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^T4-XcL, 

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A\o^                        ■    , 

HISTORY 


-OF- 


FRANCESTOWN,  N,  H. 

From  it.s  Earliest  Settlement  April,  1758 
TO  January  1,  1891. 


WITH    A    BRIEF 


GENEALOGICAL  RECORD 

OF  ALL  THE  FRANCESTOWN  FAMILIES. 


By  hev.  w.  r.  cochranp:.  1).  n. 

OF  ANTRIM,  N.  H. 


GEORGE  K.  WOOD,  Esqr. 

OF  FRANCESTOWN. 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE  TOWN. 


NASHUA,  N.  H.: 

.TAMES    H  .    BARKER:    PRINTER 
1895. 


PREFACE, 


The  plan  of  publishing  a  Histor}'  of  Francestowu  was  iu  the  minds 
of  many  at  the  Centennial  Celebration  in  June,  1872,  iind  was  the 
subject  of  conversation  from  time  to  time  thereafter.  But  no  action 
was  taken  in  the  matter  until  the  town-meeting  of  Nov.  7,  1882,  when 
the  town  appointed  the   Selectmen  as  a  ■•Committee  of  Arrangements 

in   regard  to   Publishing  a  History  of  Francestown," to   report   at 

the  March  meeting.  At  that  meeting,  (March,  1883),  a  favorable  re- 
port was  made,  and  the  town  voted  that  ''a  History  of  the  town  be 
published,  and  that  the  town  be  resi^onsible  for  any  expenses  that  may 
be  incurred,  which  are  not  met  by  the  sale  of  its  Histories,  not  ex- 
ceeding .foOO."  And  at  the  same  meeting  they  chose  Samuel  1). 
Downes,  George  F.  Peltee  and  (ieorgi;  D.  Ejips  to  be  their  -'Publish- 
ing Committee." 

It  was  with  honest  reluctance  and  under  much  pressure,  that  I  was 
led  to  undertake  the  work  of  preparing  another  town  history, — know- 
ing as  I  did  the  labor  and  care  involved. — and  especially  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  my  health  was  frail,  and  my  pastoral  duties  many  and  la- 
borious. J^ut  it  was  urged  that  I  was  the  ''only  man  that  could  be 
agreed  upon,'"  in  the  disturbed  state  of  feeling  in  the  town  at  that 
time,  and  that  a  -townsman  who  had  the  time  and  talent'  ((Tcorge  K. 
Wood),  should  gather  the  genealogical  material  and  render  every  pos- 
sible assistance.  And  after  due  consi(leration  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  ac- 
cept the  appointment.  Yet  the  labor  has  been  greater  than  I  antici- 
pated, Ijecause  of  scantiness  of  records,  and  because  of  doing  the  work 
at  arm's  length.  1  have  m3'self  written  nearly  1500  letlers(generally 
enclosing  a  stamp),  and  scores  of  postals,  for  points  of  information: 
and  I  have  scalxdied  the  old  records  of  other  places  as  well  as  Frances- 
town,  at  the  expenditure  of  much  time  and  labor.  "  The  Proprietary 
llecords"  of  New  Boston  (since  burned)  were  searched  by  me  from 
beginning  to  end:  I  spent  several  days  in  examining  old  records  in 
the  State  House  at  Concord.  Old  diaries,  deeds,  grave-yards  and  news- 
papers,(especially  the  Amherst  Cabinet),  have  been  searched  and  ex- 
amined with  painstaking  care.  In  this,  as  in  most  other  towns,  the 
old  .records  were  meagre,  confused  and  im])erfect.  requiring  much 
study  and  patience  to  reconcile  them  with  known  facts  and  dates. 

Throughout  this  w^ork  it  has  been  my  object  to  get  at  the  exact 
facts,  ;ind  to  state  them  in  the  briefest  and  plainest  language.  Hence 
I  think  the  statements  of  this  book  maybe  relied  upon;  and  though 
its  composition  may  lack  elegance.  I  trust  it  will  be  found  to  have  few 


^\^\ 


IV  PREFACE. 

noted  down  in  his  old  age.  The  Publishing  Committee  and  the  town 
dark  and  ambiguous  lines.  It  has  been  my  intent  to  be  strictly  im- 
partial in  everything, — to  give  facts  and  not  opinions.  I  think  1  have 
written  with  the  utmost  kindness  toward  the  reputations  of  the  dead 
and  the  feelings  of  the  living.  And  though  some  things  discreditable 
have  been  suppressed,  I  may  say  that  it  would  be  ditticult  to  find  a 
community  anywhere  whose  record,  if  fully  written  out.  would  show 
so  little  to  be  censured. 

The  publication  of  this  book  has  been  delayed  far  beyond  our  ex- 
pectation,— much  to  the  disappointment  of  many  no  doubt,  but  greatly' 
to  the  advantage  of  the  book.  1  began  the  work  in  earnest  in  the 
closing  weeks  of  1)S83.  and  gave  to  it  all  the  time  I  could  spai'e  for 
over  seven  years;  so  that  the  Historical  Part  was  practically  complete 
Jan.  1,  1891.  But  since  that  date  I  have  added  much  of  importance, 
and  taken  the  opportunity  to  write  the  most  of  it  over  the  second 
time.  No  doubt  many  a  man  will  say  that  such  long-continued  labor 
ought  to  have  produced  a  bcltiT  book:  t/ut  probably  this  plausible 
critic  has  never  written  a  town  history,  with  the  duties  of  a  large 
parish  to  perform  at  the  same  lime. 

I  have  made  use  of  material  and  information  wherever  1  could  get 
it — which  is  the  privilege  of  the  town  historian. — and  shall  not  at- 
tempt to  make  many  acknowledgements  in  particular,  except  as  given 
in  the  body  of  the  work.  1  would,  however,  lovingly  fulfil  a  i)romise 
made  to  the  late  Oliver  Butterfield.  to  put  on  record  his  interest  in 
this  book,  and  my  obligation  to  him  for  items  remembered  by  him  and 
officers,  and  all  the  people  met  with,  have  treated  me  with  the  greatest 
kindness;  and  my  intercourse  with  the  town  will  always  be  recalled 
with  pleasure. 

And  after  this  long  study  of  the  characters  and  achievements  of  the 
fathers  of  the  town,  I  am  ready  to  "rise  tip  and  call  them  blessed." 
They  were  able,  heroic,  self-den3'ing.  wise  and  godly  people.  Keither 
the  fathers  nor  the  mothers  were  angels;  but  the}'  were  good  speci- 
mens of  humaitity.  I  have  come  to  venerate  their  names.  May  their 
memoiT  be  precious,  their  work  be  appreciated,  and  their  graves  be 
guarded  and  honored,  b}'  all  succeeding  generations  in  the  town! 

Mr.  George  K.  Wood,  wlto  has  been  associated  with  me,  has  pre- 
pared the  larger  part  of  the  Genealogies,  and  that  with  marked  ability 
and  good  taste.  I  have  found  him  a  man  of  most  genial  and  pleasant 
spirit  to  work  with,  and  one  whose  talents  should  lead  to  a  larger  field 
of  authorship. 

It  was  an  agreement  of  the  Publishing  Committee  with  the  writer 
that  the  "portraits  should  be  all  steel  engravings,"  and  this  was  one 
condition  of  my  undertaking  the  work.  These  are  from  the  hand  of 
F.  T.  Stuart,  42  Court  St..  Boston. — an  artist  of  highest  reputation, 
— and  will  be  found.  I  think,  highly  satisfactory.  Various  buildings 
and  landscapes  and  views  appear, — all  of  them  attractive  and  pleasing. 


PREFACE.  V 

These  have  been  placed  here   by  the  gift  of  those  interested  in  the 
town  and  in  the  success  of  this  work. 

Dea.  Albert  Gay  of  Boston  has  given  money  and  time  more  largely 
than  any  other  one,  and  without  his  work  and  zeal,  and  generosity, 
we  hardly  see  how  the  undertaking  could  have  been  carried  through. 
Horace  K.  Batchelder  of  Boston  has  also  contributed  fieely.  Others 
have  assisted  in  this  good  work,  among  them,  Charles  I^.  Woodbury, 
Alpheus  Gay,  A.  G.  Fair])anks,  Frederick  A.  Hodge,  W.  X.  Band.  John 
r.  Rand,  Hiram  Patch,  Jolm  F.  Manahan,  -S.  D.  Downes.  and  Amasa 
Downes. 

And  now  these  pages  are  respectfully  suljmitted  to  the  people  of  the 
town.  I  am  aware  that  they  might  have  been  more  attractively  writ- 
ten, but  I  trust  that  the  kindness  of  the  good  people  of  F'rancestown 
will  secure  a  c]iarita])le  reception  for  their  servants"  well-meant  work. 
I  cannot  expect  these  pages  to  bring  me  much  commendation,  noi-  can 
I  expect  them  greatly  to  please  the  living:  but  T/-herish  the  hope  that 
they  may  be  useful  to  children  and  children^  children,  to  whom  the 
face  of  the  writer  never  will  be  known. 

May  the  good  old  town  prosper  and  flourish  and  be  blest  in  every 
interest  in  coming  years;  and  may  the  future  generations  be  charac- 
terized ))y  the  love  of  righteousness  and  the  fear  of  God.  And  when, 
long  after  the  present  generation  shall  have  passed  away,  some  abhi- 
liistorian  shall  take  up  the  thread  of  this  narrative,  may  he  and  his 
readers  thankfully  remember  the  writers,  and  the  people  who  will  have 
given  them  this  record  of  the  past! 

So  may  these  humble  pages  keep 

Some  trace  of  others'  toils  and  tears. — 
Love's  treasure,  rescued  from  the  deep 
Of  the  forgotton  years  I 

W.   B.   GOCHBAXE. 


CONTENTS. 


Chap.  Page. 
I. — First  Settlement  of  Francestown.  and  Events    prior    to 

Incorporation.     ........  1-41 

II.— Outline  of  Events  in  town  from  Incorporation  to  the 

Close  of  the  Revolutionary  War.         ....  42-113 

III. — Outline  of  Events  in  town  from  the  Close  of  the  Revo- 
lutionary War  to  to  Close  of  the  Century.          .         .  n4-lo4 
IV. — Outline    of  Events  in  Francestown    from   Jan.  1.  ISnl  to 

IS.")! 1.1.1-195 

V. — ^Outline  of  Events  in  Francestown   from    Jan.  1.  18ol  to 

Jan.  1,  1891.             190-203 

VI.— The  Centennial  Celebration  June  S.  1872.        .          .          .  208-225 

VII. — Ecclesiastical  History.       .......  225-251 

VIII.— The  Military  Record  of  Francestown 251-276 

IX. — The  Schools  of  Francestown.            .....  277-294 

X. — Francestown  Academy.     .......  295-319 

XL— The  Cemeteries 320-324 

XII.— Roads  and  Bridges 32-5-334 

XIII.— Town  Officers 335-347 

XIV.— Customs  and  Habits  of  the  Olden  Time.          .         .          .  348-3fi7 

XV.— The  Hardships  of  our  Fathers 3fi8-383 

XVI.— The  Scotch  and  English  in  this  Town.             .          .         .  384-392 

XVII.— Mills  and  Manufactures  in   Francestown.          .         .         .  393-398 

XVIII.— The  Soapstone  Quarry. 399-402 

XIX. — Various  Corporations  and  Societies  in  Town.          .         .  403-410 

XX.— The  Villages 411-423 

XXI.— Some  Tofiographical  Items 424-443 

XXII. — Clergymen,  Physicians,  Lawyers.             ....  444-448 

XXIIL— Post  Offices,  Post  Masters  and  Post  Riders.     .         .         .  449-454 

XXlV.— Miscellaneous;  the  Chips  Worth  Picking  Up.         .          .  455-474 

Preface  to  Genealogies.            ........  477 

Genealogies.     ............  479 

Addenda 1005 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Hon.  Levi  Woodbury,  LL.  D. 

Map  of  Society  Land.     . 

Map  of  New  Boston  Addition. 

Sa.muel  B.  Hodge.  E.sq. 

Dea.  Albert  Gay.     . 

First  Meeting  House. 

Rev.  Dr.  Austin  Richards. 

The  New  Church. 

The  Old  Church. 

The  Village  School  House. 

Academy  Building.     . 

Hiram  Patch,  Esq^ 

Soap  Stone  Qt;.\RRv. 

Village  Street  Locjking  North 

Village  View 

Village  Street  Looking  South. 

Bird's  Eye  View  from  the  East. 

Haunted  Lake. 

Pleasant  Pond  and  Mountain. 

George  K.  Wood,  Esq. 

Israel  Batchelder,  Esq. 

Horace  K.  Batchelder.  Esq. 

Hon.  William  Bixby. 

Hon.  Tn  us  Brown.  Esq. 

S.  D.  DowNEs.  Esq. 

Residence  of  Dea.  .\masa  Downes 

Mary  Downes.     . 

The  Epps  Parents.     . 

The  Epps  Brothers. 

Hon.  a.  G.  Fairbanks. 

Hon.  Alpheus  Gay. 

Dea.  Thomas  P.  R.\nd. 

Starret  Mansion. 

Woodbury"  Mansion. 

Hon.  Charles  L.  Woodbury. 


rontispiece. 
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^■S!a&, 


HISTORY  OF  FRANCESTOWN. 


CHAPTER    I. 

THE     FIRST     SETTLEMENT     OF    FRANCESTOWN  :      AND     EVENTS 
IN    ITS    HISTORY    UP    TO    THE    DATE    OF    INCORPORATION. 

The  tract  of  land  now  known  as  Francestown  was  noted  long 
before  its  settlement  as  having  a  chain  of  beautiful  meadows, 
stretching  from  those  within  the  boundaries  of  NeAV  Boston,  as 
now  fixed,  westward  for  man}'  miles.  These  open,  green  places 
in  the  dense  forest  Avere  exceedingly  attractive  to  the  hunter 
and  explorer,  and  in  many  instances  successfully  invited  their 
return.  These  meadows  had  been  cleared,  centuries  perhaps 
before,  by  flowage ;  and  the  trees  had  died  and  gradually  fallen 
to  fill  up  and  enrich  the  ground.  Tlie  flowage  had  been  caused 
by  beavers,  then  very  numerous  in  this  section,  which  had 
built  dams  across  the  brooks,  making  ponds,  one  after  another, 
back  for  miles  in  succession.  Then,  the  country  being  thickly 
wooded,  all  the  small  streams  were  much  larger  than  now,  and 
there  were  many  small  brooks  where  no  water  runs  at  the  pi'e- 
sent  day.  The  l)eavers  cut  the  small  trees  and  brush  with  their 
teeth,  set  up  liie  sliort  sticks  a  few  inches  apart  in  the  mud, 
and  wove  in  twigs  between  them ;  then,  with  their  flat,  strong 
tails  as  trowels,  they  plastered  the  dams  over  with  mud.  making 
thus  quite  strong  barriers,  and  raising  ponds  of  considerable 
extent.  These  dams  were  put  in  well-chosen  places,  and  were 
strengtl%ned  from  time  to  time.  Along  the  edges  of  these 
ponds,  before  the  a})pearance  of  white  men  in  New  Hampshire, 
the  beavers  made  their  houses,  one  above  another,  two  or  three 
stories  high,  with  outlets  or  doors  adjusted  to  the  rise  and  fall 
of  the  water ;  that  is,  so  that  they  -  could  always  swim  out  of 
their  houses  into  water  under  the  ice  in  winter.     In  the  autumn 


2  BEAVERS    FLOWlX(i    A    TOWN. 

tliev  cut  sticks  ^\■itll  tlieir  teeth  of  certain  kinds  of  oreen  wood 
— sticks  about  a  foot  long  and  from  one  to  four  iuclies  in  diam- 
ete]':  and  tliese  sticks  in  laroe  (quantities  tliey  carried,  often  a 
considerable  distance,  and  then  sunk  tlieni  in  the  water  near 
their  houses  :  then,  in  the  wintei'.  they  swam  out  of  their  lioiises 
and  lived  on  the  l)ark  of  tliese  sticks.  Occasionally  now  tlie.se 
sticks  are  duiL;-  up.  and  the  inai'ks  of  the  l)eaveis'  teeth  are  plain 
upon  ihein.  Tlu-  writei-  has  seen  these  s])ecinu'iis  hoth  in 
Fraiicestown  and  New  Boston.  They  are  curious  evidences 
of  ihe  skill  and  power,  and  instinctiw  hjrethought  of  those 
industrious  and  patient  little  animals.  Uut  all  this  was.  in 
fact  a  preparation  loi-  tht,'  hist  settlers.  For  when  the  heavers 
wert'  destroNcd  hy  hunters,  on  acc-oiint  of  tlieir  valuable  fur,  the 
dams  ilic\  had  made  soon  rotted  away,  the  ponds  were  drained 
off.  and  over  the  soft  ground  long  rovered  with  water  the  grass 
sj)rung  up  luxuriantly,  producing  lieaA'v  crops  of  good  (piality. 
This  wonderful  grass  crop  at  once  attracted  attention  :  it  was 
high  as  a  inans  head  and  eas\-  to  get.  Men  came  up  troin  the 
lowei' towns  in  the  suiunier.  mowed  and  harvested  the  grass,  and 
made  stacksof  hav  in  waini.  drv  s])ots.  Then  they  would  build  a 
camp  of  logs,  and  a  rude  sheltei'for  stock,  made  from  j>oles  covered 
with  the  bark  of  trees.  Late  in  the  fall  they  would  drive  up  cattle 
and  feed  out  the  hay.  staying  miles  from  any  settlement  all  win- 
ter, and  hndiiig  occupation  and  pleasure  in  trapping  sable  along 
the  streams,  with  the  occasional  excitement  of  larger  game. 
One  wintei'  two  men  from  Dunstable  arranged  to  spend  the 
time  together  in  this  way.  having  camp  and  shed  and  haystacks 
a  little  east  of  the  place  now  occupied  by  the  school-house  in 
No.  o.  on  the  edge  ol'  what  has  since  been  knoA\n  as  Carson 
meadow.  They  made  tra[)s  by  means  of  two  straight  poles,  one 
a  little  above  the  other,  and  held  apart  with  a  soi-t  of  tigure  4. 
one  arm  of  which  was  a  s])indle  baited  with  nieat.  which  being 
moved,  the  upper  pole  would  fall,  or  the  under  one.  being  bent 
down,  Avonld  fly  up  and  ci'usli  the  game.  This  made  a  c^iea])  and 
cjuite  effectual  tra}).  and  the  material  was  always  near  to  make  it 
from.  Here  and  there  along  the  brooks  for  ten  miles,  entii'ely 
round  Crotched  mountain,  these  two  men  set  theii-  traps.  No 
doubt  they  found  pleasure  and  profit  in  all  this,  but  surely  it 
invoh^ed  plenty  of  hard   work.      One  morning  one  of  the  men 


KIKST    ACCUDENT    IN    TOWN.  '6 

went  oft"  to  make  the  circle  of  his  traps  and  Ijring-  in  the  oame, 
and  the  other  stayed  to  chop  wood  for  the  lire  ;  but  a  tree  in 
falling  rolled  onto  him.  breaking  his  leg  and  holding  him  down. 
In  this  condition  lie  braced  himself  partly  up  with  one  hand,  and 
witli  liis  axe  in  the  other,  he  chop[)ed  off  tlie  log  in  two  })laces, 
kicked  the  piece  out  with  his  well  foot,  crawled  into  his  camp, 
and  tired  the  signal  gun.  I  At  this  call  the  hunter  turne<l  l)ack 
and  found  his  companion  in  a  condition  of  great  distress  and 
peril.  He  fixed  up  the  bruised  and  l)i(»ken  leg  as  well  as  he 
could,  bi'ought  in  a  pile  of  wood  to  keej)  the  suffei'ei'  warm, 
made  a  pot  of  hasty  pudding  for  him  to  live  on,  and  hastened 
off  to  Dunstable  that  night  on  snowshoes.  twenty  miles,  for  lielj). 
The  sufferei-.  left  alone  in  (he  wilderness  in  this  condition  of 
helplessness  and  pain,  recjuired  great  fortitude  ajid  power  of 
endurance  ;  that  time  ol  nearly  two  days  and  two  nights  nuist 
have  seemed  long  and  dark.  .\t  length  the  tViends  came  and 
carried  the  sufferei'  home  on  their  shonldcrs  in  a  littei'  made  of 
poles  tied  togetlier  by  withes.  .\s  they  travelled  on  snowshoes 
through  pathless  foiests.  \A-itli  snch  a  load,  their  progress  must 
have  been  most  tiresome  and  s1oa\-.  to  sav  nothing  of  the 
increased  fever  and  pain  of  the  injured  man. 

No  other  accident  to  these  early  hunters  has  come  to  onr 
knowledge:  but  this  process  of  finding  hay  in  summer  and  fnr 
in  winter  went  on  for  many  years,  chiefly  by  young  men  and 
boys  fond  of  advfenture.  These  names  cannot  be  given.  Kvent- 
ually  some  of  these  men  made  permanent  settlements  and  were 
the  pioneers  of  the  town,  being  thus  led  to  choose  this  place  for 
residence;  but  the  most  of  them  are  as  nuicli  unknown  as  the 
red  men  who-hunted  before  them. 

The  silence  of  these  years,  however.  aft'(U'ds  us  room  to  speak 
of  some  other  matters  connected  with  town  grants  and  charters 
in  tliis  vicinity.'  Double  incorporations  and  over-lapping  claims 
supply  a  liberal  amount  of  confusion  for  the  town  historian, 
and  the  old  story  of  Masonian  heirs  and  state  lines  has  to 
be  .told  over  many  times.  For  a  long  period  about  half  of 
New  Hampshire  was  claimed  by  Massachusetts.  During  the 
reign  of  James  1,  (1603-1625)  a  council  was  established  by  the 
king,  to  have  general  control  over  all  the  territoiy  of  New 
England,  the  boundaries  of  which  at  that   time  were   very   in- 


4  THE    MASONIAN    GRANT. 

definite.  As  early  as  1621,  Capt.  John  Mason,  -a  member  of 
this  council  having  a  sharp  eye  for  himself,  obtained  from  James 
a  special  grant  covering  most  of  the  southern  part  of  New  Hamp- 
shire east  of  the  Merrimack,  then,  of  course,  an  unkown  country 
without  a  white  inhabitant.  Under  this  grant  he  and  his  friends 
took  possession  of  the  land,  as  far  as  possible  to  do  so  on  paper, 
and  also  made  settlements — Dover  (1623),  Strawberry  Bank 
(Portsmouth)  soon  after,  and  then  several  other  places  in  suc- 
cession. After  the  death  of  Khig  James,  Capt.  Mason,  with 
characteristic  shrev.'dness,  secured  a  second  grant  for  himself 
(1629),  described  as  follows  :  ''  From  the  middle  of  Piscataqua 
river,  and  up  the  same  to  the  farthest  head  thereof,  and  from 
thence  north-westward  until  sixty  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the 
harbor  are  finished ;  also  through  Merrimac  river  to  the  farthest 
head  thereof,  and  so  forward  up  into  the  land  westward,  until 
sixty  miles  are  finished ;  and  from  thence  to  cross  overland  to 
the  end  of  the  sixty  miles  accounted  from  tlie  mouth  of  Piscata- 
qua river."  This  would  make  a  triangular  piece  of  territory, 
extending  as  far  north  as  Conway  and  as  far  west  as  Rindge  ; 
and  the  westward  or  long  side  of  this  roughly-shaped  triangle 
would  be  a  straight  line  drawn  from  Conway  to  Rindge,  which 
would  embrace  Francestown  in  the  grant. 

This  tract  was  called  New  Hampsliire.  and  was  the  beginning 
of  our  state.  But  in  1635  Capt.  Ma^^ou  died,  liaving  realized 
but  meagre  profit  from  his  grant,  and  having  accomplished  the 
settlement  of  only  a  few  places,  and  these  only  to  a  very  limited 
extent.  Soon  disturbances  of  vaiious  kinds  arose  in  England, 
especially  the  controversy  between  Charles  L  and  his  people, 
which  became  so  serious  as  to  absorb  the  attention  of  all  par- 
ties, and  on  account  of  which  the  colonies  in  America  were  left 
for  the  most  part  to  shift  for  themselves.  This  state  of  things 
continued  about  fifteen  years.  It  was  during  the  time  when 
New  Hampshire  was  at  the  very  weakest.  Its  few  small  settle- 
ments were  on  the  frontier  and  were  helpless.  Hence  the 
feeble  colony  of  New  Hampshire  naturally  came  under  the 
protection  of  the  strong  and  populous  colony  of  Massachusetts. 
It  is  only  fair  to  say  that  this  protection  was  sought,  and  was 
the  only  means  of  continued  existence.  Certainly  as  early  as 
1642  the  few  towns  of  this  state  were  fully  united  to  Massa- 


MASSACHUSETTS    GRANTS.  O 

chusetts.  Again  in  1079  iS'ew  Hani})shire  was  set  off  by  itself 
and  had  its  own  government.  This  continued,  though  disturbed 
and  unsatisfactory,  till  1685,  when  Joseph  Dudley  was  appointed 
"  President  of  New  England,"  and  New  Hani[)shire  was  again 
brought  under  the  same  government  as  Massachusetts.  This 
arrangement  continued  till  1(388,  when  (1688-1690)  New 
Hampshire  was  without  any  government  for  nearly  two  years. 
Again  united  to  Massachusetts  (1690),  it  was  soon  separated 
again  ;  and  thus  our  colony  dangled  between  separation  and 
union  for  half  a  century.  But  in  1702  a  union  was  begun 
which  continued  till  1740.  Meanwhile  the  heirs  of  Mason,  or 
others  under  them,  continually  put  in  their  claims,  and  being- 
defeated,  appealed  from  court  to  court,  and  from  king  to  king. 
Massachusetts  all  these  years  claiming  a  large  slice  of  the 
southern  part  of  the  Masonian  grant  as  her  Own  by  previous 
right,  was  not  disinclined  at  any  time  to  the  management  of  the 
whole.  Hence,  by  way  of  coniirming  her  claim  and  exercising 
her  authority,  that  colony  proceeded  to  make  grants  of  towns 
within  New  Hampshire  limits.  Amherst  was  thus  granted  in 
1733  ;  New  Boston,  Jan.  14,  1736,  and  Peterborough,  Jan.  16, 
1738.  Under  the  government  of  Massachusetts  a  "plot  had 
been  accepted  "  covering  most  of  the  present  surface  of  Frances- 
town  as  far  back  ai  July  18,  1673.  But  the  acceptance  of  it 
was  not  signed  by  the  governor,  and  it  seems  to  have  amounted 
to  nothing.  The  '•-  plot "  was  marked,  "  Granted  to  Joseph 
Green,  Isaac  Walker  and  others  for  lands  in  Stockbridge." 

But  when  this  colony  w"as  finally  separated  from  Massachu- 
setts (1741)  a  bitter  controversy  arose  about  the  boundary 
betAveen  thein.  So  bitter  was  tlie  feeling  that  the  only  way  of 
settlement  was  to  refer  the  question  to  the  king  (George  11.)  ; 
and  after  some  delay  he  decided  in  favor  of  New  Hampshire. 
The  king  had  appointed  a  commission  to  take  evidence  in  the 
matter  in  1737,  but  it  amounted  to  almost  nothing.  His  final 
decision  was,  to  begin  at  a  point  on  the  Atlantic  coast  three 
miles  north  of  the  mouth  of  Merrimack  river,  and  run  v/est- 
M'ard.  bending  and  crookirig  the  line  so  as  always  to  be  just 
tliree  miles  north  of  said  river,  until  it  should  reach  a  "•  point 
due  noith  ofPawtucket  Falls  (Lowell),  and  a  straight  line 
drawn  from  thence  due  west  until  it  meets  with  His  Majesty's 


6  THE    .MASON  1  A.N     I'lM  )I*i;  I  inOKS. 

other  goveriinients."  This  "(hie  west ""  hue  acUled  to  New 
Hampshire  a  stri})  ahout  liteen  miles  wide,  extending  from  the 
Merrimack  to  the  C'onneetieut.  In  some  places  this  was  uincli 
wider,  as  shown  hy  the  tact  that  Francestown,  then  unnamed, 
had  been  claimed  h}-  Massachusets.  The  line  hetAveen  the  states 
was  run  and  lixed  by  liichard  Hazeii  in  174T  Then  new  tioubles 
to  the  settlers  arose,  (iraiits  of  townships  north  of  this  line. 
which  had  not  been  settled,  were  dro[)ped  a-iul  we  heai'  no  more 
of  them.  But  grants  of  townshi})s  which  had  been  settled  Avere 
now  void;  and  as  their  charters  were  invalid,  they  were  obliged 
to  seek  incorporation  from  the  legislature  of  New  Ihimpshire, — 
whicli  accounts  for  the  -'new  chartei's  "  often  referred  to  in  old 
records.  ^Vll  those  changes  and  conflicts  running  through  so 
many  years  were  very  trying  to  the  settlers,  iuAolving  trouble 
and  time  and  ex|)ense. 

But  no  sooner  was  the  state  line  lixed,  and  grants  and  charters 
})ut  into  the  way  of  adjusting  themselves  accordingly,  than  the 
old,  perplexing  •'  Mason  claim  ""  was  revived  and  pressed  with 
all  possible  zeal.  John  Tufton  Mason,  great-grandson  and  heir 
of  Capt.  John  Mason,  succeeded  in  getting  a  final  decision  in 
his  favor.  Tliis  long-continued  case  thus  at  last  came  to  an 
end.  It  had  been  in  litigation  more  than  a  hundred  years. 
The  magnates  of  two  coiitineids  had  been  in  bitter  struggle 
over  a  title  to  a  few  rocky  acres  in  New  Hampshire  I  The 
case  had  been  ^-decided'"  and  "appealed,"  and  *' called  up" 
and  '"•  put  over  "  for  life-times  I  And  now  its  final  settlement 
stirred  up  moi-e  trouble  than  it  settled — at  least  for  some  3"ears. 
Mason  sold  his  title  to  twelve  men  of  Portsmouth  in  1746  for 
fifteen  hundred  pounds  ;  and  they  took  at  once  the  whole 
charge  of  this  tract  of  land.  They  could  not  incorporate  a 
town,  but  they  owned  the  soil.  They  are  known  in  the  history 
of  tins  vicinity  as  the  ''  ^lasonian  Proprietors."  By  this  deci- 
sion they  came  into  title  to  lands  that  had  been  bought  and 
settled  and  occupied  for  a  long  series  of  years.  Their  claim 
was  back  of  incorporations  and  state  grants.  Innnediately. 
therefore,  o!i  their  accessiori  there  was  new  and  universal  alarm 
among  the  scattered  inhabitants  of  all  the  frontier  towns,  lest 
they  should  l)e  ejected  from  their  lands  and  clearings  by  these 
men  I      (Jlder  towns  shared  in   the   alarm.      Petitions   from   the 


TOWNSHIPS    (; RANTED    BY    THE:M.  ( 

poor  settlei's  jioiuxmI  in  ii[)oii  the  "•  Proprietors/*  Some  of  the 
okler  iiiid  hiryer  phices  tried  to  coniproniise  with  them.  The 
New  Boston  hindliohlers  sent  a  committee  to  see  wliat  they 
conhl  do.  iJnt  the  "Proprietors"  pursued  a  course  1)oth  gen- 
erous to  the  setthn-s  and  Avise  for  themselves,  i'hey  immediately 
took  measuies  to  release  their  claims  to  all  townships  o-iaiited 
by  Massachusets  east  of  the  Meri-imac  river.  And  several  west 
of  said  river,  that  had  faithfully  carried  out  the  terms  of  their 
charters,  were  given  u\)  on  very  I'easonalAe  conditions,  and  for 
a  very  trifling  consideration. 

But  it  Avas  natural  that  the  -Masonian  Proprietors.''  sometimes 
called  in  that  day  the  ■'  Lord  Pro])rietors.'"  should  look  cs})ecially 
to  the  western  part  of  their  gi-ant  at  once.  si)u*e  this  part  was 
largely  luigranted  and  unclaimed.  Here  was  the  t-hief  value 
of  theii'  land.  Hence  as  stton  as  ]>ossihle  they  marked  out  a 
line  of  towns,  beginning  at  the  Iioundary  of  Massachusets  and 
tliciu'c  northward  on  what  tiicy  claimed  as  their  westei'U  l)(Uind. 
as  follows  :  South  Monadnock  (previously  granted  by  Massa- 
chusetts as  ''  Rowley  Canada."  now  Rindge);  Middle  Monadnock 
(JafTrey);  North  Monadnock  (Dublin);  Monadnock  Number 
Fonr  (  Fitzwilliam)  :  Monadnock  Number  Five  (  Mai-lborough  ) : 
Ab)na<lnock  Numl)er  Six  (Nelson)  ;  Monadnock  Nund)er  Seven 
(Stoddard,  then  called  Ijimerick)  :  and  Monadnock  Nundjer 
Eight  (Washington  ).  It  will  be  seen  that  they  calculated  to  be 
sure  to  get  far  enongh  west  I  'I'hese  surveys  were  made  in 
17-19.  or  liefore.  since  their  right  so  far  west  had  been  called  in 
question,  and  an  effort  was  made  in  tlie  spring  of  1750  to  settle 
it  by  definite  measurement.  It  was  found  that  the  "'sixty  miles 
from  the  sea'-  westward  oidy  readied  [)art  w'ay  across  the  town 
of  Rindge  ;  ami  the  ''straight  line"  from  that  ])oint  to  Conway 
wM:)uld  not  include  all  of  these  j»laces  just  named.  In  fact  Dr. 
Bouton  in  his  Pro\incial  Papers  says  this  st]-aight  line  ran 
through  Fram-estown.  Bnt  in  this  he  was  no  doubt  mistaken, 
as  the  line  would  be  six  or  eight  miles  further  Avest,  as  now 
underst(H)d. 

When,  however,  the  ••  Masonian  Proprietors"  saw  the  state 
of  things,  they  were  equal  to  the  occasion,  promptly  stepping 
forAvard  and  declaring  that  their  Ayestern  boundary  must  be  a 
"curved  line  "  correspomling  to  the  bend  of  the  sea  ;    and  they 


8  SOCIETY    LAND. 

gave  the  line  such  a  fearful  curve  as  to  take  in  most  of  these 
newly  surveyed  towns.  Before  the  dispute  was  settled  the 
Revolutionar}'-  Avar  broke  out.  On  return  of  peace  the  legisla- 
sure  of  New  Hampshire  decided  that  the  bound  should  be  a 
''straight''  line.  Tlien  the  •' Masonian  Proprietors"  came 
forward  and  purchased  tlie  land  between  the  "  straight "  line 
and  their  "  curved  "  line,  of  the  state,  for  al)out  forty  thousand 
dollars,  after  which  their  title  was  no  more  disputed. 

From  1746  onward  till  all  worth  much  was  disposed  of,  these 
"  Pi'oprietors  "  deeded  and  granted  land,  generally  giving  the 
same  free,  oi'  for  very  small  |)ay,  to  actual  settlers,  setting  apart 
some  lots  in  each  town  for  the  ministry  and  for  schools,  and 
reserving  about  one  quarter  of  the  lots  for  themselves  ; — it 
being  their  })lan  to  encourage  settlements  and  advance  education 
and  religion,  and  get  their  return  in  the  increased  value  of  the 
reserved  lots. 

The  last  land  in  tlie  ••  Masoniaii  Right "  to  be  disposed  of 
and  settled  Avas  a  tract  within  the  limits  of  the  present  Hills- 
borough County,  l)(»nnded  as  follows  :  On  the  north  b}'  Hills- 
borough (Number  Seven)  and  Henniker  (Number  Six)  ;  on 
the  east  b}^  Halesto wn  (Weare),  New  Boston  and  "  Salem 
Canada  "  (Lyndeborough)  ;  on  the  south  by  Peterborough  Slip 
(Temple),  and  Peterborougl)  :  and  on  the  west  by  Monadnock 
Nos.  Six  and  Seven  (Nelson  and  Stoddard).  This  tract  of  land 
was  for  some  time  called  ''Cumberland" — a  name  which  has  not 
remained  to  any  part  of  it.  This  tract  included  Antrim,  Han- 
cock, Bennington.  Deering.  the  west  i)a]-t  of  Francestown,  and 
most  of  G]-eenfield.  Being  the  last  owned  by  the  "  Proprietors  " 
in  this  section  of  the  state,  it  came  gradually  to  be  called  "The 
Com}>any  Land,"  or  "■  The  Society  Laiul."  This  last  name 
began  to  be  a})plied  to  it  about  1770.  As  early  as  1769  the 
Scotch  part  of  the  settlers  began  to  call  this  whole  section 
Antrim,  being  determined  to  retain  tliis  name  from  fond  mem- 
ories and  traditions  of  the  c(»unty  and  town  of  Antrim  in  Ireland, 
long  occupied  by  their  fathers.  And  it  is  probable  that  Frances- 
town,  lieing  first  incorpoi-ated,  would  have  received  the  nanie 
Antrim  but  for  the  notion  of  Gov.  Wentworth  to  name  it  for 
his  Avife,  I'eferred  to  on  a  subsequent  page. 


^ssssm 


INDIAN    TRIBES.  9 

Francestowii  has  a  small  place  in  Indian  histoiy  and  tradition. 
The  town  was  in  the  domain  of  the  Namoskeags,  but  was  on 
their  border,  and  perhaps  less  frequented  on  that  account. 
There  was  a  sort  of  confederation  of  Merrimack-river  Indians,  or 
Nipmucks  (fresh-water  Indians).  At  our  earliest  knowledge  of 
them  the  Agawams  occupied  the  country  about  the  mouth  of 
the  Merrimack  :  next  up  the  river  the  Pawtuckets  had  head- 
quarters at  Pawtuckets'  Falls  (Lowell),  occupjdng  a  fine  tract 
on  both  sides  of  the  stream  ;  next  above  them  were  the  Nashuas. 
owning  the  lands  along  the  Merrimack  for  about  ten  miles,  and 
the  lands  on  the  Nashua  river  far  into  Massachusetts.  The 
Souhegans  occupied  the  banks  and  adjacent  country  next  north 
of  the  Nashuas,  and  following  the  Souhegan  river  to  its  source. 
The  Namoskeags  had  tlieir  chief  residence  at  -'■  The  Falls  " 
(Manchester),  owning  the  Massabesic  and  vicinit3%  and  stretch- 
ing westAvard  along  the  intervales  and  up  the  Piscataquag  river 
to  New  Boston  and  FrancestoAvn.  The  Pennacooks  lived  at 
Concord,  occupied  nearly  all  of  Merrimac  County,  spread  out 
in  all  directions,  and,  especially,  occupying  the  lands  along  the 
Contoocook  as  far  as  the  foot  of  the  Monadnock.  The  Winni- 
pesaukees  liehl  tlie  northern  part  of  the  state.  Of  these  con- 
federated tribes  the  Pennacooks  at  Concord  became  eventually 
so  powerful  as  to  aljsorb  practically  the  names  and  possessions 
of  the  others.  Tlie  Pilgiims  generally  called  them  all  Penna- 
cooks. These  tribes  had  nearly  all  disappeared  before  the 
settlement  of  Fiancestown,  gradually  withdrawing  northward 
and  eastward,  save  that  a  few  lingered  broken-spirited,  to  hunt 
and  to  die  among  the  loved  liaimts  of  their  fathers.  The  agile 
Nomoskeags  hunted  along  the  slopes  of  Francestown,  and  crept 
up  its  towering  mountain  side,  the  boundary  of  their  domin- 
ion, to  look  down  on  the  wooded  plains  and  green  intervales  of 
their  neighbors,  the  Pennacooks.  But  their  hunting-places  and 
fishing-places  in  this  town  are  not  now  known.  The  site  of  the 
little  village  of  their  wigwams  is  not  kept,  either  by  land-mark 
or  tradition.  No  burial-})lace  of  their  dead  has  ever  been  dis- 
covered within  tlie  town's  border.  Relics  of  importance  have 
not  been  found;  and  it  is  evident  that  this  was  more  a  "hunting- 
ground  "  than  a  residence,  of  the  tribe. 

And  now,  before  we  come  to  the  settlement  of  Francestown, 


10  CONNECTION    WITH    NEW    BOSTON. 

we  must  notice  its  early  connection  with  New  Boston.  This 
last  named  town  Avas  granted  to  John  Simj)son  and  others  Jan. 

14.  1736.  Very  soon  after  this  date  "improvements"  were 
begun  in  New  Boston,  so  that  a. considerable  number  of  families 
had  located  there  previous  to  the  success  of  the  Mason  claim. 
On  that  event  the  grantees,  probably  in  connection  with  the 
settlers,  made  an  effort  to  adjust  matters  with  the  "Masonian 
Proprietors"  in  behalf  of  New  Boston,  as  before  stated.      May 

15,  1751,  they  voted  to  send  a  dej)utation  to  the  ••Masonians"; 
and  their  conduct  toward  the  latter  was  so  honorable  and  manly 
as  to  be  met  in  a  noble  spirit.  Immediately  tlie  •'  Masonian 
Proprietors  "  api)ointed  a  committee  (Col.  Joseph  Blanchard) 
with  powers  to  arrange  everything  "on  terms  agi'eealile  to  both 
j)arties."  The  committees  met  in  Dunstable;  and  after  various 
conferences  came  to  an  agreement  creditable  to  all  concerned. 
Certain  lots  were  reserved  free  of  taxes;  })ine  trees  for  mtusts 
Avere  reserved ;  the  grantees  and  settlers  of  the  towji  gave  pledge 
of  making  certain  improvements  at  once  by  whicli  tlie  value  of 
reserved  lots  Avould  be  enhanced;  and  these  reservations  and 
pledges  seem  to  have  been  the  only  "  consideration  ""  foi-  which 
the  '•'Masonian  Proprietors"  deeded  to  tlie  grantees  and  settlers 
the  whole  town  of  New  Boston  with  a  large  and  valuable  addi- 
tion on  the  west. 

The  original  grant  of  New  Boston  (1736)  by  the  State  of 
Massachusetts  included  a  tract  ''of  the  contents  of  six  miles  square. 
Avith  a  thousand  acres  added  for  ponds  that  lye  Avithin  tlie 
S'^  ToAvnship  " ;  and  in  the  measurement  they  also  added  "  tAvo  rods 
in  each  hunrb-ed  for  uneaA^enness  of  Land  and  SAvagg  of  Chain." 
The  surveyor  and  chainmen  Avere  put  under  oath  that  they 
Avould  faithfully  and  honestl}^  lay  out  the  toAvn  according  to 
these  terms.  So  the  "Piatt"  Avas  laid  out  1736,  though  prob- 
ably all  the  ponds  in  Ncaa'  Boston  Avould  not  cover  fifty  acres. 
And  in  the  Deed  of  the  "  Masonian  Proprietors  "  sixteen  years 
later  (Dec.  24,  1752,)of  the  "tract  of  land  called  Ncav  Boston" 
all  those  allowances  Avere  confirmed,  as  named  in  the  old  grant. 
Then  in  the  "Addition"  (now  FrancestoAvn)  the  ••  Masonians  " 
reser\^ed  "  one  fourth  part  for  quantity  and  quality,  of  the  lands 
by  this  grant  added  Avithin  the  bounds  of  that  called  Ncav 
Boston,  as  formerly  laid  out:    the  said  grantor's  paits  to    be 


NEW    BOSTON    ADDITION.  11 

divided,  lotted  and  coupled,  and  drawn  for  with  the  grantees, 
so  as  for  the  grantees  to  have  one  full  quarter-part  as  aforesaid." 
And  with  this  ''addition"  the  town  was  to  ''include  the  con- 
tents of  seven  miles  long  and  six  miles  broad."  Of  course  as 
Lj'iideboro*,  called  8alem-Canada  at  that  time,  would  bound 
New  Boston  on  the  west  in  part,  the  part  not^thus  bounded 
must  extend  westward  considerably  more  than  the  seven  miles 
in  ordei'  to  make  the  "contents"  named  above.  In  fact 
o]i  various  "allowances"  the  line  of  the  "Addition"  w^as  ex- 
tended west  about  tw'o  and  one-half  miles,  reacliing  almost  to 
the  borders  of  Mill  Village.  North  and  south,  it  extended  from 
Lyndeboro'  to  Weare,  about  three  and  one  half-miles.  It  was 
a  parallelogram  in  shape,  and  included  much  of  the  best  part  of 
Frances  town. 

It  was  a  shrewd  thing  on  tlie  part  of  the  proprietors  of  New 
Boston,  to  get  from  the  "  Masonian  Proprietors"  this  additional 
grant  of  tine  lands  and  rich  meadows.  .Several  of  the  leading 
settlers  in  New  Boston  had  "lots  assigned  to  them  in  the  New^ 
Addition  "  for  various  services.  Apr.  28,  1707,  the  Ncav  Boston 
Proprietors  "voted  Thomas  Cochran,  James  Caldwell  and 
Robert  Moor  100  acres  each  in  the  New  Addition."  Apr.  26, 
1763,  they  voted  to  sell  "so  much  of  y*^  undivided  Lots  of 
Land  in  y*"  New  Adistion "  as  would  be  necessary  to  build  a 
meeting  house.  Thus  this  tract  two  and  one-half  b}-  thi-ee  and 
one-half  miles  in.  size,  half  a  modern  township,  was  highly 
useful  to  New  Boston.  It  belonged  to  that  town  tw^enty-one 
years — long  enough  to  become  of  age,  1751-1772.  The  union 
was  for  the  most  part  one  of  great  harmony.  Nor  was  the 
advantage  all  one  way;  for  the  few  settlers  in  the  Addition 
were  for  years  largely  dependent  on  the  older  and  more  popu- 
lous town  below.  At  the  first  New  Boston  town  meeting,  March 
10,  1763,  John  Carson  of  the  Addition  was  chosen  one  of  the 
selectmen.  David  Lewis  of  the  Addition  w^as  several  times  on 
the  NcAv  Boston  Board  of  Selectmen.  John  Carson  was  chair- 
man of  that  town's  "Comite  to  Looke  for  a  miniester  or 
miniesters  in  order  that  we  may  have  Some  preaching."  When 
New  Boston  looked  toward  the  settlement  of  a  minister  for  the 
town,  (March  7,  1768,)  Thomas  Quigley  of  the  Addition  w^as 
chairman  of  the  committee  to  "talk  With  the  Rev''.  M'.  Solo- 


12      PETITION  AGAINST  .SEPAllATING  FEOM  NEW    BOSTON. 

mon  Moor  in  Regard  to  his  Setteliiig  in  New  Boston."  And 
yet,  notwithstanding  this  cordial  union,  it  seems  to  have  been 
understood  from  the  first,  that  the  '-'•  Addition  "  was  sometime  to 
be  set  off  and  form  a  town  by  its'elf.  As  early  as  Nov.  20, 1758, 
the  New  Boston  Proprietors  voted  that  Thomas  Cochran  call  a 
meeting  of  settlers  to  consult  and  fix  on  the  '^  Most  Proper  & 
Convenient  Place  Near  the  Centure  of  the  Town  (According  to 
the  Old  Limetts)  to  build  a  House  for  Publick  Worship."  For 
the  same  reason  when  the  settlers  in  New  Boston  petitioned 
(June  16,  1760,)  to  be  incorporated  as  a  town,  they  left  out 
the  Addition.  'I'his  fact  created  considerable  feeling,  especially 
in  the  west  part  of  New  Boston,  whicli  Avas  more  intimately 
connected  with  those  left  out;  and  a  petition  signed  by  sixteen 
men  (nearly  as  many  as  signed  the  former  petition)  was  pre- 
pared in  season  for  the  consideration  of  the  Assembly,  praying 
that  "  no  party  whatsoever "  should  be  permitted  to  "sepratand 
brak  us  to  peaces."     The  whole  Avas  as  follows: 

to  his  Exllency  Bening  wintworth  Esq"".  Governor  and  Coniander  in 
Chife  in  and  over  his  niaj*  province  of  new  hanipsliire  and  to  his  niaj*^ 
jjQrbie  Counsel  of  said  province. — 

The  humble  petition  of  pairt  of  the  Inlial^etauc  of  that  tract  of  Land 
Called  new  boston  in  the  province  of  new  hampshire  most  Ilumblj-  sheweth 

that  your  Pettitioners  are  Informed  that  pairt  of  the  Inhabetonce  of 
this  setelment  hath  petitioned  your  Exelance  and  Hon*'*  to  Incorprait 
pairt  of  this  settelment  shutting  out  pairt  of  our  Inhabetance  and  Land 
in  order  to  draw  the  mitting  near  themselves  and  to  draw  mitting  hous 
from  other  pairt  of  the  Inhabetance  and  hath  sent  down  the  said  peti- 
tion without  aquanting  a  great  pairt  of  the  Inhabtance,  and  many  that 
signed  said  petition  understood  that  the  whol  of  the  Land  and  Inhab- 
tance was  in  said  petition. 

may  it  therfor  pleas  your  Excelanc  and  Iloners,  not  to  seprat  our 
settelment  if  it  should  pleas  you  to  Incorprat  our  settlememt  but  keep 
it  together  that  so  wee  may  be  able  to  plant  the  Gospel  among  us  and 
not  for  any  party  whatsoever  to  sepreat  and  brak  .us  to  peaces  and  your 
Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shal  ever  pray  deatted  at  new  boston  this 
fourth  day  of  feberuary  1761. 

Hugh  Gregg.  Andrew  Walker. 

James  ferson.  thomas  Smith. 

his 

Gewet     X    Eowan.  Samuel  Smith. 

m;irk 

William  Blair.  Willim  Gray. 

his 

John     X    Blair.  John  Carson. 

mark 


LOCATING    THE    MEETING    HOUSE.  18 

Will:  McNeill.  John  Brown. 

Henxy  Ferson.  tomes  Brown. 

John  Smith.  Samuel  Nickels. 

These  opposing-  petitions  were  tlie  occasion  of  long  delay  in 
the  incorporation  of  New  Boston,  which  was  asked  for  June 
16,  1760,  and  granted  Feb.  18,  1768.  But  when  the  Assembly 
did  act,  the  two  parts  were  kept  together  according  to  the  last 
petition,  and  were  not  allowed  to  '■'■seprat.'''  In  other  words  it 
was  thought  best  for  them  to  remain  together  some  years  longer. 
Consequeiitly  after  incorporation,  the  town  of  Xew  Boston 
voted  in  public  meeting  (Dec.  29,  1768,)  that  the  ^'New- 
Addition  shall  have  their  pairt  of  preaching  amongst  themSelves 
During  their  Stay  witli  the  old  town  as  a  pearish;''  from  which 
it  appears  that  though  incorporated  together  the  wiser  heads 
foresaw  and  exjjecjted  that  the  union  would  not  be  permanent. 
This  appeal's  also  in  tlie  choice  of  a  place  for  a  meeting-house. 
As  early  as  Nov.  11,  1756,  the  old  New  Boston  Proprietors 
chose  a  committee  to  'locate"  the  house;  and  they  "fixed  on 
Lot  No.  81,"  being  the  lot  more  recently  known  as  the  •'•  New 
Boston  poor  farm,"  extending  considerably  eastward  toward  the 
present  village  from  tlie  old  }>ooi'  liouse  •'now  gone."  But  this 
kjcation  did  not  satisfy  all  people,  and  the  said  Proprietors  voted 
Nov.  28,  1758,  to  authorise  Thomas  Cochran  to  "convene  the 
settlers  and  select  a  pro[)er  place  near  the  centre  of  the  town 
(^old  I/niiti<')  for  a  house  of  worship  and  burying-ground." 
They  fixed  on  the  spot  where  afterAvards,  the  church  was  built, 
on  the  hill  near  the  south-east  corner  of  the  present  New  Boston 
cemetery.  But  still  many  were  dissatisfied;  and  the  Proprie- 
tors, or  a  conmiittee  of  them,  held  a  conference  at  Chelmsford, 
Mass.,  with  the  settlers  holding  different  views,  as  represented 
by  Thomas  Cochran,  John  McAllister.  James  Ferson,  Andrew 
Walker  and  John  Carson. 

At  this  meeting  no  decision  was  reached,  and  the  matter 
dragged  along  for  two  years  more  in  this  way.  Apr.  20,  17(32, 
a  committee  of  Proprietors  having  met  a  committee  of  settlers 
at  Dunstable  and  talked  things  over,  voted  to  build  on  the  s[)ot 
subsequently  occupied.  But  the  contention  was  so  manifest  as 
to  prevent  further  action ;  and  finally  the  Proprietors  chose 
(Sept.  14,  1762)  "Matthew  Patten.  Esq.,  Capt.  John  Chamber- 


14      BUILDING    THE    MEETING    HOUSE    IN    THE    OLD    TOWN. 

lain,  and  Samuel  Patten/"  a  committee  to  "tix  a  spot  in  the 
most  convenient  place  in  said  New  Boston  to  build  a  Meeting- 
House;"  and  the  several  parties  boujid  themselves  to  abide  the 
decision  of  these  men,  "  as  witness  our  hands  for  selves  and 
constituence."  To  this  asTeement  the  name  of  John  Carson  of 
the  Adthtion  ( Francestown)  is  not  appended,  though  it  may 
have  been  included  in  the  "six  others"  for  whom  one  of  the 
parties  signed.  These  men  met  and  viewed  the  ground  and 
heard  all  sides ;  and  decided  on  the  spot  the  majority  had  chosen 
before,  the  place  where  afteiwards  the  old  church  of  Xew  Boston 
stood  more  than  a  half-century,  "near  the  grave  of  a  child 
buried  there."  Their  report  was  dated  July  24.  17<)3.  and  was 
accepted  by  the  Proprietoi's  Sept.  28  following.  In  those  days 
ni()vement«  were  slow;  but.  after  looking  about  for  months  the 
Proprietor's  C'onnnittee  made  a  contiact  the  last  of -April  1764, 
with  Ebenezer  Beard  to  build  the  house.  It  was  for  that  time 
a  great  undertaking;  but  Beard  was  a  man  of  energy  and 
timber  was  near  and  plentiful,  and  the  building  seems  to  have 
been  raised  in  August  1704.  It  was  so  far  covered  and  pro- 
vided with  windows,  that  a  town-meeti]ig  was  held  in  it  Dec. 
31,  1764.  It  was  several  years  in  being  completed,  and  was  not 
profitable  to  the  builder,  as  appears  from  the  vote  of  the  Pro- 
prietors (Sept.  15,  17<)7.) 

••To  give  Ebt'uezer  Beard  one  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the  New 
Addition  (FrancestOAvn)  above  wliat  they  had  contracted  to  give,  since 
said  Beard  eomphiined  that  he  had  a  hard  bargain.'' 

Beard  received  accordingly  ^'lot  No.  16,"  now  next  to  Weare 
line  in  the  north-east  corner  of  this  town. 

But  after  all  this,  and  after  the  frame  of  the  meeting  house 
was  up  and  covered,  it  being  in  the  ''centre  of  the  old  town" 
and  implying  an  ultimate  separation,  a  large  number  of  men  in 
the  westerly  part  of  the  town  made  vigorous'  effort,  by  petition 
to  the  Governor  and  Council,  and  by  various  other  means,  to 
have  the  said  frame  moved  to  the  north-west  far  enough  to 
•'  acconnuodate  the  Addition ""  and  thus  bind  the  whole  together. 
The  petition  referred  to.  well  covers  the  ground  and  is  here 
given  just  as  it  is  written,  with  only  this  remark,  that  if  all  the 
words  beginning  with  capitals  were  emphatic  words,  this  was 
rather  an  emphatic  petition  I 


PETITION  TO  HAVE  MEETING  HOUSE  FRAME  MOVED. 


15 


Province  of  New  haiupshire  to  his  iCxclt'Ucj  Benin  Wentworth  p]sq' 
Governor  And  Coniander  In  Chief  In  and  over  His  Majesties  Province 
of  Xew  hanipshire  And  to  The  Honourable  His  Majesties  Council  and 
liouse  of  Representatives  In  General  Assembly  Convend — 

The  Humble  Pettition  of  the  Pi-opretors  Freeholders  And  Inhabitants 
of  the  town  of  New  boston  In  said  Province  Most  Humbly  Sheweth — 

That  The  Proprietors  of  the  said  Xew  boston  At  their  ]Metting  Sep- 
tember The  Fourteenth  17<)2  chose  three  Men  to  Choice  A  Proper  Place 
to  IJuild  .V  ^Sleetiny  House  Upon  In  Said  town  And  upon  the  fourteenth 
Day  of  July  llVu',  the  Said  Men  Mett  A  Xew  l)oston  aforesaid  And 
After  Sonu'  lime  Spent  2;ave  In  their  Judgment  that  a  Place  Upon  the 
lot  No  7!)  Near  the  South  p]nd  of  Said  lot  was  A  Proper  Place  to  Ikiild 
a  Meeting  House  for  Said  town  Which  Judgment  was  And  Is  wrong 
For  it  Is  only  to  Seiwe  one  Part  of  the  town  Not  The  whole  Notwith- 
standing the  government  had  InCorperated  the  whole  of  the  town  yet 
they  Laid  Aside  Part  of  the  town  to  the  Amount  of  Six  or  Seven 
thousand  Acres  of  As  good  Land  As  the  other  Part  of  the  town  And 
Allowed  that  No  Pi'ivileges  of  tlie  Meeting  house  So  that  Some  Part  of 
tlie  town  will  Bee  Above  five  Miles  fnmi  Tlie  meeting  House  And  Did 
Not  give  the  Rest  that  Remained  A  Just  Center  Paid  No  Regard  to  the 
Town  As  Incorperated  By  the  Government  But  made  A  town  As  Ihey 
thought  fitt  themselves  wliich  Judgment  was  Accejited  At  A  Projn'ietors 
fleeting  And  A  nu'etinij-  House  Raised  Accordingly  whicli  will  lii-ake 
the  town  to  Pieces  if  Not  (juickly  Remedycd  And  (ireatly  Hinder  the 
Gosples  Seteling  there  And  So  Pi-ove  fatal  to  the  Peace  of  the  town 
Therefore  wee  Pray  Your  Exelency  And  Honours  To  Take  our  Dis- 
tressed Case  Into  Consideration  And  (irant  Snch  Relief  to  Your 
Petitioners  As  Your  Exelency  And  Honours  As  '^'ou  In  your  (Treat 
wisdom  Shall  think,  Projier  And  your  Petisionei-s  As  Hi  Duty  Bound 
Shall  Ever  Pray 

New  boston  November  the  (ilh  17<>.") 


Will.  McNeill 
Hugh  Gregg 
John  B]air 
.lames  Ferson 
John  Smith 
Samuel  Smith 
William  P>lair 
William  Boyes 
Paul  Ferson 
James  Gregg 
James  Gregg  Junior 
Henery  ferson 
William  Clark 
Jesse  Christy 


Thomas  Brown 
•John  Livingstone 
John  Brown 
Robert  Hogg 
Reuben  Smitli 
Robert  Boyes 
Andrew  Walkai- 
Robt  Clark 
AVilliam  White 
William  Avhite  Junior 
Joseph  Boyes 


16  STEPS    TOAVAKD    INCOKPORATIOX. 

This  petition  was  speedily  dismissed,  and  with  it,  so  far  as 
is  knoAvii  closed  the  contioveis}-.  Some  were  much  dis- 
a])pointed,  l)ut  lliere  was  no  hatred — only  a  tacit  understanding 
that  the  Addition  must  be  a  town  by  itself  sometime. 

Mar  3,  1766,  the  town  (New  Boston)  voted  with  apparent 
unanimity  that  "Every  Sool  in  the  town  Shall  work  one  Day 
at  the  meetino-house."  indicating  the  willingness  of  the  Addi- 
tion to  do  its  part  after  all  tlie  disap})()intment;  and  showing  on 
the  part  of  most  a  pleasant  disposition  to  make  the  best  of 
things  as  they  were  for  tlie  ])resent.  Yet  when  effort  was  made 
in  the  sunnner  of  1771.  lo  biing  about  a  sejjaration,  the  "old 
town"  resisted,  thiidving  the  i)roper  time  had  not  yet  come. 
And  the  "'old  town"  sent  a  committee  to  Gov.  Wentworth 
and  the  Council,  to  "show  cause  against"  the  separation. 
Mar.  2, 1772,  the  "old  town  '"  "voted  that  they  are  Not  willing  the 
addition  Should  be  Set  off  f]'om  the  old  town  at  />resent." 

Their  arguments  against  the  change  Avere  that  the  Addition 
had  helped  them  settle  ^Ir.  Moor,  and  ought  now  to  help  sup- 
))ort  him:   and  that 

"  tlio  Hoads  in  New  IJostou  arc  very  uuuieruU!*  &  the  Laud  very  hilly  »!c 
Hockv  I's:  wo  have  many  large  Bridges  to  build  &  support  over  large 
streams. ■■ 

which  roads  and  bridges  the  Addition  was  interested  in  and 
should  help  support.  It  must  be  admitted  that  these  were 
sti'ong  ami  reasonable  arguments.  To  them  the  Addition  res- 
ponded by  asking  that  the  lueeting  house  be  erected  in  the 
centre  of  the  irJwJe  town  ineludhi//  the  addition,  and  they  had 
an  article  in  the  toAvn  warrant  to  that  effect.  But  the  town 
"voted  to  dismiss  the  article  till  the  Inhabitants  of  the  addition 
with  Draw  their  Petition  that  is  in  the  General  Court,  and  bind 
their  Estates  to  abide  with  the  old  town  as  a  Parish." 

This  petition  had  been  presented  to  the  Legislature  July  22, 
1771.  It  was  only  a  thing  which  all  parties  expected,  but  did 
not  expect  so  soon.  The  separation  could  not  be  long  delayed, 
and  when  it  was  accomplished  (June  8.  1772,)  it  was  Avithout 
much  bitterness  of  feeling, — in  fact  AA-itli  (piite  general  approval. 
The  old  town  voted  (Mar.  1.  1773.)  to 

"  Excuse  the  Iiihal)itants  of  the  Addition  what  Reats  they  were 
assessed  to  Pav  for  Preaching  in  the  old  Town  the  vear  1772." 


PLAN    OF    THE    ADDITION.  17 

It  may  be  added  that  from  that  day  to  this  there  has  been 
constant  and  friendly  intercourse  betAveen  these  two  communi- 
ties.    Ever  so  may  it  be ! 

I  append  a  plan  of  the  Addition  as  found  in  the  old  records 
of  the  "-Proprietors  of  New  Boston"  Avhich  records  were  burned 
in  the  great  New  Boston  lire.  It  was  from  a  survey  made  as 
soon  as  possible  after  the  grant  of  1751. 


18  FIEST    SETTLE:\rKXT. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  within  the  limits  oF  Frances- 
town  was  made  hv  John  Carson  name<l  ahove.  He  was  a 
Scotchman,  comino- over  in  early  life,  a  rovino.  adventurous  and 
capable  man.  with  oreat  powers  of  endurance.  Being  a  carpen- 
ter and  mill-wright  he  found  employment  in  various  towns. 
He  was  ill  Hillslnw)"  probably'  as  early  as  1744.  and  assisted  the 
settlers  there  in  erecting  their  buildings,  and  piei)aring  the  way 
for  a  saA\-niill  and  oilier  pi-ojeeted  im[)i'()\  ements.  Unt  they 
weic  all  driven  off'  by  the  Indians  in  the  s})ring  of  174(i,  not 
however  \\itht)ut  concealing,  by  burial  or  otherwise,  their  heavy 
ai'ticles  of  value,  especialh'  their  iron  .tools.  Carson  biiiied  the 
mill-crank  in  the  mud.  and  marched  witli  ilie  sad  exiles  over 
the  hills  to  New    IJostoii. 

And  fi-oiii  pi'eseiit  information  we  i-aii  say  no  iiioie  of  ('arson 
for  a  do/.en  \ears.  I'robablv  he  was  engaged  at  his  trade  here 
and  tliere.  chieflv  in  New  lioston.  having  his  liead-(|iiarters  in 
that  touii. 

When  ( 'anada  was  (•a])tiu'ed  fioin  tlie  French  (  1  7.V.I-1  T(!t). ) 
tlieir  allies,  the  Indians  fled  westward  and  northward  and  the 
scattered  settlers  began  to  creep  back  to  their  (leseite<l  cabins 
on  the  frontier.  Philip  liilev  the  first  settler  of  Antrim  re- 
tui'iied  to  his  cabin  in  the  s[)ring  of  17t)l.  being  the  Hist  to 
return  [lermanently  to  that  section.  l)Ut  FrancestoM  ii  being 
iiearei'  to  tlie  old  towns,  being  distant  some  miles  from  the 
Contoocook  river,  and  therefore  not  a  special  haunt  for  the 
savages,  was  much  less  in  danger  from  them  than  other  towns 
to  the  ]iortli  and  west.  Conseqtiently  a  few  settlers  ventured 
into  this  town  before  the  close  of  the  war.  Fspecially  that 
j)art  belonging  to  New  Boston  was  comparatiA'ely  safe.  Carson 
had  i-oamed  over  many  towns  in  the  course  of  twenty  years  in 
his  business,  but  fixed  upon  Francestown  as  the  favorite  place 
fo]'  a  home,  if  he  could  have  choice  of  groun(L  Accordingly, 
as  the  ojtportunity  came  to  him.  he  selected  liis  spot,  since 
known  as  "Meadow  Point.'"  aiid  put  uj)  a  small  cabin  of  logs 
as  early  as  the  spring  of  1758.  The  hrst  cabin  a\  as  covered 
with  bark,  and  was  scarcely  more  than  a  cliea])  and  liastv 
shelter.  It  stood  -some  40  rods  South  Fast  of  the  School- 
House  in  District  No.  o.*"  the  school  house  near  the  <piarry. 
The  exact  spot  of  this  first  settlement  was  on  the  south  side  of 


PLACE    OF    FIRST    I)WELLIN(i.  19 

the  present  New  Boston  road,  and  near  the  I'eniains  of  an  ohl 
apple-tree.  The  cal)!!!  has  been  gone  nearly  a  hundred  years, 
and  nothiny  Init  a  slight  depi'ession  in  tlie  gi'onnd  indicates 
where  stood  the  tirst  dwelling  in  town! 

It  lias  been  the  common  understanding  that  Cai'son  huilt  his 
tii'st  inde  shelter  in  the  spring  of  1760;  but  it  is  certain  that 
it  was  built  two  years  before  that  date;  and  ])robal)ly  he  had 
his  ••clearing'*  and  his  ••stack  of  hay"  a  year  or  two  earlier 
still.  He  had  a  hard  time  in  the  first  winter  (1758-9,)  as  the 
snoAv  was  very  deep,  and  there  was  not  a  sign  of  a  road,  nor 
even  of  a  path.  rhey  wei'^  out  of  provisions,  and  the  family 
lived  for  weeks  toy'ether  on  nothinL;'  but  boiled  corn,  and  what 
little  game  cotild  be  killed.  l>ut  they  struggled  througii  and 
prospered  and  were  soon  abk^  to  build  larger:  and  hence  the 
cabin  of  1760  j)robal)ly  took  the  place  of  the  smaller  and  poorer 
one  previously  ()ccui)ied,  aud  was  (juite  stylish  ami  roomy  as 
compared  with  thai.  This  is  piobably  why  it  was  said  ("arson 
settled  liere  in  17()0,  i.  e.  he  rebuilt  that  yeai'. 

Of  the  cabin  life  of  the  ('arsons  we  know  but  little,  it  was 
a  frontier  life,  with  few  comforts  and  few  associates,  but  it  was 
too  intensely  active  to  be  lonely.  in  making  patlis.  clearing 
land,  caring  foi-  ctrops,  trapping,  fishing,  planning  improvements, 
and  inviting  other  settlers,  there  was  a  pressure  of  work 
demaiRling  that  they  shonld  never  tire.  John  Carson,  the  eldei', 
was  a  large  land  owner  having  come  into  possession  of  the  tract 
near  the  centre  of  the  Addition  called  on  the  old  [)lan  ••Col. 
Joseph  l>laiichard\s  farm  of  oOO  acres."  This  tract  of  land 
was  given  to  Cai'son,  to  "■  Iik/h'-c^'  him  to  settle  [)ermanently  in 
the  ••Addition,". though  quite  in  harmony  witli  his  wishes. 
Some  arrangement  was  made  with  the  Blanchards  to  accomp- 
lish this;  and  on  the  old  plan  it  will  l)e  noticed  that  Carson's 
name  is  written  uiiderneath  that  of  Blanchard.  For  several 
years  after  New  Boston  received  the  Addition,  no  settlement 
had  been  made  in  it.  and  all  })arties  wei'e  anxious  to  have  a 
beginning  made.  ( 'arson  was  a  man  of  years,  energy,  and  large 
experiem^e,  and  a  man  by  his  trade  and  capacity  fitted  to  be  a 
pioneer.  He  soon  induced  others  to  settle  in  the  vicinity. 
The  first  framed  Iniilding  in  I^'rancestown  was  a  small  house 
that   Jolni   Cars(ui   built  for  himself,  which  stood  on  the  top  of 


20  FIRST    FEAME    HOUSE. 

the  hill  south  of  the  corner,  about  forty  rods  southwest  of  the 
the  school-house  in  No.  5.  "  It  was  nearly  west  of  his  first  cabin 
and  each  could  be  seen  from  the  other.  This  frame  house  was 
erected  about  1762,  and  in  it  Carson  lived  for  awhile. 

To  this  small  one-story  house  he  added  a  two-story  part 
probably  in  17G9, — perhaps  earlier.  At  any  rate  it  was  finished 
ready  for  use  in  the  spring  of  1770,  as  William  Starrett  opened 
it  as  a  public  tavern  on  the  fifteenth  of  May  in  that  year. 
This  was  the  first  public  house  in  Francestown ;  was  occupied 
by  Mr.  Starrett  1770-1773  ;  was  afterwards  long  known  as  the 
Sleeper  house ;  and  after  various  changes,  was  pulled  down  in 
1865,  having  stood  nearly  a  hundred  years !  This  house  being 
on  the  "old  county  road"  accommodated  some  travel  from  the 
first. 

John  Carson  being  an  enterprising  man,  and  determined  to 
push  the  settlement  forward  as  fast  as  possible,  after  a  few- 
years  built  another  frame  house  on  his  land  north  of  the  j^resent 
school  house  in  No.  5,  on  the  east  side  of  the  road,  nearly  east 
of  the  quarry,  where  he  lived  after  renting  the  former  house. 
From  this  fact  arose  the  idea  that  this  was  the  spot  of  the  first 
settlement.  Here  William  Carson  also  lived  some  years. 
Neither  of  these  names  appears  on  the  hrst  tax-list  of  Frances- 
town  (Oct.  12,  1772,)  probably  because  this  lot  of  Blanchard's 
was  to  be  "free  from  all  duties,  charges,  taxes  or  expenses 
whatsoever"  until  brought  under  cultivation.  John  Carson 
built  the  first  mill  in  Francestown,  it  being  a  small  saw-mill,  a 
few  rods  above  where  the  kit  factory  of  Hiram  P.  Clark  no^y 
stands.  Later  he  built  other  mills  in  town.  He  was  a  leader 
in  the  community,  ready  for  every  hard  job,  and  very  active, 
till  his  sudden  death,  which  occurred  about  1792,  at  the  house 
of  David  Lewis.  It  was  in  March  and  the  snow  was  so  deep 
it  was  a  matter  of  great  difficulty  to  move  the  body  to  the 
grave.  The  burial  was  in  the  old  burying-ground,  near  the 
house  of  the  late  Dea.  Thomas  Smith,  in  the  north-w^est  part  of 
New  Boston,  where  his  wife  had  been  buried  in  1773.  His  age 
was  about  90  years ;  and  though  aged,  his  death  was  counted  a 
great  loss  to  the  young  and  struggling  town. 

Carson,  who  had  been  engaged  all  his  life  in  pioneei-  work, 
was  the  only  settler  in   Francestown,  then  the   "New  Boston 


SECOND    SETTLER    IN    TOWN.  21 

Addition,"  for  about  two  years,  (1759-60,)  though  he  must 
have  worked  on  his  "beginning"  somewhat  earlier  in  the  sum- 
mer seasons.  But  he  seems  to  have  had  a  companion  in  the 
person  of  Samuel  Nichols  as  early  as  the  autumn  of  1760. 
Tradition  has  it  that  Carson  gave  him  fifty  acres  of  land,  to  in- 
duce him  to  settle  near.  He  was  a  Scotchman,  direct  from  the 
Scotch  part  of  Ireland,  and  it  would  seem  that  he  was  of  the 
kindi-ed  or  old  acquaintance  of  Carson.  He  settled  on  the 
McCaine  place,  just  south  of  Carson,  and  was  knoAvn  as  the 
"second  settler"  in  town.  His  coming  was  hailed  with  great 
joy  by  the  Carsons,  as  they  had  no  neighbors  except  those  two 
or  three  miles  awa}^  in  New  Boston.  There  being  no  road  to 
New  Boston,  only  a  })ath  through  the  forest,  by  marked  trees, 
and  over  steep  hills,  intercourse  was  rare  and  difficult :  and  to 
have  a  family  so  well  known  settle  so  near  them,  gave  most 
precious  encouragement  I  We  cannot  measure  it  by  any  stand- 
ards of  our  OAvn  experience.  It  was  like  the  rising  of  a  new 
light  upon  them  I 

In  Samuel  Nichols*  new  log  cabin  an  event  occurred  near  the 
close  of  the  year  1760.  which  was  of  much  note  and  importance, 
namely,  the  birth  of  a  son,  the  first  American  child  born  in 
Francestown.  They  called  him  John.  He  went  to  Holland 
Purchase,  New  York,  when  a  young  man.  beyond  A\'hioh  I  liave 
not  been  able  to  trace  him. 

Samuel  Nichols  set  out  the  Hrst  apple  orchard  in  Frances- 
town,  and  built  the  first  cider-mill.  The  "Great  Apple-tree," 
so-called,  near  the  McCaine  house,  was  set  out  b}'  him  about 
1761,  so  that  it  has  now  (1889)  been  standing  in  its  present 
position  not  leSs  tlian  one  hundred  and  twentj'-eight  years  I 
It  is  16  feet  two  inches  in  circumference,  and  is  yet  a  fruitful 
tree  I  Nichols  was  quite  a  fruit  man  in  his  day,  and  helped  the 
settlers  in  starting  young  trees  and  preparing  for  such  comforts 
in  this  line  as  the  older  settlements  enjoyed.  He  had  the  first 
plum  trees  and  raised  the  first  })lums  in  town,  which  were  con- 
sidered a  great  luxury.  At  one  time  in  later  years  some  young 
fellows  thought  they  would  try  his  plums,  and  went  in  early 
evening  for  this  purpose.  The  boy  happened  to  see  them  and 
told  him.  Nichols  siezed  the  long  fire-poker  to  represent  the 
old  flint-lock  gun,  and  a  bit  of  iion  to  ^'snap'"  with,  by  striking 


■)■? 


Hini)    SETTLKi;     IN     lOWN, 


the  poker,  and  ran  out  and  |)ointed  at  the  thieves  "and  -snapped'" 
it.  And  when  it  didn't  oo  off.  he  called  to  the  boy,  -'Mair 
pouther.  Sam,  Mair  pouther  I"  Tlie  thieves  were  dreadfull}- 
Frightened  and  nearly  hi'oke  their  l)ones  in  falling  as  they  ran 
for  dear  life  ! 

Samuel  Nichols  \\as  a  smart,  capable,  stirring  man.  He  was 
chosen  Constable  in  the  old  town  (  Xew  I^ostoji)  at  tlie  annnal 
meeting.  Mar.  ."),  1770:  was  useful  and  influential  for  many 
years.  See  genealogy.  W^is  one  of  the  highest  tax-payers  in 
town  in  1  77:^. 

i'he  thinl  settler  in  Ki-aneestow  ii  was  Jojni  Unnxii.  He  was 
a  man  of  mature  years  and  had  grown-nji  ehildi-en  when  he 
came,  one  daughter.  Ann.  mairyiiig  Dea.  .bihii  Smith  of  Xew 
l^osion.  about  ]7t»:i.  and  one  son.  Thomas  Hrowii,  taking  the 
homestead  with  his  father.  Aim  was  the  mother  of  the  late 
venerable  Dea.  Thomas  Smith  of  that  town.  John  Brown  was 
a  Scotchman:  he  came  o\ei-  and  settled  in  Londonderr}-;  then 
lived  awhile,  it  seems,  in  hitchtield:  and  came  to  Frances- 
town  ill  the  spring  of  17(>2.  having  previously  made  his  "•be- 
ginning." He  settled  at  the  foot  of  the  liill.  near  the  south- 
west })ai-t  of  Scoby  I'oiid.  and  on  the  old  New  Hoston  road, 
the  [)lace  now  occupied  by  Daniel  W.  Duncklee.  Brown  was 
a  strong.  tr)ugh.  tii-eless  man.  and  was  noted  as  a  great  "-flax- 
swingler.'"  'This  is  an  unknown  interest  among  us  now,  but 
was  of  great  importance  then.  He  \^'ent  from  house  to  house 
among  liis  neighbors,  doing  in  eveiy  case  a  tremendous  day's 
work  on  the  flax.  Brown  was  also  held  in  local  repute  as  a  fast 
reaper.  It  is  relate<l  thar  before  the  incorporation  of  the  town, 
when  the  best  of  families  were  scantily  provided  for  at  times. 
Brown  went  over  to  do  one  of  his  great  day's  works  for  tlie 
Morrills.  nu  the  AlcLane  place:  and  as  he  "moost  haav  some 
mate,"  and  as  the  good  lady  was  entirely  out  of  that  useful 
article  of  food,  she  ^'killed  a  setting-  hen"  and  cooked  it  for  din- 
ner  I  Her  resources  were  somewhat  limited,  but  she  was  equal 
to  the  occasion  I 

-bihii  Brown  was  chosen  Constable  of  the  town  at  its  iirst 
meeting,  being  the  first  in  Francestown  to  hold  that  ofihce,  con- 
sidered in  those  davs  one  of  the  most  honorable  and  important 
offices  in  town.      It  mav  interest  some  reader  to  kncn^'  that  the 


FIRST    SAW    MILL    IN    TOWN.  28 

great  elm.  roav  staudino-  mmr  the  liouse.  witli  the  large,  long, 
bow-like  limbs,  was  brought  by  Brown  as  a  walking-stick.  He 
cut  it  in  Derry,  used  it  to  walk  home  with.  ( oO  miles.)  stuck 
it  into  tlie  groiuul :  and  at'tei'  a  while  it  sprouted  and  grew,  and 
is  now  flourishing,  diic  hundred  and  twenty-tive  years  "after 
the  walk." 

'Idle  yeai'  17<)o  o[)eiied  with  only  three  families  \\ithin  the 
j)resent  limits  of  Francestown,  Carson,  Nichols  and  lirown. 
In  the  spring  of  this  year  New  Boston  was  incor[)orated.  in- 
cluding all  these  settlements.  But  the  same  spring  two  men 
ai'rived  in  town  from  Dedham.  Mass..  whose  means,  capacity 
ami  eiiter})rise  added  very  much  lo  the  progi'ess  of  the  little 
community.  Tliese  two  men  wert'  David  and  Isaac  Lewis. 
They  were  la'others  and  settled  neai-  each  other,  on  lots  4<>  and 
4I>  in  the  "New  Addition.""  'These  lots  wei'e  ])Ui(dia^e(l  of  the 
New  lioston  proprietoi's  by  their  father,  -lohn  Lewis,  in  1758: 
it  i)eing  then  the  custom  as  the  toA\ns  near  the  coast  became 
cr(twded.  foi-  gnai'dians  and  hithers  to  hu\-  wild  land  in  the 
"border-towns,""  ami  settle  their  boys  np(»n  it.  David  Lewis 
begun  and  built  where  (Jeorge  A.  Dnncklee  now  li\es.  He 
built  the  lirst  saw-mill  in  toAvn.  the  woi'k  being  dom*  by  .John 
Carson,  as  stated  abo\c.  It  was  on  the  s]»ot  wlieic  Mr.  Dunck- 
lee's  sa\\'-mill  no\\"  stands.  It  wonld  he  eonsidered  now  a  very 
rude  affair,  but  it  answered  a  good  [lurpose.  and  wa*^  a  great 
hel})  to  the  new  settlers  in  prt'[)aring  cond'orlable  dwellings! 
John  ('arson  put  up  the  mill  and  fui-nished  the  -mill-crank.'" 
it  being  the  same  he  had  expected  to  nse  in  llillsboro".  and  had 
Imried  in  the  mud  in  that  tow"-  \\hen  ihi\en  oft'  by  the  Indians 
in  174().  In  su1)se(pient  yeais  Da\id  Lewis  built  an<l  opei'ated 
the  first  grist-mill  in  town  :  but,  as  in  other  })laces,  the  saw-mill 
came  first,  because  gi'ain  in  small  (juantities  could  be  trans])oi'ted. 
but  lumber  without  roads  eould  not.  The  saw-mill  was  built 
as  early  as  1770.  probably  being  counnenced  in  17(:)8.  In  1771 
NeAv  Boston  laid  out  a  road  fi-om  David  Lewis"  mill  to  Lynde- 
borough  lim\  David  Lewis  was  twice  selectman  in  New  Bos- 
ton :  and  in  Fi-ancestown  he  was  town  clerk,  moderator,  select- 
man. I'epresentative,  deacon  and  in  every  way  one  of  the  most 
useful  men  in  the  first  fifty  years  of  its  liistory.      He  represented 


24  ■         NEW    SETTLEES. 

New  Boston  and  Francestown  in  the  legislature  in  1782.  See 
genealogy. 

Isaac  Lewis  was  a  farmer  and  settled  the  place  long  owiied 
by  Israel  Farnuni,  lately  occupied  by  David  Sargent. 

Isaac  Lewis  was  Selectman  in  1784,  and  Moderator  in  1797. 
Was  a  very  valual)le  man  to  the  community,  though  less  con- 
spicuous than  his  brother  David.  His  son  Daniel  was  graduated 
at  Dartmouth  Colleg-e  in  the  class  of  1797.  the  tirst  graduate 
from  Francestown,  and  became  a  lawyer.  Daniel  Lewis,  the 
soil,  A\as  both  Chairman  of  tlie  Selectmen  and  Town  Clerk  for 
five  successive  yenvs  (1808-1812.)  Isaac  Lewis  did  not  reside 
here  all  the  time  for  several  years  aft.er  starting  his  claim  in 
1768,  being  at  that  date  only  nineteen  years  of  age.  Was  a 
tall,  large,  independent,  aristocratic  young  man.  always  very 
decided,  one  of  the  leaders  of  the  town  for  many  years. 

Caleb  Whiting  was  the  next  settler  in  Francesto\\  n.  It  is 
impossible  to  tell  the  date  of  his  coming,  but  it  was  probably 
in  the  year  1765.  The  lot  on  which  he  settled  was  No.  30,  of 
the  ''New  Addition.''  and  was  purchased  by  Stephen  Whiting 
from  the  New  Boston  proprietors  in  1758.  Probably  some 
••beginning'''  Avas  made  very  soon  after  this  purchase.  Caleb 
built  his  log  house  on  the  ridge  north  of  Scoby  Pond,  now 
called  Haunted  Lake,  and  south  of  the  jNIcLane  place,  and  some 
forty  rods  south  of  the  present  highway.  He  died  near  the  be- 
ginning of  the  year  1770,  and  the  estate  passed  into  the  hands 
of  his  brother  Zachariah  the  following  year.  But  little  is 
known  of  Caleb  Whiting.  He  was  a  vigorous,  strong  man, 
quiet  and  useful ;  and  liis  early,  death  was  greatly  lamented. 
His  was  the  first  death  within  the  present  limits  of  this  town ; 
and  his  body  is  said  to  liave  been  cariied  to  New  Boston  and 
buried  there:  of  A\'hich  town, he  was  a  citizen  some  years. 

Thus  there  were  only  six  actual  settlers  in  Francestown  at 
the  opening  of  the  year  1766 ;  and  during  that  year  no  family 
is  known  to  have  moved  into  the  town.  But  still  it  was  a  time 
of  progress  in  the  little  settlement.  Surveys  were  made,  land 
was  purchased,  -clearings"  were  begun,  log-cabins  were  put  up 
and  paths  Avere  cut  out.  Almost  all  the  time  the  click  of  the 
woodman's  axe  \vas  heard ;  the  crash  of  falling  trees  echoed 
through  the  forest ;  the  clearing  fires  Avere  constantly  burning ; 


CENSUS  OF  1767.  25 

and  everything  bore  the  marks  of  courage  and  promise.  A  cen- 
sus of  the  state  was  taken  in  1767,  which  is  very  suggestive  as 
to  the  condition  and  progress  of  this  and  the  adjacent  towns. 
At  that  time  Londonderry  had  a  population  of  2.389,  Bedford 
362,  Peterborougli  443,  J^yndeborough  (including  part  of  Green- 
field) 272,  Hillsborough  64,  Antrim  12,  and  New  Boston  296. 
Francestown  then  contained  about  20  inhabitants  but  was  still 
a  part  of  New  Boston.  An  old  person  said,  "In  176.7  there 
were  only  five  settlers  in  Francestown,"  meaning  five  families ; 
one  of  the  six  settlers  first  named  aboA^e,  Isaac  Lewis,  not  hav- 
ing yet  moved  his  family  here.  This  year  the  whole  state  had 
a  population  of  52,700,  besides  633  slaves.  William  McKeen 
had  planted  himself  with  one  or  two  associates  in  the  south 
part  of  Deering,  and  John  Grimes  had  made  a  "beginning"  in 
Hancock.  North  and  west,  therefore,  from  this  town  the  deep 
forest  was  almost  unbroken  for  many  miles.  Bears  and  wolves 
in  gi'eat  numbers  prowled  aljout  the  settler's  cabin,  so  that  it 
was  dangerous  by  day  or  night  to  go  out  unarmed  and  alone. 
The  great  moose  stalked  along  the  forest  and  fed  in  the 
meadows.  Travel  was  only  by  cleared  paths  and  marked  trees, 
-and  alwavs  on  foot.  There  Avas  nothing  that  would  now  be 
denominated  a  road,  in  all  the  town.  A  road  was  "laid  out" 
July  5,  1763  (See  chapter  on  Roads)  from  Amherst  (now  Mont 
\^ernon)  through  a  part  of  New  Boston,  "throw  thomas  Brown's 
and  Samuel  Nickles-'  and  Jolni  Carson's  till  It  goes  out  of  the 
town."  A  short  road  was  laid  out  in  1766  by  the  town  of  New 
Boston  f]"om  John  Carson's  house  north-westerly  to  the  north 
line  of  his  large  tract  of  land.  Reference  is  also  made  in  1763 
to  the  "Old  Roajl  that  Coms  from  Linsborow."  But  all  these 
as  yet  were  only  marked  out :  not  built.  In  1767  a  road  was 
laid  out  from  Ncav  Boston  "to  the  Addition,"  beginning  near 
Samuel  Smith's  in  the  nortli-west  part  of  that  town  and  running- 
westward  past  "Samuel  Nutt's  cellar"  and  Caleb  Whiting's 
house  to  John  Carson's  house.  Probably  tins  was  among  the 
first  roads  actually  l)ailt  in  toAvn,  and  very  rude  at  that.  David 
Lewis  was  chosen  "surveyor  of  highwaj^s"  in  the  New  Boston 
March  Meeting  1765;  but  the  "highways"  of  which  he  was 
surveyor,  were  no  more  than  rough  paths.  This  town  had  the 
advantage     of    other    newly-settled,    towns     in    the    beautiful 


26  SETTLEMENT    OF    OAK     HILL. 

meadows;  but  otherwise  the  whole  aspect  was  one  of  hard, 
scanty  beg-inninovs.  In  1767  the  prospects  of  this  little  com- 
munity were  nevertheless  considered  very  cheering-,  while 
actual  progress  was  exceedingly  limited.  But  little  as  yet  was 
raised  from  the  soil.  It  was  no  unusual  thing  to  feel  the  pinch 
of  M-ant.  Discomforts  and  privations  were  the  rule  for  all. 
Theii'  scanty  provisions  had  to  be  pieced  out  l)y  luuiting  and 
fishing.  Courage  and  patience  were  in  constant  demand. 
Neighbors  wei-e  distant  fi'om  each  other,  and  the  constant  pres- 
sure of  work  and  watcliing  gave  little  chance  fo]'  i)ite]'Course. 
FiJut  the  svmpathv  of  eoninion  tiials  and  pri\ations  bound  the 
scattered  settlers  together  in  warm  friendship.  It  \\as  a  time 
of  ho])e  and  hard  work. 

lint  in  the  early  antnnni  of  1T<>7  several  families  moved 
here,  of  those  who  had  made  cleai'ings  and  built  their  log- 
cabins  before,  and  iiad  some  crops  growing  for  harvest.  Some 
of  these  beginnings  had  been  made  two  oi'  three  years  and 
were  })ractically  "settlements"  before  tlie  families  came. 

Tliis  was  the  year  of  the  first  settlement  of  "-Francestown 
proper.'"  i.  e.  outside  of  the  ])art  that  belonged  to  New  Boston; 
and  SanuK'l  McIMieison  was  the  first  settler.  He  was  full  of 
the  ])ioneer  spirit,  and  pushed  out  nearly  two  miles  to  the 
north-west  of  the  present  village  and  settled  on  Oak  Hill,  on 
what  is  known  as  the  -old  deacon  vSavage  place,"  west  of  the 
Campbell  i)lace.  A  younger  bi'othei-.  Henry  McPherson  fol- 
lowed soon  after  and  settled  north-west  of  the  New  Boston 
Addition,  on  what  is  knowai  as  the  Kimball  Emerson  farm; 
whicli  farm  Sanniel  McPherson  son  of  Henry  afterwards  ex- 
changed for  one  that  was  bounded  on  the  east  by  Weare  line. 
These  were  brothers  of  Deacon  James  McPherson  of  New 
Boston,  who  was  one  of  the  first  board  of  elders  in  the  church 
of  that  town  and  who  died  Nov.  1.  1792  aged  76.  These  were 
all  sons  of  Paul  McPherson  of  Chester.  Dea.  James  settled  in 
New  Boston  in  1761.  In  1748  Paul  McPherson  deeded  to  his 
son  Samuel  part  of  his  land  in  Chester  with  -half  tlie  orchard 
and  lialf  the  buildings."  Samuel  had  some  pi'Ojjerty  when  he 
came  to  Francestown,  was  a  hardy,  vigorous,  and  fearless 
Scotchman,  and  Avas  in  the  mature  strength  of  his  maidiood  as 
he  struck  into  the  sturdy  forest  of  Oak  Hill. 


gUlGLKY.    THOMAS    AND    JOHK.  27 

This  year  also  came  a  man  of  considerable  means  and  influ- 
ence, Mr.  Thomas  Qui^ley.  He  was  of  Scotch  race,  from  the 
north  of  Ireland.  He  was  born  in  1703;  came  over  about 
1724;  was  shipwrecked  and  lost  everything  on  the  passage, 
barely  escaping  with  life;  was  a  smart  and  forcible_man;  mar- 
ried about  1734  and  settled  in  Londonderry  (now  Windham) 
in  1738:  was  active  in  securing  the  incorporation  of  that  town; 
and  was  one  of  its  selectmen  in  1744.  Morrison,  in  his  His- 
tory of  Windham,  says  Thomas  Quigiey  moved  to  Francestown 
in  1762,  which  is  a  mistake,  as  he  did  not  actually  transfer  his 
family  to  this  place  till  the  spring  of  17<i7,  tliough  probably  he 
purcliased  his  land  and  made  a  clearing  as  early  as  1762.  He 
held  large  tracts  of  land  and  was  well  known  in  this  vicinity 
before  he  really  moved  here,  and  was  considered  as  identified 
with  the  place.  He  located  on  a  large  tract  of  land  which  was 
subsequently  divided  into  several  farms,  including  what  has 
been  known  as  the  Willard  Carter  farm,  and  the  farm  east  of 
that.  Quigley  |)ut  up  his  house  probably  in  176o.  it  has  long- 
been  gone.  It  stood  on  an  old  road  or  patli  north  of  the  turn- 
pike and  north  of  the  present  dwellings  on  this  tract  of  land. 
This  old  I'oad,  now  forgotten,  ran  nearly  parallel  to  the  turn-pike. 

Mr.  Quigley  was  of  mature  years  when  he  came  here,  was 
quite  well  educated  for  the  time,  and  was  looked-up-to  trom 
the  first.  His  name  appears  among  those  chosen  by  the  old 
town  (New  Boston)  to  sign  the^callJ.to^Rev.^Solomon  Moor 
Aug.  25,  1767, — the  committee  having  previously  been  in- 
structed to  "-aplay  to  this  young  Genllman  for  tAvo  Days." 
Quigle}-  brought  with  him  a  family  of  three  sons  and  six 
daughters  and  gaVe  to  every  one  a  farm,  or  land  enough  to 
make  one.  John  Quigley  the  oldest  son,  remained  with  his 
father,  was  well-eclucated,  was  land-surveyor,  carpenter,  justice, 
and  deputy-sheriff  in  1771-1772;  and  was  probably  the  most 
capable  man  in  the  whole  settlement.  He  built  the  first  meet- 
ing-house of  the  town.  Was  chosen  by  the  legislature  of  the 
state  to  call  the  first  town  meeting  in  Francestown,  was  the 
town's  first  moderator,  and  chairman  of  its  first  board  of  select- 
men, holding  both  those  offices  at  the  same  time  for  several 
years.  Subsequently,  having  held  a  coinmission  from  the  king, 
he  adhered  to  the  royal  couse,  and  left  town  in  1776  never  to 


28  HARD    WINTER    OF    1767-8. 

return.  Thomas  Quigley  the  father,  did  much  to  advance  the 
pecuniary  interests  of  the  town,  and  di'ed  lieie  much-respected 
and  nearly  ninety  years  of  age,  Aug.  22, 1798,     See  genealogy. 

Also  in  1767  Samuel  Nutt  moved  here,  and  settled  on  the 
Kingsbury  place,  near  the  present  New  Boston  line,  the  place 
now  occupied  by  Oliver  Pettee.  On  the  "cellar"'  which  seems 
to  have  been  "prepared"  lor  a  considerable  time  previous,  a 
framed  house  A^as  erected  this  year  and  so  far  finished  as  to  be 
occupied  before  winter.  Mr.  Nutt  being  a  carpenter,  was  like 
the  shoe-makei'  that  went  barefoot,  doing  work  for  other  people 
at  the  sacritice  of  delaying  his  own.  He  came  from  Derryfield 
(Manchester),  was  of  Scotch  race;  \\as  a  very  useful  man  in 
the  new  community,  and  was  the  lii'st  town  clerk  in  Frances- 
town.     Me  was  tithingman  in  New  Boston  in  1770. 

The  winter  of  1767-8  Avas  one  of  great  intensity  and  un- 
usual length,  and  the  settlers  in  Francestown,  like  other 
frontier  settlers,  suffered  much  from  cold  and  privation.  The 
snows  were  so  deep  that  little  could  be  done  by  way  of  clear- 
ing their  land.  The  Butterfields  who  settled  in  the  soutli-west 
part  of  the  town  came  up  from  Londonderiy  with  ox-teams  to 
spend  the  winter  in  logging  and  preparation  for  building;  but 
the  snoAv  came  on  so  early  and  so  deep  that  they  could  not 
work  their  teams  and  could  not  get  tliem  back ;  and  so  they  left 
them  in  care  of  Samuel  Butterfield,  a  bo}'  of  eighteen  years,  who 
stayed  alone  all  winter  in  a  rude  cabin  with  his  oxen!  This 
illustrates  the  fortitude  and  endurance  of  these  pioneers  I  They 
were  not  intimidated  or  discouraged  by  anything  which  it  was 
possible  to  overcome.  But  lonely  in  the  extreme  that  winter 
must  have  been.  There  was  no  sign  of  a  road  anywhere;  no 
path,  no  passing  from  one  cabin  to  another  except  on  snow- 
shoes  ;  the  small  log  houses  were  nearly  buried  in  snow,  some- 
times only  the  rude  chinniey  appearing '  above  the  A\'hite  folds 
that  covered  everything!  Even  trees  of  large  size  were  bent 
down  and  covered  with  the  snow.  The  whole  winter  scene  was 
beautiful  but  majestic  and  solenni.  Oh!  how  luntj  the  winter 
seemed!  No  intercourse,  no  newspaper,  no  books  except  the 
Bible  and  almanac,  and  not  always  so  much  as  that.  Such  are 
some  of  the  trials  it  cost  to  prepare  the  way  for  modern  con- 
veniences and  comforts. 


SETTLERS    IX    SOUTH-WEST    PART.  29 

In  1768  William  Butterfield,  graiKlfatlier  of  the  priintei: 
William,  settled  on  the  Taylor  place,  now  occupied  by  the 
Eaton  Brothers.  He  was  son  of  William  Butterfield  of  Lon- 
donderr}'  and  older  brother  of  Robert  and  Isaac  who  afterwards 
settled  in  Francestown.  He  built  a  saw-mill  below  the  present 
bridge  and  near  his  house.  Tliis  mill  was  put  up  about  the 
time  of  the  itiror/ioratloti  of  the  tox^ii.  (1772)  and  \^as  a  very 
important  aid  in  the  settlement  of  that  part  of  the  town  lying 
next  to  Greenfield.  William  Butterfield  was  the  pioneer  in 
that  neiohborhood.  having  struck  the  first  blows  there  in  176t)-7. 
as  intimated  al)Ove.  Was  soon  followed  Iw  other  settlers  who 
located  near  him.  making  that  in  the  early  day  one  of  the  most 
populous  and  thriving  parts  of  the  town.  He  was  out  in  the 
French  and  Indian  war  ( 17.").")-17()o)  and  in  the  long  struggle 
at  Fort  William  Henry  (Aug.  1-10.  1757;)  and  he  l)arely 
escaped  with  his  life  at  the  infamous  massacre  that  followed 
the  capitulation. 

Also  in  1768  came  Jolni  Dickey  from  Londonderry  and 
settled  the  place  where  Fred  Hopkins  now  lives,  on  the  Green- 
tield  road.  He  and  Butterfield  had  been  friends  and  neiglibors 
in  Londonderry,  and  hence  settled  near  each  other  here. 
There  is  an  old  tradition  that  Dickey  was  "  born  beyond  the 
ocean  "  and  he  was  like  his  friend  Butterfield.  in  the  vigor  and 
ripe  maturity  of  his  life  when  he  came  here.  He  was  a  Scotch- 
man of  strong  mind,  fair  education,  and  mucli  force  of 
character.  Was  on  the  town's  first  board  of  selectmen,  and 
served  six  years  in  that  office.  When  Dickey  and  Butterfield 
begun  near  together  in  the  forest,  they  were  about  two  miles 
from  any  neighbors,  with  only  a  path  throngh  the  deep  woods 
and  by  marked  trees,  by  Mh.ich  to  reach  their  remote  and 
humble  dwellings.  One  dai'k  evening  Butterfield  started  to  go 
from  his  clearing  to  a  cabin  near  wliere  the  village  now  stands, 
when  his  torch  went  out  and  he  could  not  find  his  wav :  and 
hence  he  quietly  sat  down  against  a  tiee  and  Avaited  till  morn- 
ing I     - 

Sometime  in  tlie  year  176S  it  is  probable  that  -James  Dickey 
made  his  settlement  where  now  (ieorge  Shattuck  lives,  on  the 
hill  soutli-west  of  Scoby  Pond,  now  called  Haunted  Lake.  He 
came  from  Litclifield.  but  originally  frcnn  Londonderry,  a  3'Oung 


80  XKW     SIOTTLKIiS. 

adventurous,  roving,  and  most  worthy  man.  After  a  few  years 
of  hard  work,  he  sold  his  new  farm  and  went  to  Antrim,  begin- 
ing  again  in  the  foi'est  there,  ''the  tradition  that  he  lived  awhile 
in  Francestown"  proving  true  on  examination.  He  entered 
the  army  in  the  war  of  the  revolution  and  lost  his  life  at  \\''hite 
Plains  Sept.  1776.  His  wife  was  Mary  Brown  and  he  had  three 
children  horn  in  Francestown,  moved  to  Antrim  1778,  and  was 
a  soldier  from  that  town. 

It  is  not  certain  that  any  others  act  nail}-  moved  within  the 
[)resent  limits  of  Francestown  dniing  the  year  1768,  though 
lots  were  purchased  here  and  tliere,  and  pioneer  work  was 
busily  going  on.  In  Hancock,  Deering  and  Antrim,  places 
farther  still  from  the  old  towns,  a  similar  quiet  progress  was 
being  made;  no  -boom,'"  no  excitement,  no  rivahy,  but  unflag- 
ging courage  and  hope,  and  a  marvellous  amount  of  hard  work. 

In  1769  two  brothers  Benjamin  and  Nathaniel  Sleeper  came 
here  from  Hawke.  now  Danville,  formerly  a  part  of  Kingston, 
in  Rockingham  Co.  Benjamin  settled  on  the  place  now  occu- 
pied by  his  descendant,  (xarvin  S.  Sleeper,  Esq.  He  Avas  for  a 
long  time  a  {)rominent  citizen,  was  on  the  hoard  of  selectmen, 
and  was  often  chosen  to  serve  on  important  committees. 
Nathaniel,  his  brother  settled  on  the  farm  adjoining,  now  known 
as  the  Poor  Farm.  These  two  brothers  worked  together  in 
clearing  their  land  and  carrying  on  the  small  parts  of  their 
farm,  which  had  l)een  subdued.  They  were  accustomed  to  fat 
a  pig,  aiul  in  the  fall  dress  and  salt  it  in  a  keg,  and  bury  the 
keg  in  their  camp,  so  as  to  have  it  ready  on  their  return  in  the 
spring,  and  then  go  to  their  old  home  in  Hawke  for  the  winter. 
The  secoiul  time  they  did  this  they  found  the  pork  was  gone, 
when  they  returned.  Somebody  had  found  out  about  it  and 
made  the  pork  useful.  So  Benjamin  stayed  and  worked,  and 
Nathaniel  went  back  to  his  fathers'  for  some  meat.  On  his 
arrival  there  the  old  man  thought  Benjamin  had  been  killed  by 
the  Indians  and  Nathaniel  had  escaped  I  But  after  due  explan- 
ation he  packed  as  much  meat  as  a  man  could  easily  carry,  and 
with  the  faithful  old  horse  brought  his  son  as  far  on  the  way  to 
Francestown  as  be  could,  and  return  home  the  same  night. 
And  Nathaniel  brought  the  pack  on  his  back  the  rest  of  the 
way,  more  than  twenty-five  miles  on  foot  and  alone!     And  not 


PREACHING    IX    THE    HOPKINS    BAEN.  31 

a  little  hungry  in  his  brother's  absence,  Benjamin  toiled  on  at 
his  clearing,  making  ready  to  plant  the  seed  I 

This  year  (1709),  probably,  Robert  Hopkins  settled  what  is 
known  as  the  ••  Gibson  Place"  in  the  north-west  part  of  the 
town,  though  })erhaps  not  moving  here  till  the  following  year. 
.Vs  in  most  cases  land  was  bought,  then  cleared  in  part,  then 
l)uildings  put  up.  which  process  sometimes  occupied  two  or 
three  seasons,  it  is  generally  impossible  to  tell  the  precise  time 
when  a  settler  moved  his  family  here.  Robert  Hopkins  struck 
out  to  make  his  '•'•be<jinnin(/^'  about  the  time  that  McPherson 
struck  on  Oak  Hill.  But  Hopkins  had  a  family  of  live  child- 
ren and  necessarily  moved  slow.  He  uas  a  Scotchman  and 
came  over  with  his  older  brothers  in  1730.  In  due  time  he 
married  and  settled  in  Windham,  was  an  ehU'i'  in  the  church 
there,  and  a  godly  and  ca|)abh'  man.  His  coming  was  a  great 
addition  to  this  little  community.  And  as  he  was  a  pioneer  in 
another  part  of  this  contiguous  territory,  he  did  much  by  way 
of  shaping  the  arrangement  of  the  settlements  so  as  to  invite 
incor})oration.  His  house  stood  on  the  rise  and  on  the  old  road, 
some  forty  I'ods  east  of  the  present  buildings  on  the  same  farm. 
In  his  barn  the  first  meetings  in  that  part  of  Francestown  were 
held,  being  conducted  by  Rev.  David  McGreggor  of  London- 
deny,  (^ne  special  meeting  here  in  Oct.  1775.  is  mentioned  by 
Dr.  Whiton  the  first  historian  of  Antrim  as  being  attended  by 
many  persons  from  that  town.  Children  weiv  Itrought  here  foi' 
baptism  from  Antrim,  as  their  [)ai'ents  were  mend)ers  of  Mr. 
McGreggor's  church  in  Londonderry.  It  was  a  scene  that 
never  was  forgotten,  by  any  Ijeholderl  The  barn  floor  was 
cleared  and  partly  filled  in  the  centre  M'itli  rude  seats,  blocks  of 
wood,  logs,  stones  with  slabs  thrown  across  them,  "for  the 
accommodation  of  the  ladies,"  and  es})ecially  the  mothers.  A 
straijTfht-backed  wooden  chair  was  brouo-ht  out  for  the  minister, 
and  the  same  honor  was  given  to  two  or  three  aged  people. 
"  Men  and  boys  got  in  as  best  they  could,"  some  of  them  stand- 
ing, and  sonre  seated  on  the  floor.  The  small  barn  was  full. 
And  after  the  baptism  of  the  little  ones,  Mr.  McGreggor,  a 
white-haired,  grand  old  man,  an  able  and  tender  [jreacher. 
delivered  a  sermon  that  moved  every  heart  and  moistened  every 
eye. 


32  ESTABLISHING    COrXTIES. 

This  year  (1769)  a  plan  was  miicli  talked  over  to  divide  the 
state  into  counties, — -whicli  plan  was  subsequently  carried  out 
by  establishing'  Kockinohani.  Strafford.  Hillsboro",  Cheshire,  and 
(Trafton  Counties,  Maich  V.K  1771.  It  may  please  the  curious 
to  see  a  petition  of  New  Boston  (including  tlie  AdcUtion) 
touching  tlie  matter,  as  showing  their  view  of  the  capacity  of 
this  county,  now  far  the  greatest  in  the  state.  'Iliis  petition 
Avas  signed  by  fifty-seven  men,  some  of  tliem  on  farms  ]iow  in 
Francestown.  and  was  as  follows: 

••  The  iH'litioii  ot  the  suhscrihtTs  Inhabitants  in  New  IJoslon  in  said 
Provmce  Most  Ilnnihly  Slu-wi'tli — Tliat  your  Pctitiouers  are  intgrmcd 
that  the  Province  is  About  to  be  Divided  into  Countys,  for  the  ease  and 
benefit  of  the  Inliabitants,  in  (Teneral,  in  transactini>-  their  business  of 
a  Public  nature,  and  bein<j;  also  informed  that  the  (General  Assembly 
have  Voted  a  small  County  to  be  set  oft  extendinu'  from  the  westerly 
line  of  Petei'l)on)u<ih.  to  the  easterly  line  ot  Litchtield.  ihiuly  Inlialiited. 
and  not  Cai)al)le  to  Receive  many  more,  and  we  Humbly  Offer  our 
Opinion,  that  the  Xecesary  Expense  of  said  County  will  Over  IJalance 
the  advantaues.  and  the  j)rofits,  of  the  Publiek  Ofiices  be  so  tritlinu'. 
that,  no  (Jent"  iMpial  to  said  Otllci's  will  undertake — 

Therefore  your  Pc  titioiu'rs  pray,  the  Towns  of  Bow,  Chester,  Lon- 
donderry. Pelham.  Plasto,  salem.  llamstead  and  saudown  which. 
Conveniently  situated,  may  be  annexed  to  said  County,"  &c. 

But  with  the  constant  growth  of  these  towns  that  were  "not 
capable  to  receive  many  nu>re."  these  good  [)etitioners  were 
better  oft"  than  they  feared.  The  ])etition  was  well  meant,  but 
did  not  amount  to  much. 

The  year  1770  was  one  of  special  progress  in  the  little  com- 
munity beginning  theii' foi'tunes  here,  as  their  clearings  came  to 
look  moie  like  iields  ami  farms,  and  as  several  valuable  addi- 
tions were  made  to  their  number.  One  of  these  was  James 
Fisher,  afterwards  '^Dea.  James."  He  was  son  of  Dea.  Samuel 
Fisher  of  Londonderry  who  came  over  in  "the  starved  ship"  in 
1740.  James  Fisher  settled  on  the  place  now  occupied  by 
Harlan  P.  Downes.  He  resided  for  a  short  time  in  Antiim 
after  his  beginning  here.  Was  selectman  of  Fi'ancestown  in 
1^775.  At  the  first  town  meeting  (July  1772)  the}'  voted  to 
have  preaching  that  year  "in  James  Fisher's  barn."  Subse- 
quently they  held  their  town-meetings  for  some  time  in  "James 
Fisher's   barn"    as   appears    by  frequent  record.      James  Fisher 


GIFT    OF    THE    COMMON;    FIKST    TAVERN.  66 

was  a  man  of  public  spirit,  having  a  tender  interest  in  the  future 
of  the  little  community.  He  has  the  honor  of  making  the  first 
public  gift  to  Francestown,  having  conceived  the  idea  of  giving 
ground  for  a  connnon  and  burying-place.  This  he  executed 
under  date  of  Nov.  25,  1772.  He  speaks  of  himself  in  the  deed 
as  "James  Fisher,  yeoman  of  Londonderiy,"  because  still  re- 
taining a  lawful  residence  tliere.  By  this  instrument  he 
conveyed  to  John  Quigley,  William  Starrett  and  John  Dickey 
"  as  a  committee  for  the  aforesaid  Francestown  and  their  suc- 
cessors forever  the  following  tract  of  land  foi'  the  use  and 
benefit  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  Francestown,  to  build  a 
meeting  House,  for  a  burying  yard  and  training  held,  four  acres, 
being  the  East  End  of  the  lot  which  I  purched  of  my  Father 
Samuel  Fisher."  James  Fisher  was  a  Scotchman  and  a  strong 
Presbyterian,  but  he  joined  heartily  with  the  "English"  part  of 
the  settlement  to  promote  the  public  good.  As  tliere  was  for 
several  years  from  his  settlement  in  1770  no  house  where  tlie 
village  now  is,  the  house  of  Mi-.  Fisher  was  the  most  central, 
and  his  doors  were  generously  and  often  thrown  open  for  the 
various  gatherings  of  the  settlers. 

The  same  year  (1770)  came  William  Starrett  from  Dedliam, 
Mass.  He  and  his  young  wife  started  from  that  place  Wed. 
May  9,  1770,  and  arrived  in  New  Boston  sometime  during  the 
following  Saturday,  making  the  journey  in  about  four  days. 
There  the  young  wife  rested  among  friends,  and  Starrett  "jjros- 
pected."  But  in  a  few  days  he  "hired  the  Carson  place  for 
three  years."  Here  they  started  in  life  at  once,  as  best  they 
could,  and  soon  opened,  as  before  stated,  the  first  tavern  in 
town.  It  stood-on  the  top  of  the  hill  at  the  corner  south-west 
of  school-house  in  No.  5;  was  a  two-story  framed  house,  and 
was  quite  imposing  for  those  days.  It  was  a  great  thing  for 
the  new  settlement  to  have  a  "  Public  House."  There  was 
much  cheer,  and  not  a  little  pride  over  it  I 

Starrett  was  an  excellent  and  capable  man,  and  at  once  took 
a  high,  standing  in  the  place.  He  was  on  the  first  board  of 
selectmen;  was  moderator;  was  the  first  Francestown  man  to 
represent  this  town  and  New  Boston  in  the  Provincial  I^egis- 
lature  (1779-1780;)  was  many  years -town  treasurer;  and  was 
one  of  the  first  deacons  of  the  church.     Was  a  man  of  means, 


34  NEW    SETTLERS. 

and  paid  the  highest  tax  on  the  first  list  (1772). 

Also  in  1770  came  Oliver  Holmes,  afterwards  known  as 
'^  Maj.  Holmes."  He  settled  the  Lovejoy  plaee  where  Mr. 
Parks  now  lives.  Was  a  man  of  means  and  inflnence,  and  a 
town  leader  in  militaTy  matters.  He  came  from  Dedham,  Mass., 
was  chairman  of  ilie  selectmen  in  1774-7-8-9 ;  and  was  nine  times 
moderator  of  the  annual  town  meeting-.  An  old  person  who 
remembered  him  said  (30  years  ago)  "  He  was  a  blunt  but  noble- 
hearted  old  fellow."  He  used  to  say  that  there  were  "only 
thirty-seven  persons  in  town  when  he  came  fii'st" — probably 
referring  to  the  time  of  his  coming  to  purchase  his  land  and 
make  his  beginning  in  the  fall  of  17<)8,  or  spring  of  1769. 
He  was  a  revolutionary  soldier  and  served  two  terms  in  the 
war.  All  the  military  meetings  for  years  were  held  at  his 
house.  He  wore  crape  thirty  days  in  mourning  for  his 
"beloved  General  Washington." 

Likewise  in  1770  came  Isaac  Butterfield  fi'oni  Londonderry, 
and  settled  in  the  south-west  part  of  Francestown  on  land  now 
embraced  within  the  limits  of  Greenfield,  then  a  part  of  it  being 
in  Society-Land.  The  house  has  long  been  gone,  but  the  spot 
is  indicated  by  a  large  stone  in  the  wall  marked  '^L  B.  1770." 
It  is  near  the  scliool-house  in  the  Nahum  Russell  district.  He 
was  afterwards  known  as  "  Capt.  Isaac  Butterfield;"  was  large 
in  frame,  strong  and  fearless ;  was  the  first  captain  of  the  militia 
of  Society  Land;  and  a  worthy  man,  a  leader  calculated  to 
inspire  others  with  perseverance  and  courage. 

Thus  James  Fisher,  William  Starrett,  Oliver  Holmes,  and 
Isaac  Buttei'field  all  excellent  men,  moved  their  families  here 
in  1770.  Others  were  at  the  same  time  preparing  to  do  like- 
wise. Log-houses  and  barns  were  built  here  and  there,  and  all 
things  wore  the  look  of  determination  and  hope.  This  year 
also  "David  Lewis'  saw-mill"  was  completed  and  set  at  work, 
to  the  great  joy  of  the  settlers,  not  only  of  those  just  coming 
in  to  build,  but  also  of  those  hoping  to  replace  ei'e  long  their 
small   well-worn  log-cabins  with  more  desirable  residences. 

The  following  year  (1771)  was  probably  the  year  of  greatest 
relative  progress  in  the  early  history  of  tliis  place.  About  ten 
families  moved  here,  most  of  them  in  the  spring.  William 
Butterfield,  grandfather  of    Oliver,   and  great-grandfather  of 


NEW    SETTLERS.  35 

William  the  painter,  framed  and  raised  his  house  when  the 
"snow  was  four  feet  deep  and  so  hard  as  to  bear  the  workmen." 
He  followed  his  two  sons  from  Londonderry  here.  He  settled 
in  the  south-west  part  of  the  town,  near  his  sons,  William  and 
Isaac,  on  the  place  next  north  of  the  John  Patch  farm.  After 
the  house  was  built  upon  the  hard  snow,  and  the  snow  melted 
away,  several  high  and  formidable  stumps  were  found  inside. 
He  was  a  man  of  ripe  years  when  he  came  here,  but  lived  to 
see  good  houses  take  the  place  of  the  rude  cabins,  and  the 
wilderness  "turned  into  a  fruitful  field." 

In  the  fall  of  this  year  (1771)  Hugh  Morrill  moved  onto 
the  McLane  place,  (the  same  being  Lot  No.  22  in  the  Ad- 
dition,) which  he  purchased  of  Ralph  Inman.  Morrill  was  a 
restless,  roving  Scotchman,  came  over  the  water  with  his  father 
when  a  youth,  the  family  settling  in  Bedford.  Robert  Morrill, 
the  father,  came  to  Francestown  with  his  son  and  died  here. 
Hugh  sold  to  Malcom  McLane  in  1784,  and  moved  to  Con- 
necticut, and  thence  in  178(3  to  western  New  York.  He  used  to 
be  called  a  "shiftless"  man,  lived  in  a  log  house,  had  no  well, 
and  "husked  his  corn  along  in  the  winter  whenever  he  wanted 
any  ground!" 

Somewhat  earlier  in  the  same  year  (1771)  came  Adam 
Dickey,  locating  on  the  place  next  above  John  G.  Morse's. 
The  house  in  which  he  lived  has  been  gone  many  3^ears.  Wil- 
liam Dickey  settled  where  Jacob  Cooper  now  lives.  Was 
a  very  large  athletic  man;  of  superior  abilities;  died  in  1824. 

William  Lee  settled  in  the  south-east  part  of  tlie  town ; 
selectman  1773;  moved  to  Lyndeboro'  soon  after.  William 
McMaster,  afterwards  town  clerk  (1773-1778)  settled  where 
lived  the  late  David  W.  Hill.  He  died  suddenly  in  the  early 
prime  of  manhood.  Also  Aaron  Lewis,  who  was  often  called 
"Col.  Lewis,"  and  John  Hopkins  moved  here  in  1771. 

Matthew  Aiken  settled  the  Felch  place  1771,  or  earlier. 
Robert  Alexander  settled  here  the  same  year  but  did  not 
remain  long  in  town. 

Samuel  Martin  settled  on  what  is  known  as  the  Farrington 
place,  near  Greenfield  line  south  of  the  mountain.  Some  of 
these  had  claims  earlier  but  moved  here  in  1771.  And  several 
otliers  had  made  openings  and  beginnings,  so  as  to  call  them- 


36  PETITION    FOR    INCORPORATION. 

selves  residents,  and  join  in  tlie  movement  for  a  new  town. 
Tliis  last  project  bad  been  quietly  talked  up  for  many  montbs. 
The  difficulty  of  attending  cburcb  in  New  Boston  to  wbicb  a 
part  of  tbe  community  belonged;  and  the  growing  number  of 
those  in  the  same  neighborhood  but  outside  the  New  Boston 
limits ;  the  desire  for  town  ])rivileges  of  their  own  ;  the  cer- 
tainty that  such  a  step  must  be  taken  sometime,  and  that  as  a 
consequence  their  taxes,  roads  and  various  public  undertakings, 
ought  to  be  directed  so  as  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  future 
town ; — all  these  things  were  freely  debated,  and  the  more  they 
were  debated,  the  more  general  was"  the  conviction  that  the 
time  had  come  for  action.  Those  who  lived  in  the  New  Boston 
Addition  seem  to  have  been  somewhat  reluctant  to  join  in  the 
movement,  as  they  were  voters  in  that  town,  and  were  prosper- 
ous, and  thought  it  woukl  be  Avise  to  ''let  well  enough  alone." 
Some  of  them  had  relatives  and  property  in  the  "  old  town," 
and  strong  attachments  held  them  there.  A  few  it  seems  never 
did  favor  the  step,  and  would  not  sign  the  petition  for  incor- 
})oration.  Jolni  Carson  was  almost  the  last  man  to  sign.  Yet 
nearly  all  in  the  end  appended  their  names,  and  the  petition 
was  presented  under  date,  as  before  said,  of  July  22,  1771. 
Thirty-nine  men  signed  the  said  petition.  It  is  a  curiosity  in 
itself,  and  is  here  given  witliout  change  of  point  or  letter. 

Province  of  New  Hampshire 

to  his  Excellency  John  Went  worth  Esq''  Cap^  (General  and  Governor 
in  Chief  in  and  Over  his  Majestys  Provence  of  Xew  Hampshire  xVnd  to 
the  Honorable  his  Majestys  Conncil  and  House  of  Representatives  and 
General  Court  Assembled — 

The  Petition  of  us  the  Sul)scribers  Hvuubly  sheweth  that  Whereas 
the  Township  of  Xe^v  Boston  in  said  Province  of  Xew  Hampshere  and 
County  of  Hills  Borrouijh  Lawin<(  in  Shuch  A  form  And  Manner  that  it 
Very  Much  Discomodes  the  Settlers  More  Especialy  those  in  the  Xew 
Addition  of  said  Township  the  Meeting  House  in  the  Town  being  in  the 
Center  of  the  Old  Town  Cutts  of  the  Xew  Addition  from  Any  Con- 
venient Communication,  with  the  Old  Town  x\nd  Where  as  there  are  a 
Xumber  of  Men  Settled  and  About  to  Settle  On  that  Part  of  the  Society 
Land  Called  the  Wallingsfords  Right  and  Others,  who  are  far  Distant 
from  Aney  Town  Preveledges  with  Respect  to  the  Gospell  or  with  Res- 
pect to  Roads  as  there  are  two  Roads  through  said  Land  One  Leading 
from  Amherst  to  hills  Borrough  And  the  Other  to  Petters  13orrough  by 
which  the  Inhabeters  of  said  towns  Are  Sufferers  and  as  the  Inhabeters 
of  the  Society  Land  is  Onder  Xo  Town  Government.  We  your  Petition- 


PETITION    CONTINUED. 


37 


ers  Humbly  Desire  Your  Excelency  and  Honnors  to  form  that  part  of 
Xew  Boston  Called  the  New  Addition  and  part  of  the  Society  Land  Into  a 
Township  Agreeable  to  the  Plan  herewith  Exebeted  Or  Larger  if  Your 
Excelency  and  Honours  thinks  Proper  Not  Exceeding  Six  Miles  Square 
Or  Equal  thereto  your  Excelency  and  Honours  Complyance  herewith 
Will  Very  Much  Serve  the  Interest  of  your  Petisioners  More  Especialy 
the  Settlers  within  the  Lemets  of  said  Plan  and  Not  Disserve  Any  One 
And  Your  Humble  Petisioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  Pray — 


Tho^  Brown 
Tho^  Quigley 
Sam"  Niekles 
Sam"  Nutt 
David  Lewis 
Nathan  fisher 
John  Brown 
John  Dickey 
Addam  Dickey 
Isaac  Lewis 
John  Quigley 
James  Dickey 
Arron  Lewis 
Will'"  Sterret 
Will'"  Dickey 
Will'"  Lee 
Will"'  McMastei- 
Will'"  Quigley 
Will"'  Butterfield 
Sam'  Butterfield 


Rob*^  Hopkin 
Daniel  Bigsby 
James  Hopkens 
Will'"  Holms 
Olever  Holmes 
Zachariah  White 
John  Hall 
Daniel  Hall 
Sami  Hall 
Alex''  Parker 
Isaac  Butterfield 
Sam^  Marten 
Mosses  Lewes 
Henery  Mcferson 
John  Hopkens 
Rob*^  Alexander 
John  Carson 
Rob*  Wier 
Sam'  fisher 


No  doubt  the  need  of  incorporation  was  enhanced  by  the  fact 
that  in  Society  Land  various  encroachments  upon  land  and 
timber  had  been  reported  and  were  well  known,  while  protec- 
tion and  redress  were  difficult,  if  not  impossible.  Under  date 
of  Sept.  1,  1766,  Col.  John  Goffe  wrote  to  Gov.  Wentworth  as 
follows : 

"May  it  please  your  Excellency  I  went  at  the  Request  of  Masons 
Proprietors  to  the  Society  Land  between  Pettersborah  c^  Hillsborah  to 
see  where  the  Trespessers  had  ])en  at  work  &  whose  L.ts  they  had  Im- 
proved upon  &  found  they  had  cleared,  at  least  cut  a  grate  deal  of 
Timber  down  A:c." 

Such  depredations  continued  more  or  less  in  all  unincorpor- 
ated places,  and  were  "winked-at"  by  the  settlers,  since  land 
not  occupied  was  considered  somewhat  as  everybody's  property ! 

Evidently  also,  the  move  for  incorporation  as  a  town,  gave 


'30  HEADING    ON    THE    PETITION. 

an  ini})etns  to  the  growth  and  coniage  of  the  connnmiit}'. 
Plans  were  talked  over  for  the  new  town.  Young  men  came 
and  bought  land  covered  with  deep  forests,  and  began  to  clear 
for  a  home.  Some  of  those  whose  names  are  appended  to  the 
above  petition  had  no  families,  and  some  who  had  families,  had 
not  yet  moved  them  liere.  But  their  interests  were  now  here. 
And  others  were  coming.  Old  friends  were  promising  to  join 
their  former  associates  and  make  homes  with  them  on  these 
hills.  The  strong  old  trees  were  crashing  down  on  every  side ; 
the  "clearing  tires"  did  not  go  out  through  all  the  autumn 
months;  the  blow  of  the  woodman's  axe  could  be  heard  in 
every  direction;  fences  were  l)uilt;  new  log-houses  appeared; 
and  the  hardy,  healthy,  cheery,  friendly  settlers  did  hard  work 
enough  to  frighten  the  })resent  generation!  Thus  happily  and 
hopefully  closed  the  year! 

The  new  year  (1772)  was  s[)ecially  important  as  the  year  of 
the  town's  incorporation.  Nothing  was  done  with  the  petition 
named  above  till  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Province  at  Pctrtsmouth,  May  19th,  to  which  date  it  had  been 
prorogued  by  Gov.  Wentworth.  (The  Assembly  had  only  34 
members,  and  most  of  them  weie  from  Rockingham  County). 
But  ver}^  soon  after  convening,  steps  were  taken,  as  we  find^ 
among  '•'votes.  Ace**  petitions  &c.  passed  on  by  the  house  and 
concurred  by  the  Council  from  the  19th  to  the  31st  May,"  this 
record:  "Petition  of  Sundry  inhabitants  of  New  Boston  that  a 
part  of  it  called  New  Addition  may  be  incorporated  into  a  town- 
ship— hearing  granted."  This  "hearing"  followed  in  a  few 
days.  The  "Old  Town"  (New  Boston)  sent  a  committee  as 
before  stated,  hoping  to  delaj'  action  and  thus  retain  the  Addi- 
tion a  year  or  two  longer.  When  the  Assembly  was  prorogued, 
they  supposed  that  was  the  end  of  the  ■  matter  till  a  new 
Assemblj^  should  be  elected.  But  receiving  tidings  that  the 
question  would  be  called  up  at  the  adjourned  session,  Robert 
Clark  hurried  down  to  Portsmouth  as  agent  for  New  Boston,  to 
remonstrate  against  the  proceeding.  May  21,  1772,  Mr.  Clark 
appeared  before  the  House,  as  appears  from  the  Journal,  "sug- 
gesting that  they  were  not  ready  by  reason  that  they  supposed 
the  Prorogation  Suspended  all  proceedings  till  begun  de  novo, 
and  that,  depending  on  that,  they  were  not  ready  and  moved  for 


ORIGIN    OF    NAME    FRANCESTOAVN.  39 

further  time/'  The  House,  however,  decided  that  the  case 
shoukl  not  be  deterred  till  after  a  new  election,  but  that  "-the 
parties  concerned  may  be  heard  on  tliis  Petition  on  the  first 
day  of  June  next,  if  the  Assembly  be  then  setting,  and  if  not, 
on  that  day  of  their  setting  next  after."  No  record  of  this 
hearing  lias  been  found,  but  the  House  passed  (June  5,  1772, 
by  records,  but  June  0,  1772,  by  manuscript  Laws  of  that  year) 
an  '^Act  to  Erect  a  Certain  Tract  of  Land  called  the  New  Bos- 
ton addition  &  part  of  the  Society  Land  into  a  Township  by 
the  name  of  Frances  Town."  lliis  act  was  read  the  first  time 
in  the  Council  June  5th,  and  read  a  tliird  time  and  jnissed, 
June  8th,  1772:  receiving  the  Governor's  signature  on  this  last 
named  day,  or  "  consent,"  as  he  was  pleased  to  call  it.  Col. 
Jolni  Wentwortli  of  Dover  was  at  that  time  Speaker  of  the 
House, — afterwards  Judge  of  the  New  Hampshire  Su[)reme 
Court — ;  and  Sir  John  Wentwortli  (b.  Portsmouth  1737)  was 
the  (Governor  of  the  Province  of  New  llanipsliire,  having  been 
appointed  by  the  King  in  17.06.  The  records  of  both  House 
and  Council  concerning  this  whole  transaction  are  very  brief 
and  meagre,  so  that  we  get  almost  no  light  as  to  what  was  said 
for  or  against.  Nothing  a})j)ears  on  the  record,  oi'  in  the  Peti- 
tion as  to  the  name  the  settlers  desired  for  the  new  town,  though 
it  ap})ears  probable  from  other  evidence  tliat  some  wished  to  call 
it  '^  Antrim."  Yet  they  were  too  anxious  for  incorporation  to 
allow  the  bringing  in  of  anything  more  than  a  suggestion.  At 
this  time,  hoAvever,  Gov.  Wentwortli,  being  newly  married,  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  honoring  and  preserving  the  name  of  his  wife, 
Frances  Deering,  l)y  giving  it  to  two  adjoining  towns;  ami  as  the 
community  next  north  of  this  were  about  seeking  town  privileges 
also,  this  seemed  a  favorable  opportunity  for  the  loving  chief  to 
carry  out  his  plan.  *No  opposition  was  made  to  it.  Hence  we 
have  this  romantic,  sweet,  love-born  name — Frances'  Town.  For 
many  years  it  was  written  as  just  given  in  separate  words. 

*Frances  Deering  married  Theodore  Atkinson,  Secretary  of  the  Pro- 
vince. He  died  Oct.  2(S,  17(59,  and  juiit  ten  days  after  her  husband's 
funeral  she  married  Gov.  John  Wentwortli  (Xov.  11,  1709. )  It  was  said 
that  the  Governor  had  long  been  "■  flirting  with  her,  and  that  when  Atkin- 
son died,  she  came  to  the  door  and  "  waved  her  handkerchief  to  let  him 
know  of  the  sad  event!"  Of  course  he  would  wish  to  perpetuate  her 
beautiful  name! 


40  THE    ACT     OF    INCORPORATION. 

The  other  part  of  the  ])Uxn  was  accomplished  a  3'ear  an.d  a 
half  later  (Jan.  17,  1774,)  in  the  incorporation  of  Deering. 
And  this  is  all  the  memorial  left  of  the  good  woman  I  But, 
though  she  never  saw  the  towns  that  bear  her  name,  it  will 
be  preserved  by  them  till  the  mountains  fall  asunder, — sug- 
gesting in  sjjite  of  the  traditions,  the  charactei'  of  a  modest, 
retiring,  affectionate  wife,  worthy  of  being  remembered 
and  loved  I  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution  so(m 
after.  Gov.  Went  worth  and  his  family  withdrew  to  England; 
for  though  born  in  New  Ham})shire,  he  was  the  royal 
governor,  had  l)een  educated  in  part  in  England,  and  all  his  old 
associations  led  him  to  side  with  the  royal  cause.  He  was  a 
man  of  brilliant  talents;  did  much  to  promote  the  interests  of 
the  Province  of  New  Hainpshiie;  gave  the  Charter  to  Dart- 
mouth College;  was  subsecpiently  (iovernor  of  Nova  Scotia: 
and  died  there  Apr.  8,  1820.  This  notice  is  due  him  here  on 
account  of  his  connection  with  the  name  of  the  town.  And 
no  doubt  he  intended  to  bestow  substantial  favors  upon  the 
place,  all  which  was  [)revented  by  the  disruption  of  royal  power 
and  his  consequent  flight  from  the  land.    ' 

Considerable  effort  has  been  made  by  the  writer  to  find  the 
original  charter  delivered  to  the  town,  but  without  avail.  The 
loss,  however,  is  not  great,  as  the  copy  in  the  Records  of  the 
House  and  Council,  given  below,  is  suthcient.  The  town 
records  also  commence  with  a  copy  of  the  same.  The  expres- 
sion, "  No  person  appearing  to  oppose  the  same,"  must  be 
understood  to  mean  no  determined  or  valid  opposition,  since  the 
same  records  indicate  the  remonstrances  already  named.  The 
Act  is  prefaced  Avith  the  usual  form  under  royalty,  and  is  as 
follows  letter  for  letter:  — 

Anno  regni  Regis  Georgii  Tertii  niagnee  Britanica  Franciee  &  Hiber- 
niee  doodecimo 

^■^-A^-^  An  act  to  erect  a  Certain  tract  of  Land  in  the  County  of 

iFEl     /    Hills  Borough  Called  Xew  Boston  addition  and  part  of  the 
SIG.     r    Society  Land  into  a  Township  By  the  Name  of  francestown 
,_^_^^_^,  Whereas  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  of  a  Certain  tract 

of  Land  in  the  County  of  Hills  Borough  By  the  Xanie  of  New  Boston 
addition  and  of  a  part  of  the  Land  Called  the  Society  Land  have  peti- 
tioned the  General  assembly  praying  to  Be  Erected  into  a  township  and 


ACT    OF    INCORPORATION.  41 

iniblic  Notice  thereof  Being  given  and  no  person  appearing  to  oppose 
the  Same  and  it  appearing  to  Be  for  the  pul)lic  Good 

Be  it  therefore  enacted  By  the  governor  Council  and  Assembly  that 
the  Said  Land  Be  and  Hereby  is  ei-ected  into  a  Township  By  the  follow- 
ing Boundaries  Namely  Begining  at  a  Red  oak  tree  Being  the  South- 
easterly Bound  of  New  Boston  addition  and  Euning  North  three  Miles 
and  a  Half  to  a  stake  and  stones  Being  the  North-west  Corner  of  New 
Boston  old  town  thence  Runing  on  the  Same  Course  five  Hundred  & 
Sixteen  Rods  ]3y  the  Line  of  Weare  to  a  Beach  tree  marked  Being  the 
North-east  Corner  of  the  Lot  Number  ten  in  the  Society  Land  thence 
west  By  the  Northerly  Side  Line  of  Said  J.,ot  Number  ten  five  miles  to 
a  Beech  tree  marked  thence  Runing  South  over  the  Crotched  mountain 
So  Called  three  miles  and  two  Hundred  and  fifty  Rods  to  a  Stake  and 
Heap  of  Stones  In  the  Line  of  Lynd  Borough  thence  Euning  East  tw^o 
Miles  and  a  Half  to  a  Hemloc  tree  in  tin-  Line  of  New  Boston  addition 
Being  also  a  Corner  of  Lynd  Borough  thence  South  one  mile  and  a 
Hundred  and  ten  Eods  on  Lynd  Borough  Line  to  the  Corner  of  New 
Boston  addition  &  thence  Runing  East  By  Lynd  Borough  Line  to  the 
Eed  oak  tree  Begen  at, 

By  the'Name  of  francestown.  and  further  The  Inliabitants  Hereof 
Shall  Be  and  Hereby  are  invested  Avith  all  privileges  powers  immunetees 
that  other  towns  tfe  parishes  enjoy  within  this  province  and  that  John 
Quigley  Be  impowered  to  Call  the  first  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
Said  town  giving  Notice  usual  in  Such  Cases  fourteen  days  at  Least  for 
the  choice  of  all  town  Officers;  Provided  Nevertheless  that  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  New  Boston  addition  Before  mentioned  Continue  to  pay 
ministerial  taxes  with  the  other  Inhabitants  of  New  Boston  until  the 
lown  Hereby  Erected  Shall  Have  Constant  preaching  and  no  Longer  and 
Shall  also  pay  their  share  of  the  provence  tax  as  if  this  act  Had  Not 
Been  made  until  a  New  proportion  act  Shall  Be  made  and  no  Longer 

Province  of  New  Hampshire  In  the  House  of  Eei^resentatives  June 
Sixth  1772: 

this  act  Having  Been  Eead  three  times  voted  that  it  pass  to  Be 
Enacted 

J.  "N^'entworth  Speaker 

In  Council  June  Sfh  1772;  this  Bill  was  Eead  a  third  time  &  passed 
to  Be  Enacted 

Consented 

Copy  Examined  by 

Jno:  King. 

The  whole  is  attested  at  the  beginning  of  the  town  records  as  follows: 
a  true  Copy  Recorded  this  27th  day  of  Julv  1772 

Samuel  Nutt  town  CI. 


Theodore  Atkinson  Secy. 
J.  Wentworth. 


CHAPTER  II. 

AN  OUTLINE  OF  EVENTS   IN  TOWN   FKOM    THE    DATE  OF    INCOR- 
PORATION'  TO  THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  REVOLUTIONARY   WAR. 

AVe  now  start  this  community  in  full  incorpoiation  and  glory 
as  a  town.  It  had  heen  a  part  of  New  Boston  a  full  minority 
of  21  years,  and  now,  coming-  of  age,  like  a  boy  at  twenty-one, 
its  few  inhabitants  were  hopeful,  ambitious,  strong-hearted,  and 
in  deep  earnest. 

The  institutions  of  a  town  were  to  be  established!  lioads, 
public  buildings,  school  and  church,  Avere  as  3^et  things  of  the 
future  I  Some  of  the  settlers  were  very  poor,  and  some  of 
their  houses  were  barely  habitable  I  But  a  very  small  'part  of 
the  land  was  cleared,  and  one  might  travel  miles  within  our 
limits  through  un])rf)ken  forests,  and  not  see  a  human  dwelling 
nor  a  human  face!  In  other  places  "openings"  and  begin- 
nings had  been  made.  They  knew  not  where  would  be  the 
village,  nor  where  they  wanted  roads.  But  the  watchword 
was  "onward!"  There  being  no  telegraphs  or  railroads,  the 
Incor])oration  of  June  8,  was  not  known  in  Francestown  for 
some  days  after,  as  the  Assembly  convened  at  Portsmouth, 
about  as  far  away  as  possible,  and  out  of  all  lines  of  communi- 
cation. 

But  as  soon  as  known,  John  Quigley,  who  was  empowered 
to  call  the  first  meeting  of  the  new  town,  acted  promptly, 
since  it  was  needful  to  take  immediate  action,  and  called  a 
meeting  for  July  2,  giving  the  required  notice  of  fourteen  days. 
The  first  town-warrant  posted  at  Francestown  was  as  follows : 

Province  of  New  Hampshire  County  of  Hills  Borou2;h  ss: 

Whereas  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Said  province  Has  Lately 
Incorporated  Certain  Lands  Being  in  Said  County  Known  B}'  the  JS'ame 
of  New  Boston  addition  and  part  of  the  Society  Land  So  Called  into  a 
township  By  the  Name  of  francestown  agreeable  to  a  petition  preferred 
to  Said  Court  By  the  Inhabitants  of  Said  Lands  and  Said  Court  Having 
authorized  the  Subscriber  to  Call  the  first  meeti.ng 


FIRST    TOWN    MEETING.  48 

'^~'    "  therefore  pursuant  to  Said  authority  Said  Inhabitants  are 

V  SEAL  ;-       Hereby  Warned  to  Convene  at  the  House  of  William  Star- 

^^^  rett     In  Holder  in  said  francestown  on  thursday  the  Second 

Day  of  July  Next  at  10'*^  Clock  in  the  forenoon,  to  Chuse  all  Common 
and  ordinary  town  Officers  given  under  my  Hand  and  Seal  this  17"^  Day 
of  June  AD  1772 — 

John  Quigley 
and  in  the  12  year  of  His  majesty  Reign 

AgieeaWy  to  this  warrant  the  first  town  meeting  was  hekl  at 
the  house  of  William  Starrett  July  2,  1772.  *It  was  rather  a 
liberal  call,  as  it  was  not  to  "legal  voters,"  nor  to  those  "quali- 
fied by  law  to  vote  in  town  affairs,"  according  to  customs  in 
other  places  then  and  now,  but  was  addressed  to  all  the 
'-'' InliahltantsV  How  mucli  they  leaned  toward  " woman  suf- 
frage " ;  or  whether  women  and  children  were  of  sul^cient 
importance  to  be  considered  "  Inhabitants,"  the  Record  sayeth 

not! 

Whether  the  faces  of  the  fair 

Received  a  joyous  welcome  there; 

Whether  they  acted  in  each  choice, 

Or  only  counseled  with  the  voice ; — 
the  Record  sayeth  not. 

But  as  the  offices  were  all  given  to  men,  it  is  to  be  presumed 
that  men  counted  themselves  to  be  the  only  "  Iidiabitants"  and 
did  the  voting  I  At  this  meeting  a])out  forty  men  of  various 
ages  assembled,  most  of  them,  however,  being  in  the  prime  of 
life.  More  than  two-thirds  of  them  were  of  Scotch  parentage, 
and  the  rest  were  chiefly  English  from  Dedham,  Mass.,  and  that 
vicinity.  Every  man  was  a  hero  strong  I  Hardy,  large-hearted, 
earnest,  noble  men  I  Though  differing  in  race,  they  were  united 
in  purpose.  They  were  builders  of  a  town  I  What  a  joy  it 
would  be  to-day,  to  look  upon  that  scene  and  those  faces  I  Not 
much  like  the  noisy  political  wrangles  that  are  now  called  town- 
meetings  !  No  strife !  Only  a  quiet,  neighborly  deliberation  for 
mutual  good!     Well  might  we  go  back  and  learn  at  their  feet! 

*The  house  is  now  gone,  in  which  the  first  town-meeting  was  held. 
It  was  known  for  a  time  as  "  Starrett's  Tavern."  It  stood  on  the  top  of 
the  hill  at  the  corner,  south-east  of  the  school-house  in  the  quarry-dis- 
trict. Was  built  and  owned  by  John  Carson.  Most  of  the  inhabitants 
at  the  date  of  incorporation  lived  in  that  part  of  the  town  which  had 
belonged  to  New  Boston,  so  that  the  place  of  the  first  meeting  was  con- 
venient for  them. 


44  FIEST    TOWN    OFFICERS. 

At  this  ineetiiio-  they  voted  "That  all  the  Ohicers  Chosen  By 
the  old  town  Shall  Stand  as  they  waje  for  this  present  year." 
The  selectmen  of  the  '•'old  town"'  (New  Boston)  then  in  office 
were  Jesse  Christy,  Archibald  McMillen  and  Thomas  Wilson. 
Perhaps  by  this  vote  they  simply  meant  that  they  would  not 
interfere  with  anything  done  or  planned  by  the  New  Boston 
officers,  whom  they  themselves  had  helped  to  elect.  The  taxes 
assessed  upon  them  before  separation  they  would  cheerfully  pay. 
Thus  both  towMis  appear  to  have  acted  genero'usly  and  honor- 
ably. Perhaps,  further,  they  intended  this  vote  to  have  special 
application  to  surveyors  of  highways  and  such  local  officers 
appointed  l^y  the  "old  town"  as  fell  within  the  limits  of  the 
new,  thus  continuing  them  througli  the  year.  At  any  rate  it 
wa^  a  courteous  and  sensible  vote.  f'liey  then  proceeded  to  the 
election  of  officers  and  such  othei-  business  as  naturally  came 
up,  with  various  expressions  of  opinion  usual  in  such  meetings, 
until  noon,  or  })ast,  and  then  adjourned  till  two  o'clock  P.  M., 
— the  adjournment  being  apparently  for  more  free  and  easy 
consultation  concerning  matters  to  be  acted  upon.  And  all 
this  without  a  ^Moderator!  John  Quigley  who  called  the  meet- 
ing, and  who  called  the  meeting  to  order,  no  doubt  presided,  and 
they  did  not  think  of  the  necessity  of  electing  him  to  the  place  I 
But  probably  some  one  mentioned  this  during  the  intermission, 
and  they  saw  the  mistake.  Hence  when  they  came  together  at 
2  P.  M.,  they  immediately  chose  John  Quigley,  Moderator. 
The  whole  list  of  town  officers  chosen  at  this  first  town  meet- 
ing, and  all  other  Inisiness,  was  as  follows: 

town  C'lei'k,  Samuel  Xutt, 

i.Tohii  Quigley 
.John  Dickey 
William  Starrett 
Constable — Joliu  Brown. 

,,  rry      •    /-,        ,      i.    7)  ^  Ollver  Hohiies 
"  Town  Countants     -^  ,^,.„.        ^r  ^r    x 

I  A\  illiam  MeMester. 

"Surveir"  of  highways — Samuel  Marten. 

"Survair"  of  highways, — .Tames  Dickey 

"  Tiahenman  " — William  Aiken 

"Hough  Ref" — Samuel  Dickerman 

"  fence  vewuars  and  ^Nathan  iisher 

presers  of  damage  "   (  william  Buttertield 

"Sevair  of  timber  and  Lumber" — areon  Lewis. 


FIRST    TOWN    OFFICERS    CONTINUED.  45 

voted  three  Shillings  pr.  a  da}-  for  work  on  High  ways. 

Voted  one  shilling  six  pence  for  a  Yoak  of  oxen  on  High  ways. 

voted  one  shilling  six  pence  for  a  Cart  on  High  ways. 

voted  fiftey  one  pounds  Lafull  money  for  preaching  and  to  pay  the  Cost 

of  the  Incorporation  and  other  town  Charges. 

Voted  John  Q.uigly  Sam^i  Xutt  Oliver  Holm 

Commety  men  for  to  git  preaching  for  this  present  year. 
Voted  that  James  fishers  Barn  Shall  Be  the  place  for  preaching  for 
the  furst  three  munths. 

Voted  John  Qviigly  James  Dickey  David  Lewas  Commitee  men  for  to 
Senter  the  town  and  pitch  on  a  place  for  a  meeting  House  on  or  as  Near 
the  Senter  as  the  ground  will  admit  of. 

Recorded  this  17  day  of  July  1772 
a  ti'u  Coppy 

Samuel  Nutt 

town  Clerk." 

From  this  record  it  ap})ears  that  it  was  ditlicult  to  procure  a 
cart  for  use,  the  same  pay  heiii<j'  offered  for  it  as  for  a  •'  yoak  of 
oxen."  Ill  many  adjacent  towns  there  was  not  a  wheeled 
vehicle  of  any  kind  whatever  at  this  date  (1772);  hut  one  or 
two  seem  to  have  been  owned  here,  indicating  the  special 
smartness  and  thrift  of  the  Francestown  settlers.  Their  gener- 
ous appropriation  for  preaching  at  this  very  first  meeting  was 
also  indicative  of  vigorous  characters  and  high  aims  in  life — of 
which  more  will  be  said  in  the  chapter  on  Ecclesiastical  His- 
tory. It  will  be  noticed  that  from  the  first  they  planned  to 
build  a  iNIeeting-House  and  to  build  it  in  the  centre  of  the 
town,  though  a  large  majority  of  the  people  were  then  in  the 
eastern  part.  Thus  this  first  town-meeting  July  2,  1772,  was 
harmonious,  creditable  and  progressive. 

But  soon  a  question  seems  to  have  arisen  as  to  their  power 
to  do  all  these  things  under  the  first  warrant,  in  which  there 
was  only  one  article,  iiamel}',  "to  C'huse  all  Common  and  ordi- 
nary town  Officers."  Could  they  raise  money  under  that  call? 
To  remove  all  doubts  or  possible  objections,  a  second  town- 
meeting  was  called  for  Aug.  31,  1772,  the  warrant  for  which 
was  as  follows: 

Province  of  )  Hills  jjorough  SS. 

New  Hampshire  \  ^  To     John  Brown. 

C'onstable  you  are 

Hereby  Required  In  His  majesty  Name  to  warm  all  the  freeholders  and 
other  Inhabitants  of  francestown  to  meet  on  monday   ye    thirty    tirst 


46  SECOND    TOWN    MEETING. 

Instent  at  tea  of  ye  Clock  afoure  Xoou  at  James  fishers  Barn  then  and 

there  to  act  on  the  following  articles  viz 

Idly  to  Chuse  a  moderator  to  Regulate  Said  meeting 

2dly  to  See  if  the  town  will  Confurm  a  former  vote  that  was  past  at 
our  Last  meeting  to  Ease  money  to  pay  for  preaching  and  to 
defray  other  town  Clharges 

'M\\  to  See  if  the  town  will  Except  of  a  Sect  for  meeting  House 
which  the  Commite  Hath  fixt  on 

4dly  to  see  what  mathod  ye  town  will  take  to  Build  a  meeting  House 
and  How  Long 

Txlly  to  See  if  the  town  will  Send  a  petition  to  ye  general  Court  in 
ordei-  to  git  an  act  made  to  lieat  all  ye  wild  Land  for  to  Halp  to 
Build  the  meeting  house  and  Setle  ye  first  minaster 

()dly  to  See  what  House  the  town  will  Chuse  for  to  have  ye  preaching 
at  for  the  Next  few  months  from  October  177'2  on  ward — 

and  make  Return  of  this  warrant  unto  us  on  Be 
four  the  Conmiencement  of  Said  term  and  this  Shall  Be  your  suf- 
fent  warrant  Given  under  our  Iland  and  Selle  this  17th  day  of 
august  AD  1772  and  in  the  12  year  of  his  majsty  Reign  Dated  at 
francestown  august  the  17"'  1772  John  Quigly  William  Starrett 
John  Dicke}' 

Select     men 

It  is  noticed  that  in  this  warrant  also  all  the  '■'■Inhabitants''^ 
are  notified  to  meet.  Perhaps  it  was  thought  desirable  to  have 
the  women  present  by  way  of  consultation.  Probably,  however, 
the  term  ^* other  Inhabitants"  was  meant  to  include  those  men 
who  had  come  to  town  and  had  made  "beginnings,"  but  had  not 
been  here  lono-  enouo-h  to  be  counted  as  "freeholders"  or  voters. 
And  it  was  both  wise  and  kind,  to  give  them  a  voice,  if  not  a 
vote. 

At  this  second  town  meeting,  this  time  at  "James  fishers 
Barn,"  (Aug.  31,  1772),  David  Lewis  was  chosen  Moderator. 
Then  at  once,  and  apparently  unanimously,  and  without  debate, 
the  former  vote  to  raise  money  was  "confurmed."  As  to  the 
"Sect  for  a  meeting  House"  (Article  3d)  no  definite  action  was 
taken  at  this  meeting.  Perhaps  the  committee  were  not  ready 
for  a  decision.  But  under  tlie  4th  Article,  construing  it  some- 
what liberally,  tliey 

"  voted  that  John  Quigly  Shall  Build  ye  meeting  House  Sat  up  ye  frame 
as  Lang  and  as  Good  as  Lyn  Borough  meeting  House  Every  way  pro- 
portioned and  He  is  to  inclose  ye  walls  with,  good  martchentable  Bords 


PLANS    FOK    MEETING-HOUSE.  47 

and  Shingle  it  witli  niartchentable  Shingle  make  ye  doors  and  Hing  them 
and  Lay  ye  under  floor  which  work  is  to  Be  Completed  By  ye  flrst  of 
September  Nixt  and  Left  to  ye  Judgment  of  three  work  men  provided 
Nevertheless  He  is  to  Rceive  of  the  town  By  the  Rate  Six  days  work 
Half  thousand  of  Bords  and  half  a  thousand  of  Shingles  for  Every 
Eattable  pol  Now  in  ye  town  and  all  ye  Stuff  is  to  Be  delivered  to  Him 
at  ye  apointed  place  fixt  Jiy  the  Commite  Now  Chosen  and  Every  man 
Shall  Have  ye  prevelidg  of  making  out  His  days  On  Bringing  His  Stuff 
at  on  Befour  ye  first  Day  of  July  Nixt." 

As  to  the  Article  jjroposing  a  petition  for  a  tax  on  "  all  ye 
wild  Land  for  to  Halp  to  Build  the  meeting  House,''  the  town 
records  show  but  indefinitely  the  action  taken  ;  but  the  follow- 
ing petition  found  among  the  Province  Papers,  shows  what 
they  desiied,  and  the  efforts  made  to  accomplish  it.  The 
original  petition  in  })lain  and  handsome  hand-writing  is  now 
before  me  as  follows: 
The  Petition  of  us  the  Subscribers  humbly  sheweth 

That  Avhereas  Francis  Town  in  the  Province  and  County  aforesaid 
hath  no  Land  left  or  laid  out  by  the  original  Proprietors  for  the  En- 
couragement of  the  first  Gospel  minister  to  settle  amongst  us  "VVe  your 
humble  Petitioners  humbly  desire  your  Excellency  and  Honours  to 
make  an  Act  to  collect  or  raise  a  Tax  of  a  penny  half  penny  p""  Acre 
more  or  less  as  your  Excellency  and  Honours  shall  see  fit  upon  all  the 
Unsettled  Lots  or  Land  within  the  Town  aforesaid  except  every  Lot  at 
present  settled  or  possed  by  an  Inhabitant  and  also  all  the  Lots  owned 
by  the  Masonian  Propriety  at  Present  formerly  belonging  to  that  part 
known  by  the  name  of  the  New  Addition  of  New  Boston  for  the  Settle- 
ment of  our  first  Minister  and  Building  a  Meeting  house. 

Your  Excellency  and  Honours  Compliance  herewith  will  serve  very 
much  our  Interest  and  Encourage  the  settlement  of   the  Wilderness. 
And  yoiu*  humble  Petioners  as  in  dutj'  bound  shall  ever  pray — 
Frances  Town  Dec''  2'fi  1772 
Robert  Hopkins  David  Gregg 

Samuels  Nickels  Will'"  Butterfleld  jun"- 

Thomas  Warren  Samuel  Nutt 

Nathan  Fisher  John  Quigley 

Thomas  Quigley  John  Hopkins 

Will"'  Butterfield  William  Quigley 

-William  Starret  Samuel  Gregg 

Adam  Dickey  William  Holmes 

John  Dickey  David  Lewis 

James  Hopkins  Joseph  Dickey 

Samuel  Dickerman  Henry  Mcfarson 

Olipher  Holmes  Tho^  Quigley  jun'' 

Charles  Mellan 


48 


THE    FIR8T    JUROR. 


A]kI  on  the  last  article  in  the  warrant,  they  decided  to  change 
the  place  of  Avorship  dnring  the  winter  months  to  a  spot  more 
accessible  to  the  majority  as  then  located.  Tliey  sought  also 
the  largest  dwelling  house  then  in  town.  Being  a  tavern,  it 
was  already  a  sort  of  centre  and  public  house,  and  on  the  chief 
road.     Hence  they — 

"  Voted  that  ye  preachinn:  ^^hall  IJc  at  william  Starretts  New  House 
from  ye  midell  of  October  untill  marlch  Excepting  that  ye  pepoel  in  the 
North  Side  of  ye  town  Sliall  Flave  their  F^qnal  i)arts  of  preachiuij  in 
tliat  time  wlien  and  wliere  they  pleas." 

Some  luive  su})posed  that  -sStarrett's  New  House"  meant  one 
he  was  building  and  in  which  he  subsequently  lived:  but  cir- 
cumstances indicate  the  place  named  above, — which  was  at  the 
corner  on  the  top  of  tlie  liill  south  of  the  (juany.  And  there 
is  no  indication  that  any  meetings  were  held  that  winter  by  the 
"pepoel  in  the  North  Side  of  ye  town." 

In  the  early  years  of  our  history  a  regular  town-meeting  was 
called  for  the  selection  of  Jurors.  They  were  ^' drawn"  in  a 
way  similar  to  that  at  present  followed,  but  it  was  in  open 
meeting  legally  called,  and  was  considered  an  event  of  great 
importance.  Tlie  first  town-meeting  of  this  kind  was  on  Oct. 
1,  1772,  of  which  the  record  is  as  follows: 

"  At  a  meeting  of    ye  freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of   ye  town  of 
francestown  Lagely  Caled  and  Being  in  James  tishers  Barn 
Idly  Chose  David  Lewis  moderator  to  Regalet  Said  meeting — 

Drew  John  Dickey  out  of  the  Box." —  And  at  a  meeting  the  follow- 
ing year  a  similar  act  of  deliverance  was  performed  of  which  the  record 
is,     "Drue  William  Quigley  out  of  the  Box  Jurors  man. 

p''  me 
William  mc  master 
town  Clark." 

No  doubt  at  the  first  meeting  of  this  kind  there  was  con- 
siderable quiet  solicitude  and  wonder.  It  Avas  a  kind  of  lottery. 
A  few  desired,  but  most  of  them  dreaded,  the  performance. 
And  yet  it  Avas  the  name,  and  not  the  man,  that  they  "drew 
out  of  the  Box,"  inasmuch  as  any  imprisonment  or  rescue  of 
the  said  John  Dickey,  the  record  shoAveth  not.  He  has  the 
honor  of  being  the  first  juror  from  FrancestoAvn,  leading  the 
long  company  of  those  fair  and  honorable  men  Avho  year  after 
year  have  been  draAvn  out  of  the  Box.". 


CLEARING    THE    FIRST    BURIAL-GROUND.  49 

A  town-meeting  was  called  to  act  concerning  the  place  of 
church  and  burial,  Oct.  19,  1772,  it  being  the  fourth  town- 
meeting  in  four  months.  It  seems  that  the  Committee  chosen 
at  tlieir  first  meeting,  after  considerable  deliberation  and 
measurement,  had. decided  on  a  location  and  were  ready  to  re- 
port. Hence  the  first  record  of  action  at  this  meeting  reads 
thus : 

"  Voted  that  the  town  Shall  Bu}'  foar  acers  of  Land  "Where  the  Com- 
mittee Hath  fixt  for  the  Priviledge  of  a  Bur3-ing  place  and  meeting 
House." 

"Voted  to  Chouse  a  Committee  for  to  Clear  the  Land  for  a  Buariying 
place  John  Dickey  James  Hopkens  Oliver  Holmes  Sami  Nutt  James 
Hopkens  Sener  Committee  for  to  See  the  Land  Cleared  for  the  meeting 
House  and  Graveyard." 

They  also  chose  John  Quigley,  William  Starrett  and  John 
Dickey  a  committee  to  "  buy  said  Land." 

At  this  meeting  likewise  they  voted  to  buy  a  "more  Cloth." 
In  those  times  towns  provided  a  large,  heavy,  black  cloth  to 
spread  over  the  coffin  and  hang  down  all  arouiid  so  as  to  hide  it 
from  view  during  the  funeral  service;  and  then  it  was  folded 
back  from  the  head  of  the  coffin  for  friends  to  take  leave  of  the 
dead.  There  was  occasion  for  this,  from  the  fact  that  the  coffin 
was  generally  a  very  rough  and  unsightly  box;  but  this 
"Cloth"  was  scarcely  better  to  look  upon,  for  it  was  gloomy  in 
the  extreme,  and  often  wrinkled  and  none  too  clean.  Some 
towns  had  a  special  "  Cloth  "  made  smaller,  for  the  little  coffins 
of  the  children !  This  pall  was  called  "  The  mort-cloth,"  "  the 
Mor-cloth,"  or  "j^he  more-Cloth";  and  the  Scotch  often  called  it 
the  "Palm-cloth"  or  "Pam-Cloth."  The  town  Record  Mar.  8, 
1 779,  calls  it  a  "  Burying  Cloth."  '  Things  of  this  kind  are  rarely 
used  at  the  present  d-a,j,  unless  at  the  burial  of  noted  officials. 
But  the  writer  remembers  seeing  those  old  fashioned,  dark, 
long-fringed,  frightful  coverings  of  the  coffin  used!  It  made 
death  seem  inexpressibly  dreadful  to  a  child! 

It  will  be  noticed  that  at  the  first  town-meeting  (July  2, 
1772,)  they  chose  John  Brown  Constable  immediately  after  the 
choice  of  selectmen,  as  being  the  next  officer  in  importance. 
Indeed  this  was  the  best  paying  office  in  the  gift  of  the  town 
at  that  time!  In  some  towns  the  duties  of  this  office  were  dis- 
charged without  remuneration,  and  the  several  citizens  were 


50  CONSTABLES    AND    '*  TOWN    COUNTANTS." 

expected  "to  take  their  turn"  in  so  doing.  But  as  it  was.  a 
position  of  great  responsibility,  for  wliich  only  a  few  of  the 
best  men  were  fitted,  it  was  soon  found  that  •' taking  their  turn  " 
without  pay,  was  unfair  and  burdensome  to  a  few,  and  the 
practice  was  soon  abandoned.  The  Constable  was  to  "Keep 
the  peace,"  and  perform  all  the  duties  which  are  now  assigned 
to  the  sheriff,  except  that  he  did  not  act  outside  his  own  town. 
The  constable  also  called  all  town-meetings  at  the  order  of  the 
Selectmen.  He  "warned"  the  })eo})le  to  meet.  At  first  he 
went  in  person  to  every  voter,  and  "warned"  him  just  as 
within  our  memory  the  militia-otficers  "warned"  their  men 
perso7iaUy  of  any  call  to  military  duty.  At  the  same  time  the 
"town-warrant"  was  posted  in  several  conspicuous  places  as  at 
the  present  day.  When  the  settlers  were  few  in  number,  the 
work  of  '■'■V' a  mini/'"  personally,  was  not  great;  but  it  soon  grew 
burdensome  and  was  abandoned.  The  Constable  was  also  col- 
lector of  taxes.  This  seems  to  have  been  a  duty  attached  to 
the  office  by  law  at  that  time,  the  constable  being  tax-collector 
always  and  without  any  special  vote  to  that  eifect.  Several  of 
the  first  years  of  the  town  they  paid  the  Constable  one-foi'tieth 
part  of  the  taxes  for  collecting  the  whole;  and  probably  one 
dollar  out  of  forty  for  collection,  was  not  unreasonable  as  the 
sums  were  very  small,  and  the  settlers  much  scattered.  In 
several  places  in  recent  years  I  find  collectors  have  about  one 
dollar  in  seventy-five  for  collection  in  country  towns.  And 
besides  all  the  rest  the  Constable  was  in  fact  town  treasurer. 
The  selectmen  shared  the  responsibility  to  some  extent,  but  the 
Constable  usually  held  the  money  until  it  was  required  for 
payments.  And  this  arrangement  continued  till  1777,  when 
they  "Voted  David  Lewis  town  tressherer."  From  all  which  it 
appears  that  the  Constable  was  an  officer  of  great  importance 
in  the  town,  sworn  to  keep  the  peace  and  handle  the  money. 

The  "Town  Countants"  chosen  at  the  first  meeting,  and 
annually  thereafter,  performed  the  duties  now  assigned  to 
Auditors ;  but  as  town  accounts  were  never  printed  in  those 
days,  the  "Countants"  were  expected  to  make  a  rigid  examin- 
ation of  all  charges  and  expenditures,  to  make  everything  plain 
to  the  voters,  and  hold  a  separate  I'ecord  of  their  own,  as  a  check 
against  any  possible  cheating  by  the  officers  of  the  town. 


TITHINGMEN,  51 

Tithingmaii  was  another  officer  chosen  at  that  first  meeting, 
William  Aiken  being  the  fortunate  man.  The  spelling  of  this 
word  in  the  records  of  the  various  towns  shows  a  marvellous 
originality  in  the  use  of  letters.  Every  town  clerk  had  a  new 
way,  which  he  varied  and  improved  upon  at  every  writing! 
The  differences  in  orthography  between  different  clerks  are  not 
so  mysterious  as  the  variations  of  the  same  clerk,  reminding 
one  of  certain  variations  in  music,  from  which  it  would  not  be 
imagined  that  the  original  had  ever  been  heard  of  I  In  our 
records  the  first  designation  of  this  official  is  "tiahenman" — 
which  is,  of  course,  very  easily  pronounced  and  understood  I 
We  find  also  "  tayithingman,"  "  tythingman,"  "tathingman" 
and  other  ingenious  modifications.  The  business  of  this  officer 
was  to  see  that  the  sabbath  was  strictly  observed,  to  enforce 
the  law  against  working  or  travelling  on  that  day,  and  especially 
to  preserve  order  in  religious  meetings.  Sometimes,  however, 
these  officials  made  a  great  deal  of  noise  in  keeping  people 
still,  and  stirred  up  a  general  confusion  in  trying  to  maintain 
order!  It  was  necessary  to  liave  careful  and  prudent  men  in 
this  office,  since  one  who  was  domineering,  meddlesome,  or 
injudicious  would  get  into  any  amount  of  trouble.  Hence  the 
best  men  in  town  were  generally  appointed  to  this  trust.  It 
was  an  honor  to  be  atithingman.  They  put  men  into  this  trust 
who  were  men  of  piety,  dignity,  courage,  and  in  particular,  of 
commanding  presence,  so  as  to  impress  the  young  with  their 
authority  and  power.  Children  stood  in  awe  of  them.  Laugh- 
ing girls  and  boys  had  to  be  on  guard  against  any  apparent 
trifling  in  God's  house.  Gossip  had  to  be  done  with  sober 
faces,  and  Sunday  flirtation  was  out  of  the  question !  These 
officials  were  supposed  to  be  great  helps  to  the  preacher  in 
keeping  people  awake — a  dut}'  which  in  modern  times  is 
devolved  upon  the  preacher  himself,  on  the  principle  that  the 
same  party  who  is  responsible  for  putting  them  to  sleep  should 
also  be  responsible  for  waking  them!  The  tithingman's  badge 
of  office  was  a  round  smooth  stick  of  wood,  an  inch  in 
diameter  and  three  feet  long,  with  a  tip  of  brass  or  pewter  at 
each  end.  Sometimes  a  fox-tail  or  feather  was  fastened  to  one 
end  so  as  to  wake  a  sleeper  with  a  more  gentle  touch !  For  a 
long  series  of   years  five  men  were  annually   chosen   to  this 


52  HOG-REEVES. 

office.  The  last  election  of  such  officers  was  at  the  March 
meeting  of  1848,  and  Moses  E  Bradford  and  Daniel  Thompson 
were  the  last  men  thus  elected.  The  change  of  laws,  and  the 
habits  of  the  people,  took  away  the  necessity  for  such  officials. 
This  was  the  natural,  though  not  the  immediate,  result  of  the 
separation  of  the  church  from  the  town.  And  possibly  people 
behaved  better  on  the  sabbath,  as  education  and  refinement 
increased,     the  towai  voted  (Mar.  10,  1794,)  that 

"Asa  Lewis  and  Capt.  Morse  are  to  take  the  Charge- of  the  (Tallery  and 
keep  the  pe^jle  in  order  and  see  that  Everyone  takes  thare  Seats 
properly." 

What  should  we  think  of  such  town-action  now? 

We  also  notice  that  the  distinguished  office  of  hog-reeve 
was  instituted  in  Francestown  in  1772.  Samuel  Dickerman 
carried  off  the  honor  of  the  first  appointment  to  this  position. 
Among  the  earl}"  settlers  it  was  the  custom  to  let  hogs  and  pigs 
run  loose,  like  cattle  and  sheep.  They  picked  up  half  their 
living  outside  and  were  often  decidedly  the  opposite  of  useful 
in  corn-field  or  garden.  The  hog-reeve  was  to  go  about  town 
from  time  to  time,  or  upon  any  person's  complaint,  and  catch 
all  loose  hogs,  and  ''ring"  them  so  that  they  could  not  "root," 
and  "yoke"  them  so  that  they  could  not  go  through  fences; 
and  then  collect  fees  for  all  this  fi'om  the  owners  of  the  hogs. 
We  are  not  told  as  to  the  method  of  procedure  either  in  catch- 
ing the  hogs  or  collecting  tlie  fees;  yet  certain  it  is  that  the 
office  was  judged  important  enough  to  be  filled  by  dignified 
election  and  held  by  efficient  men,  for  a  long  series  of  years. 
But  gradually  fences  were  built,  and  neighbors  settled  nearer 
each  other,  and  swine  began  to  be  shut  up  in  pens  as  in  recent 
years;  and  in  due  time  the  town  voted  that  none  of  these 
animals  should  run  loose  I  As  a  consequence  the  office  soon 
came  to  have  no  duties  connected  with  it,  and  the  custom  arose 
of  electing  newly-manied  men  to  it,  on  the  ground  probably 
that  such  men  were  not  capable  of  discharging  any  duty! 
Annually  since  about  1800,  that  unfortunate  class  of  men  just 
entangled  in  the  hard  bondage  of  matrimony  have  been  pro- 
moted to  this  office  by  their  sympathetic  and  generous 
fellow-townsmen !  In  the  scramble  for  honors  this  kind  pro- 
motion has  never  been  opposed  I     Nor  has  any  effort  been  made 


FIRST    TAX    LIST. 


53 


to  cut  down  the  salary  I  And  thus  they  have  gone  on  record 
as  officers  of  the  town  with  constant  good  feehng, — not  even  a 
dissenting  vote  or  voice!  And  this  is  the  only  office  which 
some  were  ever  elected  to  I  Not  exactly  woman  suffrage,  but 
promotion  that  never  would  have  been  gained  without  her  I 

The  name,  hog-reeve,  is  from  the  old  English  reeve,  an  officer, 
as  2)orf-)'eeve,  shire-reeve,  sometimes  written  shereve,  now  sheriff. 
Our  first  record  calls  this  officer  "Hough  Ref."  Mar.  11, 1782, 
the  record  is, 

"voted  James  Hogg  H(i(j(irief  also  Samuel  Gun  and  Henery  Talint." 
The  title  is  found  to  have  occasioned  almost  as  many  beautiful 
inventions  in  the  line  of  orthogi'aphy  as  did  that  of  tithingman ! 

The  first  tax  list  of  Francestown  was  committed  to  the  Con- 
stable, Jolni  Brown  for  collection  Oct.  12,  1772.  more  than 
three  months  after  the  first  town  meeting,  and  was  as  follows: 


£ 

s. 

P- 

£. 

s. 

P- 

Jaffrey  Donoliu 

1 

1() 

■2 

Harvey  m'=  f arson 

1 

4 

9 

James  Hopkins  Juner 

1 

0 

(5 

Hugh  moreal 

1 

4 

8 

William  Quigley 

1 

1 

0 

Zachariah  Whiting 

1 

12 

9 

^Mlliam  Clark 

1 

0 

0 

Moses  Lewas 

1 

0 

11 

Widdow  Akean 

0 

13 

9 

Aaron  Lewas 

0 

19 

0 

James  Dickey 

1 

4 

9 

John  Brown 

1 

4 

9 

Samuel  Martan 

1 

9 

8 

Thomas  Brown 

1 

6 

8 

William  Eutterfield  . 

1 

1 

(i 

James  Hopkins 

1 

10 

11 

William  liulterlield  Juuor  1 

U 

() 

Robert  Hopkins 

0 

17 

2 

John  Dickey 

1 

(i 

•2 

John  Hopkins 

0 

17 

2 

Joseph  Dickey 

(» 

1<J 

7 

Thomas  Quigley 

1 

16 

7 

Samuel  Butterfield 

0 

1!) 

2 

David  Lewas 

2 

11 

3 

William  StarretU 

2 

11 

9 

Isack  Lewas 

1 

8 

6 

Adam  Dickey 

0 

19 

2 

Samuel  Dickerman 

0 

18 

7 

John  Quigley 

1 

13 

3 

Natlien  Clough 

0 

19 

2 

Sam'i  Nicaels 

2 

1 

9 

Oliver  Holmes 

1 

0 

0 

Benyman  Sleper 

1 

12 

3 

Nathan  tisher 

1 

8 

2 

Nathaniel  Sleper 

1 

9 

9 

William  Lee 

1 

0 

11 

Samuel  Nutt 

1 

8 

6 

Perter  Christy 

0 

19 

2 

William  m'' master 

0 

19 

0 

Thomas  Quigley 

0 

17 

2 

William  Dickey 

0 

19 

2 

In  this  list  forty-one  names  appear.  Of  some  of  them  we 
know  almost  nothing.  It  may  gratify  the  curiosty  of  some  to 
see  this  first  tax-warrant.  No  one  was  much  richer  than  the 
poorest,   as  tlie   difference  between   the   highest   tax   and    the 


54  FIRST    RECORDED    DEATH    IN    TOWN. 

lowest  was  only  one  pound  and  eighteen  shillings.  Most  of 
them  were  young  men  beginning  poor,  but  starting  nearly  equal 
in  the  common  struggle.  To  this  list  was  ap})ended  the  fol- 
lowing order: 

"The  above  Sums  you  are  Required  to  pay  to  us  ou  our  order  at  or 
Before  the  first  day  of  February  Nixt  EnSewing  the  Date  Hereof  and 
if  any  person  or  persons  Xeglect  or  Eefuse  to  pay  the  Sume  or  Sums  on 
Him  or  her  or  them  So  assessed  you  are  to  make  Distrest  upon  all  Such 
as  the  Law  Derects  &  for  want  of  goods  or  Chattels  whereupon  to  dis- 
train you  are  to  Sease  the  person  or  Persons  &  Conimit  Him  or  them  to 
the  Common  Gaol  of  Said  Count}'  in  amherst  to  Remain  till  him  or 
them  shall  pa}'  the  Sume  or  Sums  on  Him  or  them  So  assessed." 

Some  names  in  the  above  list  had  been  here  barely  long 
enough  to  be  taxed,  and  it  is  probable  the  assessment  was  held 
back  a  feAV  weeks  so  as  legally  to  tax  all  who  lived  in  town  at 
the  close  of  the  year  1772. 

The  first  death  in  this  town  after  its  incorporation  was  that 
of  Janet  McMaster  Oct.  4,  1772,  making  the  first  recorded 
death  in  town, — that  of  Caleb  AVhiting  (1770)  having  occurred 
in  what  was  then  a  part  of  New  Boston.  She  was  a  fair,  young 
girl,  and  the  writer  has  I'cceived  tlie  impression  from  some 
source  that  she  was  very  attractive  and  greatly  loved,  and  that 
her  death  was  a  general  sorrow  in  the  community.  But  she 
heads  the  long  record  of  the  names  now  unspoken.  Let  the 
traditions  of  her  beauty  and  goodness  be  caught  up  in  these 
words  and  put  on  record  by  those  who  never  saw  her,  and  more 
than  a  huncked  years  after  her  departure  I  The  good  never 
die !  Her  body,  no  doubt,  was  carried  to  New  Boston  for 
burial,  but  no  stone  marks  the  forgotten  grave ! 

This  death,  however,  stirred  up  the  people  to  immediate 
action  to  secure  and  prepare  a  toAvn  cemetery.  A  town  meet- 
ing was  called  at  once  (Oct.  19,  1772,)  and  committees 
appointed  to  purchase  and  "to  see  the  land  cleared,"  as  stated 
on  a  previous  page.  Thus  often  the  death  of  one  becomes  the 
occasion  of  increased  activity  and  usefulness  in  others.  The 
fair  girl  lias  an  unmarked  and  forgotten  grave  away  from  her 
kindred;  but  she  helped  prepare  many  a  household  resting- 
place  for  others  I  The  very  next  day  after  her  death  the 
warrant  was  posted  for  the  town-meeting  previously  referred  to 
(Oct.  19,  1772),  the  object  of  which  was  to  secure  and  prepare 


FIEST    BURIAL    IN    FRANCESTOWN.  55 

a  Burial-ground.  The  spot  fixed  upon  by  the  committee  was 
that  now  covered  by  the  south  part  of  the  viUage,  the  old 
church,  the  cemetery,  horse-sheds,  Academy,  &c.,  originally 
containing  four  acres,  but  encroached  upon  and  cut  doAvn,  from 
time  to  time,  so  tliat  the  part  meant  for  a  cemetery  and  for  a 
"training  field,"  or  common,  is  left  very  small.  Tlie  Committee 
chosen  to  buy  the  land  received  the  deed  as  intended,  but  the 
owner,  James  Fisher  donated  the  tract  for  the  "use  of  the  town 
forever  as  before  stated."  The  date  of  the  deed,  however,  Nov. 
25,  left  no  time  for  preparing  the  ground  before  winter,  it  being 
covered  with  a  thick  and  heavy  growth  of  the  old  unbroken  for- 
est. In  the  course  of  the  winter  part  of  it  was  "chopped  over," 
and  as  early  as  possible  in  the  spring  the  "  clearing  fires  "  were 
started^  and  one  corner  was  made  ready  in  a  rude  way  for 
burial  uses,  the  first  burial  being  tlie  body  of  Mrs.  Samuel 
Dickerman,  May  4,  1773.  (xreat  half-burned  logs  lay  in  piles 
on  every  side,  but  a  path  was  made  among  the  stumps  and 
rocks,  and  a  grave  was  opened  by  chopping  off  the  huge  roots. 
How  many  a  tearful  procession  has  since  that  day  traversed  our 
streets !  And  rocks  have  been  removed,  and  stumps  have  rotted 
away,  and  the  old  grave-yard  has  been  filled,  and  left,  and  for- 
gotten ;  and  still  the  weary  procession  is  wending  its  way  to  the 
tomb ! 

But  this  first  burying-ground  could  not  be  used  in  the  Avinter 
preceeding,  as  the  fallen  trees  and  limbs  covered  it  completely, 
and  the  deep  snow  filling  in  effectually  prevented  any  move- 
ment. Hence  when  Mrs.  Carson,  wife  of  the  first  settler,  died, 
about  March  1,  1773,  the  body  was  carried  to  the  Smith  yard 
in  New  Boston.  Perhaps  there  was  small  objection  to  this  in 
the  case  of  the  Carsons ;  for  they  had  been  connected  with  that 
town  most  of  their  lives,  and  circumstances  make  it  appear 
that  they  had  never  been  anxious  to  be  separated  from  it.  But 
at  the  time  of  this  burial,  the  snow  was  so  deep  that  thei'e  was 
no  road,  nor  even  a  path;  and  seven  or  eight  men  and  boys 
from  New  Boston  drew  the  body  on  a  hand-sled,  relieving  each 
other  by  turns.  They  started  from  the  first  Carson  settlement, 
following  the  brook  in  the  meadow  near  by  to  the  pond 
(Scoby),  thence  over  the  pond  to  the  outlet,  thence  down  the 
stream  to  the  place  where  Dea.  Todd's  mills  now  stand  (in  New 


56  FIRST    MARCH    MEETING. 

Boston)  thence  north  to  the  burying  ground.  The  distance  -by 
this  circuitous  route  was  more  than  four  miles ;  and  the  reason 
assigned  for  this  route  ^^■as.  that  in  the  open  cleared  land  the 
crust  on  the  snow  was  strong  enough  to  carry  up  men  and  sled. 
Along  the  streams  and  meadows  was  the  only  cleared  land. 
The  late  Abner  Hogg,  Esq.  of  New  Boston,  who  died  Oct.  16, 
1856,  aged  nearly  98,  whom  the  writer  well  remembers  was  one 
of  the  party  that  drew  the  sled  on  this  occasion;  and  the 
foregoing  statement  was  from  his  lips.  It  shows  what 
inconveniences  and  hardshi])s  the  early  settlers  endured  I 
The  annual  town  meeting  for  1773  was  called  to  meet  at 

"  Thomas  Quigley  Barn  upon  thorsday  the  twenty  fifth  Day  of  march 
Cerent  at  ten  of  the  Clock  in  the  fournoon  of  Said  Day  to  act  on  the 
FolHng  Perticulers  to  viz." 

The  "Thomas  (^uiglev  Barn"  stood  north  of  the  ^'I'esent  turn- 
pike at  the  old  Thomas  Quigley  residence  (buildings  now 
gone),  in  the  south-east  jjart  of  the  town,  as  most  of  the  in- 
habitants lived  then  in  that  section.  At  this,  wliich  was  really 
their  first  '-'•March  meeting,"  they  chose  John  Quigle3%  John 
Dickey  and  William  Lee,  Selectmen;  and  William  McMaster, 
town  clerk.  And  among  other  officers,  they  chose  Nathan 
Sleeper  and  Peter  Christy  "Dear  Keepers."  John  Carson  had 
been  honored  with  this  office  in  New  Boston  before  the  separa- 
tion. Deer  abounded  in  the  New  England  forests  in  early 
times,  feeding  along  the  meadows  and  oi)en  spaces,  and  cropping 
off  the  undergrowth,  having  their  well  trodden  paths  and  favor- 
ite resorts.  No  doubt  the  meadows  of  this  town  were  fre- 
quented by  them  long  before  a  white  man's  visit  here.  Their 
flesh  was  very  valuable,  and  their  hides  were  a  source  some- 
times of  no  small  revenue  for  those  days  to  the  pioneer.  But 
as  their  value  increased,  the  number  of  hunters  increased,  till 
there  was  danger  of  the  entire  extermination  of  these  animals, 
and  that  before  the  settlement  of  Francestown.  Hence  it  be- 
came necessary  to  protect  them  by  law  during  the  seasons  of 
their  increase.  A  law  was  enacted  in  1741  declaring  it  a  crime 
to  kill  deer  between  Dec.  31,  and  the  first  day  of  August  of 
the  following  year,  and  fixing  a  })enalty  of  £10  for  the  first 
offence.  Thus  they  were  protected  seven  months  in  the  year. 
Two  men  were  to  be  chosen  in  every  town  to  enforce  this  law 


DEER    KEEPERS.  57 

and  punish  its  violation.  The  old  records  name  them  '•^  Dear 
Keepers."  Sometimes  people  fed  the  deer,  and  partially  tamed 
them,  and  watched  their  hiding-places  when  the  '•'•Jaw  wan  on^'' 
so  as  to  be  ready  to  capture  a  good  share  as  soon  as  the  restric- 
tions exj)ired.  Yet  in  spite  of  this  severe  law,  these  noble 
animals  were  almost  banished  from  this  vicinity  before  our 
incorporation,  l)eing  I'arely  seen  here  since  the  date  of  that 
event.  But  the  officers  to  protect  them  were  chosen  just  the 
same,  and  continued  to  be,  long  after  any  occasion  required 
their  service.  In  later  years  only  one  man  was  elevated 
annually  to  this  office.  For  1785  the  record  is,  '•'chose  William 
Dickey  Deare  Cepper.'''' 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1773,  after  the  election  of  officers, 
they 

"  Voted  to  rase  thirty  pounds  Jjawt'ull  money  to  maintain  the  (ioSpel 
For  tlie  presant  Year," 

and  chose  Oliver  Holmes  and  .lolin  Quiglej^  to  provide  preach- 
ing. 

"Voted  that  the  preehini;-  Sliall  l)e  Ileald  at  -lames  tishers  house  or  harn 
for  present  Year"  ;  — 

it  l)eing  their  [)lan  to  occtijjy  the  barn  till  driven  into  the  house 
by  cold  weather.     Also 

"  Voted  that  Nathan  tisher  is  to  Bord  the  menister  and  Keep  his  Harse 
for  live  Shillings  an  Nine  Pance  JiawfuU  money  p''  Week." 

At  this  meeting  also,  (Mar.  1778)  the  matter  of  clearing  the 
common  and  bmial-ground  came  up  for  discussion,  as  the  work 
was  only  begun ;  and  after  the  case  was  fully  stated,  they  voted 
without  op})Osition  that 

"  Every  Server  shall  Wark  one  Day  With  his  men  on  the  Graveyard  and 
Place  for  the  meeting  House." 

As  showing  liow  intent  were  the  men  of  Francestown  on 
pushing  these  public  matters,  it  is  to  be  noticed  that  soon  after 
this  town  meeting  they  sent  a  second  petition  to  the  General 
Court,  similar  to  the  one  noticed  on  a  previous  page,  the  object 
being  to  press  the  appeal  for  a  land  tax  to  help  build  a  meeting 


58  NON-RESIDENT    LAND-TAX.       . 

house.  To  this  second  petition  twelve  new  names  are  signed, 
as  follows: 

Robert  Fulton  Nathan  Clough 

William  Lee  William  McMaster 

Benj.  Sleeper  Hugh  McGumery 

Sanuu4  Marten  Robert  Morel 

William  Butterlield  John  Carson 

Asa  Lewas  .Tohn  Brown 

Hiis  shows  the  addition  of  some  new  settlers  ami  also  the 
hearty  union  of  them  alL  It  seems  that  some  of  the  older 
settlers  had  heen  nnwilliniL;'  to  sign  the  tirst  jietition,  hut  the 
necessity  soon  a[)peared  so  plain  and  so  great,  as  to  bring  them 
all  to  one  mind.  The  iirst  [)etition  was  not  acted  upon,  but  of 
the  second  the  record  of  the  House  says: 

••  In  the  house  of  Heprescn'  May  14,  177;^. 
On  Heading  the  foregoing  Petition  Order"'' that  the  Petitif)ners  at  their 
Own  Cost  cause  the  Substance  of  said  Petition  to  be  i)rinted  in  the 
New  Hampshire  Gazzette  three  weeks  successively  &  that  the  Petition- 
ers may  be  lieard  thereon  the  third  day  of  the  sitting  of  the  General 
Assembly  after  the  1.")"'  day  of  June  nex^" 

I  do  not  find  a  record  of  the  hearing  on  this  petition,  and  no 
action  Avas  taken  till  the  following  year,  indicating  considerable 
opposition  of  the  n<m-resident  land-owners  to  this  tax.  But  in 
January  1774,  favorable  action  Avas  taken,  and  a  law  was  passed 
granting  precisely  the  amount  which  the  settlers  had  asked. 
And  at  their  Iirst  town  meeting  subsequent  to  this  favorable 
action  they 

"  Voted  John  Quigley  Cleetor  for  to  rais  the  money  of  the  Land  tax 
according  to  the  act  of  Cort  that  is  now  past." 

A  town  meeting  was  called  (July  5,  1773,)  to  see  about 
settling  a  minister,  fix  salary  &c.  at  which  they  "Voted  to  Give 
the  reverent  m^'.  Bolch  a  Call,"  and  decided  several  matters  con- 
nected therewith,  all  which  will  appear  in  the  chapter  on  the 
ecclesiastical  history  of  the  town.  A  town  meeting  was  called 
(Aug.  25,  1773,)  to  select  a  juror — which  town-meeting  was 
always  a  kind  of  conference  on  all  public  matters.  Then  there 
came  a  fourth  town-meeting  of  the  year  (Sei)t.  13,  1773,) 
"  To  See  If  town  Will  Chouse  a  committe  to  Go  to  amherst  at  the 
Supearer  Cort  in  liehalf  of  the  town  and  County  Concerning  of  Paying 
that  Great  Sum  of  money  Which  the  Honourabel  Justeses  have  Granted 
to  .John  Hollen  and  other  Large  Sumes  of  money  Concerning  of  Capt 
Kelv  and  John  torn  that  brook  out  of  the  Gaol."" 


COUNTY    EXPENSES.  59 

There  was  a  long  debate,  apparently,  upon  this  matter,  and 
they  chose  William  Starrett  and  David  Lewis  a  committee  to 
voice  at  court  the  wishes  of  the  town.  "  The  Court  of  General 
Sessions  of  the  Peace,"  had  been  called  at  the  January  term 
1773  to  act  on  the 

'^  Petition  of  John  Holland  for'£'7H  :  3:  2  for  Joseph  Kelley's  escape 
out  of  gaol," 

which,  after  some  delay,  was  '' allowed"  and  '^ ordered  to  be 
assessed  on  the  towns."  C'apt.  Joseph  Kelley  of  Nottingham 
West  (Hudson)  had  long  been  confined  in  jail,  had  broken  out, 
and  in  various  ways  had  been  the  occasion  of  so  much  trouble 
and  expense  that  "Sundry  towns"  had  even  petitioned  the 
Legislature  to  interfere  in  his  case.  This  action  of  Frances- 
town  was  also  virtually  a  remonstrance  against  the  heavy  and 
increasing  county  tax.  When  the  state  was  divided  into  Coun- 
ties (1771)  three  courts  were  established,  "The  superior 
Court,"  "The  Common  Pleas,"  and  "The  (leneral  Sessions  of 
the  Peace."  The  last  named  was  the  first  to  organize  and  act. 
It  had  for  its  Judges  all  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  the 
County;  was  in  some  respects  a  legislative  body;  and  had  con- 
trol of  the  financial  affairs  of  the  County,  subject  to  appeal  to 
the  "Supearer  Cort."  The  expenses  of  starting  the  new 
county  and  provichng  Judges,  and  all  other  ofiicers,  and  of 
fitting  and  furnishing  the  building  given  for  a  court-house,  had 
been  quite  heavy.  The  assessment  on  New  Boston  (including 
the  Addition)  July  1771  for  the  "Expense  of  Building  a 
Prison"  was  £11:  11:  9;  and  perhaps  the  "Honourable 
Justeces"  of  the  Peace  when  assembled  had  been  rather  too 
liberal  in  ordering  "Large  Sumes"  of  money  in  various  cases. 
The  poor  settlers  found  it  liard  to  carry  the  load,  many  of  them 
being  in  debt  for  the  land  on  which  they  lived,  and  tlieir  re- 
monstrance was  both  natural  and  wise.  In  this  "Court  of 
Sessions"  there  was  at  that  time  no  "Justice  of  the  Peace" 
from  Francestown;  and  therefore  all  the  greater  reason  that 
this  part  of  the  people  shoul'd  be  heard  on  the  subject. 

It  seems  that  there  had  been  a  little  soreness  in  this  section 
as  to  the  formation  of  counties,  and  apparently  some  fear  lest 
the  ea>>te)'n  and  more  populous  towns  would  vote  money  and 
manage  affairs,  to  the  injury  of  the  remoter  and  weaker  com- 


60  FOEMATION    OF    COUNTIES. 

miiiiities.  The  Bill  dividing  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire 
into  eonnties  was  signed  by  (t()\.  Wentwoith  Apr.  29,  1769. 
But  while  the  Bill,  or  the  votes  of  the  Assembly  that  led  to  it, 
were  under  consideration,  a  strong  effort  was  made  to  have 
about  a  dozen  towns  east  of  the  Merrimac  incorporated  into 
this  county.  This  was  met  with  vigorous  protests  from  the 
western  part;  and  petitions  that  the  jMerrimac  might  be  the 
eastern  boundary  were  poured  in  ujjou  the  Legislative  Body 
with  eager  haste.  When  the  question  caiiie  up  for  final 
decision,  a  compromise  was  reached  and  only  a  small  part  of 
the  towns  talked  of  east  of  the  river  were  ptit  into  this  County. 
But  the  Bill  as  passed  was  to  be  inoperative  till  "His  Majesty's 
royal  appi'obation  of  the  law  shonld  be  made  known;" — and 
this  delayed  the  acttial  organization  of  the  Counties  for  about 
two  years.  Hence  they  were  really  organized  in  1771,  and  the 
first  court  in  this  county  was  at  Amherst  in  Sept.  of  that  year. 
In  1792  Hopkinton  was  made  a  shire  town,  and  thus  this  cotmty, 
had  two  shire  towns,  which  continued  to  be  the  case  till  the 
formation  of  Merrimac  County  in  1823.  But  during  that  time 
Hillsboro'  County  extended  much  farther  north  than  now,  and 
took  in  Andover,  Boscawen.  (inclnding  the  present  town  of 
Webster),  Bradford,  Dunbarton,  Fisherstield,  (Newbury).  Hen- 
niker,  Hooksett,  Hopkinton,  New  London,  Salisbury,  Sutton, 
Warner  and  \\"ilmot.  * 

The  citizens  of  Francestown  took  no  prominent  part  in  these 
county  disputes,  the  original  boundary  having  been  settled 
before  the  incorporation  of  this  town :  but  at  that  time  the 
inhabitants  of  the  western  half  joined  with  others  in  Society- 
Land  in  the  petition  that  the  eastern  line  of  the  county  should 
be  the  Merrimac  Kiver.  This  whole  subject  is  mentioned  on  a 
former  page  where  it  is  shown  that  probably  a  few  individuals 
in  the  eastern  part  of  this  town  (then  a  })art  of  Ncav  Boston), 
took  the  opposite  view,  and  wished  to  get  as  many  toAvns  as 
possible  into  this  county,  on  the  grotmd  that  otherwise  it  would 
be  too  weak  to  sustain  itself. 

This  year  (1773)  Gov.  Wentworth  called  for  a  census  of  the 
Province.  In  this  census  there  appears  no  rettirn  from  Frances- 
town,  though  the  population  here  was  about  150.  At  that 
time   the   largest   town   in   the    County  .was  Amherst,   with  a 


THE    CENSUS.       THE    "  CORN-MILL."  61 

population  of  1370,  (about  its  present  population):  HoUis  had 
a  population  of  1162  ;  Peterboro',  514;  New  Boston  410  ;  Weare 
884;  and  Hillsboro'  153.  The  census  was  taken  near  the  close 
of  the  year,  and  the  whole  population  of  the  Province  of  New 
Hampshire  was  72,092.  There  were  138  towns,  and  the 
average  number  of  persons  to  each  town  was  522.  Poitsmouth 
was  then  the  largest  town  in  the  State,  having  a  population,  of 
4372;  and  Londonderry  was  the  next  largest,  having  a  popu- 
lation of  2471.  There  were  then  by  the  record  674  i<Iavei<  in 
•this  State  and  77  in  this  county, — though  not  slaves  in  the 
same  sense  as  in  the  Slave-States. 

Also  this  year  (1773)  David  Lewis  built  his  '•  corn-mill.''' 
Perhaps  a  beginning  had  been  made  still  earlier.  At  any  rate 
the  town  record  in  the  Hprimj  of  1774  says  that  the  "-Dam  was 
broak "  by  the  early  freshet,  showing  its  existence  previous  to 
that  year.  Li  1770,  or  earlier,  as  told  on  a  former  page,  he 
had  built  a  saw-mill ;  and  now,  for  the  pu])lic  good  as  well  as 
his  ow]i  business  ambition,  the  grist-mill  came  into  existence. 
It  stood  a  few  rods  below  the  saw-mill,  on  the  spot  now 
occupied  by  the  })ail  factory  of  Hiram  P.  Clark.  It  was  an 
occasion  of  great  joy  to  the  settlers,  and  contributed  not  a  little 
to  their  town-pride.  Many  large  comnumities  had  not  yet  a 
grist-mill.  Antrim  did  not  reach  this  honor  till  1777,  four 
years  later;  and  Hancock  and  Deering  were  later  still  l)y 
several  years. 

The  want  of  a  grist-mill  involved  the  early  settlers  in  all 
these  towns  in  great  hardship.  They  had  no  flour  in  those 
days;  and  their' only  bread  was  from  oats,  or  barley,  or  corn. 
Tliii^^  for  many  years,  each  man  carried  to  mill  on  his  shoulder. 
Those  strong  men,  looking  back  in  their  old  age,  used  to  speak 
of  this  as  the  liardest  endurance  they  were  called  to  meet. 
Settlers  from  Hillsboro'  and  Antrim  carried  bags  of  corn  on 
their  backs  through  Francestown  to  Amherst,  to  be  giound, 
and  tlren  the  same  day  carried  the  meal  back — a  distance  by  the 
path  then  travelled  of  about  twenty-three  miles  I  Forty-six 
miles  in  a  day,  carrying  two  bushels  of  corn  !  How  would  a 
modern  day's  work  compare  with  that  ?  These  men  usually 
stopped  at  Francestown  to  take  a  drink  I 

Col.  Robert  Means  of  Amherst  used  to  say  (about  1805)  that 


62  CARRYING    GRAIN    TO    MILL. 

lie  remeinliered  a  iiiaii  from  Hillsboi'o'  who  would  bring  his  bag 
of  corn  twenty-four  miles,  set  it  down,  take  a  glass  of  grog, 
and  then  dance  round  the  store  like  a  cat  I  Sometimes,  for  a 
change,  they  would  '•''  carry  double ; "  that  is,  carry  one  bag  a 
mile  or  two,  set  it  doAvn,  then  go  back  and  get  another  a]id 
carry  the  second  bag  a  mile  or  two  beyond  the  first,  then  leave 
that  and  go  back  after  the  iirst  and  carry  it  a  mile  or  two  past 
the  second,  and  so  on.  This  would  give  a  rest  and  a  change, 
and  a  doul)le  amount  wcnild  be  carried  through. 

The  first  Francestown  settlers  usuall}^  carried  their  corn  to ' 
New  Boston.  Walker's  mills  had  been  built  there  in  1753, 
Hence  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  did  not  have  such  long 
distances  to  carry  grain.  But  still  the  "Miew  grist  miir'  Avas  of 
untold  value.  Even  three  or  four  miles  with  two  bushels  of 
corn  on  a  man's  bacik,  is  a  serious  matter.  Sometimes  in  later 
years  a  bag  was  carried  to  and  fro  on  the  back  of  a  horse,  if 
any  man  were  fortunate  enough  to  have  a  liorse.  So  also  in 
other  towns  the  Francestown  grist-mill  had  a  desirable  repu- 
tation ;  and  it  was  considered  a  great  lielp.  People  from 
Deering,  Antrim,  Bennington.  Hancock,  and  Greenfield,  brought 
corn  here  to  be  ground,  as  this  for  some  years,  was  the  nearest 
and  best  place  for  them.  On  the  whole  the  year  1773  was  a 
prosperous  year  for  the  town.  There  were  noticeable  improve- 
ments in  buildings  and  roads  and  fields.  Fences  began  to  be 
the  rule,  instead  of  the  exception.  New  settlers  came,  new 
land  was  cleared,  roads  were  improved,  and  })lans  and  projects 
looking  to  the  future  were  entered  upon  with  courage  and  hope. 
Since  writing  the  above  concerning  the  census  of  1773,  I  have 
found  in  the  Journal  of  the  House  at  Concord  a  statement  of 
the  number  of  ''■Polls  in  the  several  towns,"  taken  without 
doubt  from  the  returns  of  that  census.  The  number  of  polls 
In  Francestown  is  given  as  43,  New  Boston  77,  and  Lynde- 
boro'  108. 

But  little  has  been  said  by  me  about  town  lines,  as  the 
records  of  "peramlmlations"  are  somewhat  mixed  and  compara- 
tively unimportant.  Among  those  of  the  early  day  I  found 
this  curious  record: 

''  Began  at  ablack  Oak  tree  marked  then  West  two  miles  and  a  half  to  a 
Beach  tree  marked  by  francestown  then  North  one  mile  and  eighty  tiye 


CATTLE    MARKS.  63 

liocls  to  the  Controverted  Hemloek  then  Wast  three  miles  and  one 
Quarter  to  the  White  pine  and  blaek  Oak  these  Lines  2:)erambulated  by 
John  Shepard  June  AI)  1773:" 

This  was  probably  the  first  review  of  the  south  line  of  the 
town,  about  some  parts  of  .which  there  seems  to  have  been  a 
(lonl)t.  The  record  of  1774  begins  by  saying-  that 

"•  Benjamin  Sleeper's  mark  for  His  Chattel  and  Sheep  was  a  Swalos  tail 
on  the  left  ear  and  a  Cross  of  the  rit  ear."  ''Samuel  Diekermans  mark 
for  His  Cattel  S  D  branded  on  the  Near  Hoaru." 

It  was  the  custom  foi'  many  years  thus  to  dlstinQ'iiish  their 
flocks.  Some  of  the  older  people  can  remember  this  ^'marking" 
of  stock,  1  have  seen  flocks  of  sheep  and  lambs  with  all  their 
ears  bleeding,  as  they  were  driven  off  to  pasture  ;  but  the 
marking  of  cattle  for  the  most  part  ceased  much  earlier  and  is 
said  hardly  to  1)e  known  in  our  country  at  the  present  day, 
except  on  the  "-ranches"  of  the  west.  It  was  a  miserable  and 
cruel  custom ;  but  they  justified  themselves  in  the  practice  of  it 
on  the  ground  that  cattle  would  run  together  and  each  must 
have  some  way  of  knowing-  and  claiming  his  own.  If  a  man 
had  a  uniform  "mark,"  and  had  a  ''record"  of  it  on  the  town 
book,  he  could  hold  his  stock  wherever  it  might  wander.  In 
subsequent  years  the  necessity  for  a  mark  on  one's  stock  became 
much  greater  as  flocks  increased  in  size.  MerrilFs  (xazetteer  of 
New  Hampshire  (published  in  1817)  tells  us  that  there  "were 
in  Francestown  two  flocks  of  sheep,  containing  in  them  both 
more  than  600."  Pjobably  in  the  whole  town  there  were  about 
4000 ;  and  the  number  of  cattle  w^as  much  greater  than  now. 
The  number  of  shec})  in  New  Hampshire  by  the  invoice  of  1812 
was  364,892.  And  no  doubt  these  "marks"  saved  a  great 
many  disputes  and  law-suits.  James  Wilson's  "mark"  1805, 
was 

"  a  Crop  on  the  Wright  Ear  and  a  Whoh'  in  the  ortlier." 
But  let  no  one  chide  this'' on  the  ground  of  cruelty  to  animals, 
until    lie  has   made    the    country    ring  with  indignation  at  the 
modern  custom  on  the  plains  of  "burning  in"  the  initials  of  a 
ranchman's  name! 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1774  they 
"  Voted  not  to  buld  a  metting  Hous  in  the  town  the  present  year." 


64  THE    NON-RESIDENT    TAX. 

Some  of  the  "Stuff"  had  l^een  delivered  according  to  the  vote 
passed  (Aug.  31,  1772.  )to  have  everything  on  the  ground 
•"•Befour  ye  first  Day  of  July  Nixt.  But  most  of  the  settlers 
found  tliemselves  unable  to  conform  to  this  requirement,  so 
great  was  their  lal)or  to  clear  their  land  and  su})port  their  fam- 
ilies. And  also  the  moving  of  timber,  even  for  a  short 
distance,  was  a  work  of  nnich  dithculty,  as  the  I'oads  were 
hardly  more  than  paths,  and  teams  of  all  kinds  were  veiy  scarce 
and  in  constant  use.  Worse  still,  the  "land 'tax,"  which  the 
Legislature  by  special  act  had  em})Owered  them  to  assess,  had 
not  been  collected,  except  in  a  small  part;  and  there  was  a 
question  about  it,  and  some  of  the  non-residents  refused  to  pay. 
1'he  times  were  hard,  and  the  tax  hung  along  unpaid.  Of  all 
this  the  town  Records  do  not  speak;  but  in  looking  over  some 
old  newspapers  I  found  the  following  "Notice"  in  the  "New 
Hampshire  Gazette  &  Historical  Chronicle,"  of  Feb.  3,  1775. 

Francestown. 
"Those  Proprietors  and  Owners  of  Land  in  Frances  Town  in  the 
County  of  IIillsl)oron<;h,  and  Province  of  Xew  Hampshire,  who  have 
liitherto  lieen  delinipient  in  payinij  tlie  Taxes  laid  upon  their  respective 
Lands  in  said  Town,  liy  virtue  of  an  Act  of  tlie  General  Assembly  of 
this  Province,  for  the  purpose  of  bnildiug  a  Meeting  House  in  said 
Town,  are  hereby  notified  that  unless  Payment  be  made  of  the  afore- 
said Taxes,  witli  the  Cost  of  this  Advertisement,  so  much  of  their 
respective  Lands  will  l)e  sold  at  puljlic  A^endue  to  the  highest  bidder  at 
the  house  of  Lieut.  Oliver  Holmes  Innholder,  in  said  Town  on  the  Third 
Tuesday  of  February  next  as  will  pay  said  Taxes  with  all  other  inciden- 
tal charges. 
Mason's  Proprietors  owners 

of  Crotch  Mountain  so  called. 
Right  No.  0,  formerly  drawn  to 

Jotham  Odiorne 

John  MciSTeal 

John  Densmore 

Andrew  Armer 

Alex:  Parke rsou 

Thomas  Achin 

William  Ackin 

Daniel  Bixbe 

Isaac  Bruster 

Robt.  Alexander 

Asa  Bixbe 

John  Achin 


£'. 

s.  d. 

10 

0  0 

11 

5  0 

2 

10  0 

7  f) 

14  :3 

2 

10  0 

3  0 

-:i  0 

10  3 

8  ,5 

10  3 

6  6 

18  0 

FIRST    PUBLISHMENT    OF    MARRIAGE.  65 

Widow  Barnard  18  0 

Adam  Dickey  2  10  0 

Spooner  &  Swift  1  5  0 

John  Quigley,  Collector. 
Frances  Town  January  25,  1775." 

But  this  notification  did  not  accomplish  much,  as  nearly  five 
months  later  (June  10,  1775)  we  find  the  town  chose  Thomas 
Quigley  Jr.  to  '' assist  John  Quigley"'  to  collect  the  ''Land  tax 
from  the  proprietors  that  lives  out  of  Francestown  for  building 
the  meeting  House."  These  several  taxes  seem  eventually  to 
have  been  paid,  Ijut  it  came  hard.  Payment  was  delayed  as 
long  as  })ossible.  And  these  several  difficulties  delayed  the 
building  of  the  meeting  house  more  than  two  years.  From 
time  to  time  town-meetings  were  called,  and  much  zeal  was 
manifested  to  hasten  the  matter,  and  hearts  were  as  intent  u})on 
it  as  was  David  of  old;  but  they  could  not  accomplish  impos- 
sibilities, and  "hence  they  waited  as  best  they  could. 

The  first  record  of  publishment  in  town  was  as  follows : 

••'This  is  to  Sartify  to  Whom  it  may  Consarn  that  Samuel  Dickerman  of 
this  town  and  pai'ses  richardson  of  T.itchtield  Were  Lawfully  puhlished 
and  entered  Aug.  22,  1774  j)"^  me 

William  mc  master  town 
Clark." 

It  was  for  many  years  the  custom  to  publish  intentions  of 
marriage  by  ''crying  them"  in  meeting  on  three  successive 
sabbaths.  It  was  a  discouragement  to  clandestine  or  hasty 
marriages;  though  sometimes  in  case  of  distressing  anxiety 
they  were  cried  twice  on  the  same  day.  In  later  years  town 
clerks  were  sometimes  selected  for  their  loiul,  ringing  voice 
that  could  enforce  a  hearing.  Hardly  would  the  minister's 
"Amen''  be  spoken,  when  he  would  cry  out  with  startling 
loudness : 

"  Hear  ye  people!  This  is  the  first  publishment  of  intention  of  mar- 
riage between  Mr.  Jedediah  S0-&-S0  and  Miss.  Mehital)le  What's-Her- 
Name!" 

Of  course  everybody  was  amused,  and  little  streams  of  gossip 
began  to  flow,  and  mysteries  began  to  be  explained,  and  sur- 
prise to  be  expressed;  and,  as  generally  in  that  day  the  parties 
were  present,  thei-e  was  no  lack  of  staring  and  quizzing  and 
congratulating  I     The  records  do  not  say  which  held  possession 


Q6  BEGINNINGS    OF    DIFFICULTIIiS    WITH    ENGLAND. 

of  the  mind,  the  Sermon,  or  the  Publishment;  nor  how  mugh 
the  diversion  differed  in  principle  from  the  conversation  of 
worshi})pers  at  the  close  of  service  in  these  days; — nor  were 
the  responses,  "•  What  fools ! "  '^  I  wouldn't  have  thought  it ! " 
"•Did  you  ever  I"  and  such  various  contradictory  opinions  and 
interesting  remarks  on  the  })art  of  the  people,  recorded  by  the 
Clerk  in  connection  with  Ins  own  important  announcement- 
Sometimes  the  Scotch  "dark"  would  add: 

"If  ony  iiion  or  mon's  moil  has  ouy  objections,  k4  him  speak  noo,  or 
forever  hand  his  tooiiii'ue!" 

In  more  recent  years  the  publishment  by  "crying"  was  changed 
into  publishment  by  posting  a  written  notice  to  the  same  effect 
and  in  the  same  place.  The  writer  well  remembers  the  tvritten 
publishments, — the  l)eautiful  penmanship,  the  expressions  on 
observers'  faces,  and  the  fact  not  yet  explai]ied  tliat  young- 
peoples'  eyes  turned  first  of  all  to  the  publishing  board  as  they 
entered  the  House  of  the  Lord  I  Now  there  is  no  form  of 
Dublishment  and  no  chance  given  to  raise  objections,  as  a 
license  may  be  obtained  in  fifteen  minutes,  and  the  knot  may 
be  tied  in  half  that  time,  and  all  unknown  to  the  community! 
Surely  the  old  way  is  better.  And  ]\Ir.  Dickerman  and  Miss 
Richardson  have  the  honor  of  headino-  in  this  town  the  lono-  list 
of  "noble  swains  and  maidens  fair"  who  have  openly  acknow- 
ledged theii-  love  to  each  other  and  faced  the  world  together! 
May  their  happy  successors  multiply!  No  moi'e  is  there  the 
romance  of  the  cabin,  but  love  and  devotedness  and  the  sweet 
spirit  of  home  are  still  the  same ! 

This  year  (1774)  the  difficulties  between  Great  Britain  and 
the  (.'olonies  came  to  be  alarming.  For  a  long  time  there  had 
been  a  quiet,  and  growing,  though  unintended,  estrangement 
between  the  British  government  and  the  American  colonies. 
The  King  v/as  always  ready  to  make  what  he  could  out  of  the 
Americans  while,  in  wars  with  the  French  and  Indians  arising 
from  his  own  foolish  ambitions,  these  same  American  subjects 
were  left  to  look  out  for  themselves.  Thoughtful  men  saw  the 
beginnings  of  a  struggle  between  the  King  and  the  colonies 
twenty  years  before  a  blow  was  struck.  In  1760  George  III. 
ascended  the  British  throne  which  was  already  involved  in  a 
controversy  with  France.     Soon  after  \Yar  was  declared  with 


THE    STAMP    ACT.  67 

Spain,  and  a  long  struggle  followed,  much  to  the  glory  of  the 
British  arms.  Peace  was  declared  Feb.  16,  1763,  all  of  Canada 
coming  into  the  posession  of  England.  But  the  expenses  of 
the  war  were  enormous,  and  the  previous  national  debt  was 
large,  and  the  government  was  pinched  for  means.  In  this 
emergency,  having  drawn  heavily  upon  the  colonies  one  way 
and  anotlier  before,  they  began  to  plan  new,  indirect  ways  of 
taxing  the  struggling  people  this  side  the  water  to  pay  the 
royal  bills  on  the  other  side.  On  the  plea,  both  wicked  and 
false,  that  ''the  war  had  been  waged  chiefly  on  account  of  the 
colonies,'"  and  therefore  that  they  should  chiefly  bear  its  cost,  the 
government  excused  itself  for  this  course.  And  the  plan  was  so 
agreeable  that  they  soon  proceeded  to  lay  special  taxes  on 
America  by  law.  The  "Stamp  Act"  was  passed  Mar.  8,  1765, 
putting  a  tax  by  stamp  on  every  newspaper,  and  every  business 
document  of  every  kind.  They  said  it  would  be  most 
"prudent  to  begin  with  small  taxes,  and  to  advance  in  pro- 
portion as  it  should  be  found  the  colonies  would  bear  I''  The 
passage  aroused  the  colonies  to  resistance.  In  May  following, 
the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  under  lead  of  James  Otis, 
called  an  "American  Congress,"  the  first  ever  known,  to  meet 
at  New  York  "the  first  Tuesday  of  October  following  (Oct.  2, 
1765)."  New  Hampshire  was  not  represented,  but  pledged 
herself  "to  abide  by  the  result."  I'hey  met  as  appointed,  and 
after  deliberation  published  a  "Bill  of  Rights"  which,  for  its 
spirit  of  liberty  and  its  denial  of  the  authority  of  Parliament 
to  "tax  them  without  their  consent,"  must  have  been  "very 
interesting  reading"  to  king  and  royalist  I  Then,  having  pro- 
vided for  a  second  congress,  they  adjourned.  But  the  , 
excitement  and  opposition  to  the  Stamp  Act  increased.  Pro- 
cessions of  children  maiched  with  banners  inscribed,  "Liberty, 
Property,  and  No  Stamps."  Lawyers  in  some  places  resolved 
to  "transact  no  business  i-ather  than  buy  a  stamp."  Merchants 
agreed  to  "send  no  orders  to  England"  while  the  Act  was  in 
force.  So  loud  and  determined  and  universal  was  the  resist- 
ance, that  the  law  was  repealed  in  Feb.  1766,  being  less  than  a 
year  old.  But  this  was  not  the  end  of  efforts  to  tax  the 
colonies.     Various    schemes  to  exact  tribute  continued  to  be 


68  THE    BOSTON    TEA    PARTY. 

tried;  armed  ships  were  sent  into  onr  poils  and  garrisons  of 
soldiers  into  tlie  larger  cities,  by  way  of  intimidation ;  taxes 
were  imposed  on  almost  every  import  into  this  country ;  a  heavy 
duty  was  laid  on  tea;  and  on  this  last  Lord  North  declared  that 
"The  king  means  to  try  the  question  with  America."  Accord- 
ingly in  1773  slnp-loads  of  tea  were  sent  so  as  to  arrive  at  about 
the  same  time  at  most  of  our  ports.  Fi'om  some  ports  it  was 
sent  back  to  England  unopened  and  at  once;  in  some  ports  it 
was  landed  in  part  but  nobody  dared  attempt  its  sale ;  in  Boston 
it  was  thrown  overboard  by  the  "Boston  Tea  Party,"  Dec.  16, 
1773.  In  retaliation  the  British  government  passed  the  "Bos- 
ton Port  Bill,"  closing  the  port  to  all  commerce,  so  that  not 
even  "a  stick  of  wood  or  a  barrel  of  flour  could  be  b] ought  in 
a  row-boat  from  Cambridge."  But  this  only  aroused  the  resist^ 
ance  of  the  colonies  to  a  higher  point.  Boston  »was  then  a 
commercial  city  (though  not  incorporated  as  such  till  1822)  of 
nearly  20,000  inhabitants,  and  soon  l)egan  to  suffer  from  its 
position ;  but  contributions  to  feed  the  people  were  sent  in  from 
all  the  country.  All  the  colonies  felt  the  blow  and  took  it  to 
themselves.  New  Hampshire,  from  nearness  and  association, 
was  greatly  excited.  Gifts  were  sent  from  many  of  these 
towns.  In  some  places  the  day  when  the  "Boston  Port  Bill" 
was  to  go  into  effect  (June  1,  1774)  was  made  a  day  of 
"  mourning  and  public  prayer."  Some  of  the  men  of  Frances- 
town,  who  had  come  here  from  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
Boston,  "remembered  them  that  were  in  bonds  as  bound 'with 
them,"  and  all  were  of  one  mind  to  resist  this  foreign  tyranny 
to  the  bitter  end  and  at  whatever  peril. 

But,  besides  these  several  arbitrary  encroachments  on  the 
rights  of  the  people,  there  had  been  other  grievances,  some  of 
them  of  long  stancUng,  and  involving  considerable  annoyance 
and  irritation.  Many  of  the  royal  governors,  sent  over  by  the 
king,  were  haughty,  selfish,  over-bearing,  and  cruel,  and  obnox- 
ious to  the  people.  Under-officers  were  exacting  and  offensive. 
Everything  had  to  be  taken  to  England  to  be  ratified,  involv- 
ing Tedious  and  expensive  delay.  Laws  were  enacted  which 
annoyed  the  people  without  bringing  much  benefit  to  the 
British  government.  Some  of  them  were  kept  in  force  by  way 
of  intimidation ;  while  laws  for  our  relief  or  coiivenience  seem 


THE    PINE    TREE    LAW.  69 

never  to  have  been  thought  of;  no  effort  being  made,  for 
example,  to  provide  specie  for  circuLation,  so  that  while  they 
were  quite  willing  to  assess  taxes,  the  scattered  settlers  had  no 
means  of  paying,  except  in  produce  or  lumber.  People  in 
Fraiicestown  were  at  their  wits'  end  to  know  how  to  pay  their 
own  local  tax.  Exchanges  were  generally  made  in  kind,  and 
payments  "in  rye  at  so  much  a  bushel,  or  wool  at  so  much  a 
pound." 

Then  there  was  the  "Pine  Tree  Law,"  which  was  a  constant 
annoyance  in  New  Hampshire,  and  troubled  the  people  of 
Francestown  for  many  years.  The  king  "Reserved"  all  pine 
trees  over  twelve  inches  in  diameter.  At  tlie  time  of  our  early 
settlement  Gov.  Wentworth  held  the  office  of  "  Surveyor  of  the 
King's  woods."  being  charged  with  tlie  duty,  either  by  deputy 
or  in  person,  of  marking  all  the  trees  "fit  for  the  royal  navy." 
This  was  a  good  office  for  the  Governor,  but  tlie  law  was  ex- 
tremely distasteful  and  annoying  to  the  people.  Tliis  luml)er  was 
the  very  kind  which  was  most  plentiful,  and  which  the  people 
needed  to  use.  JNIany  farms  in  eastern  New  Hampshire  liad  no 
other  lumber  on  them.  And  to  have  an  official  come  in  very 
])omp()Usly,  and  claim  and  mark  every  decent  pine  tree  on  his 
own  land,  was  too  exas})erating  to  be  borne.  Every  owner  of 
land,  before  lie  could  malvc  any  clearing,  must,  on  his  o/rn  ex- 
pense, have  his  lot  surveyed  and  have  the  "Royal  72"  (Rex) 
stamped  on  all  the  "  King's  Trees."  The  penalty  in  the  first 
instance  was  forfeiture  of  the  timber  which  had  been  cut. 
Often  through  ignorance,  or  inability  to  meet  the  expense,  the 
poor  settlers  had  their  lumber  taken  from  them.  In  1771  and 
1772,  this  miserable  law,  which  had  been  in  force  a  half-centur3^ 
was  more  strictly  enforced  than  ever  in  this  vicinity.  Goffs- 
town,  New  Boston^  Weare,  and  the  eastern  part  of  Francestown, 
contained  a  large  amount  of  magnificent  pine  timber;  and 
some-way  the  autliorities  were  sus})icious  of  encroachments 
upon  it,  and  began  to  visit  all  the  mill-yards  on  the  Piscataquog, 
or  branches,  in  search  of  contraband  pine  logs.  Samuel 
Blodgett  of  Derry field  (afterwards  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Gom- 
mon  Pleas)  was  Gov.  Wentworth's  Deputy  and  Agent." 
Many  owners,  when  they  found  themselves  caught  in  the  crime 
of  having  cut  their  own  lumber  on  their  own  land,  settled  with 


70  mudgett's  bail. 

Bloclgett  on  the  best  terms  they  coiikL  But  several  owners,  of 
logs  in  the  Yard  of  Clement's  Mills,  Weare,  refused  to  pay, 
and  coolly  ignored  the  Agent.  Upon  this  Benjamin  Whiting 
of  Hollis,  Sheriff  of  the  County,  and  John  Quigley  of  Frances- 
town,  Deputy-sheriff,  were  sent  to  confiscate  the  property  and 
make  certain  arrests,  in  the  name  of  the  King.  Whiting  had 
made  himself  well-hated  by  the  people  and  two  years  later  was 
summoned  for  trial  as  -'an  open  and  avowed  enemy  to  his 
countr}-;"  and  Quigley,  having  taken  his  oath  as  the  king's 
ofJicei',  adhered  to  the  royal  cause  and  subsequently  withdrew 
from  this  town,  and  from  his  kindred.  These  two  started  Tuesday, 
Apr.  13,  1772,  '-to  serve  the  king's  warrants,"  starting,  ap- 
parently, from  this  place,  and  by  crooked  roads  and  hard  spring 
travelling  reaching  the  Mills  in  Weare  toward  sunset  of  the 
same  day.  They  were  on  horse-back.  Jiiding  up  to  the  house 
of  a  Mr.  Mudget  near  the  mills,  who  was  a  leader  in  resisting 
payment,  they  arrested  him,  and  would  have  taken  him  away. 
But  here  new  questions  arose,  namely,  where  to  take  him  and 
how  to  transport  him.  Night  was  coming  on,  and  they  were 
among  strangers,  and  the  oi)position  to  their  object  was  universal 
and  bitter, — and  it  was  no  seci-et.  Hence,  as  the  hour  was  late, 
Mudget  suggested  that  they  let  matters  rest  as  they  were  till 
morning,  when  he  would  "appear,  and  furnish  all  necessary 
bail."  So  the  Sheriff  went  to  the  tavern  nearby  and  put  up  for 
the  night.  But  Mudget's  arrest  was  known  in  all  directions  in 
an  hour;  and  it  is  said  that  more  than  forty  responsible  men 
offered  themselves  as  bail  for  him  Ijefore  morning.  During  the 
night,  however,  a  crowd  of  exasperated  pioneers  met  at  Mudget's 
house,  and  determined  on  a  slightly  unusual  method  of  giving 
bail.  Some  thirty  young  men  blackened  and  disguised  their 
faces,  and  followed  Mudget  to  the  tavern,  just  at  the  break  of 
day.  Silently  they  marclied  to  Whiting's  room  ;  and  while  the 
men  stood  at  the  door  Mudget  went  in,  and  walked  up  to  the 
Sheriff  and  told  him  the  "bail"  was  ready  I  Whiting  sprang 
out  of  bed,  scolding  about  being  called  so  early;  but  before  he 
could  begin  to  dress,  the  men  rushed  in  and  began  to  give 
"•bail"  by  laying  the  rod  on  his  back!  He  snatched  up  his  pis- 
tols and  was  in  the  act  of  firing  when  he  was  seized,  and 
disarmed,  and  laid  on  his  face  on  the  floor;  and  being  held  in 


iniudgett's  bail  continued.  71 

that  position,  part  of  the  men  took  hold  of  each  foot  and  each 
hand,  and  lifted  him  np  in  the  same  horizontal  position,  from 
the  floor,  while  the  others  came  up  in  tnrn  and  crossed  out 
their  ''account  of  logs  cut,  hauled  &  forfeited"  upon  his  bare 
back!  He  got  his  "  Bail," — and  he  was  not  anxious  to  increase 
the  amount  I  But  Quigley  his  Deputy,  being  in  another  room, 
and  having  a  little  more  time,  fought  desperately  when  they 
came  to  him ;  and  he  was  subdued  at  last  only  by  taking  up  the 
loose  boards  overhead  and  whaling  him  with  long  rods  with 
which  they  reached  him  from  above  I  And  after  the  King's 
officers  had  been  severely  punished  aiul  thoroughly  humbled, 
their  horses  were  led  up  to  the  door,  bridled  and  saddled,  with 
ears,  manes  and  tails  slashed  in  ways  most  grotesque  and  orig- 
inal ;  and  they  were  ordered  to  mount  and  depart !  They 
refused,  and  instantly  they  were  helped  onto  the  horses  in  no 
very  easy  shape  I  Then  they  "whipped  up"  the  horses,  and 
started  them  off,  in  most  sorry  condition,  followed  by  the  shouts 
and  insults  of  the  crowd  I  AVithout  breakfast,  sore,- and  lame 
and  half-dressed,  the  home-journey  looked  somewhat  discourag- 
ing! It  was  a  new  invention  in  the  line  of  bail !  Sheriff  and 
Deputy  were  madder^  if  not  /riser  than  ever  they  had  been 
before.  Whiting,  being  the  chief  olficer  of  the  County,  raged 
and  tlireatened  without  ceasing,  called  out  the  military;  and, 
with  the  escort  of  Col.  Goffe  of  Bedford  and  some  two  hun- 
dred men  under  arms,  lie  marched  back  to  Weare.  People 
were  intimidated  in  a|)pearance  and  very  quiet,  but  the  rioters 
were  not  there,  and  the  angry  Sheriff  had  the  honor  of  march- 
ing back  without  accomplishing  anything.  Only  one  of  the 
rioters  was  ever  committed  to  jail  for  this  offence,  and  that 
only  for  a  short  time.  A  few  others  were  "suspected"  of  being 
among  the  number,  and  gave  surety  to  appear  in  .court;  but 
none  of  them  were  ever  punished  so  far  as  known  except  to 
the  extent  of  a  slight  line  of  twenty  shillings  each.  It  was  a 
very  grave  offence ;  but  the  state  of  the  j)ublic  mind  was  such 
as  to  wink  at  it,  if  not  to  justify  it. 

Thus  thing's  continued  unsettled;  and  though  the  colonies 
steadily  grew  in  population  and  strength,  they  were  burdened 
with  hardships  and  embarrassments,  and  their  hearts  were  more 
and    more    alienated    from    the  mother  country.      Theie  were 


72  RED    COATS    WERE    SENT    OVER. 

occasional  or  partial  resistances  to  the  King's  officers  all  over 
the  land.  Abont  the  time  of  })assino-  the  "Boston  Port  Bill," 
referred  to  above,  Parliament  enacted  a  law  removing  from 
American  courts  the  trials  of  royal  officers  for  killing  Ameri- 
can citizens,  which  meant  the  same  as  sure  acquittal,  and  was 
denounced  throughout  the  land  as  ''the  extreme  of  despotism." 
This  was  in  1774.  All  the  summer  soldiers  were  quietly  sent 
into  all  the  American  ports  to  increase  the  garrisons  already 
there.  That  year  there  were  eleven  regiments  of  "Red-Coats" 
in  Boston  alone.  And  the  more  soldiers,  the  more  was  aroused 
the  spirit  of  resistance  to  oppression.  The  several  cohmies 
conferred  togetheo"  and  pledged  mutual  support!  Each  Pro- 
vince had  its  "congress;"  and  everywhere  })eople  met  and 
deliberated.  Tomhi  meetings  were  called.  'J'here  was  no 
thought  of  "independence,"  but  of  maintaining  "■their  rights 
and  liberties."  Neighbors  and  friends  met  together  and  talked 
things  over,  and  })ledged  themselves  to  resistance.  Many  such 
various  and  curious  pledges  have  been  found.  Among  them 
are  those  known  as  the  "  Fiances  Town  Resolves,"  which  wei'e 
evidently  written  by  the  royal  Deputy  Sheriff  John  Quigley, 
whose  name  was  first  signed  to  them,  or  by  some  one  in 
sympathy  Avith  him.  They  remind  one  of  a  modern  political 
platform, — which  is  generally  an  effort  to  unite  contradictory 
elements  together.  There  was  the  resolve  to  "defend  our 
liberties," — which  all  shouted  for,  coupled  with  that  to  assist 
the  civil  magistrates"  (King's  officers)  in  any  act  they  should 
be  called  upon  to  execute, — which  would  vindicate  the  writer 
of  the  "  Resolves."  Thus,  though  devoted  to  liberty,  all  were 
yet  loyal  to  the  King.  The  resolutions  given  below,  though 
ambiguous,  and  characterized  by  what  politicians  call  "trim- 
ming," yet  ])reathe  the  spirit  of  resistance'  to  "oppressive  Acts 
of  persons  in  power  "high  or  low. 

TITS''  Province  of  New  Hampshire, 

County  of  Hillsborough 

Oct.  21,  1774. 

We  the  subscribers,  being  Inhabitants  of  Frances  Town,  having  taken 

into  our  most  serious  consideration  the  alarming  affairs  of  this  Country 

at  the  present  day,  do  most  tirmly  enter  into  the  following  Resolutions, 

viz. : 


''FRANCESTOWN    RESOLVES."  '  73 

1^^     That  we   will  at  times  defend  our  liljcrties  and*  privileges,  both 
civil  and  religious,  even  to  the  risk  of  our  fortunes;  and  will  not 
only  disapprove  of,  but  wholly  despise  such  persons  as  we  have 
just  and  solid  reasons  to  think  wish  us  deprived  of  the  same. 
2"''     Resolved,  That  we  do  abhor  and  abominate  all  oppressive  Acts  of 
persons  in  power,  whether  Magistrate  or  officer,  whereby  the  poor 
are  distressed,  are  unlawfully  robbed  of   their  properties  in  any 
unjust  manner  whatever;    and   we   will  always  endeavor  to  treat 
them  with  such  neglect  and  contempt  as  they  justly  deserve. 
3**     Resolved,  That  we  will  at  all  times  be  ready  to  assist  the    Civil 
Magistrates  due  execution  of  their  offices  at  the  risk  of  our  lives; 
And  will  at  all  times  show  our-disapprobation  of  all  unlawful  pro- 
ceedings of   unjust  men  congregating  together  as  they  pretend  to 
maintain  their  liberties,  and  even  trample  under  foot  the  very  law 
of  liberty,  and  wholly  destroy  that  law  our  whole  land  firmly  wish 
and  desire  to  maintain.     And  we, 
4thiy     Kesolved,  They  are  bold  dospisers  of  Law,  and  that  their  pro- 
ceedings directly  tend  to  the  utter  subversion  of  all  regularity  and 
good  order  among  his  Majesty's  good  subjects  in  this  land. 
John  Quigley  Samuel  Nutt 

Oliver  Holmes  Thomas  Quigley 

Samuel  Nicols  .    Adam  Dickey 

David  Gregg  Peter  Christy 

William  Stanett  Thos.  McLaughlin 

Robert  Fulton  Asa  Lewis 

Nathan  Fisher  Charles  Mellon 

Daniel  Clark  John  Balch 

William  Holmes  William  Quigley 

William  M''  Masters  Thomas  Quigley  Jr. 

Zachariah  Whiting  James  Fisher 

Hugh  Montgomery 

It  will  be  noticed  that  these  "•  Resolves  "  defend  "  liberties  " 
at  the  "risk  u{  fortKnc^^'''  but  '•'civil  magistrates"  at  the  "risk 
of  liven;  that  they  are  worded  with  intenseness  and  such  sharp, 
plenteous  adjectives,  as  indicate  that  the  writer  was  smarting 
from  some  cause; — aiul  that  only  a  part  of  the  voters  signed 
them  at  all.  No  doubt  they  Avere  intended  to  be  patriotic 
resolutions,  though  embodying  a  covert  endorsement  of  Quigley 
in  holding  the  office  of  Deputy  Sheriff  under  the  King.  But 
they  were  in  no  proper  sense  "town"  Resolves.  Individuals 
began  by  saying,  "  We  the  Subscribers,"  and  not  the  town,  do 
resolve  so  and  so.  These  resolutions  were  never  before  the 
town, — the  town  never  voted  upon  them,  and  there  never  was 


74  FIRST    COUNTY    CONGRESS. 

a  record  of  any  such  thing  in  the  town ; — but  they  were  sent 
from  here,  and  pi'obably  some  clerk  lal.)elled  them  ''Franc6s- 
towni  Resolves,"  under  which  title  they  appear  in  Provincial 
Papers,  vol.  VII.  But,  while  these  w^ere  not  '•'•town'''  resolu- 
tions, it  is  suggestive,  that  in  Hollis,  resolutions  of  the  same 
number  and  almost  identical  in  language,  were  passed  in  public 
town  meeting  and  entered  upon  their  town  Records.  And 
Hollis  was  the  home  of  High-sheriff  Whiting  the  other  "  Royal 
Officer"  that  got  the  "switching"  at  Weare! 

Evidently  all  the  "Resolves."  were  from  the  same  pen  and 
the  same  mind.  Perhaps  they  were  sent  to  all  the  towns  to  be 
acted  upon,  but  were  noticed,  only  wdiere  the  humbled  officers 
lived.  The  "Resolves"  of  certain  individuals  in  Francestown 
are  under  date  of  Oct.  21,  1774:  tliose  by  the  town  of  Hollis 
are  under  date  of  Nov.  7,  1774. 

That  the  several  colonies  were  thoroughly  awake  and  substan" 
tially  united,  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  there  were  the  Continental 
Congress,  the  Provincial  Congress,  and  the  County  Congress, 
all  consulting  and  working  together  for  American  interests,  at 
the  same  time  that  the  royal  Governors  had  their  various 
"assemblies"  or  legislatures.  Add  to  this  the  town  and  neigh- 
borhood uprisings,  and  the  boldness  and  openness  of  them  all, 
— and  we  see  it  is  no  Avonder  the  royal  Gov.  Wentworth  saw  a 
"hurricane"  coming!  The  first  "County  Congress"  in  this 
part  of  New  Hampshire  was  held  in  Amherst  in  Nov.  1774. 
The  town  of  Amherst,  then  the  largest  and  most  important 
town  in  the  County,  has  the  honor  of  making  the  first  move  in 
this  direction.  Oct.  24,  1774,  that  town  chose  Delegates  "to  a 
County  Congress,"  and  instructed  them  to 

"  take  copies  of  this  vote  from  the  clerk  and  send  to  all  the  towns  in 
the  county  that  they  shall  think  necessary,  to  constitute  a  County  Con- 
gress." 

At  once  the  call  was  sent  out,  and  the  object  declared  therein 
was, 

"  To  consult  what  measures  should  be  thought  best  to  restore  peace  and 
order  in  said  County;  and  to  take  into  consideration  the  grievances  this 
County  is  supposed  to  lie  under." 


VISITS    TO    TORIES.  75 

Up  to  this  writing  the  roll  and  records  of  this,  our  first  County 
Congress,  have  not  been  discovered.  Probably  there  was  no 
delegate  from  Francestown,  this  being  then  one  of  the 
youngest  and  smallest  towns;  and  doubtless  this  town  was 
classed  with  New  Boston,  as  in  choosing  delegates  to  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress.  That  town  (New  Boston)  chose  (Nov.  8, 
1774)  Dr.  Jonathan  Gove,  George  Christy  and  William  Moor 
''  Delegates  to  a  County  Congress  at  Amherst."  Said  Congress 
seems  to  have  met  on  the  afternoon  of  that  day.  Capt.  John 
Stark,  afterwards  General,  was  a  delegate  from  Derryfield,  now 
Manchester.  As  the  royal  government  was  ^jractically  inoper- 
ative, except  under  force  of  soldiers  and  forts;  and  as  peti- 
tions at  that  time  say,  ''everything  was  in  a  state  of  nature," 
these  County  Congresses  assumed  considerable  power  at  once, 
and  prepared  to  assume  more,  if  the  safety  of  the  people 
should  require.  This  "  First  County  Congress  "  seems  to  have 
arranged  for  the  trial  of  tories,  to  have  taken  specially  into 
consideration  the  case  of  "Benjamin  Whiting,  Esqr.  as  an  open 
and  avowed  enemy  to  his  country ; "  to  have  chosen  Benjamin 
Kendrick  and  Daniel  Campbell,  both  of  Amherst,  a  "Central 
Committee'"  to  call  the  next  County  Congress  whenever  they 
might  consider  it  necessary ;  and  then  to  have  quietly  dissolved. 
As  every  act  was  treason,  there  might  have  been  a  policy  in 
hiding,  or  destroyiiig  the  records  of  this  first  session. 

During  the  whole  of  the  year  1774,  there  was  a  sharp  watch 
kept  over  any  who  still  avowed  their  determination  to  stand  by 
the  King.  It  was  customary  to  "visit"  such  parties  from  time 
to  time.  From' twenty  to  three  hundred  men  would  go  to  such 
a  man's  house  and  demand  a  renouncement  of  his  errors  on  the 
spot.  Resistance  meant  a  "coat  of  tar  and  feathers,"  and  even 
loss  of  property  and  peril  of  life.  Hon.  Matthew  Patten  of 
Bedford,  left  a  record  in  his  Diary  of  such  a  "visit"  Sept.  20, 
1774,  to  Hon.  Joshua  Atherton  of  Amherst,  then  Register  of 
Probate  for  this  County.  They  threatened  to  "visit"  Patten, 
if  he  would  not  go  with  them.  Accordingly  he  went,  and  kept 
a  record  of  the  proceedings.  Three  hundred  men  waited  near 
by,  and  sent  a  committee  to  bring  Mr.  Atherton  before  them. 


76  DISCIPLINE    OF    TORIES. 

"  He  came  to  the  people  to  the  Court  House,  and  he  signed  a  Declaration 
and  read  it  to  the  people,  Avho  accepted  it.  He  invited  them  to  go  to 
Mr.  Hildreth's  and  drink  what  they  pleased." 

The  Paper  was  long,  plausible  and  fair,  and  "Sworn  to  be  the 
sentiments  of  his  heart 

Before  Matthew  Patten.  Justice  of  the  Peace." 

Many  such  "  visits "  are  recorded,  or  leferred  to  from  time  to 
time;  and  many  such  doubtless  liave  passed  into  oblivion. 
During  the  latter  half  of  1774,  and  a  year  or  two  following, 
these  interesting  ''visits'*  were  most  frequent.  So  exasperated 
were  the  feelings  of  tlie  people  that  no  outspoken  loyalist  was 
safe  from  violence.  A  ride  on  a  rail,  or  as  they  termed  it,  "a 
free  ride  on  a  wooden  horse,"  was  n(^  uncommon  thing,  and  not 
very  delightful,  especially  when  accompanied  with  the  laughter, 
derision  and  eui-ses  of  many  beholders.  It  is  said  that  Rev. 
John  Houston  of  Bedford  and  a  few  other  conspicuous  tories 
were  treated  to  the  '•free  ride."  It  is  not  certain  that  more 
than  one  such  event  ever  occurred  in  Francestown  on  account 
of  tory  proclivities.  John  Quigley,  though  chairman  of  the 
selectmen,  was  "treated"  with  a  "free  ride,"  probably  in  the 
spring  of  1776.  The  ride  was  from  Quigley 's  house  to  the 
Maj.  Holmes  tavern.  Tar  and  feathers  were  added,  but,  after 
well  drinking  together,  they  scraped  off  the  tar,  and  parted 
good  friends:  They  had  applied  only  a  little  by  way  of 
warning ! 

•  And  it  seems  that,  before  this,  said  Quigley  was  threatened 
with  violence  to  person  and  property,  and  stood  in  so  much  fear 
that  he  formally  applied  to  the  Provincial  Legislature  at  Exeter 
for  protection ;  and  a  record  of  their  action  in  the  matter  is 
hereto  subjoined: 

"Oct.  31,  177.5.  X  X  Upon  the  Representation  of  John  Quigley 
Esqr.  to  this  Congress,  That  he  was  afraid  of  being  hurt  in  his  Person 
or  Estate  by  some  Peoj^le  in  the  County  of  Hillsborough  under  pre- 
tence of  his  being  an  Enemy  to  his  Country;  and  after  some  Enquiry 
in  to  the  affairs,  It  is  Resolved  by  this  Congress,  That  it  be  recom- 
mended to  the  Committees  of  Safety  in  the  said  County  to  do  their 
Endeavour  to  protect  said  Quigley  from  Damage  in  any  respect  for  any 
past  supposed  bad  disposition  towards  his  country:  And  the  good  people 
in  said  County  are  desired  not  to  disturb  or  molest  him  on  said  account 
but  suffer  him  in  Quiet  to  enjoy  his  Estate  and  Fi-eedom  as  other  in- 
habitants of  said  Countv."" 


DISCIPLINE   OF    TORIES.  77 

Quigley  was  at  this  time  very  popular  as  a  man,  in  liis  own 
town;  was  Justice  of  the  Peace;  was  buikler  of  the  new 
church;  was  collector  of  the  special  tax;  was  chairman  of  the 
Board  of  Selectmen;  was  land-surveyor;  was,  as  before  said, 
deputy  sheriff;  and  was  a  capable,  energetic  and  upright  man. 
The  confidence  of  the  Francesto wn  people  in  him  was  shown 
by  the  fact  that  he  was  chosen  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Select- 
men for  the  following  year  1776,  after  all  the  charges  made 
against  him.  Yet  the  result  shows  that  with  all  his  capacity 
and  personal  virtue,  he  was  all  the  time  at  heart  inclined  to  the 
royal  cause.  He  was  not  a  tory  of  the  kind  that  would  give 
up  liberty  for  the  sake  of  royalty,  but  of  the  cautious,  hopeful 
kind  that  would  try  to  secure  the  liberties  of  the  people  with- 
out breaking  with  the  King.  Hence  he  was  not  so  offensive  as 
many  others.  And  yet  many  suspected  him,  and  things  grew 
more  and  more  uncomfortal)le  for  him.  At  the  County  Con- 
gress (May  24,  1775)  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  pass 
judgment  on  ''John  Quigley  Esqr.,"  as  appears  from  the  fol- 
lowing paper: 

"  Amherst  .July  13,  177."). 
Whereas  the  Delegates  for  the  County  of  Hillsborough  in  the  Pro- 
vince of  Xew  Hampshire,  in  Congress,  appointed  a  Committee  from 
several  Towns  to  hear,  examine  and  try  John  Quigley,  Esqr.  a  person 
lately  confined  in  the  Jail  at  Amherst,  on  suspicion  of  being  an  Enemy 
to  the  liberties  of  America,  and  lately  liberated  from  said  Jail,  but  still 
behaves  as  an  open  and  avowed  enemy  to  the  liberties  of  America: 
Said  Quigley  being  notified  of  the  time  and  place  of  trial  did  not 
appear;  Ordered, , That  his  contempt  be  recorded:  And  upon  a  full  and 
fair  examination  of  sundry  evidences,  we  find  him  guilty  of  the  several 
crimes  laid  to  his  charge,  and  we  look  upon  him  as  a  dangerous  person 
to  be  suffered  to  go  at  large  ;  and  we  do  hereby  caution  all  persons  from 
all  connections  with  him. 

David  Badger,  per  order  of  Committee." 

But,  before  the  State  Committee  of  safety  at  Exeter,  Quigley 
appeared  meanwhile,  and  made  a  favorable  impression,  as  he 
had  previously  in  the  same  place  before  the  Provincial  legis- 
lature,— all  which  shows  his  ability  and  his  fairness,  though 
unwilling  to  resist  the  King.  At  this  time  he  was  recom- 
mended for  a  place  in  the  anny,  even  while  countenancing 
measures  of  peace.     An  old  record  affirms  this,  as  follows : 


78  GUARDING   AGAINST    TORIES.   ' 

"In  Committee  of  Safety, 

Exeter  July  19,  1775. 
Sir— 

The  bearer  hereof  John  Quigle}-  Esqr.  has  met  with  ditticulty,  and 
thinks  it  unsafe  for  him  to  tarry  at  the  place  of  his  usual  abode,  by 
reason  of  a  disaffection  in  some  persons  against  liim.  We  would 
recommend  it  to  you,  to  take  him  into  your  company  in  the  common 
service. 

Captain  Timothy  Bedel." 

PVdm  this  it  appears  that  he  had  expressed  a  willingness  to 
enter  the  service.  The  same  is  indicated  by  the  paper,  given 
below,  in  wliicli  he  stated  his  position  to  his  own  townsmen. 
It  would  appear  also,  writing  from  this  distance  of  years,  that 
our  fathers  sometimes  over-did  the  matter  of  "judging  tories," 
especially  in  cases  of  thoughtful  and  good  men,  like  Quigiey 
and  Dr.  Gove  of  New  Boston,  who  claimed  to  be  true  to  our 
liberties,  while  they  thought  it  unwise  and  hopeless  to  take  up 
arms  against  the  King.  There  were  the  Provincial  Congress, 
the  State  "Committee  of  Safety"  with  headquarters  at  Exeter, 
the  "Committee  of  the  County  Congress"  at  Amherst,  and  the 
Town  Committee, — of  which  more  will  be  said.  Sometimes 
these  several  committees  came  into  sharp  conflict,  as  encroach- 
ing upon  each  others'  jurisdiction.  In  the  case  of  Quigiey,  the 
Provincial  Assembly  or  Legislative  House,  had  exonerated  him, 
and  the  "State  Committee  of  Safety,"  as  shown  above  had  done 
the  same  thing,  but  the  "County  Committee,"  in  his  absence, 
had  condemned  him.  Very  naturally,  he  then  appealed  to  the 
"Town  Committee" — a  large  committee  of  the  leading  and 
solid  men  of  Francestown.  He  had  previously  appeared  before 
them  and  been  discharged  for  lack  of  evidence.  This  time 
they  advertised  the  trial  and  called  for  all  known  proofs  of  act 
or  circumstance.  Quigiey  appeared,  stated  his  case,  put  his 
statement  into  writing,  and  was  honorably  discharged, — all 
which  appears  in  the  following  papers,  (Prov.  Papers,  Vol. 
VH,  p,  564): 

''.John  Quigley's  Declaration. 
Whereas  there  has  been  wickedly  and  maliciously  raised  and  propagated 
against   me,   the    subscriber,    certain    scandalous   falsehoods,    with  an 
intent,  as  must  be  supposed,  to  cause  the   publick  to   view  me   in  the 
odious  light  of  an  enemy  to  my  Country;  whereupon  I  declare  that  I 


COMMITTEE    OF    SAFETY,  79 

never  said  or  did  anything  with  an  intent  to  destroy  the  Uberties  of 
America,  or  to  hurt  the  publick  good,  and  am  now  ready  to  risk  my  life 
and  fortune  in  defence  of  my  Country's  just  rights,  when  properly 
called,  as  it  always  has  been  and  still  is  my  sincere  wish  to  live  in  peace 
and  harmony  with  my  Country,  and  serious  determination  to  promote  to 
the  utmost  of  my  power  the  publick  weal  and  tranquillity  of  the  same, 
whose  glory  I  view  as  closely  connected  with  my  own  interest;  and  I 
hope  my  future  conduct  will  prove  the  sincerity  of  my  present 
declaration. 

John  Quigly. 
Francestown  July  26,  1775." 


"In  committee  of  Safety. 

Francestown  July  '2('>,  1775. 
Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  declaration  of  John  Quigly  Esqr.,  now 
laid  before  the  Committe,  is  fully  satisfactory  to  us,  and  we  hope  will 
remove  any  ill  impressions  that  may  have  been  made  on  the  minds  of 
the  good  peo])le  of  this  Continent,  in  consetjuence  of  his  being  com- 
mitted to  jail  or  confined  there;  as  we  putuj)  an  advertisement,  desiring 
all  jxrsons  that  had  anjthing  to  offer  against  said  Quigly  to  bring  it  into 
us,  and  no  proper  evidence  appearing  to  oppose  the  said  Quigly,  and  it 
appearing  to  us  that  many  false  reports  has  been  made  and  spread 
against  said  Quigly,  and  this  being  the  second  trial;  we,  upon  examin- 
ation, not  finding  just  cause  to  deem  him  an  enemy  to  this  Country; 
therefore,  it  is  our  oi)inion  that  the  said  (Quigly  ought  to  be  received  and 
treated  as  a  friend  to  his  Country. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee 
William  McISfaster,  Cler." 

This  is  the  hist  record  that  I  find  concernincr  this  case.  It 
must  have  been 'very  gratifying  to  Mr.  Quigley,  as  coming  from 
those  who  knew  him  best;  and  still  more  gratifying  must  have 
been  his  election  by  his  townsmen  the  following  spring  as  chair- 
man of  their  board  of  selectmen.  But  while  holding  that 
office  he  left  town  never  to  return.  Some  sup})Osed  that,  under 
an  assumed  name,  he  went  into  the  army  and  fell  in  his 
countr3^'s  defence,  wliich  he  declared  his  willingness  to  do. 
This  seems  to  be  the  most  reasonable  view  of  the  case,  though 
possibly  he  may  have  been  "-pnt  out  of  the  way;"  or  he  may 
have  fled  into  the  King's  dominions  and  made  his  way  back  to 
his  kindred  in  the  old  country.  Probabl}^  the  mystery  concern- 
ing his  fate  will  never  be  cleared  up. 


80  THIRD    COUNTY    CONGRESS. 

I  have  thus  gone  over  this  case  full}-,  because  it  was  too 
much  a  matter  of  record  in  the  public  archives  to  be  ignoredi 
and  because  on  examination  the  course  of  Mr.  Quigley  seemed 
less  discreditable  than  before; — and  I  thought  this  ^jlain  state- 
ment of  facts  was  only  an  act  of  justice  to  the  memory  of  an 
able,  well-meaning  and  honored  pioneer  of  the  town.  He  was 
under  special  pressure,  as  having  long  been  Deputy  Sheriff, 
and  more  recently  Justice  of  the  Peace,  under  appointment  of 
the  King.  Was  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace  this  town  ever 
had;  and  as  such  took  his  seat  as  one  of  the  "Judges  of  the 
Court  of  sessions"  Dec.  1,  1774.  Likewise  at  the  terms  of 
January  and  A])iil  1775  his  name  is  given  among  '•'The 
Honbl's  present."  Also,  he  was  the  Delegate  from  Frances- 
town  to  the  "Second  County  Congress,"  held  at  Amherst  Apr. 
5,  1775,  of  which  part  of  the  roll  was:  "Doct.  J.  Gove,  Esqr. 
Clark  cV  Thomas  Wilson,  New  Boston;  Nathl.  Switzer,  Deer- 
ing;  Esq'.  Quigley,  P'rances  Town."  In  this  "Congress" 
Aaron  Brown  represented  Peterboro',  Francis  Ejjes  who  after- 
wards lived  in  Francestown,  represented  Lyndeboro'  and  Society 
Land  was  not  represented. 

It  may  be  mentioned  here  that  a  '^ Third  County  Congress" 
was  called  at  Amhei-st  May  24,  1775,  at  which  Oliver  Holmes 
was  probably  a  delegate  from  Francestown.  It  has  been  said 
that  a  "  Fourth  Congress"  was  held  in  Amherst  in  July  follow- 
ing the  aby ve,  of  which,  however,  there  is  no  satisfactory  proof. 
No  records  of  it  have  ever  been  discovered,  nor  of  the  apj)oint- 
ment  of  delegates  to  it.  But  of  the  "Third  Congress,"  May 
24"',  a  brief  record  was  discovered  not  long  since  by  Hon.  E. 
I).  Boylston  of  Amherst,  among  some  old  deeds  held  by  the 
descendants  of  Daniel  Campbell.  This  record  indicates  deliber- 
ation but  not  much  action.  They  provided,  however,  for  any 
emergency  by  choosing  Campbell,  Nevins,  Lovewell,  Neal, 
Barron,  Martin,  Hail,  Simonds,  Holmes,  Searle,  Webster, 
Adams,  Bowman,  Patten  and  Jones 

"a  Committee  to  act  on  any  affairs  tliat  may  come  before  them,  or  any 
seven  of  them  to  be  a  corram  to  act  till  further  orders." 

This  committee,  in  connection  with  the  courts,  seem  to  have 
done  all  that  was  necessary,  till  the  formation  of  the  State 
Government  in  January  of  the  next  year. 


RAISING    THE    MEETING    HOUvSE.  81 

-  The  year  1774,  notwithstanding  all  public  commotions  and 
fears,  and  in  spite  of  all  hardships  and  privations,  was  in  this 
new  settlement  a  year  of  growth  and  improvement.  The 
population  steadily  increased,  so  that  when  the  new  year  came, 
they  found  themselves  stronger  and  larger  than  they  expected. 
They  began  to  think  and  plan  for  larger  things,  and  their 
increase  and  courage  aroused  them  to  go  on  with  the  erection 
of  their  meeting-house,  even  under  all  pending  troubles.  This 
api^ears  as  the  most  conspicuous  thing,  as  we  look  into  our 
town  records  for  1775.  At  the  annual  March  meeting  nothing- 
more  was  done  than  the  a})}jointment  of  the  ordinary  town 
officers  and  transaction  of  the  ordinarj-  town  business;  but  a 
town-meeting  was  held  Apr.  3,  1775  to  take  action  with  refer- 
ence to  raising  said  house,  for  which  long  and  weary  preparations 
had  been  made.  At  this  meeting  they  voted  twelve  })ounds  to 
pay  the  cost  of  raising,  and  chose 

"James  Fisher,  Enoch  llohns,  .John  (^uigley,  Thomas  Mitchell  and 
John  Dickey  Committee  to  find  provision  for  reasing  the  meeting 
House," 

I'his  hrst  meeting  house  was  I'aised  Jtme  8,  1775,  and  was 
barely  covered  during  the  year.  A  town  meeting  was  called 
in  it  June  1,  1776,  at  which  they 

''voted  that  the  town  Has  Excepted  the  freame  of  the  meeting  Hous." 
This  '•'fi'came''  was  all  they  had  till  1788,  as  they  were  unable 
to  finish  it  on  account  of  the  poverty  and  hardship  of  the  war. 
But  in  the  fall  of  1787  the  town  directed  the  selectmen  to 
"say  whare  thay  Shall  Buldhors  sheads,"  and  to  "Draw  a  Plan" 
for  finishing  the  inside  of  the  meeting-house.  And  the  town 
voted  in  pu1)lic  meeting  Nov.  28,  1787,  to 

"  Finish  the  (iallerrys  affter  the  Form  of  the  meeting  House  in  Deed- 
ham  that  this  meeting  house  was  Pland  by,"  and  to  "Sell  the  Pew 
ground  in  order  to  Finish  s''.  House." 

Dec.  27th  following  they  chose  Isaac  Lewis,  Benj.  Dean  and 
Jabez  Holmes  a  committee  to  sell  said  "Pew  Ground," — and 
one  of  the  conditions  of  sale  was  as  follows: 

"  The  Pews  .Shall  be  Set  up  one  at  a  time  and  to  be  struck  of  to  the 
Highest  Bider  he  having  his  Choice  and  that  to  be  his  Real  Property  to 
Dispose  of  as  he  Shall  think  proper  so  Long  as  s'*  meeting  House  Shall 
Last." 


82  SELLING   THE    PEWS. 

During  the  winter  (1787-&),  therefore,  the  work  of  tinishing 
the  meeting-house  inside  went  on ;  and  as  every  piece  liad  to  be 
got  out  by  hand  and  help  was  scarce,  much  time  was  occupied; 
and  it  was  not  till  the  summer  of  1788,  that  tlie  undertaking 
was  completed  and  the  pews  deeded.  Enoch  Holmes  bid  off 
the  first  choice  in  open  town  meeting  for  "lO  pounds  and  10 
shillings."  Thei'e  were  28  large  square  pews  sold  on  the  lower 
floor,  and  the  buyers  Avere  as  follows  in  the  order  given: — 

Enoch  llohucs  Isaac  Lewis  Simeon  Dodue 

Thomas  Bixby  William  Starrett  Samuel  Nutt 

Thomas  Mitchell  Capt.  Ewell  Josh'^.  Huntington 

James  Fisher  "William  Lord  Elias  Fairbanks. 

John  Dickey  Isaac  Brewster 

John  Carson  Jabez  Holmes 

Samuel  Dickcrman  Xat^  Sleeper 

Zach.  Kichanlson  Jona".  Patch 

Zach.  AVhitini;-  David  Starrett 

Israel  Balch  Asa  Bixl)y 

John  Nichols'  Peter  Woodbury  * 

Maj.  Holmes 

James  Houy- 

For  six  months  })i'eceding  the  breaking  out  of  the  lievolu- 
tion,  the  feeling  grew  in  thoughtful  minds  that  the  end  would 
be  wai'.  Foreign  soldiers  were  pouring  in  u[)on  us,  and  in  every 
city  it  was  with  difficulty  that  collisions  Avere  avoided.  Hence 
military  stores  began  to  be  collected  and  secreted  by  the 
patriots  in  various  out-of-the-way  places.  On  the  night  of 
Dec.  14,  1774,  INlaj.  John  Sullivan,  comnumding  a  company 
from  Portsmouth  and  vicinity  surjjrised  Fort  William  and  Mary 
in  the  harbor  of  that  city,  and  carried  off  all  its  ammunition 
and  small  guns,  from  w4iich  subsequently  the  New  Hampshire 
soldiers  Avere  furnished  in  })art  for  the  battle  of  l>unker  Hill. 
At  the  beginning  of  1775,  or  before,  the  British  Ijegan  in 
earnest  to  |)lan  the  captui-e  or  destruction  of  these  military 
stores.  They  Avere  on  the  Avatch  for  them;  but  ncA^er  could 
find  out  anything,  unless  tories  secretly  revealed  their  place  of 
concealment.  Their  argument  was,  that  if  they  could  prevent 
the  accumulation   of   guns  and  poAvder  and  provisions,  there 

*  This  meeting-house  history  is  given  for  con\'enience  a  little  out  of 
the  order  of  time.  .  . 


BATTLE    OF    LEXINGTON.  83 

would  not  be  any  serious  outbreak.  But  while  the  British 
were  watching,  the  patriots  were  on  the  alert.  They  did  not 
mean  to  be  taken  by  surprise.  Tliey  made  arrangements  by 
means  of  signal  lights,  liring  guns,  fleet  riders,  and  vigilant 
sentinels,  to  convey  immediate  intelligence  of  any  movement 
of  Britisli  troops.  "Minute-men," — men  leady  to  start  at 
a  "minute's  notice"  to  meet  the  foe, — were  (billed  in  little 
squads  all  over  New  England,  the  old  soldiers  of  the  war  with 
the  L'rench  and  Indians  performing  this  service,  and  taking 
their  places  in  the  ranks.  Early  in  April  1775  Gen.  Gage,  the 
British  commander  in  Boston,  having  learned  that  the  patriots 
had  collected  military  stores  to  considerable  extent  in  Concord, 
Mass.,  determined  on  a  secrect  expedition  to  seize  them.  Con- 
sequently, on  the  evening  of  Apr.  18,  1775,  he  despatched 
Major  Pitcairn  with  eight  liundred  men  for  this  purpose. 
They  started  under  cover  of  tlie  darkness  and  marched  silently 
through  the  night,  arriving  at  Lexington  on  the  Avay  to  Con- 
cord, a  little  before  sunrise  on  the  morning  of  the  19th.  But 
someway  the  patriots  in  Boston  got  knowledge  of  the  intended 
movement,  gave  the  signal,  and  aroused  the  scattered  settlei's 
along  the  line  of  march;  so  that  the  "-minute-men"  hurried  to 
the  scene  and  saved  most  of  the  military  stores  by  timely  re- 
moval of  them.  Yet  it  was  not  without  bloodshed.  A  company 
of  about  seventy  farmers  confronted  Pitcairn  on  J^exington 
green,  and  immediately  tlie  British  fired  upon  them  and  eleven 
patriots  fell  dead.  It  was  the  first  blood  of  tlie  KevolutionI 
Theji  the  Britisli  hurried  on  to  Concord,  and,  failing  of  their 
object  there,  at  once  began  a  retreat.  But  the  patriots  followed 
and  hung  upon  them,  firing  from  every  secret  place,  till  the 
red-coats,  tired,  hungry  and  bleeding  fairly  ran  for  life  and 
would  have  been  all  shot  down  but  for  a  re-enforcement  of 
twelve  hundred  men  sent  out  from  Boston  under  Lord  Percy. 
A  British  writer  said  that  when  Percy  met  his  flying  comrades, 
"thei]'  tongues  were  hanging  out  of  their  mouths,  like  those  of 
dogs  after  a  chase."  By  sunset  of  Apr.  19,  they  got  back  into 
Boston,  exhausted,  ashamed  and  mad,  if  not  wiser ;  liaving  been 
outwitted  and  defeated  by  the  "rude  farmers,"  and  having  lost 
nearl}^  three  huncU'ed  men,  most  of  them  left  dead  or  fatally 
wounded  in  the  road! 


84  THE    COUNTRY    AKOTTSED. 

At  this  event  the  wonder  and  rage  in  England  knew  no 
bounds.  Ainongf  the  coh)nies  the  ti(Uno-s  flew  into  the  remotest 
corners,  as  if  borne  ))y  the  lightnings  or  the  wind.  Minute- 
men  from  all  directions  hurried  toward  Boston.  The  war  had 
begun.  The  scattered  men  and  boys  of  Society  Land  hurriedly 
met  togfether  at  Dea.  Aikens  in  Antrim,  comino-  from  what  is 
now  Hancock,  Greenfield,  Bennington,  Antrim,  Deering  and 
west  part  of  Francestown,  and  under  command  of  C'apt.  Isaac 
Buttertield,  started  to  meet  the  foe.  This  town  was  not  want- 
ing in  that  mighty  enthusiasm  of  courage  and  liberty.  It  is 
believed  that  quite  a  number  of  men  in  the  east  part  of  the 
town  started,  in  connection  with  otliers  from  New  Boston  and 
Lyndeborough,  on  the  same  errand  of  defence  for  liljerty. 

As  a  consequence  of  the  breaking  out  of  war,  many  projects 
of  settlement  here  were  abandoned' for  a  time.  The  heroic 
.determination  to  defend  their  homes  and  rights,  was  coupled 
with  great  uncertainty,  all  which  tended,  of  course,  to  hinder 
improvements,  and  check  the  growth  of  every  frontier  town. 
Nobody  could  tell  what  would  occur  in  the  near  future.  The 
people  were  led  to  fear  the  inroads  of  Indians  from  Canada  as 
in  the  foimer  war.  It  was  a  dark  day.  At  once,  after  the 
Battle  of  Lexington,  a  town-meeting  was  called  here  to  talk 
over  the  great  struggle  and  take  needed  action.  The  warrant 
was  posted  on  the  door  of  James  Fisher's  barn,  where  religious 
meetings  were  held  still  in  cold  weather,  probably  because 
warmer  than  the  uniinished  church.  Some  of  the  Deering 
people  came  here  at  that  time  to  attend  divine  service.  When 
they  came  out  from  meeting,  some  one  called  attention  to  the 
w^arrant,  and  specially  to  the  fact  that  it  was  "in  His  Majesty's 
Name," — upon  which  James  Aiken  of  Deering  began  to  spit  on 
it,  and  shouted  "All  O  ye  spit  on  it;" — which  they  proceeded 
to  do  with  very  generous  effusions !  The  warrant  was  soaked 
and  fell  to  pieces  I  And  the  town-meeting  was  delaj^ed  for 
some  time.     At  a  town-meeting  May  15,  1775,  it  was  voted 

"to  pay  the  moue}-  that  was  spent  by  the  men  that  went  to  the  armey 
back  to  them  again," 

and  we  find  mention  of  the   "expense  part  of  the  town   Hess 
ben  at  in  going  to  the  armey;" — which  shows  that  the  men  of 


COMMITTEE    OF    SAFETY.  85 

Francestown  actually  marched  to  the  front  immediately  after 
the  Battle  of  Lexington,  as  the  warrant  for  the  meeting  was 
dated  Apr.  29,  only  ten  days  subsequent,  giving  time  for  the 
march  and  the  return.  It  shows  also  the  forwardness  and 
enthusiasm  of  the  people.  They  voted  tlieir  first  money  for 
the  war  May  15,  1775,  only  a  few  days  after  the  lirst  l^lood  of 
the  Revolution  was  shed  I 

At  the  March  meeting  of  this  year  no  toa7i  committee  of 
Safety  was  chosen,  there  being  a  good  supply  of  such  com- 
mittee of  the  State  and  of  the  County.  But  a  meeting  was 
called  June  10,  1775, 

"  to  chuse  a  Committee-  to  Examine  ami  try  aiiey  person  or  persons  that 
are  or  Shall  be  Susiiected  of  Ijeinti;  Enemies  to  the  Country." 

They  chose  as  this  committee, 

John  Dickey 
Enoch  Ilohnes 
Charles  Mellon 
James  Fisher 
Thomas  McLaughlin 
William  Starrett 
William  McMaster. 

It  must  be  conceded  that  this  was  summary  and  vigorous  action, 
Francestown  was  one  of  the  "two  towns"  referred  to  in  the 
records  of  the  "Third  County  Congress"  as  not  having  tlieir 
"Committee  of  Safety;"  but  when  they  did  act  it  was  in  a 
most  decided  way.  It  was  a  committee  of  determined  men, 
and  they  made  preparation,  to  cany  out  the  intent  of  the 
above  vote.  At  this  point,  however,  some  one  raised  the  ques- 
tion, whether  said  Committee  was  legally  chosen,  as  it  was  not 
at  the  usual  time  of  appointing  town  officers,  and  conferred 
unusual  powei's  upon  them.  Some  may  have  questioned  the 
authority  of  the  self-constituted  County  Congress  v.hich  urged 
this  action  of  the  town.  At  any  rate,  the  matter  was  talked 
over,  and  some  were  dissatisfied;  and  the  selectmen  decided  to 
refer  the  mattei'  to  outside  })arties.  The  town  record  speaks  of 
these  referees  as  meeting  at  the  -'House  of  John  Cai'son 
Inholder  in  said  francestown,"  and"  names  the  decision  the}" 
reached;  but  the  following  paper,  found  elsewhere,  explains 
the  case  more  fully. 


86  APPEAL    TO    THE    STATE    ('OiMISIlTTEE. 

"■Whereas  it  has  l)eeu  falsely  reported  that  tlie  C'oinniiltee  of  Safe.tv 
for  P"'rancesto\vn  were  not  fairly  and  legally  chosen,  and  by  reason 
of  said  report  the  publiek  were  dissatisfied  witli  tlie  proceedings  of 
said  Connnittee;  where  upon,  We,  the  Selectiiun  ot  said  Frances- 
town,  judged  it  our  duty  to  call  in  some  disinterested  jjersons  to 
determine  the  matter,  and  thereupon  sent  to  tlie  Connnittees  of  Safety 
for  two  neig]il)ouring  Towns,  who,  wlien  convened,  unanimously  voted 
and  agreed  that  Said  Connnittee  were  fairly  and  legally  chosen,  and  had 
good  right  to  act  in  all  cases  for  the  safety  of  said  Francestown,  and 
tliat  their  proceedings  and  determinations  are  and  ought  to  be  as  valid 
as  the  proceedings  and  determinations  of  any  Connnittee  of  Safety  in 
any  Town  whatever. 

Signed  l)y  order  of  the  Selectmen. 
William  McMaster,  town  clerk." 
Francestown  July  I'J.  177."). 

The  ''two  neigliboiing-  towns"  named  above  were  We  are  and 
New  Boston  and  the  conclusion  at  which  they  arrived  was  "  after 
Strick  Inqhurr}'  being  mead,"  Six  days  latei-  the  three  Com- 
mittees met  at  New  Boston,  for  consultation  in  view  of  the 
disorganized  and  alarming  state  of  affairs;  and  they  determined 
to  appeal  to  the  State  officials,  which  appeal  was  as  follows: — 

"To  the  Honourable  the  Provincial  Congress.  Council  of  AVar,  or  Com- 
mittee of  Safet}-  sitting  at  Exeter  in  A:  for  the  Province  of  New 
Hampshire. 

Gentlemen — 
We  the  Subscribers  being  Committees  of  Safety  for  our  respective  Towns 
think  it  our  indispensable  Dut}'  to  remonstrate  to  you  Gentl"  as  the 
Guardians  of  our  Province  the  malancholly  and  unhappy  Scituation  of 
our  Country  by  Reason  of  a  Number  of  Disorderly  Persons  who  lying 
aside  all  Reason  and  Pules  prescribed  by  You  Gente'"  and  the  Wisdom 
of  the  Continent,  have  set  themselves  as  it  were  in  Battle  Aarray 
against  all  Order;  and  pursue  with  hast}-  steps  the  very  road  to  Con- 
fusion and  Effusion  of  Blood  and  therefore  from  such  unnatural 
Behavior  fearing  the  worst  of  Consequences  if  not  speedily  prevented 
and  conscious  we  have  done  everything  in  our  Power  hitherto  within 
our  proper  spheres  of  Action  to  prevent  a  Consequence  so  horril)le  in 
its  Nature  and  so  utterly  subversive  of  Peace  and  lenity  and  seeing  the 
dreadful  Eve  of  domestick  War  now  blackening  over  our  heads  we  now 
avail  our-selves  of  the  last  Effoi't  in  applying  to  You  Gentl"  in  whom 
this  Province  has  reposed  so  much  Confidence,  humbly  beseeching  You 
in  your  great  Wisdom  to  point  out  Some  more  effectual  Method  than 
has  heretofore  l>een  taken,  that  all  Persons  who  have  been  fairly  and 
impartially  examined  and  Justly  and  honourably  acquitted  of  the  odious 
Names  Tories  and  Enemies  to  their  Countrv  mav  rest  in  Peace  for  the 


OKGANIZING    THE    MILITIA.  87 

future  and  have  an  Opporlunit}'  by  their  good  Behavioui-  to  ju-ove  to  the 
World  what  Malice  itself  must  acknowledge  and  applaud  and  unless 
some  such  Method  be  .Speedily  taken  (in  our  opinions)  our  Country  will 
seon  discover  that  (,'onnnittees  of  Safety  are  but  Empty  Xames  and  the 
Distress  of  Nations  oui-  only  Asylum  and  Place  of  Resort  If  the  Above 
Remonstrances  should  appear  to  you  Gentl"  Reasonable  and  worthy  of 
Notice  Your  Compliance  therewith  will  conferr  very  great  obligations  on 

Gent"  Your  most  ol)ed'  hbe  Serv*®. 
New  IJoston  Jidy  IS,  177o. 

/■ii      1  11         T   1      II-  1        I  T^-  1       )  Comittec  of 

Charles  nicllen,  John  Dickey  James  rishei"  (       ^  ,.  ,  . 

William  monaster,  Thos  McLaughlin  f  ,.   '  V -,     "        * 

'  -^  -    )  tor  Irancestowii 

James  mcFarson,  William  Moor  |  Committee 
Daniel  mcallester  ^  for  New  Boston 

William  Dustan,  Timothy  worthley  }  Committee 
Ebenezer  Bagley,  Sam  Phill)rick        \  for  AVcare  " 

It  will  he  noticed  that  Eiiocli  lluhnes  and  William  StaiTett, 
two  niein1)ef.s  from  Francestown,  did  not  siyii  this  ••  Kenions- 
traiKje,"  tlioUL^h  nnd()iil)tedly  in  full  haiinoiiy  ^\■ith  it.  The 
'I^ajxT  is  suogestive  of  the  fearfully  di.sturhed  state  of  affaii's. 
The  Coinmittees  of  Safety  of  adjacent  town.s  often  met  tooether 
foi-  advice,  and  help.  The  day  hefoi'e  the  meetino"  at  New 
Boston,  named  ahove,  tlie  committees  of  OofCstown,  Deny  field, 
Merrimae,  and  Bedford  met  at  the  latter  })lace,  and  one  of 
them  wrote  in  his  diary:  "We  broke  up  the  next  moi-ning  after 
day-break.""  An  all  iiin'ht  session  I  Thus  the  perils  of  our 
fathers  were  met  with  the  most  ready  aiul  inflexible  determin- 
ation to  maintain  their  liberties! 

In  the  spiing  of  1775,  about  two  monlhs  ])efore  the  date  of 
the  above  '' Kefiionstrance,"  the  New  Hampshire  Legislature, 
then  called  the  "Provincial  Congress,""  had  reconnnended  to 
the  towns  to  choose  delegates,  to  meet  in  each  county  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  the  militia  hir  any  emergency.  No  trace 
of  any  action  by  this  town  u})on  the  matter  is  found  in  our 
records;  but  Merrimae  held  a  town  meeting  (.Itme  19,  1775,) 

"  to  choose  aCommittet-  to  meet  tlie  Committee  of  the  neighboring 
towns  in  order  to  clioose  Field  Otlicers  for  Regulating  the  Militia,  as  is 
recommended  by  the  Provincial  C-ongress." 

Probably  other  towns  took  the  same  action,  But  Francestown 
was  divided  in  opinion  as  to  the  wisdom  of  "this  action  and  no 
official  steps   were  taken   in  regard  to  the  '"Recommendation." 


88  DISSATISFIED    PETITIONERS.    • 

A  few,  however,  met,  at  a  later  date,  and  clio.se  delegates  to  an 
adjourned  meeting  of  this  military-iieighborhood-congress. 
l)ut  this  was  not  agreeable  to  all  the  town,  as  ap})ears  from  the 
following  '•Petition,"  found  at  the  State-House: 

••']'()  the  honourable  the  Provincial  Congress  avIio  set  at  Exeter 
ill  and  for  the  Colony  of  Xc\v  Ilanipshire  (rent" — 

The  JVttition  of  us  the  .Su))scribors  being  Inhabitants  of  Francist°" 
Humbly  Sliewcth  that  about  a  AVeek  since  there  Came  a  Letter  to  s^' 
Town  tSighnVl  by  Sanuiel  Patten  Chairman  in  behalf  of  the  Conunittees 
of  Goffstown  Derritielfl  tS:  liedfovd  the  Conteuts  of  which  were  as  fol- 
lows (viz)  That  tliey  had  met  at  GoffstoWn  on  yi'  10  of  this  present 
Month  to  Consult  ui)on  Several  Matters  rcconnnended  by  the  Con- 
tinental and  Pi'ovincial  Congresses  relating  to  the  Militie  and  to  enquire 
into  the  State  of  Col:  Goffs  Regiment  &  have  reconnnended  it  to  this 
Town  to  meet  and  Chuse  tluur  Militie  Otiicers  before  the  21^'  of  s'' 
Month  at  which  time  they  required  the  (Jfhcers  Chosen  to  meet  at 
(iofl'stown  to  Chusc  their  Field  officers  which  Ave  humbh'  Conceive  is 
Contrary  to  the  Advice  of  the  Continental  Congress  Neither  did  we 
know  by  what  aiUhority  they  Avere  about  to  Hegulate  s*'  Regiment 
AA'herefore  the  jNIajority  of  s''  toAvn  Judged  it  unnecessary  to  pay  any' 
Regard  thereto  but  a  Small  Part  of  s''  town  assembled  according  to  the 
Venire  above  mentioned  &  made  choice  of  Persbns  intirely  contrary  to 
the  sense  c't  meaning  of  the  toAvn  in  General  therefore  your  Petitionere 
humbly  pray  that  s'^  men  may  not  )ie  Confirmed  untill  the  Toaa'u  has  an 
Opportunity  of  makeing  a  fair  »!v:  regular  choise  and  tlien  we  shall 
esteem  it  in  the  highest  Regard  our  indispensable  Duty  tacitly  to 
acquiece  in  the  Determinations  of  this  Honorable  Congress  and  Your 
l^bie  Pettitioners  as  in  Duty  Round  Shall  ever  Pray — 
FrancestoAA'u  Agust  the  21*^  1775 

Thomas  Quigley  John  CarSon 

Jams  ADams    .  John  Dickey 

Sam'i  Nutt  Thomas  McLaughlin 

James  Fisher  Thomas  Quigly  Jun'' 

AVilliam  mc  mester  Archibald  Cunningham 

thomas  melleu  adam  Dickey 

William  Quigly  William  Cristey 

Robert  Fulton  Charles  Mellen 

Hugh  morel 

The  Small  party  Avhich  carried  on  the  Meeting  alforesaid 
did  not  exceed  Ten  in~ Number  exclusive  of  the  Officers  some  of  which 
had  No  Right  to  Yote  " 

What  the  result  of  this  petition  was,  it  is  noAV  impossible  to 
state,  as  no  account  of  the  matter  has  l)een  found  in  the  town 
or  Provincial  records,  and  no  account  of  the  GoffstoAvn  military 


CONCERNING    MILITARY    OFFICERS.  89 

meeting  is  known.  Yet  it  appears  that  there  was  such  a  meet- 
ing- liekl  about  tlie  time  of  the  date  of  the  foregoing  petition, 
that  Francestown  was  represented,  and  was  presumably  repre- 
sented by  the  men  to  whom  the  objection  was  made,  and  that 
these  men  were  Isaac  Lewis  and  Benjamin  Sleeper.  It  appears 
further  tliat  the  meeting  made  choice  of  regimental  officers, 
and  that  the  Provincial  Congress  for  some  reason  did  not 
"conlirm'"'  their  choice,  but  made  changes  which  were  offensive. 
All  this  is  shown  by  the  following  petition. 

"To  Coluiu4  DaiiiL'l  Muor  of  Bedford — 
Worth}'  Sir  Wo  the  subscribers  inhabitants  of  several  different  towns  in 
3^our  Keginient  who  was  dominated  and  cht)sen  for  otiicers  in  the  same; 
Take  this  opportunity  to  make  known  to  your  Honour  some  of  our 
grievances  wlicrein  we  are  Depriv''  of  our  Libertys. 
About  the  20"'  of  August  last  we  met  at  M'Kelleys  innholderin  UolTes- 
town  (which  no  Doubt  S''  you  remember  ver}''  well)  in  order  to  Chuse 
our  lii  Id- ofiit'ers  wliicli  we  elfeeti'd;  and  Chose  Col.  John  Stark  Chief 
Co'  your  sell'  J.ieu'  Co'  one  M"'  (iilman  first  ^laj""  Lieu'  Sam^  Caldwell 
Second  Ditto  wliich  was  all  Helurned  to  the  Honor^'  Congress  for  their 
Coiilirmation.  l]ut  for  wise  ends  they  saw  cause  to  seet  Co^  Stark  aside 
which  maile  i-oom  for  the  advancement  of  all  the  rest  of  our  choice 
which  was  done  by  said  Congress:  Lieu*  Caldwell  onley  excepted  and 
seet  aside:  and  others  put  in  his  place:  that  we  never  had  an}' Consairn 
with,  nor  never  Desins  to  have:  Which  Doings  we  look  upon  an  impo- 
sition upon  him,  Imt  moore  so  upon  us  (Pray  wheres  the  Liberty  so 
much  talk''  of  now  a  days) 

Therefore  resolved:  that  if  the  said  Caldwell  (which  was  our  Choice) 
is  not  put  into  the  vacancy  that   was  maid  by  the  advancment  of  the 
rest:  we  for  our  part  shall  Decline  having  any  Consairn  in  said  regi- 
ment under  any  other  person  thats  put  in  that  place: 
Therefore  s""  we  reconuuend  it  to  you  to  use  your  influence  to  get  our 
Choice  established:  ami  if  done  we  your  friends  and  humble  Serv*  will 
serve  cheerfully  if  reijuired^ 
Ye  1")"^  Septeml)er  1775 
Cap'  Ceorg  Iladdley  |  , , .  _    .       Cap*  John  Duncan,  Society,  [Antrim] 

XathanierFifield    '   \      '"'"        Cap*  George  Cristv  Kt       t>     , 
T          T       •        ^  i-tT/^-j.'^^  New  Boston 

Isaac  Lewis      )  ,^^ ;  ^ l^ieu*  Jesse  Cristey  \ 


,j      .„  oi  r  Francistown 

Een,f  Sleeper  |  .  Thomas  Caldwell,  Dunbarton." 

This  being  a  militia,  and  not  an  enlisted,  regiment,  no  record 
is  at  hand  to  determine  the  result  of  this  action.  Most  of  the 
parties  did  however,  subsequently  enlist  and  serve  their  country 
faithfully  in  the  field. 


90  CENSUS  OF  1775. 

Less  than  a  month  after  this  the  selectmen  reported  (Sept. 
20,  1775),  "Fire-arms  wanting  in  the  toAvn — 11."  Every  male 
in  town  from  16  to  65  inclusive  was  required  to  be  armed;  but 
some  boys  were  not  yet  provided  for,  and  a  few  probably  were 
unable  to  procure  guns,  or  more  than  one  in  a  family. 

A  census  of  the  state  was  taken  again  in  1775,  showing  a 
considerable  increase  of  population.  Some  towns  in  this  vicin- 
ity were  as  follows  in  point  of  number  of  people;  Londonderry 
(second  town  in  the  State),  2590;  Bedford,  495;  New  Boston, 
569;  Peterboro',  549;  Lyndeboro',  713;  HelLsboro',  about  150; 
and  Society  Land,  177.  This  last  included  Antrim,  Hancock, 
Bennington,  and  the  western  and  larger  part  of  Greenfield. 
An  old  letter  to  the  State  Committee  of  Safety  dated  Nov.  21, 
1775,  "estimates"  the  population  of  some  towns  not  returned 
at  that  date,  which  estimate  puts  Hillsboro,  180,  and  Society 
Land  220,  and  other  towns  as  much  out  of  the  way.  The 
population  of  Antrim,  then  a  ])art  of  Societ}^  Land  was  about 
75.     Francestown  returned  a  population  of  200,  as  follows: 

"Males  under  sixteen  years  of  age  55 

Males  from  16  years  to  50  jSTot  in  the  Army  37 

All  males  above  50  years  of  age  7 

Persons  gone  in  the  Army  9 

All  Females  92 

Xeofroes  and  Slaves  for  Life  00 


200." 

It  will  be  seen  by  this,  that  there  were  no  old  people  in  town, 
and  that  more  than  one-fourth  of  the  whole  population  were 
boys  under  16  years  of  age.  On  this  basis  there  would  be 
about  250  boys  in  town  under  sixteen  at  the  present  time;  and 
if  there  were  as  usual  about  the  same  number  of  girls,  it  would 
make  a  population  of  500  persons  under  sixteen,  in  which  case 
there  would  be  no  lack  of  scholars  for  the  Academy  without  the 
help  of  other  towns.  Then  considerabl}^  more  than  half  the 
whole  population  was  under  sixteen  years  of  age !  Every  house 
was  full  of  children. 

Few  events  of  any  special  importance  require  to  be  narrated 
here  for  the  fall  and  Avinter  of  1775-1776.  Washington  had 
taken  command  of  our  army  besieging  the  British  in  Boston, 
July  3,  1775,  and  the  British  evacuated  Boston  Mar.  17,  1776. 


THE    ASSOCIATION    TEST.  91 

In  these  frontier  towns  the  struggle  to  support  life  engaged 
every  attention.  Land  was  to  be  cleared  in  preparation  for  the 
coming  year.  The  scattered  jpeople  labored  constantly,  and 
with  intense  application ;  but  everywhere  it  was  with  the  silent 
determination  to  maintain  their  liberties,  and  with  the  presenti- 
ment tliat  great  struggles  and  great  changes  were  at  hand. 

For  the  year  1776  the  town  records  are  very  brief,  the  war- 
rants and  transactions  of  the  voters  under  them  for  three  town 
meetings,  transcript  of  a  road,  record  of  births  and  deaths,  and 
record  of  a  citizen's  cattle-mark  on  the  "Near  Hoarn,"  all  being- 
written  on  three  pages.  Consequently  we  must  look  elsewhere 
for  information,  as  we  have  largely  in  previous  years.  The 
usual  town  officers  were  chosen  (Mar.  18,  1776),  and  John 
Dicke}^,  James  Fisher  and  Thomas  McLaughlin,  three  sturdy 
Scotchmen,  were  appointed  "Committey  of  Safety  or  Inspec- 
tion." A  town  meeting  was  called  June  1,  1776,  (the  first 
town  meeting  in  the  church), 

"  to  act  upon  a  paper  Sent  to  this  town  from  the  Committee  of  Steal 
Safty  in  this  Collony;" 

but  we  are  not  told  what  this  "paper"  was,  and  no  action  upon 
it  appears  on  the  record.  The  "Association  Test"  had  been 
sent  to  "the  Selectmen  of  each  town  in  the  Colony,"  for  sig- 
nature; and  probably  this  was  the  "paper"  referred  to.  ,  In 
most  towns  the  selectmen  simply  presented  the  paper  to  each 
man  separately  to  be  signed ;  but  as  the  chairman  of  the  board 
in  Francestown  at  this  time  was  not  in  sympathy  with  extreme 
measures,  a  meeting  was  called  for  public  action.  It  was  not 
called  in  the  usual  way  and  the  warrant  was  not  signed  by  the 
selectmen,  but  by  "John  Quigley,  Select  Clerk."  I  have  not 
been  able  to  find  any  return  of  signers  from  Francestown. 
Mr.  Quigley  being  highly  esteemed  among  the  people,  and 
chairman  of  the  selectmen,  no  doubt  quietly  neglected  to  make 
return^  and  no  one  felt  like  taking  the  matter  up  in  apparent 
censure  of  him.  Francestown  was  loyal  and  true,  but  small ; 
and  was  fully  occupied  in  meeting  the  struggles  of  a  new 
settlement. 

The  "i:)aper"  sent  to  other  towns,  and  undoubtedly  to  this 
town,  was  as  follows : 


92  ASSOCIATION    TEST    CONTINUED.. 

"  Colotiv  of  New  TIampshire, 
In  Committee  of  Safety, 

Apr.  12th  ITTO. 
In  order  to  carry  the  underwritten  Kesolve  of  tlie  IIon''l)le  Continental 
Congress  into  Execution,  you  are  requested  to  desire  all  Males  above 
twenty  one  years  of  age  (Lunaticks,  Idiots,  and  Xegroes  excepted)  to 
sign  to  the  Declaration  on  this  Paper;  and  when  so  done,  to  make 
Return  thereof,  together  with  the  Xame  or  Names  of  all  who  shall 
refuse^to  sign  the  sami'.  to  the  (ienei-al  Assembly  or  Committee  of 
Safety  of  this  Colony. 

M.  Weare,  chairman." 

The  "underwiitteii  Resolve"  was  to  disarm  all  persons 
"notoriously  disaffected  to  the  cause  of  America''  and  all  that 
would  not  "sign  to  the  Declaration  on  this  Paper."  The  "Dec- 
laration" was  in  these  words: 

"  We,  the  vSubscribers,  do  hereb}'  solemnly  engage,  and  promise,  that 
we  will,  to  the  utmost  of  our  Power,  at  the  Eisque  of  our  Lives  and 
Fortunes,  with  Arms,  ojipose  the  Hostile  Proceedings  of  the  IJi-itish 
Fleets  and  Armies  against  the  United  American  Colonies." 

This  was  called  the  "  Association  Test."  It  was  three  months 
before  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  was  an  open  act 
of  treason  against  the  most  powerftd  government  on  earth. 
In  the  whole  state  8199  persons  signed  "The  Test,"  and  773 
refused  to  sign.  Of  these  last,  some  were  Friends,  who  were 
loyal  to  America,  but  b}'  profession  opposed  to  bearing  arms; 
some  were  aged,  or  sick,  or  disabled,  so  as  not  to  have  power  to 
fitlfil  the  pledge;  and  a  few  were  too  timid  to  sign.  Thus  the 
number  of  actual  tories  in  New  Hampshire  was  small.  And 
only  a  part  of  this  small  number  were  open  or  dangerous 
enemies.  Indeed  this  State  Avas  so  full}-  and  universall}'  loyal 
to  freedom,  that  many  tories  v/ere  sent  here  from  New  York  for 
imprisonment,  the  jail  at  iVmherst  being  generally  about  full  of 
them  during  the  war. 

Nor  is  it  strange  that  some  cautious  and  conscientious  per- 
sons should  shrink  from  signing  such  a  sweeping- oath.  It 
meant  death  and  confiscation  of  property,  to  every  man,  if  the 
cause  failed  I  It  shows  the  heroism  and  determination  of  our 
fathers !  And  no  doubt  the  cause  was  stronger  in  otir  state 
than  indicated  by  these  numbers  (8199-773)  because,  while 
some    of    the   older  and  life-long  subjects  of  the  King  hated 


MILITARY    MATTERS.  93 

formally  to  break  their  allegiance,  those  nndev  twenty-one  years 
of  age  were,  without  exception,  full  of  enthusiasm  for  America 
and  liberty.  Every  man  in  Society  Land  (i.  e.  Antrim,  Han- 
cock &  Bennington)  signed  the  paper.  In  Deering  33  signed 
and  2  refused  to  sign.  In  Hillsboro'  35  signed  and  one  refused. 
In  New  Boston  108  signed,  including  Rev.  Solomon  ]Moor,  the 
Pastor  of  the  church,  and  none  are  reported  as  refusing  to  sign. 
In  Weare  131  signed,  and  41,  all  "called  Quakers,'"  refused  to 
sign.  These  returns  furnished  the  state  government  a  basis  on 
which  to  calculate  their  strength,  and  also  gave  them  infor- 
mation as  to  the  iuind)er  of  tories,  and  wlio  and  where  they 
were.  The  year  1776  closed  with  very  dark  prospects  for  the 
patriots.  The  British  liad  been  driven  out  of  Boston,  but  had 
captured  the  city  of  New  York,  and  liad  gained  an  important 
victory  over  (len.  I^utnam  on  Long  Island  (Aug.  27,  1776.) 
They  had  also  gained  a  practical  victory  in  the  drawn  battle  of 
White  Plains.  The  British  outnumbered  the  Americans  three 
to  one,  and  had  all  resources  in  al)undance,  while  the  patriots 
were  scantily  supplied.  Washington  retreated  across  New 
Jersey  into  Pennsylvania  with  a  small  following  of  faithful 
nien.  Our  few  foices  invading  Canada  in  the  earl}"  part  of 
1776  had  retreated  bei'ore  superior  numbers.  Many  of  our  best 
soldiers  had  died  there  witli  small-pox.  And  besides  all  this 
the  Americans  were  poor  and  their  means  of  supply  Avere  so 
nearly  exhausted  tliat  they  knew  not  where  to  look  for  more. 
And,  then,  as  the  soldiers  had  enlisted  only  for  short  terms, 
every  now  and^  then  k  company  would  return  home.  In  this 
way  the  American  army  continued  to  diminish,  so  that  Wash- 
ington had  scarcely  more  than  three  thousand  men  under  his 
command.  Hence  Congress  planned  to  enlist  men  for  three 
years  or  "for  tlie  ^var."  New  Hampshire  was  to  raise  three 
regiments,  to  be  under  Colonels,  John  Stark,  James  Reed,  and 
Enoch  Poor.  Soon  aftei-,  l^)0l■,  the  junior-ofiicer,  was  promoted 
over  Stark,  to  be  Brigadier-( general, — Avhich  so  offended  the 
latter  that  he  left  the  service.  Reed  lost  his  e3-e-sight;  and  the 
regiments  were  commanded  by  Colonels,  Joseph  Cilley,  Nathan 
Hale,  and  Alexander  Scammell.  The  humble  part  of  this  town 
in  these  affairs  of  the  war,  will  be  narrated  in  the  chapter  on 
our  militaiy  record. 


