea of building a mill at the upper falls in Smith's River near where the excelsior mill occupied by Frank Hutchins now stands. The letter was written by David Sewall of York, Massachusetts (now Maine), attorney at law, to Dr. Ammi R. Cutter, practising physician at Portsmouth, N. H. They, by a grant of the town proprietors of Wolfeborough, were joint and exclusive owners of the water privilege and property referred to.

96 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH.

"November n, 1774.

SIR : — Matthew Parker tells me as tho' Gov. Wentworth was about erecting a mill between our mill and the dam erected at the foot of Crooked Pond. If there be the place, I take it His Excellency has been somehow misinformed, for if we have any grant of a mill privilege from the proprietors, it includes all those falls. The words of our grant are, "the land and falls in Wolfe- borough called the mill priviledge," called the Falls, Stream, and appurtances, containing one hundred acres, together with a cer- tain island in Smith's Pond called Mill Island, supposed to con- tain 100 acres. Please inquire a little into the matter, &c. and prevent our entering into a controversy with His Excellency.

Your Humble Servant,

David Sewall. Dr. Cutter."

Governor Wentworth visited the farm in the spring of 1775, probably as early as the season would permit. He remained only a short time, his departure being hastened by reports from Ports- mouth, where, as throughout the country, there was great excite- ment after the Battle of Lexington. New Hampshire had thus far been more quiet than most of the maritime provinces during the unhappy controversy then going on. This was, in part, due to the adroit management of the governor and his manifestations of kindliness to the members of the contending parties. No doubt he hoped by preserving a course of moderate conservatism to allay the prevailing disquietude, and, provided the British gov- ernment should adopt conciliatory measures, to assist in restoring harmony among the people. He said to his secretary, John Fer- nald, who accompanied him in his journey to town, "These con- tentions will soon cease, when I shall return to this sylvan abode." Sad disappointment awaited him. He was never again to behold the green fields he was then leaving.

Before us, in rapid succession, appear the lonely journey, the

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97

disordered town, the threatening populace, the stealthy flight, the dilapidated fortress, the armed vessel, the anxious waiting, the aimless wandering, and finally the lifelong exile. The curtain drops.

CHAPTER VIII.

HAPPENINGS AT THE FARM AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S DEPARTURE —His RXILE — CONFISCATION OF PROPERTY — PERSONAL EFFECTS SOLD — THE CATTLE FEED THE PATRIOT ARMY- PLANS IOR DISPOSING OF THE ESTATE — THE CABBOTTS'

PURCHASE IN 1782 — DANIEL RAYNARD BECOMES THE OWNER — DIVISION AND SALE OF LAND — THE MANSION- HOUSE BURNED — SAD REFLECTIONS — TREND OF DEVELOP- MENT OF THE LAND — THE FUTURE OF THE FARM.

WHAT took place at the farm upon the departure of the gov- ernor is not now known. Probably for a while the affairs remained under the management of overseers who had been previ- ously in charge. The estate was practically insolvent, the ex- penditures having been very great and the income thus far com- paratively small. When Governor 'Wentworth left he took with him very few of his personal effects, only his plate and several horses from the fine stud which he possessed. After it became conclusive that he would not return to this country, his father, Mark Hunking Wentworth, attended to the interests of the estate. It is said that he settled the personal claims against his son. It was, perhaps, on this account that the assembly, April 17, 1780, passed a vote "directing Samuel Gilman, trustee of the Estate of the late Governor Wentworth, an absentee, to deliver to Mark Hunking Wentworth, Esq., all the furniture now in his hands at Portsmouth, also the family pictures at Wolfeborough."

November n, 1/78, "John Wentworth, Esq., late governor of this state," and seventy-five other persons were forbidden by the legislature of the state to return to it without leave, under the penalty of transportation. A return to the state after transpor- tation subjected the person to the penalty of death. On the

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99

eighteenth day of the same month the estates of John Wentworth and twenty-seven others were forfeited to the use of the state. On the twenty-sixth of the following December the legislature decreed that all attachments of creditors on such confiscated estates were void. The committee to take possession of the con- fiscated estates, real and personal, in Strafford County, were Ma- jor Caleb Hodgdon, Mr. John Burnham Hanson, and Col. Joseph Badger.

The committee on estates of absentees advertised for sale by public auction at Dover sundry articles, a part of the estate of Governor Wentworth. Among them were two fine weather- glasses and a valuable collection of books. The legislature, March 13, 1779, directed the committee to take the glasses and books to Exeter, that town being then practically the capital of the state. March 25 it was voted ''to postpone the sale of the confiscated books to a more convenient season."

March 15, 1780, a committee was chosen by the legislature to consider the expediency of selling the Wentworth House and furniture, also the stock on the farm. April 19 the assembly voted "that the pasture at Wolfeborough, lately Governor Went- worth's, Be improved the current year for pasturing and faten- ing beef cattle for the supply of the continental army ; that the cattle on said farm at Wolfeborough that are, or may be soon fatted for beef, be reserved and fatted for the same purpose ; that Capt. Samuel Gilman, the trustee of the same Governor Went- worth estate, be directed to exchange any horse or horse kind, or any other cattle unfit for beef on said farm, for beef cattle for the same purpose ; that the pork, beef, corn, hogs and other provisions on said farm at Wolfeborough be reserved, and kept for the uses and purposes aforesaid.''

June 8 the assembly voted "that the sale of the late Governor Wentworth estate proceed according to advertisement," which was evidently at public venclue ; that the trustee sell the cattle and horses at the same time. The conditions of the sale, prepared

I00 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

by a committee, were as follows: "that ten per cent on each purchase be paid down when the same is struck off, which is to be forfeited in case the other payments are not made as follows : that the remainder for the personal estate be paid when the same is delivered ; that one-third of the remainder due for the real estate be paid in fifteen days, one-third in six weeks, and one-third in ten weeks after the sale ; that the trustee give a deed when the second payment is made, upon good security being given for the remainder/' It is probable that little, if any, of the real estate was disposed of at the vendue, as on June 28th the assembly authorized the trustee to sell a lease of the farm on the best terms he could.

November 14, 1781; the assembly voted "that Capt. Oilman sell no more of the Wentworth estate, until the further order of the general court." About this time the state of New Hampshire paid to the town of Wolfeborough for taxes on the Wentworth Farm over four hundred and nine pounds. March 20, 1782, the council voted "that the lands of the Governor Wentworth estate were so peculiarly circumstanced as to render the sale difficult at present, and that the trustee be directed not to make sale of any of the same until further order of the general court."

Early in 1782 the \Ventworth Farm came into the possession of two brothers, Andrew and John Cabbott, of Beverly, Mass., who purposed to make it a stock-farm, and eventually their home. They cleared and improved more land, and erected two barns and two other farm buildings. They alsobuilt a large structure tobe used for a school house and residence for the teacher, towards which the mall from the mansion-house extended. The carpenter who constructed it was Deering Stoddard. Subsequently he and his descendants occupied it as a residence, and it was long known as the "Stoddard House." Recently it has been remodeled, and now is the home of Irving S. Gilman.

When the Cabbotts took possession of the farm, it contained about three thousand acres of land. Its buildings were valued

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. IOI

by the assessors at a goodly figure. They purchased fine breeds of horses and neat cattle, having, it is said, at one time twenty- five of the former and one hundred of the latter. John Martin, a brother of the late Isaac Martin, was superintendent of the farm. He held the position until 1785, when he returned to his home in Massachusetts. Deering Stoddard was superintendent for the next three years, until the return of Mr. Martin, who occu- pied the place until his death, which occurred in 1794. He was succeeded by Nathaniel Brown, who probably erected the Kendall house situated near Brookfield line.

Soon after the Cabbotts purchased the farm, Andrew died. John never became a permanent resident of Wolfeborough, and in 1794 he also died. In 1795 the estate came into the possession of E. Haskell Derby, of Salem, Mass., a Mr. Lane afterwards be- came a joint or sole owner, and it was known for a short time as the "Lane Farm." In 1805 it was nominally in the possession of one McDonough.

In the autumn of 1805 or the spring of the following year, the Wentworth Farm was purchased by Daniel Raynard, of Boston, for seventeen thousand dollars. Mr. Raynard was a native of this country, but went to England for the purpose of learning the art of plaster and stucco work. He there married Margarette Whit- ton, a member of a family of some note in Yorkshire County, and returned to this country with his family. He established a busi- ness in Charlestown, Mass., and, it is said, owned three acres of land on Bunker Hill. He afterwards removed to Boston, where he was very successful. He became proficient in his art, and, tradition says, superintended the stucco work of the Massachusetts State House. He brought to Wolfeborough the first pleasure carriage owned in town. He sold three one-hundred-acre lots to George and John Whitton, brothers of his wife, and John Bovvker, but did not reduce the area of his purchase very much. After residing in Wolfeborough several years, he visited Norfolk, Va.. where he died, his family still remaining at the farm.

I02 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

The settlement of the estate rendered a sale of a portion of the land necessary. One tract of four hundred acres was pur- chased by James Fernald, who soon after transferred a portion of it to his brother William. The latter erected buildings on it near the spot where the Whitton Road joins the Farm Road. The house has since been removed, and is now the residence of Thomas L. Whitton. On the Fernald farm was reared Jonathan P. Fer- nald, who was so long a resident of Center Wolfeborough as to give to that hamlet the name of Fernald's Corner. He was on the roof of the Wentvvorth House when it was burned, and in descend- ing from it received a permanent injury.

Jonathan Poor Fernald was the son of William who married Betsy, the daughter of Phineas Johnson. He was born December i. 1797, and died April 21, 1893, aged ninety-six years. He married Mary, daughter of Robert Pike, of Middleton. His children were Maria, born December 16, 1822, married Orin Dbcon ; Mary E., born December 12, 1824, married Joseph L. Dixon ; Hannah, born 1826, died young; Hannah, born Novem- ber 29, 1829, married Joshua P.. Haines ; Nancy H., born May 3, 1832, married William T. Dorr; Brackett, born December 24, 1834, died young; Joan M., born August 30, 1837, married Samuel H. Buzzel ; James W., born July 24, 1839, married Sarah Higgins, of Cape Cod, Mass. ; Sophronia C., born October 10, 1841 ; Jonathan B., born March 11, 1844, died June 23, 1867 ; Charles A., born December 5, 1847, married Eliza A. Acres of Boston.

Mr. Fernald preserved his faculties to a remarkable degree up to the \ery time of his death. The writer of this work was greatly assisted by the information he was able to give so intelligently.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Raynard continued to manage the estate, occupying the Wentworth House until it was burned, in 1820. During the same year the large pine tree on Mount Delight, under whose branches the governor's family frequently took their mid-day meal, was destroyed by lightning, and the governor himself died. After the burning of the Went-

JONATHAN P. FERNALD

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103

worth House, Mrs. Raynard occupied the "Stoddard House," until she and her son-in-law, Quimby, erected another on land still remaining in their possession at a considerable distance north of the mansion-house. Here they resided several years, when they exchanged it with Ichabod Libbey for real estate in Tufton- borough. Charles A. Whitton now occupies the premises.

Thus ends the particular past history of the Wentworth Farm. Much of its area has still a sparse population, although there are within its limits valuable farms, owned by thrifty husbandmen. During the past century, on portions of it have grown heavy forests, which have been leveled by the woodman's axe.

Sad thoughts may come to the visitor, as he looks on the scanty weather-stained debris lying in the old cellar, the dilapi- dated stone fences, the scraggy apple trees in the decaying orchards, the unkempt pastures where were once odorous gardens and fertile fields ; but the farm has a future of more promising utility than perhaps might have been the anticipated splendor of a propitious past.

The keen vision of the land speculator has discovered its dawn- ing, and with a shrewdness characteristic of his class has already secured much of its territory for future profits. A considerable portion of its shore has been sold for camp sites and the idea of the original owner as to its desirability for summer residence pur- poses bids fair to be realized. The time is coming when its environs will be appreciated ; when the shores and islands of Lake Wentworth will be dotted with cottages ; when a road will t>e constructed, uniting existing highways, and furnishing a fifteen-mile drive through varied and beautiful scenery around that fine sheet of water ; and when the plain where stood the farm buildings, the eastern slope, the sides of Mount Delight, and the now lonely Farm Road will be the scene of bustling activity. The neighboring localities will share in the prosperity. Martin's Hill and Cotton Valley and Mountain, with their numerous natural attractions hitherto scarcely noticed bv the tillers of the

104 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

soil, will surprise the aroused inhabitants, when they discover the various sources of profit and pleasure that are at their very doors. These are not fanciful chimeras, but deductions from careful observations. So long as water flows, and grass grows, New Hampshire will be a favorite resort. Its mountains, hills, and valleys ; its lakes, ponds, and streams ; its lairs and fisheries ; its varied scenery, its invigorating air, will ever bring to it increas- ing multitudes. As facilities for travel shall improve, and art aid natural beauty, the number of visitors will become larger and the resources of the state increased.

Probably no town in New Hampshire presents a greater variety of attractions than Wolfeborough. This is the universal testimony of those who come within its borders. The Wentworth Farm region has been remote from frequented roads, and subjected to constant neglect for a century ; at present it has unappreciated excellencies. When these are developed and utilized, as they eventually will be, it will be found that this is one of the most charming portions of the town. East Wolfeborough is destined to ultimately become a quite noted summer resort. Governor Wentworth chose wisely when he selected the locality for his rural abode.

CHAPTER IX.

FIRST SETTLERS — HENRY RUST CLEARS LAND — His SONS WINTER IN THE TOWN — His WIFE — A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE — REUBEN LIBBEY — SETTLER'S LOT — PARKER'S AGENT — A TOWN OFFICIAL, SOLDIER, AND BEAR HUNTER — PAUL MARCH AND HIS CONTRACT — LOCATION OF THE SEVEN FARMS — THE FIFTY-ACRE LOTS — THE LUCAS, NOWELL, AVERY, MANNING, AND GOULD INTERESTS — SECOND FARM — SAMUEL TEBBETTS — DUDLEY L. LIBBEY — BLAKE FOL- SOM — DANIEL E. LEAVITT — THIRD FARM — JOSEPH LARY — JOHN SINKLER — DANIEL WIGGIN — BENJAMIN WEB- STER— FOURTH FARM — THOMAS PIPER SELLS FARM AND SETTLES ON FiFTY-ACRE LOT — T\VO SONS IN THE REVOLU- TION— TIMOTHY PIPER'S FAMILY — JOHN PIPER'S REMARK- ABLE FAMILY — EBENEZER MEADER PURCHASES PIPER'S LOT — THE FIRST PIG ARRIVES IN TOWN — A JOURNEY THROUGH THE FOREST — THE BLACKSMITH — FlFTH FARM —THOMAS TAYLOR — FIRST MALE CHILD BORN — BEX- JAMIN FOLSOM — JONATHAN CHASE — A CENTENARIAN— THE FOLSOM FAMILY — SIXTH FARM — BENJAMIN BLAKE —JONATHAN AND DANIEL BLAKE — SEVENTH FARM — WIDOW MARY FULLERTON — Two SOLDIERS — THE DAUGH- TERS.

THE same year in which Governor Wentworth commenced his enterprise at the farm, 1768, nine persons began settlements in the southwest part of Wolfeborough. They were Henry Rust, Reuben Libbey, James Lucas, Samuel Tebbetts, Joseph Lary, Thomas Piper, Thomas Taylor, Benjamin Blake, and William Fullerton.

Henry Rust was one of the town proprietors, and had a lot in the southerly part of the town which has already been described.

105

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

He did not at first take his entire family to Wolfeborough, nor did the portion that came remain throughout the whole year. He and his two sons, Henry and Richard, spent the warm seasons on the lot, clearing land and raising crops, returning to their home in Portsmouth in the winter. He built a log camp and hovel in the northerly part of his lot. Here the sons, when twelve and fourteen years of age, remained alone during one winter, hav- ing an elderly horse with them for emergencies. Subsequently, while the captain and his sons were engaged in laboring in a dis- tant part of the lot, the camp was burned.

It is not probable that Mrs. Rust came to Wolfeborough until 1773, after her husband had provided for the family a commodious dwelling on the northerly shore of that beautiful sheet of water, since known as Rust's Pond. This house or the one succeeding it was called the "Parker House." It was burned about 1880. It was \vith reluctance that Airs. Rust exchanged the town home for a residence in the wilderness. She was quite obese, and could not journey on horseback, the early settlers' usual mode of travel- ing, but was compelled to ride in an ox-cart, that being the only wheeled vehicle then in use.

Capt. Rust was so called from being a shipmaster. He made several short sea voyages after he commenced his farming opera- tions in Wolfeborough, while his family were still residing in Portsmouth. Pie was, however, more generally known as Col. Rust, this title indicating his military rank. After Mr. Rust had become established in Wolfeborough, he at once became its lead- ing citizen, largely controlling public affairs, and acting as arbiter between disagreeing persons and neighborhoods. A sketch of him and his family will appear farther on.

Reuben Libby came from Xew Durham. He had a settler's lot of one hundred acres of John Parker, whose proprietary lot comprised the whole of Wolfeborough Xeck. Libby chose the lot that extended farthest into the lake that he might be near the water route from Merry Meeting (Alton) Bav to Moulton-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. IQJ

borough, some settlements having already been made in that town. He had the previous year made some preparations for a crop, and took with him a horse and a few neat cattle. He married Sarah, daughter of Widow Mary Fullerton. This was the first marriage that occurred in Wolfeborough. The nuptial ceremony was performed under the branches of a large oak tree that stood beside the Miles Road on land now owned by Benjamin Morri- son.

Libby was quite illiterate, as were nearly all the persons who took up settlers' lots in Wolfeborough. The following writing will show that, also that he was managing Parker's affairs in the town : —

"Barronton July 26 Day 1771.

Capte. John Parker Sir Please to Pay to the Barer Joseph Hall ten Pounds Lawfull Money for won yoak of oxen which I have Bought for the youse of your farm on Wolfborough Neck.

Reuben Libbe."

Notwithstanding his lack of education, Libbey was quite active in town matters, and held several responsible positions. He was a member of several boards of selectmen, and in 1785 and 1794 was sent to the legislature to represent the classed towns of Moultonborough, Tnftonborough, Wolfeborough, and Ossipee. He held the different grades of commissioned officer in the militia company of the town, and in 1779 enlisted in the army to fill the Wolfeborough quota for the Rhode Island expedition. He had previously agreed with the town authorities to hold the town harmless in regard to the matter, and being unable to find a man willing to serve as a soldier, he himself enlisted. He received for bounty and travel forty-six pounds and sixteen shillings, a sum, the real value of which it is now difficult to determine on account of the fluctuating state of the currency at that period. His hay crop was to be harvested by the town.

Iog HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

In early life Libbey was a noted bear hunter, killing thirty-six in one season. He did not remain on the Neck farm during his whole life, but removed to the more compact part of the town. Near the close of the century he held the office of deputy sheriff, a position of more relative importance than it now is. He is said to have been quite negligent in his attire, caring little for his personal appearance. A humorous anecdote has long been circulating, which, it is claimed, had its origin from an exhibition of this characteristic.

In the autumn of 1765 Paul March agreed with the committee on settlements to have ten families located in Wolfeborough by the following spring. Each family was to clear four acres of land and to build a house equal to one twenty feet square by the suc- ceeding autumn. Doing this, it would be entitled to one hundred and fifty acres of land situated in the westerly part of the town. If March succeeded in the enterprise, he would be entitled to a similar lot. If he failed, he was to forfeit his own proprietary lot, and pay twenty-five pounds, lawful money. Each settler was obligated to remain on his lot ten years, either in person or by substitution, and improve the same.

The project failed in part, but not altogether. Seven families carne to the town in the spring of 1768 under the patronage of March, but the number of settlers was not so large, nor the period before settling so short, as the agreement required. March did not probably suffer loss on account of non-compliance with the precise terms of the contract, as the obstacles in the way of se- curing settlers was so great at that time that a partial failure would be deemed excusable.

"\Yolfeborough was a wilderness, surrounded by an almost un- broken forest of large extent, with no roads from settled districts reaching or very nearly approaching it, excepting, perhaps, a path leading from Rochester through the second division of Middleton, and it is not certain that any such existed. A census of Xew Hampshire was taken in 1767 \ and only two towns within a radius

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. IOQ

of twenty miles reported inhabitants. These were Gilmanton with forty-five families and a population of two hundred and fifty, and New Durham with twenty-five families and a population of one hundred and fifty-seven. There were a very few families in Moultonborough, also in Wakefield, and possibly one or two at Merry Meeting. Land was low-priced in New Hampshire even in or near settled towns, and comparatively few persons were in- clined to brave the inconveniences and hardships of pioneer life. Only the more indigent or resolute could be induced to under- take it.

The persons who took settlers' lots in 1768 under the patronage of March were James Lucas, Samuel Tebbetts, Joseph Lary, Thomas Piper, Thomas Taylor, Benjamin Blake, and William Fullerton. The land which became their home farms, seven hun- dred acres, extended from the rangeway near Friend street to and including the Fullerton farm, being bounded on one side by the Miles Road and on the other by Lake Winnipesaukee. The fifty-acre lots, to one of which each settler was entitled, were situated on Pine Hill, north of the present highway, and extended from Pine Hill schoolhouse to Tuftonborough line. The farm- lots varied in width on account of their difference in length occa- sioned by the curvatures of the shore of the lake.

The first, or most easterly lot, was fifty-six rods wide. It was taken by James Lucas. Associated with him was Thomas Lu- cas, who was probably a brother. They were about fifty years of age, and had each of them a family. James was a moderator of the first town-meeting ; and Thomas, a member of the first board of selectmen. The latter was also elected moderator five times. The family was of Irish ancestry, and came from Suncook to Wolfeborough. Its descendants became quite numerous, and occupied different portions of the town. It retained possession of the farm for two generations, when it was purchased by Samuel Nowell, whose family occupied it for a period of about the same length. One-half of it then came into the possession of two

I10 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

brothers, A. D. and J. L. Avery, the former of whom still holds it. The remaining half was purchased in 1883 from the heirs of Charles Nowell, a grandson of Samuel, by I. B. Manning, who now occupies the old homestead and the house Lucas built. One acre of this land has been sold to Jesse Gould, who has erected a handsome summer residence upon it. Either this Samuel Nowell or his father was a member of the famous Boston Tea Party.

Xehemiah, a son of James Lucas, settled on the most southerly of the fifty-acre lots on Pine Hill. A rise of land near the buildings now occupied by Jonathan F. Estes is still called "Miah's Hill." In the latter part of his life he was afflicted with blindness, the result of an injury received from the horn of a cow, and was sup- ported at the public expense.

A grandson of James Lucas, James Lucas 3rd, obtained a con- siderable tract of land from the William Torrey proprietors' lot. It extended from the main road, near Pickering's Corner, across Smith's River, to Crooked Pond. A few acres near the upper dam, bequeathed to Mark Lucas by his father, James Lucas, 3rd, is still in the possession of his daughter, Mrs. Francis B. Cook. The blood of the Lucas family flows in the veins of many persons in the vicinity, but very few having that cognomen now reside in the town.

The second lot, fifty rods wide, was taken by Samuel Tebbetts. On it was built the first pound, Mr. Tebbetts being pound-keeper for several years. He was a millwright and framer, the town meeting-house being framed by him. The Tebbetts family held the place for three generations, when it became the property of Dudley Leavitt Libbey. It is now owned by Blake Folsom, and conducted as a milk-farm by his nephew, Blake Home. On a spacious lot affording fine landscape views, which has been taken from this farm. Daniel E. Leavitt, of Portsmouth, has erected a fine summer residence. Samuel Tebbetts had two sons, Benjamin and Levi. The latter settled in Tuftonborough, while Benjamin remained on the home farm, where he raised a familv of children.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. Iri

among whom was Charles G. Tebbetts, who sold the farm to Libbey. There are several families in town bearing the name of Tebbetts. Some of them may be relatives of Samuel, the settler, but generally they are not at all closely allied.

The third lot, also fifty-five rods wide, was taken by Joseph Lary. Three families of this name came early to the town from Suncook, Joseph's, Jonathan's, and John's. They were evidently of Irish origin, and were probably related, the men, perhaps, be- ing brothers. Joseph's wife was the daughter of Lieutenant Qiarles_Rx>gers, who spent the last years of his life with her. She was an athletic woman, and when the house for the occupancy of the family, the walls of which were made of logs, was in pro- cess of building, carried the boards used in roofing an up-hill grade of more than a mile.

Joseph and Jonathan Lary were quite prominent in the affairs of the town, holding several important official positions. Jonathan afterwards removed to the center of the town, where he was in- strumental in erecting a sawmill on what is known as the Willey Mill Stream. He remained there several years, and then, dis- posing of his interest to William Triggs, left town. This mill was at first erected by sundry persons, who owned shares, but was principally managed, — first, by Jonathan Lary ; then, by Wil- liam Triggs ; and afterwards, by Valentine Willey. The mill was finally sold to Valentine B. Willey, who is its present owner. At different periods it has borne the names of the various proprietors.

It has been supposed that the Lary premises were wholly or in part occupied by John Sinkler, who came from Stratham about 1770, and that he here kept a two-roomed tavern. The farm, how- ever, was in Lary's possession at a later date, when he sold it to Daniel Wiggin, who also came from Stratham. Wiggin died suddenly, when comparatively young. His grand-daughter, the wife of Benjamin Webster, now dwells on the farm.

The fourth lot, which was fifty-four rods wide, was settled by Thomas Piper, who probably came from Stratham. After two

II2 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

years he sold it to Ebenezer Meader, and removed to the "Mills," where Cutter & Sewall had just completed a grist-mill. He re- mained there a few years, becoming the miller, then entered on his fifty-acre lot on Pine Hill. Here he built a house, and cleared land. This was his residence until his death, which occurred sev- eral years afterwards. It is said that he served in the army dur- ing one short campaign, and that his wife, during his absence, used to frighten the bears from the growing corn with torches.

Mr. Piper had seven children, Thomas, David, Samuel, Timothy, John, Mary, and Susan. David and John were soldiers in the army during the most of the war, the latter enlisting when he was only sixteen. David married Molly Edmunds, and settled on the farm now occupied by Mrs. B. Burleigh Newell. He had five children, Joseph, Sally, Abigail, Susan, and Mary. Timothy had twelve children, all of whom reached mature, some of them, advanced age. They are said to have averaged two-hundred pounds in weight. He settled in Tuftonborough.

John spent the first portion of his life on Pine Hill, but the greater part of it near Tuftonborough Center. He was twice mar- ried. His first wife was Jemima Hersey, of New Market. She bore him ten children, as follows :

John, born August I, 1783; Betsy, born May 15, 1785, died in 1802; James, born March 14, 1787; Thomas, born March 29, 1789; Gilman, born February 26, 1791; William, born January 24, 1793; Nancy, born October n, 1794, married Jeremiah Foss, of Tuftonborough; Mary, born May 2, 1797, married Mark Her- sey, of Sanbornton ; Abigail, born May 26, 1799, married William Fullerton ; Jemima, born January 4, 1803, married Samuel Leavitt and Wm. Blaisdell, both of Tuftonborough.

Betsy died at the age of seventeen years of consumption brought on by a cold occasioned by wearing a thin ball-dress in winter. She was \.\\z fiancee oi James Hersey, the second son of Jonathan, the settler. The sons, John, James, Thomas, Gilman,

HON. CHARLES F. PIPE.R

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. u$

and William, became farmers, and made their homes in Tufton- borough.

Mr. Piper married for a second wife, Anna Young, of Tufton- borough. She became the mother of eleven children, as follows:

Phebe A., born August 10, 1804, married Stephen Pendergast, of Barnstead; Paul W., born September 17, 1805, settled in Mor- ristown, N. J. ; Susan W., born October 26, 1806, married Joseph Ayers, of Barnstead; Betsey A., born January 8, 1808, married Oliver Sanborn,of Rochester ; Lucinda C.,born July 24, 1809, mar- ried Charles Pinkham and Abel Haley, both of Tuftonborough ; Napoleon B., born November 28, 1810, died in St. Marks, Fla. ; Martha W., born February 6, 1812, married Nathaniel Mason; Sarah H., born May 20, 1813, married Levi T. Hersey ; Patience C., born October 15, 1814, married Asa Allen, of Lee; Benjamin Y., born April 29, 1816, settled in Lee; Vienna E., born January 16, 1821, married Lyman Allen, of Nottingham.

These twenty-one children, with the exception of the first Betsy, reached full adult age. Nineteen became heads of families, and eighteen were present at the burial of their father. Several of them became quite advanced in years. Sarah, Mrs. Levi T. Hersey, was eighty-six years nine months old at the time of her death, and Benjamin Y., aged eighty-five years, still survives.

Hon. Charles F. Piper is a son of Benjamin Y., the twentieth son of the "Adjutant," as his neighbors used to call Corporal John Piper. Though not a native of Wolfeborough, Mr. Piper has spent nearly all his active life here and has done as much as any man of his generation to forward the interests of the town.

He was born in Lee, N. H., May 22, 1849, and first came to Wolfeborough in 1866 to attend the old Academy. At the con- clusion of his studies he went to Boston and entered the employ of a wholesale dry goods house. His firm was among the suf- ferers by the great fire of 1872, and he then entered the railway mail service, running between Boston and Bangor. He followed this calling for something over four years and in the meantime

II4 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

had purchased the clothing business of Levi T. Haley and had taken to himself a wife. He married December 10, 1874, Ida E., daughter of Silas Durgin. After leaving the mail service Mr. Piper assumed active control of the clothing business he had pur- chased, and he is still associated with the firm that succeeded him.

Mr. Piper was postmaster during the Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur administrations, and in 1890 became cashier of the newly organized Wolfeborough Loan and Banking Company, which position he still holds. He has had an active hand in politics not only of his town, but of the county and state. He has not been a seeker after office, although he has held the positions of town clerk, town treasurer, representative and councillor.

In recent years Mr. Piper has operated somewhat extensively in lumbering and real estate. He is a member of the firm of S. W. Clow & Co., box manufacturers, and in association with other gentlemen controls valuable resort properties on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and Wentworth. The marked develop- ment of these holdings within the past decade is due in no small degree to the liberal and progressive basis upon which the owners have met the summer home-seeker.

A descendant in the fourth generation from the settler, Mr. Piper has preserved in his life and character the best traditions of a worthy family, of which he is today the most notable repre- sentative. Carroll D., the only child, born May 29, 1880, is a member of the junior class at Harvard.

Ebenezer Meader (he and his associates spelled the name Meder) was of the fourth generation from the emigrant John, who came to this country in 1650, and settled near Oyster River. He was born in Durham, and came to Wolfeborough in 1768. He first made an opening on a lot in the western part of the town, but not obtaining a clear title to it, lost a portion of the fruits of his first year's labor. In 1770 he purchased the lot on which Thomas Piper had entered as settler, and the farm has ever since remained in the possession of the family, passing from

JOHN MEADER

~

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. u^

Ebenezer to his son, Samuel , his grandson, John L. ; his great- grandson, Samuel A., the present occupant.

Mr. Meader took with him from Durham a cow and pig, gifts from his father. The course of travel from Wolfeborough to Merry Meeting Bay, and from that place a considerable distance into Rochester, was marked by blazed trees, portions of thejsol- dierjs road of 1722 having through disuse grown up to wood. Here young Meader picked his way with his brute companions. It has been claimed that these were the first domestic animals brought to Wolfeborough. This may be true in relation to the pig, but Reuben Libbey, no doubt, drove in the first neat and equine stock.

Meader was a blacksmith, a trade of incalculable value to the early settlers, when from large iron bars were forged and fashioned on the anvil with the hand-hammer every article of that metal, from a shingle-nail to a plow-share. Persons came a long dis- tance to his shop. At one time, when the call for soldiers was very urgent, and he essayed to enlist, the town hired Enoch Thomas to go into the army, in order that the community might retain the services of the blacksmith. He made the nails used in constructing the house, until recently, standing on Friend Street. Pie was a man of good judgment, and held important positions, being elected selectman six times.

Pie had nine children, three of whom died in infancy. His son, Samuel, had eight children; his grandson, John L., four; and his great-grandson, Samuel A., three. These were all born on the home farm. The families of the ancestors of Ebenezer Meader were quite uniform in number. The emigrant John, his great- grandfather, had five children, Elizabeth, Sarah, Nathaniel, John, and Nicholas ; his grandfather, Nicholas, five, Keziah, Samuel, Nicholas, John, and Daniel ; his father, Samuel, five, Timothy, Ebenezer, Isaac, Hannah, and Eliza.

The fifth lot was sixty rods wide. It was taken by Thomas Taylor, who came from Gilmanton, and after residing in Wolfe-

jjt, HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOU.

borough a few years, returned again to that town. His son, Wiggins Taylor, was the first male child born in Wolfeborough.

Benjamin Folsom, who was born in New Market in 1740, and had removed to Gilmanton, either accompanied Taylor to Wolfe- borough, or soon followed him. He was present at the charter election, held September 28, 1770, and was elected to a minor town office. He was also elected a town officer in 1771 and 1772. In 1773 he was chosen hog-reeve, highway surveyor, and chairman of the board of selectmen, his associates in the last office being Thomas Taylor and James Conner. Sometime after September of that year he was killed by a falling tree, but whether in Gilman- ton or Wolfeborough is not known. Being a carpenter by trade and an active citizen, his death was accounted a great loss to the town.

When Taylor left Wolfeborough, the farm came into the posses- sion of Jonathan Chase, who hailed from Stratham. He was a relative of Dudley Leavitt, ''the almanac-maker," and had served as soldier in the American army. Here was born, July 28, 1784, his daughter Nancy, who married William P. Edgerly, and bore him six children, Betsy, Jerome B., Irena, Lewis C., William P., and Cyrus F. Mrs. Edgerly was a remarkably industrious and energetic woman, and a professing Christian for ninety years. She retained her mental faculties until late in life. Her death occurred January 26, 1889, at the age of one hundred and four years, five months, and twenty-eight days. Her daughter, Irena, (Mrs. Bradstreet Doe), with whom she spent the last years of her life, still resides in Wolfeborough, aged eighty-seven years.

Jonathan Chase spent several years with his son Thomas, who settled in the southwesterly corner of Wolfeborough, where he cleared a farm on which he built two thousand rods of good stone- wall during his lifetime. Mr. Chase finally made a home near the center of W'olfeborough. Dudley Leavitt Chase and his wife, Mary, January 6, 1789, gave to William Rogers a deed of the Chase lot with the exception of one and one-quarter acres previous-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

117

ly sold to Ebenezer Meader, the consideration being one hundred and fifty pounds, lawful money. Rogers, who speculated somewhat in land, probably the same year transferred the property to Jacob Folsom, of New Market.

Folsom with his wife, Elizabeth Smart, at once took possession of the purchase, and it has been retained in the family to the present time. Mr. Folsom had eight children, seven of whom were born in Wolfeborough. Their names were Oilman, Polly, Lydia, James, John, George, Henry, and Charles. Polly became the wife of Joseph Edmunds, and died at the age of ninety-seven years, the same age as was her mother at the time of her decease. Mrs. Hannah Folsom, who was the wife of Deacon John, a son of Jacob Folsom, had since died, aged ninety-eight years. It is remarkable that there have been in some way connected with this farm four women whose ages have exceeded ninety-seven years.

The first Folsom (Foulsam) came to this country near the beginning of the seventeenth century. The early families gen- erally made their homes in Rockingham County, and especially in the vicinity of the town of Exeter. Here dwelt Nathaniel Folsom, who was quite prominent in his time, being a major- general and member of congress.

The Folsom family has not produced a large number of dis- tinguished persons, but its members have been men and women, of piety and good citizenship. It has filled churches rather than prisons. Indeed, it is a proverb that a criminal seldom bears the name of Folsom. Large numbers of clergymen, usually of the mediocre type, and church officers have been found in its ranks. Jacob Folsom, the head of the Wolfeborough branch, was on inti- mate terms with Elder Benjamin Randall, of New Durham, the founder of the Freewill Baptist denomination. His son, John Folsom, whose wife, Hannah Blake, large of body and large of soul, was a model of zeal in religious and benevolent work, was a deacon in the Christian church of Wolfeborougfh. Blake Fol-

ng HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

som, a lifelong resident of Wolfeborough, is the most prominent representative of the family at the present time.

He was born October 25, 1824, and lived on the home farm until twenty years of age, when he started out to make his own way in the world. Seven years later he returned to his native town, opened a hardware store and began the manufacture of tin- ware. This business he successfully conducted for thirty years. Since that time he has devoted himself to the oversight of his large real estate holdings. Mr. Folsom married, December 6, 1851, Ruth D. Gerrish, of Rochester. He has served two terms in the Legislature and was for eight years president of the Lake National Bank.

The sixth lot, which was seventy rods wide, was taken by Benjamin Blake, who came from Epping. Being anxious to be the first settler, he hurried to the town, and with the aid of his robust wife, whose maiden name was Molly Conner, built a log house, in which he lived eighteen years. This iarm has never been out of the possession of the Blake family.

Mr. Blake was a hardy and eccentric man, many anecdotes of his peculiarities being still related. In the warm season, when hurried with work, he would remain in his field continuously for several clays and nights, sleeping on the ground, his food being brought him by his wife. In winter mornings, after kindling a fire, he would place his deerskin garments, stiffened with the cold, on the broad hearthstone, and while they were warming, visit the barn and feed his stock. He enlisted as a soldier in the cam- paign which resulted in the capture of Burgoyne's army, and being discharged in the interior of the state of New York, walked barefoot to his home in Wolfeborough from choice.

There was some rivalry between Blake and his brother-in-law, James Conner, in relation to their farm work. One day near the close of the hay harvest, Conner visited Blake, who informed him that he had finished mowing, and should complete his haying tlie next nay. Conner still had grass standing in his field. That

BLAKE FOLSOM

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

119

night he cut the standing- grass and put it in the barn. Early the next day he visited Blake, and told him that he had "done Hay- ing.''

Mrs. Blake became distinguished as an accoucheuse. It was a common saying that she had been present at a thousand births. This may have been an exaggeration, but was probably not far from a truthful statement, as at that time most households had a large number of children. Her popularity gave her a large ridd cf practice, which she held for a long period, as no physician commenced business in Wolfeborough until near the close of the eighteenth century. She was a brave and vigorous woman, and neither difficult traveling or inclement weather could deter her from heeding duty's call. In cases of emergency she would put on her snow-shoes, and give her anxious companion a close race over the drifted roads. In many cases of ordinary sickness she applied simple remedies quite effectively.

Jonathan, their oldest son, became very prominent in Wolfe- borough affairs, holding most of the important offices within the bestowal of its citizens. In early life he was an uncommon ax- man. While clearing a portion of Joseph Varney's farm he was accustomed to fell an acre of trees in a day. Perhaps in this case the ax-blows were more vigorous than usual, because just across the highway was the home of Polly, the daughter of Andrew Lucas, his affianced bride. In middle and advanced life Mr. Blake was very dignified in his manners, and, possessing a com- manding physique and voice, was very popular as a moderator of town meetings. He was elected to that office many times. It is said that his whisper was sufficient to quiet a crowd of frolic- some boys or half-tipsy men, and that his sonorous "Order" would produce in a town meeting assembly a silence that was actually painful. He died at an advanced age, respected as a citizen and honored with much public office. The Blakes have been generally large-sized, a physical trait which they inherited from the Conners. Daniel, a son of Jonathan, weighed 300 Ibs.

I20 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

The seventh lot was seventy rods wide. It was taken by Wil- liam Fullerton. He was drowned a short time after his arrival in Wolfeborough while crossing Smith's River on a fallen tree used for a foot -bridge. The lot was given to his widow, who was a very energetic woman. On it she raised eight children, one of whom was born after the decease of her husband. The name, ''Widow Mary Fullerton," was seen for many years on the annual town inventory. Two of her sons, John and James, were in the Revolutionary War. John, before becoming a soldier, took a settler's lot in the western corner of Wolfeborough, as it was then bounded. He raised a house-frame on it, through which, while he was in the army, trees of considerable size grew up. On his return home he found his claim to the lot forfeited because of his non-compliance with the terms of settlement. He, however, repossessed it. and it remained his home during a long life. James remained on the home farm with his mother. After her decease he obtained possession of it, and its ownership has never gone out of the Fullerton family.

William Fullerton, a son of the widow, settled on the Fullerton Pine Hill fifty-acre lot. He subsequently sold it to a member of the Jonathan Hersey family, and it has ever since been in the possession of some person of that name. Mrs. William Hersey now occupies it.

The Widow Fullerton's children were John. Sarah, wife of Reuben Libbey, Mary, James, W'illiam, Betsy, wife of Lemuel Clifford, Samuel, and Jane. Samuel died young. A number of the later generations of the Fullerton family have been resi- dents of Wolfeborough. They have generally followed the busi- ness of farming, and have been fairly thrifty. ,

CHAPTER X.

OTHER SETTLERS — JACOB SCEGGEL — His SON AND GRANDSON — AARON FROST — His ENCOUNTER WITH A BEAR — GRAFTON NUTTER — JOHN FLAG — JOTHAM RINDGE — ROBERT CALDER — JAMES CONNER — ENOCH THOMAS — ANDREW WIGGIN — JONATHAN HERSEY — JOHN PARKER — MATTHEW S. PARK- ER— HENRY RUST PARKER — MOSES AND ICHABOD TEBBETTS — GEORGE WOODHOUSE — THOMAS TRIGGS — JOSEPH KENIS- TON — SAMUEL HIDE — JOSEPH LEAVITT — ABRAM PREBBLE.

IT is not known that any other permanent settlers came to Wolfeborough in 1768 than those already noticed. There was a large number of laborers on the governor's farm, which em- braced one-half of the territory in the northeastern part of the town, but most of them had no thought of becoming permanent residents. A few did, however, make homes for themselves in the town. In 1769 Jacob Sceggel, Aaron Frost, John Flagg, Grafton Nutter, and Ithiel Clifford became residents of the town. Jotham Rindge and Robert Calder, who were connected with the Went- worth Farm, resided in the town for some time, the former leaving at the time of the departure of Governor Wentworth, and the latter remaining a number of years longer. Within a brief period the following persons became citizens : James Conner, Enoch Thomas, Jeremiah Gould, Andrew Wiggin, Moses Ham, Jonathan Hersey, Matthew S. Parker, Moses Tebbetts, Ichabod Tebbetts, George Woodhouse, Samuel Woodhouse, Thomas Triggs, Joseph Keniston, Samuel Hide, Joseph Leavitt, and Abram Prebble.

Joseph Sceggel, who assisted in cutting the Pequaket Road, settled near Trask Mountain. He was elected one of the board of selectmen at the organization of the town in 1770 and re-elected

122 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

in 1771. His son, James, and his grandson, James, Jr., held the same office in after years. They had their homes in the northerly corner of Wolfeborough, near Batson's Pond, away from the public highway.

Aaron Frost, who was a shipwright, came from Portsmouth. He had a settler's lot of one hundred acres (two hundred rods by eighty rods) of George Meserve, the deed of which is dated September 22, 1769. He located at what is now known as Frost's Corner, and also assisted in cutting the Pequaket Road. He was a person of great strength and endurance, and became a notable hunter. Taking a small quantity of meal and salt, his traps, gun, and ammunition, he would for weeks together hunt game in the mountains. He once had a desperate encounter with a large she- bear just robbed of her cubs. He espied her swimming in Lake Wentworth, and seizing a wooden lever, met her before she reached the shore. She seemed in no ways inclined to avoid the combat, and for a while "the battle hung in even scale." At length brute force was obliged to yield to human sagacity, and the intrepid hunter secured his prize. He took a load of clap- boards on a hand-sled to Dover and exchanged them for a grind- stone, which he brought home himself, performing the journey of seventy miles in two days. His family of children, which was quite large, settled near him. Few of this name now reside in Wolfeborough.

Grafton Nutter was one of the three persons who assisted in cutting the Pequaket Road. He settled on the hill where after- wards dwelt Alpheus Swett, and where was located the town farm, north of the Miles Road.

John Flagg, who was a man of property and influence, came from Portsmouth. He obtained possession of four hundred acres of land in the westerly part of the town. This was bounded by the Widow Fullerton lot. Lake Winnipesaukee, the John Ful- lerton lot, and the Miles Road. In 1779 he exchanged this land

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

123

with Ebenezer Home for real estate in Dover. He held the office of town clerk in 1771, and of town clerk and selectman in 1772.

Ithiel Clifford settled near where Augustine Fullerton now resides. In 1771 he was elected constable, and in 1772 a surveyor of highways and one of the board of selectmen.

Jotham Rindge was probably a relative of Governor Went- worth. He was a town proprietor, drawing lot one, which became a part of the Wentworth Farm. He was authorized by the gov- ernor to call the charter meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Wolfeborough, and was elected the first town clerk. He had the general superintendency of affairs at the Wentworth Farm, and probably left Wolfeborough at about the time of the governor's enforced departure.

Robert Calder, of Scotch descent, was the gardener at the Went- worth Farm. He had a house at Cotton Valley, near the spot where stands the residence of the late Elder George C. Cotton. The door-stone of this house has only recently been removed. It was in this neighbrohood that the governor's park was prob- ably situated.

Calder remained in Wolfeborough several years after the de- parture of Governor Wentworth, and was a quite active citizen. He was several times elected selectman, and was one of the town committee of safety in 1775. He was of a jovial turn, had a faculty for rhyming, and was familiarly known as "Bob Calder." He removed from Wolfeborough to Wakefield, where he kept store for a short time, and built a tavern, which he soon sold. He eventually made his home in Brookfield, living on the hill beyond the Hackett schoolhouse, on the road leading to the Corner, formerly termed the "Governor's Road." He was five times elected one of the board of selectmen of that town, and also served as deputy sheriff.

He had quite a large family of children. Three of his daughters married Wolfeborough men, Sally becoming the wife of James Jenness in 1809, Betsy of Isaac Edmunds in 1814, and Mary of

124

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Stephen W. Home in 1815. The last named was the mother of Lorenzo and Charles L. Home.

James Conner came from Hennjker, and secured a lot out of the Daniel Treadwell right, numbered fourteen. Here he erected buildings where now stand those occupied by Asst. District Attorney Fred E. Hurd, of Boston. His son James settled on the Banfield place, and his son Samuel, on the Jerome place. Jeremiah made his home with his father. He had but little edu- cation, but possessing good natural ability, served several years as selectman, and occupied other responsible positions. He was the first person in town who gave in his inventory "money on hand." At one time he kept tavern, and town meetings were often held at his house. He built the first cidermill in town. A nephew of his, Moses Conner, who was a cripple, was a popular teacher of common schools. He was a good penman, and many are the family records in the family bibles written by "Master Conner."

Enoch Thomas settled the farm situated north of Main Street cemetery, now occupied by George W. Bassett and John L. Wiggin. His house stood in the present garden of Mr. Bassett. Thomas was hired by the town authorities to enlist in the Revolu- tionary army, in order that they might retain at home the black- smith. Meader, for the accommodation of the people. About 1790. Thomas sold the farm to Isaac Townsend, a Freewill Bap- tist minister who came from New Durham, and removed to Tuftonborough Neck where most of his descendants have since resided. Mr. Townsend soon exchanged the farm with Samuel Fox for one in Pleasant Valley. Here "Esquire Fox" dwelt during his lifetime. John Bassett purchased the property of his heirs, and after living on it for several years, deceased, and it has become the possession of his son, George W. Bassett.

Little is known of the history of Jeremiah Gould. It is probable that he settled on the lot where Lemuel Clifford afterwards re-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

125

sided, now the home of Nathan Shackley. In 1780 he was elected field-driver.

Andrew Wiggin came from New Market and settled where Alfred Brown now resides. He had little education, but was a man of probity and sound judgment, as evinced by the responsible positions in which his townsmen placed him. He held few offices on account of lack of educational attainments ; but no citizen was more respected, and few had greater influence in directing public affairs than he. He had much to do with the building of the town meeting-house, was one of the charter members of the first Con- gregationalist church, which was organized in 1792, also one of its deacons. He had several sons, who settled near him, Paul, on the lot now occupied by Joseph Abbott, and Andrew and Moses on the home farm. Andrew built on the farm of Samuel Tebbetts the first pound in Wolfeborough, receiving two dollars for his work.

Jonathan Hersey, the son of James Hersey, and one of a family of ten children, came from Newmarket. He had a settler's claim of one hundred acres of land on Daniel Pierce's "Great Lot," which contained one thousand acres. He was a stirring man, and held several minor offices. He had a large family of children, most of whom became farmers and settled near him, either in Wolfe- borough or Tuftonborough, his farm joining the latter town. He speculated considerably in land, and eventually became a large landowner, several of his sons following in his footsteps. His son James, who lived in his neighborhood, although within the limits of Tuftonborough left, at his decease, an estate ap- praised at sixty thousand dollars.

John Parker, although retaining his proprietary lot for a short time, and improving it somewhat through the agency of Reuben Libbey, to whom he gave a settler's lot, was never a resident of Wolfeborough, but during his lifetime dwelt in Portsmouth. He was sheriff under the provincial government of New Hampshire — first, of the whole province, and after its division into counties.

I2(5 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

of the county of Rockingham. After the change from the pro- vincial to the state government occurred, he again received the shrievalty, and was subsequently appointed by Washington, Mar- shall of the district of New Hampshire. These positions were held by him during his life time. He was never married, but his house was the asylum of the widow and orphan. Nine nephews and nieces were educated at his expense, among them being John Parker Hale, the father of the distinguished New Hampshire senator of that name. His biographer says of him : "He was a social companion, an accomplished gentleman, a dis- interested friend." He was clerk of the Wolfeborough proprietry for many years.

Matthew Stanley Gibson Parker, the youngest brother of John, came into possession of the Wolfeborough Neck property, with the exception of the Libbey lot. He erected buildings on it, and improved it as a farm for several years, then sold it to Johnathan Edmonds, and removed to the "Mills," where he occupied the Mill house, keeping tavern and acting as miller.

The advent of "Esquire Parker," as he was called in accordance with the custom of the olden time when titles were highly prized, was a godsend to the people of Wolfeborough, his acquired abilities far superior to those of any other citizen then living in the town, rendering him well fitted to occupy any important position which the requirements of the town demanded. He was well qualified for legal business, and for several years was the only justice of the peace, an office then regarded as quite im- portant. He was elected town clerk in 1774, the year after his arrival, and in 1778 one of the board of selectmen. Both these offices he held almost continuously until his death, which occurred very suddenly in 1/88, while on a visit to his brother-in-law, Ueering Stoddard, who lived in the northeast part of the town.

Mr. Parker married Anna, the daughter of Colonel Henry Rust. Their children, seven in number, were : Henry Rust ; Wil- liam Sewall, who kept a bookstore in Troy, N. Y. ; Matthew

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

127

Stanley, cashier of Suffolk bank, Uoston ; Samuel Hale, publisher of the Waverly novels, etc. ; Nathaniel Adams, who died young ; John Toppan ; Anna, who married Rev. Jaaziniah Crosby.

Henry Rust Parker, who, after his father's decease, made his home with his grandfather, Colonel Henry Rust, and eventually inherited the estate, which has since been known as the "Parker Place," was a farmer and merchant. He bore the reputation of a worthy citizen, and held various town offices. His family is now represented in the town by Cnarles Franklin Parker, who is a banker and has held numerous business and official positions, and his brother John Parker.

Moses and Ichabod Tebbetts probably had no families or property at the time that they first came to Wolfeborough. They went into the army at the first call for soldiers. There have been many persons named Tebbetts residing in Wolfeborough, es- pecially in the northeastern part, but they have belonged to dif- ferent families.

George Woodhouse had a home on which was four acres of cleared land. He "cut" the College Road nearly its entire length in Wolfeborough. He was elected fence-viewer in 1773, and hog- reeve and fence-viewer in 1774.

Thomas Triggs settled on the farm now occupied by Valentine B. Willey, and for several years managed the mill now used by Mr. Willey.

Joseph Keniston, Samuel Hide, Joseph Leavitt, and Abram Prebble settled in the northeastern part of the town. Keniston occupied the lot since in the possession of Stephen Nute near Dimon's Corner, and Prebble, a portion of the Haines farm.

CHAPTER XL

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED — THE CHARTER — THE AN- NUAL FAIR — THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING — -OFFICERS CHOSEN — TOWN-MEETING RECORDS — EXAMPLES OF PHO- NETIC SPELLING — A HIGHWAY SURVEYOR'S WARRANT — SPECIFIED DUTIES OF TOWN OFFICERS — FENCE-VIEWERS — FIELD-DRIVERS — POUND-KEEPERS — HOG-REEVES — BENE- DICTS— POUNDS — THE CONSTABLE — THE TITHING-MAN — THE DEER-KEEPER — THE RACE-GROUND — EARLY FAIRS — METHODS OF TRAVELING.

WOLFEBOROUGH, when granted to the twenty-four town proprietors, was a wilderness, and except where con- tiguous to Lake Winnipesaukee, surrounded by dense forests of large extent. No territory adjoining it, except the town of New Durham, had any inhabitants, and these lived at a distance of ten or twelve miles ; nor was there any road leading from it to a popu- lated district. It was at first, therefore, no easy matter to induce persons to settle in the town. To those attempting it, it meant a sundering of neighborhood and family ties and an at least tem- porary exile. Only the more courageous or indigent were willing to brave the inconveniences and hardships of pioneer life.

When the governor of the province of New Hampshire had ob- tained possession of several thousand acres of land in Wolfe- borough, however, and, contemplating the establishment of a baronial estate, was engaging in extensive agricultural operations, and was being seconded in his enterprizes by energetic and wealthy men, immigration became more rapid. So encouraging was the outlook that the proprietors of the town deemed it ad- visable to apply to the governor for a charter, and Henry Rust, A.

R. Cutter, and John Parker were appointed a committee to make 128

O C3

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. i2g

the application. Col. Rust was absent on a sea voyage, and did not sign the petition, which follows : —

Province of New } To his Excellency John Wentworth, Esquire,

Hampshire jCapt. General Governor and Commander in

Chief in and over the Province aforesaid, and

the Honorable his Majesty's Council for said

Province :

The Humble Petition of Ammi Ruhamah Cutter, Physician and John Parker, Merch both of Portsmouth in said Province as a Committee of the Proprietors of Wolfeborough in said Province shews : —

That there are in the Township of Wolfeborough upwards of Thirty Families settled and more coming to settle there, which makes an Incorporation necessary to transact their common affairs with ease & dispatch, and in that case many wou'd be in- duced to settle there, who would be backward without that ad- vantage.

That the Proprietors aforesaid are desirous of obtaining this Privi- lege as it will enable them to carry on the settlement with more Regularity and enable them to carry into Execution any of their Resolutions in which all are concerned, with Justice as well as with dispatch, and have therefore chosen your Peti- tioners with another person now absent to apply to your Ex- cellency & the Honorable Council for this purpose. Wherefore they humbly Pray that the said Inhabitants & Pro- prietors may be Incorporated with the usual Franchises, Privi- leges & Emoluments : that they may be authorized & Intitled to use the Powers with which other Corporations are Invested, and your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall pray &c.

A. R. Cutter .

_ , _ . > Committee

John Parker

Portsmouth, July 9th 1770

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Minutes.

9th July 1770

Wolfeborough Petition for

Incorporation,

Granted.

Accepted on my part, J'W.

Charter to be prepared

Annual Fair or Mart

1st Tuesday following 21st Sept.

To call 1st Town meeting

Mr. Jotham Rindge.

1st Meeting 21st Sept.

Annual meeting

last Tuesday in M'ch.

CHARTER.

Province of New Hampshire, George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. The De- fender of the Faith, &c.

To all people to whom these presents shall come, Greeting : Whereas our loyal subjects, inhabiting a tract of land within our said Province of New Hampshire, known by the name of Wolf- borough, have humbly petitioned and requested us that they be erected and incorporated into a township, and enfranchised with the same powers and privileges with other towns within our said province, and which they by law hold and enjoy ; And it appearing unto us to be conducive to the general good of our said province, as well as to the said inhabitants in particu- lar, by maintaining good order, and encouraging the culture of the land, that the same should be done ; Know ye, therefore, that we, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and for the encouragement and promotion of the good end and purpose

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. l^l

aforesaid, by and with the advice of our trusty and well beloved John Went worth, Esq., our Governor and Commander-in- Chief, and of our Council for said Province of New Hamp- shire, have erected and ordained, and, by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors, do will and ordain, that our lov- ing subjects residing on the tract of land aforesaid, or that shall hereafter reside and improve thereon; (the same being butted and bounded as follows :

Beginning at the northeasterly corner of a tract of land called New Durham, then running north forty-eight degrees, east on the head or upper line of a tract of land called Middleton, and on that called Salmon Falls town or East town, or as those head lines run, joining thereon, and running so far as that a line running from thence six miles northwest, and then south- west to Winnipiseokee Pond, and then by the side of said pond joining thereon, until the aforesaid corner first mentioned bears southeast ; and then running southeast to the said corner, which completes thirty-six square miles, the content of said Wolf borough ;) shall be, and by these presents are declared and ordained to be a town corporate, and are hereby erected and incorporated into a body politick and corporate, to have countenance and succession forever, by the name of Wolf- borough, with all powers, authorities, privileges, immunities and franchises, which any other town in said Province by law hold and enjoy ; Always reserving to us, our heirs and suc- cessors, the full power and right of dividing said town when it shall appear necessary and convenient for the inhabitants there- of ; also, reserving to us, our heirs and successors, all white pine trees which are or shall be found, growing and being within and upon the said tract of land, fit for the use of our royal navy. The said inhabitants by these presents shall have and enjoy the liberty and privilege of holding an annual Fair or Mart within the said town ; which Fair shall be held and kept on the first Tuesday following the twenty-first day of September annually.

132

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Provided nevertheless, and it is hereby declared that this charter and grant is not intended, and shall not, in any manner, be construed to effect the private property of the soil within the limits aforesaid ; and, as the several towns within our said province, are, by the laws thereof enabled and authorized to assemble, and, by the majority of the voters present, to choose all officers, and transact such affairs as in the said laws are de- clared ; — We do, by these presents, nominate and appoint Mr. Jotham Rinclge to call the first meeting of said inhabitants, to be held within the said town, on the 28th of September inst., giving legal notice of the time and design of holding such meet- ing; after which the annual meeting of said town shall be held therein for the choice of said officers, and the purposes afore- said, on the last Tuesday of March annually.

In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed.

Witness, our truly and well beloved John Wentworth, Esquire, our Governor and Commander-in-Chief aforesaid, the twenty- first day of August, in the tenth year of our reign, Anno Domino Christi, 172.0.

By His Excellency's command, with advice of Council.

J. Wentworth. [L.S.]

Agreeably to the foregoing charter, the inhabitants, being duly notified, met on the twenty-eighth day of September, 1770, and made choice of the following officers : Mr. James Lucas, mod- erator ; Mr. Jotham Rindge, town clerk ; Captain Thomas Lucas, John Sinkler, and Jacob Sceggel, selectmen ; Thomas Taylor, constable ; Benjamin Blake, Samuel Tebbetts, Aaron Frost, and Benjamin Folsom, surveyors.

At the annual town-meeting held at John Sinkler's on the twenty-fifth day of March, 1771, Thomas Lucas was elected mod- erator; John Flagg, town clerk; Thomas Lucas, Jacob Sceggel, and John Sinkler, selectmen ; Ithiel Clifford, constable ; Benjamin

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

133

Folsom and Samuel Tebbetts, surveyors ; Benjamin Folsom and Thomas Piper, fence-viewers ; Benjamin Folsom and Thomas Piper, hog-reeves. It was voted to build a pound on Samuel Tebbetts' lot; the same to be twenty feet square and seven feet high. This pound was built by Andrew Wiggin, Jr., for twelve shillings, he having made the lowest bid for the contract. Samuel Tebbetts was chosen pound-keeper, to which office he was re- elected for several successive years.

In 1772 the town officers elected were Thomas Lucas, mod- erator ; John Flagg, town clerk ; John Flagg, Benjamin Folsom, Ithiel Clifford, selectmen ; Andrew Wiggin, constable ; Thomas Lucas, Ithiel Clifford, Jacob Sceggel, surveyors ; Joseph Lary, Benjamin Folsom, James Lucas, Jr., hog-reeves ; Thomas Piper, Jacob Sceggel, fence-viewers.

It is probable that some time during the year John Flagg left Wolfeborough, as at the annual election in 17/3, John Sinkler, who was very illiterate, became town clerk ; othenvise, Flagg, who possessed good business qualifications, would evidently have retained the office. He was a large landholder, possessing four hundred acres in the westerly part of the town, in which he held an interest until 1779.

Here follows a copy of the record of the annual town-meeting of 1773, verbatim et literatim : —

"Province of New hamsher Count v of Starford.

/V.'-tC

At the aneuil town meting of the freeholders and inhabetens of the town of Wolfeborough met at John Sinklers the 30 Day of march 1/73.

i Voted thomas Lukes moderator 2 John Sinkler town clerk 3 Bengmon folsom 4 thomas tayler 5 James Conner Selekmen 6 Joseph Lary Constable 7 thomas Lukes Benjamin folsom sevairs of high ways 8 thomas Piper Bengmon folsom hog Reeves 9 Bengmon Blake Jorge Wooclhouse fence viewers 10 thomas Piper Jonathan Harsey Dear Keepers.

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

11 Voted to Raise five Pounds Lawfull Money for a scoole.

12 voted that the Rods Be Repaired By arate.

13 Voted Cornel henery Rust Capt thomas Lukes Commety men.

14 that the Seleckmen By A Book to keep their A Counts in.

15 thomas Piper Culler of Lumber.

1 6 Samuel Tebbetts Chose Pound Keeper.

17 Jacob Scegil Chose Juery men."

The lack of an education on the part of Mr. Sinkler (or Sin- clair, as the name is now more generally written) did not debar him from occupying various important positions in town affairs. During the following civil year Matthew Parker became a citizen of the town, and at the annual election of 1774 was chosen town clerk.

The first legal instrument issued by the town authorities now extant was a highway surveyor's warrant. Here is a copy of it : —

"Province of Newhampshire County of Starford.

To Capt. Thomas McLucas one of the Sevar? of Wolfborough

for the Corant year Greating

You are in his Majesty's (name) Required to Lavy and Coleck of the Inhabitance and Estats as they are Set Down in this List of Rats Delivered to you the total to the amount of sd Inhabitanes and Estats in Labor at Two Shillings Pr. Day which you are to lay out on the Main Road from Tuftinborough Line to Birch Camp So Coled and if any of said Inhabitans Shall Neglect or Refuse to Pay the above Sum or Sums Given to you in sd List you are to Distraint on the Goods Chatels or Estats and them safely Ceap the Spase of four Days at the charge of the owner or owners of sd Goods and Chatels and if sd owner or owners Shall Not Pay sd sum or sums within said Fore Days you are to expose and sell at Publick Venclue, to pay sd sum or sums with Incidental Charges as the Law Directs, and Return the over Plush money if

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

135

any there be ameadtly to the owner or owners. Dated at Wolf- borough this 2 Day of September 1773 and in the I3th year of His Majesty's Reign.

Benj. Folsom, }

Thomas Taylor, > Selectment."

James Connor, )

The above examples of illiteracy are not inserted as a reproach on the early settlers of Wolfeborough ; nor is it to be presumed that the lack of education rendered them deficient in mental caliber. Among them were to be found persons of sound judg- ment and business tact that would put to the blush some tutored smatterers of the present day. Learning is good, but wisdom is better.

Certain officers, — such as fence-viewers, field-drivers, pound- keepers, and hog-reeves — were of more relative importance with the early inhabitants of the town than they are now. Domestic animals — such as horses, neat cattle, sheep, swine, and geese — were allowed to run at large in the highway, and careful viligance was necessary to protect the growing crops.

When the services of the fence-viewer were demanded, it was his province to examine and determine if fences, whether lining the highway or dividing estates, were, either as to height or strength, in such a condition as the statutory laws required. If thereafter any person whose fences had received official approval should find domestic animals of the kinds already referred to within his enclosures, he could direct the field-driver to take such animals to the pound and commit them to the custody of the pound-keeper, there to remain under certain rules until their owner should settle the fee of impoundage and adjust the matter of damages with the person impounding.

Swine running at large were required to be yoked and rung. The yoke was made of wood, and so adjusted to the neck of the animal as to prevent it passing through holes in the fences. It

136

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

was rung in the following manner : a wire was thrust through the cartilage of the snout, and the ends twisted together. This pre- vented rooting.

In after years, when swine were not allowed to run at large, and hog-reeves were not necessary officers, it became the practice to elect to the office every man who had been married within the year, and at each annual town-meeting a row of amorous bene- dicts were paraded before the moderator to receive the oath of office. This election occurring near the close of the balloting, had a tendency to lessen the asperities that might have arisen in the heated conflicts preceding it, the accompanying pleasant badinage producing mutual good humor.

Since the settlement of Wolfeborough there have been four pounds built in the town. The first was constructed of logs, on land belonging to Samuel Tebbetts, in 1771. It was twenty feet square and seven feet high. In 1799 a pound thirty feet square was built on the town meeting-house lot. It was constructed of stone with a cap timber one foot square. Joseph Piper built it for fourteen dollars. In 1814 two pounds were built. One was on the heath portion of the mill lot, nearly opposite the Harmony Grove Creamery. The land for this was deeded t® the town by William and Joseph Kent and Cutter £ Sewall, who were at that time proprietors of the mill property, the consideration being eight dollars. This lot was forty feet square and situated on the easterly side of the road. The pound was thirty feet square, and was surrounded by stone walls three feet thick at the bottom and two feet thick at the top. These walls were faced on the in- side, also on the outside next the street, and were capped with a timber one foot in diameter. The pound had a door with a sub- stantial lock, and was built by Paul H. Varney for twenty-five dollars. It does not now exist, the walls having been removed. A pine tree, which stood within it, has also disappeared, the stump only remaining. A similar pound was built the same year on land purchased of Dudley Hardy and Richard Bickford

7 '

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

137

for four dollars. It was thirty-six feet square, and was built by Mark Wiggin for twenty-four dollars. This pound still stands.

The constable ranked next to the selectman as a town officer. As the executive of the statue law, his services were then relative- ly in greater requisition than now. By virtue of his office he was collector of taxes.

Previous to the incorporation of the town the roads in Wolfe- borough were opened and constructed by the town proprietors at their own expense. After that, the care of them devolved upon the inhabitants. All roads required frequent repairing, and there were frequent demands for the opening of new ones : hence the duties of the highway surveyors were onerous and exacting, as they were not only to collect and apply the labor taxes, but in some instances to lay out new roads. Perhaps this latter duty was not to be performed, except when it had been imposed by a vole of the town.

The tithing-man was the holder of an office transmitted by the Puritans. It was his duty to preserve order in religious meetings and secure a proper observance of the Sabbath. It was an office little needed in Wolfeborough, as the early settlers had very few religious meetings, and the inducements to sporting were certainly not many. It is to be hoped that their early training would deter them from performing unnecessary labor on the Sabbath. However, sober and discreet citizens were elected to the office, and it is presumed that the inhabitants generally deported them- selves as became an orderly and quiet population.

The official duties of the deer-keeper are not known. Perhaps it was his business to prevent such a wasteful slaughter of the ani- mal as would hinder its propagation, and thereby lessen the sup- ply of game food.

It seems that jurors were elective officers, Jacob Sceggel being elected in 1773, and re-elected in 1774; Reuben Libbey, in 1775 ; Isaiah Home, in 1781.

In the charter of Wolfeborough provision was made for hold-

138

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

ing a fair, which was to be "kept on the first Tuesday following the twenty-first day of September, annually." There is no manu- script evidence that such a fair was ever held, but tradition says there was. Its headquarters were at Sinkler's two-roomed tavern, and its race-ground was that portion of the Miles Road that fronted on the farm now occupied by Benjamin Webster. It is not improbable that previous to 1776 there were some public gatherings at this place, but they were necessarily small. After that period institutions established under the patronage of officers of the British government would not be in high favor, nor could the people afford much time or money for recreation.

Probably as early as 1772 the College and Pequaket Roads could be used as horse-paths, and those persons residing in Con- way, Sandwich, Moultonborough, and Tuftonborongh could reach Wolfeborough without much difficulty. There were no roads leading south to the more thickly settled towns except the one from the Wentworth Farm through Middleton. The inhabitants of New Durham and vicinity would be compelled to depend on the forest paths marked by blazed trees. Gilmanton people could cross Lake Winnipesaukee in boats. The amusements were horse and foot races, wrestling, pitching quoits, dancing, playing cards, and to a small extent, exchanging equines. The gather- ings, though small, were said to be spirited.

CHAPTER XII.

THE REVOLUTION — UNCERTAINTY PREVAILS IN 1775 — CENSUS OP 1773 AND 1775 — AMMUNITION PURCHASED — THE TOWN ACTS — MOSES HAM APPOINTED AGENT — EARLY ENLIST- MENTS— ORGANIZATION OF THE TRAIN-BAND — MEAGER RECORDS — MONEY AND LABOR GIVEN — DIFFERENCE AS TO TOWN QUOTA OF MEN — TOWN-MEETING TO PROVIDE SOL- DIERS— Two MEN ENLIST — BURGOYNE'S RAID — GENERAL WHIPPLE'S LETTER — How THE SOLDIERS WERE FITTED OUT — No NEW HAMPSHIRE CONSCRIPTS — EXEMPTS — TOWN

DECLINES TO SEND DELEGATE TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

AT no period in the early history of Wolfeborough had the town so encouraging an outlook as in 1774. Only six years had elapsed since it was a wilderness without a single inhabitant. Now there were probably within its borders thirty families, which, although generally poor, were successfully clearing land and rais- ing crops. More than this, Governor Wentworth, the leading patron of industries and education, had engaged in an enter- prise within its limits that bid fair to make it eventually the sec- ond town in the province. His operations had thus far been highly conducive to its interests, as he had furnished employ- ment for surplus labor, paying remunerative wages in cash, which was greatly needed by the indigent settlers.

Notwithstanding there was much disquiet in the provinces gen- erally on account of the attempts of the British ministry to en- force unrepresented taxation, yet, as the relations between the King of England and Governor Wentworth were very friendly, and those existing between the governor and people of New Hampshire were equally so, there was comparatively little ap- prehension of fatal disturbances. Business moved on in its ac- customed channels. Probably more was accomplished on the

139

140

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Wentworth Farm during this than in any preceding year. If the governor feared no great impending evil, the people, of course, would not be greatly alarmed.

Thus closed the year 1/74, to the people of Wolfeborough not one of fearful bodings in relation to the future, but of high ex- pectations of a rapid development of its resources and an increase of its population ; men of wealth and position having begun to regard it as a place favorable for investment and residence.

The year 1775 was ushered in with no signs of compromise. The English government abated nothing of its claims ; the pro- vincials were defiant; force, the despot's argument, was threat- ened ; armed redcoats appeared on provincial soil ; the breach con- tinually widened. Still there were those who hoped and believed that there would be a peaceful solution to the difficulty, and among these was Governor Wentworth. As soon as the traveling would permit, he visited his Wolfeborough farm to make prepara- tions for the coming season. On the nineteenth day of April the Battle of Lexington was fought. The bloody conflict aroused the whole country. When the report reached the governor, he immediately set out with a single companion for Portsmouth to counsel peace and, if possible, prevent disorder. The history of the rapidly occurring events that followed has already been nar- rated.

Neither manuscript nor tradition furnishes a clew to the position which individual citizens assumed when Governor Wrentworth left the town, or when the political attitude of New Hampshire was undergoing a change. That he left personal friends is not to be questioned, and that he could no longer carry forward the enterprise which promised so much for the future prosperity of the town, was no doubt universally regretted. If some persons were dissatisfied with the turn public affairs were taking, it is probable that there were no outward manifestations of disap- proval. A majority of the people favored democratic ideas, and the town officers were enabled to maintain generallv the authority

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. l^l

of the charter government, although in a few instances taxes voted could not be collected. The exigencies of the period de- manded the general co-operation of the citizens of the town, and so far as is now known, it was in, a good measure secured.

Before giving a narration of events that were transpiring, it seems proper to consider the condition of the town as to men and means to meet the responsibilities approaching. In 1773 a census of New Hampshire was taken by order of the governor. Here is a copy of the order : —

Portsmouth, Oct. i5th, 1773.

Sir — I am to request an exact list of the number of inhabitants

in the town of distinguished into different Ranks or

Classes according to the Schedule below, — which I shall be glad to have returned to me authenticated as soon as possible.

John Wentworth.

Here is the return from Wolfeborough agreeably to the form : —

Unmarried men from 16 to 60 16

Married men from 16 to 60 25

Boys 16 years and under 49

Men 60 years and upwards 2

Females unmarried 43

Females married 25

Widows 5

Total 165

August 25, 1775, Matthew Thornton, President of the colony of New Hampshire, issued an order to the selectmen of towns to take an account of the inhabitants thereof, classed as follows : Males between 16 and 50 years of age not in the army ; males un- der 16 years of age ; males above 50 ; all females ; negroes and slaves for life ; also to ascertain the number of firearms fit for use ;

142

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

also the number wanting to complete one for every person capable of using it ; the quantity of powder on hand, both public and private property ; and to caution persons against wasting it on shooting birds, etc.

Here is the response made to the above order so far as relates to the town of Wolfeborough, as certified by Henry Rust and Moses Ham, selectmen : —

Pupulation, including every soul 211

Males between 16 and 50 years of age not in the

army 53

Males under 16 years of age 57

Males over 50 years of age 4

Men in the army 4

Females 91

Negroes and slaves 2

Number of arms 34

Number of arms wanting 22

Number of pounds of public powder 25

Number of pounds of private powder 5

Here is a portion of the account as taken by the selectmen. A more important portion is lost.

*•< £> O\ ^

c^

Henry Rust 3

Thomas Lucas i

Capt. Sinkler I

James Conner I

James Lucas i

Saml. Tebbetts, Jr. . . i

en

I I

I I I

lib.

ilb.

i 1-2 lb.

18

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

143

	c\	PS, c_; SL 3	^ ^ <	^ ** TJ "2 n o
			O 3
	3 Cu	<*D rz~* C/5 O	^ 55 <-" ?r	yi W CL
	*£	Z ON	o ° . ^	- "^
		•D 3		CTQ
Mr Glen	i	I	->	I gun.
				o i pistol
Mr. Trierers . .	2	I	2	I gun.
Mr Nutter	I	2		I gun.
Mr Frost	I	7	7	o i gun.
Mr Prebble	I	J 7	O O	o
Mr Lary	I	O	.7 7
Mr Keniston	I		O I
Mr Wingate	C		7	"\ eruns.
Mr Kennett	I	I	O I	O O
George Woodhouse	. I	2	9
Samuel Woodhouse	. I			i gun.
Mr Haid	I	7	7
Widow Folsom. . . .		O I	J 9
John Voung	I			I gfun.
Caret Byron	I			O
Robert Calder	I	2	7	I gun.
			/	O i pistol.
James Lucas . .		Gone in	the army.
*/
	20	19	53	ii guns.
				3 pistols.

Here follows an invoice of each person's poll and ratable estate in Wolfeborough, May 7, 1774. Polls of eighteen years and above were rated at eighteen shillings each ; horses and oxen four years old at three shillings ; cows at two shillings ; three years old cattle at one shilling and six pence ; two years cattle at one shilling. Improved land was rated at six pence an acre. When a person was between the age of eighteen and twenty-one years, his poll was reckoned with that of his parent ; and when the father was aged, and was not assessed for property, his poll was frequently computed with that of his son. An invoice follows :

144

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Rate value Rate value

Name. Polls. of stock. of land.

Henry Rust 2 10 shillings. 15 shillings.

Thomas Lucas 2 4 13

James Conner 14 10

James Lucas 2 8 4

James Lucas, Jr i 6 n

John Sinkler I 10 13

Samuel Tebbetts 12 4

Thomas Piper 2 2

Andrew Lucas I 21-2"

Samuel Tebbetts, Jr i 4 2

Joseph Lary 2 4 2

Enoch Thomas i

Ebenezer Header i 2 6

Benjamin Blake i 8 4

Mary Fullerton 2 4

John Fullerton i 2

Jeremiah Gould i

Andrew Wiggin i 6 " 6 "

Jonathan Hersey i 2 2

Moses Ham 16 8 "

Zachariah Bunker i

Matthew S. Parker i 8 " 121-2"

Reuben Libbey i 12 12

Moses Tebbetts i

Ichabod Tebbetts i

George Woodhouse i 2 2

Samuel Woodhouse i

Thomas Triggs I 2 4

Grafton Nutter I

Jonathan Lary i 2

Joseph Keniston i 2

James Lucas i

Aaron Frost I 6 " 8

Samuel Mellows I

Gideon Doe i 6 14

Capt. Dudley i

Jacob Sceggel i 4 2

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

	Rate value	Rate value
Name.	Polls. of stock.	of land.
Robert Calder	i	2 shillings.
Samuel Hide	i
Elijah Buzzel	i
Moses Stretton	i
Jacob Joy	4 shillings.
Ithiel Clifford	i 4	2
Lemuel Clifford. . . .	i	2
John Liford	i
Joseph Leavitt	i
Moses Oilman	i
Richard Furbur	i
Samuel Pease	i
Jacob Morrel	i
Michel Byron	i
James Hersev	i
Abram Prebble	i

There were fifty-five persons assessed, twenty-seven of them for a poll only. Twenty-three persons were assessed for stock whose ratable value was $21.66. Ten of these owned only a cow. Twenty-nine persons paid taxes on an aggregate of 350 acres of improved land, which was rated in the whole at $29.16. Ten of these possessed only four acres each. The ratable valuation of all property was $50.76, being less than one-third of the total ratable valuation of the town, which, including" polls, was $215.76. James Conner was appraised for $167 in money, and Dr. Cutter for the mills, whose ratable value was $3.00, their yearly income being $300. By the foregoing invoice it is shown that the ratable valuation of poll and estate, on which taxation was based, would require that more than three-fourths of any given tax should be assessed on the poll. Of course wild lands were not to be taxed, as they then had no appreciable value ; nor was the Wentworth Farm taken into account, as its disposition had not been deter- mined. It was subsequently taxed.

146

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

An inventory of the northeast portion of the town, taken by Robert Calder, June 9, 1775.

C x

Moses Wing-ate i

John Lovet i

Richard Furbur i

George Woodhouse . . . . i 2 2

John Kennett i i

Aaron Frost i 2 2 4

Abraham Prebble i

Jonathan Lary i i 2 i

Samuel Mellows i i

James Lucas i

Joseph Kennison i

Thomas Triggs i 2 i

Grafton Xutter i 2

Robert Calder i 2 2

Garret Byron i

Archibel Campbell i

Samuel Hide . , i i

£o i8s.

i8s.

i8s.

£i 33. £1 £i IDS.

1 8s. £i 95.

£l

1 8s. i8s

2 I-2S. £l 2S.

£i 35. 1 8s.

i8s. £i

17 i 4 14 9 £17 16 i-2s.

In 1773 the sum of £5 — 10 — 8 was raised to purchase am- munition, and deposited with Henry Rust. There is no record to show by what method the money was obtained. It was evi- dently intended to meet any emergency that might arise, such as the troublesome times seemed to portend. At a town-meeting called by the selectmen through the agency of Constable Aaron Frost with a notice of only one day, the inhabitants met, June 6". 1775, and voted that the money be put in the possession of Moses Ham. and that he be appointed an agent to purchase powder and lead or bullets. He was to use proper expedition in his journey

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

147

to Portsmouth, and receive for his services and the use of his horse, while absent, at the rate of four shillings per day. Here follows a copy of his account : —

Twenty-two and 5-16 pounds powder £2 — 15 — 8

Seventy pounds of lead i — 8 — o

Four days' service, with daily expense of two

shillings added, being six shillings per day. I — 4 — o

Truckage I — 6

Powder purchased i — 6

Total £5—10—8

The powder was taken to Wolfeborough on horseback, and the lead converted into bullets by Ham. He remained the custodian of the ammunition until Nov. 15, 1777, when it went into the pos- session of the proper authorities for using it. The town stock at the time of delivery was about twenty-five pounds of powder and sixty-five pounds of bullets.

August 7, 1775, Moses Ham was elected a delegate to the colonial convention, and at the same town-meeting Moses Win- gate, Moses Ham, Robert Calder, John Sinkler, and James Con- ner were chosen a town committee of safety. The exigencies of the times required the formation of such boards of officers. The colony of New Hampshire had its committee of safety, as did the other colonies, so also did a majority of the towns. These com- mittees were generally composed of the more active and patriotic men, who by a unity of counsel and effort secured the confidence of the people, and were able to successfully assume the responsi- bilities of the government at the period of its transformation.

Four young men of Wolfeborough enlisted in the army before the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought — Jeremiah Gould, James Lucas, Ichabod Tebbetts, and Moses Tebbetts. They were mem- bers of Capt. Benjamin Pitman's company in Col. Enoch Poor's regiment. These men probably hastened to the anticipated scene of conflict at the first call to arms, made immediately succeeding

I48 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the Concord fight. Perhaps they did not then enlist for a definite period. They were still in the army in the early autumn of that year. Gould and the two Tebbetts did subsequently enlist and served as soldiers for several years.

July 9, 1776, the selectmen of Wolfeborough certified that the following persons were in the army; viz., Zachariah Bunker, Moses Tebbetts, Ichabod Tebbetts, William Twombly, Samuel Mellows, Garret Byron, and Archibel Campbell.

There is no evidence that especial efforts were made in Wolfe- borough to furnish soldiers lor the army during the years 1775 and 1776, and it is probable that its complement was preserved by voluntary enlistments.

At the annual town-meeting, held March 26, 1776, the follow- ing letter from Col. Badger was read : —

"Strafford ss. To all the training soldiers in the town of Wolfe- borough, — Greeting: —

You are hereby notified and warned to meet at the dwelling house of John Sinkler, innholder in said town, on Tuesday, the twentieth day of February instant, at one of the clock in the after- noon, and then and there to make choice of military officers for your town ; viz., one captain, two lieutenants, and one ensign, agreeably to the order of Congress.

Dated at Gilmanton, Feb. 6, 1776.

Joseph Badger, Colonel."

The notice for the meeting not arriving seasonably, the matter was taken up at the annual town-meeting. John Sinkler was chosen captain ; Andrew Lucas, first lieutenant ; Jonathan Lary, second lieutenant : and Reuben Libbey, ensign. The train-band was subsequently completely organized. Andrew Wiggin was ap- pointed clerk ; Aaron Frost, Joseph Leavitt, Lemuel Clifford, John Fullerton, sergeants ; Samuel Tebbetts, Jr., Samuel Hide, Enoch Thomas, David Piper, corporals ; Jonathan Hersey, drummer ; and

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

149

John Lucas, fifer. The privates consisted of Richard Rust, Henry Rust, Jr., James Connor, James Lucas, Jr., William Lucas, James Lucas, 3rd, Samuel Tebbetts, Edmund Tebbetts, Ichabod Tebbetts, Joseph Lary, Ebenezer Header, Benjamin Blake, James Fullerton, William Fullerton, John Piper, James Wiggin, Jeremiah Gould, Ichabod Ham, Grafton Nutter, George Glynn, Matthew S. Parker, Joseph Keniston, Moses Wingate, William Rogers, John Wadleigh. Of these Edmund Tebbetts, William Fullerton, John Piper, James Wiggin, and Ichabod Ham were under eighteen years of age. These, with six other persons then in the army, constituted the militia company of Wolfeborough, which consisted of four com- missioned officers, eight non-commissioned officers, two musicians, and thirty-one privates, making forty-five in all.

The Revolutionary War records of Wolfeborough are quite defective, and it is somewhat difficult to determine when certain events occurred, and by what organized agency they were brought about. The committee of safety, the militia company, the various committees chosen by the town, as well as the selectmen and citi- zens generally, took an interest in military matters. All persons who were disposed to aid the town in its struggle to meet obliga- tions were allowed to do so with little regard for red tape. Not only were men required to act as soldiers, but means were needed to supply the necessities of those who enlisted and to raise crops for the sustenance of their families left at home.

At some time during this year contributions of money and labor were made by sundry persons, for which advancements they were to be re-imbursed by abatements on their taxes in 1777- They were as follows : Henry Rust, Matthew S. Parker, James Connor, Capt. Thomas Lucas, Lieut. Andrew Lucas, John Lucas, James Lucas, 3rd, Jonathan Hersey. Moses \Vingate, Robert Cakler, Capt. John Sinkler, Ensign Reuben Libber, Moses Ham, one dollar each ; Thomas Piper, a half-dollar ; Samuel Tebbetts, Grafton Xutter, Ithiel Clifford, Lemuel Clifford, Edmund Teb- betts, Henry Rust, Jr., Benjamin Blake. Robert Estes, Aaron

t-0 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Frost, Joseph Lary, Enoch Thomas, one day's work each at a half- dollar per day ; Jeremiah Gould, three days' work at the same price ; James Wiggin, Ichabod Ham, David Blake, and John Sinkler, Jr., each a day's work at one-third of a dollar a day, to be placed to the credit of their respective fathers ; Nehemiah Lucas, one pound of tobacco, twelve and a half cents.

In 1776 there was a considerable decrease in the number of ratable polls in Wolfeborough on account of the departure of employees on the Wentworth Farm, their services being no longer required by reason of changed circumstances. This led to some difference between the state authorities and those of the town in regard to the number of men required to fill the quota of three years soldiers for the continental service, the former basing their claim as to the number of ratable polls in Wolfeborough on the report of the selectmen made in 1775, and the latter theirs on the number still remaining in town.

In July Matthew S. Parker, having been appointed an agent by the town, visited the committee of safety at Exeter for the purpose of adjusting the matter. The cost of the visit to the town was four pounds and one shilling, being Parker's wages for four and one- half days at eight shillings per day for himself and horse and his daily expenses as thus intemized : — "breakfast, one shilling ; din- ner, two shillings ; one bowl of grog, two shillings ; supper, one shilling; lodging, six pence ; oats thrice, one shilling; horse keep- ing, two shillings and six pence.'' Persons transacting public busi- ness were at that time expected to manifest a courteous respect for each other by drinking together or treating with the social glass. The matter of controversy appears to have been amicably settled by Parker and the committee of safety.

The following letter addressed to Hon. John Wentworth, chair- man of the state committee of safety, is self-explanatory.

"Wolfeborough, January 19, 1777. Sir : — There having a vote passed in the Honorable Council

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. I$i

and Assembly, for each town to make up there full quota of men for the three years' service in the Continental Army, occasions my troubling you with this line to ask your advice in relation to what can be done respecting that affair with this town ; the particulars of which (as I informed you last July at Exeter, when I was sent down by the town on the same business) are these: In the year 1775 there were orders issued by the General Court for the num- ber of all souls, at which time there were ten or twelve more ratable polls than there are at present — there being now only forty-four. Now, the proportion for this town, I imagine, was made by the return given in that year, which occasions the call for soldiers from this town to be two or three more than its proportion (which I understand to be every eighth man, agreeably to a vote of the Assembly), the inhabitants having depreciated instead of increas- ing. Now, if you recollect, I related these particulars to you, like- wise shew you the necessary certificate to prove the same, when I saw you at Exeter. I endeavored to lay the affair before the Honorable Committee of Safety, then sitting, but the multiplicity of business then before your Honors prevented me. I think you told me you mentioned it before the committee adjourned, and it was concluded that the town might make itself easy if it had sent its proportion according to the present number of its inhabitants. The present order is for the muster master to hire all delinquent men, and charge the respective towns with the cost. Now, if you can help us in the affair, that we may (as is most just) shun that difficulty, I shall take it as a particular kindness done to

Your most Obedient and very Humble Servant,

Matthew S. Parker. John \Yentworth, Esq.

On the eighteenth day of April, 1777, a town-meeting was called to adopt measures for meeting the demand of the general court for soldiers for the continental service, and also to attend

152

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

to other matters. The town chose Matthew S. Parker and Joseph Lary a committee to hire soldiers, and instructed it to hire two, only, notwithstanding the call was for a larger . number. The committee was further instructed, in case the claim for a larger number of men was pressed, to visit the general court and show that the town had complied with a just requisition for soldiers. This committee subsequently secured the enlistment of Ichabod Tebbetts and David Piper for a term of three years, paying Teb- betts one hundred and ten dollars and Piper one hundred dollars.

Here is a copy of the agreement made by Tebbetts in relation to serving as soldier : —

"June 20, 1777.

Received of James Conner, Joseph Lary, and Matthew S. Parker, committee for hiring soldiers for the town of Wolfe- borough for the continental army, a note of hand for thirty-three pounds, lawful money, which, when paid will be in full for so much hire money given by said town as encouragement for their service in the continental army for the space of three years.

Ichabod Tebbetts"

At the same meeting it was voted that the committee to hire soldiers, increased by Capt. Thomas Lucas, Moses Wingate, Jonathan Lary, and Reuben Libbey, should constitute the com- mittee to regulate prices, and should also be, for the coming year, the town committee of safety.

On account of the distressed condition of the country at this period monopolists were demanding exorbitant prices for the necessaries of life. To correct this abuse, the legislature of New Hampshire enacted a law regulating the prices of various com- modities. Here arc the maximum prices of the best qualities of the following articles, as established by that law : —

Wheat, $1.25 per bushel ; rye, $.67 ; com, $.58 ; oats, $.33 ; peas, 81.33; beans, $1.00; potatoes, $.22 to $.33: cheese, $.08 per Ib. ;

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

153

butter, $.14; pork, $.06 1-2 to $.07 1-2 ; beef, $.04 1-2 ; tried tallow, $.10; sole leather, $.25; upper leather, in fair proportion; men's neat leather shoes, $1.33 a pair; West India rum, $1.11 to $1.28 per gal., according to quantity ; New England rum, $.64 to $.75 ; molasses, $.56 to $.67 ; cotton, $.50 to $.60 per Ib. ; flax, $.17 : wool, $.36; men's yarn stockings — very long, $1.00 a pair; i yd. wide striped flannel, $.58 per yd. ; tow cloth, $.37, linen, and cotton and linen, $.60 ; bar iron, $6.67 a cwt. An increase of price was added for every ten miles of inland transportation. A bushel of salt at Wolfeborough would bring the price of four bushels of corn, or four days' labor. The same regulating law fixed the price of farm laborers at $.56 per day, other laborers receiving wages varying according to the customary usage.

In the autumn of 1777 the British general, Burgoyne, was suc- cessfully raiding portions of our northern territory, and the gov- ernment determined to make a strong effort to check his progress and overthrow his army. An urgent call was made for volunteers for the campaign. Here is a copy of a letter from Brigadier- General William Whipple to Colonel Joseph Badger in relation to the matter : —

"Portsmouth, 23 Sept., 1777.

Sir:- — I am desired by the House of Assembly to reccommend in the strongest manner to the militia of this state that, as many of them as can possibly leave home, do immediately equip themselves in the best manner possible, and march to the re-enforcement of the northern army, and put themselves under the officers commanding there. You will please inform the officers and men. that they will be allowed the same pay, rations, and other encouragements, as are received by the other offi- cers and soldiers of this state. By one bold exertion we may be amply revenged for the execrable abuses that have been exercised by our merci- less foes, restore to some degree of happiness a great number of our northern brethren, who have been recently forced from their peaceful habitations, and put it out of the power of our more than savage enemy to evermore show their faces in that part of the country.

I do, therefore, most ernestly urge you to exert every faculty to stimulate the militia under your command to march without the least delay to the assistance of their brethren now in the field, and share

154

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

with them the glory of vanquishing the most barbarous enemy that ever pretended to civilization.

I am your Humble Servant,

W. Whipple, Brig. Gen'l."

Col. Badger immediately transmitted the above letter to the selectmen of \\~olfeborough with the following endorsement on the back of it : —

"Gentlemen : —

You'll see by the within recommendation of the Court I must entreat you to exert every nerve, as this seems to be the critical moment. Send forward all the men you can get to be at my house by Tuesday next if possible. When the men are met the officers shall be appointed as they may agree.

I am. Gentlemen, Your Humble Servant, Joseph Badger, Colonel.

Under this call the following persons immediately enlisted for three months: John Sinkler, John Lucas, William Lucas, Ben- jamin Blake, Andrew \Viggin, Moses Ham. After the capture of Burgoyne's army these recruits received their discharge in north- ern New York, and Blake gave an exhibition of his hardihood by walking barefoot to his home in Wolfeborough, although the ground for a part of the distance was covered with snow, and he was carrying in his knapsack a pair of new shoes.

In 1776 or early in 1777 there was a call for a three years' soldier from Wolfeborough. There was an apparent reluctance on the part of the inhabitants to enlist, and Ebenezer Meader offered his ser- vices. The town authorities, unwilling to deprive the people of so necessary an artisan, hired Enoch Thomas for fifty dollars to take his place, and the blacksmith remained at home. Thomas was poor, and his neighbors offered to assist him in procuring an outfit forthe army. One incident is worth v of mention. An enthusiastic

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

155

helper whose only pair of trousers was sadly worn, and who was anticipating the speedy possession of a new pair that was being prepared for him, in his patriotic zeal, addressing his spouse, cried out, "Wife, put some more patches on the old trousers. Thomas must have the new ones." On his return from the army, after the expiration of his term of enlistment, Thomas claimed more hire money, as other men who enlisted afterwards icceived a larger compensation. Some controversy with the town authorities followed, but the matter was finally satisfactorily ad- justed.

The early calls for soldiers carried into the army as many men as volunteers as the country could conveniently spare, and when, as years went on, the conflict became more bloody and hazardous, patriotism, self interest, and pecuniary consideration helped to fill the ranks, though at great sacrifice and cost.

In 1777 James Lucas, Thomas Lucas, and Ithiel Clifford, be- ing more than fifty years old, were exempted from performing military service ; so also was Thomas Piper, he being the miller.

The following list of persons received an abatement of a portion of their taxes of 1777 on account of having served as soldiers in the army agreeably to a vote of the town. The first column gives the name of the soldier serving in the army ; the second, the num- ber of months that he served ; the third, the amount of his tax abatement.

Ichabod Tebbetts 17 8 shillings 10 pence.

David Piper 17 8 10 "

John Piper 14 7 9 "

Jeremiah Gould 9 6 9 "

Jonathan Lary 5 2 9

William Rogers 5 2 " 9 "

John Fullerton 5 2 9 "

John Sinkler 3 i " 8

William Lucas 3 i 8

John Lucas 3 i 8

156

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Benjamin Blake 3 i shilling 8 pence

Andrew Wig-gin 3 I 8 "

Moses Ham 3 I 8 "

These abatements were in accordance with a special vote of the town in 1777 and not by reason of any general rule.

A call was issued in 1778 for a convention of delegates from the several towns in New Hampshire to meet in Concord on the tenth day of June to form some suitable plan for the future government of the state. The citizens of Wolfeborough took the matter into consideration at the annual March meeting, and thus voted : "It is not the mind of the town to send a delegate for the purpose aforesaid, presuming that the expenses there will be greater than the present circumstances of the town will afford, or even any advantages that are likely to arise from such a choice." This action was by no means unpatriotic or indicative of indifference to the general welfare of the state ; but, as the expenses of the delegate were to be paid by the town, it seems to have resulted from prudent forecast, or, more probably, from stern necessity as the following incident would indicate.

There was a call from the state for another soldier, and John Sinkler and Andrew Lucas, the agents for the town, hired Nathan Watson, paying him a bounty of twenty dollars and furnishing him with a gun, a blanket, and a knapsack. These articles were borrowed on the credit of the town of the following persons : the gun, value sixteen dollars, of Robert Calder ; the blanket, value four dollars, of Ebenezer Meader ; and the knapsack, value one dollar, of James Lucas, 3rd. The town eventually paid for the several articles. The bounty money was furnished by Moses Win- gate, and \vas subsequently allowed on the state farm taxes by his order.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE REVOLUTION — REUBEN LIBBEY GOES TO WAR INSTEAD OF A SUBSTITUTE — His HAY-CROP HARVESTED BY A LABOR TAX —JAMES FULLERTON AND JAMES LIHBEY ENLIST — WIGGIN

HONORABLY DISCHARGED OTHER ENLISTMENTS — NEW

HAMPSHIRE FURNISHES THE ARMY RUM AND BEEF — PRO- GRESS OF THE CONFLICT — BOUNTIES VAINLY OFFERED — STATE SUPPLIES TOWN'S QUOTA — FULL LIST OF SOL- DIERS— THEIR SERVICE — OFFICERS — FATAL CASUALTIES — TOWN'S WAR DEBT — FARMS ATTACHED FOR STATE TAX — DEBT FINALLY WIPED OUT — PROSPECT FOR THE FUTURE.

EARLY in the summer of 1779 Reuben Libbey agreed to furnish a soldier for a six months' campaign in the Rhode Island expedition. Not being able to obtain one, he himself en- listed. He was to receive for bounty and travel forty-six pounds and sixteen shillings, and have his hay-crop harvested. A labor tax was assessed according to the following list of "person's names, and the number of day's work each person was to do, agreeably to a vote of the town towards getting in the hay grow- ing on Ensign Libbey's farm to be done according to the direc- tion of Jonathan Home, and the surplus labor, if any, to be worked out on the highway."

Col. Henry Rust, 3 3-4 days labor ; James Conner. 2 1-4 ; Capt. Thomas Lucas, 2 1-4; William Lucas, 3-4; Capt. John Sinkler, i 3-4: Benjamin Evans, 2 1-4: Thomas Piper, i 1-4; Moses Var- ney. 3-4; James Lucas 3rd, i ; Doct. Cutter, 2 1-2; Grafton Nut- ter, 3-4: Andrew Folsom, 3-4; the estate in the care of Moses Wingate, 18 1-4: Moses Wingate, 3-4; Joseph Leavitt, r ; Robert Calder, 13-4; John Kennett, 3-4; Aaron Frost, 13-4; Abram Prebble, 3-4 ; Lieut. Jonathan Lary, 2 ; Joseph Keniston, 3-4 ;

157

158

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Samuel Tebbetts, Jr., i ; Benjamin Durgin, i ; Goldsmith,

i ; Lieut. Ebenezer Home, 6 ; Ebenezer Home, Jr., 3-4 ; Isaiah Home, 3-4; Jonathan Home, 3-4; Andrew Wig-gin, 23-4; Jona- than Hersey, 13-4; Ithiel Clifford, 11-2; Lemuel Clifford, i; Widow Mary Fullerton, 234; John Fullerton, i 1-2; Jeremiah Gould, 3-4; Benjamin Blake, 2 1-2; Isaac Williams, 3-4; Robert Estes, 11-2; Ebenezer Meader, 2; Joseph Lary, 3; Samuel Teb- betts, Sr., 2 1-4; James Lucas, Jr., 3-4; Lieut. Andrew Lucas, 21-4; John Lucas, 3-4; William Rogers, i; Henry Rust, 3-4; Richard Rust, 3-4; Matthew Stanley Parker, 31-4; Benjamin Wiggin, 3-4 ; amounting in the whole to 93 1-4 days work.

Each person was to furnish his provisions and tools, and work in such gangs as should be arranged under the direction of Mr. Home. The labor was to be properly expended in "cutting, making, and housing" the hay on Libbey's farm, which was situ- ated at the most distant point of Wolfeborough Neck. For the money to which Libbey was entitled the town was directly re- sponsible, although the claim was ultimately against the state. The following petition, written more than eight years after Libbey served in the army, will explain somewhat the long delay in ad- justing his claim : —

"State of New Hampshire,

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives con- vened at Portsmouth: Feb. ist day, 1786.

The petition of Reuben Libbey of Wolfborough in said state, Humbly shews: — that your petitioner sometime in the month of July, in the year 1779, engaged as a soldier in Col. Mooney's regiment, being mustered by Col. Badger, and went to Provi- dence, joined Capt. Emerson's company, and served until Sept. 10, 17/9, and was then discharged. — And your petitioner hath never received a penny for his time or travel, and was not made up in an}' army company or upon any roll in the regiment. — Wherefore your petitioner begs that he may receive the same in

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

159

every shape as the rest of the regiment, for the time he was in the service ; and your petitioner begs that he may have some in- terest for his money.

Your petition, as in duty bound, shall ever pray ;

Reuben Libbey."

It is presumed that Libbey eventually was allowed his claim, as it was subsequently connected with a large claim for taxes of con- fiscated lands that Wolfeborough preferred against the state of New Hampshire. These lands were lots nine, twenty, and twenty- one, which had been held by George Meserve, and the Wentworth Farm. The amount due from the state to the town for unpaid taxes was £386 — 45 — g<\. This sum, however, included Libbey 's bill.

In the year 1779 Daniel Bridges, who was not a citizen of Wolfeborough, was mustered into the service by Col. Badger as a Wolfeborough soldier — a three years man. He was to receive a continental bounty of £60 and a state bounty of £90, the real value of which is not know. At a town-meeting held Sept. 7, 1779, the citizens of Wolfeborough voted unanimously not to ac- cept the plan of government formed at the convention held at Concord the preceding June.

At a meeting of the militia of the town held June 29, 1780, a majority of the legal voters being present, it was agreed to pay James Wiggin thirty bushels of corn and James Fullerton fifteen bushels of corn and twenty days work in consideration of their engaging to serve as soldiers in the continental armv for six months. The proceedings were not strictly legal, but the de- mand for the soldiers was so urgent and the opportunity for se- curing them so feasible that there was no demurring on the part of any of the citizens, and the selectmen immediately guaranteed the payment of the bounties to the recruits by giving their notes for the payment thereof, according to the terms of agreement.

!bO HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

The work, which was estimated at three shillings a day, was to be done in the approaching hay season, and the corn, which was estimated at four shillings per bushel, was to be delivered by the twenty-fifth day of the following December. A tax to meet these obligations was immediately assessed. Wiggin, who was nineteen, preferred his bounty in corn, which was one of the cur- rency articles of the day, while Fullerton, who was twenty-four years old, had conjointly with his mother the care of the farm, and must unavoidably have remained at home, had he not made provision for labor in the hay season then close at hand.

The labor tax was imposed upon those citizens of the town who were near-by dwellers, with their consent. They were Benjamin Wiggin, 1-2 day ; Benjamin Blake, 2 1-4 days ; Jonathan Hersey, i 1-4 days; Ithiel Clifford, i 1-2 days; Lemuel Clifford, 3-4 day; Widow Mary Fullerton, on whose farm th ? labor was to be done, i 1-2 days; Jeremiah Gould, 1-2 day; Robert Estes, i 1-4 days; Joseph Lary, 2 days; Samuel Tebbetts, Sr., 21-4 days; Lieut. Andrew Lucas, 2 1-4 days; Ensign Reuben Libbey, 2 1-2 days; John Fullerton, i day; Ebenezer Home, 21-2 days. Total 20 days

Fullerton and Wiggin were mustered into the 3rd New Hamp- shiie regiment, at Kingston, X. H., July 8, 1780. Wiggin appears to have received his discharge at a considerable distance from home, as shown by the following papers : —

"Camp Soldier's Fortune, Dec. 9, 1780.

James Wiggin, soldier in the 3rd Xew Hampshire Regiment, inhabitant of the state of Xcw Hampshire, is hereby discharged, and permitted to return to the above state.

James Wait, Maj. 3rd X. H."

"To whom it may concern. — All issuing commissaries are desired to supply the within named James Wiggin with his pro-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. jgj

visions on his way to New Hampshire, none to be delivered after the iqth inst.

James Wait, Major 3rd N. H.

Issued two days rations. — Thomas Pratt, A. C. S. Wolfeborough man for 6 mos."

A call for beef under a new method of furnishing supplies for the army, a communication from President Weare.

"To the selectmen of Wolfborough: As all other ways of supplying the army are laid aside, but that of each state to pro- vide such as their lands produce ; and beef being one of the articles assigned to this state you will see the absolute neccesity of punc- tually complying with this act ; and having your quota ready at the several times alloted, when the Collector General, viz: Eliphalet Giddings, or some other person will call on you for the same.

M. Weare, President.

June 27, 1780, the New Hampshire legislature had passed an act in acquiescence with an enactment of the congress of the United States of February 25 of the same year requiring the state to furnish 11,200 cwt. of beef in monthly instalments. The amount assigned to Wolfeborough was 3,875 pounds. The town was to be allowed five and a half dollars per cwt. provided there were no outstanding taxes against them. If there were, they were to be first deducted.

A town-meeting was held at the house of Thomas Piper at the "Mills" on the seventh day of September to consider the matter. At this meeting Lieut. Ebenezer Home, Capt. John Sinkler, and Joseph Lary were appointed a committee to purchase the beef. According to the committee's account, beef was purchased as follows : one yoke of oxen of Ebenezer Home, for seven thou- sand five hundred dollars ; one yoke of Robert Estes, for seven

jfe HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

thousand dollars ; one yoke of Andrew Lucas, for about three thousand five hundred dollars. Money had become greatly de- preciated in value, and the prices paid for the cattle determines only their comparative value. Those purchased of Home and Estes were probably quite large. They were evidently not raised in Wolfeborough, as neither of the men came into the town until about 1779. November n, 1782, the town paid James Lucas thirty-seven dollars for a beef ox and Benjamin Evans eighteen dollars for a beef steer. These cattle were delivered in 1781, and were a part of the town's allotment for the state's supply of beef for that year. Lucas and Evans received their pay in silver money.

The depreciation of the value of the currency during the Revolu- tionary War was a source of great perplexity and loss both to in- dividuals and communities. After congress had recognized the troops at Boston as a continental army in 1775, it became neces- sary to provide money for its support. Sufficient specie could not be obtained, and bills of credit were issued. As more money was needed, new emissions of these followed ; and as congress was unable to redeem them with specie, they began to depreciate. At the close of 1780, when the last emmission was made, they had become almost worthless, and finally became wholly so. This was the money in which the soldiers of the Revolution were paid, and this was the principal reason assigned for subsequently grant- ing them pensions.

The value of one hundred dollars in specie was equal at dif- ferent periods to the value represented in the following table in currency : —

1777 1778 1779 1780 1781

In January ...$105 325 742 2934 7400

February 107 350 868 3322 75oo

March 109 375 1000 3736

April 112 400 1 104 4000

" May 115 400 1215 4600

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. ^3

1777 1778 1779 1780 1781

In June 120 400 1342 6400

" July 125 425 1477 69°°

" August 150 450 1630 7000

" September 175 475 1800 7100

' October 275 500 2030 7200

' November 300 545 2308 7300

" December 310 634 2593 7400

On the twenty-sixth of February, 1781, the selectmen of Wolfe- borough issued a very urgent call for a town-meeting to be held on the first day of March for the purpose of determining "upon some proper method for procuring the town's quota of the con- tinental army, which, by an act of the state, appears to be five, in- cluding those already in the service." The meeting was held and organized, and after a discussion of the matter which it was called to consider, adjourned to the fifteenth day of the month.

At the adjourned meeting it was decided to choose a committee of three to endeavor to hire men to fill the required quota. Lieut. Jonathan Lary, Mr. Ebenezer Meader, and Ensign Reuben Lib- bey were selected for the committee. They were instructed "to hire four men for a three years' service on the best possible terms, and report their doings at the annual town-meeting which was to be held on the 27th day of the same month." At that meeting the action of the special town meeting was endorsed, and the com- mittee for hiring soldiers continued. Some disturbing matters coming up, the annual meeting was adjourned to April 3. At the adjourned annual meeting James Conner, Andrew Wiggin, and James Lucas were chosen instead of the former committee to hire soldiers, and the meeting was then adjourned to the tenth da\' of April. At that adjournment the ordinary town business was transacted. There is no evidence that either of the commit- tees chosen to hire soldiers secured any ; it is probable they did not.

!64 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

On the twenty-seventh day of July of the same year, a town- meeting was held for the purpose of adopting some plan to hire two soldiers for three months in obedience to a call from the gov- ernment. The action of the town is thus recorded : "After spend- ing much time in the business specified in the warrant, and find- ing that the soldiers could not be procured by any means, the meeting was thereupon dissolved."

In July, 1781, Col. Bradbury Richardson, of Moultonborough, sent the following communication to the militia company of Wolfeborough : —

"To the company of Militia contained within the Train Band, so called within the town of Wolfborough :

Whereas by an act of the legislature of the state the regiment commanded by the late Col. Badger has been divided, and you now belong to the nineteenth regiment, a new appointment ot officers is necessary.

You are therefore hereby notified and warned to meet at the house of James Conner innholder in Wolfeborough on Tuesday, the 7th day of August next, at One O'clock P. M. on said day to elect one captain, two lieutenants, and one ensign to command said company. At which tfme and place one of the field officers will attend to act as moderator, and deliver the commissions to the persons that shall be legally chosen to the several offices.

B. Richardson, Col."

The company met agreeably to appointment, and the following officers were chosen : Joseph Lary, captain ; William Lucas, first lieutenant ; Aaron Frost, second lieutenant ; and Enoch Thomas, ensign.

The following call was soon made on Captain Lary : —

"Moultonborough, Sept. i, 1781.

Sir: — Pursuant to orders received from Brigadier General Bad- ger, you are hereby Required to raise and equip three able bodied

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 16$

men out of the company under your Command, which is your proportion of twenty-one men to be raised in my regiment, and forward to Colonel David Page of Conway, to pass muster im- mediately, without one minute's delay. Said men are to be im- proved as a Scout in Defense of the Northern Frontiers, and are to Serve three Months unless sooner discharged. They are to receive Three Pounds Bounty, and forty shillings per month equal to that Sum in Lawful Money in the year 1774, and are to be paid by the Town. The Court have voted that the Same shall be Allowed out of the present or next year's Tax Bill. It is the opinion of all the Field Officers, and General Badger, that those men are instead of the Three Months Men sent for to join the Continental Army. You'll Raise and forward the Men, and make return of your doings as soon as may be to

Your Servant, Bradbury Richardson."

The town secured the enlistment of David Piper, John Piper, and Jeremiah Sinclair, agreeing to pay them ten silver dollars a month for the time they were in the service. They were absent about two months.

Here is a copy of Capt. Jacob Smith's order to David Piper : —

"To Sargeant David Piper : —

You are to take charge of the party of

men whose names are herein enclosed, and march them to Dart- mouth, as soon as may be, and, when there to be under the direc- tion of a division of the militia in that place till further orders, ex- cept John Piper who is to return immediately with intelligence of the movement in that quarter.

You are further required to take particular care that the men do not waste their ammunition.

Per Jacob Smith, Captain. Conway, Sept. 15, 1781."

j66 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

List of men — David Piper, Sargeant, Jonathan Crosby, Joseph Crosby, Nathaniel Cilley, Sargearit Kimball, Jonathan Hilyard, Joseph Eaton, Keniston, Eliphalet Sias, William Weeks, John Piper, and Jeremiah Sinclair."

The policy of congress to obtain its supplies for the army from those states producing the articles wanted, led to designating New Hampshire as a state to furnish rum in 1781. This article, though not a product of its soil, was one of its trade and manu- facture. Portsmouth dealt largely in fish and lumber, particu- larly shook, with the West Indies, receiving in exchange rum and molasses. Much of the latter article was distilled, and the town became an important distributing port for other maritime localities. The large sale of rum was perhaps a pecuniary benefit to the wealthy merchants of Portsmouth, but the money tax was burdensome to other towns. Wolfeborough made an assessment of thirty dollars to meet the requisition.

April 24, 1782, there was a town-meeting called to ascertain what could be done towards procuring the town's quota of sol- diers. After a protracted deliberation it was voted that Ensign Reuben Libbey and Lieut. Jonathan Lary be a committee to hire the soldiers "as cheap as they can." There is no probability that they secured any, as another town-meeting was held on the twelveth day of the following June, when it was voted to pay a bounty of two hundred and fifty dollars to any person who would enlist as a soldier. Xo one enlisted so far as any record shows.

Until the latter part of 1781 Wolfeborough had met the re- quirements of the government as to furnishing soldiers quite satisfactorily. It could do so no longer. It had neither the men for soldiers nor the means to hire them. Without either money or credit it could only yield to the inevitable, and in common with some other newly settled interior towns suffer the penalties of failure.

The following letter from Sheriff Dame will, in a measure, ex- plain the condition of affairs : —

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

I67

"Dover, Dec. 12, 1782.

Gentlemen : — Lest you should not have seen the action of the Court for lengthening- the time of filling the quotas of men for the continental battalions, I will say that the time is extended to the first day of January next. The delinquent towns are earnestly requested to have their men raised and mustered im- mediately ; or to satisfy the executions against them respectively, for, if the soldiers are not supplied by towns, the money will be needed to hire others.

Your most Humble Servant,

Theophilus Dame, Sheriff. To the selectmen of Wolfborough."

The extension of time was too short to be of any avail to Wolfe- borough, and the town probably made no further efforts to en- list soldiers. The state of New Hampshire filled its quotas, and Wolfeborough was forced to settle the bill, which it eventually did.

At least thirty persons who served as soldiers in the Revolu- tionary War were accredited to Wolfeborough. Their terms of service varied from two months to three years or more. Some of them enlisted in several campaigns. There names were Benjamin Blake, Thomas Bridges, Zachariah Bunker, Garrott Byron, Archi- bald Campbell, John Fullerton, Jeremiah Gould, James Fuller- ton, Moses Ham, Jonathan Lary, Joseph Leavitt, Reuben Lib- bey, James Lucas, 3rd, John Lucas, Thomas Lucas, William Lucas, Samuel Mellows, David Piper, John Piper, William Rogers, John Sinkler, Jeremiah Sinkler, Thomas Sproule, Enoch Thomas. William Twombly, Ichabod Tebbetts, Moses Tebbetts, Andrew Wiggin, James Wiggin, Nathan Watson.

John and James Fullerton were brother? ; so also were David and John Piper. John and Jeremiah Sinkler were father and son. James, John, Thomas, and William Lucas were relatives ; so probably were Moses and Ichabod Tebbetts. Thomas Bridges,

X68 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

John Fullerton, Samuel Mellows, David Piper, John Piper, Enoch Thomas, Ichabod Tebbetts, Moses Tebbetts, and Nathan Watson were evidently three years soldiers. It is probable that some oth- ers were.

The following soldiers were in the service at the times and un- der the officers here indicated: June 13, 1775, Jeremiah Gould, James Lucas, 3rd, Ichabod Tebbetts, and Moses Tebbetts were in Captain Benjamin Pitman's company in Col. Enoch Poor's regiment ; Dec. 23, 1776, Joseph Leavitt and John Fullerton were mustered into Capt. John Moody 's company at Exeter ; Colonel Badger reports June 17, 1777, that Thomas Sproule is in Capt. Beal's company, Enoch Thomas, David Piper, and John Piper in Capt. Gray's company, and John Lary, Nathan Watson, Richard Sinkler, and Thomas Taylor in Capt. Nathaniel Ambrose's com- pany, Col. Welch's regiment. Taylor ai*.d Lary both lived in Wolfeborough at the beginning of the war, and were probably enlisted in the army as soldiers of the town, but there is no cer- tain evidence of it. They were both in the army, and Lary spent the remainder of his life in Wolfeborough. Reuben Libbey was in Col. Hercules Mooney's regiment, July 7, 1777.

So far as is known, few casualties happened to the men who went from Wolfeborough into the army. Thomas Lucas never returned. He might have died or wandered into some other part part of the country. Thomas Bridges, Zachariah Bunker, Garrott Byron, Archibald Campbell, and William Twombly were transient persons, and did not make Wolfeborough their future home. Consequently, little is known of their history after entering the army. Nearly all those persons who were members of resident families returned to the town unharmed so far as is now known. David Piper was severely ill with smallpox, and it is very probable that others suffered from disease or the various ills incident to army life, but record and tradition are alike silent about the mat- ter.

One reason whv men from Wolfeborough and others similarlv

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

169

circumstanced suffered less from camp-life than those more ten- derly reared was that it varied little from the life of a pioneer settler, coarse food, exposure, and toil being inseparable from either. Besides, many of the campaigns were short, being only from three to six months' duration. After the capture of Bur- goyne's army the seat of war was removed farther south. Active warfare is not usual in cold weather, and the forces in the camps and forts in the northern part of the country were generally re- duced. It was not advisable to feed an idle army ; it was better that the soldier, when practicable, should recuperate at his own home, not at the expense of the government.

It was also the policy of the American officers, from their great commander to the lowest subaltern, to preserve life rather than to destroy it. The English government purposed a speedy sub- jugation of the colonies, and therefore sent into the country large armies at great expense. In the matter of military strength the poorly equipped provincial militia-men were at a disadvantage when they met the well disciplined, well armed veterans of the British army. Had the American soldiers been rushed into bloody strife as were some of the armies of the Rebellion the country would have become exhausted of men, and the states would not at that time have secured their independence. The struggle must be prolonged ; crafty delays were victories to the Americans, a protracted war was their only hope of independence and a stable government ; the cost of continuing it was dishearten- ing to the English government, and induced it to offer terms of peace.

The close of the war found Wolfeborough very much impov- erished. No record of its finances is extant, and its condition can only be inferred from certain desultory accounts of legal ac- tions. It was largely indebted to the state of New Hampshire, particularly for deficiency in raising soldiers in 1781 and 1782.

As an evidence of the pecuniary straits of the town, here is in- serted a copy of a warrant for town-meeting in 1787.

170

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

"State of Xew Hamp.

Strafford ss.

To Thomas Piper constable for the Town of \Yolfborou g'h for the current year.

Greeting : —

You are hereby directed in the name of the state of Xew Hamp- shire forthwith to notify and warn the Freeholders and others (inhabitants) of the town of Wolfborough to meet at the Dwelling House of Matthew S. Parker in said town, on Mon- day the 28th inst. at 2 o'clock P. M. then and there to act on the following business — viz — ist to choose a Moderator to regu- late said meeting — to see what steps the town will choose to take in order to satisfy two Extents levied on the selectmen and Collector Lary for taxes due for the years 1782 & 3 which extents are to be settled at or before the I2th day of June next — also to transact any business which may then be tho't neces- sary— Given under our Hands & Seal at Wolfborough, this 24th day of May A. D. 1787.

Matthew S. Parker )

> Selectmen Kben Meader >

Pursuant to the within warrant I have warned the Inhabitants of the Town of Wolfeborough to meet at time and place therein mentioned

Thomas Piper, Constable.

Wolfborough, May 28, 1787."

January 18, 1786, Nathan Hoitt, under-sheriff, having previous- ly attached them by order of the state government, offered for sale at public vendue the farms of Capt. Reuben Libbey, William Cotton, and James Lucas, selectmen of Wolfeborough ; also those of Capt. Elias Smith, Lieut. Nathaniel Shannon, and Lieut. Smith Moulton, selectmen of Moultonborough, for deficiency in raising soldiers in 1781 and 1782.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

171

The state tax of Wolfeborough for 1786 was about thirty pounds. In 1789 it had not been paid, and the farm of William Rogers, collector of taxes, was attached to secure it. In 1/88 there was due from Wolfeborough to the state of New Hamp- shire for deficiency of soldiers over five hundred dollars. In 1794 Reuben Libbey, as agent for the town, paid thirty-six pounds in part payment of an extent issued by order of the state treasurer on account of the same matter, and in 1797 he, then acting as deputy sheriff, acknowledges the receipt of seventy dollars for the unpaid state tax of 1789. In 1799, sixteen years after the close of the war, Henry Rust, Jr., then state representative, by direc- tion of the town, made the last payment for deficiency of soldiers.

Here follows a list of the tax-payers in Wolfeborough in 1781 arranged according to the value of the taxes assessed against each respectively. It is not claimed that such a list is a true criterion by which to determine the relative value of a person's possessions on account of varying circumstances, but it furnishes a general clew to it : —

Cabbott Farm, Lieut. Ebenezer Home, Col. Henry Rust, Ben- jamin Evans, Matthew S. Parker, Ensign Reuben Libbey, Ben- jamin Blake, James Connor, Lieut. Andrew Lucas, Lieut. Wil- liam Lucas, Lieut. Jonathan Lary, Samuel Tebbetts, Joseph Lary, Jeremiah Gould, Robert Calder, Robert Estes, Widow Mary Ful- lerton, Andrew Wiggin, Ebenezer Header. James Lucas, 3rd, Capt. John Sinkler, William^ Rogers, Jonathan Hersey, Enoch Thomas, John Fullerton, Aaron Frost, Benjamin Durgin, Thomas Piper, Lemuel Clifford, Samuel Tebbetts, Jr., Abraham Prebble, Moses Varney, James Lucas, Jr., Samuel Hide, Joseph Keniston, Joseph Leavitt, Thomas Triggs, Doct. Cutter for the "Mills," John Emerson, Benjamin Wiggin, Isaiah Home, Edmund Teb- betts, - - Shortridge, John Lucas, Joseph Estes, Ichabod Tebbetts, Henry Rust, Jr.. Daniel Piper. The following named persons probably paid only a poll tax : John Piper, Richard Rust, Ebenezer Home, Jr., Stephen Home, James Lucas, John Hide,

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Capt. John Martin, Timothy Johnson, William Gordon, William Cotton, Thomas Smith, Thomas Baker — sixty tax payers and fifty-eight polls.

The inventory of 1782 represents the town as having 63 acres of tillage land, 325 acres of mowing land, and 351 acres of pas- turage ; 32 horses, 60 oxen, 100 cows, 25 three years old, 30 two years old, and 20 one year old cattle. The value of buildings was estimated at three thousand and fifteen dollars, one thousand being the state farm buildings. Here is inserted a portion of an inventory found in loose manuscript : —

Hide, wife, six children, one house.

Durgin, wife.

Calder, wife, eight children, one house, one barn.

Shortridge, wife, four children.

Frost, wife, seven children.

Samuel Tebbetts, Jr., wife, six children, one house, one barn.

Joseph Keniston, wife, two children, one barn.

Joseph Leavitt, wife, two children, one house, one barn.

Furbur, wife, three children, one house.

Prebble, seven children.

Glynn, one house, one barn.

Cabbott, one house, two barns, one stable.

John Lary, wife, two children, one house, one barn.

Triggs, wife, one child.

Durgin, wife, five children, one house, one barn.

This inventory was confined to the northeasterly part of the town, and comprised about one-third of the population of Wolfe- borough. Not including the Glynn and Cabbotts establishments, it numbered fourteen families with fifty-five children and a popu- lation of eighty-three which the laborers on the Cabbott farm would have increased to nearly one hundred. It had ten houses and ten barns. A note indicates that there were in the town thirty-three houses, thirty-seven barns, and a population of two

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

173

hundred and seventy-four. From this invoice it may be inferred that very few families came to Wolfeborough during the war, and that the moderate increase in the number of its inhabitants may be chiefly attributed to births and the growth of children.

In 1786 a census of the town was taken by order of the state, but for some cause the selectmen failed to report a particular ac- count of it, and the aggregate only is known, which is three hun- dred and seventeen, three hundred and one residents and sixteen transients, or hired persons.

From the foregoing statements the condition of Wolfeborough at the close of the Revolutionary War may be inferred. After the departure of Governor Wentworth's attaches the population of the town consisted of persons in moderate circumstances or ex- tremely poor, generally with large and increasing families of chil- dren.

The demand of the new government for men and means to carry on the war were even at the first very urgent ; but they were met with commendable alacrity, although at great sacrifice, until 1781. At that period the resources of the town in both particulars had become exhausted, and it could no longer answer its calls. In financial matters a complete collapse had occurred. In desperation it offered large bounties for soldiers, but its ability to meet its pledged obligations was discredited, and there were no enlistments. So far as furnishing aid to the state government it was helplessly bankrupt ; yet there was hope in the more or less distant future. Although comparatively few persons had come within its borders for the purpose of settlement for nearly a de- cade, its own population had been kept quite intact, and the young mind and muscle which had been developing in families during the seven years' conflict was very encouraging prospective capital. But there must be a season of waiting and pinching.

CHAPTER XIV.

ESTES FAMILY — COTTON FAMILY — ROGERS FAMILY — HERSEY FAMILY — MARTIN FAMILY — BRIEF SKETCHES OF OTHER FAMILIES.

THE war being over, sketches of families and persons will be resumed and continued for a space. Robert Estes came to Wolfeborough about 1778, probably from New Dur- ham, where, it is said, he carried on tanning" and shoe-making. He was evidently a person of considerable business capacity, as he was elected auditor, an office that comparatively few Wolfeborough citizens were then capable of filling. He sold to the town one large yoke of oxen for army beef, most likely raised on his farm in New Durham. He was born Feb. 18, 1750 and his wife, Sarah Hanson, Aug. 23, 1754. Their children were : Han- nah, born Nov. 12, 1774, married David Wentworth, of Milton; Susannah, born Oct. 8, 1776, married James Roberts, of Ossipee ; Elijah, born Jan. 13, 1779, married Martha Roberts; Lydia, born June 1 8, 1781, married John Buffum, of Berwick ; Elizabeth, born April 12, 1783. After remaining in Wolfeborough a few years it is said that Estes returned to New Durham.

His son Elijah, when quite young, married Martha Roberts, and entered on the business of shoe-making. About 1805 he pur- chased the most southerly of the fifty-acre lots, that which James Lucas had given to his son Nehemiah, and built a house near that never-failing fountain of water still known as the "Estes Spring1." Here he resided during his lifetime, and reared a family of chil- dren, as follows :

Sarah, born Oct. 18, 1806, married Daniel Deland : Robert, bom April 20, 1808, married P.etsey Shepherd ; Hannah, born June 18. 1810, married Daniel Shepherd: James, born [an. 20,

'74

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

175

1813, married Louisa Roberts; John, born December 10, 1818, married Emily Marden.

He was not an affluent, but very industrious citizen, working at his trade and ordinary farm labor. He cut and cleared the road which leads past the Charles S. Paris farm-house to the Hersey Brook, a distance of nearly two miles, for four dollars. He be- queathed the farm to his son Robert, who was obligated to sup- port his widowed mother. She survived her husband many years. Air. Estes' sons had a great passion for hunting, Robert becom- ing especially noted as a hunter. His son, Jonathan P., is a man of unusually large size, being six feet four inches in height and proportionally broad.

James Estes had four daughters : Anna R., born June, 1845, married David Bennett, of Tuftonborough ; Maria B., born Oct. 22, 1848, married Edward Farnham, of Milton; Sophia, born Oct. 5, 1850, married Frank H. Young, of Tuftonborough ; Louisa, born Oct. 21, 1853, married Charles H. Tutt, of Lynn, Mass.

Colonel William Cotton was born in Portsmouth, Feb. 29, 1738. He served as a soldier in the French and Indian War, and after- wards became a colonel in the New Hampshire militia. October 20, 1761, he married Mary Clark, who was born Dec. 17, 1737, and died in Wolfeborough, March 17, 1798. Col. Cotton came to Wolfeborough in 1781, and settled on the farm now owned by his great grandson, Albert W. Cotton. He soon opened one of the little taverns so common at that period, and also began re- tailing goods in a small way. The store which he occupied is now a part of the farm-house kitchen. He took with him to Wolfe- borough eight children whose ages ranged from one to eighteen years. Two had previously died in Portsmouth, and two that were born after his arrival in Wolfeborough were short lived. The other eight married, had, in the aggregate, fifty-nine children, and reached an average age of seventy-one years. Col. Cotton was evidently a man of means, as he soon purchased a large tract of land, much of which still remains in the possession of his

176

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

descendants. Six of his seven sons settled in his immediate neighborhood. At one time there were twelve farms comprising sixteen hundred acres of land, most of which was in a compact body, owned by persons of the Cotton name and blood.

His oldest son, William, at first settled in Wolfeborough, but afterwards removed to Castine, Maine. A son of his, also named William, returned to Wolfeborough and became a prominent citi- zen of the town. He served seven years as selectman, dying while in office. Dudley P. Cotton, a son of his, went to the West Indies and became wealthy. Subsequently he returned to Wolfeborough, and purchased a farm in the neighborhood where he was born, purposing to make it his future abode. He contributed quite generously for the improvement of the highways and schools in the neighborhood, but not receiving so ardent co-operative response to his acts as he desired, he disposed of his property and returned to his island home, where he soon after died.

John P. Cotton, the second son of William, the settler, took a lot of land next to Brookfield line, near the site of the East Wolfe- borcugh church. It proved to be one of the best farms in Wolfe- borough. He married Betsy Allen, of Ossipee, and had nine children. He lived to the age of seventy-six years.

Thomas Cotton took the lot of land lying northwest of John's and adjoining it. He married Martha Furber, of Wolfeborough, and had six children. He was deacon of the Freewill Baptist church, and occasionally preached. He died at the age of eighty years.

James Cotton's farm lay south of that belonging to Thomas. He married Betsy Robinson, of Brookfield, by whom he had four children. He was eighty-seven years old when he died.

Isaac Cotton married Eliza Martin, of Brookfield, by whom he had eight children. He died at the age of seventy-two years.

George C. Cotton settled near Nute's Ridge, where now resides his grandson, George C. Avery. He married Sally, daughter of

NATHANIEL ROGERS

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

177

Col. Mark Wiggin and had four children. He died at the age of sixty-five years.

Samuel Cotton married Sally Fernald, of Brookfield, by whom he had six children. His farm was on the north side of Cotton Mountain, adjoining the Thomas Cotton lot. He lived to be seventy-one years old. His son, Brackett F. Cotton, resides on the home place.

Mary Cotton married Robert Pike, of Middleton, and was the mother of ten children. She died at the age of fifty-five years.

For two generations the descendants of Col. William Cotton were quite noted for demonstrations of religious enthusiasm ; so much so as to give character to the neighborhood called Cotton- borough. Latterly this family trait has not been especially notice- able. About the time that William Cotton settled in Wolfe- borough a brother named Thomas came to the town, and com- menced a settlement on the Isaac Rindge lot. He afterwards re- turned to Rockingham County. Col. Cotton's family were stal- warts. He was six feet and four inches in height ; his sons aver- aged six feet and one inch in height and two hundred pounds in weight, while a grandson, Henry, was six and a half feet in height and weighed three hundred pounds. Col. Cotton died September 8, 1721, aged eighty-three years.

The ancestors of the Rogers family were probably Scotch- Irish. If so, it can boast of as good blood as flows in American veins. New Hampshire had quite an infusion of it in early times, some of the best citizens of the province and state being of that race, among them, Horace Greely.

James Rogers, of Portsmouth, settled in Rochester in 1734, probably at the location now known as Hayes' Crossing, as here was the Rogers' stopping-place on the route from Portsmouth in Governor Wrentworth's time. He was accompanied by his son Charles, who, in 1747, married Mary, the daughter of John Mc- Duffee, and four years after purchased his father's farm. He appears to have been an enterprising citizen of Rochester, and

!78 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

was several times elected one of the board of selectmen. Some years after, having received a grant from the King of England of two thousand acres of land at Merry Meeting for meritorious ser- vices while acting as lieutenant in the French and Indian War, he removed to that place, and commenced lumbering. With the aid of his sons, Samuel and William, he built a sawmill. While here he came to the meadows on Lake Wentworth in the summer, and harvested hay, which he stacked. His son William, a mere lad, spent the next winter there taking care of four oxen that were protected from the weather by a hovel built of logs. He was, un- doubtedly, the first white person who hibernated within the limits of \Volfeborough. During his seclusion he was visited only oc- casionally by members of the family bringing food.

William Rogers came to Wolfeborough as a settler in 1776, when he was twenty years old. He was a member of the militia company which was that year organized. Probably his father, Lieutenant Charles, came to the town about the same time, and thereafter made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Lary. Having been much exposed to hardships as a soldier, hunter, and pioneer settler, he appears to have somewhat prematurely aged. Being incapacitated for labor when he came to Wolfeborough, he spent most of his time in fishing either from the shore or on the ice of the lake. To protect himself from the severity of cold weather, he had a seat constructed and boarded on three sides, a sort of rude forerunner of the little fish-houses that now clot the surface of Wolfeborough Bay in the winter season. On one occasion his structure was seized by a fierce nor'-wester, and he, though vigorously protesting, made a speedy visit to Clark's shore. As years increased he became blind, and weakened by senility, the pastime of fishing became such a passion that he continued the avocation, although frequently annoyed by mis- chievous boys, who would tug at his line in imitation of a fish-bite.

William Rogers was born in Rochester, February 8, 1756. In 1779 he purchased a one-hundred-acre lot of David Sewall for

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

179

four pounds of Spring beaver fur. It was situated on the north- westerly side of Smith's River. January 25, 1780, he married Mary Chamberlain, of Rochester, and soon after erected a house on his lot. This house was located a little south of the present site of the Christian church. A portion of it is still standing. It ' was formerly used as a small inn, and here sometimes town meet- ings were held. A part of it was also occupied as a store. In this house, October 19, 1792, was organized the Freewill Baptist church, which now worships in Wolfeborough Falls, being the first church organized in Wolfeborough. In it also, six days later, was ordained Isaac Townsend, the first person set apart to the work of the ministry in the town. In the afternoon of the same day, however, Ebenezer Allen was ordained as the town minister at the meeting-house.

It is not now known whether Mr. Rogers ever professed piety. His sympathies, however, were with the Baptists, and his wife became a member of that church within a few weeks after its organization. Until the erection of school-houses religious meet- ings were frequently held at his house on the Sabbath and at other times. Mr. Rogers not only cleared and improved his farm, but did considerable business on his own account in buying and selling lands. He was several times elected on the board of selectmen, and for many years had the custody of the grain taxes paid by the inhabitants of the south side of the town. His first wife, who bore him six children, died September 10, 1795, and the following year he married Mary Connor, by whom he had eight children. Twelve of the fourteen reached mature age. He died April 28, 1810. He bequeathed the home place to his son Nathaniel, in whose care he left his widow and the younger chil- dren. The trust was most faithfully executed.

The names of his children by his first wife were John, Eleanor, William, Nathaniel, David, and Mary, or Polly, as she was familiarly called. Those by his second wife were James, Samuel C. Daniel, Nancy, Susan, Hannah, Jane, and Phoebe C.

jgo HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Three of his sons, William, David, and Samuel C, at an early age left home and started out in life for themselves in Salem, Mass., but soon removed to Boston where they continued in the mercantile business until about 1815. They then removed with their families to the West, and finally located at Cincinnati, where they settled permanently in business. Many of their descendants continue to reside there.

Nathaniel and James married and settled in their native town, the latter marrying Clarissa Wiggin. About 1840 he moved to Stetson, Me., where in addition to managing a large farm, he con- ducted an extensive lumbering business, and held important offices in the town. He ever remained much attached to his Wolfeborough home and early associates, visiting the town very frequently during his life. He died December 30, 1878.

Eleanor Rogers married Samuel Meader ; Mary (Polly), Thomas Chamberlain, of Brookfield ; Nancy, William Thomas ; Susan, Alpheus Swett ; Hannah, Isaac Copp, of Tuftonborough ; and Phoebe, Samuel Thompson. Daniel and Jane died in infancy.

At the time of his father's death Nathaniel Rogers was less than twenty-five years of age. There was a large family of younger brothers for whom he was to provide a home. He immediately commenced making the arrangements to build a house. This he completed in 1812. It was a large two-storied building situated on the opposite side of the road from where his father had erected one about thirty years before. It remained in the possession of the family about seventy years. In February 16, 1815, Mr. Rogers married Martha, daughter of Richard Rust, by whom he had seven children, all of whom are now deceased. His wife died in 1832, and he afterwards married Eleanor Jane, daughter of John L. Piper. She bore him three children, Nathaniel Piper, John, and Lucy M. These are now living, John being a resident of Wolfeborough. Mr. Rogers had more than an ordinary share of domestic cares, at first acting the part of a parent to his younger brothers and sisters, and then rearing his own large family of

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH. i$i

children. He was a capable and busy man ; besides managing and improving his large and valuable farm, he had charge of the sawmill situated at the lower falls on Smith's River, where he manufactured a large amount of lumber, running his mill with double crews. It is not improbable that he owned the mill for several years ; nor is it unlikely that he built the house now occu- pied by the widow of Charles H. Parker, as there was connected with that a store which he occupied, and which is now the one- story house situated on Center Street opposite the residence of W. B. Hodge. He also engaged in a variety of enterprises, being an owner of one-fourth of the Pickering Factory. While con- ducting the lumber business at the "Mills," he resided temporarily in the Kent house, now occupied by Charles L. Home, 2nd. He was a level-headed, active, public-spirited citizen, neither a bigot in religion nor a narrow partisan in politics. He seems not to have been ambitious for office, although he represented the town of Wolfeborough in the legislature and was one of the first judges cf the Court of Common Pleas in Carroll County, serving from iS4i to 1846.

On the matter of liquor selling he was in advance of the pre- vailing sentiment of the town in his day. As a proof of his free- dom from bias, it is related that when the building of churches in Wolfeborough was first agitated, he suggested that one should be erected on the Brick Schoolhouse Hill for the joint occupancy of the Congregationlists and the Freewill Baptists, those then being the predominating sects in the compact part of the village.

James, son of James Hersey, of Newmarket, reared a family of ten children. Two of them, Jonathan, born in 1846, and Jemima, born in 1850, settled in Wolfeborough. Jemima married John Piper. The other children settled in Sanbornton. Jonathan Hersey, in 17/1, received of Daniel Pierce, of Portsmouth, a deed of one hundred and forty acres of land, a portion of the "Great Lot." Mr. Hersey is spoken of elsewhere in this volume. He had nine children.

!82 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

James, a son of Jonathan, had one son, George W., who spent his life in this town. He was born January i, 1805, an^ m early life was much intereste.l in military matters. Passing- through the lower grades, he finally became brigadier-general of the N. H. militia and was for many years known by that title. He farmed somewhat extensively and owned the large limber tract known as Hersey's woods. He served twice as selectman. He married November 19, 1829, Mary E. Wiggin, who still survives him. Their children were : James Albert, born November 22, 1830, died young; Charles H., born December 23, 1832; Albert James, born March 3, 1835 ; Dana Samuel, born November 14, 1837; Ann Eliza, born January n, 1840; Emily Caroline, born January 20, 1843: Sarah Elizabeth, born March 24, 1846; Abby Helen, born March 19, 1850.

Charles H., son of George W., graduated at Dartmouth College and was for a short time preceptor of the Wolfeborougjijind Tuf- tonborough Academy. The greater part of his life has been spent in business, however, in Boston and Wolfeborough. He has served on the school board and in various minor official capacities. He married July 20, 1865, Olivia Mason. He has one daughter, Nellie O., born May 8, 1866, who married Dr. Edwin H. Ross, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and has two children.

John B., son of Jonathan, occupied the farm on which for many years lived his son, James P. He married Ruth Nudd, March 14, 1813. He died August 21, 1853. His children were: Mary, born December i, 1814; John, born March 14, 1816; William H., born September 10. 1818; James P., born November 6, 1822; Erastus, born November 6, 1824; Hannah N., born January 28, 1828; Samuel N., born June n, 1831.

James P. married Clarissa J. Willey and had one son, Eddy E., born July 1 1, 1854, who has since the death of his father man- aged the home farm.

Samuel N. has been a merchant and manufacturer of clothing. He married, May 9, 1857, Susan E. Copp, by whom he had one

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. ^3

son, Oma, who died young. He married, June 6, 1877, Catherine M. Leighton, of Portsmouth. The children are : Parry T., born January 16, 1880, married Edna E. Sanborn, and has one child, Louise Elizabeth; Ralph S., born July 17, 1882.

Elijah Hersey, son of Jonathan, settled on the farm on Pine Hill now occupied by Henry G. Home. He married Hannah Tibbetts. Children: Druzilla, born 1811; Mary A., born 1813; Levi T., born 1816; Asa D., born 1818; Ezra B., born 1820; Julia A., born 1822.

Jonathan Hersey, son of Jonathan, settled on the farm now occupied by the family of his son, William P. Children : William P., born February 7, 1826; Woodbury L., born March 9, 1829; Winthrop D., born February 4, 1830 ; Hannah, born March 27, 1834, married B. F. Mason. Two sons named Charles died young.

William P. Hersey was a farmer ; settled on the old homestead ; married Lucinda Avery ; died January 18, 1887. Children : Charles F., born August 23, 1859 ; Anna J., born October 30, 1863, married Charles Basset ; Virgil P., born January 27, 1871.

Woodbury L. Hersey was a laborer. He married Louise Nute, by whom he had one son, George F., born April 7, 1864. Wood- bury died May 29, 1875.

Winthrop D. Hersey is a carpenter. He married Georgiana Guptil. Children : M. Annie, born April 19, 1857, married George R. Wilson, of Oxford. Me.; Charles D., born January 15. 1859, married Nellie Frances, has one daughter, Annie ; Frank E., born May, 1861, married Marie C. Chamberlain ; Fred E.,born Septem- ber 23, 1862, married Anna M. McDonald, who died in 1899, leaving a daughter, Elta.

John Martin came to Wolfeborough as an agent of the Cabots in 1780. Isaac Martin, his son, then six years old, accompanied him. When he was twenty-one years old, Isaac began felling trees on the Banfield farm, but finding the growth very heavy, he gave up the attempt to clear land there and took up a portion of

!g4 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the Governor Wentworth farm. Here he lived until his death at the age of eighty-nine years. This farm, on what has long been known as Martin's Hill, is now owned by Stephen W. Clow, Esq. Isaac Martin's children were: Daniel, born November 26, 1802; George, died young : Betsy, died young ; Maria, married Daniel Chamberlain, of Boston : Betsy, married Henry Emery, of Lowell.

Daniel Martin was a farmer. He did much surveying and administrative business, served as selectman six times and repre- sentative twice. He died June 7, 1874. His children were: George B., who spent most of his life in Boston and New York; Almira A., died young: Leander, died young; Edgar, died young; James H., born August 17, 1841 : Elizabeth F., married Edwin C. Newell ; Lois, born January 6, 1846, married John Eaton.

James H. Martin married Man-, the daughter of Samuel Huggins, and for a time lived on the home farm. He afterwards carried on the Huggins farm, and in 1887 moved to a handsome residence which he had erected in Wolfeborough village, where he has since resided. Like his father, he has done considerable sur- veying and has had the administration of many estates. He has served five terms as selectman and once as representative, also as member of the school board, as precinct fireward, and has held many minor offices. Mr. Martin has, during a useful life in his native town, won an enviable reputation for ability and honesty in the many public positions to which he has been called, and has liberally supported all movements for the public welfare.

CHAPTER XV.

EBENEZER HORNE AND HIS SUCCESS AS A ROAD-BUILDER — SOME- THING OF HIS FAMILY — WHY "GOOSE CORNER" WAS SO- CALLED — ROADS BUILT IN ALL DIRECTIONS — HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE OSSIPEE ROAD — OTHER IMPORTANT ROADS LAID OUT SINCE 1800 — THE VILLAGE STREETS.

THE tract of land situated north of Smith's River and extend- ing to the John Fullerton farm, bounded on one side by the Miles Road and on the other by the lake, contained about fifteen hundred acres exclusive of Wolfeborough Neck. It included most of the Rogers farm, the farms of the seven settlers, and four or five hundred acres of land lying between the Widow Fullerton's lot and that of her son John. This land was in the pos- session of John Flagg, who, in 1777, exchanged it with Ebenezer Home, of Dover for real estate in that town. Mr. Home removed to Wolfeborough with several well grown sons. The highway leading to Tuftonborough was on the border of his land, and as he wished to utilize this in furnishing sites for homes for himself and sons, it would be for the advantage of the family to have a change in the direction of the road. The route of the Miles Road as it then ran was preferable for easy travel to the present high- way, but Mr. Home, who was a man of means and energy, had the address to bring about the desired change.

It will probably be remembered that the Miles Road was opened before the town had a single inhabitant at the expense of the town proprietors, and perhaps its width was not definitely described. It began at the cove in Lake Winnipesaukee and at the head line of Col. Rust's lot, and followed the same general course as does the present Main Road as far as the residence of Jonas W. Piper, thence forward in the same general direction to the dwelling of Alfred Brown, and from there in a quite direct line to the John

185

jg6 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Fullerton lot, which bordered on Tuftonborough. In 1779 the town instructed the highway surveyors, John Sinkler and Joseph Lary to lay out such a road, as is shown by their report, here sub- joined.

"We, the subscribers, surveyors of the highways for the south side of the town of Wolfborough, have this day laid out and spotted a road four rods wide from Wolfborough line adjoining the Gore thro' the land belonging to Doct. Ammi Ruhamah Cut- ter, Col. Henry Rust, and Captain Thomas Lucas to the main road leading thro' the land belonging to James Conner, being the road now used as the main road for the south side of the town, and continuing the same course said road now runs until it comes to the land belonging to Ebenezer Meder and Robert Estes, where it then turns from its present course at the corner of the line be- tween said Meder and Estes, and runs thro' said Estes' land on the south side of his dwelling house to land belonging to Ben- jamin Blake, and running nearly upon a straight line thro' said Blake's land to the Widow Mary Fullerton's lot, and continuing nearly a straight course thro' said Fullerton's land on the east side of the buildings thereon to the land belonging to Lieut. Ebenezer Home, and continuing a straight course, being nearly a northwest point, to a brook running through said land commonly known by the name of Meserve Brook, then crossing said brook and running nearly a northerly point to the road now used as the main road thro' said town near the dwelling house belonging to John Fullerton, and continuing the same course with said road to Tuftonborough line. —

The above road being laid out by us, the subscribers, in con- sequence of a vote of the town for that purpose, to be an estab- lished road thro' the south side of said town.

Given under our hands at Wolfborough, the ninth day of Sep- tember, 1779.

John Sinkler ) Surveyors of Joseph Lary ) the highways."

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. ^7

It will be observed that the Main Road as here laid out ex- tended about one mile farther south than did the original Miles Road, and reached New Durham line where Wolfeborough and the Gore (Alton) then adjoined that town; from thence it passed through land belonging to Cutter, Rust, and Lucas to that in the possession of James Connor.

The land represented as belonging to Cutter was the balance of the Bryant reserve lot of ten hundred and fifty acres after the Rust lot of six hundred had been taken from it. It comprised four hundred and fifty acres, and was situated in the southwest part of the town. April 12, 1769, the town proprietors voted to sell the land for one shilling an acre, the purchaser to settle a family as a proprietor. A. R. Cutter, Geo. Meserve, and John Parker were appointed a committee to give a conveyance of it. They evidently did not dispose of it, and it was subsequently divided into fifty- acre-lots, and Dr. Cutter was authorized to sell it. It is not known that as an individual he had a title to any part of it. The road was also laid out through land of Thomas Lucas. This must have been a portion of lot fourteen (Treadwell's), situated be- tween the Rust lot and what has since been known as the Ban- field farm, as James Connor's land, which amounted to nearly three hundred acres, is supposed to have included that location.

It is probable that when Ebenezer Home first came to Wolfe- borough no one of his sons had reached his majority, although Isaiah was evidently nearly twenty-one. Perhaps no effort was then made to determine the precise number of acres that his lot contained, as its boundaries were well defined. With the liberal allowance in measurement permitted at that time there would not be less than five hundred acres. This he divided equally or nearly so among the members of the family who made their homes in Wolfeborough, taking a double portion for himself and Isaiah, whose property interests appear to have been combined. How much improved land any one of the family possessed in 1794 is not known, but of wild (unimproved) land they in that year re-

!88 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

spectively held as follows : Isaiah, one hundred and seventy-six acres ; Stephen, eighty : Benjamin, eighty-three ; John, eighty ; and Ebenezer, seventy-five. The farms were thus located : Isaiah and his father's was situated where now resides Mrs. Ellen Home ; Stephen's, where now dwells his grandson, Oscar ; Benjamin had the one now occupied by John Henry Home ; John, that near the lake-shore. It is not clear where Ebenezer's lot was situated. It is known that Copp s tavern was built on land that he once owned.

The advent of the Home family was promotive of the interests of the town. Mr. Home, though uneducated, possessed sound judgment and business tact that qualified him for responsible po- sitions. He \vas in a better financial condition than most of the ^ inhabitants, and this increased his ability to be helpful. He was one of the committee for supplying beef for the army in 1781, and was able to furnish a large yoke of oxen for the town on credit. His stock at the time consisted of one horse, four oxen, five cows, and six young cattle. Though himself unlearned, he sought to impress on his children the importance of acquiring knowledge, and their attainments were quite creditable.

Isaiah was the most ambitious of the sons. He, in 1782, taught the second term of school kept in town. It continued three months, and he received in wages, including his board, thirty-three dollars. By private contributions from him and two other young men with the money raised by taxation, Dudlev___Leayitt, the "almanac maker," was induced to keep a term of school in Wolfe- borough, giving instruction in some of the higher branches of knowledge. By legislative enactment he had the H dropped from his family name, assigning as a reason a desire to have the ; ortheopy and orthography agree. His descendants have univer- sally written it Orne.

He married Mary, the third daughter of Col. Henry Rust, by whom he had these children :

Isaiah Green, born July 31, 1783, married Sarah Raynard ; Henry Harvey, born Feb. 21, 1786, married Caroline Chapin ;

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

189

Mary Ann, born Jan. 31, 1789, died Oct. 16, 1808; Hariet Silver, born Aug. 31, 1791, married John Home, Jr.; Charles Balker, born May 16, 1794, married Elisabeth Lane; Frederick B. T., born Feb. 24, 1796; died Apr. 17, 1822; Woodbury L., born May 7, 1798, died July 31, 1823; Mary Anne, born Nov. 17, 1808, married Stephen Home. To his children he gave unusual op- portunities for obtaining an education, which they faithfully im- proved. His eldest son, Isaiah Green, married Margaret, the daughter of Daniel Raynard, who was the last proprietor of the Governor Wentworth farm. They lived to be aged, and spent the latter part of their lives in Middleton, N. H. Two of his sons probably had a collegiate training, Henry Harvey and Woodbury L. The former practiced law at Meredith Bridge, now Laconia. The latter was the first preceptor of Sanbornton Academy, and had associated with him his brother, Frederick B. T., as teacher, and Miss Caroline Chapin, of Cambridge, Mass., as preceptress. Frederick died in 1822, aged twenty-six years, and Woodbury, in 1823, aged twenty-five years. Miss Chapin, who had been the fiancee of Woodbury, married his brother, Henry Harvey, who, becoming dissatisfied with the practice of law, retired to his estate in Wolfeborough, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was honorable and intelligent, though quite eccentric, and not fancying all the methods adopted by members of the legal pro- fession, chose the quiet of his rural home to the noisy bickerings of the court-room. Mrs. Orne possessed considerable literary talent, and wrote many magazine^articles. They had no children, and led a very secluded life.

Isaiah Orne occupied many important positions and did much public business. His brother, Stephen W. Home, although very capable, was disinclined to hold public trusts, and often refused to accept offices to which he had been elected. He had five chil- dren ; Ebenezer, the same number ; Benjamin, at least a dozen. John, who married Jane, the fourth daughter of Col. Henry Rust, had fifteen. Thev were :

I90 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Nancy, born Aug. 13, 1787, married Thomas Chamberlin, of Brookfield; John, born Feb. 20, 1789, married Hariet Silver Home; Thomas, born March 24, 1790, died March 24, 1794; Betsy, born Dec. n, 1791, died January 8, 1792; Betsy Adams, born Feb. 4, 1793, married William Chamberlain; Polly, born July 1 8, 1794, married Aaron Wiggin ; Rhoda, born September 22, 1796, married Stephen Piper; Jane Rust, born Apr. 26, 1797, died Apr. 10, 1830; Hannah, born July 13, 1799, married Enoch Thomas; Richard, born Oct. 16, 1800, married Lydia Eaton; Lydia, born June 22. 1802, died May 17, 1826; Frances, born Sept. 9, 1803; Sally, born March 20, 1805, married George Wen- dell; William Rust, born June 20, 1807, married Mary I. Baily; Isaiah Waldron, born Feb. 15, 1809, married Mrs. Mary J. Home.

Ebenezer Home, the patriarch of the family, was an unusually vigorous person. He married at the age of eighty years, and at ninety-five could walk several miles with comparative ease. He lacked only six months of being a century old at the time of his death.

The change in the Miles Road brought it sixteen rods farther south at the corner, and here was eventually built up a little ham- let, where besides dwellings and the usual out-buildings, was a tavern with a Masonic hall, a store, a small hat manufactury, a shoe-shop, and a blacksmith's shop. The inn, kept by the usually suave Col. David Copp, was quite a resort for the "neckers" and "readers" from Tuftonborough and residents of the Bridge village below.

At that period nearly every farming household had a flock of geese. They were the special care of the wife and her principal source of revenue. The broad margin of the main road afforded good opportunities for foraging, but there was a lack of water. The geese were accustomed to visit the Meserve Brook, which crossed the highway about a half-mile to the west, to perform their ablutions, and when returning to their feeding-ground, would fre- quently make a halt near the Colonel's premises. Their noisy

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH.

191

gabble was quite annoying to him, and one sultry day, when a considerable number had passed through the broad open way into the cool cellar, he closed the doors and imprisoned them, refusing to release them to the owners without a ransom fee. The offended dames vented their indignation by applying to the location an ap- pellation which they regarded as reproachful, but which custom adopted and kept in use for many decades. This is the traditionary story of the origin of the name, Goose Corner. The term was, however, complimentary rather than otherwise, as it indicated the existence in the neighborhood of a small but profitable industry. The goose at that time was the only fowl that was bred with profit. The domestic hen poorly sheltered and meagerly fed, in the cold season produced little. In the summer some eggs and a few chickens were furnished for the farmers' table, but little effort was made to obtain them for marketing. The turkey, which in after times was very highly prized as a farm product, could not then be profitably reared on account of its rambling propensities, which rendered it an easy prey to furred marauders.

The goose, however, securing a large portion of its food by its own industry, netted as much comparative profit as any domestic animal. With the proceeds of the flock the wife obtained for her- self and daughters many of the extras for their wardrobe, and probably among the descendants of the old families can still be found cherished heirlooms, a pillow of down or a string of gold beads. Sometimes when the inexorable rate-gatherer made his annual call, the husband shared in the distribution. While throughout Christendom the goose remains the most highly prized festal bird and an indispensable requisite of the Christmas dinner, it merits no sneering allusion.

The Cqpj) Tavern is now the property of William B. Randall, who has made important changes in its structure. It is now oc- cupied as a summer boarding-house, and the locality is kno\vn as Kendall's Corner. The stir of former years may never come to this neighborhood, but it affords for residents of greater activities

192

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

pleasant and healthful retreats in the summer season. The love of literature which characterized former generations still con- tinues, and some of the present dwellers can wield a facile pen. The erection of Starlight Hall evinced the tastes of the inhabi- tants.

About this time a few roads necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants and the development of the town were opened.

Here follows a description of them : —

"Oct. 9, 1779. This day spotted a road two rods wide from the Mills thro1 lots seventeen and eighteen, running nearly a straight course to the road called the College Road leading to the northerly part of Said Town, Said Road being laid out agreeably to a vote of the town.

Given under our hands the day and year above written.

Henry Rust -\

Ebenezer Meder > Selectmen"

Matthew S. Parker )

The road began at the northerly end of the sawmill, and ran between Joseph P. Heath's store and William B. Hodge's dwelling-house, and so on south of the town meeting-house lot along the shore of Lake Wentworth past V. B. Willey's mill to the residence of Harry Smith.

"Nov. 25, 1779. This day laid out a road three rods wide from the Main Road leading through said town between land owned by James Lucas 3rd and the land owned by the mill proprietors taking two rods out of the last mentioned land and one out of Lucas' until it reaches the heath lying and being in the Mill prop- erty then crossing said heath nearly in a straight line and con- tinuing to the Mills Said road laid out in pursuance of a vote of the town.

Ebenezer Meder )

> selectmen Matthew S. Parker >

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

193

This road ran until it reached the Brick Schoolhouse Hill, over which it passed near the Thompson house, and beyond where the road-bed is stiil well defined to Smith's River at the foot of the sawmill. Subsequently the road was changed somewhat, passing above the dam and crossing the river where now the Wolfe- borough railroad crosses, and running south of Heath's store.

Later the road was again altered, leaving its former course near the foot of the Brick Schoolhouse Hill, taking its present course south of the mill-pond. The bridging of the morass was quite an undertaking on account of the impoverished condition of the in- habitants and the pressing demands of the war, but it was at last accomplished, being in part done by voluntary labor instead of in- creased taxation, the parties working being reimbursed the follow- ing year by abatements of taxes. The corduroy was constructed of very heavy timber. Nearly a century elapsed before it was all unearthed. Notwithstanding the inhabitants of Wolfeborough had constructed highways within the limits of the town for their accommodation, there had not as yet been any road opened south of it. Some time during this year (1780) the legislature of New Hampshire had authorized Matthew S. Parker and an associate to appoint in unincorporated places selectmen to assess taxes. The same year the legislature, on petition of Jonathan Moulton, proprietor of Moultonborough, passed an act authorizing the ap- pointed selectmen of New__Durham Gore (now Alton) to lay out and open a road from Merry Meeting Bay to Wolfeborough, and also one from the same place to Gilmanton, and assess the in- habitants of the Gore for the cost of constructing the same. The selectmen neglected to act in the matter, and July 4, 1781, the legislature passed an act appointing Matthew S. Parker, Esq., of Wolfeborough, Col. Bradbury Richardson, of Moultonborough, and Daniel Bedee, Esq., of Sandwich, a committee lay out and make passable such roads, and the said committee, in case it be- came necessary, were authorized to levy and collect taxes of the inhabitants of the Gore for the construction of the same.

194

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

It is quite probable the building of these roads was not much longer delayed, and that Wolfeborough had thereafter a rough public highway to Alton__Bay, from thence to Rochester by the road built in 1722, and to Gilmanton by the new one opened. Be- yond that town roads extended to Concord. A person who is familiar with "the lay of the land" from Wolfeborough to Gilman- ton will not be surprised at the reluctance of the inhabitants of the Gore to opening a road more than fifteen miles in length over such a surface. The public demand for such a highway, however, rendered the sacrifice imperative.

The history of these old-time roads is for many reasons most interesting. Ossipee road, because of its importance as a thor- oughfare, not only to Wolfeborough, but to the county and even beyond, is, however, entitled to considerable attention.

The road leading from Ossipee Corner to Wolfeborough Center was laid out Xov. 9, 1866, by the joint action of the selectmen of the town of \\ olfeborough and Ossipee on the petition of the following persons ; viz., John L. Peavey, John M. Brackett, Moses Varney, George W. Sawyer, Augustus J. Varney, Isaiah Wiggin, Thomas Rust, Alvah Bickford, John K. Steele, Charles F. Parker, John T. Furber, George Y. Furbur, Joseph L.. Xudd, James J. Randall, Eleazer D. Barker, Alpheus Swett, Alvah S. Libbey, John R. Swett, George Keniston, Levi T. Haley, J. W. Goodwin, Charles H. Jenness, Richard R. Davis, Charles E. Stackpole, Charles H. Hersey, Lorenzo Home, Thomas Britton, John L. Wiggin. Alex. H. Durgin, George F. Home, E. W. Ricker, George F. Jenness, Sylvester F. Twombly, Charles P. Rendall, William B. Rendall, Henry Lucas, James Bresnehan, George H. Wiggin, Joseph Yarney, ^Daniel Home, John B. Waklron, of Wolfeborough, Joseph Q. Roles, Sanborn B. Carter, Isaac Thurs- ton, John C. Bickford, Loammi Hardy, George W. Tibbetts, Rufus F. Stillings, William H. Dame, Luther Young, John Clark, of Ossipee.

The bcariners and distances were as follows : —

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

195

Commencing at the intersection of the two roads leading from Ossipee Corner to Water Village near the dwelling of Loammi Hardy and running over the Pitman road (so called) fifty-seven rods, thence south nine degrees west one rod from the center of the road to land of Elisha P. Allen, thence same course five rods over land of said Allen to land of Joshua Brooks, thence same course twenty rods over land of said Brooks to a stake, thence south sixteen degrees west forty rods over land of said Brooks to a stake, thence south twenty-five degrees west thirty-six rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Brooks to a maple tree, thence south thirty-nine degrees west four rods over land of said Brooks to land of the heirs of Asa Pitman, thence south thirty-seven and one-half degrees west twenty-eight rods over land of said heirs to a stake, thence south forty-two degrees west forty rods over land of said heirs to a stake, thence south forty-six degrees west thirty rods over land of said heirs to land of Luther Young, thence same course four rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Young to a stake, thence south fifty degrees west twenty-two' rods twenty links over land of said Young to land of said heirs of Asa Pitman, thence same course fifty-four rods over land of said heirs to a stake, thence south sixty- four degrees west twenty-six rods over land of said heirs to a stake, thence south sixty-six degrees west forty-two rods twelve and one-half links over land of said heirs to land of Loammi Hardy, thence same course twenty-two rods over land of said Hardy to Wolfeborough town line and land of John Tebbetts, Jr., thence south fifty degrees west twelve rods over land of said Tebbetts to a stake, thence south thirty- six and one-half degrees west eight rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Tebbetts to a birch tree, thence south thirty nine degrees west eight rods over land of said Tebbetts to a birch tree, thence south fifty-four and one-half degrees west twelve rods over land of said Teb- betts to a stake, thence south forty-one degrees west thirteen rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Tebbetts to a stake, thence south fifty-three and one-half degrees west seventeen rods ten links over land of said Tebbetts to a stake, thence south thirty-six and one-half degrees west eleven rods over land of said Tebbetts to land of Mrs. Clarissa Merrill, thence south forty degrees west nine rods over land of said Mrs. Merrill to land of Thomas Nute and A. J. Drew, thence same course seven rods over land of said Nute and Drew to a stake, thence south twenty-nine and one-half degrees west fifteen rods eight links to land of W. P. Home, thence south twenty-one degrees west twelve rods over land of said W. P. Hcrne to a stake, thence south sixteen and one-half degrees west eight rods twelve and one-half links over land of W. P. Home to a stake, thence south forty-eight and one-half degrees west fifteen rods twelve and one-half links over land of said W. P. Home to land of said Nute and Drew, thence south thirty-four degrees west

196

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

nine rods over land of said Nute and Drew to land of Mrs. Sarah Nute, thence south thirty-seven degrees west seventeen rods twelve and one- half links over land of said Nute to a white birch tree, thence south twenty-six and one-half degrees west ten rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Nute to a stake, thence south forty and one-half de- grees west ten rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Mrs. Nute to a stake, thence south fifty-one degrees west fourteen rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Nute to a stake, thence south eighty- three degrees west nineteen rods over land of said Nute to a stake, thence north eighty-six degrees west seven rods nine links over land of said Nute to land of said W. P. Home, thence same course forty-one rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Home to the south end of a stone wall in the field, thence north eighty-four degrees west thirty rods over land of said Home to the road leading by the dwelling house of said Home, thence same course west three rods over said road to land of John E. Abbott, thence south seventy-four degrees west twenty rods over land of said Abbott to a stake, thence south eighty- five and one-half degrees west twenty-four rods over land of said Abbott to a maple tree, thence north seventy-seven degrees west seven rods over land of said Abbott to the road leading from Wolfeborough by Water Village to Tuftonborough, thence same course four rods twelve and one-half links across said road to land of Andrew B. Tebbetts, thence south eighty-four and one-half degrees west eighty-one rods over land of said Tebbetts to a stake, thence south sixty-five and one-half degrees west seventeen rods over land of said Tebbetts to land of Joseph R. Haines, thence same course twenty rods over land of said Haines to land of James Young, thence same course ten rodg seventeen links over land of said Young to a stake, thence south sixty-three and three-fourths degrees west forty-four rods over land of said Young to a stake, thence south fifty-one and one-half degrees west twenty-seven rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Young to land of James Bickford, thence south thirty-one degrees west twenty-six rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Bickford to a stake, thence south thirteen de- grees west fourteen rods over land of said Bickford, to land of William T. Dorr, thence same course forty-seven rods over land of said Dorr to a stake, thence south seventeen and one-half degrees west forty-two rods over land of said Dorr to a stake, thence south one and one-half degrees east forty-five rods over land of said Dorr to land of John K. Pike and Albert Bennett, thence south fifteen degrees east thirty-six rods nine links over land of said Pike and Bennett to a stake, thence south nine degrees east nineteen rods over land of said Pike and Bennett to a stake, thence south fifteen and one-half degrees east twenty rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Pike and Bennett to land of Isaac Wil- ley, thence same course nineteen rods seven links over land of said Wil-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 197

ley to a stake, thence south seven degrees east twenty-eight rods ten links over land of said Willey to land of Levi Philbrick, thence south seven degrees west twelve rods sixteen links over land of said Philbrick to land of Joseph R. Haines, thence same course ten rods twenty links over land of said Haines to a stake, thence south four degrees east six rods six links over land of said Haines ta a stake, thence same course three rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Haines to a birch tree, thence south nine degrees west three rods seventeen links over land of said Haines to a small spruce tree, thence south forty-two degrees west nine rods six links over land of said Haines to a hemlock tree, thence south, thirty-four degrees west eight rods four links over land of said Haines to a stake, thence south sixteen and one-half degrees east nine rods twenty links over land of said Haines to a hemlock stump, thence south seven degrees east seven rods twelve and one-half links to a spruce tree, thence south forty-six degrees east six rods four links over land of said Haines to land of said Albert Bennett, thence same course one rod and nine links over land of said Bennett to a maple tree, thence south thirty degrees east seven rods twenty links over land of said Ben- nett to a cherry tree, thence south ten degrees east eleven, rods twelve and one-half links over land of said Bennett to a maple tree, thence south one degree east eight rods over land of said Bennett to a stake, thence south seventeen and three-fourths degrees west sixty rods over land of said Bennett to the mill road, thence south nine degrees west one rod twelve and one-half links across the mill road to land of Isaac Willey, thence same course seventy-six rods over land of said Willey to land of John J. Chamberlain, thence same course seventeen rods over land of said Chamberlain to the road leading by the town house in said Wolfeborough and at a point in the road thirteen rods northeasterly of the dwelling-house of Sally Nute, thence! over the road from said Sally Nute's dwelling-house leading from Dimon's Corner in Wolfeborough to Wolfeborough Bridge in said Wolfeborough five hundred and fifty-one and one-half rods to a hub in said road opposite the town house in said Wolfeborough.

The line above described is to be the middle of the highway, and the highway is to be four rods wide with the exception of fifty- seven rods on the Pitman road in said Ossipee above referred to and five hundred sixty-four and one-half rods on the road leading from Dimon's Corner in Wolfeborough to Wolfeborough Bridge in said Wolfeborough as above described, and which two said pieces of road are to be as they now are.

I0£ HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Following is the award of land damages : —

"We, the selectmen of Ossipee and Wolfeborough, acting joint- ly do award to the owners of land taken for said highway on said route the following sums to be paid by said towns respectively :

Elisha Allen of Ossipee $50.00

Joshua Brooks of Ossipee 427.12

Luther Young of Ossipee 27.00

Ann Pitman of Ossipee 385.75

Loanimi Hardy of Ossipee 22.00

John Tebbetts of Wolfeborough 69.50

Clarissa Merrill of Wolfeborough 21.50

Thomas Nute and Andrew Drew of Wolfeborough 35-22

Sarah M. Xute of Wolfeborcugh §9-36

Woodbury P. Home and A. A. Home of Wolfeborough. 252.12

John E. Abbott of Wolfeborough 147.00

Andrew' B. and John Tebbetts of Wolfeborough 229.50

Joseph R. Haines of Wolfeborough 1 16.37

James and Charles W. Young of Wolfeborough 184.96

James Bickford of Wolfeborough 70.00

William T. and Nancy H. Dorr of Wolfeborough 368.50

John K. Pike and Albert Bennett of Wolfeborough. . . . 75-OO

Isaac Willey of Wolfeborough 222.46

Levi Philbrick of Wolfeborough 28.45

Albert Bennett of Wolfeborough 198.45

John J. Chamberlain of Wolfeborough 40.37

Land damages $2,030.26

The distance of road laid out in Ossipee, including the Pitman road fifty-seven rods, is four hundred and thirty-two rods. The distance in Wolfeborough from the town line to Water Milage road is three hundred and seventy-four rods, and from that point to the intersection of the road leading from Wolfeborough to North Wolfeborough seven hundred and sixty-four rods. The

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. igy

distance from the site of the former town meeting-house in Wolfe- borough to the present meeting-house at Ossipee Corner is almost precisely seven miles, while the newly constructed road connecting the two towns wants only eighty-seven rods of being five miles.

The principal road laid out since 1800 are as follows : —

Mill road, 3 rods, 1863. Endicott Street, 25 feet, 1865, and in 1867 widened to 30 feet. Road near I. W. Cotton's, 2 rods ,1866. Road from North Wolfeborough burying-ground to Avery's, 3 rods, 1869. Branch Dimon's Corner road, 4 rods, 1871. Road from Mill Street to old Bassett place, 1876. Glendon Street, 21-2 rods, 1877. Road from Stockbridge Corner to Water Village and Tuftonborough, 3 rods, 1841. Neck road, 2 rods, 1836. Road connecting Main and Pine Hill roads, over portions of Mill and Bay Streets, 21-2 rods, 1860. Shepherd road widened to two rods in 1836. Road from watering-trough in Wolfeborough Falls widened to three rods in 1836. Road from Libbey's to Stock- bridge Corner straightened and widened to three rods in 1831. Road from John Home's to John Horne, Jr.'s, 1831. Cross road between South Wrolfeborough and Pleasant Valley roads, 3 rods, 1831. Road known as Whitton road, connecting the Farm and Pequaket roads, 2 rods, 1831. Farm road laid out in 1806. Sawyer road, 1825. David Chamberlain road, 1825. Green Street, 37 1-2 feet, 1873. Road from Bay Street to Davis house, 2 rods, 1876. Mirror Lake road, 3 rods, 1873. Lake Street, 2 rods, 1853. Sewall Street, 2 1-2 rods, 1898. Oak Street, 2 rods, 1881. Rail- road Avenue. 30 feet, 1887. Libbey Street, 23-25 feet, 1893. Union Street, 30-37 feet, 1891. Pine Street, 2 1-2 rods, 1888. School Street, 2 rods, 1884. Pleasant Street, 2 1-2 rods, 1881. Factory Street, 3 rods, 1883. Willow Street, 3 rods, 1863. River Street, — rods. Forest Street, Neck road, 2 rods, 1820. Silver Street, 1844. Beatrice Street, 40 feet, 1891. Mill Street, 2 1-2 rods, 1860. Sewall Street extension now building.

CHAPTER XVI.

MIDDLETON — NICHOLAS AUSTIN BECOMES BUMPTIOUS — PETITION FOR NEW TOWN — REMONSTRANCE — SECOND PETITION — SECOND REMONSTRANCE — PARKER'S BILL — ROAD TO MID- DLET®N — INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE ON THE MATTER — PETITION FROM CITIZENS OF OSSIPEE — BRISTOL — WOLFE- BOROUGH ADDITION — ACTION OF SELECTMEN ON PETITION — ALTON AND TUFTONBOROUGH ANNEXATIONS.

THE town of Middleton consisted of two parts, the southern and more important called the "First Division, "and the northern, which adjoined Wolfeborough, the "Second Division." Separat- ing these, was a range of high hills, impassable by ordinary means, so that the inhabitants of the latter division were compelled to travel through other towns to reach the more important part of their own. This inconvenience and the intimate neighborhood relations existing between the inhabitants of eastern Wolfe- borough and the "Second Division" of Middleton led to the en- deavor to unite the two sections in one town.

The leader of the movement was Nicholas Austin, whose resi- dence, since known as the Hodge house, was at the terminus of the early road that led to the Governor Wentworth Farm. Austin was a capable man, but had a somewhat unsavory reputation on account of clandestinely procuring workmen to assist in building barracks for General Gage's soldiers in 1775 : for this the patriots constrained him to make the amende honorable. He was very ambitious, and evidently desired to secure the organization of a municipality over which he should have a controlling influence.

Here follows the petition for the new town : —

"To the Honorable the Council and House of Representatives sitting at Exeter —

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 2OI

The Petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the Towns of Wolfborough and Middleton Humbly Shews —

That, your petitioners from Wolf borough are put to great In- conveniencies in transacting Town Business by reason of a very large pond which lays between them and the place of holding their Meetings —

That, your petitioners from Middleton (Inhabitants of the Sec- ond Division) are subjected to as great Inconveniences by reason of the great Distance they live from the place of holding their Meetings and the Badness of the Roads which for a great part of the Year are almost impassable —

TJial, the Eastermost part of said Wolf borough and the Sec- ond Division of said Middleton are well calculated for a Town- ship— Your petitioners therefore pray that the said two Tracts of Land may be annexed and erected into a Distinct and seperate Town by such Metes & Bounds as your Honors shall order — and as in Duty bound your petitioners will pray &c

Nicholas austin Peter Stellings John Palmer

Benjamin Clay moses Perkins Wolf borough

Josiah Robinson wellaim Wile Robert Calder

Stephen Lyford Ezekiel Sanborn William Cotton

Jonathan Clay Josiah Wiggin Joseph Leavitt

Bartholomew Richards Samuel Tibbetts James Sheafe

Jedidiah Drew Joseph Wille Jonathan Lang

David Durgin Isaac Drew John Costelloe"

Daniel Croxford John Fornel

Ebzer Bennett Simon Dearborn

The same month the following remonstrating petition was pre- sented to the legislature : —

"The petition of the Inhabitants of the south west part of the Town of Wolf borough —

Humbly Sheweth —

That your petitioners were unexpectedly Notified of a petition

202 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH.

being preferred to this Honorable Court in the Course of their Last Session at Concord, by a small number of the Inhabitants of said Wolfboro' living on the Northeasterly side of said Town (in Conjunction with the Inhabitants of the second Division of Middletown containing about thirty Families) for the purpose of Dividing said Towns, in Order to Erect a New Township — the prayer whereof your petitioners humbly conceive (as well as the Inhabitants of the first division of said Middletown) to be ex- ceeding unreasonable for the Reasons following — (viz) First, Be- cause the whole Number of Families now living in said Wolf- boro', does not Exceed Forty five, & those in Middletown about twice that Number, so that to divide two such small Number of Inhabitants to make three Towns would be very injurious & ex- pensive to said Inhabitants as well as, the Community at large, as they cannot be Benefited at present by being annexed to any other Town —

That the whole Town of Wolfborough together, are poorly able to support proper Town Government & Order, & by Reason of their low Circumstances & the difficulty of the late Times have never been able to settle a Minister of the Gospel, or even to hire Necessary schooling for their Children, and now to cut off a quar- ter or one-third of said Inhabitants would entirely disenable & even Obliterate all prospect of enjoying such a Blessing for a long time to Come, as there are not any near settlements in the Towns adjoining to be united to us, and but little prospects of there being any at present as the Lands are held by the Pro- prietors in large Bodies & not to be obtain'd without a large price being given therefor —

Secondly — That though the Inhabitants may not exceed the Number above mentioned, who have petitioned for the separation, Yet that part of the Land they would be glad to have set off is above one half in Value as to the quality, of the whole Town, the Middle part being exceeding poor and very little thereof suit- able for settlements —

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

203

Thirdly — That your petitioners mostly live on one direct Road thro' the southwest part of said Town adjoining to Winnepiseokee Lake & the land on said Road for one Miles Distance from said Lake being wholly taken up (which contains in a manner all the land upon that Quarter suitable for settlements) they cannot be Benefited by any more or at least but very few settlers there, and few Inhabitants living in the Towns adjoining under the Distance of Eight or Ten Miles & those very Scattering that the prospects of any Benefit from a Connection with them at Present is entirely Chimerical —

Lastly — That however practicable such a Division may be in some future Day when those Towns become Inhabited, that a Division would be exceeding injurious for the Reasons already Suggested which contain plain matters of fact, and indeed would totally compleat for a long space of Time the Ruin of two Towns to build up one, & which if effected would not accommodate so many persons as it would injure, & only serve to gratify the Am- bition of two or three Designing persons who would be glad perhaps (_in this Case) to advance themselves tho' at the same time their Neighbors should be injured, which would verily be the case, if their Prayer should be granted — As to their great Ob- jection they make of having so far to travel to the Annual Meeting of said Town they have never once ask'd or desired, to have the Meeting held over upon that quarter, which if they had, would have been readily granted, tho' then but very few of them would be Benifited thereby, as they live so Scattering —

There/ore your Petitioners humbly conceive, that the prayer of their Petition appears at present to be so unreasonable that your Honours will not so greatly injure the Majority of two Towns of your peaceable Subjects only to gratify the Ambition of a few Individuals by granting the prayer thereof but will of course dis- miss the same, & in so doing, as in Duty Bound your Petitioners will ever pray &c &c.

Wolf borough June 1785 —

204

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Benjamen Blake Jeremiah Gould John Home Benj : Evens Lemuel Clifford Henry Rust Matthew S. Parker Ebenezer Home Andrew Lucas James Lucas Jr James Connor

John Fullerton Ebenezer Meder Jonathan Harsey John Lucas Henry Rust Jun Richard Rust Jacob Smith James Fullerton Enoch Thomas Samuel Tibbets Jonathan Chase

John Lary Joseph Lary Thomas piper John Piper Ithiel Clifford Andrew Wiggin James Wiggin Benjamin Wiggin Stephen Home Isaiah Home Ebenezer Home Jr

In the House of Representatives, June 10, 1785, a committee, consisting of Ebenezer Smith, of Meredith, Daniel Beede, of Sand- wich, and Moses Baker, of Campton, was appointed to investigate and report at the next session. They reported as follows : —

"State of New Hampshire To the Honorable the House of Representatives

We the Subscribers Pursuant to our appointment having Repaired to Wolf borough & midleton & haveing fully Vewed Said towns find the Situation of Wolfsborough to be such as will not admit of a division without great inconveniances & hurt to said town. We have also Viewed the town of midleton & find the Situation thereof Such that there is no Passing from one end thereof unto the other with out goingoutof the Limits thereof to get round a mountain Which makes it exceemng dificult for the Inhabatance to meet together on any ocasion And the Inhabatance of Wolfsborough have fixed upon a Place to Sit their meeting house & hold their Public town Meetings as near the center of said Wolfsborough with two miles of the North- east end of Midleton if annexed thereto which Place is on the West- erly Side of Lot No. 4, and about thirty rods Northerly of Smiths Pond Which the Inhabatance of Wolf borough with the Agents of the Petisioners of the Northeasterly end of midleton have agreed to have established by the act of Incorporation if it Should be the Courts Pleasure to Pass an act to Incorporate any Part of midleton with Wolfsborough We therefore recommend it Conveniant for four ranges of Lots or more which contain about one mile each of the Northeast

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

205

end of midletown to b« annexed to Wolfsborough if Prayed for by Such Part of Midletown —

Wolf borough October 7th 1785

Ebenezer Smitn \ Daniel^Beede I Committee." Moses Baker

Subsequently Austin presented a second petition : —

"State of

New Hampshire

To the honorable Senate and house of Repre- sentatives in General Court convened at Con- cord third Wednesday of October 1785 —

Humbly shew the Inhabitants of the Second Division of Middle- town in the County of Strafford and State aforesaid, that they are situated at great distance from the place of holding- the public Meetings in said Town, prevented from going to the other part of the Town where most of the Inhabitants live, without travelling into another Town first, throvigh Roads almost impassable for great part of the Year. Your Petitioners being so circumstanced have been and must be deprived of the benifit of all Town Privi- ledges in Middleton while they belong thereto — that as your Pe- titioners can more conveniently attend the public meetings in Wolfborough should the Meeting House there be built at the place agreed on — they pray that they may be annexed from Middleton, and annexed to Wolfborough or otherwise relieved from their present grievance — And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.

Nicholas Austin for Petitioners"

This petition was followed February, 1786, by a remonstrance addressed to the General Court : —

Humbly Shew, the Inhabitants of the Town of Wolf borough in the Countv of Strafford & State aforesaid, That thev were verv

2o6 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

unexpectedly surprized by receiving a few Days since, a Copy of a Petition signed by Nicholas Austin in behalf of the Settlers of the Second Division of Middletown with the order of Court there- on, praying that the said second Division of Middletown might be annexed to Wolf borough

Your Petitioners are exceeding sorry that thro' the restless Machinations of designing Persons they should be drawn into the disagreeable necessity of taking up your Honours time upon a Subject they thought already fix'd and Determined — Your Honors will perceive by the Report of your Committee ye last Sessions at Concord, That, the Town of Wolf boro' was well situ- ated & could not be divided without great injury, and we dare say had this plan been within the limits of their Business, they would have reported, that, such an addition as prayed for by Friend Austin would be as injurious to more than three fourths of the Inhabitants as a Division of the Town — Yet notwithstanding the inconvenience of a Connection at all, the Agents in behalf of Wolfborough consented that two Miles of Middletown next to Wolf boro' should be annexed thereto as it was so disavantageous for them to tend public Business in their own Town, conceiving that the lower part of said second Division, would in that Case poll off to \Vakefield, as Many of the Settlers living on said Tract are intermix! as it were with those of that Town, & as was pro- posed by sundry of them — Such a connection as that was con- sented to by the Agents of both parties in the presence of the Committee as they reported, and as your Petitioners thought would have been a Conclusion of the matter so far as it concerned them, & in consequence thereof they agreed upon a place for building a meeting House, not thinking that after said Austin (as Agent) had Consented thereto in presence of the Committee, would have been so dishonourable as to have attempted any thing further, & Mr Cabbott being then present was so far satisfied with the agreement made by the Agents as to propose the place for setting a Meeting House himself & accordingly gave his word

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

207

in writing for a lot of Land for the purpose, which was agreed by all parties should be established by an Act of Court as re- ported by Ye Committee —

Now if in Case any more than the two Miles should be annexed to Wolfborough, it would be the means of sowing such seeds of Discord & Dissention in the Town as the age of man would never see ended — Therefore your Petitioners humbly beg that the prayer of said Petition may not be granted — But that if the pro- posed Connection will not satisfy their restles Agent, they may be continued together until the said Division becomes sufficiently Inhabited for a Town or Parish by themselves which will no doubt be very soon when perhaps some plan may be tho't of for the first Division of said Middletown, which if at present separated will approach near to annihilation, or at least to be in a similar Situation of that of Ishmael of old, having every mans hand against them, as to any connection — such being the circumstances we humble pray that their said petition may be demiss'd, & that we may be left to enjoy the fruits of our Labour under our Vines & fig Trees unless the Agreement already made will satisfy our rest- less adversary, whose Conduct has already too clearly appeared to be absorpt in selfish principles — But if in your Wisdom you should think proper to grant the prayer of their petition, we humbly pray that, the place already agreed on for Building the meeting House may first be established by an Act of Court, other- wise the Dissention will rise to a great height, which we earnestly wish may be avoided by the Assistance of your Honourable Body — And your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c —

Wolf borough January 26th 1786

Henry Rust Thomas Piper James Connor

Benjamin Blake John Lary Jacob Smith

David Piper thomas Piper Jr Joseph Lary

Lemuel Clifford David Blake John Shores

Andrew Lucas Jonathan Harsey Matthew S. Parker

208 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Enoch thomas William Fullerton Ebenezer Home

John fullerton John Lucas Ebenezer Meder

Samuel Tebbetts Henry Rust Jr John Home

James fullerton Jeremiah Gould Ebenezer Home Jr

Ithal Clefard Levi Tibbets Benjamin Wiggin

andrew Wiggin Ebenezer Tibbets Jonathan Chase"

Paul Wiggin John Piper

James Wiggin James Lucas Jr

This remonstrance probably ended the controversy. It is not known that further attempt was made to annex the "Second Division" of Middleton to Wolfeborough, but eight years after, in 1794, this territory was incorporated as a separate town named Brookfield.

Here follows a copy of Parker's bill for his services and the en- tertainment of the legislative committee : —

"The Town Wolfborough to Matthew S. Parker Dr

To Writing 2 Petitions respecting the not Dividing the

Town @ 6s

To 2 Days attending the General Court @ 6s .

To 2 Days waiting on the Committee in Wolfboro' & to

Middletown @ 45

To Committee's Expenses at my House

Lawfull Money £2 — 4 — o Writing Warrants &c o — 4 — o

£2_8_o

Wolfboro' March 27: 1786 Errors Excepted

Matthew S. Parker"

Notwithstanding the road to Merry Meeting Bay had been

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

—~y

'

opened, it was such a hilly, circuitous way to reach Rochester and the towns south of it that the inhabitants of Wolfeborough and the region north and west became very desirous for a more direct route to the lower towns. Accordingly, in ^1785, they petitioned the court to lay out a road through parts of New Durham and Middleton. This petition was granted so far as to appoint a com- mittee to examine the proposed route. This proved to be much more feasible for a road than was anticipated ; for, although the region was somewhat mountainous, the valleys afforded passes quite convenient for a highway. A road was laid out. Here is a copy of a letter from the selectmen of Wolfeborough to those of Middleton and New Durham in relation to the matter: —

"Wolfboro', August 8th 1786 Gentlemen

In pursuance to a Petition being preferred to the Quarter Ses- sions of this County last year by the Inhabitants of this Town, for a Road to be laid out from Wolfboro' thro' part of the Second Division of New Durham & the first Division of Middletown, a committee was appointed for that purpose, who have laid out said Road & made return thereof accordingly as a County Road, which report has been accepted by the Court as such & the ex- pense of doing the same so far allow'd by the County — It now remains that the Towns thro' which said Road is laid out im- mediately make the same a good Wraggon Road thro' their re- spective Districts — The Difficulty we have so long laboured under for want of a Road for transportation, has, upon our finding that there can be a Road made where this is laid out so easily & with so little expense for that purpose & which will be of such great Benefit not only to ourselves but many other Towns above us, Resolutely determined us to have the same Compleated as soon as may be — This is therefore to Desire that you will prepare the Necessary Steps for compleating the same thro' your Town in such a way & manner as you shall think most Expedient, & any

2io HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

unnecessary Delay & Neglect of the same will be attended with great injury to this & the Neighboring Towns, & will most loudly be complained of to those who will oblige the same to be done, however we please ourselves with the Idea of your readily per- forming the same as it greatly enhances the Value of that part of your Town, £ will be of such an extensive Benefit to the public

Your Answer to the above will be kindly accepted by Gentle- men

Your most Humble Servants

Matthew S. Parker \

Tames Lucas Jr > Selectmen"

Ebenezer Meder )

Here follows a reply to the foregoing from the selectmen of New Durham : —

"New Durham September I4th 1786 Gentlemen

We Received your Letter some days since and observe the con- tents respecting the new Road and would inform you that we have a Surveyor (Mr. Andrew Bickford) appointed upon that part of the Road which goes through the second Division of New Dur- ham likewise the Town has Voted a Sum of Money to be laid out on said Road more than the Labour of those people living on or near it and we expect the Surveyor will go to work Immediate- ly on the same.

From Gentlemen your very Humble Servants

Peter Drowne ^ Selectmen of Ebenezer Durgin } New Durham.

P. S. We would further inform you that we have understood the Sum Voted will not be sufficient to do the necessary Labour wanted on said Road for which reason we have called a Town Meeting to get an additional Sum Voted. Yours as above.

To the Gentlemen Select Men of Wolfborough"

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 2II

Probably in the autumn of 1786 or during the year of 1787 a wagon road was opened through the town of New Durham, but it is evident that none was completed through Middleton as late as the spring of 1788. This is shown by the following letter from the selectmen of Wolfeborough : —

Wolfeboro', April 3rd, 1788. Gentlemen

Agreeable to the Desire of the Town of Wolfborough we have to request that you would endeavor to have the suitable provision made before your Annual Town Meeting is dissolved for the Com- pleating of the Road laid out thro' your Town from Wolfeborough by the County — We have waited patiently, as the Times are Difficult, expecting you would accomplish the same, for the sake of advancing the Interests of your own Town Notwithstanding we, as well as sundry of the Towns above labour under so great Difficulty in Travelling & Transporting to Markett — Now as every indulgence has been given which can Reasonably be ex- pected we are now Determined to make use of every Measure the Law will allow of to get the Road accomplished — And if we should be drove to take that Method you must remember that the ex- tensive usefulness of that Road when finished \vill be of great weight towards helping to compleat the same — However we would wish that thro' kindness to your Neighbors & the view of advancing the Interests of your own Town, you will speedily adopt such Steps for compleating said Road, as will prevent the Necessity of our taking any Coercive Measures about the Matter which will be much more agreeable to the Town in general but more especially to

Gentlemen

Your most Obedient Humble Servants

Matthew S. Parker )

T f Select

lames Lucas > ,r

\ Men Ebenezer Meder

212 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

After this sharp admonition from the selectmen of Wolfe- borough it is probable that the construction of the road was not very long delayed.

The opening of the road to Middleton was not only advan- tageous to the towns through which it passed but also to Wolfe- borough and the region lying northwest of it. It was the shortest route from W'olfeborough to Rochester, the distance between the two towns over the Chestnut Hills, situated in the eastern part of Farmington, being about twenty-one miles. Afterwards, when a more level road had been constructed to Farmington village, that route was preferred, as, although a longer way, it was more easily traveled.