94  DECLARATION    OF    INDEPENDENCE. 

This  year  thus  darkl}'  drawing  to  its  close  was  characterized 
by  the  Dechiration  of  Independence,  as  the  year  of  our  begin- 
ning as  a  nation.  Said  Dechiration  was  adopted  July  i,  1776. 
News  travelled  so  slowly  that  it  was  not  till  the  10th  of  July, 
that  it  was  received  by  the  army  near  New  York,  A  paper  of 
that  time  says  it  ''was  received  everywhere  with  loud  huzzas, 
and  the  utmost  demonstrations  of  joy.  The  news  reached  New 
Hampshire  on  the  18th  of  July,  and  in  many  places  was 
publicly  announced  to  the  people,  by  salute,  or  drum-beat,  or 
public  reading  or  by  all  these  together.  In  some  places  in  New 
England,  it  was  read  by  the  minister  in  the  pulpit  and  put  on 
record  by  the  town  clerk. 

But  the  afloom  Avith  which  this  year  was  closino-  was  relieved 
somewhat  b}'  the  \^ictory  at  Ti-enton.  Washington  began  his 
march  3  P.  M.  Dec.  25th;  reached  the  Delaware  at  dark;  and 
crossed  the  swollen  stream  in  the  night,  a  night  cold,  bitter 
and  fiercely  snowing.  They  were  all  over  and  commenced  at 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning  a  forced  march  of  nine  miles  to 
Trenton  in  the  face  of  a  blinding  storm  of  snow  and  sleet; 
surprised  tlie  Hessians  at  sunrise,  and  captured  twelve  hundred 
men  with  all  tlieir  arms  and  supplies,  and  without  the  loss  of  a 
man!  Bancroft  the  historian  says,  '■'■that  victory  turned  the 
shadow  of  death  into  the  morning."  It  brightened  the  closing 
year,  but  it  was  not  known  in  New  England  till  a  week  of  the 
new  year  had  passed.  Washington  in  person  commanded  one 
division,  and  Gen.  Sullivan  of  New  Hampshire  the  other. 
Stark  led  the  van  of  Sullivan's  division,  and  New  Hampshire 
men  had  a  prominent  part  in  the  terrible  suffering  of  the  march, 
and  the  short,  sharp,  desperate  battle  which  followed. 

Again  for  1777  the  four-and-one-lialf  pages  of  town  record 
give  us  only  a  glimmer  of  light.  There  w"ere  five  town-meet- 
ings during  the  year,  chiefly  with  reference  to  the  affairs  of  the 
war, — all  which  will  appear  in  a  subsequent  chapter  on  military 
matters.  They  "Voted  one  Hundred  and  twenty  pounds 
Lawfull  money"  to  every  man  who  would  enlist  from  the  town 
for  three  years  or  "During  the  present  Ware,"  which  consider- 
ing their  poverty  and  the  smallness  of  their  number,  was 
greater  tlian  any  town  bounty  offered  in  the  late  war-  Several 
Francestown  men  took  turns  with  each  other  in  going  to  the 


FIKST    WAEEANT    IN    NANNIE    OF    THE    STATE.  95 

front.  Sometimes  a  father  Avould  go  six  months  and  then  a 
son  six  months.  Sometimes  one  neighbor  woukl  go  a  year  and 
another  the  next  year, — the  one  staying  at  home  carrying  on 
both  farms  and  caring  for  both  families.  Thus  an  enlistment 
would  be  to  ^■•fill  a  uniform."     Apr.  7,  1777,  the  town 

"voted  to  Chouse  5  of  a  Committee  to  receive  the  aceoumpts  and  prisse 
the  turns  of  the  men  that  Has  ben  into  the  Searvice  With  out  aney  town 
bounty." 

The  committee  chosen  for  this  purpose  was  David  Lewis, 
Samuel  Nutt,  Oliver  Holmes,  John  Dickey  and  AVilliam  Star- 
rett. 

Then  July  22  following  they  voted  an  additional  bounty  to 
soldiers  who  would  enlist  for  tAvo  months  in  the  regiments  then 
being  raised  to  resist  Burgoyne.  Sept.  29  they  renewed  this 
offer  to  all  then  enlisting.  One  cannot  read  the  brief  record 
of  this  year  without  being  impressed  with  the  self-sacrificing, 
unfaltering,  noble  })atriotism  of  this  little  frontier  town  I 

Mar.  10,  1777,  came  tlie  first  annual  meeting  called  in  the 
name  of  the  "Steat  of  New  Hampshire,"  the  name  previously 
being  "His  Majesty's  Province  of  New  Hampshire."  At  this 
meeting  also,  they  chose  David  Lewis  "town  tressherer, — and 
he  has  the  honor  of  heading-  the  list  of  these  distinofuished 
money-officers  of  Francestown.  Before  this  the  town's  money 
had  been  held  by  the  constable  or  by  the  selectmen,  according 
to  convenience.  Mar.  24,  1777,  there  was  a  special  town- 
meeting  to  vote  for  County  officers,  (the  first  mention  of  any 
vote  of  the  kind;)  but  neither  the  number  of  votes,  nor  the 
candidates  voted  for,  are  named  on  the  record.  At  the  same 
time  they 

"voted  to  Chouse  a  Committee  to  act  in  bhaffe  of  the  town  upon  the 
bond  given  by  John  Quigley  for  fullfihiient  of  the  meeting  House  not 
being  tinisshed  according  to  bargain." 

Quigley  was  believed  to  be  a  tory.  and  things  were  made  so 
uncomfortable  for  him  that  he  left  toAvn  without  carrying  out 
his  contract;  but  probably  his  friends  settled  the  matter  up,  as 
we  hear  no  more  about  it,  after  the  action  of  this  committee. 

In  a  "New  Proportion  for  Taxes"  Sept.  1777,  for  "each  one 
thousand  pounds"  the  part  to  be  paid    by    Francestown    was 


96  DELEGATE    TO    CONVEiCTIOM. 

<£3-12s-ll  1-4(1.  or  about  one  tAvo-liuiidred-and-seventy-fiftli 
part.  Antrim  paid  only  l<£-5s-l()d.  Deering  3£-0s-8  l-2d. 
New  Boston  7<£-3s-9d,  the  "Old  Town "  having  less  than  twice 
the  valuation  of  this  toAvn,  showing  that  in  spite  of  taxes, 
privations,  dangers  and  the  liardships  of  a  new  settlement  in 
the  wilderness,  Francestown  was  steadily  gaiiiing  in  nundjers 
and  resources. 

The  records  of  1778  begin  with  the  annual  meeting  Mar.  23, 
at  wliicli  they  chose  William  McMaster  town  clerk,  wlio  served 
only  about  a  month,  suddenly  died,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Henry  Parkinson. 

They  also  continued  David  Lewis  in  the  office  of  '•^Tressherer." 
At  the  same  meeting  they 

'•voted  the  Select  men  is  to  be  the  Committee  to  purtich  a  miness- 
terial  Lot  if  there  Can  be  an  upertuiiity  suebel," 

it  being  the  custom  for  every  town  to  give  its  first  minister  a 
farm,  or  land  enough  when  cleared  to  make  one,  as  ministers 
were  expected  to  settle  for  life,  and  to  0A\n  their  homestead 
like  other  men. 

An  article  had  been  put  into  the  warrant  for  this  annual 
meeting  to  see  if  the  town  would  "'Vote  part  of  Francestown 
to  the  Societ}"  Land" :  which  article  was  immediately  dismisssed. 
The  record  gives  no  indication  as  to  what  was  the  object  of 
this  move,  or  who  was  its  author. 

Apr.  21,  1778,  a  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  ''house  of 
Lieut.  Oliver  Holmes  Liholder,"  to  see  if  they  would  abate  the 
tax  of  William  Dickey,  then  in  the  aimy,  and 

"to  adjourn  said  Meeting  till  twelve  o'clock  on  s'^  Day  to  the  House  of 
Robert  McGaw  Inholder  in  Xew  boston  to  Join  with  the  Inhabitants  of 
s^'  Xew  boston  to  Chuse  a  Man  " 

for  delegate  to  a  convention  to  form  a  constitution  for  the  state. 
No  record  is  given  of  this  meeting  at  the  "House  of  Robert 
McGaw,"  but  from  other  sources  we  learn  that  they  made  choice 
of  Archibald  McMillan  of  New  Boston  to  represent  both  towns. 
The  Convention  was  held  at  Concord  June  10, 1778,  It  formed 
a  constitution  and  sent  it  out  to  the  people  in  June  1779;  but  it 
was  rejected  by  the  popular  vote.  This  town  was  very  decided 
against  it.     But  the  need  of  some  change  was  so  great  that  the 


NEW    STATK    COXSTITUTIOX.  97 

House  of  Representatives  voted  (Mar.  28,  1781,)  to  call  an- 
other Convention  ^^to  settle  a  Form  of  Government."  The 
first  constitution  of  New  Hampshiie  had  Ijeen  adopted  (Jan.  5, 
1776,) 

"  to  continue,  (faring  the  present  unhappy  and  unnatural  contest  with 
Great  Britain." 

This  was  thefirsf  constitution  adopted  by  an)-  of  tlie  Coh^nies. 
But  it  was  intended  only  as  a  temporary  compact,  and  was  not 
adapted  to  the  demands  of  the  people.  The  first  effort  to 
change  it  having  failed,  the  second  convention  began  its  work 
in  Concord  the  first  Tiiesday  in  June  1781.  May  7,  preceding, 
Francestown  voted  not  to  send  a  man  to  this  convention. 
Nearly  forty  towns  in  the  state  took  the  same  action,  or  did  not 
act  at  all,  many  towns  feeling  too  poor  at  that  time  to  help  pay 
the  expenses.  But  the  Convention  went  at  its  work  and  sent 
out  a  New  Constitution.  But  this  also,  known  as  the  '•'consti- 
tution of  1781,"  was  rejected  by  the  people.  The  House  of 
representatives  voted,  Jan.  10,  1782,  before  the  re-assembling  of 
the  convention,  recommending  to  them  to  adjourn  and  "-in  the 
mean  time  to  issue  precepts  to  the  Towns  &  places  not  repre- 
sented in  said  Convention  to  send  Delegates  thereto."  According 
the  Convention  re-assembled  on  the  "  Fourth  Wednesday  of 
January  1782,"  and  adjourned  to  the  ''third  Wednesday  in 
August  following."  To  this  second  call  for  delegates,  no  refer- 
ence appears  on  our  town  records.  But  the  town  "voted 
(Mar.  11,  1782)  to  have  the  old  Committee  take  the  plan  of 
government  into  hrther  Consideration,"  with  a  view  to  suggest- 
ing amendments.  Whether  any  thing  ever  resulted  from  this 
vote,  does  m)t  appear.  The  Convention  assembled  according 
to  adjournment,  and  after  making  some  changes,  sent  out  the 
amended  constitution  to  the  people.  But  this  second  constitu- 
tion was  rejected.  Then  the  Convention  adjourned  till  the 
"first  Tuesday  in  June  1783,  at  whicli  time  they  })roceeded  to 
draft  a  ''third  Constitution,"  and  this  last  named  effort  was 
adopted  by  the  people,  as  it  came  nearer  to  their  wishes,  and  as 
they  were  welk  tired  of  conventions.  There  is  no  record  of 
any  action  by  this  town  on  this  last  constitution.  It  has 
usually  been  called  the  "constitution  of  1784,"  because  though 


98  FINISHING    OUTSIDE    OF    THE    MEETING    HOUSE. 

adopted  the  previous  year,  it  was  not  to  go  into  effect  till  the 
"first  Wednesday  in  June  1784."  The  Convention  which 
formed  it  was  a  remarkable  one,  having  been  in  existence  two 
and  one-half  years,  and  having  had  seven  sessions^  some  of  them 
of  great  length,  reminding  one  of  a  modern  session  of  our 
Legislature.  But  the  old  Convention  is  ahead  in  this  respect, 
that  it  did  accomplish  so7)ie  good  in  the  end  I 

Returning  now  to  the  year  1778,  we  find  a  town-meeting 
Apr.  17th  "to  get  two  men"  to  fill  tlie  quota  of  Francestown 
in  the  army ;  and  they  appointed  Capt.  John  Carson  to  enlist 
the  men.  Apparently  they  left  him  to  inake  such  terms  as  he 
could;  Init,  whatever  the  cost  he  was  to  "get  these  two  men." 
The  people  were  determined  to  do  their  ])art. 

May  25,  1778,  there  was  a  town-meeting  to  see  what  they 
would  do  al)out  finishing  the  outside  of  the  meeting-house. 
Before  this  for  three  years  it  had  been  barely  covered,  a  mere 
shelter  from  wind  and  rain.  There  was  nothing  inside  Imt  a 
few  rude  benches  for  seats,  not  even  a  platform  for  the  speaker. 
The  outside  looked  like  a  barn,  and  rough  at  that.  But  this 
year  by  vote  of  the  town  the  outside  finisli  was  put  on.  The 
house  was  cheap  and  plain,  without  steeple,  or  any  imposing- 
features.  Another  town  meeting  was  held  (Nov.  23,  1778,)  to 
see  if  the  town  would  })aint  the  church.  This  meeting  was,  for 
some  unknown  reason,  declared  illegal,  and  another  meeting 
was  called  (Feb.  22,  1779,)  to  act  on  this  and  other  matters. 
At  this  last  meeting  they  renewed  the  action  of  the  former,  i.  e. 
they  "voted  not  to  purchase  Oil  to  colour  the  Meeting  House." 
They  felt  too  poor.  It  was  a  hard  struggle  to  get  a  house  foi- 
worship.  But  they  "'Voted  to  purchase  latches  and  Handles  & 
a  Lock  for  the  Meeting  House."  showing  that  hitherto  they 
had  felt  unable  to  purchase  even  such  needful  things  as  these! 

At  this  meeting  also  they 

"voted  to  abate  the  poll  Kates  of  the  Men  that  were  in  the  Service  the 
Year  1776,"  and  to  "give  the  men  that  went  to  Stillwater  and  Sarahtoga 
five  Dollars  a  Month," 

showing  their  great  appreciation  of  these  services  in  that,  so 
long  afterwards,  and  out  of  their  poverty,  they  were  willing  to 
pay  these  additional  sums.     And  it  is  an   item    to    the    great 


REGULATING    PEICES.  99 

credit  of  the  patriotic  fatliers  of  this  town  that  the  State  Treas- 
urer (Dec.  24,  1779,)  in  assessing  the  State  tax 

"discounted  forty-two  pounds  on  account  of  Bounties  paid  soldiers  by 
said  Francestown." 

But  in  July  of  this  year  (1779)  came  a  call  for  two  soldiers  to 
fill  a  ]iew  quota  from  this  town.  A  meeting  was  called  at  once 
to  meet  this  demand,  At  this  meeting  (July  15,  1779)  James 
Harriod  enlisted,  and  the  town  voted  to  give  him 

"  100  Busshels  of  Kie  for  serving  one  Year  in  the  Continental  Service 
the  Eie  to  be  paid  on  the  first  Day  of  January  1781 ;" 

that  is,  they  voted  the  rye  before  it  was  raised,  having  no 
money  with  which  to  make  payment.  Then  David  Starrett, 
Zachariah  Whiting,  Boyd  Hopkins,  Thomas  Warren,  William 
Quigley  and  Isaac  Lewis  "-jointl}'  agreed"  to  provide  the  other 
soldier  and  pay  him  one  year;  but  this  the  town  ''rejected," 
(not  being  willing  that  a  few  men  should  bear  the  load,)  and 
promptly  ''voted  that  the  Town  hire  a  Continental  Soldier  by 
Pole  and  Estate."  This,  and  other  items  of  the  war-record  I 
have  given  year  by  year,  apart  from  the  Chapter  on  Military 
Affairs,  to  -keep  in  mind  the  greatness  and  the  length  of  the 
struggle  for  independence. 

Also  this  year  (1779)  an  eft'ort  was  made  to  "regulate  prices." 
On  account  of  the.  depreciation  of  paper,  and  the  great  scarcity 
of  specie,  various  commodities  and  products  came  to  be  used 
in  exchange,  and  some  persons  were  disposed  to  take  advantage 
of  this  state  of  things  to  hold  needed  articles  at  extravagant 
rates.  If  debts  were  to  be  paid  with  rye,  it  was  necessary  to 
have  some  standard  at  which  rye  should  be  held.  Accordingly 
the  "Selectmen  of  Portsmouth,"  taking  lead  in  the  matter,' 
sent  out  a  paper  to  the  towns  proposing  a  "  Convention  "  to  fix 
prices  for  the  state.  Some  towns  took  the  whole  matter  into 
their  own  hands,  fixing  the  rates  and  the  penalties  of  disobedi- 
ence.    But  this  town  (Sept.  7,  1779) 

"voted  to  Join  with  iSTew  Boston  in  sending  a  Man  to  the  Convention 
at  Concord  for  Stating  the  Prices  of  sundry  Articles." 

And  then,  to  put  the  decisions  to  be  reached,  into  immediate 
execution,  they  chose  Henry  Parkinson,  Benjamin  Felt,  Oliver 
Holmes,  Sam^  Nutt,  Daniel  Clark,  William  Butterfield,  David 


100  LACK    OF    A    .MONEY    STANDARD. 

Starrett,  Nathaniel  Bojd  and  Beiijaniiii  Sleeper,  a  committee  to 

"State  the  Prices  of  things  accordino  to  tlie  Resolutions  of  the  Con- 
vention, for  Fi'iMicc'stown!"" 

It  must  l)e  conceded  tlial  this  was  a  powerful  committee,  but  it 
was  a  lieav}'  job  wliicli  was  to  be  done  I  Nothing'  ever  came  of 
it.  It  was  an  attempt  to  do  impossible  thino's.  J^ittle  is  known 
as  to  an}-  prices  named,  or  other  details  of  the  plan,  as  it  was 
soon  dropped,  and  })rices  were  left  to  regulate  themselves. 
Demand  and  su})[)ly  determine  piices;  and  they  soon  saw  what 
experience  has  since  proved,  that  no  arlntrary  votes  or  resolves 
can  chanoe  this  rule  for  any  lenoth  of  time.  Nothing  further 
appears  as  to  the  '' Regulation  of  Prices"  by  law! 

But  for  several  succeeding  years  the  records  sliow  great 
difficulties  in  the  ti-ansaction  of  business  for  lack  of  any  fixed 
standard  of  values.  At  the  following  March  meeting  (Mar. 
23,  1780,)  they 

"Voted  William  Starrett  one  Dollar  per  week  the  old  way  for  Board- 
ing the  Minister  as  rye  formerly  n-ent,'' — 

whicli  to  us  is  very  indefinite,  but  to  tliem  no  doubt  referred  to 
some  price  that  was  the  nearest  thing  to  a  fixed  standard  then 
available.  And  when  (May  29,  1780,)  the  town  voted  a  call 
to  a  minister,  and  offered  a  certain  salary,  it  was  on  this  basis: 

''  Rye  and  Indian  as  al)ove. 
Eeef  at     2  d         1-2 
Butter      S  0 

Pork         4  0." 

They  had  to  agree  on  a  salary,  and  then  they  had  to  agree  on 
the  value  of  the  things  it  should  be  paid  in.  ]\Ioney  had 
almost  ceased  to  be  a  circulating  medium  I  Paper  currency 
was  going  down  so  fast  that  people  Avould  not  take  it  unless 
compelled  to.  At  the  March  meeting  of  this  year  they  '"•Voted 
thirty  Dollars  }>'  Day  for  Working  on  the  Highways."  And 
when  we  consider  the  monetary  fluctuations  and  difficulties 
which  they  passed  through,  it  does  not  seem  strange  that  our 
fathers  had  a  love  for  specie,  or  ''solid  money,"  as  they  called 
it,  which  it  took  a  hundred  years  to  wii)e  out.  Indeed  sensible 
men  at  the  present  day  (1889)  want  a  gold  aiul  silver  basis  for 
money.     We  handle  such  large  sums  now. that  paper  of  some 


"CONTINENTAL    PAPER  "    ISSUED.  101 

kind  is  convenient  for  transfers;  but  in  the  old  days  of  small 
exchanges  specie  answeied  finely,  if  it  could  be  had.  In  this 
country  specie  was  veiy  scarce  from  the  first.  The  early 
settlers  brought  over  tools  and  seeds,  but  not  silver  or  gold. 
If  afterwards  they  bought  anything  of  the  old  country,  specie 
must  })ay  for  it,  which  of  course  tended  if  there  was  any  here 
to  drain  it  all  back  into  Phigland.  If  it  was  brought  into  this 
country,  it  could  not  be  kept  here.  As  a  consequence  the 
colonies  were  early  driven  to  issue  paper  for  circulation  among 
themselves.  Each  state  had  its  own  paper  mone}'  for  use  with- 
in its  own  bound.  Coins  of  small  denominations  and  small 
intrinsic  value  w^ere  issued  by  most  of  the  colonies,  and  even  by 
individuals,  as  in  our  late  war;  but  these  coins  were  only  for 
small  change,  and  local  use.  Colonial  })aper  money  was  issued 
long  before  the  rupture  between  tliis  country  and  Great  Britain, 
and  never  stood  quite  at  par  with  English  money.  Massa- 
chusetts paper  generally  stood  the  highest  and  South  Carolina 
paper  the  lowest.  In  17(37  it  \\ould  take  seven  pounds  of 
South  Carolina  issue  to  buy  one  pound  of  English  money. 
Hence  when  the  war  of  the  Revolution  broke  out,  the  financial 
question  was  tlie  most  difficult  one.  The  British  felt  sure  we 
could  never  pay  our  bills.  ( )ur  paper  would  be  worth  nothing. 
In  this  respect  they  had  a  tremendous  advantage  over  us. 
But  mone}^  of  aomr  kind  must  be  had; — and  hence  in  less  than 
a  month  after  tlie  Battle  of  Lexington,  Congress  provided  for 
the  issue  of  "Continental  Paper,"  so-called,  of  which  Jtt'2,000,000, 
were  put  in  circulation  June  22,  1775.  This  was  follo^^'ed, 
from  time  to  tiine,  by  other  and  larger  issues  until -^300, 000, 000, 
were  sent  forth, — an  enormous  sum  for  the  country  to  carry  in 
that  day.  Laws  were  passed,  making  this  paper  legal  tender 
for  debts ;  but  in  spite  of  careful  plans  and  arbitrary  enactments, 
it  soon  ])egan  to  depreciate  in  value,  and  went  down  constantl}^ 
till  it  became  worthless.  And  it  is  hardly  possible  to  calculate 
the  amount  of  embarrasment  and  troul)le  that  were  thereby  oc- 
casioned. People  that  had  been  "counted  well  off"  and  had 
had  a  little  silver,  were  charged  with  concealing  it ;  unprincipled 
men  took  advantage  of  the  law  to  "pay  their  debts  with  this 
worthless  money;  and  many  creditors  were  crippled  or  ruined 
by  being  compelled  to  take  it.      It  was  said  that  Rev.  Jomitlian 


102  DEPRECIATION    OF    CONTINENTAL    MONEY. 

Barnes  of  Hillsboro'  paid  a  whole  years'  salary  for  a  pig  four 
weeks  old,  though  that  town  subsequently  in  an  honorable 
manner  made  up  the  loss  to  him.  About  and  soon  after  the 
close  of  the  war,  this  "Continental  Paper"  was  made  a  subject 
of  ridicule.  Sailors  sewed  the  bills  together  and  made  coats  of 
them  for  parade.  Old  soldiers  burned  them  up  over  a  glass  of 
cider.  Barbers  papered  their  shops  with  them.  One  cent 
Avould  buy  ten  dollars  of  paper,  for  many  months.  At  the  March 
meeting  of  1781  Francestown 

"  Voted  Olio  Hun(lr''(l  Dollars  P'  Day  for  workiiiii  on   the  Highwayth." 

Soon  after  a  meeting  was  called  to  see 

'•  what  money  the  Kates  (taxes)  shall  be  maid  in  for  the  filter,"— 

which  shows  that  the  selectmen  knew  not  what  to  do.  By  an 
interesting  "Table  of  Depreciation  for  this  State,"  recorded  on 
the  Journal  of  the  New  Hampshire  Assembly  July  3,  1781,  we 
see  the  rapidity  of  the  decline  of  this  paper.  The  committee 
had  reported 

"as  their  opinion  that  all  contracts  previous  to  the  last  da}'  of  January 
1777  should  be  considered  as  silver  &  gold," 

while  in  subsequent  contracts  paper  should  be  valued  according 
to  the  scale  given  by  them  in  said  report.  This  "Table" 
shows  the  depreciation  for  each  month  for  nearly  four  years. 
The  first  decline  given  is  that  of  four  cents  on  a  dollar  in  the 
month  of  Feb.  1777;  but  the  fall  was  so  rapid  that  Dec.  31  of 
the  same  year  it  took  -'i'S.lO  in  paper  to  equal  one  dollar  in 
silver.  At  the  close  of  1778  it  took  >t>6.34  of  paper  to  equal 
one  dollar  of  silver.  March  1,  1779,  it  took  ten  dollars  of  paper 
to  equal  one  of  silver;  and  the  decline  was  so  constant  through 
that  year  that  on  Dec.  31,  it  took  1^23.93  of  paper  to  buy  one 
of  silver!  Thus  the  monetary  uncertainty  and  alarm  grew 
W'Orse  and  worse.  Rye  or  corn,  at  certain  fixed  rates,  came  to 
be  used  as  money,  since' bills  were  paid  with  these.  What 
little  real  money  transactions  this  Town  entered  into,  they  voted 
in  "Spanish  milled  dollars."  July  1,  1781,  just  six  years  after 
the  first  issue,  it  took  seventy-five  dollars  of  paper  to  buy  one 
dollar  of  silver.  Lt.  Howe,  writing  from  Amherst  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  New  Hampshire  July  10,  1781,  says,  "I  almost  Blush 
to  informe  you  of  the  little  worth  of  paper  Money  here." 


MONEY-TROUBLES.  103 

And  to  increase  the  confusion  and  distress  of  tlie  toAvns  in 
this  vicinity  the  '^ proprietors  Laid  into  the  Geneial  Court"  a 
petition  against  the  right  of  the  towns  to  tax  their  unoccupied 
lands.  This  petition  was  called  up  and  urged  by  them  in  the 
Assembly  in  March  1780.  A  decision  was  reached  and  voted 
(Mar.  9,  1780), 

''That  the  unimproved  hinds  of  non-residents  within  this  (State  shall  be 
subject  to  be  taxed  to  the  State  Taxes,  Continental  Taxes,  War  taxes, 
County  Taxes  &  not  otherwise." 

This  was  called  a  "compromise,"  but  it  was  practically  a  defeat 
to  these  struggling  towns,  as  they  could  no  longer  tax  wild 
lands  for  the  roads  and  improvements  which  would  increase 
their  value.  And  it  took  away  the  chief  though  small  supply 
of  actual  specie,,  since  these  taxes  of  wild  lands  were  usually 
paid  in  "hard  money."  In  the  west  at  the  present  time  our 
new  towns  issue  Ijonds,  or  in  some  other  wa}'  borrow  money,  to 
stai't  their  institutions  and  "improvement," — and  thus  transfer 
a  part  of  the  burden  to  their  successors;  but  our  fathers  paid 
as  they  went  along.  \Yliat  they  could  not  pay  for,  they  "did 
without."  They  had  not  learned  the  art  of  running  into  debt! 
Hence,  being  already  under  the  hardest  pressure  to  get  a  living 
and  subdue  the  forests  and  su])port  the  war,  this  new  law  was 
a  hard  l)low  to  them.  But  on  the  day  the  al)ove-named  law 
was  passed,  a  new  <|uestion  arose  and  was  referred  to  a  "Com- 
mittee of  both  houses,"  the  question  of  taxing  "located  lands," 
— i.  e.  lands  purchased  for  a  hon>e,  and  partly  cleared,  but  on 
to  which  the  o^Vner  had  not  yet  moved.  An  act  was  reported, 
and  "passed"  March  16,  1780,  of  which  I  have  not  been  able 
to  find  a  copy.  But  it  was  probably  an  exemption-law,  inas- 
much as  subsequently  they  were  not  taxed  for  toim  expenses. 
Perhaps  this  was  the  reason  why  some  who  had  bought  and 
partially  cleared  their  lands  were  tardy  in  moving  on  to  them. 
At  this  distance  it  would  seem  difficult  to  give  good  reason 
why  a  land  owner  should  pay  taxes  to  State  and  county,  and 
not  pay  his  part  for  building  a  road  out  from  his  own  clearing ! 
Some  relief,  however,  was  granted  specially  to  this  town,  as 
appears  by  the  following  action  of  the  Legislature  (J\Iar.  16, 
1780): 


104  CHOOSING    JUSTICE    OF    THE    PEACE. 

"Voted  to  pay  the  selectmen  of  Francestowii  £83:  12:  4,  lor  taxes  on 
land  of  absentees." 

At  the  annual  meeting  (Mar.  23.  1780,)  an  article  was  in  the 
Avarrant, 

''To  choose  a  Man  whom  the  Town  think  fit  for  a  Justice  of  the  Peace." 

These  officials  were  then  a|)pointed  by  the  Legislature,  but 
were  designated,  or  recommended,  by  the  town.  Such  a  rule 
would  probably  change  the  list  of  these  di'^ringuished  officers, 
if  it  could  be  enforced  now  I  Any  man  who  has  a  political 
friend  to  s})eak  for  him  and  five  dollars  to  pay,  can  get  the 
office  in  these  da3-s.  Would  the  town  like  to  vote  that  every 
such  one  is  '•\fif  for  a  Jii-^tnr  of  the  Peace?'''  In  this  case  they 
voted  by  ballot  and  the  choice  fell  on  Henry  Parkinson,  a 
scholarly  and  worthy  man,  every  way  '^ fit", for  the  position. 
He  was  at  the  time  town-clerk,  but  remained  in  town  but  a  few 
months  after  his  election  to  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace. 
Was  the  first  pers(m  designated  for  the  office  by  the  town. 
There  were  only  a  few  Justices  in  the  county,  and  the  public 
convenience  at  that  day  did  not  require  many.  Jan.  12,  1776, 
the  House  of  Representatives  chose  Matthew  Patten,  Jonathan 
Lovewell,  Jeremiah  Page,  Timothy  Farrar,  Henry  Gerrish  and 
Moses  Nicholls,  *' Justices  of  the  peace  for  the  County  of  Hills- 
boroug."  June  27,  1777,  the  House  chose  Francis  Blood, 
Nahum  Baldwin,  Noali  Worcester,  Francis  Eps  and  John 
Cochran,  Jr.  to  the  same  office.  "-John  Quigley  JEsquire''''  had 
a  similar  appointment  before  the  incorporation  of  Francestown. 
There  was  a  toAvn-meeting  July  24,  1780,  to  take  some 
measure  to  procure  the  town's  "proportion  of  Beef'  for  the 
army,  at  which  meeting  they  chose  Dea.  Ninian  Cochran, 
Moderator,  and  ordered  the  Selectmen  to  purchase  and  deliver 
the  required  amount  at  the  town's  expense.  It  was  thought  to 
be  easier  for  the  colonies  to  pay  the  army-tax  in  beef  than  in 
money,  at  that  particular  time, — which  was  no  doubt  true.  The 
number  of  pounds  required  of  this  town  is  not  given  in  the 
records,  but  it  was  large  being  about  3000  pounds  for  1780,  as 
in  this  and  other  toAvns  in  the  vicinity,  town-meetings  Avere 
called  to  devise  means  of  meeting  so  great  a  demand.  But 
there  Avas  no  disposition  to  shirk,  and  the  beef-quota  Avas  filled 


DEFENCE    OF    RHODE    ISLAND.  105 

as  fast  as  p(3ssible.  Yet  at  the  same  time  they  practiced  the 
severest  economy  toward  themselves.  An  Article  was  in  the 
warrant  (July  24,  1780), 

"  To  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  to  build  a  Platform  iu  the  Meeting 
House  for  the  Minister," 

which  article  was  immediately  dismissed.  They  could  not 
afford  the  expense  I  Possibly  some  spreading,  theatrical  candi- 
date had  cauglit  the  modern  idea  of  discarding  a  desk  I  It 
appears  that  tliey  had  then  neither  platform  nor  pulpit,  and 
minister  or  moderator  stood  on  the  same  level  Avith  the  rest! 
And  they  would  have  nothing  more  until  they  could  pay  for  it  I 
The  previous  year  the  House  of  Kej^resentatives  had  voted 
(June  28,  1779),  to  raise  a  regiment  of  three  hundred  men  to 
assist  in  the  defence  of  Rhode  Island,  and  these  men  were  to  be 
enlisted  for  six  months.  Thomas  Bixby  of  Francestown  was 
chosen  Ensign.  The  soldiers  from  this  town  were  Oliver  Butter- 
field,  Archibald  Gambal,  William  Wheeler,  Jr.,  Abel  Hadley 
and  Simeon  Chubbuck.  This  was  more  than  the  quota  required 
of  the  town.  These  willingly  enlisted,  so  that  when  another 
call  came  they  voted  to  ''raise  no  more  men  by  poll  and  estate," 
i.  e.  they  would  volunteer,  or  be  drafted,  but  not  run  the  town 
further  into  del)t.  Yet  on  consideration,  they  voted,  six  weeks 
later,  to 

''  choose  a  Committee  &  invest  them  with  full  Power  of  Substitution 
ill  behalf  of  s''  Town  to  raise  our  Proportion  of  Men  at  the  Town's 
Cost." 

The  year  1780  was  noted  for  extreme  cold,  and  the  winter  of 
1779-80  was  called  by  the  Settlers  the  "Hard  Winter."  Water 
was  not  knov\^n  to  dro})  from  the  roof  for  six  weeks,  even  in  the 
sunniest  localities.  In  this  section  of  New  Hampshire  snow 
was  five  feet  deep  on  a  level  all  winter.  There  were  no  roads, 
nor  even  paths  in  this  town.  Boston  harbor  was  frozen  over, 
so  that  people  Avent  to  sleigh  rides  on  it.  The  only  going  too 
and  fro  in  this  vicinity  was  on  snow-shoes.  People  who  were 
fortunate  enough  to  have  any  corn,  could  not  carry  it  to  mill; 
and  the  settlers  lived  many  weeks- on  boiled  corn  and  broth, 
and,  rarely,  a  meal  of  wild  game.  Wood  was  drawn  on_  hand- 
sleds,  or  carried  on  their  shoulders.      In  cases  where  the  husband 


106  THE    HARD    AVINTEE. 

and  father  was  absent  in  the  arm}-,  women  and  children  endured 
great  hardship  in  getting  wood  enough  to  prevent  freezing  and 
keep  the  family  alive.  In  cases  where  children  Avere  too  poor 
to  have  any  boots,  which  was  often  tlie  fact,  tliey  sewed  old  rags 
round  their  feet  making  several  tliicknesses  of  them,  and  then 
saturated  the  whole  with  oil,  and  with  this  protection  against 
freezing  they  started  forth  into  the  woods.  It  was  a  long  and 
dreadful  winter,  and  in  these  frontier  towns  the  settlers,  far 
apart  and  poor,  endured  untold  privation  and  suffering.  Each 
cahiii,  however  scantily  provided  with  food,  was  separated  from 
all  the  world  else.  It  was  no  unusual  thing  for  the  log  house 
to  be  covered  out  of  sight  by  the  drifting  snow.  In  one  place 
in  New  Ham^^shire,  it  is  said,  a  flock  of  sheep  Avere  dug  out  of 
a  snow-bank  that  was  sixteen  feet  deep  above  their  backs,  under 
which  they  had  been  buried  and  lost  for  a  month.  The  few 
that  were  alive  when  found  had  subsisted  by  eating  the  wool 
off  the  dead.  And  at  this  time  the  larger  places,  like  Dover, 
Portsmouth  and  Boston,  were  blockaded  with  snow,  and  busi- 
ness was  nearly  stopped.  How  desolate  and  fearful,  therefore, 
to  these  lone  cabins  in  the  forest,  must  have  appeared  those 
long-continued  days  of  l)last  and  storm!  As  proof  that  all  this 
is  not  exaggeration,  we  find  that  the  Journal  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Legislature  (Mar.  8,  1780),  contains  a 

"  Resolve  to  enable  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  the  County  of  Hills- 
borough to  take  up  and  finish  sundry  matters  pending  at  said  Court  at 
their  next  term,  the  hi.-it  term  being  lost  by  reason  of  the  stormy  iceather H 

And  after  sucli  a  winter  of  suffering  and  desolation,  how  wel- 
come must  have  been  the  Avarm  days  of  spring  I  At  the  present 
day  Avith  our  comforts  and  unbroken  communication  Avith  the 
Avorld,  Ave  are  poorly  able  to  appreciate  the  endurances  and 
lieroism  of  those  Avho  established  our  institutions ! 

And  closely  folloAving  "The  Hard  Winter,"  and  late  spring 
came  the  "Dark  Day,"  May  19,  1780.  But  little  has  come 
doAvn  to  us  concerning  the  day  in  this  toAvn,  though  in  adjoin- 
ing towns  there  were  left  many  such  records  and  traditions. 
The  darkness  was  greatest  in  northern  Massachusetts  and  south- 
ern  Ncav  Hampshire.  More  or  less  it  covered  all  of  New. 
England,  Avas  noticed  along  the   Hudson  River,  but  Avas  not 


THE   DARK   DAY.  .     107 

dense  enough  fartlier  south  and  west  to  attract  much  attention. 
I  will  copy  from  my  History  of  Antrim  what  I  had  gleaned  and 
put  together  concerning  the  Dark  Day  in  this  vicinity.  "For 
several  days  previous  the  air  was  full  of  smoky  vapors,  as  if  fires 
had  been  })urning  in  the  woods,  the  sun  and  moon  appearing 
red  and  somewhat  obscured.  The  early  morning  of  May  19, 
was  cloudy  and  showery  and  cool,  with  some  thunder  and  light- 
ning. But  about  ten  o'clock  when'  the  artisans  were  busy  in 
the  shop  and  mill,  the  women  spinning  and  weaving,  and  the 
farmers  hurrying  with  their  spring  work  in  the  field,  it  began 
to  grow  dark.  Soon  the  wild  birds  screamed  and  flew  to  their 
nests, — the  hens  went  to  their  roosts, — the  cattle  came  up  utter- 
ing strange  cries  to  their  stalls, — the  sheep  bleating  woefully 
huddled  under  the  fences, — the  buds  and  opening  leaves  on  the 
trees  Avere  colored  almost  to  an  indigo  blue, — robins  and  blue- 
birds flew  into  the  houses  as  if  they  sought  the-  protection  of 
man;  the  rain  that  soon  followed  was  full  of  a  substance  like 
burnt  vegetable  matter,  forming  a  scum,  with  smell  of  soot,  over 
everything,  collecting  on  tlie  streams,  and  on  the  Merrimac  River 
liere  and  there  to  the  depth  of  half  a  foot; — and  this  strange 
untimely  darkness  increased  until  l)y  noon  })eople  had  to  light 
candles  to  eat  their  dinners  by  I  Many  were  so  much  in  fear 
that  they  could  not  eat.  Lights  were  seen  in  every  house,  and, 
out-of-doors,  people  carried  torches  to  light  their  steps.  Every- 
thing took  a  different  color  from  what  it  had  by  sunlight,  and 
consequently  the  sti-ange  reflections  of  the  torch-lights  were  in 
keeping  with  the  marvellous  and  changed  appearance  of  things. 
Hosts  of  peoplB  believed  the  end  of  the  world  had  begun  to 
come;  men  dropped  on  their  knees  to  pra}'  in  the  field;  many, 
ran  to  their  neighbors  to  confess?  wrongs  and  ask  forgiveness; 
multitudes  rushed  into  the  meeting-houses  in  towns  where  they 
had  such,  where  pious  and  aged  ministers,  pleading  repentance, 
interceded  with  God  in  their  behalf;  and  everywhere  through- 
out this  day  of  wonder  and  alarm,  the  once-careless  thought  of 
their  sins  and  of  their  Maker !  The  darkness  somewhat  increased 
all  day,  and  before  the  hour  of  sunset  was  so  intense  that  no 
object  whatever  could  be  distinguished.  Anxiously  and  tremb- 
lingl}"  people  waited  for  the  moon  to  rise  at  nine  o'clock,  and 
even  little  children  sat  silently  watching  to  see  if  its  helping 


108  FIE  ST    SCHOOL    MONEY. 

light  would  a])pear!  But  they  were  disappointed,  the  darkness 
being  too  dense  to  l)e  affected  by  the  moon  I  The  most  feeling- 
prayers  ever  prayed  in  the  town  were  offered  at  the  faniih'  altars 
that  ni(jht!  CHiikben  never  had  more  tender  blessing  than  these 
mothers  gave  them  ihat  n'mht !  But  while  the  little  ones  slept 
soundly  for  the  most  part,  the  parents  chiefly  sat  up  all  night 
in  anxiety,  or  rose  long  l)efoie  tlie  hour,  to  see  if  tlie  glorious 
sun  would  shine  again!  Ah  I  how  fear  was  turned  into  joy! 
Never  daAvned  a  lovelier  morning  than  that  of  the  20th  of  May ! 
Never  were  hearts  more  thankful  on  earth !  Even  thoughtless 
people  praised  (Jod!  And  so  much  wei'e  the  Avhole  population 
affected  by  this  event,  that  on  the  following  March,  nearly  a 
year  after,  many  towns  voted  to  keep  the  19th  of  May  "as  a  day 
of  fasting  and  prayer!" 

In  the  year  1781  the  first  appropriation  of  the  town's  money 
for  schools  took  place.  In  a  subsequent  chapter  more  will  be 
said  concerning  schools ;  but  a  few  words  may  be  expected  here. 
An  article  had  been  in  tlie  warrant  Mar.  8,  1779,  "to  see  if  the 
Town  will  raise  Money  for  a  Town  School,"  upon  which  no 
action  was  taken.  Their  poverty  and  hardship  were  sucli  as 
not  to  permit  any  other  outlay,  or  any  new  undertakings. 
Children  were  privately  taught,  when  it  was  possible,  parents 
being  generally  the  onh'  instructors.  But  as  the  town's  popu- 
lation had  somewhat  increased  each  year,  a  new  effort  was  made 
(Mar.  12,  1781.)  to  start  a  public  school.  K\\  article  was  in 
the  warrant 

"to  See  if  the  Town  will  vote  to  have  a  Town  School  and  if  they  Should 
to  See  how  much  Money  the  Town  will  vote  to  Suport  it." 

And  this  time  they  voted  without  opposition  to  "have  a  Town 
School,"  and  "A'^oted  to  Raise  Twenty-five  Spanish  Milled 
Dollars  to  Support  said  School," — which  for  their  time  and  cir- 
cumstances was  a  large  aj)propriation.  The  toAvn  now  could 
raise  a  thousand  dollars  at  less  real  sacrifice ! 

At  a  meeting  May  7,  1781,  the  town  declined  to  send  a  man 
"to  Concord  to  meet  the  Convention."  This  Convention  was 
called  to  form  a  ncAv  Constitution  for  the  state,  or  a  "Plan  of 
Government,"  as  they  called  it.  This  action  is  referred  to  on 
a  preceding  page,  and  is  now  mentioned  only  as  giving  an  in- 
timation concerning  the  increase  of  population.      In  the  month 


WAY    OF    CLEARING    OFF    FORESTS.  109 

of  March  preceding  the  State  Assembly  sent  out  an  order  of 
of  election  as  follows : 

"That:  such  Towns  &  places  as  contain  more  than  Fifty  families  be 
directed  (if  they  see  fit)  to  send  one  member  for  every  fifty  families, 
provided  that  each  Town,  Pai'ish  or  place  so  sending,  shall  pay  their 
own  members  for  their  time  &  expense." 

This  shows  why  so  many  of  the  small  towns  were  not  repre- 
sented in  that  long-drawn  convention,  as  they  would  rather 
forego  the  honor  tlian  bear  the  expense.  It  also  sliows  that,  as 
this  town  took  action  upon  the  order,  it  had  "more  than  fifty 
families  "  at  the  opening  of  the  year  1781.  There  was  not  much 
increase  in  wealth,  but  there  was  a  slow  and  constant  increase 
in  population,  in  spite  of  poverty  and  hardship  and  war.  The 
l)eople  were  full  of  courage  and  liope. 

July  24,  1781,  the  town  passed  a  vote  which  is  suggestive  of 
their  methods  of  clearing  away  the  magnificent  forests  of  that 

day: 

"voted  to  Cleare  of  the  wood  that  was  fell  on  the  Ministeral  [lot]  this 
Currant  year,"  and  "  voted  Zachariah  Kichardson  and  Edward  Byxby  to 
Set  fire  to  s*^'  wood." 

It  was  customary  to  cut  down  the  immense  trees  and  burn  them 
wliole  upon  the  spot.  Sometimes  they  had  wdiat  they  called  a 
"jam;"  that  is,  they  would  cut  all  the  trees  on  a  certain  tract 
nearly  off,  and  then,  when  all  was  ready,  they  would  start  the 
whole  by  falling  a  big  tree  against  one  side,  and  that  would  start 
others,  and  the  whole  piece  of  forest  would  go  down  at  once,  with 
a  fearful  crash,  filling  the  air  with  broken  limbs  and  shaking  the 
very  earth  for  a  long  distance  I  This  was  supposed  to  prevent 
the  "-lodging"' of  trees,  and  somewhat  diminisli  the  lal)or  of 
chopping!  It  was  a  magnificent  sight  to  see  from  one  thousand 
to  five  thousand  of  those  original  "giants  of  the  forest"  go  down 
at  once  I  But  it  was  dangerous  business,  as  a  premature  fall, 
or  a  rising  wind,  might  start  tlie  "jam"  before  they  were  ready! 
It  was  no  unusual  thing  at  the  "snap"  of  a  tree  beginning  to 
fall  on  one  side  of  a  "jam,"  for  the  workmen  on  the  other  side 
to  run  for  dear  life.  And  sometimes  in  spite  of  all  precautions 
they  were  overtaken  by  the  falling  trees  and  killed.  The  chair- 
man of  the  Board  of  selectmen  of  Society  Land,  Gideon  Dodge, 
Jr.,  lost  his  life  in  this  way,  being  struck  by  the  top  of  the  last 
fallinsf  tree! 


110  THE    MINISTERIAL    LOT. 

When  the  trees  had  hiin  froni  one  to  six  months  to  dry,  they 
set  a  day  for  the  "  burning,"  which,  though  less  dangerous,  was 
hardly  less  exciting  than  the  ''jam."  The  ground  being  covered 
with  timber  and  leaves  and  the  dry  mould  of  centuries,  the  fire 
swept  over  it  with  frightful  force  and  fury,  and  the  heat  was 
like  that  of  a  blazing  oven!  Great  precautions  had  to  be  taken 
to  prevent  its  spreading  beyond  the  desired  bounds,  and  a  strong 
force  of  men  were  put  on  guard. 

The  town  had  voted,  Dec.  25,  1780,  to  "accept  of  Lot  No.  2, 
in  the  Odiorne  Right  for  a  ministerial  Lot,"  and  a  part  of  it  was 
"chopped  over"  that  winter.     May  7,  1781,  they 

"  Voted  to  Raise  two  Hundred  Spanish  milled  Dollars  this  Currant  year 
towards  paying  for  the  Ministeriel  Lot  of  Laud." 

This  was  more  tlian  they  could  pay  for  schools  or  roads  or  houses 
to  live  in.  But  they  must  have  a  minister,  and  they  must  have 
a  home  for  him,  and  they  must  begin  then,  as  so  much  time 
would  have  to  be  occupied  in  clearing  the  land  and  providing  a 
home.  On  Sept.  6,  1781,  the  town  voted  that  Robert  Fulton 
should  have  the  use  of  the  ministerial  lot,  on  condition  of  his 
clearing  off,  sowing  and  fencing  the  same;  and  they  chose 
William  Starrett  "  to  see  that  the  Grass  sead  is  son  on  the  Min- 
isterial Lot,"  said  Fulton  being  required 

"to  so  four  Pounds  of  elover  Sead  and  two  Quearts  of  heards  Grass 
sead  P'^  acre." 

July  4,  1781,  the  New  Hampshire  Assembly  repealed  all  laws 
that  nuide  paper  nuoney  legal  tender, — a  step  most  needful,  as 
said  paper  w^as  nearly  worthless.  And,  as  by  said  Assembly  it 
was  declared  "next  to  an  impossibility  to  raise  silver  money," 
even  by  the  state,  the  financial  condition  of  affairs  was  at  the 
worst.  Even  when  the  Francestown  people,  called  a  minister, 
for  lack  of  any  other  method  of  payment,  they  offered  sixty 
poumls  salary,  "  Beef  at  d.  2  1-2 ;  Butter  d.  8  ;  Pork  d.  4."  But 
the  patience  and  fortitude  of  the  people  seemed  to  have  no 
bounds.  At  a  town  meeting  Apr.  15,  1782,  they  chose  a  com- 
mittee to  enlist  men  for  the  town 

"to  serve  in  the  Continentle  Army  for  three  years  or  During  the  war." 
This  was  seven  years  after  the  battle  of  Lexington !  Here  was 
no  disposition  to  give  up  I     After  seven  years  of  war  and  poverty 


TOWN    BOUNDARIES.  Ill 

and  hardship  and  suffering,  they  were  still  unanimously  deter- 
mined to  fight  on  till  they  were  free  I  They  also  chose  a 
committee  to 

"  Colect  the  Remander  of  the  Rey  that  the  Town  Iiidetted  to  James 
Harood," 

so  that  every  obligation  to  a  soldier  should  be  fully  met.  This 
year  (1782)  there  were  five  town-meetings,  which  shows  that 
many  unsettled  and  ini})ortant  questions  were  before  the  public 
mind.  At  one  of  these  they  passed  another  soldier  vote,  namely, 
to  restore  to  William  Dickey  certain  money  credited  to  the  town 
on  account  of  said  Dickey's  "Sarvice  in  the  Continantle  Armey." 
The  boundaries  between  the  several  towns  had  become 
somewhat  obscure  by  lapse  of  years  and  clearing  of  forests,  oc- 
casioning some  confusion  and  trouble;  and  many  felt  too  poor 
to  incur  the  expense  of  re-establishing  them.  ■  June  24,  1782, 
an  article  was  in  the  warrant 

"to  see  if  the  Town  will  vote  to  run  the  Line  betwixt  Ilalestowu  and 
this  Town," 

which  article  was  promptly  dismissed.  More  important  things 
taxed  every  energy  and  every  resource.  It  is  interesting  to 
notice  that  Weare  was  still  called  "Halestown"  by  people 
generally,  though  incorporated  under  name  of  Weare,  Sept.  21, 
1764.  In  old  petitions  the  name  appears  as  '' Hailstow^n,"  or 
"Col.  Weare's  Town."  Even  as  late  as  forty  years  ago,  Hales- 
town  was  the  familiar  term  among  old  people  in  this  vicinity. 
Nov.  25,  1782,  a  meeting  was  held  "at  the  House  of  John 
Wilkins  Inholder  in  Francestown,"  to  join  with  voters  of  New 
Boston  to  vote  for  a  representative  and  for  councillors.  This  is 
the  first  notice  of  the  kind  on  the  Francestown  records.  They 
had  been  used  to  going  to  New  Boston  to  vote.  This  time 
Reuben  Smith,  constable  of  New  Boston,  warned  the  voters  of 
that  town,  and  Jabez  Holmes,  constable  of  Francestown,  warned 
the  voters  of  this  town;  and  after  ver}'  dignified  preliminary 
steps,  they  chose  James  Caldwell  of  New  Boston,  Moderator, 
and  David  Starrett  of  Francestown  '>  CVar/c."  They  then  chose 
David  Lewis  to  represent  the  two  towns  "for  the  tarme  of  one 
year  in  the  General  Assembly." 


112  THE    DECLAEATION    OF    PEACE. 

The  following  3'ear  (1783)  very  little  business  of  importance 
is  noticed  in  the  town  records.  At  the  March  meeting  they 
'■'  Voted  to  Raise  No  money  For  School  this  year,"  indicating  the 
pincli  and  poverty  which  the}-  were  in,  A  curious  record  was 
made  Sept.  29,  as  follows: 

"  Voted  David  Starret  Grand  Juervor 

A  Tru  Coppi  P""  me  Tho^  Bixby 
T.  Clark" 

Also  Dec.  2,  1783,  the  selectmen  returned  the  vo.ters  of  the  town 
as  follows:  ^'Male  Poles  Paying  taxes  for  themselves,  65." 
'  But  the  great  event  of  the  year  1783,- was  the  declaration  of 
peace.  After  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  Oct.  19, 1781,  it  had 
been  the  general  feeling  both  sides  of  the  water,  that  the  war 
would  soon  cease.  It  had  cost  Great  Britain  more  than  a  hun- 
dred millions  of  pounds  sterling  and  more  than  fifty  thousand 
lives,  and  the  prospect  of  subduing  the  colonies  was  })oorer  than 
ever.  But  after  the  above  surrender,  the  Americans  kept  up 
their  army  as  well  as  they  could,  and  there  were  occasional 
conflicts  and  some  severe  fighting,  especially  at  the  south. 
Meanwliile  the  peace-party  was  rapidly  growing  in  England, 
and  soon  the  British  House  of  Commons  inflexibly  resolved  to 
"stop  the  war  in  America."  Old  King  George  was  enraged  and 
humiliated,  but  he  had  to  submit  to  it.  Things  moved  slowly 
but  surely  in  the  right  direction.  Vet  it  was  not  till  Apr.  23, 
1782,  that  the  newly-formed  British  Cabinet  signified  to  Frank- 
lin, Avho  was  in  France  at  that  time,  its  willingness 
"to  treat  at  Paris  for  a  general  peace,  conceding  American  independ- 
ence." 

And  after  much  negotiation  and  long  delay,  a  treaty  of  peace 
was  signed  Sept.  3,  1783,  between  the  English  and  American 
rej)resentatives,  and  formally  proclaimed  and  acknowledged. 
The  ai'ticles  had  been  agreed  upon  some  mcniths  before,  but  the 
announcement  was  kept  back,-  till  Great  Britain  should  make 
peace  with  France,  our  ally.  It  was  not  the  day  of  cablegrams, 
and  it  was  some  time  before  the  event  was  definitely  known  in 
this  country.  Everywhere  the  people  hailed  tlie  tidings  with 
demonstrations  of  joy.  The  people  were  proud  and  happy  over 
the  result  and  the  prospect,  but  they  were  left  exhausted  and 
poor.      They   had   endured    untold    hardships    and    sufferings. 


THE  JOY  THAT  FOLLOWED  PEACE.  113 

And  none  had  endured  more  than  the  scattered,  small,  frontier 
towns  like  this.  Francestown  did  her  part  in  all  the  public 
sacrifices,  at  the  same  time  that  her  few  inhabitants  were  strug- 
gling to  clear  away  the  forests,  build  their  houses  to  live  in,  make 
roads  and  start  school  and  church.  Francestown  was  incor- 
porated just  before  the  war,  erected  her  first  church  edifice 
during  the  war,  had  her  first  school  during  the  Avar,  arid  cleared 
more  land  during  the  war  than  in  all  the  preceding  years !  The 
work  and  j)atient  endurance  of  those  eight  years  of  the  war,  as 
shown  in  this  small  community,  were  almost  incredible  I  Women 
faced  danglers  without  flinchinofi  Mothers  and  little  children 
in  lone  cabins  buried  in  the  snow%  managed  to  struggle  through 
fearful  Avinters,  under  the  pinch  of  poverty  and  hunger,  while 
their  husbands  and  fathers,  half-clad  stood  upon  the  battle-field, 
or  huddled  about  the  camjj-fires  far  away  I  Now  it  was  over! 
Who  could  chide  this  little  community,  if  they  laughed  and 
cheered  and  shouted  for  joy?  None  entered  into  the  universal 
gladness  witli  more  abounding  enthusiasm  than  the  scattered 
people  of  this  town.  And  all  devout  minds  turned  at  once  to 
God.  Many  of  the  irreligious  joined  heartily  in  praise  to  the 
Most  High.  As  soon  as  possil)le  after  the  definite  knowledge 
of  peace  had  been  received.  Congress  issued  a  '•'Proclamation" 
(Oct.  18,  1783,)  appointing  "The  Second  Thursday  in  Decem- 
ber next  as  a  day  of  public  Thanksgiving."  This  proclamation 
was  signed  by  Elias  Boudinot  of  New  Jersey,  President  of  Con- 
gress, and  is  a  paper  most  reuiarkal;)le  for  reverence,  humility, 
beauty  and  force ;  and  should  be  put  into  the  school-boys  reading- 
book,  and  held  up  as  a  model  to  put  to  shame  many  heartless 
and  irreverent  proclamations  of  the  present  day! 

Some  citizens  of  this  town  were  in  the  ranks,  a  few  were 
at  home  on  furlough,  and  a  few  others  were  preparing  to  march 
to  the  front,  when  the  joyful  tidings  of  peace  reached  this  place. 
Many  plans  were  at  once  changed.  The  struggle  was  past. 
On  the  3d  of  November  following,  the  Revolutionary  Army  was 
disbanded,  and  tlie  worn  warriors  slowly  returned  to  theii- 
homes.  Many  came  with  ragged  uniforms  and  scars  and  un- 
healed wounds,  and  all  came  in  poverty;  but  they  came  with 
glad  hearts  and  sang  of  liberty  on  the  way! 


CHAPTER  III. 

OUTLINE     OF     EVENTS      IN     FRANCESTOWN     FROM     THE    CLOSE 

OF    THE    REVOLUTIONArvY    WAR    TO    THE    CLOSE 

OF    THE    CENTURY. 

The  long  struggle  witli  Great  Britain  being  over,  and  the 
United  States  being  now  everywhere  recognized  among  the 
nations  of  the  earth,  a  bright  prospect  seemed  to  be  l)efore  the 
land.  Those  among  the  returning  soldiers,  who  liad  no  homes, 
sought  the  new  toAvns  on  the  border  where  the  soil  was  both 
good  and  cheap,  and  purchased  and  located  as  soon  as  ])ossible. 
Several  soldiers  of  this  kind  came  to  Francestown.  Others  who 
had  not  been  in  the  arm}',  but  had  been  too  timid  to  undertake 
settling  down  anywhere  under  the  dangers  and  costs  of  war, 
now  that  these  obstacles  had  been  removed,  had  courage  to  start 
to  provide  homes  of  their  own.  New  hope  seemed  to  burn  in 
every  breast.  A  few  of  the  soldiers,  anticipating  a  discharge, 
engaged  friends  to  purchase  land  for  them  and  were  all  ready 
to  change  the  gun  for  the  axe,  with  a  will.  The  year  1784 
was  a  very  busy  one  in  this  town.  Those  who  had  been  in  the 
army  to  the  neglect  of  their  clearings,  had  a  j^ear's  work  before 
them  to  set  things  light.  New  settlers  began  in  various  parts 
of  the  town.  To  clear  off  the  forest,  build  fences,  subdue  the 
rooted  soil,  and  erect  or  enlarge  their  small  houses  and  barns, 
taxed  all  their  energy  and  strength.  It  was  a  year  of  hard 
work  and  poverty,  but  a  hopeful  happy  year,  for  this  little  com- 
munity. Only  one  extra  town-meeting  was  held  in  1784  except 
jury-meetings,  and  nothing  of  account  appears  upon  the  record. 
An  article  was  in  the  warrant  at  the  March  meeting  to  see  if  the 
town  would  vote  to  finish  the  inside  of  the  meeting-house;  but 
the  people  felt  too  poor  to  meet  the  expense  and  dismissed  the 
article.    At  the  same  time  a  proposition  to  '•'  Join  with  Newboston 


"THE    WOLF-YEAR."  115 

in  Regard  of  Representation,"  was  treated  in  the  same  way,  and 
for  tlie  same  reason.     The  second  town-meeting  (Aug.  31,)  was 
to  see  if  they  would  give  Rev.  James  Miltimore  a 
"Call   to   the   Ministry  in   8''   Town   and  See  what  mesures  thay  will 
Prosue  For  that  Porpus." 

And  they  voted  not  to  give  the  calL  This  Mr.  Miltimore  was 
an  able  and  good  man,  and  loved  everywhere  he  went;  and  prob- 
ably the  town  did  not  feel  able  to  pay  him.  He  afterwards  had 
a  long  pastorate  in  Newburyj)ort,  Mass.,  and  died  there  in  1836, 
aged  81.  He  was  the  man  who  declined  a  call  to  Antrim 
because  the  people  offered  him  more  than  they  were  able  to  pay ! 
It  has  been  whispered  about  that  such  ministers  and  such  people 
are  scarce  at  the  present  day! 

The  records  of  other  towns  bring  out  the  fact,  which  appears 
in  Francestown  only  in  traditions  and  stories,  that  1784  was 
known  throughout  the  state  as  the  "wolf-year."  All  summer 
and  fall  these  fierce  creatures  crept  in  about  the  settlements  in 
great  numbers,  from  the  forests  of  the  west  and  north.  They 
seemed  to  be  in  a  starving  condition,  and  did  great  damage  in 
destroying  sheep  and  calves,  and  even  attacking  cows  and  oxen. 
Children  were  in  constant  danger:  and  even  armed  men  could 
not  travel  safely  by  night.  The  State  paid  a  bounty  for  killing 
wolves,  and  in  addition  some  towns  paid  a  bounty  of  five  dollars 
for  every  dead  wolf.  Taking  into  account  the  financial  pinch 
of  the  times,  we  see  this  was  a  heavy  bounty,  and  it  shows  the 
great  urgency  and  da-nger  of  the  case.  In  the  winter  of  1784-85 
the  loss  and  trouble  in  this  vicinity  from  these  pests  could 
hardly  be  exaggerated.  It  was  a  long,  cold  hard  winter,  and 
the  snow  was  very  deep,  and  the  starving  wolves  seemed  to  lose 
the  fear  of  man.  They  howled  about  the  doors  and  at  the  Avin- 
dows  of  the  snow-bound  cabins  and  tried  to  get  into  the  barns 
where  the  little  flocks  were  sheltered.  They  made  night  and 
darkness  dreadful.  Toward  sunset,  when  men  began  to  hear 
their  yelping  in  the  woods,  they  left  off  work  and  hurried  home. 
Flocks  were  put  in  shelter  before  night,  and  all  doors  and  win- 
dows were  closed  and  fastened  at  dark.  It  was  more  than  a  year 
before  this  special  danger  was  over.  But  in  the  summer  of  1785 
these  animals  disappeared,  never  to  be  seen  in  any  considerable 
numbers  in  this  section  ao-ain. 


116  .  FIEST    WRITTEN    BALLOTS. 

At  the  meeting  Mar.  14,  1785,  having  elected  David  Starrett 
moderator,  the  town 

"Voted  that  the  to\vii  Clark  and  tlie  Seh-et  men  ]5e  Clioiis  ]5y  writen 
Votes." 

Previously  these  officers  had  been  chosen  by  '•^hand  vote;"  that 
is,  they  had  been  nominated  on  the  spot  and  chosen  by  uplifted 
hand.  In  those  days  the}^  had  no  caucus.  Tiiere  were  as  yet  no 
political  divisions  in  town.  But  some  personal  reasons  seem  to 
have  arisen,  making  it  desirable  to  vote  by  ballot,  as  we  do  now. 
They  then  chose  James  Fisher  "  Town  Clftrk,"  and  David  Star- 
rett, Thomas  Mitchell  and  Israel  Raich  selectmen.  Thus  by  the 
secret  ballot  they  elected  an  entirely  new  set  of  town  officers. 
They  then  adjourned  to  the  28th  of  March.  But  at  the 
adjourned  meeting,- as  soon  as  called  to  order  they 

"Voted  .James  Hogg  Selectman  in  the  Lew  of  Thomas  mitchel  He  Not 
Being  present  and  Could  Xot  Be  Sworn." 

Then  they 

"  Voted  Jabez  Holms  Selectman  in  the  Lew  of  Israel  Balsh  he  Being 
present  and  Refuses  to  Serve." 

Then  they 

"  Voted  to  lieconsider  Henry  ferson  from  Being  Constable  for  this  year," 

and 

"Voted  that  Asa  Lewis  Be  Constable  in  the  Lew  of  Enoch  Holms  Said 
Lewis  giving  Conscent  and  said  Holms  Hiring  Him  the  intent  of  it  that 
it  Should  Serve  Said  Holms  turn." 

It  will  be  seen  b}-  this  that  the  leading  men  wei'C  bound  to  take 
their  turn  in  discharging  the  duties  of  an  undesirable  office,  as 
previously  stated  in  connection  with  the  officers  chosen  at  the 
first  town  meeting. 

At  this  same  adjourned  meeting  (Mar.  28,) 

"Voted  that  the  in  Come  of  the  towns  Lot  Be  Sold  to  the  Highest 
Biddr  Bid  of  to  mr.  Fisher  at  one  pound  Eleven  Shillings  the  modator 
Being  the  Vandue  master." 

This  was  therefore  the  yearly  value  of  the  ministerial  lot  at  that 
time.  At  a  meeting  Ma}^  2,  1785,  the}^  voted  to  use  this  an- 
nual rent  for  improving  said  lot. 


THE    TlilE    OF    BROTHERLY   LOVE.  117 

In  subsequent  times  the  old  people  have  spoken  with  much 
enthusiasm  of  the  delightful  spirit  of  union  in  Society  in  those 
early  years.  They  had  hardsliips  and  privations,  but  they  all 
had  them  about  alike.  It  was  a  time  of  brotherly  love.  All 
were  struggling  to  better  their  condition,  and  the  evils  of  pride 
and  show  and  dress  and  envious  rivalry  had  not  yet  crept  in. 
We  may  make  considerable  allowance  for  the  well-known  ten- 
dency of  old  men  to  exaggerate,  when  speaking  of  former  scenes ; 
and  yet  it  nuist  be  admitted  that  these  scattered  families,  in 
their  log:  cabins  and  small  clearino^s,  did  live  tog-ether  in  delight- 
fill  helpfulness  and  peace.  There  are  indications  of  occasional 
friction  between  the  Scotch  and  English  portions  of  the  people; 
but  as  they  became  l)etter  acquainted,  and  families  intermarried, 
and  they  came  to  realize  that  their  interests  as  townsmen  were 
the  same,  these  differences  gradually  and  entirely  disappeared. 

March  3,  1786,  the  legislature  of  the  state  ordered  "a  return 
of  all  the  inhabitants"  before  tlie  '\second  Wednesda}-  of  June 
next,"  and  that  the  selectmen  who  should  fail  to  do  this  should 
pay  a  penalty  of  five  pounds.  This  census  had  been  forgotten 
for  half  a  century,  and  the  old  retui-ns  were  stowed  away  in  the 
attic  of  the  state  house  at  Concord;  Imt  they  were  discovered 
and  published  in  1877.  Strange  to  sa}-,  no  return  appears  for 
Francestown,  and  none  for  New  Boston.  Likewise  Deering, 
Lyndeboro',  Litchfield,  Londonderry  and  some  other  towns  made 
no  return.  There  was  some  uncertainty  as  to  the  meaning  of 
the  order,  and  probably  on  this  account  the  "penalty  of  five 
pounds"  was  never  collected.  Of  course  with  so  many  towns 
not  reported,  thfe  aggregate  would  be  too  small ;  but  the  popu- 
lation as  returned  was  95,801,  for  the  whole  state.  There  were 
five  counties,  of  which  Rockingham  -was  the  most  populous. 
Hillsboro'  County  had  thirty-five  towns  reported,  besides  the 
five  named  al)Ove  as  making  no  retui'n,  which  would  make  forty 
towns  in  the  county.  Acworth,  Alstead,  Andover,  Boscawen, 
Charlestown,  Chesterfield.  Cornish,  Dun  barton,  Newbury,  Hop- 
kinton.  New  London,  Salisbury  and  Sutton  then  belonged  to  this 
county.  The  population  reported  in  the  county  was  25,933, — 
less  than  two-thirds  of  the  number  of  people  residing  in  the  one 
city  of  Manchester  at  the  present  time.  At  that  time  tlie  popu- 
lation of  Hancock,  as  by  these  returns,  was  291 ;  Society  Land 


118  CENSUS   OF   1786. 

157  ;  Peteiboro'  824 ;  Nashua  (Dunstable)  554 ;  Weare  1574 ;  and _ 
Amherst  1912.  Probably  the  popuhition  of  Francestown  was 
about  500.  Another  authority  gives  the  population  of  Frances- 
town  in  1783  three  years  earlier  as  500,  which  no  doubt  was  a 
guess,  and  a  guess  too  high  by  nearly  100.  It  will  be  noticed 
that  the  population  of  many  towns  in  New  Hampshire  was  greater 
in  1780  than  in  1886.  The  population  of  Amherst  is  now  six 
hundred  less  than  it  was  a  hundred  years  ago.  The  population 
of  this  town  rapidly  increased  from  1786,  to  1790,  and  is  reported 
at  the  last  named  date  as  980, — which  is  larger  than  at  the 
present  time.     ■ 

As  indicated  by  the  census  of  1786,  slavery  was  nearly  wiped 
out  in  New  Hampshire  at  that  date.  In  the  order  for  said 
census  servants  were  not  called  "x/^/rcN"  but  "^persons  bound  to 
service  for  a  term  of  years."  The  constitution  of  1784  in  its 
very  nature  abolished  or  prevented  slavery,  as  shown  by  its 
opening  sentence:  ''All  men  are  born  equall}-  free  and  indepen- 
dent." In  furtherance  of  the  spirit  and  letter  of  this  constitution 
the  tax-law,  passed  Feb.  8,  1789,  "expunged  male  and  female 
servants  "  from  the  lists  of  taxable  property  throughout  the  state. 
Slaver}^  never  had  a  legal  standing  in  New  Hampshire,  such  as 
it  had  in  the  south.  It  has  been  said  by  many  historical  writers 
that  slaver}'  was  abolished  in  New  Hampshire  in  1810.  But  in 
1810  there  was  no  slavery  in  New  Hampshire  to  abolish.  No 
doubt  tlie  statement,  made  by  one  and  repeated  by  many  after 
him,  arose  from  the  fact  that  there  was  no  "servants"  returned 
in  the  census  of  1810.  The  record  of  "servants"  in  this  state 
was  as  follows:  1775,-657;  1790,-158;  1800,-8;  1810,-0. 
There  has  been  no  recognition  of  this  bondage  by  way  of  legis- 
lation in  New  Hampshire  since  the  tax-law  of  Feb.  8,  1789, 
referred  to  above.  Sometimes  in  that  day  the  courts  sentenced 
persons  l)oth  black  and  A^hite  to  so  many  "years  of  service"  as 
a  penalty  for  lesser  crimes.  Oct.  3,  1771,  the  Court  of  Sessions 
at  Amherst  sentenced  Jonas  Stapleton  for  theft,  that  he  be 
'^  wliipt  twenty  stripes  on  the  naked  back  at  the  publick  whipping-post 
this  afternoon," 

that  he  then  ])ay  the  costs,  that  he  return  the  stolen  goods,  that 
he  then  pay  the  owner  twice  the  value  of  the  goods  stolen,  and 
that  in  default  of  these  payments,  they  should 


WARNING    OUT    OF    TOWN.  119 

"  dispose  of  the  said  Jonas  in  servitude  to  any  of  his  Majesty's  subjects 
for  tlie  space  of  seven  years." 

But  no  slaves  were  ever  held  in  any  way  or  mannei-  in  Frances- 
town,  though  many  of  the  older  towns,  as  Weare,  New  Boston, 
Amherst,  contained  "persons  bound  to  service,"  in  the  daj^s 
before  the  Revolution. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  1786  (Mar.  13,)  after  voting 
"Thurty  Pounds  for  the  Support  of  the  Gospel  this  Currant 
year,"  they 

"Voted  to  FHng  out  the  artical  in  Eegard  of  Chusing  a  Justace  of  the 
Peas." 

This  is  expressive  of  somewhat  |)rompt  and  decisive  action! 
They  had  had  rather  ])oor  luck  with  such  distinguished  officials  ! 
This  3^ear  (1786)  we  find  the  first  record  of  what  used  to  be 
called  "warning  out  of  town."  These  papers  are  curiosities  at 
the  present  time,  and  many  will  l)e  pleased  to  read  the  lirst  one 
as  a  sample  of  a  large  numlier.      It  Avas  as  follows  verl)atim: — 

State  of  New  Hanipslieer  TTo  Tho**  IMxby 

Hillsborough  S8  !  Constable  of  Fran- 

cestown  for  the  year 
1786.     Greeting. 

Whareas  Eleazer  N'uting  and  Sarah  Nuting  his  Wife  and  Sally  Nuting 
his  Daughter  hath  Latly  Com  from  Pepperal  to  sojorn  or  Dwell  in  this 
Town  and  it  appeareth  to  Us  that  they  have  not  an  Estate  Sufficient  to 
support  them  in  Case  of  seekeue-ss  or  other  Causalties  and  is  thearfore 
Likely  to  becom  Chargable  to  this  town  in  Case  Either  Should  happen 
therfore  to  Prevent  tlie  same  you  are  hearby  Required  in  the  N'ame  of 
the  State  Aforesaid,  forthwith  to  warn  the  s*^^  Eleazer  Nuting  and  Wife 
and  Daughter  to  Depart  from  and  Leave  this  town  forthwith  to  Prevent 
Further  trouble,  and  you  are  to  Return  this  Warrant  to  the  Clerk  of  the- 
Quarter  Sessions  of  this  County  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  this  shall  be 
your  sufficient  Warrant — 

Given  Under  Our  hand  and  seal  at  Francestown  this  Twentyfourth 
Day  of  November  Anno  Dom.  178(5 — 

-Tabez  Holmes  (  ^  ^i    .^ 
William  Starrt  ■}  \j 
James  Hogg     (  ^ 

A  few  days  earlier,  though  recorded  later, 

"  Rol)ert  ""'Clench  and  Mary  '"^(^'lench  his  Wife  with  two  others  belong- 
ing to  there  Family  Lydda  Clark  and  William  Ceavers  Latly  Come  from 
Marrymack," 


120  FINANCIAL   DISTRESS. 

were  warned  to  leave  this  town.  This  was  a  mere  legal  form- 
ality  to  prevent  what  is  now  called  a  "settlement,"  it  being  the 
legal  precaution,  according  to  the  law  of  those  days,  to  avoid 
liability  to  support  such  persons  in  case  of  need.  This  form- 
ality being  passed  through  and  recorded,  the  towns  such  persons 
came  from  would  be  held  for  their  sui)})ort.  But  persons  warned 
away  were  not  obliged  to  leave  town,  and  Avere  never  expected 
to  leave  on  that  account.  Nor  were  they  desired  to  leave. 
Often  those  warned  off  became  the  best  of  citizens,  and  accu- 
mulated large  possessions.  It  would  seem  strange  at  first 
thought,  that  where  all  the  people  were  poor,  poor  people 
should  be  discriminated  against.  But  if  we  keep  in  mind  the 
fact  that  this  was  a  mere  form,  for  the  sake  of  pecuniary  look- 
out, we  shall  not  misjudge  our  fathers.  This  most  unwelcome 
service  way  laid  upon  the  selectmen  by  law;  and  it  must  have 
cost  them  both  labor  and  })ain,  to  pry  into  the  circumstances  of 
every  new  settler  and  inflict  this  warning  upon  him  if  he  were 
poor !  This  law  and  custom  of  "  warning  out  of  town  "  have  long 
since  2)assed  away;  though  their  spirit  remains  in  the  law  as  to 
settlements  and  support  of  the  poor  at  the  present  day. 

At  this  time  tliere  was  a  feverish  and  alarming  state  of  the 
pul)lic  mind  on  account  of  financial  matters.  The  depression  and 
danger  were  greater  than  had  been  experienced  in  the  hardest 
days  of  the  long  w^ar  for  independence.  There  was  a  dearth  of 
coin ;  it  was  extremely  difficult  to  get  anything  to  pay  state  and 
county  taxes  with ;  the  state  and  nation,  and  county,  and  most 
of  the  towns,  and  great  numbers  of  the  people  were  in  debt. 
Public  credit  was  almost  destroyed,  and  individual  credit  Avas  at 
the  lowest.  The  })eople  thought  Legislatures  and  courts  could 
afford  a  remedy,  and  flooded  these  bodies  with  petitions  and  even 
threats.  Old  excitements  and  discontents  burned  higher  than 
ever.  There  was  a  popular  craze  for  paper  money,  notwith- 
standing the  calamitous  failure  of  the  Continental  Currency;  the 
idea  being  that  a  limited  amount  issued  by  the  state  would  bring 
immediate  relief,  and  be  proof  against  depreciation.  For  tempor- 
ary necessity  and  by  way  of  experiment,  the  legislature  of  New 
Hampshire  passed  an  act  making  property  of  almost  every  kind 
a  legal  tender  for  the  payment  of  debts,  said  property  to  be  taken 
at  an  appraised  value.     This  was  in  1785.     But  people  would 


shay's  rebellion.  121 

not  take  for  debts  property  which  could  not  be  turned  into  cash; 
and  the  result  was,  to  make  specie  scarcer  and  times  harder. 
Things  grew  worse  and  worse.  People  clamored  for  relief  by 
law,  as  if  some  arbitrary  enactments  could  accomplish  what  econ- 
omy and  presevering  labor  and  long  patience  have  alone  been 
able  to  do.  Conventions  began  to  be  held  here  and  there,  to 
devise  means  of  help.  Some  proposed  to  a^bolish  county  courts 
and  establish  town  courts,  to  save  expense.  One  curious  peti- 
tion was  sent  in,  that 

"  not  more  than  two  lawyers  should  be  allowed  in  any  county.!  " 
Perhaps  this  last  was  a  good  plan,  but  most  of  the  schemes  were 
visionary  and  impracticable,  and  only  added  fuel  to  the  flame. 
At  length  the  excitement  culminated  in  rebellion.  Sept.  20, 
1786,  about  a  thousand  armed  men  assembled  at  Exeter,  sur- 
rounded the  hotise  where  the  Legislature  was  in  session,  sent  in 
a  petition,  and  declared  their  intention,  if  it  was  not  granted,  of 
exacting  relief  by  force.  Gen.  Sullivan,  President  of  the  state 
and  ex-oliicio  a  member  of  the  Senate,  spoke  against  the  petition, 
showing  its  weakness  and  wrong,  and  declared  that  the}^  ought 
not  to  pass  any  act  under  threats  of  violence,  and  that  "no  con- 
sideration of  personal  safety"  could  extort  from  him  any  such 
action  as  President  of  the  state.  The  mob  held  the  Legislature 
prisoners  till  after  dark,  when  they  found  a  way  of  escaj^e ;  the 
militia  were  immediately  called  out,  and  immediately  responded, 
and  before  the  next  night  the  mob  was  entirely  dispersed. 
There  was  no  bloodshed,  though  the  case  looked  desperate  for  a 
time.  In  Massachusetts  the  disturbance  culminated  in  what  is 
known  as  "Shays'  Rebellion."  Daniel  Shays,  a  captain  in  the 
Revolutionary  army,  at  the  head  of  2,000  men,  many  of  them 
old  soldiers,  prevented  the  holding  of  courts,  and  marched  to 
capture  the  arsenal  at  Springfield.  But  he  was  met  by  the  state 
troops  and  after  a  short  conflict  the  insurgents  fled,  leaving  sev- 
eral dead  and  wounded  upon  the  field.  The  next  day  they  were 
pursued  by  a  larger  force,  and  after  another  struggle,  a  part  of 
tliem  were  captured,  and  the  rest  fled  in  every  direction,  most  of 
them  escaping  into  New  Hampshire.  These  refugees  from  the 
rebellion  at  once  sought  the  frontier,  towns  and  scattered  among 
the  new  settlements  and  lived  in  obscurity.  Several  of  them 
settled- in  this  vicinity,  though  not  at  first  in  this  town.     Most  of 


122  TOWN    POUND. 

them  were  well-meaning,  thougli  misguided  men,  and  became 
good  citizens  and  their  descendants  are  among  our  best  people. 
This  Avas  the  end  of  armed  opposition,  but  the  financial  distresses 
continued  several  years,  gradually  disappearing  in  the  general 
peace  and  gain  of  the  land,  and  finally  were  forgotten  in  the 
establishment  of  the  Federal  constitution  and  the  increase  of 
commerce.  It  is  not  known  that  any  resident  of  Francestown 
participated  in  these  disturbances,  though  probabl}'^  none  had  a 
harder  struggle  with  debts  and  poverties  and  privations  than  this 
new  and  scattered  connnunity. 
This  year  (1786,)  the  town 
"Voted  to  buld  the  Pound  on  the  Common  Xear  the  meeting  House." 
It  Avas  the  custom  in  those  days  to  "pound"  any  kind  of  live 
stock  found  doing  damage.  If  any  creatures  Avere  found  on 
another  man's  land,  he  could  drive  them  to  the  "pound"  and 
put  them  in,  and  they  would  have  to  remain  there  at  the  owner's 
expense  till  he  should  pay  all  damages  and  costs.  If  the  costs 
were  not  paid,  the  toAvn  Avould  take  the  stock  and  sell  it  to  pay 
the  same.  A  "pound-keeper"  aa^is  annually  chosen  by  the  tOAvn 
to  take  care  of  such  stock  according  to  laAv.  At  first,  somebody's 
barn  Avas  used  for  this  purpose.  The  selectmen  were  obliged  to 
proAdde  a  place.  The  first  record  concerning  the  matter  Avas 
made  Mar.  11,  1782,  AAdien  the  question  of  "bulding  a  Poond" 
AA^as  talked  over  and  they  A^oted  that  the  "Selectmen  shall  ap- 
point a  pound"  for  that  year  as  before.  The  common  pound 
consisted  of  a  very  high  stone  wall  enclosing  from  four  to  eight 
or  ten  square  rods  of  land,  the  wall  being  surmounted  by  a  heavy 
timber  laid  upon  it ;  and  there  Avas  a  high  door,  Avitli  locks  and 
bars,  opening  through  the  Avail.  It  AA^as  quite  a  formidable 
structure  and  Avas  held  in  those  days  to  be  of  great  importance. 
It  AA^as  expensive  and  disgraceful  to  have  one's  cattle  "put  in  the 
pound."  The  Avriter  remembers  such  cases,  and  the  great  ex- 
citement they  caused  in  the  neighborhood  and  in  the  whole 
town.  Sometimes  advantage  was  taken  of  this  laAv  to  "  pound  " 
cattle  for  jDurposes  of  revenge,  Avhen  there  Avas  no  just  cause  for 
complaint;  and  in  some  towns  personal  feuds  AA'cre  begun  in  this 
Avay,  that  lasted  till  death.  The  pound  had  no  covering  or 
shelter,  and  Avas  a  hard  place  for  stock  in  storms  or  cold  weather. 
But  they  continued  in  use  till  about  1855,  since  AA-hich  time 


UNITED    STATES    CONSTITUTION.    ^  123 

they  have  gradually  fallen  into  di.u^e  and  decaj",  and  now  remain 
as  dilajjidated  monument ;  of  the  pajt.  The  pound  in  this  town 
was  built  in  1787,  and  the  first  pound-keeper  managing  the  same 
was  Peter  Woodbury,  he  having  been  elevated  to  that  then  im- 
portant office  Mar.  11,  1788.  This  pound  stood  west  of  the 
Academy,  between  the  Greenfield  road  and  the  horse  sheds. 
Complaint  was  made  in  1799  that  some  one  had  carried  away 
"part  of  the  stones  of  the  pound,"  and  the  town  voted  (Mar. 
1800)  to 

"  Build  a  new  pound  on  the  South  east  Corner  of  the  Common." 
But  the  old  one  waj  repaired  instead  and  answ^ered  its  purpose 
many  j'ears.     The  last  of  it  was  used  for  the  foundation  of  the 
new  meeting-house  1885.     At  the  March  meeting  of  1787,  the 
town 

"  Voted  the  Selectmen  be  a  committy  to  Say  whare  thay  Shall  Euld 
hors  sheads  on  the  Common." 

At  this  meeting  an  article  was  in  the  warrant  to  vote  for  "  Presi- 
dant  and  Counselers,"  but  no  record  was  made  of  said  votes. 
In  September  of  this  year  a  decision  was  reached  to  finish  the 
inside  of  the  meeting-house  of  which  a  careful  account  is  given 
elsewhere.  Many  transactions  of  this  year  were  of  importance 
to  the  people  at  that  time,  but  not  such  as  need  to  be  handed 
down  by  the  historian's  pen.  The  jea,v  however  is  memorable 
as  that  in  which  the  convention  met  to  form  the  United  States 
Constitution.  This  convention  met  in  Philadelphia  in  May  1787 
and  chose  George  Washington  as  its  presiding  officer.  It  was 
absolutely  necessary  to  have  a  stronger  government  than  that 
offered  by  the  ''Articles  of  Confederation,"  under  which  Con- 
gress had  no  power  to  enforce  the  collection  of  taxes,  or  duties. 
But  this  Convention  had  a  difficult  w'ork  before  it.  The  smaller 
states  w^ere  jealous  of  the  larger  ones,  Rhode  Island  not  being 
represented  in  the  Convention,  and  being  the  last  to  accept  the 
Constitution,  not  accepting  it  till  1790  Avhen  Washington  had 
been  President  of  the  Ujiited  States  a  year.  But  at  length, 
after  a  session  of  four  months,  with  long  debates  and  oppositions, 
and  many  compromises,  the  Constitution  was  signed  Sept.  17, 
1787,  and  sent  out  out  to  the  States  for  ratification.  Strong 
oppositioii  was  made  to  it  in  every  state.  Ten  states,  however, 
soon  accepted  it,  though  some  of  them  by  small  majorities,  so 


124  COIVEMITTEE    ON    THE    CONSTITUTION. 

that  it  went  into  operation  in  1788,  and  Washington  was  elected 
President  in  November  of  that  year.  In  this  state  the  conven- 
tion to  ratify  or  reject,  met  at  Exeter  Feb.  13,  1788.  After 
earnest  debate  till  Feb.  22,  they  adjourned  to  meet  at  Concord 
the  third  Wednesday  in  June  (June  18,  1788,)  and  after  sharp 
debate  and  much  opposition  a  vote  was  taken  June  21st  by 
which  the  Constitution  was  ratified,  the  vote  standing  57  yeas 
to  47  nays.  New  Hampshire  was  the  ninth  state  to  accept  the 
Constitution  and  thus  made  the  requisite  number  of  states  to  put 
the  new  form  of  government  in  motion.  Hence  tlie  action  of 
our  state  was  an  occasion  of  joy  to  tire  friends  of  the  Union 
throughout  the  land.  But  most  of  the  delegates  from  this 
vicinity  voted  against  ratifying,,  among  them  Atherton  of  Am- 
herst, Cochran  of  New  Boston,  Jones  of  Lyndeboro',  Dow  of 
Antrim  and  Deering,  Dix  of  Peterboro,  Dole  of  Bedford,  and 
Bixby  of  Francestown.  This  town  took  hold  of  the  question 
with  great  dignity  and  deliberation.  At  a  meeting  Jan.  24, 
1788,  they 

"Voted  to  Chuse  a  Commety  of  13  men  to  take  Into  Consideration  the 
Federal  Constitution," 

and  then  adjourned  to  Feb  4. 
This  committee  was  as  follows : 

Maj''  Oliver  Holmes  Thomas  Bixby 

Wm  Starratt  Nath'^  Sleeper 

Zaoariah  Whiting  *              Cap*  Sleeper 

Jabez  Holmes  Sam^  ]N"vitt 

John  Dickey  James  Hogg 

James  Fisher  Boyd  Hopkins 

David  Starratt 

At  the  adjourned  meeting  this  committee  made  a  report;  but 
whether  for  or  against  nothing  is  known.  It  is,  however,  to  be 
concluded  that  they  opposed  the  constitution,  since  a  motion  was 
immediately  made  and  carried  "Not  to  except  it."  And  then, 
though  nothing  was  in  the  warrant  with  reference  to  it,  they 
chose  Thomas  Bixby  delegate  to  the  Convention  at  Exeter 
"to  Detarmain  Whether  it  Shall  be  adopted  in  this  State  or  not." 

Of  course  he  went  virtually  instructed  to  oppose  the  new  con- 
stitution. It  is  noticeable  tliat  a  change  of  five  votes  in  the 
convention  would  have  prevented  its  adoption  at  that  time ; 


19 

vots 

19 

vots 

19  vots 

31 

" 

o 

vots 

5 

vots 

5 

vots 

5 

vots  " 

VOTES    FOR    CONGRBSSMEK.  125 

and  no  one  can  tell  what  delays  and  dissensions  would  have  fol- 
lowed. The  first  meeting  called  in  this  town  to  vote  for 
President  and  Congressmen  was  on  the  "  third  Mondy  of  Decem- 
ber," 1788,  and  the  record  for  representatives  is  thus: 

"  Timothy  Farrar  Esqr 
Abeel  Foster  Esq. 
Moses  Dow  Esq 
Woodbury  Langdon 

And  for  Electors  the  record  reads; 

"  John  Duncan 
Jonathan  Gove 
Archable  nic  Murphy 
John  Sullesou 

This  record  does  not  indicate  any  great  enthusiasm  in  the 
matter  of  voting.  In  fact  the  people  of  this  town  looked  upon 
the  new  constitution  as  a  doubtful  experiment,  and  hence  any 
action  under  it  would  not"  be  expected  to  be  very  zealous.  In 
most  of  the  towns  in  this  vicinity,  very  few  votes  were  cast, 
and  there  seems  to  liave  been  no  choice,  as  there  was  another 
town  meeting  Feb.  9,  1789,  to 

"  Bring  Votes  for  Three  men  to  Kepresent  this  State  In  Congress 
Agreeable  to  an  Act  of  Cort." 

At  this  last  meeting 

"  Benjamin  "West,  Nicholos  Gilhnan  and  Abiel  Fosster,  each  received  15 
Vots." 

Hon.  Benjamin  West  of  Charlestown,  being  elected  would  not 
accept,  as  appears  from  the  following  article  in  tlie  warrant  for 
another  town-meeting  June  22,  1789: — 

"to  bring  in  vots  for  a  Rei^resentative  in  the  rome  of  Benjamon  Wist 
who  Declined  his  Appointment." 

No  record  is  found  of  any  voting  under  this  article.  At  the 
previous  March  meeting  they  were  ''to  bring  in  vots  for  Presi- 
dent and  sinnetors  "  (state  officers),  but  no  action  aj)pears  upon 
the  books.  Perhaps  these  votes  were  recorded  on  a  separate 
paper,  and  the  returns  made  in  due  foiin,  though  not  entered 
in  the  books  of  the  town.  The  same  thing  appears  as  to  votes 
for  members  of  the  second  Congress,  Mar.  1790.  But  from 
failure  to  elect,  another  meeting  was  called  (Aug.  30,  1790)  at 
which  they 


126  CALL    TO    MR.    BRADFORD. 

"  Voted  for  the  following  Geutallmen  to  Represent  this  State  in  Con-_ 
gress,  (viz)  Samuel  Livermore  Esqr,  Jeremiah  Smith,  John  Samuel 
Sharburne ; " 

nothing  being  stated  as  to  tlie  ]iuniber  of  votes  cast. 

At  a  meeting  Nov.  16,  1789,  an  article  was  in  the  warrant 

"  to  see  if  town  will  Agree  to  Anax  with  the  Society  Land  peo^Dle  in 
Reguard  of  Representation," 

which  tliey  promptly  decided  in  the  negative. 

Feb.  15,  1790,  at  a  legal  meeting  called  for  the  purpose,  the 
town  voted  to 

"give  Mr.  Moses  Bradford  an  Invitation  to  Settel  in  the  Gosple  Men- 
nesstry." 

The  church  had  previously  given  him  a  call,  and  the  vote  of  the 
church  is  recorded  in  the  toan  book.  This  call  will  be  noticed 
at  length  in  the  chapter  on  ecclesiastical  matters ;  but  is  refer- 
red to  here  because  the  town  as  such  took  the  whole  undertaking 
into  its  own  liands.  The  town  determined  the  salary  to  be 
offered,  fixed  the  date  of  ordination,  voted  that  the  '^  Select 
Men  be  the  Commettee  to  Provid  for  the  Councal,"  chose  Moses 
Eaton,  Samuel  Nutt,  Samuel  Nichols,  James  Fisher,  David 
Starrett,  and  Oliver  Holmes,  a  committee  "to  Build  a  Stage  to 
ordain  mr.  Bradford  on,"  and  appointed  John  Dickey  and  Wil- 
liam Starrett  to  "deed  him  the  Town  Lot."  Thus  Mr.  Bradford 
was  the  toaiis  minister  and  the  town  paid  his  salary  during  all 
his  long  pastorate.     Aug.  16,  1790,  the  town 

"Voted  that  M'"  Bradford  if  he  Settels  in  this  Town  shall  have  three 
Sabaths  in  Every  year  to  himself  and  that  when  Ever  he  Shall  purchase 
a  farm  in  Town  the  town  Shall  Give  their  security  for  the  same  and 
such  a  part  of  his  sallar}'  as  he  can  Spare  yearly  to  go  to  pay  the  same 
until  it  is  paid  up  and  he's  likewise  to  have  thirty  Cords  of  Wood  hall'' 
to  his  Dore  and  Cut  fore  feet  Long,  he  the  s'^  Bradford  to  find  the 
Wood  in  s'^'  town." 

It  would  seem  that  they  intended  to  keep  the  good  man  warm ! 
Thirty  cords  of  wood  per  year  was  certainly  not  a  short  allow- 
ance !  The  large  old  tire-places  swallowed  up  wood  like  a 
furnace  I 

But  cutting  and  drawing  this  wood  came  to  be  a  burden  in 
subsequent  years.  Sometimes  it  became  an  occasion  of  jest  and 
fun  at  the  minister's  expense.     An  effort  was  made  at  first  to 


CLAIM    OF    REV.    DAVID    ANNAN.  127 

divide  the  town  into  four  parts,  each  part  to  take  its  turn  in 
providing  the  wood.  But  this  plan  did  not  work  successfully; 
and  an  article  was  put  in  the  wai'rant  annually  to  see  what  the 
town  would  do  in  "•'reguard  to  giting  M^'.  Bradfords  wood." 
In  later  years  they  gave  Mr.  Bradford  -^30, 

"  in  Lieu  of  the  Town's  getting  his  compliment  of  Wood." 

At  the  close  of  his  long  pastorate  the  work  and  cost  of  warm- 
ing the  good  man  had  greatl}^  increased.  But  one  way  or 
another,  the  town  kept  its  pledge  to  the  last. 

The  same  year  of  Mr.  Bradford's  settlement  the  town  had 
some  controversy  with  Rev.  David  Annan  of  Petei'boro'.  This 
Mr.  Annan  had  a  bad  reputation,  had  been  publicly  cliarged  with 
dishonesty  and  drunkenness,  and  was  deposed  from  the  ministry 
in  1800.  His  older  brother,  Rev.  Robert  Annan,  afterwards 
settled  in  Boston,  had  been  called  (1781)  to  settle  in  Frances- 
town.  I  have  ]iot  been  able  to  discover  the  facts  concerning 
this  controversy.  Mr.  Annan  wrote  a  letter  to  the  town,  which 
was  read  in  public  meeting  (Mar.  15,  1790),  and  the  selectmen 
were  instructed  to 

"  writ  a  Letter  and  send  it  to  M'"  Annen  of  Peterborough  or  go  and  see 
him  and  make  Report." 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  (Aug.  16)  they  were  called  to  act 
"in  reguard  of  paying  M'"  Annen  his  Aceompt  Against  the  town." 

But  the  town  refused  to  pay;  and  probably  that  was  the  end  of 
the  mattei',  as  nothing  further  appears  on  the  record  concern- 
ing it. 

At  the  March  meeting  1790  the  following  curious  article  was 
in  the  warrant: 

"  To  take  into  consideration  in  what  manner  the  High  way  rate  hath 
ben  layed  in  times  passt  and  Act  Discrestionly  in  adapting  Meathods 
for  the  futer." 

It  seems  that  some  individuals,  by  one  excuse  or  another,  would 
put  off  working  out  their  tax  till  the  year  had  expired,  and 
would  then  refuse  to  work  it  out  at  all.  Or  they  would  work 
out  a  small  part,  and  get  rid  of  the  rest  in  this  way.  But  the 
people  of  Francestown  hated  dishonesty,  and  proposed  a  sum- 
mary remedy  for  this  meanness  just  named.  They  put  "the 
Highway  Rate  into  the  Constable's  hand"  and  instructed  him 


128  LAST    CONTINENTAL    PAPER. 

to  collect  in  cash  and  at  once  what  ''unj  person  fales  to  work 
out"  within  the  year.  They  certainly  acted  promptly  and 
"■  Discrestionly," — and  there  was  no  more  trouble  "for  the 
futer!" 

Mar.  14,  1791,  the  town  voted  that  the  Selectmen  be  a  com- 
mittee to  sell 

"  the  old  Emittion  Money  that  is  in  the  Treasurors  HanfU." 
This  was  paper  issued  during  the  war,  and  now^  depreciated  so 
as  to  be  of  little  value.  Nobody  would  take  it,,  and  it  had  long 
remained  in  the  treasury,  and  now  they  determined  to  sell  it  for 
what  they  could  get.  The  matter  of  paper  currency  has  been 
touched  on  a  previous  page,  but  the  terms,  "Lawful  Money," 
"Old  Tenor,"  "New  Tenor,"  "Old  Emission,"  "New  Emission," 
&c.,  continue  to  appear  in  endless  confusion.  No  two  were 
alike,  and  no  one  had  any  uniformity  of  value.  In  Massachu- 
setts after  a  certain  date  an  ounce  of  silver  was  to  be  considered 
worth  6  s.  8  d.,  or  three  ounces  of  silver  worth  one  pound;  and 
this  was  called  "Lawful  Money,"  and  is  said  to  be  the  origin  of 
that  phrase. 

Aug.  15,  1791,  at  a  meeting  called  for  the  purpose,  Jonathan 
Fisk  was  chosen  "dellegate"  to  the  convention  to  revise  the 
constitution. 

As  earh'  as  1787  the  matter  of  forming  "classes"  in  town 
(school  districts)  was  talked  over,  as  it  became  more  diflficult 
for  all  to  meet  in  one  place;  but  the  difficulties  in  the  w^ay 
were  so  manj-,  especially  of  providing  school-houses,  that  no 
action  was  reached.  But  the  question  continued  to  be  agitated, 
and  to  grow  in  importance,  till  at  a  town-meeting  called  for  the 
j)urpose  Nov.  16,  1789,  to  see  that 

"  Ever}^  Class  may  Draw  the  proportionable  part  of  the  money  that  is 
Raised  by  the  town  for  the  use  of  a  school," 
they 

"voted  that  the  town  shall  class  themselves  within  one  fortnight;" 
otherwise  a  "  Commette  for  that  porpus  " 

w^as  to  proceed  to  class  them.     This  committee  consisted  of 

John  Dickey 
James  Fisher 
Joseph  Guild 
Capt  Sleeper 
Boyd  Hopkens 


FIRST    SCHOOL    DISTEICTS.  129 

But  formino-  school  districts  so  as  to  satisfy  people,  was  found 
to  be  a  very  difficult  uiidertaking.  To  "class  themselves"  prop- 
erly, and  agree  about  it,  Avas  more  than  could  be  expected  of 
any  people.  Plans  were  suggested  and  opinions  were  expressed, 
but  still  nothing  definite  was  done.  Aug.  30,  1790,  they  again 
voted  to  "CUass  themselves  in  severl  Classess."  ■  The  necessi- 
ties of  the  case  were  now  so  pressing  that  the  committee  outlined 
the  several  classes  or  districts  so  as  to  satisfy  the  majority:  and 
the  town  voted  Mar.  14,  1791, 

"  to  Asstablisli  the  Classes  for  school  as  they  now  stand," 
though  making  no  mention  of  bounds  or  names.     For  other 
items  connected  with  this  subject  the  reader  is  referred  to  the 
Chapter  on  Schools. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  revolutionary  war,  some  of  the  in- 
habitants in  the  north  part  of  Lyndeboro'  began  to  talk  of  a 
union  with  Francestown.  They  were  nearer  to  the  village  in 
tliis  town,  and  they  were  separated  by  high  hills  and  hard  roads 
from  the  centre  of  Lyndeboro'.  Hence  they  attended  church 
here,  though  belonging  there.  Matters  went  on  in  this  way  sev- 
eral years,  till  at  last  they  petitioned  this  town  to  receive  them. 
At  a  special  meeting  Feb.  15, 1790,  an  article  was  in  the  warrant 

"To  see  if  the  Town  will  hear  a  Pertition  of  a  Xiunber  of  the  Inhabit- 
ants of  Lyndeborough  Addition  so  Called  to  this  Town  and  Act  thereon 
as  thay  shall  think  Proper;" — 

on  which  the  town  voted  to  receive  them.  On  the  30th  of 
Aug.  of  the  same  year,  the  town  of  L3aideboro'  also  voted  that 
the  petitioners  should  be  set  off  to  Francestown.  Thus  the 
reasonableness  of  their  wish  seemed  to  be  conceded  on  all  sides. 
But  meanwhile  the  project  of  incorporating  a  new  town  out  of 
the  western  part  of  Lyndeboro'  and  southern  part  of  Society 
Land  was  agitated.  A  petition  for  this  had  been  sent  to  the 
Legislature  in  the  spring  of  1784,  or  a  few  months  earlier,  and 
that  body 

"Was  pleased  to  Ajipoint  a  Committee  of  the  Court  to  come  and  view 
the  Situation  and  the  Circumstances  of  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough." 

This  committee  advised  a  compromise  between  the  parties ;  and 
various  efforts  at  harmonizing  conflicting  interests  wei'e  after- 
Avards  made ;  with  no  practical  result,  except  to  defeat  for  the 
time  the  plan  for  the  new  town. 


130  PLANS    FOE    A    NEW    TOWN. 

But  the  enteiprise  was  started  again  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Society  Land  who,  under  date  of  Apr.  27,  1790,  petitioned  the 
"•Generall  Court"  to  be  joined  with  a  part  of  Lyndeboro'  to 
form  a  new  town .  Ly ndeborough  Gore,  sometimes  called,  Ly nde- 
borough  Slip,  '^a  gore  of  Land  lying  between  Lyndeborough 
and  Peterborough,"  also  petitioned  for  the  same.  And  the  town 
of  Peterboro'  voted  (Oct.  18,  1790,)  to  give  up  the  desired 
range  of  lots  within  its  boundary,  if  the  plans  for  the  new  town 
could  be  carried  out.  At  the  June  session  1790,  the  Legisla- 
ture sent  another  committee  to  "-view  the  situation ; "  and  this 
committee  recommended  that  the  new  town  be  incorporated. 
This  report  was  made  to  the  legislature  in  Jan.  1791.  But  it 
was  met  by  the  following  remonstrance  from  those  who  wished 
to  unite  with  Francestown,  but  lived  within  the  bounds  of  the 
proposed  new  town : 

"To  the  Honourable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  and  for 
the  State  of  New  Hampshier. 

The  petition  of  a  ISTumber  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  o  Lynde- 
borough Humbly  Sheweth. — 

That  whereas  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  at  their  meting  on  the  ;30 
Day  of  August  last  past  Agi-eable  to  our  petition  to  them  Voted  the 
Following  tract  of  Land  being  of  the  Town  of  Lyndeborough  Should  be 
Set  off  and  annexed  to  the  Town  of  Francestown  with  all  such  of  the 
Inhabitants  on  said  tract  that  chuse  to  be  thus  Annexed  [here  bounds 
are  given].  Furthermore  we  would  observe  that  we  have  Never  Signed 
any  petition  or  manifested  any  Disire  of  being  Set  off  with  the  Inhabit- 
ants of  the  west  part  of  Lyndeborough  in  the  way  and  manner  Expressed 
in  their  petition  but  on  the  Conterary  have  ever  Been  averse  there  unto 
and  have  Constantly  acted  Accordingly.  Therefore  we  Pray  your 
Honours  to  take  the  premises  into  your  Consideration  and  assign  us  to 
Francestown  or  Otherways  Let  us  Remain  as  we  are  Inhabitants  of 
Lyndeborough  with  all  the  privelidges  we  now  injoy.  And  your  peti- 
tioners as  in  Duty  Bound  Shall  Ever  pray 
Lyndeboro'  Jan.  7th,  1791 

Ithamar  Woodward  John  Stiles 

Jacob  Dutton  Moses  lewis 

William  Merriam  John  McClurg 

Moulton  Batchelder  Mary  Pearson 

Andrew  Creesye  Nathaniel  Batchelder 

Jotham  reed  Rubin  kimbel  " 
thomas  Petterson 


INCORPORATION    OF    GREENFIELD.  131 

To  this  was  added  the  following  petition,  as  this  town  had 
voted  at  a  meeting  specially  called  for  the  purpose  (May  16, 
1791,)  to 

"■  Joyn  with  the  petitioners  in  sending  a  man  to  Persue  the  matter  at 
the  General  Court " 

and  had  chosen  Jonathan  Fisk  to  carry  and  enforce  the  petition: 

"  Francestown  January  13th  1791 

To  the  Honorable  Senet  and  House  of  Representatives  in  and  for  the 
State  of  Kewhampshire  we  the  Inhabitants  of  Said  Francestown  Humbly 
Pray  yohr  Honors  to  here  &  Grant  the  Prayers  of  the  above  Perticioners 


Jona  Fisk 

Jabez  Holmes     ;  -r,  ,  , 

)  rrancestown. 


)  Selectmen 

V  of 


On  reception  of  these  papers,  and  after  considerable  discus- 
sion, the  legislature  appointed  (Jan.  24,1791,)  a  third  committee 
"to  view  the  situation  of  said  Inhabitants"  in  the  whole  disputed 
section  and  report  in  June  following.  At  the  last  named 
session  this  last  committee  confirmed  the  recommendation  of 
the  preceding  committee  in  favor  of  the  new  town ;  and  prompt 
action  being  taken  upon  it,  the  several  tracts  of  land  referred  to 
were  put  together  and  incorporated  under  the  name  of  Green- 
field June  15,  1791.  And  by  this  act  those  who  had  sought  to 
be  united  with  Francestown  were  put  in  with  the  others  to  torm 
the  town  of  Greenfield. 

But  this  turn  of  matters  was  a  sore  trial  to  them.  The  dis- 
tance to  Greenfield  was  more  than  tAvice  that  to  Francestown, 
and  over  an  exceedingl}^  hilly  and  difficult  road,  while  the  road 
to  the  latter  place  was  one  of  the  best,  with  much  travel,  and 
always  open  in  the  winter.  They  had  business  and  social  con- 
nections with  Francestown,  but  never  could  have  any  with 
Greenfield.  Hebce  their  dissatisfaction  with  the  result  was 
loud  and  strong,  and  they  determined  to  escape  from  it,  if  pos- 
sible. For  this  purpose  they  prepared  to  bring  the  question 
before  the  General  Court  again.  Their  first  stej)  was  to  see  if 
this  town  was  still  willing  to  receive  them,  and  to  determine 
this  they  sent  again  a  formal  petition  "to  the  Selectmen  of 
Francestown."  This  was  in  the  fall  of  1791.  Soon  after  the 
Selectmen  called  a  special  town-meeting  and  laid  before  the 
town  this  appeal  of  "a  number  of  Inhabitants  of  Lyndsborough 


132  "  LYNDEBOROUGH    ADDITION." 

Addition  So  called."  A  strip  on  the  south  part  of  the  original 
Lyndeborough  grant  had  been  taken  off  to  form  the  town  of 
Wilton,  and  this  strip  of  ungranted  land  was  added  on  the  north 
to  make  up  for  Avhat  was  taken  off  on  the  south.  Hence  it  was 
called  "Lyndeborough  Addition,"  and  it  retained  its  name  long 
after  being  separated  from  that  town.  The  petitioners,  though 
belonging  to  Greenfield  by  the  late  incorporation,  were  known 
as  "Inhabitants  of  Lyndeborough  Addition."  At  this  meeting 
(Dec.  12,  1791,)  they  chose  Jonathan  Fisk  moderator,  and 

"Voted  to  Grant  the  Petitioners  there  request  (viz)  to  Come  of  to  this 
town." 

They  then  appointed  Maj.  Oliver  Holmes  to  go  before  the  legis- 
lature and  present  "their  Petition."  This  document  was  long, 
but  so  emphatic  and  suggestive,  as  to  be  worthy  of  a  place  on 
these  pages. 

"To  the  honorable  the  Senate  &  House  of  Representatives  of  the  State 
of  New  hampshire  in  General  Court  convened  the  first  Wednesday  of 
June  ADomini  1702 
Humbly  shew 
The  Subscribers  now  living,  within  the  bounds 'of  the  Town,  lately 
incorporated,  in  the  County  of  Hillsboro'  in  said  State  by  the  name  of 
Greenfield — That  it  is  with  unspeakable  sorrow,  they  consider  them- 
selves as  included  within  the  bounds  of  said  Greenfield,  to  which  they 
have  been  uniformly  &  decidedly  opposed,  since  the  first  Movement 
with  respect  to  said  Greenfield,  &  with  which  they  never  can  with  any 
degree  of  contentment  be  connected —  The  high  opinion  the}'  enter- 
tain of  the  wisdom  &  integrity  of  the  honorable  General  Court,  convinces 
them  that  their  situations  &  dispositions  were  misrepresented  to  the 
Court,  or  they  never  would  have  passed  an  Act,  which  your  petitioners 
consider,  as  totalh^  disfranchising  them  from  all  Town  priviledges,  to 
which  they  were  before  entitled  in  Lyndeborough.  There  they  had 
spent  their  best  days  in  bringing  forward  the  Town,  building  a  meeting 
house,  settling  a  minister  &  providing  for  the  education  of  their  child- 
ren, &  flattered  themselves,  that  under  the  enjoyment  of  our  present 
constitution,  the  second  article,  of  the  bill  of  Fight><,  would  have  been 
a  sufficient  security  against  their  being  deprived,  of  those  means  of  hap- 
piness without  their  consent,  &  are  so  pained  at  the  Idea  of  finding 
themselves  and  their  posterity'  in  a  place,  where  the  greatest  part  of  the 
burden,  incident  to  new  Towns,  are  yet  to  be  submitted  to,  &  their 
future  prospects  of  ever  enjoying  the  advantages,  they  once  had  of  the 
Gospel— &  of  Schools  &c. — that  they  are  constrained  to  apply  to  your 
honours,  and  with  the  most  profound  humility,  but  greatest  importunity 


PETITION    TO    JOIN    FEANCESTOWN.  133 

supplicate  the  further  attention  of  the  honorable  General  Court  to  their 
unhappy   situation— With   the   provision    made    for    their    poling    to 
Lynclehoro',  they  cannot  consider  themselves,  as  properly  belonging  to 
any  town,  or  entitled  to  priviledges  in  any — With  Grreenfield  they  can- 
not join,  with  Lyndeboro'  they  can  claim  no  rights,  tho'  they  doubt  not 
of  a  friendly  reception;  but  do  not  wish  to  be  viewed  as  interlopers  or 
enjoy   priviledges   by   mere    Courtesy — They  beg  leave  to  suggest  to 
your  honours,  that  the  Estates  of  your  petitioners,  all  lay  contiguous  to 
each  other,  &  are  not  mixed  with  those  of  any  persons,  who  wish  to  go 
a  different  wa}^  That  they  are  all  on  the  borders   of    Francestown   & 
within  two  or  two  &  a  half  miles  of  Francestown  meeting-house  &  the 
shortest  distance  from  said  lots  to  said  meeting-house  but  one  mile  & 
sevent}^  one  rods  &  a  good  road  leading  thereto — That  they  have  long 
attended  public  woi'ship  in  s'^  Francestown,  not  only  on  account  of  its 
being  the  nearest  &  most  convenient  for  them:  but  on  account  of  the 
minister  whom  they  highly  esteem — &  can  be  better  accommodated  with 
Schools  there,  than  in  any  other   place — That   the    distance    from   the 
place,  now  talked  of,  for  holding  public  worship  in  Greenfield,  is  a  quar- 
ter, or  a  third  further,  from  3'our  petitioners  &  the  road  much  worse,  & 
always  likely  to  be  so,  &  the  real  centre,  of  Greenfield  still  more  distant, 
and  the  annexing  your  petitioners  to  Francestown  will  mend  the  form 
of  that  Town  without  injuring  that  of  Greenfield— your  petitioners  there- 
fore pray  that  they  may  be  rescued  from  the  bondage  of  belonging  to 
Greenfield,  or  living  within  the  limits  of  it,  &  be  annexed  to  Frances- 
town,  where  they  can  enjoj'  priviledges,  which  they  will  consider,  as  a 
compensation,  for  those  they  had  a  right  to  in  Lyndeboro'  &  on  account 
of  local  situation,  superiour  to  any  they  can  ever  hope  in  Lyndeborough 
or  in  Greenfield — Wherefore  as  your  petitioners  always  have  been  averse 
to  any  connection  with  Greenfield,  as  their  interest,  convenience,  inclina- 
tion, &  local  situation  all  so  stronly  lead  to  Francestown — as  Greenfield 
will  not  be  hurt  in  its  form,  and  Francestown  will  be  mended  by  our 
being  set  from  one  Town  to  the  other — as  Lyndeborough  have  consented 
to  release  us  &  Francestown  to  receive  us  And  Greenfield  have  no  pres- 
ent right  to  us  &  will  be  better  able  to  do  without  us  in  all  probability 
hereafter  than  at  present,  w^e  therefore  beg  your  honours  to  sett  off  the 
two  east  ranges  of  Lyndeboro'  adition  so  called  containing  six  lots  from 
Greenfield,  annex  them  to  Francestown  &  thereby  deliver  your  peti- 
tioners from  their  present  distress  &  misery,  and  they  as  in  duty  bound 
will  ever  pray  &c 

Ithamar  Woodward  Reuben  Kimljall 

•  Jacob  Dutton  Isaac  Balch 

John  Batten  Frances  Epss 

Richard  Batten  '  William  Draper 
Andrew  Creesev  Israel  Balch." 


134  PETITION    FROM    SOCIETY    LAND. 

It  would  seem  from  this  that  the}^  were  still  to  vote  in  Lyncle- 
boro',  though  included  in  Greenfield  and  taxed  in  Greenfield, 
which  left  them  in  part  sej^arate  from  both.  Their  situation 
was  decidedly  unpleasant;  and  when  the  facts  in  the  case  were 
laid  before  the  Legislature,  and  the  convenient  proximity  of 
Francestown  was  made  to  appear,  the  petition  was  granted,  and 
these  men  with  their  estates  were  annexed  to  this  town  Dec.  11, 
1792.  And  this  result  has  continued  to  be  satisfactory  to  the 
several  towns  to  this  date.  But  befoi'e  this  matter  was  settled 
on  the  south-east  part  of  the  town,  another  similar  disturbance 
arose  on  the  north-west  part.  The  incorporation  of  Greenfield 
had  left  the  rest  of  Society-Land  both  weak  and  small,  and  they 
began  to  think  of  scattering  to  the  several  contiguous  towns. 
A  petition  was  sent  to  this  tOAvn  by  a  part  of  said  inhabitants, 
asking  to  be  received  here;  and  j)robably  they  expected  to  be 
welcomed  because  the  others  had  been.  The  petition  was  ad- 
dressed to  the  selectmen  and  was  as  follows: 

"The  Petition  of  us  the  subscribers  Humby  sheweth  thatwharas  by  a 
Late  Incorporating  Act  of  the  General  Court  have  taken  off  the  gratest 
part  of  the  Inhabitance  of  the  Society  land  and  Incorporated  them  with 
others  into  a  town  bj'  the  name  of  Greenfield  and  we  your  Petetoners 
being  Inhabitanc  of  land  unencorporated  it  being  a  remnant  of  the  affor 
s^  Sociaty  land  and  as  we  Judge  is  insufficient  to  Carry  on  Town  Matters 
of  our  selves  we  therefore  wish  to  be  Incorporated  into  Francestown  as 
an  Adition  to  said  town  and  therefore  pray  that  your  Honnours  would 
Lay  it  before  the  Inhabitance  of  your  Town  to  see  whether  thay  would 
admet  us  as  such  and  if  so  that  you  would  Joyn  with  us  in  preparing 
and  forwarding  a  petiteon  to  the  General  Court  for  the  above  purpos, 
and  we  your  petitioners  as  in  Duty  Bound  well  Ever  pray 
Society  Land  Decm"^.  1791 
Gawen  Armer  Jacob  Puffer 

Matthew  Gibson  Solomon  Pilsbury 

John  Felch  Matthew  Puffer 

Zach""  Dusstain  Joseph  Huntington 

Moses  Feavor  Eobart  Dinsmore 

Eleazer  Nutting  " 

This  petition  was  laid  before  the  town  at  its  next  annual 
meeting  (Mar.  12,  1792,)  and  a  vote  was  passed  not  to  receive 
them.  And  this  vote  seems  to  have  stirred  up  much  bitter  feel- 
ing among  the  petitioners  and  others,  on  the  ground  that  they 
were  rejected  at  the  same  time  that  the  town  was  undergoing 


PETITION    FOR    ANOTHER    NEW    TOWN.  135 

considerable  expense  to  help  the  others  to  come  in.  Hence 
they  started  a  petition  for  a  new  town,  to  divide  this  town,  if 
they  could  not  come  into  it,  planning  to  take  a  part  of  Frances- 
town  and  a  part  of  Deering,  and  with  the  remnant  of  Society- 
Land,  form  a  township  of  respectable  size.  It  is  not  plain  at 
this  day  where  they  planned  to  have  their  village,  as  the  centre 
of  the  proposed  tract  would  probably  fall  in  the  woods  north  of 
crotched  mountain.  But  they  went  ahead  and  pushed  the  matter 
vigorously.  Their  petition  was  presented  to  the  Legislature  at 
its  June  session  that  same  year  (1792,)  and  was  as  follows: 

"To  the  11011^^*=  Senate  &  House  of  Kepresentatives  of  the  State  of  New 

Hampshire 

—     Humbly  Shew     — 

That  your  petitioners  being  Inhabitants  of  a  place  called  Society  Land, 
Francestown  and  Bearing,  now  do  &  for  a  long  time  past  the  greatest 
part  of  them  have  laboured  under  very  great  &  distressing  difliculties 
by  reason  of  lying  very  remote  from  any  place  of  public  worship  and 
almost  destitute  of  any  Town  privileges:  And  judging  it  will  api)ear 
highly  reasonable  to  your  Honors  upon  due  information  pray  that  the}^ 
may  have  an  incorporation,  agreeably  to  the  bounds  hereafter  mentioned 
(to  wit)  Beginning  at  the  Northwest  corner  of  Greenfield  thence  along 
the  line  of  s^^  Greenfield  continuing  a  direct  Course  into  Francestown  as 
far  Easterl}^  as  to  take  in  Mr.  Benjamin  Danes  Farm,  thence  northerly 
by  the  Easterly  line  of  said  Danes  farm  to  the  Xorth  line  of  Frances- 
town,  thence  easterly  to  the  East  line  of  M'"  William  Aikens  land;  thence 
northerly  to  the  South  line  of  Packei-s  right  so  called  thence  westerl}'  by 
the  South  line  of  said  right  to  the  west  line  of  M""  William  MTersons 
land  from  thence  a  direct  course  to  the  eminence  of  Hedghog  Mountain 
(so  called)  thence  along  said  eminence  to  the  northwest  part  thereof, 
from  thence  to  the  Kiver  Contoeook,  from  thence  along  said  river  to 
the  bounds  first  mentioned — 

And  as  your  petitioners  judge  the  prayer  of  their  petition  to  be  highly 
reasonable  they  earnestly  request  the  hon^i^  Court  to  grant  them  the 
prayer  of  s'^  petition-  or  the  favor  of  an  impartial  Committee  (at  their 
expence)  to  vieAV  their  Situation  and  to  report  whether  the  prayer  of 
said  petition  ought  not  to  be  granted  in  whole  or  in  part  as  to  your  Com- 
mittee &  your  Honors  will  seem  most  just  &  3'our  petitioners  as  in  duty 
bound  will  ever  pray — 

Joseph  Huntington  Benj^  Killam 

Matthew  Gibson  John  Colby 

Joseph  Putnam  Matthew  Putter 

Solomon  Pilsbury  Joel  Keed 

Jacob  Puffer  Moses  Favour 

John  Dusten  Samuel  Burns 


136  COMlVnTTEE    OF    LEGISLATUEE. 

John  Puffer  Samuel  Baraet 

Gawen  xVrmor  Robert  Forsaith 

John  Mitchel  Thomas  Newman 

James  AMlson  James  Mills 

Eliphet  Dusten  Daniel  Dane 

Ebenezex  ISTewman  Eleazar  Nutting 

Fitch  Gibbens  Andrew  Taylor 

George  Sumner  Gideon  Dodge 

Zacheus  Dustin  True  Webster 

John  Falch  Samuel  Blasdel 

James  Burns  James  Masterman 

John  Thomson  Matthew  Obrion 

John  Burns  Seth  Hart 

Oliver  ]SIitchell  Daniel  Dane,  Jun' 

John  Highland  John  Gibson  " 

Upon  this  petition  the  Legislature  appointed  a  committee  to 
visit  the  place  and  hear  the  evidence,  and  report  at  the  next 
session.  This  committee  consisted  of  Hon.  Robert  Wallace,  (of 
Henniker,  member  of  the  Senate,)  Peter  Clark,  and  Benjamin 
Pierce,  and  they  gave  early  notice  to  this  tOAvn  of  the  time  and 
object  of  their  coming. 

But  to  this  project  of  division  Francestown  made  vigorous 
opposition.  At  a  town  meeting  Aug  27, 1792,  they  chose  David 
Lewis,  Jojiathan  Fisk  and  Maj.  Oliver  Holmes 

"a  Committy  to  Meet  the  Covu'ts  Committee  which  ware  apiDointed  to 
vew  the  Ground  that  a  numljer  had  petitioned  the  General  Cort  to  be 
Incorperated  into  a  town." 

They  also  voted  to  measure  the  road  from  New  Boston  line  past 
the  meeting-house  to  society  land,  north  of  the  mountain,  to 
show  that  said  meeting-house  was  near  the  centre  of  the  town,  and 
how  much  a  division  would  injure  and  misshape  the  town.  The 
committee  of  the  town  were  w^ise,  diligent  in  their  work,  doing- 
all  in  their  jDower  against  the  new  project. 

Deering  also  strongly  opposed  the  above  petition,  and  sent  a 
committee  to  appear  against  it;  but  I  have  not  found  any  records 
giving  names,  or  further  specifying  the  action  of  that  town. 

Nothing  is  recorded  of  the  hearing,  and  no  report  was  made 
to  the  towns;  but  to  the  Legislature,  (probably  Dec.  1792)  the 
following  communication  was  made: 


FIRST    REPRESENTATIVE.  137 

"The  Committee  on  the  Petition  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Society  Land 
and  others,  haveing  vewed  the  Situation  of  the  Several  tracts  of  Land 
Mentioned  in  said  Petition  and  it  appears  to  us  that  it  would  be  very 
injurious  to  the  Towns  of  Francestown  and  Dearing  to  have  So  Great  a 
part  of  said  Towns  Anexed  to  the  Society  aforesaid — ^it  is  therefore  the 
Opinion  of  your  Committee  that  the  Prayer  of  said  Petition  Ought  not 
to  be  Granted — 

Which  is  Submitted  by 

Robert  Wallace  for  the  Committee." 

Practically  this  ended  the  matter.  And  it  would  have  been  an 
ill-shaped  and  inconvenient  town,  if  incorporated;  and  at  this 
date  it  is  hard  to  see  what  advantages  could  have  been  gained 
by  granting  their  petition. 

At  the  March  meeting  1792,  an  article  was  in  the  warrant  to 
see  if  the  town  would  choose  a  representative.  The  growth  of 
this  community  was  such  that  they  were  now  entitled  to  a  repre- 
sentative of  their  own;  and  they  voted  to  send  one,  and 
promoted  Jonathan  Fisk  to  that  office.  The  Constitution  of 
1792  required  one  hundred  and  fifty  voters,  to  send  a  represent- 
ative. Francestown  has  sent  many  noble  men  to  the  Legislature 
since  that  day ;  and  in  the  chapter  on  Town  Officers,  their  names 
and  dates  of  service  may  be  found. 

At  this  meeting  also,  the  town  was 

"to  see  if  they  will  give  any  parson  or  parsons  Liberty  to  Buld  Sabbath 
Day  Houses  on  the  Common." 

And  the  selectmen,  who  liad  previously  been  directed  to  "say 
whare  thay  shall  Buld  hors  sheads'"  were  now  loaded  with  the 
additional  responsibility  of  "saying  whare  an}^  Persons  shall 
Buld  Sabbath  Day  houses."  These  were  small  cheap  one-story 
structures,  having  only  one  room,  made  from  ten  to  twenty  feet 
square,  tight  and  warm  and  provided  with  an  open  fire-place. 
Such  houses  were  numerous  in  some  of  the  older  towns,  and 
stood  near' the  church,  neighborhoods  or  kindred  families  unit- 
ing together  to  build  them.  These  made  convenient  places  of 
shelter  in  cold  weather  when  services  lasted  all  day,  and  there 
was  no  fire  in  church.  The  mothers  who  in  those  days  brought 
their  small  children  to  church,  would  go  to  the  "Sabbath-Day 
houses  "  to  feed  and  warm  the  little  ones.  Generally  the  whole 
fanily  would  go  to  church,  and  would  start  early  in  the  morn- 
ing, so  as  to  get  a  good  fire  started  in  the  Sabbath  Day-House 


138  SABBATH   DAY    HOUSES. 

and  get  well  warmed  before  the  time  of  public  service.  In 
church  the  minister  often  preached  with  his  mittens  on,  the 
women  had  hot  stones  for  feet  and  hands,  and  some  had  foot- 
stoves,  and  all  were  muffled  up  and  huddled  together,  to  keep  as 
warm  as  possible  through  the  forenoon  service  of  two  hours! 
Then  they  hurried  back  to  the  Sabbath  Day  House  for  the  inter- 
mission, carrj'ing  the  children  who  were  ofttimes  crying  with 
the  cold.  But  there  they  "warmed  up  again,"  and  rested,  and 
talked  over  the  sermon,  and  had  singing  and  prayer.  Sometimes 
it  was  a  real  "noon  prayer-meeting."  They  passed  round  a 
little  cider,  or  New  England  rum  to  "all  the  family,  and  neigh- 
bors present;  but  this  did  not  lessen  the  devotion  or  solemnity 
of  the  hour!  It  was  a  place  of  decided  comfort  and  usefulness! 
Probably  the  children  loved  the  Sabbath  Day  House  more  than 
the  church!  There  also  at  noon  some  humble  "luncheon"  was 
eaten :  and  thus  they  made  ready  for  the  long  sermons  and 
praj-ers  of  the  afternoon.  So  far  as  knoAvn,  only  one  Sabbath 
Day  House  was  ever  erected  in  Francestown.  It  stood  near  the 
east  end  of  the  row  of  horse  sheds  east  of  the  old  church,  and 
is  remembered  by  some  of  the  older  people.  It  came  after  a 
time  to  be  known  as  "the  noon-house."  In  later  years  dwelling- 
houses  in  the  Adllage  became  more  numerous  and  opened  their 
doors;  while  it  is  whispered  that  the  j)ublic  tavern  supplied 
warming-up  facilities  surpassing  the  dull,  uninspiring  helps  of 
the  "Sabbath  Day  House."  The  subsequent  introduction  of 
stoves  into  the  churches  ended  the  demand  for  these  side-struc- 
tures ;  and  now  the  Sabbath  Day  House  is  a  thing  of  the  past ! 
At  a  meeting  Nov.  12,  1792,  this  town  cast  only  16  votes  for 
Presidential  Electors.  It  was  the  second  election  of  Washing- 
ton and  there  was  no  rivalry  or  opposition  apparent.  They 
were  required  also 

"to  fill  up  the  vacanseas  if  an}-  shall  be  in  the  Kepresentatives  to  the 
unighted  States," — 

on  which  they  cast  for  Paine  Wingate  14  votes,  and  for  Abiel 
Foster  one  vote.  It  seems  that  Wingate  failed  of  an  election  on 
a  previous  vote.  The  modern  political  fires  had  not  then  begun 
to  burn,  and  there  was  hardly  rivalry  enough. 

March  11,  1793  this  town  cast  its  first  vote  for  "Governor" 
under  the  Constitution  of  1792,  the  chief  officer  of  our  state 


FIRST    GUIDE    BOARDS.  139 

being  previously  called  "President"  on  tlie  records.  There  was 
no  enthusiasm  and  only  twenty-four  votes  were  cast;  twenty  for 
John  T.  Gilman  and  four  for  Josiah  Bartlett.  The  latter  had  been 
three  years  at  the  head  of  the  state.  The  former  was  elected  on 
this  occasion,  and  was  elected  each  succeeding  year  till  1805. 
In  Dec.  1792  the  Legislature  passed  an  Act 

"for  the  Purposs  of  Erecting  Post  Guides  throughout  the  state." 

Previous  to  that  date,  it  is  said  that  guide-posts  were  unknown 
in  this  vicinity.  Perhaps  the  fathers  of  the  day  thought  this 
was  a  silly  scheme  on  the  part  of  "Young  America."  At  any 
rate,  no  notice  was  taken  of  the  new  law  at  the  March  meeting 
following  its  enactment.  But  the  law  was  mandatory,  and  trouble 
likely  to  arise ;  and  hence  a  town-meeting  was  called  to  see  what 
should  be  done,  Aug.  5,  1793,  at  which  meeting  they  chose 
"Jonathan  Fisk,  Maj^'  Holmes  and  Elias  Fairbanks  a  Committee 
to  Erect  those  post  Guides."  And  since  that  day  these  mute 
pilots  have  directed  the  traveller  on  his  way,  and  helped  many 
a  bewildered  stranger  into  the  right  path.  It  speaks  well  for  a 
town,  to  have  good  neat  guide-boards  at  the  "partings  of  the 
roads;"  and  the  writer  has  noticed  that  generally,  tumble-down 
guide-posts  indicate  a  tumble-down  town. 

As  showing  the  rapid  growth  and  large  population  of  Frances- 
town,  may  be  noticed  the  fact,  that  an  effort  was  made  at  this 
meeting  (Aug.  5,  1793,)  to  divide  the  town  so  as  to  form  two 
military  companies  within  our  borders.  This  had  been  talked 
of  before,  and  a  committee  appointed  "to  make  a  Division  of  the 
Company  in  this  town,"  and  they  reported  thus: 

"the  Division  Line  is  Astablished  in  the  following  manner  to  begin  at, 
the  Eiver  wliare  it  Emptys  out  of  the  town  and  follow  the  River  up  to 
Cap*^  Carsons  Mills  and  then  to  take  the  road  that  Leads  to  the  Meeting 
House  and  to  take  the  Road  that  Leads  to  James  Farsons  Junr  till  it 
striks  the  river  and  to  follow  the  river  on  what  is  Called  the  Midel  Branch 
untill  it  comes  to  Bearing  Line." 

It  would  be  hard  to  trace  three  branches  of  the  river  at  the 
present  day,  from  which  it  is  inferred,  as  shown  further  on,  that 
the  streams  were  much  larger  and  more  numerous  a  hundred 
years  ago,  before  the  forests  were  cut  down.  The  military  spirit 
of  the  day  is  also  apparent.     There  must  have  been  no  small 


140  LICENSE    TO    SELL    LIQUOil. 

interest  in  these  matters,  to  support  two  full  militaiy  companies 
in  this  town.  It  was  only  ten  years  after  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  the  state  of  the  times,  and  the  spirit  of  the  old  soldiers,  both 
contributed  to  fire  the  patriotic  zeal.  See  chapter  on  military 
affairs.  As  the  forces  may  be  supposed  to  be  divided  equally, 
it  appears  that  the  bulk  of  the  population  was  still  in  the  easterly 
part  of  the  town. 

Concerning  the  sale  of  liquor  in  f'rancestown  the  fu'st  record 
reads  as  follows: 

"State  of  Xe\Yhampshire  Francestown  Aug.  12,  1793 
this  may  Certify  whom  it  may  concarn  that  Peter  Woodbury  is  Aprobated 
to  Sell  Speretus  Lequer's  in  s*^*  town  by  ^Mixing  and  retail  by  us 

Jabez  Ilolmes    }  Select 
Elias  Farbanks  f  Men    " 

This  appears  in  the  records  of  1790,  though  dated  as  above. 
But  "Maj'r  olever  Holmes"  has  the  real  priority  in  the  rum  busi- 
ness, so  far  as  town  action  is  concerned,  his  "aprobation"  dating 
July  23,  1793,  though  recorded  later.  Oct.  7,  following,  John 
Witherspoon  was  "Aproved  off"  for  the.  same  distinguished 
business  by  the  same  officials.  As  early  as  1767  a  law  was 
"re-enacted"  laying  a  tax  on  all  "Spirituous  Liquors  sold  in  the 
Province."  "Tavernere"  were  licensed  by  the  county  courts 
and  paid  a  certain  per  cent,  to  the  county  treasurer.  For  some 
years  almost  anyone  was  "licensed"  Avho  made  application. 
"Taverners,"  that  is,  those  who  kept  public  houses ;  and  "Retail- 
ers," that  is,  those  Avho  kept  a  bar  in  their  dwellings  or  stores  to 
sell  by  the  glass,  were  all  alike  licensed,  if  they  could  j)ay  the 
fee.  As  population  increased,  applications  for  license  multiplied. 
Counting  all  the  "licensed  taverns"  and  "Retailers,"  there  were 
in  1771,  ninety-one  legalized  rum-shoj^s  in  Hillsboro'  County! 
And  that  with  a  population  about  one-quarter  as  great  as  now! 
In  New  Boston,  then  including  most  of  Francestown,  the  names 
of  dealers  were  John  McLaughlin,  William  Starrett,  William 
Clark,  John  Grimes  and  Alexander  Gregg.  The  population  of 
New  Boston  and  the  "Addition"  (Francestown)  was  then  not 
far  from  five  hundred,  or  about  one  hundred  for  each  seller  of 
liquor!  This  state  of  things  became  alarming;  and  the  Court 
ordered  (Jan.  1772,) 


APPROVED    BY    PITBLIC    OPINIOlSr.  l4l 

"That  no  person  be  licensed  to  keep  a  Tavern  or  retail  until  they  have 
obtained  the  approbation  of  the  Selectmen  of  the  town  where  they  live, 
or  the  major' part  of  them,  unless  it  should  happen  that  the  Selectmen 
should  unreasonably  withhold  such  approbation,  in  which  case,  it  being 
made  to  appear,  the  Court  may  nevertheless  proceed  to  license  such 
persons." 

This  was  designed  to  check  the  sale,  and  diminish  the  num- 
ber of  dealers,— an  object  which  it  does  not  seem  to  have 
accomplished.  For  dealers  simply  went  through  the  form  of 
getting  "An  Approbation"  of  tlie  Selectmen, — and  then  the  Court 
felt  obliged  to  appoint  them.  Hence  the  selectmen  were  beset 
with  applications  and  there  was  no  lack  of  those  "approved"  by 
these  town  officials.  Public  opinion  then  favored  the  free  sale 
and  use  of  intoxicating  drink.  For  years  the  only  record  was 
that  of  the  Court,  touching  these  licenses;  but  in  1793  and 
subsequently,  they  were  obliged  to  record  the  action  of  the  Select- 
men in  the  town  books  for  reference.  Thus  in  1793,  Oliver 
Holmes,  Peter  Woodbury  and  John  Witherspoon,  were  licensed 
dealers  in  liquor  in  this  town;  and  there  were  never  a  less  num- 
ber of  dealers  in  town  until  the  modern  temperance  sentiment 
began  to  appear.  From  this  date  till  1843,  a  half -century,  from 
two  to  ten  persons  were  annually  licensed  to  sell  liquor  here. 
It  was  not  then  considered  a  crime,  and  some  of  the  best  men  of 
the  toAvn  were  at  times  engaged  in  this  traffic.  In  those  days 
every  merchant  kept  liquor  for  sale,  and  was  expected  to;  and 
no  disgrace  was  attached  to  it. 

It  will  be  pleasing  to  many  to  see  the  names  of  the  tax-payers 
in  1793,  this  being  the  first  list  appearing  on  the  records  since 
the  first  town-tax  in  1772.  Strange  to  say,  only  five  men  in 
town  had  more  than  five  cows  each;  and  sixty-one  men,  mostly 
farmers,  had  only  one  cow  each.  The  whole  number  of  cows  in 
town  was  312.  The  number  of  oxen  was  eighty-three  pairs;  the 
number  of  horses  was  eighty-seven.  The  highest  tax  was  that  of 
Zachariah  Whiting,  4  <£ .  7  s.  5  d.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the 
minister  (Moses  Bradford)  was  not  taxed  for  his  farm,  or  for 
anything  whatever.  Only  one  woman's  name  appears  upon  the 
list,  and  no  "-heirs  of'^  anyone  were  taxed,  which  indicates  that 
widows  and  orphans  were  rare  in  this  young  and  hardy  commu- 
nity. The  number  of  tax-payers  was  212.  The  names  just  as 
recorded  were  as  follows: 


142 


TAX    LIST    OF    1793. 


Margaret  Aiken 
Jonath  Austen 
Jonth'^  Austen 
Sami  Austin 
Elias  Austen 
William  Abbot 
Asa  Bixby 
Tho«  Bixby 
Tho«  Brown 
Eobart  Butterfield 
William  Butterfield 
William  Butterfield  Jr. 
Oliver  Butterfield 
Robart  Bradford 
Sam^  Barnet 
Oliver  Bullard 
Josiah  Beard 
Jeremiah  Brown 
Isaac  Butterfield 
Moses  Butterfield 
Isaac  Balch 
William  Cilley 
John  Carson 
Joseph  Mc  Cluer 
William  Gamble 
Nenon  Cochron 

William  Cochron 

William  M«  Coy 

Nathan  Clark 

Haniel  Clark 

Daniel  Clark 

Robart  Carson 

Asa  Cram 

Stephen  Cram 

Joseph  Cram 

William  Coldwell 

Mathew  Coldwell 

Andrew  Crecy 

Robart  M^Clench 

Benj'^  Deen 

James  M^^Farson 

James  Fisher 

Abnar  Fisher 

David  Fisher 

Jason  Fuller 

Naty  Ferington 


Nathi  Boyd 
Sami  ]3oyd 
James  Brewster 
Isaac  Brewster 
John  Brewster 
Israel  Balch 
Richard  Batten 
Israel  Balch  Jr 
John  Batten 
Amos  Batchelder 
Sam^  Burns 
Eben  Bullard 
John  Baley 
Jon=^  Baley 
John  Deen 
John  Dickey 
William  Dickey 
Sam'  Dickerman 
Timothy  Dorson 
Simon  Dodge 
David  Durrant 
John  Deniston 
Andrew  Deniston 
Eliphalet  Dustain 
Jacob  Dutton 
Benj  Dutton 
William  Draper 
James  Dodge 
Stephen  Dieke 
Moses  Eaton 
Peleg  Ewell 
Prez  Ewell 
Elez"^  Everett 
Frances  Epes 
Jonathan  Fisk 
B.inj  Felch 
Stepi^  Fuller 
Elias  Fairbanks 
Henry  M°Farson 
Sami  MO  Farson 
Joseph  Guild 
Laraford  Gilbart 
Mathew  Gibson 
Ebe  Hopkins 
William  Ilopkin 
Tho^  Hiland 


TAX    LIST    1793. 


143 


Tho*  Ferington 
Hezekiah  Ferington 
Nath"  Fisher 
Eufus  Fuller 
Natlian  Fislier  Jr. 
Thos  Fisher 
Daniel  Fuller 
William  Follingbe 
Moses  Fisher 
John  M'^Farson 
James  M<=Farson 
Seth  Fisher 
Seth  Fuller 
Peter  Farnum 
Jacob  Ferington 
Sam^  Farmer 
Thadeus  Fuller 
John  Green 
John  Gibson 
Hugh  Montgomery 
Asa  Lewis 
Isaac  Lewis 
William  Lord 
Malcolm  McLan 
Hugh  McLan 
Joseph  Lamson 
Sami  Lolly 
Winslow  Lakin 
Nath"  Lewis 
Lem^  Lincoln 
James  Lasley 
Sam'  Martain 
Phenias  -Marrel 
John  Manahan 
Tho^  Mitchel 
John  Mitchel 
William  Mitchel 
Thos  Mitchel  Jur. 
Timothy  Morse 
Andrew  Morison 
Jese  Martain 
Eobart  Mellan 
John  Mellan 
William  Moor 
Samuel  M^Mellan 
Obe'i  Morse 


Joshua  Huntington 
Gideon  Huntington 
Enoch  Holmes 
Joseph  hall 
Oliver  Holmes 
Jabez  Holmes 
James  Hogg 
Boyd  Hopkin 
James  Hopkin 
John  Harwood 
Eben""  Holmes 
Sam'  Hodge 
Philip  Heath 
Sam'  Johnson 
John  Johnson 
Joseph  Johnson 
John  Knight 
Joseph  Knight 
Joseph  Kimbel 
David  Lewis 
John  Mucler 
Jonath  Mills 
Sam'  iS^utt 
William  Xutt 
Sam'  Nichols 
John  Nichols 
Jonath"  Patch 
Elez'  Nuting 
Benjn  Patch 
Thos  Patch 
Abnar  Pettee 
Joseph  Parce 
Nathan  Parce 
Sam'  Potter 
Tho^  Quigley 
James  Eolf 
Zach'  Kichardson 
Stephen  Shadock 
Richai'd  Stanley 
David  Scoby 
Benj  Sleeper 
Nath'  Sleeper 
Moses  Sleeper 
John  Smith 
David  Strrrett  Esqr 
William  Starrett  Ju"^ 


144  TAX    LIST    CONCLUDED. 

William  Starrett  John  Weatherspoon    , 

Abel  Spaulding  Ithamore  Woodard 

Nathan  Savage  Amos  Wilkins 

Abel  Spaulding  Jun''  Tho®  Wilson 

William  Starrett  S*"'^  James  Wilson 

Sami  Thorpe  Sam^  Whte  (white) 

Sam^  Thompson  Peter  Woodbury 

Luther  Thompson  James  Whitney 

James  Todd  Joseph  Whitney 

Alexan'i  Thompson  Franc.is  B   Vose 

Aaron  Townsend  Jonth"  Baxter 

Aaron  Townsend  Jur 
Tho«  Templeton 
Zach'  Whiting 
James  AVeatherspoon 
James  Weatherspoon  Jr 
Daniel  Weatherspoon 

At  the  meeting  March  10,  1794,  the  town 

"Voted  Zachariah  Kichardson  tiaxon  for  s''  town  and  to  take  Care  of  the 
Meeting  House." 

This  was  the  first  appointment  to  this  distinguished  office  in 
this  place.     The   reference    to    the    old   race    that    conquered 
Britain  is  only  orthographical! 
At  this  same  meeting  they 

"voted  Not  to  Excuse  Decon  Samuel  Boyd  from  paying  Taxes  to  M"^ 
Bradford," 

As  intimated  on  a  former  page,  the  minister  was  a  town-officer 
and  paid  out  of  the  town  treasury.  Dea.  Boyd  was  a  Presby- 
terian and  would  not  come  into  the  union-agreement  of  1790, 
and  went  to  the  Presbyterian  meeting  in  Peterborough.  He 
lived  near  Greenfield,  and  petitioned  to  be  exempted  from  a 
minister-tax  in  this  town.     But  he  petitioned  in  vain ! 

At  a  town-meeting  Aug.  25,  1794,  the  highest  vote  cast  for 
congressmen  in  this  town  was  only  26.  At  this  meeting  they 
set  up  at  auction  "the  cutting  and  drawing"  of  Mr.  Bradford's 
wood,  and  it  was  struck  off  at  "2  Shillings  and  Nine  pence  P"" 
Cord."  This  would  be  about  70  cts.  per  cord,  less  than  one-half 
what  it  would  cost  now. 

At  this  meeting  also,  jjrompted  by  certain  disputes  between 
towns  concerning  the  support  of   the    x^oor,  they   ordered  the 


THREATENED    WAR    WITH   FRANCE.  145 

selectmen  to  warn  off  all  new-comers  allke^  so  as  to  be  sure  to  hit 
the  right  ones,  the  record  being, — 

"Voted  that  the  Select  Men  for  the  Time  Being  Shall  Warn  out  all 
Parsons  that  ax'e  now  in  Town  that  have  not  been  in  a  year  and  all  that 
Shall  Come  in  hear  after." 

This,  as  noticed  on  a  former  page,  was  a  harmless  formality,  but 
it  was  not  very  lovely  in  name  or  performance. 

About  this  time  (1794)  the  storm  of  war  seemed  to  be  gather- 
ing again  around  this  young  republic.  The  government  of 
England  had  never  looked  very  pleasantly  upon  this  rising 
nation,  and,  though  compelled  to  grant  the  independence  of  the 
United  States,  had  continued  to  assert  authority  over  us  in  vari- 
ous unwarrantable  ways.  But  a  new  treaty  was  made  with 
England  in  1794,  after  long  effort,  which  treaty,  though  not 
giving  us  all  our  rights,  was  advantageous  to  us  on  the  Avhole, 
as  keej)ing  us  from  war,  and  from  excessive  taxation,  thus 
enabling  us  to  grow  both  in  numbers  and  resources.  At  that 
time,  however,  England  and  France  were  in  such  constant  con- 
flict with  each  other,  that,  to  be  at  peace  with  one  of  them, 
involved  the  others'  dislike  and  opposition.  We  were  soon  en- 
tangled in  questions  and  disputes  which  almost  brought  us  into 
war  with  the  old  all}^  and  friend  that  came  to  our  help  in  the 
Revolution.  There  actually  did  occur  some  sea-fights  between 
French  and  American  vessels.  France  was  in  a  state  of  fever- 
ish excitement,  and  would  not  receive  the  ambassadors  whom 
we  sent  over,  and  denounced  us  as  ungrateful,  joining  with  an 
enemy  and  turning  against  a  friend.  Some  of  them  suggested 
that  we  pay  tribute-money  to  France,  to  cancel  old  obligations. 
This  aroused  the  American  people  and  opened  their  eyes.  One 
of  our  Ambassadors  (Charles  C.  Pinckney,  of  South  Carolina) 
responded,  "Millions  for  defence ;  not  a  cent  for  tribute  !  "  This 
sentiment  became  a  watchword  and  was  spoken  by  every  tongue 
in  the  United  States.  At  once  preparations  were  made  for  war 
throughout  the  land.  Things  grew  worse  and  worse,  until 
General  Washington,  who  had  retired  from  the  Presidency  (1797) 
was  called  from  his  retirement  to  take  command  of  the  army. 
Minute-men  were  called  for  and  enlisted  and  trained,  all  over 
the  country.     The  plan  of  the  government  was  to  have  a  trained 


146  MEETING    HOUSE    REPOETED    FINISHED 

and  well-furnished  army  ready  to  move  at  a  moments'  warning; 
and  the  quotas  were  apportioned  to  the  states  and  towns.  At 
our  town-meeting  (Mar.  9,  1795)  the  matter  was  taken  up  in 
the  most  patriotic  spirit,  and  they 

" Yoted  that  Each  Solder  that  is  to  be  raised  for  this  town  Shall  be  Maid 
up  ten  Dollars  p""  Month  whenever  they  are  called  into  actual  Servis  and 
half  a  Dollar  p'^  Daj^  when  thay  are  called  to  any  Extradanary  servis  at 
home." 

This  was  increased  to  twelve  dollars  a  month,  at  a  subsequent 
town  meeting,  to  be  reckoned  "from  their  Marching  till  their 
Discharge,"  and  at  the  same  rate  till  they  should  reach  home  on 
their  return.  It  appears  that  the  requisite  number  of  men  were 
soon  enlisted,  and  that  when  larger  plans  were  made  more 
were  enlisted,  so  that  this  town  bore  with  marked  promptness 
its  full  part  of  the  work.  Thus' things  lingered  along  until  the 
accession  of  Napoleon  to  power  in  France  (1799,)  with  whom 
a  treaty  of  peace  was  soon  secured.  Thus  there  was  no  war; 
but  for  three  or  four  years,  the  American  heart  was  on  fire,  and 
sentiments  of  patriotism  were  everywhere  heard.  And  this, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  -sympatliies  of  the  people  of 
this  country  were  with  the  French  from  1795  to  1815,  through 
all  the  struggles  of  those  stormy  years ! 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1795  the  committee  to  finish  the 
meeting-house  made  their  final  report  and  settlement;  which 
shows  that  their  attainment  of  a  sanctuary  was  a  struggle  of 
many  years,  through  many  poverties,  and  brought  to  success 
just  as  the  town  became  strong  and  comparatively  rich.  And 
this  very  year  (Sept.  28,  1795,)  an  article  was  before  the  town 
"to  Inlarg  their  Meeting  house."  This  was  voted  down,  but  it 
shows  the  wants  and  the  ambitions  of  the  growing  community. 
They  felt  now  that  they  Avere  past  the  day  of  small  things. 
Hence  at  the  next  annual  meeting  a  proposition  was  made  to 
take  the  balance  left  from  the  sale  of  pews  for  the  purpose  of 
"Purchaseing  a  Bell  for  the  use  of  s*^  Town,"  and  they  voted 
"not  to  buy  a  Bell,"  but  "to  convert  the  Money  left  of  the  Pews 
to  the  use  of  Building  a  Meetinghouse."  Mar.  29,  1796,  the 
town  voted  (54  against  45)  to  accept  the  report  of  a  committee 
to  build  a  new  meeting-house  45  feet  by  60  feet  in  size.  This 
committee  were 


COLLECTING-OF-TAXES    SOLD.  147 

"Maj.  Holmes,  Tho^  Bixby,  D"  Lewis,  D^  Starrett,  Cap*  Woodbury, 
Isaac  Lewis  and  Elias  Fairbanks." 

They  had  been  chosen  by  the  town,  represented  both  old  and 
young,  and  voiced  the  sentiment  of  the  best  part  of  the  town. 
Yet  at  an  adjourned  meeting  (May  2,  1796,)  the  former  vote 
was  reconsidered  and  the  whole  matter  postponed. 

Sept.  19,  1796  in  public  town  meeting  they  chose  Daniel 
Clark  grand  juror,  and  "drew  John  Smith  and  Andrew  Cresy 
from  the  Box  To  Serve  as  petit  Jurors."  This  distinction  in 
the  methods  of  appointing  the  two  classes  of  jurors  was  kept  up 
for  many  years.  Originally,  both  were  chosen  by  public  elect- 
ion; now  both  are  drawn  "out  of  the  Box." 

In  the  years  1797,  1798,  and  1799,  but  little  occurred  in  town, 
requiring  notice  at  the  present  day.  These  were  years  of  much 
progress  and  improvement  in  this  place,  and  many  things  are 
recorded  of  interest  to  the  people  at  that  time,  which  it  would 
not  interest  the  general  reader  to  narrate  now.  The  last  of  the 
log  houses  of  the  first  settlers  gave  way  to  larger  and  more  con- 
venient framed  buildings.  Fences,  roads,  farms,  barns,  houses, 
orchards,  all  showed  a  marked  improvement,  to  the  great  increase 
of  the  comforts  of  life. 

Mar.  13,  1797,  for  the  first  time,  the  collecting  of  taxes  was 
sold  at  auction  to  the  lowest  bidder,  but  the  custom  continued 
for  many  years.  And  it  was  the  custom  to  choose  the  tax-col- 
lector as  constable,  thus  keeping  these  two  offices  united  in  the 
same  person,  as  before.  The  fathers  thought  the  collector  must 
be  backed  by  considerable  authority!  If  a  poor  or  unworthy 
man  were  chosen  collector,  the  town  found  its  security  in  the 
bondsmen.  The  selling  was  in  open  town-meeting,  and  the 
bondsmen  were  accepted  or  rejected  on  the  spot  by  public  vote. 
Sometimes  it  was  hard  to  get  bondsmen  that  the  town  would 
accept,  and  oft  in  this  public  way  personal  feelings  were  not  a 
little  wounded.  These  were  generally  the  most  exciting  and 
often  the  most  amusing,  scenes  in  the  town-meetings  of  those 
days.  Sometimes  in  cases  of  personal  rivalry  and  opposition  the 
price  of  collecting  taxes  was  run  down  to  almost  nothing,  and 
people  had  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  this  dreaded,  official 
"had  to  work  cheap."  Cases  are  on  record  in  some  towns  where 
the  excited  and  determined  candidate  actually  paid  money  for 


148  SELLING  THE  CARE  OF  THE  POOR. 

the  privilege  of  collecting.  But  perliaps  the  honor  was  counted 
as  no  small  remuneration  ! 

At  this  same  March  meeting  the  town  voted  a  bounty  on  crows 
and  blackbirds;  the  amount  given  for  the  former  old  or  young, 
being  "one  Shilling  &  six  Pence"  (about  36  cis.,)  and  for  the 
latter  "four  pence  each."  This  considering  the  greater  val\ie  of 
money  at  that  date,  was  a  very  large  bounty  and  shows  that  the 
farmers  had  grown  desperate  under  the  annoyances  of  these 
pests.  The  large  surrounding  forests  were  full  of  them ;  and 
they  came  forth  in  hoards  to  prey  upon  the  crops. 

Mar.  13,  1797,  occurred  the  first  instance  of  "selling  the  poor" 
in  Francestown.  This  was  the  bad-sounding  name  it  came  to  be 
called  by;  but  it  was  only  the  custom  which  prevailed  in  all  the 
towns  of  selling  the  care  and  support  of  the  poor.  According 
to  the  record  they 

"Voted  that  the  Towns  Poor  be  set  up  at  Vendue  to  the  lowest  bider 
the  one  that  shall  take  them  to  Board  them  and  do  their  washing  and 
mending  all  extraordinary  cost  the  Town  to  pay." 

Thus  the  charge  that  if  the  South  sold  negroes  because  they 
were  slaves,  the  Noi-th  sold  white  men  because  they  were  poor, 
had  no  foundation  in  fact,  since  it  was  only  the  boarding  and 
caring  for  the  poor,  that  was  sold  in  our  state.  "Mrs.  Matthews" 
and  "Esther  Jones'  child,"  were  the  fu-st  persons  thus  "set  up" 
in  this  town.  The  general  humaneness  intended  toward  these 
unfortunates  is  shown  by  the  condition  that  the  "child  have  the 
benefit  of  the  Town  School."  These  two  Vv^ere  all  the  paupers 
then  in  Francestown,  and  the  expense  of  keeping  both  was  less 
than  ninety  dollars  a  year. 

The  Governor  vote  this  year  in  this  town  was  98,  all  for  John 
T.  Gilman,  and  not  more  than  half  voting.  Evidently  the  wave 
of  party  strife  had  not  yet  struck  Francestown. 

This  year  (1797)  we  find  a  change  in  the  record  concerning 
the  choice  of  liquor-sellers.  Hitherto  the  selectmen  had 
'■'■approveiV  certain  persons,  and  then  these  persons  had  been 
appointed  by  the  Court  of  the  County.  But  now  the  record 
reads, 

"we  Appoint  Cp*^  Peter  Woodbury  to  Eetail  and  Tavern  Foreign  Dis- 
tilled Sperits  as  we  think  him  to  be  a  suitable  person." 


THE    TUEN-PIKES.  149 

This  indicates  that  some  new  power  in  the  matter  had  been 
given  to  the  selectmen  of  the  several  towns.  The  history  of 
legislation  concerning  the  liquor  traffic  in  this  country  would 
be  verv  susfo'estive.  From  the  first  the  State  has  exercised 
authority  over  it  in  various  restraints,  and  licenses,  and  limit- 
ations of  day  or  hour.  The  thought  of  prohibiting  the  sale 
entirely,  seems  not  to  have  occurred  to  anybody,  though  all 
thought  of  curtailing  the  evil.  But  if  it  were  7iot  a  wrong  and 
a  crime,  what  business  had  the  state  to  disturb  it?  If  it  tcere  a 
wrong  and  a  crime,  what  business  had  the  state  to  license  it? 
Shall  we  license  slander  and  stealing? 

About  this  time  efforts  began  to  be  made  to  open  up  some 
great  lines  of  road  through  the  state,  for  the  development  of 
our  resources.  It  Avas  before  the  day  of  railroads  and  telegraphs 
and  this  seemed  to  be  the  only  method  of  state  improvement. 
These  great  roads  were  built  by  incorporated  companies,  and  were 
called  "turnpike-roads,"  and  afterwards  simply  turnpikes,  as  the 
gates  that  turned  across  these  roads  at  the  places  of  taking  toll 
originall}^  had  pikes  of  iron  or  wood  projecting  from  them  to 
prevent  the  passage  of  horses.  The  first  of  these  turn-pikes 
was  incorporated  in  June  1796,  and  extended  from  the  Piscata- 
qua  River  in  Durham,  above  Portsmouth,  westwardly  through 
six  or  seven  towns  to  Concord,  where  the  Legislature  had  met 
several  times,  and  the  centre  and  capital  of  the  state  seemed 
likely  to  be  in  the  future.  The  "Second  New  Hampshire 
Turnpike"  was  from  Andierst  to  Claremont,  about  fifty  miles. 
It  was  incorporated  Dec.  26,  1799.  It  seems  that  the  leaders 
in  this  project'first  asked  permission  of  the  several  towns  they 
Avished  to  pass  through,  and  that  they  planned  to  build  in  a, 
straight  line,  without  much  reference  to  hills  or  valleys.  This 
town 

"Voted  not  to  Remonstrate  against  the  Petition  for  a  Turnpike  Eoad.'' 
Antrim  "Voted  the  town  have  no  objection."  Generall}^  the 
plan  was  welcomed  as  a  public  benefit,  something  as  a  railroad 
would  be  welcomed  at  the  present  day !  All  along  the  way  there 
were  many  to  see  in  it  the  opening  to  new  prosperity  and  wealth. 
This  turn-pike  was  built  for  the  most  part  in  the  year  1800, 
being  pushed  with  great  energy  in  all  the  towns.  As  soon  as 
possible  in  the  following  summer  it  was  completed  and  opened 


150  TUEN-PIKES    CONTINUED. 

to  the  public.  Stages  were  at  once  put  upon  it.  Soon  there 
was  a  great  stream  of  travel  over  this  turnpike  to  Boston,  com- 
ing from  the  towns  above  and  from  Vermont,  For  twenty-five 
years  this  was  one  of  the  most  important  thoroughfares  in  New- 
England,  the  amount,  especially  of  heavy  travel,  being  enor- 
mous, loaded  teams  of  all  kinds,  ofttimes  in  processions  of  a 
dozen  long  teams  together  working  their  slow  way  to  the  city. 
And  these  returning  were  loaded  with  store  goods  and  rum. 
They  carried  lumber  and  all  kinds  of  farm  produce  to  Boston; 
and  teamsters  were  said  to  make  a  good  thing  out  of  it  "by 
loading  both  ways." 

"The  Third  New  Hampshire  Turnpike"  incorporated  Dec.  27, 
1799,  extended  from  Ashby,  Mass.,  to  Bellows'  Falls.  "The 
Fourth"  extended  from  Concord  to  Lebanon.  For  a  few  years 
there  was  quite  a  zeal  for  building  turnpikes  throughout  the 
state  and  about  twenty  such  were  incorporated.  Nearly  all  of 
them  tended  toward  Boston,  as  the  railroads  do  now.  All  these 
were  built  by  companies,  and  they  sought  to  benefit  the  public ; 
but  the}^  did  not  forget  to  plan  for  remuneration  by  a  system  of 
tolls.  Gates  were  arranged  so  as  to  swing  clear  across  the  road, 
and  close  it  against  all  passage.  At  each  gate  a  "toll-keeper" 
was  stationed.  The  charge  for  passing  a  toll-gate  on  the  turn- 
pike here  was  eight  cents.  These  "toll-gates"  were  seven  or 
eight  miles  apart,  and  did  not  affect  travel  hetween  any  two  of 
them,  nor  disturb  local  travel  to  any  great  extent.  In  this  town 
the  company  took  for  the  most  part  roads  already  made,  widen- 
ing and  improving  the  same;  but  of  course  they  could  not 
prevent  the  town's  peoj)le  fi-om  travelling  their  own  roads  free. 
Hence  the  only  toll-gates  in  Francestown  were  near  the  borders. 
One  was  a  little  south-east  of  Joseph  F.  Duncklee's,  near  the 
corner  where  the  road  branches  off  from  the  turnpike  to  New 
Boston ;  and  the  other  was  a  few  rods  south  of  the  Gibson 
tavern.  At,  or  near,  each  toll-gate  was  a  toll-keeper's  house, 
called  the  toll-house,  some  of  which  are  still  remembered.  But 
in  the  course  of  a  few-  years  the  payment  of  these  tolls  became 
exceedingly  annoying  as  well  as  burdensome.  Sometimes  toll- 
keepers  grew  impudent  and  cross,  when  too  often  aroused  from 
their  mopish  stupidity.  Sometimes  they  were  exacting  and 
unaccomodating  to  the  last  extreme,  so  that  often  people  would 


THE    TOLL    GATES.  151 

go  long  distances  round  to  avoid  them.  Not  long  before  the 
Turnpike  was  made  free  Mr.  Thomas  Tucker  of  Vershire  Vt. 
came  to  visit  his  sister  Mrs.  Aaron  Draper,  and  when  he  reached 
the  toll-gate  near  the  Gibson  tavern,  he  could  not  make  the 
change  to  pay  and  lacked  one-half  a  cent.  Before  he  had  time 
to  arrange  it  to  her  satisfaction,  the  old  woman  who  kept  the 
gate  began  scolding  and  refused  to  let  him  pass.  Somewhat 
nettled  by  her  snappish  independence,  he  grabbed  an  axe,  and 
taking  an  old  "Bungtown  cent"  from  his  pocket,  cut  it  in  two 
pieces  with  a  blow,  and  handing  her  one-half,  he  said,  "-Madam, 
here's  your  half-cent,  and  I'm  going  on," — and  on  he  went,  not- 
withstanding some  very  vigorous  remarks  on  her  part!  The 
other  half  of  the  cent  he  gave  to  his  sister,  and  it  is  now  held 
by  Mrs.  N.  C.  Draper  as  a  reminder  of  old  times  I 

At  a  reasonable  hour  in  the  evening  the  toll-gates  were  all 
closed  and  locked,  a  thing  which  would  be  very  inconvenient 
to  modern  sports  and  lovers,  and  was  occasionally  embarrassing 
then  !  But  the  happy  swain  of  the  "small  hours"  was  not  likely 
to  mention  it!  It  "was  only  whispered  that  "such  a  one  went  a 
long  way  round  to  get  home !  "  Some  of  these  New  Hampshire 
turpj)ikes  were  profitable  for  a  time ;  but  as  they  were  generally 
built  in  a  straight  line  and  over  hard  hills,  and  as  the  tolls  were 
exceedingly  annoying  and  burdensome,  it  came  to  pass  in  a  few 
3'ears  that  other  roads  were  built  on  better  ground,  in  many 
places,  which,  being  easier  and  being  free,  gradually  diminished 
the  travel  and  income  of  the  turnpike.  By  and  by  the  expenses 
of  supporting  gates  and  "toll-keepers,"  and  keeping  the  road  in 
repair,  and  keeping  it  open  in  the  winter,  balanced  or  destroyed 
the  whole  income ;  and  the  23roprietors  were  glad  to  withdraAv 
their  claims,  and  throw  the  care  of  this  turnpike-property  upon 
the  towns  through  which  it  passed.  Thus  the  several  New 
Hampshire  turnpikes,  one  after  another  became  free :  this  one 
was  made  free  in  1837;  the  town  appointed  an  Agent  to  keep 
it  in  repair  in  March  1838 ;  the  toll-gates  were  left  to  rot  down ; 
and  thenceforward  belated  lovers  found  no  bars  across  their  way 
home!     The  snappish  and  growling  "toll-keeper"  was  known 


no  more 


At  the  close  of  the  year  1799  the  country  was  thrown  into 
sorrow  by  the  death  of  Gen.  Washington.     He  died  after  a  short 


152  DEATH    OF    WASHINGTON. 

illness  Dec.  14,  1799.  The  whole  nation  mourned.  It  is  said 
that  the  old  soldiers  in  Francestown  were  deeply  affected;  that 
their  voices  choked  as  the}"  spoke  of  their  old  leader,  and  that  they 
wore  crape  for  thirty  days  as  a  silent  witness  of  their  grief! 

At  the  March  meeting  for  1800,  we  find  for  the  first  time  a 
division  in  the  governor  vote,  it  being  previously  all  one  way 
in  this  town.  But  this  time  Timothy  Walker  received  76  votes, 
and  John  T.  Gilman  33 ;  and  from  that  day  to  this,  there  has 
been  more  or  less  party  division,  and  opposite  political  opinions 
have  been  earnestly  held  and  advocated  in  this  place. 

This  year  (1800)  for  the  first  time  the  town  accounts  were 
kept  in  dollars  and  cents ;  yet  so  much  were  they  wedded  to 
the  old  way,  that  the  collection  of  taxes  was  sold  at  auction  to 
Isaac  Butterfield  at  "  eight  pence  on  the  pound.'''  It  was  a  long 
time  before  the  old  way  of  reckoning  entirely  passed  away — 
and  pounds  and  dollars  were  fearfully  mixed  together  for  a 
few  years.  The  writer  remembers  when  the  old  people  made 
their  calculations  in  shillings  and  "  nine-pences "  and  "  four 
pences."  So  hard  is  it  to  let  go  of  the  pa^t  I  So  natural  for 
people  to  cling  to  the  old,  just  '••  because,  they  know  it  I " 

Aug.  25, 1800,  the  tow^n  voted  to  build  a  new  meeting  house  ; 
but  the  reader  is  directed  to  the  next  chapter  for  the  record  of 
the  execution  of  this  vote.     Also  at  this  meeting  they 

"  Voted  to  g-ive  liberty  to  School  Class,  Xo.  3,  to  let  their  School  House 
remain  on  the  common  where  it  now  stands," 

it  being  thought  best  by  some  to  move  the  school  house  farther 
out  of  the  Avay  of  the  proposed  new  church. 

In  the  autumn  of  1800,  the  plan  for  a  new  town,  defeated 
in  1792,  was  started  up  a  second  time;  and  at  a  meeting  Nov. 
10,  1800,  the  town  considered  a  petition  wdiich  had  been  sent 
in  some  weeks  previous.     The  Article  in  ihe  warrant  was 

"  To  hear  a  Petition  from  the  Inhabitants  of  Society  Land  to  this  town, 
requesting  that  it  may  be  laid  before  the  town,  to  see  if  they  will  re- 
linquish a  part  of  Said  Town,  to  be  Incorporated  with  Society  Land 
and  a  part  of  Deering  into  a  Town." 

Upon  this  the  town 

"  voted  that  the  Petitioners  have  leave  to  withdraw  their  Petition," 


THE    DYSENTERY-SCOURGE.  153 

and  instructed  their  Representative  (Peter  Farnuni)  to  oppose 
the  project,  should  it  be  carried  to  the  Legishxture.  It  does 
not  a})pear  that  the  plan  was  pushed  any  further,  or  carried 
again  to  the  General  Court.  The  proliability  of  success  was 
not  sufficient  to  warrant  the  trouble  and  expense  of  another 
trial.      And  there  were  other  hindrances  more  than  at  the  first. 

As  this  chapter  closes  the  record  of  events  in  this  place  for 
the  eighteenth  centuiy,  it  may  be  added  that  at  the  beginning 
of  the  century  this  was  an  unbroken  and  almost  undiscovered 
wilderness,  wliile  at  its  close,  here  was  a  comely  town  of  about 
twelve  hundred  people,  with  many  improvements,  attractive 
homes,  and  considerable  Avealth.  The  population  of  this  town 
in  1790  was  980  ;  and  of  the  United  States  in  1790,  3,929,214  ; 
while  the  population  of  the  United  States  at  the  close  of  the 
century  was  5,308,483.  At  the  same  date  1800  the  population 
of  New  Hampshire  was  183,858;  and  of  Hillsboro'  County 
(then  nearl}-  double  its  present  area,)  43,899.  At  the  close  of 
the  century  Francestown  had  only  two  town  paupers,  and  this 
community  were  every  way  in  a  prosperous  and  encouraging- 
condition  as  to  business  and  public  affairs. 

But  the  century  closed  amid  mournings  for  the  little  ones 
throughout  the  towns  in  this  vicinity.  The  scourge  of  dysentery 
swept  over  this  })art  of  the  state,  continuing  its  terrible  work  for 
two  years  in  some  places.  It  appeared  in  Francestown  m  mid- 
summer 1799,  and  was  so  general  among  the  cliildren  and  fatal 
in  so  many  cases,  that,  at  a  meeting  of  the  church  Sept.  8,  1799, 
the  church  voted 

"on  account  of  a  great  mortality  caused  by  the  Dysentery"  to  keep  the 
19th  of  the  month  "as  a  day  of  fasting,  hvnniliation  and  i)rayer  *  *  to 
humble  ourselves  before  God  and  implore  his  mere}'." 

So  great  were  the  anxiety  and  distress  of  the  people  that  they 
invited  the  neighboring  ministers  to  come  and  help  them  on  that 
day;  and  Rev.  John  Bruce  of  Amherst  North  Parish  (now 
Mont  Vernon)  preached  A.  M.  (2  Chron.  15:  12)  and  P.  M. 
(John  7  :  37-8)  "to  a  very  crowded  and  solemn  assembly."  The 
disease  soon  abated  for  that  year;  but  when  the  hot  season  of 
1800  came,  it  broke  out  again,  and  many  children  died  in  all 
this  region.  Three  children  by  the  name  of  Hall  died  in  Frances- 
town  in  one  day.     The  mothers  of  Israel  were  full  of  alarm  and 


154  SAD    CLOSE    OF    THE    CENTUKY. 

sorrow.  The  disease  was  in  almost  every  house,  and  there  was 
great  suffering,  and  many,  cliiefly  chihhen,  were  taken  away. 
It  was  a  dry,  exhausting,  Imrning,  sickly  year.  The  Historian 
of  Hancock  says,  '•'Dysentery  was  an  (iwful  scourge  here  in 
1800."  In  Antrim  in  August  of  that  year  there  were  nineteen 
funerals  of  children  in  one  week.  And  thus  the  century,  other- 
wise closing  with  so  much  encouragement  for  this  community, 
slipped  away  leaving  many  a  heart  in  sadness  and  many  a 
mother's  arms  empty,  and  many  a  little  grave  under  the  snow! 

Was  ever,  was  ever  a  tenderex  tear 
Thau  that  which  falls  on  the  baby's  brer? 
Or  a  in(ither''s  more  hallowed  grief  below 
Tliau  I  lull  lor  her  little  one  under  the  snow  ? 

Was  ever,  was  ever  her  heart  oppressed 
Through  the  time  for  toil  or  the  time  for  i-est 
With  siohiug  or  longing  for  aught  below 
Like  th(d  for  her  little  one  under  the  snow? 


CHAPTER   IV. 

OUTLINE     OF     EVENTS     IN     FRANCESTOWN     FROM     THE     COM- 
MENCEMENT   OF    THIS    CENTURY    JAN.    1,    1801,    TO    1851. 

The  opening  of  the  century  finds  this  people  preparing  to 
build  a  new  meeting-house,  with  about  the  usual  amount  of  sore- 
nesses and  excitements  in  such  cases.     At  the  meeting  mentioned 
in  the  last  chapter  (Aug.  25,  1800,)  the  town  chose 
"D"  Lewis  D"  Fisher  Benj"  Dean  1)"  Fairbanks  &  Oliver  Holmes  Jr." 

a  committee  to  draw  up  a  plan  and  estimate  the  cost.  They 
voted 

"to  refund  to  the  present  Pewholders  the  original  cost  of  their  old  Pews, 
or  if  they  should  purchase  a  Pew  in  the  new  Meetinghouse,  the  said 
original  cost  of  their  old  Pew  shall  be  credited  to  them  in  the  payment 
of  their  new  Pew." 

This  vote  was  ratified  at  a  subsequent  meeting,  (Jan.  5,  1801). 
The  committee  named  above  reported  at  an  adjourned  meeting 
(Sept.  22,  1800,)  and  the  town,  in  presumed  accordance  with 
their  report, 

"Voted  to  build  the  Meetinghouse  (Wi  by  4H  feet," 

and  ordered  by  public  vote  the  various  details  of  the  building. 
Then  chose  "'D"  Fairl)anks  Ben'"  Dean  &  Oliver  Holmes  Jr," 
a  committee  to  receive  proposals.  At  a  later  adjourned  meet- 
ing they  voted  to  sell  the  pews  at  auction  the  last  Monday  in 
Oct.  (1800,)  which  pews  were  all  located  according  to  an 
exhibited  plan.  Thus  the  pews  were  to  be  sold  before  a  blow 
was  struck.  But  the  advantage  of  this,  was  that  they  could 
knoAv  by  it  the  real  popularity  of  the  undertaking,  and  could 
have  means  forthcoming  with  which  to  build.  A  few  who  had 
not  paid  for  their  old  pews  were  to  .be  called  upon  at  once  for 
payment.  Thus  matters  rested  through  the  winter,  except  that 
a  large  number  of  men  were  busy  in  getting  out  luml^er  for  the 


156  RAISING    THE    NEW    MEETING-HOUSE. 

2iew  building.  The  first  town-meeting  of  the  century  (Jan.  5, 
1801,)  was  called  to  act  on  meeting-house  matters,  but  the  details 
need  not  be  chronicled  hei'e.  At  the  annual  meeting  (Mar.  16, 
1801,)  the  town 

"Voted  that  there  sliall  be  ou  tlie  Bellcouv  of  the  new  Meeting  house  a 
Cuhelo  agreeable  to  the  Draught  then  exhibited." 

And  at  a  special  meeting  (Mar.  30,  1801,)  the  town  voted  that 

"the  new  Meetinghouse  shall  stand  six  feet  to  the  South  of  the  Porch  of 
the  old  Meetinghouse  and  the  East  end  of  the  new  five  feet  to  the  East 
of  the  East  end  of  Ihi-  old  Meetinghouse." 

This  gives  an  idea  as  to  where  the  first  building  stood,  a  little 
northwest  of  that  of  1801.  The  Avork  on  the  new  house  was 
pushed  so  vigorously  tliat  the  town  had  another  meeting  (June 
11,  1801,)  and  voted  to  "connnence  the  Raising"  of  their  meet- 
ing-house June  24th  following.  As  it  was  to  be  an  imposing 
structure  for  this  vicinity  in  that  day,  the  event  was  of  great 
interest  and  wondei-.  A  crowd  was  expected  from  other  towns ; 
and  here  everybody  would  of  course  attend.     Hence  they 

"Voted  that  the  Town  treat  with  Liquor  the  Spectators."  "Voted 
!N'athan  Savage,  John  Buckminster,  Simon  Dodge,  and  David  Starrett 
Esqr,  *  *  a  Committe  as  assistants  to  the  standing  Committee  in  treating 
the  Spectators." 

They  then  chose  Peleg  Ewell,  Samuel  Dickerinan  and  Jonathan 
Patch  a  committee  to  keep  order.  Thus  they  liad  the  larger 
committee  to  deal  out  the  rum  I 

At  a  town  meeting  Nov.  30,  1801,  (Thomas  Bixby,  Moder- 
ator,) they  voted  to  use  the  inside  of  the  old  meeting-house,  as 
far  as  possible  in  finishing  the  new  house.  And  at  a  meeting 
Dec.  27,  1802,  they 

"Voted  to  Paint  the  whole  of  the  enside  of  the  meeting  house  including 
the  Pews  and  to  Leve  it  to  Committee  in  regard  of  Collars." 

Thus  the  house  was  soon  finished;  and  at  the  March  Meeting 
of  1803,  they  chose  their  Moderator  (Samuel  Bell)  in  the  old 
house,  and  then  ad'ourned  to  the  new  one.  And  as  sid)seqently 
reported  to  the  town,  the  cost  of  the  new  meeting-house  was  as 
follows : 

Cost  of  building  .'§5274. 24, 

Paid  owners  of  Pews  in  the  old  house    .1?101.3.33 
The  pews  sold  for  .^5242.50 

Balance  against  the  town,  .        !n^l045.07 


PETITION    FEOM    SOCIETY-LAND.  157 

But  as  it  furnished  a  town-house  as  well  as  meeting-house,  it 
was  considered  a  piece  of  good  management  for  the  town.  Thus 
it  stood  without  essential  change  till  1834.  The  old  meeting- 
house stood  in  a  dismantled  condition  along  side  the  new  one 
till  the  spring  of  1803,  when  the  town  advertised  it  to  be  sold 
on  the  25th  of  April.  The  frame  Avas  soon  after  taken  down, 
and  it  is  said  that  most  of  the  timber  was  used  in  building  the 
barn  now  standing  on  the  farm  of  J.  S.  Follansbee  in  the  south 
part  of  the  town.     Long  may  even  these  relics  be  preserved  I 

Some  weeks  previous  at  the  March  meeting  1801,  a  petition 
was  received  for  union  of  certain  persons  wdth  this  town,  upon 
which  at  said  meeting  the}- 

"Voted  to  answer  the  Prayer  of  the  Petition  from  a  lumiber  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  Society  Land  praying  to  be  annexed  to  this  Town  ;  to 
receive  so  many  as  may  be  accommodated  and  that  desire  to  come." 

This  Petition  followed  the  long  struo-o-le  for  a  new  town,  which 
being  a  failure  a  few  individuals  sought  to  come  here  and  unite 
themselves  with  this  peoj)le.  The  petition  was  then  carried  to 
the  General  Court,  and  on  June  5,  1801,  the  House  appointed 
"Mr.  Alcock,  Mr.  B.  Pierce  and  Mr.  Farnum"  a  committee,  witli 
such  as  the  Senate  might  appoint,  to  consider  the  petition ;  which 
committee  reported  that  there  should  be  a  hearing  on  the  matter 
"the  first  Tuesda_y  of  the  Next  Session,"  six  "weeks  previous 
notice  being  given  in  Francestown  and  Society  Land.  This  re- 
port was  adopted  and  its  recommendations  were  carried  out. 
But  as  there  was  no  serious  opposition  the  Legislature  passed 
an  act  June  16,  1802,  by  which  Robert  Dinsmore,  John  Felch 
and  Hugh  Bell,  with  their  farms,  were  annexed  to  this  town. 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  same. 

"Be  it  enacted  by  tlie  Senate  and  Honse  of  Representatives  in  General 
Court  convened.  — That  the  following  Tract  of  Land  be  and  it  is  hereby 
annexed  to  and  incorporated  with  the  said  Town  of  Francestown  and  to 
be  considered  a  part  thereof  (to  wit)  begining  on  the  West  line  of  said 
Franc-estown  on  the  line  of  lots  between  Robert  Dinsmore  and  Eliza- 
beth Hogg,  thence  west  by  the  line  of  said  lots  to  the  road  that  leads 
from  said  Dinsmore  to  Put  nam's  Mills  (Bennington);  thence  to  continue 
westwardly  by  the  south  and  eastwardly  side  of  said  road  to  the  west 
line  of  said  Dinsmore's  home  lot — Thence  south  by  the  west  line  of  said 
lot,  and  Hugh  BelFs  lot  to  the  south-west  corner  of  said  Bell's  home  lot; 
thence  east  by  the  south  line  of  said  lot,  to  the  north-west  corner  of  lot 


158  GREAT    FRESHET    IK    FRANCP^STOWN. 

number  twenty-one  in  the  right  drawn  to  Jotliani  Odiorne  Esij;  thence 
south  by  the  west  line  of  said  lot  to  the  south-west  corner  thereof;  the'nce 
east  to  Francestown  line,  thence  northerly  l)y  said  line  to  the  bounds 
first  mentioned — 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  the  inhabitants  of  said  land  be  here- 
after considered  as  Inliabitants  of  Said  Town  of  Francestown  entitled  to 
all  the  privileges  and  immunities,  and  subject  to  the  rules  and  regula- 
tions of  said  town." 

lliis  tract  remained  a  part  of  Francestown  till  the  incorpor- 
ation of  Bennington  Dec.  15,  1842,  when  it  became  a  part  of 
that  town.  The  following  year  (1803)  others  in  the  northeast 
corner  of  Society  Land  sought  to  be  united  to  Francestown; 
but  the  project  ended  when  this  town  (Se})t.  26,) 

"Voted  not  to  except  of  .Joseph  lS:  (ieorge  Huntington  to  be  annexed  to 
this  Town." 

At  a  town-meeting  Nov.  30,  1801,  on  the  question  whether 
to  push  the  work  on  that  portion  of  the  County  road  extending 
from  "David  Fisher's  to  the  Dearing  li]ie,"  the  town 

"Voted  to  choues  a  Committee  to  Procuer  hands  in  the  Best  way  they 
Can,"  and  "voted  to  treat  such  hands  as  work  Greates." 

Thus  rum  was  offered  as  an  inducement  to  work.  Most  labor- 
ers in  that  day  would  not  work  without  liquor.  Rum  was 
everywhere.  It  startles  us  noAv,  to  know  there  were  so  many 
places  where  it  was  0})enly  sold,  and  that  nobody  protested,  and 
that  the  town  a^Jproved  of  treating  and  selling,  and  that  good 
men  took  the  lead  in  such  things  I 

At  the  close  of  April  1804  there  was  a  Severe  freshet  in  Frances- 
town,  carrying  away  the  Carson  Bridge  (Mill  Village,)  about 
which  there  had  been  so  much  contention,  and  other  smaller 
bridges  hei-e  and  there  in  town.  So  much  damage  Avas  done 
that  a  town-meeting  was  called  at  once  (May  2,1804,)  at  which 
("d^^k'zer  Evertt  Mo(hrator")  they 

"Vot.  To  ajoin  with  Mr  Dean  in  repairing  ther  Dam  for  the  use  of  a 
road  s'^  Dean  to  put  in  ten  feet  More  of  a  Waist  way  and  Support  it 
according  to  the  first  agreement  with  Carson;" 

and  also  voted 

"To  Build  the  bridge  be  Low  Mr.  Cresys." 


CELEBRATING  THE  FOURTH.  159 

These,  with  various  small  Inidges  and  many  "'washouts,"  in- 
volved a  laro-e  exi)enditure  by  the  town  and  indicate  one  of  the 
hardest  floods  ever  kiiown  in  this  place. 

It  is  to  be  noticed  that  in  those  early  years  of  the  republic  the 
Fourth  of  July  was  celebrated  with  more  zest  and  regularity 
than  now.  The  events  associated  with  the  day  were  nearer, 
and  many  a  veteran  was  still  alive,  and  coming  before. them, 

"Wept  o'er  his  wouufls,  or,  tales  of  sorrow  done. 
Shouldered  his  crutch  and  showed  how  tields  were  won." 

The  following  notice  appeared  in  the  Amherst  Cabinet  Jnly 
7,  1803,  and  may  be  taken  as  a  sample  of  quiet  town-celebrations 
year  after  year,  of  which   for  the  most  part  no  record  remains: 

"•The  Anniversay  of  American  ludepeudeiice  was  celebrated  at  Frances- 
town  on  the  4th  inst.  by  a  very  numerous  and  respectable  assembly 
from  that  and  the  adjacent  towns.  At  one  o'clock  P.  M.  the  Inde- 
pendent Company  of  Francestown  in  complete  uniform,  met  at  Capt. 
Woodbury's  Hall,  and,  after  performing  military  exercises  and  evolutions 
in  a  very  soldier-like  manner  till  3  o'clock,  escorted  a  procession  of 
respectable  citizens  to  the  Meetina;  House,  where  a  very  ingenious  and 
patriotic  Oration  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Matthew  Taylor.  The  exer- 
cises were  closed  with  music  adapted  to  the  occasi(m.  The  Company 
then  returned  to  Capt.  Woodbury's  Hall,  ])artook  of  a  refreshment,  and 
drank  a  number  of  patriotic  toasts.  The  utmost  harmony  prevailed 
throughout  the  day." 

At  a  meeting  called  to  vote  for  congressmen  (Aug.  27,  1804,) 
one  article  was  to 

"See  if  the  Town  will  do  anything  in  respecting  Leveling  the  Common 
and  Raising  the  Grabil  round  the  meetinghous;" — 

on  which  they  directed  Capt.  Woodbury  to  expend  fifty  dollars. 
The  records  indicate  that  a  great  amount  of  labor  and  money  has 
been  expended  on  the  common  to  dig  down  and  All  up,  one  time 
and  another,  so  that  the  ground  must  have  been  steep  and  broken 
at  the  start. 

At  the  meeting  to  vote  for  President  (Nov.  5,  1804)  the 
selectmen  were  instructed  to  repair  the  "grave-yard  fences,'' 
these  being  broken  by  the  removal  of  the  old  meeting-house. 
The  first  meeting-house  stood  partly  in  the  cemetery,  after  the 
custom  of  those  days.  This  was  then  the  only  cemetery  in  town, 
and,  as  it  was  nearly  full,  an  effort  was  made  at  this  time  while 


160  MUSICAL    IXSTRU]\rENTS    IN    CHURCH. 

it  was  partially  uiifenced  on  that  side,  to  enlarge  it  on  the  south, 
by  removing  what  few  horse  sheds  were  in  the  way,  and  extend- 
ing the  yard  [lartly  round  the  new  meeting-house,  as  in  the  case 
of  the  old  one.     But  the  plan  was  very  wisely  defeated. 

At  the  MareJi  meeting  1805,  as  new  ideas  were  creeping  into 
this  ambitions  community,  the  Town 

"Voted  to  admit  Instrumental  Music  into  the  ^leetinghouse  on  the  Sab- 
bath Day." 

Hitherto  there  had  been  only  the  human  voice  and  a  '^pitching- 
fork."  Bnt  there  was  determined  opposition  to  this  vote ;  and 
before  the  day  was  over  it  was  reconsidered  and  ''rescinded," 
and  the  Article  in  the  warrant  dismissed.  And  thns  for  a  while 
longer  the  ''Instruments"  were  kept  out.  Some  of  the  oldest 
settlers  objected  even  to  the  "pitching-fork,"  or  "pitch-})ipe,"  as 
some  called  it,  and  it  did  not  lack  the  charge  of  being  an 
"ungodly  whastle"  and  a  "wark  f)f  the  Devil  I"  If -some  of 
those  catitious  and  self-denying  old  saints  could  have  drop})ed 
into  our  modern  churches,  with  orchestras  and  brass  bands  and 
indescribable  operatics  and  trills  and  echoes  and  responses  and 
chants,  in  endless  contortion  and  variet3%  probably  they  would 
have  thought  of  the  sphere  of  demons  and  would  have  run  for 
dear  life  I  We  tolerate  anything  in  the  music-line  in  these  days, 
and  call  it  "adoration  and  praise ;"  but  for  real,  reverent  heart- 
felt worship  probably  the  "stiff  old  saints"  were  ahead  after  all ! 

The  Legislature  having  at  the  June  Session  1805  passed  a 
law  requiring  a  surve}^  of  all  the  towns  in  the  state,  this  town 
direct«ed  the  Selectmen  to  "cause  a  survey  to  be  made."  This 
was  at  a  meeting  Sept.  9,  1805,  and  is  recorded  as  being  "by 
Act  of  Coort."  The  "Plan  of  Francestown"  made  at  this  time 
was  deposited  with  the  Secretary  of  State'  at  Portsmouth  Dec. 
25,  1805,  as  indicated  by  the  town  books. 

There  are  traditions  remaining  among  the  old  people  of  a 
remarkable  snow-storm  which  came  Oct.  7,  1804,  covering  the 
ground  a  foot  deep  with  snow.  It  filled  the  community  with 
consternation  and  alarm;  for  they  had  only  begun  to  harvest 
their  crops.  Potatoes  were  in  the  ground  and  apples  hung  on 
the  trees  that  bended  to  the  earth  with  snow.  The  leaves  had 
not  fallen ;  and  the  gorgeous  lines  of  the  autumn  were  blended 


"THE    BIG    SNOW    STORM."  161 

with  the  whiteness  of  winter.  And  under  all,  the  grass  was 
hidden  green  as  in  the  growth  of  summer,  or  appeared  between 
the  drifts  like  the  beautiful  background  of  a  picture.  But 
upon  the  fields  and  open  places  the  snow  soon  melted  away, 
and  the  farmers  secured  their  crops  with  little  damage ;  yet  in 
the  woods,  and  in  cold  spots,  the  drifts  lay  unbroken  till  spring. 
This  indicates  that  winter  came  early  and  was  hard  and  long, 
as  compared  with  winters  now.  From  some  cause  there  seems 
to  have  come  a  change  of  seasons  in  the  past  century,  making 
shorter  and  more  tolerable  the  rigors  of  the  frost  part  of  the 
year. 

It  ma}^  interest  some  to  know  hoAv  much  •vas  raised  '■'to 
defray  town  charges"  in  the  former  times. 

In  1800,  the  first  year  of  calculating  in  dollars,  the  town  raised  S400; 
1801,  f400;  1802,  .f600;  1803,  loOO;  1804,  $500;  1806,  $650;  1810, 
S500;  1815;  $500;  1825,  $800;  1835,  $700;  1845,  $1400;  1855,  $1200; 
1866,  $4000;  and  1884,  $1500. 

An  article  was  in  the  warrant  (Mar.,  1806)  to  see  if  the 
town  would  raise  Rev.  Mr.  Bradford's  salar}^ — ,  which  article 
was  promptly  dismissed,  and  the  salary  was  raised  the  same  as 
before.  The  town  was  accustomed  to  raise  it  without  any 
vote ;  and  was  under  obligation  of  law  to  do  it,  as  really,  and 
on  the  same  ground,  as  in  the  case  of  selectmen  or  town  clerk. 
Yet  the  fact  that  the  question  was  brought  up  at  all,  is  evidence 
of  a  growing  discontent  with  the  minister  and  growing  unwil- 
lingness to  be  taxed  for  the  support  of  any  church.  It  meant 
much,  and  was  the  beginning  of  the  end, — the  complete  separa- 
tion of  church -and  state. 

It  is  astonishing  how  little  interest  in  politics  was  taken  in 
the  years  from  1800  to  the  war  of  1812. 

In  1800  the  highest  and  whole  number  of  votes  cast  was  109,  which 
was  less  than  one-third  of  the  voters  in  town;  in  1801,  68  votes  was  the 
highest  number  cast;  in  1802  the  whole  number  on  governor  vote  was 
99;  in  1803  the  whole  governor  vote  was  102;  in  1804,  114;  1805,  127; 
1806,134;  1807,118;    1808,120;  1809,180;  and  in  1810,  185. 

This  makes  an  averao^e  of  114  votes  for  eleven  years,  being 
but  little  more  than  one-fourth  the, voters  then  in  town.  But 
subsequently, -circumstances  in  connection  with  the  war  then 
threatened,   stirred   up   the   political   fires  into   some   warmth. 


162  FORMING    SCHOOL    DISTRICTS.   . 

Men  of  mature  years  who  liacl  never  cast  a  vote  in  their  lives 
for  other  than  town  officers,  began  to  take  interest  in  state  and 
national  affairs;  and  tlie  recorded  voters  were  greatly  increased 
in  nnmljer. 

In  IS  11  llie  governor  vote  was  208;  1812,  207;  1813,  255;  1814,  252; 
and  1S15,  207;  making  an  avei'age  for  five  years  of  238.  The  highest 
governor  vote  ever  cast  in  Francestown  was  330,  in  tlie  year  1838, 
being  for  Isaac  Hill  160,  and  for  James  Wilson,  Jr.,  170. 

In  the  year  1800  the  town  was  "classed""  or  districted  b}- 
the  selectmen,  for  school  pnr])oses,  into  nine  "chisses"  or  dis- 
tricts. Then  the  ''Col.  Holmes  District''  (nmv  Epps  district) 
was  the  largest  in  town  and  the  village  district  next  largest. 
How  mucli  this  differs  from  the  "classes"  as  arranged  in  1788, 
it  is  impossible  now  to  tell.  One  seems  to  have  been  a  nnion 
district  with  Lymleboro'.  Tlie  districts  averaged  more  than 
thirty  voters  each,  and  all  of  them  liad  large  and  interesting 
schools. 

From  180(3  to  1812  there  are  very  few  events  recorded  that 
need  special  notice  iiere.  The  long  list  of  transactions  given 
is  of  practical  use,  Init  not  of  historic  importance.  Mar.  10. 
1807.  the  town  cliose  Oliver  Holmes  and  Benj.  Dean  a  com- 
mittee "-to  Repair  the  Bellconey."  with  reference  to  hanging  a 
bell;  and  at  the  succeeding  March  meeting  they  voted  to 
"aproperate"  the  money  due  the  town  from  the  sale  of  tlie  old 
meeting-house 
"toward  Parchasing  a  Bell  for  the  use  of  the  town." 

At  a  later  meeting  (Nov.  4,  1808,)  they  appointed 
"Stephen  Cram,  Peter  Woodbury  and  Joseph  Kimball  a  committee  to 
Purchase  and  hang  the  Bell." 

This  was  at  once  procured,  and  early  the  following  summer 
was  lifted  to  its  place,  and  did  good  service  for  nearly  fifty 
years,  being  taken  cloAvn  in  1855.     Its  cost  was  '|456. 

Mar.  10,  1807,  the  town  voted  that  the 

"Select  Men  pick  Out  a  Saxton."     Oct.  27,  1807,  "Voted  the  Selectmen 

a  Corametee  as  Respext  Mrs.  Johnson," 

leaving   us   in  ignorance  concerning   this  good  lady  and   her 

grievances. 

At  this  time,  also,  concerning  a  change  in  a  certain  road  the 
selectmen  gave  the  following  report : 

"We  think  it  our  openion  Said  Road  is  Good  as  the  old  one," — 


MILITARY    PARADES.  163 

[)erhaps,  like  many  distinguished  officials  in  later  days,  not 
(|uite  knowing  what  their  real  '•^openion'"  was!  But  how  much 
better  to  report  the  ignorance  than  to  assume  the  knowledge  I 

The  following  year  (1808)  several  inhabitants  of  Deering 
sought  to  be  united  with  Francestown.  An  article  was  in  the 
aujiual  warrant  to  receive  Daniel  Farrington,  Phinehas  Everett, 
Jonathan  Page,  Ezra  Fisher  and  one  or  two  others,  but  the 
said  article  was  dismissed,  and  no  further  action  in  the  matter 
was  ever  taken. 

It  was  the  custom,  from  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  of 
1792  for  more  than  a  half-century,  to  hold  occasional  "militar}- 
parades"  in  Francestown,  though  the  "musters"  were  usually 
at  ''Cork  plain."  The  Amherst  Cabinet  of  that  time  speaks 
of  a  parade  of  the  old  Twenty-sixth  Regiment  here,  Oct.  2, 
1806,  as  an  event  of  signal  importance,  and  speaks  of  its  com- 
mander, Col.  David  McClure  of  Antrim,  then,  and  for  several 
subsequent  years,  its  soldierly  and  efficient  chief  officer.  These 
parades  were  counted  of  greater  interest  than  would  be  the 
encampment  of  an  army  now.  The  reader  is  referred  to  the 
chapter  on  Military  Affairs.  A  parade  of  this  kind  Avhich  was 
of  special  note,  occurred  a  few  years  later  (Sept.  12,  1821), 
when 

"Col.  Hugh  Mooix'  mu.steriHl  his  regiment"  (26th)  "in  tlie  field  of  Mrs. 
Polly  CJibson;" 

and  on  this  occasion  rum  and  cider  were  licensed  to  be  sold 

"in  the  Several  Tents  she  may  cause  to  be  erected  in  her  field," 

and  in  several  tents  of  other  parties,  and  in  all  the  dwelling- 
houses  in  the  vicinity,  and  William  Forsaith  of  Deering  was 
licensed 

"to  come  and  sell  rum  from  his  waggon," — 

all  which  shows  that  musters  and  lum-bariels  were  expected  to 
go  together! 

In  1808,  the  number  of  tax-jiayers  in  Francestown  was  237, 
being  about  the  same  as  the  number  now;  but  the  tax  was 
much  less  than  now.  The  amount  raised  for  town  charges  was 
only  five  hundred  dollars;  the  school  tax  was  -1498.40;  the 
county  tax  was  only  }|85.98;  and  the  highest  individual  taxes 


164  SCHOOL    INSPECTOES. 

were:  John  Gibson,  f  17.59 ;  Peter  Wooilbuiy,  $13.89;  and 
James  Wilson,  $10.65.  What  wouh;!  they  have  thought  of  the 
figures  we  have  to  meet  now? 

A  meeting  was  called  Aug.  29,  1808,  to  vote  for  congress- 
men. New  Hampshire  then  being  entitled  to  five  representatives, 
instead  of  two,  as  at  the  present  time.     The  vote  was  thus: 


Charles  Cults,      .     . 

.     102 

X.  A.  Haven,  .     . 

.     44 

Clement  Storev,  .     . 

.     102 

William  Hale,  .     .     . 

.     44 

Daniel  M.  Durell,    . 

.     102 

John  C.  Chamberlain, 

.     44 

Jedekiah  Smith, 

.     102 

Daniel  Blaisdell,  .     . 

.     44 

Frances  Gordon, 

.     102 

James  Wilson,       .     . 

.     44 

This  statement  is  given  in  full  to  show  that  congressmen 
were  not  then  elected  by  districts,  but  the  whole  state  voted 
for  the  whole  five  together,  as  the}-  do  now  in  most  of  the 
states  for  Presidential  Electors.  These  ten  men  were  then 
prominent  leaders  in  New  Hampshire,  but  now  all  of  them  have 
passed  away ;  and  it  is  suggestive  of  the  transientness  of  earthly 
honors,  to  add,  that  now,  after  only  eighty  years,  few,  if  any, 
of  my  readers  remember  a  single  one  of  them:  perhaps  never 
heard  of  them  before  ! 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1809  the  town  chose 

"Moses  Bradford,  Peter  Woodbury,  Daniel  Lewis,  James  Walker,  and 
Hart  Merrill  a  Committee  to  visit  and  inspect  the  schools." 

These  were  called  '"School  Inspectors"  for  many  years.  This 
was  the  name  given  them  in  the  Act  of  the  Legislature  requir- 
ing their  appointment  and  creating  the  office,  which  Act  was 
passed  Dec.  22,  1808.  This  was  the  beginning  of  tlie  "Super- 
intending School  Committee,"  which  continued  in  great  fame 
and  power  down  to  the  year  1885.     See  chapter  on  Schools. 

A  few  statistics  for  the  year  1810  may  be  pleasing  or  instruct- 
ive to  the  thoughtful  citizen  of  to-da}^  The  vote  of  the  town 
was  133  for  John  Langdon  for  Governor,  and  52  for  Jeremiah 
Smith.  The  population  of  this  town  in  1810  v/as  1451.  The 
amount  of  money  raised  by  the  town  for  all  purposes  was 
$1456.14,  besides  a  small  state  tax.  The  number  of  tax-payers 
in  town  was  242.  The  four  highest  taxes  were,  John  Gibson, 
$14.19;  Peter  Woodbury,  $11.06;  James  Wilson,  Jr.,  $9.87; 
and  Joseph  Kingsbury,  $7.10;  showing  that  taxes  were  very 


DEATH    OF    DAVID    LEWIS.  165 

light,  and  that  property  was  evenly  distributed,  At  the  close 
of  this  year  we  find  William  Bixby,  Benjamin  Mather,  Samuel 
Lolly,  Peter  Woodbury,  Uriah  Smith,  Oliver  Holmes,  Jr.,  John 
Gibson,  Charles  Wells,  and  Peter  Clark,  all  licensed  to  sell 
rum  in  this  town.  Who  says  there  has  been  no  improvement 
since  those  days? 

On  the  3d  of  July  1811  occurred  the  death  of  Dea.  David 
Lewis,  whose  loss  was  felt  and  mourned  by  the  whole  town. 
He  was  one  of -the  original  settlers,  and  was  so  prominent  and 
useful  as  to  justify  a  brief  notice  in  this  place.  He  was  the  first 
man  ever  chos6n  Deacon  in  the  Congregational  church,  being 
chosen  in  March  1773.  Men  spoke  of  him  at  death  as  a  "friend 
of  man  and  a  servant  of  God  I "  B}-  character  and  influence  and 
life-long  faithfulness  to  duty,  he  was  placed  among  the  noblest 
of  the  pioneers  of  this  region.  His  age  was  75.  See  Genealogy. 
A  notice  of  this  excellent  man  may  be  found  in  the  Amherst 
Cabinet  under  date  of  July  9,  1811. 

In  the  following  year  (1812)  the  number  of  tax-payers  had 
increased  to  267,  twenty-five  in  two  years,  showing  a  continued 
growth  of  population  which  now  reached  1600.  The  State  tax 
was  1220.20,  tlie  county  tax  1228.40,  and  the  whole  amount 
raised  in  town  was  $1778.87.  The  highest  tax  in  town  in  1812 
was  il3.11,  assessed  upon  Peter  Woodbury.  And  the  collect- 
ing of  the  whole  whole  was  struck  off  to  Col.  Hugh  Moore  at 
one  cent  and  a  half  on  a  dollar,  or  less  than  ten  cents  for  each 
tax-payer.  It  was  a  time  of  unusual  prosperity  in  all  farming 
communities ; — heavy  crops,  light  taxes, — general  peace,  and 
health.  But  early  in  this  year  the  difficulties  between  this 
country  and  England  became  so  serious  as  to  arouse  the  whole 
nation.  The  British  people  had  never  relished  the  idea  of 
American  Lulepehdence ;  and  our  '^relations"  to  them  had  always 
been  what  the  diplomats  now  call  "strained."  They  looked 
upon  us  as  upon  a  rebellious  child  that  ought  to  be  kept  under; 
they  put  certain  arbitrary  restrictions  upon  our  commerce ;  and 
they  insisted  upon  the  right  of  searching  American  vessels  and 
"impressing"  into  their  own  service  any  person  who  had  been  a 
British  subject  or  had  ever  served  in  the  British  army  or  navy. 
These  demands  were  executed  with  such  arrogance  and  frequency 
as  to  become  intolerable,  ana  as  a  last  resort.  Congress  declared 


166  WAR  OF  1812. 

war  against  England  June  18,  1812.  Many  people  in  New 
England  were  opposed  to  this  war,  believing  it  might  be  avoided, 
and  thinking  the  nation  was  poorly  prepared  for  it.  In  the 
course  of  the  struggle  this  opposition  increased;  as  great 
damage  was  done  to  the  connnerce  of  New  England  by  the  war, 
and  as  the  American  troops  were  iiot  successful  enotigh  to 
awaken  much  enthusiasm  or  pride  in  the  popular  heart.  So 
great  and  determined  gre.w  this  feeling  that  the  famous  "-Hart- 
ford Convention"  was  called  to  devise  means  to  defend  New 
England  and  biing  the  war  to  an  end.  This  Convention  had 
its  first  meeting  Dec.  15,  1814,  and  continued  twenty  days. 
Meanwhile  negotiations  for  peace  were  going  forward;  and  a 
Treaty  was  signed  Dec.  24, 1814,  on  the  other  side  of  the  water, 
at  the  very  time  of  these  painful  deliberations  here.  Tliere 
were  no  cablegrams  and  no  telegrams  in  those  da3^s.  It  took 
several  weeks  for  tidings  of  peace  to  reach  the  United  States, 
the  event  not  bt'ing  known  liere  till  February  following  I 
Meantime  the  war  went  on,  and  Gen.  Jackson  gained  his  re- 
markable victory  over  the  British  at  New  Orleans  Jan.  8,  1815, 
two  weeks  after  peace  was  declared  I 

In  this  town,  those  who  favored  and  those  who  opposed  the 
war  were  about  equal,  though  all  were  united  in  patriotic  ^eal 
for  defence,  and  in  loyalty  to  the  American  Union.  For  a  list 
of  the  Francestown  soldiers  in  this  struggle,  the  reader  is  refer- 
red to  the  Chapter  on  Military  Affairs.  There  were  then 
eighteen  states  in  the  Union,  and  a  population  of  about  eight 
millions. 

Mar.  10,  1812,  an  article  was  in  the  warrant  "to  restrict 
horses  and  swine"  from  running  on  the  common  and  highways. 
Hitherto  all  stock  had  gone  free  on  any  highway  and  on  any 
unfenced  land.  But  the  legislature  passed  a  law  (June  1811) 
einpo\\ering  the  towns  to  restrict  or  prohibit  this  Swine 
especiall}^  were  a  nuisance  to  travellers.  Highways  were  fed 
close,  and  sometimes  there  were  rivalries  among  neighbors  in 
getting  their  part  of  the  "j)ublic  pasture !  "  In  some  places  flocks 
of  cattle  and  horses  and  sheep  and  hogs  swarmed  in  the  public 
road,  making  travel  difficult,  if  not  dangerous.  Yet  the  town, 
at  its  first  action  in  the  matter,  prohibited  the  running  at  large 
of  onlv  horses  and  swine,  leaving   the   cattle   free   to    wander 


SPOTTED    FEVEK.  167 

everywhere,  at  the  peril  of  unprotected  fields.  Ojie  smiles  at 
such  a  state  of  things,  when  now  he  can  travel  past  hundreds 
of  unfenced  fields  from  one  side  of  New  England  to  tlie  other, 
witlioiit  seeing  a  single  loose  creature  in  the  public  road  I 

This  year  (1812)  was  memorable  in  this  vicinit}'  on  account 
o!'  tlie  ravages  of  the  Spotted  Fever,  so  called.  In  Windham, 
wlience  many  Francestown  settlers  came,  the  deatlis  from  this 
cause  in  tlie  month  of  April  weie  moi'e  than  one  each  day.  In 
Antriin  this  disease  broke  out  Feb.  7,  1812,  and  spread  rapidly, 
there  being  two  hundred  cases  and  forty  deaths  in  two  months. 
'I'he  sufferer  usuall}^  died  in  less  than  twelve  hours  from  the 
time  of  being  taken.  All  ages  were  taken  from  sixty  years  to 
t]ie  infant  of  days;  and  there  were  often  two  or  three  funerals 
in  each  day,  or  three  or  four  bodies  Mere  grouj)ed  together  in 
the  church  and  a  few  friends  hurriedly  assembled  for  a  funeral 
service  together!  In  Acworth  there  were  fifty-three  deaths 
fiom  this  cause.  In  New  Boston  this  disease  did  not  prevail  to 
any  great  extent  until  tlie  year  1814,  in  which  ^-ear  it  sAvept 
away  about  forty  persons  in  that  town.  A]id  there  were  several 
deaths  there  from  the  same  cause  in  1815. 

In  Hancock  the  s})otted  fever  did  not  rage  to  any  great  extent, 
there  being  a  few  mild  cases  in  that  town  in  the  spring  of  1812. 
But  in  Francestown  it  Avas  rejjorted  that  there  Avas  not  a  case  of 
tliis  fever  ever  knoAvn;  and  why  this  town,  lying  midway 
between  Antrim  and  Ncav  Boston,  should  be  exempt  while  their 
losses  were  so  heavy,  was  a  question  agitated  in  many  minds, 
and  one  to  which  no  satisfactory  answer  Avas  ever  given.  And 
this  question'  Avas  made  conspicuous  by  the  fact  that  there  were 
fatal  cases  of  this  fever  in  New  Boston  very  near  to  the  line  of 
this  town  I  Merrill's  Gazetteer  of  NeAv  Hampshire  (Exeter 
1817)  says  that  dyisentery  prevailed  in  FrancestoAvn  in  1812, 
causing  thirty-three  deaths  and  that  there  were  forty-five  deaths 
in  town  that  3'ear.  But  the  numerous  deaths  by  dysentery  here 
were  in  the  year  1800,  (referred  to  herein  at  that  date;)  and 
})robably  the  Avriter  named  aboA^e,  being  told  of  the  many  fatal- 
ities in  this  vicinity  in  1812,  hastily  grouped  them  all  into  this 
last  named  year.  Certaiidy  other  such  mistakes  occur  in  said 
Gazetteer. 


168  CHILDREN    IN    SCHOOL,    500. 

From  1797  onward,  for  a  long  series  of  years,  we  find  such 
records  as  this  (Nov.  5,  1804:) 
"Voted  to  set  up  William  Abot  to  Vandue." 

But  this  was  not  so  cruel  as  the  face  of  it  appears,  since  it  was 
not  the  poor,  but  the  care  of  the  poor  that  was  sold  at  auction, 
and  of  which  a  statement  is  elsewhere  made.  The  poor  thus 
said  to  be  sold  were  to  be  provided  with 

"victuals,  Drink,  lodging  and  Tobacco," — "including  washing  and  mend- 
in"  " 

and  the  selectmen  M-ere  to  look  after  them  and  see  that  they 
were  properly  cared  for.  In  this  way  they  were  kept  in  their 
own  town,  and  old  associates  looked  upon  them  with  symjjathy, 
and  no  o-reat  diso-race  was  attached  to  their  lot. 

In  the  3'ear  1814  the  "School  Inspectors"  reported  that, 

"exclusive  of  the  small  scholars  who  attend  in  the  summer  only,  there 
were  in  the  schools  during  the  past  winter  450  scholars,  of  whom  82 
wei'e  in  the  study  of  English  grammar." 

This  would  make  about  500  scholars  in  all,  showing  both  a 
larger  population,  and  a  larger  proportion  of  children  than  at 
the  present  time. 

In  1814  the  vote  of  Francestown  for  Governer  was  252  ;  of 
which  170  were  for  William  Plummer,  and  82  for  John  T. 
Gilman.  At  the  same  time,  the  qaestion  was  raised  as  to  revis- 
ing the  Constitutioir  of  the  state,  and  this  town  cast  175  votes 
against  revision  and  only  4  votes  in  its  favor.  The  plan  was 
defeated  by  a  large  majority,  but  continued  to  be  brought 
before  the  several  towns  every  two  or  three  years,  for  a  long 
time.  This  year  (1814)  the  taxes  were  collected  for  three- 
fourths  of  a  cent  on  a  dollar,  and  the  amount  raised  "to  defray 
town  charges"  Avas  only  '1400!  As  their  public  burdens  were 
so  light,  they  promptly 
"voted  to  Add  flOO  to  Mr.  Bradford's  salary," 

making  it  -11366.67.  Surely  the  Good  Pastor  was  not  over- 
loaded with  money! 

At  a  special  town  meeting  (Aug.  29,  1814,)  the  town 

"Voted  petitioners  have  liberty  at  their  own  Cost  to  moove  the  west 
end  of  the  Signers  Seat  to  the  East  end  of  the  female  Signers;" 

and  it  may  be  said,  by  way  of  explanation,  that  the  "Signers" 
were  really  the   sin(jers,  and   that  the  "petitioners"  were  the 


POVEKTY    YEAE.  169 

male  singers,  and  that  their  ambition  to  sit  near  the  fair 
charmers  of  the  choir  was  quite  praiseworthy  and  sensible, 
while  the  last  expression,  "the  East  end  of  the  female  Signers," 
must  be  left  to  the  unaided  interpretation  of  the  reader! 

In  the  spring  of  this  same  year  a  collection  was  taken, 
amounting  to  -1^310.58,  in  this  town,  to  aid  the  sufferers  by  lire 
in  the  city  of  Portsmouth.  The  subscriptions  are  spread  upon 
the  record,  and  are  so  creditable  to  the  people  of  Francestown 
as  to  justify  being  mentioned  here.  The  fire  referred  to  was 
the  greatest  known  in  the  history  of  New  Hampshire,  and 
occurred  on  the  22d  of  December,  1813,  sweeping  over  fifteen 
acres  and  destroying  173  buildings.  In  the  same  city,  Dec. 
26,  1802,  120  buildings,  man}-  of  them  small  and  cheap,  were 
destroyed  by  fire,  and  Dec.  24,  1806,  20  buildings.  The  sym- 
pathy of  the  other  towns  in  the  state  was  greatly  moved  in 
behalf  of  that  much-afflicted  community. 

In  the  year  1815  the  number  of  resident  tax-payers  in 
Francestown  was  288,  an  increase  of  21  since  1812,  showing 
that  the  town  was  still  slowly  enlarging.  The  poll-tax  was 
51  cents,  and  the  highest  tax  in  town  was  -$17.70,  paid  by  John 
Gibson.  The  lightness  of  taxation  will  further  appear  by  the 
statement  that  the  next  four  highest  on  the  list  were  James 
Wilson,  Jr.,  1^13.09;  Peter  Woocfbury,  $11.86;  Thomas  Eaton, 
$9.43 ;  and  Joseph  Kingsbury,  $6.77.  Indeed,  so  low  did 
taxes  run  about  that  time  that,  in  1821,  the  whole  amount 
I'aised  to  defray  town  charges  was  only  $300,  and  the  poll-tax 
only  35  cents! 

The  year,  1816,  was  called  by  the  old  people  the  "Cold 
Year,"  and  "Poverty  Year."  The  whole  summer  was  chilly, 
and  frosts  came  ver}^  late  in  the  spring  and  very  early  in  the 
fall.  The  Avriter  remembers  hearing  his  father  say  that  he 
worked  at  building  stone-wall  in  New  Boston,  June  11,  1816, 
and  was  driven  off  by  a  snow-storm.  There  were  two  inches 
of  snow,  and  the  cold  was  so  intense  as  to  drive  everybody 
indoors,  and  children  huddled  about  the  open  fires  as  in  mid- 
winter! The  corn  crop  was  a  failure,  and  hardly  enough 
could  be  matured  for  seed  the  follo^^^ing  year.  In  some  of  the 
coast  towns  this  was  called  "Mackerel  Year,"  because  the 
inhabitants  were  compelled  to  live  largely  upon  fish.     But  the 


170  THE   NEW    POUND. 

crops  of  grass  and  English  grain  were  very  good,  preventing 
any  great  distress.  The  West,  which  is  now  our  storehouse, 
was  then  an  untravelled  wilderness,  a  barrel  of  flour  was  a 
thing  unheard  of,  and  farmers  raised  all  they  had  to  live  upon 
on  their  own  ground.  Not  a  bushel  of  corn  was  brought  into 
New  England.  Hence,  the  loss  of  the  corn  crop  was  a  serious 
thing  for  the  people.  But  with  their  characteristic  thrift,  the 
farmers  of  Francestown  succeeded  a  little  better  than  their 
neighbors,  and  the  pinch  in  this  place  was  called  as  light  as  in 
any  town  in  tlie  vicinity. 

This  year  (1816)  Dea.  William  Starrett  was  chosen  town 
treasurer  for  the  last  time.  He  had  held  tlie  office  with  great 
faithfulness,  and  for  a  long  series  of  3'ears,  till  tlie  burdens  of 
age  were  growing  heavy.  It  shows  the  confidence  in  which 
he  was  held,  and  is  worth 3^  of  being  mentioned  in  this  place. 

And  this  year  eight  tithingmen  were  chosen  by  ballot, 
showing  that  the  office  was  still  counted  important,  or  that  the 
difficulty  of  enforcing  the  old  sabbath  laws  had  increased. 
Curiously,  also,  the  town 

"voted  to  i)Ut  John  Gibson  on  the  worst  road  in  town." 

This  was  not,  liowever,  a  joke  on  that  jtopular  taverner,  but  all 
that  was  meant  was  this,  that*his  large  highway-tax  should  be 
worked  out  where  it  was  most  needed.  And  yet,  possibly  the 
clerk  recorded  "better  than  he  knew,"  since  it  might  be  a 
good  thing,  occasionally,  to  put  the  heaviest  tax-payer  "on  the 
worst  road  in  town,"  and  let  him  feel  the  need  of  repairs  that 
ought  to  be  made  I  Another  vote  was  that  the 
"•Selectmen  procure  a  suitable  Bag  for  the  Burying  Cloth," 

so  as  to  keep  smooth  and  clean  that  dark  appendage  of  the 
coffin. 

Another  vote  was 

"to  settle  with  Joel  Jones  as  best  they  could," 

said  Jones  having  brought  suit  against  the  town  '^for  not  hav- 
ing a  pound."  This  shows  that  the  pound  the  town  had  built 
years  before  (1787)  had  fallen  out  of  repair.  The  people  had 
not  much  use  for  it.  But  under  spur  of  the  law  suit,  the  town 
at  the  March  meetino'  of  1817  instructed  the  selectmen  to  build 


THE    VILLAGE    IN    1817.  171 

a  pound  "'in  the  banlc  at  the  west  side  of  the  Common."  The 
structure  was  erected  by  Ebenezer  Pettee,  and  stood  as  long  as 
any  thing  of  the  kind  was  needed. 

In  Merrill's  Gazetteer  of  New  Hampshire,  published  in  1817, 
there  is  a  sketch  of  Francestown,  over  the  initials  L.  W.  (prob- 
ably Levi  Woodbuiy),  which  gives  a  view  of  things  in  town  at 
that  date.      He  says; 

"Exclusive  of  the  ordinary  proportion  of  other  mechanical  business, 
there  are  here  four  large  tanneries,  a  manufactory  of  musical  instru- 
ments, and  one  of  earthenware.  The  compaci!  part  of  the  town  con- 
sists of  about  25  dwelling-houses,  with  a  handsome  meeting-house, 
several  stores,  &c.  There  ai'e  also  7  school-houses.  A  mail  stage 
passes  through  Francestown  twice  a  week  to  and  from  Boston." 

From  this  it  would  appear  that  the  village  has  about  doubled 
since  that  day,  while  tlie  farm-jjopulation  was  about  three  times 
as  great  then  as  it  is  now.  The  manufacturing  industries 
mentioned  by  the  writer  named,  have  all  disappeared  from 
town.  As  he  does  not  mention  the  Academy,  we  infer  that  it 
had  not  gained  any  special  standing  or  importance  at  that  time. 

Uriah  Smith  was  chosen  town  treasurer,  1817,  to  succeed 
Dea.  Starrett,  and  continued  to  hold  that  important  office  for 
many  years  following.  The  Governor  vote,  1817,  was,  Wil- 
liam Plummer,  192:   James  Sheafe,  68. 

It  is  remarkable  that,  in  1818,  with  a  population  of  about 
1500,  there  were  only  two  town  paupers,  a  fact  indicative  of 
comfort  and  prosperty  to  all  the  people.  Very  appropriately, 
therefore,  they  again  voted  to 

'iadd  S 100  to  Kev.  Mr.  Bradford's  salary,  and  also  to  abate  his  tax." 

The  year  1819  was  noteworthy  as  being  a  year  of  numerous 
and  violent  showers  in  some  parts  of  New  England.  For 
several  weeks  in  the  summer  there  was  a  severe  shower  every 
afternoon^  the  roar  of  thunder  and  the  frequent  flash  of  light- 
ning, day  after  day,  bringing  alarm  to  many  minds.  Should 
such  a  season  occur  to  us,  everyone  would  say,  "-There  was 
never  anything  like  this ; "  yet,  many  such  a  year  has  rolled 
by,  and  been  forgotten,  and  the  world  continues  to  stand  in 
tolerably  good  condition.  In  this  vicinity  considerable  damage 
was  done  by  lightning  and  hail  and  wind  and  driving  rain.      We 


172  •  INCORPORATING    THE    ACADEMY- 

are  told  that  '^buildings  were  set  on  fire,  and  man^^  persons  were 
killed  by  liglitning."  The  church  in  Antrim  was  struck  and  set 
on  fire,  and  A\'ith  great  difficulty  saved  from  the  flames.  This 
town  escaped  with  less  damage  than  almost  any  other  in  this 
section. 

The  year  1819  is  specially  to  be  remembered,  also,  as  being 
the  time  of  the  incorporation  of  Francestown  Academy.  The 
Act  of  Incorporation  was  signed  by  Governor  Samuel  Bell, 
(who  had  been  a  student  and  afterwards  a  lawyer  in  Frances- 
town)  and  Avas  dated  June  24,  1819..  The  trustees  named  in 
the  act  were 

Peter  Woodbury,  Samuel  Hodge,  Eobert  Xesmith,  Peter  Clark,  James 
W.  Haseltine,  Johu  Grimes,  William  Bixby,  Uriah  Smith,  Oliver 
Holmes  Jr.,  Thomas  Eaton,  Thomas  Bixby,  Daniel  Fuller,  and  Titus 
Brown, — 

all  prominent  men  in  town  and  all  now  passed  away.  Before 
this  Act  the  Academy  had  had  a  fitful,  struggling  existence  of 
about  twenty  years,  the  first  term  having  been  kept  by  Alex- 
ander Dustin  in  the  spring  of  1801.  It  was  then  called  the 
"Town  High  School"'  and  had  gained  some  reputation  before 
its  legal  existence,  and  had  exerted  considerable  influence.  But 
the  Act  of  Incorporation  was  expected  to  give  it  solidity  and 
permanence,  and  was  looked  upon  as  a  sign  of  greater  things 
to  come.  All  this,  together  with  its  subsequent  history,  may  be 
found  in  the  Chapter  on  the  Academy. 

An  article  was  in  the  warrant  this  year  (1819) 

"To  see  if  the  town  will  instruct  the  selectmen  not  to  approbate  a  Licence 
to  any  person  except  a  regular  Taverner,  and  to  see  if  they  will  recom- 
mend to  discontinue  the  practice  of  giving  Spiritous  Liquors  at  Funerals." 

This  w^as  the  thin  edge 

Of  the  temperance  wedge 

That  somebody  thought  of  driving, 

But  they  voted  it  out 

With  a  laugh  and  a  shout 

As  though  that  ended  the  striving! 

With  prompt  decision  it  was  moved  (and  carried)  to  "dismiss 
the  article  from  the  warrant."  That  was  to  be  expected  at  first. 
Everybody  had  been  used  to  drinking  liquor,  and  it  had  always 


TEMPERANCE  MOVEMENTS.  173 

been  free  at  every  tavern  and  every  store ;  at  funerals  and  wed- 
dings and  every  merry-making  or  important  occasion.  There 
were,  when  tliis  vote  was  taken,  not  less  than  eight  licensed 
places  of  sale  in  this  town.  On  funeral  occasions  liquor  was 
passed  to  minister  and  mourners  and  generally  to  every  person 
present;  and  often  the  multitude  would  drink  so  freely  as  to 
involve  a  large  expense,  to  say  nothing  of  more  sinful  and  un- 
seemly results.  And  these  several  habits  had  been  so  long 
continued,  were  so  general  among  all  classes,  and  were  so  sup- 
ported by  taste  for  liquor,  that  the  custom  was  not  easily  to  be 
l)roken  up.  But  there  were  some  who  began  to  see  the  folly 
and  wrong  of  the  whole  drinking  business;  and  in  the  minds  of 
good  men  thei'e  arose  doubts  and  questionings  as  to  the  right- 
ness  of  the  traffic.  Hence  this  article  in  the  warraut,  stirring 
up  the  whole  town  in  1819.  Francestown  deserves  the  credit 
of  being  among  the  very  first  in  this  state  to  attempt  any  tem- 
perance movement.  The  first  effort  did  not  succeed,  and  indeed 
it  was  voted  down  with  quick,  and  even  spiteful  haste.  But  it 
set  people  thinking.  The  licenses  were  still  given  to  sell,  and 
the  drinking  went  on  ;  but  there  were  some  that  stopped  buj"- 
ing,  and  the  business  in  Francestown  began  to  diminish.  And 
two  years  later  (1821)  the  town  voted  promptly  and  without 
opposition 

"not  to  license  anybod}"  to  retail  ardent  spirits  except  inn-keepers,  and 
then  not  in  quantities  less  than  a  pint." 

It  was  still  thouglit  that  inn-keepers  and  store-keepers  must  sell. 
Yet  the  town  Imd  taken  one  step  in  the  right  direction.  There 
were,  however,  six  who  claimed  to  be  "Inn-keepers,"'  chiefly  on 
the  "Turn-pike"  to  accommodate  the  heavy  through  travel  of 
teamsters  and  others;  and  these  witli  the  several  stores  made 
selling-places  enough  still  to  meet  all  supposable  needs!  But, 
as  the  temperance  question  came  to  be  agitated  and  thought 
upon  -by  the  people,  the  custom  of  using  liquor  at  funerals  grad- 
ually passed  away,  and  in  the  course  of  time  the  use  of  intoxi- 
cating drink  by  res[)ectable  people  entirely  ceased. 

There  was  a  project  started  in  1^819  to  form  a  new  county 
in  this  part  of  the  state,  llie  question  had  been  before  the 
people  for  some  years,    but   came  up  for  action   at  the   March 


174  ^'THE    EEA    OF    GOOD    FEELING." 

meeting  of  1820.  Several  sucli  schemes  have  been  agitated 
within  the  memory  of  the  oldest  inhabitant.  Just  what  were 
the  object  and  l)Ounds  of  this  one  the  record  does  not  state. 
It  had,  however,  importance  enough  to  get  itself  before  the 
towns  for  decision,  and  was  decisively  voted  down.  The  count 
in  tliis  town  stood  10  in  favor,  and  59  against. 

It  is  to  be  noticed  tliat  for  several  years  the  important  office 
of  Hog-reeve  has  not  been  filled  for  some  reason.  Perhaps 
there  were  no  newly-married  men,  of  adequate  character  and 
worth,  by  whom  the  conjugal  bonds  were  worn  lightly  so  as  to 
allow  time  and  dignity  for  such  an  exalted  position !  Or  per- 
haps in  the  hurry  of  business  the  appointment  was  forgotten ! 
We  regret  that  any  worthy  ones  should  fail  of  this  distinguished 
promotion,  and  thus  lose  the  delightful  service,  the  emoluments, 
and  the  honor,  that  were  justly  theirs  I 

For  twelve  years,  (1815  to  1826  inclusive,)  the  town  paid 
Rev.  JNIr.  Bradford  thirty  dollars  each  year  ''in  lew"  of  cutting 
and  drawing  his  annual  supply  of  wood.  This  was  at  his 
request,  and  the  town  remained  true  to  its  original  agreement 
till  the  good  man's  death.     March  1820  the  town 

"voted  to  Eiiiltl  Pews  on  the  Lower  floor  of  the  Meeting-House  where 
the  Body  Seats  now  are;"  and  to  "reserve  one  pew  on  each  side  of  the 
broad  xVisle  for  the  aged." 

This  last  was  a  very  commendable  act,  giving  them  a  free  seat 
near  the  speaker.  It  appears  tliat  there  was  space  left  for  only 
six  pews,  which  were  sold  at  auction  for  -$80,  each. 

At  this  time,  under  President  Munroe  (1817-1825)  there 
was  very  little  political  excitement,  and  it  has  since  been  called 
the  "era  of  good  feeling."  Nov.  6,  1820,  the  highest  vote  for 
Congressmen  or  Presidential  Electors  was  only  70,  and  nearly 
all  one  way.  In  1821  the  county  votes  in  this  town  were  all 
for  one  set  of  candidates,  and  the  whole  vote  for  Governor  was 
only  75,  and  for  the  following  3'ear  only  68. 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1821  the  town  chose 

"Richard  Fislier,  David  Lewis,  and  Jabez  Hohnes  Jr.  a  committee  to 
exert  and  use  their  influence  to  preserve  good  order  in  and  about  tlie 
Meeting  House  on  the  Sabbatli." 

As  they  had  already  two  good  tithingmen  for  this  same  busi- 
ness, a  painful  state  of  things  is  suggested  by  this  vote.     Perha})S 


STOVES    FOR    THE    MEETING    HOUSE.  175 

some  tempoiaiy  persoiial  enmities  had  broken  out,  or  some 
"cranks"'  existed  in  those  days,  and  needed  just  then  to  be 
repressed,  in  this  particuhxr  town. — 

'Twas  not  all  Eden  in  our  fathers'  day, 

Thouiifh  back  with  pride  they  point  us  oft,  and  say, 

Ours  was  the  golden  age  and  better  way. 

And  then  another  cause  of  disturbance  appeared  in  the  fall  of 
1821.  A  subscription-paper  had  been  started  to  buy  a  stove  for 
the  meeting  house,  and  the  danger  from  extravagance  on  the 
one  hand,  and  from  fire  on  the  other,  seemed  so  great  as  to  stir 
the  whole  town  with  excitement!  An  article  had  been  in  the 
warrant  as  long  before  as  Mar.  1815  "to  Purchase  stoves  for  the 
Meeting-House," — which  liud  been  })romptly  and  vigorously 
dismissed.  But  as  there  was  no  hope  that  the  town  could  be  in- 
duced to  vote  such  a  costly  and  perilous  innovation  a  few  of  the 
more  progressive  spirits  of  that  day  raised  among  themselves, 
-186.62,  by  subscription,  went  to  Claremont,  N.  H.  and  bought  a 
stove,  and,  without  authority  from  the  town,  did  deliberately 
set  it  up  in  the  meeting  house,  and  did  kindle  a  tire  in  it!  At 
once  there  was  a  cry  of  alarm.  iSome  sensitive  souls  thought 
the  dignity  of  the  town  had  been  insulted  by  this  usurpation  of 
rights  I  Some  could  not  sleep  for  fear  of  being  burned  up ! 
Something  must  be  done  I  The  conservatives  determined  to 
make  a  stand,  and  "petitioned  for  a  town-meeting;  and,  after 
some  delay,  (which  the  "stove-party"'  apparently  favored,)  a 
legal  meeting  was  called  for  Jan.  12,  1822.  But  meanwhile 
the  dreadful  Stove  worked  well,  and  the  fingers  were  warmed, 
and  the  large,  cold  church  was  made  much  more  comfortable, 
and  no  buildings  were  burned;  and  consequently  every  sabbath 
made  votes  for  the  "Stove-party!"  One  or  two  fearfully  cold 
sabbaths  settled  the'  matter !  And  by  time  of  the  town  meeting 
the  Stove  conquered, — and  they  voted  that  the 

"Stove  Lately  pt  up  in  the  Meeting  House  remain  for  the  Present!" 

They  also 

"Voted  that  No  Fire  be  taken  from  said  Stove  by  any  persons  having 
Stoves  for  their  use," 

i.  e.  they  would  not  let  them  fill  up.  their  foot-stoves  from  it. 
And  at  the  following  Maich  meeting,  they  chose 


176  EFFOETS  TO  DIVIDE  THE  COUNTY. 

''David  Lewis,  Levi  Bixby  and  Daniel  Lewis  a  committee  to  take  Charge 
of  the  Stove  in  the  Meeting  House." 

They  counted  it  a  very  important  matter  and  put  some  of  their 
first  men  on  the  committee !  Francestown  was  several  years 
ahead  of  most  other  towns  in  this  vicinity  in  warming  the 
church.  That  first  stove  and  pipe,  delivered,  cost  1117.68. 
But  it  puzzles  us  at  this  day  to  know  how  previously  they  could 
live  without  it,  in  a  house  as  cold  as  a  New  Hampshire  winter 
could  make  it,  men,  women  and  children,  all  day  long!  Surely 
they  were  willing  to  ''suffer  hardship"  for  the  sake  of  their 
religfion  I 

A  scheme  was  started  in  1821,  and  voted  upon  at  the  March 
meeting  of  1822,  to  "Divide  the  County  for  Registering  deeds." 
The  New  County  being  defeated  by  the  popular  vote,  this  was 
thought  of  as  a  substitute  for  that,  and  was  thought  desirable 
by  those  living  remote  from  Amherst,  the  County  seat,  where 
all  records  were  then  kept.  In  favor  of  this  scheme  Frances- 
tQwn  voted,  though  the  yeas  and  nays  are  not  given.  But  it 
failed  of  adoption  by  the  voters  of  the  County,  and  the  records 
were  not  moved  from  Amherst  till  about  half  a  century  later. 
But  only  two  years  later  (1824)  the  question  was  brought  before 
the  several  towns,  whether  Amherst  or  Mont  Vernon  should  be 
the  shire  town  of  the  county.  Some  who  had  been  defeated  in 
previous  efforts  to  break  up  the  county  now  made  a  bold  push 
to  move  everything  from  Amherst.  It  was  claimed  that  Mont 
Vernon  would  be  more  central.  Manchester  then  was  little 
more  than  a  sand  bank,  and  Nashua  (called  Dunstable  till  1837) 
was  described  a  little  earlier  (1817)  as  "containing  8  or  10 
dwelling-houses  and  2  stores."  Of  course  the  bulk  of  the  pop- 
ulation of  Hillsboro'  County  was  west  of  Amherst.  But  the 
people  were  sick  of  this  wrangling  over' County  matters,  and 
being  willing  to  "-let  well  enough  alone,"  they  voted  down  all 
propositions  for  a  change.  In  Francestown  the  vote  stood,  97 
for  Amherst  and  33  for  Mont  Vernon 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1822  the  town  chose 

"Moses  Bradford,  titus  Brown,  Dr.  Luther  Farley,  Dr.  James  Crombie, 
and  Daniel  Lewis,  School  Visitors"  (Comittee,)  and  empowered  them  to 
bring  about  "a  uniformity  of  School  Books  &  reform  the  System  of 
Education  Generally." 


TOWN    FAEM  177 

It  must  be  admitted  that  this  was  a  strong  committee ;  but  was 
not  the  undertakinfT  rather  lars^e?  The  record  does  not  state 
what  successes  they  reached,  but  it  looks  as  though,  even  at 
this  late  date,  some  work  might  be  done  by  way  of  "reforming 
the  system  of  Education  generally ! '" 

March  1823  the  town  instructed  the  Selectmen  to  purchase  a 
hearse, — which  was  probably  the  first  in  this  vicinity,  Frances- 
town  having  a  way  of  being  in  advance  of  most  country  towns. 
Wagons  were  not  introduced  into  New  Hampshire  till  about 
1815;  and  the  hearse  was  a  rare  and  wonderful  thing  for  many 
years,  by  some  looked  upon  with  dread  and  alarm,  by  others 
counted  as  a  piece  of  extravagance. 

For  1824  and  1825  there  is  but  little  to  record,  except  what 
will  appear  in  special  chapters.  Up  to  the  year  1824  the  town 
warrants  were  posted  and  sworn  by  the  constable,  then  a  very 
important  officer  in  the  town.  But,  the  coUectorship  of  taxes 
having  been  taken  away  from  him  some  years  before,  and  now 
the  official  connection  with  the  town-warrant  and  the  town- 
meeting  being  removed,  the  whole  glory  of  the  constable  was. 
gone !  Henceforth  he  was  nothing  but  a  police  officer,  with  no 
salary  and  not  much  to  do !  Subsequently,  as  at  the  present 
day,  the  selectmen  })osted  the  town  warrants  and  certified  to 
them. 

At  the  March  meeting  1824  the  town  appointed 

Titus  Brown,  Dr.  Thomas  Eaton,  and  Maj.  Daniel  Fuller  Jr,  a  com- 
mittee to  enquire  into  the  expendiency  of  purchasing  a  town  farm  for 
the  support  of  the  poor. 

Tlieir  report,  niade  to  the  town  at  the  annual  meeting  of  1825 
seems  to  have  been  adverse,  as  the  vote  was  against  purchasing, 
and  the  care  of  the  half-dozen  paupers  was  again  sold  at  auction. 
Subsequently  (1832)  a  proposition  to  purchase  a  town  farm 
was  voted  down.  Again  in  1839  a  committee,  consisting  of  the 
selectmen  (Nathan  Dane,  James  W.  Haseltine,  and  Moses  E. 
Bradford,)  with  William  Parker  and  Daniel  Fuller  Jr.,  was 
appointed  to  "-consider  the  expediency"  of  having  a  town  farm, 
but  no  report  of  this  committee  is  recorded.  Nothing  was  done 
in  the  matter  for  several  years,  though  there  was  considerable 
agitation  about  it,  and  many  wanted  a  town-farm  as  the  cheapest 
and  n^ost  home-like  and  most  honorable  way  to  support  the 


178  GEASS-HOPPEE    YEAR. 

poor.  Nov.  7,  1848,  the  town  chose  the  "old  committee"  to 
investigate  the  expenses  of  providing  for  the  poor,  and  "to  re- 
ceive proposals  of  farms,"  to  report  at  the  next  March  meeting. 
March  1849  the  town  chose 

"Israel  Batehelder,  Phiuehas  C.  Butterlield  and  Warner  Clark,  com- 
mittee to  purchase  a  town  farm;" 

which  in  due  time  said  committee  proceeded  to  do,  as  appears 
from  the  fact  that  March  1850,  the  town  chose  K.  W.  Emerson 
agent  "to  oversee  the  poor  farm."  And  this  farm  made  a  quiet 
and  happy  home  for  the  poor  of  Fi'ancestown  for  many  years. 

Going  back  to  the  year  we  have  wandered  from  (1824)  we 
lind  that  at  the  presidential  election  of  that  year  only  58  votes 
were  cast  in  Francestown,  and  these  all  one  way.  As  this  was 
at  the  election  which  resulted  in  the  elevation  of  John  Quincy 
Adams  to  the  Presidency,  it  is  concluded  that  the  "era  of  good 
feeling"  was  not  entirely  gone,  notwithstanding  the  bitter 
debates  over  slavery  in  1820.  At  the  March  meeting  of  1825, 
the  vote  in  this  town  for  Governor  was,  for  David  L.  Morrill, 
148,  Benjamin  Pierce,  13,  scattering,  3.  At  the  same  meeting 
Francestown  gave  Titus  Brown  152  votes,  for  congressman  to 
succeed  Hon.  James  Miller  who  had  resigned.  All  but  two 
votes  were  given  to  Brown. 

The  year  1826  was  known  in  all  this  region  as  the  "Grass- 
hopper year."  It  was  a  dry,  hot,  exhausting  summer,  and 
through  August  the  drought  was  the  hardest  ever  experienced. 
By  the  first  day  of  August  the  grasshoppers  had  multiplied  so 
that  they  almost  covered  the  pastures,  and  through  the  month 
they  increased  daily,  and  swarmed  into  fields  and  gardens  and 
meadows  and  foiests.  They  ate  up  half  the  ha}-  crop,  and  in 
many  places  almost  destroyed  the  grain.  In  some  towns  the 
farmers  drove  the  grasshoppers  in  between'  the  rows  of  potatoes 
and  corn,  and  scooped  them  up  by  the  basket-full  to  feed  to  their 
hogs !  This  town  did  not  suffer  so  much  as  many  others,  but  here 
the  desolation  was  sad  to  behold  and  the  loss  very  heavy.  Stock 
was  fed  from  the  barn  in  mid-summer,  and  farmers  were  almost 
ready  to  give  cattle  away.  On  the  hills  of  Deering  north  of 
Francestown  line,  the  well-stocked  pastures  were  so  bare  and 
dead  that  cattle  belloAved  for  hunger  and  ate  twigs  and  gnawed 
the  limbs  of  trees  to  save  themselves  from  starvation.     Mey  who 


COURTS    IN    FEANCESTOWN.  179 

were  then  boys  on  the  farm  liave  toki  me  that  they  remembered 
their  fathers'  going  reguhxrly  every  morning  to  the  woods  to  cut 
down  trees  for  the  cattle  to  browse,  and  that  the  famished  cattle 
followed  them  wildly  ravenous  to  get  at  the  leaves  and  twigs  of  a 
falling  tree !  They  would  clean  up  everything  but  the  trunk  and 
the  larger  limbs !  From  this  we  can  get  an  idea  of  the  extreme 
dryness  and  severity  of  that  summer,  and  of  the  dreadfulness 
of  the  grasshopper  scourge  I  Many,  with  empty  barns  and  large 
flocks,  were  in  great  alarm,  and  diminished  their  stock  by  sell- 
ing at  one-quarter  of  former  rates,  good  cows  being  sold  for  five 
dollars.  And  still  the  heavens  seemed  brass  over  their  heads, 
and  the  multiplying  devourers  still  moved  over  the  fields  with 
the  noise  of  a  tempest  or  of  an  army's  tramp.  But  on  the  after- 
noon of  Aug.  28  a  rain  came  so  heavy  and  fast  as  to  sweep  the 
grasshoppers  off  into  the  brooks  and  roll  them  in  great  piles 
down  every  valley  and  stream.  Millions  of  them  were  drowned  ; 
the  soil  was  thoroughly  wet;  the  dead  grass  seemed  strangely 
to  come  to  life  and  spring  up;  the  autumn  was  warm  and  long, 
covering  the  pastures  and  lields  with  plenteous  feed  far  into 
December; — young  cattle  and  sheep  stayed  in  the  pastures  till 
new  years'  day; — and,  with  an  early  spring  succeeding,  the 
flocks  never  went  through  the  winter  more  favorably,  and  the 
startling  apprehensions  of  distress  and  famine  proved,  as  usual, 
to  be  mistaken!     " 

It  should  be  said  here  that  the  first  session  of  the  Probate 
Court  ever  held  in  Francestown  was  in  the  year  1825.  Then, 
and  for  a  long  time  subsequently,  two  sessions  of  the  Court  were 
held  in  this  town  each  year.  But  since  the  rise  of  Greenville 
and  Hillsboro'  Bridge  and  the  sessions  of  the  Court  in  those 
places,  only  one  session  annually  has  been  held  in  this  town. 

There  was  a  great  excitement  at  the  annual  meeting  Mar.  14, 
1826,  caused  by  the  death  of  Uriah  Smith,  Esqr.  He  was  then 
town  treasurer,  and  had  held  that  office  for  many  years.  Now 
he  was  in  the  desk  and  they  were  "balloting  for  him  for  town 
clerk,  when  he  suddenl}^  fell  down  and  immediately  expired." 
Being  a  man  in  high  position,  and  known  and  respected  by  all, 
his  instantaneous  death  before  their  eyes,  startled  and  excited 
them  beyond  measure,  and  for  a  time  almost  broke  up  the 
town-meeting!     But  after  the  dead  man  was  carried  out,  they 


180  EELlGIOtrS    PROTESTS. 

sadly  and  silently  voted,  and  chose  Isaac  Guild  town-clerk,  and 
William  Bixby  treasurer.  There  is  always  somebody  to  step  in 
where  others  have  fallen ! 

In  1826  there  was  quite  a  contest  in  town  concerning  relig- 
ious matters,  the  chief  cause  being  dissatisfaction  with  Mr. 
Bradford  who  was  old  and  broken  somewhat  in  mind  as  well  as 
body.  A  new  "Calvinistic"  Society  was  formed,  consisting  of 
sixty-three  members,  representing  much  of  the  wealth  of  the 
town;  and  this  society  put  on  record  (Mar. -31,  1826,)  their 
protest  against  "being  taxed  to  support  Mr.  Bradford."  Twenty- 
eight  others,  on  the  ground  of  "different  religious  belief"  also 
entered  their  protest,  making  91  men  in  open  opposition  to  the 
old  minister.  A  town  meeting  was  immediately  called  and 
various  plans  of  relief  were  proposed,  and  connnittees  appointed; 
and,  besides  several  adjourned  meetings,  three  special  town 
meetings  were  called  during  the  year  to  act  on  religious  matters, 
the  result  being  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Bradford,  to  take  effect 
at  the  close  of  the  year.  His  pastorate  extended  from  Sept.  8, 
1790  to  Jan.  1,  1827,  making,  with  some  previous  service,  a 
little  over  thirty-seven  yeais.  All  this  will  appear  at  length  in 
the  Chapter  on  Church  Affairs,  to  which  the  readei'  is  referred. 
But  with  this  year  (1826)  the  action  of  the  town  as  such  in 
ecclesiastical  matters  ceased.  The  March  meeting  of  1827  was 
the  first  annual  meeting  ever  held  in  town  in  the  warrant  for 
which  there  was  no  reference  to  church  or  minister.  It  may  be 
further  said  here,  however,  that  after  the  settlement  of  Dr. 
Richards  (which  took  place  Nov.  7,  1827,)  a  "Unitarian  Con- 
gregational Society"  Avas  formed,  and  asked  for  the  use  of  the 
church-building  a  part  of  the  time  (Nov.  5,  1832),  The  appli- 
cation was  refused;  but,  to  get  rid  of  all  such  questions  in  the 
future,  the  town  voted  (Mar.  12,  1833,)  to  sell  at  auction 
the  right  of  the  town  in  the  meeting-house,  sheds,  common  and 
all  the  surroundings, 

"reserving  the  use  of  the  house  for  Town-meeting  and  the  Bell  for  town 
purposes  as  heretofore  used,  on  condition  that  the  Town  shall  keep  the 
outside  of  the  house  and  the  tower  and  bell  with  its  tackle,  in  good  and 
complete  repair." 

Some   other   unimportant    conditions   were    added,    and    Peter 


I 


GEE  AT    POLITICAL   MEETING.  181 

Clark,  Ebenezer  Boyd  and  Timothy  Gay  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee to  carry  the  vote  into  effect, 

"Reserving  to  persons  who  have  purchased  pews  in  said  house  their  full 
right  to  the  same," 

the  property  named  was  sold  at  auction  to  the  "Union  Congre- 
gational Society,"  represented  by  its  committee,  William  Bixby, 
Alexander  Wilson  and  Titus  Brown.  The  price  paid  was  one 
hundred  dollars.  All  this  was  ratified  by  the  town  at  the  March 
meeting  of  1834.  And  in  accordance  with  this,  three  years 
later  (Mar.  1837)  the  town  appointed, 

"Daniel  McAlvin,  Alpheus  (lay  and  James  Crombie  2d  a  committee  to 
examine  the  belfry  and  exterior  of  the  meeting  house," 

and  make  necessarj-  repairs. 

During  the  fall  of  1828  tl)e  excitement  and  bitterness  of  the 
presidential  election  Avere  very  intense.  John  Quinc}''  Adams 
had  been  President  (1825-1829)  and  was  nominated  for  a  second 
term  by  the  "National  Republican"  party.  The  opposing  can- 
didate was  Andrew  Jackson.  On  the  Adams  ticket  William 
Bixby  of  Francestown  was  candidate  for  Presidential  Elector, 
and  received  in  this  town  1G8  votes,  against  96  for  the  Jackson 
ticket.  Oct.  10,  1828,  a  great  meeting  was  held  here,  called  a 
"Convention  of  Young  men,"  with  delegates  from  all  the  towns 
in  the  "Hillsborough  Council  District."  It  was  in  the  interest 
of  the  Adams  party.  The  delegates  from  New  Boston  were 
William  Clark,  Jr.,  Ninian  C.  Crombie,  Samuel  Caldwell,  and 
John  B.Fairfield;  from  Greenfield,  James  Patterson,  Samuel 
Gould,  Benj.  B.^Peavey,  and  Farnum  Holt;  from  Antrim,  Clark 
Hopkins,  B.  F.  Wallace,  Giles  Newton,  Joel  Wilkins,  J.  B. 
Steel  and  Isaac  Cochran ;  and  from  Francestown,  "Pearly  Dodge, 
P.  H.  Bixby,  J.  C.  Dodge,  Nehemiah  Epps,  O.  C.  Butterfield, 
Wm.  Patterson,  Mark  Fislier,  Jabez  Fairbanks,  Nathan  Dane, 
C.  C^hase,  George  Kingsbury,  and  M.  C.  Bradford."  Tinrty- 
seven  towns  were  thus  represented  by  delegates,  and  large 
numbers  of  men  flocked  in  from  all  directions,  making  one  of 
the  most  imposing  political  demonstrations  that  had  been  known 
in  the  state.  The  Convention  was  beld  in  the  Francestown 
meeting  house,  and  was  organized,  by  the  choice  of  "David 
Steele  of  Goft'stown  for  Chairman  and  Perley  Dodge  of  Frances- 


182  THE    LITERARY    FUND. 

town  for  Secretary."  Hon.  Geo.  W.  Nesmith  of  Salisbury  (tlie 
part  taken  to  form  the  town  of  Franklin  in  Dec.  1828)  was  a 
member  of  this  convention  and  helped  prepare  its  ''Address"  to 
the  peo})le.  The  ^'Resolutions"  were  very  bitter.  Samuel  Bell 
(formerly  of  Francestown)  and  Titus  Brown  of  Francestown, 
were  then  in  Congress,  Bell  in  the  Senate  and  Brown  in  the 
House,  and  their  course  in  support  of  the  administration  was 
warmly  ap2)roved,  while  the  opposite  course  of  Levi  Woodbury 
of  Francestown,  then  in  the  United  States  Senate,  was  denounced 
as  "'devious  and  winding"  and  giving  evidence  of  "servility." 
From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  Francestowii  was  fairly  repre- 
sented at  Washington,  as  both  the  United  States  Senators  were 
Francestown  men,  and  one  of  the  six  representatives  was  Titus 
Brown  who  resided  here  and  died  here.  It  is  also  noticeable  that 
then  as  now  men  of  unquestioned  integrit}'  were  denounced  in 
the  heat  of  politics.  Party  worship  and  party  detraction  and 
abuse,  are  among  the  evils  and  dangers  of  our  free  government, 
of  which  less  frequent  elections  would  be  some  mitigation.  At 
this  day  we  have  more  tricks  and  dishonest  counts  than  then; 
but  certainl}'  there  has  been  no  increase'  of  personality  nor  of 
bitterness,  in  these  more  recent  presidential  choices! 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1829  the  town  revived  the  great 
and  honorable  office  of  Hogreeve.  For  some  reason  this  most 
imposing  distinction  had  not  been  conferred  for  several  years ; 
but  this  time,  with  becoming  thoughtfulness,  the  town  sought 
out  Samuel  Fuller,  Jesse  Duncklee  and  Levi  Fisher,  and  pro- 
moted them  to  this  distinguished  and  lucrative  position !  These 
were  ]iewly  married  men,  and  these  official  honors  were  con- 
ferred upon  them  to  encourage  them  at  the  beginning  of  their 
trials ! 

On  the  records  of  1829  we  find  our  first  notice  of  the  "Literary 
Fund."  The  sum  of  !|389.95,  was  paid  by  the  State  Treasurer 
to  William  Bixb}',  treasurer  of  Francestown,  Jan.  3,  1829. 
March  following  the  town  voted  "to  invest  it  at  interest  for  one 
year."  The  same  vote  was  also  passed  the  following  year. 
But  March  8,  1831,  the  town  voted  to  distribute  the  interest  of 
the  Literary  Fund,  "together  with  the  yearly  dividend  hereafter 
received  from  the  state,"  among  the  several  districts  according 
to  the  number  of  scholars  between  the  ages  of  four  and  twenty- 


GREATEST    PROSPERITY.  183 

one  years.  As  long-  l^efore  as  June  29,  1821,  the  Legislature 
had  passed  an  act  establishing  a  literary  fund  by  a  small  tax  on 
the  capital  stock  of  banks, 

"for  the  purpose  of  creating:  and  maintaining  a  State  Institution  for 
instruction  in  the  higher  branches  of  science  and  literature." 

The  clause  of  the  act  establishing  this  Institution  was  repealed 
the  next  year  (1822,)  but  the  rest  of  the  act  remained  in  force, 
so  that  a  fund  was  accumulated  and  was  invested  3"ear  after 
year.     Dec.  31,  1828,  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  to 

"pay  over  this  money  to  the  several  towns  in  the  proportion  of  their 
apportionment  of  the  public  taxes  at  the  time ;  and  that  all  money  that 
should  subsequently  come  to  the  state  treasury  by  the  law  of  1821, 
should  be  divided  in  the  same  way  and  be  used  exclusively  for  the  sup- 
port of  public  schools." 

Dec.  30,  1848,  the  law  was  amended  so  as  to  divide  to  the 
towns  according  to  the  number  of  scholars:  and  in  1867  another 
amendment  was  passed  requiring  the  Superintending  school 
committees  to  report  the  number  of  scholars  to  the  Secretary  of 
the  Board  of  Education,  instead  of  to  the  Secretary  of  State  as 
before.  This  is  the  histoiy  of  the  Literary  Fund  which  has  helped 
for  so  many  years  to  lengthen  out  the  schools  of  New  Hampshire. 

It  appears  that  ah  Act  had  been  passed  by  the  Legislature 
authorizing  the  towns  to  appoint  a  Prudential  Committee  for 
each  separate  school  district,  but  the  vote  here  (Mar.  1829)  was 
"to  leave  it  to  the  several  districts  as  befoie."  The  town 
continued  so  to  leave  it,  and  tlie  districts  made  tlieir  own  ap- 
pointments V\^ithout  further  question,  until  the  school  law  of  1885 
came  into  effect.  In  some  neighboring  towns  the  experiment 
was  made  about  the  same  time,  of  having  the  Superintending 
School  Committee  consist  of  one  member  for  each  district,  and 
in  some  cases  two  from  each  district.  But  this  made  a  bung- 
ling and  discordant  committee,  was  apt  to  bring  in  incompetent 
men,  and  involved  much  Avaste  of  time ;  and  the  plan  was  soon 
abandoned  wherever  tried. 

The  year  1830  probably  found  this 'town  at  its  greatest  pros- 
perity. On  the  vote  for  governor  that  year  Matthew  Harvey 
received  132,  and  Timothy  Upham  120  ;  but  the  resident  tax-list 


184  TEMPERANCE    EFFORTS. 

shows  313  names,  being  49  more  than  in  1820.  The  tlij"ee 
highest  taxes  were  John  Gibson  148.01,  Peter  Wootlbmy  .M0.82, 
and  Daniel  Fnller  #37.8(3.  Of  tliese  313  names,  only  about  a 
half-dozen  remain  on  the  list  at  this  date.  That  year  (1830) 
there  appeal's  in  the  warrant  for  the  first  time  the  now-familiar 
words,  "To  liear  the  Report  of  the  Superintending  School  Com- 
mittee," tliough  the  record  shows  no  action  upon  it.  About 
this  time  also  the  temperance  excitement  ran  high  in  Frances- 
town,  this  community  being  some  years  in  tldvance  of  others 
in  that  good  cause.     In  1829  Rum-licences  had  been  given  to 

Cochran  &  Smith 
Nahum  Farnuin 
John  Gibson 
J.  &  N.  Dane 
P.  H.  Bixby 
Guikl  &  Fisher 
Joshua  C.  Dodge 
Timothy  Gay,  and 
"William  Parker 

About  this  Jiumbcr  held  licences  year  after  year,  notwith- 
standing the  decided  vote  of  the  town  to  the  contrary  in  1821. 
There  seemed  to  be  no  way  to  stop  the  sale,  at  that  time.  There 
were,  however,  vigorous  efforts  made  by  the  better  class  of 
educated  and  religious  peojjle  to  establish  a  public  sentiment 
against  the  sale  or  use  of  intoxicating  di-ink.  In  many  towns 
"Temperance  Societies"  were  formed,  and  tliere  were  a  few 
''Total  Abstainers,"  and  all  these  exerted  a  widening  influence, 
though  suffering  ridicule  and  abuse  from  the  majority.  At  the 
Hillsboro'  County  Agricultural  Fair  held  at  Amherst  Sept.  24, 
and  25,  1828,  a  premium  was  awarded  to 

"Thomas  Eaton  of  Franeestown,  for  performing  the  labor  on  his  farm 
that  year  without  rum." 

It  was  then  a  remarkable  thing !  Only  four  others  in  the  whole 
County  were  reported  thus.  It  required  courage  and  fortitude 
to  take  and  maintain  such  a  stand.  Few  could  do  it  at  first. 
Soon  however,  a  "society"  was  formed  in  this  town  (1830;)  of 
which  the  officers  in  1831  were,  Rodney  G.  Cochrane,  President, 
William  Balch,  Vice-President,  and  Isaac  Guild,  Secretary. 
Many  "signed  the  pledge  that  year  "  though  tlie  lai'ge  majority 


TEMPERANCE    AGITATION.  185 

opposed.  But  the  tem})erance  agitation  went  on  and  stirred 
up  all  classes  of  the  community,  and  was  carried  into  the  church. 
Oct.  20,  1831,  the  church  unanimously  passed  the  following 
resolution : 

"Resolved  that  no  person  shall  hereafter  be  permitted  to  become  a 
member  of  this  church,  without  having  first  agreed  to  abstain  from  the 
use  of  distilled  spirits,  except  as  a  medicine,  and  to  use  all  suitable 
means  to  discourage  the  use  of  it  in  others." 

This  rule  has  never  been  rescinded.  At  that  time  a  large 
majority  of  the  people  of  this  town  stood  on  higher  temperance 
ground  than  the  then-existing  law  of  the  state ;  and  soon  all  the 
licences  were  withdrawn  or  expired  without  renewal,  within 
the  limits  of  Francestown,  except  one  ''for  medicinal  and 
mechanical  purposes,"  and  a  strong  influence  for  temperance  went 
forth  from  this  place.  In  1843  the  town  instructed  the  select- 
men 'Miot  to  grant  any  license."  But  in  1844,  and  again  in 
1846  they  licensed  "one  person"  again,  to  sell  for  medicine  when 
needed.  Yet  many  began  to  question  the  right  of  the  town  to 
'dicense  a  crime,"  and  asked  for  a  law  to  "•prohibit"  the  sale  of 
liquor.  So  loud  and  earnest  all  over  the  State  was  this  call, 
that  the  "-Question  of  Enacting  a  Prohibitory  Law"  was 
submitted  to  the  towns  at  the  March  Meeting  of  1848,  and 
Francestown  voted- (135  to  8)  to  have  the  Legislature  enact  such 
a  law.  Subsequently  towns  were  empow^ered  to  appoint  liquor 
agents,  if  they  saw  fit,  and  this  town  made  such  appointments 
several  times,  to  sell  for  medicine  only.  But  even  this  grew 
offensive,  till  ijie  town  voted  in  March  1864,  to  dispense  with 
it  entirely  after  May  following.  It  will  be  seen  that  Frances- 
town  generally  occupied  advance  ground  on  the  temperance 
question.  It  was  probably  in  the  autumn  of  1833  (some  think 
1834)  that  a  curious  event  occurred  at  a  great  Democratic  Flag- 
Raising  in  honor  of  Gen.  Jackson,  then  President  of  the  United 
States.  (See  Prof.  White's  History  of  the  Academy.)  After 
the  flag  was  up,  and  cheers  and  speeches  had  followed,  a  bril- 
liant young  student  in  the  Academy,  "a  member  of  the  opposite 
party,  was  invited  to  deliver  a  toast,."  With  great  dignity  he 
ascended  the  platform,  and,  loud  and  distinct,  spoke  as  follows : 


186  REVISING    THE    CONSTITUTION. 

"General  Jackson — May  his  meagre  soul 
Rise  no  higher  than  yon  shining  pole  ! 
And  if  there's  a  hell  in  the  universe 
May  he  ride  there  in  the  Devil's  hearse!" 

"Down  with  him  I"  "Kill  him  I"  "Shoot  him,"  shouted  the 
Democrats  on  every  side.  Clubs,  canes,  stones,  bricks  and 
curses,  were  hurled  at  the  offender,  and  it  was  with  much  diffi- 
culty that  his  friends  got  him  off  alive  I  Guns  were  fired  over 
his  head,  if  not  at  him,  and  wrath  unbounded  was  stirred  up. 
The  next  day  a  sturdy  young  Democrat  from  New  Boston 
challenged  the  offender  to  a  fight  on  the  common  to  avenge  the 
insult !  The  hostile  meeting  took  place,  but  with  no  loss  of  life 
or  limb.  The  audacious  toast-giver  held  his  ground  with  un- 
flinching courage,  and  the  excitement  soon  died  away.  But  the 
sequel  was  amusing  as  a  j)roof  of  changing  opinions.  The  dar- 
ing offender  (I.  B.  Sawtelle)  })ecame  not  many  j'ears  later  a 
prominent  official  of  the  Democratic  Party,  while  his  ardent 
antagonist,  (Clark  B.  Cochrane,)  became  a  Republican  Member 
of  Congress  from  the  Albany  District,  New  York! 

In  1833,  Gov.  Samuel  Dinsmore  for  his  third  term  received 
113  votes  in  this  town  and  only  four  votes  were  cast  against 
him,  indicating  his  marked  popularity  with  the  people.  The 
following  year  118  A'otes  were  given  for  William  Badger, 
(Governor  1834  and  1835)  and  none  were  cast  against  him. 

During  several- years  farther  efforts  were  made  to  bring  about 
a  revision  of  the  Constitution  of  the  state.  The  question  was 
laid  before  the  towns  over  and  over,  only  to  be  voted  down. 

Francestown  cast  in  1833,  16  votes  for  revision  and  119  against;  1834, 
25  for,  and  129  against;  in  1835,  23  for  and  132  against,  and  in  1838 
none  for  and  125  against.  But  though  the  project  was  lost,  it  was 
brought  before  the  people  again  in  1842,  when  this  town  gave  110  votes 
against  it,  and  only  one  vote  for  it.  Again  in  1844,  Praneestown  voted 
against  revision  by  90  majority,  (146  against  55,)  and  it  was  again 
defeated.  But  in  March  1850  the  town  was  carried  for  revision  (127  to 
114,)  and  the  whole  state  decided  in  its  favor,  leading  to  the  "Conven- 
tion of  1850,"  which  met  near  the  close  of  the  year. 

In  June  1836  considerable  damage  was  done  in  town  by  a 
bear  which  injured  crops,  and  killed  young  stock,  and  frightened 
the  people,  creating  quite  an  excitement.  The  following  ap- 
pears in  the  Amherst  Cabinet  of  June  24: 


SUJRPLUS    EEVENtJE.  187 

"BEAR   HUNT! 

The  Citizens  of  Francestown  had  quite  a  treat  last  week  in  the  shajje 
of  a  bear  hunt.  Bruin  had  been  doing  a  good  deal  of  mischief  among 
the  flocks  in  the  vicinity,  and  people  determined  to  put  a  stop  to  his 
proceedings.  Accordingly  they  mustered,  and  in  a  short  time  cornered 
and  killed  his  sable  majesty.     His  weight  was  171  pounds." 

A  portion  of  the  meat  was  sent  to  Gov.  Pierce  of  Hillsboro,' 
and  was  received  by  him  with  great  show  of  thanks.  It  has 
been  reported  that  one  or  two  who  had  been  the  most  valorous 
and  demonstrative  of  the  hunters  at  the  start,  when  the  bear 
appeared  "suddenly  and  alarmingly  near"  were  "too  scared  to 
fire;"  and  that  Bruin  was  brought  down  by  the  shot  of  a  quiet 
little  man  who  had  not  assumed  any  courage  or  superiority ! 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1837  the  town  chose  John  Gibson 
to  receive  in  its  behalf  the  portion  of  the  "Surplus  Revenue" 
falling  to  this  community.  June  23,  1836,  Congress  had  voted 
to  distribute  among  the  States  a  large  sum  which  had  accumu- 
lated in  the  National  Treasury.  The  country  was  prosperous 
and  growing,  it  was  a  time  of  peace,  and  for  some  years  the 
revenue  had  been  largely  in  excess  of  public  expenditures. 
But  New  Hampshire  was  in  good  financial  condition,  and  the 
state  government  having  no  need  of  the  money,  our  Legislature 
passed  an  Act  to  distribute  said  "Surplus"  to  the  several  towns, 
each  town  by  this  Act  receiving  a  part  corresponding  to  its  pro- 
portion of  the  State  Tax.  The  whole  amount  received  by  the 
State  w^as  $669,000.  I  have  not  been  able  to  find  the  exact 
part  of  this  which  fell  to  Francestown ;  but  as  Antrim  received 
(13,000,  I  concfude  from  their  comparative  valuations,  that  it 
must  have  been  about  $3,500.  By  vote  of  the  town  a  part  of 
this  was  taken  the.  following  year  to  pay  the  expense  of  build- 
ing the  new  road,  laid  out  by  the  "Courts'  Committee,"  from 
the  Turnpike  to  Beniiington ;  and  at  a  special  meeting  Oct.  7, 
1839,  they  appropriated  the  "Balance  of  the  Surplus  Revenue 
Fund  "toward  the  Jacob  Whittemore  Road."  That  was  the  end 
of  that  Fund  for  Francestown.  Each  town  on  receiving  its  part 
of  the  money  was  required  to  give  a  "certificate  of  deposit  there- 
for," which  was  undei'stood  to  be  a  pledge  to  return  the  same 
in  case  certain  special  and  unexpected  emergencies  should  arise. 
But  no  one  supposed  it  would  ever  be  called  for ;  and  now,  after 


188  THE  stoe:my  town-meeting. 

more  then  half  a  century,  the  promise  is  forgotten,  and  the 
surplus  in  the  United  States  Treasury  is  many  times  as  great  as 
it  was  then,  when  the  prudent  fathers  thought  it  ought  not  to 
be  hoarded  up,  and  hence  sent  it  back  to  the  people. 

The  March  meeting  of  1838  was  probably  the  longest  and 
stormiest  ever  held  in  Francestown,  taking  three  full  days  for 
the  ordinary  town  business.  The  road  troubles  of  the  preceding- 
year  had  "set  the  whole  town  by  the  ears."  Three  new  roads 
had  been  laid  out  or  approved  by  the  selectmen ;  and  the  Benning- 
ton Road  on  the  north  side  of  the  mountain  had  been  laid  out 
by  the  Court's  Committee,  and  called  for  a  large  outlay.  A 
special  town  meeting  had  been  held  (Sept.  12,  1837,)  to  act 
upon  these  roads,  and  the  angj-y  tax-payei's  voted  them  all  down 
"with  hot  haste.*'  The  Selectmen  and  all  others  concerned  were 
roundly  censured.  And  yet  each  road  had  its  advocates,  and 
there  were  divisions  local  and  there  were  divisions  personal. 
Hence  when  they  came  together  in  March  things  were  ripe  for 
strife.  All  the  old  town  officers  (except  treasurer)  were  thrown 
overboard.  After  wrangling  and  balloting  two  full  days,  they 
succeeded  in  electing  Daniel  Fuller,  Jr.,  moderator,  P.  H.  Bixby, 
town-clerk,  and  Nathan  Dane  and  James  W.  Haseltine,  selects 
men.  The  next  morning  at  nine  o'clock  they  met  again,  and 
after  a  time  made  choice  of  Moses  E.  Bradford  as  third  select- 
man, and  went  on  to  finish  the  warrant. 

There  had  been  a  project  talked  u}j  for  two  or  three  years,  to 
have  town-clerks  record  deeds.  The  convenience  of  it  had  been 
loudly  proclaimed  without  much  reference  to  the  dangers  and 
difficulties.  In  this  town  the  vote  against  it  was  nearly  unani- 
mous (2  against  173;)  and  it  was  rejected  by  the  people  in 
other  towns  so  decidedly  as  to  sta}^  rejected  to  this  day. 

At  this  meeting  they  "voted  to  hold  town-meetings  in  the 
future  in  the  vestry,  if  the  Congregational  Society  would  make 
suitable  alterations  and  repairs."  This  w^as  done  in  the  course 
of  the  summer;  and  at  a  special  meeting  Oct.  11, 1838,  the  town 
accepted  it  in  exchange  for  its  claim  upon  the  church.  Yet  an- 
other special  meeting  was  held  (Feb.  16,  1839,)  to  see  if  they 
would  "hold  their  March  meeting  in  the  vestry,"  from  which  it 
appears  that  there  was  strong  opposition  to  the  step,  and  that 


MOVING   THE    "OLD    VESTRY."  189 

some  conditions  had  not  been  fulfilled.     But  they  voted  to  hold 

the  next  meeting 

"in  the  vestry  on  the  ground  where  it  now  stands  " 

An  article  to  "build  a  Town-House"  was  promptly  dismissed; 

but  in  March  following  they 

"Voted  to  Exchange  land  with  the  Congregational  Society  in  case  they 
should  wish  to  move  the  Vestry  on  to  the  Common." 

The  old  vestry  stood  east  of  the  church  and  east  of  the  common ; 
and  in  accordance  witli  the  above  vote  was  moved  the  next 
summer  (1839)  onto  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Academy 
building.  There  a  year  or  two  afterwards  the  upper  part  was 
finished  off  and  it  was  used  for  the  purposes  of  the  Academy 
till  it  was  burned  March  27,  1847. 

See  chapter  on  Academy. 

March  1839  the  town  voted  to 

"instruct  the  Superintending  Committee  not  to  fisit  the  sr/inols  except  by 
special  request  of  the  prudential  committees." 

Perhaps  this  was  to  save  money,  or  to  bring  down  the  high 
dignity  of  conceited  officials  I  Or  may  be,  prudential  com- 
mittees wanted  a  little  more  importance  and  power  themselves  ! 
— Again  in  1849  the  town  voted  to 

"dispense  with  the  "services  of  the  superintending  school  committee  in 
visiting  schools." 

This,  however,  was  reconsidered  the  next  day,  and  the  matter 
was  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  said  committee,  as  has  been  the 
case  ever  since. 

In  1840  there  were  three  educated  physicians  establislied 
here,  Drs.  Moses  Atwood,  S.  I.  Bard,  and  James  II.  Crombie; 
from  which  fact  we  infer  the  large  population  and  importance 
of  the  town  at  that  time.  In  1840  came  the  exciting  and  re- 
markable presidential  election  by  which  Gen.  William  Henry 
Harrison  was  promoted  to  the  highest  place  in  the  nation. 

During  the  administration  of  Van  Buren  (1837-1841)  the 
anti-slavery  agitation  began  to  assume  imj)ortance  and  power, 
and  to  shake  old  political  foundations.  Business  failures  and 
commercial  troubles  unsettled  many  minds,  and  party  moorings 
were  disturbed  or  broken  in  the  excitement.  All  these  things 
conspired   to  prevent  the  re-election  of  Van  Buren.     At  that 


190  "THE    GEEAT    WHIG    MEETING."" 

time  the  Hon.  George  W.  Nesmith  (now  tlie  venerable  "Judge 
Nesmith,"  known  and  honored  all  over  the  state,)  headed  the 
list  of  Electors  for  Harrison.  These  electors  received  168  votes 
in  Francestown,  against  148  for  Van  Buren.  It  is  worthy  of 
note  that  after  forty-eight  years  the  Hon.  George  W.  Nesmith 
again  heads  the  list  of  Electors  for  New  Hani})shire,  and  that, 
though  defeated  in  1840,  he  is  elected  in  1888. 

Oct.  20,  1840,  what  was  called  "The  Great  Whig  Meeting" 
was  held  in  Francestown.  Rev.  Humphrey  Moore  of  Milford, 
then  noted  for  wit  and  eloquence,  presided,  and  Daniel  Webster 
delivered  to  an  immense  audience,  one  of  the  most  powerful 
speeches  of  his  life.  The  meeting  was  so  grand  as  to  be  re- 
membered and  talked  of  for  many  years  ! 

In  the  year  1841  there  was  nothing  for  the  historian  to  make 
special  note  of,  as  occurring  in  this  town,  though  it  was  a  pros- 
perous year.  The  death  of  President  Harrison  Apr.  4,  1841, 
just  one  month  after  his  inauguration,  caused  great  sadness  and 
no  small  alarm  throughout  the  land,  especially  as  the  Vice- 
President,  John  Tyler,  who  was  to  succeed  him  had  not  the  full 
confidence  of  the  nation.  And  Tyler  indeed  proved  to  be  a 
disappointment  to  his  fiiends,  and  to  almost  every  body  else. 
He  succeeded  in  getting  people  and  parties  well  hold  of  each 
others'  ears,  and  in  hastening  the  stormy  period  of  the  slavery 
ao'itation.  His  administration  broup-ht  about  the  annexation 
of  Texas,  and  he  signed  the  act  in  great  haste  on  the  very  day 
of  its  passage,  March  1,  1845,  three  days  before  he  left  the 
presidential  chair. 

In  1842  came  another  bitter  town  meeting  here.  Harrison 
had  a  strong  majorit}'  in  Francestown;  but  it  was  unsettled  and 
weakened  by  the  course  of  Tyler,  and  the  opposition  to  the 
Democratic  part}'  was  divided.  Tlie  March  meeting  lasted  three 
full  days.  They  succeeded  in  electing  Daniel  Fuller,  Jr., 
moderator,  without  serious  trouble ;  but  were  unable  to  elect  a 
representative,  and  spent  two  full  days  in  choosing  a  board  of 
selectmen.  They  Avere  all  new  men  who  had  never  held  an 
office  in  town  before,  Israel  Batchelder,  Jesse  Pearsons  and 
Warner  Clark.  No  money  was  raised  or  appropriated  for  high- 
ways, and  the  town  meeting  ended  with  many  sore  and  angry 
hearts.     Another  meeting  was  held  March   31  following    (as 


INCORPORATION    OF    BENNINGTON.  191 

soon  as  it  could  be  called,)  to  complete  the  work  neglected  by 
the  former  one.  Also,  Sept.  20,  a  meeting  was  held  to  take 
action  concerning  a  transfer  of  a  part  of  Francestown  to  the 
proposed  new  town,  now  Bennington,  and  the  selectmen  were 
instructed  "•by  all  lawful  measures"  to  oppose  the  same.  But 
nevertheless  that  town  was  incor^^orated  Dec.  15,  1842,  as 
stated  on  a  former  page,  though  ap^)arently  less  was  taken  from 
Francestown  for  this  purpose  than  was  at  first  intended.  Com- 
paring the  bounds  in  the  petition  with  those  finally  established, 
one  would  conclude  that  a  coinjDromise  was  effected,  which 
would  account  for  the  fact  that  no  serious  opposition  was  made. 
Thus  the  smart  little  Town  of  Bennington  started  with  many 
blessings,  and  is  now  approaching  its  semi-centennial  (1892) 
with  evidences  of  growth  and  business  prosperity.  Its  church 
was  organized  July  6,  1839,  At  the  March  meeting  of  1843 
Moses  E.  Bradford  and  Daniel  Thompson  were  elected  tithing- 
men,  and  this  was  the  last  election  to  this  once  important  office, 
in  Francestown.  Yet  tithingmen  did  not  cease  to  be  elected  be- 
cause the  people  had  grown  so  good  as  to  keep  the  Sabbath  with- 
out them,  but  because  the  fathers'  reverence  for  the  Sabbath  had 
largely  died  away  in  their  children.  Perhaps  we  may  be  com- 
pelled for  the  public  good,  to  take  the  old  way  again,  as  being, 
notwithstanding  occasional  inconveniences,  vastly  better  than 
the  opposite  extreme  of  secularity  and  looseness  to  Avhich  at 
this  day  the  people  have  swung,  throughout  the  land.  For 
three-quarters  of  a  century  the  office  of  tithingman  was  counted 
so  important  in  this  town  that  the  best  men  A^ere  a|)})ointed  to 
it;  and  it  did  not  fall  at  the  end  into  degenerate  hands,  since  the 
last  incumbents  named  above  were  men  in  the  front  ranks  of' 
religion  and  noble  character. 

This  year  (1843)  the  town  accounts  were  first  ordered  to  be 
"printed,"  and  the  first  distribution  of  "printed  town  reports" 
was  made  at  the  March  meeting  of  1844.  In  1843  it  appears 
by  the  record  that  jurors  were  "drawn"  for  the  first  time  as  now 
done,  by  the  town  clerk  in  the  presence  of  the  selectmen.  At 
first  jurors  were  elected  like  town  officers  by  public  vote ;  and 
subsequently  were  selected  by  "drawing"  in  a  regularly  organ- 
ized town  meeting.     But  the  people  soon  neglected  to  attend 


192  "THE    FEP]E-SOIL    PARTY." 

town  meeting-  for  such  an  empty  purpose,  and  the  present- law 
of  necessity  followed. 

In  1844  a  vigorous  effort  was  made  to  abolish  capital  punish- 
ment in  this  state,  and  the  question  was  submitted  to  the  people 
on  the  day  of  the  presidential  flection,  Nov.  4.  The  vote  in 
Francestown  stood  52  in  favor  and  145  against,  and  it  was 
voted  down  generally  throughout  the  state.  The  })lan  of  pro- 
tecting murderers  has  never  been  very  })opular  in  New  Hamp- 
shire. 

In  1844  the  vote  of  the  ''Free  Soil,"  or  "Anti-Slavery," 
party  first  appears  in  this  town,  in  a  presidential  election. 
James  K.  Polk  was  the  candidate  of  the  Democrats ;  Henry 
Clay,  of  the  Whigs;  and  James  G.  Birney  of  the  "Free-Soilers," 
then  generally  called  the  "Liberal  Party."  Some  people  called 
it  the  "Nigger  Party."  In  this  state,  William  Badger  headed 
the  list  of  candidates  for  electors  for  Polk;  Joseph  Low  for 
Clay,  and  Jesse  Woodbury  of  Francestown  for  Birney.  In 
this  town  the  Polk  electors  received  107  votes;  the  Clay 
electors  received  91  votes ;  and  the  electors  headed  by  Jesse 
Woodbury,  48  votes.  This  last  named  number  shows  the 
advanced  ground  taken  by  the  people  of  this  place  at  that  early 
day.  The  "Liberal  Party"  had  nominated  Birney  for  the 
presidency  in  1810;  but  no  electoral  ticket  was  presented  in 
most  of  the  states.  The  long  struggle  which  culminated  in 
the  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  and  the  overthrow  of  slavery, 
first  took  earnest  life  and  shape  in  politics  in  the  election  of 
1844.  At  the  March  meeting  of  this  year  no  party  had  a 
majority  in  Francestown,  and  no  choice  of  representative  could 
be  reached.  Likewise  in  1845  they  could  not  elect.  The 
"Free-Soil"  party  cast  59  votes,  and  held  the  balance  of  power. 
In  this  state,  in  1845,  they  had  to  vote  three  different  times  to 
elect  a  representative  to  Congress,  so  broken  up  were  the  old 
party  lines.  Tliere  being  no  election  in  March,  the  towns  voted 
Sept.  23,  and  again  Nov.  29.  At  this  time,  John  P.  Hale,  the 
anti-slavery  leader  in  the  state,  received  60  votes  in  this  town. 
But  still  there  was  one  vacancy,  and  in  March,  1846,  Frances- 
town  gave  Hale  78,  showing  a  constant  increase  of  the  Liberal 
party.  These  several  contests  seem  to  have  started  up  the 
long-debated  question   of  "districting'.'  the   state  for  electing 


teachers'  institutes.  193 

Cong-ressmen, — which  question  being  submitted  to  the  people, 
Francestown  voted  in  favor  of  such  division. 

The  vote  for  Governor  in  1846  was  as  follows:  Anthony  Colby,  93; 
Jared  W.  Williams,  103;  iSTathaniel  S.  Berry,  67;  and  Williams  was 
elected,  Colby,  who  was  governor  at  the  time  and  candidate  for  re-elect- 
ion, being  defeated. 

This  year  the  town  chose  Nehemiah  Wood  ''Field  Driver," 
an  officer  whose  duty  it  was  to  "take  up  and  impound  stray 
stock":  and  this  appointment  was  made  for  several  succeeding 
years.  This  was  an  additional  step  in  clearing  the  higliways 
of  that  nuisance,  stray  cattle,  which  was  then  so  common. 

In  1847  the  state  voted  for  Congressmen  by  districts  for  the 
first  time,  and  this  district  was  the  "famous  No.  3,"  but  there 
was  no  election  in  March,  and  a  special  meeting  was  held  July  8 
to  fill  the  vacancy. 

About  this  time  (1847),  "teachers'  Institutes"  came  into 
vogue  in  this  state,  and  several  were  held  in  Francestown,  Prof. 
Harry  Brickett  being  a  very  popular  leader  in  them.  This 
town  voted  a  sum  equal  to  5  per  cent,  of  its  school  money  to 
sustain  this  annual  Institute,  and  a  similar  vote  was  passed  in 
1848  and  in  1849.  These  semi-annual  g'atherino's  of  the 
teachers  of  the  county  continued  in  popularity  for  several 
years,  chiefly  under  direction  of  a  "County  School  Commis- 
sioner." This  office  was  held  in  its  best  days  by  Prof.  Harry 
Brickett  of  this  town. 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1848,  the  question  was  submitted 
to  the  people  of  New  Hampshire,  whether  we  should  have  a 
"State  Prohibitory  Liquor  Law" ;  and  this  town  voted  (135  to  8) 
to  have  the  legislature  enact  such  a  law, — another  good  record 
for  Francestown.. 

At  the  presidential  election  of  1848,  tlie  slavery  agitation 
was  more  than  ever  conspicuous.  Zachery  Taylor  was  the 
Whig  candidate,  and  Lewis  Cass  of  Michigan  (born  in  Exeter, 
N.  H.,  Oct.  9,  1782,)  was  the  Democratic  candidate.  But  a 
large  section  of  the  Democratic  party  in  New  York,  called 
"Barn-Burners,"  were  dissatisfied  with  the  pro-slavery  senti- 
ments of  Cass;  for  a  similar  reason,  Henry  Wilson,  of  Mass., 
and  others,  withdrew  from  the  convention  (Philadelphia,  June, 
1848),  which  nominated  Taylor;  and  these  two  factions,  join- 


194  AGAINST    BUYIKG    COUNTY    FARM. 

ing  with  the  ohl  "Liberty  Party,"  held  a  convention  (Aug;  9, 
1848,)  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  nominated  Martin  Van  Buren 
for  Pi-esident,  and  Charles  Francis  Adams  for  Vice-President. 
This  divided  the  Democracy  so  much  that  it  gave  New  York 
to  the  Whigs  and  elected  Taylor.  In  this  town  the  vote  was 
86  for  Taylor,  106  for  Cass,  53  for  Van  Buren,  and  3  scat- 
tering. 

In  1849,  the  Governor  vote  was:  Samuel  Dinsmore,  111 ; 
Levi  Chamberlain,  98;  and  N.  S.  Berry,  50.  The  town-meeting 
here  was  one  of  considerable  excitement,  neither  party  being 
strong  enough  to  elect  a  representative.  Several  efforts  were 
made  in  vain.  On  the  second  day  of  the  annual  meeting  the 
Moderator,  John  Gibson,  resigned,  and  P.  H.  Bixby  was  chosen 
in  his  place.  This  3^ear  (1849)  it  seems  that  the  County  Judges 
purchased  a  County  farm  for  the  poor.  It  was  located  on  the 
Mast  Road,  in  Goffstown,  and  proved  to  be  an  expensive  and 
unwise  thing.  This  purchase  awakened  a  storm  of  indignation 
in  nearly  every  part  of  the  county.  Francestown  voted  (Apr. 
15,  1850,)  at  its  next  meeting,  to 

"disapprove  of  the  course  of  the  County  Judges  in  ])uying  a  County 
farm," 

and  instructed  their  representative  to  advocate  selling  it  at 
once.  This  vote  was  carried,  128  to  9,  which  vote  fairly 
expressed  the  opposition  of  all  this  part  of  the  county.  But 
the  farm  continued  to  be  held  for  the  County  poor,  specially 
by  the  influence  of  the  City  of  Manchester,  till  the  autumn  of 
1866,  when  the  buildings  were  burned.  The  Count}^  Judges 
who  made  the  purchase  were  Hon.  Jacob  Whittemore,  of 
Antrim,  and  Hon.  Jesse  Carr,  of  Goffstown,  and  the  price  paid 
was  ten  thousand  dollars.  The  present  Country  farm  (West 
Wilton)  was  purchased  in  the  early  spring  of  1867,  and  the 
price  paid  was  twelve  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.* 

In  1850,  by  vote  of  the  town,  the  "New  Engine  House"  was 
built.  When  new  it  was  a  neat  and  appropriate  building, 
though  small  and  only  one  story  in  height:  but  in  course  of 
time  it  fell  into  decay,  and  was  no  great  ornament  to  the  i3lace. 

*In  the  autunm  of  1893  the  old  farm  in  Goffstown  was  bouglit  back 
by  the  County. 


WHITTEMORE    IIOAD.  195 

It  stood  on  the  east  side  of  the  Common,  between  the  turnpike 
and  the  road  to  Mill  Village.     It  was  taken  away  in  1887. 

This  year  also  came  the  noted  "Constitutional  Convention 
of  1850."  Many  times  the  project  of  revision  had  been  voted 
down ;  but  in  March  of  this  year  the  state  voted  by  a  small 
majority  to  call  a  convention  to  revise  the  old  charter  of  the 
Commonwealth.  Town  meetings  were  held  on  the  8th  of  Oct. 
following  to  choose  delegates,  and  many  of  the  best  men  in 
the  state  were  called  to  this  important  service.  Albert  M. 
Holbrook  was  Moderator  of  the  meeting  in  this  town,  and 
Daniel  Fuller  was  chosen  delegate.  The  convention  met  in 
Concord,  Nov.  6,  1850.  They  had  a  long  session,  and  labored 
with  great  faithfulness,  and  suggested  some  desirable  changes, 
and  adjourned  with  the  feeling  that  their  work  would  be 
accepted.  But  they  made  too  many  sweeping  and  radical 
changes,  and  did  too  much  for  one  time;  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  the  people  were  not  very  anxious  for  a  change.  Many 
wished  to  amend  one  or  two  Articles  only,  and  many  said,  "Let 
well  enough  alone."  Plence,  the  "New  Constitution"  was 
voted  down  by  a  large  majority.  In  Francestown  not  a  single 
Article  was  adopted.  The  very  heavy  expense  and  labor  of 
the  convention  Avere  thrown  away,  and  the  peoj^le  had  no  dis- 
position to  try  again,  and  the  old  constitution  went  on  for  a 
quartei'  of  another  hundred  years. 

At  the  town  meeting,  Apr.  15,  1850,  there  was  a  vigorous 
and  decided  opposition  to  building  the  "Abram  Whittemore 
road,"  and  measures  taken  to  oppose  the  same.  This  was  the 
road  now  travelled  from  Peterboro'  and  Greenfield  across  the 
south  part  of  Francestown  to  New  Boston,  an  outlet  to  Man- 
chester being  the  object  announced.  It  involved  a  heavy  cost 
and  no  advantage,  to  this  town.  But  it  was  pushed  throagh 
by  aid  of  the  County  Commissioners,  after  much  opposition  and 
delay ;  its  friends,  however,  never  realizing  from  it  the  advant- 
ages expected.  It  has  been  a  large  benefit  to  a  few;  but  new 
lines  of  railroads  and  of  business  now  lead  the  travel  in  another 
direction. 