Middleton Corner, largely on account of the through travel, became a thriving hamlet, having several stores and two fair- sized taverns. It was ten miles distant from Wolfeborough Bridge, and the first horse-baiting station on the downward route. This road was for many years the principal thoroughfare from the Boroughs and other towns in the northern part of Strafford Coun- ty. As early as 1830 a four-horse stage passed over it daily on its route from Dover to Sandwich. In winter there was much travel and transportation from even the Coos region to the market-towns on the Piscataqua and its branches, Dover having become a rival of the seaport Portsmouth in the sale of heavy merchandise.

June, 1795, sundry persons, inhabitants of Wolfeborough, petitioned to be annexed to Ossipee. Here is the petition : —

" Humbly shews —

We your Petitioners Inhabitants of the Town of Wolfborough living on the Northeasterly part of said town and on the land known by the Addition which Addition was takeing from a Gore of land now called ossipee — labour under many difficulties espechely those of your petitioners who live on the Northeasterly Side of White face mountain (so called) are upwards of Seven miles from the Meeting House in Said Wolfborough and are

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

213

obliged to go through a part of Said ossipee to travel to Said Meeting House — likewise can have little or no benefit of School therefore Your petitioners pray that Your Honors would in Your great wisdom disunite said Addition of land and annex the Same land to the now town of ossipee from which it was formerly taken — or otherwise if your Honors See fitt to grant a day of hearing on the premises at which time your petitioners, will produce a plan of Said Wolfborough — together with the Addition, likewise a plan of said ossipee.

Which will fully appear we believe to your Honors if we can be indulged with a day of hereing that by taking said addition from said Gore of land has rendered the Easterly part of said ossipee to be not more than three mikls wide — and on the west line upwards of Seventeen miles long, — your petitioners fully relying in your Grate wisdom and that you will grant us such relief as yon shall think proper — in the premises as in duty bound will ever pray

Wolfborough, May 28th day, 1795

John Young Samuel Hide Nathaniel Hyde

Thomas young John Swaesy Isaac Goldsmith

William Goldsmith Isaac Goldsmith Jr James Fernald"

At the session of the legislature held in June, 1799, a petition was presented, purporting to be "the petition of the inhabitants living in the southeasterly end of the town of Ossipee ; the inhabi- tants living on the first three lots of 'Wolfborough Addition;' the inhabitants living on the northeasterly corner of the town of Wakefield, together with the inhabitants living on the two west ranges of the first division of land in the town of Efrmgham," asking to be set off from the several towns named, and incor- porated into a town to be known by the name of Bristol. The disadvantage of the inhabitants of these several localities were minutely and specifically detailed, and the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives, who were represented as "the

214

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

guardians of the lives, liberties and fortunes of their constituents," were earnestly requested to grant the desire of the petitioners.

As the petition is partially destroyed, the signatures of all the subscribers cannot be determined. As far as is ascertained, they were: Samuel Hyde, Thomas Young, Richard Glover, Thomas Glover, Zachariah Young, Stephen Hyde, John Young, Samuel Hyde, Jr., eight citizens of Wolfeborough Addition; Gershom Plummer, Sylvanus Wentworth, Elias Wentworth, Charles Babb, John Wentworth, Stephen Wentworth, Ephriam Wentworth, Shadrach Folsoni, eight citizens of Wakefield ; Timothy Young, Ebenezer Tasker, and six other person whose name cannot be deciphered, citizens of Effingham ; Moses Hodgdon, Timothy Horsom, John Tasker, David Crockett, Ebenezer Horsom, Aaron Hanson, Joseph Dearborn, William Keays, James Roberts, Seth Fogg, Simon Fogg, John Young, Moses Young, David Philbrick, John Yeaton, John Marston, Solomon Emerson, Samuel Tasker, Thomas Bickford, Edward Dearborn, James Dearborn, Joseph Bickford, George Tasker, and six others, citizens of Ossipee.

The territory included within the prescribed limits would have made a quite desirable country town, embracing as it did Brown's and Fogg's Ridges, North Wakefield, Leighton's Corner, and Ossipee Pocket. The town of Ossipee had three years previous voted approvingly of the measure. At a meeting held in October, 1799, the town of Wolfeborough voted unanimously against the prayer of the petitioners, and appointed "Mr. Henry Rust" an agent to oppose "to his utmost" the granting of the petition. The scheme for the formation of the new town proved a failure.

Petition from Wolfeborough Addition : addressed to the General Court, 1800.

"The Petition of us the subscribers Inhabitants of a certain Tract of Land known and called by the name of Wrolfborough addition —

Humbly Shews —

That said Addition has ever since the first settlement of the

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

215

Town of Wolfeborough been considered as a part of and belonging to said Town, that we have always been in conjunction with the Inhabitants of said Town in all Town Affairs, have laboured to and enjoy the common priviledges of Towns with them, That we have ever considered ourselves as belonging to said Town, and but of late have had knowledge that said Addition either by mistake or inattention was not included within the Limits of said Wolfe- borough incorporation. Therefore we humbly pray that said Addition may be annexed to and incorporated with said Town of Wolfborough as fully as though it had been included in the incorporation of said Town — and we, as in duty bound will ever pray-

Wolfborough May 26th 1800

Stephen Thurston Joseph Kinnison Ebenezer Tebbets

Samuel Estes Thomas Whittle William Goldsmith

Jacob Arak (Trask) Joseph Nudd Samuel Tibbets

James Fernald John Swaasy Jonathan Tibbets"

(Consent to the foregoing.)

"State of New Hampshire Strafford ss Wolfborough May 3ist 1800

This may certify that all the Persons liveing on Wolfborough addition t so called ) , that are lyeable to be taxed in Said town have signed a Petition to be incorporated with Said town of Wolf- borough — Excepting five Persons —

Mark Wiggin -\

Dudley Hardy \ Selectmen of Wolfborough"

Jonathan Blake )

Here follows a copy of the order on the foregoing petition :—

"Whereupon it is ordered that the petitioners be heard before the General Court on the First Tuesday of the next Session and that the Petitioners cause that the substance of said Petition and

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Order of Court thereon be published in the New Hampshire Gazette three weeks successively commencing six weeks prior to said day of hearing — Also cause that a Copy of the Petition and order of Court be posted up in some Public place in the Town of Wolfborough and in Wolfborough Addition six weeks prior to said day of hearing that any person or persons may then appear and shew cause if any they have, why the prayer thereof may not be granted.

Concord June 12 1800

Attest Nathaniel Parker Deputy Secretary." (Consent of Non-Resident Proprietors)

"We being informed that a number of the inhabitants of Wolf- borough Addition have petitioned the General Court — that said ad- dition be annexed to the Town, of Wolfbo'ro' — We being Proprietors in said tract are also desirous that said addition should be incorporated with said Wolfborough having always considered it as intended at the Time of the grant and since to be a part of said Town —

Jonathan Warner James Sheafe Michael Reade"

(Certificate of Posting of Notice.)

We the subscribers hereby certify that a Copy of the Petition of Stephen Thurston and others Inhabitants of Wolfborough Ad- dition (so call'd) presented to the General Court last June Session praying to be annexed to and Incorporated with the Town of Wolfborough and Order of Court thereon has been posted up in the Town of Wolfborough and Wolfborough Addition agreeably to said Order —

Attest

Mark Wiggin )

Dudley Hardy > Select Men of Wolfborough

Jonathan Blake )

Wolfborough November I4th 1800"

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 2I?

(Certificate of Amount of Land taxed, 1800.)

"Wolfborough November the I5th 1800

To whom it may concern this may Certify that we the Subscribers Select men of Wolfeborough have taxed in Wolfborough Ad- dition (So called) two thousand Eight hundred & twenty Seven Acres of Land to the resedents & Nonresedents —

also in the town of Wolfeborough Exclusive of the addition twenty thousand two hundred & forty three acres — •

) old town 20241. total Amount

) addition 2827

23070

Attest

Mark Wiggin \

Dudley Hardy > Select Men" Jonathan Blake )

"State of New Hampshire. In the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred.

An Act to annex a certain tract of land in the County of Straf- ford commonly called Wolfborough Addition to the town of

Wolfeborough in said County.

Whereas Stephen Thurston and others Inhabitants of a tract of land in the County of Strafford commonly known and called by the name of Wolfborough Addition, Have petitioned the Gen- eral Court representing the said Addition has ever since the first Settlement of the town of Wolfeborough been considered as a part of and belonging to said Town — that they have always acted in conjunction with the Inhabitants of said town in all town affairs — that they have always considered themselves as belonging to said Wolfeborough, and but of late have had

2i8 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

knowledge that said Addition, either through mistake or inat- tention, was not included with in of Wolfeborough incorpora- tion : Wherefore they prayed that said addition might be an- nexed to and incorporated with the town of Wolfeborough The prayer of which petition appearing just and reasonable: —Therefore,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened that that tract of land in the County of Strafford usually called Wolfborough Addition and bounded as follows to wit. Beginning at the Easterly Corner of Wolfe- borough, and running Northeasterly on the head or Xorth Line of the towns of Brookneld and Wakefield one mile and seventy Rods to Ossipee line, thence running Northwesterly on the dividing line between the town of Ossipee and said Addition, three miles and one half and twenty rods to a Beach Tree standing on the Easterly side of the Road leading from Ossipee through said Addition, thence running Southwesterly eighty- three Rods, thence running Northwesterly on said dividing line about one mile and three quarters to the North Corner of Number five in said Addition, thence running Southwesterly to \Volfeborough Line, thence running Southeasterly on \Volfe- borough line to the bound first mentioned, together with the Inhabitants thereon, be and hereby is annexed to, and incor- porated with the said Town of Wolfeborough as fully, and to all intents and purposes as tho' it had been expressly included therein by said act of Incorporation.

Provided nevertheless that nothing herein contained shall be understood as shall hinder the General Court on Application of Moses Brown who is included in this Bill from being annexed to the town of Ossipee with that part of Wolfeborough Addition which lays on the Northeasterly side of the road that runs Southerly by said Brown's now dwelling house.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

219

State of New

Hampshire In the House of Representatives

Dec. 3rd 1800

The foregoing Bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted.

Sent up for Concurrence

Nathaniel Parker Speaker Pro. Tern.

In Senate December 3rd 1800 — This Bill having read a third time was enacted

Amos Shepard President

Approved December 4th 1800

J. T. Oilman, Governor

A true Copy Attest

Nathaniel Parker Deputy Secretary"

Much of the surface of Wolfeborough Addition is uneven, and parts of it are mountainous, the four prominent peaks, Batson, Trask, Whiteface and Cotton Alountains being situated on its northern and eastern borders. It has, however, on its ridges some very productive farm land, and when agriculture was popular in New England, had a thrifty population. In coming time, when men shall have become wiser than now, and more shall have left the crowded cities to devote their energies to the cultivation of the abandoned farms, these lands will again brighten with the verdure of profitable industry.

In 1849 a portion of Alton about one mile in width was severed from that town and annexed to Wolfeborough. The tract was not a very valuable acquisition, as it had a sparse and indigent population and an extensive road to keep in repair. The town of Alton very wisely made no objections to the transfer.

220 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

In 1858 the farm now known as the Fay farm was separated from Tuftonborough, and made a part of Wolfeborough. This addition lengthened the Wolfeborough road somewhat, but the increased value of the real estate within its limits has counter- balanced any additional expense arising from that.

In 1895 tne f°ur islands situated near Wolfeborough bay, which were within the limits of Alton, were transferred to Wolfeborough.

CHAPTER XVII.

VARNEY FAMILY — BASSETT FAMILY — BRACKETT FAMILY — JESSE WHITTEN'S FAMILY — HAINES FAMILY — HARDY FAMILY — EDMONDS FAMILY — CHAMBERLAIN FAMILY — NUTE FAMILY — NUDD FAMILY — SHOREY FAMILY — SOME OF THE MORE RECENT ARRIVALS.

AS about this time several families came to Wolfeborough who are connected with subsequent important events, sketches of them will here be introduced.

Moses Varney came from England sometime previous to the Revolutionary War, and settled in Doverj_N. H. He is said to have possessed considerable property, owning three vessels, but during the war his fortune was lost. His wife, however, still re- tained a small amount of money in her own right, and in the early eighties he decided to visit Wolfeborough and make a home there. The pair journeyed on horseback to Merry Meeting Bay, and from there, through the forest to Wolfeborough. Mr. Var- ney purchased that portion of the Sewall lot lying east of the main road and south of Smith's River, being bounded by the highway, the river, and the mill-lot. He built a dwelling-house a little east of the site of Brewster Memorial Hall, and established a tannery north of the present location of the Bank Building. He had previously carried on the business of tanning, and no doubt proposed to combine that with farming in Wolfeborough. He had several children — among them, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Richard, Judith, Ruth, Sarah. The daughters became respectively the wives of - - Wig-gin, James Wiggin, and Paul H. Varney.

It is probable that Mr. Varney did not at first take his family to Wolfeborough, as the next spring Richard, a lad in his teens, drew his young sister, Ruth, on a handsled from Merry Meeting

222 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Bay across the lake to Wolfeborough. It was night when they neared the shore, and, discovering that the ice was weak, they did not proceed directly to Sewall's Landing as their way led, but steered for Clark^s_Point, and reached the shore in safety. That night a gale of wind sprang up, and the next morning no ice was to be seen in that part of the lake.

Mr. Varney continued in the tanning business several years, probably until his son Joseph was established on the other side oi the river. In 1792 he served as selectman. While living on the Sewall lot, a daughter died, and was there buried ; the place of interment is not known.

Joseph Varney, the elder son of Moses, was born Jan. 24, 1771. Very early in life he exhibited a spirit of enterprise, and when twenty-three years old had in his possession eighty acres of land, which was unquestionably situated on the east side of the main road, opposite the Lucas lot. Here he erected buildings, but sub- sequently removed them to the valley below, where there was a stream with volume and fall sufficient to run a bark-mill — a loca- tion most desirable for a tannery, and occupied as such for a century. Soon after his majority, Mr. Varney began the busi- ness of tanning, at first in a small way, as his means were quite limited. What he lacked in money, however, he made up in energy. He purchased of the farmers such hides as he could ob- tain, or manufactured them into leather on shares. Shoes were then quite generally made by itinerant cordwainers at the homes of their customers, who were expected to provide the stock ; hence, leather was sold almost entirely at retail, his customers being from the neighboring inhabitants. After a while he commenced making boots and shoes.

!\lr. Varney was not content with his first purchase of land, but increased the number of his acres, until they bordered on both the Pine Hill and main roads. He made a success of farming. His land was well adapted for cultivation, and his tannery fur- nished fertilizers for it. Besides, he had unusual facilities for se-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

223

curing laborers. Many of his customers had more muscle than money, and were quite willing- to exchange it for his goods. Working by the day was quite a common affair with many of them, and even some who were in well-to-do circumstances would occasionally spare a day to the tanner ; hence, when his farm work dragged, he could by judicious management obtain assist- ance from the occasional laborers.

Mr. Varney's combined enterprises rendered him a very busy man, and for several decades he probably employed more laborers, did more business, and accumulated more wealth than any other citizen of Wolfeborough. Like other thrifty men of his time, he speculated somewhat in lands, purchasing such as were owned by the town and Masonian proprietors, and reselling them to others, generally in smaller quantites. In 1809, through the agency of Nathaniel A. Haven, of Portsmouth, he bought of Edward B. Long and his wife, Mary Long, a grand-daughter of John Tomlinson, who were living in England, the four large islands lying near Wolfeborough harbor, which contained seventy- nine acres. These islands were then within the limits of Alton, but have since been annexed to Wolfeborough. In 1820 he and Ichabod Libbey sold the George Jaffrey lot, which was num- bered twelve in the Masonian proprietors' division, to Jeremy Towle. It contained three hundred acres, and the price paid was eight hundred dollars.

Mr. Varney belonged to the society of Friends, or Quakers, as they were formerly generally called, and his house was a free hostelry for the traveling members of that sect. This afforded him an opportunity to become acquainted with such men as Whittier, the Cartlands, and other early reformers. On moral questions his family was pretty sure to be on the right side.

Joseph Yarney married Hannah, the daughter of John Bas- sett. They had twelve children: Huldah, born June 5 ,1800; Susan, born Nov. 25, 1802; Almira, born Feb. 26, 1804, married David C. Breed, of Weare ; Lydia, born April 20, 1808, married

224

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Samuel Dennis, of Dover; Moses, born April 10, 1810, married Almira Huzzey, of Berwick, Me. ; Ruth, born Aug. 10, 1813 ; Richard, born Jan. 4, 1815 ; Mary B., born Jan. 12, 1817, married David Breed, of Weare ; Isabel, born May 12, 1819, died young; Agustus C.. born Jan. 2, 1824, died young; Joseph E., born Sept. 18, 1825, died young; Joseph, born Sept. 12, 1829.

Huldah, the eldest child, became the wife of Jonas Varney, who came from Farmington and served to her father an ap- prenticeship as tanner. The fruit of this union was a son, born March 26, 1825, whom they named Richard Agustus, probably in memory of his Uncle Richard, who so heroicly conveyed his sister Ruth over the treacherous ice in safety to the shore. This name was afterward changed to the more familiar Augustus J. now borne by the well-known Wolfeborough citizen, a member of the late firm of Libbey, Varney & Co. He has a son, born Nov. 15, 1859, named Penn, an architect who resides in Lynn, Mass.

Jonas Varney, after his marriage, engaged in the business of tanning on his own account, having his tannery a little west of the site of the Lake Shore House. He soon died, and his widow subsequently married Lindley M. Hoag, a talented preacher from Vermont. Mrs. Hoag herself was a very acceptable public speaker. They had four children : Hannah Huldah. who named the popular steamer "Lady of the Lake" that so long furrowed "Saukee's" waters ; Joseph Lindley ; Penn, who was drowned at sea, and Zeno K. After the death of Mrs. Hoag the rest of the family left Xew England.

Moses Varney, the eldest son of Joseph, succeeded his father in the business of tanning and farming, and for many years em- ployed a large number of hands and manufactured a large amount of leather. He was quite unfortunate. In 1845 n*s tannery was burned, his pecuniary loss above insurance being about ten thou- sand dollars, and in 1877 a second tannery, a barn, and shed, with a large amount of stock, was consumed by fire, a net loss of about fifteen thousand dollars. March 13, 1874, his eldest son, Charles

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 22$

W., aged twenty-five years, was drowned in Lake Winnipesaukee. Since Mr. Varney's death some business has been done at the old establishment, but not for several years. The most of the farm has been sold in lots to different individuals. The buildings and some land remained in the possession of his widow until her death, which occurred in 1899.

Joseph Varney, the youngest of the family, has, until recently, been actively and successfully engaged in the manufacture of leather, his establishment being situated on the shore of the lake. He has recently retired from the business. He married Emma J., daughter of Hon. Nicholas V. Whitehouse, of Rochester, and has one daughter, the wife of George F. Symonds, who was for- merly associated with his father-in-law in business.

Paul H. Varney came from Chestnut Hills, Farmington, about 1812. He purchased that portion of the mill-lot which included the upper falls on Smith's River, and here erected a saw-mill, a dwelling-house, a barn, and out-buildings. Having obtained pos- session of a tract of land lying on the Harvey Brook, where Wil- liam Kent had erected a saw-mill, he removed that also to Smith's River, and so had two saw-mills on the same stream. On this tract he planted extensive corn-fields. In 1816 he erected a fac- tory on Smith's River. It was raised in a snowstorm on the sixth clay of June. He never completely filled it with machinery, but occupied it for carding wool, dressing, and, to some extent, manu- facturing cloth. It afterwards came into the possession of the Pickering Factory Company, who occupied it until 1841, when it was burned. Charles and George W. Warren afterwards built a starch-mill on the site, but the business did not prove remunera- tive, and was soon abandoned.

Mr. Yarney married Sarah, the youngest daughter of Moses Varney, Sr., and had one son, named Henry, and several daugh- ters. Henry finally settled in the west. One of the daughters, Iluldah, was drowned by breaking through the ice on Crooked

226 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Pond while on her way to school. Another daughter, Jane, be- came a fearless equestrienne, managing untamed colts with uncom- mon skill. She married Simeon Durgin, and removed to Sand- wich, where her father made his home during the last years of his life.

John Bassett came from Lynn, Mass., in 1790, and settled on a lot of land which has ever since been known as the Bassett farm. The buildings were erected at a considerable distance from the main road, the location where they stood being now approached by Mill Street, which has been somewhat recently opened. During the management of affairs by his grandson, Daniel Bassett, Jr., the two-story part of the house was removed to North Main Street, and is now, with a portion of the farm, owned and oc- cupied by the heirs of the late Abel Haley. The one-story part still remains with another portion of the farm where the build- ings were first erected. Mr. Bassett's children were : Daniel, married Abigail Bean ; John, married Ruth Wiggin ; Lydia, mar- ried Samuel Xowell ; Hannah, married Joseph Yarney ; Sally, married Jonathan Buffum ; Rebecca, married \Yilliam Lyons.

Daniel, the eldest son, succeeded his father in the management of the farm, becoming a successful farmer. He spent most of his active life in Wolfeborough. but in old age accompanied his son, Daniel Bassett, Jr., to Minnesota, whither some of his children had previously emigrated. Following is a list of his children : John, went west when a young man ; Hannah, married Amos Jones, of Gilmanton ; Joel, went to Minneapolis and accumulated a large property ; Daniel, married Jane Campney ; Philip, went west ; L'rsula, married Joseph Canney, of Dover.

Daniel Bassett Jr.'s children were Abbie Susan, born Feb. 14, 1846, and Maria Jane, born Sept. 22, 1849. ^r- Bassett remained in Wolfeborough until middle age, and was thrifty ; he then went to Minneapolis, and became wealthy. He was quite active in his adopted home politically and financially. His decease occurred in 1899.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 227

John Bassett, second son of John the settler, was a farmer and school-teacher. For twenty-eight successive years he had charge of winter district schools, and during that period taught a few terms in the summer. He became the owner of a farm on the bor- ders of Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough, the dividing line be- tween the two towns passing through his house. Here he re- sided a number of years, but afterwards purchased the Thomas- Townsend-Fox-Tuttle farm, now occupied by his son George W. Bassett. His son John Newell Bassett then took possession of the Wolfeborough-Tuftonborough farm, where he reared a family consisting of one son, Charles S., who now lives on the farm, and two daughters. Mr. Bassett married Ruth Wiggin, a daughter of James Wiggin, and had children as follows : Daniel W., born Feb. 5, 1812, died young; John N., born March 2, 1815, married Lydia Langley ; Charles D., born May 13, 1816, went west ; Ruth, born May 7, 1820, married Isaac Lovering, of Free- dom ; Gulielma, born Jan. 28, 1822, married Jacob K. Purington, of Dover ; James, born Sept. 23, 1825, went to Boston ; George W., born March 28, 1829, married Roxanna Fullerton. George W. Bassett has three children, James A., Emma, and Clara.

Benning Brackett, a brother of Dr. Joshua Brackett, of Ports- mouth, a town proprietor of Wolfeborough, was born ijv New Market in 1745. He married Sarah Bennett of the same town, and had a family of sixteen children, John, Sally, Elizabeth, Ben- ning, Daniel (died an infant), Nancy, Comfort, Daniel 2nd, Joshua, Polly, Huldah, Catherine, Hannah, Purney, George, Lydia. Fifteen of these reached an average age of seventy years. None of them were dissolute or poor or very wealthy. They were great readers. Brought up in the same neighborhood as was the New Market Folsom family, they possessed similar charac- teristics, not being especially distinguished for brilliancy, but having sound judgment and probity — the essential qualities of good citizenship. The two families, although resembling each other in mentality, were strikingly dissimilar in physique, the

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Folsoms being spare, the Bracketts corpulent. Some of them were very obese, Benning weighing about five hundred pounds and Daniel, 2nd, six hundred.

John, the first-born of Benning's children, having received a settler's lot from his Uncle Joshua, came to Wolfeborough, and, marrying Betsy, daughter of James Folsom, located where the hamlet Brackett's Corner now is. Here he remained during his lifetime. His children were : William, born 1802 ; Joshua, born 1804; John M., born 1807 ; Betsy, born 1809 ; Hannah, born 1815. Two of these reached the age of seventy years. Joshua was ninety- six years old when he died. He and his sister Betsy were never married. William spent a portion of his life in Ossipee ; he had three daughters.

John M. Brackett was born in 1807, and always resided in Wolfeborough. In earlier life he was an extensive farmer, but for many years was officially connected with banking and other corporations, being long president of Lake National Bank and treasurer of Carroll County Savings Bank. For many years he was one of the most prominent republicans in the state, and was frequently mentioned as candidate for governor. He was repre- sentative to the legislature in 1855 and 18.^7, a messenger (1858) to carry the electoral vote for Fremont and Dayton to Washing- ton, a member of the council of Governor Gilmore in 1864, and a member of the council of Governor Smythe in 1865. No mem- ber of the council during these two important years rendered more faithful service. Mr. Brackett was injured in a railroad accident which occurred at the Weirs in 1852, and was ever after- ward a cripple. He married Sarah, daughter of Moses Thomp- son. They had two daughters, who lived to maturity, one of them, Sarah, marrying, but both dying before the decease of their father, which occurred in 1887.

Jesse Whitton was born in Brentwood, March 18, 1766. His father early deceased, and his mother, with her son, came to Wolfeborough. She married Benjamin Evans, and they came

JESSE 7/HITTEN

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 229

into the possession of the John Sinkler lot, now the farm__of G._B. Clark. Here were born to them five children: Benjamin, born March i, 1777, settled in Alton; Lydia, born Aug. 8, 1778, mar- ried Elder Isaac Townsend : Elizabeth, born May 21, 1780, mar- ried Dr. Thomas Saltmarsh, of New Durham ; Mary, born Aug. 18, 1782, married Samuel Connor; Rebecca, born June 27, 1784. Mr. Evans died previous to 1788, and his widow continued to manage the farm and keep tavern. She subsequently married again.

Jesse Whitton, at the age of sixteen years, shipped on board a privateer, and sailed a cruise of eight months. At about the time of reaching his majority he married Hannah Allard, who was born Feb. 19, 1768. He settled on a fifty-acre lot included in the Torrey right. It lay on Smith's River, perhaps on both sides of it. He first erected buildings on a point which projected into Crooked Pond, but afterwards removed them farther from the shore to the spot where now stand those occupied by Howard B. Willey. He afterwards purchased more land, at one time own- ing all or nearly all on the southerly side of the highway from the farm of Charles Morgan to the mill-lot. He also owned some on the northerly side of the road, on which he erected two small houses, one now enlarged and owned by Alonzo Avery, and the other occupied by Mrs. I. E. C. Pratt. The former was for the eldest son, Stephen, and the latter for the widow of the same.

Before the construction of the Wolfeborough railroad, most of the winter travel from the easterly part of the town to the village was across Lake Wentworth, Jesse Whitton's farm, and Crooked Pond. When Mr. Whitton was disposing of his land between the highway and the river, he intended to reserve a free public passage from the street to the water at Mast Landing, but failed to have the reservation legally made, and several years after the owner of the land forbade people crossing over the passage-way. This was an inconvenience, not only to the general public, but also to the Whitton families then residing on the "Neck," as it

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

was called. At the petition of the father and married sons, the selectmen laid out the passage as a public highway, the Whittons paying the land damages awarded. As the owner of the land re- quired the award to be paid in coin, the short passage to the water has since been called "Silver Street." As the public were still allowed a free winter passage across the Jesse Whitton farm, the town subsequently voted to assume the cost of the land dam- ages.

Mr. Whitton was a charter member of the first church or- ganized in Wolfeborough, and for half a century most of its meet- ings were held at his house. He was an enthusiastic and quite demonstrative religionist. Although lacking an education, he claimed some knowledge of the healing art, and not unfrequently his plasters and decoctions of roots and herbs were more ef- ficacious than the lancet and mercurial preparations so much used by the medical profession of his time. He could not ex- hibit the diploma, but bore the title of Doctor, and had a limited practice for many years in some ailments. He was a person of small stature and remarkably agile. Many stories are told of his prowess as a wrestler, even when advanced in years. He was an adept at capturing rattle-snakes, and frequently visited the island in Lake Winnipesaukee, so noted for the propagation of that rep- tile for the purpose of securing them, valuing very highly for external applications the oil which he extracted from their bodies.

Mr. Whitton's children were: Stephen, born Oct. 19, 1788, married Eunice Earle ; Henry, born March 26, 1791, married Abigail Triggs ; Lydia, born March 26, 1793, married Isaac Clough ; Miriam, born Feb. 23, 1795, married Thomas Baker, of Brookfield ; Betsy, born Nov. 24, 1796, married James Ricker, of Alton; Hannah, born Jan. 23, 1799, married Charles Baker of Brookfield; Jesse, born March 18, 1801, married Betsy Drew; Xancy, born Feb. 28, 1803, married Samuel Xudd, Jr. ; Daniel, born Jan. 25, 1805. married Sarah Dore , Lurannah, born May 3, 1808, married Joseph Johnson ; Polly, born Feb. 9, 1810, mar-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

231

ried Benjamin F. Garland; Harriet, born July 12, 1813, died young.

He lived to the age of ninety-three years. The farm, which was divided between the two youngest sons, was somewhat en- larged by the purchase of land that originally belonged to the King lot, and is now owned by Howard B. Willey and his son, Alexander H. On it Mr. Willey has erected fine farm-buildings, and has greatly increased its producing capacity.

Masonian proprietary lot numbered six, which was situated at the eastern corner of the Lords' Quarter division, fell to Thomas Packer. It was one hundred and sixty-seven rods wide and about three hundred rods long, containing three hundred acres. Sheriff Packer donated a settler's lot of one hundred acres to Abram Prebble. (This afterward came into the possession of the Haines family.) In 1772 he deeded one hundred acres to Joshua Haines, of Greenland, who twelve years after came to Wolfeborough with his three sons — Jacob, Matthias, and Joseph, all of whom settled on the Packer lot.

The earlier members of this family were inclined to longevity. The father, Joshua, died at the age of ninety years, and Jane, a sister of his, at ninety-four. His son Jacob lived to be eighty- nine years old and his son Joseph to be eighty-six ; a daughter, Mehitable, was ninety-four years at the time of her death. Ruth, the wife of Jacob Haines, lived to the age of eighty-five years.

After the death of his father, Jacob Haines came into the pos- session of the easterly portion of the lot, which was quite ele- vated, and is still called Haines Hill. From this height and an- other prominent elevation, Martin's Hill, the proprietors estab- lished signals for their own convenience and that of the surround- ing inhabitants. After the division of the training-band into two companies, Jacob Haines became captain of the soldiers in the northern part of the town. He served as selectman, moderator, and representative.

His children were five in number: James, served as moderator

232 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

and selectman. Most of his life was spent in Wolfeborough, but during his last years he made his home with his son, James Mon- roe Haines, a very respectable and quite influential citizen of Dover. Matthias, born in 1796, married Eliza Wig-gin. Jacob went to Chelsea. Ruth married Richard Bickford. Mary mar- ried Joseph Ney, of Ossipee.

The children of Matthias Haines, the son of Jacob, were : Betsy W., born Nov. 6, 1823, married Alonzo F. Tebbetts ; Ruth, born Nov. 4, 1825, married Nicholas Abbott, of Manchester; Mat- thias, born March 26, 1828, went to Weston, Vermont ; Mary J., born Nov. 15, 1832, married Frank Knight, of Portland, Me.; Lydia, born July 21, 1835, married John Boothby of Waterville, Me. ; Joseph A., born Feb. 15, 1840, went to Pawtucket, R. I. ; Jacob A., born Oct. 13, 1843, resides in Portsmouth.

Joseph Haines the youngest son of Joshua, purchased the northerly part of the Packer lot, working for five dollars a month to pay for it. His children were : Polly, married Phineas John- son ; Eleanor, married Richard Nucld ; Hannah, married Elijah Hersey ; Sally, married Joshua Goldsmith ; Joseph, 2nd.

Joseph, 2nd, remained on the home farm, and there reared four sons, George, John L., Joshua B., and Joseph R. (better known as Rodney). The oldest and youngest of these spent their entire lives on the farm. George married a daughter of George W. Lord, of Ossipee, by whom he had two children, George A. and Susan, the wife of William Whitton.

George A. Haines was formerly a teacher, and has been for several years a member of the school board. He has charge of the Haines farm, which includes the whole Packer lot and an ad- ditional hundred acres. It is very productive and finely stocked, being accounted the best in Wolfeborough. Mr. Haines is of the fifth generation that has occupied it.

John L. married a sister of George's wife. He erected the house in Wolfeborough village now owned by Mrs. Henry Jones. Joshua B. married Hannah, a daughter of Jonathan Fernald. His

JOSEPH R. HAINES

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 233

son, Herbert E., is a Wolfeborough merchant, and occupies a house erected by his father situated near the Brewster Free Academy grounds. Joseph R. married the widow of his brother George. He was four times elected a member of the New Hamp- shire House of Representatives and was frequently the candidate of a minority party.

John Haines, who occupied the farm in North Wolfeborough cleared by Isaac Poor, was a brick mason. He served two years as town clerk. Here is a record of the births of his family of twelve children: Lucy M., born Oct. 4, 1806; William, born Sept. i, 1808; Joshua, born Aug. 24, 1810; John, born Aug. 17, 1812; Mary B., born June I, 1815; Matthias M., born May 23, 1817; Hannah, born May 21, 1819; Charles F., born Oct. 2, 1821; Martha J., born Oct. 5, 1823; Sarah A., born Aug. 18, 1825 ; Arvilla B., born Aug. 8, 1827 ; Daniel J., born June 2, 1829.

Robert Hardy came from Exeter to Wakefield in 1792, and set- tled near the locality where Union village is now situated. There he became interested in building a mill. His son, Dudley, who bore the name of one of his ancestors, Rev. Samuel Dudley, of Exeter, came to Wolfeborough in 1788, and purchased of James Sheafe, of Portsmouth, one hundred acres of land for three hun- dred and sixty dollars, payable in beef and cash. He seems to have taken quite an interest in mills, having at one time a small grist-mill near the Frost meadow and afterwards one at the Isaac \Villey mill privilege. He established a carding and fulling mill at W^ater Village in 1814, which in 1821 came into the pos- session of George W. Lord. In 1795 he was commissioned lieu- tenant in the militia company, and finally rose to the rank of major, a title by which he was thereafter designated. He served as selectman ten years. He married Hannah Johnson. Their children were: Hannah, born Dec. 7, 1793, married Mark Wig- gin, 2nd; Sally, born Aug. 9, 1795, married Isaac Stanton, of Brook-field ; Robert, born Sept. 6, 1797, settled in Kennebunk, Me. ; Nabby, born Aug. 17, 1799, married Thomas Blake ; Dudley,

234 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

born Oct. 5, 1803, went to Iowa; Loammi, born Aug. 6, 1805, married Mary B. Haines ; Ezra, born Feb. 9, 1808, married and remained on the farm; Charles, born June 20, 1819, went to Ossipee.

Loammi Hardy became a cripple in early life from rheumatism. He learned the tailors' trade, but soon gave up the business on account of his infirmities, becoming a clerk for Samuel Avery. In 1838 he was elected town clerk of Wolfeborough, and in 1839, 1840, and 1842 was re-elected. In 1843 ne was elected register of deeds for Carroll County, and by repeated elections retained the office thirty years, or until the time of his death. He had six children born in Ossipee, the place of his residence after becom- ing register of deeds. His daughter, Arvilla, who is the wife of Rev. A. H. Thompson, of Raymond, X. H., is the orilv one of his children residing in New Hampshire.

Ezra Hardy remained on the home place. He had one son, who reached manhood. Both father and son have deceased, and the farm is in the possession of Henry Xute. The large elm standing near the dwelling-house was planted there in 1799 by Isaac Poor, a neighbor.

John Edmonds resided in Portsmouth, and possessed consider- able real estate in that town. In 1786 his son Joseph, born in 1730, came to Wolfeborough, and purchased of Matthew S. Parker the entire "Neck." with the exception of Reuben Libbey's settler's lot. Joseph Edmonds died in 1811, and his wife, Ruth, two years later. Their graves and that of their son Jonathan are in a hillside pasture on the "Neck," miles from any human habitation, surrounded by a neatly-built wall of cobbles, and marked with engraved headstones.

The children of Joseph and Ruth Edmonds were John, Jane, Jonathan, and Molly, who became the wife of David Piper. The "Neck" property was divided between the two sons, John and Jonathan. The children of John were Joseph, 2nd, Isaac, and Stephen. The last mentioned died of vellow-fever at Ports-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 235

mouth in 1814, while he was serving as soldier at the fort. His brother Isaac had been drafted, but he volunteered to act as his substitute.

Isaac married Betsy Calder. He became a blacksmith, and set up business in what is now Wolfeborough Falls. There he erected the house now owned by Timothy Young, and built a shop on what is now the Freewill Baptist meeting-house lot. This was afterwards removed to the easterly side of the highway by Lindley M. Hoag and used for manufacturing oilcloths. It was afterward occupied as a store by Parker & Wiggin, and is now attached to the house of the late B. F. Parker. Isaac sub- sequently returned to his farm on the "Neck." He had one daughter, Lydia, born in 1814, who married Thomas Johnson.

Joseph Edmonds, 2nd, became a carpenter, and was able to accomplish a great amount of work. He built many houses in Wolfeborough and its vicinity. For one hundred dollars he would perform all the labor necessary to construct a good-sized two- story house, hewing and framing the timber, and planing the ceil- ings, floors, and clapboards without any machine work what- ever. That was the price which he received for constructing the house that has been occupied by several generations of the Rich- ard Rust family. He purchased a few acres of the Folsom farm, severed from the main body by the road laid out in 1799, and some adjoining lands, on which he erected buildings, and estab- lished a home. He married Mary, the daughter of Jacob Fol- som.

The children of Stephen, the youngest son of Joseph Edmonds were : Serepta J., married William Morrell, of Dover ; Lydia, married A. J. McDonald ; Laura, married Charles A. Ellis.

The first Goodwin to settle in Wolfeborough was Elisha, who was born in Kittery, Me., Dec. 7, 1793. He married Betsy Gil- man, of Milton, and for several years lived in New Durham, from which town he came to Wolfeborough. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. Mr. Goodwin was the miller of what is now known

236

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

as Wolfeborough Falls, and raised a large family of children. He died Aug. 7, 1881. The children were: John Rimick, born Oct. i, 1815, died March 10, 1832, Sarah Leavitt, born Feb. 20, 1817, died Aug. 5, 1839 ; Elisha, born Feb. 4, 1819, married Martha A. Smith, 1869 ; Hannah Colby, born May 29, 1822, married Capt. Silas May, Aug. 31, 1847, died 1864; Jeremiah Fogg, born July 16, 1823, died in West, March n, 1852; James William, born May 9, 1825, died young; Augustine Decatur, born April 5, 1827, died in Boston, March 9, 1855 ; Maria Pauline, born Dec. 9, 1829, died Sept. 18, 1846; John Wesley, born Feb. 12, 1832, died July 15, 1857; James Franklin, born June 5, 1834, was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, died 1869 ; Arvilla Jane, born April 21, 1836, married Roscoe G. Holmes, Aug. 31, 1857; Joseph William.born May 13, 1838, married Ellen A. Furber, June 19, 1867; Sarah Ellen, born March 23, 1841, married William W. Page.

Elisha Goodwin, second, acquired a considerable property, and his fine residence is now occupied by his widow. He built Good- win's block and was a famous breeder of fine horses. He died Jan. 26, 1877.

Joseph W. Goodwin, another son, has held many positions of trust and was postmaster during the first Cleveland administra- tion. One of his sons, Elisha, is storekeeper for the B. & M. railroad. Joseph W., Jr., and Martin F. are both Harvard grad- uates. Joseph W.'s children are: Elisha, born Aug. 22, 1868, Rosa Gertrude, born Apr. 9, 1870, married Herbert P. Hay wood ; Nellie, born March 19, 1872, died in infancy ; Joseph William, born July 5, 1873; Martin Furber, born Sept. 12, 1875; Arthur Rendall, born Jan. 18, 1880.

Abram Guptill was the son of William Guptill, of Berwick, Me., and was born Aug. 5, 1808. He spent a portion of his life at sea, having command of a vessel plying for ports in the North Sea. He came to Wolfeborough in 1839 as superintendent of the woolen mills of the Pickering Manufacturing Co., then located

DANMEL CHUM3ERLAIN

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 237

on Smith's River. He continued in this capacity until the fac- tory was burned in 1842. He then engaged in lumbering, mill- ing, and steamboating on the lake. He owned the once famous craft, the "Dolly Button." Soon after the Wolfeborough rail- road was built, hlTbecame station agent at Wolfeborough Falls, then Mill Village, which position he held until a few years before his death, which occurred Jan. 17, 1898. "Uncle Abram" Guptill, as he was known to the present generation, was a man cordially esteemed by the community in which he lived. Somewhat irascible in manner in his latter days, he nevertheless possessed a heart even more generous than his physique, which was far from slender. The writer has often remarked the uniform kindness with which all who knew him spoke of "Uncle Abram." Mr. Guptill had four children: Martha A., born Feb. 9, 1834, died young; Harriet F., died young; Georgianna, born May 4, 1835, married Winthrop D. Hersey, Charles H., born Jan. 13, 1838, died Dec., 1889, married Susan J. Thompson.

John Chamberlin was a resident of Brookfield, where he was selectman for many years, and several times representative to the legislature. He married, in 1774, Mary Jackson; in 1794, Joan- na Banfielcl. He came to Wolfeborough in 1822 and purchased of William Triggs the farm now occupied by Mrs. David Cham- berlin. He had a large family of children, and many of his descendants are now living in Wrolfeborough. David, his eleventh child, was a farmer, tanner, and shoemaker, and lived on the place until his death. His son, George E. Chamberlin, is a farmer, tanner, and shoemaker, and resides on the old homestead. Ira, tenth child of John Chamberlin, was a farmer, which avocation his son, John A. Chamberlin, follows. John A. has been super- visor several years, and has served one term as representative. Jason Chamberlain, a former resident of this town, removed to Marblehead, Mass. ; at his death he bequeathed five hundred dollars for the poor of Wolfeborough and five hundred dollars for those of Tuftonborough. Dudley Chamberlain, son of John,

238

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

came to Wolfeborough about 1800, settled on a farm near Frost's Corner. His son Daniel, who became the most prominent mem- ber of the family was born in Wolfeborough, April 12, 1812.

He was the sixth of a family of twerve children and at the age of seventeen, although his father was well-to-do, "bought his time" and proceeded to carve out a career for himself. In those times, as today, Boston was the Mecca of the country-born youth, and thither young Chamberlain turned his steps. He first went to Charlestown, Mass., and engaged in a variety of work, including blacksmithing, until he at length embarked in the hotel business. This he followed until his death, which occurred in Boston, July 13, 1879.

Mr. Chamberlain chose wisely when he decided upon his life vocation. He successfully conducted many notable hostleries, among them being the old Natick stage tavern and the old Pearl Street House in Boston. He was best known, however, as the proprietor of the Adams House inJ3oston, with which he was identified for some forty years and which is still one of the city's leading hotels.

His success in life was largely attributable to three things. First, his natural kindness of heart, expressed in a marked geniality of deportment. He was the ideal Boniface. Second, his proverbial honesty and jealous regard for his word. Third, and most important of all perhaps, he had the encouragement and support of a Wolfeborough girl as his wife. This was Maria, a daughter of Isaac Martin. She was known for her strong Chris- tian character, her unswering devotion to her family and friends, and her liberal benefactions to the needy. She was also a promi- nent figure in the best social life of Boston and was in every sense an admirable helpmeet to her husband.

Mr. Chamberlain's second wife was Miss Chapman, of Tewks- bury. Five children, two sons and three daughters, all by his first marriage, survived him. While he lived, Mr. Chamberlain always visited his old home as often as circumstances permitted.

JA'.'ES BICKFORD

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

239

A daughter occupies, each summer, a charming residence on the lake shore.

Cornelius Jenness came from Rochester to Ossipee ; in 1791 removed to Wolfeborough, and settled on the farm now occupied by his great-grandson, Cyrus Jenness. His son John had twelve children, and his son Joseph eleven. There are several repre- sentatives living in the northeast part of the town. Sarah A. Jenness, a descendant of Cornelius, enjoys the honor of being the first daughter of the county to graduate as a physician.

Jotham, Stephen, and Nicholas Nute, brothers, came from Milton in 1/98, and settled on what is now known as Nute's Ridge. Their descendants still reside there. Tristam, Paul, and James Nute, brothers, came from Madbury about 1800, and set- tled in the Lords' Quarter. George W. Nute represented one branch of this family.

John Bickford was the pioneer of the family in America. He left England to avoid conscription, came to Wolfeborough early, and was a weaver. His son Jonathan was a millwright and far- mer ; he settled on land now occupied by his grandson, Joseph H., son of James Bickford. The family have served the town as selectmen and representatives. Wilmot Bickford settled on the farm where Thomas J. Bickford until recently resided.

James Bickford, son of Jonathan, was born Aug. 26, 1802. He was born and always lived on the farm occupied by the settler. He was a man of considerable importance in his time, serving as representative twice and selectman four years. He married Eleanor, the daughter of Phineas Johnson and had two children, Mary E., born April 17, 1831, who married Ira O. Severance, of Brockton, Mass., and Joseph H., born Feb. I, 1833, who mar- ried Eliza A., the daughter of David Cotton. Joseph H. has held the offices of selectman and tax collector.

About 1796 Samuel, William, and Benjamin Nudd came here from Greenland and settled in the north part of the town. George Nudd's daughter Mary was a graduate of State Normal School,

240 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH.

Salem, Mass. ; was class poet. In 1863 she wrote a poem for the "Triennial Convention of the Alumni." In 1872 she married Thomas Robinson, a professor in Howard University, Washing- ton, D. C.

John Shorey came to Wolfeborough in 1796. He purchased one of "the fifty-acre lots" on Pine Hill, granted by Paul March to the first six settlers on the main road, each of whom was en- titled to one hundred and fifty acres. This was sold to Shorey by Abigail, widow of Thomas Piper. John Shorey was a Revolu- tionary soldier. His son Joseph made the watering-trough which has been by the roadside a hundred years. One son, Lyford, died at the age of ninety-five.

Josiah Willey came from Dover. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Revolutionary army. Of his children Valentine was a farmer and mill man. He was clerk and deacon of the Second Christian Church. His son, Valentine B. Willey, suc- ceeded him in business.

In 1700 James, William, John, and Joseph Gate came from England to Portsmouth, and settled in that and neighboring towns. Xeal Cate, grandson of James, settled in Brookfield in about 1790, on a farm adjoining \Volfeborough. He had ten children. Daniel, his eldest son, located on a farm in this town in 1821. He married a daughter of Nathaniel Willey. Mr. Wil- ley lived to the age of ninety-five, and his wife to the age of ninety- four ; they had been married seventy-five years. Mr. Cate and his wife had been married sixty years. At the time of their death Mr. Cate was eighty-eight years old, Mrs. Cate eighty-one. The'y had eight children. Moses T. and John G. have been traders and manufacturers. Two sons of Moses T. have received a col- legiate education. One has entered the ministry ; the other, E. E. Cate, has practiced law. James Cate received a lot of land from his father, on which Charles J. Cate now lives.

Tobias Banfield came from Portsmouth about 1812 and pur- chased the farm since known as the Banfield farm. He had eisrht

GREENLEAF B. CLARK

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

241

children. Of his children, Joseph became a clergyman ; his son Everett C. became a lawyer, and after several years' residence in Washington, D. C., where he held an important government of- fice, returned to Wolfeborough ; Joshua was for many years a merchant in Dover; Nathaniel served as selectman; he was the father of A. W. Banfield, a merchant in Boston for a long time. The family is now represented in Wolfeborough by Ira Ban- field, son of Tobias. He has been a member of the legislature and treasurer of the Wolfeborough Savings Bank.

Abel Haley, at the age of two years, removed with his parents from Rochester to Tuftonborough in 1810, where he eventually became a leading citizen, holding the various offices that his townsmen could bestow upon him. At the establishment of the Lake Bank, he removed to Wolfeborough and was its cashier. His son, Abel S., has a successful business in Faneuil Hall mar- ket, Boston ; Levi T., another son, resides in W'olfeborough, and has been engaged in various kinds of business. He has been a senator, and was sheriff of Carroll County when the Brookfield murderer, Joseph W. Buzzell, was executed.

Joseph Clark came from Greenland in 1817 and passed the re- mainder of his life here. He was a cabinet-maker. Of his fam- ily of eight children, two resided in town, Mary (Mrs. Samuel Avery), and Enoch, who followed the avocation of his father. Enoch had ten children ; his son, Greenlief B., occupies the home- stead. He has had an active hand in the establishment of manu- facturing interests in Wolfeboro and is a large farmer and real estate owner.

CHAPTER XVIII.

INVENTORY OF 1788 — A GOOD GROWTH INDICATED — ANNUAL TOWN OF 1788 — ACTION LOOKING TOWARD THE BUILDING OF A MEETING-HOUSE.

IN this chapter will be given in substance an inventory of Wolfe- borough for the year 1788, five years after the close of the war. when the town had begun to recuperate a little. This, com- bined with some knowledge obtained from other sources and con- sistent conjecture, gives quite a clear view of the pecuniary con- dition of the town and its ability to accomplish certain public measures which its inhabitants were contemplating ; viz., the building of a meeting-house and the settling of a minister.

Col. Henry Rust was assessed for forty-five acres of improved and five hundred and fifty-five of unimproved, or wild land, show- ing that he had as yet made no division of his six hundred acre lot, although the sons, Henry and Richard, had families, and owned neat stock, including working cattle. The presumption is that they had been permitted to occupy and cultivate portions of the Rust lot, to which the Colonel still claimed ownership. The father and two sons possessed seven cows, eight oxen, one horse, and seven young cattle.

James Connor had twenty-four acres of improved and upwards of two hundred of wild land. This included the ridge on which are situated the Jerome and Tetherly farms. He afterwards came into possession of the lot which has since been known as the Ban- field farm. He had two cows, two oxen, one horse, and ten young cattle. It is evident that he had converted the money which lie had brought into the town into land and stock.

The lots of Jacob Smith, William Lucas, and James Lucas, Jr., were situated on the main road, south of the corner where

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 243

the mill road joins it. Combined, they possessed six acres of tillage, twenty-two of mowing, twelve of pasturing, and three hun- dred and sixty of wild land. They had three cows, two horses, and eleven young cattle.

The estate of Benjamin Evans, deceased, had two acres of tillage, sixteen of mowing, sixteen of pasturing, and eighty-six of wild land. On the farm were two cows, one horse, and nine young cattle.

Moses Varney had four acres of improved and two hundred and eight of wild land, two cows, one horse, and two young cattle. Mr. Varney at first purchased the Sewall lot of twelve acres heretofore noticed. He subsequently obtained possession of two hundred acres of wild land. This was probably situated east of the main road, opposite the Lucas and Tibbetts farms. At this time his son Joseph was seventeen years old. Soon after reaching his majority he was in possession of eighty acres of land that con- stituted a part of his home farm. It is quite probable that this land was a part of his father's purchase, and that another portion eventually became the Bassett farm, since the relations between the Bassetts and Varneys were very close.

Matthew S. Parker was assessed for five acres of mowing, two of pasturing, and three hundred of wild land, also the "Mills," where, having previously sold his "Neck" farm to Joseph Ed- monds, he had removed. It will be observed that he had no tillage and only a few acres of grass-iand. This possibly might have been situated near the "Carrying Place."' An incident, preserved in writing, indicates that he cleared the meadow there, and it is not altogether improbable that he might have reserved it when the "Neck" farm was sold. The wild land, from which he had already sold two hundred acres to Jonathan Dame, of Rochester, and the lot for the burying-yard, was no doubt obtained of George Meserve. The "Mills" were no doubt still the property of Sewall & Cutter, Parker being assessed as the occupant of the premises.

Lieut. Ebenezer Home and his sons reported a few acres in-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

crease on the area of their land when purchased of John Flagg. This was probably the result of more accurate measurement. They reported four acres of tillage, forty of mowing, sixty of pasturing ; and four hundred and sixty of wild land, eight cows, two oxen, and three horses.

Andrew Wiggin had two acres of tillage, ten of mowing, six of pasturing, and one hundred and thirty-two of wild land, one cow, two oxen, and five young cattle.

John Fullerton had one acre of tillage, six of mowing, six of pasturing, and eighty-seven of wild land, two cows, one horse, and two young cattle. The inventories of his brother, James Fuller- ton, and Jeremiah Gould, his neighbors, were quite similar, both in the amount of land and the value of stock.

Benjamin Blake had three acres of tillage, eleven of mowing, ten of pasturing, and eighty of wild land, two cows, one horse, and six young cattle.

Jonathan Chase then occupied the lot which was soon after sold to Jacob Folsom. He had one acre of tillage, five of mowing, two of pasturing, and seventy-four of wild land.

Ebenezer Meader had two acres of tillage, ten of mowing, eight of pasturing, and eighty-one of wild land, two cows, and two oxen. Enoch Thomas had an inventory of about the same value.

Joseph Lary had two acres of tillage, twelve of mowing, twelve of pasturing, and nearly two hundred of wild land. It is evident that his original settler's lot, which, according to tradition, was oc- cupied by John Sinkler for a time, had again come into his pos- session, as subsequently he deeded it to Daniel Wiggin. He had one cow, one horse, and two young cattle. His son, Joseph Lary, Jr., had eighty-four acres of wild land, one cow, and three young cattle.

Samuel Tibbetts had two acres of tillage, nine of mowing, three of pasturing, and two hundred and forty of wild land, one cow, two oxen, and four young cattle.

William Rogers had two acres of tillage, ten of mowing, six of

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

245

pasturing, and eighty of wild land, four cows, four oxen, one horse, and one two-year-old. It will be observed that he had more than the usual proportion of oxen. From this it may be in- ferred that he was interested in the lumber business at the "Mills." His father, Charles Rogers, was the owner of a saw-mill at Merry Meeting, and his son, Nathaniel, very soon after reaching man- hood, was a manufacturer of lumber at the "Mills." The three generations having similar inclinations and opportunities, would very likely follow similar pursuits.

Reuben Libbey had two acres of tillage, twenty of mowing, sixteen of pasturing, and five hundred of wild land, three cows, two horses, and ten young cattle, indicating a high degree of thrifti- ness at that time, the result of industry and close attention to his private concerns. In subsequent years he was much engaged in public affairs. He sold his retired "Neck" farm, and became quite active in business matters. The change did not promote his per- sonal interests.

Joseph Edmonds had three acres of tillage, twenty of mowing, twenty of pasturing, and four hundred of wild land, three cows, four oxen, one horse, and one two-year-old. This was the Wolfe- borough Neck lot which he had recently purchased of Matthew S. Parker. He was a man of means when he came to the town.

Jonathan Hersey had two acres of tillage, ten of mowing, eight of pasturing, and eighty of wild land, two cows, two oxen, one horse, and five young cattle. He occupied his settler's lot.

Thomas Piper had one acre of tillage, one of mowing, four of pasturing, and five hundred and twenty-four of wild land, also one cow. He was living on the fifty acre lot which is now the farm of Mrs. B. F. Mason. The most of the land for which he was assessed was probably simply bargained for. His son John occupied another fifty acre lot, and had two domestic animals. His son David had purchased fifty acres of land from the Pierce Great Lot, and had one acre in tillage and two in mowing, and one cow.

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Oliver Peavey had eight acres in mowing and two in wild land. The mowing was probably natural meadow. His lot was the present farm of George E. Mason.

John Lucas had one acre of tillage, one of mowing, and forty- eight of wild land, one cow, and two young cattle. His farm was the one now occupied by Henry J. Coleman.

William Fullerton had one acre of tillage, four of mowing, two of pasturing, and forty-three of wild land, one cow, and four young cattle. He occupied the most northwesterly of the fifty acre lots, adjoining Tuftonborough.

Lemuel Clifford had one acre of tillage, four of mowing, and forty-eight of wild land, one cow, and one yearling. His farm was the one lately occupied by Nathan Shackley.

Josiah Leavitt had nine hundred acres of wild land and two yearlings. He probably came from Stratham, and was at this time living on Wolfeborough Neck. Where were located the nine hundred acres of wild land for which he was assessed, is not now known. It probably consisted of portions of proprietors' lots. There was at this period prevailing in Wolfeborough quite a mania for speculating in lands, persons bargaining for lots and holding them for an advance in price before paying for them. Mr. Leavitt did not remain in Wolfeborough a long time, but re- moved to Tuftonborough, residing at one period on what has since been known as the George Fox farm. Nov. 6, 1796, his daugh- ter Polly was married to Ichabod Libbey, by Rev. Mr. Allen, and was the mother of Josiah Leavitt Libbey, the father of Mrs. Otis Evans.

John Furbur had his farm out of the Thomas Wentworth lot. He had two acres of tillage, ten of mowing, twelve of pasturing, and one hundred of wild land, five cows, two oxen, and one yearling.

Joseph Leavitt had one acre of tillage, ten of mowing, twelve of pasturing, and seventy-seven of wild land, two cows, one horse, and four young cattle.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 247

On the Cabbottj-Wentworth Farm were ten acres of tillage, one hundred and twenty acres of mowing, one hundred and thirty acres of pasturing, and two thousand six hundred and fifty acres of wild land, twenty-two cows, ten oxen two horses, and forty- two young cattle.

Colonel William Cotton had two acres of tillage, sixteen of mowing, twelve of pasturing, and one hundred and fifty of wild land, three cows, two oxen, and six young cattle.

Samuel Hide had four acres of mowing, ten of pasturing, and eighty-eight of wild land, two cows, one horse, and one two-year- old.

Aaron Frost had two and a half acres of tillage, five of mow- ing, eight of pasturing, and eighty-four of wild land, two cows, two oxen, one horse, and one two-year-old.

Joshua Haines had two acres of tillage, twelve of mowing, eight of pasturing, and one hundred and twenty of wild land, one cow, cne horse, and three young cattle. His son Jacob had fifty acres of wild land, two cows, and two young cattle, and his son Joseph, fifty acres of wild land, one cow, and two young cattle.

Perry Hardy, located in the Lords' Quarter, had one and a half acres of tillage, five of mowing, and forty-four of wild land, two cows, two oxen, and one horse.

Joseph Kemston had one acre of tillage, five of mowing, four of pasturing, and forty of wild land, one cow, and two young cattle.

John Swazey, on the north side of the town, had one acre of tillage, eight of mowing, four of pasturing, and eighty-four of wild land, two cows, two oxen, and one horse.

Samuel Tibbetts, Jr. had one hundred acres of wild land, two cows, two oxen. John Shorey had two cows, one horse, and two young cattle. John Warren, George Warren, and James Marden had each fifty acres of wild land, and Marden had a cow.

John Martin was assessed for three and a half acres of tillage, twenty of mowing, forty of pasturing, and thirty-seven of wild

248

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

land, six cows, two oxen, one horse, and five young cattle on the east side of the town. He was also assessed for one hundred acres on the west side, which he intended for his son Isaac. It was the Banfield place already referred to. Young Martin de- cided not to occupy it on account of its heavy growth.

William Triggs had one acre of tillage, six of mowing, four of pasturing, and sixty-seven of wild land, two cows, two oxen, one horse, and one three-year-old.

The names of the persons assessed not already mentioned were William Rust. Jesse Whitton, Chase Wiggin, Paul Blazo, Eben Home, Jr., Stephen Home, Isaiah Home. John Home, Ben- jamin Home, Benjamin Wiggin, James Wiggin. Paul Wiggin, Levi Tebbetts. Xehemiah Lucas, Eben Tebbetts. Jonathan Ed- monds, John Lary. Deering Stoddard, Nathaniel Brown, William Cotton. Jr., John P. Cotton, Edmund Tebbetts, Thomas Cotton, John Cotton, Joseph Cotton. These were mostly young men, with little or no inventory.

The sum of the inventory was eighty-four polls, eighty-two acres of tillage, five hundred and fourteen of mowing, and five hundred and thirty-two of pasturing land, one hundred and twenty-nine cows, sixty-seven oxen, thirty-four horses, and one hundred and ninety-two young cattle. At first it may seem strange that while the town had less than one hundred acres in tillage, it had more than one thousand in grass. It is, however, to be considered that it possessed considerable tracts of natural grass, and that forests were more easily converted into grass-lands by burning than into tillage by ploughing.

Notwithstanding the poverty of the inhabitants of the town and the pressure of corporate and individual debts, the auguries of the inventory were encouraging, indicating speedy and permanent prosperity. Almost the entire population consisted of the earlier settlers and their descendants, there being less than a dozen per- sons who paid a poll tax only. Nearly every young man was as-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

249

sessed for a few acres of unimproved land or one or more young cattle. Such careful forethought assured ultimate success.

Comparing the foregoing inventory with that of 1782, an in- crease of twenty-six polls, three hundred and ninety acres of im- proved land, twenty-nine cows, seven oxen, two horses, and one hundred and seventeen young cattle is shown. The difference in the increase of the several items is quite suggestive. That of the number of polls and acres of improved land may be regarded as normal ; that of the number of oxen indicates that they were not yet much used in agricultural pursuits, the axe still taking precedence of the plow. The small change in the number of horses, an increase of only two, shows that they were accounted of comparatively little practical value, not being worked or much used except for horse-back riding on short journeys. There might have been a few raised on the Wentworth Farm, but with that exception, probably not a colt was foaled in the town of Wolfeborough during the first twenty years of its corporate exist- ence. The marked increase of young cattle indicates that the breeding of neat stock was the leading industry. It continued to be such until near the close of the eighteenth century, when other domestic animals began to receive greater attention from the farmer. For a few years such was the interest in raising cattle and such the necessity of promoting their increase, that veal, al- though not legally, was prudentially interdicted as an article of food.

According to the foregoing inventory there were in Wolfe- borough eleven hundred and twenty-eight acres of improved and ten thousand three hundred and sixty-seven of wild land owned by residents of Wolfeborough.

Here follows a list of the non-residents' wild land, arranged according to location : —

250 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

In the Masonian Proprietors' Division.

Lots Owners Amount of Land

2 M. H. Wentworth 200 acres

3 Richard Wibird 300 " 5 Mason & Tomlinson 300 "

7 John Rindge 300 "

8 Blanchard & Meserve 300 " 10 Theodore Atkinson 300 "

12 George JafTrey 300 "

13 Solley & March 200 "

14 John Moffatt 300 "

16 Jotham Odiorne 300 "

17 John Wentworth 300 "

Total 3100 "

In Wolfeborough Addition.

Lots Owners Amount of Land

1 Jonathan Warner 400 acres

2 James Stoodley 400 "

3 Hall Jackson 400 "

4 George Meserve 200 "

4 Richard Tucker 100 "

5 Stephen Batson 500 "

Total 2000 ''

HISTORY OF WOLFEBORODGH. 251

In Wolfeborough Town Proprietors' Division.

Lots Owners Amount of Land

9 George Meserve 342 acres

10 George Meserve 448 21 George Meserve 350

8 Daniel Rindge 448 "

11 Doct. Brackett 100 "

12 Thomas Wentworth 400

13 Capt. George King 430

1 6 David Sewall 188 "

17 William Torrey 327

19 Nathaniel P. Sargent 460 "

19 David Copp 255 "

Total 3748

Sum of totals of non-residents' wild land 8848 "

Resident proprietors' wild land 10367

Total of wild land 19215 "

Improved land 1128 "

Acres of land inventoried 20343 "

Here is inserted a copy of the doings of the annual town meet- ing as taken by the clerk for the record book without revision. It is interesting, as showing the manner of doing town business a hundred years ago. It also treats of some matters relating to the meeting-house, which will be the subject of the next chapter. It is the last annual town-meeting that the efficient town officer, Matthew S. Parker, ever attended, he dying before the close of the year.

"Minutes taken at the Annual Town Meeting held at William Rogers in the Town Wolfboro' March the 29 1788

252

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

1 Voted Joshua Haines Moderator ^

2 Voted Ebenezer Meder James Lucas Jr > Select Men Matthew S. Parker )

3 Voted Matthew S. Parker Town Clerk

4 Voted Thomas Piper Constable

5 Voted Isaiah Home Andrew Wiggin ^

/Surveyors of Richard Rust John Sweasev >

& Col. William Cotton ) H'gh WayS

6 Voted William Fullerton & Col. William Cotton Tything Men

7 Voted that the Surveyors of the High Ways be Fence Viewers

8 Voted John Home John Lucas Aaron Frost Hog Reeves

9 Voted Moses Varney Culler of Lumber

10 Voted Ebenezer Meder Sealer Weight & Measures

11 Voted Samuel Tibbitts Pound & Deer Keeper

12 Voted Joseph Edmund Sealer of Leather

13 Voted Isaiah Home & Col. Cotton Auditors

14 The Collectors office being Set up to Vendue for the lowest Bidder, The same being done it was accordingly struck off to John Home at two & an half Per Cent

15 Voted That the Sum of Sixty pounds be raised & laid out on the High Ways agreeable to the Warrants from Select Men

16 Voted That the Respective Surveyors be & are hereby im- powered at any Time in the Winter Season, when ever the high ways are rendered very difficult or impassable for Teams, by Blocking Snows to Call upon the Severall Persons Be- longing to their respective Districts for Assistance of Men & Oxen to Break open & make the same passable for Teams, & in Case any Person or Persons refuse to turn out himself & Oxen that they be & hereby are made liable to a fine of Six shillings for himself & Six shillings for each Yoke of Cattle of his Customary working Cattle, the same to be taken by the Surveyors from each Person so refusing by Destraint as in Collecting other Taxes

17 It was put to Vote whether the Pews in the Meeting House

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 253

be exposed to Sale towards compleating the same, which was determined by Poll in favour of the Sale & that Col. William Cotton Mr. Andrew Wiggin & Ebenezer Meader be a Com- mittee to Draw a Plan of the Pews to be in the Meeting House & Expose the same for Sale at a Public Vendue, & that the time of Sale & Conditions thereof & the appropriating of the Money Arising from the Sale towards finishing the Meeting House be left in the Power of said Committee

18 Voted That Mr. Samuel Tibbitts be allowed five shillings Per Day while Framing the Meeting House

19 Voted That Mr. Benjamin Durgin be abated his Taxes which remain unpaid at this Time & that he be not tax'd for the future

20 A President being Voted for there appeared Twenty Seven for John Sullivan Esquire & Five for John Langdon

21 Senators being Voted for there appeared to be Nineteen for Daniel Becle Esquire & Nineteen for Col. Thomas Waldron

22 A County Recorder being Voted for there appeared to be Twenty three for John B. Hanson

23 A County Treasurer being Poll'd for there appeared to be Twenty for John B. Hanson

24 That this Meeting be adjourned to Thursday the third Day of April next at 10 Oclock A. M. at this place & that the Select Men are hereby directed to Call upon all persons that have accounts open with the Town to Close the same im- mediately that the said Accounts may be laid before the Audi- tors at the adjournment.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE MEETING-HOUSE — PLEDGED DONATIONS FROM PROPRIETORS —DELAYS — EXCHANGE OF LOTS — LABOR TAX — NEW PRO- POSAL OF PROPRIETORS — PURCHASE OF PEWS AND SALE OF LUMBER — THE BUILDERS — TIME REQUIRED TO BUILD —THE COST — HOUSE DESCRIBED — CHANGE TO TOWN- HOUSE— PART OF LOT SOLD — THE BURYING-YARD — FIRES.

THE settlers of New England were a religious people. In new- ly settled towns the grantors of lands usually made some pro- vision for building meeting-houses and settling ministers. One of the conditions imposed on the grantees of Wolfeborough was that in eight years after peace should be established between the English and the French and Indians a convenient meeting-house should be built in the town, unless other wars should arise.

It proved, however, very difficult to obtain settlers for Wolfe- borough, and no permanent homes were established in the town until nine years after the date of the grant. Seven years after arose the long-protracted and exhausting conflict between Great Britain and the American colonies, during which struggle Wolfe- borough became partially depopulated and greatly impoverished.

In November, 1773, when Governor Wentworth was establish- ing his country home in the town, and appearances indicated speedy and permanent prosperity, the grantors voted a donation of thirty pounds, lawful money, towards building a meeting- house forty feet long and thirty feet wide, and appointed Col. Henry Rust and Dr. A. R. Cutter a committee to attend to the matter.

At the annual town meeting held March 30, 1774, the subject 254

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 255

of building a meeting-house was brought forward for considera- tion, but the town declined to vote any money for the purpose, a wise conclusion, as it was in no condition to engage in an under- taking requiring so great an outlay ; nor would it be strange if even then some of the more sagacious of the citizens could hear the mutterings of the war-clouds so soon to burst upon them. During the twelve succeeding years neither the Masonian nor the town proprietors took any further action in relation to the matter.

At the annual town meeting held March 13, 1786, the question again came up, and after deliberation, Cols. Henry Rust and William Cotton were appointed a committee to confer with the Masonian proprietors and endeavor to obtain a more desirable lot of land for "public uses" than the one which had been selected for that purpose. The committee was successful in its mission, and through the generosity of Mr. Cabbott the proprietor of the VVentworth Farm, an exchange of land was effected and a de- sirable location obtained in proprietary lot numbered eighteen, which was situated on the northerly side of the highway leading from the "Mills" to the College Road and originally drawn by Daniel Rindge. At the same meeting it was also voted that if the committee were successful in securing a proper lot for public uses, a tax of one hundred dollars, to be worked out under the direction of the highway surveyors, should be assesed on the in- habitants of the town "for the purpose of clearing a place and building a meeting-house." This tax was assessed on seventy dif- ferent persons and properties, and varied, with the exception of that on the Cabbott-Wentworth Farm, which was eighty-four and a quarter days, from one and three-fourths to sixteen days. It was worked out in the year 1787.

One of the duties of Rust and Cotton, the committee chosen in 1786. was to confer with the Masonian proprietors and ascer- tain to what extent they were willing to aid in building a meeting- house and settling a minister.

256

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

It has already been noticed that in 1773 they had offered to give for these purposes thirty pounds in cash. On account of the prevailing scarcity of money, even among the more wealthy, how- ever, they now wished to donate, instead of the cash, the following articles : twenty-five thousand four-penny nails, fifteen thousand six-penny nails, ten thousand ten-penny nails, three thousand twenty-penny nails, thirty gallons of West India rum, one quintal of fish, fifty pounds of sugar, fifty pounds of coffee, eight pounds of tea, and two hundred feet of glass, eight by ten. On the ninth day of November, 1/86, the town voted to accept the offer made by the proprietors as their proportion in full for building a meet- ing-house, and appointed Col. Henry Rust, Matthew S. Parker, and Ebenezer Meder a committee to receive, transport, and store the articles donated until the town should otherwise direct.

Joshua Haines, Samuel Tibbetts, Matthew S. Parker, William Cotton, and Andrew Wiggin were appointed a committee to draw a plan for the meeting-house, and contract for lumber for frame and covering for the same. It was also voted to clear four acres of the lot on which it was proposed to set it.

At the annual town meeting of March, 1787, a plan of a meet- ing-house was presented for examination, but was not accepted , and Matthew S. Parker was instructed to draw one like the meeting-house in Middleton "with such amendments as he shall think for the best." The plan drawn by Parker was for a two-story building fifty-two feet long and forty-two feet wide, with a porch twelve feet long and ten feet wide.

Notwithstanding the votes passed by the citizens of \Volfe- borough in 1786 and the early part of 1787, the work requisite for building the meeting-house had progressed very slowly, and at the close of 1787 this only had been done — the clearing of a por- tion of the lot and the erecting of the frame. One reason of the delay is apparent from the following letter addressed to one of the Masonian proprietors : —

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 257

"Wolfborough, February, 1788.

Sir, — As the time draws near for our annual town meeting, when the business respecting the meeting-house will come on the carpet, and but a small part of those articles which were voted by the proprietors for the encouragement thereof have been received, we have thought proper to write you respecting the matter, and desire that such preparation may be made for procuring the re- mainder, that we, as a committee, may have it in our power to lay before the town at their next meeting the situation thereof, which we sincerely wish may be on the encouraging hand, other- wise, we are apprehensive of its being the cause of stagnating our plan for a meeting-house greatly, especially as we have now got the frame raised and were in great expection of having the nails ready for boarding it early in the spring or summer en- suing. We shall be exceeding obliged if you will take the trouble of starting the affair from its present stagnated situation ; other- wise, gratify us with a line respecting the matter prior to our annual meeting, which will come on the last Tuesday in March next, that we may give an account of our stewardship. Your compliance will much oblige

Your most obedient Humble Servants,

Matthew S. Parker, For the meeting-house committee."

At the annual town meeting held in March, 1788, Col. William Cotton, Andrew Wiggin, and Ebenezer Meder were chosen a meeting-house committee, and the town voted to sell the pews of the still unconstructed building to provide means for finishing it. Subsequently the following notice was posted : —

258

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

"PuuMCK AUCTION

On Thursday, the 8th day of May next, will be sold at publick vendue to the highest bidder at the dwelling-house of Matthew S. Parker in Wolfborough, the pews to be built in the meeting- house as drawn and numbered in a plan which will be seen at the above time and place, as well as the conditions of said sale.

Also at the same time and place will be exposed to sale to the lowest bidder the lumber to be procured for completing the out- side of said meeting-house ; viz, eight thousand merchantable pine boards, four thousand good laying clapboards, and twenty thousand good laying shingles, all to be delivered at the meeting- house on or before the first day of June next.

Wolfborough, April 24, 1788. (Signed by the committee)"

It mav be interesting to know that the important business which followed this announcement was transacted at the mill house, then the residence of Matthew S. Parker, the cellar of which may still be seen near the garden of R. M. Flanders in Wolfeborough Falls. William Cotton was appointed venclue- master and Matthew S. Parker, clerk of the sale. The following were some of the conditions : Any dispute on any matter was to be decided by a major vote of the company present ; no bid of less than one shilling was to be accepted ; all purchasers of pews were required to give to the meeting-house committee an obligation to pay the amount of their purchases either in neat stock or pro- duce, at their own option, the stock to be delivered by the first day of the following October, and the produce by the first day of December. The several purchasers gave notes to the committee for the amount of their purchases, which were subsequently can- celed by various methods of payment.

Here follows an account of the sale : —

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

259

Number	Purchaser	Price
of pew
29	Isaiah Home	^6:15
3i	Thomas Piper	7: 3
21	Reuben Libbey	6: 3
22	Andrew Wiggin	4: 3
30	John Martin	6: 5
32	William Triggs	5:n
23	Levi Tibbetts	4: 5
26	James Connor	4: 6
25	Andrew Lucas	4: 4
27	Jonathan Hersey	5:
28	William Fullerton	4: 4
I	Captain Joseph Lary	9:
2O	Col. Henry Rust	9: i
6	James Connor	8: 3
15	Matthew S. Parker.	5: 4
16	James Lucas, Jr.	5:i3
5	William Lucas	6: 2
2	Jonathan Hersey	8:10
II	William Rogers	7: i
19	Samuel Tibbitts, Sen.	7:10
3	William Cotton	6
13	David Piper	5: i
18	Henry Rust, Jr.	5: 5
8	John Martin	4:11
9	John Swazey	5: 9
12	Benjamin Home	5: 4
17	Jonathan Hersey	7:10
14	James Fullerton	5:n
4	John Fullerton	4: 6
7	Joshua Haines	5: 2
24	Jacob Smith	4: 3

Manner of paying

neat stock

labor, lumber—furnished

(pillars) labor

labor in business cash, lumber, produce,

nails, (Merrill) lumber, Libbey Libbey labor, lumber labor, Merrill lumber, labor

Libbey

labor, lumber, hauling stores

labor, lumber, Libbey, (Rogers, Merrill)

lumber

labor, Merrill

labor, Libbey

labor, lumber

sundries, supplies, Mer- rill

labor, cash

labor in business

labor, lumber

lumber, produce lumber, Libbey labor, Libbey labor, lumber labor, lumber, Libbey labor, lumber, Libbey neat stock, cash labor, Moses Varney, Merrill

26o HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

At this stage of the proceedings William Rogers proposed to take the job of finishing the meeting-house by contract, and, agreeable to a vote of a majority of the company present, the matter of contracting for the lumber was postponed. The bar- gain between Rogers and the meeting-house committee failed of consummation, however, and another meeting was held at Parker's on the 26th of May, to contract for the lumber neces- sary to finish the outside of the meeting-house. The amount re- quired, it was estimated, would be ten thousand feet of pine boards, four and a half thousand clapboards, and twenty-two thousand shingles, to be delivered at the meeting-house lot by the middle of the following June. The lumber was divided into small lots so that the purchasers of pews could pay for them in that commodity if they so chose.

On the sixth day of July the committee contracted with Reuben Libbey to do the work necessary to complete the outside of the meeting-house. Here follows a portion of the contract, which gives some idea as to the structure of the building.

Libbey agrees "to underpin the frame of the meeting-house outside and inside with good suitable rocks, the outside to be done in as strong and decent a manner as the rocks will admit of ; to build and completely finish the outside of a porch over the front door twelve feet long and ten feet wide of the same height as the house with a hip roof, and to have three doors, one on each side and one in the end directly opposite the front door of the house ; also to put in the window frames and sashes and properly glaze the whole house, being sixteen windows in the lower story and sixteen in the upper story of twenty-four squares of eight by ten glass and one in the pulpit of the same size and two in each gable end and one in the porch of twelve squares each ; to finish the whole outside of the house as to boarding, clap-boarding and shingling, with suitable weather-boards and cant-boards over the lower windows and around the sills and a proper hat-case over the front door in the porch ; the other doors to have only proper

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 26l

cant-boards, the front door in the porch and the two end doors in the house to be double, four-paneled, two-leaved, the two side doors in the porch to be plain double doors well-nailed, the whole to be hung with substantial iron hinges."

The committee were to pay Libbey eighty-one pounds and twelve shillings in neat stock and produce as expressed in the securities given by the purchasers of the pews, which securities he agreed to take. They also agreed to furnish all the material necessary to complete the job, the lumber to be delivered at the meeting-house, and the other material at Ebenezer Meder's house by the twentieth day of the coming August. Twenty-five lots of lumber were delivered at about the following prices : boards, three and a half dollars a thousand feet ; clap-boards, six dollars ; shingles, one and a half dollars. All the lumber was to be of first quality pine. Of course the clapboards and shingles were rived and shaved. The contract required the completion of the job by the first day of December.

July 1 6, 1/89, the places for twenty-three pews in the gallery were sold at prices averaging one and a half pounds. Reuben Libbey purchased nine ; Ebenezer Meder, Thomas Piper, An- drew Lucas, Samuel Tibbetts, and John Home, two each ; John Shorey, David Piper, John Piper, and Andrew Wiggin, one each.

During 1789 and most of 1790 very little was done towards completing the meeting-house. Two town-meetings were held in it, however.

September I, 1790, the meeting-house committee made a con- tract with Jesse and Eliphalet Merrill, of Stratham, to proceed with the finishing of the house. The Merrills agreed to lay a planed floor over the whole house, to case the windows in the lower story, and to finish thirty-two pews. The committee was to furnish all the material for the job delivered on the spot, and pay the Merrills thirty-four pounds in neat stock. As they laid the under floor and set the six pillars supporting the gallery, the whole bill amounted to thirty-five pounds and seven shillings.

262 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

The job was completed by the middle of October, and they were paid in some manner by fourteen individuals.

At the annual meeting of 1791, it was voted that Stephen W. Home lay out any balance due on the labor-tax on the meeting- house, and if any further outlay should be needed to secure the building from accident, that he be authorized to call on the town for assistance.

At the annual town-meeting, which had been adjourned to the second Tuesday in June, the accounts of the meeting-house committee were read and approved, and the committee thanked for their faithful services. It seems to have been expected that from this time the selectmen of the town should have general oversight of the meeting-house business.

It was voted that the "privileges" for four pews on the ground floor of the house be sold at public auction, and that the money resulting from such a sale be used in "aiding to build a pulpit" as soon as suitable lumber for constructing one could be pro- cured, also, that the selectmen should assess a tax for finishing the pulpit.

The "privileges" for pews were sold June thirtieth, James Wig- gin purchasing two and Reuben Libbey and Samuel Tibbetts, Jr. one each. The proceeds of the sale amounted to thirteen and a half pounds. The purchasers were required to seasonably con- struct the pews. George Freeze, an out-of-town man, built the pulpit, receiving for his labor nine pounds, eight shillings and his board. At a town-meeting held September 5, 1791, it was voted to build a canopy over the pulpit "as soon as may be," and that a sum sufficient for the purpose be raised on poll and estate.

The gallery floor was laid and the meeting-house nearly com- pleted in the autumn of 1792, six years from the time the plan for building it was first projected. It was framed by Samuel Tibbetts, the outside finished by Reuben Libbey, and the inside by Jesse and Eliphalet Merrill and others. It cost, chieflv in

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 263

labor, material, and produce, probably more than twelve hundred dollars.

The interior of the meeting-house was constructed in the fol- lowing manner. From the porch, situated on the south side of the main building, a wide door opened into a broad aisle that extended to the pulpit opposite. At the west end of the meeting- house were double doors that opened directly into it. Around the walls, except where were the entrances and the pulpit, was a row of pews raised eight inches from the floor. Inside these was an aisle three and a half feet wide, which separated the wall- pews from the pit-pews on the other side. The latter were raised four inches from the floor. With two exceptions (for these a de- duction in price was made) each wall-pew had the whole or part of a window within its limits. The pews were square with seats on three sides. They were finished with top-rails and short balusters, and closed with doors. The pulpit, over which a canopy was sus- pended, had an elevation of eight feet from the ground floor, and was ascended by a banistered stairway. In front of it was the deacon's seat.

A stairway led from the porch to the galleries. On the outer side of these, next to the walls of the house, were placed twenty- four pews. On the incline from these to the inner edge of the galleries were seats — free, except those directly in front of the pulpit, which were intended for the orchestra. The walls of the house were plastered and whitewashed. No arrangements were made for heating.

No further work was done in the meeting-house until 1802, when one hundred and fifty dollars were expended under the supervision of Selectman Richard Rust. He purchased ten thousand feet of lumber for fifty-one dollars, twenty thousand nails for twenty-seven dollars, paid Deering Stoddard for wages and board for thirty-nine days forty dollars, John Lucas, Jr. for twenty-eight days work twenty-three dollars, for rum three dollars, and for incidentals one dollar, reserving for the superin-

264

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

tending of the job five dollars. This did not entirely finish the meeting-house, but the town declined to furnish any more money for the purpose. It was probably never completely finished or formally dedicated, although from the time of Mr. Allen's ordi- nation occupied many years for religious worship. In 1819 Paul H. Varney repaired it at a cost of about eighty dollars. Some absolutely unavoidable repairs were made from time to time until 1840, when it was reduced in height, its pulpit and pews taken out, and the building removed to another part of the lot and converted into a town-house.

When the meeting-house was first built, the ten acre lot on which it was set adjoined the highway that ran near the shore of Lake Wentworth. Afterwards a road was opened from Center Wolfeborough, which divided the lot into two parts, about three- fourths of it falling on the south side of the new highway. This portion was subsequently sold by the town. On that part of the lot remaining on the north side of the road, the town-house was set. In 1875 it was repaired somewhat, and used for town meetings until 1890, when, the Brewster Memorial Hall having been erected, the people of Wolfeborough bade a final farewell to the old town-house where many a fierce political battle had been fought and many an aged citizen fallen a victim to the in- clemencies of March. In 1890 it was sold for sixty-two and a half dollars to Greenlief B. Clark, who removed the material, and of it constructed a stable, which stands in the rear of the shoe- factories, and is used as a shelter for the teams of the operatives.

In 1806 the town voted that one acre of the lot for "public uses" be set apart for a burying-ground, and in this are interred the remains of the town minister and his wife and those of probably one or two scores of other persons. It is still fenced, but seldom used for interment. On the remaining acre is a grove of thrifty pines.

Soon after the meeting-house was built, it was greatly en- dangered by a brush fire that caught near it. The town voted

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH. 26$

a reward to the person who discovered and watched the fire, and at once took measures to have the grounds freed from rub- bish and brush, paying extra wages for the work. In 1811 and again in 1827 the house was struck by lightning.

At the time of locating the meeting-house lot the town was sparsely occupied by farmers, and there was little to indicate the centers of the subsequently more populous districts. As the house was intended for the accommodation of the whole town, a central location was selected, which, so long as farming re- mained the almost sole occupation of the inhabitants, was quite satisfactory. When, however, other kinds of business were in- troduced, hamlets and villages sprang up, and in these, churches built, so that the town meeting-house was gradually abandoned as a general resort for worshippers.

CHAPTER XX.

THE EARLY MINISTRY — NEW ENGLAND CUSTOM — ANDREW COL- LINS— JOHN ALLEN — BENJAMIN RANDALL — ISAAC TOWN- SEND — EBENEZER ALLEN — His CALL TO BE TOWN MINIS- TER— His REPLY — CONTROVERSY — PROTEST AGAINST THE ORDINATION OF TOWNSEND — PROTEST AGAINST THE ORDI- NATION OF ALLEN — ORDINATION OF TOWNSEND — ORDINA- TION OF ALLEN — THE SERMON — THE CHARGE — THE RIGHT-HAND OF FELLOWSHIP — THE ENTERTAINMENT — A

SOMEWHAT SPIRITUOUS AS WELL AS SPIRITUAL GATHER- ING.

ONE of the matters which early claimed the attention of the settlers in New England territory was the preaching; of the Gospel. Sometimes the minister accompanied the first settlers ; he at least, if circumstances were favorable, followed in a few years. The difficulties met in securing settlers for Wolfeborough and the paucity of their number at first prevented any attempts at settling a minister or of making any provision for preaching.

Episcopal clergymen perhaps sometimes visited Governor Wentworth's Farm, and there held religious services before 1774, but the first action of the town on record touching the matter of providing preaching was taken August 25, 1774, when it was voted to raise six pounds, six shillings to hire a minister for six weeks, at twenty-one shillings a week. There is no evidence, however, that the vote became effective.

At the annual town-meeting held March 20, 1775, the town voted to raise fifteen pounds to "hire preaching," but on account of the unsettled condition of the country no results followed this vote. Four years after, at the annual meeting, Ebenezer Meder,

Lieut. Jonathan Lary, and Matthew S. Parker were chosen a 266

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 267

committee ''to hire a minister to preach four months the ensuing summer on as reasonable terms as they can," a condition being "that he preach one-third part of the time on the northeast side of Smith's Pond." It is not probable that the committee ac- complished anything, as the war was then in full blast.

In the spring of 1781 Andrew Collins came to the town, and made an engagement with the selectmen to preach and keep school. The terms were as follows : Collins was to preach the Gospel and keep school where the selectmen should direct, pro- vided the place be "accommodated and convenient," for one year from that date (May 17, 1781), if not sooner dismissed; the selectmen were to board and lodge Collins, and pay him eight dollars per month. The fitting of a room for a school and religious meetings was not very expensive, as will be shown by the following letter : —

To the Honorable Gentlemen, the Selectmen of the town of Wolfborough, chosen for accommodating necessary con- veniences for said town in A. D. 1781 : —

Before you, the said Selectmen, is herein laid the accompt for providing the necessary articles for the accommodating of a school in said town, by John Lucas, viz:

To 119 feet of boards $ .45

To making a Preaching Desk .55

To making one Writing Table .82

To four benches .55

To one Water Bucket .25

To one hundred nails .40

$3.02

Gentlemen, the above-mentioned school accommodations are all provided according to your order given, and the humble re- quest of your affectionate well-wisher,

Andrew Collins, S. M., Under the direction of the Selectmen. Wolfborough, May 22, 1781."

268 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Here is Mr. Collins bill: —

"The Selectmen of the town of Wolfborough

to Andrew Collins Dr.

To Preaching and Keeping School from May I7th

1781 to August 7th 1781 — two and 2-3 months at

eight dollars per month £6: 4: o

To 12 weeks board at Mr. Meder's at one dollar per

week 3:12: 4

£9:16: 4

At the close of Mr. Collins' engagement he immediately made a contract with the selectmen "to keep school until the I7th day of May next, teaching reading, writing, and arithmetick, at six silver dollars per month." It seems, however, that matters did not run smoothly, as in November following, a town-meet- ing was held for the purpose of ascertaining if the people wished to retain the services of Mr. Collins. At a first meeting they voted seventeen to thirteen, and at a second meeting twelve to nine to hire him, but it is evident that he soon left the town.

A special tax of seventeen pounds had been assessed on the inhabitants of the southwest portion of the town, the locality to which Mr. Collins had confined his labors. In the spring of 1782 the people voted to withdraw this list and substitute an- other of less amount, since so large a sum as that assessed was not necessary on account of his having left town. In the tax- list, against the name of Moses Varney, a Quaker, was written "for schooling only," signifying that he did not purpose to com- mit himself to a compulsory method of supporting preachers.

For several years following 1781 the town took no action in regard to supplying preaching, but at the annual meeting of 1786 Cols. Henry Rust and William Cotton were appointed a committee to ascertain what the town proprietors would donate

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 269

towards building a meeting-house and settling a minister, two matters very intimately connected.

From a letter written to the selectmen of Wolfeborough by John Allen, of Stratham, dated Jan. 28, 1792, it appears that his father, Rev. John Allen, visited Wolfeborough about 1783, and preached some. He attempted to visit the town again in March, 1784, for the purpose of making some arrangements in relation to a settlement, but, setting out from Pittsfield, found the roads in Gilmanton so blocked with snow that he gave up the journey to Wolfeborough, and visited Canterbury. He died previous to the date of his son's letter. Rev. Joshua Cushman, of Dover, preached in Wolfeborough four Sabbaths in the autumn of 1791, being hired by the selectmen.

About 1780 Benjamin Randall, a native of Newcastle, N. H., who had removed to New Durham, organized a church there, one of the tenets of which was that the people should not be taxed for the support of the ministry, but that it should be sus- tained by voluntary contributions. Isaac Townsend, one of Ran- dall's adherents, removed to Wolfeborough in the spring of 1791. He had preached some while residing in New Durham, and after his arrival in Wolfeborough continued the practice, holding meetings in private dwellings. Some of the citizens of Wolfeborough had previously adopted some of Randall's re- ligious views, and consequently affiliated with Townsend, thus maintaining Sabbath worship and other devotional meetings in a humble way. Between 1780 and 1790 several Quaker families had moved into Wolfeborough, among them the Varneys the Bassetts, and the Nowells, men of some means and good business capacity. They, too, were opposed to compulsory methods of supporting ministers.

The time had now come when the larger portion of the more influential citizens of Wolfeborough deemed it proper to adopt measures for settling a town minister, whose support should be legally assured as had been generally the custom in New Eng-

270

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

land, by an assessment of taxes on the inhabitants. In defence of this practice it was urged that while the magistrate was justly supported by the people, as they had the benefit of his services, so the minister, the more self-sacrificing of the two, was entitled to his living from the same source, and as all the inhabitants were benefited by his ministrations, all should be required to aid in sustaining him.

Mr. Ebenezer Allen preached in Wolfeborough during the summer of 1/92, and a town-meeting was called by the selectmen, to be held on the twenty-second day of August, "to see if the town will agree to give Mr. Ebenezer Allen a call to settle as a minister of the Gospel in the town, and if there should be an agreement concluded, to adopt such measures as shall be neces- sary."

At the meeting it was voted to give Mr. Allen a call, and a committee of invitation was appointed, consisting of Colonel Henry Rust, Joshua Haines, James Connor, Colonel William Cotton, Andrew Wiggin, Joseph Edmonds, Samuel .Tibbetts, Jonathan Hersey, Daniel Brewster, Ebenezer Meder, Captain Reuben Libbey, Isaiah Home, Jacob Haines, Lieutenant John Martin, Ithiel Clifford, Joseph Keniston, Lieutenant Andrew Lucas, Perry Hardy, Samuel Tibbetts, Jr., Richard Rust, Esq., Jacob Smith, John Fullerton Stephen Home, Henry Rust, Jr., James Fullerton, James Lucas, Jr., Josiah Thurston, David Piper, James Marden, Jason Chamberlain, Paul Wiggin, Jesse Merrill, Aaron Frost, Nathaniel Brown, William Triggs, Isaac Goldsmith, Benjamin Home, George Yeaton, Levi Tibbetts, and Benjamin Wiggin, embracing probably all the freeholders in the town favorable to the movement.

Colonel Henry Rust was appointed chairman of the committee, which was to ascertain on what terms Mr. Allen could be en- gaged, and report at an adjourned meeting to be held on the 3Oth instant. At the adjourned meeting, the committee reported through its chairman that it had unanimously agreed to give Mr.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 2/I

Allen a call and an annual salary of forty-five pounds — one- third of which should be cash, one-third grass-fed beef at twenty shillings a hundred, and one-third corn at three shillings or rye at four shillings a bushel or cash, as the payee might prefer. This salary was to increase as the ratable estate of the town should increase until it amounted to sixty pounds, and thenceforth re- main stationary.

Mr. Allen was also to have twenty-five cords of wood delivered annually at his place of residence, and thirty pounds expended on his buildings, to be paid in such articles as should be neces- sary for their completion. A vacation of five Sabbaths a year was to be allowed him during the first three years of his ministry, and afterwards one of four Sabbaths annually.

It was voted to accept the foregoing report, and Colonel Henry Rust, Joshua Haines, and Andrew Wiggin were appointed a committee to convey to Mr. Allen this report and receive his answer. It was also voted to exempt his estate from taxation during his ministry, should he accept the proffered call. The meeting was then adjourned to the twentieth day of September, when the committee was to report Mr. Allen's reply. At the adjournment it was presented and read.

"To the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Town of Wolf- borough, convened in Town Meeting this 2Oth Day of Sep- tember, A. D. 1792: —

Men, Brethren, § Fathers : The Call or Invitation which you have given me to settle as a Minister of the Gospel in this Town of Wolfborough has engaged my serious Attention. Wishing to act agreeably to the Pleasure of that God whom I serve in the Gospel of his Son, & considering the Unanimity which you have exhibited in your Proceedings, together with other Circum- stances, as affording a striking presumption what that Pleasure is in the Case now depending, I comply with your Request. To be your Minister, and preach to you the unsearchable Riches of

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Christ according to the Measure of Grace & Ability given, I consent & agree. Great, arduous, important is the Work! How important to you and your Children ! How important to me ! How important to that spiritual Kingdom which consists in Righteousness, Peace, & Joy in the Holy Ghost! Who is suf- ficient for these Things! But, says the Redeemer, 'Lo! I am with you always, even unto the End of the World.'

Permit to expect, for I shall certainly need, your Love, your Kindness, your Prayers.

Ebenezer Allen."

This answer was acceptable to the meeting, which voted that Thursday, the twenty-fifth day of October, be appointed for the ordination of Mr. Allen, and Henry Rust, Jr., Richard Rust, Reuben Libbey, and Stephen W. Home were appointed a com- mittee to extend invitations to ministers and churches to attend the ordination services and to provide necessary entertainment for their reception at the expense of the town. It was also voted that Jonathan Allen, of Bradford, Jonathan French, of Andover, Mr. McKean, of Beverly, John Shaw, of Haverhill, Mr. Rowland, of Exeter, Mr. Thayer, of Kingston, Mr. Merrill, of Plaistow, Samuel Haven, of Portsmouth, James Miltemore, of Stratham, Mr. Gray, of Dover, Mr. Haven, of Rochester, Mr. Piper, of Wakefield, Mr. Shaw, of Moultonborough, Mr. Smith, of Gil- manton, Mr. McClintock, of Greenland, Mr. Hidden, of Tarn- worth, and Mr. Porter, of Conway, be invited, with their churches, to act in council at the ordination.

At a town-meeting held October 16, 1792, this action was taken :

"Whereas, we, the freeholders and others, inhabitants of this town of Wolfborough, did, in the month of August last, give Mr. Ebenezer Allen a call or invitation to settle as a minister of the gospel in the said town, and whereas, by his answer in writing of the twentieth of September last, he fully complied with the said

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273

call or invitation, plainly expressing his consent and agreement to be our minister ; and whereas, being then convened in town- meeting, we voted to accept his answer ; we do therefore now re- solve, declare, and vote :

First, That the said Ebenezer Allen, upon giving his answer aforesaid, on the said twentieth of September, and his answer being accepted immediately, became the first minister of the gospel of this town of Wolfborough. Such we then considered him : such we now declare him.

Secondly, That although he was not at that time ordained, yet the civil contract between him and the people being completed, he. the said Ebenezer Allen, was settled, at least so far as respects things of a civil nature ; and therefore immediately had a good and sufficient title to the right or lot of land which was given or reserved for the use of the first minister of the gospel who should settle in said town.

Thirdly, That the said Ebenezer Allen shall have for himself, his heirs and assigns forever, the said right or lot of land, being number eighteen, in what is called the Lords', or Masonian Pro- prietors', quarter of this town of Wolfborough, and consisting of about three hundred and fifty-four acres.

Voted, Secondly, — Whereas it is suspected that Mr. Isaac Fownsend designs to be ordained in some part of this town of Wolfborough as a minister of the gospel, before the ordination of Air. Ebenezer Allen, which is appointed to be on Thursday, the twenty-fifth day of the present October ; and whereas, he may entertain some faint hope that he shall thereby be entitled to the whole or a part of the right or lot of land which was given for the use of the first minister of the gospel who should settle in the town ; — we, therefore, the freeholders and other inhabitants of this town of Wolfborough (to prevent difficulty), do hereby declare — ist, that we have not invited or agreed with the said Isaac Townsend to settle as a minister of the gospel in this town ;

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secondly, that we utterly disown him as our minister ; and thirdly, that we hereby forbid him to be ordained in any part of the said town of Wolfborough, with any view, design, or intention of being considered or acknowledged as a minister of the town."

It was also voted that Mr. Allen's salary commence from the time that he consented to be the minister of the town, and that the constable serve a notice of the second vote passed at this meeting on Mr. Townsend.

A portion of the inhabitants being unwilling to accept Mr. Allen as their minister, prepared a dissent, which was presented to the selectmen by William Rogers and William Lucas, and an informal town-meeting was held, at which it was voted to enter the same on the town records. The following is the instru- ment : —

We, whose names are here underwritten, being inhabitants of the town of Wolfborough, declare that we have considered our- selves of the Baptist persuasion, and have constantly attended to and had a Baptist preacher for the space of seventeen months past, and do now look upon ourselves as a Baptist society : and understanding that Mr. Ebenezer Allen is to be ordained as a minister of the town of Wolfeborough.we hereby enter our dissent against him as our minister ; and declare that we have never called nor desired him, neither will we have any concern in or- daining and settling him, the said Mr. Allen, as our minister, but do make choice of and have called Mr. Isaac Townsend as our minister, and are determined, as the happy government we set under allows us liberty of conscience, according to a previous appointment from the fourth of September, to ordain him as minister the twenty-fifth of this instant October.

Isaac Townsend. Josiah Evans.

William Lucas. William Rust.

Thomas Chase. John Furbur.

Israel Piper. Thomas Cotton.

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William Rogers. John Warren.

Henry Allard. John Edmonds.

John Snell. Jesse Whitten.

Wolfborough, October 19, 1792."

There were other citizens of Wolfeborough, especially among the Quakers, who were opposed to the ordination of Mr. Allen as the town minister. It is not, however, to be inferred from the strong terms used in the forgoing manifestoes that there were any persons in town really hostile to Mr. Allen or Mr. Town- send. The issue was as to the manner of supporting the town minister,— the one party claiming that the benefited should reward the benefactor, even though it should require the compulsion of law to do so, the other claiming that a free Gospel did not need enforced contributions to sustain it.

It so happened that, according to previous arrangments, the same day, October twenty-fifth, had been fixed upon for the ordinations of both Mr. Townsend and Mr. Allen, the Baptists dating their notice from the fourth day of the preceding Sep- tember, and the town from the twentieth day of the same month.

Mr. Townsend was ordained in his own dwelling-house in the early part of the day appointed. The ordaining council con- sisted of Elders Benjamin Randall, Samuel Weeks, Joseph Boodey, and John Whitney, Elder Weeks being chosen modera- tor, and Elder Randall, clerk of the council. The sermon was preached by Elder Weeks from the third, fourth, and seventh verses of the sixth chapter of II. Corinthians, "Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed : But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." Elder Boodey offered the ordaining, and Elder Whitney, the concluding prayer. The charge was

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given by Elder Randall, and the right hand of fellowship by Elder Boodey.

In the afternoon of the same day Mr. Allen was ordained at the meeting-house as the town minister. To Wolfeborough this was the great event of the period, almost the entire population of the town being present, also many from adjacent towns. The officiating clergymen were Rev. Mr. Allen of Bradford, Rev. Mr. Whittemore, of Stratham, Rev. Mr. Shaw, of Moulton- borough, Rev. Mr. Piper, of Wakefield, and Rev. Mr. Gray, of Dover. The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Allen, the charge delivered by Rev. Mr. Shaw, and the right hand of fellow- ship given by Rev. Mr. Piper. Here follow copies of these pro- ductions : —

lid COR. Vth Chap, part of the XXth Verse. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.

God hath been pleased to display his goodness to men, in many re- markable ways, from the beginning of the world. But in nothing does the divine benevolence appear with equal lustre, as in those beams of light and truth exhibited to men through the great Redeemer. The reve- lation of this to mankind has ever been the work of God's faithful ser- vants. And the success they have had in their labors is esteemed by many an ample "recompense of reward."

In the infancy of time, when the light of divine truth began to dawn upon the world, it was clouded in, by many obscure representa- tions, which were only figures of things to come. The most enlightened, therefore, of those days, could see no better than "through a glass dark- ly."— But the clouds and shadows have since fled away, and the truths of divine revelation now shine with a radiant lustre — a lustre enough, when beheld by faith, to charm and captivate every heart. In such an inviting form the Gospel of Christ comes handed down, through various ages and preceding generations to us. Our ears are now saluted with the glad tidings of peace on earth, and good will towards men.

That mankind might become acquainted with the good news of sal- vation by a Redeemer, many messengers have been, and are still em- ployed as ambassadors from heaven. God hath been pleased to send his angels upon this interesting message. "They are all ministring spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." And they first congratulated the world with the news of a Saviour, and pro- claimed the joyful tidings of peace and reconciliation with God.

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But a message delrvered by those exalted beings above, is not always adapted to influence and persuade mankind the best. The superiority of their nature and rank in the scale of being forbids their free and fa- miliar intercourse with men. Those therefore of our own species are much better adapted to the employment of ambassadors from heaven than even the angels themselves. And the probability is, that they will be much more successful, in persuading men to be reconciled to God. The divine grace is likewise much more visible, in the successful influ- ence of the word of truth, than if the interesting business had been as- signed to them. "We have this treasure therefore in earthen vessels, (saith the Apostle) that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." And he likewise says, "all things are of God, who hath recon- ciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation." And immediately upon this, he concludes, as in the worus of our text and says, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ." The Ministers of Christ being engaged in the same employment with his apostles of old, have an equal right to stile themselves his ambassadors that they had. It will not be suspected therefore, that we give them too high a title to call them his ambassadors. Those of us then, who are regu- larly introduced into the sacred office, may without any appearance of arrogance, adopt the stile of the apostle and say, "Now then we are am- bassadors for Christ."

That we may profitably improve and apply these words, upon the present solemnity, we shall consider what we are to understand by an ambassador of Christ; from whence he receives his commission; the dis- position and knowledge requisite; the extensiveness of his office; and how he and his embassy are to be received by mankind.

1st, We are to consider what we are to understand by an ambassador of Christ.

The word ambassador is most commonly used to denominate a mes- senger sent from one kingdom or nation to another, to negotiate and transact public business. An ambassador of Christ is a person intrusted with his gospel, and sent forth to preach and dispense it to mankind. The design of his commission is to bring men to be reconciled to God. He is employed in this business. — The honor is indeed great! It denotes a very high and important trust! But, important as it is, the Great Je- hovah has thought best to commit it to men. To men who are regularly appointed for that purpose. All such are commissioned according to his direction, and are his ambassadors to transact his business here on earth, and they are to treat with the rest of mankind, and persuade them to be reconciled to God.

In order to illustrate this, we proceed to shew

lid, From whence he receives his commission. This he receives from Christ. It is conferred on him by the solemn rite of ordination. He is thus separated, set apart, and consecrated to the important work.

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It hath pleased God, in some mode or other to appoint certain men, to be his messengers to the rest of their species, in every age from the beginning of the world. In ancient times, Moses and the Prophets were employed in this great embassy. They were animated and commissioned thereto by inspiration, and a divine impulse immediately from heaven. They were sent by a positive command from God, and charged with his messages to men, and they always spoke and delivered the truth as they were moved by inspiration.

After the Prophets, the Son of God himself was sent from heaven, to establish a covenant of peace between God and his rebellious people, — and he came with the olive branch of peace, and authority in every respect, to transact the affairs of his kingdom here on earth, and before he again left the world, "he gave some apostles: and some prophets: and some, evangelists: and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

Our Lord first called to himself his desiples, and out of these "he chose and ordained twelve, whom also he named apostles;" and after one of them had proved an apostate, "his bishoprick let another take," said an inspired apostle. And Matthias was accordingly ordained to "take that part of the ministry, from which Judas by transgression fell." The apostles afterwards likewise, by the direction of the Holy Ghost, separated Barnabas and Saul, and ordained them to the same divine employment. "I am ordained," says one of them, "to be an apostle and a teacher of the gentiles." And they thus proceeded and "ordained them elders in every church." Ordination was performe- "by prayer and laying on of the hands of the presbytery." And it was a standing or- der that such ordinations should be continued, and men thus in the most solemn manner be separated to the work of the ministry. "The same commit thou to faithful men," says Paul in his charge to Timothy, "who shall be able to reach others also." The institution has accordingly ever been practiced by all their followers. And there has been a succession of men thus ordained ever since the days of the apostles. The ordination of every regular minister may thus be traced from Christ himself, and no one is able to point out wherein the succession has been interrupted.

The ministers of our congregational churches have an equal right to the claim of being the successors of the apostles with the bishops of England or of Rome. And although ordination be not performed by men who pretend to any dignity above their brethren in office; yet it is equally valid as if our bishops held ever so large a benefice, or put on ever so many airs of state. We all have as extensive a commission as can possibly be given on earth. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ." — We now proceed

Hid, To consider the disposition and knowledge requisite for an ambassador of Christ. A man who is endued with this important trust,

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and thus undertakes the work of the ministry, ought most undoubtedly to be a man of true religion. The honor of his divine master ought to be very near his heart. This is the most essential qualification for a minister of the gospel. It is so essential, that without it, no one ought ever to take upon him the sacred trust.

For a man to be bound to preach the gospel, the doctrines of which he does not believe, and "to be tied to an employment, while he has not an inward conformity to it (says an excellent author) is both unbecom- ing, and the most unpleasant and uncomfortable state of life conceiv- able." When he undertakes to instruct others in religion, he offers that as a light to them, which has never proved of this salutory efficacy to himself. Such a man is entirely unworthy the sacred profession; and will prove a scandal to religion, or be obliged to live in continual re- straint or hypocrisy, And the one is equally as dangerous to others as the other is to himself. There can be no safety therefore in his undertaking to preach the gospel. He will not be faithful in a cause that he does not view in its real importance. He will not heartily espouse the character of one, for whom he has not a tender regard. And the man who does not entertain a devout love to the great author of our religion, and to mankind, will not deeply engage to promote the glory of the one, or the best interest and happiness of the other. A devout love to God, and an affectionate regard to the souls of men, are the two cardinal and even radical exercises in our holy religion, and are absolutely requisite for a gospel minister. And it is equally necessary also that he should him- self believe those doctrines, which, by his office, it becomes his duty to enjoin upon others. We cannot therefore insist too strongly upon the most hearty sincerity, in one, who professes to preach the gospel. His heart must be impressed with a true and just sense of religion. He must experience the divine influences of it upon his soul, an1 be trans- formed into the genius and spirit of the gospel.

And it is not only requisite that the ministers of Christ be men of true religion; but men of serious and regular deportment and behaviour. They must carry the visible marks of their regard to Christ in their lives and conversation. They must be an example to their hearers in word, in doctrine, and in the practise of every virtue.

The actions of men, whatever their profession may be, always pass for the real index of their hearts. They are the criterion by which their true character is known. And it is always expected that men of piety; and especially those to whom the care of souls is entrusted, should be holy and exemplary in their lives. In proportion therefore, as they devi- ate from the rules of the gospel, the world of mankind never fail to load them with censures; and reproaches are often heaped upon the whole body of the clergy for their sakes; and even religion itself does not es- cape the infamy of it. How important then is it that the ministers of Christ should be visibly as well as internally holy! The reputation of

2go HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

religion itself, to say nothing of their own character, requires that they sacredly conform to the precepts and doctrines of Christ. Out of the good treasure of their hearts, therefore, they should invariably bring forth that which is good. And as long as they support this character, the truths of the gospel dispensed by them, will appear in their truly amiable and delightful nature. Like the rays of the sun reflected upon the world, by that bright orb that rules the night, they will appear with a delightful lustre; and those men themselves are so far calculated to shine as lights in the world.

But all good men art not, in every respect, qualified to preach the gospel. A man may be a good man, and yet may have but very little doctrinal acquaintance with the truths of Christianity. A much further acquaintance of those is necessary for one who undertakes to instruct others; and next to a vital principle of religion, a very considerable de- gree of knowledge is requisite for a gospel preacher.

I do not say that a collegiate education is absolutely necessary for a minister of Christ. Nor do I say that men of the greatest genius only may undertake the sacred employment. Men may obtain a good degree of knowledge and never be seen in any university. And men of moder- ate abilities, well improved, may become useful to society, even as minis- ters of the gospel. But the abilities of no man, unimproved by study, are equal to the extensive business. The best natural genius, unculti- vated by science, is like gold in the mines, rather than that which is pu- rified and refined; and the talents of Christ's ministers ought always to appear like gold well refined and tried. Their natural capacity ought therefore to be well improved and enlarged by close application to their studies. The more improvement they make, other qualifications being the same, the better able are they to instruct mankind. They ought especially to be well acquainted with the truths and doctrines contained in the sacred bible.

A man would make but a poor figure as an ambassador abroad, who did not understand the constitution and laws of the kingdom to which he belongs. And he is much less qualified as an ambassador from God to men. who is not well acquainted with the scriptures both of the old and new testament. These contain the constitution and laws by which he is to regulate his conduct; and the principles upon which he is to treat with mankind. They contain the sum total of what he is to deliver in his messages to men. He may not exceed, or fall short of a just and impartial distribution of what is committed to him from those golden treasures. No one may add to, or diminish from anything contained in the sacred bible. And how can any act with sufficient caution in such a momentous affair, unless they understand the contents of this sacred volume? Ignorance in one who attempts to preach the gospel, is of all errors the most inexcusable. It plainly declares his forwardness to run before he is sent.

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A man who would become an able divine, will make it his daily busi. ness to study the holy scriptures; And without this, let his genius or moral goodness be ever so great, he will not be an accomplished instruct- or. He must study the scriptures diligently, read them with attention, and make use of such expositors as have made the deepest researches into them. He must likewise improve every other method possible to obtain the most perfect acquaintance with the sublime truths contained therein.

It may not be inferred from hence, that I suppose those truths that are essential to salvation, lie so deep as to be far beyond the common view of men. But a man may understand enough for his own faith and practice, as a Christian, and not be able to instruct others. He who undertakes to instruct others should be able to compare one part of the scriptures with another; to see the connexion between them; and to ex- plain the whole, and explain all parts of them, according to their original harmony and agreement; for the want of this, many have made the most awful havock of the scriptures conceivable. They have been made to speak as many absurdities and contradictions as there are humors, passions or prejudices in their ignorant, opinionated expositors. A dreadful idea indeed, that the sacred oracle should be thus treated, tor- tured and torn in pieces! And that this should be done too, by men who profess to be their interpreters! Too much care cannot be taken in guard- ing against such errors.

It is confessed by all. except such as are novices indeed, "that there are some things contained in the sacred writings, hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable, wrest, as they do, also other scriptures, to their own destruction." And from hence we see the need of learning, in order rightly to interpret them; and the further men dive into the broad and bottomless ocean of divine knowledge, if they do not go beyond and bewilder themselves, the better able they will be to in- struct others. From these deep researches they will thus be able to bring forth things new and old.

As there are some branches of science which have a more favorable aspect upon the study of divinity than others, it is by no means amiss tliat a minister's mind should often be replenished from hence. Such is particularly the study of the ancient languages; the history of nations, both ancient and modern; the rise and fall of the various empires of the world; and especially treatises upon morality and religion, natural and revealed.

The principles of natural religion cannot be too well understood, nor our moral obligations too clearly investigated, by one who is called to dispense the word of truth. Upon the broad basis of the religion of nature, revelation itself is founded; and its object is to correct, to raise and elevate the first principles of our nature, and temper them with the divine.

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Every degree of human knowledge ought to be so arranged, as to lead on to divine, and bring us to be more familiarly acquainted with the oracles of God: And there, as in a point, ought all the studies of a min- ister to converge and finally centre. Ministers should thus universally strive, like Apollos, to be "mighty in the scriptures." From these sacred treasures, as from a store-house, all their instructions should be drawn forth and adapted to the particular state, situation, and circumstances o:' their people.

And to apply the doctrines ar.d precepts of the gospel with skill, a minister ought likewise to be well acquainted with human nature. He should be able to look into mankind and see them in every attitude they may ever be placed. He may then with exactness learn the state and circumstances of his own people, see what part of advice or instruction they need, and adapt it to them accordingly; as he knows their disease, he may with greater hopes of success point out the remedy and he will be able thus to apply the terrors of the divine law, or to pour in the soothing and assuaging oil of the sacred gospel, as occasion requires; and having the springs of action in some measure at his command, he will endeavor, by the utmost of his power, to lead them in the paths of true religion. Such a guide is like a skilful pilot at the helm in the time of storm, and will use all his skill to anchor them safely ou Christ, the only foundation of all our hopes. — Vv'e are now

IVth, To consider the extensiveness of a minister's office. And it is indeed very extensive. But a principal part, nevertheless, is to preach the gospel — and to do this agreeable to the rules prescribed him, ought to engross his greatest attention.

The injunction given to the apostles, and thro' them to all Christ's ministers is this: "Go, preach the gospel;" and they are to preach it in its genuine purity and original perfection; not with wisdom of words, but in its native simplicity and beauty. And "who is that faithful and wise steward whom the Lord shall make ruler over his household to give them their portion of meat in due season?" "Who is sufficient for these things?" It is no disparagement to the ministers of Christ to con- fess their own insufficiency for so arduous a business; and did they not derive aid from above they would never be able to "fulfil their ministry." The world in general have but narrow conceptions of that charge which is laid upon them. They are commissioned to negotiate a treaty of peace between God and men. Their business is to bring men to be rec- onciled to God; and to accomplish this great end, will occupy all their talents, let them be ever so extensive. And after all, the reflection that they labour so much in vain, will often depress their spirits, and almost sink them in the dust. It is nevertheless their duty to go forward and preach Christ and him crucified, "whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear," "Woe is unto me (saith the apostle) if I preach not the pospe!:" And the same woe will fall on all the ministers of Christ,

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if they neglect it; and they must preach the gospel as those who must give an account.

Those who are devoutly engaged in the dispensation of the word, and have an hearty desire for the souls of men, will keeep the people of their charge in view before them; will consider what doctrines are most essential to their salvation as well as improvement in Christian knowl- edge and practical godliness, and make these the principal object of their attention. They will bring these often into view, and inculcate them with all the energy of a pious zeal for God and regard to the souls of men.

The best of men, indeed, are not all united in their opinion, what doctrines are essential to salvation, or are most useful to mankind; and in this im per feet state, it can hardly be expected, that all men should think in every respect exactly alike. But their disagreement does not originate from the scriptures, but from themselves. A man therefore conscious of the frailties of human nature, will be careful how he imposes his own sentiments as an infallible test for the belief of others. But however cautious he may be in controuling the faith of others, every one who preaches the gospel ought to have the main principles of religion estab- lished in his own mind. He ought to determine 1'or himself what doc- trines are most essential to salvation, and make them the basis and ground work of all his preaching. And as cautious as I am of controul- ing the faith of others, I frankly confess, I believe all the truths and doc- trines contained in the sacred bible, as far as understood, essential to salvation, and do not hesitate to impose the belief of them upon all man- kind.

But nevertheless there are some doctrines contained in the bible, which I view of more importance than others. Such particularly are a belief of the being and perfections of God, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the original purity and present elapsed state of man, the necessity and efficacy of the atonement Christ has made for sin, our absolute need of repentance towards God and faith in the Redeemer, of regeneration and the sanctification of our nature, the certainty of a resurrection and of a future judgment. These all appear to me to be very impotant doctrines, and such as a faithful minister will not fail to inculcate upon his hear- ers. Nor will he omit the various duties men owe to God, to themselves and to the world around them. He will not neglect to "declare" the whole "counsel of God;" and he will endeavor to do it with that energy and pathos most likely to convince sinners of their errors, to edify the people o'J God, and to build them up in faith and holiness.

But the whole duty of a minister does not lie in the pulpit, nor in preaching the gospel. He is called by his office to other employments that are often of equal or greater importance than this. He is placed as a watchman upon the walls of God's Jerusalem. And he is always to give warning when he sees any danger. He is to warn every one and be- seech them in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God.

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A faithful minister watching for souls, cannot fail to improve every opportunity to gain access to them, and to lead and direct them in the paths of true religion. He will visit his people therefore, as often as he is able in health, and will by no means neglect it in times of sickness and affliction. An opportunity then often presents, to do those friendly offices in conversation and prayer, that in times of health are not in his power. He will endeavor therefore, at such times, in an especial manner, to become a worker together with God and bring men to be reconciled to him.

The necessity of those duties, brings to mind the almost fatal con- duct of mankind, in putting off that till on beds of sickness, and perhaps a dying hour, which ought to be the business of their whole lives. How often is a minister called to visit the sick, in the last moments of their life, who have not given testimony of their faith and repentance before! and it is not unlikely but some in this critical moment may be in a state of despair; and others have no bands in their death, being wholly at ease; either of which must give a minister great distress for them. Counsels and directions at such times, can be but a very little attended to by them. The most that he can do is to pray for them, and commit them into the hands of him who made them, and resign them to his sovereign disposal.

And a minister of Christ, who is sensible of his duty to his people, even in times of health will not cease to pray for them. He is a man of prayer and will employ a very considerable part of his time in this duty. He will devoutly implore the blessing of God upon his labours, upon himself, upon the people of his charge, and upon the whole world of mankind; and he will not only pray, but watch. A pious minister is a good watchman. He will take heed "therefore to himself, and to his flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made him an overseer." And "blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching." — We are now in the

Vth, And last place to shew how an ambassador of Christ and his embassy are to be received by mankind. Ambassadors from the courts of earthly princes are entitled, by the laws of nations to many immunities and much respect. Their persons are always deemed inviolable; and their property is not subject to be seized. But the ambassadors of the Almighty Prince of heaven neither claim, desire, nor expect any such immunities and privileges as these. They claim only that respect and deference which is due to their office. And if there be so much honor due to one who bears an embassy from an earthly prince, there is some to be expected by such as are ambassadors from the King of heaven. They are honored with the highest commission ever given to men. "There is nothing in any office, ancient or modern, I ever saw (says a learned bishop) so exceedingly serious and solemn as this." It becomes men therefore, to treat them with so much respect as the ambassadors of

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Christ, as to "lay aside all superfluity of naughtiness, and to receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save their souls." It is their duty to hearken diligently to the word of God dispensed by them, to hear it with attention and candour, and with a mind disposed to profit by it. "Every man should be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." And it is their duty to receive the gospel from Christ's ministers as a message from heaven to them, and let it have a suitable impression upon their hearts and lives. They will then also learn to prize the ministers of Christ, "and to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake."

Such is not the spirit and temper which prevails amongst mankind at the present day. How many are there who reject and dispise, or what is worse, openly revile both the gospel and its ministers This, to say the least, brings a dark cloud upon the age and nation in which we live. How few are there in many places, who wish to maintain the gospel! And how many who consider the standing ministry, be they ever so much engaged to promote their good, as an intolerable burden upon society! And to be exempted from it, they set up men as preachers, who can scarcely read their bibles. A dark omen this upon our rising re- public!

But thanks be to heaven, there are yet some, and a goodly number, who heartily respect the ways of Zion : Who treat the gospel and its ministers with due respect. Let them be encouraged to go on, and by their utmost exertions, support the cause of religion and the preached gospel among them.

An ardent zeal for religion is good, but none can justify a zeal which is not according to knowledge: And of all things, except indifference, this is most fatal to true Christianity and vital godliness: And the latter most commonly terminates in the former. The constitution of man is like an elastic body when bent by violence, and will return, at least to its original position, and commonly much further. In proportion as it has been strained too far one way, it will soon vibrate the other: And it is most frequently the case, that those men, who at one period of life, are wound up to the highest pitch of zeal and enthusiasm, at another, become of all men the most careless and indifferent to religion, and often its greatest enemies. The progress is direct from one extreme to the other. When they find they have been taught to lay great stress upon that as religion which is not real, but imaginary, they at length conclude that all religion is nothing but imagination, and with their superstition they relinquish the whole as a fiction. When once they are removed form their stedfastness, it is uncertain where they will light. They commonly go from one scheme to another 'til they come to nothing. The first onsets therefore made upon them, to shake them from their stedfastness in religious principles, are an object worthy their particular attention. They ought ever to guard against such preachers as attempt it, and treat them with a pious neglect.

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It may be expected that those preachers to whom we allude will appear in the resemblance of blazing comets wandering from one place to another. They have but little visible likeness to the fixed stars to which the ministers of Christ are compared. They have a zeal for God, it is true; but not according to knowledge. And the apostle, speaking of such says, "they zealously affect you, but not well," such men are by no means to be encouraged. The gospel of Christ is not to be preached by a novice, nor any men who are ignorant and unlearned. It is to be preached only by men of learning and such as are faithful, apt and able to teach: And such men only are to be esteemed as the ambassadors of Christ: And the messages that they deliver are to be treated as the oracles of God, and "mixed with faith in them that hear them." Every word ought to be received as a message from the King of heaven; a message in which the salvation of men is deeply concerned; a message for which all who hear must be accountable. And happy are those who treat the gospel with due respect, and the ministers of Christ as his true ambassadors. Blessed are those who received the word into good, honest, and upright hearts. "Blessed indeed are they who hear the word of God and keep it."

Having thus, as briefly as possible, gone through the subject pro- posed; permit me now,

My brethren, in the work of the ministry, to remind you that "we are ambassadors for Christ." Under this appellation we at once see what an extensive field there is open before us for action. We are in a moment convinced that our Lord has not sent us forth to be idle, but to labour: And our duty is to treat with men and bring them to be recon- ciled to God. And what an arduous work have we before us! A work to which an angel, if clothed in flesh, would not be equal! How then shall we execute the important embassy? Thanks be to God, that though utterly unable ourselves, our sufficiency is of him. And through him strengthening us we can do all things that he has commanded us. Re- lying then upon his aid, let us go forward and never "be slothful in busi- ness"; but "fervent in spirit serving the Lord."

The Lord hath reposed a great degree of trust, my brethren, in us. "I have set watchmen," says he, "upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night." And we must watch contin- ually for the souls of men, and never cease to warn and persuade them. We must "in meekness instruct those who oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."

The ministers in this country have in general been noted for their unamity among themselves; and for their faithfulness in the work of the ministry. Our fathers who have gone before us, have given testimony of their fidelity to Christ and his kingdom. Let us then "be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Let us

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especially follow him who hath made it our duty to imitate him in every virtue. Let us all study the best good of our respective charges, and thus take heed to ourselves, and to the people committed to our care. Let nothing retard or hinder us in the discharge of our duty, be it ever so difficult or dangerous. And in the way of our duty, we may depend upon the divine presence with, and aid to support us. "Lo I am with you always," says he, "even to the end of the world."

As ambassadors of Christ, and as men who are engaged to promote his interest; it must give us peculiar pleasure when we see the pros- perity of Zion, and the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom in the world. Such is the pleasure we all undoubtedly feel on this solemn yet joyful occasion. We here see a land not long since a wilderness becoming a fruitful field and peopled with men of religion. We here see churches rising where beasts of prey were wont to rove.

And this place too, where now we stand before the Lord, was a few years since a desert wild. We are now also called to separate a man to the work of the ministry, in a place, where the beams of the gospel have but lately begun to shine. A place where an ambassador of Christ has never been ordained. He is a man likewise who we hope will be faithful to his trust. Pray we then for the further prosperity of Zion, that her bounds may be enlarged, her walls built up, and that she may be established as a city that is at unity in itself.

It is with pleasure, my dear brother, that we are called to commit the souls of this people to your care. We rejoice that a man of your approved abilities is to take the charge of them.

The \vork of the ministry, we are sensible, in, every respect, is not intirely new to you. It has been your constant business for a number of years to preach the gospel. Your age and experience will now there- fore give you many advantages, which a man young and less acquainted with the employment, cannot profess. And you will not fail, we trust, to improve all your abilities, both natural and acquired, for the glory of God and the best good of this people. And you will ever remember that "unto whomsoever much is given of him shall be much required."

It is not my province to prescribe to you, Sir, the rules by which you are to regulate your conduct either in public or private life. This is already done by the great head of the church himself. And you are to call no man master on earth, "for one is your master even Christ." I wish you not therefore to receive any as a standard of your faith, except Christ and the inspired penmen of the old and new testa- ment. You may not consider even the immortal Calvin, Arminius or Luther among the ancients, nor any of the best among modern writers as infallible: infallibility belongs not to men any further than they con- form to the divine oracles. The sacred bible is therefore the best, and indeed the only standard of orthordoxy given us. Let the bible then be the standard of your faith and practice. Bring every sentiment to thia

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standard: and deliver nothing but what you find supported by this sacred volume. And by this, let all your conduct as well as preaching be intirely regulated and governed ; and endeavor thus to approve your- self to God and the consciences of men.

The world in general, you are sensible, dear sir, make no allowances for any inperfections in Christ's ministers. Many scarcely consider that they are flesh and blood, and require the necessary means to refresh, much less to relax or invigorate animal nature. You will expect there- fore, that the least spot will be observed with a microscopic eye and made to appear a blemish of the first magnitude. Be thou therefore as wise as a serpent, in all your behaviour, and as harmless as a dove.

While your heart is engaged in the work of the ministry, and you desire to do good in the world, you will continue to make such further improvements in useful knowledge as you are able. You will improve much time in your study, in searching the scriptures, in devotion, and in praying for your people. You will likewise improve every opportunity to converse with them upon religion and the great concerns of the world to come. And like your great Lord and master, you will go about con- tinually doing good, both to the bodies and to the souls of men. And you will never fail to implore the influences of the holy spirit to direct you in your studies, to aid you in your preaching and every other duty. Thus will you be enabled to understand the scriptures and find your duty both agreeable and delightful. And under the divine aid you will "shew yourself approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." You will come forth as a burning and shining light, being heartily engaged in the cause of re- ligion; your light will shine before men, that they seeing your warm attachment to your Lord, and desire for the good of men, will glorify your Saviour and Redeemer.

The charge that you are about to take upon you, I doubt not, at this time, notwithstanding the aid you expect to receive from above, presses exceeding heavy upon your mind. It is the greatest, in its nature and importance, ever laid upon man; it is so great indeed, that I am sensible that you must receive it with a trembling heart. Your thoughts naturally fly at once through all the broad field of duty you have to pass; and from thence to the great retribution day, when you and all the people of your charge shall appear before the bar of God. And 0, what a heart-melting consideration is this! How affecting the thought that you and your people shall there stand acquited or condemned, ac- cording as you preach and they hear the word dispensed by you here on earth. Let not such thoughts intirely sink, but teach you care and caution, and stimulate you to an ardent zeal finally to be approved by your decisive judge. And "be thou faithful unto the death," saith the great Amen, the faithful and true witness, "and I will give thee a crown of life."

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My attention is now of course turned to the church and congregation in this town:

My beloved brethren;

We most heartily congratulate you upon the prospect of having a gospel minister settled with you. You will I doubt not, receive as a peculiar smile of providence; a blessing to which no earthly comforts can be compared. Behold, then the man, whom you have chosen to be your guide. Behold him now, in the most solemn manner, devoting him- self to you and your service. We rejoice that you have made choice of a man so well calculated to serve you as a minister of Christ. We trust that he will be faithful to his blessed Lord and master, and to you. Receive him then, as a precious gift of our glorious Redeemer; a gift, which he bequeathed to you when he left this world to go to the father. Attend to his counsels also, as the messages of God to you for good: And should he at any time deliver such sentiments as you do not under- stand, examine them with care; and never reject them without the most mature deliberation. The more you attend to the word of truth, the better able you will be to judge for yourselves, and the greater degree of candor you will be able to exercise towards your minister. And when he preaches the truths of the gospel, you will receive them, "not as the word of man, but as they are indeed the word of God.

You have discovered your regard to the gospel, at least in some good measure, by your present exertions. We trust that you consider it as an invaluable treasure. But you are to remember, that you even now, as far as relates to your minister, have this treasure in an earthern vessel; a vessel liable to be broken; and which requires care and attention in the usage. You will then never treat him with violence, nor expect greater services from him than he is able to perform. And while he is faithful to his charge, you will esteem him as an ambassador of Christ. You will pray that the spirit of God may attend, assist, strengthen, and support him. And you will likewise pray, that all his labours may be crowned with success, may have a salutary impression upon your hearts, and direct you in the way of life and happiness.

And may he who walketh amidst the golden candlesticks, who hold- eth the stars in his own right hand, give him wisdom to dispense, and you grace to improve the word of truth. May you live together in peace and harmony here on earth, and finally be prepared to dwell together forever in heaven.

In taking leave of this sacred desk, my last addresses are in a few words, to this respectable assembly.

My beloved friends;

You have all heard the duty of a minister of Christ. And if you have not been deficient in duty to yourselves, you have by this time in many respects learned your own. You are sensible that the great end of his commission is to bring men to be reconciled to God. This then is a duty

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to which you are particularly to attend. And in conformity to it, you will treat the ministers of Christ as his ambassadors, the sacred gospel as the word of reconciliation, and make this the invariable rule of your faith and obedience. Let me enjoin it upon you therefore, that you carefully hear and heartily obey the gospel of Christ; that you speedily enter into a covenant of peace, and become reconciled to God. And I doubt not, my brethren in the ministry here present, will join with me in this interesting request: "As though God did beseech you," then "by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.'' AMEN.

THE CHARGE.

He that is the Church's head builder, maker and ruler, to whom all judgment is committed, and from whom all power is derived, has promised that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." So that while the world stands, Christ will have a church in it, in which his truths and ordinances shall be owned and kept up in spite of all the opposition of the powers of darkness.

To give us an assurance of this he has appointed a succession of the gospel ministry to act for and under him. in his ecclesiastical king- dom, through all ages of men, to whom he has promised his gracious presence, even to the end of the world: As in the commission which he first gave to the apostles, and the promise made by him to them, who were the chief ministers of state in his kingdom, to whom we find he said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." This like the Old Testament promise of a gospel ministry is made to a succession — like that in Isaiah, 59, 21. "This is my convenant with them saith the Lord, my spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seeds' seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and forever." For if, this "lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" must be understood otherwise, how could he "be with them al- way, even unto the end of the world," who died soon after. It must be understood of a succession, "lo, I am with you al- way, even unto the end of the world," that is saith one, "with you and your successors, with you and all the ministers of the gospel in the several ages of the church, with all to whom this commission extends, and with all that being duly called and sent, thus baptize and thus teach." "When the end of the world is come, and the kingdom delivered up to God, even the Father; there will be no further need of ministers, and their ministration; but 'til then they shall continue, and the great in-

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tentions of the institution shall be answered, which is to transmit the gospel from age to age, to the end of the world among the nations of the earth,'' who would soon degenerate without a monitor and standing ministry, and be wrapt up in error and darkness. For, the Bible is not enough without this institution; therefore the same Christ that instituted apostles to write scripture, instituted pastors and teachers to open and apply it; who by his appointment are to be set apart to that honorable and important work, by solemn ordination, with fasting and prayer, and the laying on of hands.

The rite of imposing hands we find in the New Testament was used in setting apart of gospel ministers — nothing a soleman designation of them to the office, and an earnest desire that God would qualify them for it, and own them in it. Thus Barnabas and Saul were separated to the work. Thus Timothy was ordained by the laying of the hands of the presbytery, in the presence of many witnesses. Thus ministers now are to be ordained.

The church and people of God in this town of Wolfborough having been led, we hope, by his gracious Sovereign Providence, to make choice of Mr. Ebenezer Allen to be set over them in the Lord, to minister to them in holy things, as the church have now renewed their choice and call in the presence and view of the great assembly, and he having also manifested his acceptance of this their call, We therefore being ordained ministers in the several churches to which we belong, and having the concurrence of our reverend brethren, with the delegates of the churches in this venerable council convened on this weighty affair of Christ's kingdom, Do now solemnly put our hands on him, uniting in our prayers to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, for all needed blessings. That he would enrich this his servant ^/ith treasures of wis- dom and knowledge.

Dear Brother,

We charge you, before the all-seeing and heart-searching God, and in the name and by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, "whose eyes are as a flame of fire," beholding all things, that you take heed to your- self, to your doctrines, to your ministration in holy things, and to your conversation and whole conduct of life. That you study to approve your- self, as much as in you lies, to God, and to the conscience of your be- holders.

Take heed to thyself in the first place, look well to the state of thine own soul. Beware now of hypocrisy and formality. Consider that in this solemn scene in which, you have the charge of souls committed to you, you have to do with one that seeth not as man seeth — a God that looketh on the heart. See therefore that you do indeed devote yourself in sincerity to his service in the gospel of his Son.

Take heed also to thy doctrine. See that it be good, — the doctrine of Christ — a doctrine accordingly to godliness. "Speak thou the things

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which become sound doctrine." Approve thyself to God — "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed;" and in order hereto, give thyself to reading, meditation and prayer. Make the word of God the great subject of your studies — the alone subject of your preaching, and feed the people now committed to your care, with the knowledge and understand- ing of this. You are not called to range the schools — to follow th- mazes of metaphysics; the plan of your work is complete in the sacred volume; every principle of faith, every rule of life you are to teach, every1 argu- ment and motive to enforce the Christian faith and practice. Keep close thereto; and let every human composure have but a second place in your regard. Lay the stress of your preaching where the gospel lays the stress of religion, and insist rather on the great and evident duties of Christianity, than on circumstantials. Be sparing in matters! of doubt- ful disputation, wherein good and wise men have found difficulties, which but remotely affect the Christian's faith and hope.

We charge you further to take heed to your holy ministrations — ad- minister the sacraments of Christ's institution, viz. — Baptism with water, to the proper subjects of it, and' the Lord's supper, to visible believers of blameless lives — look well to the whole flock committed to your charge: Feed the "sheep," and also feed the "lambs." Keep up gospel discipline in the church, with impartiality, not preferring one above another in judging the causes brought before you.

Bear a just and faithful testimony against sin, and every scandal with whomsoever it shall be found, not fearing the faces of men, nor having their persons in admiration because of advantage.

Moreover we charge you in the fear of God, and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you take special heed to your conversation, and whole conduct in life — "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Teach by example, as well as doctrine.

Live out the blessed gospel you preach before the eyes of the people, in the amiable and engaging beauties of practical holiness as ever you would hope to be successful in your labours, ior people will ever take it for truth that actions speak louder than words. "Therefore seeing you have received this ministry, faint not, renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commend yourself to every man's conscience in the light of God."

(Bless the people in the name of the Lord, and the same ministry you have received of the Lord Jesus "commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also.")

If you thus faithfully fulfil your trust, no man will despise you, a consciousness of your integrity will support you under all the cares and difficulties you may be called to encounter for the sake of the cause in which you are engaged: All but the abandoned of mankind will re-

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spect you; the good, the virtuous will be your friends, your vindicators; and, what is infinitely more, that being, who has said, "those that honor me, I will honor," will be your shield and your exceeding great reward. — AMEN.

THE RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP.

The ceremony of giving-the Right-Hand is as ancient as the Christian church; and its authority is derived from the apostles of our Lord. — It is an action, expressive of that cordial friendship, and social inter- course which exhibits a beautiful portrait of the genius of that religion, which ought ever to be supreme in the hearts of gospel ministers, which they should exercise towards each other, and inculcate upon mankind. The public teachers of religion being expected to iabour in one common cause, as under shepherds of the great over-seer of souls; and under the orders of their divine commander, the great Captain of their salvation, are bound to yield the sword of the spirit in a most violent conflict with a guileful and potent adversary. The combined force of earth, and the powers of the gloomy regions being directly opposed to the success of the gospel; they who are set for the defence of the truth, should ever be prompt to aid each other, and see that their hearts are knit together in Christian love.

The venerable council here convened, under the influence of this persuasion, have appointed me, to give the pledge of friendship, and earnest of their brotherly support unto him, who hath this day been regularly ordained a minister of Jesus Christ, by prayer and the laying on of hands. Therefore, Rev. and dear sir, we do present you with this our right hand, and with it, covenant to hold fellowship with you in all social religious acts, as duty shall require.

And now my brother, if thy heart be right with our hearts, animated with ardent love to precious souls, stimulated with holy zeal in the cause of our divine Master, come up with us into the chariot of the gospel, and following the banners of our heavenly leader — be a faithful minister — prove instrumental of adding to the success, and you shall finally par- ticipate in the .triumph of him, who goeth forth conquering and to conquer.

Brethren of this church, accept our congratulations on this aus- picious day. We have beheld you witnessing a good confession, and, in conformity to the example of the holy prophet, ,you have set up your Ebenezer. and said, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. — We greet you as a; sister church. May you go on and prosper. Give evidence by your Christian conversation, and exemplary conduct, that you are not ashamed of the gospel; and may you at last reap the 'glorious reward, contained in that promise of the great Head of the church "Unto him that over- cometh, will I grant to sit with me, in my (throne; even, as I also over- came, and am set down with my father in his throne."

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The entertainment on the occasion of Mr. Allen's ordination was provided at the Cabbott-Wentworth Farm. The committee's bill for stores and services here follows : —

"Town of Wolfborough Dr.

To the committee appointed to provide entertainment for the council attending at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Allen

For 31-2 gallons rum £i — 2 — 9

" 4 wine I — 10 — o

*' 71-4 Ibs. loaf sugar 13 — 8

" 42 " brown sugar i — 5 — o

" 21-2 doz. lemons 5 — °

" amt. of Captain John Martin's acct. for

victuals and horse keeping 3 — 18 — 6 " time and expense of Capt. Libbey in go- ing after stores i — 5 — 6

£10— 0—5

time of committee attending to said business 3 days of Captain Libbey @ 3 shillings £o — 9 3 " " Richard Rust @ 3 o — 9

7 " " Stephen Home @ 3 i — i

6 " " Henry Rust ©3 o— 18

£2 — 17 ID— 0—5

£12—17—5

The first day of the following March a tax of twenty-one pounds two shillings and eleven pence was assessed to cover the above bill of expenses and the cost of laying the gallery floors. The or- der for collecting the same was not signed by the Quaker select- man, Moses Varney, and the names of some Quakers and Baptists were not on the list of tax-payers, which included about ninety persons.

CHAPTER XXI.

FIRST MINISTER'S LOT — THE PARSONAGE — MINISTERIAL TAX — VARNEY'S PETITION — EXEMPTS — THE LAWSUIT — THE GLOVE — ALLEN'S ANCESTRY AND POSTERITY — His WORK AND CHARACTER — SUDDEN DEATH — COMPARISON OF THE Two FIRST CLERGYMEN — SKETCH OF ELDER TOWNSEND.

IT has already been noticed that one lot in the Masonian Pro- prietors' division of Wolfeborough was intended for the first minister who should be settled in the town. At the drawing in 1766 this was designated to be lot eighteen, which was situated in the northwesterly part of the town, near Beech Pond, and con- tained three hundred and fifty acres. Its surface was very broken, and its location inconvenient for the residence of the town minister. Arrangements were made with Mr. Cabbott, then pro- prietor of the Wentworth Farm, to exchange this tract of land for one more suitable. The lot selected adjoined the ten acre lot as- signed for public uses, and on the east end bordered on Lake Wentworth. It was on the road leading from the southern to the northern part of the town, and was a most desirable location for a parsonage.

Without controversy Mr. Allen was entitled to the lot. Al- though Mr. Townsend was first ordained, and was a minister of the town, he was not, however, the town minister, being ordained by a voluntary religious association, whereas Mr. Allen was or- dained by the town corporation itself. There is no evidence that Mr. Townsend or his adherents ever claimed any right to the minister's lot.

Although Mr. Allen was settled in 1792, he did not commence housekeeping1 until after his marriage, which occurred four years later. In the meantime a portion of his lot was cleared and build-

295

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mgs erected. These were located about twenty rods from the shore of the lake. There the two-story part of the house re- mained for several years after his decease, when it was removed to Wolfeborough Center, and is now a part of the dwelling- of J. Frank Chamberlin. The remainder of the parsonage building be- came the residence of his son, David Tappan Allen, who married Rosamond Key, and had two daughters, namely Betsy Ann and Sophia. He died when a comparatively young man.

At the annual town-meeting of 1793 the town voted "not to exempt persons of the Baptist persuasion from paying their pro- portion of Mr. Allen's salary for the previous year." The follow- ing May it was voted that Mr. Allen should have the use of a portion of the meeting-house lot for ten years, and that the labor tax to be expended on his buildings should be at the rate of three shillings per day. It, however, declined to aid him in clearing land. At a town-meeting held Nov. 7, 1796, it was voted not to re- lease any person from paying a minister's tax who had paid one since Mr. Allen's settlement.

Tt seems that the town had been neglectful in furnishing Mr. Allen with his annual supply of wood, he not receiving any for three years. In 1796 Mr. Allen required a compliance with the terms of settlement in this particular. The town offered him several additional free Sabbaths, but these he refused, and at a town-meeting held Dec. 29, it was voted that the inhabitants of the town of Wolfeborough haul to Ebenezer Allen's house seventy-five cords of wood by the first day of March next for the deficiency, that the selectmen make out the proportion for the several persons taxable, according to poll and estate, and that each person assessed furnish his allotted proportion. The select- men assessed sixty-two persons for one hundred cords of wood, that including the amount for which the town was in arrears and the allowance for the current year. The quantity apportioned to individuals varied from 1-2 a cord foot to one cord and ninety- seven feet, Benning Brackett having the smallest allotment and

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297

Jonathan Hersey the largest. After this time the minister's wood was furnished by the person who would provide it at the lowest price, and that was at first less than ten dollars a year. It is said that the one hundred cords of wood were delivered to Mr. Allen in three days.

The warrants for the annual taxes at this time were of the fol- lowing amounts: minister's tax, £46 — n — i; school tax, £28 — i — 4; town tax, £18 — 13 — 7. It will be seen that the school and town tax combined exceeded the minister's tax by only three shillings and ten pence. Undoubtedly most of the persons who objected to paying the enforced minister's tax did so from conscientious motives, yet it is not improbable that some wished only to escape the burden of taxation. At the annual town- meeting in 1798 it was voted "that no person be cleared from paying a tax for Mr. Allen that has paid heretofore." At a town- meeting held in August of the same year it was voted not to in- crease Mr. Allen's salary to sixty pounds.

In 1799 the following petition was presented to the select- men, previous to issuing the warrant for the annual meeting: —

"Wolfborough, March 8. 1799. Gentlemen Selectmen of the Town of Wolfborough :

We, your petitioners, humbly pray you to insert a clause in your warrant, desiring the town to pass a vote to separate the business of the town and the business of the parish, and that the parish choose its own officers to do the business of the parish by itself, for the business has been done in such a way that the Quakers and Baptist Society have ever been paying a part of making and collecting Ebenezer Allen's tax, which they think to be very unjust. Therefore, we, your humble petitioners, pray that the vote may be passed to separate the business, and in so doing, you will do justice to them, and likewise to their humble pe-

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titioners, and for which we, your humble petitioners, will ever

pray.

Joseph Varney Andrew Wiggin 3rd."

The selectmen say in their warrant, "the petition of Joseph Varney and others." There is no doubt that other names were attached to the petition, as the paper is partially destroyed, evi- dently by accident. These petitioners were obviously not at this time paying a minister's tax, but simply desired to have no con- nection with the matter whatever. The petition was not granted.

The following persons had already been exempted from paying anything toward the support of Mr. Allen, viz., Henry Allard, Walter Avery, Daniel Bassett and father, Thomas Chase, Josiah Chase, Jonathan Edmonds, Elijah Estes, John Furbur, Isaac Jones, John Snell, Thomas Nute, Isaac Townsend, Israel Piper, William Rust, William Rogers, Stephen Thurston, Moses Var- ney, Joseph Varney, Jesse Whitten, Andrew Wiggin, 3rd, Rich- ard Marden, Samuel Estes, Samuel Nowell.

At the annual town-meeting of 1802 Thomas Cotton and others petitioned to be released from paying a minister's tax, but the town refused to grant their request. The following October the selectmen, who were Mark Wiggin, Dudley Hardy, and Jonathan Blake, assessed Cotton with a ministerial tax of one dollar and ninety-two cents, and committed it with other taxes to Samuel Tibbetts, the town collector, for collection. On the twelfth day of January, 1803, 'Tibbetts took by distraint a cow belonging to Cotton, which he sold at public auction, and thereby secured the payment of the tax. Cotton sued the selectmen for trespass.

January 12, 1804, the matter was brought before the people at a town-meeting called for that purpose, and Stephen Home was chosen agent to defend the town in the suit. He subsequently declined the appointment, and Jacob Haines was chosen in his

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 299

stead. The following persons, being present at the meeting, re- quested that their dissent against carrying on a lawsuit with Cot- ton be recorded : Benning Brackett, Isaac Cotton, James Cotton, Cornelius Jenness, Joseph Jenness, Thomas Frost, Valentine Wormwood, Samuel Hide, William Cotton, John Young, Wil- liam Fernald, Moses Thompson, Samuel Hide, Jr., John Snell, Josiah Frost, George Cotton, John W. Fernald, Stephen Nute, John Furbur, Aaron Frost, James Fernald, James Cate, John Warren, John P. Cotton, Josiah Willey.

It is not probable that the suit — Cotton versus the town of Wolfe- borough — progressed much during 1805. Although the parties appeared at the court in Dover, there was no trial. November 6, 1805, John L. Piper was chosen agent to defend the town in the suit. Probably the case was still delayed.

In 1806, Mr. Allen having deceased, the town proposed to settle with Mr. Cotton on the following terms : to pay him twenty dollars for the cow taken by distraint ; to abate the tax for which it was taken ; and pay its own costs, which, including the price of the cow, amounted to seventy-five dollars or more. On these conditions Cotton withdrew the suit. This ended compulsory taxation for ministerial support in Wolfeborough ; nor did the town as a corporate body ever afterward hire preaching. Propo- sitions to do so were a few times inserted in the town warrant, but in no instance did they receive favorable action.

By an accident which happened many years ago, the manu- scripts of Mr. Allen were destroyed, but some facts have been learned in relation to both his ancestry and posterity.

George Allen was born in England about 1568, and came to America in 1635, settling two years later in Sandwich, Mass., where he was chosen deputy. His son. Samuel Allen, also born in England, came over with the first settlers of Boston in 1628, and died in Braintree, Mass., in 1669. He had a son, James, born in 1636 in Braintree, who married Elizabeth Perkins, and settled on Martha's Vineyard in 1660. Ichabod, the son of James

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Allen, and the grandfather of the town minister, was born in 1676, and died in 1755. His son Ebenezer was born in 1716, and lived at Holmes Hole, now Vineyard Haven, Mass., where in 1746 the Rev. Ebenezer Allen was born.

Mr. Allen came to Wolfeborough in the summer or early autumn of 1792, thus recommended: —

"June 11, 1792.

This may certify that Mr. Ebenezer Allen graduated at the University of Cambridge in the year 1771; that he sustained a good moral character; that he is esteemed well as a preacher of the .gospel, and as such may be improved by any people who shall think proper to invite him.

Isaac Merrill, pastor of the church in Wilmington; John French, pastor of a church in Andover; John Shaw, pastor of the First Cuurch in Haver- hill; Gyies Merrill, pastor of the church in Plaistow; Jonathan Eames, pastor of the church in Newton, N. H.; Samuel Webster, pastor of a church in Salisbury; Ebenezer Thayer, pastor of the church in Hampton; Thomas Gary, pastor of the First Church in Newburyport; John Andrew, junior pastor of the same church; Francis Webb, pastor of a church in Amesbury; Benjamin Thurston, pastor of a church in New Hampton; Samuel Langdon, D. D. ; Samuel Haven, D. D. ; James Miltemore, pastor of the church in Stratham."

In early life Mr. Allen lost a portion of an arm, the result of a shooting accident. On the stump he always wore, when in the pulpit, a black silk mitten. Here an incident is permissible. Near the close of the day preceding his ordination, it occurred to the manager of the anticipated ceremonials that a silk glove was wanted for the sound hand. None could be found. Mrs. Bas- sett, the wife of John Bassett, the Quaker, had the reputation of being the most rapid knitter in town, and she was deputed to furnish the glove. She accomplished the task, and the required hand-covering was presented to Mr. Allen as he was entering the desk to be ordained.

Mr. Allen was a good man with fair literary acquirements, and though not remarkable for pulpit oratory, maintained a creditable standing as a preacher. He was universally respected by his fellow-citizens, and during his ministry added a score of mem-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

301

bers to the church of which he was pastor. No doubt his suc- cess would have been greater, had the people of Wolfeborough been in perfect agreement as to the support of the clergy. The care of a rapidly increasing family and the subduing of a forest farm required no small share of his attention. The following memoranda are still preserved in the handwriting of Mr. Allen : —

"Copy of family record (date of marriage and birth of children) of Rev. Bbenezer Allen and Miss Bets Fernald.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, 1796, Mr. Bbenezer Allen and Miss Bets Fernald were joined in marriage.

On Tuesday, April 4, 1797, moved into Mr. Allen's house.

On Tuesday, July 4,, 1797, Mrs. Alien was delivered of a daughter about 3 o'clock P. M. The next morning, July 5, a little after daybreaking the child was baptized ;by the name of Lois.

On Sunday, May 27, 1798, Mrs. Allen was delivered of another daughter about 10 o'clock in the morning.. On Sunday, July 1, Mrs. Allen was admitted a member of the church and the child baptized by the name of Sarah.

On Monday, Oct. 21, 1799, about ten minutes before 5 o'clock P. M. we had another daughter born. On Sunday, Nov. 17, the child was baptized by the name of Bets Ann.

On Tuesday, May 5, 1801,, about thirty minutes past 9 o'clock P. M. we had a son born. On Sunday, June 17, the child was baptized by the name of Ebenezer.

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, 1803, about thirty minutes past 6 o'clock A. M. we had another son born. On Sunday, ,0cto. 9, the child was baptized oy the name of David Tappan.

On Friday, Feb. 22, 1805, about ten minutes rast 1 o'clock P. M. we had a third son born. On Sunday, May 26, the chilu was baptized by the name of Alpheus Spring."

The oldest child, Lois, weighed only one and a half pounds at birth. The father, fearing it would be short-lived, hastened to bring it ceremonially within the pale of the church. The child did live, however, and became a robust women of more than or- dinary size. She married Henry Veazie, of North Wolfeborough, a shoe-maker and whilom a taverner. Some of her children now live in Minnesota.

.302 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Sarah, the second daughter, died in Boston many years ago. Bets Ann married Dr. Thomas J. Tebbetts, who was the eldest of a family of thirteen children born to Samuel Tebbetts, of Brookfield. He settled in North Wolfeborough in 1815, and re- mained there during his lifetime. Mrs. Tebbetts became the mother of eleven children, all of whom reached maturity, but are now, with the exception of G. W. O. Tebbetts, a pharmacist in Manchester, deceased. Several of them made their homes in Manchester, being either practicing physicians or druggists.

Ebenezer married Mary, the daughter of Capt. James Nute, by whom he had several daughters and one son, George, who be- came a clergyman, dying young. After the opening of the range- road from the town meeting-house to Wolfeborough Center and beyond, he erected buildings on that road. They are now oc- cupied by Frank B. Kenney. David Tappan has already been noticed. Alpheus Spring left home when young, was long ab- sent, and returned an invalid, dying among his early friends.

Mr. Allen died of apoplexy Sunday, July 17, 1806, at the age of sixty years, having preached as usual in the forenoon. His wife died January 24, 1810, aged thirty-three years. They were buried in the cemetery near the town-meeting house. As the neighborhood has never become thickly populated, compartively few persons have been buried there, other places more con- venient for interment having been selected. The graves of Mr. and Mrs. Allen shared in the general neglect of the yard. The headstone was thrown down and broken, and so remained for many years. In 1899 Thomas L. Marden, a native and former resident of Wolfeborough, who now has his home in Lynn, Mass., but annually visits the town, repaired and set up the headstone, being assisted in the undertaking by William Paris, grandson of the late Elder Cummins Paris.

In the lives and environments of the town minister, Rev. Ebenezer Allen, and the contemporary minister of the town, Elder Isaac Townsend, were some striking similarities and some

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 303

equally marked differences. The father of each was named Ebenezer, and each had a son of the same name. There was scarcely a twelvemonth's difference in the time of their coming to Wolfeborough. Each was ordained the same day, and mar- ried within the same year, although one was a first and the other a second marriage. The wives of both were much their juniors, and survived them. The farm of each was located on the borders of the same beautiful sheet of water, Lake Wentworth, Mr. Allen's being situated on the northwest and Mr. Townsend's on the southeast shore, distant from each other about six miles by land and three by water.

These were the differences : Mr. Allen was physically disabled by the loss of his arm, while Mr. Townsend was a vigorous athlete ; the former received a collegiate training, the latter was uneducated ; in doctrine the one taught election, the other free grace ; in respect to the support of the ministry, the absorbing question in Wolfeborough in their day, one claimed that it was the province of the parish to provide a living for the pastor, even if it required coercive taxation, the other held that the minister should depend on the freewill offerings of his people and his own personal efforts ; Mr. Allen at his death left six orphan children under ten years of age ; Mr. Townsend died childless. It is evi- dent that between the two men the most cordial relations existed, Mr. Allen officiating at the marriage of Mr. Townsend.

Isaac Townsend was born in New Market, N. H., March 18, 1756. He was early left an orphan, his father, a New Light preacher, dying when he was four years old, and his step-mother two years later. He then became for several years a member of the family of William Glidden, a brother of his step-mother. At the age of sixteen he bound himself an apprentice to John Tucker, of Berwick, Maine, a shoemaker and tanner, and there remained until he reached his majority. It was then the time of the Revo- lutionary War, and he enlisted on board the privateer Portsmouth. When five days out, this vessel was captured by the Experiment,

304

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

a British fifty-gun ship, which took its prisoners to Halifax. There he remained several months before his release, which he al- ways regarded as providential. One day, while assisting in the burial of a fellow-prisoner, he was so greatly shocked by the pro- fanity and brutality of the soldier having the matter in charge that he prayed very earnestly, though silently, that he might soon be set at liberty and sent home. That night he dreamed that one came to him, assuring him that he would soon be released, and predicting to him some of the events of his future life, which ulti- mately did happen. The following morning he related his dream to his companions, and very confidently declared his conviction that it would be fulfilled, but they only ridiculed him.

A few days after, a vessel appeared in the offing; this he de- clared would take him home, but he was told that his release was very improbable, as, even if the approaching vessel should prove to be a cartel, prisoners who had been held much longer than he would be first exchanged. He, however, was so confident, that he was to leave the place that he distributed the small sum of money which he possessed among his associates, and prepared for his departure.

The vessel proved to be a cartel, and the proper officers pro- ceeded to an exchange of prisoners. The English prisoners had been delivered and the American selected ; Townsend was not among them. When the transfer of prisoners was nearly com- pleted, it was discovered that a miscount had been made ; two more Americans were wanting to fill the complement. The offi- cers who had charge of the business, observing Townsend, who was standing near, called him, took his name, and directed him to go aboard the cartel. While on his passage home, he was at- tacked with smallpox, and afterwards with fever and ague. He was much reduced by these diseases, and was confined at the hos- pital in Boston Harbor for some time.

When he had partially recovered, he set out for New Hamp- shire, and in the course of a few months took up his residence in

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 305

the first division of New Durham. Here, in 1779, he married Experience Allard of that town, who died in Wolfeborough in 1795. Soon after his marriage he removed to the second division of New Durham, and commenced clearing land, remaining there until 1791, when he came to Wolfeborough, and purchased of Enoch Thomas the farm now owned by George W. Bassett and John L. Wiggin. This some years after he exchanged with Samuel Fox for one in Pleasant Valley, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. In 1796 he married Lydia Evans. They had one son, who died when about twelve years old.

Mr. Townsend began to preach while living in New Durham, but was not a pastor until he came to Wolfeborough. He held that relation to the First Freewill Baptist Church in Wolfe- borough for about forty-five years, and was nominally such from the time of his ordination until his death, nearly fifty-four years. His ministerial labors were mostly confined to the towns in which he lived, although he traveled a little in other towns. By industry and frugality he acquired a fair property, the most of which he bequeathed for religious and benevolent purposes.

Mr. Townsend's school advantages were very limited, yet he became quite an acceptable public speaker, being very con- versant with the Scriptures. After some years of illness he died August 30, 1846, lacking about four months of being ninety years old. His remains were, at the time of his death, interred in a burial-place which he had reserved on his home farm. They have, within a few years been removed to the cemetery on North Main Street. The lot in which he and his entire family are buried was donated by him, while owning the Enoch Thomas farm, to the Freewill Baptist Society as a place for burial. The society, however, never claimed it, as, after Mr. Townsend removed from the neighborhood, few of his adherents located there.

CHAPTER XXII.

CHURCHES AND OTHER RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS — FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED — CHRISTIAN CHURCHES ESTABLISHED IN 1812 AND 1822 — CO-WORKERS FERNALD AND TOWNSEND

AND THEIR FOLLOWERS — STEPHEN COFFIN ALLEN'S

CHURCH — JOHN P. CLEVELAND — THE FIRST SUNDAY- SCHOOL — THE ACADEMY CHAPEL FINISHED — THOMAS P. BEACH — DR. JEREMIAH BLAKE — THE METHODISTS — THE FRIENDS — THE UNIVERSALISTS — THE UNITARIANS — THE ADVENTISTS — THE CATHOLICS — LOCATION OF CHURCHES.

THE first church organized in Wolfeborough was the Freewill Baptist. Its organization took place on the nineteenth day of October, 1792, at the house of William JRogers in the following manner : A committee from the New Durham church, the first one of the order, with its pastor, Elder Benjamin Randall, founder of the Freewill Baptist denomination, appeared at the place by appointment. After introductory religious services a missive let- ter from the church in New Durham to the persons assembled was read by Elder Randall. It contained the covenant and rules of government of that church. The committee was then invited to assist in embodying a church of the persons presenting them- selves for that purpose. John Sn>ell related his religious experi- ence, and was baptized by Elder Randall. Mr. Snell, though never formally acknowledged as a minister, preached consid- erably. He was the grandfather of John L. Wiggin, of this town. The persons assembled, Isaac Townsend, Benjamin Libbey, Wil- liam Rust, Jesse Whitten, John Snell, Thomas Chase, Experience Townsend, and Tabitha Chase, then adopted by vote and sub- scription this 306

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH. 307

COVENANT.

"We whose names are here underwritten, feeling the spirit of adoption whereby we cry 'Abba Father' though most unworthy, and by his grace having a fellowship with each other as brethren of one family and children of one Feather, finding our souls knit together like David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi — believing it for the declarative glory of God, our Heavenly Father, that we should embody and walk in the ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ : do now, in this solemn manner, in the fear of God, calling on him for his aid and assistance, covenant together and promise, by grace, to walk in the ordinances and commands of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we do or shall understand. We will take the Scriptures of truth, which we believe to be an unerring rule, for the rule of our practice in our conversation, dealing, and com- merce ; and if any of us are convicted of not walking according thereto, or of violating thereof, we shall be deemed disorderly, and be dealt with as such, as the aforesaid rule shall direct."

At the same time ten persons joined with the eight members of the church in declaring themselves members of a Baptist Soci- ety. On the twenty-fifth day of the month Mr. Townsend was ordained. November eighth a monthly meeting was held at the house of Isaac Townsend, and William Lucas and Mary Rogers related their experience for baptism. Three days later the rite was administered by Elder Townsend, and they became members of the church. On the twenty-third day of the month the Lord's Supper was celebrated. A monthly meeting was established, be- ing held either at the dwelling of Elder Townsend or that of Wil- liam Rogers. William Lucas was chosen clerk of the church, probably holding the office until 1797, when Israel Piper suc- ceeded him. About this time some steps were taken to raise money for what was termed a church stock, to meet emergencies. Israel Piper was appointed treasurer. Of the small sum raised Elder Townsend received the principal part.

Eor some years the records of the church were quite imperfect.

3o8

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

During the decade following its organization it appears that Townsend preached quite regularly, and that the monthly meet- ings were usually held, though varying considerably in interest. The number of persons who became members of the church dur- ing that period cannot be exactly determined, but it was evidently quite small. In 1804 Israel Piper was succeeded as clerk by Neal

Gate.

. About 1800 there seems to have been increased interest in that

portion of the church located in the easterly part of the town. At a monthly meeting held August 13, 1801, Valentine Wormwood was chosen deacon, and it was voted to build a meeting-house, the Baptists and Methodists uniting in the undertaking. The building committee consisted of Thomas Cotton, John Snell, Valentine Wormwood, Charles Stanton, and Josiah_ Allen, resi- dents of Brookfield and Wolfeborough. It was erected on the border-line between the two towns. There it remained until about 1850, when it was replaced by another of more modern style, but constructed by similar joint action of the same societies.

From the death of Mr. Allen in 1806, for nearly or quite thirty years Mr. Townsend was the only resident ordained minister in the town, and for a short period the Baptist was the only church organization. Preachers of different denominations bestowed some labor on the town, but did not settle as pastors. Mr. Town- send depended almost entirely upon his own manual labor for his support, and consequently could do little more than attend to the most pressing calls of the ministerial office.

May 25, 1793, Susannah Lucas was baptized and united with the church, and between that date and the year 1800 Isaac Jones, Polly Jones, Stephen Fall, Jonathan Brown, Israel Piper, and Lydia Allard became members. There was more than usual religious interest in the community near the beginning of the nineteenth century, and Reuben Daniells, Richard Marden, Xeal Cale, John Lary, Isaac Willey, Valentine Wormwood, Thomas Cotton, Josiah Willey, Thomas Frost, Jane Cate, Lydia Town-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

309

send, Hannah Whitten, Susannah Rust, Sally Willey, Betsy Wormwood, Dolly Willey, Charlotte Clark, Mary Hawkins, and Hannah Clough united with the church.

About 1811 Elder Mark Fernald, of Kittery, Maine, a minister of the Christian denomination, visited Wolfeborough. He had been a sailor, but, becoming- religious, commenced preaching. Somewhat eccentric, with a rugged eloquence and fearless zeal, he was attractive to the masses, and soon had a large following. Elder Townsend labored in accord with him, and their combined efforts resulted in the profession of piety by a large number of persons. As the two ministers belonged to different denomina- tions, it was deemed advisable to baptize the converts and not connect them with any church immediately. In 1812 a Christian Church was organized, and a portion of the baptized persons united with it. Others joined the Baptists, and still others did not connect themselves w7ith any religious organization. In 1820 the Freewill Baptist Church had fifty members, in 1843 one hun- dred and twenty, and in 1900 ninety-seven.

Until about 1830 most of the ministerial work clone in Wolfe- borough outside the limits of Smith's Bridge village was by Elders Fernald and Townsend. The town meeting-house was free to any minister of the Gospel, and these two clergymen or their occasional co-adjutors usually occupied it in the warm season. Whoever might speak from the pulpit, the pews held the same audience. With a few of the ministers of the Christian and Freewill PJaptist denominations in Wolfeborough and its vicinity, there was some difference of opinions, but not very marked. The laity were essentially one in faith and practice. Elder John T. G. Colby, who was for nearly thirty years pastor of the Christian Churches in Wolfeborough said, ''The two denomi- nations should have been one." Elder Mark Fernald, in his memoirs, says of a meeting which lie attended in Wolfeborough, July 4, 1847, "I" monthly conference at a neighborhood where the Christian and Freewill Baptist brethren held their conference

3io

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

together, twenty-eight persons spoke, and none could tell who belonged to either by their communications or spirit. It was good."

About 1830 Hiram Holmes and Jesse Meader came to Wolfe- borough, and held many meetings. Meader in a few months went to Brookfield, Holmes remained in Wolfeborough several years, and was for a while co-pastor with Elder Townsend, who had become very infirm. In 1833 he identified himself with the Second Freewill Baptist Church, which was at that time set off from the first church for local convenience. John Chick after- wards became the pastor of the old church, and resided in Wolfe- borough for a while.

In 1840 the present church building was erected at a cost of about one thousand dollars. The building committee consisted of Robert Wiggin, Stephen Coffin, Daniel Whitten, Jesse Whit- ten, Jr., and Stephen S. Bean. It was dedicated in the autumn of the same year, Elder Daniel P. Cilley, of Pittsfield, preaching on the occasion, and Elder Mark Fernald and other ministers taking part in the dedicatory exercises. Its interior has been several times remodeled, and in 1881 it was thoroughly repaired by an assessment upon the pew-owners. In 1888 some horse- sheds near the church were burned, and the rear end of that building damaged by fire. Largely through the efforts of the acting pastor, Rev. Lincoln Given, an endeavor was made to essentially change the structure of the house. The Freewill Bap- tist State Mission Society pledged conditionally for that purpose three hundred dollars, and gifts to the amount of more than one hundred dollars were contributed by sundry persons. The balance of about eighteen hundred dollars was donated by the proprietors of the house and the friends of the society. A bell tower with an entry was erected at the front of the main building and a vestry at the rear; the audience-room was somewhat enlarged, and other changes made without incurring any debt. About 1857 a row of maple trees was set around the meeting-house lot by Rev. Levi

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 311

Brackett, Daniel Whitten, and B. F. Parker. Vandalism and the elements have destroyed all but two of them. These are quite ornamental, and bear the names of the two deceased planters, Brackett and Whitten.

In 1841 a Sunday School was established, and B. F. Parker elected superintendent. The school had eight teachers, fifty-seven members, and a library of eighty small volumes. In 1862 Alvah S. Libbey was elected superintendent, but soon entered the army, and B. F. Parker was again placed in charge. He occupied the position about five years, when I. B. Manning took the place, and by repeated elections filled it for twenty-five years. The present superintendent is Edwin J. Libbey.

This church is, by twenty years, the oldest in Wolfeborough, being established in 1792, while the next in point of time now existing is the Christian which was organized in 1812. It has had in all about three hundred members.

Here is a list of the ministers licensed or ordained while they were members of the church. John Cooley came from Ossipee, and remained in town but a few years. He was licensed in 1832, and ordained in 1835. Stephen Coffin came from Alton at middle age, purchasing the farm now owned by Mrs. Jethro Furbur. He became religious in early life, and frequently held public meetings. He was so fearful of sectarianism that he did not for several years unite with any church, affiliating mostly with the Christian and Freewill Baptist denominations, although readily fraternizing with any other religious people. After resid- ing in Wolfeborough a few years, he became a member of the Freewill Baptist Church. He was licensed to preach in 1840, and ordained in 1841. He continued evangelical work a part of the time until old age, traveling extensively in Maine and New Hampshire and considerably in Massachusetts. He was neither erudite nor eloquent, but probably benefited humanity more than some who possessed a higher order of cultivated talent. A son of his, Lorenzo S. Coffin, who was reared in Wolfeborough, and

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

a member of the same church as was his father, is now a resident of Fort Dodge, Iowa. He is a thrifty farmer, and has been con- siderably in public life, holding state official positions in the in- terests of agriculture and railroad employees. A few miles from his city home he has built a small free church, in which he preaches.

William Kent Lucas, a native of the town, was a person of mediocre talent, but of strict integrity and fervid piety. Licensed in 1841 and ordained in 1842, he became a pastor of the Second Freewill Baptist Church in Wolfeborough. He was an invalid much of his life, yet lived to be an octogenarian.

Jonathan McDuffee Brewster, a nephew of John Brewster, Wolfeborough's liberal benefactor, was reared in Wolfeborough. He was licensed to preach by the Wolfeborough Quarterly Meet- ing, and ordained after his removal beyond its limits. He had a collegiate and theological training, and was a fine scholar. For several years he was assistant editor of "The Morning Star," the Freewill Baptist denominational organ. His death occurred several years ago, while pastor of a church in Providence, Rhode Island.

J. Frank Lock came from Ossipee. He was licensed while preaching at Wolfeborough, and ordained after he left the town.

Elder Cummins Paris was born in Tunbridge, Vt., September 24, 1810. being the son of Levi Samuel Paris. For more than a half-century Flder Paris lived and wrought in Wolfeborough, and no man had more or stauncher friends. In his prime he was a strong force in the Free Baptist denomination, but his ministra- tion? were not confined to the members of that faith. He was the mentor and comforter of all who came within the influence of his strong personality.

Mr. Paris had no early educational advantages. He was "bound out" to a farmer at the age of five years, with whom lie remained until he was eighteen. He then went to Lowell, worked for a time on the old Middlesex canal, and was there when the

ELDER CUMMINS PARIS

, HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 313

first railroad in New England was built. About this time he first became interested in religious matters, and decided to obtain an education if possible.

At the age of twenty-one he married Miss Eliza Martin, of Springfield, N. H., and then moved to Strafford, where he at- tended school. Up to this time he was unable to either read or write. One of his classmates here was Eleazer D. Barker, of Wolfeborough. After fitting himself in the Strafford schools, he took a theological course at the Parsonsfield (Me.) Seminary. He was also a member of the first Biblical school of the Free Baptist denomination.

His first parish was at Eaton in 1841, then Alexandria, where he was very successful until his pronounced abolitionist views lessened his popularity. He then preached at Andover, Wake- field, and Ossipee, and for ten years occupied the pulpit of the Wolfeborough Falls church.

Elder Paris was always the student. After retiring from active pastoral duties, he kept pace with the advance in religious thought, and urtil failing powers darkened his mental vision, was one of the prcfoundest thinkers Wolfeborough has ever known. His death, which occurred July 4, 1898, was soon followed by that of his devoted wife, who had, during all the years of their long wedded life, been more than a helpmeet to him.

The pastors and stated ministers of the church following John Chick have been Enoch T. Prescott. Oliver Butler. Cumins Paris, Henry F. Snow. Silas F. Bean, Tobias Foss. Uriah Chase, Flbridge G. York, O. F. Russell. J. Frank Lock, H. F. Dickey. G. C. Andrews, A. D. Fairbanks, Daniel Wheeler, Ira Emery, C. L. Plummer, H. B. Fluntoon, Lincoln Given, A. H. Milliken, F. E. Carver, and A. M. Freeman. The deacons have been Thomas Chase, Valentine Wormwood, Thomas Cotton, Peltiah Lord, Hamilton Locke, Benjamin F. Parker, Samuel W. Teth- erly, and Edward J. Libbey ; and the clerks, Isaac Townsend,

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

William Lucas, Israel Piper, Neal Cate, Hiram Holmes, Daniel Whitten, Hamilton Lock, and Benjamin F. Parker.

On the two absorbing moral questions of the last half-century — abolition and temperance — this church has generally occupied an advanced position. Its doors have opened to the advocates of either of these causes, even when it was at some sacrifice. In 1842 a resolution was passed disapproving of the use of intoxi- cants, and thenceforth only unfermented liquors were brought to the communion table. In 1848 a new covenant was adopted which forbade the use of distilled liquors by members of the church.

October 25, 1792, on the day of Mr. Allen's ordination, and six days after the organization of the Freewill Baptist Church, a Congregational Church was organized in the presence of the ordaining council. Here is an extract from its constitution adopted at the time : —

"Persons who believe the Christian religion, and in the judg- ment of charity lead moral lives, shall, on professing their faith, and promising obedience, be entitled to baptism, either for them- selves or their children, provided that none shall be entitled to baptism for their children w?ho shall not have been previously baptized themselves. — who shall not also promise to bring up such children in the nature and admonition of the Lord, to teach them their duty, and display before them in their own conduct examples of piety and virtue."

The following persons signed this constitution : Joshua Haines, Henry Rust, Ithiel Clifford, John Shortridge, Samuel Tibbetts, William Cotton, Andrew Wiggin, and Jacob Smith. Afterwards the following members were added to the church: in 1/93, Sarah Martin, Hannah Martin, William Warren, Phcebe Young, Han- nah Rust, Hannah Horn, and Deborah Folsom ; in 1794, James Fernald, Mary Horn, and Abigail Shortridge ; in 1796, Anna Young; in 1798, Betsy Allen and Margaret Shortridge; in 1799,

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 3^

Benjamin Nuclei and Mary Chamberlin ; in 1800, Martha Adams; in 1801, Elizabeth Stoddard and Lucy Keniston. The year fol- lowing the organization of the church Henry Rust and Andrew Wiggin were appointed deacons.

The records of the church having been accidently destroyed, a reliable history of it has not been preserved. During Mr. Allen's lifetime it probably fairly prospered. After his death nothing of its doings is known, and it probably ceased to be an effective organization. Occasionally, but very rarely, Congre- gational ministers visited the town and preached. Among them was Curtis Coe, of Durham, and a Mr. Grey, of Dover.

The Christian denomination had its origin at about the same time as did the Methodist and Freewill Baptist. Its founders, prominent among whom was Elias Smith, purposed to bring about a union of all the followers of Christ ; and hence adopted no elaborate system of rules or theoretical tenets, but allowed its members their own individual interpretation of Scripture. To believe in Christ and practice His precepts as personally under- stood was all that was required of them. As did the early Metho- dists, they generally practised immersion, and this has occa- sioned the adjunct "Baptist" to be sometimes attached to their name, but they have never adopted and do not now acknowledge it. With their avowed object, the union of all religious sects, there was some propriety in applying the general term Christian to a particular body of believers. Yet it at first occasioned some criticism, which, however, was not of long duration. Elder Fer- nald, though quite liberal, had his preferences, and held tena- ciously to the name and simple form of organization which he adopted in establishing churches.

The First Christian Church in Wolfeborough was organized January 3, 1812. Its members at the organization were George Yeaton, Levi Mason, Polly Clifford, Eleanor Rust, Betsy Keay, and Hannah Doe. The following persons were soon added to its

316 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

membership : Bradstreet Doe, Sally Pinkham, Nathaniel Rust, Martha Thurston, Pamelia Welsh, Elizabeth Banfield, Joseph Leavitt, Phebe Leavitt, William Gate, Betsy Gate, Abigail Tib- betts, Ann Dealing, and Mary F. Warren.

Elder Mark Fernald was pastor of the church until 1838, when he was succeeded by Elder John T. G. Colby, a native of Ossipee. Mr. Colby spent most of his active ministerial life in Wolfe- borough as pastor of one or the other of the two Christian Churches in the town. He owned and occupied for about twenty years a small farm situated near Randall's Corner. He was not a remarkably eloquent preacher, yet was quite acceptable as a public speaker — a truly good and useful man. In advanced age he removed to Dover. There being no church of the Christian denomination in that town, he united with the Freewill Baptists.

As has already been intimated, the more common place of holding Sabbath meetings in the summer was the town meeting- house, but upon the approach of cold weather schoolhouses were utilized for that purpose. Among those thus occupied were the "Wiggin," "below the Bridge," the "Blake," "above the Bridge," by the Christians ; the "Brick," located near the present site of the creamery, by the Freewill Baptists ; the "Rines" and the "Townsend," in Pleasant Valley, by the Christians and Free- will Baptists. George O. Cotton, a native of Wolfeborough and a local Methodist minister, preached at the Pine Hill schoolhouse every fourth Sabbath for nearly a score of years. After the erection of the Academy building the Congregationalists wor- shipped in that until their meeting-house was built. The school- house in Pleasant Valley, formerly the "Townsend," has been more used for religious worship than any other in Wolfeborough, perhaps than all others. During the forties several meeting- houses were built in different neighborhoods, which took the places of the small, inconvenient schoolhouses. As none was erected in Pleasant Vallev, the continued occupancy of that

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 317

schoolhouse was necessary. It has been enlarged, and is still used for religious meetings.

Elder Fernald was a hardy, athletic man, and an indefatigable worker. This is evident from his manner of life. His home was in Kittery, Maine, yet he itinerated much in Wolfeborough, Tuf- tonborough, Ossipee, and other adjacent towns, visiting them several times a year. Sometimes he would arrive at Wolfeborough past the mid-day hour, unannounced, stopping as usual at the house of Deacon John Folsom, whose wife, the energetic Hannah, would soon have her son Blake on the road with this verbal message : "Elder Fernald will preach at the schoolhouse to- night at early candle-light." In a district two or three miles in extent, implements of labor would be seasonably laid aside, and at the appointed hour the schoolhouse would be filled with people eager to hear the messages of love and good counsel which the minister had brought in his head and his heart — not in his pocket.

In 1838 the Christian Society erected a meeting-house, locating it where now stands the residence of Augustine A. Fullerton. It was dedicated September 25, 1838. This house was con- veniently located at the time of its erection, was for years well- filled, and in it have been witnessed scenes of greater religious enthusiasm than in any other in the town. But time makes changes in most human affairs, and the period arrived when it was deemed advisable to establish the headquarters of the Chris- tian Society at the Bridge village. In 1858 this house was taken down, and one erected at the village below at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. The first meeting-house was built by Joseph Edmonds, probably at some personal sacrifice. He and a few of his neighbors were not pleased with its demolition, and did not follow the main body of worshippers to the village. The act of removal was undoubtedly politic for the society. In 1892 an addition was made to the new church building at a cost of one thousand dollars.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

The pastors of the First Christian Church, since John T. G. Colby, have been Thomas Bartlett, Seth Hinckley, William H. Nason, James Rowell, Lewis Phillips, Samuel B. Bovvditch, Lewis Phillips, Charles P. Smith, Lewis Phillips, L. H. Phillips, Thomas S. Weeks, Manford D. Wolfe, Prentice A. Canada, E. R. McCord and — - Hornbaker. Its deacons have been Nathaniel Rust, John Folsom, David Blake, James Home, Enoch Haley, Benja- min Morrison, Jacob P. Garland, Joshua Richardson ; and its clerks, Daniel A. Wiggin, David Blake, Charles G. Tebbetts, A. A. Fullerton, William Rogers. There have been about three hundred persons connected with the church, and its members now number about seventy-five.

In the spring of 1840 a remarkable religious interest prevailed in the church and society. On the third day of May thirty-six persons received the rite of baptism. In 1844 ten persons left the church, assigning these reasons : "First, we consider all the nominal churches Babylon, and are commanded to come out (see Rev. 28: 4); secondly, we view ourselves as unequally yoked together with unbelievers, and that the time has arrived for these bonds to be broken (see 2 Cor. 6: 14 — 17) ; thirdly, we believe that on the tenth day of the seventh month, which is either the twenty-second or twenty-third of October, that this world will be on fire, and Babylon will be destroyed."

The Second Christian Church was organized January 10, 1822, at the house of John Burley, of Ossipee, by Elder Mark Fernald. It was declared to be "a. church of Christ, with no other covenant than the name of Christ, His Spirit and word^to unite and keep," of the society called "Christians." Its members resided in the west part of Ossipee and the east and central parts of Wolfe- borough. The charter members of the church were Benjamin Prebble, George Stevens, Valentine Willey, Dudley Chamberlin, Stephen Burke, Polly Prebble. Sally Hyde. Margaret Hyde, Betsy Smith, Abigail Willey, Catherine Tebbetts, Jemima Triggs. A few months later Joanna Chamberlin. Abigail Chamberlin,

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and Mahala Judkins were admitted as members. In 1850 over one hundred persons had united with the church.

Elder Fernald was pastor until 1826, when Joseph Banfield, a son of Tobias Banfield, succeeded him. Mr. Banfield had a residence in the neighborhood of the town meeting-house, and became locally very popular. He was for four years in succession town clerk. In 1831 he resigned the pastoral office, removed from the town, and united with another denomination. He was the father of the late Everett C. Banfield. He was succeeded by Elder John T. G. Colby. About 1850 Elder Samuel Nutt became resident pastor of the church. Other ministers have labored with it more or less. In later years Elder Daniel A. Wiggin, of Tuftonborough, ministered somewhat to its religious neces- sities.

In 1841 a union church building was erected at Wolfeborough Center at a cost of about eight hundred dollars. A majority of the pew-owners gave preference to the Christian denomination ; the next larger share favored the Freewill Baptist. Perfect har- mony prevailed in the construction and allotment of the building. It was dedicated November n, with the following exercises: Invocation by Enos. G. Page, Methodist ; reading of the Scrip- tures by Jeremiah Blake, Congregationalist ; reading of hymn by Horace Webber, Freewill Baptist ; dedicatory prayer by Paul Reynolds, sermon by Mark Fernald, both Christian ; concluding prayer by John Chick, Freewill Baptist. Fourteen ministers were present. In the afternoon Horace Webber preached. The house of worship is still in good repair, but the population of the region has become so sparse that it is difficult to sustain regular religious services. The deacons of the church have been Valentine Willey, Mark A. Young, and Frank B. Canney, Mr. Willey acting in that capacity for about half a century. Mr. Willey also served as clerk for many years. A union Sunday School was organized, and flourished for some years.

In 1833 fifteen members of the First Freewill Baptist Church

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in Wolfeborough were set off from that body that they might be organized into another of the same denomination. For a few years the church made but little gain. After that for about two decades it was fairly prosperous, having in 1845 seventy mem- bers ; it has now about half a score. It is located in the easterly part of Wolfeborough, where the population, always sparse, is now much less than formerly.

The Methodists and Baptists in the neighborhood have always affiliated. At the present time a Methodist preacher ministers to a small congregation on the Sabbath in connection with ser- vices at other localities. The pastors of the church have been Hiram Holmes, John C. Holmes, and for many years, William K. Lucas. Other ministers have preached for it at different times, but have not been pastors. Its deacons have been Valen- tine Wormwood, Thomas Cotton, Thomas Cotton, Jr., Timothy Y. Cotton, and George Gage. Hiram Holmes, John F. Cotton, and Timothy Y. Cotton have been its clerks. The society owns jointly with the Methodists a good, but not expensive, house of worship.

After the death of Mr. Allen in 1806, there is no record of preaching by Congregationalists until 1820, although it seems quite piobable that occasionally a minister cf that order might visit the town. There was no place for public gatherings where now the compact part of Wolfeborough village is previous to 1820. The nearest place south of Smith's River was the Wip'gin schoolhouse, about one mile distant. Here ministers of different persuasions would sometimes preach, and probably occasionally, though rather infrequently, they would be Congregationalists.

In the autumn of 1821 John P. Cleveland, who afterwards be- came a distinguished clergyman, commenced teaching at the Academy. He preached some, and in 1822 or 1823 established a Sunday-school, the first organized in the town. James Towner followed him as teacher; he, too, was a preacher. Some other teachers probably conducted religious services.

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321

In the summer of 1827 the upper story of the Academy building ^ was finished for a chapel for the use of the citizens at a cost of two hundred and twenty-two dollars, Nathaniel Rogers being the contractor. Forty-three pews were sold at prices varying from three dollars and fifty cents to seven dollars and seventy- five cents, the sum realized from the sale being two hundred and eighteen dollars. The purchasers of pews were : George Brew- ster, Samuel Connor, David T. Livy, Joseph Clark, Samuel Avery, Benjamin Tebbetts, Daniel Pickering, Henry B. Rust, Thomas Rust, Henry R. Parker, Luther Varney, Samuel Fox, William Guppy, William P. Eagerly, Joseph Edmonds, Henry Rust, jr., Joshua Connor, Nathaniel Rogers, George F. Brewster, James Downs, Stephen Giles, Enos Bean, John Horn, Jeremiah Connor, Samuel Mearler, David Fullerton. A majority of the pew- owners were Congregationalists, and ministers of that denomina- tion generally occupied the pulpit.

June 17, 1834, a Congregational Church of twelve members was organized. Their names were Benjamin Young, Rebecca Young, Daniel Pickering, Sarah C. Pickering, George B. Farrar, Susan M. Farrar, Mehitable J. Farrar, Eunice Piper, Abigail Connor, Amy W. Connor, Sarah Meader, Mary Avery. Within the year the following persons united with the church: David T. Livy, Lucinda P. Livy, Thomas Rust, Phoebe C. Rust, John Fox, Elizabeth A. Fox, George W. Warren, Calvin Batchelder, George R. Mason, Sarah B. P. Mason, Betsy Warren, Ann E. Avery, Eleanor J. Rogers, Susan Piper, Annette A. Livy, Har- riet Clark, Charles Duren, Moses Seavey. Thomas Parnell Beach, preceptor of the Academy, was chosen pastor, and con- tinued to serve in that capacity about two and a half years. After his departure some students from Gilmanton Theological Seminary held meetings which resulted in the awakening of much religious zeal. Then followed Dr. Jeremiah Blake, who had been for some years a practising physician in Gilmanton, but had become a student at the Theological Seminary in that town. Hav-

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ing completed his preparatory studies, he came to Wolfeborough, and November i, 1838, was ordained as pastor of the church. He at fiist came to the town with other students, and to use his own language, says : —

"My mind was wonderfully drawn to the place. For a long time I seemed to see a field of wheat extending from .Moultonborough to Brook- field. This wheat had very full heads, all leaning toward the east, (and 'white for the harvest.' This field was before me by day and by night, and the feeling was very strong that I must assist in reaping it. In the winter of 1839-40, God in His all-wise providence opened the way for me to reap this field. I neld a meeting in Tuftonborough, and thus began at the upper end of the field, and reaped ,grain as it leaned to the east. The good work soon spread through Moultonborough, Tuftonborough, and then into Wolfeborough. The, first manifestations here were at the Bridge. It spread to Wolfeborough Center, the farm road, and, last, to South Wolfeborough. This revival continued almost two years. By the assistance of Deacons Rust, Fox, Ayers, and others, I was enabled to labor in Tuftonborough, North, Wolfeborough, Alton, Middleton, Farm- ington, Milton, Wakefield, Effingham, Moultonborough, Tamworth, Centre Harbor, and Newfield, Maine. In all these places God was pour- ing out his Spirit. The field of wheat was now reaped and laid in bundles to be bound and shocked. As fruits of this revival, , a Congregational church was formed in Tuftonborough, and another in North Wolfeborough, and a .meeting-house builded there. During this revival all denomina- tions were united as the heart of one man, and converts were added to each of them. My five years in Wolfeborough are among the brightest spots in my life."

During this revival a series of meetings was held at the town meeting-house. This was the only time that the building was artificially heated. Stoves were set up, the funnels projecting through the windows.

Dr. Blake was not very learned nor very eloquent, but he was an earnest worker and could read men as well as books. He accomplished more for the church during his pastorate than any other minister it ever had, sixty-one members being added to it through his agency.

Rev. Jeffries Hall succeeded Dr. Blake as pastor, having at the same time charge of the Academy. His special mission ap-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 323

pears to have been the securing of a house of worship for the church so much enlarged by his predecessor. By unflagging zeal and continued earnest labor, which he extended to Massachusetts, he accomplished his purpose, and on the twenty-sixth day of January, 1847, nacl tne satisfaction of preaching the sermon at the dedicatory exercises of an edifice costing about twelve hundred dollars — the resultant product of his own personal efforts and the friendly action of near-by and more distant contribu- tors.

The successors of Rev. Mr. Hall in the pastoral office have been Nelson Barbour, Sumner Clark, John Wood, Leander Thompson, Thomas A. Emerson, Robert B. Hall, George H. Tilton, Henry Kctchem, George W. Christie, Joseph A. Tom- linson, Theodore C. Jerome, Edgar F. Davis, Cecil F. Harper, Calvin M. Clark, Richard T. Wilton, and Edgar F. Warren. Leander Thompson, whose wife was Ann Eliza, daughter of Samuel Avery, was a returned missionary. Under the adminis- tration of Mr. Emerson the church building was repaired and refurnished. It was rededicated Aug 4, 1872. A semi-centennial anniversary of the organization of the church was observed June 17, 1884. Rev. Jeremiah Blake gave an historical address, and Moses T. jCate read a summary of its history. Rev. Theodore C. Jerome and three of his children were mysteriously drowned May 28, 1886, about one mile from Wolfeborough village in Lake Winnipesaukee. The deacons of the church have been Thomas Rust, Joshua P. Avers, Charles F. Parker, Buel C. Carter, Nathaniel H. Scott, and Samuel A. Meader; and its clerks, Thomas Rust, Moses T. Cate, Alexander H. Durgin, Samuel Avery, and Charles S. Phillips. The church has had about three hundred members, and its present number is about one hundred and twelve.