CHAPTER  V. 

AN     OUTLINE     OF     EVENTS      IN     FRANCESTOWN     FROM 
JAN.    1,    1851,    TO    JAN.    1,    1891. 

At  the  opening  of  the  year  1851  a  new  political  tempest 
arose  in  the  state,  and  it  was  specially  exciting  in  this  vicinity. 
The  Democratic  State  Convention  had  nominated  Rev.  John 
Atwood,  of  New  Boston,  for  Governor.  He  had  been  six  years 
State  Treasurer,  and  was  a  capable  and  most  excellent  man. 
The  party  had  a  large  majority  in  the  state,  and  his  election 
was  looked  upon  as  a  sure  thing.  But  certain  ''Free-soil 
leaders,"  in  the  party  and  out  of  it,  induced  Mr.  Atwood  to 
write  a  public  letter  touching  slavery  and  other  matters.  The 
letter  took  somewhat  advanced  ground,  did  great  credit  to  the 
heart  of  the  writer,  was  true  and  just,  and  would  be  approved 
by  nine-tenths  of  the  people  of  the  state  at  the  present  time. 
But  jjublic  sentiment  was  not  then  quite  ready  to  approve, 
and  the  South  was  dominant  in  the  politics  of  the  country. 
At  once  the  Democratic  leaders  in  the  state,  though  for  the 
most  part  feeling  the  justice  of  the  sentiments  of  the  letter  and 
knowing  the  honest  intent  of  the  writer,  were  yet  so  vexed 
that  anything  should  disturb  the  quiet  sailing  of  the  party,  and 
so  frightened  by  pro-slavery  dictation  from  headquarters,  that 
they  called  another  convention,  threw  overboard  the  candidate 
they  had  nominated,  and  nominated  Gov.  Samuel  Dinsmore  for 
re-election.  Mr.  Atwood,  being  thus  discarded  by  his  party, 
was  supported  by  many  Democrats,  and  by  all  the  "Free- 
soilers,"' — and  the  political  cauldron  boiled  and  bubbled  in- 
tensely. Mr.  Dinsmore  (1849-1850-1851)  was  then  Gov- 
ernor, and  nothing  but  his  extreme  popularity  saved  his  party. 
Many  thought  it  would  be  safe  to  vote  for  so  good  a  Governor 
as  they  had  found  him  to  be ;  and  he  was  elected  for  a  thii'd 
time,  though  by  a  small  majority.     In-  Francestown   the   vote 


THE    LEVI    WOODBUilY    LEGACY.  197 

stood:  For  Samuel  Dinsmore,  66;  Thomas  E.  Sawyer  (Whig), 
86 ;  John  Atwood,  90 ;  P.  H.  Bixby,  2.  Thus,  Mr.  Atwood, 
though  defeated,  had  tlie  highest  number  of  votes  in  this,  as  in 
many  other  towns.      He  was  too  good  a  man  to  be  a  politician. 

This  year  (1851)  the  town  voted  (148  to  40)  to  have  the 
state  pass  the  "Five  Hundred  Dollar  Homestead  Exemption 
Act,"  which  subsequently  became  a  law,  and  is  in  force  to  this 
day.  The  following  year  the  town  voted  (67  to  48)  ayainst 
abolishing  the  Religious  Test  in  the  Constitution  of  the  State ; 
and  (98  to  28)  in  favor  of  abolishing  the  "Property  Qualifica- 
tion" in  the  same.  The  proposition  to  abolish  the  Religious 
Test  failed  of  a  two-thirds  vote  and  the  Test  remained,  though 
greatly  disregarded  in  practice;  but  the  proposition  to  abolish 
the  "Property  Qualification"  was  carried,  and  (tov.  Martin 
issued  his  proclamation  to  that  effect  Sept.  16,  1852. 

At  a  special  meeting.  May  18,  1852,  the  town  chose  William 
Bixby  agent,  to  receive  a  legacy  of  Hon.  Levi  Woodbury. 
Judge  Woodbury  died  Sept.  7,  1851,  leaving  one  thousand 
dollars  to  P^ancestown,  the  interest  of  the  same  to  be  expended 
annually  \n  purchasing  books  to  be  awarded  to  the  best  scholars 
in  the  district  schools  of  the  town.  This,  no  doubt,  has  helped 
to  maintain  the  high  standing  of  tlie  town  in  scliolarship. 

In  Nov.,  1852,  came  the  notable  election  of  Franklin  Pierce 
to  the  presidency  of  the  United  States.  The  leading  candidates 
in  the  convention  were  James  Buchanan,  Lewis  Cass,  Wm.  L. 
Marcy,  and  Steplian  A.  Douglas.  Each  of  tliese  had  many 
friends,  but  no  one  of  them  had  enough  for  nomination. 
Pierce's  name  was  not  brought  forward  till  the  36th  ballot, 
and  he  was  nominated  on  the  49th,  receivino-  all  the  votes  in 
the  convention  except  eleven.  The  Whig  party  nominated 
Gen.  Winfield  Scott,  and  the  Free-Soil  party  nominated  John 
P.  Hale.  Thus,  two  of  the  candidates  for  President  in  1852 
were  from  New  Hampshire.  The  slaver}^  agitation  was  intense, 
hiding  all  other  questions  or  smothering  them,  and  in  thousands 
of  great  meetings  all  over  the  land  men  argued  on  the  rights 
of  tlie  South,  the,  construction  of  the  Constitution,  the  evils  of 
slavery,  and  the  possible  disruption  of  the  Laiion.  The  South- 
ern orators  were  full  of  fire  and  eloquence  in  setting  forth  their 


198  THE    NEW    BELL. 

jjatriotism,  with  occasional  warnings  of  wliat  might  liappen  if 
the  South  failed  of  her  alleged  "privileges  under  the  Constitu- 
tion." In  New  Hampshire  the  local  pride  of  having  a  Presi- 
dent from  our  own  state  carried  many  votes,  and  the  enthusi- 
asm for  GeJK  Pierce  was  very  great.  The  result  was  that  he 
received  254  out  of  296  electoral  votes,  carrying  all  the  states 
but  Vermont,  JMassachusetts,  Kentucky,  and  Tennessee.  This 
state  went  strong  for  Pierce.  Francestown  gave  96  votes  for 
Pierce,  94  votes  for  Scott,  and  50  votes  for  Hale.  But  the 
popular  vote  of  the  whole  land  was:  "Pierce,  1,601,474 ;  Scott, 
1,386,578;  Hale,  156,149;  so  that  the  majority  of  Pierce  was 
less  than  sixty  thousand.  In  manners,  uprightness,  and  cul- 
ture. Pierce  was  a  model  president;  but  his  course  in  favoring 
slavery  alienated  many  noble  and  patriotic  friends  from  him, 
while  the  agitation  which  he  warned  against  went  on  louder 
than  ever,  and  the  "Free-Soil"  party  ra])idly  increased. 

In  Francestown,  in  1853,  there  was  a  long  and  bitter  strug- 
gle to  elect  a  representative  to  the  legislature.  In  the  after- 
noon of  the  second  day  the  Moderator,  Daniel  Fuller,  resigned, 
and  Warner  Clark  was  chosen  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  the  bal- 
loting went  0)1.  After  balloting  thirty-four  times,  the  time  to 
elect  expired,  and  this  town  was  without  a  representative  that 
year.  But  on  the  renewal  of  the  contest  at  the  March  meeting 
of  1854,  Dr.  Gambell  was  chosen  representative  on  the  fourth 
ballot.  The  Governor  vote  Avas :  Whig,  93 ;  Democratic,  81  ; 
Free-Soil,  60. 

About  New  Year's  Day,  1854,  the  old  bell  purchased  in 
1809  was  ci'acked  by  using  a  new  and  heavier  tongue; — and  a 
special  town-meeting  w^as  held  Feb.  15,  1855, 

"to  see  if  the  town  would  i)urehase  a  new  bell  for  the  use  of  the  town 
and  Society,"* 

at  which  meeting  they  chose  Israel  Batchelder,  Saville  Starrett, 
and  Hiram  P.  Clark,  a  committee  to  investigate,  and  report 
Avliat  action  the  town  should  take.  On  their  report,  the  town 
voted  (March,  1855,)  to  purchase  a  new  bell,  and  chose  the 
same  persons  a  committee  to  sell  the  old  bell,  and  buy  and 
hang  the  new  one.  At  once  the  committee  procured  a  bell, 
but  it  did  not  give  satisfaction ;  and,  at  a  special   meeting, 


THE    NEW    CHURCH-SPIRE.  199 

May  16,  1855,  the  town  voted  not  to  accept  it.  They  wanted 
a  larger  and  heavier  one,  and  of  different  tone.  And  then  a 
new  difficulty  arose  from  the  fact  that  the  church  tower,  being 
sonie^A^hat  decayed  from  the  lapse  of  more  than  fifty  years,  was 
not  deemed  strong  enough  for  so  heavy  a  bell.  After  debate 
on  this  point,  the  town  voted  to  leave  it  to  the  selectmen 
(Thomas  E.  Fisher,  Nahum  Farnum,  John  H.  Patch,)  to  repair 
the  steeple  or  build  a  new  one,  as  they  might  think  best.  On 
examination  it  was  deemed  best  to  rebuild,  and  the  spire  as 
now  standing  was  erected  and  completed  in  the  course  of  the 
summer.  The  large  bell,  whicli  since  that  day  has  called  the 
people  of  the  town  together,  was  swung  to  its  place  in  October, 
1855.  It  was  considered  quite  an  event  in  town,  and  a  large 
company  assembled  to  see  it  raised.  The  writer,  being  then 
an  Academy  student,  saw  it  from  his  window  in  the  Wood- 
bury house,  as  it  rose,  slowly  from  the  ground,  and  heai'd  its 
first  peal  rolling  over  the  town. 

In  the  fall  of  185(3  there  came  another  sharp  political  strug- 
gle. The  ''Republican  Part}',"  formed  of  Whigs  and  "Free- 
Soilers,"'  and  others  opposed  to  slavery,  nominated  their  first 
candidate  for  President,  in  the  person  of  Gen.  John  C.  Fre- 
mont. The  Democrats  nominated  James  Buchanan,  and  the 
"American  Party"  .nominated  Millard  Fillmore,  who  had  been 
President,  and  had  been  succeeded  by  Franklin  Pierce.  Buch- 
anan was  elected,  carrying  nineteen  states,  including  all  the 
South,  and  receiving  174  electoral  votes.  Freemont  carried 
eleven  states,  including  all  of  New  England,  New  York,  and 
Ohio.  Fillmore  carried  only  Maryland.  The  pojjular  vote 
for  Buchanan  was  1,838,000;  lor  Fremont,  1,341,000;  for 
Fillmore,  874,000..  The  vote  in  this  town  was:  For  Fremont, 
169;  for  Buchanan,  99;  and  for  Fillmore,  3. 

In  the  spring  of  1860,  the  famous  cattle-disease,  called 
pleuro-pneumania,  broke  out  in  many  places  in  New  Hamp- 
shire, "and  people  Avere  greaily  alarmed  thereby.  Stock-raisers 
became  afraid  to  keep  their  cattle,  and  eaters  became  afraid  to 
buy  meat.  Fearful  stoiies  were  told  about  the  fatality  of  this 
disease  in  other  parts  of  the  land.  The  flocks  driven  up  from 
below  were  charged  with  bringing  the  disease  into  this  state. 
Our    Legislature,  being    in    session  as    the  excitement  grew, 


200  PLANS  FOE  A  NEW  COUNTY. 

hastily  passed  an  Act  giving  the  towns  almost  absolute  pOwer 
over  live-stock,  when  exercised  for  the  supression  of  the  dis- 
ease. In  Francestown  the  excitement  was  great,  and  nervous 
])eople  began  to  fear  and  calk  about  starvation,  and  a  vegetable 
diet  became  fashionable  with  some.  But  no  public  action  was 
taken  in  this  place,  as  cattle  were  not  brought  here  for  pastur- 
age to  any  great  extent.  In  the  grazing  or  pasture  towns  in 
this  vichiitv,  however,  town-meetings  were  immediately  called 
and  committees  with  arbitrar}'  powei's  were  appointed  in  most 
of  the  hill  towns,  to  suppress  or  isolate  the  disease,  at  their 
discretion.  In  many  instances,  double  fences  were  made  l)e- 
tween  pastures,  these  fences  being  twenty  or  thirty  feet  apart, 
to  prevent  all  approach  of  one  flock  to  another.  Animals  sus- 
pected of  having  the  disease  were  killed.  Men  watched  their 
cattle  constantly,  and  had  tliem  examined  by  alleged  experts, 
and  travelled  over  their  pastures  week  after  week,  and  worried, 
and  scolded,  and  feared.  Drovers  from  below  were  accused  of 
bringing  the  disease  to  New  Hampshire  to  get  rid  of  it  them- 
selves. Some  sold  their  cattle  for  a  song.  All  sorts  of  ex- 
^Dcnses  were  incurred,  and  all  sorts  of  unreasonable  things  done. 
Yet,  not  an  animal  died  from  this  disease  in  many  towns  where 
there  was  most  alarm  about  it.  It  was  a  great  scare  from  a 
small  danger.  But  it  cost  the  peoj^le  of  this  state  a  large  sum? 
both  in  time  and  money;  and  it  was  neither  the  first  nor  the 
last  occasion  when  men  sjjent  more  on  their  fears  than  on  their 
faith! 

In  1859  a  plan  was  pushed  (referred  to  on  a  former  page,)  to 

"form    a  new  County,  to  be  called  the  County  of  Amoskeag,   and  to 
include  Manchester,  Bedford,  Goffstown,  Weare,  New  Boston,  Auburn 
Candia,  Chester,  Londonderry,  Derry,  Salem  and  Windham." 

Thus  it  would  be  composed  of  the  city  of  Manchester  and  a 
circle  of  towns  around  it.  The  plan  was  strongly  urged,  and 
much  was  truthfully  said  in  its  favor,  and  subsequent  changes 
have  made  these  facts  more  decisive,  as  now  Manchester  is  the 
business  centre  of  all  those  towns,  and  the  city  alone  has  more 
than  twice  the  population  oi  Sullivan  county,  or  Belknap,  or 
Coos.  But  the  opposition  to  the  new  county  was  too  great  to 
be  overcome.      Many  thought  it  would  involve  heavy  expense, 


JOHN  brown's  death.  201 

and  hence  voted  against  it,  even  in  towns  it  would  most  benefit. 
In  Francestown  10  voted  in  favor  and  164  against. 

At  this  INIarcli  meeting  the  town  chose  Milton  G.  Starrett, 
Treasurer,  and  passed  a  vote  of  thanks  to  William  Bixby  for 
his  lono-  and  faithful  service.  He  had  served  as  Treasurer 
thirty-four  years,  and  that  nearly  gratuitously.  It  seems  that 
at  first  he  received  no  salary ;  and  the  town  accounts  show 
that  subsequently  he  received  ten  dollars  a  year.  Mr.  Bixby 
was  an  accurate  and  careful  servant,  and  did  much  for  the 
town  without  pay.  It  is  said  that  at  the  present  day  town 
officers  like  good  salaries!  But,  of  course,  the  statement  is 
slanderous ! 

The  year  18(30  is  specially  noted  for  its  fierce  and  intense 
political  discussions,  reaching  every  town  and  corner  of  the 
land,  and  culminating  in  the  triumph  of  the  anti-slavery  party, 
and  the  secession  of  the  Southern  States.  All  through  Buch- 
anan's administration  things  were  tending  toward  a  crisis.  The 
Great  North  could  not,  and  tvould  not,  submit  to  the  Fugitive 
Slave  Law,  and  Southern  dictation,  and  Southern  interpretation 
of  tlie  Constitution.  People  understood  better  and  condemned 
louder  the  awful  crime  of  slavery.  Men  turned  to  the  '•'Party 
of  Liberty,"  as  they  called  it,  and  it  increased  rapidly  all  over 
the  northern  states.  Oct.  16,  1859,  John  Brown,  who  had 
passed  through  the  "Border  Ruffian"  contest  in  Kansas  (1855- 
6-7),  commenced  his  famous  invasion  of  Virginia  for  the  purpose 
of  liberating  the  slaves  by  force.  He  captured  the  United 
States  Arsenal  at  Harper's  Ferry,  Va.,  hoping  that  the  negroes  and 
some  northern  white  men  would  rally  to  his  standard.  But  they 
came  not  to  his  support;  he  was  captured  Oct.  18,  tried  and 
condemned  Oct.  31,  and  executed  by  hanging  Dec.  2.  This 
transaction  closing  the  year  1859,  set  the  whole  country,  as  it 
were,  on  fire.  The  South  were  united  and  embittered  by  it; 
and  it  had  a  great  influence  on  the  coming  election  and  the 
events  which  folloM'ed.  At  the  Chicago  Convention,  Ma}-  18, 
1860,  Abraham  Lincoln  was  nominated  by  the  Republicans  for 
President.  The  Democrats  nominated  Stei:)hen  A.  Douglas; 
the  southern  Democrats  withdrawing,  and  nominating  John  C. 
Breckenridge.  The  "Constitutional  Union  Party"  nominated 
John    Bell,   of   Tennessee.     Thus,  there  were  four  candidates, 


202  SECESSION    OF    THE    SOUTH.       • 

and  tlie  contest  was  long,  excited,  and  bitter.  The  })opular 
vote  was:  Lincoln,  1,866,452  ;  Douglas,  1,291,574;  Brecken- 
riclge,  850,082;  Bell,  646,124.  But  of  electoral  votes,  Lincoln 
received  180;  Breckenridge,  72;  Bell,  39 ;  and  Douglas,  12- 
It  was  the  North  against  the  South.  In  FrancestoAvn  there 
were  163  votes  for  Lincoln,  86  for  Douglas,  and  4  scattering. 
Lincoln  was  elected  by  so  decisive  a  vote  that  the  result  was 
not  questioned,  but  the  political  leaders  in  tlie  South  were 
filled  with  rage.  As  soon  as  possible,  conventions  were  called 
in  most  of  the  Slave  States,  and  they  Iregan  to  "secede,"  claim- 
ing the  same  "State  Right"  to  go  out  of  the  Union  which  they 
had  to  come  in.  South  Carolina  was  the  first  to  pass  the  "ordi- 
nance of  secession,"  as  it  was  called,  (Dec.  20,  1860),  and 
guilty  of  the  first  open  treason.  Six  other  states  of  the  section 
along  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  passed  similar  "ordinances"  in  rapid 
succession,  (some  states  farther  north  seceding  later),  and  they 
hurried  the  work  of  treason  with  such  mad  enthusiasm  that 
the  "Southern  Confederacy"  was  organized,  and  Davis  and 
Stephens  were  inaugurated  before  Lincoln  and  Hamlin.  The 
"Confederacy"  was  formed  by  seven  states,  "seceding"  in  the 
following  order, — South  Carolina,  Mississippi  (Jan.  9,  1861,) 
Florida  (Jan.  10,  1861,)  Alabama,  Georgia  (Jan.  19,  1861,) 
Louisiana  (-Tan.  26,  1861,)  Texas  (Feb.  1,  1861.)  Their  dele- 
gates assembled  at  Montgomery,  Ala.,  Feb.  4,  1861,  adopted  a 
Constitution,  and  (voting  by  states)  chose  Davis  and  Stephens, 
named  above,  as  their  President  and  Vice-President.  The 
Southerners  began  open  war  by  firing  on  Fort  Sumter  Apr.  12, 
1861,  which  was  surrendered  to  them  Apr.  14,  1861.  Then 
Virginia  seceded  (Apr.  17,  1861;)  Tennessee  (May  6,  1861); 
Arkansas  (May  6,  1861),  and  North  Carolina  (May20,  1861). 
Thus  the  Southern  Confederacy  contained  in  the  whole  eleven 
states,  was  fully  organized,  had  come  into  possession  of  most 
'  of  the  arms  and  ammunition  of  the  general  government  "which 
through  secret  treason  had  been  ordered  south,"  and  thus  far 
everything  worked  to  their  pleasure. 

But  the  cannon  that  battered  down  Fort  Sumter  roused  up 
the  whole  North  Avith  tremendous  power!  No  such  mighty 
indignation  ever  was  known  on  American  soil  before !  There 
was  a  call  for  vengeance  from  Maine  to  "Oregon  I     Men  flew  to 


FILLING    THE   QUOTA,  ^03 

arms !  Public  meetings  were  held  everywhere !  Politicians 
forgot  their  differences  and  lifted  their  hands  together  in 
oaths  of  iidelity  to  the  Union  even  unto  death  I  Military 
organizations  offered  their  services!  And  the  great  angry 
North  began  preparations  for  war !  The  day  after  the  surrender 
of  Sumter,  President  Lincoln  called  on  New  Hampshire  for  a 
regiment  of  infantry  for  three  months —  which  was  at  once  filled 
with  volunteers,  and  started  in  a  few  days  for  Washington, 
under  command  of  Col.  Mason  W.  Tap})an.  Thus  the  country 
was  aroused  and  the  great  war  began;  and  continued  four 
years;  and  on  the  14th  of  Apr.  1865,  the  same  Maj.  Anderson 
raised  on  the  ruins  of  Fort  Sumter  the  verj'  same  flag  which  had 
been  lowered  at  the  beginning  of  the  strife !  Secession  was  not 
a  success ! 

Francestown  was  a  loyal  and  zealous  supporter  of  the  cause 
of  Union  from  first  to  last,  much  being  done  and  much  money 
being  given,  which  does  not  appear  on  the  records.  A  special 
meeting  was  held  May  14,  1861,  to  see  if  the  town  would 

•■'indemnify  all  who  might  enlist  into  the  service  of  their  country!" 

The  earnest  selectmen  then  in  ofUce  (Thomas  E.  Fisher,  Francis 
H.  Duncklee,  and  Hiram  Patch)  probably  did  not  I'ealize  liow 
large  those  words  were  when  they  wrote  them,  and  no  doubt 
referred  to  Francestown  soldiers  only.  But  the  broadness  of 
the  article  in  tlie  warrant  was  too  great  for  any  safe  action,  or 
so  it  seemed,  and  no  action  was  taken.  There  was  also  some 
illegality  in  tlie  form  of  the  warrant.  Geo.  F.  Pettee  Avas 
chosen  Moderator  and  there  was  a  large  and  excited  meeting, 
and  it  ''broke  up  without  adjournment,"  the  whole  matter  being 
understood  to  be. left  to  the  selectmen.  Another  meeting  was 
held  Oct.  29,  1861,  to  see  if  they  would  adopt  the  Act  of  the 
Legislature  of  June  preceding,  which  authorized  cities  and 
towns  to  "aid  the  families  of  volunteers."'  The  town  record 
simply  says  "Carried  unanimously."  And  then  the  selectmen 
were  instructed  to  "hire  money  therefor."  At  another  special 
town-meeting  Aug.  12,  1862,  they  voted  to  give  a  bounty  of 
150,  to  every  person  who  would  enlist  from  this  town' into  the 
army;  and  at  an  adjourned  meeting  (Aug.  22  following)  they 
voted  to  increase  this  bounty  to  $150,  till  the  quota  should  be 


204  StJREENDER    OF    LEE. 

filled.  At  a  meeting  Sept.  23,  1863,  the  town  voted  to  pay 
drafted  men  or  their  substitutes  '$300,  each,  and  again  the 
record  says  "carried  unanimously."  « 

At  another  special  meeting  Nov.  25,  1863,  the  town  voted  to 
have  the  selectmen  '^fill  the  quota"  under  tlie  "-new  call  for 
300,000  men"  whatever  the  expense  might  be.  At  the  March 
meeting  of  1864  the  town  voted  #150  to  each  of  six  soldiers 
who  had  already  enlisted.  At  a  s})ecial  meeting  July  21, 1864, 
the  town  voted  to 

"pay  the  largesst  sum  allowed  by  our  state  laws  to  till  all  quotas  this 
year." 

Again  at  a  special  meeting  Aug.  25,  1864,  the  town  voted  a 
"special  bounty"  of  $200  each  to  drafted  men  or  their  substi- 
tutes. Two  days  later  they  voted  to  pay  volunteers  for  one 
year,  I^SOO  each;  for  two  years,  f|400  ;  and  for  three  years,  $)600. 
It  must  be  remembered  that  all  these  sums  voted  from  time  to 
time  were  in  addition  to  the  support  of  soldiers'  families,  which 
was  according  to  state  law  and  was  called  "State  Aid,"  though 
paid  by  the  towns  which  formed  the  state.  At  the  town  meet- 
ing to  vote  for  President,  Nov.,  1864,  (at  which  Lincoln  had 
166  votes,  and  McClellan  81,  the  popular  vote  of  the  whole 
country  being,  Lincohi,  2,213,665;  McClellan,  1,802,237),  the 
town  voted  '■'in  anticipation  of  future  calW  to  pay  a  bounty 
equal  to  the  highest  yet  paid  by  them  to  all  volunteers  needed 
to  fill  their  quotas.  And  again,  at  the  March  meeting  of  1865, 
the  town  voted  to  pay  the  same  bounty  as  under  the  last  call 
till  all  quotas  should  be  filled.  Thus  it  appears  that  they  were 
bound  to  fight  it  out,  and  were  not  second  to  the  foremost  in 
loyalty  and  patriotism.  What  more  they  might  have  done  it 
is  impossible  to  tell;  but  the  war  ended,  and  bounties  and 
enlistments  ceased.  Gen.  Lee  surrendered  his  army  Apr.  9, 
1865;  Gen.  Johnston  surrendered  his  division  of  the  Southern 
army  Apr.  26th  following;  Gen.  Taylor  surrendered  the  remain- 
ing rebel  forces  east  of  the  Mississippi,  May  14,  and  Gen.  Smith 
surrendered  all  forces  west  of  that  river  on  the  26th  of  the 
same  month.  Thus  the  long  and  terrible  war  ended.  Thou- 
sands laid  down  their  lives,  and  thousands  of  those  who  re- 
turned were  wounded  or  lame  or  sick  or"  poor.     Their  uniforms 


THE    WAR    DEBT.  205 

were  woiii  and  dirty,  their  flags  were  blood-stained  and  hung 
in  shreds,  they  looked  haggard  and  old ;  but  they  came  back 
with  the  joy  of  victory  in  their  hearts.  It  was  a  time  of  great 
rejoicing  throughout  the  North.  This  town  had  suffered  much 
in  loss  of  men.  Some  were  killed ;  some  were  disabled  for 
life;  some  lingered  and  died  in  hospitals  and  prisons;  some 
came  home  sick  with  fatal  diseases  to  die  ;  and  some  came  with 
the  seeds  of  disease  in  them,  growing  unto  weakness  and  suf- 
fering in  subsequent  years.  From  first  to  last,  all  quotas  from 
Francestown  were  kept  full.  The  town,  or  individuals,  hired 
a  few  substitutes,  but  chiefly  the  citizens  themselves  filled  the 
ranks  as  they  were  needed,  and  the  whole  record  is  honorable 
to  the  town.  Further  information  will  appear  in  the  Chapter 
on  the  Military  Affairs  of  the  Town. 

Of  course,  when  the  war  was  over,  tliis  town,  like  others, 
found  itself  burdened  with  debt.  Throughout  tlie  war,  taxes 
had  been  high,  and  strong  efforts  were  made  to  pay  as  they 
went  along.  Heavy  sums  were  also  given  by  subscription  to 
encourage  enlistments  and  help  soldiers'  families,  oi'  furnish 
supplies  for  the  field.  But  in  spite  of  all  this,  the  debt  reached 
the  sum  of  -f  19, 2 11. 51,  or  about  -120  for  every  person  in  town. 
With  this  debt  the  town  has  struggled  along,  and  notwith- 
standing other  heavy  expenses,  about  nine-tenths  of  it  is  now 
paid  (1889).  In  1866  the  town  voted  to  add  the  interest  to 
certain  sums  which  soldiers  in  the  field  had  not  called  for  when 
due,  thus  showing  a  noble  spirit  to  the  last. 

At  the  Marcli  meeting  of  1867  the  town  voted  five  per  cent, 
of  its  valuation  to  help  build  the  ''Manchester  &  Keene  Rail- 
road" through  Francestown,  and  strong  hopes  of  its  speedy 
construction  were  entertained;  but  tlie  money  has  never  been 
called  for,  though  man 3^  yet  expect  to  see  the  road  in  operation. 
At  tliis  same  town  meeting  they  were  unable  to  choose  a  repre- 
sentative, and  thus  the  town  was  Avithout  representation,  1842, 
1841,  1849,  1853,  and  1867. 

At  the  presidential  election  Nov.,  1868,  Gen.  Grant  received 
214  electoral  votes,  against  80  for  Seymour ;  the  popular  vote 
being,  for  Grant  3,013,188,  and  for  Seymour  2,703,600.  Fran- 
cestown o-ave  Grant  172  and  Sevmour  96. 


206  REVISING    CONSTITUTION.     . 

Dec.  25,  1871,  the  town 

"voted  one  and  one-fourth  jDer  cent  of  its  valuation  to  aid  in  the  con- 
struction of  a  railroad  from  Wilton  to  Greenfield." 

By  Act  of  the  legislature,  July  4,  1872,  a  tract  of  about  one 
hundred  acres  from  the  northeast  part  of  Greenfield  was  an- 
nexed to  Francestown,  the  object  being  to  straighteu  lines, 
and  ''better  accommodate  in  repairing  roads." 

At  the  presidential  election  in  1872,  Grant  received  286 
electoral  votes,  and  Horace  Greeley  received  80 ;  the  popular 
vote  being,  for  Grant  3,597,070,  and  for  Greeley  2,834,079. 
Francestown  gave  Grant  156  votes,  and  Greeley  81. 

At  the  March  meeting,  1873,  the  town  voted  to  accept  the 
librar}^  and  property  of  the  Home  Cii'cle  Library  Association, 
for  a  Public  Library,  the  condition  being  that  tlie  town  assume 
the  del)t  of  the  C-ircle  and  appi'opriate  one  hundred  dollars  per 
year  to  support  the  library.  (See  Home  Circle  in  Chapter  on 
Various  Societies.) 

Soon  after  the  unsuccessful  efforts  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  of  1850,  efforts  began  to  be  made  to  call  another 
convention.  "Is  it  expedient  to  call  a  convention  to  revise  the 
Constitution  of  this  State?"  was  a  question  submitted  to  the 
people  year  after  year,  and  answered  in  the  negative.  But  in 
March,  1876,  the  State  voted,  by  a  small  majority,  in  favor  of 
revision.  There  was  a  cry  for  ''Biennial  Elections,"  and  some 
other  changes,  and  these  things  w^ere  advocated  as  measures  to 
diminish  expenses.  Francestown  voted  steadily  against  calling 
a  convention.  But  delegates  were  appointed  by  the  several 
towns  in  November  following,  Garvin  S.  Sleeper  being  chosen 
delegate  from  this  town.  The  convention  began  its  work  the 
"First  Wednesday  in  December,  1876."  The  session  of  the 
convention  was  short,  and  its  conclusions  were  judicious,  for 
the  most  part.  The  "New"  Constitution"  was  completed,  and 
printed  in  season  to  be  submitted  to  the  people  at  the  next 
March  meeting  (1877);  and  being  adopted  by  the  whole  State, 
it  became  at  once  the  Supreme  law  of  our  Commonwealth.  The 
rapidity  of  its  formation  and  adoption  was  in  marked  contrast 
witl)  the  lingering  efforts  attending  the  Constitution  of  1792, 
which  it  displaced.  Francestown  voted  for  the  adoption  of  all 
the  articles  except  the  first. 


TAKING   POSSESSION    OF    TOWN    HALL.  207 

At  tlie  presidential  election  of  1876,  the  candidates  were 
Samuel  J.  Tilden,  of  New  York,  Democrat,  and  Rutherford  B. 
Hayes,  of  Ohio,  Republican.  The  vote  of  Francestown  Avas 
101  for  Tilden,  and  145  for  Hayes.  The  result  of  the  election 
was  for  a  long  time  in  dispute,  as  from  several  of  the  Southern 
States  there  were  two  sets  of  electors  claiming  to  be  the  choice 
of  the  people.  But,  at  the  critical  time.  Congress  established 
what  was  called  tlie  "Electoral  Commission"  to  pass  upon 
these  disputed  returns.  This  body  consisted  of  five  Senators, 
five  members  of  the  House,  and  five  judges  of  the  Supreme 
Court;  and  after  long  deliberation,  they  decided  that  the  Re- 
publican electors  were  the  ones  lawfully  chosen  in  Louisiana  and 
Florida.  This  decision  was  reached  by  one  majority  (8  to  7); 
and  it  gave  Hayes  one  majority  of  electoral  votes  (185  to  184). 

At  tlie  presidential  election  of  1880.  Francestown  gave  152 
votes  for  Garfield,  and  98  votes  to  Hancock.  The  former  re- 
ceived, in  the  whole  country,  4,450,921  popular  votes  and  214 
electoral  votes;  the  latter  received  4,447,880  popular  votes, 
and  155  electoral  votes. 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1881,  the  town  appropriated  '|!700 
to  repair  the  town-house.  P\)ur  years  before  they  appropriated 
$500  for  this  purpose;  but  nothing  seems  to  have  been  done 
at  that  time  about,  it.  There  were  some  disputes  as  to  the 
rights  of  the  town  in  the  building,  and  the  selectmen  found 
opposition  in  the  way  of  carrying  out  the  vote  of  the  town. 
Hence,  there  was  a  special  town  meeting,  Apr.  9,  1881,  called 
for  the  town  to  take  possession  of  the  "Town  Hall,"  as  it  was 
called.  They  met  at  the  meeting-house,  and  adjourned  to  the 
hall,  having  first  voted  to 

"take  and  hold  posses^sion  for  the  use  and  occupation  of  all  the  citizens 
of  the  town." 

Then  the  selectmen  (Geo.  F.  Pettee,  John  G.  Morse,  and 
Harvey  N.  Whiting,)  forced  open  the  door,  and  the  town  then 
and  since  has  occupied  the  premises.  A  suit  was  "threatened, 
but  never  pushed" ;  and  soon  the  hall  was  put  into  excellent 
shape,  and  it  now  compares  favorably  with  such  buildings  in 
other  towns  in  this  vicinity. 

This  year  the  assassination  of  President  Garfield  created  great 
excitement,  reaching  even  a  small  town  like  ours ;  especially 


208  PRESIDENTIAL    VOTES. 

as  one  American  President  liad  been  murdered  but  a  few  y&ars 
before.  Was  this  to  be  the  rule  in  our  country?  Abraham 
Lincobi  had  been  shot  A})r.  14,  1865,  dying  the  next  morning. 
Now,  (July  2,  1881),  James  A.  Garfield  Avas  shot  down  by  an 
accursed  murderer,  in  the  waiting-i'oom  of  a  raili'oad  depot  in 
Washington.  He  was  not  immediately  killed,  but  lingered,  in 
great  suffering  and  beautiful  Christian  assurance,  till  Sept.  19, 
when  death  boi-e  his  manly  spirit  away.  While  he  lingered, 
there  were  meetings  in  this  town  giving  expression  to  the  uni- 
versal sympathy  and  full  of  prayer  for  him;  and  after  he  was 
gone,  this  town,  like  almost  every  other  in  New  England,  had 
memorial  services  to  honor  the  Dead  President,  as  scholar, 
statesman,  orator,  soldier,  friend,  patriot,  and  Christian! 

At  the  presidential  election,  Nov.,  1884,  Francestown  gave 
Blaine  133  votes,  Cleveland  94,  and  scattering  3.  Blaine's 
popular  vote  was  4,848,334,  and  his  electoral  vote  was  182  ; 
Cleveland's  popular  vote  was  4,911,017,  and  his  electoral  vote 
was  219. 

At  the  November  election  of  1888,  William  H.  Farnum  was 
chosen  delegate  to  the  Constitutional  Convention.  This  town 
gave  for  President  in  1888,  Harrison  140  votes,  and  Cleveland 
91  votes. 

This  year,  also,  (1888),  the  town  voted  to  sell  the  town 
farm,  and  chose  George  F.  Pettee  as  agent  to  convey  the  same. 

In  1889,  the  town  voted  to  lay  the  concrete  walks  in  the 
village;  and  the  vote  was  carried  into  effect  that  year.  Addi- 
tions and  extensions  of  the  same  were  made  in  1890. 

In  the  presidential  election  of  1892,  Francestown  gave  129 
votes  for  Harrison,  and  73  votes  for  Cleveland. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION,  JUNE  8,  1872. 

At  the  annual  March  meeting  of  1872,  an  article  was  in  the 
warrant  to  see  if  the  town  would  celebrate  its  approaching 
Centennial  Day.  At  once  the  people  took  up  the  project  with 
enthusiasm,  and  voted  that  the  selectmen  (George  D.  Epps, 
George  A.  Duncklee,  Elias  A.  Wilson,)  should  make  all  the 
necessary  arrangements  to  "Celebrate  the  Day,"  and  author- 
ized them  to  expend  any  sum  i^ot  exceeding  one  thousand 
dollars  to  defray  the  necessary  expenses.  Very  handsomely 
and  vigorously  these  officers  carried  out  the  trust  committed 
to  them.  They  wisely  a})pointed  Geo.  F.  Pettee,  Esq.,  corre- 
sponding secretary,  and  associated  him  with  them  in  planning 
for  tlie  occasion. 

The  following  "Invitation"  is  a  sample  of  many  hundreds 
sent  out  over  all  the  land; 


:es 


& 


Old  Francestown  proposes  to  celebrate  the  One  Hundredth  Anniver- 
sary of  her  incorporation  on  the  8th  of  June,  1872,  with  appropriate 
exercises. 

We  would  gladly  welcome  all  her  wandering  children  to  the  place  of 
their  nativity  on   that  occasion. 

Hoping  the  gathering  together  of  her  sons  and  daughters  may  result 
in  good,  by  making  the  occasion  joyous,  by  reviving  the  recollections  of 
"  long'  ago,"  and  more  closely  uniting  our  hearts  in  the  future. 

We  subscribe  ourselves. 


Yours  fraternally, 

Geo.  D.  Epps, 

Geo.  a.  Duncklee,  Y  Committee. 

Elias  A.  Wilson, 
Francestown,  N.  H.,  April  23,  1872, 


.A  Co. 


210  INVITATION    TO    THE    CENTENNIAL. 

Also,  the  following  Poem,  written  by  Mrs.  Flora  A.  D.  AtwoOd, 
appeared  iu  the  Manchester  Mirror  and  other  papers,  and  attracted 
considerable  notice,  and  helped  in  no  small  measure  to  add  enthusiasm 
to  the  formal  pulilic  call: 

INVITATION. 

White-winged  messengers,  go  forth, 
East  and  west  and  south  and  north, 
Tell  the  Sons  of  Francestown 
That  we  celebrate  in  June  ; 
Tell  them  on  the  Eighth  to  come, 
And  receive  a  welcome  home  ! 

Go  to  California's  strand, 
To  the  far-famed  golden  land; 
Tell  to  all  the  wanderers  there 
That  we  bid  them  gather  here, 
That  a  welcome  will  await 
Each  to  the  Old  Granite  State! 

Go  where  Mississippi's  tide 
Flows  its  fertile  banks  beside; — 
Where  the  Rocky  Mountains  rise 
On  and  upward  toward  the  skies ; 
Go  to  praries  where  thej  roam,  • 
Bid  the  children,  all,  come  home  I 

Go  to  sunny  Southern  Land 
Where  the  goddess  waves  her  wand, 
Where,  upspringing  all  around, 
Brilliant  flowers  deck  the  ground, 
Where  the  date  and  orange  thrive, — 
There  our  invitation  give  ! 

Cross  the  ocean's  foamy  tide, 
O'er  the  waters  dark  and  wide; 
And  if  any  there  are  found 
On  the  E'uropean  ground. 
Tell  them  what  we  mean  to  do 
June  the  Eighth,  in  Seventy-two! 

Tell  them,  one  and  all,  to  come. 
Gather  once  again  at  home, — 
Roam  the  hills  and  valleys  o'er 
As  they  did  in  days  of  yore, — 
Greet  the  living  friends,  and  shed 
Love's  fond  tribute  o'er  the  dead  ! 

In  response  to  these  enthusiastic  solicitations,  a  large  company  came 
from  all  parts  of  the  land,  eager  to  celebrate  the  day.  Those  who 
were  born  here,  those  whose  parents  or  grand-parents  were  natives  of 
the  town,  those  who  had  once  lived  here,  and  those  who  had  studied 


THE   DIKKER;   THE   SINGIKG.  211 

here,  old  friends  making  their  last  pilgrimage  to  the  town,  and  joyous 
students  just  ready  to  enter  upon  the  business  of  life, — all  these  made 
a  large  and  interesting  concourse  of  people.  The  da}^,  however,  was 
exceedingly  unfavorable,  a  day  of  mud  and  rain,  on  account  of  which 
the  attendance  from  the  neighboring  towns  was  comparatively  small. 
It  was  thought  the  weather  diminished  the  attendance  one-half.  As  it 
was,  the  assembly  was  a  vast  one,  and  was  variously  estimated  from 
loOO  to  3500.  The  audience  was  light  at  the  opening  in  the  morning, 
but,  in  spite  of  the  storm,  it  rapidly  increased,  and  could  not  have  been 
less  than  2000  in  the  afternoon.  With  good  weather  and  good  travel- 
ing, it  is  hard  telling  what  would  have  been  done  with  the  multitudes! 

The  Dinner  was  "free  and  abundant,"  and  much  to  spare,  besides 
being  excellent  in  quality.  It  was  a  characteristic  Francestown  dinner! 
The  tables  were  in  perfect  order,  and  looked  inviting  enough  to  fasci- 
nate the  palate  of  the  most  exacting  epicure!  It  is  not  known  how 
many  "baskets-full  of  frogments"  were  gathered  up,  but  enough  re- 
mained unbroken  to  feed  quite  an  army!  Everything  was  on  the  most 
generous  scale !  Francestown  grandly  honored  every  guest  and  grandly 
honored  herself! 

It  is  but  just  to  add  that  the  arrangements  for  Dinner  on  that  day 
were  in  charge  of  Mr.  Albert  L.  Savage,  a  native  of  Francestown,  who 
had  been  a  caterer  in  Boston,  and  was  subsequently  a  merchant  here. 

The  singing  was  under  the  superintendence  of  that  excellent  singer 
and  excellent  man,  the  lamented  Dr.  John  F.  Fitz,  and  was  all  that 
could  be  desired.  This  people  had  had  a  reputation  for  high  musical 
taste,  and  gave  evidence  of  it  on  their  centennial  day.  In  the  church, 
some  ancient  hymns  were  sung  in  the  ancient  way, — "the  staple  of  our 
grandfathers'  music,"  as  it  was  called, — ^and  several  hymns,  all  v-ritten 
for  the  occasion  by  Mrs.  Flora  A.  D.  Atwood,  some  of  which  will  be 
given  below.  Two  "Brass  Bands"  were  in  attendance,  whose  abund- 
ant and  charming  music  added  lax'gely  to  the  life  and  delight  of  the 
day.  The  town  ^engaged  the  services  of  the  Cornet  Band,  of  Pepperell, 
Mass  ,  and  the  Milford  Cornet  Band  came  as  the  escort  of  the  Masons. 

The  exercises  took  place  in  the  church, —  then  the  only  edifice  of 
the  kind  in  town, — and  in  and  around  the  tent  on  the  Common,  though 
it  was  impossible  to  liold  the  long-parted  friends  in  any  particular  spot. 
In  little  groups  here  and  there  all  over  the  village,  and  in  the  old  cem- 
eteries, they  might  have  been  found,  chatting  together,  weeping  to- 
gether, laughing  together,  telling  the  old  stories,  and  narrating  the 
events  of  life  since  the}-  parted!  School  friends  of  days  long  gone  met 
again  and  renewed  the  old  friendships,  and  walked  up  and  down  the 
streets  to  talk  things  over  by  themselves;  and  some,  who  had  been 
mutual  adorers  in  youth,  to  whom  it  was  given  "to  love,  but  not  to 
wed,"  crept  back  into  the  old  Academy  hall,  and  repeated  Avith  digni- 
fied timidity  those  fond,  early  dreams  which  were  never  to  be  realized! 
The  tent,  covering  a  space  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  by  sixty-five 


212  THE    PROCESSIOK.  . 

feet,  stood  about  midwa}'  from  the  old  church  to  the  Acade-my,  was 
tastefully  decorated,  and  four  bright  flags  floated  from  its  ridge.  Inside, 
the  motto  which  met  every  eye,  "Welcome  to  Old  Francestown,"  was 
a  just  expression  of  the  hearts  of  the  people  to  their  guests.  At  the 
church  there  was  an  antiquarian  collection  appropriate  to  the  day, 
which  contril)uted  greatly  to  awaken  the  memories  of  departed  scenes 
in  all  the  aged,  and  inspire  wonder  and  curiosit}'  in  all  the  j'^oung. 

The  military  escort  for  the  Day  was  quite  imposing  for  a  country 
town,  and  the  procession,  notwithstanding  the  rain,  was  described  by 
an  outsider  in  strong  terms  of  praise.  The  dawn  of  the  day  had  been 
announced  by  ringing  of  bells,  and  by  a  "hundred  rounds"  from  that 
ancient  piece  of  ordnance,  the  "Molly  Stark,"  of  Xew  Boston,  a  battle- 
scarred  brass  cannon  captured  from  the  British  at  Bennington.  Lines 
of  flags  stretched  across  the  street  from  house-top  to  house-top  through 
the  whole  length  of  the  village,  making  a  tin(>  appearance,  and  under 
these  the  people  rode  in  ci'owds,  the  jioor  man's  meagre  conveyance, 
the  farmer's  old-fashioned  wagon,  the  dainty  and  shining  carriage  of 
the  rich, — all  pouring  along  together,  and  on  e([ual  terms!  About  10 
A.  M.,  after  greetings  and  hand-shakings,  the  procession  was  formed 
on  the  Common.  The  Lyndboro'  Artillery,  whose  honorable  name  is 
all  the  mention  needed,  was  the  chief  military  company  of  the  day,  and 
led  the  procession,  preceded  by  the  Pepperell  Band.  Then  followed 
the  Lincoln  Kifle  Company,  of  Milford,  escorting  the  Pacific  Lodge  of 
Masons,  and  preceded  by  the  Milford  Band.  Xext  came  two  hundred 
school  children,  under  lead  of  the  Superintending  Committee  of  the 
town  schools,  George  F.  Pettee,  and  carrying  banners  with  various 
inscriptions,  as,  "Links  which  bind  the  Past  to  the  Future,"  "Chips  of 
the  old  block,"  "All  from  Crotched  Mountain,"  "Pioneers  of  the 
Future,"  "Bound  for  the  next  Centennial,"  etc.  The  Francestown 
company  followed,  under  command  of  Capt.  Samuel  Stevens.  This 
company  consisted  of  sixty  men,  enlisted  for  the  occasion,  and  all  its 
officers  bore  military  titles  gained  in  the  past.  Then  came  the  citizens 
and  people  generally,  and  in  the  line  were  carriages,  of  ancient  date, 
and  some  in  which  were  men,  and  women  swingling  flax  or  spinning 
at  the  wheel.  The  whole  was  in  charge  of  the  chief  marshal.  Col.  H. 
P.  Clark,  and  his  aids,  Capt.  Wm.  H,  Hopkins  and  Capt.  John  Morse. 
The  procession,  which  was  very  long,  marched  up  the  sti'eet,  and  re- 
turning, received  at  the  hotel  the  Otticers  of  the  Day,  the  speakers,  and 
invited  guests,  and  escorted  them  to  the  church.  There,  as  soon  as  the 
long  i^rocession  had  entered,  at  the  call  of  Chief-Marshal  Clark,  and 
standing  in  reverent  worship,  all  united  in  singing  the  following  hymn: 

Tune — Old  Hundred. 
Our  Father's  God,  to  Thee  we  raise 
Rejoicingly,  our  songs  of  praise; 
Thank-offerings  full  we  bring  Thee  now, 
And  humbly  at  Thy  footstool  bow. 


THE    WELCOME.  213 

We  feel  Thy  hand  hath  led  us  on, 
In  all  the  way  our  feet  have  gone, 
And  that  Thine  arm  will  still  uphold, 
And  guard  Thy  children,  as  of  old. 

When  on  the  wildh'  threatening  sea 
Came  o'er  our  noble  ancestry. 
Their  barque  in  safety,  then  was  brought, 
To  the  fair  haven  they  had  sought. 

They  rest  in  peace  beneatli  the  sod, 
Their  spirits  dwelling  now  with  God, 
And  we,  who  in  their  places  stand, 
Desire  the  same  protecting  hand. 

As  future  moons  shall  wax  and  wane, 
The  seasons  come,  and  go  again, 
May  pure  religion,  from  God  given. 
Our  souls  allure  from  earth  to  Heaven. 

May  less  of  worldliness  appear 
Among  thy  chosen  people  here. 
And  may  these  homes  forever  be 
Frilled  with  a  God-like  Liberty. 


Col.  (lark  then  announced  the  President  of  the  Day,  Samuel  ]]. 
Hodge,  Esq.,  who  made  a  brief  but  ver}-  happ}'  Address  of  Welcome  to 
stranger  and  friend,  as  follows: 

Fello-w-citizens,  Ladies  and  Gentlcv.cii  : 

We  have  met  here  to-day  to  celebrate  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of 
the  Incorporation  of  this  town.  And  it  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  see  so 
many  of  our  friends  from  abroad  present  with  us  on  this  occasion.  And  in 
behalf  of  the  people  of  this  town.  I  bid  you  all  a  glad  and  cordial  welcome 
to  the  old  home,- — a  spot  dear  to  you  as  the  place  of  birth  or  early  friend- 
ships. Here  let  the  old  neighbors,  and  school  children,  and  Academy  stu- 
dents, meet  again,  after  the  lapse  of  years,  and  let  them  rejoice  together 
to-day.  The  early  settlers  of  this  town  were  men  and  women  of  stern  moral 
and  religious  principle.  Many  of  them  were  learned  and  cultured  people, 
and  they  laid  the  foundations  broad  and  deep  for  a  moral  and  progressive 
religious  community. 

So,  while  we  turn  our  faces  steadily  forward,  we  will  do  honor  to-day  to 
the  fathers  and  mothers  gone,  whose  heroic  endurance  and  noble  principles 
accompl-ished  so  much  for  us. 

At  the  close  of  his  address,  President  Hodge  called  on  Eev.  Charles 
Secomb,  pastor  of  the  Francestown  church,  to  offer  i)rayer,  in  which 
all  seemed  to  join  with  feeling  and  solemnity,  as  if  deepl}'  impressed 
with  the  occasion  and  the  scene.  Then  all  were  called  upon  to  rise 
and  sing  the  following  Hymn  of  Welcome,  wiiich  they  did  with  a  will: 


214  SINGIKG    THE    WELCOME. 

TvNK  —A/nerica. 

Our  Anniversary, 
We  celebrate  to-day. 

With  jov  and  song; 
An  hundred  circling  years, 
With  all  their  hopes  and  fears, 
Their  sunshine,  and  their  tears, 
Have  passed  along. 

From  roof-trees  far  away, 
You've  hastened  here  to-day, 

And  joved  to  come  ; 
We  on  the  threshold  stand. 
And  give  a  friendly  hand 
To  wanderers  from  our  land, 
Who  now  come  home. 

Our  century-plant  appears. 
And  bears  the  fruit  of  years, 

Unfading  flowers ; 
Its  myriad  clustering  leaves, 
Fond  memory's  garland  weaves. 
And  fragrance  rich  receives 
From  by -gone  hours. 

We  lay  its  fairest  bloom 
Upon  the  silent  tomb, 

Where  sleep  our  dead  ; 
Their  hallowed  presence,  dear. 
We  feel  is  with  us  here, 
And  shed  a  loving  tear 

O'er  each  low  bed. 

Our  God,  we  bring  to  Thee 
Thanksgiving  pure  and  free, 

As  here  we  come ; 
Here,  where  our  fathers  came, 
And  worshipped  in  Thy  name. 
And  lit  the  atlar's  flame 

Within  each  home. 

May  this,  our  festal  day, 
But  help  to  pave  the  way 

To  endless  rest ; 
On  that  celestial  shore. 
Where  wait  the  loved  of  yore, 
May  all  be  gathered  o'er, 
Forever  blest. 

The  president  then  introdticed  the  Orator  of  the  Day,  Rev.  Moses 
Bradford  Boardmaii,  at  that  time  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church, 
Brimfield,  Mass.     Mr.  Boardman  is  a  Francestown  boy,  and  grandson 


THE    ORATION.  215 

of  the  first  minister  of  the  town,  and  though  leaving  at  an  early  age, 
he  returned  while  a  young  man  and  taught  five  terms  of  school,  chiefiy 
in  the  village  district.  The  subject  of  his  oration  was,  "The  Elements 
of  our  'New  England  Civilization."  It  was  not  confined  to  our  local 
history,  and  no  abstract  can  be  given,  as  the  manuscript  is  lost;  but  it 
was  an  able  effort,  and  gave  great  satisfaction. 

At  the  close  of  the  oration,  they  sang  an  old  hj-mn  in  the  old  style, 
as  the  fathers  and  mothers  sang  it  when  the  most-aged  ones  present 
were  children.  Then  came  music  by  the  band,  and  then  the  singing 
of  the  Hymn  given  below,  which  was  written  by  Mrs.  Atwood  in  the 
style  of  the  older  piece,  "A  Hundred  Years  to  Come."  All  these 
hymns  were  printed  and  scattered  everywhere  in  the  audience,  and  the 
singing  was  with  much  feeling  and  solemnity. 

A  HUNDRED  YEARS  AGO. 
Tune — A  Hundred  I'ears  to  Come. 

Where  now  are  thev  who  trod  this  wild, 

A  hundred  years  ago; 
For  whom  these  hills  in  beauty  smiled, 

A  hundred  years  ago; 
The  sinewy  arms  that  dealt  each  blow 
To  lay  the  grand  old  forests  low! 
Oh  !  where  is  now  the  beaming  eye, 
That  dimined  with  tears  at  sorrow's  sigh, 

A  hundred  years  ago! 

Where  now  are  they  who  tilled  the  soil, 

A  hundred  years  ago; 
Who  gave  their  hands  to  honest  toil, 

"     A  hundred  years  ago: 
Who  moved  along  with  earnest  heart, 
And  acted  well  a  noble  part, 
And  with  a  fervent,  tireless  zeal, 
They  labored  for  the  future  weal, 

A  hundred  years  ago. 

Where  now  are  they  who  willing  came. 

A  hundred  years  ago, 
To  worship  in  the  Saviour's  name, 

A  hundred  years  ago  ; 
The  hoary  sage,  the  laughing  child, 
The  stalwart  man,  and  matron  mild, 
All  names  and  ages,  far  or  near, 
The  humble  souls  who  gathered  here, 

A  hundred  years  ago. 

All  gone,  where  we  shall  surely  lie, 

A  hundred  years  to  come  ; 
The  busy  world  will  pass  us  by, 

A  hundred  years  to  come; 


216  THE   DINNER. 

Each  hand  and  heart  will  silent  keep. 
Within  the  grave,  a  dreamless  sleep, 
And  others  then  our  streets  will  tread, 
While  we  are  numbered  with  the  dead, 
A  hundred  years  to  come. 

At  this  point,  it  being  past  the  hour  of  noon,  the  procession  was  I's- 
fonned  and  marched  to  the  tent  for  dinner,  and  the  large  company 
filled  to  the  utmost  all  available  space.  As  aforesaid,  the  abundance 
and  attractiveness  of  the  feast  were  such  as  to  projnpt  many  remarks  of 
astonishment  and  commendation,  and  praise  of  Francestown's  hos]iital- 
ity  was  heard  on  every  side.  The  stranger  was  made  to  feel  at  home; 
and  old  friends,  parted  for  many  a  year,  sat  down  together  with  the 
most  evident  manifestations  of  delight.  After  a  long  time  spent  at  the 
tables.  President  Hodge  called  the  assembly  to  order  and  introduced 
the  Toast-Master  of  the  Da}',  George  E.  Downs,  Esqr.,  who,  after  some 
appropriate  remarks,  gave  the  following  sentiment: 

"Our  Fathers  and  Mothers — May  our  memory  of  tln'ir  high-toned 
principles  act  as  a  beacon  light  to  their  children." 

This  was  responded  to  by  liev.  Charles  Secomb  of  Francestown. 
The  Committee  had  thoughtfully  secured  the  services  of  the  noted 
short-hand  rejiorter,  J.  M.  W.  Yerrington,  by  whom  the  speeches, 
which  had  not  been  written,  were  taken  down  on  the  spot.  It  was  in- 
tended to  have  them  incorporated  in  the  Town  History,  and  the  author 
copied  and  arranged  them  therefor,  to  the  extent  of  nearly  a  hundred 
pages.  But,  on  completion  of  the  book,  it  was  found  to  be  so  large  as 
to  require  considerable  curtailment  and  omission.  Hence  these  speeches 
were  of  necessity  struck  out,  — to  the  no  small  regret  of  the  writer. 
For  these  speeches  were  able,  witty,  commemorative,  and  enjoyable. 
That  by  Kev.  Mr.  Secombe  was  certainly  one  of  high  order  every  way. 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Seccombe's  address,  and  after  Music  by  the  Band, 
President  Hodge  introduced  the  Secretary,  George  F.  Pettee,  Esqr., 
wlio  read  the  following  letters,  from  the  Governor  of  New  Hampshire 
Hon.  E.  A.  Straw,  and  ex-Gov.  James  A.  Weston. 

Manchester,  N.  H.,  June  5,  1872. 
Geo.  F.  Pettee,  Esq  ,  Francestown.  N.  H  : 

My  Dear  Sir: — I  duly  received  your  kind  invitation  to  be  present  at  cele- 
bration of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  your  town.  Until  within  a  few 
days  I  had  fully  expected  to  be  with  you  on  the  occasion,  but  I  am  still 
suffering  from  the  effect  of  a  recent  illness,  and  find  it  will  be  imprudent  for 
me  to  attend. 

You  have  m>'  best  wishes,  that  your  gathering  may  be  a  large  and  happy 
one,  and  that  it  will  bring  together  many  of  the  scattered  sons  and  daughters 
of  the  good  old  town.  1  like  the  increased  attention  that  is  now  given  to 
important  anniversaries  like  this,  and  hope  that  it  will  continue.  Such  meet- 
ings are  beneficial  to  all;  they  revive  patriotic  feelings,  and  foster  home 
attachments;    they  bring  out  and  perpetuate   the  memory  of  pleasant  anec- 


LETTERS    AND    SPEECHES.  217 

dotes  and  important,  historical  incidents,  and  they  cultivate  fraternal  feeling 
in  the  whole  community. 

Regretting  my  inability  to  attend,  and  again  renewing  my  best  wishes,  I 
remain 

Yours  very  truly, 

E.  A.  Straw. 

Manchester,  N.  H.,  June  7,  1872. 
My  Dear  Sir: — Your  very  kind  letter  of  the  11th  of  April,  informing  me 
that  "the  citizens  of  Francestown  propose  to  celebrate  the  one  hundredth 
anniversary  of  its  incorporation,  which  occurs  June  8,  1872,"  and  conveying 
an  invitation  to  me  to  be  present  on  that  occasion,  came  duly  to  hand. 

I  have  neglected  to  reply  sooner,  hoping  that  circumstances  would  allow 
me  the  gratification  and  honor  of  meeting  with  your  people,  and  of  uniting 
with  them  in  the  observance  of  a  day  of  so  much  interest;  but  I  am  now 
compelled  to  inform  you  that  this  pleasure  is  denied  me. 

Trusting  that  the  exercises  will  be  interesting  and  profitable,  and  that  the 
God  of  our  fathers  will  add  his  blessing  to  the  occasion, 
I  remain  yours  very  truly, 

James  A.  Weston. 
Geo.  F.  Pettee,  Esq.,  Francestown,  N.  H. 

At  this  point  Toast-Master  Downes  announced  the  next  sentiment 
viz: 

The  Outlook  for  the  Century  to  Come. — -This  was  responded  to  by 
Kev.  Geo,  I.  Bard  of  Dunbarton,  as  follows: 
"Mr.  President  and  Ladies  and  Gentlemen: 

I  exceedingly  like  a  bit  of  fun,  and  the  funniest  thing  I  know  of  today  is 
that  I  should  be  introduced  to  you  as  'the  Rev.  Doctor  Bard!'  The  only 
claim  I  have  to  be  called  a  Doctor  of  Divinity  is  that  I  can  make  about  as 
dull  a  speech  as  any  Doctor  of  Divinity  that  ever  lived !"  And  then  good 
Bro.  Bard  showed  the  contrary  fact  by  going  on  for  a  full  half-hour  with 
one  of  the  keenest,  brightest,  wittiest  speeches  ever  made  in  New 
Hampshire!  It  kept  the  audience  in  the  best  of  moods;  and  tears  and 
laughter  mingled  strangely  together  on  almost  every  face ! 

The  next  Sentiment  announced  was  as  follows: 

"The  Day  we  Celebrate; — like  the  Birth  Day  of  the  Nation,  it  is  never  to 
be  forgotten." 

This  was  responded  to  by  Rev.  F.  G.  Clark,  long  a  teacher  in  the 
Academy,  and  one  of  the  ablest  Principals  the  Academy  ever  had,  and 
until  recently  Pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  the  City  of 
Gloucester,  Mass.  Like  everything  done  by  him,  the  address  of  Mr. 
Clark  was  sound,  thoughtful,  practical,  strong  and  pleasing.    . 

An  announcement  was  then  made  of  a  sentiment  as  follows:' 

"Our  Academy; — with  principles  firm  as  adamant-flint,  and  always  ready 
to  strike  fire,  we  need  not  despair," 


218  LETTERS  AND  SPEECHES.  . 

Responded  to  by  the  Principal,  George  W.  Flint,  A.  M.,  in  a  short, 
apt,  and  sensible  speech. 

At  this  point  the  following  letter  was  read,  from  Dea.  Albert  Gay,  a 
merchant  of  Boston,  a  native  of  Francestown: 

Boston.  June  3d,  1872. 

Gcn/leme/t: — Your  notice  of  the  proposed  Centennial  celebration  of  the 
town  of  Frances-town  on  the  8th  inst.,  was  duly  received.  It  would  give  me 
much  pleasure,  to  visit  my  native  town  on  this  occasion,  but  I  regret  to  say 
that  it  will  not  be  convenient. 

It  has  been  suggested  tliat  this  day  would  be  a  good  time  to  take  the  pre- 
liminary steps  necessarv  to  the  compiling  and  publishing  a  history  of  the 
town.  Some  of  the  neighboring  towns  have  already  put  into  print  very 
interesting  and  valuable  works  of  this  kind,  and  I  am  sure  that  Francestown 
can  find  as  much  material  for  such  a  work  as  any  town  of  its  size  in  Hills- 
boro'  county.  A  book  of  this  kind  would  be  a  credit  to  its  present  inhabitants, 
and  an  honor  to  the  memory  of  the  past;  and  so  impottan*;  a  work,  in  my 
judgment,  should  not  be  neglected.  I  will  contribute  one  hundred  dollars 
towards  defraying  the  expenses  of  such  a  work,  on  such  conditions  as  may 
seem  proper,-  provided  two  thousand  dollars  be  raised  for  the  same  purpose. 

Wishing  you  a  pleasant  re-union,  and  the  old  town  a  happy  new   century, 
I  subscribe  myself. 

Yours  Respectfully, 

Albert  Gav. 

After  the  reading  of  this  letter,  the  Sentiment  "Our  Students,  the 
Stay  and  Hope  of  the  Future; — may  their  Principles  always  be  well 
Hooted,"  was  ably  responded  to  hy  George  Bachelder,  Esq.,  of  Sunder- 
land, Mass. 

The  next  sentiment  was, 

"Music. — One  of  God's  best  gifts  to  men;  soul-stirring,  heart-lifting, 
heaven-inspiring;  without  which  an  occasion  like  this  would  be  monoto- 
nous, life's  pathway  gloomy,  and,  the  prospect  of  heaven  less  delightful !" 

This  was  responded  to  b}-  the  Milford  Band, — after  which  a  ''Choir 
of  Old  Folks"  mounted  the  stage  and  sang  an  old  hymn  and  a  tune  "of 
ye  ancient  times."  They  were  dressed  in  the  costume  of  a  hundred 
years  ago;  and  no  part  of  the  exercises  was  more  pleasing  or  affecting 
than  this. 

Then  followed  music  by  the  Pepperell  Band;  and  then  the  Sentiment 

"The  Ladies  of  Francestown!  May  Heaven  granr  them  blessings  as 
abundant  as  the  eatables  they  have  provided  for  replenishing  the  inner  man  !" 

This  called  up  Henry  H.  Sawyer,  Esqr.,  a  merchant  of  Boston,  who 
paid  the  usual  compliments  to  the  fair  sex  in  excellent  and  appropriate 
words. 

The  Sentiment, 

"Masonry; — the  Handmaid  of  Progress  and  Reform,  ancient  and  endur- 
ing," 

brought  up  the   Hon.   Charles  H.   Burns  of  Wilton,  who  paid  some 
vigorous  "compliments  to  the  craft,"  and  ftiade  a  speech  worthy  of  being 


•-'^SXisn. 


VARIOUS    RESPONSES.  219 

heard,  and  of  being  retained  in  permanent  form.  At  the  close  of  the 
speech  of  Mr.  Bmnis,  the  Master  of  Sentiments  announced  the  follow- 
ing: 

"Francestown. — A  worthy  matron,  time-honored  and  ever  revered  by  vour 
sons  and  daughters — your  wandering  household  have  come  to  greet  you,  and 
to  rejoice  with  you  upon  this  your  centennial  birthday.  May  your  beauty, 
vigor  of  youth,  and  fair  fame,  for  which  you  have  ever  been  distinguished, 
continue  until  3'our  children  shall  all  have  passed  vour  maternal  care,  and, 
ceasing  to  wander,  have  arrived  at  their  heavenly  home." 

This  was  responded  to  liy  Dr.  James  H.  Croml)ie  of  Derry,  who  spent 
his  youth  and  early  manhood  in  Francestown  and  was  a  practicing 
physician  here  about  a  dozen  years.     Dr.  Crombie  began  by  saying: 

"I  am  not  in  the  habit  of  preaching  without  notes,  and  so  I  will  read  what  I 
have  written."  Hence,  the  address  being  already  written,  no  effort  was  made 
to  report  it.  But  now  the  Doctor  is  dead,  and  the  manuscript  is  lost,  and  no 
just  description  of  it  can  be  given.  He  began  by  giving  some  facts  connected 
with  the  early  history  of  the  town  and  the  origin  of  its  name.  He  declared 
that  the  "sanctuary  itself"  was  the  most  accurate  index  of  the  town's  char- 
acter. His  address  abounded  in  "hits  and  reminiscenses,"  be  paid  a  glowing 
tribute  to  "our  friends  who  have  gone," — -and  closed  by  saying,  "Let  us 
reverence  their  names,  cherish  their  virtues,  and  emulate  their  christian 
example." 

The  following  sentiment  was  then  announced: 

Sons  and  daughters  from  Manchester — You  have  done  well,  still  let  "Ex- 
celsior" be  your  motto.  We  extend  to  )'Ou  a  hearty  welcome.  "May  the 
wing  of  friendship  never  shed  a  feather." 

At  this  President  Hodge  rose  and  said:  "I  notice  that  almost  all  of 
our  Manchester  men  are  out  with  their  families  today,  but  perhaps 
some  special  notice  ought  to  be  taken  of  that  one  whose  family  are  not 
able  to  be  out!     Shall  we  hear  from  the  jailer?" 

This  brought  up'  Hon.  A.  G.  Fairbanks,  then  County  Jailer,  and  for 
many  years  since,  County  Commissioner,  who  indulged  in  reminiscences, 
spoke  most  tenderly  of  the  old  town,  and  closed  by  saying,  "•God  bless 
her  memoiy!" 

The  Sentiment: — 

"Our  Soldiers  in  the  late  war!     May  their  memories  ever  be  kept  fresh !" 

was  responded  to  by  George  N.  White,  who  was  an  officer  in  the  Cavalry 
for  three  years  and  "carried  the  scars  of  battle."  His  speech  was  one  of 
the  best  of  the  day  and  touched  every  heart. 

After  the  speech  concerning  the  soldiers  of  Francestown  was  ended 
and  the  apxjlause  had  ceased,  another  regular  sentiment  was  announced: 

The  spirit  of  '7G — man's  rights;  the  spirit  of  the  coming  '7G — woman's 
risrht's. 


220        THE  RESPONSE  OF  GEORGE  F.  PETtEE. 

This  was  responded  to  by  Georije  J).  Epps,  Esqr.  of  Francestown, 
with  excellent  spirit  and  marked  ability.  Now,  after  a  score  of  years, 
this  speech  "reads  well." 

At  this  juncture  the  Chairman  introduced  five  Francestown  boys  by 
the  name  of  Todd,  the  youngest  being  (38  and  the  oldest  84  years  of  age. 
They  stood  together  on  the  platform  and  were  greeted  with  hearty 
applause.  They  were  large,  strong,  stalwart,  clean-looking  men,  well 
representing  the  old  stock  of  the  town.  One  of  them  was  Dea.  Samuel 
Todd,  who  recently  died  in  New  Boston  aged  nearly  ninet}'  years. 

The  next  Sentiment  was  this: 

"Our  Public  Schools !     As  they  were,  and  as  they  are!     May  they  ever  be 
under  Pettee  administration  !" 

And  this  was  responded  to  by  Geo.  F.  Pettee,  Esqr.,  then,  and  for 
many  years  both  before  and  since,  the  Superintending  School  Com- 
mittee of  the  town.  Mr.  Pettee's  speech  Avas  humorous,  and  full  of 
common  sense.  A  large  i)art  of  it  was  put  into  rhyme.  The  closing 
lines  were  as  follows: 

•'Some  forty  years  ago,  or  nigli. 

When  I  was  a  boy,  about  so  iiigh. 

Upon  a  certain  summer  day, 

I  trudged  to  school  a  mile  away. 

At  noon  the  teacher  sent  me  home, 

Said  I  wasn't  big  enough  to  come  ! 

'Twas  Mrs.  Fairbanks  called  Aunt  Roxie, 

And  then  I  had  to  go  by  proxy. 

Then  soon  came  round  old  Granny  Orr, 

And  to  her  I  went — what  for.''     What  for.-' 

To  gather  of  roots  and  herbs  a  mess 

To  put  in  her  old  tea-pot,  I  guess 

For  every  day,  lest  she  sliould  tire, 

She  kept  that  tea-pot  on  tlie  fire, 

And  we  small  urchins,  don't  you  see, 

Had  to  pick  the  stuff  to  make  her  tea ! 

Oh  !  she  was  a  woman  of  stature  great! 

It  would  take  as  many  as  six  or  eight 

Of  the  school-maams  of  the  present  day 

That  solid  one  of  tlie  past  to  outweigh  ! 

— So  now  you  see,  when  I  was  a  lad, 
■  Just  the  privilege  we  never  had ! 

But  if  I  don't  know  A  from  W, 

It's  but  once  in  a  hundred  years  I  trouble  you !" 

Announcement  was  then  made  of  this  sentiment: 

Our  children — May  their  homes  prove  a  nursery  from  which  will  be  selected 
those  whom  we  shall  delight  to  honor. 

To  this  the  Rev.  Moses  Bradford  Boardman,  Orator  of  the  Day,  very 
happily  responded,  with  apt  illustration,  and  with  faithful  appeals  for 
the  careful  training  of  the  young. 


ADJOURNMENT    TO    1972.  221 

And  now,  though  the  hour  was  late,  and  the  long  summer  day  had 
been  chiefly  given  to  speaking,  yet  the  enthusiasm  was  unabated;  and 
the  President  called  to  the  front  Rev.  D.  E.  Adams  of  Wilton,  and  he 
was  greeted  with  glad  applause,  and  made  a  capital  speech. 

The  speaking  now  being  closed,  the  chairman  called  for  the  reading 
of  the  following  letters: 

Bradford,  Vt.,  June  5,  1872. 

Geo.  F.  Pettee,  Esq^, — Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  April  11th,  inviting  me 
in  behalf  of  the  Committee  to  be  in  Francestown  June  Sth.  to  take  a  part  in 
its  Centennial  celebration  as  a  corporate  town,  came  to  me  when  on  the  wing. 
I  have  hoped  I  might  be  present,  and  have  delayed  writing  so  that  I  might 
sajje.f.     With  regret  I  find  it  impossible;  other  engagements  forbid. 

I  thank  you  for  your  kind  invitation.  I  should  love  to  be  one  of  the  crowd 
and  contribute  my  share  of  the  entertainment.  When  I  left  Francestown,  I 
was  a  citizen  in  the  fullest  sense,  having  paid  taxes  and  voted  seven  years. 
I  came  to  Francestown,  the  first  of  March,  1844,  and  was  principal  of  the 
Academy  till  June,  18.51.  Those  seven  years  were  among  the  happy  years  of 
my  life.  I  remember  the  worthy  men  and  women  of  that  period.  Many  of 
whom,  alas!  sleep  with  the  dead.  Their  names  will  be  repeated  and  their 
memories  hallowed  by  those  who  survive. 

Please  give  my  congratulations  and  good  wishes  to  the  gathered  friends. 

Truly  yours, 

Harry  Brickett. 

Hopewell,  April  23,  1872. 
Mr.  Pettee. — Dear  Sir:  I  can  appreciate  your  kindness  in  forwarding  to 
me  the  invitation  of  the  citizens  of  j'our,  as  well  as  my,  native  town,  to  at- 
tend the  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  incorporation  of  Francestown.  I  can 
assure  you  I  would  gladly  comply  with  your  invitation,  were  it  practicable 
for  me  so  to  do.  Were  my  health  such  as  it  was  six  months  ago,  it  would  be 
quite  a  gratification  once  more  to  visit  my  native  town,  and  particularly  on 
such  an  occasion  as  you  mention.  I  need  make  no  further  apology  for  not 
being  with  you  on  the  Sth  of  June  next,  or  taking  any  part  in  the  interesting 
exercises  of  that  occasion,  than  to  state  that  about  six  months  since  I  was  at- 
tacked with  a  disease  which  has  as  yet  been  too  obstinate  tor  any  medicine  to 
conquer.  While  I  endure  but  little  pain  or  sufter  but  little  for  lack  of 
nourishing  food,  yet  while  I  remember  that  I  am  drawing  near  the  close  of 
my  eighty-third  year,  I  have  urgent  reason  for  calling  to  remembrance  that 
the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  My  oldest  brother  and  sister  have 
recently  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth.  Most  of  my  classmates  in  College 
and  a  large  portion  of  my  early  associates  are  gone  hence  to  be  here  no  more, 
and  soon  I  must  expect  the  admonition  will  come  to  me,  "Set  thy  house  in 
order."     My  work  is  probably  nearly  done. 

Much  respect  to  Francestown  friends, 

E.  Everett. 

At  this  point  a  motion  was  made  and  carried  to  adjourn  to  June  8, 
1972,  and  with  music  by  the  band  the  exercises  were  brought  to  a  close. 
The  services  throughout  the  day  were  characterized  by  the  greatest 
harmony  and  good  feeling.     "A  corps  of  police,  with  Elbridge  G.  Bush 


222  POEM    OF    SYLVANtTS    HAYWARD! 

at  its  head,  was  detailed  for  tlie  day,  but  they  found  no  work  to  do." 
There  was  no  accident — no  noise — no  confusion — no  dispute — no  intoxi- 
cation— not  a  circumstance  painful  to  remember.  The  speeches  were 
exceedingly  well  received,  and  nuisic  by  the  bands  was  generously 
interspersed  to  the  great  delight  of  the  young.  It  was  a  great  and 
happy  occasson  for  the  town.  June  S,  1772,  was  a  day  of  hard  struggle 
with  forests  and  rocks,  a  day  of  beginnings  and  self-denials; — June  8, 
1872  was  a  day  of  comfort,  plenty  and  honor!  The  wilderness  had  been 
turned  into  a  fruitful  field!  But  the  founders  of  the  town  were  gone, 
and  it  was  their  grand-children  that  kept  this  Centennial  Festival!  May 
a  worthy  and  godly  posterity  meet  and  take. up  the  adjourned  festivities 
June  8,  11)72! 


The  following  Poem  by  Rev.  Sylvanus  Ilayward  of  South  Berwick, 
Me.,  a  former  Principal  of  Francestown  Academy,  was  received  too  late 
for  use  on  the  Centennial  occasion,  but  is  worth}'  of  a  place  here,  as 
having  the  real  i)oetic  spirit  and  flow: — 

Stands  in  our  path  the  past  to  hide 

An  inward-opening  gate. 
Grim  Sentries  tliere  on  either  side 

Time  and  Oblivion  wait. 

Back  from  tliat  gate  returnetli  none; 

Avails  no  power  of  art. 
Thitlier  are  gatliered,  one  by  one, 

The  treasures  of  the  heart. 

But  when  witli  slow  and  silent  steps 

A  Century  marcties  down, 
We  come  with  blessings  on  our  lips 

His  snowy  liead  to  crown. 

And  while  each  son  and  daughter  brings 

A  leaf  to  deck  his  urn, 
Time  slumbering  folds  his  weary  wings, 

Nor  thinks  his  glass  to  turn.  ■ 

Oblivion  clutching  at  each  word 

Forgets  the  open  door, 
While  Memory  darts  like  swift-winged  bird 

Our  treasures  to  restore. 

And  when  the  sun  with  fading  rays 

Sinks  through  the  burnished  west, 
The  guards  awake  in  blank  amaze. 

Robbed  of  the  spoils  possessed. 

Their  anguished  voice  in  vain  recalls 
Each  shattered  bolt  and  chain; 


THE    SABBATH    EXERCISES.  223 

O'er  rifled  vaults  in  empty  halls 
They  gnash  their  teeth  in  vain. 

For  Alemory  mocks  their  bootless  quest, 

Triumphant  o'er  her  prey, 
Delighted  still,  at  Love's  behest. 

Her  jewels  to  display. 

Exalting  Love  with  gladness  leaps  ; — 

No  more  shall  they  depart;  — 
While  ceaseless  jubilee  she  keeps 

And  locks  them  in  her  heart. 


As  June  8,  1872,  fell  upon  Saturday  and  many  friends  were  expected 
to  stay  over  Sabbath,  arrangements  were  made  for  special  exercises  on 
the  Lord's  Day,  June  9.  There  was  then  but  one  church  in  town,  and 
all  went  together,  and  old  friends  ci'owded  in  to  hear  the  Gospel  where 
they  had  heard  it  in  their  early  days,  altogether  packing  the  large  edifice 
full  to  the  utmost.  The  old  hymns  were  sung  again  as  in  departed 
years.  It  was  a  service  at  which  many  "tears  of  memory  fell"  and 
eternity  seemed  strangely  near!  In  the  forenoon  the  Pastor,  Rev. 
Charles  Secomb  preached  a  sermon  of  marked  tenderness  and  appro- 
priateness, speaking  at  considerable  length  of  the  church, — its  history 
and  work  in  this  place.  In  the  afternoon  a  "concert  of  the  Sabbath- 
School  was  held,  at  which  a  history  of  the  School  from  its  organization 
was  given."  This  Concert  included  several  speeches,  and  much  appro- 
priate singing,  and  unto  many  was  the  most  enjoyable  part  of  the  whole 
occasion,  being  withotit  the  restraint  of  the  more  formal  services.  The 
Superintendent,  Issachar  Dodge,  Esq.,  gave  the  above-named  "History 
of  the  School,"  and  gave  in  connection  therewith  many  affecting  inci- 
dents and  lessons,  which,  however  beautiful,  thei-e  is  not  room  to 
narrate  on  this  page.  But  it  may  be  added  that  many  hearts  were 
touched  by  the  following  "Address  to  the  Past  Century,"  composed  and 
delivered  by  Issachar  Dodge,  Esqr.  Many  will  long  remember  his  ability 
in  speech,  and  his  earnest  and  impressive  manner. 

Roll  on,  ye  Ages,  and  write  down  your  pages; 

Tell  now  the  story  of  the  Past. 
Years  ye  have  numbered,  this  day,  just  one  hundred ; 

We  hail  thee.  Centennial,  at  last! 

Dark  were  thy  footsteps,  and  silent  thy  tread. 

Naught  in  thy  pathway  long  could  stay ; 
Those  who  came  with  thee  now  sleep  with  the  dead ; 

Thy  mandate  has  borne  them  away. 

On  in  thy  pathway,  which  none  can  descry, 
Heeding  not  sorrow,  joy  or  pain  ; 


224  THE    FAREWELL    HYMN. 

Numbers  have  sought  thee,  but  none  could  detain  thee, 
And  thou  never  wilt  come  back  again. 

Roll,  mightj  river,  thy  stream  to  the  ocean; 

Here  thou  canst  never  deign  to  dwell. 
Though  still  we  tarry,  we'll  bow  in  devotion, 

And  bid  thee  a  lasting  farewell. 

Every  part  of  these  concert  exercises  was  specially  adapted  to  the  oc- 
casion; the  mnltitude  seemed  unwilling  to  break  up  and  part:  prayer 
and  exhortation  followed  in  warm  enthusiasm,  as  if  each  realized  that 
such  a  meeting  would  not  come  to  them  again  in  this  world;  and  then 
late  in  the  afternoon,  all  joined  in  singing  this  closing  Hymn,  w^ritten 
by  Mrs.  Flora  A.  D.  Atwood: 

FAREWELL. 

Tune.— ''Auld  Lanff  Syne." 

Farewell !  we  fain  would  pass  it  by, 

This  day  so  full  of  joy. 
But  there  s  no  pleasure  here  on  earth. 

That  mingles  not  alloy. 

Chorus. 

Then  farewell  to  you  now. 

Unchanged  through  time. 
Rich  blessings  we  would  crave  for  friends 

Of  auld  lang  syne. 

We  bid  you  go  to  distant  lands, 

But  oh  !  forget  not  there, 
The  friends  who  gave  you  welcome  home, 

Who  still  will  linger  here. 

Chcrus. 

Bear  with  you,  wheresoe'er  you  go. 

The  memory  of  to-day ; 
And  mav  it  mark,  with  shining  lines, 

A  milestone  on  your  way. 

Chorus. 

We  ne'er  shall  gather  here  again. 

To  celebrate  as  now: 
Death  reaps  his  harvest  year  by  year, 

And  soon  we  all  must  go. 

Chorus. 

But  there  within  the  pearly  gates, 

Where  pavements  golden  glow. 
May  we  all  gather,  there  to  greet. 

The  friends  we  loved  below. 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  225 

Chorus. 

Then  farewell  to  jou  now, 

In  that  blest  time 
Where  Jesus  dwells,  we'll  meet  the  friends, 

Of  auld  lang  sjne. 

In  the  evening  of  the  Sabbath  a  large  Congregation  assembled  to  hear 
a  sermon  to  young  men,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Boardman,  the  Orator  of  the  pre- 
ceding day.  This  effort  has  been  pronounced  "most  excellent  and  able, 
a  worthy  termination  of  all  the  delightful  Centennial  services."  The 
old  were  passing  away;  and  as  the  town  entered  upon  its  new  century, 
what  could  be  more  appropriate  than  a  sermon  to  the  young? 


It  may  be  interesting  to  some  to  know  that  the  expense  of  the  whole 
celebration  to  the  town  was  Iir684.26. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

ECCLESIASTICAL     HISTOIJY. 

At  tl)e //v./' town  meeting- July  2,  1772,  Fiancestowu  voted 
''fiftey  one  })Oun(Is  Lafull  money  for  prejieliing-"  and  other 
charges,  and 

"voted  John  Quigh-  Sanii^  Xutl  Oliver  Holm  Conunity  iik'U  t'oi-  to  git 
preaching  for  the  present  j^ear." 

And  at  a  meeting  Aug.  31  following,  they 

"voted  that  John  Quigly  Shall  Build  ye  meeting  House  Sat  up  ye  frame 
as  Lang  and  as  (rood  as  Lyu  Borough  meeting  House," 

from  which  it  appears  that  a  house  of  worship  was  one  of  the 
first  things  determined  upon.  Thej  voted  this  before  they  laid 
out  a  highway  or  a  burying  ground.  How  far  they  were  able 
to  "git  preaching"  in  1772  cannot  be  fully  stated.  Many  of 
them  were  memljers  of  churches  before  coming  here,  and  counted 
tlieir  religion  dearer  than  life.  They  studied  the  Bible,  and 
knew  it  for  themselves,  and  held  a  faith  intelligently  founded 
on  it.  Every  man,  woman  and  child  in  the  town  felt  an  intense 
hatred  of  Poperj?^,  and  they  were  bound  to  have  a  religion  that 
was  free.  Some  of  them  were  descendants  of  those  who  had 
been  hunted  and  murdered  by  the  Catholics.  And  all,  whether 
Scotch  or  English,  were  of  one  mind  as  to  the  geneial  character 
of  the  religious  institutions  which  they  desired  to  establish  in 
this  town;  for  they  all  feared  God,  loved  the  Bible,  and  hated 
the  Pope.  They  were  too  intelligent  and  too  inde})endent  to 
allow  anj' thing  that  interfered  with  their  religious  convictions; 
and  they  watched  against  the  beginnings  of  all  p0})ish  authority 
as  against  fii-e  in  a  })Owder-house.  It  Mas  a  bold  fearless  piety 
that  began  here. 

The  first  religious  organization  in  town  was  Avithout  doubt 
a  Presbyterian  Church  organized  about  August  1772.  At  that 
time  and  before,  a  majority  of  the  people  were  Scotch  Presby- 


THE    niESBYTEEIAN    CHURCH.  'J.-J.  t 

terians.  and  whatever  else  tliey  might  have,  or  not  have,  tliey 
tcould  have  a  "Sarnion"  as  often  as  possible.  In  some  papers 
prepared  for  the  f^-ancestown  Centennial  Celebration  (1872) 
the  statement  is  made  that  the 

'•tirst  sermon  ever  preached  in  town  was  in  the  fall  of  1775,  in  I)ea. 
Hopkins'  hai-n,  by  Rev.  Mr.  McGregor  of  Londonderry." 

But  this  is  a  very  grave  mistake.  It  was  tlie  first  sermon  in 
that  part  of  the  town  no  doubt  and  this  is  leferred  to  elsewhere 
as  a  notable  meeting;  but  the  town  record  shows  there  had  been 
much  preaching  here  before  that  date.  Two  churches  had  been 
previously  organized  in  town,  and  certainly  not  wdthout  preach- 
ing. The  preaching  was  chiefly  by  Presbyterians  in  those  early 
years,  it  being  natural  for  the  sturdy  families  of  that  faith  to 
turn  to  their  own. 

Such  were  nearly  all  of  those  in  the  -New  Boston  Addition," 
then  the  most  populous  part  of  Francestowii.  Many  of  these 
w^ere  members  of  the  New  Boston  Presb3'terian  Church,  of  wdiicli 
Eev.  Solomon  Moor  w^as  Pastor.  Others  were  children  of  those 
who  were  members  of  his  church.  They  looked  to  him  as  their 
"Pastor  and  Teacher,"  and  were  zealous  adherents  of  the  Presby- 
terian faith.  INIr.  Moor  held  occasional  meetings  here  wdien  this 
was  a  part  of  New  Boston.  He  came  here  on  funeral  occasions, 
and  sometimes  for  the  baptism  of  children.  Occasionally  child- 
ren were  carried  to  the  church  in  New^  Boston  for  baptism. 
The  names  and  dates  cannot  be  given,  as  the  early  recoids  of 
that  church  were  lost:  and  it  is  impossible  to  give  even  the 
date  of  the  form;ition  of  the  New  Boston  Church.  But  in  view 
of  this  fact  it  need  not  be  counted  strange  tliat  no  record  can 
be  found  of  the  formation  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  France.s- 
town.  I  have  not  been  able  to  find  any  reference  in  the  records 
of  the  Presbyteries  to  the  organization  of  churches  either  in 
New  Boston  or  Francestown.  Nor  have  I  been  able  to  find  in 
town  any  subsequent  record  of  the  Presbyterian  church  here. 
In  Antrim  and  New  Boston  the  church  records  w-ere  kept  for 
many  years  on  fly  leaves  and  were  lost;  and  the  same  was  the 
case  in  Francestown.  But  the  effor.t  to  have  a  Presbvterian 
Parisli  here,  made  while  this  w^as  a  part  of  New  Boston,  seems 
to  luive  been  carried  out  at  once,  on  the  incorporation  of  the 
town.     It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  people  then  thought  so 


228  THE    PRESBYTERIAK    CHtJRCU.  " 

little  of  the  im})ortance  of  making  and  preserving  records.  As 
a  consequence  of  this  loss,  we  cannot  give  the  names  of  the 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  Francestown,  except  this 
much,  that  we  know  every  Scotchman  in  the  town  was  either  a 
member  of  that  churcli  or  a  warm  friend  of  it.  Probably  it  had 
forty  members  at  the  start.  The  English  part  of  the  people 
here  called  it  the  "Scotch  Society"  and  the  Scotch  people  called 
the  Congregational  body  the  "English  Society.."  The  record  of 
the  Congregational  churcli  iiulicates  that  there  never  was  much 
bitterness  between  these  bodies  of  christians,  as  the  Congre- 
gational  church  at  one  time 

"voted  that  the  Presbyterian  church  liave  the  Supper  administered  when 
Mr.  How  conies  again  amonirst  us." 

This  is  further  shown  by  the  fact  that  at  a  town  meeting  July  5, 
1773,  convened  for  the  purpose  of  calling  a  minister,  by  common 
consent  this  Article  was  submitted  to  public  vote,  namely, 

"To  see  If  the  town  Will  a  gree  to  Settel  a  nienester  agreabel  to  the 
Presbyterans  Eules  or  to  the  Congregational  rules." 

And  it  was 

"voted  to  Settel  a  minister  a  Cording  to  the  Presbyterans  rules." 

This  being  peacefully  decided  they 

"Voted  to  Give  the  reverend  mr  Bolch  a  Call,"  and  voted  him  a  "Set- 
tlement" of  forty-five  pounds,  and  a  "Yarly  Sallery"  of  forty-two  pounds 
"Lawfull  money." 

Thus  it  seems  to  have  been  settled  that  there  should  be  but  one 
church  and  that  it  should  be  a  Presbyterian  church. 

But  much  to  the  regret  of  all  "Mr.  Balch  [Rev.  William] 
declined  to  settle,  and  the  church  continued  without  a  pastor. 
May  26,  1774,  the  Presbytery  of  Boston  directed 

"Eev.  Mr.  Hutchinson  to  supply  at  discretion  at  Francestown;" 

and  it  seems  probable  that  he  preached  here,  or  sent  candidates 
here,  having  an  oversight  of  the  churcli  for  some  years.  His 
name  occurs  in  records  of  baptisms  as  late  as  1786.  Preaching 
was  enjoyed  a  part  of  each  yeai-,  and  efforts  were  made  to  find 
the  right  man  for  the  place.  But  the  people  here  were  not  able 
to  offer  very  flattering  inducements,  and  "louder  calls"  attracted 
desirable  men,  and  they  were  not  able  to  unite  upon  any  candi- 


VAEIOITS    CALLS    TO    MINISTERS.-  229 

date.  So  it  went  on  nntil,  having  been  here  a  part  of  1779, 
Rev.  Experience  Estabrook  was  called  by  the  town  (May  26, 
1780,)  with  the  understanding  that  he  was  to  be  settled  as  a 
Presbyterian ;  but  he  declined,  and  was  afterwards  settled  in 
Thornton  and  Plainfield.     Oct.  31,  1781  the  town 

"Voted  to  Give  ye  Rev.  Robt.  Annan  a  Call  in  the  work  of  ye  ministry 
in  s^  Town,"  offering  him  a  ^'Settlement"  of  50  pounds,  "and  for  sallary 
seventy  pounds  now  and  as  soon  as  we  have  one  Hundred  Familees 
settled  in  s'^  Town  it  is  to  rise  to  Eighty  poiuids  with  the  Hundred  acres 
now  oned  by  the  Town  allowing  s*^  Robt.  Annan  to  be  our  Menister 
During  his  Abilities  of  Preaching." 

They  then  chose  Samuel  Nutt,  Tliomas  Quigly  and  William 
Quigly  a 

"Committee  to  Present  the  Peticion  to  the  Presl)itt('rv  with  the  Copey 
of  the  votes." 

Mr.  Annan  declined  this  call,  and  after  waiting  several  years 
and  having  various  supplies,  the  town  voted  (June  22,  1789,) 
to  call  Mr.  Nathaniel  How,  offering  larger  inducements ;  but 
this  also  was  declined.  The  Congregational  church  gave  Mr. 
How  a  call  July  1  following.  He  had  been  previously  called 
by  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  the  town  vote  of  June  22 
named  above,  was  to 

"Concur  with  the  Church,  [i.  e.  the  Preshyterian  church]  in  Giving  M"" 
Nathaniel  How  a  Call  to  Sittle  in  the  Gospel  Minestra  in  this  town." 

Probably  these  men  declined  to  settle  because  they  feared  trouble 
between  the  Scotch  church  and  English  clnrrcJi,  which,  how- 
ever, was  happily  averted. 

Late  in  the  year  1789  Mr.  Moses  Bradford  came  to  tliis  ])lace, 
and  preached  a  few  Sabbaths:  and  a  town-meeting  was  held 
Jan.  11,  1790,  to  see  if  the  town  would  vote  him  a  "call  to 
Settel."  Rev.  Lathrop  Taylor  in  the  "New  Hampshire  Churches" 
is  in  error  in  saying  the  town  voted  Mr.  Bradford  a  call  at  this 
meeting  with  but  one  dissenting  vote.  The  vote  of  the  town 
was  to  pass  over  the  article,  but  "to  Hier  M''.  Bradford  fore 
Sabaths  Langer."  Mr.  I'aylor's  error  evidently  arose  from  con- 
sulting the  records  of  his  own  church  without  comparing  them 
with  the  records  of  the  town.  Undoubtedly  it  was  the  Cojigre- 
(fational  rhvrch  that  voted  with  "but  one  in  the  Contrary"  that 


230  •      UNION    OF    THE    CHUTICHKS.     ' 

"David  Lewis  should  put  it  to  vote  to  See  if  the  Town  would  give  M"'. 
Moses  Bradford  a  Call  to  Settle  in  the  Gospel  Ministi-y  Either  a  Presby- 
terian or  Congregational,  to  be  at  his  Option."' 

Perhaps  tliev  felt  tolerably  sure  about  his  preferences;  but  at 
an}"  rate  their  action  seemed  honorable  and  Mas  a  step  in  the 
way  of  uniting  the  two  churches.  Mr.  Bradford  stayed  ^^fore 
Sabaths  Langer."  Meanwhile  it  is  probable  the  Presbyterian 
Church  voted  him  a  call:  at  least  it  is  certain  that  a  majority 
of  them  favored  him.  The  Congregational  Cluirch  voted  him 
a  call  Jan.  26,  1790.  Immediately  then  another  town-meeting 
was  called,  and  the  town  voted  (Feb.  lo,  1790,)  to  invite  Mr. 
Bradford  to  settle  as  their  minister.  It  appears  that  the  two 
chun:hes  on  the  same  day  (Jan.  20)  deliberated  and  acted  upon 
the  call,  and  in  the  most  christian  and  brotheiiy  w^ay,  as  Mr. 
Bradford's  letter  of  acceptance  speaks  of  how  the  "•  CV/itrcA"  has 
'•''United''^  and  ho-w  all  '■-Jiave  united"  in  him  and  '-shown"  him 
great  kindness. 

But  Mr.  Bradfoi'd  decided  to  follow  the  Congregational 
order;  and  the  Presbyterians,  true  to  their  agi'eement,  joined 
in  settling  and  supporting  him.  Yet  he  delayed  a  formal  ac- 
ceptance of  the  call  till  the  two  churches  could  be  actually 
united  in  one.  And  his  work  and  spirit  were  so  excellent  that 
he  was  enabled  to  bring  them  together.  July  6,  1790,  those 
Presbj'terians  who  had  participated  in  calling  Mr.  Bradford  ex- 
pressed by  formal  vote  their  '^desire  to  come  into  full  commun- 
ion"' in  the  Congregational  church,  and  they  were  immediately 
received.  These  constituted  the  main  body  of  the  Presbyterian 
church.  A  few  othei-s,  more  unwilling  to  yield,  had  written  a 
letter  to  Mr.  Bradford,  promising  to  come  in  on  certain  condi- 
tions, which  seem  to  have  been  complied  with  in  full ;  and  they 
too  were  voted  in,  "on  condition  of  their  submitting  to  the 
Church  Covenant."      The  churcli  then 

'•voted  to  have  the  Ordinances  statedly  adniinistered  acx-ording  to  the 
dirrctcry  of  the  Presbyterian  Confession  of  Faith." 

This  compromise  Mas  satisfactory,  and  in  this  M'ay  the  Presby- 
terian ehurcl)  M^as  merged  into  the  Congregational  church  and 
under  the  Congregational  name,  though  the  Presbyterian 
element  and  doctrinal  stability  were  prominent  here  for  more 


THE    CONGE EGATIONAL    CHURCH.  231 

than  a  half-century  after  the  union.  Thus  the  Francestown 
Presbj'terian  Church  ceased  to  exist  Jul}^  1790.  A  few  mem- 
bers went  to  the  church  of  their  order  in  New  Boston  from  which 
the}^  had  come,  and  one  or  two  Presbyterian  families  in  the 
south-west  part  of  the  town  connected  thfemselves  A^'ith  tlie 
Presbyterian  church  in  Peterboro';  but  the  most  went  into  the 
other  church  here  in  pleasant  anticipation  of  being  under  the 
minister  whom  they  themseh'es  had  called,  and  who  was  doc- 
trinally  in  accord  with  them.  The  rest  will  be  given  in  the 
history  of  the  Congregational  church  below.  The  Elders  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  it  appears,  were  James  Fisher,  Robert 
Hopkins  and  probably  Ninian  Cochran.  But  most  of  the  town's 
action  touching  religious  affairs  will  be  given  in  the  history  of 
the  Congregational  church,  ns  that  came  to  be  tlip  r'lun'fli  of  the 
town. 


THI<:    CONGRKOATIOXAL    CHruCH. 

Tlie  second  church  oi'ganization  in  Francestown  was  the  Con- 
gregational church,  organized  Jan.  27,  1773.  There  was  no 
council,  but  Rev.  Samuel  Cotton  of  Litchfield  ami  IJev.  Daniel 
Wilkins  of  Amherst  came  here  b}'  request,  and  having  drawn 
up  a  brief  and  sufficient  covenant,  it  was  signed  by  twelve  men. 
They  then  declared  these  twelve  to  be  a  '■'regular  Church  of 
Our  Lord  Jesus  C'hrist."  These  then  by  vote  received  six 
women,  wives  of  part  of  their  number.     I'hey  then  made 

''choice  of  David  Lewis  ass  their  Modei-ator  &  Clerk  to  take  the  care  of 
their  Church  papers  &  make  all  needful  Records  Until  they  had  the 
Gospel  Settled  amonu'  theui." 

But  no  Book  of  records  was  ke})t  until  the  union  of  the  two 
churches,  and  the  first  entry  was  b}^  the  hand  of  Rev.  Moses 
Bradford  Jan.  28,  1791.  Before  his  coming  here  the  record 
was  exceedingl}-  luief,  and  wliat  there  remains  was  copied  from 
loose  papers.  TJiose  papers,  like  those  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  were  lost  long  ago.     The  original  members  were: 

William  Ikitterlield  &  Rebecca,  his  wife. 
William  Starrett  &  Abigail  "       " 

Nathan  Fisher  &  Esther  "       " 


232  NAMES    OF    OIMGINAL    MEMBERS. 

Zechariali  Whiting  tS:  Desire,  his  wife 

Oliver  Holmes  &  Bethia  ''     '^ 

Moses  Lewis 

Isaac  Lewis 

David  Lewis 

Samuel  Dickerman  iS;  ]5alhshel)a,  his  wife. 

Asa  Lewis 

Benjamin  Sleeper 

Nathaniel  Sleeper. 

Until  after  the  close  of  the  pastorate  of  INIr.  Bradford  the 
town  and  the  church  were  united  in  their  action  in  religions 
matters.  The  town  in  its  regular  public  meeting  called  the 
minister,  and  fixed  his  salary ;  and  he  was  paid  out  of  the  town 
treasury  like  any  town  ofhcer.  Often  the  toivn  would  "call"  a 
minister  before  the  church  had  taken  any  action ;  but  sometimes 
the  church  would  act  first  and  the  town  would  "concur."  In 
the  case  of  Mr.  How,  named  above,  the  Presbyterian  church 
gave  him  a  call ;  then  a  town-meeting  was  called  and  the  town 
voted  to  "concur  with  the  church;"  and  then  two  weeks  later, 
the  Congregational  church  gave  him  a  call,  so  that  all  were 
united  in  him.  Tiie  town  and  the  church  thus  acting  together 
for  years,  there  will  necessarily  be  some  repetition  here  of  things 
previously  stated  in  the  regular  history  of  the  town.  At  their 
first  town  meeting  (July  2,  1772,)  they 

"•voted  that  James  fishers  Shall  Be  the  Place  for  preaching  for  the  furst 
three  munths." 

The  meetings  were  held  in  barns  in  warm  weather  and  in  private 
houses  in  cold  ■weather  until  the  meeting-house  was  ready  for 
use.  These  meetings  were  generally  union  meetings,  and  this 
prepared  the  way  for  the  union  of  the  two  churches,  as  they 
found  there  was  practically  but  little  difference  between  tliem. 
Aug.  31,  1772,  the  town  voted  that  after  the  above  "tlu-ee 
munths"  w^ere  past, 

'■•ye  pepoel  in  the  North  Side  of  ye  town  Shall  Have  their  Equal  parts 
of  preaching." 

Hence  meetings  were  held  occasionally  among  the  scattered 
families  of  the  north  part  of  the  town,  these  oftenest  occurring 
at  the  house  of  Dea.  Robert  Hopkins,  now  known  as  the  "Gib- 
son Place."     As  the  Scotcli  were  most  numerous  in  town  these 


RELIGIOUS    MEETINGS.  233 

meetings  were  largely  under  charge  of  Presbyterian  ministers, 
Rev.  William  Davidson  and  Rev.  William  Morrison  of  London- 
derry, and  Rev.  John  Houston  of  Bedford  occasionally  making 
their  long  journeys  hither  on  horse-back  through  the  forests  for 
this  purpose.  The  records  hint  that  Rev.  David  Annan  of  Peter- 
boro'  occasionally  preached  here  both  before  and  after  the  call  of 
his  brother  in  1781.  But  Rev.  Solomon  Moor  of  New  Boston  was 
here  more  tlian  all  the  rest.  A  few  times  the  Rev.  Sewall  Good- 
ridge  of  Lyndeboro'  is  believed  to  have  held  meetings  here  as  he 
"baptised  100  children  of  the  English  Society."  Dr.  Whiton  of 
Antrim  speaks  of  a  meeting  of  great  interest  which  took  place 
at  the  barn  of  Dea.  Robert  Hopkins  in  Oct.  1775,  to  which 
several  sons  and  daughters  of  Antrim  were  brought  for  baptism 
and  at  which  Rev.  David  McGregor,  Pastor  of  the  Presbj^terian 
Church  Londonderry,  preached  with  great  power.  These  ham 
meetmijs  were  quite  romantic  and  had  many  pleasant  features. 
The  women  were  provided  with  various  rough  seats  in  the  centre 
of  the  floor, — the  men  sat  on  stones  or  blocks  of  wood,  or  leaned 
against  the  hay-mow,  while  the  small  boys  got  in  as  best  they 
could,  on  top  of  the  ha}^  and  on  the  beams  above !  They  were 
clothed  in  homespun  garments,  most  of  them  barefooted,  poor, 
unadorned  and  liumble  toilers,  but  they  all,  young  and  old, 
listened  with  reverent  attention  to  the  words  of  life,  and  most 
lovingly  and  becomingly  they  worshiped  Him  who  was  born  in 
a  manger  "where  the  horned  oxen  fed!" 

In  those  early  days  the  religious  privileges  of  these  scattered 
people  were  small  and  few.  The  meeting-house  was  contracted 
for  in  Aug.  1772,  but  it  was  not  completed  till  fifteen  years  had 
elapsed.  The  war  of  the  Revolution  kept  everything  back,  and 
the  people  were  poor  and  worn  with  toil.  Yet  they  enjoyed 
intensely  what  religious  privileges  they  had,  and  felt  an  appre- 
ciation of  these  things  almost  impossible  to  be  understood  at 
the  present  day.  I  might  quote  my  own  words  in  saying  of 
them,  that  they 

"taught  their  children  at  home  concerning  religious  things.  The  Bible 
and  the  Shorter  Catechism  were  the  chief  literature  in  every,  house. 
They  kept  the  Sabbath  with  great  reverence.  Nobody  could  even  walk 
the  rough  paths  cut  through  the  forests  without  being  liable  to  be  called 
in  question  for  violating  the  sanctity  of  the  Lord's  Day.     Having  no 


234  FIRST    CHOICE    OF    DEACONS. 

trash  to  read,  or  for  their  children  to  read,  they  studied  over  aijd  over 
the  Holy  Book,  and  came  to  I'noir  its  great  doctrines  and  consequentl}^  to 
hold  them  with  most  vigorous  tenacity." 

The  Church,  having  been  organized  Jan.  27th  with  moderator 
and  clerk,  held  a  meeting  Mar.  8 — and 

"made  choice  of  David  Lewis  &  William  Starrett  to  Sei've  the  Table." 

The  Saci'ament  was  first  administered  to  the  Congregational 
Church  in  Francestown  May  9,  1773,  by  Rev.  Daniel  Emerson 
of  Hollis.  The  early  additions  to  the  church  were  said  to  "enter 
the  Covenant."  Those  who  were  here,  but  not  members  here, 
were  by  vote  admitted  to  "occasional  Communion  in  tliis  church." 
One  quaint  entrance  reads,  "Ester  Jones  got  lierself  baptized." 
From  1773  to  1780  various  candidates  sup[)lied  in  town,  and 
much  of  the  time  all  ^vent  together,  the  Presbyterians  leading 
the  way,  as  indicated  in  the  narrative  of  that  church.  When 
all  united  in  calling  Rev.  Experience  Estabrooks  (1780,)  the 
Town  offered  hini 

"for  a  Settlement  one  Hundred  Acres  of  Good  Land  as  near  to  the 
Meeting  House  as  can  convenientl}'  be  purcliased  also  fifty  pounds  in 
rye  at  four  Shillings  per  Bushel  or  Indian  at  three  or  Labour  or  Money 
E  qivalent  —  and  for  a  Salary  sixty  pounds  per  An- 
num [to  be  increased  to  eighty  when  there  should  be  12.5  families  in 
town]  during  his  ministry'  in  said  Town  Eye  and  Indian  as  above  Beef 
2  1-2  pence  Butter  8  i3ence  Pork  4  pence." 

It  must  be  admitted  that  this  was  a  generous  offer  for  the 
times.  And  though  he  declined  it,  the  town  went  on  to  pro- 
cure a  farm  for  their  minister,  whoever  he  might  be,  and  voted 
(Dec.  25,  1780,) 

"to  accept  of  Lot  Xo.  2  in  the  Odiorne  Eight  for  a  ministerial  Lot." 

The  circumstances  of  calling  Rev.  Robert  Annan,  and  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Howe,  and  also  of  calling  Rev.  Moses  Bradford  and 
the  compromise  and  union  of  the  two  churches,  have  been  given 
in  the  History  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  above.  And  when 
by  great  wisdom  and  noble  Christian  spirit  all  round  this  most 
desirable  result  had  been  reached,  Mr.  Bradford  sent  to  them 
the  following  letter; 


ME.  Bradford's  AccE^TAisrcE.  235 

Francestown  Aug.  1,  1790. 
Respected  Fathers  and  beloved  Brethren: 
After  returning  heart}"  thanks  to  God,  the  Giver  of  every  natural  and 
spiritual  endoWmeut,  I  would  express  my  grateful  feelings  to  the  people 
for  every  mark  of  attention  &  expression  of  Friendship  shown  me. 
Whereas  the  Church  has  united  in  giving  me  a  Call  to  Settle  in  the  work 
of  the  Gospel  Ministry  *  &  Whereas  the  Congregation  in  this  town  have 
concurred  with  the  proceedings  of  the  Church  *  &  as  you  have  been  im- 
patiently waiting,  sometime  for  my  Answer — I  would  now  release  your 
mind  by  Answering  your  Call.  Men  &  Brethren,  I  have  taken  your 
Call  into  sereous  &  deliberate  consideration.  And  find  some  things  agree- 
able &  something  not  so  agreeable  as  to  the  situation  I  shall  be  in, 
provided  I  answer  in  the  affirmative.  On  the  one  hand,  it  is  not  so 
agreeable  to  Sittle  in  a  place  so  newly  sittled  as  this  is  &  among  a  people 
who  have  so  great  a  diversity  of  sentiments,  variety  of  customs  &  moods 
&  difference  of  Education  among  them  as  you  have  heretofore  had — at 
a  place  so  removed  from  my  dear  friends  and  acquaintance  &  so  little 
able  to  support  the  Gospel  in  a  stated  manner — on  the  other,  It  is  an  agree- 
able Consideration  that  discord  and  annimosity  have  so  far  subsided  that 
you  have  generally  United  in  me, — And  have  so  condesended  to  one  an- 
other as  to  be  United  among  yourselves  in  matters  the  most  importantly 
requisite  for  the  peace  of  society  &  the  happiness  of  a  j^eople — hoping 
your  future  Conduct  will  comport  with  your  late  Unanimous  proceeding, 
feeling  the  pressing  necessity  of  your  having  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel 
settled  among  you  Though  I  am  in  some  degree  sensible  of  my  insuffi- 
ciency for  the  great  &  arduous  work  unto  which  j-ou  have  called  me;  yet 
encouraged  by  that  glorious  &  gracious  promise  of  our  Lord,  "Lo!  I  am 
with  you  alway  even  unto  the  end  of  the  Avorld" — trusting  therefore  in 
the  divine  aid  I  am  induced  to  declare — My  Cordial  Accejitance  of  Your 
Call  to  the  ministerial  Work  among  you  &  likewise  my  Approbation  of 
your  proposals  for  my  support.  [Here  he  puts  in  conditions,  that  he 
have  3  or  4  sabbaths  vacation,  that  the  town  be  surety  for  his  farm,  and 
that  the  town  draw  up  his  wood, — whidi  conditions  the  town  accepted 
by  public  vote.]  And  now  I  conclude  by  requesting  your  hearty  &  con- 
stant prayers  to  Almighty  God  for  me  that  I  may  enjoy  peace  &  comfort 
&  be  a  happy  Instrument  of  Comforting  the  Saints  &  convincing  the  sin- 
ners among  you  that  we  may  so  live  together  in  this  world  as  finally  to 
meet  in  the  World  of  jDeace  beyond  the  Grave.  Men  and  Brethren,  I 
am  with  all  humility  &  due  respects  your  friend  &  humble  Sarvant  in  the 
Lord. 

Moses  Bradford 

The  way  being  now  clear,  the  church  and  town  united  on 
Sept.  8,  1790,  as  the  day  for  Mr.  Bradford's  ordination.  The 
Council  was  composed  of  "nine  Persons"  as  follows:  Rev. 
Solomon    Moor  of    New    Boston,   Rev.  Ebenezer  Bradford  of 


236  SETTLEMENT    OF    ME.    BRADKOED. 

Rowle}^  Mass.,  Rev.  Sewall  Goodridge  of  Lyndeboro',  Rev." Elijah 
Parish  of  Byfield,  Mass.,  Rev.  Abel  Fisk  of  Wilton,  Rev.  John 
Bruce  of  Amherst  North  Parish,  Rev.  Jonathan  Barnes  of  Hills- 
boro'.  Rev.  Noah  Miles  of  Temple,  Rev.  Stephen  Farrar  of  New 
Ipswicli.  Of  this  Council  Mr.  Moor  was  chosen  Moderator, 
and  Mr.  Fisk,  Clerk.  The  Ordination-Sermon  Avas  preached  by 
Rev.  Ebenezer  Bradford  father  of  the  Candidate ;  Mr.  Moor 
"gave  the  Charge;"  Mr.  Parish  offered  the  ordaining  prayer; 
and  Mr.  Goodridge  '^gave  the  right  hand  of  Fellowship." 

Thus  the  first  minister  was  settled  in  Francestown.  It  was 
a  great  day  for  this  people.  They  had  waited  for  it  in  hope  and 
prayer,  and  were  filled  with  delight  at  its  happy  consummation  I 

By  the  terms  of  the  union  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Congre- 
gational Churches  (July  6,  1790,)  four  new  deacons  were  to  be 
chosen  by  the  united  church,  the  old  officers  of  both  churches 
withdrawing.  The  Gazetteer  of  1817,  and  other  and  more 
recent  statements  tell  us  that  the  Presbyterians  joined  the  Con- 
gregationalists  in  1792.  But  this  is  wrong  in  two  points;  for 
neither  church  joined  the  other,  since  both  put  themselves  at 
the  "option"  of  Mr.  Bradford  whom  both  churches  called,  and 
since  the  union  was  accomplished  in  1790,  preparatory  to  his 
settlement.  In  order  to  carry  out  as  soon  as  possible  their 
agreement,  the  new  church  held  a  meeting  (Sept.  22,  1790,) 
and  elected  David  Lewis,  David  Starrett,  William  Starrett  and 
Nathaniel  Boyd,  deacons.  Oct.  20,  following,  David  Starrett 
and  Nathaniel  Boyd  were  excused  from  serving,  and  James 
Fisher  and  Isaac  Lewis  were  chosen  in  their  stead.  But 
James  Fisher  did  not  accept,  and  at  a  meeting  May  10,  1792, 
John  Dickey  was  chosen  in  his  place ;  and  Dickey  not  accept- 
ing John  Smith  was  chosen  the  same  day.  Half  of  those  elected 
had  been  Presbyterians,  and  all  of  them  were  excellent  men. 
Yet  perhaps  there  were  some  wounded  feelings  somewhere,  as 
Isaac  Lewis,  who  had  accepted  and  served  one  year  immediately 
on  the  election  of  Smith,  asked  to  be  excused  from  further  service, 
and  the  church  "voted  to  release  or  dismiss  Mr.  Isaac  Lewis 
from  serving  this  Church  as  Deacon,"  and  chose  Jonathan  Fisk 
to  the  place.  Thus  the  "Session,"  as  they  called  it,  keeping 
the  Presbyterian  name,  consisted  wdien  complete,  of  the  Pastor, 


EEKEWING    THE    COVENANT.  237 

and  deacons,  David  Lewis,  William  Starrett,  John  Smith,  and 
Jonathan  Fisk. 

A  great  meeting  was  held  May  24,  1792,  "for  the  purpose  of 
renewing  the  covenant  &  to  subscribe  the  same."  The  day  was 
kept  with  strictness  as  a  "Day  of  fasting,'*  and  in  the  afternoon 
Mr.  Bradford  preached  from  Deut.  29:9.  Then  148  persons 
members  of  the  church  (71  males  and  77  females)  came  for- 
ward and  "signed  the  covenant."  This  meeting  was  very 
impressive  and  the  result  salutary,  the  church  being  quickened, 
and  many  conversions  following. 

In  the  summer  of  1795  Deacon  Fisk,  much  to  the  regret  of 
all  moved  from  town;  and  (Oct.  27,  1796,)  the  church  elected 
Elias  Fairbanks  to  take  his  place.  June  21, 1810,  David  Lewis 
resigned  the  office  of  deacon,  and  the  church  passed  resolutions 
thanking  him  for  "his  long  and  faithful  services,"  stating  that 
he  had  "sustained  the  Office  of  Deacon  20  years  nearly  in  the 
United  Church,"  besides  serving  as  "Deacon  and  keeper  of  its 
papers"  neaily  eighteen  years  in  the  Congregational  Church 
before  the  union, — making  a  service  of  more  than  thirty-seven 
years  in  the  whole.  Aug.  2,  1810,  Nathan  Savage  was  chosen 
in  his  place. 

The  church  had  no  "Confession  of  Faith"  till  1811,  wlien  one 
was  adopted  "at  the  church  fast  on  the  4  of  April."  This  Con- 
fession of  I^'aith  was  understood  to  have  been  prepared  by  Mr. 
Bradford  himself,  though  Dea.  Nathan  Savage  and  Dea  John 
Smith  were  with  him  on  the  committee  appointed  by  the  church 
to  do  the  work.  ,  The  Confession  is  very  full,  consisting  of 
thirty-three  articles,  and  was  pi'onounced  by  high  authority  to 
be  "very  able  and  scriptural."  It  was  stoutly  Calvinistic,  and 
remained  unchanged  till  1874.  On  the  29th  of  Nov.  1811,  this 
Confession  was  confii'med  by  a  series  of  eight  most  emphatic 
resolutions,  one  of  which  was,  that  the  old  Covenant,  the  Con- 
fession of  Faith  and  the  "resolves  and  regulations"  should 
annually  be  read  to  the  church  ami  Congregation;  and  another 
of  which  was  that  for  all  coming  years 

"every  person  who  shall  accept  a  Call"  to  the  ministry  in  this  church 
■   "shall,  before  his  Ordination,  make  a  public  declaration  of  his  submis- 
sion to  the  Covenant  of  this  church  &  of  his  consent  to  our  confession 
of  faith,  and  also  solemnly  promise  *  *  that  he  will  maintain  and  incul- 


238  MUSICAL    INSTRUMENTS.. 

cate  the  Christian  faith  as  expressed  in  our  Creed  *  *  and  in  opposition 
not  only  to  Atheists  &  Infidels,  but  to  Jews,  Papists,  Mohammedans, 
Arians,  Pelagians,  Antinomians,  Arminians,  Socinians,  Sabellians, Uni- 
tarians &  T^niversalists;  and  to  all  hereses  and  errors  ancient  or 
modern  *  *." 

Surely  this  was  strong  enough;  and  as  the  Confession  and 
Resolutions  of  1811  continued  unchanged  for  more  than  sixty 
years,  there  was  ample  reason  for  the  statement  made  in  the 
"■Histor}^  of  the  New  Hampsliire  Churches"  by  Rev.  Lathrop 
Taylor  (1855)  that  this 

"church  from  the  beginning  has  held  fast  the  form  of  sound  doctrine  as 
contained  in  the  Assembly's  Catechism." 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  some  to  read  a  few  words  here  con- 
cerning the  introduction  of  instruments  into  public  worship. 
In  the  regular  narrative  of  the  events  of  the  town  for  the  year 
1805  it  has  been  stated  how  the  matter  was  brought  up  in  the 
annual  March  meeting  and  instruments  voted  in  ;  and  how,  then, 
as  though  something  dreadful  had  been  done,  the  vote  was 
rescinded  before  night.  But  the  advocates  of  instruments 
brought  the  matter  before  the  cliurch  Apr.  4  following,  and  after 
discussion  it  was  voted 

"hiwful  to  use  some  kind  of  instrumental  music  *  in  the  public  worship 
on  the  sabbath." 

But  apparently  the  singers  were  a  little  incensed,  and  would 
not  move  without  being  urged,  (were  ever  singers  known  to  be 
sensitive  or  tempery  before  or  since?),  and  hence  another  step 
had  to  be  taken,  which  took  this  form: 

"Is  it  expedient  to  iiirite  the  Singing  Society  *  *  to  use  on  the  Sal)bath 
One  or  two  Base  Viols?" 

which  question  was 

"answered  in  the  affirmative  by  a  considerable  majority  of  the  active 
members  present." 

The  standing  '•'•committee  to  regulate  the  singing  (Rev.  Moses 
Bradford,  Dea.  William  Starrett,  Eleazer  Everett,  Thomas  Bixby 
and  Ninian  Cochran)  Avas  '^authorized"  to  extend  the  invitation. 
But  it  was  a  long  time  before  the  opposition  to  instruments  was 
entirely  gone. 


REVIVAL  (W  1811.  239 

March  13,  1804,  an  article  was  in  the  Town  warrant  to  see 
if  the  "town"  would  permit  any  one  to  "alter  the  Elder  Seat" 
—  which  was  promptly  answered  in  the  negative.  This,  (keep- 
ing the  Presbyterian  name)  was  a  special  pew  reserved  near  the 
pnlpit  for  the  deacons  (or  elders,  as  they  called  them)  of  the 
church.  It  was  a  post  of  honor  for  them,  and  it  was  conveni- 
ent for  the  minister  to  have  them  near.  It  seemed  ns  though 
they  were  there  to  "stay  up  his  hands."  The  idea  has  been 
retained  in  modern  days  in  reserving  some  of  the  front  seats  for 
the  aged,  as  favoring  their  hearing;  and  some  have  even  dared 
to  sug-o'est  that  tlie  nearness  of  the  "Elder  Seat"  to  the  desk 
was  not  so  much  to  exalt  the  deacons  on  account  of  their  office, 
but  because  tliey  were  old  men  hard  of  hearing,  and  that  there- 
fore deacons  ought  always  to  be  old  men ! 

On  the  day  of  the  adoption  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  (Apr. 
4,  1811,)  tlie  meeting  was  large  and  solemn.  Rev.  E.  P.  Brad- 
ford of  New  Boston  (Presbj^terian)  preached  from  Is.  44:5. 
Both  text  and  sermon  were  most  appropriate.  A  quiet  and 
deepening  work  of  grace  seemed  to  begin  with  their  awakened 
feelings.  94  persons  came  forward  on  the  spot  and  "sub- 
scribed" to  the  Confession,  and  24  others  soon  followed  tlieir 
example.  For  more  than  two  years  there  Avas  an  unusual 
interest.  79  persons, united  with  the  church  in  1812,  and  28  in 
1813. 

Aug.  27,  1810,  the  town  voted  to  pay  Mr.  Biadford  $60  on 
account  of  vacation  sabbaths  not  taken  by  him, — which  is  sug- 
gestive of  the  patient,  persistent  hard  work  of  the  Pastor,  and 
of  the  appreciation  and  honesty  of  the  people. 

At  the  March  meeting  of  1814  the  town  voted  to  add  $100  to 
Mr.  Bradford's  Salary, — which,  coming  after  a  service  of  twenty- 
four  years,  must  have  been  a  mark  of  confidence  specially 
pleasing  to  him.  A  similar  addition  was  also  voted  by  the  town 
March  1818.  On  the  14th  of  May  1818  the  church  elected 
Bucknam  Fairbanks  deacon  to  succeed  Elias  Fairbanks  deceased. 
June  21,  1821,  Willard  Everett  was  chosen  deacon  in  place  of 
John  Smith,  resigned  on  account  of  old  age.  Aug.  2,  1821, 
Jabez  Holmes,  Jr.,  was  appointed  deacon  in  place  of  William 
Starrett  resigned  on  account  of  old  asfe.  The  church  voted 
resolutions  of  thanks  to  these  "aged  Dismissed  Deacons." 


240        FORMATION    OF    THE    (^ONGEEGATIONAL    SOCIETY. 

About  the  sirring  of  1825  some  difficulties  arose  on,  account 
of  the  apparent  decay  of  the  pastor's  mental  power.  Mr.  Brad- 
ford had  been  a  strong  man,  and  hard  worker,  following  out 
every  question  with  most  painstaking  investigation,  and  per- 
haps not  sufficiently  favoring  himself.  As  years  crept  upon 
him,  his  mind  weakened  under  the  pressure,  and  he  became  dull 
and  repetitious.  He  w^as  prematurely  old.  Hence  more  and 
more  the  dissatisfaction  grew,  and  many  talked  loudly  of  refus- 
ing him  further  mojiey  from  the  town.'  The  Legislature  had 
l^assed  the  ^^Toleration  Act"  (July  1,  1819,)  setting  all  persons 
free  from  compulsory  taxation  for  the  support  of  any  minister. 
But  this  town  had  settled  Mr.  Bradford  for  life ;  and  as  he  had 
no  enemies  and  had  been  a  faithful  servant,  few  if  any,  took 
advantage  of  the  new  law  for  several  years.  In  the  eaily  days? 
however,  of  the  year  182G  opposition  manifested  itself  openly. 
"•The  First  Calvinistic  Congregational  Society"  was  formed, 
consisting  of  63  men,  man}"  of  them  j^oung  men,  and  a  large 
part  of  them  outside  of  the  churcli;  and  on  the  31st  of  March 
they  in  a  body  "protested  against  being  taxed"  for  Mr.  Brad- 
ford's support.  On  the  ground  of  different  religious  opinions," 
which  being  interpreted  (means  at  least  in  other  towns)  an  ex- 
cuse for  not  doing  anything.  28  other  men  entered  the  same 
protest  on  the  town  record. 

The  case  was  growing  serious,  and  a  town  meeting  was  held 
Apr.  28,  1826, 

"to  sue  if  the  Town  would  settle  a  colleague  with  or  successor  to  the 
Eev.  Moses  Bradford," 

and  devise  measures  for  the  "tranquility"  of  the  town.  The}' 
voted  at  this  meeting  to  continue  the  Pastor's  salary  till  Sept. 
8,  and  to  "hire  temporary  supplies  of  ministerial  services." 
Aug.  28,  1826,  in  })ublic  town-meeting  the  town 

"voted  that  the  First  Calvinistic  Congregatioual  Society  in  Francestown 
have  the  use  of  the  Meeting-house  for  public  worship  four  months  from 
the  8th  of  September  next," 

— which  shows  their  conviction  that  the  work  of  tlieir  old  pastor 
was  done.  Another  town  meeting  was  held  Oct.  13,  following, 
the  chief  outcome  of  which  w^as  the  appointment  of  a  committee 
to  see  on  what  terms  Mr.  Bradford-  would  relinquish  his  con- 


c.^xY^^^i/'S^^X  U^-^ccy^^Cc<^^>^^:^ , 


END    OF    ME.    BEADFORD's    PASTOEATE.  241 

tract  with  the  town.  He  replied  that  terms  of  relinquishment 
should  l)e  pro})Osed  by  them,  and  not  by  him;  and  stated  his 
conviction  that  it  would  be  "for  the  interest  of  the  town  and 
the  peace  of  the  church"  to  settle  a  colleague  and  let  him  retain 
his  pastoral  relation  and  salary.  And  the  old  pastor  was  right, 
notwithstanding  he  had  committed  the  dreadful  sin  of  growing 
old.  But  at  the  adjourned  town-meeting  (Oct.  27)  they  ignored 
the  pastor's  suggestion,  and  chose  a  Committee  of  21  men 
(Titus  Brown,  chairman)  to  report  wdiat  ought  to  be  given  Mr. 
Bradford  to  vacate.  A  second  adjournment  was  then  made  to 
Nov.  17,  at  which  time  the  committee  reported  that  the  town 
should  give  Mr.  Bradford  -$1000.  This  was  adopted  by  tlie 
town,  and  offered  and  accepted;  an  da  mutual  council  was  called 
to  meet  Dec.  27th  and  carry  this  agreement  into  effect.  The 
council  decided  that  the  pastorate  cease  Jan.  1,  1827.  It  will 
be  noticed  as  seeming  strange  to  us  that  the  town  arranged  for 
the  council,  and  that  all  these  proceedings  are  spread  upon  the 
toum  record  but  do  not  appear  at  all  upon  the  records  of  the 
church. 

But  with  Mr.  Bradford's  pastorate  there  was  an  end  of  all 
action  of  the  toirn  in  settling  and  supporting  ministers.  In 
1827  the  "Society"  aiul  the  church  "concurred"  in  calling  Mr. 
Austin  Richards  of  Plainfield,  Mass.,  and  he  was  ordained  and 
settled  as  pastor  here  Nov.  7,  1827.  His  settlement  was  soon 
folioAved  by  gracious  revivals,  and  the  next  year  122  persons 
came  into  tlie  church  on  confession  of  faith;  in  1831,  62  per- 
sons; and  in  1832,  43  persons.  In  liis  pastorate  of  eight  and 
one-half  years  320  persons  united  with  the  church.  But  as 
prosperity  increased,  serious  difficulties  arose  in  the  church,  to 
the  bitter  trial  of  the  pastor;  and  a  call  coming  to  him  from  the 
Olive  St.  Church,  Nashua,  (now  Pilgrim  Church,)  he  accepted 
the  same  and  resigned  here  Feb.  17,  1836,  and  was  dismissed 
by  Council  Mar.  10,  [Dr.  Richai'ds  was  installed  pastor  of  Olive 
St.  Church,  Nashua,  Apr.  6,  1836,  and  dismissed  from  the  same 
Nov.  16,  1866.]  Rev.  Nathaniel  S.  Folsom  was  installed  here 
as  his  successor  Oct.  12,  1836.  On  receiving  a  call  to  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  he  resigned  July  27,  1838,  and  was  dismissed  Aug- 
21  following.  Rev.  James  R.  Davenport  was  the  next  pastor. 
He  was  installed  May  15,  1839,  and  dismissed  Aug.  18,  1842. 


242  VARIOUS   PASTORS. 

The  church  prospered  under  his  care,  but  he  resigned.  Nothing 
appears  on  the  church  record  with  reference  to  liis  resignation 
or  dismission.  After  his  de})arture  a  move  was  made  to  secure 
the  services  of  Rev.  T.  D.  P.  Stone,  and  Rev.  J.  II.  Fairchihl; 
but  cliurch  and  societ}^  were  not  sulhciently  united  on  either. 
July  8,  1843,  a  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  Jonathan  McGee, 
and  lie  was  installed  Aug.  16, 1843.  Mr.  McGee  was  a  good  man 
and  held  in  the  highest  respect  by  all,  but  dissatisfaction  with  his 
services  arose  after  a  time  and  some  members  of  the  church 
declined  ''to  join  the  Societ}'  &  pay.  their  taxes."  Hence  Mr. 
McGee  resigned,  and  he  was  dismissed  Nov.  5,  1850. 

On  the  20tli  of  May  1851  a  call  was  extended  to  Rev. 
Leonard  S.  Parker,  which,  on  account  of  feeble  health,  he  de- 
clined. Nov.  7,  1851,  a  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  Lathrop 
Taylor  of  Springfield,  Yt.,  and  he  was  installed  Nov.  19  of  the 
same  month.  The  following  3'ear  twenty-two  persons  connected 
themselves  with  the  church,  and  perhaps  this  might  be  called  its 
most  prosperous  and  promising  period.  The  Avriter  well  remem- 
bers the  large  audiences,  and  imposing  dignity  of  the  church 
under  Mr.  Taylor;  and  especially  the  full  prayer-meetings,  of 
150  persons  or  more.  Sept.  3,  1852,  a  Silver  Communion  Ser- 
vice was  })resented  to  the  church  by  Mrs.  Deborah  (Starrett) 
Burge,  which  was  accepted  by  vote  of  thanks  and  a  most  appro- 
priate address  to  the  Donor  and  the  Church,  by  the  Pastor. 

June  27,  1857,  Rev.  Lathrop  Taylor  resigned  to  accept  a  call 
to  a  church  in  the  west.  Oct.  9,  following  tlie  cliujch  voted  a 
unanimous  call  to  Rev.  ('harles  Cutler,  who  accepted  the  same 
and  was  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  Nov.  18,  1857.  His 
ministiy  was  a  successful  one,  but  his  health  became  impaired, 
and  he  asked  (Aug.  18,  1806,)  for  a  vacation  of  several  months, 
or  a  release  from  the  pastoial  office.  The  church  and  society 
acceded  to  both  these  requests.  He  was  released  from  duty  for 
two  months,  and  also  a  Council  was  called  \\'l)!ch  voted  (Sept. 
25,  1866,)  that 

"the  pastoral  connection  should  be  dissolved  with  the  close  of  the 
present  financial  year,  which  is  filled  by  the  vacation  mutually  granted." 

The  church  was  then  without  a  settled  minister  for  nearly  eight 
years,  having  Rev.  Austin  Richards^  D.  D.,  a  former  Pastor, 


SETTLEMENT    OP    MR.    CAMPBELL.  243  . 

iicting  as  their  minister  about  four  years,  and  Rev.  Charles  Sec- 
combe  about  three  years. 

Dec.  25,  1873,  the  church  voted  (32  to  9)  to  extend  a  call  to 
Rev.  Henry  F.  Campbell  to  become  their  Pastor,  and  he  was 
installed  Jan.  22,  1874.  But  very  soon  dissatisfactions  with 
his  ^'religious  sentiments  and  conduct"  arose  in  the  church,  and 
at  a  meeting  Feb.  2,  1875,  the  church  voted  (55  to  39)  that  it 
was  their  wish  to  have  the  pastoral  relation  dissolved.  The 
Society,  however,  refused  to  concur  with  the  church  in  giving 
the  "notice  required  in  the  terms  of  his  settlement."  At  a 
church  meeting  (March  30,  1875)  the  church  voted  (67  to  1) 
to  call  a  Mutual  Council,  and,  failing  in  that,  to  call  an  Exparte 
Council,  and  to  refer  all  their  difficulties  to  the  same  for  advice. 
An  Exparte  Council  met  here  accordingl}^  July  6,  1875;  but 
its  only  result  was  that  it  secured  the  agreement  of  both  parties 
to  call  a  mutual  council,  with  power  "-if  deemed  expedient  to 
dissolve  the  pastoral  relatioii."  In  accordance  with  this  agree- 
ment and  after  much  delaj-,  a  mutual  council  met  Nov.  16, 
1875,  and  this  council  dissolved  the  pastoral  relation,  to  tahe  effect 
Apr.  1,  1876.  But  after  that  date  Mr.  Campbell  lemained  and 
preached  as  before,  a  small  minority  of  the  church  adhering  to 
him  and  claiming  to  be  the  Congregational  Church  of*  Frances- 
town.  The  "-Society"  also,  affected  by  large  accessions  from  the 
outside,  and  controlling  the  House  of  worship,  adhered  to  Mr. 
Campl)ell.  And  thus  two  meetings  began  to  be  held,  Mr. 
Campbell  and  his  followers  worshipping  in  tlie  old  sanctuar}', 
and  the  church  woi'shipping  in  the  Chapel.  Then  a  lawsuit 
was  begun  by  the  Society,  to  determine  which  of  these  should 
hold  the  communion  service,  or  in  fact  which  teas  the  Congre- 
gational Church  of  Francestow]i ;  and  the  Supreme  Court  of 
New  Hampshire  decided  that  the  majority,  which  had  secured 
the  dismission  of  Mr.  Campbell  in  the  regular  way,  wan  '•Hlie 
clmreh  and  could  hold  the  property  of  said  church."  On  the 
other  hand,  a  law-suit  was  instituted  by  the  church,  to  deter- 
mine wliich  party  should  hold  the  church  building,  and  the  said 
court  decided  that  "the  building  being,  the  "Society's"  property 
the  "Society"  could,  as  before,  continue  to  hold  it.  Hence  the 
"church"  was  left  without  a  house  of  worship,  a  legal  technic- 
ality taking  from  them  the  sanctuary  where   they   and   their 


244  NEW    CONGREGATIONAL   EDIFICE. 

fathers  had  worshipped,  and  wliicli  had  lieen  l)uilt  aiid  dedi- 
cated for  orthodox  purposes  alone.  Consequently  the  part 
which  the  Supreme  Court  had  declared  to  be  "-the  church,"  held 
meetings  for  a  time  in  the  chapel,  or  Association-Hall,  or  Town 
Hall;  but  in  the  spring  of  1883,  steps  were  taken  toward  build, 
ing  a  house  of  worship.  On  the  first  day  of  Sept.  following  the 
people  assembled  on  the  spot  chosen,  and  after  "public  religious 
services,"  the  ground  was  broken  to  prepare  a  foundation. 
The  new  House  of  Worsliip  was  dedicated  July  1,  1884,  Rev. 
F.  G.  Clark  of  Gloucester,  Mass.,  preaching  the  sermon,  and 
Rev.  W.  R.  Cochrane,  D.  D.,  of  Antrim  offering  the  prayer  of 
Dedication.     It  was  dedicated  "fi-ee  of  debt." 

Following  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Cami)bell  Apr.  1, 1876,  "the 
church,"  holding  its  meetings  as  aforesaid  in  chapel  or  hall,  was 
supplied  by  various  ministers  for  two  or  three  years.  Toward 
the  close  of  1879  Rev.  Henry  M.  Kellogg  came  here,  and  after 
a  time  received  a  call  from  the  church,  and  was  installed  as  its 
Pastor  May  20,  1880.  His  pastorate  was  of  short  duration,  as 
he  was  dismissed  May  31,  1882.  Immediately  on  his  departure 
Rev.  John  A.  Rowell,  then  of  So.  Weare,  was  engaged  to  preach 
here;  and  he  continued  to  serve  till  the  close  of  the  year  1886, 
when  he  resigned,  and  went  to  the  City  of  Brainerd,  Minn. 
The  Rev.  A.  C.  Hurd,  began  service  Nov.  17,  1887,  and  re- 
mained till  Nov.  1892.  Rev.  Henry  S.  Ives  is  the  Pastor  at  this 
time. 

It  may  be  added  here  that  the  second  meeting  house  (now 
called  the  Unitarian)  which  was  occupied  by  the  Congregational 
Church  for  nearly  three-quarters  of  a  century,  was  built  by  the 
town  therefor  in  1801  (raised  June  24;)  and  was  turned  round, 
enlarged  and  greatl}'  improved  in  1834.  The  membership  of 
this  church  in  1855  was  310.  It  has  always  been  a  generous 
giver  to  the  missionary  boards  of  the  denomination. 

I  append  a  list  of  its  ministers  and  deacons  from  the  first. 

(  Began  service  Nov.  1789. 
Eev.  Moses  Bradford.  J  Settled  Sept.  8,  1790. 

(  Dismissed  Jan.  1,  1827. 


-D         A      ^-     -D-  1      1     T^    T^    ^  Settled  Nov.  7,  1827 
Eev.  Austm  Richards,  P.  D.  |  j^-^^-^^^^  ^,^^;  ^^^ 

Eev.  Nathaniel  S.  ^olsom.  |  ^^.^^^|^^^^^^^^^ 


18.36. 


246  THE  SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 

l()_Jf,hn  P.  Kichardsou  ISTO 

20_IIeniT  F.  Fi.shor  18S() 

COKtlREGATlONAL    SABBATH    SCHOOL. 

Tliere  was  a  subbatli  school  in  full  operation  in  Francestown 
in  1818.  It  would  seem  as  though  it  must  have  staited  in 
1817.  The  children  were  assembled  in  tlie  several  school 
houses  in  town  at  nine  o'clock  sabbath  morning,  rei-ited  their 
lessons,  and  then  went  to  church  for  public  worship.  At  a 
churcli  meeting  Apr.  1,  1819,  the  clnirch  "voted  their  appro- 
l)ati()n  of  a  Sabbath  School"  and  ''voted  to  extend  the  benefit  to 
all  paits  of  the  town,"  and  a[)pointed  a  committee  to  "Confer 
with  the  Moral  Society"  for  this  purpose.  At  a.  meeting  May 
18,  1819,  the  church  "a})pointed  Deacon  Uucknam  Fairbanks 
President  of  the  Sabbath  School  in  this  town."  For  that  year 
the  scliool  (or  schools)  opened  the  first  of  June  and  "lasted  till 
cold  weather"  aiid  the  children  "committed  about  100,000  verses 
in  the  Scriptures,  catechisms,  &  Watt's  Songs  for  Children." 
In  1822  these  several  schools  were  transferred  to  the  meeting 
house  and  blended  into  one.  For  several  years  the  School  was 
managed  l)y  a  "Board  of  Direction"  with  "Superintendent  and 
Assistants."  Dea.  Bucknam  Fairl)anks  seems  to  have  been 
"President,"  or  leader,  till  182,9.  In  that  year  the  "Frances- 
town  Sal)bath  School  Association"  was  formed,  with  written 
constitution,  its  object  being  the  "support,  regulation  and 
instruction  of  the  sabljath  school  in  Francestown."  This  organ- 
ization  has  been  maintained  and  has  kept  its  record  until  the 
present  time.  Its  first  meeting  was  Sept.  23,  1829,  and  its  first 
olficei's  were  as  follows: 

Eev.  Austin  Eichards,  President. 

Ja])ez  Holmes     )  ^^.      -p,      .  ^      , 
,,..,,      ,  T^         , ,  >  Vice-Presidents. 
u  illard  Everett  ) 

Titus  Brown,  Superintendent. 

P.  H.  Bixby,  Secretary. 

]jucknani  Fairbanks,  Librarian. 

The  largest  number  of  scholars  belonging  to  the  school  at  any 
one  time  was  440,  which  was  in  the  year  1860.  The  largest 
annual  average  attendance  was  250  1-2,  which  A\as  in  the  year 
1859.  I  a[)pcnd  a  list  of  Superintendents,  in  honorable  notice 
of  these  most  Axorthy  officials. 


S.    S.    SUPERINTENDENTS.  .247 

Biicknam  Fairljanks  1S18 — 1K-2S. 

Titus  Brown  1829 — iSof). 

Bucknam  Fairbanks  1886-7. 

Issachar  Dodge  1838-9. 

Titus  Brown  1840. 

Alexander  Wilson  1841-2. 

William  ]]alch  1843-4-.). 

Caleb  Weston  1846. 

Bucknam  Fairbanks  1847. 

Dudley  Carleton  1848. 

William  Balcli  1849. 

Thomas  P.  Rand  1 800-1. 

Henry  E.  Sawyer  1852-3. 

AVilliam  Butterfield  l8.-)4-.5. 

Sylvanus  Ilayward  18r)(i. 

Dr.  M.  Jn".  Root  18.57. 

Issachar  Dodge  1808-9. 

Thomas  P.  Rand  18()0-1. 

Caleb  AVeston  1862-3. 

Levi  B.  Bradford  1864-5. 

George  E.  Downes  1860-7. 

Caleb  Weston  1868. 

Stephen  Ilolt  l8()9-70. 

Issachar  Dodge  1871-2-.3. 

Samuel  D.  Downes  1S74-5. 

John  P.  Richardson  1876. 

George  E.  Downes  1877 — 1881. 

Albert  Dodge  1882 1888. 

Rev.  A.  C.  Hurd  1889. 

Albert  Dodge  1S9()-!)1. 

George  E.  Downs  1S!)2 1894. 

TME    I'.Al'TIST    CHURCH. 

A  small  Baptist  Chui-cli  was  oro-anized  in  Francestown  July 
14,  1835.  Several  wlio  had  l)een  inunei'sed  were  living  here, 
and  some  troubles  in  the  old  church  of  the  town  seem  to  have 
encouraged  theiu  to  move  for  a  church  of  their  owu  order.  At 
a  "meeting  of  these  bretliren  in  June  1835,  they  voted  to  call  a 
Council  for  July  14,  at  Osgood  Hutchinson's  house, 

"to  consider  our  situation  it  assist  in  organizing  us  into  a  church  if  they 
think  proper." 

The  Council  convened  according  to  the  letters  missive,  and  the 
following  ministers  with  delegates  appeared. 


248  THE    BAPTIST    CHITRCH, 

Rev.  George  Daland  Peterboro' 

Eev.  John  Atwood  i^ew  Boston 

Rev.  Joseph  Davis  East  Antrim 

Rev.  John  Peacock  Goffstown 

Rev.  Mark  Carpenter  Milford 

The  Rev.  John  Brooks,  then  supplying  the  Baptist  church  in 
Society  Land,  was  present  and  took  part  in  tlie  Council.  Rev. 
George  Dahunl  was  chosen  JNIoderator  and  Rev.  John  Atwood 
Scribe.  They  voted  to  organize,  and  the  public  exercises  were 
held  that  same  afternoon  in  the  Hall  of  Pai'ker's  Tavern.  Rev. 
John  Peacock  preached  the  sermon.  The  church  consisted  of 
28  members,  13  males  and  15  females.  They  chose  John  True 
to  be  deacon  and  Osgood  Hutchinson,  clerk.  They  had  no 
pastor  for  a  time,  but  the  Baptist  ministers  in  tlie  neighboring 
towns  took  turns  in  preaching  for  them.  Theij' iirst  pastor  was 
Rev.  John  Atwood  who  came  in  March  1836  and  stayed  the 
year  out.  Freeman  G.  Brown,  a  student,  preached  here  through 
the  summer  of  1837.  In  the  summer  and  fall  of  1888  Rev. 
Jose})h  Davis  then  [)reaciiing  at  the  Brick  Church,  East  Antrim, 
(now  gone)  su})plied  the  Baptist  church  in  Francestown  one 
sabljath  each  month.  In  the  summer  of  1830,  Rev.  Zebulon 
Jones,  teacher  in  the  Baptist  Academy  then  existing  in  Han- 
cock, spent  his  sabbaths  here  and  preached  to  this  people. 
Through  the  summers  of  1840  and  1841  they  were  supplied  by 
Rev.  O.  O.  Stearns,  also  teacher  at  Hancock.  This  was  their 
last  regular  })reac.hing.  They  continued  their  meetings  among 
themselves,  and  had  occasional  preaching  till  1847,  when,  on 
account  of  deaths  and  removals,  they  became  so  few  that  they 
gave  up  further  services.  A  sabbath  school  was  organized  in 
connection  Avitli  the  church  and  was  quite  vigorous  in  its  work 
and  had  more  tlian  200  volumes  in  its  library.  A  communion 
service  was  presented  to  this  church  Sept.  30,  1835,  by  fiiends 
in  Boston, — also  .Bible  and  Hymn-book  for  the  desk.  This 
Communion  Service  was  donated  in  1883  to  the  Baptist  church 
in  Globe,  Arizona.  "The  First  Baptist  Society  in  Frances- 
town"  was  formed  according  to  the  laws  of  the  state  Jan.  14, 
1834,  a  year  and  a  half  l^efore  the  organization  of  tlie  church. 
The  public  meetings  of  the  Baptist  church  were  held  from  the 
first  in  Judge  William  Parker's  Hall  at  the   tavern,  and  he 


THE    UNITARIAN    CHURCH.  249 

offered  them  "its  use  gratuitously  as  long  as  they  wished  to 
occupy  it."  Subsequent  to  the  formation  of  this  church  twenty- 
one  persons  united  with  it,  fourteen  by  profession  and  seven  by 
letter.  The  little  flock  made  heroic  efforts  to  succeed,  and 
though  compelled  to  give  up  Avere  credited  with  great  courage 
and  zeal. 

THE  INDEPENDENT  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH,    (UNITARIAN.) 

For  many  j^ears  there  existed  a  small  Unitarian  element  in 
town.  At  the  town  meeting  Nov.  5,  1832,  an  Article  was  in 
the  warrant  to 

"see  if  the  town  will  grant  the  use  of  the  meeting-house  to  the  First 
Unitarian  Congregational  Society  for  a  part  of  the  time." 

The  next  year  the  town  sold  the  building  at  auction  to  the 
orthodox  society,  and  nothing  further  appears  on  the  records 
with  reference  to  the  Unitarian  body.  How  long  its  organiza- 
tion was  maintained,  is  not  known.  A  few,  however,  of  this 
way  of  flunking  continued  to  abide  here ;  and  some  others  that 
chafed  under  the  strict  creed  of  the  old  church  of  the  town,  and 
desired  something  alleged  to  be  more  liberal.  Hence,  soon 
after  the  dismission  of  Rev.  Henry  F.  Campbell  from  the  pastor- 
ate of  the  orthodox  church  (Apr.  1,  1876,)  those  members  of 
the  old  church  adhering  to  him,  and  others  from  without  formed 
a  new  organization  called  "-The  Independent  Congregational 
Church."  The  old  "Society"  reinforced  by  addition  of  out- 
siders, supported  this  organization,  and  as  the  "society"  by  law 
controlled  the  old  church  edifice,  this  also  came  into  possession 
of  this  new  church.  In  1884  they  extensively  repaired  and 
improved  the  venerable  building,  making  it  a  yqvj  attractive 
house  of  worship.  The  expense  of  these  repairs  was  a  little 
over  12800. 

The  circumstances  which  led  to  the  formation  of  the  new 
church,  and  the  several  steps  of  the  division,  have  been  given 
briefly  in  the  history  of  the  "old  church,"  and  need  not  be  re- 
peated here.  I  have  given  throughout  only  such  statements  of 
facts  as  appeared  on  the  various  records,  not  feeling  that  it 
would  be  becoming  or  desirable  to  express  any  opinions  of  my 
own.     The  division  was  similar  to  those  which  took  place  in 


250  ITNITARIAN    CHURCH    CONTINUED. 

SO  many  towns  in  New  England  in  the  early  part  of  this 
century.  In  many  of  the  older  towns  it  was  said  to  be  one 
advantage  of  these  separations  that  those  claiming  to  he  "more 
liberal  and  progressive"  could  have  their  preferences  met,  while 
the  "-more  conservative  and  orthodox  portion"  could  enjoy  their 
religion  better  by  themselves. 

On  the  Fourth  of  March  1879  this  church  passed  resolutions, 

"that  we  the  covenant  members  of  the  First  Congregational  Chnreh  in 
Francestown  re-aflirm  our  devotion  to  its  ancient  organization  and  im- 
memorial customs;"  "that  the  mode  of  government  and  discipline  known 
as  the  Congregational  Polity  is  that  to  which  we  are  especially  allied;" 
and  "that,  consistent  with  tlais  polity  as  announced  I)}'  tlie  fathers  *  * 
we  are  an  organization  independent  of  any  and  all  extraneous  interfer- 
ence." 

Dec.  31,  1881,  the  church  ado})ted  the  following  resolntions: 

1 — "That  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  the  Covenant  which  has  been 
used  by  this  church  are  hereby  annulled." 

'2 — "That  the  following  declaration  of  faith  and  purpose  shall  stand 
as  the  basis  of  this  Church,  namely: 

Our  Faith  is  in  God  as  our  Father  and  in  .Jesus  as  the  Christ,  the  Son 
of  God. 

Our  Fur})nse  is,  as  disciples  of  .Jesus,  to  co-operate  together  in  the 
study  and  practice  of  Christianity." 

Since  that  day  this  church  has  gone  on  successfully 

"without  any  break  in  their  regular  Church  or  Society  Organizations 
nor  in  their  Sunday  School  or  religious  services." 

They  have  an  excellent  parsonage  left  to  them  as  a  legacy  by 
Mrs.  Amie  A.  Starrett,  and  are  a  flourishing  and  zealous  flock. 
They  are  in  fellowship  with  the  Unitarian  Denomination. 
Their  Pastors  have  been  as  follows: 

Eev.  Henry  F.  Campbell  to  Nov.  1881. 

Mrs.  Caroline  R.  James  Nov.  1881  to  Xov.  1882. 

Rev.  Joseph  Wassail  from  Ionia,  C  l)egan  Nov.  1882 
Mich.,  now  of  Windsor  Vt.  |  closed  Jul}-  1887. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  A.  J,  Abbott,  who  came  here  from 
Winthrop,  Mass.,  and  remained  till  July-1,  1893.  Rev.  W.  F. 
Place  is  the  present  pastor. 


CHURCH    OFFICERS.  251 

Mr.  James  T.  Woodbury  has  been  the  efficient  Superinten- 
dent of  the  Sunday  school;  and  the  church  has  from  time  to 
time  appointed  live  deacons  as  follows: 

Stephen  Holt 

Phiuehas  C.  Kidder  • 

W.  H.  Lincoln 

1).  W.  Duncklee 

13.  F.  Dean. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

THE    MILITAEY    RECORD    OF    ERANCESTOWN. 

This  town  was  not  incor})orate(l  till  after  the  wars  preceding 
the  Revolution  were  over.  James  Woodbury  "was  engaged 
beside  Gen.  Wolfe  when  he  was  killed  at  the  siege  of  Quebec" 
Sept.  13,  1759.  Woodbury  also  belonged  to  the  celebrated 
"Rangers,"  at  one  time  commanded  by  Gen.  Stark.  Capt* 
Richard  Batten,  also  of  Francestown,  was  out  in  the  last  French 
war,  and  was  among  the  number  surrendered  Aug.  9,  1757,  to 
five  times  their  number  of  French  and  Indians.  The  little 
garrison  held  out  five  days,  and  till  their  ammunition  was  gone, 
and  then  surrendered  on  honorable  terms.  •  But  when  they  laid 
down  their  arms  and  marched  out  of  the  fort  the  Indians  (1700 
in  number)  began  to  fall  upon  the  unarmed  soldiers  for  plunder, 
and  next  began  to  murder  them.  The  New  Hampshire  men 
were  the  last  to  leave  the  fort,  and  therefore,  being  in  the  rear 
were  first  attacked  and  suffered  most.  Out  of  two  hundred 
New  Hampsliire  men  the  record  sho^^'s  that  eighty  were  mur- 
dered. What  could  be  more  to  the  curse  and  dishonor  of  the 
French?  Batten  was  seized  by  two  armed  Indians  and  led 
aside  into  the  surrounding  forest.  But  as  one  Indian  fell  a 
little  in  the  rear.  Batten  who  was  a  man  of  superior  strength 
threw  the  other  heavily  to  the  ground  and  ran  for  life.  Com- 
ing to  a  large  fallen  tree  in  the  deep  forest,  he  bounded  over 
it,  and  then  crouching  down,  he  instantly  turned  back  and  slid 
under  the  side  of  the  tree  for  a  hiding-place.  The  Indians 
passed  directly  over  him,  and  rushed  on  in  pursuit.  When  they 
were  out  of  the  way  Batten  lost  no  time,  but  turned  aside  in 
another  direction,  and  so  escaped.  In  the  scrimmage  with  the 
Indians,  his  clothes  were  nearly  all  torn  off;  he  wandered  "six 
days,  eating  nothing  but  berries  and  bark ;  to  elude  his  pur- 
suers he  was  obliofed  to  swim  the  Hudson  River  three  times ;'' 


THE   ALAEM   OF   WAE.  253 

the  woods  were  swarming  with  Indians;  but  at  lengtli  he 
reached  Fort  George,  and  was  welcomed  and  provided  for. 
Several  other  names  1  have  found  among  these  soldiers  which 
in  all  probability  were  names  of  men  who  afterwards  lived  here, 
and  several  such  entered  Massachusetts  regiments;  yet  as  I  am 
not  sure  about  them,  I  omit  the  names.  William  Starrett, 
Peter  Woodbury,  Josiah  Woodbury,  Moses  Eaton  and  William 
Butterfield,  Sen.,  were  among  them ;  but  it  is  simply  impossible 
to  give  at  this  day  any  very  accurate  account  of  how  many 
Francestown  settlers  had  been  out  in  the  service  against  the 
French  and  Indians.  Certainly  a  large  proportion  of  them  had 
had  a  taste  of  war  before  coming  here,  as  "scouts"  or  "guards" 
or  in  tlie  ranks.  They  were  men  inured  to  hardship  and  dan- 
ger— men  not  easily  intimidated,  or  turned  back  from  a  purpose. 
"The  Spirit  of  '76"  was  in  every  one  of  them  before  the  war  of 
the  Revolution  came.  On  a  previous  page  I  have  stated  the 
circumstances  of  the  breaking  out  of  that  war,  and  the  excite- 
ment that  followed.  It  is  believed  that  nearly  all  the  men  in 
Fi'ancestown  started  for  Lexington,  flying  together  and  luirry- 
ing  away  at  the  first  signal  of  war.  Those  in  the  west  part  of 
the  town  went  in  the  Society  Land  Company  under  Capt.  Isaac 
Butterfield;  those  in  the  east  part,  with  the  New  Boston  and 
Lyndeboro'  men.  They  soon  learned  tliat  they  were  not  im- 
mediately needed,  and  were  sent  back,  to  "plant  their  clearings" 
and  hold  themselves  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice.  On 
their  return  the  town  voted  to  pay  back  to  the  men  the  "money 
they  had  spent  in  going  to  the  army;"  and  it  is  worthy  of  being- 
repeated  that  Francestown  voted  her  first  money  for  the  war 
May  15,  1775^ — only  a  few  days  after  the  Battle  of  Lexington, 
— and  was  one  of  the  verij  Jiryf  towns  in  New  Hampshire  to  take 
this  action.  Most  of  the  men  and  boys  in  this  town  were  out 
more  or  less  in  the  Course  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  Some 
were  out  at  Portsmouth  or  Rhode  Island  for  a  short  time ;  and 
some  went  "for  three  years  or  the  war."  An  early  resident, 
speaking  of  the  Francestown  settlers  who  came  from  Dedham 
says  that  "every  man  of  them  had  served  more  or  less  in  the 
Revolution."  The  Scotch  part  were  on  fire  for  the  war;  and 
so  in  this  little  settlement  there  was  no  lack  of  excitement  or  de- 
termination. 


254  BUNKER    HILL. 

No  military  company  was  formed  in  Francestown  for  a  time, 
as  most  of  tlie  men  were  by  previous  association  connected  with 
New  Boston  and  continued  to  drill  with  the  company  there, 
while  the  west  part  continued  to  unite  with  the  Company  in 
Society  Land. 

About  the  first  of  June  1775,  heavy  re-enforcements  were 
added  to  the  British  in  Boston  and  they  began  to  plan  for 
aggressive  operations.  This  became  known  to  the  Americans, 
and  they  determined  to  anticipate  the  foe.  During  the  night 
of  June  16  they  threw  up  a  redoubt  on  Breed's  Hill,  which  was 
in  fact  a  lo^^•er  part  of  Bunker  Hill  on  the  side  toward  Boston. 
Tlie  New  Hampshire  men  under  Stark  constituted  more  than 
half  the  American  force  on  that  memorable  day  of  the  Battle, 
June  17, 1775.  It  was  past  noon  when  Stark,  marching  in  from 
Medford,  reached  the  scene.  Immediately  he  took  position 
behind  the  rail  fence  between  the  Redoubt  and  Mystic  River. 
The  soldiers  strengthened  the  fence  b}^  doubling  it  and  putting 
new  grass  and  hay  bet^^'een.  Part  of  the  way  they  built  a  rude 
stone  wall,  filling  the  space  between  the  fence  and  the  Redoubt. 
The  battle  commenced  at  half-past  two  in  the  afternoon.  Three 
times  from  this  rail  fence  the  foe  in  superior  numbers  were 
driven  back  by  the  deadly  fire  of  the  New  Hampshire  farmers; 
and  even  after  the  fall  of  the  Redoubt  the  New  Hampshire  men 
were  victorious  and  lefiped  over  tlie  fence  in  pursuit  of  the  fly- 
ing foe  I  But  Stark,  perceiving  that  the  fort  was  lost,  drcAv 
back  his  men  and  retreated,  being  the  last  to  leave,  and  march- 
ing off  with  the  same  o-ood  order  Avith  which  he  had  marched 
onto  the  held  I  About  eight  hundred  of  the  British  were  left 
dead  on  the  ground,  besides  three  hundred  wounded.  Stark 
said  the  "dead  lay  as  thick  and  close  as  sheep  in  a  fold."  What 
Francestown  men  were  in  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill  cannot  now 
be  positively  stated.  But  it  is  certain  that  William  Campbell, 
Robert  Bradford,  Thomas  Bixby,  and  Edward  Bixby  partici- 
pated in  that  struggle.  An  old  statement  makes  John  Mc- 
Pherson  of  Francestown  (probably  meant  for  James)  a  soldier 
in  that  battle. 

The  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill  made  it  certain  that  there  was  to 
be  Avar  to  the  fniish,  and  determined  preparations  were  made  to 
defend    American    liberties  to  the  last.     The  army  remained 


VARIOUS   BATTLES.  255 

around  Boston  watching  the  British.  Gen.  AVasliing-ton  took 
command  July  3,  1775.  Lack  of  jDOwder  prevented  the  Ameri- 
cans from  attempting  anything  for  a  time,  but  at  length 
tlie  British  were  driven  out  of  Boston,  the  da}^  of  their  departure 
being  Mar.  17,  1776.  The  Declaration  of  Independence  fol- 
lowed July  4,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  the  several  battles 
took  place  in  the  vicinit}''  of  New  York  City.  The  disastrous 
attack  on  Quebec  had  occurred  on  the  last  day  of  Dec.  1775. 
In  regard  to  the  invasion  of  Canada  the  following  record 
appears : 

"The  Inhabitants  of  Francestown  being  meet  at  Thomas  Quigley's 
House  in  order  to  Chousse  men  to  go  to  Canada  Chousse  John  Dickey 
moderator  Voted  to  add  to  the  bountey  to  reasse  it  to  til'tey  Dollars  to 
be  reassed  of  the  town  by  pole  and  Estate  an  it  Shall  be  allowed  for  there 
turn  who  Ever  will  go  out  of  Said  town  they  payen  there  part  of  the 
reals  Equal  to  the  other  Inhabitants  of  Said  town." 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1775,  New  Hampshire  liad  5000  men 
in  the  Held,  and  Gen.  Sullivan  wrote  to  tlie  Couunittee  of 
Safety  saying, 

"Gen.  Washington  and  all  the  otHcers  *  acknowledge  that  New  Hamp- 
shire Forces  for  bravery  &  resolution  far  surpass  the  other  Colonies  & 
that  no  Province  discovers  so  much  zeal  in  the  Common  Cause." 

The  3"ear  1776  was  a  year  of  reverses  and  discouragement, 
but  still  the  patriots  yielded  nothing,  and  eY(dvy  little  frontier 
town  like  this  had  a  hard  struggle  in  doing  its  part  of  the  public 
service,  and  subduing  the  foi'ests  and  rocks  at  the  same  time. 
A  town  meeting  was  held  in  this  place  ^Vpr.  7,  1777,  to  act  on 
war  matters  at  which  they 

"voted  that  the  town  will  begin  at  the  begining  of  the  alearm  and  so  on 
by  tax  by  pole  and  Esteat  till  these  men  is  resed  that  is  now  into  the 
armey  and  bring  Every  one  upon  a  level  according  to  What  they  posses." 

The  object  of  this  vote  was  to  equalize  expenses  from  first  to 
last.  Many  town  meetings  were  held  in  1777  to  arrange  war 
matters.  The  men  of  FrancestoAvn  "took  turns"  with  one  an- 
other, going  three  or  six  months  each  at  a  time.  In  May  there 
was  an  alarm  that  New  England  was  to  be  invaded  by  a  vast 
arni}^ /from  Canada,  and  two  regiments  in  the  western  part  of  ■ 
New  Hampshire  were  at  once  ordered  out.  Probably  a  dozen 
Francestown  men  responded  to  this  call.     But  this  proved  to 


256  buegoyne's  approach. 

be  a  premature  alarm,  and  the  men  returned  in  about  three 
weeks.  Yet  before  all  of  them  had  reached  home,  a  second 
alarm  came,  that  Burgoyne  and  his  army  had  begun  the  threat- 
ened invasion.  Immediately  the  men  were  called  out  again, 
and  started  in  companies  and  parts  of  companies,  just  as  they 
could,  and  as  soon  as  they  could,  to  meet  near  Ticonderoga. 
But  that  Fort  was  evacuated  l)y  the  Americans  July  0,  and,  it 
being  reported  that  the  "enemy  had  retired,-"  those  called  out 
for  the  emergenc}'  returned  as  before.  Concerning  the  action 
of  this  town  on  this  second  alarm,  I  find  among  the  state  papers 
this  record: 

"From  Francestown  a  party  of  seven  men,  under  William  Campbell, 
Sergeant,  marehed  July  7,  1777,  and  reluvued  home,  hearing  of  the 
retreat,  and  were  out  five  days." 

But  within  a  week  of  their  return  an  alarm  came  louder  than 
ever.  Bnrgoyne  had  determined  to  send  a  part  of  his  large 
army  through  "The  New  Hampshire  Grants"  (Vermont)  and 
to  "subjugate  New  England,"  while  with  the  rest  he  would 
march  down  the  Hudson  to  join  the  British  forces  in  New  York 
city.  Thus  he  })lanned  to  "divide  the  rebels"  and  close  up  the 
war  at  once.  Excited  by  the  retreat  of  the  Americans  into 
great  ambition  and  conceit,  he  thought  his  plan  could  be  easily 
carried  out.  Immediately  tlie  Legislature  of  this  state  was  con- 
vened, and  voted  to  raise  two  brigades  for  action.  One  of  these, 
covering  the  east  part  of  the  state,  and  put  under  command  of 
Col.  Wm  Whipple  of  Portsmouth,  could  not  be  got  into  Ver- 
mont in  seasoii  to  resist  the  British  there.  But  the  west 
l^rigade,  put  under  command  of  Gen.  Stark,  being  nearer,  and 
mai'ching  at  once  in  s(]uads  to  their  place  of  meeting,  were  able 
to  face  the  foe  before  he  had  made  much  progress.  Of  course 
Stark's  regiments  were  only  partly  full  in  so  short  a  time,  and  he 
pushed  on  with  what  men  he  had,  500  in  number,  leaving  orders 
for  others  to  follow  as  fast  as  they  could.  At  a  town  meeting 
here  July  22,  the  town 

"voted  Each  man  Now  Going  into  the  armey  three  pounds  for  the  term 
of  2  months." 

And  when  their  time  was  nearly  out  and  others  had  to  l:)e  raised 
to  take  their  places,  the  town  voted  the  same  bounty  to  them. 


BATTLE    OF    BENNINGTON.  257 

at  a  meeting  Sept.  29,  1777.  A  company  was  mustered  in  at 
New  Boston  July  23,  of  men  from  that  town  together  with  those 
from  Deering,  Antrim,  Greenfield,  Lyndeboro',  and  Frances- 
town.  Of  this  company  Peter  Clark  of  Lyndeboro'  was  captain, 
Daniel  Miltimore  of  Antrim,  first  lieutenant,  Benjamin  Brad- 
ford, 2d  lieutenant,  and  William  Beard  of  New  Boston,  ensign. 
About  a  dozen  Francestown  men  were  in  this  company,  and 
took  part  in  the  Battle  of  Bennington,  which  occurred  Aug.  16, 
1777.  It  is  impossible  to  give  their  names  with  certainty. 
The  pay-roll  of  those  who  went  on  the  first  alarm  from  the  ap- 
proach of  Burgoyne,  gives  the  names  of  William  Campbell 
(sergt.,)  William  Starrett,  Thomas  Bixby,  Asa  Lewis,  John 
Nickols,  Simon  Carson,  William  Nutt  and  Joseph  McCluer; 
and  at  the  last  alarm,  several  others  marched  with  them.  Thus 
the  al)Ove-named  and  also  Oliver  Butterfield,  Asa  Lewis,  Nathan 
Fisher,  John  Smith  and  Sanjuel  Martin,  and  perhaps  others, 
participated  in  that  memorable  battle  under  Stark,  which  was 
the  beginning  of  Burgoyne's  overthrow.  The  State  War  Rolls 
tell  us  that  "-Serg.  Campbell's  Detachment"  was  "raised  out  of 
Captain  John  Carson's  Company  of  Militia," — from  which  it 
appears  that  Carson  was  captain  of  the  town,  and  that  all  able 
to  bear  arms  were  drilled  at  home  by  him.  Counting  boys  of 
sufficient  size  and  old  men  able  to  march,  there  were  about  75 
in  this  home  company.  When  the  special  efforts  were  made  to 
raise  men  in  this  state  for  the  struggle  against  Burgoyne,  the 
apportionment  to  Francestown  was  46,  considerably  more  than 
half  who  wfere  then  able  to  bear  arms.  The  number  required  of 
Deering  was  40;  of  New  Boston  118;  and  of  Lydeboro'  130. 
This  shoAvs  how  sweeping  were  the  demands  of  the  time. 

Most  of  the  Francestown  men  who  were  in  the  Battle  of 
Bennington,  stayed  beyond  their  time,  or  re-enlisted,  and  took 
part  in  the  subsequent  battles  which  resulted  in  Burgoyne's 
surrender,  which  last  event  took  place  Oct.  17,  1777,  to  the 
great  joy  and  encouragement  of  the  American  people. 

A  special  toAvn-meeting  was  held  Apr.  17,  1778,  to  arrange 
for  getting  "two  men  for  three  years  to  fill  the  quota  of  Frances- 
town,"  at  which  meeting. they  instructed  "Capt.  John  Carson 
to  enlist  the  two  men,"  and  the  "quota"  was  kept  full.  Feb. 
22,  1779,  the}^  voted  to  exempt  the  "soldiers  of  1776"  from  tax- 


258  HELPING    THE    SOLDIERS. 

ation,  and  to  add  five  dollars  a  month  to  the  pay  of  the  '-men 
that  went  to  Stillwater  and  Sarahtoga."  When  the  noted  "Beef- 
Tax"  was  laid  upon  the  towns  in  1780  and  1781, — about  three 
thousand  pounds  of  beef  each  year  for  Francestowii, — they  in- 
structed the  selectmen  to  procure  the  beef."  The  load  was 
heavy,  but  there  was  not  a  murmur.  It  is  astonishing,  in  view 
of  their  hardships  and  povertjs  to  see  their  inflexible  zeal  and 
determination  to  help  bear  every  trial  and  '•^heep  their  quota 
fuliy  Much  of  this  has  been  stated  in  the  history  of  these 
years  in  the  regular  narrative  on  former  pages.  It  may  be  re- 
peated here  that  Apr.  15,  1782,  seven  years  after  the  battle  of 
Lexim/ton,  they  chose  a  committee  to  enlist  men  for  ''three  years 
or  During  the  war," — which  certainly  does  not  look  much  like 
being  discouraged,  or  giving  up.  This  was  the  spirit  of  the 
American  people,  and  this  shows  us  why  liberty  could  l)e  won 
against  fearful  odds. 

And  the  town  was  very  faithful  in  its  regajxl  for  the  families 
of  absent  soldiers.  Some  came  here  and  "picked  out  locations" 
for  settlement,  and  made  a  small  "choj^ping"  as  a  "mark"  upon 
their  "claim,"  and  then  enlisted,  but  never  returned;  so  tliat  a 
few  names  given  below  though  enlisting  from  this  place  were 
never  subsequently  known  as  Francestown  men,  and  never 
really  moved  here.  But  others  who  had  made  "beginnings" 
and  "clearings"  and  had  the  usual  "log-house,"  were  helped 
right  along  in  their  work  in  absence.  Those  who  stayed  at 
home  worked  harder  than  those  in  the  field.  They  did  their 
own  and  also  their  neighbors's  work.  They  worked  by  moon- 
light because  the  day  was  too  short.  Women  and  children  took 
hold  of  the  hardest  labor,  and  with  incredible  toil  against  forests 
and  rocks  carried  on  the  soldier's  ground.  So,  when  they  took 
turns,  those  absent  came  home  to  see  their  work  going  on,  and 
those  starting  off  knew  that  their  "clearings"  and  families  would 
be  cared  for.  All  this  was  done  not  by  tax,  but  by  voluntary 
apportionment  of  labor.  They  had  no  money;  but  they  had 
hearts  that  could  not  be  conquered,  and  hands  that  wei'e  made 
of  steel ! 

This  town  had  no  great  generals  or  captains  in  the  field,  but 
for  service  and  faithfulness  was  second  to  no  other.  Several 
Francestown  men  were  in  the  force  which  was  last  upon  duty. 


CLOSmG   EVENTS    OF    THE    WAE.  259 

During  a  large  part  of  the  war  the  quota  for  New  Hampshire  was 
three  regiments.  Lord  Cornwallis  surrendered  Oct.  19,  1781, 
which  virtually  ended  the  contest.  By  order  of  Gen.  Washing- 
ton the  Third  New  Hampshire  Regiment  was  merged  into  the 
First  and  Second;  and  by  a  second  order  Jan.  1,  1783,  the 
Second  was  consolidated  with  the  First.  The  treaty  of  peace 
was  signed  in  Paris  Sept.  3,  1783.  As  soon  as  this  was  known 
in  America  the  army  was  disbanded  (Nov.  3,)  except  such  as 
Washington  ^'pecially  deaignated  to  remain  on  duty  for  the 
honorable  services  of  escort  and  honor  at  the  evacuation  of  New 
York  by  the  British,  which  last  event  occurred  Nov.  25,  1783. 
During  the  long  struggle  many  more  British  tlian  American 
soldiers  lost  their  lives ;  but  the  sacrifice  of  life  on  the  part  of 
the  colonies  was  great  in  propoition  to  their  numbers.  And 
many  were  disabled  for  life,  not  only  by  wounds  received  in 
battle,  but  by  sad  exposures  to  cold  and  diseiise.  The  suffer- 
ings of  the  Americans  were  intense.  A  great  deal  of  romance 
and  personal  adventure  entered  into  the  strife.  There  were 
tests  of  courage  and  acts  of  daring,  that  remained  untold. 
Hunger,  poverty,  hair-breadth  escapes,  individual  conflicts  with 
tories  and  Indians  and  wild  beasts, — all  these  connected  with 
the  clash  of  many  battles,  could  they  be  woven  together,  would 
make  a  story  of  marvels  not  exceeded  in  human  history.  Every 
little  community  had  some  share  in  these  things.  Almost  every 
soldier  could  tell  tales  of  the  marvellous  from  his  own  experi- 
ence. And  things  laughable,  or  absurd,  or  wicked,  were  not 
wanting.    ' 

Daniel  Fuller  used  to  tell  of  an  experience  of  his  in  the  dark 
days  of  1779  when  the  army  was  greatly  demoralized  in  con- 
sequence of  a  general  want  of  food  and  clothing.  Fuller  was 
a  boy  only  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  but  full  of  courage  and 
life.  At  the  time  referred  to,  no  rations  had  been  issued  to  the 
army  for  two  days  and  they  were  waiting  for  supplies,  with  in- 
creasing and  almost  mutinous  anxiety.  And  yet  strict  orders 
had  been  given  not  to  plunder,  so  careful  were  the  fathers  to 
deal  righteously.  On  the  secorid  night  of  this  fasting  two  sol- 
diers came  into  the  tent  where  Fuller  and  his  companion  were 
lying,  and  said,  "we  are  determined  to  have  something  to  eat." 
They  talked  over  the  "strict  orders  not  to  plunder,"  but  never- 


260  STRUGGLES    WITH    TORIES. 

theless  Fuller  and  another  soldier  "started  out."  After  travel- 
ling two  or  three  miles  in  the  darkness,  they  came  to  a  Dutch 
farm  house  and  found  a  pig  four  or  five  months  old.  They 
"knocked  the  pig  on  the  head"  to  })revent  its  noise,  carried  it 
to  a  brook,  washed  and  dressed  it,  burned  off  its  bristles,  and 
started  with  it  for  tlie  camp,  making  about  the  quickest  march 
on  record  notwithstanding  their  load.  Tlie  otlier  two  soldiers 
meanwhile  had  qiuetly  "visited"  a  grist-mill  anil  came  back  with 
a  bag  of  flour.  All  had  succeeded  in  eluding  the  guard  and 
had  not  been  missed  from  camp.  Fuller  and  his  companion 
gave  up  half  the  })ig  and  took  half  the  flour.  Then  they  made 
a  soup  with  the  meat  and  what  they  called  "Dough  Boy,"  or 
flour  cakes  boiled,  similar  to  those  which  now  are  called  "dump- 
lings." On  this  dish  they  feasted  before  morning ;  and  Fuller 
used  to  say  in  after  life  that  he  "had  never  eaten  a  meal  of  such 
good  relish  before  nor  since !"  After  roll-call  in  that  hungry 
camp  the  next  morning.  Fuller  over-heard  his  captain  saying, 
"I  would  eat  a  solid  meal  thotigh  I  knew  it  came  from  hell," 
and  at  once  he  took  a  bowl  of  the  soup  'and  slipped  into  ^e 
caj)tain's  tent  and  left  it  without  saying  a  word.  An  hour  after- 
wards Fuller  was  sent  for,  and  his  comrades  said  to  him,  "Now 
yoti'U  catch  it,"  "yoa'U  be  flogged  for  plunder;"  but  the  Cap- 
tain gave  him  a  Bottle  of  Rum,  and  said  in  an  undertone, 
"Daniel,  there's  your  bowl  to  take  liome," — and  that  was  "all 
that  was  said  about  the  soup." 

Our  fathers  had  many  struggles  with  the  tories,  and  these 
were  the  bitterest  and  most  personal  struggles  of  the  war. 
There  were  very  few  tories  in  Francestown,  but  more  in  the 
older  places  like  New  Boston.  Bedford  and  Amherst.  Wherever 
they  were,  they  were  constantly  Avatched  by  committees  of 
Safety,  or  hj  soldiers  detailed  for  that  purpose.  These  tories 
were  intensely  hated  by  the  patriots,  especially  if  they  gave 
any  aid  or  comfort  to  deserters  and  enemies.  In  such  cases  the 
patriots  dealt  with  them  in  "righteous  indignation."  It  is 
related  that  Sergeant  Obadiah  McLane,  who  was  commissioned 
to  look  after  tories  and  deserters  in  this  vicinitj',  learned  that 
two  deserters  were  concealed  in  the  house  of  a  prominent  tory 
in  the  north  part  of  New  Boston  near  Francestown,  then  closely 
identified  with  this  place.     McLane  called  several  citizens  to  his 


DISBANDING    THE   ARMY.  261 

aid  and  went  to  arrest  them.  Having  surrounded  the  house, 
he  and  another  man  attempted  to  force  an  entrance  at  the  door. 
The  assistant  got  partly  in  when  he  was  struck  on  the  head 
with  an  axe,  and  fell  back  senseless  outside,  and  the  tory  closed 
the  door  and  held  it.  Instantly  McLane  shot  at  him  through 
the  closed  door,  the  large  bullet  passing  through  his  hip  and 
bringing  him  down,  The  rejiort  of  the  gun  and  the  outciy  of 
the  fallen  tory,  brouglit  all  to  the  front  of  the  house,  taking 
advantage  of  which  the  deserters  jumped  out  of  a  back  window 
and  escaped. 

This  is  given  as  an  example  of  man}^  trying  scenes.  The 
indirect  hindrance  and  trouble  caused  by  the  tories  was  very 
great.  They  concealed  deserters  and  harbored  enemies  and 
talked  about  subjugation  and  royal  revenge  at  the  end  of  the 
conflict.  If  tories  kept  their  mouths  shut,  and  were  quiet  at 
home,  they  were  not  molested,  yet  they  were  called  "abandoned 
wretches,"  and  "villains"  and  "traitors,"  and  the  hand  of 
violence  could  not  be  held  back  from  such  as  were  outspokeji. 
And  it  is  no  wondei'  tliat  when  the  patriots  were  doing  and 
suffering  to  the  utmost  to  resist  a  foreign  foe,  they  should  have 
no  patience  with  traitorous  enemies  at  home. 

And  thus,  the  great  war  came  to  its  glorious  end.  It  was  not 
great  in  the  numl)ers  engaged,  but  it  was  great  in  the  principles 
estal)lished  and  in  the  influences  of  the  new  nation  upon  the 
world. 

The  final  act  of  Gen.  Washington,  before  resigning  his  com-- 
mission,  was  the  appointment  of  a  small  force  to  remain  on  duty 
after  Jan.  1,  1784.  Nearly  half  of  this  last  reserve  force  con- 
sisted of  a  part  of  the  First  New  Hampshire  Regiment.  By  act 
of  Congress  June  2,  1784,  this  reserve  was  honorably  discharged, 
and  the  last  ranks  of  the  Patriot  Army  of  the  Revolution  dis- 
appeared! Thus  the  First  Ncav  Hampshire  had  a  continuous 
service  of  ni^ie  years  and  two  and  one-half  months,  being  the 
longest  service  rendered  by  any  regiment  in  the  whole  army, 
or  in  the  whole  history  of  the  United  States ! 

I  append  a  list  of  the  Revolutionary  Soldiers  from  this  to^^'n. 
Nearly  all  of  these  were .  residents  here  before  the  struggle 
began,  or  made  purchases  or  beginnings  here  before  or  during 
the  long  figlit  for  liberty;  but  a  few  are  mentioned  who  enlisted 


262  KAMES    OF    REVOLUTIONARY    SOLDIERS. 

from  other  towns,  and  came  here  for  the  first  time  after  the  war 
was  over,  to  settle  and  spend  their  days.  These  names  have 
been  picked  up  in  various  ways  as  the  town  had  no  record  of 
them,  and  even  the  "Revolutionary  Rolls"  published  by  the 
State  contain  by  no  means  all  the  credits  that  should  l)e  given. 
I  find  by  an  old  Receipt  dated  Aug.  22,  1776,  that  John  Brown, 
John  Nichols,  William  Montgomery,  William  Brown  and  Robert 
Butterfield,  "-of  Francestown"  were  paid  for  having  "gone  in 
Col.  Wingate's  Regiment  to  Canada."  Every  one  named  below 
was  certainly  an  '■^cnUsfed''  soldier  for  some  part  of  the  war; 
and  I  have  spared  no  pains  to  make  the  list  contain  the  name 
of  every  man  from  this  town,  who  was  actually  in  the  field. 
But,  on  account  of  imperfect  records,  it  is  to  be  feared  that 
some  fail  to  appear. 


1 

i^Tathan  Aldridge 

2 

John  Bayley 

3 

Edward  Bicksbey 

4 

Lieut.  Thomas  Bixby 

5 

Asa  Bixby 

() 

Nathaniel  Boyd 

7 

Samuel  Boyd 

8 

Robert  Bradford 

9 

James  Brewster 

10 

Jolm  Brown 

11 

William  Brown 

12 

llichard  Batten 

13 

Amos  Batchelder 

14 

Thomas  Brown 

15 

James  Burns 

16 

Oliver  Butterfield 

17 

Samuel  Butterfield 

18 

Robert  Butterfield 

19 

Isaac  Butterfield 

20 

William  Christey 

21 

Andrew  Cressej^ 

22 

William  Campbell  Sergt. 

23 

Charles  Cavanaugh 

24 

Simon  Carson 

2.-, 

Capt.  .John  Carson 

2() 

Daniel  Clark 

27 

Ebenezer  Coston 

28 

Peter  Christy 

29 

Simeon  Chubbuck 

NAMES    OF    SOLDIERS.  263 

30  John  Dickey 

31  William  Dickey 

32  Simeon  Dodge 

33  Eliphalet  Dustin  (went  part  of  the  time  for  Xew  Boston) 

34  Robert  Dinsmore 

35  Benjamin  Dean 
30  David  Durant 

37  Jacob  Dutton — also  went  for  Lyndcboro'. 

38  Frances  Epps 

39  Eleazer  Everett 

40  Seth  Fisher 

41  Elias  Fairbanks 

42  Peter  Farnum 

43  Abner  Fisher 

44  Thomas  Fisher 

45  Nathan  Fisher 

4(5  William  Follansbee 

Ar,  ^     .  ,  T^  n        /  witnessed  the  execution 

47  Daniel  Fuller   t  ^f  Maj.  Andre. 

48  Stephen  Fuller 

49  Thaddeus  Fuller 

50  Rufus  Fuller 

51  Robert  Ferson 

52  Archibald  Gamball 

53  Leariford  Gilbert 

54  Henry  Glover 

55  •  David  Gregg 

56  John  Gregg 

57  Abel  Iladley 

58  William  Hopkins 

59  James  Harwood 

60  Oliver  Holmes,  Lieut. 

61  Robert  Hopkins 

62  James  Hogg 

63  .  John  Johnson — in  Navy 

64  Thomas  Jones 

65  Asa  Kemp 

66  Winslow  Lakin 

67  Simon  Low 

68  Aaron  Lewis 

69  Asa  Lewis 

70  Capt.  William  Lee — later  also  for  Lyndeboro'. 

71  Dr.  Samuel  Lolley,  Surgeons  Mate. 

72  James  Martin 

73  Jonn  Manahan 

74  Samuel  Martin 


264  NAMES    OF    SOLDIERS. 

75  Jesse  Martin 

70  James  McFersonn 

77  Thomas  McLaughlin 

78  John  McLaughlin 

79  Thomas  Mellin 

50  John  Melleu 

51  AVilliam  McMasler 
82  Joseph  McCluer 
88  Hugh  Moore 

84  James  Moore 

85  Edmond  McDonald  (or  McDaniel) 

86  William  McFerson 

87  Timothy  Morse 

88  William  Montgomery 
8!)  Hugh  Montgomer}' 

00  John  Mcllvaine 

01  James  Illvaine 

92  William  Mcllvaine 

93  Lieut.  Thomas  Mitchell 

94  David  Nichols 

95  James  Nesmith 
90  John  Nichols 

97  William  Nutt 

98  Eleazer  Nutting 

99  Samuel  Nutt 

100  Arthur  Nesmith 

101  Henry  Parkinson — Quarter  Master  of  Gen.  Stark's 

[Regiment. 

102  Abner  Pettee 

103  Samuel  Punchard 

104  John  Eamsey 

105  Simon  Ruggles 

106  James  Richardson 

107  Zachariah  Richardson 

108  David  Scohy— Lieut. 

109  Stephen  Shattuck 

110  John  Smith 

111  William  Starrett 

112  John  Todd 

113  Abel  Walton 

114  AVilliam  Wheeler  Jr 

115  Whitney 

116  Ithamar  Woodward 

117  Thomas  Warren 


TRAIiSING    BAND    AND    ALARM    LIST.  265 

Some  of  these  served  in  part  for  other  towns,  and  it  is  pos- 
sible that  there  may  be  an  omission  of  a  few  Francestown  men 
who  served  in  Massachnsetts  regiments.  Many  New  Hampshire 
men  enlisted  in  that  state  for  greater  bounty,  whose  names  it 
has  been  found  difficult  to  obtain.  And  it  should  be  remem- 
bered that  the  aged  men  and  the  half-grown  boys  were  all 
under  arms,  and  ready  to  march  "if  worst  came  to  worst,"  shoAv- 
ing  the  universal  will  of  our  fathers  to  continue  the  struggle  if 
need  be  as  long  as  there  was  one  left  able  to  march  and  carry  a 
gun ! 

But  when  the  Revolution  was  over,  the  Ship  of  State  was 
soon  found  to  be  launched  upon  a  stormy  sea.  England  and 
France  were  generally  at  war,  and  this  new  free  nation  was 
almost  drawn  into  their  conflicts  acrain  and  ag^ain.  A  new 
treaty  with  England  (1794)  quieted  our  troubles  witli  tliat 
nation  for  several  years;  but  in  1795,  and  for  two  or  three 
years  later,  we  were  almost  in  a  state  of  war  with  France.  At 
that  time  tlie  old  Revolutionary  plan  of  drilled  "minute-men" 
was  revived.  These  men  were  enlisted,  trained,  and  ready  to 
march  at  a  "minute's  notice."  Francestown  enlisted  her  quota 
at  once,  and  voted  (Mar,  8,  1795)  to  make  up  their  pay  to  •!  10 
per  month,  and  fifty  cents  per  day  additional  for  "any 
extraordinary  service  at  home," — which  was  an  honorable  com- 
pensation, considering  the  greater  value  of  money  in  those  days. 
Yet  two  years  later  to  fill  a  larger  demand  the  town  voted  to 
advance  said  wages  to  twelve  dollars  per  month.  The  "minute- 
men"  were -kept  in  training  and  readiness  till  after  the  last  war 
with  England  was  over.  During  the  Revolution  the  legislature 
passed  an  Act  (Mar.  18,  1780)  by  which  all  the  younger  and 
abler  men  were  formed,  in  each  one  of  the  larger  towns,  into  "A 
Training  Band,"  to  be  constantly  diilled  and  always  read}^  while 
all  others  in  the  same  town  under  seventy  years  of  age  were 
formed  into  an  "Alarm  List,"  and  were  called  out  for  drill  twice 
a  3'ear.  But  in  the  smaller  towns  the  "Training  Band"  and 
"Alarm  List"  were  drilled  together.  By  a  change  of  the  law 
June  24,  1786,  those  over  sixty  years  of  age  were  released  from 
all  military  duty.  But  the  military  spirit  was  so  active  in  those 
days  that  many  aged  men  refused  to  be  "exempt,"  and  came 
out,  with  youthful  step  and  white  hair  floating  in  the  wind,  to 


266  "THE    CBACK    llEGIMENT." 

"do  military  duty"  to  the  last.  And  tliis  system  was  in  oper- 
ation till  the  "constitution  of  1792"  became  the  supreme  law  of 
the  state,  and  upon  this  an  entire  chang-e  in  our  militia  system 
was  made.  The  whole  force  in  the  state  was  divided  into 
twenty-seven  regiments,  with  "two  battalions  in  each  regiment." 
Francestown  fell  into  the  Twenty-sixth,  which  was  known  sub- 
sequently as  the  "crack  regiment"  in  the  State.  In  this 
regiment  the  companies  of  Antrim,  Deering,-Henniker,  Hills- 
boro'  and  CampbelFs  Gore  (AVindsor,)  formed  the  first  battalion ; 
those  in  Francestown,  Greenfield,  Hancock,  Lyndeboro',  and 
Society  Laud  (Bennington)  formed  the  second.  Each  regi- 
ment had  also  it-;  cavahy  companj^  or  "troop"  as  they  called  it, 
generally  made  up  of  squads  from  several  adjacent  towns.  The 
first  commander  of  the  "Old  Twenty  Sixth"  was  Gol.  Benjamin 
Pierce,  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  father  of  President  Pierce. 
He  was  called  in  the  military  phrase  of  that  clay  "Lieut.  Col. 
Commandant."  David  Campbell  of  Henniker  was  major  of  the 
first  battalion,  and  Daniel  Gould  was  major  of  the  battalion  in- 
cluding this  town.  This  militar}^  arrangement,  though  often 
made  an  object  of  experiment  and  amendment  in  the  legis- 
lature, continued  without  great  change  till  the  act  of  July  5, 
1851,  which  made  military  duty  voluntary  and  without  pay, 
and  was  practically  the  end  of  a  system  that  had  continued 
three-quarters  of  a  century.  A  few  companies  in  the  state,  like 
the  Lyndeboro'  Artillery,  kept  up  their  organization;  but  nearly 
all  disbanded  soon  after  the  passage  of  the  above-named  law. 
In  most  of  the  towns  the  old  "Training  Bands"  had  gradually 
passed  into  what  were  called  "uniformed  companies,"  which 
were  speciallv  drilled  and  looked  finely  and  were  the  pride  and 
boast  of  their  several  localities ;  while  the  old  "Alarm  List" 
gradually  came  to  include  all  of  military  age  who  had  not  the 
interest,  or  could  not  afford  the  time  and  expense  of  the  more 
popular  organizations.  These  ununiformed  companies  came  to 
be  called  the  "m?7iVm"  and  in  later  years  made  often  a  very  rude 
appearance,  as  they  included  all  ages  and  sizes,  and  were  rarely 
called  out  for  drill.  The  writer  remembers  them  well  as  they 
appeared  at  the  annual  musters.  They  wore  all  colors  of  coats 
and  pants,  and  all  shapes;  and  some  had  hats  (no  two  alike,) 
and  some  wore  caps ;  some  were  well-dressed,  and  some  were 


"CORK   MUSTER."  267 

quite  the  reverse ;  a  few  were  barefoot  and  in  their  shirt-sleeves 
and  all  carried  the  old,  rusty,  flint-lock  gun  handed  down  from 
the  days  of  the  Revolution,  For  these  reasons  the  "old  militia 
companies"  had  few  attractions  for  small  boys,  and  they  became 
the  butt  of  many  a  jest  and  joke.  In  one  regiment  they  were 
called  "Barn-Door"'  com})anies,  because  an  old  farmer  who  com- 
manded, not  being  able  to  remember  the  right  word,  gave  the 
order,  "Swing  round  like  a  barn-door  I"  Througliout  the  state 
they  were  called  "Slam  Bang"  companies,  because  when,  at 
muster  the  "sham-fight"  occurred  and  the  command  was  given 
to  fire,"  the  well-drilled  uniform  companies  fired  together  and 
only  one  report  was  heard,  while  the  "militia"  companies  dis- 
charged their  guns  two  or  three  at  a  time,  slam,  slam,  bang,  so 
that  it  would  be  four  or  five  minutes  (seeming  half  an  hour) 
before  the  firing  ceased  I  Then  a  great  shout  of  laughter  from 
the  uniform  companies  and  crowds  of  spectators  rolled  over  the 
field!  Yet  be  it  remembered  tliat  these  untrained  common 
people,  these  "embattled  farmers,"  were  of  the  kind  tliat  stood 
at  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill  I 

The  annual  musters  under  the  old  military  system  were  occa- 
sions of  great  importance  to  the  men  and  small  boys !  These 
were  generally  held  in  Septeml)er,  and  immense  crowds  attended. 
There  were  generally  from  a  thousand  to  two  thousand  soldiers  in 
line  on  each  muster-field;  several  brass  bands;  "fife  and  drum" 
corps  by  the  dozen;  mounted  ofiicers  with  imposing  horses  and 
trappings,  a  showy  cavahy  company;  magnificent  marching;  a 
speech  from  the  "Brigadier  General  Commanding,"  (if  not  too 
drunk;)  and  the  whole  closed  up  with  a  "sham-fight,"  which 
stirred  the  small  boys  heart  to  its  depths  with  excitement  and 
wonder  I  And  trafiic  of  every  name  and  kind  was  there.  Shows 
and  clap-traps  without  number  were  ready  to  catch  a  dime  from 
the  unwary  rustic.  My  allowance  for  the  muster  was  a  nine- 
pence,  a  coin  now  never  seen,  worth  twelve  and  one-half  cents, 
— and  with  it  I  felt  richer  than  ever  I  have  felt  since.  This 
large  sum  was  very  judiciously  invested  in  candy,  ginger-bread 
and  other  such  attractions  for  the  small  boy.  The  musters  of 
the  "Crack  Twenty-Sixth"  were  chiefly  held  on  "Cork  Plain," 
on  the  bank  of  the  Contoocook  river  in  West  Deering.  This 
place  was  both  accessible  and  convenient,  and  was  the  most 


268  FKAKCESTOWN   LIGHT    INFANTRY. 

celebrated  muster-field  in  the  state.  The  river  supplied  plenty 
of  water,  needed  both  for  man  and  beast  at  so  great  a  concourse ; 
and  it  used  to  be  said  with  a  jest  that  liquids  of  a  more  fiery 
nature  were  both  '^abundant  and  cheap."  Not  a  few  got  back 
from  the  "Mooster  droonk."  Oft  times  the  officers  of  the  day 
found  it  convenient  to  be  "relieved  from  duty"  in  the  afternoon. 
In  those  days  when  "eveiybody  drank"  it  was  difficult  to  ar- 
range these  potations  in  public  with  very  accurate  calculations  as 
to  results.  Hence  there  was  always  more  or  less  disorder,  and 
in  the  course  of  years  the  excesses  increased,  disgusting  the  bet- 
ter class  of  people.  Gradually  all  sorts  of  shows  and  grab-games 
crept  in,  till  the  mustei'  became  to  a  great  extent  an  occasion  of 
hawking,  auctioneering,  di'inking,  gambling  and  fighting.  This 
more  than  anything  else  led  to  the  end  of  the  old  military 
system,  the  growth  of  the  temperance  movement  demanding  it. 
I  find  by  Amherst  Cabinet  that  the  Old  26th  Regiment  '■'•paraded''' 
in  Francestown  Oct.  2,  1806,  under  Col.  McCluer  of  Antrim. 
The  Francestown  Light  Infantry  made  a  fine  appearance  in  the 
old  and  better  daj^s  of  Cork  Muster.  It  was  second  to  no  com- 
pany  of  its  kind  in  the  state.  This  company  was  organized 
Jan.  29,  1818,  and  disbanded  Apr.  15,  1844.  Its  first  officers 
were  James  Martin,  Capt.,  Joseph  Willard,  Lieut.,  and  Peter 
F.  Farnum,  ensign.     Its  subsequent  commanders  were 

Capt.  Joseph  Willard 

"  Peter  Clark 

"  William  Balcli 

"  iSJ'ahum  Farnum 

"  Samuel  Ferson 

"  Jesse  Woodbury 

''  Samuel  Stevens 

"  Lewis  Holmes 

"  William  W.  Parker 

"  William  J.  Fisher 

"  Hiram  P.  Clark. 

The  last  named  Capt.  Clark  was  promoted  to  be  Colonel  of 
the  regiment  and  served  with  ability  and  to  the  acceptance  of 
all. 

When  the  law  of  1851,  abolishing  the  old  military  system 
was  passed,  the  New  Hampshire  forces  consisted  of  four  Divis- 


THE    GRENADIERS.  269 

ions,  eight  Brigades  and  forty-two  Regiments,  of  which  Gov. 
Samuel  Dinsmore  was  commander-in-chief!  The  officers  of  the 
''Old  Twenty-Sixth"  at  that  time  were, 

Edward  Patten,  Colonel. 
Lewis  Richardson,  Lieut.  Col. 
11.  B.  Butler,  Major. 
James  H.  Bradford,  Adjutant. 
Joel  Bullard,  Quartermaster. 

The  Act  of  Dec.  28,  1792,  had  provided  that  each  regiment 
should  have  a  company  of  "Grenadiers."  Formerly  this  name 
applied  to  those  selected  to  throw  grenades — small  jjowder- 
bombs  thrown  by  hand — requiring  the  strongest  men  to  throw 
them  sufficient  distance.  But  it  came  to  be  used  to  designate 
a  select  company  of  the  largest,  heaviest  men,  who  occupied  the 
position  of  honor  on  tlie  right  of  the  regiment  and  was  supposed 
to  lead  in  any  attack  or  any  parade.  The  "Grenadiers"  for 
this  regiment  Avere  organized  in  1807,  under  John  IVIcNiel, 
afterwards  Gen.  John  McNiel,  distinguished  in  the  war  of  1812. 
McNiel  was  six  feet  and  six  inches  tall,  and  received  no  one 
into  his  company  who  was  less  than  six  feet  in  height.  Their 
uniform  consisted  of  black  coats  gorgeously  faced  with  red, 
dark  pants  with  broad  red  stripe  down  the  side,  and  tall  caps 
with  high,  brilliant  and  tossing  plumes,  which  altogether  made 
the  men  look  tall  as  giants,  and  gave  an  exceedingly  stately 
and  commandijig  appearance  to  this  noted  company.  Nothing 
equal  to  it  was  known  in  New  Hampshire,  and  probably  not  in 
the  whole  United  States.  It  was  the  admiration  of  all,  and  the 
great  wonder  of  small  boys.  These  tallest  men  were  picked 
out  of  Antrim,  Deering,  Francestown,  Greenfield,  Hancock, 
Hillsborough,  Henniker  and  Windsor.  Some  old  men  over  six 
feet  tall  look  pride  in  marching  in  these  ranks,  and  men  of  250 
and  300  pounds  stepped  lightly  and  proudly  as  the  young, 
dwarfs  of  100  pounds  to-day.  This  company  gradually  became 
an  Antrim  Company,  and  was  wliolly  from  that  town  after  the 
year  1823. 

The  sevei-al  captains  of  the  "militia,"  or  ununiformed  citizen 
soldiery  in  this  town,  so  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  was  ay 
follows : 


270  WAE  OF  1812. 

Capt.  Abel  R.  Whiting 

"  John  M.  Collins 

"  Ebenezer  Hopkins,  ;}(1 

"  Mark  Manahau 

-  AVilliani  II.  Hopkins 

"  Horace  Hopkins 

"  Merrill  Dodge 

"  K.  ^V.  Emerson 

"  David  Smiley 

"  George  Whittield  Jr. 

"  Herchell  Farmer 

"  Elias  A.  Wilson 

Going  back  a  little  in  order  to  complete  the  military  record 
of  the  town,  we  find  quite  a  number  of  our  men  had  a  part  in 
the  last  war  with  Great  Britain.  The  treaty  of  1794  did  not 
settle  disputes  but  merely  quieted  them ;  and  serious  trouble 
was  only  barely  avoided  on  many  occasions.  The  British 
government  became  more  offensive  every  jeav  in  searching  our 
vessels,  and  encroaching  upon  our  rights  at  sea,  till  the  humilia- 
tions became  intolerable,  and  an  extra  session  of  Congress  was 
called  (Nov.  1811)  to  take  some  action  in  the  matter.  Mili- 
tary preparations  were  begun  at  once,  but  every  possible  effort 
was  made  to  secure  our  rights  by  peaceful  means.  Still  matters 
went  on  worse  and  worse,  till  Congress,  declared  war  against  En- 
gland June  16,  1812.  New  Hampshire  escaped  the  devastation 
of  battle  on  her  soil ;  though  from  her  nearness  to  Canada,  and 
tlie  exposure  of  Portsmouth  it  was  expected  that  a  blow  would 
be  struck  here  at  the  start.  Companies  were  speedily  sent  to 
the  coast  and  to  the  northern  part  of  the  state.  The  rolls  of 
these  companies  are  so  imperfect  for  the  most  part  as  not  to 
show  the  towns  from  which  the  soldiers  came ;  so  that  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  give  credits  aright.  Dec.  17, 1812,  our  legislature  passed 
an  act  organizing  "Voluntary  Corps  of  Infantry,"  only  to  resist 
invasion  of  New  Ham})shire,  arid  formed  of  those  by  law  exempt 
from  militaiy  duty. 

In  most  of  the  towns  in  this  vicinity  companies  were  organ- 
ized in  accordance  with  this  act,  and  many  that  bore  the  scars 
of  the  Revolution  entered  into  this  new  movement  with  the 
enthusiasm  of  youth.  The  fathers  called  these  companies  "The 
Alarm  List,"  reviving  the  old  familiar  name.     Boys,  and  those 


DEFENCE    OF    NEW    HAMPSHIRE.  271 

men  not  admitted  to  regular  organizations  on  account  of  physi- 
cal disabilities,  and  white-beaded  pilgrims  of  four-score  years, 
put  down  tbeir  names  together;  but  neai'ly  all  wei'e  men  from 
sixty  to  seventy-five  _years  of  age.  They  were  commanded  by 
old  officers  or  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  and  drilled  two  or  three 
times  a  month.  New  Hampshire  was  thoroughly  aroused,  and 
was  ready  for  heroic  defence ;  and  this  no  doubt  explains  why 
an  attack  was  not  made.  The  entire  male  pojudation  of  the 
state  drilled  and  ecjuipped  was  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's 
warning  to  resist  invasion.  The  forts  and  defences  in  the 
vicinity  of  Portsmou',?h  were  kept  well  garrisoned  throughout 
the  war, — generally  by  men  in  that  part  of  the  State,  though 
often  relieved  by  those  in  this  vicinity,  whose  names  cannot 
now  be  given.  But  toward  the  close  of  the  war  several  full 
companies  were  raised  in  this  sectioii,  and  marched  to  the  sea- 
board, as  invasion  was  daily  expected.  Capt.  Hugh  Moore  of 
Francestown  raised  a  company  of  102  men,  who  signed  their 
names  Sept.  13,  1814.  This  was  in  addition  to  several  detach- 
ments from  this  regiment  previously  made  ])y  draft  or  voluntary 
enlistment.  In  man}^  towns  the  draft  had  to  be  made  because 
all  volunteered.,  and  only  a  part  were  wanted  till  further  need 
should  appear.  In  Capt.  Moore's  Companj-  David  McC'auley 
of  Antrim  waS  1st  Lieut,  and  Thatcher  Biadford  of  Hancock 
2nd  Lieut.  Two  weeks  later  Capt.  VVm.  Gregg  of  Antrim  started 
with  a  Company  of  105  men,  in  which  Peter  Peavy  of  Green- 
field and  Peter  Farnham  of  Francestown,  were  officers.  Several 
Francestowii  men,  likewise,  were  in  the  compau}^  of  Capt. 
Trevett  of  Mont  Vernon.  Capt.  Josiali  Converse  of  Amherst, 
Capt.  Phinehas  Stone  of  Weare.  and  Capt.  Timothy  Putnam  of 
Lyndeboro'  also  marched,  witli  a  hundred  men  each,  to  join  the 
forces  at  Portsmouth.  Some  of  these  companies  were  for  ninety 
days,  or  a  shorter  time;  but  most  of  tliem  remained  at  the  post 
of  danger  till  peace  was  proclaimed  in  Feb.  1815.  No  battle 
occurred,  though  quite  a  number  lost  their  lives  by  exposure 
and  sickness.  Tlie  war  had  been  specially  burdensome  to  the 
New  England  States,  almost  crushing  our  commerce  and  manu- 
factures; and  hence  all  were  ready  to  rejoice  together  loud  and 
long  when  the  bitter  strife  was  past.  I  append  a  list  of  the 
saldiers  from  Francestown  in  the  war  of  1812,  so  far  as  I  find 


272  SOLDIERS    OF    1812. 

the  names  on  rolls  and  records.  No  doubt  there  were  others 
from  this  place.  Some  enlisted  for  other  towns, — or  even  for 
other  states, — and  were  not  counted  liere. 

1  True  Ayers 

2  Francis  Austin 

3  John  W.  Bean 

4  Joseph  Eutterfield 
r,  Robert  Butterfield 
()  David  Brown 

7  John  Carson 

8  Lewis  Crani — Fifer 
1)     David  Campbell 

10  Stephen  Cooper 

11  Thomas  Draper 

12  John  Dustin 

13  Francis  Duncklee 

14  Ira  Fisher 

IT)  Peter  Farnum 

1()  David  Hopkins 

17  John  Hopkins 

15  Samuel  IIuntin;^ton 

19  ISTathaniel  11.  Lakin 

20  John  Loring 

21  James  Martin 

22  Capt.  Hugh  Moore 

23  Samuel  McClure — enlisted  for  Francestown 

24  Joseph  Pierce 

2.5  Jonas  Eichardson 

26  Ezra  Smith 

27  Charles  Stiles 

25  David  Smith 

29  Benjamin  Sleeper 

30  Daniel  Short 

31  John  E.  Wright 

On  Ma}^  11,  1846,  Congress  declared  war  to  exist  between 
this  country  and  Mexico.  Many  in  the  north  looked  upon  it 
as  a  war  in  the  interests  of  slavery.  Others  declared  that  the 
Mexicans  provoked  resistance  and  then  resented  it.  Others 
raised  the  cry  that  ours  was  a  strong  nation  trying  to  crush  a 
weak  one.  The  writer  well  remembers  the  angry  opposition  to 
the  "Mexican  War"  in  this  vicinity.  Comjijaratively  few  men 
enlisted  from  New  Hampshire.  No  son  of  Francestown  is 
known  to  have  enlisted.     But  probably  the  results  of  that  war 


WAR    OF    THE    REBELLION.  273 

have  been  advantageous  to  the  United  States,  and  no  injury  to 
divided  and  ill-ruled  Mexico. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  great  war  to  put  down  the  Rebellion 
was  popular  in  this  vicinity  as  being  "a  patriotic  and  holy  war." 
The  "Rebels"  began  the  terrible  struggle  by  firing  on  Fort 
Sumter  Apr.  12,  18(31:  and  it  lasted  four  years,. Gen.  Lee  sur- 
rendering Apr.  9,  1865.  In  the  regular  narrative  of  events  in 
town  covering  those  years,  I  have  already  stated  the  principal 
facts  in  this  town's  action  during  the  war.  The  record  of  zeal, 
unanimity  and  determination  is  honorable  to  tlie  town.  The 
list  of  our  soldiers  is  given  below,  and  great  effort  has  been 
made  to  have  it  correct.  Several  Francestown  men  enlisted  for 
other  towns,  and  some  enlisted  in  Massachusetts  regiments,  and 
a  few  enlisted  in  the  west  where  they  were  at  the  time;  and  all 
these  men  were  credited  where  they  enlisted,  on  account  of 
which  it  has  been  difficult  to  find  all  the  names  belonging  here. 
Not  tnany  from  this  town  lost  their  lives  in  the  war;  but  quite 
a  number  were  wounded,  and  many  lost  health  so  as  to  drag 
out  a  life  of  suffering  all  their  days.  Probably  none  returned 
without  bringing  in  their  bodies  the  seeds  of  disease  and  pain. 
Therefore  what  willing  honor  and  respect  we  should  pay  to 
every  soldier's  name  I 

The  whole  number  of  men  that  went  from  New  Hampshire  into 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  was  31,126,  a  large  number  for  our 
little  state,  and  a  larger  number  than  were  ever  massed  in  one 
army  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  The  whole  number  from 
Francesto^vn  was  117, — being  nine  more  than  our  quota  under 
all  the  calls.  This  town  had  117  men  in  the  Revolution;  31,  in 
the  war  of  1812;  and  107  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion, — making 
255  men  in  all.  The  list  of  names  given  below  has  been  made 
from  the  Adjutant  General's  Reports,  and  from  various  other 
sources.  No  complete  and  accurate  statement  of  the  part  of 
New  Hampshire  men  in  the  struggle  has  ever  been  given. 
Many  brilliant  soldiers  from  the  Granite  State  are  credited  to 
the  west.  The  Francestown  names,  arranged  chiefly  by  Maj. 
Bixby,  are  as  follows : 

1  George  Ames 

2  Solomon  D.  Avery — Musician 

3  Henry  A.  Belcher — died  in  service,  ISTov.  9,  1863. 


27-4  NAINIES    OP^    SOLDIERS. 

(  \  j^      TT  T>-   1      ^  Promoted  Cant,  of  cavalry. 

4  Ausiustus  H.  Bixbv -^  T,         ^  ht   ■ 

'^  •'  I  Brevet  Major. 

i)  Daniel  P.  Bixby— Re-enlisted  1864.— Lieut. 

7  George  II.  Bixby  M.  I).  Assistant  Surgeon,  Navv. 

8  Benjamin  A.  Blanchard 

9  Charles  Brown— Killed  May  18,  18(14. 

10  Franklin  W.  Belcher— died  of  disease  May  1,  18()5. 

11  t'harles  Barrett 

12  Jesse  Barrett 

13  Samuel  ().  Brown 

14  John  Ij.  Brooks 
1.5  Amos  C.  Bailey 

10  Elias  A.  Bryant — Chief  Ihigler — Severely  wounded. 

17  Edward  Bell 

15  James  Brown 

11)  Harvey  E.  Buxton  Wounded  July  li).  ISCl. 

20  Daniel  W.  Butterfield 

21  Daniel  Cargau 

22  Alonzo  S.  Carson 

23  Thomas  J.  Clark 

24  John  C.  r.  Church 

25  Bichard  Carry 

20  .lames  L.  Colburn 

27  Joseph  Card 

28  Martin  Colwell — died  of  disease  Aug.  28,  1802. 

29  Levi  Caldwell 

30  Daniel  A.  Colby 

31  Jesse  F.  Colby — Severely  wounded  Sept.  30,  1804. 

32  .Tames  Collins 

33  ^lichael  Carey 

34  Jeremiah  Crowley 
3;")  David  I).  Dennison 

30  Amasa  Downes — Corp. 

37  Addison  S.  Dodge — died  of  disease  Feb.  14,  1804. 

38  John  S.  Dustin 

39  George  A.  Dustin— Promoted;  Killed  June  14,  1803. 

40  Charles  H.  Eaton 

41  John  W.  Eaton 

42  George  D.  Epps — Musician 

43  Warren  T.  Fisher 

44  James  H.  Person- Sergt.  killed  July  :50,  18()4. 

45  Horace  Farrer — died  June  22,  1803. 
40  James  Fox 

47  Patrick  M.  Foote 

48  Alonzo  Foote 

49  Thomas  F.  Foote 


iSTAMES    Oy    SOLDIEES.  Z(0 

50  Samuel  Foote 

51  Henry  J.  George — Sergt. 

52  Charles  Graves — died  of  wounds  Sept.  27,  1864. 
5.3  Charles  Harris 

54     William  Hix — Ke-enlisted. 


rr     c;+     i       tt  tt  ij-    \  Sergeant 
ij5     Stephen  II.  Holt.  ^  t    ?    .. 


(  died  of  wounds  June  .6,  1804. 

56  Augustine  S.  S.  Hardy,  Capt.  110th  Reg.  111. 

57  George  W.  Hopkins 

58  Otis  i!^.  Holt 

59  Harrison  II.  Hardy 

00  Harvey  M.  D.  Hopkins 

01  David  Hopkins 

()2  George  Kingsbury 

03  Justin  M.  Kingsbury 

04  James  Larvell 

05  Henry  Lyons — Musician 

00  Edwin  S.  Harden — Wounded  July  4,  1S()4. 

07  Charles  N.  Marden 

08  John  Hears — Severely  wounded;  re-enlisted 

(■)'.)  William  11.  Marden— died  of  disease  Sept.  12,  1803. 

p.,,  T^.      .     ,         T   Ar     u       S  Wounded  July  30,  18(54. 

tO  Dr.  Andrew  J.  ]M<)ulton  -   „.,,    ,„     <-    on   iJ/.  < 

I  kdled  Sept.  .JO,  1804. 

71  John  Moses 

72  Robert  HcCulley 

73  John  McDonald 

74  James  McCarthy 

75  Levi  Ordway — died  of  disease  Oct.  21,  1802. 
70  John  G.  Proctor 

77  Peter  Peters 

78  Charles  G.  Rideout 
7y  James  Riley 

80  George  W.  Richardson 

81  Timothy  P.  Reed— died  of  wounds  Oct.  20,  1804. 

82  Charles  P.  Stevens — Sergt.  died  of  disease  Aug.  29, 1803. 

83  Fred  Schurer — Re-enlisted. 

84  George  G.  Sargent 

85  Charles  F.  Sleeper — Severely  wounded  July  23,  1804. 

86  Andrew  M.  Smith 

87  Dexter  D.  Smith 

88  John  Smith 

89  John  Small 

90  John  Scott— Sergt.     ' 

91  Patrick  Tague 

92  Mark  Tirrell 

93  Samuel  :N'.  Tucker 


276  NAMES    OF    SOLDIERS. 

^ .  _T  ,-r  -it"       (  weut  first  for  Antrim 

94  Harvey  H.  ^V  inn  |  ^^^^^^  ^^^^^_  ^9, 1862. 

95  Joshna  D.  Wardwell — Re-enlisted. 

96  Charles  E.  Wells 

97  Henry  West — Wounded  Apr.  2,  186;"). 

98  Geo.  B.  Woodbridge 

99  Robert  L.  Woodbury 

100  Francis  N.  Wood — severely  wounded 

101  Charles  S.  White 

102  George  iST.  White — Orderly  Sergeant,  1st  N.  E.  Cavalry, 

wounded  severely  June  18,  1863. 

103  George  E.  Whitfield,  killed  battle  of  Wilderness. 

104  Horace  E.  Whitfield,  Cajjt.  and  Brevet  Major. 

105  Smith  A.  Whitfield,  Capt.  and  promoted  Lieut. -Col. 

106  Jesse  P.  Woodbury,  Ass't  Paymaster,  Navy. 

107  Charles  H.  White — Enlisted  from  Deering. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

THE    SCHOOLS    OF    FRANCESTOWN. 

Nothing  is  more  suggestive  of  the  privations  of  the  early 
settlers  of  this  town  than  their  long  delay  in  establishing  public 
schools.  The  Scotch  people  vv^ho  formed  the  large  majority  for 
many  years  in  this  place  set  a  high  value  on  education.  Many 
of  them  had  come  direct  from  the  Scotch  County  of  Antrim, 
Ireland,  and  there  had  looked  with  pride  on  the  intelligence  of 
their  race  as  compared  with  the  ignorance  and  superstition  of  the 
Catliolic  Irish  in  other  parts  of  the  island.  It  has  been  said 
that  the  Scotch  in  Ireland  had  better  schools  than  the  common 
people  in  England  had  at  the  same  time.  Of  three  hundred 
and  thirteen  who  signed  the  celebrated  "Memorial  to  Gov. 
Shute"  (Mar.  26,  1718)  three  hundred  and  six  signed  their 
names  in  a  legible  and  generally  handsome  hand.  Twelve  of 
the  signers  were  graduates  of  the  university.  Most  of  these 
men  came  to  America,  and  they  were  fair  samples  of  the  intel- 
ligent, capable,  and  well-informed  Scotch  people,  that  sought 
these  shores.  They  and  their  descendants  were  set  on  education, 
religion  and  liberty.  It  is  said  that  every  Scotcli  settler  coming 
to  this  town,  whether  born  beyond  the  water  or  in  some  older 
New  England  settlement,  had  a  fair  common-school  education 
for  those  times. 

And  the  English  part  of  this  community,  coming  from  Puri- 
tan stock,  had  a  similar  love  for  intelligence  and  light.  The 
Scotch  and  the  English,  therefore,  in  this  town  were  of  one 
.mind,  to  hold  education  next  to  religion.  Indeed  their  religion 
itself  was  an  educating  force,  in  that  it  required  thought  and 
study  and  familiarity  with  the  Word  of  God.  But  they  had 
schools  also  as  soon  as  they  could  get  them.  And  before  they  had 
schools  at  all,  parents  taught  their  children  to  read  and  write  at 
home;  and  children  thus  taught  could  read  the  Bible  and  spell- 
ing-book, though  never  attending  any  public  school.     The  first 


278  FIRST    SCHOOLS    IN    TOWN. 

scliools  in  Francestown  were  home-schools;  then  came  private 
schools,  three  or  four  families  clnbbing  together  to  hire  a  teacher ; 
and  last  of  all  came  the  public  schools.  Thus  the  school,  like 
the  state,  began  in  the  family.  Yet  even  there  the  books  and 
helps  were  very  meagre  and  few,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Bible.  Dilsworth's  Spelling-Book  was,  in  many  cases  and  for  a 
long  time,  the  only  school-book  that  could  be  had.  Even  after 
the  beginning  of  public  schools  very  few  could  .obtain  any  textr 
books  in  grammar,  geography,  or  arithmetic,  licading,  writing 
and  spelling  were  the  princi})al  studies.-  With  home-made  ink 
and  a  quill  pen  the  children  learned  to  write.  Their  instruc- 
tion in  figures  was  for  the  most  part  imparted  orally.  They 
had  no  black-boards,  but  learned  a  few  mathematical  rules  by 
writing  them  on  birch  bark  or  scraps  of  })a})er,  and  committing 
them  to  memory.  Some  parents  ke})t  at  home  a  few  of  these 
simple  rules  written  out  care  full}',  which  were  handed  down 
from  generation  to  generation,  llobert  Mcllvaine,  brother  of 
John  and  William  of  this  town,  wrote  out  a  complete  arithme- 
tic for  his  childi'en,  a  manuscrijjt  which,  I  h.ave  examined  with 
no  little  admiration  for  its  old-fashined  but  brief  and  practical 
rules.  I  am  not  al)le  to  say  how  many  parents  in  Francestown 
at  this  year  1889  could  write  out  correct  arithmetics  for  their 
children  I 

The  first  public  schools  in  this  town  were  taught  in  barns 
and  in  the  summer  season.  As  there  were  almost  no  roads,  the 
scattered  children  could  not  get  together  in  the  winter.  And 
those  large  enougli  to  work  could  not  be  spared  to  attend  even 
the  brief  summer  schools  in  that  day  of  intense  and  unrelenting 
toil. 

Perhaps,  as  they  were  situated  at  that  time,  the  private  schools 
kept  in  the  dwelling-houses,  when  there  was  time  to  attend  to 
them,  and  wheie  they  were  most  needed,  were  the  best  schools 
that  could  l)e  devised.  At  least  they  answered  a  good  purpose 
for  more  than  twenty  j^ears.  The  circumstances,  however, 
began  to  change  with  the  increasing  population,  and  soon  they 
began  to  talk  and  plan  for  the  more  permanent  public  school. 
The  first  notice  of  this  appears  on  the  Record  Mar.  8,  1779, 
when  an  article  was  in  the  warrant  to  see  if  they  would  "raise 
money  for  a  town  school  this  current  year."      No  action  was 


PLACE    OF    FIllST    SCHOOL.  279 

taken  upon  tliis,  but  it  opened  the  way  for  subsequent  action. 
In  their  hard  stiUL>gie  to  keep  up  tlie  war  for  national  indepen- 
dence, and  in  the  usual  privation  and  hardship  of  establishing  a 
new  town,  they  got  along  two  years  more  with  })rivate  schools. 
But  Mar.  12,  1781,  they 

"voted  that  there  sliall  be  n  town  school,"  and  "voted  tolJaise  Twenty- 
five  Spanish  Milled  Dollars  to  Support  said  School." 

Tliis,  when  paper  was  so  depreciated  that  the}'  })aid  a  hundred 
dollars  in  paper  for  a  day's  work,  was  quite  a  good  allowance. 
In  the  older  and  eastern  part  of  the  town,  children  were  sent 
occasionally  to  New  Boston  for  a  time,  for  school  advantages ; 
and  some  to  Londonderry,  where  the  best  })rivileges  in  this 
vicinity  were  then  enjoyed. 

Some  question  has  arisen  as  to  ivhcre  the  first  scliool  was  kept 
in  this  town;  but  putting  all  indications  togethci-,  it  seems 
reasonably  certain  that  it  was  in  a  house  then  standing  "a  few 
rods  north  of  the  residence  of  David  W.  Hill.'''  Here  it  is  said 
a  scliool  was  kept  "for  some  years."  This  would  be  quite  cen- 
tral for  the  earliest  settlers.  It  was  the  first  school  outside  of 
the  family,  i.  e.  the  first  wliere  a  "regular  teacher  was  hired," 
and  all  the  families  in  the  vicinity  took  part.  It  was  a  "private 
school"  and  was  first  kept  about  1771,  and,  after  teachers  came 
to  be  hired  by  the  town,  schools  were  kept  in  this  house  occa- 
sionally till  a  school-house  was  built  near  by.  Of  course  only 
one  room  was  used  for  the  school;  and  the  rest  at  least  quite 
early  was  occupied  by  the  family  of  Andrew  Dennisoii  who 
settled  the*  place  and  lived  on  it  for  a  long  time.  It  was  a  small 
long,  low  house,  and  was  taken  down  about  the  year  1818.. 

May  2,  1785,  the  town 

"voted  to  Rase  twelve  pounds  for  the  use  of  a  town  Scool  this  present 
year,"  and  again  m  17S()  "thirty  pounds,"  and  in  1790  "thirty-five 
pounds." 

This  "town  school"  so  often  referred  to  on  the  records,  seems 
to  have  been  kept  from  the  first  in  a  small,  low,  cheap  school- 
house  which  stood  a  few  feet  west  of  the  present  entrance  to 
the  Academy  building  and  was- an  "old  house"  in  1801.  And 
this  "town  school"  was  in  addition  to  the  other  neighborhood 
schools,  and  was  a  sort  of  miniature  high  school,  and  might  be 
counted  the  beginning  of  the  Academy. 


280  OLD    SCHOOL-LAWS.   • 

In  new  and  scattered  comninnities  like  that  of  Francestown 
in  those  days  the  school  laws  of  the  colony  and  state  could  not 
be  very  strictl}^  carried  out.  But  it  is  reasonably  certain  that 
as  early  as  the  year  (1778)  this  town  raised  money  by  tax  as 
required  by  law,  and  used  it  in  the  several  so  called  '-'■pinvaie 
schools^'''  though  no  written  record  of  the  fact  remains.  And 
hence,  though  these  schools  were  called  "private  schools,"  since 
they  were  kept  in  private  houses  and  were  lengthened  out  by 
private  subscriptions,  yet  tliey  might  have  been  called  public 
schools  as  they  were  at  least  aided  by  public  money.  For  the 
laws  of  the  colony,  and  afterward  of  the  state,  required  taxation 
for  school  purposes,  and  we  find  the  town  voting  (1791)  ''to 
rais  3  pounds  as  an  Addition  to  the  Requisition  of  Court."  At 
first  of  course  the  amount  raised  by  tax  for  schools  in  this  town 
was  small,  and  only  one  school  was  kept  at  the  same  time. 

The  first  law  to  establish  schools  in  this  colony  was  passed 
in  1642  while  New  Hampshire  was  united  with  Massachusetts. 
Boston  had  made  arrangement  for  a  school  and  appointed  "a 
school-master"  as  early  as  1635.  New  Hampshire  again  became 
a  separate  province  in  1671 ;  but  the  law  of  1642  continued  in 
force  without  much  change  for  more  than  fifty  years.  In  1693 
the  Province  of  New  Hampshire  passed  a  law  requiring  the 
selectmen  to  levy  a  tax  upon  the  inhabitants  to 

"build  school-houses,  ministers'  houses,  and  meeting-houses  and  to  pro- 
vide a  school-master!" 

Another  law  was  passed  by  the  New  Hampshire  Colony  in 
1719,  which  remained  in  force  with  little  modification  till 
1789;  which  law  required 

"that  each  Town  in  the  Province  having  the  number  of  fifty  house- 
holders shall  be  constantly  provided  of  a  schoolmaster  to  leach  children 
to  read  and  write,  and  when  any  town  has  one  hundred  families  or 
householders  there  shall  also  be  a  Grammar  School  set  up  and  kept. 
And  some  discreet  person  of  good  conversation,  well-instructed  in  the 
tongues  shall  be  procured  to  be  master  thereof." 

Thus,  provision  was  made  by  law  for  teaching  the  dead  lan- 
guages  in  every  town  of  one  hundred  or  more  families.  Any 
town  was  liable  to  a  fine  of  twenty  pounds  every  six  months 
for  any  failure   to   obey   the   laAv.       Two  years  later  (1721) 


FIRST    SCHOOL    HOUSE.  281 

the  law  was  amended  so  that  in  the  Lirger  towns  the  select- 
men were  made  liahle  to  a  fine  of  twenty  pounds  for  a 
delay  of  even  one  montli  in  establisliing  the  (Irammar  school. 
It  is  noticeable  that  this  old  law  provided  for  male  teachers 
onlu^  and  that  the  charge  of  all  schools  was  put  into  the  hands 
hi  the  selectmen,  they  being 

"Empowered  to  raise  money  by  way  of  Rate  upon  the  Inlialjitauts  to 
pay  the  same." 

In  1789  the  /SVa/(^  of  New  Hampshire  passed  a  school  law 
making  it  the  duty  of  the  selectmen  to  assess  each  3'ear  upon 
the  inhabitants  of 

"each  toAvn  .£45  upon  each  twenty  shillings  of  the  town's  proportion 
of  the  pu])lic  taxes," 

for  the  purpose  of  teaching  the  children  of  the  town  "reading, 
writing,  and  arithmetic."  No  important  amendments  were 
made  to  this  law  till  1805.  It  will  be  noticed  that  it  added 
aritli luetic  to  the  branches  })rcvi()usly  required,  showing  some 
progress  in  the  common  schools.  Also,  it  required  "Grammar 
schools"  for  teaching  the  dead  lanjjuages^  only  ii^  the  shire 
towns.  The  fathers  had  great  reverence  for  "  Latin  and 
Greek,"  and  seemed  to.  think  that  an  education  could  not 
amount  to  much  without  the  "tongues,"  as  they  called  those 
languages.  Their  high  standard  shows  what  a  thinking,  intel- 
ligent people  they  were. 

It  is  remarkable  that  in  all  tlie  colonial  and  state  laws  pre- 
vious to  1805',  there  is  no  kin^wn  enactment  with  reference  to 
school  districts  or  scliool  houses.  In  many  towns  in  this 
vicinity,  school  lionses  were  not  Ijniltb}-  tax  till  the  year  1801, 
but  were  put  up  by  voluntary  efforts  of  the  people.  The  first 
school  house  (not  the  first  school)  in  Francestown  was,  no 
doitbt,  in  tlie  village,  a  little  west  of  the  present  Academy 
building,  and  was  described  as  a  "low,  unpainted  hovel,  con- 
sisting of  a  single  room  and  small  entry,"  in  the  year  1801. 
It  was  probably  built  in  the  spring  of  1779,  and  was  the  build- 
ing in  which  they  proposed  to  liave  "a  Town  school"  that 
year.  Notliing  appears  on  the  to^vn  records  in  regard  to  it.  No 
doubt  individuals  gave  lumber  and  work,  and  the  rude  struc- 
ture was  made  ready  for  service  without  tax  or  money.     It  was 


282  FIEST    SCHOOL   DISTRICTS. 

a  very  liuni1)lc  beginning,  but  it  answered  a  noble  purpose.  It 
was  '^old"  and  ''worn-out"  at  the  beginning  of  tlie  present 
century. 

Francestown  seems  to  have  been  several  years  in  advance  of 
neighboring  towns  in  forming  school  districts.  By  public  law 
towns  were  ^^diif /tori, zed''  to  form  scliool  districts  in  1805;  and* 
a  year  or  two  later  were  coinpeUed  to  do  it.  But  in  Frances- 
town  this  action  Avas  taken  before  tlie  year-  1791,  as  aiipears 
from  the  fact  that  there  was  an  article  in  the  wan-ant  Nov.  24, 
1788, 

"To  See  if  the  Town  will  Class  themselves  into  Classes  that  they  may 
have  their  K(juil  Sjiare  of  The  School  Money." 

Upon  this  no  action  is  recorded,  but  probably  they  decided 
to  talk  it  over  aiul  see  if  they  could  agree  among  themselves. 
For,  as  it  was  all  voluntary,  and  families  had  their  own  special 
interests,  and  many  different  plans  for  tlie  future  development 
of  the  town  existed,  it  is  obvious  that  such  a  division  was  no 
easy  task.  Probably  such  a  voluntary  division  of  a  town 
would  be  iin[)ossible  at  the  present  time.  Of  course  there 
were  many  clashing  propositions  and  many  arguments ;  but, 
much  to  their  credit,  there  was  such  agreement  of  the  majority 
that  the  town  voted  at  a  subsequent  meeting  to  "class  them- 
selves"' accordingly.  That  this  })urely  voluntary  se})aration  of 
the  town  into  districts  coidd  be  made,  and  was  made,  appears 
from  the  fact  that  the  town  "voted  (Mar.  14,  1791)  to  Astab- 
lish  the  Clases  for  School  as  they  now  Stand.'"  At  this  day  it 
is  not  possible  to  define  their  bounds  accurately;  but  probably 
they  did  not  vary  mucli  from  the  districts  established  in  legal 
form  in  1806.  This  last  division  I  will  giye,  as  it  will  please 
the  curious  to  know  wdio  lived  in  town  at  that  date  (1806), 
and  where  they  were  located.  No.  1  was  in  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  town,  now  partly  in  Bennington. 

No.  1.  No/2. 

Robert  Diusmore  Eliphalet  Dustiu 

John  Dinsmore  Jabez  Temple 

Hugh  Bell  Joseph  Tuck 

Eichard  Hall  Samuel  Thompson 

Ebeuezer  Hall  Benjamin  Dean 

Stephen  Hall  John  Farson 


KAMES    IK   EACH   DISTRICT. 


283 


No.  1 — (Continued). 
Thomas  Wilson 
George  Lewis 
Widow  Ilighlanfl 
James  Wilson 
.John  Felch 
Widow  Barnet 
John  Gibson 
David  (iibson 
David  Fuller 
Moody  Chase 
Samuel  Burge 
John  Merrill 
James  Quigley 
Francis  Green 
Benjamin  White 
Hugh  Moor 
John  Green — 23 

No.  ;]. 
Josiah  Gutterson 
Joseph  Punehard 
Josiah  Vose 
Samuel  Lolly 
Samuel  Bell 
J.  H.  Johnson 
James  Wilson,  .Jr 
Peter  Wot)dbviry 
Isaac  Patch 
Oliver  Stiles 
Oliver  Bullard 
Edward  Bixby 
Thomas  Bixby 
Asa  Bixby 
Joel  Clark 
John  Boardman 
Peter  Wilkins 
Israel  Balch,  Jr 
Perez  Ewell 
George  Dean 
John  Mcllvain 
Robert  Nathsmith 
Uriah  Smith 
Bufus  Fuller 
Abner  Pittee 
Joel  Duttou 


No.  2 — (Coutiintc(l). 

David  Felch 
William  Campbell 
William  Cam2)bell,  .Ir 
Seth  Fisher 
David  Fisher 
Winslow  Lakin 
James  Whitney 
Stephen  Shattuck 
Eleazer,  Nutter 
Abner  Fisher 
.lohn  Knight 
Ira  Fisher 
Levy  Knight 
Lewis  Bullard 
Joseph  Whitney 
Thaddeus  Fuller 
Ilaniel  Clark — 2:5 

No.  4. 
Sanuu'l  Asten 
Elias  Asten 
Richard  Batten 
Daniel  Clark 
Daniel  Clax'k,  Jr 
Nathan  Cresey 
Stephen  Cram 
Sanuiel  Dickerman 
Simeon  Dodge 
Nathan  Fisher 
Nathan  Fisher,  Jr 
Peter  Farnum 
Jason  Fuller 
Seth  Fuller 
Ira  Fuller 
Moses  Fisher 
Jesse  Glover 
Ichabod  Gay 
Oliver  Holmes,  Esqr 
Oliver  Holmes,  3d 
Jabez  Holmes 
Enoch  Holmes 
Ichabod  Holmes 
Jabez  Holmes,  Jr 
David  Holmes 
Joshua  Huutinoton 


284 


NAMES    IN    EACH    DISTllICT. 


'No.  .'5 — (('(Dttiuved). 
Thonia.s  Fislier 
Samuel  Farsou 
.Tonathan  Mills 
James  Todd 
Samuel  Hodge 
Ilubart  Newton 
James  Walker 
Israel  Balch 
Adonijah  How 
Asa  Kittridge 
Ciras  Elleuwood 
James  Dickej' 
Jacob  Morse — 31) 


No.  5. 
David  Starrett,  Esqr 
John  Nichols 
Eleazer  Everett 
Oliver  Holmes,  Jr 
Zach.  Whiting 
Nath.  Whiting 
Widow  Guild 
Daniel  EuUer 
William  Lord 
Nathan  Savage 
Capt.  Timothy  Morse 
John  Buckmaster 
John  liuggles 
William  Follansbee 
James  McFarson 
James  Weston — 10 


No.  7. 
Joseph  Kingsbury 
John  Manahan 
William  McCoy 
Malcolm  McLain 
John  McLain 
William  Dickey 


No.  4 — (Covtiiined). 
AVilliam  Mcllvaine 
James  Mcllvaine 
Aaron  Lewis 
Dea.  David  Lewis 
David  Lewis,  Jr 
Joseph  Lewis 
Isaac  Lewis 
David  Lewis,  Esqr 
Jonathan  Patch 
Dea.  William  Starrett 
Al)ner  Starrett 
Dea.  John  Smith 
John  Stanley 
Eichard  Stanley 
Neaiiiiah  liand — 41 

No.  (). 
Nathaniel  Sleeper 
Nathaniel  Sleeper,  Jr 
Capt.  Benj.  Sleeper 
Benj.  Sleeper,  Jr 
Obed  Sleeper 
Edward  Sleeper 
Stejihen  Fuller 
Samuel  Fuller 
Daniel  Paige 
Amos  Batchelder 
Nathan  Clark 
Jonathan  Baxter 
Jonathan  Wilkins 
Elias  Fairbanks 
John  Smiley 
John  Johnson 
Timothy  Emerson 
Doct.  Thomas  Eaton 
Moses  Eaton 
Robert  Bradford 
Moses  E.  Bradford— 21 

No.  8. 
Charles  Baile}- 
Noah  Bailey 
Nathaniel  Boyd 
Samuel  Boyd 
Matthew  Dickey 
John  Dickey 


SCHOOL    HOUSES. 


285 


No.  7 — (Continucil). 
David  Durrant 
David  Durrant,  Jr 
Benj.  Durrant 
Kimball  Emerson 
Daniel  Witherspoon 
William  Cochran 
Joseph  Gilbert 
DaAdd  Scoby 

James  Denston  (or  Dennison) 
Hugh  McLain 
Thomas  Dickey 
Lareford  Gilbert 
Abner  Pittee,  Jr 
James  Scoby — 20 


No.  8 — {Continued). 
Joseph  Mace  (or  Morse) 
Samuel  Farmer 
Moses  Bailey 
Samuel  Martin 
Kobert  Martin 
Eobert  Butterfield 
William  Hopkins 
Ebenezer  Hopkins 
John  Manahan,  Jr 
Jacob  Wood 
John  Patch 
William  Thompson 
James  Brewster 
Daniel  Driskol 
Joseph  Mace  (or  Morse)  Jr 
Oliver  Butterfield 
Nathaniel  Boyd,  Jr— -2:} 

No.  !). 
Jacob  Dutlon 
Ithamar  AVoodward 
Joseph  Kidder 
Elijah  Woodwai-d — 4 

This  gives  210  names  in  1806.  No.  9  was  probably  a  union 
district,  taking  in  a  part  of  Lyndebroro'.  No.  4,  in  tlie 
southeast  part  of  the  town,  was  the  largest  district.  Most  of 
tlieni  liad  large  schools.  It  is  said  that  in  No.  8,  at  one  time, 
five  families  in  a  line,  their  farms  joining,  sent  ten  scholars 
each.  Forji  family  to  send  ten  children  to  school  at  once,  was 
no  unusual  thing.  There  was  hardly  a  dwelling  in  town  with- 
out children,  and  every  school-house  was  crowded  full,  lioth 
boys  and  girls  often  attended  the  district  school  till  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  and  some  still  older.  With  the  majority  it 
Avas  all  the  school  privilege  to  be  had. 

Soon  after  the  voluntary  establishment  of  school  districts, 
the  question  of  school-houses  began  to  be  agitated.  Each 
"chivss"  or  district  seems  to  have  built  its  own  liouse,  if  it  had 
any,  on  its  own  expense;  but  ai;  article  was  in  the  town  war- 
rant, iNIar.  11,  1793,  upon  which  they 

"voted  not  to  bring  the  Town  on   an   Everage  in  lleguard  of  Building 
School  Houses." 


286  SCHOOL   INSPECTOHS. 

That  is,  many  of  tlie  "classes,"  or  districts,  were  to  build  tliat 
year  (1793),  and  there  was  a  strong  desire  on  the  part  of  some 
to  have  all  the  school-houses  alike.  It  is  remarkable  that  all 
the  previous  school-laws,  and  those  then  existing,  made  no 
mention  of  school-houses,  except  the  vague  and  neglected  au- 
thority given  to  the  selectmen  to  "provide"  such  if  they  saw 
fit.  All  school-houses  built  in  this  vicinity  l)efore  the  present 
century,  were  put  up  by  subscri})tion,  and  not  by  the  public 
money.  Many  were  tired  of  liaving  schools  in  private  houses, 
or  barns,  subject  to  so  many  inteiTU[)ti6ns  and  inconveniences. 
Hence,  all  took  hold  w  ilh  a  w  ill.  giving  luml)er  and  labor  and 
money  and  eager  encouragement,  and  so  the  first  set  of  district 
school-iiouses  in  Francestown  went  up  without  tax  or  wrang- 
ling. They  were  humble  structures,  but  they  answered  a 
noble  purpose.  Two  years  later,  when  these  several  houses 
were  completed,  a  project  was  started  and  talked  over  and 
favored  b}^  many,  to  have  the  town  take  them  and  keep  them 
in  re})air.  But  a  majority  preferred  to  have  each  district  keej) 
its  own  building,  and  "voted  (Mar.  14,  1796,)  not  to  make 
the  School  Houses  Town  property."  Yet,  it  is  to  be  noticed 
tliat  the  plan  then  proposed  has  now,  after  nearly  a  hundred 
years,  become  the  law  of  tlie  state,  and  the  town  does  own  arid 
maintain  tlie  school-houses. 

No  public  supervision  of  the  schools  was  attempted  till  the 
year  1808.  Before  that  they  were  under  the  management  of 
"Heads  of  Classes,"  who  took  the  entire  control  of  them  dur- 
ing office.  Each  "class,"  or  district,  had  one  "Head,"  or 
leader,  chosen  annuall}-  by  vote  of  the  said  "class";  and  said 
leader  hired  the  teacher,  determined  the  matter  of  qualifica- 
tion, and  was  the  authority  to  which  all  questions  were  re- 
ferred. No  doubt  he  carried  out  any  instructions  voted  by  the 
people.  He  visited  and  '•HnapecfecV  the  school,  and  was  con- 
sidered responsible  for  its  success.  Yet,  all  this  was  more  by 
custom  and  general  consejit  than  by  statutory  enactment.  But 
on  the  22d  of  Dec,  1808,  the  Legislature  passed  a  law  requir- 
ing towns,  at  the  annual  March  meeting,  to  appoint  a  commit- 
tee of  from  three  to  seven  persons  to  visit  and  examine  the 
schools  for  the  year,  and  make  a  rei^ort  of  the  same  to  the 
town.     These  were  called    "  School  Inspectors"    in   the    law, 


NUMBER    OF    SCHOLARS,    1814.  287 

but  here  tliey  were  a|)poiiited  as  a  "Committee  to  visit  and 
inspect  the  schools,"  and  were  o'enerally  called  the  "School 
Committee."  This  first  committee,  appointed  March,  1809, 
consisted  of  Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Peter  Woodbury,  Daniel 
Lewis,  James  Walker,  and  Hart  Merrill.  Apparently  this 
committee  was  only  a  committee  of  observation,  having  little 
power  over  teachei-  or  school,  but  was  expected  to  "give  ad- 
vice," and  to  keep  the  town  informed  of  the  actual  state  of 
things.  The  "Heads  of  Classes"  seem  to  have  retained  the 
power,  and  used  it  as  before.  This  state  of  things  continued 
for  nearly  twenty  years.  The  "School  Inspectors"  were  annu- 
ally appointed;  but  they  did  not  accom^ilish  much,  and  the 
town,  perhaps  for  that  reason,  "voted  that  they  serve  without 
pay." 

It  may  be  interesting  to  have  re])eated  here  the  fact,  reported 
by  the  "Inspectors"  March  1814,  that  there  were-450  scholars 
in  the  "Winter  schools."  The  number  that  "attended  in  the 
summer  only,"  is  not  given.  But  the  figures  are  startliiigly- 
large  as  compared  with  the  number  attending  at  the  present 
day.  This  number  was  132  by  the  report  of  1889.  Then 
(1814)  there  were  eleven  schools  in  town  averaging  41  scholars 
to  each  school.  The  number  of  schools  in  town  at  the  present 
time  is  eight.  "  Now  we  do  not  lack  superior  facilities,  but  we 
lack  scholars.  School-houses,  books,  maps,  and  fine  teachers, 
but  no  children! 

The  qualifications  of  teachers  in  the  early  ^^ears  of  this 
Colony  were  often  meagre  and  poor.  The  New  Hampshire  law 
of  1719  required  teachers  to  be  able  "to  teach  the  children  to 
read  and  write."  The  law  of  1789  addfed  Arithmetic.  By  the 
law  of  1808,  teachers,  male  or  female  ]nust  have  a  certificate  of 
good  moral  character  from  the  ministei',  or  from  one  of  the 
selectmen,  where  they  lived,  and  also,  from  "some  educated 
person,"  must  have  certificate  of  "sufficient  knowledge  to  keep 
school."  Female  teachers  were  not  required  to  teach  arithme- 
tic, but  their  qualifications  were  met,  if  tliey  were 

"al)le  to  teach  the  various  sounds  and  powers  of  the.  letters  of  the 
Enu'Ush  language,  reading,  writing,  and  English  grammar." 

A  change  of  law  was  made,  however,  in  1827,  by  which  all 
teacliers    were  to   come  to  the  same  standard,  and  by  which 


288  AMOUNT    OP    SCHOOL   MONEY. 

geography  was  added  to  the  list  of  qualifications.  By  this  law 
of  1827  the  name  "-School  Inspectors"  was  dropped,  and  hence- 
forth they  were  to  be  called  the  "-Superintending  School  Com- 
mittee." The  old  "Heads  of  Classes"  were  to  be  called  the 
"Prudential  Connnittees,"  and  ^^•ere  to  hire  teachers,  and 
manage  the  business  affairs  of  the  district.  The  Superintend- 
ing School  Committee  were  to  ha.ve  sole  charge  of  the  examina- 
tion of  teachers,  and  were  to  have  the  ovei'siglrt  and  control  of 
the  schools.  And  this  arrangement  continued,  witli  ordy  slight 
modilicaiions  till  the  enactment  abolishing  school  districts  in 
1885,  and  putting  the  powers  and  duties  of  both  committees 
into  the  hands  of  a  "School  Board"  appointed  by  the  town,  i.  e. 
by  all  the  school  districts  united  in  one. 

The  amount  of  money  raised  for  schools  has  in ci'cased  greatly 
in  the  last  half  centur}-.  "For  each  dollar  of  the  ap})ortion- 
ment  of  the  State  tax"  (the  proportion  of  each  thousand  dollars 
that  each  town  must  pay)  $10  had  to  be  raised  for  the  support 
of  schools  each  3'ear.  This  Avas  required  probably  as  early  as 
1805,  certainl}-  as  early  as  1808:  and  continued  till  1828.  By 
the  law  of  1827,  referred  to  above  going  into  effect  in  1828,  the 
I'ate  was  increased  to  t'lOO  for  each  "dollar  of  the  apportion- 
ment." About  1840  it  was  raised  to  'ijilOO,  and  in  1852  to 
fl35.  (xradually,  the  amount  was  enlarged,  till,  in  1874,  it 
had  reached  -f  350 ;  and  there  it  remains  to  the  present  da3\ 
This  town's  proportion  of  each  thousand  of  state  tax  is  'f2.70, 
and  has  been  slowly  decreasing,  as  in  most  of  the  smaller 
towns.  The  amount  raised  in  this  town  by  tax  for  schools 
this  year  (1889)  was  -^1095;  this  being  -1^150  more  than  was 
required  by  law.  The  'avails  of  the  Literary  Fund  for  the 
same  year  were  1^114.21,  making  |5l209.21  for  school  purposes. 
The  Legislature  passed  an  Act,  June  29,  1821,  establishing  a 
literary  fund  by  means  of  a  small  tax  on  the  capital  stock  of 
all  the  banks  in  the  state,  and  establishing  an  "Institution  for 
instruction  in  the  higher  branches  of  science  and  literature." 
July  2,  1822,  the  Legislature  repealed  the  last  part  of  the  law, 
so  that  no  state  institution  was  established.  Bat  the  first  sec- 
tion of  the  law  continued  in  force,  and  a  fund  was  gradually 
accumulated.  Dec.  31,  1828,  an  Act  was_  passed  designating 
this  fund  as  "The  Literary  Fund,"  and  dividing  it  among  the 


LITERARY    FUND.  289 

several  towns  in  the  ratio  of  their  apportionment  of  the  public 
taxes.  Dec.  30,  1848,  an  Act  was  passed  making  the  division 
according  to  the  numl)er  of  scholars  in  the  several  towns. 
This  Fund  has  been  of  solid  and  vast  benefit  to  the  cliildren  of 
the  state.      (Previously  referred  to.) 

It,  may  be  added  that  the  avails  of  the  "-Levi  Woodbury 
Fund,"  elsewhere  noticed,  are  annually  expended  in  books  to 
be  given  as  prizes  to  the  best  scholars  in  the  several  schools. 
No  district  has  any  s[)ecial  fund  of  its  own.  The  town  was 
re-districted  in  1843,  making  twelve  districts,  but  I  have  not 
been  able  to  find  any  record  of  their  bounds,  nor  of  any  subse- 
quent changes  in  them  by  action  of  the  town.  Some  of  them 
ceased  to  have  regular  schools  on  account  of  lack  of  scholars, 
before  the  enactment  of  the  law  of  1885  abolishing  school 
districts. 

Superintending  School  Cominiittees. 

(Called  "School  Inspectors"  till  1S27.) 

1809.  Kev.  Moses  IJnuirord,  Peter  AVoodbury,  Daniel  Lewis,   James 

Walker,  Hart  Merrill. 
ISIO.     Janies;Walker,5Rev.  Moses  Brad  ford,  Hart  Mcirill,  Daniel  Lewis, 

James  Wilson,  Nathan  Savage. 
LSn.     James  Walker,  Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  John  MeLane. 
1SP2.     Kev.  Moses  Bradford,  James  Walkei',  John  McLanc. 

1813.  Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Levi  Woodbury,  John  McLane,  and  the 

Selectmen,  James  Wilson,  Nathan  Savage,  Geo.  Dean. 

1814.  Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Levi  Woodbury,  Joseph  Willard,  James 

Wilson,  Geo.  Dean,  Nathan  Fisher. 
181.5.     Rev.' Moses  Bradford,  John  Starrett,  William  Bixby. 

1810.  Levi  Woodbury,  Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Daniel  Lewis. 

1817.  Rev.  INIoses  Bradford,  Joseph  Willard,  Daniel  Lewis. 

1818.  Rev.  Moses  P>radfonl,  Daniel  Lewis,  Titus  Brown,  and  Select- 

men Hugh  Moors,  John  Starrett,  El)enezer  Boyd. 

1819.  Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Daniel  Lewis,  Joseph  Willard. 

1820.  Seems  to  have  been  same  as  1819. 

1-821.     Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Titus  Brown,  James  Crombie,  M.  D. 

1822.  Rev.   Moses  Bradford,   Titus  Brown,  Dr.  Luther  Parley,  Dr. 

James  Crombie,  Daniel  Lewis. 

1823.  Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Titus  Brown,  Daniel  Lewis. 

1824.  Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Moses  Whitney,  Daniel  Lewis. 

1825.  Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Joseph  Willard,  Daniel  Lewis. 
1820.     Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Luther  Parley,  Oliver  Hohnes,  Jr. 
1827.     Probably  Joseph  Willard  and  others. 


290  SUPERINTENDING    SCHOOL    COJNOIITTEES. 

1828.  Apparently  same  as  1827. 

1829.  Joseph  Willard  (was  paid  f5  "for  services  at  schools"), 

1830.  Titus  Brown. 

1831.  S.  I.  Bard,  Titus  Brown. 

1832.  Titus  Brown,  Joseph  AVillard. 

1833.  Titus  Brown,  S.  I.  Bard. 

1834.  Titus  Brown,  S.  I.  Bard. 

1835.  Titus  Brown,  S.  I.  Bard. 

183().  Titus  Brown,  S.  I.  Bard,  Joseph  Willard. 

1837.  Probabl_y  liev.  N.  S.  Folsoni,  Titus  Brown  and  Joseph  Willard. 

1838.  Rev.  Xathaniel  S.  Folsoni,  James  H.-Crombie,  Josei)h  AVillard. 

1839.  Probably  Dr.  James  H.  Crombie  and  Titus  Brown. 

1840.  James  H.  Crombie,  Titus  Brown,  Bev.  James  R.  ])av(nporl. 

1841.  S.  I.  Bard,  James  H.  Crombie,  Eev.  James  11.  I)aveni)ort. 

1842.  James  II.  Crombie,  S.  I.  Bard. 

1843.  James  H.  Crombie,  Horace  Ilerrick. 

1844.  Titus  Brown,  Rev.  Johnathau  McGee. 

1845.  Rev.  Jonathan  McGee,  Sim.  I.  Bard,  Harry  ]]rickett. 
184().  Rev.  Jonathan  McGee,  Sim.  I.  Bard,  Harry  Brickett. 

1847.  Rev.  Jonathan  McGee,  Harry  ]5rickett,  Titus  Brown. 

1848.  Rev.  Jonathan  McGee,  Titus  lirown. 

1849.  Lindsley  K.  Brown,  Rev.  Jonathan  McGee. 

1850.  Harry  lirickett. 

1851.  E.  P.  Cummings. 

1852.  Rev.  Lathrop  Taylor. 

1853.  Rev.  Lathrop  Taylor. 

1854.  Eev.  Lathrop  Taylor. 

1855.  Rev.  Lathrop  Taylor. 
1850.  C.  V.  Dearborn. 

1857.  C.  V.  Dearborn. 

1858.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1859.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1860.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1861.  Francis  II.  Morgan. 

1862.  Francis  H.  Morgan. 

1863.  A.  J.  Moulton. 

1864.  Frank  G.  Clark. 

1865.  Frank  G.  Clark. 

1866.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1867.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1868.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1869.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1870.  Augustus  H.  Bixby  (declined) ;    Thos  O.  Knowlton,  appointed 

by  selectmen. 

1871.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1872.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 


SUPERlNTEifDIi^G   SCHOOL   COMMITTEES.  29l 

1873.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1874.  Geo.  D.  Epps. 

1875.  Geo.  D.  Epps. 
187G.  Geo.  D.  Epps. 

1877.  Geo.  D.  Epps. 

1878.  Geo.  D.  Epps. 
1870.     James  T.  Woodbury. 

1880.  .James  T.  Woodbury. 

1881.  .James  T.  Woodbury. 

1882.  James  T.  Woodbuiy. 

1883.  Geo.  F.  Pettee 

1884.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 
188,5.  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1886.  James  T.  Woodbury,  Geo.   D.   Epps,   Geo.  F.  Pettee— (School 

Board;  new  law). 

1887.  Geo.  D.  Epps,  Geo.  F.  Pettee,  James  T.  Woodbury. 

1888.  Geo.  F.  Pettee,  James  T.  Woodbury,  Geo.  D.  Epps. 

1889.  -James  T.  Woodbury,  Geo.  D.  Epps,  Geo.  F.  Pettee. 

1890.  (Jeo.  D.  Epps,  Geo.  F.  Pettee,  James  T.  Woodbury. 

1891.  Geo.  P.  Pettee,  James  T.  AVoodbury,  George  D.  Epps. 

1892.  James  T.  Woodbury,  Annie  G.  Clark,  George  D.  Epps. 

1893.  Geo.  D.  Epps,  George  I\.  Wood,  James  T.  Woodbury. 

SCHOOL    TEACHERS    OF    FRANCESTOWN. 

Probably  more  teachers  have  gone  out  from  this  tliaii  from 
any  other  town  of  its  size  in  the  county.  In  the  Academy 
many  have  been  prepared  for  this  work.  Some  of  the  foremost 
instructors  in  the  land  started  here.  The  earliest  teachers  were 
males,  and' they  made  teaching  their  profession,  and  went  from 
place  to  place,  till  old  age  came  upon  them.  The  first  teacher 
in  Francestown  was  probably  a  man  by  the  name  of  Richard 
Burke,  who  taught  in  the  Denison  house,  and  afterwards  in 
other  places  in  town.  He  was  a  Scotchman,  and  quite  suc- 
cessful in  his  work,  but  not  of  great  scholarship  or  ability. 
Tradition  credits  him  with  a  rather  free  use  of  cider  and  rum, 
as  opportunity  occurred,  involving  some  un-teacher-like  mani- 
festations. But,  notwithstanding  this,  he  continued  to  be 
employed,  and  did  a  good  service  in  those  needy  times.  The 
next  teacher  was  a  Mr.  Brown,  a  Scotchman,  and  an  excellent 
teacher.  He  was  known  as  "One-eyed  Brown."  The  boys 
"took  advantage   of  his  blind  side"  for   various   pianks,  but 


292 


rRANCP:STOWN    TEACHERS. 


were  often  called  to  severe  acconiit.  It  was  said  l)otli  of  Bnrke 
and  Brown  that 

"so  far  as  flogging  was  concerned,  they  (lischnrged  Iheir  duly  raithlully 
iind  impartially,  and  to  the  letter." 

Certainly,  tlie  l)oys  were  well  '■'■thrashed,''^  wliatev^er  might  he 
said  of  the  other  lines  of  instrnction.  Susannah  Steele,  of 
Antrim,  taught  many  schools  hei-e  prior  to  1805.  Tlie  names 
of  teachers  horn  or  living  in  Francestowii,  so  far  as  can  he 
remenihered,  are  given  helow.  They  are  given  in  alphabetical 
order,  the  earliest  being  placed  first  under  each  letter,  when 
practicable  : 


Eliza  Aiken 
David  Atwood 
Luther  F.  Atwood 
Nellie  M.  Atwood 
Minnie  A.  Ames 
liichard  Burke 
Oliver  Butterlield 
Simeon  I.  Bard 
Ebenezer  Boy*! 
Paul  II.  Bixby 
Boxy  Batchelder 
.Jennie  Brewster 
Asenath  Bixby 
Emily  II.  Brown 
Hannah  B I'ad f i  )rd 
Levi  B.  Bradford 
Martha  Bradfoi-d 
Boxy  P.  Bradford 
Harriet  Butterlield 
Lucretia  Batchelder 
Charles  H.  Boyd 
Emma  A.  Burnham 
Emma  A.  Bradford 
Jeremiah  Cochi-an 
.John  M.  Collins 
Lizzie  II.  Cragin 
Carrie  Cochran 
Addie  Cochran 
Mary  Collins 
llosa  F.  Colburn 
Emma  H.  Colburn 
Ella  G.  Clark 


Annie  8.  Clark 
"Sandy"  (Alex.)  Dustin 
Merrill  Dodge 
Levi  Dodge 
James  P.  Denison 
Betsey  Dickey 
Nathan  Dane 
Julia  Denison 
Maria  Denison 
.John  Dickey 
Harvey  Dicke}' 
Mary  I.  Dickey 
Harvey  Denison 
Mary  A.  Dean 
Laura  J.  Dean 
Samuel  D.  Downes 
Augusta  Downes 
Mary  A.  Duncklee 
Hannah  AV.  Duncklee 
Sarah  Duncklee 
Florence  A.  Dodge 
Julia  A.  Dodge 
Clara  Dodge 
Grace  Downes 
Mabel  Downes 
Annie  Downes 
Illla  Dodge 
Susan  M.  Dodge 
Jennie  E.  Dodge 
Sarah  Duncklee 
Emma  J.  Duncklee 
Willard  Everett 


NAINIES    OF    TEACHERS. 


293 


Sally  Everett 
Mary  Everett 
Abby  Everett 
Geo.  D.  Epps 
Augusta  Emerson 
Sarah  Emerson 
Emma  Emerson 
Frankie  Emerson 
J«rellie  Emerson 
Mamie  L.  Epps 
Annie  Epps 
Sally  Fairbanks 
Sarah  A.  Fairbanks 
Thomas  E.  Fislier 
Zibiah  Fisher 
Sarah  J.  Farnum 
Clara  A.  Ferson 
JJaniel  Guild 
Cynthia  Gay 
Alpheus  Gay 
Susan  Gay 
Emma  A.  George 
Andrew  J.  George 
lloxanna  Howard 
Levinia  Holmes 
Hannah  W.  Holmes 
Betsey  A.  Hyde 
Ora  A.  Hopkins 
Hannah  ().  Ilai-dy 
F.  Pitt  Hai-dy 
Cynthia  A.  C.  Hardy 
Margia  L.  Hardy 
Addie  Hardy 
Laura  G.  Hill 
Susie  M.  Henderson 
Hannah  Kingsbury 
Julietta  Kingsbury 
Harriet  N.  Kingsbury 
(reorge  Kingsl)ury 
Sarah  Kingsljury 
Lucy  A.  Kingsbury 
Caroline  H.  Kingsbury 
Emily  J.  Kingsbury 
Justin  M.  Kingsbury 
Julia  A.  Kingsbury 
Alice  M.  Kingsbury 


Mary  R.  Kingsbury 
Warren  E.  Kingsbury 
Daniel  Lewis 
William  A.  Lord 
Emily  F.  Lord 
Mary  C.  Lovejoy 
Mary  Manalian 
Francis  H.  Moi-gan 
Theresa  Morgan 
Jennie  Marden 
Ora  Manahan 
Frances  Manahan 
Mary  J.  Manahan 
Emma  A.  McCoy 
Annie  M.  Morse 
Mel  McLane 
John  McLane 
Plattie  Newton 
Ella  Nutting 
Henry  Parkinson 
Mary  W.  Pettee 
Rebecca  K.  Pettee 
Emily  Pettee 
Gerge  F.  Pettee 
Holmes  R.  Pettee 
Walter  F.  Pettee 
Emma  L.  Pettee 
Charles  F.  Patch 
Julia  M.  Patch 
Caroline  L.  Patch 
Sarah  M.  Patch 
Ann  Lizzie  Patch 
Emiline  Richardson 
Mary  Richardson 
Lucy  Roper 
Elizabeth  F.  Roper 
Sarah  C.  Rand 
Frances  1).  Rand 
N.  Wheeler  Rand 
Abbie  H.  Rand 
Hattie  Rand 
John  Rand 
Maria  C.  Richardson 
Edith  M.  Richardson 
Louie  Richardson 
Lucretia  H.  Rideout 


294 


NAMES    OF    TEACHErtS. 


Amos  Sleeper 
Mary  Scobie 
John  Scoby 
Garvin  S.  Sleeper 
Clara  A.  Sawyer 
Heni-y  II.  Sawyer 
Susan  M.  Sawyer 
Minervia  Stevens 
Abbie  II.  Shattuck 
Jennie  E.  Shattuck 
Samuel  Taylor 
Mark  True 
Minnie  B.  Tobie 
Althea  A.  Tobie 
Cornelia  A.  Vose 
Frances  Vose 
Augusta  Vose 
Joseph  Willard 


John  Weston 
Caleb  Weston 
Sarah  F.  Wilson 
James  (i.  Wilson 
Harriet  "Wilson 
Sarali  Willard 
Ann  L.  Weston 
Ilattie  Wilson 
Sarah  Wilson 
Peter  Woodbury 
Ihuinah  T.  B.  A\^oodbury 
James  T.  Woodbury 
Addie  Woodbury 
Mary  Wood 
Geo.  K.  Wood 
Susan  M.  Wheeloek 
Mary  M.  Woodbury 
Martha  AV^oodbury 


CHAPTER    X. 


FRANCESTOWN    ACADEMY. 


Down  to  1840,  tlie  records  tiiat  remain  concerning'  tlie  Aca- 
demy are  exceeding-  mea^'re  and  somewhat  l)lind.  No  docu- 
mentary evidence  of  its  existence  or  standino-  can  be  found, 
before  the  date,  of  its  incorporation.  l>y  tl)e  coh)nial  law  of 
1710,  repealed  in  1789,  towns  of  a  liundred  families  were 
required  to  have  a  '•••(Jrainmar  School  set  up  and  k'ept."  By 
the  law  of  1789  only  shire  towns  and  half-shire  towns  were 
required  to  support  the  "  Grammar  school,"  for  teaching 
"Latin  and  Greek.'"  'J'his  town  had  reached  the  necessary 
population  when  the  law  of  1719  was  repealed,  l)ut  had  not 
established  its  "Grammar  School."  A  "town  school"  was 
kept  for  many  years  in  the  "low,  unpainted  hovel,"  in  whiM_'h 
the  Academy  was  born,  and  which  stood  a,  few  feet  west  of 
the  entrance  to  the  present  Academy  buildinq-.  After  the 
town  was  divided  into  districts,  or  "classes,"  by  voluntary 
action,  al)out  1791,  one  of  the  schools  was  held  in  this  old 
house.  Blit  the  "Grammar  School"  idea,  Avhich  existed  in  the  old 
law,  and  was  being  talked  up  here  when  that  law  was  changed 
in  1789,  seemed  to  remain  among  the  people,  and  some  special 
terms  or  special  schools  seem  to  have  been  kept  at  the  centre 
of  the  town.  The  first  of  these  special  or  "Grammar  Scliools," 
of  which  we  have  any  definite  knowledne  as  to  teacher  and  date, 
was  kept  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1801,  in  what  was  then  the 
"old"  school-house,  by  Alexander  Dustin,  of  Francestown,  who 
had  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  the  class  of  1799.  It 
has  been  customary  to  date  the  beginning  of  the  Academy 
from  this  school  kept  by  Dustin.  The  month  and  day  of 
opening  cannot  now  be  fixed.  Even  as  late  as  that  date,  text- 
books were  scarce,  and  it  is  said  that  at  the   opening-  of  this 


296  FinsT  teejM. 

school  the  teacher  possessed  the  only  arithmetic,  and  was  ac- 
customed "to  put  out  sums"  for  the  scholars  to  "do"  and  rules 
for  them  to  copy.  They  took  up  what  are  now  called  common 
branches — arithmetic,  geography,  grannnar,  and  history.  Prob- 
ably Latin  and  Greek  were  not  at  first  attemjited;  but  the 
statement  made  in  the  "Academy  Reunion,"  1870,  that  "Gram- 
mar was  then  be^'ond  the  reach  of  the  most  ambitious,"  must 
be  a  mistake,  since  all  teachers  of  common  schools  were  "re- 
quired to  teach  grammar"  in  1 808,  and  it  is  hardly  supposable 
that  a  "High  School,"  presided  over  by  a  "college  graduate," 
so  near  that  date,  sliould  be  without  that  l)raneh  of  stud}'. 
Alexander's  Grammar  (Calel)  Alexandci',  1).  I).,  Northfield, 
Mass.,)  was  [)ublished  about  1790,  and  was  used  in  this  vicinity. 

The  house  where  Dustin  taught  was  decidedly  uncomely, 
inconvenient,  and  small.  Tlie  wonder  is  that  thirty  or  forty 
scholars  could  get  themselves  into  it,  and  be  kept  in  any  order. 
But  Mr.  Dustin — always  called  "Sandy" — seems  to  have  ]:)een 
quite  successful,  and  to  have  "kept"  his  school  along  in  good 
condition  for  several  years,  while  studying  law  with  Hon. 
Samuel  Bell  and  others.  He  died,  1837,  aged  GO,  (see  geneal- 
ogy), having  been  in  the  practice  of  law  about  30  years.  He 
is  remembered  as  a  man  of  light  complexion,  sand-colored  hair 
(whence  the  name  "Sandy"),  and  extreme  affability.  It  was 
thoup'ht  that  "oil  could  not  be  smoother  than  his  tong-ue." 

It  is  said  that  "Sandy,"  at  his  first  term,  had  thirty  scholars, 
one  of  whom  was  Levi  Woodbury  (twelve  3'ears  old),  who  sub- 
sequently led  a  conspicuous  career  as  S})eaker  of  the  New 
Hampshire  House,  United  States  Senator,  calnnet  officer,  and 
Judge  of  the  United  States  Supreme  C-imi't.  Jolui  Jolnison, 
Mark  Morse,  and  other  names  long  familiar' in  this  town,  were 
on  the  first  roll.  In  1806,  a  Mr.  Mason  taught  the  usual 
terms.  This  was  probably  Rev.  Elihu  Mason  (Dart.  College, 
1808),  who  died  at  Mt.  Morris,  N.  Y.,  Apr.  2,  1849.  He 
removed  his  connection  from  Princeton  to  Dartmouth  in  1806, 
probably  on  account  of  his  school  here.  In  1809,  James  Mor- 
rison, son  of  Rev.  William  Morrison,  of  Londonderry,  liaving 
been  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  the  class  of  1808, 
taught  the  "Francestown  High  School."  He  was  only  19 
years  of  age  at  graduation,  and  only  20  when  he  tauglit  here. 


ACADEMY    ITEMS.  297 

But  he  was  mature,  large,  and  fine  looking,  and  one  of  the 
most  successful  of  these  early  teachers.  Mi-.  Morrison  after- 
wards studied  law,  lived  in  Savannah,  Ga.,  Avas  Maj'or  of  that 
cit}-,  and  died  in  1831,  aged  42.  Ilis  school  of  more  than  fifty 
scholars  was  kept  in  an  old  building  wdiich  stood  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Common,  on  the  spot  in  subsequent  years  occupied 
by  the  engine-liouse,  wliile  the  "-'okr'  first  school-house  was 
still  in  existence  and  used  by  the  district  for  the  smaller  schol- 
ars. The  building  which  Mr.  Morrison  occupied  was  a  rude 
affair,  fitted  up  for  a  tem[)orary  purpose,  having  a  single  row 
of  desks  on  tliree  sides,  with  door  and  chimnej^on  the  other, 
and  tlie  children  were  packed  into  it  with  uncomfortable  close- 
ness. It  seems  to  have  been  used  for  the  high  school,  however, 
for  several  years. 

The  question  of  Iniilding  a  new  school-house  for  the  village 
district  was  agitated  for  a  long  time,  and  at  length  the  district 
voted  (al)out  1816)  to  go  forward  and  build  the  same.  But 
tliere  came,  after  all  this,  about  the  usual  amount  of  talk  and 
delay,  and  the  building  was  not  erected  till  1818.  The  district 
voted  to  build  one-story  high,  but  several  public-spirited  men, 
seeing  that  a  better  I'oom  must  soon  be  [)rovided  for  the  high 
school,  also,  united  together  and  built  a  second  story  on  their 
own  expense."  The  result  was  the  brick  building  long  known 
as  tlie  "Old  Academy,"  now  used  for  the  district  school.  But 
the  upper  story  was  not  completed  at  once,  and  the  high  school 
for  1810  was  kept  in  the  Dr.  Lolly  house.  This  house  was  a 
curious  sti;ucture,  being  one  story  ] ugh  and  of  great  length. 
Tlie  south  part  of  it  is  still  standing,  being  occupied  by  Wil- 
liam Stevens  ;  1)ut  it  then  extended  north  nearly  far  enough  to 
include  the  spot  ]iow  occupied  by  the  two  residences  known  as 
the  R.  G.,  Cochrane  property.  One  or  more  Ls  exten.ded  back- 
ward from  this  long  building,  indicating  the  residence  of  sev- 
eral families  in  it  at  one  time.  A  part  of  this  long  bvdlding 
stood  much  higher  than  the  street,  and  towai'd  the  north  end 
there  was  a  large  L,  or  projection  in  front,  which  reached  to 
the  stree,  and  was  entered  by  stairs  of  several  steps.  It  seems 
to  have  been  built  on  to  the  main  structure  for  a  store,  and 
specially  for  a  Ijar-room,  as  Dr.  Lolly  was  for  many  years 
licensed  to  sell  liquor.     In  this  I'oom  James  Howe,  of  Jeffrey, 


298  INCOKPORATION  OF  ACADEMY. 

taught  in  1819.  Rude  benches,  or  stools,  were  placed  around 
the  room,  and  the  long  counters  were  used  for  desks,  making  a 
happy  change  frf)m  a  bar-room  to  a  school-room.  Mr.  Howe 
was  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College  in  1817,  and  of  Andover 
Seminary,  1821;  the  next  year  was  settled  in  Pe})perell,  INIass., 
and  died  there,  1840,  aged  43. 

But  the  ''Town  School,"  or  ''High  School,"'  which  in  vari- 
ous buildings  and  under  various  teachers  had  kept  itself  along 
so  many  years,  began  to  think  of  getting  itself  incorporated. 
Very  little  remains  l)y  way  of  record  during  those  years  before 
incor[)()rutii)n,  but  [)r()bal)ly  one  or  more  terms  ■were  kept  each 
year,  with  such  inci'easing  success  as  to  suggest  the  establish- 
ment of  a  permanent  institution.  At  length  an  effort  was 
made  towai'd  this  desir;iJ)le  end  at  the  June  session  of  tlie 
Legislature,  1819.  Samuel  Bell,  formerly  of  Francestown, 
was  then  Governor,  and  Titus  Brown  representative.  It  was 
thought  to  l)e  a  favorable  time  to  move.  And  witluuit  macli 
0})[)0siti()ii,  the  Act  incorporating  "The  Patrons  and  Propii- 
etors  of  Francesto^^'n  Academy"  Avas  passed  June  24th,  the 
following  gentlemen  being  named  as  mendjers:  Peter  Wood- 
bur}',  Samuel  Hodge,  Robert  Nesmith,  Peter  Clark,  James  W. 
Haseltine,  John  (xrimes,  William  Bixb3%  Uriah  Smith,  Oliver 
Holmes,  Jr.,  Thomas  Eaton,  Thomas  Bixby,  Daniel  Fuller,  and 
Titus  Brown  ;  the  words  "and  their  associates  and  successors" 
being  added. 

This  corporation  was  empowered  to  elect  a  Board  of  Trus- 
tees, "not  exceeding  nine  in  number,"  to  appoint  all  otlier 
needed  officers,  and  to  "elect  and  receive  additional  members" 
on  such  conditions  as  they  might  tiiink  best.  But  no  great 
haste  or  enthusiasm  appears,  as  the  hrst  meeting  of  the  corpor- 
ation was  not  held  till  Nov.  23,  1819,  five  months  after  the 
Act  was  passed.  Tlds  first  meeting  was  called  by  Peter  Wood- 
bury and  Samuel  Hodge,  "at  there  Academy."  The  "Asso- 
ciates" referred  to  in  the  Act  of  incorporation  were  James 
Todd,  James  Haseltine,  Stephen  Cram,  John  Starrett,  Daniel 
Lewis,  and  John  Mcllvaine.  They  cliose  a  committee,  of 
which  Titus  Brown  was  chairman,  "to  draught  a  code  of  1)y- 
laws,"  and  adjourned  to  the  seventh  of  Dec.  following.  At 
the  adjourned  meeting  they  adopted  an  elaborate  set  of  by-laws 


FllJSf    BOARD    OF    TRUSTEES.  299 

as  reported,  witli  the  addition  that  "Proprietors  of  the  second 
story  in  the  school-liouse"  might  become  members  of  the  cor- 
poration withont  fnrthei'  payment,  and  that  "other  persons'" 
might  become  meml)ers  ])y  vote  of  the  corporation  and  snl)- 
scribing  to  the  Act  of  incorporation  and  by-Laws,  "and  paying- 
twelve  doUars  for  tlie  nse  of  the  corporation."  ■  Then,  accord- 
ing to  their  cliarter  and  rules,  they  proceeded  to  the  election 
of  officers,  and  chose 

Peter  Woodbur}-,  Presideuf. 

Titus  Brown,  Clerk. 

Samuel  Hodge,  Treasurer. 

Tlioiuas  Eaton,  ^ 

Daniel  Lewis,      I 

Uriali  Smith,         y  Trustees. 

Daniel  Fuller,      I  » 

William  Bixby,  j 

After  "much  corrcisjxtndencc  and  euquiry,"  the  Uoard  em- 
})loyed  "Mr.  Sim  lugcrsoll  IJard"  for  six;  months  "to  instruct 
the  Acadeni}^"  at  -125  i)ev  month,  and  "contracted  with  Esqr. 
Woodbury  to  board  Mr.  Bard  at  8 1  [eight  shillings]  per  week.*' 
It  is  said  that  Mr.  Bard  had  taught  the  "High  School"  several 
terms  before  this,  and  that,  after  looking  alxnit  to  their  satis- 
faction, theycould  do  no  better  than  to  hire  him  for  the  first 
Principal  of  tlunr  now  stately  Academy!  At  any  rate,  he 
assumed  the  ])osition,  and  the  institution  started  off  with  un- 
expected nund)ers  ami  strength.  The  Academ}^  for  the  year 
paid  expenses  and  left  -164.29  in  the  treasury-.  Among  the 
students  of  its  lirst  term  was  Franklin  Pierce  (President  of 
the  United  States,  1853-1857),  who  completed  here  his  prepa- 
ration for  college,  and  entered  Bowdoin  in  the  fall  of   1820.* 

*  Franklin  Pierce  was  a  student  at  Francestown  Academy  the  spring 
term  of  1820,  and  recited  Greek  and  Latin  to  Sim  Ingersoll  Bard. 
■  While  at  the  Academy  he  was  a  sprightly  lad  of  about  eighteen  sum- 
mers, and  full  of  fun  and  fi-olic.  He  would  frequently  call  at  the  rooms 
of  those  near  his  size  and  manage  to  get  into  a  squab1)le,  Init  at  leaving 
would  upset  the  table,  chairs,  and  sometimes  the  bed.  This  frequently 
occurred  at  the  room  of  two  who  boarded  at  Capt.  AVilliani  Bixby's,  so 
much  so  that  Mrs.  Bixby  told  her  husband  she  could  not  have  so  much 
noise  in  that  room.  The  Captain  was  informed  that  it  was  Frank 
Pierce   that  caused  the   noise.     The   Captain   being  a  quick,  nervous 


300  "THE   MACADEMY." 

Mr:  Bard  liad  84  scholars,  many  of  whom  came  to  honor. 
Nine  of  them  became  "•prominent  pliysicians,"  and  one  (Rev. 
William  Thurston  Boutwell,  Dart.  Coll.,  1828,)  a  missionary 
to  the  Indians. 

Mr.  Bard  was  still  young  (horn  171*7),  and  was  ^^small  in 
stature,"'  but  keen,  (dear,  critical,  and  every  incli  a  teacher. 
He  studied  two  years  in  tlie  college  at  Middlelniry,  Vt.,  when 
he  was  compelled  to  leave,  on  account  of  the  death  of  his 
father,  and  <lid  not  c()m[)lete  his  course.  But  a  class-mate  says 
he  was  held  in  '•'gi'eat  admiration"  by  his  class,  iind  was  known 
in  college  as  "The  Walking  Dictionary."  He  was  certainly  a 
very  painstaking  and  exact  scholar;  manly,  giitty,  and  fearless 
as  a  disciplinarian;  thorough  and  excellent  as  an  instructor. 

His  son  writes  me  that  one  morning  on  the  way  to  his  work 
he  was  met  l)y  a  ])atriarchal  strangei-  who  resided  in  the  back 
part  of  the  town,  and  who  concluded  from  Mr.  Bard's  diminu- 
tive size  and  very  youthful  appearance  that  he  was  one  of  the 
pupils;  and  hence  he  laid  his  fatherly  hand  on  his  head,  and 
smiling  a  great  smile  of  condesending  kindness  he  asked, 
"Soimy,  do  you  go  to  the  Macademy?"  to  this  he  modestl}^  re- 
plied that  he  did.  "How  do  you  like  your  ('Once})tor?"  the 
kind  (juestioner  continued, — at  which  Mr.  Bard  })leasantly  com- 
plimented the  said  "C'Oiiceptor,"  and  passed  on !  The  venerable 
Dr.  Gregg  of  Boston,  one  of  his  pupils  in  1820,  said  he  was 
accustomed  to  double  up  one  leg  under  him,  and  then  tilt  his 
chair  back  against  the  wall,  and  from  that  as  a  tlirone  rule  the 
school  and  put  them  through  his  rigid  drill."- 

It  would  seem  to  Ije  a  mistake  on  his  part  that  he  did  not 
follow  teaching  as  a  profession,  having  such  remarkable  aptitude 
therefor,  but  the  efficient  little  "Conceptor"  was  already  study- 
man,  says,  '■'■ril  sto2'  it.'"  So,  seeing  Frank  going  to  the  room  one  day, 
placed  himself  behind  the  door  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs.  Frank,  get- 
ting Avind  of  it,  sHpped  down  tlie  back  stairs,  and  out  tlirougli  the 
shed.  After  waiting  a  while,  the  Captain  crei')t  up  stairs,  and  peering 
into  the  room,  asked,  "Where's  Frank  ?"  He  was  answered,  "Frank 
has  just  gone  down  the  back  stairs  and  out  through  the  shed — and 
there  he  goes  down  the  street  towards  his  room."  "Zounds  !"  says 
the  Captain,  "if  I  had  got  hold  of  the  little  fellow  1  w<mld  have  shook 
him  up."  The  Captain  lived  to  see  the  little  fellow  President  of  the 
United  States. 


OLD    IlEICK    ACADEIMY.  301 

iiig  to  be  a  [)liysiciaii,  and  soon  after  began  the  practice  of 
medicine  in  IIillsl)orongL,  where  he  had  married;  subsecpiently, 
liowever,  moving  to  Francestown.  We  shall  meet  with  Dr. 
Bard  in  the  later  history  of  the  Academ3%  and  an  extended 
notice  may  be  found  in  the  genealogies  connected  herewith. 

After  the  incorporation  June  1819,  the  unfinished  upper  story 
of  the  school  house  (more  recently  known  as  the  ''Old  Brick 
Academy")  was  completed  and  put  in  good  condition  for  those 
times,  for  the  use  of  the  new  Institution;  and  pr()l)al)ly  this 
work  accounts  for  the  delay  in  organizing  the  company,  before 
referred  to.  The  ''Proprietors"  of  this  upper  story  were  Daniel' 
Lewis,  Thomas  Bixb}',  Robert  Nesmith,  John  Grimes,  William 
Bixby,  Samuel  Hodge,  Daniel  Mclvaine,  James  W.  Haseltine, 
Oliver  Holmes,  Jr.  and  Thomas  Eaton;  and  at  the  close  of  the 
successful  work  of  Mr.  Bard,  they  donated  their  rights  in  tlui 
l)uilding  to  the  corporation,  and  deeded, the  same  Dec.  4,  1820. 
The  land  liad  been  previously  "donated"  by  John  Mcllvaine 
"as  long  as  kept  for  school  purposes." 

For  tlie  year  1821  the  Academy  was  in  charge  oi"  J\Ii'.  Isaac 
O.  Barnes,  a  graduate  of  Middlel)ury  College,  Vt.  His  manage- 
ment and  instruction  seem  to  have  been  ver}"  satisfactory  to  the 
trustees,  Imt  the  number  of  students  was  less  than  the  preced- 
ing year  and  the  corpoi'ation  bad  to  struggle  with  a  small 
deficit  in  consequence.  Mr.  Barnes  afterwards  traveled  exten- 
sively, and  was  noted  as  U.  S.  Naval  Ofticer  at  Boston,  U.  S- 
Marshall,  and  Pension  Agent.  •  See  Genealogy  of  the  Wood" 
bury  fa-mily. 

In  the  fall  of  1822  the  Academy  was  put  in  charge  of  Mr. 
Jeremiah  Stowe  who  was  gi'aduated  that  3"ear  from  Dartmouth 
College.  He  received  the  tuition  foi-  his  services,  and  was  one 
of  the  1)est  of  teachers:  and  liis  work  liere  was  completed  to 
"the  nnitual  satisfaction  of  tlie  Instructor  and  Trustees."  He 
was  soon  ordained  to  the  ministry  and  died  in  Livonia,  N.  Y. 
1832.  aged  36. 

Tbe  Academy  for  1823  was  taught  by  Mr.  George  Freeman, 
( DaitnuMtth  College  1822,  afterwards  Rev.  Geo.  Freeman, 
Paiiua,  N.  Y.:  died  LSti8,  aged  73,)  who  had  about  fifty 
students.      I)Ut  again  the  expenses  were  greater  tlian  the  income. 


802  VARIOUS    TEx\CHERS. 

and  tlie  deficit  was  made  up  by  severa,!  individuals  in  town,  who 
iiad  voluntarily  guaranteed  the  same. 

In  1824,  Perley  Dodge  of  New  JJoston,  then  a  senior  in 
Union  College,  for  Avliich  ]ic  liad  pi'epared  chietly  at  Frances- 
town  Academy,  (;ame  back  and  tauglit  here  six  months  to  the 
satisfaction  of  all  coneerue'd.  Was  afterwards  a  lawyer  here, 
and  died  recently  in  Andierst. 

In  1825,  tlioiigli  lachiiig  funds  and  [tublic  encouragement, 
the  Academy  was  ([uite  sucu-essful  vuidcr  charge  of  Mr.  (Oliver 
Carlton,  who  Avas  a  graduate  of  Dart.  College  1824,  and  was  a 
•Tutor  in  that  College  for  the  Near  succeeding  his  service  here, 
1825-0. 

From  this  time  omvard  till  1841  there  is  no  record  either  of 
corpoi'ation  or  tiustees.  But  fiom  otliei'  souiees  we  learn  that 
the  Academy  was  ke})t  in  ojtL'ration  most  of  tlie  time,  the  several 
teachers  taking  the  tuition  for  theii'  salary.  In  1827  Kev.  Mr. 
Pigeon  taught  the  Academy  and  also  nuieli  of  the  time  during 
tlie  spring  and  sununer  supplied  the  })ulj)it  of  the  church.  The 
old  peo})le  speak  of  him  as  a  man  of  unusual  ability  and  worth, 
but  of  too  naich  self-withdrawment  and  severe  modesty  to  push 
matters  under  the  conditions  here. 

In  1828  Eev.  lienjamin  Labaree,  D.  D.,  L.  L.  D.,  President 
of  Mi(ldlel)nry  College,  Xt.,  moie  than  a  ([uarter  of  a  century, 
had  eharge  of  the  Academy,  being  at  that  time  a  senior  in 
Dartmoutli  College.  He  was  a  rare  instructor  and  gave  great 
satisfaction. 

In  1829  and  1830,  Dr.  S.  I.  Bai'd  again  took  charge  of  the 
Institution  and  again  did  a  valiuible  service. 

In  1831,  the  Charter  was  stretched  a  little  in  making  this  a 
school  for  ladies  only.  The  teachers  were  Miss  Lucretia  S. 
Longly  and  Miss  Trask,  from  Ipswich  Female  Semi- 
nary- Their  methods  were  peculiar  but  their  spirit  was  excellent, 
their  attainments  and  standai'd  aniong  the  foremost,  and  their 
^v■ol■k  highly  successful.  They  had  a  short  Bible  lesson  daily, 
like  the  scluxtls  of  the  Evangelist  INIoody  at  the  present  time; 
and  a  dee})  religious  spirit  pervaded  the  school,  contributing  not 
a  little  to  the  stirring  revival  in  the  town  tliat  year.  Mrs. 
Lucretia  (Longley)  Cooley  was  b.  Hawley,  JMass.,  Oct.  1811 
and  d.  Maiysville,  Cal.  1881. 


VARIOUS    TEACHERS.  308 

For  the  years  1832,  1833,  1834,  1835,  the  Aca(U'ni,y  was  in 
charge  of  Beiijainin  F.  Wallace  of  Antrim,  and  ^-flourished 
under  his  instruction."  He  published  the  first  (catalogue  of 
the  institution  containing  each  3'ear  more  tlian  a  hnndi-ed 
names,  Mr.  Wallace  liad  l)een  a  student  hei'e  undei'  Dr.  Bard, 
and  worked  with  intense  zeal  to  build  up  the  ''old  school.''  He 
was  a  good  man  and  a  good  teacher.  When  excited  he  was  a 
fearful  stammei'er,  sometimes  to  the  great  amusement  of  his 
pupils.  The  writer  was  under  his  instruction  foi'  a  time  at  the 
Academy  in  Piscataquog  (now  Manchester)  and  a\c]1  remem- 
bers the  twitching  nervousness  and  the  "hem  I"  hem  I"  wliich 
always  preceeded  any  lui usual  announcement,  ie[)ea,ted  over 
and  over  if  any  offender  was  to  be  rebuked.  Tlic  students  used 
to  say,  '■•When  his  chin  begins  to  drop,  then  look  out  for  stam- 
mer and  storm;" — and  it  generally  came  at  about  the  third 
'-(b'op."  After  his  excellent  work  in  Francestown  Mr.  Wallace 
taught  in  various  places,  chiefly  in  Manchester  where  he  was 
Princijml  of  "Squog  Academy"  several  years.  Was  editor  of 
the  '•'Manchester  Messengei-;"  was  everywhere  respected;  died 
in  Antrim  May  5,  1864. 

■•'In  the  summer  of  183r)""  there  was  a  notalilc  "Kxhi])iti()n" 
by  the  students  under  Mr.  Wallace,  vrhich,  as  being  the  flrst 
thing  of  the  kind  of  uny  account  in  this  place,  awakened  nuich 
interest.  The  printed  Programme  preserved  fiPty-foui'  years  lies 
before  me  as  I  write.  Jt  was  not  a  play,  but  a  long  list  of  dis- 
cussions and  (U'ations.  .Vmong  the  speakers  were  some  after- 
wards prominent  in  various  })la.ces,  such  as  Pi'of.  Nathan  B. 
Barker  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y,,  Hon.  N.  W.  C.  Jameson  of  Antrim, 
Hon.  A.  H.  Dunlap  of  Nashua,  Hon.  John  Nichols,  Dr.  Thomas 
H.  Cochran  of  Rutland,  Vt.,  and  Prof.  Mark  Tiue.  No  ladies 
took  part,  but  thii-ty-four  men  had  each  an  oration  (most  of 
them  original,)  and  all  these  men  were  an  honor  to  the 
Academy. 

In  1836  Kev.  James  Boutwell,  then  of  Lyndeboro',  (Dart. 
C'oUege  1836,)  was  Princi})al  of  the  Academy;  Rev.  Royal 
Parkinson  (Dart.  College  1842)  took  charge  of.  the  same  in 
1887;  John  P.  Averill  (  Dai't.  College  1842)  taught  here  in 
spring  of  1838,  and  Hon.  John  Nichols  (Williams'  College 
1889)  presided  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year;  while  in  1889  Rev. 


304  THE   NEW    BUILDING    OF    1841. 

Charles  PeaLody  (Dart.  College  18o9)  was  at  the  liead  of  the 
Institution,  as  appears  hy  his  advertisements  in  the  Amherst 
Cabinet  of  that  year. 

In  1840,  as  in  1831,  this  was  a  school  "for  ladies  only,"  and 
was  under  charo-e  of  Miss  Emily  Brown. 

In  tlie  eaily  part  of  the  .year  1841  an  effort  was  made  to 
establish  a  "/^(^/•v/^c/y/cy//"  scliool, -i.  e.  a  full  year  of  four  terms 
instead  of  half  a  year  of  two  terms,  and  to  arrange  for  this  for 
five  years  at  least.  INIuch  enthusiasm  was  awakened,  and  under 
date  of  A[)V.  30,  1841,  seventy-eight  persons  "subscribed  tlie 
agreement,"  representing  ''•one  hundred  and  one  shares"  each 
"share"  meaning  oiu'  of  the  one  hundred  and  one  equal  parts  of 
an}'  annual  deiiciency  that  might  occur  during  tlie  period  named. 
The  "old  vestry"  wdiich  had  stood  on  tlie  northeast  corner  of 
the  connuon  had  been  moved  across  to  the  present  location,  and 
now  tlie  second  story  was  finished  off  for  the  use  of  the 
Acadeni}',  the  building  known  as  the  "Old  Brick  Academy" 
being  left  to  the  district  school.  But  as  the  vestiy  was  not 
planned  fnr  a  tA\o-story  l)uilding,  the  upper  room  was  narrower 
than  the  one  l)elow,  was  long  and  low  and  without  l)ell  or  belfry. 
Some  improvements  were  made  and  a  Ijel fry  added  by  subscrip- 
tion, in  1845. 

June  7,  1841  Rev.  Hoiace  Herrick  (Dart.  College  1834) 
took  charge  of  the  Academy,  at  a  salar}'  of  I^SOO.  His  efforts 
to  build  up  the  school  were  at  once  successful.  His  first  term 
had  21  pupils;  his  second  term  had  one  hundred  and  twenty. 
During  the  stay  of  Mr.  Herrick  about  four  hundred  dollars 
were  expended  for  "Apparatus"  for  the  Academy.  The  Trus- 
tees called  him  "the  the  indefatigable  Principal;"  and  under 
liim  the  school  was  built  up  to  the  surprise  of  everybody,  and 
great  hopes  wei'e  kindled  for  tlie  future  of  the  Institution. 
But,  much  to  the  regret  of  all,  he  left  in  the  early  spring  of 
1844  to  l)ecome  pastor  of  the  Cong,  church  in  Fitzwilliam. 
Rev.  Harry  Bricket  (Dart.  College  1840,)  then  teaching  at 
Fitzwilliam,  came  Mar.  4,  1844  to  fill  out  the  year.  Being 
about  to  take  the  degree  of  jNI.  D.  at  Dart.  Medical  College,  he 
came  here  for  only  one  term.  But  he  was  prevailed  upon  to 
stay  longer  and  remained  until  June  1851,  when  he  left  sud- 
denl}^  in  the  middle  of  the  summer  term,  to  take  charge  of  the 


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ACADEMY    IJUILDIISGI    BURNED.  305 

Bi'own  High  School,  Newbuiypoii,  Mass.  During  j\Ir.  Brick- 
cLls'  icrin  of  service  the  Academy  building  was  burned  in  open 
d;iy  (Saturday,  Mai'ch  27,  1847,)  books,  aj)[)aratus  and  nearly 
every  niovnJile  thing  being  saved.  There  were  over  one  hun- 
dred pu])ils  at  tlie  time,  but  they  were  croAvded  into  the  '•'•Old 
Brick  Academy''  and  the  instruction  went  on  witliout  nuirli 
intei'i-uption.  Many  were  glad  the  old  building  was  gojie,  as 
it  was  small,  inconvenient  and  uncomel}^;  and  such  prompt  and 
vigoi-ous  measures  were  taken  to  rebuild,  that  the  })resent  struc- 
ture was  up  and  ready  for  use  at  the  opening  of  tlie  fall  term, 
less  than  five  months  after  the  day  of  the  fire.  It  is  noticed 
that  the  Records  of  the  Corporation,  and  the  Records  of  the 
trustees,  contain  no  reference  to  the  burning  of  the  old  build- 
ing, nor  to  the  erection  of  the  new.  This  was  erected  by 
subscription,  and  it  is  said  that  every  man  in  France -st own  and 
many  women  contributed  thereto;  and  many  donations  were 
made  from  without.  The  "eagle"  was  presented  by  friends  in 
Boston,  and  Capt.  Peter  (Uark  gave  to  the  Academy  certain 
lands  in  town  which  were  sold  for  several  hundred  dollars,  from 
which  a  new  bell  was  procured  and  some  '•'old  debts"  for  repairs 
ol'  IIk;  burnt  l)uilding  were  [laid. 

Ibider  Mr.  Briekett  the  Academy  reached  its  greatest  pros- 
[)erity  and  gained  a  high  reputation  througliout  the  state.  In 
1(S48  the  Avinter  tei-in  had  4o  [)Uj)ils,  the  spring  term  13()  (134 
paid  tuition,)  tlu^  .summer  term  24,  and  tlie  fall  term  103.  lie 
wa-s  a  "•boi'u  teacher,"  pleasing,  cheerful,  wide-awake,  scholarly, 
and)itious,  and  specially  calculated  to  inspire  otliers  to  earnest 
work.  Mr.  Briekett  was  Preceptor  more  than  seven  years,  and 
nearly  all  that  time  his  excellent  wife  (Eliza  Cutter  of  Jaffrey) 
taught  as  Assistant  in  the  Academy  and  contributed  in  no 
small  measure  to  the  success  of  those  years. 

May  6,  1851,  the  Semi-Centennial  of  the  Academy  was  cele- 
brated with  great  enthusiasm.  The  committee  appointed  by 
the  Corporation  (Dec.  2,  1850,)  to  have  charge  of  the  celebra- 
tion were  P.  H.  P)ixby,  Israel  Batchelder,  Daniel  Fuller,  William 
Parker  and  Mark  Morse.  Hon.  >Levi  Woodbury,  L.  L.  I).,  then 
Justice  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme'  Court,  delivered  the  Address. 
Hon.  Franklin  Pierce,  who  was  elected  President  of  tlie  United 
States  the  following  vear,  made  a  characteristic  speech — smooth, 


306  BRICKETT;    SAWYlilR;    II  AY  WARD. 

Ijeantifnl  iiiid  .stirrinn".  P)'iiieipal  ruickcU  s[)()ko  \\'itli  tlie  fire 
of  liis  yoiitlt,  and  added  elfxjuent  words  of  joy  and  l)o[)C  and 
])roi)lK'(w,  till  tlic  meeting  almost  i-aii  away  with  itself  in  view 
of  tlie  memories,  tlie  prosperity,  and  the  })r(is[)L'(^ts  of  tlie  old 
Academy  I  Alas  I  those  fond  dreams  have  been  Init  poorly 
realizeil ! 

When  Mr.  Brickett  left  about  June  f),  LSf)!.  many  of  the 
pupils  withdrew,  but  a  good  number  remained,  iind  tlie  terra 
was  linished  out  aeee[)tably  by  Albeit  !1.  ('r(;sby  (Dart.  College 
1848,  Medical  College  1800,)  who  in-  snbse(|uent  years  became 
a  prominent  physician  in  Concord. 

Mr.  Henry  E.  Sawyer  (Dart.  College  1851  )  took  the  Acade- 
my at  the  commencement  of  the  fall  leini  IfSol  and  continued 
at  its  head  for  two  years,  mIicu  he  was  comj)elled  to  leave  on 
account  of  failing  health.  His  work  was  of  a  high  order  and 
gave  universal  satisfaction. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  fall  teiin  of  1853,  Sylvanus 
Hayward  of  Gilsum  became  Princii)al.  He  had  just  been 
graduated  from  Dai't.  College  witli  higl.i  honors.  He  was  a 
most  thorough  teacher,  and  the  Record  of  the  Tru.stees  speaks 
of  his  work  with  decided  })raise.  The  writer  was  here  over  a 
3'ear  in  fitting  for  college  under  Mr.  Hayward  ami  bears  wdtness 
to  his  accnracy  and  eflicieru'v  as  a  teacher.  The  attendance 
was  lai'ge,  the  students  weie  of  more  mature  age  than  in  recent 
times,  each  year  had  its  "graduating  class''  ready  to  enter  col- 
lege, many  going  from  this  school  to  Dartmouth  and  Andiei-st, 
and  three  }>upils  of  iMr.  Hayward  (li.  ('.  Stanley,  C.  H.  IJoyd 
and  W.  R.  Cocln'ane,)  being  ])romoted  to  be  tutors  in  college, 
The  lyceums  and  exhilntioiis  under  Mr.  Hayward  were  marked 
with  a  dignity  and  ability  not  eqnalled  by.  any  otlier  school  in 
the  state  at  that  time,  so  that  teachers  spoke  of  tliem  as 
''exceptional,"  and  "capable  of  passing  })rofessional  criticism." 
Tlie  writer  vividly  remembers  tlie  long  and  able  debates,  the 
stirring  orations,  the  vigorous  fortnightly  })ublication  called  the 
"Evening  Star,"  the  crowded  audiences,  and  the  genei'al 
enthnsiasm  of  the  scliool  I 

Mr.  Hayward  left  at  the  close  of  the  summer  term  of  18'\6, 
having  served  three  3'ears.  For  the  fall  term  of  that  year  the 
Academy  was  not  open ;  but  the  winter"  term   f(>Uowing  was 


VARIOUS   PRINCIPALS.  307 

tauo-lit  l)y  Dr.  A[ai-tin  N.  Root  (of  the  class  of  1849  Amherst 
College,)  as  ^^aii  inde[)eii(le]it  school."  For  the  rest  of  1857  he 
wns  hired  ])j  the  Trustees;  and  lie  acted  as  Principal  sul)- 
secjueiitl)'  as  occasion  i'e(}nired  a  part  of  the  time  for  several 
_years.  I);-.  Root  was  justly  considered  a  scholar  of  large  and 
varied  ac;-omplishments,  and  a  most  helpful  teacher  and  genial 
man.  Jjut  neig]d)nring  schools  were  so  numei-ous,  and  the 
c<n'poiation  was  so  pinched  foi'  lack  of  means,  tliat  tlie  Acade- 
my had  a  liard  struggle  for  some  years,  and  was  compelled  to 
make  '^assessments"  on  tliose  who  had  guaranteed  its  support. 

Charles  E.  IMilliken  (Dart.  College  1857)  was  Principal  in 
1858,  as  appears  fiom  other  soui'ces,  there  l)eing  no  reference  to 
him  on  any  of  the  recoi'ds.  Samuel  B.  Stewart  (P)0^vdoin 
College  1857)  was  at  the  liead  of  the  Academy  for  the  first  two 
terms  of  1850,  tlie  summer  and  fall  terms  heing  in  charge  of 
Dr.  pool,  who  also  conliuucd  !'i-iiicipal  through  the  years  1860 
and  18U1. 

Fraidv  G.  Clai'k  (Andicu'st  College  1802)  comnuMUKMl  ^\ilh 
the  fall  term  of  18<)2  and  conliuued  Princi[ial  for  live  years, 
and  under  him  the  Academy  soon  gained  its  former  strength 
ami  nund)ers.  .  A  gift  of  >:?<477.  fiom  the  estate  of  Geoi-ge  Lewds 
and  one  of  #4000,  from  Hon.  William  Bixby,  gave  new  courage 
to  the  friends  of  tlie  institution.  In  1864  #400  Mas  raised  for 
enlarging  the  Librar}^  and  in  1867  #300  was  raised  to  secure  a 
piano.  Mr.  Clark  closed  his  sei'vice  with  the  summer  term  of 
1867.  No  Princi[)al  of  the  Academy  was  evei'  held  in  higher 
esteem  than' he.  Me  was  ordained  in  this  place  to  the  ministry 
of  the  Congregational  Church  Sept.  2,  1869,  and  has  had  a  huig 
pastorate  in  the  city  of  (Tloucester,  Mass. 

With  the  fall  term  of  1867  the  Academy  passed  into  the 
hands  of  Samuel  P.  Prescott  (Dart.  College  1867;  lawyer, 
Princeton,  111.,)  who  tauglit  so  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
that  a  larger  offer  was  made  to  him  to  continue  a  second  year, 
Nvdiich  offer  he  accepted,  but  was  prevented  b}'  sickness  from 
continuing  the  work. 

Mr.  Thomas  O.  Knowlton  (  P)ates  College)  took  the  Academy 
at  the  commencement  of  the  fall  term  of  1868,  and  held  it  suc- 
cessfull}'  till  tlie  close  of  tlie  summer  term  of  1870,  when  he 


308  RE-UNION   OF  1870. 

gave  it  into  the  liands  of  Henry   R.   Moiiteith   (Dait.  C'olle^'e 
1869,)  and  tlie  latlev  remained  in  cliar«^-e  one  ye.ir. 

Aug.  17,  1870,  jnst  l)efore  tlie  ()])eniiiL';  ol'  tlie  fall  term,  tliere 
was  a  notal)le  '•^Rennioii  of  the  Teaehers  aiid  Ahuiini  of  I'^iiuuH'S. 
town  Academy/'  The  i^-atliering-  \\;!s  lai'nc  and  llic.  enthusiasm 
was  great.  J^'iom  all  tlie  land  they  came  and  the  long-parted 
met  and  rejoicc(l  together.  A  very  a])le  "-Address"  was  giveri 
by  Hon.  Charles  Levi  Woodbury  of  liostrm ;  a  Poem  was 
delivei'ed  by  Rev.  W.  R.  ('o(diranc;  and  I'rof.  (Jeo.  11.  White 
gave  the  ^'Historical  Addiess,"  \\hich  was  greatly  enjoyed  by 
all.  These  w  cjc  followiMJ  by  a  royal  free  (bnnei-,  and  capital 
speeclies  and  pleasing  reminiscences,  till  the  '•-day  wns  going 
down,"  and  the  company  parted  with  prayers  and  ])l(!ssings  for 
the  '-Old  Aea-demy  and  its  childi'en  I" 

(ieo.  W^.  Flint  (Bates  College)  came  here  as  Rrincijial  and 
commenced  work  Aug.  9,  1871.  In  the  ])rt'vious  yeai-qiutean 
addition  bad  l)een  made  to  the  funds  of  llie  institution.  j\Ir. 
James  (1.  Clark,  whose  fathei',  Capt.  Peter  (  darl';,  had  given  the 
Academy  bell  (1847,)  and  who  had  himself  given  the  present 
bell  (Dec.  18<U,)  offered  the  Trustees  (]\hii-.  K!,  1870,)  one- 
eigtli  part  of  four  thousand  dollars,  if  from  otlier  sources  tliey 
could  raise  the  rest.  This  was  successfrdly  done  and  the  sev- 
eral amounts  were  paid  in  the  following  year,  as  will  appear  by 
the  list  of  Donors  named  lielow.  Mr.  Flint  received  'tlOOO  per 
year  for  his  services,  and  continued  the  same  with  general 
api)i'oval  for  two  years. 

At  the  commencement  of  tlie  fall  term  of  1873  Piof.  James 
E.  Vose  took  charge  of  the  Academy,  a.ml  remained  tAvo  years. 
For  the  year  1874  he  was  paid  -^1800  to  -run  the  school,"  A\hicli 
was  the  highest  salary  they  had  ever  given'.  The  records  speak 
of  the  great  "ability"  and  -'untiring  energy"  of  "Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Vose"  and  their  "excellent  assistant"  (Miss  A.  J.  Cochran,) 
and  tell  us  they  "made  the  Scliool  more  Po})nlar  at  home  and 
abroad."  Mrs.  Mary  (Neville)  Vose,  a  rare  scholar  and  beauti- 
ful woman,  died  here  Jan.  0,  1875  aged  28,  greatly  lamented. 
]V|r.  Vose  was  called  to  a  higher  position  at  Ashburnham,  Mass., 
where  lie  did  a  great  work  continuing  as  Principal  there  till 
his  death  May  30,  1887.  He  was-of  keen  and  ciritical  nnnd 
and   large    acquirements   and   was    a    most    thorough    teacher. 


PROSPERITY    UNDER    PROF.    COWELL.  309 

Dartmoutli  College  conferred  on  jNIr.  Vose  the  Degree  of  A.  M. 
ill  1881. 

From  Aug.  1875  to  Aug.  187<i,  the  Academy  was  in  charge 
of  ]Mr.  Charles  W.  Savage,  Harvard  College  1874.  In  Aug. 
1876  ]\Ir.  ireiiiy  S.  Cowell  (Bates  College  1876)  began  work 
as  principal.  He  came  at  the  age  of  twenty  3'ears  and  began 
with  twenty  scholars.  lUit  the  interest  and  attendance  steadily 
advanced  under  his  care,  and  during  his  long  stay  of  seven 
years  the  Academy  greatly  prospered  and  its  fiiciids  greatly 
I'ejoiced.  New  deslcs  and  seats  were  put  into  tlie  m;i,in  room  in 
Oct.  1879.  It  is  proof  of  Mr.  CowelTs  wisdom  and  hard  work, 
that  lie  carried  the  Academy  without  cessation  of  growtli 
through  the  intensely  bitter  church  controversy  which  almost 
paralyzed  everytliiug  else  in  to^\'ll  for  a  time.  No  teacher  ever 
had  greater  enthusiasm  in  his  calling,  or  Mfni  moi-c  the  honest 
love  of  his  pupils.  I 'inh'i  him  line  (dasses  were  graduated,  and 
3  oung  imm  wcn'  scut  t'ortli  tliat  will  make  their  mark.  J'lof. 
Cowell  A\ent  from  licie  to  Slicllanuc  Falls,  INIass.,  in  iSSo,  aiid 
several  of  his  best  pupils  fol]o^\■(■(l  him  there  to  com})h'te  their 
course.  He  is  now  (ISiM))  I'riiicipal  of  Cushing  Academy, 
Mass.,  and  has  had  remarkable  success  as  a  teacher,  and  lias 
everywhere  been  esteemed  for  ability  and  christuin  excellence 
of  character." 

The  successor  of  Piof.  Coa\('11  in  this  place  was  B.  S.  Hurd. 
M ho  had  been  Assistant  and  ha,d  won  the  respect  of  all:  and 
he  remained  with  genei'al  acceptance  till  Nov.  188."j,  when  he 
was  called  to  a  favorable  position  at  Beverly,  Mass.  Mr.  Hurd 
was  a  graduate  of  Piates  (-ollege,  Cdass  of  1878.  His  second 
year  as  Principal  was  tilled  out  by  N.  F.  Wilcox,  A.  B.  (Wil- 
lianrs  College)  Avho  taught  in  the  winter  and   spring  of  1886. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Charles  S.  Paige,  A.  15.  (I'ufts  College 
1884)  a  former  student  of  the  Academy,  who  is  now  (Jan. 
-1890)  on  his  fourth  year  as  Principal. 

44ie  ()ld  Academy,  it  may  safely  be  said,  has  l)een  a  power 
for  good  in  this  town  and  this  vicinit}'.  It  has  lulded  lo  the 
intelligence  of  the  ])eople,  and  helped  to  gi\e  them  standing 
and  eharacter.  And  if  we  should  judge  its  A\-ork  by  the  reeord 
of  those  who  have  gone  out  from  it,  probably  no  scliool  in  the 
land  of  the  same  number  of  students,  would  stand  hiolier  than 


310  LIST    OF    PRINCIPALS. 

tliis.  Its  trraduates  have  reaclicl  tln^  lii^liest  attainments  and 
positions  in  the  land.  Anionn'  its  students  have  been  one 
President  of  the  United  States;  two  V.  S.  Senators:  many 
mend)ers  of  Con^'i-ess;  Judq-es,  I'roni  Police  ('0111I  to  the  U.  S. 
Su|)vem(>  Coni't:  oiie  iMajor-Cieneral  in  the  Pnion  Army;  and  a 
qreat  nnmher  of  Prole-sors,  'I'ntors,  Ministers,  Physieiaris, 
jMisdonai'ies,  (ioveriioi'S  and  leadeis  in  t'xciy  department  of 
learnin<4'  and  enlerpi-ise.  And  inoiclhan  iiaJ  I',' })e)  ha|)S,  of  all 
tlie  L;-ood  and  llie  honor  ilowin^'  iVoni  this  Old  Pistitution  has 
be(!n  thiomdi  the  hearts  and  minds  of  'lohle  women  who 
reeeive(l  ^ood  intlnenees  here,  which  in  (puet  ways  have  made 
truth  more  nnmift'st  a.nd  life  more  heantifnl.  That  glorious 
hoine-reeord  the  historian  may  not  wiite.  Put  it  is  a  matt(!r 
for  eongratuhitio]!  tiiat  this  Academy  has  dom^  so  mn.eh  h)r 
th(^  sprea.d  of  knowIe(lge,  for  the  ineieast;  of  hnuKUi  happiness, 
and  for  the  maintenance  of  the  religion  of  ( 'iirist  I  Piiiglit  be 
the  future  of  the  old  Academy  I 

I  aj)pem]  a  list  of  the  l*]inci[)als ;  ami  also  of  the  Assistants, 
as  far  as  po.ssible.  To  this  is  added  some  of  the  names  of  the 
more  conspicuous  Alumni,  and  then  a,  list  of  the  names  of  the 
dom)is  of  its  funds.  When  the  Academy  was  burned  (1847) 
almost  I'very-  man  and  wom m  in  town  gave  liberally  to  re- 
build. As  times  have  eha-ugeil  and  expenses  multiplied,  more 
money  is  now  itMpdi-ed  here  to  [tut  things  at  the  best.  What 
incalcrdable  good  one  might  do  by  a  further  endowment  of  tins 
Institution  I 

IMMNCirALS     OF      FRANCESTOWN    ACADEMY,     ^VITH      THEIR 
ASSISTANTS. 

riuNeiPALs.  Year.  Assistants. 

AlcxaiKlcr  Dustiii  1801 
Oliver  (or  Elihu)  .Mason     1S()() 

James  Morrison  iSd".) 

James  Howe  ISll) 

S.  1.  ]$ar(l  lS-20 

Isaac  ().  ]!anics  1S21 

Jereniiali  Sdiw  lS-J-2 

(^eorue  F]-cciii;ni  lS-2."*) 

Perley  Doduc  lS-24 

Oliver  C'arletoii  IS-J.") 

licv.  Piu,eon  1S27 


LIST    OV    IMMNCIPALS.  311 

PTtrNCii'ALs.  Ykai;.  Assistants. 

Benjamin  LahanH'  1S28 

Sim.  I.  15ard  iSii!) 

Sim.   I.  i!;tnl  ls:!() 

J^uc'i'dia.  Lun^k'y  >  ,    ... 

]\IissTrask     '      "    >'  '     '' 

Jlciij.  F.  Wallace  is;i2 

Jim  J.  F.  Wallace  is;!;] 

J>enJ.  F.  Wallace  1K:34 

]]eni.  F.  Wallace  lS;5;i 

James  ,!]()ul\vell  1S."')(; 

IJoyal  I'arkinson  IS.'iT 

John  r.  Averill  )  .  y.,^ 

John  Nichols      ^  '"" 

Charles  Peabody  IS:]'.) 

Miss  Emily  JJrown  1S40 

Horace  Ilerrick  1S41  Mrs,  Horace  Ilerrick 

Horace  Herrick  1,S42  Mrs.  Horace  Herrick 

Horace  Heri'ick  184;!  Mrs.  Horace  Herrick 

TT   .         TT      .  1    .  (  Miss  Ursnla  Stevens 

Horace  Hei-rick  ^  ,,, ,,  \  ...      y^    tt    „ 

Tj, ,....,  u^-  1    it    r  I'^^-i  -s  ^ii«s  E.  H.  Brown 

Harry  Jiricketl    i  J  at       tt  tt      •  i 

•'  '  (  Mrs.  Horace  Ilerrick 

(  Miss  Ursula  Stevens 
Harry  Brickett  lS4r,  J  .Miss  E.  H.  I^.n.wn 

(  Miss  Ermiiia  ( 'utlci' 

(  Miss  F.  II.  Bi'own 
Harry  lirickett  !S4(;  -^  Mrs.  E.  ('.    Brickett 

(  Charles  F.  Batch 

TT  1.  •  I    i.  '    1..  <-  \  Mrs.  E.  C.  Brickett 

IlariT  iJi'irkctt  IM/  -  , ,,      ,       ,.,,,, 

I  (  Inu-les  ]• .   ralcli 

f  Aurilla  B.  \\'ellman 

TT  i>  ■  1    n  I..  I..  Charles  F.  Batch 

Ilari'v  lli'ifketl  l.s4.s  -^   ^  i     /•       i   i 

j  James  1j.  doodale  • 

t^Mrs.  ]<:.  C.  Brickett 
f  Mrs.  E.  C.  Brickett 

TT  i>  •   1    V4.  ic.  I,.  I  Samuel  H.  Bartridf>e 

HaiTV  Brickett  IM'J  -{  ,,    ,^    -p,         ,,,  ^ 

■  •  ]  1 .  F.  Forsaith 

I^Caroline  M.  Buruliam 

f  Mrs.  E.  C.  Jh-ickett 

I  Caroline  ]Sf.  ]kirnham 


"^  Bebecca  Jewett 


Harry  Brickett  IS.-jU 

i^James  L.  Goodalc 
Harry  lirickell  1S.-,1  Mrs.   E.  C.  Brickett 

Albert   II.  Crosby  isr.l  Abby  W.  Jaquith 

Henry  E.  Sawyer  lS."jl,  .Joanna  Cressy 

!, Joanna  Cressy 
Miss  H.  S.  ]}oul()n 
Edward  V.  J!ansom 


312 


LLST    OF    PKINCn'ALS. 


PiMNClPALS. 

Henry  1-'.  Sawyer  } 
Sylvauufs  ll;i\v;iiii  ) 


Svlviinus  Ilavwiinl 


Svlvaiius  Ilavward 


Sylvaims  llaywanl 

Mai'liii  \.  liooi 
Charles  E.  .Millikeu 
Samuel  1>.  Stewart  ) 
Martin  X.  Hoot        f 
Martin  X.  Koul 
Martin  X.  Iiool 
Charles  Utile       } 
Frank  (J.   Clark  \ 
Frank   (i.  Clark 

Frank  CJ.  Clark 


Frank  (J.  Clark 


Frank  G.  Clai'k 


Frank   (i.  Clark  } 

Sanuiel   P.    PreseotL  ^ 


Samuel  P.  Pi-escott      ) 
Thomas  O.  Knowlton  \ 


Year. 


IS.-,;; 


is.-i4 

1850 

IS.',  (3 

lS.-,7 
1S,38 

1859 

I8(j() 
ISCl 

1862 

1863 

1804 

I8(i0 


I8(i(; 


18(;7 


isos 


Thomns  O.  Knowlton  1800 

Thomas  ().  Knowlton  } 


Henry  R.  Moiiiieth      ^ 

Henry  li.  Montieth  > 
George  W.  Flint       ^ 


1870 


1871 


Assistants. 
f  Miss  H.  S.  Bouton 
I  Edward  P.  lianson 
-^  Abby  S.  (Jobb 
I  K.  li.  Pettee 
I^Mary  A.  (Joodell 
(  Miss  A.  1>.  Cobb 
-|  Miss  Lavina  Smilb 
(Miss  JVIary  A.  (;<;o(U-ll 
(  Augusta  S.  Adams 
<  Geo.  II.'  Twiss 
(  Lizzie  Xiehols 
^•Mi's.  Sylvaiuis  Hay  ward 
\  Miss  Mary  I.  Chase 

Mrs.  M.  X.  Pool 

Jennie  M.  Colburn,  asst.  piqi 

Siuena  P.  Thomjison 

asst.  jjupil 

S.  P.  Thomi)son,  asst.  pupil 

S.  P.  Thompson,  asst.  pupil 

S.  Addie  Pi'yant 

asst.  pupil 

Charlotte  McCoy 
\  Miss  Charlotte  McCoy 
;  Mrs.  "M.  X.  Pool 
(  Mrs.  F.  G.  Clark 
]  Mrs.  M.  X.  Root 
(Mrs.  Mary  A.  Hadley 
f  Mrs.  F.  G.  Clark 

Mrs.  :Mary  A.  IladU^y 
-\  Miss  Laura  J.  IJillings 

Miss  Xellie  IJ.  Holt " 
l^Mrs.  M.  X.  Hoot 

Mrs.  F.  G.  Clark 

Xellie  B.  Holt 

Emma  Eniei'son 
"^  iMrs.  M.  X.  Root 

John  K.  Warren 

Cora  J.  Bickl'ord 
f  Miss  Xellie  B.  Holt 

Mrs.  M.  A.  Hadley 

Emma  Emerson 

:^[rs.  M.  X.  Root 

Sara  J.  Bickford 

Lydia  W.  Davis 

Xellie  T>.  Holt 

XeUie  B.  Holt 

fMiss  M.  E.  Monlieth 
J  Clarence  B.  Root 
}  Andrew  J.  Geoi"<i(^ 
^Mattie  M.  Iliblxird 


LIST    OF    PHINCIPALS. 


313 


PrINC'II'ALS. 

George  W.  Flint 
George  W.  Flint  ) 
James  E.  Vose     | 

James  E.  Vose 

James  E.  Vose  } 
Charles  W.  Savage  f 
Charles  W.  Savage  > 
Henry  S.  Cowell  ^ 
Henry  S.  Cowell 

Henry  S.  Cowell 

Henry  S.  Cowell 
Henry  S.  Cowell 
Henry  S.  Cowell 
Henry  S.  Cowell 

Henry  S.  Cowell  '} 
B.  S.IInrd  C 


B.  S.  Hard 

B.  S.  Hnrd      } 
N.  F.  Wilcox  f 

Charles  S.  Puige 

Charles  S.  Paige 

Charles  S.  Paige 

Charles  S.  Paige 

Charles  S.  Paige 

Charles  S.  Paige 
Charles  S^  Paige 
Howard  Pi  Haines 


Yp:ar. 
1872 
1S73 

1S74 

lS7o 

1S7(J 

1S77 
1S7S 

1S7'J 
l.SSO 

issi 

1S,S2 

iss;! 

1.S,S4 

1S,S5 

1SS() 
1SS7 

l,sss 

ISSO 

IS'JO 

IS'Jl 
18!J-2 

I8y;j 


Assistants. 

Miss  Lizzie  Montieth 
5  Mrs.  M.  E.  Flint 
I  Mrs.  Mary  IST.  Vose 
^  :srrs.  Mary  N.  Vose 
I  Miss  A.  J.  Cochran 

Miss  A.  J.  Cochran 

^  Mary  Gra(H!  Carr 
(  Flora  C.  Col)!) 

Flora  C.  Cobb 
<,  Dr.  M.  N.  Root 
\  Nellie  A.  Wilson 

Annie  D.  Brackett 

Mary  L.  Putnam 

Arthur  L.  Keyes 

Carrie  S.  Austin 
1^ Laura  15.  AVhitLeu 
J  Mary  \.  Tenney 
]  Miss  M.  K.  I'ike 
^Charles  II.  Puffer 
(  Angle  E.  Hanson 
}  Clara  C.  Gutterson 
(  Susan  F.  Cleaves 
i  Angle   E.  Hanson 
-|  Clara  C.  (iutterson 
(  Mrs.  Enniia  M.  Huntley 
]  Angle  p].  Hanson 
I  Clara  C.  (iulterson 
]  Angle  E.  Hanson 
'I  Clara  C.  jNIowry 
(  Julia  B.  Jackman 
-|  Geo.  K.  Wood 
(  Addison  Tuck 

Julia  B,  Jackman 

Geo.  K.  Wood 

Addison  Tuck 
\  Mrs.  Charles  S.  Paige 
}  Geo.  K.  Wood 


314  ALUMNI. 

Names  of  some  of  the  more  Conspicuous  Alum^ji. 

Neal  McLanc,  Judge  Ark.  Supreme  Court. 

Eben  Locke,  '•'whose  father  tired  the  tirst  gun  of  the  Revohitiou." 

Samuel  Bell,  Governor,  and  United  States  Senator. 

Peter  P.  Woodliurv,  M.  I). 

-r      ■  T,r      1,  (  (iovernor.    U.    S.    Seualor,   Cabinet   Otlicer,  Judge 

Levi  Uoolburv,     -  t-    o    >^'  t^       , 

{  I  .  S.  Supreme  Court. 

Jesse  Woodluirv,  nearly  ')()  yvs.  Trustee  of  the  Academy. 

Gen.  Franklin  Pierce,  U.  S.  Senator,  and  President  of  United  States. 

Samuel  Gregg,  M.  I),  of  Boston. 

Hon.  Isaac  ().  Barnes,  Naval  Ollicer  at  IJoslon. 

Hon.  Perley  Dodge,  r.,a\vyer.  Clerk  of  Colirts. 

Hon.  John  I>.  Clark,  Lawyer. 

Hon.  Peler  Clai-k,  Lawyer. 

Janus  (J.  Ciirk. 

Hon.  Chai'lcs  L.  Woodl)nry.  Tiawyci-,  Boston. 

Rev.  William  T.  Bout  well.  Missionary  to  the  Lidiaus. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Everett. 

Moses  Wilson. 

Mark  Morse. 

Nathan  Savage. 

John  .Tohnson. 

Rev.  .Tames  W.  Perkins. 

Mary  Woodbury,  wife  Luke  How,  M.  D. 

Prof.  James  1).  Pratt. 

Prof.  .John  P.  Averill. 

John  Nichols,  A.  M.,  (,'lerk  of  Court,  Jaiiesville,  Wis. 

Emily  Brown,  Preceptress. 

Maj..Gen.  Christopher  C.  Andrews,  U.  S.  Minister  to  Sweden  and  to 

Brazil. 

Isaac  ().  Baldwin,  Lawyer,  Clinton,  Iowa. 

Rev.  George  I.  Bard. 

Hon.  Charles  James  Fox. 

Charles  E.  Balch,  Cashier  Manchester  National  Bank. 

Isaac  T.  Campbell,  Inspector  U.  S.  Boston  Custom  House. 

Rev.  William  O.  Baldwin. 

Samuel  D.  Downes,  Esqr.,  Treasurer  Francestowu  Savings  Bank. 

Hon.  A.  H.  Dunlap,  of  Nashua. 

Hon.  N.  W.  C.  Jameson,  U.  S.  Revenue  Collector. 

Prof.  B.  F.  Wallace,  Editor,  Principal  of  Academy. 

Charles  W.  Whitney,  Merchant. 

William  A.  Jones,  M.  D. 

Francis  H.  Morgan,  22  yrs.  Supt.  in  U.  S.  Treasui-y. 

Charles  F.  Patch,  Academy  Asst.  Teacher,  Boston. 

William  H.  Ramsay,  Treas.  State  of  Wisconsin. 

Hon.  William  Butterfield,  Editor  N'tl.  Patriot.' 


ALtTMNI.  81 5 

Hon.  Alpheus  Gay,  Mayor,  Mancliester. 

Paul  II.  IMxby,  Cashier  Francestown  Xational  Bank. 

Levi  Bixby,  U.  S.  Consul,  Surinam. 

Prof.  Ileman  A.  Dearborn,  Prof.  Tufts'  CoUesaje. 

Hon.  Josiali  G.  Dearborn,  N.  H.  Secretary  of  State. 

lU'V.  William  Dearborn.  ' 

Prof.  Samuel  L.  Dulton,  M.  D.,  New  Haven,  Conn.  Hiuh  Selioitl. 

lion.  .John  P.  Barllett,  Judge  Police  Court,  Manchester. 

Rev.  W.  R.  Cochrane,  D.  D.,  Tutor  Dart.  College,  Historian  of  Antrim 

and  Francestown. 
Rev.  Charles  H.  Boyd,  Tutor  Dart.  College. 
Prof.  Richard  C.  Stanley,  Prof.  Bates'  College. 
William  W.  Col))urn,  Supt.  Schools  Springfield,  Mass. 
Rev.  Henry  Marden,  Missionary,  Turkey. 

Col.  Smith  A.  Whitfield,  U.  S,  Cavalry  and  Asst.  Postmaster  (ien'l. 
George  H.  Twiss,  A.  M.,  Merchant  and  Publisher,  Columbus,  O. 
Geo.  H.  Bixby,  M.  D.,  Surgeon  U.  S.  Navy. 
Jesse  P.  Woodbury,  Asst.  Paymastia-  U.  S.  Navy. 
Capt.  Gustin  F.  Hardy,  Capt.  111.  Volunteei's. 
Prof.  George  H.  White,  Prof.  Oberlin  College. 
Capt.  Nathan  B.  Boutwell,  U.  S.  Custom  House,  Boston. 
Rev.  William  R.  Adams. 

Hon.  John  B.  Smith,  Hillsboro'  Bridge,  Governor  of  New  Hampshire. 
Sergt.  Perley  F.  Dodge,  died  in  Union  Army. 
Hon.  Joseph  E.  Bennett,  City  Clerk  Manchester. 
Hon.  Charles  H.  Campbell,  President  N.  H.  Senate. 
John  B.  Cochrane,  Surveyor. 
William  J.  Campbell,  M.  D.,  Derry. 
James  H.  Crombie,  M.  I).,  Derry. 
Levi  Dodge,  M.  D.,  Fall  River. 
John  C.  Dodge,  Esqr. 
George  F.  Guild,  Merchant,  Boston. 
Dea.  Albert  Gay,  Merchant,  Boston. 
Charles  Howard,  City  Messenger,  Chelsea,  Mass. 
Samuel  B.  Hodge,  Esqr.,  many  yrs.  Clerk  of  Trustees. 
David  Gilchrist,  Merchant,  Manchester, 
Maj.  Horace  E.  Whitfield. 
Maj.  Augustus  H.  Bixby. 
H-on.  Charles  H.  Mooar,  lawyer,  Kentucky. 
Dea.  Thomas  P.  Rand. 
Charles  Roper. 
Ithemar  B.  Sawtelle. 

Hon.  Clark  B.  Cochrane,  member  Congress. 
Daniel  Stevens,  High  Sheriff,.  Manchester. 
Levi  Woodbury,  merchant,  Antrim. 
James  P.  W^alker,  M.  D. 


316  ALUMNI. 

Col.  L.  W.  Cogswell,  X.  11.  State  Treasurer,  IJank  Commissioner. 

Morris  Christie,  M.  1).,  Antrim. 

J.  K.  AVlieeler,  of  IIiulsou. 

.T.  F.  Whittle,  M.  1).,  Nashua. 

Thomas  E.  Fisher,  M.  1). 

.James  M.  Rollins,  Bedford. 

liev.  Sanuu'l  II.  Partridge. 

Granville  P.  Conn,  M.  D.,  Concord. 

Charles  W.  Everett,  long  known  Conductor  ( 'oncord  IL  \i. 

Mrs.  Joanna  (Cressy)  Wellman. 

Dea.  .John  Fletcher. 

Francis  F.  Forsaitli.  M.  1). 

Hon.  .Judge  .John  O.  French. 

William  II.  P"'arnum,  Esqr. 

Hon.  Wm.  (iraut,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

George  B.  Melendy,  Civil  Engineei',  Xew  York  City. 

Jjcvi  B.  Mor.se,  Esqr.,  Boston. 

Hon.  Benj.  F.  Gale,  Mayor  of  Concord. 

Edward  C.  David,  Surveyor  General,  Wyoming. 

Jiev.  Augustus  Berry. 

Orrin  S.  Batchelder,  Esqr.,  Worcester. 

Chai'les  IT.  Darling,  Boston. 

Wm.  F.  Ilolcond),  M.  I).,  New  York  City. 

Oliver  J..  Bradford,  M.  D.,  Fitchhurg. 

lion.  .John  a.  Walker,  Admiral  U.  S.  Navy,  1SS',». 

Capt.  John  H.  Grimes,  U.  S.  Marines. 

Joel  Gay,  Noted  teacher  of  Music. 

M.  G.  Starrett,  Teacher  of  Music. 

.Jesse  P.  Woodbury,  Paymaster  U.  S.  Navy. 

Maj.  Arnold  Wyman. 

Capt.  Geo.  A.  Bruce,  l^res.  Mass.  Senate;   Mayor,  Somerville. 

Capt.  Lewis  P.  Wilson. 

Lieut.  Daniel  P.  Bixby. 

Lieut.  Martin  L.  Colburn. 

George  D.  Epps,  Musician  in  Army. 

Elias  A.  Bryant,  Musician  in  Army. 

Dea.  Amasa  Downs. 

a 

Lieut.  Charles  T.  Bobbins. 

Prof.  Charles  S.  Paige,  I^i-incipal  Francestown  Academy. 

Rev.  George  L.  Todd. 

Wm.  A.  Wood,  A.  B. 

Milton  G.  Starrett,  A.  B. 

George  A.  Chapin,  A.  B. 

Arthur  I^.  Keyes,  A.  B. 

John  S.  Parker,  A.  B. 

AVm.  B.  Whitney,  A.  B. 


ALITMNT.  317 

Rev.  Charles  11.  Chapin. 

John  D.  Hutchinson,  C.  E.  Dart.  College. 

Alden  C.  Hutchinson,  A.  B.,  Bates  College,  '91. 

Hayward  Cochrane,  M.  E.  Cornell  University,  L^'.'O. 

Geo.  K.  Wood,  Trustee  and  Teacher. 

John  K.  Warren,  M.  D. 

Hon.  Fred  H.  Hodgo,  Auditor  T'ine  Co.,  Minn. 

Hon.  C.  V.  Dearl)orn. 

Henry  H.  Sawyer,  Merchant,  Boston. 

A.  J.  Todd,  M.  D. 

W.  S.  Carr,  M.  D. 

Perley  E.  Goodhue,  M.  I). 

Prof.  John  C.  Pai-ker. 

William  A.  Woodward,  A.  B. 

Charles  J.  Hamblett,  lawyci'. 

John  Connell,  M.  J). 

Arthur  Harrison . 

J.  R.  B.  Kelley. 

Eva  M.  Fletcher. 

Helen  Titus. 

Hon.  John  Wilson,  Judge  Supri'nic  Coui-t,  Illinois. 

William  Thompson,  M.  I). 

Hon.  A.  G.  Fairbanks,  Manchester. 

Clarence  B.  Root,  M.  D. 

Thomas  L.  Bradford,  M.  1). 

John  P.  Rand,  M.  I). 

Wheeler  Rand,  M.  1). 

Charles  Kingsbury,  M.  I). 

E.  N.  Kingsbury,  M.  I).  « 

Addie  E.  Gould,  of  Antrim  Scliool  Board. 

Herbert  D.  Gould,  M.  1).  New  IJoston. 

LtsT  OF  Donors  to  the  Fund  of  the  AcadExMY. 

1862.     George  Lewis,  $  477.43 

1864.      Hon.  William  Bixby,  ($^1000,  less  tax,)  3711.82 

1871.     James  G.  Clark,  Esqr..  Boston,  TjOO.OO 

"         Hon.  Charles  Levi  Woodbury,  Boston,  ;")(). 00 

Albert  Gay,  "  lOdOO 

George  F.  Guild,  "  ."0.00 

Albert  L.  Savage,  "  -i.S.iH) 

"         Elias  A.  Bryant,  "  •'•U.OO 

"         Horace  K.  Batchelder,  "  ."id.l/O 

Benjamin  P.  Cheney,  '           "                                 .         100.00 

LevTB.  Morse,  "  100.00 

Edwin  Hadley,  "  25  00 

Sylvester  H.  Roper,  "  100.00 

Isaac  T.  Campbell,  "  2r).00 


818 


LIST    OF    D(.)N()US. 


Is71.      Leonard  V.  Spaldincr.  Haverhill.  Mass. 
Orren  S    Batcheldei\  Worcester, 
William  B.  Dinsmore.  New  York  Cily, 
Amos  P.   i  airbanks, 
Alpheus  Gay,  Manchester, 
1  lorace  Petlee.  " 

Holmes  R.  Pettee,    '• 
l^etei-  J.  Frye.  Francestovvn. 
Thomas  E.  13ixl)\ ,      " 
Fdward  F.  Roper, 

Kimball  W.  Emerson,  Francestown, 
W^illiam  H.  Farnum, 
I  liram  Patcli,  *' 

William  A.  Lord, 
John  G.  Morse,  " 

John  West.  "' 

T.  B.  Bradford, 
A.  H.  Bixby, 

George  D.   Epps,  " 

Elias  A    Wilson, 
George  A.  Duncklee,  •* 

Mark  Halch, 

Herbert  Vose,  " 

Jesse  Woodbury,  " 

Thomas  P.  Rand, 
Frank  B.  Starrett,  " 

Leonard  Spalding. 
James  H.  Starrett,  •' 

Luke  W.  I'reston.  " 

William  R.  Sawyer,  " 

George  F.  Pettee.  " 

Hiram  P.  Clark. 
Luther  F.  Atvvood,  " 

Charles  A.  Vose,  *' 

James  T.  Bixby.  " 

Charles  O.  P.  Wells, 
Newell  D.  Dean,  " 

Luther  I  lardy,  " 

William  H.  Stevens,  " 

Lssachar  Dodge,  " 

yoseph  Kingsbury.  " 

Francis  IL  Duncklee,  " 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  " 

Benjamin  Dean,  " 

Pacific  L    Clark, 
Ephi-aim  W.  Colburn.  " 

■Mrs.  S.  E    Kingsbury,  " 

Mrs.  A.  II     Kingsbury.  " 

William  H.  Hopkins,  " 

Mason  H.  Balch, 
Wiilard  Carter,  " 


100.00 
no.  00 

100.00 
10.00 

.-,(),  00 

1(10  CO 

•_'.">  (10 

no. 00 

100.00 

2.".. 00 

200.00 

200.00 

200.00 

100  00 

200.00 

250.00 

2r).00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100  00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

100.00 

50.00 

50.00 

50.00 

50.00 

50.00 

50.00 

50.00 

50  00 

.50.00 

50.00 

50.00 

50.00 

50.00 

25.00 

50.00 


LIST    OF    DONORS. 


319 


1871.     Moses  B.  Fislier,  Fiancestown. 

John  P.  Rich.iiclson,  " 

Francis  II.  Morufan,  " 

Samuel  B.  Hodge,  " 

Daniel  F.  Patch,  " 

Samuel  D.  Downes,  " 

George  E.  Downes, 

Rev.  Frank  G.  Clark.  Manchester, 

Alfred  G.  Fairbanks, 

Charles  E.  Balch, 
IS7:^.     Rev.  Harrj  Brickett, 

1877.     Mrs.  S.  F.  Wallace,  (bj  S.  D.  Downos.  Ex.,) 
1880.     Israel  Batchelder, 


25.00 

.Jd.OO 

100.00 
.-)0.oo 

50.00 
300.00 
200.00 

50.00 
100.00 
100.00 

25.00 
(;i;!.49 
500.00 


The 

follows 


$11,1)41.64 
Trustees  of  tlie  Academy  at  tliis  date    (18U0)   are  as 

Ilirain  Patch,  President. 
Samuel  1*.  Ilodiije. 
John  G.  Morse. 
Augustus  II.  ]5ixby. 
Edward  E.  r)ixl)y. 
Georsxe  F.  Pettee. 
Ilenrv  Piehardsou. 
Charles  A.  A'ose. 
George  K.  Wood. 


CIIAPTKR    XI. 


THE    CEMETEIMES, 


For  almost  iifteen  years  after  the  first  settlement  of  this  town 
there  was  no  i)urial  })lace  witliin  its  borders.  This  is  accounted 
for  1)}^  the  eaily  and  lon^-continiied  union  Avith  New  IJoston, 
the  dead  being  carried  there  for  l)urial.  Some  were  cairied  to 
that  town  long  after  there  was  a  suital)le  place  here,  that  they 
might  be  laid  be-iide  their  kindred.  To  this  fact  I'efeience  is 
often  made  in  the  body  of  this  Mork.  The  lirst  entrance  on 
the  town  record  concerning  the  inatter  is  under  date  of  Oct.  19, 
1772,  when  they  voted  to  buy 

"four  acres"  ot'iand  for  ''a  IJui'viiii::  place  and  Meeliii<j,  House,"  "wliere 
the  Coiinnittee  Hath  lixl;"'  and  eliose  "John  Bickey  James  Hopkens 
Ohver  Hohnes  8ani'  Nutt  James  Hopkeiis  Seuer"  a  committee  "to  See 
tJie  Land  Cleared." 

But  it  was  already  late  in  the  season  and  but  little  was  done 
that  3'ear.     At  the  March  meeting  following  (1773)  they  voted 

"that  Every  Server  Shall  Work  one  Day  With  his  men  on  the  Grave- 
yard and  Place  for  the  meeting  House." 

A  record  kept  by  the  wife  of  Dea.  William  Starrett  sa3^s,  "Apr. 
10,  1773,  the  burying  ])lace  was  cleared,"  which  means  that  the 
trees  were  all  dowji  that  day,  the  present  site  of  the  village 
being  then  almost  an  unbroken  forest,  the  ancient  trees  outside 
standing  strong  and  thick,  and  hiding  all  view  beyond.  This 
"First  Burial-place"  was  what  is  now  called  the  "Old  Ceme- 
tery" and  is  "hard  by  the  village  chtirch,"  as  was  the  usual 
localit}'  in  those  days.  The  first  burial  here  was  that  of  the 
body  of  Mrs.  Bathshelja  (Epps,)  wife  of  Samttel  Dickerman 
who  died  May  1,  1773,  aged  20  years.  For  this  purpose  the 
fallen  trees  were  moved  aside  and  a  path  made  into  the  yard, 
and  a  grave  cut  through  the  web  of  green  roots  that  covered 
the  earth.     As  before  stated,  tlie  first  death  of  an  adult  among 


FENCING    THE    GRAVEYARD.  321 

the  settlers  of  Fiancestown  was  that  of  Caleb  Whiting  in  spring 
of  1770  ;  and  the  second  (being  the  first  entered  on  toAvn  record) 
was  that  of  Janet  McMaster,  Oct.  4,  1772.  These  were  taken 
to  New  Boston,  as  was  also  the  body  of  the  wife  of  John  Carson 
in  March  1773,  of  which  particular  mention  has  been  made  on 
a  former  page.  Soon  after  the  burial  of  Mrs.  Dickerman  two 
small  children  were  laid  in  this  ground;  and  of  the  twenty-six 
first  burials  tdentif-tivn  were  children.  On  this  spot  mau}^  little 
bodies  have  been  left  in  God's  care,  and  many  wee[)ing  mothers 
have  turned  away  with  breaking  heart.  Probably  more  than 
three-fourths  of  all  the  deatlis  in  town  for  more  than  thirty 
years  from  its  settlement  were  children.  Of  many  of  these 
there  is  no  family  or  town  recoid,  and  the  little  graves  are  un- 
marked and  the  memory  is  gone  from  earth! 

Mar.  23,  1780,  the  town  ^^voted  to  fence  the  Grave  Yard," 
as  before  it  was  only  a  cleared  space  in  the  forest.  At  a  meet- 
ing May  29  of  the  same  year  the  town  ''voted  to  fence  the 
Grave  Yard  with  stone  wall,"  and  chose  David  Starrett,  John 
Dickey  and  John  Brown  to  carry  out  said  vote.  But,  on 
account  of  poverty  and  hai'd  times  and  the  absence  of  men  in 
the  army,  not  much  was  done  that  year.  Some  question  seems 
to  have  arisen  as  to  liow  much  land  should  be  fenced  in,  and 
then  they  waited  for  the  town  to  decide  it.  Hence  at  a  meet^ 
ing  Apr.  7,  1783,  the  town  "Voted  to  Fence  the  Grave  Yard 
with  Good  Stone  Wall  Seven  by  Forten  Rod."  This  meant 
seven  rods  on  the  street  and  fourteen  rods  back,  which  would 
include  all  they  thought  availal)le  on  that  side  of  the  church. 
The  work  seems  to  have  been  completed  that  year  (1783)  and 
has  stood  well  to  tins  day.  Nov.  1804  the  selectmen  were  in- 
structed to  make  any  needed  repairs  "of  the  Grave  Yard  fences," 
and  again,  Aug.  27,  1810,  they  were  instructed  to  make  such 
repairs,  and  to  "remove  all  incumbrances."  Again,  Sept.  16, 
1822,  the  town  voted  to  repair  the  "fence  of  the  Old  Grave 
yard."  Mar.  1847,  the  town  voted  to  build  a  "Good  faced  wall" 
on  the  west  side  of  the  old  grave  yard.  This  was  completed 
that  year,  and  was  a  great  improvement.  These  votes  from 
time  to  time  indicate  the  deep  interest  cherished  for  this  first 
cemetery  of  the  town,  where  most  of  the  bodies  of  the  original 
settlers  were  laid  to  rest.     It  is  indeed  "holy  ground!"     May  it 


322  THE    OLD    CEMETERY. 

never  be  neglectetl  nor  forgotten  I  What  can  be  more  for  the 
honor  and  prosperity  of  future  geneiations  of  this  people  than 
to  keep  in  good  order  this  resting-phice  of  tlie  fatliers?  This 
was  the  only  Burial  (iround  in  town  for  forty-five  years  (1773- 
1818,)  and  probably  more  than  five  hundied  bodies  lie  in  this 
narrow  hound  I  <bdy  a  few  comj)aratively  had  head-stones  or 
monuments  of  any  kind,  such  things  not  being  then  so  connnon 
as  now,  and  many  being  too  poor  to  obtain  them.  Au  old 
record  (May  1814)  tells  us  tlieie  were  ''about  100"  deaths  in 
this  town  "-from  its  settlement  to  171>0;"'  and  tlial  from  1790  to 
May  1814  the  de  itir-;  amounted  to  401,  a  huge  [)roportion  of 
whom  were  infants."  This  would  be  an  averace  of  16 §  per 
year,  and  if  we  coiitinue  the  same  average  till  1818,  (four  years) 
the  whole  :iund)er  of  deatlis  in  to\Mi  before  the  o^  eiung  of  an- 
other cemeteiy  would  be  5t)8.  Many  in  the  earlier  years  were 
carried  to  New  lioston  for  bu.ial  aid  some  to  other  towns;  but 
some  also  were  luought  fiom  otlier  towns  heie;  so  that,  after 
all  allowaiRH'S,  nioie  tlian  the  oOO  named  above  are  left  to 
skunher  heiel  Oh  I  eve:-  let  love's  kind  hand  adorn  and  guard 
the  spot  I 

AVhilr  year  by  year  shall  lirin<;-  its  waste, — 

And  wear, — and  slow  decay. 
As  ehiseled  lines,  by  time  effaced, 

Fade  fruiii  our  si^ht  away, 
Let  deathless  love  and  holy  trust 

Each  faded  word  restore, — 
Till  at  (tod's  voice  the  silent  ilust 

.Shall  wake  to  sleep  no  more! 

And  o'er  each  little  nameless  face 

By  all  on  earth  forgot, 
Long  sheltered  in  this  sacred  place. 

Still  be  love's  offerings  brought! 
Let  earth  be  green,  and  tlowers  be  fair, 

Till  these, — death's  bondage  o'er, — 
Sweet  answer  to  a  mother's  prayer, — 

Shall  wake  to  sleep  no  more! 

It  was  earl}^  foreseen  that  the  old  cemetery  could  not  long 
answer  the  purposes  of  the  town.  While  the  population  was 
small  and  the  community  was  shaping  and  arranging  itself, 
there  was  little  said  about  it.      But  at  the"  last  Annual  Meeting 


AIILL    VILLAGE    CEMETERY.  323 

of  the  eemeteiT  (Ma/.  10,  l.SOO)  the  town  appointed  James 
Fisher,  David  Starrett  and  Thomas  Bixby,  a  committee  to  h;)ok 
out  a  suitable  place,  and  report  to  the  town.  No  further 
action,  however;  was  taken  ;  and  they  seem  to  liave  dro2)ped  the 
(picstion  for  a  time,  in  the  midst  of  the  excitement  and  expense 
of  building  their  new  meeting  house.  Then  at  the  Annual 
Town  meeting  1811,  the  subject  was  again  called  u})  for  action, 
and  the  selectmen  (Daniel  Lewis,  James  Wilson,  Nathan  Sav- 
age,) were  instructed  to  examine  and  report 
'^concerning  the  purcliase  of  land  for  a  Grave3'ar(l." 

At  the  nex't  Annual  meeting  (1812)  they  instiucted  the  select- 
men to  ''procure  a  piece  of  land''  for  this  purpose.  But  there 
were  s*o  many  conflicting  opinions  as  to  locality  that  the  select- 
men were  unwilling  to  act,  and  liothing  more  was  done.  But 
the  need  increased  and  the  agitation  over  it  increased,  until  at 
the  March  meeting  1817  a  new  effort  was  made,  and  a  com- 
mittee appointed  ^d'rom  all  [)arts  of  the  town''  in  hope  that  they 
might  agree  ujjou  somn  locality.  This  committee  consisted  of 
Daniel  Lewis,  John  Gibson,  El)enezer  Hopkins,  Peter  Woocl- 
buiy,  and  Thomas  Eaton.  They  seem  to  liave  agreed  upon  the 
crround  on  the  south  side  of  the  road  between  the  two  villages, 
since  at  the  next  March  meeting    (1818)    the    town    directed 

"their  committee  to  pnrchase  1}^  acres  of  land  of  James  S.  Fisher  for 
a  (xrave  Yard." 

This  was  called  for  a  time  the  ''New  Cemetery,"  ])ut  later  has 
been  known  as  the  "Mill  Village  Cemetery."  Mar.  14,  1826, 
the  town  by  vote  directed  the  selectmen  to  build  a  "faced  wall'' 
on  that  side  of  this  cemetery  joining  the  highway.  The  town 
voted  also.  Mar.  1854,  to  repair  the  walls  of  the  same,  and  "put 
up  stone  posts  on  the  plats."  The  writer  well  remembei's  the 
neatness  with  which  this  was  done,  and  the  order  and  attractive- 
ness of  these  grounds,  as  they  appeared  to  him  in  the  Academy 
days  of  1855. 

The  first  burial  in  this  cemetery  was  that  of  Mrs.  Joshua 
Huntington  Aug.  14,  1818.  Rapidly  the  years  added  to  its 
silent  occupants,  and  after  about  one  generation  had  been  laid 
there,  the  question  of  enlargement  began  to  be  talked  over. 
Nothing  was  done,  however,  till  the  need  became  imperative. 


324  THE    NEW    CEMETERY. 

when  at  a  special  meeting,  May  3,  18(10,  the  town  ^nnstructed 
the  Selectmen  to  enlarge  the  Bniyiiig  Gionnd."  But  many, 
on  consideration,  concluded  this  could  not  he  done  to  advan- 
tage, and  other  localities  were  suggested;  and  hence  at  a  town 
meeting  May  29,  18G0,  the  former  vote  was  rescinded,  and  the 
selectmen  were 

"instructed  to  Iniy  five  acres  of  land  of  William  Stanley  and  to  fence 
the  same." 

This  now  constitutes  tlie  "New  Cemetery"  on  the  turnpike,  and 
even  thus  soon  has  almost  l)ccome  "a  crowded  city  of  tlie  dead." 
The  first  hurial  in  this  new  yard  was  that  of  Elizahtith,  dau.  of 
John  Balch,  who  died  July  23,  1860.  This  Cemetery  is  neat, 
accessihle,  and  conspi(;uous, — "a  goodly  gi-ound"  where  honored 
faces  are  waiting  the  "last  call !" 

There  have  heen  only  two  private  Imrying-places  in  Frances- 
town.  ~The  elder  Sleeper  families  prepared  such  a  ground, 
situated  on  the  farms  of  Nathaniel  Sleepei',  and  Capt.  Benjamin 
Sleeper,  taking  a  few  square  rods  from  each.  Thei'C  is  a  record 
of  36  hurials  in  this  ground.  The  first  was  a  child  of  Capt. 
Benj.  Sleeper,  dying  Dec.  20,  1772.  This  was  the  first  burial 
in  Francestown ;  and  thus  tliis  yard  is  older  than  that  at  the 
Centre.  The  last  interment  in  it  was  that  of  Miss  Elizabeth 
Sleeper  who  died  Nov.  2,  1873,  aged  86.  The  other  family 
cemetery  is  on  the  Brj-ant  farm  in  the  noilh-west  part  of  the 
town. 


CHAPTER   XII. 


ROADS    AND    BRIDGES. 


Man}^  roads  and  })ieces  of  roads,  laid  out  aceoiding  to  law, 
were  never  built,  and  f)tlier  i)ieces  have  been  so  long  unused 
and  forgotten  that  it  is  diilieult  now  to  trace  them  out.  As  a 
rule  the  first  foot-patlis  through  the  forest  were  afterwards 
"established"  or  "recorded"  as  roads.  These  old  paths  were 
generally  "the  shortest  cut,"  not  turning  aside  for  hill  or  stream, 
though  sometimes  turning  aside  to  [)ass  a  settler's  cabin.  In- 
deed they  seemed  to  prefer  the  higliest  and  steepest  places. 
Previous  to  1790  there  was  nothing  in  town  that  would  now 
be  dignified  by  the  name  of  a  road.  There  were  no  wagons, 
and  very  few  of  the  farmers  owned  a  cart.  All  travel  and  all 
movements  of  merchandise,  were  on  horseback,  except  when 
people  went  on  foot  and  carried  their  loads  upon  their  shoulders. 
At  first  therefore  our  I'oads  were  "paths  cut  out;"  that  is,  the 
brush  cut  out  of  the  way  and  the  trees  marked,  so  that  they 
could  be  readil}-  followed  tlu'ough  the  forest.  Next  they  were 
made  "passable  foi'  horses;"  that  is,  the  impediments  were  moved 
out  of  the  way  and  limbs  above  cut  high  enough  for  the  rider 
to  pass  under  without  hitting  his  head.  Hence  the  establish- 
ing of  new  roads  was  not  a  very  difficult  matter  in  those  days. 
But  it  was  only  the  slow  im])rovement  of  a  long  course  of  years 
that  brought  our  modern  roads.  In  the  early  days  of  the  town 
there  were  no  bridges,  and  there  was  no  s})ecial  need  of  them 
according  to  their  modes  of  travel.  They  forded  the  streams 
with  horses,  and  waded  througli  tliem  on  foot,  and  did  not  seem 
to  think  of  it  as  a  hardship.  Jn  ])laces  where  there  was  con- 
siderable passing  they  would  fall  a  large  tree  across  the  stream, 
and  use  it  for  a  "foot-biidge."  Sometimes  a  low  of  stakes  was 
driven  down  beside  it  for  a  railing.  Sucli  a  foot-bridge  existed 
for  a  long  time  over  the  river  south-east  of  the  Lovejoy  place 


326  THE    FlUST    PUr.LlC    KOADS. 

on  the  turnpike.  It  is  said  that  Maj.  (Oliver  ITohnes  then  hving 
on  that  phice  met  Samuel  IJutterhehl  in  the  middle  of  the  stream, 
the  Major  heing  on  hoi'sehaek  and  lUittertield  ^\■alkino■  on  the 
log.  They  shook  hands,  ami  then  playfully  'dield  on  to  each 
othei's'  hands  to  try  their  strength."  and  IJutteiiield  pulled  the 
Major  off  his  liorse  into  the  water! 

The  lirst  hridge  in  town,  other  than  a  tree  hillen  across  the 
stream,  was  of  much  later  construction,  as  all-the  streams  were 
shallow  and  easily  forded.  Our  bridges  were  never  very 
numeious  or  expensive.  I'^n-  further  notice  of  them,  see  close 
of  this  cha[)ter. 

Of  coui'se  the  first  roads  laid  out  in  Francestown  were  next 
to  New  Boston  to  which  we  then  belonged,  and  within  whose 
bound  the  first  settlements  wcie  made  and  iirst  roads  needed. 

That  town  laid  out  our  earliest  legal  highway  July  5,  1763, 
previous  to  which  there  were  j-lenty  of  ''paths"  and  nothing 
more.  This  first  'daid-out  road"  began  at  Andierst  line  (now 
Mont  Vernon)  at  the  old  ^J'ayloi'  farm  in  New  Boston,  thence 
northwesterly  past  ''George  Christy's"  (now  Mr.  Reed's)  and 
over  the  river  where  now  is  the  "Mullet  Bridge,"  thence  up 
"Cochran  Hill"  to  "James  Cochran's"  (now  the  large  square 
house)  thence  westerly 

"to  the  New  Addition  thence  running  northwest  or  as  near  that  Point 
as  Good  Ground  will  alow  till  it  Strikes  the  old  Road  that  Corns  from 
Lins  Itorow  thence  as  that  old  Road  (rooes  or  as  near  as  the  Best  ground 
will  alow  throw  Thomas  13rowns  and  Samuel  Nickles  and  John  Carsons 
till  It  goes  out — ^of  the  town." 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  2'oad  from  Lyndeboro'  was  spoken  of 
as  an  "old  road"  at  that  early  date  (1763.)  Of  course  it  was 
only  an  old  well-known  forest  path,  probably  made  by  the  Pro- 
prietors, llollis  and  Amherst  were  settled  early,  the  latter  in 
1735  ;  so  that  pioneers  from  the  south  began  to  pusli  into  Lynde- 
boro', though  a  luountainous  town,  nearly  as  early  as  into  New 
Boston  from  the  east.  Hence  the  new  path  northward  and 
westward  would  l)e  for  the  interest  of  the  Proprietors,  to  open 
up  a  way  to  the  sale  of  their  lands  here.  This  old  Proprietor's 
})ath  was  said  to  have  extended  as  far  north  as  Hillsboro',  and 
was  probably  cut  through  alx)ut  1751.  The  ma})  of  this  section 
given  in  this  Ijook  was  made  in  1753,  and  a  few  leading  paths 


THE  OLD  COUNTY  KOAD.  327 

were  opened  some  years  earlier.  This  "old  Road  from  Lins 
borow"  wa:>  nearly  the  same  as  what  was  afterwards  known  as 
the  '•'Old  County  road,"  though  made  twenl)^  years  before  there 
was  any  county  formed  in  the  state.  It  extended  fmrn  North 
Lyndeborough  northwardly  along  ^^here  now  is  the  tuin})ike, 
u|)  [)ast  the  old  Isaac  Lewis  house,  thence  past  the  Samuel 
Nicliols  or  McCaine  place  to.  the  corner  on  the  hill  wliere  the 
Starrett-Carson  tavern  stood,  and  thence  northwesleily  where 
now  is  Mill  Vilhige,  and  thence,  perhaps  at  hist  a,  little  east- 
ward of  the  site  of  the  present  main  village  of  the  town,  on 
through  Deering  to  Hillsboro'.  This  '•'old  county  load"  was 
oI)viously  crooked,  and  but  little  of  it  is  in  mucli  use  tc-day. 
Tiiat  part  of  it  north  of  the  village  was  long  in  dispute,  and  in 
subsequent  years  it  was  reipiired  by  law  to  be  made  ''passable 
for  teams.'" 

New  P)oston  laid  out  a  secontl  road  witiiin  oui'  linuts  in  1766, 
described  as  follows: 

''IJru'innini:;  at  the  E!<ter]y  End  of  .loliii  ( 'ni'sons  house  mid  Ituiis  noreast 
about  tliirty  Khods  and  then  East  about  fortey  IMiods  to  the  westerly 
Side  of  the  ineedoes  then  noreast  by  marked  trees  to  Said  Carsons  north 
Line." 

PVom  this  it  appears  that  Jolni  Caison  Avas  living  at  that  date 
in  his  ''new  framed  house"  on  tht'  liill  at  the  coiner  afterwards 
the  Starrett  tavern  stand,  tluiie  ])eing  then  no  settlement  nor 
patii,  iiorth  or  east  of  said  Carson  within  tlie  present  limits  of 
this  town.  The  "old  Road  from  -Lins  l)orow"  and  tlie  road 
from  New  Roston  mutli  of  Scoby  pond,  were  then  the  only 
highway-paths  known.  This  road  which  was  laid  out  in  1766 
extended  from  the  Carson  house  "noreast"  about  where  the  No. 
5,  School  House  now  stands,  then  east  over  the  hill  to  the 
meadow,  thence  "noreast"  near  the  present  Whiting  residence 
to  Carson's  line.  No  doubt  this  was  intended  s})ecially  to  ac- 
commodate Caleb  Whiting  who  had  made  a  "beginning"  on  his 
place  as  early  as  1765,  and  probably  asked  for  a  way^  out,  and 
then  built  his  log  house  in  the  spring  of  1766.  It  will  be 
noticed  that  this  new  road  had  an  indefinite  terminus;  but  no 
doubt  the  intention  was  to  exteiid  it  further,  to  nieet  at  some 
subsequent  day  a  road  from  New  Roston  north  of  the  pond,  and 
to  reach  anticipated  new  settlements  in  that  part  of  tlie  "Ad- 


328  ACROSS  thp:  south  i'Akt. 

dition,"  and  northward  of  the  same.  A  third  road  was  "accepted" 
by  New  Boston  in  1771,  which  was  the  last  hiid  out  by  that 
town  within  our  present  bounds  of  wliieh  any  record  appears, 
and  this  exteiuled  from  "David  Lewis  saw  mill  to  Lindeborough 
line,"  This  path  or  sled-i'oad  had  l^ecn  in  use  for  some  time, 
but  was  "accepted"  or  made  a  legal  load  at  that  date.  Other 
roads  m)  doubt  were  talked  of,  but  these  and  other  plans  were 
put  aiide  when  the  question  of  incorporation  arose,  as  a  new 
town  and  a  new  centre  would  require  them  to  l)e  changed. 
Hence,  though  the  town  charter  was'  not  granted  till  June  8, 
1772,  three  new  roads  were  laid  out  before  the  close  ot"  that 
year.  The  first  record  of  a.  road  laid  out  l)y  this  town  is  as 
follows: 

"1772  The  Deiiieuslicns  of  a  Road  be  vi/,  Ijegiuuiu::;  at  a  Wliite  i)iue  on 
the  Leading  Koad  from  David  T.ewas  milk^s  t0  3'e  Senler  then  Westardly 
through  Chark  .>s  melanes  Laud  aud  Joseph  Dickey's  aud  James  Bettous 
to  ye  line  Betwixt  William  Buttertield  aud  AVilliam  Butterfields  juuer 
aud  through  John  aikeus  aud  John  Dickeys  Said  Road  as  Straight  as 
Good  Laud  Will  alow." 

This  was  the  old  road  (now  greatly  changed)  across  the  south 
pait  of  the  town.  I  lind  lu)  record  of  the  road  from  the  Epps 
place  to  the  centre  as  now  travelled;  but  })robably  it  was  a 
well-trodden  path  before  incorporation  and  "accepted"  by 
general  consent,  Then  the  "White  pine  oii  the  Leading  Road 
from  David  Lewas  milles  to  ye  Sent^r"  stood  at  the  Maj.  Holmes 
(Lovejoy)  place  wliere  this  })arting  of  roads  remains  to  the 
present  day. 

The  next  record  is  as  follows: 

"1772  A  Cros  Eoad  r>egiuuiug  at  William  Buttertield  Northeast  Corner 
aud  Buuuiiig  Northenlly  ou  ye  Line  of  William  Buttertield  aud  James 
Bettou  to  William  Butterfields  juuer."  Aud  with  it  is  joined  a  third 
for  the  same  year  thus:  "Beginning  at  John  Dickeys  House  then  Run- 
ning westerdly  throw  Nathaniel  Boyds  Land  and  Samuel  Martens  and 
Thomas  Boyds  and  Adam  Dickey  to  Alexander  Parker." 

The  last  named  lived  south  of  the  mountain  in  Society  Laiul, 
now  Greenfield.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  mention  of 
the  names  of  these  property-owners  is  not  proof  that  they  lived 
at  the  places  indicated  or  that  the}^  lived  in  town,  but  simply 
that  they  were  understood  to  own  the  land.     No  mention  is 


VARIOUS   i;oAi»s.  329 

ever  made  <^f  any  Iniid-dainage  in  laying  out  roads  for  many 
years,  as  ptiople  were  always  glad  to  give  the  land  for  the  sake 
of  the  advantage.  In  the  transcripts  of  roads  given  below  it 
will  ])e  dillicult  f(n-  those  not  familial'  with  the  early  names  and 
residences  to  locate  said  I'oads.  Some  of  them  were  nevermore 
than  path.s,  and  were  thiown  np  long  ago,  and  in  woodland  and 
pasture  not  a  trace  of  tliem  remains.  All  have  1)een  changed 
more  or  less  for  l)etter  ground,  or  to  meet  new  demands;  hut  it 
is  presumed  that,  for  reference  or  curiosity,  many  will  he  pleased 
to  hnd  here  the  transcripts  of  these  ''old  paths." 

"May  15,  1773  Begineng  at  a  red  Oak  on  Adnin  Dickeys  Southi-rdly 
Line  Riming  T^ortliardly  through  Adam  Dickeys  and  William  Holms  and 
David  (Jregiis  Land  to  tlie  South  Last  Corner  of  Wilsons  Land  then 
Northordl)'  to  Lenjamiu  Sleeper  Hand  to  Nathaniel  Sleepers  Kuning  to 
a  Kock  mepal  on  the  North  Line  oC  the  town." 

[This  was  the  road  to  the  Sleeper  I'csidences,  and  thence  northward 
to  Deering.] 

"Api'il  177.'5  heginning  at  the  South  East  Corner  of  Janu's  Fishers 
Land  then  North  to  the  Senter  then  Northwest  to  Rohert  Fultons  Hous 
fi'om  thence  to  William  (.j)uigleys  new  IIous  from  thence  North  hy 
RoIk'iI  Hopkens  ,I>arn  to  William  (^)iiiglevs  hous  then  in)rthest  to  a  Largh 
l»each  and  I'ock  mepel  ti't  e  Standing  on  the  North  i^ine  of  the  town." 

[This  w'as  what  is.  now  the  street  through  the  village  and  the  old  road 
to  the  (rihson  place  thence  over  the  lull  hy  HussidTs  into  Deering.] 

.Tuiu'  1773,  '■'Legineng  at  a  IJeaeh  on  the  Last  Line  of  Wilsons  Lot 
J\uning  Southwestardly  to  Henry  mcFersons  then  l)y  the  road  to  Ilills- 
horough,  old  lload  then  Southwestardly  to  a  Largh  Ston  Near  the  Senter 
of  the  town." 

[This  seems  to  extend  from  a  point  on  the  Sleejjer  lload  to  the 
village.] 

June  9,  1773,  "begining  at  Thomas  Browns  Nortliwast  Corner  of  his 
Land  .Toyning  to  tjie  Cuntry  road  ruuing  East  on  a  Lme  between  Thomas 
brown  and  -Tohn  Carson  Land  till  it  Comes  to  the  Noreast  Corner  of  the 
Said  browns  Land  tlien  south  east  through  moses  Lewises  Land  and 
James  Hojikins  Land  and  a  Long  the  south  Sid  of  His  Hous  and  barn 
then  East  between  moses  Lewises  La-n  and  James  Hojjkins  Land  to  the 
East  Corner  of  their  Lands  bemg  a  Pain  tree  East  to  William  Cristys 
House  then  East  by  the  road  that  is  now  marked  to  the  Line  between 
New  boston  and  francestown." 

[This  seems  to  be  the  road  about  as  how  used  along  the  south  side  of 
Haunted  Lake  to  New  Boston.] 

July  5,  1773,  "voted  that  the  roads  Shall  be  three  rods  Wide  through- 
out the  town," 


330  VAKlors    KOADS. 

"Fniiiccsliiwii  Aprile  y*' "J."!,  1774,  bcij^ininij;  at  the  road  almnl  twelve 
I'dils  \vcs(  iVoiii  W'illiain  (^)ui^lys  House  Sairl  roiul  Iiciiii;-  on  llic  Ijiiie 
hetwixl  Sai'l  <^)iii-iy  aiel  Francis  Diamonds  Land  llien  Xortli  aliout 
Eii;'litv  rod.s  lo  the  Line  lielwixt  Fraueeslovvn  and  Dea.rluL;-." 

177(').  ''lieuinin^'  at  Ilandoek  tret'  ludie;'  the  Corner  Ixdwixt  Natlianicd 
holds  L:;nd  and  Sanniel  mailins  then  ru.ninij,-  X<irlli('i-ly  lui  Ihe  Line 
liclwixl  XnfliaiMid  I!oid  and  Sannnd  Martin  to  thr  Leading'  road  to 
[n  tlci'lMii'ou'_:h/' 

Oct.  1."!,  177'.i.  -A'ofcd  a  Road  IVoni  diaries  Midlons  [south  oT  villa.^'e, 
neai-  I,ci>nard  Siiiddini;-  place,]  to  llir  .^!e(djn■_;■  House." 

Oct.  !:;.  1771),  -\'oled  a  iJoad  from  David  Slai'rctts  [Geo.  1'.  I'ettee's] 
to  the  MccliiiL;-  House,"  wliiidi  was  thus  (h'serihcd,  ''•  Pc;^-cninL:'  at  said 
Slarndts  lainuin^'  westerly  as  Ground  will  admit  oi'  Strai-ht  lo  the  South 
side  (d' Sanuud  I  )iekermans  mill  I'lnnm  thence  st  rai;;Iil  to  Ihe  ^Ie(ding 
House." 

Api-il  17S0  a  road  was  laid  out  iVi.m  ihe  road  li';:din^-  iVum  (diaries 
]M(dlun's  [near  SpaMini;-  place  |  to  Tlomas  Mel /iU'_;hlin".-<,  hcLilnnin^ '-on 
tile  lane  l-etwixl  (  liarles  Melions  and  Thomas  MeIjauL;hlins  and  Steer- 
iiiL!,'  North wai'dly  on  said  line  to  ivistmans  Place  thence  to  Daniel  iJixliys 
Soutlieast  ('ornei'  and  tlien  on  lln'  l>ine  Ixd'Wixt  James  l-'isher  and 
Tlioinas  M(d!on  to  the  road  thai  leads  Ironi  Nathan  Fishers  to  Ihe  nie(d- 
iiii;'  House.'" 

Apr.  S,  17S(),  ;i  road  was  laid^  out  IVom  the  ••mirth  rond"  soiilhwaril  lo 
Daniel  Scoliey's. 

17S1  A  road  was  hiid  onl  I'l-um  the  norlhest  part  of  the  town  as  fol- 
lows: "heL;innimr  at  a  i!ead  ojik  Mark<Ml  on  the  Noi'th  side  of  W'illiain 
Dickeys  C'learim:;  on  the  weast  line  front  thence  liunning  on  his  west 
line  to  the  Soutli  to  a  read  oak  neare  his  Southweast  Corner  upon  Neaiie 
Cochrans  Xorth  line,  from  tlie!ice  to  a  stake  near  his  south  line  as  near 
tile  marked  Trees  as  may  he  from  thence  to  John  ?iIone\  ha.nes  soutli 
line  liy  his  house  as  near  as  ma.y  lie  from  tlieiice  to  a  IJead  oak  upon  the 
old  lioad  now  occupied  from  iheiiee  to  the  I»oad  Lea  iin^-  I'roni  Samuel 
Nuts  to  tlie  meeting  House." 

June  -21,  17S2,  .V  road  from  Dani(d  Deans  harn"  iiorthwardiv  lietweeii 
Thomas  ]5ixhy  and  William  idxh}'  to 'Gldward  l',ixl»ys  House"  thence 
northward  to  the  ••main  IJoad,"  [prolKdily  west  of  vilhej,-e  and  now  dis- 
continued.] 

June  1783,  A  road,  '•l^egining  at  Winslow  Lakiiigs  tlience  1-uiiing 
Down  Hillshorougli  old  ]\oad"  and  then  soutli  ''tlirougli  David  I'lshers 
laud  to  the  road  between  Abner  Fisliers  Land  and  Setli  Fishers  Land," 
[north  part  of  town;  partly  discontinued.] 


THE    STATE    KOAD.  831 

Juiip  1783,  "l'('<::;im!iivj;  ;it  AVilliam  ^Nutts  Southwest  Corner  then 
Runiiii!,-  fvistwardly  tiirouii-  Janu's  ]$reyters  Land  to  I?ol)a,rt  Buterliclds 
S(nitliwi':st  Corner  then  old  i!oad  So  Caled,  Ihcnee  northeast  to  Asa 
Bixli^'s  House.'" 

Sept.  17^4,  A  road  Ironi  .I;ison  I'^ullcrs  southwest  to  lliehard  Uatlen's, 
and  thence  to  J^yndelioro'  line. 

Sept.  7,  IIX-"},  The  old  road  north  of  tlie  monnlain  lo  Society  Land 
was  laid  out  thns:  '"From  Sanuiel  Thompsons  House  westward  on  the 
line  helween  him  and  William  Holms  to  Thomas  McCallums  LTouse 
tliencc  westward  to  .lames  \\"ilson  I<'i(dd  llicncr  west  lo  Land  of  Samnc  1 
Barnard  tliencc  alon^  north  of  Crolched  mouiilain  lo  the  west  J^ine  of 
the  town,"'  [mostly  superseded  hy  Ihe  new  I'oad.] 

17SS,  I'l'om  IJenjamin  Fcdidi's  ''soulhcash  rly  Ihroimh  .Tolin  I'\l(dis 
Field;"  and  '"'i'his  ti'ansci'ip  is  lo  Allei- a  j)ail  (if  Ww  .Main  lioad  on  oak 

mn." 

Nov.  li',  17tl-J,  a  road  \va.>  laid  oui  across  the  east  jiai'l  of  the  town 
from  .Foseph  Hall's  [Norlheasl  Corner]  soulhward  past  Samuel  Nnlt's 
[now  ( tliver  I'cllee's]  on  a  line  helween  llie  McLanc  Place  and  .lolin 
linrns  lo  'NSc()|)y"s  mills,"  and  llience  sontli  past  llie  east  side  of  llie 
pond,  jiasl  the  I'atch  place  and  tn\  siiiilliward  to  llie  ■■.Main  Itoad." 

Mar.  L2,  17'.)S,  voled  lo  widen  the  ■■Road  oposile  to  ('apt.  ^\'oo(lhnrys 
Buildinn's,""  and  this  was  (hme  hy  ■■rnninn'  a  str;ii-ht  line  from  the  west 
end  of  the  Pi-opiietors  Horse  Slahh'  to  the  South  west  corner  of  .lanii  s 
Diekejs  House.". 

1799 — For  seven  or  eiohl  years  [)revi(tus  to  this  dale  tliere 
liad  heeu  talk  alxnii  a  -^Stale  J\oa(l"  tliioiioli  this  tow  ii.  An 
"•Ai'tiele"'  was  in  tlie  warrant  of  Mar.  S,  1795,  to  see  if  the  town 
would  ''Open  the  State  IJoad,"  wliicli  shows  that  it  was  then 
well  known.  J  have  no  trace  of  this  road  except  where  it  was 
to  pass  throngii  Franeestown,  Society  Land  and  Antrim  to 
Stoddard;  bnt  doubtless  the  plan  was  to  continue  it  to  Clare- 
mont,  or  Windsor,  Vt.  It  seems  to  have  been  laid  out  by  the 
"Court's  Committee"  in  each  county,  as  a  "through  line,"  of 
wdiich  the  State  would  bear  part  of  the  expense.  This  road  was 
strongly  favored  and  strongly  opposed  for  many  years,  but  after 
the  turnpike  was  built,  the  project  was  gradually  dropped. 
This  town  simply  postponed'"  action  from  time  to  time.  From 
Soutli  Stoddard  the  State  Road  was  planned  to  run  south-east- 
wardly  aeross  Antrim  striking  the  Contoocook  at  a  point  a  little 
noilh  of  South  Antrim  village,  and  thence  apjiaiently  in  about 


y)'yj,  COUNTY    UOAl). 

a  straight  line,  to  join  the  "County  Uoad"  in  tliis  town  some- 
what to  the  south  of  the  (iihson  taveiii.  'J1)is  wouhl  have 
made  the  shortest  cut  fi-om  Fraueestowu  to  Stfxhhud,  aiida  very 
feasil>h\  tlioui^li  verv  exjiensivt;  r(^ad;  l);!t  tliere  was  uo  great 
demand  i'oi'  it  then,  and  still  less  now,  A\'ith  our  lines  of  travel 
and  I)usiness  in  oilier  directions. 

ISOO — ^■'The  Secojid  New  Ilamjtsliire  Tiirnpike'"  was  hnilt 
through  Fi-ancestown  this  year,  following  part  of  the  way  roads 
already  made  and  owned  hy  the  town.  P\ir  further  information 
the  reader  is  I'efei'red  to  the  yea,r  iSOO'in  the  hody  of  this  work. 

ISOl  — 1'liis  year  \hc  town  built,  or  oi'dt-rcd  liic  l)uil<liiiii;  of  tlic  north 
part  of  the  'KOuiity  Koad"  so  t-allcd,  i.  c.  "-ri-oiu  David  Fishers  to 
Deariiiii;  Line.'"  Tliis  luid  Ixmmi  an  '"old  jjatli"  for  years  before  the  in- 
corpoi'iitiou  of  till'  (own,  but  Cduld  mil  be  called  a  I'oad,  and  tlie  town 
liail  touglit  olT  tlu'  ^•biiildinu-  of  if  fi'oni  year  to  ycai-;  ))ut  aflcr  tlie  eon- 
structiou  of  tlic  lui-ni)ii<c,  the  nialti'i-  was  jiressed  in  Court  and  forced 
to  a  conchisiou,  and  the  town  was  compelled  to  build  it.  Its  north 
termination  was  "at  Eleazer  Xuttinys  near  Deariny  Jjine,"  and  tlu' 
''buildiui;-  of  it"  was  sold  May  2,  iSOl,  llu'  noilli  half  for  10  pence  per 
rod  and  the  south  lialf  for  one  sliillint^-  and  niiu'  pence  per  rod.  And 
even  then  it  was  not  completed  for  more  than  a  year.  The  town  was 
most  <le]iberately  tard}-,  being  convinced  tliat  this  road  was  not  needed, 
except  that  a  few  individuals  sought  to  save  "tolls"  on  the  turnpike. 
See  year  ISQl  in  the  I)ody  of  tliis  work. 

1885,  Dfic.  ol,  At  s])ecial  meeting,  chose  Abiun-  Pettee  and 
Samuel  Ferson  (to  unite  with  Mark  Morse  chosen  Feb.  5,  of 
same  year)  to  act  for  the  town  against  a  proposed  new  road  to 
Deering,  and  against  changes  in  the  County  road.  But  ap- 
parently in  spite  of  all  remonstrance  the  County  commissioners 
laid  out  this  road,  and  the  town  was  forced  to  build  it.  It  is 
now  known  as  the  "road  to  Hillsboro'  through  Deering." 

Oct.  1835,  a  road  was  laid  out  from  Aaron  Fisher's  on  the 
turnpike  across  the  south  part  of  the  town  toward  Peterboro'. 
This  road  was  "fought-off"  for  many  years,  being  built  in  1857 
under  the  name  of  tlie  "Whittemore  Poad." 

Apr.  1837,  From  Turn-pike  north  to  ]Mi]l  Tillage.  Previously  tliis 
had  been  "a  private  way"  with  consideralde  passing. 

1837,  From  Isaac  Towle's  [House  now  gone,  but  stood  on  the  top  of 
the  hill  where  now  the  Bennington  road  leaves  the  turnpike]  "to  Jef- 
ferson  .Tones'  west  Une"  to   "strike   a  road   la'id    out   liv  tbe  "Court's 


VA1UOU3  i:oADS.  333 

Committee."  This  last  fonil  llie  "Committee"  lin<l  laid  out  JVom  the 
liouse  of  John  M.  ColHiis  [afk'rwards  occupied  by  Horace  ])iiisiii()iv 
and  recently  burned]  to  Hancock  Factoiy,  now  Benninuton,  and  was 
])uilt  in  tlie  fall  of  1S37. 

1S;>7 — A  piece  of  road  was  ])ui]t  from  William  Buttei-tiehrs  shop 
[now  a  dwelling-house]  along  east  of  tin;  Dr.  Fisher  housi'  to  Isaac 
Towle's,  to  save  hills  and  distance.  The  same  year  another  similar  im- 
provement on  the  turnpike  was  made  by  commencing  at  "Mrs.  Short's 
liouse"  [now  gone;  then  standing  at  the  foot  of  Ihe  hill  below  the 
present  Morrill  house]  and  bending  westward  so  as  partially  to  relieve 
the  hill  of  its  steepness,  and  joining  the  old  turnpike  again  in  front  of 
Lyman  Ikdcher's  house. 

ls;57 — From  .Joel  Gay's  [now  Fi-ank  15.  Sta-rrett's]  to  the  road  near 
IJand's   Bridge.     This   was  cut  "tlii'ough    William    Hyde's  farm,"  ami 

some  of  the  old  j)eo])le  will  i'(  call  his  most  intense  and  violent  opposition 
to  "'■cutting  up  his  farm." 

Nov.  ;},  1S;}7,  The  town  at  special  meeting  aniudled  the  vote  to  l)uild 
from  "Isaac  Towle's  to  .lelTerson  .Tones'  west  hne  •■named  above,  and 
instructed  the  selectmen  to  layout  the  same  "'by  tlie  >ite  of  the  Old 
Mill  &  Uzziali  Kemp's  house."  This  last  is  the  way  now  travelled  and 
was  fixed  upon  by  gtuuM-al  consent  in  preference  to  the  former  route. 
^Vhen  thai  former  I'oute  was  first  asked  foi-,  the  town  refused  to  build; 
but  'M'cconsidered"  and  '-voted  to  build'"  on  the  offer  of  ]\Iark  Dean  to 
give  $75,  and  .Teffei-son  -Tones,  .'^■J.'),  (owai-d  the  expense  of  building. 

1S:5!) — Fj'om  the  '-.Mitchel  Mill  Dam"  northeastward  to  turnpike  near 
the  (iibson  place  [i.  e.  from  present  school  house  on  the  IJemiington 
road  across  to  Fdward  Dodge's.] 

IS.'JU — A  road  was  built  from  Francestown  to  Peering-passing  neai' 
Pleasant  Pond,  and  being  tlu-  road  now  travelled  to  that  town,  'i'liis 
was  laid  out  [see  18:5r)-18."5()]  by  the  "Court's  Committee"  on  petition  of 
Jacob  Whittemore,  l)ut  was  "fought  off"  for  three  years.  Nov.  18, 
18.39,  at  a  special  meeting,  the  town  chose  Squire  S.  Clement  and  John 
Wilkins  of  Deering  to  act  with  the  selectmen  in  "accepting"  this  new- 
made  road. 

1,S4!) — This  year,  or  perhaps  a  little  earlier,  the  County  Connnission- 
ers  hiid  out  what  has  since  been  known  as  the  "North  Koad"  to  New 
Boston.  This  was  opposed  by  ])oth  towns,  but  at  a  special  meeting 
June  4,  18.51,  this  town  voted  to  build  its  part.  Nov.  1852  they  voted 
to  build  the  shoi't  i)ieces  from  N.  Whiting's  and  fi'om  the  No.  5,  school 
liouse,  "to  the  new  road  to  New  Boston." 

1S57 — This  vear  the  long-opposed  "\\liittemor(^  lioad"  from  the 
Aaron  Fisher  place  to  Peterboro'  was  l)uilt.  This  was  laid  out  inl8;55, 
Imt    llie    opposition    was    so  intense  thai  it  was  delayed  and  at  length 


384  THE    MOUNTAIN    llOAD. 

•Ic'fcalcd.  liiit  aLi,;iiii.  on  petition  of  Abrani  Whiltemore  and  others,  it 
was  laid  out  liy  llic  ('ouiity  Commissioners  Se]it.  14,  11^;-,;!.  It  involved 
i;-reat  cost  and  small  advantage  to  this  town,  and  was  liitterly  oi)[)osed; 
hul  after  many  meetini;s  and  a  diday  of  several  years,  they  wei'c  eom- 
p(dled  to  build,  and  at  the  ^hu'tdi  meelin;;-  oi'  lS.-)7  cdiose  W.  II.  Sa.wyer 
a'^-ent  for  llie  town  to  liuild  this  road. 

Dee.  1'.),  isyc.  lilt'  selectmen,  hy  vole  of  the  town,  laid  out  a  road 
•'IVom  .1  point  near  flu;  river  to  a  point  near  Adoniiani  Dodge's,  ]4() 
rods." 

'"The  Mountain  IJoad,"  the  roail  1o  ihc  summit  <d'  Ci-otehod  Moun- 
taiii.  was  voted,  laid  out  and  liuiil  in  IS'J.'!.  It  was  built  unde]"  the 
superinlc  iideney  of  S.  Willai'd  Maton.  and  was  linished  June  -Jb,  IS'.);;. 
.Mr.  I'lalon  made  llu'  lii'st  aseeni  with  hoi'se  and  eai-i'ia:^e.  There  was  a 
lar^f  ^-aiherini;- on  the  sumnul  on  the  I-'onrtli  of  .Inly  follow  iui;',  and 
also  in  the  eNcniiiL;-  a  lim-  display  of  lire-works,  seen  foi'  loui;'  dislanees, 
and  enjoyed  by  many  in  ihe  neighboring  towns. 


(  IIAPTFJ{    XI II. 

TOWN    OFFICKIiS. 

Pi'evious  to  t1ie  war  oF  tlie  Revolution  a  j)ci'so!i  wn.;  ntjuired 
to  1)0  a  laiid-lioldcr  or  to  possess  the  value  of  £20  of  olliei'  tax- 
al)le  propert}^  in  ordei-  to  l)e  a  voter.  Oidy  owners  of  real 
estate  eould  vote  on  the  ((uesiion  of  settling  a  minister  or  fix- 
iiio'  •uid  raising  liis  salary:  yet  taxes  foi-  the  minister's  s'ap])ort 
were  assessed  on  idl  polls  and  all  kimls  of  pi-o[)ei-ty.  No  man 
was  eligible  to  the  ollice  of  IJepreseiitative  to  the  Assembly  or 
Provincial  House  unless  he  was  the  owiiei'  of  real  estate  to  the 
va,lue  of  X300. 

In  the  troubled  and  miseltled  years  from  ITHf)  to  ITSD,  tfie 
bordei'  towns  and  small  towns  were  not  icgularly  ii'prest'uted 
in  the  (leneral  Com  I,  or  Congress  of  the  State,  as  it  was  some- 
times called.  Somt!  towns  felt  loo  poor  to  share  the  additional 
expense  ;  ami  if,  occasionally,  two  or  thice  towns  nu't  and  chose 
a  re[)resentative  together,  the  fact  m  as  seldom  entered  upon 
the  town  reeoi'ds,  and  tlie  minute.-;  l.cpt  on  loose  ]ia[)ers  were 
soon  lost.  And  tlie  Joui'iial  of  the  Assend>ly  alfoids  but  little 
hel[),  inasmuch  as  for  most  of  those  years  the  names  of  rep- 
resentatives are  given,  but  m)t  their  residences.  (Tcnerally 
only  the  surnames  a})[)ear,  sometimes  the  title  being  added,  as 
Capt.  Barclay,  Col.  Goffe,  Duncan,  Jr.,  &c. 

I  have  spoilt  several  days  seaiching  the  Records  in  the  State 
House;  l)ut  with  meagi'e  restdts.  The  following  is  a  list,  so 
far  as  could  be  ascertained,  of  our  Town  Officers,  from  the  in- 
corporation in  1772  until  the  present  time.  They  took  the 
oath  of  loyalty  in  oflice  to  George  III,  King  of  England  until 
1776;  afterwards  to  tlie  State  of  New  Hampshire. 


336 


T(»WM    OFFKJERS. 


MODliKATOR  AND  TOWN  CLEKK.  SELECTMEN. 

1772. 

.loliii  (j)ui!4lcY,  >[()(].  John  (,)uiul('v 

Sinnucl  Null,  Clerk  Joliii  Dickey 

William  SlaiTclt 
177:5. 

John  Quii^lev,  Mod.  .loliii  (^)iiiu]ey 

Wm.  jMe^rasler,  Clerk     John  Dickey 

William  Lee 
1774. 

-lohn  (^)iiii;ley,  Mod.  ( )!iver  Holmes 

Wm.  McMa.'^ler,  Clerk      John  (,)nioley 

lioberl  I'ulton 
177o. 

John  (,)uii;ley,  T^fod.  John   (,>uiLi-loy 

Wm.  McMasler,  Clerk      James  Fisher 

John  Dickey 


177r,. 
John  (^)ui<;li'y.  .Mod. 
Wm.  McMaster,  Cleik 

1777. 
( )liver  Holmes.  Mod. 
Wm.  iNlcMaster,  Clerk 

1778. 
Oliver  Holmes,  Mod. 
Wm.  McMastei-,  ("lerk 
Henry  Parkinson,  " 

177'J. 
Oliver  Holmes,  Mod. 
Henry  Parkinson,  Clerk 

1780. 
Oliver  Holmes,  Mod. 
Henry  Parkinson,  Clerk 

1781. 
David  Starrett,  Mod. 
Benjamin  Drnry,  Clerk 


John  Qnialey 
John  Dickey 
Thomas  Mcriaiiohliii 

( )liver  Holmes 
John  Dickey 
A\'illiam  Starrett 

Oliver  Ilohiies 
John  Dickey 
AVilliam  Starrett 

( )liver  Holmes 
Nathaniel  JJoyd 
Asa  Lewis 

Da\id  Lewis 
Asa  Lewis 
Zachariali  "Whiting 

Thomas  McLaughlin 
Benjamin  Sleei)er 
Jabez  Holmes 


KEPKESENTATIVES. 


None  known 


New  IJosJon  and  Fran- 
eeslown  not  i'e])re- 
seiited. 

New  IJosloii  and  Fran- 
cestown  not  ix'pre- 
sented. 

To  Ai)r  :   Ninian   Clai'k, 

of  New  Boston. 
May:    Thomas    Wilson, 

of  New  Boston. 
Dec:  Classed  with  Peer- 

ingand  IIillsl)oi-o"  and 

represented  by  Capt. 

Joseph  Simonds. 

Benj.  Dodge  for  New 
Boston  and  Frances- 
town   (177<)-1777). 

Andiibald  McMillan  for 
New  Boston  and  Fran- 
cestown   (1777-1778). 

Archil)ald  Mc^lilhin  for 
New  Boston  and  P'ran- 
cestowu. 

Wm.  Starrett  for  New 
BostoTi  and  Frances- 
town  (1778,  '79,  '80). 

-lames  Caldwcdl  for  New 
Boston  and  Frances- 
town. 

James  Caldwell  for  New 
Boston  and  Frances- 
town. 


TOWN    OFFICERS. 


337 


MODERATOK  AND  TOWN  CLERK. 

1782. 
Wni.  Stiirrett,  Mod. 
Bcnjaijiiii  Drury,  Clerk 

1783. 

Oliver  Ilolnies,  IVIod. 
Thomas  13ixl)y,  Clerk 

1784. 
"Capt.  Holmes,"  Mod. 
Thomas  Bixljy,  Clerk 

178r,. 

David  StarreLt,  Mod. 
James  Fisher,  Clerk. 

178G. 
"Capt.  Holmes,"  Mod. 
Thomas  Bixby,  Clerk 

1787. 
Oliver  Holmes,"  Mod. 
Thomas  IJixby,  Clerk 

1788. 
Oliver  Holmes,  Mod. 
Thomas  Bixby,  Clerk 

1781). 
Jonathan  Fisk,  Mod. 
Thomas  Bixby,  Clerk 

17U0. 
Jonathan  Fisk,  Mod. 
Thomas  Bixby,  Clerk 

.    1791. 
Jonathan  Fisk,  Mod. 
Thomas  Bixby,  Clerk 

1792. 
Jonathan  Fisk,  Mod. 
Thomas  Bixby,  Clerk 


SELECTMEN. 

John  Diekey 
William  Starrett 
Asa  J  A' wis 


John  Diekey 
William  Starrett 
Asa  Lewis 

Asa  Lewis 
Isaae  Lewis 
David  Lewis 

David  StariTtt 
•Tames  Hoi^g 
Jabez  Holmes 

Jaljez  Holmes 
William  Starrett 
James  Hogg 

Jabez  Holmes 
William  Starrett 
James  Hogg 

Jabez  Holmes 
William  Starrett 
James  Hogg 

Jabez  Holmes 

Jonathan  Fisk 
AVilliam  Starrett 

Jonathan  Fisk 
Jabez  Holmes 
Elias  Fairbanks 

Jonathan  Fisk 
Jabez  Holmes 
Elias  Fairbanks 

Jonathan  Fisk 
Jabez  Holmes 
Elias  Fairbanks 


REPRESENTATIVES. 

Nov.  25,  David  Lewis 
chosen  representative 
for  New  Boston  and 
Francestown. 

David  Lewis  for  New 
Boston  and  Frances- 
town. 

"Voted  not  to  join  New 
Boston"  to  elect  Rep- 
resentative. 

No  lleprescntative 
known. 


No  Representative 


No  Representative 
known. 


No  Rei)resentative 
known. 


No  Representative 
known. 


No  Representative 
known. 


No  Representative 
known. 


Jonathan  Fisk  First 
Representative  of 
Francestown  alone. 


338 


TOWN    OFFICERS'. 


MODERATOR  ANDTOWN  CLERK. 

1793. 
Jonathan  Fi«k,  JSIod. 
Thomas  Bixljy,  Clerk 

1794. 
Daviil  Lt'wis,  Mod. 
Thomas  I5ix1)y,  Clerk 

1795. 

No  Moderator  named 
Thomas  l^ixhy,  Clerk 

1790. 
David  IamvIs,  Mod. 
Joseph  (iuild,  Clerk 

1797. 
Isaiie  Lewis,  ]\Iod. 
Josei)h  Guild,  Clerk 

179S. 
David  Lewis.  Mod. 
Joseph  (iuild,  Clerk 

1799. 
David  Lewis,  Mod. 
Joseph  Guild,  Clerk 

ISOO. 
David  Lewis,  Mod. 
Joseph  Guild,  Clerk 

IHOl. 
David  Lewis,  Mod. 
Joseph  Guild,  Clerk 

1S02. 
Thomas  Bixby,  Mod. 
Elias  Fairbanks,  Clerk 

1803. 
Samuel  Bell,  Mod. 
Elias  Fairbanks,  Clerk 


SELECTMEN. 

Jonathan  Fisk 
Jabez  Holmes 
p]lias  Fairbanks 

Thomas  Bixby 
Joseph  CJuild 
Jolin  Gibson 

Thomas  Bixby 
Josei)h  (Juild 
Elias  Fairbanks 

Joseph  Guild 
Thomas  Bixby 
Elias  Fairl)anks 

Joseph  Guild 
Thomas  liixby 
Elias  Fairljanks 

Joseph  Guild 
Elias  Fairbanks 
James  Wilson 

Joseph  (iuild 
Elias  Fairbanks 
James  Wilson 

Joseph  Guild 
Elias  Fairbanks 
Jam(!S  Wilson 

Joseph  Guild 
Elias  Fairbanks 
James  Wilson 

Elias  Fairbanks 
Samuel  Ilodge 
Thomas  Bixby 

Elias  Fairbanks 
Jason  Fuller 
Oliver  Holmes,  3d 


REPRESENTATIVES. 


rlonatlian  Fisk 


No  ehoiee  of  IJepresent- 
ative  ap})ears  on 
reeord. 

David  Lewis 


Peter  AVNxxlbury 


Peter  Woodbury 


Thomas  Bixby 


Peter  Farnum 


Peter  Farnum 


Peter  Farnum 


Peter  Farnum 


Thomas  Bixby 


TOWN    OFFICERS. 


339 


MODERATOR  AND  TOWN  CLEHK. 

1S04. 
Sanuiel  Bell,  Mod. 
Thomas  Bixby,  Clerk 

1805. 
Samuel  Bell,  Mod. 
Elias  Fairbanks,  Clerk 

1806. 
Samuel  Bell,  Mod. 
Elias  Fairbanks,  Clerk 

1807. 
Samuel  Bell,  Mod. 
Elias  Fairbanks,  Clerk 

1808. 
Samuel  Bell,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 

1809. 
Peter  Woodbury,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 

1810. 
Peter  "Woodbury,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 

1811. 
Peter  Woodbury,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 

1812. 
Peter  Woodbury,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 

1813. 
Peter  Woodbury,  Mod. 
James  Wilson,  Clerk 

1814. 
Peter  Woodbury,  Mod. 
James  Wilson,  Clerk 


SELECTMEN. 

Thomas  Bixby 
Oliver  Holmes,  3d 
Peter  Farnum 

Elias  Fairbanks 
Peter  Woodbury 
John  Mellvaine 

Elias  Fairljanks 
John  Mellvaine 
James  Wilson 

Elias  Fairbanks 
John  Mellvaine 
James  Wilson 

Daniel  Lewis 
James  Wilson 
Nathan  Savajj;e 

Daniel  Lewis 
.Tames  Wilson 
Nathan  Savage 

Daniel  Lewis 
James  Wilson 
Nathan  Savage 

Daniel  Lewis 
James  Wilson 
Nathan  Savage 

Daniel  Lewis 
Nathan  Savage 
John  Gibson 

James  Wilson 
Nathan  Savage 
George  Dean 

James  Wilson 
George  Dean 
Nathan  Fisher,  Jr. 


REPRESENTATIVES. 


Samuel  Bell 


Samuel  Bell 


Samuel  Bell 


Peter  Woodbury 


Peter  Woodbury 


Peter  Woodbury 


Peter  Woodburv 


Peter  Woodbury 


Peter  Woodbury 


Peter  Woodbury 


.Tohn  Gibson 


340 


TOWN    OFFrOEUS. 


MODERATOR  AND  TOWN  CLERK. 

1815. 
Peter  Woodbury,  Mod. 
Levi  AVoodltiirv,  ('lerk 

ISIO. 
Peter  AVoodbui-y,  Mod. 
William  Bixby,  Clei-k 

1817. 

Peter  Woodbuiy,  INIod. 
ITiigh  Moors,  Clerk. 

1818. 

Levi  WoodltuiT,  Mod. 
Hugh  Moors,  Clerk 

1819. 
Levi  Woodbury,  Mod. 
Hugh  Moors,  Clerk 

1820. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 

1821. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 

1822. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 

1823. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 

1824. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 

1825. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Daniel  Lewis,  Clerk 


selectm?:n. 

Levi  Woodbury 
James  Wilson 
Nathan  Fisher,  Jr. 

William  Bixby 
Hugh  Moors 
George  Dean 

Hugh  Moors 
Alexander  AVilson 
John  Starrett 

Hugh  Moors 
John  Starrett 
p]l)enezer  Boyd 

Hugh  Moors 
John  Starrett 
Ebenezer  Boyd 

Daniel  Lewis 
Alexander  Wilson 
Daniel  Guild 

Daniel  Lewis 
Alexander  Wilson 
Daniel  Guild 

Daniel  Lewis 
Alexander  Wilson 
Daniel  Guild 

Daniel  Lewis 
Alexander  Wilson 
Daniel  Guild 

Daniel  Lewis 
Alexander  Wilson 
Daniel  Guild 

Daniel  Lewis 
Alexander  Wilson 
Daniel  Guild 


REI'RESENTATIVES. 


John  fiiltson 


Jolin  Gibson 


^\'illiam  I5ixbv 


AVilliam  Bixby 


Titus  Brown 


Titus  Brown 


William  Bixby 


Titus  Brown 


Titus  Brown 


Titus  Brown 


Alexander  Wilson 


TOWN    OFFICERS. 


341 


MODERATOR  AND  TOWN  CLERK.  SELECTMEN. 


1820. 
Peter  Clark,  Mod. 
Isaac  Guild,  Clerk 

1S27. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Isaac  Guild,  Clerk 

1828. 
Dan'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
Isaac  Guild,  Clerk 

1829. 
Daii'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
Isaac  Guild,  Clerk 

18.30. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Isaac  Guild,  Clerk 

18^51. 
Dan'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
Isaac  Guild,  Clerk 

1832. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Isaac  Guild,  Clei'k 

1833. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Isaac  (Tuild,  Clerk 

1834. 
Titus  Brown,  Mod. 
Isaac  Guild,  Clerk 

18.35. 
Daniel  Fuller,  Mod. 
Simeon  I.  Bard,  Clerk 

18.30. 

Dan'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
Titus  Ik-own,  Clerk 


Alexander  Wilson 
Daniel  Guild 
Oliver  Holmes,  Jr. 

Alexander  Wilson 
Daniel  Guild 
Oliver  Holmes,  Jr. 

Daniel  Guild 
Oliver  Holmes,  Jr. 
Jabez  Fairbanks 

( )liv('r  Holmes,  Jr. 
William  Balch 
Ebenezer  Boyd 

Oliver  Holmes,  Jr. 
William  Balch 
E])enezer  l>oyd 

E))enezer  l>oyd 
Daniel  Fuller,  Jr. 
Alexander  Wilson 

Ebenezer  Boyd 
Daniel  Fuller,  Jr. 
Alexander  Wilson 

Elienezer  Boyd 
Alexander  AVilson 
Moses  E.  Bradford 

Ebenezer  Boyd 
Alexander  Wilson 
Moses  E.  Bradford 

Ebenezer  Boyd 

Alexander  Wilson 
Moses  E.  Bradford 

Ebenezer  Boyd 
John  (libson 
Alplieus  Gay 


REPRESENTATIVES. 


Alexander  Wilson 


Daniel  Fuller,  Jr, 


William  P,ixl)y 


Daniel  Fuller,  Jr, 


.John  (Jibson 


.Tolin  (Jibson 


John  Gibson 


Daniel  Fuller,  Jr, 


Ebenezer  Boyd 


William  Bixl)y 


Ebenezer  Boyd 


342 


TOWN    OFFICP^llS. 


MODERATOR  AND  TOWN  CLERK.  SELECTMEN. 


REPRESENTATIVES. 


1S37. 
John  Gibson,  Mod. 
Titus  Brown,  Clerk 

183S. 
Dan'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
Paul  II.  Bixby,  Clerk 

1830. 
Danl  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
Paul  II.  Bixby,  Clerk 

1840. 
Dan'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
P.  II.  Bixby,  Clerk 

1841. 
Dan'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
William  Balch,  Clerk 

1842. 
Dan'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mo  I. 
Charles  McKeen,  Clerk 

1843. 
Dan'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
William  Balch,  Clerk 

1844. 
Dan'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
Charles  McKeen,  Clerk 

1845. 
Simeon  I.  Bard,  Mod. 
Herbert  Vose,  Clerk 

184(5. 
Dan'l  Fuller,  Jr.,  Mod. 
Nathan  Dane,  Clerk 

1847. 
Paul  H.  Bix])y,  Mod. 
Nathan  Dane,  Clerk 


Alpheus  Gay 
Titus  Brown 
Willard  Carti'r 

Nathan  Dane 
James  W.  Ilaseltine 
Moses  E.  Bradford 

Nathan  Dane 
James  W.  Haseltine 
Moses  E.  Bradfoi'd 

Nathan  Dane 

John  M.  Collins,  Jr. 

Abner  Pittee 

John  M.  Collins,  Jr. 
Abner  Pittee 
Seville  Starrett 

Israel  Batchelder 
Jesse  Pearsons 
Warner  Clark 

Abner  Pettee 
Saville  Starrett 
Alexander  Wilson 

Israel  Batchelder 
Warner  Clark 
Jonathan  Patch 

Israel  Batchelder 
Warner  Clark 
Jonathan  Patch 

Israel  Batchelder 
Warner  Clark 
Samuel  B.  Collins 

Israel  Batchelder 
Samuel  B.  Collins 
Reuben  M.  Sawyer 


Titus  Brown 


D.iniel  Fuller,  Jr, 


Daniel  Fuller,  Jr. 


Paul  II.  Bixl)y 


Paul  II.  Bixby 


No  choice. 


David  Atwood 


No  choice. 


No  choice. 


John  M.  Collins,  Jr. 


John  M.  Collins,  Jr. 


TOWN    OFFICERS. 


343 


MODERATOR  AND  TOWN  CLERK. 


SELECTMEN. 


REPRESENTATIVES. 


1S48. 
Paul  II.  Bixby,  Mod. 
Nathan  Dane,  Clerk 

1S49. 
John  (Jibson,  Mod. 
Herbert  Vose,  Clerk 

1S50. 
Paul  H.  Bixby,  Mod. 
Herbert  Vose,  Clerk 

1.S51. 
Daniel  Fuller,  Mod. 
Thos.  B.  Bradford,  Clk 

1852. 
Daniel  Fuller,  Mod. 
Thos.  B.  Bradford,  Clk 

1853. 
Daniel  Fuller,  Mod. 
Sanil.  D.  Dovvnes,  Clk 

1854. 
Daniel  Fuller,  Mod. 
Sanil.  D.  Downes,  Clk 

1855. 
Daniel  MeCaine,  Mod. 
8aml.  D.  Downes,  Clk 

1856. 
Daniel  McCaine,  Mod. 
Saml.  D.  Downes,  Clk 

1857. 
Daniel  McCaine,  Mod. 
Saml.  D.  Dovvnes,  Clk 

1858. 
Daniel  MeCaine,  Mod. 
Saml.  D.  Downes,  Clk 


John  M.  Collins,  .Tr.     Mark  Morse 
Luther  Hardy 
Jesse  Woodbury 


Israel  Batchelder 
Jesse  Woodbury 
Hiram  P.  Clark 

Israel  Batchelder 
Hiram  P.  Clark 
Kimball  W.  Emerson 


No  choice: 


Israel  Batchelder 


Hiram  P.  Clark  John  M.  Collins,  Jr. 

Kimball  W.  Emerson 
Thomas  E.  Fisher 

Hiram  P.  Clark  John  M.  Collins,  Jr. 

Thomas  E.  Fisher 
Jonathan  Ilerrick,  Jr. 

Thomas  E.  Fisher 
James  C.  Follansbee 
Thomas  P.  Rand 

Thomas  E.  Fisher 
Janu's  C.  Follansbee 
Thomas  P.  Band 

Thomas  E.  Fisher 
Nahum  II.  Patch 
John  II.  Patch 

Nahum  Farnum 
John  II.  Patch 
Luther  Hardy 

John  II.  Patch 
Luther  Hardy 
Milton  G.  Starrett 

Nahum  Farnum 
Luther  Hardy 
Kimball  W.  Emerson 


No  choice. 


AVillanl  P.  (Jambell 


Willard  P.  (iambell 


Daniel  McCaine 


Daniel  McCaine 


James  T.  Bixby 


3-14 


TOWN    OFFICERS. 


MODliK  ATOK  AND  TOWN  CLEKK.  SELUCTMEN. 


REPRESENTATIVES. 


Thos.lJ.  IJra<lf()n],]\I<>(l 
Saml.  1) .  Downt's,  Clk 

18()0. 
8:inil.  B.  Tlod.i^c,  ^[(kI. 
Saml.  T).  l^ownes,  Clk 

ISfil. 
Saml.  W.  II(h1o;(',  iMod. 
Daniel  V.  Patch,  Clerk 

lS(i-2.      , 
Saml.  F>.  Ilodge,  Mod. 
Daniel  F.  Patch,  Clerk 

ISC).'?. 
Saml.  B.  Hod^e,  Mod. 
Daniel  V.  ratch,  Clerk 

is<;4. 

vSaml.  15.  Hodge,  Mod. 
Daniel  r.Ptitch,  Clerk 

18G5. 
Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod. 
Daniel  F.  Fatch,  Clerk 

1866. 
Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod. 
Daniel  F.  Patch,  Clerk 

1867. 
Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod. 
Daniel  F.  Patch,  Clerk 

1868. 
Garvin  S.  Sleejier,  Mod. 
Daniel  F.  Patch,  Clerk 

1869. 
Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod. 
Daniel  F.  Patch,  Clerk 


Hiram  P.  Clark 
David  IJulterlitdd 
William  H.  Farnum 

Hiram  P.  Clark 
Kimltall  W.  Emerson 
Francis  II.  Duncklee 

Tliomas  !'].  Fislier 
Fi-ancis  II.  Duncklee 
Hiram  I'atch 

Thomas  E.  Fisher 
Hiram  I'atch 
Elias  A.  Wilson 

Thomas  E,  Fisher 
Hiram  Patch 
Elias  A.  Wilson 

Hiram  Patch 
Elias  A.  Wilson 
George  A.  Duncklee 

Hii'am  Patch 
George  A.  Duncklee 
Luke  W.  Preston 

IHrani  Patch 
George  A.  Duncklee 
Luke  W.  Preston 

Thomas  E.  Fisher 
Henry  Richardson 
Newell  D.  Dean 

Henry  Richardson 
John  West 
Augustus  H.  Bixby 

Henry  Richardson 
John  West 
Augustus  H.  Bixby 


James  T.  J3ixby 


Daniel  F.  Frye 


Daniel  V.  Frye 


Francis  H.  Morgan 


Francis  H.  Morgan 


Samuel  B.  Hodge 


Samuel  B.  IIod<>:e 


Fliraui  Patch 


No  choice 


Hiram  Patch 


Samuel  D.  Downs 


'^/^^''^^-^^^^l^ 


TOWN    OFFICERS.  345 

MODERATOR  ANDTOWN  CLERK.  SELECTMEN.  REPRESENTATIVES. 

1870. 
Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.  Ilinviu  P.  Clark  Samuel  D.  Dowiies 

Daniel  F.  Pateh,  Clerk.     William  H.  Hopkins 
Newell  D.  Dean 

1871. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.   George  D.  Epps  Garvin  S.  Sleeper 

Luther  F.  Atwood,  Clk     George  A.  Duneklee 
Elias  A.  Wilson 

1872. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.  George  D.  Epps  Garvin  S.  Sleeper 

Luther  F.  Atwood,  Clk     George  A.  Duneklee 
Elias  A.  Wilson 
1873. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.  George  F.  Pettee  John  G.  Morse 

Luther  F.  Atwood,  Clk    William  A.  Lord 

Abner  ]}.  Woodward 
1874. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.  Hiram  P.  Clark  .Tohn  (J.  Morse 

Mark  JJaleh,  Clerk  William  A.  Lord 

William  11.  Hopkins 
1875. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.  Hiram  Patch  Charles  A.  Vose 

Mark  Balch,  Clerk  George  A.  Duneklee 

Samuel  E.  Stevens 

1876. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.  Hiram  Patch  Charles  A.  Vose 

Chas.  E.  Nutting,  Clk      George  A.  Duneklee 
Samuel  E.  Stevens 

1877. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.   George  F.  Pettee  Henry  Richardson 

Luther  F.  Atwood,  Clk     .Jonathan  Danforth 
Thomas  E.Taylor 

1878. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.  George  F.  Pettee  Henry  Richardson 

Luther  F.  Atwood,  Clk    .John  G.  Morse 

Thomas  E.  Taylor 
1879. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.  George  F.  Pettee  Thomas  E.  Fisher 

Luther  F.  Atwood.  Clk    .John  G.  Morse 
William  A.  Lord 

1880. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper,  Mod.  George  F.  Pettee  Thomas  E.  Fisher 

Luther  F.  Atwood,  Clk     John  G.  Morse  (Chosen   in  Nov.  pre- 

Harvey  N.  Whiting  ceding.) 


346  TOWN    OFFICKIIS. 

MODERATOR  AND  TOWN  CLERK.  SELECTMEN.  R  El'R  ESEN  TATl  VES. 

ISKl. 
Geo.W.  Cuiiuniiii^is,  M.     (Jeorge  F.  Peltee  George  E.  Dowues 

Lullier  F.  Atwood,  Clk     John  G.  Morse  (From  this  date  chosen 

Harvey  N.  Whiting  for  two  jears.) 

1882. 

Geo.W.  Gumniings,  M.     George  F.  Pettee  George  E.  Downes 

Luther  F.  Atwood,  Clk     John  (J.  Morse 
Edson  II.  Patch 

1883. 

(tco.W.  Cuniniings,  M.     Henry  Ilichardson         Augustus  II.  Bixby 
LutluT  F.  Atwood,  Clk     Edson  H.  Patch 

George  A.  Dunckk'e 

1884. 

Geo.W.  Cummings,  M.     Henry  Richardson         Augustus  II.  ]5ixljy 
Lutlaer  F.  Atwood,  Cllc     George  A.  Duni-klee 

Jonathan  Danl'orlh 

1885. 

Geo.W.  Cuniniings,  M.      Ileniy  IJicliai'dson         (ieorgc  F.  Pettee 
Luther  F.  Atwood,  Clk     (xeorge  A.  Duncklee 
Harvey  Whiting 

188*;. 

Geo.W.  Cummings,  M.     George  D.  Epps  Geoi-ge  F.  Pettee 

Jas.  T.Woodbury,  Clk      Charles  H.  Clark 

Jonathan  Danforth 

1887. 

(ieo.W.  Cununings,  M.     George  W.  Cunnnings  (jleorge  A.  Duncklee 
Jas.  T.Woodlniry,  Clk       Charles  II.  Clark 

Jonathan  Danforth 

1888. 

Geo.W.  Cunnnings,  M.     George  D.  Ejn^s  George  A.  Duncklee 

Jas.  T.Woodlniry,  Clk      Jonathan  Danforth 
Charles  H.  Clark 

1889. 

Geo.W.  Cummings,  M.     Henry  Pichardson         George  W.  Cummings 
Jas.  T.Woodbury,  Clk      George  A.  Duncklee 
Charles  E.  Nutting 
1800. 

Edson  11.  Patch,  Mod.     Henry  llichardson         (Jeorge  W.  Cunnnings 
Jas.  T.Woodbury,  Clk"      George  A,  Duncklee 
Charles  E.  jSTutting 
1801. 

Edson  II.  Patch,  Mod.     Henry  Richardson         Martin  L.  Colburn 
Jas.  T.  AVo(Klbury,  Clk      George  A.  Duncklee 
Charles  A.  Patch 


TOWN    OFFICERS. 


347 


MODERATOR  AND  TOWN  CLERK.  SELECTMEN. 

1892. 
(too.W.  Cuinniings,  M.     Edson  II.  Patch 
Ja8.  T.Woodbury,  Clk       Elias  A.  15ryant 
Daniel  B.  TolMe 

1893. 

Geo.W.  Cummings,  M.     p]lias  A.  Bryant 
Jas.  T.Woodbury,  Clk       Charles  A.  Patch 
George  R.  Smith 
1894. 

Geo.W.  Cummings,  M.     Elias  A.  Bryant 
Jas.  T.Woodlniry,  Clk      (xeorge  11.  Smith 
John  M.  Morse 


REPRESENTATIVES. 


Martin  L.  Colburn 


James  T.  Woodbury 


James  T.  Woodbury 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

CUSTOIMS    AND    HAP.ITS    OF    Till-:    OLDEN    TIME. 

As  noted  on  another  page,  Francestovvn  was  settled  b}-  two 
different  races  of  people — the  Scotch  and  English.  Near  a 
half  centur}^  earlier  the  latter  had  opposed  the  Scotch  settlers 
in  New  England,  and  in  some  })laces  had  snbjected  them  to 
considerable  persecntion.  Bnt  at  the  date  of  the  settlement 
of  this  town  the  Scotch  had  become  so  well  known  and  so 
mncli  respected  that  the  two  races  lived  together  in  complete 
peace.  Yet,  each  race  had  its  peculiar  customs,  and  all  are 
delightful  now  to  look  back  nj^on.  The  Scotch  were  the  first 
settlers  of  this  town,  and  for  many  years  were  in  the  large 
majority.  The}"  were  people  very  decided  in  everything  :  but 
especially  in  their  religious  convictions.  All  of  them,  without 
exception,  could  read  and  write,  and  all,  both  young  and  old, 
were  constant  readers  of  the  Bible.  They  listened  to  the 
preacher,  Bi1)le  in  hand,  and  were  (piick  to  discern  and  censure 
anything  that  was  not  according  to  tlie  Book.  Every  family 
.  must  have  its  morning  and  evening  worship  at  home,  like  that 
of  which  Burns  gives  a  beautiful  picture  in  "-The  Cotter's 
Saturday  Night."  They  kept  the  Sabbath  with  great  strictness, 
beginning  Saturday  night  at  sunset.  No  work  of  any  kind 
was  allowed  except  in  cases  of  most  urgent  necessity;  and  no 
travel  whatever  except  to  go  to  the  House  of  God  for  worship, 
save  that  in  cases  of  special  urgency  or  danger  the  doctor  might 
visit  his  patients. 

As  soon  as  there  was  a  meeting  in  town,  it  was  the  custom 
for  all  the  family  to  attend,  traveling  on  foot,  and  in  the  sum- 
mer without  shoes.  The  aged  and  feeble,  and  the  mother  with 
babe  in  her  arms,  came  on  horseback,  sometimes  three  besides 
the  babe  riding  on  the  same  horse.  Young  ladies  came  to 
church  barefoot  when  there  was  no  snow,  and  thought  nothing 


LONG    SERMONS.  349 

of  a  walk  of  tliree  or  four  miles  for  this  purpose.  In  later  days, 
when  they  became  a  little  more  stylish,  they  carried  their  stout, 
calf-skin  shoes  in  their  hands,  and  put  them  on  just  before 
entering  the  church.  They  had  no  cushioned  seats,  and  no 
short  sermons.  Their  worship  liad  no  characteristics  of  modern 
ease  and  comfort.  It  was  their  custom  to  worship  all  day,  a 
two-hour  sermon  in  the  morning  and  a  two-hour  sermon  in  the 
afternoon,  with  prayers  and  other  exercises  of  corresponding 
length.  Mr.  Bradford  was  noted  specially  for  long  sermons, 
often  extending  beyond  tlie  two  hours.  In  the  later  years  of 
his  ministry  a  clock  was  i)ut  into  the  church,  marked  with  the 
initials,  D.  L.  P.  At  one  time  Mr.  Bradford  asked  his  hired 
man  what  those  letters  meant.  He  replied  that  lie  did  not 
know,  but  he  guessed  it  was  "D'd  Long  Preaching!" 

In  those  times  they  concluded  that  the  Sabbath  was  '^The 
Lord's  Day,"  and  they  would  s[)eiid  it  all  for  him.  The  ohl 
people  used  to  say  that  ''they  got  up  early  on  Sabba'  Day,"  and 
those  certainly  had  to,  who  lived  in  remote  parts  of  the  town. 
The  Scotch  were  particular  about  "catechising"  their  children  ; 
and  in  some  places  they  had  all  under  twenty-one  years  of  age 
meet  at  nine  o'clock  Sabbath  morning  to  recite  the  "Catechism" 
an  hour  before  the  regular  service.  In  subsequent  years  the 
"Catechism"  was  tauglit  in  the  common  schools,  a  part  of 
Saturday  being  used  for  that  purpose.  The  children  were  uni- 
versally taken  to  church.  Mothers  with  babes  in  their  arms 
were  in  the  House  of  God  every  Sabbath,  and  nobody  thought  of 
it  as  noticeable  or  strange.  As  all  had  large  families,  a  neigh- 
borhood meeting  was  made  up  of  a  few  parents  and  a  crowd  of 
children.  It  had  long  been  the  custom  to  put  children  from 
about  four  to  fourteen  years  of  age,  in  large  box-pews  by  them- 
selves, and  assign  a  "tithing-man"  to  keep  them  quiet  during 
the  long  sermon.  This  custom  it  seems  had  begun  to  change 
before  the  close  of  the  last  century;  and  probably  was  never 
very  strictly  carried  out  in  Francestown  after  the  settlement  of 
Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  except  in  cases  of  unruly,  or  of  orphan 
children.  But  there  was  here  considerable  enforced  order  (or 
disorder)  at  church,  on  account  of  ti thing-men,  dog-pelters, 
children,  and  thick  boots  and  cow-hide  shoes  slamming  on  the 
uncarpeted  floor!      But  some  blustering,  officious  tithingmen, 


350  SEATING    PEIISONS    AT    CHURCH. 

like  certain  sclinol-toacliei'H  I  have  liad  to  deal  with,  made  a 
great  deal  of  noise  in  keeping  people  still,  and  nuicli  confnsion 
in  preserving  order.  Sometimes  a  brawling  or  frightened  child 
would  have  its  yell  out  in  spite  of  these  fearful  officials,  and 
much  to  the  detraction  of  their  dignity.  Instances  are  given 
of  tithing-men  who  were  overbearing  and  not  a  little  cruel  and 
hard;  which  led  in  later  years  to  the  a})pointment  of  the  most 
judicious  men  to  this  trust.  Many  curious  incidents  might  be 
given  from  the  experiences  of  these"  officers;  but  one,  happen- 
ing elsewhere,  will  not  wound  any  sensitive  person  if  given 
here.      A  certain  tithing-man  having 

"been  chose  to  wake  ye  sleepers  in  mec'tinir,  must  need  have  afoxtaile 
tixed  to  ye  end  of  a  long  staff  wherewith  he  may  brusli  the  faces  of 
them  y*  will  have  naps  in  time  of  discovu'se;  likewise  a  sharp  thorn 
wherewith  he  may  i)riek  such  as  he  moste  sounde.  On  ye  last  Lord  his 
day,  as  he  strutted  about  ye  meeting-house,  he  did  spy  a  farmer  sleep- 
ing with  much  comforte,  his  head  kept  steady  l)y  being  in  ye  corner, 
and  his  hand  grasjnng  the  rail.  And  soe  spying,  he  did  (|uieklie  thrust 
his  staff  along  the  rail  and  give  him  a  grievous  prick  upon  ye  hand. 
Whereupon  the  farmer  did  spring  up})  much  above  ye  tloor,  and  with  a 
terrible  force  strike  his  hand  against  ye  wall,  and  also  to  ye  great 
wonder  of  all,  prophainlie  exclaim,  in  a  loud  voice,  'Cuss  the  wood- 
chuck,'  he  dreaming,  as  it  seemed,  y'  the  woodchuck  had  bit  him" 

It  is  to  be  feared  that  many  people  nowadays  "have  naps  in 
time  of  discourse,"  and  dream  of  woodcluicks,  and  many  other 
things,  and  sleep  "moste  sounde;"  but  alas!  now  we  have  no 
man  among  us  who  has  "bin  chose  to  wake  ye  sleepers ! " 

The  people  of  ye  olden  time  manifested  considerable  j)i'ide, 
as  to  their  place  in  the  meeting  house.  Front  seats  were 
highest  in  I'ank.  Women  were  generally  seated  separate  from 
the  men.  If  a  man  was  known  to  be  in  debt,  it  took  off  much 
from  the  "degrees"  of  his  "dignity"  at  church.  Persons  of  no 
special  standing  in  the  community  were  expected  to  take  back 
seats.  There  was  the  pauper  pew  and  there  was  the  negro  pew. 
If  any  question  arose  concerning  supersedure  or  rank  in  the 
House  of  the  Lord,  the  selectmen  of  the  town  were  accustomed 
to  decide  it.  In  some  places  the  selectmen  were  instructed  to 
seat  the  people  in  the  order  of  their  "dignity."  As  late  as 
1794  this  town  ajipointed  at  the  Marcli  meeting  a  special  com- 
mittee for  the  (xallery  to  "see  that  Every  one  takes  thare  Seats 


OLD    TIME    PLEASURES.  351 

properly. "  But  all  these  distinctions  and  rules  have  long  since 
passed  away.  In  this  and  other  newer  towns  they  were  never 
very  rio-idly  carried  out,  though  traces  of  them  remain  in  the 
''paupers'  seat,"  and  in  the  fact  that  in  most  churches,  to  this 
day,  the  best-dressed  stranger  is  shown  to  the  best  seat ! 

The  social  habits  of  the  first  generations  of  the  town  were 
far  different  from  those  now  in  vogue.  Tliey  had  no  news- 
papers and  few  b(X)ks,  and  seldom  met  except  on  the  Sabbath; 
but  they  were  more  "chatty"  and  "neighborly"  than  now. 
Hard  work  did  not  take  the  fun  and  cheer  out  of  them.  They 
were  full  of  jokes  and  quick  at  repartee.  They  had  their 
"•log-rollings,"  and  their  "burnings,"  and  their  "huskings," 
and  their  "spimiing-bees,"  and  their  "reaping-bees,"  and  their 
"ap|)le-pearing-bees,"  and  many  more.  They  had  no  })ianos 
and  no  organs,  but  fife  and  drum  and  bagpipe  and  violin  made 
lively  music  for  mai'ch  or  dance,  and  tradition  hints  that  some 
of  the  log-cabins,  and  in  later  days  the  large,  old-fashioned 
kitchens,  showed  many  gay  scenes  of  laughing  faces  and 
"flying-feet."  The  daiico,  however,  was  never  very  common 
in  this  town,  except  in  the  kitchen  at  liome;  and  even  this 
was  foi'bidden  in  many  families.  Mr.  Bradford  is  reported  as 
having  "preached  that  it  was  a  sin  to  dance,"  and  the  better 
class  of  people  gradually  set  themselves  against  it.  On  one 
occasion  the  young  people  of  the  neighborhood,  to  the  number 
of  about  fifty,  had  assembled  in  the  northeast  })art  of  the  town, 
in  a  large,  old-fashioned  house,  and  begun  to  dance,  when  the 
pious  grandmother  came  out  ot"  her  room  with  her  broom  in 
hand  and  said,  "Ye  are  all  going  to  the  devil !"  And  when 
the  grandfather  followed  her  and  said,  "Let  the  young  folks 
have  a  frolic,"  she  promptly  a.dded,  "You  are  going  to  the 
devil,  too,"  and  then,  l)y  vigorous  blows  with  that  distin- 
guished houseliold  utensil,  she  "broomed  them  all  out!"  Who 
will  say  that  "Woman's  Rights"  is  a  new  thing  under  the  sun? 

"In  ye  olden  time"  the  young  men  and  fathers  had  for 
entertainments  certain  rough  and  severe  exercises  which  would 
be  considered  as  intolerable  hai-dships  now.  The  "chopping- 
bee,"  for  example,  was  to  them  a  great  delight.  This  was 
the  gathering  of  from  thirty  to  fifty  men  to  fell  the  trees  on 
certain  tracts  of  land.     They  put  themselves  under  one  leader, 


352  CHOPPING    BEES. 

and  worked  like  giants.  The  constant  l)lows  of  the  axe,  the 
crash  of  falling-  trees,  tlie  langhter  and  shouts  of  all  tlie  com- 
pany, the  rivalry  of  ambitious  choppers,  and  the  fierce  calls  of 
the  leader,  all  contributed  to  a  scene  of  wild  and  excited  plea- 
sure, immensely  enjoyed  by  those  tireless  and  athletic  men  ! 
With  the  rivalry  and  spur  of  each  otliers'  company,  the  popular 
excitement,  and  a  fair  sup})ly  of  rum,  they  accomplished  almost 
incredible  tasks,  and  reckoned  it  as  an  amusement! 

Sometimes,  under  strict  orders,  they  would  begin  on  one 
side  of  a  lot  and  cut  all  the  trees  nearly  off,  but  leave  them 
standing,  and  wdien  all  was  ready,  at  a  signal  they  would  start 
those  on  one  side  and  let  the  old,  towering,  ponderous,  crowded 
trees  of  the  whole  tract  go  down  at  once!  The  thunder  of  the 
crash  was  louder  than  the  roar  of  battle,  and  could  be  heard  far 
away  in  other  towns.  The  air  was  full  of  flying  limbs  and 
leaves  and  dust  and  screaming  birds!  And  this  was  accom- 
panied by  the  shouts  of  men  and  boys,  from  far  and  near, 
assembled  to  behold  the  startling  scene  I  But  it  was  a  danger- 
ous and  difticult  feat.  If  any  wind  should  arise,  or  if  any  tree 
was  cut  too  near  off  so  as  to  go  down  before  the  signal,  the 
risk  was  great.  Several  lives  were  lost  in  this  way  in  neigh- 
boring towns.  But  the  advantage  of  a  "clean  fall,"  and  the 
excitement  of  the  last  scene,  were  so  great,  that  occasionally 
the  })lan  was  tried. 

After  the  trees  on  any  tract  had  been  down  about  six  months, 
it  was  the  custom  to  "burn  over  the  lot,"  and  generally,  from 
the  vast  amount  of  material  accumulated  on  the  soil,  the  fires 
were  fierce  and  long  continued,  and  the  ashes  left  were  suf- 
ficient for  enrichment  for  years.  But  after  the  best  "burn" 
the  huge  trunks  of  trees  were  always  left,  and  it  was  a  vast 
undertaking  to  remove  them.  Oft  times  for  this  purpose  they 
had  what  they  called  "piling-bees,"  just  for  a  little  innocent 
pleasure.  This  was  the  hardest,  blackest,  dirtiest  kind  of 
work,  and  had  to  be  done  chiefly  by  hand.  But  thirty  or  forty 
men  and  l)oys  would  go  at  it  with  shouts  of  laughter,  and  toss 
the  huge,  charred  logs  over  the  rocks  like  playthings!  They 
made  piles  of  logs  thick  as  hay-cocks  in  a  field,  and  some  of 
them  of  enormous  size,  as  the  old  growth  on  an  acre  was 
immense.      Then,  black  and  dirty  as  possible,   they  "treated," 


FEMALE    AMUSEMENTS.  353 

and  "cheered,"  and  went  home.  It  was  a  peculiar  kind  of 
"aniusement,"  and  it  would  not  have  many  charms  for  young 
men  of  the  present  day! 

Of  a  milder,  yet  heroic,  type  were  the  entertainments  of  the 
other  sex  in  those  days.  J'l'ey  were  a  jollier,  hap[)ier  set  than 
the  sickly,  pining  women  of  the  present  day,  though  even  their 
pleasures  would  be  counted  pain  by  their  grand-daughters. 
Apple-parings,  quiltings,  carding-bees  and  spinning-bees,  were 
among  their  chief  social  })leasures.  They  took  turns  irom  house 
to  house,  or  all  went  together  to  help  any  that  were  sick.  The 
good  mother  would  take  her  baby  undei"  one  arm  and  her  flax- 
wheel  and  flax  under  the  other,  and  walk  a  mile  or  two  to  her 
neighbor's  on  a  day  agreed  upon.  They  would  do  all  the  work 
up  at  home,  and  get  together  soon  after  sunrise.  Then  a  dozen 
or  twenty  would  set  their  wheels  buzzing  at  once,  and  above 
the  noise  of  their  wheels  their  ringing  voices  kept  chat  and 
laughter  rolling  all  the  day !  What  pleasure  it  was !  What  a 
work  they  accomplished!  Twenty  babies  and  twenty  llax- 
wheels!  Then  about  sunset  each  would  take  baby  and  wheel, 
walk  back  home,  get  su[)per  for  a  large  family,  patch  the  child- 
rens'  clothes,  and  go  to  bed  thankful  for  such  a  hapi)y  day ! 

In  those  times  all  that  the  people  wore  was  made  in  their 
own  houses.  Not  a  ynvd  of  anything  else  was  to  be  fouiul  in 
the  town,  except  in  rare  instances  one  might  have  a  silk  hand- 
kerchief, or  in  later  days  a  silk  dress.  Of  course  all  the  girls 
were  brought  u})  to  card  and  knit  and  spin  and  weave.  Every 
house  had  its  flax-wheel  and  s|)inning  wheel  and  loom.  Many 
girls  were  good  spinners  at  ten  years  of  age,  and  some  at  twelve 
would  spin  a  "-hank  a  day."  A  "-hank,"  or  three  "skeins,"  was"' 
however  considered  a  fair  day's  work  for  an  experienced  woman. 
Girls  "went  out  spijuiing"  at  hfty  cents  per  week,  or  eight  and 
one-third  cents  per  day,  with  board.  The  very  smartest  could 
make  only  one  dollar  per  week,  i.  e.  by  doing  a  double  day's 
work.  Every  family  raised  a  "patch  of  flax,"  and  every  family 
had  a  few  sheep.  Hence  they  made  all  sorts  of  flannels  and 
linens,  and  were  accustomed  to  walk  to  New  Bostonor  Amherst 
to  sell  them,  and  back  the  same  day,  a  half-dozen  together,  as  a 
mere  pleasure-walk ! 


354  HOiSIE-INrADE    ("LOTH. 

The  maiden  iiKinufiietured  her  oww  "outiit"  in  those  days: 
and  it  \A'as  a  fair  test  of  her  skill  and  lier  ''savino-;"  and  her 
"intended,"  as  they  used  to  call  the  rustic  lover,  was  given 
ample  chance  to  judge  of  hei'Avork  beforehand.  Perhaps  some- 
times the  work  made  sale  for  the  worker.  C'ertaiidy  the  more 
skilful  were  proud  to  show  what  tliey  had  made.  ,And  general- 
ly the  exhibit  was  very  honorable.  Many  beautiful  things  were 
made  all  by  hand.  They  did  not  und)roider  towels  then,  but 
they  toiiw  them  in  chainiing  ligures;  iiov.here  in  the  world  ex- 
celled even  to  this  day.  r)laid<ets  and  tal)le-eloths  were  all 
home-made,  and  were  specially  noticed  as  tests  of  the  woman's 
skill.  I'^veiy  girl  knew  how  to  do  every  })art — to  card  and 
s[)in  and  weave  and  color  and  wai'p.  They  wove  lin(;n  in  raised 
ligu]-es  of  staiidess  white,  and  thev  mingled  coloi'S  and  textures 
in  many  beautiful  fornrs,  which  seem  truly  marvelous,  in  view 
of  their  simple  means.  All  done  \\\\\\  a  hand-loom,  in  a  log- 
caliin  I 

The  women  wore  a  ])lain  linen  di'css  in  the  su7iimer,  and  a 
plain  woolen  di-ess  in  tlie  winter,  both  woven  and  made  up  at 
home.  E  leh  woman  colored  her  own  dress  to  suit  her  own 
taste.  In  later  days,  but  before  the  era  of  eotton  mills,  they 
bTUglit  "raw  cotton"'  and  spun  it  by  hand,  which  they  used 
ioy  ''filling,"  and,  with  linen  "warp,"  made  a  cheaper  and 
excellent  cloth  for  eommon  wear  for  both  sexes.  With  linen 
"warp,"  and  a  coarse,  "'slack-twisted"  cotton  "filling,"  they 
manufactured  cloth  which  they  took  to  the  fulling  mill,  where 
it  was  dyed,  a  "nap"  \A'as  raised  on  it,  and  it  was  "pressed" — 
after  which  it  was  called  "Fustian,"  though  very  different 
from  anything  now  known  by  that  name.  It  was  considered 
"very  pretty,"  and  wore  like  iron.  All-wool  cloth  was  "fulled," 
and  dyed,  and  "carded"  to  make  a  "na|)"  on  it,  and  pressed, 
to  be  used  by  men  for  their  best  wear.  The  first  "black  coat" 
the  writer  ever  had  was  woven  by  his  mother  and  [)repared  in 
this  way.  And  I  helped  "spool"  the  "quills"  for  it,  and  we 
all  thought  it  was  very  fine  I  The  men  wore  for  connnon  use 
what  used  to  be  known  as  "striped  cloth,"  blue  and  white, 
and  all  home-made.  The  warp  was  generally  all  white,  but 
the  "filling"  was  first  a  "quill"  of  white  and  then  a  "quill" 
of  blue,  making  stripes  about  an  eighth  of  an  inch  wide.     And 


^^Tow   shirts"  and  '•'•LEGGINS."  355 

sometimes  tlie  stripers  were  [)ut  into  the  warp.  This  cloth 
was  waim  ami  good  to  ^\'ear,  and  was  the  common  material  for 
pants,  "spencers,"  and  frocks.  Tliis  was  nniversally  worn  by 
males  when  the  writer  was  a  l)()y.  He  used  to  wear  a  "striped 
frock"  to  school,  and  did  not  think  of  having  anything-  iiicer. 
Generally,  the  men,  especially  the  Scotch,  wore  tow  shirts  in 
summer — a  cloth  made  out  of  the  coarser,  poorer,  cheaper  part 
of  the  flax,  while  mo.^t  of  the  "fine  linen"  was  sold.  This  tow 
cloth  would  wear  for  years,  was  clean  ami  healthy,  but  very 
rough  to  the  skin.  At  rough  work  the  men  also  wore  leather 
aprons,  which,  like  all  the  rest,  were  made  at  home.  The 
"best"  suit  of  clothes,  both  for  men  and  women,  lasted  for 
years.  Things  wei'e  never  made  over  to  conform  to  new 
fashions.  Old  and  young,  men  and  women,  all  went  "bare- 
foot" at  iiome.  A  pail"  of  boots  would  last  a  man  from  six  to 
ten  years,  as  lie  oidy  wore  tlicm  Sabbatli  days  and  on  special 
occasions,  going  barefoot  all  summer  and  wearing  shoes  in  the 
winter.  The  writer  can  renuuuber  seeing  men  barefoot  on  the 
road  when  the  ground  was  frozen.  They  wore  "leggins"  to 
keep  the  snow  out  of  their  shoes.  These  were  sometimes  knit 
or  neatly  made,  but  were  often  oidy  old  waste  pieces  of  cloth, 
and  in  all  cases  were  tied  Avith  stiings  around  the  ankles  and 
over  the  mouih  of  the  shoe.  These  were  comfortable,  though 
making  a  clumsy  and  l)ungling  appearance.  Moveover,  what 
boots  and  shoes  the}'  did  have  were  made  at  home.  They 
carried  hides  to  the  nearest  tannery  to  be  tanned  and  retui'ued, 
every  family  in  town  having  its  own  tanning  done.  Then  a 
shoemaker  went  from  house  to  house,  making  and  repairing 
for  the  year.  Mau}^  of  the  people  learned  to  repair  shoes  for 
themselves.  A  cobbler's  shop  was  an  unheard-of  thing  in  th6 
first  half-centur}'  of  this  town.  Old  people  can  remember  the 
rude  "shoemaker's  bencli"  which  stood  in  some  of  the  kitchens 
for  use  in  occasional  repairs. 

Tailors  or  tailoresses  (more  generally  the  latter)  went  from 
house  to  house  to  do  the  cutting  and  making  when  required, 
working  for  about  twenty-five  cents  a  day  and  board,  with 
long  days,  hei/innmr/  work  at  sunrise.  When  Francestown  was 
at  her  most  prosperous  period,  there  were  several  such   "seam- 


356  HEATING    AND    COOKING. 

stresses,"  and  tliey  wei'e  accnstonied  to  stay  about  tAvo  "sVeeks 
each  year  with  each  of  the  well-to-do  i'ainilies,  "clotliing  them 
up." 

The  methods  of  heatinn-  and  C(^oking  in  the  eai'ly  days  of 
this  town  were  of  tlie  simplest  kind.  'J'he  loo-cal)in  was  gen- 
erally l)uilt  against  a  huge  rock,  which  answered  for  a  "fire- 
back,"  and  then  a  rude  chimney  was  bnilt.  of  stones  laid  in 
clay.  This  chimney  was  low,  but  very  wide  and  large ;  and 
they  ke})t  a  hot  hre  a,nd  an  immense"  bed  of  coals  glowing  all 
the  time  from  antnmn  lound  to  spring.  The  log-cabins  were 
far  from  tight,  having  many  places  for  wind  and  snow  to  blow 
in,  and  the  people  nnist  have  })erishe(l  but  for  the  huge  fires. 
The  lire  was  never  allowed  to  "get  low."  If  a  family  moved 
out,  they  were  expected  to  leave  a  rousing  fire  and  bushels  of 
glowing  coals  for  the  family  moving  in.  Wood  was  plenty 
and  almost  at  their  doors,  and  the  more  they  could  burn,  the 
better.  They  began  with  a  big  "back-log"  in  the  morning, 
six  or  eio-ht  feet  Ioup-  and  as  large  as,  a  man  could  roll  in. 
Then  they  piled  before  it  and  upon  it  as  much  smaller  wood 
as  possible,  and  so  started  in  for  the  day.  It  was  a  most  cheer- 
ful fire,  which  it  would  do  our  modern  hearts  good  to  see.  In 
the  coldest  days  they  drew  closer  to  the  blaze,  and  warming 
one  side  would  turn  the  other,  and  thus  take  advantage  of  the 
fire.  In  the  earlier  cabins,  notches  were  left  on  the  top  of  the 
"chimney-rock,"  or  in  the  sides  of  the  chimney,  about  four 
feet  above  the  fire,  and  a  stick  of  green  wood,  called  the  "lug- 
pole,"  was  put  in  these  notches,  thus  reaching  across  over  the 
blaze.  If  in  time  it  became  dry  and  caught  on  fire  and  burned 
off,  it  was  easily  replaced  by  another.  On  this  "lug-pole" 
they  put  iron  hoops,  and  on  these  hoops  they  hung  iroai  hooks 
of  various  lengths,  on  wdiich  their  pots  and  kettles  were  sus- 
pended over  and  close  to  the  fire.  Then  the  kettles  were 
lifted  off  with  a  wooden  lever  five  or  six  feet  long,  it  requiring 
no  little  strength  to  handle  them  in  this  way.  In  later  days, 
when  they  became  able  to  build  solid  and  substantial  chim- 
neys, they  had  a  huge  iron  crane,  from  five  to  eight  feet  in 
length,  hung  on  the  side  of  the  chimney,  so  as  to  reach  over 
the  fire,  but  swing  out  into  the  room."  This  was  cunsidered  a 
great  improvement.     It  brought  untold  relief  to  the  Aveary  and 


"FIKE-CAKES"    AND    ROASTS.  367 

heated  house-wife.  Slie  could  uova^  swing  off  her  kettles  from 
the  fire,  and  examine  and  replenish  them,  and  swing  them 
back,  without  the  labor  of  lifting  them  on  the  end  of  a  lever  I 

Stoves  were  then  unheard  of,  and  likewise  all  modern  culi- 
nary conveniences.  Cooking  was  all  done  over  the  open  tire, 
summer  and  winter.  Potatoes  if  they  were  so  fortunate  as  to 
have  any,  were  roasted  in  the  coals.  Bread  of  every  kind  was 
baked  before  the  fire,  the  dough  being  spj'cad  thin  upon  a  maple 
board  hewn  out  with  an  axe.  When  one  side  \\as  browned,  it 
was  deftly  turned  to  bring  the  other  side  to  the  tire.  Sub- 
sequently the  good  wife  was  provided  with  a  broad  '■'•tin,"  as  it 
was  called,  which  was  set  up  close  to  the  fire,  witli  a  small  stone 
or  stick  of  wood  behind  it.  The  writer  can  remend>er  wheat 
cakes  baked  this  way.  aiul  also  the  "Indian  I^annock,"  made 
generally  of  only  Indian  meal  and  water.  And  with  all  respect 
to  the  achievements  of  modern  cooking,  I  believe  I  have  never 
found  anything  so  exquisitely  delicious  as  the  "tire-cakes"  and 
the  roasted  potatoes  just  out  of  the  ashes!  And  their  methods 
of  cooking  meats,  though  laborious,  certainly  gave  them  a  better 
flavor  than  they  have  now.  Tlie  coon,  the  goose,  the  wild 
turkey,  the  pig,  the  quarter  of  bear  or  heifer,  were  hung  before 
the  fire  by  a  stout  cord  fastened  to  a  hook  in  the  chimney 
above;  and  then  a  child,  or  the  old  grandmother,  with  a  long 
stick  kept  the  roast  revolving,  and  when  the  cord  was  slowly 
twisted  hard,  it  would  slowly  unwind  itself,  so  that  every  part 
was  perfectly  cooked,  and  had  a  rare  sweetness  that  modern 
palates  never  knew.  A  "Dripping-Pan"  was  placed  beneath, 
to  save  all  the  juices.  This  was  the  old  hard  way,  but  oh  ! 
the  sweetness,  the  relish  I  How  we  would  like  the  old  way 
again,  at  least  for  a  day ! 

When  the  settlers  became'  able  to  replace  their  log  cabins 
with  framed  houses,  and  had  brick  chimneys,  they  built  large 
brick  ovens,  some  of  which  remain  in  the  older  buildings  to  the 
present  day.  The  brick  oven  was  another  blessed  improvement 
for  the  house- wife.  Yet  it  took  a  large  amount  of  wood  and  a 
long  time  to  heat  it.  The  woman  could  not  make  any  hasty 
use  of  it  for  company.  Usually  it  required  a  hot  roaring  hre  about 
three  hours  to  heat  it  well ;  and  then  it  was  ready  for  the  great 
baking  of  bread,  beans,  pies,  and  all  things  desirable.     It  was 


358  COOKINii    STOVES    AND    FOOT    STOVKS. 

tlie  custom  to  '^lieat  the  oven"  oiice  a  week.  Tlie  old  "•fire- 
shovel,"  having  a  flat  thin  iron  blade  about  ten  inches  square 
and  an  iron  handle  four  feet  long,  was  used  to  slide  the  articles 
into  the  oven,  and  draw  them  out  at  the  ])roper  time.  The 
nimble  hand  would  take  an  unl»aked  pumpkin  pie  full  to  the 
brim  and  slide  it  to  the  farthest  side  on  the  end  of  the  shovel 
without  s})illing-  a  drop! 

Aftei'  a  time  the  "-tin  baker"  was  invented,  it  being  a  sort 
of  hand  ov^en  to  set  up  before  ihe  ihv.  It  was  |)laced  on  legs 
about  si\  inches  above  the  hciarth,  was  closed  l)ehind,  and 
opened  like  a  tunnel  toward  the  lieat,  was  light,  was  made  of 
tin  and  ke|)t  scoured  and  shining,  and  it  did  sinne  excellent 
cooking.  It  was  a  (piick  way  to  cook,  answering  a  fine  pur- 
pose in  any  sudden  call.  It  was  generally  introduced  in  this 
section  about  1840,  tliough  known  and  used  beloj-e.  I  remem- 
ber the  first  one  brought  to  my  fathei's  house,  how  it  aston- 
ished us,  and  how  g]'eat  an  invention  it  was  declared  to  be. 
But  it  was  soon  superseded  by  the  cooking  stove.  Stoves  had 
long  been  in  use  more  or  less  for  heating  purposes.  As  early 
as  1815  an  article  was  in  our  town  warrant  to  "purchase  stoves 
for  the  meeting-house."  It  wa-^,  however,  many  years  before 
they  were  used  for  cooking.  The  first  cooking-stove  the 
writer  ever  saw  appeared  about  18-13,  being  a  rude  affair  as 
compared  with  the  elegant  ranges  of  the  present  day.  There 
was  great  })rejudice  against  them,  and  even  fear  of  them,  and 
they  gained  very  slowly  their  way  to  popular  favor,  not  being 
in  general  use  in  this  vicinity  much  before  1850.  At  first 
they  were  set  up  beside  the  old  fire-place,  and  both  were  kept 
running  at  the  same  time,  wood  being  so  plenty  that  they  cared 
not  liow  much  they  burned.  It  seems  strange  when  they  had 
such  rousing  fires  at  home,  that  they  got  along  so  many  years 
without  warming  the  church.  Then  the  minister  in  winter 
was  accustomed  to  preach  with  his  mittens  on  and  his  stout 
overcoat  (•^surtout")  buttoned  tight  about  him,  while  the  list- 
eners bundled  themselves  up  in  everyway  to  keep  warm,  having 
small  resemblance  to  the  sleek-garbed  audiences  of  the  present 
day.  The  mothers  and  older  women  were  somewhat  helped 
through  tlie  long  services  by  the  '^foot-stove,"  when  they  could 
afford  to  have  one.     This  was  a  tin  box  about  ten  inches  square 


THE    OPEN    FIRE.  859 

and  eiglit  iiielies  in  height,  set  in  a  light  wooden  frame,  and 
liaving  a  bail  to  cany  it  by  as  one  would  cany  a  pail.  In  one 
side  of  the  box  was  a  door  through  which  they  would  slide  in 
a  small  tin  box  holding  three  or  four  quarts  of  glowing  coals, 
and  when  the  (h)or  was  shut  tlie  heat  was  retained  for  a  con- 
siderable time.  Sabbath  noons  these  were  replenislied  fi'om  the 
nearest  house,  or  from  the  "noon-house."  The}^  were  considered 
a  great  luxury. 

The  facilities  for  lighting  their  houses  were  of  the  simplest 
and  most  limited  kind  in  the  olden  times,  consisting  chiefly  of 
the  old  o]jen  fire  alone.  Few  could  afford  to  use  candles. 
Lamps  were  rare,  and  poor  inconveinent  tilings  at  b(\st.  Pine 
toi'ches  were  used  to  carry  about.  Oliver  Butterfield  said  that 
in  his  day  they  took  "pitch  pine  splits  to  light  them  down 
cellar.'"  A  pine  knot,  or  a  I'oll  of  birch  bark,  bunung  in  front 
of  the  "■fore-stick"  made  the  only  light  for  the  girls  to  spin  by, 
or  tlie  boys  to  read  by.  Man}'  of  us  now  living  can  remend)er 
getting  our  lessons  in  the  chimney  corner  ly  the  blaze  of  a})ine 
knot.  The  men  and  boys  of  Francestown  were  accustomed  to 
go  about  twice  a  year  to  the  "J*itcli-pine  Plain  in  (ireeniiekr' 
for  a  supply  of  "pine  knots"  and  "splits;"  and  even  these  were 
sparingly  used.  Subsequently  lamps  were  invented  which 
would  "l)urn  any  kind  of  grease"'  and  these  were  counted  a 
"great  blessing,"  and  were  universally  used.  But  they  were 
dirty  and  dim,  and  oft  had  offensive  odors,  and  were  so  poor 
that  one  such  would  iu)t  now  be  tolerated  for  an  evening. 
Some  improvements  Avere  made  fr<un  time  to  time,  though  the 
common  people  could  not  afford  them.  At  length  the  kerosene 
oil  lamps  came  into  vogue.  This  is  the  })Oor  man's  light,  being 
the  cheapest  as  well  as  the  best  liglit  known.  These  last  were 
introduced  into  New  Hampshire  about  1855.  I  bought  the 
first  of  the  kind  that  I  heard  of,  at  Dartmouth  College  January 
18.5^. 

It  was  the  early  custom  to  "keep  fire  in  the  family"  with  as 
much  care  as  they  kept  food.  Bushels  of  live  coals  were  "raked 
up"  at  night,  i.  e.  covered  up  with' ashes  a  foot  deep,  to  keep 
them  for  the  next  day.  In  the  morning  the  "Bed  of  coals"  was 
"opened,"  and  a  few  dry  chips  and  sticks,  preserved  for  the 
purpose  and  kept  standing  "in  the  Corner"  of  the  large  fire- 


360  THE    OPEN    FIRE. 

place,  were  laid  upon  tlie  coals,  and  then  wood  was  piled  above 
as  liigli  as  possible,  and  soon  a  "roaring  lire  was  a  going." 
They  burned  green  wood,  and  that  of  all  kinds  shapes  and 
sizes,  bringing  it  in  out  of  the  snow  and  never  housing  it, 
except  enough  for  one  day  ahead.  It  was  a  long  time  before 
people  thought  of  such  a  thing  as  cutting  a  year's  stock  of  wood 
ahead;  and  even  then  it  was  left  out-doors  the  year  rouiul.  If 
by  any  mistake  or  neglect,  the  fire  went  out 'in  any  liouse,  they 
would  go  to  a  neighbor's,  sometimes  a  mile  off,  to  '■'•get  some 
fire."  In  cold  weather  it  was  a  serious  thing  to  have  the  "fire 
run  out."  If  no  lire  could  l)e  had  from  neighl)ors,  then  they 
liad  to  resort  to  Hint,  steel  and  tinder,  to  start  it,  and  it  required 
much  skill  to  succeed  with  these.  Some  families  had  each  a 
"tinder-box," — a  nice  tight  little  box  containing  flint  and  steel, 
and  some  very  inflanunable  material  like  burnt  linen  or  tliin 
pitch-pine  shavings.  Then  by  skillfully  striking  fire  with  the 
flint,  the  shavings  would  catch  and  burn,  though  often  many 
trials  w^ere  necessary  to  succeed.  Sometimes  with  the  old 
flint-lock  gun  they  flashed  powder  to  set  wadding  or  tinder  on 
Are.  Friction  matches,  at  first  called  "lucifer  matches,"  were 
not  conuuon  in  this  vicinity  before  1835,  and  were  used  very 
sparirigly  for  many  years.  Only  a  few  families  thought  they 
could  afford  to  have  them.  Tlie  principle  of  starting  fire  by 
friction  with  })hosphorus  was  introduced  into  London  in  1680, 
but  the  friction  match  as  we  know  it,  was  invented  by  an 
English  chemist  in  1829,  and  soon  after  began  to  be  used  in 
this  country.  It  is  said  that  now  matches  are  used  at  the  rate 
of  about  seven  per  day  on  an  average  for  every  individual  in 
the  United  States.  Many  a  smoker  strikes  dozens  of  matches 
per  day  whereas  in  the  old  time  the  pipe  had  to  be  lighted  with 
a  burning  coal  or  the  end  of  a  stick  drawn  out  of  the  fire! 

Many  old  peo})le  can  remember  when  women  and  girls  worked 
in  the  field  at  all  sorts  of  work  done  by  men.  They  would  do 
up  their  house-work  and  often  then  "do  as  much  as  a  man"  in 
a  day, — shovel,  plant,  hoe,  reap,  split  wood  and  drive  the  team, 
with  aptness  and  energy  enough  to  put  their  male  competitors 
to  shame.  Women  always  "took  care  of  the  barn,"  more  or 
less,  and  were  skilful  at  it.  They  raised  their  own  flax,  took 
care  of  the  garden,  milked,  raked  hay,  held  the  plow,  and  chop- 


BEGINNING    POOR.  361 

ped  wood  at  the  door;  and  all  this  was  not  counted  strange, 
and  they  took  pride  in  it.  They  were  not  "tailor-made-girls," 
not  parlor  dolls,  but  strong  healthy,  fearless,  and  ambitious  to 
be  good  for  something.  , 

With  few  exceptions  the  settlers  of  this  town  began  poor,  as 
was  the  case  in  all  the  adjacejit  towns.  Those  who  had  plenty 
of  means  in  the  old  country  or  in  the  lower  towns,  were  not 
the  ones  to  strike  into  the  hardships  of  a  new  settlement. 
Many  who  came  here  ran  in  debt  for  a  lot  of  land  in  the  forest, 
cleared  a  spot,  put  up  a  cabin,  and  after  a  stiuggle  of  years, 
succeeded  in  paying  the  debt.  Some  began  without  a  dollar. 
Heroic  and  noble  girls  maiiied  and  went  with  their  young 
husbands  into  the  cabin  in  the  woods  to  begin  life,  having  no 
adornments  and  no  conveniences.  Cases  are  reported  where  the 
whole  outfit  of  the  couple  starting  for  their  forest  home  was  a 
small  bundle  of  sheets  and  quilts,  a  fry-kettle  and  an  axe! 
And  then  in  sjjare  time  they  hewed  out  wooden  plates,  split  a 
thin  piece  out  of  a  log  and  put  legs  into  it  for  a  table,  made 
wooden  bowls  and  wooden  spoons,  and  stools  to  sit  down  upon, 
and  thought  themselves  quite  well  furnished  I 

But  let  it  not  be  supposed  that  these  much-enduring  hearts 
were  without  happiness.  They  found  a  certain  wild  romantic 
delight  in  this  kind  of  a  life.  Healthy,  brave,  strong,  brought 
up  to  habits  of  endurance,  deeply  religious  and  full  of  hope, 
they  met  all  their  hardships  and  privations  joyously.  All  Avere 
poor  but  all  were  confident.  They  were  of  the  persevering 
kind,  and  they  worked  patiently  and  hard  and  continuously, 
year  after  year,  till  they  worked  themselves  out  of  debt,  built 
comfortable  homes  and  left  well-improved  farms  to  their 
children. 

Of  course  in  those  old  days  they  had  no  carpets  and  sofas 
and  pictures  and  easy  chairs!  Sweet  parlors  and  exquisite 
bric-a-brac  had  not  yet  visited  the  dreams  of  the  young  house- 
wife !  In  the  log  houses  there  was  no  "spare  room."  At  the 
present  day  there  is  not  a  dwelling  in  Francestown  without 
engravings,  or  floAvers,  or  some  efforts  at  ornamentation  even  if 
in  some  cases  chea})  and  small.  Now  the  piano,  or  organ,  may 
be  found  in  almost  every  house.  Now  the  neat  parlor,  stored 
with  keep-sakes,  choice  books  and  fancy  needle-work,  all  taste- 


362  DrtlNKING    CUSTOMS. 

fully  and  delicately  arranged,  is  the  joy  of  eVery  woman.  Not 
so  with  the  early  mothers  of  Francestown.  When  they  came 
to  be  able  to  have  a  "best-room,"  it  was  without  carpet,  or  paint, 
or  picture,  and  its  furniture  was  scanty  and  plain.  The  '■'best 
room"  always  contained  a  bed,  and  two  or  three  high,  straight- 
backed  basket-l)ottomed  chairs,  ami  a  "light-stand,"  and  that 
was  all.  And  that  was  considered  (juite  higli-toned  and  stylish ! 
We  have  not  space  for  all  that  might  be  said  concerning  the 
habits  and  customs  of  the  early  days  of  the  town,  })ut  must  add 
a  few  words  as  to  the  use  of  liquor.  For  more  than  three 
(piai'ters  of  a  century  after  tlie  settlement  of  Carson  it  was  the 
universal  custom  to  driidv  "spirit"  more  or  less,  both  with  the 
Scotch  and  English  parts  of  the  connnunity.  The  minister  was 
"treated"  at  every  house  wliere  he  called,  and  the  a])o]()gies  were 
most  profuse  and  liunil)le,  if  by  any  misealcultion  they  ]iap})ened 
to  be  out  of  rum  I  Sometimes,  in  cases  where  the  minister 
made  manj-  calls,  it  was  whispered  that  lie  arrived  home  at 
night  in  considerable  mental  confusion,  and  was  even  perplexed 
to  find  the  door  of  his  own  house!  They  condemned  drunken- 
ness, but  they  approved  of  diinking!  It  was  considered  a 
pleasant  and  proper  habit!  Women  took  their  diink  with  the 
rest,  thougli  generally  a  less  amount.  Many  now  living  can 
remember  when  it  was  the  "fashion"  for  all  to  drink.  It  was 
the  special  act  of  courtesy  to  a  guest.  And  long  after  "treat- 
ing" ceased  to  be  universal  it  was  thought  indispensable  on 
every  sjjecial  or  important  occasion  to  have  "spirit"  on  hand. 
If  a  neighbor  was  called  in  to  help  in  a  job  of  })lanting  or 
chopping  or  butcliering,  the  bottle  w'as  sure  to  be  })assed  round. 
I  remember  as  late  as  1845  that  among  the  best  of  people  rum 
was  distributed  to  hel})  in  the  field  in  haying-time,  and  almost 
nobody  thought  of  getting  hay  without  it.  This  history  shows 
on  another  page  that  when  the  meeting-house  was  raised,  and 
when  the  minister  was  installed,  rum  was  })rovided  free  by  the 
town.  In  the  day  of  our  grandfathers  a  guest  thought  himself 
misused  if  he  was  not  supplied  with  rum.  All  the  "trainings" 
and  "luiskings"  must  have  plenty  of  rum.  Store-keepers  gave 
a  glass  of  rum  to  those  who  traded  with  them,  and  a  store 
without  rum  was  a  thing  unknown.  Rum  or,  if  it  could  be 
afforded,  brandy,  or  gin,  was  freely  supplied  at  weddings  and 


GETTING    A    DRINK.  363 

fniierals,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  description  of  these  ceremonies 
on  a  later  page.  In  those  days  it  would  not  have  been  con- 
sidered so  extravagant  for  a  farmer  to  buy  a  barrel  of  rum  as 
to  buy  a  barrel  of  flour.  And  then  there  were  a  few  men  in 
every  town  too  poor  to  l)uy,  who  would  hang  round  the  stores 
and  taverns  to  get  a  "drink"  on  some  pretext  or  other.  One 
such  in  tliis  town  thought  himself  a  great  "speller"  and  sought 
0[)portunities  to  "spell  for  the  drink."  He  was  ignorant  enough, 
but  was  willing  to  expose  that  igiioi'ance  foi-  a  drink,  to  the 
amusement  of  lookers-on.  At  one  time,  amid  a  crowd  of  gig- 
gling men  and  boys,  a  stranger  promised  him  a  drink  if  he  would 
spell  a  certain  word.  The  word  was  "cocked-up-hat,"  and  when 
it  was  given  out  the  boys  laughed  and  the  speller  scratched  his 
head,  and  said  "That  is  an  awful  hard  word!"  But  just  then 
an  idea  struck  him  and  he  spelled  it  without  any  noticeable 
approach  to  correctness.  The  crowd  shouted  Avith  laughter 
saying,  "Not  right,"  "Not  right"  The  speller,  however,  accord- 
ing to  the  idea  that  struck  him,  replied,  "you  did  not  say,  if  I 
spelled  it  r/'</Iit,  but  if  I  spcl/cd  it,  I  should  have  the  drink!" 
Tliat  turned  the  laughter  onto  the  other  party,  and  the  poor 
clown  "got  his  drink!"  Such  were  a  small  class  of  hangers-on 
at  the  rum-shops,  even  Avithin  the  memory  of  the  living.  Those 
accustomed. to  their  drams  aiul  unable  longer  to  get  them,  were 
often  called  to  artful  games  and  strategies  "for  a  drink."  In 
1833  a  large  tall  man  in  the  south  part  of  the  town  dislocated 
his  shoulder  and  the  doctor  ordered  it  to  be  "bathed  in  spirit." 
An  intemperate  neighbor  heard  this  and  resolved  to  drink  at 
the  injured  man's  expense.  So  he  went  and  asked  for  "a  quart 
of  rum  as  quick  as  possible."  The  answer  was,  "'I  sent  him  a 
quart  yesterday — is  that  all  gone?"  But  the  thirsty  man 
replied,  "The  Doctor  says  he  is  so  tall  and  large  a  quart  a  daj^ 
is  not  enough!" 

Often  in  the  old  days  liquor  was  taken  at  meals,  and  was 
thought  to  be  important  to  stimulate  and  strengthen  the  system. 
It  is  said  that  Jonathan  Patch  went  to  reap  rye  for  Capt. 
Driscoll  and  they  all  had  for  dinner  simply  old-fashioned  hot 
hasty  Indian  pudding,  with  a  mixture  of  rum  and  molasses  for 
sauce  !      I  remember  hearing  an  old  man  say  about  1844,  "a  gal- 


364  MAKING    CIDER. 

Ion  of  rum  will  o-o  as  far  as  a  busliel  of  corn  in  my  family!" 
And  I  used  to  think  he  would  "-^o-o  as  far"  after  the  rum  as 
almost  anyone  I 

Especially  cider  came  to  be  used  at  the  table,  and  as  a 
"luncheon"  in  the  field.  Of  course  at  first  there  were  no 
orchards  and  it  was  a  long  time  before  cider  became  common. 
But  about  1790  to  1800  every  farmer  had  Ids  orchard  in  bear- 
ing condition,  and  the  chief  use  of  the  orchard  was  for  cider. 
The  plan  of  raising  ap})les  to  sell  had  not  been  tried,  and  grafted 
fruit  was  almost  unknown.  Almost  every  farmer  had  his 
"•cider-mill,"*  and  ke])t  it  in  use  most  of  the  fall,  for  "earl3^-cider" 
and  "late-cidei'."  I  remendjer  nine  of  these  mills  in  my  father's 
neighborhood,  though  some  of  them  were  in  a  state  of  decay. 
These  mills  were  very  rude  affairs.  They  consisted  of  two 
cuts  of  a  hard-wood  log  about  twenty-two  inches  in  diameter, 
and  about  two  feet  long,  set  u})iight  and  made  to  revolve  or 
roll  against  each  other,  cavities  being  morticed  into  one,  and 
projections  which  they  called  "nuts"  being  set  in  the  other  to 
fit  these  cavities,  and  draw  in  the  apples.  Tlie  apples  were 
poured  into  a  "hopper"  so  arranged  that  their  weight  would 
press  them  against  the  revolving  surfaces.  From  the  top  of 
one  of  these  vertical  rollers,  extended  a  wooden  crank  twenty 
feet  long,  ten  inches  square  at  the  wheel  and  tapering  to,  five, 
and  so  crooked  as  to  reach  nearly  to  the  ground  at  the  outer 
extremity.  To  this  small  end  a  horse  was  hitched,  and  sup- 
plied the  motive  power  V)y  walking  round  and  round  in  a  circle. 
It  required  a  man  and  two  small  boys  to  run  the  thing  to  advan- 
tage. One  small  bo}-  was  to  follow  the  horse  and  keep  him 
from  stopping,  and  the  other  was  to  "scrape  the  nuts,"  while 
the  man  "poured  in  the  apples,"  bringing  them  a  bushel  at  a 
time  upon  his  shoulder  and  dodging  under  the  "crank"  as  it 
swept  slowly  round.  The  mill  only  crushed  the  apple,  and 
generally  the  crushed  aj^ple  would  stick  to  the  nut  and  must 
be  scraped  off.  I  have  "scraped  the  nuts"  mau}^  a  day,  a  work 
not  difficult,  but  exceedingly  monotonous  for  a  small  boy.  Tlie 
grating  creaking  noise  of  the  cider-mill  coidd  be  heard  for  half 
a  mile.  The  process  was  slow,  a  cart-load  of  apples  going 
through  in  about  three  hours.  Then  the  "trough"  must  "stand 
over  night,"  and  then  it  was  put  into  a  "press"  and  the  juice 


PIKST    RAISING    WITHOUT    RUM.  365 

squeezed  out.  Afterwards  it  was  "cut  up,"  soaked  with  water, 
and  pressed  again.  The  last  result  was  called  "water-cider," 
and  was  considered  strong  enough  for  boys  and  women  to 
drink ! 

The  process  of  making  cider  was  laborious  and  hard.  But 
the  amount  of  cider  made  in  this  town  from  1790  to  1840  was 
enormous.  Most  well-to-do  farmers  put  from  twenty  to  seventy 
barrels  in  the  cellar  each  year  to  drink.  Always  when  a  neigh- 
bor called  the  "boy"  was  expected  to  "draw  a  mug  of  cider" 
and  pass  it  round,  the  "nuig"  holding  about  two  quarts.  I  have 
seen  a  man  drink  or  guzzle  down  a  quart  nuig  full  of  cider  at 
one  draught;  not  breathing  or  taking  the  mug  fi'om  his  lips  till 
the  last  drop  was  down.  Everybody  drank  cider  long  after  the 
temperance  crusade  against  brandy  and  rnm.  Most  farmers 
took  a  large  "jug"  of  cider  into  the  field  forenoon  and  after- 
noon, and  into  the  woods  for  drink  in  winter.  Then  the  cider 
was  icy-cold,  but  it  was  said  to  "warm-up"  the  drinker! 

Tlie  old-fashioned  cider-mill  has  now  almost  ceased  to  exist. 
They  began  to  decline  about  1880.  I  played  with  the  ruins  of 
one  in  my  father's  barn  in  1840.  Not  one  twentieth  of 
the  cider  made  seventy-five  years  ago,  is  made  in  town  now. 
At  that  time  cider  was  distilled  by  some,  making  what  was 
called  "cider-brandy."  I  often  lieard  old  people  speak  of  it. 
Sometimes  farmers  swa})})ed  their  cider  for  the  Imandy,  the  rate 
being  a  barrel  of  cider  for  a  gallon  of  brandy.  They  also  had 
"cider-wine,"  which  consisted  of  the  brandy  reduced  with  clear 
cider.  This  was  counted  the  most  merry-making  draught  of 
all,  and  a  tumbler-full  of  it  would  so  "set  up"  a  man  as  to  make 
lum  feel  large  enough  for  any  office.  And  tliese  drinks, 
together  with  "flip,"  "sling,"  "punch,"  "toddy"  and  "egg-nogg," 
besides  common  rum  and  brandy,  would  seem  to  be  sufiicient 
for  all  ordinary  needs ! 

The  first  building  raised  without  rum  in  Francestown  was  a 
barn  erected  by  Aaron  Draper,  in  1834,  pronounced  at  that 
time  the  best  barn  in  town.  Dea.  Oliver  Holt  of  Greenfield 
was  the  carpenter.  It  had  alwf^ys  been  the  custom  to  liave 
rum  and  cider  free  on  such  occasions ;  but  when  this  frame  was 
nearly  ready  to  raise,  Draper  said,  "Deacon,  I'm  a  temperance 
man  and  this  barn  must  go  up  on  temperance  principles."     The 


i^6(i  TEMPERANCE    LAWS. 

Deacon  replied  tliat  he  did  not  believe  it  could  be  raised  with- 
out liquor,  and  advised  him  to  furnish  cider.  "No,"  said 
Draper,  "if  it  cannot  go  up  without  licpior,  it  shall  never  go  up 
at  all."  "Well,"  said  the  Deacon,  "Fll  help  all  I  can!"  So 
men  were  invited  to  the  "raising,"  and  told  tliat  they  would  be 
furnished  with  coffee  and  food,  but  no  liquor.  Every  man 
came  and  the  l)uilding  went  up  in  perfect  order.  When  all 
was  done  except  2)utting  the  old-fashioned  hea-vy  ridge-pole  in 
place,  and  the  men  were  on  tlie  top  of  the  roof  holding  it,  a 
messenger  came  on  horse-back  and  sh()uted,  "Mr.  Ames,  your 
little  boy  is  drowned."  Ames  wlio  was  helping  hold  up  the 
timber,  let  go,  and  springing  from  beam  to  beam,  reached  the 
ground  and  was  away,  while  the  others,  losing  his  help,  with 
most  desperate  eff'orts  were  barely  al)le  to  swing  the  long  tind)er 
into  })lace.  When  all  was  over  and  all  got  dowii  safe,  the  good 
old  Deacon  said,  "If  they  had  been  half-crazed  with  liquor  as  is 
frequently  the  case,  there  would  have  been  a  terrible  accident." 
And  from  that  time  liquor  was  ])rovided  less  and  less  frequent- 
ly on  such  occasions,  until  the  })ractice  ■  ceased  altogether. 
Tills  raising  was  on  the  "Draper  place,"  now  unoccupied;  and 
this  barn  was  taken  down  about  1880  by  Mason  H.  Balch  and 
re-erected  on  his  home-farm.  It  was  so  well-framed  and  well- 
raised  without  the  rum,  that  it  was  difficult  to  get  it  apart  after 
nearly  50  }■  ears  I 

From  the  earliest  dajs  of  New  England  attempts  were  made 
in  all  the  colonies  and  states  to  regulate  the  sale  of  liquor  by 
legislation,  the  object  being,  not  to  prevent  selling  or  drinking, 
but  only  to  prevent  drunkenness.  The  Assembly  of  the  Colony 
of  New  Hampshire  seems  to  have  passed  an  act  as  early  as  1733, 
requiring  all  retailers  and  taverners  to  procure  a  license,  and 
pay  a  small  tax  per  gallon  on  their  sales.  Previous  to  this  all 
persons  had  been  forbidden  by  law  to  "sit  tippling  more  than 
two  hours  or  later  than  ten  o'clock  at  nig-ht."  The  number  of 
taverns  was  limited  by  law.  In  1791  the  state  passed  a  more 
rigid  license  law.  This  co,ntinued,  with  certain  amendments 
and  changes  from  time  to  time,  till  1849,  when  a  Prohibitor}^ 
Law  was  submitted  to  the  people  and  adopted  l)y  a  three- 
fourths  vote.     This  was  confirmed  and  improved  in  1855,  and 


PROGRESS  OF  TEMPERANCE.  367 

witli  few  amend nients  has  remained  the  law  of  the  state  to  the 
present  time. 

We  see  the  progress  of  temperance  by  looking  back  upon  the 
l)ast.  Wlien  the  Turnpike  was  in  its  best  days  there  were  in 
this  town  four  taverns  on  that  thorough-fare,  all  licensed  to  sell 
li(|Uor,  besides  the  stores  where  it  was  sold  or  given  away.  In 
other  parts  of  the  town  licenses  to  sell  were  occasionally  asked 
for, — all  which  has  been  stated  in  the  body  of  this  woik.  But 
Francestown  was  one  of  the  foremost  in  agitating  the  temper- 
ance reform,  and  gradually,  and  earlier  than  in  most  towns  these 
excesses  came  to  an  end.  For  many  years  there  has  been  no 
open  sale  of  liquor  in  this  place.  Probably  no  community 
could  be  found  in  the  state  more  free  from  drunkenness  and 
disorder  than  ours  to-day.  Not  even  cider  is  made  for  drink- 
ing purposes  now,  to  any  great  extent.  Not  so  mucli  is  put 
into  all  the  cellars  in  town  as  was  })ut  into  one  cellar  in  1810. 
Here  the  day  of  strong  di'ink  has  gone  by,  and.  the  people  are 
every  way  healthier,  richer,  hapjjier,  and  better  without  it! 


CHAPTER    XV. 

THE    HARDSHU'S    OF    OUR    FATHERS.  4 

jMucIi  has  been  said  or  suggested  in  tliis  work  already  with 
reference  to  the  trials  and  inconveniences  wliieh  the  pioneers 
of  tlic  town  had  to  contend  with;  lint  I  must  risk  being  cen- 
sured for  some  repetition  for  the  sake  of  impressing  on  those 
who  may  succeed  us  some  just  views  of  what  it  cost  to  procure 
our  privileges  and  comforts.  The  first  log  cabins  had  but  one 
room,  one  sniall  window,  (which  wiiidow  in  cases  where  glass 
could  not  be  afforded  was  oidy  an  opening  to  let  in  air  and 
light),  a  chamber  small  and  dark  reached  only  by  a  ladder,  and 
a  small  dark  cellar  which  they  crawled  into  through  a  trap- 
door in  the  floor.  These  log  houses  were  cold,  and  low  and 
often  entirely  covered  with  snow  in  winter,  so  that  the  smoke 
woukl  seem  to  be  issuing  from  the  ground  instead  of  from  a 
human  dwelling.  It  was  in  many  cases  ten,  and  in  some  cases 
twenty  or  thirty  years,  before  these  rude  cabins  could  be  re- 
placed with  anything  better.  And  even  when  they  built  their 
framed  houses  these  were  loose  and  cold;  the  large  bare  kitchen 
could  not  possibly  be  warmed  in  tlie  coldest  weather;  and 
hence,  by  hanging  up  quilts  and  blankets  they  made  a  smaller 
room,  a  semi-circle  round  the  fire,  within  which  they  were 
enabled  to  keep  warm.  Families  that  could  afford  it  had  a 
"settle,"  which  was  a  bench  long  enough  to  seat  four  or  five 
persons,  with  a  plain,  straight,  board  back,  reaching  high  above 
tlieir  heads,  and  this  they  would  draw  up  before  the  fire,  and 
in  it  they  could  be  comfortable  in  a  cold  day,  and  they  called  it 
a  luxury,  though  bare  and  hard.  The  small  children  were  ex- 
pected to  crawl  into  the  "chimney  corner,"  i.  e.  into  the  end  of 
the  large  fi]-e-})lace,  and  of  course  the  warmest  spot.  I  remem- 
ber one  such  (then  near  100  years  old)  from  which  while  the 
fire  was  blazing  I  could  "look  up  chimne}^"  and  see  the  sky 


HORSE-BLOCKS.  369 

above.  But  often  at  the  best  there  was  great  suffering  from 
the  cokl,  and  the  poverty-piiiched  houseliokl  huddled  close 
about  the  green-wood  hre  on  which  actually  depended  life  itself. 
There  were  no  roads,  and  neighbors  were  far  away,  and  snows 
fell  deeper  than  in  modern  winters,  and  if  any  were  sick  they 
were  exjjected  to  suffer  it  out,  as  no  j)hysician  could  be  obtained. 
Men  carried  their  grain  to  mill  on  their  shoulders,  to  New 
Boston,  Amherst,  or  Peterboro",  until  a  '•'corn-mill"  was  built 
here.  The  luxur}^  of  riding  was  out  of  the  question.  Even 
horse-back  riding  was  rare  for  a  long  time.  Few  could  have 
horses,  and  those  who  could  have  them  reserved  them  for  the 
infirm  and  old.  When  they  came  to  have  meetings  almost  all 
walked  to  meeting,  even  as  late  as  1820.  It  is  said  that  at  Maf 
date,  when  the  people  were  let  out  of  church  and  started  down 
the  turnpike,  the  long  procession  looked  like  an  army  on  the 
march.  What  would  young  ladies  think  now  of  walking  three 
or  four  miles  barefoot  to  church?  When  horses  came  to  be 
common,  they  were  all  used  for  riding  to  church,  and  horse- 
blocks began  to  be  placed  at  the  church  door,  and  subsequently 
at  stores  and  })ul)lic  houses.  In  some  towns  the  selectmen  were 
instructed  t^)  "set  up  horse-blocks."  These  were  blocks  of  wood 
sawed  o&  from  a  log  of  chestnut  or  oak  and  set  upon  one  end, 
and  were  allowed  to  be  nearly  two  feet  high,  the  object  being 
to  assist  old  men,  small  boys  and  women  in  mounting  the  horse. 
The  horses  were  "led  up  to  the  block,"  and  thence  the  individ- 
ual could  easily  rise  to  the  horse's  back.  It  was  considered 
quite  an  honor  to  be  appointed  to  "assist"  the  matrons  in  mount- 
ing, and"  especially  any  fair  damsel  that  might  be  privileged  to 
ride.  Nor  was  it  a  small  matter  to  do  it  handsomely.  It  re- 
quired both  skill  and  politeness.  Sometimes  an  evil  horse 
would  "shy  the  block,"  i.  e.  knew  too  well  what  it  meant  and 
wished  to  keep  off;  and  this  increased  the  difficulty  of  lifting 
the  fair  .ones  to  tlieir  place.  Always  however  the  "horse-block" 
was  a  great  help.  Private  houses  soon  began  to  have  them.  I 
well  remember  the  old  chestnut  one  at  my  father's  door. 
But  when  wagons  came,  these  gradually  disappeared. 

In  what  has  been  said  in  the  ^^receding  chapter  aboijt  their 
methods  of  heating  and  cooking,  the  hardship  of  it  a})pears  very 
manifest   to    our    modern    eyes.      It    would    now    be    deemed 


370  THE   FOOD   THEY    ATE. 

unendurable.  Tlien  the  cook's  face  was  red  with  heat  from  the 
roaring  fire  over  wliicli  she  was  compelled  to  bend  and  reach. 
It  was  a  hard  thing  to  lift  the  pots  and  kettles  oft"  the  fire, 
hohlhig  them  at  arm's  length;  and  it  was  a  difficult  thing  to 
keep  the  smoke  and  cinders  out  of  them.  I  have  seen  four  pots 
on  tlie  "crane"  at  the  same  time,  with  the  "spider"  full  of  meat 
frying  on  the  coals  at  one  side,  and  the  coffee-pot  on  coals  at 
the  other  side,  and  a  big  "Johnny-cake'*  baking  in  front,  all  at 
once!  Of  course  the  woman  had  to  be  on  the  lookout,  to  keep 
everytliing  cooking,  and  everything  from  being  burned  or 
smoked.  Skill  and  practice  were  required.  Often  the  close 
woolen  dress  Avould  catch  on  fire.  (No  "hooped  skirts"  in  those 
days!)  It  was  quite  a  feat  to  turn  the  "short-cake,"  and  "ban- 
nock" and  "Johnny-cake;"  and  if  the  young  wife  dropped  it, 
or  broke  it,  or  tumbled  it  into  a  heap,  in  the  process,  she  felt 
greatly  humiliated.  It  was  hot  and  laborious  to  "fry  dough- 
nuts over  the  fire."  But  doughnuts  are  comjiaratively 
modern  and  could  neither  be  procured  nor  afforded  in  the 
earliest  da3's  of  the  town.  Tea  and  coffee  were  absolutely  un- 
known in  many  a  log-house  for  years.  Fish  and  wild  game 
were  })lenty,  and  largely  supplied  the  earl}^  settler*  with  food. 
A  constant  dish  also  was  broth,  corn  broth,  bean  Ijroth,  barley 
broth,  and  sometimes  for  a  rarity  a  mixture  of  these.  "Hasty- 
pudding"  and  milk  was  the  ordinary  supper.  Cases  are  known 
of  high-toned  evening  parties  with  "hasty-pudding  and  milk  for 
supper."  The  old  Scotch  people  had  a  dish  called  "sowens" 
which  was  very  "populai-,"  which  consisted  of  oatmeal,  sifted 
aiid  left  in  water  to  sour,  and  then  boiled  down  to  a  jelly,  eaten 
in  milk,  and  sometimes  with  sauce.  If  no  milk  could  be  had 
for  hasty-pudding  or  sowens,  a  little  salt  was  made  to  answer 
the  purpose,  and  it  was  not  counted  strange,  and  they  did  not 
grumble.  Their  cheap  and  humble  food  was  healthy,  and  as 
the  "appetite  makes  the  feast,"  they  enjoyed  it  perhaps  as  much 
as  costly  and  dainty  meals  are  enjoyed  now. 

For  many  years  dishes  and  household  implements  Avere  scarce, 
and  sometimes  the  good  house-wife  was  at  her  wits'  end  to  know 
what  to  do.  At  first  some  cabins  had  only  a  piece  of  a  log 
sawed  off  and  set  on  end  for  a  table.  Oft  at  the  hasty-pudding 
supper  only  two  or  three  could  eat  at  a  time  for  lack  of  spoons. 


WOODEN    DISHES.  371 

An  easy  chair  was  a  thing  unheard-of,  and  even  the  cheapest 
wooden  chairs  were  few.  Most  of  them  were  narrow  and  small, 
with  a  "basket-bottom"  and  a  straight  high  back.  Pewter  plates 
were  counted  quite  "high-toned,"  while  wooden  plates  and 
wooden  bowls  and  wooden  spoons  were  in  common  and  dail}^ 
use,  china  ware  and  nice  earthen  ware  of  all  kinds  coming  much 
later.  Some  of  these  wooden  dishes  long  continued  in  use. 
At  the  ordination  of  Dr.  Hicliards  in  1827  an  eccentric  man 
from  out  of  town  was  present,  and,  lieing  asked  if  he  had  had  a 
good  dinner,  replied,  "yes,  as  good  as  heart  could  wish.  And 
water  to  drink  in  a  wooden  dish." 

The  wooden  dish  to  dip  water  with  was  called  a  "noggin." 
It  had  a  liandle  about  ten  inches  long,  held  in  later  days 
about  a  pint,  and,  wlien  new  and  clean,  was  very  welcome  at 
well  or  spring. 

Chikb'en  generally  stood  up  at  mealtime,  and  always  in  case 
company  were  present,  standing  })ack  in  silence  and  taking  in 
their  fing-ers  what  was  sfiven  tliem  I  No  nice  knives  and  forks, 
no  glittering  china-ware,  no  table-cloths,  no  cake,  and  no  dainty 
cake-basket  I 

For  many  years  the  patient  mother  had  to  cany  every  pail 
of  water  from  five  to  fifty  rods.  Wells  were  dug  when  they 
became  able  to  have  such  luxuries,  but  were  generally  at  some 
distance  from  the  house.  Meantime  they  went  to  the  nearest 
brook  or  spring,  and  the  tired  woman  lugged  her  pail  of  water 
through  rain  or  snow.  And  when  they  succeeded  after  long 
waiting  in  securing  a  well  near  the  house,  she  hung  her  pail 
upon  a  hook  on  the  end  of  a  pole,  and  stooping  down  with  it 
so  as  to  reach  the  water,  she  drew  it  up  full  by  main  strength. 
The  "well-curb"  and  "well-sweep"  were  most  precious  inventions 
and  came  later,  being  luxuries  in  their  time,  though  now  passed 
out  of  use.  The  pump  came  much  later  and  few  could  afford 
it  for  a  long  time.  More  recent  still  is  the  water-pipe,  bring- 
ing water  into  the  house.  Many  can  remember  when  there  was 
not  such  a  thing  in  town. 

I  have  asked  myself  what  the  housewife  of  1780  would  have 
thought  of  a  complete  modern  kitchen,  supplied  with  cold  water 
and  hot  water,  grained  floor,  delicately  tinted  ceiling,  extension- 
table,   screen-windows,   fine    drawers,    polished    ranges,    cane- 


372  CHEAP  FARE  AT  TABLE. 

seat  chairs,  silver-ware,  and  choice  bric-a-brac!  Woiihl  not  the 
dear  grandmotlier  have  been  frightened?  Would  she  not 
have  credited  the  oil-stove  to  the  devil?  What  would  she  have 
thought  of  the  egg-beater,  and  the  clothes-vi^ringer,  and  the 
"lightning-apple-parer,"  and  the  sewing-machine! 

It  is  said  tliat  sometimes  tlie  pioneers  of  tlie  town  suffered 
the  pinch  and  hardship  of  scanty  living,  whicli  has  been  already 
referred  to,  in  connection  with  Carson  the  first  settler.  Only 
very  small  stores  could  be  laid  by  for  winter.  Through  fierce 
storms,  or  ill  success  in  lumting,  sometimes  families  were 
reduced  to  very  narrow  su})plies.  C-liildren  were  sometimes 
put  to  bed  without  their  sup})er.  The  family  would  get  along 
with  almost  anything  tliat  would  support  life.  Often  the  good 
man  would  go  to  the  woods  with  a  cold  boiled  potato,  or  apiece 
of  frozen  bean-porridge  for  dinner!  At  best  times  they  had 
oat-meal,  corn-meal,  and  rye-meal  to  use,  but  no  wheat  flour  for 
common  use,  tliat  being  of  recent  date,  the  first  "barrel  of  flour'* 
ever  sold  in  Francestown  being  brought  here  in  1820.  Some 
wheat  was  raised  in  town  at  a  much  earlier  date,  but  the  wheat 
flour  was  kept  for  company,  or  for  special  occasions,  as  they 
could  not  otherwise  afford  it.  Even  potatoes  could  not  be 
afforded  for  ordinary  use  for  many  j^ears.  I  have  heard  my 
grandfather  (who  was  a  small  boy  in  New  Boston  when 
Francestown  was  a  part  of  that  town)  say  that  during  the 
Revolution  a  well-to-do  family  thought  itself  nicely  off,  if  it 
could  have  a  barrel  of  potatoes  for  winter  use.  And  these  were 
kept  for  rare  and  special  luxuries  and  a  choice  honor  to  a  guest! 
But  potatoes  flourished  so  well  in  the  new  soil  that  as  early  as 
1790  they  became  a  staple  article  of  food;  and  roasted  potatoes 
and  a  little  wild  game,  or  "roasted  potatoes  and  salt,"  made  a 
frequent  meal !  Sometimes  a  baked  pumpkin  was  made  to  answer 
for  a  family  a  day  or  two,  in  a  pinch.  They  cut  out  a  square 
piece  from  the  top  large  enough  to  let  the  hand  in,  then  scraped 
out  all  the  seeds  and  loose  parts,  then  put  in  a  piece  of  pork, 
and  then,  replacing  the  part  cut  out,  they  baked  the  whole 
thoroughly  in  the  oven.  Then  all  would  gather  round  and  eat 
out  of  the  shell,  as  they  would  eat  out  of  a  pan.  I  remember 
some  of  the  hard  baked  shells  of  pumpkins,  supposed  to  have 
been  prepared   this   way,  which  were   tied  up  to  the  wall  by 


TIME    PIECES.  373 

strings  as  "rag-bags''  or  receptacles  for  seeds  and  herbs.  Occa- 
sionally they  filled  the  pumpkin  with  milk  instead  of  pork,  but 
baked  and  ate  the  same  way.  Many  considered  this  last  a  wel- 
come dish.  All  these  things,  however,  were  of  the  cheapest 
order  of  living  possible,  and  the  humble  and  hardy  people  did 
not  grumble  at  their  lot  I 

I  have  already  mentioned  the  scarcity  of  money  for  business 
transactions  for  many  years.  The  settlers  were  not  only  poor, 
but  the  lack  of  any  circulating  medium  was  perplexing.  At 
times  "corn  at  one  dollar"  was  made  a  basis  of  trade.  Their 
calculations  were  made  in  pounds,  shillings,  pence,  and  farth- 
ings; and  we  should  now  count  it  quite  a  hardship  to  be 
obliged  to  reckon  that  way.  Few  people  now  would  under- 
stand the  terms.  A  woman  now  living  in  the  village  (Mrs.  N. 
C.  Draper)  was  asked  some  years  ago  what  she  would  do  a 
small  job  of  work  for,  and  replied,  "Two-and-three-pence"  (371^ 
cts.),  when  the  other  said,  "That  is  too  high ;  I  thought  I  could 
get  it  done  for  fifty  cents ! "  About  the  same  time  a  fashion- 
ably educated  young  lady  went  to  the  store  to  get  an  umbrella, 
and  was  told  jokingly  that  the  price  was  "five-and-nine-pence, 
about  96  cts."  She  replied,  "I  don't  feel  able  to  pay  so  much, 
hut  I'll  give  you  a  dollar ! "  For  a  long  time  there  was  much 
confusion  between  the  two  ways  of  reckoning  money,  many 
clinging  to  the  old  methods  till  they  died.  The  old  coins, 
"nine-pence"  and  "four-pence-hap-penny,"  (ha'  penny,  or  half- 
penny) so  called,  were  common  as  late  as  1850.  The  latter 
coin  (worth  6J  cents)  was  the  first  money  that  came  into  the 
writer's  possession,  and  was  the  most  valuable  piece  of  money 
that  he  has  ever  owned! 

For  the  first  half-century  of  Francestown  the  people  experi- 
enced much  difficulty  in  "keeping  time."  They  could  not  make 
exact  appointments,  but  would  agree  to  meet  "about  sunrise," 
or  "about  noon."  This  made  a  fine  excuse  for  the  tardy  man, 
and  for  those  always  late  at  church!  People  in  those  days  set 
their  houses  "square  with  the  sun,"  or  as  near  to  it  as  they  could, 
and  then  put  a  "noon-mark"  on  tliB  window-sill,  which  would 
give  them  the  time  once  a  day  in  fair  weather.  Or  by  going 
out  of  doors  they  could  tell  very  nearly  when  it  was  noon  by 
the  shadow  of  the  sun  on  the  sides  of  the  house.     A  very  few 


374  TIME    PIECES. 

families  had  "sun-dials,"  which  answered  a  good  purpose  when 
the  sun  was  shining,  and  required  no  attention  to  keep  them  in 
order.  The  "sun-dial"  consisted  of  a  plate  or  disc  of  pewter 
(sometimes  of  wood)  about  twenty  inches  in  diameter,  with 
hours  and  half-hours  marked  on  the  circumference,  and  with  a 
per})endicular  piece  of  wood  about  two  feet  long  and  an  inch 
square  rising  from  the  centre  of  the  plate.  The  shadow  of  the 
erect  piece  falling  upon  the  circumference  indicated  the  hour. 
Tlie  "sun-dial  was  set  on  a  pedestal  or  table  near  the  window, 
so  that  the  movement  of  the  shadow  could  be  more  readily  seen. 
It  was  considered  quite  line  and  aristocratic  in  its  day.  Of 
course  these  things  were  of  no  service  in  cloudy  weather,  or 
when  the  frost  covered  the  windows,  or  in  the  night  hours. 

There  were  a  few  houses  where  the  hour-glass  might  be 
found.  Physicians  had  these  to  time  their  medicine,  lending 
them,  or  leaving  them  with  the  pi-escriptions  in  critical  cases. 
This  was  very  good  for  an  hour's  time,  but  had  to  be  instantly 
turned  when  run  out,  in  order  to  give  two  or  three  hours 
correctly.  It  had  no  marks  and,  strictly  speaking,  did  not 
indicate  time,  but  from  the  moment  of  starting  it  took  just  an 
hour  to  "run  out." 

Similar  in  principle  was  the  clepsydra,  sometimes  called  the 
"water-clock,"  but  it  used  water  instead  of  sand.  It  was,  how- 
ever, far  superior  to  the  hour-glass,  in  that  it  would  run  from 
one  to  twenty-four  hours ;  and  it  was  good  in  cloudy  weather 
and  in  the  night.  It  consisted  of  an  erect  cylinder  of  glass, 
of  various  heights  and  various  diameters,  and  filled  with  water, 
which  would  empty  itself  out  in  a  certain  number  of  hours,  by 
a  very  small  orifice  at  the  bottom.  Hours  and  half-hours  and 
quarter-hours  were  marked  on  the  side  of  the  cylinder,  begin- 
ning at  the  top,  and  the  time  was  shown  by  the  fall  of  the 
surface  of  the  water.  It  was  often  quite  accurate,  and  was  very 
ornamental  and  stylish.  But  it  involved  considerable  expense, 
and  a  great  deal  of  work  to  fill  and  set  it;  it  was  liable  to  be 
clogged  by  any  small  substance  in  the  water,  and  to  be  destroyed 
by  freezing  in  cold  weather,  and  never  was  in  any  general  use 
in  this  country.  A  few  were  in  use  in  New  Hampshire  125 
years  ago  and  some  in  the  adjoining  towns. 


"THE   OLD    CLOCK."  375 

Clocks  were  first  used  in  Europe  about  1120  A.  D.,  and  were 
introduced  into  England  about  1288,  but  were  costly  and  rare 
for  several  centuries.  Few  were  ever  brought  to  America;  but 
they  began  to  be  made  this  side  the  water  at  an  early  day. 
Brass  clocks  were  manufactured  in  New  England  as  early  as 
1720,  and  in  New  Hampshire  as  early  as  1730.  Clocks  were 
made  in  Weare  before  the  close  of  the  War  of  the  Revolution, 
and  in  Antrim  a  few  years  later. 

Because  of  the  difficulty  of  keeping  time,  evening  meetings 
used  to  be  "given  out,"  as  they  called  it,  or  appointed,  at  "early 
candle  lighting."  Every  one  would  know  when  it  began  to  be 
dark.  But  they  would  have  one  advantage  in  those  days  in 
fhi^,  that  they  could  not  be  looking  at  their  watches  nor  turn- 
ing round  to  see  the  clock,  before  the  prayer-meeting  was  half 
done ! 

T\\G  clocks  of  those  days  cost  from  forty  to  a  hundred  dollars, 
so  that  even  within  the  memory  of  people  now  living  many 
families  could  not  have  them,  and  had  to  go  to  the  neighbors 
to  find  the  time  of  day.  The  clock  of  the  olden  days  stood  in 
the  corner  of  the  room,  was  tall  and  large,  and  ticked  away 
with  gieat  dignity,  and  seemed  almost  like  a  creature  of  life, 
speaking  and  keeping  guard.  They  were  handed  down  in  fam- 
ilies from  generation  to  generation,  and  after  being  used  a 
hundred  years,  many  of  them  are  more  valuable  now  than  when 
they  were  first  sold.  The  cheap  clock  is  an  American  inven- 
tion, and,  though  quite  recent,  maybe  found  all  over  the  world. 
A  very  good  time-keeper,  with  the  "alarm,"  and  "illuminated 
face"  and  very  neat  and  ornamental  in  form,  may  now  be  bought 
at  the  countr}^  store  for  two  dollars.  What  would  our  fathers 
and  mothers  have  thought  of  that? 

The  hardships  of  our  ancestors  in  respect  to  transportation 
from  place  to  place,  tliough  already  referred  to,  deserves  further 
notice.  The  first  wagon  in  Francestown  was  brought  here 
about  1812  by  Samuel  Hodge,  (Ichabod  Gay  brought  one  here 
from  Deerfield,  Mass.,  about  the  same  time,)  but  it  was  many 
years  later  before  wagons  were  common.  At  first  they  were 
heavy  and  low,  with  the  body  placed  on  the  axletree,  and  of 
course  jarring  and  painful  to  ride  in.  The  axletree  was  of 
wood  only,  and  the  wheel  was  fastened  on  with  a  "linch-pin," 


376  FIRST    WAGON    IN    TOWN.       ' 

the  end  of  the  axletree  projecting  about  two  inches  beyond  the 
wheeL  "Thorougli-biaces,"  were  a  hiter  invention  and  were  a 
great  improvement  to  relieve  the  jar  of  riding.  Steel  wagon- 
springs  came  into  use  in  this  vicinity  about  1845.  I  well 
remember  the  old  thorough-brace  wagons,  and  the  first  "spring- 
wagon"  that  was  driven  to  church.  Ox-wagons  were  brought 
about  some  years  earlier.  To  those  who  had  never  seen  them 
it  was  a  great  puzzle  to  know  how  they  could  be  turned  round! 
But  the  "chaise"  was  in  use  by  a  few  rich  people  in  New 
Hampshire  as  early  as  1802.  It  was  "a  sort  of  light  cart,  with 
long  thills  for  tlie  horse  instead  of  "spire"  for  the  oxen,  and 
with  a  lieavy,  uncouth  top  as  squaj-e  as  a  box.  And  all  these 
vehicles  of  every  kind  were  of  rude  and  clumsy  build,  and  hard 
for  horse  and  driver.  The  tires  of  wheels  were  not  whole,  but 
were  in  pieces  about  two  feet  long,  and  were  nailed  on,  and 
sometimes  riveted  on,  of  course  "breaking-joints"  over  where 
the  "felloes  joined  together."  The  whole  tire  came  later  into 
use.  It  is  not  known  when  the  first  chaise  or  gig  was  brought 
here.  It  is  said  tliat  a  certain  man  in  the  north  part  of  the 
town  was  once  asked  the  age  of  his  son,  and  he  replied,  "I  know 
just  how  old  he  is,  sir;  he  was  born  the  year  old  Dr.  Crombie 
bought  his  new  gig,  sir."  But  at  this  late  day  it  is  difficult  to 
tell  when  the  Doctor  made  this  notable  j^urchase,  it  being  cer- 
tain, however,  that  the  chaise  was  used  in  Francestown  much 
earlier  than  his  settlement  here,  and  probably  about  1810. 
Previous  to  this  last-named  date  nearly  all  riding  was  on  horse- 
back. This  was  not  a  hardship  when  people  were  well  and 
strong,  and  had  good  horses,  and  could  afford  it:  but  it  was 
tedious  when  they  had  to  ride  double,  the  man  before,  and  the 
woman  on  the  "pillion"  behind  him,  with  a  baby  and  a  few 
bundles  to  carry !  Of  course  progress  must  be  in  such  cases 
very  slow.  Yet  there  was  a  large  amount  of  transportation  of 
light  articles  on  the  horse's  back.  The  large  old-fashioned 
"saddle-bags"  were  generally  stuffed  full  of  sugar,  butter,  eggs, 
rum,  and  all  sorts  of  merchandise,  while  the  rider's  hands  and 
arms  were  filled  with  various  wares.  It  was  no  unusual  thing 
to  see  a  woman  on  horseback,  driving  the  horse  with  one  hand 
and  carrying  her  "flax-spinning-wheel"  in  the  other.  Families 
are  known  to  have  "moved"  forty  or  fifty  miles  in  one  day, — 


GOING    WEST    IN    1843.  377 

the  liusbiuid  taking  tlic  bed  and  lioiiseliold  utensils  and  farndng 
tools  on  a  horse  with  him,  and  his  wife  taking  the  baby  and 
clothing  and  keep-sakes  on  another  horse  with  her,  and  follow- 
ing after,  and  the  two  jogging  along  together  all  day !  People 
always  ''went  to  niilT"  on  horseback  after  the}^  became  able  to 
have  horses.  Women  and  boys  were  often  thus  employed.  I 
can  remember  being  put  on  the  old  horse's  back  top  of  a  bag  of 
corn  a]id  sent  to  mill  in  this  way  in  1844. 

Boys  and  girls  in  those  days  would  spring  onto  a  horse  with 
great  agility  and  ride  anywhere  without  fear.  It  is  said  that 
Keziah  Stanley  (dau.  of  Richard,  then  living  on  the  Adoniram 
Dodge  place)  was  on  liorse-back  witli  a  willow  stick  for  a  whip, 
and  dismountinar  near  the  house  of  Daniel  W.  Duncklee,  stuck 
the  stick  into  the  ground.  Starting  off  in  a  liurry  she  sprang 
onto  the  horse  and  forgot  the  stick.  It  is  now  standing,  a  large 
and  growing  tree.     But  the  laughing  maiden  has  passed  away! 

Even  after  wagons  became  common  it  was  difficult  to  trans- 
port merchandise  and  took  a  long  time  to  make  a  journey. 
Uaih'oads  had  not  entered  into  the  dreams  of  nuni,  and  "going- 
west"  was  a  large  and  laborious  undertaking.  Dea.  Willard 
Everett,  then  sixty  years  of  age,  moved  from  Francestown  to 
Metamora,  111,,  in  1843,  starting  with  his  family  and  household 
effects  with  a,  fonr-lioi'se  team!  And  one  of  the  horses  was 
tliirty  years  old!  Were  there  not  courage  and  strength  and 
[)atience  in  those  days?  Long  journeys  were  sometimes  made 
even  with  an  ox  team.      Who  could  endure  such   things  now? 

Of  course,  as  elsewhere  intimated,  in  the  earliest  years  of  the 
town  travel  was  on  foot  and  utensils  were  carried  on  the  shoul- 
der. Even  a  cart  was  costly  and  rare.  It  was  long  before 
people  could  have  lit)]'ses.  In  the  winter  they  travelled  largely 
on  snow-shoes,  witli  which  they  could  go  across  lots  anywhere, 
skimming  along  on  the  surface  of  the  snow.  Sometimes  the 
snow-shoe  was  made  large  for  a  heavy  man,  but  ordinarily  it 
was  about  a  foot  wide  and  three  feet  long.  A  tough  piece  of 
oak  or  ash  or  walnut,  was  shaved  an  inch  square  and  six  feet 
long,  and  bent  into  an  elongated  oval  form,  and.  the  ends 
riveted  together,  and  this  last  or  riveted  end  was  the  heel  of  the 
shoe.  Then  two  cross-pieces  were  framed  into  this  "rim,"  and 
from  rim  and  cross-pieces  a  stout  net-work  of  leather  straps  was 


378  SNO  \V -SHOES. 

woven  ;uhI  dniwii  tiglit.  A  loop  was  lixcd  on  to})  of  tlie  for- 
ward cross-piece  so  as  to  slip  the  foot  into  it  and  have  the  weight 
of  the  person  come  on  this  cross-piece.  The  foot  was  not  tied 
in,  the  forward  pressure  always  keeping  it  in  place.  The  heel 
of  the  shoe  was  the  heavier  ])art,  and  was  ex})ected  to  trail  in 
the  snow,  only  the  forwartl  ])art  Ijcing  lifted  when  the  person 
stepped.  In  walking  with  the  snow-slioe  it  was  necessaiy  to 
swing  out  the  foot  as  a  boy  does  skating,  and,  as  with  the 
skater,  this  process  aided  the  forward  niovenicnt.  and  enabled  a 
stroiig  iu\d  skilful  man  to  make  rapid  piogiess  oser  llie  [)athless 
snows.  Every  fandly  was  supplied  with  siiow-sIkh's.  Physi- 
cians used  them,  travelling  M'here  no  horse  could  go,  and  where 
no  human  beini';  could  go  without  them.  Women  would  put 
ihciu  on  and  go  aci'oss  lots  alone  through  blinding  storms  to 
miiuster  to  the  sick.  Many  Avent  to  church  in  the  winter  on 
snow-shoes.  Soldiers  made  Avinterca-mpaigns  against  the  Indians, 
marcliing  r.onietimes  thirty  or  forty  nnles  a  day  wliere  there  was 
no  roal  or  path,  and  carrjing  provisions  and  wea[»ons  ujion 
their  backs! 

In  the  iirst  iifty  yeais  of  this  town  it  Mas  diflicult  to  get 
many  desirable  things  even  foi-  money.  People  knew  they  nnist 
get  along  witliout  these  things,  and  })atiently  enduied  the 
privation.  There  was  nc)  such  thing  as  a  "general  furnishing 
store,"  ami  no  such  thing  as  "ready-made  clothing."  It  requiied 
long  time  and  nuich  calcuhition  to  get  up  a  suit  of  clothes 
The  wool  must  be  raised,  washed  carded,  S})un,  and  woven  at 
home.  Then  the  cloth  must  be  cariied  to  the  fulling  mill, 
washed,  bleached,  fulled,  "na|)[)ed,"  colored  and  })ressed.  Then 
the  tailor  must  be  engaged  to  come  to  the  house,  and  cut,  and 
make — which  last  process  required  about  two  weeks  for  a  suit  I 
Tailors  then  went  from  house  to  house  cutting  and  making  for 
men  and  boys,  and  thus  visiting  well-to-do  families  once  in  two 
01'  three  years.  Female  apparel  was  generally  made  by  the 
wearers.  No  "dress-maker"  was  known  in  Francestown  until 
a  time  within  the  memory  of  those  now  living.  The  "fasliion" 
had  not  then  gained  supremacy  in  these  country  towns.  No 
luxuries  were  for  sale.  The  stock  of  goods  in  a  country  store 
was  small,  and  limited  to  a  yery  few  articles.  Karely  could 
any  tool  of  any  kind  be  bonglit  there.     No  "hardware"  passed 


CARRYING    PRODtTCE    TO    BOSTON.  379 

over  tlie  counter.  No  Ijoots  or  slioes  could  l)c  houg'lit  tliere. 
(Miildreu  went  'd)are-foot"  and  ^djaby-shoes"  were  unlieai'd  of. 
No  women's  shoes  were  for  sale.  Slioe-makers  went,  like  the 
tadors,  from  house  to  house  to  make  shoes  for  the  men  and 
women.  Slioes  for  women  and  girls  were  made  of  cowdiide" 
with  tlii(;k  soles  projecting  entirely  round  to  protect  the  leatlier 
— projecting  enough,  as  the  old  people  used  to  say,  "-for  a 
mouse  to  run  round  on  the  rim."  In  later  days  women  wlio 
could  afford  it  had  ^'calf-skin  shoes,"  and  these  were  thought  to 
he  the  height  of  things  incel  What  innthl  they  have  thought 
of  "gaiter  l)oots"  and  "■French-kids  I "  ( )i-  of  a  store  wliere  man 
or  woman  or  child  could  he  Htted  out  in  lifteen  miiiutes  with 
every  thing  wearable,  from  the  top  of  the  head  to  the  sole  of 
the  foot,  any  day  in  the  year,  and  in  the  latest  style! 

''In  ye  olden  days"  there  was  no  sale  for  farmer's  produce 
hei'e,  a^id  the  farmei's  were  accustomed  to  go  to  Uoston  or  Salem 
with  loads  of  produce  for  sale,  going  generally  with  an  ox-team. 
As  all  were  not  able  to  have  oxen,  they  clul)bcd  together,  and 
carried  their  stores  of  hogs,  butter,  cheese,  [)Oultry,  wool,  flax 
and  furs,  which  they  exchanged  for  salt,  sugar,  powder,  shot, 
and  other  necessary  articles.  Oidy  a  small  part  could  be 
received  in  money.  These  "'■barter"  journeys  were  usuall}' 
made  in  tlie  early  pai't  of  wintei'.  The  main  roads  to  IJoston 
were  crowded  with  such  teams.  On  the  road  there  was  a  hotel 
for  nearly  every  mile,  with  large  open  fire,  good  accomodations 
and  plenty  of  rum.  It  generally  took  a  week  to  make  the 
round  trip.  Teamsters  were  not  always  sober  when  they  got 
home,  but  the  oxen,  being  wiser,  knew  where  to  stop.  Some- 
times storms  and  drifting  snows  came  on,  and  teams  were 
delayed  days  and  even  weeks.  (3n  one  occasion  it  took  an  ox- 
team  two  weeks  to  get  from  Lowell  to  Francestown  on  its 
return.  From  1800  to  1840  a  very  connnon  farmer's  team  con- 
sisted of  one  yoke  of  oxen  with  a  horse  ahead.  There  were 
some  that  made  a  l)usiness  of  this  teaming,  loading  both  ways, 
and  making  regular  trips.  These  "teamsters"  in  due  time 
came  to  do  the  "bartering"  for  "country  merchants.  At  one 
time  Aaron  Draper  and  William  Barnes  "went  down  to  Boston" 
loaded  with  pork  and  grain,  and  strf^)ped  at  "Hard  Scrabble" 
(South  Merrimack)  for  the  night.     A  man  from  Greenfield  not 


380  .      FIllST    UMBURLLAS. 

reputed  to  be  an}-  too  honest  also  stopped  over  at  the  same 
tavern.  By  and  by  a  stranger  came  ah)ng  witli  a  sled  loaded 
with  l)ags,  and  also  pnt  up  for  the  niglit.  Xevy  early  the  next 
morning  the  Greenfield  man  went  ont  and  em})tied  one  of  the 
l)ags  on  the  stranger's  sled  into  the  cril)s  of  his  hoivses,  suppos- 
ing it  was  a  bag  of  oats.  AVhen  they  all  went  ont  together  to 
"harness  up"  and  ''yoke  up,""  they  found  the  (Ireeniield  man 
liad  baited  his  horses  with  shoe-pegs  I  It  is  not  told  us  how 
much  damage  he  had  to  pay,  but  liis  horses  went  hungr}'  that 
day,  and  lie  did  not  fail  to  hear  often  of  the  stolen  oats! 

Many  of  these  drivers  were  jolly,  lollicking,  fellows,  up  to 
practical  jokes,  generally  full  of  driid<,  and  sometimes  quarrel- 
some and  ugl}-.  Commonly  an  ugly,  half-druidv  driver  would 
take  the  whole  road  and  fight  any  one  that  remonstrated.  At 
one  time  wddle  on  the  road  to  Boston  Dea.  James  Fisher  met  a 
man  Mdio  shouted  ahead  to  him,  "turn  out  or  fight  I"  Very 
quietly  the  Deacon  replied,  "I  am  not  a  fighting  man  ;  but  here 
behind  me  is  Billy  l\b)oi-,  who  would  as  soon  light  as  not." 
The  man  came  along  ami  looked  at  Billy,  "and  thought  best  to 
get  by  without  fighting  I"  "Billy  Moor,"  then  living  about 
sixty  rods  north  of  the  ( )ld  Brick  Academy,  was  a  fearless  "giajit 
of  a  fellow,'"  ami  was  "always  master  of  the  situation." 

Our  fathers  endured  many  hardsliips  from  exposure  to  snow 
and  rain  as  well  as  to  cold  and  heat.  Rid)ber  coats  and  para- 
sols and  umbrellas  were  unknown  among  them.  The  undn-ella 
in  its  present  form  was  invented  about  1785,  and  introduced 
into  England  from  France,  for  general  use,  as  early  as  1790. 
But  in  some  ruder  form  it  had  been  in  use  for  ages,  specially 
as  a  protection  fi'om  the  sun,  as  appears  from  old  paintings  of 
the  Greeks  and  Romans.  Slaves  carried  them  to  shade  the 
Greek  women,  and  Ivoman  lovers  held  them  over  the  heads  of 
their  fond  charmers.  Generally,  l)oth  in  England  and  this 
country,  umbi'cllas  were  considered  an  effeminate  and  ques- 
tionable innovation.  Some  called  them  marks  of  sinful  vanity. 
Some  called  them  childish  and  silly.  Some  said  they  could 
never  be  of  any  })ractical  use.  Some  denounced  them  as  wicked 
interferences  with  the  kind  Providence  which  sent  rain  u})on 
the  earth!  In  some  places  there  was  much  opposition  to  them  ; 
and  as  the  price  was  five  or  six  dollars,  they  were  ver}*  slow  in 


CLUMSY    TOOLS.  ?»81 

making  their  way  into  tliese  country  towns.  Log-cabins  could 
not  afford  such  luxuries.  The  tirst  umbrella  ever  owned  in 
Francestown  was  brought  here  Ijy  Polly  Faij-field.  And  in  due 
time  a  few  others  ventured  very  timidly  to  try  the  same  exper- 
iment. Now  they  have  become  so  common  that  some  })eople 
possess  them  without  buying  them ! 

Probal)ly  in  no  one  thing  was  the  hardship  of  the  old  days 
jnore  manifest  than  in  the  tools  used  at  that  time.  These  were 
heavy,  clumsy,  and  poor,  and  it  took  a  giant's  strength  to  wield 
them.  Some  of  these  uncouth  implements,  now  preserved  in 
our  anti(piarian  rooms,  excite  our  wonder.  '•Labor-saving 
machinery"  was  entirely  unkno\\'n.  I  have  heard  my  grand* 
father  say  that  when  he  was  a  boy  all  the  manure  was  carried 
out  in  a  hod  on  a  man's  shoulder,  and  that  previously  it  ha,d 
always  l)een  tlu^  custom  with  the  settlei's.  It  was  then  almost 
impossible  to  })rocure  a  cart,  and  stumps  ami  I'ocks  were  so 
thick  as  to  prevent  its  use.  Their  forks  were  rude  iron  bung- 
ling concerns,  made  by  the  nearest  blacksmith.  Thcv  had 
only  wooden  shovels.  These  were  split  out  of  icd-oak  logs, 
into  pieces  fourteen  inches  wide  and  two  and  one-half  inches 
thick,  and  about  three  and  one-half  feet  long.  'I'hen,  at 
one  end,  the  shovel  was  '•"hollowed,'"  as  they  called  it,  and 
the  opposite  end  was  all  cut  off  except  enough  for  a  lai-ge, 
straight  handle  in  the  middle,  and  then  the  end  of  the 
blade  was  '•'shod,"  as  they  called  it;  i.e.,  edged  with  steel. 
Some  of  these  '••sliod-shovels,"  being  shod  over  and  over  as  the 
old  wore  off,  were  handed  down  for  generations,  and  came  to 
l)e  used  in  our  day  to  shovel  grain  or  apple-pumice  or  snow. 
1  have  used  them  many  times,  and  owned  a  fine  specimen  a 
few  years  ago;  but  I  never  could  see  how  any  ordinary  human 
strength  could  do  much  Avith  it  at  a  manure-heap  or  a  bank  of 
earth.  It  is  said  that  steel  or  iron  shovels  were  first  seen  in 
this  vicinity  about  1808.  Iloes  were  made  by  common  bhick- 
smiths,  out  of  the  cheapest  iron,  but  were  sometimes  '•'edged" 
with  steel.  They  were  thick  and  very  heavy,  had  an  ''eye"  at 
the  to}),  into  which  a  stout  handle  was  inserted  and  wedged, 
and  weie  used  largely  to  cut  off  small  I'oots  aiid  tear  up  the  new 
soil.  Plows  were  not  used  in  town  for  many  years  after  tlie 
settlement,  the  ground  being  dug  up  by  hand,  and  the  j)lanting 


382  THE    OLD-FASHIONED    PLOW. 

being  ;i  work  of  extreme  and  trying  severity.  It  is  to  1)e  said, 
however,  tliat  when  they  liad  (Uig  a,  lioh'  and  in  it  })hiced  the 
manure  and  covered  the  seed,  hnt  littki  liad  to  hu  (h)ne  by  way 
of  hoeing,  as  there  were  no  weeds.  Their  oidy  hoeing  was  to 
'd^noi'k"  the  ''S])r()uts"  off  the  stnnipsi  Wni  when  the  roots 
had  rotted  in  the  gro,nnd,  and  tliey  beeamc;  able  to  })urehase 
[)hiw-!,  the^e  useful  implements  graduilly  came  into  use. 
These  were  all  made  in  town,  or  near  by.  There  was  not  a 
plow  factory  in  the  woild.  It  was  customaiy  to  hire  the 
nearest  carpenter  to  make  tlie  "wood-work"  and  the  nearest 
bhicksmith  to  put  on  tlie  rest.  Some  j)lows  thus  made  did 
adnhi';il)lc  service,  and  would  "tuni""  tlic  furi'ow  better  than 
any  cast-iron  ]»h)w  even-  invented,  as  I  do  know  fj'om  personal 
use:  but  some  of  the  earlier  s[)ecinuMis  were  fearfully  bungling 
and"  unlumdy  things.  At  lirst  the  handles  were  large  and 
long,  and  so  low  that  one  had  to  stooj)  all  the  time  in  holding 
it.  The  "bea-m"'  was  about  seven  feet  long,  made  of  oak,  five 
inches  s(j^uare,  rounded  and  ta})ei'ed  toward  the  team;  there 
was  a  wooden  "frame"  and  a  wooden  "mold-board,"  and  all 
the-ie  together  formed  what  they  called  the  "wood-work." 
Then  the  blacksmith  put  on  tlie  "share,"  and  the  "-point,"  and 
the  "wing," — these  three  together  being  called  the  "plow- 
irons."  Over  the  wooden  mold-board  they  nailed  sti'ips  of  tin 
or  sheet-iron,  to  prevent  its  being  worn  by  the  furrow.  When 
the  "irons"  became  dull,  they  would  send  them  to  the  black- 
smith to  l)e  "sharpened."  Of  course,  these  plows  were  too 
heavy  to  be  lifted  or  moved  without  great  effort,  but  they  did 
go  with  remarkable  steadiness  among  the  roots  and  rocks,  and 
they  were  not  easily  injured  or  broken. 

In  the  early  dajs  of  tlie  town  the  cost  and  difficulty  of  pro- 
curing nails  were  so  great  that  houses  were  made  without  them 
as  far  as  [>  )ss'ble,  the  timbers  being  fastened  together  and 
tlie  l)o:irds  fastened  on  to  the  roof  with  wooden  pins. 
Every  tack  and  ever}'  nail,  even  every  shingle  nail,  had 
to  be  hammered  out  by  hand.  It  is  said  that  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  present  centur}'  ()0,000  men  w^ere  employed  in 
Birmingham,  Eng.,  alone  in  hammering  out  nails  for  sale.  A 
"cut  nail"  was  not  known  in  this  vicinity  before  1805.  Of  course 
the  nails  made  by  the  blacksmith  were  irregular  in  size  and 


MAKING    NAILS.  383 

form,  and  soinewliat  dillicult  to  use.  It  required  gi eat  labor  to 
make  nails  enougli  to  shingle  a  house.  Every  nail  for  every 
purpose  came  from  the  anvil.  Every  bolt,  or  hinge,  was  ham- 
mered out  by  hand.  'J'he  l)lacksmith's  apprentices  hammered 
away  from  dawn  to  sunset  making  nails,  while  he  himself  made 
scytlies,  axes,  hoes,  hinges  and  knives.  The  scyth.e-snath  was 
then  simply  a  straiglit  stick,  or  some  natural  bend  picked  np  in 
the  woods,  while  the  blacksmith  put  on  the  '••nclis,"  and  made  a 
stout  ring  and  wedge  hy  which  to  fasten  on  the  scythe.  As 
late  as  1805  no  sucli  thing  as  an  '^ox-swdng"  was  known  in 
t()A\'n.  lUaeksmiths  went  from  farm  to  farm  to  shoe  oxen. 
Tliey  would  catch  the  ox,  lead  him  into  the  barn,  ''cast''  him 
down  on  Ins  back  on  some  straw,  cross  his  legs  and  tie  them, 
and  then  and  there  nail  on  the  shoes. 

From  all  this  we  see  wliat  a  hard  way  onr  fathers  had  to  do 
everytliing.  Theirs  was  a  day  of  hardshi[)S.  They  \\  ere  com- 
pelled to  do  everthing  by  'Miiaiii  stiength"  and  at  constant 
disadvantage.  lUit  they  were  sciiooled  to  ''endnrc  liardness," 
and  they  were  ready  for  any  toil.  No  labor  could  dishearten 
them.  On  every  side  and  at  every  turn  they  encountert'd  difli- 
cnltie-!.  They  had  a  vast  work  to  do,  and  pool-  im])lements  to 
do  it  with.  Under  the  circumstances  what  they  accomplished 
seems  almost  incredible.  I  cannot  fui-ther  dwell  upon  their 
liai'dships  without  writing  at  too  gi'eat  length,  ajid  w  ilh  some 
repetition;  but  I  must  express  my  renewed  wondei'  ;iiid  admir- 
ation at  the  work  and  tlie  courage  of  the  settlers  of  this  town  I 


ClJAPTEJl    XVI. 

THK    >S(;OTrH    AND    KNGLlSIl     IN    TlIlK    TOWN. 

I'lic  Aiiu'ricaii  people  of  llie  pix'seiitdiiy  luive  bccoiin' so  used 
lo  tlie  adiiiixtiu-e  of  foi-ein'ii  elements  in  our  populalioii  and 
ioreigii  accents  in  our  sj)eecli,  that  the}'  expect  such  things  and 
pass  them  by  without  comment,  exce].)t  in  case  of  sometliing- 
sj)ecially  remarkahle  oi-  offensive.  But  the  student  of  earl}' 
New  P^ngland  history  linds  hei'e  a  dominant,  dignified  English 
race  who  though  themselves  foreigners  of  lecent  date,  were  not 
slow  to  manifest  jealous}'  and  dislike  toward  any  comers  to  this 
vicinity  who  were  not  wiili  and  r;/' themselves.  Brogue  was  to 
them  suggestive  of  inti'uders  and  enemies.  They  were  as 
suspicious  of  a  foreigner  as  of  an  Indian.  Almost  all  foreigners, 
except  the  English,  that  came  at  that  day  to  New  England 
were  Catholics;  and  the  Puritans  remend)ered  Ivoman  Catholic 
ignoi'ance,  bigot]  y  and  persecution  too  well  to  allow  any  of  that 
following  to  secure  a  foothold  in  their  domain.  Hence,  when 
tlie  Scotch  })e()ple  who  came  hei'c  from  the  north  of  Ireland, 
sought  a  place  of  settlement,  they  were  supposed  to  be  Papists, 
ami  l)itter  ])rejudices  were  aroused  against  them.  They  came 
from  Papal  Ireland,  and  in  their  customs  and  language  they 
were  so  different  from  the  English,  that  the  latter  were  almost 
moved  to  eject  them  by  force  of  arms.  This  last  was  actually 
tlie  case  in  Worcester,  Mass.,  aljout  1740,  where  a  small  colony 
of  Scotch  Presbyterians  were  driven  away  by  violence.  Every- 
wliere  efforts  were  made  to  prevent  their  obtaining  titles  to 
land.  They  were  opposed  and  annoyed  on  eveiy  side.  A  small 
company  of  them  Avere  obliged  to  winter  in  Portland  harbor 
(tlien  a  part  of  Massachusetts)  and  fell  short  of  })rovisions,  and 
in  a  proposition  to  help  them  they  were  termed  '•'•poor  Irish 
peopled     The  petition  of  the  Londonderry  colony  for  incorpora- 


ELEMENTS    OF    SCOTCH    CHARACTER.  385 

ation  was  indorsed,  (1719)  "In  behalf  of  a  company  of  Irhli 
at  Nutfield,"  much  to  the  mortification  and  anger  of  this  Scotch 
colony. 

In  view  of  all  this  the  question  may  rise  in  some  minds, 
why  did  the  Scotch  and  English  dwell  together  in  such  har- 
mony and  affection  in  Francestown?  The  answer  is  that  in 
the  course  of  thirty  or  forty  years  the  Scotch  came  to  be  known 
as  Protestants,  and  as  a  brave,  hardy  and  noble  race.  It  took 
several  generations  to  wijje  out  prejudices  and  obscure  peculiar- 
arities,  and  traces  of  accent  and  nationality  may  be  observed 
yet;  but  the  Scotch  settlers  soon  so  far  won  their  way  to  the 
confidence  of  their  neighbors  as  to  live  together  with  them  in 
peace.  The  Scotch,  here  as  elsewhere  had  shar23  and  cons})icu- 
ous  characteristics.  In  writing  in  this  connection  concerning 
their  peculiar  traits,  I  shall  quote  freely  from  my  own  words  in 
another  volume.  It  is  just  that  some  special  notice  be  given 
them  here,  as  they  were  the  pioneers  of  this  town,  and  labored 
with  a  most  unselfish  spirit  for  the  common  good.  They  were 
not  Irish.  Not  a  drop  of  Irish  ])lood  was  in  their  veins.  Their 
fathers  came  from  Argyle  and  Ayr  in  Scotland,  and  settled  in 
the  north  of  Ireland;  but  were  never  amalgamated  with  the 
natives  of  that -land.  In  language,  habits,  tastes,  education, 
religion,  history,  spirit,  ambition,  appearance,  and  manner  of 
life,  they  were  always  distinct  from  the  Irish.  It  is  said  that, 
a  century  and  a  half  ago,  a  stranger  riding  through  Ireland 
could  pick  out  the  Scotch  communities  by  their  general  thrifty 
and  prosperous  appearance,  while  poverty  and  squalor  marked 
the  Irish  who  still  occupied  the  best  part  of  the  island.  This 
distinction  is  still  more  obvious  at  the  present  day.  Then  and 
now  in  that  land  the  Scotch  prided  themselves  in  being  unlike 
the  Irish.  To  call  one  of  them  a  "Paddy"  was  to  make  sure  of 
being  knocked  down  before  the  words  were  fairly  out!  A 
hatred  of  the  Papacy,  and  bitter  memories  of  Catholic  perse- 
cution and  murder,  and  a  general  disgust  at  Irish  unthrift  and 
ignorance  and  bigotry, — all  united  to  make  them  sensitive  when 
the  name  was  applied  to  them.  But  a  word  would  set  them 
on  fire.  So  great  was  their  feeling  on  this  point  that  Rev. 
James  McGregor,  their  first  minister  in  New  Hampshire,  took 
up  the  matter  promptly  and  with  much  spirit  protested  to  the 


386  THEIE    GENEROUS-HEARTEDNESS, 

Governor  against  tlieir  being  "termed  Irish  peo})le."  The  Scotch 
settlers  of  Francestown,  like  the  Scotch  everywhere,  were  men 
of  bold  strong  individuality.  They  were  as  high-spirited, 
decided,  independent  a  set  of  men  as  could  l)e  found.  They 
would  do  their  own  thinking.  They  could  not  l)e  controlled  by 
a  ])riest,  nor  i)e  driven  in  any  way.  They  had  opinions  and 
convictions;  and  they  were  not  asliamed  to  tell  what  they 
believed,  and  were  never  afraid  to  declai'c  ^\']rat  they  meant  to 
do.  They  stood  for  individual  rig] its  to  the  death.  Brave, 
skillful,  ready,  quick,  keeji-minded  and  determined,  they  were 
not  men  to  be  opposed  or  trifled  witli. 

In  another  place  I  have  spoken  of  the  religious  traits  of  this 
element  of  our  early  population,  but  I  may  add  here  that  while 
the  Scotch  were  so  intensely  independent  toward  men,  they 
wei'c  most  submissive  and  hundjle  tow^ard  (lod.  Never  were 
there  more  devout  worshi[)pers  than  they.  Tolerant  of  all 
sincere  convictions  in  others,  for  themselves  they  were  stiff 
Presbyterians,  and  eould  always  give  the  reason  why.  But  it 
speaks  volumes  for  their  real  broadness  and  noljleness  of  faith 
that,  notwithstanding  their  strong  preferences,  they  could 
agi'ce  with  the  Congregationalists  to  give  up  ])otli  church 
organizations  and  unite  to  form  a  new  one  out- of  both,  for  the 
future  liarmony  and  good  of  the  town. 

Tlie  Scotch  settlers  here,  as  elsewhere,  wei'c  generous- 
hearted,  thougli  not  having  much  to  be  generous  with.  Car- 
son's cabin  was  a  shelter  for  many  weary  feet.  And  he  was 
not  the  only  one  that  opened  the  door  to  the  hunter  or  juoneer. 
Every  cabin  in  the  town  was  a  place  of  refuge.  It  was  the 
cnstora  to  '-have  the  latch-string  always  out,"  so  tliat  friend  or 
stranger  could  enter  at  any  hour,  night  or  day.  Some  families 
were  actually  kept  poor  for  (/cHcrations  by  the  free  entertainment 
of  every  friend  or  stranger  that  came  along. 

And  this  generousdieartedness,  l)lunt  and  lionest,  explains 
their  civilities  and  manners  towards  others.  Sometimes  they 
gave  rough  greetings,  but  they  were  always  hearty  and  honest, 
and  meant  just  what  they  seemed  to  mean.  Their  politeness 
was  the  simple  politeness  of  the  heart.  They  put  nothing  on 
for  show.  There  was  no  make-believe  in  their  intercourse  with 
men.     Etiquette  might  lift  up  her  little,  showy,  empty,  silly  head, 


SCOTCH    TEMPER.  S87 

and  say  these  fathers  and  motliers  were  rude  and  unmannered. 
l>ut  they  had  kind  and  generous  feelings,  without  wliich  there 
can  be  no  vahie  to  outward  forms  of  frieudsliip. 

Tlie  Scotch  have  been  called  quick-tempered,  and  haid-tem- 
pered, — and  the  charge  is  true.  Tlieir  anger  was  instant  and 
herce,  l)iit  it  was  soon  over.  They  resented  an  insult  on  the 
spot,  and  in  the  boldest  way,  and  with  tremendous  force,  like 
the  shock  of  battle.  They  despised  secret  enemies,  and  they 
could  not  endure  any  abuse  behind  one's  back.  If  one  felt 
hurt  by  his  neighbor,  he  went  to  him  openly,  no  matter  who 
he  was,  great  or  small,  and  he  went  witli  his  head  up  and  with 
a  defiant  air,  and  demanded  an  explanation  with  a  loud  voice, 
and  on  the  spot.  It  was  no  unusual  thing  for  the  parties  to 
come  to  blows.  Instances  of  this  kind  are  mentioned  in  the 
records  of  the  town.  Some  aie  handed  down  in  tradition,  but 
most  have  been  f(^rgotten  with  the  actors  tliat  have  passed 
away.  These  conflicts  were  like  a  shower  in  a  sultry,  sununer 
day,  fierce,  frightful,  and  dark,  but  clearing  the  sky  and  bring- 
ing fair  weather  afterwards !  Hence,  they  had  few  long-con- 
tinued enmities.      They  settled  things  up  at  once. 

Closely  connected  with  this  disposition  was  the  tendent'.y  of 
the  Scotcli  to  take  the  law  into  their  own  hands  at  times  when 
the  ordinary  process  seemed  too  slow  or  too  unceitain.  Occa- 
sionally they  inflicted  penalties  which  the  court  did  not  direct, 
and  which  the  Bible  did  not  name.  And  in  all  such  cases  their 
English  neighbors  were  quite  willing  to  look  on  and  ^'cnjoy 
the  fun,"  and  sometimes  to  '■'lend  a  hand."  Nor  were  the 
women  lacking  in  such  matters  when  their  indignation  was 
aroused.  It  is  related  that  about  1790  a  drinking  Scotchman 
lived  near  the  east  line  of  the  town,  who,  when  in  liquor, 
abused  his  family,  in  spite  of  rule  and  remonstrance.  Accord- 
ingly, in  due  time,  about  twenty-five  of  the  neighboring  men, 
disguised  as  women,  accompanied  by  some  indignant  wives  and 
mothers,  met  to  give  the  aforesaid  Scotchman  a  '•'ride  on  a  rail," 
and  marched  in  orderly  silence  to  his  door.  Stationing  them- 
selves in  the  darkness  on  either  side  of  the  way,  they  sent  a 
small  boy  to  get  him  out  into  the  road.  Years  afterward  he 
told  the  story  this  way  : 


388  FUNERAL    CUSTOMS. 

"The  boy  cam  in  greeting  (crying)  and  said  the  old  mere  had  kicked 
up,  and  thrown  the  bags  off,  and  I  jest  got  stepping  oot  to  put  them  on, 
when  the  weemen  cam  spooting  oot  frae  one  side  and  spooling  oot  frae 
toyther  side,  and  they  put  me  on  a  brae  round  pole,  and  carried  me  up 
to  Maj.  Holmes'  tavern  and  gave  me  some  grog,  and  I  sang  them  a 
sang,  and  I  jest  got  stepping  hame  again!" 

Tliis  is  rather  a  lovely  descn[)tion,  l)ut  the  reality  was  not 
over-ao-reeable,  as  the  man  was  roughly  handled,  frightened, 
and  jeered  at  by  men  and  women  I  The  cure  seems  to  have 
been  quite  effectual,  as  nothing  more  "was  heard  of  trouble  in 
that  family.  The  writer  has  seen  cases  of  more  recent  date 
where  he  thought  a  similar  disci})line  would  be  highly  useful! 

The  Scotch  part  of  the  people  had  at  first  some  funeral  and 
wedding  customs  different  from  the  English.  In  case  of  death, 
all  work  in  the  family  was  immediately  stopped,  except  cleaning 
and  cooking;  and  also  all  the  families  in  the  neighborhood 
stopped  work.  Friends  and  neighbors  watched  with  the  body 
all  the  time,  night  and  day,  until  it  was  buried.  At  these 
night-watchings  they  read  the  Bible,  and  prayed  long,  and 
warned  each  other,  and  wept,  and  talked  over  the  virtues  of 
the  departed,  not  forgetting  to  pass  round  the  liquor  freely. 
Some  would  volunteer  to  "  watch  with  the  dead,"'  as  they 
called  it,  for  the  sake  of  getting  the  drink.  Occasions  have 
been  known,  not  a  thousand  miles  from  Francestown,  where 
parties  grew  somewhat  hilaiious  before  the  morn!  Yet  it  was 
not  an  'Trish  wake."  Generally  it  was  most  orderly,  solemn 
and  religious.  They  thought  it  heathenish  and  contradictory 
to  all  the  ties  of  love  not  to  "watch  with  the  dead."  Nothing 
would  induce  them  to  omit  it.  I  can  recall  instances  in  my 
own  day  of  this  faithful  watching  with  the  silent,  cold  faces 
under  the  winding-sheet  from  eve  till  morn,  and  sometimes  the 
watchers'  faces  were  pale  with  fear,  and  they  watched  trem- 
blingly, and  every  sound  alarmed  them,  and  it  seemed  as  though 
each  hour  grew  into  a  score  of  them  and  the  long  night  never 
would  pass  away ! 

At  the  funeral  service  all  the  Scotch  part  of  the  peoj^le,  far 
and  near,  were  sure  to  be  present.  As  soon  as  they  wei'c  ready 
for  the  public  service  to  begin,  liqyor  was  passed  round  to  the 
minister  and  mourners  and  invited  friends,  and,  if  the  parties 


DRINKING    AT    FUNERALS.  889 

were  able,  to  every  person  attending.  Sometimes  it  would 
take  a  half  hour  to  distribute  the  drink.  Then  they  had  prayer 
and  singing.  Then  the  minister  preached  and  "talked  to  the 
mourners,"  often  speaking  minutely  of  the  dead,  and  always 
warning  the  living  personally  and  by  name.  Each  relative 
was  separately  "spoken  to,"  and  in  the  "long  prayer"  that 
followed,  each  relative  was  separately  "prayed  for."  Then 
they  passed  round  the  liquor  again,  before  lifting  the  body. 
Then,  closing  the  uncomel}^  coffin,  which  was  hurriedly  made, 
and  smelled  of  new  paint  and  varnish,  they  foimed  a  long- 
procession,  always  on  foot  in  the  early  years  of  the  town,  and 
marched  to  the  grave.  Thence  they  all  marched  back  in  the 
same  order  to  the  house,  where  for  the  third  time  liquor  was 
passed  to  every  one.  Then  those  who  could  remain  were 
sumptuously  fed,  and  this  ended  the  last  ceremony  in  honor 
of  the  dead.  It  will  be  obvious  that  these  services  would 
involve  considerable  expense  and  much  work,  and  wovild 
occupy  nearly  the  whole  day. 

At  first,  in  this  and  other  towns,  the  English  inhabitants 
looked  upon  the  Scotch  burial  services  as  bits  of  pai)al  super- 
stition, but  gradually  they  fell  in  with  most  of  them.  Diink- 
ing  liquor  at  funerals  became  universal  in  this  town,  and  con- 
tinued so  for  many  yeai's.  Some  customs  were  modified  in 
the  lapse  of  years,  and  the  two  races  became  as  one  in  the  out- 
ward semblances  of  their  griefs  and  farewells! 

On  occasions  of  marriage  also  the  Scotch  had  some  peculiar 
methods.  With  them  a  wedding  was  a  great  event.  All  the 
relatives  of  both  groom  and  bride,  and  all  the  near  neighbors, 
were  invited.  Guests  had  to  be  "invited  in  good  season,"  gener- 
ally a  week  or  ten  days  in  advance,  a  short  notice  being 
considered  an  insult.  On  the  day  of  the  wedding  "spirit"  was 
used  abundantly  and  frequently.  The  "day"  was  introduced 
by.  firing  guns  at  dawn,  a  custom  perpetuated  by  the  pride  of 
the  Scotch,  who  while  sojourning  in  Ireland,  had  been  permitted 
to  retain  their  arms,  while  the  Irish  were  deprived  of  theirs. 
Also  this  accounts  for  the  fact  that  our  ancestors  in  all  the  older 
Scotch  communities  of  New  England,  were  married  with  swords 
by  their  sides.  On  the  wedding  morning,  the  bridegroom,  with 
his  near  relatives  and  friends,  started  on  horse-back  and  with 


390  MARRIAGE    CUSTOMS. 

considerable  pomp,  for  the  house  of  the  bride,  each  one  being 
armed.  At  the  })ro})er  time  asinuhir  party  of  the  bride's  friends, 
armed  and  e(jni[)ped  in  the  same  way,  set  out  to  meet  the 
appi'oaching  company.  When  tliey  met,  they  saluted  each  other 
with  great  formality,  and  then  each  paity  deliberately  chose 
one  of  its  own  number  ''to  run  for  the  bottle"  to  the  house  of 
the  bride.  Then  followed  an  exciting  race  by  the  two  mounted 
cham})ions  to  determine  which  should  "-carry  the  bottle."  Soon 
the  two  returned  together,  but  the  victor  ''carried  the  bottle," 
and  was  saluted  with  s[)ecial  lionor;  the  waiting  companies 
formed  as  one  cavalry  regiment  before  liini ;  he  gave  a  toast; 
drank  the  bridegroom's  health ;  and  then  "passed  the  bottle"  to 
every  one.  This  done,  they  "fired  a  salute,"  and  proceeded  on 
the  way  to  the  bride's  residence,  some  one  discharging  a  pistol 
every  half-minute  or  oftener.  Tlie  people  of  the  houses  which 
they  passed  came  out  and  sainted  the  bridal  party  with  the 
firing  of  muskets.  An  enemy  would  fii-e  "squibs"  as  tlie  com" 
pany  passed  l)y,  in  token  of  derision.  When  all  were  assembled 
and  everything  was  ready  for  the  ceremony,  the  bridegroom 
was  first  led  into  the  room,  formally  introduced  by  name,  and 
put  into  the  })roper  })osition  before  the  minister.  Then  the 
bride  was  led  in  and  placed  at  the  bridegroom's  right  hand. 
The  groomsman  and  bridesmaid  quietly  took  their  places  im- 
mediately behind  the  pair  to  be  married.  The  mai'riage-service 
was  very  solemn  and  somewhat  lengtliy,  was  never  read  from 
a  book,  always  commenced  with  prayer,  and  always  included 
the  affectionate  exercise  of  "joining  hands."  Nor  could  they 
be  gloved  hands.  Hence,  to  increase  the  precious  formality  of 
the  occasion,  tlie  minister,  having  asked  them  to  "join  right 
hands,"  waited  with  imposing  dignity ;  and  they,  turning  half 
round  and  their  faces  toward  each  other,  each  reached  back  the 
right  hand  to  the  attendant  beliind,  to  remove  the  glove. 
This  was  very  elaborately  and  very  gracefully  accomplished.  Of 
course  the  two  gloves  must  come  off  so  as  to  free  both  parties 
at  the  same  instant  of  time.  This  was  a  matter  of  nice  and  large 
importance.  Then  the  hands  were  "joined,"  some  very  wise 
remarks  and  comments  were  made  and  advice  given  by  the 
clergyman  in  his  "address,"  and  assent  was  acknowledged  to  a 
solemn  marriage-covenant.      The  whole  was  closed  bv  a  second 


MARRIAGE    CUSTOMS    CONTINUED.  391 

prayer,  after  wliicli  the  minister  re({iie.sted  tJie  liiisbaiid  to  kiss 
his  newly-made  wife, — wliich  authoritative  order  was  gracefully 
complied  with.  Then  the  minister  proceeded  to  do  the  same 
thing.  After  him,  the  gentlemen  in  the  company  kissed  the 
bride,  and  the  ladies  the  bridegroom.  Then  tliey  sat  down  to 
dinner,  with  untold  abundances  to  eat  and  drink,  and  lingered 
long  at  the  board.  ^^Tlie  marriage-feast"  being  over,  there  fol- 
lowed a  jolly,  rollicking  "good  time,"  finishing  u})  the  day  and 
evening.  Often  the  great  old  kitchen  was  cleared  foi'  the  dance. 
All  rules  of  order  were  dispensed  with,  and  the  laughing  fun- 
loving  guests,  young  aftd  old,  took  matters  into  their  own  hands 
and  had  their  own  way,  sometimes  canying  their  jokes  and 
pleasantries  to  such  absurd  extremes  as  could  not  receive  ap- 
pj'oval  at  the  present  day  I 

The  lapse  of  years  has  changed  these  methods  very  nnich. 
Perhaps,  however,  we  have  lost  by  making  less  and  less  of  the 
marriage  ceremou}-.  Perha])s  we  make  it  a  too  easy  and  un- 
important stej)  to  get  married  now.  The  old-fashioned  Scotch 
wedding  was  a  grand  affair.  No  doubt  these  ceremonies  were 
carried  out  to  completeness  many  times  in  Francestown,  though 
two  reasons  operated  to  modify  them  here,*  one  being  that  ex- 
ceptions to  the  old  custom  had  become  quite  common  before 
the  settlement  of  this  town;  the  other  being  that  this  was  a 
mixed  community  almost  from  tlie  earliest  settlement.  At  first 
a  private  marriage  was  considered  disre[)utable  among  the 
Scotch;  but  in  time  such  marriages  increased  in  number,  and 
occasionally  couples  went  quietly  to  the  minister  and  were 
married,  after  which  the  man  and  wife,  both  mounted  upon  one 
hoi'se  as  they  came,  rode  to  their  i)roposed  home.  In  such  cases, 
if  known,  they  were  generally  honored  by  the  firing  of  nuiskets 
at  every  house  they  passed,  and  were  often  serenaded  at  niglit 
with  uproarious,  if  not  melodious,  mirth.  At  the  present  time 
th-e  formal  wedding  is  quite  rare,  and  couples  run  off  to  be 
married  in  haste,  and  divorces  follow.  Ought  not  efforts  to 
be  made  in  the  liiie  of  impressing  and  deepening  the  religious 
solemnity  of  the  marriage-covenant? 

As  said  in  another  place,  the  Scotch  were  first  on  the  ground 
in  this  town,  and  were  the  only  occupants  for  several  years. 
For  a  long   series  of  years   they   outnumbered   the    English. 


392  SCOTCH    LEADERS. 

They  owned  the  best  part  of  the  town,  and  held  most  of  the 
prominent  offices.  They  were  chiefly  the  soldiers  of  the  field, 
the  committees  of  safety,  the  military  leaders,  and  the  men  to 
be  consulted  on  affairs  in  general.  They  were  characterized 
by  a  force  and  fearlessness,  calculated  for  pioneers.  Carson, 
the  Dickeys,  the  Quigleys,  McMaster,  Parkinson,  James  Fisher, 
William  Starrett,  and  most  others  of  the  town's  foremost  men, 
were  of  the  Scotch  race.  The  Lewises,  and  some  other  excel- 
lent men,  were  English,  but  they  were  few  in  number.  At 
tlie  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  however,  men  of  the  En- 
glish race  began  to  come  here  more  n\imerously  than  before, 
so  that  at  tlie  time  of  the  union  of  the  two  churches  (1790) 
the  two  races  were  about  equal.  Men  who  served  in  the  army 
from  Massachusetts  came  here  to  make  a  home ;  some  of  them 
before  the  close  of  the  war.  By  1800  the  English  far  out- 
numbered the  Scotch,  but  by  that  time  the  two  races  in  this 
town  had  become  so  united,  by  intermarriage,  business  inti- 
macy, and  church  fellowship,  that  the  distinction  of  races  was 
little  noticed. 

It  has  been  said  that  while  the  two  races  were  blending 
together  in  this  town,  the  Scotch  mothers,  being  talkative  and 
gossipy,  did  specially  retain  those  characteristics,  and  that  the 
"old  noon-house"  (a  Scotch  institution,  by  the  way),  where 
they  retired  to  warm  themselves  and  eat  a  bit  of  lunch  Sal> 
bath-days,  could  witness  to  conversations  not  over-religious  for 
holy  time.  One  is  handed  down  thus:  "My  son  John  is  a 
nice  young  man;  he  reads  three  chapters  in  the  Bible  every 
day,  and  makes  beautiful  shoes;  does  your  hens  lay?"  But 
how  would  it  work  to  report  the  Sunday  conversation  of  the 
present  day?  Would  it  all  be  appropriate  to  the  house  of 
God?  Then  they  had  some  excuse,  since  they  had  no  papers, 
and  the  Sabbath  was  the  only  time  when  they  were  together. 
Nor  could  the  gossip-talent  be  monopolized  by  the  Scotch. 
We  have  no  evidence  of  any  lack  in  their  English  neighbors 
in  this  respect.  And  the  descendants  of  both  have  developed 
all  necessary  talent  in  this  line  up  to  the  latest  date! 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

MILLS    AND    MANUFACTURES    IN    FEANCESTOWN. 

This  was  never  to  any  large  extent  a  manufacturing  place, 
and  never  liad  great  water  power.  Yet,  in  the  first  half  cen- 
tury of  the  town,  the  water  i)Ower  was  probably  twice  what  it 
is  at  the  present  day.  In  several  places  there  wei'e  mills  well 
provided  with  power  half  the  3^ear  where  now  no  water  runs 
except  in  the  wettest  times.  The  same  is  true  of  all  the  sur- 
rounding towns.  With  the  loss  of  the  old  forests,  either  less 
rain  falls  or  it  evaporates  more  I'apidly  from  the  ground.  New 
England  is  drier  than  it  was  a  hundred  years  ago.  There 
were  more  brooks,  more  meadows,  more  marshy,  water-covered 
land  than  now.  This  helps  to  account  for  the  settlers  locating 
on  the  high  ground,  since  many  low  valleys  and  "runs"  now 
valuable  were  then  under  water  a  large  part  of  the  year. 

Changes  of  population  and  changes  in  methods  of  manufac- 
ture have  also  contributed  to  carry  all  kinds  of  "mill  business" 
away  from  this  town.  For  lialf  a  century  there  were  several 
small  but  vigorous  tanneries  in  operation  here,  which  were  all 
swallowed  up  or  driven  out  of  the  field  by  immense  establish- 
ments below,  which,  doing  business  on  so  large  a  scale,  could 
do  it  cheaper.  All  over  New  England  and  in  all  kinds  of  busi- 
ness, small  factories  have  been  swallowed  up  by  large  ones. 
And  railroads  have  helped  along  this  change. 

There  was  also,  in  former  years,  more  of  strictly  home  man- 
ufacture than  now.  Families  made  many  things  out  of  their 
own  material  for  their  own  use.  People  bought  less  than  tliey 
do  now.  They  depended  more  upon  themselves.  Every  house 
was  in  some  way  a  factory.  I  find  in  the  Amherst  Cabinet, 
1824,  thitt  Mark  Morse  received  the  award  of  the  "County 
Agricultural  Society  for  home-made  blankets  as  fine  as  any. 
imported." 


394  THE    FIRST    SAW    MILL. 

Below  is  given  a  list  of  mills  of  various  kinds  that  liave  had 
a  place  in  town  at  one  date  or  another.  It  is  difficult  to  give 
exact  dates,  and  it  is  not  claimed  that  this  list  is  arranged  in 
the  exact  order  of  time,  except  for  three  or  four  first  named: 

1.  The  Ihtrid  Letris  Scan  Mill. — This  mill  was  the  first  mill  of  any 
kind  ever  built  in  Francestown.  It  stood  on  the  main  stream  of  the 
town,  near  the  south  east  Part,  and  was  commenced  as  early  as  the  fall 
of  1768.  It  was  running  in  1770.  The  New  Boston  records  speak  of 
"David  Lewis'  Mill"  in  1771  as  well  known  at  that  time.  It  was  a  small, 
low,  old-fashioned  saw  mill,  with  the  ancient  "'mill-crank"  and  perpen- 
dicular saw.  More  is  said  about  it  in  the  body  of  this  work  in  the 
reference  to  David  Lewis  17()3.  It  was  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by 
George  G.  Sargent's  saw  mill. 

2.  The  Bntterfield  Saw  MiU.—Th\>^  was  built  by  William  lUittertield, 
(grandfather  of  the  painter  William)  a])out  1772,  on  what  has  at  times 
been  known  as  the  Taylor  farm.  It  was  in  the  south-west  part  of  the 
town,  and  was  a  great  aid  in  developing  tliat  section.  Lumber  for  build- 
ings in  that  part  of  the  town  and  parts  of  Greenlii'Id  adjoining,  was 
prepared  in  this  mill.  It  Avas  in  vigorous  ojjeration  for  al)out  forty 
years  and  became  extinct  not  far  from  1H1.3. 

3.  '■'■David  Leans''  Corn  Mill.'''' — This  was  on  the  same  stream  and 
near  the  same  spot  where  the  first  saw-mill  was  biiilt.  It  was  probably 
begun  in  1772,  and  w%as  running,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  people,  in  1773. 
The  record  speaks  of  "David  Lewis'  Corn  mill,"  and  tells  us  that  the 
"Dam  was  broak"  by  a  spring  freshet  in  1774. 

Tlie  old  mill  was  rebuilt  by  John  Fisher  about  1840,  and  was  burned 
in  1865. 

The  present  mill  on  this  site  is  occupied  by  Hiram  P.  Clark  in  the 
manufacture  of  pails  and  fancy  boxes,  and  was  built  by  him. 

In  the  "Old  Corn  Mill,"  in  the  days  when  bags  and  everything  else 
were  home-made,  was  posted  the  following  notice  : 

"Gentlemen  All — It  is  a  good  thing  to  make  and  Mend  your  Bags 
well,  and  keep  a  good  siring." 

4.  (Jram\s  Oil  Mill. — This  mill  w^as  Ijuilt  by  (Stephen  Cram  about 
1800. 

Oil  mills  of  various  kinds  were  in  operation  in  this  vicinity  fi'om  1795 
to  about  1835,  and  for  the  first  half  of  this  period  were  very  profitable. 
A  lai'ge  one  in  New  Boston  gave  name  to  Oil  Mill  Village  in  that  town. 
Oil  was  made  in  these  mills  from  various  kinds  of  seeds,  but  chiefly 
from  pumpkin-seeds  and  flax  seeds.  This  was  the  only  oil  mill  ever  in 
operation  in  Francestown  and  flax-seed  or  "lin-seed"  oil  was  the  only 
kind  manufactured  here.  The  flax-seed  was  put  through  four  processes; 
.  e.  driven  between  rollers  to  ci'ush  and  break  the  seed;  then  it  was 
"ground,"  as  grain  is,  between  wheels  of  stone;  next  the  ground  sub- 
stance was  put  into  a  huge  iron  cylinder  laid  horizontally  and  made  to 


THE   OIL   MILL.  895 

revolve  slowly  over  a  fire  till  sufficiently  heated;  then  the  oil  was  pressed 
out  in  a  way  similar  to  the  method  of  pressing  out  cider,  and  ran  down 
into  a  tank  below.  Old  people  say  the  general  price  was  about  |1. 50 
per  gallon.  After  the  oil  was  pressed  out  the  hard  "cheese"  that  was 
left  was  ground  over  again  and  then  made  a  dry  meal,  which  was  sold 
for  "feed"  for  stock  as  cotton-seed  meal  is  sold  now.  And  all  this  was 
an  excellent  thing  for  the  people,  as  every  farmer  raised  flax,  and  the 
seed  sold  better  than  eggs  or  butter  at  the  store.  Every  country  store 
bought  flax-seed,  and  sold  it  in  turn  to  the  manufacturers.  All  this  went 
on  flnely  till  cotton  came  into  market  and  superseded  flax,  after  which 
flax  seed  could  not  be  procured,  and  the  mills  stopped  of  necessity. 
When  Cram  went  out  of  the  business,  the  mill  was  transformed  into  a 
cai-ding  and  fulling  and  cloth  factory  and  occupied  by  Clark  Ames.  In 
recent  years  Geo.  G.  Sargent  has  run  a  grist  mill  and  shingle  mill  on  the 
stand  of  the  "old  oil  mill." 

5.  Badge's  Carding  and  Grist  Mill. — Oliver  Butterfield's  record  states 
that  this  mill  was  built  by  Simeon  Dodge,  Jr.  Was  built  about  1816. 
It  stood  about  a  mile  south  of  the  village  near  the  road  from  (ireenfleld 
to  New  Boston,  on  place  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Eliza  Presby. 

6.  Thorndyke's  Carding  Mill. — This  mill  stands  just  above  Mill 
Village,  and  was  built  by  Willard  Thorndike  about  LSKi.  This  was  a 
prosperous  and  popular  mill  of  its  kind  for  a  long  time.  Subsequently 
this  mill  was  owned  and  occupied  by  Issachar  Dodge;  and  after  the 
decline  of  the  carding  and  fulling  business,  it  was  used  as  a  planing 
mill  and  grist  mill.  It  is  now  used  as  a  shingle  mill  and  wheelwright 
shop.     Is  owned  by  Mrs.  Laura  G.  Wilder. 

7.  The  Grisi  and  Saw  31111  in  Mill  Village. — The  original  "saw  and 
grist  mill"  on  this  spot  was  built  by  John  Carson  about  17So.  It  was 
referred  to  as  "Caft.  Carsons  Mill"  in  town  records  of  March  1793. 
At  flrst  the  broad  stone  dam  was  used  by  the  town  as  a  highway.  This 
was  mostly  carried  off:  by  a  freshet  about  Apr.  1796,  and  a  controversy 
arose  as  to  which  party  should  restore  it.  A  town  meeting  was  held 
Sept.  19,  1796,  to  see  if  they  could  compromise,  and  an  arrangement 
was  soon  made,  Carson  giving  the  use  of  his  dam,  and  the  town  giving 
38  pounds  to  build  the  bridge.  The  present  mill,  replacing  the  old,  was 
built  by  George  Dean.  It  is  now  owned  by  Charles  Williams,  and  a 
new  part  was  added  in  1889  for  sawing  soap-stone. 

8.  Scoby  Mill. — This  was  a  saw  and  grist  mill,  erected  about  1780. 
It  stood  at  the  outlet  of  Haunted  Lake.  Became  extinct  about  1860. 
For  half  a  century  it  did  considerable  business;  but  subsequently  it  was 
run  by  Daniel  Fuller  only  for  himself  and  a  few  neighbors  until  it 
became  unfit  for  use  and  was  abandoned. 

9.  The  Nail  Factory. — This  was  erected  by  Daniel  Bixby  (son  of 
Asa)  near  his  father's  house,  at  the  foot  of  Ewell  Hill.  Oliver  Butter- 
field's  record  says  it  was  built  as  "a  Chair  and  Bobbin  Shop,"  and  that 
afterwards  he  and  "his  cousin  Levi  (son  of  Thomas)  got  up  a  machine 


396  MILLS    AND    MANUFACTURES. 

and  worked  at  cutting  and  heading  nails."  This  mill  was  built  about 
1817;  it  has  been  gone  about  fifty  years.  One  says  it  was  "taken  down 
about  1S40." 

10.  Bixhy's  Wheeltv right  Shryp. — Built  liy  Dean  Bixby  about  1830. 
It  stands  in  Mill  Village,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  stream  from  the 

Carson  mill,  drawing  water  from  the  same  pond.  Is  now  owned  by 
Daniel  Moody,  who  carried  on  the  wheelwright  business  in  it  many 
years,  closing  it  in  1890. 

11.  Sleeper  Saw  Mill. — Now  gone.  Stood  at  the  ijiouth  of  Pleasant 
Pond.  Built  by  John  Sleeper  about  1820.  Was  in  operation  fifty 
years.     Now  only  the  site  and  ruins  remain.  . 

12.  Fisher's  S(nv  Mill. — Now  owned  by  Samuel  E.  Bryant,  was  built 
by  David  Fisher  about  the  year  1800.  Tie  died  in  1827.  This  mill 
stood  about  tAvo  miles  north  of  the  village  toward  Deering.  Bryant  put 
up  a  new  mill  in  place  of  the  old  in  181)0.  The  stream  is  called  Fisher's 
Brook. 

13.  White's  Saw  and  Sliiiigle  Mill. — Built  by  Levi  White  about  1855. 
It  stands  about  three  miles  north  of  the  village,  close  to  Deering.  Is 
now  owned  and  run  by  Perley  ^Vliite,  son  of  Levi. 

14.  Dutton's  (Irist  Mill. — Known  as  the  Fairbanks  Mill,  and  later  as 
the  Hovey  Mill.  Now  gone,  was  built  by  Israel  Fairbanks  in  1810. 
Stood  near  the  home  of  the  late  Dea.  B.  Fairbanks,  about  two  miles 
south-westward  from  the  village. 

15.  MitchelVs  Grist  Mill- — Now  gone.  Stood  near  the  school-house 
in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town.  Was  built  by  Thomas  Mitchell 
about  1790,  and  was  kept  running  about  sixty  years.  No  sign  of  its 
existence  now  remains  except  a  part  of  the  broken  dam. 

16.  WillarrVs  Furniture  Shop. — Was  said  to  be  in  the  village,  though 
on  the  brook  a  few  rods  east  of  the  street  and  l)ack  ftf  the  Willard  house. 
Was  built  by  -Joseph  Willard  about  1806.  Willard's  name  first  appears 
in  the  tax-list  of  1807.  This  shop  is  now  gone.  It  became  extinct 
about  1850. 

17.  Bixhy  Box  Shopj. — This  is  the  large  Shop  in  the  village,  now 
owned  by  Dr.  Geo.  H.  Bixby.  Was  built  by  Daniel  Bixby  about  1821, 
for  the  manufacture  of  furniture.  Afterwards  .used  for  the  manu- 
facture of  fancy  boxes  by  Daniel  Bixby,  and  James  T.  Bixby  till  about 
1880.  Was  used  for  a  Creamery  1886  to  1889.  Is  now  used  as  a  plan- 
ing mill,  cutting  out  finishings,  &c. 

18.  The  Clark  Bobbin  Mill— The  Record  of  Oliver  Butterfield 
speaks  of  it  as  where  "Warner  Clark,  son  of  Daniel  &  Grandson  of 
Daniel,  built  &  worked  at  making  bobbins."  Was  built  about  1829- 
Has  been  gone  many  years.  The  writer  remembers  how  it  looked,  and 
how  astonishing  it  was  to  the  small  boy  in  1846.  It  stood  on  the  north 
side  of  the  turnpike,  just  east  of  the  Lynch  house,  and  on  the  Piscata- 
quog  South  Branch. 


MILLS    AND    MAMUFACTURES.  397 

19.  The  Starrett  Bohhin  Mill.— Built  about  1846  by  Miltou  G.  and 
Frank  B.  Starrett.  Burned  in  1861.  It  stood  in  the  south-east  corner 
of  the  town,  about  a  mile  east  of  the  Dea.  Rand  place.     Was  not  rebuilt. 

20.  llie  Axe  Shop. — This  was  a  small  shop  just  east  of  the  Meeting- 
house, and  was  built  by  Ilammon  Starrett  about  1831,  for  manufacturing 
axes.  Subsequently  he  worked  in  the  north  part  of  the  village  near 
where  the  brick  blacksmith  shop  now  stands.  For  the  most  part  he 
worked  alone  at  the  business,  and  no  great  number  of  axes  were  turned 
out. 

21.  Vase- Hat  *S7iop. — Josiah  Vose  put  up  a  building  about  1802 
"where  Robert  Bradford's  House  stands,"  for  making  hats.  The  busi- 
ness was  continued  by  his  son  Elisha  Vose,  and  was  for  a  long  time  a 
profitable  line  of  business.  The  last  hat  manufactured  in  Francestown 
was  probably  made  in  Feb.  or  March  1847. 

22.  Haseltine  Hat  Shop.— As  early  as  1812  James  Haseltine  manu- 
factured hats  in  a  shop  that  stood  at  the  corner  where  the  Daniel  Bixby 
house  now  stands.  This  business  was  continued  many  yeai's,  Frances- 
town  being  quite  noted  therefor.  Jonah  M.  Davis  succeeded  him  and 
carried  on  the  business  for  several  years,  emijloying  from  three  to  six 
hands,  till  he  left  town  for  New  Orleans  about  1834.  Then  Charles 
Howard  took  the  business,  and  pushed  it  successfully  till  the  return  of 
Davis  about  1838,  who  then  resumed  the  work. 

23.  True's  Tannery. — There  wei-e  four  tanneries  in  successful  oper- 
ation in  Francestown  at  one  time.  Of  course  these  were  not  large,  but 
they  added  considerable  lifc^  and  value  to  the  town.  Butterfield's  record 
tells  us  that  this  tannery  was  built  by  Thomas  Bixby,  Jr.  (probably  about 
1805)  and  afterwards  passed  into  the  hands  of  Dea.  John  True.  It 
stood  about  a  mile  north  of  the  village  near  the  house  now  occupied  by 
Samuel  Kewton,  where  the  ruins  can  still  be  traced.  The  small  brook 
was  then  a  considerable  stream.     Ceased  operation  about  1830. 

24.  The  Gibson  T'annery. — This  stood  near  the  famous  Gil)son 
tavern  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  the  small  stream  of  water  being 
then  sufficient  for  the  purpose.  It  was  on  the  west  side  of  the  "road,  a 
little  to  the  south  of  the  present  barn.  Old  people  say  that  a  "big  busi- 
ness" was  done  in  this  tannery.  Is  said  -to  have  "ceased  running  in 
1827." 

25.  Ewell  Tamien/. ^Butterfield's  Record  says  that  "Perez  Ewell 
built  and  worked  at  tanning  where  William  H.  Farnum's  Barn  now 
stands."  This  was  afterwards  carried  on  by  Amasa  Downes,  sr.  The 
bark  was  ground  by  horse-ijowcr.  ]5utterfield  says  he  worked  there  for 
Downes  in  1811,  his  part  being  to  "break  up  the  bark  with  an  old  axe, 
shovel  it  into  the  hopper  and  keep  the  horse  going."  The  last  busi- 
ness in  this  tannery  ceased  in  1850. 

26.  Farnum  Tannery.— Bxxiiev^aW a  Record  says  that  "Peter  Farnum, 
father  of  Peter,  worked  at  tanning  where  Charles  Parker  now  lives 
(now  Mrs.  Rhoda  B.  Parker's)  at  the  crossing  this  side  of  the  Starrett 


398  MILLS    AND    MANUFACTUIIES. 

place."  Was  carried  on  many  years  by  Mr.  Downes,  father  of  the 
present  Downes  Brothers.  Business  ceased  in  this  Tannery  in  1860. 
These  four  were  called  "Large  Tanneries"  in  the  Gazetteer  of  1817. 
"  27.  Musical  Instrument  Slhoj). — This  was  in  a  small  building  which 
stood  a  few  feet  north  of  whci'e  the  Bank  Building  now  stands,  and  the 
business  was  carried  on  by  Ezra  Barrett.  It  was  in  vigorous  operation 
in  1S17. 

28.  Potash  Factories. — A  small  l)uil<ling  was  put  up  about  1790  on 
the  place  now  owned  by  Mary  J.  Bailey  in  the  south-east  part  of  the 
town,  for  the  manufacture  of  Potash.  This  was  owned  and  operated  by 
Peter  Clark. 

Soon  after  a  similar  '^Potasli  Factory"  was  ])uill  and  carried  on  by 
Peter  Woodbury.     It  stood  on  his  farm  a  little  east  of  the  village. 

A  third  concern  of  the  same  kind  was  on  tlie  Ebenezer  Pettee  place 
in  Mill  Village.     These  all  ceased  operation  about  18:35. 

29.  The  Earthen  Ware  Factor;/. — Such  a  factory  was  started  in  this 
town  by  Peter  Clark  as  early  as  1800,  and  the  business  was  pushed 
vigorously  for  a  time,  but  ultimately  tailed  on  account  of  the  "poor 
quality  of  the  clay,"  it  is  said.  A  good  business  was  done  here  in  this 
line  in  1817.  The  factory  stood  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  between 
the  Sargent-Mills  Bridge  and  the  present  factory  of  II.  P.  Clark  (No.  3 
above.) 

.30.  Brick-ma kin(j  Estahlishnient. — For  more  than  half  a  century  a 
Brick-yard  was  in  operation  in  this  town.  Date  of  starting  not  known. 
Was  in  the  south  part,  and  was  owned  and  operatod  for  a  long  time  by 
Saville  Starrett.  But  it  ceased  to  be  renuinerative  and  was  closed  up 
about  1860. 

31.  Everett's  3fi7/.— Eleazer  Everett  built  a  saw-mill  about  1799,  on 
the  South  or  Main  Branch  of  the  Piscataquog  spoken  of  as  "on  the 
Lyndeboro'  line."  On  this  site  Phinehas  Kidder  has  now  a  "carding 
and  threshing  and  cider,  mill,"  built  by  him  in  1876.  As  now  built, 
the  pond  is  in  Francestown,  but  the  buildings  are  chiefly  on  the  Lynde- 
boro' side  of  the  line. 

32.  The  Whip  Factory. — William  Anderson  manufactured  whips  in 
a  building  near  the  Gibson  Tavern  for  about'a  dozen  years,  (1833-1845.) 
The  quantity  was  not  large,  but  the  quality  was  of  the  finest.  These 
were  mostly  sold  to  the  trade  in  Boston,  and  the  "Francestown  whips'' 
had  quite  a  reputation. 


m^^  ^ 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE    SOAPSTONE    QUARRY. 

This  has  attained  so  much  note  and  name  as  to  demand  a 
chapter  of  special  notice.  The  material  itself  is  known  in 
different  places  by  different  names,  as  talc,  steatite,  soapstone, 
potstone,  French  chalk,  etc.  In  this  section  it  was  called 
"freestone"  for  many  3^ears,  it  is  said  because  it  could  be  freely 
cut  by  ordinary  tools.  It  is  called  saponite,  or  soa})stonc,  be- 
cause feeling  soapy  or  greasy  to  the  liand.  It  is  found  in 
more  than  a  dozen  localities  in  the  United  States.  There  is  a 
soapstone  quarry  in  Pelham,  this  State,  and  another  in  Keene, 
but  neither  of  these  last  named  is  of  a  character  adequate  to 
being  profitably  worked.  'J'he  deposit  in  Francestown  is  con- 
sidered the  best  in  the  world.  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  the 
distinguished  geologist,  testifying  as  an  expert  in  a  law  case, 
said:  "The  Francestown  stone,  for  color,  beauty,  and  evenness, 
surpasses  all  other  soapstone  known."  For  years  it  sold  for 
($36  per  ton  in  Boston,  while  the  best  from  any  other  place 
could  not  be  sold  for  over  s|24  per  ton.  It  has  no  flaws,  no 
grit,  no  hard  spots,  no  rust}'  streaks.  It  can  be  sawed,  or 
planed,  or  bored,  or  cut,  like  wood ;  or  it  can  be  ground  up, 
like  grain,  and  from  its  greasy  nature  can  be  used  to  lubricate 
machines,  or  to  mix  with  otlier  material  and  solidify  into  vari- 
ous forms.  Soapstone  has  been  used  for  making  stoves,  ovens, 
hearths,  floors,  pencils  for  slates,  sinks,  mantels,  and  various 
other  purposes.  It  is  not  affected  by  acids,  and  hence  is  used 
for  "sizing-rollers"  in  cotton  mills,  and  things  in  that  line. 
When  cut  and  smoothed  it  receives  a  most  beautiful  polish, 
and  retains  it  for  a  long  time. 

Merrill's  Gazetteer  of  New  Hampshire  (1817)  speaks  of 
"two  quarries  of  free  stone,  one  in  the  easterly  and  one  in  the 
southerly  part  of  the  town."     But  really  there  were  never  two 


400  THE    SOAPSTONE    QUARRY.       " 

quarries,  that  in  the  soutlierly  part  of  the  town  consisting  only 
of  a  few  boulders  of  soapstone  which  were  discovered  near  the 
south  base  of  C'rotched  Mountain,  al)Out  1813.  Several  of 
these  were  partially  imbedded  in  the  earth,  and  there  was  quite 
a  craze  about  them  for  a  time,  as  though  they  were  indications 
of  an  immense  deposit.  But  these  hopes  were  soon  disap- 
pointed, and  work  soon  ceased  in  that  })lace. 

The  discovery  of  the  soapstone  quarry  in  tli.e  easterly  part  of 
the  town  and  its  increasing  value,  awakened  much  interest  and 
led  to  close  searcliing  for  similar  deposits  in  other  places  in  the 
vicinity.  People  now  living  can  remember  when  much  money 
was  spent  in  digging  here  and  there  by  those  who  hoped  they 
were  on  the  way  to  a  quarry  of  their  own.  Old  excavations 
look  as  though  they  began  to  luiild  a  railroad  through  the  town- 
and  suddenly  st()j)ped.  Nothing  of  importance,  however,  has 
ever  been  found  since  the  lirst  discovery.  The  main  quarry  lies 
about  a  mile  east  of  the  village.  Its  discovery,  as  the  family 
say,  came  about  as  follows.  Daniel  Fuller,  (who  came  here  in 
1786,  and  was  chosen  highway  surveyor  in  March  1787)  and 
Joseph  Guild  (who  came  a  little  later)  together  bought  a  tract 
of  land  of  some  three  hundred  acres,  including  the  present 
(juarry.  They  put  up  a  small  house  in  1789.  The  next  year 
Fuller  married,  and  Guild  boarded  with  him.  After  a  time 
Guild  wanted  to  marry,  and  wanted  to  divide  the  land.  It  is 
said  that  Guild  gave  Fuller  |5lOO  for  choice  of  parts,  "to  get  rid 
of  the  rocks" — which  he  did, — little  dreaming  of  their  value. 
Fuller  kept  the  "rocks,"  but  was  not  very  successful  in  busi- 
ness. He  had  nuich  sickness  in  his  family  and  was  obliged  to 
mortgage  his  farm  to  keep  along.  He  grew  despondent  and 
began  to  talk  about  giving  up  his  home.  One  morning  about 
the  first  of  Ma}'^  1808  he  and  his  son  John  were  talking  the 
matter  over  sadly,  and  the  two  started  out  to  mend  the  fence, 
and  "went  on  talking  in  a  sad  strain  of  the  outlook,"  when 
absent-mindedly  the  elder  Fuller  dropped  his  axe.  He  had 
taken  great  pains  in  grinding  it,  and  it  fell  edge  down,  much  to 
his  vexation.  But,  to  their  surprise,  the  axe  was  not  dulled, 
though  it  had  fallen  hard  enough  to  cut  a  chip  out  of  the  ledge. 
Then  they  examined  the  ledge,  cut  into  it,  and  Fuller  said, 
"It  cuts  like  old  cheese."     Before  the  year  was  out  they  began 


THE    SOAPSTONE   QUARRY.  401 

to  work  the  qiiany,  and  soon  Fuller's  debts  were  paid,  and  he 
had  cleared  enough  to  build  the  large  Fuller  house  in  1811.  A 
hearth  and  fire-place  are  still  in  use  in  New  Boston,  which  were 
taken  from  this  quarry  in  1810.  It  made  Fuller  rich  in  a  few 
years,  and  a  large  amount  of  money  has  been  made  out  of  it 
since  his  day.  The  stone  sold  in  1817  for  seventeen  dollars 
per  ton,  twelve  cubic  feet  weighing  a  ton,  being  very  uniform 
in  weight  and  character.  It  was  carried  by  ox  teams  to  Boston, 
and  sold  in  a  store  on  Milk  St.  It  took  six  days  to  go  to 
Boston  and  back  with  this  team,  which  was  gejierally  loaded 
with  something  for  the  return  trip.  People  came  long  distances 
to  get  pieces  for  foot-stones  for  use  in  cold  weather,  as  it  re- 
tained its  heat  for  several  hours.  These  were  well  heated,  and 
then  used  to  keep  the  feet  warm  on  a  journey,  or  to  warm 
fingers  and  toes  at  church,  or  to  make  more  comfortable  the  bed 
in  the  spare  chamber  in  a  frosty  night.  More  or  less  each  sum- 
mer the  quarry  continued  to  be  worked  to  some  extent.  It 
passed,  after  the  death  of  the  discoverer,  into  the  hands  of 
Daniel  Fuller,  Jr. 

Other  versions  of  the  discovery  of  the  quarry  have  been 
given,  and  the  statement  has  been  made  that  its  existence  was 
known  much  earlier,  but  I  have  stated  the  facts  as  told  by  the 
Fuller  family,  who  certainly  ought  to  know  them  as  well  as 
any.  If  its  existence  was  earlier  known,  certainly  its  value 
was  not. 

After  the  death  of  Daniel  Fuller,  Jr.,  in  1857,  the  quarry 
remained  unworked  for  a  time,  until  an  organization  was 
formed  for  its  further  development.  The  Francestown  "Soap 
Stone  Company"  was  incorporated  by  the  Legislature,  June 
22,  1865,  its  corporate  members  being  Frederick  A.  Barton, 
Frank  H.  Kelley,  Abner  15.  Woodward,  Harrison  Eaton,  Gil- 
man  Wheeler,  and  John  West.  At  once  the  work  was  opened, 
and  it  has  been  pushed  ever  since.  In  a  newspaper  article  of 
October,  1869,  it  is  said  that  they  had  reached  a  depth  of 
eighty  feet,  and  that 

"the  company  employ  about  30  hands.     The  stone  is  worth  $35  a  ton 
in  the  yard,  and  they  calculate  to  get  out  about  4000  tons  per  annum. 


402  THE    SOAPSTONE    COMPANY. 

Four  six  horse  teams  are  running  all  the  time  and  convey  a])out  20  tons 
daily.  All  the  hoisting,  pumping,  and  loading  teams  is  done  by  a  steam 
engine  of  twelve  horse  power." 

The  same  article  speaks  of  "revolving  ovens,  nine  feet  in  diam- 
eter," used  in  large  bakeries,  for  which  much  of  the  soapstone 
was  required  at  that  date.  It  is  just  reported  (1891)  that  the 
"Fraiicestown  Soapstone  Co."  have  now  worked  to  a  depth  of 
134  feet,  and  find  no  signs  of  failure  of  the  stone,  and  that 
they  now  employ  about  GO  hands.  The  company  has  ofhcers 
now  as  follows: 

President — Charles  Williams. 

C^er^—Charles  H.  Bartlett. 

Treasurer — A.  H.  Williams. 

Directorn — Chailes  Williams,  J.  L.  Stevens,  A.  H.  Williams. 

This  company  has  its  factory  in  Nashua,  whither  all  the 
stone  is  carried  by  rail  from  Greenfield. 

Though  this  quarry  has  been  worked  so  long,  tliere  has 
been  singular  immunity  from  serious  accidents.  Frank  Dumas 
lost  a  foot  in  1884,  a'ld  by  a  premature  explosion  Daniel  R. 
Henderson  lost  both  hands  Oct.  5,  1886. 

"The  Union  Soapstone  Co.,"  anothei-  organization  similar  to 
"The  Francestown  Soapstone  Co.,"  works  an  arm  of  tlie  old 
quarry  on  the  northeast,  and  does  a  large  business,  emplo3dng 
about  50  workmen.  Of  this  company,  Charles  H.  Burns  is 
president,  and  Geo.  W.  Cummings,  secretary  and  treasurer. 
They  have  a  fine,  new  factory  at  Greenfield,  and  have  sales  to 
the  amount  of  !i>50,000  per  year.  This  company  was  organized 
in  1884,  with  a  paid-in  capital  of  $8,000,  which  has  been 
increased  to  $50,000.  This  company  quarries  more  than  2000 
tons  annually.  It  also  operates  another  quarry,  and  has 
another  set  of  mills  in  Chester,  'Vt. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

VARIOUS     CORPORATIONS     AND     SOCIETIES    IN    FRANCESTOWN. 

Statements  concerning  the  Academy  and  the  various  re- 
ligious societies  of  the  town  have  been  given  in  the  previous 
chapteis.  Others  will  be  given  here,  as  far  as  known.  "The 
Soapstone  Company  was  incorporated  in  1865  and  is  referred 
to  in  the  Chapter  on  the  Quarry.  As  nearly  as  convenient 
these  are  given  in  the  order  of  time. 

1.  '■'■The  Moral  Society.''^ — This  was  organized  in  Francestown  as 
early  as  1810.  I  cannot  find  its  records,  nor  trace  its  work  to  any  great 
extent,  but  find  it  referred  to  in  old  papers.  Titus  Brown  was  a  lead- 
ing spirit  in  it.  Its  best  days  were  about  1818-1820,  and  it  seems  to 
have  disappeared  about  1828,  most  of  its  members  uniting  with  the 
churches  that  year,  and  transferring  their  religious  work  thereto.  The 
object  of  the  "Moral  Society"  was  to  "restrain  profanity.  Sabbath- 
breaking,  and  intemperance,"  which  shows  that  these  sins  existed  to 
an  alarming  extent  at  that  time.  Its  members  were  generally  not 
members  of  the  church,  J)ut  anxious  to  maintain  good  morals.  They 
pledged  themselves  to  abstain  from  profanity,  and  to  respect  and  keep 
the  Sabbath,  and  "not  to  drink  too  much!"  Similar  societies  were 
formed  in  many  other  towns  in  the  State.  Like  the  bridge  part  way 
across  the  stream,  they  were  "good  as  far  as  they  went."  They  were 
said  to  have  restrained  some  from  gross  sins,  and  to  have  started  others 
toward  the  Christian  life.  They  might  be  called  the  "Christian  En- 
deavor Societies"  of  that  day. 