The Congregational Church at North Wolfeborough was largely one of the results of the Dr. Blake revival. Some thirty persons in the neighborhood were converted in a protracted

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

meeting held in April, 1839, by Dr. Blake, several theological students and two Methodist ministers. One of the students, Robert Fuller, commenced preaching there. June 13, 1829, a church was organized by a council composed of Rev. John S. Winter and Deacon Daniel Smith, of the church in Ossipee ; Rev. Joshua Dodge, from the church in Moultonborough ; Rev. Nathaniel Barker, from the church in Wakefield ; Rev. S. H. Merrill, from the church in Center Harbor ; Rev. Giles Leach and Mr. James Fullerton, from Sandwich ; Deacon Thomas Rust and Deacon John Fox, from Wolfeborough Bridge. November 13, Thomas J. Tebbetts and Richard Bickford were chosen deacons. September 24, 1843, RCV- J- Dodlt was installed as pastor of the church. November 29, 1848, his pastoral relation ceased, and at the end of one year Rev. Stephen Merrill, a native of Conway, became pastor and continued such until his death, which occurred in June, 1860. Rev. Horace Wood had charge of the church from 1863 to 1866, preaching one-half the time. Since then, the church has not had a resident pastor, but has had preaching a portion of the time by theological students. Thomas L. Whitton has served as deacon. The church has had in all fifty members ; the present number is nine. The population of the neighborhood is very sparse, and very few persons attend the infrequent meetings of worship.

October 29, 1840, a union church building, largely owned by Congregationalists, was dedicated, Rev. John Winter, of Ossipee, making the dedicatory prayer and Rev. John Mordough preach- ing the sermon. The lot on which it stands was deeded by George E. Nudd to Richard Bickford, Aaron Roberts, Thomas J. Tebbetts, James Young, James Bickford, Samuel Tebbetts, Richard Nudd, Ezra Hardy, and Samuel Nudd. The meeting- house had a narrow escape from burning a few years after. One Monday forenoon it was found to be on fire on the inside. The school, which was in session, was dismissed, and the pupils soon extinguished the fire with snow. The fire probably originated

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 325

from the snuffed wick of a candle, a meeting having been held in the church the previous evening.

The Methodists came to Wolfeborough quite early, but in small numbers, and although they are the most energetic and successful religious people in the United States in extending their church bounds, they have not gained much foothold in the town, probably on account of the ground being fully occupied by other denominations. Colonel William Cotton came from Ports- mouth in 1781. He had previously affiliated with the Methodists, but when in 1792 a Congregational Church was organized, he became a charter member. After the death of Mr. Allen, when the church had lost its visibility, he probably resumed his relations with his former religious associates. As is well known, his home was in the easterly part of the town, and thither a few itinerating Methodist preachers occasionally resorted. The Methodists and their immediate neighbors, the Baptists, were very fervid wor- shippers, and Christian fellowship so prevailed that in 1801 they erected a union meeting-house, which with its successor, a new structure, has to this time sheltered the waning remnants of the two organizations. The Methodist Church, a part of whose mem- bers lived within the limits of Brookfield, numbered in its palmy days nearly two score of persons ; its membership is now less than one-fourth that number. Elder George O. Cotton, a grand- son of the Colonel, was for nearly half a century a local Methodist preacher, holding meetings in schoolhouses.

Several families of Friends took up their abode in Wolfe- borough soon after the close of the Revolutionary War. Among them were the Varneys, the Bassetts, and the Nowells. Other families affiliated with these, and to some extent adopted their views and practices. About 1825 they erected a small meeting- house on Varney's Lane, now Friend Street, and for quite a number of years held in it two weekly meetings statedly and others occasionally. The construction of the interior of their place of worship was peculiar, and so was the seating of the wor-

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

shippers. A broad aisle extended through the building its entire length. Near this was a movable partition by which the one room could be made into two, if desired. At the end of the room were elevated seats. The male members of the society sat on one side of the broad aisle and the females on the other, the aged persons and officials occupying the higher seats.

The members of the "Meeting" at the proper time quietly took their accustomed places, and remained in silence for about an hour unless some one was "moved to speak." Sometimes one person and sometimes several would occupy a portion of the time. When the proper time for closing the meeting arrived, the leader, "who occupied one of the elevated seats, would extend his hand to the person sitting next to him and they would shake hands. The shake would then become general, this ceremony closing the meeting." There were some "gifts" in the society that were generally improved. Lindley M. Hoag was a forcible speaker, and would sometimes preach an extempore sermon that would continue for more than an hour without wearying his auditors. The talks of his wife, Huldah, were frequent, and found much favor with those who listened to her.

The Friends dressed well, but not showily. The material of their garments was of good quality, but of sober colors and plain- ly made. The style of their bonnets was regulated by the age of the wearers and was changeless, the aged women wearing a hod- shaped black silk ; the middle-aged, a white silk of the same shape ; and the young misses, a white silk with the front slightly flaring.

It is not known that there was ever any organized society of Universalists in Wolfeborough, but there have been quite a num- ber of persons in different parts of the town who professed that faith. They were relatively more numerous in the neighborhood of South Wolfeborough than elsewhere. In 1845 a union church was built in that village, the probable cost of which was eight hundred dollars. Within a few years it has been repaired and

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 327

modernized. To the expense of erecting this house the Uni- versalists contributed more than any other sect, although a preacher of that denomination seldom occupies the desk, which is free to all clergymen.

There were probably few, if any, professed Unitarians in Wolfe- borough previous to 1880. In the summer of 1882 Rev. Mr. Powell, pastor of the Unitarian Church at Laconia, held services several Sabbaths on the deck of steamer Lady of the Lake, while lying at the Wolfeborough wharf, and in the summer of 1883 Rev. Mr. Brown, of Charleston, S. C, while on his vacation, which he spent in Wolfeborough, preached in the Christian Church Sunday afternoons. During the following three years there was some preaching by different ministers under the man- agement of Rev. S. C. Beane, of Concord, Mass., the meetings being held in a hall. March 25, 1886, the First Unitarian Society in Wolfeborough was organized. The original members were Charles H. Parker, William B. Hodge, Frank P. Hobbs, Rufus H. King, Ida M. Clark, Mary A. Dowlin, Fred W. Prindle, Abbie M. Prindle, Joseph Lewando, Nellie J. Lewando, Charles F. Piper, Sewall W. Abbott. The first board of officers consisted of Oliver Dowlin, president; Ida M. Clark, vice-president; Fred W. Prindle, clerk ; Frank P. Hobbs, treasurer ; William B. Hodge, Charles F. Piper, Joseph Lewando, executive committee.

December 4, 1886, the society voted to build a church, and chose Greenleaf B. Clark, William B. Hodge, and Fred W. Prindle a building committee. This committee contracted with Charles Prindle and Winthrop D. Hersey to erect the edifice, and January 17, 1888, it was dedicated. At the dedicatory exercises the consecrating prayer was offered by Rev. Fielder Israel, of Salem, Mass., and the sermon delivered by Rev. Brooke Herford. It is the most costly church structure in Wolfeborough, being built and furnished at an expense of six thousand dollars. The first pastor of the society, which has no church organization, was Rev. Loren Benjamin McDonald. He has been succeeded by

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Revs. Laighton, Lock, Hamlet, and the present pastor, Rev. An- drew Hahn. A Sunday-school was established about the time of the dedication of the church which had fifty members. Rev. L. B. McDonald was its superintendent.

The Adventists became a distinct religious people about 1840. Having become believers in the near approach of the advent of Jesus Christ, and discovering, as they thought, too much con- formity to the world in church organizations, they, to a certain extent, withdrew from them. For a few years great religious ex- citement prevailed, and many persons affiliated with the new class of believers. They organized no churches and settled no minis- ters, their meetings being generally held in school-houses and conducted for the most part by itinerating preachers, the mem- bers of the worshipping assemblies taking an active part in the services. About 1854 their meetings became somewhat localized at the schoolhouse in Pleasant Valley, where for a long time they held Sabbath meetings, conducted by the Churchills, Charles Coleman, and other preachers. In 1886 they established meet- ings at \Yolfeborough village, under the direction of Elder Al- phonzo Davis, holding them in private houses and in a few instances in the Christian and Free Baptist Churches. After that, for sev- eral years they occupied halls, where they had constant preaching by different ministers, and were quite prosperous. In 1890 a church was organized, and in 1891 a chapel was built on Union Street at a cost of thirty-eight hundred dollars. It was dedicated in 1892, A. W. Sibley preaching the dedicatory sermon. The church has had two pastors, Elders Mark Stevens and E. A. Goodwin.

Very few Catholics have made homes in Wolfeborough. Sev- eral of Irish nationality have lived in the town, but have received little attention from their religious teachers. More, but not a large number, of French extraction have domiciled here, and have for several years been occasionally visited by a priest. In 1898 they erected a chapel about twenty feet square, at a probable

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cost of four hundred dollars, and in it services are occasionally held.

Present Location of Churches — Advent, Union Street ; Cath- olic, Beatrice Street ; Christian, North Main Street ; Congre- gational, South Main Street ; Unitarian, Glendon Street ; Free- will Baptist, Center Street, Wolfeborough Falls. There are union churches at Center Wolfeborough, East Wolfeborough, North Wolfeborough, and South Wolfeborough.

CHAPTER XXIII.

SCHOOLS — ANDREW COLLINS — ISAIAH HORNE — GRAIN CURRENCY — FOUR DISTRICTS — SCHOOL-ROOMS — FURNITURE — EIGHT DISTRICTS — SCHOOL LOT SOLD — SCHOOL-HOUSES — TEACH- ERS— DUDLEY LEAVITT — THE FIRE LIST — THE SWEEPING LIST — BOARDING AROUND — LITTLE REPUBLICS — BRANDY SCHEME — SCHOOL COMMITTEE — EXHIBIT OF SCHOOLS 1840 — DISTRICT Two — DISTRICT ONE — UNION OF DIS- TRICTS— HIGH SCHOOL — TOWN SYSTEM ADOPTED — WO- MEN TEACHERS COME TO THE FRONT — THE FIRST STOVE.

IN 1773 the town voted to raise five pounds for a school, and in 1774 an additional sum of the same amount for a like purpose. There is no evidence that either of these votes became effective. In 1776 John Sinkler brought a bill against the town for "going after a school-teacher." He probably failed to obtain one. Very important matters were then engrossing the attention of the in- habitants of the town as well as of the country generally. The restraints of government were loosely held, and the votes of majorities could not always be enforced.

It is probable that there was no school in Wolfeborough until 1781, when Andrew Collins appeared on the stage in the double role of preacher and school-master. His necessarily brief history is found in preceding pages under "The Ministry." A state law having been enacted rendering towns that made no provision for schools liable to be fined, a town-meeting was held December 17, 1782, at which it was voted "to hire a school for six months the coming year, three months in the winter and three in the summer." The selectmen engaged Isaiah Home to take charge of the winter school. Here is a copy of his agreement : —

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331

"Wolfeborough, Thursday, December 19, 1782. This day agreed with Messrs. William Rogers and Richard Rust, selectmen of the town, to keep a proper English school for three months, at eleven dollars, silver currency, per month, and in such parts of said town as they shall direct, the school to begin on Monday next, I finding my board. Witness my hand,

Isaiah Home."

The town voted subsequently not to have the summer term of school. In January, 1783, a school-tax of ten pounds was as- sessed. In 1785 the town voted to have a school for three months in the summer. It was kept by Nathaniel Ambrose, Jr., who lived with his father in Moultonborough. The following winter the father received his son's wages in corn, which, with rye, was a staple currency, most of the taxes in Wolfeborough being paid in these two articles, and nearly all business transactions among the inhabitants based on their fixed values, which were deter- mined by votes passed in town meeting. Corn was valued at three shillings and rye at four shillings a bushel. For the ac- commodation of tax-payers two grain-takers were appointed. They were William Rogers on the south-west side of the town and William Triggs on the north-east. The grain-taxes were taken by the farmers to these depositories, and from them disbursed by orders from the selectmen.

In 1786 the town voted to have no school, and during the three following years there is no record of any. November 22, 1790, a school-tax of nineteen pounds was assessed. The selectmen divided the town into four districts, in which schools were kept by Nathaniel Ambrose as follows : number one, "Above the Bridge," sixty days; number two, "Below the Bridge," thirty- nine days; number three, "Cabbott," or "Farm," fifty-six days; number four, "Haines," twenty-five days. These schools were kept in private houses. That in district number one occupied an upper room in the newly erected and not completely finished

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

domicil of Benjamin Blake. He and his wife came to Wolfe- borough in the early spring of 1768. They built a log-house in in which they lived eighteen years, in 1786 exchanging their closely crowded quarters for a dwelling of ampler dimensions. Some years after, this was consumed by fire, and was replaced by another of similar size and structure.

In 1790, when the school-districts were located, Mr. Blake's house was probably the most suitable for a school of any in that neighborhood, yet it required some outlay to fit it for the pur- pose intended, as the following bill of expenses indicates : —

"Wolfeborough, May, 1790.

The town of Wolfeborough to Benjamin Blake Dr.

To four benches to sit on 6 shillings

To fixing the room for the school I shilling

To stuff for the banisters I shilling 6 pence

The whole amounting to 8 shillings 6 pence."

Of course provision of some sort was made for the accom- modation of the schools in the other districts, but there is no record of any action until September, 1793, when Daniel Brewster, who came to Wolfeborough two years before, charges the town "six shillings for making two additional benches and a writing- table for the use of the school." About the same time Jesse Merrill made "a writing-bench and two little boxes for the use of the schools." This simple furniture was removed from place to place to accommodate the schools, as the following bill of Jacob Smith shows : —

"The Selectmen to Jacob Smith Dr. December 1793 to mov- ing the school-benches at sundry times three shillings."

In 1793 the town had built a meeting-house and settled a minis- ter, and schools began to receive more atention. The selectmen divided the town into eight school-districts. Here follow lists of the tax-payers in the several districts acording to their respec- tive financial showing: —

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

333

District number one was located on the main road between Smith's River and Tuftonborough, and contained one-fifth of the town's inhabitants. List of tax-payers — William Rogers, Reuben Libbey, Benjamin Home, Ebenezer Meder, John Fullerton, James Fullerton, Joseph Lary, Andrew Lucas, John Bassett, Lemuel Clifford, Jonathan Blake, Isaiah Home, Andrew Wiggin, Samuel Tibbetts, Ebenezer Home, Jr., Stephen Home, Levi Tib- betts, Isaac Townsend, Benjamin Wiggin, John Home, Eliphaz Wiggin, Jesse Merrill, Moses Wiggin, Andrew Wiggin, Jr., Chase Wiggin. Whole number, twenty-five; value of ratable estate, forty-one pounds, fourteen shillings, four pence.

District number two embraced the territory lying between Smith's River and New Durham, extending east to the Hersey Brook and also about a mile on the Pine Hill road. List of tax- payers— James Connor, Col. Henry Rust, William Lucas, Rich- ard Rust, Henry Allard, Thomas Chase, Henry Rust, Jr., James Lucas, Joshua Varney, Daniel Brewster, Jacob Smith, Israel Piper, Wiggin & Thurston, Moses Varney, Stephen Drew, W'idow Martin, Jesse Whitten, Col. Stephen Evans, Joseph Varney, Oliver Smith, Joseph Evans, Jason Chamberlin, Daniel Brewster, Jr., Josiah Evans, Samuel Leavitt, Paul Blazo, Benjamin Whid- den. Whole number, twenty-seven ; value of ratable estate, thirty-six pounds, eighteen shillings, eight pence.

District number three consisted of Wolfeborough Neck. List of tax-payers — Joseph Edmonds, Josiah Leavitt, Jonathan Ed- monds, John Edmonds, Daniel Cooley. Whole number, five ; value of ratable estate, six pounds, six shillings, two pence. To this was added three pounds, eight shillings, and six pence of ratable estate from the Went worth Farm.

District number four, called "Pine Hill," lay on the road from the farm of Andrew Wiggin to the Hersey neighborhood, on that through the fifty acre lots towards the "Mills," and also on that leading to the Stockbridge Mountain. List of taxpayers — Jonathan Hersey, David Copp, William Fullerton, John Lucas,

334

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

John Piper, David Piper, Jeremiah Gould, Paul Wiggin, John Shorey, Xehemiah Lucas, Samuel Piper, Timothy Piper. Whole number twelve ; value of ratable estate, fifteen pounds, one shil- ling-, ten pence.

District number five, then called the "North District," em- braced the whole of the Masonian proprietors' lands, the westerly portion of Wolfeborough Addition, and the farms lying on the road from North Wolfeborough to the meeting-house. Within its boundaries were one-fifth of the inhabitants of the town. List of tax-payers — Isaac Goldsmith, Aaron Frost, Isaac Martin, Samuel Tibbetts, Jr., Joseph Keniston, Jedidiah Drew, William Triggs, Joseph Haines, Jacob Haines, Joshua Haines, John Swazey, Matthias Haines, Dudley Hardy, Perry Hardy, Isaac Drew, Cornelius Jenness, Abner Moodey, William Nudd, Ebenezer Tibbetts, Jonathan Tibbetts, Ichabod Tibbetts, Samuel Nudd, Thomas Drew, Josiah Willey, John Willey, Benjamin Savage, Abram Prebble, John Drew, Aaron Frost, Jr., William Goldsmith. Whole number, thirty ; amount of ratable estate, thirty-five pounds, fourteen shillings, three pence.

District number six, a union district with Ossipee and Wake- field, was situated east of Whiteface Mountain. List of tax- payers— John Young, Samuel Hide, Widow Keniston, A. Glover. Whole number, four ; value of ratable estate, seven pounds, two shillings, two pence, to which was added three pounds, eight shillings, six pence of the ratable estate from the Wentworth Farm.

District number seven, called the "Farm District," was situated in the neighborhood of the Wentworth Farm and Cottonborough. List of tax-payers — W'entworth Farm, Calder farm, William Cot- ton. Jr., Edmund Tibbetts John Cotton. John Shortridge, John Martin, Nathaniel Brown, Josiah Cotton, Isaac Cotton. Whole number, thirteen ; value of ratable estate, twenty-five pounds, two shillings.

District number eight, called the "Furbur District," was south

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 335

of Lake Wentworth. List of taxpayers — John Furbur, Widow Leavitt, John Brackett, John Warren, George Warren, James Marden, George Yeaton, Timothy Martin. Whole number, eight ; value of ratable estate, four pounds, three shillings, seven pence, to which was added five pounds of the ratable estate of the Wentworth Farm.

The ratable estate of the Wentworth Farm was thirty-six pounds, equal to more than one-sixth of that of the whole town, including both persons and properties. It was apportioned to districts three, six, seven, and eight. The Calder farm, Jonathan Hersey, John Furbur, and James Connor were rated at three pounds or more, and Col. Henry Rust, William Rogers, William Lucas, John Young, and Reuben Libbey at from two to five shillings less.

At the census of 1790 the population of the town numbered — males about sixteen years of age, one hundred and twenty ; males under sixteen, one hundred and ten ; females of all ages, two hun- dred and seventeen ; total, four hundred and forty-seven. The number of tax-payers in 1793 were one hundred and thirty. As the foregoing exhibit of school-districts shows, the inhabitants of the town were generally much scattered, the most compactly settled parts being the main road north of Smith's River and the Wentworth Farm neighborhood. Few families had as yet estab- lished homes in the central part of the town or in those portions now occupied by the villages. There was no collection of build- ings sufficiently large even to be denominated a hamlet.

The school-tax for the year amounted to ninety-two dollars and fifty cents, and was thus distributed : to district one, twenty dollars and forty-four cents ; to district two, eighteen dollars and ten cents ; to district three, four dollars and seventy-seven cents ; to district four, seven dollars and forty cents ; to district five, seventeen dollars and fifty-eight cents ; to district six, four dollars and ninety cents ; to district seven, twelve dollars and thirty cents ; to district eight, six dollars and ninety-six cents.

336 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

During 1790 Abraham Peavey, George Nicholson, and Samuel Tucker taught schools in Wolfeborough. Each teacher perhaps visited one or more of the districts, and kept a term of school, the length of which was proportioned to the amount of tax allotted it, occupying the "spare room" of some commodious dwelling in the neighborhood, and except in the southwest part of the town, where movable school furniture had already been provided, utiliz- ing household articles supplemented with rude tables, seats, and benches. So pressing was the need of schooling that it is not improbable that some of the inhabitants, in order to lengthen the terms of school, may have furnished the teacher with gratuitous board, allowing him to retain the whole of his pittance of grain or money.

Agreeable to a vote of the town, the school lot was adver- tised to be sold June i, 1797, at public vendue under the follow- ing conditions made by the committee having the matter in charge, which consisted of Richard Rust, William Rogers, and Nathaniel Brown : —

"ist. Each lot to be set up separately and struck off to the highest bidder, who will be deemed the purchaser.

2nd. A valid conveyance to be made on payment of the pur- chase money.

3rd. The purchaser shall pay five per cent on the amount each lot sells for upon the land being struck off to him, which will be forfeited on his or their non-compliance with his bid or neglecting to fulfill the conditions.

4th. The purchaser may pay the money down or he may have the indulgence of nine years for the payment of the whole of the purchase money arising from the sale of each lot by giving good security on interest and paying one-third of the principle in two years, one-third part in four years, if requested, and the remaining third part in nine years, and the interest arising on the whole

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

337

annually — and he may pay the same at any time within the said term of nine years, provided he shall pay the money due at one and the same time.

5th. A bond will be given for a lease or deed until the money is paid as expressed in the fourth article.

6th. Unless payments are made agreeably to the fourth article, the land and any part of the money which has been paid shall become forfeited and the bond of no effect."

The lot contained four hundred and fifty acres, and was divided into nine fifty-acre lots. On the road leading from the town meeting-house to North Wolfeborough, it extended from the westerly side of F. B. Home's farm to that owned by Everett Fernald, and in a northerly direction, to the farm occupied by the late Ira Home. Among the first purchasers were Thomas Stevenson, John Rines, George Yeaton, and Tilly Lary. Three sons of Jacob Home, viz., James Twombley, Henry, and Elijah eventually had farms out of it. The most of it is now in the pos- session of Frank B. Home, Samuel Reynolds, and Albert F. and James Stevenson. At the time of the sale it brought about five dollars an acre. The interest on the money arising from the sale of the school lot was one hundred and fifty-five dollars and eighty- four cents, and with the school-tax, it was thus divided in 1802 :—

SCHOOL TAX.		1IN IMtJUStTL UJN SCHOOL FUND.	TOTAL.
District one	$35-90	$33-29	$69.19
" two	25.46	23-35	48.81
three	3049	28.00	58.49
" four	12.80	11.15	23-95
five	6.74	6.18	12.92
" six	I3o8	12-45	26.O3
seven	8.85	S.ii	16.96
" eight	34.98	32-32	67.30

$168.80 $154-85 $323-65

338 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

In 1804 the interest arising from the school fund was divided according to the number of polls in each district. This method was continued until 1808, when it was divided according to the number of children between the ages of three and eighteen years in the several districts. In 1804 ft was voted to raise fifty dollars extra for schools.

Soon after the division of the town into school districts it was required that each should erect a schoolhouse at its own ex- pense. There was some delay in complying with this requisition. The first schoolhouse erected was probably in district number one. It was located near the house of Benjamin Blake, and was always designated as the Blake schoolhouse. Not far from the same time a schoolhouse was erected near the dwelling of Daniel Brewster for the accommodation of district number two. This is said to have been built of logs. In a few years a frame school- house was erected near the residence of Henry Wiggin, Esq., now occupied by Mrs. George W. Furbur. The first school- house in Pine Hill district was built near the Mason spring ; the first one in the Center district, known as the Rines schoolhouse, near the present residence of James Stevenson, his grandfather, John Rines then occupying the dwelling; the first in the Haines district at Dimon's Corner, near where stood Aaron Robert's store. The first schoolhouse in the Farm district was built on the Farm road. Some years after this district was divided into three and a schoolhouse erected on each of the three parallel roads leading from Brookfield, viz., the Farm, Pequaket, and Cot- tonborough.

In 1807 non-resident lands were taxed and the ratable value apportioned to the several districts by the selectmen. In 1811 Richard Rust, Samuel Nowell, and Dr. Moses Hoitt were ap- pointed a superintending school committee. Schools had now three sources of revenue, the school tax assessed on polls and estate of residents, the annual interest of the school fund, and the non-resident school tax, which had been established by legis-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH. 339

lative enactment. The resident school tax was appropriated in the several districts in which it was raised ; the interest from the school fund was divided among the districts as determined by a vote of the citizens, and the non-resident school tax was as- signed to the more needy of the school districts at the discretion of the selectmen.

April 17, 1820, at a special town meeting, it was voted to form a new school district from portions of districts numbered one and two, to extend from the Neck road to Pickering's Corner, in- cluding the farms of Joseph Varney and Daniel Bassett, and to be called district number nine. At another town-meeting held on the fourth day of the following May, agreeable to the petition of James Fullerton, Tobias Banfield, and thirty-seven other persons, the foregoing vote was reconsidered.

Following is a list of the persons who taught school in Wolfe- borough to the year 1820. Some of them kept only a single term, while others were thus engaged more or less for years. The date preceding a name indicates the year that person first taught in the town. 1781, Andrew Collins; 1782, Isaiah Home; 1785, Nathaniel Ambrose, Jr.; 1791-3, Samuel Tucker, Abraham Peavey, George Nicholson, Anna Blake ; 1794, Thomas Demer- ritt, Col. Mark Wiggin, (Col. Wiggin was then past the meridian of life. He had been an active citizen of Stratham, where he held much office, civil and military. He taught a number of schools in Wolfeborough, and was a prominent town official), William Kent, (Mr. Kent subsequently became part-owner of the Cutter & Sewall mills, and eventually removed to Canada), Betsy Wig- gin; 1796, Moses Thompson; 1797, Katherine Edmonds, (this was the Neck school. It continued nine weeks, and the teacher received one and one-quarter dollars per week, boarding probably in her father's family), Horatio G. Balch, Moses Bickford, Nancy Wiggin; 1798, Benjamin Canney ; 1799, George Melville, John F_rench, Joseph Ordiorne ; 1800, Samuel Fox (afterwards a prominent citizen holding' various offices) ; 1801, Israel Piper,

340

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Betsy Lucas, Betsy Fernald ; 1802, Nancy Coleman, Charles Barker, Jonathan Copp (a teacher for many years) ; 1803, Samuel Wiggin, Betsy Gould, Sarah Johnson (afterwards the wife of Esquire Thomas Stevenson), James F. Moulton, Mrs. John Snell, Mrs. Josiah Frost ; 1804, Wealthan Wiggin, Hiram Hodge ; 1805, Aaron Boodey, Nehemiah Ordway, Henry Home, Ebenezer Meader, Jr. ; 1806, Stephen L. Creighton, Polly Gould, Charles Foss, John Brown ; 1807, Dudley Leayitt. To secure his services as teacher for a three months' term of school, he was paid sixty- seven dollars. A portion of this sum was voluntarily contributed by Isaiah Home, Ebenezer Meader, Jr., and John W. Horn, the two last being desirious of obtaining a knowledge of certain branches, most probably including higher mathematics and sur- veying, which ordinary teachers could not impart. (For the oc- casion the new Blake school-house was the college). Miss Savage, Sanborn Blake, Thomas Stevenson, James Stuart; 1808, John Bassett, Moses Connor, (Because of the many schools he had taught, he was called "Master Connor." He was a nephew of James Connor and a cripple. Being a good penman, he wrote many family records, some of his artistic productions being still preserved), Isaiah G. Orne, Hannah Lucas; 1809, Nathaniel Burleigh, David T. Livy (for many years a Wolfeborough phy- sician), John J. Coleman, Jonathan Blake, John Rines, Hannah Home, Mary Young, Charles Foss, Abigail Meserve, Polly Gow ; 1811, Joseph Farrar (a practising lawyer, the grandfather of Mrs. Charles Rollins), Joseph Shorey (who constructed the Mason watering-trough, which has been in use for more than a century), William Cotton, Daniel Fellows ; 1812, John W. Home, John C. Young, Joseph Edgerly (a Wolfeborough physician), Thomas J. Tebbetts (a Wolfeborough physician, held much public office), Dearborn Wedgewood, Mary Hayes, Sally Crosby, Dolly Teb- betts, Betsy Brewster ; 1813, Samuel Burleigh, Olive Shepherd, Jonathan Bickford, Jr., Nancy Philbrick, Elizabeth Powers, George W. Warren; 1814, Mary Copp, Samuel Leavitt, Jr. (be-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUG^. 341

came a prominent citizen and public officer of Tuftonborough), Gideon Straw, George Nowell, Sarah Lyford, Deborah Gilman ; 1815, David B. Straw, Henry Tebbetts, Abigail Snell; 1816, Hannah Gage, Mary Dudley ; 1817, Charles Gilman, Polly Hawkins ; 1819, David Fullerton ; 1820, Betsy Lucas.

The money arising from the sale of the school lot was for a number of years loaned to individuals, and with some additions from the literary fund, or railroad tax, constitutes the school fund, which now amounts to forty-three hundred dollars. After a while the town used the principal in paying current expenses and thereby became legally and morally responsible for the amount thereof. A six per cent interest is allowed for the same, which is annually expended for the maintenance of the schools of Wolfeborough.

For the half-century following 1820, there was no very rapid progress in Wolfeborough schools in methods or general charac- ter. There was, however, a gradual improvement. Most of the persons who engaged in teaching were natives, but few visiting the town in search of employment as instructors on account of the low wages of teachers and the short terms of school. Enter- prising young men and women generally regarded the business as merely a stepping-stone to some more constant and lucrative employment ; consequently experienced teachers were not very abundant. A few farmers continued to instruct in winter schools for several years, their circumstances being such as to afford them some leisure in winter, but mechanics, merchants, and busi- ness men found their time fully occupied in their chosen occupa- tions.

At the annual meeting of 1821, the selectmen were instructed to re-district the town and determine the boundaries of the several districts. Their action was to be considered at the next annual meeting. This they did, increasing the number of the districts to eleven. In 1823 Rev. John P. Cleveland, Drs. Thomas J. Tebbetts and David T. Livy, Aaron Roberts, and Thomas Rust

342 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

were chosen superintending school committee. They were in- structed to visit the schools at the beginning and close of each term, and to employ no person to teach who had not received from them a certificate of proper qualifications for teaching. In case they should not follow the latter instruction, they would become personally liable for the wages of that person. In 1828 a prudential school committee consisting of a resident in each district was chosen. It was composed of David Fullerton, Daniel Pickering, William Furbur, John Bassett, Joseph Banfield, Samuel Huggins, Benjamin Smith, Thomas J. Tebbetts, Jeremiah Towle, Robert Newell, and Joshua Pierce.

On account of the small amount of money appropriated for the early schools of Wolfeborough it was necessary to impose on the pupils duties which to those of today would seem very irksome. For many years the wood for the school-house fires was delivered green, and sled length, that is, in logs from eight to twelve feet long. Occasionally it was dragged to the place in whole trees, the branches only being removed. A fire list was prepared by the teacher, and the boys were expected to fit the wood for burn- ing and "tend the fire." It required a considerable portion of the previous afternoon to cut the wood and gather the kindlings, which consisted of partially decayed stumps and fallen limbs. If the weather was extremely cold, the temporary janitor would be obliged to spend a large portion of the next day in efforts to keep the open school-room comfortably warm. He was not ex- pected to be sparing of the fuel, and its consumption in the broad fireplace, with its high jambs was not inconsiderable. Such exer- cise was well calculated to develop muscle, and render unneces- sary expensive training in athletics.

A sweeping-list was also a necessary accompaniment of the school-room. The broom was manufactured on the spot. It con- sisted of a flat bundle of hemlock sprigs fastened to a long stick handle with a tow string, perhaps hand-twisted. To properly shape such a broom and attach it firmly to the handle required

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

343

a degree of skill. It would not be strange if sometimes a youth, as he watched the manipulations of the deft fingers of the maiden before him, fancied that at some future time she might become the neat and tasteful mistress of his home.

Boarding around was a method adopted by some of the smaller school districts to lengthen the term of school, the parents and guardians mutually agreeing to board the teacher for a period proportionate to the number of pupils they were to send to the school. This practice was advantageous to the children, as it permitted them to become better acquainted with the teacher, who tutored them at their homes. It also promoted sociability between parents and teachers. The objectionable feature of the custom was the liability that the teacher become a dyspeptic by an over-indulgence in the indigestible delicacies which the house- wives vied with each other in preparing for him, or a rheumatic from the occupancy of the long untenanted bed in the spare room.

Occasionally a sagacious parent who had a large number of children and a well-stored larder would take as a boarder an en- terprising teacher at a merely nominal price in order that the family might be benefited by his example and instructions. On the approach of evening the chores would be early finished, and the younger members of the household sent to bed. Then the broad dinner-table would be drawn before the blazing hearth in the capacious living-room, and the books, slates, and tallow dip placed on it, while the teacher and pupils would gather around for stud}' and exposition. A few hours thus spent brought more pleasure and profit to the participants than would have been ob- tained in a much longer stay in a modern club-room. Out of families thus trained, have gone forth many sons and daughters who have creditably and successfully won their way in the broader fields of life.

Until about 1830, the town as a corporation managed school affairs either by the direct action of its citizens in town meeting, or by its agents, the selectmen, or, in some measure, by superin-

344

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

tending and prudential committees. At that time it transferred a large share of its power and oversight in such matters to the little republics known as school districts. These had their officers — a clerk and prudential committee — and such special agents as occurring circumstances required. They determined the time and length of school sessions, purchased fuel and furniture, re- paired and erected school-houses, and voted money for extra instruction ; but could neither assess nor collect taxes. These must be authorized by the selectmen. In cases where statutory requirements were neglected, the selectmen supplied the deficien- cies at the expense of the district.

In one instance it is evident that the bounds of lawful action were exceeded. The inhabitants of a certain school district had met for the purpose of making arrangements to build a much needed school-house. As usual there were objections to the scheme. It was decided to purchase a gallon of brandy at the expense of the district. The result was that the gloom of antici- bated rates was banished by visions of golden prosperity, and an affirmative vote was obtained. The act was not meritorious in a moral or legal aspect, but it was politic, and therefore con- doned.

A superintending school committee was elected in 1823 and one in 1829, consisting of Xathaniel C. Towle, Joseph Banfield, and Thomas Rust. After that time they were appointed by the selectmen. Here follows a list of the committees appointed.

1830-1. Thomas J. Tebbetts. Daniel Martin, Zachariah Bat- chelder ; 1832. Henry H. Orne, Obadiah Stoddard, Enos Merrill: 1833. Thomas J. Tebbetts .Daniel Martin, David Fullerton : 1834. David Fullerton, Ebenezer Tebbetts, David Shaw : 1835-6, Ebenezer Tebbetts, Obadiah Stoddard, David Shaw; 1837-8, Ebenezer Tebbetts, James Edgerly, Samuel J. Stevenson ; 1839- 40, William Thompson, Benjamin F. Parker, James A. Tebbetts ; 1841-2, Henry H. Hazelton, Samuel J. Stevenson, Matthias M. Haines ; 1843, Obadiah Stoddard. Jeremiah F. Hall. Matthias M.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

345

Haines ; 1844-5, Zachariah Batchelder, George W. Warren, Jesse A. Sanborn; 1846, Zachariah Batchelder, Benjamin F. Parker, Obadiah Stoddard ; 1847, Zachariah Batchelder, Benjamin F. Parker, Thomas L. Whitton ; 1848, Thomas Rust, George W. Hersey, Thomas L. Whitton ; 1849-50, Thomas Rust, Ira Blais- dell, Samuel J. Stevenson; 1851, Thomas Rust, Samuel J. Steven- son, Thomas Bartlett ; 1852, Thomas Rust, Samuel J. Stevenson, Matthias M. Haines ; 1853-4, Thomas Rust, Matthias M. Haines, Charles H. Parker; 1855, Samuel J. Stevenson, Charles F. Hill, William C. Fox; 1856, Thomas Rust, Thomas Bartlett, Stephen Merrill; 1857, Stephen Merrill, Thomas Bartlett, Charles F. Hill; 1859, John Wingate, Charles F. Hill ; 1860, Charles F. Hill, Wil- liam C. Fox, Samuel J. Stevenson; 1861, Charles F. Hill, John Wood, Samuel J. Stevenson ; 1862, William C. Fox, Henry R. Parker, Woodbury P. Home ; 1863-4, Chase Moulton, Wood- bury P. Home, Samuel D. Fox; 1865, Charles F. Hill, William C. Fox, Oscar F. Whitton; 1867, Albert B. Rust; 1868-9, Henry G. Home, Chase Moulton, Moses T. Gate.

About this time it was decided to have the superintending school committee consist of one person only, who was to receive a salary not exceeding sixty dollars. Under the regulation the following persons were appointed : 1870, Oscar F. Whitton ; 1871, Josiah H. Stinchfield ; 1871-3, Woodbury P. Home; 1874-5, Aaron W. Aver; 1876-7, Moses T. Gate; 1878, Henry R. Parker; 1879, Sumner Clark; 1881-2, Woodbury P. Home; 1883, George E. Symonds ; 1884, John G. Gate; 1885, George A. Haines. Previous to 1870 each member of the superintending school committee received annually two dollars. This was his compensation for attending two meetings of the committee held for the examination of persons who proposed to teach schools in the town. If he performed judicial functions, he was paid for his services. Visiting schools, of which there was little done, was gratuitous. Subsequent to 1885, school matters in Wolfeborough have been managed by the town school district.

346

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Here is an exhibit of the school in Wolfeborough in 1840. The first column shows the number of the district; the second, the number of pupils in it between the ages of three and eighteen years ; the third, the amount of money alloted to it ; the fourth and fifth, the names of the teachers employed in summer and winter.

I	77	$110.55
2	1 02	$124.19
3	35	$ 56.56
4	28	$ 45-24
5	76	$ 96.39
6	21	$ 31-27
7	20	$ 34-55
8	93	$135-05
9	22	$ 24.65
10	IO	$ 11-35
ii	16	$ 14.92
12	21	$ 34.96
1.3	75	$ 95-69
14	40	$ 44-56
15	43	$ 53-72

Sarah A. Doe Mary A. Mason Louisa A. Gate Shuah Libbey Melissa Tebbetts Elizabeth Folsom Ann Moulton Mehitable Bickford Hannah T. Hersev

Charles G. Tebbetts Benjamin F. Parker Phcebe Furbur Mary A. Mason Samuel J. Stevenson Eliza Tebbetts Matthias M. Haines James A. Tebbetts Hannah T. Hersey

Elizabeth Tebbetts George W. Home Betsy A. Rust Samuel S. Parker

Mary J. Tebbetts Phineas Johnson Obadiah Stoddard

Total 697 $913.65

The average amount of school money expended for each pupil was one dollar and thirty-four cents. These teachers were nearly all natives of Wolfeborough, at least five of them being farmers with families.

School district number two originally extended from Xew Durham to the Hersey Brook, a distance of about five miles. It also embraced the whole of the Col. Rust lot and that portion of the Sewall lot which was on the south side of Smith's River. As in 1829 it had increased considerably in population, small vil-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 347

lages having been formed in two localities, it was proposed to divide the district into two, the severing line to be a little south of the Guppy (now the Berry) place. A proposition so reason- able met with no opposition, and the southern portion became district number thirteen.

This division left district number two without a schoolhouse, and it was decided to erect one in Harmony Grove. This loca- tion, although not central, was regarded as desirable, since it was at a convenient distance from the two villages, the Bridge and Mill Village, while the nature of its environs was such that the erection of many buildings in the vicinity seemed improbable, quiet and an ample play-ground thus being insured.

There was a disparity in the financial conditions of the two sections of the. district, the Bridge portion being comparatively wealthy, while many of the inhabitants of Mill Village were poor. At first matters were quiet and harmonious. Soon, however, there were murmurings of dissatisfaction because the money of the more wealthy was educating the children of the poor. For this there was only one remedy — a division of the district on the property line. Repeatedly this matter was brought before the town by petitions, but in every instance the petitioners had "leave to withdraw." Repeated failure brought quiet. The population of the district continued to increase, and about 1860 the school- room, which was only twenty-eight feet square, became much over-crowded, the school sometimes consisting of one hundred pupils. The roof and other wood work of the building had be- come much decayed, and it was deemed proper to erect a new schoolhouse suitable for the necessities of the district. At a school-meeting it was voted to build on the lot then occupied by the district a school building two stories high, with Okie room on each floor in which could be held graded schools, the cost of which, as guarranteed by responsible persons, should not exceed two thousand dollars. A building committee was chosen, con- sisting of persons living in different parts of the district.

348 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Soon agitation in relation to a division of the district recom- menced. No complaint was made against any of the inhabitants of the district, old or young, but the cry was against the projectors of the building enterprise, although responsible persons were ready to guarantee that the cost of the school-house should not exceed the estimated sum. Some persons, who were really opposed to the division of the district, became so alarmed at the prospect of high taxes that they voted in favor of the measure. By methods which it is better to let the pall of oblivion cover, the seceders prevailed notwithstanding a majority of the inhabitants of the district voted against a division.

The secession of the more wealthy portion of its inhabitants left district number two in circumstances peculiarly difficult. It was probably per capita the poorest district in Wolfeborough, although in the aggregate it possessed more property than some of the smaller ones. It had been made the unwilling possessor of a partially decayed schoolhouse, for which it had been required to pay to the new district its proportion of the estimated value. This building it could not advantageously repair, remove, occupy, or utilize. It could not be permanently occupied as a school- house, as it stood within ten rods of the southern terminal of the district, while the homes of every pupil were in a northerly direc- tion ; it could not be removed, as its walls were of brick ; it could not be repaired and used for any other purpose than a school- house, as in that case the lot would be forfeited.

The district was forced to make a virtue of necessity, and for a short time a school was kept in it, although the decayed roof threatened danger to the pupils. It was afterwards sold at auction for old brick. As soon as practicable, arrangements were made to build a new schoolhouse. A lot was purchased for seventy-five dollars, and on it erected a schoolhouse at a cost of srxteen hundred dollars. Enlarged by the town of Wolfeborough, it remains an evidence of the correct educational sentiment of dis- trict number two.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

349

The seceding district constructed no school building, but de- pended on renting until 1878. Like all events occurring in human affairs the division of the district was not barren of fruitage. It occasioned animosities of long continuance, and wounded close friendships that were never healed. It is, however, proper to ob- serve that some of the more considerate promoters of the act ac- knowledged and regretted their error, and later invited co- operative action in school matters.

School district number one was settled quite uniformly, and the population remained quite evenly distributed for some time. During this period the Blake school-house was convenient for it. In process of time, however, the southern part became quite populous, while the inhabitants in the northern end lessened somewhat. It was then claimed that it was unjust to require the major part of the pupils who were living in the compact part of the district to travel so far to school. The claim was admitted, and the district divided. The Blake school-house was removed nearer to the village, and a small one erected for district number one. Subsequently the new districts, seventeen and nineteen, with a portion of number sixteen, which consisted of parts of numbers two and thirteen, were consolidated, and the combina- tion was called district number seventeen. In 1878 this district obtained possession of the Academy building on condition that it should maintain a High School. This it did by taxation and such tuition as it obtained from other districts. The school was of respectable grade and proved quite beneficial to the town until the opening of the Brewster Free Academy.

School district number twelve was located between Water Village and North Wolfeborough, and number eighteen between the Haines Hill and Center Wolfeborough. They were both small.

Great improvements has been made in the schools of Wolfe- borough during the last thirty years. This has been especially noticeable since John Brewster made in his will such ample pro-

350

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

visions for educational purposes. In 1880 the schools in districts numbered two and seventeen were managed by boards of educa- tion. In 1886 the town system of schools was adopted, and they are now under the direction of a school board of three persons elected by free suffrage. One member of the board retires each year, the place being filled by a new election or his own re- election.

The first school board elected consisted of George A. Haines for three years, John H. Rust for two years, and Thomas Young for one year. Since then the following persons have been mem- bers of the board for periods of longer or shorter duration, al- though the office has been held more constantly by George A. Haines and Albert B. Rust than the others ; viz., Everett C. Ban- field, James H. Martin, Charles G. Gate, Albert B. Rust, George A. Haines, Pierce A. Home, Edwin H. Lord, John G. Gate, Ed- win W. Junkins, Jasper H. Warren, Nathaniel H. Scott, Fred S. Libbey. Each member receives a salary of seventy-five dollars.

Following is an exhibit of the schools in 1900 : —

RECEIPTS.

Balance, Cash on Hand, March 3, 1900. $947.43 Amount of Appropriation for Schools, $3,270.00

Amount of Appropriation for Supplies, 350.00

Amount of Appropriation for Repairing School House, 75-OO

Amount of Appropriation for Pickering School Fence, 25.00

Amount of Appropriation for rent of School Grounds, 43-5O

Amount Received from Dog Licenses, 1899, 152.00

Amount Received from Literary Fund, 176.00

Amount Received from Interest on School Fund, 258.00

Amount Received from Brewster Estate, 1.075.00 Amount Received for Tuition for Pupils from Other

Towns, 5I-36

Amount Received from Sale of Supplies, 1.06

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

EXPENDITURES.

351

Amount Paid for Salaries of Teachers, $4,144.95

Amount Paid for Care of School Buildings, 3 T 7-75

Amount Paid for Fuel, 284.00

Amount Paid for Repairs, 14348

Amount Paid for Supplies, 398.71

Amount Paid for Rent of School Room and Land, 38.50

Amount Paid for Labor, 42.47

Amount Paid for Water Rent, 20.00

Amount Paid for Conveying Pupils, 181.50

Amount Paid for Sundries, 67.64

Amount Paid on Old Account, 4.00

Cash on Hand, March r, 1899, 781.35

$6,424.35 Total Amount Expended for School Purposes during

the Year, $5,643.00

Total Number of Scholars as per Last Enumeration, 371 Total Expense per scholar for the Year, $15-21

The number of different teachers employed during the year was twenty, thirteen of whom were residents of the town of Wolfeborough. Salaries of from twenty-eight to forty dollars per month were received except in the case of the teacher of the Grammar School, who received $60.60. Here follows a list of the teachers and the locality of the schools : —

Pickering schoolhouse, Smith's Bridge, Ena A. Maxwell, Emma Wiggin, Eleanor L. Hawkesworth, J. Maude Taylor ; Wolfeborough Falls, Zada B. Furber, Alice B. Glines ; South Wolfeborough, Nellie T. Graves, Grace E. Harden ; Wolfe- borough Center, Pierce A. Home : North \Volfeborough Jose- phine1 A. Connors: Whitton, Josephine B. Saunders ; Cotton Val- ley. Alta M. Home: Pine Hill. Alice M. Given: Pleasant Valley, Bertha M. Young : Highland. Grace M. Morgan.

352

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

When schools first began to be taught in Wolfeborough, only male teachers were employed. Gradually, however, women en- tered the ranks, and in a few decades had charge of most of the summer schools. It will be observed in the exhibit of 1840 that they also taught some of the smaller winter schools. Now they are almost invariably the teachers of Wolfeborough schools. One reason why men only were employed as teachers was that they were better educated than women. Schools were also chiefly governed by physical force, and where the rod and the ferule held sway, it was an advantage for a teacher to be a vigor- ous athlete. For teaching the schools of to-day whose methods of government are so different from those of our fathers, women are particularly well adapted.

Very early in the last century Jacob Haines and others peti- tioned the selectmen to employ a female teacher for district num- ber eight, and Daniel Brewster and others asked that sewing might be allowed in district number two. The first district to purchase a stove was North Wolfeborough.

CHAPTER XXIV.

EARLY BANNS — MARRYING AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE IN THE OLD DAYS.

THIS chapter contains a record of the banns published in Wolfeborough between the years 1789 and 1854. It will probably be used for reference as much as any other in the book, as by it family relationships can be traced.

1789. Nov. 2.6, John Snell and Elizabeth Williams, both of

Wolfeborough.

Dec. 14, Samuel Abbott, of Tuftonborough, and Anna Varney, of Wolfeborough.

1790. Nov. 22, Ebenezer Plaice, of New Durham Gore, and

Mary Hurd, of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 8, John Edmonds, of Wolfeborough, and Lydia Copp, of Tuftonborough.

1791. Jan. n, Nehemiah Lucas, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah

Wiggin, of Stratham. March 15, Thomas Cotton and Martha Furber, both of

Wolfeborough. May 9, Grafton Nutter, of Tuftonborough, and Elizabeth

Fullerton, of Wolfeborough. Sept. 24, James McDuffee, of New Durham Gore, and

Eleanor Connor, of Wolfeborough.

1792. Nov. 15, John Swazey and Sarah Goldsmith, both of

Wrolfeborough.

Dec. 27, Walter Avery, of Parsonsfield, Mass., and Mary Wiggin, of Ossipee.

353

354

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH.

1793. March 7, Dudley Hardy, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah

Johnson, of Middleton.

Apr. 1 8, Moses Wig-gin and Molly Clifford, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 24, Chase Wiggin, of Wolfeborough, and Nancy Calder, of Middleton.

Nov. 19, Jonathan Tibbetts and Catherine Goldsmith, both of Wolfeborough.

1794. Feb. 11, Andrew Wiggin, of Wolfeborough, and Nancy

Barker, of Stratham.

Mar. 24, Chase Wiggin, of Wolfeborough, and Mary Nut- ter, of Tuftonborough.

May — , George Warren and Elizabeth Leavitt, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. — , William Goldsmith and Sally Haines, both of Wolfeborough.

Aug. 27, Edward Leavitt, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah Sias, of Ossipee.

Nov. 24, Thomas Valentine Wormwood, of Durham, and Polly Drew, of Wolfeborough.

1795. May 8, Josiah Evans, of Wolfeborough, and Lydia Evans,

of New Durham. May 18, John Wentworth Fernald and Polly Fernald, both

of Wolfeborough. Dec. — , William Copp, of Tuftonborough, and Elisabeth

Blake, of Wolfeborough.

1796. Tan. 9, George Brewster and Dorcas Holt, both of Wolfe-

borough.

Jan. 18, Love Key, of Wolfeborough, and Molly Fogg, of Berwick, Mass.

Jan. 23, William Drew and Sally Thomas, both of Wolfe- borough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

355

Sep. 19, James Gate and Betsy Furbur, both of Wolfe- borough.

Sep. 21, Isaac Townsend and Lydia Evans, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 7, Rev. Ebenezer Allen and Betsy Fernald, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 7, Josiah Moody, of Tuftonborough, and Susannah Everson Tebbetts, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 16, Jonathan Blake and Polly Lucas, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 16, Josiah Frost and Nancy Allen, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 16, Joshua Mclntire, of Tuftonborough, and Polly Hurd, of Wolfeborough.

1797. Oct. 9, Moses Thurston, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy

Wiggin, of Stratham. Nov. 20, Cornelius Jenness and Deborah Chesley, both of

Wolfeborough. Dec. 5, Andrew Jewett, of Wolfeborough, and Joanna

Hobbs, of Dover.

1798. Feb. 17, James Cotton, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy

Robinson, of Brookfield.

Jul. 15. Wilmot Bickford, of Wolfeborough, and Dorothy Land, of Dover.

Oct. 9, Richard Tibbetts and Sally Young, both of Wolfe- borough.

Oct. 10, Timothy W. Young, of Tuftonborough, and Esther Libbey, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 10, James Marden, of Wolfeborough, and Sally Wat- son, of Rochester.

Nov. 15, Thomas Wiggin, of Brookfield, and Nancy Drew, of Wolfeborough.

356

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Dec. 5, William Nudd and Polly Moore, both of Wolfe- borough.

Dec. 10, John Edmonds, of Wolfeborough, and Molly Brown, of Tuftonborough.

1799. Feb. 7, Joseph Keniston, of Wolfeborough, and Susan

Brown, of Chester.

Jan. 9, David Wentworth, of Alton, and Mary Smith, of Wolfeborough.

Feb. 7, Isaac Cotton and Else Marden, both of Wolfe- borough.

Feb. 7, George O. Cotton and Sally Wiggin, both of Wolfeborough.

Feb. 7, Jonathan Bickford, of Wolfeborough, and Abigail Roberts, of Dover.

Jun. 5, Dr. Thomas Saltmarsh, of New Durham, and Betsy Evans, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. i, Benjamin Evans and Hannah Lucas, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 7, Benjamin Brown Whitten and Phoebe Rollins, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 23. Jeremiah Clifford, of Wolfeborough, and Sally Williams, of Ossipee.

Dec. 23, Peter Key and Betsy Coleman, both of Wolfe- borough.

1800. Jan. 9, Thomas Perkins, of Ossipee, and Mehitable Gold-

smith, of Wolfeborough. Jan. 14, William Fullerton and Maribah Stanley, both of

Wolfeborough. Jan. 20, Timothy Piper, of Tuftonborough, and Hannah

Neal, of Wolfeborough. Jan. 27, John Jenness, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah

Tuttle, of Brookfield.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 357

Jan. 28, Nathaniel Fernald, of Brookfield, and 'Polly Coleman, of Wolfeborough.

Col. William Cotton of Wolfeborough, and Ruth Page, of Wakefield, legally published.

Jan. 29, Moses Thompson, of Deerfield, and Sally Fox, of Wolfeborough.

May — , Samuel Connor and Polly Evans, both of Wolfe- borough.

June 15, Hiram Hodge, of Brookfield, and Betsy Keay, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 22, Isaac Martin and Lois Fernald, both of Wolfe- borough.

1801. Jan. 15, Samuel Varney, of Rochester, and Letty Clifford, of Wolfeborough.

Feb. 7, Samuel Hersey and Sally Shorey, both of Wolfe- borough.

Feb. 28, Moses Muzzey, of Bradford, Vermont, and Han- nah Prebble, of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 4, Thomas Nock and Lydia Tibbetts, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 29, Paul Nute and Sarah Frost, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 29, James Fernald, of Brookfield, and Betsy Bracket! Wiggin, of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 21, John Brackett, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy Fol- som, of New Market.

Sep. 21, William Young, of Wolfeborough, and Sally Bur- leigh, of Ossipee.

Sep. 21, Lemuel Drew, of Wolfeborough, and Polly War- ren, of Tuftonborough.

Sep. 21, Gardner Brown of Tuftonborough, and Ruth

Moore, of Wolfeborough.

Aug. 8, Samuel Marden, of Jefferson, and Hannah Dodge Frost, of Wolfeborough.

358 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Nov. 27, Rufus Wiggin, of Wolfeborough, and Lydia Edgerly, of Durham.

1802. Jan. 14, Noah Haines, of Rumney, and Betsy Nudd, of

Wolfeborough. Mar. 25, Rufus Wiggin, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy

Berry, of New Durham. Nov. 24, Levi Hide, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy

Gould, of Ossipee.

1803. Feb. 24, Thomas Frost, of Wolfeborough, and Peggy

WTeeks, of Wakefield.

Jan. 28, Tilly Lary, of Eaton, and Molly Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 9, Jacob Nutter and Betsy Clifford, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. — , Joseph Frost and Diadema Fernald, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 1 6, Joseph Jenness, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy Weeks, of Wakefield.

Nov. n, Benjamin Home, of Wolfeborough, and Judith Wiggin, of Stratham.

Nov. 15, William Guppy, and Sally Marden, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 15, John Rogers and Nancy Tibbetts, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 15, Samuel Meder and Eleanor Rogers, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. — , John Piper and Nancy Young, both of Wolfe- borough.

1804. Feb. — , Capt. Reuben Libbey, of Wolfeborough, and Mrs.

Abigail Smith, of Durham. Jan. — , Thomas W. Chase, of Alton, and Nancy Chase, of

Wolfeborough. Feb. 24, John Wiggin, of Portsmouth, and Polly Wiggin,

of Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 359

Feb. Henry Rust Parker and Hannah Home Rust, both of Wolfeborough.

Feb. 25, Joseph Ellis, of Middleton, and Dolly Willey, of Wolfeborough.

May 24, Samuel Hide, Jr., of Wolfeborough, and Sally Taylor, of Ossipee.

Apr. 22, Samuel Mason and Betsy Lucas, both of Wolfe- borough.

Oct. 10, James Hersey and Nancy Lucas, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 14, Matthias Ham, of Wolfeborough, and Abigail Hawkins, of Wakefield.

1805. Jan. 26, Oliver Smith, of Alton, and Hannah Kent, of

Wolfeborough. Apr. 3, James Johnson, of New Durham, and Huldah

Brackett, of Wolfeborough. May 9, Levi Weeks, of Wakefield, and Betsy Willey, of

Wolfeborough. Jul. 21, William Mallard, of Tuftonborough, and Betsy

Fullerton, of Wolfeborough. Aug. 5, Samuel Tibbetts, Jr., and Fannie Goldsmith, both

of Wolfeborough. Nov. 29, Ebenezer Meder, of Wolfeborough, and Miss

Sarah Young, of Durham. Dec. 20, Nehemiah Lucas, and Nancy Marden, both of

Wolfeborough.

1806. Mar. 20, George G. Young, of Wolfeborough, and Elea-

nor Sceggel, of Ossipee.

May 29, Elijah Estes, of Wolfeborough, and Patty Roberts, of Ossipee.

Jun. 4, George Whitton, of Wolfeborough, and Mrs. Esther Gage, of Wakefield.

Jun. 4. John Haines and Martha Nudd, both of Wolfe- borough.

360 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Jun. 12, Stephen Piper, and Hannah Whitten, both of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 10, Joseph Kelly and Hannah Clifford, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. n, Samuel Piper, of Wolfeborough, and Mary Hoyt, of Stratham.

Oct. 26, Isaac Drew, Jr., of Wolfeborough, and Mehi- table Leighton, of Ossipee.

Oct. 27, Henry Allard and Betsy Neal, both of Wolfe- borough.

Dec. — , William Tibbetts, of Brookfield, and Polly White- house, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 27, Richard Rust and Sally Thurston, both of Wolfe- borough.

1807. Feb. 8. Nathaniel Chase and Susannah Rust, both of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 10, Samuel Young, of Wolfeborough, and Nancy Burleigh, of Ossipee.

Mar. 25, Capt. Joseph Furbur, of Wolfeborough, and Sally Folsom, of New Market.

Mar. 30, William Lear, of Ossipee, and Keziah Glover, of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 18, Samuel Jenness and Sally Melvin, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 22, Timothy Tucker, of AVolfeborough, and Mary Crockett, of Ossipee.

July 5, John Furbur and Betsy Leavitt, both of Wolfe- borough.

Sep. 7, Jeremiah Drew, of Wolfeborough, and Anna War- ren, of Tuftonborough.

Sep. 14, Richard Nudd and Eleanor Haines, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 14, James Chamberlin, Jr., of Brookfield, and Betsy Ann Rust, of Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 361

Dec. 5, John Nutter, of Tuftonborough, and Sally Wig- gin, of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 17, Ichabod Tibbetts and Anna Nute, both of Wolfe- borough.

1808. Jan. 14, Samuel Frost, of Wolfeborough, and Olive Jack-

son, of Eaton.

Apr. 24, John Kent, of Durham, and Susannah Leavitt, of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 19, Nathaniel Cook, of Wakefield, and Joanna Cook, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 1 6, Henry Rust and Nancy Norris, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 17, Joseph Kent and Polly Lucas, both of Wolfe- borough.

Dec. 25, Isaac Willey and Polly Triggs, both of Wolfe- borough.

Dec. 29, Tobias Pray, of Brookfield, and Polly Young, of Wolfeborough.

1809. Jan. 20, Morgan Lewis, of Alford, and Susannah Shorey,

of Wolfeborough. Apr. 24, Samuel Cotton, of Wolfeborough, and Sally Fer-

nald, of Brookfield. Aug. 15, Adam Taft Brown and Sally Brown, both of

Wolfeborough. Aug. 28, James Haines, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah

Lord, of Parsonsfield. Sep. 20, Thomas Harden, of Jefferson, and Polly Rust,

of \Volfeborough. Oct. 30, Abraham Doe, of Alton, and Nancy Kent, of

Wolfeborough. Nov. 9, Joshua Wingate Chase and Ruth Home, both

of Wblfeborough. Nov. — , James Jenness, of Wolfeborough, and Sally Cal-

der, of Brookfield.

-562 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

1810. Mar. i, Richard Rust and Mrs. Joanna Jewett, both of

Wolfeborough.

1811. Mar. 18, Jacob Stanton, of Brookfield, and Sukey Fernald,

of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 25, John Lucas, Jr., and Polly Rust, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 8, James Lucas 3d, and Eleanor Rust, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 12, Isaac Clough, of Parsonsfield, and Lydia Whit- ten, of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 12, William Chamberlain and Betsy Adams Home, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 15, Jeremiah Connor and Abigail Wiggin, both of Wolfeborough.

1812. Nov. 12, Stephen Whitten and Eunice Earle, both of

Wolfeborough.

Dec. 6, Tilly Lary and Ruth Brown, both of Wolfe- borough.

Apr. 29, Samuel Chesley, of Farmington, and Polly Fur- bur, of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 8, James Perkins and Huldah Seavey, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 10, James Burke and Hannah French, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 12, Charles Wiggin and Abigail Meder, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 12, James Doe and Lydia Kent, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 26, Benjamin Edmunds, of Wolfeborough, and Han- nah Merrill, of South Hampton.

Aug. 10, Parker Whittle and Hannah Goldsmith, both of Wolfeborough.

1813. Feb. 18, Benjamin Sceggel, of Ossipee, and Mary Young,

of Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 363

Mar. n, John Hersey and Ruth Nudd, both of Wolfe- borough.

Apr. 5, John Furbur and Hannah Yeaton, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 23, Samuel Sweat, of Wolfeborough, and Mehitable Neal, of Tuftonborough.

1814. Jan. 6, Thomas Blaisdell, of Tuftonborough, and Polly

Hersey, of Wolfeborough.

Jan. 26, Isaac Edmunds and Betsy Calder, both of Wolfe- borough.

Mar. 6, Eleazer Ham, of Rochester, and Susanna Wiggin, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 13, Ivory Brackett, of Wolfeborough, and Sally Willey, of Brookfield.

Sept. 29, Tristram Nute and Pamela Cotton, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. i, William Wiggin and Dolly Snell, both of Wolfe- borough.

1815. Feb. 15, Oilman Folsom and Mary Rust, both of Wolfe-

borough.

Feb. 15, Nathaniel Rogers and Martha Rust, both of Wblfeborough.

Apr. 1 6, Stephen W. Home and Mary F. Calder, both of Wolfeborough.

Jun. i, Adelphia Ricker, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy Pierce, of Lebanon.

Jun. 27, John Home, Jr. and Harriet S. Orne, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 8, Phineas Weeks and Patty Cotton, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 13, Joseph Nay, of Ossipee, and Mary Haines, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 13, James Taylor and Dorcas Lear, both of Wolfe- borough.

364 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Nov. 13, Mark W. Plummer and Sally M. Lary, both of Wolfehorough.

Nov. 20, Isaiah G. Orne, Esq. and Sarah Raynard, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 8, Thomas Chamberlin and Mary Rogers, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. i, Henry Rust 3d and Pamelia Home, both of Wolfe- borough.

Dec. 29, John Smith and Betsy Norriss, both of Wolfe- borough.

1816. Jan 4, Thomas Baker and Miriam Whitten, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jan. 21, Nathaniel Rust and Lydia Folsom, both of Wolfe- borough.

Feb. 26, Benjamin Tibbetts and Abigail Doe, both of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 27, George Drew and Julian Yeaton, both of Wolfe- borough.

Apr. 4, Samuel Nudd and Nancy Perkins, both of Wolfe- borough.

Apr. 22, John Home 3d, and Dorothy Willey, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. — , William Triggs and Anna Maleham, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 19, John W. Home and Susey Wiggin, both of Wolfeborough.

May 19, Elisha Dow, of Gilford, and Betsy Prescott, of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 1 6, Joseph Piper and Betsy Shorey, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jun. 24, Ezekiel Key and Nancy Young, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jul. 3, Stephen Tibbetts and Sally Stratton, both of Wolfe- borougfh.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

365

Aug. 25, John Tuttle and Lucy Young, both of Wolfe- borough. Aug. 25, Charles Giles, of Brookfield, and Mary Warren,

of Wolfeborough. Nov. 12, Sargeant Kimball, of Holderness, and Abigail

Shortridge, of Wolfeborough. Nov. 26, Daniel Pike, of Wolfeborough, and Lavina Wal-

lingford, of Dover. Dec. 12, Joseph Young, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy

Hodgdon, of Ossipee. 1817. Feb. i, Doct. Thomas J. Tebbetts and Bets Ann Allen,

both of Wolfeborough.

Feb. 4, Walter Avery and Sally Cotton, both of Wolfe- borough. Feb. 28, Wentworth Butler, of Berwick, and Mehkable

1'ebbetts, of Wolfeborough. Mar. i, Joseph Edmonds and Mary Folsom, both of

Wolfeborough. Apr. 7, Valentine Willey and Abigail Prebble, both of

Wolfeborough. Apr. 8, Zebulon Home and Hannah Varney, both of

Wolfeborough. Apr. 25, Daniel White and Drussilla Witharn, both of

Wolfeborough. Apr. 28, James Fullerton and Sophia B. Wiggin, both of

Wolfeborough. May 8, Janathan Bean, of Tuftonborough, and Sally Keay,

of Wolfeborough. Jul. n, Joshua Brewster, of Rochester, and Elizabeth

Shortridge, of Wolfeborough. Oct. 21, John Whittle, of New Boston, and Betsy Thurs-

ton, of Wolfeborough. Oct. 13, Benjamin Nudd and Hannah Nudd, both of

Wolfeborough.

366 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Oct. 23, Benjamin Smith, of Ossipee, and Betsy Young, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 23, Isaac Stanton, of Brookfield, and Sally Hardy, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 6, Daniel W. Wiggin, of Wolfeborough, and Eliza Keys, of Green, Me.

Nov. 6, Caleb Weeks, of Wakefield, and Patience Dudley, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 6, John W. Yeaton, of Wolfeborough, and Nancy Stevenson, of New Durham.

Dec. 15, John Kurd, of Tuftonborough, and Molly Clif- ford, of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 15, John H. Drew and Abigail Kent, both of Wolfe- borough.

1818. Jan. 12, Henry Veasey, of Tuftonborough, and Lois

Allen, of Wolfeborough. Mar. 19, Major Dudley Hardy, of Wolfeborough, and

Abigail Hardy, of Kennebunk. Mar. 19, Ebenezer Jndkins and Abigail Yeaton, both of

Wolfeborough.

Moses Cate, of Brookfield, and Abigail Brewster, of

Wolfeborough. Mar. 18, Silas Tebbetts, of Rochester, and Abigail Nudd,

of Wolfeborough. Mar. 30, Nathaniel Young, of Wolfeborough, and Patty

Roberts, of Ossipee. Aug. 2, John Drew, Jr. and Nancy Thurston, both of

Wolfeborough. Oct. 8, Thomas Triggs, of Wolfeborough, and Olive L.

Maleham, of Wakefield.

Oct. — , Josiah Cotton and Lydia Doe, both of Wolfe- borough.

1819. Feb. 3, Hezekiah Tebbetts and Rachael Burke, both of

Wolfeboroucrh.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 367

Dec. 31, Stephen Connor and Mrs. Abigail Triggs, both of Wolfeborough.

Mar. i, John Neal, of Tuftonborough, and Abigail Her- sey, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 19, William Rust, of Wolfeborough, and Nancy Wedgewood, of Parsonsfield.

Mar. 9, James Cotton and Jane Edgerly, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 29, James Stevenson, of Glover, and Polly Drew, of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 13, Adam Brown, of Wolfeborough, and Susan Plum- mer, of Milton.

Sep. i, James Ricker, of Dover, and Elisabeth Whitten, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 28, James Folsom and Sally Rust, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 24, Jeremiah Wiggin and Mrs. Hannah Nudd, both

of Wolfeborough.

1820. Jan. 4, James Smith and Mary Young, both of Wolfe- borough.

Mar. 20, Samuel Tebbetts and Sally Fernald, both of Wolfeborough.

Jan. — , Samuel Xutt and Sally Wentworth, both of Wolfe- borough.

Apr. 12, Nathaniel Rust and Fanny A. Wiggin, both of Wolfeborough.

May 19, Jonathan Hersey and Mrs. Susannah Moody, both of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 30, Colonel Josiah Chamberlin, Brookfield, and Betsy Guppy, of Wolfeborough.

June 23, Joseph Morgan and Polly Cotton, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jun. 26. Lewis Hayes, of Milton, and Sarah M. Clark, of Wolfeborousrh

368 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Jnn. 29, James Shortridge and Polly Nutt, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jun. 29, Oliver Copp and Polly Home, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 8, Deering Stoddard and Mrs. Margaret Raynard, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 4, Joseph Haines, Jr. and Elizabeth Lucas, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 9, Enoch Dunn, of Dover, and Eliza Fullerton, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 16, Joseph Colby, of Newfield, Me., and Hannah Lary, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 23, Joseph Wiggin and Abigail Snell, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 1 8, Moses C. Piper and Eunice Baker, both of Wolfe- borough.

Dec. ii, Davis Kenerson, of New Durham, and Abigail Moody, of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 18, Jonathan Chase, of Alton, and Abigail Meserve, of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 18, Jonathan Morrison, of Tuftonborough, and Bel- inda Libbey, of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 27, John Folsom and Hannah Blake, both of Wolfe- borough.

1821. Jan. 8, Samuel Houghton, of Fairlee, Vermont, and Mary Tebbetts of Wolfeborough.

Jan. — , Daniel \Vingate, of Farmington, and Sarah Wig- gin, of Wolfeborough.

Jan. — , Stephen Stratton and Juda Tebbetts, both of Wolfe- borough.

Feb. 28, Joseph Hayes, of Alton, and Betsy Brewster, of Wolfeborough.

May 21, Jonathan P. Fernald, of Wolfeborough, and Mary Pike, of Middleton.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 369

Sep i, John Gate, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah Giles, of Brookfield.

Sept. i, Joseph Young and Susannah Key, both of Wolfe- borough.

Sep. 3, Thomas Varney, of Wolfeborough, and Eleanor Tabor, of Berwick, Me.

Oct. 10, John A. Wiggin, of Wolfeborough, and Susan Wiggm, of Tuftonborough.

Nov. 14, Robert Coleman, of Chichester, and Nancy Phil- brick, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 14, James Furnald, of Wolfeborough, and Mary Hodge, of Brookfield.

Nov. 16, David Fullerton and Hannah Tebbetts, both of

Wolfeborough.

1822. Jan. 7, William Fullerton, of Wolfeborough, and Abigail Piper, of Tuftonborough.

Jan. — , John Phenix, Philips, Me., and Celia Libbey, of Wolfeborough.

Feb. 25, John Towle, of Wolfeborough, and Louise Roberts, of Ossipee.

Feb. 25, Moses Edgerly, of Wolfeborough, and Sally Stillings, of Ossipee.

Mar. 4, Samuel Meder, and Lydia Fullerton, both of Wolfeborough.

May 27, Johnson Brown and Olive Nute, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jun. i, John Locke, of Wakefield, and Elisabeth Fernald, of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 18, Daniel Pickering and Sarah S. C. Farrar, both of Wolfeborough.

July 2, Joseph Frost and Elisabeth Chamberlin, both of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 25, Bartholomew Oilman and Eliza Wiggin, both of Wolfeborough.

370

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Aug. 20, Joshua Hodsdon, of Wolfeborough, and Priscilla Canney, of Ossipee.

Sep. 15, Jonathan Tibbetts and Mehitable Perkins, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 2, William Pinkham, of Wolfeborough, and Martha Hill of Wakefield.

Nov. 12, James T. Home, of Wolfeborough, and Sophia Nute, of Madbury.

Nov. 12, Robert Wiggin and Dolly Maria Craton, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 30, James Keay and Elizabeth Lary, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 27, John Lary and Lydia Stackpole, both of Wolfe- borough.

1823. Feb. — , Samuel Hayes, of Alton, and Margaret G. Brews- ter, of Wolfeborough.

Feb 5, Nathaniel Home, of Wolfeborough, and Caroline Piper, of Strathanu

Mar. 9, George F. Brewster, of Wolfeborough, and Joan D. Home, of Farmington.

Mar. 10, Joshua Stackpole, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah Mardin, of Tuftonborough.

Mar. 10, Thomas Rust and Phoebe C. Piper, both of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 12, Moses Wiggin and Eunice Home, both of Wolfe- borough.

Mar. 3, Stephen Giles, of Brookfield, and Statira Edgerly, of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 17, Matthias Haines and Eliza Wiggin, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 23, Ebenezer Allen and Mary F. Nute, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jun. 15, Josiah Willey, Jr. and Abigail Tibbetts, both of Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

371

Jun. 24, Napoleon B. Home and Deborah Burley, both of

Wolfeborough. Jun. 25, Nathaniel F. Wiggin and Abigail Oilman, both

of Wolfeborough. Aug. n, Thomas B. Wiggin and Judith Bickford, both

of Wolfeborough. Aug. n, Benjamin Warren and Mercy Davis, both of

Wolfeborough. Sep. 8, Samuel Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough, and Joanna

Meder, of Tamworth.

Sep. 27, John Keay and Abigail Mardin, both of Wolfe- borough. Sep. — , Henry B. Rust and Hannah S. Jewett, both of

Wolfeborough. Nov. 6, Timothy Watson, of Wakefield, and Sally Willey,

of Wolfeborough. Aug. 22, Capt. Aaron Roberts and Mary Bickford, both

of Wolfeborough. Dec. 23, Joseph Severance, of Tuftonborough, and Mary

Moody, of Wrolfeborough. Dec. 13, James Rogers and Clarissa Wiggin, both of

Wolfeborough. Dec. 25, Robert Martin, of Brookfield, and Julia Ann

Huggins, of Wolfeborough. Dec. 30, Richard Rust, Esq., and Mrs. Eleanor Piper, both

of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 30, Asa Ham and Sally Mardin. both of Wolfe- borough. 1824. Jan. 16, Jonathan Brown, of Wolfeborough, and Mary

Chase, of Alton. Feb. 8, Ebenezer Corson, of New Durham, and Margaret

R. Davis, of Wolfeborough. Mar. 15, Levi Towle, of Wolfeborough, and Sally Dudley,

of Alton.

372

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Mar. 29, Benjamin Ricker and Susanna Fogg, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 21, George W. Warren, Jr., of Wolfeborough, and Mary F. Allard, of Brookfield.

May 19, Mark Lucas and Betsy Fogg, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jun. 3, James Thurston and Martha Furbush, both of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 4, Charles W. Baker, of Brookfield, and Hannah Whitten, of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 4, George Folsom and Clarissa Lee, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jul. 24, Samuel Fernald and Hannah Home, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 18, Asa Moody and Lois Mardin, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 13, Obadiah Stoddard and Sally Eaton, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 13, Calvin Corson, of New Durham, and Lucinda B. Seavey, of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 16, Dudley Chamberlin, Jr. and Lydia N. Wiiley,

both of Wolfeborough.

1825. Jan. 3, George Drew and Alice Cotton, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jan 3, Benjamin F. Thompson and Mary F. Brewster, both of W'olfeborough.

Jan. 4, Henry Home, of Wolfeborough, and Nancy Nute, of Madbury.

Mar. 21, Joseph Hurd, of Dover, and Farragina Bickford, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 25, Thomas Blake, of Wakefield, and Abigail Hardy, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 26, Isaiah Mclntire, of Tuftonborough, and Sarah Ann N. Stevens, of Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 373

Apr. 25, Levi Cooper and Nancy Drew, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 1 8, Jesse Whitten and Betsy Drew, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jun. 18, Joseph Moulton, of Ossipee, and Temperance Cot- ton, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 21, Ira Cook and Hannah Cotton, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 22, Stephen Mclntire and Pamela Welch, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 3, Andrew W. Weymouth and Mary Lary, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 5, John T. Parker and Sally L. Seavey, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 25, Jonathan Kurd, of Ossipee, and Abigail Tibbetts,

of Wolfeborough.

1826. Jan. 10, Alpheus Swett and Susan Rogers, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jan. 22, Jonathan Hersey and Abigail Keniston, both of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 1 8, William Thompson and Nancy Rogers, both of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 20, David Tappan Allen and Rosamond Key, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 20, Bradbury Edgerly, of Wolfeborough, and Mary Cate, of Brookfield.

May 29, Jeremiah Emerson, of Wakefield, and Mary Huckins, of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 4, John P. Morrison, of Fairlee, Vt., and Mehitable

Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough.

' Jun. 8, Enoch M. Clark, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah Hayes, of Milton.

July 17, Daniel Brevvster, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah McDuffee, of Alton.

374

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Aug. 28, Levi Tibbetts, of Tuftonborough, and Mrs. Char- lotte Clark, of Wolfeborough.

Aug. 30, Moses P. Brown, of Wolfeborough, and Lydia V. Quarles, of Ossipee

Aug. 25, James Cotton and Abigail Knowles, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 27, William Towle and Ruth L. Dow, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 18, William W. Cook, of Milton, and Mary Yeaton, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 22, David Page and Eliza Cotton, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 30. George Whitehouse and Louisa Tibbetts, both of Wolfeborough.

1826. Dec. 15, John Fox, of Wolfeborough, and Elizabeth

A. Copp, of Tuftonborough.

1827. Jan. 31, Elijah Home and Abigail Mason, both of Wolfe-

borough.

Feb. 21, Doct. Joseph Edgerly and Sally W. Furbur, both of Wolfeborough.

March 3, Joel Cook and Mrs. Mary Cotton, both of Wolfe- borough.

Mar. 3, Daniel Deland and Sarah Ann Estes, both of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 31, Robert I. Clark and Rachel French, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 15, Daniel Burke and Sally W. Ellis, both of Wolfe- borough.

Apr. 23, Daniel Drew, of Wolfeborough, and Ann Worm- wood, of Wakefield.

May 30, William Whitehouse, of Wolfeborough, and Sophia Hartford, of Stratford.

May 29, James Nnte. Jr., and Mary Nudd, both of Wolfe- borough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

375

Sep. i, William T. Gate, of Brookfield, and Betsy Gate, of

Wolfeborough. Sep. i, Dudley Libbey, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah Ann

Wiggin, of Tuftonborough. Sep. 10, James Towner, of W'olfeborough, and Harriet

Goit, of Burlington, Vt.

Sep. 25, Hale Young and Sophronia Nudd, both of Wolfe- borough. Oct. 4, Charles Stackpole and Hannah T. Lucas, both of

Wolfeborough. Oct. 13, Jonathan Copp and Hannah Stoddard, both of

Wolfeborough. Dec. 5, Joseph Johnson and Lurannah Whitten, both of

Wolfeborough.

Dec. 10, Isaac Willey and Mary Willey, both of Wolfe- borough. Dec. n, Captain George E. Nudd and Mrs. Abigail Ren-

clall, both of Wolfeborough. 1828. Jan. 7, William Goldsmith, of Ossipee, and Nancy Sceggel,

of Wolfeborough. Jan. 21, Walter N. Cotton and Eleanor C. Chrischenson,

both of Wolfeborough. Feb. 19, Nathaniel Frost and Elisabeth M. Nudd, both

of Wolfeborough. Mar. 26, William Rust, Jr., of W'olfeborough, and Polly

Evans, of Alton. Apr. 3, Josiah W. Chase, of Wolfeborough, and Abigail

Chase, of Alton. Jun. 2, Joseph Wiggin and Betsy Ann Wiggin, both of

Wolfeborough. Jul. 22, Calvin Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough, and Joanna M.

Pike, of Middleton. Jul. 24, David Chamberlin, of Wolfeborough, and Lydia

Evans, of Alton.

376 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Aug. 12, Capt. Samuel Nudd and Nancy Frances Whit- ten, both of Wolfeborough.

Aug. 20, Stephen Johnson, of Ossipee, and Sally Jenness, of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 21, Moses Bates, of Somersworth, and Eliza Perkins, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 22, Peter Rovvell, of Brentwood, and Mary Marston, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 27, James Brackett, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah Cro- well, of Lebanon.

Oct. 31, James Piper and Sally Wiggin, both of Wolfe- borough.

Oct. 31, Henry Nudd and Jemima Babcock, both of Wolfe- borough.

Dec. 3, Moses Nute and Betsy Avery, both of Wolfe- borough.

Dec. 8, Edemond P. Wentvvorth and Nancy Willey, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 15, James Moulton, of Ossipee, and Sally Cotton,

of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 22, Thomas J. Guppy and Catherine M. Kent, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 22, John P. Cotton and Mary B. Towi-.v both of

Wolfeborough.

1829. Feb. 15. Thomas B. Wiggin and Mary Young, both of Wolfeborough.

Feb. ^5, Richard Home, of Tuftonborough, and Lydia Eaton, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 9, James W. Pike, of Wolfeborough, and Lucinda R. Furbush, of Lebanon.

Mar. 10, Nathaniel Avery and Anna Nute. both of Wolfe- borough.

Jun. 7, Daniel Martin, of Wolfeborough, and Sophia W. Fernald, of Durham.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 377

Aug. 23, Daniel Kimball and Susan Brown, both of Wolfe- borough.

Oct. 4, Robert I. Clark and Abigail Piper, both of Wolfe- borough.

Oct. 6, Ira Pierce, of Wolfeborough, and Dorothy French, of Brookfield.

Oct. 29, Joseph Stevenson and Hannah Bickford, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. i, William Chase, of Rochester, and Harriet Perkins, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 18, John McDuffee, of Alto», and Louise Rust, of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 7, Hamilton Locke and Sophronia D. Frost, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 14, Stephen Home and Mary Ann Orne, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 24, William Rendall and Mary Ann Blake, both of

Wolfeborough.

1830. Feb. 10, John J. Nutt, of Wolfeborough, and Joanna Went- worth, of Burton.

Feb. 1 6, James Burley, of New Market, and Maria Wig- gin, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. n, Ira M. Weed, of Wolfeborough, and Caroline N. Dalton, of Hillsboro.

May 5, Levi Philbrick and Lydia Tibbetts, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 23, William Fernald and Sophronia Chase, both of Wolfeborough.

May 19, Jesse Nute, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah Gold- smith, of Ossipee.

May 20, Samuel Thompson and Phosbe Rogers, both of

Wolfeborough.

Jun. 13, James Bickford and Eleanor Johnson, both of Wolfeborough.

^78 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Jim. 28, David Blake and Abiah Brewster, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 5, Nathaniel Edgerly and Mary Furbur, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. i, Stephen Xute and Mary Chamberlin, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 13, George O. Cotton, of Wolfeborough, and Eliza Rines, of Middleton.

Sep. 27, William Clark and Mary Piper, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 2, William Western, of Wolfeborough, and Anna Kennerson, of Brookfield.

Nov. 24, Levi Chase, of Tuftonborough, and Sarah Nute,

of Wolfeborough.

1831. Feb. 20, Stephen Burke, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah Dealing, of Brookfield.

Mar. 7, John Bickford, of Wolfeborough, and Abra Loid, of Lebanon.

Mar. 7, Jeremiah Glidden and Betsy Clay, both of Wolfe- borough.

Mar. 7, Samuel Cotton, of Wolfeborough, and Abigail Hobbs, of Eflingham.

May — , Hezekiah Tibbetts and Mary Edgerly, both of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 28, Thomas Ham and Betsy Burke, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jul. 12, Ezra Johnson, of Wolfeborough, and Nancy Per- kins, of Alton.

Sep., Daniel Swett, of Tuftonborough, and Susan Keay, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 22, Silas Whitehouse and Mrs. Eunice Wiggin, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 22, James M. Wiggin, of Wolfeborough, and Caro- line B. Wiggin, of Tuftonborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 379

Nov. 22, Ebenezer B. Burns and Mary Peavey, both of

Wolfeborough.

1832. Jan. 9, George B. Farrar, of Wolfeborough, and Susan Maria Dow, of Wakefield.

Feb. 13, Moses Morse and Sally Atkinson, both of Wolfe- borough.

Feb. 13, Benjamin Baker, of Alton, and Lydia Wedge- wood, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 13, Ivory Clough, of Parsonsfield, and Susan Rollins, of Wrolfeborough.

Apr. 16, John L. Swinerton and Ann A. Robinson, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 4, Elliott Cotton and Sarah Libbey, both of Wolfe- borough.

David S. Bean, of Wolfeborough, and Susan Weeks, of Alton.

Jun. 20, John Newell, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah Cook, of Wakefield.

Jul. 29, Mark W. A very and Dorcas Nute, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 26, Daniel Copp and Nancy Willey, both of Wolfe- borough.

Joseph Young and Maria Langley, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 27, Thomas J. Wiggin, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy Drew, of Tuftonborough.

Nov. 5, Lewis B. Key, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah Knox, of Lowell.

Nov. 5, William P. Guppy, of Wolfeborough, and Olivp Key, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 25, Joseph P. Rust and Mary J. Chamberlin, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 25, Daniel Twombly and Frozilla Nute, both of Wolfeborough.

380 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

1833, Jan. 3, Albert Newhall of Lynn, and Hannah S. Keys, of Wolfeborough.

Jan. 20, Bradbury Keys, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy H. Whitehouse, of Brookfield.

Jan. 20, Levi Towle and Rebecca Dudley, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jan. 20, Augustus W. Orne, of Wolfeborough, and Eunice N. Clark, of Portsmouth.

Jan. 26, William Brackett, of Wolfeborough, and Eleanor Folsom, of Ossipee.

Feb. 7, Joshua Goldsmith, of Ossipee, and Sally Haines, of Wolfeborough.

Feb. 25, John F. Cotton, of Wolfeborough. and Mary Young, of Ossipee.

Apr. i, George W. Leavitt, and Elizabeth A. Fros~, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. i, Jeremiah Towle, of Wolfeborough, and Mary Blazo, of Parsonsfield.

Apr. i, Nathan Clay, of Wolfeborough, and Mary Dow, of Meredith.

Apr. 7, John W. Yeaton and Sally P. Smith, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 15, Seth W. French, of Alton, and Abigail Watson, of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 21, Richard Abbott, of Effingham, and Jane Young, of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 20, John Durrell, of Tamworth, and Olive Witham, of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 18, Nathaniel Rogers and Eleanor Jane Piper, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 27, Daniel R. Gerralds and Lydia Key, both of Wolfe- borough.

Dec. i, George Brewster, Jr., of Wolfeborough, and Betsy H. Hersey, of Tuftonborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 381

1834. Jan. ii, Thomas L. Whitton and Sally Morse, both of

Wolfeborough. Jan. 13, Elijah Meader, of Dover, and Mrs. Abigail Gate,

of Wolfeborough. Jan. 30. James M. Locke, of Wakefield, and Sarah T. Fox,

of Wolfeborough. Feb. 2, Clark Hersey, of Wolfeborough, and Olive L. Tre-

feren, of Salem, Mass. Feb. 25. Mr. Brackett, of Ossipee, and Lydia Dame, of

Wolfeborough. Feb. 25, Charles Cottle, of Brookfield, and Mrs. Eliza

Page, of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 10, John Frost, of Wolfeborough, and Lavinia De- land, of Brookfield. Apr. 16, William B. Stevens, of Ossipee, and Mary J.

Young, of Wolfeborough. Apr. 10, Oilman C. Melcher and Elizabeth Rines, both of

Wolfeborough. May 7, Nathaniel Piper, of Tuftonborough, and Sally

Brewster, of Wolfeborough. May 4, William Dame, of Ossipee, and Hannah Keniston,

of Wolfeborough. Apr. 26, John Clough and Mrs. Mehitable Whitehouse,

both of Wolfeborough. Nov. 9, William Haley, of Tuftonborough, and Mary Ann

Hersey, of Wolfeborough. May 4, Samuel Flint, of Wolfeborough, and Nancy V.

Wedgewood, of Greenland. Nov. 9, George Fox and Drusilla C. Hersey. both of

Wolfeborough. Nov. 9, Matthew S. Parker and Clarissa Blake, both of

Wolfeborough.

Nov. 9, James Fogg and Betsy L. Furbur, both of Wolfe- borough.

382

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Nov. 22, Levi Remick, of Wolfeborough, and Mary Ann Durgin, of Tuftonborough.

Dec. 28, Daniel Chamberlain, of South Natick, and Maria M. Martin, of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 29, George W. Libbey and Sally E. Young, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 29, George Rust, of Wolfeborough, and Drisilla B.

Davis, of Alton.

1835. J'in. 18, Jethro Home, of New Durham, and Nancy Cot- ton, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. i, John Newell, of Brookline, Mass., and Susan Nute, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 10, Andrew J. Drew, of Wolfeborough, and i.ydia W. Veazey, of Ossipee.

Mar 10, Elijah Hersey and Hannah Haines, both of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 10, John Chamberlin, of Wolfeborough, and Lydia Tebbetts, of Brookfield.

May 23, John Young, of Wolfeborough, and Lucinda Bur- leigh, of Ossipee.

May 23, Jeremiah Towle and Mary Towle, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jun. 7, Edward Trask, of Wolfeborough, and Eliza Cottle, of Brookfield.

Jun. 28, Addison F. Burleigh and Olive Hayes, both of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 26, William Tebbetts, of Brookfield, and Mary Ann M. Smith, of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 26, John L. Fnrbur and Sarah Fogg, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 17, John M. Brackett and Sarah Thompson, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 6, Simon Fogg and Elisabeth C. Wingate, both of Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 383

Sep. 26, Levi Veazey, of Tuftonborough, and Sarah

Young, of Wolfeborough. Sep. 27, Daniel Coleman, of Wolfeborough, and Mary

Ann Whidden, of Portsmouth. Oct. 13, Joseph Fall, of Ossipee, and Sarah Ann Brown,

of Wolfeborough. Nov. 7, Benjamin Philbrick and Mary Johnson, both of

Wolfeborough. Nov. 9, John R. Hayes and Abiah B. Hayes, both of

Wolfeborough. Nov. 16, Josiah Caverly, of Boston, and Hannah S.

Newell, of Wolfeborough. Nov. 29, Lewis L. Whitehouse and Sarah Bickford, both

of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 21, Ira Home and Eliza D. Mason, both of Wolfe- borough. 1836. Jan. 21, Chandler Eaton, of Wolfeborough, and Mary J.

Cottle, of Brookfield. Jan. 21, John Tuttle, of Somersworth, and Hannah J. Fox,

of Wolfeborough. Apr. n, Samuel L. Mclntire and Mary C. Mclntire, both

of Wolfeborough. Apr. 25, Thomas J. Avery and Ann B. Cotton, both of

Wolfeborough. May 2, Joshua Stackpole and Mrs. Rosamond Allen, both

of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 17, Ezra Pinkham and Caroline P. Rust, both of Wolfe- borough. Jul. 31, Otis Key, of Wolfeborough, and Salome Small, of

Gilford. Oct. 2, Josiah Wentworth, of Alton, and Betsy Ann Lucas,

of Wolfeborough. Oct. 2, Charles Avers, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy Maria

Chamberlin, of Tuftonborough.

384 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Oct. 13, Mark Fernald, of Wolfeborough, and Mary C.

Furbish, of South Berwick. Nov. 7, William Lucas and Polly T. Kimball, both of

Wolfeborough. Dec. 28, William B. Furbur, of Wolfeborough, and Mary

Jane Wallace, of Boston.

1837. Jan. 15, Thomas L. Nudd and Fanny Lord, both of Wolfe- borough. Jan. 20, Nathaniel Willey, of Wolfeborough, and Harriet

Roberts, of Alton. Jan. 28, David Chamberlin, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah

C. Pike, of Brookfield. Feb. 5, George W. Libbey and Ruth W. Shorey, both of

Wolfeborough. Feb. 19, Nicholas C. Copp and Almira A. Fullerton, both

of Wolfeborough. Feb. 19, William Deland, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah

Deland, of Dover. Feb. 19, Thomas Bickford, of Wolfeborough, and Lydia

F. Bickford, of Tuftonborough. Mar. 5, Benjamin F. Garland and Mary F. Whitten, both

of Wolfeborough. Mar. 5, Peter Key, Jr., of Wolfeborough, and Lavina

Burroughs, of Alton. Mar. 14, Daniel Jenness, of Wolfeborough, and Eliza

Meserve, of Limington, Me. Apr. 4, Aaron Roberts, of Wolfeborough, and Maria A.

Gage, of Wakefield. Apr. 4, Joseph Ayers, of Barrington, and Susan W.

Piper, of Wolfeborough. May 10, James Burke, Jr. and Esther Willey, both of

Wolfeborough. Jul. n, Joseph Goodhue, of Brookfield, and Hannah

Stevenson, of Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 385

Aug. 14, Stephen Tebbetts and Mary Ann Sceggel, both

of Wolfeborough. Oct. 16, Stephen A. Bickford, of Ossipee, and Hannah A.

Young, of Wolfeborough. Oct. 16, Jeremiah L. Young and Mary A. Jackson, both

of Wolfeborough. Nov. 22, George Y. Furbur and Jane Thompson, both of

Wolfebprough. Nov. 27, Moses Thompson and Mrs. Sally Edgerly, both

of Wolfeborough. Oct. 30, Frederick T. Leavitt and Mary Whitten, both of

WTolfeborough. Nov. 22, Samuel T. Piper, of Tuftonborough, and Eleanor

Knox, of Wolfeborough. Dec. n, J. Forrest Hall and Annette Augusta Livy, both of

Wolfeborough. 1838. Feb. 28, Ezra Hardy, of Wolfeborough, and Eliza Hardy,

of Wakefield. Feb. 26, David G. Kimball, of Wolfeborough, and Mary

Evans, of Alton. May 7, Matthias Haines and Hannah Blanchard, both of

Wolfeborough. Jun. 12, Phineas Johnson, of Brookfield, and Hannah

Young, of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 23, Thomas Nute and Adeline Nudd, both of Wolfe- borough. Jul. 20, Daniel Cotton, of Wolfeborough, and Eliza K.

Lang, of Brookfield.

Aug. 20, Samuel Shorey and Nancy Drew, both of Wolfe- borough. Jun. 4, Leonard Shortridge and Rosella Fernald, both of

Wolfeborough. Sep. 26, Ebenezer Wingate, of Wolfeborough, and Susan

Ricker, of Milton.

386

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Nov. 20, David J. Folsom, of Tamworth, and Harriet N.

Gate, of Wolfeborough. Nov. 20, Charles G. Edgerly, of Wolfeborough, and Mary

Wiggin, of Tuftonborough. Nov. 20, Samuel Haley, of Moultonborough, and Mary

Wiggin, of Wolfeborough. Dec. 20, Jethro R. Furbur, of Wolfeborough, and Susan

Elison, of Dover.

1839. Jan. 5. Cyrus B. Canney, of Tuftonborough, and Statira

H. Nute, of Wolfeborough.

Jan. 14, Levi T. Hersey, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah H. Piper, of Tuftonborough.

Jan. 14, Lyford Shorey and Betsy Willey, both of Wolfe- borough.

Mar. 12, Adam Brown, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah Ann Pickering, of Newington.

Apr. 12, Charles Folsom, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah Richards, of Rochester.

May ii, Charles Remick and Elisabeth G. Huggins, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 18, Jacob Eastman and Mahala C. Morgan, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 8, Thomas J. Bickford, of Wolfeborough, and Sophia M. Huntress, of Strafford.

Nov. i, Rev. Leander Thompson, of Woburn, Mass., and Ann Eliza Avery, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. i, Michial Hicks and Dolly Rollins, both of Wolfe- borough.

Nov. 30, John F. Desmases, of Ossipee, and Mary Melissa Tebbetts, of \Volfeborough.

Dec. 11, Henry Rust, of Wolfeborough, and Lucinda Han- cock, of Meredith.

1840. Jan. 14, Jonathan H. Burleigh, of Tuftonborough, and

Caroline Tebbetts, of Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 387

Jan. 14, Samuel Dealing and Lydia P. Doe, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jan. 20, Andrew Swett, of Danvers, Mass., and Olive Jane Doe, of Wolfeborough.

Feb. 25, Robert Estes and Betsy Shepherd, both of Wolfe- borough.

Mar. 6, George W. Home, of Wolfeborough, and Nancy Thurston, of Charlestown, Mass.

Aug. 30, William P. Cotton and Mary Libbey, both of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 29, Samuel J. Stevenson and Mary Ann Rines, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 25, Benjamin Lucas and Polly Willey, both of Wolfe- borough.

Apr. 25, Moses Thompson and Hannah M. Rust, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 25, Moses Ham and Betsy Ham, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 12, Charles P. Sanborn and Betsy C. Perkins, both of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 2, Lewis B. Canney, of Tuftonborough, and Mary Ann Cotton, of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 14, David Shaw, of Wolfeborough, and Mrs. Judith Morrison, of Parsonsfield.

Jul. 25, James Libbey, of Porter, Me., and Mary W. Nute, of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 31, Oilman Cooper, of Tuftonborough, and Sarah D. Barker, of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 20, John S. Eastman and Sally Hodgdon, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 6, Benjamin B. Tibbetts and Elisabeth Brown, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 15, Bradbury Quint and Sally Tuttle, both of Wolfe- borough.

388 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Oct. 6, James R. Frost and Esther Ann Young, both of

Wolfeborough. Dec. 25, Winthrop B. Tibbetts and Olive Rollins, both of

Wolfeborough. Nov. 12, Nathaniel Hicks, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy I.

Watson, of New Durham. Nov. 12, Moncere R. Merrifield and Miriam Whitten, both

of Wolfeborough. Dec. 20, Daniel Shepherd and Hannah Estes, both of

Wolfeborough. Dec. 25, James F. Dixon and Betsy A. P. Rust, both of

Wolfeborough.

Dec. 25, Rufus Knight, of Waterbury, Me., and Mary Phil- brick, of Wolfeborough. Dec. 30, Ira Chamberlin and Mrs. Mary Burns, both of

Wolfeborough. Dec. ^o, Eld. David B. Cowell, of Lebanon, Me., and

•.'•< >'•

Christiana B. Coffin, of Wolfeborough.

1841. Jan. 26, Alvah Rollins, of Wolfeborough, and Emily Peary, of Brookfield.

Jan. i, Benjamin G. Young and Emily C. Home, both of Wolfeborough.

Jan. 30, John C. Drew and Sarah C. Lucas, both of Wolfe- borough.

Mar. 8, George M. Garland, of Ossipee, and Joanna Moody, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 23, Joseph Jenness and Eliza A. Hawkins both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 12, Francis Nute and Belinda Jenness, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 10, James J. Rendall and Mary C. Rogers, both of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 7, Oliver P. Copp and Hannah Edmonds, both of Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 389

Jul ii, Hezekiah Williams and Abigail Nute, both of Wolfeborough.

Aug. 1 6, Joseph P. Cotton, of Wolfeborough, and Jerusha Tucker, of Ossipee.

Aug. 23, Johnson Jenness, of Wolfeborough, and Elisa- beth P. Clark, of Wakefield.

Sep. 20, George Brewster, of Wolfeborough, and Lois McDuffee, of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 20, Anthony W. Chase, of Wolfeborough, and Han- nah G. Chase, of Tuftonborough.

Oct. 24, William P. Cotton and Lavina Home, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 2, Daniel Blake and Sarah A. Bickford, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 2, Ebenezer Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough, and Lydia j7. Fall, of Ossipee.

Nov. 2, Matthew S. Parker, of Wolfeborough, and Elisa- beth Perkins, of Alton.

Nov. 12, Stephen D. Edmonds, of Wolfeborough, and Lucy Goodwin, of Dover.

Nov. 27, Benjamin B. Tebbetts, of Wolfeborough, and Frances J. Dearborn, of Wakefield.

Dec. 20, Nathaniel C. Home and Louisa Fogg, both of

Wolfeborough.

1842. Feb. 8, John N. Bassett, of Tuftonborough, and Lydia Langley, of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 13, Daniel Lucas, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah F. Chesley, of New Durham.

Jun. 30, Lemuel Chesley, of Wolfeborough, and Lucy M. Morrison, of Alton.

Jun. 30, James Cate, of Loudon, and Mary Jane Cate, of Wolfeborough.

Jun. 13, Charles G. Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough, and Jane E. Furbush.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Aug. 4, John Maleham, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah Mor- gan, of Effingham.

Sep. 5, Isaac Willey, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah Lang, of Wakefield.

Sep. 26, Charles F. French, of Manchester, and Eleanor R. Meader, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 18, Soliman Abbott, of Boston, and Hannah C. Mason, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 22, Daniel Bassett, Jr., of Wolfeborough, and Eliza J. Canney, of Dover.

Nov. 7, John Osborn Doe, of Wolfeborough, and Mary Baker, of Alton.

Nov. 27, Silas Durgin and Mary R. Rogers, both of Wolfe- borough

Dec. 2, Alphonzo H. Rust and Betsy R. Furbur, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 5, Rev. N. C. Coffin, of Fearing, Ohio, and Susan J. Rust, of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 12, Augustus C. Shaw and Lydia K. Lucas, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 20, Asa Perkins and Eliza F. Parker, both of Wolfe- borough.

1843. Feb. 4, Samuel Wyatt and Elisabeth J. Moodey, both of Wolfeborough.

John F. Chamberlin, of Brighton, Mass., and Julia Ann Ayers, of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 4, Otis Evans and Shuah M. Libbey, both of Wolfe- borough.

Apr. 7, Joseph M. Morgan and Mary M. Glidden, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 30, Thaniel Home and Caroline Folsom, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 30. John Deland, of New Durham, and Almira Pierce, of Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

391

Apr. 30, John Estes and Emila Jane Harden, both of

Wolfeborough. Jun. 5, Henry Emery, of Boston, Mass., and Betsy A.

Martin, of Wolfeborough. Sep. 17, James Sceggel, Jr. and Sophia Nute, both of

Wolfeborough.

Sep. 18, John C. Leavitt and Betsy S. Rust, both of Wolfe- borough. Sep. 18, James Edgerly and Nancy Wedgewood, both of

Wolfeborough. Oct. 2, Jonathan Bickford, Jr., of Wolfeborough, and

Elisabeth J. Downes, of Salem, Mass. George W. Nute and Hannah G. Chamberlin, both of

Wolfeborough. Nov. 20, George Haines, of Wolfeborough, and Margarett

Lord, of Ossipee. Nov. 27, James Canney and Betsy Ann Cotton, both of

Wolfeborough. Dec. 4, John W. Bickford and Dorothy Bickford, both of

Wolfeborough. 1844. Jan. 29, Nathaniel Banfield, of Wolfeborough, and Mary

A. Young, of Milton. Feb. 12, James Bartlett, of Haverhill, Mass., and Patience

Hawkins, of Wolfeborough. Mar. 2, Eld. George O. Cotton, of Wolfeborough, and

Rebecca Kendal, of Dover. Mar. 12, Charles Novvell and Eleanor Jane Rogers, both

of Wolfeborough. Apr. 20, Nathan Morrison and Ann C. Fullerton, both of

Wolfeborough. Apr. 22, William K. Lucas and Ann Elisabeth Dockham,

both of Wrolfeborough. Apr. 22, Franklin Leslie, of Derry, Mass., and Hannah P.

Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough.

392

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Apr. 29, Edward T. Hiscox, of Westerly, R. I., and Caro- line Orne, of Wolfeborough. Jun. 3, Samuel B. Sawyer and Susan Maleham, both of

Wolfeborough. Jun. 20, Samuel Marden, of Jefferson, and Eliza J. Frost,

of Wolfeborough. Jun. 7, Joshua Stackpole and Mrs. Louisa Home, both of

Wolfeborough. Jul. i, Joseph L. Dixon and Mary E. Fernald, both of

Wolfeborough. Aug. 6, Thomas C. Bickford and Mehitable Plummer, both

of Wolfeborough. Aug. 26, Orin Dixon and Maria R. Fernald, both of

Wolfeborough. Aug. 26, William Pinkham, of Wolfeborough, and Mary F.

Chase, of Alton. Sep. /, Charles B. Edgerly, of New Durham, and Lavinia

E. Home, of Wolfeborough. Oct. 13, Charles Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough, and Ann

Dearborn, of Wakefield. Nov. 4, Ezra B. Hersey, of Wolfeborough, and Ann E.

Piper, of Tuftonborough. Nov. i r, Joseph H. Nudd and Eliza Ann Chamberlin, both

of Wolfeborough. Dec. 9, James Nute, of Ossipee, and Eleanor H. Nudd, of

Wolfeborough. 1845. Apr. 12, Benjamin Edgerly, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah

Ann Morrison, of Ossipee. May 2, William L. Furbur, of Wolfeborough, and Louisa

A. Cate, of Brookfiekl. Jul. 21, Benjamin Prebble and Sarah Tebbetts, both of

Wolfeborough. Aug. i, Ezra Tebbetts and Debora Rollins, both of

Wolfeborouerh.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 393

Aug. 6, Benjamin B. Smith, of Wolfeborough, and Alvira

M. Leighton, of Ossipee. Sep. 3, James G. Brown, of Lynn, Mass., and Christiana

A. Dame, of Wolfeborough. Sep. 29, Joseph C. Woodman, of Boston, Mass., and Sarah

Ann Demeritt, of Wolfeborough. Oct. 8, Joseph Kent, of Granby, Lower Canada, and Betsy

C. Lucas, of Wolfeborough. Oct. 13, Thomas Triggs and Mrs. Hannah Fullerton, both

of Wolfeborough. Nov. i, Joshua P. Ayers, of Wolfeborough, and Mary Jane

C. Kurd, of Acton, Me. Nov. 3, Joseph P. Shorey, of Wolfeborough, and Almira

Earle, of North Berwick, Me. Nov. 3, Nicholas B. Abbott, of Tuftonborough, and Ruth

Ann Haines, of Wolfeborough. Nov. 25, Nathaniel K. Hunt, of New Durham, and Sarah

C. Leavitt, of Wolfeborough. Dec. 21, Charles Stackpole and Mary H. Cook, both of

Wolfeborough. Dec. 29, Loammi Hardy, of Ossipee, and Mary B. Haines,

of Wolfeborough. Dec. 29, Charles R. Coleman and Olive A. Deland, both of

Wolfeborough. 1846. Jan. 21, James M. Locke, of Barrington, and Izetta J.

Plummer, of Wolfeborough.

Feb. 28, Moses Ellis and Adeline P. White, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 10, John Maleham and Jane T. Keay, both of Wolfe- borough. May 18, John H. Young, of Wolfeborough, and Catherine

J. Cook, of Wakefield. May 18, John A. Cook, of Wakefield, and Sarah Young, of

Wolfeboroucfh.

394 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH.

Jun. 29, Samuel D. Hasty, of South Berwick, Me., and Sarah E. Warren, of Wolfeborough.

Aug. 24, Thomas Chamberlin, of Brookfield, and Nancy Home, of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 10, William Watson and Martha A. H. Watson, both of \Volfeborough.

Oct. 4, H. Dearborn Canney, of Tuftonborough, and Martha J. Haines, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 18, John Home and Nancy Home, both of Wolfe- borough.

Oct. 26, Stephen F. Moulton, of Tamworth, and Sarah Warren, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 17, John Hackett, of Andover, Mass., and Abigail N. Stevenson, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 30, Deering F. Stoddard, of Wolfeborough, and

Sophronia T. Goodale, of Danvers, Mass.

1847. Mar. 8, Frederick W. Home and Sarah E. Allen, both of Wolfeborough.

May 31, Matthias M. Haines, of Wolfeborough, and Han- nah S. Haines, of Dover.

Jun. 14, Richard R. Chase and Lucy T. Shortridge, both of \Volfeborough.

Jun. 27, John Kelly and Harriet Byron Guppy, both of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 5, Samuel" Hayes, of Wolfeborough, and Mrs. Abigail Wentworth, of Alton.

Aug. 1 6, Charles H. Burke, of Wolfeborough, and Lucy B. Wentworth, of Lebanon, Me.

Sep. 6, Stephen Avers, of Wolfeborough, and Tamson Roberts, of Ossipee.

Sep. 12, Henry A. Whitton and Lydia K. Drew, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 1 8, Nathaniel Tuttle and Sarah Brown, both of Wolfe- borough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 395

Oct. 28, Joshua B. Johnson and Hannah R. Perkins, both

of Wolfeborough. Oct. 28, John Haines, of Wolfeborough, and Mrs. Rachel

Haines, of Rumney. Nov. 25, James W. Shorey, of Wolfeborough, and Lydia

S. Libbey, of Wakefield. Nov. 26, John C. Frost and Lucinda A. Chamberlin, both

of Wolfeborough. Nov. 27, Charles Drew, of Wolfeborough, and Ann Rollins,

of Alton. 1848. Jan. 8, Charles Rollins, of Boston, Mass., and Caroline

Dana Pickering, of Wolfeborough. Jan. 22, Daniel Rollins and Elisabeth Brown, both of

Wolfeborough. Feb. 8, Benjamin Folsom and Mrs. Sarah Glidden, both

of Wolfeborough. Feb. 17, George K. Brown, of Moultonborough, and

Mahala Piper, of Wolfeborough. Mar. 13, John T. Langdon and Sarah P. Libbey, both of

Wolfeborough. Mar. 14, Thomas A. Johnson and Lydia Edmonds, both of

Wolfeborough. Mar. 27, William Willey, of Conway, and Mrs. Nancy

Rogers, of Wolfeborough. Apr. 4, George P. Cotton, of Wolfeborough, and Rebecca

A. Kendallj of Dover. Apr. 4, Richard Bickford, of Wolfeborough, and Mrs.

Polly E. Gilman, of Tamworth. Apr. 22, James P. Hersey and Clara J. Willey, both of

Wolfeborough. May 29, Jesse W. Clough, of Wolfeborough, and Sabrina

Wentworth, of Berwick, Me. May 29, William H. Fullerton and Emily Orne, both of

Wolfeborough.

396 HISTORY OFt WOLFEBOROUGH.

Jul. 3, E. Davis Barker, of Wolfeborough, and Betsy H. Mooney, of Alton.

Jul. 15, Hiram C. Kenney and Clarissa Dore, both of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 25, Alonzo F. Tibbetts and Betsy W. Haines, both of Wolfeborough.

Aug. 29, Benjamin Stanton, of Lebanon, Me., and Catherine P. Coffin, of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 4, Nathaniel Huggins and Ruth P. Nudd, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 12, Benjamin F. Thompson and Mrs. Hannah Wig- gin, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 2, James A. Piper, of Tuftonborough, and Julia A. Hersey, of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 14, Jeremiah Emerson, of Wolfeborough, and Mrs. Phoebe Dame, of Dover.

Oct. 16, Nicholas Nute, Jr., of Wolfeborough, and Lydia Ann Colcord, of Tuftonborough.

Nov. 15, John S. Hurd, of Farmington, and Joanna H. Brewster, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 25, Samuel Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough, and Mrs.

Mary M. G. Whitehouse, of Wakefield.

1849. Jan- 8, Addison S. Burleigh, of Wolfeborough, and Caro- line D. Hayes, of Rochester.

Jan. 29, Ivory H. Young, of Wolfeborough, and Fanny A. Underwood, of Saxonville, Mass.

Feb. 19, Albert Bennett, of Alton, and Hannah Pike, of Wolfeborough.

Mar. 6, Paul Nute and Mary A. Nute, both of Wolfe- borough.

Apr. 9, John Kent, of Wolfeborough, and Mrs. Sarah Trafton, of Moultonborough.

Apr. 10, Mark T. Wiggin, of Wolfeborough, and Angelina P. Graves, of Tuftonborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 397

Apr. 30, Harris W. Morgan and Jane C. Edgerly, both of Wolfeborough.

May 14, Cyrus Brook and Mary A. Dixon, both of Wolfe- borough.

May 14, Charles C. Kendall and Charlotte B. Cotton, both of Wolfeborough.

May 30, Samuel Johnson and Betsy Kent, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jul. 9, Ira Whittle and Abigail H. Smith, both of Wolfe- borough.

Aug. 13, Ambrose Deland, of Wolfeborough, and Hannah Evans, of Alton.

Aug. 6, Charles C. Whitehouse and Lydia Ann Glidden, both of Wolfeborough.

Sep. 24, John C. Edgerly, of Wolfeborough, and Mary J. Deland, of New Durham.

Nov. 5, Charles B. Lucas and Mrs. Mary Rust, both of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 26, Thomas J. Tebbetts, Jr. and Sarah E. Locke, both of Wolfeborough.

May 20, Leonard Shortridge, of Brookfield, and Mary J.

Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough.

* 1850. Jan. i, David C. Rogers and Sarah E. Clark, both of Wolfeborough.

Jan. i, John G. Chamberlin and Mary E. Willey, both of Wolfeborough.

Jan. 17, Andrew J. Fullerton and Mary Getchell, both of Wolfeborough.

Jan. 29, Charles C. Whitehouse and Jane Glidden, both of Wolfeborough.

Feb. 25, William Cate and Abigail Willey, both of Wolfe- borough.

Apr. 17, Samuel H. Walker, of Boston, Mass., and Mary E. Edmonds, of Wolfeborough.

398

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Apr. 27, Samuel B. Sceggel, of Ossipee, and Eliza Young,

of Wolfeborough. May 4, John A. Chamberlin, of Brookfield, and Louisa

Demeritt, of Wolfeborough. May 8, Ivory P. Keniston and Mary J. Thompson, both of

Wolfeborough. Tun. n, David Blake, of Wolfeborough, and Martha

• ' & '

Hayes, of Rochester.

Jun. 8, Moses Thompson and Ruth Ann Parker, both of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 4, Francis B. Cook and Sarah A. Lucas, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jul. 4, Henry Stoddard and Sophia Nute, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jul. 4, Benjamin F. Parker and Harriet B. Whitten, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 4, Hamilton Locke and Dorcas Guptill, both of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 30, Ellis A. Upton, of Washington, and Mary E. Goldsmith, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 22, Joseph Dearborn, of Wakefield, and Hannah P. Tibbetts, of Wolfeborough.

Nov. 23, John L. Goldsmith and Almira Brown, both of

Wolfeborough.

1851. Feb. 8, Nathan Morrison and Alice A. Doe, both of Wolfe- borough.

Mar. 10, James Stillings and Mrs. Hannah Edgerly, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 2, William A. Smith, of Wolfeborough, and Sophia S. Young, of Rochester.

Apr. 24, James Fullerton and Mary A. Waterhouse, both of Wolfeborough.

Apr. 14, Benjamin L. Nudd, of Wolfeborough, and Mary A. Griffin, of Lee.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

399

Jun. 29, William Tibbetts and Lucinda G. Plummer, both

of Wolfeborough. Sep. i, Charles F. Parker and Elisabeth Boyle, both of

Wolfeborough. Oct. 13, Selah P. Gridley, of Saco, Me., and Mary J.

Home, of Wolfeborough. Nov. 17, Eli C. Swett, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah M.

Hersey, of Tuftonborough. Nov. 17, William Kilgore, of Waterford, Me., and Abba

Cotton, of Wolfeborough. Nov. 27, Joshua B. Haines and Hannah Fernald, both of

Wolfeborough.

1852. Jan. 26, Silas Durgin and Caroline F. Gale, both of Wolfe- borough. Jan. 26, Jeremiah W. Dearborn and Fanny M. Warren,

both of Wolfeborough. Feb. 16, Henry G. Home and Martha E. Mason, both of

Wolfeborough. Mar. 8, Daniel Martin and Mrs. Abigail Nudd, both of

Wolfeborough.

Mar. 9, William W. Dorr, of Ossipee, and Nancy N. Fer- nald, of Wolfeborough. Apr. i, Thomas Lucas and Mrs. Caroline P. Pinkham,

both of Wolfeborough. Apr. 24, Oliver P. Felker of Barrington, and Eunice D.

Cotton, of Wolfeborough. Apr. 27, John Fall, of Ossipee, and Hannah N. Avery, of

Wolfeborough. May 22, Charles C. Dudley and Lydia A. Tibbetts, both

of Wolfeborough. Jul. 5, John W. Towle and Mary F. Goldsmith, both of

Wolfeborough. Aug. 9, John M. Kimball and Rosina Rollins, both of

400

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Aug. 20, Jonathan L. Moore, of Wolfeborough, and Lucy

J. Sanborn of Sanbornton.

Sep. i, Charles Nowell and Mary G. Clark, both of Wolfe- borough. Sep. i, Joseph Varney, of Wolfeborough, and Emma G.

Whitchouse, of Rochester.

Sep. 7, Alvah Rollins and Eliza Kimball, both of Wolfe- borough. Sep. 7, Matthias M. Haines, of Wolfeborough, and Vianna

Home, of Boston, Mass. Oct. 18, Ephraim H. Bradley, of Wolfeborough, and

Clarissa A. Lougee, of Alton. Oct. 19, Daniel Wood, of Boston, Mass., and Charlotte E.

Rust, of Wolfeborough. Nov. 3, Benjamin F. Mason and Hannah R. Hersey, both

of Wolfeborough. Nov. 22, John W. Avery and Susan Home, both of WTolfe-

borough. 1853. Apr. n, Ezra F. Johnson and Elisabeth W. Sanborn, both

of Wolfeborough. Apr. 28, William Corson, of Alton, and Susan R. Hayes,

of Wolfeborough. May 2, Gersham Bickford, of Wolfeborough, and Mary

Jackson, of Tamworth. May n, Miles Randall, of Wolfeborough, and Adeline

Weeks, of Wakefield. May 24, George K. Warren, of Wolfeborough, and Mary

E. Nason, of Dover. Jun. 15, Nathaniel H. Cotton, of Wolfeborough, and Sarah

E. Tebbetts, of Brookfield. Jun. 26, Jones Marden and Lucinda W. Warren, both of

Wolfeborough. Aug. n, John Tebbetts, Jr., and Abbie F. Allen, both of

Wolfeborough.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

4OI

Aug. ii, Stephen D. Avery, of Strafford, and Ann M.

Allen, of Wolfeborough. Sep. 10, Charles F. Kimball and Mary F. Warren, both of

Wolfeborough. Sep. 12, Daniel Clough and Susan F. Morgan, both of

Wolfeborough. Sep. 26, Moses B. Beacham, of Ossipee, and Hannah Nute,

of Wolfeborough.

Oct. 29, Reuben H. Copp, of Lebanon, Me., and Hannah ^ J. Burke, of Wolfeborough. Nov. 7, John G. Gate and Anna A. Clark, both of Wolfe-

,.«.-*•**•• C Q* C**^ \f ••• ii i ' • " '•' '••' ' •" ' " " ' . t t .* / •£-*

borough.

Nov. 26, Benjamin Morrison and Fannie Foss, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 7, William P. Hersey and Lucinda Avery, both of Wolfeborough.

Dec. 19, John Parsons and Mrs. Tamson Thayer, both of

Wolfeborough.

1854. May i, Benjamin F. Trickey, of Wolfeborough, and Elisa- beth C. Rand, of New Durham.

May 29, Joseph J. Whitten and Lavonia C. Fogg, both of Wolfeborough.

July 10, Benjamin F. Blaisdell, of Lebanon, Me., and Dorothy Pierce, of Wolfeborough.

July 10, John Clough and Betsy Ann Lang, both of Wolfe- borough.

Jul. 12, George F. Cook and Mrs. Sarah A. Frost, both of Wolfeborough.

Jul. 31, Frederic Gage, of Kenosha, Wis., and Caroline C. Roberts, of Wolfeborough.

CHAPTER XXV.

WOLFEBOROUGH AND TUFTONBOROUGH ACADEMY — FlRST MEET- ING OF PROPRIETORS — INCORPORATION — ACADEMY LOT — TRUSTEES — ACADEMY BUILDING — OFFICERS AND STUDENTS IN 1823 — TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN 1836 — HENRY WIL- SON— LYCEUM — CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE — BREWSTER FREE ACADEMY — EXTRACT FROM WILL OF JOHN BREWSTER — CHARTER — TRUSTEES — TEACHERS — ACADEMY GROUNDS — EARLY LIBRARIES — BREWSTER LIBRARY — TOWN TRUSTEES APPOINTED.

ABOUT 1820 there seems to have been in Wolfeborough an in- creased interest in educational matters which led to the adoption of measures to establish an academy. On the fourth day of May, 1820, a meeting was held at the inn of Ichabod Libbey, at which Jonathan Blake was appointed chairman, and Daniel Pickering, secretary. At this meeeting it was voted to raise by subscription a sum equal to five thousand dollars for a fund with which to erect a building for an academy and other pur- poses. Each donor was to pay on the sum subscribed six per cent annually for ten successive years, and that was to be in full for his obligation. At an adjourned meeting, Henry H. Orne, An- drew Lucas, Jr., and Samuel Avery were appointed a committee to draft a petition for an act of incorporation, and Samuel Avery, Nathaniel Rogers, Henry H. Orne, Henry Rust, 3d, James Hersey, James Folsom, and Henry R. Parker, a committee to ob- tain subscriptions and superintend the erection of an academy building. Five thousand two hundred and seventy dollars were pledged in sums varying from thirty to three hundred and fifty dollars.

The academy was incorporated June, 1820. The charter was

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 403

granted to Samuel Avery, Jonathan Blake, Daniel Pickering, and their associates. It authorized the association to hold real estate of the value of fifteen thousand dollars exempt from taxation. The academy lot of one acre was deeded by Stephen Pickering, of Greenland, and Daniel Pickering, of Wolfeborough, to Samuel Avery, Nathaniel Rogers, Henry R. Parker, Henry Rust, 3d, James Folsom, Henry H. Orne, of Wolfeborough, and James Hersey, of Tuftonborough.

At a meeting of the proprietors held October 21, 1820, the fol- lowing persons were chosen trustees: Henry H. Orne, Samuel Avery, Samuel Fox, James Hersey, Samuel Parker, William Pickering, Asa Piper, Samuel Peabody, Henry R. Parker, Jona- than Blake, and Nathaniel Shannon. Henry H. Orne subsequent- ly declined serving, and Joseph Farrar was chosen in his stead.

It is probable that the academy building was raised and partly finished in 1820. At a meeting of the proprietors, July, 1821, money was raised to complete the building, and the school went into operation the following September under the direction of John P. Cleveland. The land and building cost about two thou- sand dollars, and in addition there was a fund of two thousand dollars, a considerable portion of which was donated by William Guppy.

In 1823 the board of officers of the Academy consisted of Rev. Asa Piper, of Wakefield, president ; Daniel Pickering, Esq., of Wolfeborough, secretary and treasurer ; Dr. Nathaniel Shannon, of Moultonborough, Jonathan Blake, Esq., of Wolfeborough, Jeremiah Woodman, Esq., of Rochester, Samuel Fox, Esq., of Wolfeborough, Samuel Peabody, Esq., of Epsom, Henry R. Parker, Esq., of Wolfeborough, James Hersey, Esq., of Tufton- borough, Samuel Avery, Esq., of Wolfeborough, Samuel Larkin, Esq., of Portsmouth, Joseph Farrar, Esq., of Wolfeborough, trustees. At the fall term of the Academy there were forty-four students, thirty-eight males and six females. Here is a list of them, their names following their residences : —

404 HISTORY OF V70LFEBOROUGH.

Males — Wolfeborough, Ebenezer Allen, Augustine D. Avery, Enoch Banfield, George B. Farrar, Albert W. Home, Charles Nowell, Samuel J. Stevenson, Nathaniel Towle, George Yeaton ; Meredith, Charles Bean; Parsonsfield, Me., Ebenezer Blazo, Robert Blazo, Mark Chapman; Somersworth, Oliver P. Carr; Shapleigh, Me., Arthur Bragdon ; New Durham, Benjamin F. Chesley, Thomas Davis, Reuben Hayes ; Wakefield, Nathaniel Cook, George W. Dow, Elijah Drew, Henry A. P. B. Hyde, Wil- liam Sawyer; Ossipee, James Fogg; Sandwich, Otis French, Al- bert G. Hoitt, William H. H. Hoitt, Caleb Marston, Jacob J. Severance ; Alton, Woodbridge Osborne ; Epsom, Charles A. Peabody ; Milton, James Plummer ; Bartlett, Nathaniel Seavey ; Portsmouth, Henry Waldron, Augustus Shapleigh; Barnstead, Mark Walker, Isaac Garland ; Tamworth, Noah Gilman. Females —Wolfeborough, Maria Guppy, Mary C. Mclntire; Wakefield, Mary Davis ; Sandwich, Mary Hanson ; Madbury, Mary A. Joy ; Gilmanton, Mary S. Weeks.

In 1824 Messrs. Shannon, Peabody, Larkin, Blake, Fox, and Parker retired from the board of trustees, and their places were filled by Daniel Hoitt, of Sandwich, Samuel Quarles, of Ossipee, and Samuel Cate, Daniel Pickering, Paul H. Varney, and Thomas Rust, of Wolfeborough. In the summer of 1827 the upper stor> of the Academy building was finished for a chapel. In 1831 Daniel Pickering, Samuel Avery, Joseph Farrar, Thomas Rust, Paul H. Varney, Henry B. Rust, David T. Livy, and Enos Mer- rill, of Wolfeborough, James Hersey, of Tuftonborough, John Wingate of Wakefield, and Andrew Pierce, of Dover, were elected trustees. This board continued in office by the filling of vacancies that occurred from time to time until 1857.

Mr. Cleveland, the first preceptor of the Academy was suc- ceeded by Rev. James Towner, Mr. Bailey, W. H. H. Hoitt, Rev. Enos Merrill, Erastus Perry, Rev. Thomas P. Beach, Charles Duren, Rev. Nehemiah C. Coffin, Mr. Fowler, Rev. Jeffries Hall. William H. Farrar, Benjamin Stanton, Joseph G. Bartlett,

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQ-H.

405

Goodale Vittum, Joseph B. Clark, B. L. Pease, Ambrose Smith, Charles H. Hersey, and John Wingate./'.'

The period of the greatest prosperity of the Academy under the original charter was probably in 1836, when under the man- agemeut of Rev. Thomas Parnell Beach. The trustees were Rev. Joshua Dodge, of Moultonborough, Thomas Rust, Daniel Pick ering, Samuel Avery, Joseph Farrar, Paul H. Varney, Hon. Henry B. Rust, Nathaniel Rogers, of Wolfeborough, William H. Copp, of Tuftonborough, Dr. Thomas J. Tebbetts, of Wolfe- borough, Hon. Benning Bean, of Moultonborough. The instruc- tors were : "Rev. T. Parnell Beach, Principal ; Z. Bachelder, Esq., Prof. Ancient Languages ; Charles G. Weeks, Teacher in Mathe- matics ; Miss M. A. Eastman, Teacher in Languages ; Miss M. Barker, Teacher in Ornamental Branches ; Miss N. Varney, Miss Caroline Orne, and Miss C. B. Coffin, Assistant Teachers." The students at the fall term numbered ninety-five, forty-nine males and forty-six females. Their names follow : —

Males— Wolfeborough, J. Banfield, D. Bassett, L. S. Coffin, C. Coleman, J. Colby, E. Doe, C. H. Parker, B. F. Parker, W. A. Piper, J. Rust, H. L. Rust, D. N. Stoddard, Wm. Whidden, D. Whitten ; Sandwich, J. R. Bradbury ; Middleton, A. J. Chadwick ; Wakefield, A. Copp, G. W. Copp, W. Cotton, W. A. Maleham ; Tuftonborough, J. W. Dame, E. Piper, J. Piper, C. Smith ; Alton, G. W. Evans, O. Gilman, A. Gilman, J. E. Hays, D. Hays, J. Home, C. C. Mooney, H. Mooney, J. B. Mooney, J. L. Place, C. G. Willey ; Brownfield, Me., M. S. Hadley, S. B. Hadley ; New Durham, E. Hays, J. H. Hays ; Tamworth, N. Hubbard, J. Wat- son, G. H. Woodman, N. H. Woodman ; Farmington, J. C. Roberts, G. P. Waldron, H. Wilson ; Moultonborough, N. Shannon ; Meredith, C. P. Towle ; Madbury, B. H. Twombly.

Females — Wolfeborough, E. Atkinson, H. Bassett, R. Bassett, G. Bassett, C. P. Coffin, C. B. Coffin, S. Coffin, O. Doe, E. Fernald, J. Fox, M. Furbur, P. Furbur, S. Libbey, H. Livy, C. Livy, M. A. Mason, C. Orne, J. C. Paine, C. D. Pickering, Mary

406

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Rogers, Martha Rogers, S. Rust, H. Rust, M. J. Shaw, S. Shaw, M. J. Tebbetts, C. Tebbetts, N. White ; Meredith, M. S. Bean, H. A. Neal ; Alton, E. Chamberlain, A. Stevens ; Wakefield, L. Copp ; Tuftonborough, M. A. Copp, A. Davis; Tamworth, E. A. Dow, S. Hubbard, S. Rernick ; Moultonborough, A. Shannon, E. Shan- non, F. Shannon, S. Shannon ; Sandwich, L. A. Weed, S. A. Weed ; Parsonsfield, Me., M. Marston, E. Meader. These names were enrolled in the "Catalogue of the Officers and Students of the Academy & Female Seminary at Wolfeborough Bridge, X. H." Forty by-laws were adopted relating to the qualifications of teachers and students, and the conduct of the latter. These only are noticed : —

Students were not allowed to walk in the fields or streets on the Sabbath except for the purpose of attending public worship ; were forbidden to utter indecent or profane language or drink intoxi- cants ; were required to furnish brushes and brooms, and if re- quested by the teacher, to sweep the school-rooms. Tuition was to be paid in advance, and was remitted in case of sickness or necessary absence. Two commodious boarding-houses were pro- vided where students could board with teachers at one and a quarter dollars per week, an advance in price to be made when provisions were high, and a deduction allowed to those who fur- nished their wood, lights, or washing. The tuition per term was from two to seven dollars.

A lyceum was connected with the institution, which was free to students and citizens alike. This flourished for years, and proved a great public benefit. For the third of a century that fol- lowed a larger proportion of the people of Wolfeborough could address an audience forcibly and interestingly than during any period of its antecedent or subsequent history.

Among the students attending the Academy in 1820, was Henry Wilson, of Farmington, who afterwards became Vice- President of the United States. The arrival of Wilson gave a fresh impetus to the lyceum. He was an attractive speaker, and very

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

407

fond of debating. Others were stimulated by his example, and the principal school-room was crowded weekly by interested audiences. Further notice of Mr. Wilson will be found in the sketch of Samuel Avery. The Honorable "Long John" Went- worth, of Chicago, was another student.

At a meeting of the proprietors of the Academy in 1857, at which John Fox presided and John M. Brackett acted as secre- tary, Zachariah Bachelder, Abel Haley, John M. Brackett, Jeremiah F. Hall, Joseph L. Avery, Moses Thompson, Moses T. Gate, Charles H. Parker, Thomas L. Whitton, George W. Hersey, and John L. Meder were elected trustees. At an adjourned meet- ing it was voted to raise two thousand dollars for the purpose of repairing the Academy, and John M. Brackett, Abel Haley, Joseph L. Avery, Charles H. Parker, and Charles Remick were appointed a committee to superintend the work.

The Academy was continued with varied success until 1866, when the property was leased by the Christian Society on con- ditions. E. T. Moulton was placed at the head of the school, which was called the "Christian Institute." He was followed by John W. Lary and George F. Chase. In 1870 John W. Symonds succeeded Mr. Chase, and remained two years, when the "In- stitute" was removed from Wolfeborough.

In 1874 the old trustees voted to re-open the school. In 1876 DeWitt Durgin was in charge. In 1878 the use of the school building was granted to school district number seventeen, on con- dition that a high school should be kept in it. In 1887 the old charter was amended, and the name changed to "Brewster Free Academy."

The will of John Brewster, dated January 17, 1883, and proved February 23, 1886, shows the occasion of amending the charter of the Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy and the estab- lishing of the Brewster Free Academy. This will may be found in another chapter.

Here follows the charter of the Brewster Free Academy : —

408

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

In the Year of our Lord One Thousand, Eight Hundred and

Eighty-Seven.

An act to Amend the Charter of the Wolfborough and Tufton- borough Academy.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives :n General Court convened :

Section 1. The name of the Wolfborough and Tuftonborough Academy is hereby changed to the Brewster Free Academy.

Section 2. The entire affairs of the corporation shall be under the general management of a board of trustees, constituted in the manner described in the next section of this act. Said board may fully exercise all corporate powers and transact all corporate business. A majority of the trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The trustees may from time to time, make such regulations and by-laws, not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this State, for the management of the interests and concerns of said Corporation, as they may think proper; and also appoint such and so many officers and agents as they may think proper and prescribe their powers and duties.

Section 3. The board of trustees shall hereafter be composed of eleven members, four of whom shall be members ex-officio, and seven of whom shall be selected as hereinafter provided. The four ex-officio members shall be the principal of the Academy, to be elected by the board, and the three trustees under the seventh or residuary clause in the will of John Brewster ; the three present trustees being William Brewster, John L. Brewster and Arthur Estabrook. The trustees under said will and their several suc- cessors in said trust under said will, shall each be trustees of the Academy so long as they severally remain trustees under said will. The seven following persons shall constitute the remain- ing members of the board, viz. : Jeremiah Smith, of Dover, John

EC//IN H. LORD, A M.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

409

K. Lord, of Hanover, Charles U. Bell, of Lawrence, and Joseph L. Avery, Benjamin F. Parker, Albert W. Wiggin, and Charles H. Parker, of Wolfborough, the seven trustees last named shall at the first meeting draw lots for terms of one, two, three, four, five, six and seven years, respectively. Thereafter the term of one member shall expire each year according to said drawing, and at the annual meeting of each year a trustee to serve for seven years shall be elected by the board to take the place of the retiring member. The retiring member shall be eligible for re-election, but shall have no vote in such election. If a vacancy shall occur among the aforesaid seven trustees or their successors at any other time than the expiration of a term, the board shall elect a trustee to serve for the unexpired balance of the term. A majority of the board of eleven trustees shall consist of persons who are not inhabitants of Wolfborough or of towns adjacent thereto.

Section 4. The Corporation may purchase, lease, erect and maintain suitable buildings ; may receive and expend the income bequeathed by John Brewster for the support of an Academy ; and may receive by gift, devise, purchase or otherwise, and hold, manage and dispose of for the purpose of the Academy, real and person estate to the amount of five hundred thousand dollars in value. Said property and income, so long as it continues to be- long to said Academy shall be exempt from taxation.

Section 5. The principles and precepts of the Christian religion shall be inculcated, but the Academy shall not be a denomina- tional or sectarian school.

Section 6. The first meeting of the board of trustees may be railed by anyone of said trustees by a notice in writing, stating the time and place of meeting, sent by mail to each -of the other corporators at least one week prior thereto.

Section 7. Tf any persons claiming to be stockholders or cor- porators in the Wolfborough and Tuftonborough Academy shall within two months after the passage of this act give notice to the

4IO HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

trustees of the Brewster Free Academy, that they object to the amendments herein made, said tmstes shall, within one month thereafter, apply by petition to the County Commissioners for the County of Carroll to ascertain the respective interests of the per- sons so giving notice and to assess the pecuniary value thereof. The proceedings before the Commissioners upon such petition shall be similar in substance to those prescribed when petitions for the laying out of highways are referred to the Commissioners and the report shall be returned to the Supreme Court. Such re- port shall be final unless one or more of said stockholders or cor- porators shall appeal from the asssessment of value ; in which case the same proceedings shall be had as on appeal from an award of damages by the Commissioners in laying out a high- way. Upon the payment or tender of the sum or sums so as- sessed by the Commissioners or (in case of appeal) upon the deposit with the County Treasurer of said sums and also filing with the Treasurer reasonable security to the satisfaction of the Commissioners for the payment of any further damage and costs, which may be awarded upon said appeal, the respective interests of the aforesaid stockholders or corporators shall be completely divested. Any stockholders or corporators who do not give notice as aforesaid within two months shall be deemed to have assented to the amendments herein made.

Section 8. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved June 23, 1887."

The following extracts taken from the latest catalogue of the Brewster Free Academy will give an idea as to the character of the school and its requirements : —

"Applicants for admission are required to furnish testimonials that they sustain a good moral character, and a certificate from their last school is desirable. They must also pass a satisfactory examination in the elements of Arithmetic and of English Gram-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 4II

mar, in modern Geography, and in the History of the United States. Only those who are able and willing to work hard should apply for admission."

"The formation of character is a leading aim of the school, and no one whose influence is opposed to this purpose will be allowed to remain. Pupils are expected to be ladies and gentlemen, and in this simple statement is included the substance of our require- ments. Idlers will be promptly excluded."

"The school day begins with devotional exercises, and the students are required to attend divine worship at one of the churches in town on Sunday morning."

"Two courses of study are provided one furnishing ample prep- aration for college, the other equal to the first in disciplinary value, but so framed as to allow some latitude for choice on the part of the student, according to his needs and purposes. It is intended to establish a course of Manual Training as soon as practicable."

"The spirit and method of instruction are modern in all sub- jects. Ample laboratory facilities are supplied for the students in science."

At the opening of the Academy in 1887, the students num- bered forty-seven. The teachers were Edwin H Lord, A. M., principal ; Lydia F. Remick and Edwin H. Ross, assistants. Here follows a list of teachers since 1887: Alice S. Rollins (Mrs. Edwin F. Brewster), Helen M. Cobb (Mrs. Calvin M. Clark), Frederick H. Safford, George C. Kimball, Isaac E. Pearl, John C. Sanborn, Jr., Fannie A. Ober (Mrs. Frank A. Coolidge), Edwin T. Brewster, Lottie A. Jones, Lillye T. Lewis (Mrs. S. Percy R. Chadwick), Florence Adams, Hershel Wilder Lewis, Mary L. Graffam, Louis J. West, Cornelia Park. Messrs. Pearl, Sanborn and Lew:is and Misses Ober and Adams acted as sub- stitutes. The present teachers are : Edwin H. Lord, A. M., prin- cipal ; S. Percy R. Chadwick, A. M., Herbert E. Sargent, B. S., W. Herbert Terrill, A. M., Mary Ella Carter, B. L., S. Marian

412

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Chadbourne, A. B., Mabel L. Hersom, B. L. In 1900 there were one hundred and thirty-five students. The first class was grad- uated in 1890 and consisted of seven members. The alumni now number one hundred and forty-three.

The present board of trustees consists of William Brewster, Cambridge, Mass. ; John L. Brewster, president, Andover, Mass. ; Arthur F. Estabrook, treasurer, Boston, Mass. ; Edwin H. Lord, James C. Melvin, Boston, Mass. ; *Benjamin F. Parker, Nathaniel H. Scott, John K. Lord, Hanover, N. H. ; Charles U. Bell, secretary, Andover, Mass. ; Charles S. Murkland, Durham, N. H. ; Sewall W. Abbott.

The Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy building, by a vote of its proprietors, was transferred to the trustees of the Brewster Free Academy. It was used by the Academy until the completion of the south wing of the new building in 1890. It was then donated to the town of Wolfeborough for a school- house, on condition that it should be removed, the ground leveled, and a street made on its northern side. These conditions were complied with, and the building is now known as the "Pickering School-house," and accommodates four schools, one of which is the town grammar. The Academy grounds consist of forty acres of land sloping from the main street of the village to the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, on which they border for the distance of half a mile. The views from the grounds to the lake and from the lake to the grounds are alike beautiful. On the grounds are the "Estabrook" and "Annex" buildings pro- vided by the liberality of one of the trustees for the accommoda- tion of teachers and a limited number of students. Here also are the residences of Principal Lord and Mr. Chadwick. The com- pleted wing of the Academy building is of pressed brick, and cost $35,000. The cost of the whole building, when completed as de- signed, will be $150.000.

* Deceased.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

413

Few towns in New Hampshire have so good, and none better educational advantages than does Wolfeborough. Its schools, which are in session two-thirds of the year, are made convenient for every pupil, as in the more remote or sparsely populated neighborhoods they are conveyed from their homes to the school- house free of expense. Having reached a proper degree of ad- vancement, they are admitted to the Brewster Free Academy, and without any expense for tuition or books are fitted for col- lege or the busy affairs of life.

In 1804 a social library was established in Wolfeborough, the leader of the movement being Isaiah Home, who was the most scholarly person in the town at that time. The history of the library follows:

At a meeting of a number of the inhabitants of Wolfeborough and parts adjacent, to take into consideration the propriety of establishing a library, held at the schoolhouse above Smith's Bridge, January 10, Isaiah Home was chosen moderator, Samuel Nowell, clerk ; John L. Piper, treasurer and librarian. Piper, Home, Nowell, Daniel Brewster, and William Guppy were ap- pointed a committee to draft a constitution, and Samuel Meder, Henry Wiggin, James \Viggin, Samuel Fox, Jonathan Blake, George Brewster, William C. Warren, James Hersey, Benjamin Home, and Samuel Mason, with the above-named committee were appointed a committee to determine the books that should constitute the library. It was also voted that the price of a share in the library should be two dollars.

At an adjourned meeting held on the twenty-first day of the same month, a constitution consisting of thirteen articles was adopted. By this it was determined that the officers of the society should consist of a president, a secretary, a treasurer, a librarian, and three inspectors, the duty of the last named officers being to make a semi-annual examination of the books in the library. Members of the association were required to pay an annual tax of thirty-four cents, and were allowed to take one book from the

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

library, which they were to return within two months or subject themselves to a fine.

The library was to be kept on the main road in the southwest part of the town, between the dwellings of William Guppy and Samuel Meder. Subsequently the price of a share in the library was raised to three dollars, although two dollars was the more common price. The annual tax varied from thirty-four to twelve and a half cents, and was finally fixed at twenty cents. The per- sons who signed the constitution and became members of the society were Daniel Brewster, Jr., Isaiah Home, Samuel Nowell, Jonathan Blake, Henry Horn, William Chamberlain, Andrew Lucas, William Mallard, Samuel Mason, Andrew Wiggin, James Wiggin, Benjamin Young, William C. V/arren, Jacob Folsom, Widow Annah Fullerton, Elijah Estes, George Brewster, John L. Piper, John Piper, James Hersey, Levi Tibbetts, David Copp, Benjamin Home, Neal Gate, James Fullerton, Andrew Wiggin, Jr., Henry Wiggin, Ebenezer Meder, Jr., Samuel G. Piper, Wil- liam Guppy, David Piper, William Fullerton, Samuel Meder, Benjamin Blake, Samuel Fox, William Copp, Samuel Johnson, Stephen W. Home, William Rogers, Oliver Smith, Samuel Con- nor, James Connor, Jr., John Edmonds, Benning Brackett, Ichabod Libbey, Jonathan Hersey, Thomas W. Chase, William Kent, Joshua Avery, Jesse Whitten, and Daniel Bassett. Several volumes were contributed by individuals, and about ninety, most- ly historical works, purchased. These, in accordance with the constitution, were covered with leather.

In June of the same year the society was incorporated by the "name of the proprietors of the Republican Social Library in Wolfborough," and Samuel Nowell and Jonathan Blake were authorized to call the first meeting of the proprietors. A meet- ing was accordingly called on the third day of the following Sep- tember, and Isaiah Home was chosen president ; Samuel Meder, clerk : John L. Piper, librarian and treasurer ; and Samuel Nowell. William Rogers, and George Brewster, a committee of inspec-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

tion. Mr. Piper held the office of librarian until 1817. He was then succeeded by Samuel Meder, who retained the office one year, and was in turn succeeded by George Nowell. The year following Richard Rust was chosen librarian. Mr. Rust was elected three successive years, and was succeeded by his son, Thomas Rust, who held the office for twenty years, or until 1843, when Georgq B. Farrar took his place. In 1845 Zachariah Bachelder became librarian, and in 1846 Joseph Avery was ap- pointed to the office. About fifty persons became members of the association, exclusive of those who united with it at the time of its organization. It was justly regarded as a valuable institu- tion at the beginning of the present century, and from it many of the citizens of the town acquired a stock of knowledge that could not otherwise have been obtained. William Fox, Esq., was librarian for several of the last years of the existence of the library ; but as it received but few additions, it was little used, and in 1888 was sold at auction.

There was for a long time a circulating library owned by the inhabitants of North Wolfeborough and the adjacent part of Ossipee.

The Brewster Library, established under the provisions of John Brewster's will, was first thrown open to the public in March, 1890. In March, 1900, the town voted to establish a library com- mission and this body has co-operated with the trustees since that date. Both libraries are in the same building and in charge of the same librarian. The stacks now contain seventeen hundred and fifty well-selected volumes, exclusive of pamphlets and the periodicals and newspapers of the reading room. Of these four- teen hundred and twenty-six have been purchased by the Brewster estate and three hundred and twenty-four from the town fund. The present library commissioners are Rev. Andrew Hahn. Ed- ward F. Gate, and Pierce A. Home.

There have been two librarians, George E. Sleeper and the present incumbent. Miss Inez Brewster. There have also been

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

several substitutes from time to time. Thus, with the exception of a very brief interim, Wolfeborough has had some sort of a public library for nearly a century.

CHAPTER XXVI.

SOLDIERS OF 1812 — CIVIL WAR — PROVISION FOR SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES — ENLISTED SOLDIERS — RESIDENT SURVIV- ORS — MAJOR JAMES R. NEWELL — MAJOR WILLIAM H. TRICKEY — CAPTAIN ALVAH S. LIBBEY — OFFICERS WHO BECAME PROMINENT — CIVIL LIST OF THE TOWN.

F'EWr, if any, soldiers from Wolfeborough enlisted in the War of 1812. During its progress an English fleet appeared off the harbor of Portsmouth, and a draft was made on the New Hamp- shire militia. The enrolled soldiers of Wolfeborough were about this time divided into two companies, the first and the sixth. They were both attached to the twenty-seventh regiment. The following persons were drafted from the first company : Isaac Edmonds, Jonathan Gale, Joseph Edmonds, Nathaniel G. Home, James Rogers, Benjamin Tibbetts, Alpheus Swett, John Fuller- ton, Jacob Hersey, John Shepherd, John Wiggin, John W. Home, Andrew Lucas. From the sixth company were drafted these : Thomas Stevenson, John Willey, Isaac Martin, George W. Cotton, John Drew, Jr., John Jenness, Isaac Poor, Jonathan Cook, Samuel Fernald, Joseph Hoitt, Samuel Nudd. They re- ceived from the town wages at the rate of ten dollars a month. In advanced life the survivors became pensioners of the govern- ment.

During the Civil War the town made ample provision for its citizen soldiers and their families, as is shown by the following record of its action : —

October 14, 1861, voted to raise five hundred dollars to aid the families of soldiers. John Wingate, Jr., Alphonzo H. Rust, and Joseph Bickford were appointed a disbursing committee. 1862. February 22, five hundred dollars were raised for the same

417

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

purpose, and the selectmen were authorized to add fifty per cent to that sum if needed. August 9, voted to place a sum not ex- ceeding three thousand dollars in the hands of the disbursing committee, and to pay each volunteer under the call for volunteers a bounty of two hundred dollars, and a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars to each person who should volunteer to fill the draft ; September 18, voted to pay each person who should enlist in the army for nine months three hundred dollars. 1863, March, voted five thousand dollars for the benefit of soldiers' families ; September 9, voted to pay each drafted man or his substitute three hundred dollars ; December 3, this sum was increased fifty dollars. 1864, May 12, voted to pay three hundred dollars to each person who should enlist in the army, June 4, voted to pay three hundred dollars to each drafted man who should go into the army, or who should provide a substitute ; re-enlisted soldiers were to receive a like bounty ; July 7, voted to pay each drafted man three hundred dollars, or provide him with a substitute, on condition that he should pay one hundred dollars to the town ; Charles F. Hill and George W. Furber were appointed recruit- ing agents ; August 23, voted to pay each resident who should enlist for one year three hundred dollars, for two years four hundred dollars, for three years five hundred dollars ; September i, Woodbury P. Home, Moses Thompson, and John L. Haines were made recruiting agents, and a bounty of seven hundred dol- lars offered to each person who should enlist for one year ; Dec. i, voted to pay to any citizen enrolled in the militia one hundred dollars, if he should procure a substitute for one year, two hundred dollars for one for two years, and three hundred dollars for one for three years. In 1867, voted to pay one hundred dol- lars to each person who had paid commutation money, furnished a substitute, or volunteered to serve in the army. March 10, 1868, voted to pay one hundred dollars to each soldier a citizen of the town when he enlisted, and who had never received any town bounty from this or any other town, and who had an honor-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

419

able discharge from the service. Most of the money used during the war was obtained by loan, although considerable sums were raised bv taxation.

SOLDIERS IN THE CIVIL WAR WHO ENLISTED FROM WOLFEBOROUGH.

First Infantry. John W. Fogg.

Second Infantry. Tames Bresnehan. *John S. Varney, wounded. Four recruits, or substitutes.

Third Infantry. William H. Trickey, wound- ed, promoted Major, now a clergyman.

Andrew J. Wadlea, wounded, afterwards promoted Cap- tain. *Hanna A. Chesley.

Lowell Glidden. *Albert Paris.

Fourth Infantry. One Recruit.

Fifth Infantry.

*Richard R. Davis, Captain.

*Henry B. Kendall, 2d Lieut., returned home diseased, and died Oct., 1862. John \V. Fogg, second enlist- ment.

Lewis A. Chesley. Edgar Avery, wounded. *John F. Corson, killed June 30, 1862.

* William Huzzey,died in army.

* William H. Hayes. *Caleb T. Keniston.

Charles E. Tebbetts.

Charles A. Libbey.

John Doyle.

Ezra Nutt. *William B. Nason. *John Sargent, died in army

Dec. 22, 1861. *Ezra Tibbetts.

James W. Hooper. *Samuel Thomas.

\Villiam C. Maleham. *John C. Wallace, killed Dec.

13, 1862. -Ira Whittle.

*Charles A. Warren, died of wounds, June 2, 1862.

Charles E. Sargent.

Peter Protier.

* Jeremiah Young, wounded. Charles O. Doe.

420

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

*Simeon B. Kenney.

Benjamin F. Blaisdell.

Thomas E. Mitchel. *Daniel Kimball, died of wounds.

One recruit.

Sixth Infantry. *Charles H. Kimball. *Thomas J. Nute. Isaac B. Sawyer. Ten recruits, one, James C. Clement, died of wounds.

Seventh Infantry. Three recruits.

Eighth Infantry. *Alphonzo G. Colby, Captain. *James R. Newell, wounded and prisoner, promoted Major. *George H. Hurd, died Oct. i,

1862.

James W. Johnson. Tobias M. Elliott. Henry Marchington. *William M. Elliott. *Jeremiah D. Tebbetts. ^Herbert B. Tebbetts, died in

army Jan. 9, 1863. Three recruits.

Ninth Infantry. Two recruits.

Twelfth Infantry. *Silas May, Captain, promoted Captain in regular army, wounded. *David P. Haines. *Joseph Morgan, Jr. Jacob B. Tuttle, promoted

Lieutenant. ^Charles A. Warren. William B. Kendall. "'•Jacob Hanson. Wilbur W. Swett.

* Charles H. Bickford. *Nathaniel W. Bradley. *Amos E. Bradley, wounded

June 3, 1862. *George H. Blake. *Greenlief D. Davis.

Samuel S. Eaton. *Abial C. Eaton, wounded

June, 1864. *Japhet Emery, died Jan. 27,

1864.

William B. Fullerton. George B. Frost, wounded

May 3, 1863. George W. Home. *Monroe Hartshorn. ^Thomas R. Home. *Oscar F. Home. John M. Kimball, wounded.

* James W. Libbey, died Aug.

27, 1863. William B. Pierce.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH.

421

William Peavey. *John W. Stevens. *John F. Smith, killed July 2,

1863. Isaac Stevens, wounded July

9, 1864. *Loring Stoddard, wounded

May 3, 1863. *James E. Tebbetts, died Jan.

1 6, 1863.

Moses Thompson. *Moses F. Thompson. *John M. Thompson, died of

wounds June 16, 1864. ^Benjamin Kimball. *Samuel J. Nutt. *Daniel W. Homer, promoted

Second Lieutenant.

Thirteenth Infantry. John H. Beacham. *James F. Geralds, died in army.

Fourteenth Infantry. Albert J. Huzzey, Quarter-

master-Sargeant, promoted

2d Lieut. Three recruits.

Fifteenth Infantry. Jeremiah F. Hall, Surgeon.

Sixteenth Infantry. Albert J. Hersey, Captain.

Albert W. Wig-gin, ist Lieut. *Alvah S. Libbey, 2nd Lieut.

* George P. Cotton. Lewis F. Davis. Harlan P. Crain.

*Charles O. Kendall, died July

31, 1863. *Peter C. Seavey.

Hollis P. Chapman. *Leonidas J. Avery, died July

26, 1863.

*Charles H. Bickford. *John C. Caryle. *Thomas Chase.

William Corson.

Joel E. Cook. *James W. Cross.

* James C. Dwight. *Moses Emery. *Nathaniel D. Farnsworth.

George B. Fogg.

* George W. Frost, died Apr.

28, 1863.

Joseph P. Heath. ^Charles E. Johnson. *Ezra F. Johnson.

Ezra H. Keniston.

* David G. Kimball. *John W. Lee. *Woodbury L. Leavitt.

John H. Loud.

* Joseph H. Ricker, died July

24, 1863. *Daniel Rollins.

422

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

* Charles G. Sherwood, died

June 14, 1863. *Edward Turner.

Benjamin Trickey. "Joseph J. Whitten.

Joseph H. Chamberlin.

Eighteen Infantry. *Moses T. Gate, Quartermas- ter. *Harris W. Morgan.

Benjamin B. Thompson, pro- moted Captain. Heavy Artillery. *Alvah S. Libbey, Captain, sec- ond enlistment.

George W. Home, 2d Lieut., second enlistment.

John W. Fogg, third enlist- ment.

Joseph P. Heath, second en- listment.

Charles S. Paris.

George S. Parker.

James Stevenson.

John M. Avery.

George F. Cate. *James E. Dore.

Isaiah K. Drew.

* Charles J. Edgerly. *Elbridge Gerry.

Frank B. Home.

George J. Jordan.

Ezra H. Keniston, second en- listment.

*Caleb T. Keniston, second en- listment. *John Kane, died Fort Sumner.

George E. Kimball.

George F. Kimball.

Jones Marden. *Alexander T. Raitt.

George W. Warren. * Joseph J. Whitten, second en- listment. ^William T. Dore.

Number of enlistments, 146.

Number of recruits, 27.

Number of commissioned offi- cers, 15, including 2 Majors, 7 Captains, 4 Lieutenants, i Quartermaster, and I Sur- geon.

Number of soldiers killed in battle, 4.

Number of soldiers who died of wounds, 4.

Number of soldiers who died of disease in army, 12.

Number of soldiers deceased, 83-

*Deceased.

The following persons who enlisted in the Civil War from Wolfeborough are still residents of the town : John H. Beacham,

MAJOR ^AMES R. NEWELL

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

423

James Bresnehan, Charles O. Doe, Isaiah K. Drew, Tobias M. Elliott, William B. Fullerton. Joseph P. Heath, James \V. Hooper, George W. Home, Frank B. Home, John M. Kimball, George E. Kimball, George F. Kimball, John H. Loud, Jones Marden, Ezra Nutt, Charles S. Paris, William B. Kendall, Charles E. Sargent, James Stevenson, George W. Warren, Albert W. Wiggin, George F. Gate.

Major James Robert Newell was born in Brookfield, Decem- ber 5, 1839. While yet a youth Mr. Newell came to Wolfe- borough, and established the Granite State News before he reached his majority. He enlisted in Captain Colby's Co. I., 8th N. H. Vols. October 17, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service the following December. In December, 1863, the 8th N. H. Vols. was mounted and transferred to the cavalry arm of the service as the Second N. H. Cavalry.

Save for a few weeks in the winter of 1862, while he was North on recruiting service, Mr. Newell remained with the "fighting eighth" regiment throughout the war. An extract from the regi- mental history says: "Mr. Newell served faithfully throughout the war, participating in over forty actions. He was engaged in nearly every battle fought by his regiment in the Department of the Gulf and also did admirable service as scout, amid great diffi- culties. For personal gallantry he was promoted to all offices from sergeant to major."

In June, 1863, Lieutenant Newell, then acting-captain, led his company in the disastrous charge upon Port Hudson. The battle began at 3 130 Sunday morning, the heaviest firing continuing six and a half hours. The regiment's gallant charge called forth marked expressions of appreciation from headquarters. The loss of life was fearful. Of the two hundred and ninety-eight that entered the fight one hundred and twenty-four \vere killed or wounded, and at roll-call the regiment mustered only sixty men. At the capitulation of the works, July 9, the 8th Regiment was one of those detailed to receive the surrender.

424 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Lieutenant Newell was wounded and taken prisoner in the first charge. At the end of three weeks, without medical attendance and on a diet of corn meal and molasses, his weight was reduced from one hundred and forty to ninety-six pounds, and he de- termined to escape if possible. After much difficulty he succeeded in bribing a negro to furnish him with a rope and a Confederate uniform. Through his knowledge of a printing press he suc- ceeded in procuring an iron bar from an old press in the building where he was confined, with which he removed the grating from a window. On the night of July 4th he climbed down on the rope, passed the sentinel and walked composedly through the village, meeting numerous soldiers, who, however, failed to challenge him. Reaching the river, he carefully avoided the parapets and waded up stream until he found the Union pickets. The reduc- tion of the works five days later was much simplified by the infor- mation which he was able to furnish.

February 4, 1864, Captain Newell was sent in charge of an ex- pedition from Vidalia to disperse guerilla parties up Black River. The rebels were routed and their horses and equipments cap- tured. Three days later his command was overtaken by a furious storm and was hemmed in by the overflow from the Mississippi on the high ridge of land where it had encamped. Captain Newell at once proceeded to find a way out of the dilemma and would have unquestionably lost his life but for his skill in swimming, the result of much practice in the waters of old Winnipesaukee. His horse gave out and, throwing off belt, sabre, boots and overcoat, he swam for hours through the gloomy bayous, until he finally reached high ground. The whole party were without shelter and suffered much. Their diet was horse and mule meat without salt, but after six days, they managed to reach Yidalia with their captured stock.

We may say in passing that in December, 1864, its term of service having expired, the 8th Regiment was mustered out. The re-enlisted veterans and recruits were again mustered into service

MAJOR WILLIAM H. TR1CKEY

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH.

425

at Natchez, Miss., as the Veteran Battallion, 8th N. H. Vols. Major Newell served through all these changes in the regiment, infantry, cavalry and veteran battallion, and was finally dis- charged from the service at Vicksburg, Oct. 28, 1865. He re- mained in the South, however, aiding in the work of reconstruc- tion for a time. His record in this service is in marked contrast to that of the men whose dealings with their conquered foe gave them the unenviable sobriquet of "carpet-bagger."

Major Newell always bore his honors modestly and was much attached to the members of his old command. After his return North in 1868 until 1874 he was engaged in journalistic work on the Boston Globe. After that ill health prevented his taking so active a part in the world's affairs as his merits and abilities would warrant, but he was honored none the less in the high place he held in the esteem of his fellowmen while he lived and the tender reverence all who knew him pay his memory.

Major Newell married, April 16, 1869, Miss Fannie M. Beacham, of Ossipee. His death occurred March i, 1880, after a protracted illness. Their only child died June 3, 1881. The local G. A. R. Post No. 61, is named in Major Newell's honor.

Major William H. Trickey was born in Exeter, Maine, January 22, 1841. His parents moved from Brookfield, and when he was fifteen years old he came to Wolfeborough, where he made shoes and attended school until his enlistment July 29, 1861. His military history is told fully in the history of the 3rd N. H.,Vols. and frequent complementary mention is made of his service in the Adjutant General's report. A brief sketch is all that can be attempted here.

He enlisted July 29, 1861, as a private in Co. G., 3rd Regiment, being one of the first to volunteer from the town. He was made corporal at Hilton Head, sergeant at Edisto Island, and orderly at the regiment's first battle at Seccessionville, with honorable mention. In April, 1863, he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant

426

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

and during the siege of Morris Island was in command of his company. He was promoted to first lieutenant in January, 1864, and in April joined Grant's forces in that memorable campaign. In July of the same year he was advanced to the rank of captain and granted leave of absence by General Butler. This was the only time he was relieved during his four years service.

On September 3rd he was wounded in the trenches at Peters- burg and again on October 27 at Derbytown Road. January i, 1865, the regiment left its camp at Laurel Hill to join the ex- pedition against Fort Fisher with Captain Trickey in command. For the part he played in this assault he received the thanks of the Generals, Ames and Abbott. A few days later he was wounded again while in the skirmish line.

February u, he captured the enemy's rifle pits with a smaller number of men than the prisoners he secured. On the seven- teenth of the same month he received his commission as major. After the capture of Wilmington on Feb. 25, he, with a few men, rushed upon a burning bridge and put the enemy to rout, thus securing a safe passage for the main force. This was the last active service of the regiment, which was mustered out in July following.

After leaving the service Major Trickey rturned to Wolfe- borough, where in August, 1864, he had married Celestia C., the daughter of William Deland, a respected citizen of the town. In 1867 he removed to Dover, where he lived for twenty years. At first he was connected with the shoe business, then with the U. S. railway mail service. In 1870 and 1871 he was in the city council and the legislature. In 1887 he resigned from the gov- ernment service and entered upon a theological course at Tufts College. He settled over the Universalist Society in South New- market, X. H., in 1889, removed to Danvers in 1891, and to Claremont, X. H., in 1898, where he is at present located.

The "Major," as his friends still call him, has kept in close touch with the "Bovs in Blue.'' He was for several vears commander

[CAPTAIN ALVAH s. LIBBEY]

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

427

of the G. A. R. Post in Dover and of the Department in 1872. He is also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, an Odd Fellow and a Mason.

Captain Alvah S. Libbey was born in Parsonsfield, Me., Dec. 15, 1830. He was educated in the town schools of Effingham, to which town his father moved. At the age of fourteen he went to Haverhill, Mass., to work on a farm and a year later secured employment as clerk on a lumber wharf in Boston, where he remained three years. From that time, except while in the army, he was engaged in the lumber business.

Mr. Libbey enlisted as a private in the loth N. H. Vols. and was with Banks in the operations against Port Hudson. He was promoted to a lieutenancy after four months service and in 1864 \vas commissioned captain of Co. G. ist N. H. Heavy Artillery, with one hundred and forty-seven men and four lieutenants. During this year he commanded at Forts Scott and Sumner and Battery Garreschee. In 1865 he was engaged in the defence of Washington.

His business associations are touched upon in another chapter. He served his town with marked ability in many official capacities and was always the high-minded, public-spirited citizen. His death occurred December 6, i8gj

Captain Albert J. Hersey now resides in Manchester, Iowa. He was in Texas when the war broke out and was forced to enlist in the Confederate army as corporal. About his first field duty was the command of an ambulance corps, which, through the fortunes of war, became separated from the regiment. Aided by a trusty negro servant who reconnoitred in advance, Captain Hersey at length found the Union lines and delivered up his men as prisoners. The commander was somewhat inclined to doubt Mr. Hersey's loyalty, but letters from Xew Hampshire soon put things in their proper light and the former "Reb" (against his will) became one of Uncle Sam's ablest defenders and left the army with a captain's commission.

428

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Captain Andrew J. Wadlea, "Fighting Jack/' as he was called, has spent the greater part of his life, since the war, in the West. He was an active agent in the mounting of the "Swamp Angel" gun that played such a famous part in the South Carolina cam- paign. The necessary lumber he and his men secured from the "Rebs" right under the noses of their pickets.

Captain Silas May was the best posted military man that went from the town, having had a thorough militia training in Massa- chusetts. He afterwards served as captain in the regular army.

Captain Richard R. Davis was one of the builders of the "grapevine bridge" at White Oak swamp in Virginia. He was a good soldier and an efficient officer.

CIVIL LIST.

Judges of Probate. — 1773, Henry Rust, for Strafford County, under the English government. 1883, Sewall W. Abbott.

Judges of Common Pleas. — Henry B. Rust (for Strafford County before its division). 1841-46, Nathaniel Rogers (for Car- roll County). 1847-54. Thomas Rust (for Carroll County). Register of Deeds. — 1843-73, Loammi Hardy.

County Treasurers. — 1872-73, Joseph W. Goodwin. 1883-87, Henry W. Furbur. Solicitor. — 1841-45, Zachariah Batchelder. Sheriffs. — 1861-64, Charles H. Parker. 1879-80, Levi T. Haley. 1899-1900, Frank P. Hobbs. County Commissioners. — Augus- tine D. Avery, Charles Nowell, Thomas L. Whitten, Alphonzo H. Rust, Hezekiah Willand, Alfred Brown, Walter A. Sherburne, Stephen W. Clow.

Delegates to Constitutional Conventions for Wolfeborough and Classed Towns. — 1781, Nathaniel Shannon, Moultonborough. 1788, Nathaniel Shannon, Moultonborough. 1791, Col. Nathan Hoitt, Moultonborough. Delegates to Constitutional Conven- tions for Wolfeborough. — 1850, Thomas L. Whitton, Henry B. Rust. 1876, Thomas L. Whitton, Jethro R. Furbur. 1889, Alvah S. Libbey, George F. Mathes. Councillors. — 1840-41, Henry B.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

429

Rust. 1846, John C. Young. 1858-59, Thomas L. Whitton. 1864, John M. Brackett. 1871, Alphonzo H. Rust. 1897-98, Charles F. Piper. Senators.— 1830, Henry B. Rust. 1885, Levi T. Haley. Representatives. — 1775, Moses Ham. (To Colonial Conven- tion.) 1779, Matthew S. Parker. (For New Durham, the Gore, and Wolfeborough.) 1785, Reuben Libbey. (For Moulton- borough, Wolfeborough, and Ossipee Gore.) 1793, Reuben Lib- bey. (For Moultonborough, Ossipee, Tuftonborough, and Wolfeborough.) 1795, Henry Rust, Jr. (For Brookfield and Wolfeborough.) 1798-1800, Henry Rust, Jr. 1801-05, Isaiah Home. 1806, Nathaniel Brown. 1807, Isaiah Home. 1808-09, Jacob Haines. 1810-12, Jonathan Blake. 1813, Jacob Haines. 1814-15, Jonathan Blake. 1817-18, Samuel Meder. 1819, Jonathan Blake. 1820, Samuel Fox. 1821, Thomas Nute. 1822- 23, Samuel Fox. 1824-25, John C. Young. 1826, Samuel Fox. 1827, John C. Young. 1828-29, Henry B. Rust. 1830-33, Thomas J. Tebbetts. 1834-35, Nathaniel Rogers. 1836-37, Samuel Nudd, Jr. 1838, Henry B. Rust. 1839, Henry B. Rust, Thomas L. Whitton. 1840, Thomas L. Whitton, Benjamin F. Thompson. 1841, Benjamin F. Thompson, James Thurston. 1842, James Thurston, John Cate. 1843-44, George W. G. Whit- ton, Augustine D. Avery. 1745, John Cate, Thomas Cotton. 1846, Henry B. Rust, Thomas Cotton. 1847, Henry B. Rust, Lewis L. Whitehouse. 1848, Lewis L. Whitehouse, John L. Meder. 1849, Jonn L. Meder, John P. Cotton. 1850, John P. Cotton, Levi T. Hersey. 1851, Levi T. Hersey, James Bick- ford. 1852, James Bickford, Henry B. Rust. 1853, Thomas L. W'hitton, Augustine L. Avery. 1854, E. D. Barker, Matthias Haines. 1855, John M. Brackett, Thomas L. Whitton. 1856, George W. Furbur, Thomas Nute. 1857, John M. Brackett, Elliot Cotton. 1858, Charles H. Parker, Elliot Cotton. 1859, Charles H. Parker, Aaron Roberts. 1860-61, Moses Thompson, J. C. Young. 1862, Alphonzo H. Rust, Thomas Nute. 1863, Alphonzo H. Rust, John L. Goldsmith. 1864, David C. Rogers,

430

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

John L. Goldsmith. 1865, Joseph R. Haines, David C. Rogers. 1866, Joseph R. Haines, William B. Hodge. 1867-68, Joseph W. Goodwin, John Tebbetts, Jr. 1869-70, Elisha Goodwin, Blake Folsom. 1871, Thomas Nute, Daniel Martin. 1872, Daniel Martin, Alvah S. Libbey. 1873, Alvah S. Libbey, William A. Smith. 1874, Alonzo Thompson, Andrew J. Drew. 1875, Alonzo Thompson, Israel B. Manning. 1876, Andrew J.Drew, IraBanfield. 1877, Ira Banfield, Joseph R. Haines. 1878, Joseph R. Haines, James J. Rendall. 1878 (Fall election), William A. Smith. 1880, John W. Peavey, Charles W. Young. 1882, Samuel Wyatt, A. J. Varney. 1884, George F. Horn, James H. Martin. 1886, Charles F. Piper, Charles A. Whitton. 1888, Israel B. Manning, Gideon Gilman. 1890, Frank W. Hicks, Charles F. Blake, George W. Bassett. 1892, George F. Mathes, Stephen W. Clow, Jonas W. Piper. 1894, Charles H. Tibbetts, Charles S. Paris, George A. Carpenter. 1896, George A. Carpenter, Joseph Le- wando, James Stevenson. 1898, Joseph Lewando, Fred E. Her- sey, John A. Chamberlain. 1900, John H. Home, Fred R. Blake. Clerks. — 1770, Jotham Rindge. 1771-72, John Flagg. 1773, John Sinclair. 1774-80, Matthew S. Parker. 1781-84, Richard Rust. 1785-86, James Lucas, Jr. 1787-88, Matthew S. Parker, died in office. 1789, James Lucas, Jr. 1790-91, Henry Rust, Jr. 1792, John Bassett. 1793-95, Henry Rust, Jr. 1796-1800, Isaiah Home. 1801-03, Mark Wiggin. 1804, Samuel Meder. 1805-07, Samuel Dimon. 1808, Samuel Meder. 1809, Mark Wiggin. 1810-11, Samuel Piper. 1812, Mark Wiggin. 1813-14, Samuel Piper. 1815-16, Thomas Stevenson. 1817-18, Samuel Burley. 1819-21, Samuel Avery. 1822-24, Thomas Stevenson. 1825-26, Thomas Rust. 1827-30, Joseph Banfield. 1831, Samuel Avery. 1832-35, Samuel Nudd, Jr. 1836, Alvah Chamberlain. 1837, Nathaniel Willey. 1838-40. Loammi Hardy. 1841, A. D. Avery. 1842, Loammi Hardy. 1843, A. D. Avery. 1844, John Haines. 1845-46, Samuel S. Parker. 1847-48, John Haines. 1849, Joseph L. Avery. 1850-51, Matthias M. Haines. 1852-53, Eleazer D.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

431

Barker. 1854-55, Andrew J. Tebbetts. 1856, John Xowell. l857-58, Oilman Cooper. 1859-61, Jones W. Piper 1867-68, John W. Avery. 1869-71, Jonas W. Piper. 1872, Daniel F. Whitton. 1873, Jonas W. Piper. 1874-75, Charles H. Hodgdon. 1876-78, Oliver Dowlin. 1879, Charles F. Piper. 1880-81. George F. Horn. 1882-83, Dudley C. Frost. 1884-85, Forest W. Peavey. 1886-87, William J. Mattison, Sewall W. Abbott. 1888, Curtis J. Frost. 1889, Sylvester A. Edgerly. 1891-94, Eugene L. Peaslee. 1895-96, William J. Britton. 1897, Joseph Clifton Avery. 1898-1901, William J. Britton.

Selectmen. — 1770-71, Thomas Lucas, John Sinclair, Jacob Sceggell. 1772, John Flagg, Benjamin Folsom, Ithiel Clifford. 1773, Benjamin Folsom, Thomas Taylor, James Connor. 1/74. Henry Rust, James Connor, Thomas Lucas. I775~77, Henry Rust, Robert Calder, Moses Ham. 1778-79, Henry Rust, Ebenezer Meder, Matthew S. Parker. 1780, Henry Rust, Jonathan Lary, Matthew S. Parker. 1781, Henry Rust, James Connor, Ebenezer Meder. 1782, Reuben Libbey, William Rogers, \Villiam Lucas. 1783, Richard Rust, William Rogers, Isaiah Home. 1784, John Martin, Richard Rust, Isaiah Home, William Lucas, Andrew Lucas. 1785, Reuben Libbey, Ebenezer Meder, James Lucas, Jr. 1786-88, Matthew S. Parker, died in office, James Lucas, Jr., Ebenezer Meder. 1789, James Lucas, Jr., Isaiah Home, Richard Rust. 1790, Richard Rust, Jacob Haines, William Cotton. 1791, Richard Rust, James Lucas, Jr., Isaiah Home. 1792, Moses Varney, Samuel Tibbetts, Stephen H. Home. 1793-94, Richard Rust. James Lucas, Jr., Jacob Haines. 1795, Richard Rust, Xathaniel Brown, Samuel Tibbetts, Jr. 1796, Richard Rust, James Lucas. Jr., lacob Haines. 1797, Mark Wiggin, Xathaniel Brown, Ebenezer Meder. 1798, Mark Wiggin, Xathaniel Brown, Samuel Estes. 1799-1803, Mark Wiggin, Jonathan Blake, Dudley Hardy. 1804, Jonn Young. Samuel Fox. Henry R. Parker. 1805, Mark Wiggin, Jonathan Blake, Dudley Hardy. 1806, Mark Wiggin, Jonathan Blake,

432

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

John L. Piper. 1807, John L. Piper, Samuel Dimon, Jonathan Blake. 1808, John L. Piper, Jonathan Blake, Samuel Nowell. 1809-11, Jonathan Blake, Dudley Hardy, Thomas Stevenson. 1812, Thomas Stevenson, Isaiah G. Orne, Jonathan Bickford, Jr. 1813, Thomas Stevenson, Jonathan Blake, Jonathan Bick- ford, Jr. 1814-15, Thomas Stevenson, Zachariah Young, Jonathan Blake. 1816, Thomas Stevenson, Jonathan Blake, James Sceggell. 1817, Samuel Fox, William Cotton, Jr., Henry R. Parker. 1818, Thomas Stevenson, Henry R. Parker, William Cotton, Jr. 1819, Thomas Stevenson, Dudley Hardy, Henry R. Parker. 1820, Henry R. Parker, William Cotton, Jr., Wilmot Bickford. 1821, Thomas Stevenson, William Cotton, Jr., James Haines. 1822, Thomas Stevenson, Samuel Nowell, William Cot- ton. 1823, Jonathan Blake, William Cotton, Henry R. Parker. 1824, Thomas Stevenson, William Cotton (died in office), Henry R. Parker. 1825, John C. Young, Samuel Avery, Thomas Stevenson. 1826, Jonathan Blake, John C. Young, Thomas Rust. 1827, John C. Young, Thomas Rust, John Cate. 1828-29, John Cate, Thomas J. Tebbetts, William Thompson. 1830, Samuel Avery, James Sceggell, James Rogers. 1831, John Cate, Mat- thias Haines, James Rogers. 1832, John Cate, George E. Nudd, Charles B. Orne. 1833, Samuel Fox, John C. Young, Richard Xudd. 1834, Richard Nudd, Benjamin F. Thompson, Thomas Rust. 1835, Samuel Avery, Matthias Haines, Benjamin F. Thompson. 1836, Benjamin F. Thompson, Samuel Nudd, James Thurston. 1837, Benjamin F. Thompson, James Thurston, Levi Towle. 1838, Levi Towle, Thomas L. Whitton, Samuel Nudd.

1839, Thomas L. Whitton, Nathaniel Banfield, James Thurston.

1840, James Thurston, Samuel Fox, Robert Wiggin. 1841, John Cate, Samuel Nudd, Jr., Thomas L. Whitton. 1842, John Cate, James Thurston, Thomas L. Whitton. 1843-44, Thomas L. Whitton, Benjamin F. Thompson, James Bickford. 1845, James Bickford, John P. Cotton, John Fox. 1846, Thomas L. Whitton, Levi T. Hersey, John Fox. 1847-48, Levi T. Hersey, John P.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

433

Cotton, Samuel S. Parker, died in office. 1849, Thomas L. Whit- ton, Levi T. Hersey, James Sceggell. 1850, Thomas L. VVhitton, Henry B. Rust, James Sceggell. 1851, James Sceggell, John L. Furbur, Matthias M. Haines. 1852, James Sceggell, Levi T. Hersey, John P. Cotton. 1853, John P. Cotton, Benjamin F. Thompson, George W. Furber. 1855, Elliot Cotton, Benjamin F. Parker, Richard R. Davis. 1856, Woodbury P. Home, David Blake, James Bickford. 1857, Benjamin F. Parker, Richard R. Davis, Charles O. Kendall. 1858, Charles O. Kendall, George Rust, George W. Hersey. 1859, George Rust, George W. Her- sey, Daniel Martin. 1860-61, Daniel Martin, Gilman Cooper, John L. Furber. 1862-63, David C. Rogers, Hezekiah Willand, Thomas J. Blaisdell. 1864, Woodbury P. Home, George W. Furbur, Joseph W. Goodwin. 1865-66, Woodbury P. Home, Moses Thompson, Charles H. Nudd. 1867-68, David C. Rogers, John J. Chamberlain, Charles G. Cate. 1869, Charles G. Cate, Daniel Martin, Alonzo I. Orne. 1870, John H. Rust, Nathaniel Wiggin, Daniel Martin. 1871, John Tibbetts, Nathaniel Wig- gin, John H. Rust. 1872, John H. Rust, Samuel J. Stevenson, Wil- liam A. Smith. 1873, Daniel Martin, John G. Cate, Henry G. Home. 1874-75, Alfred Brown, Hezekiah Willand, Charles F. Blake. 1876-77, Alfred Brown, Hezekiah Willand, Nathaniel Hicks. 1878, Hezekiah Willand, Henry W. Furber, Augustine A. Fullerton. 1879, Jonas \V. Piper, James H. Martin, Augus- tine A. Fullerton. 1880-81, Jonas W. Piper, James H. Martin, Charles F. Chase. 1882, Jonas W. Piper, James H. Martin, John L. Goldsmith. 1883, Jonas W. Piper, Joseph H. Bickford, Thomas J. Bickford. 1884, Jonas W. Piper, William B. Hodge, John L. Goldsmith. 1885, Jonas W. Piper, Walter A. Sher- burne, Charles G. Cate. 1886-87, Jonas W. Piper, Nathaniel T. Brewster, Stephen W. C'low. 1888, Stephen W. Clow, Nathaniel T. Brewster, Henry W. Furber. 1889, Stephen W.Clow, Nathaniel T. Brewster. Charles S. Paris. 1890, Stephen W. Clow, Charles S. Paris, Eli C. Swett. 1891, Stephen W. Clow, Eli C. Swett,

434

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

James H. Martin. 1892, Stephen W. Clow, Charles E. Stackpole, James E. Gridley. 1893-4, Stephen W. Clow, James E. Gridley, Fred E. Hersey. 1895-96, Fred E. Hersey, John H. Home, John A. Chamberlain. 1897, Fred E. Hersey, John H. Home, Samuel N. Furber, Jr. 1898, John H. Home, Samuel N. Furber, Jr., Fred R. Blake. 1899 Fred R. Blake, Stephen W. Clow, Fred S. Libbey. 1900, Stephen W. Clow, Fred S. Libbey, Horace Rust. 1901, Stephen W. Clow, Horace Rust, Wilbur H. Oilman.

OHN BRE.VSTER

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE BREWSTER FAMILY — JOHN BREWSTER AND HIS LIBERAL BE- QUESTS TO HIS NATIVE TOWN — TEXT OF A PORTION OF HIS WILL.

ANY sketch of the Brewster family in Wolfeborough must cen- ter around the name of John, its most notable representative and the town's chief benefactor. The first Brewster to take up his abode in the town was Daniel, who came here with his two sons, Daniel and George, at least a generation after the first set- tlers had set up their humble homes. Daniel was descended from that famed spiritual leader, Elder William Brewster, who landed at Plymouth with the Mayflower company in 1620. A grandson of ,the Elder crossed the bay to Portsmouth, where the first mentioned Daniel was born in 1735.

Daniel's' two sons were farmers. George Flagg Brewster, a

son of the second Daniel, lived on the farm until his death. His

\Vr ' ' son, Eli V., has been a prominent citizen of Dover, having served

as mayor. Another son, George F., after living on the farm for several years, also removed to Dover.

George Brewster had eight children who lived until maturity, one of whom, Daniel, succeeded him on the home farm. This Daniel had three sons, Nathaniel T., John L., and Jonathan M. Nathaniel T. now occupies the old homestead and is a farmer on a large scale, owning extensive tracts of land and many head of cattle. John L. has been a teacher, a banker, and superin- tendent of schools of Lawrence, Mass. Until his removal to Andover a few years since he was active in all that pertained to the welfare of the former town. He is a trustee of the estate of John Brewster and a trustee and treasurer of Brewster Free Academy. Jonathan M. was a leading clergyman of the Free

435

436

HISTORY. OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Baptist denomination, and died in Providence, R. I., some years since.

We now come to John Brewster, another son of George, who, in his last will, after making ample provisions for his son and other relatives and friends, devised the annual income of the residue of his estate, which exceeded a million dollars, chiefly for the benefit of his native town of Wolfeborough and the neighboring town of Tuftonborough. He bequeathed the Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy ten thousand dollars annually with these conditions : That its name should be changed to that of the Brewster Free School or Academy, and that there should be no restrictions as to age, sex, or color, but that all should be re- quired to possess a "good moral character." He also made pro- vision for the erection of a town hall at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars and for the establishment of a free library. The balance was to be applied ''one-half for the use of the academy, the other to be used equally for the support of the worthy poor and the common schools in Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough/' Detailed accounts of the development of these various bequests will be found in other chapters of this work. We give here liberal extracts from a sketch of Mr. Brewster, prepared by a nephew and read at the mass meeting at the Old Home exercises held Aug. 14, 1900.

"The boyhood of John Brewster was similar to that of most sons of farmers of that period. He had two or three terms in the Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy, which had been chartered in 1820. His life in Wolfeborough was brief. In the autumn of 1828, a few weeks before he was sixteen years old, he was hired to teach school in the Xute district at West Milton, on the very spot where Lewis WT. Nute, benefactor of Milton, had his district school life. It so happened that young Nute was among John Brewster's pupils. This was Mr. Brewster's only service in school teaching. He, however, returned to Wolfe-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

borough no more except as a visitor, a thing which he never failed to do at least once a year during his entire life.

"Closing his school early in 1829, he entered the service of his maternal uncle, Jonathan Torr, of Rochester, who kept a store for general trade such as was common in the large villages of the time. A long and severe illness of his uncle threw the whole responsibility of the store upon Mr. Brewster, which the pro- prietor found on his recovery had been discharged to his entire satisfaction. At eighteen, Mr. Brewster entered the hardware store of William Hale on Dover Landing. To within the memory of some present here, Mr. Hale's was the leading store of its kind in eastern New Hampshire south of the White Mountains. Dover was then developing what has since been her leading in- dustry, the manufacture of textiles. Mr. Hale sold gunpowder and so was not allowed to keep open store after sunset. During his five years of service at Dover, Mr. Brewster spent many even- ings in busy times in the dry-goods stores helping the clerks in their work, and he thus acquired a knowledge of that trade.

"At twenty-three, he told his employer that he had determined to try his fortune in the dry-goods trade in Boston. He had saved twenty-five hundred dollars. Mr. Hale said. "You need ten thousand dollars more ; I will lend you half and your father and your two maternal uncles must endorse for the other half." This was done. In Hanover street, on the site of the present "American House," the firm of Williams & Brewster opened the second store on what had been entirely a residence street. The firm lasted but a single year, but it had been so successful that the ten thousand dollars was paid at its dissolution. A new firm, John Brewster & Co., in which Julius Cushman and John Kan- croft were the partners, succeeded the previous one and did a prosperous business through the crisis of 1837. when so many houses failed, until 1845, when they removed to Water street, just below Post-office square, and became a wholesale house. This

438

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arrangement continued until 1850; then Mr. Brewster sold his interest to Alfred H. Otis of Dover, and retired.

"Mr. Brewster married Rebecca P. Noyes of Boston in 1839. Their home was first in Brighton street, next in Louisburg square, then in Eaton street, all in the so-called "West End" of Boston, up to 1845. In that year Mr. Brewster bought the Judge Sewall place, located in "Tory Row" of the Revolution, a house which had been confiscated by the colonial government, and inci- dentally, made a prison for Baron Riedesel in 1777. It is now No. 145 Brattle St., Cambridge. With the exception of two years at South Reading, now Wakefield, Mass., this remained Mr. Brewster's home for the remaining forty years of his life. His only surviving child, Mr. William Brewster, named for Mr. Hale, now lives on the same spot.

"In the spring of 1851, during the two years of farm life at Wakefield, the banking firm of Brewster, Sweet & Co. was formed, at No. 76 State St., Mr. Charles A. Sweet who had been trained in the banking-house of Gilbert & Sons, being the sole partner. In the autumn of that year the concern was a modest one, and the two partners, with the aid of a messenger-boy, did the entire work. A year or two later they removed to No. 40 State St., where they remained for more than twenty years — until the firm was broken up in 1874. In those years, that which had begun very small had become one of the leading houses of its kind in New England. The house antedated the Civil War by ten years. At the time of its founding there were few if any muni- cipal or government bonds. By the spring of 1861, the firm of Brewster, Sweet & Co. had so gained the public confidence, that on the recommendation of Senator Sumner, Mr. Brewster met Secretary Chase and Mr. Jay Cooke in Philadelphia, where a discussion of the financial situation resulted in the firm of Brewster, Sweet & Co. being made fiscal agent for the govern- ment in all New England except Connecticut. Mr. Brewster once said, 'That placed us on our feet.' The commission on

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the sale of bonds was one-fourth of one per cent., and the one quarter was divided equally with the agencies which had been established at good centers over the whole territory. The sales were enormous, for that time almost fabulous ; sometimes more than a million dollars a week, and probably an average of half a million a week for the four years of the war. After the war came the refunding of the government loan, the sale of railroad, state, and municipal bonds. In this the firm did a large business until 1874, the year of the retirement of Mr. Sweet. A new firm was then founded, that of Brewster, Bassett & Co., with Mr. Wil- liam Bassett, Mr. Henry E. Cobb, and Mr. Arthur F. Estabrook as the partners. Mr. Estabrook had entered the office of Brewster, Sweet & Co. in 1857, a boy at the very bottom, and is a striking example of what ability, energy, and honesty can do in our country. He has never flagged in his admiration for Mr. Brewster, a fact which is witnessed by the supplementary work on the grounds where in obedience to a general desire one of the buildings bears his name. The new firm took a new location at 35 Congress St., where its successors, Brewster, Cobb & Esta- brook and Estabrook & Co., have continued to the present time.

"In February, 1883, few weeks after he was seventy years old, Mr. Brewster retired from active business, though he retained a silent interest in the house till his death, January 13, 1886.

"Such is the brief outline of the life of a strong, quiet man, who has made for himself an enduring name throughout this region where we are today. In business he was a man of few words, t.iit those words were as good as his bond. Outside of his family, he had a few choice friends who knew his inner life. In his family he was one of the kindest and most considerate of men ; it was a delight to visit his home. The years since Mr. Brewster died have been few, and yet the girls and boys who have been benefited here already number among the hundreds ; the uplift has already been felt. The schools of this town and the town of Tuftonborough are experiencing the impulse for good which will be greater as

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

time goes on. Life has been and will be made smoother for the worthy poor. The trustees believe that they are doing the work as he would have done it. They are grateful to all who have aided, and to none more than the teachers, and especially the principal, of the Brewster Free Academy, who has been here all the years of its life. The verdict of mankind will be that John Brewster has lived and wrought worthily.

Nathaniel Brewster married Mary E. Chesley. His children are : Sarah, born Sept. 12, 1857 ; Belle, born July 29, 1859, died May 10, 1892; Emma L., born Sept. 21, 1863; George L., born July 4, 1865; Harriet F., born May 8, 1868; Elizabeth A., born Aug. 24, 1870; Inez A., born Aug. 13, 1874. George L. is asso- ciated with his father in the management of the farm.

John L. Brewster married Ada A., a daughter of Hon. William Tenney of Hanover, N. H. His children are : Edward Tenney, born July 24, 1864, died young; Edward Tenney, born Oct. n, 1866, married Alice S. Rollins, is an instructor at Phillips An- dover Academy; William T .. born Aug. 15, 1869, is an instructor at Columbia University ; Edward T. and William T. graduated at Harvard in 1890 and 1892 respectively.

William Brewster, son of John, is famous in the scientific world for his researches in the field of ornithology. His private col- lection at his Cambridge home is one of the finest in the world. He is an instructor at the Agassiz Museum at Harvard, holds honorary degrees from that institution and has been of- ficially connected with numerous scientific bodies.

Following are the public bequests contained in John Brewster's will :

Item Six : — My trustee shall out of the net income remaining after making the payments hereinbefore provided pay annually, in equal quarterly payments, the sum of $10.000 to the Wolfe- borough and Tuftonborough Academy, in my native town of Wolfeborough, in the stale of Xew Hampshire, for the charitable and educational uses and purposes of said academy; but the said

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

441

annual payments are to and shall be made only upon the follow- ing conditions: (i ) That the name of said academy shall be changed to and thereafter continue to be that of the Brevvster Free School or Academy. (2) That no restriction shall be placed upon any person desiring to attend and receive instruction from said school or academy on account of his or her age, sex or color, provided only he or she is of good moral character. (3) That not more than 25 per cent, of said annuity shall be spent in erecting buildings or in alterations, improvements or repairs upon the same ; the remaining income from the provision of my will to be expended wholly for salaries of teachers for instruction and educational purposes of said school or academy : so as near as possible to make instruction and education therein free.