2.  llie  tSocial  Library. — This  was  incorporated  by  Act  of  the  Leg- 
islature, June  15,  1805,  under  the  name  of  "Proprietors  of  the  Social 
Library  of  Francestown,"  said  "Proprietors"  named  being  Moses 
Bradford,  John  Mcllvaine,  David  Lewis,  and  William  Starrett,  and 
their  successors.  They  had  an  excellent  library,  though  not  large. 
It  was  kept  for  many  years  in  the  otHce  of  Hon.  Titus  Brown.  It  was 
a  source  of  information  and  pleasure,^  and  not  a  little  town  pride  as 
being  the  first  of  the  kind  in  this  vicinity.  It  was  burned  in  the  great 
fire  af  1855. 

3.  The  Musical  Society. — "The  Francestown  Musical  Society"  wag 
incorporated  June   20,  1817,  and  consisted  of  Eleaser  Everett,' Peter 


404  CORPORATIONS    AND    SOCIETIES. 

Woodbury,  Uriah  Smith,  Mark  Morse,  William  I)o(lo:e,  Mark  Fisher, 
Daniel  Fuller,  2(1,  David  Bailey,  Phinehas  Ijutterlield,  and  Isaac  Guild. 
This  society  was  very  popular»for  years,  but  ceased  at  the  death  of  its 
original  leaders.  It  did  much,  however,  to  elevate  the  musical  stand- 
ard and  taste  of  the  town,  and  its  good  impression  still  remains. 

4.  The  Floirdije  Company. — This  Company  was  incorporated  by  Act 
of  the  Legislature  June  27,  1S21.  David  Lewis,  Jabez  Fairbanks, 
Phinehas  Butterfield,  John  Sleeper,  their  heirs  and  successors,  were 
empowered  "to  flow  or  drain"  Pleasant  Pond.  This  company  made 
great  plans  and  great  talk,  but  never  did  any  thing  but  plan  and  talk. 
An  old  resident  said  "Their  mighty  scheme  went  otf  down  stream!" 

5.  The  Engine  Company. — "The  Francestown  Engine  Company," 
consisting  of  Peter  Woodbury,  J.  W.  Haseltine,  Peter  Clark,  Herbert 
Vose,  Isaac  Guild,  Sydney  Bingham  and  Daniel  Bixby,  was  incoi'po- 
rated  July  1,  1829. 

This  was  kept  up  vigorously  for  several  years.  Its  records  are  now 
lost  and  its  corporate  existence  has  ceased. 

The  present  Fire  Company  has  the  following  oHicers: 
Engineer,  Reed  P.  Ordway. 
Assistant,  Martin  L.  Colburn. 
Sec.  andTreas.,  Martin  L.  Colburn. 

0.  The  Hotel  Company. — The  "Francestown  Hotel  Company"  con- 
sisting of  Daniel  Fuller,  Paul  H.  Bixby,  Daniel  McCaine,  Mark  Morse, 
Herbert  Vose,  Hiram  P.  Clark  and  Samuel  D.  Downes,  and  their  associ- 
ates was  mcorporated  at  the  June  session  1856.  The  object  was  to 
build  a  Hotel  in  the  place  of  the  one  burned,  and  to  control  it,  and  make 
sure  of  a  temperance  house.  The  present  hotel  was  built  by  this  com- 
pany in  18.56.  Subsequenth^  Alexander  Wilson  bought  up  all  the  stock 
and  became  sole  proprietor  of  the  property.  For  a  time  he  leased 
it  to  Samuel  B.  Hodge,  Esqr.  It  is  now  (1891)  owned  by  William  H. 
Farnum,  and  occupied  by  Arthur  H.  Spalding. 

7.  The  Francestown  Bank. — This  was  incorporated  at  the  June 
Session  of  1851,  with  a  capital  of  sixty  thousand  dollars.  The  Grantees 
were  "Paul  H.  Bixby,  William  Parker,  John  M.  Collins,  Mark  Morse, 
Daniel  Fuller,  William  Bixby,  and  their  associates,  successors  and 
assigns."  The  first  meeting  of  the  grantees  was  held  July  26,  1851,  at 
which  Daniel  Fuller,  William  Bixby,  Mark  Morse,  Herbert  Vose, 
Thomas  B.  Bradford,  Israel  Batchelder  and  John  Aiken,  were  chosen 
as  the  first  Board  of  Directors.  Then  the  Directors  met  and  chose 
Daniel  Fuller,  President,  and  Paul  H.  Bixby,  Cashier. 

The  Bank  was  a  great  convenienc'e  to  the  community  and  went  on 
with  unbroken  prosperity,  till  the  spring  of  186.3.  At  that  time,  under 
the  pressure  of  the  war,  the  currency,  which  had  been  chiefly  issued 
according  to  the  laws  of  the  several  states,  was  taken  into  the  control 
of  the  General  Government.  Congress  passed  an  Act  Feb.  25,  186.3, 
entitled  "An  Act  to  provide  a  national  currency  secured  by  a  pledge 


CORPORATIONS    AND    SOCIETIES.  405 

of  United  States  stocks,  and  to  provide  for  the  eirculation  and  redemp- 
tion of  the  same."  Under  this  Act  nearly  all  the  state  banks  either 
prepared  to  go  out  of  business  or  to  become  national  banks.  On  the 
4th  of  May,  1803,  this  bank  was  reorganized  according  to  the  new  law, 
under  the  title  of  "The  First  National  Bank  of  Francestown,"  with  a 
capital  stock  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  new  Board  of 
Directors  were  Thomas  B.  Bradford,  Israel  Batchelder,  Abner  B. 
Woodward,  Joseph  Kingsbury,  Kimball  W.  Emerson,  David  Atwood, 
and  John  G.  Morse'. 

Thomas  B.  Bradford  was  chosen  President,  and  Paul  H.  Bixby, 
Cashier.  It  is  now  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  since,  this  became 
a  national  bank,  during  all  which  years  it  has  never  ceased  to  prosper 
nor  lost  the  confidence  of  the  public.     Its  present  officials  (1890)  are: 

President^ — ^Mortier  L.  Morrison. 

Cashier — George  W.  Cummings. 

Directors — Mortier  L.  Morrison,  Ilii-am  P.  Clark,  George  S.  Peavey, 
Hiram  Patch,  Gilman  P.  Fletcher,  Charles  S.  Peavey,  and  George  W. 
Cummings.* 

8.  The  Francestown  Savimjs  Bank. — At  the  June  session,  1868,  a 
charter  was  granted  by  the  Legislature,  according  to  the  terms  of  which 

Paul  11.  Bixby,  Oliver  Butterfield, 

T.  B.  Bradford,  Kobert  Bradford, 

John  West,  Joseph  Kingsbury, 

Iliram  Patch,  Luke  W.  Preston, 

George  S.  Peavey,  William  Butterfield, 

David  Atwood,  James  T.  Bixby, 

Thomas  E.  Bixby,  Daniel  Bixby, 

Israel  Batchelder,  D.  P.  Bixby, 

Charles  A.  Vose,  Luther  Chaney, 

E.  K.  Batchelder,  George  Kingsbury, 

Samuel  B.  Hodge,  and  Issacher  Dodge, 

were  "constituted  a  corporation  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  Frances- 
town  Savings  Bank." 

A  meeting  of  the  grantees  for  organization  was  held,  according  to 
the  provisions  of  their  charter,  Sept.  16,  1868,  at  which  time  they 
chose  Thomas  B.  Bradford,  Joseph  Kingsbury,  George  S.  Peavey,  John 
West,  Hiram  Patch,  Kobert  Bradford,  James  T.  Bixby  and  Paul  II. 
Bixby  as  their  first  Board  of  Trustees.  Subsequently  the  trustees 
made  choice  of  Thomas  B.  Bradford  as  President,  and  Paul  H.  Bixby 
as  Treasurer.     This  bank  was  at  one  time  embarrassed  with  losses  and 

*The  Francestown  National  Bank  %'bted,  October,  1891,  to  "discontinue 
business  and  close  as  soon  as  practicable."  This  was  accomplished  in  due 
time,  and  the  bank  has  ceased  to  exist.  It  was  understood  that  this  step  was 
taken,  not  because  of  any  losses,  but  because  the  funds  were  wanted  for  use 
elsewhere. 


406 


THE    MASONS. 


I'everses,  but  rallied  from  them,  and  has  kept  on  its  way  with  increas- 
ing deposits  and  increasing  helpfulness  to  the  community.  Its  otlicers 
at  this  writing  (1890)  are  as  follows: 

President,  Hiram  Patch. 
Treasurer ,  Samuel  D.  Downes. 
Trustees: 

Hiram  Patch,  Niel  McLane, 

Samuel  B.  Hodge,  F.  B.  Starrett, 

Charles  A.  Vose,  Samuel  I)'.  Downes, 

Augustus  H.  Bixby. 

!).  The  MdSims.  The  Pacific  Lodge  (No.  45,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,) 
was  instituted  in  October,  182(5,  Daniel  Fuller  being  the  first  Worship- 
ful Master,  and  Charles  Whitmarsh  and  Daniel  Fuller,  Jr.,  being  the 
Senior  and  Junior  Wardens.  This  lodge  flourished  and  increased  until 
the  anti-Masonic,  semi-political  excitement  which,  commencing  in 
New  York  in  1827,  gradually  swept  over  the  country  and  was  promi- 
nent in  the  presidential  election  of  18.'i2.  The;  opposition  to  Masonry 
became  so  great  and  so  general  that  few  joined  the  order,  and  this 
lodge,  never  being  large,  yielded  to  the  pressure  of  public  opinion  and 
ceased  to  hold  meetings  about  1835,  and  finally,  in  1840,  gave  up  its 
charter.  The  records,  regalia,  jewels,  and  property  of  the  lodge,  were 
burned  in  the  Parker  Hotel  in  the  great  fire,  Dec.  12,  1855. 

No  attempt  was  made  to  revive  the  order  in  this  vicinity  till  the 
winter  of  1867-8,  when  a  "dispensation"  was  granted  to  brothers. 


Daniel  F.  Frye, 
Augustus  H.  Bixby, 
Thomas  E.  Bix))y, 
Garry  Morgan, 
John  West, 
Samuel  B.  Hodge, 
Willard  D.  Chase, 
G.  C.  Terhune, 
11.  F.  Lovering, 
Benjamin  F.  Woodbury, 
John  Atwood, 
R.  P.  Huntington, 
Samuel  Baldwin, 


William  B.  Walker, 
John  Carkin, 
John  W.  Flagg, 
Alonzo  T.  Andrews, 
A.  B.  Woodward, 
Samuel  D.  Downes, 
John  G.  Morse, 
Aug.  E.  Morgan, 
Nathan  Farley,  Jr., 
S.  S.  Bailey, 
Henry  P.  Wheeler, 
Bartlett  Simons, 
and  Walter  Woods, 


"to  meet  as  a  regular  Lodge  in  Francestown,"  and  "appointing  Augus- 
tus H.  Bixby  to  be  the  first  Worshipful  Master." 

On  the  80th  of  July  following  (1868)  this  lodge  received  its  charter 
and  was  organized  under  it,  taking  its  old  name,  "Pacific  Lodge,  No. 
45,"  with  the  following  as  officers: 


Augustus  H.  Bixby,  W.  M. 
Abner  B.  Woodward,  S.  W. 


Alonzo  T.  Andrews,  S.  D. 
Samuel  B.  Hodge,  J.  D. 


CHRISTIAN    ASSOCIATION.  407 

Thomas  E.  lMxl)y,  J.  W.  John  G.  Morse,  S.  S. 

John  West,  Treas.  Benj.  F,  Woo(ll)urv,  J.  S. 

Samuel  D.  Downes,  Sec.  Solomon  S.  Bailey,  Tyler. 

This  lodge  has  attained  to  a  large  memljership  for  a  scattered  com- 
munity like  this,  and  continues  its  work  and  prosperity.  Its  roll  of 
Past  Masters  since  reorganization  is  as  follows: 

Augustus  11.  Bixhy.  Otis  N.  Holt. 

Ahner  B.  Woodward.  Eben  B.  15artlett. 

Garvin  S.  Sleeper.  George  H.  Chandler. 

George  J).  Epps.  Perley  E.  Bartlett. 

David  N.  Buttcrfield.  Clarence  H.  Dodge. 

George  F.  Eastman. 
The  officers  of  the  lodge  at  the  present  lime  (1H90)  are: 

Herbert  D.  Gould,  Worshipful  Master. 

Charles  S.  Paige,  Senior  Warden. 

Arthur  J.  Todd,  Junior  AVarden. 

George  D.  Epps,  Treasurer. 

Augustus  H.  Bixby,  Secretary. 

Martin  L.  Colburn,  Senior  Deacon. 

Lyman  H.  Belcher.  Junior  Deacon. 

Sidney  H.  Dodge,  Senior  Steward. 

David  C.  Butterfield,  Junior  Steward. 

Samuel  D.  Downes,  Chaplain. 

Nelson  J.  Wheelock,  Marshal. 

Edward  F.  Roper,  Tyler. 
10.  "77;e  Y.  M.  C.  .1."— The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association 
was  organized  in  Francestown  in  18()9,  and  has  continued  its  good  work 
until  the  present  time.  In  the  stormy  days  of  the  church  controversy 
(1875-1880)  this  Association  was  of  special  value,  keeping  on  in  its 
peaceful  work  and  way  through  all  oppositions  and  changes.  By  the 
will  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Whiting  the  Association  received  S500  in  1889. 
W.  A.  Richards  was  its  first  President.  At  this  writing  (1890)  its 
active  members  number  18,  and  its  associate  members  28.  The  follow- 
ing list  gives  its  presiding  officers  from  the  lirst  with  the  years  of  their 
service. 

W.  A.  Richards,  1869,  1870. 

Dr.  J.  F.  Fitts,  1871. 

George  E.  Downes,  1872,  1879,  1885,  188G,  1887,  1888. 

George  W.  Flint.  1873. 

Nathan  R.  Marden,  1874,  1875,  1878. 

John  P.  Richardson,  187G. 

Samuel  D.  Downes,  1877,  1880,  1881. 

R.  C.  Cochran,  1882,  1883,  1884. 

Daniel  R.  Henderson,  1889. 

Hiram  Patch,  1890. 


408  THE    HOME    CIRCLE. 

11.  The  Home  Circle. — This  Society  was  organized  about  Jan.  1, 
1851.  It  originated  in  the  mind  of  Mrs.  .Jesse  Woodbury  ;  but  Joanna 
Cressy  and  Hannah  W.  Duncklee  were  the  "active  agents"  to  solicit 
membership,  the  terms  of  admission  being  a  "signature"  and  a  "fee  of 
25  cts."  It  was  started  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  Academy,  specially  to 
pi'ovide  means  for  pui'chasing  maps,  books,  &c.,  as  needed.  Most  of 
the  leading  and  younger  people  of  the  town,  of  both  sexes,  joined  in 
this  enterprise,  as  also  did  the  older  students  here  at  school.  In  the 
spring  of  1S52  there  were  13G  members,  and  much  interest  was  mani- 
fested. The  ladies  sewed  and  prepai'ed  articles  for  sale;  had  fortnightly 
meetings  at  the  dwelling-houses  of  members;  had  occasional  "sales," 
(now  called /au-.s) ;  and  all  the  meetings  had  literary  exercises  of  a  high 
order.  The  minister,  Principal  of  the  Academy,  the  Physicians  and 
teacliers  of  the  town,  were  all  enthusiastic  members.  The  writer  well 
remembers  the  stirring,  charming  meetings  of  1854-5.  In  the  course 
of  years  the  Home  Circle,  having  done  much  for  the  Academy,  and 
having  considerable  means,  began  to  purchase  some  books  for  them- 
selves. These  accumulated  on  their  hands,  and  ere  long  began  to 
assume  the  appearance  of  a  library,  though  of  small  proportions.  The 
organization  was  kept  up,  and  considerable  interest  continued  to  be 
manifested,  the  library  being  steadily  increased,  until  the  feeling  became 
general  that  it  ought  to  become  a  free  town  library.  Finally  the  town 
voted  (March  1873)  to  accept  the  "Library  of  the  Home  Circle"  on  con- 
dition of  assuming  its  debt  and  appropriating  .^100  per  year  for  its  sup- 
port. The  debt  was  !li;229.91.  The  library  then  contained  about  1000 
vols.,  and  has  now  (1890)  about  2000  vols.  It  is  in  charge  of  three 
trustees  chosen  by  the  town  (one  chosen  each  year),  and  is  open  every 
Saturday  and  free  to  all.     The  present  trustees  are, 

James  T.  Woodbury. 
Augustus  H.  Bixby. 
George  K.  Wood. 

12.  Gnind  Anny. — In  18()7  the  John  A.  Rawlins  Post  of  the  G.  A. 
E.  was  established  in  Francestown,  and  was  called  No.  9.  Its  com- 
mander was  Maj.  Augustus  H.  Bixby,  who  after  two  years  was 
succeeded  in  command  by  Geo.  D.  Epps.  This  Post,  though  able  and 
devoted  to  the  cause,  was  necessarily  small,  and  its  members  were  so 
scattered  that,  with  increasing  infirmities  in  the  case  of  some  of  them, 
it  became  difficult  to  maintain  its  meetings;  and  for  this  reason  the 
Charter  was  surrendered  in  1871,  and  the  Post  disbanded. 

13.  The  Francestown  Cornet  Band. — This  Band  was  organized  Jan. 
8,  1889,  and  has  been  much  praised  for  superior  excellence.  The  names 
of  its  members  are  as  follows: 

Orren  S.  Waldo,  Leader  and  President. 
James  H.  Starrett,  Vice-President>. 
James  W.  Merrill,  Secretary. 


BANDS    OF    ]\IUSIC.  409 

Chark'S  F.  Stevens,  Treas. 
Samuel  E.  Stevens. 
John  J.  Henderson. 
Perley  Holt. 
Eddie  B.  Starrett. 
Warren  Ordway. 
Frank  Belcher. 
Christie  Belcher. 
Fred  Peters. 
Charles  Wells. 
Ernest  P.  Bixby. 
Arthur  E.  Starrett. 
John  ii.  Livingston. 
Fred  White. 
Charles  W.  Jellison. 

There  was  a  i)revious  Band  in  this  town  organized  about  IX'S')  and 
flourishing  I'or  some  years,  and  coming  into  use  in  the  exciting  political 
contests  of  that  time.  This  Band  led  the  processions  of  1844,  and  per- 
haps later.  The  leader  was  Milton  G.  Starrett.  The  members  were  as 
follows: 

Milton  G.  Starrett. 
•  William  A.  Stai-rett. 

Frank  B.  Starrett. 

Shepherd  W.  llichmond. 

Charles  A.  Roper. 
■  Charles  Howard. 

George  W.  Hodge. 

Tyler  Tupper. 

Charles  O.  P.  Wells. 

Amos  Flint. 

14.  (>(ik  Hill  (iniiKjc. — This  was  a  Branch  of  the  "Patrons  of 
Husbandry,"  so  called,  an  organization  instituted  in  the  interest  of  the 
farmers,  and  quite  popular  at  the  present  time  all  over  the  country. 
This  Grange  was  organized  in  June  1874  with  thirty  charter  members. 
The  first  Master  Avas  E.  W.  Colburn,  his  successors  in  office  being  Geo.  D. 
Epps,  Geo.  F.  Pettee,  Henry  Richardson,  and  Edson  H.  Patch.  For  some 
years  the  membership  increased,  till  Oak  Hill  Grange,  with  112  members, 
was  the  largest  in  the  State ;  and  high  literary  and  social  privileges  were 
enjoyed,  with  full  meetings  and  much  enthusiam.  Some  unfortunate 
litigation  in  connection  with  the  "Grange  Store,"  and  other  causes, 
weakened  the  organization  for  a  time,  anxl  diminished  its  numbers;  but  it 
now  enjoys  "the  reputation  of  a  live  and  prosperous  Grange." 

15.  The  Francestotrii  Wdter  Company. — This  Company  was  in- 
corporated by  the  Legislature  of  January  1893,  "for  the  purpose  of 
bringing  water  into  the  village  of  Fraucestown  and  into  Mill  Village." 


410  THE    WATER    COMPANY. 

This  '•l)0(ly  politic"  consisted  of  William  H.  Farnum,  Edwin  W.  Farnum, 
Chai-lcs  A.  Vosi',  Samuel  D.  Downes,  George  E.  Downes,  Amasa 
Downes,  (4corge  W.  Cummings,  James  T.  Woodbury,  Samuel  1>.  Hodge, 
Augustus  II.  Bixby,  Daniel  R.  Henderson,  Hiram  Patch  and  their  suc- 
cessors and  associates. 


CHAPTER   XX. 

THE    VILLAGES. 

Francestown  village  was  a  jjlace  of  large  business  for  a  half 
century  following  1795.  From  three  to  six  ample  stores  weie 
in  vigorous  operation  all  tlie  time.  The  County  Courts  for 
this  part  of  the  County  were  mostly  held  here.  The  ^'second. 
New  Hampshire  Turnpike"  ran  through  this  village,  and  for 
years  "through  stages  for  Boston"  and  heavy  teams  without 
number,  and  a  large  amount  of  general  travel  poured  tlirough 
this  place.  All  this,  with  the  several  factories  elsewhere  noticed, 
and  the  Academy,  made  the  village  seem  lively  and  enterpris- 
ing. And  for  situation  and  cliaracter  it  has  been  justly  considered 
one  of  the  most  attractive  villages  in  the  state,  so  tliat  tlie  sons 
and  daughters  of  the  town  may  be  pardoned  for  looking  back 
with  large  pride  on  their  early  home. 

The  village  is  located  on  a  high  level,  and  its  tall  s})ires  are 
seen  at  a  great  distance,  and  it  looks  from  other  towns  as  if 
placed  on  the  gently-sloping  side  of  the  great  mountain,  though 
in  fact  there  are  valleys  and  streams  between.  The  appearance, 
however,  from  the  east,  is  that  of  a  beautiful  village  sleeping 
on  the  mountain  side,  with  buildings  and  spires  rising  above 
leafy  gardens,  and  with  the  grand  old  mouiitain  standing  be- 
hind and  above,  as  a  mighty  defender,  guarding  against  the 
winds  of  the  north.  The  village  consists  principally  of  one 
street,  about  half  a  mile  long,  a  wide  and  shaded  street,  with 
venerable  buildings, — concrete  walks, — neat  and  clean, — and 
with  an  air  of  quiet  retirement.  Several  small  streets  branch 
off,  one  toward  Greenfield,  one  toward  Mill  Village,  and  one  to 
the  north-west,  on  the  "-old  County  Road,"  and  one  to  the  north- 
east part  of  the  town.  The  first  building  put  u})  in  wliat  is 
strictly  the  village,  except  the  church,   was    built  where    the 


412  FIRST    HOUSES    IN    THE    VILLAGE.  ' 

Hotel  now  stands  by  Zachariali  Richardson  about  1777,  It  was 
a  small  one-story  farm-house,  and  was  also  made  to  answer  for 
a  tavern.     (See  No.  18). 

The  second  house  in  the  village  was  in  the  north-west  part, 
and  is  now  known  as  the  Lewis  house.  It  is  not  positively 
known  who  built  it,  nor  when  it  was  ei'ccted.  It  is  now  the 
oldest  house  in  the  village,  tlie  previous  one  having  been  re- 
moved.    Built  as  early  as  1780. 

The  third  house  was  built  by  Peter  Woodlmry  in  1787.  He 
came  here  quite  3'oung  and  opened  a  store  in  a  room  in  Maj. 
Holmes'  tavern,  but  not  long  after  built  a  small  store  on  the 
spot  now  occupied  by  the  noj-th  end  of  the  Woodbury  liouse. 
An  old  person  who  remembered  it  said  (in  1850)  that  it  was  a 
"shanty  one-fourtli  as  large  as  the  present  h)\v  part."  It  had 
but  one  room;  yet  in  it  he  opened  a  store  and  also  lived  until 
he  could  build  larger,  which  by  his  energy  and  prosperity  he 
was  enabled  soon  to  do. 

The  fourth  house  was  built  b}^  Aaron  Townsend  about  1788, 
and  was  aftei'wards  known  as  the  "-Old  Vose  House."  Town- 
send  was  a  merchant  and  cabinet-maker,  and  had  a  store  and  a 
cabinet-shop  in  a  part  of  his  liouse.  Sold  to  Josiah  Vose  about 
1800. 

The  fifth  house  in  the  village  was  built  by  Dr.  Samuel  Lolley, 
on  the  spot  afterwards  known  as  the  "P.  H.  Bixby  place."  The 
date  of  its  erection  was  also  aljout  1788.  Dr.  LoUe}'  soon  after 
built  the  house  now  known  as  the  '•'Stevens  house,"  and  liad  a 
store  in  it,  and  kept  tavern  here  for  a  time.  He  bought  his  land 
of  Zachariah  Richardson  in  1787,  and  prol)ably  built  the  follow- 
ing year. 

The  sixth  house  in  the  village  was  what  is  now  known  as  the 
Willard  house.  It  was  put  up  by  James  Witherspoon  about 
1791.  Remains  about  as  it  was  built,  while  all  the  older  ones 
have  been  changed  or  replaced  by  otheis. 

The  seventh  house  was  built  (says  Col.  I>ixl)y  in  notes  taken 
down  in  1850)  by  Aaron  Townsend,  Jr.,  about  1792.  After- 
wards it  was  enlarged  by  James  Mcllvaine,  the  tailor,  who  lived 
there  and  carried  on  his  business  there  many  years.  It  is  now 
know  as  the  "Dea.  Weston  house,"  and  is  now  occupied  by  Solo- 
mon Bailey  and  son,  near  the  northwest  extremity  of  the  village. 


THE    V ULLAGE    IN    1812.  413 

It  will  be  noticed  that  before  1795  the  village  was  of  very 
slow  growth.  The  people  nearl}^  all  live<l  on  farms ;  and  when 
Francestown  had  a  population  of  a  thousand,  (more  than  its 
population  now)  it  had  almost  no  village.  In  1810  the  popu- 
lation of  the  town  was  1451,  but  the  village  was  less  than 
one-fourth  its  present  size.  An  aged  inhabitant  gives  the 
dwelling-houses  in  1812  subject  to  possible  errois  of  memory, 
as  follows,  beginning  at  the  south  end. 

1.  27(6  Uriah  SmiiJi  hoKse.  (This  was  the  house  now  occupied  hy 
Daniel  Henderson.  Sniilli  llicu  had  a  store  whei-e  the  Unitarian  parson- 
age now  stands). 

2.  Eohert  Nesmith,  Postmaster;  on  spot  where  Aniasa  Dowues  now 
lives. 

.3.  The  Woodlnirn  house,  then  oceupie<l  by  Peter  Woodljury. 

4.  The  Hotel,  then  oceupied  by  James  Wilson. 

5.  The  WiUard  house,  then  occupied  by  Joseph  Willard. 
(i.  llie  Bifhii  house,  now  oceu])ied  by  Iliram  Patch. 

7.     J)r.  <'ro)iihic  house,  now  occupied  by  Dr.  Root. 

S.  lloii.  Titus  jSro«"»'.s',  (this  house  was  moved  away  and  is  now  tlie 
residence  of  N.  P.  Marden).  The  large  brick  house  was  Iniilt  in  its 
place. 

!).     7*.  II.  Bi.rhi/  Jiouse,  now  occupied  by  Maj.  A.  II.  Pixby. 

10.  Fhe  Aaron  Tou-nseud  house,  then  occupied  by  Mr.  Vose. 

11.  IVie  Israel  Batchelder  house,  now  oceupied  by  Mrs.  Dean. 

12.  T'he  Copeldnd  house,  where  now  is  the  elegant  residence  of  Hon. 
Geo.  W.  Cummings. 

l.'j.      The  Ilunje  house  or  Lewis  house,  near  the  l)rick  ]>laeksmitli  shop. 

14.  The  house  where  Solomon  Pailey  now  lives. 

15.  The  Fiske  house,  where  was  afterwards  built  the  Haseltine  house 
in  which  Thomas  E.  Bixby  now  lives. 

16.  The  house  now  known  as  the  Dr.  Lolley  house  or  Stevens  place. 

Thus  there  were  only  sixteen  houses  in  the  village  in  1812, 
mostly  small  one-storj^  buildings  and  several  of  these  were  new 
and  half-finished.  Others,  however,  were  built  soon  after;  for 
in  1817  (see  (Gazetteer  of  that  date)  there  were  twenty-five 
hauses  in  the  "-compact  part  of  tiie  town,"  which  means  the 
village  together  with  its  immediate  neighborhood.  Tlie  same 
authority  tells  us  there  were  then,  1817,  also  "a  hajulsome 
meeting-house,  several  stores  &c."  There  were  also  in  the  vil- 
lage at  that  time  (1817)  a  blacksmitli  shop,  a  shop  for  making 
musical  instruments,  a  school  house,  a  in)on  house,  and  one 
tanneiy,  (Ewell's),  at  the  sontli  end.     This  last  was  called  one 


414  THE    VILLAGE    IN    1890. 

of  '•'•four  lar(je  tannerk'ii"  tlieii  in  town.  And  even  tl)en  it  appears 
they  were  proud  of  their  village,  as  being  smarter  and  more 
attractive  than  others  in  the  vicinity. 

But,  could  they  return  at  this  day,  they  would  not  know  the 
large  and  stately  village  lliat  has  taken  the  place  of  the  old. 
Now  we  see  the  Old  Academy,  and  tlie  New  Academy,  two 
attractive  churches,  a  chapel,  a  Library  Building,  (Masonic  Ilall), 
the  Bank  Building,  the  Box  Factoiy,  &c.  &c.,' besides  more  than 
double  the  number  of  dwelling  houses  found  heie  by  the  writer 
who  pictured  the  place  in  1817.  And  tlie  liouses  now  are 
much  larger  and  finer  tliaii  at  tliat  date.  Perhaps  itmay  })lease 
present,  as  well  as  future,  iidiabltants,  to  iiiid  below  some  items 
concerning  every  dwelling-house,  public  building,  shop,  and 
store  now  standing  in  the  village  (1890).  Almost  every  house 
has  its  comely  barn  and  out-buildings,  adding  to  the  apparent 
size  of  the  whole.  This  descri[)tion  begins  at  tlie  extreme  north, 
goes  down  the  west  side  of  the  long  street,  and  thence  back  on 
the  east  side. 

1.  ]>UXT0N  IIorsK. — It  was  foi-mcrly  called  the  ''Old  Woods  House." 
Was  moved  down  from  the  ''Mountain  District"  ahout  1840.  Now 
owned  and  occupied  by  widow  James  Duxtoii,  who  lived  in  it  in  lier 
childhood,  when  it  stood  on  the  former  site  and  was  owned  by  other 
parties. 

2.  The  Foote  ITousk. — The  former  house  on  this  ground  was  moved 
here  by  Franklin  Ordwa}'  in  1852,  and  was  burned  in  1881.  The 
present  house  was  built  l)y  Thomas  F.  Foote  in  1886  and  is  owned  and 
occupied  by  him.  The  one  burned  was  the  "Old  AbnerFislier  House," 
and  formerly  stood  on  Oak  Hill. 

3.  The  Old  Parsonage. — Built  for  Rev.  Austin  Richards,  D.  D.,  in 
1829,  and  was  occupied  as  the  parsonage  of  the  Congregational  Church 
for  about  fifty  years,  when  it  was  sold  by  the  "Society."  It  is  a  spacious 
and  attractive  home,  beautifully  situated  on  the  height  of  land,  over- 
looking the  village,  and  retired  a  few  steps  to  the  west  of  the  main 
street.     It  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Jesse  P.  Woodbury. 

4.  I>LAc  KS3IITII  Shop. — Built  by  Samuel  Burge  about  1820.  This 
shop  has  been  occupied  by  various  parties  in  recent  years.  At  one 
time  axes  were  manufactured  in  it  by  Ilamniond  Starrett.  Now  owned 
by  Mrs.  P.  L.  Clark.  Oliver  Butterfield  writes  that,  previous  to  build- 
ing this,  "Burge  had  a  shop  where  P.  L.  Clark's  House  is." 

5.  DuNCKLEE  House. — Built  by  Jesse  Duncklee  about  1830.  Now 
owned  by  Mrs.  J.  W.  Bryant  and  occupied  by  John  F.  Chase. 


Frances  town  P.O. 

TOWN     OF    FRANCETSTOWN 
^jllSBOpOliGj^  CO. 


■C^ZffarreU 


M]I?ra.per 


THE    VILLAGE    IN    1890.  415 

6.  Mes.  Wilson's.— Built  for  Mrs.  Elias  A.  Wilson  in  187.3.  Now 
occupied  by  Mrs.  Frank  E.  Shattuck. 

7.  CoPELAND  House. — Built  by  "Hatter"  Haseltine  about  1S24 ;  im- 
proved in  1S2S;  remodelled  and  enlarged  into  its  present  elegant  form 
by  Hon.  G.  W.  Cummings  in  1888,  who  now  owns  and  occupies  it. 

8.  PuNCiiAi?D  House. — Built  by  Joseph  Punchard  about  1813.  Now 
owned  and  occupied  by  Daniel  S.  Henderson. 

9.  Batciip:lder  Housp:. — Not  known  who  begun  on  this  spot. 
Remodelled  l)y  Dr.  Farley  about  18:50.  Was  many  years  the  home  of 
Israel  Batchelder,  Esqr.  Now  owned  by  his  grand-daughter  Mrs. 
Houston,  and  occupied  by  Mrs.  Benj.  F.  Dean. 

10.  "The  Old  Batciieldek  Shop." — Built  by  Israel  Bntehelder 
about  183.5  for  a  wheelwright  shop,  and  used  many  years  for  that  jiurpose. 
On  or  near  this  spot  there  previously  stood  a  sni.-ill  dwelling-house  in 
which  Dr.  S.  I.  Bard  lived  and  had  his  office. 

11.  The  Gay  House. — Built  by  Mark  Morse  in  1814  for  a  store  and 
was  used  for  that  purpose  by  Morse  and  others,  and  by  Timothy  Gay 
who  moved  his  business  afterward  lo  Boston.  This  store  was  enlarged 
by  John  Gibson  who  owned  it  for  a  time.  Changed  into  a  dwelling- 
house  by  Bobert  Bradford.  Now  owned  and  oecui)ii'd  by  Daniel  B. 
Tobie. 

12.  The  P.  H.  Bixuy  House. — This  was  built  by  Samuel  Hodge, 
Esqr.,  in  1807.  The  first  house  built  by  Dr.  Lolley  (fifth  in  tlie  village) 
was  on  this  spot,  and  was  moved  a  few  rods  north  and  stood  some  months 
"in  the  orchard."  It  was  moved  in  1808,  to  its  present  location  and  is 
house  No.  27  below. 

In  the  new  house  erected  by  Hodge,  Hon.  Paul  H.  Bixby  lived  many 
years.  The  writer  remembers  it  as  being  considered  one  of  the  finest 
in  the  village  forty  years  ago.  It  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Maj. 
A.  H.  Bixby. 

13.  TiieR.  G.  Cochran  House.— This  was  built  by  Uriah  Smith  in 
1819,  for  his  own  use.  But  he  died  in  a  few  years,  and  the  house 
passed  into  the  hands  of  his  son-in-law,  Rodney  G.  Cochran,  avIio  held 
it  for  half  a  century.  It  is  now  owned  by  Hiram  Patch  and  occupied  by 
Nelson  J.  Wheelock. 

14.  "Cochran's  Block." — This  was  built  in  1822  by  Rodney  G. 
Cochran  for  a  store,  and  was  used  for  that  purpose  for  some  years. 
Afterwards  it  was  fitted  uj)  as  a  house  for  rooming  and  self-boarding  for 
Academy  students,  and  was  quite  popular  for  a  time.  The  writer  re- 
members it  well  as  always  full  in  the  better  days  of  the  Academy.  It 
was  then  called  "Cochran's  Block."  In  those  days  it  had  a  jolly  set  of 
occupants,  and,  though  always  respectable,  it  was  not  noted  for  perfect 
silence  or  the  strictest  decorum  at  all  times!  It  is  now  a  neat  and  com- 
modious dwelling  house,  and  occupied  by  the  Post  Master,  Charles  B. 
Gale, 


416  THE    VILLAGE    IN    1890. 

1.').  TiiK  LoLLKY  House. — IJuilt  Ity  Dr.  Samuel  Lolley  about  1792? 
and  now  occupied  by  William  II.  Stevens.  Part  of  the  original  structure 
has  been  removed,  in  which  at  one  time  the  "Academy  was  kept"  and 
in  which  there  Avas  a  store  for  several  years. 

1(5.  The  Capt.  William  Eixin'  IIorsE. — Xot  known  who  l)nilt  the 
first  house  here.  It  was  occupied  l)y  Hon.  Samuel  IJell  several  years. 
Taken  down  about  1812. 

The  second  house  on  this  spot  was  Ijuilt  by  Mr.  ])ixl)y  when  a  young 
man,  and  was  burned  in  the  great  tire  oF  IcS.Vj.  It  was  a  large,  fine-looking 
home,  with  spacious  l)arns  and  out-ltuildings,  all  of  which  were  con- 
sumed. Tlie  pi'eseut  house  was  eivcted  l)y  ('apt.  15ixl)y  in  iSoT.  Is 
now  owned  and  occupied  by  Hiram  Patch,  Esqr. 

17.  The  Bkick  Stoije. — The  first  store  on  this  spot  was  Iniilt  l)y 
William  Bixl)y  in  1S14,  and  l)ui'm'd  in  Ihe  great  fire  of  Dec.  IS").").  I 
remember  helping  carry  out  the  goods  while  the  upper  part  of  the  build- 
ing was  burning.  The  present  store  Avas  erected  in  IsrjO  by  "Starrett  & 
Downes,"  who  were  occupying  the  former  one  at  the  time  of  the  fire. 
This  fine  store  is  now  occupied  l\y  Dea.  Amasa  Downes. 

IS.  Tin-:  Tankkn. — On  tliis  spot  was  the  first  house  in  the  village, 
I'eferred  to  above  as  being  built  I}}'  Zachariah  liichardson  in  1777. 
About  17U5  this  small  house  was  removed,  and  the  spacious  hotel,  long 
known  as  the  "Pai'ker  Tavern"  was  erected  by  -'Kingsliury  &  Newton" 
(Nathaniel  Kingsbury  and  Giles  Newton).  This  was  burned  in  the 
great  fire  of  ISo;').  The  Francestown  Hotel  Co.  i)ut  up  the  present 
building  in  1850.  It  is  now  owned  l)y  William  H.  Farnum  and  occupied 
by  Arthur  H.  Spalding. 

19.  The  "Cottage." — This  stands  just  south  of  the  Hotel;  built  by 
William  H.  Farnum  in  1872;  now  occupied  by  Mrs,  Allen  Nutting  as  a 
dwelling  house.     Was  built  for  a  store. 

20.  ,  The  AVoODisruY  House. — Here  was  the  third  house  in  the 
village.  It  was  a  small  affair  built  by  Peter  Woodbury,  to  answer  for 
store  and  dwelling,  and  afterwards  enlarged.  See  third  house  in  village 
as  first  given. 

21.  The  Academy. — Built  1847.  See  Chapter  10,  on  the  Academy. 
The  lower  story  is  used  as  "the  Town  House." 

22.  The  Dea.  Amasa  Downes  Place.— The  "Old  Nesmith  House" 
stood  on  this  spot,  being  a  small  one-story  house  luiilt  by  Eobert  Nesmith 
about  1800.  It  was  taken  down  in  1880  to  give  place  to  the  present 
beautiful  home.  It  is  on  the  main  street,  a  few  rods  eastward  from  the 
Academy,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  residences  in  this  vicinit}^. 

23.  The  Patterson  House. — Built  by  David  Patterson.  Now 
owned  and  occupied  by  William  11.  Sawyer. 

24.  The  Leonard  Spalding  House. — The  first  house  on  this  place 
(the  last  in  the  village  on  that  side  of  the  main  street)  was  built  by 
James  Fisher,  son  of  Dea.  James,  who  occuiried  it  several  years  "and 
worked  at  silver  smithing."     Subsequently  it  was  rebuilt  by  John  Fisher. 


THE    VILLAGE    IN    1890.  417 

It  was  a  large,  unpaiuted,  two-story  house,  cold,  bare-looking,  old- 
fashioned,  and  most  of  the  rooms  were  occupied  by  Academy  students 
for  years,  being  then  owned  by  John  W.  Bean.  It  was  taken  down  to 
give  place  to  the  present  neat  structure,  by  John  Fisher  in  185G;  soon 
after  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  Willard  Carter,  who  occupied  it  till  his 
death,  soon  after  which  it  p;issed  into  the  hands  of  Leonard  Spalding, 
who  died  here  in  1889.     It  is  now  occupied  by  Frederick  Aiken. 

25.  The  Kingsbury  House. — This  is  the  first  house  on  the  opposite 
of  the  street  from  the  Spalding  House.  It  was  built  by  George  Kings- 
bury in  1857.  Now  owned  and  occupied  by  his  widow  and  daughter. 
One  of  the  finest  places  in  the  village. 

26.  The  Brewster  House. — This  was  first  a  part  of  the  "old  Dr. 
Lolley  House,"  was  moved  to  the  present  location,  enlarged,  and  fitted 
up  for  a  dwelling;  long  occupied  by  Samuel  N.  Brewster.  Is  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  George  K.  Wood  and  sister.  This  is  the  second 
house,  as  we  turn  and  go  back  up  the  east  side  of  the  main  street. 

27.  The  "Savage  House,"  so  called. — This  house  was  built  before 
the  present  century  by  Dr.  Lolley  (some  think  ))y  Martin  AVells),  and 
stood  near  the  present  residence  of  Maj.  A.  H.  Bixby,  from  which 
place  it  was  moved  to  its  present  location  in  1808.  It  is  now  occupied 
by  Daniel  R.  Henderson. 

28.  The  Unitarian  Parsonage. — This  stands  on  the  east  side  of 
the  common  and  nearly  opposite  to  the  Academy.  It  was  built  by 
Uriah  Smith  for  a  store  about  1800,  and  was  used  for  that  purpose 
many  years.  Transformed  into  a  dwelling-house  about  1840,  and  was 
willed  to  the  Unitarian  Church  for  a  parsonage  by  Mrs.  Amy  A. 
Starrett. 

29.  The  Unitarian  Church. — This  is  sometimes  called  the  "Old 
Church,"  as  it  was  the  Orthodox  Church  for  three-quarters  of  a  century. 
It  is  a  stately  structure,  at  the  north  side  of  the  common,  and  conspicu- 
ous as  a  landmark  far  and  wide.     See  Chapter  on  Ecclesiastical  History. 

;30.  The  House  of  Samuel  D.  Downes. — This  stands  next  north 
of  the  "Old  Cemetery."  Was  built  by  Lindley  K.  Brown  in  1851. 
Now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr.  Downes. 

31.  The  Congregational  Church. — In  the  Chapter  on  Ecclesi- 
astical History  may  be  fouml  the  facts  concerning  it.     Built  1884. 

32.  The  House  of  Geo.  E.  Downes. — Built,  owned  and  occupied 
by  him.  Built  in  18(32. ,  On  this  site  stood  the  "Old  Dane  Stoi'e"  built 
by  Giles  Newton  about  1705,  and  the  Fuller  shop,  so  called,  all  of  which 
were  burned  in  the  great  fire  of  1855. 

33.  The  Willard  House. — This  was  the  sixth  house  in  the  village; 
was  built  by  James  Witherspoon  about  1791;  part  used  a  few  years  as 
a  small  store;  subsequently  long  owned  and  occupied  by  Joseph  Willard; 
now  occupied  by  his  daughter  Mary  Willard. 

34.  Masonic  Hall. — Built  in  1868,  on  the  site  of  the  old  cabinet 
shop  of  Joseph  Willard,  and  dedicated  by  the  Pacific  Lodge,  (Maj.  A.' 


418  THE    VILLAGE    IN    1890. 

H.Bixby,  Master,)  July  30,  18(38.  In  the  lower  story  are  the  town 
library  rooms  and  the  rooms  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association. 

oi35'.''  The  Dr.  Orombie  House. — 'Now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs. 
Dr.  -M.  K".  Boot.'  AVas  built,  or  made  into  a  dwelling-house,  by  Dr. 
James  Cromfbie  in  1819,  and  was  occu])ied  by  him  the  following  year. 

.  m.  ■■  T»E  Brown  House.— Built  by  Hon.  Titus  Brown  in  1827.  The 
construction  was  superintended  by  his  wife  while  he  was  in  Congress. 
Itiiis  '^'the  Large  Brick  -House."  Xow  owned  and  occupied  liy  Mason 
H.-iL5alch.v     —      ■   / 

.rSYiJ'jiJ'i^THE'  Mflliner  8HOP."^This  stands  next  north  of  the  fine 
large  barn  attached  to  the  ''Brown  Place."  .It  was  formerly  the  law 
office  bflloii.  Thus  Brown.  It  has  recently  been  occupied  by  Jennie 
M.  (Bradford  asa^Millinery  Store. 

7/38.  '5'TirE  Long  Store."— Built  by  Peter  Clark  in  1814.  A  store 
liasbeeniinuintaihed.  in  this  building  with  little  In-eak  loi- three  quarters 
of  a  centiuiy.niThe.lbwer  floor  is  occupied  by  The  First  Xational  Bank," 
tkB'6'tdrffi  of  Glark  &.G<!tlevthe  Post  Office,  and  the  shop  and  store  of  the 
Jewejleri,.  Edward  F.'Koper.  The  upper  story  is  occupied  by  the 
FiTiihecstown  Saviugs  Bank,  and  by  Samuel  B.  Hodge,  Harness-maker. 
Alioug' open  -shed  ^extends  from  the  stoi't^J  southward,  attached  to  which 
is  the  "Engine  House"  of  the  fire  company. 

i  ,89M^.T«E  S;si5iUEEiHoiDGEilIi6usE.^j^2iFoiw;  occupied  by  William  Butter- 
fialdiOiBuiitfeyiSamuel  H©dge,''Esqr.,''iir'1826.  ,-On  this-  spot'-or  a  few 
f«*rt  south  offit^iHtood  the>fM'a^imfat5t6rytd)fi>MuslcalIustrum'ieWtK"  whitth' 
was/iia  .opet-ati6n:ifn  181?viJ"fi-:':(!i'''-  ''/Ii  v.  oini  •'  ■(;  -  ■-■:    i  \      .^'if    ■    .;..rji 

.  .40.,  m!T-HE-.M('LakeHotl^e.-— f'ThfedamghteTsof  D^  L611ev^iprevib 
lived  here."     The  old  house  which  stood  on  this  spot  was  enlarged'  and 
rbhibdeUad)ihr,1881ibyi'Samuel''B.  Hbdgei,!  Esqr.,  by' whom- it  is  now 
owneldi  and  occupied.     Probably  built  by  Ilufiis  Fuller.  •  '  ■'  ; 

-  41.  The  Herbert  Yobe  Hquse. — ^^Built  in  1827  byHigi-biert  Vose, 
and  long  ioocUpied  by-himi  'J  Now  occupied  by  James  Hi  -WMtfield  and 
Sfeiweii  Brown;  iii^i^  --i;l  <''--. <  ■■  '"''  ■  ■    .>    ..  ■'  -i^  '■■'•■' 

.■42.1  iThe.  Robert  Bisa'IJE'ord  HofUSE.^— Built  in  18.51, --aM' bccupied 
by  Robert  Bradford;  and  now  occupied  by  Jaile  M.  I^radford.  It  is  on 
the  site  of. an  old  building,. part  of  which  was  a  dwelliug-hous&  and  the 
other  part  ^'Vose's  Hatter  shop."   ■■■-■;  -''  '     ;  "*>i  '>'■'  ^-^i'  -rfotftil!:  I 

■  48uj  ■'■'The  Hatter.  Shop." — This  was  a  small  ohe-story  liiiilding; 
■v^iasj'inoved;  about  1850  to  about  the  s]3ot  where  the  new-cteiU'rch  stands, 
aakdiwaS' burned: there  in  the  great  fire  of  1855.  i;.ity/j/-' 

44.  "The  Old  Vose  House. "^Fourth  house  in  th^  vilisige,'  Built 
bfy)^ibfon  iTtorwnisendi, 'a  cabinet-makei,  kbout  1788,  who  « old  to  Josiali 
Yose'j.  The  present  structure  ivas  built  (or  built  over)  by  ElLsha  Vose, 
SD&aiolfiiJ6saab  in' 1821.     Now  owned-and  occupied  by  Charles  A.  Vose. 

45.  Dodge  House. — "Cottagie-Briick."  ■  Built  1887..  Long  owned 
andibteupled'jby  Popt&r  Dodge.  --Was  subsequently  many  years  the  resi- 

.A  .Qr;M)  ,ej;f)oJ  oir-  .  ;     •  '^  v;I  bi>ii-n\'  .    ^  .b;  U 


THK    VILLAGE    IN    1890.  419 

dcnce  of  the  Town  Clerk,  L.  F.  Atwood.  Xow  occupied  by  Keed  P. 
Ordway.  A  former  house  on  this  spot  was  built  about  1822,  and  burned 
in  183G. 

4H.  Searle  House. — Built  by  Mrs.  Betsy  Searle  about  1830.  ]^ow 
occupied  by  Charles  H.  White,  and  Mrs.  Thomas  B.  Bradford. 

47.  The  Dr.  Farley  HorsE.— Built  by  Dr.  Lulher  Farley  1830. 
Now  owned  and  occupied  by  Elbridge  K.  Batchelder. 

48.  The  Brigham  House. — This  once  stood  near  the  "Brick 
Cottage"  (No.  45)  and  was  moved  to  its  present  locality  in'l§2ai 
Owned  by  E.  W.  Colburn.     Occupied  by  Frank  Crosby.  .i  : !  if 

49.  Anda  Wallace  Place — This  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
E.  Vi.  Col))urn,  who  enlarged  and  remodelled  thesanae  in(i861ito.Lt§ 
present  tine  proportions.  '  ><  lUiUliilovT 

60.  Box-shop  and  Creamery. — Built  by  Daniel  Bixby  about  18i2i 
for  a  cabinet  shop.  Partly  burned  1857.  Was  used  for  some  years  :as 
a  Creamery.  Is  now  owned  by  Dr.  Geo.  Bixby.  Stands  a  few  rods  off 
eastward  from  the  street.     See  chapter  on  mills.  hiil)  //j.   ;ii) 

51.  The  Daniel  Bixby  House. — Now  (18!)0)  occupied  i; by! !:Mi& 
widow.     Built  1855,  on  the  site  of  the  J.  M.  Davis  Hat  Shop;";L^fiol  >r.lj 

52.  The  James  T.  Bixijy  House. — Built  by  Jonah: -M.  Davis 
about  1830.     Owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Bixby.       ;:  i:!  i;  -A 

53.  "The  Old  Daniel  Bixisy  House." — ^Now  occupied  by  AndJie,'^ 
J.  George.     Built  by  Daniel  Bixby  about  1820.  •  i.i  -.    ^ 

54.  The  Alexander  Thompson  House. — Built  by  him  about  IMOe 
Now  occupied  by  P.  L.  Clark.  .  >'.  v-.  v-.-xn 

55.  James  Colburn's  House. — This  was  the  "Old  Bullard  Houie," 
and  stood  on  the'Bullard  farm  up  near  Crotched  MountaiUi  'Wasiimovcd 
down  by  Peter  Clark.  Is  the  northernmost  house  in  the.  village  <on  ihb 
east  side  of  the  main  street.     Ip  occupied  by  Charles  'P,  GoDk.    i      .'^ 

Having  now  noticed  the  several  dwellings  and  impoutanll  buildin^Stoa 
the  Main  Street,  we  will  notice  the  sevea'ali  side  streets  in  (the  same,  way?. 
Commencing  on  "the  North  Back  iStreet,"  .which  wa,si  ,tl>a  iorigiaatU 
street,  and  part  of  the  "Old  County  Road, Ihaiid  .comnioacinglwitiiiiitilii; 
northernmost  building,  we  have,     .q  bdl     .r.TTi-OTTi  iliud  y.wii  d'rijjxl-) 

1.  The  Luther  Boutwell, iHi)U§Ei^-Oi'ut(liip  ISSOijby  .Liutliker 
Cowen  and  long  owned  by  Col.  W^m.  Bixby,  and  willed  .i)yi7hini  .tb 
Luther  Boutwell.  Is  a  small  house J/ankl-staiida Ion  tiie?«BSfe.Hidi6iof.ahe 
street.     Is  now  owned  by  Charles.  A.  Vose.--.:!i  Vm  I  )'u[u-yji)  Lmh;  iorjv/O 

2.  The  "Lewis  HousE."^TnSo*  called.  This- ifeitelierjreidLtortbeothi 
house  called  "second  in  the  village.'^  butiuow  the. oldest.  Il/irrt^.  L     .t 

This  house  was  long  occupied  b}'  (Samuel  .P<o{titer,.s[  naiIii»Mikiear['»0iIIl 
nails  then  being  made  by  hand.i;  Nbw -owried)'atid)  eG(ittpie<dib|"  lAlbeirt 
N.  Wniitfield.  "  .(Ot.V.l)  ivinA)  n,)Ai-A 

3.  The  Solomon  BkiliiM^PL'ACSEipfiH  WieBit02iLi'iBlafcfe.'i44-T3Tiiltc.by 
Aaron  Townsend,  Jr.  anidi  wasiithe:(Sfev,6ut;h  hbLisedh'-tflifciJvMlla'idyfi-iIitJlttJ^ 
subsequently  owned  and  )eBlai'^ed -by  James(iMc(Bly3uiiBfejjthe/_toilMr^Aylii(® 


420  THE    VILLAGE    IN    18!      . 

carried  on  his  business  in  it  for  years.  A!'?; ward  Dea.  Caleb  Weston 
lived  and  died  at  this  place.  Is  now  owi  '  ■ird  occupied  by  Solomon 
Bailey  and  son.  It  is  the  northei'nnu  .^  .lOii.-  ■  i  u  the  west  side  of  this 
northwest  street. 

4.  The  Ordway  House. — Is  the  r.  :/  lious  ■  southward  on  the 
east  side  of  said  street.  Built  by  Eeed  P.  (.:  hvay  in  1874.  Is  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  Samuel  E,  Bryant. 

5.  A  small  house,  also  on  the  east  side,  formerly  Merrick  Roper's 
carpenter  shop.  Is  owned  by  Hiram  Patch  who  made  it  into  a  dwel- 
ling-house in  1885.     Occupied  by  Mrs.  Margaret  Winn. 

6.  The  Haseltine  House. — West  side:  Built  by  Hon.  James 
W.  Haseltine  in  1827.  Owned  and  occupied  b}-  Thomas  E.  Bixby. 
Delightful  situation.  A  few  feet  north  of  this  on  same  side  of  the  street 
stood  the  Jonathan  Fiske  house,  demolished  about  1860.  This  last 
was  a  small  structure,  built  at  a  very  early  date. 

7.  X.  R.  Marden  HlxVce. — West  side.  This  house  was  formerly 
the  dwelling  house  of  Hon.  Titus  Brown,  and  was  moved  to  its  present 
location  in  1827  to  give  place  to  a  more  imposing  structure,  (No.  36). 
Has  long  been  owned  and  occupied  by  X.  R.  Marden. 

8.  Colburn's  Carpenter  Shop. — Built  by  E.  W.  Colburn,  1874. 
Is  a  high  and  spacious  shop,  on  west  or  southwest  side  of  street  and 
quite  near  to  Xo.  11  on  the  main  street. 

Passing  now  to  the  Greenfield  street,  Ijranching  off  southwestward 
from  the  main  street  near  the  Wo()(ll)urv  homestead,  we  have  on  the 
west  side, 

1.  The  Perez  Ewell  Place. — Ewell  built  here  about  1798.  Here 
was  the  Ewell  Tannery.  Place  now  owned  and  occupied  by  William 
H.  Farnum  and  son. 

2.  The  Dea.  James  Fisher  Place. — This  is  on  the  west  side  next 
south  of,  and  somewhat  removed  from  what  was  called  the  village  and 
was  not  commonly  included  in  it.  The  old  house  here  was  erected  by 
James  Fisher,  some  years  earlier  than  any  strictly  within  the  village 
limits.  Here  stood  the  barn  in  which  meetings  were  held  before  the 
church  was  built  1770-1775.  The  present  house,  reiDlacing  the  old  one, 
was  erected  by  Issachar  Dodge  in  1859.  Is  now  the  home  of  Harlan 
P.  Downes. 

3.  Richardson  House. — Built  by  John  llichardson  in  1850. 
Owned  and  occupied  by  his  son,  Dea.  John  P.  Richardson.  Is  east  of 
Greenfield  road,  and  somewhat  out  of  the  village. 

4.  A  small  house,  on  east  side  of  the  road  and  north  of  Dea. 
Richardson's.  Was  moved  from  the  Taylor  place,  south  of  the  moun- 
tain in  1810.  Was  called  the  "Old  Butterfield  House."  Has  just  been 
taken  down  (1890). 

5.  "The  Butterfield  Block." — This  building  was  put  up  by  Oliver 
Butterfield  about  1846.  He  was  a  long  time  in  building  it.  It  was  full 
of  Academy  students  for  many  years.     Is  on  Greenfield  street,  V^v.i.  very 


THE    VILLAGE   IN    1890.  421 

near  the  Academy.  Was  kept  lively  by  the  students  under  Brickett, 
Hayward  and  others.  Owned  by  S.  D.  Downes,  and  occupied  by 
various  parties. 

On  the  street  running  toward  Mill  Village  there  are  three  Buildings. 

1.  "The  Old  Academy." — See  Chapter  on  Academy.  It  is  now 
the  District  School  House,  arranged  for  graded  schools.  The  old  people 
called  it  the  "Brick  xVcademy."  It  stands  on  the  east  side  of  the  com- 
mon, and  has  survived  many  changes.     Enlarged  and  improved  1891. 

2.  The  William  Searle  House. — Stands  on  north  of  street  a  few 
rods  east  of  the  "Old  Academy."  Was  moved  to  its  present  locality  in 
1847  by  William  Searle  who  lived  and  died  here.  Was  formerly  "the 
Musical  Instrument  Factory  of  Ezra  Barrett,  and  then  stood  a  few  feet 
north  of  the  Bank  Building  ("Long  Store")  on  Main  Street. 

3.  The  CoNGREGATioiirAL  Paesoxage. — Built  in  ISS,]  by  Mrs. 
Issachar  Dodge.     Bought  by  the  Cong.  Society  in  1889. 

On  the  street  leading  northeast  from  the  common  there  are, 

1.  "The  Old  Chapel." — This  stands  on  the  common,  very  near  the 
now  Unitarian  Church.  Was  built  by  subscription  as  a  chapel  for  the 
church,  before  the  division,  in  the  year  ISIiT.  Was  for  a  time  the  study 
of  Rev.  A.  C.  Hurd,  and  looked  like  a  place  of  delight  to  a  man  of 
intellectual  tastes,  neat,  roomy,  with  plenty  of  books  and  pictures  and 
all  to  one's  self! 

2.  Mrs.  Draper's  House. — On  north  side.  Was  formerly  Jacob 
Preston's  blacksmith  shop.  Fitted  up  for  a  dwelling-house  by  Herman 
Starrett  1880.     Now  owned  and  occupied  by  Mrs.  Xancy  C.  Draper. 

3.  The  Mooar  House. — On  south  side  of  street.  Occupied  by 
Oliver  St.  John.  Was  once  a  blacksinitli  shop  and  stood  on  the  turn- 
pike below  the  village.  Moved  to  its  present  location,  and  fitted  for  a 
dwelling  house  by  Gardiner  Mooar  in  1842. 

Between  Mrs.  Draper's  and  the  horsesheds  there  stood  for  many 
years  what  was  known  as  the  S.  I.  Bard  House.  When  occupied  by  Dr. 
Bard  as  dwelling-house  and  office  it  stood  where  the  Batchelder  Wheel- 
wright Shop  now  stands  on  the  Main  Street  (No.  10).  Was  moved 
about  1835,  to  its  last  location,  and  was  used  as  a  school  house.  Was 
afterwards  fitted  up  for  a  dwelling  and  occupied  by  G.  A.  Barrett. 
Was  taken  down  1885. 

The  "Old  Engine  House"  long  a  landmark  in  the  village,  stood  just 
across  the  street  south  of  the  Old  Academy.  It  was  taken  down  in 
1888.  Also  the  old  people  will  remember  the  once-noted  law-office  of 
Hon.  James  W.  Haseltine.  It  stood  between  the  Downes  store  and  the 
Hotel,  was  afterwards  used  awhile  for  a  hatter's  shop,  and  was  moved 
away  in  1850. 


422  THE    VILLAGE    IN    1890. 

MILL    VILLAGE. 

This  little  village  grew  up  around  the  Carson  Mill.  It  is  so 
near  the  main  village  that  some  have  classed  them  as  one  vil- 
lage. We  Avill  notice  Mill  Village,  however,  h}-  itself,  to  avoid 
confusion.  Until  1820  there  was  only  one  dwelling-house  in 
Mill  Village.  (Commencing  on  the  street  between  the  villages, 
at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  cemeter}-,  there  are  (besides  barns 
and  sheds,)  buildings  as  follows: 

1.  Tlie  Hearse  House.  This  is  a  small,  humble  huiMing  of  the  kind, 
used  for  the  cemetery  now  iiv'arly  full.  It  stands  in  the  corner  of  the 
ground,  and  lias  served  for  nearly  the  last  time,  as  burials  are  now 
elsewhere. 

2.  The  Bean  House.  Built  for  Robert  Todd  in  1S29.  Is  next  east 
of  the  hearse  house,  on  same  side  of  the  street.  John  W.  Bean  lived 
here  some  years.     Xow  occupied  by  ^Irs.  John  Fitield. 

i).  7  he  Hunt'uKjton  House.  Next  east  of  Xo.  2,  and  raised  the  same 
day.     Occupied  by  J.  M.  Huntington.      FMiilt  by  Jaltez  Fairbanks. 

4.  The  '■'■Fairhanks  Cottage."  Built  about  1820  ;  owned  by  Martin 
L.  Colburn  ;  occupied  by  Emory  Labonte. 

5.  The  Kingsbu)'!/  House.  Built  by  .Tabez  Fairbanks  about  1825. 
Xext  east  of  Xo.  4.  Is  the  onh'  2-story  house;  except  the  Taylor  house, 
in  Mill  Village.  '\^'as  man}^  years  occupied  by  Joseph  Kingsbury.  Xow 
owned  and  occupied  by  George  E.  Vose. 

(i.  The  Amaziah  W.  Wood  Place.  Two  or  three  rods  to  the  south- 
eastward of  Kingsbury  house.  Was  the  tirst  house  in  Mill  Village. 
Was  built  by  John  Carson,  Jr.,  about  1792.  Long  owned  and  occupied 
by  Amaziah  Wood.  X'ow  owned  by  his  heirs,  but  occupied  by  Fred. 
Vallier. 

7.  The  Mill  House.  Was  formerh*  an  old  shop  standing  in  the  main 
village,  near  where  is  now  the  home  of  George  E.  Downes  (Xo.  32), 
and  was  moved  to  its  present  locality  and  fitted  for  a  resieence  by  Jos. 
Kingsbury,  in  1850.     Xow  occupied  by  a  French  family. 

8.  The  Carson  Mill.  Built  by  Capt.  John  Carson  (formerly  John 
Carson,  Jr.,)  about  1790.  The  old  mill  was  enlarged  several  times  and 
was  built  over  by  George  Dean,  and  burned  about  1870.  Was  at  once 
rebuilt.  The  whole  is  now  owned  by  the  Francestown  Soapstone  Com- 
pany, and  used  for  sawing  soapstone.  (See  chapter  on  mills.)  It  is 
proper  that  this  should  retain  its  old  name,  "The  Carson  Mill." 

9.  Bi.cly  Wheehrri'jht  Shoj).  At  the  opposite  end  of  the  dam  from 
the  Carson  mill.     (See  chapter  on  mills.) 

10.  The  Moody  House.  Adjoining  the  wheelwright  shop.  Owned 
and  occupied  some  yeai's  by  Daniel  L.  Moody.  Xow  occupied  by  a 
French  family. 


THE    VILLAGE    IN    1890.  423 

11.  The  Taylor  House.  N'ortli  of  the  street  and  west  of  the  pond. 
Built  by  Dean  Bixby,  about  1845.  Xow  owned  by  Mrs.  Thomas  E. 
Taylor,  and  occupied  by  Charles  Aiken. 

12.  The  Blacksmith  ShojJ.  This  is  next  across  the  pond  westward 
from  tlie  Taylor  house.     Occupied  by  H.  ^y.  Spalding. 

13.  TJte  Preston  House.  Long  occupied  by  Luke  Preston.  Was 
formerl}-  the  Talbot  house,  on  the  mountain.  Moved  and  fitted  up  by 
John  Lord,  about  1830.     Occupied  by  XL  ^\'.  Spalding. 

14.  '■'■The  Chandler  House.'''  Built  about  1830  by  Luther  Cowen. 
Now  occupied  by  Frank  Gardner. 

15.  Issachar  Doth/e  House.  This  was  built  by  Willard  Thorndike, 
in  1820,  who  built  a  fulling  mill  a  little  to  the  north.  (See  Mills.) 
Enlarged  and  modernzed  by  Issachar  Dodge,  who  lived  and  died  here. 
Is  100  feet  back  from  the  street. 

16.  John  Mcllraine  Place.  I^ow  owned  and  occupied  by  John 
Shattuck.  Is  on  the  north  side  of  the  street,  and  a  few  rods  west  of 
the  cemetery,  and  a  little  out  of  Mill  Village,  and  nearer  the  church. 
The  old  house  was  erected  very  early  by  Mcllvaine.  The  present  fine 
residence  erected  in  place  of  the  old  by  Pacific  L.  Clark  in  1870. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

SOME    T()1'()(;!;A1'HICAL    ITE.^tS. 

Fraiu'estowii  is  located  ]io]tln\'est  of,  but  not  far  from,  the 
centre  of  Hillsljon)"  County;  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
DeerinL;-  and  Weare,  on  tlie  east  by  Weure  and  New  Boston,  on 
tlie  south  l)y  L3-ndeboro*  and  (Treenhehl,  and  on  the  west  by 
Greenfiekl  and  Bennington.  It  ^^■as  said  origimilly  to  contain 
18,760  acres,  or  about  twenty-nine  and  one  half  square  miles; 
but  some  additions  were  afterwards  made,  slightly  increasing 
this  eatimate.  The  "Tmpioved  Land"  was  given  in  the  census 
of  1870  as  10,798  acres,  this  being  considerably  more  than  half 
of  the  whole,  and  a  larger  proj)ortion  than  in  most  New  Hamp- 
shire towns.  (B}'  the  same  census  the  "Assessed  Valuation" 
was  given  as  -$553,967,  and  the  "True  value"  as  $830,950.) 
No  serious  controversies  concerning  the  boundaries  of  this  town 
have  arisen,  as  with  some  otheis  in  this  vicinity;  Imt  there  has 
been  occasional  tinkering  of  lines.  As  originally  laid  out,  the 
form  was  quite  symmetrical,  though  now  somewhat  broken  on 
every  side.  The  east  line  of  the  town,  commencing  at  the 
south-east  corner  of  the  Addition  ran  northward  five  miles  and 
thirty-six  rods  to  wdiat  was  then  considered  the  corner  of  the 
tract  which  became  the  town  of  Deering.  This  w^as  supposed 
to  run  "due  north,  but  by  perambulation  Nov.  19,  1810,  it  ap- 
peared to  run  "north  about  five  degrees  west."  As^originally 
laid  out  there  was  no  break  in  the  east  line  of  Francestown. 
But  the  map  of  the  town  shows  a  jog  or  corner  cut  out  and 
added  to  the  town  of  Weare.  That  town,  as  granted  by 
Massachusetts  in  1735,  would  have  made  no  infringement  upon 
this  town.  But  after  it  was  separated  from  Massachusetts  by 
the  settlement  of  1740-1741,  the  "Lord  Proprietors,"  referred 
to  in  the  early  part  of  this  work  as  a  company  of  men  who  had 
joined  together  to  speculate  in  land,  bought  out  all  the  rights 
of  the  heirs  of  Capt.  John  Mason  (the  "Masonians,")  and  im- 
mediately   began  to  make    grants  of   towiiships;    and    among 


THE    TOWN    LINES.  425 

others  they  granted  to  Ichabod  Robie  what  is  now  known  as 
the  town  of  Weare,  Sept.  20,  1749.  The  former  grant  of  the 
same  by  Massachusetts  to  Cob  Robert  Hale  was  called  Hales- 
town,  and  the  latter  was  called  Robiestown.  At  once  the 
"•Proprietors  of  Robiestown"  ordered  a  survey,  (made  by  Joseph 
Baker  of  Pembroke,  and  called  Baker's  survey,) and,  commenc- 
ing at  the  northwest  corner  of  Dunbarton,  it  ran  west  six 
miles,  which  was  the"  limit  allowed  them.  The  grant  was  six 
miles  square  and  no  more,  except  that  ''two  rods  for  every  hun- 
dred were  to  be  added  as  an  allowance  for  swag  of  chain."  But 
for  some  reason  never  fully  ex[)lained,  the  surveyor  pushed  on 
west  250  rods  beyond  the  east  line  of  Society  Land  and  beyond 
the  Robiestown  grant,  and  there  marked  a  "Beech  Tree"  as 
the  "northwest  corner"  of  his  survey.  Then  running  south, 
he  established  the  southwest  corner  in  the  same  way,  marking 
a  "White  Pine,"  this  being  where  now  the  extreme  point  of 
Weare  ''jogs"  into  Francestown.  Baker's  Survey  being  com- 
pleted, was  accepted  by  the  "Robiestown  Proprietors''  and  by 
the  "Lord  Proprietors,"  and  lots  were  sold  and  bounded  accord- 
ingly, and  nobody  seemed  to  know  for  more  than  twenty  years 
that  any  wrong  had  been  done.  Meanwhile,  Francestown  and 
Deering  were  incorporated,  and  were  bounded  on  the  east  by 
the  old  east  line  of  Society  Land  (as  by  survey  of  Robert 
Fletcher,  1753,  given  in  this  book).  Thus,  Deering  and 
Francestown  covered  more  than  3000  acres  which  were  included 
in  Baker's  Survey  and  had  been  unknowingly  recognized  as  a 
part  of  Robiestown,  or  Weare.  It  is  to  be  kept  in  mind  that 
the  whole  tract  was  a  forest  scarcely  broken  at  all,  and  that 
tliese  several  grants  and  incorporations  were  on  paper,  while 
the  survey  of  Baker  taking  in  this  large  tract  without  any 
right,  had  its  established  and  marked  bounds.  The  Masonians, 
or  "Lord  Proprietors,"  who  had  granted  the  town  of  Weare, 
had  deeded  land  "to  Baker's  line,"  supposing  it  to  be  in  the 
right  place;  and  hence,  wdien  suit  was  brought,  in  1771,  against 
the   town   of   Weare,*  it  was   lost  because  this   line,  though 

*The  suit  was  brought  by  Thomas  Packer,  who  owned  Division  12  in 
Society  Land  (now  Deering),  against  John  Atwood,  who  had  begun  a  set- 
tlement, as  he  supposed,  in  Weare.  Atwood  had  settled  on  Packer's  land, 
and  wholly  within  the  limits  of  Society  Land,  but  his  title  held,  for  the  rea- 
son named. 


426  CONTROVERSY    WITH    WEARE. 

wrong,  had  been  fixed,  '•'deeded  to"  and  "'recog-nized"  by,  all 
parties  for  more  than  twenty  years.  But.  notwithstanding  this 
decision,  tht-  towns  of  Deering  and  P^rancestown  were  incor- 
porated as  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  pro[}er  east  line  of  the 
Society  Land,  and  a  long  controver-iey  followed  between  Deer- 
ing and  Francestow]!  on  the  one  hand,  and  Weare  on  the  other. 
Deering  led  the  way  as  having  the  most  at  stake,  though  this 
town  seem ;  to  have  paid  its  part  of  the  ex})enses.  Jt  was  de- 
cided in  178(3  in  fivor  of  Weare,  in  agreement  with  the  decis- 
ion of  1771.  The  test  case  was  one  dec'iding  the  line  between 
John  Dinsmore  of  Windham  (owning  land  in  Deering)  and 
Nathaniel  Weed  of  Weare.  'i'his  result,  which  a  noted  sur- 
veyor called  'M  thei'l  of  2800  acres  by  the  proprietors  of 
Weare,"  ai;  -ounts  for  the  ''•jog"'  into  Franccstown.  It  took 
al)out  000  acres  from  this  town.  By  the  "pet ambulation"  of 
1847  it  ap[)ears  that  tlie  west  line  of  Weare  was  thus  moved 
west  full  2(30  rods.  Many  docttments  explaining  this  contro- 
versy being  too  long  to  be  given  here  ir.ay  l)e  found  in  the  vol- 
umes of  town  papers  in  the  town  clerk's  office,  especially  in 
vol.  XI. 

But  it  will  be  noticed  on  tlie  maps  that  not  only  Weare  "jogs" 
into  Francestown,  but  also  Francestown  "jogs"  into  Weare. 
And,  since  both  towns  were  incorporated  with  straight  lines 
and  no  "jog,"  this  break  requires  even  larger  explanation. 

The  original  grant  of  Halestown  (Weare),  1735,  was  first 
surveyed  beginning  at  the  north  east  corner  of  New  Boston, 
and  running  west  by  New  Boston  line  to  the  west  side  of  So- 
cietv  Land,  and  thence  far  enough  north  to  make  the  six  miles 
square.  This  left  a  strip  of  land  six  miles  long  and  280  rods 
wide,  belonging  to  the  "Lord  Proprietors"  between  Halestown, 
and  Hopkinton  and  Henniker  on  the  north.  This  was  called 
the  '-Gore."  But  when  the  Second  giant  of  Halestown  was 
made  (1849)  Baker  began  his  survey  of  it  from  the  noi'th- 
west  corner  of  Dunbarton  and  ran  west  as  before  stated  six 
miles,  and  then  his  250  rods  (with  allowances  making  260 
rods),  and  from  that  point  south  six  miles  with  large  allow- 
ances, and  then  east  to  Dunbarton,  then  Stark's  town.  This 
of  course  left  the  "Gore"  on  the  South  of  the  town  of  Weare, 
and  between  it  and  New    Boston.     Indeed  Baker  made  such 


THE    GOEE.  427 

"large"  allowances  on  this  west  line  without  making  the  same 
on  the  east,  that  he  "swung'"  the  north  line  of  the  Gore  full 
100  rods  south  at  its  west  end.  (The  perambulation  of  1847 
makes  the  west  side  of  the  Gore  only  174  rods  wide,  whereas 
in  fa.;t  it  should  liave  been  about  280.)  This  Gore,  made  by 
Baker  about  200  rods  wide  at  the  west  end  and  280  at  its  east 
end,  and  extending  from  Goffstown  to  Society  Land  was  for  a 
time  unclaimed  by  any  town.  The  Lord  Proprietors  offered 
it  to  New  Boston,  but  it  was  not  I'eceived.  In  1759  the  "Pro- 
prietors had  this  Gore  surveyed  and  run  out  into  lots  by  lloh- 
ert  Fletcher  of  Portsmouth,  and  he  measured  it  only  as  far 
west  as  the  old  east  line  of  Society  Land  Avhich  lie  had  him- 
self established  in  1753,  six  years  before,  and  which  was  the 
west  line  of  New  Boston,  old  town.  He  paid  no  attention  to 
Baker's  survey  of  1749.  And  when  Weare  was  incorpoiated 
(Sept.  31,  1764)  this  ^'Gore,"  thus  bounded,  Avas  received  as 
a  part  of  that  town  and  is  retained  to  this  day.  But  it  did  not 
extend  so  far  west  as  the  rest  of  Weare  by  the  "250  rods,"  and 
hence  Francestown  makes  the  ''jog"  into  that  town,  as  the 
maps  show.  The  corner  tlius  taken  out  of  Weare  (i.  e.  not 
"stolen"  by  Weare  on  the  "(liore'",  as  it  was  said  to  be  on  the 
rest  of  the  west  side  of  that  town)  was  260  rods  (the  250  with 
a  large  ''allowance")  from  ea  .t  to  west,  and  174  rods  from 
north  to  south  on  its  west  side.    (Measure  of  1847.) 

As  incorporated  Francestown  lia  1  no  break  in  its  lines  ex- 
cept on  the  south  side.  The  noi-th  line  of  the  town  was  the 
north  line  of  Lot  No.  10  of  the  Society  Land  and  was  sup- 
posed to  run  due  west  from  Weare,  though  subsequently  found 
to  run  two  and  one-half  degrees  north  of  west.  The  length 
of  the  north  line  of  the  town  was  five  miles  "'to  a  Beech  tree 
mai'kt".  From  that  point  the  west  line  of  this  town  ran  due 
south  three  miles  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  rods  to  the  "line 
of -Lyndeborough"  (now  Greenfield).  The  west  line  of  Fran- 
cestown was  broken  in  1802  by  the  addition  to  us  of  several 
farms;  and  again  by  taking  a  large  tract  of  land  from  us  to  help 
form  the  town  of  Bennington  in  1842.  Thef  present  west  line 
of  the  town  is  so  bent  and  broken  that  no  attempt  will  be  made 
to  follow  it  here.  The  reader  is  referred  to  the  accompanying 
map.      On  the  south,  Francestown  as  incorporated  was  bound- 


428  BOUJSDAKY    DISPUTES. 

ed  entirely  by  Lyndeboro',  then  a  very  large  town,  including 
what  is  now  Greenfield,  a  large  part  of  Mount  A^'ernon,  andsome 
now  included  in  Francestown.  P'rom  the  southwest  corner  of 
this  town  the  line  ran  east  two  and  one-half  miles  to  the  west 
line  of  '^New  Boston  Addition";  thence  south  by  the  line 
between  said  ''Addition"  and  Lyndeboro'  one  mile  and  one  hun- 
dred and  ten  rods  to  the  southwest  corner  of  "New  Boston 
Addition;"  thence  east  from  the  last  named 'corner  to  New 
Boston,  old  town.  This  made  one  "jog"  on  the  south  line  of 
our  town  at  that  time.  Most  of  what  is  now  Greenfield 
was  then  called  "Lyndeboro'  Addition",  and  among  the  several 
"Additions"  and  "Rights"  and  ''Surveys"  there  was  no  little 
confusion.  There  was  also  a  long  dispute  as  to  the  north 
boundary  of  l^yndeboro'  Addition,  and  concerning  this  dispute 
the  curious  may  consult  the  records  of  the  Lyndeboro'  pro- 
prietors, and  the  volumes  of  town  papers.  I  have  thought 
best  to  omit  a  discussion  of  it  here,  as  it  is  very  lengthy,  and 
it  seems  to  have  affected  the  bounds  of  certain  farms  and  wood- 
lots  more  than  the  interests  of  towns.  The  trouble  arose 
b}^  the  "encroachments  of  certain  persons  purchasing  under 
Col.  Wallingford,"  who  owned  Lot  No.  8  in  Society  Land, 
part  of  which  fell  within  the  limits  of  Francestown.  When 
Greenfield  was  incorporated  (June  15,  1791)  the  south,  line 
of  Francestown  adjacent  Avas  fixed  without  any  reference  to 
this  dispute,  which  dispute  was  continued  for  several  years 
after  that  date.  Owing  to  several  subsequent  changes  made 
for  local  convenience,  the  present  line  between  Francestown 
and  Greenfield  is  very  irregular  and  broken.  And  after  the 
incorporation  of  Greenfield,  what  was  left  of  our  line  border- 
ing on  Lj-ndeboro'  was  moved  south  by  the  extent  of  the  tract 
annexed  to  this  town  in  1792,  but  was  not  bent  or  broken. 

By  the  survey  of  Robert  Fletcher  in  1753  Society  Land  was 
divided  into  fifteen  lots,  varying  in  form  and  size.  Individuals 
bought  these  lots  to  speculate  on  tliem  and  they  were  known 
as  the  '•'■Rk/hts'^  of  the  owners.  The  eastern  range  of  lots  (i. 
e.  east  of  the  river)  extended  from  Weare,  New  Boston  and 
New  Boston  Addition  westward  to  the  Contoocook  River. 
The  east  part  of  three  of  these  "Rights"  fell  within  the  limits 
of    this  town.     The  north   was  "Pierce's    Right"   (owned    by 


THE    WALLINGFORD    EIGHT.  429 

Joshua  Pierce)  extending  from  Weare  westward  and  includ- 
ing about  one-third  of  our  present  area.  The  next  south  was 
the  "Odiorne  Right",  (owned  by  Jotliam  Odioi'ue)  which  cov- 
ered most  of  the  mountain,  and  was  bounded  on  the  east  by 
New  Boston  Addition,  a  part  of  it  extending  north  of  the  Ad- 
dition to  New  Boston  old  town,  and  originally  into  the  Addi- 
tion itself.  The  old  records  speak  of  this  as  the  '•'•Odeehorne 
Right".  The  South  Right  was  the  '•'■Wallingford  Right"  (own- 
ed by  Thomas  Wallingford)  extending  from  New  Boston  Ad- 
dition westward  by  the  line  of  '^Lyndeboro'  Addition".  The 
old  "Rights"  are  often  referred  to  in  the  town  records,  and  old 
deeds  of  land,  and  \\ill  be  understood  by  a  study  of  the  map 
herewith  annexed.  The  Wallingford  Right,  or  what  was  then 
unsold  of  it,  was  sold  under  date  of  Nov.  5,  1.766  to  a  com- 
pany of  seventeen  men  (most  or  all  of  them  from  London- 
derry), who  devided  it  up,  cut  a  road  through  it,  and  offered 
it  for  sale.  Several  of  them  sent  their  sous  to  occupy  portions 
of  it.  Col.  Walling-ford  a^ranted  them  "all  his  risfht  and  title" 
for  consideration  of  "-two  hundred  pounds  sterling  money  of 
(Treat  Britain."  This  tract  contained  "about  5000  acres  more 
or  less,"  one-third  of  which  fell  within  the  limits  of  Frances- 
town.  The  names  of  '^the  seventeen"  were  as  follows:  Samuel 
Dickey,  Tlionias  Boyd,  William  Boyd,  Edward  Aiken,  Jr., 
John  Taylor,  William  Butterfield,  Samuel  Fisher,  Adam  Dickey, 
Isaac  Brewster,  John  McKeen,  John  Senter  (?),  Robert  Burnett, 
Hugh  Montgomery,  John  Hall  and  James  Betton. 

RIVERS    AND    BROOKS. 

The  two  south  branches  of  the  Piscataquog  River  rise  in  this 
town,  being  the  only  streams  of  much  importance  within  our 
borders.  The  largest  of  these  issues  from  Pleasant  Pond,  flow- 
ing nearly  south,  being  joined  by  Collins  Brook  from  the  west, 
and  then  flowing  through  the  long  meadow  northeast  of  the 
village,  where  it  is  deep  and  dark  and  broad.  Thence,  still 
flowing  nearly  south,  it  hurries  over  a  rocky  bed  till  its  waters 
reach  the  Pond  of  the  Thorndike  or  Issachar  Dodge  mill,  and 
just  below  this  it  is  again  turned  to  account  in  Mill  Village. 
It  is  decidedly  a  pretty  stream,  oft  with  pebbly  bank,  its  wateis 
clear,  now  bordered  with  meadows,  now  with  patches  of  wood 


430  KIVEKS    AND    BROOKS. 

and  pastures  green,  and  all  the  way  receiving  accessions  of 
sweet  rivulets.  It  crosses  the  turnpike  at  the  Lynch  place, 
and  falls  into  the  CUark  Mill-Pond.  There'  it  receives  Brennan 
Brook,  and  l)elow  the  mills  leceives  the  Kai.d  BiO(  k,  and  as- 
sumes the  ap})earance  of  a  river.  Thence  it  takes  a  northerly 
and  easterly  course,  passing  out  of  Franeestown  at  Kidder's 
Mills.  It  furnishes  the  cliief  water  power  of  the  town,  and  it 
is  also  used  over  many  times  in  New  Boston. 

The  other  Branch  of  the  Piscataquog  issues  from  '^Haunted 
Lake"  (Scoby's),  soon  passing  into  New  Boston,  and  furnish- 
ing considerable  water-power  in  tliat  town.  It  falls  into  the 
southmost  and  Chief  Branch  of  the  Piscataquog  at  a  point  about 
two  ndles  below  New  Boston  village.  It  is  sometimes  called 
the  "-middle  branch,"  as  there  is  another  of  about  the  same  size 
coming  down  from  Deering  and  W^eare  and  emptying  into  the 
stream  formed  by  the  othei'  two  at  a  point  l)elow  Oil  Mill 
Village. 

It  has  been  stated  on  previous  jjages  of  this  work  that  in  the 
early  days  of  the  town  all  the  streams  were  much  larger  than 
now,  and  mills  were  successfully  o[)eiated  where  now  they  eould 
not  be  run  seven  days  in  a  year.  Some  of  these  streams,  then 
of  considerable  note,  were  as  follows : 

Whitiny  Brook,  which  empties  into  Scoby  Pond,  or  "Haunted  Lake," 
on  the  north,  rises  near  Weare  line,  is  about  three  miles  long,  tlows 
nearly  south,  has  at  one  place  a  broken  fall,  somewhat  remarkable,  of 
15  feet,  has  broad  pools  of  clear  water,  like  the  White  Mountain  streams, 
and,  after  having  crossed  the  New  Boston  road  and  received  the  Pettee 
Brook,  it  really  becomes  quite  a  pretentious  sti'eam,  cutting  a  wide 
channel  through  the  meadows.  For  a  quarter  of  a  mile  before  enter- 
ing the  Lake,  it  is  deep,  dark,  sluggish,  over-hung  with  banks,  and 
resembles  a  small  Florida  creek,  alligators  and  cypress  excepted.  And 
for  this  distance  the  fisherman  rows  his  boat  up  the  stream,  and  counts 
it  a  favorite  place  to  drop  the  line.  There  are  no  mills  on  this  stream, 
and  it  has  been  noted  for  suckers  in  spring  and  trout  in  summer. 

The  Brennan  Brook  rises  in  the  high  lands  southeast  of  the  mountain 
and  flows  er.stward  through  woods  and  alder  thickets  and  brush-grown 
pastures.  It  is  so  shaded  as  to  be  protected  from  drought,  flowing  in 
fair  volume  when  larger  streams  go  dry.  On  this  stream  was  Bixby's 
IN'ail  Factory  and  Bobbin  Shop.  Among  the  hills  above  the  site  of  the 
Factory,  it  has  a  remarkable  fall  of  20  feet,  often  visited  by  ramblers 
and  romance-lovers.  No  trout  ever  pass  this  water-fall.  After  flowing 
eastward  across  the  Greenfield  Road,  having  just  previously  received 


VARIOUS    BROOKS.  431 

the  "Taylor  l^rook,"  it  forms  two  small  ponds  very  dark  from  shade  and 
mud.  Thence  issuing  it  has  a  rough  and  rapid  descent  for  some  distance. 
Here  was  Joshua  Uodge's  Carding  Mill.  Not  far  below  these  ponds 
are  the  remains  of  nn  old  reservoii'-dam,  to  supply  said  mill.  The 
Brennan  Brook  falls  into  the  Clark  Mill  Pond.  Was  named  from 
Edward  l^reiinan  who  once  lived  west  of  the  village. 

The  Taylor  Brook,  so  named  from  William  Taylor  who  lived  nearby, 
also  rises  south  of  the  mountain  and  tlows  southward  and  eastward  until 
it  joins  the  Brennan  Brook,  near  the  Greenfield  road.  This  was  a  con- 
siderable stream  before  the  forests  were  cleared  away.  On  this  was 
built  the  William  P)uttertield  saw-mill.  It  receives  a  rivulet  coming  from 
the  north,  sometimes  called  Manalian  Brook.  Both  are  (juite  small  at 
the  present  day. 

The  Mountain  Brook  rises  near  the  Russell  Place,  in  the  extreme 
southwest  of  Erancestown,  among  the  heights,  and  flows  southward  and 
eastward  into  Greenfield.  There  it  receives  the  "Savage  Brook"  from 
that  town,  and  a.  short  distance  below  re-enters  this  town.  Thence  it  is 
called  the  Raiid  Brook.  Here,  not  far  from  Greenfield  line,  is  the  site 
where  once  stood  the  Jacob  Dutton,  or  Fairbanks  Mill.  It  is  spoken  of 
as  a  considerable  stream,  with  l)road  and  pebbly  l)ed,  with  occasional 
long  and  rock-roughened  rapids,  and  then  broail,  deep  pools.  On  this 
l)r<)ok  was  the  Starrett  Bol)bin  Shop,  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town; 
and  it  flowed  into  the  South  Branch  of  the  Picataquog  at  a  point  north- 
ward of  the  Dea.  Moses  Fisher  place. 

The  (Jollins  Brook  rises  in  Bennington  northwestward  of  the  Moun- 
tain, and  flows  easterly  into  this  town.  It  is  joined  by  the  Dinsmore 
Brook  which  flows  northward  down  from  the  Mountain  and  joins  it 
near  the  site  of  the  Dinsmore,  or  Collins  house.  On  this  Brook  was 
the  Mitchell  Mill.  It  crosses  the  turn2)ike  in  its  eastward  course  just 
north  of  the  residence  of  Augustus  Hurd,  and  then  flows  southeastward 
into  the  Dean  Meadows  where  it  receives  several  small  rivulets,  and 
thence  taking  a  northeast  course,  through  the  "old  deserted  Kemp 
farm,"  joins  the  "Shattuck  Pond  Brook,''  forming  the  stream  on  which 
is  the  David  Fisher  Mill  (Bryant's).  This  stream  flows  into  the  outlet 
of  Pleasant  Pond,  (south  ]3ranch  of  the  Piscataquog)  in  the  meadows 
northeast  of  the  village.  The  "Shattuck  Pond  Brook"  is  a  short  and 
small  stream  issuing  from  Shattuck  Pond,  and  losing  itself  and  its  name 
in  joining  the  Collins  Brook  as  before  stated. 

-The  Bixhy  Brook,  often  called  the  "Ma'am  Short  Brook,"  rises  on 
Oak  Hill,  and  flows  southerly  past  the  village,  into  the  Pond  in  Mill 
Village.  On  a  part  of  this,  once  (luite  a  brook,  was  the  True  tannery. 
On  this  stream,  at  the  village,  is  the.Bixby  Cabinet  shop,  and  below 
this  is  the  site  of  the  Willard  cabinet  shop. 


432  BODIES    OF    WATER. 

The  chief  bodies  of  water  in  Fniiicestown  are  "Haunted 
Lake"  and  "Pleasant  Pond."  The  former,  which  shoiikl  be 
called  "Haunted  Lake,"  to  preserve  the  romance  of  the  early 
days  in  connection  with  the  fancy  of  the  present  time,  is 
situated  about  two  miles  east  of  the  village,  extending  eastward 
nearly  to  New  Boston  line.  This  sheet  of  water  was  the  first 
known  and  the  first  named  in  town.  For  the  last  half-century 
it  has  been  often  called  "Scob}^  Pond;"  and  more  recently  the 
sentimental  ones  have  named  it  "Seoby  Lake;"  but  the  original 
and  first  name  was  "Haunted  Pond."  Now  let  all  the  residents 
and  friends  call  it  "Haunted  Lake."  This  is  a  name  both 
hiiijtoric  and  becoming. 

There  have  been  several  ti'aditions  concerninnf  the  orisfin  of 
the  name  "Haunted,"  all  showing  its  early  date.  One  is  that  a 
fire  once  raged  on  its  shores  so  fiercely  as  to  consume  every 
living  thing;  and  only  the  trunks  of  the  largest  trees  were  left 
standing,  charred,  ashy,  desolate  and  frightful,  causing  the  eaily 
surveyors  and  even  the  roving  Lidians  to  turn  away  in  fear, 
and  presenting  at  night  an  appearance  wierd,  strange  and  start- 
ling in  the  extreme.  No  doubt  there  was  for  this  a  basis  of 
fact,  and  no  doubt  it  tended  to  confirm  the  earh'  belief  that  the 
place  was  "haunted." 

Another  tradition  is  that  the  "Scoby  Bo3^s"  were  given  to 
frightening  certain  "liquor-laden  loafers,"  who,  having  imbibed 
enough  to  put  the  mind  into  a  very  meditative  and  susceptible 
state,  were  accustomed  to  pass  by  the  "dark  shades  and  wierd 
waste  of  bog-land  and  water"  adjacent,  in  the  "wee  sma'  hours," 
and  were  '•'■ht'lped''''  to  see  various  "ghosts"  and  "visions"  that 
were  both  real  and  "unco  wild."  And  no  doubt  this  also  had 
a  basis  of  fact,  the  state  of  mind  of  these  belated  travelers,  and 
the  cunning  of  the  "Boys,"  combining  to  set  afloat  various 
"dreadful  representations  of  dreadful  things,"  so  that  timid 
people  became  half-afraid  to  pass  that  way  even  in  clear  sun- 
light. Many  people  fully  believed  the  whole  vicinity  to  be 
"haunted."  But  this  tradition,  after  all,  does  not  account  for 
the  name,  since  this  was  known  as  "Haunted  Pond"  long  before 
there  were  any  "Scoby  Boys"  in  this  vicinity.     They  only  took 


WHY    SAID    TO    BE    HAUNTED.  433 

advantage  of  the  well-known  name  to  help  them  carry  out  their 
"dreadful"  jokes! 

Another  tradition,  and  the  one  which  without  doubt  gave  the 
name  to  the  Pond  was  this,  that  a  young  man  was  murdered 
and  buried  near  where  the  mill  was  after wai-ds  built,  and  that 
his  spirit  haunted  the  spot  with  nightly  groanings  and  cries. 
It  was  said  that  two  young  men  from  below  started  for  Hills- 
borough to  buy  land  for  settlement,  about  1741.  Starting 
separately  they  fell  in  with  each  other,  and  traversed  the  forest 
on  their  way  together,  as  they  had  the  same  destination.  Here 
they  halted  for  the  night,  in  the  dense  forest,  far  from  any 
human  habitation ;  and  here  in  a  quarrel,  perhaps  intentionally 
provoked,  one  of  them  killed  the  other,  and  scantily  covering 
the  body  with  earth  and  the  spot  with  sticks  and  limbs  of  trees, 
went  on  his  way.  A  few  years  afterwartls  Hon.  Matthew  Pat- 
ten, of  Bedford,  who  kept  the  "Diary"  so  noted  in  our  local 
history  of  that  time,  was  employed  to  make  a  survey  of  this 
section,  or  as  some  say,  to  "make  a  survey  of  the  Pond."  He 
was  employed  to  "run  the  boundaries  of  New  Boston,"  in 
1758,  and  also  to  make  a  "schedule  of  Lotts"  in  the  "Addi- 
tion" ;  and  in  this  "schedule"  a  farm  was  laid  out  for  the 
grantors  "of  four  lumdred  and  thirty  acres,  with  allowance  for 
what  part  of  the  Haunted  Pond  it  takes  in^^^  showing  that  this 
was  the  well-known  name  of  this  body  of  water  at  tbat  date. 

At  the  time  of  this  incident,  ^\hether  in  1753  or  a  little 
earlier,  Patten  and  his  two  chainmen,  with  their  assistants, 
encamped  for  the  night  near  the  outlet  of  the  Pond.  Soon 
after  darkness  set  in,  there  commenced  groanings  and  shrieks 
as  of  a  human  being  in  distress,  and  these  continued,  most 
plaintive  and  affecting,  till  nearly  morning.  These  chainmen 
were  hardy  fellows  not  accustomed  to  fear  the  face  of  man,  but 
they  had  some  superstition,  and  some  alarm  at  "signs"  and 
"bad  omens,"  and  they  could  not  be  persuaded  to  continue 
their  work,  even  for  an  hour.  They  started  at  once,  in  the 
morning,  for  their  home  in  Bedford.  This  event,  of  course, 
confirmed  previous  rumors  that  the  place  was  "haunted,"  and 
established  the  name,  "Haunted  Pond."  For  more  than  a 
generation  it  was  known  by  no  other  name.  Some  may  think 
the  alleged  murder  to  be  confirmed  by  the  fact  that  more  than 


434  THE    DEAD    HUNTEH. 

thirty  years  after  its  supposed  date,  David  Scoby  having-  erected 
a  saw-mill  at  the  outlet  of  the  Pond,  as  they  were  dragging 
logs  down  over  the  bank  onto  the  ''ways,"  they  laid  bare  a 
lunnan  skeleton  of  large  size,  and  shown  by  the  teeth  and  other 
evidences  to  be  that  of  a  young  man ! 

There  is  another  story  handed  d(n\!i,  which  might  possibly 
account  for  the  skeleton  exhumed,  though  no  doubt  subsequent 
to  the  fright  of  the  "chainmen."  Two  hunters  came  up  from 
Duiistable,  Mass.,  *'to  hunt  and  trap"  for  the  season.  They 
located  their  camp  west  of  the  (li-eat  Meadows  in  New  Boston, 
(Haunted  Lake  was  also  in  New  Boston  at  that  time),  and  set 
two  "rounds"  of  ti-aps,  both  to  the  westward,  one  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  this  body  of  water  and  the  other  up  the  south  branch  of 
the  Piscata(piog.  One  taking  f)ne  ''round,"  or  circuit,  and  the 
other  tviking  the  other,  they  visited  their  traps  each  morning, 
and  returned  to  camp  at  noon.  One  day  one  of  them  did  not 
return,  and  after  waiting  till  satisfied  there  was  trouble,  the 
other  started  on  his  companion's  route,  and  near  this  water  was 
startled  by  the  growl  of  a  wild  beast,  and  saw  only  a  few  feet 
ahead  a  htige  c  itamount  standing  over  the  dead  and  torn  body 
of  his  comrade.  He  loaded  his  gun  and  shot  tlje  savage  beast, 
and  then  buried  his  friend  as  well  as  he  could,  and  rettirned  to 
camp.  Knowing  these  savage  animals  roamed  the  forest  in 
})airs,  and  as  tliey  were  dreaded  by  all  hunters,  he  returned  the 
next  day  to  Dunstable.  There  is  no  reason  to  doubt  this  story, 
whether  it  accounts  for  the   "skeleton"  or  not. 

"Haunted  Lake"  has  been  described  as  "circular  in  form," 
but  recent  survej's  have  made  its  map  outline  look  more  like  a 
parallelogram.  It  is  nearly  a  mile  in  length  (east  and  west), 
and  nearly  five-sixths  of  a  mile  in  width.  .  Is  spoken  of  as 
"rather  shalloAv."  No  doubt  in  distant  yeai's  the  water  was 
much  deeper  than  now,  and  higher  water  then  for  ages 'may 
account  for  certain  pecidiarities  of  its  banks  as  they  appear 
now.  The  high  dike-like  deposit  on  the  west  side  has  been 
called  "a  lateral  Moraine  of  the  glacier  period."  On  the  north 
side  there  is  a  portion  of  what  appears  like  the  same  moraine 
which  has  been  described  as  a  dike  or  "bar  20  rods  long,  six 
feet  high,  and  three  or  four  feet  thick,"  and  also  parts  of  the 
same  appear  on  the  east  bank.      To  many  of  us  this  "moraine" 


PLEASANT    POND.  435 

explanation  is  open  to  doubt,  as  is  any  other  yet  advanced. 
This  is  not  the  place  to  discuss  the  matter ;  but  the  student  of 
nature  may  tind  many  things  remarkable  and  suggestive  in  the 
environments  of  Haunted  Lake. 

Near  the  north  shore  there  was  found,  in  the  early  history 
of  the  town,  a  '•'very  fine  deposit  of  blue  clay,"  which  was  used 
for  making  "clay  mortar"  of  delicate  tint,  and  was  quite  noted 
for  many  years.  It  was  dug  up  from  beneath  mud  and  water, 
with  long-handled  hoes.  And  on  the  west  shore  of  the  Lake 
is  "Shattuck's  Grove,"  fitted  up  with  buildings  for  summer 
pleasure-parties,  and  making  a  very  desirable  resort.  For 
''fisliing,  scenerj^  delighiful  shade,  and  pure  air,"  it  com})ares 
favorably  with  many  retreats  of  larger  name  and  fame.  Taking- 
all  in  all.  Haunted  Lake  may  certainly  be  called  an  attractive 
place,  a  sort  of  '•'garden  of  waters," 

Where  from  life's  crowding  cares  apai't, 

Whoever  love.s  to  feel  the  touch 
Of  nature's  hand  and  nature's  heart, 

May  linger  long  and  profit  nuieli! 

Pleasant  Pond  is  situated  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  and 
is  a  body  of  water  not  much  different  in  area  of  surface  from 
Haunted  Lake,  though  much  deeper,  and  more  irregular  in 
form.  Its  extreme  length  is  about  350  rods,  and  largest  widtli 
about  200.  Much  of  the  way,  however,  its  width  is  scarcely 
half  of  this ;  and  viewed  from  the  hills  on  either  side,  it  looks 
narrow  and  long,  and  remarkably  placid  and  beautiful,  half 
hidden  by  the  forest.  It  would  be  luird  to  find  so  large  a  body 
of  water  so  little  ruffled  by  the  wind.  Probably  this  gave  rise 
to  the  name  "•Pleasant  Pond."  It  has  always  had  this  name  so 
far  as  known.  John  McPherson  was  "fishing  on  Pleasant  Pond" 
on  the  morning  of  the  Dark  Day,  May  19, 1780.  It  is  certainly 
an  appropriate  name.  Seventy-five  years  ago  it  was  sometimes 
called  '•'•Sleeper's  Pond,"  from  the  prominent  families  of  that 
name  then  living  and  owning  land  around  it.  It  was  once  also 
occasionally  called  "Spot  Pond,"  though  this  name  and  the 
reason  for  it  have  long  since  disappeared.  The  old  name, 
"Pleasant  Pond"  will  no  doubt  always  be  retained. 

Efforts  have  been  made  to  stock  this  Pond  with  "land-locked 
salmon,"  but  to  no   great  success,  and  the  "Perch,  Pout  and 


436  VARIOUS    PONDS. 

Pickerel'"  still  hold  sway  in  tliese  native  waters.  It  is  said 
that  '^Pleasant  Pond  is  full  twenty-five  feet  deep  along  its  whole 
eastern  shore-"  It  is  a  large  body  of  water,  and  is  fed  by 
springs  from  the  higli  surroundiiig  hills,  and  bj'-brooks  from  the 
north  and  west.  Thus  the  small  streams  from  the  hills  in  the 
south  part  of  Deering,  flowing  into  this  Pond  and  issuing  from 
it  on  the  south,  form  the  south  and  main  branch  of  the  Piscata- 
quog  Rivej',  while  the  small  streams  flowing  from  the  hills  in 
the  north  part  of  Deering  give  rise  to  the  north  branch  of  the 
same  River,  as  before  stated. 

There  are  several  other  ponds  in  town  of  small  area  and  not 
of  sufficient  importance  to  require  extensive  notice.  Among 
these  is  '^Shattuck  Pond,"  northward  of  Pleasant  Pond  and  near 
Deering  line,  named  from  the  Shattuck  family  formeily  living 
on  the  Whitfield  place.  It  is  a  fine  sheet  of  water,  and  is  about 
one-third  the  size  of  Pleasant  Pond. 

Dennison  Pond  is  a  still  smaller  body  of  water,  and  is  situ- 
ated in  the  northeast  part  of  the  town  near  New  Boston  line. 
Its  outlet  is  a  small  stream  running  southeastward  and  finding 
the  Haunted  Lake  outlet  in  the  Colburn  Meadows  in  New 
Boston.  This  Pond  is  much  grown  over,  and  is  a  lonely  and 
desolate  place.  A  few  years  ago  it  was  thought  a  man  was 
drowned  here,  as  a  dog  stayed  on  the  shore  many  days,  howling 
and  running  along  the  water's  edge  in  distress.  But  nothing 
more  was  ever  known  about  it,  except  that  people  said  it  was  a 
fit  place  for  a  drowning  scene. 

Another  pond  without  a  name  appears  on  the  County  Map 
of  1858,  near  the  William  Cochran  place.  It  is  a  small  affair 
covering  less  than  half  an  acre,  its  outlet  joining  that  of  Denni- 
son Pond.  There  are  no  other  bodies  of  water  in  town  that 
we  need  to  mention  here.  There  were  once  several  good-sized 
mill-ponds  where  now  both  mills  and  ponds  have  disappeared. 
A  small  pond  half-way  up  Crotched  Mountain,  being  '^always 
shallow  and  always  full,"  was  mentioned  as  a  ^'curiosty"  in  the 
Gazetteer  of  1817,  three-quarters  of  a  century  ago. 

MOUNTAINS    AND    HILLS. 
Several  of  the  adjacent  towns  are  dotted  with  mountains,  but 
Francestown  has  only  one  elevation  that  can  be  dignified  by 
that  name,   and   this    has    been    always    known  as  '^Crotched 


CROTCHED    MOUNTAIN.  437 

Mountain."  This  is  the  proper  spelling.  In  a  newspaper 
article  (1870)  now  before  me,  it  is  called  '^Mount  Crotchet," 
and  a  like  error  escaped  my  eye  in  the  proof  of  the  Hillsboro' 
County  History  (1885),  It  was  called  "Crotched"  Mountain 
undoubtedly  because  of  its  two  or  three  forks  or  summits.  I 
think  that  in  boyhood  I  heard  old  people  speak  of  it  as  the 
"Forked  Mountain,"  conveying  the  same  idea.  The  term 
"Crotchet"  is  both  modern  and  meaningless.  It  was  called 
"Crotched  Mountain"  in  the  Town  Records  of  1785.  Also  in 
the  N.  H.  Gazetteer  1817  and  that  of  1874,  (and  probably  in 
all  the  others),  and  in  all  surveys  and  references  known  to  me 
prior  to  1870. 

The  height  of  Crotched  Mountain  above  tide  water  as  given 
by  Quimby  is  2223  feet;  and  for  comparison  I  may  add  that 
the  height  of  the  Uncanoonucks,  is  1388  feet;  Stoddard  Moun- 
tain, 2200  feet;  Pack  Monadnock  (Temple),  2385  feet;  Kear- 
sarge,  2742  feet;  Monadnock,  3718  feet;  Tuttle  Mountain, 
Antrim,  1700  feet;  Mount  Dearborn,  Weare,  1229  feet;  Dun- 
can Hill,  Hancock  2003  feet;  highest  point  in  Deering  1300 
feet;  Lyndeboro'  Mountain,  1500  feet;  Joe  English,  1100  feet: 
and  Mount  Washington,  6293  feet. 

"Our  Dear  Old  Mountain,"  as  a  former  resident  affectionately 
calls  it,  has  two  conspicuous  summits  of  which  the  distinguished 
Levi  Woodbur}^  said  in  his  early  description,  "One  is  coveied 
with  woods ;  the  other  is  almost  a  solid  ledge  of  rocks,  afford- 
ing a  very  extensive  prospect  to  the  southwest."  It  would 
require  too  much  space  to  give  an  adequate  description  of  the 
view  from  these  summits ;  but  it  may  be  said  that  to  the  north- 
ward the  villages  of  Bennington,  Antrim  Centre,  South  Antrim, 
Hancock,  Deering,  Hillsboro'  Dunbarton,  and  others  can  be  seen, 
while  southward  the  villages  of  Dublin,  Lyndeboro',  Peterboro', 
Greenfield,  and  others  attract  the  eye.  In  a  clear  day  the 
White  Mountains  are  visible  to  the  naked  eye,  and  north  and 
west  a  vast  thicket  of  mountains  seem  to  blend  and  lose  them- 
selves together.  The  Temple  and  Peterboro'  mountains  seem 
to  be  strangely  near,  and  grand"  old  Monadnock  looks  more 
majestic  than  from  any  other  position.  Ponds  and  lakes  dot 
the  surrounding  landscape  like  silvery  jewels,  and  sheeny  white 
streams  thread  a  thousand  valleys  in  one  view.      The  variety  of 


438  THE    BURNING    ^MOUNTAIN. 

scenery  is  more  attractive  than  from  Mount  Wasliington  itself. 
Less  of  dead,  monotonous  grandeur;  more  of  sweetness  and 
beauty  and  home  and  life!  It  gives  a  charming-  view  of  the 
Valley  of  the  Contoocook,  with  the  Dome  of  the  State-house  at 
its  eastern  extremity! 

Some  of  the  older  people  will  rememljer  seeing  Crotched 
Mountain  on  fire.  It  was  covered  with  dead  pine  trees  among 
the  living  ones,  and  in  a  dry  time  ^'some  rascals  set  hre  to  them 
at  night,"  and  soon  the  whole  northwestern  part  of  the  moun- 
tain was  in  a  biaze.  A  few  hours  earlier  a  fire  set  by  farmers 
on  the  south  side  of  the  mountain  got  beyond  their  control  and 
swe})t  up  toward  the  sunnnit.  Strange  to  say,  a  fire  was  burn- 
ing on  the  east  side,  from  a  like  inability  to  keep  it  within 
bounds;  and  soon  these  three  fires  joined  forces  in  the  moun- 
tain forests,  and  the  result  was  terrific  and  grand.  The  flames 
shot  into  the  air  a  hundred  feet,  roaring  like  some  awful  tempest 
and  turning  night  into  day  for  miles  around  witli  its  lurid  glare. 
It  was  veritabh"  a  '•^Burning  Mountain."  For  two  weeks  the 
fire  raged  fiercely.  Pine  wood-lots  were  literally  consumed. 
The  very  soil  was  burned  oft'  the  blackened  rocks.  At  one  time 
a  gi'eat  wave  of  fire  twenty  feet  high  swept  down  toward  the 
Wilson  place,  and  hugh  fire-bi'ands  flew  high  in  the  air  like 
dead  leaves  before  the  tempest.  The  buildings  were  saved  only 
by  keeping  them  wet  or  covered  with  wet  blankets.  Through- 
out the  whole  region  the  hot  August  air  (it  was  in  Aug.  1854) 
was  freighted  with  smoke  and  cinders.  The  wild  birds  flew 
about  as  if  frenzied,  and  in  despair,  and  the  poor  squirrels  and 
hedge-hogs  and  coons  climbed  the  tall  trees  and  clung  to  them 
only  to  go  down  with  their  falling  trunks  and  fill  the  choked 
atmosphere  with  the  smell  of  their  burning  flesh !  The  fire 
crossed  the  Brennan  Brook  and  moved  eastward,  till  the  village 
was  alarmed,  and  hundreds  of  men  gathered  '^to  fight  the  fire." 
By  digging  di'c^ches,  setting  back-fires,  and  every  possible  effort 
and  careful  watching,  its  progress  W'as  stayed.  But  it  burned 
away  in  fallen  trees  and  in  clefts  in  the  rocks  for  more  than  two 
weeks,  and  was  then  extinguished  by  the  autumn  rains,  some 
embers,  however,  smoldering  almost  till  the  snows  of  winter 
came.  It  was  a  fearful  coiiflagration,  and  a  magnificent  and 
awe-inspiring  sight.     The  loss  was  also  great.     Now,  after  nearly 


WILD    ANIMALS    OX    THE    MOUNTAIN.  439 

forty  years,  the  Morks  and  relies  of  that  desolation  may  be  found 
on  every  side.  'Jlie  forests  have  oidy  in  small  part  recovered 
their  growth. 

Crotched  Mountain  is  noted  in  tliis  vicinity  as  a  sort  of  battle- 
ground with  the  powers  of  the  air.  In  winter  the  winds  aie 
parted  on  either  side  as  waters  are  parted  by  a  rock.  In  sum- 
mer countless  showers,  sweeping  down  from  the  North  West, 
are  divided,  or  turned  aside,  by  this  lofty  breast-work  of  rocks. 
Behind  this  grand  barrier  the  village  has  been  counted  a  safer 
retreat  for  the  timid  souls  who  dread  the  electrical  storms  of 
New  England.  And  no  doubt  the  mountain  is  in  many  ways  a 
protection  to  the  town. 

The  old  mountain  is  very  easy  of  ascent  on  the  north,  though 
not  cultivated  very  far  up ;  but  on  the  south  side  Robert  Butter- 
iield  cultivated  patches  of  ground  quite  near  tlie  summits 
bringing  his  produce  down  the  steep  declivity  on  an  ox-sled  on 
the  bare  ground,  it  being  too  steep  for  Avheels.  He  was  said  to 
farm  after  the  manner  of  the  '^SavIss  peasants  among  the  Alps." 
lint  the  soil  was  grandly  jjroductive.  Now,  after  three-quarters 
of  a  century,  the  marks  of  his  fai'ming  on  the  heights  may  be 
clearly  seen. 

The  summit  of  Crotched  Mountain  was  said  to  be  "600  feet 
above  the  common  in  the  village."'  Many  old  Gazetteers  so 
give  it.  But  a  recent  calculation  makes  it  733  feet;  while 
Quimby  makes  its  height  "above  tide  water  2223  feet." 

"In  ye  olden  days  the  rocks  and  deep  forests  of  the  old 
mountain  made  a  strong  shelter  for  wild  beasts,  and  various 
kinds  of  game.  Bears,  catamounts,  coons,  foxes,  and  smaller 
animals  had  here  their  haunts  and  hiding-places.  Wild  turkeys 
Avere  occasionally  seen  here  strutting  about  as  if  in  definace  of 
civilization.  OliA^er  Butterfield  said  that  he  had  seen  them  in 
flocks  on  the  mountain,  and  that  Dr.  Farley  in  "1815  brought 
down  one  from  the  to})  of  tlie  highest  tree  "Avith  one  shot  in  the 
eye."  They  were  exceedingly  cunning  and  Avary  and  hard 
to  secure.  Bears,  having  their  dens  in  the  mountain,  went  out 
to  commit  many  depredations  upon  corn-fields  and  stock.  About 
1783  a  bear  went  into  Robert  Butterfielcrs  barn-yard,  ''south 
side  of  the  mountain)  took  a  calf  and  started  for  his  den  in  the 
forest.     But  Buttertield  seized  an  axe  and  followed  and  sue- 


440  THE    SWATH    OF    THE    BOULDER." 

ceeded  in  killing  him,  thongh  at  the  risk  of  his  own  life.  Many 
bears  were  killed  in  town,  and  many  heroic  adventures  with 
them,  being  a  common  thing,  were  not  considered  important 
enough  for  record.  One,  however,  the  story  of  a  woman's 
courage,  is  handed  down.  Mrs.  John  Mannahan,  being  left  alone 
with  her  child,  heard  a  tremendous  commotion  in  her  pig-pen. 
A  bear  had  come  down  from  the  mountain  after  her  pig.  The 
child  cried,  the  dog  barked,  and  most  fearfull}-  the  pig  squealed 
in  the  clutches  of  the  bear.  The  brave  woman  seized  the  gun 
and  fired,  and  bruin  dropped  the  pig  "and  ran  for  the  woods. 
The  reception  was  too  much  for  him  I 

From  Crotched  Mountain,  as  from  Joe  English,  it  has  been 
an  amusement  from  the  first,  to  roll  down  every  movable 
boulder,  and  watch  the  whirling,  jumping  frightful  descent. 
Some  forty  years  ago  there  was  a  huge  boulder  weighing  more 
than  twenty  tons,  that  lay  on  the  summit,  as  though  left  there 
by  some  icy  chariot  of  the  glacial  times, — the  ice  melting  away 
and  leaving  the  boulder  so  nicely  balanced  that  a  man  could 
sway  it  to  and  fi'o.  A  party  of  gentlemen  from  the  city,  visit- 
ing the  summit  "wanted  to  see  the  rock  go  down."  Having 
plenty  of  leisure  they  secured  levers  and  iron  bars  and  pried 
the  boulder  a  little  out  of  its  place,  when  away  it  Avent  dashing 
and  crashing,  with  the  roar  of  thunder,  far,  far,  down  to  the 
mountain's  base!  The  rocks  below  smoked  like  a  furnace  as  it 
leaped  and  fell  upon  them ;  the  largest  trees  snapped  off  like 
pipe-stems  as  it  struck  them ;  the  crash  of  breaking  and  falling 
trees  was  heard  for  miles;  and  the  maddened  thing  cut  a  swath 
like  a  mower  all  the  way  down!  It  was  an  awful  sight!  The 
devastation  was  visible  for  years,  and  doubtless  its  track  of  ruin 
could  be  picked  out  to-day ! 

It  may  be  said  cancerning  our  grand  old  Mountain,  that  all 
its  romance  is 'covered  by  the  curtains  of  the  silent  past.  It  has 
no  Indian  history  that  can  be  definitely  stated.  It  has  no  fear- 
ful cliffs,  nor  dark  ravines,  nor  dreadful  caverns,  full  of  dead 
men's  bones.  With  a  lofty  and  independent  look,  it  is  still 
always  an  honest-seeming,  well-behaved,  unpretentious  in- 
dividual "among  the  mighty  mountains  of  the  old  Granite  State !" 
And  yet  there  are  some  peculiarities  worthy  of  larger  mention 
than  we  can  give  them.     Among  these  "Chaise  Rock"  may  be 


MINERAL    ON    CROTCHED    MOUNTAIN.  441 

named.  It  is  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  North  West  ridge  and 
can  be  seen  from  many  points  eastward.  Is  near  what  is  called 
the  "Bear  woods,''  where  the  bear  was  killed  in  the  famous 
hunt  of  1836.  It  is  an  immense  bouldei'  from  which  fragments 
have  so  fallen  off  from  time  to  time  as  to  leave  a  distinct  form 
of  the  "old-fashioned  chaise"  that  used  to  be  so  common.  The 
"top"  and  "dasher"  of  the  vehicle  are  wonderfully  accurate. 

Lower  down  and  farther  north  is  the  "Barn  Rock,"  which, 
seen  from  the  Bryant  house,  would  easily  deceive  one  who 
mip'ht  be  lookino-  about  to  count  the  buildino-s.  It  is  a  boulder 
closely  resembling  a  barn  in  form  and  size. 

The  peculiar  form  of  the  summit,  or  summits,  is  not  such  as 
to  show  the  glacial  marks  very  distinctly.  In  coming  from  the 
southeast  at  a  distance  of  a  few  miles  I  have  noticed  that  the 
mountain  seemed  to  have  but  one  summit,  and  that,  quite  nar- 
row and  pointed.  But  in  approaching  from  the  northeast  three 
summits  are  plainly  seen ;  while  from  other  directions  two 
appear. 

At  the  eastern  base  plumbago  has  been  found,  of  good  quality, 
l)ut  no  effort  has  l^een  made  by  way  of  mining  it.  Yellow  ochre 
has  been  found,  but  not  in  paying  quantity.  Soapstone  has  been 
sought  here,  as  stated  in  the  Chapter  on  the  Quarry.  Large 
fragments  of  this  valuable  stone  have  been  discovered  near  the 
southern  base,  but  no  vein  has  yet  been  found.  Many,  however, 
believe  that  the  mountain  is  full  of  it. 

It  may  be  added  that  the  43d  parallel  of  latitude  is  said  to 
pass  "through"  this  mountain. 

But  Francestown  has  no  lack  of  smaller  elevations,  which 
may  be  mentioned.  Oak  Hill  is  the  high  ridge  northwest  of  the 
village  on  which  are  the  Dr.  Fisher,  Savage,  and  Campbell 
farms,  so  called  from  the  magnificent  forests  of  oak  with  which 
it  was  once  covered.  It  is  better  known  as  a  locality  than  as  a 
hill.  Samuel  McPherson  was  the  first  to  pierce  its  oaken  shades 
(1767-8),  having  with  peculiar  fortitude  located  on  what  is 
known  as  the  Savage  place,  at  a  distance  in  advance  of  an}- 
other  settler,  his  nearest  neighbor  being  James  Fisher  then  liv- 
ing south  of  the  present  Anllage.  His  nearest  neighbor  westward 
was  James  Aiken  of  Antrim.  Oak  Hill  has  always  been 
frequently  mentioned  in  the  past    of  the    to\yn.     "Oak    Hill 


442  BULLArvD    HILL. 

Grange"  was  named  for  it.  The  two  James  McPhersons  were 
called  "Oak  Hill  Jimmy"  and  "-Boo-  Jimmy,"  to  distinguish 
between  them. 

The  I)ulla]-d  Hill  was  quite  noted  in  the  early  days  of  the 
town.  It  is  really  a  low  branch  or  spur  of  Crotched  Mountain, 
pushing  boldl}^  out  from  its  easterii  extremity.  The  old  road 
from  Samuel  McPherson's  (Campbell  place  &c.. )  ran  southward 
over  the  l>ullai-d  Hill  to  the  Greentield  road.  Some  parts  of 
this  old  road  some  one  has  said  'diave  the  stee})est  grade  of  any 
thoroughfare,  deserted  oi-  in  I'epair,  in  tlie  Western  Hemisphere." 
It  is  now  in  a  wretched  coiiditioii.  The  first  settler  on  Hnllard 
hill  \\as  Kl)enezer  Hnllard.  \\lio  has  left  his  name  attached  per- 
manently to  till'  spot  where  he  broke  the  foi-est  more  than  a 
hundred  years  ago.  There  were  once  six  houses  on  Bulhird 
Hill,  but  now  all  are  gone.  Some  of  the  best  farms  in  the  town 
were  there.  Now  they  are  all  turned  to  [)asture.  or  covered 
witii  a  young  giowth  of  wood.  Nothing  remains  but  the  walls 
and  celhirs  ami  dying  orchards,  with  clumps  of  ])lum-ti'ees  and 
lilacs  and  rose  l)ushcs,  close  by  the  old  threshold  where  are  no 
foot-marks  or  voices  now!  ( )h  I  Noices  of  the  past!  They 
seem  to  come  to  one's  cars  in  the  silence  I  Oh  I  sliclteied  and 
sunny  and  hajipy  homes!  4'hey  seem  to  rise  before  the  wait- 
ing thoughtful  observer,  with  toiling  mothers  and  laughing 
children,  like  sweet  visions  of  the  past!  Never  came  to  me  a 
keener  sense  of  the  brevity  of  life  and  the  mutations  of  this 
world  than  \\lien  staiuling  by  these  door-steps  of  stoiie  along 
which  human  feet  would  })ass  no  more! 

The  Halch  Hill  is  in  the  south-western  part  of  the  town,  being 
a  small  eminence  of  no  s|)ecial  note. 

Tlie  DriscoU  Hill,  is  to  the  southeast  of  Balch  Hill,  and  might 
almost  be  called  a  part  of  it.  There  is  an  old  I'oad  over  it, 
rarely  used.  On  this  hill  Oapt.  Driscoll  lived  in  the  early 
years  of  the  town,  and  it  faithfidly  keeps  the  name  which  other- 
wise would  have  been  forgotten  long  since.  This  was  the  place 
where  was  the  ■"•Haunted  House,"  and  the   '•'supposed  murder." 

( )n  this  hill  to  the  southward  of  the  Driscoll  house  was  the 
Draper  place,  and  on  the  south-eastern  slope  of  the  same  was 
the   Batten   farm,   where  is  still  standing  the    apple-tree  fiom 


THE    BKADFOHD    OR    EATON    HILL.  443 

which  were  gathered  the  apples  from  which  they  made  the 
"•ordination  pies"  when  Moses  Bradford  was  settled  Sept.  8, 1790. 

The  Ewell  Hill  is  the  one  nearest  the  village  on  the  west, 
and  takes  its  name  from  Peleg  Ewell  wlio  lived  upon  it  more 
than  a  hundred  years  ago.  It  is  now  often  called  tlie  ''■King 
Hill."  Here  the  Bixbys  settled.  Is  not  a  high  locality,  is  easy 
of  access,  and  has  some  good  farms,  but  is  now  largely  deserted. 

'I'hc  \V()(>dl)ury  Hill,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is  the  ^'south- 
ern  extremity  of  the  ridge  to  the  eastward  of  tlie  village." 

With  the  exception  of  Crotched  Mountain,  by  far  the  most 
conspicuous  elevation  in  town  is  the  great  swell  or  ridge  in  the 
north-east  j)ait.  This  is  bioad  and  Ingh,  covering  nearly  a 
quarter  of  tlie  whole  town  and  containing  its  handsomest  and 
best  farms.  It  rises  eastward  of  Pleasant  Pond  and  its  outlet, 
the  Piscataquog  Soutli  Branch.  The  western  part  of  this  gi'cat 
ridge  is  generally  called  the  Bradford  Hill;  tlie  eastern  and 
northern  part  is  generally  called  the  Eaton  Hill;  and  the  south- 
ern and  southeastern  part  is  called  the  Person,  or  Emei'son, 
Hill.  These  three  parts  are  (|uite  distinct,  thougli  not  separated 
by  any  dee})  valleys.  Some  people  apply  the  term  Bradford 
Hill  to  this  whole  ridge.  The  southern  [)art,  or  Emerson  Hill, 
has  a  fine  southward  and  westward  view,  has  many  wooded 
stee})s  and  comely  slopes,  and  is  really  a  beautiful  })art  of  the 
town.  But  the  northern  section  (more  strictly  the  Eaton  Hill) 
is  truly  an  attractive  locality  for  the  student  of  nature.  It  is 
so  situated  as  to  give  a  better  view  than  some  places  of  twice 
its  height.  Probably  at  the  residence  of  Charles  F.  Sleeper  the 
best  view  can  be  obtained.  One  can  see  Pleasant  Pond,  "every 
cove  and  inlet  and  rock  and  lily;"  the  hills  of  Weare;  the 
lofty  wilds  and  fine  lull-farms  of  Deering;  a  better  outline  of 
the  "full  broadside"  of  Crotched  Mountain  than  from  auy  other 
point;  the  Monadnock  mountain,  and  many  others;  while  the 
Sandwich  mountains,  and  even  the  "scar"  made  on  the  "Tri-pyra- 
mid"  by  the  "great  slide,"  can  be  distinguished  in  a  clear  day.  A 
ride  or  ramble  over  this  part  of  the  town  is  very  remunerative. 
Dr.  Bixby's  fine  summer  residence  is  on  the  westward  slope  of  this 
great  ridge.  The  Whiting  Brook  is  its  eastward  boundary.  One 
hardly  knows  Francestown,  who  has  not  traversed  and  studied  an  d 
enjoyed  this  high  and  charming  part  of  our  domain  I 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

CLERGYMEN,    PHYSICIANS,    LAWYERS. 

This  chapter  is  intended  to  group  together  the  names  of  all 
who  have  held  these  positions  in  Francestown,  and  all  profes- 
sional men  who  have  gone  forth  from  this  place  to  serve  in 
other  communities.  Further  notices  of  most  of  these  names 
may  be  found  in  the  Chapter  on  Ecclesiastical  History  or  in  the 
Genealogies  of  the  toMu. 

CLERGYMEN : 

Kev.  Moses  Bradford,  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1790-1827). 

Kev.  Austin  Richards,  D.  D.,  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1827-1836,  and  1866- 
1870).  '     • 

Rev.  Nathaniel  S.  Folsom,  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1836-1888). 

Rev.  James  R.  Davenport,  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1839-1842). 

Rev.  Jonathan  McGee,  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1843-1850). 

Rev.  Lathrop  Taylor,  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1851-1857). 

Rev.  Charles  Cutler,  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1857-1866). 

Rev.  Charles  Seccombe  (Acting  Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1871-1873). 

Rev.  Henry  F.  Campbell,  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1874-1876,  and  of  Uni- 
tarian Ch.  1876-1881. 

Rev.  Henry  M.  Kellogg,  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1880-1882). 

Rev.  John  A.  Rowell  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1882-1887). 

Rev.  A.  C.  Hurd,  (Pastor  Cong.  Ch.  1887-1892). 

Rev.  John  Atwood,  (Pastor  Bapt.  Ch.  1836). 

Caroline  R.  James,  (Unitarian  Ch.  1881-1882). 

Rev.  Joseph  Wassail,  (Pastor  Unitarian  Ch.  1882-1887). 

Rev.  A.  J.  Abbott,  (Pastor  Unitarian  Ch.  1887). 

Rev.  Moses  E.  Wilson,  (Born  1786 — studied  at  Andover). 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Everett,  (D.  C.  1813,  d.  1877,  aged  87). 

Rev.  Samuel  C.  Bradford,  (D.  C.  1818,  d.  1869). 

Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  Jr. 

Rev.  Ebeu-ezer  Bradford. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Burge. 

Rev.  James  T.  Woodbury,  (Harvard  1823). 

Rev.  Charles  H.  Boyd,*(D.  C.  1858,  d.  Jan."  5,  1866,  aged  29). 

Rev.  Moses  B.  Boarduaan. 


PHYSICIANS    OF    FEANCESTOWN.  446 

Rev.  George  I.  Bard  (University  Yermout  1857). 

Eev.  Eobert  A.  Bryant,  (Princeton  Theo.  Sem.  1882). 

Rev.  Andes  T.  Bullard,  (Methodist,  d.  Oct.  12,  1889). 

Rev.  Samuel  M.  Prentiss,  (Free  Will  Baptist,  d.  Dec.  8.  187!)). 

Rev.  Henry  S.  Ives,  (Pastor  Cong.  Church  189.3). 

Rev.  C.  H.  Bixby. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Probably  the  first  physician  tliat  ever  practiced  in  Frances- 
town  was  Dr.  Matthew  Thornton,  who  was  one  of  the 
"Proprietors"  of  New  Boston  and  bought  and  occupied  a  large 
tract  of  land  on  the  Clark  Hill  in  that  town.  He  was  of  Scotch 
l)lood  and  settled  in  the  practice  of  medicine  among  people  of 
his  own  race,  in  Londonderry  about  1739.  At  once  he  entered 
upon  a  large  practice  and  became  wealthy  for  those  times.  He 
seems  to  have  established  a  home  on  his  farm  in  New  Boston 
about  1762,  and  to  have  remained  there  about  eight  years;  and 
it  is  said  he  '^greatly  endeared  himself  to  the  people"  in  that 
place.  Then  he  went  back  to  Londonderry,  and  rose  to  great 
honor  in  the  stirring  times  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  succes- 
sively surgeon  in  the  army,  Justice  of  the  peace.  President  of 
the  N.  H.  Provincial  Convention,  Delegate  to  Congress,  Signer 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas,  and  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.  His  New 
Boston  home  was  scarcely  more  than  a  mile  from  Francestown 
line,  and  he  came  here  on  many  an  errand  of  ministry  to  the 
sick.  He  was  succeeded  in  New  Boston  by  Dr.  Jonathan  Gove 
who  settled  there  in  1770,  and  had  a  growing  practice  in  this 
community,  which  was  still  a  part  of  that  town  and  naturally 
fell  to  his  care.  He  was  an  excellent  physician,  and  an  exceed- 
ingly genial  man,  and  was  greatly  respected  in  all  this  vicinity, 
though  he  was  a  Tory;  for  he  was  a  good-natured,  })eaceful, 
kindly  man. 

"The  first  physician  known  to  have  settleJ  in  Francestown  in 
the  practice  of  medicine  ^^■as  Dr.  Benjamin  Drury,  wJio  came 
here  about  1779  and  remained  about  four  years. 

Dr.  Drury  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  Samuel  Lolley  who  came 
here  it  is  believed  in  1783,  and  continued  in  practice  till  his 
death  May  2,  1813. 


446  PHYSICIANS    OF    FRANOESTOWN. 

Dr.  Adonijali  Howe  was  here  from  1806  to  1812  and  probably 
longer.  He  died  1815  aged  31.  He  married  Polly  Woodbury 
May  14,  1807. 

Below  I  give  a  list  oi"  pliysiciaiis  wlio,  sid)se(ineiitly  to  the 
above,  have  practiced  in  town  more  or  less.  It  may  be  men- 
tioned that  Drs.  Atwood,  Gambell,  Whittle,  Moulton,  Fisber, 
Pierce  and  Todd  Avere  homeopathic  physicians.  Probal)ly  this 
list  is  not  precisely  in  the  oi'der  of  time  or  .Succession,  but  an 
effort  has  ])een  made  to  have  it  include  every  name;  and  in 
many  cases  the  years  of  pi'actice  here  are  given. 

.lamps  Cronibic,  (IS-JO-IS.')!)). 

Lutlicr  Farley,  (1811-1X40). 

Nathaniel  Howard,  (18211-1 8;{-2). 

Siineou  1.  Bard,  (1828-1831). 

James  II.  Croinbie,  (18;58-18.~)0). 

William  .7.  Campbell,  (1845-1840). 

Moses  Eaton,  (1808,  d.  18.58). 

Moses  Atwood,  (1829-1847). 

Samuel  Saiifoi'd,  (1802). 

.1.  r.  Whittle,  (advertised  as  '^Ilomeopathie  Physician  in  Frances- 
town,"  Feb.  4,  1844). 

Martin  N.  Root,  (1853). 

Willard  P.  (4ambell,  (1847-1850). 

Harvey  G.  Kittredge,  (Dentist,  1870-1885). 

Daniel  F.  Frye,  (1853-1807). 

Edward  D.  Cummino-s,  (1850-185:!). 

Levi  .1.  Pierce,  (1850-1800). 

Thomas  E.  Fisher. 

Silas  M.  Dinsmore,  (1874-1880 — now  of  Keene). 

Arthur  J.  Moulton, (1800-1803). 

.John  Franklin  Fitz,  (18()7,  d.  Oct.  10,  1873). 

Herbert  S.  Hutchinson,  (1880-1885). 

Arthur  J.  Todd,  (1885  to  date). 

-John  West,  (1808-1872). 

Tlie  following  are  names  of  FrancestoAvn  boys  who  have  gone 
into  the  medical  profession,  in  this  place  or  elsewhere,  so  far  as 
km)wn. 

l)a\'id  Bradford,  (Montague  Mass). 
Peter  P.  Woodbury,  (Bedford). 
•Tames  H.  Crombie.  (Derry). 
Thomas  E.  Fisher. 
William  J.  Campbell.  .  • 

Geo.  H.  Bixbv. 


lawyp:rs  op^  pm;ancestown.  447 

NelKMuiah  Eaiul. 

Wheeler  N.  Kaud. 

Luther  V.  I3en,  (Bowdoin  182:j;  L.  L.  D.) 

John  Jk'U.  (riiion  College  ISIK,  died  1.S30). 

Jos^eph  Seoby. 

William  Follaiisl)ee. 

George  W.  Woodbury. 

John  Scol)V. 

Ebenezer  F.  Spaulding. 

Henry  F.  Patch. 

Charles  W.  King.sbury. 

Newell  ,E.  Kingsbury. 

John  P.  Kand. 

Thomas  L.  Bradford. 

Oliver  L.  Bradford. 

Harvey  W.  Eaton. 

LAWVEHS. 

Duriiiu;-  the  half  ci'iitiuy  ISOO-lHoO  Fraiicestowii  was  not 
witliout  one  or  more  resident  hiwyers.  IJefoi-e  the  day  of  rail- 
j-oads  tills  to\\ii  had  more  than  twiee  its  present  popuhition 
(1890)  and  was  the  eeiitre  of  a  hirq-e  Imsiness.  Nashua  was  a 
small  villag-e,  and  the  City  of  Manchestei-  did  not  exist  at  all; 
and  Krancestown,  heini^-  near  the  centre  of  the  county,  was  one 
of  the  hest  places  for  an  ol'lice  of  the  '•\i>'reeii  cloth."  Terms  of 
the  County  Courts  were  held  here.  For  years  two  or  three 
lawyers  resided  here  at  the  same  time,  and  any  man  in  trouble 
had  })lenty  of  defenders.  Nor  were  they  second-rate  oi-  third- 
rate  men;  for  some  of  the  ablest  lawyers  (!ver  known  in  the 
state  have  had  offices  here.  The  first  lawyer  to  locate  in 
Francestown  was  Samuel  Hell,  L.  L.  1).  lie  was  graduated  at 
Dartmouth  College  in  170-),  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
179H,  and  at  once  opened  an  office  in  this  town,  l)eing  at  the 
time  twenty-six  years  of  age.  The  Hon.  Perley  Dodge,  who 
certaiidy  could  speak  from  knowledge,  .tells  us  that  the  people 
of  the  town  ''were  greatly  exasperated  at  his  audacity"  in  open- 
ing a  law-office  here,  and  ''[)ronounced  him  an  invader  upon 
their  rights  and  threatened  him  with  violence."'  But  gradually 
his  manliness  and  uprightness  overcame  their  prejudice  against 
the  wicked  lawyers,  so  that  after  an  acquaintance  of  about  six 
years,  tliey  ventuied  to  choose  him  for  Moderator  of  the  annual 
town  meeting  of  1803.     The  young  lawyer  had  carried  the  day ! 


448  LAWYERS    OF    FRANCESTOWN. 

And  so  much  did  he  grow  in  tlieir  confidence  that  he  was  con- 
tinued in  the  office  of  Moderator  as  long  as  he  lived  in  town, 
1804-5-6-7-8.  He  was  cliosen  re})resentative  from  this  town 
1804,  1805,  and  1806 :  and  for  the  last  two  years  was  Speaker 
of  the  House.  He  would  have  been  continued  longer  as  repre- 
sentative, but  for  the  fact  that  he  was  chosen  State  Senator  for 
1807  and  1808;  was  President  of  the  Senate  both  these  years: 
and  all  this  while  a  resident  of  Francestown.  He  moved  to 
Andierst  1808,  and  thence  to  Cliester  1811,  and  subse(iuently 
was  Judge  of  the  Superioi-  Court,  (lovernor  of  N.  H.  four  years, 
and  United  States  Senator  twelve  ^ears. 

Levi  Woodbuiy,  L.  L.  D.,  was  another  lawyer  of  Francestown 
who  acquired  great  distinction.  Horn  liei-e  in  1789;  graduated 
Dartmouth  College  1809;  admitted  to  the  l)ar  1812;  ])racticed 
in  Francestown  1812-1816;  towii  clerk  and  chairman  of  select- 
men 1815;  Clerk  of  N.  H.  Senate  1816;  Judge  Superior  Court 
1816;  Governor  New  Hampshire;  Speaker  of  the  House;  I'.  S. 
Senator;  Secretary  of  Navy;  Secretary  of  Treasury;  Judge 
U.  S.  Supreme  Court.     See  genealogy. 

Other  lawyers  w  ho  have  practiced  in  Francestown  are  named 
below. 

Titus  Brown,  ( 1.^1(5-1849). 

James  Walker,  (1).  C.  1804,  died  Dec.  31.  1854;  i)raetieed  here  1807- 
1814). 

Perley  Dodge,  (1827-1832). 

James  W.  Haseltine,  (1810-1849).   ' 

Samuel  Smith,  (D.  C.  1827;  died  1837). 

Cornelius  V.  Dearborn,  (18.55-1859). 

Albert  H.  Crosby,  (D.  C.  1848;  pr.  here  1S51-1854;  d.  188Baged58). 

Stephen  Crosby. 

A.  M.  Holbrook,  (1850-1853). 

Samuel  M.  Wilcox,  (1852-1850). 

William  H.  Grant,  (Justice  in  Francestown  1853). 

The  following  are  names  of  Francestown  boys  who  have  gone 

into  the  legal  professioh,  here  and  elsewhere: 

Levi  AVoodbury. 

Samuel  Smith. 

Peter  Clark,  (D.  C.  1829). 

John  L.  Clark,  (D.  C.  1832). 

James  Clark,  (D.  C.  1834). 

Samuel  D.  Bell,   (Harvard  181(5;  Chief  Justice  of  New  Hampshire). 

James  Bell,  (Bowdoin  1822;  U.  S.  Senator). 

Daniel  Lewis. 

James  W.  Haseltine. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

POST    OFFICES,    POST    MASTERS    AND    POST    EIDERS. 

A  writer  in  earlier  days  said  that  "for  a  few  years  subsequent 
to  1812  Francestown  was  a  place  of  more  business  than  any 
other  in  Hillsborough  County;"  and  of  course  this  was  one  of 
the  best  Post  Offices  in  this  part  of  the  state.  It  startles  us, 
however,  to  think,  that  a  hundred  years  ago  there  was  not  a 
post  office  within  a  day's  ride  of  this  place,  except  an  humble 
station  at  Amherst.  Letters  for  this  whole  vicinity  were 
marked, — "To  be  left  at  the  Post  Office  in  Amherst."  Yet  the 
population  of  this  town  was  considerably  greater  in  1790  than 
it  is  in  1890. 

But  far  less  was  thought  of  postal  convenience's  in  the  early 
days  than  now.  Not  one-tenth  as  many  letters  were  sent  as 
now,  and  much  less  than  one-tenth  as  many  papers  were  taken. 
The  Post  Offices  in  this  vicinity  were  generally  in  private 
houses  at  first,  and  were  considered  by  many  good  people  to  be 
of  small  account.  Francestown  seems  to  have  been  among  the 
first  of  the  neighborhood  to  have  a  Post  Master,  Giles  Newton 
having  been  appointed  to  that  position  in  1801,  while  Dr. 
Peterson,  the  first  Post  Master  in  Weare  was  not  appointed  till 
June  1,-  1813.  Hancock  had  its  first  Post  Office  in  1812; 
Antrim  in  1810:  Henniker  1812;  Bennington  (then  Society 
Land  or  Hancock  Factory)  1830. 

There  were  no  "postal  facilities,"  as  we  now  understand  them, 
till  after  the  U.  S.  Constitution  was  framed  (1787)  and  carried 
into  effect.  Washington  was  inaugurated  Presi(Jent  under  it 
A})r.  30,  1789,  l)ut  it  took  several  years  from  that  date  to  get 
the  aft'airs  of  this  Department  into  good  running  order.  Before 
the  Presidency  of  (len.  Washington  all  the  postal  arrangements 
were  in  the  hands  of  the  several  states,  and  were  meagre  indeed. 
In  New  Hampshire  under  the  King  there  were  no  post-offices 
and  no  postmasters,  and  no  post-riders.     In  those  days,  if  a  letter 


450  FIRST    POST    OFFICE    TN    NP:W    HAMPSHlltE. 

must  be  sent,  a  messenger  must  be  sent  to  cany  it.  When  no 
haste  was  required,  letters  were  sent  b}-  teamsters,  or  by  any 
one  whom  business  or  pleasure  miglit  call  to  unj  place.  Send- 
ing mail-matter  was  then  wholly  a  private  affair.  The  first 
post-office  of  aiiy  kind  in  New  Hampshire,  was  established  at 
Portsmouth  May  18,  1775,  less  than  a  month  after  the  Battle 
of  lA^-xington.  This  was  established  by  authority  of  the  State, 
and  the  Post  Master  (Samuel  Penhallow)  -was  empowered  to 
send  out  post-riders  to  towns  in  the  vicinity.  The  first  post- 
riders  were  employed  chiefly  on  military  account,  to  carry  dis- 
patches of  importance ;  though  soon  these  became  more  common. 
We  find  the  Provincial  Congress  at  Exeter  (i.  e.  our  New 
Hampshire  Congress,  or  I^egislature)  Sept.  18,  1776  a})point- 
ing  a  committee  to  decide  the  route  and  the  compensation  of  a 
''Post-Kider  to  ride  weekly  tVoni  Exeter  to  Cliarlestowii.  (No.  4,  i.  e.  on 
the  ("onnectieut  Kiver)  and  back  again,  to  cany  letters  to  and  from  the 
Xortliern  Aniiy."" 

From  C'harlestown  other  riders  ran  across  Vermont  to  New 
York.  Ami  this  was  then  considered  a  ra[)id  transmission  of 
news. 

In  March  1786  the  New  Hampshire  Legislature  established 
four  '•post-routes"  or  •-post-circuits'"  througli  leading  portions 
of  the  State,  each  with  a  post-rider  assigned  to  the  same.  These 
foiu-  })ost-routes  were  newly  arranged  in  1791,  and  it  seems  to 
have  been  done  by  our  Legislature,  though  all  was  soon  assumed 
by  tlie  U.  S.  government.  One  of  these  four  as  last  arranged 
was  as  follows: 

"Deiiimiing  at  Concord,  thence  to  proceed  through  ^^'eare,  New^  JJoston, 
Amherst,  Wihon.  Temple.  Peterborough,  Dublin,  Marll)orough,  Keene, 
West  A'l^oreland,  Walpole.  Alstead,  Acworth,  Charlestown,  Claremont, 
Newport,  Lempster,  Washington.  Tlillsborough.  Ilenniker.  Ilopkinton 
to  Concord." 

The  same  year  (1791)  a  Post  Master  ''William  (iordon)  was 
appointed  at  Amherst.  Most  of  the.  towns  named  in  this  post- 
circuit  had  no  post-office :  but  the  post-ridei-  distributed  tlie  mail 
himself,  the  day  and  about  the  hour  of  his  arrival  in  each  place 
being  understood,  and  })eo])le  going,  or  sending  by  a  neighbor, 
to  receive  their  mail.  If  not  called  for,  it  would  be  left  at  some 
place  in  the  town.  After  this  route  was  well  established  and 
known,  a  large  part  of  Francestown  mail  was  given  and  received 


POST-IilDERS.  451 

at  New  Boston.  For  a  long  time  these  post-riders  were  paid 
(at  least  for  the  most  part)  by  the  people  along  the  route. 
They  rode  on  horseback,  cariying  the  mail  in  saddle-bags,  with 
packages  and  newspapers  hung  on  their  arms  when  the  saddle- 
bags were  full.  Eacli  post-rider  cari'ied  a  horn  which  he  sounded, 
loud  and  sharj),  as  he  approached  an}"  village,  or  unj  house  for 
wliicli  lie  had  mail-matter  or  message.  He  was  an  errand-doer 
from  town  to  town.  During  the  War  of  the  Revolution  some 
towns  had  post-riders  of  tlieir  own.  I  liave  seen  in  old  town 
records  occasional  references  to  Peter  Robinson  as  a  post-rider 
of  this  kind,  apparently  on  dangerous  errands  for  '^Committees 
of  Safety."  Jacob  Smith  was  the  post-rider  in  1791  from 
Concord  tluough  New  Boston,  Amherst,  etc.,  back  to  Concord 
as  given  above.  Ozias  Silsby,  (J),  C.  1785)  who  began  preach- 
ing in  Henniker  but  took  up  post-ricling  on  account  of  failing 
health,  carried  the  mail  fi'om  Portsmouth  through  .Vniherst  to 
Peterboro'  from  1789  to  1794  or  later,  though  there  was  no 
post  office  in  Peterboro'  till  Oct.  1795.  Jolm  Balch  was  a  Post 
Rider  in  1789  and  some  years  following,  from  Brattleboro',  Vt., 
to  Portsmouth,  making  the  round  trip  once  a  week,  and  it  has 
been  said  that  he  was  the  first  of  the  kind  in  Vermont.  Proba- 
bly the  first  regular  post-rider  to  run  througli  Francestown  was 
Francis  Bowman  of  Henniker,  who  rode  ''from  Amherst  through 
the  north  part  of  Hillsborough  County"  of  which  Henniker  was 
then  a  part,  commencing  his  services  about  the  spring  of  1799 
and  continuing  till  the  fall  of  1809.  He  was  paid  in  part  by 
the  "Amherst  Cabinet,"  then  almost  the  only  paper  to  be  had 
in  this  section.  Bowman  carried  large  bunxlles  of  the  Cabinet, 
and  collected ^3ay  for  the  same.  Tliat  excellent  paper,  (whose 
venerable  Editor  Dea.  E.  D.  Boylston  has  laboriously  copied 
large  portions  of  it  for  me),  contains  an  advertisement  Oct.  23, 
1809,  saying  '^a  trusty,  faithful  person  is  wanted  to  ride  on  the 
above  route."  Aaron  Ray  of  Amherst  responded,  and  "rode  the 
route"  a  short  time,  but  for  some  reason  gave  up  the  contract 
to  Thomas  Bartlett,  who  was  a  jolly,  cheery  man,  enjoying  the 
business,  and  well  htted  for  it.  He  continued  the  business  till 
the  stages  took  it  out  of  his  hands  (about  1825),  and  Avas  the 
last  of  the  post-riders  on  this  route.  He  was  not  however,  the 
last  in  the  state,  as  they  continued  to  be  employed   where  the 


452  FIRST    STACiES    IN    KEW    HAMPSHIRE. 

mail  had  to  be  camecl  and  stages  did  not  run,  one  being  ap- 
pointed to  ride  across  the  hills  from  Concord  to  Keene  as  late 
as  1840. 

(This  last  named,  passing  through  Ilenniker,  Ilillsboro'  Bridge,  North 
Branch,  Soutli  Stoddard,  etc.,  to  Keene  was  continued  till  1888,  though 
for  the  last  48  yrs.  a  carriage  was  used). 

Stages  came  into  common  use  in  this  vicinity  about  1825, 
thongh  much  earlier  about  Boston.  A  stage  was  started  from 
Boston  to  Haverliill,  Mass.,  in  1791  :  and  from  Haverhill,  Mass.,  to 
Concord,  N.  H.,  in  Nov.  1793.  This  last  went  twice  a  week  each 
way.  It  was  advertised  in  a  Boston  paper  that  year  as  having 
"genteel  curtains  and  cushions,  and  an  able  pair  of  horses,"  and 
was  the  onl}-  public  conveyance  this  way  from  Boston  for 
many  years.  *  The  coming  of  tlie  first  stages  caused  more 
wonder  and  excitement  than  the  opening  of  a  railroad  Avould 
at  the  present  day.  People  came  long  distances  to  see  the 
"Stage,"  and  cheered  and  shouted  and  rang  bells.  It  is 
said  that  Matthew  Templeton,  who  settled  in  Antrim  in  1775 
and  in  later  life  went  to  Peterboro',  being  on  a  visit  at  Wind- 
ham his  boyhood  home,  went  over  with  others  to  Chester  to  see 
the  stage.  Templeton  was  a  man  of  extreme  oddity,  bright 
and  smart  and  fearless;  his  dress  was  most  peculiar,  his  form 
and  movement  most  awkward,  and  there  was  a  big  dent  in  his 
forehead,  from  an  injury  received  (it  is  supposed)  while  a  soldier 
in  the  French  war.  Altogether  his  appearance  was  such 
as  to  provoke  a  smile.  The  stage,  driven  by  a  negro,  came 
up  smartly,  loaded  Avith  a  fun-making  crew,  and  at  once  they 
began  to  laugh  at  Templeton,  when  he  shouted  out  with  a  fierce- 
ness of  voice  that  actually  frightened  them,  "ye  need  na  laugh; 
ye  are  all  going  to  the  Diel  togither,  with  a  nager  to  drive  ye !" 
The  first   stage  appeared  in  Francestown  about  1814,  this 

AMHERST  STAGE. 

*  The  following,  clipped  from  an  early  issue  of  the  Cabinet,  is  interesting  as  showing-  the 
great  advancement  made  over  former  methods  of  travel.  Many  sigh  for  the  "good  old  times," 
but  who  would  care  to  return  to  the  days  of  staging  from  Amherst  to  Boston  : 

"The  Public  are  informed  that  the  Stage  which  runs  from  Amherst,  New  Hamp.  to  Boston; 
will  begin  with  a  new  Arrangement  the  first  Week  in  May  :  The  Stage  will  set  off  from 
Amherst,  T\jesday  Morning,  about  Sunrise,  and  exchanging  horses  at  Chelmsford,  will  arrive 
at  Boston,  on  Tuesday  Eve,  when  it  will  be  put  up  at  Beals's  Tavern.  Wednesday  Noon  it 
will  set  out  from  Beals's  and  arrive  at  Chelmsford  about  6  o'clock,  when  it  will  set  out  from 
Chelmsford,  at  Sunrise,  and  arrive  at  Beals's  before  noon.  Friday  Morning  at  Sunrise,  will 
set  out  for  Amherst,  and  arrive  there  in  the  Evening; — The  rate  of  Passage,  is  two  pence  half 
Penny  per  Mile.  The  Stage  will  punctually  start  at  the  stated  hour.  The  Driver  will  be 
answerable  for  any  thing  entrusted  to  him.  May  2  1803. 


EARLY  RATES  OF  POSTAGE.  453 

town,  as  usual,  being  a  little  ahead  of  its  neighbors.  This  stage 
ran  on  the  turnpike  starting  at  Nashua,  and  going  north  as  far 
probably  as  Claremont.  A  writer  from  Francestown  ("L.  W.") 
in  a  sketch  published  in  1817  sa^^s.  A  mail  stage  passes  through 
Francestown  twice  a  week  to  and  from  Boston."  Over  this 
route  the  mail  was  brought  here  many  years. 

When  the  N.  H.  Central  Railroad  was  opened  to  Parker's 
Station,  (Feb.  9,  1850),  efforts  were  soon  made  to  have  the  mail 
to  Francestown  come  that  way,  and  a  stage  was  run  from  this 
place  to  Parker's  ever}'  day,  till  the  opening  of  the  railroad  to 
Greenfield  (Jan.  1,  1874),  since  which  time  stages  have  run 
and  mail  has  been  received  twice  each  day  from  the  station  in 
that  town. 

It  may  be  noticed  that  carrying  the  mail  by  stage  was  hrst 
projected  in  this  country  by  the  distinguished  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin who  was  "Deputy-Post-Master-General"  for  all  the  Colonies 
under  the  King  from  1753  to  1774.  He  proposed,  as  early  as 
1760,  to  run  stages  once  a  week  each  way  from  Philadelphia  to 
Boston,  starting  from  each  extreme  Monday  morning  and  reach- 
ing the  other  Saturday  night.  People  thought  he  was  craz}-. 
Probably  the  expense  seemed  great  and  unwarranted.  What 
would  they  have  thought  of  the  immense  postal  expenditures 
of  the  present  day  I 

The   rates   of  postage   when   the   office   was    established    in 
Francestown  (1801),  and  until  1816,  "for  a  single  lettei',  that 
is,  one  composed  of  a  single  piece  of  paper,"  was  as  follows : 
Under    40     miles  8  cts. 

90        "  10  cts. 

"      150       "  12^  cts. 

"  '     300       «  17  cts. 

"      500       "  20  cts. 

over     500       "  25  cts. 

In  all  cases,  if  a  letter  was  composed  of  two  pieces  of  paper  the 
rate  was  doubled,  and  if  of  three  pieces  the  rate  was  tripled, 
and  so  on.  It  was  no  unusual  thing  for  the  postage  on  a  heavy 
letter  (one  ounce  or  more)  to  be' one  dollar.  Postage  was  not 
prepaid,  and  frequently  people  were  annoyed  b}-  having  Avorth- 
less  letters  sent  to  them  to  pay  for  at  these  high  rates.  From 
1816  onward  various  efforts  were  made  to  reduce  postage,  but 


454  POST    MASTERS    0¥    FliANCESTOWN. 

not  much  was  accomplished  till  1851,  when  a  law  was  passed 
fixing  the  rate  for  a  sing-le  letter  (^  ounce  or  under)  at  3  cts. 
if  prepaid,  and  5  cts.  if  not  prepaid,  for  under  8000  miles ;  over 
3000  miles,  G  cfcs.  if  prepaid,  and  otherwise  12  cts.  Before  1851 
the  perplexing  problem  of  distances  had  to  be  considered  at 
every  office  for  every  letter:  and  even  in  the  law  of  1851  the 
3000-mile-distance  was  retained.  It  was  not  till  18()8  that  the 
whole  question  of  distance  was  wiped  out  of  the  bn\-.  Prepay- 
ment also  was  only  gradually  reached,  being  made  optional  in 
1851  and  com])ulsory  July  1,  1855.  In  18(58  newspapers  were 
made  free  in  the  county  where  published.  Postage  stamps 
were  first  used  in  this  country  in  1847.  Many  foresaw  their 
advantage ;  but  I  well  remember  the  questioning  and  hesitation 
with  which  they  were  received  by  the  public.  It  was  sometime 
before  they  came  into  common  use.  Postal  Cards  Avere  issued 
May  1,  1872,  and  our  present  postage  of  two  cents  went  into 
effect  Oct.  1,  1883.     The  one-cent  rate  is  coming  soon! 

Below  a  list  of  the  Post  Masters  of  Francestown  is  given 
each  holding  the  ofhce  till  his  successor  wa's  appointed.  In  the 
first  four  cases  the  dates  of  appointment  could  not  be  found, 
and  the  dates  of  their  first  quarterly  ''Returns  to  the  Depart- 
ment" are  given  instead.  Of  course  they  were  appointed  so  as 
to  assume  their  duties  three  months  preceding.  There  has  been 
onl}'  one  Post  Office  in  town. 

(liles  Xewton,  Jan.  1,  1802. 

Peter  Woodbury,  July  1,  1803. 

Samuel  Hodge,  .  Apr.  1,  1805. 

James  Wilson,  Jan.  1,  1808. 

Robert  Nesmith,  Jan.  23,  1809. 

Isaac  Guild,  Jan.  13,  1824. 

Timothy  Gay,  Sept.  24,  1829. 

Joseph  Willard,  Dec.  29,  1840. 

Charles  F.  Patch,  Feb.  20,  1855. 

Herbert  Vose,  Sept.  11,  1856. 

Samuel  D.  Downes,  Apr.  13,  1861. 

Samuel  B.  Hodge,  May  28,  1869. 

Pacific  L.  Clark,  Aug.  26,  1885. 

Charles  B.  Gale,  Sept.  9.  1889. 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

•      miscellaneous:  the  chips  woeth  picking  up. 

Probably  every  workshop  has  some  chips  that  ought  not  to 
be  lost.  Certainly  the  office  of  the  town-historian  is  no  ex- 
ception to  this  rule.  This  chapter  will  contain  a  basket-full  of 
such  chips.  Many  of  them  are  small,  but  altogether  they  amount 
to  considerable,  and  have  some  points  of  interest,  and  some 
importance  to  the  future  reader.  Indeed,  some  may  catch  up 
these  brief  items,  who  would  not  care  to  follow  through  the 
larger  chapters  of  the  book.  And  they  are  thro\\ii  together  as 
(iliips.  without  any  order  or  connection. — which  is  the  most 
successful  way  to  handle  cliips. 

THE    HOLLAND    PUltCHASE. 

This  term  was  found  occasionally  in  the  old  records  and 
nobody  seemed  to  know  what  it  was,  or  where  it  Avas.  Frances- 
town  men  were  said  to  have  gone  to  '•'Holland  Pui'chase,"  and 
it  was  found  to  be  in  Western  New  York.  'I'lien  followed 
considera]:)le  correspondence;  but  not  in  vain,  as  the  following- 
facts  were  obtained,  chiefly  through  the  efficient  kindness  of 
Miss  Jennie  Fairbaidcs  of  Cameron.  Steuben  C-ounty,  in  that 
State. 

An  as^sociatiou  of  capitalists  was  foi-ined  in  Holland  in  Europe  about 
1795,  to  speculate  by  buying  lands  in  America  and  holding  them  lor  a 
higher  price.  As  aliens  could  not  at  that  time  hold  real  estate  in  this 
country,  (which  ought  to  be  the  law  now)  an  Agency  w'as  established 
here,  Avitli  headquarters  in  Philadelphia,  to  purchase  and  manage  the 
estates.  Through  these  agents  the  com[)any  purchased  Niagara  Connty, 
Cattaraugus  County,  and  the  two  west  tiers  of  towns  in  Steuben  County, 
New  York,  the.  two  last  named  tracts  bordering  on  Pennsylvania.  All 
three  of  these  tracts  of  land  were  extensive,  the  smallest  (part  of 
Steuben  Co.)  containing  now. eleven  towns,  while  Cattaraugus  Co.  is 
nearly  twice  as  large  as  Hillsboro'  Co.,  N.  H.  To  the  wiiole  they  gave 
the  name  ''Holland  Purchase,"  or  that  name  soon  fastened  itself  to  it. 


456  JUSTICES    OF    THE    PEACE. 

This  was  part  of  the  territory  once  belonged  to  the  famous  "Six 
N'ations"  of  Indians.  New  Englanders  at  that  time  called  it  "The 
West."  Several  Francestown  families  went  there;  but  on  the  whole 
the  settlement  of  this  new  region  was  not  rapid,  and  the  scheme  was 
not  a  great  investment.  After  forty  years  (1835)  the  "Holland  Land 
Co."  sold  their  "outstanding  contract  and  unsold  land"  to  Trumbull, 
Carey  &  Co.  of  Batavia,  X.  Y.,  and  that  was  the  end  of  the  once 
famous  "Holland  Purchase." 

.lUSTJCES    OF    THE    PEACE. 

The  Hvst  of  these  ol'fieials  in  tliis  vieiiiity  hehl  their  com- 
niissioiis  from  the  King;  and,  as  before  the  Revolutionary  War 
Francestown  was  connected  with  New  Boston,  there  seems  to 
have  been  no  ''nuigistrate"  here  except  that  for  a  time  John 
Quigley  hehl  sueli  a-  commission  from  the  King.  From  1775 
to  June  1784,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  elected  Justices  of 
the  Peace  in  the  several  towns,  though  the  towns  were  asked 
to  express  their  [)refei-ences.  Francestown  by  vote  asked  to  have 
Henry  Parkinson  appointed,  (Mar.  23, 1780),  and  lie  was  elected 
accordingly;  but  in  1786  the  town  refused  .to  designate  any  one 
for  the  office.  J  find  that  Francis  Epps  was  appointed  by  the 
Legislature  June  27,  1777,  perhaps,  however,  a  little  before  he 
came  to  this  town.  Not  many  officers  of  this  kind  were  re- 
(]^uired  in  the  early  years  of  the  town,  but  later  they  became 
quite  numerous.  A  list  is  given  below,  so  far  as  ascertained, 
with  dates  of  appointment,  each  commission  running  five  years 
from  the  date  given,  except  in  some  instances  of  early  date. 

Francis  Epps,  1777. 

Henry  Parkinson,  1780. 

John  Quigley,  believed  to  have  held  such  a  commission  from  the 

King  for  several  years  previous  to  the  Revolution. 
David  Sterritt,  (Starrett)  1789  and  1797  and  1802. 
Oliver  Holmes,  1795,  1799,  1804. 
Samuel  Bell,  1801,  1806,  1809. 
Robert  Dinsmore,  1804,  1809,  1819. 
Peter  Woodbury,  1807,  1808, 1818,  1823,  1828,  1833. 
Samuel  Hodge,  1807,  1810,  1819,  1824,  1829,  1838,  1843,  1848. 
Levi  Woodbury,  1813. 
John  Grimes,  1819. 

Titus  Brown,  1820,  1825,  1830,  1835,  1840,  1843,  1848. 
William  Bixby,  1821, 1826, 1831, 1836, 1841, 1846, 1851, 1856,  1861. 
James  W.  Hazeltine,  1823,  1828,  1833,  1838,  1843. 


JUSTICES    OF    THE    PEACE.  457 

Daniel  Lewis,  1825. 

Alexander  Wilson,  1826,  1831,  1836,  1841,  1846,  1851,  1856,  1861. 

Daniel  Fuller,  Jr.,  1827,  1842,  1847,  1852. 

John  Clark,  1828. 

Perley  Dodge,  1828. 

Oliver  Holmes,  Jr.,  1828,  1833,  1838. 

Jesse  Dunklee,  1831,  1836. 

Daniel  Fuller,  1832,  1837,  1842,  1852,  1857. 

Ebenezer  Boyd,  1835,  1840. 

William  Parker,  1836,  1839,  1841,  1844,  1846,  1861,  1856. 

David  Lewis,  1840. 

Herbert  Vose,  1845,  1850,  1855,  1860. 

Warner  Clark,  1845.  1850,  1855. 

Paul  H.  Bixby,  1846,  1851,  1856,  1861,  1863,  1868. 

Nathan  Dane,  1846. 

Albert  M.  Holbrook,  1850. 

Israel  Batchelder,  1850,  1855,  1860. 

John  M.  Collins,  Jr.  1850,  1855. 

Samuel  M.  Wilcox,  1852. 

William  Cochran,  1855,  1860,  I860. 

Daniel  McCaine,  1856. 

Samuel  B.  Hodge,  1856,  1861,  1866,  1871,  1872,  1877,  1883. 

Mark  Morse.  1856,  1861. 

Nahum  Fanuini.  1857.  1860,  1862. 

Thomas  B.  Bradford,  1858,  1863,  1868,  1873.  1878. 

David  Atwood,  1858,  1863. 

John  H.  Patch,  1858. 

Samuel  D.  Downes,  1859,  1864,  1868,  1874,  1878,  1883,  1888. 

Francis  H.  Morgan,  1859,  1863,  1868,  1873,  1879. 

John  West,  1860,  1865,  1870. 

Daniel  F.  Frye,  1860. 

James  H.  Starrett,  1863,  1868. 

Kimball  W.  Emerson,  1863. 

Thomas  E.  Fisher,  1863. 

Elbridge  K.  Batchelder,  1863. 

Jesse  Woodbury,  1863. 

Nehemiah  Epps,  1863. 

Hiram  Patch,  1868,  1873,  1878,  1883,  1888. 

Augustus  H.  Bixby,  1868,  1873,  1877, 1882,  1887. 

Hiram  P.  Clark,  1874,  1875. 

Jesse  P.  Woodbury,  1875,  1880. 

Mark  Balch^  1885. 

Silas  M.  Dinsmorc,  1876. 

Israel  B.  Farnum,  1876. 

Geo.  W.  Cummings,  1887,  1882, 1887. 

James  T.  Woodbury,  1886,  1891. 


458  COLLEGE    GRADUATES. 

COLLEGE    GRADUATES    OF    FRANCESTOWN    SO    FAR    AS    ASCER- 
TAINED. 

Daniel  Lewis.  Esqr.,  D.  C.  1797. 

Hon.  Levi  Woodbury,  L.  L.  1).,  I).  C.  1S0!». 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Everett,  D.  C.  1818. 

Rev.  Moses  E.  Wilson,  Middlebury  College  1814. 

Rev.  Samuel  C.  Tiradford.  D.  C.  181S. 

Prof.  .John  Bell,  I'uion  College  1810. 

Hon.  .lames  Rell,  Bowdoin  1822. 

LuMier  Y.  Bell,  M.  I).,  L.  L.  D.,  Bowdoin  182:!. 

Hon.  Samne]  I).  Bell.  L.  L.  I)..  Harvard  ISKi. 

Hon.  Samuel  Smith,  I).  C.  1827. 

Rev.  Ebenezer  G.  Bradford,  Anilierst  1827. 

Rev.  Mos'.'s  15.  IJradford,  Amherst  182."'). 

Rev.  Benjamin  Bui-ge,  I).  C.  Is,'}."). 

Rev.  (u'o.  1.  ]!ai-(l.  rnivcrsity  of  \'erm()nt  IS.')?. 

i;.v.  Charles  H.  Boyd.  I).  C.  18.58. 

Rt\.  Moses  V>.  Boardman.  .\mhers1   18()(). 

Othnicl  Dinsmorc.  Harvard  1822.  d.  Apr.  18,  ls27. 

James  Pettee.  D.  C.  Class  of  1847,  died  Mar.  4.  184(). 

Linsley  K.  Brown,  1).  C.  1835. 

Peter  Clark,  .Jr..  1).  C.  182*1. 

Harvey  W.  Eaton,  I'nion  18;54. 

Walter  Gibson,  D.  C.  1858. 

Augustine  M.  Gay,  Amherst  1850. 

George  F.  Gay,  Harvard  1856,  (course  not  completed). 

George  H.  Bixby,  (Williams  2  yrs). 

Charles  H.  Bixby,  Williams  1858. 

Levi  P.  Woodbury,  I).  C.  1865. 

James  T.  Woodbury,  I).  C.  1872. 

George  H.  White,  Amherst  1870. 

Andrew  J.  George,  Amherst  1876. 

Clarence  B.  Root,  Williams  1876. 

Milton  G.  Starrett,  Tufts  188(5. 

John  L.  Clark,  D.  C.  1232. 

Harry  L.  Brickett,  Oberlin  1875. 

James  Gordon  Clark,  Harvard  1844. 

Will  A.  Woodward,  Tufts  1885. 

TAVERNS    IN    FRANCESTOWN. 

Hotels,  or  "•Taverns,"  as  they  were  called  in  former  days, 
(the  original  word  meant  a  booth  or  tent)  were  then  judged  to 
be  highly  important  in  even  a  small  community.  There  was 
little  travel  and  small  demand  for  lodging  or  feeding  for  a  long- 
time after  the  settlement  of  the  town:  but  there  must  l)e  acces- 


TAVERNS    IN    FEANCESTOWN.  459 

sible  places  to  i/et  >«naethln(i  to  drhtk.  The  first  tavern  in 
Francestown  was  opened  in  1770,  in  the  Carson  house,  by 
William  Starrett  and  kept  for  three  years.  The  house  then 
stood  at  the  corner  on  the  hill  some  30  rods  south-east  of  the 
school  house  in  tlie  Quarry  district,  and  "on  the  (.)ld  County 
Road  from  Amherst  to  Hillsboro'." 

The  next  tavern  opened  in  town  was  that  of  "-Lieut.  ( )liver 
Holmes,"  who  was  ^'Innholder  1775"  at  the  Lovejoy  Place  on 
the  turnpike,  (now  Capt.  Wisner  Parke's)  and  kept  there  a 
combined  farm-house  and  public-house  for  many  years.  This 
was  the  character  of  most  taverns  in  N.  H.  at  that  day.  farm- 
houses, with  a  public  table  and  bar. 

The  tavern  at  the  eeiitre  of  the  town  was  opened  by  Zachariah 
Richardson  about  1777.  It  was  the  tirst  dwelling-house  in  the  village 
proper,  and  was  almost  in  the  forest;  was  a  small  and  humble  farm- 
house, and  of  course  could  do  but  little  business.  It  stood,  however, 
till  the  town  had  a  much  larger  population  than  now,  and  was  taken 
down  and  rejDlaced  with  the  large  hotel  by  Giles  Newton  about  1798. 
Mr.  Newton  took  his  license  as  "Taverner"  June  17,  171)1».  It  was 
occupied  by  Newton  for  a  short  time;  afterwards  for  many  years  by 
James  Wilson.  The  older  people  now  will  remendjer  this  as  the 
"Parker  Tavern,"  kept  by  the  lion.  Judge,  William  Parker,  who  main- 
tained an  excellent  and  orderly  house  from  1822  to  18o').  Tliis  large, 
square,  two-story,  old-fashioned,  but  fine-looking  hotel,  was  burned 
(with  capacious  stables  and  out-buildings)  in  the  great  fire  of  1855. 
The  present  structure  was  put  up  in  185G.  (See  Hotel  Company). 
Has  been  occupied  by  various  proprietors,  chiefly  by  William  H. 
Farnum,  who  owns  the  propei-ty.  Xi>w  in  charge  of  Arthur  11.  Spauld- 
ing  (1890). 

The  "Gibson  Tavern"  had  (piile  a  reputation  in  its  day,  as  a  place  of 
specially  good  entertainment  of  table  and  pillow,  and  of  ''jolly  times" 
and  even  almost  boisterous  "good  cheer."  This  large  hotel  was  built 
on  the  turnpike  in  the  northwest  part  of  the  town,  by  John  Gibson  in 
1800  and  was  occupied  by  him  till  his  death  (1821),  and  some  years 
nfterward  b}'  his  widow.  In  the  days  before  the  railroads,  when  so 
many  heavy  lliams  and  crowded  stages  from  Boston  jjassed  through  this 
place  for  Vermont  and  the  towns  above,  this  tavern  was  a  favorite 
among  them  all  in  this  vicinity.  They  would  put  up  a  little  early,  or 
press  on  a  little  late,  "to  turn  in  at  Gibson's."  Much  of  the  time  the 
house  was  full.  Here  was  also  a  "large  tannery"  as  it  was  then  called; 
and  with  the  "toll-gate"  and  bar  and  store,  and  large  farm  operations 
employing  many  hands,  there  was  quite  a  stir  of  business  here.  Oft 
the  ■•hall  was  cleai'ed,"  and  there  were  stirring  notes  and  tripping  feet! 


460  STORES    IN    FRANCESTOWN.  ' 

Now  the  tanner}'  is  gone,  the  bar  is  gone,  the  toll-gate  is  gone,  the 
guests  are  gone,  the  old  proprietors  are  gone,  and  the  old  tavern  build- 
ing remains  as  a  stately  and  venerable  farm-house,  in  silence  and  quiet, 
while  the  passer-by  dreams  not  of  the  stir  and  life  and  laughter  that 
once  marked  the  scene! 

What  was  once  known  as  the  "Cram  Tavern,"  (now  the  Sawyer,  or 
Atwood,  place  on  the  turnpike  below  the  village),  was  built  by  Stephen 
Cram  about  1808,  and  kept  by  him  as  a  public  house  till  1825. 

Peter  Woodbury  took  out  a  license  as  "Taverner"  in  1809,  and  in 
addition  to  farm  and  store  kept  a  public  house  some  yeai'S. 

Dr.  Lolley  "kept  tavern"  several  years  at  the  Wra.  H.  Stevens  place 
in  the  village. 

STORES    IN    FRANCESTOWN. 

There  has  always  been  a  good  crojo  of  boys  that  thought  it 
would  be  nice  to  "keep  store."  Francestown  has  had  a  long 
list  of  merchants,  some  of  them  only  starting  here,  and  then, 
with  a  good  experience,  and  a  little  capital  accumulated,  going 
into  larger  places  to  build  up  a  fortune.  Some  were  in  trade 
here  but  a  short  time.  We  have  not  space  to  give  all  the  names 
and  "firms."  Before  it  was  diverted  by  the  railroads,  this  was 
quite  a  "centre  of  trade"  for  a  country  place,  four  or  five  large 
stores  and  some  smaller  ones  being  in  successful  operation  at 
the  same  time. 

The  first  store  ever  opened  within  the  town  was  no  doubt  that  opened 
bj-^  Jason  Fuller  in  a  room  in  his  house  "over  the  Hill  South  West  of  the 
Lewis  mills"  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town,  or  the  "old  part"  of  the 
town  as  it  was  sometimes  called.  This  store  was  opened  about  1785, 
before  there  was  anything  to  be  called  a  village  at  the  centre,  the  centre 
of  business  then  being  at  these  mills. 

Probably  the  next  store  was  opened  by  Peter  Woodbury,  about  1788. 
It  was  in  a  room  in  the  "Holmes  Tavern"  (Lovejoy  Place),  about  half 
a  mile  north  from  Fuller's  store.  In  a  short  time  Woodbury  built  a 
small  store  near  the  meeting-house,  where  afterwards  the  village  grew 
up  about  him,  and  he  carried  on  business  for  many  years.  Mr.  Wood- 
bury used  to  say  that  he  started  on  a  capital  of  fifty  dollars,  and  that 
his  father  drew  the  goods  for  him  from  Boston  on  what  they  called  a 
"Drag."  This  consisted  of  two  poles  about  twenty-five  feet  long,  joined 
together  with  rounds  like  a  ladder  for  the  part  behind,  and  made  like 
shafts  or  thills  at  the  forward  end.  The  horse  was  harnessed  into  these 
thills  and  the  other  ends  dragged  upon  the  ground,  the  load  being  placed 
so  as  to  bear  partly  on  the  horse  and  partly  on  the  ground.  In  this 
slow  and  hard  way  his  first  stock  of  goods  reached  this  town. 


STORES    IN    FRANCESTOWN.  461 

It  was  said  that  when  he  moved  his  goods  from  tlie  "Hohnes  Tavern" 
to  the  village,  he  put  them  for  a  few  weeks  in  one  of  the  horse-sheds 
near  the  church,  boarded  up  for  the  purpose,  and  traded  there  a  few 
weeks  wliile  building.  But  with  his  humble  and  brave  beginnings,  he 
kept  on  till  he  made  a  success  of  the  business. 

The  next  store  in  order  of  time  seems  to  have  been  that  of  Andrew 
Dennison  who  opened  a  store  probably  about  1789  in  a  room  of  the  old 
Dennison  house,  now  gone,  and  in  another  room  of  which  a  school  was 
kept.  This  store  was  in  operation  in  1793 ,  and  probably  several  years  later. 
This  house  was  a  few  rods  northwest  of  the  John  McLane,  or  Hill  Place, 
and  well  toward  the  'New  Boston  line. 

In  notes  left  by  Col.  William  Bixby  it  is  stated  that  a  Mr.  Manahan 
had  a  store,  very  early  in  the  history  of  the  town,  on  what  is  now  known 
as  the  Bartlett  place,  in  the  northeast  district.  The  old  building  was 
burned  about  1871. 

About  1794  a  store  was  opened  in  the  Witherspoon,  or  Willard  house, 
by  "Kingsbury  &  ]S]'ewton"  (Giles),  and  continued  two  or  three  years. 
Previously  John  Witherspoon  had  had  a  store  there  for  a  short  time. 
Afterwards  a  Wilson  kept  store  in  the  same  building  for  a  time.  Newton 
built  what  was  long  known  as  the  Dane  store  about  179"),  and  moved 
his  business  into  it;  but  after  a  few  years,  he  "kept  the  Tavern  and  let 
his  store  to  the  Danes."  Butterfield  says  that  "John  Grimes  kept  here 
in  1817."  The  Dane  store  was  nearly  opposite  the  present  Hotel.  The 
writer  remembers  it  as  unoccupied  and  used  for  a  store-house  for  all 
sorts  of  tools  and  rubbish.  It  was  along,  unpainted,  one-story  building. 
AVas  burned  Dec.  12,  1855. 

About  1800  Uriah  Smith  built  what  is  now  the  Unitarian  parsonage 
and  at  once  occupied  it  as  a  stoi'e,  and  this  was  a  popular  stand  for  trade 
for  many  years.     Matthew  A.  Fisher  was  in  business  here  for  a  time. 

"About  1800  Richard  Batten  kept  a  store  in  the  south  part  of  the 
town";  but  this  was  not  continued  many  years. 

In  1804  Joseph  H.  Johnson  had  a  store  in  what  is  now  the  Dr.  Boot 
House,  or  in  a  building  which  stood  on  that  spot.  He  advertised  in  the 
Amherst  Cabinet  that  year,  as  if  he  was  already  known  as  a  trader  in 
this  place.  This  is  the  man  whom  the  sketch  by  Oliver  Butterfield 
calls  "Hanes  Johnson."  Butterfield  states  that  Johnson  '^failed  to  meet 
his  payments  and  the  Sheriff  shut  up  his  Store  &  put  keepers  over  the 
Goods.  Mr.  Johnson  had  a  Clerk  by  the  name  of  Josh  Stiles  who  told 
the  keepers  it  was  their  custom  to  have  prayers  at  the  close  of  the  day, 
&  while  he  was  reading  &  praying  Johnson's  friends  were  carrying  the 
Goods  down  into  the  bushes  back  of  the  Store."  Johnson  soon  after 
went  to  Cincinnati.  It  was  probably  on  this  spot  that  Benjamin  Mather 
traded  in  1808-1810,  and  later.  His  "advertisement"  appears  in  the 
"Amherst  Cabinet"  1810. 


462  STORES    IN    FRANC ESTOWN. 

Coiitempoi-aiy  with  these  Dr.  Lolley  had  a  store  from  about  1800  till 
his  death  in  1818.  Lolley's  store  was  Miiere  William  Stevens  now  lives, 
in  a  large  wing  of  the  building  extending  toward  the  street  al  that  time, 
but  long  since  removed. 

It  seems  that  a  store  was  open  a  few  3'ears  in  the  'KJld  Vose  House" 
and  kept  by  Aaron  Townsend,  and  subsequently  by  Josiali  Vose  for  a 
time.     Some  old  person  spoke  of  it  as  the  "Townsend-Yose  Store." 

"The  Long  Store,"  so  named  from  its  length,  was  built  Ijy  Peter  Clark 
in  1814.  Here  are  the  Banks  and  the  Post  Office  (1S!)0),  Harness-Shop, 
etc.  A  store  has  been  kept  here  76  years,  but  by  many  different  firms. 
Butterfield  tells  us  that  "Clark  &  Dodge  kept  the  Long  Store  in  1821. 
They  had  a  large  trade  in  grain  &  pork  for  Exportation.  (No  exporta- 
tion of  grain  from  this  place  now!)  Their  liins  in  the  back  side  of  the 
Store  broke  away  &  let  hundreds  of  bushels  of  grain  out  into  the  oi'chard 
below!"     See  No.  38,  in  Chapter  20. 

John  (libson  had  a  store  for  more  than  a  dozen  years  at  the  famous 
"Gibson  Tavern,"  commencing  about  1801.  He  was  licensed  to  sell 
liquor  in  1794,  but  this  was  in  the  former  abode  on  the  old  road  on  the 
hill  east  of  the  Tavern.  Some  old  people  have  thought  that  Gibson  sub- 
sequently traded  a  short  time  in  the  village  in  the  (Tay  store,  which  Ik; 
owned  and  enlarged. 

Butterfield  tells  us  that  "Dr.  Farley  &  Moses  Whitney  kept  store"  in 
what  is  now  Daniel  B.  Tobie's  house. 

In  1821  Peter  Clark  advertised  in  the  Cabinet  with  some  spread  of 
words,  "a  store  two  miles  South  of  the  meeting-house ."  It  stood  nearly 
opposite  the  blacksmith  shop  of  George  D.  Epps,  and  was  made  into 
the  dwelling  long  occupied  by  Nahum  Farnum,  now  by  L.  E.  Bailey. 

Col.  ^Villiam  Bixby  is  authorit}'  for  the  statement  that  the  Gay  Store 
(now  the  dwelling-house  of  Daniel  B.  Tobie)  was  built  by  Mark  Morse 
in  1814,  the  same  year  with  the  "Long  Store."  (It  was  war  time  and 
alleged  to  be  ruinous  to  business,  but  there  was  quite  a  "boom"  in 
Francestown) .  Timothy  Gay,  afterwards  a  wealthy  merchant  in  Boston , 
occupied  this  store  for  y'ars.  He  succeeded  Mark  Morse.  This  was  a 
popular  store.  Later  it  was  occupied  by  various  parties  as  a  store,  and 
then  made  into  a  dwelling-house. 

Cochran's  Store,  afterwards  known  as  "Cochran's  Block"  was  built  by 
Rodney  G.  Cochran  in  1822,  and  occupied  as  a  store  by  him  several 
3'ears.     Is  now  the  dwelling  of  Charles  B.  Gale,  Esqr. 

"The  Brick  Store"  as  it  was  called,  now  known  as  the  "Downes 
Store,"  was  built  in  1856.  The  previous  structure  was  built  in  1814  by 
Col.  William  Bixby.  He  is  authority  for  saying  there  were  three  stores 
built  in  the  village  that  year.  Col.  Bixby  was  long  in  trade  here. 
'•Siarretl  vS:  Downes"  (Samuel  D.)  occvipied  it  at  the  time  of  the  fire,  and 
rebuilt  on  the  spot.  This  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  commodious 
country  stores  now  in  this  vicinity.  . 


VARIOUS    ACCIDENTS.  463 

■•The  Cottage."  the  building  next  south  of  the  Hotel,  was  built  for  a 
store,  in  1872.  This  large  number  of  stores  in  town  as  evidence  of  large 
thrift  and  life  here  in  the  past.  Railroads  have  entirely  changed  the 
lines  of  travel  and  of  trade,  and  taken  away  much  from  this  place;  but 
there  is  a  vigorous  business  done  here  still.  There  is  much  thrift  in 
old  Francestown  still.  Almost  all  the  people  have  a  competence,  and 
nnne  are  extremely  poor. 

VARIOUS  a<'cidp:nts  axd  casualties  in  francestown  re- 
sulting IN  death. 

This  conimuiiity  has  had  its  full  share  of  these  })ainful  events. 
No  attempt  is  here  made  to  give  circumstances,  hut  simply  to 
give  facts,  with  dates  as  far  as  possible. 

1.  Janet  Ferson,  drowned  in  a  well,  about  1790,  aged  '2  yrs. 

2.  Child  of  Stephen  Shattuck,  drowned,  Aug.  1793. 

3.  Boy  named  Jacob  Langdell,  drowned,  Haunted  Lake,  about 
1810,  aged  about  15.     Found  with  lilies  clasped  in  his  hand. 

4.  Boy  named  Samuel  Allen,  drowned.  Haunted  Lake,  about  1810. 
o.  Zachariah  Sleeper,  drowned.  Pleasant  Pond,  Dec .  5, 1818,  aged  16. 
0.     Mrs.  Abner  Gove,  Dan.  of  Dea.  David  Lewis,  killed  by  lightning 

Apr.  27,  1805,  aged  25. 

7.  Jane  Gibson,  drowned  in  tub  of  water,  Aug.  1817,  aged  1  1-2 
years. 

8.  Job  Sturtevant.  killed  blasting  rocks  Oct.  9,  1819. 

9.  Mrs.  John  Dustin,  fell  dead  in  her  kitchen  xVug.  9.  1822,  aged  33. 

10.  Aaron  Draper's  child,  aged  1  1-2  yrs.  crushed  uikU-i-  ash-barrel, 
Aug.  8,  1824. 

11.  Capt.  Timothy  Morse,  killed  l)y  fall  on  a  rock,  Sept.  22,  1825. 

12.  Mose?  Clark,  thrown  from  a  horse  and  killed  Oct.  0,  1825,  aged 
11  years. 

13.  Ichabod  Gay,  drowned  Haunted  Lake,  June  20,  1824. 

14.  Nathaniel  Aiken,  drowned  Plaunted  Lake,  about  1830. 

15.  Dea.  William  Starrett,  killed  by  a  bull,  Aug.  3,  1829. 

16.  Adam  Manahan,  aged  38,  killed  Aug.  24,  1826. 

17.  Harry  Robinson,  colored,  found  deod  in  a  field,  1825. 

18.  Child  of  Clark  Ames,  drowned  in  Lewis  Mill  Pond,  May  29, 1834. 

19.  Elias  Dickey,  found  dead  in  road  Nov.  29,  1836.  Belonged  to 
New  Boston. 

20.  Henry  A.  Lewis,  killed  by  premature  blast  at  Amoskeag,  May  1, 
1837. 

21.  Geo.  F.  Gay,  killed  l)y  kick  of.  a  horse.  May  31,  1837,  aged  6. 

22.  Mary  Sophia  Ferson,  aged  5.,  crushed  by  rock  falling  from  a  wall 
while  climbing  over,  Feb.  23,1847. 

23.  A  son  of  D.  S.  Perkins,  drowned  Mill  Village  Pond,  .June  12, 
1856,  aged  2  yrs. 


464  FIRES    IN    FRANCESTOWN. 

24.  Child  of  F.   H.  Diincklee  aged  3  yrs.,  struck  by  wagon  shaft 
July  4,  1856. 

25.  Eodney  Hutchinson,  di'owned  Aug.  16,  1859,  aged  19. 

26.  Joseph  Huntington,  cut  his  foot  in  woods  and  bled  to  death, 
Xov.  18,  1861,  aged  82. 

27.  John  L.  Kingsbury  killed  by  fall  in  his  barn,  Nov.  24,  1858, 
aged  48, 

28.  Isaac  Brewster,  killed  by  fall  from  a  ladder  Sept.  28, 1860,  aged  71. 

29.  Leonard  Kingsbury,  choked  with  meat,  Oct..  10,  1863,  aged  66. 

30.  Charles  Starrett,  accidentally  shot,  May  25,  1876,  aged  20. 

31.  Fred  A.  Eichardson,  drowned.  Pleasant  Pond,  Aug.  15,  1880. 

32.  AValter  D.  Manahan,  drowned  1883. 

FIRES    IN    FRANCESTOWN. 

1.  New  School  House  in  No.  1,  burned  July  7,  ISll. 

2.  Barn  on  Dea.  Moses  V>.  Fisher  place  struck  by  lightning  and 
burned  Sept.  ISLS.  (Neighbors  were  assembled  at  the  place  to  raise  a 
new  house  when  the  shower  came  up.) 

3.  "Dodge  House"  (Porter  Dodge  place),  1836. 

4.  Gibson  barns  were  tired  by  lightning  and  burned  March  IS,  1846. 

5.  Academy  burned  Saturday,  March  27, 1847. 

6.  The  Great  Fire,  in  village  Dec.  12,  1855^  17  buildings  burned. 

7.  Bixby  Box  Shop,  partly  burned,  1857. 
S.     The  Starrett  Bobbin  Mill,  burned,  1861. 
9.     Lewis  grist  mill,  1865. 

10.  Carson  Mills,  Mill  Village,  1870. 

11.  The  Old  Manahan,  or  Parker  Bartlett  house,  about  1871. 

12.  Dea.   Moses   B.   Fisher's   barn,   by   lightning,   June   27,   1876. 
Same  spot  as  in  1818. 

13.  Collins  House,  May  12,  1887. 

14.  Ordway  House,  1878. 

15.  "Proprietors'  Kecords,"  burned  in  Great  New  Boston  Fire,  May 
11,  1887. 

OFFICES    HELD    BY    FRANCESTO\VN    MEN. 

f  Speaker  N.  H.  House. 

o  1  -D  11     I  President  H.  H.  Senate. 

Samuel  Bell,  <^  .,  lom  io.no 

'    ]  Governor  1S19-1823. 

I^U.  S.  Senator  1823-1835. 

'Clerk  of  N.  H.  Senate. 

Judge  of  Superior  Court. 

Governor  of  N.  H.  1823. 
Levi  Woodbury,  <j  United  States  Senator  1825. 
I  Secretary  of  Navy. 
I  Seci'etary  of  Treasury. 
1^  Judge  U.  S.  Supreme  Court. 


OFFICES    HELD    BY    FRANCESTOWN    MEN.  465 

f  State  Senator. 
ry.,    .  I ,  .     ^     j  President  of  N.  H.  Senate. 

']  Chairman  of  State  Railroad  Commissioners. 
(^Representative  to  Congress. 

Peter  Woodbury,  State  Senator  1831-18.32. 

,,,.,,.       Ti    1        f  Judiie  Court  Common  Pleas. 
\\  illiam  Parker,  J  ^     '^    .,,      -,o<,( 
(  Councillor  1844. 

(  Presidential  Elector  1828. 
William  Bixbv,  ]  Col.  of  Militia. 

(  State  Senator  1829,  1830. 

Geo.  W.  Cummings,  State  Senator  188i;iS81,  1883,  1884. 

(  Colonel  in  the  War. 
Smith  A.  Whittield,  )  Post  Master  of  Cincinnati. 

(  First  Assistant  Post  Master  General  of  U.  S. 

Alfred  G.  Fairbanks,  County  Commissioner. 

Fi-aiik  A.  Hodge,  Auditor  and  Treasurer,  in  Minnesota. 

SUPERSTITIONS. 

Ill  accordance  with  the  saying  that  very  wise  people  have 
some  very  foolish  notions,  it  must  be'  stated  that  the  early 
inhabitants  of  Francestown  had  not  entirely  outgrown  the 
delusions  of  former  generations.  Education  and  progress,  while 
changing  the  forms  of  quackery  and  humbuggery,  have  not 
sensibly  diminished  these  follies.  We  laugh  at  the  fears  of  our 
grandmothers,  but  we  have  fears  and  superstitions  fully  as 
absurd.  It  is  said  that  there  are  now  "1500  different  kinds  of 
dream-books  in  the  market"  in  this  enlightened  republic,  and 
that  "sales  steadily  increase."  "Women  with  sealskins  and 
diamonds"  buy  these  silly  books  as  well  as  the  poor, — which 
goes  to  show  that,  if  our  credulous  ancestors  were  fools,  the 
"fools  are  not  all  dead  jet.''  Our  ancestors  had  no  such  abject 
and  disgusting  foolery  as  table-tippings  and  alleged  spirit-rap- 
pings. And  yet  they  clung  to  some  foolish  and  hoax-like  ideas. 
It  may  amuse  us  to  refer  to  them,  though  in  other  ways  we  may 
be  equally  silly.     I  remember  hearing  the  old  people  sing: 

"Candlemas  day!     Candlemas  day! 
Half  your  corn  and  half  your  hay!" 

They  called  the  2nd  of  Feb.  (Candlemas  Day)  the  midway  dividing 
line  of  winter.  In  this  they  were  not  far  from  the  facts  of  the  case  on 
an  average;  but  they  grouped  about  the  day  many  strange  notions. 
Thus  a  cloudy  Candlemas  Day  was  counted  a  good  omen  and  looked  for 
with  much  interest.     It  was  said  that  the  bears  always  came  out  of  their 


466  SUPERSTITIONS. 

(lens  on  that  day,  and  if  it  was  so  cloudy  that  tliey  could  not  see  their 
sliadow.  tliey  stayed  out,  and  sprinc:  was  early.  ]Jut  if  the  sun  was 
shining  so  they  could  see  their  shadow,  then  they  would  go  back  at 
once  into  their  dens  and  stay  just  six  weeks  longer,  and  spring  would 
be  late ! 

For  a  great  length  of  time  it  was  believed  that  burning  the  heart  of 
the  dead  and  eating  the  ashes,  would  give  a  long  lease  of  life  to  con- 
sumptives. It  was  said  that  tlie  Fullers  of  this  town  wci-c  inclined  to 
die  young  witii  consniiipl  ion .  nnd  that  they  took  this  I'cincdy  to  prolong 
lite! 

In  tlic  early  days  they  believed  in  onienSjand  signs,  and  foi'e-runners 
ol'  evciils.  and  always  connected  any  unusual  event  with  some  premoni- 
tory something  wnich  had  been  given  as  a  waiuiing.  ()ne  example  out 
of  many  is  liere  given.  <  )n  a  certain  night  neai-  tlie  last  oi'  July  1S24 
Aaron  Drajiei-  and  liis  wife  heard  a  loud  noise,  like  lliat  when  a  cai't- 
load  of  small  rocks  is  tipped-out.  wliich  peculiar  sound  every  tanner 
would  I'ccognize  at  once.  ()ii  hearing  it  a  second  time  they  arose,  went 
out  and  investigated.  Not  being  al)le  to  discover  ^nlything  unusual  they 
retired  again,  when  they  heard  the  sanu'  noise  the  third  time.  Investi- 
gation the  next  morning  disclosed  no  cause  for  the  noise.  .V  few  days 
after.  Itev.  Mr.  iJradford  visited  the  family.  There  was  a  lye-leach 
(l)ari-el  ol'  ashes)  propped  up  under  a  tree  which  was  full  of  I'ed  apjjles 
neai-  tlie  dooi'.  and  Mi'.  15.  as  he  walked  in  asked,  "Is  that  safe?"  and 
trie<l  to  shake  it  and  could  not.  and  said,  ''Yes,  that  is  safe."  The  next 
Sabbath  morning  the  mother  and  her  little  girl  sat  at  the  door,  and  the 
child  slipped  along  l)y  the  lye-leach  after  an  apple,  when  it  fell  upon  her 
without  being  touched,  and  killed  her  instantly.  The  child  was  one 
specially  loved  by  the  neighbors,  and  the  strange  event  made  a  great 
impression.  But  strangest  of  all,  when  the  little  coffin  was  l)eing 
lowered  into  the  grave,  the  samc^  loud  noise  was  again  heard  three 
times!  All  heard,  but  nobody  could  explain  I  It  was  believed,  however, 
that  the  noise  when  tirst  heard  was  a  fore-runner  of  the  sad  event. 
Parties  now  living  bear  witness  to  the  above  facts. 

There  was  a  lingering,  half-belief  in  witchcraft  among  the  people  of 
this  town,  as  usual  in  former  days.  The  great  '^Salem  Witchcraft" 
Craze  occurred  in  1()!I2,  but  witchcraft  was  no  new  thing,  either  in 
America  or  England.  It  is  said  that  there  have  been  30,000  executions 
for  witchcraft  in  England  alone,  which  statement  may  be  taken  with 
some  allowance!  In  the  whole  history  of  this  country  probably  not  as 
many  as  25  persons  have  been  executed  on  this  charge  separate  from 
any  other  accusation.  And  it  is  a  wicked  slander  to  lay  the  l)lame  of 
even  these  few  executions  upon  the  church.  Bad  people  believed  in 
witches  tenfold  more  than  good  people  did.  But.  although  the  whole 
delusion  had  been  exploded  long  before,  yet  -there  remained  in  many 
minds  a  disposition  to  credit  strange  or  unwelconu^  things  to  witches, 
perhaps  for  lack  of  some   better  explanation.     Various  perecautions 


SUPEESTITIONS.  .467 

aii'ainst  witches  were  taken,  though  generally  b}'  way  of  a  joke,  or  to 
delude  some  ignorant  person.  There  were  three  or  four  individuals  in 
this  town  whom  silly  people  l)elieved  to  be  Avitches,  and  the  wiser  ones 
smiled  to  see  the  imposition  go  on.  These  alleged  witches,  were  pro- 
hal)ly  a  little  smarter  than  their  neighbors,  and  had  some  power  over 
them,  and  enjoyed  having  weak-minded  peoj)le  fear  them.  In  the  17th 
century  a  witch  was  believed  to  be  in  league  with  the  devil  and  with 
evil  s])irits,  and  thereby  to  have  remarkable  powers, — such  as  abililty  to 
injure  others,  to  read  the  thoughts  of  others,  to  fascinate  others,  to 
ti'ansform  themselves  into  any  animal  (a  black  cat  being  the  favorite), 
to  ))e  present  in  appearance  in  one  place  while  the  body  Was  in  some 
othei-  place,  to  fly  in  at  the  key-hole,  to  snutf  out  the  candle,  to  cause 
llic  children  to  cry,  to  stop  the  fire  fi'om  burning,  and  innumerable  other 
pranks  of  retaliation  or  annoyance  as  occasion  might  suggest!  Witches 
were  reputed  to  have  a  bridle,  which  they  could  i)ut  onto  any  person  or 
thing,  and  therein'  that  person  or  thing  was  transformed  into  a  steed  to 
run  or  fly  anywhere  with  startling  speed  Hence  the  story  of  the  witch- 
ride  on  the  broomstick,  and  the  complaints  of  men  (after  late  meat-pie 
suppers,  probably)  of  being  ridden  by  witches  all  night! 

Many  people  who  disowned  any  belief  in  witches,  had  some  lingering 
dread  of  them  and  would  lake  measures  to  scare  them  off.  ^Vll  the 
farmers  would  be  sure  to  have  the  cows  milked  and  in  the  pasture 
])efore  sunrise  on  the  flrst  day  of  May,  to  prevent  witches  from  drawing 
a  hair-rope  round  the  pasture  therel)y  stopping  the  butter  from  coming- 
all  summer!  They  wei-e  all  careful  to  have  a  hoi-se-slioe  hanging  over 
the  door! 

In  cases  of  alleged  bewitchment  the  commonest  remedy  was  Are  in 
some  form.  If  the  butter  woul  1  not  come,  they  Avould  throw  a  hot  flat- 
iron  into  the  cream;  if  the  cattle  or  horses  took  strange  freaks  they 
burned  off  some  of  their  hair;  if  ;i  strange  black  cat  came  round  at  the 
time  of  any  trouble,  they  would  singe  the  said  cat  in  the  Are;  and  always 
it  was  said  that  in  these  cases  it  was  the  witch  that  was  really  burned, 
and  that  the  corresponding  'Mnarks  of  the  tire"  would  always  appear 
u])(in  her!  If  the  black  cat  was  burned  to  a  crisp  and  dead,  then  tlie 
witch  would  be  found  in  her  hovel,  burned  to  a  crisp  and  dead! 

I  have  noticed  that  in  this  and  other  towns  there  linger  traditions  of 
sad  bewitchery  all  along  the  turnpike  where  teamsters  were  so  wrought- 
upon  by  tavern-keepers  wives  or  widows,  that  they  could  not  pass  irith- 
oiit-  l>iii/iit(j  (I  (Triril'!  How  else  could  one  account  for  such  sad 
compulsion? 

In  addition  to  various  ideas  of  possible  witches,  there  was  some 
populai-  credulity  as  to  ghosts  and  goblins. 

And  then  came  the  stories  of  haunted  hovises.  We  have'  noticed  on  a 
previous  page  the  traditions  giving  name  to  ''Haunted  Lake."  The  old 
DriscoU  house  (in  southwest  jjart  of  the  town)  was  said  to  be  haunted. 
Driscoll  was  an  Irishman,  and  an  Irish  Peddler  said  to  carrv  a  large 


468  SUPERSTITIONS. 

sum  of  money,  came  to  stop  over  night  with  his  countryman  here. 
That  was  the  last  that  was  ever  seen  of  him.  •  And  the  story  goes  that 
Driscoll  was  presently  full  of  money,  and  no  one  could  learn  how  he 
came  by  it.  After  DriscoH's  death  the  place  was  occupied  b}'  a  large 
number  of  different  families  in  the  course  of  many  years  (one  old  person 
says  50  families!);  but  none  of  them  would  stay  long  on  account  of 
strange  shrieks  and  noises  heard  about  the  house.  One  family,  clean- 
ing out  the  cellar,  found  human  bones,  and  left  the  place  in  a  fright. 
Others  heard  groans  and  pistol-shots  and  human  voices.  The  cellar 
wall  under  one  side  of  the  kitchen,  hard  by  the  old  fire  place,  would 
often  fall  down.  If  they  laid  it  up  in  the  best  manner,  suddenly,  with- 
out known  cause  or  warning,  it  would  go  down  again,  while  no  other 
part  of  the  wall  ever  caused  any  trouble.  The  old  people  supposed  that 
the  peddler  was  murdered  and  buried  in  the  cellar.  People  now  living 
remember  the  noises,  and  say  they  "were  not  imaginary,"  whatever  the 
cause  might  be.  But  no  doubt  these  old  stories  are  to  be  taken  with 
large  allowance,  both  for  the  imagination  of  the  times  and  the  growth 
of  passing  from  tongue  to  tongue  for  so  long  a  time. 

Tradition  says  that  when  James  Manahan  died,  they  put  candles  and 
money  "into  his  coffin  to  fee  him  through  purgatory," — about  the  silliest 
superstition  yet  discovered.  From  the  same  doubtful  authority  we  learn 
that  one  of  the  friends  stopped  the  procession,  "opened  the  coffin  and 
took  out  the  money,  saying  it  had  been  there  long  enough  to  carry  him 
through,"  and  then  put  it  into  his  own  pocket!  He  was  not  so  par- 
ticular about  the  candles!  And  so  far  as  heard  from  they  were  not 
lighted! 

Besides  all  the  above,  there  were  many  other  dreams  and 
signs  that  had  power  over  the  people.  No  person  would  begin 
a  job  or  a  journey  on  Friday,  because  it  was  an  unlucky  day. 
No  person  would  go  on  a  march,  or  sail  in  a  boat,  or  sit  down 
at  a  table,  in  a  company  of  thirteen.  To  spill  the  salt  toward 
any  one  was  sign  of  a  fight  with  him.  To  see  the  new  moon 
first  over  the  left  shoulder,  was  a  sign  greatly  dreaded !  If  a 
corpse  were  kept  unburied  over  the  Sabbath,  another  death  would 
occur  in  town  before  the  week  was  out.  If  a  dead  body  were 
carried  out  of  the  house  head  foremost,  there  would  be  another 
death  in  the  family  before  a  year. 

"Saturday  nignt's  dream,  Sunday  morning  told. 
Was  sure  to  come  to  pass  before  a  week  old." 

Also,  lovers  had  many  beautiful  signs  that  settled  matters 
with  them.  Fortune-telling  received  much  attention,  and  many 
"believed  there  was  something  in  it."     And  all  these  things 


DARK   DAY    OF    1881.  469 

are  proofs  that  a  noble  and  educated»coinmuaity  like  ours,  may 
yet  retain  some  lines  of  weakness  and  superstition.  Few  per- 
sons in  Francestown  would  be  willing,  even  in  those  days,  to 
avow  a  belief  in  any  of  these  superstitions,  yet  would  avoid  the 
"bad  signs"  and  seek  for  the  "good  signs  just  the  same,"  and 
thus  show  fear  lest  these  things  were  true.  Those,  who  rejected 
them  altogether,  would  make  ready  use  of  them  to  frighten  the 
children  into  good  behavior;  and  thus  give  them  credence  to 
the  young  mind,  and  thus  hand  down  the  impression  of  them  I 
Around  the  roaring  fire  at  evening,  dreadful  stories  of  ghosts, 
and  haunted  houses,  and  hobgoblins,  and  lighted  graveyards, 
and  groaning  apparitions  of  sunken  eyes  and  skeleton  fingers, 
were  told  over  and  over,  till  children  were  frightened  into 
silence  and  covered  their  faces  at  night  in  agony  of  fear!  I 
remember  well  the  strange  feeling  that  came  over  me  at  thus 
hearing  of  "warlocks,"  and  "witches,"  and  "bogles,"  and  "hags," 
and  "sprites,"  and  "imps,"  and  "spectres,"  and  "phantoms,"  and 
"furies,"  and  other  such  delightful  creatures  for  a  child  to  think 
of  I  And  especiall}'  if  the  night  were  howling  and  daik  without, 
the  dreadful  stories  were  to  be  expected ! 

''That  night  a  cliild  might  understand 
The  de'il  had  business  on  his  hand!" 

Yet  none  of  the  creatures  could  cross  a  running  sli-eam:  and 
hence  the  poor  victim,  pursued  like  Tam  O'Shanter,  had  a 
chance  to  escape  by  flying  for  the  nearest  brook ! .  It  was  alwaj's 
safer  to  fly  than  to  turn  back  and  face  the  dreadful  pursuer! 
But  these  old  stories  and  myths  have  for  the  most  part  passed 
away.  The  loss  is  not  to  be  regretted ;  but  we  need  be  on 
guard  lest  some  wheat  may  be  thiown  away  with  the  chaff. 

DARK    DAY    OF    1881. 

On  a  previous  page  (107)  I  have  noticed  the  celebrated  D-avk  Day, 
May  19,  1780.  That  Avas  the  most  intense  and  remarliable  phenomenon 
of  the  kind  ever  known  in  New  England.  But  there  have  been  other 
so-called  "Dax'k  Days."  Oct.  21,  171(i,  was  a  day  long  remembered  by 
the  settlers  of  New  England  as  being  so  dark  that  the  chickens  went  to 
roost  at  mid-day.  July  lo,  1818,  it  Was  so  dark  in  some  places  in  New 
England  that  candles  were  lighted  at  noon.  The  Dark  Day,  Sept.  (i. 
1881,  was  called  at  the  time  the  '-Yellow  Day,"  because  of  the  peculiar 
tinge  alike  of  air  and  ()])ject.     Xo  clouds  were  visible,  no  eclipse  or  fog; 


470  GREAT    SHOWEll    OF    1881. 

and  yet  the  sun  at  rising-  was«)bscured  so  as  hardl}-  to  be  discovered  by' 
the  eye.  Everything  wore  a  wicrd  and  startling  appearance.  People 
grew  timid  and  children's  faces  wore  signs  of  feai-.  In  many  places 
schools  were  closed.  jNIany  thought  of  the  curse  that  was  pronounced 
of  old,  "And  thy  heaven  that  is  over  thy  head  shall  be  brass."  As  we 
looked  out  of  the  windows,  it  seemed  like  the  night-season  lighted  up 
by  some  great  contiagration.  I  wrote  at  my  desk  by  help  of  a  lamp; 
but  lamp-light  and  gas-light  seemed  strange  and  unnatural.  Every- 
thing looked  sickly  and  gloomy.  Xot  intensely  hot., yet  it  was  a  weary, 
uncomfortable  day.  The  darkness  deepened  till  the  middle  of  the  after- 
noon, to  the  alarm  of  many,  and  the  inconvimience  of  all.  Eowls  went 
to  tlnni'  roosts;  the  troubled  flocks  seemed  not  to  know  what  to  do; 
peo])l('  hurried  to  their  homes:  and  many  (juestioncd  what  was  coming! 
Toward  night  it  grew  lighter,  the  wierd  yclloAV  gradually  disappeared, 
and  in  the  evening  the  air  and  sky  assumed  their  ordinary  look.  But 
no  beholder  would  be  likely  to  forget  that  day.  For  weeks  the  papers 
were  full  of  references  to  it,  and  reports  of  experiences,  and  accidents, 
and  fears,  and  jokes,  connected  wilb  it. 

THE    Ai.An.MINc;    TIIINDEK    SHOWKi;.    1881. 

This  may  l)e  mentioned  as  reminding  those  alarmed  in  a  similar  way 
in  future  years  that  things  as  frightful  have  occurred  before  without 
serious  results.  This  occurred  on  the  evening  of  Sept.  2y,  after  a  dry, 
hot  day.  Tlie  air  was  oppressive  all  day,  and  the  sky  wore  a  brassy, 
yellowish,  gloomy  apjiearance  increasing  as  the  sun  went  down.  In  the 
early  evening  clouds  rolled  uj)  over  the  sk}'  rapidly  and  threateningly; 
the  wind  blew  in  a  fierce  and  strange-sounding  gale;  it  was  dark,  but 
there  was  a  wild,  unusual  appearance  as  though  darkness  itself  were 
changed;  and  then  for  tvvo  full  hours  the  thunder  groaned  without  ceas- 
ing, and  the  lightning  flashed  continuouslp.  over  the  whole  heavens!  It 
was  fien^e  and  dreadful  in  the  extreme,  and  seemed  to  be  everywhere, 
above  and  below,  in  earth  and  sky  as  though  everything  were  aflame! 
The  amount  of  rain  was  great,  but  no  special  damage  was  done  in  this 
town  or  vicinity.  By  midnight  all  was  still  and  beautiful.  But  the 
alarm  to  many  people  was  not  of  the  kind  to  be  soon  forgotten. 

NEGROES    IN    FRAXCESTOWN. 

This  has  not  been  a  favorite  abode  for  our  friends  of  the 
colored  race,  though  in  all  cases  they  received  the  kindest  treat- 
ment here. 

■•Doctor""  (lai-k.  a  colored  man  of  some  local  note,  lived  in  a  small 
house  near  the  outlet  of  Pleasant  Pond.     He  had  a  white  wife. 

William  Haskell,  always  called  '^'Jack"  lived  in  the  northwest  part  of 
the  town.  II<'  also  had  a  white  wife.  A  son  of  Haskell  lived  with  Hon . 
Titus  Brown,  and  died  there  Xov.  8,  1830,  aged  23. 


SOMK    FIi:>ST    THINGS    IN    TOWN.  471 

George  Eobinson,  son  of  Harry  Robinson  of  New  Boston,  and  born 
in  that  town.  Avas  bi-ought  uji  to  manhood  by  John  Clark  of  Hancock; 
tlien  iivt'd  with  Hun.  William  Parker  of  this  town  the  rest  of  his  life, 
dying  SejDt.  14,  1S47,  aged  38. 

A  colored  family  lived  on  the  Xew  Boston  road  near  the  river  some 
foi-ty  rods  west  of  Phinehas  Kidder's.  The  name  was  Burroughs.  I 
remember  them  as  they  ajipeared  in  184(5,  when  I  was  a  small  boy,  and 
I  was  afraid  to  go  by  their  Jiouse.  The  wonaan  was  short  and  large  and 
fat,  and  Ijlaek  as  the  blackest,  and  was  the  first  negro  I  h.'id  ever  seen! 
Tliat  day  the  man  was  smoking  at  the  door,  and  the  woman,  with  none 
loo  many  clothes  on,  and  bare-headed,  sat  on  the  river-l)ank  fishing! 

SOME    FIKST    T11LN(;S    IN    TOWN. 

At  risk  of  some  repetition  a  few  of  these  may  lie  named  together 
here.  The  first  wagon  in  town,  a  soi't  of  ox-wagon,  was  bnmght  here, 
it  is  said,  by  Lariford  (Jilln'rt.  hut  no  date  can  be  given.  Butterfield's 
manuscript  say  "the  first  Buggy  Waggon  in  town  was  ])rought  from 
Conway  by  Amos  Batclielder  ct  sold  to  Samuel  Hodge."  Probably  he 
meant  the  first  riding  wagon. 

'I'hc  lirst  "Chaise"  in  town  wa.>  owned  by  Isaac  J.,i'wis,  though  tradi- 
tion say  that  'slohn  Manahan,  DuiTant,  Kingsbury  an<l  Moses  Bradford" 
made  haste  to  procure  them  as  soon  as  i)ossible,  and  tliev  became  (|uite 
common. 

The  '-tirst  top-buggy""  was  owned  by  Peter  Woodhni-y.  The  "lirst 
baiTei  of  flovir''  ever  known  in  Francestown  was  brought  here  by  Daniel 
Fuller.  The  "first  pendulum  clock""  in  town  was  owned  In'  Zachariah 
Whiting.  "Patty"  Faiicliild.  wlio  lived  at  Daniel  Fuller's  had  the  first 
Umbrella  &  was  laughed  at  by  tlio-r  wedded  to  the  ])ast.""  writes  Oliver 
Butterfield. 

The  first  bell  in  Francestown  (ISlO)  "was  lirst  sei'u  by  .Tohn  Patch 
and  first  tolled  for  him." 

DKKl'    SNOWS. 

Reference  has  been  made  on  preceding  pages  lo  deep  snows 
and  hard  winters  in  former  years.  An  ohl  inhabitant  makes 
the  following  statement : 

"Some  winters  in  old  No.  !),  (South  of  Driscoll  Hill)  about  all  there 
was  done  was  breaking  out  roads.  I  remember  one  winter  they 
shoveled  snow  every  fair  da3^  (Sundays  excepted)  for  three  weeks,  and 
not  a  horse  was  able  to  pass  over  the  road  but  once  in  that  time.  No 
walls  or  fences  were  to  be  seen.  It,  was  a  common  occurence  to  see 
drifts  from  ten  to  twenty  feet  high.  .  One  year  on  the  24th  of  April  the 
snow  was  so  deep  and  solid  that  Aaron  Draper  went  with  his  oxen  and 
sled  across  lots  between  four  and  live  miles,  got  a  load  of  hay,  and  re- 
turned the  same  way,  and  never  saw  a  wall  or  fence  on  the  journey!" 


47"2  TAX-PAYERS    OF    1890. 

Ill  this  "Old  No.  9,'*  tliere  was  then  a  thriving  popiihitioii. 
and  the  "old  school  house"  was  crowded  fnll  for  meetings  on 
Sabbath  evenings.  .  Now  the  whole  section  is  deserted,  "the 
old  school  house  was  long  since  converted  into  firewood,  the 
farms  are  all  abandoned,  and  siot  a  family  lives  in  all  the  neigh- 
borhood." 

FRANCKSTOWN    FAIR. 

A  great  "Cattle-sliow"  was  hold  in  tliis  town  Sept.  24  and  '25,  1S23, 
which  is  referred  to  in  tlic  annals  of  the  -town  for  that  year.  Also  a 
''Town  Fair"  Avas  held  in  the  village  Sat.  Oct.  11,  ISTU.  The  exhibition 
was  to  consist  of  all  sorts  of  live  stock,  crops,  flowers  and  fancy  articles, 
and  driving  matches  and  ra(;es  '-nsnal  at  fairs."  The  call  was  signed  by 
S.  B.  Ilodge.  President,  and  (t.  W.  Cummings,  Secretary.  It  was 
generally  spoken  of  as  a  "grand  success." 

TAX-PAYERS    IX    FR  AiSCESTOWX    1890. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  tax-payers  of  $4:0  or  more,  iiichid- 
ing  the  Precinct  Tax.  Tlie  first  column  shows  the  town  tax; 
the  second  sho\\s  tlie  'I'own  and  Precinct  taxes  united. 


Mrs.  Mary  E.  Atwood, 

??39.97 

!g;43.38 

Mrs.  Laurilla  H.  Balch. 

106.61 

Mason  H.  Balch, 

64.95 

80.29 

Augustus  H.  Bixby. 

35.88 

45.55 

Thomas  E.  Bixby. 

45.26 

55.29 

Thomas  E.  Bixby.  Trustee, 

.36.80 

46.72 

Jennie  M.  Bradford, 

.  43.13 

54.29 

Hiram  P.  Clark, 

88.32 

Ephraim  AV.  Colburn, 

37.19 

44.27 

Edward  W.  Dodge, 

48.00 

Samuel  D.  Downes, 

49.57 

62.08 

George  E.  Downes, 

63.14 

80.16 

Amasa  Downes, 

145.87 

183.96 

George  A.  Duncklee. 

42.18 

Mary  B.  Farnum, 

63.25 

76.27 

Samuel  L.  Felch, 

56.58 

First  National  Bank, 

171.63 

217.89 

Francestown  Soapstone  Co., 

346.73 

350.76 

Fred  H.  Hopkins, 

57.16 

William  A.  Loi'd, 

54.92 

JoseiDli  S.  Manahan, 

60.56 

John  G.  Morse, 

53.00 

Hiram  Patch, 

145.59 

175.54 

B.  Oliver  Pettee, 

S47.79 

William  K.  Sawyer, 

50.95 

Frank  B.  Starrett, 

47.77 

Charles  A.  Yose, 

.39.33 

B.  Waclleigh, 

80.50 

Charles  0.  P.  Wells, 

47.45 

Nathaniel  Whiting, 

.   57.50 

James  T.  Woodbury, 

.39.15 

BIG 

STORIES. 

BIG    STORIES.  4-73 

64.68 
49..31 

49.70 


A  lumdred  years  ago  it  was  common  at  evening  gatherings  around 
the  roaring  fires  to  tell  of  marvelous  exploits  and  fabulous  strength. 
The  men  who  "talk  large"  are  not  all  dead  yet,  but  in  the  days  when 
there  was  no  evening  newspaper  and  all  news  came  by  word  of  mouth, 
it  is  not  strange  that  there  should  be  exaggerations.  And  if  there  was 
as  much  growth  for  every  telling  as  at  the  present  day,  the  wildest 
statements  could  be  accounted  for.  In  those  times  there  were  hair- 
breadth escapes  and  heroic  achievements  of  the  most  startling  kind  that 
were  real,  and  there  was  no  lack  of  honest  material  for  the  storj^  teller; 
but  many  liked  to  enlarge  upon  fact  by  various  impossible  additions  of 
their  own.  It  is  related  that  at  a  certain  husking  there  was  a  bet  as  to 
which  of  two  men  could  tell  the  most  fabulous  story.  After  relating 
various  feats  which  were  not  decisive,  one  of  them  said  that  when  he 
was  young  he  Avas  so  active  that  he  could  take  a  twenty-foot  ladder  and, 
with  nothing  for  it  to  lean  against,  he  could  set  it  up  perpendicular  in 
the  open  field,  and  go  up  one  side  of  it  and  down  the  other  side  before 
the  ladder  would  have  time  to  fall!  The  other,  admitting  all  this, 
declared  that  in  his  better  days  he  helped  raise  a  meeting  house,  and 
after  the  frame  was  up  he  ran  on  the  top  of  the  ridge-pole  the  whole 
length  and  five  jj«ce.s  off  the  end,  and  then  turned  round  and  ran  back! 
This  last  took  the  prize,  but  the  name  of  the  hero  is  not  given! 

Butterfield's  manuscript  says  as  a  matter  of  fact  that  "Lessley  & 
Montgomery  on  a  Bet  cut  16  cords  of  wood  in  one  day  between  sun  & 
sun,  on  Samuel  Hodges  land  N  W  of  the  Village,"  and  that  Joseph 
Butterfield  (his  own  brother)  cut  "7  cords  in  the  Avoods"  in  one  day. 
These  last  statements  are  well  attested  and  show  the  almost  incredible 
power  and  endurance  of  the  fathers  of  the  town.     Surely  they  could 


THE    SCOTCH. 

As  the  first  settlers  of  this  town  were  Scotch,  and  as  many  of  the 
present  inhabitants  have  this  blood  in  their  veins,  it  may  not  be  out  of 
place  to  add  a  few  words  touching  the  prominence  of  this  race  at  the 
present  day.  It  is  said  that  the  Scotch  are  ruling  England,  and  indeed 
the  whole  British  emj^ire.  Gladstone  is  the  son  of  a  Scot.  The  Gover- 
nor-General of  Canada  is  a  Scot.     The  Governor-General  of  Australia 


474  OLD    CELLAES. 

is  a  Scot.  The  British  Minister  of  State.  Lord  Kosebery*  is  a  Scot. 
And  every  where  the  Scotchman  conies  to  the  front.  Five  Presidents 
of  the  United  States  were  of  Scotch  race,  Jackson,  Polk,  Buchanan, 
Arthur  and  Gen.  Grant.  About  half  of  all  the  American  Congressmen 
since  the  foundation  of  our  government  have  had  Scotch  blood  in  their 
veins,  (rlory  to  cragiiv.  romantic,  little  Scotland. — small  in  area,  mighty 
in  inllueiicel 

OLD    CKLI.AKS. 

There  arc  ill)  --old  Cellar  Holes"'  in  town.  About  \'>  of  these  are  on 
farms  wher(>  new  houses  have  been  built  in  Jx-tter  situations;  but  about 
7'>  of  them  indicate  deserted  homes  and  families  lost  to  the  town.  Some 
of  thi'se  families  were  lirrtkcn  up  by  death,  liut  most  of  iliein  moved 
into  cities,  oi'  went  west.. and  exerted  intlueiices  foi-  e(lucatit)n  and 
religion  wliei-e\-er  they  located,  "^'et  one  saddens  ;il  the  sight  of  these 
silent  reminders  of  happy  households  gone,  of  throngs  of  laughing  child- 
ren that  return  no  more,  and  of  scenes  of  rural  peace  and  happiness, 
where  oidy  the  worn  hearthstone  now  remains  in  place! 

P.ANKS. 

.V  >latemeiil  <()ncenuiig  these  is  given  on  pages  4(l4.  and  4().''».  init  a 
chip  or  two  may  be  thrown  inhere.  Tlu' Cashier  makes  this  statement : 
••During  the  -27  years  of  the  existence  of  the  National  Bank  it  never 
raile(l  to  pay  a  semi-ainiual  dividend:  and  during  that  jieriod  paid  its 
stockholders  divideiuls  to  the  amount  of  .^202, .500. 00. 

Since  going  into  li(iuidatif)n  it  has  paid  to  its  share-holders  .^llo  per 
siiare  on  a  par  value  of  ."^lOO.  and  a  further  dividend  will  be  })aid  before 
this  volume  appears." 

In   1SS7  iinother  Chartei'  was  granted  by  th-  State  for  a  Bank  to  be 
known   as  the    ••Francestown   Bank."     It  was   said  the  object  was  t(N 
guard  against  the  "possil)le  averse  action  of  an  incoming  administra- 
tion."   This  Bank  has  been  organized,  but  has  not  yet  commenced  doing 
business.     Its  present  Board  of  Directors  are. 

Mortimer  L.  Morrison. 
George  S.  Peavey. 
Hiram  Patch. 
Geo.  W.  Farrer. 
Hiram  1'.  Clark. 
Charles  F.  Peavey. 
Geo.  W.  Cummings. 

*  Since  promoted  to  be  Premier  of  the  British  Empire. 


GENEALOGIES 


C  ^ATLGX^  J^,   fyi/ATOT^ 


PREFACE   TO   GENEALOGIES. 


In  preparing  the  following  fragments  of  family  histories,  we  have 
adopted  the  convenient  and  comprehensive  method  of  arrangement 
found  in  the  History  of  Antrim,  it  being  original  with  the  author  of 
that  work.  When  it  has  been  possible  we  have  introduced  each  family 
record  by  an  extended  sketch  of  the  American  and  of  even  the  foreign 
ancestry  of  the  family,  together  with  its  special  claims  upon  the  his- 
torian and  the  biographer.  By  far  the  larger  number  of  these  sketches 
have  been  compiled  from  material  collected  by  us  and  by  us  for  the  first 
time  prepared  for  publication. 

As  far  as  has  been  practicable,  we  have  dwelt  at  length  upon  the 
career  of  each  early  settler,  hoping  thereby  to  make  each  in  a  sense  a 
historic  character,  and  to  give  information  of  value  to  his  descendants, 
and  perchance,  to  excite  their  worthy  emulation. 

We  have  found  the  memory  of  the  average  individual  no  more  reliable 
than  our  own,  and  we  have  been  made  to  realize  that  records  however 
elaborately  kept  are  but  the  handiwork  of  humanity,  but  we  trust  that 
the  grevious  errors  of  the  recorder  and  the  thousand  and  one  conflict- 
ing statements  that  have  jeopardized  the  authenticity  of  our  work  have 
been  adjusted  by  us  with  a  good  degree  of  correctness  and  with  slight 
disparagment  of  should-be  authorities. 

During  our  labors  we  have  found  many  valuable  co-workers  and 
helpers.  The  citizens  of  the  town  though  they  have  not  in  every  in- 
stance distinguished  themselves  as  genealogists  have  cheerfully  and 
courteously  rendered  assistance,  much  of  which  we  have  acknowledged 
elsewhere. 

Of  the  many  in  other  localities  who  have  been  of  service  to  us,  we 
will  mention;  John  Ward  Dean  of  the  iJi^ew  England  Historical  Genea- 
logical Society,  Boston,  Mass.;  Don  Gleason  Hill,  Dedham,  Mass.; 
Francis  H.  Fuller,  Boston;  Rev.  W.  H.  Eaton,  Nashua;  Hon.  Charles 
Levi  Woodbury,  Boston;  Mr.  Huntoon,  historian  of  Canton,  Mass.; 
R..  W.  Woodbury,  Denver,  Col.;  W.  Tracy  Eustis,  Boston;  J.  G.  Cram, 
Boston;  Rev.  Moses  Bradford  Boardman,  Xew  Britain,  Ct. ;  G.  B.  Balch, 
Yonkers,  N.  Y. ;  Joseph  P.  Smith,  Columbus,  O.;  Josiah  S.  Duncklee, 
Boston;  George  W.  Fisher,  Boscawen;  S.  P.  Sharpies,  Boston;  Philip 
A.  Fisher,  San  Francisco,  Cal.;  Mrs.  Fanny  Fisher,  Reed's  Ferry;  John 
C.  Nutting,  Northfield,  Minn.;  Mrs.  W.  H.  Farnham,  Lowell,  Mass.; 
L.  S.  Fairbanks,  Esq.,  Boston;  D.  H.  Gowing,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. ;  Otis 
Pettee,  Newton  Upper  Falls,  Mass. 


478  PKEFACE    TO    (JENExVLOGlES.    ' 

It  has  been  our  purpose  to  include  oul\-  as  nmch  of  family  rcc-ords  a?; 
were  necessary  to  make  mention  of  only  those  individuals  who  have 
been  identified  with  this  town;  but  it  has  been  our  purpose  to  insert  a 
creditable  sketch  of  every  family  regardless  of  social  presfige  or  a  dearth 
of  it.  Indeed  families  that  have  not  for  thi-ee  fourths  of  :i  century  had 
a  living  representative  in  Francestown  have  been  made  the  snlijects  of 
genuine  interest  and  of  persistent  and  successful  search. 

The  work  of  preparing  these  genealogies  for  tlie  pul)lic  has  i)ct'U  in- 
teresting to  us,  but  truly  arduous  and  necessarily  protracted,  since  the 
early  records  were  imperfectly  kept,  and  the  town  once  had  a  numerous 
people  whose  descendants  are  found  irlicn  found  in  almost  every  part  of 
the  continent  and  perhaps  of  the  jjlanet. 

The  following  family  names  are  given  alphabetically  and  no  index  is 
required.  It  will  be  ol)served  that  in  making  mention  of  the  heads  of 
families,  their  children  and  grandchildren,  those  of  the  /?"/'.s';  generation 
liorn  in  this  town  or  coming  hei-e  at  an  early  age,  are  numbered,  and 
that  whatever  information  is  given  concerning  them,  including  the 
names  of  children  is  inclosed  in  brackets,  but  the  names  of  the  children 
are  printed  in  Italirx  and  what  is  said  of  them  follows  in  parenthesis,  all 
as  a  matter  of  course  being  within  the  brackets. 

AVe  have  used  a  few  abbreviations,  b.  for  born,  m.  for  married,  d.  for 
died.  res.  for  resides  or  resided.  Every  effort  possible  has  been  made 
to  present  every  thing  as  plainly  as  the  too  often  intricate  contributions 
of  reputed  facts  would  permit. 

W  .   1{.   COCHRANE. 
GEORGE  K.   WOOD. 


ERRATA, 


Page  480.   Foi-  -Mrs.    John    Suriniiifrton/'  I'ead  -Mrs.   Jolm 
Swiiiingtoii." 
'•       538,   Foi'    -^veuiilla   H.    Bi'adfoid.""   read    -Lauiilla    H. 
Bradford." 
553.   For  ''Bulner."  read  ^'Bulwei-.'" 

621,   For  •'■Leon  L.  .luukins"  read   ••Leon  L.   .lenkins." 
-       641,  For  ••1723."  read  -1823." 

641,  For  -'a  little  latter"  read  a  ••little  later." 

642.  For  ••commdore  of  the  Potomac"  and  ••conimande]- 

of  the  Potomac." 
808.  For  ••Can  Moiie,"  read  ••C'anmore." 
808.  For  but  ^'begins  with    Gillicattan  Moi."  read    '^nit 

here  beg-ins  with  (jillicatan  Moi." 
815,  For    ••Sally  daughter    of     Eunice    (Dane)  Colby." 
read  '^Sally  daughter  of     John  and    Eunice 
(Dane)  Colby." 
•^862,  For '•Of  the    affectiveness."   read    -Of  the    effective- 
ness." 
In    twelfth    line  (Fifth)  should  be  inseited    before    the 
name  ••Mary  Alice." 
To  be  added  to  the    list  of  college    graduates  from  Fiances- 
town.      David  C.  Smith.  Dartmouth  College.  1813. 


GENEALOGIES. 


ABBOTT. 


B?:XJAMIN  S.  ABBOTT  came  to  this  town  from  Montville,  Maine, 
Jan.  1,  l.S(j2,  and  pnrchasefl  the  Mark  Dean  farm  in  the  northwestern 
l)arl  of  the  town,  where  he  now  resides.  Tlis  father  was  p^benezer  Ab- 
bott a  native  and  life  h)nii'  resident  of  Xorth  Heading.  Mass.;  his 
mother's  maiden  name  was  J3etsy  Swain,  she  was  also  a  native  of  North 
Beading.  Benjamin  S.  Abbott  was  born  in  North  Reading,  Apr.  19, 
1812,  he  married  1st,  Harriet  Qnigley  of  Francestown,  Apr.  19,  1839, 
■2nd,  Eunice  TJ.  Richardson.  Aj)!-.  19, 18.")1.  She  was  born  at  Middleton, 
Mt'..  Mar.  20,  1820.  Mr.  .Vl)b()tt  is  a  man  of  good  standing  and  an  in- 
dustrious farmer.     Child  by  1st  marriage  was: — 

1.  Benjamin  F..    [b.  at  North  Keading,  Mass..  July  18.  1847, 

IV..  Etta  F.  Palmer,  of  Xaslnni.  Oct.  20.  1875.  d.  at  Nashua. 

Sept.  14,  1877.] 

By  second  marriage  Avere: — 

2.  Harriet  Q.,  [b.  at  North  Beading,  Feb.  18. 1852.  m.  Charles 

J.  Burdetf  of  North  Reading,  .July  18.  1874.  res.  at  North 
Reading.] 
o.  Samuel  R..    [b.  at  North   Reading.  Se))t.  17,  1858,  res.  in 
Francestown.] 

4.  Mary    C,    [b.   at    Montville.   Me..    Jan.    10..  1858,  res.  at 

Francestown.] 

5.  Martha  C.   [b.  at  Montville,  Me..    Jan.  10.  1858.  d.  at 

Francestown.  July  12,  1887.] 
«>.  Sarah  E.,  [b.  at  Montville.  Me.,  July  20.  1851).  d.  at  Mont- 
ville, May  5.  18t)0.] 

Rev.  ANDREW  JACKSON  AliJUJTT  was  born  in  Indiana  in  18.31, 
and  married  Sarah  x\.nn  Cummings  of  Bracken  Co.,  Ky.,  in  1855.  His 
father  was  Rev.  Benjamin  Abbott  a  native  of  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  who 
entered  the  Ministry  at  the  age  of  18  years  and  was  a  pioneer  preacher 
and  circuit  rider  in  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Kentucky.  For  seven  years  he 
was  Presiding  Elder  in  the  Cnited  Brethren  Church,  and  was  a  fearless 
Abolitionist  in  the  days  of  mobs  and  liolitical  frenzy  "along  the  border." 
He  was  the  son  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Abbott,  the  famous  Methodist  re- 


480  GENEALOGIES. 

vivalist  and  organizer.  Eev.  Andrew  Jackson  Abbott  is  a  veteran  of  the 
War  of  the  Kebellion.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  soldier,  in  Co.  B, 
o9th  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  promoted  to  Corporal.  He  was 
afterward  hospital  steward  and  later  served  as  chaplain  and  recruiting 
officer  (without  commission.)  He  was  for  three  years  in  the  department 
of  the  Cumberland,  and  participated  in  seven  battles,  and  marched,  on 
foot  over  five  states.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  in  18G4. 
He  was  educated  at  Delaware,  Ohio,  University,  in  1867,  and  has  since 
devoted  himself  to  his  profession.  He  came  to  Franpestown  in  1887  as 
pastor  of  the  Union  Congregational  Church.  Mr.  Abbott  is  a  public 
spirited  and  helpful  citizen,  a  preacher,  strong  and  earnest  in  his  con- 
victions and  unquestionably  entertains  practical  rather  than  sentimental 
religious  truths.  He  has  two  sons  who  are  also  in  the  ministiy,  and  one 
daughter,  Mrs.  John  Surivington. 

ADAMS. 

JAMES  ADAMS  doubtless  from  oSTew  Boston  lived  a  few  years  on  the 
Patch  farm.  His  house,  the  cellar  of  which  is  still  to  be  seen  was  hardly 
more  than  a  settler's  cabin.  Little  is  known  of  his  family  but  it  is  sup- 
posed that  his  wife  was  a  sister  of  Peter  Christie  who  also  lived  upon 
the  Patch  farm.  Two  of  his  children  were  buried  in  the  old  cemetery 
in  the  village  in  the  year  1777,  and  in  May  1782  he  buried  a  third  child 
in  the  same  yard.  He  removed  to  the  northern  part  of  New  Boston 
where  he  died. 

JAMES  ADAMS  said  to  have  been  the  son  of  James  of  Francestown 
and  Xew  Boston  married  tirst  Annie  Clark  of  New  Boston  second  Har- 
riet Downes  of  Francestown,  Sept.  20,  1848.  He  lived  a  number  of 
years  in  the  small  house  in  which  Mrs.  Jones  spent  her  last  days.  Here 
he  died  .July  26,  1852,  aged  67  years. 

AIKEN. 

CHARLE:S  H.  AIKEN  came  here  in  1888,  from  Greenfield.  He  is 
the  son  of  Joseph  M.  and  Adeline  M.  (Hopkins)  Aiken.  The  former 
was  born  in  Deering  and  the  latter  was  a  native  of  Francestown. 
Charles  H.  Aiken  was  born  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  June  5, 18.5.3.  Esther 
Copeland,  to  whom  he  was  married  Dec.  1,  1884,  was  born  at  East 
Boston,  Mass.,  May  20,  1860;  being  the  daughter  of  George  S.  and 
Elizabeth  (Jones)  Copeland  of  Liverpool,  England.  Mr.  Aiken  has, 
during  his  residence  here,  occupied  the  Thomas  E.  Taylor  place  in  Mill 
Village,  having  succeeded  Mr.  Taylor  in  the  business  of  drawing  soap- 
stone  from  the  ciuarry  to  Greenfield.  He  is  a  square  dealing  man  of 
few  idle  moments  evidently  believing  a  close  attention  to  his  vocation 
and  the  interests  of  his  family  to  be  of  paramount  importance.  His 
children  are: — 


ALCOTT.  481 

1.  Ethel  May.  [h.  at  (Ireeiilield.  Juii  L  1886] 

2.  Ella  Celia  [b.  at  (xreentield,  Jan.  2,  1887.] 

8.   William  Hopkins.  [1).  at  Erancestown.  Aug.  6,  1889.] 

FRED  J.  AIKEN  is  a  y<)uu.a,er  brother  of  Charles  \I.  Aiken.  He 
was  born  at  Cambridiie,  Mass.,  Sept.  30,  1858.  He  came  here  from 
Greenfield  in  ISiJO,  and  has  since  then  occupied  the  Spauldiug  cottage 
in  the  village.  He  is  engaged  witli  his  brother  in  his  business  and  is 
also  a  man  of  good  fstanding  and  practical  industry.  He  married  Jan. 
•24,  1888,  Minnie  S.  73rooks,  daughter  of  Frank  and  Persis  (Dolliver) 
Brooks  of  Greentield.  She  was  liorn  in  that  town,  Nov.  17.  18ri8. 
Their  children  are : — 

1.  Harry  Brooks,  [b.  at  Everett,  Mass..  Jan.  3,  1890.] 

2.  Persis  Adeline,  [1).  at  Erancestown,  Apr.  1,  1892.] 

MATTHEW  AIKEN  lived  about  one  year  on  the  Felch  place.  His 
wife  was  Margaret  Quigle}',  daughter  of  Thomas  Quigley  of  this  town. 
He  was  killed  doubtless  in  the  summer  of  1771  by  a  falling  tree  while 
at  work  in  the  forest.  His  widow  was  a  resident  of  this  town  many 
years.     She  died  here  Dec.  3,  ISKi. 

WILLIAM  AIKEN  was  in  1772.  elected  tithingnian  in  Francestown. 

ALCOTT. 

Mks.  ABBY  ALCOTT  came  to  thi.s  town  fiom  Lowell,  Mass.,  in 
18(50.  She  was  the  widow  of  Gilman  Alcott.  who  was  born  in  Goffs- 
town,  April  28,  1811.  and  died  at  Lowell,  Mass.,  Sept.  11,  1858.  She 
inai-ried  Mr.  Alcott.  April  28.  1840.  Her  maiden  name  was  Langdell. 
she  was  boi'u  in  Monl  Vernon,  ^lai-.  (5.  1823,  and  was  a  sister  of  Mrs. 
Daniel  Ordway  of  this  town.  She  occupied  the  house  now  owned  by 
II.  P.  Downes  near  the  Greenfield  road  on  the  south-western  border  of 
the  vihage.  This  house  was  built  for  her  by  Mr.  Isachar  Dodge ;  Here 
she  lived  seven. years  and  then  returned  to  Lowell  where  she  died,  July 
10,  1884.     Her  children  were:— 

1.   Lucy  A.,  [b.  at  Lowell.  Mass..  Jan.  30.  1812.  d.  at  Lowell. 

Jttly  15.  1842.] 
2;   Albert  (L,    [b.  at  Mont  Vernon.  June  21.  1843.  was  by 

occtipation  a  merchant's  clerk,  d.  at  Lowell.  Nov.  20.  1880.] 

3.  Arabella  CL.  [1).  at  Mont  Vernon.  Aug.  7,  1845.  was  a 

dressmaker,  d.  at  Lowell,  Apr.  28,  1880.] 

4.  Lucy   A.,  [b.  at  Lowell,  Mar.  7,  1848,  m.  Sidney   M.  81iat- 

tuck  of  Erancestown,  (Jet.  20,1870,  resided  at  Swam})scott. 
Mass..  where  she  died  Dec.  12.  1881.] 


4s2  (t?:neal(k;iks. 

.").  Ai!i!V  v..  [1).  at  Lowell.  Jniu-  lii.  1,S51.  in.  .loliii  \\  Greg- 
ware  of  Sliay.ei-.  N.  V..  Oct.  1  :i.  18()li.  les.  at  X.  Billerica. 
Mass. 

1).  (iK(»i;(;K  W'..  [1).  at  Lowell.  No\.  7.  1  S.")S.  m.  Louisa  Hosnier 
of  Low  I'll,  .iiiiic  IT.  188i',  les.  ai  Lowell,  and  is  in  the  tire 
(iepartineiit  (tf  that  city.] 

7.    Liz/IK  I)..   [I).  Sept.  7.  ISoCi.  res.  at  ("iielmsfoid.  Mass.] 

S.  |-'i;ank  L..  [1..  al  Low-ell.  Feh.  S.  1  S.V.t.  d.  .at  Lowell.  Aug. 
±  1  S.V.t.] 

ALKX  AM)KI{. 

DON  P.  AI.KXANDKl!  w  a>  l.eiii  at  (.ralloii.  \l..  S.].!.  :..  ls;;4.  and 
ni:in-i(Ml  l]v>\ .  ()(|.  1."..  ISC.d.  Martha  Clciiiciil.  ot  lIinUuii.  She  died 
.Iiiiic  Hi.  is;  I.  ;ii  |',ri>i.)l.  N.  II..  jiiid  lie  niari-ir<l  sicoiid  Eniilic  .V. 
George.  .Iiiiic  •_'•_'.  lS7o.  she  was  Ikh'Ii  al  ClieNea.  \'l..  .V])!'.  'J.  IS'JD. 
Mi-.  .Mtxaiiih'i-  i>  hy  ii-adc  a  luai-hiiiisi .  He  cainc  lici-e  ahoiit  liir  year 
|S7'>.  mid  li\fd  n  siioi-l  time  on  llic  lin'd  S;i\vyci'  phice  and  aflrrward  <>h 
llif  .\>a  I)ii<fL;f  place.  He  i-rniovcd  to  N;i.--Iina  whci'c  he  now  i-csidc>. 
II  i^  children  :  — 

1.   (  ii.\i;i.i;s    !)..[]).    at    liristol.    .\Lli.    ■!■):  ISC.:;.    ni.    Delia    F. 

W'lieelock    of    l*'raiicfstow  II.    ()ct.    !<•.    LSS:!.   d.  al  (  liester. 

\\..  Oct.  :::'..  1SS4.] 
,      -2.    .\L\i;i:i,    L..    r|,.   ai    I'.iisiol.   June  'I'A.  iSiiC.  ni.  .Ian.  1.  1881>. 

(ieoi-o'e   K.  .lacksoii.  of  Kostdii.   a    \ei\     proinisiiio'   nieinlter 

of  the  lenal  profession,  fes.  at  Xasjiiia.] 
;>.    William    (i..    \\).  at    l>i-istol.   .Ian.  M.  1S7<».  is  a  machinist. 

res.  at   Loston.  Mass.] 
4.    Fannik  4'..  [h.  at   Lristol.  .\Liy  i!4.  1S74.  <l.  at  IJi'istol.  Sept. 

1874.] 
.").    K'.\  ruiMN.v.  [1).  at  FrancestoM  n.  Dec.  111.  I.s7t>.  d.  at   Fraiiees- 

town.  Mch.  1.  lS7;t.] 
(i.    IL\L'\'KA'  L..  [1).  r.t  Fraiiceslow  n.  ()cl.  17.  1S78.  res.  with  his 

parents  at  Xashua. 

llOliKKT  .VM-:X.\M)KI{  settled  here  in  1771.  Imi  did  not  long 
remain  in  town. 

.VLLDS. 

•I.VMKS  .VLL]»S  d.  here  .Ian.  I'J.  17114.  a.^ed  ;;4.  He  pruhably  came 
here  from  Peterboru"  and  was  a  conuectiuii  of  (apt.  \\'illiam  .Vlld>.  a 
Seotchnian.  wlio  settled  in  the  north  part  of  that  town  in    177.^.      Proh- 


AMKs.   ANi)Ei;s(»N.  4S:5 

;ilil\    nlso    lie    was    latin  r    t>i'    .ioliii    Allds  dt'    Aiitriiu.  whose  lallur  was 
••.lamos  Allfis  of  I'tMcrlioro'.'"  of  wliom  nolliiiiL;' t'ui'llici- conhl  !»<■  Icai'iicil. 

AMES. 

1)AN1P]I>  AMES  cniHi'  licre  from  Lvn<U'hoi-o'  in  ISlWl.  [Iv  was  twice 
tnaiTied:  his  first  Avifc  was  IJctsoy  Jaqiiith.  of  (ii'eenlield.  Slie  dici  in 
this  town.  Mch.  20.  \X(\4.  His  second  wife  was  Mi-s.  .loaiina  Moiiiaii 
of  Wilton.  She  now  i-esidos  in  (Treenlield.  Her  dan^htci-.  Minnie  A.. 
was  horn  at  Wihon.  Fell.  2o-,  lSo7.  m.  Fred  \\ .  Tehhetts  of  llerwick. 
Me..  .Mar.  11.  IKHO.  res.  at  AVilton.  Daniel  .^nies  died  in  this  town, 
.lime  4.  1S!77.  aucd  77  years.      \]\<  children  wei-e: — 

1.    D.VMKL.  [died  in  J>ynd(^l)oi-()".] 

li.    IIattv.  [died  yomiu'.] 

:').   (tK(>i;(;k.  [was  ))oni  Indorc  tlu'  I'aiiiily  caine  To  Fraiicest()\\n. 

'  He   JiiiiiTied   1st.    .\iiiiie    l'(d»iiis(ni.    in    1S70.      She  died  in 

Aug".  187-).      He  reiiiitvtMl  to  ()akhit)(l.  (al..  and  niiirried  a 

second    \Ait'e.      He   died  at  ()aklaiMi.    leaxiiiL;'    Iwd   children 

(by  second  nntrriao'e  ). 

ANDKKSON. 

JOHN  ANI)E1?S()X.  a  whipmakei'.  came  heri-  from  1  )eerin!.;  and  lived 
many  years  in  tln'  northern  part  of  the  town.  lli>  home  for  (|nite  a 
period  was  the  Dinsmore  place.  He  also  lived  in  the  {''armer  house 
"below  (iibsoirs"'  The  shop  in  which  he  worked  stood  l)esi(le  the  turnpike 
near  the  (iihsoii  tav(!rn.  Me  was  the  son  of  Jolui  Andei'son  who  was  of 
English  descent,  and  believed  by  many  to  have  been  an  ennurain  from 
li^ngland.  The  wife  of  .John  of  Fraiicestown  was  l-;iiza  Eckfeldt.  a 
native  of  Philadelphia.  She  died  in  this  town.  .\pr.  -Jd.  1S41.  aiicd  '>'2. 
He  died  at  .Vlstead  leaving;-  a  lar^e  family:  we  have  the  iiame>  of 
several  of  his  (diildren:   they  were: 

1.  William    K..    [d.  in    Franeestown.  .Inne  Id.  1  S:-;,S.  aoed  >>0 

years.] 

2.  Ann  Maegaretta.  [d.  in  Alstead.  July  lii.  1887.] 

o.   John  B..  [married  and  had  two  sons.  Cornelius  a-nd   Jaeoh. 

hoth  of  \ylioni  died  yomio'.      He  died  in  New  York.] 
4.  Jacom.  [d.  at  Bostoit,  Mass.] 
.").   Geokge,  [d.  at  Boston,  Mass.] 
ti.   Elizabeth  S..  [married  Charles  H.  Ntitt  of  Xaslnia.  died  at 

Nashua  in  the  Fall  of  1888.] 
7.  Sterling  Ci..    [b.  at   Philadelphia.   Mar.  18.  isl.j.  m.  1st. 

Harriet  Cooke  of  Alstead.  2nd.  Kate    E.   Nntt   of  Nashna. 


484  (;i;.\EAi>()(4iKs. 

was  a  carpenter  by  trade  but  for  luaiiy  years  kej)t  a  hotel 
in  Alstead  where  he  died  in  1883.] 

8.  Julia  M.,  [d.  at  Alstead.  Api-.  9,  1893.] 

9.  Augustus,  [married  twice;  his  second  wife  was  Abbie  Sher- 

bnrn  of  Boston.  .  He  was  in  the  grocery  Imsiness  in  Boston. 
})]-cvi()us  to  the  year  1849,  when  he  removed  to  C-alifornia, 
when  after  a  few  j^ears  spent  in  the  mines  he  engaged  in 
farming.  We  are  informed  that  his  widow  still  lives  in 
Oakland,  C'al. 

ANDREWS. 

PUTNAM  BRADFORD  xVNDREWS,  son  of  Daniel  and  Hannah 
(Dodge)  x\ndrews  of  Xew  Boston  was  born  in  that  town,  July  17, 1822. 
His  wife  was  Ann  Kidder  of  Francestown,  to  whom  he  was  married 
May  4,  1847.  In  which  year  the  buildings  on  the  place  now  occupied 
by  his  widow  and  son  Mason,  were  built  for  him  by  Phineas  C.  Kidder. 
He  was  a  straightforward  farmer,  who  troul)led  himself  little  with 
public  affairs.  He  died  at  his  residence  July  11,  1801.  His  children 
were  born  on  the  homestead.     They  are:  — 

1.  Allen  B.,  [b.  Jan.  29.  1850,  m.  Etta  Preston,  of  Lowell, 

Mass.,  ]'es.  at  Nashua.] 

2.  Samuel  O.,    [b.  Sept.  26.  1855,  m.  Vesta  (Tucker)  Albro. 

of  l^oston.  res.  at  Francestown.] 

3.  Mason,  [b.  Sept.  26,  1859.  is  unmarried,  lives  on  the  home 


place.] 


ARMOR. 


ANDREW  ARMOR  d.  here  1790.  Proliably  he  came  here  from 
Windham;  was  son  of  Sanuiel;  was  of  Scotch  race;  was  b.  about  17.35; 
lived  in  Francestown  but  a  short  time;  had  several  daughters,  and  one 
son.  Gawn,  Gawin,  or  Gauin,  b.  in  Windham,  Deo.  10, 1765,  whose  name 
is  found  among  the  non-resident  tax-payers  for  several  years.  Andrew 
Armor  was  doubtless  the  first  settler  on  tbe  Belle  place  in  what  is  now 
Bennington. 

AT  WOOD. 

Dk.  MOSES  AT^^'OOD,  was  born  in  Pclham.  Apr.  (i.  1801.  His 
father  was  Paul  Atwood,  born  in  Bradford,  Mass.,  Mar.  30.  17(i4,  mai- 
ried  Judith  Stickney  in  Lyndeboro'  in  1810,  long  resided  at  Xortli 
Lyndeboro"  wbere  he  died  Oct.  20, 1852.  The  father  of  Paul  was  .Joshua 
Atwood    born    at    Bradford.   Mass.,   Doc.    3,    1724.    married   ^Mebitablc 


ATWOOl).  4(S.') 

Seavey  of  Newbury,  Mass.,  died  at  Pelham,  July  H,  1809.  His  I'atlier 
Joshua  Aiwood.  died  July  18,  1783,  aged  ninety  years.  Dr.  Atwood 
began  the  practice  of  medicine  at  North  Lyndeboro"  in  1827,  soon 
removed  to  Deering,  and  in  1829  came  to  Francestown.  His  i^raclice 
was  allopathic  until  1841,  when  he  studied  homeopathy  with  Dr.  Gregg 
of  Boston  and  was  the  first  Americav  to  practice  homeopathy  in  this 
State  and  the  fentli  in  New  England.  He  removed  to  Concord  in  18.')7 
where  his  health  became  impaired  under  his  excessive  labors,  and  lie 
I'etired  to  New  Boston  where  he  died  .\pr.  28.  1850.  His  first  home  in 
this  town  was  in  the  family  of  Daniel  Lewis.  He  afterward  lived  in  the 
house  now  owned  by  E.  K.  Batchelder  in  the  village.  He  was  a  man 
of  excellent  character  and  a  physician  of  superior  skill.  He  married 
first  Mary  daughter  of  Daniel  Lewis,  Nov.  24,  1835,  second  Julia  Ann 
Chickering  of  .Vmherst.  May  •").  184(>.     Only  child. 

1.  Luther  Faklioy.  [1).  at  Francestown.  .July  4.  1837.  resided 
ill  Francestown.  Ilenniker  and  Manchester.  \\'as  ])\  occu- 
pation a  fanner  and  school-ieaclier.  lie  was  intellig'ent  and 
social  and  ^\■as  a  man  trusted  and  well  reo'arded  in  liis 
nal'ive  town.  Axlieie  he  kino-  Ulled  the  oHice  of  town-iderk. 
He  married  Mary  Eliza  (rilman,  Jan.  1.  1SG2.  He  died 
at  Francestown.  jS'ov.  22.  1885.  His  widow  remo\  ed  from 
town  in  1891.  and  no^^•  resides  at  Mancliester.  Chihh'en 
born  at  Francesiowii.  were: — 
Nellie  iMari/.  ( b.  Feb.  IT.  18(58.  is  a  school-teacher  at  Man- 
chester. 
Fred  Le/ctH,  (1).  xVno'.  11.  18()T.  is  employed  as  a  book-keeper 
at  Manchester.)] 

DAVID  ATWOOD,  brother  of  Dr.  Moses  Atwood,  was  l)orn  at  Pel- 
ham,  July  22,  1708.  He  came  to  Francestown,  about  the  year  1836  and 
lived  on  the  farm  in  the  south  pai'l  of  the  town  now  beld  liy  Solomon 
Avery  and  his  son  Alvin.  lie  removed  to  Manchester,  but  returned  to 
Francestown  in  18r)8.  and  lived  in  ibe  house  in  the  village  now  owned 
by  William  Butterlield.  He  was  by  occupation  a  tanner  a  currier  and  a 
farmer.  He  mari'ied  1st.  Martha  Oampbell  of  Windliam.  Nov.  1S22. 
2ilii,  Prudentia  (Peed)  (iilman  of  Lowell,  May  5,  IS.')!').  He  died  at 
Francestown,  Oct.  2.  1S74.  His  second  wife  died  in  tliis  (dwn.  .luue 
.'•O.  1885,  aged  64  years.     Only  child:— 

1.  Aaron  Hardy,  [b.  at  Lyndeboid".  Dec.  2.  lS2o.  m.  Isi. 
Sarali  J.  Farnnm  of  I^'rancestou  n.  2nd.  ^Iar<4'arct  Richards 
of   XeAv  Boston,   ■"ird.  Mar\    Dnlliv  of  Jetersville.  \'a.      lie 


480  (;knkal(»(;iks. 

was  ii  [)hvsiciaii  at  .lett'isvilU-.  \'a..  ulicrc  he  (li('(l  Xoa'.  2!). 

I860.      r>v  his  first  inan-iane    lie    had   one   ciiihl    who   iIicmI 

votiiiin'.      l\\   '2\\d  marriage  he  had: — 
hJrrliin     Miiri<i.     ( h.    (  )('t.    -5.     IHo:).     at     KicliiiKHid.     \'a..     111. 

Cliai'h'S  1{.  Ilolbrook.   of    Maiic.hesttM-.    Mav   1').  iSTl'.  (Lat 

Manchester.  Aug    ^l'^.  187*!.) 
Maltie   Axfvith.    (I),   at    Iviclinioiid.    \'a..    Nov.    'ISK    1  iS.")4.    111. 

llarvev    M.    I).    llo])kiiis.   of    |-''raiiccsto\\ir.    ()(t.    1-1.  iSTii. 

res.  at  Manchester.) 
Jiicnli  llcuiji.  (1).  at  .Ieters\  ilU'.  \  a..  Dec.  IST)!!.  d.  in  intancy.) 
Iliirdil     harlil.     ( h.   at   .lelei'svinc.    .Inly    ">,    1 S08.    ni.    Edith 

\\'atson.  of    MaiU'hester.  Feij.  -I'l.  188S.      He  resided  for  a 

slioi'i  time   in    tliat    city,    was   kiUe*!    l»y  a  hoilei-  exphtsion 

at    Manchester.    May   S.    ISSS.)] 

The   children    of   I)a.\'id"s   second  wife  i)\    iiei-  1  si  mari-iage 

were : — 

1.  IllOLKN    \'.    (ilLMAN.    [1).  at    l.owcll.   Mass..  -Inly  :^.  1  S4(l.  m. 

N.    Dean    Hopkins,   of    I'^i-ancestow  n.   -Ian.   1.   1  S(!:*).  res.  at 
Francesiown.] 

2.  Makv    1*:.   (iiL:srAN.    [h.  at    Lowell.  Mass..  .Inly  ♦).  1842,  ra. 

Lnther   l'\   Atwood.  of    Fiaiicesiow  11.   .Ian.  1.  1862.  res.  at 
Mamdiester.] 

Ars41N. 

.JONATHAN  AUSTIN  I'loiu  Mclhucu,  Mass..  was  an  early  settler  011 
the  Hand  place.  The  house  occupied  by  him  stood  about  one  hundred 
rods  north-west  of  the  Rand  house,  .Jonathan  Austin  came  fromMethuen. 
Mass..  as  early  as*  1700.  His  wife  was  Hannah  Charles.  Their  child- 
ren were: — 

1.  SAtJAH,  [b.  Apr.  2,  1767.] 

2.  Hannah,  [h.  Fel).  14.  1768.  m.  Hnmphrey   Hadley  of  Deer- 

ing.] 
8.  Jonathan,  [b.  F'eb.  2.").  177<».  m.  llanindi  Batten  of  Frances- 
town.  Alar.  19.  1798.] 

4.  Da^'iki..  [b.  Aug.  2.  1771.] 

5.  Ben.ja.min.  [b.  Mch.  2.").  1778.] 

6.  Olivio.  ri).  at  Methnen.  Nov.  21.  1774.  ni.  Samuel  I{obinson 

of  (Treenliehl.  Dec.   28.   1797.  d.   at    (Ti'eentield.   June   25. 
1865.] 


AISTIX.    AVERTLL.    AYERY.  487 

7.  I)(»i;('.\s.  [1).  ;ti  .Mctliuen.  Fel).  1  (S.  177!'.  iii.  .Inlm  Smiley  i.if 
Fiunuestow  II.  Mdi.  'IH.  1809.  d.  at  Mont  \'eiii(iii.  Veh.  S. 
1879.] 

N.  Kj.sie.  [1).  Fel).  1^7.  178o.  m.  Natliaiiicl  Kiiu-isnii  of  liostoii. 
William  P.  Imucisoii.  tlie  pruprietoi-  of  the  Ejikmsoii  Piano 
ManiiFautoiy  was  ilieir.son.      She  resided  at  IJosioii.  Mass.] 

9.  (  "harIvOTTK.    [1).  Sept.  19.  1784.  in.  .loliii  HiiiitiiiL;toii.  d.  at 

All  Sid.U'.  K..rks.  \.  v.] 

10.  |{n(>i>A.  [1).  .laii.  20.  1780.  ni.  Flijali  W'ooflw  ard  of  Laiid- 
^■rovc.  \'t..  Nov.  17.  180S.  d.  tlieiv.] 

11.  Charles.  [1).  June  2:'>.  1788.] 

1  :!.    (a  1;EI!.  [I'eiiioved  to  'l'iinl)i'i(iL>e.  \'l..  w  Iktc  he  Ioul;  resided.] 

.WKKILL. 

■rir()>[AS  AA'Kl.'ILL  Wiis  1m, 111  in  Mmii  \-.iiH)ii.  An-.  --'(I.  lsl«». 
Ilis  t;illi(  r  I,c\i  A\crill  \v;is  mi  old  icsidciil  ef  Moiil  N'criHUi.  W'licii 
,h1\  aiiccil  ill  \  cars  lie  caiiic  in  Ww  wilii  lii>  m)1i  'rii<iiiia>  and  died  iiere 
Aul;-.  ;!(!.  ISdS.  a^ed  SO  \cais.  His  wile  was  .\[arv  .loiies  of  Ililisixiro'. 
Siic  die(I  ill  Monl  Vernon.  'I'hoinas  eaiiie  her<-  fi'Din  Xew  i;esi(,n  in 
.liiiie.  lS(i(i.  ;iiid  pureliased  the  William  Hopkins  place,  upon  wliieli  he 
lias  since  I'esided.  He  inanied  1st.  Sarah  Pitkin  ot  Xcvv  IJosion.  Sjie 
died  ill  this  town  .Jan.  17.  ISTit.  a^ed  (IS  years.  He  married  -Jud.  Mi's. 
Mary  .loiisalo  ol'  New  iJosion.  Apr..l.'!.  1S74.  His  ;!rd  marriuiio  wliicli 
was  on  Mc;h.  5,  LSTS.  was  to  JOnudiiie  !•;.  W'anuh.  daiiuhier  of  <  ooliduc 
and  Electa  Wauuh  of  (4reeiil)oro".  \\. 

A\KI(V. 

SOI.OMAN  I).  AX'EIJY  was  boin  in  Kllswoiili.  Nov.  -JT.  ISil.  He 
married  Lavina  .Morse  of  Fraucestown.  He  wa>  employed  during'  the 
active  years  of  his  lilV  as  a  factory  o\ciseer  and  lived  in  Lowcdl.  Xew 
Ipswich.  X'ashuii  and  oilier  i)lact'>  to  which  he  was  i-alled  by  his  employ- 
ment. He  was  a  veiw  iiiiassuminL;'  man  althouiih  well  informed.  !.;'enial 
and  skilled  and  faithfnl  in  his  vocation.  He  came  here  from  Xashiia  in 
1S.-)1  and  lived  on  the  pla(;e  now  occupied  liy  Saimud  Tucker  and  Samind 
Andrews.  lie  died  in  this  lown  Apr.  (i.  iS'.rj.  His  wife  was  horn  Dec. 
U.  iSdS.  and  died  in  lliis   town    Anu.   4.    ISS!).      'i'lieir  children   were: — 

1.   Solomon     I).,     [h.    at     Lowell,   ^la-ss..    Nov.    2<).    18-)4,    m. 

Amanda  i>ranilile.  of  SjiiiiioHeld.   Mass..   d.  at    Worcester. 

Mass.] 
'2.   ('iTARLES  L..  ri).  at   l>o\\cll.  A|)r.  ^^2.  18o0,  is  a  tanner,   res. 

at  LyndeUoro",  ni.  Kinily    .\l)l)ott  of  Lyndeboro".] 


4.S,S  (rKNKALO(;iE8. 

•).  (tKohge  F..  [b.  at  .\e\\"  Jjisw  idi.  St'pi.  4.  1837,  is  a  painter 
and  one  of  the  best,  i-i'sidcs  w  illi  liis  brother  Alvin  on  the 
Heed  Sawytu'  place.] 

4.  LvDiA    A.,   [h.  at  New  Ij.swich.  Oct.  21,  1<S40.  ni.  William 

Hani.  oF  Francestown.  ics.  in  S})rino'iield,  Mass.] 
.").   Alvin  l'.,  [1).  at  Mason,  .July  27,  1846,  ni.  Mary  A.  Daniels, 

Aug.  23.  18H8.     She  was  born  at  Boston,  Mass.,  Jan.  25. 

1850.      Ml-.  Avery  has  lived  for  many  years  on  the  Sawyer 

jilace.    lieing'   by    vocation    a   farmer.      His    children   were 

born  in  Francestown.      'Jliey  arc: — 
Van-ie  A.,  (b.  Aug.  13,  1878.) 
liehecca  A'.,  (1).  Mch.  16.  1890.)] 
6.   Maey   E.,    [b.  at  Winchench^n,   Mass.,  Aug.  23,  1850,   m. 

William    Perkins  of   Holyoke,   Mass.,   Nov.   1873,    res.    at 

Holyokc] 

.VYER. 

WILLIAM  AYEK.  came  licre  alxnil  IS09,  and  reinniucd  ;ilK)ut  >i.\- 
liHMi  years.  His  liniiic  \vus  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  His  name  is 
associalcd  with  iliat  (if  .Icssc  Carr.  who  married  Polly  Aver  of  this  town. 

BAILEY. 

LiKT'TEXAXT  .1  KSSK  UAILEY  son  of  El)ciiczcr  and  Saraii  (I'alnnT) 
]}ailcy  of  Haverhill.  Mass.,  was  born  at  Haverhill,  Mar.  2(3,  J7.j2.  His 
wife  was  Sarah  Pliill>rick,  she  was  born  at  Seabrook,  X.  H.,  and  married 
Lieut.  Bailey.  Sept.  ."!.  177(>.  They  settled  in  Weare  where  tliey  had  a 
family  of  nine  children,  Samuel  P.,  their  oldest  son  born  Feb.  27, 1780, 
settled  in  Washington,  X.  H.,  where  he  died  -Tuly  12. 1S80,  distinguished 
for  his  great  age  and  remarkable  physical  and  mental  ai^tivity.     Solomon 

5.  Bailey  their  youngest  son.  was  born  in  Weare,  Sept.  16,  ISO.'J.  Lt. 
.Jesse  and  his  wife  dic<l  in  ^A'care;  the  foi'mer  .Jan.  10.  18;!(i.  the  latlci- 
J)ec.  17.  1S4.-). 

SOLOMON  S.  BAILEY  niarri('<l  Elvira  ('.  Manahaii  (huighte)'  of 
Adam  Manahan  of  Deering,  Nov.  7.  iSor!.  and  went  to  Lowell,  Mass., 
where  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  being  in  the  firm  of  J3ailey 
&  Hardy.  After  several  years  he  jnirchased  a  farm  on  Tiradford  I'lains. 
from  wliich  he  removed  to  Jji'jidford  N.  Village,  from  which  plaee  he 
came  to  Ei'ancestown  in  1S44.  and  purchased  the  Samuel  Fuller  farm 
(then  so  called).  In  ISSO,  he  purchased  the  house  in  tlie  village  now 
occupied  l)y  his  son  Charles  B.  ]3ailey  in  which  Jus  long  life  was  ended 
Nov.  11,  1801.  Mr.  Bailey  was  a  meml)er  of  the  Pacific  J^odge  of  Free 
Masons  and  on  the  day  of  Ids  death  was  thought  to  lie  the  oldest  Mason 
in  the  State.      ( Inlv  son. 


BAILEY.  489 

1.  Charles  Buren,    [b.  at  Bradford,  July  14,  1837,  m.   Dec. 
12,  1878,  Lucy  A.  Wood,  born   at  Deering,  Nov.  8,  1859. 
He  is  a  farmer,  and  a  man  well  known  throughout  the  town. 
Only  child: — 
Flora  J5.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  16,  1880.)]    . 

CHARLES  FEED  BAILEY,  who  came  to  this  town  and  purchased 
the  Nehemiah  "Woods  place  in  1870,  is  the  son  of  Charles  Bailey,  who 
was  the  son  of  Phinfeas  Bailey,  who  removed  with  his  father  Joshua 
Bailey  from  Methuen,  Mass.  to  Dunbarton,  of  which  town  Joshua  was 
one  of  the  earliest  settlers.  His  familj'  then  consisted  of  his  wife  and 
two  children,  Phineas  and  Joshua.  The  former  married  Esther  Cluff  of 
Salem,  Mass.  The  latter  did  not  marry.  Charles,  the  son  of  Phineas, 
was  born  at  Dunbarton,  Dec.  16,  1804,  and  married  Mary  Dow  of  Con- 
cord. He  was  by  vocation  a  farmer.  He  died  in  Dunbarton,  Jan.  22, 
1846.  Mary  Dow  was  born  at  Concord,  Oct.  5,  1806.  She-was  the 
daughter  of  Ebenezer  Dow,  who  was  born  in  Meriden,  Conn.,  in  1737. 
He  was  one  of  the  famous  rangers  in  the  French  and  Indian  War  and 
was  at  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga,  Crown  Point,  and  Fort  AVilliam 
Henry.  He  also  participated  in  the  reduction  of  Louisburg  in  1758,  and 
saw  the  surrender  of  Quebec  in  the  following  year.  In  the  Revolution- 
ary War  he  was  in  constant  service.  He  was  a  minute  man  at  Concord 
on  the  historic  19th  of  April,  '75,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
He  joined  Arnold's  daring  but  not  fortunate  expedition  to  Canada,  and 
was  taken  prisoner  at  Quebec,  but  was  exchanged  and  reached  home  in 
time  to  be  enrolled  with  the  immortalized  heroes  of  Bennington  and 
Saratoga.  He  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Concord,  where  late  in 
life  he  married  Susannah  Bailey  of  Methuen,  Mass.,  who  was  his  second 
wife  and  the  mother  of  his  daughter  Mary,  who  became  the  wife  of 
Charles  Bailey,  she  came  here  to  live  with  her  son  Charles  Fred  Bailey 
and  died  here  May  15,  1892.  The  children  of  Charles  and  Mary  (Dow) 
Bailey  were  all  born  in  Dunbarton.     They  were  : — 

1.  Elizabeth  Ryder,  [b.  July    30,  1833,  m.  Ira  C.  Brown  of 

Dunbarton,  Nov.  3,  1853,  res.,  at  Francestown.] 

2.  True  Morse,  [b.  May  4,  1836,  d.  at  Manitonae,  Wis.,  Dec. 

26,  1860. 
3.-  Amos  Cluff,  [b.  Aug.  3,  1838.  He  was  a  corporal  in  Co. 
H,  14th  N.  H.  Vol's,  in  the  late  war  and  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek.  From  an  account 
of  the  battle  written  by  a  comrade  who  stood  a  few  paces 
behind  Corporal  Bailey  and  speaks  in  unstinted  praise  of 
his  manly  courage,  we  learn  that  he  was  kneeling  on  one 
knee  loading  his  gun,   when  he   was   struck   in   the  left 


490  GENEALOGIES. 

shoulder  l)y  a  miiniie  ball.  ••  See  there  said  he,  "  coolly 
lurniiio-  around  to  his  comrade  and  pointing  to  the  hole 
made  bv  the  bullet.  •'  Bailey  you  had  better  go  to  the 
rear,  '"  said  the  other,  and  he  replied,  "•  I  guess  I  can  fire  a 
little  longer,  "  but  soon  losing  the  use  of  his  left  arm  he 
was  compelled  to  go  to  the  rear,  which  he  did  carrjdng  his 
gun.  The  wound  caused  him  much  suffering  and  was  in- 
directly the  cause  of  his  death,  wliich  oj^curred  in  this  town. 
May  11,  1892.] 

4.  Susan  Esthei:.  [b.  Sept.  2,   1840,    m.  William  Hasilton  of 

Dunbarton.  Dec.  1865.  res.  at  Dunbarton.] 

5.  Chaklks  Frkd.  [b.  Aug.  5,  1843.     He  is  considered  one  of 

the  best  farmers  in  this  town,  is  unmarried.] 
♦I.   Edwaki)  Buxton,  [b.  Nov.  2,  1845,  i-es.  at  Loudon.] 
7.   MvKV  Dane,  [twin  sister  of   Edward,  m.  Edwajd  F.  Roper 

of  Fraucostown.  Dec.  14,  1893.] 

MOSES  J5AILEY  mai-riiMl  llachel  Martin  of  this  town,  J^eb.  6,  1793. 
and  settled  on  the  Bailey  place  to  westward  of  the  Farrintrton  farm. 
His  brother  Noah  settled  to  southward  of  his  farm  and  .Tames  his  brother, 
who  was  the  father  of  Jonathan  of  Franeestown  and  Leonard  of  Green- 
field settled  on  the  Sweetser  place  within  the  limits  of  Greenfield.  His 
wife  died  at  her  home  in  this  town,  Sept.  '2(5,  1816.  Moses  went  to 
Vermont  shortly  after  her  death  where  he  married  a  second  wife.  His 
children  were: — 

\.  Moses,  [b.  at  Franeestown,  July  6,  1794.  was  a  soldier  in 
the  War  of  1812.] 

2.  Rachel,  [b.  Dec.  3,  1795,  d.  March  7,  1797.] 

3.  Rhoda,  [b.  Aug.  29,  1797.  d.  Aug.  28,  1800.] 

4.  Betsey,  [b.  April  16.  1799.  d.  Aug.  28,  1800.] 

5.  Ira,  [b.  Jan.  7,  1801,  m.  Bogne   removed  to  Wind- 

hall,  Vt.,  d.  at  WindhalL] 

6.  Rhoda,  [b.  April  4,  1803,  m. Wheeler  in  Vermont, 

her  last  years  were  spent  witli   a  son  in  Massachusetts.] 

7.  AsENATH,  [b.  Jan.  11,  1805.] 

8.  Sajviltel.  [b.  Sept.  4,  1806,  d.  in  Greenfield.] 

9.  Eli,  [b.  Sept.  29,  1809,  went  to  California.] 

10.  Eliza,  [b.  Aug.  29,  1810.] 

11.  Anstiss,  [b.  March  2,  1812.] 


BBAILEY.  491 

12.  Sahra,  [b.  Aug.  28,  1813.] 

13.  Sally,  [twin  sister  of  Sabra.] 

XO AH  BAILEY  settled  near  the  old  road  running  in  a  southwesterly 
direction  from  Mr.  Charles  Barrett's,  his  farm  is  said  to  have  joined 
the  farm  of  his  brother  Moses.  Here  he  died  July  19, 1821.  His  wife, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Farmer,  died  in  this  town,  April  28,  1829,  aged 
86  years.  Their  children  were: — Charles,  who  married  Sally  Martin  of 
this  town  Sept.  1,  1807.  He  lived  a  few  j-ears  on  the  home  place  after 
which  he  went  to  Vermont,  whei'e  both  died  of  consumption.  Thej' 
had  three  sons,  one  of  whom  went  west  and  did  not  return;  the  other 
two,  Martin  and  James,  died  of  consumption  as  did  their  parents. 
Susan,  (daughter  of  Noah,)  married  Jotham  Searles  of  this  town.  She 
died  here  Aug.  20,  1812.  Iaicv  married  Levi  George,  who  lived  a  few 
years  on  the  Driscoll  place.     Date  of  marriage,  Dec.  12,  1808. 

JONATHAN  BAILEY,  son  of  James,  who  settled  on  the  Sweetser 
place  in  Greenfield  and  lived  on  the  farm  formerly  owned  by  his  Uncle 
Moses.  The  house  upon  this  farm  having  been  burned  he  built  anew, 
and  made  the  pla(?e  his  home.  He  became  a  resident  of  the  town  about 
1817  and  so  remained  a  few  years. 

LEVI  P.  BAILEY  came  here  in  1867  and  lived  a  few  years  on  the 
Driscoll  place.  He  was  born  in  Jay,  Vt.,  Jan.  21,  1819,  being  the  son 
of  Soloman  and  Betsey  (Abercrombie)  Bailey  of  Jay.  He  married 
Dec.  18,  1840,  Hannah  Morse,  born  in  Francestown,  Feb  1,  1817.  Mr. 
Bailey  was  by  trade  a  stone  mason.  He  came  here  from  Wilton  and 
removed  to  Mont  Vernon,  and  now  resides  in  Lyndeboro'.  His  child- 
ren: 

1.  William,   [b.  at  Mason,  July  4.  1841.     He  enlisted  in  the 

War  of  the  Rebellion  and  served  in  the  6th  and  41st 
Mass.  Regiments,  and  the  3rd  Mass.  Cavalry.  He  also  be- 
longed to  the  La  Fayette  Ai  tilery  of  Lyndeboro"  while 
that  company  formed  a  part  of  the  garrison  of  Ft.  Consti- 
tution in  Portsmouth  Harbor.  After  the  war  he  was  sta- 
tioned at  Ft.  Warren,  in  Boston  Harbor.  He  died  at  Wil- 
ton from  the  effects  of  the  hardships  of  the  service.  Jan. 
19,  1883.] 

2.  Marcus  Morton,  [b.  at  Bedford,  Oct.  14,   1842,  m.  Nellie 

M.  Thompson  of  Antrim,  April  18,  1868.  He  enlisted  in 
the  11th  Mass.  Regt.,  and  belonged  to  the  La  Fayette 
Artillery  when  it  was  stationed  at  Portsmouth..  He  is  a 
farmer,  res.  at  Nelson.] 

3.  Charles  H.  [b.  at  Lowell,  Mass.,  Dec.  18,  1844.  m.  Abby 

Quint  of  Great  Falls,   Sept.  18.  1869.     In  the  War  of  the 


492  GENEALOGIES. 

Rebellion  he  served  in  the  La  Faj'-ette    Artillery  at  Fort 
Constitution,  is  a  quarryman,    res.  at  Lyndeboro'.      One 
child  :— 
Charles  A.  (b.  at  Wilton,  Nov\  26,  1869,  is  now  employed 
in  the  mill  at  Mill  Village.)] 

4.  Amanda  R.,  [b.  at  Lowell,  March  31,  1847,  m.  Richard  C. 

Woodward  of  France.stown,  July  28,  1869,  res.  in  Frances- 
town.] 

5.  Alonzo  p.   [b.  at  West  Newton,  Mass.,  Feb.  15,  1849,  m. 

Sarah  J.  Woodward  of  Francestbwn,  Sept.  11,  1875,  has 
charge  of  the  Soapstone  Mill  at  Mill  Village,  was  for 
several  years  leader  of  the  band  in  this  town  and  is  a  su- 
perior musician.  Only  child: — 
Harry,  (b.  at  Antrim,  Nov.  18,  1876,  d.  here,  March  23, 
1879.)] 

6.  Hiram  S.  [b.  at  Nashua,  April  15,  1851,  m.  Mary  J.  Wood- 

ward of   Francestown,   March  27,  1875  is   by  vocation   a 

quarryman.      Children  : — 
Fred  H,  (b.  at  Lyndeboro',  Aug.  19,  1875.) 
Walter  .S'.,  (b.  at  Antrim,  Nov.  14, 1876.)] 

7.  Levi  Edward,  [b.  at  Lawrence,  Mass.,  Aug.  3,  1855,  m. 

Mary  J.  Manahan  of  Francestown,  Dec.  16,  1882,  is  by 
vocation  a  quarryman.] 

BALCH. 

JOHX  BALCH,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  so  many  of  the  name,  was 
one  of  those  enterprising  and  adventurous  spirits,  who,  early  in  the 
seventeenth  century,  sought  to  tui-n  to  account  the  resources  of  the 
New  England  coast  and  those  afforded  by  its  adjacent  waters.  He 
came  to  America  with  Captain  Robert  Gorges  and  in  Sept.,  162.3,  landed 
at  Wissigasset,  on  the  coast  of  Mass.  In  the  same  year  the  enterpris- 
ing Dorchester  Company  began  in  earnest  at  Cape  Ann,  and  in  the 
following  spring,  sent  to  ^STew  England  a  liberal  reinforcement  of  settlers 
and  fishermen  and  the  first  shipment  of  cattle  or  "  kine.  "  Mr.  Balch 
in  the  spring  of  1624,  became  connected  with  that  company,  whose 
purpose  was  to  establish  fisheries  and  fishing  stations,  and  to  increase 
its  revenue  the  while,  by  trading  with  the  uncommercial  natives  and 
by  farming.  The  story  of  the  Dorchester  Company  is  not  one  of  suc- 
cess, and  in  1626  we  find  John  Balch  and  fourteen  others  at  I^aurakeag, 
now  Salem,  they  being  the  first  settlers  of  that  place.  John  Balch  was 
born  in  Bridgewater,  England,  in  1570;  and  therefore  came  to  America 


BALCH.  493 

in  the  full  maturity  of  life.  He  is  spoken  of  as  a  just  and  honest  man. 
He  with  John  Woodbury  and  others  was  active  in  the  advancement  of 
the  interests  of  the  struggling  colonists  and  was  one  of  the  leaders  of 
the  staunch  pioneers  of  Salem.  In  1635,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the 
"  overseers  and  layer's  out  of  Lotts  of  ground  for  this  precinct  of 
Salem."  He  received  a  grant  of  land  in  what  is  now  North  Beverly. 
The  grant,  which  contained  two  hundred  acres  was  a  part  of  a  fine 
tract  of  one  thousand  acres,  the  remainder  being  granted  to  four  other 
settlers  among  whom  was  John  Woodbury,  who  with  John  Balch  laid 
out  and  surveyed  the  land.     He  was  twice  married.     1st,  to  Marger}- 

,   2nd,   to   Agnes   Patch.     He    died   at   Beverly   in  1648.     His 

children  were  all  by  the  first  marriage.  Descendants  of  only  one  of 
these,  (Benjamin,)  are  now  living,  Joshua,  who  was  doubtless  of  the 
5th  generation  from  John,  married  Joanna  Williams,  and  had  as  child- 
ren, Joanna,  born*  in  North  Beverly,  Mass.,  Sept.  11,  1744.  She 
married  Abner  Pettee  of  Francetown,  Dec.  22, 1795,  and  died  at  Frances- 
town  April  22,  18.32.  Ruth  born  in  North  Beverly,  Sept.  15,  1748. 
She  was  married  April  2,  1767  to  Robert  Baker.  Joshua  born  in  North 
Beverly  Nov.  28,  1750.  Israel  born  at  North  Beverly,  Mass.,  April  1, 
1753.  Mary  born  at  North  Beverly,  May  20,  1755,  married  Simeon 
Dodge,  who  came  to  Francestown.  William  born  at  North  Beverly, 
May  1,  1757.  Hannah  born  at  North  Beverly,  Dec.  26,  1760.  She 
married  Jan.  1,  1793,  Robert  Edwards  of  Beverly,  a  fishermen.  Isaac, 
born  at  North  Beverly,  Dec.  27,  1766,  died  at  Lyme,  March  6,  1842. 

JOSHUA  BALCH  (born  in  1750,)  came  to  Francestown  about  the 
year  1773  and  lived  in  a  small  house  opposite  the  Driscoll  house  on 
Driscoll  hill.  He  married  Rebecca  Hopkins,  sister  of  William  Hopkins, 
the  elder,  and  had  by  this  marriage  six  children,  one  of  whom  died  in 
Sept.  1775,  one  in  Sept.  1776,  and  one  in  Oct.  1780.  These  children 
with  their  mother,  who  died  in  July,  1777,  lie  buried  in  the  old  cemetery 
in  the  village.  Two  other  children  mentioned  as  his  first  and  second 
also  dijd  here  very  early.  Joshua  died  at  Francestown,  Dec.  3,  1780, 
only  child  of  whom  we  have  certain  knowledge,  was: — 

1.  Joshua,  [b.   at  Francestown,    June  9,   1773,  m.  Nancy   P. 
Shaw,  June  15,  1800,  cl.  at  Lyme,  April  23,  1833.] 

ISRAEL  BALCH  (born  in  1753,)  married  1st,  Hannah  Kimball  of 
Beverly,  Feb.  2,  1772.  She  died  at  Francestown  in  Oct.  1784.  He 
married  2nd,  Widow  Mary  Fletcher  of  Greenfield.  In  1773  he  came  to 
Francestown  and  settled  upon  the  Driscoll  or  Balch  hill;  here  he  l>uilt 
a  small  house  northward  of  the  Driscoll  place  on  the  west  side  of  the 
road.  He  was  by  trade  a  mason  and 'was  a  very  industrio.us  man.  He 
it  is  said  frequently  worked  until  late  at  night  while  clearing  his  land 
and  his  wife  often  joined  him  in  his  nocturnal  lalior  among  the  fallen 


494  GENEALOGIES. 

trees  and  blazing  brush  piles.     He  died  at  Francestown,  Feb.  9,  182.5. 
Children  by  1st,  marriage  were: — 

1.  Israel, [b.  at  Francestown,  June  29,  1773,  m.  Elizabeth 
Epps,  of  Francestown  in  1796  and  settled  on  the  Driscoll 
place.  Like  his  father  he  was  an  industrious  and  })rosper- 
ous  man.  He  died  at  Francestown,  May  9,  1847.  His 
wife  died  at  Francestown.  Dec.  12.  1846.  Their  childre)! 
all  born  at  Francestown  were  : — 

Mary,  (b.  Aug.  12,  1797.  m.  William  Taylor  of  Greenfield, 
Dec.  30,  1821,  d.  at  Troy,  June  8,T880.) 

Sally,  (b.  Jan.  29,  1799,  m.  1st,  Joseph  Kidder  of  Westfield, 
Ohio,  Aug.  28,  1832.  2nd.  William  Holt  of  Greenfield 
in  1852,  d.  at  Greenfield,  March  5,  1892.  J 

Mai<on,  (b.  Oct.  23,  1800.  m.  Ist.  Sabrina  Holmes  of  Frances- 
town,  April  17.  1826.  2nd,  Hannah  Holt  of  Greenfield, 
Oct.  7,  1836,  3rd,  Elizabeth  (Gould)  Styles  of  Greenfield. 
Children  by  1st  marriage  were :  Mary  Ann  born  at  Frances- 
town,  March  14,  1827.  married  Levi  B.  Bradford  of 
Francestown.  June,  1855,  d.  at  Francestown  Sept.  30, 
1858.  Mason  Holmes,  born  at  Francestown,  Nov.  22, 
1829,  married  Maria  Nay  of  Peterboro',  March  12,  1857. 
He  long  lived  on  his  farm  on  Balch  Hill,  but  now  owns 
and  occupies  the  large  brick  house  built  by  Esquire  Brown, 
in  the  village.  No  man  in  town  sets  a  better  example  of 
sobriety  and  industry  and  very  few  are  more  foi'tunate 
financially  than  he.  Only  child:— Freddie  A.,  b.  May  12, 
1858,  d.  Mxrch  19,  1861.  By  2nd  marriage  Mason  had 
Charles  Edward  born  at  Greenfield,  March  17,  1843,  m. 
July  30,  1867,  Emeline  R.  Brooks  of  Laconia.  He  died 
at  Manchester,  Oct.  23,  1884.  Col.  Balch  was  doubtless 
not  as  well  knoAvn  in  Francestown  as  in  the  City  of  Man- 
chester where  he  resided  during  the  active  years  of  his 
life.  Here  when  eighteen  years  of  age  he  began  his  busi- 
ness career  in  the  dry  goods  store  of  Barton  &  Co.  In 
1865  he  accepted  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  Manchester 
National  Bank  and  was  subseqently  chosen  one  of  the  bank 
directors.  He  was,  moreover,  for  21  years  a  trustee  of 
the  Manchester  Savings  Bank,  and  in  1883  was  appointed 
treasurer  of  that  institution.      He  was  also  treasurer  of  the 


BALCH.  495 

Manchester  Gas  Light  Co.  for  many  years  and  served  as 
treasurer  of  several  valuable  estates.  He  was  industrious, 
careful  and  sagacious,  and  as  a  financier  had  few  equals  in 
the  business  circles  of  the  state.  That  he  was  a  man  able 
and  high-minded  and  universally  trusted,  because  rightly 
believed  in,  and  that  he  was  a  gentleman  eminently  pre- 
possessing and  cordial  need  not  be  added.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Washington  Lodge  of  Free  Masons,  the  only 
secret  organization  with  which  he  was  connected,  and  also 
a  member  of  the  Franklin  St.  Society,  and  was  a  liberal 
supporter  of  the  same.  He  served  two  years  upon  the 
Governor's  staff,  hence  his  military  title.  He  owned  a 
fine  residence  in  Manchester  in  which  he  doubtless  hoped 
to  "crown  a  life  of  labor  with  an  age  of  ease."'  Great 
respect  for  him  Avas  sliowii  during  liis  funeral  services,  all 
the  banking  houses  of  the  city  being  then  closed.) 

BeUey,  (b.  Nov.  28,  1802,  m.  Nahum  Farnum  of  Frances- 
town,  April  15,  1824,  d.  at  Francestowni.  April  12,  1846.) 

Nancy,  (b.  Sept.  26,  1804,  m.  \\'illiam  Hopkins  of  Frances- 
town,  d.  at  Francestown.  Sept.  28,  1839.) 

Hannah,  (b.  May  18,  1807.  m.  Ebenezer  Boyd  of  Frances- 
town,  d.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  15,  1848.) 

Susan,  (b.  Feb.  25,  1809,  m.  Horace  Ho[>kins  of  Frances- 
town,  Sept.  1830,  d.at  Francestown,  Oct.  22,  1854.) 

John,  (b.  May  19,  1812,  m.  Roxana  Button  of  Lyndeboro', 
April  26,  1836.  He  lived  on  the  old  Butterfield  place 
westward  of  the  Holmes  Balch  place,  d.  at  Francestown, 
Sept.  19,  1886.  His  children  all  born  in  Francestown 
were:— Israel  D.  born  March  4,  1838,  m.  Harriet  A.  Hardy 
of  Francestown.  April  12,  1860,  is  a  merchant  at  East 
Cambridge,  Mass.  Elizabeth  E.,  born  April  11,  1840, 
died  at  Francestow^i,  July  26,  1860.  Orren  J.,  born  May 
19,  1843,  m.  Josie  Nay  of  Peterboro',  May  19,  1864,  res. 
at  Milton.  Laroy  A.,  born  Aug.  25,  1845,  died  Feb.  24, 
1861,  at  Francestown.  Harlan  P.,  born  March  15,  1848, 
died  at   Goffstown,    Sept  19,    1871.     Josephine    H.,   born 


496  GENEALOGIES. 

March  25,  1851,  died  at  Francestowii,  Feb.  5,  1861.     Eu- 

f 

gene  M.,  born  Aug.  6,   1851,  died  at  Francestown,   March 
10,  1861.) 
Orra,  (b.    Dec.  20,    1813,  m.    Merrill  C.  Dodge  of   Frances- 
town,  May,  1844,  d.  at  Greenville,  March,  1878.)] 

2.  Hannah,  (b.  March  23,  1775,  m.  Bartholemew  Pearsons  in 
Peterboro'  where  she  long  resided.] 

8.  Sally,  [b.  Oct.  13,  1778,  m.  Isaac  Jones  who  died  at  Stod- 
dard. In  the  fall  of  1823,  she  removed  to  Canisteo,  N. 
Y.,  d.  April  1,  1856,  at  Sevale,  Steuben  "Co.,  N.  Y. 

4.  Polly,  [b.  Nov.  4,  1780,  m.  Isaac  Winchester  of  Greenfield, 

Aug.  1,  1799,  res.  at  Hill,  and  afterward  removed  to 
Providence,  R.  I.] 

5.  John,  [b.   Oct.  1,  1872,   m.  May    12,  1803,   Lydia  Reed  of 

Chester,  Vt.,  to  which  place  he  went  when  twenty  years 
of  age.  He  had  a  family  of  eleven  chikb-en  all  of  whom 
were  born  at  Chester.  He  died  in  that  toMai  after  a  resi- 
dence of  many  years.] 

6.  A  Child  Unnamed,  [d.  at  Francestown.  Oct.  1784.] 

By  second  marriage,  children  were  : — 

7.  Joanna,  [b.  Jan.  20,  1786,  m.    Daniel  Simonds  of  Burling- 

ton, Mass.,  Oct.  29,  1805,  d.  in  Francestown,  March  10, 
1813.] 

8.  Varion,    [b.  May   6.   178-9,   m.   Mary   Thompson,   born   in 

Taunton,  Mass.,  June  6,  1794.  He  lived  on  the  Driscoll 
place  for  many  years  and  afterward  upon  the  Richmond 
place  now  occupied  by  ClarencB  Foote.  He  died  at  the 
latter  place,  June  12,  1832.     Children  were  : — 

Varion,  (d,  in  infancy.) 

Joanna,  (b.  April  9, 1815,  at  Francestown,  m.  John  K.  Cristy, 
of  New  Boston,  Nov.  17,  1835,  res.  in  New  Boston.) 

James  F.,  (b.  April  18,  1817,  at  Francestown,  m.  Lois  Rob- 
bins  of  Antrim,  May  12,  1844,  resided  in  Antrim  forty- 
eight  years,  d.  there.  Jan.  28,  1888.) 

Pamelia,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  21,  1821,  m.  Franklin 
Senter,  of  Lyndeboro',  April  8,  1845,  d.  at  Lyndeboro", 
April  9,  1854.) 

Mary  Olive,  (b.  at  Francestown,  April  5,  1825,  m.  William 
Cristy  of  New  Boston,  d.  at  New  Boston,  June,  1868.) 


BALCH.  497 

William,    (1).  Jul}-    14,  1831,   m.   Sarah   A.   Hoyt,   of  Caro, 
Mich.,  in  1840,  is  a  mechanic  in  Nashua.)] 

9.  Pamelia,  [b.  Nov.  7,  1791,  m.  Levi  Batchekler  of  PVances- 

town,  Feb.  7,  1825,  cl.  at  Francestown,  Jan.  24,  1833.]. 

10.  William,    [b.  Nov.   3,  1793,   m.  1st,   Abigail  Johnson   of 

Francestown,  July  21,  1818.  2nd,  Zibiah  Johnson  of 
Boston,  Mass.,  June  8,  1837.  He  resided  a  few  years  in 
New  Boston,  after  which  he  returned  to  Francestown  and 
occupied  the  house  now  owned  and  occupied  by  William 
P'arnum  and  his  son  Edward.  He  was  by  vocation  a  tan- 
ner and  currier  and  quite  successful  in  business.  Late  in 
life  he  removed  to  Reading,  Mass.,  where  he  died  Jan.  19, 
1877.  His  children  by  the  1st,  marriage  were: — 
Williain,  (b.  July  31,  1819,  d.  at  Francestown,  Nov.  5,  1829.) 
Mark,  (b.  at  New  Boston,  March  30,  1821,  m.  May  2,  1850, 
LauriUa  H.  Farnum  of  Francestown.  Mr.  Balch  was  a 
man  of  good  abilities  and  one,  who,  in  youth,  turned  to 
good  acL'ount  the  educational  institutions  of  our  town. 
He  hlled  the  ofHces  of  town  clerk  and  town  treasurer  very 
creditably  and  succeeded  Hon.  Paul  IL  Bixby,  as  cashier 
of  the  National  Bank.  He  died  of  consumption,  at 
Francestown,  Dec.  16,  1879.)] 

11.  Ruth,  [b.  Sept.  10,  179H,   m.  Isaac  Jones.     They  lived  in 

(-anisteo,  N.  Y.,  where  she  died  June  14,  1870.] 

12.  Betsey,    [b.   Oct.  2,  1797,  d.  at  Francestown  when   five 

years  of  age.] 

ISAAC  IjALCII,  the  youngest  brother  of  Israel  was  bora  at  North 
Beverly  as  we  have  previously  stated.  'Soon  after  his  birth  his  mother 
(lied.  He  came  to  Francestown  in  earl}^  life,  where  he  learned  the 
Mason's  trade,  douljtless  of  his  brother  Israel.  He  married  Olive 
Grant  and  moved  to  Lyme.  His  wife  died  at  that  place  in  1797,  leav- 
ing three  children.  Olive,  born  July  7,  1791,  Isaac,  born  Sept.  29, 
1793,  died  Dec.  27,  1873,  Joanna,  boi'u  May  3,  1796.  He  married  sec- 
ond, Elizabeth  IJell,  who  died  March  13,  1860.  By  the  second  mar- 
riage, he  had  six  children  all  of  whom  were  born  at  Lyme.  Betsey 
born  Jan.  16,  1799,  died  March  24,  18,73,  Pamelia,  born  Oct.  12,  1800, 
died  in  1806,  Albert,  bom  Sept.  6,  1802,  Theodore,  born  Oct.  4,  1804, 
.John,  born  June  13,  1809,  died  in. .1846,  Truman,  born  June  4,  1814, 
died  in  1821.     Isaac  Balch  died  at  Lyme,  March  6,  1842. 


498  genealogif:s. 

BALDWIN. 

SAMUEL  IJALDWIN  succeeded  the  Martiu.s  upon  the  Farriugtoii 
phice  ill  lS-24.  !Tis  sou.  AV^iUiam  ().,  was  educated  lor  the  luiuistry  and 
])eciune  a  inissionarv,  OUver  Hutlcrlield  taught  school  in  District  No. 
S,  in  IS-JG  and  '-Little  Otis  Baldwin  then  about  six  years  old,"  was  his 
pupil.     The  family  remained  in  town  about  nine  years. 

HARD. 

ST:\IE()X  1X(.1<:i:S()I>  UAUD.  afterwards  known  as  'M'rofessor 
Bard."  and  '•  S.  I,  ISard,  ^L  I).  "  was  born  in  Nelson,  June '2,  17!)7. 
It  is  not  known  when  he  came  to  Francestown  but  probably  it  was  in 
ISlS.  lie  had  entered  Middlebury  College,  Vt.,  (luite  young  and  pur- 
sued his  c'oui-si'  two  ycai-s,  when  the  di'ath  of  his  father  interrupted 
him  and  sent  him  out  into  the  world  to  earn  money  for  himself. 
Hence  be  came  here  to  teach  the  '•  High  School,"  as  it  was  then  called 
and  after  the  incor[)oration  of  the  Academy  (.June;  L'-^ID)  he  was  its 
tirst  Principal.  He  was  small  in  stature,  youthful  in  ai)pearance,  keen, 
gritty,  oi'iginal  and  fearless,  (See  chapter  on  the  Academy.)  Was  a 
thinking  man,  and  a  little  in  advance  of  his  time.  Too  independent  to 
agree  with  everybody,  he  was  often  in  argument,  and  often  struck 
against  the  whims  and  prejudices  of  his  da}'.  Was  an  exact  and  ciitical 
scholar.  In  his  early  life  he  was  '-called  intidel"  in  his  views;  l)ut  in 
his  prime  of  strength  and  manhood  he  was  converted,  becoming  a 
zealous  and  faithful  christian.  The  Academy  started  strong  under 
him,  and  people  said  he  ought  to  "be  a  teacher  all  his  days;"  but 
already  he  was  studying  medicine,  and  leaving  this  place  in  LS21  he  soon 
began  practice  as  a  physician  in  Hillsboro'.  Not  long  after  he  returned 
to  Francestown,  and  had  a  successful  practice  here  for  several  years. 
In  connection  with  his  practice,  he  was  also  Principal  of  the  Academy 
for  1829,  and  ls:jO,  was  town  clerk  in  l.S3o.  Soon  after  this  he  moved 
to  Vermont,  and  died  in  Derljy  that  state,  .Tune  10,  1W52.  "  Became  a 
honKcopath"  in  practice  and  "  was  the  first  to  break  ground  for  HonifX'- 
opathy  in  Vermont, "  and  among  the  very  first  in  N.  II  Dr.  Bard  was 
the  son  of  David  and  Mary,  (Ingersol,)  Bard  of  Nelson,  and  grandson 
of  David  and  Hannah,  (Hay ward,)  Bard  of  Billerica,  Mass.  The  name 
was  formerly  written  "Beard,"  and  many  families  in  the  land  retain  it 
in  that  form.  It  was  said  to  "  run  in  the  family  to  be  teachers  and 
doctors."  The  late  Editor,  Hon.  Albiu  Beard,  of  Nashua,  was  cousin 
of  our  Francestown  Principal.  Dr.  Bard  married  (.June  2,  lcS2.5,  Lu- 
cinda  Stowe  Morse  of  Ilillsboro'.  She  was  brought  up  in  the  family  of 
Gen.  McNiel,  who  used  to  say  "  he  should  have  married  her  himself  if 
Dr.  Bard  had  not  carried  her  oif .  "  They  had  children,  besides  two 
that  lived  but  three  or  four  days: — 


BARD.  499 

1.  Mary    Ingersol,    [b.    Oct.   10,  1827   in   F.,  d.  Aug-.   17, 

1829.] 

2.  Elizabeth  (treenwood,   [1).  in   F.,  Aug.  13,  1829,    died 

Dec,  1835.] 

3.  Lorraine  Reed,  []).  in  F.,  Sept.  17,  1831,  d.  in  Derby.  Vt., 

Sept.  27,  1849.] 

4.  Rev.  George  Ingersol,   [b.  in  F.,  May  5,  1835;  iitted  for 

C'ollege  at  Derby,  Vt. ;  graduated  at  the  University  of 
Vermont,  1857;  at  Andover  Seminary,  1860;  settled  in 
Waterford,  Vt.,  wliere  he  was  ordained  and  installed  Oct. 
17,  1860.  He  was  dismissed  from  this  first  pastorate  in 
Jan.  1866.  Went  soon  after  to  Dnid)arton,  and  was  in- 
stalled there,  Nov.  21,  1866,  whei-e  lie  remained  over  six 
years.  Mr.  Bard  was  installed  at  Meredith  village,  Jan. 
2,  1873,  where  he  served  acceptabh'  a  week  more  than  ten 
years.  He  then  went  to  Orford  and  was  installed  there 
Dec.  2,  1882,  where  lie  liad  a  pleasant  pastorate  of  nearly 
seven  years.  He  then  went  at  once  to  Walpole  where  he 
is  now  pastor.  Installed  in  Walpole,  Sept.  17,  1889.  In 
all  these  pastorates  Bro.  Bard  has  been  loved  and  lionored 
and  has  done  a  good  work  in  every  place.  He  is  a  man 
genial,  scholarly  and  full  of  grace;  always  a  helper,  always 
})leasant  to  meet.  Is  an  lionor  to  his  native  town.  He 
married  Aug.  1,  1861,  Jerusha  Gould  Parker  of  Little- 
ton.    Children: — 

Henry  IngersoU,  (b.  Sept.  15,  1862;  spent  two  years  in  Ver- 
mont University;  now  studying  in  Chicago  Medical  Col- 
lege.) 

George  Parker,  (b.  Aug.  24,  1865;  graduated  Dartmouth 
Scientific  Department  1889;  now  Civil  Engineer,  San 
Francisco. ) 

Marg  (b.  May  24,  1867,  d.  inf.) 

Herbert  Blakelt/,  (b,  Dec.  2,  1868;  entered  Vermont  Uiiiver- 
sity;  left  and  went  west  on  occount  of  ill  health.) 

Jiilirt  HoivartU  (b.  Jan.  4,  1872;  d.  age  of  4.)] 

BARNET. 

SAMUEL  RAKNET,  lived  very  early  ou  the  Wilson  farm,  his  house 
lieing  a  sliort  tlistance  westward  of  Fred  Prescott's  residence.  Ills 
name  appears  upon  the  lax  list  of  171)3,  and  he  was  made  tvthino-  man 


500  GENEALOGIES. 

in  1795.  A  slate  grave  stone  in  the  old  burying  ground  tells  us  that  he 
died  here  June  13,  1796,  aged  .38  j^ears  and  from  a  similar  source  we 
learn  that  his  son  Samuel  died  here  July  6,  1800,  in  the  9th  year  of 
his  age.  His  widow  Nancy  Barnet  was  a  resident  of  this  town  in  1806, 
and  several  j-ears  after  her  name  was  included  in  the  list  of  non-resi- 
dent tax-payers. 

BARRETT. 

CYRUS  A.  BARRETT,  son  of  Charles  and  Mary,  (Metcalf,)  Bar- 
rett of  Washington  was  born  in  AVashington  Feb.  28,  1833.  Pic  mar- 
ried June  19,  1863,  Bridget  Dow,  widow  of  Samuel  Dow,  whose  maiden 
name  was  JJridget  McCoy.  She  was  born  in  Tyrone,  Ireland  in  1833, 
being  the  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Susan,  (Morrison,)  McCoy,  of 
Tyrone.  AVheji  fourteen  years  of  age  she  came  to  this  country  and 
lived  several  years  in  Vermont.  She  afterward  lived  in  Weare,  where 
she  married  1st,  John  Sullivan  of  Cork,  Ireland,  who  was  the  father 
of  her  daughter,  Susie,  who  was  born  in  Weare  and  now  resides  with 
her  mother.  She  married  2nd,  Samuel  Dow  with  wliom  she  lived  sev- 
eral years  in  Deering  and  also  in  Franccstown.  Cyrus  A.  Barrett  en- 
listed in  Co.  E,  3d  X.  H.  Regt.,  Aug.  3,  1861,  and  was  discharged  July 
26,  1865,  having  served  nearly  through  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  and 
participated  in  many  of  its  severest  engagemeiits.  In  August  1865  he 
came  from  Deering  to  this  town  and  occupied  the  S.  I.  Bard  house 
then  owned  by  Gardner  Mooar.  The  house  in  which  he  now  lives  was 
built  by  him  in  1871.  He  is  by  vocation  a  wheelwright  and  is  a 
thorough  workman. 

CHARLES  A.  BARRETT  was  born  at  Lancaster,  Mass.,  Nov.  1, 
1835.  His  father  Jesse  Barrett  was  born  at  Mason,  Aug.,  5,  1815  and 
married  Ann  Lawrence  a  native  of  Asliby,  Mass.  Charles  A.  left 
home  when  thirteen  years  of  age  and  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
century  followed  the  vocation  of  a  seaman.  He  was  for  five  consecu- 
tive years  in  the  English  merchant  service  during  which  time  he  visited 
many  of  the  principal  ports  of  the  countries  of  Eui'ope.  Upon  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Crimean  war  in  1854,  he  entered  the  English  Navy 
and  upon  the  old  line  of  battle-ship  Cassar  sailed  for  the  seat  of  hostil- 
ities where  he  heard  the  first  gun  fired  at  Alma  heights  and  in  the 
Naval  Brigade  fought  at  Balaklava  and  Inkerman  and  Avas  an  eye  wit- 
ness of.  the  fatal  chai'ge  of  the  immortal  Six  Hundred.  His  accounts 
of  the  storming  of  the  Redan  and  the  Malakhoff  of  the  tierce  charges 
of  the  Cossacks  and  the  hazards  and  privations  in  the  trenches  about 
Sebastopol,  in  brief  of  eighteen  months  service  under  the  English  flag 
during  tlie  Crimean  War,  Avould,  if  admissible,  form  a  most  readable 
addition  to  this  sketch.  For  three  years  previous  to  the  commence- 
ment of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  lie  served"  on  the  old  historic  frigate, 
Wabash  and  in  May  1861,  enlisted  in  the  2nd  N.  II.  Regt.,  and  partici- 


BAETLETT.  501 

pated  in  many  of  the  hardest  fought  battles  of  the  war.  He  was  after- 
ward made  quartermaster  on  board  the  U.  S.  gunboat,  Water  Witch, 
tlie  capture  of  Avhich  at  Ossabaw  Sound  doomed  Mr.  Barrett  to  the 
prison-pens  of  Andersonville  and  Florence  and  still  bears  evidence  of 
his  severe  experience  as  a  prisoner  of  war.  After  an  imprisonment  of 
one  year  and  fifteen  days  he  was  paroled  and  five  days  later,  (March  20, 
I8G0,)  was  discharged.  He  married  Oct.  10,  1857,  Betsey  Ann  (But- 
ler) Hills,  of  the  Butler  family  of  Antrim,  where  she  was  born  Nov. 
23,  IBoT.  She  married  first,  Alden  Hills  of  Mont  Vernon  and  resided 
a  short  time  in  that  town.  Her  only  child  of  this  mari'iage,  Charles 
Alden  Hills,  was  l)()rn  at  New  Boston,  April  12,  1853  and  married 
Minerva  Howard,  of  Holland,  Mich.,  and  now  resides  at  Ilattersluirg, 
Miss.  Mrs.  Barrett  lived  in  Francestown  village  a  brief  period  wliilc 
Mr.  Barrett  was  in  tlic  army.  He  came  liere  from  Antrim  in  1881, 
having  purchased  tlic  Mynard  Dutlon  place  upon  which  he  now  lives. 
His  children: — 

1.  Edna  Ellp:n,  [b.  at  ]^yndol)oro"   Jan.  17,  IHo.S.  m.   Samuel 

Wai'dmaii  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  res.  at  Lowell.] 

2.  Clifford   L.    [b.   at  Bennington,   March  L'),    LSOO,  d.  at 

Greenfield  Sept.  1861.] 
o.  FiiANK   Alvah,    [b.   at   Francestown,    Feb.   22,   1862,   ni. 

Llannah  J.  Marsli  of  Tlolyoke,  Mass.,  March  7,    1884,  res. 

at  Bennington.] 
4.   LuRiE  ESTELLA,  [b.  at  Greenfield,   March  20,  1866,  m.  1st, 

Albert  Llolden  of  Lyndeboro,'   2iid,  Charles  H.  Pond,   of 

Milford,   3rd,  Edward  A.  Joslin  of  Francestown,  res.  at 

Francestown.] 
o.  Fi;ed  Seymore,    [b.  at   Antrim   Dec.  4,   1869,  m.  Jennie 

Huddlestone  of  Benton  Harbor,  Mich.,  July  14,  1888,  res. 

in  Michigan.] 

6.  Anna  Evada,    [b.  at  Antrim  June  4,  1871,   is  a  teacher. 

res.  with  her  parents.] 

7.  Daniel  Swett,    [b.   at   Antrim  Jan.  1.5,  1874,  res,  at  the 

home  of  his  parents.] 
8..  Harry  Ansil,  [b.  at  Antrim,  Dec.  18,  1877,  d.  at  Frances- 
town,  Aug.  26,  1882.] 

CHARLES  BAREETT,  of  New  Ipswich  owned  land  in  this  town 
about  the  year  1787,  Init  there  is  no  evidence  that  he  was  at  any  time 
a  resident  liere. 


502  GENEALOGIES. 

BARTLETT. 

PARKi^R  BARTLETT,  came  here  from  Greenfield  and  purchased 
the  Manahan  phice  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.  Tlie  house  upon 
this  place  was  burned  in  1869  and  Mr.  Bartlett  afterward  lived  in  the 
house  now  occupied  by  Eri  Harvey  until  his  removal  to  Warner  in 
1.S70.  He  was  a  very  respectable  and  substantial  farmer.  His  wife 
was  Eleanor  Bartlett,  born  at  Dcering  April  22,  1817.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  April,  1840.  Mr.  Bartlett  is  also  a  native  of  Deering  and  was 
born  Nov.  20,  1811,  1)eing  the  son  of  Stephen  and  PIkcIx'  (Whittaker) 
Bartlett,  of  that  town.     His  children  were: — 

1.  RoTHEOUS  E,  [b.  at  New  Boston,  Jan  10,  1841,  m.  Emma  J. 

Merrill,  of  Salem,  N.  H.  May  1,  1867.  He  served  in  the 
wai'  of  the  Rebellion  in  Co.  C,  11th,  N.  H.  Regt.,  now  re- 
sides at  Newport,  where  he  has  served  upon  the  school 
Board  five  years;  upon  the  board  of  selectmen  seven  years 
besides  holding  minor  officers,  is  a  farmer  by  vocation.] 

2.  RosiLLA  A.,  [b.  at  New  Boston,  April  23,  1843,  m.   Deacon 

Parker  B.  Craig,  of  Bradford,  Dec!  14,  1869,  res.,  at  Brad- 
ford.] 

3.  Erastus  H.  [b.  at  New  Boston,   Marclr  17,  1846,  is  a  man- 

ufacturer and  a  much  respected  citizen  of  Warner,  m. 
Jennie  E.  Orne  of  New  Boston,  Oct.  27,  1875.] 

4.  Ai  J.  [b.  at  New  Boston,  April  11,  1848,  m.  Allie  Jones  of 

Webster,  Feb.  4,  1880,  res.  at  Warner  and  is  a  deacon  of 
the  Congregational  Church  in  that  place.] 

5.  Saeah  E.  O.,  [b.  at  New  Boston,  April  23,  1854,  m.  Edwin 

F.  Rice,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  Oct.  7,  1878,  died  at  Warner, 
Jan.  3,  1888.] 

BATCHELDER. 

JOSEPH  BATCHELDER,  the  ancestor  of  all  the  New  England 
Batchelders  came  from  Canterbury,  England  in  1G3('),  landing  at  Salem, 
Mass.  His  daughter  Abigail  married  Peter  Woodbury,  whose  son, 
Peter  was  the  ancestor  of  the  Peter  Woodbury,  who  settled  in  Frances- 
town.  The  grandson  of  Joseph  Batchelder,  named  John  after  his 
father,  married  Susannah  Whipple,  and  their  grandson  Amos,  son  of 
their  son  David  was  born  at  Winham,  Mass.,  Ai)ril  1,  1727  and  married 
Lydia  Kimball.     Their  children  were: — 

Edmuxi). [  who  died  in  Winham,  Mass.] 
David,  [who  died  in  Hillsborough.] 

A  DAUGHTER,  [who  married  Jolm  Batchelder  of  Mont  Ver- 
non.] 


BATCHELDEK.  *  503 

AiNiOS,  who  lUiu-iit'd  Huldali  Kim1)all  of  Wiiiham.  .Vmos  was 
one  of  the  sturdy  old  pioneers,  full  of  zeal  and  patriotism, 
manly  and  above  hoard  in  all  his  thoughts  and  actions, 
holding  in  deep  abhorrence  all  that  savored  of  untruth  or 
deceit.  During  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  he  was  an 
officer  in  the  navy.  Later  in  life  he  often  amused  his 
grandchildren  with  stories  of  "hair  breadth,  '■scapes  and 
moving  accidents  by  liood  and  iield/'  His  exploits  seem 
to  have  l)een  largely  on  or  off  the  Spanish  Main.  The 
merry  twinkle  of  his  eye,  as  he  ordered  his  listeners  al)out 
in  choice  Castilian,  as  well  as  the  kindly  manner  in  which 
he  afterward  translated  his  commands  and  subsecpiently 
gave  them  object  lessons  b}-  calling  in  Spanish,  the  names 
of  whatever  objects  came  in  sight  with  a  liberal  mixture 
of  JVoHotr/is  and  Quien  Sahe-^  then  repeating  them  in  Eng- 
lish are  things  long  to  be  remembered.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  he  purchased  a  tract  of  land  in  the  nortlieasterly  part 
of  Francestown.  A  I'ough  and  rocky,  territory  it  Avas, 
but  here  he  lived  and  thrived.  When  the  question  of 
pensions  was  agitated,  he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with 
it  saying  that  he  had  fought  for  his  country  as  a  duty  and 
wished  no  other  reward  than  the  approval  of  his  own 
conscience.  He  was  a  strong  muscular  man,  his  hair  as 
white  as  the  driven  snow.  He  died  suddenly  Sept.  20, 
1843  at  the  age  of  82  years,  while  seated  upon  a  stone 
watching  a  gang  of  men  at  work  in  the  field.  The  horn 
sounded  for  dinner,  but  as  lie  did  not  move  the  men  ap- 
pi-oached  and  found  him  sitting  upright,  with  a  smile  upon 
his  countenance,  Init  dead  and  it  was  felt  far  and  near  that 
one  of  the  good  men  of  the  day,  liad  passed  away.  His 
wife  soon  followed  him,  (died  Feb.  14,  184H,)  and  they 
now  repose   side  by  side  in  the   cemetery  at  Mill  Village. 

■    His  children  all  born  in  Francestown  were: — 

1.  AiMOS  Jr.,    [b.  Nov.  10,  1788,    m.   Francis   Hawks  of  Deer- 

tield,    Mass.,  Jan.    25,  1814,    \A'as  a  merchant  at   Conway, 
where  he  died,  Sept.  22,  1835.]  •    • 

2.  HuLDAH,  [b.  July  29,  1791, m.  John  Richardson  of  Frances- 

town  Aug.  15,  1815,  d.  Francestown,  June  2,  1873.] 


504  GENEALOGIES. 

8.  Israel,  [b.  Sept.  20,  1793,  m.  Lydia  Dole  of  Wilmot,  Nov. 
27,  1817.  Like  his  father  he  was  a  staunch  patriot  fear- 
less, manly  and  honest  and  a,  lirni  believer  in  that  good 
old  fashioned  truth  and  integrity  so  characteristic  of  the 
better  men  of  those  da^^s.  During  the  war  of  1812,  he 
volunteered  as  a  soldier  to  march  at  a  minutes  notice,  but 
after  holding  himself  in  readiness  for  several  months 
peace  was  declared  and  he  was  discharged.  For  many 
years  he  was  a  leading  man  in  the  town  affairs  being  often 
elected  to  office  without  regard  to .  political  sentiments 
which  was  no  small  compliment  in  those  days  of  bitter 
party  strife,  Nov.  27,  1867,  he  celebrated  his  golden  wed- 
ding which  .was  one  of  those  happy  occasions  long  to  be 
remembered  I)}"  the  large  number  of  neigld)ors  and  fi'iends 
who  participated  in  the  festival.  Two  years  later,  (Nov. 
14,  1869,)  his  wife  a  woman  remarkable  for  her  kind  and 
sympathetic  nature,  lier  purity  of  heart  and  cheerful  de- 
meanor was  laid  in  the  silent  tomb.  This  had  a  very  de- 
pressing influence  over  him  and-graduall}-  withdrawing 
from  all  public  affairs,  he  passed  the  evening  of  his  days 
in  patient  waiting  until  he  should  be  called  hence. 
Though  during  his  latter  years,  he  was  more  or  less  an  in- 
valid, yet  he  suffered  from  no  severe  and  prostrating  ill- 
ness and  after  a  long  and  well-spent  life  he  died  suddenly, 
Aug.  20,  1880,  aged  87  years.  His  wife  Avas  one  of  those 
excellent-  women  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew 
her.  She  was  a  descendant  of  Joseph  Pingree  of  Rowley, 
Mass.,  whose  children  were: — 

Jeremiah^  (who  married  Mehi table ,  of  Rowley.) 

Ai'd^  (who  married  Anna  Perkins,  ancestor  of  the  late  Thomas 

H.  Perkins,  of  Boston.) 
Mar  If,  (who  married  1st,  John  Dole  of  Wilmot,  N.  H.,  brother 
of  the  late  Nathaniel  Dole  of  Hallowell,  Maine,  became  a 
widow  and  married   2nd,  Benjamin  Cass,  uncle  of  Lewis 
Cass  tlie  statesman.     Her  children  by  John  Dole  were: — 

1.  Mary,  [who  died  in  infancy.] 

2.  Mehitable,  [who  married  Thomas  Foster  of  Ipswich,  Mass. 

Her  children  were: — 


chn-c^L^    Jo  cd^Jieisur^ 


BATCHELDER.  505 

Martha,  (married Conant  of  Ipswich,)     1  .       , 

Lavina,  (married Conant  of  Ipswich,)]  ^ 

3.  Polly,    [married  Joseph   Woodward,  of  New  London,   N. 

H.     Her  children  were : — 
Marcus,  (married  Olive  Bryant  of  Stoneham,  Mass.) 
Drusilla,  (married  Mac  arty  Morgan,  of  New  London,  N.  H.) 
Salo  me,  (  un  m  ar ri  e  d . ) 

Martha,  (married  Joseph  Morey,  of  Wilniot,  N.  H.) 
Milton,  (unmarried.) 
JoHeph,  (married  (unknown,)  lives  in  Ohio.)] 

4.  Lucy,    [married   John    True   of  Francestown,  N.    H.     See 

Genealogy  of  True  famih".] 

5.  Sally,  [married  Jeremiah   Pingree  of  New  London,  N.  H. 

Her  children  were: — 
Natlian,  (mari'ied  Mary  Sargent  of  New  London.) 

A  daughter,  (married Meserve  of  New  London.) 

Charlex,  (married Sargent  of  New  London.) 

Rannom,  (married  (unknown)  lives  in  Maine.) 
Mary,  (unmarried.)] 
H.  DoLLv,  [married  James    Wood\Aard  of  New  London,  N.  H. 

Children : — 

Rosaline,  (married, Barker.) 

A  clauijliter.)'] 

7.  Lydia,    [(7th,   daughter,)    married    Israel    Batchelder,    of 

Francestown.  (See  continuation  of  the  genealogy  of  the 
Batchelders.)]' 

8.  Phcebe,  [married  1st,  Bartlett  ('ass  of  Wilmot,  N.   H.     A 

connection  of  the  late  Levi  Bartlett,  of  Boston.  Became 
a  widow  and  married  2nd,  Joseph  Moody,  of  New  Lon- 
don, N.  H.     Children  by  Cass: — 

Abigail.) 

Mary  Ann.) 

Children  by  Moody: — 

Eliza.) 

A  (^daughter,  name  unknown.) 

A  son,  (name  unknown.)] 

9.  Eliza,  [married,  Levi  Moody,  of  Wilmot,  N.  H. 

Her  children  were: —  " 

^     Emeline,  (married Proctor  of  Andover.) 


506  GENEALfKHES. 

Mart  Jiff.)] 

The  childieii  of  Israel  and  Lydin  Batcliolder  were: — 
lionire  KiiiilnilL  (1).  Se})!.  1.  ISIS.  m.  Maiy  Ann  P^atoii  of 
Wiiislow.  Me..  Sept.  1,  1858.  After  the  usual  course  of 
education  at  the  town  schools,  he  at  about  14  years  of  age 
couiiueiiced  his  mercantile  career  as  a  hoy  in  the  stoi'c  of 
('lark  iV  Dodne  at  Francestown.  couiiiiuin^-  in  the  same 
store  with  ("lark  &  IJixhy,  and  (iay  v.V  IJixhy.  In  iSoH 
he  went  to  Boston,  in  the  enii)lovm(Mit  of  the  old  and 
l)rominent  wholesale  o'l-ocery  house  of  Levi  Barllett  &  Co. 
At  ahout  20  years  of  a^e  he  w^as  admitted  as  a  paitner 
ill  the  til  111.  A  few  years  later  he  dissolved  his  eonections 
with  lliai  house  and  established  the  new  linn  of  Batchel- 
<ler.  .Mann  ^V  Co..  which  continued  to  do  a  lai'q-e  and 
unifiuinly  successful  business  for  more  than  •)<)  yeais. 
Durini;-  that  time,  al»oiit  1850. he  look  a  three  yeais  Nacation. 
and  realized  the  dreams  of  his  l)oyhood  by  making'  an  ex- 
tensive and  exhaustive  tour  throuLifhout  Europe  and  the 
East,  circulating'  freely  amont;-  the  peo[)lc,  visiting  and 
studying  all  points  of  interest  in  Etirope,  Egypt,  Palestine, 
Syria.  Tuikey  and  (Greece.  Having  a  retentive  memory 
and  being  almost  a  natinul  linguist,  possibly  inherited  from 
his  grandfather  (^hdeii  Sale/  he  readily  became  familia,]'. 
with  the  languages  of  the  countries  he  visited  and  was  thtis 
etiabled  to  enjoy  and  [)roHt  by  direct  intercourse  with  the 
various  people  among  wliom  he  travelled  without  the  in- 
ctimbrance  of  guides  and  interpreters.  -Upon  his  rettu']] 
home  he  resttmed  his  business  which  was  largely  increased 
by  imi)ortations  from  the  various  ports  of  Etirope  and  Asia 
which  he  had  \dsited  dtiring  liis  travels,  where  he  liad 
established  a  business  correspondence.  In  1871  he  retired 
from  business  and  again  made  a  v^isit  to  Euro])e,  with  his 
wMfe  ami  daughter.  After  a  sojourn  theie  of  three  years  he 
returned  to  his  estate  at  the  Boston  Highlands  wliere  he  still 
lives  esteemed  and  respected  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances.  He  has  but  one  child,  a  daughter: — 
1.  F]{Ancp:s  Eatox,  [b.  Feb.  14,  1861, -m.  July  :i,  1890,  Wil- 
liam A.  Huston,  M.  D.,  of  Damariscotta,  Maine.) 


#      .^^" 


ijlcrcu^j^  \K^S'^Ci^\jJJ^ 


13ATCHELDEH.  507 

/.s/v/.V  H<(i'rii,  (1>.  Apr.  25, 1822.  At  14,  went  as  a  boy  into 
ilie  store  of  Amos  Dodge  of  New  London.  Two  years 
later  he  left  there  and  was  employed  by  the  McKeen  Bros., 
of  Nashua;  from  there  he  Avent  to  Boston  and  after  several 
years  residence  removed  to  Chicago,  111.,  and  became  })ro- 
})rietor  of  the  Ji<itclielder  Hotels  and  still  lives  there — no 
family.) 

[jiK'n'tht  Dole,  (b.  Nov.  10,  1825,  m.  James  son  of  Alexander 
^  Wilson  of  Francestown,  Sept.  28,  1848,  and  moved  to  the 
old  Wilson  homestead  on  the  side  of  C'rotched  Moniitain. 
After  a  7  years  strnggle  with  that  rocky  lot-ality  they  gave 
np  the  contest  and  ^ent  west.  'Taiiied  for  a  short  time 
at  Delaware,  Ohio,  then  moved  to  a  farm  in  Southern  111., 
in  tlie  section  known  as  Egy])t.  .Aftei'  a  few  years  Mr. 
Wilsoii  disposed  of  his  farm  and  moved  to  Sandoval.  111., 
wliere  he  engaged  in  the  grain  and  mei-cantile  business 
until  his  death,  Nov.  11.  1874.  His  widow  now  I'es.  at 
Noi'ton,  Ohio. 

Orrin  Stearn.^,  (b.  Dec.  11,  1828  m.  Ann  Maria  Levett  of 
North  Chelmsford,  Mass., -Jan.  20,  1853.  res.  in  Worcester, 
Mass.)] 

4.  KijMBALL,    [b.  Aug.  8,  1790,  m.  Armenia  Stearnes,  of  Con- 

way, Ma,ss.,  Nov.  0,  1824.  was  a  farmer,  d.  at  Conway, 
April  6,  1876.] 

5.  Levi,  [b.  Dec.  20,1798,  m.  1st,  Permelia  Balch  of  Frances- 

town  Feb.  7,  1825,  2nd,  Asenath  Fisher  of  Francestown, 
Dec.  15,  1833.  He  was  by  trade  a  wheelwright.  He 
succeeded  to  his  father's  estate  and  died  at  Francestown, 
June  24,  1875.] 

The  children  of  Levi  and  Permelia  (Balch)  Batchelder 
were : — 
Elhriclge  K'nnhaU,  (b.  at  Francestown.  May  13,  1826,  m. 
Cornelia  A.  Vose  of  Francestown,  Dec.  13,  1849.  He  is 
by  trade  a  mason  ami  a  genial  straightforward  and  pros- 
perous citizen  of  the  town.  Chidren : —  Charles  Levi, 
born  at  Francestown,  June  24,  1851,  m.  1st.  Mary  A. 
Sleeper,  of  Francestown,  Nov.  28,  1873.  2nd.  Etta  (Per- 
kins)   Spurling,  of  Nashua  Dec.  15,  1883,  is  a  mason  and 


508  GENEALOGIES. 

resides  at  West  Meclford,  Mass.  Arthur  George,  born  at 
Francestowii,  Feb.  14, 1860,  m.  xVda  Mills  of  Francestowii, 
Oct.  30,  1881,  is  a  carjjenter  and  resides  at  West  Medford. 
Both  Charles  and  Arthur  are  intelligent  and  industrious 
young  men  and  skilful  workmen.  John  Henry,  (the 
youngest  son  of  Elbridge)  wa.s  born  at  FrancestoAvn,  April 
11,  1869,  and  died  at  Francestown,  April  26,  1887.) 
Georye  i.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  17,  18-28,  m.  Marietta 
Parsons  of  Conway,  Mass.,  res.  in  Sunderland,  Mass., 
where  lie  is  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  Church.)] 

6.  Peekins,  [b.  May  20,  1802,  unmarried,  d.  at  Francestown, 

July  2,  1829.] 

7.  RoxAXA,  [b.  Jan.  19,  1805,  m.  Deacon  Buckman  Fairbanks, 

May  22,  1832,  d.  at  Francestown,  April  15,  1878. 

BATTEN. 

KICHAED  BATTEX,  who  came  to  Francestown  from  Salem,  Mass., 
about  the  year  1780,  was  in  early  life  both  a  seaman  and  a  soldier  and 
was  a  man  of  many  severe  experiences.  Pie  was  in  active  service  in 
the  last  French  War  and  one  of  few  who  survived  to  give  an  account  of 
the  treachery  and  brutality  which  followed  the  capitulation  of  Fort 
William  Henry  in  iS^ew  York,  in  1757,  which  will  again  be  i-eferred  to 
in  our  sketch  of  the  Butterfield  famih'.  Although  the  soldiers  of  the 
garrison  had  been  promised  honorable  treatment  by  Montcalm,  the 
French  Commander,  yet  no  sooner  had  thej-  left  their  defences,  than 
they  were  attacked  by  the  savages  attached  to  Montcalms'  command. 
Ml'.  Batten  was  seized  and  deprived  of  the  greater  part  of  his  cloth- 
ing and  placed  in  the  charge  of  two  Indian  warriors,  who  proceeded  to 
lead  him  away  as  a  prisoner.  After  being  conducted  a  few  miles  by  a 
sudden  and  violent  effort  he  succeeded  in  regaining  his  liberty,  although 
in  his  struggle  with  the  savages  much  of  his  scant  clothing  was  torn 
from  him,  making  his  condition  in  the  dread  wilderness  deplorable  in 
the  extreme.  Hoping  to  fall  in  with  some  escaped  comrade  he  took  a 
course  toward  the  highlands  between  lakes  George  and  Champlain,and 
did  meet  with  a  lad  twelve  or  fourteen  years  of  age  who  had  escaped 
from  the  fort  and  was  as  destitute  as  himself.  In  company  with  the 
boy,  whose  life  he  was  anxious  to  preserve,  he  changed  his  course  and 
proceeded  in  a  southerly  direction  hoping  to  reach  Fort  Edward.  To 
prevent  discover}'  they  remained  concealed  by  day  and  at  night  contin- 
ued their  journey.  One  night  while  travelling  the}'  discerned  at  some 
distance  in  the  forest  a  fire  with  men  around  it  and  hoping  to  find  a 
friendly  camp,  they  approached  so  near  that  their  presence  was  detected 


BATTEN.  509 

by  the  dogs  of  the  party,  which  they  found  to  be  a  small  detachment  of 
French  and  Indians.  Mr.  Batten  immediately  placed  the  boy  behind  a 
tree  where  the  firelight  could  not  reach  him  and  concealing  himself  in 
like  manner,  waij;ed  until  the  enemy  had  gone.  It  was  then  that  he 
looked  for  the  boy,  but  could  find  no  trace  of  him,  and  his  fate  to  this 
day  remains  a  mystery.  For  six  days  Mr.  Batten  continued  his  wretched 
wanderings  often  climbing  trees  or  secreting  himself  under  logs  and  in 
the  underbrush,  to  elude  the  Indians,  many  of  whom  he  saw,  and  with 
much  effort,  barely  avoided.  Several  times  he  swam  the  Hudson  River. 
During  the  entire  six  days  he  subsisted  upon  berries  and  the  bark  of  twigs 
and  roots.  During  the  Revolutionary  war,  Mr.  Batten  again  shouldered 
his  musket  and  was  conspicuous  for  his  courage  and  patriotism.  He 
was  possessed  of  a  powerful  constitution  and  notwithstanding  all  his 
hardships  he  was  able  in  his  eighty-sixth  year  to  perform  the  work  of 
an  ordinary  man,  nor  had  his  rugged  life  affected  the  natural  mildness 
of  his  disposition,  or  impaired  his  sense  of  honor.  He  was  the  first  to 
clear  land  upon  the  Rand  farm  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  His  first 
home  was  built  on  the  southern  slope  of  Driscoll  hill,  the  settlement  at 
the  Rand  place  being  of  a  more  recent  date.  The  site  of  his  first  cabin 
is  upon  land  now  owned  b}^  Mr.  Frank  B.  Starrett,  vvhei-e  traces  of  his 
home  are  even  now  plainly  seen.  Mr.  Batten  was  of  Lowland  Scotch 
descent.  He  was  born  at  Salem,  Mass.,  July  1.3,  IToT.  and  married 
Lydia  Stylman,  who  was  also  born  in  Salem,  Nov.  1-2,  1737.  He  died 
in  Francestown,  Aug.  25, 1822.  His  wife  died  in  Francestown,  Dec. 
7,  1802.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Richard  Ju.",    [b.  in  Salem,  Mass.,  Feb.   3,  1759,  m.   Mary 

Rand  of  Lyndeborouoh,  d.  March  8, 1793.  Richard  Batten, 
Jr.,  was,  like  his  father,  a  sea-faring  man,  was  the  first  mate 
of  a  ship  and  in  a  nig] it  of  fearful  storm  was  blown  from 
the  rigging  while  heroicly  trying  to  pei'form  what  the  ter- 
rified seamen  had  shrunk  from  attempting.  Children 
were : — 

A  child,  (d.  in  infancy.) 

Man/,  (b.  May  29,  1788,  m.  Amasa  Downes,  Fel).  13,  1810, 
d.  Aug.  22,  1817,  at  Francestown.) 

2.  Lydja,  [b.  at  Salem,  Feb.  4,  1701,  d.  at  Salem,  1708.] 

3.  Hannah,  [b.  at  Salem,  July  10,  1703,  m.  Jonathan  Austin 

of  Francestown,  Mai'cli  19,  1793,  d.  at  Lowell.  Mass.,  Aug. 
28,  1849.] 

4.  John,   [b.  at  Salem,  Marcli  23,  1705,  m.  Procanda    'riiorp(\ 

of  Dedham,  Mass.,  Feb.  0,  1794,  was  a  seaman  and  farmer, 
d.  at  Salem,  Dee.  11,  1844.     Children  were: — - 


olO  (iENEALOfilKS. 

JVanci/,  (I),  at  FrancestoMni,  Feb.  12,  179;"),  m.  Josiah  Merrow, 

of   Brookfield.  N.    H.,  Nov.   9,1817.   res.  at    I'.owdoinham. 

Maine.) 
Riclianh  (b.  at  Fraiicestowu,  May  S,  1797,  m.  Ist.  Fli/.abetli 

Yell,  of  Salem,  Mass.,  2ii(l,  Abigail  Yell,  of  Salem  lemoved 

to  New  Boston,  where  he  died  Feb.  8.  1876.) 
Li/ida,    (1).  .Inne  29.  1799,  at  Salem,  m.  Henry    Meek,  of 

Salem,  Mass..  d.  at  Salem,  Sept.  12,  1888.') 
/'j-0('i)i(i(i,  (b.  at  Salem,  Get.  28, 1808,  m.  Ephriam  Hiehardson 

of  Salem,  Mass.,  res.  at  Rochester.) 
Louisa,  (b.  at  Salem,  July  18,  1806.  m.  1st.  l)a\  id  Brown  of 

r.owdoinham,    Me.,    2nd.  S.  F.    Wells  of   Ilallowell.    Me., 

res.  at  Hallowell,  Me.) 
Jo/iii,  (b.  at  Salem,  May  lo.  1809.  d.  Bowdoiuliam,  Me.,  Dee. 

28,  1879.) 
Arolinc,  (b.    at  Salem,  Sej)t.  80,  1812,  d.  at  Salem.  Nov.    12, 

1889.)] 

0.  LvijiA,  [b.  at  Sah'm,  May  18,  1772.  d.  at  Fj-ancestown,  Aug. 

1.  1791.] 
6.  Sai;ah,    [1).  at  Franeestown,  April    8.  1780,  m.  Nehemiah 
Rand  of  Lyndeboro."  INIay  1,    1801.  died  at   FrancestoAvn, 
May  4,  1870.] 

BAXTER. 

JOXATHAX  BAXTEli  who  doubtless  succeeded  the  Montgomery's 
on  the  Dr.  (ieorge  Bixbv  place  was  born  in  Methuen,  Mass.,  April  14, 
1770.  His  father,  Thomas  Baxter  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  died 
of  small-pox  whije  in  the  service.  Jonathan's  wife  was  Abigail  Per- 
kins Wilkins  of  Mont  Yernon.  She  was  born  Oct.  26, 1773,  and  died  in 
l<So3.  They  lived  in  Xew  Boston  fully  five  years  before  coming  here 
and  it  is  probable  that  their  first  three  children  were  born  in  that  town. 
Jonathan  Baxter  removed  from  Franeestown  about  the  year  1817,  hav- 
ing resided  liere  nearly  fifteen  years.  He  died  at  Hillsboro',  Sept.  9, 
1862.  His  children,  five  of  wliom,  doubtless,  were  l)orn  in  Frances- 
town  were : — 

1.  FiiANcis.  Eaton. [b.  Dee.  28.  1798,  died  unmarried  at  Deer- 

2.  Levi  Ray,  [b.  Jan.  80,  1801,  d.  unmarried  at  Deering.] 

8.  Elizabeth  Leach,  [b.  April   11,  1808,  m.  Preston  Cressey 
of  Bradford,  d.  at  Deering.] 


BAXTER,    BEAN,    BP:LCHEB.  511 

4.  Enos  Knight,  [b.  A[)ril  20,  1805,  m.  1st,  Aiuiis  (liimes  of 

Hillsboro,'  "211(1,  Louisa  Beard  of  Boston,  was  a  ineichaiit, 
(1.  at  Central  C'itv ,_  Colorado.] 

5.  Jonathan  Jr.,  [b.  Aug.  3,  1807,  in.  Eliza  Snow  of  Boston, 

Mass.,  was  a  merchant,  d.  at  Boston,  Aug.,  1834.] 
H.  WiLLiA.^i   Bkadfoim),  [b.  March    6,   1810,  m.    1st.    Judith 

Mears,    of  Stanstead,  Canada,  2nd,   Aiigeline    Parker,  of 

Hillsboro,"  is  a  farmer,  res.  at  (iriggsville.  111.] 
7.   Mo.sE.s  Eaton,  [b.  Sept.  7.  1812,  m.    Elizabeth   Howe,   of 

Warner,  d.  at  (Triggsvilie,  ill,  in  1891.] 
S.    LvDiA  B.,  [b.  in  1814,  m.  Isaac    H.  Hatch  of   llillsl).)r()."  in 

1840,  res.  at  Griggsville,  111.] 

IJEAX. 

.lOIIX  WADDJvI.  1;KAX  \v:is  l.oni  in  (M-criilicld.  Sept.  i',  ITU.",.  He 
purchased  the  Burnhain  j)lacc  near  the  lirciiiiau  hi'ook  hi  1S"J7,  which 
lie  occupied  tive  3'ears,  (hiring-  whicii  time  he  and  Joseph  l)yi\'e  inanu- 
facUired  rakes  in  a  shop  wliicli  was  lutih  by  Daniel  Bixhy  and  whicli 
stood  beside  the  brook  on  the  iioi-tli  side  of  the  road.  He  aitcrward 
occupied  several  places  in  town,  the  last  being  the  i)resi'nl  ivsideucc  oi' 
Mrs.  John  Fifield,  in  ]SIill  Village.  He  enlisted  in  the  war  of  181-2,  and 
received  a  pension.  His  wife  was  Achsah  Fairbanks.  She  was  born  at 
Harvard,  Mass.,  May  t),  ITDo,  was  married  to  Mi-.  I5ean.  May  !),  ISKJ. 
and  died  at  Francestown.  Nov.  1.").  IS.IT.  John  IJeaiidicdal  bis  home  in 
Mill  Village,  July  S,  ISS.'J.      His  chihhvn  were:— 

1.  John  Newton,  [b.  at  Greenhcld,  April  25,  1824,  m.,  March 

18,  1849,  Abbie  Carter  of  liostoii,  Mass.,  where  he  resided 
iind  was  for  many  years  a  nu'rc-hant.  He  died  at  lioston. 
May  3,  1859.] 

2.  Mary   Elizabeth,  [b.  at  Francestown,  July  27,1827,  m. 

Charles  Marcy  of  Hillsboro,"  Oct.  30,  1850,  resides  at  Peter- 
boro.'] 

BELCHER. 

WILLIAM  JJELCIILK  was  the  son  (^f  William  IJelcher  of  Stoughion, 
Mass.,  who  was  said  to  be  a  descendant  of  .Jonathan  Belcher,  colonial 
governor  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire  1730-1740,  also  of  New 
Jersey  in  1747.  Governor  Belcher  was  born  at  Cambridge,  in  KlcS] ,  and 
died  in  1757.  William  Belchei-  came  here  from  Stoughlon  about  the 
year  1803.  The  Belcher  house  which  of  old  stood  on  the  old  road  south- 
east of  Fred  Hopkin's  place  was  once  his  home  and  he  lived  on  other 


ol2  CtEXEALOGIES. 

l)laces  in  this  town.  He  was  born  at  Stouijhton,  Oct.  2,  1781,  married 
Susanna  Randall  who  was  born  at  Easton,  Mass.,  Ma}'  G,  1778,  and  died 
in  Francestown.  June  6,  1846.  He  was  by  vocation  a  farmer.  He  died 
in  Goft'stown,  \\n\  21,  1857.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Lyman,  [b.  in  this  town,  d.  here  at  an  early  age.] 

2.  William,  [b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Caroline  Dni-ant  of  (xoffs- 

town,    Mai'.  18,  1830.   removed  to  Goffstown,  Avhere  he 
died,  Feb.  25,  1862.] 

3.  Elijah.    [Ir.  in   Francestown.  m.  Olive  (xoodwin  of  Hills- 

boro."  lived  in  a  small  lionse  eastward  of  the  late  residence 
of  Caroline  Di'aper.  d.  liere  Sept.  28.  1859,  aged  52  years. 
His  wife  died  in  this  town  Jan.  29.  1880.     Their  children 
were  born  in  this  toAA'n  : — 
Thomas?  Edir in,  {h.  Dec.  3,  1831.  married   and  resided  in  Fall 

l^iver.  Mass..  where  he  died.) 
Alfred,  (b.  Nov.  15,  1834.  d.  here  Aug.  4.  1853.) 
Fannii    Eh'saheth,     (Twin  sister  of    Alfred,    m.   1st,   James 
Whitfield  of  Francestow'n,  2nd,  George  E.Mills  of  Frances- 
town,  Dec.  23.  1881.  res.  at  Medford.'Mass.)] 

4.  Rebecca,  [b.  in  Francestown.  m.  John  Dodge  of  Greenlield. 

d.  in  Pennsylvania.] 

5.  Betsey,  [b.  in  this  t«own.  m.  Manning  Tenney  of  Goffstow^n, 

removed,  to  Goffstown,  where  she  died.] 
(3.  Alfred,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  17,1810,  m.  Fanny  Good- 
win of  Hillsboro,'  lived  in  the  small  house  on  the  New  Boston 
road  between  Mill  Village  and  the  residence  of  George  F. 
Pettee.  He  died  here  Jan.  8,  1879.  His  wife  died  in 
this  town  April  18,  1880,  aged  71  years.] 

7.  Eliza,  [b.  here  July  6.  1812.] 

8.  Thomas,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  27,  1814,  went  to  Canada. 

where  all  trace  of  him  was  lost.] 

9.  Hannah,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  29,  1815,  m.   1st,  Jona- 

than  Dustin   of  Francestown,  (Pub.   May  1,   1848,)  2nd. 
Thomas  Follansbee  of  Peterboro."  d.  at  Peterboro."'] 

10.  Jonathan,  [b.  here  March  3,  1818, .unmarried  d.  at  Salis- 

bury.] 

11.  Horace  I^.  [b.  in  Francestown,  April  12. 1820,  m.  Aseiiath 

Newton  of  this  town,  res.  in  this  town.      Mr.  Belcher  is  an 
honest  hard-workinof  farmer.     Children : — 


BELCHER,    BELL.  513 

Henry  A.,  (b.  at  Francestowji,  June  23,  1842.  He  enlisted 
in  the  13th  N.  H.  Regt.,  in  1862,  and  died  in  the  service 
at  Norfolk,  Va.,  Nov.  8,  1863.) 

Myra  0.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Jan,  19,  1847,  m.  John  L. 
Sheddof  Hillsboro,'  Dec.  1,  1868,  res.  at  Hillsboro'.) 

Lyman  H.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  April  19,  1851,  m.  Estella 
Heard  of  Francestown,  March  1,  1877,  is  a  farmer  and  has 
always  resided  in  this  to.wn.  His  children  are: — Frank  H., 
born  in  Francestown,  Nov.  15,  1878.  Christie  H.  born  in 
Francestown.  Ang.  27,  1880.)] 
12,  Ak:menia  Jane,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Mch.  27,  1825,  m. 
Alexander  Meeks  of  Manchester.] 

BELL. 

JOHN  JjELL  was  born  in  the  County  of  Antrim,  Ireland,  of  Scotch 
parentage;  married  Elizabeth  Todd;  came  to  Londonderry,  N.  H.,  in 
1720;  went  ])ack  and  brought  over  his  wife  and  two  daughters  in  1722; 
was  chosen  to  many  town  offices;  died  July  8,  1743,  aged  64,  leaving 
children,  Sanuiel,  Letitia,  Naomi,  Elizabeth,  Mary  and  John.  John 
Bell,  Jr.,  was  b.  in  Londonderry,  Aug.  15, 1730;  m.  Mary  Ann  Gilmore, 
Dec.  21,  17.jS;  was  Town  Clerk;  moderator;  member  of  the  Provincial 
Congress  i77.j;  representative;  muster-master  of  N.  H.  troops  1776; 
Col.  of  N.  II.  militia;  state. senator  1786,  1787,  1788,  1789,  1791;  Jus- 
tice of  Court  of  Common  Pleas;  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church;  d. 
Nov.  30,  1825,  aged  more  than  95  years,  leaving  children,  Jonathan, 
Elizabeth,  Susannah,  Mary,  Mary  Ann,  John  and  Samuel.  Jonathan  was 
a  merchant  in  Chester  and  died  there  1808  leaving  no  children.  John 
was  state  senator;  Councillor  6  yrs.;  Sheriff  of  Kockingham  Co.  7  yrs. ; 
Governor  of  N.  II.  1828;  d.  Mar.  23,  1836.  Samuel  Bell,  L.  L.  D., 
(Sanuiel3,  John2,  Johni,)  was  b.  in  Londonderry,  Feb.  9,  1770;  was 
graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  1793;  admitted  to  the  bar  1796,  hav- 
ing studied  law  with  Hon.  Samuel  Dana  of  Amherst;  at  once  opened 
an  office  in  Francestown;  and  was  looked  upon  with  alarm  and  sus- 
picion, and  threatened  with  violence,  many  thinking  that  a  lawyer  was 
a  dangerous  and  wicked  intruder!  (See  Chapter  22,  on  Ministers, 
Physicians  and  Lawyers).  Mr.  Bell,  however,  after  a  time  w\as  found 
to  be  harmless;  gained  the  confidence  and  love  of  the  people;  was 
Moderator  of  the  town  meeting  1803,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8;  was  Representative 
of  this  town  1804,  5,  6,  being  Speaker  of  the  House  1805,  1806;  was 
State  Senator  and  President  of  the  Senate  1807,  1808;  moved  to  Am- 
herst in  the  autumn  of  1808,  and  thence  to  Chester  1811;  was  Justice 
of  Superior  Court  1816,  17,  18;  was  Governor  of  N.  H.  1819,  20,  21, 
22;  was  United  States  Senator  1823-1835;  Trustee  of  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege several  years;  m.  1st,  Mehitable  B.,  dan.  of  Hon.  Samuel  Dana  of 


514  GENEALOGIES. 

Amherst,  May  "26,  1797,  bringing  his  young  wife  of  only  sixteen  years 
at  once  to  this  town  to  live;  she  d.  in  Amherst  Sept.  17,  ISIO;  m.  2nd, 
Lucy  (i.  Smith  of  Amherst,  (niece  of  the  first  wife)  July  4,  182(5,  who 
d.  in  Chester,  May  8,  1880.  Mr.  Bell  d.  Dec.  23,  1850;  was  a  man  of 
large  mental  powers,  strict  integrity,  and  was  held  in  honor  throughout 
the  land.     Children: — 

1.  Samuel  Dana,  L.  L.  D.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Get.  0,  1798; 

was  graduate  of  Harvard  1816:  studied  law  with  Hon. 
George  Sullivan  of  Exeter;  admitted  to  the  bar  Feb.  1820; 
began  practice  at  Meredith  Village,  but  soon  removed  his 
office  to  Chester  where  he  practiced  till  1830:  Cashier 
Exeter  Dank  1830-1836;  Representative  from  Chester 
1825-182();  Solicitor  Rockingham  Co.  1823:  Justice  Court 
(^minion  Pleas  1848;  Justice  Superior  Court  1849-1859: 
Cluef  Justice  1859-1864,  which  otiice  he  resigned  Ausf.  1, 
1864. 

Judge  Rell  was  a  man  of  large  and  vaiied  learning:  a  life- 
long student;  an  upright  and  honorable  magistrate;;  one 
of  the  most  gifted  sons  of  our  State  :  and  an  lionor  to  this, 
liis  native  town.  He  m.  Mary  Healey,  Aug.  8,  182t).  and 
(h  July  31,  1868.     Children:— 

JoJuL  Jame>-,  (b.  in  F.  Oct.  30,  1827;  grad.  Harvard  Law 
School  1847:  A.  M.  from  Dartmouth  1864;  lawyer  in  Ex- 
eter and  of  excellent  reputation.) 

Samuel  JV.,  (b.  Mch.  25,  1829;  grad.  Dartmouth  1847:  was 
lawyer  in  Manchester;  one  of  our  strongest  and  most 
learned  men;  Member  of  Congress  1871-3  and  1875-7; 
was  for  a  time  a  member  of  U.  S.  Senate;  d.  1889.) 

Man/  W.  (m.  Rev.  John  P.  Newell;  d.  Aug.  29,  1858.)] 

2.  John,  [b.  Francestown  Nov.  5.  1800;  grad.  Union  College 

1819:  grad.  Bowdoin  Med.  Coll.  1822;  studied  in  Europe; 
Prof,  of  Anatomy,  University  Vt.;  d.  of  consumption  Nov. 
29,  1830.] 

3.  Mary  Ann,  [b.  in  this  town  Oct.  26,  1802  :  m.  John  Nesmith 

of  Lowell  who  was  Lieut.-Governor  of  Mass.  in  1862 ;  d. 
Feb.  26,  1831.] 

4.  James,  [b.    Francestown,  Nov.    13,  1804;   grad.    Bowdoin 

1822;  studied  law  with  his  brother,  Hon.  Samuel  D.  Bell: 
admitted  to  the  bar  1825;  practiced -law  in  (Tilnuinton,  Ex- 


15KLL.  515 

eter  and  Guilford :  representative  from  Exeter  184(3  ;  meml). 
of  C'Onstitutional  Convention  1850;  chosen  U.  S.  Senator 
1855  and  d.  in  that  office  May  26, 1857;  m.  Judith  A.,  dau. 
of  Hon.  Nathaniel  Upham;  and  was  father  of  Hon.  Cliarles 
Upliam  Bell,  a  lawyer  of  Exeter,  Bowdoin,  Class  of  1863.] 

5.  Luther   V.,  M.  D.,  L.  L.  D.,  [b.  in  Erancestown,  Dec.  2, 

1806;  grad.  Bowdoin  1823;  grad.  Dartmouth  Med.  Col- 
lege 1826;  practiced  in  Derry  1831-1837;  Supt.  McLean 
Asylum,  Charlestown,  Mass.,  1837-1856;  was  one  of  Ex- 
ecutive Council  of  Mass.  1850;  of  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion, Mass.  1853;  Surgeon  11th  Mass.  Volunteers;  Brigade 
Surgeon  and  Medical  Director  of  Hooker's  Division ;  d.  at 
Budd"s  Eerry,  Va.,  Feb,  12, 1862.  He  m.  Erances,  dau.  of 
Dea.  James  Pinkerton  of  Derry.  He  was  a  man  of  marked 
ability  and  strength,  like  the  others  of  this  distinguished 
family, — all  doing  hono]-  to  this  their  native  town.] 

6.  George,  [child  of  2nd  wife;  b.  June  24,  1829;  grad.  Dart. 

College  1851;  lawyer;  author  Bell's  Digest;  went  into 
the  army  and  d.  soon  after  his  return.  Sept.  2,  1864:  m. 
Emma  Preston.] 

7.  John,  [b.  July  19,  1831;  m.  Mary  A.   Bedee;  M.  D.  LS54 

University  of  Pa.;  practiced  in  Deny  and  in  New  York 
City;  Surgeon  5th  U.  S.  Cavahy;  d.  1883.] 

8.  Charles,  [b.  Aug.  10, 1833;  grad.  Brown  University  1853  ; 

m.  Elizabeth  Emerson;  was  a  physician  in  C^oncord;  d. 
Eeb.  29,  1856.] 

9.  Louis,  [b.  Mar.  8,  1836;  was  a  lawyer  in  Farmington;  was 

Col.  4th  N.  H.  Vols.;  killed  at  Eort  Fisher,  Jan.  15,  1865; 
his  wife  was  Mary  A.  P.  Bouton.] 

HUGH  BELL  who  lived  on  the  liell  place  now  within  the  bonnda- 
ries  of  the  town  of  Bennington,  was  of  Scotch  ancestry.  His  father, 
William  Ikdl,  lived  in  Andover,  Mass.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  French 
and  Indian  war.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Abigail  Kittridge. 
Hugh  J3ell  was  born  in  Andover,  Mass.  in  1770.  He  married  Nancy 
Wilson  of  Deering.  She  died  at  her  home,  Feb.  22,  1<S5(3,  aged  S5  yrs. 
He  also  died  there,  May  13,  1851.  He  held  the  office  of  selectman  of 
Society  Land  previous  to  the  annexation  of  his  farm  to  Francestown. 
His  children  were  born  upon  the  homestead: — 


516  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  Sally  Wilson,   [b.   Jan.   17,   1796,    m.  Giles    Newton   of 

Antrim,  Aug.  25,  1825,  d.  at  Ashlmrjiluim,  Mass.,  Dec.  26, 
1884,  aged  88  years.] 

2.  David  Wilson,  [b.  Dec.  25,  1797,  m.  Mary  McCoy  of  An- 

trim, Jan.  28,  1836,  died  in   Bennington,  May  25,  1867. 

His  wife  was  born  in  Antrim,  June  8,  1813,  and  died  in 

Francestown,  Aug.    29,   1891.     He  succeeded    his  father 

upon  the  Bell  farm.  Children: — 
Thomaa  Madison,    (b.  in  Francestown   Dec.  25,  1836,  d.    in 

Bennington,  April  8,  1868.) 
Clara  Jane,  (b.  in  Francestown  July  16,  1840,  m.  Benjamin 

Franklin   Deane,  of  Francestown,   Oct.   29,  1861,  res.  in 

Milford.) 
Carrie  EJlzahefh,   (b.   in   Francestown,  March  31,  1842,  m. 

Moses   C.  Crombie,  of  New  Boston,  Jan.  2,  1875,  res.  at 

New  Boston.) 
George  Milton,  (b.  in  Bennington,  May  22,  1848,  m.   Emma 

Mason,  June  5,  1875,  is  by  trade  a  cai'penter.)] 

3.  Cyrus,    [b.   June  10,  1801,  m.   Nancy^  French  of  Rindge, 

July  26,  1827,  was  a  tanner,  res.  at  Henniker,  d.  P'eb.  9, 
1879.] 

4.  Betsey  Grimes,  [b.  Sept.  28,  1803,  m.  Samuel  Baldwin  of 

Bennington,  Sept.   30,   1830,  d.  at   Bennington,  Aug.   5, 
1862.] 

5.  Clarissa,   [b.   Jan.  25,   1806,  m.   Solomon  Cleaves  of  An- 

trim, Feb.  2,  1831,  resided  in  Keeseville,  N.  Y.,  where  slie 
died,  Feb.  9,  1892.] 

6.  Robert   Gibson,  [b.  July  8,  1808,  m.  Sophronia  (Bruce) 

Doe,  of  Acworth,  Oct.  15,  1835,  is  l)y  trade  a  tanner,  re- 
sides at  Somerville,  Mass.] 

7.  Nancy  J.    [b.  Feb.  5,  1812,  m.  Alexander   Jameson  of  An- 

trim, April  3,  1845,  res.  at  Antrim.] 

8.  William  Kittredge,  [married  Euridice   Allen  of  Rindge, 

May  9,  1842,  removed  to  Iowa,  where  he   was  engaged  in 
mercantile  pursuits.     He  died  at  the  age  of  63  years.] 

BILLINGS. 

Nathaniel  Billings  who  lived  .nearly  twelve  years  in  the  Bullard  hill 
neighborhood,  was  born  in  Sharon,  Mass.,  Aug.  2,  1750,  and  was  of  the 
fifth  generation  from  Roger  Billings,  the   famih'  line   being  Roger  i, 


BILLINGS,    BIXBY.  517 

Ebeuezer^,  Jonathan  ^^  Jonathan  *,  Nathaniel  3.  His  niotlier  was 
Sarah  Guild,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Guild  of  Dedham,  Mass.  He  was 
married  July  18,  1785,  by  the  Kev.  Philip  Curtis  to  Miriam  Bullard, 
daughter  of  Ebenezer  Bullard,  Sr.,  of  Sharon  and  sister  of  Ebenezer 
Bullard,  Jr.,  of  Francestown.  He  came  here  about  the  year  180(i,  and 
settled  on  the  place  on  "Bullard  hill",  now  marked  by  the  cellai'  hole 
almost  upon  the  verge  of  the  mountain.  His  descendants  are  said  to 
be  very  numerous,  living  chietly  in  the  AVestern  States.  Harriet  Bill 
ings,  daughter  of  Nathaniel,  married  Jesse  Butterfield,  son  of  Bobert 
Butterfield  of  this  town.  She  died  at  Ilooperstown,  111.,  Jan.  8,  "1880 
or  6",  in  her  88th  year.  The  family  removed  to  AVinhall,  Vt.,  where 
Nathaniel  died  and  was  l)Uiied  in  the  old  cemeteiy  on  .Jackson  hill. 

BIXBY. 

It  is  now  known  that  three  Bixbys  emigrated  to  this  country  early  in 
the  days  of  its  colonization.  Thomas  of  Salem,  Mass.,  in  1(3.36,  beiu"- 
the  first  to  bring  the  name  to  America  ;  of  him  we  know  but  little. 
Nathaniel  Bixby  who  was  the  elder  of  two  bi'others  who  emigrated  to 
America  was  in  Ipswich,  Mass.,  in  Ki.'JT.  A  widow,  Maiy  Bixbv,  re- 
ceived into  the  Boston  Church  in  1(540,  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  re- 
lict of  Nathaniel  and  hence  we  conclude  that  he  died  soon  after  his  ar- 
rival in  America.  Joseph,  the  younger  brother,  was  according  to  the 
historian  of  Boxford  an  emigrant  from  England  about  the  year  l(i;58. 
Jn  1649  he  married  Sarah,  widow  of  Luke  Heard.  Her  maiden  name 
was  Wyatt  and  it  is  said  that  her  parents  were  living  at  the  time  of  this 
her  second  marriage  and  that  they  owned  lands  in  Assington,  Suifolk 
Co.,  England,  which  was  doubtless  the  English  home  of  the  Wyatts. 
Joseph  Bixby  was  for  many  years  a  resident  of  Boxford,  Massachusetts. 
He  was  both  prominent  and  popular  in  Boxford  although  he  did  not  re- 
side there  till*1660,  having  previously  lived  in  Ipswich  and  possil)ly  in 
Salisbury,  Mass.  He  won  distinction  as  the  commnnder  of  a  companv 
of  men  from  Boxford.  in  King  I'hilip's  war.  He  died  at  Boxford  in 
ITOfJ.  Sarah,  his  wife,  also  died  in  Boxford  in  1704.  Their  children 
were  Joseph  3,  Jr.,  Sarah  2,  Nathaniel '-%  Mary  2,  (George  2,  Jonathan  -, 
Daniel  2,  Benjamin  2  and  Abigail  2.  Three  of  his  descendants  settled 
in  Hojikinton,  Mass.,  one  in  Sheffiel  1  and  one  in  Killingly.  Conn.  From 
his  son  Daniel  2  who  went  to  Andover,  Mass.,  originated  those  of  the 
name  in  Francestown.  Daniel  2  married  Hannali  Chandler  of  Andover, 
Dec. -21,  1674,  and  died  in  Andover,  Dec.  o,  1717,  aged  (J6  years.  Han- 
nah his  wife  died  in  Andover,  Nov.  20,  .17.30.  Thomas  3,  the  .son  of 
Daniel2,  married  Deborah  Elkins,  in  Andover,  Dec.  8,  170,3,  he  died  in 
Chelmsford,  Mass.,  Dec.  .5,  1754.     His  son  Thomas*,  .Jr.,  was  lioni  in 

Chelmsford,  May  17.  1722,  he  married  Phoebe  .     Thomiis-t.  .Tr. 

died  in  Lilchlield  in  1760.  Ph(ebe,his  wife,  died  in  that  town  in  1766. 
Their  children  wei-e  Edward^,  Ijoi'u  at  Chelmsford,  Sept.  8,  1744, 
Daniel'"'.  ))orn  in  Chelmsford,  Aug.  31 .  1746.  .Vsa^  who  died  in  Frances- 


518  GENKAL(»01Ii:s. 

town,  June  6,  1825,  Thomas  ^^  l)orn  in  Litchfield,  July  o.  17.")-J,  died  in 
Francestown,  Jan.  3,  1S27,  Sarah^  born  in  Ulchfield,  Ocl.  S,  1754, 
married  Benjamin  Bulterlield  of  this  town.  It  is  quite  evident  that 
all  of  these  five  children  of  Thomas  •*,  Jr.,  came  to  Francestown,  Daniel  ^ 
doubtless  being  the  first,  since  his  name  appears  upon  the  petition  for 
a  town  charter  in  1771.  His  name  also  appears  upon  the  records  of  1780, 
but  nevertheless,  his  stay  in  Francestown  was  evidentl}'  brief.  Pie  is 
said  to  have  built  the  Lolly  farm-house,  westward  of  the  residence  of 
Patrick  Foote,  Avhich  was  once  occupied  by  Perez  Ewell  and  subse- 
quent!}' by  Samuel  Stevens. 

EDWALiI)  IJIXBY  built  about  177r.,"on  tlir  hill  westward  of  the  vil- 
lage where  stands  the  barn  owned  by  Charles  A.  A^ose.  The  small 
house  in  which  Edwaz'd  lived  was  burned  down  about  the  year  1835. 
Edward  ]5ixby  was  born  in  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  Sept.  8,  1744,  and  died 
in  Francestown,  Oct.  22,  181G.  His  wife's  name  was  Lucy  Barnes. 
She  was  born  Apr.  21,  1749,  and  died  in  Francestown,  Sept.  16,  1843. 
Children  were: — 

1.  Molly,  [b.  Sept.  9,  1777,  m.  E/ra  Fi.slier  of  Sharon,  Mass., 

May  23,  1805,  d.  Apr.  2,  1854.] 

2.  William,  [b.  Nov.  4,  1779.     He  was  married  Dec.  8,  1810, 

by  Rev.  Dr.  Chaniiiiig  of  Boston,  to  Mary  Cumming-s  who 
was  in  the  early  years  of  the  town  a  school-teaclier.  She- 
was  born  Oct.  22,  1770.  William  Bixby  was  a  man  of 
much  ability  and  was  long  a  leader  in  the  political  and 
business  circles  of  the  town.  He  was  state  senator  in  the 
years  1829  and  '30.  Being  successful  both  as  a  merchant 
and  farmer  he  accumulated  much  property  and*was  a  liberal 
doner  to  the  Academy.  He  d.  Oct.  30,  1862.  His  wife 
died  April  6,  1856.  An  adopted  child: — 
Nana//  Fierce,  (b.  at  Hillsboro,  Oct.  16,  1812,  m.  Edward  P. 
.  Emerson  of  Nashua,  Sept.  14,  1834,  res.  at  Nashua.)] 

3.  Lucy  [b.  Dec.  23,  1782,  d.  Dec.  21,  1863.] 

4.  DocTOii  Bai^nes,  [b.  Nov.  27,  1785  m.  Hannah  Barnes  (his 

cousin)  of  Litchfield  and  went  to  Arcade,  N.  Y.] 

5.  Betsey, [b.  Nov.  24.  1788,  d.  at  Concord,  April  24,  1854.] 

ASA  BIXI'Y  married  Elizabeth  Dane  of  Francestown,  and  settled  on 
the  farm  now  owned  by  Thomas  Averiil,  long  known  as  the  Hopkins 
place.  He  seems  to  have  made  his  home  in  town  about  ten  years  later 
than  his  brother  Edward,  although  we  are  told  that  he  had  a  camp  and 
was  engaged  in  lumbering  in  this  town  some,  time  previous  to  his  actual 
settlement  here.      lie,  like  many  of  his  descendants,  was  doubtless  pos- 


BIXBY.  519 

sesscd  of  mechanical  skill  and  a  man  of  industry  and  enlerprise.  His 
name  if<  found  upon  the  list  of  Revolutionary  soldiers  from  New  Hamp- 
shire.     He  died  in  Fraucestown,  June  6,  1825.     Children  were: — 

1.  A  CHILD,  [buried  in  Nov.  1784,  the  intenneiitbeiug  the  fifty- 

eighth  ill  the  ohl  cemetery.] 

2.  Betsey,    [b.    May   11,   1786,   m.    Benjamin    Woodward  of 

Fraucestown  died  in  Francestown,  July  18,  1862.] 

3.  Sally,  [b.    Jan.  29,  1789,  m.   Jabez  Fairbanks   of  Frances- 

town,  Jan.  2,  1814,  died  Dec.  2,  1839.] 

4.  Daniel,  [b.  May  19,  1791.  m.  1st,  Mary  Todd  of  Frances- 

town  Jan.  21,  1819,  2nd,  Betsey  (Whipple)  Guild,  Sept. 
5,  1837,  3rd,  Lucinda,  (Duncklee)  Combs  of  Hollis  Nov.  8, 
1855.  Daniel  Bixby  early  developed  a  talent  for  mechan- 
ical ptirstiits.  When  a  mere  boy,  he  built  a  small  mill  upon 
the  Brennan  Brook  iie  ir  tlie  Burnham  house,  wlii(;h  lie  after- 
wards built.  In  this  mill  he  was  able  to  saw  light  boards. 
Later  he  built  a  sh()[)  in  wliicli  he  madechairs  andbobbins, 
and  afterward  with  liis  cousin  Levi,  son  of  Thomas  Bixby 
he  constructed  a  machii'.e  for  cutting  and  heading  nails. 
Still  equal  to  utilizing  small  water  })rivileges  he  built 
about  1821,  the  Bixby  shop  in  the  village  wliich  was  first 
used  for  cabinet  work  and  later  for  the  manufacture  of 
fancy  boxes".  The  various  macldnes  and  ap})liances  of  this 
shop  which  were  the  products  of  the  labor  and  skill  of 
Daniel  and  his  son  James  prove  both  to  have  been  possesed 
of  no  ordinary  al)ility  as  mechanics.  He  was  withal  a  man 
of  tireless  industry  and  good  practical  judgment.  He 
died  in  Francestown,  June  14,  1870.  Flis  children  a,U 
born  in  Francestown  were  : — 
Mari/  -/.,  (b.  April  24,  1821,  d.  May  12,  1823.) 
Darnel  Page,  (b.  May  20,  1824,  m.  1st,  Sarah  F.  Willard 
Aug.  12,  1849,  2nd,  Caroline  W.  Chase  of  North  Weare, 
.  Jan.  18,  1862.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Otis  Chase  and 
was  born  in  Deerimg,  July  2,  1836.  Mr.  Bixby  served 
nearly  four  years  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  He  enlisted 
Oct.  14,  1861,  in  tlie  1st,  New  England  Cavalry,  he  after- 
ward reenlisted  in  tlie  1st,  New  Hampshire  Cavalry,  Co. 
L.  Was  in  Libby  Prison  from  Dec.  25,  1864,  to  Feb.  25, 
1865,  res.  in  Manchester,  is  a  mechanic.     He  is  remembered 


520  GENEALOGIES. 

ill  town  as  a  man  of  pleasant  social  qualities  and  a  skill- 
full and  tasty  workman.  His  children  Ijy  first  marriage 
were  Charles  A.,  b.  June  11,  1850,  ni.  Ernestina  Nevitt, 
of  Albany,  111.,  Dec.  9,  188(3,  now  resides  in  Clinton,  Iowa. 
Arthur  L.,  b.  Oct.  16,  1857,  ni.  Annie  Currier  of  Man- 
chester, Nov.  1880,  is  a  carpenter,  contracter  and  builder 
in  Manchester.  Childrcni  by  2nd,  marriage  were  dnj 
Sidney,  b.  in  North  Weare,  Feb.  20,  1872,  is  a  mechanic  in 
Manchester.  Addie  Maria,  b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  o, 
1875,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  8, '1877.) 
-/amt'.s-  2\>ihh  (b.  .lune  oO,  1880,  m.  1st.  Mary  A.  Duncklee  of 
Francestown,  Oct.  ID,  1854,  2nd,  Maiy  A.  Morgan  of 
Francestown,  Sept.  8,  1869.  Children  by  2nd  marriage, 
James  :\I.,1).  April  8.  1870,  d.  Aug.  18,  1872.  Ernest  P., 
b.  June  •),  187').  Both  were  born  in  Francestown.  We 
have  already  i-eferred  to  Mr.  Bixby  as  a  man  of  unusual 
mechanical  ingenuity  and  skill.  He  was  moreovei-  a 
thoroughly  public  spirited  man  and  was  one  of  the  fouiul- 
ers  of  the  Home  Circle,  through  which  society  our  town 
library  had  its  origin.  He  represented  the  town  in  the 
State  Legislature  and  was  rightly  regarded  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinaiy  intelJigence.  He  died  in  Francestown,  Nov. 
24,  1883.)]  ' 

5.  Polly,  [b.  Aug.  27.  17'.>8,  m.  Jabez  Fairl)anks  of  Newport, 

Nov,  17,  1840,  d.  in  Newport,  Jan.  26.  1863.] 

6.  ASENATH,  [married  William  Quigley  of  Francestown,  died 

at  Francestown,  Aug.  24,  1870.] 

7.  Deax,  [b.  July  16,  1804,  m.  1st.  Lucy  Manning  of  Frances- 

town,  April  29,  1835.  2nd,  Sara  Whiting  of  Francestown, 
Nov.  25,  1841,  was  by  trade  a  carpenter,  d.  in  Manchester, 
May  15,  1871.     Children  by  1st,  marriage  were: — 

Liir//  ./.,  (b.   at  Francestown,  Sept.  3,   1836,  m.  B.  N.   Hub- 
l)ard  of  Brooktield,  d.  at  Manchester,  Dec.  14,  1871.) 

Fantiji  A.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  17,  1838,  was  not   mar- 
ried, res.  at  Manchester,  d.  at  Manchester,  May  6,  1859.) 

Sarah,  E.,  ( b.  at  Francestown,  March  19,1841,  m.  1st,  Osborne 
Poor,  of  Raymond,  2nd,  John  Lane  of  Raymond.) 
Children  by  2nd,  marriage  were: — 


BIXBl'.  521 

Neicell  R.  (I),  at  Francestown.  .June  14,  1843,  m.  Lucina  T* 
Holt  of  Hooksett,  was  a  carpenter,  d.  Jan.  18,  1890,  at 
Manchester,  where  he  lived  and  served  in  the  Common 
Council.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  7th  N.  H.,  during  the 
late  war.) 

Daniel  A.^  (b.  at  Francestown,  March  13,  1845,  m.  Sarah  A. 
Perkins  of  Brooklield.  He  served  as  drum  major  in  the 
7th  N.  H.  Kegt.,  d.  at  Manchester,  Sept.  25,  1871.) 

Mary  E.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  in  1847.  d.  at  Manchestei'  in 
1848.) 

Clinton  H.,  (b.  at  Manchester,  Dec.  3,  1848,  m.  Harriet  M. 
Gardner  of  Bedford,  is  a  carpenter,  res.  in  Manchester.)] 
8.  Fakny,  [married  Samuel  Ferson  Jr.,  of  Francestown,  Feb. 
27,  1821,  d.  at  Francestown.  June  13, 1837.] 

THOMAS  BIXBY,  th-  youngest  of  the  four  brothers,  settled  west- 
ward of  the  village,  nearly  south  of  the  Perley  place.  He  seems  to  have 
been  quite  as  prominent  in  public  affairs  as  any  of  his  race  in  Frances- 
town.  He  was  for  twelve  years  town  clerk,  besides  holding  other  offices 
which  causes  his  name  to  appear  often  upon  our  early  records.  In  the 
war  of  the  Eevolution,  he  was  a  lieutenant  in  Capt.  Cai'son's  company, 
and  was  at  Bunker  Hiil,  and  subsequently  endured  with  his  comrades 
in  arms  the  terrible  privations  of  Valley  Forge.  He  married  1st, 
Rebecca  Holmes  of  Francestown,  July  13,  1784,  2nd,  Rhoda  (Billings) 
Downes,  Jan.  13,  1808.  He  died  in  Francestown,  Jan.  3,  1827.  His 
1st  wife  died  at  Francestown,  Jan.  29, 1804.  His  second  wife  survived 
him  by  many  years,  she  died  Sept.  13,  1851.  Children  all  by  1st 
marriage,  were  born  in  Francestown. 

1.  Paul,  [b.  Aug.  5,  1785,  d.  Sept.  11,  1785.] 

2.  Thomas,  Je.,  [b.  Oct.  21,  1786,  m.  Polly  Johnson  of  Frances- 

town,  Oct.  29,  1807,  d.  April,  1808.] 

3.  Rebecca,  [b.  Sept.  30,  1788,  d.  Jan.  8,  1793.] 

4.  Hannah,  [b.  Nov.  25,  1790,  m.  John  Bradford  of  Frances- 

town,  July  4,  1809,  d.  at  Francestown,  June  5,  1865.] 

5.  Levi,  [b.  June  10,  1792,  m.  Mary  A.  Lobato  of  Paramaribo, 

■  Dutch  Guiana,  S.  A.,  where  he  resided  for  many  years,  be- 
ing for  quite  a  period  U.  S.  consul  at  that  place.  He 
died  at  Paramaribo,  May  10,  1856.  His  children  were: — 
Frances  Jane^  (b.  at  Paramaribo,  Feb.  10,  1833,  m.  1st  Daniel 
J.  Mens  of  Paramaribo,  Dutch  Guiana.  2nd,  Dr.  John 
J.  B.  Verrayne  of  Flolland,  May  7,  1867,  d.  at  New  Bed- 
ford, Mass.',  Dec.  20,  1878.) 


o22  (JENEALOGIES. 

TlioHKi^  Kihrani.  (1).  at  Pammarilx).  .Imio  23.1835.  in.  Adilie 
M.  .M..ISM  of  IJosioii.  Mass..  Apiil  27.  1871.  Altliouo-h 
eiio'aoed  in  mercaiitile  iMU'suits  in  the  cilv  of  Boston,  he 
resides  in  Francestown.  haviiiL;-.  donhtless,  an  attachme]it 
foi'  the  liome  of  liis  ancestors.  Mr.  Bixby  is  here  a  most 
acce])tabh'  citizen,  since  lie  is  a  n'entleman  in  whom  the 
h!L;]ier  (jnalities  of  inanliood  liavc  not  been  comjiromised 
hy  the  complications  and  en^'iossmenls- of  business.  Hii^ 
childi'cn  are: — Thomas  E(h\ard.  b.  at  Boston.  Nov.  16. 
1S72.  Levi  Abison.  li.  ai  Lvnif.  Mass..  Dec.  2!l.  1873. 
Kmiiia   l''ranci'.>.  li.  St-jii.  2<».  lS7!L  at  l-'rancest o\\  ii. ) 

(Icnriir  llnlnics.  (  b.  al  I'aramaribo.  Xow  2.  1S:!7.  m.  Anna 
II.  Dana  of  Boston.  Ahiss..  Xo\-.  14.  Is77.  Dr.  Bixbv 
^•radiiated  al  the  Dartmonih  Medical  Scliool  in  1  <s,"),S.  hav- 
inL;'  picvionsly  stndied  at  Woodstock  an<l  JiarAaid.  Ik'- 
iiiL;'  ambitions  in  his  jtrof'ession  he  \isited  JMirojx'  on  a 
tour  of  research  and  obser\ation  and  was  at  \'ieiina  at  the 
breaking;- out  of  the  war  (d'  the  Bebellion.  the  news  of  which 
([uickened  his  spirit  of  jiatiiotism  and  philanthrop\ .  and 
he  returned  to  .\merica.  reaching'  Boston  in  .Jan..  1<S()2. 
Ilere  he  answered  an  iirnent  appeal  for  >ur^eons  from  the 
I'lesident  of  the  Western  Sanitary  Commission,  and  has- 
tened to  St.  Louis,  where  his  services  were  gladly  accepted 
and  he  was  assiL;iied  to  the  lar^'e  river  steamer  "Empress.*" 
w  liich  \\as  beiiii;-  converted  into  a  tloatiiif,''  hospital,  by  the 
Commission.  Di-.  Bi>;b\-  contintied  in  this  service  six 
weeks  dtiriiiL;'  which  time  the  thousands  of  soldiers  \\'oiiiide(l 
at  Shiloh.  were  remo\ed  to  the  hos[)itals  of  St.  Lotiis.  In 
Jtiiie,  18(>2.  at  the  recommendation  of  the  President  of  the 
Commission,  he  was  aj)[iointe<l  Actitii;-  Assistant  Snro-eon. 
r.  S.  X..  and  was  g-iven  charLie  of  the  ca[)tiired  steamer. 
•■  lve(l  Kover  ""  which  tinder  his  supervision  was  prepared 
for  hospital  tise  with  such  des])atch  that  he  re})orted  on 
the  <)th  of  June  to  the  commanding-  naval  oHicei  at  Memphis, 
and  immediately  received  the  sick  and  wonmled  fi'om  the 
erioragi'ements  of  Island  No.  Id.  Foi't  I'illow  and  Fort  Flind- 
man.  The  boat  was  ordered  to  X'ieksbure'  in  July,  and  on 
the  historic  4th.  Dr.  Bixby  witnessed  the  stirrender  of  tliat 
citv.      In  tlie  summer  of  18H2.  which  was  a  season  almost 


I'.ixi'.v.  528 

iiiipiii'iilleled  for  sickness  on  the  JVJississi|)[)i.  the  medit-al 
seiviee  was  taxed  to  its  utmost  capacitY,  and  the  "Red 
IJovei'"'  was  compelled  to  return  to  St.  Louis  for  repairs 
and  eidai'gement  in  December  of  that  yeai'.  In  Feb.  I8H0. 
she  returned  to  the  scpiadron  and  was  tlie  first  unarmed 
l)o;n  to  reach  New  Orleans  after  the  ojjeiniiL;'  of  tlie  river. 
Dr.  I^ixbv  left  the  service  Nov.  2oth.  ISII.').  witli  the  high- 
{'s{  commendations  for  courtesy,  skill,  i^lmanit^  and  self- 
sacrifice  displayed  by  him  in  the  tlnee  and  one-half  yeai's 
of  continuous  service.  I  lis  present  home  is  in  New  Bed- 
ford. Mass.  However,  he  has  a  summer  residence  in 
l^'ra-ucesiown.  and  in  many  \\  ays  he  has  disj)layed  a  deep 
and  kindly  interest  in  tlie  town.  Dr.  I)ixl)v  has  an  envi- 
al)h'  re[)ittal>ion  in  his  ])rofession.  being  esi)eciallv  skilful 
in  surgeiy.  lie  A\as  bn'  several  yeais  in  ])ractice  in  Bos- 
ton. In  this  section  liis  many  successfid  operations,  often 
})erformed  without  thought  of  remuneration,  aie  still  re- 
membered. He  has  one  ciiild.  Mury  Alison,  b.  at  IJoston. 
Nov.  8.  187S.) 

('htir/cs  Ketttlrick^  (b.  at  Paramaribo.  .March  2<).  1.S81I,  m.  Sara 
W  Lawreut-e  of  New  I)oston.  Sept.  10.  1SH2.  He  is  ])\ 
profession  a  (dergyman.  and  resides  in  Chicago.  111.) 

Ainiic  (Htdliit'i.  (b.  at  Para,maribo.  Oct.  ^H.  1S4().  m.  I\ev. 
Samuel  \\.  Stew^art  of  Farnungton.  Dec.  IT.  1S(»;1  it-sides 
in  Lynn,^  Mass.) 

Artlnir  Nicholas,  ( b.  at  Paramaribo,  .lulv  12.  1<S42,  died  in 
infancy.) 

Evuna  A(JaUn(\    (b.    at    Paramaribo,   July  11.    184;').  m.    Dr. 
John    J.  B.  Vermyne,  then  of   New    Bedford.  Mass..    June' 
2,  1881,  resides  in  New  Bedford.) 

Arthur  Nicholas,  (b.  at  Paramaribo,  Jan,  27,  1848,  m.  Con- 
stance   Van  Dyke  of  Pai'amaribo.     He  sailed  from    Para- 

■  maribo  for  Boston  and  died  on  the  passage,  Oct.  8.1894.)] 
().  An  Infant,  unnamed,  [b.  March.  1795.] 
7.  Oliveu,  [b.  April  28,  1796,  m.  1st,  Abigail  ^V.  Farrington. 
of  Lyndeboro',  Nov.  18,  1828.  2nd.  Hiddah  D.  Farring- 
ton of  Lyndeboro'.  Nov.  13.  1888.  was  a  mercliant  and 
farmer  aiul  resided  in  Wilton,  Ljnideboro.  Andierst  and 
Hillsboro".  where  he  died.  Feb.  27.  1879.] 


524  GENEALOGIES. 

8.  Rebecca,    [b.  May   29,  1798,   d.  at  -Francestown,  Jan.   29, 

1808.] 

9.  Paul  Holmes,  [b.  April  27,  1801,  m.  Eliza  Jane  Aiken   of 

Francestown,  May  11, 1826.  Mr.  Bixby  was  long  a  promi- 
nent citizen  of  the  town.  He  served  two  terms  in  the  State 
Legislature,  and  was  for  man}''  years  moderator  of  town 
meeting, he  was,  moreover,  the  originator  of  the  consider- 
able banking  business  which  has  long  given  the  town  some 
prominence,  and  was  virtually  the  founder  of  the  first 
Francestown  Bank,  being  for  a  long  period  its  cashier. 
He  was  afterward  cashier  of  the  National  Bank  and  to  his 
death,  treasurer  of  Savings  Bank,  of  which  he  was  one  of 
the  founders.  He  was  also  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits. 
He  died  at  Francestown,  Feb.  13,  1870.  His  wife  died  at 
Francestown,  Feb.  20,  1874.  Their  children  were: — 
Augustus  Holmes,  (b.  at  Francestown,  March  12,  1827,  m. 
Mary  L.  Shepherd,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  (Doak) 
Shepherd  of  Manchester,  Dec.  2,  1855,  resides  in  Frances- 
town.  Major  Bixby  is  a  man  of  education,  which  was 
obtained  at  Francestow^n  Academy,  Amherst  College,  and 
through  the  medium  of  extensive  reading,  intercourse  and 
travel.  Quite  early  in  life  he  followed  the  profession  of 
civil  engineering  and  was  employed  for  a  number  of  years 
as'  engineer  on  the  Ma3^sville  &  Lexington  road  in  Ken- 
tucky, the  Wabash  in  Lidiana,  the  Memphis  and  Charles- 
ton and  the  Memphis  &  Nashville  in  Tenn.,  and  the 
Memphis  &  Little  Rock  in  Ark.  He  was  upon  the  Isthmus 
of  Panama  in  the  famous  days  of  '49,  besides  visiting  many 
places  in  Central  and  South  America  and  the  West  Indies. 
He  enlisted  in  the  N.  H.  battalion  of  the  first  N.  E.  Cavalry 
as  1st  Lieut.,  and  was  promoted  captain  in  1862.  He 
participated  in  twenty-five  engagements,  in  all  of  which 
he  commanded  his  company,  the  first  being  at  Front  Royal, 
Va.,  which  place  was  captured  by  a  bold  attack  of  an  in- 
considerable force  of  cavalry,  and  held  b}-  the  same  until 
the  arrival  of  the  main  bod}'  of  the  army.  He  was  serv- 
ing upon  the  bodyguard  of  Gen.  Phil.  Kearney  when  that 
intrepid  officer  received  his  death  wotind  atChantilly,  and 
is  one  of  the  few  possessing  the  Kearney  badge.     The  ser- 


HIXBY,    BLACK.  ollo 

vices  performed  by  liim  at  Middlebnrg,  have  received  men- 
tion in  works  of  greater  note  than  ours.  Here  the  regi- 
ment fighting  an  entire  brigade  of  Stewart's  cavalry,  Avas 
nearly  annihilated.  Col.  Duliie.  with  twenty-seven  men, 
and  four  officers,  among  whom  was  Capt.  Bixby,  only  es- 
caped capture.  Captain  Bixby 's  horse  was  shot  and  lie  re- 
ceived a  severe  wound.  He  was  transferred  to  the  1st 
N.  H.  Cavalry,  in  Jan.,  1864,  and  served  as  inspector  in 
the  Cavalry  bureau  till  Nov.  9.  1864,  when  he  was  honor- 
abl}'  discharged.  He  was  brevetted  major  in  July,  I860. 
In  1871  he  was  chosen  Commander  of  the  N.  H.  department 
of  the  G.  A.  R.  Besides  reijresentino'  the  town  in  the  Leg-is- 
lature  he  has  held  various  town  oifices.  To  his  intelligence 
and  well-timed  assistance  the  completeness  of  this  work 
may  be  in  part  ascribed.  Children  born  in  Francestown 
were: — William  l^ind,  b.  Jan.  1,  1857.  Havijig  auended 
Francestown  Academy,  and  ]-*hilip's  Academy  at  Andover 
and  graduated  at  the  Institute  of  Technology  at  Boston, 
he  became  very  proficient  in  his  father's  profession  of  Civil 
Engineering,  to  a\  hich  he  added  that  of  a  mining  engineer, 
and  was  employed  first  on  the  Wabash  R.  R..  at  Toledo, 
and  St.  Louis,  and  subsequently  on  the  Missouri  Pacific 
Railwa}',  being  division  engineer,  of  the  Wichita,  Ft.  Scott 
and  Western  R.  11.  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Avliicli  occur- 
red at  Wichita,  Kan.,  July  16,  1888.  Joseph  Sliepherd,  1). 
March  15,  1860,  is  a  pharmacist  in  Lynn,  Mass.) 
Thomaii  A.,  (b.  at  Fi'ancestow  11.  July  5,  1832,  d.  July  1*2. 
1832.)] 
10.  RoxANNA,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Jan.  27,  1804,  d.  Nov.  30, 
1804.] 

BLACK. 

SAMUEL  BLACK  was  born  in  Londonderry,  Aug.  -J,  17!)4.  He 
married  Olive  Clark  of  Friuicestown.  Dcr!  -J.-j.  1S23,  and  settled  on  what 
is  now  called  the  llhick  i)l;ice.  T\w  house,  wliieh  was  pulled  down  a 
few  years  ago,  stood  a  short  distance  to  nortliward  of  the  Downes  oi- 
Parker  place.  Here  Mr.  I'.laek  died,  Oct.  :'.0,  L^:!8.  His  children 
were: — 


,'y26  (iKXlOALoCIKS. 

1.  Jamks  Wallace,  [b.  at  Francesiow  u.  Vvl).  10.  iSrio,  is  a 
photoj^i'apher  of  note  in  Boston.  Mass..  ni.  Fannie  (i.  Sluu}) 
of  Boston  in  1859.  res.  in  C'anibridoe.  Mass.] 

'2.  Infant.  [1).  ai  Fran('(\st(i\\n.  .Ian.  ■2'i.  ls:-)ii.  d.ai  Fianccs- 
lown.  Mairh  21.  1s:]l>.] 

BF.ANCIIAIU). 

KDWIN  T.  15LAXCirARl).  was  horn  al  Wilt-. ii.  March  IS.  ISU). 
His  fatlicr  Ahiicr  IJlanclianl  was  horn  ai  \\'-ilton.  hcinu  ll'*'  ^'>ii  of  Ben- 
jamin lUani-hai'il.  wlio  removed  Iroin  Andovci-.  Mass..  to  Wihon.  whore 
lie  Hvcii  until  t!u'  eh)se  of  hfc  .\l)ni'i'  was  twice  married;  lirst  to 
Ilannali  Tarljeil.  l)oru  at  Mason  and  died  at  Tenii)le,  May,  1S:!;>,  second 
to  .Vnnie  Dah'  of  W'iUon.  who  died  in  Francestown.  Sept.  1.").  l,S()-2, 
aL;'e(l  To  yi-ars.  lie  died  in  Heiniin^ton,  March  'J'J.  ISo.").  aiicil  (>7  years. 
Edwin  T.  Bbxnchard.  came  liere  from  Wakefield  in  IS.")'.!,  and  lived  on 
the  Isaac  Hovey  phice  and  latef  on  the  I'^airhanks  place  from  which  he 
removed  to  the  place  he  now  occaipies.  He  married.  ,Ian.  "J"),  1S4'2, 
Sarah  Crauin.  Slie  was  horn  at  'lemph'.  July  .i.  isjCi.  Mi-.  Blanchard 
and  his  wife  are  veiw  respectal)le  and  hospilahle  people.  Tlieir  children 
are : — 

1.  Benjamin  A.,  [b.  at  Greeniield.  Dec.  19.  1842.     In  tbe  war 

(^f  the  Rebellion,  be  enlisted  in  tbe  1st  N.  H.  Fleavy  Ar- 
tilery  and  died  from  tbe  effects  of  his  military  service,  June 
8.  1867.  at  his  home  in  Frtincestown.] 

2.  Chakles  E.,  [b.   at  (Treeiiiield.    .Ian.  18.  1845,   m.  Etta    F. 

Savage,  of  Greenfield,  Nov.  17.  1869.  He  lived  with  his 
parents  on  tbe  Fairbanks  })lace  until  1874,  when  he  re- 
moved TO  (freenfiekl,  where  he  now  resides.  His  wife  was 
born  at  Greenfield,  Aug.,  1848.     Their  children  are: — 

Sarah  ./.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  8,  1870,  m.  Allen  Spauld- 
ing,  of  Francestown,  March  .30,  1893,  res.  in  Nelson.) 

Lun<  E..  (b.  at   Francestown,  March  17,  1872.  m.  Willis  C. 
Hill  (vf  Greenfield,  March  -30,  1893,  res.  at  Greenfield.) 

Frank  E.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Aug.  15,  1873.) 

WiUie  C.  (b.  at  Greenfield.  Jan.  22,  1877.) 

Anna  ./.,  (b.  at  Greenfield,  March  2,  1879.) 

Gran'  ('..  ( b.  at  Greenfield.  April  21,  1882.) 
W'alfrr  A'..  (I),  at  Greenfield,  Feb.  21,  1884.) 

Bertie  d..  (1).  at  Greenfield,  Jan.  14,  1886.) 

Pllni/  A..  (1).  at  Greenfield,  Dec.  13,  1890.)] 


BLANCHARD,    BOARDMAN.  527 

3.  Jennie  S..  [b.  at  Beimingtou.  Sept.  19.  1848.  m.  Isi.  Willie 

Holt,  of  Greeiilield.  Jan.  21.  1873.  2nd.  Franklin  B.  Star- 
i-etl  of  Francesiown.  Dec.  18.    1884.  i-es   at  Francestown.] 

4.  Arxek   Francis,  [I),  at  Bennington,  April   0.  18o2,   is  nn- 

married.  is  a  merchant,  res.  at  Fitchburg.  Mass.] 
.-).    Fv[E  ('.,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  29,  1859,  m.  Oscar  Whit- 
comb.  (»f  Tem})le.  Xov.  27.  1880.  removed  to  'rem[)le.  where 
she  resides.] 

BOAKDMAN. 

FlvAXClS  IJOARDMAX.  wiiosc  n;nnc  appcai-s  in  ouv  skctcli  of  the 
Hi-adford  family,  was  the  <;randsoii  of  Thomas  lioardiiiaii.  who  came 
ii'oiii  Ipswich,  Mass.,  to  Tvyndeborough,  where  lie  died  al  an  advanced 
aL^c.  leaving;  four  chilch'en: — Hannah,  wlm  married  Aai'on  Lewis. 
Tliomas.  (the  father  of  Francis,)  T)ani<d  X.  and  .John,  who  died  in 
Fi'anccslowii.  wiiere  lie  ^va^  cniployed  as  clerk  in  a  store.  Francis 
r>oai'dman  was  born  in  Lyndc  lioi'ouizli,  Nov..  ISll.  Uv  came  to  this 
lown  in  18;;50  and  Avoi'ked.  upon  ih"  farm  of  fi'cv.  Moses  l^radford  one 
ycai'.  Ill  Ihe  fdllowini;-  \car  lu'  niarried  Sarah  Falon  r)raiirord.  yonn^'- 
esl  <diild  of  Ile\-.  Moses  T.]-adl'ord  and  sellled  upon  tlie  fai'ni.  fie  j'e- 
moved  to  Newport  in  IS.T.t.  wliei-e  he  has  h(dd  many  ])nl)lie  otlices. 
His  tirst  wife  died  al  Xewpoii.  Xov  "_'.  lS4.'i.  and  he  married  "Jnd,  in 
1S4!I.  Susan  J.  Ha/AMi.  of  X(>r\vieh.  \'t.  Hannah,  a  sister  of  I'rancis 
i'loardman  also  ]-eside<l  s(\n'i'al  years  in  Francestown  and  ilied  liere  in 
1S4."!.      The  (diildivn  of  I'rancis  and  Saraii  IJoardman  lU'c:  — 

1.  Ja.mes  Henry,  [Ij.  at  Fianeestown.  Aug.  ti.  1831.  m.  Anna 

Elizabeth  Kelsey.  oF  Ftica.  X.  \ ..  .Vug.  cS.  1S(;4.  He  was 
early  engaged  in  nieicaiitiU'  pursuits  in  X'ew})ort  and 
FrancestoNAU.  and  later  in  Holyoke.  Mass..  aiul  Chicago, 
111.      He  now  resides  with  liis  family  in  the  latter  city.] 

2.  Moses  I)i;.vi)F()i;i).  [b.  at  Francestown.  May  25. 1833.     After 

his  preparatory  study  at  Meriden  he  entered  Amherst  Col- 
lege in  1850,  and  gradmited  iii  1  8(50.  He  stndied  Theology 
at  Union  Theological  Srminaiy.  Xew  York,  and  at  An- 
dover.  Mass.  Being  depeiidcnt  upon  liis  own  resources 
he  taught  botli  jniAate  ])Ui)ils  and  public  schools,  while 
pursuing  his  studies,  and  soon  afterward  suffered  the  con- 
secpiences  of  oAer  cxci'tion.  Before  his  gi'adinition  at  An- 
dover,  he  acce[)ted  acail  to  the  Evangelical  Congregational 
Church  at  Lynidield  Center,  Mass.,  where  he  served  from 
Oct.   1.  18()3  to  XoN.  7.  1870,   when  he  M-as  dismissed  to 


528  GEXEALfXilES. 

accept  a  call  to  the  CoDgregational  C'liurcli,  at  Briintield, 
Mass.,  where  he  was  installed.  Dec.  1,  1870,  and  servexl 
nntil,  by  reason  of  the  failuie  of  his  health,  he  \Yas  dismissed 
(3ct.  29,  1873.  He  travelled  abroad  for  his  health,  and  was 
apparently  recovering  when  he  was  again  prostrated  in 
London.  After  his  return  he  attempted  some  ministerial 
labo]'  which  he  was  soon  compelled  to  relinquish.  In  1883 
he  was  emplo^'ed  as  Associate  in  Pastoi-al  Work  in  the 
First  Church  of  Christ  in  New  Britain,  Conn.,  where  he 
has  since  remained.  lie  nuirrierl.  Se])t.  17,  1863,  Miss 
Pollen  E.  Barbour  of  Harwinton,  Conn.,  has  had  four  child- 
ren, three  sons  and  a  daughter.] 

JOHN  BOAKDMAX,  sou  of  Thomas  J3oardman  of  Ipswich,  iiass., 
and  Lyndeboro",  X.  TI.,  was  employed  as  a  clerk  in  Wilson's  store  in 
this  town  and  died  here.  Xov.  25.  ISIO.  aged  30  years.  He  was  about 
to  be  married  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

MICAH  BOARDMAX,  was  bom  in  Lyndeboro",  Dec.  21,  iSO().  He 
came  here  about  the  year  1837  and  lived  fifteen  years  on  the  place  now 
occupied  by  George  Kingsbury,  Jr.  He  was  a  brother  of  Francis  Board- 
man  and  of  Hannah  IJoardman,  who  died  in  this  town,  Aug.  25,  1843, 
aged  33  years  and  of  Lucy  Boardman,  born  Xov.  28,  1817,  who  married 
John  Huntington  and  died  in  Xashua,  and  of  Sarah  Boardman,  born 
Mai'ch  27,  1820,  who  married  John  H.  Patch  of  this  town  and  died  at 
Webster,  Mass.,  Feb.  4,  1883.  John  Boardman  the  first  born  of  the 
children  of  the  parents  of  Micah  died  in  infancy.  Micah  was  married 
twice..     He  died  in  Arlington,  Vt.,  in  1873. 

BOUTELL. 

JAMES^  B()T'T?]LL  of  Salem,  Mass.,  was  made  a  freeman,  March 
14,  1G3!).  and  died  in  1(J51.  His  son,  James2,  married  Rebecca  Kendall, 
June  15,  l<i(i5.  She  was  born  Feb.  10,  1644,  and  died  Aug.  30,  1713. 
James  died  Dec.  5,  1716.  Kendall^,  son  of  James  and  Eebecca  was 
born  June  15,  1082,  and  married  Lucy  Damon,  Jan.  7,  1706,  and  settled 
at  Reading,  Mass..  where  he  died,  Jan.  8,  1770.  Kendall^,  doubtless 
the  grandson  of  Kendall  and  Lucy  (Damon)  Boutell,  was  born  at  Read- 
ing, Aug.  12,  1736.  He  settled  in  Amherst,  Avhere  he  died,  Aug.  12, 
1820.  His  wife,  Sarah,  also  died  at  Amherst,  April,  1812,  aged  76  years. 
Joseph^,  son  of  Kendall,  was  born  March  6,  1757.  He  settled  in  Am- 
herst, where  he  married  Abigail and  had   by  this  marriage    six 

children.     Luther'?,  the  third  child,  was  born  Aug.  8,  1789. 


BOUTELL,    BOYD.  529 

LUTHEE  BOUTELL,  born  Aug.  8,  1789,  came  here  from  Amherst 
about  the  year  1820,  and  lived  in  the  house  outhe  extreme  northwestern 
border  of  the  village  now  owned  by  Charles  A.  Vose.  He  married 
Charlotte  Short  of  Deering,  daughter  of  Elizabeth  Short,  May  16,  1820. 
She  died  in  this  town,  May  3,  1858.  Mr.  Boutell  removed  to  Marlow. 
where  he  died,  Dec.  14,  18G2.     Only  child: — 

Mary  E..  [d.  at  Francestown,  Aug.   7,  1835,  aged  9  years.] 

BOYD. 

DEA.  SAMUEL  BOYD  was  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  many  Scotch- 
Irish  emigrants  bearing  this  family  name,  who  settled  in  Londonderry 
soon  after  the  incorporation  of  that  town.  The  ancient  Boyds  were 
among  the  high  dignitaries  of  Scotland.  Indeed  the  name  originated 
with  "Kobert,  son  of  Simon,  who  was  third  son  of  Alan  the  second. 
Lord  High  Steward  "  of  that  country.  Robert  being  of  very  fair  com- 
plexion was  named,  "  Boyt  or  Boyd,"  from  the  Gaelic,  signifying /«i/-, 
he  is  said  to  have  been  the  ancestor  of  all  the  Bo3-ds  in  Scotland.  There 
are,  however,  families  of  the  name  of  Bolt,  who  claim  that  as  the  origi- 
nal name.  From  the  first  Robert  Boyd,  who  died  about  the  year  1240, 
descended  Sir  Robert  Boyd,  who  died  in  1270,  whose  son,  Sir  Robert 
Boyd,  was  a  baron  and  figured  somewhat  conspicuously  in  historic 
events  during  the  reign  of  Edward  I.  of  England.  His  son,  the  fourth 
Sir  Robert,  was  perhaps  the  most  illustrious  of  the  lineage,  since  for 
his  gallantry  in  the  service  of  Robert  Bruce,  he  was  by  that  king 
made  Lord  of  Kilmarnoc  and  otherwise  greatly  honored.  Of  the  emi- 
gration of  the  descendants  of  the  above  to  Ireland,  and  that  of  their  de- 
scendants to  America,  it  may  not  be  necessary  to  speak,  although  it  is 
possible  to  do  so  since  abundant  information  upon  the  subject  is  obtain- 
able. Dea.  Samuel  Boyd  was  a  resident  of  this  town  as  early  as  1778, 
living  with  his  brother.  Nathaniel,  on  the  M3'nard  Button  place.  He 
was  born  in  Berry,  .June  2,  1738.  His  wife  was  Jane  Mack.  She  was 
born  at  Berry,  Fel).  14, 1744,  and  died  in  Francestown,  July  13,  1827. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  vocation  and  was  a  very  good  man.  He  died  in 
this  town,  July  12,  1811.     Children  were  : — 

1.  Margaket,  [b.  at  Derry,  May  6,  1777,  m.  John  Wilson  of 

New  Boston,  Nov.  17,  1801,  d.  at  Nashua,  Dec.  17,  1862.] 

2.  Hannah,   [b.  at  Francestown,    June  2,  1778.  unmarried, 

died  at  Greenfield,  March  17,  1852.] 
o.  Annis,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Feb.  22.  1780.  unmarried,   died 

at  Greenfield.] 
4.  Nathaniel,  [b.  at  Francestown,  June  13,  1781,  unmarried 

was  a  farmer,  died  at  Greenfield,  March  10,  1848.] 


530  GENEALOGIES. 

NATHANIEL  J30YD  settled  on  the  Mjnard  Dutton  place,  but 
aiterward  built  on  the  Horace  Hopkins  place  which  was  for  a  number 
of  years  his  home.  He  died  in  this  town.  Oct.  4,  18 11.  His  wife  was 
Molly  Ramsey  of  Greenfield.     Children  : — 

1 .  -I  ANE  L..  [h.  at  Francestowi),  Nov.  8, 1790,  ni.  Adam  Dickey 

nf  Fraiicestown.  May  4.  1815.  d.  in  FrancestoAvii.  June 
20.  1871.] 

2.  PoLLV.  [1).  in  Francestown,  married  Ebenezer  Talbot  of  this 

unvn.  died  here.  Sept.  14,  1843,  aged  nearly  51  years.] 

3.  Nathaniel,  [twin    brother  of  Polly,   died  here,  unmarried. 

Se])t.  10.  1844.] 

4.  Fbenezkij.  [b.    ill  Francejstown.  m.  1st.    fiorcnza  Dickey,   a 

iiioi'c  of  Adam  Dickey  of  this  town.  She  died  here,  Apr. 
17.  1829.  aged  24  years.  He  married  2nd,  Hannah  Balch 
of  Fraiicestow  11.  Ehenezer  Boyd  was  a  valuable  citizen 
of  this  town,  and  was  many  times  (dectod  to  oHice.  He 
lived  on  tiic  [ilace  now  occupied  by  Miles  Swinington. 
Hert-  he  died.  .Iniic  11.  1840.  aged  45  years.  His  children 
were  : — 

William  IL,  ( b.  at  Kraiiccstown,  in.  1st,  Liz/.ie  Smith  of  Man- 
chester. 2nd.  Louisa  Hill  also  of  Manchester,  in  which  city 
he  resided  for  a  number  of  years,  being  by  vocation  a  clerk. 
He  died  at  Manchester.) 

Lorenza.  (b.  at  Francestown.  m.  Oscar  B.  Whitcomb.  of  Man- 
chester, resides  at  Mount  Aubttrn,  Iowa.) 

Page  /.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  July  28.  1832.  is  a  farmer  and 
stock  dealer  at  Dover.  Kansas,  where  he  has  long  i-esided.) 

G-c.on/e  F.,  (b.  at  Francestown.  April.  1834.  married  Louisa 
Heil  of  Topeka.  Kansas,  res.  at  Moro.  Oregon,  is  by  voca- 
tion a  farmei-. ) 

Charles  Henri/,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Nov.  4.  1830.  ni.  Lizzie 
H.  Cragiii,  dattghter  of  Paul  Cragin,  Jr.  of  Manchester. 
N.  H..  Nov.  26, 1 863.  After  a  prei)aratory  course  at  Frances- 
town  Academy,  he  entered  Dartmotith  College  in  1854. 
where  he  maintained  a  high  rank  in  scholarship,  and  in 
1858.  graduated  with  honor.  Ere  the  close  of  the  folloAv- 
ing  year  he  was  recalled  to  Dartmoutli  to  fill  the  position 
of  Tutor  in  Mathematics,  which  he  occupied  one  year,  after 
which  he  entered  the   Theological  Seminai'y  at  Andover, 


PJOYD.    BOYNTON.  581 

Mass.,  at  which  institution  he  graduated,  and  shortly  after- 
ward begun  his  labors  as  a  preacher  at  Xorwich,  Conn., 
where  he  remained  until  the  spring  of  1864,  when  he  be- 
came pastor  of  the  church  at  Mystic  Bridge,  Stonington. 
Conn.,  and  so  contintied  a  year,  when  failing  in  health,  he 
was  advised  by  a  distinguished  physician  to  resign  his  pas- 
torate, leave  the  ministry,  and  seek  by  rest  and  a  change 
of  climate,  relief  and  recuperation.  This  advice  he  heeded, 
but  too  late,  since  his  disease  soon  assumed  the  form  of 
consumption,  of  which  he  died,  at  Manchester,  Jan.  5. 
1866.  As  a  man  of  bright  intellect,  thorough  scholarship, 
religious  zeal  and  noble  nature.  Francestown  lias  not  pro- 
duced his  superior.)] 
2.  Fanny,  [b.  at  Francestou n,  in.  Amasa  Dowues  of  Frances- 
town,  Oct.  7.  1823.  removed  to  New  York,  where  she  lived 
many  years,  d.  at  Salx'tha.  Kan..  April  28.  1873.] 

novxTON. 

THE  BOYNTOX  FAMILY  was  -located"  in  York.  England  hilly 
half  a  century  before  the  Xorman  conquest,  or  as  early  as  1014.  Among 
its  illustrious  names  was  that  of  Bartholomew  de  Boynton.  Avho,  as 
shown  l»y  the  record  of  the  English  Baronets,  was  Lord  of  the  ^Linor 
in  10(57.  Mention  shoul  1  also  be  made  of  Sir  Matthew  Boynton,  mem- 
ber of  Pai'liament  from  Heyden,  Yorkshire,  who  is  accredited  with  do- 
ing more  than  any  other  person  in  supplying  New  England  with  horses, 
sheep,  goats  and  agricultural  implements  Ijetween  the  3'ears  1025  and 
1650.  From  very  olden  time  10  the  present  the  family  has  had  its  seals 
and  armorial  bearings,  though  the  name  has  undergone  various  and 
peculiar  orthographic  changes,  ^^'illiam  and  John  Boynton  from  York- 
shire, England,  who  located  at  Rowley,  Mass.  in  16.38.  wei-e  doubtless, 
the  progenitors  of  the  Boyntons  of  Central  New  England.  This  name 
is  found  in  the  early  records  of  Hollis,  in  which  we  learn  that  Joshua 
Boynton,  son  of  Joshua  and  Martha  was  born  Nov.  28, 174.3,  which  was 
nearly  three  years  previous  to  the  incorporation  of  that  town.  The  name 
of  John  Bonyton  also  appears  upon  the  early  records.  He  was  the  father 
of  Moses,  who  was  the  grand  father  of  Samuel  L.  Boynton,  whose  family 
formerly  resided  in  this  town.  Moses  married  Hannah  Lund,  and  by  this 
marriage  had  fourteen  children,  of  whom  Moses,  the  father  of  Samuel  was 
the  second.  He  was  born  March  2,  1798,  and  married  Amy  Lawrence, 
April  27, 1818.  The  Lawrence  family  was  also  established  in  Hollis  pre- 
vious to  the  town's  incorporation,  which  was  in  1746.  Of  this  branch 
of  the  Lawrence  family,  was  the  celebrated  Amos  Lawrence  of  Boston. 
The  Muster  Rolls  of  the  Revolution  bear  the  names    of  seventv-one 


532  GENEALOGIES. 

Boyntons,  who  were  in  the  service  aud  houorabl}-  discharged.  Of  this 
number,  seven  enlisted  from  Hollis.  Three  of  whom,  Elias,  Jacob  and 
Joshua,  fought  at  Bunker  Hill. 

SAMUEL  L.  BOYNTO^^'S  family  occupied  for  many  year?  the 
house  in  Mill  Village  in  wliich  A.  W.  Wood  lived.  He  was  the  son  of 
Moses  and' Amy  (Lawrence)  Boynton,  and  was  of  that  branch  of  the 
family  that  settled  quite  early  in  Bedford,  X.  H.  He  was  born  in 
Hollis,  March  l.j,  1821,  and  was  an  overseer  in  a  factory  in  Xashua, 
where  he  died,  Oct.  17,  1855.  He  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife, 
to  whom  he  was  married  Aug.  22,  1844,  was  Florence  M.  Smith  of 
Londonderry.  She  was  born  at  Londonderry,  Api'il  10,  1823,  and  died 
at  Nashua,  Aug.  12,  1849.  His  second  wife  was  Mar}'  J.  Dickey,  born 
at  Francestown,  Feb.  7,  1819.  She  married  Mr.  Boynton,  Jan.  22, 
1850.  In  1857  she  came  to  Francestown  with  the  children  made  de- 
pendent upon  her  by  her  husband's  death,  and  lived  in  Mill  Village,  as 
previously  stated,  until  1871,  when  she  removed  to  Henniker,  where 
she  has  since  resided.     Children  by  1st  marriage  were: — 

1.  Ella  Viola,   [b.  at  Nashua,   Feb.  21.  1846,   m.  George   E. 

Tupper   of  Nashua,  Oct.  16,  1866,  d.  at  Nashua,  July  16, 
1869.] 

2.  GusTON  A.,  [b.  at  Nashua,  Oct.  9, 1848-,  d.  at  Francestown, 

xMarch  22,  1869.] 

Only  chikl  by  2nd  marriage  was : — 

3.  Emma  Jane,   [b.  at  Nashua,   May  29,  1851,  m.   George   C. 

Preston  of  Francestown,   Nov.  6.  1871,  resides   at  Henni- 
ker.] 

BRADFORD. 
THE  NAME  BRADFOED  was  derived  from  the  Saxon,  Braden- 
ford,  otherwise,  Broad-ford.  Eev.  Moses^  Bradford  was  the  son  of 
William^  Bradford  of  Canterbury,  Conn.,  who  was  the  son  of  James* 
Bradford  also  of  Canterbury,  the  son  of  Thomas s  Bradford,  of  Lyme, 
Conn.,  who  was  the  son  of  "Hon.  William^  Bradford  Esq.,"  Lieut, 
governor  of  the  Plymouth  Colony.  Hon.  William  was  the  son  of  Wil- 
liami  Bradford,  the  second  governor  of  that  historic  colony.  Gov. 
William  Bradford  was  born  in  Austerfield,  in  the  North  Riding  of 
Yorkshire,  Eng.  His  father  was  William  Bradford,  son  or  grandson  of 
John  Bradford,  who  was  burned  at  the  stake  for  his  religious  convic- 
tions about  the  year  1555,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary,  Gov.  Brad- 
ford was  baptised,  March  19,  1589.  His  baptismal  robe  is  said  to  be 
in  the  possession  of  one  of  his  descendants.  When  quite  young  he  was 
left  an  orphan,  and  his  limited  school  education  was  obtained  through 
the  consideration  of  his  grandfather  and  uncle..  .  At  12  years  of  age  he 
became  a  constant  peader  of  the  Scriptures  and  at  this  early  age  he 


BRADFORD.  533 

joined  the  Puritans,  who  then  had  for  their  ministers  Richard  Clifton 
and  John  Robinson.  This  decided  course  brought  upon  him  the  dis- 
approbation of  his  relatives,  and  much  abuse  and  trouble.  At  this  time 
the  persecuted  Puritans  were  vainly  endeavoring  to  escape  to  Holland, 
"  Once  and  again  "  it  is  said,  •'  they  secured  ships  to  sail  but  were  be- 
trayed and  thwarted.  "  At  length  when  17  years  of  age,  William  Brad- 
ford succeeded,  after  not  a  few  reverses,  in  reaching  Amsterdam,  where 
he  became  an  apprentice  to  a  silk-dyer  and  served  until  he  was  21  years 
of  age.  He  then  sold  his  estate  in  England  and  engaged  in  mercantile 
pursuits.  He  married  Dorothy  May,  at  Leyden,  Xov.  -20,  1613.  In 
1620,  still  adhering  to  the  Puritans,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  in  the  May- 
flower, and  was  the  second  to  sign  the  compact  of  Nov.  11,  1620,  on 
board  that  ship  in  Cape  Cod  Bay,  which  instrument  provided  for  the 
maintenance  of  a  most  excellent  constitutional  government  for  the  col- 
ony. During  his  absence  from  the  ship  on  Dec.  7,  1620,  his  wife  fell 
overboard  and  was  drowned.  She  left  an  only  child  whose  name  was 
John.  After  the  death  of  Gov.  Carver  in  1621,  William  Bradford  was 
elected  governor  of  the  colony  and  was  re-elected  every  year,  until  his 
death,  save  five  years,  wheu  for  very  sensible  reasons,  he  declined  a  re- 
election. He  married,  x^ug.  14,  1623,  Mrs.  Alice  (Carpenter)  South- 
worth,  widow  of  Edward  Southworth,  to  whom  he  is  said  to  have 
been  engaged  in  his  youth.  Mr.  Bradford  was  evidently  a  man  of 
scholarly  tastes  since  he  is  ,said  to  have  "understood"  seven  lan- 
guages, English,  Low  Dutch,  Spanish,  French,  Latin,  Greek  and 
Hebrew.  He  made  himself  familiar  with  Greek  and  Hebrew  when 
in  middle  life,  being  stimulated  by  a  desire  to  i-ead  the  Scriptures  in 
their  original  languages.  He  left  a  valuable  manuscript  history  of 
Plymouth  Colon}^  which  was  taken  away  by  the  British  when  they 
evacuated  Boston  in  1775.  It  was  found  80  years  afterward  in  an  Eng- 
lish library,  where  it  is  still  retained,  however,  a  copy  was  obtained  and 
the  contents  of  the  same  published  by  the  Mass.  Hist.  Society  in 
1856,  Mr.  William  Bradford,  father  of  Moses  Bradford,  was  born  in 
Canterbury,  July  2, 1718.  Moses  was  born  in  Canterbury,  Aug.  6, 176.5. 
His  mother  was  Mary  Cleveland, daughter  of  Abigail  and  Josiah  Cleve- 
land, son  of  Josiah,  who  coming  from  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  was  the  second 
settler  in  Canterbury.  Mary  (Cleveland)  Bradford,  the  mother  of  Moses, 
was  born  in  Canterbury,  May  29,  1720.  She  had  14  children,  Moses 
being  her  last.  A  devout  Avoman  she  doubtless  was  and  very  anxious 
that  her  sons  should  mature  in  those  qualities  which  should  make  them 
able  and  earnest  preachers  of  the  gospel.  At  13  j-ears  of  age  young 
Moses  was  furnished  by  his  father  with  a  suitable  outfit  and  sent  on 
horseback  to  the  home  of  his  l)rother  Ebenezer  in  Rowley,  Mass. 
Ebenezer  Bradford,  besides  being  a  preacher  of  much  abilitj^,  must  have 
been  a  man  of  fine  scholarship  and  a  skillful  instructor,  since  through 
his  guidence  and  tuition,  Moses  was  enabled  to  enter  the  Senior  Class 
of  Dartmouth  College  in  the  spring  of  1785.  at  which  institution  he 


534  GENEALOGIES. 

graduated  in  the  following  autumn.  He  then  returned  to  Rowley, 
where  he  studied  Theolog}'  with  his  wise  and  generous  brother.  After 
completing  his  studies  he  taught  school  in  Portsmouth  and  preached  in 
various  places.  Previous  to  his  coming  to  Francestown  he  is  said  to 
have  declined  a  pastorate  in  Milford.  His  settlement  here — if  an  anec- 
dote, which  we  will  relate  can,  in  all  its  details,  be  vouched  for — may 
be  classed  with  those  human  events  which  we  term  accidental.  He 
had  set  out  upon  a  journey  and  b\-  mere  chance  stopped  for  the  night 
in  this  town.  The  people  it  would  seem  were  just  then  very  desirous 
of  securing  a  pastor  and  hearing  that  a  minister  was  in  the  place  they 
invited  him  to  preach  to  them,  and  a  goodly  congregation  having  as- 
sembled, he  acquitted  himself  so  acceptably  that  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  interview  him.  Not  aware  of  this  he  was  fairly  upon  his 
journey  on  the  following  morning,  when  he  was  overtaken  by  the 
breathless  committee,  who  persuaded  him  to  return  and  again  address 
the  people  in  the  evening.  With  feelings  perhaps  not  utterly  devoid 
of  humor  he  selected  as  his  text,  Acts  X,  2'.).  ••  Therefore  came  I  unto 
you  without  gainsaying,  as  soon  as  I  was  sent  for;  I  ask  therefore  for 
what  intent  you  have  sent  for  me.  "  The  intent  was  very  soon  made 
known  to  him.  and  he  was  settled  as  pastor  of  tb(^  church  and  town. 
Sept.  S,  1790.  We  may  perhaps  be  jiardoned  for  inserting  in  this  place 
another  anecdote  revealing  the  characteristics  of  the  man.  After  leav- 
ing this  town  he  preached  through  invitation  in'  many  vacant  pulpils. 
While  sojourning  for  a  short  time  in  one  of  our  northern  towns  he  be- 
came much  exercised  by  the  sight  of  an  unfinished  church  edifice, 
which  the  thriftless  parishioners  had  left  to  withstand  the  inroads  of 
the  elements.  This  he  declared  to  be  a  monument  of  disgrace,  and 
finally  offered  to  purchase  the  illstarred  structure,  that  he  njight  burn 
it  or  turn  it  to  some  good  account.  This  had  the  efi:ect  to  arouse  the 
people  from  their  inertness  and  the  building  was  finally  completed. 
In  the  early  years  of  his  pastorate,  he  was  doubtless  a  preacher  of  much 
vigor  and  of  consequent  power.  An  old  parishioner  long  since  departed 
affirmed  that  ■•  he  was  very  rousing  at  fuuerals,  "  which  leads  us  to  in- 
fer that  he  was  equal  to  awakening  the  emotions  to  a  marked  degree 
even  for  those  early  times  when  fervor  and  enthusiasm  were  the  first 
fruits  of  the  religious  service.  His  voice  was  said  to  be  exceptionally 
fine  in  the  years  of  his  early  manhood,  (though  it  did  not  retain  all  its 
better  qualities  in  his  after  life,)  and  his  manner  and  bearing  were  such 
as  to  evoke  many  kindly  comments,  some  of  which  are  still  extant  in 
brown-leafed  memoranda.  His  first  wife  was  Dorothy  Bradstreet  of 
Rowley.  Mass.  She  died  of  consumption,  in  Rowley,  June  24,  1792. 
His  second  \\ife  was  Sarah  Eaton  of  Francestown.  The  death  of  his 
first  wife  is  said  to  have  rendered  him  v:ry  melancholly.  On  the  Sab- 
bath in  which  he  was  told  that  she  could  not  recover  he  selected  to  be 
sung  the  119th  Psalm,  beginning,  "My  God,  consider  my  distress.  '" 
In  her  last  sickness,  she  was  taken  to  Rowlev,  borne  on  a  bed,  or  litter 


BRADFORD.  535 

belvvecu  two  horses,  while  her  husbaud  jouruej^ed  beside  her  on  horse- 
back. She  hoped  to  recover  in  the  friendly  air  and  cheery  surround- 
ings of  her  former  home,  but  she  lived  onl^^  two  weeks  after  her  de- 
parture from  Francestown.  Mr.  Bradford  was  a  man  of  strong  reli- 
gious convictions,  which  he  presented  and  sustained  with  arguments 
both  able  and  lengthy,  the  services  in  winter  lasting  nearly  the  entire 
day,  and  this,  too,  when  the  church  building  had  no  adequate  heating- 
facilities;  but  since  his  parish  embraced  the  entire  town,  the  population 
of  which  then  exceeded  that  of  the  present,  and  church-going  was  both 
generally  advocated  and  strenuously  enjoined  by  both  pastor  and  la}'- 
man,  his  congregations  were  large  and  the  fact  that  three  luimlred  and 
thirty-seven  persons  were  admitted  to  church  membership  during  the 
thirtj-seven  years  of  his  ministry  speaks  for  its  success.  He  lived  in 
the  house  now  occupied  by  Nathan  Heniw  Wood,  a  short  distance 
southward  of  the  village,  the  land  of  the  farm  being  tilled  under  his  su- 
pervision. His  ministry  terminated  Jan  1st,  1.S27.  He  died  June.  14. 
1S88.  in  Montague,  Mass..   where  his  second  wife  died.    Fell.  15.  1848. 

.M()S1^:S  lUlADFOKD  married  lirst,  Dorothy  Dradstreet,  the  young- 
t\si  daughter  of  Moses  and  Lucy  Bradstreet  of  Rowley,  Mass.  She  was 
boi'u  in  Rowley,  Sept.  7.  \7(\').  Date  of  marriage,  Nov.  4th.  1788. 
Childr(>n:— 

1.  Charlotte  Bradstreet,   [b.  in  Rowley.  Mass.,  April   18. 

1790,  ra.  Dec.  25,  1812,  Nathaniel   Bradstreet  of  Rowley, 
wliei'e  she  resided  until  her  deatli,  Oct.  17.  1876.] 

2.  Dolly,  [b.  in  Francestowji.  Feb.  8.  1792.  d.  in  Deering,  Auo-. 

14,  1793.] 

Moses  Bradford  married  secoiul.    Saiah  Eaton  of   Frances- 
town,  April  4,  1793.      Childrc^n    by  this  nuirriage    were: — 

3.  Fannie  Maria  Eaton,  [b.   Jan.  13.  1794  in    Francestown. 

cl.  in  Francestown.  May  5.  1807.] 

4.  Samuel   Cleveland,    [b.  at  Francestown.   July  2.   1795. 

He  was  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  the  class  of 
1818.  and  studied  Theology  with  Rev.  James  Bradford  of 
Sheffield,  Mass.  He  was  ordained  jjastor  at  Crown  Point. 
-N.  Y.,  June  25,  1822.  During  his  pastorate  of  four  years 
at  this  place,  there  was  a  revival  which  doubled  the  mem- 
bership of  this  church.  His  next  pastorate  was  at  Derby, 
Vt.  Here  he  remained  two  years,  when  failing  health  in- 
capacitated him  for  the  activie  duties  of  a  parish,  although 
he  preached  at  various  places  in  New  Hampshire  and  Ver- 
mont, and  at  Montague  and  Sunderland,  Mass.     At  the 


536  GENEALOGIES. 

latter  place  he  turned  his  attention  to  farming  and  partic- 
ularly to  silk  culture.  He  afterward  went  west  and 
preached  in  Wisconsin,  and  a  short  time  after  which  he  le- 
turned  to  Sunderland,  and  late  in  life  returned  to  Francet^- 
town,  where  he  lived  upon  the  place  now  occupied  by 
Samuel  Stevens.  He  married  1st,  Mary  Hazeltlne  of 
Francestown,  June  13,  1820.  She  died  May  16,  1847. 
He  married  2nd,  Sarah  F.  Holmes  of  Francestown,  Oct. 
28,  1850.     His  children  b}-'  the  first  marriage  were  : — 

Mary  France.^  Cleveland^  (b.  Feb.  TS,  1827,  m.  Isaac  S.  H. 
Gunn.) 

Samuel    Wilson,   (b.  Jaii    28.  1829.  m.  Sarah  J,  Hooper,   d. 
Dec.  15,  1887.) 
The  only  child  by  the  second  marriage  was: — 

Sarah  Sabrina  Adeline  Rjliiie-^,  (b.  at  Sunderland,  Mass.,  Aug. 
19,  1853,  m.  John  P.  Kemp  of  East  Alslead,  Nov.  16, 
1881.  She  has  two  children,  Lottie  A.  and  Neil  B.  Kemp. 
and  now  resides  at  East  Alstead.  To  her,  the  worthy  de- 
scendant of  a  historic  ancestry,  we  are  indebted  for  inval- 
uable assistance  in  our  work.)] 

5.  William,  [b.  Sept.  4,  1797,  d.  Aug.  27,  1799.] 

6.  Moses  Beadsteeet,  [b.   at  Francestown,   April  20,   1799, 

m.  1st,  Asenath  (Dickerman)  Ewers,  of  Montague,  Mass., 
Nov.  5,  1829,  2nd,  Martha  M.  Greene,  of  Westmoreland, 
July  17. 1843.  Rev.  Moses  Bradford  graduated  at  Amherst 
College  in  the  class  of  1825.  and  studied  Theology  with 
Rev.  Dr.  Packard,  of  Shelburne  Falls,  Mass.,  and  was  li- 
censed to  preach  b}^  the  Windham  Association  in  Vermont, 
on  which  occasion  the  Association  voted  to  dispense  with 
liquors  at  its  meetings.  He  was  ordained  at  Montague. 
Mass.,  Nov.  19.  1828,  and  in  Oct.  of  1832,  was  installed  at 
Grafton,  Vt.,  where  he  was  pastor  twenty-seven  years.  In 
1859  he  began  his  pastorate  at  Mclndoes  Falls,  Vt.,  where 
he  preached  ten  years  and  six  months.  He  was  attacked 
while  in  the  ])ulpit  with  symptoms  of  apoplexy,  and  was 
afterward  in  feeble  health  until  his  death  at  Mclndoes 
Falls,  Sept.  23,  1878.] 

7.  Ebenezer    Green,    [b.   at    Fjancestow^n,    May    24,    1801, 

m.  Angelina  Thompson.  June,  1833.      He  graduated  at 


BRADFORD.  537 

Amherst  College  in  the  class  of  1827.  He  studied  theology 
at  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  and  with  Rev.  John 
Whiton,  D.  D.  of  Antrim.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  by 
the  Union  Association  at  Goffstown,  Aug.  12,  1829.  He 
was  pastor  at  Colebrook  and  at  Wardsboro,  Vt.  From 
both  of  these  pastorates  he  was  dismissed  at  his  own  re- 
quest. In  1842  he  went  west  as  a  Home  Missionary  and 
served  at  Plattsville,  Wis.,  Prairie  Du  Sac,  and  other 
places  until  1851,  when  he  was  attacked  with  paralj'sis, 
which  increased  until  his  death,  Aug.  29, 1861,  at  Leverett, 
Mass.  He  was  buried  beside  liis  father  in  tlie  cemetery  at 
Montague,  Mass.] 

8.  David,    [b.  at   Francestown.  Oct.   21,   1803.     He   studied 

medicine  at  Dartmouth  College,  Medical  Department  and 
settled  in  Montague.  Mass.,  where  he  practiced  medicine 
with  success  until  the  failure  of  his  health,  when  he  built 
a  house  in  Montague  City,  which  he  occupied  until  his 
death,  which  was  occasioned  by  gradual  paralysis,  Jan.  20, 
1873.  His  \\ife  was  Laurana  Bardwell  of  Montague,  to 
whom  he  was  married.  May  20,  1830.] 

9.  Elizabeth  Knight,  [b.  Dec.  21,   1805,  d.  Nov.  30,   1816.] 

10.  John  Mason,  [b.  Aug.  13,  1808,  d.  Aug.   28,  1812.] 

11.  James,   [b.  at   Francestown,   Dec.  18,   1810,  was  a  farmer 

and  resided  in  Francestown,  where  he  died.  May  10, 1830.] 

12.  Sarah  Eaton,  [b.at  Francestown,  Nov.  2, 1812,  m.  Francis 

Boardman,  of  Lyndeboro'.  She  improved  such  advantages 
for  an  education  as  the  town  in  her  da}-  afforded  and  en- 
joyed for  a  time  the  instructions  of  Rev.  Dr.  Labarce  (after- 
ward President  of  Middlebury  College,)  who  remembered 
her  as  a  pupil  with  nnich  pleasure.  After  the  removal  of 
her  parents  she  continued  to  reside  on  the  Bradford  place 
with  her  husband  and  family.  In  1839  she  removed  to 
-Newport  with  her  family,   where  she  died,  Nov.  2,  1845.] 

ROBERT  BRADFORl),  it  is  noAV  believed,  was  a  son  of  Robert 
Bradford,  who  married  Hepzebah  Averill,  at  Middleton,  Mass.,  Dec. 
1.3,  1733,  and  hence  a  descendant  of  Governor  Bradford,  of  Plymouth. 
He  was  born  at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  Aug.  28,  1755,  and  came  to  this  town 
when  eighteen  years  of  age.  For  several  years  he  was  employed  on  the 
farm  of  Moses  Eaton,  whose  daughter  Hannah,  he  married,  and  settled 


538  GENEALOGIES. 

on  the  placx'  uow  occupied  by  Charles?  F.  Sleeper,  he  afterward  lived 
on  the  place  now  owned  by  Dr.  Geo.  Bixby.  He  died  here,  Nov.  27, 
1836.  His  wife  died  in  this  town.  Oct.  9.  1S40.  Children  all  born  in 
Francestown: — 

1.    liLiZABETH.  [b.  Oct.  4.  1780.  (I.  Sept.  lU.  1T'.»1».  at  Frances- 
town.] 
■2.   Anna  Webstee.  [b.  Oct.  17.  178:i,  m.  1st.  Oliver  Holmes, 

of  Fiancestowii.  OcA.  20.  1808,  2nd,  Daniel  Fnller  of  this 

town.  (1.  at  Francestown.  Jnly  Id.  1857.] 
8.  M(tsKs   Faton.    [b.    Dec.  10.  1784.   ni.    Sallv    Holmes,     of 

Francestown.    Oct.  22.    1807.  lixcd    on  tlie    Dea.    Steplien 

Holt  farm.  d.  licie.    May  14.  1848.      His  cbildien  all  born 

at  Francestown.  were: — 
(f/ini  (1).  Feb.  12. 1808.  m.  Rodiu-y  Hotiston  of  Bradfoi'd.  Oct. 

5.  1880.  (1.  at  Baltimore.  Md..  Seju.  20,  1840.) 
Iloffon/  /-;..  (b.  .Jnly  10.  1809.  m.  Rebecca  J.  Truesdall.  Dec. 

24,  1840.  d.  at  Qneen  City.  Mo..  Apr.  0,  1888.) 
B>'fsr//.   (b.   .Inly  20,  1811.  m.    John   M.  Collins.   Dec.  15. 

1881,  d.  at  Francestown,  Aug.  22,  1849.) 
Sarah  71.  (b.    April  21.    1818.  m.    Benjamin    F.    Woodward. 

.Jnne  1.  1841.  d.  at    Wobnrn.  Mass..  Feb.    12.  1892.) 
Jlo-st's  //..  (1).  Ani;-.    80.  1815.  m.    Louisa   Fisher  of    Frances- 
town.  Oct.  11.  1842.      He  for  many   years  was    proprietor 

of  the    stage   rotite   between    New   Boston    and    Parker's 

station,  i-esides  at  New  Boston.) 
^f//e.y,  (b.  Oct.    2,  1817.  m.   Elizabeth  Yoiiiio-.  Oct.    7.  1889. 

resides  at  St.  Louis.  Mo.) 
HaiiiKih.  4/..  (1).   -bill.  1.  1821.  m.  Charles  Mclvean.    April  0. 

1841,  has  resided  at  Lake  City,  Minn.) 
Leurilla  H..  (b.  Aug.  29.  1822,  m.  John  Ci.  Morse  of  Fi'ances- 

town.  Dec.  8,  1847.  d.  at  Francestown.  July  28.  1850.) 
Jame><   IF.,  (b.  Match  29.  1825,  m.  Fanny  B.  Dane.  Nov.  27, 

1849,  lived  here  a  few  years,  was  afterMaid  a  merchant  at 

Antrim,  d.  there,  July  21,  1858.) 
Gharlen  F„  (b.  March  25,  1827,  Avas    a  clei'k  on  a  steandxjat, 

d.  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  Aug.  18,  1876.) 
JJan;ihier  Unnamed,  (b.  Dec  12.  1829.) 
Henry  A.,  (b.  Feb.  8, 1833,  d.  March  26,  1884,)] 


BKADFOKD.  .")8«t 

.k)HN,  [b.  Nov.  19.  1787.  111.  Hannah  Bixby  of  Francestown. 
Jnlv  4,  1809,  succeeded  his  father  on  the  Charles  Sleeper 
place,  afterward  lived  in  the  Elbridge  Batchelder  house  in 
the  village.  He  died  here.  May  fi,  1871.  Children  born 
liere  were: — 

Robert,  (b.  Oct.  "J7.  1811,  m.  Jane  Batchelder,  March  o. 
1840.  She  was  born  at  Augusta,  Ga.,  and  died  in  Frances- 
town,  June  16,  1889.  Mr.  Bradford  was  for  many  years  a 
merchant  in  this  town,  and  was  one  of  its  best  citizens. 
He  died  at  his  home  in  the  village,  Nov.  4,  1886.  Child- 
ren born  here  :  Jane  M.,  born  June  25, 1844,  is  a  milliner, 
res.  in  Francestown.  Annie  Frances,  died  in  infancy. 
Two  children  unnamed.) 

Rebecca^  H.^  (b.  Dec.  16, 1813,  m.  George  G.  Cram  of  Frances- 
town,  May  24,  1838.  d.  at   Francestown,  July  5,  1859.) 

Thomas  Bixby,  (b.  May  22,  1816,  m.  1st,  Emily  H.  Brown 
of  Francestown,  Jttly  21.  1846.  2nd.  Abby  B.  Cobb  of 
Ashland,  Mass.,  Oct.  17,  1854.  She  died  Nov.  1,  1855, 
and  he  married  3rd,  Mary  A.  Christie  of  Antrim.  July  80. 
1861.  Mr.  Bradford  as  a-  townsman  and  a  man  of  bnsi- 
ness  was  well  regarded.  He  was  engaged  chielly  in  mei- 
eantile  pnrsitits,  and  was  a  man  of  many  V)usiness  interests. 
He  held  the  office  of  Town  Clerk,  and  was  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace.  He  died  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Aug.  22,  1885. 
His  children  by  his  1st  marriage  were  : — Thomas  Linsley, 
born  at  Francestown,  June  6,  1847.  He  was  gi'adttated  at 
the  Homoeopathic  Medical  College  of  Pennsylvania  in 
1869,  and  is  now  a  physician  in  Philadelphia,  where  he 
married  Lidie  V.  Hough  of  that  city,  June  15,  1887.  Dr. 
Bradford  has  lately  compiled  a  large  and  valuable  work 
entitled  a  '■^Jlomoeopathic  Blbliofiraphy  of  the  United  States." 
John  Titus,  b.  Jan.  80,  1851,  d.  July,  1856.  His  only 
"child  by  3rd  marriage  was  Emily  Augusta,  born  at  Frances- 
town,  Sept.  21,  1868.  resides  with  her  mothei'  at  Gardner, 
Mass.) 

Hannah  E.,  (b.  Jan.  19,  1819,  m.  1st,  Ezra  C.  Gove  of 
Weare,  Oct.  26,  1841,  2nd,  Ebenezer  Gove  of  Weare, 
Jan.  16,  1862.  She  resides  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Ed- 
ward B.  Dodge,,  at  Wilmot.) 


540  GENEALOGIES. 

Levi  B.,  (b.  July  2,  1821,  m.  Marian  Balch  of  Francestown 
in  1855.  He  \Yas  for  twenty  years  deacon  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church,  and  he  also  held  the  office  of  town  treas- 
urer, and  was  an  able  Christian  man.  His  only  child  is: 
Ella  M.,  born  at  Francestown,  April  17,  1856,  married 
Samuel  Edwards  Bryant  of  this  town,  Nov.  18,  1886,  and 
now  resides  in  this' town.) 

Martha  Ann.,  (b.  March  7.1824,  d.  at  Francestown.  July  17, 
1860.) 

Roxy  P.,  (b.  March  31,  1829,  m.  John  G.  Morse  of  Frances- 
town,  Sept.  17.  1854,  resides  in  Francestown.) 

Dr.  Oliver.,  (b.  Nov.  5,  1832,  m.  M.  Eliza  Webber  of  Green- 
ville, N.  H.,  June  5,  1889.  He  persued  a  medical  course 
at  the  Western  Honnjeopathic  College  of  Cleveland,  O., 
from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1861, 
and  immediately  located  at  Peterboro',  M-here  he  remained 
until  1867,  when  he  removed  to  Andover,  Mass.,  where 
he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1872,  when  he  visited  Euroi)e 
spending  about  a  year  in  travel.  For^  several  years  after 
his  return  he  was  not  in  active  practice.  He  has  for  sev- 
eral years  been  located  at  Fitchburg,  Mass.)] 

5.  Hannah,  [b.  April  10,  1788,  m.  Jabez  Fisher  of  Boston, 

Mass.,  Sept.  1.  1814,  d.  at  Boston.] 

6.  Robert,   [b.  April  15,  1790,  m.    Phoebe  Low    Gibson    of 

Boston,  d.  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.] 

7.  Martha  K.  [b.  Sept.  30,  1792,  m.  Lewis  Cram  of  Frances- 

town,  Dec.  22,  1814,  d.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  20,  1855.] 

8.  RoxANA,  [b.  Oct.  25,  1794,  m.  Page  Eaton   of  Henniker, 

Oct.  9  1817,  d.  at  Woburn,  Mass.] 

9.  Ly^dia  K.,  [b.  Oct.  11,  1796,  m.  James  Cram  of  Frances- 

town,  d.  at  Francestown,  Aug.  26,  1840.] 

10.  Oliver  L.,  [b.  Aug.  23,  1801,  removed  to  Bangor,  Me.] 

BRENAN. 

EDWARD  BREI^AN  "of  Boston, "  married  Margaret  Manahan, 
daughter  of  John  Manahan,  May  11,  1813,  and  doubtless  came  to  live 
upon  the  Perley  place,  the  same  year.  His  wife  died  here,  April  8, 
1826,  and  he  married  second,  jSTov.,  1828,  Abigail  Dodge,  sister  of  Asa, 
Issachar,  Charles  and  Porter  Dodge  of  this  town,  and  widow  of  his 
brother-in-law,  James  Manahan.     She  died  Sept.,   1842,  aged  48  years. 


BEENNAN,    BREWSTER.  541 

From  the  Brenan  family  the  ''never  failing  brook"  in  the  valley  and 
vi^oodlands  west  of  Francestown  village  takes  its  name.  Edward  Brenan 
died  here.  Feb.  19, 1845,  aged  58  years.  His  children  were  born  in  this 
town.     They  were: — 

1.  John  F.,  [married  Caroline  Daggett  of  Farmington,  Maine, 

d.  in  California,  Jan.  7,    1869,  leaving   a  family    of  six 
children.] 

2.  Mary,  [b.  in  1824,  d.  at  Boston,  Mass.,  March  4,  1851.] 

3.  Margaret  A.   [b.  March    1,  1829,    m.    Amzi  Childs,    of 

Peterboro',  July  7,  1859,  res.  at  Milford.] 

BREWSTER. 

JAMES  BREWSTER  was  born  in  Londonderry,  Oct.  31,  1758.  His 
father,  Isaac  Brewster,  was  born  in-  Ireland,  of  Scotch  parents,  and  emi- 
grated to  Londonderry.  He  was  by  trade  a  shoe-maker.  James  mar- 
ried Eleanor  Nutt  of  this  town,  and  came  here  about  the  year  1782. 
He  lived  first  in  a  small  log  house  near  where  now  stands  the  cider  mill 
on  the  Manahan  or  Rogers  farm,  it  was  like  many  of  the  first  dwellings 
of  ihe  early  settlers,  a  very  cheaply  constructed  building  having  a  quilt 
for  a  door.  Isaac  Brewster,  the  father  of  James,  must  have  lived  in 
this  town  a  short  time,  since  he  died  here,  April  11,  1782,  aged  61  years. 
The  large  slate  headstone,  which  marks  his  grave  back  of  the  old  meet- 
ing house  bears  the  following  quaint,  but  really  pleasing  stanza: — 
"Happy  the  company  that's  gone 

From' cross  to  crown,  from  thrall  to  throne. 

How  loud  the}'  sing  upon  the  shore. 

To  which  they  sailed  in  heart  before." 
The  names  of  Isaac  and  John  Brewster  also  appear  ujDon  the  early 
records.  They  were  tax-payers  here  in  1793,  but  were  residents  of  the 
town  only  a  short  time.  James  like  his  father  was  a  shoe-maker  and 
in  following  his  vocation  went  on  foot  to  Londonde*rry,  leaving  his  family 
in  the  walds  of  the  mountain  region  for  weeks  at  a  time.  He  was  a  fifer 
in  the  Revolutionary  army  and  was  a  pensioner.  He  built  the  L  of  the 
Brewster  or  Joslin  house  in  the  western  part  of  the  town,  which  was 
occupied  for  many  years  by  the  Brewsters.  James  is  said  to  have  mar- 
ried at  twenty  years  of  age.  His  children  all  born  in  Francestown 
were: — 

1.  Elizabeth,  [b.  Dec.  8,  1785,  long-lived  in  the  house  in  the 

village  afterward  occupied  by  her  brother  Samuel,  d.  at 
Francestown,  Feb,  21,  1865.] 

2.  Jane,  [b.  Dec.  3,  1787,  m.  Joel   Bullard  of  this  town,  Feb. 

13,  1812,  removed  to  Topsham,  Yt.,  afterward  to  Illinois, 
d.  in  111..  July  1,2,  1861.] 


542  GENEALOGIES. 

3.  Isaac,  [b.  June  26,  1789.  m.   Lucy   Fanington  of  (xreeii- 

iield,  lived  many  years  upon  tlie  Burnham  place  near  the 
Brenan  brook,  d.  there,  Sept.  28,  1860.  His  death  was 
caused  by  his  falling  from  a  ladder  while  picking- grapes.] 

4.  Mary,  [b.  Nov.  6.  1790,  m.  Adam  Manahan   of  Fiances- 

town,  d.  at  Allenstown,  April  28,  1871.] 
").  Janette  N.,    [b.  Sept.  15,  1792.  was  a  school-teacher  and 
dress-maker,  d.  at  Peterboro',   Xov.  21,  1833.] 

6.  Eleanor  G.,  [b.  Dec.  29,  1794,  m.  Barnard  Farrington    of 

Antrim,  Feb.  15,  1820,  d.  at  Antrim,  Nov.  15,  1858.] 

7.  Martha,  [b.  June  16,  1796.  m.  Nathaniel  George,  of  Han- 

cock. March  25,  1816.  d.  at  Allenstown,  July  25.  1863.] 

5.  Lucy,  [b.  Sept.  10.  1797.  m.  Enoch  Hooker  of  Antrim,  Oct. 

11,  1825,  resided  at  Oswego,  N.  Y.] 

9.  Anna,  b.  Feb.  15,  1799.  m.  Ezra  Smith  of  Gardner,  Me.. 

July  28,  1817,  d.  at  Reading,  Mass.,  May  5,  1863.] 

10.  James  G.,  [b.  July  14,  1800,  m.  Hannah  Harthon,  of  Green- 
field, d.  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  Nov.  15,  1859.] 

11.  Sarah   B..   [b.   March  13,  1802,  m.  Frederic  Benden  of 

Axbridge,  England,  Oct.  5,  1834,  res.  at  Lowell,  Mass.] 

12.  David,  [b.  March  5.  1805.  d.  at  Francestown,  April  12, 
1805.] 

13.  RoxANA,  [b.  Jan.  9.  1807.  was  a  milliner  in  this  town,  d. 

here.  May  14,  1852.] 

14.  Samuel,  [b.  Jan.  20,  1809,  m.  Nancy  Ordway  of  Frances- 
town,  July  16,  1835.  She  was  born  in  Sutton,  Jan.  9. 
1813,  now  res.  with  her  daughter  in  West  Newbury,  Mass. 
Mr.  Brewster  was  by  trade  a  shoe-maker.  A  better  man 
never  lived  in  Fiancestown.  In  him  was  ever  found  an 
example  of  humility,  piety  and  brotherly  kindness.  He 
died  at  his  home  in  Francestown,  April  7,  1889.  His 
children  were  all  born  in  this  town: — 

Frederick  i?..  (b.  Dec.  5,  1836,  d.  May  31,  1838.) 
Eleanor  N.,  (b.  July  17,  1838,  m.  George  E.  Bailey  of  Green- 
held.  July  2.  1860,  d.  at  Greenfield,"Oct.  26,  1880.) 
Mdui^n  7>.,  (b.  Dec.  23,  1840,  m.  John  C.  Tarleton  of  West 
Newbury.  Mass.,  Jan.  1, 1862,  res.  at  West  Newbury.)] 


BRICKETT.  -043 

BRICKETT. 

HARRY  BRICKETT,  afterwards  known  as  Prof,  and  Rev.  Harry 
Brickett  came  to  Francestown,  March  4,  1844,  to  take  charge  of  the 
Academy,  and  taught  the  same  for  29  terms.  He  was  born  in  Xewbury, 
Vt.,  Feb.  1,  1818.  His  father  was  born  in  that  town  in  March,  1790; 
his  mother  was  from  Danvers,  Mass.  Harry  was  the  only  son  of  John 
and  EUzabeth  (Putnam)  Brickett,  and  grandson  of  Abram  and  Sarah 
(Huse)  Brickett  of  Haverhill,  Mass.  He  fitted  for  College  at  Brad- 
ford Academy,  Vt. ,  and  entered  Dartmouth  in  Sept.  1836,  graduating  in 
the  class  of  1840.  He  chose  the  medical  Profession,  and  went  on  with 
the  regular  course  at  Dartmouth  Medical  College,  teaching  vacations, 
and  expecting  to  graduate  in  the  spring  of  1844.  But  while  at  the 
Medical  College  in  the  fall  of  1843.  he  was  struck  doAvn  by  a  long  severe, 
and  expensive  sickness,  which  changed  his  whole  course  in  life.  It 
prevented  his  graduation  from  the  Medical  College  at  the  expected 
time,  and  sent  him  here  to  teach;  and  he  became  so  successful  and 
popular  that  they  held  him  to  the  work  and  he  continued  it  for  years. 
Coming  only  for  one  term,  he  stayed  more  than  seven  years.  Here  he 
established  a  reputation,  and  did  a  noble  work.  No  Principal  of  the 
Academy  ever  awakened  more  enthusiasm  or  had  more  friends  than 
he.     See  sketch  of  the  Academy  on  another  page. 

Mr.  Brickett  went  from  Francestown,  .lune,  18.51.  to  serve  ;is  Princi- 
pal in  jSIewburyport,  Mass.,  where  he  taught  for  eight  terms.  Follow- 
ing this  he  taught  sixteen  terms  in  the  Merrimac  Normal  Institute 
(now  McGaw  Institute)  at  Reed's  Ferry.  X.  II.  From  this  place  he 
was  called  to  the.  pastorate  of  the  Cong.  Church  at  Ilillsboro'  Bridge 
in  Feb.  1857,  and  was  ordained,  Jnn.  -JS.  18r)S.  Here  he  had  a  success- 
full  pastorate  of  eight  years.  Thence  he  was  called,  (March  26,  I860) 
to  Geneseo,  111,  where  he  remained  till  the  clojse  of  the  year  1871.  He 
then  went  to  East  Lake  George,  N.  Y.,  whei-e  he  had  a  pleasant  pastor- 
ate of  nearly  four  years.  He  then  came  at  once  to  his  second  pastorate 
at  Hillsboro',  Bridge,  where  he  was  again  heartily  welcomed  on  the  sec- 
ond Sabbath  of  Jan..  1876,  closing  this  second  pastorate  on  the  last 
Sabbath  in  Aug.,  1881.  Soon  aftei-  he  went  to  Thetford,  Vt.,  where  he 
did  a  good  work,  resigning,  April  1,  IS'.JO.  He  was  licensed  by  the 
Derry  and  Manchester  Association,  June,  1854,  and  was  a  very  accept- 
able ministerial  supply  some  j-ears  before  his  first  pastorate. 

And  thus,  having  served  as  teacher  and  preacher  more  than  fifty  years, 
*  Mr.  Brickett  has  now,  (1891,)  honorably  retired,  with  hosts  of  friends, 
and  with  honors  and  blessings  upon  his  head,  to  spend  life's  quiet  even- 
ing, and  then  go  to  rest!  May  the  shadows  be  few,  and  the  light  beauti- 
ful, about  him! 

*  He  died  at  Hooksett,  Dec.  17,  1891. 


544  GENEALOGIES. 

Mr.  Brickett  married  Miss  Eliza  Cutter  of  Jaft'rey,  Aug.  18,  1846. 
She  was  daughter  of  Capt.  Joseph  and  Phoebe  (Gage)  Cutter. 
Children: — 

1.  Joseph    Cutter,    [b.  at  Francestowii,  June    26,  1847;  cl, 

at  Newbuiyport,  Mass,  Nov.  25,  1851.] 

2.  Ellen  Josephine,  [b.  in  Francestowii,  Sept.  2.  1850;  fitted 

in  Higli  School.  Geneseo,  111.,  and  entered  the  Female  De- 
partment of  Oberlin  College,  graduating-  in  1875;  was 
teacher  13  years  in  Hillsboro'  Bridge.  Deering  Academy, 
and  Hooksett  Graded  school;  in.  Orin  J.  Prescott,  Sept. 
17,  1889;  lives  in  Hooksett.] 

3.  Harry  Leroy,  [b.  in  Newbuiyport,  Mass.,  Sept.  14,  1852; 

fitted  in  Creneseo,  111.  Higli  school,  and  in  Oberlin  Pre- 
paratory Department;  entered  Oberlin  College  and  grad- 
uated in  1875;  taught  with  great  acceptance  four  years; 
entered  Andover  Theological  Seminary  1879,  graduating 
1882;  went  at  once  to  Lynnfield,  Mass.,  where  he  was  in- 
stalled Pa-itor  of  the  Cong.  Church  in  June  of  the  follow- 
ing 3-ear.  He  remains  the  prospered  and  honored  Pastor 
of  that  church.  Married  Millie  A.  Herring  of  Goshen, 
Ind.,  Aug.  5. 1885.] 

4.  Julia  Eliza,  [b.  Hillsboro',  Bridge,  July  28,  1859;  d  there 

Dec.  26.  1876;  died  in  the  triumphs  of  Christian  faith, 
aged  17.] 

5.  Mary  Isabel,   [b.    Hillsboro"  Bridge,  July  21,  1862;   m. 

Charles  S.  Wilmot  of  Thetford,  Vt.,  June  14,  1887.] 

BRIG  HAM. 

SIDNEY  BEIGHAM  was  a  resident  of  this  town  as  early  as  1828, 
and  occupied  the  cottage  in  which  Edward  E.  Roper  now  lives.  He  was 
an  enterprising  and  popular  man,  was  colonel  in  the  state  militia  and 
was  prominent  in  the  organization  of  the  fire  department  in  this  town. 
He  conducted  the  business  of  a  merchant  tailor  both  here  and  in  Weare, 
to  which  town  he  removed  after  a  brief  residence  here,  but  returned 
and  remained  in  Francestowii  until  1839,  when  he  removed  to  Hamil- 
ton, Ga.  He  was  born  at  Marlboro',  Mass.,  Dec.  28,1802,  and  married 
Eliza  B.  Stevens  of  Marlboro',  Jan.  30,  1825.  She  died  in  Erances- 
town,  Nov.  2,  1839,  aged  3(3  years.  He  died  at  Hamilton,  Ga.,  June 
17,1840.     Children  were:— 


WT^t^iyU  (^7^VXs.r?-i^ 


BRIGHAM,    BROWN.  545 

1.  Algernon  S.,   [b.  at  Marlborough,  Mass.,  March  13,  1826, 

m.  Matilda  M.  Hay  den  of  Marlboro',  May  1,  1849,  is  a 
shoe-manufacturer,  res.  at  Malborough,  Mass.] 

2.  Mary  Elizabeth,  [b.  Dec.  14, 1827,  m.  George  C.  Temple 

of  Worcester,  Mass.,  June  10,  1846,  d.  at  Ashland,  Mass.] 

3.  Loriman  S.,   [b.  at  Francestown,  Jan.  30,  1832,  m.  1st., 

Caroline  Howe  of  Westboro',  Mass.,  Nov.  25,  1855,  2nd, 
Emma  S.  Field  of  Northfield,  Mass.,  Nov.  22,  1869,  3rd, 
Mary  S.  Percival  of  Cohassett,*  Mass.,  Jan.  9,  1873,  is 
senior  partner  of  the  firm  of  Brigham  &  Eager,  jewelers, 
of  Marlborough,  Mass.,  is  also  president  of  the  Peoples' 
National  Bank,  in  Marlborough.] 

BROWN. 

P:LIAS  brown,  Sr.,  the  grandfather  of  Hon.  Titus  Brown  of 
Francestown,  was  one  of  the  earl}'  settlers  of  Alstead,!N'.  H.,and  is  said 
to  have  built  the  first  frame-house  in  that  town.  The  father  of  Elias  was 
born  in  England  and  was  one  of  the  many  emigrants  of  the  name  of 
Brown,  who  settled  in  Stonington,  Conn.  His  wife  was  Abigail  Olcott 
of  Tolland,  Conn.,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons: — Elias  Jr.,  Titus  Olcott 
and  Hope,  also  one  daughter,  Keturah,  who  married  Phineas  Hatch. 
Elias,  -Tr..  was  born  Aug.  17,  1758  and  married  Feb.,  1784,  Eebecca 
Keyes,  (born  at  Uxbridge,  Mass.,  Jan.  8,  1765,)  by  whom  he  had  two 
sons,  Titus  and  Peter  Olcott,  and  one  daughter,  Sally.  Elias,  Jr.,  died 
in  Alstead,  April  7,  1813.  His  wife,  Rebecca,  died  at  Alstead,  April 
9,  18l;j.  Peter  Olcott  Brown  settled  in  the  West.  He  died,  May  4, 
1803,  Sally,  the  only  daughter,  died  Jan.  31,  1832. 

Hon.  Titus  Brown,  son  of  Elias  Brown,  Jr.,  was  born  at  Alstead, 
Feb.  11,  1786.  He  graduated  at  Middlebury  College  in  1811  and  in 
1814  commenced  the  practice  of  Law.  He  married,  Nov.  6,  1814, 
Jerusha  C.  (Hutchinson)  Bunnell,  born  at  Pomfret,  Vt.,  June  24,  1786, 
being  the  daughter  of  Elisha  Hutchinson.  She  died  in  this  town.  May 
25,  1863.  She  had  by  her  first  marriage  one  son,  Edwin  Bunnell. 
Hon.  Titus  Brown  came  to  Francestown,  doubtless  from  Reading,  Vt., 
in  1817,  being  the  successor  of  Judge  Woodbury,  who  early  removed  to 
Portsmouth.  Mr.  Brown,  though  not  3' et  in  the  prime  of  life,  displayed 
a  deep  knowledge  of  Law  and  the  best  attributes  of  true  manhood, 
which  gave  him  business  success  and  endviring  prominence.  He  more- 
over took  a  highminded  interest  in  both  the  religious  and  the  secular 
affairs  of  his  adopted  town  and  as  counsel  and  citizen,  performed  inval- 
uable services,  and  during  the  entire  period  in  which  Francestown  was 
a  place  of  growth, prosperity  and  importance,  he  was  the  central  figure 
in  the  evolution  of  its  politics  and  public  measures  generally,  but  his, 
were  abilities  not  long  to  be  circumscribed  by  narrow  township  limits. 


546  aENEALOCilES. 

Ik'  was  a  iiu'inlK-r  of  the  State  Legislature  oi'  1S20,  and  was  for  five 
successive  years  re-elected,  and  was  made  President  of  the  Senate,  when 
that  b()d\"  was  indeed  and  in  truth  (uigiist.  In  IS-io  he  hecame  solicitor 
of  Ilillsboro"  County,  which  office  he  held  seven  yeai's.  Rut  higher 
lionors  were  conferred  upon  him.  wlien  in  IS^.")  he  was  sent  as  a  Repre- 
sentative from  Xew  Hampshire  to  the  Nineteenth  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  at  the  expiration  of  which,  having  been  re-elected,  he  held  his 
seal  in  the  twentieth  Congress,  which  expired  in  18'2',).  lie  was  for  a 
nunihcr  i)f  years.  Chairman  of  the  I>oards  of  I>ank  and  Railroad  Com- 
missioners, and  Iield  this  uesponsil)le  jiosiiionat  the  time  of  his  death. 
Kxlracts  from  the  miscellaneous  writings  of  Mr.  IJrown  attest  to  the 
dee])  Christian  sentiment,  which  was  his  to  the  last.  The  following- 
lines  fi-om  lii>  ])cn.  full  of  poetic  spii'it  and  piou>  liopc.  may  1)e  read 
upon  Ids  tonili-slone:  — 

••^Vllen  I  shall  fade,  may  friendship's  tear. 
Like  dew  ui)on  n)y  gra\c  be  shed: 
Soft  may  it  I'all  upon  my  l)iei-. 
.\ud  const'ci'ale  my  lonely  hed. 
And  when  e"en  frien  Is  shall  not  >iii'vivc. 
The  swift  and  certain  s(;ythe  of  time. 
()  may  that  friendship  then  survive. 
And  Hourish  in  a  happier  clime.." 

The  house  in  ihe  village  nt)W  occupied  l)y  Mason  II.  Halcli  was.  we 
are  informe<l.  built  under  the  supervision  of  his  wife  while  he  was  in 
Congress,  here  he  died.  .Ian.  '2*.).  lS41t.      Ills  children  were: — 

1.  LiNSLEY  Keves,  [1).  iit  Alstead,  July  31.  1815,  m.  May  10. 
1849.  Asenath  B..  daughter  of  Phineas  Butler  of  Pelham. 
She  died  in  this  town.  March  6,  1854,  aged  38  years. 
Linsley  K.  Brown  was  an  apt  student,  and  after  com})let- 
ing  his  })reparatory  course,  entered  Dartmouth  College, 
where  he  o-raduated  in  1835,  being-  then  twenty  vears  of 
age.  He  taught  school  in  Greenfield  village  in  the  winter 
of  "38  and  "34.  and  in  the  following  winter  he  taught  in 
the  village  of  Mont  Vernon,  where  he  received  the  w^arm 
recommendation  of  Dr.  Daniel  Adams,  the  author  of  Adam's 
Arithmetic,  but  being  a  young  man  of  active  temperment. 
doubtless  the  drudgery  of  schools  became  irksome  to  him. 
there  was  moreover  much  of  the  romantic  in  his  nature, 
and  it  was  perhaps  natural  that  his  attention  slionld  be 
turned  to  the  then  undeveloped  West.  In  the  spring 
of  1836.  he  left  New  England  and  after  spending  several 
months  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  went  south  and  nas  for  several 


BROWN.  547 

years  engaged  in  li'ade  and  in  varions  veiiture.s  upon  tlie 
Mississippi  and  its  tTil)utaries.  For  tliree  years  lie  was  en- 
gaged in  commercial  pursuits  in  Louisiana.  Late  in  the 
year  1846  he  returned  home,  where  he  Avas  soon  engaged 
in  various  pursuits,  with  zeal  if  not  with  profit.  He  was 
for  several  years  Superintending  School  Committee,  and 
Avas  much  interested  in  the  cause  of  education.  He  was 
a  man  of  much  ability,  high  moral  standing  and  in  all 
things  pertaining  to  religion  was  active  and  pronounced. 
The  house  now  occupied  by  Samuel  I).  Downes  was  Ijuilt 
by  him  in  1851.  In  this^  he  died,  Feb.  16,  1860.  His 
children  were: — 
Tifii-s.  (b.  at  Francestown,  Feb.  8,  1850,  is  married  and  re- 
sides in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  to  him  the  authors  of  this  work 
are  deeply  indebted  for  valuable  pa|)ers  and  items  of  liis- 
torical  interest.) 
Edwin  BmineU^  (b.  at  Francestown,  Now  14.  1851.  died  at 
Francestown.  June  21,  1859.)] 
2.  Emily  Hutchinson,  [b.  at  Reading.  \'t.,  Dec.  15.  1816.  m. 
Thomas  B.  Bradford  of  Fi-ancestoAAii.  d.  in  this  town.  .Iul\ 
27,1851.] 

JC^IIX  BliOWX.  who  came  here  from  LitchfieliL  in  17(;-_\  and  settled 
oil  the  Daniel  AV.  Duncklee  place,  was  a  scotchnian,  hailinsi'  i\\m\  tlie 
Xorth  of  Ireland,  where  he  was  l)oni.  He  was  of  jnatiire  years  when 
he  arrived  in  Loiidonderrv,  where  he  resided  a  short  time  iirevious  to 
his  removal  to  Litelifield.  His  son  John  settled  in  Antrim  in  17S8,  and 
his  daughter  Ann  married  Dea.  John  Smith  of  Xcm-  Boston.  He 
was  made  highway  surveyor  in  Francestown,  (part  then  of  New  ]Joston 
addition,)  in  17()3,  and  was  the  first  constable  hi  this  town.  He  Avas 
locally  noted  in  his  day  as  "«  great  flax  .sv/-/»f/?er,"  going  from  house  to 
house  and  doing  marvelous  days  Avorks.  Just  how  many  years  he  re- 
sided in  this  town,  is  not  known. 

DAVID  BKOWN  represents  a  branch  of  the  Brown  family  which 
can  be  traced  to  Seabrook,  N.  H.,  his  father  was  Benjamin  BroAvn,  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  Deering.  David  Brown  was  born  in  Deering,  July 
12,  1799,  he  married  Hannah  Merrill,  Dec.  1817.  She  was  born  in 
Deering,  June  lo,  ISOO.  Mr.  Brown  came  to  FrancestoAA^n-  in  1826. 
but  remained  here  only  one  3'ear  and  then  removed  to  Weare,  from 
which  town  he  returned  to  FrancestOAvn  in  1844.  His  home  Avas  on  the 
Deering  road  a  mile  and  one-fourth  to  northward  of  the  village.  Here 
his  Avife  died,  June  14,  JS87.     He  has  been  rightlv  considered  a  man 


548  GENEALOGIES. 

of  more  than  common  muscular  strength  and  physical  activit}'.  Since 
the  death  of  his  wife  he  has  found  a  home  among  his  children  in  his 
native  town.     Children  were: — 

1.  Lorenzo,  [b.  at  Deerino-,  Feb.  12,  1818,  d.  at  Weare  Nov. 

1831.] 

2.  LoviLLiA,[b.  at  Deeriiig,  Sept.  3,  1819,  m.  Samuel  Martin 

of  Francestown.     Pub.  Nov.  21,  1843,  d.  at  Ringe.], 

3.  Daniel   Hook,   [b.  at  Deering,  Nov.  5;  1821,  m.  Betsey 

Wilson  of  Bennington,  res.  at  Bennington  and  Henniker, 
d.  at  Henniker,  July  1,  1878,  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
tlie  Rebellion.] 

4.  Calvin  Knight,  [b.  at  Francestown,  ISov.  5, 1826,  m.  Mary 

Ellen  Bailey  of  Marbleliead,  Mass.,  July  7,  1852,  res.  at 
Marblehead,  Mass.  He  served  in  tlie  war  of  the  Rebel- 
lion.] 

5.  David,  Jr.,  [b.  at  Weare,  Oct.  12,  1828,  m.  Lois  Stearns  of 

Deering,  now  res.  in  Deering.] 

6.  Elijah  Brackenbuky,   [b.  May  13,1830  at  weare,  m.  1st, 

Keren  H.  Bartlett  of  Deering,  June  5,  1855,   2nd,  Ella  E. 

Whittemore  of  Francestown,    Oct.  25, 1870.     He   resided 

several  3-ears  in  Francestown,  living  in  the  small  house 

nortli  of  the  residence  of  William  Hillljurn  near  Pleasant 

pond.     Children  by  1st  marriage  were: — 
Lizzie  J/.,  (b.  at  Deering,  Jan.  21,  1850,  m.  James  E.  Center 

of  Deering,  May  1,  1876,  res.  at  Deering.) 
Dana  E.,  (b.  at  Deering,  Dec.  24,  1862,   m.  Vina  M.  Otis  of 

Deering,  Jan.  31,  1885,  res.  at  Deering.) 

Children  by  2nd  marriage  were: — 
Minnie  A.,  (b.  at  Francestown.  Oct.  8,  1871.) 
Lorana  A.^  (b.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  5,  1878.)] 

7.  Oscar,    [b.  at  Weare,  Nov.  18,  1832,  ra.  1st,  Clara  Ingram 

of  Burke,  N.  Y.,  2nd,  Lydia  ( )  Moore  of  Munson- 

ville,  res.  at  Munsonville.] 

8.  Ira  Simons,  [b.  at  Weare,  Dec.  9,  1833,   m.  Polly  Sargent 

of  Burke,  N.  Y.,  d.  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  March  15,  1862.] 

9.  MuRiLLA,   [b.  at  Weare,  Jan.  27,    1835,  m.  1st,    Edward 

Beckworth  of  Bennington,  2ncl,  David  Bartlett  of  Frances- 
town,  3rd,  John  McAlvin  of  East  Washington,  res.  at  East 
Washing'ton. 


BROWN,    BRYANT.  549 

10.  Adelaide,   [b.  at  Weare,  April  26,  1837,  m.  1st,  Eldad 

Harriman    of  Henniker  in   1857,    2iid,  David    Owen    of 
Deering  in  1870.] 

11.  John  Sullivan,  [b.  at  Weare,  d.  when  two  years  of  age.] 

SEWELL  BROWN,  son  of  Alouzo  and  Elvira  (Houghton)  Brown,  was 
born  in  Athens,  Vt.,  June  4,  1852.  He  came  here  in  April,  1870,  and 
was  employed  by  the  Soapstonc  Company  and  has  much  of  the  time 
since  been  engaged  at  the  quarry-  He  married  Abbie  E.  Marden, 
daughter  of  Nathan  E.  Marden  of  this  town,  Jan.  10,  1883,  and  lived 
in  the  Widow  Searle  house  in  the  village.  His  wife  died,  June  20, 
1889,  and  he  married  June  17, 1891.  Ella  S.  Newton,  daughter  of  Samuel 
P.  Newton  of  this  town  and  has  since  lived  in  the  village.  Pie  is  an 
industrious  man  of  standard  pruiciples. 

BRYANT. 

ELIAS  PARKMAN  BRYANT,  1st,  was  the  great  grandson  of  Wil- 
liam i  Bryant,  Esq.,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  South  Reading,  now 
Wakefield,  Mass.  William  Bryant  was  by  trade  a  blacksmith  and 
shovel-maker  and  must  have  been  a  man  of  intelligence  since  he  was 
a  .Justice  of  the  Peace.  His  wife,  Rebecca,  died  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
three.  He  died  August  29,  17-')7,  aged  seventy-nine  years.  Joseph'-^ 
Bryant,  son  of  William  and  Rebecca,  was  an  early  settler  of  Stoneham, 
Mass.,  and  was  one  of  the  thirteen  members,  who  formed  the  first 
church  in  that  town.  He  was  a  tanner,  blacksmith,  shovel-maker  and 
farmer.  His  first  wife  was  Mary  Guild,  daughter  of  Dea.  Daniel  Guild 
of  Stoneham.  He  had  by  her  two  sons,  Col.  Joseph  Bryant  and  J^ieut. 
Daniel  Bryant,  both  officers  in  the  RevolutiQnary  Army.  The  follow- 
ing story  is  told  of  the  former.  .Vbout  the  time  of  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill,  some  British  men  of  war  were  lying  off  Hog  Island, 
(south  west  of  Chelsea),  and  Col.  Bryant  was  ordered  with  his  regi- 
ment to  the  neighborhood  to  ol)serve  and  report  their  movements.  As 
he  was  marching  through  Maiden  on  his  way  thitlier,  he  met  some  men, 
who  were  opposed  to  the  war,  di'iving  teams  so  as  to  hinder  the  soldiers. 
He  ordered  them  to  clear  the  road  that  his  regiment  might  pass,  and 
and  as  they  did  not  obey  at  once,  ordered  his  men  to  unhitch  the  horses 
and  put  the  wagons  over  the  fence.  His  brother  Daniel  was  one  of 
the  expedition.  Joseph,  (son  of  William),  married  for  his  second  wife, 
Elizabeth  Parknian  l^rown  of  lioston,  an  aunt  of  Dr.  George  Park- 
man,  who  was  nmrdered  by  Prof.  John  W.  Webster  in  Boston.  Nov. 
2.3,1849.  Joseph  had  by  liis  second  marriage  five  children:  ^fary, 
John,  Timothy,  Elias  and  Ebenezer.  The  last  two  served  in  the  Rev- 
olution. He  died  in  1776.  Elias^,  son  of  Joseph,  was  born  in  Stone- 
ham, Mass  ,  July  12,  1756.  He  married  Polly  Boardman  of  Saugus. 
She  was  born  at  Saugus,  July  ;>,  1760.     Her  grandfather  came  from 


550  GENEALOGIES. 

England  when  Winthrop  was  governor  of  Massachusetts,  and  settled  in 
Saugus.  Winthroji  told  him  he  might  have  what  land  he  wanted  by 
blazing  trees  and  "extinguishing"'  the  Indian  title.  The  price  pai<l  to 
the  Indians  was,  "two  coppers  per  acre  and  four  i)ounds  of  to])acco."" 
Enough  land  for  five  farms  was  thus  ol)tained.  Elias  l]rvant  died 
April  6,  1847.  Elias  Parkman*,  1st,  (of  Francestown,)  was  the  son  of 
Elias  and  Polly  Bryant  of  Stoneham,  where  he  Avas  born  iVpril  20, 
178.5.  He  married  Elizabeth  Ingalls  of  Stoneham.  She  was  ]>oni 
June  7,  1783.  Her  father  was  a  Scotchman,  her  mothei-  was  a  daughtei- 
of  Eben  Knights  of  Stoneham.  Mr.  Bryant  and  his  wife  joined  the 
church  in  Stoneham  in  1811.  They  came  .to  Francestown  in  182o,  and 
purchased  the  James  Hogg  farm,  (now  owned  l)y  Benj.  S.  Abbott.) 
He  introduced  the  Baldwin  apple  into  this  town  Ijy  grafting,  haviiig 
brought  scions  from  the  orchard  of  his  l)i-other  Joseph,  in  Reading, 
Mass.  He  died  Sept.  8,  18.^1 .  His  wife  died  Aug.  30, 18G0.  Children 
were: — 

1.  Eltas  Parkmax,  2nd,  [b.  at  Stoneham,  Mass.,  July  17, 
1806,  m.  Stisannah  Billings  Wilson  of  Francestown.  Sept. 
4,  1831,  resided  several  years  in  Antrim  and  later  in  Wash- 
ington, lias  for  many  years  been  a  resident  of  Francestown, 
is  by  trade  a  shoe-maker  and  farmer.  •    Children: — 

Susannah  Maria,  (b.  at  Antrim.  Nov.  22,  1835,  d.  at  Frances- 
town,  :N'ov.  24.  1865.) 

3Iart/  Jane,  (b.  at  Washington,  Nov.  17.  1837,  m.  Benjamin 
R.  Rowe  of  Stoneham,  Jnly  14.  1857,  res.  at  Stoneham.) 

Eliaii  Alexander,  (b.  at  Washington,  Oct.  26,  1840,  m.  l^anra 
Etta  French  of  Reed"s  Ferry,  Oct.  26, 1868,  she  died  June 
20,  1872.  Elias  served  more  than  three  years  in  the  war 
of  the  Rebellion,  being  principal  musician  in  the  4th  N. 
H.  Regt.  He  lost  his  right  leg  at  che  hip  in  the  liattle  of 
the  mine  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  Juh^  30,  1864.  He  was 
for  a  number  of  years  in  the  publishing  btisiness  in  Boston, 
noAv  resides  in  Francestown,  is  one  of  the  selectmen  of  the 
town.  Children  are: — Harriet  Maria,  b.  at  Reed's  Ferry. 
July  29.  1870,  ]Mary  Louise,  b.  at  Boston,  March,  20, 
1872.) 

Sarah  AdaHiie,  (b.  at  Washington,  Sept.  30.  1844,  m.  J.  A. 
DeMuth  of  St.  Joseph.  Mo.,  May  18,  1882,  res.  at  St. 
Joseph.) 

Charles  Parkina.ru  ( b.  at  Francestown,,  July  23,  1849,  m. 
Clara  E.  Paige   of  Antrim,  Aug.  17.  1882.     Children: — 


brya:n't.  •  551 

Pearl  iiiid  Bessie.  l)oth  born  at  Fraiicestowii.) 
Samuel  Edward.^,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  6,  1851,  m.  Ella 
M.  Bradford,  Noa'.  18,  1886,  has  two  children,  Leon  Brad- 
ford, b.  at   Francestown,  Se})t.  20.  1888,  Cora  Adaline,  b. 
at  Francestown,  Dec.  21,  1890.) 
J<»<eph     Wnieif.    (b.  Nov.  11,  1854,  m.    Mabel   Billings,  of 
Francestown,  Dec.  25,  1883.     Children:  son  un-named,  b. 
at  Franeestown,  Dec.  14, 1884,  d.  Dec.  17,  1884,  daughter 
nnnamed,  b.  at  Hillsboro',  Oct.  28, 1885,  d.  Oct.  29,  1885.) 
Je^me  Elizal^etli^   (b.    at  Francestown.   Nov.    5,  1856,  d.  at 
Francestown,  Jan.  11,  1862.)] 

2.  Samijel  Ingalls,  [b.  Aug.  27,  1808,  m.  Hannah  F.  Butter- 

field  of  Francestown,  Oct.  1828,  went  to  Antrim  in  1834, 
snbsequently  returned  to  Francestown  and  lived  with  his 
brother  P]lihu  on  tlie  Belcher  place,  removed  to  Stoneliam, 
where  he  d.  Feb.  6,  1894.  Children:— 
FJhahetli.  ( b.  at  Stoneham,  Sept.  7.  1830,  d.  May  16,  1843.) 
Sarah    F.,    ( b.  at  Francestown   in   1832.  m.  C.  S.  Nash   of 

Stoneham,  d.  at  Stoneham.) 
Hannah  31.,  (b.  at  Antrim,  Feb.  17, 1835,  d.  March  22, 1855.) 
Samuel  Ingalh,  Jr.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  April  2,  1839,  m. 

Marv  J.  Duncklee,  res.  at  Stoneham.) 
FAla^.'ih.  Nov.  1,  1840,  d.  Sept.  23,  1841.) 
FAlax  /».,  (died  Sept.  8,  1851.)] 

3.  Olive,  [b.  at  Stoneham,  Jan.  30.  1811.  m.  Marcus  Wood- 

ward of  Sutton  in  1829.  d.  at  Osage,  Iowa,  Nov.  12,  1881.] 

4.  Elihlt,  [b.   at  Stoneliam,   Aug.  12,1813,  m.    Mary    Steele, 

May  1,  1838,  lived  a  few  years  at  Antrim,  returned  to  this 
tow^n  and  lived  where  L.  H.  Belcher  now  lives,  removed 
to  Genesed,  111.,  is  said  to  have  been  a  ""most  excellent 
man,  was  deacon  in  the  Congregational  Church."  He  was 
a  shoe  manufacturer,  also  a  merchant.  Failing  health 
.  caused  him  to  close  his  business  and  move  to  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  died,  Feb.  18,  1869,  aged  fifty-six  years. 
One  child  now  living: — 
Robert  A.,  (b.  March  19,  1842,  m.  Emma  North  of  Meriden, 
Conn.,  in  1868,  res.  at  Winonah,  N.  J.)] 

5.  Elizabeth,    [married  Moses    Dodge,    lived    in  Stoneham, 

Mass.,  d.  at  Newton,  Mass.] 


552  ■  GENEALOGIES. 

6.  Nancy,  [b.  Nov.  25,  1817,  d.  April  9,  1820.] 

7.  Levina  B.,  [b.  Jan.  21,  1823,  m.  David  Hill,  d.  at  Stone- 

ham.] 

8.  Joshua,    []).  Feb.  27,  1820.  m.  Deliverance  S.  Pinkham, 

Jan.  29,  1819,  is  by  trade  a  shoemaker,  went  to  (!asco, 
Maine,  thence  to  Stoneham,  Mass.,  his  wife  died  at  Stone- 
ham,  Aug.  16,  1876.     Children: — 

Oiven  6r.,  (b.  at  Casco,  Me.,  July  3,  1850,  m.  Almeda  Ver- 
rill,  Sept.  23,  1875,  res.  at  North  Raymond,  Me.) 

Laton  W.,  (b.  at  Casco,  Me.,  April  21,  1855,  m.  Maria  h. 
Dean  of  Stoneham,  Nov.  29, 1877,  res.  at  Reading,  Mass.] 

Llewellyn^  (b.  at  Casco,  April  18,  1858,  m.  Annettie  Verrill, 
June  4,  1878,  res.  at  North  Raymond,  Me.) 

Delia  Imro,  (b.  at  Stoneham,  May  28,  1860.  d.  at  Stoneham, 
Oct.  16,  1875.)] 

9.  Joseph,  [b.  July  30,  1825.  lives  at  Stoneham.) 

10.  Hannah  Butterfield,  [b.  April  11,  1828,  m.  James  M. 

Skinner,  Nov.  27,  1851,  resides  at  Maiden.  Mass.] 

BUCKMASTER. 

JOHN  BUCKMASTEK  came  here  to  live  on  the  Buckmaster,  or 
Clark  place,  north  of  the  Morse  place,  about  the  year  l.SOO.  He  was 
horn  at  Dedham,  Mass.,  July  1,  1758,  being  the  son  of  Job  and  Sarah 
(Colburn)  Buckmaster,  who  were  married  at  Dedham,  Oct.  13,  175.5. 
John  married  Hannah  Cheney  oi  Dedham,  (published  Feb.,  1783.) 
*Their  children  were: — 

1.  Sally,  [b.  May  23,  1785,  at  Dedham,  m.  1st,  Luther  Fuller 

of    FrancestoM'u,  Nov.  9,  1808;  2nd, Spaulding  of 

Gilsum,  3i-d,  William  McKean  of  Nashua,  long  resided  in 
Nashua  and  died  in  that  city.] 

2.  James,  [b.  at  Dedham,  May  12,  1790,'  married  and  it  is  said 

lived  for  a  time  at  Deering.  He  had  triplet  sons,  bear- 
ing the  sanctified  names;  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob.  They 
are  said  to  have  attracted  much  attention  especially  on 
public  occasions.] 

3.  WiLLARD,  [b.  Sept.  29,  1792.] 


*There  were  doubtless  other  children.  A  child  of  John  or  James,  is  said 
to  have  fallen  from  a  scaffold  in  the  barn  and  died  from  injuries  received 
therebv. 


BULLARD.  553 

BULLARD. 

This  name  is  thought  b}-  many  to  be  identical  with  Buhier;  there  is, 
however,  a  tradition  of  much  antiquity,  doubtless,  which  in  brief  says 
that  in  the  ancient  times  "one  called  a  laird."  when  on  a  royal  hunting 
excursion,  outstripped  his  fellow  huntsmen  while  in  chase  of  a  wild 
bull,  which  he  killed,  and  after  that  feat  was  called  the  great  Bull  Laird, 
and  hence  the  name  more  or  less  modified  was  given  to  his  descendants. 
Four  brothers,  William,  Benjamin,  John  and  Isaac  Bullard  came  from 
England  and  settled  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Boston  in  1635.  "Wil- 
liam soon  made  for  himself  a  home  at  Dedham,  where  he  was  elected 
to  the  office  of  selectman.  From  him  descended  Ebenezer,  Oliver  and 
Lewis,  who  settled  on  the  summit  of  Bullard  hill  in  Francestown. 

EBENEZER  BULLARD,  Jr.,  was  of  the  sixth  generation  from 
William  of  England  and  Dedham,  the  genealogical  line  being  Williami, 
Isaac 2,  Samuel^,  vSamueH,  Ebenezer^,  Ebenezer^.  He  was  a  soldier  of 
the  Revolution  and  came  here  from  Dedham  soon  after  the  close  of  the 
war.  His  wife  Avas  Jemima  Mann  of  Walpole,  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried in  1785,  the  date  of  the  publishment  being  Jan.  1,  of  that  year. 
In  1798  the  family  removed  to  Topsham,  Vt.,  where  Ebenezer  and  his 
wife  died.     Their  children  Avere: — 

1.  Joel,   [b.  at  Francestown,  m.  Jane   Brewster  of  this  town, 

Feb.  13,  1812,  removed  to  Galena,  111.,  and  died  there.] 

2.  Hannah,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Jan.  1,  1788,  m.  William  K. 

Richardson  of   this  town  in  1810,   long  resided  at  Top- 
sham,  Vt.] 

3.  Aaron,  [b.  at  Francestown,  m.  Polly  Gregg  of  Hanover, 

d.  at  Topsham,  Vt.] 

4.  John,   [b.  at    Francestown,    m.  Hannah  Baldwin  of  Top- 

sham, was  a  '•'•coal  manufacturer"  at  Jay,  New  York,  where 
he  died.] 

5.  Lewis,    [b.  at  Topsham,  was  a  cabinet  maker,  d.  at  Top- 

sham.] 

6.  Ira,  [b.  at  Topsham,  d.  there.] 

7.  Jemima,  [b.  at  Topsham,  d.  at  Topsham.] 

8.  Lois,  [b.  at  Topsham,  m.  David  3agley  of  that  town   and 

died  there.] 

9.  Levi,  [b.  at  Topsham,  d.  at  Topsham.] 

OLIVER  BULLARD,  who  doubtless  came  here  with  Ebenezer,  his 
cousin,  was  the  third  son  of  Benjamin  Bullard,  who  w^as  the  son  of 
Samuel*  and  therefore  the  brother  of  Ebenezer^.  the  father  of  Ebenezer 


554  rxENEALOGlES. 

of  France.stovvn.  Benjamin  married  Juditli  Lewis  of  Dedham.  She 
died  at  Sharon  Aug..  1810.  aged  (39  years.  He  served  in  the  army  of 
the  Eevolution.  and  died  at  Sharon.  Mass..  in  1778,  aged  48  3'ears. 
Oliver  Bullard  was  born  Sept.  15,  1768,  and  married  xUiigail  Gay  of 
Sharon,  aljout  tlie  year  1782.  He  had  but  few  if  any  children  Iioru  in 
tills  town,  since  afu-r  a  bi-ief  residence  here  he  removed  to  Bethel,  Vt.,  ■ 
uhi'i-c  lie  died,  Aug.  1'),  18;5t».  Andes  Tailor  Bullai'd,  a  Methodist 
preaclier  of  some  note,  was  the  son  of  Oliver  and  Abigail.  He  was  born 
Dec.  22,  180;-J.  and  married.  1st,  Lydia  Lincoln  at  Bethel.  Vt.,  Aug.  23. 
182(1.  She  died  at  Randolph,  Vt..  June  o.  187(J.  and  lu;  man-ied,  2nd, 
.Viuaiida  H  becca  Clark  of  Jjcthel,  Xov.-  1.').  1S77.  His  home  in  his 
lattei-  years  was  al   nandolph.  V{..  wliere  he  died.  Oel.   12.  ISSit. 

LEWIS  lU'LLAliD.  a  brother  of  Oliver,  came  lo  this  town 
about  llie  year  17I*S.  His  wife  was  Pf)lly  Leonard  of  Foxboro',  from 
which  i)laee  he  (h)ul)iless  came  to  I'^rancestown.  .Vftc  r  I'esiding  here 
nearly  twenty-three  years,  he  returned  to  Foxboro".  where  he  died 
about  the  yeai-  is."jti.  The  year  of  his  birth  is  given  as  17()8.  "While  at 
Foxlmro".  he  is  said  to  have  dealt  in  iron  being  known  as  an  iron  ped- 
dler, lie  was  the  father  of  ten  children,  many  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
We  ha\-e  the  names  of  four  of  his  children.     They  were: — 

1.  .IiTNi.v.    [b.  ill    Fraiicestowii,    m.   Biudtsli     Siiiniier  of   Fox- 

boro*, cl.  at  Foxljoro"  Oct.  8,  1891,  aged  92  years.] 

2.  Lewis  Ji:.,  [b.  in  Francestown  Aug.  1.  1812.  m.  Euiiioe  B. 

Ricliardson  of  Hopkiutoii,  Mass.,  res.  a  number  of  years 
in  Wrenthani,  Mass..  d.  in  Foxboro',  Mass.,  Feb.  22, 
1889.] 

3.  Irene,  [b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Erastus  Clapp  of  Mansfield, 

Mass.,  d.  at  Mansfield.] 

4.  Polly,  [who  died  unmarried.] 

MIRIAM  BULLARD,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  BuUard,  Sr.,  and  sister 
of  Ebenezer,  Jr.,  married  Nathaniel  Billings  of  this  town,  and  receives 
further  notice  in  our  sketch  of  the  Billings  family. 

BURGE. 

SxVMUEL  BURGE,  a  blacksmith,  lived  in  the  Albert  AVhitfield  house 
quite  early,  and  worked  at  his  trade  in  the  brick  shop  at  the  upper  end 
of  the  street,  which  was  built  by  him.  *The  town  records  lead  us  to 
believe  that  his  first  wife  was  Charlotte  Morrill.  She  died  here,  Oct. 
.30,  1817.     His  second  wife  was  Deborah  Starrett  of  this  town  to  whom 


"Upon  her  tombstone  we  find.  "Anna,  wife 'of  Samuel  Burge." 


BITRGE.    BURNHAM.  OOb 

he  was  married  Feb.  5.  1822.  In  the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  lived 
on  the  Moses  Emerson  place  on  Bradford  Hill.  He  died  in  this  town 
Sept.  5.  1824.     He  is  known  to  have  had  children: — 

1.  Samuel,  [b.  Aug.  24,  1805.] 

2.  Anna,  [died  here  iiiniiiirried,  Nov.  8.  1830,  aged  24  years.] 

3.  Sally,  [died  Nov.  25,  1810,  aged  21  months.] 

4.  An  Infant,  [h.  July  10,  1813,  died  July  13, 1813.] 

5.  Maiiy,  [married. Fuller  of  Milford.] 

6.  Benjamin,"  [graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  the  class  of  1835. 

being  a  classmate  of  Linsley  K.  Brown  of  this  town,  who 
was  his  intimate  friend.  Benjamin  lived  a  few  years  with 
his  step-mother  in  the  house  now  owned  by  Daniel  R. 
Henderson,  but  left  town  when  a  young  man  and  afterward 
became  a  clergyman  of  some  celebrity.  He  has  been  dead 
many  years. 

BURNHAM. 

THE  BURXHAM  FAMILY  of  America  is  known  to  have  descended 
from  'W' alter  Le Ventre,  who  came  to  England  with  William  The  Con- 
queror, in  the  train  of  his  cousin,  German  Earl  of  Warren,  in  1066.  In 
the  survey  and  distribution  of  the  lands,  (lOSO.)  Walter  Le  Ventre  was 
made  Lord  of  the  Saxon  villages  of  Burnham,  in  the  county  of  Xorfolk, 
and  from  this  name  h«  took  the  surname  De  Burnham.  AVhen  applied 
to  a  person,  Burnham  is  said  to  signify  the  Lord  of  a  town  or  village. 
The  name  was  spelled,  Bernham  and  Barnham.  In  .Vnglo  Saxon  it  is 
Beornham,  Beorn  or  Bid-n,  (a  bear,)  signifies  a  chief  man.  while  ham 
means  a  small  town,  a  village  or  a  meadow.  ,Iohn,  Thomas  and  Bobert, 
sons  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Andrews)  Burnham  of  N(^rwich,  Xorfolk  Co.. 
England,  sailed  for  America  in  1635,  in  the  ship  Angel  Gabriel,  of 
which  their  Uncle,  Capt.  Andrews,  had  charge.  The  craft  was  wrecked 
on  the  coast,  but  the  three  brothers  survived  the  disaster.  Robert  sul)- 
sequently  purchased  the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Dover,  where  he 
settled  and  erected  a  garrison  house  at  Oyster  river.  John  and  Thomas 
became  honored  residents  of  Ipswich,  Mass.,  and  from  them  descended 
the  Burnhams  of  Essex,  and  of  many  other  localities  in  New  England. 

AL ANSON  BURNHAM  was  the  son  of  Asa  Burnham,  a  native  and 
resident  of  Milford,  N.  H.  His  wife  was.  Sarah  Marble  of  that  town. 
Asa  was  during  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life  a  sea  captain.  In  the  year 
1816,  he  sailed  from  Salem,  Mass.,  and  together  with  nine  seamen 
Avent  down  with  his  ship  during  a  terrific  gale  in  the  straits  of  Gibral- 
tar.    His  wife  married,  second, Wilkins.     She  died  in  the  year. 

1856.  Alanson  Burnham  was  born  at  Milford,  March  17,  1812.  He 
married  Eliza  Whittemore.  Oct.  18, 1829.     His  last  home  in  this  town  wa^ 


556  GENEALOGIES. 

what  is  still  called  the  Burnhani  place,  on  the  road  leading  to  Walter 
Smith's.  His  wife  was  born  in  Lvndeboro',  Feb.  27,  181.3,  and  died  in 
this  town  June  20,  1877.  Mr.  Burnham  spent  the  greater  part  of  the 
last  years  of  his  life  with  his  son  Henry,  at  Boston,  Mass.,  d.  April 
8,1886.     His  children  were:— 

1.  SOPHRONIA  A.,    [b.  April  25,  1831,  m.  John  Stone  of  Ips- 

wich, Mass.,  Dec.  14, 1854,  d.  at  Ipswich,  March  17, 1863.] 

2.  Clark   Whittemore,    [b.  Sept.  14,  1832,  m.    1st,  Ellen 

Pratt  of  Bennington,  Dec.  22,  1863,  2nd,  Hannah  Jones 
of  Maine,  Nov.  7,  1870.  He  1-ived  a  few  years  in  the 
house  which  stood  where  John  Hastings  now  lives.  He 
went  to  Boston,  and  is  now  era^iloyed  as  a  pianoforte  polish- 
er.     Children: — 

Nellie  M.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Nov.  14,  1864,  m.  Clarence 
E.  Sawyer  of  Stoddard,  Oct.  1,  1882,  res.  at  Bennington.) 

Addle  jE'.,  (b.  at  Boston,  Mass.)] 

3.  Asa,    [b.  Aug.  11,   1835,  m.  Jennie  T.  Sherburne  of    Ijis- 

wich,  Mass.,  Sept.  18,  1859,  res.  at  Cambridgeport,  Mass.] 

4.  Hannah  W.,   [b.  June  1,  1838,  d.  at  Francestown,  March 

21,  1841.] 

5.  Addie  Sarah,  [b.  Nov.  3,  1840,  m.  Frederick  C.  Nutting 

of  Lisbon,  Maine,  Dec.  31,  1863,  d.  at  Boston,  April  14, 
1878.] 

6.  Henry  Page,  [b.  Oct.  19,  1844,   m.  Eunice  C.  Nutting  of 

Lisbon,  Maine,  Aug.  4,  1867,  is  a  police  officer  in  Boston.] 

7.  Eliza,  [b.  Oct.  28,  1849,  m.  Charles  Lawson  of  Boston,  d. 

at  Boston,  May  28,  1880.] 

JOHN  W.  BUKXHAM  was  born  in  Greenfield,  Dec.  18,  1822,  mar- 
ried Ruth  A.  Gage,  of  Lyndeboro',  March  17,  1846,  and  settled  in 
Francestown,  but  after  a  short  time  removed  to  New  Boston,  and  thence 
to  Lyndeboro',  and  finally  returned  to  Francestown,  and  purchased  the 
place  now  occupied  by  Charles  Paige,  in  the  valley  of  the  Brennan 
brook,  here  he  died,  Nov.  10,  1888.  His  wife  was  born  at  Lyndeboro, 
June  9,  1826,  and  died  in  Francestown,  Sept.  16,  1874.  His  children 
were: — 

1.  John  Albert,  [b.  at  New  Boston,  Sept.  21, 1847,  m.  Almira 
A.  Powers  of  Washington,  April  5,  1877.  He  has  re- 
sided at  Antrim,  Bennington  and  Washington;  came  here 
from  Washington  in  1882.     He  now  occupies  the  Taylor 


BURNHAM,    BUTTEPvFIELD.  557 

place  on  the  Greentield  road.     His  wife  was  born  at  Wash- 
ington, Feb.  2,  1850,  is  the  daughter  of  Levi  M.  and  Ara- 
bella   (Rider)   Powers,  the  former  of  Berlin,  Mass.,  the 
latter  of  Woodford,  Vt. 
Children  are: — 
Myrtle  M.,  (b.  at  Washington,  Jan.  27,  1878.) 
Myron  A.,  (h.  at  Washington,  July  22,  1880.) 
Milton  Loiils,  (b.  at  Francestown,  May  30,  1889.)] 

2.  Mary  A.,  [b.  at  Francestown.  April  20,  1850,  m.  Frank  E. 

Lee  of  Greenfield,  Nov.  16,  1868,  res.  at  Cambridge  Mass.] 

3.  Sarah  G.,  [b.  at  Lyndeboro',  Jan.  6,  1854,  res.  at  East  Cam- 

bridge, Mass.] 

4.  Charles  F.,  [b.  at  Lyndeboro",  Jan.  16,  1859,  m.  Lenora 

G.  Dodge  of  Bennington,  March  22,  1887,  is  a  mechanic, 
res.  at  Bennington.] 

5.  Eddie  W.,    [b.  at  Lyndeboro',  May  4,  1860,  m.  Mary  E. 

Mnlhall  of  Hancock,  Oct.  18,  1885,  is  a  mechanic,  res.  at 
Bennington.] 

6.  Emma  A.,  [b.  at  Lyndeboro;  Aug.  31,  1863,  m.  George  O. 

Joslin  of  Bennington,  July  11, 1892,  res.  at  Bennington.] 

BUTTERFIELD. 

THE  BUTTERFlELDS  that  became  identified  with  the  settlement 
of  this  town,  although  hailing  from  Londonderry,  were  unmistakably  of 
English  origin.  Benjamin  Eutterfield,  an  emigrant  from  England,  was 
in  Charlestown  in  1638.  He  '^projected"  settling  in  Woburn  in  1040 
and  was  made  a  freeman  in  1643.  He  is  known  to  have  had  as  children: 
Mary,  born  in  England,  Nathaniel,  born  in  America,  Feb.  14,  1643, 
Samuel,  born  May  17,  1647,  Joseph,  born  Aug.  15,  1649.  He  removed 
to  Chelmsford  in  1654,  where  his  wife  Ann  died,  May  19,  1660.  He 
married  Hannah,  widow  of  Thomas  Whittemore,  of  Maiden,  June  3, 
1663.  He  was  doubtless  the  ancestor  of  the  Bvitterfields  of  Middlesex 
Co.,  Mass.  Quite  early  in  the  last  century  Samuel  Buttertield,  then  a 
resident  of  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  was  a  member  of  a  military  company 
sent  t-o  Groton  to  guard  and  assist  some  reapers.  This  company  was 
attacked  by  Indians  and  Mr.  Buttertield  after  killing  one  and  disabling 
two  of  the  savages,  was  captured  and  marched  to  Canada.  It  Avas  the 
design  of  his  captors  that  he  should  die  by  torture  but  the  manner  of 
his  disposal  was  left  to  the  wife  of  the  Indian  whom  he  had  killed,  and 
she  decided  that  she  would  have  him  for  a  servant,  and  thus  his  life 
was  spared  and  he  was  subsequentlv  ransomed.     More  of  the  hisiuiy 


558  GENEALOGIES. 

of  Samuel  Butterfield  is  not  known  save  that  he  was  tlie  ialher  of  Wil- 
liam Butterfield  of  LondondeiTV  and  Franeestown. 

WILLIAM  BUTTERFIELD,  Sr.,  son  of  Samuel,  married  Rebecca 
Parker  of  Chelmsford,  a  sister  of  Col.  Parker,  who  was  wounded  at 
Bunker  Hill  and  died  in  a  British  hospital  at  Boston.  He  settled  in 
Londonderry^  where  he  remained  until  about  the  year  1771,  when  he 
came  to  Franeestown  and  began  on  the  John  Balch  place.  The  house 
in  which  he  lived  was  built  upon  the  snow  in  the  dead  of  winter  and 
when  the  snow  disappeared  a  large  and  troublesome  stump  was  found 
standing  within  the  building.  His  children  were :  William,  who  brought 
a  family  to  Franeestown.  Isaac,  who  settled  in  the  Nahum  Russell 
district,  in  what  is  now  Greenfield,  Joseph,  who  went  to  Standish, 
Maine,  Samuel,  Robert,  Oliver,  Jesse,  Rebecca  and  Joanna,  who  came 
with  their  parents  to  Franeestown.  Oliver  succeeded  his  father  on  the 
homestead  upon  the  death  of  the  latter.  Jesse  died  here  in  Sept.,  1777. 
Rebecca  married  Moses  Lewis  and  lived  in  Greenfield. 

AVILLIAM  BUTTERFIELD,  Jr..  came  here  three  years  earlier  than 
his  father  and  built  upon  the  Taylor  place  westward  of  the  village,  he 
also  constructed  a  sawmill  on  the  stream  near  by.  He  was  a  soldier  in 
the  French  and  Indian  war. and  na,rrowly  escaped  death  in  the  terrible 
massacre  at  Fort  William  Henr}".  "For  six  days  and  six  nights,"  he 
said  "there  was  constant  and  rapid  firing,"  after  which  the  garrison  was 
promised  a  safe  conduct  to  Fort  Edward  with  arms  and  packs,  upon 
capitulation,  but  Montcalm  was  not  able  to  restrain  the  Indians,  who  at 
once  began  a  cruel  attack  upon  the  too  credulous  soldiers.  An  Indian 
approached  Mr,  Butterfield  and  seized  his  gun  saying,  "Me,  me,"  In 
a  moment  Mr.  Butterfield,  'who  was  a  powerful  man,  had  the  savage 
upon  the  ground,  but  the  tomahawks  were  now  "over  his  head,"  and 
he  was  obliged  to  give  up  his  gun  and  struggle  for  his  life.  Long  after 
his  return  home  the  results  of  his  awful  experience  in  the  battle  and 
the  slaughter  were  plainly  seen  in  his  mental  abstractions  and  shattered 
nerves.  The  house  in  which  he  lived  was  moved  from  the  Taylor  corner 
to  the  Faruum  place  in  the  village,  and  was  long  occupied  by  Peter  Far- 
num.  We  have  no  record  of  the  death  of  William,  though  he  died  in 
this  town.     Children  were: — 

1.  BenjAxMIN,   [b.  Jan.  25,  1762,  m.    Sara  Bixby,  and    must 
have  lived  here  or  in  this  vicinity  quite  a  number  of  years. 
His  children  were: — 
L}/di(i.  (]).  March  22.  1785,  m.  Jedediah   C'ram,  Jr.,  of  this 

town.  Fel).  11.  1809,  d.  at  Warren,  Vt.,  Oct.  6,  1858.) 
Flioehe^  (b.  April  29,  1786,  m.  Josiah  Taylor  of  Hancock. 
June  8.  1813.  res.  at  Hancock,  d.  at  North  Chelmsford. 
Mass.,  May  14,  1870.) 


BTJTTERFIELD.  559 

Becca,  (b.  May  10.  1787.) 

WiUumi.  (b.  Nov.  22.  1788.) 

Thninnx  Lewh,  (b.  Feb.  11,  1790.) 

A^<u  (b.  Aug.  14.  1791,  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  1812, 
and  was  taken  ^jrisoner  and  confined  in  Dartmoor  prison, 
Elngland,  made  infamously  historic  by  the  Diassacre  of  the 
helpless  prisoiiers  l)y  the  guard.) 

Samm'L  (b.  Jan.  24,  1793.)] 

2.  Moses,  [b.  Jan.  4,  1764.] 

3.  Joseph,  [b.  Dec.  1,  1765.] 

4.  William^,    [b.  March  19,1768,  m.  Sally  Kind)all  of  Pem- 

broke, and  liveil  in  a  house  that  once  stood  near  the  Tay- 
lor house,  on  the  road  to  tlie  John  Buridiam  place.  He 
died  in  this  tow"n  ere  he  had  passed  the  ])iinieof  life.  His 
children,  born  at  Francestown,  were: — 

BeUey  (r.,  (b.  Oct.  22,  1797,  m.  Hewins  Fisher  of  Frances- 
town,  June  22,  1818,  d.  at  Francestown,  Aug.  20,  1886.) 

Lydia,  (b.  Nov.  5,  1798,  m.  David  Campbell  of  Francestown, 
d.  at  Francestown.  June  6,  1889.) 

Hannah  F.^  (b.  April  3,  1800,  m.  Samuel  I.  Biyant  of  Stone- 
ham,  Oct.,  1828,  d.  at  Stoneham.) 

Sally ^  (b.  Dec.  7,  1801,  m.  John  Campbell  of  Francestown, 
Feb.  12,  182i2,  d.  at  Nashua  in  1862.) 

William^  (b.  Dec.  9,  1803,  m.  Adeline  Hyde  of  Francestown, 
Dec.  11,  1834,  is  by  trade  a  painter  now  lives  in  the  house 
in  the  village  long  owned  and  occupied  by  David  Atwood.) 

5.  Joanna,  [b.  April  24,  1770.] 

6.  John,  [b.  April  6,  1772,  d.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  30.  1777.]. 

7.  Lydia,  [Sept.  7,  1774,  d.  at  Francestowti,  Oct.  1,  1777.] 

8.  Rebecca,  [b.  May  17,  1777.] 

9.  Sara,  [Aug.  11,  1780.] 

10.  Parker,  [b.  March  26,  1786.] 

ROBERT  BUTTERFIELD  was  born  at  Londonderry,  Xov.  16, 1756, 
m.  Elizabeth  Chamberlain,  who  was  born' Aug.  10,  1765.  Mr.  Butter- 
field  came  to  Fraucestown  witli  his  father,  William  Butterfield,  Sr. , 
and  after  his  marriage  established  himself  on  a  place  (now  extinct)  to 
eastward  of  the  Joslyn  farm  in  the  western  part  of  tlie  town.  Later 
he  built  a  loghouse  at  the  very  foot  of  the  mountain  in  which  he  lived 
for  a  short  time  ere  it  was  replaced  by  a  frame  house  in  which  a  large 


560  GENEALOGIES. 

family  of  sturdy  children  grew  to  maturity.  He  had  small  cultivated 
plots  far  upou  the  southern  side  of  the  mountain,  where  signs  of  his  in- 
dustry are  discernable  at  the  present  time.  He  was  a  Revolutionary 
soldier.  He  died  at  Francestown,  Feb.  26,  1841,  his  wife  died  here, 
Aug.  28,  1832.     Children  all  born  at  Francestown  were:  — 

1.  Child  Unnamed,  [b.  April  16,  1786,  d.  May  7,  1786.] 

2.  Lydia,   [b.  Sept.  l,  1787,  lived  with  her  brother  Oliver, 

many  years,  died  unmarried,  in  Francestown,  June  10, 
1862.] 

3.  Phineas  C,  [b.  Oct.  11,  1789,  m.  Lucy  Fisher  of  Frances- 

town,  May  13,  1817,  lived  for  many  years  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  Charles  Dodge,  afterward  moved  into  the 
village,  where  he  occupied  the  Daniel  S.  Henderson  house. 
Mr.  Butterfield  was  honest,  successful  and  respected.  He 
died  here,  Feb.  2,  1868.  His  children  all  born  at  Frances- 
town  were: — 

Mary  E.,  (b.  June  6,  1819,  m.  Charles  T.  Ridgeway  of 
Nashua,  Nov.  1,  1846,  lives  at  Nashua.) 

Harriet  B..  (b.  May  22, 1822,  m.  Rev.  John  M.  Lord  of  Nor- 
wich, Vt..  Sept.  11,  1861.) 

Sanford  T.,  (b.  June  15,  1826,  m.  1st,  Nancy  R.  Putnam  of 
Nashua,  April  2,  1850,  is  a  carpenter  and  farmer,  removed 
to  Shellsburg,  la.,  from  thence  he  went  to  Cedar  Rapids, 
where  he  now  resides.  His  second  wife  was  Annie  Mc- 
Daniel  of  Newark,  Ohio.  His  children  born  in  Frances- 
to\vn  were:  George  P.,  born,  Jan.  22, 1851,  m.  Sara  Cum- 
berland of  Cedar  Rapids,  and  res.  at  Sioux  City,  la.  Horace 
D.,  born  Oct.  7.  1852,  m.  Belle  Byers  of  Cedar  Rapids,  is 
in  the  dry  goods  business  at  What  Cheer,  la.  Nancy  E., 
b.  Feb.  18,  1855,  d.  Nov.  10,  1860.  Mark  F.,  b.  July  23, 
1856,  d.  Nov.  11,  1860,  Edward  P.,  b.  Aug.  25,  1858,  m. 
Lizzie  Vanfossen  of  Cedar  Rapids,  res.  at  Cedar  Rapids,  is 
a  R.  R.  conductor.  Willie  PL,  b.  Aug.  25, 1858,  m.  Nettie 
Boyd  of  Virginia,  Neb.,  where  he  resides.  Aithur  F.,  borii, 
Aug.  13,  1860,  is  a  book-keeper  at  Cedar  Rapids.  Mary 
H.,  born  in  Benton  Co.,  la.,  m.  George  Cully,  of  Cedar 
Rapids,  and  res.  there.  Louie,  (only  child  by  second  mar- 
riage,) born  at  Cepar  Rapids,  Jan.  21, 1880.  His  first  wife 
died  at  Fremont,  la..  June  7,  1875.-) 


BUTTERFIELD.  561 

Daniel  Tf.,  (b.  Sept.  28,  1828,  m.  Catbeiijie  A.  Curtis  of 
Woodstock,  Vt..  May  29,  1856,  was  a  mason  Ly  trade. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  died  at 
Fortress  Monroe  from  the  effects  of  service,  Feb.  16, 
1880.)] 

4.  Joseph,    [b.  May  23,  1791,  m.  Persis  Temple  of   Frances- 

town,  went  to  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  afterward  lived  at  Nashua 
and  Boston,  returned  to  Francestown,  where  he  -'  ed,  Sept. 
11,  1880.] 

5.  JoAKNA,    [b.  June  21,  1793,  m.  Joseph  Lewis  of  Fiances- 

town,  d.  at  Lowell,  Mass.,  Dec.  11,  1861]. 

6.  Robert,  Jr.,  [b.  Jan.  21,  1796,  m.  Betsey  Tenney  of  Society 

Land.  He  enlisted  in  the  War  of  1812,  was  a  carpenter, 
died  at  Charlestown.  N.  H.] 

7.  Olivei;,    [b.  April    2,    1799,  did   not  many,  he  l)uilt  the 

'"Butterheld  ]>lock."'  in  which  he  lived  for  more  than  forty 
years  during-  which  he  was  engaged  in  the  fruit  and 
nursery  business.  Mr.  Butterfielcl  was  in  his  latter  years 
much  given  to  meditation  and  study.  In  his  ''Thoughts 
Upon  Matthew,  Mark,  Luke  and  John.''  a  brief  work  pub- 
lished in  1860,  as  well  as  in  his  correspondence  and  course 
of  life,  may  be  found  the  impress  of  a  philosophic  mind 
and  the  heart"  of  a  philanthropist.  H6  was  trustee  of  the 
Academy  until  his  death,  and  his  interest  in  that  institu- 
tion was  great.  Late  in  life  he  began  a  history  of  the 
town,  which  he  did  not  complete,  though  the  matter  pre- 
pared by  him  has  been  highly  serviceable  to  the  writers  of 
this  work.  He  died  at  his  home  in  this  town.  May  3, 
1889. 

8.  Jesse,  [b.  June  8,  1800.  m.  Harriet  Billings,  was  a  farmer, 

went  to  Winhall,  Vt.] 

9.  Ephkaoi,  [b.  July  16,  1802,  was  unmarried,  went  to  South 

Caroliiia,  finally  settled  in  Maine,  Avas  a  stone  cutter,  died 
in  Maine.] 

10.  David  C.    [b.  April   7,  1805,  m.  Mary  F.  Hemenway  of 

Framingham,  Mass.,  April  29,  1829.  When  a  youth  he 
lived  AA'ith  Sanuiel  Burge,  of  whom  he  intended  to  learn 
the  black-smith's  trade,  but  a  misunderstanding  arising  he 
left  his  employer  on  a  winter  night  and  walked  to  his 


nij-l  GENEALOGIES. 

nioviiitain  home  three  miles  distant  through  the  (leep  snow 
of  o]ie  of  the  most  severe  Avinter  storms  ever  known  in 
New  Eng'hmd.  He  afterward  lived  at  Littleton  and  West- 
held,  Mass..  and  in  Nashna,  N.  H.  He  was  tlie  original 
proprietor  of  the  famons  Forest  line  of  staging  between 
Nashna,  and  Cliarlestown,  N.  H.  John  Qnincy  Adams  at 
one  time  rode  with  him  and  manifested  (piite  an  interest 
in  the  trusty  and  enterprising  coachman-.  At  Westford  he 
kept  a  store  and  was  postmaster  and  one  of  the  hoard  of 
selectmen.  He  died  at  Nashua," Feb.  23,  1883.] 
11.  Eleazer.  [b.  Dec.  10,  180(),  was  not  married,  went  to 
Natchez,  Miss.,  where  he  was  active  in  business  and  ended 
liis  days.] 

SAMUEL  Bl'TTLHFIELD.  crinu'  to  Fraiicestown  with  his  father, 
William  ButterHeld.  Sr.  He  lived  for  a  time  in  the  Lolly  farm-house, 
had  two  cliildren,  Oliver  and  Hannah,  the  latter  died  in  this  town,  Jan. 
14,  lM-2. 

OLIVER  Bl'TTERFIELl)  lived  on  the  home  place,  (John  Baleh 
farm,)  his  wife  was  Hannah  Dane  of  New  Boston.  She  died  at  Farnces- 
town,  Xov.  20,  1S27.  Oliver  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  He  died 
at  Francestown,  Jan.  12,  1836.  Several  of  his  children  died  in  infancy. 
His  other  children  were : — 

1.  Hannah,    [b.  March   27,  1787,  died  when   eight  years  of 

age.] 

2.  John,    [b.   Oct.  6,  1808,  m.  Phoebe  Dane  of  Greenfield  in 

1828,  went  to  Amherst  and  from  there  to  Stoddard,  had 
two  children  born  in  this  town:   Le?ci.s  and  Hannah.'] 

CAPT.  ISAAC  BUTTERFIELD  settled  first  in  Society  Land.  Traces 
of  his  home  ma}^  still  be  seen  near  the  school-house  in  the  ><ahum  Rus- 
sell district  in  Greentield.  There  is  still  to  be  seen  in  this  locality  a 
large  stone  in  a  wall,  beaiiug  the  inscription,  "T.  B.,  1770."  Isaac 
Butterfield  must  have  been  a  man  of  staunch  ([ualities  since  he  was 
chosen  captain  of  the  company  raised  in  Society  Land  to  proceed  to  the 
seat  of  hostilities,  upon  the  receipt  of  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexing- 
ton. "Wlien  well  advanced  in  life  he  came  to  Francestown  and  lived 
for  a  time  on  the  Mahor  place,  (on  the  old  I'oad  southeast  of  Fred  Ho])- 
kins'  residence.)  He  removed  to  Acworth  and  from  there  to  Le  Roy, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  died  aged  ninty-tive  years.  .  His  wife  was  a  Webster. 
His  children  all,  doubtless,  born  in  Society  Land,  were: — 


BUTTERFIELD.  "jO-S 

1.  Isaac,  [b.  Oct.  20,  1770.] 

2.  Sakah,    [b.   j\I;ir('!i  7,   1773,    lived  with  her  parents,  d.  in 

Greenfield.] 

3.  Hephzibah,  [b.  April  3, 1775,  m.  Moses  Buttertield  of  Can- 

terbury, Conn.,  June  3,  1802.] 

4.  Joel,  [b.  March  12.  1777.] 

o.  Jessk,  [b.  Feb.  20,1779,  came  to  Francestown  and  lived  on 
the  Taylor  place  in  the  Balch  or  Taylor  house,  which  was 
burned  many  years  ago.  He  went  to  the  state  of  New 
York,  where  he  died.     Children  were: — 

HepJizehah,  (b.  Oct.  20,  1803.) 

Mary  Ann.  (b.  May  30,  1805.) 

Isaac,  (b.  Aug.  19,  1807.) 

Eliza,  (b.  Oct.  12,  1810.) 

John,  (b.  Aug.  6,  1812.) 

Richard,  (b.  April  23,  1814.) 

Joel  jS.,  (b.  March,  26,  1816,  d.  July  21,  1817.) 

Ehe7iezer  S.,  (b.  March  13,  1818.) 

Joshua,  (b.  Nov.  28,  1820.)] 

6.  Patty,  [b.  July  4.  1781.] 

7.  John,  [b.  May  9,  1784,  went  to  Waltham,  Mass.,  w^here  he 

was  in  the  employ  of  Theodore  Lyman,  who  having  con- 
fidence in  his  integrity  and  business  capacity,  sent  him  to 
China  to  buy  teas  and  silks,  to  the  amount  of  thi'ce  hun- 
dred and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  The  venture  proved 
profitable  to  Mr.  Lyman  and  also  to  Mr.  Buttertield,  who 
afterward  did  a  successful  business  on  Long  Wharf,  Boston, 
from  whence  he  went  to  Le  Roy,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  in. 
trade  fifteen  years  and  where  he  died  at  an  advanced  age.] 

8.  Rachel,  [b.  Feb.  6,  1787,  m.  Samuel  Butterfield  of  Society 

Land,  March  10,  1807. 

r)A.yiI)  BXTTTEEFIELl),  who  settled  and  died  on  the  Crosby  place 
hi  the  eastern  part  of  this  town  was  the  son  of  David  Buttertield  and 
jSIiriani  Ilumphrpys,  the  former  of  whom  died  at  Lyndeboro",  Feb.  18, 
lSl-2,  aged  37.  The  latter  died  in  this  town,  Feb.  2,  184S,  aged  1)\ 
years.  David  Buttertield  came  here  from  Milford  in  1837.  '  His  tirst 
wife  was  Eliza  Ann  Perham  of  Wilton.  Ilis  second  wife  was  Marv  "Slc- 
I'leiuniing  of  Lowell.     He  died    in  this  town.  Jan.  22,  1877,  ayed.  (19 


564  GENEALOGIES. 

years.  His  lirst  wife  died  here.  April  S,  1S4.").  His  cliildreii  by  his  two 
marriag-es  are: — 

1.  David  Newton,    [b.  at  Fraucestowu,  Jan.  10,  1838,  is  a 

mechanic  and  resides  in  New  Boston.  He  married  1st, 
Susan  E.  Morse  of  Francestown.  Oct.  22,  1862,  2nd,  Mary 
Lovejoy  of  this  town,  May  12.  1876,  oid.  Almena  M. 
Balch  of  South  Weare,  Aug.  1880.] 

2.  Eliza  Ann,  [h.  at  Francestown,  May  16,  1848,  resides  at 

Cambiidge,  iSIass.] 

WILLIAM  H.  BUTTERFIELD.  a  brother  of  David  Buttertied  was 
for  several  jears  in  the  employ  of  Daniel  Fuller.  He  was  taxed  here 
in  1838.  His  wife  was  Mary  Baker  of  Goffstown.  The  family  removed 
to  Goffstown,  where  both  David  and  his  wife  were  buried.  Their  child- 
ren were: — ^lary  Ann.  who  died  in  Southbridge,  Mass.  AVeltheaM., 
who  resided  in  Lynn,  Mass.  Adelaide,  who  resided  at  Boston,  Mass., 
and  Charles,  who  is  not  living. 

BUXTON. 

JAMES  BUXTOX  was  of  a  branch  of  the  Buxton  family  of  Salem, 
Mass.  He  was  born  at  Xewtown,  Oct.  13,  1800,  his  llrst  coming  to 
Francestown  was  about  the  year  1839,  where  he  was  engaged  upon  the 
farm  of  John  Gibson.  Previous  to  this  he  married  Nancy  Colby  of 
Deering  and  lived  in  Lempster  and  in  Henniker.  He  had  by  this  mar- 
riage two  children:  Joseph  and  Betsey  A.,  both  born  in  Lempster. 
The  former  has  a  family  in  Salem,  where  he  is  a  shoe-manufacturer; 
the  latter  married  John  AVcbster  of  Salem  and  resides  at  Haverhill, 
Mass.  Soon  after  he  came  here  he  married  Mary  T.  Foote  of  this 
town  and  began  anew  in  domestic  life  on  the  George  Kingsbury  place, 
(not  the  present  house,)  from  whence  he  shortly  after  moved  into  a 
small  house  that  then  stood  b}'  the  road  a  short  distance  south  west  of 
the  Kingsbury  place.  He  afterward  "brought"  the  Jacob  Woods 
hous'^  '^-wn  from  the  mountain  district,  and  made  for  himself  a  home, 
where  '  rlow,  Mrs.  James  Buxton  now  lives.     She  tells  us  that  in 

her  chil  >i  she  lived  with  her  parents  in  the  original  Jacob  Woods 
house  in  i  shadow  of  the  mountain.  James  Buxton  died  at  his  home, 
July  31,  1S83.     His  children  all  born  at  Francestown  were: 

1.  Harvey  E.,  [b.  July  31,  1839,  m.  1st,  Lydia   F.  Currier  of 

Pembroke,  Sept.  16.  1868,  2nd,  Dolly   (Darling) 

He  enlisted  in  the  4th  Regt.  N.  H.  Vol.  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion.  He  in  after  time  joined  the  Boston  Lancers, 
and  also  became  a  member  of  many  secret  orders.  He 
was  by  occupation  a  carpenter  and  builder  and  was  once 


BUXTON,    CALDWELL,    CAMPBELL.  o65 

considered  quite  successful  in  business.      He  received  in- 
juries on  tlie  liorse  railroad  at  Lowell,   whicli  occasioned 
his    death  in  that    city,  March   21,    1891.     He  left    one 
child:— 
3Iahel  Jane,  (b.  March  16,  1884.)] 

2.  Eliza  M.,  [b.  May  15.  1841,  d.  Aug.  5,  1844.] 

3.  Harriet  E.,  [b.  March  25,  1843,  d.  April  15,  1843.] 

4.  Marietta,   [b.  Oct.  7,  1849,  d.  at  Francestown.  Sept.  17, 

1878.] 

5.  Georgeana  a.,  [b.  Jul_y  23,  1851,  m.  Loran  H.  Flanders 

of  Hopkinton,  April  1,  1867,  d.  at  Francestown,  June  30, 
1888.] 

6.  Laurilla,  [b.  Dec.  12,   1853.  d.  at  Francestown,  June  12, 

1864.] 

CALDWELL. 

This  name,  spelled  in  various  wa3-s,  is  found  in  the  tax-lists  of 
this  to^yn  for  many  years  down  to  1794.  William  and  Matthew  lived 
here,  and  William  had  a  child  die  here,  Dec.  1788.  They  were  In-others. 
They  went  to  New  Boston,  where  Matthew  owned  a  large  and  excellent 
farm.  Matthew  had  no  children,  and  gave  his  farm  to  his  neplicAv,  David 
Caldwell,  (probably  Jtn  older  sou  of  AVilliam,)  to  "see  him  through.'" 
This  David  was  grand-father  of  .7.  Q.  A.  Caldwell  of  Xew  Boston, 
who  now  owns  and  occupies  the  old  homestead,  one  of  the  finest  in 
that  town  of  fine  farms. 

CAMPBELL. 

WILLIxlM  CAMPBELL,  Jr.,  was  the  grandson  of  David  Campbell, 
who  emigrated  from  Scotland  and  settled  in  Litchfield,  where  he  was 
drowned  in  1777  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  William  Campbell,  Jr., 
was  bom  in  Litchfield  as  was  his  father,  William,  Sr.  He  came  quite 
early  to  this  town  and  settled  first  on  the  Smiley  or  Tobie  place,  where 
several  of  his  children  were  born.  A  few  years  later  he  took  posses- 
sion of  the  Campbell  place  on  Oak  Hill.  Lie  was  a  Revolutionar}-  soldier 
and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  being  of  the  company 
that  marched  from  this  section  to  the  scene  of  hostilities  in  the  day  aud 
night  before  the  battle.  Later  in  the  war  he  held  the  rank  of  sergeant. 
He  doubtless  came  to  Francestown  in  the  year,  1774,  since  he  enlisted 
from  this  town.  His  wife  was  Hannah  Johnson  of  Lyndeboro'.  Slie 
died  here,  March  11,  1847,  aged  5)2.  He  died  in  this  town,  Oct.  11, 
1840  in  the  91st  year  of  his  age.  His  children  were  all  born  in  this 
town.     Thev  were:  — 


5  6  6  GEN  E A  LOG  1 ES . 

1.  Betsey,  [married  Lewis  Fisher  of  this  town,  June  2,  1818, 

d.  at  Wilmot,  March  6,  1878,  aged  86  years.] 

2.  Rebecca,    [b.  July  22,  1787,  m.  Mark  Morse  of  this  toA\-n 

in  1811,  d.  at  Concord,  April  26,  1884.] 

3.  PoLLy,   [married  Richard  Fisher  of  Francestown,  Sept.  3. 

1807,  d.  at  Francestown,  March  22,  1869,  aged  80.] 

4.  David,  [b.  Aug.  17iUJ.  m.  Lydia  K.  Butterfield  of  this  town 

in  1819,  was  b\"  trade  a  stone  mason.  He  was  a  major  in 
the  war  of  1812.  He  removed  to  Nashua,  wlieie  lie  died, 
June  2(],  1856.  His  children  "were  born  in  this  town. 
They  were: — 

William  Johnson,  (b.  at  Francestown,  July  30,  1820,  m.  1st, 
Sarah  Cutter  of  Jaffrey,  May  28,  1844.  She  died  here, 
Dec.  1, 1846,  aged  26  j^ears,  and  he  married,  2iul,  Charlotte 
A.  M.  Philbrickof  Weare.  He  graduated  at  the  Harvard 
Medical  School  in  1842,  and  practiced  medicine  in  this 
town,  living  in  the  house  now  occupied  hj  Charles  B. 
(irale.  He  removed  to  Nashua,  thence  to  l^ondonderry, 
where  he  died,  Sept.  28,  1874.  His  children  were: — 
Sarah  Frances,  b.  at  Francestown.  March  28,  1815,  is  mar- 
ried, res.  at  Fitchburg,  ]\Iass.  Ermina  Cutter,  b.  at  Frances- 
town,  Aug.  12, 1846,  m.  Rev.  Wm.  Livingstone  of  Jaffrey, 
res.  at  Jaffrey.  Eugene  Li])pard,  b.  at  Nashua,  is  a  machin- 
ist, res.  at  Londonderry.  Luella  A.,  b.  at  Londonderry, 
and  died  in  that  town,  where  she  was  married  and  had  a 
home.  William  1).  at  Londonderry  is  a  carpenter.  Pliny, 
b.  at  Londonderry,  is  a  clerk.') 

Isaac  Towle,  ( b.  in  Francestown,  March  16,  1825.  m.  Lucy 
S.  Barrett  of  Nashua,  is  an  apothecary,  res.  at  Boston, 
Mass.) 

David.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  died  when  three  weeks  old.) 

James    Richards.,   (b.  at    Francestown,    m.  Jane   Waugh   of 
Nashua,  d.  at  Nashua,  Feb.  24,  1888.) 
Hannah  France.'--,  (b.  at  Francestown,  March  9,  1832,  m.  Ed- 
ward Jones  of  Boston.  Nov.  25,  1858,  res.  at  Boston.) 

David  Iniialh<.  (b.  at  Nasliua.in  1835,  m.  Jennie  Wilcox  of 
Nashua  in  1862,  res.  in  Iowa.) 

Julia  Mouse,  (b.  atNashuain  1838,  d.  at  Nashua  in  1840.]) 


CAMPBELJ.,    CAREY.  567 

5.  John,  [married  Salh'  K.  Butteriield  of  this  town,  Feb.  12, 
1822,  lived  several  years  in  the  house  now  occupied  by 
Lyman  Belcher,  removed  to  Nashua,  but  returned  to 
Francestown,  where  he  died  July  26,  1867,  aged  67 
years.     His  children  were: — 

Hannah  Johnson,  (m.  William  Ballard  of  Nashua,  res.  at 
Cleveland,  Ohio.) 

Sally  Kimhall^  (was  three  times  married,  her  last  husband 
being  Samuel  Littleheld  of  Wakefield,  Mass.,  where  she 
died.) 

Lurretia  Dor)\  (married  Gilbert  No3^es  of  Ballardvale,Mass., 
died  in  Wakefield,  INIass.)] 

CAREY. 

LEWIS  CAREY  came  here  from  Greeiiticld  in  isll,  iiiid  i-e«i{led 
here  sixteen  years,  during  whicli  time  he  lived  on  tlie  Elias  Fairl)aiiks 
place  and  also  on  the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by  (icorge  Kings- 
'bury  on  Bradford  Hill,  also  on  the  Holmes  Balch  place  and  in  other 
parts  of  the  town.  His  wife  was  Nancy  Mills.  She  went  to  East  Wash- 
ington, wliere  her  last  years  were  spent.  Lewis  Carey  died  here,  May 
20,  1827,  aged  48  years.     His  children  were: — 

1.  RoxY,  [is  not  living.] 

2.  Nancy,    [married    and  resided    in    Peterboio".    where    she 

died.] 

3.  Joel,  [is  not  living.] 

4.  Mary,  [is  not  living.] 

5.  Eliza,  [b.  at  (xreenfield  in  1810,  m.   Gilbert  Messer,  res.  at 

Dixon,  111.] 

6.  Achsa,  [b.  at  F'rancestown,  July  18,  1811,  m.  John  Lord  of 

Francestown,  July  8, 1828,  d.  at  Dixon,  111.,  June  3, 1840.] 

7.  Charles,  [b.  at  Francestown,  was  drowned  at  Hopkinton 

in  1836.] 

8.  Abigail,  [b.  at  Francestown,  married  twice,  res.  at  New- 

port.] 

9.  Sarah  J.,  [b.  at  Francestown,  m. 'Henry  Bixby,  removed  to 

East  Washington.] 

10.  Daniel  Fuller,  [b.  at  Francestown,  is  not  living.] 

EDWAKD  SMITH  CAKEY  came  here  from  Ringe  in  1815.     He 
lived  in  the  cottage  last  occupied  by  Peter  Farnum,  and  elsewhere  in 


568  GEN  P:  A  LOG  IRS. 

the  town.     His  wife  was  Sally  Fersou  of  Fnuicestowu.     He  died  here 
Aug.  11),  1S3;!.     His  children:— 

1.  LoKiLLA,  [b.  at  Francestown,  iinrnanied.] 

2.  Luther,  [b.  at  Francestown,  nnmariied.] 

8.  Geok(4K,  [b.  at  Francestown,  was  a  farmer,  removed  to  Wis- 
consin, held  the  appointment  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  d. 
in  1882.] 

4.   Henh-Y,  [b.  at  Francestown,  tw  ice  married.] 

ELIZA  CAREY,  d.  here  June  1:5,  1S;58.  aged  18. 

CARLETON. 

•JOSE^^Hi,  CAIJLETOX  with  his  hrotlicr,  John  emigrated  from 
England  to  2^Iassachusetts.  He  married  Al)igail  O.sgood.  who  was  the 
mother  of  his  five  children,  David2.  .Jonathan^.  Moses2,  Jeremiah2, 
Mary2,  and  Al)igail2.  Jeremiah^,  born  in  1715, married  Eunice  Taylor, 
born  in  1717.  They  resided  in  Xewtown,  Mass..  but  subsequently  settled 
in  Lyndel)oro',  near  where  J],  E.  Curtis  now  lives.  He  enlisted  in  the 
French  and  Indian  war  and  was  at  the  seige  ol'  Louisburg  in  17r)8. 
His  children  were: — Osgood^,  Jeremiah^,  Mnry^,  Abigail=^,  Timothy^,* 
David^,  and  Ebenezer^.  Jeremiah^  was  born  in  ^sewtown,  April  l;j, 
1713.  He  married  Lois  Hoyt,  Ma}'  1"2,  17(37,  and  resided  in  Xewbui'y- 
port,  Mass.,  being  a  ship  carpenter.  Al)out  the  year  1771,  he  removed 
to  Lyndeboro',  where  he  died  March  Ki.  ISll.  Lois  Hoyt  was  born  at 
Xewburyport,  Xov.  11,  1746  and  died  at  Lyndeboro',  June  .j,  ls:jO. 
The  children  of  Jeremiah^  and  Lois  were: — Sarah*,  Jeremiah-^.  Jere- 
miah-*, Timothy-i,  Lois-i,  Maryi,  Rhoda*,  Betsey*.  Ilainiah-i,  Dudley*, 
and  Moses*,  four  of  whom  lived  to  be  more  than  eighty  years  of  age. 

DUDLEY  CARLETOX*  was  born  at  Lyndeboro,'  June  28,  1788, 
and  married  in  Lyndeboro',  Eliza  Proctor,  Dec.  24,  1817.  He  came  to 
Francestown,  Jan.  1,  18.34,  and  lived  on  the  i^lace  now, occupied  b}' 
Wisner  Park,  where  he  resided  until  1858,  when  he  removed  to  Amherst, 
whei'e  he  died  Xov.  19,  1873.  Eliza  ProCtor  was  the  daughter  of  John 
and  Ruth  (Southwiek)  Proctor,  natives  of  Danvfers,  Mass.,  who  settled  in 
Lyndeboro'.  She  was  born  in  Lyndeboro',  March  8,  1796  and  died  at 
Amherst,  June  9,  1867.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  John,  [b.  at  Lyndeboro',  July  16,  1819,  m.  Mary  P.  Hill  of 

.  Lyndeboro',  resided  in  FrancestOAvn,  removed  to  Amherst 
in  1865,  where  he  died  July  31,  1891.     One  son: — 
John  Si/lvei^ter,  (b.  at  Francestown,  May  18,  1861,  d.  at  Am- 
herst Aug.  14,  1887.)] 

2.  Eliza,    [b.  at  Lyndeboro",  Jan.  27,  1824.  is  unmarried,  re- 

sides in  Amherst.] 


(.'ARE,    CARSON.  569 

3.  Mary  Lois,  [b.  at  Lyudeboro',  Nov.  12,  1827,  m.  Luther 
Cog-gin,  Jr.,  May  9,  1861,  in  Amherst,  where  she  now  re- 
sides. He  died  Sept.  1,  1890,  leaving  one  son: — Clarence 
Luther  Coggin,  who  was  born  at  Amherst,  June  7,  1865.] 

CARR. 

JESSE  CAHK,  son  of  I)ca.  James  Carr,  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Antrim,  and  grandson  of  John  and  Isabella  (Walker)  Carr, 
of  Londonderry,  was  born,  Dec  11,  177B.  He  m.  1st,  Polly  Ayer  of 
this  town;  m.  2nd.  Fanny  C.  Twiss  of  Antrim.  Dec.  3,  1833;  d.  in 
Lowell,  April  lo,  185!j.  lie  came  to  Francestown  to  reside  in  1809, 
and  lived  here  most  of  the  time  till  1830.  Was  last  taxed  here  in  1829. 
He  seems  to  have  moved  from  here  to  Bedfoi'd,  as  his  children  were 
born  there.  His  home  in  this  town  was  the  .John  Person  place  on  Oak 
Hill. 

The  first  wife  had  no  children;  the  second  wife  had  two  children  as 
follows : — 

1.  James  M..  [b.  in   Bedford,   Oct.  14,  1884:  m.  Amanda  M. 

Hodge,  April  12,  1857.  who  died  Oct.,  28,  1861;  m.  2nd. 
Augusta  S.  Cram,  Nov.  10,  1863:  lives  in  Lowell.] 

2.  Mary  Frances,  b.  in  Bedford,  Jan.  19,  1889:  m.  Henry 

Hodge,  April  2,  1859;  lives  in  Lowell.] 

CARSON. 

JOHN  CARSON,  the  tirst  settler  in  Francestown,  was  a  Scotchman, 
a  son  of  John  Carson  and  a  "Highlander,"  and  came  over  to  this  conn- 
tiy  in  earlv  life.  It  is  impossible  to  fix  the  date  of  his  coming.  He 
lived  in  New  Boston  for  many  years,  was  a  carpenter  and  mill-wright 
and  builder,  and  went  from  town  to  town  for  special  or  ditlicult  jobs  of 
work.  Much  is  said  about  him  in  the  narrative  of  the  first  settlement 
of  the  town  in  the  first  chapter  of  this  work,  to»which  the  reader  is  re- ■ 
ferred. 

He  made  his  beginning  in  Fi^^ncestown,  (that  part  then  known  as 
the  "New  Boston  Addition")  as  earlj'  as  1757,  and  probably  in  1756. 
He  moved  hei-e  in  1758  The  following  winter,  (1758-9)  the  family 
suffered  much  privation,  subsisting  six  Aveeks  on  nothing  but  boiled 
corn  and  game.  His  cabin,  or  log-house,  was  on  what  came  to  be  known 
as  "meadow  Point,"  south  east  of  the  schQol-house  in  the  Quarry  Dis- 
trict; and  he  owned  a  large  tract  of  land,  including  the  Daniel  Fuller 
estate.  John  Carson  died  about  1792  at  the  age  of  nearly  90  years,  at 
the  house  of  David  Lewis.  His  wife  died  in  March,  1773.  Both  were 
buried  in  the  old  Smith  Burying  Ground  in  New  Boston.  In  an  old 
record  of  the  Livingston  family,  who  were  also  Scotch  and  were  among 
the  first  settlers  of  New  Boston  it  is  said  that  "Marv  married  John  Car- 


570  GENEALOGIES. 

^;oii  and  lived  and  died"  in  that  town.  No  doubt  this  was  the  "Molley 
Cai'son,"  wife  of  the  first  settler  in  Francestown.  A  large  part  of  their 
married  life  was  si)eut  in  Xew  Boston,  and  the  rest  in  Xew  Boston  Ad- 
dition. Probably  they  were  married  late  in  years.  They  seem  to  have 
had  no  daughters  that  grew  up,  but  three  sons  lived  to  manhood: — 
John,  Simon  and  Robert.  Mary  Livingston  was  the  daughter  of  Robert 
and  Zebiah  (Sargent)  Livingston. 

It  has  been  said  that  John  Carson,  the  settler,  had  no  children,  and 
that  John.  William  and  Robert  Avere  his  nei)hew§.  Rut  ;i,fter  long  ex- 
amination of  old  papers,  and  a  correspondence  of  more  than  fifty  letters, 
I  am  convinced  that  the  statement  of  the  case,  which  I  have  given  is 
correct.  Asa.  who  is  now  living  in  ripe  age  in  Mont  A^ernon,  grand- 
son of  William  named  l)elow.  used  to  speak  of  his  ^'great-grandfather 
.Tohn"  of  the  old  country,  and  of  the  family  of  the  settler,  John  of  Frances- 
town,  his  great  uncle.  And  all  the  old  people, — and  old  records  con- 
tirm  this  so  far  as  they  touch  the  matter  at  all.  And  tiie  younger  John 
was  always  called  "John  Carson,  Jr.,''  and  never  called  John  Carson 
2d,  as  he  would  have  been  if  the  connection  had  not  been  that  of  father 
and  son.  Col.  William  Bi.xljy,  who  well  remembered  the  Carsons, 
wrote  in  his  old  age  (18.r2)  that  "old  John  Carson's  son,  John  built  the 
mills  at  Mill  Village." 

J(  )HX  CARSOX.  called  "Capt."  in  old  records,  was  ciuite  a  military 
man.  having  had  a  command  corresponding  to  his  title.  AVas  a  man  of 
nuu-h  force  and  courage  and  held  in  high  esteem.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  First  Board  of  selectmen  in  Xew  Boston  (17(53,)  all  the  Frances- 
town  settlements  being  then  included  in  that  town.  May  .'31,  17G4,  the 
old  town  (Xew  Boston)  appointed  "John  Carson  an:l  Cp".  James  Coch- 
ran a  Comite  to  Looke  for  a  minieter."  He  was  an  earnest  patriot 
during  the  Revolution,  being  very  active,  though  an  old  man;  and  he 
was  consulted  for  advice,  after  being  disabled  by  the  burden  of  years. 
He  was  just  the  man  for  his  place  and  work.  Was  a  strong  Presbyterian 
and  died  in  the  faith.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  a  more  full  account 
cannot  be  given  of  his  family,  as  he  was  the  jjioneer  and  leader  of  the 
town.  But  records  in  those  days  were  very  meagre;  and  the  last  of  the 
name  have  been  gone  from  this  place  nearly  a  hundred  A'ears.  Probably 
several  children  died  young,  as  we  have  knowledge  of  only  three. 

1.  John  Ji;.,  [1).  in  New  Boston  before  the  settlement  of  the 
"Addition."  which  became  a  part  of  Francestown.  Was  a 
sohlier  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution.  He  also  was  called 
•<'apt.  Carson"  on  the  records  after  the  death  of  his 
father.  He  married  Mary  Fisher  or  "Molly"  as  she  was 
called.  Was  a  mill-wricrlit  and  carpenter  like  his  father. 
He  built  the  mills  in  Mill  Village,  also  the  Wood  house, 
in  which  he  lived  some  years.     He  had  a  large  family,  of 


('ARSON.  571 

whom,  hoAvever,  we  know  but  little.  He  wiis  a  man  of 
energy,  and  of  considerable  means.  J^efttown  about  1797, 
and  is  said  to  have  gone  to  the  state  of  Maine,  whence 
most  of  the  children  made  their  way  to  the  west.  Their 
names,  so  far  as  known  were  as  follows,  as  given  b}^  rel- 
atives. Part  of  the  names  are  on  the  town  record.  Not 
certain  as  to  order  of  age.  Will  add  that  Capt.  John  Car- 
son, Jr.,  died  in  1810  and  his  wife  in  1827.  All  their  ten 
children  were  born  in  Francestown. 

Sarah,  (b.  Aug.  16,  1777;  m.  Robert  Steel  of  Antrim,  Dec. 
31,  1801:  lived  about  six  years  in  that  town,  where  their 
three  oldest  children  were  born,  then  moved  to  Hebron, 
N.  Y.,  and  thence  after  some  years  to  Oberlin,Ohio,  wdiere 
he  d.  Nov.  11,  1848.  His  wife  d.  Jan.  25,  1864.  They 
had  nine  children  as  follows: — Dr.  Alexander,  who  practiced 
many  3'ears  in  Oberlin,  O.,  and  was  a  Philanthropist  and 
Christian  of  precious  memoi-y,  wdiose  work  was  blessed  and 
whose  children  came  to  honor;  Dr.  Jolni,  who  went  as 
Missionary  Physician  to  the  Madura  Mission,  1836,  and 
died  there;  Oct.,  1842;  Nancy  C..  who  married  Joseph  W. 
Butler  of  A'olney,  N.  Y.,  and  d.  Jan.  2,  1858;  Rev.  James, 
who  was  born  in  Hebron,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  24,  1808,  went  to 
the  Madura  Mission  (India)  1841  and  was  father  of  Rev. 
Edward  S.  Steele,  formerly  pastor  of  the  Cong,  church, 
Joy  Prairie,  111.;  Mary  Jane,  who  died  in  childhood;  Rev. 
Calvin,  wdio  died  in  Oberlin,  Feb.  23,  1851,  aged  38; 
Martha,  who  d.  in  infancy;  Samuel  Fisher,  who  is  now 
living  in  Galesburg,  111.,  and  Susannah,  wdio  d.  in  01)erlin 
in  1855,  unm.,  aged  36.  More  ma}^  be  learned  of  them  by 
consulting  the  Histor}^  of  Antrim.) 

Man/aret,  (b.  March  21,  1779;  m.  a  Dea.  Howard  of  Saquoit; 
left  no  children.) 

Molli/,  (b.  March  25, 1781:  m.  a  Dea.  Lemuel  Booth  of  Paris, 
N.  Y. ;  left  no  children;   died  in  ,1834.) 

Nanri/,  (1).  June  11,  1783;  probably  d.  in  Fi'ancestown, 
1796.) 

Martha,  (m.  Cyrus  Stone  of  Saxjuoit,  or  San(|Uoit,  N.  Y.;  d. 
1864.) 

Ei<th('r,  (m.  John  Whitaker  of  Saciuoit,  N.  V;  d.  1834.) 


572  GENEALOGIES. 

Aiin,  (m.  Peter  Morgan,  an  iron-founder  of  Paris,  N.  Y.; 
afterwards  a  farmer  in  Winfield  that  state;  d.  there  1882.] 

Ruth,  (d.  nnm.  1863.) 

Betst'i/,  (b}^  some  called  Elizabeth:  b.  Jan.  10,  1794;  m. 
Chester  Andress.  in  1828,  who  d.  in  1843:  ikjw  living  in 
Potter,  N.  Y.,  in  her  99th  year:  one  child.  Charles  An- 
drews, Esqr..  lives  in  Albany.  X.  Y.) 

Simon,  (drowned  when  a  boy  of  eleven  years.)] 

2.  Simon,    [believed  to  be  son  of  John,  the  first  settler;  was  a 

soldier  in  the  Pevolutionary  Ariviy  :  was  of  a  roving  nature 
and  did  not  stay  long  in  town:  liis  brother  John  named  his 
only  son  for  him.  Simon  received  from  his  father  the  es- 
tate whicli  includes  now  the  Quarry,  and  deeded  the  same 
to  Daniel  Fuller,  Apr.  5,  1785.  In  the  deed  he  calls  it 
"•the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives."  Soon  after  selling  he 
seems  to  have  gone  with  the  others  to  a  new  settlement  in 
Maine.     I  find  the  name  sometimes  wiitten  "Simeon."] 

3.  Robert,  [believed  to  be  son  of  John,  the  first  settler;  was 

taxed  here  in  1793,  and  must  not  be' counted  the  same,  as 
Robert,  the  son  of  William.  It  is  said  that  he  went  wdth 
his  brother  John  to  the  State  of  Maine,  nearly  a  hundred 
years  ago,  and  nothing  further  is  know'u  of  him.] 

WILLIAM  CARSOX,  born  in  Scotland  in  1722,  son  of  John  of  Scot- 
land, and  3-oungest  brother  of  John,  the  first  settler  in  Francestown, 
came  here  about  1770,  and  lived  a  few  years  in  town:  He  occupied  a 
small  house,  that  stood  east  of  the  Quarry,  and  just  north  of  the  present 
buildings.  This  house  was  bviilt  and  owned  by  John  Carson,  and  was 
occupied  by  John  for  a  time.  But  William  lived  in  it  while  here,  and 
then  moved  to  Johnson  Corner  in  Lyndeboro'.  An  old  deed  dated  1784, 
speaks  of  him  as  William  Carson  of  Lyndboro'.  He  married  Issable 
Johnson  of  that  town,  which  accounts  for  his  going  there.  He  died 
there  in  1818,  aged  96.     His  children  were  some  of  them  born  here. 

1.  Robert,  [said  to  have  gone  to  Barre,  Vt.,  among  the  first 

settlers  of  that  place.] 

2.  Mary,    [m.  Amos  Wilkins;  he  went  off  to  Canada  under 

stress  of  law  in  some  way,  and  she  went  with  their  child- 
ren Mark  and  Abigail,  to  Lynn,  Mass.,  and  died  there  in 
good  old  age.] 

3.  William,  Jr.,  [b.  1754,  and  m.  Abigail  Harwood  of  Am- 

herst, now  Mont  Vernon.     She  was  clau.  of  Nathaniel  and 


CARSON.  573 

Annie  Harwood,  or  Haywood.  This  William  Carson,  Jr., 
d.  while  a  young  man,  in  Lyndeboro'  1796.  Not  much  is 
known  of  him.  He*  left  two  children,  John,  b.  1792,  and 
William,  b.  1796,  the  year  of  his  father's  death.     John  m. 

,  1814,  lived  in  Lyndeboro',  and  d.  1867.     He  was 

father  of  John  J.  Carson  of  Mont  Vernon. 
Asa,  d.  in  New  Boston,  Jan.  10,  1835,  aged  62.     He  mar- 
ried Betsey  Harwood  of  Mont  Vernon,  who  d.  Aug.  28, 
1857,  aged  81.     Asa  was  a  "miller"  by  trade,  and  tended 
a  grist-mill  most  of  his  life.     Their  children  were: — 

Artemesa,  (m.  Capt.  Eben  Russell  of  Lyndeboro',  and  d.  in 
that  town  in  1860.) 

EUzaheth.,  (m.  Hiram  Fellows  of  Washington,  Vt.,  and  left 
three  children,  Joseph  H.,  Freeman  and  Marenda  Augusta. ) 

Mary^  (m.  Peter  Heslin  of  Brookhai,  N.  Y.:  m.  2nd,  a  Mr. 
Anderson  of  that  place.) 

Abigail,  (m.  Amos  Andrews  of  New  Boston ;  m.  2nd,  Josepli 
Trow  of  Mont  Vernon;  d.  in  New  Boston,  Feb.  14,  1885, 
aged  81.) 

Lucy,  (m.  Ammi  Dodge,  of  New  Boston  ;  m.  2nd,  Nathaniel 
R.  Hooper  of  Boston.  Children,  Charles  A.,  Wallace  D., 
Lizzie,  Mary,  Nathaniel  and  William.) 

Lo'iH,  (became  2nd  wife  of  William  Hopkins  of  Francestown, 
and  d.  here  Oct.  17,  1883.) 

Am,  (b.  Mar.  10,  1810,  in  Plaintield,  Vt.,  wliere  his  father 
resided  for  a  short  time:  m.  Edah  Cooper  of  Antrim,  Dec.  • 
26, 1839;  moved  from  Ncav  Boston  to  Francestown  in  1845, 
and  lived  here  several  years,  then  moved  to  Sharon,  Vt.,  • 
and  afterwards  to  Mont  Vernon,  and  is  now  living  in  that 
town.  His  first  wife  d.  Sept.  3,  1858;  m.  2nd,  Annette 
Lee  of  Weathersfield,  Vt.,  Aug.  12,  1862.  His  children 
were  all  by  the  1st  wife,  and  were  as  follows:  Jacob  W., 
^w\\o  was  b.  in  New  Boston,  May  27,  1840,  and  d.  in  the 
army,  Aug.  5,  1864,  num.;  Samuel  F.,  1).  in  New  Boston, 
Sept.  26,  1842,  m.  Mary  G.  Hooper  of  Boston,  Mar.  1862, 
and  is  a  light-house  keeper,  Boston;  Stephen  A.,  who  was 
b.  in  Francestown,  May  15,  1845,  m.  Fanny  Pntnam  of 
Milford,  lives  in  Brighton,  Mass.,  is  engineer,  was  member 
of  9tli  N.  H.  Reg.  in  the  war;  Eugene  S.,  who  was  b.  in 


574  GENEALOG I  ES. 

Francestown,  Aug.  10.  1849,  was  on  the  Monitor  ''•Terror," 
and  lost  at  sea  off  Florida  coast,  was  unm.;  and  Edwin  H., 
who  was  b.  in  Sharon,  Vti,  Dec.  26,  1855.  married  Lizzie 
F.  Hall  of  Mont  Vernon,  and  lives  in  Nashua.) 
Jo>^ep]u  (b.  May  10.  1818;  m.  Eliza  Ann  *  *  *  *  *.  d.  at 
New  Boston.  .Inly  21*.  1857;  left  no  children.)] 

CARTER. 

WILLAPvD  CAKTER  married  Sarah  Patters^on  of  this  town,  Mch. 
18,  1S23.  Tie  resided  in  Greenfield  four  3-ears  previous  to  liis  coming 
to  Francesiowii.  whicli  was  in  Aug.  1S27.  He  long  owned  the  farm 
now  occupied  by  Kimball  J.  Wilson,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town. 
When  well  advanced  in  years  he  moved  into  the  village,  where  he  lived 
upon  the  place  now  occupied  by  Fred  Aiken.  He  was  by  vocation  a 
tanner  and  farmer.  He  was  born  Apr.  24,  1793,  was  at  the  time  of 
marriage,  of  Wilmington,  Mass.  He  died  here  Oct.  ."jl,  1871.  His 
children  were: — 

1.  Ann  Maiua.  [Ik  at  Greenfield,  Dec.  18,  1828.  ni.  1st,  Daniel 

A.  Carter  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  Nov.  1845,  2nd,  Robert  Brad- 
ford Cram,  Nov.  12,  1857,  d.  at  Nashua,  Apr.  13,  1873.] 

2.  Harriet  Frances,   [b.  at  Francestown,  Mch.  7,  1830,  m. 

George  E.  Downes  of  Francestown,  Oct.  25,  1860,  d.  at 
Francestown,  June  9,  1883.] 

3.  MAitY  Elizabeth,  [b.  Dec.  13,  1833.  m.  Joseph  Chamber- 

lain of  Lowell.   Mass..   Apr.  1854,  d.  at  Lowell,  Mch.  31, 
1874.]' 

CASE. 

JOHX  B.  CASE  was  born  at  Antrim,  Feb.  2, 1858.  His  father,  John 
Case,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Antrim,  married  Maria  F.,  Coburn  of 
Deering,  and  lived  on  the  Moses  Duncan  place  (in  Antrim)  upon  which 
he  died  Feb.  22,  1858,  aged  28  years.  He  was  the  son  of  David  and 
Huldah  (Curtis)  Case.  David  removed  with  his  parents  from  Mont 
Vernon  to  Antrim,  in  17ur),  and  died  in  the  latter  town  in  1867.  His 
widow  died  July  28,  1879,  aged  ninety-three  years.  David  was  the  son 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Curtis)  Case  of  Lyndeboro',  which  town  was 
David's  birthplace.  John  Case  was  born  in  Middleton,  Mass.  He  w-as 
a  soldier  of  the  lievolutidn,  "serving  through  the  whole  seven  years  of 
the  war."  .John  B.  Case  came  here  from  Antrim  in  1873.  He  married 
Ella  F.  Ordway  of  this  town,  INIay  13,  1875,  and  lived  several  years  on 
the  Thomas  (_)rdway  place;  he  has  lived  a  nttniber  of  years  on  the  Hyde 
place,  which  is  now'his  home.     His  children  are: — 


(JHADWLCK.    CHANDLKi;.  575 

1.  Mamie  L.,  [b.  at  Francestou-n.  Nov.  7,  1875.] 

2.  George  A.,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Mch.  4.  1879.] 

•  3.  Eenest  E..  [b.  at  Francestown,  Mch.  1(3,  1890.] 

CHADWK'K. 

WALTEli  CHADWK'K  was  a  uiitive  of  New  London,  aiu!  canie  here 
from  that  town,  about  the  year  1880.  He  was  twice  marriecb  his  flrst 
wife  being  Is^ancy  Fisher,  daughter  of  David  Fisher  of  this  town,  and 
his  second  wife  to  whom  he  was  married  in  1841,  Nancy  Manahan  of 
the  Manahan  family  of  this  town.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  lived  on  the 
James  Whitfield  place.  He  removed  to  Antrim,  afterward  to  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  where  he  now  resides.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Curtis  F.,   [b.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  1830,  m.  Ann   Jane 

Tucker  of  Canton,  Mass.,  in  1854,  res.  at  Heading,  Shasta 
Co.  CaL,  is  a  sash  and  blind  maker  by  trade,  and  is  the 
p]-oprietor  of  a  ranch.] 

2.  Alfred   F.,    [b.   in   Francestown,   Feb.    29,    183(3,  m.  1st, 

Bethany  C.  Thomas,  Oct.  10,  1860,  2nd,  Lizzie  R.  Perry 
of  Natick,  Mass.,  Oct.  17,  1882.  is  a  piano-maker,  res.  at 
Cambridge,  Mass.,  served  in  the  War  of  ilie  Rebellion,  in 
Co.  E,  8th  N.  H.  Reo-t.,  holdin<>-  the  rank  of  sero'eant.l 
o.  Sarah  F.,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Aug.  11,  1838,  m.  Daniel  L. 
Moore  of  Bedford,  in  1855,  d.  at  Cleveland,  ().,  in  Jan. 
1871.] 

4.  Elizabeth  Ann,    [b.  at  Antrim,  Mch.  1,  1844,  m.  Frank 

West,  res.  in  Cleveland,  Ohio.]. 

5.  Joseph  G.,    [b.  at  Na-shua,  Sept.  1854,  is  married,  res.  at 

Cleveland,  Ohio.] 

CHANDLER. 

THE  CHAXDLEES  of  America,  are  descended  from  William  and 
Annis  (Alcock)  Chandler,  who  came  over  from  England  in  WM ,  and 
settled  in  Eoxbury,  Mass.,  and  afterward  in  Andover,  Mass. 

JOSEPH  K.  CHAlS'DLEri,  who  for  many  years  owned  the  Chandler 
place  in  Mill  Village,  was  the  son  of  Kalph  H.  Chandler,  whose  native 
place  was  Andover,  Mass.,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  having  mar- 
ried first,  Phoebe  Kimball,  second,  Mary  Kimball,  both  of  whom  also 
died  in  Andover,  Mass.  They  were  the  daughters  of  Daniel  Kimball, 
an  early  settler  of  Hancock  which  was  their  native  town.  The  former 
w^as  the  mother  of  .Joseph  K.,  Avho  was  born  at  Andover,  Sept.  .3, 1827. 
He  eauie  here  from  Manchester,  and  was  for  many  years,  the  proprietor 


o7<I  GENEALOGIES. 

of  ;ai  express  line  between  Francestown  and  Manchester,  and  later  be- 
tween New  Boston  and  Manchester.     IIi'  was  a  man  well  known  and 
kindly  esteemed.     He  married  first  Betsey  Ann  Farnum  of  this  town,, 
second,  Xettie  H.  Andrews  of  New  Boston,  June  22, 1871.     He  removed 
to  New  Boston  in  1870  and  died  there  Dec.  2G,  1893.     Ilis  children: — 

1.  Arthur  Holbrook,  [b.  at  New  Boston;  Apr.  12,  1873.] 

2.  Hakry  Tewksbury,   [b.  at  New  Boston,  Apr.  14,  1875.] 
8.  Fred  Kennard,  [b.  at  New  Boston,  Mcli.  27,  1878.] 

4.   Myi:()N   C,   [b.  at  New  Boston,  Dee.  27,'  1886,  d.  Mch.  10, 


1887.] 


CHENEY. 


LFTIIEB  CHENEY  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Cheney,  and  the  urand- 
son  of  Daniel  and  ]3etty  (Hadley)  Cheney,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  in  IT.'jO.  and  the  latter  in  173().  His  father,  Thomas  Cheney,  was 
born  Nov.  2.'!,  1774,  and  died  at  Goifstown,  Sept.  17.  1861.  His  mother 
was  Charlotte  Phvell,  daughter  of  Peleg  Ewell  of  this  town.  Luther 
Cheney  was  bcn'u,  Aug.  20,  1812,  in  West  Deering,  where  his  boyhood 
was  spent.  AVhen  a  youth,  he  left  home  and  enlisted  in  Co.  E,  of  the 
1st  Dragoons  and  as  a  soldier,  saw  service  on  the  southwestern  frontier 
for  a  season,  after  which  he  returned  to  New  England  and  joined  a  Com- 
pany of  adventurous  spirits,  with  whom  he  went  to  St.  Louis.  Mo., 
where  an  outfit  was  procured,  for  a  journey  to  Santa  Fe,  N.  M. 
There  were  in  this' parry  one  hundred  men,  but  when  upon  the  trail, 
they  learned  of  the  breaking  out  of  the  Texan  War  and  fully  one-third 
of  this  number  having  received  their  part  of  the  stores  and  equipments, 
cliose  Mr.  Cheney  captain,  and  marched  to  the  scene  of  the  hostilities, 
and  joined  General  Houston  shortly  before  the  battle  of  San  Jacinto,  in 
which  they  bore  a  worthy  part.  This  battle  virtually  closed  the  war 
and  Mr.  Cheney  again  returned  to  New  England,  but  a  little  later,  re- 
joined the  Dragoons  with  whom  he  remained,  until  discharged  from  the 
IJ.  S.  service,  about  the  year  1840,  when  his  tenn  of  enlistment  expired. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  Mexican  War,  he  was  given  the  position 
of  Brigade  Master  and  was  with  Taylor  at  Buena  Vista,  of  which  battle 
he  could  give  a  most  graphic  account.  After  the  war  he  was  engaged  in 
raex'cantile  pursuits  in  the  west  and  southwest,  and  twice  journeyed 
overland  to  California.  The  fall  of  1861 ,  found  him  again  in  the  quarter- 
master's department  of  the  army,  when  he  was  given  charge  of  govern- 
ment pro[)erty,  in  and  about  Washington.  On  the  night  following  the 
2nd  Bull  Run  engagement  he  rescued  a  wagon  train,  whose  bewildered 
drivers  had  got  fairly  within  the  enemies  lines,  and  pei'formed  a  similar 
notable  service  at  Antietam.  Through  the  war  he  showed  himself  a 
resolute  and  capable  man;  at  its  close,  he  returned  to  his  home  in  West 
Deering.     In  1867,  he  came  to  Francestown,  and  purchased  the  hotel 


CHENEY.  577 

of  which  he  was  proprietor  two  years,  after  which  he  njjain  returned  to 
Deering,  whei-e,  with  the  exception  of  several  years,  in  which  he  was 
proprietor  of  the  hotel  at  Bennington,  he  resided  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  Mch.  7,  1S'J8,  at  Deering.  He  married  Sophia  R.  Ellin- 
wood  of  Deering,  May  -i,  1 851.  She  was  born  at  Deering,  Dec.  17, 1831. 
Their  children  were : — 

1.  Sophia,  [1).  at  Deering-,  Aug,  1,  1854,  m.  Samuel  M.  Thomp- 

son, Oct.,  29,  1878,  res.  at  Antrim.] 

2.  Leona,    [b.    at  Deering,  Nov.    7,  1856,  m.  1st.    James  E. 

White  of  Manchester,  Dec.  27,  1883,  2nd,  Ervin  Thomp- 
son of  Antrim.  June  5,  1887,  res.  at  Antrim.] 

3.  Lutheu,  M.  M.,  [b.  at  Deering,  July  27,  1860,  m.  Lillian 

E.  King  of  Benning-ton,  Jan.  24,1884,  res.  at  Benning- 
ton.] 

4.  Pettp:e  p.,  [b.  at  Deering,  Nov.  23, 18()4.  d.  at  Deering,  Sept. 

10,1885.] 

JESSE  CHENEY,  son  of  Elias  Cheney,  and  grandson  of  Dea.  Trist- 
ram Cheney,  lived  in  lS-27  in  one  of  the  many  houses  belonging  to  the 
(Tibson  estate.  Dea.  Tristram  settled  in  Antrim,  near  the  Hillsboro' 
line  in  17()9,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  was  chosen  deacon  of  the 
church  in  Hillsboro'.  He  is  believed  to  have  had  a  residence  near  Hills- 
boro' Center,  which  he  occupied  a  })art  of  the  time,  and  hence  became 
identified  with  that. town.  Dea.  Cheney  was  .born  in  1720.  and  was 
Ijrobabh',  the  son  of  William  and  Abigail  Cheney  of  Dedham,  Mass. 
He  died  in  Danville.  VI.,  December,  181(>.  He  married  a  Miss  Clapp 
of  Dorchester.  Mass.  They  resided  a  number  of  years  in  Sudbury, 
Mass.,  from  which  place  they  went  to  Antrim.  She  was  the  daughter 
of  Noah  Claj)p,  and  received  by  bequest,  one-half  of  his  real  estate. 
Elias  Cheney,  son  of  Dea.  Tristram,  and  father  of  Jesse,  was  also  a 
resident  of  Antrim.  He  served  three  years  in  the  Hevolutionary  Army 
two  of  which,  were  for  his  father  and  his  brother  John.  He  was  twice 
married,  first,  to  Miss  Blanchard  of  West  Deering,  second,  to  Deborah 
Winchester  of  Hillsboro',  daughter  of  Samuel  Winchester,  a  veteran  of 
Bunker  Hill,  wlio  died  at  Danvers,  Mass.,  at  the  advanced  age  of  one 
hundred  and  one  years.  Elias  was  the  father  of  thirteen  children,  seven 
of  whom  were  by  the  first  marriag  •.  His  second  wife  was  born  in  1777, 
and  died  in  1853.  Elias  died  in  Concord.  Vt.,  in  1S16,  aged  sixty  years. 
Jesse  was  the  third  son  of  Elias  by  his  first  marriage,  and  was  born  in 
Antrim,  Oct.  3,  1788,  and  married  Alice  Steel,  Nov.  25,  1813..  He  was 
by  trade  a  l)lacksmith.  having  served  an  apprenticeship  in  Antrim. 
His  wife  was  born,  Aug.  12,  1791,  and  died  July  28,  1849.  She  was  a 
"sweet  singer,"  and  a  leader  in  the  church  choir  at  Antrim.  Jesse  lived 
a  while  at  Hillsboro'.     Most  of  his  children  it  is  said,  were  born  in 


578  GENEALOGIES. 

Hillsboro"  and  in  Francestown.  He  died  at  Manchester,  June  23,  18G3. 
One  of  his  children,  whose  name  is  not  given,  died  in  infancy.  Eight 
of  his  eliildren  were: — 

1.  Benjamin  Piekce,  [b.  Aug.  12.  1815,  m.  Elizabetli  Stick- 
ney  Clap])  of  Dorchester.  Mass.,  June  B.  1865.  His  early 
life  was  spent  in  Antrim  of  which  town  he  has  endear- 
ing- and  pleasant  memories.  He  is  well  kno'\\n  in  New 
I'^ngland  as  the  head  of  Cheney  &  Co.."s  Boston  &  Mon- 
ti'eal  ICxpress.] 

■2.  .Ia.mes  S..  [b.  July  1.1817.  m.  Ist,  Augusta  M.  Osgood, 
2nd,  Emma  Knowles,  d.  Feb.  ](!.  1873.] 

o.  Jesse,  [b.  Nov.  10,  1819.  res.  in  Goffstown.] 

4.  GiLMAN.    [b.   J;iii.   25.  1822.   m.    Mary   A.   Kiddle,   res.    in 

Montreal  and  is  general  manager  of  the  Canadian  Express 
Co.] 

5.  Lrcv  A..  []).  .Ian.  11.   1S24.  m.  .lolin  Plummer  of  Manches- 

ter.] 
<■».  Alici:  Mak'IA.  [b.  in  Francestown.  May  2(:),  1827.] 
7.   Chaklotte,  [b.  in  Francestown.   .luly  8,  1829,  m.  William 

H.  Plummer  of  Manchester.] 
S.  John,  [b.  May  21,  1833,  d.  Aug.  28,  1863.] 

CHRISTIE. 

Tlie  name  of  Peter  Cliristie  appears  in  tlie  tirst  tax-list  of  the  town, 
1772.  He  lived  in  tlie  New  Boston  Addition,  on  a  farm  adjoining  the 
"old  town,"  now  known  as  the  William  I\itch  place.  Peter  was  the 
oldest  son  of  Dea.  Jesse  Christie  of  New  Boston,  and  brother  of  ISamuel 
Christie,  who  settled  in  Antrim,  grandfather  of  Dr.  Morris  Christie,  who 
has  practiced  largely  in  this  town  for  many  years.  Dea.  Jesse  had  seven 
sons,  all  of  whom  left  New  Boston,  some  of  them  went  to  New  Brunswick, 
and  some  to  Ohio,  which  was  then  the  "far  west."  Among  the  latter 
was  Peter,  who  left  Francestown  before  1790.  Nothing  more  has  been 
learned  of  him.  lie  was  chosen  "Dear  Keeper"  in  Francestown,  March 
1773. 

WILLIAM  CHRISTIE,  brother  of  Peter,  was  the- youngest  child  of 
Dea.  Jesse.  He  settled  in  Fi-ancestown,  on  the  place  east  and  north  of 
Haunted  Lake,  lived  there  several  years,  then  sold  to  David  Scoby  and 
returned  to  New  Boston,  apparently  to  care  for  his  parents,  as  all 
the  rest  of  the  large  famil}'  of  children  seem  to  have  gone  out  for  them- 
selves. But  William  died  after  a  few  years,  and  the  aged  father,  being 
left  alone,  went  to  Ohio  and  died  there  with  his  son  Robert.     In  the 


CHRISTIE.  579 

Fraucestown  record  of  l)irths,  we  find  this  item;  ''William  Christie  born 
June  16,  1778."  An  old  record  also  contains  this  item;  "William 
Christie's  child  died  .Ian.  177S;"  and  this  was  the  "24th  burial"  in  tlie 
old  yard. 

CLARK. 

ROBEIvT  CLARK,  a  vigorous  Scotchman,  came  from  the  Scotch 
part  of  Ireland,  and  settled  in  Londonderry  as  early  as  172.").  His  wife 
■was  Letitia  Cochran  of  Londonderr}^,  Ireland.  He  d.  1775,  leaving 
children,  William.  -John,  Samuel,  Ninian,  .Tane,  Letitia.  Agnes  and 
Elizabeth. 

William  and  Xinian  settled  on  what  is  known  as  Clark  Hill,  Xew 
Boston,  near  Francestown.  The  History  of  New  Boston  says  of  them: 
"No  two  men  in  town  exerted  a  more  widely-extended  influence,  or 
more  enduring  and  happy,  than  Ninian  Clark  and  his  brother  William." 
This  William,  m.  Anna  AVallace,  Feb.  2,  1764,  settled  in  New  Boston, 
1766;  was  .Justice  of  Peace  by  commission  from  the  King,  land-surveyor, 
and  a  man  of  marked  intelligence  and  usefulness;  d.  Mar.  9,  1S08,  aged 
73;  left  children,  Letitia,  Robert,  Ann,  John,  Ninian,  Rebecca,  and 
Samuel. 

John,  son  of  William,  was  b.  in  New  Boston,  Sept.  3,  176S;  m. 
Rebecca  Wallace  of  Londonderry,  Oct.  17,  171)3;  moved  at  once  to  the 
north  part  of  Hancock,  where  during  1792  and  1793,  he  had  made  a 
clearing  in  the  forest  and  prepared  a  small  house  for  a  dwelling.  Here 
he  lived  more  than  30  years.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  education ; 
was  a  land-surveyor,  like  his  father;  taught  school  winters;  taught 
singing-schools;  and  was  a  man  of  much  courage,  decision  and  al)ility. 
In  1824  he  sold  his  farm  in  Hanco(;k,  and  moved  to  Francestown.  onto 
the  W.  R.  Sawyer  place,  where  he  d.  Feb.  12,  1831.  The  widow  soon 
moved  to  Amherst,  where  she  d.  in  1800.  The  children  were  all  b.  in 
Hancock  and  were: — 

1.  Annie  Wallace,  [b.  Sept.  14,  1794;  d.  in  Amherst,  Aug.- 

12,  1838.] 

2.  Rev.  Samuel  W.,  [b.  Dec.  15,  1795,  graduated  Dartmouth 

OoL,  1823;  at  Andover  Theo.  Seminar}-,  1827,  ordained 
as  pastor  of  the  Cong.  Church,  Greenland,  Aug.  5,  1829, 
-where  he  d.  Aug.  18,  1847,  in  the  midst  of  a  happy  and 
successful  ministry.  He  m.  1st,  Frances  M.  Clark  of 
New  Boston;  m.  2iid,  Rebecca  LIomc  of  Westminster, 
Mass.] 

3.  JlEV.  William,  D.  D.,  [b..  Sept.  28,  1798,  titted  for  college 

at  Bradford,  Mass.,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  class  of 
1822,  at  Andover  Theo.   Seminary,  1827,  was  engaged  in 


580  GE>;EALOGiES. 

mission  work  in  Mass.  and  Conn,  about  two  years,  was 
settled  as  pastor  of  the  Cong.  Church  of  Weils,  Me.,  Feb. 
19.  1829,  wliere  lie  remained  six  years.  Early  in  1835  he 
was  appointed  Agent  of  tlie  American  Tract  Society  for 
^ew  Eno-land,  and  in  1836,  as  their  "-enei-al  Ag-ent  for 
the  Western  States.  In  1840  he  was  appointed  Secretary 
of  the  American  Board  for  Northern  Xew  England,  which 
position  he  occupied  till  1856.  when  lie  resigned.  Then 
he  at  once  accepted  an  appointment  as  Secretary  and  Agent 
of  the  New  Hampsliire  Home  Missionary  Society,  and  did 
the  work  with  great  acceptance  and  energy  till  Oct.,  1876, 
thus  making  more  than  40  years  of  service  for  the  Mis- 
sionary Societies.  For  the  last  half  of  his  life,  his  home 
was  in  Amherst.  He  represented  tluit  town  in  tlie  Legis- 
lature in  1867  and  1868,  and  was  chosen  Chaplain  of  the 
House  for  1869.  Dartmouth  College  conferred  the  degree 
of  D.  D.  upon  him  in  1875.  He  d.  in  Amherst,  Jan.  26, 
1887.  Dr.  Clark  was  a  man  of  great  energy  and  deter- 
mination, of  strong  heroic  character,. of  large  reading  and 
remarkable  memory,  of  kingly  form  and  striking  appear- 
ance, a  powerful  and  most  impressive  preacher,  a  good  man 
and  full  of  good  works.  He  left  his  property  chiefly  to 
missionaiw  objects.  He  m.  1st,  Elvira  Hurd  of  Newport, 
Jan.  14, 1829,  who  d.  Feb.  9,  1847,  m.  2nd,  Mrs.  Mary  C. 
Wheelwright  of  Bangor.  Me..  Dec.  26.  1848.  \'\ho  d.  in 
1871.  The  hist  wife  had  two  children,  a  daughter  that 
died  in  infancy,  and  a  son  William  Bradbuiy.  who  grad- 
uated at  Amherst  College,  class  of  1866,  and  now  resides  in 
Minneapolis,  Minn.] 
4.  GiLMAN,  [b.  Apr.  14,  1800,  m.  Sarah  W.  Christie  of  An- 
trim, who  d.  Jan.  1,  1881.  Mr.  Clark  had  a  good  common- 
school  and  academy  education,  w^as  gifted  and  smart,  was 
many  years  a  missionary  of  the  American  Board,  chiefly  to 
the  Seneca  Indians  in  New  York.  Subsequently,  under 
failing  health,  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  Foxcroft,  Me.  Mr. 
Clark,  d.  in  Savannah,  Ga..  April,  1889,  while  on  a  visit  to 
his  son,  Gilman  Clark,  Jr.,  who  was  Post  Master  of  that 
city.  Another  son,  William  Wallace  resides  in  Berkeley, 
Cal.     A  daughter,  Letitia  d.  in  Foxcroft,  Me.,  Aug.  1850, 


CLARK.  581 

and  another,  Mary  d.  in  tlie  same  place,  Aug.,  1863.  The 
latter  Avas  ypecially  gifted  and  wrote  many  poetical  effu- 
sions.] 

5,  JoHX,  [b.  June  24,  1804,  m.  Eliza  Jameson  Tenny  of  Dun- 

barton,  Dec.  17,  1833,  had  a  good  acadeni}-  education  and 
was  a  teacher  throughout  his  active  life,  was  some  years 
Principal  of  the  Female  Seminary  in  Athens.  Ga.,  and  later 
was  teacher  in  Talladega,  Ala.  He  afterAvards  settled  in 
Oberlin,  O.,  where  he  d.  May  24,  1890.  Was  a  man  of 
much  influence  in  his  day.  His  wife  d.  Oct.  16,  1892. 
Two  children  grew  to  maturity,  Mrs.  Willianna  Wallace 
Finny  of  Milwaukee,  and  Mrs.  Ella  Frances  Steele  of 
Oberlin.] 

6.  Mary  Abigail,  [b.  March  12,  1806.  m.  Rev.  Cephas  Kent 

of  Barrington,  April  29,1829,  d.  Nov.  23,  1889;  children 
that  grew  to  maturit}^  were  Frances  L.,  William  C,  Evarts 
and  Al)by  W.,  Evarts  being  Pastor  of  the  Cong.  Church. 
Eldora,  Iowa,  and  Abby  W.  being  a  missionary  of  the 
Woman's  Board  at  Kobe.  Ja]^)an,  and  instructoi-  in  music  at 
Kobe  College.] 

HUGHi  CLARK,  from  whom  Peter  Clark  of  Francestown  descended, 
was  in  Watertown,  Mass.,  as  early  as  1641,  where  he  lived  twenty  years, 
ere  he  removed  to  Roxbury,  where  he  died,  July  20,  1693.  His  sou 
TTriahs,  was  born  at  Watertown,  June  .5,  1644,  and  died  there  July  26, 
1721.  Peter3,  son  of  Uriah,  was  born  March.  12,  1693,  and  resided  at 
Salem  Village,  (now  Danvers,)  Mass.  Peter-i,  son  of  Peter  of  Danvers, 
was  born  Oct.  1,  1720,  lived  at  Braintree,  Mass.,  and  died  jSTov.  13, 
1747.  PeterS,  his  son,  born  Feb.  4,  1743,  married  Hannah  Epps  of 
Braintree,  Oct.  20,  1763.  He  removed  to  Lyndeboro',  Jan.  23,  1775. 
He  was  in  the  9th  Regt.  jST.  H.  Militia,  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
and  won  well-merited  fame  at  the  Battle  of  Bennington,  where  as  the 
captain  of  a  company  of  nearly  forty  men,  he  was  the  second  man  to 
mount  the  enemies  works.  He  died  at  Lyndeboro',  Oct  14,  1786. 
Peter*"',  son  of  Captain  Peter  Clark,  was  born  Sept.  27,  1764,  and  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Punchard  of  Salem,  Mass.,  July  1783,  and  died  at  Lynde- 
boro', Feb.  3,  18.j1.  Peter^,  his  son  was  born  at  Lyndeboro',  Aug.  13, 
1784,  and  married  Jane  Aiken,  and  settled  in  this  town. 