Item Sefcn : — My trustees shall use and appropriate all the rest and residue of the net income of my estate remaining in their hands after making the payments hereinbefore provided, to the fol- lowing uses and purposes : One-half part thereof shall be allowed to accumulate in the hands of my said trustees, who shall invest the same in the manner hereinbefore provided for the investment of my estate, until such part, with accumulations thereon, shall be sufficient for the purpose herein stated. They shall then, with said sum. erect in my native town of Wolfeborough, X. H., a plain brick building, as nearly as possible, on the plan of and like the public building or Town Hall, erected by W. S. Sargent in and for the town of Merrimack in Massachusetts ; said building shall be held by my trustees forever for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of the town of \Yolfeborough, as and for a town and public library. The stores in said building on the lower floor shall be rented by my trustees and all the rent and income over and above the expenses and charges arising therefrom, shall be by them used and appropriated for the necessary care and repairs of said building, and for the care, support and purchase of books for the said puHic library to be in said building. Said trustee- shall keep said building fully insured and in case of the lo.-s <

442

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

destruction of said building they shall, from the proceeds of such insurance re-erect said building in as nearly possible the same manner and style and on the same plan as it was before erected, and in case said insurance should be insufficient to do this then my trustees shall use any income remaining after making the pay- ments hereinbefore provided for re-erecting said building.

Item Eight : — After making the provision provided for in Item Seven my trustees shall use and appropriate any and all remain- ing net income in the following manner and for the following uses:

(i) They shall use, pay over or appropriate one-quarter part thereof, annually, to and for the use, support and maintenance of the free schools of and in my native town of Wolfeborough and of and in the town of Tuftonborough, X. H., the same to be paid or appropriated in proportion to amounts annually raised and appropriated by or for the several school districts in the said towns respectively. The payments of said annuity are to be made at such times and manner as to my trustees shall seem best to accomplish the purpose of this bequest of the amounts so paid or appropriated. A sum not exceeding one-third part thereof may be used in building, repairing and improving schoolhouses in said towns as my trustees may deem expedient. (2) My said trustees shall use, pay over and appropriate one-quarter part of such remaining income annually to and for the use. support and maintenance of the deserving poor and persons needing aid in the said towns of Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough in New Hamp- shire, to be paid, appropriated or distributed in such manner, at such times, and to such persons as to my trustees shall seem best to accomplish the purpose of this bequest. And the decision of my trustees as to such payments and appropriations for said schools and for said persons needing aid shall be final and con- clusive. (3) My trustees shall use and appropriate all income from my estate remaining after making all payments and carrying out all provisions hereinbefore made for the use and benefit of

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

443

said Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy upon the same conditions and restrictions as are stated in Item Six of this will, except that, if deemed expedient by my trustees, an amount not exceeding 50 per cent, of the amount herein and hereby ap- propriated may be used and expended in erecting, repairing or improving buildings for the use of said school.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

WOLFEBOROUGH'S FOREMOST SETTLER — COLONEL HENRY RUST AND His LONG TRAIN OF DESCENDANTS — THE FOUR HENREYS — THE THREE WORTHIES — THE PARKER BRANCH OF THE FAMILY — OTHER PARKERS.

ALL things considered, there is one man who above all others merits the title of the "leading settler of Wolfeborough." He was the only town proprietor who cultivated his own hold- ing ; his sons first swung the pioneer's axe in these wilds ; he labored long and faithfully for the welfare of his backwoods home, and founded a family whose representatives have always been prominent in the town's affairs. This man was Henry Rust.

Mr. Rust, first known by the title "Captain," but more gen- erally by that of "Colonel," was born in Stratham, Jan. 22, 1726. He was a descendant of the Henry Rust who came from Hing- ham, Norfolk County, England, about 1633, and settled at Hing- ham, Mass. Col. Rust was of the fifth generation from the emi- grant, and was the fourth child of Rev. Henry Rust, who was the first minister settled in Stratham. He married Ann Harvey, of Portsmouth, and from the union were born eleven children, four of them dying in infancy and seven of them marrying and living their entire lives in Wolfeborough. Mrs. Rust died June n, 1807, four days after the decease of her husband, who lived to be eighty-one years old.

Colonel Rust's children were: Anna, born Nov. 4, 1751, married Matthew Stanley Parker, died June 17, 1786; Henry, born March 4, 1754, died Oct. 23, 1754; Henry 2nd, born May 14, 1755, married Hannah Home; Richard, born Jan. 31, 1757, married Susannah Connor and Joanna (Hobbs) Jewett ; Elisa- beth, born Sept. 24, 1758, married Deeren Stoddarcl, died Jan.

HON. HENRY B. RUST

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445

12, 1809; Thomas, born May 19, 1760 died March 27, 1761; Mary, born Aug. 23, 1761, married Isaiah Home, died Sept. 30, 1843; Jane, born Nov. 19, 1763, married John Home, died July 15, 1843; William, born Aug. 7, 1765, married Hannah Marble, Susannah Melvin, and Nancy Wedgewood ; Nathaniel, born Aug. 15, 1767, died Oct. 28, 1767; Margaret, born July 26, 1768, died Dec. 1 8, 1768.

Captain Rust probably made his early home in Portsmouth, as in 1759, when he became one of the proprietors of the town, he was master of a vessel, a position which necessitated years of experience in navigation. He continued the sea-faring busi- ness somewhat after commencing his settlement in Wolfeborough, as is shown by letters. He did not at first remove the whole of his family to the town. Certainly his sons, Henry, aged fourteen years, and Richard, aged twelve years, spent one winter at least in the log camp built on the northeasterly border of his lot. They had with them an antiquated equine for emergencies. Mrs. Rust, who had spent her youth and early womanhood in Portsmouth, it is said, reluctantly exchanged the town for the forest. Yet in the autumn of her life she possessed a home "beautiful for situa- tion on the fine ridge of land bordering that lovely sheet of water still known as Rust's Pond.

Colonel Rust was the only town proprietor who settled on his lot, which contained six hundred acres of land situated in the southerly part of the town, embracing within its limits a large portion of Rust's Pond and the territory on which stands the village of South Wolfeborough. On the westerly side of this lot he built a log cabin, which was occupied by the male members of his family while clearing land, before the whole family re- moved to Wolfeborough. While the laborers were one day absent, this took fire, consuming their guns, provisions, and clothing, including their hats, which were not usually worn into the forests, as the prevalence of noxious insects required that the entire head should be covered. As a result, the entire party

446 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

were compelled to return to Portsmouth in light marching order.

Colonel Rust's lot of six hundred acres was eventually divided in- to four parts. He retained the portion lying north of Rust's Pond, and, having taken into his family his grandson, Henry Rust Parker, finally bequeathed it to him, and it was ever afterwards known as the Parker place, although it is at the present time in the possession of persons of other names. The portion south of this he gave to his son Henry. It descended to his son, Henry Bloomfield Rust, and then to his son Alphonzo H. Rust. It is not now in the possession of any members of the Rust family. The lot on which a portion of the village of South Wolfeborough now stands was given to Richard Rust, and, beginning with the settler, has been in the possession of six generations of the family, viz., Colonel Henry Rust, Richard Rust, Henry Rust, George Rust, John Henry Rust, and Horace Rust. The seventh generation is represented on this farm in the person of Lottie L., daughter of Horace, aged two years. The most easterly portion of the settler's lot was given to his son William, passed into the hands of William, Jr., and then to the families of his grand-daughters, Hannah (Rust) Thompson and Betsy (Rust) Leavitt. It is now owned by Harry R. Leavitt, a great-grandson.

Colonel Henry Rust was regarded as a just and conscientious man, but fixed in his opinions and somewhat austere in his de- portment. His early training as ship-master no doubt had an influence upon his later life. His word was a law to himself, and generally to others also. Being appointed Judge of Probate for Strafford County when the colony of New Hampshire was under English rule, he took the oath of allegience to the crown, and after the state government was established, declined to accept of any office that would require a like oath to the American government. He was very useful in deciding matters of dispute between neighbors and townsmen, the decision of Colonel Rust being generally regarded as final. He possessed sound judgment and honest intentions, and, having the confidence of the general

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 447

public, no doubt prevented some vexatious and expensive litiga- tion.

He and his family connections have been much in office. He served eight years as selectman. His son Henry was town clerk five years and a member of the state legislature four years, the first year representing the classed towns, Wolfeborough and Brookfield, and the other three years Wolfeborough alone. His son Richard served as town clerk four years and as selectman nine years. His son-in-law, Matthew S. Parker, was town clerk nine years and selectman six years. He held both these offices at the time of his death, which occurred when he was in the prime of manhood. His acquired ability was far superior to any other citizen of the town. Had he not lived, the history of Wolfe- borough would have been more incomplete than it is. His son- in-law, Isaiah Home, served as selectman four years, town clerk four years, and as representative six years. His grandson, Henry Rust Parker, served as selectman seven years, his grandsons, Isaiah Green Orne and Charles Belker Orne, each one year. His grandson, Thomas Rust, held the office of town clerk two years and that of selectman three years. He was also a county judge. His grandson, Henry Bloomfield Rust, served as selectman one year and as representative six years, was a member of the New Hampshire Senate and of the Council, and was judge of the county court. Alphonzo Rust was twice representative and twice councilor. His great-grandson, George Rust, and his great- great-grandson, John H. Rust, were each twice elected selectmen. Colonel Rust and his descendants have, since the organization of the town, held the office of town clerk twenty-six years, of selectman forty-five years, of representative eighteen years.

*Henry Rust, Jr., married Hannah, daughter of Ebenezer Home. He died Nov. 2, 1844. His wife died Oct. 4. 1843. aged

"Henry Rust made many of the early surveys in this and adjoining towns. In 1804 he projected a map of the town, upon which are based many of the deeds given since that time. Many copies of these deeds are now in the possession of his grandson, Albert B. Rust.

448 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

eighty-one years. Their children were: Hannah, born Dec. 21, 1784, married Henry Rust Parker; Ann, born Jan. 20, 1788, died Jan. 23, 1793; Betsy Allen, born Dec. 13, 1790, married M. James Chamberlin, died Feb. 29, 1816; Henry Bloomfield, born May n, 1794, married Pamelia Home and Hannah S. Jewett; Nancy, born Feb. 20, 1798, died June 23, 1799; Fanny Parker, born Feb. 13, 1800, died Oct., 1803.

Richard Rust married first Susannah, daughter of James Con- nor. She died March 21, 1809, aged forty-six years. He mar- ried second Mrs. Joanna (Hobbs) Jewett, widow of Andrew Jewett, who died Nov. 15, 1822, aged fifty-one years. He mar- ried third Mrs. Eleanor Clark Piper, widow of John Light Piper. She died July 23, 1856, aged eighty-five years. Mr. Rust died Dec. 27, 1827, aged seventy years. His children, all by his first wife, were: Richard, born Apr. 2, 1782, married Sally Thurston ; Henry, born March 19, 1785, married Nancy Norris ; Susannah, born Jan. 21, 1787, married Nathaniel Chase ; Mary Connor, born July 7, 1789, married Gilman Folsom ; Eleanor, born March 18,

1792, married James Chamberlain; Joshua, born May 28, 1794, died April, 1802; Martha, born July 20, 1796, married Nathaniel Rogers; Thomas, born Nov. 27, 1798, married Phebe C. Piper; Joseph Peirce, born April 6, 1801, married Mary Chamberlain, died Jan. 31, 1848.

William Rust, son of Col. Henry Rust, was born Aug. 7, 1/65. He married Dec. 3, 1787 Hannah, daughter of Samuel Marble, of Stratham, born Jan. 15, 1760. died Aug. 4, 1802. He married second Mrs. Susannah Melvin, who died Oct. 8, 1815, aged forty-seven years; third, Mrs. Nancy Wedgewood, who died Aug. 4. 1845, aged sixty-five years. Mr. Rust died Sept. 5, 1851, aged eighty-six years. His children were: Wil- liam, born June I, 1/88, married Olive Deland ; Nathaniel, born Sept. 9, 1790, married Lydia Folsom; Sarah, born Dec. 15,

1793, married James, son of Jacob Folsom; Meshack, Shadrich, and Abednego, triplets, born Aug. 20, 1796; Meshack married

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Martha Frost; Shadrich died Feb. 2, 1797; Abednego married Hannah Mayhew and Sally Moulton ; Hannah, born Feb. 28, 1801, died Dec. I, 1815.

Henry Bloomfield Rust, son of Henry Rust and grandson of the settler, was born May n, 1794. He was more widely known than any of the Rust family of Wolfeborough. He was christened Henry, but added Bloomfield to his name, assigning as a reason that there were too many Henry Rusts in the town, there being then on the check-list four of that name. Mr. Rust married, Dec. 28, 1815, Pamelia Home, by whom he had the following children : Pamelia Caroline, born Aug. 14, 1816, married Ezra Pinkham, died Sept. 29, 1870; Henry Lorenzo, born July n, 1818, married Lucinda Hancock and Alphonzo H., born. Feb. 8, 1820, married Betsy Furbur; Betsy Ann Parker, born Sept. 2, 1821, married James F. Dixon, died Oct. 2, 1847. ^e married second, Oct. i, 1823, Hannah S., daughter of Andrew Jewett. She was born in the Jewett Tavern April 13, 1798, and died May 29, 1888. She was a remarkably intelligent person, even when verging upon the age of an octogenarian. Judge Rust, as he was generally termed, was a man of fine physique and affable manners. For the first twelve years of his married life he lived with his father on the home farm, but in 1835 ne removed to South Wolfe- borough village, where he spent the remainder of his life in various kinds of business, principally in merchandizing. For years he had a controlling influence in the village and even in the whole town of Wolfeborough. He was an ardent democrat, and occupied a prominent position in that party, which was for some decades dominant in the state of New Hampshire. In 1828-9 he was a member of the new House of Representatives, in 1838 a member of the Senate, and in 1841-2 a member of the Council. In 1846-7 and in 1852 he was again a member of the House of Representatives, and in 1832 was appointed one of the associate judges of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire. He died July 27, 1876, aged eighty-two years. By Mr. Rust's

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

second marriage there were seven children : Joanna Adaline, born Aug. 25, 1824, died May 15, 1826; Charlotte Elvira, born Aug. 30, 1826, married Daniel Wood ; Augustus Jewett, born Oct. 19, 1828, died Sept. 6, 1836 ; Cecilia Eliza, born Dec. 28, 1830, died Nov. 8, 1856; Albert Bloomfield, born Sept. 10, 1833; George Erastus Parker, born Dec. 28, 1835, married Josephine Haines and Lucy A. Pike ; Hannah Jewett, born July 9, 1839, married George Burbank, from whom she was divorced, and re- sumed the name of Rust, has one child, Eliza Harvey, born July

9, 1865, married Arthur Q. Mosely, of Westfield, Mass. Henry Rust, the son of Richard Rust, was born March 19,

1785, and married Nancy Norriss. Their children were : George, born July 10, 1810, died Sept. 25, 1890; Louisa, born Nov. i, 1812, married John McDuffee.

The above named George Rust married Drusilla B. Davis. The result of the union was three children : John Henry, born Nov.

10, 1835, married Phoebe A. Webster; Lucy Ellen, born June 15, 1845, rnarried Curtis E. Waclleigh ; Harriet Anna, born Sept. 13, 1847, died Oct. 13, 1864.

Thomas Rust, son of Richard Rust and grandson of the settler, was born Nov. 27, 1798. He spent his early life in teaching school and surveying, and succeeded his father in the caVe of the Rust Tavern, now the Sheridan House at Wolfeborough village. He was deputy postmaster several years, held the offices of town clerk, selectman, and school committee, did much business as justice of peace in settling estates, etc., and was county judge. He merchandized somewhat, was deacon and superintendent of the Sunday school connected with the Con- gregational Church for many years, and was a useful and cir- cumspect citizen during his long life. He died Jan. 16, 1890, aged ninety-two years. He married, March 19, 1823, Phebe C. Piper, who proved a helpmeet indeed. She died Sept. 15, 1887, aged eighty-seven years. Their children were: Susan Jane, born Jan. 5, 1825, married Rev. Nathaniel Coffin; John Richard,

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451

born May 23, 1828, married Mary L. Pierce of Dover, N. H.; Thomas Henry, died in infancy; George Henry, born July 26, 1839, married Josephine Varney.

John Richard Rust was formerly a civil engineer, and engaged in the construction of railroads in New Hampshire, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maine, and Vermont, and for ten years held official relations with the St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain railroad. He is now manufacturer of flour at the Forest Mills, near Zumbrota, Minn.

Nathaniel Rust, son of William Rust and grandson of the Colonel, was born Sept. 9, 1790. He married first, Lydia Fol- som, daughter of Jacob Folsom, second, Fannie, daughter of Andrew Wiggin, third, Mary, widow of Benjamin Fullerton and daughter of James Wiggin. He was deacon of the First Christian Church of Wolfeborough. He died Aug. I. 1859. His children were: Hannah, born July i, 1817, married Josiah Norris ; Lydia, born Feb. 23, 1819, married Charles L. Hamilton, died Jan. 3, 1869; Nathaniel Parker, born Sept. 18, 1821, died Nov. 23, 1823 ; Nathaniel Parker 2nd, born Sept. 28, 1824, married Sarah A. Stoddard and Harriet Wallace, killed in the War of the Rebellion; Frances Ann, born Nov. 21, 1827, married Wil- liam P. Watson, died March 29, 1867; Charles Augustus, born March 28, 1830, married Mary A. Rollins ; Martha Camelia, born Feb. 26, 1833, married W. K. Simmons and Joseph A. Johnson ; Alfred, born Dec. 20, 1840, died Apr. i, 1842.

Henry Rust Parker, son of Matthew Stanley Parker, married Hannah H. Rust. Their children were : John Tappan, born Sept. 5, 1804, married Sally L. Seavey, died Sept. 25, 1848; Samuel Sewall, born Nov. 9, 1807, married Jane Cate, died Sept. 20, 1848; Eliza Chamberlain, born Nov. n. 1811, died May 17, 1825 ; Matthew Stanley, born June 22, 1812, married Clarrisa Blake and Elizabeth Perkins.

The children of John Tappan Parker were : Eliza Frances, born July 30, 1826, married Asa Perkins and Clark Collins ; Ruth

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

Ann, born Aug. 19, 1832, married Moses Thompson, died March 18, 1897 ; Henry Rust, born Jan. 24, 1836, married Ella, daughter of Moses and Hannah Thompson; George Seavey, born March 2, 1842.

Henry Rust Parker, the son mentioned above, is a self-made man. He was left an orphan at the age of twelve years, but being determined to obtain an education, he at once set about the work of procuring the means to accomplish his purpose. He quite early qualified himself for a teacher, and took charge of a high school at Farmington, which situation he creditably nll^d for six years, meantime pursuing a course of medical study. He graduated from the medical department of Dartmouth College in 1866, and commenced practising his profession in his native town. In 1881 he removed to Dover, N. H., in which city he continues to reside. He has an extensive and lucrative practice, is a member of several medical societies, and in 1890 was elected Mayor of Dover.

Samuel Sewall Parker, son of the first Henry Rust Parker, married Jane Gate. Their children were: Charles Franklin, born Sept. 2, 1828, married Lizzie Boyd, was cashier of Lake Bank, and has held other responsible social and official positions, was superintendent of the Congregational Sunday-school many years, and is a deacon of the Congregational Church ; Harey Stanley Sewail, born Feb. 18, 1832, married Hester Stevens; John William, born May 2, 1840, married Abbie Haley ; Samuel Woodbury, born Nov. 18, 1843, proprietor of Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago.

Following are the children of Deering Stoddard, who married Elisabeth, daughter of Col. Henry Rust: Loving, born Apr. 5, 1787, married Fanny Goldsmith, died Jan. 12, 1809; Nancy, born Nov. 5, 1789, married Jonathan Hilton; Deering, born Feb. 3, 1791, died Dec. 12, 1802; Elizabeth, born Apr. 7, 1793, died Feb. 2, 1812; Sally, born June 21, 1795, married James Chamberlain, died Oct. 29, 1828; Hannah, born Feb. 22, 1797, married Jona-

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 453

than Copp and James Buzzell ; Obadiah, born Aug. 9, 1799, married Sally Eaton; Martha, born Dec. 2, 1801, died Dec. 4, 1802.

John H. Rust's children are: Carrie, born Nov. 30, 1860, married Henry W. Chase; Etta, born Dec. 25, 1862; George, born March 19, 1865, married Louise V. Prescott, of Peabody, Mass. ; Horace, born Nov. 30, 1867, married Edith Brown.

Albert Bloomlield Rust has been a useful citizen. He has served for nine years most acceptably on the school board, has acted as presiding officer of many public gatherings, and has taken a keen interest in historical matters relating to his native town. His only daughter, Josephine, married, 1899, Harry M. Bickford, of Wolfeborough.

In this connection, the only other Parker family living in town may be considered, although they have no relationship with the before mentioned branch.

Benjamin Franklin Parker, son of Samuel Gridley Parker, of Boston, Mass., and Sarah Thurston Kelly, of Stratham, was born in Stratham, Apr. 21, 1817. He came to Wolfeborough in 1831, and was up to the time of his death, Dec. 30, 1900, a resident of the town. July, 1850, he married Harriet B. Whitton, daughter of Daniel Whitton, who was born Feb. 10, 1831. His children are: Sarah Elizabeth, born Apr. 25, 1852, died Aug. 19, 1869; Harriet Eva, born Aug. 30, 1854; Frank Sumner, born Jan. 8, 1857, married Annie I. Warren ; Charles Whitton, born Feb. 24, 1859, died Sept. 30, 1861 ; Abbie Blaisdell, born July 27, 1861 ; Vilette Maud, born March 19, 1866, married Hoyt H. Tucker, of Athens, Me.; Bert Wiggin, born Jan. 29, 1871; Grace Manning, born Jan. 29, 1876.

Charles Henry Parker, brother of Benjamin, came to Wolfe- borough in 1833. He afterwards spent several years in New- market. Coming to this town after his marriage, he became editor of the "Granite State News," which he conducted up to the time of his death in 1894. He married, Sept. 19, 1849, Sophia

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B. Blaisdell, of Middleton, who was born Sept. 2, 1829. His children are : Mary Abbie, born Feb. 25, 1851, married Frederick W. Prindle, has one daughter, Ada Bernice ; Frances Ann, born Dec. 6, 1853, married George F. Mathes, has one son, Charles Albert; Alice S., born Feb. 12, 1856, married Charles C. Thomp- son; Nettie, born May 13, 1860, married Edwin L. Furber, died Dec. 28, 1893, leaving one daughter, Alice May.

Israel B. Manning, a son of the Sarah Thurston Parker before mentioned and Ephriam Manning, was born in Newmarket in 1832. He came to Wolfeborough in 1854, and has been since that time engaged in mercantile pursuits. He married Annah N. Newell, of this town, a daughter of John Newell. Mr. Man- ning has had an active hand in the town's affairs, having been twice chosen representative, twice supervisor, three times town treasurer, four times a water commissioner, and twice moderator. As a member of the committee appointed to construct the town's water system, he was perhaps more responsible than any other man for the selection of the Beech Pond supply, a choice that experience has shown to be a wise one.

Joseph K. Manning, a brother of Israel, was for some years interested in the manufacture and retailing of shoes here.

George K. Manning, another brother, lived here, as a boy, with Daniel Whitton, Isaac Wiggin, and James Estes. He returned to the town late in life, and died here Jan. 12, 1900.

CHAPTER XXIX.

NEWSPAPERS — CARROLL COUNTY REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHED AT SOUTH WOLFEBOROUGH — CARROLL COUNTY PIONEER — CARROLL COUNTY REGISTER — GRANITE STATE NEWS — CARROLL COUNTY DEMOCRAT — SKETCH OF CHARLES H. PARKER — LAWYERS AND DOCTORS — BRIEF SKETCH- ES OF MEN FAMOUS IN THESE CALLINGS — "SQUIRE" BATCHELDER — CHARLES F. HILL — WILLIAM Fox — SEW- ALL W. ABBOTT — DOCTORS CUTTER, MCNORTON, HALL TEBBETTS, PATTEE, AND KING.

SOUTH Wolfeborough was the scene of many important events connected with the early history of the town, and here was established the first newspaper published in the county, in January Junot J. Whitehouse was the editor, and the paper was the "Carroll County Republican." It was a four-page, six-column sheet, with considerable legal and other advertising, and was well conducted, but, like so many other ventures of this kind, it had but a short existence. In politics it was democratic, although it favored the abolition of slavery. Possibly this — for the times — anomalous policy had something to do with its early den.ise.

January, 1856, saw another effort to establish a journal. John F. Roberts, a printer with experience in Boston and New York offices, gave to the world the "Carroll County Pio- neer." The office was in what was then, as now, known as the bank building. The "Pioneer" was con- ducted along practically the same lines as its predecessor, except that it was republican in politics. Mr. Roberts was an excellent printer, a hard-working, honest man of fair ability, and in spite of many obstacles, issued the paper until March, 1858,

455

456

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

when he sold out to D. Warren Furber. Mr. Furber continued the publication some months, and then removed to Rochester.

Mr. Roberts had meanwhile established a job office at Ossipee, and in May, 1859, began the publication of the "Carroll County Register," which he published for nearly six years.

The "Granite J>tate News" was started by James R. Newell, who had not then arrived at his majority, November I, 1860, and was printed on a second-hand press, then over fifty years old. The "News" was first a six-column paper issued weekly, "at $1.00 per year, in advance, or $1.25 if paid within the year." In his "Introductory" Mr. Newell said: "It will be the aim of the publisher to make the 'News' a family paper — one which will be entertaining to all. We shall devote particular attention to the collection and publication of items of local news, in order that persons who formerly resided in this vicinity, and who have removed to other places, may, by subscribing to the 'News,' be kept informed of everything of interest that transpires in the neighborhood of their former homes."

Mr. Newell edited and personally conducted the paper until Dec. 5, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Co. I, 8th N. H. Volunteers, and left his business in charge of Charles H. Parker. Mr. Newell was the only person in the office who had a com- petent knowledge of the printing business, and his successor soon found his position anything but a sinecure. With a small subscription list, an office wanting in almost everything in the way of material, to say nothing of skilled workmen, with little advertising and less job custom, the price of stock and wages constantly increasing, it was, perhaps, as well that the new pub- lisher was uninformed as to the requirements of a successful printing and newspaper business. White paper, as an example, during war times rose in price from nine to as high as thirty-two cents per pound. The profit on the low basis of subscription would be purely imaginary.

After four years, Mr. Newell, despairing of making the paper

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 457

self-sustaining, decided to sell if possible ; if not, to discontinue. It was in the midst of the second Lincoln campaign, and Mr. Parker, thinking it would not do for the story to get about that a republican paper had died for want of support in such a crisis, purchased the establishment, increased the subscription to $1.50 per year, and bought the list of the "Carroll County Record." By putting in sixteen hours work each day himself and making typos of his girls when they should have been in the schoolroom, seven years was added to the life of the paper.

Meanwhile, some prominent democrats conceived the idea that it was necessary to establish an organ of their political faith, and guaranteed Elijah Couillard five hundred dollars in cash and a subscription list of five hundred names, if he would start such a paper. As a result, the "Carroll County Democrat" was brought forth, which ran two or three years and died of starvation. Since then, the "News" has had possession of the local field.

In 1872 the publisher of the "News" enlarged the paper to seven columns per page, and with the assistance of a friend pur- chased a Fairhaven power press. Before this purchase there had been but one press in the office for all purposes. This was the old "patent lever" purchased by Mr. Newell, which was used in the office until destroyed by the fire of May, 1899. This press was built in 1804. In December, 1879, Mr. Parker still further enlarged the "News" to its present size. New presses and ma- terial were added from time to time until a well-equipped office had been established.

Some fifteen years ago the office was removed from the bank building — after a small fire — to the B. & M. railroad building near the wharf, and since that structure was destroyed by fire, has been located at the Durgin building on North Main Street.

Associated with Messrs. Parker and Newell in the early man- agement of the paper, were I. B. Manning and Burley B. Newell, a brother of the editor. B. F. Parker did much to increase the original subscription list. Since the death of Charles H. Parker

458 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

in 1894, the paper has been conducted by Frederick W. Prindle, Mr. Parker's son-in-law, who had for some eighteen years been associated with him in the mechanical department. Mr. Prindle disposed of the paper in 1896 to Ethelbert Baier, of Washington, D. C, but after a few months again came into possession of the property. In 1899 a stock company was formed, with Mr. Prindle as manager. The present office is well-equipped in all depart- ments, and the "Granite State News" is now an institution in the town and an influence throughout the country.

Charles Henry Parker, for many years editor of the "Granite State News," deserves more than passing mention. He was one of the old school of self-educated scholars, and from his earliest boyhood had to depend entirely upon his own unaided efforts. Mr. Parker was born in Portsmouth, May 26, 1819. When only seven years of age, he was "bound" to a farmer for seven years, but broke away at the age of eleven, continuing, however, to work on farms until he was seventeen. In 1831 he came to Wolfeborough, but, desiring to be near his mother, who needed his aid, he went to Newmarket and became an operative in a cotton factory. Up to this time his opportunities for learning had been most meagre, but he now began to employ his spare mo- ments in securing an education. He rapidly became proficient in the common and high school branches of study then taught, and after some hesitancy accepted a position offered him as teacher in a back district school in Lee. He succeeded so well that he opened a private school in Newmarket, and was soon induced to take charge of one of the village schools. This school he taught for twenty-one terms in the same room. He then taught three terms in Searsport, Me., and, coming again to Wolfe- borough, taught several terms here. Many well-known men were pupils of his in the "Old Brick Schoolhouse."

For some time his principal business in Wolfeborough was official. He was deputy-sheriff eight years, was high sheriff five years, and was twice sent to the legislature. In 1860, at Mr.

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 459

Newell's request, he took charge of his paper until a permanent editor was secured. For nearly thirty-five years he wielded the editorial pen.

Under his management the "News" was always aggressive in the advocacy of the right as he saw it. He did not always take the popular side of questions, perhaps not always the right side, but no one who knew him ever questioned his motive. Originally a democrat, he was one of the few who organized the Liberal — the first anti-slavery — party in this state. He afterwards acted with the Free-soil and republican parties, being a strong follower of the latter up to the time of his death. He was a Free Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Unitarian, and first, last, and all the time, a temperance worker.

Mr. Parker possessed abilities that would, under more favor- able circumstances, have given him a more than local or even state reputation. It was easier for him to be honest than to court popularity. He did much in his day for the social and moral uplifting of the community in which his lot was cast.

LAWYERS.

Wolfeborough has had in its day a goodly number of able lawyers. It is no reflection upon those of the present generation to consider the following as the bright and particular stars of the town's legal firmament.

Zachariah, or "Squire," Batchelder, as he was popularly desig- nated, was one of the marked men of his time. He was born in Beverly, Mass., in 1795, but came with his parents to Sunapee at an early age. He graduated at Dartmouth, and after some years spent in teaching and the study of law, came to Wolfe- borough and established himself in his profession. It had been his cherished hope to enter the ministry, but as time passed, and he gained more definite views of the clerical office, his natural diffidence and self-distrust led him to conclude that he was better

460 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

adapted to some other profession. Mr. Batchelder was highly educated and was a close student of the classics throughout his life. His attainments as a lawyer were of the first order. He was, in fact, the scholar of the county. His influence was far beyond the duties of his profession. He was a vigorous debater, and the few surviving members of the "old lyceum" will remem- ber the occasion upon which he so sorely worsted young Henry Wilson that the future vice-president burst into tears. He lived a bachelor all his life and was noted for certain eccentricities in dress and manner, but his mind "a glorious kingdom was."

Joseph Farrar, a native of Vermont, came to Wolfeborough from Chelsea, Mass., where he had been admitted to practice. He was here early in the century, and after the construction of the Pickering store had his office in that building. He is remem- bered as a man of middle height and old-time courtesy of man- ner, and if he was less scholastic than Batchelder, was safe in counsel and well-posted in statute and common law. He was a doughty antagonist in court and with Mr. Batchelder controlled the legal practice of this part of the county for a long time.

Charles F. Hill was a native of Limerick, Maine. He read law with his uncle, Joshua Hill, of Frankfort, and practised a few years at Searsport. He then came to Wolfeborough and estab- lished a lucrative practice and was a leading member of the Car- roll County bar. He went to New Jersey some thirty years ago, and for many years had a law office in New York City. He died in Newark in 1889, aged sixty-seven years. He was "a lawyer of marked ability, a convincing and able advocate, and a man of high personal and professional character/' in the opinion of Hon. Joel Eastman. Mr. Hill married Lavinia, a sister of Benjamin F. and Charles H. Parker, and his three children, Charles E., Frank, and Helen (Mrs. A. Baxter Mer- win), were born here. Charles E. has been state representative from Newark and president of the city council. He is also a

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 461

lawyer of reputation, and has associated with him his son, Charles G.

William Copp Fox will go down in history as a poet, racon- teur, and nature lover rather than a lawyer, although he stood high in the legal profession. He was born in Wolfeborough, Dec. 29, 1827, and lived here until his tragic death by drowning in 1898. Mr. Fox was educated in the old Academy, Gilmanton, and Dartmouth, graduating from the college in 1852. He read law with Zachariah Batchelder and Josiah H. Hobbs, of Wake- field. He engaged in educational pursuits early in life, was prin- cipal of Wakefield Academy, and was two years school com- missioner of Carroll County. He has been president of the Wolfe- borough Savings Bank and of the Carroll County Bar Associa- tion. He acquired an orange grove in Florida and for years spent his winters there. Mr. Fox had for years a large practice and stood high in his profession. He refused to devote himself wholly to the practice of law, however, and cultivated his love for higher literature. He was a wonderfully companionable man and had great conversational gifts. He was famous as a fisherman and hunter, and was well grounded in the history and legendary lore of the locality. No man had a keener sense of the beautiful in art, nature or language.

Everett C. Banfield was a lawyer of legal attainments and scholarly tastes. He was at one time U. S. counsel in the revenue department at Washington. The latter portion of his life was spent in his native town of Wolfeborough, where he made his profession a secondary matter. He was elected state senator from this district and was frequently the spokesman for the town on public occasions. His family still make their home here.

Many other lawyers have at different times made Wolfeborough their home. The late Judge of Probate, David H. Hill resided here at the time of his death. He was succeeded as Judge by Sewall W. Abbott, who is now in active practice in the town. Oscar

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Ij. Young, recently admitted to the bar, and EdwardJE.. Gate are also practising here. James A. Edgerly, a prominent lawyer of Somers worth, is a native of the place.

Sewall W. Abbott was born in Tuftonborough, Aug. n, 1859. At the age of six years his family removed to Center Ossipee and here he remained until the death of his father in 1872, when with his mother and a brother he moved to Chicago. He stayed west about a year and returning, attended school at the Pamworth high school and Hebron (Me.) academy, graduating from the latter institution in '78. He entered Colby University the same year, but circumstances prevented his completing the course. In 1879 he entered the law office of Col. Samuel S. Quarles and took up telegraphy as a means of livelihood. For the three succeeding years he was employed on the northern division of the B. & M. railroad. In 1883 he graduated from the Union College Law School in Chicago and practiced law there about a year. He came to Wolfeborough in June, 1885, and soon opened an office here, where he has since had a successful practice. He was ap- pointed Judge of Probate in 1889, succeeding the late David H. Hill. Judge Abbott is prominent in Masonic circles, having been Master of Morning Star lodge, District Grand Lecturer and Dis- trict Deputy Grand Master. He is a life member of the N. H. grand lodge. He is also connected with numerous other fra- ternal bodies.

DOCTORS.

Wolfeborough has, as a rule, been fortunate in its medical men. Some of them have become famous in this and more distant fields.

Dr. A. R. Cutter, one of the proprietors, although residing in Portsmouth, was sometimes called professionally to the town. Mrs. Benjamin Blake (Molly Connor) possessed considerable medical skill, and became noted as an obstetrician, and practised

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 463

in Wolfeborough and neighboring towns for many years in the early times. She was very successful, and is said to have been present at nearly one thousand births. Asa Adams came to Wolfeborough in 1798 and resided on Martin's Hill for several years in the house known as the Eaton house. He removed to Gorham, Maine. Dr. Moses Hoyt practised here from 1810 for a few years. John McNorton was in practice here from 1813 to 1819. He resided in the north part of the town. He died about 1819. Jedidiah Chapman practised medicine about the same time in the southwest part of the town. He removed to Tuftonborough in 1819, where he died in 1850. Dr. Chapman was succeeded by Asa Perkins, whose residence was near the site of the Glendon Hotel. Dr. Perkins remained but a short time. David T. Livy, from New Durham, was his successor in 1820, and occupied the same house. Dr. Livy died in 1834, and was followed by Dr. Jeremiah F. Hall, who married his daughter Annette. Dr. Hall was here nearly thirty years, then removed to Portsmouth. About 1820 Thomas J. Tebbetts, from Brookfield, married a daughter of Rev. Ebenezer Allen, and commenced the business of physician at Dimon's Corner. Here he remained during his life, practising his profession, managing a farm, doing considerable public business, and was several times elected to the offices of selectman and representative. He had a large family. Several sons have been druggists ; one a physician. Joseph Edgerly, a native of New Durham, practised medicine in town for several years. He died in 1840. Dr. John L. Swiner- ton was here in 1831 ; remaining but a few years. John L. Sar- gent practised here several years. About 1840 Dr. Cyrus Blais- dell established himself in town. After some years he removed to Maine, but returned and located in the northeasterly part of the town, where he practised a short time. Charles Warren, a native of Brookfield and a noted teacher of vocal music, followed Blais- dell. He was in town several years, and erected the house now occupied by Joseph L. Avery. During his residence here Moses

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

R. Warren removed from Middleton to Wolfeborough, remained some years. Luther Pattee came from Rockingham County about 1860, and while on the high tide of popular practice left for Manchester. In 1866 Dr. Abiel Eliot practised here but after- wards went to Philadelphia. Chase Moulton practised medicine from 1860 to 1870, perhaps longer. In 1865 Jeremiah R. Smith, from Vermont, settled here ; practised a few years.

The late Jeremiah Forrest Hall, M. D., who was for 26 years a prominent physician of Carroll County, was born at North- field, N. H., December 2, 1816. Graduating from Dartmouth Medical College in 1837, at the age of 21, he went at once to Wolfeborough, N. H., to practice medicine. He succeeded to the practice of Dr. David Thurstin Livy, then recently deceased, and whose daughter, Annette Augusta, he married on Dec. 14, 1837. For many years Dr. Hall resided at the Livy home, upon the site now occupied by Hobbs' Inn, and the fine old elms in front of that hostelry were set out by Dr. Hall. About 1856 he built the house now occupied by Charles F. Parker, and this was the family home until the death of his wife in 1865. In 1862 he was commissioned surgeon of the I5th N. H. Vols. and went with his Regt. to New Orleans. In 1863 he was appointed surgeon of the Board of Enrollment for the ist. N. H. Cong. Dist. at Ports- mouth, N. H. At the close of the war he entered upon the practise of his profession at Portsmouth, and resided there until his death, on March i, 1888, aged 71 years 3 months. He prac- tised medicine and surgery for nearly half a century, and was prominent in his profession and in political, business and banking circles. He was an astute financier, and was President of the Ports. Trust & Guar. Co. For twelve years he was a trustee of the New Hampshire State Insane Asylum. Was President of the New Hampshire State Med. Soc'y in 1872 ; served two years in the New Hampshire State Senate and held many other positions of honor and trust.

Dr. Hall was a man of fine presence and strong personality ;

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HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

a man of great industry, strict integrity and business capacity, and was noted for his quick wit and sound philosophy. He was survived by his three children, all born at Wolfeborough : Susan Parsons Blount,who now resides atWellesley, Mass. ; Henry For- rest Hall, M. D., who died at Coronado, Calif., in 1897 ; and Ed- ward Hayden Hall, who resides at Fort Collins, Colo.

He was married the second time on October 24, 1872, to Frances E. Laighton of Portsmouth, who also survives him, and now resides at Cambridge, Mass.

Dr. Henry Rust Parker, son of John T. and Sally (Seavey) Parker, was born in Wolfeborough, January 24, 1836. He studied medicine with Dr. Pattee ; attended medical lectures at Dartmouth, graduated in 1865, commenced practice in his native town, and became a successful and popular physician. In 1881 he removed to Dover.

Dr. R. H. King, one of Wolfeborough's most widely known and respected men, was born in Wakefield, September 26, 1821. He took the classical course at Philips Academy, Andover, Mass., in 1840 and 1844. He read with Dr George B. Garland, of Lawrence, Mass., and Dr. J. F. Hall, of Wolfeborough, and attended the old Tremont Medical School of Boston at the sum- mer term of 1845, and was graduated with honor from Bowdoin Medical College, Brunswick, Maine. He commenced practice in Kittery, Maine, in 1847, and remained there about seven years, when he went to Newton, Mass., and subsequently to Newark, N. J. Dr. King located in Wolfeborough in 1860, where he soon obtained an extensive practice, and is known, both in and out of the profession, as a genial gentleman, a skilful physician and surgeon, eminently successful in practice. He is a member of the Carroll County Medical Society, has held the office of examining surgeon from 1868 to 1884, and has been reappointed in recent years. He is a republican in politics, Episcopalian in religious preference, but does not belong to any church, and is a member of the First Unitarian Society of Wolfeborough.

466

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Dr. N. Harvey Scott, son of Nathaniel and Margaret (Har- riman) Scott was born in Dalton, March 16, 1851, fitted for college at Lancaster and Gorham, Maine ; entered the academical department of Dartmouth College in 1874; studied medicine with Dr. Albert Winch, of Whitefield, and Dr. J. L. Harriman, of Hudson, Mass. Attending medical lectures at Burlington, Vermont, and Brunswick, Maine, he was graduated at the latter school in 1874; then took a course of lectures at College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York ; commenced practice at Sandwich in 1875, removed to Maynard, Mass., in 1877, and in 1880 located at Wolfeborough. He was appointed United States examiner of pensions in President Arthur's administration. He married Lizzie, daughter of Daniel Moulton, of Sandwich, and has six children. Dr. Scott is an active member of various societies — Masons, Odd Fellows, etc., and is a deacon of the Congregationalist Church and a trustee of Brewster Free Academy.

Dr. Herman I. Berry, born in New Durham, December 7, 1855, studied with Dr. Parker, of Farmington, attended medical lectures at Dartmouth and Brunswick, and received his degree of M. D. at the Pulty Medical School, Cincinnati, Ohio, in the spring of 1875. He began practice in Farmington, removed to Lynn, then to Acton, Maine, and in 1884 came to Wolfeborough where he now is in active practice.

Dr. S. P. Getchell, a physician and surgeon of reputation, came to Wolfeborough from Maiden, Mass., in 1897. He served as surgeon during the War of the Rebellion, enlisting in a Maine regiment from Portland, where he was then established. He is an authority on the history of the war, and is a gentleman of wide culture.

Dr. Curtis B. Cotton began the practice of medicine in Wolfe- borough some twelve years ago. He acquired hisi medical edu- cation at Johns Hopkins and other well-known schools and has a wide practice.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 467

Dr. Edwin H. Thompson acquired his medical education at Dartmouth and Bowdoin Medical Schools, the New York Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York Post Grad- uate School. He confines himself to office practice.

Dr. H. W. Bradford, a prominent eye specialist, has made his home here for the past two or three years, but has not been in active practice on account of poor health. Dr. G. H. Clough is also a practising oculist.

Dr. Oliver Dowling has practised dentistry here for many years and has had a somewhat active hand in the town's affairs. He is prominent in fraternal circles. Dr. Frederick E. Header, a native of the town and a graduate of Harvard Dental School, divides his time between Wolfeborough and his Boston office.

CHAPTER XXX.

MILLS AND MANUFACTURING — THE OLD TAVERNS — THE NEWER SUMMER HOTELS — BANKS — EARLY STORES AND TRADERS.

A GRISTMILL was erected on Smith's River as early as the <«V spring of 1771. This was done by A. R. Cutter and David Sewall. Probably George Meserve built a sawmill on the same stream in 1769. Cutter and Sewall no doubt improved the sawmill. They were sole or part owners of these mills for many years. The mills have been repeatedly remodeled or rebuilt. Among the owners have been William Kent, Joseph Kent, Na- thaniel Rogers, James Rogers, Stephen and Daniel Pickering, John M. Brackett, William Thompson, Moses Thompson, Blake Fol- som, George W. Hersey, Winthrop D. Hersey, Luther G. Cate, William C. Thompson, Frank E. Hersey, Fred E. Hersey, Mrs. E. G. Colby, Mrs. I. C. Thompson, and the O. P. Berry Company. The first person who had charge of the gristmill was Thomas Piper. John Lucas, Charles Stackpole, Elisha Goodwin, Isaac C. Thompson, John Patterson, and Roscoe M. Flanders have been millers. At the same falls are situated the piano-stool fac- tory of the late Lorenzo Home.

Existing debris shows that there was once a sawmill on the Wentworth farm. A few years after the settlement, Jonathan Lary built a sawmill on the largest tributary of Lake Weat- worth. It was first known as Lary's, then Triggs', and now as Willey's mill. In 1818 nineteen farmers jointly built a saw- mill higher up on the same stream, called at first the Tebbetts' and afterwards the Isaac Willey mill. At the same place Dudley Hardy had a small gristmill. On this same stream, which is the outlet of Batson's Pond, there was also at one time a tannery, owned by Hezekiah Willand, and a shop with machinery, owned

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROU&H. 469

by Nathaniel Frost. Now Willey's mill alone utilizes its water- power.

On the Rye-Field Brook Dudley Chamberlin once had a corn- mill. William Kent and James Hersey erected a sawmill on the stream which is the outlet of Sargeant's Pond, now known as the Hersey Brook. This mill was afterwards rebuilt by George W. Hersey. On the same stream John Lucas had a small grist- mill. It was located near the present site of the farmhouse oc- cupied by George Tyler. William Kent built a sawmill on the Harvey Brook, which was subsequently removed to Smith's River upper falls by Paul H. Varney, who erected in 1816 a woolen factory. This was burned in 1841. On its site Charles and Moses R. Warren erected a starch factory, which continued in operation but a few years. There was also a tannery here.

The fall of water on Mink Brook, the outlet of Rust's Pond at South Wolfeborough, exceeds sixty feet, and at different times there has been considerable machinery on the stream : a gristmill, a sawmill, a shingle-mill, a chair factory, a pipe factory, a wool- carding and cloth-dressing establishment, a tannery, a foundry, and a woolen factory. A large portion of this property has been destroyed by fire. The whole of this water-power is not now used. The South Wolfeborough Blanket and Flannel Manufac- turing Company was incorporated in 1861. The name of the corporation was afterwards changed to the Wolfeborough Woolen Mills. The factory building is leased by Charles W. Springfield, successor to I. W. Springfield, who employs seventy-five help, and makes forty thousand blankets annually. Mr. I. W. Spring- field ran this mill from 1854 to January, 1900. Several small establishments are located on other streams, and there have also been small tanneries and brick-yards in various localities.

The Steam Mill Company, established in 1851 by Moses and Augustus Varney, Alpheus Swett, and Benjamin Morrison, be- came in 1865 the property of Libbey, Varney & Co. (Alvah S. Libbey, Augustus J. Varney, and Alonzo Thompson). Some

4?o

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

ten years ago Mr. Thompson retired from the firm, and upon the death of Mr. Libbey in 1896, the business was purchased by his two sons, Frederick S. and Edward J. Libbey. Two years ago the property came into the possession of Messrs. Stephen W. Clow and Charles F. Piper. The firm manufactures sawed lumber and box shook, and employs thirty men.

Hersey Bros., whose names appear as former owners of the mills at the falls, upon disposing of their plant to the O. P. Berry Company, built a well-equipped mill a short distance away. Here they manufacture finish and building material, and have recently erected many summer cottages by contract. They em- ploy about twelve men.

The O. P. Berry Company operate an extensive excelsior plant and manufacture large quantities of oak handles of various discrip- tions. The firm consists of Oliver P., George W., Hosea G., and Albert O. Berry. The firm employs some fifteen men.

Frank Hutchins has for the past fifteen years done a large excelsior business and has more recently added a leather board mill to his plant. The leather board mill is at the lower falls, and a newly constructed dam farther up stream furnishes power for a well-equipped excelsior plant. Mr. Hutchins employs fifteen men.

The Lake Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company was in- corporated in 1873. Its capital was limited to one hundred thou- sand dollars by the charter and fixed at forty thousand dollars. This concern did a large business for several years. The incor- porators were John M. Brackett, Moses Thompson, C. W. Thurston, C. H. Hersey, C. P. Hasty, Isaiah Wiggin, Charles S. Paris, Charles H. Parker, William B. Rendall, Alex. H. Dur- gin, Joshua B. Haines, I. B. Manning, Moses T. Cate, and John G. Cate.

The first tanner was Moses Varney. He began business near the site of the present bank building, but afterwards removed to the place where the Varney tannery now stands, not far from

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

47 i

Friend Street. This Moses was succeeded in turn by his son, Joseph, his grandson, Moses, and his great-grandson, William. The property is now used for storage purposes. Another of the original Moses' grandsons, Joseph, has been a leather manufac- turer for many years. For several years he had as a partner his son-in-law, George F. Symonds. The plant was located on the lake shore and has been recently purchased by the Boston Excelsior Company.

The Wolfeborough Steam Power Company was incorporated August 4, 1883, to build a shoe factory. A building was erected in 1884 at an expense of thirty thousand dollars. It was intended for two establishments, and was four stories high, with a length of two hundred feet and a width of thirty-six, having two L's thirty-six by seventy-five feet. J. M. Cropley & Bro. and F. W. and I. M. Monroe, shoe manufacturers of Marblehead, Mass., became occupants. After the fire which destroyed it in 1887, the property of the Steam Power Company was transferred to the Wolfeborough Construction Company. This company put up a similar building on the same site, which is now occupied by Spalding & Swett, who came from Haverhill, Mass.

About 1781 William Cotton opened a store at the present residence of Albert Cotton. The old storeroom is now a part of the family kitchen. Samuel Dimon, previous to 1800, com- menced trade at Dimon's Corner (now North Wolfeborough). Dimon also kept tavern. A few years afterward he was succeeded by Aaron Roberts, who remained in business as a merchant and tailor a long time. Pierce L. and Brackett Wiggin, brothers, and Augustine D. Avery also had stores there. Roberts was succeeded by Hersey & Coleman, and they by George J. Burke. Hezekiah Willand and son. Arthur J. Wiiland, have been en- gaged in merchandising there for several years. There have been small stores at Wolfeborough Centre at different times.

The first store at Wolfeborough Falls was opened by Nathaniel Rogers. He may have been succeeded by William Thompson.

472

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

In 1848 Parker & Wiggin commenced trade, and with their suc- cessor, H. B. Parker, continued the business more than thirty years. Hodge & Heath and Joseph P. Heath sold goods for a score of years or more. Colonel Jonathan Copp had a store in early time at Kendall's Corner. John W. Home traded there for a time. In later years, one Langley was the local merchant. Bradstreet Doe came to town in 1810, purchased a small farm near Kendall's Corner, where he manufactured hats until the business became unprofitable.

The first trader at South Wolfeborough was one of the Rust family, Henry B. Henry Rust Parker was in trade there quite early. Henry B. Rust continued the longest time in mercantile business. John W. Avery and several others have dealt in mer- chandise there.

The first store at Smith's bridge was built by Andrew Jewett. William Rogers came soon after. John L. Piper commenced trade early, followed by Piper & Avery. Richard Rust was an early trader here ; he was succeeded by his son Thomas, and he by Rust & Farrar. Smith & Crosby were also merchants, as was James Pike, and later, John Barker, Oilman Cooper, and many more. The persons who continued in trade the longest were Daniel Pickering and Samuel Avery. Mr. Pickering com- menced business in the building since known as the Manning House. About 1830 he built a large store at Pickering's Corner. He was the largest dealer in town. Mr. Avery erected the store until recently occupied by Almon Eaton, about 1824.

Taverns were quite common, but rather small affairs in the early settlement. John Sinclair is said to have had the first. On the main road at different times taverns were kept by James Connor, Widow Evans, and others. In 1795 Andrew Jewett built an inn at the Bridge village ; this was a one-story building, forty feet in length. After Jewett's death, Richard Rust look his widow and the tavern ; he added one story to the house, and at his demise was succeeded bv his son Thomas, and he in turn

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 473

by several others. It was once called "Jewett's" then "Rust's Tavern," was for several years the Lake Hotel, and is now the Sheridan House, W. E. Wiggin, proprietor. This was for some years the principal tavern in that part of the town. John Picker- ing for some years kept a public house, occupying the premises now owned by his niece, Mrs. Charles Rollins.

Captain Moses Brown opened a tavern near the close of the last century, on Brown's Ridge. It being situated on one of the principal thoroughfares in the easterly part of New Hampshire, he did a flourishing business, and at his death he left to each of his several sons three thousand dollars. The business and thrift of the establishment continued under the management of his widow, who was an energetic woman. One son, Adam, ac- cumulated a large fortune. The old homestead is in the posses- sion of Mrs. F. P. Adams, daughter of Adam Brown.

James Pike had a tavern near the present site of the Bank Building. Colonel Jonathan Copj> kept tavern for many years in the large house at Rendall's Corner, now occupied by Mr. '< Rendall. A hotel was kept for some years at South Wolfe- borough, several different proprietors have had charge of it. The mill-house at Wolfeborough Falls was for years an "inn." In 1781 William Cotton set up a small tavern where his great- grandson, Albert Cotton, now resides. About the same time, William Glynn established one near where Harry Smith lives. Afterwards William Triggs had one at the David Chamberlain place. Thomas furnished "entertainment" near Dimon's Cor- ner, as did likewise some others. In 1807 Samuel Wiggin was an innkeeper.

The Pavilion at Wolfeborough village was erected by a com- pany of citizens in 1849 or T^5O- It was originated by Daniel Pickering, and built and furnished largely by him and his son- in-law, Charles Rollins. Daniel Chamberlain was the first pro- prietor, and gave it a valuable reputation as a summer hotel. Large additions were made to it later, and it accommodated two

474 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

hundred and fifty guests. This building and lot finally came into the possession of Brewster Free Academy. The house was razed and the land graded and grassed. The only tangible evi- dence of the famous old hotel now in existence is the dilapidated porte cocker e, now reposing near the corner of Lake Street. The name of the hotel was in recent years changed to Kings- wood Inn.

The Glendon was built by John L. Peavey and C. W. Thurs- ton in 1874. It is one of the finest constructed hotels in the lake region, cost twenty-nine thousand dollars to build, and was opened for guests in 1874. In 1881 it passed into the ownership of the Carroll County Savings Bank. Afterwards it passed through the hands of several parties, and is now success- fully conducted as an all-the-year house by Frank P. Hobbs, under the name of Hobb's Inn.

The Belvue House is the former dwelling-house of Oilman Cooper. Daniel Horn, son of James Horn, from Yarmouth, Maine, commenced hotel life in the Pavilion in 1855, took charge of the Winnipesaukee House at Alton for three years during the Civil War, purchased this house of W. H. Jones in October, 1868, and opened it as a hotel. A lady boarder conversant with European life, named it the "Belvue." The house was enlarged in 1872 to accommodate seventy-five guests, was popularly known as "Horn's on the Lake," and commands a delightful view. Mr. Horn at the time of his death, was the oldest landlord, in point of service, in town.

Summer Boarding-houses. — Glen Cottage, Levi Horn ; Lake View House, C. W. Oilman ; Hersey House, Mrs. W. D. Her- sey;.in the village. Meader Retreat, S. A. Meader ; Maple Cot- tage, J. L. Wiggin ; Piper's Farmhouse, J. W. Piper ; Stewart House, H B. Stewart ; Pebble Cottage, W. B. Fullerton ; on the main road to Tuftonborough. Fair View House, S. N. Furber ; in Pine Hill district. Highland Cottage, J. L. Goldsmith ; at the Highlands.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

475

Wolfeborough Bank was organized under an act of incorpor- ation approved July 5, 1834, with a capital of one hundred thou- sand dollars. The stock was mostly owned by New York parties, although people of Dover were interested. The directors were Nathaniel Rogers, Samuel Avery, Joseph Hanson, John P. Hale, Daniel Pickering, John Williams, Thomas E. Sawyer. Daniel Pickering, was president ; Thomas E. Sawyer, cashier.

A brick block was constructed for its occupancy near Picker- ing's Corner, and the strong vault built for it is still in use. Augustine D. Avery soon became cashier, and was succeeded by Thomas Rust. This bank went down in the financial reverses succeeding the panic of 1837.

The Lake Bank was incorporated as a state bank July 15, 1854, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars. The first board of directors was : John M. Brackett, Daniel Bassett, Jr., Jeremiah F. Hall, Eleazer D. Barker, George W. Hersey, George Rust, Thomas L. Whitton, J. M. Brackett, president; Abel Haley, cashier. The bank began business in November, 1854, in the Wolfeborough Bank building, and did business there till January 5, 1856, when a committee was appointed to purchase the four southerly rooms in the brick building near the steamboat land- ing. This was done and the bank removed there, where it was located until it closed its existence. There was no change in president or cashier from the first.

The Lake National Bank, successor to the Lake Bank, char- tered for twenty years, was organized May 6, 1865, with a capital of seventy-five thousand dollars. Directors : John M. Brackett, George Rust, Moses Thompson, George W. Hersey, Aaron Roberts, Blake P'olsom, Otis Evans, J. M. Brackett, president; Charles G. Tibbetts, cashier. In November, 1871, Charles F. Parker succeeded Mr. Tibbetts as cashier, and held the office continuously until the dissolution of the bank. This was brought about principally through the machinations of one W. E. Jeweit,

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

of Lawrence, Mass., who is now serving a sentence in states prison for illegal practices.

The Carroll County Five Cents Savings Bank started out under good auspices and was well patronized. It was, however, closed up after some years of business at a loss to depositors.

The Wolfeborough Savings Bank was organized July 12, 1871. First officers, October 29, 1872: President, Stephen Durgin ; vice-president, Elisha Goodwin, Jr. ; treasurer, Joseph L. A very ; trustees, Addison W. Banfield, Jethro R. Furber, John W. Sanborn, Joseph H. Bickford, Charles G. Cate, Jacob F. Brown, Alphonzo H. Rust, William C. Fox, George W. Furber, William H. Jones, James H. Neal, Joshua B. Haines, John M. Emerson, Enos G. Whitehouse, Charles B. Edgerly, Joseph L. Avery. October 30, 1877, Ira Banfield was chosen vice-president to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Elisha Goodwin, Jr. February 16, 1878, Joseph L. Avery resigned the office of treas- urer, and Ira Banfield was chosen treasurer, holding the office until the bank's liquidation a few years since.

The banking business of the town is now satisfactorily done by the Wolfeborough Loan and Banking Company, established in 1889. The bank carries on a general business, and has a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The present officers are John W. Sanborn, president; John L. Peavey, vice-president; Charles F. Piper, cashier ; directors, John W. Sanborn, John L. Peavey, Charles H. Willey, James E. French, John H. Beacham, Albert O. Robinson, Robert H. Pike, Simon Blake, and Mayhew C. Clark.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE AVERY FAMILY — SAMUEL AVERY'S CONNECTION WITH THE OLD ACADEMY — INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF HENRY WILSON — THOMPSON FAMILY — HUGGINS FAMILY — STEVENSON FAMILY — DANIEL PICKERING, WOLFEBOROUGH'S LEADING CITIZEN — CHARLES ROLLINS — THOMAS L. WHITTON.

JOSHUA AVERY was born in Stratham, October 23, 1740. His son Joshua came to Wolfeborough early in the century, went into trade in company with John L. Piper, and died here in 1805, aged twenty-nine years. In 1818 Samuel Avery, a son of the first Joshua, came to Wolfeborough. He purchased the lot now occupied by Augustine D. Avery. This land had pre- viously been owned by Samuel Leavitt, John L. Piper, Samuel Piper, and Joshua Avery in succession.

Mr. Avery at once opened a store and carried on several in- dustries. He continued in trade until his death, which occurred October 5, 1858. He served five terms as town clerk and four terms as selectman. After the establishment of the Wolfe- borough and Tuftonborough Academy Mr. Avery was accustomed to board teachers and pupils, and many a lad was assisted in this way who would otherwise have found it difficult to obtain an education. Vice-President Henry Wilson was a member of his family while a student at that institution. It may not be amiss to notice here some facts in Wilson's early history which have not before been made public.

In early life the future statesman had little oportunity for attending school, although he did have access to a good library owned by a gentleman in Farmington village, which was not very far distant from the farm on which he worked. After the severe labors of the day he was accustomed to spend his even-

477

478 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

ings in general reading, and thereby became quite well versed in history and some other subjects, but in such knowledge as is usually obtained in the schools he was very deficient.

After closing the obligated term of service with the farmer with whom he had spent his youth, he went to Natick for the purpose of working at the brogan business. He remained there for some time, until he had earned a small sum of money. Hav- ing a desire to see the distinguished public men of the country, he visited the national capital and returned to New England fired with an ambition to be somebody himself. Soon after he came to Wolfeborough and spent some months at the Academy. The following winter he taught the district school at South Wolfeborough.

The next season he concluded to attend a school at Concord, N. H. Having a little money on hand, he loaned a portion of it with an expectation of receiving it in season to meet his school expenses. When he required it for this purpose, it was not forth- coming. He, however, managed to square his account at Con- cord, and started for Farmington with a cash capital of ten cents.

As he acquired knowledge he became the more impressed with the necessity of obtaining a more thorough education and determined to take a collegiate course, if he could obtain pecu- niary aid. For this purpose he visited several towns in Strafford County, but found no one willing to advance him money. He then came to Wolfeborough and presented his case to a few persons in the town, but received no encouragement. Finally he came to Samuel Avery. Mr. Avery asked him if he thought he would be able to earn money enough as he went through his course to purchase his clothes and books. Mr. Wilson gave an affirmative answer. "Then," said Mr. Avery, "go to my house and board until you are prepared to enter college, and I will see you through." This reply brought tears to the eyes of the grate- ful Wilson.

Having previously made arrangements to take charge of a

SAMUEL AVERY

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

479

school for one term at Natick, he went to that place, expecting to return to Wolfeborough to enter upon a classical course of study. While there, however, a heated political campaign came on, and the speaking talents of the "Natick Cobbler" were brought into requisition. He was soon after elected a member of the Massachusetts legislature and continued to advance in pub- lic life until he died Vice-President of the United States.

Although circumstances prevented Mr. Wilson from availing himself of Mr. Avery's kind offer, he ever remembered it, and kept up a close intimacy with the family. It may not be improper to say that although politics ran high at that time, Mr. Wilson was a flaming Whig and Mr. Avery a confirmed Democrat.

Mr. Wilson was in great demand as a public speaker and when filling engagements within a reasonable distance of Wolfeborough always made his home with Mr. Avery. On one occasion, after he had been elected vice-president, he was visiting his old friend, and several prominent town's people took occasion to pay their respects to the then famous man. Sitting by the window, he looked out on the old Academy building, then standing just op- posite, and, overcome with a flood of reminiscence, exclaimed in a broken voice, "All that I am, I owe to Mr. Avery. His en- couragement sustained me when I knew not which way to turn." The very chair he sat in now occupies the place it then had in Mr. Augustine Avery's sitting-room.

To Samuel Avery more than any other man was due the estab- lishment of the old Academy. Two hundred shares of stock of ten dollars each were placed on sale. Only one hundred and fifty were sold, and after the building was erected and covered in, in- terest in the project flagged. Mr. Avery then purchased forty- three of the remaining fifty shares and proceeded to finish the hall and a schoolroom. New zeal was thereby aroused, and the Academy became at once a success.

Mr. Avery's children were: Augustine D., born Oct. 16, 1814; Joseph L., born Jan. 12, 1817; Ann Eliza, born Nov. 25, 1819;

480 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

married Leander Thompson, who was for five years a missionary in Syria and has since held several pastorates in Massachusetts, died, Feb. 22, 1901.

Augustine D. Avery has been a merchant and farmer. He has served as town clerk twice, county commissioner two years, and representative three times. Children: Mary E., born Nov. 16, 1855, died young; Dudley L., born Aug. u, 1857, drowned June 24, 1874; Samuel A., born March 5, 1860 died young; Samuel, born March 14, 1862 ; Belle, born March 27, 1866.

Joseph L. Avery has been a merchant and farmer and has held the offices of town clerk and treasurer. He has also been treasurer of the Wolfeborough Savings Bank. Children : Joseph W., born Aug. 14, 1867, died young; Joseph C, born June I, 1874.

Moses Thompson, who bore the same name as his father, came from Deerfield to Wolfeborough in 1800. His father had pre- viously taught school in town. He settled in what is now known as Pleasant Valley, then and for many years afterward called Raccoon-borough, possibly from Raccoon Hill in the old town of Deerfield. The settler Moses married Sally Fox and had seven children : Benjamin F., married Mary Brewster and Han- nah Wiggin (widow) ; William, married Nancy Rogers; Samuel, married Phoebe Rogers ; Hannah ; Moses, married Hannah Marble Rust; Jane, married George Y. Furber; Sarah, married John M. Brackett.

Benjamin F. was one of the leading men of his time. He farmed somewhat extensively, was representative twice and selectman eight terms. His children, all by his first wife, were : Mark F., died in Dover ; Mary J., married Ivory Keniston ; Sarah E., married William Adams; Benjamin B., resides in Phila- delphia ; John M., was a soldier in the Civil War and died at Har- wood hospital.

William was a farmer and tanner. He also preached and prac- tised medicine. He possessed great energy and a powerful physique. His children were : Moses, died in the West ; Nathaniel

MCSES THOMPSON

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 481

T., died in Minneapolis ; William C., has been a hotel-keeper in Lynn and manager of the Glendon Hotel ; Mary, died at Helena, Montana ; Henry, lives West ; Samuel, died young.

Samuel, son of Moses, was a farmer and mechanic. His chil- dren were Sarah, married John Tabor ; Samuel, lives in Boston ; Isaac, married Nellie Colby, Susan, married Charles H. Guptill; William ; Gertie, married John McGrath, of Boston, Mass.

Moses Thompson 3rd was born March 4, 1811. He remained with his father on the farm until twenty-one years of age. His education was gained at the district school, with a few terms at the Wrolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy.

When he was of age he received five hundred dollars from his father, who earned and laid by that amount for each son. This money he invested in hides, which he tanned in a small tannery erected by himself and brother Benjamin on the farm. A portion of the leather he carried to Boston and sold, receiving his pay in money and hides. A portion of the hides he cut into shoes and hired made. These were perhaps the first shoes manufactured in Wolfeborough. Later he carried on a tannery at Wolfe- borough Falls for Daniel Pickering. In 1847 he moved to Wolfe- borough village and lived in a house standing on the lot now occu- pied by the residence of Mr. Blake Folsom. He entered the employ of Daniel Pickering as shoe cutter, and later a partnership was formed of Pickering, Brackett & Thompson for the manufacture of shoes. In connection with the shoe business they carried on a country store at Pickering's Corner. This partnership con- tinued until the death of Mr. Pickering.

In 1856 Mr. Thompson, Capt. Augustus Walker, of Concord, and J. M. Brackett built the brick block known as the Bank Building. In this building, Thompson & Brackett manufactured brogan shoes for the Southern trade, and Mr. Thompson and George Rust carried on the grocery business. In this building was also located the State Bank and the Carroll County Five Cent Savings Bank, Mr. Thompson being trustee of each, also

482 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

later the president. He was treasurer of the Lake Boot and Shoe Co. For several years he was engaged in the marble business, and later in the mill and lumber business. All through life he was successful in buying and selling real estate. Several of the most desirable lots on Main Street have passed through his hands. Later in life he laid out Pine Street.

He was a representative and twice elected to the office of select- man. He was also connected with the commissary department in the late war. He was ever interested in the prosperity of his native town and especially that it should have good roads and excellent schools. For many years he was trustee of the Wolfe- borough and Tuftonborough Academy, also trustee of the Chris- tian Institute, and gave liberally towards its support. He became a Mason in 1856. He was baptized by Elder Mark Fernald in 1839 and joined the Christian Church.

May 7, 1840, Mr. Thompson married Hannah M. Rust, daughter of William Rust. Their children are : William Rust, born March 4, 1841, died May 24, 1865; Moses F., born May 20, 1846, married Abbie H. Hersey, Dec. 28, 1870, died in Min- neapolis Jan. 23, 1890, left two sons, Lester H. and Dana M., now residing in Minneapolis ; Ella M., born March 20, 1847, married Henry R. Parker, they have two daughters and one son, deceased ; Ada F., born Dec. 28, 1852, resides in Wolfeborough ; Alberta A., born July 13, 1854, died Dec. 20, 1860; Fred A., born Aug. 20, 1857, resides in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Thompson died Dec. n, 1897.

Moses Thompson, the son of William, married Ruth Ann, the daughter of John Tappan Parker. He died in the West some three years since. His children were : Rolan P., born Jan. 6, 1855, married Ellen M. Brown; Charles C, born May 12, 1858, married Alice M. Parker; Reta B., born July 13, 1861, died young; Xellie X., born Dec. 13, 1867, married Fred R. Graves.

The Huggins family is of early Saxon origin, coming down through centuries in England, and members of it are frequently

SAMUEL MUGGINS

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 483

mentioned in connection with civic honors and positions of re- sponsibility. The progenitor of the family in New Hampshire was John Huggins, who came to Hampton in 1640.

Samuel Huggins was of the third generation in this country. His ancestors lived in Greenland, N. H., near what was called "The Parade," and what is still called "Huggins's Lane" was doubtless a part of the original farm. His father, John Huggins, moved from Greenland to Wakefield, and located near Huggins Brook as early as 1/90. Here he made a home, having married Anna Mordough, of Wakefield. In early manhood Samuel went to Wenham, Mass., to superintend farm work. In 1817 he mar- ried Sally L. Wyatt, and they came to Wolfeborough to live, having bought what was known as the Deacon Wormwood farm in the east part of the town. He paid down one thousand dollars in silver that he had saved for the purpose. On this homestead their ten children were born, and here the parents lived, died, and were buried, the father reaching the age of nearly ninety-two years.

Samuel Huggins was a man of good physique, more than six feet tall and well proportioned. He was conservative by nature ; in politics he was a Whig in earlier life, voting that ticket when but nineteen Whig votes were cast in town. In later years he was a Republican. In religion he was a Methodist, and his home was always open to the circuit-rider as on horseback he went through the towns of Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough. One of the strongest characteristics of Mr. Huggins was his tenderness of heart. Not only the children but every animal on the farm knew this. Always careful and exact in his dealings, he was a thor- oughly honest man.

Thiee of the sons, Nathaniel, John P., and Samuel J., have been successful hotel-keepers. The Cosmopolitan Hotel in New York City is owned by them. Elizabeth G. Huggins, their eldest daughter, married Charles Remick. Of their five children but one survives, Lydia F., wife of Joseph WT. Chadwick, of Maiden,

484 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Mass. The two sons of Nathaniel Huggins were educated at Lafayette College. Of the grandchildren of Samuel Huggins but one other survives, Almon W. Eaton, of Wolfeborough. There are only three great-grandchildren, Grace E. Douglas of Ames- bury, Mass., and the two children of George L. Huggins of New York City.

Of the ten children of Samuel Huggins there are now living, John P., of New York City, Samuel J., of New York City, Mrs. Sally A. Eaton, of Wolfeborough, and Mrs. Mary R. Martin, wife of James H. Martin, of Wolfeborough.

John P. Huggins is a worthy example of the self-made man. He was born at Wolfeborough, May 2, 1826. He came to in- dustrious ancestors, and was a worker from very early years, as- sisting his father on the farm. He attended the district school winters, and had the advantage of Wolfeborough and Tufton- borough Academy for several terms. The common school of a few months in each year for the practical business life of New England in that period did its work well. At the age of eighteen Mr. Huggins went to Boston, where he remained one year as clerk at the Bromfield House, and returning to Wolfeborough was a pupil of the academy for six months. He was then at Dartmouth Hotel, Hanover, as clerk for one year. From there he went to Lowell, Mass., where he was with Henry Emory at the Merrimac House for two years as bookkeeper. In 1852 Mr. Hug- gins removed to New York City, where he has since been a resident and prominent man in many directions. He was at first employed as clerk in Love.joy's Hotel on Park Row, but the following year he purchased the interest of the proprietors, Libbey & Whitney, and continued the hotel business there for twenty years satis- factorily and successfully. He then, with his brothers, Nathaniel and Samuel J., bought the property of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, corner of Chambers Street and West Broadway, and they have conducted it since that time.

Mr. Huggins, however, has had other outlets for the exercise

JO'-'N P. MUGGINS

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 485

of his business acumen and financial ability, and many enterprises and undertakings have been promoted by his interest in them. He was at one time president of the Metropolitan Gas Light Com- pany, and for many years a director ; is now a director of the Consolidated Gas Light Company, also of several banks and savings institutions of New York City ; of the Citizens' Gas Light Company of Rochester, N. Y., and a director of the Lake National Bank of Wolfeborough, and at one time its vice-president. He has been on the board of education of New York City for more than thirty years. In all these manifold activities Mr. Huggins has shown a thorough adaptability and a remarkable discernment, and has proved himself a natural financier. Politically he has al- ways been a Republican.

But there are other phases of Mr. Huggins' character worthy of record. The unostentatious manner in which he has used his wealth ; the warm interest he has ever manifested in his birth- place ; the patient industry that characterized his early manhood ; the persevering energy which he evinced when he entered upon active business life ; his kindness and affection in all his family relations, and the genial spirit of his social life have made him warm friends in the city of his adoption and the town of his nativity. One of the leading citizens of Wolfeborough says of him: ''By honesty, industry, sobriety, and ability, backed by perseverance, he won his way step by step. He always mani- fested a great interest in adding to the comforts of the family, making large additions to the old homestead farm in the life- time of his parents, and never counting dollars or cents in im- proving and caring for the welfare of his sisters. He has marked financial ability and honesty, always despising trickery and fraud ; is a social, genial friend, plain and honest spoken, and an honor ot his native town."

Joseph, the grandfather of Thomas Stevenson, came from Yorkshire, England, and settled on the Isles of Shoals. His son Joseph settled in Durham, where he married a wife who bore him

486

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

two sons and two daughters. Upon her decease he married a widow who had two sons and two daughters by a former husband. The only symmetrical result of such a union (and one that actually came about) was that two sons and two daughters should be born. Thomas, the Wolfeborough settler, was one of this third crop of sons. When a young man, he came to Brookfield, where he taught school. He afterwards pursued the same vocation in Wolfeborough. He married, about 1800, Sarah Johnson, of Brookfield and settled on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Albert J. Stevenson. He served as selectman and town clerk for several terms and was a useful citizen in various lines.

His son Samuel, now the oldest man in town (aged nearly ninety-one years), has served as selectman, and his son James has held various town offices.

Joseph, another son of Thomas, was a mason and farmer as is his son Albert J. Henry J., son of Joseph, is a prominent citizen of East Boston, following the business of contractor. He has represented his district in the Massachusetts Legislature. His family have a summer home on the old farm.

William Goldsmith came from Salem, Mass., to work on the governor's farm. He settled on the Frost road. His son, Joshua H., had fifty acres of a nearby lot and here reared two children, John L., born October 24, 1826, who now occupies the farm now known as Goldsmith Heights, and Mary E., born January 18, 1826, who married Ellis Upton, of Washington, D. C. Leavitt C., the only son of John L., lives with his father.

Daniel Pickering, son of William and Abigail (Fabyan) Pick- ering, was born in Greenland, N. H., November 22, 1795, where his early life was passed. He acquired a good education at Brackett Academy in Greenland and Philips Exeter Academy. On arriving at maturity he came to Wolfeborough and im- mediately engaged in merchandising. He was very successful and soon erected the store at Pickering's Corner, continuing in business as a merchant for thirty-five years. At one time he had

DANIEL PICKERING

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROVGH. 487

three stores in active operation, that at Wolfeborough village, one at Goose Corner, and another at Tuftonborough. About 1840 he formed a co-partnership with John M. Brackett, Ira P. Nudd, and Moses Thompson to manufacture shoes for Boston parties in connection with merchandising. The amount of business trans- acted by Mr. Pickering as a merchant was unusually large for the times, and he was also connected with every branch of com- mercial activity in Wolfeborough. He carried on the manufac- ture of brick on a large scale. He founded and was a large owner of the stock of the Pickering Manufacturing Co., whose woolen and satinet mills were located at Wolfeborough Falls. He pur- chased large tracts of timber and carried on extensive lumbering operations, was one of the incorporators of the Wolfeborough Bank, and its president, and one of the stock company that built the steamer "Lady of the Lake." He, with his son-in-law, Charles Rollins, were the prime movers in the erection of the Pavilion Hotel.

In 1820 Mr. Pickering was one of the three persons mentioned in the act of incorporation of the Wolfeborough and Tufton- borough Academy. The council that organized the Congrega- tional Church met at his house, and he and his wife were among the twelve first members. He also gave the lot on which the church stands to the Congregational Society, to be held as long as it should be used for church purposes. Mr. Pickering married, June 20, 1822, Sarah C., daughter of Joseph Farrar, of Wolfe- borough.

In person Mr. Pickering was somewhat above medium size, with dark hair and eyes, and while quiet and a man of few words in business, was very pleasant and social in society. An "old line'' Whig in politics, he was postmaster for many years through various administrations. He died very suddenly February 14, 1856. Mr. Pickering was the foremost citizen of his time in Wolfeborough. That his memory lasts is shown by the designa- tions, "Pickering's Corner" and "Pickering School."

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Charles Rollins was born at Somersworth, N. H., May 30, 1812, being a descendant of James Rollins, who emigrated to America in 1632 with the settlers at Ipswich, Mass., and in about 1642 he received a grant of land at Dover, N. H., where he permanently settled. Mr. Rollins came to Boston when quite a young man and engaged in the business of contractor and builder, which he carried on with great success until 1870. Many fine buildings were the result of his labors, among them being the Central Congregational Church on Berkeley Street and the Adams House on Washington Street.

Mr. Rollins was greatly interested, when a young man, in politics. A strong Republican, he declined to hold any public offices, although offered a number at different times in the city government, devoting nearly all his time to his business. In 1849, with Daniel Pickering, he erected the Pavilion Hotel and continued as its owner until his death. Mr. Rollins was always interested in the welfare and progress of Wolfeborough. He married Caroline Dana Pickering, daughter of Daniel Pickering, January u, 1848. Mr. Rollins died very suddenly at his home on Commonwealth Avenue, in Boston, March 4, 1897.

Mr. Rollins yearly visited Wolfeborough and his family still occupy as a summer home the handsome estate, formerly the Pickering tavern, on Main Street.

Thomas Lupton Whitton, son of George and Esther (Copp) Whitton was born in Wakefield, August 8, 1811. On his paternal side he descends from a noted family in Yorkshire, England, his father emigrating to this country when he was entering man's estate, about 1800. His sister Margaret was the wife of Daniel Raynard, Esq., who became owner of the Wentworth nvjn>ion and surrounding farm. George Whitton visited this farm and purchased one hundred acres of land nearby, but did not occupy it, as he had became acquainted with the family of Captain David Copp, of Wakefield, and marrying his daughter Esther, lie settled in that town as innkeeper and farmer. About 1826 Mr. Whitton

CHARLES RCLLINS

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 489

removed to Wolfeborough and made his home on that part of the governor's farm he had purchased so long- before. Here he passed the remainder of his life, dying December, 17, 1852. His wife survived him, dying September 5, 1857. George Whitton was a man of fine proportions, six feet in height, energetic, and possessed of rare good judgment in practical matters. He was an "old line" Democrat. His wife possessed a large amount of that energy, capability, and attractiveness so characteristic of the best New England women of that period, and her home was a model one. They had three children, George Washington, Thomas L., and David Copp.

Thomas L. Whitton had common school and academic educa- tion. He married Sally, daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Page) Morse, of Kingston, where she was born June 29, 1812, and settled as a farmer near his father, and finally purchased the homestead, which he still occupies. He has been largely in- terested in raising, buying, and selling cattle, and his business has been purely agricultural through life, except that in early life he was for some terms a successful school-teacher. Mr. Whitton inherited many qualities from his mother, and has for long years been a most valuable citizen, popular with the people, and one of Wolfeborough's representative men. He has been moderator ten times, selectman nine times, representative four times, member of the governor's council twice, and twice delegate to constitu- tional conventions. Originally a Democrat, he was one of the earliest Free-soil men, and has been a Republican from the or- ganization of the party, and one of its most faithful and successful workers. He has been a member of the Congregational Church from early manhood, and a Freemason for many years. His public duties were ever discharged with conscientiousness, and his private life has been marked by warm social feelings and quiet unobtrnsiveness. Mr. and Mrs. Whitton have four surviving children, Charles A., Oscar F., David E., William M. Charles A. married Annie E. Prescott. She died April 6, 1889. Their

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

children are Anietta Lilian, married Irving Oilman ; Abbie Anna, Ellie B., Oscar F., married Clarissa Blake ; children : Sarah M., married Frederick E. Header; Esther C., Clara L. and Dorothy B. David E., married Annetta A. Tibbetts, who died Dec. n, 1875, they had one son, Thomas Edwin, who died April 24, 1896; William M., married Susan Haines.

The Remick family are of German origin, the name being cor- rectly spelt Remich, and they originally lived upon the Moselle River. Christian Remick came to this country prior to 1652, and settled upon the shore of the Piscataqua River in Kittery, Me., about a mile from Portsmouth bridge. The homestead has al- ways remained in the Remick name until very recently.

Charles Remick, the subject of this sketch, was born in Kittery, Me., May 12, 1815. He was the son of Josiah and Lydia (Fer- nald) Remick. His father died when he was ten years old. At the age of sixteen he came to North Wolfeborough to learn the car- penter's trade, and served three years as an apprentice : beginning life at the end of this time with the capital of a new suit of home- spun. a rule, a jack-knife and a thorough knowledge of his trade. He married Elizabeth G. Huggins of East Wolfeborough. They made a home at Xorth Wolfeborough, and here united with the Methodist church, where he became leader of a choir of thirty young persons. Later, when living in Boston, he was one of the founders of the Tremont St. Methodist Episcopal church of that city.

In 1848 Mr. Remick returned to Xew Hampshire, and spent the remainder of his life at Wolfeborough Falls. He and his wife were members of the Free Baptist church of this place until their death, and always contributed liberally to its support. As a mechanic, he excelled ; and many of the best buildings in Car- roll County were erected under his supervision. During the civil war he was a quarter-master in the Portsmouth Xavy Yard.

The one great delight of his life was music, and he had been

CHARLES REMICK

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 491

chorister thirty-one years when age compelled him to drop the work. His struggle to introduce into church service instru- mental music, the first of the kind in town, is one of the most amusing matters connected with local history.

He was a man of deep convictions and pronounced opinions. He early became interested in national politics, and threw one of the first free-soil votes cast in Wolfeborough. He was a strong ad- vocate of temperance, and an avowed prohibitionist. He died July 2, 1890. Children: Lydia F., married Joseph W. Chadwick ; Adelia A., married Wm. B. Hodge : Marietta, married Rev. J. Frank Locke : Everett H. ; Everett. Of these only the eldest survives.

Alpheus Swett, who was born in Alfred, Me., in 1798, married Susan Rogers of Wolfeborough. Mr. Swett farmed for some years on Tuftonborough Neck and in 1849 removed to the Rogers farm in Wolfeborough village, where he lived until his death in 1884. After coming to Wolfeborough, Mr. Swett engaged in farming and, to some extent, in steamboating on the lake. He held several town offices in Tuftonborough and was known far and wide as a man of probity and high character.

Children: Eli C., born Nov. 2, 1826, married Sarah M. Hersey of Tuftonborough ; William T., married Kate Gray of Michigan, went west: Charles, died young; John R., married Mary Brown of Tuftonborough.

Eli C. has been a farmer and has had an active hand in lake navigation. He is referred to in the chapter on that subject. Children : Ella J., married Fred Stevens of Union ; Etta M., married Fred L. Melcher of Brunswick, Me. : Wilbra H., married Priscilla Stearns of Cleveland, Ohio.

John R. lived in Wolfeborough for several years and was en- gaged in steamboating. He now resides in Ossipee.

Wilbra H., the son of Eli C., left home in the early '8o's, and farmed a claim he had taken up in Mitchell, South Dakota. In 1889 he went to Bntte, Montana, and entered the employ of

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the management of the Anaconda and Butte and Boston Copper mines. He served in the state legislature two terms and in 1900 came back to his old home. He is now engaged in the hardware business here.

Joseph Lewando was born in Boston, Mass., Dec. 3, 1850, and is the son of Adolph and Emily (Smith) Lewando. He re- ceived his early education in the Chauncy Hall School, Boston, and at the Highland Military Academy in Worcester, Mass., and attended the chemical department of the Lawrence Scientific School at Cambridge during the years 1869 and 1870. His father had established at Watertown, Mass., the Lewando Dye Works, for the supervision and charge of which the son was trained. In 1870 he took charge and held the position for five years, when the business not being to his liking, he removed to Mt. Tabor, Oregon, where he engaged in general merchandise for eight years.

In 1883 he returned east and settled inWolfeborough — his wife's native town — where he conducts a general mercantile business. He was for three years in the New Hampshire National Guard as Captain of Company K., Third Regiment, and a member of the State Legislature in 1897 and 1899, serving in 1897 as chair- man of the Committee on Mileage and as a member of the Com- mittee on Banks, and in 1899 as chairman of the Committee on Military affairs. He was Alternate to the National Republican Convention at Minneapolis in 1892. and during the past fifteen years has held various offices in his adopted town. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, of Masons, of Carroll Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and of St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templar, of Dover, N. H. Mr. Lewando was married Septem- ber loth. 1875. to Nellie T. Morgan They have two children: Alice C. and Dolph.

THOMAS L. WHITTON

CHAPTER XXXII.

CASUALTIES AND FIRES — WILLIAM FULLERTON DROWNED THE YEAR THE TOWN WAS INCORPORATED — NUMEROUS DROWN- ING ACCIDENTS — THE VARNEY AND JEROME TRAGEDIES — HENRY RUST'S BOYS BURNED OUT — THE SOUTH WOLFE- BOROUGH FIRES — THE BIG FIRE OF 1887 — INCENDIARISM —LAST DISASTROUS FIRE.

IN 1768 William Fullerton was drowned in Smith River. Eleanor Hawkins was drowned in 1802. July 12, 1819, Mrs. Deborah Brown was killed by lightning. A babe on her breast was uninjured. In 1824 James Cate, while assisting in butcher- ing, fell into a tub of hot water and was scalded to death. Decem- ber 21, 1826, a daughter of Paul H. Varney was drowned in Crooked Pond while on her way to school. John Judkinswas killed by his son about 1830. In 1833 Stephen Giles was killed by the kick of a horse. A strange premonition of this was felt by Rev. Hiram Holmes on the Sabbath preceding. Mr. Giles was in his congregation in the morning and Mr. Holmes said that he was impressed that a person then present would die during the week. This he repeated with greater conviction during the afternoon. In 1802, Joshua Rust, son of Richard Rust, six years old, was thrown from a horse against the door-stone of his fathers house, killing him. About 1840 Aaron Frost was drowned while crossing a flooded meadow. About the same year Samuel Young died from exposure on a cold night. December 26, 1840, David, son of Dr. David T. Livy, eight years old, broke through the ice in Lake Winnipesaukee and was drowned. Jesse Nute was found dead in the road in 1841. In 1845 a child of Robert Estes fell into a vessel of hot water and was scalded to death. August 10, 1846, a boat was capsized near Clark's sands, in Wolfeborough Bay,

493

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

and A. Brewer, of Boston, aged twenty, S. T. Perry, of New Durham, aged seventeen, and Everett Huggins, of Wolfeborough, aged nine, were drowned. In 1855 Dexter May, ten years, was kicked to death by a horse. April 1.0, 1857, William Fullerton, aged fifty-eight, was drowned in Lake Winnipesaukee. March 15, 1860, a cannon burst, killing Joseph Garland, seventeen, and Everett Warren, fifteen. December 27, 1861, Mark A. Lucas perished from exposure. March 12, 1862, Deacon Richard Bick- ford, aged seventy-eight, was crushed to death by a heavily loaded wagon that he was driving. December 21, 1863, a child of Charles F. Chase was so scalded that death resulted. August, 1868, Wril- liam J. Tilden, of Lawrence, Mass., was thrown from a carriage and soon died. December 18, 1870, Benjamin Kimball was skat- ing to Pleasant Valley to attend a baptism, when the ice broke and he was drowned. February i, 1871, Samuel Jones was killed by the kick of a colt. March 13, 1874, Charles W. Varney, an active business man, twenty-eight years old, and George Stewart, a hired man, started to cross the lake to Alton and were never seen thereafter. Their horse and sleigh floated ashore in July. They were doubtless drowned, though divers searched for their bodies in vain. June 24, 1874, Dudley L. Avery, son of Augus- tine D. Avery, aged sixteen, was drowned near Wolfeborough Neck. September 12, 1874, Miss Fannie Home, aged seventy, was burned to death by her clothes taking fire. October 16,

1874, Joseph Hayes, sixty-five, was crushed so that he died the same day, by a building he was assisting in moving. July 14,

1875, Freddie, son of Daniel Delancl, aged eight years, and an- other boy of nearly the same age were drowned in the inner bay. Willie, a son of J. R. Duncan, was drowned in the lake May 8, 1878.

August 28, 1875, Lettie, a seven-year-old daughter of Rev. A. D. Fairbanks, fell into a cellar, receiving injuries from which she died two days later. April 6, 1879, Bertie, son of Arthur P. Young, a lad of four years, broke through the ice in the bay near

ALPHEUS S7/ETT

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 495

the mill at Wolfeborough Falls and was drowned. Dec. 15, 1877, a daughter of James Bresnehan fell into a kettle of hot water and soon died. December 22, 1877, Daniel Wentworth, aged seven- teen, was drowned while trying to skate across Lake Wentworth in the night. May 28, 1886, Rev. Theodore Jerome and his three children, Paul aged eleven, Kate, aged nine, and Bernard, aged six, and Theodore Davis, aged nineteen, were drowned within ' two miles of the village. This was a strange and unexplainable accident. The day was calm ; Mr. Jerome and Davis were expert swimmers ; their boat was found quite near an island, while the bodies were not far off, in water of no great depth, and not far apart from each other. April 25, 1887, Ira Hanson, aged thirty- three, fell and broke his neck while walking. July 13, 1887, Thomas Geary, of Rochester, was drowned in Rust's Pond while bathing. Charles Harriman committed suicide by taking poison July 24, 1890. James W. Drew, a section hand on the railroad, was struck by a wild engine, September 26, 1890, and received injuries from which he died the next day. May 21, 1897, William C. Fox, Esq. and his son John W., were capsized while fishing near Mud Island, Lake Winnipesaukee. The son managed to reach the shore, but Mr. Fox was drowned. The body was re- covered on the following day. April 29, 1900, Frank P. Tracy and Henry H. Archer were drowned while fishing in Lake Win- nipesaukee. Notwithstanding a most thorough searcn extending over several weeks, the bodies were never recovered. Other casualties of which we knowr not the date are here given. Frank- lin Meserve, a lad, was crushed to death by a loaded wagon. A boy named Glidden was drowned in Lake Wentworth. John Bickford was drowned in Lake Winnipesaukee. An employee of the South Wolfeborough blanket factory was crushed to death. Ichabod Libbey fell from his carriage on the hill near Mark Fernald's and died from his injuries. Nathan Morrison was crushed to death by a heavy stone which he was trying to sink on the walk near his dwelling.

496

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Before Henry Rust, the early settler, had brought his family here, his camp was burned, destroying his guns, clothing, and provisions. About 1813 the dwelling of Samuel Nudd was burned, and in it his two sons, aged ten and eleven years. The Governor Wentworth house was destroyed in 1820 by fire caught from sparks falling on the moss-covered roof. Samuel Avery's store was burned in 1823. Running fires caused the burning of the dwelling of Isaac Poor in 1829. David Blake's residence was burned in 1830. In 1826 the home of Daniel Whitten was burned. Dec. 15, 1841, the woolen factory in Wolfeborough Falls, owned by the Pickering Factory Company, was burned. This factory was built in 1816, and became the property of the above firm (composed of Stephen and Daniel Pickering, Nathaniel Rogers, and Samuel Avery) in 1836. Insurance on buildings and ma- chinery, $5,000; on stock (owned by Stephen Durgin), $1,500. A tannery owned by Moses Varney was burned in 1845 > l°ss> $10,000 above insurance. November i, 1845, Nathaniel Rogers' barn was struck by lightning, and consumed with its contents ; loss, $1,000.

December 5, 1846, a fire at South Wolfeborough destroyed a chair manufactory, a wool-carding and cloth-dressing mill, a tan- nery, a shingle mill, a carriage shop, and an unoccupied store. The losers were Henry B. Rust, Nathaniel Banfield, John C. Corliss, and William Deland. The whole loss was $5,000. In 1850 James Boyle's woolen factory at South Wolfeborough was burned, and near the same year John Haines lost his dwelling, and John Tabor a small pipe factory. March 7, 1861, a grist- mill owned by Mrs. Alphonso G. Colby was burned ; loss, $3,500 ; insurance, $2,500. January 21, 1862, a set of buildings, house, barn, etc., and contents, belonging to William Clark, were con- sumed. The Paul Varney house was burned in 1864. John A. Chamberlin lost a new barn, part of his dwelling, and two hundred dollars' worth of tools and hay by fire, July n, 1868.

Libbey, Varney & Company's steam mill was burned June 24,

JOSEPH LEWANDO

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

497

1871 ; loss $12,000. March 29, 1875, the dwelling occupied by Samuel Jenness on Trask's Hill was burned. A tannery, barn, and shed, with a large amount of stock, all belonging to Moses Varney, was consumed by fire July 4, 1877 ; loss above insurance, $15,000. The Parker house near South Wolfeborough, formerly the residence of Colonel Henry Rust, was burned December 7, 1877. John Clow's farm building was burned August 10, 1878. A house owned by Paul D. Rand was burned September 9, 1878. A. S. Libbey lost buildings by fire November 9, 1878, amounting to $1,500 dollars. October u, 1881, the dwelling of Jasper H. Warren was burned. January 21, 1885, a dwelling owned by N. T. Brewster and occupied by Isaiah Piper was burned. February 2, 1887, a fire destroyed two wooden buildings, used as stores, on the present site of Central Block. The postoffice was located in one of the buildings, but was removed without damage to mails. Piper Block was also damaged ; total loss, about $7,000.