PETER  CLARK,  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Punchard)  Clark,  of 
Lyndeboro',  married  Jane  Aiken,  ,Jan.  24,  1809.  She  was  born  Marcli 
10,  178."').  Their  first  home  in  Francestown,  to  which  they  came  about 
the  year  1817,  was  on  the  place  now  owned  by  George  D.  Epps.     The 


')H-2  GENEALOGIKS. 

liouse  now  known  as  the  Xahum  Farnum  house,  was  the  building  in 
which  Peter  first  kept  store.  It  then  stood  on  the  west  side  of  the  road 
near  where  the  blacksmith's  shop  now  stands.  He  afterward  moved 
into  the  village,  and  with  his  future  son-in-law  Joshua  C.  Dodge,  carried 
on  business  on  a  really  extensive  scale  in  the  ''Long  Store."  which  was 
built  by  him  about  the  3'ear  1814.  though  not  occupied  by  him  until 
several  years  subsequent  to  this.  In  1S:?:5,  the  firm  of  CUark  &  Dodge 
was  dissolved,  and  Paul  TI.  Bixby  became  the  partnei-  of  Mr.  Clark, 
who,  a  few  years  later,  removed  to  Nashua,  where  he  added  much  to 
his  reputation  as  a  man  of  enterjn-ise.  He  died  Dec.  •25,  iSil.-i.  His 
children  were: — 

1.  Peter,  [b.  April  29,  1810.] 

2    John  Lewis,  [b.  Dec.  4.  1811.  d.   umnarried  at  Andover, 
Mass.,  ^\)v.  28.  1854.] 

3.  Ben.jamin.  [b.  June  23,1813,  d.  June  24.  1813.] 

4.  Jane  ^Maria,  [b.  Oct.  26,  1814.  m.  Josbua  Cleaves  Dodge. 

April,  1839.  d.  Dec.  9,  1893,  at  Nice.  P^auce.] 

5.  James  Goiidon,  [b.  Dec.  28,  1820,  o-raduated  at  Harvard 

in  1844,  was  appointed  Charge  d'Affairs  at  Brussels, 
wliicli  position  he  held  from  Jui.ie.  1857  to  Sept.,  1858. 
The  degree  of  L.  L.  B.'was  conferred  upon  him  in  1846. 
He  has  travelled  extensively  and  is  a  man  of  culture.  He 
is  unmarried. 

DANIEL  CLARK  was  the  son  of  Zebediah  and  Mary  (Lewis)  Clark 
of  Dedham,  Mass.,  at  which  place  he  was  born  Apr.  27,  1743.  He 
married  Bethiah  Lewis  in  1777.  She  was  born  in  Dedham,  Jan.  24, 
1748,  being  the  daughter  of  William  and  Mehitable  Lewis  of  Dedham. 
Mr.  Clark  must  have  settled  here  al)out  the  time  of  his  marriage  since 
he  was  a  legal  voter  here  in  March,  1778.  His  home,  which  was  after- 
ward occupied  b}*  his  son  Daniel,  and  later  by  his  grandson,  Pacific  L. 
Clark,  is  now  the  residence  of  Francis  H.  Duncklee.  The  place  was  first 
occupied,  (perhaps  cleared,)  by  William  Lee,  whose  stay  in  this  town 
was  brief.  Daniel  Clark  was  a  soldier  in  the  Eevolutionary  Army. 
He  died  at  Francestown,  Nov.  5,  1826.  His  wife  died  in  Francestown, 
Oct.  31,  1829.     Their  children,  all  born  here  were: — 

1.  Samuel,   [b.  Sept.  20,  1778,  was  a  farmer  and  tanner,  re- 

moved quite  early  to  Maine  where  he  died.] 

2.  Joel,  [b.  Aug.  16,  1780.  m.  Sarah  Follansbee  of  Frances- 

town.  Jan.  10.  1808,  removed  to  Cameron,  N.  Y.  about  tlie 
vear  1823.    He  died  P^eb.  8,    1837.  His  wife  died  Oct.  21, 


('LARK.  583 

1862.      All  of    their  children   save  one,    (the    younoest. ) 
were  born  in  this  town.     Tliey  were: — 

Dexter,  (b.  Aug.  23.  1809,  m.  Harriet  Cressey  of  Canisteo,  N. 
Y.,  by  vocation  a  farmer.) 

Elvira,  (b.  Dec.  8,  1811,  m.  Erastus  Dickey  of  Cameron,  N.  Y.) 

William  F.,   (b.  Jan.  21,  1814,  m.  Sally  Travess  of  Canisteo, 
N.  Y.,  d.  at  Cameron,  N.  Y.) 

Xaru-ii,  (b.  July  6,  1816.) 

Mosei<  /.S'.,  (b.  Nov.  10,  1818,  m.  J^ydia  Helmer  of  Cameron.  N. 
Y.,  d.  at  Cameron.) 

Sarah  -/.,  (b.  Sept.  29.  1821.  m.   Smith  Drake  of  Cameron,  d. 
at  Cameron.) 

Orissa  E.,  (b.  at  Cameron,  July  16,  1825,  m.   J.   Luther  Ord- 
way  of  Jasper,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  3, 1852,  res.  at  Jas])er,  N.  Y.)] 

3.  Rebecca,  [b.  July  31,  1782,  m.  Samuel  Fishei-  "of  Hills- 
boro',''  Sept.  28,  1802,  d.  at  Francestown,  May  30,  1861.] 

1,  Daniel,  [b.  Oct.  20,  1784,  m.  Irene  Fisher  of  this  town,  Jan. 
24,  1811.  He  lived  on  the  liome  place  and  n\;is  a  man  of 
excellent  standing  in  the  town.  He  was  at  one  time  cap- 
tain of  the  famous  military  cor.ipan}-  of  this  place.  He  died 
here,  March  22.  1847.  His  cliildren  were  all  born  in 
Francestown.  and  were: — 
Warner  i,.  (b.  March  10,  1812,  m.  1st.  Caiherine  Kidder 
of  this  place,  Nov.  13,  1834,  2nd,  Sarah  Ham  of  Strafford, 
Nov.  9,  1848.  He  resided  here  for  quite  a  number  of 
^•ears  and  tilled  several  town  offices.  He  was  also  Dep. 
sheriff  sixteen  years,  a  justice  of  the  peace  thirty-five 
years  and  division  inspector  under  Gen.  John  McNiel, 
Third  Division,  N.  H.  Militia.  His  home  in  Francestown 
was  the  place  now  occupied  by  Hiram  Lynch.  He  i-emoved 
to  Wilton  in  May,  1857,  and  now  resides  theie.  His 
children  w^-e  born  in  Francestovtu: — Infant  son  unnamed 
\x  Aug.  27.  1837,  d.  Sept.  21,  1837.  George  S..  born  Jan. 
28,  1839,  is  employed  in  the  Armory  at  Springfield,  Mass. 
John  H.,  b.  July  22,  1847,  res.  at  North  Platte,  Neb.,  is  a 
conductor  on  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad.) 
Jamea  IF".,  (b.  April  14,1814,  m.Emelia  Pomeroy  of  Spring- 
field, Mass.,  where  he  resided  until  ill  health  incapacitated 
Viim  for  business.     He  died  in  Francestown,  Dec.  4, 1870.) 


584  GENEALOGIES. 

Fuller,  (b.  April  7,  1816,  iii.  Sai'ali  Northeiid  of  Newbury- 
port,  Mass.,  res.  at  Peal)ody,  Mass.,  is  by  occupation  a  car- 
penter.) 

lUj-din  P..  (b.  March  11,  1818,  m.  1st,  Susan  Jane  McAlvin 
of  Francestown,  Sept.  4.  1845,  2n(l,  Orrissa  A.  Manaban 
of  Francestown,  March  4,  1863,  3rd.  Laura  J.  Deane  of 
Francestown,  Jan.  2,  1868.  Mr.  Clark  is  a  manufacturer 
and  has  always  resided  ir.  this  towU.  and  is  one  of  her 
foremost  citizens  in  individual  and  financial  standing  and 
business  capacity.  He  has  been  elected  chairman  of  the 
board  of  selectmen  several  years  in  succession,  regardless 
of  party-feeling  and  political  bickerings.  Doubtless  hav- 
ing inherited  his  father's  military  bent,  he  arose  to  the 
i-ank  of  ( "olonel  in  the  better  days  of  the  state  militia.  His 
children  are: — 1st,  James  F.,  (adopted,)  l))i-n  at  Frances- 
town,  ^'ov.  18.  1848,  m.  1st.  F^liza  A.  l^ynch  of  New  Bos- 
ton, Fel).  9,  1871,  2nd.  Vila  A.  Fletcher  of  (Greenfield, 
Marcli  9.  1879. — Only  cliild  Dana  E.,  l)orn  at  Francestown. 
July  11,  1872.  James  F.  is  now 'a  K.  K.  engineer.  Sec- 
ond, Charles  11.,  born  at  Francestown,  May  4,  1850,  m. 
Fannie  E.  Wood  of  New  Boston,  Jan.  22,  1873.  resides  in 
Francestown.  has  served  upon  the  board  of  selectmen,  is  a 
manufacturer.  Only  child  is: — Dell  F.,  born  at  F^rances- 
town,  Feb.  8,  1882,  Third,  Annie  S.,  born  at  Frances- 
toAvn.  May  3,  1865,  has  won  a  reputation  as  a  teacher  and 
served  as  a  membei'  of  the  school  l)oard  in  this  town.) 

Irene  F.,  (h.  Dec.  20,  1850,  d.  May  30.  1872,  at  Temple.) 

Pacific  L..  (b.  Oct.  30.  1826,  m.  1st.  Frances  A.  Farnum  of 
.  Francestown,  2n.d,  Haniiali  O.  Hard}-  of  Francestown,  Jan. 
16,  1860.  Mr.  ('lark  is  a  merchant  in  this  town,  where  he 
has  filled  the  office  of  postmaster  and  town  treasurer  and 
tax  collector.  His  children  are: — Ella  G.,  born  at  F^'rances- 
town.  May  20.  1862,  m.  (leorge  W.  Cummiugs  of  Frances- 
town,  Nov.  25.  1886.  res.  in  this  town.  Arthur  G.,  born 
at  F'rancestown,  April  28.  1864,  is  a  florist  at  Concord,  N. 
H.  Frank  L.,  born  at  Francesto^^•n,  July  28,  1§69,  res. 
at  Boston,  is  an  electrician.  Josejihine  F^.,  born  at  Frances- 
town,  Sept.  26,  1876,  res.  with  her  parents  in  Frances- 
town.) 


CLAEK.  585 

Orrha  >S'.,     (b.    Sept.   3.    1829.   m.    Charles   H.   Boyntoii   of 
New  Ipswich,  Feb.  17,  1853.  resides  at  Temple.)] 

5.  William,  [removed  to  Cambridge,  Mass..  where  he  died.] 

6.  Olive,   [manied  Samuel  Black  of  Loiidoiiderrv,  Dec.  23, 

1823,  d.  at  Fraucestowri.  Nov.  19,  1854,  aged  5(3  years.] 

NATHAX  CLARK,  who  settled  ou  Ih'adt'ord  Hill,  on  the  phiee  now 
owned  and  occui)ied  l)y  George  Kingsbury,  was  a  half  bi'other  of  Daniel 
Clark,  who  settled  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  Nathan  Clark  was 
the  son  of  Zebediah  and  Rachel  (Thorp)  Clark,  who  were  married  at 
Dedham,  Mcli.  8,  1748.  Xathan  was  born  at  Dedhani.  May  7,  1754. 
lie  eame  to  Francestown  about  the  year  1780,  and  first  liuilt  aloghottse 
on  the  Kingsl)ury  I'ai'in.  His  wife  was  Elizal)eth  AIUmi  of  Lyndeboi'o'. 
She  was  born  .June  12.  M'A),  was  married  Ort.  ■_'!.  177!t.  and  died  at 
Francestown,  Feb.  -is,  1S4.").  Xathan  Clark  was  drowned  in  Rlaek  Pond 
in  AV'indsor,  June  'ifi,  181(;.  The  children  of  Nathan  and  Elizabeth 
were  all  l)orn  at  Fi'ancestown.     They  were: — 

1.  Nabby,    [1).  Aug.  31,  1780,  d.  Sept.  23,  18(11,  at  Frances- 

town.] 

2.  David,   [b.   Fel).  3,  1783.    d.  in   Francestown,    March  25, 

1832.] 

3.  Hannah,  [b.   April  1!»,   1785.  d.   in    Francestown.  May   22, 

18(53.] 

4.  Betsey,    [  b.  Sept.  15,1788,  m.  Jacob  Preston  of  Frances- 

town,  Dec.  K),  1813,  d.  in   Francestown,  Feb.  15,  1873.] 

HANNIEL  CLARK,  who  hved  on  Eullard  Hill,  was  brother  of 
Nathan  Clark,  and  half  I)rother  of  Daniel.  He  was  l)orn  at  Dedham. 
Mass. ,  July  20,  \H\^).  His  wife  was  Lucy  Morse,  born  at  Walpole,  Mass. , 
Nov.  12,  1771.  They  were  married  Nov.  (5, 1794.  She  died  at  Nashua, 
April  18,  1862.  Mi-.  Clark  came  here  about  the  year  1790.  His  first 
house  was  a  mere  eal)in  of  logs,  which  he  after  several  years  replaced 
by  a  small  framed  house,  the  shingles  of  which  were  put  on  evenings, 
after  his  day's  work,  while  his  wife  held  a  candle  to  enable  him  to  see. 
Beside  the  cellar  hole,  on  the  extreme  southern  verge  of  Bullard  Hill, 
which"  marks  the  spot  where  his  house  stood,  is  a  roughly  wrought 
door-rock  of  soap-stone,  eoncerning  whieh,  there  has  been  much  specu- 
lation and  conjecture.  He  removed  to  Salem,  Mass.,  where  he  died, 
Sept.  25,  1819.  His  children  were  all  born  in  Francestown.  They 
were : — 

1.  Lucy,  [b.  Aug.  8, 1795,  m.  Thomas  Farnum,  Nov.  12,  1835, 
d.  at  Nashua,  Sept.  16,  1877.] 


O  8  (5  G  EN  E  A  LOG  IKS. 

2.    PoLi.v.    ri).   April    11.   17!»7.   d.    in    Fraiice.stowii.   Sept.    5, 

171»<t.]  ■ 
o.  RE17REN.    [I).  Nov.  iM.  171KS.  (1.  in    Fi-aiicestowii.   Aug.  80, 

179<l.] 
4.   I^)LLV.  [1).  Oct.  li.n  ISOO,  (1.  in  Francestowii,  Nov.  :5().  1807.] 

0.  AsEXATH.  [1..  Nov.  1^,   1802,  (1.  in  Nashua.  .lulv   li'),  1890.] 
().    Fanny.  |  I).  Oct.  28,  1804.  in.  Amos  r[)hani,  d.  at  New  Bos- 
ton. May  :50.  1841.] 

7.  CiiAnLoTTK.  [1).  Oct.  4,  I8()«i,  d.  in    Xaslina.  Feb.  9.  1844.] 

8.  .losKiMi.  [1).  Oct.  4,  1808.  d.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  <'>,  1810.] 

9.  .JiLiA.  [b.  Oct.  7.  1810.  d.  in  Nasluia.  June  14,  1849.] 

10.  Makv.  [I).    Dec,  11.    1812.      While  crossing  a,  railroad    in 

Nashua,  slu'  was  struck  hy  a  passing  train  and  instantly 
killed.  Sept.  4.  1890.] 

11.  .Mo.sKs.  |1..  .Mar.di  12.  1x14.  was  ac<ddenlall.\    killed  l.y  be- 

ing lliidwn   from  a  horse.  ()ci.  (i.  1821.] 

.1<)1I.\  Cl.AliK  li\c(l  in  a  smali  liousc,  \\iii(;li  once  stood  on  the  north 
side  of  tlic  road  l)cl\vceii  the  llardv  or  Park  place  and  the  house  o! 
.losepli  Manahau.  He  was  the  son  of  Mattliew  and  Xancy  (I)icke_y) 
('lai'k  of  W'ihon.  lie  married  Margaret  Fersou  of  this  town.  Dee.  lO, 
ISI-J.      llis  children  were:  — 

1.  Ando,  [h.  at  Francestown.  Nov.  10,  181o,  m.  llaiiiuUi  I'res- 

cott,  of  Ivancester,  Alass.,  Sept.  29,  1887,  d.  at  Littleton, 
(A)l.,  A[)ril  lo,  1884,  served  in  a  w^estern  regiment  in  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion.] 

2.  Maky  Stakkett,  [b.  Aug.  28,  1815,  in.  Steplien  Batchel- 

der  of  Deei-field,  Mass.,  Dec.  16,  1887,  d.  at  Manchester, 
July  80,  1852.] 
8.  Leonaio),  [b.  Se[)t.  14.  1818,  m.  Mellissa  .J.  Heath  of  Hollis, 
Sept.  15,  1841.  He  enlisted  in  the  1st  N.  H.  Cav.  Co. 
A,  was  wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  Juiie  14,  1868,  was  dis- 
charged in  1864,  d.  from  the  effects  of  his  wound  at  Lowell, 
Mass.,  Dec.  21,  1864.] 

4.  Maegahet  Jane,   [b.  Sept.  9,  1821,  m.  Frederick  Dame 

of  New  Bedford,  Alass.,  Sept.  18,  1842,  d.  at  Lowell,  July 
15,  1874.] 

5.  Rebecca  Feuson,   [b.  Dec.  29.  1824,  m.  James  S.  Tooth- 

acre  of  Chelm.sford,  Mass.,  June  25,.  1842,  d.  at  Philadel- 
phia, Sept.  23,  1869.] 


CLAKK.  ."iST 

(>.  Naxcy  Eleanor,  [b.  March  11,  1828,  m.  (leorge  E.  Wood 

of  Worcester,  Mass.,  res.  at  Worcester.] 
7.   OitTLLiA  Ann,    [b.  Aug.  26,  1832,  m.  Horace   H.  Clark  of 

iMaiue,  Jan.,  18o6,  res.  at  St.  Louis.  Mo.] 

JOSHUA  CLAKK  lived  on  Kullard  Hill  us  early  as  1835.  It  is  not 
known  that  he  was  related  to  any  of  the  man}-  other  Clarks  in  this 
town.  He  had  two  children: — Patty,  who  was  born  at  Amherst  and 
and  died  here,  Dec.  IS,  1S77.  au-ed  8;].  Betsey,  who  inai'i-ied  Sleplien 
Foote  and  died  at  Wilton. 

KP:V.  PEOF.  frank  gray  CLARK,  for  five  years  Principal  of 
the  Academy,  and  an  honored  citizen  of  this  town,  was  l)orn  in  Lynde- 
boro',  Feb.  22,  18.38,  being  of  Scotch  race,  and  fifth  indecent  from  Dea. 
James  Clark,  one  of  the  "sixteen  J'roprietoi-s"'  of  Londonderry,  who 
began  the  settlement  of  that  town  in  the  spring  of  1719.  (Frank  (4.5, 
James  L.*,  Matthew 3,  Jolm^,  .Tames i.)  I)e;i.  James  Clark  was  an  elder 
in  the  West  Parish  Church,  organized  about  1730,  and  seems  to  have 
been  on  its  tirst  Board  of  Elders.  He  married  Mrs.  Eli;^abeth  (Fulton) 
Wilson,  and  had  children,  John,  Samuel,  George,  Matthew,  and  Eleanor. 
John  Clark,  the  oldest,  was  born,  March 31 ,  1723,  and  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Matthew  and  P'lizabeth  (Lindsay)  Clark.  Matthew,  son  of 
John  and  Margaret,  was  born  in  17(')2.  Iind  married  Nancy,  daugluei'  of 
.John  and  Janet  (McClintoek)  Dickey.  He  died  in  Lyndeboro',  Oct.  2."!, 
1827. 

James  Lindsay,  son  of  Matthew  and  Xancy,  was  born.  May  l.').  17'.)0, 
married  Hannah,  da"ughterof  Timothy  and  Prudence  (Chapman)  Bald- 
win of  Wilton,  settled  as  a  farmer  in  Lyndeboro".  and  died,  Oct.  11. 
1872.  Hannah  Haldwin  was  born.  Fel).  2."),  17n.").  and  died.  .M;irch  1."!. 
18(;0. 

Kev. -Frank  (i.,  youngest  child  of  .lames  L.,  and  Hannah,  lilted  for 
College  at  the  Academy  in  Mont  \'i'i-non.  and  graduated  at  Andierst 
C'ollege  in  the  class  of  18()2.  He  at  once  became  the  Principal  of  the 
^Vcademy  in  this  town  and  I'emaiiied  in  that  position  till  the  close  of  the 
Academic  year  in  the  summer  of  18()7.  He  then  took  the  ^'Special 
Course"  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  graduating  in  the  summer 
of  18(i!).  Was  ordained  in  the  Congregational  Church  in  Francestown, 
Sept.  2. 18()9,  in  connection  with  Rev.  Henry  Marden.  The  latter  went 
as  a  Foreign  Missionary,  l)ut  Mr.  Clai'k  began  woi'k  at  once  as  City 
Missionary  in  Manchester,  continuing  this  work  till  April  1,  187:!. 
June  .'),  1873  he  was  installed  as  Pastor  of  the  Cong.  Church  in  liindge. 
and  dismissed  therefrom,  Dec.  31,  1878.  .January  28  of  the  following 
year.  (.Ian.  28,  1879,)  Mr..  Clark  was  installed  as  Pastor  of  the  Cong. 
Chui'cb  in  t lie  city  of  Gloucester,  Mass.,  from  wliicli  being  in  failing 
h(!altli,  he  was  dismissed,  April  4,  1888.  He  then  lived  for  two  yeai-s 
in  West  Medfcud.  Mass.,  (18,S8  and  1889.)  acting  as   Pastor  of  Cong. 


588  GENEALOGIES. 

Church  in  Arlington  part  of  the  last-named  year.  Is  now  Pastor  of  the 
Cong.  Church,  riyniouth,  X.  H.,  where  he  was  installed,  Jan.  2,  1890. 

Mr.  Clark  was  a  delegate  in  the  Christian  Commission  in  front  of 
Petersburg  in  lH(i4,  was  Supt.  of  Schools  in  Francestown  for  years 
1864  and  ISBo,  and  was  a  member  of  the  School  Board  of  the  City  of 
Manchester,  1873.  His  published  papers  are  as  follows:  "Historical 
Sermon,'"  preached  at  Gloucester,  Xov.  18,  1879;  "Congregationalism,'' 
1881;  "Sermon  at  Dedication  of  the  Con.  Chuivh  in  Francestown,"  Juh' 
1,  1884;  "Manual  of  the  Cong.  Church,  Gloucester,  1885;  and  "Histor- 
ical Address"  at  the  l.oOth  Anniversary  of  the  settlement  of  Lyndeboro', 
Sept.  4, 18S9. 

Mr.  Clark  is  one  of  the  clearest,  soundest  and  ablest  ministers  of  our 
state,  and  is  justly  ludd  in  the  very  highest  esteem. 

He  married,  Aug.  11,  1864,  Charlotte,  dnughLer  of  Samuel  and  Mary 
(Cutter)  McCoy,  of  Peterboro'.  She  was  Preceptress  of  Francestown 
Academy  from  180."}  to  lS(i7.     No  childi-en. 

COCHRAN. 

DEA.  JOHXXINIANCOCHRAX  came  to  this  country  from  Ireland 
about  the  year  1775,  and  soon  after  settled  upon  the  Cochran  farm  in 
Francestown.  The  spot  where  his  log  house  stood  is  a  short  distance 
to  eastward  of  the  present  farm^buildings.  He 'was  accompanied  by  his 
two  sons,  James  and  William.  The  former,  after  a  clearing  had  been 
made  and  a  house  erected,  returned  to  Ireland  for  his  mother  and  the 
younger  children,  but  both  he  and  his  mother  ere  preparations  for  the 
vo3'age  could  be  made,  sickened  and  died  and  all  knowledge  of  the 
younger  children  seems  to  have  been  lost.  The  father  was  evidently 
a  very  devout  man,  previous  to  his  coming  to  America  he  held  the  office 
of  Deacon  in  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  found  dead  in  his 
sleeping-i'oom,  having  it  was  believed,  lireathed  his  last,  wiiile  in  the 
atitude  of  prayer. 

WILLIAM  COCHPtAX  came  here  with  his  father,  Dea.  John  Xinian 
Cochran,  mentioned  above.  He  married  Ann  .Scoby  of  this  town  and 
built  where  the  building  site  can  be  plainly  seen  quite  near  the  house 
now  standing  upon  the  Cochran  place.  He  died  here,  Feb.  10,  1812. 
His  wife  died  here,  Xov.  17, 1851 ,  aged  SI  years     Their  children  were : — 

1.  NiNiAN,  [b.  at  Francestown,  July  1-4,  1806,  m.  Achsah  N. 

Waterman,  Nov.  18,  184o.  She  was  born  at  Norwich,  Vt., 
Ijeino-  the  dauofhter  of  Daniel  and  Ph(pbe  Waterman  of 
Norwich.  Niniau  Cochi'au  d.  at  Manchester,  Sept.  27, 
1864.] 

2.  David,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Feb.  25.  1808,  d.  here,  Aug.  20, 

1811.] 


COCHEAN.  ;')89 

3.  William,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  25,  1810,  m.  Emeliiie 
Denison,  July,  1838.  He  with  his  brother  Ninian,  built 
the  house  now  occupied  by  his  son,  David,  in  which  he 
lived  and  reared  a  large  family.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Church  and  a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath  School.  He  died 
here  March  28,  1876.  His  wife  was  born  in  this  town, 
Aug.  31,  1813,  and  died  here,  March  30,  1873.  Tlieir 
children  were  all  born  in  this  town.      They  were: — 

William,  Jr.,  (b.  Oct.  28,  1839.  is  unmarried,  res.  in  Frances- 
town.) 

Mercy  Caroline,  (b.  Aug.  24,  1841.  She  has  followed  for 
many  years  the  calling  of  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools 
of  this  stats  and  has  baen  very  successful.) 

Mar//  Ellen,  (b.  Sept.  2,  1843,  m.  George  A.  Shattuch  of 
this  town,  Jan.  28,  1891,  res.  in  Francestown.) 

Julia  Ann,  (b.  May  29,  1845,  died  in  this  town,  Oct.  22. 
1873.] 

Emiljj,  Maria,  (b.  Oct.  9,  1847,  res.  at  Francestown.) 

Jame^  Ninian,  (b.  March  1(i.  1851,  d.  in  this  town,  March 
25,  1870.) 

David  Harveji,  ( b.  Sept.  10,1853,  m.  Patience  Eugenia  Man- 
ahan,  Jan.  1,  1880,  resides  on  the  homestead.  Children 
are: — Marion  Isa1)el,  Ijorn  at  Francestown,  Jan.  1,1881; 
Edith  Lillian,  l)orn  at  Francestown,  Oct.  16,  1882;  David 
Harvey,  born  at  Francestown,  Nov.  15,  1884:  Harry  Ray- 
mond, born  at  Francestown,  June  14,  1887;  George  Risley, 
born  at  Francestown,  June  7,  1889.) 

AdJie  Lucretia,  (b.  Oct.  31,  1856,  m.  William  K.  Follansl)ee 
of  Francestown,  Feb.  16,  1881,  resides  in  Francestown.)] 

RODNEY  G.  COCHEAN,  was  born  in  New  Boston,  Dec  1,  1S02, 
and  was  great  grandson  of  Dea.  Thomas  Cochran  of  New  Boston,  wlio 
was  born  in  Londonderry,  Ireland  in  1702.  James  Cochran  and  Letitia 
Patten",  parents  of  Dea.  Thomas,  were  both  young  and  both  prisoners 
within  tlie  walls  of  oil  Londonderry  during  the  celebrated  "Pa])al 
Siege"  in  KiSl).  The  family  were  all  of  pure  Scotcdi  blood  and  hated 
the  Irish  and  the  Catholics.  They  came  to  this  countr}-  in  1720, 
and  after  a  short  residence  in  Topsham,  Me.,  settled  in  London- 
derry in  our  own  state.  The  old  name  and  the  old  kindred  decided 
them  to  come.  Thomas,  the  son,  known  as  ''Dea.  Thomas,"  came 
to  New  Boston  as  early  as  174S  and  probably  earlier,  settling  where 


590  GENEALOGIES. 

I)ea.  Thomas  R.  Cochran  of  that  town  now  resides.  He  was  a 
■•Proprietor"  of  !JTew  Boston,  was  often  tlieir  ''Committee"  to  do 
special  business,  was  the  first  Elder  chosen  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  that  town,  Avas  ''the  most  promment  man"  in  Xew  Boston  for 
many  years,  owned  large  tracts  of  land  in  the  "Addition,"  now 
Francestown,  and  died,  Nov.  20,  1791,  aged  89,  leaving  children, 
James,  John,  Robert,  Peter,  Thomas,  Letitia  and  Elizabeth.  James, 
the  oldest  married  Christina  Aiken  of  Londonderry,  lived  on  Cochran 
Hill,  Xew  Boston,  near  Francestown,  was  thrown  from  a  horse  and  fatal- 
ly injured  in  1772,  (age  about  41)  and  left  children,  Thomas,  Margaret, 
Jennett,  Robert.  Nathaniel,  .John  and  Peter.  The  oldest  of  these, 
Thomas,  l)ecame  the  ''second  Dea.  Thomas,"  and  lived  and  died  on  the 
homestead  of  his  grandfather,  the  ''lirst  Dea.  Thomas."  Thus  the  "sec- 
ond Dea.  Thomas"  was  grandson  of  the  ''first  Dea.  Thomas"  and  grand- 
father of  the  "present  Dea.  Thomas,"  all  occupying  the  same  homestead. 
John,  the  fourth  son  of  James  and  Christina  (Aiken)  Cochran,  known 
in  the  old  records  as  ''!-iquire  John"  was  born,  Feb.  27,  17t)9,  married 
Frances,  daughter  of  Dr.  Jonathan  Cove,  died,  ]\Iay  10,  1857.  aged  88, 
was  a  man|of  great  ability  and  worth ,  and  left  children ,  Lucinda,  Frances, 
Charles  K.,  Harriet,  Rodney  (i.,  Jeremiah  S.,  Jonathan,  Samuel  ('., 
Sarah  .Tane.  and  Charles.  Of  these  ten  children,  Charles  E.,  died  at 
the  age  of  I."),  ]-'rances,  married,  Rev.  J.  W.  Pii'kins,  Jeremiah  S.,  be- 
came a  physican  ;!nd  gained  prominence  in  Sandusky  ().,  and  CWarles 
is  now  a  physician  of  wealth  and  high  re})ute  in  Toledo,  (). 

Rodney  (t.,  the  fifth  child  of  "Squire  John,"  came  to  Francei.!town  in 
May,  1828,  at|the  age  of  20  years,  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  Bixby  &  Brown 
(Paul  H.  Bixby  and  Titus  Brown,)  and  remained  here  most  of  his  life. 
He  was  a  feelih-  man  all  his  days,  yet  lived  to  a  good  old  age.  Had  a 
severe  attack  of  hemoi-rhage  of  tin;  lungs  at  the  age  of  2;{,  and  within 
two  weeks  the  doctors  -'liled  him  eleven  times"  on  the  theory  that  this 
was  tlie  wayio  --(li-nw  olf  the  l)lood""  and  pi'event  bleeding  at  the  lungs. 
]5ul  he  survived  this  slow  and  murdei'ous  barbarity,  entering  again  upon 
his  business  in  due  time.  At  the  time  when  he  came  here  all  the  stores 
sold  rum.  A  townsman  came  in,  bought  a  drink,  and  soon  fell  over  on 
ihe  ])ench  dead  drunk.  ''Rodney,"  was  "Oi'dered  to  drag  him  out." 
He  took  him  "by  the  neck  of  his  sti'iped  frock,"  and  dragged  him  across 
Ihe  rtoor  and  down  the  stei)s,  and  round  behind  the  store,  and  left  him 
there  as  if  dead  !  On  return  into  the  store  he  was  greeted  with  shouts 
of  laughter!  And  this  was  in  the  -'good  old  times"  when  they  tell  us 
the  world  was  Ijetter  than  it  is  now!  Ikit  it  decided  ''Rodney"  against 
selling  rum  to  drunkards!         ^ 

In  1828,  Uriah  Smith,  Jr.,  and  Kodnej*  G  Cochran  opened  a  store  as 
partners,  and  decided  thai  "no  drunkard  should  have  rum  there."  But 
so  many  came  and  asked  for  it  that  they  soon  concluded  it  was  not  mucli 
woi'sc  lo  "sell  to  drunkards,  than  to  sell  to  sober  men  and  turn  lluiii 
into  drunkards."     At  this  point.  Smith  died  of  (juick  consumption,  (.Ian. 


(JOCHKA.N.  591 

1.  1S;>0,)  and  when  Cochran  re-oponed  the  store,  he  cleared  the  li(|Uor 
out,  and  "never  sold  anotlier  drop!"  When  he  took  this  step  he  said  he 
"knew  of  only  one  m"an  in  Francestown,  who  did  not  drink  any  spirit."" 
Many  were  very  angry  at  having  a  store  without  rum,  he  "lost  a  large 
part  of  his  trade;"  but  soon  an  interest  in  temperance  was  awakened, 
a  temperance  society  was  formed,  the  best  trade  began  to  How  into  the 
"temperance  store,"  and  the  Divine  Blessing  seemed  to  follow  the  step 
which  had  been  taken! 

Mr.  Cochran  continued  in  trade  liere  in  one  wa}'  or  another,  though 
many  times  interrupted  by  long-continued  sickness,  till  1S4!I.  when  he 
look  an  agency  for  the  Congregationalist  of  Boston,  canvassing  in  the 
course  of  twentj'  years,  most  of  the  cities  and  towns  of  New  England ^ 
Xew  York,  Ohio  and  other  western  states,  and  sending  more  than 
20,000  new  subscribers." 

Mr.  Cochran  died  in  East  Deei-ing,  April!),  ISiK).  in  liis  SSih  year. 
Had  occupied  his  conspicuous,  well-known  residi-nce  in  this  village  (iO 
years.  Was  a  man  of  superior  abilities,  large  reading,  and  nuicli  relig- 
ious zeal.  His  life  was  one  of  almost  constant  ti-oubic  and  alHiction 
Ironi  cluldhood  (ill  dcalli,  in  his  fMlher's  home  and  in  bis  owii;  in  lii,-> 
own  sicknessi's,  and  in  the  (•i)nst;inl  distresst's  of  his  dear  onr^!  IJnsi- 
ness  revei-ses  also  weighed  him  down,  and  he  passed  away  weaiw  and 
world-worn  and  old! 

He  was  thrice  married.  He  married  Isi.  Oliva  Smiili,  (dau.  of  rriah 
Smith,)  May  1,  LS2S,  who  died,  May  12,  1850,  aged  ol.  Just  before 
his  death  he  spoke  of  his  "undying  love  and  respect"  for  her,  and  added 
that  -Mn  spite  of  all  tludr  trials,  sicknesses  and  sorrows,  he  never  saw 
a  frown  on  her  face,  nor  heard  an  unkind  word  from  her  li])s!"" 

Mr.  Cochran  married  2d,  Miss  Mary  \V.  Barllelt  of  A\'estHeld,  Mass.. 
Nov.  11,  1858.  She  was  born,  June  1(5,  iSKi,  and  died.  Jan.  1,  1872. 
He  married  3d,  Mrs.  Elsa  L.  (Way)  Dodge,  widow  of  l\)rter  Dodge  of 
this  town,  May  13,  1873.  She  came  from  Newport  and  was  daughter 
of  lieynold  Waj-,  Jr.,  of  that  town  and  Anna  Gilman  of  I'luty.  She 
died.  Nov.  28,  1881,  aged  nearly  63.     Children: — 

1.  Uriah  Smith,   [b.  Jan.  19,  1831,  d.  Feb.  8,  1858  of  quick 

coiistimption,  was  a  young-  nian  of  line  education,  su[)erior 
talents  and  special  promise.  I'he  writer  well  remembers 
him,  andhowmucli  he  was  mourned  by  the  young  people.] 

2.  Chaklfs  Rodney,  [b.  June  11,  1838,  d.  July  5, 1851,  held 

in  the  highest  esteem.] 

3.  Rodney  Cokxelius,  [child  by  '2nd  wife,  b.  Jan.  12,  1861, 

married  Eliza  Jane  Downes,  Aug.  15,  1883,  now  lives  in 
East  Deerino'.  His  wife  died'  Mav  5,  1890.  as'ed  2(3,  m. 
2nd.  Mary  Lizzie  Baker  of  Phillipston,  Mass.,  Feb.  25, 
1891.     Has  children:— 


592  GENEALOGIES. 

31ary  EHzaheth,  (b.  Aug.  1,  1884.) 

Helen  Maria,  (1).  Aug.  20.  1885.) 

Chester  Woohrortli  Harlmu  (b.  March  24.  1889,  in  Slielbuni 
Falls.  Mass.  The  two  former  ones  were  born  in  Frances- 
town.     The  mother  died  in  East  Deering.)] 

COL  BURN. 

The  earliest  inrmhci'  of  tliis  family  of  whom  wc  have  ])()sitive  kuow- 
icdijjc,  was  Kphraim  Colburn,  settled  in  Di^dham,  Mass.,  or  in  that  vic- 
inty,  anion;;'  the  first  that  located  there.  The  writer  can  say  of  him 
this  only,  that  he  had  a  son,  David  Coli)urn,  who  married  Rebecca, 
daimhtcr  of  Thomas  Richards  of  Dedhnm  and  lived  in  that  town.  Kph- 
raim, son  of  David  and  Rebecca,  and  <rrandson  of  Ephraim  lirst-named, 
mai-ried  l>achel.  (daughter  of  I)ea.  Newell  of  Xeedham,  Mass.,)  and 
settled  in  the  noi'th-west  part  of  New  JJoston  in  ITJI;"),  on  the  farm  now 
owned  and  occupied  by  his  grandson,  Dea.  Charles  S.  Colburn.  Kph- 
raim anil  Ixaclu'l  had  seven  children  as  follows: — r^eonai'd.  b.  \\v^.  17, 
1S0-I-.  (1.  .)uly  '11.  1S.")7.  (father  of  Ki)hraim  \V.  Colburn  of  Francestown.) 
Willai-d,  b.  Jan.  S.  1S07.  Luther,  b.  .Vug.  K;.  isll,  (father  of  Martin 
L.  Colburn  of  Francestown.)  Horace,  b.  Sept.  2S,  1<S1.").  ]\[ark,  b. 
May  1-2, 1S18.    Ei)hraim  -Jr.,  b.  May  1 .  lS-21 .  and  Reuben,  b.  April S,  IS-Jb. 

EPHRAIM  AVARHEX  COLRURX,  son  of  Leonard  and  Mary  '1\, 
(i^ivingston)  Colburn  was  l)orn  in  New  Boston,  .Jan.  'i'i,  IS."!.").  II is 
mother  ,  who  died,  Oct.  (i,  1S74,  aged  74,  was  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Mary  (Warren)  Livingston.  This  Mary  was  daughter  of  .Josiah 
and  Jane  (Livingston)  Warren,  who  were  among  the  earliest  inhabi- 
tants of  New  Boston. 

WILLIAM  W.  CCLP.rRX,(L)art.  College.  ISCI,)  brother  of  E.  W., 
is  now  Supt.  of  schools,  Springfield.  Mass.  E.  W.  Colburn  was  named 
for  his  mother's  rude,  Dea.  Ephraim  Warren  of  Goft'stown,  came  here 
as  a  student  in  the  Academy,  married  Lizzie  S.  Roper,  June  4,  1857, 
(who  was  b.  Sept.  "2."),  ls;5(5,)  settled  in  Francestown  village  on  the  Wal- 
lace place,  put  the  buildings  into  their  present  excellent  condition  in 
18(51-2,  is  a  carpenter  and  builder  by  trade,  has  erected  many  fine  build- 
ings in  many  different  towns,  \vas  a  musician  of  note,  and  was  often 
called  into  service  as  a  violinist,  is  a  genial,  popular,  and  upright  man. 
Was  Deputy  Sheriff,  lS74-5-(;.     Children:— 

1.  Maky  Lillian,  [b.  April  19,  1858.  d.  June  17,  1861.] 

2.  Rosa  Fkances,  [b.  March  22,  1860.  m.  Fred  A.  Prescott  of 

East  Jaffrey,  Dec  25,  1883,  lives  on  Alexander  Wilson 

place  ill  Francestown.     Children: — 
A7ny  Elizahetli,  (b.  April  30.  1885.) 
Marion  Helen,  (b.  June  17,  1890.)] 


COLBURN.  593 

3.  Edward  William,   [b.  Jan.  11,  1862,  m.  Jessie  F.  Crosby 

of  Deering,  March  18,  1884,  is  carpenter  by  trade,  lives  in 

Francestown .      Children": — 
Mary  Ethel,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  3,  1885.) 
Kenneth  Croahy,  (b.  Deering,  May  18,  1890.)] 

4.  Emma  Henrietta,    [b.    Oct.  5,  1864,  m.  Fiank   B.  Crosby 

of  Deering,  Nov.  20,  1887.     Children:— 
IMher  Elizabeth,  (b.  at  Deering,  Sept.  23,  1888.) 
Warren  Alpheus,  (b.  at  Deering,  Oct.  6,  1890.) 

5.  Andrew  Wallace,  [b.  Nov.  17,  1865.  d.  Sei)t.  8,  1867.] 

6.  George  Warren,  [b.  Feb.  3,  1868,  m.  Clara  A.  Mowry  of 

Brockton,  Mass.,  Jan.  29,  1886,  is  carpentei-  by  trade,  re- 
sides in  Brockton.      One  child: — 
J^ra  Rope,  (b.  Dec.  31,  1890,)] 

7.  I^EONARD  Newell,  [b.  Jnne  8,  1870.  m.  Florence  S.  Cros- 

l)y  of   Deering,   March   27,  1892.      One   child,  born  Jnne, 
1894. 

8.  Frank  Henry,  [b.  Nov.  4,  1873.] 

JAMES  L.  COLBURX.  brother  of  Ephraim  Warren  named  above, 
was  born  in  New  Boston,  July  S,  1S4'2,  was  a  soldier  in  the  9th  New 
Hampshire  Regiment,  lay  a  long  time  in  the  Danville  Rebel  Prison,  re- 
turned at  the  close  of  the  war,  married  Xancy  .1.  Hopkins,  .Tune  7.  1865, 
and  settled  in  Francestown  on  the  "Greenwood  Place."  He  moved  to 
Revere,  Mass.  in  1887.  X^ow  lives  in  Medford,  that  state.  Has  one 
child,  Bertrand  AVarren,  b.  in  Francestown,  July,  1809,  now  lives  in 
Medford,  Mass. 

MARTIX  L.  COLBiniX,  b.  in  Xew  Boston  April  -iC,  LS:i9,  was  son 
of  Luther  and  Mary  8.  (Todd)  Colburn.  His  mother  was  a  daughter 
of  Samuel  Todd  of  Xew  Boston,  was  married,  Oct.  15,  1835,  and  died 
in  Aug.,  1841.  His  father  married,  2nd,  Hannah  E.  Story  of  Goflfstown, 
May  3,  1842,  and  the  last-named  became  mother  of  Dea.  Charles  S. 
Colburn  of  Xew  Boston,  and  of  Mrs.  Dr.  George  Adams,  who  after  the 
death  of  her  husband  resided  in  Francestown  for  a  time.  Martin  L. 
Colblirn  was  2nd  Lieut,  in  Co.  G.  of  the  X.  H.  16th  Regiment,  and 
served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  March  ^0,  1871,  he  married  Miss  Ann 
E.  Patch  of  Francestown.  He  came  here  in  1874,  has  been  for  years 
the  efficient  clerk  in  Downes'  store,  has  been  several  years  tax-collector 
for  the  town,  is  at  this  writing,  (1890),  Representative  of  the  town  in 
the  State  Legislature,  and  is  a  strong  and  reliable  man.  He  has  two 
children. 


594  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  Mabel  A.,  [b.  in  Franeestown,  Aug.  28,  1874.] 

2.  Annie  M.,  [b.  iii  Franeestown,  May  24,  1876.] 

COLBY. 

]MAHI)EX  COJJjY  was  a  sou  of  Levi  Colby,  who  lived  and  reared  a 
large  family  on  Barnard  hill  in  "Weare.  Obediali,  one  of  the  sons  mar- 
ried Xancy  Melvin  of  that  town.  Marden  Colby  marrie(I,  Nov.  22, 
IS.'^T.  Mary  (Xuttinii)  Lakin.  She  was  a  daughter  of  -lonatlian  Xuttiug 
of  Shirley,  ]VIass.,  who  was  a  brother  of  Eleazer  Xuttiiig  of  Fi-aueestown. 
She  Avas  born  at  Shirley. and  married  first,  Jesse  Lakin  of  Franeestown, 
Oct.  7,  1824.  Marden  Colby  lived  for  several  years  in  a  house  that  ouce 
stood  near  the  road  westward  of  ''the  the  Cove,"  in  Pleasant  Pond.  He 
also  lived  a  number  of  years  ou  the  Whitnev  or  Putnam  place.  He 
died  in  this  town,  Dec.  20,  187:^>.  His  wife  died  here.  Dec.  25,  1882, 
aged  7!>  years.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Jkssk  Franklin,    [b.  in   Franeestown.  .Inly  29,  1838,  en- 

listed  in  the  13tb  N.  H.  llegt.  and  died  in  the  hospital  at 
Fortress  Munroe,  Sept.  3,  1865.] 

2.  Maua'  Jane,  [b.  in  Franeestown.  A}ir.  6,  1841,  in.  1st,  Wil- 

hird  Foote  of  this  town,  2nd,  Peter  Peters  of  Bennington, 
Feb.  8,  1875,  res.  in  Franeestown.] 

3.  Daniel  Au(tU8TIts,  [b.  in  Franeestown,  July  28,  1843,  m. 

Mary  M.   K.    Hoyt   of  Franeestown,   Nov.  1,  1867.     He 
served  in  the  War  of  the   Rebellion,  enlisting  in   Co.   H, 
14th  N.  H.  Regt.     Has  resided  in  Deering  and  lived  on 
several  places  in  this  town.      His  children  are: — 
Clara  Belle,  (b.  in  Franeestown,  Jan.  21,  1869,  res.  at  Wil- 
ton. ) 
Ella  May,  (b.  in  Deering,  Sept.  6.  1874.] 
Gertrude  Alice,  (b.  in  Franeestown,  May  4,  1878.) 
Ada  Elvira,  (b.  in  Franeestown,  Jan.  15,  1880,)] 

4.  Abby  Louisa,  [b.  in  Franeestown,  Mch.  18,  1847,  m.  Levi 

Putnam  of  Lyndeboro',  May  15,  1871,  res.  in  this  town.] 

COLLINS. 

JOHX  M.  COLLIXS  was  the  sou  of  Jauies  and  Sarah  (Thayer)  Col- 
lins. He  was  born  in  Boston  in  17G8,  and  married  Elizabeth  Brackett 
of  Peterboro',i"  1799.  Immediately  after  his  marriage  he  went  to  An- 
ti'im,  where  he  remained  seven  years.  He  then  removed  to  Hancock 
aud  from  the  latter  place  to  Franeestown  about  the  year,  1820.  His 
home  here  was  the  Dinsmore  or  John  Collins  place  on  the  Bennington 
road  directly  north  of  the  mountain.     He  was  a  man  of  good  standing 


COLLINS.  595 

in  the  town,  beino-  riohtly  regarded  during  his  residence  here  as  one  of 
the  best  citizens.  Late  in  lite  lie  returned  to  Hancock,  where  he  died 
in  1856.  His  wife  died  in  Francestown,  Sept.  28,  1829.  His  children 
were: — 

1.  Sally,  [b.  in  Antrim,  Jan.  4,  1800,  m.  John   Tenney  of 

Hancock  and  long-  resided  in  Hancock,] 

2.  John  M.,    [b.  at  Antrim,   Oct.  4,  1801,  m.  1st,  Elizabeth 

Bradford  of  Francestown,  2nd,  Abbie  S.  Dean  of  West 
Dover,  Vt.,  Oct.  21,  1850.  He  represented  the  town  in 
the  Legislature,  in  1847  and  48,  also  in  1852  and  53.  He 
removed  to  Peterboro'  in  1861,  where  he  died  Sept.,  1881. 
His  cliildren  were  born  in  Francestown.     They  were: — 

John  McG-ee,  (b.  May  31,  1852,  m.  Lizzie  F.  Perham  of 
Lyndeboro*,  June,  1885,  res.  at  Peterboro'.) 

Ahhic  Elizahetlu  (b.  Aug-.  17,  1854,  m.  George  H.  Collins  of 
Waltham,  Mass.,  Oct.,  1883,  res.  at  Waltham,  Mass.)] 

3.  Samuel  B.,   [b.  at  Antrim,  June  4,  1804,  m.  Frances  M. 

Wilson  of  Francestown,  Feb.  3,  1829,  lived  on  the  Collins 
place,  on  the  northwestern  slope  of  the  mountain  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  Feb.  15,  1870.  His  wife  died  at 
Ghent,  Minn.,  Aug.  21,  1887.  Four  of  his  children  were 
born  in  Lempster,  where  he  resided  for  about  ten  years. 
His  children  -were : — 
Mary  E,,  (b.  Jan.  15,  1830,  m.  James  Andrews  of  Lithop- 

olis,  Ohio,  now  lives  in  Marshall,  Minn.) 
Jolin  Morse,  (b.  Aug.  3,  1832,  is  a  farmer  at  Ghent,   Minn.) 
Samuel  Bradford,  (b.  April  7,  1836,  m.  Celinde  L  ('liapin  of 
New  Haven,  Vt.,  Aug.  13,  1872,  is  a  merchant  in  Nashua.) 
Emmo7i.%  (b.  May  11, 1838,  d.  in  Francestown,  July  30, 1840.) 
Theodore  A.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  July  23, 1841,  was  a  teacher. 
He  entered  Dartmouth  College,  but  ill  health  prevented 
his  completing  a  course  of  study  at  that  institution.     He 
died  at  Ghent,  Minn,  in  1874.) 
Geon/lana,   (b.  in   Francestown,  July   20,  1843,  m.  Harvey 
Strong  of  San  Francisco.  Cal.,  where  he  now  resides.)] 

4.  Elizabeth,  [b.  in  Antrim,  Dec.  1805,  m.  Alonzo  Hall  of 

Hancock,  in  which  town  she  died,  June  6,  1883.] 

5.  Lydia,  []).  Nov.  30,  1807,  in  Hancock,  m.  Lewis   Paitridge 

of  Dalton,  d.  at  Peterboro'  in  188 2. J 


596  GENEALOGIES. 

6.  Rebeccah,    [b.  in  Hancock,  Aug.  18,  1809,  m.  Cyrus  E. 

Partridge,  Feb.  2,  1847,  res.  at  Peterboro'.] 

7.  James  H.,  [b.  in  Hancock,  Aug.  12,  1812,  m.  Harriet  E. 

Way  of  Lenipster,  Dec.  11,  1838.  He  settled  in  Lemp- 
stei',  -where  he  for  seven  years,  filled  the  office  of  deacon  in 
the  Congregational  Church.  He  afterward  removed  to 
Peterboro',  wliere  he  was  for  seventeen  years  a  deacon  of 
the  church.  He  also  represented  that  town  in  the  Legis- 
lature in  1877  and  78.  He  died  -March  30.  1893,  in  Wal- 
tliam,  Mass.] 

8.  Lois    H.,    [b.    in   Hancock   in    181").    was   unniariied,  d.  in 

Francestown,  Nov.  22,  1840.] 

COOPER. 

STEPHEN  COOPER,  -a  sailor,"  went  from  Salem,  Mass.,  to  Antrim 
about  the  year  1810.  Of  his  early  history  little  is  known  save  that  he 
was  born  in  England,  Oct.  2:],  1781,  and  came  to  this  country  unac- 
companied by  a  single  relative,  when  eleven  years  of  age.  He  married 
first,  Oct.  25,  1801,  Abigail  Stell.  She  died  at  Antrim,  July  27.  1810, 
second,  Ruth  Burnap,  April  4,  1811.  She  was  born  Oct.  9,  1780,  and 
died  at  Antrim,  July  27,  181G,  third,  Nov.  19,  1816,  Edah  Putnam  of 
Wilton.  She  was  born  Feb.  21,  1783,  and  died  at  Francestown,  F'ib. 
15,  1853.  He  came  here  about  1823  and  lived  on  Driscoll  hill  and  after- 
ward on  the  William  Dickey  place,  which  was  long  occupied  ])y  his  son, 
Jacob.     Here  he  died,  Nov.  15,  18()7.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Stephen,  b.  at  Salem,  Mass.,  Jan.  1'),  1803,  died  in  Antrim.) 

2.  Mary,  [b.  at  Salem,  Mass.,  March  5,  1806.] 

3.  Samuel  B.,  [b.  Oct.  1,  1811.] 

4.  Betsey   H.,    [b.  Jan.  29,  1814,  m.  Samuel  K.  Holt  of  Dun- 

stable, Dec.  30,  1834,  lived  in  Nashua.] 
6.  William,  [b.  Jan.  12,  1816,  d.  Feb.  3,  1816.] 

6.  Edah,   [b.  Nov.  6,  1817,  m.  Asa  Carson  of  Francestown, 

died  in  Francestown,  Sept.  3,  1858.] 

7.  Jacob  W.,  [b.  Jan.  31,  1819,  m.  1st,  Emma  Rockwood. 

She  was  born  at  Wilton,  April  16,  1820  and  died  in  this 
town,  Jan.  10,  1853,  2nd,  Maria  Jewett,  Jan.  26,  1854. 
She  was  born  at  Nelson,  March  26,  1829,  and  died  at 
Francestown,  Oct.  25,  1890.  He  died  at  the  home  of  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  David  D.  Dennison,-in  New  Boston,  Jan. 
27,  1891.      His  only  child:— 


COPELAND,    COSTON,    COWEN.  5  97 

Mary  K,  (b.  at  Fraiicestown,  April  24,  1851,  m.  David  D. 
Dennison  of  Fraiicestown,  July  4,  1868,  res.  at  New  Bos- 
ton.)] 

COPELAND. 

ABRAHAM  COPELAXD  was  the  sou  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Daniels) 
Copeland  and  was  born  in  Stoddai-d,  N.  H.  His  wife  was  Anna  Spauld- 
ing,  daughter  of  .John  and  .Joanna  Spaulding  and  was  also  a  native  of 
Stoddard.  Abraham  Copeland  and  his  wife  removed  to  Washington, 
M.  H.,  where  all  of  their  children  were  born.  The  famih*  came  to  this 
town  about  the  year  1827,  and  occupied  the  house  since  remodelled  by 

Geo.  W.    Cummings.     Mr  Copeland    was  by'  vocation  a .     He 

died  here.  .Tan.  '25,  1840.     His  wife  died  here,  Aug.  30,  1865.     Their 
children  were: — 

1.  Harvey,  [b.  Sept.  14,  1808,  m.  Abl)y  H.  Emerson  of  Pep- 

perell,  Mass.,  pnb.  Dec.  25,  1848,  removed  to  Pepperell, 
Mass.,  where  he  died,  Se[)t.  10,  1885.] 

2.  Sylvia,  [b.  June  3,  1810,  m.  Elbridge  Trull  of   Wobni'n. 

Mass.,  d.  Dec.  2,  1867.] 

3.  Celenda,  [b.  July  18,  1813,  is  unmarried.] 

4.  Sarah,  [b.  Sept.  14.  1815,  m.  Charles  Howard  of  P>oston,  d. 

at  Francestown,  Nov.  15,  1838.] 

COSTON. 

EBENEZER  COSTOX  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  from  this  town 
in  1782  and  he  is  known  to  have  lived  a  few  years  on  the  Xoah  Bailey 
place.  His  father  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  competitors  for  the 
honor  of  having  written  "the  verses  on  the  fall  of  the  "Wilton  Meeting- 
house."  A  child  of  Ebenezer  was  buried  here  in  1783,  and  another 
child  in  1788. 

I3ISH0P  COSTON,  a  brother  of  Ebenezer,  was  a  Revolutionary 
soldier  from  Wilton.  He  is  believed  to  have  been  the  first  settler  upon 
the  Moses  Bailey  j^lace.  He  was  highway  surveyor  in  this  town  in 
1798. 

COWEN. 

LUTHER  COAVEX  came,  here  about  'the  year  1815.  He  built  the 
I^uther  Boutwell. house  above  Albert  Whitfields  about  the  year  1820. 
He  married  1st,  Margaret  Eerson  of  this  town,  Xov.  23,  1820,  2nd, 
Eliza  A.  Hoag  of  Boston,  Xov.  7, 1840!  He  was  by  trade  a  wheelwright. 
He  lived  for  several  years  in  the  Chandler  house  in  Mill  Village,  which 
was  built  for  him  by  Elias  Fairbanks  in  1829.  He  was  the  son  of  Lu- 
ther Cowen,  who  lived<for  a  short  time  in  Francestown,  (was  here  in 


598  GENEALOGIES. 

ISl.j.)  Luther  tlie  sulijeet  of  our  sketch  went  to  Xashua  and  finally 
to  Manchester,  where  he  died,  June  7,  ISoO.  Children  by  1st  marriage 
were: — 

1.  Charlotte  F.,  [b.  at  Sutton,  April  17,  1822,  m.  Benjamin 

F.  Merrill  of  Mancliester,  June  23,  1855,  d.  at  Manchester, 
Apr.  11,  I860.] 

2.  Caroline  M.,    [b.  in  Nashua,  Nov.  7,  18o8,  m.  J.  Harrison 

Hutchinson  of  Wilton,  Dec.  81,  1873,' resides  at  Wilton.] 
Children  by  2nd  marriage  were: — 

3.  Catherine  H.,  1).  Sept.  18,  1842,  in  Nashua,  m.  George  W. 

Whidden  of  Westford,  Mass.,  resides  at  North  Chelmsford.] 

4.  Clara,  [1).  in  Manchester,  Aug.  12,  1844,  lives  at   Everett, 

Mass.] 

5.  Lucy  A.  [b.  in  Manchester,  Oct.  2,  1845.  died  at  Brighton, 

Mass.,  March,  1865. 

6.  Mary  J.  [b.  in  Manchester,  July  31,  1847.  d.  in  Deerfield, 

N.  H.,  in  1859.] 

CRAM. 

JEDEDIAH  ('RA:M  was  the  son  of  Capt.  Thomas  Cram,  Jr.,  and  the 
grandson  of  Thomas  Cram  and  the  great  grandson  of  John  Cram,  who 
came  to  this  country  in  KiSo  and  was  one  of  the  settlers  of  Exeter  in 
1G39,  and  died  at  Hampton  Falls  in  IGSl.  Cai^t.  Thomas  Cram,  Jr., 
lived  at  Hampton  Falls,  where  his  son,  Jedediah  was  born  in  17.38. 
Jedediah  was  twice  married,  first  to  Abigail  Hooke,  who  died  in  1S14, 
aged  seventy  years,  second  to  Miriam  Gordon.  lie  lived  with  his  son 
Joseph,  on  the  Spaulding  place.  The  latter  came  here  about  the  year 
1790,  and  his  father  doubtless  came  a  little  later.  Jedediah  lived  in 
Weare  previous  to  his  coming  to  this  town.  He  died  here.  .June  3, 
1828.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Sarah,  [b.  Feb.  6,  1761,  m.  *Moses  Sargent,  Feb.  22, 1779^ 
d.  at  Warren,  Vt.,  Oct.  30,  1820.] 

*MosES  Sargent  was  born  Jan.  12,  17.o7,  died,  Aug.  2,  1839,  at  Warren, 
Vt.  Was  a  revolutionary  soldier.  Children: — 1.  Phineas,  born  in  Weare, 
May  30,  1780,  m,  in  1801,  died  1802.  2.  Sally,  born,  Apr.  17,  178.5,  died,  Jan  30, 
1851,  m.  Sylvester  B.  Spaulding,  March  20.  1806.  3.  Stephen  Lewis,  born, 
Jan.  18,  1790.  died,  April  1.  1873,  m.  Biidget  Shaw,  March  30  1819.  She 
died,  June,  188:5,  aged  88.  4.  Moses,  born,  March  20.  1791,  in  Windsor,  Vt., 
died,  Oct.  3.  1853.  m.  Lydia  Steele,  Nov.  14,  1813.  She  was  born,  Dec.  21, 
1796,  and  died.  July  15.  1880.  5.  Polly,  born,  Oct.  2,  1793,  m.  Justin  Jacobs. 
6.  Thomas,  born.  May  IS,  1797,  in  Windsor,  Vt..  died  in  Northfield.  Vt.. 
Aug.  25,  1870.  m.  Laura  Richardson,  Jan.  29,  1824.  She  was  born,  March  1. 
1799.  died,  March  19,  1875. 


CKAM.  599 

2.  Anna,  [b.  Sept.  3,  1763.  m.  *James  Steele,  d.  Jan.  5,  1845, 

in  East  Roxbuiy,  Vt.] 

3.  *AsAHEL,  [b.  Jan.,  1766,  ni.  Lydia  Lewis  of  Francestown, 

Nov.  8,  1792,  removed  to  Antrim  in  1795,  where  he  died 
in  1835.] 

4.  Stephen,  [b.  Sept.  14,  1768.  m.  Sarah   Lewis  of  Frances- 

town,  June  22,  1790,  at  wliich  date  he  was  of  Deering. 
He  lived  several  years  on  the  Cram  or  Stevens  place,  below 
N.  H.  Wood's  residence  and  later  on  the  I...  F.  At\\'ood 
place  on  the  turnpike.  He  held  a  captain's  commission  in 
the  militia.  He  died  here,  May  2,  1853.  Children  were: — 
Lovis,  (b.  Nov.  24,  1790,  m.  Martha  K.  Bradford  of  this 
town,  Dec.  22,  1814.  He  lived  on  the  Dr.  George  Bixby 
})lace  on  Bradford  Llill,  died  in  Nashua,  Aug.  8,1873.  His 
(•hildren  were: — Daniel,  b.  1820,  see  appendix.  Robert,  b. 
Aug.  8,  1824,  m.  Ann  Carter  of  this  to\\ii.  d.  in  Jackson- 
ville, Florida,  Dec.  25,  1868.  Caroline  A.  F.,  d.  June  27, 
1844,  aged  11  years  and  5  months.) 

*James  Steele,  died,  Dec.  24,  1848,  aged  77  years,  in  E.  Roxburv.  Vt. 
Children: — 1.  Daniel.  2.  Abigail.  3  James.  4.  Samuel.  5.  Lydia.  m. 
Moses  Sargent.  Jr.  G.  Sally.  7.  Jacob  C.  born.  Sept.,  1.5.  ISOO,  res.  at  More- 
town,  Vt.     8.  Phineas.     9.  Nancy.     10.   Israel.     11.   Louisa. 

*Ashel's  children  were  : — 1.  Achcahborn,  Oct.  1,  17'.)6,  died,  Oct.  1.5,  1797. 

2.  Roxana.  born,  Jan.  12,  1799,  died.  Jan.  10,  18(i3.  in  Natick.  Mass.  3.  Ab- 
ner,  born,  Nov.  22,  1801.  in  Antrim,  m.  Nancy  Jones,  of  Windsor,  Vt.,  died 
May,  25,  1830,  leaving  five  children  :—C//ay-/(;.';  ^.,  born,  Oct.  14.  1822,  m. 
Elizabeth  Simonds.  She  was  born.  July  14,  1830,  res.  at  Bennington.  Their 
children  are: — Charles  E.,  Ina  L..  Ira  L..  IdaJ  ,  Reed  L.  Abncr  G.,  born, 
June  28,  1824,  resided  at  Lyme.  His  wife  died  in  1870.  Their  children 
were  : — Ida  died,  Feb.  11,  1871,  aged  5  years.  James  died,  Feb.  21,  1871,  aged 
8  years.  Charles  C,  died,  Sept.  1,  1889,  aged  31  years  and  4  months  at  Ca- 
naan, buried  at  Lyme.  Philiira  S.,  born  in  1826,  m.  1st,  William  Barker 
of  North  Andover,  Mass.,  Nov.  28,  18.")0.  He  died  at  West  Bradford.  Mass., 
Nov.  22,  18.i7,  aged  31  years.  2nd,  Henry  K.  Boynton  of  Peabody,  Mass.. 
Sept.  28.  1890.  He  died,  Oct.  10,  1890.  aged  -58  years.  Ira  D.,  born,  Apr. 
27,  1827,  m.  Angeline  Ward  of  Southbridge,  Mass..  died,  July  8,  1888,  in 
Pavvtucket,  R.  I.  Children  were: — George  Frances,  Herbert  Watson,  Ira 
Edward,  Minnie  L.,  Maud.  Jo/in  A.,  born,  Feb,  16,  1829,  m.  Lydia  W., 
Thornton,  of  Johnson,  R.  I.,  res.  at  Manton,  R.I.  Children  are  : — Charles 
Edwin,  Darwin  Atwood,  George  Abel,  Mary  Etta,  Lydia  Belle,  Willie  War- 
ren, Anna  Reed.  4.  Abigail  Hooke.  born,  April  7,  1807,  died,  Feb.  26,  1867 
in  Natick.  Mass.     5.   Achsah  L.,  born  Aug.  12,  1809.  m.  Jesse  Combs.  Sept. 

3,  1829.  He  was  born  in  1801,  and  died.  Aug.  8,  1875.  She  died.  Feb.  2, 
1867.  Children  are: — Hiram.  James  M.,  Mary  y.,  Charles  B.,  Etta.  6. 
Daniel,  born  in  1814.  m.  Mary  Blackman,  res.  at  McArthur,  Ohio. 


HOO  GENEALOGIES. 

DanieU  {h.  April  22, 1794,  graduated  at  Dartinoutli  in  1812. 

d.  Oct.  4,  1814,  ill  Francestowii.) 
fXry/,  (b.  April  7,  1797,  m.  Mary   L.  Pluiiiiiier  of  Newbury- 

port,  Mass.,  May  10,  1821,   d.  in    Bangor,  Me.,  June   17, 

1852.) 
3Iarif,  (b.  Dec.  17,  1803,  res.  at  Manchester.) 
Geo  rue  (rreen,  (b.  May  23,  1806,  in.  Rebecca  H.  liradford  of 

Francestowii,  May  14,   1838,  res.  in  this  town,  died  here, 

May  18,  1878,  only  child:— Thomas  B.,  b.  March  4,  1841, 

in  Francestown,  m.  Hannah  L.  Martin  of  Wilton.  Aug.  17, 

1866,  d.  at  Wilton,  Jan.  3,  1882.) 
-IfLaura,    (b.  ISIarch  14,  1809.  ni.   Henry  li.  Hall  at  Bangor, 

Me.,  in  1831,  res.  at  Bethel,  Maine,  d.  May  2o,  1875.) 
fGllman,   (b.  .June  21,  1811,    ni.  Elizabeth  A.  Liiinell  of 

Gorham,  Me.,  Nov.  12,  1842,  res.  at  liangor,  Me.)] 

5.  f I.Gis,  [h.  Aug.  7,  1773,  m.  1st,  William  ('ampl)ell   of  this 

town,   2nd,  Robert  Eaton,  resided  in  Charlestown,   Mass., 
removed  to  Ridgeway,  N.  Y.] 

6.  fMARV,  [b.  April  9,  1776,  m.  Daniel   Blaisdell  a-  native  of 

Weare,  d.  at  Cambridge,  Vt.,  June,  19,  1864.] 

■fLcT'i.  was  married  to  Mary  L.  Plummer,  May  10,  1S21.  children  : — 1.  Sarah 
Coffin,  horn  Feb.  10,  1822,  in  Bangor.  Me.,  m.  Henry  A.  Butler,  Sept.  2;{. 
1847,  res.  at  Beverly.  N.J.  2.  Charles  Henry,  born,  June  8,  1828,  died,  Sept. 
1.5,  1828. 

■fLaura,  married  Henry  B.  Hall  in  IS^Jl.     He  was  born.  April  14,  1809.  and 
died,  Nov.  3.   1871.     Children  were: — 1.  Henry  Orlando.     2.  Sarah  L.     3. 
Maria  E.     4.  George  Percival.     .5.   Charles    F.     fi.  Laura  Cram. 

\Gilina7t.  married  Elizabeth  Ann  Linnell.  She  Avas  born,  Nov.  19,  1826, 
in  Gorham,  Me.  Their  children  :— 1.  Charles  Webster,  born,  July  27,  1843, 
died,  Dec.  11.  184.5.  2.  Franklin  Webster,  b.  June  21.  1840.  ,S.  Mary  Eliza- 
beth born,  Dec.  21,  1848.  4.  Frederick  Lewis,  born,  Aug.  25,  1853,  died  Apr. 
22,  1889.  ;5.  Nellie  Maria,  born,  Dec.  26,  1857.  6.  Willie  Gilman,  born, 
June  21,  1863,  died,  Sept.  4,.  1868.     7.  Alice  Gilman,  born,  Nov.  9,  1869. 

tLois,  had  one  child,  Mary  Campbell,  born  in  1813. 

IMary,  married  Daniel  Blaisdell.  He  was  born,  Marchl2.  1776  in  Weare, 
and  died  in  Cambridge,  Vt.,  April  5,  1865.  Their  children  were:^l.  Ralph 
horn,  March  2,  1795.  died  Aug.  29.  1811.  2.  Miriam,  born,  July.  13,  1796. 
died,  April  7,  1881.  3.  Lois,  born,  July  20.  1778,  res.  at  Enosburg.  Vt.  4. 
Daniel,  Jr.,  born.  Dec  11,  1800,  died,  March  17.  1851.  5.  Matilda,  born,  Feb. 
25,  1804.  died.  Feb.  4.  1873.     6.  Marinda.  b.  Jan.  20.  1806,  died.  Sept.  2,  1807. 

7    Oroilla  born,   Aug.  27.  1807.  died  —  27,   1808      8.  Mary,  born,  Jan. 

30,  1809,  res.  at  West  Fletcher,  Vt.  9.  ^^erah,  born,  Jan.  15.  1811,  d.  Aug.  22, 
1865.  10.  Ralph  Madison,  born.  May  14,  1813,  died,  June  19,  1890.  11.  Anda 
Marinda,  born,  June  23,  1815. 


CRAM. 


601 


7.  Joseph,    [b.  Dec.   28,  1778.     He    settled  on  tlie  Leonard 

Spaulding  farm,  l)ut  finally  removed  to  the  West.  His 
children  were: — 

Jahez,  (b.  March  21,  1798,  m.  Roxana  Hopkins  of  Frances- 
town,  Dec.  4,  1817,  d.  at  Francestown,  June  14,  1881. 
Children  born  at  Otsego,  N.  Y.,  were: — Frances  B.,  b. 
June  13,  1819,  m.  William  H.  Hopkins  of  Francestown, 
March  29,  1840,  d.  at  Francestown,  June  1, 1870.  Albert 
N.,  b.  Jan.  18,  1828,  d.  Jan.  26, 1828.  Alfred,  twin  Ijrother 
of  Albert,  d.  Mai'ch  21,  1828.) 

James,  (married  Lydia  Bradford.) 

Elmira,  ( .) 

Sahra.,  ( .)] 

8.  Jacob,  [b.  Nov.  25,  1780,  m.  1st,  Nancy  Gove  of  Frances- 

town,  2nd,  Maria  Adams  of  Limerick,  Maine,  d.  Jan.  11, 
1843.] 

9.  Jedp:i)IAh,  Jr.,  [1).  July  30,  1782,  m.  Lydia  Buttertield  of 

Francestown,  Feb.  11,  1809,  lived  on  Driscoll  Hill.  Went 
to  Warren,  Vt.,  where  he  died,  July  20, 1855.  His  child- 
ren were: — 
jLuciiid/u  (b.  in  Francestown,  June  27,  1810,  m.  Alpheus 
Thayer  in  Warren,  Vt.,.Sept.  15,  1834,  d.  at  Warren,  Vt., 
Nov.  12,  188.8.) 


tjACOB,  married  1st.  Nancy  Gove,  born,  Feb.  28.  1776,  2nd,  Maria  Adams, 
born  in  Limerick.  Me.,  March  18,  1796.  She  died  in  Saco,  Me.,  Aug.  9,  18G0. 
Children  :  -  1.  Abigail  Hooke,  born,  Jan.  8,  1816,  died,  Sept.  8,  1876.  2.  John 
A  ,  born,  Oct.  11, 1S18.  died,  March  6,1879,  married  Eliza  Jane  Kendall,  Sept. 
17,  1845.  She  died.  March  1,  1861,  aged  31  years,  in  Winchester,  Mass. 
Children  -.—  Charles  Edward,  born,  Feb.  7,  1847,  died,  Oct.  17, 1848.  3.  Lydia 
H.,  born,  Sept.  9,  1820,  married  Frances  Mason,  Oct.  27,  18.^1.  4.  Lewis, 
born,  March  2, 1824,  m.  Clara  H.  Manson,  Nov.3,  1852.  5.  Charles  N.,  born, 
July  2,  1828,  married,  1st,  Sarah  H.  Walker.  Dec.  21,  1854.  She  died.  July  20, 
1856,  married,  2nd,  Mary  Elizabeth  Fish,  Sept.  17,  1873,  res.  at  Pleasant 
Place,  Cambridgeport,  Mass.     Child  : — Ernest  Roby,  born,  July  27,  1875. 

\Lticinda,  married,  Alpheus  Thayer.  He  was  born,  Nov.  25, 1804  and  died, 
July  5,  1861,  in  Lincoln,  Vt.  Children: — 1.  Annetta  L.,  born,  Sept.  8,  1836, 
in  Waitsfield,  Vt;  2.  Sarah  Ann  E.,  born  Dec.  27,  1837,  in  Warren,  Vt.,  died 
June  16,  1856.  3.  Edwin  R.,  born,  July  30,  1839,  at  Warren,  Vt,  died,  Jan. 
U,  1874.  4.  Mary  P.,  born.  May .23,  1843,  at  Warren,  Vt.,  died,  Nov.  14,  1843. 
o.  George  A.,  born,  June  1.  1845.  6.  Oscar  H.,  born,  Dec.  5,  1847.  7.  Hart- 
well  J.,  born,  July  30,  1850. 


H02  GENEALOGIES. 

■fSh/nr//,  (b.  'June  29.  1814,  in  PVancestcnvii.  m.  Hainuih 
Goodspeed  in  Warren,  Vt..  d.  in  Brown's  Valley,  Cal.) 

Amanda.  (1).  at  Francestown.  Maix-h  18,  1819,  d.  Sept.  4, 
1880,  unmarried. ) 

-\Flvira,  (b.  Oct.  (i,  1823,  m.  Jolm  S.  Poland  in  Warren 
Maine,  Marcli  3,  1851,  d.  May  9,  1882.)] 

CRESSY. 

Tlli!^  family  fame  from  England,  but  were  of  Frencii.  am!  pi'oljaljly 
Huguenot  origin.  The  name  was  first  written  (^^'/•c.s'.<;p.  It  is  said  to  have 
been  spelled  23  different  ways.  The  lii-sl  of  the  name  in  this  country 
spelled  it  Cre.sse.  The  Francestown  branch  generally  pronounced  it, 
and  sometimes  spelled  it  Creecy.  Ikit  Cressy.  as  given  above,  is  the 
oi'thography  that  is  most  prevalent. 

\VI[.LIA.M  and  :\n(rIIILL  CUESSY  landed  at  Salem,  Mass.,  in  the 
year  1(54'.).  William  soon  went  to  Conneclicut  and  remained  in  that 
colon}-.  Mighill,  (or  Michael,)  who  was  21  years  of  age  on  arrival  in 
this  country,  settled  in  Salem,  and  married  in  1(;.5S,  Mary  Bachelder, 
(dau.  of  John  and  Elizabeth)  of  ^'lioyal  Sid^p,"  a  part  of  Salem  now 
Beverly.  She  died  in  child-birth,  leaving  one  child,  John,  b.,  Aug.  o, 
Ifi.51).  After  her  death,  Michael  Cressy  moved  to  Ipswich,  Mass. ,  where 
he  married  Mary  Quilt(?i-,  April  6,  1660,  had  three  other  children,  Mig- 
hill. William,  and  Mary,  and  died  April,  1670.  The  widow  with  her 
three  children  moved  to  Rowley,  Mass.,  where  she  d.  May  7, 1707.  Her 
son,  Mighill,  married,  Sarah  Hidden  of  Eowley  and  died  in  that  town, 
1740.  Her  son,  William,  married.  Anne  Hidden  of  Kowley  and  d.  in 
1717.     And  her  dau.  Mary,  married,  Sanuiel  Hidden  of  Eowley. 

JUHX  CRESSY,  son  of  the  tirst  settler,  (b.  x\ug.  .5,  165!),)  m.  Nov. 
23,  1685,  Sarah,  dau.  of  John  and  Mary  (Tredwell)  Gaines  of  Ipswich, 
Mass.  He  lived  in  ''Royal  Side,"  Salem,  (now  Beverly,)  was  Deacon 
of  the  2nd  church  of  Beverly,  and  died,  July  22.  1735,  having  had  child- 

f Sidney,  married.  Hannah  Goodspeed,  Jan.  1,  1835,  in  Warren,  Vt.  She 
died,  June  2.5,  1844.  Children  were  :— 1.  Ellen,  born.  Feb.  29,  1838,  at  War- 
ren, Vt.,  married  Byron  Nelson,  Oct.  12,  1858,  in  Milford,  Mass.  died,  Feb. 
4,  1878.  Child,  now  Mrs.  Alice  Noves  of  Farmington.  2.  Myra,  born,  Aug. 
6,  1842,  at  Warren,  Vt.,  died,  Feb.  17.  1S8S,  at  W^irren,  Mass.,  married,  B.  F. 
Pond,  July  7,  1862.  Child,  now  Mrs.  Dr.  C.  E.  Perkins  of  Warren.  Mass. 
3.  Hannah  R.,  born  June  21,  1844,  at  Warren,  Vt.,  married,  P.  E.  Grow,  Nov. 
26,  1863.  He  was  born,  March  16,  1842.  res.  at  East  Randolph,  Vt.  Hannah 
R.,  was  adopted  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abel  Bigelowof  Brookfield,  Vt. ,  was  known 
thereafter  as  Roxana  Bigelow  until  her  marriage. 

\ Elvira,  married,  John  S.  Poland.  He  was  born,  June  13, 1820.  Children 
were:— 1.  George  J.     2.  Orvilla  Cram.     3.  Mary  A.     4.   Herbert  D. 


CRESS  Y.  •  603 

ren: — Mary,  John,  Sarah,  John,  Joseph,  Daniel,  Joh,  Benjamin.  Han- 
nah, Abigail  and  Xoah.  Their  mother  died,  April  4,  1751,  aged  near- 
ly86. 

Joseph  Cressy,  fifth  child  of  John  and  Sarah  (Gaines)  Cressy  and 
grandson  of  Mighill  and  Mary  (Jjachelder)  Cressy,  was  born,  June  19, 
1696,  and  m.  1st,  Hannah,  dau.  of  William  and  Hannah  Dodge  of  Salem, 
and  m.  2nd,  Hannah  Holton  of  Salem.  The  first  wife  died,  Sept.  30, 
1732;  the  2nd  wife  died,  Alarch  31,  17(S3.  Joseph  Cressy,  d.  in  March 
1767,  leaving  twelve  children  all  b.  in  Eoj'al  Side,  (Beverly.)  Those 
who  reached  mature  3'ears  were;  Hannah,  Sarah,  Susannali,  Joseph, 
Mehitable,  James,  Andrew  and  Amos. 

Andrew  Cressy  was  b.  in  Beverly,  Feb.,  1745,  being  son  of  Joseph 
and  Hannah^  and  great-grandson  of  the  first  settler,  Mighill.  He  m. 
Mary  Woodbury,  dau.  of  Josiah,  Jr.  and  Hannah  (Perkins)  Woodbury  of 
Beverly.  They  were  "published"  June  24,  1770.  Thus  he  was  the 
fourth  generation  this  side  the  water.  Andrew^,  Joseph^,  John2,  Mig- 
liilU.  His  wife  was  from  one  of  the  oldest  and  best  families  in  Beverly. 
Her  father  was  of  the  fifth  generation  of  Woodburys  this  side  the  water, 
Josiah,  Jr. 5.  Josiah*,  Peter^,  Humphreys,  Juhn^,  the  last  named  hav- 
ing come  to  Salem,  (Beverly,)  in  1624.  Her  brother,  Peter  Woodbury, 
settled  in  Amherst,  (now  Mont  Vernon,)  in  1773,  and  about  the  same 
time  her  nephew,  Peter  Woodbury,  Jr.,  settled  in  Francestown. 

Andrew  Cressj-  and  wife  and  two  children,  (Joanna  and  Josei^h) 
moved  from  Salem  to  Francestown  in  1777.  He  had  been  a  cooper  b}- 
trade,  but  attracted  by  the  representations  of  kindred  and  friends,  who 
were  pioneers,  he  .came  here  and  bought  a  farm  about  two  miles  south- 
westward  fi-om  the  present  village,  the  same  being  still  known  as  the 
"Cressy  Place,'"  though  now  only  the  vacant  cellar  tells  of  the  past.  It 
was  then  mostly  a  deep  forest,  but  was  gradually  changed  into  a  comelj' 
farm,  and  made  a  happy  home  for  the  family.  Hei'e  the  parents  lived 
together  forty-five  years.  Mr.  Cressy  died  Dec.  1,  1822,  aged  78  yrs. 
Mrs.  Mary  (Woodbury)  Cressy,  died  with  her  son  at  Marblehead,  Mass., 
Oct.  22,  1829,  aged  84  years.  They  were  honest,  intelligent,  Christian 
parents.  Some  one  said  of  them;  "They  endeavored  to  bring  up  their 
children  in  the  wisdom  of  the  Scriptures;  and  that  they  did  not  labor 
in  vain,  is  shown  by  the  prominent  Christian  element  in  their  decen- 
dants.  The  memory  of  their  piet}'  is  cherished  by  those  that  knew 
them."  Dea.  Fairbanks  said  to  one  of  the  family  in  1846,  "I  am  as  sure 
that  your  grand-father  and  grand-mother  Cressy  are  in  heaven,  as  I  am 
that  I  am  walking  down  this  road," — being  then  on  the  way  to  his  home 
in  Mill  Village.  Such  quiet,  laborious,  persevering,  Godl}'  lives  are 
l)eautiful  and  worthy  of  honor,  and  do  more  good  than  many  who  have 
held  the  so  called  high  places  of  the  world.  The  childnMi  of  Andrew 
and  Marv  were: — 


604  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  Joanna,  [b.  in  Beverl}-,  March,  1775;  m.  James  Cochran  of 

Antrim  in  1796,  for  many  years  one  of  th.e  most  efficient 
and  conspicuous  men  in  that  town  ;  d.  in  Antrim,  March 
23,  1829;  had  six  children,  Andrew  C,  Ira,  Mary  W., 
Rodne}",  Eliza  and  James.  Her  descendants  are  held  in 
great  respect  in  every  walk  of  life.  She  had  a  beautiful 
home  in  Antrim,  and  her  son  Ira,  (b.  July  1,  1799,)  still 
occupies  the  same,  togetlier  with  his  son  Hon.  George  A. 
Cochran,  now  (1887,)  and  for  some  six  years  a  Commis- 
sioner of  Hillsboro'  County.  Her  youngest  daughter,  Eliza, 
married  Dr.  Jacob  P.  Whittemore,  and  was  mother  of  the  late 
Dr.  James  H.  Whittemore,  who,  at  his  early,  death  (Jan., 
1886,)  was  Resident  Physician  and  Head  of  the  Mass.  Gen- 
eral Hospital  Boston,  a  man  whose  early  and  high  promotion 
was  proof  of  the  foremost  standing  in  his  }irofession.] 

2.  Joseph,  [b.  in  Salem,   Mass..  Oct.  28,  1776,  was  the  first 

son  of  the  fifth  generation,  Joseph",  Amdrew%  Joseph^ 
John",  Mighiir,  m.  Betsey,  dau.  of  Maj.  Oliver  Holmes  of 
Francestown,  May  15, 1804.  Before  marriage  he  was  for  a 
time  clerk  in  the  store  of  his  cousin,  Peter  Woodbury,  in 
Francestown.  Subsequentl}'  he  occupied  the  farm  with  his 
father.  In  Mai'ch,  1822,  he  went  to  New  York  and  bought 
a  farm  in  Canisteo,  in  the  south-western  part  of  the  state, 
and  at  once  commenced  upon  the  same.  After  the  season 
was  over  he  returned  for  his  family,  and  they  started  for 
their  new  home  in  the  depth  of  winter,  Feb.  5, 1823.  They 
then  had  seven  children,  of  whom  one  was  a  babe  in  the 
mother's  arms.  His  brother-in-law,  "James  Cochran  with 
horses  and  covered  sleigh  came  through  with  them." 
There  were  no  railroads  and  few  stages.  They  endured 
many  hardships  both  on  the  way,  and  in  the  new  settle- 
ment. But  they  had  neighbors  from  Francestown,  in  the 
persons  of  Asa  Downes,  and  Joel  Clark.  Mr.  Cressy 
worked  on  his  farm  summers,  and  taught  school  winters 
for  many  years.  Did  much  of  what  was  called  "town  busi- 
ness," was  for  some  time  School  Commissioner,  was  a  man 
of  notably,  mild  and  pleasant  address,  and  made  friends 
everywhere.  The  mother,  Betsey.  Holmes  was  an  excel- 
lent woman.     Their  children  settled  around  them  and  their 


CRESSY.  605 

last  daj-s  were  spent  in  comfort  and  honor  on  the  home- 
stead where  they  k^cated  in  1823.  They  had  nine  chikl- 
ren: — 

Vhila,  (b.  in  Francestown,  April  2,  1805;  d.  May  5,  1805.) 

Mari/  Tf.,  (b.  May  10,1807  at  Francestown,  m.  Lewis  Holmes 
of  Canisteo,  N.  Y.,  May  15,  1824,  d.  Dec.  11,  1884,  leav- 
ing eight  children.) 

Miza  H.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  22, 1809;  m.  Oct.  1,  1840, 
Sanford  Downes.  son  of  Asa  Downes  formerly  of  Frances- 
town  had  but  two  children,  both  sons,  both  in  the  army. 
Alfred  lost  his  life  in  the  service.  Sanford,  Jr.  resides  at 
Hornellsville,  N.  Y.) 

AdaUne,  (b.  at  Francestown,  April  5, 1812,  m.  Simeon  Jones 
of  Canisteo,  d.  Oct.  26,  1880.  Her  husband  was  killed 
by  a  railroad  accident.      Tliey  had  7  children.) 

Harriet,  (b.  at  Frajicestown,  July  28,  1814,  m.  Dec.  2,  1841, 
Dexter  Clark  a  native  of  Henniker,  he  d.  at  Pierson,  Midi. 
Dec.  17,  1879.) 

Annie  Holmes,  (b.  at  F.  March  29,  1817,  m.  John  France 
of  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  May  20,  1841.  Her  oidy  living 
child  is  Charles  G.  France,  an  engineer,  residing  in  Buff- 
alo, N.  Y. ). 

JoHepli  //.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Feb.  1,  1820,  m.  Mary  Ful- 
ton, moved  from  Canisteo  to  Kasson,  Minn.) 
Levi  Brown,  (b.  at  F'rancestown,  July  2,  1822,  carried  in  his 
mother's  arms  to  Canisteo  the  next  winter,  m.  Mary  Ann 
Robinson  of  Windliam,  N.  Y.,  July  9,  1856.     They  have 

•  two  children,  Florence  A.,  who  m.  Willis  P.  Jones,  and 
Lewis  Josiah,  who  m.  Alice  A.  Georgia.) 

Andrew  P.,  (b.  at  Canisteo,  July  21,  1825,  m.  Sarah  L. 
White,  Aug.  4,  1850,  occupied  the  homestead  of  his  fatlier, 
d.  April  26,  1882.)] 
3.-MAUY,  [b.  in  Francestown,  d.  at  10  years  of  age.] 
4.  Josiah  P.,  [b.  at  Francestown,  June  2,  1785,  m.  in  1809, 
Mary  Beale  Wooldredge,  daughter  of  Wm.  aiul  Sarah 
(Hanover)  Wooldredge  of  Marblehead,  Mass..  Josiah  P. 
Cressy  was  of  the  fifth  generation:  Josiah  P".,  Andrew\ 
Joseplr\  John^  Mighill'.  In  1810  he  purchased  land  for 
a  homestead    in   Marblehead    and    moved  to    that    place. 


606  GENEALOGIES. 

Having  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  oiveu   mucli  at- 

c5  J-  ~ 

tention  to  architecture,  he  became  a  mastei-builder,  and 
was  very  successful.  He  also  worked  into  a  large  lumber 
Inisiness,  buying  in  IiJang'or,  Me.  and  sliip})ing  to  Marble- 
head.  Afterwards  he  became  interested  in  the  fisheries, 
and  owned  many  fishing  vessels.  Was  an  honest  and  care- 
ful business  man,  was  member  and  trustee  of  the  Ortho- 
dox Congregational  Church  of  Marljleh'ead,  Avas  a  director 
of  the  National  (Irand  Bank  of  that  city,  held  tlie  highest 
honors  in  Free  Masoiiery,  was  of  quiet,  undemonstrative 
manners,  brought  up  Ids  chihlren  to  recite  the  Catechism 
every  Sabbath  evening  at  home,  was  ^'diligent  in  business, 
fervent  inspirit,  serving  the  Lord",  and  died  with  Christian 
calmness  and  peace,  Jan.  27,  1844.  His  wife,  a  bright, 
sweet,  nol)le  Christian  woman  survived  him.  and  died  Nov. 
2,  1877,,  aged  85.  Their  children,  tliough  not  born  in 
Francestown,  are  briefly  noticed  here,  as  being,  through 
the  Academy  and  otherwise,  remembered  hy  many  in  this 
place,  and  were  as  follows: —  '  • 

3Iari/  Woodbury,  (b.  Sept.  25.  1809,  m.  Kalph  Devereux  of 
Marblehead,  Jan.  13,  1844.  was  a  woman  of  life-long  and 
notable  piet}-,  d.  Feb.  28,  1880.     No  children. 

Elizm  (b.  Sept.  26,  1811.  m.  Thomas  Foss,  Oct.  7,  1844,  he 
was  Surveyor  of  Marblehead  and  Lynn  under  the  admin- 
istration of  Taylor  and  Fillmore,  they  had  children,  Ida 
C..  Joanna  C,  Cari-ie  F..  Thomas  and  Lillie  F.  Carrie  F. 
became  the  wife  of  Rev.  F.  E.  Rand,  Missionary  at  Ponape, 
Micronesia.) 

Jomili  P.,  .//•.,  (b.  March  23,  1814,  m.  Eleanor  Prentice  of 
Marblehead,  June  3,  1841,  d.  in  Salem,  Mass.,  June  4, 1872, 
no  children,  was  one  of  our  most  prominent  and  honored 
sea-captains  for  many  years,  commanded  the  Gun  Boat, 
Ino,  during  the  war  of  the  Rel)ellion,  was  a  bi-ave  and  vig- 
ilant officer,  was  universally  respected,  was  a  member  of 
Dr.  A.  L.  Stone's  Church,  San  Francisco,  and  died  trium- 
phantly in  the  faith  of  Jesus.) 

Sarah  Hanover^  (b.  April  27,  1816,  tinm.) 

William  Andrew,  (b.  Sept.  12,  1818,.  m.  Emily  F.  Lord  of 
Francestown,  Oct.  11,  1848,  was  a  sea-captain,  and  com- 


ciiEssv.  607 

iiuiiided  a  ship  at  tlie  age  of  23,  was  reliable  and  fearless, 
settled  in  Salem,  Mass.,  1807,  died  there,  July  17,  1874. 
Represented  the  city  of  Salem  in  Mass.,  Legislature,  1871- 
'72-73.  Their  oldest  child,  William  Andrew,  Jr.,  was 
born  in  FrancestoAvn,  Oct.  10,  1851,  and  m.  Jose[)hine  E. 
Lefavor  of  Boston,  Jan.  26,  1877.  The  other  cliildren  of 
William  A.,  and  Emily  F.,  (Lord).Cressy.  were,  Emily  F., 
and  Josiah  P.) 
William,  (b.  Feb.  11,  1822,  d.  Oct.  11,  1822.) 

Joanna  Cochran,  (b..  Dec.  26,  1824,  m.  Feb.  28,  1861,  Jacob 
Wellman  of  Salem,  Mass.     He  was  for  years  in  business 

■  in  Marblehead,  established  the  Wellman  Reading  Room  in 
that  city,  now  under  charge  of  the  Young  Mens'  Christian 
Association.  The}^  now  reside  in  New  York  City.  Their 
two  sons,  Perkins  Cressy,  and  Jacob  Andrew  both  died  in 
Marblehead,  tlie  first  aged  19  months,  the  second  aged  19 
years.  The  writer  in  his  boyhood  heard  it  said  that  ^'•Jo- 
anna Cress}'  was  one  of  the  brightest,  smartest  girls  tliat 
ever  were  in  Francestown."  She  has  rendered  important 
aid  in  collecting  material  for  this  book.  She  was  a  pupil 
in  the  Academy  here  in,  1845  and  1846,  and  went  thence 
to  be  assistant  in  the  So.  Grammar  School  of  IMarblehead, 
Mass.  She  was  Preceptress  of  Francestown  Academy  for 
the  years,  1851  an'd  1852  and  gave  great  satisfaction,  and 
the  trustees  voted  to  secure  her  services  further,  '^If  she 
could  be  had.''  But  she  returned  to  Marblehead  and 
taught  as  Assistant  in  the  High  School  of  that  city  till  her 
marriage,  1861.  As  teacher  and  friend  she  was  held  in 
the  highest  appreciation.) 

Martha  Caroline,  (b.  May  9,  1827,  m.  Jan.  7,  1864,  Capt. 
Joseph  Gregory  of  jNIarbleliead;  only  one  child  reached 
maturity,  Levi  Woodbury,  b.  Sejjt.  20,  1867.  She  was  a 
much-appeciated  teacher  in  that  city  previous  to  her  mar- 
riage.) 

Levi  Woodbury,  (b.  March  24,  1829,  was  established  in  busi- 
ness in  Chicago,  but  being  pulled  down  by  the'  ^'tinancial 
panic"  in  1857,  he  took  a  position  offered  in  a  Business 
House  in  New  Orleans,  was  popular  there  and  soon  made 
second  officer  iu  a  military  company.     When  the  war  broke 


608  GENEALOGIES. 

out  lie  Avas  ordered  into  the  (Confederate  service  nuicli 
against  Ids  will,  and  lost  his  life  just  after  the  Battle  of 
Antietani,  by  the  falling  of  an  old  tree  tipon  his  camp  at 
inght.  Was  ayoting  man  of  marked  attractions  and  many 
friends.)] 

5.  Andrew,  Jr.,  [Drowned  at  Canesteo,  N.  Y.,  in   Ma}^  1823. 

aged  about  36.] 

6.  Hannah,  [b.  at  Francestown,  March  1, 1788,  united  with  the 

church  in  1812,  m.  Ward  Wood\A-ard  afterwards  of  Homer, 
N.  Y.,  Nov.  25,  1822,  d.  in  that  pkce,  Aug.  22,  1879,  aged 
nearly  91  years  and  6  montlis.  Her  husband  was  a  native 
of  Lyndebo]T)'.  They  went  to  Homer  in  1823.  Their  son, 
Horace  P.  Woodward,  M.  D.,  b.  April  17,  1824,  was  sur- 
geon in  the  army  several  years,  married  Emma  A.  Hobert 
of  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  Fel).  28,  1865,  and  now  ]-esides  in 
Warnego.  Kansas.  Their  second  son,  Charles  N.  Wood- 
ward, b.  'Inly  15,  1826,  married  1st,  Charlotte  M.  Brown, 
2nd,  m.  Elizabeth  Dada,  and  has  a  son  Cliarles  Brown 
WoodAvard,  who  is  a  druggist  in  Great  Bend,  Pa.] 

CROMBHi:. 

I)i;.  JA>IES  CR0M15IE  came  here  from  Temple  in  1.S20.  He  was 
the  granclsou  of  John  Croinbie,  a  sturdy  Scotchman,  who  came  over 
from  the  Scotch  settlements  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  and  located  in 
Londonderry,  in  the  year  1720,  only  one  year  after  the  first  settlement 
in  that  town.  'This  John  Crombie  married  Joan  Rankin,  Nov.  17, 1721 : 
had  children,  Hugh,  ^\'illiam,  James,  John,  EUzabeth,  Marj-,  Jane, 
Nancy  and  Ann. 

.James,  the  third  child  of  John,  married  Jane  Clark,  (dau.  of  Eobt. 
Clark  of  Londonderry)  and  had  children,  William,  Robert,  John,  James, 
Samuel,  Clark,  Jane  and  Letitia.  These  were  all  born  in  Londonderry 
except  Clark,  the  youngest  son.  James  Crombie  with  his  large  family, 
moved  to  New  Boston  in  1783,  where  he  died  Jan.  7,  1<S14.  He  was  a 
shoemaker,  tanner,  currier  and  farmer,  full  of  business,  generous,  wide- 
awake, a  man  of  much  wit  and  mirth  and  cheerfulness,  and  of  notable 
zeal  as  a  christian. 

Dr.  JAMES  CROMIjIE,  son  of  James,  was  bo]-n  in  Londonderry ,  Sept. 
28,  1774.  His  mother,  Jane  Clark,  died  May  25,  1815.  James  moved 
with  his  father  to  New  Boston  when  a  child,  and  was  identified  with 
that  town  in  his  early  life.  His  opportunities  for  education  were  very 
limited,  but  he  made  the  most  of  them,  was  ambitious  an  1  scholarly 


CROMBIE.  609 

and  determined  to  succeed.  After  such  preparation  as  he  conhl  make, 
he  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Benjamin  Jones  of  Lyndeboro',  then  one 
of  the  most  noted  physicians  in  this  vicinity.  In  due  time  the  Degree 
of  M.  D.  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the  New  Hampshire  Medical 
Society,  and  he  commenced  practice  in  Temple,  Oct.  15,  1798,  where 
he  continued  as  a  successful  physician  till  1820.  He  attained  consider- 
able eminence  as  a  surgeon.  Was  selectman  in  Temple,  and  "Represen- 
tative of  that  town  in  the  Legislature.  On  coming  here,  (1820,)  he  bought 
of  Peter  Clark,  the  place  long  occupied  in  recent  years  by  Dr.  Eoot. 
He  remodelled  and  enlarged,  and  occupied  it  for  30  years.  Dr.  James 
moved  with  his  son  to  Derry  in  1850,  and  died  there  Feb.  4, 1855.  His 
brother  Samuel  became  a  physician  and  practiced  in  Waterford,  Me., 
until  his  death.  Dr.  James  married  Joanna  Jones,  daughter  of  the  dis- 
tinguished physician  with  whom  he  studied,  April  14, 1799.  She  was  b. 
in  Lyndeboro',  Jan.  27,  1779,  and  d.  in  Derry,  March  10,  1851.  The 
children  of  Dr.  James  and  Joanna  (Jones)  Crombiewere: — 

1.  Benjamin  Jones,  [b.  in  Temple,  Oct.  5,  1800,  d,  Nov.  1, 

1804.] 

2.  William  C,  [b.  Dee.  5,  1803,  d.  Feb.  8,  1805.] 

3.  Joanna,  [b.  May  23.  1807,  m.  June  27,  1837,  Dr.  Jacob  A. 

Wood,  d.  in  Deny,  Dec.  15,  1878.  Her  busband  was  born 
in  Hancock,  May  14,  1810,  and  d.  March  21,  1879,  was  a 
physician  of  eminence,  and  practiced  in  New  York  City 
many  years.] 

4.  J)k.  James  H.,  [b.  in  Temple,  Sept.  2, 1814,  came  here  with 

his  father  in  1820,  and  his  whole  early  life  was  identified 
with  Francestown.  He  was  a  student  in  the  Academy, 
completing  its  entire  course  of  study,  then  studied  medi- 
cine with  his  father,  and  with  the  celebrated  Dr.  Twitchell 
of  Keene,  attended  Medical  Lectures  in  Woodstock,  Vt., 
and  a  course  in  Boston,  then  graduated  from  the  Medical 
Department  of  Dartmouth  College  in  1838.  He  com- 
menced practice  with  his  father  in  Francestown  a  year 
before  his  graduation,  and  continued  the  same  in  this  town 
"  and  Derry  for  nearly  50  years,  to  the  time  of  his  death  in 
the  last-named  town  in  1884..  Moved  from  this  town  to 
Derry  in  1850,  Was  "Contract  Surgeon"  m  the  war, 
(1861-1864,)  and  was  stationed  chiefly  at  Fortress  Mun- 
roe.  Gave  a  Historical  Address  at  the  Centennial  of 
New  Boston,  July  4,  1863.  For  several  years  he  was  Ex- 
amining Surgeon  for  pensions  in  his  district,  and  was  sur- 


HIO  GENEALOGIES. 

geoii  of  tlie  "Amoskeag  Veterans"  for  20  yeai's.  He  gave 
an  address  at  the  Centennial  celebration  of  Francestown, 
June  8,  1872.  Dr.  James  H.  Crombie  married  Sarah 
Frances  Wilson,  daughter  of  Alexander  Wilson  of  this 
town,  Feb.  8,  1844.  Left  no  children.  Was  a  man  of 
many  oddities,  of  large  wit  and  worth,  and  of  some  n(jtable 
successes  in  his  profession.  Was  specially  noted  as  a  sur- 
geon.] 

("ROSBY." 

I)i;.  AJvlJEHT  II.  CHOSIjY  resided  liei-e  ;i  few  ye;a-s.  lie  was  sou 
of  the  noted  Prof.  Dixi  Crosby,  and  grandson  of  Dr.  Asa  and  Betsey 
(Hoyt)  Crosby  of  Sandwich,  lie  was  born  in  (Tihiianton,  April  23, 
182(i;  graduated  Dartmouth  Class  of  iS-tS;  studied  bvw  and  graduated 
at  Harvard  Law  School:  came  immediately  here  and  began  the  practice 
of  law;  then  pi-acticed  awhile  in  NeAv  York  City. 

But  not  finding  the  law  congenial  to  his  taste,  he  returned  to  Han- 
over, and  took  up  ilie  study  of  medicine  under  liis  father,  and  graduated 
at  the  Dartmouth  Medical  College  18(J0.  He  then  located  at  Wells 
River,  Vt.,  but  soon  moved  to  Concord  where  he  continued  his  home 
and  profession  till  death.  In  1S6"2,  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Surgeon 
of  Columbus  College  Hospital;  was  surgeon  for  a  time  in  the  army; 
afterwards,  (1864,)  Post  Surgeon,  with  headquarters  at  Concord;  was  on 
Board  of  Medical  Pension  Examiners  for  years;  physician  to  the  State 
Prison  sixteen  years;  was  one  of  the  most  eminent  physicians  and  Sur- 
geons in  the  State;  d.  very  suddenly,  Sept.  -5,  1887;  an  exceedingly 
genial  and  pleasant  man;  left  one  child,  Jennie  Louise,  who  m.  Col. 
E.  H.  Gilm'an  of  Exeter. 

Dr.  Crosby  was  a  valued  personal  friend  of  the  writer,  and  is  held  in 
loving  remembrance.  He  married  Mrs.  Rebecca  (Moore)  Hutchins,  a 
native  of  Bath. 

J.  FRANK  CROSBY  came  here  in  1882,  from  Mont  Vernon  and  lived 
on  the  David  Butterfield  place  until  the  fall  of  1892,  when  he  removed 
to  East  Washington.  He  is  the  son  of  .losiah  D.  Crosby  of  Milford,  and 
was  born  in  that  town,  Jan.  31,  1847.  He  married.  May  1,  1869,  Etta 
M.,  daughter  of  Justice  Pike  of  Hillsboro'.  She  was  born  Nov.  18, 
1840.  Mr.  Crosby  was  a  farmer  and  was  very  successful  in  specialties 
in  his  vocation. 

CUM  MINGS. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  branch  of  the  Cummings  family  represented 
in  Francestown  extends  to  John  i  Cummings,  who  was  among  the  earli- 
est settlers  of  the  old,  historic  town  of  Dunstable,  where  he  died,  Dec. 


CUMMINGS.  611 

1,  1700.     Hi.s  wife,  whose  Christian  name  was  Sarah,  survived  him  by 
only  six  clays,  since  she  died,  Dec.  7,  1700.     They  were  the  parents  of 

seven  children.     John  2^  their  eldest  married  Elizabeth,   ,  Sept. 

13,  1080.     In  1706  she  was  shot  by  the  Indians  in  one  of  their  mur- 
derous incursions  from  which  Dunstable  so  many  times  suffered.     Her 
husband  had  his  arm  broken  in  the  fight  but  escaped  capture.     John^, 
their  eldest  child  was  born,  July  7,  1682.     He  was  the  father  of  Lieut. 
John*  Cummings,  who  was  born  in  1710,  and  married  Sarah  Lawrence 
of  Littleton,  Mass.,  June  2,  173.j-(),  and  was  long  a  resident  of  Groton, 
Mass.     His  military  title  was  received  in  the  French  and  Indian  war 
or  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution   in  both  of  which   he   saw   service. 
His  last  years  were  spent  at  the  home  of  his  son  John^,  in  Hancock, 
where  he  died  in  1789.     His  wife  died,  Oct.  3,  1799,  aged  83  years. 
Capt.  JohnS  Cummings,  son  of  Lieut,  John,  was  born  in  Groton,  Mch. 
16,  1736-7.     He  was  a  tax-payer  in  Hollis  in  1758,  where  he  remained 
until  about  1780,  when  he  removed  to  Hancock.     He  enlisted  in  the 
army  of  the  Revolution,  April  19,  177"),  as  ensign  in  a  company  of  sev- 
enty men  from  Hollis,  which  formed  a  part  of  Col.  Prescott's  regiment 
at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.     He  was  subsequently  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  captain.     He  died,  Oct.  0,  1805,  in  Hancock,  where  his  wife 
(Rebecca  Reed)  died  Oct.  28,  1807,  aged  65  years.     Asahel^,  their  son, 
born  in  Hollis,  Jan.  14,  1777,  was  an  almost  lifelong  resident  of  Han- 
cock.    He  married,  1st,  in  1801,  Polly  Ames,  2nd,  Dolly  (Flint)  Ware. 
His  death  occurred  Dec.  29,  1864.     John'^,  son  of  Asahel^,  and  Polly 
(Ames)  Cummings,  was  born  in  Hancock,  June  13,  1811,  and  married 
Mary  Wait  of  Dublin,  Oct.  28,  1833.     He  resided  a  number,  of  years  in 
Nelson,  where  three  of  his  four  children  were  born.     He  died  Dec.  19, 
1880.     His  wife  died,  June  14,  1881,  in  her  68th  year.     George'    Wait 
Cummings,  their  youngest  son  was  born  at  Nelson,  March  11,  1844. 
Hon.  George  Wait  Cummings  is,  as  we  have  learned,  a  native  of  Nel- 
son, N.  II.     In  Aug.,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  G.,  1st  N.  H.  Cavalry  in 
which  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  having  been  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  2nd  Lieutenant.     Seven  years  following  the  war  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  printing  business  in  Boston.     In  1877  he  was  appointed 
cashier  of  the  National  Bank  in  this  place  and  that  year  came  here 
from  Greentield  to  reside.     In  1880  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate 
and  in  1882,  he  was  re-elected.     In  1887  he  was  elected  chairman  of  the 
Board  of  Selectmen  and  in  the  following  year  was  sent  to  the  House  of 
Representatives  from  this  tOAvn.     He  has  also  been  many  times  chosen 
moderator  of  "town  meeting."     His  present  business  is  the  quarrying 
and  manufacturing  of  soapstone  in  which  he  has  interests  at  (rreentield 
and  at  Perkinsville,  Vt.     As  a  man  of  business  he  has  displayed  energy 
and  foresight  and  as  a  public  ofticial  capable  of  grappling  with  the  po- 
litical problems  of  the  day  and  of  being  instrumental  in  the  prudent 
management  of  the  affairs  of  the  state  he  has  won  distinction.     In  1888 
he  purchased  and  remodelled  the  Copeland  house,  which  has  since  been 


612  GENEALOGIES. 

his  residence.     He  married,  Nov.  25,  1S86,  Ella  G.,  daughter  of  Pacific 
L.  and  Hannah  O.  Clark  of  this  town.     Children: — 

1.  George  Dane,  (son  by  a  former  marriage,)   [b.  at  Charles- 

town,  Mass.,  Jan.  27,  1872,  res.  with  liis  father.] 

2.  Philip  Wait,   [b.  at  Francestown,    Nov.  18.  1887,  d.  at 

Francestown,  May  17,  1888.] 

3.  Paul  Clark,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  25,  1889.] 

4.  Lew  Addison,  [b.  at  Fiancestown.  Oct.  23,  181>2.] 

SAMUEL  CITMMIXGS,  who  came  liere  ahout  the  year  1S4-2  and 
lived  about  nine  3-ears  on  the  George  Kingsbury  place,  was  the  son  of 
Samuel  and  .Joanna  (W^-man)  Cummings  and  was  born  in  Hudson, 
July  7,  ISO.').  His  parents  settled  in  Anti'ini  in  1807,  in  which  town 
his  early  life  was  spent.  His  wife  was  Hannah  Giddings  of  the  Gid- 
dings  faniil}'  of  New  Boston.  He  was  by  trade  a  wheelwright.  He  re- 
moved to  Lawrence,  where  he  died  in  1S75.  The  Histor}^  of  Antrim 
published  in  1880,  says  of  him:  "Two  children  survive  him,  Josie,  a 
teacher  in  Lawrence,  and  James  F.,  now  mayor  of  Bunker  Hill,  HI. 
This  last  named  went  through  the  mill  gate  of  True's  shop  in  1837,  at 
the  age  of  five  years,  when  the  current  tossed  him  over  the  wheel;  but 
he,  smart  bo}',  picked  himself  up  and  walked  off."  Josephine,  the  dau. 
was  for  several  years  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  Nashua. 

The  names  of  Edward  P.,  and  of  .Jacob  Cummings  are  upon  the  tax- 
list  of  1852. 

CUNNINGHAM. 

*JOHN  CUNNINGHAM  from  Litchfield,  lived  on  the  Hill  farm  as 
early  as  *1798.  His  father,  Robert  Cunningham,  had  a  home  here  with 
John  a  few  years,  but  returned  to  Litchfield  where  he  died.  John  re- 
moved his  family  to  Hillsboro',  where  l^oth  he  and  his  wife  died.  His 
children  were: — 

1.  John,  [is  not  living.] 

2.  Robert  [d.  in  Antrim.] 

3.  Cyrus,  [d.  in  Hillsboro'.] 

4.  Isaac,  [d.  in  Hillsboro'.] 

CUTLER. 

REV.  CHARLES  CUTLER  of  this  town  was  son  of  Rev.  Calvin, 
son  of  Charles,  son  of  Benoni,  son  of  Timothy,  son  of  John,  son  of 
James,  son  of  James,  which  last  came  from  England  prior  to  1634,  and 

*We  find  in  the  records;  "John  Cunningham  of  this  town  and  Mehitable 
Bootman  of  New  Boston,  married  Oct.  20,  1798." 


CUTLEK,    DANE.  6 IB 

lived  and  died  in  Watertown,  Mass.  Rev.  Calvin  was  b.  in  Guildhall, 
Vt.,  Oct.  10,  1791,  graduated  Dartmouth  College,  1819,  (classmate  of 
Rufus  Choate,)  Andover  Seminary,  1822,  settled  over  Cong.  Church, 
Lebanon,  Xov.  G,  1823,  and  dismissed.  May  15,  1827,  settled  over  Pres- 
byterian Church,  AVindham,  April  9, 1828,  in  which  charge  he  continued 
till  his  death,  Feb.  17,  1844.     His  wife  was  Rhoda  Little  of  Boscawen. 

REV.  CHARLES  CUTLER  was  b.  in  Lebanon,  April  19,  1827, 
spent  his  early  life  in  Windham,  studied  at  Pinkerton  Academy,  Derrj', 
graduated  Dartmouth  College,  1 8r)2,  taught  in  Bradford,  Vt.,  Academy 
for  a  time,  graduated  Andover  Seminary,  1850,  preached  six  months  at 
Rochester,  spent  most  of  the  year  1857  in  attending  advanced  lectures 
at  Yale  College,  came  here  Sabbaths  in  Aug.  of  that  j'ear,  and,  having 
received  and  accepted  a  "call,"  was  installed  Pastor,  Xov.  18,  1857. 
His  preaching  here  was  eminently  sound,  able  and  spiritual.  He  was 
a  strong  man,  from  a  strong  and  gifted  family.  His  pastorate  in 
Francestown  was  the  longest  since  that  of  Mr.  Bradford.  He  was  dis- 
missed, Sept.  25,  1866.  He  then  went  West  and  preached  at  Wayne, 
Mich.,  till  compelled  by  failing  health  to  give  up  his  work  for  many 
months.  From  1871  to  1875  he  served  the  Congregational  Church  in 
Tallmadge,  Ohio.  He  then  begun  a  pastorate  in  Burton,  Ohio,  which 
continued  eight  years,  (1875-188.3,)  after  which  he  went  at  once  to  Lex- 
ington, Ohio,  and  had  there  a  pastorate  of  three  years,  (1883-1886.) 
Soon  after  the  close  of  his  work  in  Lexington  he  returned  to  New 
Hampshire,  and  located  without  charge  at  Lake  Village,  being  occupied 
chiefly  in  the  care- of  his  suffering  invalid  wife.  During  his  stay  in 
Lake  Village  he  preached  50  Sabbaths  for  the  Church  in  Campton. 
From  July,  1889  to  Nov.,  1891,  he  preached  at  Hubbardston,  Mass., 
and  then  removed  to  Tallmadge,  Ohio,  where  he  now  resides. 

Mr.  Cutler  m.  1st,  Laura  R.  Stevens  of  Gilford,  Dec.  25,  1857,  who 
d.  at  Lake  Village,  May  7,  1889,  m.  2nd.  Mrs.  Fanny  P.  Wolcott  of 
Tallmadge,  Ohio,  Aug.  11,  1891. 

In  all  these  changes  and  pastorates  Mr.  Cutler  has  borne  the  charac- 
ter of  an  earnest  and  devoted  watchman  of  the  Lord.  If  too  unbend- 
ing to  catch  the  favor  of  the  world,  he  sought  a  higher  approval,  and 
seemed  as  one  "walking  with  God."     Has  never  had  any  children. 

DANE. 

*DANIEL  DANE.  Much  may  be  lefirned  of  the  Dane  family  in  the 
history  and  records  of  Ipswich,  Mass.  That  the  family  is  of  English 
origin  and  that  the  names  Dane  and  Deane  were  not  identical  there  can 
be  but  little  doubt.  John  Dane  the  emigrant  came  to  this  country 
from  Berkhampstead,  Hurst,  England,  with  Rev.  Thomas  Parker,  who 
came  to  America  with  a  company  of  one    hundred  persons  in  1()42. 

*See  Appendix.  ' 


614  GENEALOGIES. 

John  Dane  with  his  family  which  consisted  of  his  wife  and  three  cliild- 
ren  settled  in  Ipswich,  Mass.  His  children  were,  John  from  whom  the 
Danes  of  New  Boston  are  said  to  have  descended,  Elizabeth  and 
Francis.  The  last  named  graduated  at  Harvard  College  and  became 
the  second  settled  minister  of  Andover,  Mass..  about  the  year  1648. 
He  died  Feb.  17,  1097,  aged  82  years,  having  been  a  pastor  of  the 
church  48  years.  His  first  wife  was  PHizabeth  Ingalls  to  whom  he  was 
married  in  164.5.  He  had  six  children  by  this  marriage.  Francis,  the 
youngest  son,  married  Hannah  Poor,  Nov.  16,  1081,  by  whom  he  had 
six  children.  John,  the  third  son  of  Francis  and  Hannah,  married  Sarah 
Chandler,  Nov.  10,  171.">,  and  like  his  fa"ther  and  his  grandfather  be- 
came the  parent  of  six  children,  Daniel  of  Francestown,  being  the 
youngest  son.  He  was  born  in  Andover,  Mass.,  Nov.  10,  1735  and 
married  Prudence  Phelps  of  Andover,  Feb.  21,  1760.  The}^  resided  in 
Tewksbury  and  Andover,  Mass.,  during  the  early  years  of  their  married 
life  and  came  to  live  on  the  Ewell  pkce  in  this  town  about  the  ^-ear 
1782.  None  of  his  children  were  born  in  this  town,  nor  was  his  stay 
here  long,  since  he  died  at  the  home  of  his  son,  Daniel,  in  Society  Land, 
July  16,  1799.  He  also  sustained  the  lineal  reputation  of  the  family 
by  becoming  tlie  father  of  six  children.     They  were: — 

1.  Daniel,  [b.  at  Tewksbury,  Mass.,  Nov.  23,  1760,  m.  Mary 

Parker  and  settled  in  Society  Land,  (the  part  now  Ben- 
nington,) l)ut  removed  to  Sntton  where  he  died,  Nov., 
1843.] 

2.  Elizabeth,  [b.  at  Tewksbury,  April  30,  1763,  m.  Asa  Bix- 

bv  of  Francestown,  d.  at  P'rancestown,  A})ril  29, 1849,  "leav- 
ing six  children."] 

3.  Hannah,  [b.  at  Tewksbury,  Sept.  17,  1765,  m.  Oliver  But- 

terfield  of  Francestown,  resided  at  Francestown,  d.  here 
Nov.  12,  1827.] 

4.  John,  [b.  at  Tewksbury,  Jan.  5,  1768,  was  a  graduate  of 

Dartmouth  College,  in  the  class  of  1800.  In  1803  he  was 
ordained  as  pastor  of  a  church  in  Newfield,  Maine,  d.  in 
Fredericton,  N.  B.,  Dec,  31,  1819,  leaving  a  family  in 
Norriclgewock,  Maine.] 

5.  Solomon,  [b.  at  Tewksbury.  Aug.  22,  1769,  m.  Polly  Barker 

of  Pelham,  Mass.,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Hancock, 
where  he  d.  Mar.  11,  1842.] 

6.  Eunice,  [b.  at  Andover,  Mass.,  April   27,  1773,  m.  John 

Colby  of  Bennington,  June  28.  1796,  d.  at  Bennington, 
March  24,  1851.] 


DANFORTH.  615 

DANFORTH. 

KEV.  NICHOLASi  UAXFORTH.  who  emigrated  to  this  country 
in  1634  was  a  native  of  Framlingham,  High  Suffolk,  England,  where  he 
evidently  lived  and  maintained  a  family  since  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  died 
there  in  16-29,  leaving  six  children  all  of  whom  accompanied  him  to 
America.  He  was  chosen  ruling  elder  of  the  church  in  Cambridge, 
Mass.,  and  died  there,  April  2,  163S.  Jonathans,  his  son.  was  born  at 
Framlingham,  England,  Feb.  29,  162S.  He  was  librally  educated  and 
became  much  celebrated  tbroughout  the  colony  as  a  surveyor  of  land. 
He  was  designated  as  Captain  .Jonathan  since  he  was  captain  of  a  mili- 
tary company  raised  to  defend  the  inhabitants  of  Billerica  against  the 
murderous  Indians.  He  married.  Xov.  22,  1654,  Elizabeth  Poulter, 
(born.  Sept.  1,  1033)  and  settled  in  Billerica,  Mass.  His  house  was 
one  of  the  twelve  garrison  houses  in  the  town.  He  is  known  to  have 
filled  the  office  of  recorder  for  Billerica  between  thirty  and  forty  years. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  died  in  Billerica,  the  former,  Sept.  7.  1712,  the 
latter,  Oct.  7,  1(589.  Ensign  Jonathans,  oldest  son  of  Capt.  Jonathans 
was  born  at  Billerica,  Feb.  18,  1(559,  married  Rebecca  Parker,  June  27, 
1682.  She  was  born.  May  29,  IfJfil,  and  died,  March  25,  1754.  He 
died  at  Billerica,  Mass.,  Jan.  27,  1711. 

Lieut.  Jonathan-*,  second  son  of  Ensign  Jonathan,  was  l)orn  at  Bille- 
rica March  22,  1688,  and  married,  Nov.  18,  1713,  Elizabeth  (Manning) 
Fassett.  She  was  born  March  14,  1()89,  and  died,  April  S.  1772.  He 
died  at  Billerica,  March  23,  1762.  Benjamin^  the  second  son  of  Lieut. 
Jonathan-*  was  born  at  Billerica,  Dec.  8,  1724,  married,  April  17,  1750, 
Mary,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Mary  (Stearns)  Frost,  who  was  born, 
.\pril  20,  1727.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  was  the  father  of 
eleven  children.  Lieut.  Jonathan^,  third  child  of  Benjamin^,  was 
born  in  Billerica,  Mass.,  July  20,  1754.  He  served  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution  and  being  a  blacksmith,  "went  with  the  forge  and  anvil." 
He  married  first,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  Chandler  of  Tewksbury, 
Mass.  She  was  born,  April  20,  1756  and  died,  Dec.  18,  1794;  second, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Twist.  She  was  born  at  Danvers,  Mass.,  in  175(5,  and 
died,  April  9,  1824.  Lieut.  Jonathan «  settled  in  Hillsboro',  about  1785 
and  died  there,  Oct.  16,  1816.  Jonathan'^  and  Benjamin^,  once  of 
Francestown  were  his  sons. 

JOXATHAlSr  DANFORTH,  son  of  Jonathan  Danforth  of  Billerica 
and  Hillsboro',  lived  in  the  year  1815,  on  the  place  north  of  the  Dustin 
or  Heard  place  on  the  turnpike.  He  purchased  of  David  Fuller  the 
tannery,  whose  site  may  still  be  seen  on  the  Gibson  place.  His  stay  in 
this  town  was  brief,  however,  for  he  soon  removed  to  Hillsboro',  where 
the  remainder  of  his  life  was  spent.  .  He  was  born  in  Hillsboro',  May  5, 
1788,  and  died  at  Hillsboro',  Dec.  22,  1876.  He  was  twice  married. 
His  first  wife  was  Catherine  Duncklee,  a  sister  of  Francis  Duncklee, 
laic  of  this  town.     vShe  was  born  at  Greenfield,  Dec.  11,  1787,  married 


616  GENEALOGIES. 

Mr.  Dauforth,  Xov.  -J!),  1S14,  ami  died  at  Hillsboro",  May  26, 1838.  His 
second  wife  was  lietsey,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Euthy  (Blond)  Austin, 
(born  at  Peering,  July  1.  17U3,  married,  Jan.  21,  1840,  died  at  Hills- 
boro',  March  ;">,  ISIKJ.)  All  the  children  of  Jonathan,  excepting  the 
eldest  were  born  in  Hillsboro'.     They  were: — 

1.  ORiiAMEL,    [b.  at  Francestown,    Aug.  14,  1815,  m.  Mary 

Willey  at  Manchester,  d.  at  Hillsboro',  May  19,  1889.] 

2.  Martha  C,    [b.  May  20,  1817,  m.  John  Willey,  April  27, 

1842,  (1.  at  Topsham,  Vt.,  Dec.  27,  1875.] 

3.  Eliza  A.,    [b.  Dec.  21,  1818,  m..  Reuben  Lewis  of  Groton, 

Mass.,  July  3,  1842,  d.  at  Groton,  Mass.,  Dec.  12,  1865.] 

4.  P^rancis  X.!  [b.  July  2,  1820,  d.  Feb.  17,  1821.] 

5.  Electa  J.,   fb.  July  2,  1822,  ni.  Elias  LegroAv,  Sept.  18, 

1851,  lives  at  Everett,  Mass.] 

6.  Almira,  [b.  Sept.  4,  1824,  ni.   William  Thorp  of  Weare, 

Sept.  4,  1848,  res.  at  Tilton.] 

7.  Jonathan,    [b.  Nov.  14,  1826,  ni.  Nancy  M.  Blanchard  of 

Washington,  July  1,  1852.  He  has  lived  in  Medford, 
Hillsboro*  and  Lyndeboro'.  from  the  last  named  he  came 
to  Francestown  in  April,  1874,  liaving  purchased  the  Mc- 
Alvin  place  in  the  Clark  village,  on  which  he  has  since 
lived.  While  a  citizen  of  Lyndeboro',  Mr.  Danforth  was 
elected  a  meml)er  of  the  board  of  selectmen  and  has  more 
than  once  in  Francestown,  received  the  same  expression  of 
appreciative  confidence.  His  wife  was  born  at  Washing- 
ton, N.  H.,  July  17,  1830,  being  the  daughter  of  Elijah  and 
Mary  (Friend)  Blanchard  of  Washington.] 

8.  Erastus,  [b.  June  29,  1829,  d.  Jan.  28,  1830.] 

BEXJAMIX  DAXFORTH,  a  brother  of  Jonathan  Danforth,  kept 
the  toll  gate  on  the  Gilson  place  as  early  as  1815,  having  learned  the 
blacksmith's  trade  of  his  father  he  followed  that  vocation  during  his 
residence  in  this  town.  He  mai'ried,  Xov.  9,  1812,  Lucy,  daughter 
of  Archelaus  and  Esther  (Weston)  Towne.  She  was  born,  April  22, 
1789  and  died  at  Hillsboro',  Dec.  5,  1863.  Mr.  Danforth  removed  from 
here  to  South  Weare,  thence  in  1822  to  Hillsboro',  thence  in  1866  to 
Unity.  He  was  born  at  Hillsboro',  Aug.  30,  1789,  and  died  at  Unity, 
Sept.  16,  1867.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Esther,  [b.  in  Hillsboro',  Dec.  12,  1814,  m.  Aug.  14, 1838, 
Rev.  Amos  Kidder  of  Alstead,  d.  at  Boston,  Mass.,  June 

30,  1870.] 


DAVJS.  617 

2.  Infant  Son,  [1).  in    Fraiicestown  in  1817,  died  in  Frances- 

town.] 

3.  Eben   T.,    [b.  in   So.  'Weare,  March  31.  1820,  ni.  Aug.  8, 

1844,  Mary  C.  Davis,   was  a  hlacksmitli.   d.  at    Hillsboro', 
Nov.  3,  1877.] 

4.  Mai;y  a.,  [b.  at  Hillsboro\  May  17,  1828,  res.  at  Hillsboro', 

is  unmarried.] 

EDGAR  A.  DAN  FORTH,  sou  of  Capt.  (ieorge  and  Sanili  (Melzer) 
Danfortli  of  Amherst  purchased  the  Fraucestowu  and  Milford  stage 
line  and  came  here  in  the  year  l<S(jS.  He  married,  first,  Susy  A.  Mar- 
vell,  Oct.  1,  1867,  second,  Jennie  Clay,  removed  to  Lynchdjoro".  where 
he  now  resides. 

DAVIS. 

-lOXAH  xMELVlN  DAVIS  was  a  resident  of  this  town  as  early  as 
IS'jy.  He  lived  for  years  in  the  house  now  occu])ied  ))y  Mrs.  .lames  T. 
Rixby.  He  was  by  vocation  a  hatter.  The  shop  in  whieli  lie  worked 
having  been  remodelled  l\v  him,  was  in  his  later  years  occupied  by  him 
as  a  dwelling,  it  is  now  the  residence  of  ^Irs.  Daniel  Bixl)y.  He 
married  Henrietta  Oi-dway  of  this  town,  April  — ,  1S29.  She  was  born 
in  ISO'J,  and  died  in  Francestown,  Jan.  10,  18:5(i.  He  was  tsvidently  a 
man  of  some  enterprise  since  he  was  known  to  carry  tlie  liats  of  his 
manufacture  far  into  the  southern  states.  He,  however,  contracted  the 
yellow  fever  during  a  temporary  stay  at  New  Orleans  and,  though  he 
survived  the  disease,  yet  he  never  fully  recovered,  and  died  from  its  ef- 
fects in  this  town,  July  9,  1840.  His  father,  Jonathan  Davis,  was  born 
at  Xew  Ipswich,  Nov.  1.5,  1771,  and  died  at  Hancock,  Xov.  14,  1823. 
Jonah  was  born  at  Hancock,  Feb.  2:5,  1804.     His  children  were: — 

1.  A  Son,  [b.  at  Francestown,  d.  in  infancy.] 

2.  Mary  Elizabeth,   [b.  at  Francestown,  April  14,  1833,  m. 

Rev.  Clarendon  M.  Sanders  of  Concord,  Feb.  14,  1856,  res. 
at  Denver,  Col.] 

PRESTON  Fi.  DAVIS  came  here  from  Peterboi-o"  al)oul  the  year 
187!),  and  purchased  the  David  Buttertield  place,  in  tlu'  southeastern 
part  of  the  town.  He  was  born  at  Hancock,  Nov.,  1820,  and  mar- 
ried Lydia  A.  Tenney.  She  was  born  at  Hancock,  Nov.,  1823.  They 
returned  to  Feterboro',  where  he  died,  March  9,  188o.  Their  children 
are : — 

1.  Klriei:   (t.,    [b.  at  Royalston,  Mass.,  Marcli   24,  1850,  is  a 
merchant  at  Feterboro'.] 


618  GENEALOGIES. 

2.  Charles  F.,  [b.  at  Peterboro',  Aug.  19,  1854,  ni.  Clara  F. 
Dodge  of  Francestown,   Feb.   18,  1880.      He  lived  a  few 
years  on  the  place  owned  by  his  father,  is  now  a  merchant 
at  Winchendon.  Mass.      His  children  are: — 
iJveretf  X..  ( b.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  15,  1880.) 
C/i)i/on  J\.  (b.  April  24.  1882,  at  Francestown.)] 

DEANE. 

This  name  is  thought  (d  'ic  of  Saxon  origin,  and  since  it  was  oz'igin- 
ally  s])elled  Deii  and  JJenc.  it  is  thought  to  have  been  derived  from  den 
or  lie  lie  meaning  a  valley.  The  first  to  bear  the  name,  was  Robert 
de  Den  or  de  Dene,  who  was  butler  to  Edward  the  Confessor;  he  is  said 
to  have  held  estates  in  Xormandy,  and  to  have  been  one  of  the  Norman 
favorites  of  that  monai'ch.  From  this  we  infer  that  he  lived  altout  the 
middle  of  the  eleventh  centuiy  and  soon  after  the  introduction  of  sur- 
names iiUo  England.  The  name  appears  upon  the  early  records  of 
Norwich ,  Ct.,  and  of  Ipswich.  Taunton  and  Dedham,  Mass.  From  John 
Deane.  who  is  known  to  have  been  in  De<!ham  as  early  as  1677.  descended 
the  Deanes  of  Francestown.  One.  William  Deane,  settled  in  Dedham 
a  few  years  previous  to  this,  and  there  is  much  conjecture  concerning 
the  relationship,  which  may  have  existed  between  John  and  William. 
There  is  also  a  ([uestion  touching  the  nationality  of  these  Deanes,  but 
that  they  were  of  English  extraction,  is  now  generally  believed.  We 
are  told  in  the  old  hackneyed  tradition  that  '-Three  brothers  came  over," 
one  of  whom  is  thought  to  have  settled  at  Taunton,  one  at  Dedham  and 
one  in  Connecticut,  but  this  is  sadly  in  want  of  substantiation.  John 
Deane  of  Dedham.  was  l)y  trade  a  carpenter.  Ilis  will,  dated  Sept.  .30, 
1727.  is  on  record  at  Boston.  His  wife,  Sara,  died  in  Dedham,  May 
■JO.  17-27.  .[ohn.  their  son.  was  Ixtvn  at  Dedham,  Apr.  2').  1677.  He 
married,  Hannah  Savil  of  IJraintree,  Mass.  Beirjamin,  son  of  John  and 
Hannah,  was  born,  .July  17.  1717.  He  married,  Mary  Blake  of  Dor- 
chester, Mass.  Benjamin  and  ]Mary,  were  the  parents  of  Benjamin  and 
•Tohn.  who  settled  in  Francestown. 

JOHN  DEANE  was  l)orn  in  Dedham,  Mass.,  Oct.  4,  17.5S.  He  mar- 
ried, July  22,  1784,  Delphos  Harris  of  Walpole.  Mass.  She  was  born, 
May  3,  1764.  Coming  to  Francestown  in  17S4,  Mr.  Deane  built  a  home 
on  the  Bennington  road,  about  eight  rods  north  of  the  former  residence 
of  Mrs.  Harvey  Newton,  here  he  lived  until  the  year  1H06,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Palermo.  Maine.  Few.  if  any  of  our  early  settlers,  experi- 
enced more  of  the  hardships  of  war  than  Mr.  Deane,  since  he  was  for 
the  long  period  of  five  \-ears,  a  soldier  in  the  Bevolutionar}"  Army.  He 
died  in  Palernio,  Maine,  Mar.  28,  1842.  His  wife  also  died  in  Palermo, 
Jan.  1,  1832.     Children  were: — 


DKANE.  OU) 

1.  Bex.iamin,  [b.  at  Fraiicestowii,   Mai'cli  5,  178").   nmnarried. 

(I.  at  Palermo,  Dec.  6,  1846.] 

2.  .John,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  11,  1787,  m.  Eunice  Bailey 

of  Palermo  in  1800,  d.  at  Freedom,  Maine,  .Ian.  7,  1876.] 
8.  William,  [b.  at  Francestovvn,  Oct.  12,  1789,  d.  at  Frances- 
town,  Dec,  179o.] 
4.   Dklphos.  [b.  May  12,  1~\H,  at  FrancestoAvn,  d.  at  P'rances- 
town  in  1800.] 

0.  Irene,  [b.  at  Francestown,  May  10, 1796,  m.  John  W.  Bailey 

of  Palermo,  d.  at  Albion,  Me.,  Nov.  25.  1838.] 

6.  Delphos,    [b.  at  Francestown,    July    1,   1800,    m.  Nathan 

'J'urner  of  l^alermo.  d.  Oct.  17,  1855,  at  Palermo,  Me.] 

7.  Luke,    [b.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  80,  1803,   m.   Thankful 

Burgess  of  China,  Me.,  d.  at  Rockland,  Me.,  March  9, 1805] 

8.  Willia:si,  [b.  at  Palermo.  June  21,  1807,  d.  at  Palermo  in 

1809.] 

BENJAMIN  DEANE  was  bom  at  South  DtMlhain.  Mass..  Dec.  S, 
17o0.  lie  married,  1st,  Elizabeth  Gould  of  Dedhani,  (Int.  of  marriage. 
June  9,  177o).  They  came  to  Francestown  in  the  si)ring  of  ITSO.  and 
with  others  from  Dedhaiii.  were  upon  tlieir  jouiuey  on  the  hisioi-ie 
Dark  Day,  (May  10,  1780.)  The  effect  of  the  mysterious  darkness  uj)- 
on  that  littk^  eoinpany,  in  the  wikls  of  a  strange  c<mntry.  can.  perliaps, 
be  in  some  legree  imagined.  Jjcnjainiu  settled  on  the  northei-u  slope 
of  (Jak  Ilill,  near  the  okl  road  passing  over  tlie  hill  by  the  Cami)bell  and 
Savage  places.  He,  however,  bought  of  his  brother  .John,  just  previ- 
ous to  John's  removal  to  Maine,  and  soon  went  to  live  upon  the  farm 
first  owned  by  the  latter.  He  was  by  trade  a  carpenter  and  built  quite 
a  number  of  houses  in  the  northern  districts.  He  also  superintended 
the  construction  of  a  section  of  the  turnpike.  In  that  part  of  the  work 
upon  which  he  was  engaged,  was  a  swamp,  some  forty  or  tifty  rods  in 
breadth,  which  necessitated  the  use  of  logs  in  preparing  the  road-bed. 
The  task  was,  after  much  labor,  completed,  hundreds  of  logs  being 
squarely  in  place,  when  an  enemy  to  Mr.  Deane  or  an  opposer  to  the 
enterprise,  set  tire  to  the  work  at  night  and  wrought  nnich  destruction 
thereby.  Mr.  Deane's  first  wife  died  in  Francestown,  in  1790.  and  he 
married,  2nd,  Mary  McPherson  of  Fnmcestown,  Mar.  S,  1792.  He  died 
at  Francestown,  Jan.  22,18.35.  All  of  his  children,  excepting  the  first, 
were  born  in  this  town.     By  1st  marriage  :  — 

1.  Rebecca,    [!>.  at  Dedham,  Mass.,   Dec.   4.   1777,    ni.   Jabez 

Kingsbury  of   Dedham.   June   29,   180O.  d.  at  Soutli  Detl- 
hani,  Feb.,  1859.] 


620  GENEALOGIES. 

2.  Elizabeth,  [b.  Dec.  8, 1780,  the  first  child  ])()m  on  Oak  Hill, 
m.  John  Stanle}'  of  Francestown.  March  22.  1803,  d.  at 
Francestown,  April  23,  1869.] 

8.  Lucy,  [b.  May  19,  1782,  m.  Dea.  Samuel  Dane  of  New  Bos- 
ton. Dec.  19,  1805,  d.  at  New  Boston.  Oct.  29,  1867.] 

4.  Olive,  [b.  June  29,  1784.  m.   Elijah    Ihilhud  of  Dedham, 

Mass.,  Oct.  21.  1813,  d.  at  South  Dedham,  Jan.  12,  1843.] 

5.  Irene,  [b.  May,  1786,  d,  at  Fraucestow]!  in  1790.] 

Cliildren  l)y  2nd  iiiaiTiage. 

6.  Polly,  [1).  March  9,  1793,  m.  Abner  Pettee  of  Francestown, 

A})ril  1815.  d.  at  Francesto\yn,  April,  17,  1845.] 

7.  Sally,  [b.  Nov.  11,  1794,  m.  Nathaniel  Todd  of  New  Lon- 

don, d.  at  Francestown,  April  2,  1825.] 

8.  Jane,  [b.  Oct.  9,  1798,  d.  June  29,  1800.] 

9.  Benjamin,  [b.  Feb.  7,  1801,  m.  Jane  Todd  of  Francestown, 

Nov.  6.  1825.  He  lived  on  the  farm  owned,  until  of  late, 
by  his  son  Frederic,  was  one  of  the  best  men  of  the  town 
and  possessed  nnu-h  native  slirewdness  and  humor.  The 
following  nai-rative  can  leave  little  doubt  concerning  his 
gifts  in  that  direction.  Nearly  half  a  century  ago  a  cer- 
tain mitive  of  the  town  was  sent  to  our  state  penal  insti- 
tution at  Concord  for  a  term  of  years.  Sometime  previous 
to  the  expiration  of  this  term,  a  petition  for  his  release  was 
for  some  reason  circulated  through  the  town  and  finally 
brought  to  ]\h\  Deane  b}' a  man  of  recognized  leadership, 
who  at  once  proceeded  to  set  forth  the  miraculous  moral 
transformation  which  the  incarcerated  rogue  had  under- 
gone. If  we  mistake  not  he  had  become  the  moral  coun- 
sellor and  spiritual  guide  of  his  fellow  prisoners,  '^Oh,  he 
is  doing  a  good  deal  of  good  there  I"  s^id  the  suave  petir 
tioner.  'Ts  he?"  returned  Mr.  Deane.  "■He  is  indeed"' 
affirmed  the  other.  "Weir"  replied  Mr.  Deane,  'T  have 
known  him  from  his  boyhood,  and  I  have  never  known 
him  to  do  any  good  anywhere  else,  and  if  he  is  doing  good 
in  the  State  Prison,  I  think  that  he  had  better  stay  there," 
and  he  did.  We  will  add  that  subsecpient  developments 
evinced  the  soundness  of  Mr.  Deane's  opinion.  He  died 
in  Francestown,  April  18,  1877.  Children  all  born  at 
Francestown,  were: — 


DEANE.  621 

Sarahs  (b.  July  9,  1827,  was  l)y  vocation  a  teacher,  d.  at 
Francestown,  Sept.  7,  1849. 

A  Child    Unnamed^  (b.  July  19,  1829,  d.  on  the  same  day.) 

Marij  Augusta,  (b.  Feb.  25,  1831,  m.  Lewis  G.  Billiiig-s  of 
Sharon,  Mass.,  July  29,  1858.  Res.  in  West  Sonierville, 
Mass. 

Benjamin  Franklin,  (b.  Aug.  5, 1833,  m.  Clara  Jane  Bell  of 
Francestown,  Oct.  29,  1861.  He  lived  several  years  on 
the  farm  south  of  the  home  of  his  father,  afterward  re- 
moved to  the  village,  where  he  died  in  the  })rime  of  his 
manhood,  Feb.  19,  1878.  One  (adopted)  child:-— Nellie 
M.,  b.  Nov.  27,  1864,  m,  Leon  L.  Junkins  of  Amherst, 
Aug.  28,  1889,  res.  at  Milford.) 

Ticin  Brother  of  Benjamin  F.,  (died  on  the  day  of  birth.) 

Laura  Jane,  (b.  April  26,  1836,  m.  Hiram  P.  Clark  of 
Francestown,  Jan.  2,  1867,  res.  in  Francestown.) 

James  Frederic,  (b.  July  27,  1839,  m.  Mar}^  E.  Heard  of  this 
town,  June  3,  1875,  is  an  intelligent,  honest  and  worthy 
man.  He  removed  to  Greenfield,  April,  1891.  Children: — 
Trueman  Fred,  b.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  6,  1876,  Amy,  1). 
in  Francestown,  Dec.  7,  1888.)] 
10.  Mark,  [b.  March  28,  1805,  m.  Fannie  Shattuck  of  Frances- 
town,  June  15,  1830.  He  was  a  teacher  in  the  public 
schools  and  was  a  man  of  integrity  and  solid  sense,  as  well 
as  liberal  education.  He  lived  ^^•here  B.  S.  Abbott  now 
lives,  d.  at  his  home,  April  5,  1856.  Children  all  born  in 
Francestown,  were : — 

Lucretia,  (b.  May  5,1831,  m.  Lewis  C.  Bullard  of  East  Wal- 
pole,  Mass.,.  Sept.  30,  1855,  res.  at  East  Walpole.) 

Martha  A.,  (b.  Aug.  15,  1833,  m.  David  Todd  of  New  Bos- 
ton, June  10,  1858,  res.  at  New  Boston.) 

Sarah  E.,  (b.  Jan.  13,  1836,  m.  Maynard  J.  Billings  of  Fox- 
"boro\  Mass,  Jan.  1,  1870,  d.  at  East  Walpole,  July  21, 
1872.) 

Newell  D.,  (1).  Dec.  28,  1838,  is  a  farmer  at  Wilmington, 
Mass.  \Mule  residing  in  this  town  he  served  upon  the 
board  of  Selectmen.) 

Charles  (r..  (b.  June  26,  1842,  d.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  16, 
1847.)] 


022  GENEALOCIKS. 

GEORGE  DEANE,  was  the  son  of  Nathaniel  Deane.  Tie  was  born 
in  Dedham,  Mass.,  Nov.,  17(58.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Al)igail 
Ellis;  she  was  a  relative  of  Judge  Ellis  of  Claremont.  His  wife  was 
Ruthy  Morse.  l)orn  in  Canton,  Mass.,  Dec.  f),  1780,  died  in  Mont  Ver- 
non, Sept.  8.  187:2.  Mr.  Deane  came  to  Francestown  about  the  year 
1800,  and  occu])ied  the  house  lately  (jwned  by  A.  W.  Wood  in  Mill  Vil- 
lage, lie  owned  the  saw  and  grist  mill  of  that  village,  which  he  made 
quite  protitable.  In  1817  he  went  to  Hopkinton.  and  three  years  later, 
to  Dunbarton.     His  last  days  were  spent  in  Mont  N'ernon.     Childi'en:  — 

1.  Carolink,    [b.  at  Francestown,  A])iil  23,  1801,  ni.   Pliny 

Wliitney  of  :\Iilfor(l.  Oct.  23,  1S23,  d.  at  Milford,  May 
8,  1886."^] 

2.  George  Ellis,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  18,  1808,  ni.  1st, 

Augnsta  Kendall  of  Leominster,  Mass.,  2nd,  Alma  (Holt) 
Bruce  of  Mont  Vernon.  He  was  long  a  resident  of  Mont 
\'ei'non,  where  he  was  deacon  of  the  Church  for  many 
years,  being  a  man  of  recognized  al)ility  and  piety.  He 
died  at  Mont  Vernon,  Feb.  26,  1801.  He  was  the  father 
of  two  children:  Helen  Augusta,  who  is  not  living  and 
Harriet  xMma,  who  resides  at  Mont  \"ernon.] 

DEARBORN'. 

GODFREY  DEARBORN  was  said  to  be  the  ••father  of  the  Dearborn 
family  in  the  United  States'".  He  was  a  native  of  Exeter,  England, 
and  came  to  this  country  in  1(537.  In  1639,  he  settled  in  Exeter,  this 
state,  remaining  there  ten  years,  when  he  moved  to  Hampton,  and  died 
there.  He  had  three  sons,  Henry,  Thomas  and  John.  Thomas,  the  sec- 
ond son,  was  b.  in  England,  1()34-,  m.  Hannah  Caldwell,  Dec.  28.  lf)6.5; 
resided   in  Hampton;    was  Deacon  in  the  church  there;   d.  1710. 

The  second  child  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Caldwell)  Dearborn  was 
Ebenezer,  b.  Oct.  3, 1669,  who  m.  Abigail  Sanborn,  Oct.  7,  1703.  Eben- 
ezer  was  one  of  the  grantees  of  Chester:  was  moderator  and  selev^tman 
in  that  town  1730;  was  Deacon  of  Congi'egational  Church;  was  elected  to 
many  offices  in  that  town;  d.  Mar.  15,  1772.  Had -children,  Ebenezer, 
Jr.,  Mehitable,  Peter,  Benjamin,  Thomas,  Michael,  Abigail  and  Mary. 

Peter,  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Abigail  (Sanborn)  Dearborn,  was  born 
in  Chester,  Nov.  14,  1710;  m.  Margaret  Fifield  of  Kingston,  Dec.  2, 
1736;  d.  Oct.  28,  1781;  left  children,  Anna.  Peter,  Joseph,  Mary, 
Josiah,  Sarah,  Asa  and  Sherburne. 

Josiah,  son  of  Peter  and  Margaret  (Fitield)  Dearborn,  was  b.  in  Ches- 
ter, Oct.  24,  1751;  m.  Susannah  Emerson,  Aug.,  1779.  was  soldier  in 
tlie  Revolutionary  Army,  moved  to  Weare  about  1789;  d.  there,  April 
28, 1830;  had  ten  sons  and  two  daughters.     Their  sixtli  child  was  Sam- 


dp:apvBorx,  decatuij.  623 

uel,  b.  Aug.  is,  17!)"J.  This  Samuel  moved  from  AVeai'e  to  Corinth,  Vt. 
about  1S14;  m.  Fanny  Brown  of  Vershire,  Vt. ;  was  a  scholarly  man; 
cultivated  his  farms  summers  and  taught  school  winters  for  many  years; 
d.  Dec.  1-2,  JS71. 

Hon.  Coi'uelius  Van  Ness  l)earl)orn,  son  of  tSamuel  and  Fanny 
(Brown)  Dearborn,  was  b.  in  Corinth.  Yt..  May  14, 1832;  suffered  child- 
hood's saddest  atfliction  in  the  death  of  his  mother  in  ISyVj;  attended 
district  school  and  Corinth  Academv;  taught  school  at  age  of  16;  stud- 
ied law  with  Hon.  Judge  Isaac  M'.  Smith  of  Manchester;  was  admitted 
to  bar  in  1855;  at  once  opened  an  office  in  Francestown;  elected  Treas- 
urer of  Hillsboro'  Co.  in  1857,  and  again  in  1858;  much  to  Ihe  regret 
of  all  he  moved  to  Peterboro'  in  185S;  represented  that  town  in  the 
legislature  in  1861  and  1S62;  moved  from  Peterboro'  to  Xashua,  1865; 
was  two  years  Editor  of  the  Nashua  Telegraph;  was  api)ointed  Register 
of  Probate  in  1868,  and  held  the  office  till  1874;  was  examiner  of  Nat- 
ional Banks  for  New  Hampshire;  Treasurer  Nashua  &  Lowell  Railroad, 
and  of  the  I'nderhill  Edge  Tool  Co.,  and  held  many  ini])()i1ant  places 
of  trust. 

Mr.  Dearl)orn  d.  Apr.  IS.  issr>.  and  his  deatli  occasioned  general  sor- 
rcjw  throughout  the  city  of  Xashua,  and  whei'ever  he  was  known.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church;  a  quiet,  humbh-.  unol»- 
trusive  man;  charital)le  in  ojiinion,  genial  and  gentle  in  lite;  and  one 
whom  the  writer  valued  and  loved  as  a  personal  fi-iend.  lie  ni.  Liniie 
Frances  Eaton  of  tliis  town  in  .June,  1857,  wlio  survives  him. 

Children: — 

1,  JoHX  Eaton;  [b.  Nov.,  1862,  graduated  from  Nashua  Higli 

School,  m.  Mary  A.  Dean  in  May,  1886,  is  in  real  estate 
business  in  Nashua.] 

2.  George  Van  Ness,  [b.  Aug.,  1869,  giaduated  from  Dart- 

mouth College,  1890,  and  from  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons,  New  York  City,  1893,  m.  Blanche  Veliiia 
Brown,  June  18,  1893.] 

DECATUR. 

DANIEL  DECATUR  of  Northwood,  married  Hannah  Andrews,  a 
daughter  of  Levi  and  Betsey  (Colby)  Andrews  of  Weare,  at  which  place 
she  was  born,  July  8,  180S.  Mr.  Decatur  was,  previous  to  his  coming 
here,  employed  in  the  powder  mill  at  Bennington,  where  he  doubtless 
lived  until  about  the  year  1845,  when  he  became  a  citizen  of  Frances- 
town  He  lived  in  several  houses  in  this  town,  one  being  the  Boutwell 
house  owned  by  Charles  A.  Vose.  None  of  the  family  were  born  in 
this  town,  nor  did  they  stay  hei*e  many  years.  Daniel  died  at  Benning- 
ton but  his  wife  still  survives  and  res.  at  Amherst.  While  the  Decaturs 
were  living  in  Bennington,  a  strange  dog,  evidently  raliid,  made  its  ap- 


624  GENEALOGIES. 

pearance  in  tlic  village  and  Henry  Decatur,  (one  of  the  sons,)  then  a 
boy  of  fourteen  years,  together  with  his  l)rother  Monroe  and  another 
lad  were  induced  by  some  one  to  ptirsue,  cajjture  and  kill  it.  This  the 
boys  succeeded  in  doing,  but  not  until  Hi'.rry  had  one  wi-ist  sorely  bitten 
and  Monroe  had  a  tinger  lacerated.  Little  notice,  however,  was  taken 
of  the  boys  injuries  and  Harry  kept  his  place  upon  a  farm  in  the  town 
until  he  was  compelled  to  cease  work  by  violent  pains  in  his  wrist  which 
were  followed  by  hydrophobia,  of  which  he  died.  Monroe  showed  no 
symptoms  of  the  disease  and  is  now  living. 


DENNISON. 

JOHN  DEXXISOX,  or  Deniston.  as  the  name  was  originally  si)elled 
came  to  this  country  from  the  Xorth  of  Ireland  in  the  vear  17SS.  He 
was  of  Scotch  Irish  extraction  and  naturally  sojourned  with  his  country- 
men then  well  established  in  Londonderi-y.  He  was,  however,  a  citizen 
of  this  town  in  1790,  his  home  af  that  time  being  a  short  distance 
southward  of  where  the  scIkioI-Iiousc  in  I>ist.  X"(\  7  now  stnnds.  He 
afterward  occui)ied  a  small  place,  traces  of  which  may  be  seen  in  the 
pastureland  northward  from  the  present  Dennison  place.  Both  .John 
and  his  wife  died  in  this  town.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Jaimes,  []).  ill  Ireland.  Sept.  16,  1781,  m.  Mercy  Durant  of 
this  town,  Aug.  11,  1810,  removed  to  Walden,  Vt..  wliere 
he  remained  one  year,  after  which  he  returned  and  settled 
upon  the  Durant  or  Dennison  place  in  tliis  town  and  died 
there,  Feb.  20,  1861.      Hi.s  children  were: — 

Caroline,  (h.  at  Walden,  Vt..  March  28.  1812,  m.  John  C. 
Clark  of  New  Boston.  Dec.  6,  1838.  d.  at  Nashua.) 

Emeline,  (1).  at  Francestown,  Aug.  31,  1813,  m.  William 
Cochran  of  Francestown,  July  10,  1838,  d.  at  Francestown, 
March  30,  1873.) 

Maryette,  (h.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  27,  1815,  m.  Thomas 
Head   of  Hooksett.  Feb.  11,  1841,  res.  at  Hooksett. ) 

•Jamei<.  P..  (b.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  30,  1817,  m.  Maria  Bux- 
ton of  Weare.  died  in  New  Jersey.) 

Mercy,  (b.  at  Francestown.  Sept.  25.  1819.  m.  Alnion  Denni- 
son of  Lowell,  Mass..  died  at  Hooksett.) 

Julia  A.,  (b.  at  Francestown.  April  19,  1822,  m.  1st,  Wil- 
liam K.  Head  of  Hooksett,  Dec.  25,  1842,  2nd,  Andrew 
J.  Risley  of  Hooksett,  res.  at  Hooksett.) 

Harvey^  (b.  at  Francestown.  June  15,  1824,  m.  Mary  J.  Put- 


DENNISON,   DICKERMAN.  625 

nam  of  Hooksett.  He  lias  for  nioi'e  than  twenty-Hve  years 
resided  in  the  village  of  Suncook,  his  home  being  in  Aliens- 
town,  in  Avhich  town  he  has  been  chairman  of  the  board 
of  selectmen,  served  upon  the  boai'd  of  su[)ervisors,  besides 
being  moderator  of  town  meeting  and  representing  the 
town  in  the  legislature.) 

John^  (b.  in  Francestown,  April  16,  1828,  m.  Sarah  Perkins, 
res,  in  Durham.) 

Maria  J.,  (b.  July  21,1880,  m.  David  Clifton  Starrett  of 
New  Boston,  res.  in  Francestown.) 

David  7).,  (b.  at  Francestown,  April  9,  1832.  m.  Mary  Coop- 
er of  Francestown,  July  -1,  1868,  res.  in  New  Boston.)] 

2.  John,    [unmai'ried,    died  in    Francestown,   Nov.    29,   1833, 

aged  39  yeai's.] 

3.  Cathaimnk,  [m. Johnson  of   liradford,   d.  in  Brad- 

ford.] 

4.  Betsky,  [m. Brown,  d.  in  Ohio.] 

ANDREW  DENNISON,  a  brother  of  John  lived  a  few  years  a  short 
distance  north-west  of  the  Hill  place.  He  doubtless  came  here  with 
his  brother,  since  he  was  a  resident  of  this  town  in  17'.*."!.  lie  removed 
to  Ohio. 

ALMON  DEXNISON  of  Lowell  married  Mercy  Dennison  of  this 
town.  All  of  his  three  children  once  lived  upon  the  old  place  and  Al- 
mon  the  youngest  now  occupies  it.  The  cliildren  mentioned  above 
are: — 

1.  John   C.,    [married  Addie  Hart    of    Chester,  res.  in   Mas- 

sachusetts.] 

2.  FiiANCES  E.,    [married  1st,  Charles  Davis  of  Weare,  2iul, 

William  K.  Farnham,  res.  at  Manchester.] 

3.  Almon,  [b.  March  2,  1850,  m.  Minnie  B.  Toombs  of  Thorn- 

dyke,    Me.,   March    8,  1875,    returned  to    the    Dennison 
homestetid  in  the  Spring  of  1893,  after  living  a  number  of 
■    years  in  Manchester.] 

DICKERMAN. 

SAMUEL  DICKERMAN  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  this 
town.  He  was  by  trade  a  blacksmith  and  is  known  to  have  come  from 
Milton,  Mass.  His  home  in  FrancestoM'n  is  now  the  residence  of  Mrs. 
Otis  Holt.  lie  married,  1st,  Bathshebah  Lewis,  Oct.  30,  1771.  She 
died  in  this  town,  May  1,  1773,  and  he  married, |2nd,  Persis  liichardson 


626  GENEALOGIES. 

of  Litchfiekl,  Aug.  -J-i.  1774.  She  died  here,  Sept.  12,  1827,  being  the 
first  person  buried  in  the  Mill  Village  Cemetery.  The  date  of  her  birth 
is  given.  -July  I'..  17.")1.  In  the  town  clei-k's  record  of  1776  is  found  the 
following  uni(iuc    entry.      ••Sanuicl    Dickernnuvs  mark  for  His  Cattel 

this 

S.  I),  branded  on  llie  Near  Iloarn-reeorded  pr  me  —  William  McMaster 
town  clci-k.'"  Sanniel  Diekerman  and  his  tirst  wife  were  of  the  eighteen 
memlicrs.  who  constituted  the  (diurcli  Avhen  tirst  organized,  Jan.  27, 
177:j.  He  dieil  here.  June  9,  1824.  His  children  were  born  in  this 
town.     They  were:-- 

1.  Rebecca,  [b.  Jtme  d^.  1775.  d.  liere  Sept.  20.  1799.] 

2.  Persis,  [b.  A])r.  lo.  1777.  ni.  Jacidi  Vose  of  Bedford,  Dec. 

31,  1795.  d.  Jan.  13.  1825.] 
8.  Samuel,  [b.  May  2.  1779.  m.  Maiy  Ja'wIs  of  Francestown, 
Nov.  18,1800.  d.  Get.  20,  1853."] 

4.  Lemi^el.  [b.  .July  28,  1781.  d.  Feb.  15,  1813.] 

5.  Eli.iah,  [b.  July  20,  1788,  m.  Finma  Whitney  of  this  town 

March  25.  180(1,  d.  Oct.  18»;i.] 

6.  AiUGAiL,    []).  Oct.  7.  1785,  in.   Benjamin   Stevens,  5th.  of 

Goffstown,  Nov.  30.  1809.  d.  Jnne  3,  1861.] 

7.  Bp:tsey,  [1).  April  21.  1788,  m.  Cliarles  F.  Hutchinson  of 

An(h)Yer,  Mass.,  Feb.  8,  1810,  d.  at  Francestown,  June  29, 
1859.] 

8.  Sally,  [twin  sister  of  Betsey,  m.  Nathaniel  Hutchinson  of 

Lyndeboro',  Jan.  25.  1814,\l.  June  29,  185(3.] 

9.  John,  [b.  Jan.  7.  1791.  d.  Oct.  12,  1885.] 

10.  Enoch,  [b.  April  14,  1793,  ni.  Hannah  Austin  of  this  town, 

April  18,  1815.] 

DICKEY. 

WIT. LI  AM  DICKEY,  who  settled  on  the  Jacob  Cooper  place  before 
the  year  1773.  was  the  son  of  Adam  Dickey,  who  married  Elizabeth 
MacPherson  and  settled  in  Chester,  N.  H.,  where  he  died  in  175?). 
leaving  a  will  dated  May  22,  of  that  year,  in  which  bequests  were 
made  to  his  children,  Elizabeth,  James,  Joseph,  William,  Janet  and 
Adam.  Of  the  ancestry  of  this  race  of  Dickeys  we  can  learn  but  little 
that  is  really  satisfactory.  They  doubtless  were  connected  with  oiie  or 
more  of  the  several  Scotch-Irish  familes  of  the  name  that  established 
themselves  in  Londonderry  in  1725,  1729,  1733,  and  perhaps  later. 
William  Dickey  served  five  years  in  the  Revolutionary  army  and  held 

"a  sergeant's  warrant."'     He  married Matthews,  of  Bedford.     His 

death  occurred  in  1823.     Children  were: — 


])ICKEY.  627 

1.  Adam,  [was  a  saddler  iiiariied  Mary  Gordon  and  settled  in 

Milford.] 

2.  Mary,  [married  Moses  H.  Wliite  aiid  settled  in  Topshani, 

Vt.] 

3.  Thomas  M.,    [1).  at  Francestown,  March  10,  1785,  m.  1st, 

Nancy  Goi'don,  sister  of  the  wife  of  Adam  Dickey,  2nd, 
Rachel  Follansbee  of  P'rancestown.  He  settled  in  Am- 
herst, where  he  died,  Jan.  24,  1846.] 

4.  Betsy,  [was  a  tailoress,  died  unmarried.] 

5.  Jane,    [b.  April  8,  1791,  m.   William  Scol)y  of    Frances- 

town,  Dec.  22,  1812,  died,  Aug.  1877.] 

ADAM  DICKEY,  brother  of  William  is  said  to  have  lived  on  ''the 
place  next  above  John  (x.  Morses"'  and  his  name  is  found  upon  the  tax- 
list  of  1773.  However,  he  could  not  have  remained  here  lony  since  he 
was  an  early  settler  of  Topsham.  Yl. 

.JAMES  DICKEY  from  JjOndoiiderry  began  on  the  Shattuck  place 
as  early  as  1772.  It  has  not  been  ascertained  that  he  was  a  relative  of 
the  many  other  pioneers  of  the  name,  although  such  was  doubtless  the 
fact.  He  moved  to  Antrim  in  1773.  His  wife  was  Mary  ]3rown.  Of 
him  the  History  of  Antrim  speaks  not  brietiy.  and  informs  us  that  he 
lost  his  life  in  the  war  of  the  Kcvolulion  in  the  year  177<').  It  is  not 
known  that  any  of  his  children  wci-c  born  in  this  town. 

.JOSEPH  DICKEY  is  said  to  have  lived  on  the  Boyd  or  Barrett 
place  in  the  western  part  of  the  town.  Little,  however,  is  known  of 
him  save  that  he  was  a  tax-payer  in  1773.  He  was  doubtless  a  relative 
of  John  Dickey  and  hence  of  John's  sister  Mary,  who  married  Samuel 
Martin,  near  both  of  whom  he  chose  to  build  a  home.  His  residence 
here  was  doubtless  brief,  and  we  find  no  entry  in  the  records  which  in- 
dicates that  he  had  children  I)<)rn  in  this  town,  or  that  he  or  his  wife 
died  here. 

JOHN"  DICKEY,  who  about  the  year  1770  cleared  the  farm  upon 
which  Fred  Hopkins  now  lives,  was  the  son  of  William  and  Rachel 
Dickey  of  Londonderry.  The  will  of  William  Dickey  bears  the  date, 
Dec.  S,  1777,  and  from  it  we  learn  that  his  children  were,  William, 
Matthew,  Adam,  .John,  Mary  and  Elizabeth.  Mary  became  the  wife 
of  Samuel  Martin  of  this  town.  .lohn  Dickey  doubtless  came  here  from 
Londonderrv.  He  was  evidently  a  man  of  good  mind  and  unswerving- 
honor,  since  he  was  again  and  again  elected  to  town  offices  and  other 
positions  of  trust.  He  was  born,  July  3,  1744  and  died  in  this  town, 
Aug.  24,  ISlo.  His  wife,  .Janet,  was  born.  Aug.  3.  1740.  Their  child- 
ren were: — 


628  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  Sarah,  [b.  Dec.  18,  1867,  d.  Oct.  1,  1Z70.] 

2.  William,  [b.  March  1,  1770,  iii.  Martha  Highhiud  of  this 

town,  lived  to  northward  of  the  Manahan  or  Rogers  farm, 

d.  here  about  tlie  year  1810.     Children  were: — 
Oliver,  (removed  to  the  state  of  New  Yoi'k.) 
Betsey^  (d.  wlien  13  years  of  age.) 
William^  (b.  in  1801,  m.   Naney  Jane  Eaton  of  this  town  in 

1822,  d.  at  Bennington,  July,  1847,  was'the  father  of  Mrs. 

Joseph  Manahan  of  tliis  town.)] 
8.  Elizabeth,  [b.  Nov.  3,  1771.] 
-1.  James,  [b.  Sept.  15. 1773  ,m.  Jenny ,  must  have  lived 

in  this  town  a  number  of  years  since  we  find  in  tlie  records 

the  names  of  his  children: — 
Asenafh,  (b.  Dec.  17,  17'.»7.) 
Thomm,  (b.  March  28,  1800.) 
Jame^,  (b.  May  5,  1802.) 
Levi  WixxJbnri/,  (b.  Aug.  8,  1804.)] 

5.  Matthew,  [b.  Oct.  25,  1775,  m.  Ruth  Downes  of  Frances- 

town,  A[)ril  2,  1800,  removed  to  western  New  York  with 

Asa  Downes  and  Joel  Fairbanks  in  the  spring  of  1822. 

His  home  in  this  town  was  the  Swinington  house,  which 

he  built.      Children  w^ere: — 
Sarah    (b.    Nov.  21,  1800.   m.  Joel  Fairbanks,  March  20, 

1824,  d.  at  Canisteo,  N.  Y.  Oct.  20,  1857.) 
Elmira,  (b.  Feb.  18,  1802.) 
George  Jordon,  (b.  Aug.  4,  1803.) 
William,  (b.  Nov.  16,  1804.) 
Mary  Ann,  (b.  July  22,  1806.) 
Samuel,  (b.  May  6,  1808.) 
Ruth,  (b.  Aug.  10,  1810.) 
Amasa,  (b.  Jan.  8,1812.)] 

6.  Nathaniel,  [b.  Dec.  13,  1777.] 

7.  John,  [b.  May  16,  1780.] 

8.  Samuel,  [b.  May  5,  1785,  died  in  this  town,  April  7.  1808.] 

9.  Isaac  Brewster,  [b.  Sept.  27,  1786.] 

10.  Adam,  [b.  Jan.  5,  1788,  in  Francestown,  m.  Jane  L.  Boyd 

of  Francestown,  May  4,  1815.     She  Avas  born  in  Frances- 
tov\^n,  Nov.- 3,  1790,  and  died  here.  June  20,  1871.     Adam 


DICKEY,  DINSMOIIE.  029 

lived  many  years  on  tlie  homestead  and  reared  a  large  family. 
He  removed  to  Nashua,  where  he  died,  May  23,  1854.  All 
of  his  children  were  born  in  this  town,  they  were: — 

John  B.,  (b.  March  17,  1816,  m.  1st,  Mary  J.  Boyd  of  New 
York,  2nd.  Jennie  M.  Starr  of  Centreville,  Mich.  He 
was  a  physician.  His  deatli  occuri'ed  at  Centreville, 
Mich.  May  27,  18(32.) 

Mary  •/.,  (b.  Feb.  7,  1819,  m.  Samuel  L.  Boynton  of  Nashua 
Jan.  22,  1850.  res.  in  Henniker.) 

Harvey  M.,  (b.  April  19,  1821,  d.  in  Francestown,  July  23, 
1845.) 

Milton  6'.,  (1).  Feb.  4,  1824,  m.  Mary  E.  Taylor  of  Frances- 
town,  Sept.  30,  1847,  removed  to  Kansas,  where  he  served 
in  the  Militia  of  the  state  and  also  held  the  position  of 
Indian  Agent  under  President  Buchanan.  His  last  years 
were  spent  in  New  Madrid,  Mo.,  where  he  died,  July  15, 
1879.  His  children  were: — Charles  W.,  b.  at  Frances- 
town,  Jan.  22,  1849,  is  li.  K.  Station  agent  at  Cadet,  Mo., 
M.  Francella.  b.  at  Francestown,  June  18.  1850,  m.  A.  A. 
Secoy,  of  New  Madrid,  Mo.,  Sept.  12,  1878.  Fred  T.,  b. 
at  FrancestoAvn,  April  1,  1852,  m.  C.  A.  Secoy  of  New 
Madrid,  Mo.,  March  19,  1874,  is  a  farmer.  Walter  E.,  b. 
at  Dorchester,  Mass.,  Sept.  29, 1863,  is  R.  R.  Station  Agent 
at  Pavely,  Mo.  Mabel  J.,  b.  at  FrancestoAvn,  Se[)t.  17, 
1865,  res.  at  Cadet,  Mo.) 

Harrison  A.^  (b.  Sept.  12,  1826,  d.  at  Francestown,  Jan.  16, 
1828.) 

FAizaheth  .1.,  (b.  Feb.  28,  1829,  m.  George  Talbot,  of  Nor- 
wood, Mass.,  Feb.  1,  1866,  res.  at  Norwood,  Mass.) 

Adaline  F.,  (b.  Sept.  26,  1831,  d.  at  Nashua,  Feb.  25,  1853.) 

Fmeline  M.,  (Twin  sister  of  Adaline,  d.  at  Nashua,  Nov.  23, 
1852.)] 

11.   Polly,  [b.  March  14,  1790,  m.  ^ Holmes  of  Peter- 

boro\  d.  at  Peterboro'.] 

DINSMORE. 

JOHN  1)I:N'SM0RE.  from  whom  descended  all  the  Diusmores  of  Ire- 
land as  well  as  America,  emigrated  from  Achenmead  near  the  Tweed, 
in  Scotland,  to    Bellvwattick,  County  of   Antrim,  Ireland,  where    he 


630  GENEALOGIES. 

(lied.  His  oldest  son,  John  came  to  America  about  the  time  of  his 
father's  death  and  with  others  was  landed  at  St.  (ileorges  in  the  District 
of  Maine,  where  an  English  fort  had  already  been  built.  Here  he 
built  a  house,  and  seemingly  gained  the  favor  of  the  Penobscot  Indians, 
who  occupied  much  of  that  i-egion  and  who  in  spealrtug  of  Mr.  Dins- 
more  and  themselves  frequently  used  tlie  expression  ''all  one  brother." 
But  this  brotherhood  was  not  of  long  standing.  The  French  far 
away  in  the  north  soon  excited  the  Indians  to  aggressive  war-fare  and 
they  made  a  descent  upon  the  home  of  Mr.  Dmsmore  and  found  him 
shingling  liis  house.  ''No  longer  one  brotlier."  they  said,  ''you  go 
Canida."  He  was  held  a  cajitive  tliree  months,  but  was  treated  with 
much  consideration  by  the  chief  of  his  Indian  captors,  whose  friend- 
ship for  the  unfortunate  white  man  was  of  an  almost  Scriptual  type. 
The  red  warriors,  however,  were  less  friendly  and  on  one  occasion  in 
in  the  absence  of  the  chief  charged  Mr.  Dinsmore  witli  holding  secret 
intercourse  with  the  English  and  of  plotting  against  the  Indians  and 
for  this  alleged  crime  they  decided  that  he  should  l)e  burned  to  death. 
They  had  already  bound  him  to  a  tree  and  piled  around  him  the  re- 
quired fuel,  wlien  the  chief  returned  and  granted  the  poor  man  a  re- 
spite and  ai'terward  proved  the  charges  to  be  groundless,  and  perhaps 
perceiving  that  Mr.  Dinsmore's  life  was  sought  by  the  savages,  provided 
a  way  for  his  escape,  instructed  him  where  to  conceal  himself,  and 
what  course  to  take.  Mr.  Dinsmore  reached  his  hiding  place,  fi'om 
which  he  very  soon  saw  the  Indians  pass  in  persuit  of  him.  For  three 
days  he  remained  in  concealment  and  then  weak,  well  nigh  famished 
he  crept  out  and  subsisting  upon  berries  made  his  way  in  a])out  a  week 
to  an  English  fort  upon  the  coast.  Not  caring  or  daring  to  return  to 
his  house,  he  obtained  i^assage  on  a  craft  bound  for  Boston  and  from 
there  went  on  a  visit  to  his  Scotch-Irish  friends  and  former  neighbors, 
who  had  settled  in  Londonderry.  In  consideration  of  his  misfortunes 
and  in  token  of  friendship,  the  proprietors  of  that  town  gave  him  one 
hundred  acres  of  land.  Thus  encouraged  he  built  a  stone-house,  and 
sent  for  his  wife  and  two  children  in  Ireland.  They  came  in  1730, 
greatly  to  his  joy.  Mr.  Dinsmore  was  by  trade  a  mason,  with  his  son, 
Robert  he  built  the  old  stone  garrison  house  of  Londonderry.  He  was 
called  with  intended  respect,  "Daddy  Dinsmore,"  and  was  frequently 
referred  to  as  "the  Indian  captive".  He  died  in  Londonderry  in  1741. 
He  left  two  children  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Ireland  and  had  families 
there  previous  to  their  coming  to  America.  Ruth,  the  daughter  married 
John  Hopkins  and  was  the  mother  of  six  children,  two  of  whom,  were 
l)orn  in  Ireland.  Robert,  the  son  married  Margaret  Orr,  and  had  as 
children,  John,  Mary  Elizabeth,  Robert  and  AVilliam.  The  last  was 
born  in  America  in  1731.  He  married  Elizabeth  Cochran  in  1755,  and 
was  long  a  prominent  citizen  of  Windham  and  was  the  father  of  Gov. 
Samuel  Dinsmore  and  of  Dea.  Robert  DinsmOre  the   "Rustic  Bard." 


DINS^NIORE.  631 

He  died  in  1801.  John,  the  oldest  ^oii  of  Robert  and  Margaret  (Orr) 
Dinsmore  wna  born  in  Ireland.  He  married  Martha  McKeen,  daughter 
of  Justice  McKeen  of  Londonderry.  John  and  Martha  were  the  parents 
of  five  children,  Robert,  their  second  child,  settled  in  Society  Land, 
where  he  justly  prospered.  He  represented  Greenfield  and  Society 
Land  in  the  (Tcneral  Court  in  17'.»S. 

ROBERT  DINSMORE,  mentioned  above  l)ecame  a  citizen  of  Frances- 
town  in  1802,  when  his  farm  with  several  others  was  annexed  to  this 
town  to  which  it  belonged  until  the  incorporation  of  Bennington  in 
1842.  He  married  Sarah  Dickey  of  Londonderry.  She  died  at  Frances- 
town,  Dec.  17,  1830.  He  also  died  at  Francestown,  Nov.  12,  1831. 
He  was  the  father  of  eleven  children,  all  of  whom  were  born  while  the 
Dinsmore  farm  was  a  part  of  Society  Land: — 

1.  Jenny,  •[!).  Jan.  6,  1770,  m.  Andrew  Taylor  and  removed 

to  Union,  N.  Y.,  iti  182(3.] 

2.  JoHX,   [b.  May  23,  1781,  m.  Betsey  Tall)Ot  of  tlii.s  town. 

June  It),  1808  and  removed  to  Diiaiiesl)iug,  N.  Y.,  Imt  re- 
turned and  died  iij)on  the  Dinsmore  faini,  Nov..  1843. 
Children  were: — 

Horace^  (b.  at  Francestown,  Dee.  28,  1808,  d.  Alarch  31, 
■1812.) 

JameM  Hervey^  (b.  at  Frances^town,  Dec.  lit,  1812.  m.  Jane 
Hoyt  of  Hampstead,  May  22,  1854,  d.  at  Hillsboro',  Dec. 
7,1875.) 

Horace  F)(lhn\  (b.  at  Francestown,  Feb.  2iS,  1814,  m.  Louisa 
S.  Campbell  of  Amherst,  Jan.  13,  1842.  She  died  in  this 
town,  Aug.  2,  1885.  Since  her  death  Mr.  Dinsmore  has 
lived  much  of  the  time  with  his  grand-daughter  at  Hills- 
boro'.  He  is  a  genial  and  intelligent  old  gentleman. 
Children:— Susan  Augtista,  b.  at  Benninton,  March  15, 
1843,  d.  at  Bennington,  Sept.  18,  18G1.  Lucinda  Camp- 
bell, b,  at  Bennington,  Sept.  23,  1845,  m.  Col.  Liberty 
Billings  of  Fernandina,  Fa.,  April  9, 1865.  He  was' chap- 
lain of  the  7th.  N.  H.  Regt.  and  afterward  Lt.  Col.  of  the 
1st  South  Carolina  colored  volunteers.  She  died  at  Frances- 
town,  July  20,  1869.  Her  only  child  is  Mallei  Augusta, 
b.  at  Bennington,  March  26,  1866,  m.  Joseph  William 
Bryant  of   Francestown,  Dec.  25,  1883,  res.  at  Hillsboro'.) 


632  GENEALOGIES. 

Lucretia  Ann^  (b.  at  Francestowii,  Oct.  27,  1816,  m.  William 
B.  Wliittemore,  May,  1842,  d.  at  Hillsboro.'  Feb.  13, 
1862.) 

John  Of'i<.  ( b.  at  FraiicestoAvn.  iii.  Lara  Proctor  of  tins  town. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  17th  N.  H.  Regiment,  d.  in  the 
service  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.)] 

3.  Martha,    [b.  in  Societ}-  Land,  June  7,  1788,  d.  Nov.  3, 

1789.] 

4.  AcHSA,  [b.  April  20,  1785,  d.  May  6,  1801.] 

5.  Ja.mes,  [b.  May  7.  1787,  m.   Betsey  Jameson  of  Antrim  in 

1814,  went  to  New  Hudson,  N.  Y.,  in  1823.] 

6.  Sarah,  [b.  May  14.  1789.  d.  April  28,  1817.] 

7.  Patty,  [b.  March  8,  1791,  ni.  James  Jameson  of  Antrim  in 

1813,  d.  at  Antrim,  Jan.  10.  1815.] 

8.  Mai;(;ai;et,  [b.  March  21,  175*3,  m.  David  Wilson  of  Deer- 

ino-  ill  1835.  d.  at  Deering,  A])ril  21.  1871,] 

9.  Betsey,    [b.   March   20,  1796,  m.  John   Dodge  of  Society 

Land,  (now  Bennington,)  Jan.,  1818,  d.  Jan.  8,  1863.] 

10.  Othniel,  [1).  April  4,  1798,  was  a  graduate  of  Harvaid  in 
the  class  of  1822,  d.  at  Francestown,  April  18,  1827.] 

11.  Senna,  [b.  May  9,  1800,  m.   William  C.  Cross  of  Han- 

cock, Dec,  1841,  d.  Oct.  7,  1847.] 

Dk.  SILAS  MURKAY  DTXSMOOIl  was  born  in  Antrim,  June  '2-2. 
1836,  being  the  son  of  Col.  Silas  and  Clarissa  (Copeland)  I)insnioi-e 
and  hence  of  the  sixth  generation  from  John  Dinsmore  the  "Indian 
Captive,"  and  a  second  cousin  of  Horace  Dinsmore  of  this  town.  His 
urandfather  Samuel  Dinsmore  was  a  son  of  John  and  Martha  (Mc- 
Keen)  Dinsmore  and  a  cousin  of  Goveror  Samuel  Dinsmore,  who,  as 
has  l)een  mentioned  was  a  son  of  William,  a  brother  of  John.  It  will 
be  observed  that  the  spelling  of  the  name  A^aries  in  the  different  branches 
of  the  familt,  though  Dinsmoor  was  doubtless  the  original  orthograph}'. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  good  academic  education  at  Wash- 
ington and  Marlow  and  at  Westminster,  Yt.,  teaching  school  during 
the  winter  season.  He  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  in  1S57 
with  Dr.  D.  W.  Hazelton  of  Cavendish,  Vt..  and  in  1858,  attended  the 
Medical  College  of  Burlington,  Yt..  and  the  succeeding  year  entered 
the  Columbian  University  of  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  received 
the  degree  of  M.  D.  in  March,  18r50.  He  commenced  the  practice  of 
his  profession  in  the  Autumn  of  iSliO.  in  his  native  town  and  in  the 
summer  of  1863,  removed  to  East  Washington,  where  he  remained 
until,  Jan.,  1874,  when  he  came  to  Francestown  as  the  successor  of 


DOCKHAM,  DODGE.  633 

Dr.  Fitts.  lie  remained  until  the  fall  of  LSSO,  when  he  relinquished 
his  l)usiness  and  devoted  the  remainder  of  the  fall  and  the  succeeding 
winter  to  a  fui'ther  stud}-  of  his  profession  at  Philadelphia,  after  Avhich 
he  located  at  Keene,  where  he  still  remains  in  successful  practice.  He 
married  Georgiaua  Carey  of  Lempster,  Sept.  11,  18(32.     Only  child: — 

1.  Frank  M.,  [b.  Dec.  28,  1868,  is  a  physician.]    ■ 

DOCKHAM. 

EPIIKAIM  DOCKHAM,  son  of  Ephraim  Dockham,  was  horn  in 
Frankfort,  Me.,  May  1.3,  1822.  He  married  Adeline  M.  Savage  of 
this  town,  Dec.  25,  1848,  and  lived  here  a  few  years  occupying  the  resi- 
dence of  his  father-in-law%  Abner  Savage.  His  three  children  were 
born  in  this  town.     They  were: — 

1.  Haimmet  E.,  [b.  Jan.  2(3,  1850.] 

2.  Abby  M.,  [1).  Dec,  1854,  died  in  New  York.] 

3.  Infant,  []>.  June,  1857,  died,  Oct.  4,  1857. 

DODGE. 

IMEKKE  OK  PETER  DODdE,  the  illustrious  progenitor  of  the 
Dodges  of  America  was  in  the  year  1306,  granted  a  very  elaboivate  coat 
of  arms  and  heraldic  honors  by  .James  Kedingly,  called  Guyen,  King 
of  Arms,  a  record  of  this  grant  is  found  among  the  most  ancient  records 
of  the  Herald's  College.  Henry  YIII.  in  Dec,  1540,  renewed  or 
granted  another  patent  to  John  Dodge  reaflirming  the  original  grant 
and  describing  the  crest.  Said  Peter  Dodge  must  have  performed  some 
meritorious  service  since  the  grant  was  supplimented  by  "very  lauda- 
tory comments."  Moreover  the  village  and  parish  of  Collingham  were 
awarded  with  the  above.  They  are  on  the  coast  of  Scotlanl  near  Tweed- 
dale  on  the  Border.  The  descendants  of  Peter  and  of  John  Dodge,  are 
readily  traced  to  162tt,  when  Mr.  "William^  Dodge  left  Cheshire  oppo- 
site modern  Liverpool,  in  the  Lion's  Whelp,  a  small  craft  of  120  tons 
and  landed  at  Xaumkeag,  now  Salem,  Mass.  Eichardi  Dodge,  brother 
of  AVilliam  also  came  quite  early  to  America.  He,  with  his  wife  Eliza- 
beth, was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  church  in  Beverly  in  1(3G7.  John2 
Dodge,  son  of  Kichard  and  Elizabeth,  was  born  in  KiSG.  He  was  a 
representative  in  the  General  Court  from  Beverly  in  1()(34.  Daniel^ 
Dodge,  his  son,  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1700.  John-*,  son  of  Daniel, 
was  born  in  1717,  and  died,  Feb.  9,  1779.  CharlesS  Dodge,  son  of  John, 
was  born  in  1741.  He  married  Abigail  Dodge  a  descendant  of  William 
of  1(329.  She  died,  ]N"ov.  7,  1802,  Their  son,  Francis^  Dodge,  was 
born  in  1771  and  died,  Nov.  9,  1856.  His  wife,  Sarah,  born  in  1776, 
was  a  daughter  of  Asa  Dodge  and  a  descendant  of  Barnabas  Dodge, 
several  generations  back  in  the  family  line.     She  died,.  June  17,  1831. 


634  GENEALOGIES. 

Francis  and  his  wife  removed  from  Beverly  to  Xew  Boston  soon  after 
their  marriage,  here  they  had  children: — Ezra,  born  in  1792,  lived  in 
New  Boston,  where  lie  died  in  1853.  Abigail,  born  in  171)4,  married, 
1st,  James  Manahan  of  Francestown,  2nd,  Edward  Brenan  of  Frances- 
town,  Nov.,  1S2S.  d.  at  Deering,  Sept  2.3,  1842.  Charles,  born,  June 
2."),  17'.)."i,  died  in  Fi-anccstown.  Dec.  4,  1807.  Asa,  born  Aug.  10.  1798, 
married  Esther  Smith  (if  Xew  Boston,  Fel).  3,  182."),  died  in  Frances- 
town.  Oct.  14.  18(;.").  I'orter.  l)orn  in  1801.  m.  1st,  Betsey  FoUansbee 
of  Francestown,  2nd,  Elsie  L.  Way  of  Unity,  died -at  Perkinsville,  Vt. 
Jefferson,  born  in  180"),  died  in  1810.  Issacher,  born  Feb.  4,  1809, 
married,  Louisa  Emerson  of  Francestown,  where  he  lived  forty-five 
3' ears. 

CHARLES  DODGE  came  to  Francestown  in  lS2r>  and  settled  on  the 
Daniel  Witherspoon  place  in  northeast  part  of  the  town.  Mr.  Dodge 
married  Letitia  Crombie  of  Xew  15oston.  May  25,  1824.  She  died  in 
Francestown,  Feb.  2.  1875.  All  but  the  fii'st  of  their  children  were 
born  in  Francestown  : — 

1.  M.MiY  A..  [1).  at  Xew  liostoii.  Aug.  2t),  1826,  d.  at  Frances- 

town,  May  21,  1861.] 

2.  Rebecca  J.,  [b.  Sept.  6,  1827,  d.  Ajn-il  3,  1850,  at  Frances- 

town.] 

3.  C^HAKLES,  [b.Aug.  30,  1831,  m.  Nellie  A.  Morse  of  Frances- 

toAvn,  May  9,  1877.  Mr.  Dodge  has  resided  for  several 
years  in  the  town  of  Stoddard,  but  has  recently  returned 
to  his  native  place  and  now  lives  upon  the  Phineas  Butter- 
tield  farm  northeast  of  the  village.  He  is  a  man  of  much 
intelligence;  while  in  Stoddard  he  served  several  times 
upon  the  board  of  selectmen.] 

4.  Albert  C,  [b.  Se])t.  10,  1834,  d.  at  Francestown,  Aug.  29, 

1838.] 

5.  Susannah  L.,  [b.  Aug.  14,  1837,  res.  at  Francestown.] 

6.  Sarah  H.,    [b.  July  7,.  1839,  d.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  16, 

1863.] 

7.  Ca^nthia  a.,    [b.  Jutie  2,  1841,  d.  at  Francestown,  March 

8,  1862.] 

ISSACHER  DOIXiE,  son  of  Francis  and  Sarah  of  Xew  Boston,  has 
already  received  a  brief  notice.  He  was  born  at  Xew  Boston,  Feb.  4, 
1809  and  married  Louisa  Emerson  of  Francestown,  Oct.  15,  1832,  and 
went  to  Lowell,  Mass.,  whence  he  came  to  Francestown  in  1837.  He 
was  by  trade  a  carpenter  and  builder,  a  man  of  method  and  of  sense, 
was   long  superintendent   of  the  Sabbath  school  and  an    exceedingly 


DODGE.  (53;) 

offective  speaker  in  religious  meetings,  as  a  student  of  the  Scriptures 
he  had  no  superior  in  the  ordinary  walks  of  life.  He  lived  upon  the 
place  now  owned  by  R.  II.  Wilder  in  Mill  Village.  He  died  here,  Oct. 
2,  1882.  After  his  death  his  widow  built  the  house  now  used  as  tlie 
Congregational  parsonage,  in  which  she  lived  a  short  time,  after  which 
she  went  to  Ilenniker,  where  she  died,  Feb.  4,  1888.     Children  were;  — 

1.  Geoiuje  Guanvil,  [b.  at  Lowell,  Nov.  25,  1833,  d.  Oct.  26, 

1835.] 

2.  GEOiUiiANA  Loitisa,  [b.  at  liowell,   March   18,   1830,  d.  at 

Fraiicestown,  Feb.  24,  1854.] 

3.  Edward  Blanchard,  [b.  at  Francestown,  April  1,  1838, 

m.  Laura  J.  Woods  of  Nashua,  March  13,  1862.  He 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade  of  his  father  and  went  to 
Lawrence,  Mass.,  and  from  thence  to  Nashua,  and  was  for 
a  short  time  in  Weathersheld,  Vt.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  A, 
N.  H.  Heavy  Artillery,  and  was  in  the  service  until  1865, 
when  lie  went  to  Peterboro',  where  he  lived  eleven  years. 
He  moved  to  Stoddard  in  1876,  where  he  now  resides. 
He  is  an  intellig-ent  and  enterprising  man.] 

4.  Maria  Emeline,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Nov.  29,  1839,  d.  at 

Francestown,  June  20,  1870.] 

5.  Florence  Adelaide,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  12,  1841.  m. 

Soloman  -D.  Atwood  of  New  Boston,  Feb.  4,  1864.     She 
was  early  in  life  a  very  successful  teacher  and  has  since- 
won  much  local  celebrity  as  a  writer  of  poetry.     She  now 
lives  in  New  Boston.] 

6.  Almaretta  Augusta,  [b.  at  Francestown,  March  6,  1847, 

res.  at  Nashua.] 

7.  Louisa  Genietta,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  23,  1856,  m. 

Frederick  Garland  of  New  Boston,  April  13,  1885,  res.  at 
Henniker.1 

PORTER  DODGE  came  to  this  town  about  the  year  1825.  He  was 
a  carpenter  and  builder.  He  lived  in  a  house  that  stood  upon  the  site 
of  the  Atwood  house,  (in  the  village),  which  he  built  and  occupied  after 
the  former  house  was  distroyed  by  tire.  He  was  a  very  ingenious  man 
and  was  the  inventor  of  the  soapstone  stove.  He  married,  1st,  Betsey 
Follansbee  of  this  town,  2nd,  Elsie  L.  Way  of  Unity.  The  former  died 
at  Francestown,  April  21,  1847.  The  latter  survived  him  and  became 
the  wife  of  Mr.  R.  G.  Cochrane.  He  removed  to  Perkinsville,  Vt. 
about  the  year  1800,  where  he  died,  Aug.  l."],  18().j.  Children  all  by 
first  marriage: — 


636  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  Betsey  A.  [b.  at  P'raiu-estowiu  d.  Maicli  7,  1849,  aged  14 

years.] 

2.  Augusta  P.,  [b.  at  Fnincestowii,  d.  'July  11,  1847,  aged  17 

years.] 

3.  George  W.,  [b.  at  Francestowu  in   1838,  m.  Augusta  0. 

Henry  of   Perkinsville,  Vt..  in   1863,  was  a  manufacturer 
of  soapstone  stoves  at  ^Mndsor,  \'t.,  is  ]iot  living.] 

ASA  L)()i)(iE  was  lu-ro  us  early  as  IS-jS.  Uv  lived  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  George  Oilman,  was  by  trade  a  hiason.  lie  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812.  He  married  Esther  Smith  of  Xew  Boston,  Feb.  8, 
1825.  She  was  born  at  New  Boston,  Au^.  20,  170S,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Esther  (Pollard)  of  that  town.  She  died  in 
Francestown,  Nov.  8,  ISOo.  He  died  at  Francestown,  Oct.  14,  1865. 
Only  child  :— 

1.  Sarah  Melissa,  [b.  Oct.  4,  1830,  m.  I.  Smith  Follansbee 
of  Francestown.  pub.,  Nov.  30,  1853,  d.  in  Francestwn, 
Dec,  7.  1870.] 

SIMEON  DOlXrE,  who  settled  on  the  Smith  Follansbee  or  Oilman 
place  in  1782,  was  born  at  Beverly  in  1755.  He  was  a  descendant  of 
"William  Dodge  of  1G29,  being  of  the  dfth  generation  from  that  historic 
personage.  His  father.  Dea.  WilUam  Dodge  of  Beverly,  Mass.,  married 
first,  ]\Iary  Baker  of  Wenham,  Nov.  15,  1752,  second,  Mary  Trask, 
Aug.,  1704.  Simeon  was  the  second  child  by  the  first  marriage.  He 
married,  Feb.,  1780,  Mary  Batch,  sister  of  Israel  Balch,  who  settled 
on  Driscoll  or  Balch  hill.  He  served  three  years  in  the  Revolutionary 
army,  we  are  told,  "without  pay,  emolument  or  subsequent  pension." 
He  died  at  Francestown,  Jan.  25, 1827.  Ilis  wife  died  at  Francestown, 
Dec.  23,  182:5.     Children  all  save  first,  born  at  Francestown: — 

1.  Simeon,    [b.  at  Beverly,  Dec.  13,  1881,  m.  1st,  Martha  P. 

Fairfield,  2nd,  Polly  Crooks,  was  a  farmer  at  Littleton,  N. 
H.,  where  he  died,  March  18,  1868.]  ' 

2.  Joshua  Balch,   [b.  Feb.  26,  1784,  m.  Deborah  Merrill  of 

Northtield,  Vt.,  lived  in  the  Presby  house  and  had  a  card- 
ing and  grist  mill  on  the  brook  below,  was  an  honest  and 
useful  man.  The  family  of  which  he  was  the  head  was 
one  cliaracterized  by  the  longevity  of  its  members.  He 
died  at  Francestown,  June  30,  1864.  His  Avife  died  in 
this  town,  July  25,  1865.  Children  were: — 
3Ianj,  (b.  at  Mason,  June  23,  1812,  m.  Edward  Spaulding 
of  Lyndeboro',  d.  at  Lyndeboro',  July,  1877.) 


DODGE.  637 

Merrill,  (b.  at  Mason,  Aug.  13,  1814,  m.  1st,  Orra  Balcli  of 
Francestown,  May,  1844,  2nd,  Abbie  Merrian  of  Green- 
vill,  March  12,  1879,  d.  at  Greenville,  March  2,  1884.^ 

Gieorge^  (b.  Jan.  26,  1817,  m.  Sara  Snow  of  Boston,  Mass., 
is  a  mason  resides  at  Dorchester,  Mass.) 

Levi,  (b.  Oct.  3,  1819,  m.  Emma  Mullet  of  Bedford,  N.  H., 
Oct.  5,  1845,  is  a  physician  at  Fall  River,  Mass.) 

Harriet,  {h.DQG.  23, 1821,  m.  Alfred  G.  Fairbanks  of  Frances- 
town,  Sept.  10,  1844,  d.  at  Manchester,  Aug.  22,  1891.) 

Caroline,  (b.  May  13,  1824,  m.  Alfi'ed  B.  Soule  of  Middle- 
boro',  Mass.,  Dec.  18,  1848,  resides  at  Manchester.) 

Sarali  A.,  (b.  Jan.  18,  1826,  m.  Miram  H.  Gove  of  Weare, 
Jan.  1,  1849,  resides  at  Weare.) 

Aurllla,  (b.  Jan.  19,  1829,  m.  Tbomas  O.  Parker  of  Pem- 
broke, Nov.  8,  1856,  resides  at  Ghicko})ee  Falls,  Mass.)] 

3.  Mary,    [1j.  Maix-h  14,  1786,  m.   Isaac  Russell  of  Mason,  d. 

at  Mason.] 

4.  Ruth,  [b.  Feb.  13,  1788,  m.  James  Martin.] 

5.  Lydia,  [b.  Feb.  16,  1790,  d.  at  Francestown.] 

6.  Sarah,  [b.  May  2,  1792,  m.  Joseph  Dewey  and  went  west.] 

7.  Anna,  [b.  April  16,  1794,  d.  at  Francestown,  wlien  j-oung.] 

8.  WiLLiA^sr,  [b.  Aug.  15,  1795,  m.  Eunice  Neville  of  Mason, 

settled  at  Whiteheld  in  1823,  was  the  tirsl  appointed  post- 
master in  that  town  in  1827,  he  also  represented  White- 
field  in  the  General  Court.  He  was  a  carpenter  and  civil 
engineer,  died  in  Whitefield.] 

9.  Samuel  Davis,  [b.  Jan.  20,  1799,  m.  Harriet  Gardner,  was 

a  clothier.] 

10.  Baker,    [b.  Feb.  26,  1801,  m.  1st,  Aurelia   Chase,  2nd, 

Saphrona  Abl)ott,  went  to  Whitefield,  where  he  succeeded 
his  brother  as  postmaster,  after  the  death  of  tlie  latter  and 
became  prominent.     He  died  in  Whitefield.] 

WILLIAM  DODGE  was  a  native  of  Xew  Boston  and  came  here  from 
that  town  about  the  year  1814.  He  lived  many  years  on  the  Leonard 
Spaukliuo,-  ph\ce  in  the  village.  He  was  married  three  times.  First  to 
Lucy  Gould,  Nov  3,  1814,  second  to  Hannah  Everett  Stover,  Feb.  8, 
1842,  third  to  Emily 'Allen,  April  5,  184G.  His  tirst  wife,  was  the 
mother  of  all  his  children,  save  the  youngest,  was  born  July  7,  17S9, 
and  died  in  this  town,  March  17,  1841.  William  B.  Dodge  was  by  vo- 
cation a  stone  niasovi.      He  removed  to  Nashua,  where  he  resided  a 


638  GENEAL()(;iKS. 

number  of  years  though  he  is  said  to  have  died  at  Concord.  In  his 
family  Bible  we  find  a  well  kept  record,  which  gives  the  date  of  his 
birth  as  June  11,  1791.     His  children  wei'e: — 

1.  Albert  D.,  [Ik  at  PeterbonV,  Sept.  14,  1815,  ra.  Mary  Ann 

Patterson  of  FrancestoAvn,  d.  here  April  10,  1839.] 

2.  Timothy  P.,    [b.  at  Francestowii,  March  24,  1817,  unmar- 

ried, d.  at  Francestown.] 

3.  William   Bixbv,   [b.  in   Francestown,  April  17,  1819,  ni. 

Ptebecca  Patch  of  this  town,  July  29,  1841.  He  was  by 
ti-ade  a  shoemaker.  In  1850,  lie  removed  to  Nashua,  but 
returned  to  this  town  and  died  here,  Aug.  28,  1865.  His 
children  were: — 

Ann  Mar;,!.  (1).  here,  Oct.  3,  1842,  d.  July  6,  1858  at 
Nashua. ) 

John  />.,   (1).  here,  Dec.  23,  1849,  m.  Nellie  A.  Manson  of 

Kittery,  Maine,  Sept.  3.  1871,  is  a  manufacturer  of  hosiery 

at  Lawrence,  Mass.      His  children: — Carrie  Paige,  b.  Sept. 

8,  1872,  d.  July  2,  1887.     Effie   Lizzie,  b.  April  1,  1878. 

•  Bessie  Eva,  b.  April  28,  1881,  d.  May  27,  1884.)] 

4.  Mauy  Ann   Burxham,  [b.  at  Francestown,  May  8,  1821, 

died  here  March  22,1837.] 

5.  John  Dexter.,  b.  in  NeAvport,  June  19,  1824,  d.  at  Gold 

Hill,  Nevada.] 

6.  Horace  Richards,  [b.  in  Francestown,  June  9,  1827,  d. 

March  27,  1856.] 

7.  George  Franklin,  [b.  in   Francestown,  Oct.  25,  1830,  m. 

Charlotte  White  of  Wilmington,  Vt.] 

8.  Charles  Frederick,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  24,  1834, 

res.  at  Greenfield,  Mass.] 

9.  Timothy  Paige,  [b.  May,  1849,  was  for  eight  years  deputy 

warden  of  the  Rhode  Island  State  Prison,  res.  at  Crans- 
ton, R.  I. 

EDWARD  AV.  DODGE  is  the  son  of  Edward  Dodge  of  Xewbury, 
who  was  the  son  of  William  Dodge,  brother  of  Simeon  Dodge  the  earliest 
settler  of  the  name  in  this  town.  William  Dodge  was  born  at  Beverly, 
Mass.,  and  settled  in  Newbury,  N.  H.  William  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  army  and  was  at  one  time  thought  to  be  dead,  but  his 
wife  being  unable  to  color  some  ^ 'white  stockings  black"  for  appropri- 
ate mourning,  he  was  believed  to  be  aUve,  and  it  was  soon  ascertained 
that  he  was  a  prisoner  of  war.     Edward  W.  Dodge  was  born  at  Sutton, 


DODGE.  639 

June  15,  IS'22,  oiul  married,  Dec.  11,  184!),  Eliza  ]Sr.  Jone.s,  daughter 
of  Charles  Jones  of  Washington,  N.  H.,  where  she  was  born,  Oct.  •21), 
1829.  Mr.  Dodge  resided  a  number  of  years  in  Bradford,  where  he 
served  ujion  the  board  of  selectmen.  He  came  here  from  Bradford  in 
1868,  and  purchased  the  Gibson  farm  on  which  he  has  since  lived.  He 
takes  a  proper  interest  in  i^ublic  matters  and  is  influential.  His  child- 
ren born  at  Bradford  are: — 

1.  Susan  Maria,  [1).  Jan.  17,  1862,  m.  Charles  S.  Colburn  of 

New  Boston,  res.  at  New  Boston.] 

2.  Jenni?:  Greeley,  [b.  March  16, 1866,  is  a  successful  school- 

teacher.] 

ADOXIliAM  J.  DODGE  was  born  at  Wareham,  Mass.,  March  1, 
1808.  He  married,  1st,  Julia  A.  Perley  of  Boxford,  Mass.,  Aug.  21, 
182!).  She  died,  March  17,  1838.  He  married,  2nd,  Lucinda  Bixby, 
June  28,  1841.  She  was  born  at  Topsfield,  Mass.,  Sept.  G,  1820.  Mr. 
Dodge  was  postmaster  several  years  during  his  residence  at  Wenham. 
He  came  to  this  town  in  1S4S  and  purchased  the  Stanley  [ilaco,  which 
is  now  occupied  b}'  John  W.  Carson.  He  died  here,  Mairh  11,  1SS!». 
His  children  were: — 

1.  JuDSON  W.,  [b.  at  Wenliam.  July  21,  1838.     He  served  in 

the   8th  Mass.    Regt.  in  the  war  of  tlic  Bebellion,   res.  at 
Danvers,  Mass.] 

2.  Addison  S.,  [b.  at  Wenliam,   June  5,  1837,  was  a  soldier 

in  the  4th   N.  H.   Regt.  and  died  at   Mori'is  Island,  S.  C, 
Oct.  1,  1863.] 

3.  Albert,  [b.  at  Wenham,  Nov.  27,  1812,  m.  JMnily  -I.  Patch 

of  Francestown.  Dec.  6,  1883,  is  a  farmer  and  a  man  of 
good  principles,  much  intelligence  and  solid  sense.     Has 
been  for  many  years  Superintendant  of  the  Sabbath  vSchool 
in  the  Congregational  Church.      Children  are: — 
Ahbie  A.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  April  22,  1885.) 
Albert  P.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  2,  1887.) 
Eoi/  JE.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  30,  1891.)] 
4."  Julia  A.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  June  16,  1850,  m.  John  W. 
Carson  of  Mont  Vernon,  Dec.  24,  1884,  res.  in   Frances- 
town.] 
5.  Clara  F.,   [b.  in  Francestown,,  May  27,  1853,  m.  Charles 
F.  Davis  of  Peterboro',  Feb.  18,  1880,  res.  at  Winchenden, 
Mass.] 


G40  GENEALOGIES. 

6.  Ella  M.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  oO,  185G,  m.  Dr.  Ed- 
gar A.  Clarke  of  Barnstead,  June  24,  1884,  res.  at  Con- 
cord, N.  H.] 

JOSTTUA  CLEAVES  DODGE,  son  of  (ieorge  and  Maria  H.  (Jones) 
l)odg(;  of  Hamilton,  Mass.,  afterward  of  Hancock  Factory,  (Benninton), 
was  born  July,  ISOl,  and  married,  lirst,  Mary  Woodbury  of  Antrim, 
Oct.  23,  IS-i.S.  Slie  died.  May  3,  1S3G,  and  he  married,  second,  Jane 
Maria  Clark,  daughter  of  Peter  Clark,  who  was  his  partner  in  business 
in  Franccstown,  Nashua  and  Boston,  but  of  the  enterprising  mercantile 
fli-ni  of  Clark  and  Dodge  mention  has  already  been  made  in  this  work. 
He  removed  to  Nashua  about  the  year  L'^34,  thence  to  Boston,  where 
he  died,  .July  13,  l^r/.',.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Mary  Frances,  [1).  in  1830,  m.  her  cousin,  Joshua  Cleaves 

Dodge,  res.  in  Paris,  France.] 

2.  George,  [d.  ^'oung  at  Nashua.] 

3.  Henry  Cleaves,  [b.,  1836.] 

4.  James  Gordan  Clark,  [b.  in  1840.     Me  enlisted  in  the 

War  of  the  Rebellion  in  the  10th  Ma>^s.  liegt.,  ami  was 
promoted  to  Captain  and  subsequently  to  Major  in  the 
61st  Mass.  Regt.,  was  '  brevetted  Lt.,  Colonel,  April  0, 
1865.  He  died  at  Preston,  Iowa,  while  on  his  way  to  San 
Francisco,  Cal.,  Feb.  14.  1877.] 

5.  Jane,  [d.  young.] 

6.  John  Frederick,  [b.  1844,  graduated  at  a  Law  School  in 

Paris,  France,  and  returned  to  his  native  country  and  died 
at  Boston,  INIass.] 

7.  Annie  Woodburn,  [b.  in  1845.] 

8.  Jeannette;   [married  in  France.] 

9.  Josaiia  Cleaves,  [ .] 

DOLLIA^ER. 

EDWAIU)  D(_)LLIVEK,  son  of  John  E.  Dolliver  of  Lyndeboro', 
worked  at  the  blacksmith's  trade  in  the  brick  shop  opposite  the  resi- 
dence of  Pacific  L.  Clark.  He  married  Sara  Wilson  of  this  town,  Mch. 
IS,  1S77.  He  was  living  in  the  Franklin  Ordway  house,  where  it  was 
burned.  He  soon  after  removed  to  Lyndeboro',  where  he  now  resides. 
Only  child  born  in  this  town: — 

1.  John  E.,  [b.  Feb.  22,  1878.] 


T.TStuaitBoS"^ 


DOAV,  DOWNES.  641 

DOW. 

SAMUEL  S.  l)()^^'  was  the  third  son  of  Aaron  Dow  of  Weare.  His 
mother  was  Adelia,  danghter  of  John  and  Lydia  (Purington)  Gove. 
She  was  born,  March  24,  1752.  He  came  here  as  early  as  1723,  and 
lived  first  in  the  Mill  House  below  Pleasant  pond  and  afterward  on  the 
Obadiah  Sleeper  place  and  on  other  places  in  this  town".  He  married, 
first,  Anna  Palmer  of  Deering.  She  died  in  this  town,  Feb.  13,  1849, 
aged  55  years,  2nd,  Bridget  Sullivan  of  Deering.  He  removed  to  Deer- 
ing, where  he  dieil,  June  10,  1SG2,  aged  about  (58  years.  His  children 
were : — 

1.  Lfc)RENZ(),   [b.  Aug.    29,  1828,  m.    June,  184l»,    J.aura  M. 

Philbrick,  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Ruth  (Perkins)  Phil- 
brick  of  Weare,  and  removed  to  that  town,  wliere  he  died 
in  1868.] 

2.  Lydia,  [b.  Jan.  16,  1825,  res.  at  Medliehl,  iMass.,  is  unmar- 

ried.] 

DOWNES. 

EDWAltl)  DOWXES,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  the  Downcses  of 
Francestovvn,  is  known  to  have  come  to  America  in  the  early  part  of 
the  eighteenth  century.  He  was  first  taxed  in  Canton,  Mass.,  in  1727. 
He  lived  on  the  n)ain  road  under  Blue  Hill  at,  or  near,  Doty  Tavern. 
He  married  Kuth  Puffer,  March  11,  1724.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
James  and  Abigail  Puffer  of  Newton,  Mass.  During  the  war  with 
Spain,  (1740)  Edward  Downes  enlisted  and  was  in  the  famous  but  dis- 
astrous expedition  against  the  Spanish  American  ports,  being  present 
at  the  unsuccessful  assault  upon  Carthagena,  (in  the  U.  S.  of  Colum- 
bia.) Though  ninth-tenths  of  the  forces  furnished  by  the  colonies 
l^erished  of  wounds  and  disease,  Mr.  Downes  returned  to  Canton,  with 
suflicient  bodily  sti'ength  and  courage  to  enable  him  to  participate  a 
little  latter  in  the  French  War,  from  which  he  did  not  return.  His 
wife,  who  was  referred  to  as  a  widow  in  1744,  died,  April  22nd,  1790. 

The  children  of  Edward  Downes  and  Kuth,  his  wife,  were: — Buth, 
Sarah,  Hannah,  Miriam,  Abigail  and  Edward.  In  the  records  of  Can- 
ton are  found  recorded  the  birth  of  Sara,  Oct.  22,  1727,  and  that  of 
Miriam,  July  25, 1730.  Edward,  the  youngest  of  the  children  was  born, 
Feb.  26,  1742,  in  Canton. 

EDWARD  DOWXES,  the  youngest  child  and  only  son  of  Edward, 
the  emigrant,  m.  1st,  Miriam  Jordan,  (b.  March  25,  1745,)  daughter  of 
William  and  Mary  Jordan  of  Canton,  Mass.  (Int.  of  marriage,  April 
19,  1763.)  The  children  of  Edward  and  Miriam  Downes  were: — Jesse, 
b.  April  3,  1764.  Oliver,  b.  April  9,  1766.  Mary,  b.  Xov.  6,  1768. 
Joanna,  b.  April  9,  1771.  ,  Kuth,  b.  March  11,  1774,  married,  Matthew 


642  GENEALOGIES. 

Dickey  of  Ihi?  lovvn.  (ieorge,  b.  Sept.  21,  1770.  Miriam  (Jordon) 
Downer,  d.  in  Canton,  March  25,  1777,  and  Edward  Downes.  m.  2nd, 
Khoda  IJillinj^s,  Marrh  !),  17S0.  She  was  1).  in  Canton,  March  10, 
17(>.').  Her  children  were: — Asa.  b.  Sept.  15.  17S0.  Amasa,  b.  .July 
.■)!.  17S4.  Cynthia.  1).  .July  9,  17S7,  d.  Aug.  IS,  17S7.  Cynthia,  h. 
Oct.  :'>{).  17SS.  Ilarrict.  b.  Aug.  17,  17!):j.  Edward,  b.  :vray  1,1795. 
All  were  l)orn  in  Canton.  Jesse  DoM'ues,  the  oldest  son  of  Edward 
and  Miriam  was  the  fatlier  of  *Com.  John  Downes,  who  won  a  national 
reputation  and  a  place  in  history  as  a  naval  officer  of  great  ability.     We 


*lt  is  the  opinion  of  manv  that  John  Downes  earned  lor  hiinself  a  name 
at  Qjialla  Battoo.  He  had,  however,  established  a  reputation  as  a  bylliant 
naval  officer  years  before  his  sanguin.irv  chastisement  of  the  Malays.  He 
was  with  Commodore  Porter  during  the  memorable  cruise  in  the  Pacific  of 
the  Essex  and  the  Essex  Junior  in  1812-14.  The  latter  vessel  Downes,  then 
a  lieutenant,  commanded.  He  was  also  with  Decatur  in  the  President,  and 
he  more  tiian  sustained  iiis  high  reputation  in  the  war  with  Algiers,  and  in 
18."}1,  when  he  was  chosen  bv  Secretary  Woodbury  to  prosecute  hostile  meas- 
ures against  the  Qualla  Battooans,  he  was  doubtless  the  most  efficient  offi- 
cer in  the  U.  S.  Navy,  (^lalla  Battoo  on  the  north-western  coast  of  the  island 
of  Sumatra  was  at  that  time  a  town  of  some  pretensions,  Avas  fortified  by 
forts  manning  a  number  of  cannon  and  strengthened  by  stockades.  The  in- 
habitants were  Mohamedan  Malays  addicted  to  cannibalism  and  piracy,  and 
were  fierce  and  dreaded  fighters.  On  P"eb.  7,  IS.'il.  the  ship,  Friendship  of 
Salem,  Mass.,  commanded  by  Captain  Endicott,  while  at  anchor  at  Qiialla 
Battoo,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  a  cargo  of  pepper  was  treacherously  attacked 
and  after  her  first  mate  and  two  seamen  had  been  killed  she  was  plundered. 
Her  captain  and  second  mate  were  at  the  time  on  shore  but  made  their  es- 
cape in  a  boat  and  picked  up  four  of  the  Friendship's  crew,  who  had  jumped 
overboard,  eluded  the  war  canoes  of  the  Malays  and  putting  to  sea,  reached 
Muckie.  another  pepper-port  twenty  miles  distant,  where  were  three  American 
merchantmen.  With  these  they  returned  to  Qualla  Battoo  and  after  a  hard 
fight  recaptured  the  Friendship.  Levi  Woodbury  was  then  conducting  the 
affairs  of  the  Na\v  Department  with  an  energetic  hand,  and  with  a  far-reach- 
ing conception  of  the  power  of  the  Navy  to  secure  and  maintain  national  re- 
spect abroad,  and  he  forthwith  dispatched  John  Downes  to  the  scene  of  the 
outrage.  The  latter  was  then  commodore  of  the  Potomac,  a  fine  frigate 
carrying  tbrty-fbur  guns  and  in  this  expedition,  five-hundred  men.  The  Po- 
tomac dropped  anchor  at  Qiialla  Battoo.  in  Feb.,  18o2.  and  just  a  year  after 
the  capture  of  the  Friendship,  two  hundred  and  sixty  of  her  crew,  who  had 
been  drilled  during  the  voyage,  for  land  service,  were  landed  and  a  desperate 
battle  was  fought,  in  which  the  Malays  showed  intelligence  and  bravery, 
and  in  which  a  woman,  a  wife  of  one  of  the  dignitaries  of  the  town, 
fought  with  the  intrepidity  of  an  Amazon.  The  skill  and  courage  of  the 
Yankee  nautical  soldiery  finally  prevailed  and  with  musket,  pike  and  cut- 
lass, the  forts  were  stormed  and  taken  and  the  heavy  guns  of  the  frigate 
trained  upon  the  port  completed. the  terror  and  discomfiture  of  the  pirates, 
who  sent  messengers  humblj^  beseeching  that  the  "big  guns  might  cease 
■their  lightning  and  thunder."'  The  effect  of  this'  punishment  inflicted  by 
Commdore  Downes  is  said  to  be  felt  in  Malaysia  at  the  present  time. 


DOWNES.  G48 

are  told  that  while  Jesse  was  ;i  waterman  about  the  wharves  of  IjOsIoh, 
Com.  Jiaiiibridge  was  attracted  by  the  bright,  ready  ways  of  young 
John,  and  persuaded  his  father  to  permit  his  son  to  go  to  sea  with  him 
in  the  capacity  of  a  caljin-bo}-  and  thus  became  the  founder  of  his  for- 
tunes. Jesse,  the  son  ot  Jesse,  was  also  of  a  nautical  turn,  was  master 
of  a  vessel  and  died  at  sea. 

EDWARD  DOWNES,  2nd,  removed  from  Canton  to  Francestown 
in  the  year  179(),  In-inging  with  him  his  sons,  Amasa  and  Edward  and 
daughters,  Cynthia  and  Harriet.  He  occupied  the  farm-house  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Holmes  Balch,  where  he  died,  March  14,  1800. 

ASA  DOWXES,  the  oldest  son  of  Edwanl  and  Rhoda  (Billings) 
Downes,  married  Hannah  Thorp  of  Francestown,  May  5,  1805.  He 
lived  in  Francestown  a  short  time  prior  to  the  spring  of  1822,  when  he, 
in  company  with  Joel  Fairbanks  and  Matthew  Dickey,  went  to  Steu- 
ben Co.,  X.  Y.  Asa  bought  land  in  Canisteo,  erected  a  log-house, 
cleared  as  much  ground  as  possible  and  in  the  autumn  sent  for  his 
family.  His  meeting  with  his  wife  and  children  on  the  rough  tempo- 
rary bridge  that  spanned  the  Canisteo  river  is  not  yet  forgotten  by  the 
surviving  members  of  the  family.  He  lived  upon  his  farm,  thrifty  and 
prosperous,  until  the  death  of  his  wife,  Feb.  18,  18o5,  after  which  lie 
made  his  son  Warren's  house  his  home.  He  was  by  trade  a  cooper. 
He  died  in  Canisteo,  X.  Y^  Dec.  1,  18(5."}.      His  children  were:  — 

1.  Sanfoiid,  [I),  ill  Dedhaiu,  Mass,  Dec.  20,  180o,  m.  Elija  II. 

Creesy,   d.-  in   Church   Creek,  Dorchester  Co.,   ^Id..   Se})l. 
29,  1843.] 

2.  Julia   Ann,   [1).  in   Salem,  Mass,,  May  8,  1808,  in.  John 

Butler.] 

3.  Melinda  Tilson,    [h.  in    Dedham,  Nov.  9,  1810,  m.  Israel 

Jones  of  Canisteo,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  5,  1829,  res.  at  Canisteo.] 
1.  P^DWARD  Billings,  [!>.  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  Aug,  4,  1813, 
m.  Mary  Thomas,  d.  at  Canisteo,  March  4,  1869,  was  a 
shoemaker.] 

5.  Asa,  [b.  in  Dedham,  Sept.  13,  1816,  m.  Hannah  Pye,  res. 

in  Ellisburg,  Pa.,  is  a  farmer.] 

6.  War  REN  Thorp,   [b.  in  Dedham,  Nov.  19,  1818,  m.  Sarah 

Woolbert,  is  a  farmer,  res.  at  'Canisteo.] 

AMASA  DOWXES,  brother  of  Asa  and  son  of  Edward  and  Rboda, 
(Billings)  Downes,  lived  in  the  house  now  owned  by  Mr.  William 
Farnum,  being  engaged  in  the  tanning  business.  He  married,  1st, 
Mary  Batten  of  Francestow^ii,  Feb.  13,  1810,  2nd,  Fanny  Boyd,  Oct.  7, 


644  GENEALOGIES. 

1828.  He  removed  to  Cameron,  X.  Y.,  wliei-e  he  died  of  eoii^umplion, 
March  2,  1833.  His  first  wife  died  in  Francestown,  Aug.  22,  1817. 
His  second  wife  died  in  Sabetha,  Kansas,  April  28,  1873.  Children  by 
first  marriage,  all  born  in  Francestown,  were: — 

1.  Rhoda  Billings,  [b.  March  17,  1811,  m.  Peter  Truax,  d. 

at  Sliaron,  Wisconsin,  April  30,  1861.] 

2.  Mary    Rand,   []>.   Dec.  2,    1813,  d.  in   Cameron,    Dec.  9, 

1843.] 

3.  Amasa.  Jr.,  [b.  Aug.  12,  181(),  m.  Catherine  Wilcox,  was 

a  cabinet-maker,  d.  at  Frnitport,  Mich.,  July,  1872.] 

Children  by  2nd  marriage  all  born  in  Cameron,  were: — 

4.  Jane  Ramsey,   [b.  Aug.  11,  1824,  m.  W.  R.  Crocker,  M. 

D.,  d.  in  Cameron.  Feb.  19,  1851.] 

5.  John,  [b.  Sept.  27,  1825,  m.  Hannah  M.  Hare  of  Cameron, 

March  4,  1849,  is  a  farmer,  res.  in  Sabetha,  Kansas,  has 
been  in  the  Kansas  Legislature.] 

6.  Fannie  Louisa,  [b.  Aug.  7,  1827,  d.  in  Cameron,  (;)ct.  19, 

1846.] 

7.  Levi,  [b.  Dec.  13,  1828,  d.  Jan.  26,  1830.] 

EDWARD  DOWXES,  3i"d,  was  by  vocation  a  tanner  and  shoe-man- 
ufacturer. He  lived  during  the  moie  active  years  of  his  life  in  the 
cottage  taken  down  in  18Q0,  by  Mr.  William  Farnum,  near  which  the 
business  of  tanning  was  carried  on.  Later  in  life  he  lived  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  Mrs.  Charles  Parker.  He  married  in  1819,  Mary  Dennis 
of  Glouc'ester,  Mass.,  and  died,  Oct.  19,'1881.  Mary  (Dennis)  Downes 
was  born,  Aug.  1,  1799,  and  died,  Oct.  24,  1866.  Their  children  were 
all  born  in  Francestown  as  follows: — 

1.  Mary  Frances,   [b.  Nov.  3,  1820,  m.  Daniel  Thissell  of 

Dracut,  Mass.,  July  31,  1842,  res.  at  Lawrence,  Mass., 
where  she  d.  July  27,  1868.] 

2.  Rhoda  Billings,  [b.  Nov.  9,  1822,  m.  Charles  Parker  of 

Chelmsford,  Mass.,  Oct.  28, 1856,  resides  in  Francestown.] 

3.  Mark,  [b.  Nov.  1,  1824,  m.  Mary  Dyer  of  Exeter,  Sept.  8, 

1852,  res.  Woburn,  Mass,  by  occupation  a  book-keeper.] 

4.  Samuel  Dennis,  [b.  Apr.  25,  1827,  m.  Martha  T.  Billings 

of  South  Deerfield,  Mass.,  Mar.  26,  1851.  Mrs.  Downes 
is  a  good  and  gifted  woman.  She  was  b.  Feb.  13,  1825, 
being  the  daughter  of  Timotli}' .and  Amy  Billings.  Mr. 
Downes,  public  spirited  and  enterprising,  active  in  busi- 


DOWNES.  645 

ness  from  his  early  niaiiliood,  has  been  post-master  and 
town-clerk  in  Francestown  and  has  represented  the  town 
in  the  State  Legislature.  He  is  at  present  treasurer  of  the 
Savings  Bank,  is  a  man  of  man}- interests  and  in  all  a  force. 
Only  child: — 
William  E.,  (b.  at  F.  Mar.  4,  1854,  m.  Emily  F.  Tuttle  of 
Antrim,  Mar.  11,  1875,  res.  in  Bennington,  is  a  merchant, 
has  three  children.)] 

5.  Harriet  Maria,  [b.  Sept.  ;-'.0,  1828.  d.  June  3,  1853,  in 

Francestown.] 

6.  George  Edward,  [b.  Jan.  27,  1830.  m.  Harriet  F.  Carter 

of  Francestown,  Oct.  25,  1860.  He  has  long  been  a  prom- 
inent and  energetic  member  of  the  Cong.  Church,  and  has 
been  honored  by  liis  townsmen  with  a  seat  in  the  Legislat- 
ure and  with  various  town  offices.  He  is  a  gentleman 
both  genial  and  successful.] 

7.  Cynthia  Fairbanks,   [b.  Sept.  18,  1831,  m.  Andrew  A. 

Ward  01  Cambridge,  Mass.,  Sept.  27, 1854,  resided  long  i]i 
Cambridge,  now  resides  in  Francestown.] 

8.  Nancy  Jane,  [b.  Nov.  24, 1832,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  12. 

1858.] 

9.  Amasa,    [b.  Nov.  29,  1833, m.  Susan   M.  Sawyer  of  Fran- 

cestown, Feb.  1,  1866  Amasa  Downes  was  a  soldier 
in  the  13th  Regt.,  N.  H.  A'oL,  serving  three  years  in  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion,  being,  during  much  of  that  time, 
corps  and  division  post-mastei'.  He  is  a  deacon  in  the 
Cong.  Church,  and  has  filled  the  office  of  town  t«reasurer 
many  j-ears;  as  a  merchant  he  has  displayed  good  business 
abilities.     Children  b.  in  Francestown : — 

Charles  S\  (b.  Nov.  19,  1867.) 

Mary  A.,  (b.  Nov.  10,  1870.  She  was  by  nature  studious, 
conscientious,  earnest  and  amiable,  and  her  girl-hood  seemed 
to  promise  a  life  of  christian  usefulness  if  not  eminence. 
She  graduated  at  Francestown  Academy,  being-  the  vouno-- 
est  member  of  the  class  of  '88.  In  the  followinof  vear  she 
graduated  at  Ashburnham,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  she 
entered  Wellesley  College,  where  she  remained  three  3-ears 
and  one  term,  when  her  health — evidently  failing — became 
a  source  of  alarm  to  her  friends  and  a  blight  to  her  aspira- 


646  GENEAL0(ilE8. 

tions.  She  died  at lier  home  in  Fi'aiicestown,  Aug-.  23,1893. 
Her  })ortrait  in  this  book  i.s  a  copy  of  a  photogi'aph  taken 
at  the  time  of  her  o-raduation  in  1888.  In  the  original 
likeness,  if  not  in  the  engraving,  those  who  knew  her  think 
that  they  discover  some  reflections  of  those  love  inspiring- 
virtues  which  will  ever  be  associated  with  the  memory  of 
Mary  Downes.) 
Bertha  M.,   (b.  Nov.  18,  1877.)] 

10.  Heniuetta  Augusta,  [b.  Oct.  25,  1835,  is  a  missionary 
in  NcAv  York  City.] 

11.  Eliza  Bixby,  [b.  Nov.  29, 1837,  m.  John  L.  Epps  of  Fran- 

cestown,  Sept.  4, 1860,  d.  May  17,  1862,  in  Francestown.] 

12.  Haklax  Page,   [b.  Feb.  16,  1841,  m.  Maria  A.   Stephens, 

Aug.  9,  1862.  Mr.  Downs  is  by  trade  a  carpenter,  ranking- 
high  in  the  craft,  having  a  reputation  as  a  builder  second 
to  few,  if  any.     Children,  all  born  in  Francestown  : — 

Eliza  Jane,  (b.  Aug.  30,  1863,  m.  Rodney  C.  Cochrane,  Aug. 
15,  1883,  d.  in  Deering,  May  5,  1890.) 

Frank  Charlei^,  (b.  Feb.  12,  1865,  m.  Mary  E.  Holt  of  Green- 
field, May  12,1888,  resides  in  Antrim,  a  caipenter.) 

Edward  Denmi<,(h.  Nov.  23,  1866,  d.  Feb.  22,  1877.) 

Mabel  0(/nfhuu  (b.  May  17,  1868,  m.  Charles  Willis  Brooks 
of  Antrim,  Sei)t.  16,  1890,  res.  in  Antrim.) 

Grace  Edith,  (b.  Apr.  17,  1870,  m.  Charles  O.  Woods  of 
Antrim,  Mch.  28,  1893,  resides  at  Antrim.) 

Annie  A^igin^ta,    (b.  Nov.  11.1871,  is  a  successful  teacher.) 

Addie  Woodlury,  (b.  Nov.  23,  1873,  m.  Roy  N.  Putnam  of 
Lyndeboro',  Dec,  19,  1894,  res.  in  Lyndeboro'.) 

Carrie  3Iaria,   (b.  Sept.  15,  1875.) 

Martha   Theresa,   (b.  Apr.  4,  1878,  d.'  Mar.  6,  1884.) 

Elsie  Beatrice,  (b.  Apr.  12,  1881.)] 

OLIVER  DOWNES.  This  name  appears  upon  the  records  for 
ISOl,  hence  we  are  led  to  believe  that  Oliver  Downes  lived  in  the  south- 
westerly part  of  the  town,  perhaps  in  the  Balch  hill  neighborhood,  for  a 
short  time.     He  was  the  son  of  Edward  Downes,  2nd,  as  can  be  seen. 

DRAPER. 

WILLIA:M  draper  came  from  Dedhani,  Mass.,  to  this  town,  about 
17S0,  and  settled  on  what  is  known  as  Driscoll  hill.     His  father,  William 


'O^c 


£^'~'Z^'ty2^t,-€'<c^ 


DEAPEi;.  647 

Driiper,  >Sr. ,  came  fr<jm  England,  and  settled  in  Dedhani,  Mass.  Wil- 
liam, the  son,  was  b.  Mar.  7,  1742,  and  d.  in  Francestown  on  his  birth- 
day, Mar.  7,  1842,  aged  just  one  hundred  years.  Sarah  (Merriam) 
Barnes,  his  wife,  was  b.  in  Ashburnham,  Mass.  and  m.  William  Barnes 
of  Lexington,  wdio  was  drowned  at  sea  in  early  manhood.  She  m.,  2nd, 
Mr.  Draper  and  lived  to  great  age,  dying  in  1S32.  She  was  a  witness 
of  the  battle  of  Lexington;  saw  the  "red  coats"  march  up  and  tire  upon 
the  American  farmers;  and  later  in  the  day  saw  the  --red  coats"  tlying 
for  life  in  disgraceful  retreat. 

William  Draper  of  this  town  was  a  great  story-teller,  shrewd,  enter- 
taining, original  and  harmless.  Many  of  his  jokes  and  stories  have  been 
handed  down,  as  being  too  good  to  lose.  As  showing  what  large  turni})S 
he  raised  back  of  his  barn,  he  said  he  left  out  a  few  of  them  in  tlie  fall  for 
the  sheep  to  gnaw  upon.  Later  he  missed  his  largest  sheep,  and  after 
long  searching  and  waiting,  he  accidentally  found  her  in  one  of  the  tur- 
nips! She  had  gnawed  in  and  lived  inside  three  weeks  wiiliout  bi-ing 
heard  from! — As  showing  how  thick  and  heavy  the  fog  used  to  be,  he 
said  that  once  while  shingling,  he  shingled  out  from  the  roof  onto  the 
/<>(/  ten  feet  before  lie  noticed  his  mistake  !- -Once,  wliih'  chasing  a  fox 
round  a  hill,  not  being  able  to  get  near  enough  for  a  sight,  he  bent  his 
gun-barrel,  and  shot  round  the  hill  and  brought  down  the  fox. 

The  childi'cn  of  William  and  Sni-ali  (Merriam)  Draper  were  as 
follows  : — 

1.  John,    [died  young':   date  of  birtli  and  death  not  known.] 

2.  Jonas,  [went  to  Holland  Purchase,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died  at 

the  age  of  102  years.  He  was  a  twdn  and  \^■as  said  to  be 
so  small  at  birth  that  he  "could  be  })Ut  into  a  (^uart  tankard," 
yet  he  lived  to  quite  a  respectable  age  I  His  twin  who 
was  large  soon  died.  Jonas  was  thiice  married:  Imt  noth- 
ing further  has  been  learned  of  his  family.] 

3.  Thomas,  [was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812:  m.  Lucy  Park- 

er of  (xreenfield  ;  lived  in  that  town  and  d.  there  in  1860; 
had  six  children,  Thomas  Jefferson.  Sally.  Jonathan.  Lu- 
cetta,  James  P.  C.  and  Lydia.] 

4.  Sally,  [m.  Cyrus  Ellenwood  of  Greeniield:  moved   to  Ac- 

worth,  and  thence  to  Charlestown,  where  she  died.] 

5.  Relief,  [m.  Jotham  Parker  and  lived  in  Greeniield  and  d. 

there  in  1865.  A  daughter  m,  Gilman  Plummer  of  Man- 
Chester.  A  son  m.  Mary  Low  of  Greenfield  and  lived  here 
a  few  years  on  the  Scobv  farm,  where  his  wife  died,  Oct. 
15.  1848.     Soon  after  he  went  to  Vt.] 

6.  Hepsibah,  [m.  Jan.  31,  1828,  Maj.  William   Brooks,  a  sol- 


648  GENEALOGIES. 

dieraiid  oHIcer  of  the  Revoluti(ji);  iii.  2iid,  James  lj()utA\ell 
of  Antrim,  was  buried  in  Hancock  beside  her  first  husband.] 

7.  Aaron,  [b.  8e[)t.  11,  179").  m.  Eliza  Tucker  of  Chelsea,  Vt., 

whose  brother  William,  a  sea  captain  of  considerable  note 
was  captured  and  })ut  to  death  by  tlie  pirates  of  Algiers; 
was  a  fai-nier:  lived  in   Francestown  and  d.  here,   Dec.  1, 
18(I():   his  wife.  d.  Aug.  8,  1872;   children,  all  born  in  this 
town: — 
Eliza,  (1).  May  .').  1823,  d.  Aiig.  8,  1824.) 
Marij  A.,  (b.  Nov.  (),  1825.  d.  .Inly  19,  185o;  unm.) 
Nancy  Caroline,  (b.  Sept.  18,  1829,  m.  William  Duncklee  of 
(rreenfield.  Dec.  17,  18H1;  iheir  son  (ieorge  Aaron,  b.  Dec. 
19,   1862,  took   tlie  name    Draper;   She  now  lives  in   this 
village;  is  a  woman  of  intelligence  and  keen   niemoiy:  has 
Ijcen  st)me  years  a   "conespondent""  for  the   local  })apcrs; 
and  lias  the  thanks  of  the  writer  for  valnable  assistance  in 
collecting  items  for  this  book.  — ,  d.  at  Francestown,  Nov.  4, 
1892,  after  the  abo\e  sketch  \\as  written.)] 

8.  Timothy  W.,  [m.  Mary  Flanders  of  Lancaster,  Mass.,^Vpril  6, 

1824;  lived  some  years  afterwai-d  in  this  town,  uniting  witli 
the  church  here  in  1828;  moved  to  Charlestown,  this  state  in 
later  years;  then  in  1849  to  Antrim.  Avherehe  d.  April  10. 
1874  aged  "77.  Was  a  very  lame  man,  and  a  suffei'cr  from 
rlieumatism  many  years,  died  in  his  chair  while  the  family 
were  making  pre])arations  for  breakfast;  his  wife  d.  June 
6,  1887,  aged  83;  they  had  seven  children,  of  whom  George 
A.,  Maria  M.,  Austin  R.,  and  William  H.,  d.  in  eaily 
years.      The  othei's  M'ere: — 

Charle.s  (x.,  ( Had  his  name  changed  to  Gil)Son;  m.  Elizabeth 
S.  Jones  of  Milford.  1855;  lives  i]i  Antrim;  they  have  one 
child.  George  G.,  who  was  b.  March  25,  1864,  and  m. 
Janet  Campbell  of  Chatham,  N.  B.,  Nov.  21,  1891.) 

Lie-//  Ann.  (b.  June  8,  1833;  m.  Alvin  D  Charters  of  Lowell, 
Mass.,  Dec.  14,  1852;  lives  in  that  city;  her  husband  was 
killed  by  a  fall,  May  11,  1859;  their  only  surviving  child, 

Alvia  A.,  was  b.  in  Antrim,  May  4,  1859,  m. 

Draper  and  lives  in  Peterboro'. } 

Richards,  (b.  July  24,  1837;  went  from  home  in  1857;  last 
heard  from  in  Kansas  about  1870.)] 


DKURY,  DUNCKLEE.  649 

9.  SoLOisiON  W..  [in.  Maitlia  Towns  of  Greenlield:  lived  in 
that  town  and  d.  there  in  18t')0;  had  nine  ehihlren: — John 
S.,  Sarah  M.,  Phebe  E.,  Nancy  E..  Soh^mon  S.,  Mary  M., 
Esther  C,  Elhi  ami  Hattie.] 

DIUSCOLL. 

DANIEL  DKISCOLL  canu'  hew  from  lrelan<l  ;ib(>ut  the  year  ISOO, 
and  began  upon  the  old  Wells  plaee  to  westward  of  Thomas  Averills. 
From  him  the  Driscoll  wood  derived  its  name  as  did  also  the  Driscoll 
Hill,  wliich  was  previously  called  the  Balch  hill  and  is  even  at  this  day 
frequently  so  designated.  He  was  known  as  Captain  Driscoll  and  was 
evidently  a  man  of  means.  He  lived  a  few  3'ears  on  the  Driscoll  jjlace 
on  Driscoll  hill,  where  he  died,  April  3,  1812.  His  family  removed  to 
Boston  soon  after  his  deatli.  He  was  known  to  have  three  children, 
two  daughters,  Lucy  and  Eliza  and  one  son,  Cornelius  by  name.     Lucy 

married,  1st, Tie,  ■2iid, Haley.     She  die<l  many  years  ago 

in  Boston.  Eliza  married,  Thomas  Barr  of  Boston,  with  whom  many 
of  our  citizens  were  acquainted.  She  also  died  in  Boston.  Cornelius 
was  long  in  Inisiness  in  Boston  and  died  in  that  city. 

DRURY. 

De.  BEXJAMIX  DRURY  came  here  about  1779  and  remained  about 
four  years.  Have  found  Init  little  information  concerning  him.  He 
was  town  clerk  of  Fraiiccstown  in  17S1  and  17.'^2,  and  moderator  of  a 
town  meeting,  Feb.  .-),  17SL 

DUNCKLEE. 

ELXATHAXi  DUXCKLEE  lived  in  Dedham,  Mass.,  as  early  as 
1651.  He  married  Silence  Bowers,  Dec.  14,  165G,  and  had  five  child- 
ren:— Ruth,  Elnathan,  David,  Hannah  and  Xathaniel.  He  died  in 
Dedham,  Feb.  17,  lOO!).  Hisyoungcst  son,  Xathaniel^.  baptized  at  Ded- 
ham, April  11,  KWi'J,  was  of  Woburn  in  169.3.  He  married,  Mary 
(French)  Sharp,  widow  of  Robert  Sharp  and  daughter  of  Lt.  William 
French  of  Billerica,  ]\Iarch  23,  1693.  Five  years  later  he  was  at  Water- 
town,  where  he  and  his  wife  Were  received  into  the  Church,  Dec.  18, 
1698.  He  removed  to  Lexington  about  the  year  1701.  and  in  1705  was 
received  into  the  Church  there  by  a  letter  of  dismission  from  the  Church 
in  Watertown.  His  farm  (of  sixty  acres)  in  Lexington  was  near  the 
present  boundary  between  Lexington  and  Bedford.  He  was  the  father 
of  eight  children,  of  whom  Hezekiah3  bai)tized,  X'^ov.  21,1708,  was  the 
seventh.  He  married  Damaris  Wilson,  Oct.  17,  1734,  and  six  years 
after  removed  to  Billerica,  where  he  resided  until  1760,  when  he  set- 
tled in  Soughegan  West,  (now  Amherst,)  where  he  died  about  the  year 
1772.  His  children  were: — Hezikiah*,  X'^athanieH,  Damaris-i,  John*, 
Mary 4,  Hannah*,  Da\''id*,  Sarah*,  Joseph*,  Thaddeus*,  and  Hannah*. 


650  GENEALOGIES. 

Joscph-i   was  born,  (Jet.  '21,  IToO,  m.   Hannah  and  had  by  this 

marriage  two  cliildren: — Martha^,  born.  May  31,  1770.     Samuel^,  born 
in  Amherst,  Aui>-.  4,  1772. 

8AMUP:L  I)U^X'KLEE,  (son  of  Joscpli  and  Hannah)  married,  1st, 
Betsey  Wilson,  who  died,  Sept.  28,  17!)S,  aged  21  years  and  was  bnried 
in  Amherst.  lie  married,  2nd,  Sally  Wilson,  sister  of  his  tirst  wife, 
who  died,  Oct.  4. 1S24,  in  Orange,  where  he  was  then  residing.  Samuel 
Duncklee  eamc  here  from  Amherst  about  the  year  1888.  and  lived  on 
the  IJailey  place  westward  of  the  I'^arrington  farm  and  fjuite  near  the 
Greenfield  line.  He  afterward  lived  in  the  cottage  in  the  village  now 
owned  l)y  Ephraim  W.  Colburn.  He  died  at  the  residence  of  his  son- 
in-law,  -Tcsse  Woodl)ury,  in  Francestown.  March  23.  1850,  and  wag 
buried  in  Amherst.  His  childi'en  by  the  lirsl  marriage,  doubtless  boi'n 
in  Amherst,  were: — 

1.  Samup:l,  b.   A[)ril  80,  17!»"),  ni.  1st,    Haniiali    Black,  2n(l, 

Esther  F.  Fisher  of  Fraiicestow d.  Feli.  10,  1824.  He  set- 
tled in  Greenfield,  where  he  died,  .June  10,  1833,  Han- 
nah (Black)  Duncklee  died.  Jan.  It).  1823.  His  second 
wife  died  at  Newtoii,  Mass.,  May  13,  1888. 

2.  Jesse,  [d.  Aug.  28,  1798,  in  tlie  second  year  of  his  age.] 

His  children  by  his  second  mai'riage  were: — 

3.  Bktsey,  [b.  in  1801,  d.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  20,  1823.] 

4.  Sally,  [b.  in  1805,  d.  in  Francestown,  April  3,  1838,  was 

unmarried.] 

5.  Jessk,  [married  Adaline  C'ragin  of  Greenfield,  Feb.  5,  1829. 

He  came  to  this  town  in  1825,  and  five  years  later  he  built 
the  brick  house  in  the  village  owned  by  Mrs.  J.  W.  Bry- 
ant, in  which  he  lived  until  his  removal  to  the  city  of  Man- 
chester. He  was  a  resolute  and  capable  man  and  was 
known  in  this  town  and  vicinity  as  Sheriff  Duncklee.  He 
was  also  })rominent  among  the  active  men  of  Manchester, 
during  his  residence  in  that  city.  He  died,  Feb.  23,  1840. 
His  children  v/ere: — 

John  Farley,  (b.  March  5,  1830,  m.  S.  Maria  Riddle  of  Man- 
chester, June,  1855,  d.  at  Cambridge,  Mass.) 

Mary  Adaline,  (b.  Dec.  10,  1831,  m.  James  T.  Bixby  of 
Francestown,  Oct.  19,  1854,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  18, 
1867.) 

Hannah    IF.,  (b.  Feb.  14,  1834,  m.  I.  Jasper  Burns  of  Mil- 


DUNCKLEE.  651 

ford.  Sept.  27,  1854,  d.  in  Miliord,  Feb.  24,  1864,     Her 

son,   Geo.   Frank   Burns  was  born   in  this  town  and  ber 

daughter,  Mary  died  here.) 
Je^ae  C,  (b.  April  25,  1836,  unmarried,  d.  at  Boston.) 
Saruli,  (b.  Aug.  20,  1838,  m.  Bev.  Charles  E.  Milliken,  June 

18, 1861,  and  resided  in  Littleton,  N.  H.,  where  she  d.  Dec. 

3,1875.)] 

6.  John,  [b.  in   Amherst,  Sept.  11,  1807,  went  to  Boston,  and 

from  there  to  Brighton,  Mass.,  m.  Harriet  (Jilnuu-e  of  Bos- 
ton.) 

7.  Josp:fh,  [b.  April  20,  1810,  went  to  Boston  and  afteiwaid 

to  Brighton.] 

8.  Hannah,  W.,    [b.  in    Bedford,  March  14,  1812,  m.  Jesse 

Woodbury  of  Francestowu,  Sept.  2,  1834.  She  was  a  very 
capable  and  public  spirited  woman,  d.  in  this  town,  Feb. 
28,  1878.] 

9.  Perley  C,  [b.  Nov.  12,  1817,  d.  in  Brighton.  Mass.,  Mch. 

4,  1843.] 

10.  Nancy,  [d.  in  Francesiown,  Sept.l,  1862,  unmarried, aged 

47  years.] 

11.  Mary.  [b.  in  1820,  d.  June  24,  1821.] 

HEZEKIAH  l)rXCIvLEE,  the  father  of  Hezekiah,  Leonard  and 
Francis  Duncklee  of  FrancCstown  went,  when  a  boy  from  Danvers, 
Mass.,  to  Lyndeboro',  with  Joseph  Epps  in  whose  family  he  lived.  He 
married  Meliitable  White  of  Dedham  and  settled  iu  Greenfield.  He  was 
one  of  the  many  men,  who  went  from  this  section  to  fight  and  win  the 
Battle  of  IJennington.  He  died  in  Greenfield,  March  10,  1S27.  His 
son,  Hezekiah  was  born  in  Greentield,  Feb.  16,  1784,  and  married  Ann 
Batchelder,  who  was  born  in  Greenfield,  April  2,  1782,  and  died  in 
Francestown,  Aug.  10,  18.57.  Hezekiali  with  his  sou,  Joseph  eame 
from  Lyndeboro',  in  18ol  and  purchased  tlie  place  now  owned  and  oc- 
cupied by  the  latter.  Here  he  died,  Xov.  16,  1863.  His  children  were: 
1st,  Julia  Ann,  who  married  Sherebiah  Manning  and  died  in  ISTew  Bos- 
ton; 2nd,  -John,  3rd,  Lucy,  who  married  Stephen  Carleton;4th,  Joseph, 
who  married  Julia  M.  Patch;  oth,  Henry,  who  married  Cornelia  Whit- 
temore  of  Greenfield.  Joseph  was  the  .only  one  of  the  children  of  Hez- 
ekiah, who  came  to  Francestown.  He  was  born  in  Lyndeboro',  May 
1,  1821,  and  married,  Julia  Maria  Patch,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Patch, 
.luiie  K),  1855.     He  has  no  children. 

LKOXAPvI)  DUNCKLEE,  son  of  Hezekiah.  Duncklee  was  born  in 
Greenfield,  Jan.   10,  1794,  and  died  iu  Francestown,  April  1!),  1863. 


652  GENEALOGIES. 

He  married  first,  Eunice  Jacobs,  who  died  in  ('(ninecticntt,  2nd,  Eliza- 
beth B.  Lewis  of  Francestown,  April  28,  18311.  He  came  from  Salem, 
Mass.,  to  Francestown  in  1835.  After  his  second  marriage,  he  lived 
in  this  town  and  in  Hancock,  Greenfield*  and  Lyndeboro'.  In  his  last 
years  he  lived  in  Francestown  on  the  place  owned  and  occupied  by 
Charles  N.  Paige.  His  widow  with  her  son,  Daniel  Webster  Duncklee, 
lives  on  the  Gay  or  Hovey  place  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.  Their 
children  were: — 

1.  Daniel  Webster,  [b.  at  Lyndeboro',  March  10,  1841,  is  a 

farmer  and  is  a  very  industrious  and  reliable  man.] 

2.  Hannah  Jane.  [1).  at  Hancock.  A|'iil  1,  1843,  d.  in  Frances- 

town,  Oct.  27.  1889.] 

FRANCIS  DUXCKLEE  was  a  son  of  Hezekiah  Duncklee  of  Green- 
field, from  which  place  he  came  to  this  town  with  his  family  in  1831. 
He  lived  first  on  the  Israel  Fairbanks  farm  south  of  DriscoU  hill  and 
afterward  on  the  Atwood  place  below  the  village.  He  died  at  the  resi- 
dence of  his  son,  George  A.  Duncklee,  Feb.  14,  1859,  aged  G9  years. 
His  wife  was  Sarah  A.  Holt.  She  was  born  at  Greenfield,  March  10, 
1795,  and  died  at  Francestown,  -Tune  4,  18S5.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Francis    Harvey,   [b.  in  Greeniield-,    May  30,    1821,  m. 

Mar}'  A.  McAlvin  of  Francestown,  Dec.  26, 1849.  He  re- 
sides in  Francestown  on  tlie  Daniel  Clark  place,  is  a  far- 
mer witli  an  inclination  to  mercantile  persuits.  He  is  a 
man  ready  and  capable  in  business  and  has  filled  the  office 
of  selectman,  has  also  been  tax  collector  many  years  in 
succession.  Only  child: — 
George  FranJcUn,  (b.  in  Francestown,  May  21,  1853,  died  in 
Francestown,  Jul}^  3,  1856,  of  injuries,  resulting  from  an 
accident.)] 

2.  Sarah  Elizabeth,   [b.  in  Greenfield,  June  11,  1823,  d. 

April  10,  1844,  in  Francestown.] 

3.  George  Abbott,   [b.  in  Greenfield,  Nov.  8,  1830,  m.  Sara 

E.  Stanley  of  Francestown,  March  17,  1857.  Mr.  Dunck- 
lee is  a  farmer  and  has  lived  since  1857,  on  the  David 
Lewis  place.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  his  vocation, 
and  in  business  enterprises,  and  his  frequent  election  to 
office  indicates  the  favor  with  which  he  is  regarded  by  his 
townsmen.  He  represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature 
in  '87-'88,  has  twelve  times  been  elected  selectman,  be- 


DUEANT,  DUSTIN.  653 

sides  being  supervisor,  tax  collector,  and  for  eight  years 
deputy  sheriff.     His  children: — 

Willie  Francis,  (b.  in  Francestown,  May  29,  1859,  married. 
Stella  N.  Sai'gent  of  Francestown,  June  1,  1882,  He  re- 
sides in  this  town,  where  he  is  prosperous  in  the  meat  bus- 
iness. His  children,  all  born  here,  were: — (ieorge  Lewis, 
b.  Jan.  28,  1883,  Mabel  Bertha,  b.  Dec.  2,  1885,  Alice 
Gertrude,  b.  March  30,  1886.  Edith,  b.  Dec.  4,  1891,  d. 
Dec.  5,  1892.) 

Sara  Lizzie,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  29, 1861,  res.  in  Han- 
cock.) 

Emma  Joaepliive,  (b.  in  Francestown,  May  19,  1867,  res.  in 
Francestown.) 

Georyie  Ella,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  12,  1878,  died  in 
Francestown,  Aj^ril  2,  1879.)] 

DUHANT. 

DAVID  DURAXT  cauu-  here  Irom  Devry  and  settled  on  the  Deuiii- 
son  place  in  1786.     His  wife,  whom  he  married  after  coming  to  this 

town,  had  lu'eviously  married,  in  Massachusetts, Humphreys, 

who  was  cruelly  impressed  into  the  ]jritish  service  and  lost  forever  to 
his  wife  and  infant  child.  This  child,  whose  name  w^as  Miriam,  became 
the  wdfe  of  David  Butterlield,  of  r.\  ndeboro'.  W'hom  she  married,  Xov. 
27,  179S.  David  Durant  and  his  wife  spent  their  last  years  in  Walden, 
Yt.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  David  Jr.,    [b.    in   Francestown,    m.  Anne  S.    Ferson.  of 

Fi-ancestown,  .Ian.  4,  1810,  d.  in   Walden,  Vt. 

2.  Hannah,  [died  when  16  years  of  age.] 

3.  Benjamin,  [b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Isabel  Thompson,  a  sister 

of  Daniel-  Thompson  of  this  town,  Jan.  19,  1815,  died  in 
Walden,  Vt.] 

4.  Mercy,  [b.  in  Francestouii,  July  16,  1790,  m.  James  Den- 

nison  of  P^'aiicestown,  Aug.  11,  1810,  d.  in  Francestown, 
■      Jan.  26,  1872.] 

5.  Polly,    [b.  in  Francestown,  m.   Henry  Ferson  of  Frances- 

town,  March  15,  1815,  d.  in  tins  town,  July  4,  1860,  aged 
67  years.] 


654  GENEALOGIES. 

DUSTIN. 

THOMAS  DITSTIN,  or  Duston.  originally  written  Durston.  lived  in 
Haverhill,  Mass.,  as  early  as  KuC.  He  came  from  Dover.  X.  H., 
and  was  the  son  of  Thomas.  He  married,  Hannah  Emerson,*  (whose 
mother,  Hannah  Wehster,  w^as  sister  of  the  ancestor  of  Daniel  "Web- 
ster,) Dec.  8,  1677,  and  they  had  13  children.  One  was  killed  by 
the  Indians,  but  most  of  the  others  came  to  maturity  and  left  numerous 
descendants,  some  of  whom  I  find  in  almost  every  town  in  this  vicinity. 
Mrs.  Hannah  Dustin  attained  celebrity  by  her  escape  from  the  Indians. 
They  attacked  the  Dustin  house  on  the  ir)th  of  March,  1(;!)7.  Dustin 
was  at  work  in  the  field,  l)ut  hurried  to  the  house  in  season  to  defend 
his  fl.yiug  children,  but  not  in  season  to  prevent  the  capture  of  his  wife 
and  babe.  She  was  sick  in  bed,  but  the}'  hurried  her  off,  with  her 
nurse.  (Mai'y  Xeff,  it  is  said,  was  her  name,)  killed  the  babe  by  dash- 
ing its  brains  out  against  a  tree,  and  fled  with  their  captives  up  the 
Merrimac  into  the  forests  of  Xew  Hampshire.  The}'  forced  the  cap- 
tives along  to  a  place  above  Concord  near  where  the  Contoocook  emp- 
ties into  the  Merrimac.  The  Indians  took  thirteen  captives  with  them, 
after  having  killed  a  large  number  of  the  people,  and  hurried  them  off; 
and  whenever  one  lagged  behin;!  they  smashed  in  his  head  with  their 
tomahawks.  All  were  thus  killed,  except  Mrs.  Dustin,  Mary  Xeff  and 
a  young  lad,  named  Samuel  Lannerson.  These  were  in  an  exhausted 
condition,  when  left  at  the  above  named  place.  IMrs.  Dustin  had  but 
one  shoe  and  her  wounded  feet  left  blood-marks  on  the  snow.  But  they 
arrived  after  untold  sufferings,  and  were  left  in  charge  of  twelve  Indians, 
one  of  whom  Avas  a  squaw,  and  one  an  Indian  boy.  Qn  the  night  of 
the  8th  of  April  the  captives  killed  the  ten  Indians,  while  asleeji,  with 
blows  from  the  tomahawk.  Mrs.  Dustin  took  their  scalps  and  rolled 
them  up  in  a  towel,  and  then  the  captives  took  the  best  canoe,  (having 
destroyed  the  others  to  prevent  pursuit.)  and  started  down  the  river 
for  home.  They  washed  the  blood  off  their  hands  in  the  water  of  the 
river  as  they  floated  dov\'n.  There  was  then,  (1697,)  no  settlement  at 
Concord,  nor  anywhere  on  the  river  above  Xashua.     But  someway  they 

*Rev.  Migliill  Dustin.  D.  D.  of  Dayton,  (son  of  William,  son  of  Timothy, 
son  of  Timothy,  w-hich  last-named  Timothy  was  son  of  Hannah,  who  killed 
the  Indians,)  published  a  long  letter  in  the  Nashua  Telegraph,  July  29,  1893, 
attempting  to  show  that  the  maiden  name  of  Mrs.  Dustin  was  not  Hannah 
Emerson,  but  Hannah  tI/?'^/////.  A  later  letter  to  myself  stoutly  maintains 
the  same  position,  and  declares  that  this  has  always  been  the  tradition  in  his 
branch  of  th.e  family,  and  that  the  name  Mighill  has  been  handed  down  gen- 
eration after  generation.  The  friends  can  consult  these  papers.  Tlie  writer 
would  in  fairness  call  attention  to  these  statements  only  adding  that  all  the 
docimientary  evidence  known  to  him  gives  her  birth  and  name  as  Hannah 

Emerson,  .  and  that  in  all  my  investigation  along  several  lines  of  the 

family.  I  have  never  once  found  the  name  Mighill.  till  I  saw  it  in  this  news- 
paper article  published  more  than  200  years  after  her  marriage. 


DUSTIN.         ■  (>55 

got  round  the  falls,  and  through  tli;'  rapids,  and  with  many  reniarkaljle 
escapes,  they  readied  home  in  safety.  Her  husband  was  dropping  corn 
in  the  field,  when  he  heard  the  news  of  his  wife's  arrival,  aud  throwing 
down  the  dish,  he  ran  for  joy  to  meet  her.  She  received  many  presents 
and  honors  on  account  of  hersuft'erings  and  heroism.  The  Legislature 
of  Massachusetts  voted  her  a  present  of  £'oO.  She  was  the  daughter 
of  Michael  and  Hannah  (Webster)  Emerson.  She  was  born  in  Haver- 
hill, Mass.,  Dec.  23,  1657,  and  married  Thomas  Dustin,  Pec.  '■].  Hill. 
The  names  of  their  13  children  were: — Hanmih,  (b.  Aug.  23.  in78.) 
Elizabeth,  Mary,  Thomas,  Nathaniel,  John.  Sarah,  Abigail,  Jonathan, 
Timothy,  Mehitable,  Martha,  (killed  by  Indians,)  and  Lydia. 

TIMOTHY  DUSTIX,  son  of  Thomas  and  Hannah,  was  less  than 
four  3'ears  old  when  his  mother  was  captured,  was  one  of  the  number, 
whom  the  father  got  safely  away  fi'om  the  Indians,  and  became  father 
of  Timothy,  William,  Zaccheus,  Eliphalet  and  otiiers.  This  William 
was  born  in  1740,  settled  in  Weare  and  left  numerous  descendants  in 
that  town.  I  have  not  been  able  to  decide,  where  these  children  of 
Timothy  were  born,  though  probably  it  was  in  Haverhill,  Mass.  ]>ut 
it  is  certain,  I  think  that  Eliphalet  was  a  (jraiidson  of  Thomas  and  Han- 
nah, and  that  the  date  of  his  birth  was  April  9,  1750,  He  m.  Jennet 
McCollom  of  New  Boston  in  1775.  The  next  year  he  began  a  settle- 
ment on  the  place  now  Occupied  by  Daniel  Colby.  Here  he  built  his 
log  house  in  the  forest,  and  probably  moved  his  family  here  in  1777. 
The  bears  came  and  killed  their  pigs,  and  they  had  a  hard  time  for 
years;  but  they  held  on  in  face  of  all  privations,  reared  a  large  family 
and  gained  a  competence  of  this  world's  things. 

ELIPHALET  DUSTIN,  d.  Aug.  :',0,  1833.  His  wife  d.  with  her 
daughter,  Mi's.  Dr.  Farle}',  at  Manchester,  July  8,  1854,  aged  !)5  years 
and  !)  months.  She  was  married  at  the  age  of  16;  she  united  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  New  Boston  in  1776,  and  maintained  her 
relation  to  that  church  until  her  death,  a  period  of  seventy-eight  years. 

Children,  besides  two  dying  in  infancy: — 

1.  Alexander,  [b.  April  17,  ITTll.  in  New  Boston:  graduated 
from  Dartmouth  College,  1799:  received  Degree,  A.  M.; 
was  first  Principal  of  Francestow'n  Academy;  see  clia})ter 
on  the  Academy  for  larger  notice  of  him;  was  called  "Sandy" 
by  the  students,  from  his  sahd  colored  hair:  studied  law 
here  with  Ron.  Samuel  Bell,  and  subsequently  [lursued 
his  law  study  in  Billerica,  Mass.;  practiced  law  in  Har- 
vard, Mass.,  (1804-1810,)  and  Westminister.  Mass..  (1810- 
1826,)    and    then  moved  to   Sterling,   Mass.,    continuing 


666  'GENEALOGIES. 

pjuctice  till  bis  death,  Jan.  14,  l8o7.  He  married,  S()[)liia-, 
daughter  of  Rev.  Edmoiid  Foster  of  Littleton,  Mass..  and 
had  one  child.  Henry,  who  d.  at  ag-e  of  three  A'ears.  The 
widow  d.  Dec.  2,  ISCS,  aged  82.] 

2.  Sakah  Petty,  [h.  July  23.  1778;  d.  June  15,  1781.] 

3.  Zaggheu.s,  Jr.,  [b.  Sept.  6.  1780,  m.  bis  cousin,  Mary  Ann, 

dau.   of  Lieut.   William  Dustin  of  Weare;  moved  to  An- 
trim in  1812;  d.  Sept.  7, 1845;  was  noted  as  a  school  teacher 
and  taught  many  winters  after  his  marriage.      Children: — 
Luke  Linro/n,  (b.  March  21,  LSOH;  d.  Feb. '27,  1818.) 
Jane  M..   (b.  in   Francestown,   April    8,  1808;  m.  John   G. 
Proctor;  d.  1859;  one  son,  George  A.,  was  a  LTnion  soldier 
and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Port  Hudson.) 
Be)vj<(m>n  F.,    (b.  pro])al)ly   in  Francestown.   Se])!.  10.   1810; 
m.  Roxanna  Rob!),  Oct.  14,  1845;  d.  March  30,  1882;  left 
children: — Washington   F.,   Josie  M.,   Charles  H.,  Mason 
E.,  Jolm  E.,   Stella  A.,  Elmei'   A.,  Herbert  W.,   and  Mari- 
etta R.)] 

4.  Jexxett,  [On  some  records  called  Jane;  b.  Feb.  8,  1783;  m. 

Amos  Pritchard  of  Worcester,  Mass.,  d.  Aug.  31,  18()1.] 

5.  John.  [b.  June  17,  1785;  m.  Mary  Ruggles  of  this  town:  d. 

Feb.  11,  1844;  his  second  wife  was  Rhoda  White  of  An- 
trim, who  aftei-  his  death  m.  Jonathan  Flanders  of  Brad- 
ford. John  Dustin's  1st  wife  started  to  kiudle  a  fire  and 
dro})ped  dead  in  her  kitclien.  leaving  five  small  childien. 
He  was  a  carpenter;  built  the  house,  on  the  tui'upike  on 
the  north  side  of  his  father's  farm,  where  Augustus  Heard 
now  lives,  which  place  he  occu})ied  till  death.  He  left 
eleven  children  as  f(»llows.  though  probably  in  different 
order: — 

John^  -/r.,  (m.  Esther  Rugg ;  lived  and 

d.  iii  Bi'ookliue  Mass.;  was  a  policeman  and  a  man  of 
prominence  in  his  day;  d.  about  1882;  his  children  all  d. 
young. ) 
■  BeUey,  (b.  Feb.  10,  1820;  was  adopted  by  her  aunt,  Mrs.  Dr. 
Farlev;  was  eiiQfao-ecl  to  be  married  to  Hon.  Mason  W. 
Tappan  of  Bradford,  when  she  suddenly  died,  July  9, 
1838,  at  the  early  age  of  18.) 


DUSTIN.  657 

Nancy,  (b.  1813;  ni.  David  Hobbs  of  C/iiir]l)i'i(lgeport,  Mass., 

and  d.  there  at  the  eaidy  age  of  17  years.) 
Mary^  (in.  Samuel  R.  Putnam  of  New  Boston,  m.,  2nd,  Eag- 
le}' Jones;  d.  in   Goffstown, ;  had  one  child, 

Henry  Putnam,  who  is  iiow  living  in  Goffstown.) 
Henrietta^  (b.  1814;  d.  1828;  two  other  small  children,  Sarah 

F.,  and    Geoi-ge,  were  buried  in    the  same    grave,  Sept. 

1833.) 
Eliphalet^  (child  of  2nd  wife;  went  into  the  Union  arm}^  and 

d.  in  Manchester,  Dec.  19,  188G.     His  wife  was  Hannah 

Jones,  whom  he  m.  Oct.  15,  1818.) 
Emma  Petfee,  (1).  July  31.  1826;  adopted  by  her  aunt.  Mrs. 

Dr.  Farley;  m.  George  O.  Odlin,  Sept.  9,  184(;.  an^l  d. 

March  25,  1869,  at  Union  Grove,  111. 
Clara  L.  M.,  (b.  Dec.  28,  1832;  adopted  by  Mrs.  Farley;  d. 

unm.,  Jan.  20,  1859,  aged  26.) 
Luaretia^  (b.  Sept.  8,1835;  adopted  by  Mrs.  Farley;  m.  Arthur 

W.  Greenleaf,  Dec.  1,  1861;  and  went  west,  residing  at 

Morrison,   111.;  m.   2nd,  Hiram  Stratton.  March  25,  1879. 
aeorije   A.,   (went  west;  m.  Mary   F.  Hill.  Aug.  29,  1865; 

lived  in  Cliicago;  d.  March  28,  1890.) 
Mark  Farley,  (went  West,  and  lives  in   Stillwater,  Minn.; 

m.  Annie  A.  Leonard.)] 

6.  Anne,  [b.  Sept.  3,  1787;  m.  David  Holmes  of  this  town; 

m.  2nd,  Theodore  G.  Wallace  of  Antrim,  and  d.  in  that 
town,  Dec.  12,  1853.] 

7.  Sauah  Pp:tty.    [b.    Feb.  15,    1790;  m.  Simon   Ruggles  of 

Gambridgeport,  Mass.;  d.  Nov.  23,  1844.] 

8.  FiiANCES  MooTtE,  [b.  March  18,  1794;  m.  Dr.  Luther  Far- 

ley, April  22,  1817;  d.  March  1,  1883;  lived  in  Manchester 
and  was  buried  there;  had  no  children,  but  adopted  child- 
ren of  her  brother  John.  She  gave  $500  to  the  Orphan's 
Home;  Avas  a  benevolent  and  excellent  woman.] 

9.  Jonathan,  [b.  July  1,  1796;.  m.  Isabella  McCane  of  this 

town;    m.   2nd,    Hannah  Belcher; lived  and   d.  in 

Francestown;  children: — 
JonatJian^  Jr.^  (m.  Mary  B.  Noble  of  Stoneham,  Mass.;  served 
in  the  Union  army  through  the  whole  war;  d.  in  Barring- 
ton,  1888.)   , 


658  gp:nealo(tIek. 

Mary  Jdue,    ( in.  Jonathan    \Villoug'liby;     then   became    2nd 
wife  of  D.  Wahlo  JSwaUow;  lives  in  Sonierville  Mass. 
Jolin  Scott^  (m.  Eliza  Barnard;   lives  in  Pep})erell,  Mass.) 

Marietta,  (ni.  Lnther  McDonald.) 

Ani/n.sta.  (ni.  EhA-in  Alexander  and  lives  in  Peterhoro'.)] 

DUTTON. 

J(^IIXi  Dl'TTOX.  who  came  to  America  in  IGoU.'was,  it  i.s  presumed, 
the  fatlier  of  TJiomas-  Dutlon,  who  witli  liis  wife  Susanna  lived  in 
Eeading  and  Woburn,  Mass.,  where  their  children,  nine  in  number, 
were  born.  Thomas^  Dutton  died,  Jan.  22,  1667,  aged  47  yeai's.  His 
wife  died.  Aug.  27,  1684,  aged  .58  ^ears.  Thomas^,  their  son,  was 
bt)rn,  Sept.  14,  1()48.  He  was  twice  married,  1st,  to  Rebecca  Draper, 
Jan.  11,  1«;7S.  ]]\  ibis  marriage  he  liad  tive  children.  Thomas^,  the 
second  child  was  born,  Aug.  2,  1(581.  lie  married  Harriet  Burge,  Jan. 
■i>.  1710.  He  liad  thirteen  children  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Billerica, 
Mass.  He  died  at  Westford,  Mass.  Josiah^,  his  fourth  son  was  l)orn, 
Feb.  21,  1710.  and  married  Sarah  Parker.  April  0,  1743,  by  whom  he 
had  eleven  childri'U.  Jacob g  of  Francestown,  ])oru  at  i^ottinghani 
West,  (now  Hudson,)  Aug.  8,  17."jl,  being  the  tilth  child. 

JACOB  DUTTOX,  son  of  Josiah  Dutton  of  Nottingham  West,  mar- 
ried Rhoda  Dix,  who  died  in  this  town,  Feb.  6,  1807,  aged  o.3  years. 
He  came  to  Francestown  about  the  year  1780,  and  settled  upon  the 
Dutton  or  Fairbanks  place  south  of  Driscoll  hill.  He  built  the  mill  on 
the  Rand  brook,  wliich  was  afterward  owned  b}'  Israel  Fairbanks  and 
later  by  his  son  Dea.  Buckman  Fairbanks.  He  died  in  this  town,  Xov. 
8,  1803.      His  children  were  all  born  here.     They  were: — 

1.  Jacob,  [b.  Dec.  20,  1781,   m.  Martha  Aborn  of  J^ynnfield, 
■     Mass..  Nov.  3,  1811,  removed  to  Knox,  Maine.] 

2.  Joel,  [b.  April  24,  1784,  m.  Margaret  Nichols  of  this  town, 

Oct.  8,  1812,  removed  to  Rauine.  Wis.] 

3.  Sara,  [b.  Feb.  10,  1786.  m.  Samuel  Nichols  of  this  town, 

Feb.  9.  1809.  removed  to  Holland  Purchase,  N.  Y.,  about 
1810,  d.  Nov.  25,  1848.] 

4.  Olive,  [b.  Feb.  5,  1788.] 

5.  AxDREW%   [b.   May  21,  1789,  m.  1st,  Jane  Nichols,   Aug. 

30,  1810,  2nd,  Julia  A.  Higgins,  removed  to  Pike,  N.  Y.] 

6.  David,  [b.  May  26,  1792,  m.  Delinda  Saunders  of  Brook- 

line,  Dec.  5,  1813.  She  died  at  Nashua,  March  29,  1862, 
aged  sixty-eight  years.  David  settled  iu  Mont  Vernon, 
where  he  displayed  much  enterprise  particularly  in  the 


DUTTOK.  669 

manufacture  and  sale  of  clocks    and   organs.     He   was  a  ' 
man  of  strong  convictions  and  of  deep  and  honest  purposes. 
A  studious  and  tireless  reasoner  and  more  of  a  philosopher 
than    hundreds,    who  are  thus    designated.      He   died    at 
West  Medford,  Mass.,  April  22,  1882.] 

7.  Jonathan,  [Twin  brother  of  David,  d.  at  Chicago,  June  16, 

1835.] 

8.  Ephraim,    [b.  Feb.  21,  1793,  m.  Harriet  J.  Starkweather, 

removed  to  New  York.] 

9.  Daniel,  [b.  Feb.  24.  1707,  m.  Hannah  Parker,  d.  Nov.  28, 

1879.] 

BENJAMIN  F.  BUTTON  is  the  son  of  Eeuben  Button,  whose 
father,  Reuben  Button',  lived  and  reared  a  family  in  Lyndeboro'.  Reu- 
ben, the  father  of  Benjamin,  married  Arethusa  Evans  of  Peterboro'. 
She  died  at  Greenfield.  He  died  at  Milford,  March  8,  1889,  aged  85 
years  and  10  months.  Benjamin  F.  Button,  was  born  at  Greenfield, 
Feb.  19,  1840.  He  married,  July  8,  1860,  Ann  Burke.  She  was  born 
in  New  York  City,  Sept.  29,  1S4P».  Mr.  Button  came  to  this  town  from 
Bennington  in  1872,  and  purchased  the  Quigley  place  upon  which  ho  has 
since  resided.  He  is  a  prudent  and  honest  man,  and  has  shown  what 
can  be  done  upon  even  a  New  England  farm  by  good  work  in  the  right 
direction.      His  children  are: — 

1.  Edwin  F.,  ■[!:>.  in  Stoddard.  March   29,  1863.  res.  with  his 

parents.] 

2.  Eva  L.,  [b.  in  LjnidebonV,  April  18,  1865.] 

3.  Fred  H.,  [b.  in  Antrim,  Jan.  28,  1868.] 

4.  Flora  L.,  [b.  in  Bennington,  Jan.  4,  1871,  m.  James  J.Gris- 

wold  of  Bennington,  March  7,  1890.] 

5.  Mary  E.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  18.  1875.] 

6.  George  B;,  [b.  in  Francestown,  June  13,  1877.] 

HOSEA  E.  BUTTON,  a  brother  of  Benjamin  F.  Button  was  born 
in  Greenfield  in  1835.  He  married  Eliza  A.  Burton  of  Wilton  in  1860, 
and  in  18(59  purchased  a  home  in  Antrim  upon  which  he  lived  about 
nine  years  when  he  came  to  this  town_and  took  charge  of  the  poor  farm 
upon  which  he  lived  several  years,  aftei'  which  he  removed  to  "Wilton. 
One  child:— 

1.  A.NNIT^.  E.,  [b.  in  1871.] 

MYNARB  BUTTON,  son  of  Reuben  Button  of  Lyndeboro',  and 
uncle  of  Benjamin  Button  of  this  town,  came  here  from  Lyndeboro', 


060  GENEALOGIES. 

in  1858,  and  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  by  Charles  A.  Barrett.  He 
was  l)()rn  at  Lvnde])oro",  Dec.  2,  1806.  His  wile  was  Susan  Stevens. 
She  was  born  at  Andover,  Mass.,  March  23,  1814,  and  died  at  Aver, 
Mass.,  Dec.  29,  1891.  Mr.  Dutton  removed  to  Ayer,  Mass.,  in  1890, 
where  he  now  resides.  Here  he  was  known  as  a  sober,  industrious 
farmer.     His  childi-en  were: — 

1.  Eliza  J.,  []>.  at   L3nKleboro',  Aug.  18.  1884,  d.  at  Nashua, 

July  10.  1849.] 

2.  Philena  a.,  [b.  at  Francestown,  July  12.  1847,  in.  Charles 

W.  Atherton  of  Greenfield,  Nov.-  29,  1866.  les.  at  Ayer, 
Mass. 

*EAMES. 

CLARK  EAMES,  an  enterprising  clothier,  was  for  about  twelve 
years  a  resident  of  Clark  village,  his  home  being  a  small  house,  which 
once  stood  south  of  the  residence  of  George  Sargent,  and  near  the 
grist-mill,  which  then  did  service  as  a  clothing  mill.  Little  has  been 
learned  of  the  family,  but  it  is  known  that  Mr.  Eames  had  a  wife  and 
several  children,  when  living  here.  One  of  his  children  not  two  years 
old,  fell  from  the  bridge  near  the  mill,  and  was  drowned  in  the  pood 
below,  April  29, 1834.  The  names  of  two  other  children  were: — ^Sarah 
Frances,  and  Scott.  They  with  their  parents  removed  to  Michigan, 
about  the  year  1840. 

EZRA  EAMES,  a  younger  brother  of  Clark  Eames,  lived  here  in  the 
family  of  the  latter,  and  with  him  was  interested  in  the  mills  of  Clark 
village.  He  married  Susan  Lewis,  (Pub.  Sept.  5,  1839,)  and  not  long 
after  sought  a  home  in  Michigan. 

EASTMAN. 

NICHOLAS  EASTMAN  of  Nottingham  West,  (now  Hudson,)  began 
quite  early  on  the  Richmond  place,  now  occupied  by  Clarence  Foot.  He 
purchased  land  of  Thomas  McLaughlin  and  Charles  Mellon  in  1779,  and 
at  that  time  he  doubtless  became  a  resident  of  this  town.  His  wife,  Olive 
joined  the  church  in  this  town  previous  to  the  year  1792.  He  died  in 
this  town,  July,  1789  and  was  buried  in  the  old  burying  ground.  We 
find  the  names  of  three  children  of  Nicholas  and  Olive  Eastman  in  the 
records,  but  of  them  we  have  learned  but  little.     They  were: — 

1.  Rachel,  [married,  Jolm  Cloiigh  of  this  town,  March  11, 
1802,  removed  to  Vermont.] 

*This  name  is  pronounced  Afnes;  but  in  the  towH  records  it  is  spelled  as 
above. 


EATON.  661 

2.  Mary,    [married  Shepard  Leonard,  of    Francestown,  June 

23,  1808.  removed  to  Vermont.] 

3.  Betty,  [b.  June  4,  1782.] 

EATON. 

JOirN  EATONi  with  his  wife,  Anne,  and  six  children  came  to  I^ew 
England  prior  to  the  winter  of  1639-1640,  at  which  time  his  name  ap- 
pears upon  the  records  of  the  proprietors  of  Salisbur}',  ]Mass.  It  is  be- 
lived  that  he  came  from  England,  but  his  ancestry  remains  to  this  day 
untraced.  He  resided  in  Salisbury  about  seven  years,  during  which 
time  he  received  several  grants  of  laud.  His  "•planting  lotte,"  which 
he  obtained  by  grant  in  1640,  and  on  which  he  lived,  it  is  believed,  is 
at  this  day  in  the  possession  of  his  descendants.  Although  he  was  evi- 
dently a  valuable  and  much  appreciated  citizen  of  Salisbury,  still  he, 
in  the  fall  of  1()47,  transferred  his  homestead  and  rights  as  one  of  the 
proprietors,  to  his  son,  .John  Eaton,  and  removed  to  Haverhill,  Mass., 
where  he  emplo^-ed  himself  in  farming  and  the  manufacture  of  staves. 
In  the  early  records  we  learn  that  his  wife  died  the  oth  of  Feb.,  1660, 
also  that  he  was  married  to  Ph(ebe  Dow,  widow  of  Thomas  Dow,  of 
Newbury,  Nov.  20,  1661.  .John  Eaton  died  in  Haverhill,  Oct.  20,  1608. 
His  second  wife  survived  him  four  yeai's.  Thomas^  Eaton,  son  of  John 
Eaton,  was,  it  is  believed,  born  in  England  about  the  year  1631.  He 
went  with  his  parents  to  Haverhill,  Mass.,  in  1646,  and  there  married 
his  first  wife,  Martha  Kent,  Aug.  14,  16.56.  She  died,  March  9, 
1657.  His  second  wife  to  whom  he  was  married  at  Andover,  Mass. ,  .Jan. 
6,  1659,  was  Eunice  Singletery  of  Salisbury.  Thomas^,  son  of  Thomas 
and  Eunice  Eaton,  was  born  at  Haverhill,  March  18,  KUiO,  and  married 
Hannah  Webster  of  Haverhill,  May  5,  1684.  He  was  killed  by  the  In- 
dians, March  15,  1697,  the  day  on  which  Mrs.  Hannah  Dustin  was  taken 
prisoner.  His  son,  Thomas'*,  was  born  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  Aug.  7, 
1686.  He  married  Lydia  Kimball,  May  22,  1729,  and  lived  upon  a 
farm  in  Haverhill,  where  his  son,  Moses^,  was  born,  .Jan.  29,  1734. 

MOSES  EATON,  son  of  Thomas  and  Lydia  (Kimball)  Eaton,  mar- 
ried Anna  Webster  of  Plaistow,  N.  H.,  Feb.  5,  1760,  and  resided  in 
Haverhill,  Mass.,  Hampstead,  N.  H.,  and  in  Pelham,  N.  H.,  previous 
to  his  coming  to  Francestown,  which  was  about  the  year  1779.  David 
Gregg  had  then  made  at  least  a  beginning  upon  the  place  purchased  by 
Mr.  Eaton,  which  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Henry  and  George 
nichardson.  Here  he  lived  for  more  than  thirty  years  and  commenced 
the  good  work  carried  on  with  enterprise  and  success  by  his  son.  Dr. 
Thomas  Eaton.  He  died  in  Francestown,  March  1,  1813.'  His  wife, 
died  here,  Sept.  5,  1831.     Their  children  were: — 


662  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  Haxnah,  [b.  April  26,  1761,  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  m.  Kobert 

Bradford,  who  settled  in  Francestowii,  died  in  Frances- 
town,  Oct.  9,  1840.] 

2.  Lydia,  [b.  in  Haverhill,  Aug.  18,  1763,  d.  April  21,  1767.] 

3.  Maiiy,  [b.  Nov.  22,  1765,  m.  1st,  James  Wilson,  of  Frances- 

town,  ^'ov.  24,  1785,  2nd,  Eliphalet  Webster,  of  Gilsum, 
d.  at  Francestown,  April  25,  1857.] 

4.  Dr.  Thomas,    [b.  in  Hanipstead,  Feb.  6',  1769,  Dr.  Eaton 

graduated  at  the  Vermont  ]\ledieal  School  and  was  in  the 
practice  of  medicine  eiglu  _years  in  Weai'e  and  Henniker, 
and  thirty-two  years  in  Francestown.  He  succeeded  his 
father  upon  tlie  Eaton  or  Richardson  place,  and  became 
one  of  the  most  [)rogressive,  practical  and  successful  farmers 
in  New  Enghiiid.  His  fai'm  Avas  for  a  number  of  years  the 
''premium  farm,"  of  the  town,  and  the  results  of  his  methods 
in  agriculture  are  still  visible  in  the  fields  tilled  under  his 
supervision.  He  was  moreover  a  huge  hearted  man,  liberal 
Avith  those  in  his  emph)y,  of  the  pi-osperity  of  many  of 
whom  he  was  virtualh'  the  founder.  '  He  also  won  a 
place  in  the  histoiy  of  American  farming  as  the  introducer 
of  tlie  Spauisli  Merino  sheep  into  this  country,  and  he  was 
among  the  foremost  to  prohibit  the  free  use  of  liquor  ttpon 
the  farm,  and  was  the  champion  of  the  first  temperance  re- 
form in  the  town,  in  which  good  work,  he  antedated  some 
of  the  best  inen  of  his  time  by  fully  a  quarter  of  a  century. 
He  married  Betsey  Eaton  of  Weare,  Feb.  20,  1798.  She 
was  born  at  Weare,  Oct.  12,  1782,  and  died  at  Frances- 
town,  Oct  14,  1840.  Dr.  Thomas  Eaton  died  at  his  home 
in  Francestown,  Jan.  23,  1858.     His  children  were: — 

Obediah  Page,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  13,  1800.  Choos- 
ing his  father's  profession,  he  graduated  at  a  medical  school 
in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  practiced  Avith  marked  success  at 
Smithland,  Ky.,  Avhere  he  died  Avhile  yet  young,  and  was 
folloAved  to  his  grave  by  the  entire  medica-l  profession  of 
the  city,  "with  cA'ery  mark  of  res})ect."  He  Avas  unmar- 
ried.) 

Hoses  Webster,  (b.  in  Fi-ancestoAvn,  April  14,  1803.  He 
married  Louisa  Shepard  La\Aa-ence,  Sept.  17,  1828,  and 
upon  liis  father's  death  became  theoAvner  of  the  large  and 


EATON.  663 

productive  Eaton  farm,  wliieli  he  'ere  long  disposed  of,  and 
soon  after  purchased  and  assumed  the  proprietorship  of 
the  Francestown  Hoteh  He,  after  a  few  3-ears,  removed 
to  Revere,  Mass.  His  hrst  years  were  spent  at  the  home 
of  his  (huighter,  Mrs.  C.  V.  r)earl)()rn  of  Nashua.  Like 
his  father  he  was  a  hii'g-e-hearted  man,  and  retained  even, 
in  his  old  age,  a  marked  mental  clearness  and  geniality  of 
disposition.  He  died  at  Nashua,  Jan.  3,  1882.  His  wife, 
whose  memory  like  his  is  cherished  \Aitli  deep  affection  by 
those  who  knew  her  best,  was  born  at  Alstead,  Fel).  25, 
1800,  and  died  at  Nashua,  Dec.  19,  1879.  Their  children 
all  born  in  Francestown  were: — Thomas  H..  born,  Aug.  8, 
1829,  married  Mary  Goss,  of  Henniker,  died  in  Boston, 
Mass..  Nov.  25,  1878.  Betsey  Susan,  born,  March  6, 
1832,  m. -Wm.  T.  Hall  of  Revere,  Mass.,  wliere  she  died, 
Feb.  24,  1868.  James  Harvey,  who  died  in  Francestown, 
aged  3  years  and  6  months.  Louise  Prances,  l)orn  Sept. 
19,  1837,  m.  Cornelius  V.  Dearborn  of  Francestown,  June 
18,  1857,  and  resides  at  Nashua.  Moses  Hai-vey,  b.  in 
Francestown,  is  a  plnsician  in  Philadelphia.) 

Betsei/,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  3.1807,  m.  James  H.  Dud- 
ley, of  Milton,  Mass.,  Sept.  17,  1828,  d.  at  Boston,  Mass., 
Dec.  16,  1831.) 

TIayvey  Wallace^  (b.  in  Francestown,  June  22,1813,  was  edu- 
cated for  the  medical  profession  at  Dartmouth,  at  Union 
College,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  and  at  Boston,  Mass.  Im 
mediately  after  his  graduation,  he  was  a[)[)ointed  surgeon 
of  the  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  which 
position  he  resigned  and  finally  settled  in  Burlington,  la., 
where  he  died,  Nov.  10,  1838,  unmarried.) 

Anna  Frances,  (b.  in  Francestown,  April  23.  1824.  m.  Levi 
B.  Gale  of  Concord.  Juh^  28,  1846.  resides  in  Frances- 
town.)] 

5.  Sarah,  [b.  in  Pelham.  March  9,  1772.  m.  Rev.  Moses  Brad- 

ford of  Francestown,  April  4. 1793,  d.  at  Montague,  Mass., 
Feb.  15,  1848.]   ^ 

6.  Moses  Jr.,  [b.  in  p'elham,  July  22,  1775,  d.  Oct..  1778.] 

SAMUEL  EATON",  son  of  James  Eaton  of  Deering,  was  born  in 
that  town,  Feb.  14,  lXi»2.     lie  married  Betsey  White,  and  in  1817  came 


664  GENEALOGIES. 

to  live  upon  the  farm  cleared  by  her  father,  Benjamin  White,  and  on 
which  she  was  Ijorn,  March  12,  ITiKJ.  He  was  by  trade  a  shoe-maker. 
He  died  here,  Feb.  4,  1837.  His  wife  died,  Oct.  19,  1S7().  Their 
children  were  all  born  in  Francestown.     They  were: — 

1.  JvoXAXA.  [b.   March  23,  1818,  iiiimarned,  d.   in   this  town, 

Nov.  18,  1839.] 

2.  Samltel  Willard,   [b.  Nov.  2,  1819,  m.  1st,  Sarah  Ann 

Carr,  Jan.  19,  1843.  She  was  born  at  x\ntrim,  Feb.  29, 
1820,  and  died  in  Francestown,  March  6,  1857.  He  mar- 
ried, 2nd,  Hannah  Lewis,  Feb.  2,  1860.  She  was  l)orn  in 
Greenfield,  July  15,  1817.  With  the  exception  of  six  or 
seven  years  during  which  Mi-.  Eaton  resided  in  Deering, 
he  lias  always  lived  on  the  farm  first  owned  l)y  his  grand- 
father, Benjamin  White.      His  children  were: — 

Marij  Jam\  (b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  22.  1843,  d.  here  Dec. 
15.  1858.) 

Alton  W..  (b.  in  Francestown,  April  17, 184i'),  d.  in  this  t()^\•n, 
Oct.  24,  1848.) 

Alton  IF.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  •  13.  1848,  m.  Maria 
Gould,  of  Deering,  Nov.  27,  1871,  d.  in  Hillsboro',  Jan. 
11,  1893.  His  children  are:— Willard  Clifton,  b.  Nov.  10, 
1873,  in  Francestown.  Carleton  Clemant,  b.  in  Frances- 
town,  May  1,1876.  Anna  Belle,  b.  in  Francestown,  June 
9,  1878.) 
William  6'.,  (1).  July  12,  1852,  m.  Nancy  A.  Hoyt  of  this 
town,  Oct.  7,  1877,  d.  in  Francestown,  Dec.' 3,  1880.)] 

3.  Sarah  Jane,   [b.  May  19,  1823,  m.  AValter  Comstock  of 

Newport,  Aug.  26,  1844,  d.  in  Newport,  April  17,  1850.] 

4.  C'AROLixE,  [b.  July  7,  1828,  d.  Aug.  5,  1831.] 

5.  Emily  Elizabeth,  [b.  Aug.  4, 1834,  d;  here  Jan.  12, 1852.] 

NATHAX  EATOX,  whose  widow  came  here  in  1867,  was  born  at 
Pittsfield,  X.  II.,  Jan.  1,  1803.  His  father  was  John  Eaton,  born  May 
3,  1770,  m.  .Jan.  7,  1800,  Abigail  Towle,born,  Sept.  27,  1777.  Nathan 
Eaton  resided  in  Pittsfield,  Concord,  Tilton  and  Xashiia.  He  died  in 
Nashua,  Oct.  22,  1805.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Mary  Bow- 
man. She  was  born  at  Shapleigh,  Maine,  Dec.  19,  1802.  After  her 
husband's  death,  she  resided  with  her  chiMren  in  Nashua  and  came 
from  that  city  to  Francestown  in  1807,  and  occupied  the  Black  place 
and  afterward  the  Stevens  place  and  other  places  in  the  town.     She 


EATON,    ELLIS.  665 

died  here  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Presby,  Feb.   15,  181)3. 
Her  children  were: — 

1.  Mauy  a.,  [b.  ill  Pittsfield,  in  1828,  d.  in  Nashua,  April  1, 

1853.] 