August 9, 1887, occurred the most disastrous fire in the town's history. The newly erected shoe factory owned by citizens and occupied by Messrs. Cropley and Monroe was burned together with eight dwellings and a large quantity of dressed lumber. The fire department at that time consisted of two volunteer companies, with hand engines, and it is little short of miraculous that the fire was checked short of the lake shore. The property burned beside the factory were three dwellings belonging to Blake Fol- som, a carpenter's shop, double house owned by Sawyer & Tib- betts, three houses owned by William C. Thomson, one house belonging to Greenlief B. Clark, also a large quantity of pine boards belonging to Libbey & Varney. The total loss was $140,-

000. In October, 1887, a fire broke out in Piper Block, doing some damage to the property of occupants, among whom were the G. A. R. Post, Lake National Bank, Granite State News, Co. K. N. H. Militia, and several stores. Nov. 2, 1887, the stable of Jesse Gould on North Main Street was burned. The stable of

1. B. Manning, his nearest neighbor, was set on fire the same day.

498

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

Both these fires were incendiary. In June, 1888, the Free Baptist Church was damaged by a fire which destroyed the sheds. B. F. Garland's dwelling at Pine Hill was burned the same month ; loss, $1,000.

December 24, 1889, the Libbey and Varney mill burned. The fire was of small extent when discovered, but owing to the failure of the hand engine and the apparatus for the new hydrants, total loss ensued. Some dry lumber was also consumed. The Cole- man house near Wolfeborough Center was burned in 1893. This building was one of the oldest in town.

In 1891 the dwelling of Mrs. Lowell at Pleasant Valley was burned. March 3, 1894, a threatening fire broke out at Wolfe- borough Falls, which for a time bid fair to destroy the business portion of the village. An excelsior mill belonging to Frank Hut- chins was destroyed, with a loss of $6,000. Furniture and machinery amounting to $1,900, the property of William B. Hodge, was also lost. The buildings on the Hasty farm were burned October 18, 1894; fire supposed to be incendiary. The dwelling-house of Fred E. Hersey on Center Street, Wolfe- borough Falls, was badly damaged by fire Feb. 20, 1896. The "Estabrook," a Brewster Academy dormitory, was gutted by fire February 24, 1897. The mammouth barn owned by N. T. Brew- ster was burned Feb. 23, 1896, together with twenty tons of hay and a cider-mill. Most of the large stock of animals were saved. The barn was 150 by 36 feet and the cider-mill 40 by 30 feet ; loss about $6,000.

May 28, 1899, the town was visited by its most disastrous con- flagration since the factory fire of 1887. The fire started in the waiting-room of the B. & M. R. R. wharf building. This was quickly destroyed ; the flames then spread to the old C. & M. R. R. wharf structure. Goodwin's Block was also destroyed. In the B. & M. building were located the offices of the Granite State News, the laundry of John McHugh, rooms of the Wolfeborough Cornet band, and a storage room for carriages. The other wharf

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

499

was used for dwelling and storage purposes. Goodwin's Block contained the stores of Charles H. Johnson, Sylvester A. Edgerly, Everett S. Albee, and the Wolfeborough Drug store. The build- ing was owned by Mrs. M. A. Goodwin. Offices occupied by Sewall W. Abbott, Charles F. Parker, and Dr. F. E. Meader were in the building as was also the lodge room of Morning Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Carroll Chapter, R. A. M. The loss was about $60,000. As in all previous instances of this kind the town quickly responded to the emergency, and the burnt district pre- sents a better appearance than ever before.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

FIRE PRECINCT ESTABLISHED — FIRE ENGINE PURCHASED — HOSE COMPANIES SUCCEED VOLUNTEER FIREMEN — ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT INSTALLED — WOLFEBOROUGH WATER WORKS — POST ROUTES AND STAGES — PRIMITIVE POSTAL FACILI- TIES— THE DOVER-SANDWICH STAGES — FAMOUS DRIVERS.

MAY 2, 1866, the citizens of the westerly portion of the town took advantage of the statute providing for the establish- ment of a fire precinct, which was laid out as follows : —

Beginning at the westerly corner of John Folsorn's land, on the lake, running northerly by said Folsorn's land to the road leading from Wolfeborough to Tuftonborough ; thence by said road to the westerly corner of Joseph Edmonds' farm ; thence by the westerly side of Joseph Edmonds', George W. Bassett's, and William Mason's land to the Pine Hill road, so-called ; thence by said road to the westerly corner of Zamancler Garland's land ; thence by said Garland's and Elisha Goodwin's land to land of Nathaniel Piper ; thence by said Goodwin's land to Crooked Pond, so-called ; thence across the end to the easterly side of said pond ; thence by the shore of said pond to land of Eli V. Brewster ; thence by land of said Brewster to South Branch Brook, so- called ; thence across said brook to the northerly side of Nathaniel T. Brewster's land; thence by said Brewster's land and Smith's Pond to the rangeway at the corner of Benjamin F. Thompson's land ; thence southerly by said Brewster's land and the rangeway to land of Addison W. Banfield ; thence by said Banfield's land and the rangeway to the lake ; thence by the shore of said lake to Smith's Bridge ; thence by the shore of the lake to the Cam-ing Place, so-called ; running across said Carrying Place to the first- mentioned bounds, not meaning to include Wolfeborough Neck. 500

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 50!

At the same meeting $1,075 was appropriated to purchase a fire engine and hose. This famous fire fighter was formerly Strat- ford Engine No. i, of Dover. The name was changed to Carroll, No. 2, and under this appellation it is still treasured by the precinct. The engine house was built the same year on land leased from Moses T. Gate. The first board of firewards elected were Alvah S. Libbey, Eleazer D. Barker, and Joseph W. Goodwin.

The fire apparatus was added to from time to time up to 1888, when a ladder truck was presented the precinct by citizens and summer visitors, its need being demonstrated by the big fire of the preceding year. The old engine company was disbanded upon the installation of the water works in 1889, and since that date four hose companies have given adequate protection to the com- munity. South Wolfeborough still maintains its volunteer en- gine company.

The hose companies are Rollins, No. i, Henry B. Furber, fore- man ; A. W. Wiggin, No. 2, Alonzo W. Avery, foreman ; Eagle, No. 3, Charles L. Home, foreman; Monitor, No. i, of South Wolfeborough, Horace B. Rust, foreman. Irving W. Godfrey is foreman of the Hook and Ladder company.

Monitor Engine Co., of South Wolfeborough was organized in 1862, and purchased an engine and maintained it for several years, when the town assisted them by purchasing hose. It was the first organized company in town and still maintains its organi- zation.

At the annual precinct meeting in 1897 a committee was ap- pointed to consider the advisability of establishing an electric light plant. Their report was favorable, and action was subsequently taken to install such a plant for street and domestic lighting, $6,000 being appropriated. Since then an engine has been pur- chased at an expense of $2,000, and the property has appreciated until it is today estimated to be worth $10,000. The management of the system is in the hands of the board of firewards, consisting of Joseph Lewando, Obed S. Young, and George H. Clough.

502

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

The plant includes a dynamo, engine, wiring, and lights, power being furnished from the mill of S. W. Clow & Co., near which the power house is located. There are now on the circuit one hundred incandescent lamps for street lighting and seventeen hundred for domestic purposes.

In 1887, after an extended period of public agitation as to the need of an adequate supply of water for household uses and fire protection, the Wolfeborough Aqueduct and Water company was incorporated. The corporation consisted of John L. Peavey, Jeremiah A. Farrington, Joseph W. Goodwin, and Charles F. Piper. Some preliminary surveys were made, but in the meantime the feeling that the town should undertake the work crystallized. Upon the payment of expenses already incurred, the Aqueduct company waived its chartered rights and in June, 1888, an act was passed "to establish Water Works in the town of Wolfe- borough."

On August 12 of the same year a board of water commissioners, consisting of Israel B. Manning, Henry W. Furber, and Joseph P. Heath, was appointed by the selectmen. The board im- mediately began an investigation of the various sources of water supply in the vicinity, and on August 24, at a previously appointed meeting of the citizens made a preliminary report.

At this meeting the commissioners were instructed "to take water from that source which will furnish an ample supply of the best quality of water, at the least expense." Acting under this vote and in accordance with the advice of Messrs. Farrington and Springfield, engineers, it was decided to adopt the gravity system and take water from Beech Pond.

Proposals for construction and the furnishing of material were opened September 7, and awards were made as follows : For furnishing wrought iron pipe, gates and valves, Gilchrist & Gor- ham, Boston, Mass. ; cast iron pipe and special casting's, McNeil Pipe and Foundry Co., Burlington, X. J. ; hydrants, King & Goddard, Boston, Mass. ; laying of pipe, Franklin A. Snow, Provi-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROVGH. 503

dence, R. I. ; construction of reservoir and intake, Frederick R. Page, Maiden, Mass. Ground was broken for the intake on Sep- tember 25, and trenching for the main was begun October 3. On the first day of January, 1890, fifty-six taps had been made in the distributing pipe, and nearly seventy families were supplied with water. The remaining work in connection with the first contract was completed early in the spring. Joseph P. Heath has been superintendent since the installation of the system.

Since then there have been three additions to the. system as follows : To South Wolfeborough, at a cost of $9,000 ; to Whit- ten's River, at a cost of $2,000; to Goose Corner, at a cost of $1,000

Total number of water takers, 400

' hydrants, 57

' public fountains, 3

Total length of pipe, 18 miles.

Capacity of distributing reservoir, 300,000 gallons.

STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEB. 15, I9OI.

Cash on hand (Feb. 15, 1900) $686.13

Additional service 39i-6i

Material Sold 11.67

Sale of 3 1-2 per cent. Bonds 800.00

Rentals to July i, 1901 3,291.00

CASH PAID.

Interest on Bonds $1,769.75

Bonds (4's) Redeemed 800.00

Labor on Works 465.82

Material Purchased 600.64

J. P. Heath — Superintendent 275.00

Miscellaneous Bills 73. 10

Cash on Hand 1,196.10

504

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOKOUGH. LIABILITIES.

Bonds (3 i-2's) $56,000

Bonds (4's) 1,000

$57,000

ASSETTS.

\Vork Shop $ 200.00

Material and Tools 473.28

Goose Corner Extension 293.22

Water Works Plant 7,500.00

Cash in Treasurer's hands 1,196.10

$77,162.60

The first provision for the conveyance of mail rnaUer in New Hampshire was made June 17, 1786, when the legislature enacted a bull providing that a "post set off every other Monday from Portsmouth and proceed through New Market, Durham, Dover, Rochester. Wakefield, Ossipee Gore, and Tamworth to Moulton- borough ; thence through Meredith, Gilmanton, Barnstead, Bar- rington, and Dover to Portsmouth." A route established in 1791 came from Portsmouth once a fortnight to Dover, Rochester, Wakefield, Ossipee, Tamworth, Sandwich, Holderness, Plymouth, Meredith, etc., as before. Neither of these routes touched Wolfe- borough, although both went around it.

The only post-office in Strafford County previous to 1800 was at Dover. In the Gazette and Advertiser, published in that town, were frequent advertisements of letters for persons in what are now Carroll County towns. The post rider in those days was Samuel Bragg, the publisher of the paper. He commenced his trips in 1795 and consumed a week in making the round. His compensation was twelve pounds a year. Postage on letters was four pence under forty miles and six pence for each additional fortv miles.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

505

It is probable that the first post-office in Wolfeborough was established about 1820, and that Daniel Pickering was the post- master. He held the office for many years. For some years prior to that date there was without doubt a horseback mail between Dover and Wolfeborough, possibly continuing through Sand- wich. It is certain that a post rider passed through Wolfeborough on the route from Concord to Portland, Me., going over the "Dick" Mountain road. This was at a very early period. On this route the saddle-bags were eventually superceded by a one- horse wagon.

One summer's afternoon in 1825 the citizens of Wolfeborough were treated to a surprise. There was the usual gathering about the post-office awaiting the arrival of the mail, when down the turnpike was seen approaching a dashing two-horse coach, with flag flying, the horses galloping, while the exuberant driver, Robert I. Clark, wound thrilling blasts upon the horn. It was the arrival of the new mail outfit from Dover, and hearty were the cheers with which it was welcomed by the assembled company.

The postmasters since Mr. Pickering's long term of office have been Levi T. Hersey, Eleazer D. Barker, Charles F. Hill (for a brief period), Charles H. Hersey, John G. Cate, Charles F. Piper, Joseph W. Goodwin, Frank P. Hobbs, and Forrest W. Peavey.

Stage connections were made from time to time with various points touched by the railroad previous to the building of the Wolfeborough road in 1872. During the summer season the boats plying on the lake have also carried the mails. At the present time Wolfeborough is the distributing point for mails for North, South, and Center Wolfeborough, and Mirror Lake and Melvin Milage in Tuftonborough, stage connections being main- tained with these points. The facilities enjoyed by the town are now adequate, four mails to P>oston being allowed during- the larger portion of the year.

Other post-offices in town are Fast Wolfeborough and Wolfe- borough Falls, the former having railroad service and the latter

506

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

both railroad and stage service. The South Wolfeborough post- office was established in 1834, with Henry B. Rust as postmaster.

In considering- the development of the town's mail service one naturally recalls some of the famous stage-drivers of former days. Men who, like Henry Savage, Henry Sayward, and the Gilmans, permitted neither weather nor bad roads to hinder them on their tri-weekly trips from Sandwich to Dover. Four generations of Gilmans have held the reins on the Sandwich route, Samuel and his son Charles, both noted whips, Charles Jr., who is still driving between Wolfeborough and Sandwich after thirty-eight years of service, and Charles L., who assists his father on this route. Good stories are told of the time when "Steve" Durgin used to "beat the boat" from Alton to Wolfeborough. James and Silas Durgin were also favorites on the "pike."

Mention should also be made of Crawford, John Quimby, Frank Nelson, Elisha Allen, James Kendall, Elisha Hanson, Henry W. Furber, Charles Kendall, and Charles S. Paris, most of whom are remembered by the older portion of the community.

Flying trips were made on the old Sandwich — Dover line. The horses were the best money could buy, changes were made at Melvin, Wolfeborough, Middleton, and Rochester, and the drivers used to "send em" at top speed. Express trains can never take the place, sentimentally or aesthetically, of the old "coach and four" of early days.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

EARLY TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS — ROADS AND CANALS — FA- CILITIES AFFORDED BY THE LAKE — JOSEPH SMITH AND HIS

GUNDALOVV — OLD-TIME RAFTING — THE FIRST STEAMER, BELKNAP — THE LADY OF THE LAKE — WOLFEBOROUGH GETS IN CLOSER TOUCH WITH THE WORLD — NEGOTIATIONS FOR RAILROAD CONNECTIONS — WOLFEBOROUGH ROAD FINALLY CONSTRUCTED DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME — STEAM- ERS DOVER AND MOUNT WASHINGTON — STORY OF THE LADY — FAMOUS OLD CRAFT OF A GENERATION AGO — THE FUTURE — EXPORTS OF FORMER DAYS.

LOXG before the conception of steam power and engines as applied to locomotion, men of advanced thought in New England became interested in the promotion of improved methods of travel and transportation. No public official was more zealous in this work than Governor Went worth. In a letter dated April 5, 1758, now on file in Halifax, he says : "A road may be easily made from Quebec to Winnipiseogee which would immediately communicate with all the populous and most fertile parts of New England at one-third of the distance, trouble, time and expense of any other route."

During the first three years of his temporary residence in Wolfe- borough he secured the laying out, through the town, of the Pe- quaket Road, leading to Conway, and the opening of the College Road its entire distance to Hanover. The facilities for communica- tion between different localities at that time beyond common high- ways consisted of turnpikes and canals.

When the Wentworth Farm was offered for sale in 1797, the vendue bill stated that it was "bounded by Smith's Pond & said pond discharges itself into the great Winnipisocky Lake, from

507

5o8

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

thence there will be a canal communication with Boston in a few years." A charter was obtained in 1811 "to cut a canal and lock all the falls between Winnipiseogee Lake and the Cocheco branch of the Piscataqua in Dover," a distance of twenty-seven miles. The fall of four hundred and fifty-two feet required fifty-three locks, and the expense was estimated at three hundred thousand dollars.

This charter failed to be effective, and in 1819 the "Little Pe- quakit Canal" company was incorporated. It was claimed that by the construction of this canal more than one and one-half million square miles of timber land would be opened to navigable waters, and that immense benefit would accrue to New Hampshire. The invention of locomotives and the building of railroads have long since brought into service more practical methods than the canal, which in early days was the highest type of transportation for pur- poses of internal commerce.

Lake Winnepesaukee furnishes excellent facilities for the car- riage of freight and passengers. This body of water is nineteen miles long, varying in width from one to ten miles. Its shape being irregular, it has numerous bays, which serve as excellent harbors. The largest are Meredith, Moultonborough, and Merry Meeting. Its height above ocean level is 502-496 feet, and its greatest depth, east of Rattle Snake Island, is 200 feet. Its water area is 1,949,049,466 square feet, its islands have an area of 227,- 313,357 square feet, and its basin includes about 350 square miles, no point in this basin being more than seven miles distant from the shore. The amount of water discharged at its outlet is remark- ably large compared with the extent of the watershed. Several large peninsulas project into its waters. They are Meredith Neck, Moultonborough Neck. Tuftonborough Neck, and Wolfeborough Neck. The last mentioned is the smallest.

Wolfeborough, situated on the eastern shore of the lake, owes much of its prosperity to the proximity of this body of water.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

509

The first settlers utilized, it in summer for freighting in their little dug-outs and in winter with their hand-sleds, as well as a means of communication with other pioneer settlements on its shores. When Governor Wentworth erected his mansion, in 1771, he made use of a small sloop to convey the materials across the lake. This was probably the first craft larger than a canoe on its waters.

Joseph Smith, a wholesale merchant of Dover, who in the early twenties established many retail stores in the rural towns, dis- tributed his goods in part by means of a gundalow, which made use of sails when the wind was favorable and large oars when it failed. This vessel navigated the lake for several years and was finally wrecked on Great Boat Ledge in a gale of wind. Several of this kind of craft have sailed the waters of the lake. Rafting in early times was done by means of sails and oars on the same principle as the gundalows. The crews consisted of ten men. There were two sets of rowers, four each, who alternately worked at the sweeps in order that the unwieldy structure might not lose its headway. The oars were heavy and the labor arduous. Much simpler and more effective is the method of towing by steamer now in vogue.

The first horse boat was built by David Parsons, of Long Island, in 1838. This kind of craft became quite common. One of them was used as a judges' boat in the first Harvard-Yale boat race, Avhich took place off Center Harbor in 1856. Nathaniel Rogers, of this town, built one for the transportation of stock and produce, to and from his lands on Rattlesnake Island.

Before the railroads reached Winnipesaukee most of the freight- ing between Wolfeborough and the commercial towns farther south was by ox-teams, overland. After the steamer Lady of the Lake began running in connection with the Boston, Concord & Montreal railroad, freight from Boston came over that route dur- ing the summer season, but very little in the winter, as travel on the ice between Wolfeborough and Lake Village was considered somewhat hazardous. Consequently, during the winter the old

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

method of teaming over the Middleton road was resorted to, al- though horses were as a rule substituted for the slow ox-teams.

A stock company, organized in 1830, built the first steamer on the lake in 1833. This was the Belknap, and a curious craft it was. The boiler was set in brick, and the boat drew so much water that a lighter was employed to load and unload its cargo at the Wolfe- borough landing, which was then located on the estate now owned by Charles F. Piper. The speed of the craft was from six to eight miles an hour, under favorable conditions. Winburn A. Sanborn, afterwards captain of the Lady of the Lake, was first in charge of the boat ; James Jewett was captain when she was lost. This steamer never proved a success, and, when, in November, 1841, it was wrecked on Steamboat Island, its owners were rather re- lieved than otherwise.

The "Lady" then in charge of the popular Captain William Walker, was moored each night at the Wolfeborough wharf and transported the Boston freight for two years before any compe- tition arose. In 1851 the Cocheco railroad having been continued to Alton, the steamer Dover was built to run in connection with it. From that date most of the freight from the metropolis was car- ried over the Boston and Maine road, being forwarded to Wolfe- borough in summer by the "Dover" and in winter over the ice. This method continued until the construction of the Wolfe- borough railroad, in 1872.

It was a vast improvement over the ox-team, this speedier and less expensive transportation by steam power, although the ad- vantage was confined to the warm season. As always follows, facilities acquired beget a desire for still greater conveniences, and the inhabitants of the more densely populated portion of the town became greatly interested in securing direct railroad connection with the outside world. The Boston, Concord & Montreal, the Boston & Maine, and the Eastern railroads, were three distinct and separate organizations, having no particular interest in com- mon ; the two former had alreadv made connections with Win-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 5II

nipesaukee, and the projectors of the last named, though not averse to acquiring a port on the lake, were more desirous of con- trolling the mountain traffic.

It was confidently hoped that the Portsmouth, Great Falls & Conway Railroad Company would lay out their road south of Lake Wentworth, touching at Wolfeborough village, thence run- ning northerly to Conway. There was another practicable route through W7olfeborough by way of Cotton Valley and Water Vil- lage, and it was understood that the builders of the new road looked with favor upon this location. The survey, however, would have carried the line four miles east of Winnipesaukee and was not what the Wolfeborough people desired. The road was finally constructed east of the Wolfeborough hills and ten miles distant from the lake.

The completion of the Conway road rendered the construction of a line to Wolfeborough, from any point, quite problematical. Subsequently, however, Hon. John W. Sanborn, who held official relations with the Conway road, suggested to some leading citi- zens that a branch from that road to Wolfeborough might be secured, provided that a sum equal to one-fifth of the town's ratable valuation could be raised. This amount would equal thirty-five thousand dollars. The people of Wolfeborough were favorably impressed with the idea and soon made application to the legislature for a charter. By an enactment of July i, 1868, the Wolfeborough Railroad Company was incorporated, to ex- tend from Wolfeborough Junction to Wolfeborough, a distance of twelve miles.

At a town meeting held September 20, 1869, it was voted (three hundred in favor to one hundred and twenty-two against) to ap- propriate thirty-five thousand dollars to aid in constructing the road, and Elisha Goodwin, Jr., Blake Folsom, and John L. Gold- smith were appointed a committee to represent the town in all negotiations with the railroad company. It was voted to pay one-

512

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

half the appropriation when the road was brought to grade and the balance upon its completion.

Considerable time elapsed before active operations were begun, and December 2, 1870, the former votes, appropriating the money and appointing the committee, were ratified, the vote at this time standing two hundred and fifty-two in favor to seventy against.

Work was commenced on the road Nov. 1871, ground being broken near Mast Landing by Lyford Shorey, then aged eighty- seven years. A band discoursed stirring music, and the occasion was made one of rejoicing at the propitious beginning of a long desired work. August 19, 1872, the first locomotive, hauling five passenger coaches, triumphantly whistled its way into town, and all who wished were given free rides to the Junction during that day. Regular trains were put on as soon as the stations could be completed, and the service has thus far been maintained without a single fatal accident.

Three stations are located on the branch, Wolfeborough, Wolfe- borough Falls, and Cotton Valley, besides a flag station at Fer- nald's. The road is now under a lease to the Eastern railroad, which expires in 1940.

The road was not built without engineering difficulties. Deep cuts had to be made on either side of the Wolfeborough Falls station and long dumps across Lake WTentworth, Crooked Pond, and the Back Bay. The route is an attractive one, bordering as it does for a long distance a beautiful mountain-hemmed lake. All things considered, the one adopted is the best of the plans suggested for a railroad to the lake. To one gifted with the pro- phetic instinct, the idea of some future connection with the west- erly side of Lake Winnipesaukee might suggest itself. The lay of the land would make such an undertaking comparatively easy of accomplishment.

The name of the steamer Dover, already spoken of as running in connection with Boston & Maine railroad, was afterwards changed to the Chocorua. She was one hundred and fifty feet

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

513

long and twenty-four feet beam, being afterwards lengthened to one hundred and sixty-two feet. She was succeeded in 1872 by the commodious steamer Mount Washington, which is still in commission. She is one hundred and eighty feet long and twenty- five feet beam. The boat is the only large craft now running on a regular schedule on the lake. She is licensed to carry twelve hundred passengers. The late genial Augustus W. Wiggin was for many years her captain. Harry Wentworth, of Long Island, is now in command. A few years ago she was completely over- hauled and partially rebuilt, and is now a model of the side-wheel lake type.

When the Concord & Montreal railroad reached Lake Village in 1848, a demand was immediately felt for a connection with Wolfeborough and Center Harbor by way of the lake. The Win- nipesaukee Steamboat Company was organized that year, its charter dating June 24, 1848. James N. Elkins, S. C. Lyford, and Charles Lane were authorized to call the first meeting, and at that meeting Mr. Lyford was chosen chairman and Mr. Lane, clerk, with these two gentlemen and the following as grantees : J. N. Elkins, William Walker, Jr., Benjamin J. Cole, and J. P. Coffin. The directors were Woodbury L. Melcher, Daniel Picker- ing, William Walker, Jr., B. J. Cole, John Coe, J. N. Elkins, and J. T. Coffin. The first meeting was held at the Cerro Gordo House, Sept. 12, 1848. Benjamin Cole was elected president ; Charles Lane, clerk ; J. T. Coffin, treasurer ; William Walker, agent. At a meeting held October 25 of the same year Mr. Wal- ker presented a model for a boat, which was accepted. The plan called for a craft one hundred and twenty-one feet long and twenty-one feet beam. Messrs. Walker and Cole were authorized tc build and they proceeded with the work as soon as possible, the lumber used being cut around the lake.

The boat was finished in time to hold the annual meeting on board, July 20, 1849. William Walker, Jr., of Concord, was the first captain, and held a controlling interest in the stock, which

514

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

he afterwards sold to the railroad company. Eleazer Bickford was the first pilot and succeeded Mr. Walker as captain after the latter had served some fifteen years. Then followed Winburn A. San- born, James Beede, S. B. Cole, then Captain Sanborn again, and John S. Wadleigh, who commanded the boat until she was re- tired from service. Pilot John Lovett, whose death occurred in the summer of 1900, was the best known steamboat man on the lake.

The "Lady" was partially rebuilt in her twenty-first year. Nov. 13, 1867, while lying at the Wolfeborough dock, she took fire and burned to the water's edge. On one occasion, with a moon- light excursion on board, she struck a rock' on Witch Island and was beached on Davis Island. The loss of the season's business and the repairs made necessary by this accident cost ten thousand dollars. The steamer paid handsome dividends for years, but competition finally made the continuance of her trips unprofitable, and when she became too old for service, it was deemed best not to replace her with a new boat.

Other smaller craft whose names will be remembered by the older residents of Wolfeborough were the following : —

The Dolly Dutlon was built originally by Libbey & Varney as a scow. She was afterwards purchased and converted into a tow- boat by Abram Guptill. She was famed more for her utility than for her gracefulness or speed.

Eli C. Swett bought the Naugatuck of Charles Brown of Lake Village in 1866. Soon after Mr. Swett went west, and upon his return in 1873 built the Mayflower, a small, side-wheel, passenger and freighting boat, which ran for some twenty years.

The Long Island,bmh by George and Perley Brown, was of the flat-bottomed, square-end type, with a deck.

The Red Hill, built by Boston parties, never proved a success, and her dismantled hulk now lies near Lee's Mills.

The James Bell was at one time owned by Alpheus Swett, and was by him sold to Lake Village parties.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

515

The Maid of the Isles, a commodious deck and cabin steamer, was built at Wolfeborough by William D. Haley. Her draft was too great for convenient navigation, however, and she was finally rebuilt at Lakeport, from which place she now runs as an excur- sion boat.

The Nellie, formerly a government launch in Portsmouth har- bor, was run for several years from Wolfeborough, by her owner, J. R. Duncan.

Numerous pleasure and freighting boats now ply the waters of the lake, their number being estimated as high as one hundred and fifty. The natural developmnt of the lake region as a summer resort will make these craft much more common.

Tn the old days the lake traffic was the main dependence cf the town for supplies from the outside world. The old resident can remember when the "Lady" lay outside Sewall's Point waiting for the ice to leave the bay in the spring. In the autumn, naviga- tion lasted in many cases until the steamers had to break ice to reach their winter berths. A special feature was the exporting of Thanksgiving poultry, when as many as twenty-two tons have been shipped from Wolfeborough, in one consignment, by boat. All the heavy supplies needed by the merchants in the winter were ordered in advance and delivered by the steamers.

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE PUBIIC LANDING — How JUDGE SEWALL DISPOSED OF His LANDS IN WOLFEBOROUGII — SMITH'S BRIDGE VILLAGE BUILT ON His ORIGINAL LOT — SQUATTERS ON THE LAND- ING— SEWALL'S STATEMENT — DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH SHORE.

THERE lies in the center of Wolfeborough village, on the lake shore, a small parcel of land, now covered with build- ings, over which there has been more discussion and controversy than any tract of ten times its area in town. This is the so-called public landing, given the public by deed of Judge David Sewall.

When, in 1766, the land in Wolfeborough belonging to the twenty-four town proprietors, as joint owners, was divided in severalty, lot number sixteen fell to David Sewall, attorney-at-law, of Portsmouth. It lay on both sides of a portion of Smith's River and of Wolfeborough bay, the shore-line bordering a large portion of the waters of the latter. The lot contained four hundred and forty acres, two-thirds of which was situated on the northwesterly side of the river and bay.

The portion of the lot on the southeast side of the river ad- joined Daniel Treadwell's lot, number fourteen. The line between the two lots extended from a point near the main road to Lake Winnipesaukee, an estimated distance of two hundred and twelve rods. The north-easterly line ran nearly in the direction of the main road to what is now Pickering's Corner ; thence in the same line east of the site of the shoe factories to Smith's River ; thence by the river, bay and lake shores to the point where the south- eastern line reached the lake.

On this lot is built most of that portion of Wolfeborough vil- lage which is known as Smith's Bridge. The southeasterly part 516

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

517

of this lot was sub-divided by the Miles or Main road ; that on the south side of the road adjoined Lake Winnipesaukee and con- tained one hundred and forty acres, that on the north side of the highway, one-tenth as much. Each division was a triangle in shape.

These lands were thus disposed of by Mr. Sewall :

August 30, 1769, one year after the settlement of the town, he deeded to John Sinkler a tract thus bounded : Beginning at the northeast corner of his proprietary lot and extending northwest sixty-five rods ; thence, carrying that width to the lake, a distance of two hundred and twelve rods ; the amount of land conveyed being eighty-six acres, more or less, the consideration for which was thirty pounds and two shillings. This land is now apparently in possession of Greenleaf B. Clark.

In 1777 Sewall conveyed to Moses Varney the fourteen-acre lot on the northeast side of the highway. In 1791 this lot reverted to him, being conveyed by Henry Rust, administrator of the estate of Matthew S. Parker. March 28, 1793, he deeded the same to Samuel Leavitt, its boundaries being thus described : Begin- ning at a stake on the country road, about twelve rods distant from Smith's Bridge ; thence by said road southeasterly about nineteen chains (76 rods) to the road leading to the Mills ; thence northeast or thereabouts, twenty-four chains (96 rods) by the Mill lot to Smith's River ; thence by the river and a right line to the stake first mentioned, which leaves a small piece of land to the northwest. On this lot was a small house and barn in the pos- session of Moses Varney, represented as a tenant.

At the same time (1793) Sewall deeded to Leavitt a piece of land thus bounded: "Northeasterly, by the road leading over Smith's Bridge, southeasterly by land deeded to Sinkler, south- westerly by the Pond" (meaning the lake) — "a triangle, reserv- ing so much of the land at the angle at Smith's Bridge, adjoining said Pond, as may be necessary for a convenient landing for the inhabitants of Wolfeborough and others who may hereafter have

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

occasion to make use of the same for that purpose." This tract contained fifty-three acres, more or less, and included the land now owned by Brewster Free Academy (some forty acres), the Pavilion lot, and all other land lying between South Main Street and Wolfeborough bay, to the bridge.

The portion of his lot on the north side of the river and bay, about two hundred and ninety acres, was sold to William Rogers in 1779 for four pounds of spring beaver fur. It was long in possession of the Rogers family. The Sewall Point lot and a strip of land ten rods wide, extending from the Main road to the lake, eventually came into the possession of Samuel Nowell.

The Public Landing was not a conveyance, but a reservation. It was originally the property of Mr. Sewall, and he made the reservation not exclusively for the benefit of the corporation it- self, or for any member of it, but for the general public. It is doubtful if, after he made the declaration, he retained any personal claim on it. It was as free as the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee or the breeze that ripples its surface. The town had no property rights in it, except perhaps those of a custodian, whose duty it was to protect the rights of the public. No individual certainly had any personal right to any portion of it, and all claims of per- sons who originally seized the property were based on false premises. If, by his public declaration Sewall had not disposed of all his rights to the landing, the fee simple remained with him and certain selected heirs. His own heir to it was his widow, whom he constituted his residuary legatee, and her heirs were Paul Langdon and his wife Elizabeth, her niece, whom she made her residuary legatees, and their rights were conveyed to the town of Wolfeborough in 1849 by a quit-claim deed. No other heir of Judge Sewall could make a valid conveyance of the land- ing to any person, as they had no legal claim to it. Hence, their conveyances are valueless.

The first person who squatted on the landing was James Brackett. On it he erected a cabinet-maker's shop, which was

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

519

subsequently removed. Brackett disposed of his claim to another party, by whom it was occupied until again conveyed. Divers persons have at sundry times seized portions of the landing and disposed of their claims to others, until, with the exception of a strip perhaps thirty feet wide, the whole landing is in the posses- sion of persons or corporations.

Judge Sewall could not have anticipated the uses to which the landing would be put. It was then very convenient for a high- way watering place, being the only one on the Main road be- tween Meserve Brook and Mink Brook, and was used for lard ing boats in summer and teaming in winter. He delighted in visiting it on his occasional tours to Wolfeborough in company with his close friend, Dr. A. R. Cutter. They were accustomed to make their stay at Col. Henry Rust's, and on a pleasant day the trio would ride on horseback to the landing in dignified order ; first. Judge Sewall, then. Dr. Cutter, and last, Col. Rust. They would drive into shoal water for the comfort of their horses and leisurely view the beautiful bay and the attractive scenery sur- rounding it.

In the early part of the last century the landing was claimed by the town, and several times agents were appointed to clear it of incumbrances, but nothing was done in this line. In - Moses Thompson obtained of Judge Sewall's widow a quit-claim deed of the property. Mr. Thompson appointed John M. Brackett and Blake Folsom a committee to act with him, and they disposed of their rights to the Winnipesaukee Steamboat Company. This company was absorbed by the Concord & Montreal railroad, the railroad, in turn, by the Boston & Maine railroad, and the present occupants hold the land on lease from that corporation.

A deed is on record showing that Jonas W. Yarney bought of George Piper, for forty dollars, a half-acre of land extending from the land of Samuel A very to the landing, October 14, 1823.

This question of the ownership of the landing is a complicated one. The matter has been much agitated in recent years ; many

520

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

protests have been made regarding the construction of fences, etc., and it is not improbable that action will be taken in the neiar future, looking toward some settlement of the matter. In this con- nection we give verbatim et Literatim a statement made by Judge Sewall in 1808, over his own signature, to Henry Rust. This paper is now in the possession of Mr. Albert B. Rust :

"With respect to the reservation mentioned in a Deed I made to Mr. Leavitt of about Fifty three acres of land in Wolf-borough on the S. West side of the Road there, adjoining Smith's Bridge so called, made and executed in 1793 after viewing the place in 1800, and perusing a Copy of the description of the land, said to be taken from a Record of the Deed The whole of the Ground (which now appears to be Sand) between the Road, and the Waters of the Wenesepocky Pond, and are supposed to be about Twenty Rods in length, from Smith's Bridge South Easterly, was my Original intention to be reserved for a convenient landing Place.

With respect to the exception, from the Triangular piece of about 14 Acre conveyed to said Leavett in the same Deed of 1793. I find that in 1777 the same was surveyed prior to making a Deed thereof to Moses Varney a Tanner and Shoemaker. Varney en- tered and improved it, in his own Right or as a Tenant, until the year 1791, When it came to me again by Deed from Col H. Rust, as Admin, of the Estate of Matthew S. Parker. . . The place where Varney's Tan Vatts, were made and used, near the margin of Smith's River, I always supposed were within ; and a part of the 14 Acres said Varney purchased of me. That the straight line from the Stake (mentioned as the place begun at to describe the same land) would strike Smith River at or very near, said Var- ney's Tan Vatts: And the small piece reserved from the said 14 Acres, was to adjoin Smith's Bridge was not supposed to exceed half an Acre in quantity At the time Leavit's Deed was made (1793) as Well as in 1777, when Varney first purchased, the

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

521

Waters of the Pond were much lower than when I viewed the

place in Oct. 1800.

David Sewall"

The development of the Sewall-Rogers lands on the northerly side of the bay within a decade has been remarkable. The land was purchased by Messrs. Charles F. Piper and George A. Car- penter, and is now practically covered with handsome summer residences. The pioneer in this movement was Colonel Edward B. Dickinson, of New York, who had visited Wolfeborough an- nually for several years and had become impressed with the ad- vantages of the place as a permanent summer home. He pur- chased a lot of ten acres, with a water front of nearly six hundred feet. Here he erected in 1889 an attractive residence, "Ferncliffe," or thirteen rooms, with a wind-mill, bath-house, boat-house and several summer houses, about the grounds. A stone wharf, one hundred and forty feet long, affords ample dock facilities. The high standard fortunately set by Colonel Dickinson in the first house built on what is now Sewall road, has been to a good degree maintained by the numerous cottagers that have succeeded him.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE HARLY HOMES OF THE SETTLERS — METHODS OF BUILDING IN VOGUE — JOHN LARY'S WIFE A TRUE HELPMEET — TWO- STORY HOUSES OF SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — ITEMS OF IN- TEREST ABOUT THEM — HOLIDAYS OF OUR FATHERS — THE COUNTRY STORE AS A RESORT — TOWN MEETING, ITS SERI- OUS AND SPORTIVE SIDE — INDEPENDENCE DAY — THE GLORIES OF MUSTER.

THE first shelters of the settlers were rude huts of logs, de- signed for temporary occupancy. Log cabins intended for more permanent homes were constructed on more commodious lines, the walls being ceiled and partitioned. Board floors were laid, brick fire-places and ovens were constructed, and doors and windows built. It was one of these latter buildings in which Ben- jamin Blake lived for the first eighteen years of his married life. The same kind of dwelling served for Joseph Lary, whose buxom wife carried the roof boards for their home on her head from Smith's River to the site of the house, near the present dwelling of Benjamin Webster. Fortunately for the early pioneers, a saw- mill was established on the falls of Smith's River before a settler arrived, and another was soon built near the Wentworth farm. The first dwelling erected in Wolfeborough, if we except the Walter Bryant camp, on Mink Brook, was the Mill house situated near the garden of Roscoe M. Flanders. This house was con- structed of sawed lumber.

The houses of the settlers varied in the manner of their con- struction. A very few had but a single room, others had but two, some had an oven built outside. A quite common style of abode was the ''half-house,' which consisted of one large living-room

and one or two smaller rooms. The chimney was placed near the 522

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

523

outside wall, with two and sometimes three fireplaces. Except the one in use, these fireplaces faced the wall. If prosperity pre- vailed, and the family increased (as it usually did), additional rooms were built on, and these fireplaces were utilized.

During the last of the eighteenth and the first of the nineteenth centuries quite a number of two-story houses were erected. Among them were the Isaiah Home house, Col. Copp's tavern. the Andrew Wiggin, Jonathan Blake, Joseph Edmonds, Daniel Wiggin, Meader, Tebbetts, Bassett, Lucas, Varney, and Rogers houses ; the Jewett tavern, to which Richard Rust added the second story ; the Mason house, on the site of the Durgin building, but since removed to the corner of Glendon and School Streets ; the John Pickering tavern, now the Rollins house ; the Samuel Avery house ; the Guppy house ; the Hart house, now the residence of Mrs. George W. Furber ; the residence of Mrs. Jethro Furber, which was built on the ten-acre Sewall strip by Samuel Nowcll, and moved across the bay on the ice by Stephen Coffin ; the old store, changed into the Joseph Farrar residence, and afterwards into the Manning boarding-house, later removed to Union Street ; the Daniel Brewster house, the Henry Rust, afterwards the Parker house, now burned ; the Henry Rust, Jr. and Richard Rust houses at South Wolfeborough ; the Joseph Furber house in Pleasant Valley ; the houses of Elijah and Jonathan Hersey at Pine Hill ; the Isaac Edmonds house at Wolfeborough Falls ; the Allen par- sonage (with oaken frame), now owned by J. Frank Chamber- lain, at Wolfeborough Center ; the houses built by James P. and Henry Home, now occupied by Frank B. Home and Samuel Reynolds ; the Stoddard, Isaac Martin, and George Whitton houses, the last burned : the Aaron Roberts and Thomas J. Tib- betts houses at North Wolfeborough. Possibly other two-story houses were built in town more than seventy-five years ago.

The following facts regarding old houses in town are gathered from various sources : —

James Lucas's house was where Gate's block now stands.

524

HISTORY OF WOLFE BO ROUGH.

Charles Thurston's house was the ell of Moses Thompson's house.

Charles Thurston's cooper shop is the ell of Charles \V. Gil- man's house.

John Lucas's house was a part of the Richard Davis house. Dr. Blaisdell renovated it.

Jeremiah Norris Taylor had a house opposite the Guppy house.

Moses Seavey lived opposite the George W. Furber house. Seavey once occupied the farm in North Wolfeborough now owned by George Morgan. The brook near the farm is still called the Seavey Brook.

Samuel Connor, a son of James Connor, lived near the Brews- ter Lane.

Daniel' Brewster lived at the end of the lane and owned five hundred acres of excellent land. His brother George had an equal amount, both farms constituting the "King" lot.

The Henry W. Furber house was the original Daniel Brewster house.

James Connor settled on the Tetherly place. Jeremiah, his son, occupied it, and after him Eliphus Wiggin.

The John H. Rust house was built by Joseph Edmonds from rough to finish ; including setting of glass, etc., for one hundred and fifty dollars. William Kent built the Enoch Clark house,

The Severance house was the John Warren house. Samuel Leavitt, Dr. Chapman, and Dr. Edgerly have all lived there.

Joseph Smith's store stood where Charles F. Piper's house is. It is now the dwelling of Rev. Mark Stevens.

John L. Piper's house stood on the site of Charles F. Parker's dwelling. Moses Piper, Dr. Perkins. Dr. Lary, and Dr. Hall lived there.

Joseph Clark built the house he lived in, now occupied by Greenleaf B. Clark. He was a manufacturer of furniture.

Deacon Rust's store was built by Nathaniel Rogers.

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

525

Samuel and John L. Piper's store stood where the Bank Build- ing is.

The Pickering-Rollins house is the oldest in the village. The nails in it are hand-made and the laths are rived.

Jeremiah Libbey's house was in the Belvue House garden.

After the establishment of retail stores in Wolfeborough it be- came the practice with many of the adult population to make a half-holiday of Saturday afternoon. They would then visit these emporiums, make necessary purchases, swap news, and, we fear, imbibe mixed grog. The people of Wolfeborough, in common with other New England towns, observed five holidays annually. These were Town Meeting, Fast Day, Independence Day, Muster, and Thanksgiving. The Christmas festival was looked upon by many in those times as a survival of popery and was little countenanced.

At first New Hampshire selected the first Tuesday in March for the annual election day ; later, the time was changed to the second Tuesday, as at present. Jeffersonianism, Republicanism, or the intensive modification of it, Jacksonian democracy, generally pre- vailed in Wolfeborough during the first half of the last century. The Federalists and Whigs were greatly in the minority. There were no party caucuses nor any nominations announced in ad- vance. Seldom, even, were ballots prepared. Ready penmen would write them as wanted at the meeting, and would prepare them as cheerfully for one side as the other. The contests were often sharp, on one occasion eight ballotings being required for the last selectman. Of course some questionable tricks were played but, the boss had not then come into vogue.

Until the meeting-house was built in 1792, the town meetings were held in private dwellings, made quasi-public by a license to sell spirits. The Mill house, which stood near the garden of Roscoe M. Flanders at Wolfeborough Falls was the last building so occupied. While the meeting-house remained as originally constructed, and after its transformation into a town-house, until

526

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the building of Brewster Memorial Hall, it was the only place where the citizens met to transact their legal town business. Al- though centrally situated, it was in a sparsely settled district where those who came from a distance could with difficulty obtain re- freshment.

Many of the voters took pocket lunches with them, which were in a manner supplemented by cold boiled eggs and home-made molasses candy peddled by boys, and the mute baker, Willand, endeavored to persuade his sceptical customers that the dry ginger bread he offered was "baked that morning." New rum could be obtained at three cents a glass. In later years appetizing food was served in booths erected on the grounds, a bowl of hot stewed oysters and a steaming mug of coffee forming an im- portant part of the popular repast.

Wrestling was a common sport at these town meetings. Champions from different sections of the town were pitted against each other. The bouts were interesting and not altogether un- scientific. "Collar-and-elbow" and "side-hugs" were the favorite holds, and the supporters of the champions successful in either . style would claim that the other method "wasn't wrestling at all." So engaged did the crowd become in these contests, that some- times the moderator was compelled to send a messenger to remind the voters that business was waiting them on the inside of the town-house.

On Fast Day a large portion of the people attended divine worship in the morning. In the afternoon, weather permitting, the first ball game of the season was played, as is the custom to- day.

July Fourth, the masculine element resorted to the village, where, unless an orator and some special observance had been provided, they waxed patriotic over their punch, while the youths burned powder and ignited explosives with zest. A few women occasionally appeared on the scene, but only as spectators. Cory-

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH. 527

don and Phyllis foraging for ice-cream and lemonade, were a later development of the "glorious Fourth."

The twenty-seventh regiment of New Hampshire militia con- sisted of the enrolled soldiers residing within the towns of Effing- ham, Ossipee, Wakefield, Brookfield, Tuftonborough, and Wolfe- borough, the extremities of the district being about thirty miles apart. The training field was in Ossipee, and the muster was the gala occasion of the year. Everybody who could, went ; the ro- bust young or middle-aged man was there by a requirement of the law ; the older men and the youths went to indulge in retro- spect or to strive to emulate ; the wives and sisters were there be- cause their husbands and brothers were. Brave was the show made by the gaily uniformed troops, intricate were the evolutions and bold the hazards of the sham battle ; with bugles blowing, fifes screaming, and drums beating, what enemy could stand before them?

The towns furnished the militiamen both liquid and solid rations. Venders at booths supplied the civilian crowd with the same, and at least as many were worsted by their devotion to Gambrinus as fell by the assault of the enemy. Footsore and weary, soldier and citizen arrived home at a late hour of the night, affirming, however, that town-meeting bustle and Independence Day glories paled before the spectacular wonders of Fall Train- ing.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

ITEMS OF INTEREST — BONUS PAID TO TAKE THE INVENTORY — WHIPPING POST — ORIGIN OF SHAD IN THE LAKE — BIG STORM OF 1816 — BILL FOR BURYING A PAUPER — HOT PO- LITICAL FRAYS — TOWN SURVEYED — THOMAS CHASE'S WALL — FIRST CARRIAGE, UMBRELLA, AND CIDER-MILL — A BIG TAVERN BILL — CHANGES AROUND LAKE FRONT — Two FAMOUS APPLES.

IN 1789 the town voted to let the taking of the inventory to the lowest bidder, and the privilege was struck off to John Home for eight shillings. There seems to have been at this time con- siderable competition for the berth. William Cotton the follow- ing year offered to pay eight shillings per £100 collected. In 1791, however, the town excused him from paying this bonus, and he simply did the work without financial reward.

At the town-meeting in 1810 it was voted to kill all dogs within town limits, also to pay a bounty of ten cents for all crows killed. Evidently the farmers had been suffering from marauders both in pasture and field. It is doubtful if the decree against the canines was very strictly enforced except, perhaps, in the case of the worthless "yaller dog."

Charles L. Home, who was born November 6, 1828, says he recollects distinctly seeing a man whipped at a whipping-post, when a young boy. He describes the whipper as being a thick- set man. The culprit did not seem to mind the punishment at first, but, as the handler of the rod warmed to his work, he howled with pain and made ineffectual efforts to free himself. A man standing near characterized the punishment as an outrage, but was quieted by the suggestion that he was making himself liable to the same treatment. Some girls who had been insulted by the

5*8

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 529

man at the post expressed their unqualified approval of the pro- ceedings and were likewise admonished. Mr. Home's memory fails to locate the situation of this instrument of punishment.

In 1796 taxes were as follows: town, $62.50; county, $12.23; school, $90.00; minister, $166.67.

In 1798 at the auditing of the town accounts the expenses for the day were four shillings ; for rum for the day three and one- half shillings.

Corn and rye for taxes were generally delivered at the houses of William Rogers and William Triggs.

In 1799 Samuel Leavitt, the grandfather of Samuel Leavitt who now occupies the machine shop in Wolfeborough Falls, re- moved a stone which was in the highway between his house, since known as the Banfield place, and Smith's Bridge at a cost to the town of twenty dollars. This stone was probably located near the Brewster farm. The price paid for its removal, con- sidering the low wages of that time, indicates that it was a serious obstruction to travel.

In the spawning season, before the Merrimac was so effectually dammed, the salmon and shad came up the river together in the spawning season. At the junction of the Pemigewassett and Winnipesaukee Rivers they parted company; the shad making their way to the lake, the salmon keeping up the Pemigewassett. The descendants of these shad are now caught in large numbers during the winter season.

Until 1804 there was no tax for breaking paths through the snow, but any person who refused to assist, when called upon by the surveyor, was liable to a fine of three shillings for himself, and the same amount for each yoke of oxen owned by him. In 1811 a winter highway tax equal to the summer tax was assessed.

The late venerable Robert Wiggin told that in 1816 the ground was bare until the month of March, when there fell in one storm four feet of snow. Only fourteen persons reached the town-house on election day. The following season was very cold. Snow fell

530

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

on the sixth day of June and frost appeared every month in the year. No sound corn was raised. This important cereal was hard to obtain at two dollars a bushel. Some thrifty farmers who had a store on hand refused to sell except to the needy. A day's work was the price of a peck of frost-bitten corn.

In 1791 the wages of town officials and laborers were the same, fifty cents per day.

In 1787 the town officers were elected by a poll vote.

Bill for burying a pauper in 1821 : "Digging a grave, $1.00; coffin, $1.50; winding sheet and grave clothes, $2.50; spirits and candles, $2.00; trouble and attendance, $2.75."

The town ceased to elect tithing-men in 1825.

Elections in the "good old days" were hotly contested. In 1845 there were nine candidates for first representative, and three bal- lots were necessary for a choice. At the same meeting there were fourteen candidates for first selectman and two ballotings ; twelve candidates for second selectman and two ballotings ; forty candi- dates for third selectman and eight ballotings.

The town was surveyed in 1803 by Isaiah Home, a state requisi- tion. Home's bill was a hundred and one dollars.

In 1819 the town voted not to allow horses, cattle, sheep, and swine to run at large in the winter season.

Thomas Chase built two thousand rods of good stone wall on his farm which was situated near New Durham town line. Much of this wall is still standing in fine condition.

The large elm which stands near the Dudley Hardy house was carried and set out there by Isaac Poor in 1799.

It is said that Daniel Raynard, who was for some years owner of the Wentworth Farm, possessed a pleasure carriage. The first chaise was owned by Richard Rust. Its body was square and painted yellow with red stripes. A portion of it is still in the possession of Horace B. Rust. The first bellows-topped chaise was probably purchased by Samuel Avery and sold by him to John Pickering. In 1817 Richard Rust, John Pickering, and

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

531

Joseph Varney were each taxed for a chaise. Jacob Home was the owner of the first wagon in town. Portions of it are still in the possession of his grandson, Frank B. Home. Mrs. Richard Rust owned the first umbrella. James Connor built the first cider- mill.

Following is James Connor's account for the expenses of the selectmen for the year 1779-80: —

To 9 meals victuals £8 :2 :o " 5 bowls toddy 3 :o :o

' 6 meals victuals 8 :8 :o

" 3 bowls toddy 3 13 :o

Feb. i ' 3 meals victuals 4:10:0

Cyder I :i6

This rate of £i :25s per meal seems rather stiff for those — or any other — times. Were the town fathers bon vivants, or was the worthy Boniface "on the inside?" The bill, however, is in existence, and figures are proverbially truthful.

A "potash" was in very early times located in the garden of the Belvue House, and another where J. L. Young's store is now situated.

Piper's store, which stood on the site of the Bank Building, projected out over the water, so that boats could be loaded there. All the land between this building and the river has been made.

About 1800 there was a long one-story building where Swett's hardware store stands. The bridge was some five feet further up stream then and not so elevated as at present. There was a shoal along where the wharves are that was undoubtedly included in Sevvall's gift.

Two varieties of apples were common in the old days. They were the "Farm Sweet," an oval red apple of rather ordinary flavor that grew on the Governor's Farm and the "Durgin Apple." This latter was a medium-sized, sour, red fruit, excellent for cooking, but would not today be considered a fine table apple : It is doubtful if either of these apples are grown today.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

OLD TIME CUSTOMS — How THE SETTLER PREPARED AND CULTI- VATED HIS LAND — SPINNING AND WEAVING — FOOD AND CLOTHING — How THEY "DROVE" TREES — GAME OF ALL KINDS PLENTIFUL — STIMULANTS NOT FROWNED UPON — THE PIONEER'S AXE — PLAIN LIVING AND HIGH THINK- ING.

THE early inhabitants were generally small farmers, depend- ing mainly on the annual products of their farms for their sustenance. In the winter some attention was given to the manu- facture of staves and oars, with which a portion of their groceries were purchased. The early spring was devoted to sugar-making, while the principal part of the summer season was occupied in "clearing land" and raising crops. Trees were usually felled in June, as then they were in full leaf. The branches were "lopped" and the trees left to "dry" for several weeks. They were then set on fire, and the leaves and small branches burned. If it was in- tended to put the land into rye, the principal grain crop, the scorched trunks were at once "cut up" and "piled," and the "heaps burnt off." In piling and burning, the father and sons were frequently assisted by the female members of the family, and at the close of a day thus spent in "the lot" the whole group would have well passed for "contrabands." The ashes left from the burning heaps were gathered and sold to "the storekeeper," who had "a potash" connected with his little grocery. Sometimes the felled trees, after being "burned over," were permitted to remain until the following spring, when they were cut, piled, and burnt, and the land planted to Indian corn by the method termed "under the hoe." The farmer after removing a little of the burnt surface of the earth with the hoe, would loosen and raise a small portion of the soil ; at the same moment a nimble boy or girl would deposit 532

MRS. NANCY EDGERLY

( AT THE AGE OF 105 )

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROVGH. 533

a few kernels of corn beneath the hoe, and the work of planting was completed. The crop would require little or no care until the harvest, but sometimes it would be necessary to cut down a few tender weeds. Early in the autumn, before gathering the corn, the land was sown with winter rye, which was "hacked in" with hoes. Subsequently grass seed was sown. The harvest of rye would come off in July or August of the following year, leaving the soil, if there had been a "good catch," which was usually the case, well swarded. The hay crop the succeeding year was gen- erally very heavy. So rankly would it grow as to render the use of the rake in gathering it unnecessary.

Grain was threshed with flails in the fields on plats of earth rendered hard by beating. It was winnowed by being shaken in a strong current of air. That portion of it mixed with the earth was fed out to swine or used for seed. Sometimes threshing- floors were built of timber and boards. Corn was husked in the open air, and secured in corn cribs or small latticed buildings. Portions of the corn fodder, straw, and hay were deposited in stacks, the barns, or, more properly, hovels, being too small to contain the whole. A roof of split-stuff or boards was usually placed over the stack.

Wheat, oats, and potatoes were but little cultivated. Turnips were a common crop. Flax was an important product. It did not succeed well on "burnt ground," and it was the custom with those who were making new farms to hire it grown on the ploughed lands of the first settlers. It was harvested by being pulled from the roots and tied in small bundles. Then, after being exposed to the sun for a few days, the bolls were threshed to obtain the seed. Subsequently it was taken to the field and thinly spread upon the surface of the ground, until the straw became so much rotted as to be easily broken. It was then gathered into bundles again and stored, where it usually remained until the spring of the following year. March was accounted the best month for "get- ting out flax." It was first "broken," by being repeatedly beaten

534

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

in a machine with wooden knives, or teeth, called a "break," until the straw was reduced to small fragments, leaving its external covering, a strong fibre, uninjured. It was then "swingled." This was done by suspending it beside an upright board fixed in a heavy log, and beating it with a large wooden knife, until the greater portion of the shives and coarser fibres was removed. It was then hackled, or combed, by being repeatedly drawn through a machine of strong pointed wires attached to a wooden base. It was sometimes again subjected to a similar process, a finer instrument being used. What remained was termed flax ; that which had been removed by the special processes, tow, of which there were three kinds — fine tow, coarse tow, and swingle tow. "To get out flax" required a certain degree of skill and practice, and persons who were adepts at the business were accustomed to go from place to place for that purpose. The manner of spinning rlax was peculiar. It was first wound about a distaff made of the terminating twigs of the pine bough, fastened together in such a manner as to form a globular framework. This distaff was at- tached to a small wheel called a "linen wheel." This was moved by the foot, the hand being employed in drawing out the flax, and occasionally applying it to the lips for the purpose of moistening it. Flax-spinning furnished an opportunity for a class of social interviews called "spinning bees," when the women of a neighbor- hood would take their wheels to one house and spend the after- noon in busy labor and talk, permitting the friend whom they visited to have the benefit of their toil. Tow was carded with hand-cards, and spun in a manner similar to wool. Swingle tow was used in the manufacture of meal-bags and straw ticks. Combed tow formed a part of towels, coarse table-covers, and common outer garments. It was sometimes used for under gar- ments, in which case, it is said, flesh brushes and hair mittens were rendered unnecessary. Flax and wool were the principal materials from which were manufactured the cloth and clothing of the family. Occasionally small purchases of cotton would be

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

535

made, but this was very little used. Not only was there a supply of cloth sufficient for home use manufacture, but also a little for sale. Hence, in setting up housekeeping, it was necessary to pro- vide the young couple with a large and a small spinning-wheel, a loom, reeds, harnesses, wraping bars, spools, and quills. These were regarded as matrimonial fixtures, and a young woman was not considered "fit to be married" until she had supplied her wardrobe, dining-room, and bed-chamber with the manufactures of her own hands.

Garments were made in the family. Sometimes a tailor would be applied to for the purpose of "cutting out" a coat. This was usually the only required aid from abroad. The rest of the house- hold apparel was made by members of the family. In warm weather almost every one went barefooted. In the autumn the shoemaker with his kit, consisting of a hammer, a strap, and a few knives and awls wrapped up in his leather apron, went from house to house for the purpose of "shoeing" the several families, his employers furnishing the material, — leather, thread, and bristles, and even the resin and tallow used in maunfacturing the wax. He was also expected to provide a lapstone and lasts. If the latter were wanting, blocks of wood were shaped to accomodate the several members of the family. The cordwainer was generally a jovial fellow, full of fun and stories, and pretty sure to give the unlucky urchin who might chance to stand near his elbow a thrust in the ribs. Cattle were also frequently shod upon the farmer's premises. They were "cast" on beds of straw and securely bound, their feet pointing upward. In this position the shoes were secured.

Much of the woolen cloth designed for men's clothing was woven with a wale, and colored a yellowish brown with the bark of the yellow oak. Blue was a color greatly in vogue, and an indigo dye-pot was found in almost every chimney-corner. This color, however, was generally combined with some other in the manu-

536

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

facture of cloth. A copperas color and "blue check" was regarded as very desirable for female attire.

The clothing consisted principally of home manufactures. In winter the men sometimes wore deerskin garments, but more frequently short woolen frocks and trousers. In summer the same style was preserved, but the material changed, tow-and-linen being substituted for wool. Holiday garments were made of thick "full-cloth." Nearly every substantial citizen was the possessor of a grayish-white "great-coat," which lasted a lifetime. Boots were almost unknown, shoes and buskins being worn in winter. The buskin was simply a footless stocking fastened to the shoe for the purpose of protecting the foot and lower part of the leg from the snow. The "go-to-meeting" dress of a woman consisted of a bonnet called a calash, which resembled a chaise-top, a short, loose gown, a skirt, an apron, and a handkerchief fastened about the neck. A hooded cloak, usually of red color, was worn in winter. The stylish ladies wore straw bonnets ; one. with an occa- sional bleaching, would last for a decade. They also dressed more elaborately than the common class. The vandyke was also worn.

Shoes, and generally stockings, were worn to church. With many it would have been regarded as an unwarrantable waste to have wore shoes on the way. They were carried in the hand until the place of meeting was nearly reached, and then put on, to be taken off again on the return. Some of the more wealthy wore coarse shoes on the road, and exchanged them for "moroccos" when near the church door. Such carefulness was necessary in order that a person might preserve suitable apparel for holiday occasions, since a young woman with her weeks' wages could only purchase two yards of common print. "Fancy goods'' bore a corresponding price.

The walls of many of the houses were constructed of logs, which, however, usually were hewn and the interstices between them filled with clay mortar. The better class of the people had frame-houses covered with rough boards and unpainted. The

HISTORY OF WOLFEBORODGH. 537

interior was seldom completely finished. The rooms were sep- arated by a ceiling of boards, sometimes planed and occasionally paneled, but more frequently rough. Chimneys were built of rough stone, and topped with laths plastered with clay. In the better class of houses they were built of brick. In all cases they were very large and provided with spacious fireplaces. The oven opened into the fireplace. In some instances it was built in the open air, but not frequently. These large chimneys were more easily constructed of coarse materials than smaller ones, and were also necessary on account of the large fires kept burning in the cold season. These fires could not be dispensed with, the houses being so openly constructed as to readily admit the air. The hovels for the shelter of stock consisted of walls built of hewn logs fastened at the corners, and covered with a roof similar to that placed over the haystack.

The mode of traveling was principally on foot. Few horses were owned by the people. These were used for horseback riding. It was a common practice for two persons to ride at one time, usually a man and a woman — the man riding before on a saddle, and the woman upon a pillion attached to the saddle. Not in- frequently one child, and perhaps two children, would be carried at the same time. Wheel carriages were rarely used by the in- habitants. In the winter season sleds drawn by horses and oxen were in common use. These sleds were also used for drawing hay from the fields and other burthens in the summer season.

The food of the people was quite simple. Rye and Indian corn were the principal grains raised. These were ground at the grist- mill, but not bolted. The coarse bran was separated with a hand sieve, and when it was desirable to obtain fine flour, the sifted meal was shaken in a fine sieve. Various but simple were the ways of cooking these meals. Some of the methods are still in use. The "rye-and-Injun"loaf will probably lie retained to the latest posterity. One mode of preparing bread then very pre- valent is now entirelv out of use, the baking of bannocks. It was

538

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

in this manner: Thick batter was spread upon a plate or small sheet of iron, sometimes upon a bit of board, and set up edgewise before the kitchen fire. Where the family was large, a consider- able number of these would be before the fire at the same time. Rude as this method may seem, it required some skill to properly manage the baking. Care must be taken that the bread did not burn or slide down on the hearthstone. When one side was suf- ficiently baked, the bannock must be "turned," that the other side might be presented to the fire. To do this skilfully was regarded as a very desirable accomplishment. Meats were somewhat sparingly eaten. Beef and mutton could not well be afforded on account of the scarcity of cattle and sheep. Pork was not very abundant, for although almost every family kept swine, they were required to obtain their living by running at large during the sum- mer season, and were but little fattened in the fall. Some wild meats were eaten, and a good supply of fish was obtained from the brooks, ponds, and lakes.

One very common dish was "bean porridge," prepared by boil- ing meat, beans, and Indian corn together. "Boiled corn" was much eaten. The shelled kernels were first slightly boiled in weak lye, by which means the hulls were removed. They were then repeatedly rinsed in pure water in order to remove the alkaline matter, and afterwards subjected to several hours' boiling. When sufficiently cooked the corn was served up with milk or molasses. Roasted potatoes, boiled fish, and butter furnished a healthful repast. Boiled meat, turnips, and brown bread afforded a sub- stantial dinner. Poultry, bacon, and eggs were eaten to some extent. Puddings were very common. Fine meal bread, sweet- ened with maple sugar or West India molasses, sometimes graced the supper table. "Hasty pudding and milk" was a very common dish, especially for children.

The simple manner of living rendered the people of that time hardy and capable of performing a large amount of labor. It was not an uncommon thing for a man to fell an acre of trees in one

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH. 539

day. To be sure this was done in part by "driving," as it was termed. This was the method : A considerable number of trees were cut partly off ; then one very large and favorably situated was selected, which in falling would strike others, and these again others, until scores, and perhaps hundreds, would come crashing down at the same time. Still it required much physical energy and strength to accomplish that amount of work in so short a time. Piling was also very heavy work, and occasioned a lively competition. Two persons generally worked together, and it was regarded as disreputable for one to permit his end of the log to fall behind that of his fellow-laborer.

Hunting and fishing were the principal amusements of the settlers, and in this profit was chiefly considered. In the fall bears were quite troublesome in the cornfields, and were destroyed in various ways — sometimes by being caught in log traps, or by being shot by guns set for the purpose, and sometimes by hunting. Their flesh in the autumn or early part of the winter was con- sidered very good. In the winter deer were taken in considerable numbers, game laws not being in much force at this time. Other wild game was hunted ; some for flesh, some for fur, and others to prevent depredations on the growing crops or domestic animals.

At this period liquors were in common use, although seldom drunk immoderately except on extraordinary occasions. When friends met at the store or at their own house, "a treat" was ex- pected, and the storekeeper would have been regarded as nig- gardly who did not offer his customer a dram if he had made a considerable purchase. On all public occasions and social feasts liquors were provided, generally at the expense of the managers. Laborers, especially if the toil was unusually severe, expected their allowance of grog; even the housewife on washing day did not hesitate to take a "drop sweetened." It was always kept on hand for visitors, and however scanty and coarse might be the food offered, if the bowl of toddy or mug of flip was forthcoming, the claims of hospitality were satisfactorily complied with. A

540

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

bowl of toddy consisted of a half-pint of rum mixed with sugar and water, and was regarded as a drink for four persons. A mug of flip was composed of the same materials, but drunk warm. Town officers were supplied with liquor at the expense of the town, and frequently furnished it for persons calling at the town office on business. Sometimes the whole company present would be invited to drink. At the "vendue" of two vagrants in 1784, in Wolfeborough, twenty-one bowls of toddy were drunk at the ex- pense of the town. At the sale of the pews of the Wolfeborough meeting-house in 1791, liquors were provided by the selectmen. Notwithstanding the general use of intoxicating drinks at this period, drunkenness was not very common.

The axe was the universal and most important implement of a settler in a New England forest. This, as well as all other farm- ing tools composed of iron or steel, was manufactured by the vil- lage blacksmith. It was usually quite heavy, and clumsily made. Sometimes it was broad on the edge, being shaped somewhat like the broad-axe. The hoe consisted of a small plate of hammered iron, to which was fastened a socket. Through this the handle was put, and fastened with wedges. The shovel was made of firm wood, and the blade occasionally bordered with iron, or "shod." The "plow irons" consisted of two parts, the colter and the "chip- and-wing," or share. The "wood-work"' was made at the farmer's house. In constructing it timber was not sparingly used. The "furrow-board" was taken from a winding tree. The plow, being short and clumsy, would not well turn the sward, but seemed to be designed mainly for rooting. It was, however, an instrument not much needed, as most of the cereal and root crops were raised on a "burn." The harrow was made of the forking branches of a tree, into which wooden teeth were driven.

It has been before said that hay was drawn to the stack or hovel upon sleds. This was usually the case, but sometimes a sledge was used. This consisted of two long poles, fastened together with cross-bars. The lighter ends of the poles were attached to

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

541

a horse, while the others dragged on the ground. The first at- tempt to manufacture wheels was in this manner: Large trucks were formed of plank, two of these were placed together in such a position that the grains of wood in one would cross those of the other, and fastened with three nails. On the outside of this apology of a wheel was fixed a cleat of very firm wood on which the axle might rest. Block wheels followed these ; they were constructed much like those used at the present time, only the felloes were much larger and were not ironed.

The flail with which grain was threshed consisted of two stout cudgels fastened together with a cord or leathern string. The one held in the hand was called "the staff," and was a little longer than the other, which was termed the "swingle." It was quite common for two persons to thresh together, each striking the grain alternately and with equal rapidity. Occasionally the flail string would break throwing the swingle high in the air, which in its descent was liable to give the laborer a blow on the head. One grindstone and a cross-cut saw generally answered for an entire neighborhood. The principal mechanical tools owned by a farmer were, with the exception of the axe, a gouge and a pod- auger. The gouge was an necessary accompaniment of the auger, as it was difficult to enter the wood with the auger until a hole was first made with the gouge. Besides these were the frow, an elongated wedge used in riving timber, and the shave. These last-mentioned tools were used chiefly in manufacturing shingles, which were then rived and shaven, and were much superior to those of the present time obtained by sawing.

In preparing wool, cotton, and tow for spinning, it was neces- sary that these substances should first be formed into "rolls" with hand-cards. These rolls were a little more than a foot in length ; those of wool and cotton being round, and those of tow flattened. Carding parties \vere quite common, when several neighbors would each take a small bundle of wool, or more fre- quently cotton, and a pair of cards, and spend the afternoon in

542

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

forming rolls, taking tea with the family which they visited. It was nearly as much labor to card as to spin a certain quantity of the raw material. Wool, cotton, and tow were spun on a "large wheel." This machine consisted of a narrow bench standing on the legs, the forward being more elevated than the back. At tlie forward end were two small posts nearly perpendicular. To these was attached an iron or steel spindle, kept in place with "ears/' formed of hemlock twigs or corn husks. At the back part of the bench arose another small post inclining backward. Near the top of this was a short axle on which revolved a broad-rimmed wheel about four feet in diameter. A band of twisted yarn passed from the wheel to a grooved "whirl" on the spindle. In spinning the roll was taken in the left hand and attached to the spindle ; at the same moment a brisk motion was given to the wheel with the right hand, the spinner slowly stepping back and drawing out a thread of yarn. Usually a small wooden pin was carried in the right hand with which the wheel was moved. This was called a "wheel-pin." The yarn was wound from the spindle with a reel into skeins. Each skein consisted of seven knots of forty threads, and each thread was required to be six feet long, so that a skein of yarn was one continuous thread one thousand six hundred and eighty feet in length. It was a daily stint to spin five skeins of wool yarn, or to card and spin three skeins. A woman perform- ing this amount of labor usually received fifty cents a week and board. The yarn intended for warp was subsequently wound on spools, which were hollow cylinders of wood, with a ridge at each end. This was done in the following manner : The skein of yarn 'was stretched on a "swift," or revolving reel, and the spool was placed on the spindle of the wheel before described. Then, by a continuous turning of the wheel, the yarn was transferred from the swift to the spool. The spools were then set in a frame called a "spool frame," being kept in their places by small wooden rods, and the threads from the several spools were carried collectively around wooden pins set in another frame called "warping bars."

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUQH. 543

This process was denominated warping, and was the last step preparatory to putting the yarn in the loom for weaving.

The loom to be found in almost every farmhouse consisted of a stout frame of wood about six feet broad, five feet long, and five feet high. At one end was a large cylinder around which the warp was wound. This was called the "yarn beam." At a little distance from this was suspended "the harness," connected with cords to pulleys above and treadles below. The harness was made by connecting two slender shafts with numerous threads. By knotting these threads of twine, "eyes" were formed through which the threads of the warp were carried separately. Near the harness and immediately before it hung the lathe. This was a wooden frame, the upper part of which rested on the timbers of the loom in such a manner that it could easily be swung forward and backward. At the lower part were two cross-bars, one of which was movable. Between these cross-bars, which were grooved on the inner edges, was fixed the "slaie," now usually termed the reed. This was a frame three or four feet long and four inches broad, in which were set, in an upright position, small slips of reed or upright slats. The threads of the warp were drawn through the interstices between these slats, then carried over a square timber called the "breast beam," and finally con- nected with a small cylinder called the "cloth beam," situated in the lower part of the loom. Fronting the breast beam was placed a high seat for the weaver. The "treadles" (in weaving plain cloth two were used) were narrow boards, one end of each at- tached to the framework of the loom, and the other to the harness. The manner of weaving was as follows : A quill, usually the woody stock of some plant, from which the pith had been re- moved, was wound with woof yarn and fixed on a small rod in a hand shuttle. By the action of the treadle on the harness the alternate threads of the warp were separated. With one hand the operator then threw the shuttle between these threads thus separated, and with the other brought forth the lathe containing

544

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

the "slaie." This pressed the woof-thread close to the one which preceeded it. The lathe was then swung back, the foot pressed on the other treadle, the upper and lower threads of the warp, by the action of the harness, were made to cross each other, and thus confine the woof in its place. The shuttle was then thrown back through the new opening between these threads of the warp, and the lathe again brought forward ; and this course being con- tinued, the web of cloth was at length produced. To weave five yards of cloth was the allotment for a day's work. When more complicated webs were woven, four or more treadles were used.

EENJAWIN F. PARKER

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PARKER.

Benjamin F. Parker,* the historian of Wolfeborough, lived here a long, useful life and was for threescore and ten years an active citizen of the town. Mr. Parker was born April 21, 1817, and came to Wolfeborough at the age of fourteen to live with Robert Wiggin, a relative of his mother. Mr. Parker was the son of Samuei Parker, who followed the sea, and died in 1819 of yellow fever in Florida. Samuel Parker was of the well-known Boston family of the name that came from England early in the seven- teenth century.

Young Parker was educated in the old Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough academy and at the age of eighteen began what proved to be an eminently successful career as a teacher. He taught in the public schools of Wolfeborough and adjacent towns and was also assistant to the principal of the academy. In 1847, he began trade with his foster father, under the firm name of Parker & Wiggin. This firm and its successors did business for nearly fifty years.

In 1850, he married Harriet B., a daughter of Daniel Whitten, and by her had eight children, six of whom survive. From their marriage, until Mr. Parker's death, Dec. 30, 1900, they had moved but once, and then only from the house next door.

We quote here from the words of eulogy pronounced by Rev. George L. White of New Hampton :

"An ancient high priest of Israel, Jehoiada by name, when he came to die, was buried in the city of David among the Kings, be- cause he had done good to Israel and toward God and his house. An unusual thing — a very high mark of honor, for a priest to be buried with royalty, and all because of distinguished services to the church and state.

* A short genealogy appears on page 453.

$4.6 HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

"Deacon Parker has been so long identified with the interests of the town, and of this church — he has been so useful to them both, that it has seemed to me that he deserved at our hands as kingly a burial as Israel of old gave to the high priest Jehoiada.

"You know how burial in Westminster Abbey is regarded by all English-speaking people. Kings and counsellors, statesmen and generals, poets and orators, the distinguished for a dozen centuries, have been given burial there. It is the highest honor that Eng- land can give her dead. To my mind, it is better to live so well, to do so much good, in the humble walks of life, that the common people will come to our burial, grieve deeply over our departure, remember gratefully our virtues and kindly forget our faults, than to be buried in Westminster Abbey, or any other most sacred and venerable burying-place.

"Wolfeborough mourns for Deacon Parker today. A long life has been his : lived largely right in your midst, identified from the earliest with most of the important interests of your town, a man public-spirited, of wide sympathies, of unusual breadth of mind.

"Yes, Deacon Parker was a Christian. He loved his fellow-men. He evidenced that love in the most convincing way, for he never shrank from social ostracism or contumely, if these stood in the path of his duty. From the earliest he was an abolitionist and was actively engaged in behalf of the slave when it was not a pop- ular thing at all. At our General Conferences, he would draft resolutions, and defend them with strong and convincing speeches ; he would contribute of his means to maintain meetings in behalf of the slave, and to forward the underground railway. In short, he threw himself into the abolition cause with all the ardor of which he was capable and for which he was always so con- spicuous.

"He scorned to be a coward. Others might keep silence out of policy, self-interest, timorousness, or fear of scorn. Deacon Parker never hesitated to speak his convictions.

"Deacon Parker never grew old — let me hasten to correct — he

HISTORY OF WOLFEBOROUOH.

547

was young to the last day of his life. It has been humorously said of Scotchmen that they are born with their minds all made up and they think life too short to make it worth while to change them. Deacon Parker could change his mind. He was always open to evidence. He always was a patient truth-seeker. He trusted God ; believed Him to be at the head of human affairs ; that He was able to work out His own will concerning us, after a method of His own choosing, and that a righteous principle can never die, nor suffer more than temporary defeat."

Mr. Parker's life work was this history of his beloved town, to which he gave freely of time and painstaking effort. This work will be his enduring monument.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTEB I Page 6

Discovery of Plscataqua River — New England — Council of Ply- mouth— Gorges and Mason — Laconia — First Settlements at Pis- cataqua — New Hampshire — Mason's Grant — Death of Mason and his Heirs — Land sold to Samuel Allen — Young Mason's Claims and the Disposal of the Property.

CHAPTEB II Page 10

Grant of Township — Kingswood — Admission of Associates — How the New Town was named — The Miles Road — Elisha Bryant fells Trees — First Meeting of Town Proprietors — Town named, surveyed, and divided — Effort to promote Settlement — Terms under which Land could be acquired — Separation into Lots — Descriptive Boundaries — Boundaries of Subdivisions and Additions.

CHAPTEB III Page 31

Topography — Bays of Wolfeborough Harbor — Smith's Pond and River — Lake Wentworth and its Islands — Its Meadows, Beaches and Tributary Streams — Crooked Pond — Loon Island — Scenic Views from the Lake — Tumble-Down Dick — Copple Crown — Longstack — Belknap — Ossipee — Presidential Ranges — Neighbor- ing Foot-hills — Rust's Pond — Perry's Brook — Mirror Lake — Beach, Lily, and Batson's Ponds — Meserve and Factory Brooks — Center Square, Stockbridge, Boston, Trask, Whiteface, and Cotton Mountains — The Valley Road — Minerals — Products — In- dian Relics.

CHAPTER IV Page 43

Notice of Proprietors' Meeting — Form of Contract — Note to Josiah Miles — March's Contract — Titles to Proprietors' Lots — Rust's Deed and a Description of his Lot — Description of Sun- dry Lots — George Meserve's Contract to erect Mills — Livlus' Proposition — Meeerve's Failure and the New Contract — Lands forfeited by a Few Proprietors and re-granted to Governor Went- worth— Blake and Libbey fell Trees — Rustic Surgery — Town permanently settled in 1768 — Earlier Visitors in the Town.

550 TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V Page 55

Governor John Wentworth — Parentage and Ancestry — A Stu- dent at Harvard — Friendship with Dr. Ammi R. Cutter — Be- comes an Interested Proprietor of Wolfeborough — Appointed Joint Agent for the Province at the British Court — Made Sur- veyor of the King's Woods in North America and Governor of the Province — His Reception at Portsmouth — Felicitous Com- mencement of his Administration — Lady Wentworth — The Gov- ernor's Interest in Dartmouth College and Road-building — Livius' Charge of Malfeasance — Political Antagonisms — Revolu- tionary Foreshadowings — Goes to Portsmouth — His Last Official Act — Subsequent Career and Death.

CHAPTEB VI Page 74

Sketch of Dr. Ammi Ruhamah Cutter — A Notable Figure in the Early History of the Town — Other Proprietors — Judge David Bewail.

CHAPTER VII Page 80

The Governor's Farm — Innate Love of Earth — Influence of Eng- lish Country Life upon Governor Wentworth — Location and Area of the Farm — The Mansion-house and Surroundings — How the Land was prepared — The Wall — The Park — Promotion of Local Interests — The Piscataqua Canal — Roads to Canada — Pur- suits of First Settlers of New Hampshire — Dr. Dwight's Charac- terization— Development of the Governor's Plans — His Inten- tions— Occupation of the New House — New Hampshire's Oldest Watering-place — Legendary Lore — The Governor's Slaves — The "High Gust of Wind" — Description of the Mansion in 1770 — The Governor's Retainers — War Clouds Arise — Hurried Visit to the Farm — The Final Scenes of the Drama.

CHAPTER VIII Page 98

Happenings at the Farm after the Governor's Departure — His Exile — Confiscation of Property — Personal Effects Sold — The Cattle feed the Patriot Army — Plans for disposing of the Estate — The Cabotts* Purchase in 1782 — Daniel Raymond becomes the Owner — Division and Sale of Land — The Mansion-house burned — Sad Reflections — Trend of Development of the Land — The Fu- ture of the Farm.

CHAPTER IX Page 105

First Settlers — Henry Rust clears Land — His Sons winter in the Town— His Wife— A Sketch of his Life— Reuben Libbey— Settler's Lot— Parker's Agent — A Town Official, Soldier, and

TABLE OF CONTENTS. 55!

Bear Hunter — Paul March and his Contract — Location of the Seven Farms — The Fifty-acre Lots — The Lucas, Newall, Avery, Manning, and Gould Interests — Second Farm — Samuel Teb- betts — Dudley L. Libbey — Blake Folsom — Daniel E. Leavitt — Third Farm — Joseph Lary — John Sinkler — Daniel Wiggin — Benjamin Webster — Fourth Farm — Thomas Piper sells Farm, and settles on Fifty-acre Lot — Two Sons in the Revolution — Timothy Piper's Family — John Piper's Remarkable Family — Ebenezer Meader purchases Piper's Lot — The first Pig arrives in Town — A Journey through the Forest — The Blacksmith — Fifth Farm — Thomas Taylor— First Male Child born— Ben- jamin Folsom — Jonathan Chase — A Centenarian — The Folsom Family — Sixth Farm — Benjamin Blake — Jonathan and Daniel Blake — Seventh Farm — Widow Mary Fullerton — Two Soldiers — The Daughters.

CHAPTER X Page 121

Other Settlers — Jacob Sceggel — His Son and Grandson — Aaron Frost — His Encounter with a Bear — Grafton Nutter — John Flagg — Jotharn Rindge — Robert Calder — James Conner — Enoch Thomas — Andrew Wiggin — Jonathan Hersey — John Parker — Matthew S. Parker — Henry Rust Parker — Moses and Ichabod Tebbetts — George Woodhouse — Thomas Triggs — Joseph Kenis- ton — Samuel Hide — Joseph Leavitt — Abram Prebble.

CHAPTER XI Page 128

Local Government established — The Charter — The Annual Fair — The First Town-meeting — Officers chosen — Town-meeting Rec- ords— Examples of Phonetic Spelling — A Highway Surveyor's Warrant — Specified Duties of Town Officers — Fence-viewers — Field-drivers — Pound-keepers — Hog-reeves — Benedicks — Pounds — The Constable — The Tithing-man — The Deer-keeper — The Race-ground — Early Fairs — Methods of Traveling.

CHAPTER XII Page 139

The Revolution — Uncertainty prevails in 1775 — Census of 1773 and 1775 — Ammunition purchased — The Town acts — Moses Ham appointed Agent — Early Enlistments — Organization of the Train-band— Meager Records — Money and Labor gtven — Differ- ence as to Town Quota of Men — Town-meeting to provide Sol- diers— Two Men enlist — Burgoyne's Raid — General Whipple's Letter — How the Soldiers were fitted out — No New Hampshire Conscripts — Exempts — Town declines to send Delegate to Pro- vincial Convention.

552

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIII Page 157

The Revolution — Reuben Libbey goes to War instead of a Sub- stitute— His Hay-crop harvested by a Labor Tax — James Fuller- ton and James Wiggin enlist — Wiggin honorably discharged — Other Enlistments — New Hampshire furnishes the Army Rum and Beef — Progress of the Conflict — Bounties vainly offered — State supplies Town's Quota — Full list of Soldiers — Their Ser- vice— Officers — Fatal Casualties — Town's War Debt — Farms at- tached for State Tax — Debt finally wiped out — Prospect for the Future.

CHAPTER XIV Page 174

Estes Family — Cotton Family — Rogers Family — Hersey Family — Martin Family — Brief Sketches of Other Families.

CHAPTER XV Page 185

Ebenezer Horne and his Success as a Road-builder — Something of his Family — Why Goose Corner was so-called — Roads built in all Directions — History and Description of the Ossipee Road — Other important Roads laid out since 1800 — The Village Streets.

CHAPTER XVI Page 200

Middleton — Nicholas Austin becomes Bumptious — Petition for New Town — Remonstrance — Second Petition — Second Remon- strance— Parker's Bill — Road to Middleton— Interesting Cor- respondence on the Matter — Petition from Citizens of Ossipee — Bristol — Wolfeborough Addition — Action of Selectmen on Pe- titions— Alton and Tuftonborough Annexations.

CHAPTER XVII Page 221

Varney Family — Bassett Family — Brackett Family — Jesse Whit- ten's Family — Haines Family — Hardy Family — Edmonds Fam- ily— Chamberlain Family — Nute Family — Nudd Family — Shorey Family — Some of the more Recent Arrivals.

CHAPTER XVIII Page 242

Inventory of 1788 — A Good Growth indicated — Annual Town- meeting of 1788 — Action looking toward the Building of a Meet- ing-house.

CHAPTER XIX Page 254

The Meeting-house — Pledged Donation from Proprietors — De- lays— Exchange of Lots — Labor Tax — New Proposal of Pro- prietors— Purchase of Pews and Sale of Lumber — The Builders — Time Required to Build — The Cost — House Described — Changed to Town-house — Its Final Disposition — Part of Lot Sold — The Burying-yard — Fires.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

553

CHAPTEB XX Page 268

The Early Ministry — New England Custom — Andrew Collins—- John Allen — Benjamin Randall — Isaac Townsend — Ebenezer Allen — His Call to be Town Minister — His Reply — Controversy — Protest against Ordination of Townsend — Protest against Ordination of Allen — Ordination of Townsend — Ordination of Allen — The Sermon — The Charge — The Right Hand of Fellow- ship— The Entertainment — A Somewhat Spiritous as well as Spiritual Gathering.

CHAPTER XXI Page 295

First Minister's Lot — The Parsonage — Ministerial Tax — Var- ney's Petition — Exempts — The Lawsuit — The Glove — Allen's An- cestry and Posterity — His Work and Character — Sudden Death — Sketch of Elder Townsend — Comparison of the Two First Clergymen.

CHAPTER XXII Page 306

Churches and Other Religious Organizations — First Church Or- ganized— Christian Churches Established in 1812 and 1822 — Co-workers Fernald and Townsend and Their Followers — Stephen Coffin — Allen's Church — John P. Cleveland— The First Sunday-school — The Academy Chapel Finished — Thomas P. Beach — Dr. Jeremiah Blake — The Methodists — The Friends — The Universal ists — The Unitarians — The Adventists — The Cath- olics— Location of Churches.

CHAPTER XXIII Page 330

Schools — Andrew Collins — Isaiah Home — Grain Currency — Four Districts — Schoolrooms — Furniture — Eight Districts — School Lot sold — Schoolhouses — Teachers — Dudley Leavitt — The Fire List — The Sweeping List — Boarding around — Little Republics — Brandy Scheme — School Committees — Exhibit of Schools in 1840 — District Two — District One — Union of Districts — High School— Town System Adopted— Exhibit of Schools 1898 — Women Teachers come to the front — The First Stove.

CHAPTER XXIV Page 353

Early Banns — Marrying and Giving in Marri: je in the Old Days.

CHAPTER XXV Page 402

Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy — First Meeting of Proprietors — Incorporation — Academy Lot — Trustees — Academy Building — Officers and Students in 1823 — Teachers and Stu-

554 TABLE OF CONTENTS.

dents in 1836 — Henry Wilson — Lyceum — Christian Institute — Brewster Free Academy — Extract from Will of John Brewster — Charter — Trustees — Teachers — Academy Grounds — Early Li- braries— Brewster Library — Town Trustees Appointed.

CHAPTER XXVI Page 417

Soldiers of 1812 — Civil War — Provision for Soldiers and Their Families — Enlisted Soldiers — Resident Survivors — Major James R. Newell — Major William H. Trickey — Captain Alvah S. Libbey — Officers who became Prominent — Civil List of the Town.

CHAPTER XXVII Page 435

The Brewster Family — John Brewster and his Liberal Bequests to His Native Town— Text of a Portion of His Will.

CHAPTER XXVIII Page 444

Wolfeborough's Foremost Settler — Colonel Henry Rust and his Long Train of Descendants — The Four Henrys — The Three Worthies — The Parker Branch of the Family — Other Parkers.

CHAPTER XXIX Page 455

Newspapers — Carroll County Republican Established at South Wolfeborough — Carroll County Pioneer — Carroll County Regis- ter— Granite State News — Carroll County Democrat — Sketch of Charles H. Parker — Lawyers and Doctors — Brief Sketches of Men famous in These Callings — "Squire" Batchelder — Charles F. Hill— William Fox — Sewall W. Abbott — Drs. Cutter, McNorton, Hall, Tebbetts, Pattee, and King.

CHAPTER XXX Page 468

Mills and Manufacturing — The Old Taverns — The Newer Sum- mer Hotels — Banks — Early Stores and Traders.

CHAPTER XXXI Page 477

The Avery Family — Samuel Avery's Connection with the Old Academy — Incidents in Life of Henry Wilson — Thompson Fam- ily— Huggins Family — Stevenson Family — Daniel Pickering, Wolfeborough's Leading Citizen — Charles Rollins — Thomas L. Whitton.

CHAPTER XXXII Page 493

Casualties and Fires — William Fullerton drowned the Year the Town was incorporated — Numerous Drowning Accidents — The Varney and Jerome Tragedies — Henry Rust's Boys burned out —The South Wolfeborough Fires— The Big Fire of 1887— In- cendiarism— Last Disastrous Fire.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

555

CHAPTEB XXXIII Page 600

Fire Precinct Established — Fire Engine Purchased — Hose Companies succeed Volunteer Firemen — Electric Light Plant In- stalled— Wolfeborough Water Works — Post Routes and Stages — Primitive Postal Facilities — The Dover-Sandwich Stages — Famous Drivers.

CHAPTEB XXXIV Page 507

Early Transportation Projects — Roads and Canals — Facilities afforded by the Lake — Joseph Smith and his Gundalow — Old- time Rafting — The First Steamer, Belknap — The Lady of the Lake — Wolfeborough gets in Closer Touch with the World — Negotiations for Railroad Connections — Wolfeborough Road Finally Constructed — Difficulties Overcome — Steamers Dover and Mount Washington — Story of the Lady — Famous Old Craft of a Generation Ago — The Future — Exports of Former Days.

CHAPTEB XXXV Page 516

The Public Landing — How Judge Sewall disposed of his Lands in Wolfeborough — Smith's Bridge Village built on his Original Lot — Squatters on the landing — Sewall's Statement — Develop- ment of the North Shore.

CHAPTER XXXVI Page 522

The Early Homes of the Settlers — Methods of Building in Vogue — John Lary's Wife a True Helpmeet — Two-story Houses of Seventy-five Years Ago — Items of Interest about Them — Holi- days of Our Fathers — The Country Store as a Resort — Town Meeting, its Serious and Sportive Side — Independence Day—- The Glories of Muster.

CHAPTEB XXXVII Page 528

Items of Interest — Bonus paid to take the Inventory — Whipping Post— Origin of Shad in the Lake— Big Storm of 1816— Bill for Burying a Pauper — Hot Political Frays — Town Surveyed — Thomas Chase's Wall — First Carriage, Umbrella, and Cider-mill — A Big Tavern Bill — Changes Around the Lake Front— Two Famous Apples.

CHAPTER XXXVIII Page 532

Old Time Customs — How the Settler prepared and cultivated His Land — Spinning and Weaving — Food and Clothing — How they "Drove" Trees — Game of All Kinds Plentiful — Stimulants not frowned upon — The Pioneer's Axe — Plain Living and High Thinking.

SKETCH OF BENJAMIN F. PARKER Page 545

INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Abbott, Hon. Sewall W Page 462

Advent Chapel " 318

Avery, Samuel " 478

Bickf ord, James " 238

Brewster Academy " 338

Brewster, John " 434

Brewster Memorial Hall " 136

Center Wolfeborough " 128

Chamberlain, Daniel " 236

Church, Christian " 306

Church, Congregational " 306

Church, Free Baptist " 305

Church, Unitarian " 306

Clark, Greenleaf B " 240

East Wolfeborough " 128

Edgerly, Nancy " 532

Fernald, Jonathan P " 102

Folsom, Blake " 113

Hall, Dr. Jeremiah F " 464

Haines, Joseph R " 232

Huggins, John P " 484

Huggins, Samuel ... " 482

Lewando, Joseph " 496

Libbey, Capt. Alvah S " 426

Lord, Edwin H " 408

Martin's Hill, View from " 30

Meader, John " 114

Header's Retreat " 116

Meeting House, East Wolfeborough " 318

Meeting House, North Wolfeborough " 318

Meeting House, South Wolfeborough " 318

Meeting House, Center Wolfeborough " 318

Newell, Major James R " 422

North Wolfeborough " 128

Old Brick Schoolhouse " 338

Paris, Elder Cummins " 312

Parker, Benjamin F " 544

INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

557

Parker, Dr. Henry R Page 452

Parker, Charles H " 468

Pickering, Daniel " 486

Pickering Homestead " 472

Piper, Hon. Charles F " 112

Pond Road " 36

Remick, Charles " 490

Residence, E. B. Dickinson " 516

Residence, Jos. W. Goodwin " 234

Residence, Mrs. Martha Jones " 506

Rogers Homestead " 180

Rogers, Nathaniel " 176

Rollins, Charles " 488

Rust, Hon. Henry B " 444

Rust Pond " 36

Swett, Alpheus " 494

Thompson, Moses " 480

Trickey, Major William H " 424

Wentworth, Gov. John " 54

Wentworth, Lady Frances " 62

Wentworth, Mansion " 80

Wentworth Mansion, Plan of " 84

Whitten, Jesse " 228

Whitton, Hon. Thomas L " 492

Wolfeborough Bay " 30-31

Wolfeborough Falls " 128

Wolfeborough Village, Winter " 156

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