2.  Frank  A.,  [1).  in  Pittsfield,  Nov.  23,.  1831,  came  here  with 

his  mother  from  Nashua  and  now  resides  liere.] 

3.  John  W,,  [b.  in  Pittsfield,  April  1,  1832.     In  the  late  war 

he  enlisted  in  the  9tli  N.  H.  Regt.  He  died  in  this  town, 
Sept.  26,  1890.] 

4.  Child  Unnamed,  [born  and  died  in  Pittsfield.] 

5.  Eliza  Jane,  [b.  in  Pittsfield,  July  3,  1836,  m.  Joseph  E. 

Presby  of  Nashua,  Oct.  20,  1859,  res.  in  this  town.] 

6.  (Uiarles  Henry,  [b.  in  Concord,  March  6,  1840.     He  served 

in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  in  the  8th  N.  H.  Regt.  and  is 
a  pensioner,  res.  in  Nashua.] 

7.  Lizzie  H.,  [b.  in   Concord,  Nov.  11,  1841,  m.  1st,  Joseph 

Harden  of  Nashua,  July  4,  1859,  2nd,  Benjamin  Pratt  of 
Nashua,  3rd,  C.  H.  Smith  of  Nashua.  Benjamin  Pratt 
purchased  the  John  Burnham  or  Stanley  place  about  twent}^ 
years  ago,  on  Avliicli  he  resided  nearly  a  year.  Tlie  present 
residence  of  Mrs.  C.  H.  Smith  is  in  Nashua.] 

JOSEPH  ELLIS  was  born  in  Wolfboro',  1S05.  The  writer  is  not 
positive  as  to  liis  ancestry;  bnt  thinlvS  he  originated  in  Dedham,  Mass., 
whence  so  many  Franeestown  people  (;ame.  There  was  a  Joseph  Elliis, 
who  was  l)orn  in  Dedham  in  1666;  m.  Sarah  Hemenway,  1703;  and  d. 
in  1721.  Their  son  Aaron,  m.  Zipparah  Lewis,  and  had  childi'cn: — 
Nathan,  Aaron,  Abel,  Paul,  Jesse,  Oliver,  Zi])parah,  and  Sarah.  Prob- 
ably one  of  these  was  grandfather  of  the  Joseph  Ellis,  who  came  to  this 
town,  and  he  was  a  connection  of  the  Lewis  families,  who  were  among 
the  earlist  settlers  here:  Joseph,  of  Francestown,  m.  Ilebecca  H. 
Hovey  of  Boxford,  Mass.,  who  was  b.  in  that  place,  Feb.  S,  1809,  and 
d.  in  New  London,  Oct.  Ki,  187'2.  They  resided  at  first  in  said  Box- 
ford,  afterwards  in  Haverhill,  Mass.;  came  to  this  place,  1846,  Where 
he  d.  May  24,  L848.  The  family  resided  here  till  18()0.  They  lived  at 
the  foot  of  Driscoll  hill  on  the  south  side,  on  what  is  called  the  David 
Hovey  farm.  They  were  Baptist  people,  but  not  conspicuous  in  the 
annals  of  the  town.  Two  sons  did  faithful  service  during  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  The  children  of  Joseph  and  Re- 
becca (Hovey)  Ellis  were  as  follows: — 

1.  John  H.  M.,  [1).,  Boxford,  Mass.,  May  25,  1834;  was  in  the 
N.  H.  Eleventh  Regt.,  and  served  three  years;  is  a  farmer; 


666  GENEALOGIES. 

resides  in  New  London;  ni.  Maria  A.  Collins  of  West  Leb- 
anon, Jan.  21,  1861.] 

2.  George  S.,  [1).   Haverhill,  Mass.,  A[>ril   12,  183(3;  farmer; 

ni.  Sarali  Jane  Todd  of  this  town;  d.  Rock  Island,  Canada, 
March,  1870. 

3.  MAiuiAKET  .Vnn,    [b.  Haverhill,  Mass.,  May  23,  1838;  d. 

here,  Jan.  18,  1854.] 

4.  Ja.mks    L,  [h.    Haverhill,  Mass.,   Oct.  12.   1840;  enlisted   in 

tlie    Fourth    N.  H.,   Keyt.,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the 
war;  is  raJhoa-d  em})loye;  resides  in  Concord.] 

5.  Mai;v  liKHECoA,  [b.  Haverhill,  Mass.,  Dec.  16,1845;  d.  here, 

July  16.  1859.] 

6.  JosEi'H,  Ji;.,  [b.  Francestown,  Aug.  1,  1848;  d.  in  infaiu-y.] 

EMERSON. 

KIMBALL  EM  EIJSOX  was  tin-  son  of  Abniliam  and  Hannah  (Eaton) 
Emerson  of  IIavcrlii!l,Mass.  xVbralir.m  wasa  lientenant  in  the  Kevolu- 
tiouary  army  and  participati'd  in  many  baltlcs.  Kimball  Emerson  came 
to  Francestown  as  early  as  17'.»().  In  lSo:j  lie  purchased  a  small  farm 
in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  town,  north  west  of  the  Dennison  or 
Uurant  place.  This  he  exchanged  for  the  Emerson  or  Smith  place  in 
1811.  This  farm — about  one  mile  nortlieast  of  the  village — was  cleared 
quite  eai'ly  by  Henry  MacPherson,  whose  son  Samuel  "swapped  farms" 
with  Mr.  Emerson.  The  present  house  upon  the  place  was  built  by 
the  latter.  Mr.  Emerson  was  one  of  the  most  energetic  and  prosperous 
farmers  of  the  town,  lie  married  Sarah  Webster  of  Salem,  N.  H., 
Oct.  14,  18fJo.  She  was  l)orn,  April  7,  17S4,  and  died  at  Francestown, 
Oct.  10,  18(30.  He  died  at  Francestown,  May  9,  1854.  His  children  all 
born  in  Francestown  were: — 

1.  Hannah,  [b.  Oct.   10,  1806,  m.  James  C.  Follansbee,  of 

Francestown,  Jan.  22.  1829,  d.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  22, 
1879.] 

2.  Lydia,  [b.  June  1,  1808,  d.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  10,  1816.] 

3.  Louisa,  [b.  June  31,  1811,  m.  Issachar  Dodge  of  New  Bos- 

ton,  Oct.   15,  1832,  long  resided  in    Francestown,  d.  at 
Henniker,  Oct.  3,  1888.] 

4.  Emeline  G.,   [b.  May  21,  1814,  m.  Thomas  E.  Fisher  of 

Francestown,  Oct  2,  1843,  d.  at  Francestonwn,  Jan.  16, 
1845. 


EMERSON.  667 

5.  Kimball  Webstek,  [b.  March  4,  1817,  m.  Muiy  Wilson  of 

Francestown,  Oct.  8,  1840.  He  was  long  a  leader  in  tlie 
affairs  of  the  town,  served  upon  the  board  of  selectmen, 
held  a  captain's  commission  in  the  state  militia  and  was  a 
staunch  supjjoi-tcr  of  tlie  church.  He  now  resides  in 
Nashua.      Children  all  born  in  Francestown  are: — 

jSarah  E.^  (b.  Jan.  21,  1843,  m.  George  L.  Smead  of  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  Aug.  29,  1871.  Mr.  Smead  holds  the  jjosition 
of  Superintendant  of  the  Blind  Asylum  at  Columbus. 
They  have  three  cliildren.) 

Mary  Emma,  (b.  Feb.  17,  1848,  is  by  vocation  a  teacher, 
res.  in  Nashua.) 

Frances  -/.,  (b.  July  29,  1852,  m.  Henry  Bailey  of  Newport, 
Penn.,  Dec.  31,  1885,  res.  in  Newton  Center,  Mass.) 

Ellen,  M.,  (b.  April  25,  1856,  m.  Otis  Cary  of  Foxborough, 
Mass.,  Dec.  18,  1877,  and  went  with  her  husband  as  mis- 
sionary to  Japan,  where  she  has  since  resided.)] 

6.  Sarah  M.,   [b.  Jan.  8,  1820,  m.  1st,  John  L.  Stevens  of 

Francestown,  Marcli  30,  1841,  2nd,  William  S.  AV^eston 
of  Nashua,  July  9,  1850,  d.  at  Bradford,  Vt.,  Dec.  17, 
1887.] 

7.  Moses  Wilson,  [b.  July  21,  1822,  m.  1st,  Maria  M.  Rand 

of  Lyndeboro",  May  1,  1849,  2nd,  Harriet  N.  (Barns) 
Hall  of  Hudson,  Sept.  4,  1883,  lived  on  the  place  near  Dr. 
Bixby's  summer  residence,  now  owned  by  John  Holt,  re- 
moved to  Hudson  in  1883.-  C'liildren  by  1st 'marriage  all 
born  in  town  were: — 

Henri/  Webster,  (1).  Dec.  14,  1851,  d.  March  20,  1856  in 
Francestown.) 

Moses  Frank,  (b.  March  9,  1854,  d.  in  Nashua,  Jan.  15, 
1884.) 

Edgar  Hand,  (b.  July  26,  1869,  is  a  grocery  clerk  in 
Nashua. )  ] 

8.  Betsey,    [b.  April   26,  1826,,  d.  at  Francestown,    May  4, 

1826.] 

9.  Henrietta  A.,    [b.  Sept.  10,  1827,  m.   Alfred  Marden  of 

New  Boston,  Dec.  30, 1852,  has  resided  at  Nashua,  present 
residence,  Beaver  Dam,  Wisconsin.] 


668  GENEALOGIES. 

TIMOTHY  EMP:KSOIs^,  lived  on  Bradford  Hill  in  the  house  that 
is  now  the  residence  of  George  Kingsbury,  as  early  as  1S06.  We  learn 
that  he  was  frequently  employed  l)y  Di'.  Thomas  Eaton  upon  his  farm. 
He  was  born,  Nov.  1,  1770.  His  wife,  Miriam,  was  born,  Aug.  'd, 
17<)'.t.     His  children  when  a  resident  of  Franccstown  were: — 

1.  Shelburne,  [b.  July  12,  1792.] 

2.  Haxxah,  [1).  June  21,  1704.] 

3.  Miriam,  [b.  May  D,  1797.] 

4.  Abigail,  [  ] 

5.  Jessie,  [b.  March  4,  1802.] 

6.  TijSIOTHV,  [  b.  June  19,  1805.] 

FJ'PS. 

Fi'om  a  genealogical  sketch  of  tlie  Kpps  family  we  learn  that 
Daniel  Epps,  the  emigrant  ancester,  w;is  the  son  of  Daniel  Epps  of 
Kent  County,  England,  who  at  his  death  left  a  widoAv  and  this  son. 
The  former  married  Sanuud  Symonds  (afterwards  governor)  and  came 
with  him  to  Ipswich,  Mass.,  doubtless  about  the  year  1(;40.  Daniel, 
the  son  who  also  came  to  Ipswich  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Gov- 
ernor Symonds,  May  20,  10-44,  and  had  In'  this  marriage  eleven  child- 
ren. Daniel^,  his  second  son,  born  March  24,  1G49,  graduated  at  Har- 
vard College  in  1069.  [He  died,  Nov.  23,  1722.]  He  was  the  father 
of  Daniel^,  born.  Oct.  28,1079,  who  married  Hannah  Higginson  of  Bos- 
ton,  May,  1705,  and  had  a  family  of  nine  children.  Daniel*,  the  oldest, 
who  was  born,  Nov.  8,  1710,  married,  Hannah,  daughter  of  Rev.  Ben- 
jamin l^rescott,  Dec.  29,  1737.  She  was  born,  Dec.  G,  1719.  Nine 
children  were  the  i"esult  of  this  marriage.  Francis^,  Uie  second  son 
settled  in  Francestown.  .Toseph^^  the  youngest  of  the  family  was  born, 
March  24,  17<33,  and  married  Eli^jeth  Baud  of  Lyndeboro'.  He  died 
at  Orleans,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  22, 1831.  His  wife  died  at  the  same  place,  June 
24, 1849.     They  were  the  parents  of  Nehemiah^  Epps  of  this  town. 

FRANCIS  EPPS  was  born,  Oct.  19,1740,  and  married  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Gen.  Frost,  of  Kittery,  Maine.  He  settled  on  the  old  Fairbanks 
place  south  of  Driscoll  hill  about  the  year  1790.  He  died  in  this  town, 
Dec.  1802.  His  wife  survived  him  nearh-  ten  years  and  died  at  Lynde- 
boro'.    Children  were: — 

1.  Mary,  [b.  at  Lyndeboro',  m.  Kidder.] 

2.  Hannah,  [b.  at  Lyndeboro',  d.  at  Francestown  in  1797.] 

3.  Sally,   [b.  at  Lyndeboro',  m.  Samuel  Stevens  of  Frances- 

town,  May  28,  1793,  died  in  Francestown,  Aug.  8,  1796.] 

4.  Abigail,  [b.  at  Lyndeboro',  June,  1775,  m.  Samuel  Stevens 

of  Francestown,  Dec.  26,  1799,  d.  at  Francestown,  May 
17,  1825.] 


L-^-^-^aJifc. 


EPPS.  (369 

5.  Betsey,  [b.  at  Lyiideboro'  in  177(3,  m.  Israel  Balcli  of  this 
town  in  179(3,  d.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  12,  1846.] 

IS'EHEMIAH  EPPS  was  born  in  Lyndeboro',  xVpril  9,  ISOl,  and  mar- 
ried Eliza  Earrington,  Nov.  C,  1828.  She  was  born  at  Lyndeljoro', 
Feb.  24,  1807.  Mr.  Epps  came  to  this  town  from  Lyndeboro',  about 
the  year  1826,  and  purchased  the  place  now  owned  by  his  son,  George 
D.  Epps.  The  house  in  which  he  lived  was  burned  down  in  1865.  In 
the  following  year  the  present  residence  was  built  Ijy  his  son,  George. 
Mr.  Epps  was  by  vocation  a  blacksmith.  Pie  was  a  man  in  whom  were 
united  the  best  qualities  of  a  usefvd  citizen  and  of  an  exemplar}^  head 
of  a  household.  lie  was  formany  years  chorister  in  the  Church,  being 
2)ossessed  of  musical  talent  of  a  high  order,  which  was  very  liberally 
transmitted  to  his  sons.  He  held  a  commission  as  Justice  of  the  Peace 
and  was  a  drum-major  in  the  State  Militia.  He  died  at  his  home, 'Mar. 
27,  1864.  His  wife,  a  woman  worthy  to  be  his  consort,  died  here,  Nov. 
2,  1S76.     Their  children  all  l)orn  in  this  town  are: — 

1.  George  Dodge,  [b.  Oct.  13,  1829,  went  to  Manchester  early 
in  life.  During  his  stay  in  that  city  he  filled  the  place  of 
organist  in  several  of  the  churches.  He  subsequently  re- 
turned to  this  town,  where  he  now  follows  his  father's  vo- 
cation ami  is  a  leading  citizen.  He  was  chairman  of  the 
board  of  selectmen  in  '71  and  '72  and  '85  and '87,  and  has 
been  a  member  of  tlie  scliool  lioard  for  many  years.  He 
enlisted  as  a  nuisician  in  Co.  F,  1st,  N.  H.,  Vol.  in  May, 
1861,  and  served  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.  He  is  very 
active  in  all  things  pertaining  to  the  educational  interests 
and  general  advancement  of  the  town.  He  married  Judith 
A.  George,  a  lady  of  superior  intelligence,  Oct.  18,  1855. 
She  was  born  at  Goffstown,  Dec.  11,  1833,  being  the  dau. 
of  Daniel  George  of  that  town.     Their  children  are: — 

Harry  George^  (b.  in  Manchester,  May  4,  1857,  m.  Cora 
Clarke  of  Paris,  111.,  Feb.  4,  1885,  is  a  farmer,  resides  in 
Paris,  111.) 
"  Fred  Hamlin^  (b.  in  Manchester,  April  30,  1860,  m.  Adella 
Cass  of  Milford,  South  Dakota,  Nov.  2,  1887,  res.  in  Fran- 
cestown-.) 

Lewis  Waldo,    (b.  in   Manchester,  Sept.   23,  1862,  resides  at 
Pierre,  S.  D.,  is  a  faiiuer.) 

Bertram  Charles,  (h.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  16,  1866,  is  a  me- 
chanic, resides  in  Boston.) 


070  GENEALOGIES. 

2.  Charles  Lewis,  [b.  July  6, 1833,  m.  Mary  Greer  of  Chicago, 

111.,  July,  18(36.  Was  at  an  early  age  employed  in  a  store 
at  Concord  and  was  afterward  a  partner  in  a  grocery  at 
Manchester.  In  1857,  he  removed  to  Chicago,  111.,  where 
he  now  resides.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trade 
and  has  dealt  extensively  in  grain.] 

3.  Henry  David,   [b.  July  14,  1835,  m.  1st,  Cynthia  A.  C. 

Hardy  of  this  town,  April  20,  1868,  2nd,  Maria  A.  Dodge 
of  Bennington,  April  30,  1890,  was  for  several  years  a 
blacksmith  in  Francestown.  He  accepted  a  situation  on 
the  Boston  &  Lowell,  H.  Iv.,  in  1868,  and  in  the  following 
year  removed  to  Wilton.  In  1874  he  returned  to  Frances- 
•  town,  but  in  1883  moved  to  Milford,  where,  after  filling 
the  })ositi()n  of  express  messenger  three  years,  he  in  1887, 
purchased  the  Endicott  House,  of  which  he  is  now  proprie- 
tor.     His  children  wei'e: — 

Miirii  L.^  (1).  in  Francestown,  A})ril  'J,  l85*,t,  is  acapaljle  and 
popular  teacher.) 

Charles  H.,  (b.  Nov.,  1860,  in  Francestown,  d.  here,  Sept., 
1862.) 

Amue  X.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  9,  1862,  in.  E.  S.  Heald, 
of  Milford.  N.  H.,  Oct.  6,  1886,  res.  at  Milford.) 

Mi/i'tic  L.^  (1).  in  Francestown,  June  19,  1867,  d.  at  East 
Wilton,  Dec.  29,  1872.) 

Emma  J.,  (b.  in  Fi'ancestown,  Feb.  16,1869,  is  a  l)Oolv-keeper 
at  Milford.) 

■MiH  i.,  (b.  at  East  Wilton,  March  2,  1873,  a  mechanic  re- 
sides at  Milford.) 

Richard,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  25,  1874,  he  is  a  mer- 
chant's clerk  at  Milford.) 

Ina  Mail,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.,  1876,  d.  Aug.,  1877  in 
Francestown.)] 

4.  John,    [b.  Aug.  31,  1837,  m.  1st,  Eliza  B.  Downes  of  this 

town,  Sept.  4,  1860,  2nd,  Marcia  Crane  of  Contoocook, 
Dec,  1862.  He  went  to  Manchester,  in  1854,  where  he 
entered  the  clothing  store  of  S.  Barnes,  in  which  he  after- 
ward became  a  partner  and  later  assumed  the  entire  man- 
agement of  the  business.  In  1868  he  removed  to  Chicago, 
where  he  after  a  short  time  took  a  position  offered  by  the 


r? 


/>^i»     •'•^,  I 


EVERETT.  671 

firm  uf  Bro^wning,  King  &  Co.,  and  is  now  at  the  head  of 
one  of  the  departments  of  their  extensive  bnsiness.] 

EVERETT. 

ELEAZER  EVERETT  was  born  in  Dedham,  Mass.,  April  25,  1761. 
His  ancestors  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  his  native  town.  He 
was  the  son  of  Eleazer  Everett,  who  was  born  in  Dedham,  July  12, 
1740,  and  married  Mrs.  Bethiah  Morse  of  AValpole,  Nov.  2!),  1751). 
Eleazer  of  Francestown,  married  Lucj'  Buttelle,  Nov.  20,  17S:3.  She 
was  born  at  Dedham,  Dec.  10,  1764,  and  died  at  Francestown,  Dec.  10, 
1857.  He  came  to  Francestown  about  1791,  and  settled  on  the  Reuben 
Sawyer  place.  Here  he  reared  a  large  famih^  of  children.  He  died  at 
Francestown,  Dec.  22,  182S.  Children,  all  save  the  tirst  three  born  in 
Francestown : — 

1.  WiLLARD,  [b.  at  Dedham,  April  8,  1785,  m.  1st,  Eliza 
Fairbanks  of  Francestown,  Fel).  4,  1810,  2nd.  Frances  C. 
Dodge  of  Fi-ancestown,  Oct.  2,  18B2,  lived  on  the  farm 
owned  by  Phineas  Kidder  in  the  south  part  of  the  town. 
He  was  a  man  of  dee|)  religions  convictions,  A\as  foi-  twenty- 
three  years  deacon  of  the  clmicli  in  Francestown,  removed 
to  Metamora,  111.,  about  1844,  where  he  died,  Apiil  9, 
1872.  Children  by  1st  marriage,  ])orn  in  Fianccsiown 
were: — 

Harriet,  (b.  April  20,  1818,  d.  Fel).  1,  18-37.) 

Mary  Ami,  (h.  Dec.  10,  l8llt,  m.  1st,  J.  15.  Carlton,  2nd, 
Luke  McClintock  of  Hillsboro',  d.  in  Hillsl)oro\  Oct.  12, 
1876.) 

Sarah  E.,  (b.  Nov.  21,  1821,  was  a  teacher  in  Santa  Monica, 
Cal.) 
■  Charles  TF.,  (b.  May  10,  1823,  m.  1st,  Lucina  Eaton  of 
Hillsboro',  Dec.  80,  1847,  2nd,  Lauretta  Soule  of  Man- 
chester, March  16,  1853,  3d,  Mary  Ellen  Breed  of  Weare, 
Nov.  19,  1890.  He  was  for  many  years  a  popular  conduc- 
tor on  the  North  Weare,  R.  R.) 

Henry  (b.  Aug.  5,  1825,  is  a  farmer  in  Sutter  City  Califor- 
nia, m.  Adella  Brown  of  Sweetland,  Cal.) 

Ahhy,  (b.  April  29,  1827,  m.  James  Newman  of  Hillsboro' 

Bridge,  res.  at  Chicago,  111.) 
Lucy  M.,   (b.  Jan.  2,  1830,  m.  Rev.  Azariah  H3^de,  res.  at 
Galesburg,  111.) 
Children  by  2nd  marriage  were: — 


672  GENEALOGIES. 

Alfred  C'.,  (b.  Sept.  29,  1833,  d.  at  Streeter^  111.) 

William  .S'.,    (b.  May  1,  1835,  m.  Martha  Skinner  of  Meta- 

mora.  111.) 
Franceii  Z.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  m.  Alden  Kanny  of  Meta- 

mora,  111.) 
Georcie  H.,  (b.  Dec.  22,  1838,  d.  in  the  State  of  Washington.) 
Samuel  B.,  (b.  No\\  10,  1840,  ni.  Sara   Lampson,  res.  in  the 

State  of  California.) 
John,  (b.  Nov.  28,  1842,  d.  youno-.) 
'faiiiei-:,  (T\\in  l)rother  of  John  d.  yoniig.) 
Eunice  T>..  (b.  at  Metamora.  Nov.  10,  1844,  d.  young.) 
Laura  E.,  (1).  at  Metamoi-a,  June  22,  1840,  d.  young.) 
Edward,   (b.  at  Metamora,  Oct.  29,  1847,  is  a  farmer  and 

sheep  raiser  in  Iowa.) 
Emily  I\..  (b.  at  Metamora,  Sept.  1.  1850,  I'cs.  in  Iowa.) 
Frederic  F.,  (b.  March  10,  1854.)] 

2.  Nancy,  [b.  at  Dedham,  Jan.  4,  1787^  m.  Amos  Sleeper,  of 

Francestown,  Nov.,  1820,  d.  in  Metamora,  Sept.  23, 1870.] 

3.  Ebenezei;,  []>.  in  Dedham,  Aug.  31,  1789,  m.  1st,  Betsey 

Post  of  Dnrham,  N.  Y.,  2nd,  Laura  Stanley  of  Durham,  N. 
Y.,  was  a  preaclier  in  the  state  of  New  York,  where  he 
died,  June  28,  1877.] 

4.  Lucy,  [1).  in  Francestown,  June  14,  1792,  d.  young.] 

5.  Betsey,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  25,  1794,  d.  young.] 

6.  Lewis,  [b.  in  Fi'ancestown,  June  15,  1790,  d.  young.] 

7.  Sally,  [b.  in  Francestown,  March  26,  1798,  cl.  young.] 

8.  Lewis.    |'b.  in   Francestown,  Jan.  26,  1800,  d.    in  Maine, 

May  8,  1840.] 

9.  Sally,  [1).  in  Fi-ancestown,  Sept.  22, 1801,  m.  (jeorge  Kings- 

bury of  Francestown,  May  7,  1822,  res.  at  Francestown, 
is  a  bright,  cheerful  old  lady,  "bearing  her  years  grand- 

10.  Betsey,    [b.  in  Francestown,  June  19,  1803,  m.  Joseph 

Kingsbury  of  Francestown,  Dec.  9,  1827,  d.  at  Frances- 
town,  Oct.  18,  1877.] 

11.  Lucy,  [b.  in  Francestown,  March  31,  1806,  d.  at  Frances, 
town,  Nov.  5,  1879.] 


EWELL.  673 

12.  Mary,  [b.  in  Fmncestown,  April  7,  1808,  m.  Rev.  Alvali 
C.  Page  of  Alstead,  Nov.  5,  1844,  d.  at  Hartford,  Conn., 
July  26,  1856.] 

EWELL. 

PELEG  EWELL'rS  parents  were  of  Scituate,  Mass.  He  was  born, 
Oct.  19,  1739.  At  the  time  of  the  RevokUionary  war  he  was  a  sailor 
and  was  twice  taken  l)y  tiie  British.  The  first  thne  he  was  released 
after  two  days,  but  the  second  time  he  was  detained  at  Xew  York 
three  months.  We  ai-e  told  that  he  bought  a  farm  in  Lyndel)oro',  but 
ere  long  went  to  sea  again  as  the  mate  of  a  vessel,  and  soon  after  as 
captain.  He  made  forty  voyages  to  the  West  Indies  besides  a  whaling 
voyage  to  Davis  strait.  He  finally  sold  his  farm  in  Lyndeboro'  and 
purchased  the  place  on  King  hill  long  owned  by  Samuel  Lolly.  He  was 
a  land  owner  in  this  town  as  early  as  1783.  He  removed  to  Deering, 
where  he  died,  Nov.  30,  1823.  Hannah  Johnson,  who  married  Peleg 
Ewell,  was  born,  Jan.  IG,  174(3.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Hainiah  (Lane)  Johnson,  who  died  in  this. town.  The  latter  was  the 
daughter  of  Weltha  Bradford,  granddaughter  of  Governor  Bradford  of 
Plymouth  Colony.  Mrs.  Ewell  died  in  Deering,  but  was  l)uried  in  this 
town.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Perez,  [b.  Sept.  25, 1769,  in.  Betsey  Lord  of  this  town,  .Inly 
10, 1704,  and  lived  in  tlie  bouse  now  oeeupied  by  William 
H.  Farnum".  He  was  by  trade  a  tanner  and  is  said  to  have 
built  the  tan-yard  on  this  place.  His  wife  Betsey  Lord 
was  a  sister  of  William  Lord,  who  settled  in  this  town. 
She  was  born,  Sept.  27,  1770,  and  died,  Jhly  28,  1830. 
Perez  Ewell  removed  from  this  town  to  Walden,  Vermont, 
His  children  were: — 

Isaac  Watts^  (1).  in  Francestown,  June  10,  1705,  married  and 
had  a  large  family  d.  at  Peacham,  Vt.) 

BeUey^  (b.  in  Francestown,  April  3,  1797.) 

John^  (b.  in  Francestown,  July  2,  1799.  His  name  with  his 
sister,  Betsey's  is  found  upon  the  town  records.) 

Hannah^  (b.  Nov.  14,  1801,  m.  Ebenezer  Holiues  of  Fort 
Plain  Village,  Mendon,  N.  Y.) 

Sally,  (b.  March  24,  1804.) 

Mary,  ( .) 

Samuel,  (b.  in  Francestown,  June  7,  1809,  m.  Mary  Stick- 
,  ney,  April,  1837.) 

Julia,  ( .)' 


674  GENEALOGIES. 

2.  Hannah,    [raarned  Ebenezer    Holmes   of  tliis  place,  Nov. 

24,  1794,  and  removed  to  Utica,  N.  Y.,  quite  early  in  the 
century.] 

3.  Sally,  [man-icd,  Wait  Stevens  Cheney  of  Sutton,  Dec.  15, 

1803.] 

4.  Charlotte,  [1).  at  Lyndeboro',  Sept.  1,  1781,  m.  Thomas 

Cheney  of  (ioffstown,  Nov.  10,  1801,  resided  at  Goffs- 
town,  Deering'  and  at  Francestown,  where  .she  lived  with 
her  son  Luther  Cheney.  She  died  in  this  town,  March  4, 
1869.] 

FAIRBANKS. 

JONATHAN  1  FAIRBANKS  came  from  Sowerby,  Pari^^h  of  AVest 
Riding,  County  of  Yorkshire,  England,  about  tlie  year  1633,  and  in 
1(536  settled  in  Dedham,  Mass.,  where  the  house  built  and  occupied  by 
him — one  of  tlie  oldest  dwellings  in  New  P^ngland — is  still  in  the  posses- 
sion of  his  descendants.  In  July,  L'^O'i,  this  house  was  struck  by  light- 
ning and  the  pet  dog  of  Rebecca  Fairbanks,  the  occupant  of  the  house 
at  that  time,  was  killed.  Miss  Fairbanks  escaped  with  a  severe  shock. 
Jonathani  brought  with  him  his  wife,  Grace  (Lee)  and  six  children. 
He  died  in  Dedham,  Dec.  5,  1668.  His  wife  died,  Oct.  28,  1673. 
John2,  son  of  Jonathan,  was  born  in  England.  He  lived  on  the  home- 
stead in  Dedham,  where  he  died,  Nov.  13,  1684.  His  wife,  Sarah 
(Fiske,)  died,  Nov.  26,  1683.  Their  son,  Joseph^,  was  born  in  Ded- 
ham, May  10,  1656.  He  was  designated  as  Deacon  Joseph.  He  died, 
Jan.  14,  1734.  Joseph*,  his  son  was  born  in  Dedham,  April  26,  1687, 
and  married  Abigail  Deane,  May  3,  1716.  Joseph*  and  Abigail  were 
the  parents  of  Israel^,  horn.  May  28,  1723,  who  was  the  father  of  Elias 
and  Israel,  who  settled  in  Francestown. 

DEA.  ELIAS  FAIRBANKS  was  the  son  of  Israel  and  Elizabeth 
(Whiting,)  Fairbanks,  who  were  married  at  Dedham,  May  30,  1751. 
Elizabeth  Whiting  was  a  sister  of  Zachariah  Whiting,  who  settled  in 
this  town.  Elias  was  born  in  Dedham,  Aug.  7,  1760.  When  only 
eleven  years  of  age  he  came  to  live  with  his  uncle,  Zachariah.  He  after 
a  few  years  returned  to  Dedham,  but  subsequently  made  for  himself  a 
home  in  Francestown.  While  very  young  he  became  a  soldier  and 
when  but  a  youth  of  seventeen  witnessed  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  at 
Saratoga.  It  was  during  his  army  life  that  the  following  episode  illus- 
trative of  the  straits  of  the  times  and  the  humor  of  the  man,  had  its 
source  and  beginning.  In  that  season  of  patrotism  and  privation  the 
American  soldiers  were  often  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  eating  horse- 
flesh, which  like  much  of  the  New  England  beef  of  the  present  time, 
was  not  readily  subdued  by  a  reasonable  amount  of  mastication,  be- 


FAIRBANKS.  675 

sides  not  being  over  palatable,  and  hence  it  was  subjected  to  a  deal  of 
soaking  and  boiling,  which  required  the  attention  of  the  men  during 
the  hours  of  night,  as  well  as  by  day.  At  such  times  the  sleepy  or  neg- 
ligent ones,  whose  duty  it  was  to  attend  to  the  meat,  were  often  rallied 
by  their  more  heedful  comrades.     Elias  had  a  camp-mate,  whose  name 

was  Jesse and  to  him  he  had  frequently  to  call  out — in  times  of 

hazard  to  their  meat — "ujd,  Jesse  and  change  the  water!"  which  laconic 
admonition  became  an  oft  repeated  pleasantry.  Elias  with  the  other 
Revolutionary  veterans  was  at  Boston  and  Charlestown  on  the  occasion 
of  the  laying  of  the  corner  stone  of  Bunker  Hill  Monument,  while  in 
one  of  these  places,  his  eyes  fell  upon  an  old  soldier,  whom  he  believed 
to  be  Jesse,  but  for  more  than  forty  years  they  had  not  met,  and  was 
it  he?  Elias  drew  near  to  the  man  and  with  as  much  of  the  old  time 
manner  of  speech  as  he  could  then  command,  called  out;  "Up,  Jesse 
and  change  the  water!  "  and  Jesse  it  was,  and  the  meeting  of  those 
long  sundered  camp-mates  was  doubtless  one  of  the  real  events  in  their 
eventful  lives.  Elias  Fairbanks  married  Elizabeth  Billings  of  Canton, 
Mass.,  Feb.  8,  1786.  The  house  in  which  he  lived  was  on  Bradford 
hill,  between  the  residence  of  John  Holt  and  of  Mr.  Blood.  After  his 
death  it  was  occupied  by  his  son,  Jabez.  We  have  it  from  contemper- 
anious  authority,  that  "he  was  a  useful  and  excellent  man."  He  was 
deacon  in  the  Congregational  Church  from  1799  to  1813,  and  was  also 
town  clerk  for  several  years,  besides  many  times  tilling  the  office  of 
selectman.  His  wife  died  at  Francestown,  Dec.  10,  1816.  He  survived 
her  two  years.  The  date  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Francestown, 
was  April  17,  1818.     His  children  all  born  in  Francestown  were: — 

1.  Jabez,  [b.  Feb.  24,  1788.  m.  1st,  Sally  Bixby  of  Frances- 
town,  Jan.  2, 1814,  2nd,  Polly  Bixby  of  Francestown,  Nov. 
17,  1840,  was  by  occupation  a  carpenter  and  farmer  and 
was  enterprising,  and  built  many  lionses  in  the  town.  He 
removed  to  Newport,  N.  H.,  where  he  died.  May  10,  1874. 
Children  all  born  in  Francestown  were: — 
Almira,  (b.  Dec.  18,  1814,  d.  in  Francestown,  May  30, 1846.) 
Sarah  Ann^  (b.  Dec.  16,  1818,  m.  Henry  Davis  of  Newport, 

June  12,  1845,  d.  at  Newport,  April  21,  1883.) 
Eliza  Jayie,  (b.  March  5,  1821,  d.  Aug.  30,  1821.) 
■Mary  Mizabefh,   (b.  Jan.  29,  1826,  m.  Dexter  Peabody  of 
.   Newport,  Oct.,  1848,  d.  in  Newport,  Oct.  12,  1873.) 
Greorge  Henry^   (b.  June  4,  1830,  m.  Helen  M.  Nourse  of 
Fox  Lake,  Wis.,  Nov.  19,  1855.     Mr.  Faii'banks  is  a  man 
of  influence  and  prominence  in  Newport,  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  also  of  the  State 
Senate,  is  by  vocation  a  merchant  and  farmer.)] 


670  GENEALOGIES. 

2.  Elizabeth,    [b.  Aug.  30,  1789,  m.  Alexander  Wilson  of 

Francestown,  April  27,  1813,  d.  in  Francestown,  July  18, 
1852.] 

3.  Sally,  [b.  May  3,  1791,  m.  Anda  Wallace  of  Francestown, 

Feb.,  1838,  d.  in  Francestown,  April  2,  1876.] 

4.  Joel,  [1).  Jan.  27,   1793,  ni.  Sally  Dickey  of  Francestown, 

March  20.  1824,  d.  in  Cameron,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  16,  1878.] 

5.  Su.s-a??,  [b.  iNIay  9,  1795,  m.  Merrick   Roper  of  Francestown, 

Nov.  18,  1817,  d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  22,  1861.] 

6.  Polly,  [b.  May  1,  1800,  ni.  Samnel  Temple,  d.  at  London- 

derry, A't.,  in  1833.] 

ISRAEL  FAIKliAXKS,  l.roiluT  of  Elias  Faiii^anks,  was  born  at 
Dedhain,  Jan.  10,  IToo,  married,  1st,  Annie  Bucknam  of  Dedham,  Xov. 
4,  1779.  She  was  born,  Sept.  20,  1766,  and  died  in  Dedham,  July  21, 
1S02.  Israel  married,  2nd,  Sarah  Holmes  of  Sharon,  Mass.,  Nov.  29, 
1802.  She  was  born  in  Sharon,  March  22, 1701.  Israel  Fairbanks  was 
a  farmer  and  miller  and  was  a  man  of  means.  He  came  to  Frances- 
town  about  the  year  LSIO  and  ])urchased  the  old  Dutton  farm  and  mill 
south  of  Driscoll  Hill,  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  town.  He  died 
in  Fi'ancestown,  Sept.  1(5,  IHIS.  His  second  wife  died  in  Francestown, 
Nov.  2.),  1842.     Children  all  l)orn  in  Dedham  were: — 

1.  Stephen,  [b.  Nov.  7,  1780,  d.  in  Dedham,  Nov.  30,  1780.] 

2.  Gerry,  [b.  Jan.  9  ,1782,  m.  Mary  Snmner  of  Boston,  Mass., 

May  17,  1806,  was  a  hat  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  Bos- 
ton, where  he  died,  Nov.  14,  1829.] 

3.  Stephen,   [b.  Feb.    6,  1784,  m.    Abby  Parker  of    Boston, 

Nov.  22,  1809,  was  a  saddler  and  harness-maker  and  dealer 
in  Boston,  d.  there,  Sept.  10,  1866.] 

4.  Eliza,  [b.  March  15,  1786,  m.  Willard  Everett  of  Frances- 

town,  Feb.  24,  1816,  d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  24,  1832.] 

5.  Bucknam,  [b.  Sept.  11,  1788,  m.  1st,  Cjnithia  Downes   of 

Francestown,  Dec.  1,  1812,  2nd,  Roxana  Batchelder  of 
Francestown,  May  22,  1832.  He  was  for  forty -nine  years 
a  deacon  of  the  Congregational  Church,  and  was  withal  a 
man  whose  integrit}^  piety  and  Chi'istian  zeal  made  him  a 
power  in  the  Church  and  a  credit  to  the  town.  He  lived 
for  many  years  in  a  house  near  the  southern  base  of  Dris- 
coll hill.  This  was  taken  down  a  few  years  ago,  being 
among  the  last  to  remain  standino-  in  the  neiohborhood,  in 


t.t. 


.^a^"  ■ 


9 


o,\OS- 


r^-X 


"U^ 


FAIRBANKS,   FARMER.  677 

wliicli  his  father  settled  in  Francestown.  His  last  resi- 
dence was  on  the  place  late  owned  by  John  Hastings, 
here  he  died,  June  22,  1862.  His  children  by  his  first 
marriage  were: — 

Elizabeth  A.^  (b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  23,  1813,  m.  Leonard 
Spaulding  of  Francestown.  Dec.  8,  1856.  d.  at  Frances- 
town,  Nov.  7,  1887.) 

Frances  31.,  (h.  in  Francestown,  June  3,  1818,  m.  Luke  W. 
Preston  of  Francestown,  Sept.  9,  1844,  d.  at  Henniker, 
Jan.  21,  1887.) 

Alfred  Gerry,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  16,  1822,  m.  Harriet 
A.  Dodge  of  Francestown,  Sept.  10,  1844,  has  long  re- 
sided in  jNIanchester,  is  a  popular  and  successful  man,  has 
held  the  office  of  County  Commissioner  and  of  Sheriff  and 
for  nine  years  had  charge  of  the  County  jail  at  Manches- 
ter, is  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  the  state,  has 
had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living.) 

Children  of  Buckuam  b}-  2nil  marriage,  all  born  in  Francestown: — 

Roxana  Batclielder,  (b.  Dec.  16,  1834,  d.  on  day  of  birth.) 

Amoii  Perhlnx,  (b.  April  25,  1839,  long  resided  in  New 
York  City,  where  he  once  had  business  interests.  He  died 
at  Bristol,  Feb.  17,  1892.) 

Stephen  Parker,  (twin  brother  of  Amos  Perkins  was  long 
engaged  in  mercantile  persuits  in  New  York  City,  married 
and  lived  a  short  time  in  Nashua,  where  he  died,  Nov.  5, 
1892.)] 

6.  Mary',  [b.  July  28,1792,  m.  Alvin  Hatch  of  Newport,  Feb. 

26,  1829,  d.  in  Newport,  Feb.  25,  1849.] 

7.  Alfred,   [b.  Sept.  29,  1796,  m.  Clarissa  Cochrane  of  An- 

trim, Aug.  30,  1827,  was  a  merchant  in  Francestown,  d. 
in  this  town,  Feb.  16,  1830.  His  wife  died  in  St.  Augus- 
tine, Florida,  June  8,  1881.] 

FARMER. 

HASKELL  FARMEK  was  born  at  Greenfield,  July,  1810.  He  mar- 
ried Ruth  Foote,  born  at  Hudson,  Dec.  4,  1<S10.  He  came  here  to  re- 
side, about  the  year  1835,  and  lived  on  the  place  south  of  the  Gibson 
Tavern  and  on  the  Nutting  place.  He  was  at  one  time  captain  of  the 
troop  in  this  town.  He  died  here  Dec.  27,  18G4.  His  children  were 
born  in  this  town.     They  were: — 


678  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  Lucy  W.,  [b.  May  3,  1836,  m.  Henry  Fields  of  Peteii)oro, 

July  3,  1853,  res.  at  Peterboro'.] 

2.  Hattie,  [b.  Sept.  11,  1838,  res.  at  Peterboro'.] 

3.  Joanna,  [b.  Dec.  3,  1840,  m.  O.  A.   Willey  of  Peterboro', 

Oct.  2,  1860,  res.  at  Peterboro'.] 

4.  John  P.,  [b.  Feb.,  1842,  m.  Alice  Curtis  of  Burlinoton,  A^t., 

is  a  stage  driver.     He  Avas  a  private  iu  Co.  A,  First  N.  H. 
Cavalry  in  tbe  war  of  the  Kel)ellion.] 

5.  Ma]:ia,   [b.  April  10,  1844,  d.  in   Francestown,  Nov.  10, 

1859.] 

6.  RoxY  E.,  [b.  March  7,  1846,  m.  C.  W.  Kelsea  of  Antrim,  d. 

in  Peterboro,  June  16,  1889.] 

7.  Chakles    W.,    [b.  July  10,  1848,  m.  Sarah    E.  Meai's  of 

Peterboi'o',  is  a  merchant  in  Hancock.] 

FARNUM. 

The  name  Fanuini,  spelled  in  various  ways,  was  brought  to  America 
from  England,  where  it  has  long  been  borne  by  many  of  the  nobility 
and  landed  gentry,  as  well  as  by  people  of  more  humble  station.  There 
is  a  tradition,  however,  that  the  name  originated  in  Wales,  which  may 
be  true.  The  genealogy  of  the  Xew  England  Farnums,  begins  with 
Ralph  1  Farnham,  who  sailed  from  Southampton,  Eug.,  April  6,  1635, 
in  the  brig  James,  and  after  a  voyage  of  5S  days,  landed  in  Boston, 
June  3,  1035,  '-aged  3-2."  He  brought  with  him  "his  wife  Alice,  aged 
28,"  and  three  children,  Mary2,  Thomas2  and  Ralph2.  Two  other 
children  were  born  in  America.  Ralph2,  married  in  Andover,  Mass., 
Elizabeth  Holt,  daughter  of  Nicholas  Holt  of  Andover,  Oct.  2(3,  1658, 
and  died  Jan.  8,  1092.  Ralph^,  his  son,  born  June  1,  1662,  married 
Sarah  Sterling,  Oct.  9,  1685;  Ralphs,  son  of  Ralphs,  and  Sarah,  born 
May  25,  1089,  removed  from  Andover,  to  York,  Maine,  where  he  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Austin.  He  was  granted  thirty  acres  of  land  in  York, 
in  1712-13,  and  from  him  doubtless  descended' most  of  the  name  in 
Maine. 

PETER  FARXUM,  who  settled  here  quite  early  was  the  son  of 
David  Farnum  of  Andover,  who  married  Damaris  Faulkner,  July  6, 
1762.  David  was  doubtless  a  descendant  of  Ralph2  of  Andover,  men- 
tioned above.  Peter  was  a  sturdy  soldier  of  the  Revolution  and  was 
once  chosen  with  others  by  Baron  Steuben  for  a  hazardous  undertak- 
ing. He  was  several  times  sent  to  the  State  Legislaturue,  besides  fill- 
ing the  ofttce  of  selectman.     He  was  by  trade  a  tanner,  and  came  here 


FAENUM. 


679 


from  Andover  about  the  year  171»0,  and  settled  on  the  Downes  place, 
where  he  carried  on  the  tanning  business.  He  married  Hannah  Kim- 
ball, daughter  of  Michael  and  Betsey  Kimball  of  Pembroke,  Feb.  27, 
1789.  Late  in  life,  he  removed  to  Lyndeboro',  where  he  was  employed 
in  a  tannery,  in  one  of  the  vats  of  which  he  was  drowned,  April  2, 1834, 
aged  69.  His  wife  died  in  this  town,  Aug.  28,  1838,  aged  75.  Their 
children  were  born  in  Francestown.     They  were: — 

1.  AViLLiAM,  [b.  Oct.  20,  1790,  d.  in  Francestown.] 

2.  David,  b.  Jan.  14,  1793,  m.  Sarah  J.  Wilson,  of  Frances- 

town,  Dec.  25,  1817.  removed  to  the  state  of  New  York, 
wdiere  he  died.] 

3.  Peter,  [b.  Jan.  7,  1795,  ni.  Lncy  Hopkins  of  Francestown, 

June  6,  1818.  He  enlisted  in  the  war  of  1812  and  was 
stationed  at  Ft.  Constitution  in  Portsmouth  Harbo]'.  He 
was  bv  vocation  a  tanner  and  currier,  and  succeeded  his 
father  on  the  Downes  or  Parker  place.  He  also  lived 
many  years  near  tlic  re.-ddence  of  liis  son,  William.  Here 
he  died,  Oct.  23,  1877.     Children  were: — 

Jidla  3Iorse.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Marcli  18,  1820.  res.  in 
Francestown.) 

William  H.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  March  11.  1822,  married, 
(April  10,  1845,  Mary  B.,  daughter  of  James  and  Pamelia 
.  (Brown)  -Hoyt  of  Auburn,  where  she  was  born,  Aug.  8, 
1822.  Mr.  Farnum's  present  vocation  is  farming.  He 
has  resided  in  Lowell  ami  Manchester  as  well  as  in  this 
town,  where  he  has  held  the  office  of  selectman  and  over- 
seer of  the  poor  and  supervisor,  and  was  sent  as  delegate 
to  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1889.  He  is  a  man 
of  ability  and  good  standing.  His  children: —  Cliarles 
C,  born  in  Manchester,  March  20,  1846,  d.  in  Frances- 
town,  Dec.  25,  1862;  Frank  I.,  born  in  Manchester,  April 
26,  1849,  d.  in  Manchester.  July  21.  1850;  Emma  J.,  born 
in  Manchester,  June  30,  1864,  m.  Herbert  I).  Smith  of 
Weare,  Nov.,  1875,  res.  in  Pittsfield,  N.  H.;  Edwin  W.  H.. 
born  in  Francestown,  Oct.  28",  1865,  m.  Flora  M.  Holt  of 
Lyndeboro',  June  2,  1887.  He  has  served  upon  the  board 
of  selectmen,  was  for  several  years  a  popular  landlord  of 
the  Francestown  Hotel.) 

Nathaniel  Dearie^  (twin  brother  of  William,  d.  when  two 
years  of  age.)« 


680  GENEALOGIES. 

LanriUa  Holmes,  (b.  in  Francestowii,  Sept.  4,  1824,  m.  Mark 
Balcli  of  Francestown,  May  2,  1850,  tl.  in  Francestown, 
Marcli  20,  1894.) 

Beti^eij  Ann.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.,  1826,  ni.  Jose})li,  K. 
Chandler  of  Andover,  d.  here.  May  8,  1869.) 

Georf/e  Deane,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  7,  1829,  ni.  Susan 
M.  Downer  of  Lebanon,  Jan.  26,  1856.  Slie  was  born, 
July  27,  1831.  He  is  employed  at  tlie  cpiarry  in  this 
town.  Children:— Addie  Maria,  b.  May  20,  1857,  d. 
in  this  town,  Jan.  2,  1863.  John  P.,  born,  Feb.  8,  1859, 
d.  in  Manchester,  April  28, 1868.  Fred  E.,  born  in  Frances- 
town,  May  23,  1861.  Fannie  L.,  born  in  Francestown, 
Oct.  6.  1862,  m.  Fred  W.  Mills  of  Francestown,  Oct.  8, 
1882,  res.  in  Medford,  Mass.  George  H.,  born  in  Frances- 
town,  Nov.  14,  1864,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  13,  1865. 
Clara  M.,  born  at  Manchester,  June  27,  1866,  res.  at  Med- 
ford. Henry  I.,  born  in  Francestown,  Aug.  7,  1869. 
Marlin  D.,  born  in  Francestown,  Oct.  4,  1871,  res.  in 
Medford,  Mass.  Irving  B.,  born  in  Francestown,  June 
11,  1873.  He  has  lately  been  appointed  assistant  post- 
master in  Medford.) 

Frances  A^hl/'ne,  (h.  in  Francestown,  m.  Pacific  L.  Clark  of 
Francestown,  Jan.,  1856.  d.  in  this  town,  Dec.  18,  1858, 
aged  25  years.) 

Zehiah  Jane,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  5,  1837,  m.  Nathan 
Chandler  of  Andover,  July  1, 1861,  res.  in  Francestown.)] 

4.  Hannah,  [b.  July  13,  1797,  d.  young.] 

5.  Nahum,  [b.  Dec.  20,  1800,    m.  1st,  Betsey  Balch  of  this 

town,  April  15,  1824,  2nd,  Mary  J.  McNeil  of  New  Bos- 
ton, A})ril  27,  1847,  was  by  trade  a  shoemaker,  resided  in 
this  town,  was  selectman  and  tax-collector,  d.  here  Feb.  5, 
1879.  His  first  wife  died  here,  April  12,  1846.  His 
second  wife  was  born  July  14,  1819.  She  now  resides  in 
New  Boston.  Children  born  at  Francestown: — 
Sarah  Jane.,  (b.  June  6,  1825,  m.  Dr.  A.  Hardy  Atwood  of 
Manchester,  March  17,  1846,  died  leaving  one  child,  Evie 
Maria,  who  died,  aged  one  year  and  three  months.) 


FAilRINGTON.  681 

Betisey  Maria,  (b.  in  1828,  d.  Aug-.  4,  1847.) 
Israel  Balch,  (b.  July  17,  1835,  m.  Julia  Annette   Goodwin 
of  Newbury,  Vt.,  April  29,  1857.     She   was  born  at  Rye- 
gate,  \t.,  Feb.  2,  1834.     Israel  B.  Farnum  resided  in  this 
town  for  a  number  of  years  and  once  filled  the  office  of  tax- 
collector.      He  now  resides  at  Derry   Depot,  is  by  trade 
a  shoemaker.     C'hildj'cn  are: —     Walter  E.,  b.  in  Frances- 
town,    May    8,    1859,   res.   at   Boston,    Jennie   M.,   b.   in 
Francestown,  Sept.  8,  1860,  res.  at  Derry  Depot.) 
Nahum  Hard, J,  (b.  July  12,  1851,  d.  Sept.  26,  1853.)] 
6.  Ki.AiBALL,    [b.  July    20,  1804,    m.  Abigail  E.  Hopkins  of 
Francestown,  Nov.,  1830,  removed  to  East  Wilton,  Maine, 
where  he  died.] 

FARRINGTON. 

EBENEZP]R  FAinilXGTON,  was  born  in  (ireoiilield,  Vvh.  22,  ISor). 
His  father,  Ebtniezer  Farriii^ton,  was  the  son  of  Ebenczcr  and  Mnrcia 
Farrin<;ton  of  Walpole,  Mass.,  who  removed  from  that  phice  to  Green- 
field in  the  early  years  of  the  town.  The  first  Ebenezer  was  born  July 
15,  1726,  and  died  Aug.  26,  1787;  Ebenezer  2nd,  married  Mary  Cud- 
worth  of  Greenfield;  Ebenezer  their  son,  came  here  from  Greenfield  in 
1836,  and  purchased  the  Samuel  Martin  place,  on  which  he  has  since 
lived.  He  is  an  honest,  thoughtful  man,  of  strong  religious  sentiments. 
His  wife  was  Ruth  Robinson.  She  was  born  at  Greenfield,  March  28, 
ISOi;,  and  died  in  this  town,  Oct    8,1888;  children:— 

1.  Franklin,    [b.  in  Greenfield,  Jan.  4,  1832,  m.  Millie  T. 

Blake  of  Dorchester,  Mass.,  is  a  grocer,  I'es.  in  Dorchester.] 

2.  Augusta  E.,  [1).  in  Greenfield,  res.  with  her  father. 

3.  Infant  Son,  Unnamed,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  d.  in  Greeniiold.] 

4.  Carrie  M.'.  [b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  1, 1836,  d.  in  Frances- 

town,  Nov.  1,  1855.] 

5.  WiLLARD  S.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  7,  1837,  m.  Jennie 

E.  Lee,  Aug.  30.  1869,  res.  in  Dorchester.  Mass.,  is  a  milk- 
man and  gardener.] 

6.  Abbie  a.,   [b.  in  Francestown,  July  5,  1841,  m.  Frederic 

Hutchins  of  Kennebunk,  Me.,  res.  at  Watertown,  Mass.] 

7.  Henry  E.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  April  4,  1843,  m.  Marion  J. 

Colman,  Nov.  5,  1879,  is'  a  grocer,  res.  in   North   Cam- 
bridge, Mass. 


682  GENEALOGIES. 

8.  Adelaide,  [b.  in  Francestown,  May  2,  1845,  res.  with  her 
fallier.] 

.JACOB  FARKIN(iTOX  of  this  tcnvn.  married  Hannah  Dickerman, 
March  12.  1793. 

HEZEKIAH  FAKUIXGTOX  came  here  quite  early,  and  lived  in  a 
house  near  the  Mark  Pettee  place,  on  the  west  side  of  the  i-oad.  He 
married  Abigail  Pettee,  sister  of  Abner  Pettee,  alid  of  Mrs.  .lohnson. 
She  was  born  at  Dedham,  Oct.  2,  1744,  married,  Oct.  S.  176G,  and  died 
in  this  town,  April  l.li,  1827.     Adopted  child: — 

1.  Polly  Este,  [m.  Perley  Goodell,  removed  to  J>yiiie.] 

KEUP>P:X  FARI;I\(tT()X,  a  l)rother  of  Ebenezer  Farriiiuton,  came 
here  from  (ireentield  about  the  year  1S;!7.  and  lived  tirst  on  the  Hen- 
derson place,  and  afterward  on  the  Itheniar  Woodward  place.  He  was 
])oru  at  Greenfield,  Feb.  2,  1791,  and  man-led  Charlotte  Ci'oss  of  Han- 
cock, Dec.  23,  1S17.  She  was  born  at  Hancock,  June  7,  1794,  was  an 
adopted  daughter  of  Samuel  Cross  of  that  town.  The  family  returned 
to  (ireentield  about  the  year  184S,  where  Keuben  died,  April  27,  18r)2. 
His  wife  died  at  (ireentield,  Sept.  9,  1S4().     Their  children:— 

1.  Mahy  Chaklotte,  [b.  in  Windhall,  Vt.,  Nov.  14,  1818,  d. 

Feb.  18,  1859.] 

2.  Reuben  A.,   [!>.  in  Windhall,  April  14,  1821,   m.  Agnes 

Maxwell  of  NovaScotia,  April,  1848,  d.  in  Waltham,  Mass., 
Jan.  2,  1879.] 

3.  Isaac  Brfaystei;,  [b.  in  Windhall,  March  29,  1822,  m.  1st, 

Martha  (Young)  Gribben  of  Ireland,  Sept.  15,  1850,  2nd, 
Mary  vS.  May  of  Hancock,  July  5, 1881,  res.  in  Greenfield.] 

4.  Lucy  Brewster,  [b.  in  Windhall,  Aug.  12,  1827,  m.  Jan. 

5,  1864,  George  Barney  of  Hancock,  res.  in  Greenfield.] 

5.  Abigail  C,  [l).^in  Greenfield,  Jan.  7, 1836,  m.  Oct.  9,  1862, 

Hiram  A.  Collins  of  Vermont,  res.  at  Greenfield. 

FELCH. 

The  first  known  of  this  family  this  side  the  water  was  Henry  Felch, 
who  lived  in  Gloucester,  Mass.,  as  early  as  1(341.  He  was  of  Welsh 
race,  and  is  understood  to  have  descended  from  David,  Prince  of  North 
Wales,  and  Mar}-,  his  wife,  who  was  a  grand  daughter  of  Henry  I.  of 
England.     The  name  was  sometimes  spelled  FaJch.    "Henry's  wife  was 

named  Elizabeth;  and  they  had  a  son  Henry,  who  m.  Hannah  , 

and  settled  in  Reading,  Mass. 


PELCH.  683 

T)R.  DANIEL  FELCIT,  son  of  Henry  and  Hannah,  m.  for  his  third 

wife,  Hepzibath -,  who  was  the  mother  of  most  of  his  children. 

Late  in  life  they  removed  to  8eabrook,  this  State.  It  is  believed  that 
all  of  the  name  in  X.  H.,  descended  from  Dr.  Daniel.  He  d.  Oct.  5, 
1752,  aged  84. 

Joseph,  son  of  Dr.  Daniel  Felch,  (Joseph*,  Daniel^ ,  Henry^,  Henryi,) 
was  b.  1729,  probably  in  Seabrook;  m.  Mary  Hoyt,  1756;  and  d.  Feb. 
5,  1803,  aged  74.  Joseph  moved  to  Weare  in  1779.  He  had  six  sons, 
Jabez,  Cnrtis,  Joseph,  Jr.,  Jonathan,  John  and  Benjamin.  Jabez  was 
in  the  Revolutionary  Army  seven  years.  All  settled  in  Weare,  except 
John,  b.  July,  1773,  who  located  in  Deering,  m.  Olive  Thompson,  Dec. 
22,  1790.  This  John  "was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  had  a  good 
education  for  a  man  of  his  times,  taught  school  extensively,  and  seems 
to  have  possessed  the  best  intellect  in  the  family."  So  writes  a  kins- 
man and  friend. 

The  second  son  of  Dr.  Daniel  Felch  of  Seabrook,  was  Daniel,  Jr., 
who  was  son  of  his  second  wife,  Sarah,  and  was  born  April  5,  1718. 
He  was  a  soldier  at  the  capture  of  Louisburg,  June  17,  1745;  m.  Jane 
Page  of  Hampton,  Feb.  14,  1749;  and  had  children,  Molly,  Benjamin, 
Khoda,  Daniel,  Amos  and  John.  The  last  named  was  the  John  Felch 
of  Francestown.  He  was  b.  Feb.  23,  1703;  m.  Ruth  Sweetzer,  March 
8,  1787;  settled  in  the  north  part  of  this  town,  near  Deering  line,  where 
he  lived  till  1814,  when  he  moved  to  Sutton,  and  died  there  of  spotted 
fever  in  1810.  His  wife  d.  Sept.  5,  1820,  aged  ()3.  The  children  of 
John  and  Ruth  (Sweetzer)  Felch,  were  as  follows,  all  being  born  in  this 
town: — 

1.  Amos,    [b.  July  1,  1787,  m.  Betsey  Kelley ;  lived  in  New- 

bury, and  d.  there  April  29,  1876,  aged  nearly  89,] 

2.  William,  [b.  Nov.   23,  1788;  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 

1812;  settled  in  Cleveland,  Ohio;  is  said  to  have  descend- 
ants now  living  there.] 

3.  John,  [b.  Aug.  22,  1790;  m.   Hannah  Dodge  of  Benning- 

ton, Feb.  22,  1816;  d.  May  13,  1877;  moved  to  Sutton, 
where  most  of  his  life  was  spent ;  was  Deacon  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  there;  his  wife  d.  Oct.  11,  1883.  Their  child- 
ren were: — 

Sallie  B.,  (b.  Sept.  16.  1816;  m.  Wm.  T.  Bean  of  Sutton.) 

Roxana^  (b.  Oct.  12,  1818;  m.  tlon.  Amos  Jones  of  Sutton, 
afterwards  of  Sanborn  toil  Bridge,  now  Tilton.) 

Gideon  />.,  (b.  Oct.  21,  1820;  m.  Melvina  Bean;  lives  in 
Sutton. ) 

John  A.,  (d.  inf.) 


684  GENEALOGIES. 

Charity  Adeline^  (b.  Dec.  31,  1824;  m.  1st,  Beiij.  P.  Siirgent; 
2nd,  William  Cobiirn ;  d.  July  1,  1889.) 

John  aS'.,  (d.  childhood.) 

HanrKih  M.,  (h.  May  2,  1829;   m.  Closes  Pillslmry  of  Sutton.) 

Mary  Ann,  (d.  inf.) 

Benjamin  Dean,  (June  15,  1833;  ni.  Ellen  A.  Can-  of  An- 
trim,  Nov.   29,  1860;  lives  in  IJennington ;  n(j  children.) 

Mary  A)t>i,  (b.  Jan.  6,  1836:  m.  (ieo.  S.  P^rench  of  Sutton; 
d.  July  29,  1879.) 

Frances  C,  (b.  Dec.  1,  1840;  m.  Lucien  Smith  of  Brent- 
wood.)] 

4.  Daniel,  [b.  Aug.  8. 1 792 :  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812  ; 

went  to  Ohio  with  liis  brother  William,  since  which  time 
nothing  further  can  be  learned  of  him.] 

5.  Benjamin,  (b.  Aug.  21,  1794;  m.   Dolly  Andrews;  lived 

in  Wilmot;  d.  May  28.  1877.] 

6.  Rhoda,    [b.  May   12,  1796;    m.    Rev.  Elijaii   Watson;    d. 

1868.] 

7.  Betsey,  [b.  April  1,  1798;  d.  inf.] 

8.  David,  [b.  April  12,  1799;  d.  at  the  age  of  14.] 

9.  Samuel  Barnet,  [h.  Feb.  24,  1801  ;  m.  1st,  Betsey  Keyser; 

2nd, Partridge;  d.  in  Illinois,  June  4,  1873.] 

10.  Mary    Boyd,    [known  as  Polly:    )).  June  24,  1803;    m. 

Nehemiah  Emerson  of  Andover.] 

11.  Susan  Emerson,  [!>.  Feb.  10,  1806;  m.  Solomon  Dodge  of 

Bennington;   d.  Fel).  10.  1887.] 

JOHN  THOMPSON  FELCII,  son  of  .John  and  Olive  (Thompson) 
Felch  of  Deering,  was  born  March  13,1808,  and  married  Sally,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  and  Betsey  (Martin)  Lewis  of  Greenfield,  where  she  was 
born,  Feb.  23,  1804.  The  date  of  his  marriage  was  June  4,  1833,  and 
for  several  years  following,  he  lived  on  the  Thompson  or  Bryant  j^lace, 
and  afterward  on  the  Phelps  place.  The  last  twenty-eight  years  of  his 
life,  were  spent  on  the  James  Quigley  place,  now  occupied  by  his  son 
Lewis.  Mr.  Felch  and  his  wife,  were  prudent  and  worthy  people. 
She  as  Avill  be  seen,  was  a  granddaughter  of  Samuel  Martin,  and  to  her 
superior  memory  we  are  indebted  for  much  that  we  have  learned  of 
that  esteemed  settler  of  the  town.  She  died  in  Francestown,  April  G, 
1889.  John  Thompson  Felch,  died  here  June  20,  1887.  Children 
were: — 


FISHER.  685 

1.  John  Thompson,  [b.  in  Fiancestown,  March  12,  1834.  d, 

in  Francestown,  March  5,  1835.] 

2.  Samuel    Lewis,    [h.  in   Francestown,  Dec.  26,   1835,    m, 

Georgiana  Feh-li  of  Weare,  Dec.  10,  1891,  lives  on  the 
home  place.] 

3.  SoPHKONiA  Thompson,  [h.  in  Francesl-own,  March  1,1837, 

m.  N.  C.  Locke  of  Hopkinton,  N.  H.,  Oct.  27,  1858,  res. 
in  Salem,  Mass. 

4.  P^LizABETH  L,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  27,  1839,  m.  A.  W. 

Savage  of  Greenfield,  res.  in  Milford.] 

5.  John  Parkek,  [Ij.  in  Francestown,  July  8,  1840,  m.  Anna 

Maria  Kendall  of  Andover,  Mass.,  Jan.  30,  1866,  is  a 
farmer,  res.  at  Westford  Mass.] 

6.  Sarah   Hannah,    [b.   at   Francestown,   Jan.  6,   1846,   m. 

David  Kennedy  of  Francestown,  res.  in  Medford,  Mass.] 

7.  Mark  C,  [b.  in  Francestown,  March  4,  1848,  m.  1st,  Lanra 

Griffin  of  Antrim,  2nd,  Mary  J.  Colbnrn  of  Medford, 
Mass.,  is  doing  a  thriving  l)nsiness  as  meat  dealer  at 
Woburn,  Mass.  The  bell  of  tlie  "new  church"  edifice  in 
Francestown,  was  domitcd  by  Inm  upon  the  com})letion  of 
that  building.] 

FISHEK. 

ANTH0NY2  FISIIEK,  was  a  native  of  the  Parish  of  Syleham, 
County  of  Suffolk,  Enuland,  where  he  was  baptized,  April  23,  1591. 
Ilis  father,  Anthony i  Fisher,  is  said  to  have  lived  at  "Wignotte  in 
Sykham  Parish."  He  married  Mary  Fiske,  daughter  of  William  and 
Anne  Fiske  of  St.  James,  South  Elmsham,  County  of  Suffolk.  He 
doubtless  died  at  Syleham,  since  he  was  buried  there,  April  11,  1640. 
Anthony2,  was  the  third  child  of  Anthony i  and  Mary,  who  were  the 
parents  of  six  children.  He  came  to  New  England,  with  his  wife  Mary 
and  his  children,  probably  from  Yarmouth,  in  the  ship  Rose,  June  26, 
16'}7,  and  settled  at  Dorchester,  Mass.  He  was  made  a  freeman,  May, 
1645.  His  wife  died,  doubtless  in  Dorchester,  and  he  married  second, 
Isabel,  widow  of  Edward  ]]reck,  Nov.  9,  1063.  He  held  the  olfice  of 
selectman  in  Dorchester.  On  May  5, 1062,  he  was  allowed  by  the  town 
.£4,  for  killing  six  wolves.  He  died  intestate,  April  IS,  1071,  in  his 
eightieth  year.  Anthony 3,  his  eldest  son,  settled  in  Dedham,  in  1637, 
where  he  married  Sept.  7,  1647,  Joanna,  only  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Joan  Faxon  of  Braintree.  Pie  removed  from  Dedham  to  Dorchester, 
where  he  died  Feb.  13,  1070.  His  widow  died  Oct.  16,  1694.  Their 
youngest  son,  Eleazer*    was  born  in  Dedham,  Sept.  18,  1609,  and  died 


68G  GENEALOGIES. 

at  Dedham,  Feb.  6,  1722.  He  married  Mary,  dauubtcr  of  William 
and  Mary  (Lane)  Avery.  She  was  born  Aug.  21,  1()74,  and  died  at 
Stoughton,  Mai'cb  25,  1749.  The  date  of  tlieir  marriage,  was  (Jet. 
13,  1698.  They  were  tlie  parents  of  David  Fisher^,  born  in  Dedliam, 
.June  21,  170.-).  Tlie  spot  where  David's  liouse  stood — in  Soulli  Ded- 
liam— is  even  now  well  known,  He  married,  1st,  Deborah  Bo3'den, 
2nd,  Elizabeth  Talbot,  The  former  died  July  15,  1770,  aged  59 
years.  He  died  .July  'M).  1779.  His  ehildren  were:  David •),  born 
Jan.  22,  1733,  Thomas'J,  boi-n  ^Vlarch  10.  1735,  Jacob'',  born  June 
23,  1737,  Deboiah'',  born  Oel.  2:5,  17.">'.»,  Hannah'',  born  November 
28,  1742,  Xathan'i,  born  Feb.  S.  1745.  .Oliver",  born  May  23,  1747, 
Abigail",  born  June  14,  1749,  ^lary",  born  Dec.  13,  1751,  Abner^,  born 
June  20,  1755,  David",  the  oldest  was  the  father  of  David'',  who  settled 
in  Francestown.  Nathan",  Abigail"  and  Abner",  spent  their  best  years 
here  and  died  in  this  town,  Abigail,  being  the  wife  of  "William  Starrett. 

NATHAN  FISHKK,  Si;.,  (born  Feb.  8, 1745,)  married  Esther  French 
of  Dedham.  Nov.  22,  1708,  and  about  the  year  1770,  came  here  from 
Dedham  and  l)egan  on  the  Samuel  Stevens  place.  He  served  in  the 
War  of  Independence  and  died  here,  Oct.  11,  1824.  His  wife  was  born 
at  Dedham,  Nov.  21,  1747,  and  died  in  J'rancestown,  Dec.  27,  1814. 
Children  l)orn  in  Francestown: — 

1.  Nathan.  Ji;.,  [b.  June  14,  1770,  m.  Sarah  Mussey,  Feb.  16, 
1796.  JNIr.  Fisher  lived  for  man}-  years  on  the  Frank 
Crosby  phice.  he  was  a  man  well  known,  and  held  pnblic 
offices  in  the  town,  he  died  in  New  Boston,  March  26, 
1887.  His  wife  Avas  Iwin  June  18,  1773,  and  died  in  Mil- 
ford,  ( )ct.  25,  1857.  Children  Ijorn  in  Francestown, 
were : — 

Salb/,  (b.  Jan.  14,  1797,  m.  Abner  H.  Bartlett  of  Milford, 
June,  1815,  d.  in  Milford,  March  9,  1871.) 

Befse^//,  (b.  INIarch  24.  1798,  m.  Amos  Andrews  of  New  Bos- 
ton, Feb.  3,  1820.  d.  in  New  Boston,' Feb.  11,  1839.) 

Fanny,  (b.  Oct.  8,  1799,  m.  Livermore  Langdell  of  New 
Boston,  Feb.  12,  1822,  d.  in  New  Boston,  May  9,  1867.) 

Lueii,  (b.  Aug.  19,  1801,  d,  Nov.  4,  1887,  in  Milford.) 

Myra,  (b.  May  28,  1804,  m.  John  Bartlett  of  Milford,  Jan. 
5,  1830,  d.  in  Milford,  Sept.  14,  1885.) 

Carolhit',  (b.  April  5,  1806,  m.  Samuel  Langdell  of  New 
Boston,  Jan.  1,  1828.  d.  in  New  Boston,  May  17,  1876.) 

Julia^  (b.  May  26,  1808,  m.  Zachariah  Morgan  of  New  Bos- 
ton, Oct.  4,  1831,  d.  in  New  Boston,'  Nov.  23,  1835.) 


FISHER.  687 

Ireyie,  (b.  Oct.  26,  1810,  m.  Joshua  Hutcliinsoii  of  Milfoj'd, 
June  3,  1835,  d.  in  Milford,  Sept.  16,  1888.)] 
2.  Mehitable,  [b.  June  10,  1772.] 
8.  Esther,  [b.  Oct.  25,  1774.] 

4.  Samuel,  [b.  Aug.  4,  1777,  m.   Reljecca  Clark  of  Frances- 

town,  died ,  Ijuiied  in  Hillsboro'.] 

5.  Richard,  [b.  Fel).  1,  1779,  m.  1st,  Lima ,  slic  d.  Oct. 

10,  1806,  aged  24,  2nd.  Polly   Campbell  of   Fmiicestown, 

Sept.  3,  1807.      For  many   years   he    lived   on    the    home 

place.     When  advanced  in  years  he  moved  into  tlie  village, 

where   he   died   March   15, -1864.     Children    all  l)orn  in 

Francestown,  were: — 

By  1st  marriage. 
Roswell  Sihhy,    (b.  Sept.  25,  1806,  removed  to  New  York.) 

By  2nd  marriage. 
Lima,    (b.   April  6,  1800,   m.   Jonathan    I).   Hosk'y   of  Gill, 

Mass.,  April  19,  1832.) 
William  Johnmn,  (b.  July  31,  1811,  m.  Boyiilon   of 

New  Ipswich,  and  died  in  that  town.) 
Or/.s.sa,  (b.  June  6,  1813,  m.  Jolm  Patterson  of  New  Ipswu-li, 

Nov.  15,  1832. 
French,  (b.  July  20,  1815,  removed  to  the  West.) 
Theda,  (b.  Jan.  6,  1820,  m.  Alpheus  Gay  of   Franc(!st()wn, 

Nov.  25,  1845,  d.  in  Manchester,  Aug.  17,  1885.)] 

6.  Mary,  [b.  April  29, 1781,  m.  Joshua  G.  Silsby  of  Acworth, 

Feb.  25,  1802.] 

7.  Sally,   [b.  Nov.  26,  1783,  m.  John   Jolmsoii   of  tliis  town, 

d.  here,  Sept.  4,  1873.] 

8.  Ikene,    [b.  June  6,  1786,  m.  Daniel  Clark   of   Francestown, 

Jan.  24,  1811,  d.  in  Francestown,  Apr.  21,  1865.]     • 

ABiSTEE  FISHEK,  the  youngest  brother  of  Xathan  Fisher.  Sr.,  was 
born  in  Dedham,  June  20,  1755,  and  niarried  Sophia  Ilibljard  of  Ded- 
ham,  June  20,  1781,  and  soon  after  settled  on  Oak  hill  near  where  the 
Nutting  house  now  stands.  The  cottage  built  by  him  was  taken  down 
and  moved  by  Franklin  Ordway,  to  the  place  now  owned  by  Freeman 
Foote,  where  it  was  burned.  Abner  Fisher  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  died  Feb.  21,  1S4(),  in  this  town,  his  wife  died  here,  April 
25,  1842.     Children  all  born  in  Francestown  were: — 

1.  Ira,   [b.  Feb.  23,  1782,  m.,  1st,  Betsy  Punchard  of    this 


B88  GENEALOGIES. 

town,  Sept.  25,  1806,  2iul,  Nal)l)y  Chivk  of  Friincestown, 
he  lived  in  the  Nutting  house  several  years,  and  later  in 
the  house  long  occupied  by  Mrs.  Winn,  (on  the  Benning- 
ton road).  He  had,  by  his  first  marriage,  two  sons,  John, 
(b.  Jan.  24,  1808,)  and  Ira>  botli  of  wliom  settled  in  the 
Southern  States.     He  died  here,  Feb.  19,  1849.] 

2.  Lowell,  [b,  Nov.  8,  lT8(i,  m.  Betsey  Wil^^iii^  <>f  Deering, 

June  24,  1813,  d.  in  New  London.] 

3.  Jesse,  [b.  Nov.  12,  1789,  eiilisted  in  theWar  of  1812,  and 

died  in  the  service.] 

DAVID  FISHEK  has  already  been  referred  to  as  the  sou  of  David 
Fisher,  who  was  born  in  Dedham,  ^I:iss.,  .Ian.  -22.  IToo.  and  married 
Abigail  Lewis,  Sept.  21,  17.")8,  and  settled  on  Morse  Hill  in  Sharon, 
(then  Stouglitonhani,)  Mass. ,  where  David  of  P^rancestown  was  Itoru  Jinie 
2(5,  175!).  The  latter  married  Mehitable  Ilewins.  born  in  Sharon.  Feb. 
20,  17G2.  David  Fisher  with  other  settlers  from  Dedham,  and  Sharon, 
came  here  about  the  year  17S0,  and  cleared  the  farm  known  as  the 
.James  Whittield  place,  on  the  northeastern  slope  of  Oak  hill.  Here 
he  reared  a  faiuily  of  thirteen  children.  He  was  large  and  athletic,  his 
"common  weight"  when  in  the  prime  and  vigor  of  life,  was  two  hun- 
dred and  llfty  i>ounds.  lie  was  known  in  both  Dedham  and  Frances- 
town,  as  ''King  David."  He  entered  the  Revolutionary  army  when 
sixteen  years  of  age,  he  died  in  Francestown,  Nov.  S,  1S29,  his  wife 
died  in  this  town,  ^lay  4,  1S40.  C-hildren  all  save  one,  born  in  Ibis 
town  were: — 

1.  Mkhitable,   [b.  Feb.  18,  1782,  in.  Eljenezer  Burtt  of  Han- 

cock, d.  in  Francestown,  Se})t.  17,  1854.] 

2.  David,   [b.  Dec.  15,  1783,  m.  Nancy  Chandler  of  Canton, 

Mass.,  d.  in  Charlotte,  Me.,  March  11,  1842.] 

3.  Ebenezeu,  [b.  Aug.  11,  1785,  m.  Sarah  Johnson  of  Sharon, 

Mass.,  went  to  Cliarlotte,  Me.,  where  he  was  a  prosperous 
farmer,  and  held  various  official  positions,  besides  repre- 
senting the  town  in  the  Legislature,  he  died  at  Charlotte, 
Feb.  4,  1850.] 

4.  Joel,    [b.  July  16,  1787.  m.  Anna  Gage  of  Merrimack,  d. 

in  Bedford,  Aug.  23,  1 834.] 

5.  Susannah,  [b.  in  Sharon,  Nov.  5,  1790,  m.  Asa  Howe  of 

Merrimac,  d.  in  Cooper,  Me.,  Feb.  26,  I860.] 

6.  Increase,  [b.  July  17, 1792,  m.  Eunice  Johnson  of  Sharon, 

d.  in  Charlotte,  May  11,  1866. 


FLSHER. 


689 


7.  Enoch  H.   [b.  Mch.  16,  1794,  m.  Roxana  Lakiii  of  Frances- 

town,  d.  Dec.  17  1882,  at  Charlotte,  Me.] 

8.  Benjamin,   [b.  Feb.  22,  1796,  m.  Mary  Starboard  of  Port- 

bind,  Me.,  d.  in  Francestown,  March  13,  1848.] 

9.  Asa,  [b.  Oct.  1,  1798,  m.  Mary  Gage  of  Merrimack,  d.  in 

Sutton,  Feb.  28,  1846.] 

10.  Nancy,  [b.  Oct.  10,  1800,  m.  Walter  Cniadwick  of  Sutton, 

d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  28,  1841.] 

11.  LEvi,  [b.  March  14.  1803,  m.  Fanny  Wilkins  of  Merri- 
mack, was  a  farmer,  resided  at  Merrimack,  where  he  died, 
Nov.  29,  1880.] 

12.  Mary,   [b.  April  17,  1805,  m.  Jefferson   Jones    of   New 

Boston,  d.  in  Goffstown,  March  24,  1882.] 

13.  Thomas,   [b.  May  12,  1808,  m.  Lydia  Hanson  of  Weare, 

was  a  cabinet  maker,  resided  in  Weare,  wliere  lie  died, 
Dec.  18,  1834.] 

SETIT  FISHER  was  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Fisher  of  Sliaron, 
Mass.  Thomas  has  ah-eady  received  mention  as  the  son  of  David  and 
Deborah.  He  married,  Oct.  12,  1758,  Mary,  danghter  of  Samuel  and 
Mary  (Coney)  Pettee  of  Dedham,  who  was  born  Feb.  26,  1742. 
Thomas  died,  -Jan.  16,  1781.  His  Avidow  married,  2nd,  Gilead  Morse 
of  Sharon,  April  26,  1787.  She  died,  April  27,  182.5.  Seth  was  born 
in  Stonghtonham',  (now  Sharon,)  Mass.,  June  16,  1759.  About  the 
year  1781,  he  and  Abner  came,  in  company  from  Sharon  Mass.  on 
horse-back,  erected  their  first  shelter  in  what  is  now  a  field  of  the  farm 
of  Dr.  Thomas  E.  Fisher,  and  began  their  labors  in  the  primitive  forest 
of  Oak  hill.  Subsetpiently,  Seth  Fisher  made  for  himself  a  home  on 
the  north-eastern  verge  of  the  hill,  traces  of  which  are  still  visible  on 
the  east  side  of  the  county  road  between  the  turnpike  and  the  James 
Whitfield  place.  His  wife  was  Hannah  Hewins,  to  whom  he  was  mar- 
ried June  30, 1785.  She  was  a  sister  of  Mehitaltle  Hewins,  the  wife  of 
"Kino-  David"  and  was  liorn  in  Sharon,  Sept.  20,  1760.  She  died  in 
Francestown,  Feb.  14,  1847.  Seth  Fisher  was  one  of  the  goodly  num- 
ber of  men  who  went  from  Francestown  into  the  the  army  of  the  Revo- 
lution, he  died  in  this  town,  Jan.  10,  1811.  Children  all  born  here, 
were: — 

1.  Seth,   [b.,  Jan.  20,  1786,  went  to  New  London  and  died 

there,  April  11,  1858.] 

2.  Hannah,  [b.  Jan.  12, 1789,  m.  Henry  Greenwood  of  Cam- 

bridgeport,  Mass.,  long  resided  at  Canibridgeport,  died  in 
Francestown,,  May  10, 1879.] 


690  genp:alo(;ies. 

3.  Lewis,    [1).  -Inly  -t,  1791,  m.  Betsey  Campbell  of  Frances- 

town,  June  i\  1818,  settled  in  Si)ringfield,  N.  H.,  where 
he  became  a  man  of  some  note,  and  was  elected  to  the 
Legislature,  he  removed  to  Wilmot,  wliere  lie  died,  Oct. 
18,1881.      Children:— 

Sa>(/'c;;v/,  (1).  in  Francestown,  Sept.  -5,  1811,  m.  Maiy  F.  Hill 
of  P)Oston,  Mass.,  Jan.  24,  1811, 1'cmoved  to  New  J^ondon, 
M"here  he  died.) 

Lewis,   (1).  Jan.  17,  1817,  a  farmer  in  Springfield.) 

Jidiu  A.,  (I),  in  Springfield,  Aug.  31,  181f^  m.  Richard  Allen 
of  (.'anada,  res.  in  Springliehl.) 

Clarlsm,  ( b.  in  Springfield,  July  26,  1821,  m.  William 
Howe  of  (iraiitham,  res.  in  Grantham.) 

ILirrU,  (b.  in  Springfield,  May  27,  1824,  m.  Almira  S.  Stock- 
well  of  Wilmot,  Jan.  17,  LS54,  is  a.  tailor,  res  in  Wilmot.) 

Varloi<i ine,  (b.  in  Spi'ingtiehh  ^Liy  I'H.  182('),  d.  when  young.) 

WiUard,  (b.  in  Springheld,  m.  .Vnn  Gore,  d.  at  Wilmot, 
May  8,  1871.) 

3Iason  i¥".,  (b.  in  Springfield,  m.  Fllen'  Osgood,  is  a  farmer, 
res.  at  Warner.)] 

4.  Hewins,  [b.  Oct.  30,1793,  m.  Betsey  Butterfield,  June  22, 

1818,  was  a  cai'penter  and  farmer,  he  built  the  house  in 
which  his  son,  Dr.  Thomas  F.  Fisher,  now  lives,  he  was 
an  industrious  and  practical  man,  and  a  good  citizen  of  the 
town,  he  died  here,  Jan.  16,  1872.  Only  child: — 
Dr.  TltoinaH  Eaton,  (1),  in  Francestown,  March  2,  1819,  m.'. 
1st,  Fmeline  G.  Emerson  of  this  town,  Oct.  2,  1843,  2nd, 
Eliza  A.  Underbill,  March  3,  1847.  She  was  born  in 
Chester,  N.  IL,  July  4,  1824,  and  died  in  Stoneham,  Mass.? 
Feb.  24,  1890.  Dr.  Fisher  has  always  lived  in  this  town, 
where  he  lias  farmed  with  profit,  and  met  with  success  as 
a  medical  practitioner,  he  was  for  several  years  a  mend)er 
of  the  board  of  selectmen,  and  has  twice  been  elected  to 
the  Legislature,  besides  filling  the  oftice  of  superentend- 
ing  scliool  committee.  Children  boi'U  in  Francestown : — 
Ellen  E.,  born  Jan.  12,  1848,  married  David  Glynn  of 
Plymouth,  N.  H.,  Nov.  16,  1878,  resides  in  Plymouth, 
Jane  E.,  born  Aug.  24,  1850,  married  Henry  S.  Knight  of 
Westminster,  Mass.,  May  30, 1876,  resides  in  Francestown, 


FISHEK.  091 

Orlando  H.,  born   April   30,  185G,   died  in   Franceslown, 

July  4,  1886.)] 

5.  Lois,  [b.  June  4,  ITIM!,  was  City  Missionary  in  Boston,  Mass., 

where  she  died,  Marcli  19,  18<;)6.]- 

6.  Oliver,  [b.  Aug.  3,  1798,  d.  in  Franeestown,  Jan.  30, 1802.] 

7.  Thomas,  [b.  July  4,  1800,  d.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  G,  1802.] 

8.  Betsey,  [!>.  Se})t.  5,  1803,  m.  Fnoch  Collins  of  Springfield, 

N.  H.,  d.  in  Springfield,  Nov.  1855.] 

THOMAS  FISIIEPt,  brt)lher  of  Setli  Fislier  and  of  Ezra  Fisher,  who 
liuiU  on  Cork  hill,  was  born  in  Sloughtonhani,  March  23,  17(il,  and 
uianied  Jaiey  Bullard,  Oct.  24, 178.5.  She  was  born  in  Sharon,  Nov.  0, 
ITOO,  and  died  in  Francestown,  Nov.  24,  18.34.  Thomas  Fisher  began 
on  tlie  Phineas  Buttcrfield  i)lace  about  the  year  1784.  He  Avas  a  Revo- 
lutionary soldier.  He  died  in  Francestow'n,  May  17,  ISoO.  Children 
all  Ijorn  in  Francestown,  were: — 

1.  Jabez,  [b.  Aug.  24,  1780,  m.  Hannali  Bradford  of  this  town, 

Sept.  1,  1814,  went  to  Boston  when  nineteen  years  of  age 
where  he  became  a  flour  dealer,  lie  died  in  Boston,  Sept. 
12,  1843.] 

2.  Polly,  [b.  June  2,  1788,  ni.  Jonathan  Gove  of  AVeare,  May 

3,  1810,  d.  in  Acworth,  May  27,  1817.] 

3.  Lucy,  [b.  Jan. -13,  1791,  m.  Phineas  C.  Butterfield  of  this 

town.  May  13,  1817,  d.  in  Francestown,  June  22,  1871.] 

4.  AsENATH,  [b.  Jan.  18,  1793.  ni.  Levi  Batchelder  of  Frances- 

town,  Dec.  15,  1833,  died  in  Francestown,  Sept.  4,  1877.] 

5.  Mark,   [b.  April  19,  1796,  m.  Josepha  Guild  of  Frances- 

town,  Nov.  8,  1827.     About  the  year  1840  he  went  into 

business  with  his  brother.  Jabez,  in  Boston,  where  he  died, 

Dec  27,  1861.     Children:— 
Catherine^   (b.  in   Francestown,  Jan.  1,1830,  d.  in   Boston, 

Feb.  19,  1883.) 
Horace  B.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Mch.  22,  1835.  is  a  merchant 

in  Boston.) 
EJh'R  J/.,  (b.  in  Boston,  Aug.  17,  1843,  resides  in  Boston.)] 

6.  Sakah,  [b.  Dec.  5,  1803,  m.  Joel  Gay  of  Francestown,  May 

(),  1828,  d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  14,  1858.] 


692  GENEAJwOGlKS. 

MOSES  FISHER,  Sr..,  settled  wiiere  Dea.  Moses  B.  Fisher  now 
lives  in  the  year  1785.  He  was  the  son  of  Benjamin,  who  was  the 
youngest  sou  of  Eleazer*.  Benjamin  was  born  May,  1721,  and  mar- 
ried Sarah  Everett,  Aug.  11,  1742  Moses  was  born  in  Dedham,  Nov. 
27,  17.55.  Louisa  Thorp,  his  first  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married,  in 
Dedham,  Feb.  19,  17S4,  was  born  Oct.  2G,  17(;2,  and  died  here,  Feb.  9, 
1811.  Moses  married,  2nd,  Luey  (Friend)  Manning  of  Lyndeboro'. 
He  died  at  Franceslown,  Jan.  28,  1847.     Children  by  1st  marriage: — 

1.  John,  [b.  Apr.  20,  178o,  d.  Nov.  25,  1785.] 

2.  Lewis,  [b.  Ann-.  10,  ITSG,  d.  in   Lyiiiifield,  Mass.,  Oct.  19, 

1810.] 

3.  Moses,  Jr.,    [b.  in   Francestown,  Oct.  25,  1790,  m.   Fanny 

Fuller  of  Lyndeboro',  Nov.  7,  1815.  He  lived  on  the 
place  now  owned  by  Charles  N.  Page,  the  hotise  thereon 
was  built  for  him  about  the  year  1818.  On  the  day  that 
its  frame  was  to  be  raised  a  thunderbolt,  during  a  sudden 
shower,  struck  one  of  the  two  barns  on  his  father's  place, 
and,  despite  the  efforts  of  the  men  at  the  raising,  was 
burned  to  the  ground.  The  other  barn  also  caugh  tire  in 
in  a  spot  so  high  upon  the  roof  that  all  efforts  to  extin- 
guish it  proved  futile,  until  one  of  the  men,  nerved  by  in- 
tense excitement,  seized  a  water  pail,  and  astonished  the 
others  and  himself,  doubtless,  by  throwing  its  contents  far 
up  onto  the  spreading  flames  and  extinguishing  them.  On 
the  following  day  the  men  again  assembled  to  complete 
the  raising,  and  the  surprising  feat  of  the  day  before 
was  duly  discussed,  and  experiments  in  water-throwing 
were  made,  wlien  it  was  found  that  not  even  the  hero  of 
the  previous  day  could  throw  a  pailful  of  water  as  high  as 
the  eaves  of  the  barn.  An  episode  in  the  life  of  Moses, 
Jr.,  may  perhaps  not  be  amiss  here.  When  he  was  but  a  lad, 
he  was,  one  day,  with  a  younger  brother,  left  at  home  by 
his  parents.  Sometime  during  the  day  the  cackling  of  the 
fowls  in  the  barn  attracted  the  attention  of  the  boys,  who, 
upon  stealthy  investigation,  discovered  a  fox  at  no  great 
distance  from  the  buildings.  The  sight  of  such  choice 
o-ame  of  course  awakened  all  the  hunter's  instinct  in  the 
minds  of  the  lads,  who  at  once  proceeded  to  load  an  anti- 
quated and  hammerless  flint-lock  gun.-  Taking  with  them  a 
small  firebrand,  they  crept  out  to  where  the  fox  could  be 


FISHEK.  693 

easily  seen,  and  a  rest  secured  for  tlie  gun,  and  Moses  took 
aim,  and  directed  his  brother  to  apply  the  fire  to  the  pow- 
der in  the  pan,  upon  a  given  signal.  The  younger  brotlier 
obeyed,  the  gun  was  discharged  with  good  effect  and  the 
skin  of  Reynard,  stuffed  and  suspended  from  the  kitchen 
ceiling  by  the  boys,  astonished  their  parents  later  in  that 
day.  Fanny  Fuller,  the  wife  of  Moses,  Jr.,  was  born  in 
Lyndeboro',  Aug.  17,  1793,  she  was  a  descendant  of  the 
English  commentator,  Andrew  Fuller,  she  died  at  Glou- 
cester, Mass.,  Mar.  29, 1864.  Moses,  Jr.,  died  in  Frances- 
town,  Feb.  29, 1860.      Children,  all  born  in  Francestown : — 

Louim,  (b.  Feb.  5,  1817,  m.  Moses  H.  Bradford  of  Frances- 
town,  Oct.  11,  1842,  d.  in  New  Boston,  Oct.  7,  1883.) 

Elizaheth  T.,  (b,  Feb.  2,  1819,  m.  Theoren  Palmer  of  Salem, 
Mass.,  May  17,  1843,  res.  in  Salem.) 

MoseH  B.,  (b.  June  11,  1821,  m.,  1st,  Persis  A.  Varnum  of 
Dracut,  Mass.,  Mar.  30,  1843.  She  was  born  Nov.  17, 
1823,  and  died  while  on  a  visit  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  Oct.  8, 
1880.  Moses  B.  m.,  2nd,  Prudentia  ,B.  (Keed)  Atwood 
of  this  town,  June  16,  1881.  He  now  lives  on  the  farm 
cleared  by  his  gi'andfather.  He  was,  for  a  number  of  years, 
deacon  in  the  Congregational  Church,  and  is  a  man  of  in- 
telligence  and  one  who  takes  an  active  part  in  religious 
work.  Children  were:  Fmma  A.,  born  in  Lowell,  Mass., 
Sept.  7,  1844,  died  in  Salem,  Aug.  20,  1849,  Moses,  born 
in  Salem,  Nov.  9,  1846.  d.  in  Salem,  Nov.  17,  1846,  Mary 
F,,  born  Sept.  21,  1848,  in  Salem,  Edwin  B.,  born  in  Salem, 
Sept.  12, 1850,  died  in  Francestown,  June  14,  1857,  Albert 
v.,  born  Salem,  Sept.  27, 1852,  married  Carrie  E.  Emerson 
of  Methuen,  Mass.,  Dec.  25,  1879,  is  a  grocer  in  Methuen, 
Theoren  P.,  born  in  Farncestown,  July  5,  1855,m.  Abbie 
E.  Loverjoy  of  Milford,  June  1,  1881,  res.  in  Norwalk,  O., 
is  an  engineer,  Charles  C,  b.  in  Francestown,  May  12, 1858, 
resides  in  Lawrence,  Mass.,  is  a  wood-carver,  Frederic  B., 
born  in  Francestown,  Aug.  25,  1860,  res.  in  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  and  is  in  the  fire  department  of  that  city.  Elmer 
E.,  born  in  Francestown,  July  26,  1862,  is  a  grocer  in 
Washington,  D.  C.,  Adeline  E.,  born  in  Francestown,  Nov. 
7,  1864^) 


694  GENEALOGIES. 

Fanny  J.,  (b.  Apr.  1,  1823,  m.  John  M.  Sanljoni  of  Franklin, 

Nov.  29, 1843,  resided  in  Norwalk,  O.,  d.  there  June  7, 1892.) 

Harriet^  (b.  Sept.  13, 1824,  ni.  John  Pevere  of  Franklin,  Oct. 

8,  1862,  res.  in  Franklin.) 
Hannah  F.,  (b.  Sept  29,  1826,  d.  hei'e,  Sept.  15,  1829.) 
Mary  Anna.  b.  (Aug.  15,  1828,  d.  here,  Sept.  20,  1829.) 
Mary  F.,  (b.  May  14, 1831,  d.  in  Barnstead,  Sept.  27,  1849.) 
Daniel  F.,  (b.  April  15,  1834,  m.  Mary  A.  Bullen  of  Salem, 

Mass.,  Feb.  12,  1861,  is  a  farmer  in  Fairfield,  Neb.) 
George  E.,  (b.  April  3,  1838,  m.  Mary  Pettingill  of  Pepper- 
ell,  Sept.,  1862,  died  in  Salem,  Aug.  2,  1877.)] 

4.  Joel,  [b.  Sept.  30, 1793,  in  Francestown,  d.  March  10,1796.] 

5.  Ai'.i.iAH.    [b.  in   Francestown,  March  17,  1795,  m.  Hannah 

Friend  of  Dracut,  Mass.,  d.  in  Brighton,  la.] 

6.  Aai;on,    [b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  25,  1797,  m.  Susan  Ful- 

ler of  this  town,  July  1,  1823.  He  lived  on  the  place 
now  o^^'ned  by  Dea.  Henry  Fisher.  He  was  one  of  the 
solid  cliristian  men  of  the  town.  He  died  at  his  iiome, 
March  10,  1883,  his  wife  also  died  here,  Feb.  18,  1877. 
Children  all  born  in  this  town  wei'e: — 

Lea.  Henry  F.,  (b.  May  29,  1824,  m.,  1st,  Mary  P.  Russell  of 
Hollis,  N.  H.,  Oct.  15,  1845,  2nd,  Lucy  L.  Lovell  of  Yar- 
moutli,  Me.,  Apr.  21, 1858,  3d,  Luc}'  J.  (Washburn)  Fisher 
of  Dorchestei',  Mass.,  Feb.  17,  1874.  He  has  for  many 
years  been  a  most  efficient  deacon  in  tlie  Congregational 
Clnirch.  and  is  a  efentleman  of  excellent  standino-  in  the 
town.  Child  by  1st  marriage,  Warren  T.,  born  in  Lowell, 
Mass.,  Aug.  26,  1846,  was  a  soldier  in  the  War  of  the  Re- 
bellion, and  partici}>ated  in  twenty-three  battles,  m.  Min- 
nie R.  Shaw  of  Wilmington,  N.  C,  May  12, 1875,  resides  in 
Philadelphia,  Penn.,  by  2nd  marriage,  Emma  A.,  b.  in 
Francestown,  Dec.  6,  1866,  res.  in  Boston.) 

Charles  A..  (1).  Feb.  25,  1827,  is  a  merchant  in  San  Francisco, 
Cal.) 

Aartni,  A.,  (b.  July  12,  1829,  a  merchant  in  Bound  Brook, 
N.  J.) 

James  A.,  (1).  Feb.  15,  1832,  died  at  Red  Wing,  Minn.,  Aug. 
28,  1867.) 

Maria  C.,  (b.  Feb.  22, 1834,  d,  in  Francstown,  June  8, 1861.) 


FisHEi;.  695 

Joel  E.,  (1).  Sept.  2,1837,  he  is  a  successful  merchant  in  New 
York  City.)] 

7.  Amasa,   [b.  in   Francestown,  Aug.  31,  1799,  died  Oct.  25, 

1800..] 

8.  Hannah,    [h.  in    Francestown,   April   24,   1802,  resides  in 

Salem,   Mass.] 

9.  Thoj;p,  [b.  in  Francestown,  A  pi'.  24,  1804,  resides  in  Salem, 

Mass.] 

B}-  2n(l  marriage: — 

10.  Asa  M.,    [b.  in   Francestown,  xVpril  9,  1817,  m.   Elizabeth 

Dennis  of  Hancock,  A})ril  21,  1846,  d.  in  Denmark,  Iowa, 
Oct.  24,  1881.] 

JOHN  FISHER  came  here  from  Lowell,  ]Srass.,  jiikI  bought  tlic 
the  Park  place  on  which  he  lived  many  yeni's.  He  luiilt  the  Leonard 
Spaulding  house,  in  the  village,  iu  which  he  lived  until  lii.s  removal 
to  Hyde  Park  in  LSG5.  He  was  by  trade  a  manufacturer  of  Agricultu- 
ral imi)lements,  and  prided  himself  iu  the  excelleuee  of  his  work.  He 
was  a  l)rother  of  Charles  Fisher  of  New  Postou,  and  was  born  at  Buck- 
land,  Mass.,  Sept.  (i,  17S4,  and  died  at  Hyde  Park,  Mass.,  Oct.  4,  1805. 
His  wife  was  Lucy  Turner,  she  died  in  Francestown,  Sei)t.  1,  l^b'f^. 
They  had  three  cliildi'en,  none  of  whom  were  born  in  this  town.  One 
of  them,  a  ])right  little  boy,  was  drowned  in  Low  ell  pi'evious  lo  theii" 
coming  to  this  town,  the  otlier  two  were  ^lary  -lane  and  Charlotte  Ann 
(twins).  Mary  Jane  married  Eev.  Hiram  Carlton  of  Slowe,  A^ermont, 
iu  LS;]8.     Charlotte  died  here  June  20,  1840,  aged  'I'l  years. 

Dea.  JAMES  FISHER,  was  son  of  Dea.  Sanmel  Fisher  and  (;ame 
to  Francestown  in  1770,  being  nineteen  years  of  age,  but  mature  and 
vigorous  like  one  of  riper  age.  The  family  was  of  most  strong*  and 
hardy  stock.  The  father,  "Dea.  Sanmel",  as  he  was  afterwai'ds  called, 
was  a  tough,  fearless  Scotch  boy,  who  came  over  ro  Amarica  at  the  age 
of  IS,  and  in  the  year  1740.  He  seems  to  have  started  out  alone  to 
make  his  fortune  in  the  new  world.  ]3ut  his  first  experience  was  of 
the  most  trying  sort.  The  ship  on  whieh  he  took  passage,  known  after- 
wards as  "the  starved  ship",  was  scantily  provisioned  for  a  short  voyage, 
but  they  were  long  detained  at  sea  and  were  reduced  to  the  greatest 
extremity  of  suffering,  one  table-spoonful  of  oatmeal  moistened  with 
salt  water  per  day,  was  the  only  allowance  for  fourteen  days.  When 
this  was  gone  they  lived  on  the  bodies  of  the  dead.  And  when  this 
last  terrible  resort  failed  and  the  bones  of  their  dead  fellow-passengers 
had  been  gnawed  clean,  and  they  were  perishing  with  hunger,  they 
drew  lots  to  determine  which  should  give  up  his  life  to  preserve  the 
rest.     And  the  lot  felj  on  the  boy,  Samuel  Fisher.     And  immediately 


696  GENEALOGIES. 

they  went  about  the  dreadful  preparations  and  were  nearly  ready,  when 
a  ship  came  in  sight,  the  work  of  death  was  delayed,  signals  of  distress 
were  answered,  and  all  were  soon  rescued  and  fed.  But  who  can  tell 
the  joy  of  that  young  heart?  It  was  said  that  in  all  his  long  and  pros- 
pered life  he  never  could  "see,  without  pain,  the  least  morsel  of  food 
wasted,  or  a  pail  of  water  thrown  carelessly  on  the  ground".  On  reach- 
ing thiscountry  he  was  bound  out  by  the  captain  to  a  man  in  lioxbury 
(now  Boston)  to  work  a  year  and  a  half  to  pay  for  his  psissage,  dread- 
ful as  it  was, — which  shows  that  he  was  a  poor  boy  having  nothing  but 
his  hands  and  brave  heart  with  which  to  make  his  way  in  the  world.  On 
being  free  at  IJoxbury  he  sought  the  Scotch  settlement  at  Londonderry, 
as  being  of  his  own  nationality,  reaching  this  last  named  place  near  the 
close  of  174-2.  He  went  to  work  in  the  family  of  Matthew  Taylor, 
whose  daughter  he  married,  June  2-i,  1745.  He  settled  in  Londonderry, 
was  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  there  for  many  years,  was  tall, 
large,  grave,  connnnnding,  fearless,  and  of  strong  mind.  Xo  firmer 
christian  could  lie  found.  He  knew  irliat  he  lielieved,  and  "'/i;/,  and 
taught  it  at  home  and  abroad.  He  died  Ai)ril  10.  lS06,aged  nearly  84. 
Dea.  Samuel  Fisher  had  three  wives,  Agnes  Taylor  named  above,  who 
died  young,  leaving  one  child,  Nancy,  which  child  married,  1st,  William 
Cunningham,  "id,  David  Ela,  all  living  and  dying  in  Londonderry. 
Parker's  History  is  wrong  in  calling  this  daughter  Sarah  and  saying 
that  she  "married  Samuel  Taylor".  Dea.  Samuel  Fisher  married,  ■2d, 
Agnes  Wilson,  dau.  of  James  and  Janet  (Taggart)  Wilson  of  London- 
derry, July  29,  1747.  They  had  lour  children;  Janet,  who  m.  Matthew 
Archibald  and  moved  to  Nova  Scotia;  Sarah,  who  m.  Samuel  Taylor; 
James  of  Francestown  who  will  be  noticed  further  on,  and  Jane,  who 
m.  James  Humphrey,  from  whom  descended  Hon.  Judge  S.  F.  Humph- 
rey of  Bangor,  Me..  i\nd  Dea.  Henry  Humphrey  of  Derry.  Dea. 
Samuel  Fisher  married,  3d,  Sarah  Barber,  Feb.  17,1750.  They  had 
seven  childi'en:  Mary,  who  m.  a  Carson,  had  ten  children,  and  lived 
near  T'tica,  N.  Y. ;  Samuel,  who  "married,  lived  and  died  in  Truro,  Nova 
Scotia";  Margaret,  who  m.  David  McQuesten  of  Bedford,  whose  hon- 
ored descendants  are  still  living  in  that  towni;  William,  who  d.  Oct.  20, 
1775,  aged  13;  Ebenezer,  who  was  born  Apr.  9,  17()4,  and  m.,  1st,  Polly 
Dean,  2d,  Jane  Orr  of  Bedford,  sister  of  the  famous  Ann  Orr, — one 
daughter  by  the  2d  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  (Fisher)  Conant  now  of  Greens- 
boro, Yt.,  being  the  last  living  grandchild  of  Dea.  Samuel  Fisher;  Mar- 
tha, who  lived  and  died  in  Londonderry,  unm. ;  and  John,  born  Jan.  9, 
1709,  who  m.  Betsey  Dean,  Oct.  24,  1798,  went  from  Londonderry, 
where  his  nine  children  were  born,  to  AVarsaw,  N.  Y.  in  1834  and  died 
there,  Oct.  13,  1838.     He  was  an  elder  in  the  Londonderry  Church. 

Thus  ten  of  the  twelve  children  of  Dea.  Samuel  Fisher  were  married, 
and  his  descendants  are  a  great  host.  They  are  scattered  all  over  the 
continent  and  stand  in  the  highest  ranks  as  t-o  ability  and  piety. 


*  FISHER.  697 

"JAMES  FISHER  of  Francestown",  known  at  the  time  as  "Dea. 
James",  son  of  Dea.  Samuel  and  Agues  (Wilson)  Fisher  of  Londonderry, 
came  to  this  town  and  settled  in  1770.  The  reader  is  referred  to  statement 
concerning  him  in  the  body  of  this  work  for  that  year.  Was  less  than 
twenty  years  of  age  when  he  struck  into  the  forest  to  make  for  himself 
a  farm.  Had  been  here  the  previous  year  with  his  father  Avho  made  a 
large  purchase  of  land,  including  what  is  now  the  couunon  and  all  the 
south  end  of  the  village,  and  also  Mill  Village,  and  both  the  old  ceme- 
teries, was  born  Oct.  2(i,  1750;  m.,  1st,  Sarah  Steele  of  Antrim;  (some 
recent  family  records  say  A)ma  Steele;  perhaps  she  had  hoth  names, 
and  was  known  by  the  latter  among  her  descendants,);  m.,  2nd,  Mrs. 
Polly  (Havens)  l^reston  of  Rupert,  Vt.,  widow  of  Rev.  John  R.  Preston, 
and,  before  her  first  marriage,  residing  in  Franklin,  Mass.  She  was 
born,  Dec.  15, 1770,  and  died.  Mar.  22, 184S.  Dea.  James  Fisherdied  in 
Rupert,  Vt.,  Aug.  15,  1H40,  aged  almost  90  years,  was  a  most  worthy 
and  noble  man.  He  did  much  for  Francestown:  was  large-hearted  and 
generous;  was  very  religious;  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew 
him;  and  did  not  lack  such  trusts  and  honors  as  his  town  could  confer. 
Had  seven  children.  The  oldest  is  said  to  have  been  born  in  Antrim, 
where  he;married ;  the  next  five,  in  Francestown ;  and  last  in  Rupert,  Vt. 
He  was  an  Elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  was  appointed  a  Dea- 
con in  the  Congregational  Church  in  1790. 

The  children  of  Dea.  James  were: — 

1.  A(!Ni<:s,    [1).  July  14,  1770;    m.  Kev.  Matthew    Taylor  of 

Londonderry  (Dartmouth  College,  class  1801),  and  they 
went  as  missionaries  to  Ohio,  She  d.  in  Cohnnbus,  that 
state,  many  years  ago.] 

2.  Margaret,  [h.  Oct.  7,  1777;  unm.;  kept  a  milliner's  shop 

(a  few  rods  south  of  the  church)  for  many  years;  was 
known  as  "Aunt  Peg'gy";  a  friend  to  every  one;  a  christian, 
zealous  and  watchful;  s})ent  her  last  years  with  her  niece, 
Mrs.  Hall,  of  IJrookline  and  d.  there;  Feb.  28,  1868,  aged 
over  90  years.     A  humble,  but  a  blessed  record.] 

3.  Samuel,   [b.  Oct.  19,  1779;  d.  infancy.] 

4.  James   Steel,    [b.   Aug.    16,   1782;    m.    Anna   lUirton    of 
"  Wilton,  Sept.  5,  1810;  d.  July  15,1870.     She  was  born 

Sept.  5.  1789  and  d.  May  4,  1862.  He  was  a  silversmith, 
carried  on  the  business  in  this  village  some  years;  spoons 
that  he  made  are  yet  in  the  family;  settled  subsequently 
on  the  Leonard  Spalding  place  in  Francestown,  being  part 
,  of  his  father's  original  farm;  and  all  their  children  were 
born  here.     Hq  moved  with  all  liis  family  to  the  town  of 


')08  GENEALOGIES. 

Maine,  Broome  Co.,  N.  Y.,  hoii^-lit  a.  lari^'e  farm,  on  ■wliicii 
he  remained  till  death.      His  childi'en  were: 

Ann  F.,  (h.  Sept.  19,  1811;  m.  Ozeas  S.  Slosson  of  Newark, 
N.  .J.  She  d.  Feb.  8,  1872,  leavin-  children.  Eliza  Ann, 
Estelle,  Edwin,  Arthur  and  Willis.) 

Ch'iitina,  (1).  Jan.  29,  1816;   unm.) 

Jame^,  (b.  Mareh  5,1820;  m.  Lucy  Ib.ward,  Mar.  24,1812; 
moved  to  I>ea^er  Dam,  Wis.  in  1854;  has  tliree  children, 
Ciiarles  II..  J.  Koswell  anil  Ida  J.,  the  last  beiuL';  a  teaeher 
in  the  city  of  Englewood,  111.) 

Miirf/aref,  (b.  Ai)ril  1,  1822;   unm.) 

Jo)u(fIi(tn  Bnrtd)!,  (1).  A})i'il  2?},  1824;  carpenter;  lived  in 
Bino-]ianij)ton,  N.  Y. ;  m.  Charlotte  Howard  of  that  place; 
lived  subsequently  in  Oskosh,  Wis.,  where  he  d.  June  25, 
1876;  oidy  child.  Einest  li..  l)oi'n  Ijinghanipton,  Dec.  5, 
1847.  is  editor   Daily  ICayle,  (Irand  Rapids,  Micli.) 

John,  (1).  July  29,  1826:  num.:  I'esided  on  homestead  of  his 
fatlier:  died  Eel).  2,  1887.  A  man  of  marked  piety  and 
usefulness.)] 
5.  Matthew  AkchiBxVLD,  [b.  Aug.  9,  1785;  m.  Jane  Warren 
Christie  of  Antrim,  Jan.  14,  1817;  died  in  Erancestown, 
July  5,  1853.  His  wife  was  b.  July  14,  1797  and  d.  in 
Brookline,  Eeb.  9, 1885.  He  was  a  merchant  in  Hancock 
some  yeai's  and  resided  there  at  the  time  of  his  marriage. 
Returning  to  Erancestown  about  1821,  lie  located  on  the 
old  homestead,  and  occU})ied  through  life  the  house  in  which 
he  \\'as  born.  The  early  years  of  his  life  after  becoming 
old  enough  to  leave  home  were  spent  as  clerk  in  Uriah 
Smith's  store.  He  was  a  courteous,  genial,  hospitable 
man,  interested  in  education  and  favoring  every  good  thing. 
Was  somewhat  lame  all  his  life  from  a  broken  lup,- which 
injury  he  received  by  being  thrown  from  a,  colt  when  a  l)oy. 
His  wife  was  a  sister  of  Mis.  Maiy  (Christie)  Spalding, 
wife  of  Rev.  Levi  Spalding,  for  50  years  a  missionary  at 
Oodooville,  Ceylon.  Was  a  woman  of  marked  grace  and 
dignity  and  force  of  character,  and  was  a  watchful  and 
loving  christian.  She  survived  her  husband  thirty-two 
3'ears.     Their  children  were: 

Zilnah  Ann,   (b.  Hancock,  Nov.  10,  1817;  was  a  }mpil   of 


KISUEH.  GUI) 

Ann  Orr,  afterwards  at  the  Academy  under  Dr.  Bard,  B. 
F.  Wallace  and  others,  and  at  the  Academy  in  Dover,  N. 
II.;  ni.  Iloswell  N.  Temple  of  Reading,  Mass.,  Nov.  12, 
1840.  Mr.  Temple  cai'ried  on  business  a  few  yenvs  in 
Francestown  as  a  manufa(;tuier  of  gentlenien's  congress 
boots,  employing  several  workmen  ;  but  moved  his  business 
to  Keading,  Mass,  in  the  spring  of  1843.  Tliey  still  reside 
in  that  place,  and  are  held  in  high  esteem  for  piety  and 
public  spirit.  I'hey  have  liad  6  children:  Emma  J.,  Caro- 
line A.,  Edward  M.  (Recently  leader  of  the  choir  of  Park 
St.  Church,  Boston,),  Frank  F.,  Arthur  W.,  Jennie  E. 
The  oldest  of  these,  Emma  J.,  was  born  in  Francestown, 
Oct.  23,  1842;  was  graduated  at  Readin-g  High  School; 
m.  Charles  I).  Thomas  of  Williamstown,  Mass.,  May  31, 
1865;  has  had  children,  Mark  I.,  Arthur,  Mabel,  Percis. 
Adrienne  J. ;  resides  at  Reading.) 

3Iari/  Jane,  (b.  Hancock,  Sept.  21,  1820;  her  father  moved 
to  Francestown  when  she  was  five  months  old;  she  \\ent 
through  district  school,  and  Academy,  and  afterwards  stud- 
ied two  years  in  Dover;  taught  her  first  school  in  "Hog 
Row",  now  the  south-east  part  of  Bennington,  a  place  then 
noted  at  the  Academy  as  where  the  pu})ils  in  turn  made 
their  "■beginnings  as  teachers".  Here,  as  was  the  custom, 
she  "boarded  around",  taught  six  days  out  of  the  seven, 
and  had  the  solid  remuneration  of  one  dollar  per  week. 
She  united  with  the  chnrch  in  Francesto^vn,  Jan.  4,  1852. 
She  m.  Dea.  James  H.  Hall  of  Brookline,  formerly  of  Fran- 
cestown, Oct.  20,  1853,  see  Hall  family;  resides  in  that 
town;  is  a  diligent  christian  a^id  leader  in  works  of  charity 
and  religion.) 

iSamuel  C,  (b.  Francestown,  Nov.  28,1822;  was  educated  in 
the  village  schools;  went  to  Dover  at  age  of  15  years,  into 
his  nncle  Ira  Christie's  store;  m.  Mary  Elizabeth  Barnes 
of  Dover,  Nov.  11,  1847  ;  was  one  of  tlie  leading  dry-goods 
merchants  of  Dover  from  1842  to  1862;  in  1862  went  to 
New  Berne,  N.  C,  engaging  in  dr3^-goods  business,  and  in 
shipping  naval  stores  tr.om  that  port:  returning  to  Dover 
about  the  close  of  the  war;  m.,  2d,  Sarah  Jane,  dan.  of 
Hon.  Daniel  M.  Christie  of  Dover,  July  20,  1864;  was 


700  GENEALOGIES. 

C'Ol.  Oil  staff  of  Gov.  ( 'Iieiiey;  Representative  from  Dover, 
1874,  1875;  trustee  of  Strafford  Co.  Savings  Bank ;  en- 
p-ao-ed  in  real  estate  business ;  resides  in  Dover. ) 
Charles    ]F.,    (b.  July  23,   1835;  studied   in   village  schools 
and   in  the  Academy;  entered  the  store  of  Ids  brother  in 
Dover  at  an   early  age;  subsequently  travelled   in   South 
and  West,  and  spent  some  time  in  teaclnng;  spent  some 
years  in  New  York  City  as  agent  foi'  tlie  Pul)lishing  House 
of  D.  Appleton  &  Co.;  m.  Elizabetli  Knott,  Jan.  28.  1872; 
became    agent  for    the   Publislnng    House   of    Houghton, 
Mil'liin   &  Co.,  Boston,  residing  in  Chelsea,   Mass.,   d.  of 
paralysis  of  the  brain,  Aug.   21,  1880;  two  cliihlren   sur- 
vive him,  Ethel  Daisy  and  Morris  Archibald.) 
Gilvutn  C.,  (b.  July  12,  1841;  went  through  village  schools 
and  Academy;  entered  his  bi'other's  store  in  Dover  when 
quite  young ;  subsequently  travelled  in  the  South ;  being 
determined  on  a  liberal  education,  he  returned  at  age  of 
18  and  entered  the  Academy  at  Foxcroft,  Me.     On  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war,  liis  plans  were  changed,  and  he 
enlisted  in  a  Maine  Beg.  for  nine  months,  serving  as  regi- 
mental clerk.     Returning,  he  resumed  his  studies,  and  was 
chosen  Principal  of  the  High  School,  Dexter,  Me.     Having 
accepted  the  position  and  entered  on  the  work,  he  was 
drafted,  and  went  at  once  to  the  front,  and  remained  to 
the  last,  being  present  at  the  surrender  of  Lee.     Then  re- 
ceiving his  final  dischai^g-e,  he   entered  Philips  Academy, 
Exeter,  where  he  led  his  class  in  all  departments.     He  en- 
tered the  Sophomore  class  of   Waterville  College,  grad- 
uating in  the  class  of  1869.     After  teaching  a  year,  he 
went  to  Europe  as  a  newspaper  correspondent  during  the 
Franco-Prussian   war;  then   after  lecturing  and  teaching 
two  years,  he  took  charge  of  the  High  School  in  Swamp- 
scott,  Mass.,  and  subsequently  in  Maiden,  Mass.;  spent  the 
summer  of  1878  in  Europe;  was  appointed  Superintendent 
of  schools  in  Dover  in  the  spring  of  1879;  now  holds  the 
same  position  in   Weymouth,  Mass.;  published  '■'A  Man- 
ual of  Primary  Arithmetic"  in  1880;  is  tlie  author  of  an 
annual  called^' The  Essentials  of  Geography'';  m.  Harriet 
W.  Stevens  of  Castine,  Me.,  Nov.  24,  1873.] 


FISHER.  701 

6.  Samuel,   [b.    1789;    ra.   Haunali    Hutchinson    of   Frances- 

town;  he  was  the  youngest  child  of  Dea.  James  by  his 
first  wife;  Esther,  b.  (Jet.  25,  1771,  and  Samuel,  b.  May  4, 
1777,  are  on  the  town  record  in  connection  Avith  tliis  family, 
but  doubtless  belonged  to  some  other  of  the  numerous 
Fisher  families  here;  Samuel,  son  of  Dea.  James,  moved 
to  Rupert,  Vt.,  and  lived  on  the  farm  wliere  liis  father  died  ; 
Samuel  d.  tliere  Sept.  8,  1851;  his  wife  d.  Aug.  19,  1851, 
aged  55;  cluldren: — 

Samuel,  Jr.,    (b.  June  13,  1820;  d.  Marcli  9,  1884;   unm.) 

James  William,  (b.  June  17,  1822;  m.  Sarah  Watrons  of 
of  Hampton,  Vt.,  Sept.  9,  1862;  has  six  children,  Edwin 
James,  Florence  Margaret,  Ida  May,  Albert  James,  George 
Henry  and  George  Elmer.) 

Mar<jaref,  (m.  Isaac  Wakeley  of  IvU[)ert,  Vt.:  died  1851; 
she  had  three  children,  Preston,    Julia  and  Winton.) 

Oijden,  (b.  Sept.  2,  1833;  m.,  1st,  Adeline  McKae  of  Salem, 
Vt.,  who  d.  May  16,  1875;  m.,  2d,  Fanny  Chapman  of 
Dorset,  Vt.,  who  d.  in  1881;  had  five  children  by  1st  wife 
and  two  by  the  2d,  namely,  Carrie  M.,  Arthur  E.,  Charles, 
Milton  J,,  Addie,  Ernest  Guy  and  Lucy  Idehi.) 

Mary  Maria,  {h.  Dec.  2,  1837;  m.  Hiram  S.  Hil)l)ard  June 
8,  1859;  lived  in  Glens  Falls,  N.  Y.:  have  four  children, 
Carlton  H.,  Bertrand  E.,  Wallace  G.,  Clifford  H.)] 

7.  Isaac  Preston,  [b.  Rupert,  Vt.,  March  14,  1820  ;  was  the 

only  child  l)y  2d  wife;  m.,  1st,  Lydia  L.  Johnson  of  Jew- 
ett  City,  Conn.,  Sept.  5,  1842;  m.,  2d,  Mrs.  C.  M.  Robert- 
son of  Gouverneur,  N.  Y.  The  first  wife  was  born  Nov. -7, 
1823  and  d.  July  14,  1862.  Mr.  Fisher  is  a  merchant  in 
Mellensville,  N.  Y. ;  Supt.  of  Sab.  School;  a  worthy  and 
good  man.  Children: — 
Anna  Johnmn,  (b.  Oct.  25,  1845;  m.  Horace  A.  Smead,  and 

they  live  in  Greenfield,  Mass.) 
Ojiden  Freston,  (b.  Sept.  27,  1851;  d.  infancy.) 
Louim  Maria,   (b.  Sept.  3,  1853;  d.  Dec.  6,  1866.) 
Mari/  Freston,  (b.  Mar.  19,  1858;  m.  Prof  Edward  P.  Sey- 
mour of  Vermont  Academy,  Saxton's  River,  Vt.     She  is 
Princii)al  of  INIusic  in  that  institution.)] 


'02  GENEALOGIKS. 


FISKE. 


Members  of  this  family  have  the  rare  <j;oo(l  foi-tune  to  be  able  to  trace 
their  ancestry  back  to  Symardi  Fiske,  Lord  of  Uie  Manor  of  Stradhaugh, 
parish  of  Saxfield,  county  of  Suffolk,  England,  who,  with  his  wife, 
"Susannah,  daughter  of  Smythe",  lived  in  the  ivign  of  Henry  IV.  and 
of  Henry  VI.,  from  A.  I).,  1390  to  A.  I).,  14-22.  William^,  tbeir  son, 
known  as  William  of  Stradhaugh,  who  married  "Sarah,  daughter  of 
Lynne"  (Sarah  Lynne),  lived  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VI.  and  of  Edward 
IV.  and  of  Henry  VII.  His  son,  Richard^  Fiske  of  Saxfield,  lived  in 
the  reign  of  Mary,  and,  we  are  told  by  Cotton  Mather,  "indured  grevious 
persecutions".  Robert*,  son  of  Richard 3,  was  of  the  Parish  of  St. 
James,  South  Elham.  His  wife  vvas  "Sibyl,  daughter  of  (xold."  Wil- 
liam 5,  son  of  Robert,  inherited  his  father's  estate  in  South  Elham. 
His  wife  was  Anna  Austje.  John'',  their  son,  married  Ann,  daughter 
of  Robert  Lantersee.  Johu'^,  son  of  John''  and  Ann,  was  born  in  1001. 
He,  with  his  wife,  his  brother,  William'^,  and  his  sisters,  Anne'''  and  Mar- 
tha'^ ,  emigratedito  America  in  1637,  landing  at  Cambridge.  The  brothers 
subse(|uently  settled  in  Wenham,  Mass.,  where  John",  designated  as 
Rev.  John,  was  the  first  minister  of  the  cliurch.  William''  married 
Bridget  Muskett  in  Relham,  Eng.,  and  had  a  son,  WilliamS^  born  in  1042 
in  Wenham,  whose  son,  Ebenezezer^,  was  born  in  Wenham,  Mch.  22, 
1070,  and  died  Sept.  30, 1771.  William  i  '\  son  of  Ebenezer^ ,  was  born  in 
Wenham,  Nov.  30,1720.  He  married  Susanna  Batchelder  of  Wenham, 
Nov.,  1749,  and  removed  to  Amherst  in  1774,  where  he  died  in  1779. 
Jonathan!  1,  son  of  William lo  and  Susanna  (13atchelder)  Fiske,  was 
born  in  Wenham,  Ma}-  12, 1751,  and  married  Mrs.  Mary  Bragg  in  Dec;, 
1772.  MaryJ^i,  daughter  of  William  and  Susanna,  was  born  in  Wen- 
ham, Oct.  21,  17-"J9,  and  became  the  wife  of  Dr.  Lolly  of  Francestown. 

JONATHAN  1 1  FISKE  began  life  as  a  blacksmith,  and  first  settled  in 
the  North-west  Parish  of  Amherst  (now  Mont  Vernon).  He  came  to 
Francestown  in  1787,  and  built  the  "old  Haseltine  house"  which  was 
one  of  the  first  houses  erected  in  the  village.  He  also  had  a  shop  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  road  in  which  he  worked  at  his  trade.  He  was 
elected  Deacon  of  the  church  in  1790,  which  otfice  he  held  until  1794, 
when  he  removed  to  Williamstown,  Vt.  Dea.  Jonathan  Fiske  was  a 
man  of  superior  mind  :ind  ^character  and  was  valued  for  his  virtues  and 
abilities.  He  was  soon  elected  Deacon  in  the  Congregational  Church 
at  Williamstown,  and  long  served  in  that  capacity.  He  was  also  Justice 
of  the  Peace  and  Town  Clerk,  and  is  said  to  have  represented  the  town 
in  the  Legislature  nearly  twenty  years  in  succession,  and  held  the  office 
of  Judge  of  Probate  until  his  sight  failed  him.  He  died  at  the  residence 
of  his|son  Samuel  in  Berlin,  Vt.  in  1825.  His  wife  (Mary  Bragg)  also 
died  at  Berlin  in  1820,  aged  74  vears.     Their  children  were: — 


FISKE,  FITTS.  703 

1.  Jonathan,   [1).  Sept.  <n  1773.     He  left  home  iit  tlie  age  of 

twenty-one  and  went  to  KeAv  York  City,  wliei'e  he  taught 
school.  During  his  sojourn  in  New  York,  Theodosia,  the 
beautiful  but  unfortunate  daughter  of  Aaron  Burr,  was 
his  })U|»il.  lie  settled  permanently  in  Newlairgh,  N.  Y., 
where  he  acc^uired  property,  won  a  great  reputation  as  a 
lawyer,  and  was  elected  to  Congress  during  the  presidency 
of  Madison,  who  appointed  liim  U.  S.  Attorney  for  the 
Southern  District  of  New  York.  He  mariied  a  descendant 
of  the  Livingston  family  of  New  York,  and  died  in  that 
state  in  the  year  1824.] 

2.  Nathaniel,    [b.  July  G,  1775,  m.  Mehitable  Bates  of  Wik 

liamstown,  Vt.,  Dec.  1,  1796.  was  a  farmer,  resided  in  Wil- 
liamstown  and  in  Noi'th field,  Vt.,  d.  in  the  latter  place  in 
1862.] 

3.  WiLLiA^r,    [b.   April   1 1,  1777,  m.  Hannali    Martin,  Dec.  4i 

1800,  was  an  early  settler  of  Liberty,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was 
deacon  in  the  Baptist  Church,  was  living  in  Parksville,  N. 
Y.  in  1869.] 

4.  Joseph,  [b.  May  30,  1779,  died  ^-in   N.  II."  when   L")  years 

of  ag"e.] 

5.  Mary,  [b.  May  13,1781,  m.  Daniel  Wortliington,  Fcl).  27, 

1800,  removed  to  the  West  in  1830,  died  in  Oc-onomowoc, 
Wis.  in  1852.] 

6.  John,  [b.  Feb.  24,  1783,  m.  Elizal)eth  Martin,  Nov.  16, 1805, 

was  killed  on  the  I'ailroad  at  Northfield,  \t.  in  I860.] 

7.  Benjamin,  [!>.  Nov.  17, 1784,  m.  Hannah  Ik^Tick  in  Barre, 

Vt.,  d.  in  Burlington,  Vt.  in  I860.] 

8.  Elizabeth,-  [b.  Oct.  15, 1786,  m.  Milo  Stibl)ins  at  Williams- 

town,  Vt..  April  18,  1811,  resided  at  Williamstown.] 

9.  Sarah,  [b.  Sept.  17,  1788,  m.  John  White  '^of  New  Hamp- 

shire" in  1820,  died  in  Black  Rock,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  9,  1843.] 
10".  Anna,  [b.  Oct.  12,  1790,  m.,  1st,  Allen  White  of  Williams- 
town,  Vt.,  April  18,  1811,  2d; Staples,  d.  in   Wil- 
liamstown, Vt.,  March,  1863.] 

11.  David,  [b.  Feb.  2,  1793,  m.  Sarah  Reed  of  Weston,  Vt., 
resided  at  Williamstown  and  at  Northfield,  Vt.,  was  by 
trade  a  blacksmith,  died  \u  Northfield,  January,  1864.] 

12.  Samuel  L.,  [b.  Oct.  24, 1794,  m.  Lucy  White  of  Williams- 


704  GENEALOGIES. 

town.  Mcli.  11, 1823.  He  removed  to  Berlin,  Vt.  in  1820, 
but  retunied  to  Willianistown  in  1827,  thence  be  removed 
to  Miib)ne,  N.  Y.  in  1844.  He  was  elected  deacon  of  tbe 
Cono-regational  Cbnrcb  in  Willianistown,  and  was  entrusted 
with  tbe  same  office  in  Malone.] 

FITTS. 

])t;.  .JOHN  FRANKLIN  FITTS  was  of  the  eighth  generation  de- 
scendiiig  fi-oin  liobert  Fitts,  who,  with  his  wife,  (irace  D.,  was  among 
tlic  oi-igiiial  sctllers  of  Salisbiuy,  Mass.  ITis  name  as  signed  by  him- 
self, l{ol)ert  Fitts,  Planter,  appears  upon  the  records  of  Salisbury  for 
the  year  1()40  and  for  several  subsequent  years.  There  is  much  to  lead 
us  to  cull  jc(tur(>  that  he  liveJ  in  Virginia  as  early  as  1G28,  but  there  is 
a  tradition  that,  prt'vious  to  his  settling  in  Salisbur}',  he  lived  a  few 
years  in  Ipswich,  where  he  arrived  in  Kl.'lo,  from  Fitts-ford  Tavistock, 
Devon  County,  England.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  man  of  education, 
high  social  position  and  of  Puritan  integrity.  About  the  3?ear  1062,  he 
removed  with  his  family  from  Salisbury  to  Tpswicli.  where  he  died.  May 
t>,  1(10.5,  leaving  a  son,  A])raham.  and  a  wife,  (Jracc.  presumal)ly  a  sec- 
ond wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Townsend.  Ilis  son,  Abraham, 
married,  1st,  Sarah  Tomson  of  Ipswich,  2(1,  Widow  Tyler  Ijirdley  also 
of  Ipswich.  Abraham  was  in  the  Narraganset  expedition  of  King 
Philip's  "War,  in  which  three  Ipswich  men  were  killed  and  twenty- 
two  wounded.  From  llichard,  the  son  of  Abraham,  l)orn  Feb.  20, 
1072,  descemU'd  the  New  Hampshire  branch  of  the  family.  Daniel, 
the  son  of  Kichard,  born  Apr.  .^0,  1710,  married  Ruth  Brown  and 
settled  in  SalisVmry.  Abraham,  his  son,  born  Oct.  24,  1736,  married 
Dorothy  Hall,  dau.  of  Henry  Hall  of  Chester,  N.  H.,  May  27, 
170)0.  He  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Revolutionary  War  and  was  present 
at  the  surrender  of  I5uri;oyne.  He  held  town  offices  in  Chester  and 
Candia,  and  was  one  of  the  foundei-s  of  the  Cong.  Church  of  Candia 
in  1770.  He  died  in  that  town,  Aug.  0,  1808.  Daniel,  his  son,  born 
Jan.  21,  170.""),  married  Rachel  French  of  Salisbury,  Mar.  3,  1790.  He 
was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  a  man  of  business  capacity.  His  son, 
Joseph,  born  Oct.  13,  1796,  married  Mahala  Buswcll  of  Candia.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  John  and  the  grand-daughter  of  Samuel  Buswell, 
who  enlisted  in  the  French  War  and  also  served  in  the  Revolution 
under  Gen.  Stark.  Joseph  Fitts  died  in  Candia,  Apr.  24, 1862.  Joseph 
and  ]Mahala  were  the  parents  of  John  Franklin  Fitts,  who  was  born  in 
Candia,  Aug.  24,  1839.  He  attended  medical  lectures  at  Hanover  and 
at  New  York,  where  he  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.  in  1860.  In  the 
fall  of  1808,  he  came  to  Francestown  as  the  successor  of  Dr.  J.  F.  Fr^^e. 
Here  he  soon  took  rank  as  a  successful  iiractitioner  and  a  most  accept- 
able citizen.  He  was,  for  several  years,  church  chorister,  his  musical 
talents  being  appreciated  here  as  they  had  been  in  his  native  town. 


FLANDERS,    FLETCHER.  705 

Dr.  Fitts,  besides  being  a  man  of  integrity  in  business  and  skill  in  his 
profession,  was  possessed  of  qualities  of  mind  and  inclinations  of  heart, 
which  made  him  prominent  for  philanthrophy  and  individual  usefulness, 
and  his  early  and  sudden  death  partook  of  the  nature  of  a  public  be- 
reavement. He  married  Hannah  T.  B.  Woodbury,  June  21,  1870.  His 
death  occared  Oct.  10,  1873.     His  only  child  is  : — 

1.  Joseph,    [b.  in   Francestown,  June  16,  1873,  res.  in  New 
Boston,  is  buggage  master  on  tbe  R.  R.] 

FLANDERS. 

LOEEN  FLAISTDERS  came  here  from  Coutoocook  al)Out  1870  ;  had 
previously  lived  in  Weare  ;  he  was  b.  May  14,  18'4!»  ;  m.  Georgianna 
Buxton,  April  1,  1867  ;  she  was  b.  July  23,  1851  ;  they  moved  to  Ben- 
nington after  five  or  six  years  ;  children  : — 

1.  Harry  H.,  [b.  in  Weare,  Feb.  8,  1869.] 

2.  Alice.  A.,  [b.  Francestown,  Aug.  11,  1878;  married  Harry 

B.  Sanders  of  Lowell,  Jan.  17, 1893,  res.  at  Lowell,  Mass.] 

3.  Mamie  F.,  [b.  Bennington,  Feb.  18,  1878.] 

FLETCHER. 

110BP:HTi  FLETCHER,  said  to  be  the  first  of  the  name  in  America, 
settled  in  Concord,  Mass.  in  1030  and  died  there,  Apr.  3,  1677,  aged  85 
years.  William 2 ,  his  son ,  was  born  in  England  in  1022  and  married  Lydia 
Bates  in  1045,  and  in  1056  settled  in  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  where  he  died, 
Nov.  6,  1677.  His  son,  Williams,  born  Feb.  21.  1657,  succeeded  him 
on  the  homestead  and  was  in  turn  succeeded  by  his  son,  Joseph*,  whose 
son,  Josiah^,  also  died  in  Chelmsford,  Joseph 6,  son  of  Josiah^,  was 
born,  Mch.  22,  1765.  He  married  Lucy  Proctor,  Nov.  17,  1791.  She 
was  born  in  Chelmsford ,  Feb,  22, 1773  and  died  in  Amherst,  Aug.  8, 1845 
Joseph 6  settled  in  the  easterly  part  of  Chelmsford,  now  apart  of  the 
city  of  Lowell,  where  he  remained  until  the  year  1825,  when  he  removed 
to  Amherst,  in  which  town  he  died,  Aug.  30, 1843.  Joseph  of  Frances- 
town  was  the  son  of  Joseph  6  aud  Lucy  (Proctor)  Fletcher  and  hence 
of  the  seventh  generation  from  Robert  the  emigi'ant. 

JOSEPH  FLETCHER  came  here  from  Amherst  in  1838  or  39,  hav- 
ing purchased  the  place  now  occupied  by  N.  H.  Wood.  He  was  born 
in  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  May  9,  1793,  married  Shuah  Hall  Fletcher,  Jan. 
31, 1826,  and  died  in  Francestown,  Nov.  26, 1866.  After  his  death,  his 
widow  rcnioved  to  Lowell,  Mass.  and  died  there. 


70(3  GENEALOGIES. 

FLINT. 

AMOS  FLINT  was  the  son  of  Ebenezer  Flint  of  Reading,  Mass., 
who  was  born  June  1(>,  1743  and  spent  his  last  years  in  Wilton,  K.  H. 
The  mother  of  Amos  was  born  March,  31,  1744,  and  died  at  Wilton, 
Dec.  8, 178G.  Amos  came  to  this  town  in  1814  and  lived  on  the  Frank 
Starrett  place.  He  afterwards  lived  in  the  Lolly  house  in  the  village. 
He,  with  his  son,  Amos,  built  the  small  house  on  the  Flint  place.  He 
was  by  trade  a  shoemaker  Ilis  wife  was  Abigail  Morse,  a  native  of 
Methuen.  She  died  in  this  town,  Feb.  18, 18,58.  Amos  Flint  was  born 
at  Reading,  Mass.,  April  10,  1778  ;ind  died  in  Francestown,  April  27? 
1873.     His  children  were  : — 

1.  Amos,   [b.  in   Andover,  Mass.,  Nov.  9,  1803,  i.s  by  trade  a 

sione-ciitter,  m.  Plannali  (Gibson)  Johnson,  June  3,  1840. 
She  was  born  in  Windsor,  July  4,  1803.      Their  only  child 
was : — 
Samuel  P.  MnrrUon,  (b.  Ayn-.  17,  1841,  d.  in  Woburn,  Mass., 
aged  abont  18  years.)] 

2.  AsENATH,  [b.  in  Andover,  Apr.  10,  1806,  m.  Newton  Nich- 

ols of  Reading,  Mass.,  May  5,  1831,  d.  at  Stoneham,  Mass., 
Jan.  10,  1879.] 

3.  Saphkona  W.,  [b.  at  Andover,  Sept.  14,  1809,  m.  Timothy 

Temple  of  Reading,  Mass.,  Nov.  21, 1831,  res.  in  Reading.] 

4.  PHa<:i;E  B.,  [b.  at  Andover,  Nov.  8,  1812,  m.  John  Morse  of 

this  town,  Se[)t.  15,  1836,  res.  in  Reading.] 

5.  Mahala  M,  [b  in.  Andover,  Aug.  4,  1814,  res.  in  Reading, 

Mass.] 

6.  Samuel  P.,  [b.  in   Francestown,  July  27,  1817,  was  a  car- 

penter, d.  in  Reading,  Sept.  25,  1838,  was  unmarried.] 

FOLLANSBEE. 

WILLIAM  FOLLANSBEE  came  here  al)out  the  year  1790  and  set- 
tled on  the  place  now  owned  by  his  grandson,  William  K.  Follansbee. 
He  joined  the  church  here  very  early  and  was  in  every  respect  a  most 
worthy  citizen.  He  was  born  Aug.  22,1760  and  married  Eleanor  Coch- 
ran of  this  town.  She  was  born  May  12,  1760  and  died  in  this  town, 
Aug.  30,  1845.  He  died  in  this  this  town  Sept.  7,  1834.  His  family 
was  one  of  the  large  families  of  the  town  and  the  farm  upon  which  his 
many  children  were  reared  is  one  of  its  stable  old  homesteads.  His 
children  were  : — 

1.  Ninian,  [b.  Aug.  21,  1784,  settled  in  Weare,  where  he  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Brown.     He  enlisted  in  the  War  of  1812, 


FOLLANSBEE.  707 

in  which  he  held  the  rank  of  Lieutenant.      His  children  : — 
Williarn,  (b.  in   1810,  was  twice  married,      His  second  wife 

was  Martha  Gove  of  Lincoln,  Vt. ) 
Samuel,  (b.  in  1812,  m.,  1st,  Thankful  McKellips,  2d,  Mrs. 

Mary  J.  Bailey,  removed  from   Weare  to   Henniker  about 

the  year  1874.) 
Harriet,  (b.  in  1814.) 
John,  (b.  in  1817,  m.  Rozilla  McKellips,  lived  several  years 

on  the  Joshua  Dodge  place  in  this  town.) 
Dolly,  (b.  in  1820,  m.  John  Willard.)] 

2.  Sally,  [b.  Feb.  14,  1786,  died  Nov.  1862.] 

3.  Eleanor,  [b.  Nov.  11,  1787,  m.  Daniel  McAlvin  of  Fran- 

cestown,  Nov.  14,  1811,  removed  to  Lowell,  d.  June  13, 
1862.] 

4.  Rachel,  [b.  Aug.  14, 1789,  m.  Levi  Cochrane  of  New  Boston, 

and  died  in  that  town,  Apr.  8,  1872.] 

5.  Jane,  [b.  Nov.  5,  1791,  was  unmarried,  died  July  28,  1869.] 

6.  John,  [b.  Sept.  18, 1793,  m.,  1st,  Mary  G.  Buckminster,  Avho 

died  Sept.  20, 1857,  aged  62  years,  2d,  Mrs.  MaryAnn  Brown, 
Aug.  24,  1858,  who  died  in  Milford,  Sept.  29,  1874,  aged 
54  years.  He  removed  to  Amhei'st,  where  he  carried  on 
the  butchering  business  several  j^ears,  and  where  lie  died, 
Oct.  22,  1864.] 

7.  Nancy,  [b.  July  20,  1795.] 

8.  Betsey,  [b.  Oct.  28,  1798,  m.  Porter  Dodge  of  this  town, 

died  here,  Apr.  21,  1847.] 

9.  William,  [b.  Dec.  12,  1800,  married  and  I'emoved  to  Peter- 

boro',  where  he  died.  May  29,  1867.] 

10.  James,  [b.  Aug.  5,  1803,  m.  Hannah  Emerson  of  this  town, 

Jan.  22,  1829.  In  1837,  he  went  to  Amherst,  where  he 
engaged  in  butchering,  but  returned  to  Francestown  and 
lived  on  the  home  farm  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
■  Dec.  17, 1879.  His  wife  died  here,  Oct.  22,  1879.  They 
were  very  sensible,  agreeable  and  respectable  people 
Their  children  were: — 
Jolin  Smith,  (b.  Aug.  2,  1829,  m.  Melissa  Dodge  of  this  town 
and  lived  a  number  of  years  on  the  Asa  Dodge  place,  d.  at 
Manchester,  April  27,  1890.  His  children  were: — Addie 
M.,  who  is  not  now  living,  and  Georgia  C.) 


708  GENEALOGIES. 

Emily  H.,  (b.  Oct.  24,  1831,  ni.  Lano- Monroe  of  Manchester, 

res.  at  Lowell,  Mass.) 
Sarah  Mien,  (b.  Jan  21,  1834,  ni.  Josepli  W.  llichanlson  of 

Manchester,  Dec.  31,  1856,  res  at  Boston,  Mass.) 
Anna,  (b.  March  28,  1836,  m.  Isaac  F.  Jones  of  Stockbridge, 

Vt.,  res.  at  Stockbridge.) 
Mary,    (b.  June  15,  1839,  ni.   Warren    Feleh   of   Ilenniker, 

March  11,  1867,  res.  at  Heuuiker. ) 
Lucretla  C,  (b.  Dec.  14,  1841,  res  at  Boston,  Mass.) 
Almeda  Leeds,  (b.  Apr.  19,  1844,  ni.  Wesley  Felch  of  Henni- 

ker,  March,  1866,  res.  at  Hennlker. ) 
James  Gil  man,  (b.  May  11,  1846,  m.,  1st,  Ella  Day  of  Weare, 

2d,  Fanny  Payne  of  Boston,  res.  at  Boston,  Mass.) 
William  KimhaJl,  (b.  Oct.  4,  1850,  married  Addie  Lncretia 

Cochrane  of  Francestown,  Feb.  16, 1881,  lives  on  the  home- 
stead.)] 

FOLSOM. 

Rev.  Puof.  NATHANIEL  SMITH  FOLSOM,  D.  D.,  though  resid- 
ing in  this  town  only  about  tliree  3'ears,  was  a  man  whose  standing  and 
intellectual  attainments  were  such  as  to  justify  some  special  notice  in 
these  pages.  He  was  the  oldest  child  of  Nathaniel  and  Mary  (Smith) 
Folsom,  and  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  N.  11. ,  Mar.  12,  1806.  He  was 
a  descendant  of  John  Folsom  (sometimes  then  written  Foulslinm,)  of 
Hingham,  Eng.,  who  came  to  this  country  in  1638,  and  settled  in  Exe- 
ter (Nathaniel  S.^,  Nathaniel^,  Josiah*,  Jonathan^,  John^,  Johni), 
He  was  a  graduate  of  Phillips  Exeter  Academy,  1824,  and  of  Dart- 
mouth Coll.,  1828.  His  class  of  40  members  was  distinguished  for 
the  College  professors  it  supplied,  viz. :  Prof.  Charles  B.  Dana,  Prof. 
Jarvis  Gregg,  Prof.  Edmund  O.  Hovey,  Prof.  Milo  P.  Jewett,  Prof. 
Benjamin  Labarse,  Prof.  Clement  Bong,  Prof.  Caleb  Mills,  Prof.  Ira 
Young,  and  Prof.  Folsom.  Thus  Mr.  Folsom  gained  his  position  by 
competition  with  strong  men.  Dartmouth  conferred  upon  him  the  title 
of  D.  D.  in  1879.  He  graduated  from  Andover  Seminary  in  1831,  and 
was  "ordained  by  the  Presbytery  at  Bradford,  Sept.  26,  1831",  as  an 
evangelist.  He  then  went  as  a  missionary  in  the  South  and  West  two 
years;  was  Professor  In  Lane  Seminary  one  year  (1833-4):  Professor 
of  Biblical  Literature  in  the  Western  Reserve  College,  Ohio,  two  years 
(1834-1836);  came  to  Francestown  in  the  summer  of  1836,  accepted  a 
call  and  was  installed  over  this  church,  Oct.  12  following.  His  stay  here 
was  short,  as  he  was  dismissed  at  his  own  request,  Aug.  21, 1838  to  be- 
come pastor  of  the  High  Street  Cong.  Church,  Providence,  R.  I.,  where 
he  remained  about  three  years.     Was  pastor  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  1840- 


FOLSOM,  FOOTPL  709 

47;  was  editor  of  the  Christian  Register  two  years;  and  then  Professor 
of  Biblicai  Literature  in  Meadville  Theological  School  from  1849  to 
1861.  Subsequently  he  was  for  many  years  a  private  teacher.  He  died 
Nov.  10,  1890  in  Asheville,  N.  C.  Dr.  Folsom  was  an  intellectual, 
scholarly  man,  — more  a  student  than  a  minister.  He  became  a  Unita- 
rian of  the  "old-fashioned,  almost-orthodox  kind",  serving  that  denomi- 
nation most  of  his  days.  He  published  a  "Commentary  on  Daniel"  in 
1842,  and  on  the  "Tour  Gospels"  in  1869,  besides  a  multitude  of  articles 
in  the  religious  periodicals  of  his  time.  Was  restless  and  roving,  as 
shown  by  his  frequent  changes  of  place,  but  able  and  attractive.  He 
married  Ann  Wendell  Penhallow  of  Portsmouth,  October  30,  1832. 
Children: — 

1.  Justin  Nathaniel,  [b.  Aug.  8,  1833;  d.  April  20,  1851.] 

2.  Edward  Penhallow,   [b.  June  28,  1835;  was  a  Union 

soldier  and  killed  in  battle  at  Yuca,  Miss.j 

3.  Sarah  Brainerd,  [b.  Aug.  21,  1836;  d.  June  1,  1839.] 

4.  Paris  Hill,  [b.  Jan.  12,  1840;  lives  in  Washington,  D.  C] 

5.  Charles  Pollen,  [b.  April  3,  1842;  graduated  Plarvard 

Coll.  1862;  M.  D.  1870;  lives  in  Boston;  Secretary  of  tlie 
State  Board  of  Healtli.] 

7.  Harriet  Elizabeth. 

8.  Anna  Smith. 

9.  Ellen  Minot,  [The  last  tliree,  teachers  in  Boston.] 

FOOTE. 

This  name  is  now  often  spelled  with  a.  Onal  e,and  it  was  so  spelled  by 
Rear  Admiral  Foote,  with  whose  family  the  Footes  of  Francestown  can 
claim  relationship. 

STEPHEN  FOOTE  married  Hannah  Butterfield  of  Dunstable  June 
8,  1797.  He  was  at  that  time  of  i^ew  Boston.  He  doubtless  came 
here  about  the  year  1812,  and  lived  on  many  places  in  town.  He  was 
by  vocation  a  shoemaker.  He  resided  in  Dunstable  previous  to  his 
coming  to  this  town  and  to  Dunstable  he  returned  to  live  a  few  years, 
but  again  removed  his  family  to  FrancestoAvn,  where  he  remained  until 
late  in  life,  when  he  went  to  Nashua,  where  he  died.  His  wife  died 
here,  June  13,  1866,  aged  90  years.  We  know  little  of  her  ancestry, 
save  that  her  father  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and  was  killed  in  bat- 
tle. The  children  of  Stephen  and  Hannah  (Butterfield)  Fogtewerc: — 
Isaac,  who  married  Betsey  Harden  of  Bennington,  Stephen,  who  was 
born  in  Dunstable  and  married  Betsey  Clark  of  this  town,  John,  known 
as  Doctor  Foot,  who  died  at  Hillsboro',  Sarah,  who  came  here  from 
Dunstable  with  her  parents  and  married  Thomas  West  of  Bennington, 


710  GENEALOGIES. 

Jan.,  1S28,  and  long  resided  and  died  at  Bennington,  James,  born  at 
Dunstable  and  married  Elizabeth  Winn  of  Bennington  and  died  in  that 
town,  Daniel,  twin  brother  of  James,  who  married  Abigail  Foster  of  Ben- 
nington, Jan.,  1831,  and  has  long  resided  in  Bennington.  His  surname 
was  legally  changed  to  Bartlett.  Ruth,  born  in  Dunstable,  Dec.  4, 1810, 
married  Ilaskel  Farmer  of  Bennington,  Mary,  Ijorn  at  Francestown, 
Oct.  11,  1811),  married  James  Buxton  of  Ilenniker  and  has  always  re- 
sided in  this  town,  Margaret,  twin  sister  of  Mary,  married  Benjamin 
Winn  of  Bennington,  Nov.,  1837,  resides  in  Francestown,  Thomas, 
born  in  Dunstable,  married  Caroline  Fosdick  of  Litchfield.  He  was 
the  father  of  George  Foot,  who  lived  a  sliort  lime  in  the  Xesmith  house 
in  this  town. 

ISAAC  FOOTE,  son  of  Stephen  and  Hannah  (Butterfield)  Foote, 
was  born  in  Dunstable  and  came  to  this  town  with  his  parents.  He 
lived  many  years  in  the  house  on  Oak  hill  long  owned  by  Mrs.  Margaret 
Winn.  His  last  residence  was  the  Greenwood  house  in  the  village  in 
which  he  died  Oct.  17,  1889,  at  an  advanced  age.  His  wife  died  in  this 
town,  July  14,  ]8(;7  aged  66  years.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Mary,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  July  31,  1831,  m.  Stephen  Richard- 

son, res.  in  Francestown.] 

2.  Patrick,  [b.  in  Deering,  Feb.  23,  1833,  m.  Rebecca  Whit- 

field, Sept.  3,  1857.  He  served  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion, 
in  the  18th  N.  H.  Regt.,  is  b}^  vocation  a  teamster  and 
farmer.  His  children  are: — 
Qlarence  B.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  1,  1858,  m.  Sept.  19, 
1882,  Laura  E.  Lewis,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Maria  (Con- 
nelly) Lewis,  born  at  Lj-nn,  Mass.,  Aug.  29, 1859.  He  is  a 
carpenter  and  farmer.  Cliildren : —  Esther  O.,  b.  here,  Aug. 
5,  1883;  George  B.,  b.  here,  March  5,  1885;  Clarence,  Jr., 
b.  at  Lynn,  Mass.,  July  5,1887;  Emma  F.,  b.  here,  Dec.  29, 
1889.) 
Marr/  Jane,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  17,  1860,  d.  here,  June 

29,  1862.) 
Walte7\  (b.  in   Francestown,  June  20,  1863,  m.  Minnie  E. 

Woodbury  of  Salem,  N.  H.) 
Frederick,  (b.  in  Francestown,  April  6,   1866.  m.  Susan   E. 

Fipphen  of  Weare,  July  3,  1892.) 
Sarah  Jane,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  10,  1870.) 
Albert  A.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  28.  1873.) 
Eva  Persis,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  1-0,  1875.) 
Leonard  i>.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  April  14,  1878.)] 


FOOTE.  711 

3.  Samuel,  [b.  Jan.  5,  1837,  in.  Polly  Jane  Davis  of  Warner. 

He  served  four  years  in  the  8th  N.  H.  Regt.  in  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion.      He  lived  many  years  in  this  town,  occupy- 
ing a  house,  which  of  late  stood  on  the  south  side  of  the 
road  leading  to  the  residence  of  his  brother  Patrick.     He 
removed  to  Greenfield,  now  res.  in  Bennington,  is  a  section 
hand  upon  the  i-ailroad.     His  children  now  living  are  — 
Carrie  31.,  (married  Daniel  O.  Nash  in  1889.] 
Clara  B.,  (married  Allen  J.  Bean,  Nov.  21,  1892.) 
Almira  '/.,  (married  Elbert  E.  Smith,  April  15,  1893.) 

4.  Thomas  F.,  (b.  in  Deering,  June  29,  1839,  m.  Emma  F. 

Whitfield  of  Francestown,  Nov.  2, 1862,  is  a  farmer,  served 

in  the  18th  N.  H.  Regt.  in  the   war    of    the    Rebellion. 

His  children  are  : — 
G.  Franldln,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  1,  1863,  m.  M.   Anna 

Lakin,  July  24,  1892.      Only  child,  Arthur  Franklin,  l)()ni 

at  Weare,  Jan.  27,  1894,  d.  April  3,  1894.) 
Willis  F.,  (b.  in   Francestown,  Aug.  17,  1866,  m.  Veda  G. 

Stoning  of  Weare,  Nov.  14,  1891,  is  a  teamster,  resides  in 

Weare.) 
Emma  J/.,  (b.   in   Francestown,  July  29,  1875,  res.  with  her 

parents.)] 

5.  Alonzo  J.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  March  23, 1843,  unmarried, 

d.  in  FrancestoMai,  May  18,  1867,  was  a  soldier  in  the  18th 
N.  H.  Regt.  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion.] 

6.  Ann  E.,    [b.    in    Francestown,   Oct.  8,   1845,   married,   1st, 

Peter  Peters,  2d,  Andrew  Foote,  3rd,  Henry  Paige,  resides 
in  Deering.] 

7.  Abbie,    [b.   in    Francestown,  Aug.  24,  1848,  m.   Harrison 

Wliittield  of  Francestown,  res.  in  Francestown.] 

8.  Latimer,  [b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Florence  Newton  of  this 

town,  res.  in  Milford.] 

9.  George  E.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  d.  here,  Jan.  9,  1863,  aged 

8  years.] 

10.  Ella  J.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  d.  here,  Dec.  26,  1862,  aged 

6  years.] 

STEPHEN  FOOTE,  son  of  Stephen,  was  born  in  Dunstable  and 
married  Betsey  Clarke  of  this  town.  lie  removed  to  Goffstown.  where 
he  died.     One  child:--' Adeline,  d.  June  5,  1841,  aged  15  years. 


712  GENEALOGIES. 

JOHN  FOOTE,  son  of  Stephen  and  Hannah  (Butterfield)  Foote, 
was  born  in  Dunstable,  married,  1st,  Aljigail  Palmer  of  Deering,  she 
died  here,  Oct.  17,  1868,  aged  66  years,  2d,  Mahala  Wood  of  Hillsboro' 
and  removed  to  Hillsboro',  where  he  died.  His  knowledge  of  the  medic- 
inal properties  of  herbs  and  his  frequent  use  thereof  for  the  benefit  of 
his  kind,  caused  him  to  be  known  throughout  this  section  as  Doctor 
Foote  and  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  was  distinguished  thereby. 
His  children  all  of  whom  save  one,  were  by  the  first  marriage,  wei'e: — 

1.  James  C,  [b.  at  Fnincestowii,  Feb.  14,  1824,  m.,  Ist,  Alvira 
Co.stello  of  Deering,  Oct.  3,  1848.  Slie  died  July  11, 
1850.  2d,  Margaret  Medcaff,  Aug.  15,- 1850,  3rd,  Celia 
(Hogdon)  Nott  of  Lvndeboro',  Margaret  Medcaff  was  "of 
Dublin.  Ii'cland".  She  was  born  June  5, 1829.  Her  father 
is  said  to  have  been  an  expert  violinist  and  a  man  in  good 
circumstances.  She  died  here,  June  30, 1886.  James  died 
in  this  town,  March  30,  1890.     His  children  were: — 

Etaihj^  (died  in  this  town,  July  20,  1863,  aged  13  years) 

JameH  Andreic^  (b.  in  Francestown,  June  14,  1851,  m.,  1st, 
Ann  E.  Foot  of  Francestown,  Oct.  10,  1874,  2d,  Lizzie 
Rockwell  of  Greedfield  in  1883.  She  was  born  Feb.  11, 
1852.  Children  were: — Child  unnamed;  Willis  A.,  b. 
Aug.  28,  1884;  Henry  A.,  b.  Dec.  5,  1885,  d.  Aug.  12, 
1886 ;  Child  unnamed,  b.  July,  1888  ;  Edna  L.,  b.  Apr.  27, 
1890;  Eugene  E.,  b.  May  30,  1891,  died  Jan.  29,  1893.) 

CharleH  F.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  April  8,  1853,  m.,  April  21, 
1878,  Clara  F.  Mitchel.  She  was  born  in  Peterboro',  Sept. 
9,  1862.  Charles  F.  purchased  the  Heard  farm  in  1893, 
on  which  lie  now  lives.  Children  born  in  Francestown 
are: — Alfonso  M.,  born  in  Francestown,  Jan.  16,  1880; 
Maud  E.,  born  in  Francestown,  Feb.  1,7,  1882.) 

WiUiam  (r.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  2,  1856,  d.  at  Frances- 
town,  Dec.  8,  1863.) 

Lizzie  E.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Apr.  1, 1858,  d.  Dec.  8,  1863.) 

Louiaa  C%  (b.  in  Francestown,  May  25,  1860,  m.  George  W. 
Mills  of  Deering,  Sept.  3,  1877,  died  at  Deering,  July  30, 
1888.) 

Jennie  E.^  (b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  20,  1864,  m.,  1st,  E.  G. 
Fish  of  Bennington,  June  27,  1880,  2d,  George  G.  Hood 
of  Weare,  July  3,  1888,  res.  at  Weare.) 


FRYE,  FULLER.  713 

Frank  E.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  July  29, 1867,  d.  July  3,  1888.) 
Famiie  A.,  (b,  in  Francestown,  Feb.  15,  1871,  d.  March  29, 
1872.)] 

2.  Perry,  [b.  in  Fiuncestown,  d.  at  Cincinnati,  O.] 

3.  John,    [b.  in  FrancestoAvn,  ni.  Selina   Thompson,  died   in 

Francestown,  Aug.  16,  1863,  aged  33  years.  His  widow 
has  married  a  second  husband  and  now  resides  in  Lynn, 
Mass.  John  and  Selina  (Thompson)  Foote  were  the 
parents  of  four  children,  two  of  whom,  Henry  and  Ella, 
are  now  living.] 

4.  WiLLARD,  []).  in  Francestown,  m.  Mar}^  June  Colby  of  Fran- 

cestown, died  in  tins  town,  Dec.  31,  1858,  aged  27  years.] 

5.  Lydia  a.,  [b.  at  Francestown,  twice  married,  res.  at  Nashua.] 

6.  Miriam,  [b.  in  Francestown,  d.  young.] 

7.  Frederic,  [b.  in  Hillsboro'.] 

FRYE. 

Dr.  DANIEL  F.  FRYE  was  bora  in  Deerfiekl,  N.  II.  After  fitting 
for  college,  he  completed  a  course  hi  Medicine  in  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment of  Dartmouth,  and,  when  quite  a  young  man,  went  to  Deering  to 
practice  his  profession.  After  remaining  in  Deering  several  years,  he, 
in  1(855,  came  to  Francestown.  He  married  Samantha  C.  Powers  of 
Croydon,  who  died  at  Deering  previous  to  his  coming  to  this  town.  Dr. 
Frye  was  not  only  a  trusted  physician,  hut  he  was  one  of  those  men 
who  aid  in  giving  good  substantial  character  to  a  community,  his  daily 
life  abounded  in  quiet  acts  of  charity  and  in  unquestioned  evidences 
of  a  hearty  interest  in  the  spiritual  and  temporal  welfare  of  all.  He 
twice  represented  the  town  in  the  Legislature,  and  died  here,  Oct.  11, 
1867,  aged  55.  His  death,  while  he  was  yet  in  the  strength  of  his  years, 
was  to  hundreds  a  source  of  personal  afHiction.     His  children  were:— 

1.  Peter  J.,  [b.  in   Deering,  Jan.  7,  1845.     Fie  was  educated 

at  Francestown  Academy,  where  he  fitted  for  college.  He 
has  been  for  twenty-five  years  engaged  in  the  instirance 
business  at  Peabody,  Mass.,  m.  Emma  L.  Eastman  of  South 
Hampton,  Oct.  13,  1884,  res.  at  Peal)ody.] 

2.  J.  Henry,  []>.  in  Deering,  May  28.  1849,  is  a  teacher,  has 

reskled  in  Jersey  City,  N.  J.] 

FULLER. 

ROBERT  1  FULLER,  known  as  Robert  of  Dorchester,  the  earliest 
known  ancestor  of  Seth  and  Jason  Fuller  of  this  town  and  hence  of 
their  cousins,  Stephen^  Thaddeus  and  Rufus  Fuller,  removed  from  Dor- 


714  GENEALOGIES. 

Chester  to  Dedhnni.  He  was  received  into  the  lirst  church  of  Dedhani, 
Feb.  1!).  1()4S  and  died  tliere,  Dec.  14,  1()88.  Sarah,  his  wife,  died, 
June  2,  KiSC).  .Jonatlian-,  his  son,  was  received  into  the  first  church 
of  Dedhani  in  KiflT.  By  his  wife  Mary,  lie  had  a  son,  Samuel^,  born, 
Feb.  l.-f.  KiSl.  and  married,  first,  Sarah  Fisher,  Feb.  10,  170G,  second, 
Elizabelli  Ci-ane.  Jan.  15,  171S.  J3enjainin4,  son  of  Samuel  and  Eliza- 
beth, was  boi-n,  Mch.  9,1720  and  married  Sarah  r>ullavd,  Sept.  15,  1748 
and  was  tlie  tallicr  of  Stephen,  Thaddeus  and  llufus,  who  came  to 
Fraiicesiown.  Seth-*,  also  the  son  of  Samuel^  and -Elizabeth,  was  born, 
Dec.  i).  17i'I  and  married  Sarah  ISFackanali,  March  1!),  1752.  Seth-^  and 
Sarah  were  the  parents  of  Seth  and  Jason,-  who  were  among  the  early 
I'esideiits  of  Francestown.  Tliere  are  stories  of  sudden  deaths  in  this 
branch  of  tlie  FuUer  family.  We  cannot  learn  the  particulars  conceini- 
iiig  the  death  of  Seth,  but  of  his  grand-father,  John  Mackanah,  the 
I'ecords  of  Dedhani  say,  that  he  ''died  suddenly  on  a  Sabbath-day 
morning,  dressed  to  go  to  meeting,  well  and  dead  in  an  instant".  Seth's 
son,  Seth,  who  died  in  Texas,  was  with  another  man  shingling  the  roof 
of  a  building,  and  was  Jieard  to  exclaim  "O!  ni3'!"and  before  the  other 
could  reach  him,  he  was  dead. 

LiEi-T.  TIIOMASi  FULLEPt  is  said  to  have  been  an  oflicer  in  the 
English  army.  He  was  surveying  land  in  Wat(;rtown  as  early  as  1037. 
He  was,  in  1042,  a  resident  of  Dedham,  Mass.,  where  he  was  many 
times  elected  to  town  offices  and  was  also  sent  to  the  Genei'al  Court. 
He  married  Hannah  Flower  in  1043.  His  death  occured  in  1090,  his 
wife  survived  him  nearly  ten  years.  Thomas^,  son  of  Thomas  and 
Hannah,  was  born  in  1045  and  inarrie  1  Esther  Fisher  and  settled  at 
Needham,  where  he  died  in  1719.  Their  son,  David^,  born  in  1704, 
married  Elizabeth  Everett,  daughter  of  Richard  Everett,  ancestor  of 
Edward  Everett  and  of  Edward  Everett  Hale.  David^  died  in  1777. 
His  wife  died  in  1800,  aged  91  years.  David*,  their  son,  was  born  in 
1731  and  died  in  1S05.  His  Avife  was  Elizabeth  Deane.  She  was  born 
in  1732  and  died  in  1817.  David*  was  a  minute  man  and  was  at  the 
battle  of  Lexington.  The  mother  of  Elizabeth  Deane  was  Grace 
"Wadsworth,  grand-daughter  of  Cajit.  Samuel  Wadsworth  of  Milton, 
who  was  killed  at  the  Indian  battle  of  Sudbuiy  in  1070.  Her  uncle, 
Benjaiftin  Wadsworth,  was  for  twelve  years  president  of  Plai'vard  Col- 
lege. David*  and  Elizabeth  were  the  parents  of  Daniel^,  who  came  to 
Francestown,  and  also  of  xVbigail^,  bap.  Nov.  13,  1762,  who  married 
Seth  Fuller  of  this  town,  Xov.  4,  1802.  They  were  also  the  parents 
of  Davids,  who  was  born  in  1704,  and  in  1780  married  Sarah  (iay  of 
Dedham,  and  was  the  father  of  Elizabeth",  who  married  Willard  Shat- 
tuck  of  Francestown. 


FULLER.  715 

DANIEL  FULLER  was  born  in  Dedham,  (part  now  Dover,)  Mass., 
N"ov.  6,  17(50.  At  the  early  a^e  of  sixteen,  he  entered  the  Army  of  the 
Revolution  as  drumnicr-boy  and  was  present  at  the  execution  of  Major 
Andre.  He  married,  1st,  Apr.  13,  1786,  Abigail  Eaton.  She  was  born, 
Nov.  2, 17()1,  and  died  in  this  town,  Sept.  17,  1837.  In  July  of  the  fol- 
lowing year,  Mr.  Fuller  mai'ricd,  2d,  Anna  (Jjradford)  Holmes,  widow 
of  Oliver  Holmes  of  Fraucestown.  She  died  in  this  town  in  18.j7. 
The  life  of  Mr.  Fuller  was  not  without  a  shade  of  the  romantic,  since 
he  came  into  the  wilderness  in  which  this  town  had  its  beginning,  a 
poor  but  worthy  settler,  and,  guided  by  the  not  always  kindly  hand  of 
destiny,  ol)tained  for  a  tritie  and  discovered  the  only  known  valuable 
deposit  of  mineral  matter  in  the  entire  township,  a  vein  of  the  choicest 
soapstone  in  the  world.  J>ut  the  history  of  the  quarry,  which  once 
was  his,  has  already  been  given  in  this  work.  Coming  from  Dedham, 
he  settled  on  the  Daniel  Fuller  place  and  built  what  is  now  the  West 
house  in  178G,  though  he  donbtlcss  made  a  beginning  a  year  earlier. 
His  singular  good  fortune  and  his  reputation  for  generous  and  honor- 
able dealing  gave  to  him  high  standing  and  not  a  little  local  celebrity. 
He  died  here,  July  21,  1847.  His  children  were  all  born  in  Frances- 
town.     They  were: — 

1.  LuTHEU,  [b.  Jan.  22,  1787,  d.  May  9,  1813,  m.  Sally  litick- 

raaster  of  Francestown,  Nov.  9, 1808  and  lived  a  few  years 
on  the  John  Clark  place  ( westward  of  Joseph  MaiiahaiTs 
residence)  died  here,  May  9,1813.      His  chihb-cn  wcve: — 

Horace,  (died  in  childhood.) 

Emlli/,  (died  Aug.  28,  1810,  aged  3  years.)]   . 

2.  John  E.,  [b.  Nov.  19,  1788,  entered  Dartmouth  College  but, 

being  in  consumption,  was  unable  to  complete  his  collegi- 
ate course.     He  died  in  this  town,  Oct.  22,  1811.] 

3.  Daniel,  [b.  Jan.  20,  1791,  m.   Peggy  Emerson   of   Weare. 

She  died  in  this  town,  Feb.  11,  1858,  aged  61  years.  Dan- 
iel Fuller  succeeded  his  father  upon  the  homestead,  and 
was  a  shrewd  man  and  a  good  manager  in  luisiness  affairs. 
He  was  of^en  elected  to  town  office  and  represented  the 
town  in  the  Legislature.  He  was,  inoreover,  like  main- 
leading  men  of  his  day,  not  averse  to  military  titles,  and 
was  at  one  time,  colonel  of  the  '26th  regiment  of  the  state 
militia.  The  noble  white  horse,  which  he  kept  "-especially 
for  parade",  was  ridden  by  President  Jackson  while  on  a 
visit  to  this  state  in  the  interest  of  the  baidvs.  When  the 
hero  of  New  Orleans  was  in  the  act  of  mounting.  Col  Ful- 
ler courteously  stepped   forward  to  assist  him  by  holding 


716  GENEALOGIES. 

the  stirrup,  but  this  little  service,  tlie  southern  born  presi- 
dent was  not  inclined  to  accept.  '•'•It  is  unnecessarj-  Sir.*" 
said  he.  "I  am  a  horseman  myself."  Daniel  Fuller  died 
in  this  town,  July  23,  18^7.  Adoi)te(l  child:— 
FauUna  de  Bye,  (b.  in  Surinam,  S.  A..  July  2(),  1841,  d.  in 
Francestown,  March  27,  1862.)] 

3.  Aapion,  [b.  May  4,  1793,  d.  liere,  Jan.  9,  1815.] 

4.  Abigail,    [b.  April  28,  1795,  m.   Daniel 'N.   lioardman  of 

Lyndeboro',  Oct.  1,  1817,  d.  Dec.  7,  1818.] 

5.  Desire,  [b.  June  16, 1 797,  d.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  12, 1800.] 

6.  Eltzaiucth,    [b.  March  9,  1800,  m.  Timotliy   K.  West  of 

Bradford,  May  27,  1823,  d.  Jan  20,  1853.] 

7.  Desiuio,  [b.  Sept.  4,  1802,  m.  John  Loring  of  New  Boston, 

Dec.  19,  1821,  d.  in  New  liostxm,  Sept.  18,  1861.] 

8.  George,   [b.  Feb.  9,  1806,  d.  in   Francestown,  Marcli  15, 

1853.] 

SETH  FULLER,  who  in  1777  settled  on  the  Steele  place,  was  a  son 
of  Seth  and  Sarah  (Mackanah)  Fuller  of  Dedham,  Mass.,  and  was  a 
descendant  of  Robert  Fuller  of  Dorchester  (afterwards  of  Dedham, 
Mass.).  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  beino^  in  Captain  Bullard's 
company  at  Lexington.  He  married,  first,  Rebecca  Morse  of  Dedham, 
(Int.  March  15,  1777.),  second,  Abigail  Fuller,  sister  of  Daniel  Fuller, 
Nov.  4,  1802.  He  was  born  at  Dedham,  Mass.,  Oct.  8,  1752,  and  died 
in  Francestown,  Sept.  5,  1825.  It  is  not  known  that  Robert,  the  an- 
cestor of  Seth,  was  related  to  Thomas  from  whom  Daniel  descended. 
The  children  of  Seth  were  all  born  in  Francestown.     They  were: — 

1.  Cynthia,  [b.  March  2,  1778,  d.  March  25,  1780.] 

2.  Rebecca,  [b.  Oct.  19,  1780,  m.  Daniel  Paige  of  Plainfield, 

Vt] 

3.  Ira,  [b.  Jan.  15,  1783,  m.  Hannah  Gould,  Dec.  15,  1803. 

She  was  born  in  Greenfield,  Nov.  3,  1789  and  died  in  Fran- 
cestown, Feb.  9,  1854.  Ira  Fuller  lived  on  the  Blanchard 
place.  He  died  in  Princeton,  111.,  Jan.,  1864.  His  chil- 
dren were  all  born  in  Francestown.     They  were: — 

Susan,  (b.  June,  1804,  m.  Aaron  Fislier  of  Francestown,  July 
1,  1823,  d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  18,  1877.) 

Cynthia,  (b.  Nov.  3,  1808,  m.  Seth  Paige  of  Plainfield,  Vt. 
in  1834,  d.  in  Barre,  Vt.,  Oct.,  1847.) 

Mary,  (b.  Aug.  22,  1810,  m.  Theodore  L.  Hastings  of  Fram- 


FULLEll.  717 

iiig-ham,  Mass.  in  1833,  d.  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Jan.,  1882.) 
Ira  E.,  (b.  Feb.  7,  1812,  ni.  Kate  Whyttall  of  Biooklyn,  N. 

Y.,  d.  in  Rollo,  111.,  Jan.,  188G.) 
Joel  a.,  (b.  Dec.  12,  1816,  m.  Elma  M.  Clark  of  Rumney, 

res.  in  111.) 
Hannah  F.^  (b.  Jan.  22.  1826,  m.  J.  Anson  Ga}-  of  Dedliani, 

Mass.  in  1849,  res.  Norwood,  Mass.)] 
Emily  .1.,  (b.  March  1,  1828,  m.  Caleb  Ellis  of  Dedliam, 

Mass.  in  1854,  res.  in  Norwood,  Mass.) 

4.  Polly,  [married  Joel  Gay  of  Dedham,  Mass.,  (Int.  Oct.  14, 

1809.)] 

5.  AzLTBAH,  [married  Willard  Fairbanks  of  Dedham,  Mass.] 

6.  Seth,  [married  Olive  Manning-  of  Lyndeboro',  d.  in  Worthen, 

Texas,  Nov.  20,  1878.] 

7.  Clarissa,  [married  Arnold  Ilntchinson   of   Hancock,  d.  in 

Hancock,  Ang.  1,  1834.] 

JASON  FULLEE,  who  settled  on  the  Hyde  or  Case  place,  was  a 
brother  of  Seth,  mentioaed  above,  and  was  also  in  Captain  Bullard's 
company  at  Lexington.  He  is  said  to  have  "kept  store"  at  his  residence 
in  this  town,  though  projjaljly  in  a  very  unpretentious  way.  He  was 
baptized,  Nov.  20,  1757  and  married  Catherine  Farrington  of  Dedham, 
June  8,  1784.  He  was  "of  F.rancestown"  at  the  time  of  his  marriage. 
Children  were: — 

1.  Catherine,  [b.  May  31,  1786.] 

2.  Jason,  [b.  Dec.  16,  1787.] 

DAVID  FULLEIi  lived  in  one  of  the  Gibson  houses  in  1806.  He 
was  by  vocation  a  tanner  and  carried  on  business  in  the  tannery  near 
the  Gibson  tavern.  He  was  born  in  Gilsum,  Jan.  26,  1783.  His  wife, 
Keziah  Kimball,  was  born  in  Hillsboro'  July  1,  1784.  The  family  re- 
moved to  Hillsboro',  where  both  died.  The  names  of  four  children  of 
David  and  Keziah  Fuller  are  found  in  the  records  of  this  town.  They 
were : — 

1.  Gardner,  [b.  Oct.  27,  1806.] 

2.  Mark,  [b.  April  7, 1808,  m.  a  sister  of  Chas.  Conn  of  Hills- 

boro', d.  in  Hillsboro'.] 

3.  John  Gibson,  [b.  April  21, 1810,  m.  a  daughter  of  Nathan- 

iel Jones  of  Hillsbiro',  d.  in  Hillsboro'  and,  at  his  own  re- 
quest, was  buried  eight  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  ground 
in  a  coffin  made,  of  three-inch  plank.] 


718  GENEALOGIES, 

4.  William  Forsaith,  [b.  May  10, 1812.] 

RUrUS  FULLER  was  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (BuUard)  Fuller, 
who  were  married  at  Dedham,  Mass.,  Sept.  1.5,  1748.  He  was  born  in 
Dedham,  Aug.  30, 1760,  and  married  Hannah  Billings  of  Sharon,  Mass. 
She  was  born,  Feb.  12, 1762,  and  died  in  P,radford.  N.  IL,  Oct.  11 ,  1S47. 
He  enlisted  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  a  few  days  after  the  battle 
of  Lexington  and  served  during  the  remainder  of  the  war.  In  17SS 
or  '89,  he  came  to  Fi'ancestown  and  l)egan  upon  the  Batchelder  farm, 
which  he  afterward  exchanged  for  the  Moses  Emerson  place,  on  which 
Mr.  Batchelder  lirst  settled.  He  removed  to  Bradford,  where  he  died, 
Sept.  6, 1810.     llis  children  were  all  born  in  Francestown.    They  were : — 

1.  Richard,  [b.  May  14,  1786,  was  a  blacksmitli,  removed  to 

Bradford,  wliere  he  died.] 

2.  RuFUS,  Jr.,  [b.  March  24,  1790,  was  a  fai'nier,  inai'ried  Sarali 

Aiken  of  Deering,  Nov.  22,  1814.  Slic  ^^■as  born  in  Deal- 
ing, April  14,  1794,  and  died  in  Concoi'd.  July  25,  1876. 
He  died  in  Hopkinton,  Oct.  19,  1844.  Two  of  his  children 
were  born  in  this  town.      They  were: — 

Richard  F.,  (b.  Nov.  12,  1815,  ni.  Ellen  W.  Heath  of  Hop- 
kinton, Jan.  19,  1845.) 

Henry  .)/.,  (b.  Aug.  29,  1817,  rn.  Jennie  George  of  Warren, 
Nov.  14,  1860,  d.  in  Concord,  Nov.  14,  1890.)] 

3.  CuRTLS,  [b.  July  30,  1791,  m.  Hannah  Gibson  of  Frances- 

town,  was  a  merchant  in  Bradford,  d.  in  New  Yoi-k.] 

4.  Hannah,  [b.  Dec.  8, 1800,  m.  Perley  Martin  of  Sntton,  where 

she,  for  a  time,  resided,  removed  to  the  West  and  died  there.] 

STEPHE:N  fuller,  an  elder  brotlier  of  Rufus,  is  said  to  have 
come  here  two  years  earlier  than  the  latter.  His  wife  was  Hannah 
Felch,  daughter  of  Stephen  Fetch  and  sister  of  Mrs.  Samuel  Thompson 
of  this  town,  and  hence  a  great-aunt  of  John  T.  Felch  also  of  this  town. 
She  was  born,  Feb.  22,  1755  and  died  in  Francestown,  May  16,  1833. 
Stephen  Fuller  settled  on  the  Solomon  Bailey  place.  He  was  born, 
Dec.  18, 1754  and  died  in  Francestown,  Feb.  9, 1839.  Several  of  his  older 
children  were  born  in  Dedham.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Sa]\iuel,  [b.  March  21,  1780,  m.  Abigail  Terren  of  Frances- 
town.     She  died  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  March  21,  1874.     He 
lived  many  years  on  the  homestead  but  removed  to  Deer- 
ing, where  he  died,  Feb.  25,  1874.     His  children: — 
Ejiliralm^  (b.  in   Francestown,  June,  4,  1830,  m.  Harriet  A. 


FULLEPw  719 

Newton  of  Fiancestowii,  lived  on  tlie  home  place  in  Deer- 
ing-,  removed  to  Arizona.) 

William  2'.,  (born  in  Francestown,  Jan.  5,  1832,  m.  Jannette 
Durgin,  removed  to  Lowell,  Mass.,  where  he  died.) 

3Iari/  P.,  (b.  May  3,  1836,  m.  Al)raham  Melvin  of  Weare, 
died  in  Lowell,  Mass.) 

Daniel  D.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  7,  1839,  d.  in  Fiances- 
town,  April  28,  1843.) 

Samuel  7).,  (b.  in  Deering,  Sept.  24,  1848,  resides  at  the  Sand- 
wich Islands,  is  an  official  in  the  Young-  Men's  Christian 
Association.)] 

2.  RuFUS,  b.  Feb.  12,  1782,  m.  Martha  Dow  and  had  live  cliil- 

dren,  nearly  all  of  whom  died  young.  He  lived  in  the 
house  remodelled  and  occupied  by  S.  11.  Hodge.  He  was 
known  as  Tinker  Fuller  and  he  was  said  to  be  a  man  of 
good  mechanical  ability.  The  shop  in  wliich  lie  worked 
stood  where  the  residence  of  George  E.  Downes  now  stands. 
He  died  in  this  town,  July  21, 1849.  His  children  were : — 
Rodney^  Clarixisa.,  Sarahs  Martha  and  Enwline.  liodney 
settled  in  Massachusetts  aiid  died  in  Dorchester  in  tliat 
state.] 

3.  Jared,  [b.  Dec.  28, 1783,  m.  Tliaidd'ul  Story,  Nov.  21.  1811. 

She  was  born  in  Dunbarton,  June  15,1791.  Jared  removed 
to  Dunbarton,  where  he  i-eared  a  large  family.  He  died, 
May  19,  1854.] 

4.  Hannah,  [b.  Dec.  27,  1785,  d.  Aug.  5,  1822.] 

5.  Lucy,  [b.  Dec.  31,  1787,  m.,  1st,  Uzziah  Kemp  of  Frances- 

town,  July  26,  1813,  2d,  Ebenezer  Talbot  of  Francestown, 
d.  in  LoweU,  Mass.,  April  12,  1862.] 

6.  ASENATH,  [b.  March  22,  1791,  d.  Feb.  26,  1824  ] 

7.  Sarah,  [b.  Oct.  6,  1793.] 

8  Betsey,  [b.  Dec.  10,  1796,  died  Feb.  11, 1827  in  this  towji.] 

THADDEUS  FULLER,  a  brother  of  Stephen  and  Rufus,  lived  a 
few  years  on  the  Stiles  place  at  the  foot  of  Russell  hill.  His  name  is 
found  upon  the  tax-list  of  1703.  A  child  of  Thaddeus  Fuller  died  here 
in  1792. 


720  GENEALOGIES. 

GALE. 

LEVI  BAllTLETT  GALE,  whose,  family  has  long  been  identified 
with  this  town,  was  born  in  Concord,  N.  IL,  Ma}^  1!),  1821.  His  father, 
IJenjamin  (iale,  was  an  old  and  distinguished  resident  of  Concord  and 
was  born  in  that  city,  June  5,  1700.  He  married  Prudence  Varnum, 
daughter  of  Col.  James  Varnum  of  Dracul,  a  Revolutionary  patriot 
and  an  officer  in  the  State  Militia.  She  was  born  at  Dracut,  Mass., 
Sept.  10,  1775,  and  died  in  Concord,  April  ?>,  1S50.  Benjamin  Gale  died 
in  Concord,  Aug.  11,1850.  Benjamin  F.  Gale,  who  taught  in  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  this  town  and  was  afterwards  mayor  of  Concord,  was  his 
son  and  hence  the  brother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Levi  Bartlett 
Gale  married  Anna  Frances  Eaton,  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  Eaton  of 
Francestown,  July  29, 1846.  He  was  for  several  years  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile business  in  Boston,  Mass.  In  the  summer  of  1849,  he  sailed 
for  California,  where  he  engaged  in  mining  and  other  persuits  until  the 
fall  of  1850,  when  having  decided  to  return  home,  he  took  passage  at 
San  Francisco,  ])ut  was  sti'icken  with  illness,  and  died  on  shipboard  in 
November,  1850.  His  remains  were  interred  at  Kealejo,  Nicaragua. 
His  widow  has  for  many  years  resided  in  this  town".     Children  are: — 

1.  Anna  Fijances,  [b.  in  Boston,  Mass,  Sept.  7,  1847,  is  the 

wife  of  Cliarles  F.  Sleeper  and  resid(iS  in  this  town.] 

2.  Chakles  Baijtlett,  [b.  in  Boston,  Mass.,  Sept.  14,  1848. 

He  has  for  several  years  been  engaged  in  trade  in  this  town, 
being  of  the  firm  of  Clark  &  Gale.  In  1889,  he  was  ap- 
l)ointed  postmaster  and  in  1891,  '92  and  "93  was  made  tax- 
collector.  As  a  citizen,  a  merchant  and  a  public  official, 
he  has  the  confidence  of  his  townsmen.] 

GARDINER. 

JAMES  GARDINER  lived  in  tlie  Samuel  Brewster  house,  as  early 
as  1829.  He  was  born  at  Charlestown,  Mass.  in  1798.  His  ancestors 
are  said  to  have  come  from  J^rauce  and  to  have  been  the  "originators" 
of  the  first  rope-walk  in  this  country.  They  settled  in  Charelstown, 
Mass.  The  wife  of  James  was  Marian  Davis.  She  was  born  in 
Amherst,  N.  H.  in  1802.  The  family  remained  in  town  but  a  few  years. 
The  children  were: — 

1.  Mary  Jane,  [b.  in  1819,  d.  in  this  town,  Jan.  18,  1832.] 

2.  LoPvENZA  N.,  [b.  in  1823,  m.  Nathaniel  C.  Taylor  of  Rowley, 

.  Mass.,  d.  in  1874.] 

3.  Louisa  M.,  [b.  in  1824,  m.,  1st,  Capt.  William  Stanwood  of 

Newburyport,  Mass.,  2d,  Dr.  Luther- D.  Kidder  of  Croy- 
den,  res.  at  Westport,  Mass.] 


GAUDNEIl,  GAY.  721 

4.  John  F.,  [1).  in   1829,  m.  Louisa  Lane,  a  native  of  Calais, 

Maine,  was  appointed  on  the  police  force  in  Boston,  Mass. 
and  in  1878  was  })romoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant.] 

5.  Stephen  I).,  [b.  in   Francestown,  July  10,  1832,  m.  Marga- 

ret Walton  of  Newha-mpton,  Mass.  Early  in  tlie  late  war, 
he  enlisted  in  tiie  8th  Mass.  Regt.  and  arose  to  tlie  rank  of 
Captain.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Boston  police  force  at 
the  time  of  his  death  in  the  summer  of  18*J4.] 

GARDNER. 

FRANK  GARDNER  was  lirst  employed  :it  the  s^oiip-stoiie  quarry  in 
1870.  He  subsequently  resided  in  the  town  of  Lyndel)oro'  though  still 
in  the  employ  of  the  soap-stone  company  in  Francestown.  In  18S9,  he 
cane  here  with  his  family  and  occupied  for  a  short  time  the  Wilder 
house  and  afterward  the  Chandler  house  in  Mill  Village,  from  the  lat- 
ter, he  removed  to  his  present  residence  in  the  village.  Frank  Gardner 
was  born  in  New  York  City,  Oct.  7,  1854.  His  father  is  DeWitt  C. 
Gardner,  a  native  of  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  and  long  a  resident  of  Perknis- 
ville,  Vt.  His  mother,  Frances  E.  (Gaylord)  Gardner,  was  born  in 
New  Haven,  Conn,  and  died  in  I'erkinsville  in  18<)2.  He  married,  Sept. 
18,  1882,  Ella  J.  Watkins,  daughter  of  Oliver  and  Eois  A.  (Meserve) 
Watkins.  The  former  was  born,  in  Casco  and  the  latter  in  Paris  Me. 
Ella  J.  Watkins  was  born  July  25,  1804,  in  Lyndel)oro',  where  her 
parents,  after  a  lo.ng  residence,  died.  Mr.  Gardner  is  now  engaged 
as  an  engineer  at  the  quarry  and  is  accounted  good  in  his  vocation. 
His  children,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Lyndeboro',  are: — 

1.  Agnes  Loi8,  [b.  May  5,  1884.] 

2.  FuANK  Hakold,  [b.  Dec.  11,  1885.] 

GAY. 

.TOHN  GAY  eame  to  America  in  the  ship  ^^Mary  &  Jolin"  in  l(i30. 
They  arrived  May  30th  and  were  landed  at  Nantasket,  "an  unknown 
wilderness",  though  the  eaptiun  had  engaged  to  bring  them  up  Charles 
River.  They  soon  found  it  necessary  to  separate,  the  larger  part  set- 
tling at  a  place  called  by  the  Indians,  "Mattapan".  The  others,  among 
whom  was  John  Gay,  proceeded  up  Charles  River.  At  Charlestown, 
they  found  wigwams  and  Indian  families,  and  "one  house  inhabited  by 
white  persons",  among  whom  was  one  who  could  "speak  the  Indian 
language".  This  man  they  "engaged  as  an  interpreter",  and  pressed  on 
"as  far  as  low  tide  would  allow"  and  landed  at  "a  well  watered  place", 
near  where  the  U.  S.  Arsenal  now  stands  in  Watertown.  Here  they 
found  an  "encampment  of  about  300  Indians",  and,  being  not  a  little 
alarmed ,  they  sent  theif  interpreter  to  "declare  their  peaceful  intentions", 


722  GENEALOGIES. 

whereupon  the  Indians  gave  them  lish,  "a  bass  Tor  a  buiscuit".  Here, 
therefore,  they  remained  and  are  ealled  the  "first  settlers  of  Water- 
town".  Among  llieni,  John  Gay  was  a  "grantee  in  the  Great  Dividends" 
and  in  tlie  ■•IJcaver  Brook  Plow-lands'".  A  few  years  later.  Gay  and  18 
others  pushtMl  farther  up  the  river  and  settled  a  "plantation",  which 
they  ealled  "Contentment".  This  was  subsequently  incorporated  under 
the  name  of  Dedham,  and,  from  it,  several  families  came  to  Frances- 
town,  mon^  than  a  century  afterwards.  John  (iay  signed  the  "Petition 
for  Tncorporation",  Sept.  6,  1G36;  was  one  of  tlie  proprietors  of  the 
town:  was  one  of  liie  selectmen  in  K)()4;  and  died  March  4,  1(588. 
llis  wife.  .IiKiniia.  died  Aug.  14,  Hl'.tl.  'riuy  had  eleven  children,  of 
whom,  Samuel  was  born  March,  in;)'.)  and  d.  Apr.  IS,  ITlS.  Timolby, 
son  of  tliis  Samuel,  was  born  July  1."),  1()74,  and  died  May  '20,  171'.). 
Timothy,  son  of  this  Timothy,  was  l)oni  Dec.  '29,  1703,  and  died 
May  "21),  170.').  This  second  Timothy  was  father  of  a  third  Timothy, 
who  was  b.  July  '2'.),  17;);-).  This  last  named  was  the  fifth  this  side 
the  water  (IMmoiliy"',  Timothy*.  Timothy'*,  Sauuiel^,  .Tulm.i),  and  was 
the  falher  of  I'^lienezer  ami  Ichabod.  lObenezer.  the  elder  of  these, 
settled  in  Deering,  lU'ar  Cork  Plain,  and  was  father  of  a  large  family, 
among  them,  Ira  and  Zilja.  who  were  well  known  machinists  and  builders 
in  XasJiua,  where  they  lived  and  died. 

The  \ounger  lirother,  Ichabod  Gay,  the  first  of  the  name  in  Frances- 
tow'n,  was  b.  in  Dedham,  Mass.,  July  2'.'),  17G5;  m.  Ruth  Billings,  Jan. 
1,  17SS;  bought  a  farm  here  in  1794,  l)ut  it  is  not  })robable  that  he  occtx- 
l)ie(l  it,  as  he  bought  another  in  1795  -'lying  upon  the  East  side  of  the 
road  leading  from  Eben  Everett  to  Isaac  Lewis".  On  this  he  settled  in 
the  spring  of  1790,  and  remained  during  life.  Is  described  as  "a  man 
of  medium  stature,  industrious  and  of  a  genial  disposition".  He  died, 
June  20,  1824.     His  wife  died,  Feb.  2,  ls;jl.     Children:— 

1.  AzEL,  [1).  ill   Dedluun,  Mass.,  Sept.  17,  1788  ;  d.  July  17, 

1791.] 

2.  Alpheus,  [b.  ill  Dedham,  Mass.,  June  13,  1790;  m.  Susan- 

nah Scoby,  Dec.  7,  1814;  lived  at  the  "foot  of  the  hill" 
soutlj  of  Haunted  Lake ;  was  a  carpenter  and  builder  b}^ 
trade;  was  liighly  ]-espected  by  all ;  several  times  select- 
man, and  chairman  of  the  board  in  1837  ;  moved  to 
Manchester  in   1841;   d.    there,   Nov.  1.   1859.      His  wife 

,  survived  him  and  reached  the  age  of  80  years,  dying  Aug., 
1872.      Children:— 

Azelj  (b.  Sept.  22,  1815;  went  to  Rochester,  N.  Y. ;  d.  there, 
Aug.  23,  1873;  m.  Sabrina  Buck;  left  four  children,  Su- 
san M.,  Charles  H.,  Edgar  A.  and  Frank  W.) 

Mary^  (b.  Sept.  12,  1817  ;  unm. ;  lives  in  Boston.) 


■^■'S.Staaii.BDSXQB^ 


^^^^^-.i^  ,^^a 


GAY.  723 

Jlnii.  Alpheu^,  Jr.,  (1).  May  14,  1819;  m.  Tlieda  G.  Flshci-  of 
Francestown,  Nov.  25,  1815  ;  was  for  many. years  a  leiid- 
ing  carpenter  and  l)uilder  in  Manchester,  going  there  in 
1841,  in  the  infancy  of  that  city.  He  helped  l)nihl  the 
first  mill  of  tlie  Amoskeag  Co.,and  has  superintended  tlie 
erection  of  nearly  all  the  large  public  buildings  of  the  city 
to  the  present  time.  ''The  many  public  buildings  he  lias 
erected  in  JVIanchester  are  a  monument  to  his  industiy  and 
skill." 

Mr.  Gay  is  a  Democrat  in  politics  ;  was  Mayor  of  the 
city  in  1874;  has  been   President  of  the  Board  of  Water 
Commissioners   many  years  ;  PresidcJit  of  the   Amoskeag 
Fire  Insurance  Co.;   Director  of  New  Hampshire  Ti'ust  Co., 
and  also  of  the  Granite  State  Trust  Co.      Mr.  Gay  lias  also 
had  a  considerable  reputation  as  a  musician.     The  writer 
remembers  his  almost  ])erfect  voice  in  the  choirs  of  Man- 
chester forty  years  ago.     Was  sought  after  far  and  wide  as 
a  sob)  singer  in  musical  festivals  and  special  chnrch  occa- 
sions.    Was  a  member  of  the  celebrated  "  Dignam's  Band  ". 
Is  a  man  of  sound,  practical  judgment,  public  spirited,  social, 
generous,  and  loved  and  honored  in  the  city  where  he  has 
so  long  been  prominent.      His  education  was  gained  in  the 
schools  and  Academy  of  his  native  town.     Was  a  teacher 
in  this  and  other  towns  in   his  early  manhood,  and   in  all 
places  of  trust  and  res|)onsibility  he  has  been  considei'ed  a 
faithful  man,  doing  credit  to  the  place  of  his  birth.      Fran- 
cestown counts  him  among  the  most  honorable  of  her  sons. 
His  wife  passed  on  before  him,  Aug.  17,  1885;  their' 
surviving  children  being,  Anna  M.  and  Frank  A.,  who  m. 
Myrtie  Drake  of  Lake  Village.) 
Susan  A.,  (b.  Aug.,  1821;  d.  March,  1823.) 
Susan  A.,  (b.  June  14,  1824,   unm.;  lives  in  Boston.) 
Sarah,  (b.  Jan.  20,  1827:  unm.;  lives  in  Manchester.) 
0/jnthia,  (b.  Oct.  28, 1828  ;  m.  Matthew  Forsaith  of  Manches- 
ter, who  d.  in  1881.     They  had  one  son,  Frank  M.) 
Charles,  (b.  Jan.  11,  1831;  went  to  California,  in  1852,  went 
into  the  gold  mines  and  was  murdered  by  the  Indians  there 
in  1861.) 
Martha,  (h.  June  17,  1833;   m.  Samuel  W.  Mason  of  Boston, 


724  GENEALOGIES. 

SOU  of  Hon.  Larkiii  D.  Mason  of  Taniworth,  and  d.  in  Man- 
cliester,  j^ug.  23,  1884.  Tieft  one  cliild,  Annie  E.,  born 
in  1862,  and  d.  in  188(1  in  Feb.  Had  m.  W.  E.  Haskell, 
Nov.,  1884.)] 

3.  Cynthia,  [b.  Sept.  22,  1792;  m.  Saville   Starrett,  Feb.  13, 

1816;  d.  May  9,  1882;  see  Starrett  family.] 

4.  Timothy,  [b.  in  Stou^-hton,  Mass.,  Sept.  25,  1795;  m.  Meliit- 

able  Peabody  of  Deiry,  Oct.  2,  1817;  d:  in  Boston,  Nov. 
26,  1864;  resided  in  tbis  town  from  1  796  to  1840,  when  lie 
moved  to  Nashua,  and  tbence  to  Boston  in  1849,  where  he 
established  tlu-  tirm  of  "'rimolliv'  (biy  &  Co.",  and  contin- 
ued business  till  neai'  the  end  of  life.  While  a  vouno-  man 
he  entered  the  Brick  Store  as  clerk  for  VV^illiam  Bixby,  and 
about  1825  succeeded  Bixby  in  business  b}^  the  good  will 
and  assistance  of  the  latter.  Taking  Paul  H.  Bixby  as 
partner  they  traded  till  1832,  under  firm  name  of  Gay  & 
Bixby.  He  then  purchased  the  house  and  store  occu})ied 
l)y  Alfred  Fairbanks,  (known  as  (xay  store,  now  Tobie 
dwelling  house,)  where  he  carried  on  business  in  his  own 
name.  Soon  after  he  was  appointed  Post-master  and  held 
the  office  till  his  removal  from  town.  Mr.  Gay  was  success- 
ful in  business;  ''his  strict  honesty  was  })roverbial ";  was 
a  genial,  kindly  "gentleman  of  the  old  school";  and  his  re- 
moval to  Nashua  was  justly  considered  a  serious  loss  to  this 
community. 
His  children  were  : — 
Timothy,  (b.  June  22,  1818  ;  d.  June  28,  1818.) 
Milton,  (b.  April  26,  1820;  d.  Oct.  24,  1826.) 
Dea.  Albert,  (b.  Aug.  5, 1822 ;  went  through  the  usual  course 
at  the  district  school  and  Academy  in  Francestown,  and 
attended  the  Kimball  Union  Academy,  Meriden  in  1840, 
with  the  intention  of  taking  a  collegiate  course.  His  plan 
was  interrupted  after  one  term  by  his  fatlier's  desire  for  his 
assistance  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Nashua,  to  which 
town  he  moved  in  1841.  He  was  at  first  book-keeper,  and 
in  1847  became  partner  in  business  with  his  father  under 
the  firm  of  Timothy  Gay  &  Son.  In  1849  he  removed 
to  Boston,  where  the  same  firm  established  the  flour  busi- 
ness.    One  year  later  George  F.  Guild  formerly  of  Fran- 


a  AY.  725 

cestown  was  associated  with  tliem  under  tlie  firm  of  ^Fini- 
otliy  Gay  &  Co.,  Wliolesale  Grocers.  This  firm  lias  coii- 
tiiuied  business  at  18  India  St.  to  this  time  (1894.),  Albert 
Gay  having  lieen  fo]-  the  hast  fourteen  years  senior  partner. 
He  married,  Nov.  2G,  1863,  Ellen  M.  Spalding,  daughter 
of  Capt.  Ii'a  S])aldingof  Merrimack,  N.  H.  Their  children 
are: — Charles  Albert,  b.  April  30,  1865;  Alice  Marion,  b. 
March  12,  1867;  Helen  Sj.alding,  b.  Jan.  8,  1871. 

Mr.  Gay  was  a  mendjer  of  the  Boston  City  Council  in  1869 
and  1870.  He  h;is  always  been  an  advocate  for  liberal  im- 
provements and  as  such  he  voted  for  the  extension  of  Wash- 
ington Street  from  CornhlU  to  Haymarket  Sc^uare,  also  for 
the  la3^ing  out  of  Scollay  Square  by  removing  a  block  of  build- 
ings in  the  centre  of  it.  He  has  also  labored  many  years 
to  bring  about  the  improvements  lately  inaugurated  in  the 
city  of  Newton,  in  streets,  parks  and  sewerage.  His  per- 
sonal efforts  rescued  and  plainied  Montgomery  Park,  near 
his  residence  in  lioston. 

To  philantliropic  wnil<s,  lie  has  devoted  nmch  labor. 
He  has  been  associated  :i  long  time  with  the  Boston  City 
Missionary  Society  as  one  of  its  directors,  and  also  is  di- 
recto]'  of  the  Boston  Industrial  Home.  As  treasurer  and 
deacon  of  Union  Church,  he  lias  dispensed  its  charities  and 
otherwise  helped  those  in  need.  His  stud}-,  as  an  amateur 
artist,  in  the  spare  hours  of  liis  busy  life,  enabled  him  to 
produce,  among  other  works,  a  portrait  of  his  former  pastoi'. 
Rev.  Dr.  Nehemiali  Adams,  which  hangs  in  the  chapel  of 
Union  Church,  Boston.  His  interest  in  the  history  of 
Francestown  has  been  from  its  inception,  and  towai'd  it  he 
has  given  liberally  of  time  and  labor  and  money.  The  Map 
of  Society  Land,  and  several  engravings  and  views  are  a 
gift  from  him.) 
Awjmtme  Milton,  (b.  Nov.  15,1827;  m.  Clara  K.  Wille}', 
July  26,  1860;  died  in  Boston,  Nov.  3,  1876;  studied  at 
Phillips  Academy,  Andover;  went  to  Amherst  College, 
graduating  there  as  Valedictorian  in  the  class  of  1850; 
then  was  ten  years  Master  of  the  High  School  of  the  city 
of  Charlestown,  Mass.;  then  of  a  Young  Ladies'  School  in 
Boston   two  3'ears ;  then  travelled  extensively  in  Europe  ; 


726  GENEALOGIES. 

returning  in  I8O0,  lie  tanglit  in  the  city  schools,  gradually 
rising  till  he  became  Head  Master  of  the  Boston  Latin 
School,  and  this  most  honoral)le  jjosition  lie  held  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  (Treatly  loved  as  a  man,  he  ranked 
among  the  very  highest  as  scholar  and  teacher.) 

Geon/e  Frederick,  (b.  Oct.  9,1830;  d.  from  the  kick  of  a 
horse,  May  31,  1837:  a  c^hild  that  was  n  special  favorite 
in  the  village.  Dr.  Bard  wrote  a  1)eautiful  obituary,  whicli 
was  published  in  the  Andierst  Cabinet,  June,  1831.) 
Jane  Maria,  (b.  Api'.  9,  1833  ;  m.  J.  II.  Harrington  of  Revere, 
Mass.,  d.  Nov.  7,  1881.) 

Georije  Frederick,  (b.  Sept.  20,  1835;  m.  Louisa  M.  Parker 
of  Boston,  Nov.  15, 1865  ;  in  mercantile  Imsiness  in  Boston; 
has  one  child,  Frederick  I*arker,  1).  July  22,  1874.)] 

5.  Sally,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  22,  1799:  m.  Elisha  Vose, 

Jan.  20.  1824;  see  Vose  family.] 

6.  Polly,  [b.  Feb.  3,  1802;  d.  Oct.  23,  1803.] 

7.  Joel,  [b.  Aug.  15,  1804:  m.  Sarali  Fisher,  May  6,  1828;  d. 

March  20,  1848;  was  known  throughout  this  vicinity  f©r 
liis    line    musical   talents;    spent  his  best  years  teaching 
singing  schools  ;  his  death  at  the  age  of  43  was  felt  as  a 
})ul)lic  ai'Hiction  and  loss.      His  wife  followed,  P'eb.  15, 1858, 
Children  : — 
Jamej<  Henry,  (b.  Nov.  4,  1830  ;  d.  May  7,  1852.) 
Harriet  Awpi^ta,  (b.  Feb.  18,  1834;  d.  July  4,  1852.) 
ThomaM  F.,  (b.  Oct.,  1836;  resides  in  Pittstield.) 
Levi  B.,  (b.  July  1, 1838;  went  to  Nashua,  1853;  m.  Nettie 
A.  Kenney,  Oct.  18,  1860;  moved  to  Boston,  1865,  where 
he  was  in  business  nearly  30  years;   resided  the  last  25  yva. 
in  the  city  of  Newton,  near  Boston;  d.  in  Newton,  Dec.  20, 
1893.     Mr.  Gay  was  owner  of  "•  Hotel  Huntington",  Boston, 
and  was  publisher  of  the  '' Banker  and  Trademan".     Was 
a    prominent    member    of    the    Elliott    Church,    Newton. 
Left  children:— Fred  A.,  who  was  b.  March  12,  1862,  and 
Harry  A.,  who  was  b.  Aug.  4,  1870.) 
Lucy  Ellen,  (b.  Dec.  7,  1840;  d.  Sept.  30,  1848.)] 

8.  Nancy,  [b.  May  16,  1808;  m.  Eben   W.  Barnes;  lived  in 

Deering ;  liad  a  large  family,  now  all  gone  from  that  town 
into  various  parts  of  the  land.] 


GEORGE,  GERRISH.  727 

GEORGE. 

JOSEPH  GEORGE  was  the  oldest  son  of  Henry  and  Hannah  (Moore) 
George  of  Goffstown.  He  was  born  in  17!t-i  and  married  Mary  Dow 
in  1811.  She  was  born  in  Goffstown  in  1703  and  died  in  Deering, 
Apr.  6, 1SG6.  He  lived  for  many  years  upon  a  farm  in  Goffstown  (near 
Manchester)  and  accumulated  considerable  property,  largely  by  raft- 
ing on  the  Merrimack.  He  was,  for  a  nund^er  of  years,  captain  of  a 
military  company  in  Goffstown,  and  was,  in  his  younger  days,  of  very 
commanding  presence  and  was  ever  a  mnn  of  the  kindest  impulses. 
He  came  here  with  his  son,  Amos,  in  ISui  and  lived  on  the  Steplien 
Holt  farm.  He  afterward  owned  and  occupied  the  house  now  occupied 
by  Albert  A\'hitlield  (in  Ihe  village).  Late  in  life  he  married  a  second 
wife,  who  is  not  living.  He  died  in  Goffstown,  A})r.  14,  ISTG.  Ijoth  he 
and  his  first  wife  were  buried  in  this  town. 

AMOS  (;E01\(tE,  sou  of  J(is('])li  (Jcdrgt',  came  lu'rc  in  IS.")!  and  pur- 
chased the  Stephen  Iloh  farm  on  winch  he  lived  six  years,  after  which, 
he  removed  to  the  village,  where  he  resided  during  tlie  remainder  of 
his  life.  He  was  born  in  Goffstown,  Dec.  12,  1811)  and  married  Doro- 
thy Turner  of  Concord.  She  was  born  in  Lyme,  Oct.  28,  1S1;»,  and 
was  a  descendant  of  Mary  Chilton,  who  is  said  to  have  been  the  first 
woman  to  step  upon  Plymouth  Pock  in  the  historic  'danding  of  the 
Pilgrims".  She  dii'd  in  this  town,  Feb.  22,  1882.  Amos  George  died 
here,  Feb.  lo,  188().  His  children  were  all  born  in  (ioffstown.  They 
are : — 

1.  Henry  J.,    [miuTiod  Ilattie  S.   Nutting  of   Maucltester  in 

18()8.  Enlisting  m  1861,  he  served  four  years  in  tlie  9tli 
N.  H.  Regt.,  liolding  the  rank  of  sergeant.  He  was  in 
the  battles  of  South  Motnitain,  Antietuni,  Fiedericksburg, 
Siege  of  Vicksburg,  Jaekson,  Spottsylvania,  North  Anna 
River,  Talopotomy,  Bethesda  Chureh,  Cold  Harbor,  Peters- 
burg, The  ".Mine"  and  Poplar  Springs  Church.  Since  the 
war  he  has  followed  the  vocation  of  a  niachinist,  and  now 
resides  in  Manchester.] 

2.  Ellen  Frances,  [resides  at  the  late  home  of  her  parents.] 

3.  Emma  A.,    [was    edncated  at    Franeestown    Academy,  has 

taught  successfidly  in  the  public  schools  of  Franeestown, 
New  Boston  and  Andover,  N.  H.,  and  in  Hyde  Park,  Mass., 
is  now  Principal  of  Pierce  Primary  School  in  Brookline, 
Mass.] 

4.  Andkew  J.,  [was  graduated  at  Franeestown  Academy  in 

1872.     Entered,  Amherst  College  in    that  year  and  was 


728  gp:nkalo(;ies. 

^I'luliiiitt'd  in  ISTT).  Was  Priiicioiil  of  tlie  High  Scliool  at 
Aslilaiul,  Mass.,  six  years,  and  was  !Sub  Master  of  the  High 
Scjliool  at  IJrookline  for  tlie  same  [)eriod.  He  was  then 
ajtpointed  Head  of  the  Department  of  English  Litera- 
tnre  in  the  High  School  at  Newton,  Mass.  He  visited 
England  and  Scotland  for  study  in  1886,  1887  and  1888. 
While  ])ersning  his  studies  and  attending  to  the  duties  of 
his  clidscn  profession,  he  has  edited  Selections  from  Words- 
woilli,  U'ordsworth's  Preface  and  Essays  on  Poetry,  TJurk's 
Anicricaii  Orations,  and  Select  S})eeches  of  Daniel  Webster, 
and  other  works,  and  has  thereby  l)een  brought  near  to 
scliolars  and  to  men  of  letters  and  of  })rominence  on  both 
sides  of  the  Atlantic.  In  1888,  he  manied  Alice  N.  Vant 
of  Milford,  Mass.,  a  graduate  of  Wellesley  College.  They 
MOW  I'cside  at  IJrookline,  Mass.  I'lieir  son,  lvol)ert  Hudson, 
was  born  Dec.  25,  1889.  Mr.  (ieorge  stills  holds  his  posi- 
tion at  Newton.  He  is  a  ti'ue  student  with  a  marked 
originality  of  conception  and  method,  and  holds  high  rank 
among  the  educators  of  the  day.] 

LEVI  GKOIMiE  ^'of  Bradford"'  inarri('(l  Jjiicy  Jjiiilcy,  diiughtcr  of 
Noah  Bailey  ol'  tliis  town,  Dec.  12,  ISOS.  lie  lived  several  years  on  the 
Driscoll  place  on  DriscoU  or  Batch  hill. 

NATHANIEL  GEORGE  took  possession  of  the  llobert  Butterlield 
place  about  tlie  year  181(i.  His  son,  Nathaniel,  then  of  Hancock,  mar- 
ried Martha  Brewster,  daughter  of  James  Brewster,  of  this  town.  Mar. 
25, 1816.  The  family  remained  here  about  fifteen  years.  Mrs.  Martha 
(Brewster)  George  died  in  Allenstown,  July  25,  1863. 

GERRISH. 

FRANK  GERRISH  is  the  son  of  Frank  and  Mary  J.  (Russel)  Ger- 
rish,  who  now  reside  at  Bath,  Maine.  He  came  here  from  Peterboro' 
in  1885.  He  was  born  at  Bath,  Maine,  Oct.  4,  1854  and  married  Mary 
J.  Hadley,  daughter  of  Stillman  Hadley,  Nov.  23, 1875.  She  was  born 
at  Dunbarton,  Dec.  10, 1830.  Mr.  Gerrish,  with  his  family,  has  occupied 
the  Spaulding  place  jointly  with  the  Iladleys,  to  whom,  as  may  be  seen, 
he  is  connected,  is  a  farmer  by  vocation.     His  children  are: — 

1.  Mary  J.,  [1).  at  Sharon,  N.  H.,  May  24,  1877.] 

2.  FiiANK  E.,  [b.  at  Sharon,  April  26,  1879.] 


GIIJ.SON,  (ilLIiEUT.  721) 

GIBSON. 

SAMUELi  Gir.SON,  the  paternal  gratidfather  of  John  Gibson  of 
Franccstown,  was  Ijorn  in  the  province  of  Ulster  in  Ireland  in  1(')U3. 
He  was  of  Scotch-Irish  lineage,  since  his  ancestors  emigrated  from  Scot- 
land to  Ireland,  donbtless  in  tlie  time  of  religious  pursecution  He  is 
said  to  have  come  from  the  county  of  Ulster  to  Boston,  Mass.,  where 
he  married  Ann  McAffee,  Aug.  30,  1733.  He  was  the  first  settle]-  of 
Hillsboro'  in  1741,  but  upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  French  iK:  Indian  war 
three  years  later,  he  moved  to  Litchfield,  thence  to  Merrimack,  where 
he  died  Sept.  4,  1770.  Samui'12,  son  of  Samuel i  and  Ann  (McAffee) 
Gibson,  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  Aug.  24,  1737,  and  died  in  Amherst, 
Nov.  .'),  IS'JO.  Previous  to  the  year  1764,  he  married  Elizabeth  Steward 
of  Litchiield.  She  was  born  in  173S,  being  the  daughter  of  .John  Stew- 
ard, who  came  to  Londondei-rv  with  liev.  James  McGregor  in  171'.).  llv 
was  a  descendant  of  the  first  high  steward  of  Scotland,  and  of  him  we 
read  that  i)ro])al)ly  no  Steward  with  English  royal  blood  in  his  veins 
ever  lived  in  lliis  country,  and  very  few  of  Scotch  royal  l)looil,  but  all 
who  ]]:i\'v  a  right  liy  biitb  to  tbe  name  of  Steward,  including  our  -lohn, 
are  remote  cousins  of  (^lueen  Victoria.  Elizal)eth  (Steward)  (;il)son 
died  Feb.  3,  ISl.')  at  Mei'rimack.  .Tolm^*,  son  of  Samuel-  and  Elizabeth 
(Steward)  Gibson,  was  l)orn  in  Men-imack,  .Tan.  17,  17<>7. 

JOHN  GIBSON  married  Hannah  (IJrown)  (Juigley,  widow  of  William 
(Juigley  of  tliis  town,  Aug.  12,  1790,  and  pi-obal)ly  si'ttled  in  Frances- 
town  soon  afterward.  The  small  house  on  the  (ubson  place,  which  he 
first  occupied,  stoo'd  on  the  hill  eastward  from  the  (Jibson  tavern,  and 
after  the  turnpike  was  built,  was  moved  down  to  it,  and  was  subse- 
quently used  as  a  toll-house.  Hi.4  wife  was  l)orn  .June  15,  1755.  She 
died  in  this  town,  .Vug.  21, 1802,  and  he  married  again  in  Concord,  Sept., 
180.3,  Mary  Gale.  She  was  born  July  10,  177:5,  and  died  in  tliis  town, 
Sejit.  4,  1857.  U  is  saiil  of  her  tliat  she  was  a  woman  of  great  ability. 
Mr.  Gibson  uniteil  the  business,  and  the  pi-otits  as  well,  of  a  merchant 
with  those  of  a  tavern  keeper,  and  fi'om  a  meagre  beginning  l)ecanie  the 
wealthiest  man  that  had  ever  live<l  in  the  county  of  Hillsboro'.  He 
represented  the  town  in  the  state  legislature  in  1S14-15-1(),  hi'  was 
moreover,  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Hillsboro'  Bank,  and  held  minor 
positions.  He  was  one  of  the  conspicuous  and  successful  fou inters  of 
the- business  uiterests  and  of  the  resultant  fortunes  of  our  then  thrifty 
township.  After  his  death,  which  occurred  hei'e  April  20,  1S21,  it  was 
found  that  less  than  .Ij^lO.  would  cancel  the  indebtedni'ss  of  his  estate. 
Ilis  children  were: — 

1.  Betsey,  [b.  July  12,  1700,  m.  Cliristopher  Reed  of  Lexing- 

ton, Mass.] 

2.  Hannah.  [1).  Nov.  11>,  1793,  m.  Curtis  Fuller  of  this  town.] 


730  GENEALOGIES. 

8.  John,  [b.  July  17,  1804,  m.  Ruth  Gale  of  Coucord,  June, 
1827,  was  proprietor  of  the  Eagle  hotel  in  that  city,  which, 
after  l)eiiig  l)urne(l,  was  rebuilt  l)y  him.  He  inherited  abil- 
ity from  his  })arents,  and  was  botli  smai't  and  popular,  was 
selectman  and  moderator,  and  was  three  times  sent  to  the 
legislature.  He  died  while  in  the  act  of  pla3'ing  a  game  of 
checkers  willi  a.  eluld  at  the  Dr.  Eaton  place,  v/here  he  was 
visiting,  Sept.  4,  1857.     His  children  were  : — 

Ellen  Av(iw<ta^  (married  Robert  C.  Osgood  of  C'onccn'd,  died 
Dec,  1884.) 

John  Sotf,  (married  in  New  York  City,  d.  abont  the  year 
1890.) 

3Iarij  ')aih\  (married  Edward  (t.  Moran,  lives  in  New  York 
City. ) 

(reonje  MorrilK  (died  in  New  York  City,  Jan.,  ISDl.) 

Charlex  EJivanl,  (died  when  aljoiit  twelve  yeai's  of  age.)] 

4.  SvVRAH,  [b.  Feb.  7,  180(5,  m.   William  F.  Peterson  of  Louis- 

ville, Ky.,  May  12,  1825,  d.  at  Wheeling,  West  Virginia.] 

5.  Caroline,  [b.  Nov.,  1S07.  m.  J.  Varnum  Gale  of  Oregon. 

111.,  d.  at  Oregon,  111.  in  187»;.] 
().   Luc'RETiA,    [1).   Oct.   10,  1(SOO,   m.    Joseph    P.    Stiekney  of 
Concord,  Dec.  25,  1882,  d.  in  Concord,  May  31,  1840.] 

7.  Charles,  [b.  Sept.  2(3,  1811,  m.  Mary  F.  Stickney  of  Con- 

cord, Dec,  1834,  lives  in  San  Andras,  Cal.] 

8.  Maria,  [b.  Oct  15,  1813,  m.  Nathaniel  II.  Osgood  of  Con- 

cord, Dec  18,  1834,  resides  in  New  York  City.] 

9.  Jane,  [b.  Feb.  14,  1816,  d.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  14,1817.] 

GILBERT. 

LARAFURD  GILBERT  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  town, 
coming  from  Mont  Vernon  in  the  year  17S2.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  War,  and  was  at  one  time  taken  prisoner  hy  the  British 
and  exchanged.  He  built  the  house  hjng  occupied  by  Sylvanus  Gilbert 
Woods  in  the  north-easterly  part  of  the  town.  His  wife's  name  was 
Eleanor  Stearns,  l-'revious  to  his  coming  to  Francestown,  he  resided  in 
South  Reading,  Mass.,  here  liis  son,  Joseph,  was  born,  his  other  chil- 
dren were:  twin  sons,  unmarried;  Phoebe,  who  married  Aaron  Russell 
of  Wilton  in  17!(2;  Sally,  who  died  in  Francestown,  unmarried,  Feb., 
1.S08.     His  wife  died  Nov.  8,  1812,  he  died  April  28,  1821. 


GILBERT.  7  31 

JOSEPH  GILBEET  came  to  Francestown  with  his  father,  Laraford 
Gilbert,  when  ten  years  of  age.  -He  was  born  in  South  Heading,  Sept. 
24,  1772,  and  married  Hannah  Eoby  of  Mont  Vernon,  Aug.  29,  1799, 
and  died  Sept.  13,  ISoO,  his  wife  was  born  Sept.,  1779  in  Mont  Vernon, 
and  died  Aug.  14,  ISOS.     Children  all  born  in  Francestown  were: — 

1.  WiLLiAAL,  [1).  May  4,  1800,  m.  Ma-ry  Ranirer  of  Hollis,  Dec. 

4,  1827,  slie  was  b.  in  I)uMstal)le  (now  Naslma),  Se])t.  20, 
1809.  He  was  by  trade  a  cooper,  though  unpretentious, 
he  was  a  vig(n-ous  sn[)})ortei'  of  an  excellent  moral  code,  and 
a  tireless  defender  of  his  religious  convictions,  the  names 
of  liis  cliildren  prove  Iiim  to  have  been  a  man  of  peculiar 
mental  resources,  he  d.  Jan.  3, 1889.  His  children  were  : — 
Alhert  Auf/vsfns,  (b.  Oct  2-1,  1829,  m.  Roxana  Follansbee  of 

Mont  Vernon,  Feb.  26,  1880,  farmer,  res.  in  Milford.) 
Adeline  Augusta,   (b.  in   Hollis,   Oct.  13,  1834,  d.   in   New 

Boston,  Feb.  7,  18.^)5.) 
Almira  Ammuhi,  ( b.  Aug.  23,  1830,  d.  Sept.  24,  1853.) 
Aulamlo  Aii(/H.^//')ie,  (b.  Nov.  (5,  1838,  d.  Nov.  20,  1839.) 
Adna  Aiirood,  (b.   Aug.  21,  1840,  m.  Martha  A.  Lindse}-  of 
Manchester,  Mch.  22,1800,  a  farmer,  res.  in  Mont  Vernon.] 
Andrew  Alison,  (h.  June  22,  1843,  d.  April  1,  1858.) 
Aur/eom  Anf/i/ettr,  ( b.  May  23,  1847,  m.  Eri  Harvey  of  Man- 
chester, Nov.  10,  1870,  res.  in  Francestown.) 
Austin  A)in  Anfiiu'tfe,  (b.  Fel).  15,  1850,  m.  Joseph  A.  Whit- 
temore  of  Providence,  H.  I.,  Nov.  29,  1876,  died  April  27, 
1880  in  Providence.)] 

2.  Hannah,  [b.  Aug.  20,  1802,  m.  William  Starrett  of  New 

Boston,  May  31,  1830,  d.  March  3,  1881.] 

3.  Eleanor,   [b.  July  24,  1804,  m.  Thomas  Gove  of  Weare, 

Aug.  28,  1823,  d.  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  Feb.  13,  1871.] 

4.  Joseph,  [b.  Dec.  13,  1800,  a  shoemaker,  d.  Nov.  14,  1847.] 

5.  Sarah,   [b.  April  29,  1809,  m.  Willard  Colburn  of  New 
•  Boston,  July  10,  1832,  d.  Dec.  13,  1885  in  Manchester.] 

6.  Hirah,  [b.  April  10,  1810,  m.  Mmy  A.  Wilson  of  Columbia, 

Penn.,  May  31,  1838,  is  by  trade  a  carpenter.  He  went 
in  1831,  to  North  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  from  which  place  he 
went  with  seven  others,  to  the  state  of  Michigan,  where  lie 
spent  the  suiumer  of  1834,  after  which  he  returned  to 
Francestown,  where  he  remained  until  Dec.  1,1830,  when 


732  GENEALOGIES. 

lie  removed  to  Peinisylvjiiiiii,  iuul  resided  in  ("oliinibia, 
Lancast(;r  (-o.,  eiglit  years,  aftei'  which  la;  \\vj\t  to  Oliio,  re- 
luaiiiiiit;"  tliere  eight  3'ears,  wliere  lie  lillcil  \]\e  ollice  of 
jiistiee  of  the  ])eace.  He  lived  from  1(S,VJ  until  ISU!*,  in 
Franeestown,  oeeii[)ying  the  MeLiUic  house  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  town.  lie  returned  to  ()hi(i  in  ISdt),  and  suh- 
sequenlly  removed  to  JNlilford,  India.na,,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. His  wife,  Mary  A.  (W'ilson)  (Jilhert,  was  hoin  in 
Lancaster,  Penn.,  Feh.  20,  l8l  1.      Their  ehildien: — 

Eliza  ■Jii)ii\  ( ]>.  in  ('olnmhia,  Penn..  .Jan.  ol,  IS:)!),  m.  Moody 
(^innd)y  of  Manchester,  March  24,18(54,  d.  in  Manchester, 
.\\\\w  1»,  iSdC.) 

HanKdli  .!.,  (h.  in  ('(iliind)ia,  Penn.,  Mai'ch  24,  1841,  res.  in 
Milfonl.   Indiana.) 

Rtu'Iieh  M.,  (1).  in  (diestei-  Co.,  ]*enn..  Dee.  G,  1848,  died  in 
Ohio,  Pel).  IT),  1802.) 

LavlnJa  *S'.,    (1).    in    Seneca    Co.,   ()hio.,   June    1  < ^   1 84(^   m. 
Augustine  Ranger  of  Maine,  Feb.  20,  18()(),  d.  in  Fi'anees- 
town,  April,  1877.) 
WilUam  JL,  (b.  in  Seneca  Co.,  Ohio,  Dec.  20,  1848.  m.  Mabel 
McVay  of  Ohio,  is  a  physician  in  Ohio.) 

Sarah  Lcsfina,  (  b.  in  Ohio,  Feb.  27,  1851,  d.  in  Ohio,  Oct.  9, 
1852.) 

Abhie  E.^  (b  in  Franeestown,  March  5, 1853.  res.  in  Milford, 
Ind.) 

AdaJine  Ella,  (b.  in  Franeestown,  Marcli  31,  185tj,  m.  Abra- 
liam  Silvoiis  of  Virginia,  Aug.  29,  1874,  res  in  Indiana.)] 

7.  Adna,  [b.  Oct.  11,  1813,  m.  Mary  Dodge  of  New  Boston, 

Dec.  15,  1836,  is  a  farmer,  res.  in  Roseville,  111.] 

8.  Mary  E.,   [b.  Dec.  21,  1815,  m.   Nathan  N.  Maxfieid    of 

Epping,  Sept.  12,  1857,  d.  in  Franeestown,  Oct.  11, 1884.] 

9.  Eliza  J.,  [b.  Jan.  13,  1819  in  Franeestown,  m.  David  R, 

Wliittemore  of  Salislniry,  Nov.  27, 1842,  res.  in  Providence, 
R.  L] 

10.  Lestina,  [b.  Dec  3,  1822  in  Franeestown,  m.  Sylvanns  G. 

Wood  of  Topsham,  Vt.,  Dec.  16,  1858,  d.  Oct.  18,  1853  in 
Franeestown.] 

11.  Lavinia,  [Twin  sister  of  Lestina,  d.  ijr  Franeestown,  July 

29,  1852.] 


(lELlNIAN,    GLOVEH,    GORDON.  738 

GILMAN. 

GEORGE  W.  GILMAN  came  here  in  1S84  from  Greenfield.  He  is 
the  son  of  Jason  and  Persis  F.  (Morse)  Gihnan,  and  was  horn  at  Haver- 
hill, Mass,  March  17,  1S40.  lie  married,  1st,  Emma  J.  Peiry  of  Deer- 
field,  Mass.,  Nov.,  ISOC,  and  resided  several  years  in  Salem,  Mass.  lie 
married,  2nd,  Emma  II.  Shorey,  daughter  of  Oliver  and  Hannah  (Hand) 
Shoi'ey.  She  was  l)orn  in  Eliot,  Maine,  Jan.  23,  1K48.  Mr.  Gilman 
has'lived,  during  his  i-e.sidence  here,  on  the  place  long  occupied  i)y 
Smith  Follansl)e(!.     lie  is  a  farmer  by  vocation.     Gliildren  are: — 

1.  Wilson  (I.,  [1..  in  Salem,  Mass,  Nov.  25,  1870.] 

2.  Maud  Tena,  [b.  in  Canaan,  April  7,  1878.] 

3.  Ray,  [b.  in  C^anaau,  Dee.  7,  1880.] 

4.  Edith  L.,  [b.  in  (Jreeniield,  Dec.  2,  1882.] 

5.  Peuley  S.,  [b.  in  Fi'an(;est()wn,  June  12,  1885.] 

GLOA^ER. 

JESSE  GLOVER  came  here  about  the  year  ISOO.  He  lived  several 
years  in  the  Dea.  Fiske  house,  and  worked  in  tlie  blacksmith  shop 
once  occupied  l)y  Josiah  (lUtlei'son.  He  also  lived  on  tlie  l>lack  place 
wliere  he  also  worked  at  his  trade.  Moreover,  he  made  the  Holmes 
Balch  place  his  home  for  a  while,  and  it  is  possible  tliat  he  lived  in 
other  places  in  the  town,  since  he  was  evidenlly  given  to  much  moving. 
He  is  said  to  have  l)een  a  very  social  man  and  to  have  rivalled  Draper 
as  a  "marvelous  story-teller".  He  was  living  in  town  as  late  as  1818. 
We  are  informed  that  lu'  had  a  daughter, 'Lydia,  and  we  learn  in  a  nec- 
rological  memorandum  that  an  infant  child  of  Jesse  Glover  died  here 
Dec.  24,  181"),  also  that  Polly  (41ovi'r  died  here  April  27,  1817.  The 
town  Records  contain  the  following: — ''Jjecca  Chickering,  dau.  of  .lesse 
and  Polly  Glover,  boiMi  July  20,  17U8.  Polly,  dan.  of  Jesse  and  Polly 
Glover,  born  Feb.  10,  1800,  died  April  24,  1817.  Nancy,  dan.  of  Jesse 
and  Polly  Glover,  born  Oct.  20, 1802.  Ira  Draper,  sou  of  Jesse  and 
Polly  Glover,  born  March  23,  1805.  Jesse,  son  of  Jesse  and  Deborah 
Glover,  born  May  2(1,  1810.  Henr}',  son  of  Jesse  Glover  and  his  wife, 
born  Jan.  24,  1818.  Deborah  Ruhard,  dau.  of  Jesse  (dover  and  his 
wife,  born,  Aug.  22,  1818." 

GORDON. 

THOMAS  GORDON  of  Eastford,  Conn.,  mairied  Nancy  Lewis, 
daughter  of  Aaron  Lewis  of  this  town,  and  lived  more  than  thirt}'  years 
on  the  Aaron  Lewis  place  on  the  northern  slope  of  Lyndeboro'  Moun- 
tain. He  was  a  tax  payer  in  this  town  as  early  as  1S20.  His  wife  died 
here  May  19,  18G0,  aged  03  years. 


734  GENEALOGIES. 

GOVE. 

EZRA  COLLINS  GOVE,  son  of  Josiah  and  Rebecca  (Rreed)  Gove, 
was  born  at  Weare,  March  1.^>,1S17.  He  married  Hannah  Eaton  Brad- 
ford of  FraiKtestown,  Oct.  20,  1S41,  was  for  several  years  a  niei'chant  at 
Lowell,  Mass,  where  he  died  Feb.  27, 1854.  After  his  death,  his  widow 
returned  to  Francestown,  where  she  lived  a  few  years  at  the  home  of 
her  parents.  She  married  Ebenezer  (iove  of  Weare,  .Ian.  Ki,  LS62. 
He  died  Feb.  10,  1SS2.  She  now  resides  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Ed- 
ward R.  Dodue.     Children: — 

1.  ()Tis    Klwooi),  [1).  at  Coiiconl,   Oliio,   Aiitj;'.  A,  1S42,  d.  at 

Painesville,  Ohio,  June  7,  1843,] 

2.  Hannah  Fhances,  [b.  at  Painesville,  Ohio.  Sept.  2,  1844, 

cl.  at  Lowell,  Mass.,  Oct.  13,  1849.] 

3.  Martha  Bkadford,  [b.  at  Lowell,  Mass.,  Feb.  17,  1848, 

111.  Edward  B.  Dodge  of  New  Boston,  April  8,  1871,  res. 
at  Wilniot.  Children: — Charles  Edward,  b.  at  Andover, 
Jan.  1),  1872  :  William  Bradfoi-d,  b.  at  Andover,  Aug.  20, 
1873;  Waleer  Amos,  b.  at  Andover,  Ang.  20,  1873;  Mary 
Louisa,  1).  at  Andover,  May  8,  187');  Eben  (1.,  b.  at  Wil- 
niot, Oct.  20,  1877;  Hannah,  b.  at  Wilmot,  March  17, 
1880,  (1.  March  2i»,  1880;  Martha  A.,  b.  at  Wilmot,  June 
19,  1882;  Alice  Eliza,  b.  at  Wibnot,  Sept.  27,  1884; 
Robert,  b.  at  Wilniot,  July  8,  1888,  d.  Aug.  6,  1889.] 

4.  Ezra  Willie,  [b.  at  Lowell,  Mass.,  Oct.  30,  1849,  m.  Anna 

L.  Fay  of  Hard  wick,  Vt.,  Nov.  6,  1872,  res.  at  Bellows 
Falls,  Vt.  Children: — Pvuth  C,  b.  at  Wilniot,  Sept.  24, 
1870;  Ezra  Frank,  b.  at  Bellows  Falls,  Vt.,  June  7,  1881; 
Hannah  W.,  b.  at  Bellows  Falls,  Vt.,  July  18,  1883.] 

GOWING. 

RORFRTi  GOWING,  Ijorn  in  KUS,  came  to  this  country  from  Edin- 
burgh, Scotland.  When  a  boy  of  18,  he  was  identified  with  the  early 
settlers  of  Dedham,  Mass.,  and  in  1039  was  there  received  into  the 
the  church,  and  in  December  of  the  following  year  was  granted  six 
acres  of  land.  He  signed  a  call  and  attended  a  meeting,  Nov.  1,  1044, 
which  took  measures  and  established  what  is  claimed  to  have  been  the 
first  free  school  in  America.  He  was  afterward  a  farmer  in  what  is 
now  Lynnfield,  Mass.,  where  he  died  .June  7,  109H.  He  married  at 
Dedham,  Oct.  21,  1044,  Elizabeth  Rrock,  born  at  Stradbrook,  England. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  Rrock,  who  were  settled 
in  Dedham  as  early  as  1039,     John  Rrock,  their  son,  was  the  first  grad- 


GO  WING.  (do 

uate  from  Dedham  at  Harvard  College  in  l(i4().  He  Vjecame  a  distin- 
guished minister  of  the  gospel,  and  settled  in  Heading,  Mass.,  in  l()(j2. 
John2  Gowing,  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Ijrock)  Gowing,  was  born 
Dec.  U,  1G45.  His  son,  Daniel3,born  Sept.  2,  16(S8,  married  Esther 
Damon  of  Heading,  Mass.  DanieH,  their  son,  was  born  Oct.  28,  1729, 
and  married  Sarah  Barnett,  Oct.  3,  1753,  Joseph^,  son  of  Daniel  and 
Sarah,  was  born  Nov.  24,  1761,  and  maiTied  Sarah  Ilarnden,  Nov.  27, 
1788.  NathantJ  Gowing,  who  once  resided  in  Francestown,  was  their 
son. 

NATHAN  GOWING  "of  Wilmington,  Mass.",  son  of  Joseph  and 
Sarah  (Harnden)  Ciowing,  was  born  Nov.  7,  1805.  He  married  Sarah 
Sawyer  of  Greenfield,  Oct.,  1821).  She  was  the  daughter  of  Joslah  and 
Sarah  (Gowing)  Sawyer  of  Gi'eentield,  and  was  a  relative  of  her  husband. 
She  was  born  July  11, 1802,  and  died  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  15, 1803. 
Nathan  Gowing  came  here  from  Greenfield  in  1837  or  1838,  and  occu- 
pied for  aljout  0  years  the  Kolx-rt  Dutlertield  place,  afterwood  often  called 
the  (iowing  place.  He  returned  to  (ireenlield  in  1S45  oi-  ISlO,  thence 
he  removed  to  Hooksett,and  in  1S57  to  Syracuse,  X.  "^'..  wheic  lie  died 
Dec.  7, 1887.     His  children :— 

1.  Nathan  Adams,  [1).  July  2,  1882,  m.  Elizal.clh  MciTill  of 

Goffstown,  Sept.  21,  1855.     One  son: — 
Frank  Adamx,  (1).  in  Maii(;hester,  May  2(1,  lS5(i.)] 

2.  JosKPH  Sawyeu,  (b.  Nov.  11,  1835,  in.  Anna  K.  Wright  of 

Bridgeport,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  4,  1875.     Children:  — 
Ethel  Sarah,  (1).  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y .,    June  15,  1878.) 
Martha  Ami,  (b.  in  Syracuse,  May  1,  188o.)] 

3.  Daniel  Henry,  [b.  Oct.  4, 1844,  m.,  1st,  Fraiujcs  L.  Alvord 

of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  31,  1876,  2iid,  Cora  Jdelhi  Ken- 
you  at  Syracuse,  Dec.  20,  1883,  res  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Children  by  first  marriage: — 
Helen  Louise, '{h.  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  1*J,  1877.) 
Sarah  French,  (b.  in  Syracuse,  July  19,  1881.) 

Children  by  second  marriage : — 

Nathan  HutvarJ,  (b.  in  Syracuse,  Oct.  1,  1880. ) 
Mary  Naomi,  (b.  in  Syracuse,  July  25,  1888.) 
Daniel  Henri/,  (b.  in  Syracuse,  May  10,  1892.)] 


736  GENEALOGIES. 

GREEN. 

JOHN  (tKEEN  lived  in  tlic  north-west  part  of  the  town  on  tlu; 
Moore  or  Gillis  i)lace  an  early  as  17\)'2.  Was  taxed  here  in  17'J'.].  lie 
and  Francis  Green  (probably  his  oldest  son,)  were  assigned  to  school- 
district  No.  1,  or  Gibson  district,  in  ISOi;.  Jolm  (Jreen  seems  to  have 
had  sons;  Francis,  Uichard,  .John,  Thomas  and  Sammd.  The  three  first 
named  wcix'  taxed  here  in  1S12. 

(JKEGG. 

I)A\'iI)  (.!;!•;(;(;.  a  rcvolntionary  soldier  from  this  town,  owned,  in 
tlie  eaily  days  of  I  he  town,  abont  one-half  of  the  Dr.  Eaton  farm.  It 
is  proliable,  howevei',  that  he  made  bnt  a  short  stay  here,  sinc'c  the  deed 
given  to  Moses  lOaton  beai's  date,  Nov.  Ki,  I7s4.  In  that  instrument, 
he  is  tei'mcd  a  wheelwi-ight. 

GRIMES. 

.JOHN  (ilvIM  ES,  [)r(ilial)ly  a  nalive  id'  Loiiddiideiis  ,  came  liere  I'l-iim 
Greenliidd  about  the  yvnv  ISlO,  ,ind  live(l  (»n  llie  IJenjamin  Dulton 
place.  He  returned  to  (Jreenlield  and  died  it  that  town.  His  children 
were : — 

1    Melinda,  [b.  in  Greeulield,  Jan.  2,  ISO'S,  m.  James  B.  Ross, 
Jan.  1,  1S24,  d.  July  30,  1S44.] 

2.  LuciNDA,  [1).  in    Erancestown   in  1810,  ni.  .John   Cndwoitli 

of  Gi'eenfield,  res.  in  Nashua.] 

3.  Mai;\'  Ann,  [!>.  in   Erancestown  in  1820,  ni.  James  Holmes, 

res.  at  San  Ei-aiicisco,  Gal.] 

4.  John,  [b.   in    Erancestown,  Jan.   2,  1820,  m.,  1st,  Maiulaiia 

Chamberlain  of  Mason,  2n(l.  Emily  Ghase  of  Hudson,  re- 
moved to  Greenlield  when  14  years  of  a^e,  wliere  lie  died 
Eeb.  25,  1889.] 

5.  Mai^GAKET,  [b.  in  Erancestown,  d.  i]i  Gj'eenlield.] 

0.  Sakah,  [b.  in  Erancestown  in  182t),  m.  Ivenben  Dutton,  res. 

in  Hancock.] 

GEOKGP^  GlllMEvS,son  of  .John  and  Mandana  (Chand)erlain)  (irimes, 
was  born  at  Greenlield,  Nov.  lio,  1851,  m.  Hosetta  M.  Sawyer,  Nov.  Ki, 
ISSl.  She  was  boi-n  at  Greensboro',  Vt.,  -July  25,  1S55.  They  came 
to  Erancestown  to  reside  in  1S!)2.  Mv.  (irimes  is  l)y  vocation  a  farmer. 
One  child: — 

1.  Erank  a.,  [b.  in  Greenlield,  Oct.  22,  1885.] 


GUILD.  737 

THOMAS  GlllMES  married  Marllui,  daui^liter  of  Peter  and  Mary 
Woodbury  of  tliis  town,  Sept.  10,  ISlS.  He  was  employed  several  years 
in  the  store  of  Peter  Clark.  His  daughter,  who  informs  us  that  he  re- 
moved to  Windsor,  Vt.,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  ."jO,  thinks  that  he 
could  hardly  have  been  called  a  citizen  of  this  town. 

GUILD. 

The  Guilds  were  of  Scotch  race.  The  name  is  lirst  recorded  in 
America  in  Dedham,  Mass.,  where  two  brothers  and  a  sister  (.Tohn, 
Samuel  and  Ann,)  ai'rivcd  fron)  Scothmd  as  early  as  1().'!().  Ann  mar- 
ried James  Alk'n.  Sanuiel  went  to  Newbury,  Mass.,  and  thence  to 
Haverhill,  Mass.,  (1(;41,)  where  he  died  Feb.  'Jl ,  l(iS4,  leaving  numer- 
ous descendants. 

JOHN  (UTILl)  was  admitted  to  tlie  church  in  Dedlisim,  .Inly  17, 
1()4().  Was  (»nt'  of  the  original  gi'antei's  of  that  town.  Married  Eliza- 
beth (Jrooke  of  iioxbury,  April  24,  KUo;  aud  died  Oct.  4,  l(iS2.  Among 
the  seven  children  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Crooke)  Guild  was  Samuel, 
who  was  born  Sept.  7,  l(*i47;  married  Mary  Woodcock,  Sept.  21),  KwM; 
and  died  Jan.  1,  17o0.  Among  the  ten  children  of  Samuel  and  Miiry 
(Woodcock)  Guild  was  -Joseph,  who  was  born  Sept.  19,  l(>Vt4,  and  died 
Oct.  24, 1751.  Joseph  mari-ied,  1st,  Abigail  Fisher;  2nd,  Abigail  Curtis; 
3rd,  Jkilah  Buck.     Hal  twelve  children. 

JOSEPH  GUILD,  Ji;.,  son  of  .Joseph  and  Abigail  (Curds)  (Juild,  was 
born  May  11,  17.'i.-);  married  Miriam  Draper;  and  died  Dec.  2S,  171»4. 
Joseph,  Ji'. ,  known  as  Capt.  Guild,  always  lived  in  Dedham,  his  native 
town.  \\as  an  upi-ight,  energetic  and  greatly  useful  man.  Was  cap- 
tain of  the  Minute  men  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  llevolution.  "When 
the  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  reached  Dedham,  Capt.  .Josei)h 
Guild  led  the  Minute  men;  and  meeting  one  who  declared  the  alarm 
false,  he  siezed  him  with  his  own  hand,  gagged  him,  and  left  him  under 
the  charge  of  one  of  his  own  men,  lest  the  report  should  reach  nu)re  v/il- 
ling  ears."  He  led  his  command  at  Ticonderoga,  Montreal,  and  other 
places.  W^as  muster-master;  was  on  Committee  of  Safety;  aud  after  the 
war,  held  many  offices,  the  highest  that  the  town  could  give. 

JOSEPH  GUILD,  son  of  Joseph  and  Miriam  (Draper)  (iuild,  was 
born^March  14, 1760,  being  5tli  in  descent  from  John  named  tirst  above. 
He  married  Rebecca  Felton  of  Dedham,  Feb.  10,  1789.  In  the  spring 
of  the  same  year,  he  came  to  Francestown.  He  and  Fuller  bought  to- 
gether a  large  tract  of  land,  which  they  afterwards  divided,  settling 
side  by  side.  The  soapstone  was  all  found  on  Fuller's  part.'  He  died 
in  Francestown,  April  1,  1802.  His  wife  died  in  Boston,  March  25, 
184.3.     Their  children,  all  born  in  Francestown,  were  as  follows: — 


738  GENEALOCIES, 

1.  Danikl,  [1).   April    20,  1702:   ni.   Betsey   Whipple  of  New 

Boston,  1818;  d.  Dec.   23,   1828;   was  nine  yeai's  select- 

inaii.      His  wife  died  Dec.  1,  185-1.      Children: 
Li(rrcti<(,  (1).  Nov. -27,  1810;  ni.  Sainuel  1>.  Ilodye  of  Fraii- 

cesiown,  June  24,  1846.) 
Miranda,  (h.  April  13,  1823;  d.  May  3,  1830.) 
Beti^ey  3Iaria,  (b.  Feb.  16,  1827;   ni.  Daniel   MeCaiiie,  Nov. 

28,1850,) 

Daniel  rjuild  was  town-clerk  in  l^'rancestown  many  years.] 

2.  Isaac,  [b.  May  16,  1704;   ni.  Betsey  Tracy  of  Acworth,  N. 

II.,  Dec.  28,1810.  Kept  store  in  KrancestowJi  from  1810 
to  1830,  when  he  moved  to  Lowell,  and  d.  thei'c,  Aug.  0, 
1854.  His  wife  d.  in  Manehesler,  N.  H.,  April  8,  1857. 
He  was  nine  years  town  elerh.  Was  Post-master  foi- some 
years,  and  a  man  of  intluence  in  the  town.  Had  seven 
chihh'en,  all  born  in  Fraiicestown,  as  follows: — 

a,'nn/e  F,'lln,i,  (b.  Oei.  28,  1820;  m.  Mary  A.  Barnet  of 
Nashua,  wlio  d.  in  Maiden,  INIass.,  Fel).  6,  1854;  m.  2iid, 
Adeline  Marsh  of  Litchlield.  Has  been  for  thii-t}'  years  a 
wholesale  gi'oeer  in  Boston.  One  son,  (xeorge  Barnet,  was 
b.  Jan.  27,  1840,  m.  Mar}^  A.  (ireene  of  Arlington,  Mass., 
and  resides  in  Chelsea.  His  only  other  child,  Charles 
Marsh,  was  b.  Sept.  23,  1858,  and  d.  Nov.  23,  1863.) 

Charles  3Iason,  (b.  April  5, 1822 ;  went  to  California  in  1850  ; 
d.  in  Sacramento,  Oct.  21,  1861.) 

CaroUne  FAlzaheth,  (b.  Oct.  20,  1824;  m.  Charles  F.  Living- 
ston of  Manchester,  June  16, 1852  ;  children,  Emma  Guild, 
b.  Sept.  11,  1856,  and  d.  Sept.  14,  1858,  and  Frank  Chan- 
ning  and  EdAvard  Guild,  twins,  b.  Nov.  10,  1858.  The 
latter  d.  Sept.  21,  1865.) 

Hernij  Chase,  (b.  Aug.  10,  1826;  m.  Lucy  M.  Sawyer  of 
Boston,  Nov.  5,  1840.  Has  ehildren,  Harry  T.,  Albert  S., 
and  Thomas  G.) 

Emily  Bnnvn,  (b.  Aug.  24,  1820;  m.  James  T.  Fisher  of 
Boston,  June  21,  1854.  He  died  Aug.  7,  1864.  Had 
children,  Herbert  G.  and  Arthur  L.) 

Imac  On\  (b.  June  10,  1831;  m.  Mary  Stiles  Paul  in  Lowell, 
Oct.  7,  1857.     liesides  in  Lynn.     Has  been  in  the  marble 


GUTTEIISON,    HADLEY.  739 

business  for  tliirty  years.  Has  children,  Irving  Tracy  and 
Sydne}'  Paul.) 
Albert  Daniel,  (b.  Oct.  28,  1832;  m.  Marion  A.  Grennell  of 
Chicago,  who  d.  April  29,  1873;  ni.,  2nd,  Helen  F.  Gren- 
nell of  tlie  same  city.  Children: — Emma  M.,  Cliarles  G., 
Carrie  F.,  and  Helen  T.)] 

3.  Charles  F.,  [b.  June  19,1799;  m.  Achsah   Witherspoon 

of  Antrim.  Lived  in  Concord,  where  his  wife  d.  Dec.  21, 
1879.  His  own  death  occurred  it  that  city,  July  25,  1879. 
Children  were : — Nancy  Jane,  Rebecca  Felton,  and  Miranda 
Frances.] 

4.  JosEPHA,  [l)orn  Dec.  28,  1801;  m.  Mark  Fisher  in  1827. 

Subsequently  they  moved  to  Boston,  where  he  became  a 
flour  merchant.  He  died  Feb.  27,  1862.  They  had  chil- 
dren, Catherine  G.,  Horace  B.,  and  Ellei^  M.  Mrs.  Josepha 
Fisher  died  Feb.  27,  1885.] 

GUTTERSON. 

JOSIAH  GUTTERSON  VwvaI  in  the  Jonathan  Fiske  house  near 
Edward  Bixby's  rei^idence.  Tie  was  a  blacksmith  and  had  a  shop  near 
his  house.  He  came  here  aljout  171)r).  His  wife  was  IJaehel  8aw3er, 
a  native  of  Dracut,  Mass.  Jnsiah  Guttersou  was  l)orn  at  Pelham,  and 
is  said  to  have  married  a  sliovl  lime  previous  to  his  comiu"'  to  tliis  town. 
He  removed  to  Weare  Center  in  ISIO.  lie  died  at  tlie  age  of  57  years. 
His  wife  died  at  tlie  ao;e  of  (W  years.     ( )ne  child  was  l)orn  in  this  town: — 

1.  Nathan,  [b.  Man;li  8,  179ii,  m.  Sara  Atwood,  aiul  settU^d 
in  Weare,  but  removed  to  Dunbarton  ami  ai'ter\\;irds  to 
Henniker,  \\lici'e  he  died  Dec.  2,  1872.] 

HADLEY. 

STILLMAN  HADLEY  came  here  from  Peterboro'  in  1884  with  his 
son,  Stephen  J.  Hadley,  and  pvu'chased  the  Leonard  Spaulding  farm, 
upon  which  they  lived.  Stillman  Hadley  was  born  at  Bow,  Nov.  L"), 
1807,  and  married  Mary  A.  AVheeler  of  Dunbarton,  April  4,  18;i4.  He 
was  Ity  trade  a  blacksmith.  Both  father  and  son  brouu'ht  with  tluan 
to  this  town,  a  good  i-epulation,  which  they  full}-  sustained  during  their 
brief  sojourn  here.  Stilhnan  Iladley  died  here,  June  IC),  1887.  His 
widow  still  resides  at  the  late  home  of  her  husband  and  son.  She  was 
l)orn  at  Dunbarton,  April  !),  LSll. 

STEPHEN  J.  HADLEY,  son  of  Stillman  Hadley,  was  born  in  Bow, 
Oct.  ;H  ,  1848.     He  married,  Aug.  23, 1875,  Sarah  Heald ,  born  at  Temple, 


740  GENEALOGIES. 

Apill  20,  M^r,{).  She  was  the  dauohtor  of  Eli  B.  and  Susan  (Collins) 
Ileakl.  T\\r  former  was  born  at  T(Mni)l{',  Feb.  22,  1S04,  the  latter  was 
born  at  ^Vnsoii,  Me.,  Nov.  26,  1S12.  Sti'])bi'n  Hadley  was  an  upright 
and  kind  licartcd  man.  He  died  in  Ibis  lown,  Oel.  14,  ISST.  His  chil- 
di-en  ai'e: — 

1.  Wallack  S.,  [1).  ill  Temple,  Oct.  IK,  1870.] 

2.  Pehley  W.,  [1).  in  reterbovcV,  April  <»,  1878.] 

3.  Jennie  M.,  [h.  in  Franeestowii,  Nov.  17,  .1884.] 

4.  CoKA  B.,  [1).  ill  Kriuicestowii,  An<^.  10,  1886.] 

IIALI>. 

Dea.  niClIAlJl)  HALL  lived  in  liindiord,  Mass.  in  1(')7()  and  some 
years  previous,  and  his  second  son  by  liis  lirst  Avife,  Al)igail  Dalton, 
was  Richard  Hall,  Jr.,  b.  Feb.  (5,  KiTd.  Richard,  Jr.  m.  Hannah  Kit- 
tredge,  lived  in  l»illej-ica,  Mass.,  and  died  there,  Jan.,  IToS.  Samuel 
Hall,  son  of   Wicbard,  Jr.  and  Hannali,  was  b.  Jan.  11,  17(t7  ;  :ind  had 

a.  son,  William,  b.  in  17.")(i.  William  moved  to  Brookline,  married  Mary 
Fletcher,  Oct.  30,  1764,  and  d.  July  24,  1797.  His  son,  William  Hall, 
Jr.,  was  b.  at  liillerica,  Mass.,  April  (;,  176.");  m.,  1st,  Mary  Mcintosh, 
Jan.  6, 17S9;  2nd,  Elizabeth  Gibson,  Feb.,  1809..    The  first  wife  d.  Aug. 

5.  1808,  leaving  seven  children;  the  2nd  wife  d.  Dec.  13,  182.5,  leaving 
five  children.  William  Hall,  Jr.  died  Aug.  9,  1852.  The  oldest 
child  of  William,  Jr.  and  Elizabeth  ((lil)son)  Hall  was  James  Harvey, 

b.  June  22,  iSld.  Had  no  educational  ad\antages,  except  the  connnon 
schools  of  his  native  town,  and  those  only  in  the  winter,  yet  l>y  diligent 
improvement  obtained  what  was  then  called  a  "fair  education".  IHs 
father  was  a  cooper  as  well  as  farmer;  and  they  were  accustomed  to  get 
out  material  in  tlie  winter,  working  it  out  by  hand,  making  barrels, 
and  drawing  them  with  ox-teams  to  ]]oston.  The  son  drove  an  ox-team 
thus  loaded  to  Boston,  at  the  age  of  12  years.  He  worked  with  his 
father  in  cooper-shop  and  on  the  farm  till  he  became  of  age.  He  then 
(summer  of  1831,)  went  to  Lyndeboro'  and  commenced  coopering  busi- 
ness for  himself,  going  into  the  woods  and  getting  out  his  material  by 
hand  and  doing  all  the  work  in  the  same  laborious  way.  Mr.  Hall  was 
a  great  lover  of  music  and  was  the  leader  of  a  Band  in  Lyndeboro'. 
Mr.  Hall  used  to  say  that  he  was  the  "only  member  of  the  Ijand  that 
refused  to  drink  liquor  of  any  kind,  and  was  the  only  one  tliat  did  not 
fill  a  drunkard's  grave"!  Mr.  Hall  united  with  the  Congregational 
Church  in  Lyndeboro';  m.  MaryjAnn,  dan.  of  Maj.  Nehemiah  lioutwell 
of  that  town,  Nov.  10, 1835;  soon  after  moved  to  Francestown;  bought 
the  house  in  Mill  Village  formerly  owned  and  occupied  by  Luther 
Cowan,  taking  the  deed  under  date  of  Aug.  18, 1835.  In  the  spring  of 
1840,  on  account  of  the  age  and  infirmity  of  his. parents,  he  returned  to 
Brookline  to  care  for  them.     There  he  conducted  farming  on  a  large 


HALL.  741 

scale.  He  also  engaged  extensivi-h'  in  burning  charcoal,  not  in  old- 
fasliioned  "coal-pits",  but  in  brick  kilns  built  for  the  purpose.  This 
business  proved  very  remunerative.  He  also  carried  on  a  saw-mill, 
planing-mill,  and  grist-mill.  Was  a  man  of  untiring  energy  and  hard 
work,  a  diligent,  efficient,  honest  business  man.  He  began  with  noth- 
ing, and  helped  to  support  his  parents;  but  he  became  the  owner  of 
more  than  1000  acres  of  land;  and  his  property  was  appraised  at  over 
.1|>100,000.  Yet  he  was  a  large  and  generous  giver  to  every  good  cause. 
His  subscription  for  the  supjiort  of  preaching  was  !i?22o.  per  year,  and 
he  left  several  thousand  dollars  for  the  support  of  the  church.  He  lie- 
gan  to  give  for  the  suj)port  of  I  he  (iosixd  ;it  the  age  of  l(i,  poor  as  he 
then  was,  and  used  to  attribute  his.pecuniar}'  success  in  life  to  "God's 
blessing  on  his  constant  efforts  to  support  the  gospel".  AVas  an  "ardent 
temperance  man  and  total  abstainer"  all  his  dajs.  "Was  justice  of  the 
peace  for  Hillsboro'  County.  Represented  Brookline  in  the  Legislature, 
ISO!)  and  1S70.  Mr.  Tlidl  niai'iird,  I'nd,  Mary  J.,  dau.  ot  iMatlhew  A. 
and  Jane  W.  (Christie)  Fisher  of  this  town,  Oct.  20,  1X5;}.  She  has 
been  teacher  of  the  same  Sundtiy  School  class  from  May  following- 
above  date  to  the  present  time  (1SS7,),  being  over  ;>.'!  years.  A  most 
efficient  and  excellent  woman.  Mr.  Hall  died  Aug.  1."),  1S74,  i-esi)ecl(Ml 
and  loved  by  all,  his  long  christian  life  ending  in  christian  ])eace.  Had 
five  children,  all  by  the  first  wile,  wlin  dii'd  .Tan.  24,*1S,").'!.  The  second 
Avife  retains  the  quiet,  beautiliil  Jioinc  in  IJrookline.  The  children 
were: — 

1.  Mary   Frances,   [b.    at    Fi-ancestdwii,   Dec.  4,  183(>;    m. 

Geoi'ge  W.  Peabody  of  Anilierst,  Sept.  8,  18G8;  resided  in 
Brookline  till  liis  deatli,  Dec.  18,  1873.  Mr.  Peal)ody  was 
a  deacon  in  tlie  Cono-regalional  Cluircb,  a  most  worthy 
and  devoted  man.  Was  killed  by  l)eing'  cang'bt  on  a  shaft 
in  fiis  fatlier's  mill.  Tlie  n.otlier  and  s(»ns  uo\v  reside  in 
Ashbnrnham,  Mass.     Their  names  are: — 

James  Ud/vrad,  (b.  in  Brookline,  Aug.  21,  18<;)9.) 

G-eorge  Herbert,  (b.  Oct.  14,  1871.)] 

2.  Sarah  Elizabp:th,   [twin  sister  of  Mary  Frances  ;    d.  at 

Francestown,  Sept.  17,  1837.] 

3.  James  Boutwell,  [born  in   Bi'ookline,  Apiil  7,  1841;  m. 

Georgie  E.  Wilson  of  Nelson,  March  17,  18(33;  resided  in 
Nashua;  was  clerk  for  the  Jackson  Manufacturing  Co.;  d. 
of  quick  consumption,  Nov.  11,  1868;  was  a  pious  and 
talented  young  man;  lii.s  widow  m.  Jacob  Nichols  of  Mil- 
ford.      His  onl}'  child  was: — 


742  GENEALOGIES. 

Herbert  Elmer,  (b.  at  Naslma,  Feb.  23,  1864;  m.  Maicb  17, 
1885,  Carrie  E.  Thompson  of  Albion,  N.  Y.,  in  which  oUice 
they  now  reside.)] 

4.  Edwaim)  Thukston,  [b.  Oct.  10,  1848,  m.  Jan.  1,  18(38, 

Emily  M.  Edson  of  Brookline;  resides  in  tliat  town;  pre- 
sented the  bell  now  in  tlie  tower  of  the  Congregational 
C'hnrch;  has  two  children  : — 

Grace  Mien,  (b.  Oct.  6,  1809.) 

Gertrude  X.,  (  b.  April  19,  1874.)] 

5.  Ellen  Louisa,  [!>.  June  11,  1848;  d.  March  H,  1850.] 

lilCIIAi;!)  halt,  came  from  IVlhain  alxnU  Ihc  year  ITDG,  aiul  sot- 
lied  on  the  Favoi'  farm.  This  farm  tlieii  beloiiyed  to  Society  Laud,  but 
with  several  others  was  annexed  to  Fraueestowu  in  L'-'02,  and  so  re- 
mained until  the  ineoi'poration  of  Ijennington  in  lS4-i.  liichard  Hall 
was  l)()rn  in  Sali'ui,  X.  IL,  .Tuly  '20,  1742.  lie  was  the  son  of  Rapha 
Hall,  born  al  Bradford,  jSiass.,  Feb.  21,  1717,  son  of  John  of  liradford 
and  Methuen,  born  March  22,  1G74,  who  was  the  son  of  Dea.  Richard 
and  Martha  Hall,  who  were  in  Bradford,  Mass.  as  early  as  1G72.  The 
wife  of  John  was  Mary  Kimball,  and  the  wife  of  Rapha,  Abigail  Kim- 
ball. Richard  Hall  mai-ried  Mary  AVebster.  She  was  born  Nov.  20, 
1742,  and  died  in  Francestown,  Dec.  (5,  183().  Richard  died  in  Frau- 
eestowu, Oct.  IS,  1S34.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Mkiiitai!Le,  [b.  Sept.  20,  1764,  resided  at  Salem,  N.  H.] 

2.  Abigail,  [!>.  JaiL  20,  1766,  resided  at  Dnnstabk%  Mass.] 

3.  John,  [!>.  July  25,  1767,  resided  in  Orford.] 

4.  Stepen,  [b.  June  9,  1769,  m.  Asenath  Baxter  of  Pelham, 

Nov.  5,  1792,  died  in    Francestown,  April  17,  1808.      His 

wife  d.  at  Peterboro'.     C-hildren  were: — 
Polhf,  (b.  in  Pelham,  Nov.  1,  1793,  d.  .Oct.  22,  1795.) 
Betneij,  (b.  in  Pelham,  Feb.  16,  1795,  d.  Oct.  3,  1799.) 
Polhj,  (b.  ill  Society  Land,  now  Bennington,  F^eb.  2,  1797, 

d.  Sept.  28,  1799.) 
Kimhall  (b.  in  Society  Land,  Feb.  7,  1799,  d.  Oct.  12,1799.) 
I>=<utc   Webster,  (b.  in  Society  Land,  Oct.  10,  1800,  m.   Louis 

English  of  Orford,  was  a  farmer  in  Haverhill,  where  lie  d. 

March  15,  1877.) 
Alvahy  (b.  at  Francestown,  Nov.  14,  1802,  m.  Clarissa  Cnm- 

mings  of  Orford,  March  31,  1830,  d.  at  Elgin,  111.) 
JoJm,  (b.  at  Francestown,  Nov.  7,  1804^  went  out  west.) 
Li/dia  K.,  (b.  at  Francestown,  May  29,  1807.)] 


HALL,    HyVKDY.  743 

5.  Ebenezp:r,  [b.  Mar.  24,  1771,  m.  Meliitable  Hall,  liis  coush), 

Jan.  28,  1795,  she  was  born  April  3,  1771,  came  witL  bis 

father  to  Society  Land,  where  he  remained   until  1815, 

when  he  removed  to  Orford,  d.  in  Wentworth,  Oct.,  1845, 

his  wife  d.  in  Eden,  Vt.,  April,  1855.      Children  born  after 

leaving-  Pellium  were  : — 
Harmah,  (b.  April  18,  171M;,  d.  Oct.  3,  1790.) 
Clinrlotte,  (b.  Jan.  20,  1798,  d.  Sept.  28,  1799.) 
ClntrJotte,  (1).  Oct.  14,  1799,  m.  Robert  Witherspoon  in  1823, 

d.  at  Gnildliall,  Vt.  in  1872.) 
Li/ilid,  (b.  Nov.  0,  1800,  d.  Sept.  16,  1801.) 
Stephen,  (1).  Oct.  31,  1802,  d.  Nov.  4,  1802.) 
Richard,  (b.  March  10,  1804,  m.  Abigail  Filicld  of  Orford, 

Marcii  20,  1832,  res.  at  Thetford,  Vt.,  d.  at  Pe]iacot)k,  Feb. 

22,  1873.) 
KimhalU  (b.  Sept.  8,  1805;  d.  Oct.  23,  180(;.) 
Mary,  (b.  Dec.  18,  1800,  nnmai-ried.) 
Jahez  Holmes,  (b.  Sept.   13,  1808,  m.   Betsey   S.   Olmslcad, 

Oct.  23,  1805,  I'cs.  at  Haverhill.) 
Joshua  Khnhall,  (b.  Sept.  21,  1810,  d.  in  1825  at  Orford.) 
Rufh,  (b.  June  16,  m.  Robert  Northe}^) 
L//dia,  (b.  at  Orford  in  1817,  m.  Currier  Saiiltorn.  d.  at  North 

Stratford  in  1874.)] 

6.  Mary,  [b.  Sept.  8,  1773.] 

7.  Hannah,  [b.  Oct.  1,  1775.] 

8.  Betsf.y,  [b.  Sept.,  1777.] 

9.  Judith,  [b.  Sept.,  1779.] 

10.  Ruth,  [1).  April  12,  1781,  m.,  1st,  Moses  Favor  of  Frances- 

town.  Aug,  20,  1812,   2nd,   Benjamin   Rliodes  of  Sharon, 
Mass.,  d.  at  Brookline,  Feb.  25,  1862.] 

11.  Eunice,   [b.  March  16,  1783,  m.  Dea.  Jabez  Holmes  of 

Francestown,  Oct.  20,  1806,  d.  at  Francestown,  June  2, 
■  1862.] 

12.  I^iYDiA,  [b.  June  29,  1789,  m.  Ebenezer  Pettee  of  Frances- 
town,  Oct.  19,  1813,  d.  at  Brookline,  Jan.  5,  1868.] 

JOSEPH  HALL,  born  in  Salem,  Feb., 1751),  was  a  brotlicr  of  Eichard 
Hall,  and  also  settled  in  Society  Land.  He  married  Hannah  Carlton  in 
Pelliam,  Aug.  7,  1780,  his  children  were: — Hannah,  b.  June  20,  1781; 
Abigail,  b.  June  23,  1784;  Dorcas,  b.  Dec.  21, 1785;  Polly,  b.  March  9, 


14:4:  gp:nealogies. 

I7S;»;  lU'iijiiiniii,  1).  July  1  1791;  Martliii,  1).  Jiuic  IG,  1793;  Joseph,  b. 
Sept.  7,  1795;  Sally,  b.  March  20,  17'.)S.  Tic  was  hardly  a  citizen  of 
FraiKHslowu, 

HARDY. 

I1I';|;MAN  lIAliDV  came  liei'e  IVoin  ( Jiccnlicld  in  IS-JS,  ami  lived 
oil  llic  ^^'iIliam  Hopkins  or  llai'dy  place  near  the  southern  base  of  the 
iiKuiiitain.  He  al'terward  owned  and  occupied  the  Harrison  Hopkins 
place,  udw  the  \u>mv  of  Fred  Hopkins,  llernian'  Hardy  was  son  of 
llenjaniiii.  who  came  from  Andover,  Mass.  ;uid  settU'd  in  Greenfield  in 
isoo,  on  ihc  iarm  now  occupied  by  Si(hiey  H.  Hardy  of  thai  town. 
Keiijamin  married  Phebe  Dane;,  and  they  had  children: — John  Dane, 
Herman,  Hiram,  rhel)e,  Betsc}-,  and  Hannah,  lleiman  was  born  July 
<),  ISdO;  mai-ricd  liidief  Hopkins,  Jan.  'J'2,  IS-JS;  was  fai'nuu- and  stone- 
mason; an  indiisli-jous,  respected  and  lionest  man;  d.  in  this  town,  Aug. 
;10,  ISC,.-..  His  wife  was  born  April  C,  iSOl,  and  died  Oct.  19,  1875. 
C]iil(hvn:— 

1.  A  Cmij),  [1).  Dec.  21,  1828,  dyiii^'  saiuc,  day.] 

2.  Haimmsox    II.,  [b.  Dec.   7,1821);   I'cs.   in    Alhany,  Georgia ; 

ni.,  1st,  Ella  S.   Newton  of  tliis  town,  Jan.   10,  1869;  ni., 
2n(l,  Fannie  15.  Elliot  of  Boston,  Sept.  22,  1881.] 

3.  Maky  Jane,  [b.  Oct.  4,  1831;  d.  Jan.  8,  1853.] 

4.  RoxEY  G.,  [b.  March  13,  1833;  m.  Fnuddin  B.  Starrett  of 

this  town,  Nov.  12,  1857;  d.  Nov.  4,  1882.] 

5.  IVhLTON    II.,  [b.   Jan.  1,  1835;   m.   Mary  Jane   Marshall  of 

CTreenville,  Ang.  14, 1862  ;  is  a  stable-keeper  in  that  town  ; 
is  Post-master  of  Greenville.] 

6.  llAi:iMKT  A.,  [b.  May  16,  1837;  m.  Israel  D.  Balch  of  Fran- 

cestown,  now  of  Boston,  A}»ril  12,  I860.] 

7.  Hakyey  C,  [b.  Dec.  24,  1838;  d.  Nov.  14,  1868.] 

8.  Chaim.es  a.,  [b.  June  23,  1846;  d.  Aug.  4,  1848.] 

LUTHEll  HAUDY  was  born  in  Hollis,  Dec.  12,  1S02.  His  grand- 
father, riiiiieas  Hardy,  went  from  Bradford,  Mass.  to  Hollis  as  early  as 
17--)2.  Phineas  was  a  soldier  in  the  garrison  at  Portsmouth  in  1770,  and 
had  four  sons  also  in  the  army  of  the  Revolution.  His  son,  Jesse,  father 
of  Luther,  was  born  in  Hollis,  Dec.  19, 1700,  and  married,  1st,  Rebecca 
Bailey  in  178S,  2nd,  Rhoda  Wood,  who  was  the  mother  of  Luther.  The 
wife  of  Lutlu'r  Hardy  was  Hannah  W.  Sawtelle,  liorn  in  Brookline, 
July  S,  ISIO.  They  were  married  Feb.  23,  18.30,  and  came  here  from 
Hollis  in  1844.  Mr.  Hardy  purchased  lirst  the  Dca.  Kidder  place,  upon 
which  he  lived  many  years,  he  afterward  own-cd  and  lived  upon  the 
Park  place,  and  later  the  place  in  the  village  now  occupied  by  Pacific 


HARDY,  HARRIS.  ^  745 

L.  Clark.  He.  was  by  vocation  a  cooper  as  well  as  a  farmer.  During 
his  residence  of  more  than  thirty-four  years  in  this  town,  no  man  was 
more  highly  respected.  He  died  here,  Nov.  2,  1S7S.  His  wife  died 
in  Wilton,  Dec.  13,  1S71.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Hannah  Ophelia,  [h.  in  Ilolli.s,  Jan.  80,  l8ol,  m.  Pacific 

L.  Clark  of  Francestuwii,  Jan.  IG,  1860,  res.  at  Frances- 
town.] 

2.  Cynthia  Anna  Cornelia,  [b.  in  Hollis,  June  16,  1832,  d. 

in  Hollis,  Aug.  25,  1835.] 

3.  Fernando  Pitt,  [1).  in  Hollis,  May  9,  1834,  m.,  1st,  Mary 

Elliot  of  Decatur,  JIL,  Feb.  7,  18(30.  2nd,  Mrs.  Maria  A. 
Elliot,  Sept.  18, 1865.  3rd,  Mrs.  Louisa  Ward  of  Loving- 
ton,  111.,  May  26,  1880,  d.  in  Decatur,  Feb.  23,  1883.] 

4.  Cynthia  Anna  Cornelia,  [b.  in  Hollis,  iVpril  10,  1836, 

ni.  Henry  Epps  of  Francestown,  April  20,  1858,  d.  in  Mil- 
ford,  Oct.  29,  1883.] 

5.  GusTiN  Floyd,  [b.  in  Hollis,  Marcli  14,1838.     He  enlisted 

in  tlie  llGtli  111.  Regt.  and  died  in  the  ai-niy  hospital  in 
Memphis,  June  12,  1863.] 

6.  Margia  Louisa,  [b.  in  Hollis,  May  21,  1840,  ni.  Ceorge  F. 

Pettee  of  Francestown,  Feb.  14,  1861,  d.  in  Francestown, 
May  7,  1891.] 

7.  Susan  Elizabeth,  [b.  in  Hollis,  June  9,  1842,  d.  May  28, 

1848  in  Francestown.] 

8.  Charles  Henry,  [b.  in  Francestown,  July  30,  1844,  died 

May  31,  1848  in  Francestown.] 

9.  Fred  Eugene,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  31,  1847,  m.  Nellie 

B.  Holt  of  Lyndeboro',  April  18,  1882,  res.  in  Norfolk, 
Neb.,  is  a  dealer  in  horses  and  cattle.] 

10.  Ella  Josephine,  [b.  in  P^ancestown,  April  11,  1849,  d. 

in  Francestown,  Jan.  26,  1873.] 

11.  Emma  Francella,  [b.  in  Francestown,  May  28, 1851,  res. 
in  Francestown,  is  a  deressmaker.] 

12.  EsTELLA  Maria,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  16,  1854,  d.  in 

Francestown,  March  3,  1854.] 

HARRIS. 

OLIVER  HARRIS  married  Sally,  youngest  daughter  of  Dea.  Nathan 
Savage,  Feb.  3,  1835,  and  the  same  year  came  to  live  with  her  parents, 
who  then  occupied  what  is  still  known  as  the  Savage  place  on  Oak  hill. 


74  G  *      GENEALOGIES. 

He  subse(]uciilly  puivhased  the  "old  Haseltine  liouse",  in  which  he 
lived  until  iSf)!*,  when  he  removed  to  Lyndeboro',  where  he  died  Sept. 
20,  1870,  aged  70  years.     IIi8  children  were: — 

1.  Nathan  Savage,  [Ijorii  in  Francestown,  June  17,  1836,  m. 

Marti la  A.  'I'rafton  of  Portsmouth,  Aug.  9,  1850.  He  en- 
listed in  the  ItJtli  N.  H.  Rei^t.  and  wliile  in  a  feeble  condi- 
tion,  fell  from  a  transport  upon  wliich  tro()|)s  were  being 
conveyed  on  the  Mississip[»i  river,  and  was  drowned.  The 
date  of  his  death  is  given  as  Aug.  5,  1803.  He  left  one 
child:— 
Georiic  Traffon.  (1).  in  Rye,  March  11,  1857,  m.  Lizzie  R. 
Morse,  Dec.  31,  1801,  res.  in  Milford.)] 

2.  Sarah  E.,  [b.  in  Francestowai,  Aug.  3,  1840,  m.  Mark  E. 

Morse  of  Lyndeboro',  Jan.  30,  1871,  resides  in  I^yndcboro', 
has  two  childien: — Hariy  II.,  born  July  7,  1872;  Addie 
('..  born  Sept.  20,  1870.] 

HARTSHORN. 

SAMUEL  HARTSHORN,  father  of  Mrs.  AN'illiani  Parker,  died  in 
this  town,  Feb.  11,  1847,  aged  80  years.  Mary,  his  wife,  died  here, 
April  20,  1841,  aged  84  years.  The  graves  of  the  aged  couple  may  be 
seen  iu  the  cemetery  at  Mill  Village.  Mrs.  Parker  was  born  at  Wilton 
iu  1700,  her  parents  then  being  residents  of  that  town. 

HARVEY. 

ERI  HARVEY,  son  of  Zachariah  and  Charlotte  (Pomery)  Harvey, 
was  born  in  Charleston,  Vt.,  Jan.  19, 1835.  He  married,  first,  Hannah 
R.  Colburn  of  New  Boston,  Feb.  17,1855.  She  died  at  Manchester, 
Feb.  24,  1804,  and  he  married,  second,  Mary  L.  White  of  Manchester, 
Sept.  4,  1804.  She  dieil  at  Manchester,  July  20,  1809,  and  he  married, 
third,  Angeora  A.  Gilbert  of  Francestown,  Nov.  10,  1870.  He  came  to 
Francestown  from  Manchester  and  purchased  the  Parker  Bartlett  phice 
on  which  he  now  lives.  He  is  engaged  iu  farming  and  also  drives  a 
weekly  express  team  between  Manchester  and  this  town.  His  child- 
ren : — 

1.  Walter  E.,  [b.  in  Manchester,  Feb.  21,  1856,  m.  1st,  Ella 

B.  Reed  of  Manclicster,  July  17,  1877,  2nd,  Lavinia  G. 
Cannon  of  Mooars,N.  Y.,  Aug.  22, 1887,  res.  at  Gi'eenlield.] 

2.  Lestek  H.,  [b.  in  Goffstown,  Aug.  24,  18G0,  m.,  Annie  L. 

Gale  of  Groton,  Mass.,  Oct.  21, 1878.  She  was  born  April 
7,  1850.     They  lived  a  short  time  on  the  Willard  Carter 


HARVEY,    HASELTINE.  747 

place  after  wliich  tliey  removed  to  Barnstead  and  tlience  to 

Pittslield.     Children: — 
JcHHie  Emma^  (b.  in  Francestown,  June  23,  1883.) 
Walter  Z.,  (b.  in  Barnstead,  July  29,  ]88r).) 
Ralph  61,  (k  in  Pittsfield,  March  12,  1801.)] 

3.  Efkie  J.,  [b.  in  Manchester  May  10,186(3,  d.  at  Manchester, 

Sept.  7,  1800] 

4.  Alice  G.,    [b.  in    Manchester,  May   18,  1868,  d.  in   Man- 

chester, July  20,  1809.] 

5.  RosiP]  N.,  [b.  in   PVancestown,  Dec.  2,  1872,  d.  in    Frances- 

town,  Ann-.  18,  1873.] 

6.  Mary  C,  [b.  in  Froncestown,  Sept.  20,  1874,  m.  Albert  B. 

Stephens  of  Lyndeboro',  Apr.  9,  1891,  res.  at  New  Boston.] 

7.  Etta  A.,  [b.  in  Manchester,  June  18,  1877.] 

8.  Geor(JE  E.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  2,  1879.] 

9.  Nettie  M.  []>.  in  Francestown,  March  25,  1881] 

10.  Carime  L.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  July  2,  1885.] 

HASELTINE. 

JAMES  ^\.  HASELTINE  was  born  in  Dracut,  Mass.,  April,  1798. 
He  married  in  1814,  Frances  \V.  Kay,  daughter  of  James  and  Mehitable 
(Woodbury)  Ray  of  Mont  Vernon.  Slie  was  born  at  Mont  Vernon 
(then  the  N.  W.  Parisli  of  Audiei-st),  Jan.  13,  1794,  and  died  at  Man- 
chester, Dec.  VI,  1877.  Mr.  Ilaseltine  came  here  in  1810,  and  ((ini- 
menced  the  practice  of  law.  He  lived  in  the  Dea.  Fiske  house  some- 
time previous  to  the  erection  of  his  flue  brick  residence,  now  the  home 
of  Thomas  E.  Bixby.  His  Law  Office  stood  on  the  ground  between  the 
Downes  Store  and  the  Hotel.  It  is  now  the  "Hatter's  Shop"  owned  by 
Charles  A.  Vose.  James  W.  Ilaseltine  was  one  of  the  men  who  gave 
the  town  "its  fame  and  history  and  pomp  of  old  renown".  He  was  ah 
able  lawyer,  a  man  of  fine  physique  and  a  superior  conversationalist. 
He  died  in  this  town,  Sept.  20,  1849.  His  children  were  Itoi'u  in  this 
town.     They  were: — 

1.  Mary  F.,  [b.  March  29,  1815,  m.  Samuel  W.  Punchard  of 

Satartia,  Miss.,  Aug.  20,  1835,  died  in  Satartia,  July  16, 
1836.] 

2.  Sarah  S.,  [b.  Jan.  5,  1817,  died  in  Francestown,  Jan.  24, 

1831.] 

3.  James  IJ.,  [b.  March  30,1819,  m.,  1st,  Elizabeth  B.  Eowell 

of  Naslnni,  N.  11.,  2nd,  Elizabeth  Stephenson  of  Saco,  Ma,ine. 


748  GENEALOGIES. 

lie  removed  to  Saco,  Me.  and  went  into  tlie  grocery  busi- 
ness.    He  died  in  Manchester,  Oct.  15,  1878.] 

4.  Petei:  W.,  [b.  Marcli  29, 1821,  m.  Sarah  C.  Marden  of  Mont 
Vernon  in  1844.  lie  removiMl  to  Manchester,  wliere  lie 
was  for  some  time  proprietor  of  the  I^'ort'st  House  and  after- 
ward of  the  City  Hotel.  Still  later  he  built  the  Haseltine 
House,  now  called  the  Hotel  Windsor.  His  popularity  as 
a  landlord  \\as  not  exceeded  in  the  state.  From  Man- 
chester, he  went  to  Boston,  ^^  hci'e  he  was  for  several  years 
proprietor  of  tlie  Bowdoin  House.  He  now  i-esides  in 
Manchester.] 

f).  AitTHiTi;  W.,  [b.  Oct.  31,  1823,  was  a  writing  master.] 

G.  Adeline,  [1).  Aug.  20, 1 827,  m.  Deane  F.  Morse  of  this  town, 
March  9,  1850,  d.  in  Francestown,  May  9,  1853.] 

7.  Geougiana,  [1).  July  2,  1830,  d.  here,  Sept.  23,  1855.] 

JAjSIES  haseltine,  generally  known  here  ns  "Hatter"  Haseltine, 
lived  in  the  Copeland  (now  Cinnmings)  house  in  the  village  as  early  as 
1817.  We  are  told  that  he  had  a  large  family  hut  our  information  there- 
of is  too  meagre  for  an  extended  sketch. 

HASTINGS. 

JOHN  WOODBURY  HASTINGS  was  horn  in  Mont  Vernon,  March 
9,  1840.  His  father,  William  Hastings,  died  Dec.  17,  18GG,  aged  80 
years  and  4  months.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Celinda  Lamson. 
She  died  June  .'},  1804,  aged  48  years  and  9  days.  John  W.  came  here 
from  Peterboro',  in  1884.  He  lived  th-st  on  the  George  Whittleld  place 
and  has  since  occupied  several  places  in  this  town.  He  married  Almira 
A.,  daughter  of  George  Whitfield  of  this  town,  Nov.  27, 1879.  He  has 
followed  the  vocation  of  a  farmer.     Children: — 

1.  George  Edavard,  [born  at  F'rancestown,  died  when  3  days 

old.] 

2.  Alvira  Natalie  Augltsta,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  26, 

1881.] 

3.  Effie  Etta,  [b.  at  Francestown,  June  10,  1889.] 

HAVWARD. 

PETER  HAYWARD  m.  P.uth  Rutter,  and  was  the  first  settler  of 
Surry  about  1752.  He  was  b.  in  Mendon,  Mass.  He  was  "son  of  Wil- 
liam, son  of  Jonathan,  son  of  William".  The  family  was  first  located 
in  Dedham,  Mass.  The  5th  child  of  Peter  and  Ruth  was  Silvanus,  1). 
in  Westmoreland  (now  Surry),  May  IG,  1757.     Sylvauus  m.  Olive  Met- 


HAYWARD,  HEAllD.  749 

calf  of  Wrentham,  Mass.,  lived  in  Surry,  and  afterwards  in  Gilsum. 
Their  4th  child  was  Dea.  Amhi'.rst  Ilayward,  b.  iu  Surry,  Nov.  18, 17SS. 
The  last  named  m.,  1st,  Betsey  Cole  of  Orange,  Mass.;  2nd,  lior  sister, 
Polly  Cole:  3d,  Sarah  Fish,  the  last  marriage  occuring  Dec.  IS,  1S27. 

Eev.  SYLYANUS  ITAYWAED,  a.  M.,  their  son,  was  b.  in  Gilsum, 
Dec.  3, 1828;  was  graduated  from  Dartmouth  College  with  high  honors, 
ISo.'J;  soon  after  came  to  Fraiicestown  and  was  Principal  of  Uie  Acade- 
my for  several  years,  and  one  of  the  best  in  all  its  histor}?  (see  Academy 
Chapter);  then  became  Principal  of  Pembroke  Academy:  went  thence 
to  be  Pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Dunbarton,  where  he 
was  ordained  Oct.  0,  18G1.  He  was  dismissed  from  this  ])asporate 
May  1,  18G0,  to  accept  that  of  the  Cong.  Church,  South  Perwick, 
Maine.  Thence,  after  a  few  years,  he  went  south  and  was  Professor 
of  Mathematics  in  Fisk  University,  Then  (1875)  returning  to  Gilsum, 
his  native  place,  he  was  acting  Pastor  of  the  Cong.  Churcdi  Ihei'c  sev- 
eral years,  during  which  he  completed  and  published  the  ex(-ellent 
History  of  that  town.  Dec.  28, 1880,  Tlev.  Prof.  Ilayward  was  installed 
Pastor  of  the  "Evangelical  Free  (Uiurch",  Globe  Village,  Mass.  Mr. 
Flayward  is  one  of  the  most  able  and  scholarly  men, — one  of  the  great- 
est worth,  —  and  one  having  sti-ong  convictions,  and  ready  abilty  to 
defend  them. 

He  married,  1st,  Harriet  Elvira.  I'^aton  of  Midtllel)oro',  Mass.,  Nov.  2'), 
185.3,  who  d.  March  2,  18;)()  ;  m.,  2(1,  I.ucy  A.  Keays  of  South  ]5er\vick. 
Me.,  Dec,  17,  1891.    Cliildiru:— 

1.  Arthur  Jameson,  [b.  in  Fraiicestown,  Se[»t.  14,  1854;  d. 

Sept.  12,  1855.] 

2.  Bell,  [b.  in  Francestown,  -Inly  1,  1856.] 

3.  Grace,  [b.  in  Pembroke,  Aug.  27,  1858;  d.  in  Soutlilnidge, 

Mass.,  Feb.  23,  1891.] 

4.  Paul,  [b.  in  Dunbarton,  Oct.  16,  1863;  d.  in  South  r>er\\ick, 

Aug.  28,  1873.] 

5.  John  Stark;  [b.  in  South  Berwick,  Nov.  28, 1866;  d.  there, 

Aug.  18,  1873.] 

HEARD. 

ZACHARIAIIi  HEAllD,  believed  to  be  the  American  ancestoi'  of 
the  family,  was  a  clothier,  and  iu  1707  pul'cliased  a  homestead  and  shop 
on  the  Watertown  road  in  Cambridge,  Mass.  There  is  a  tradition  that 
he  was  in  early  life  a  sailor  in  the  English  navy.  There  is  evidence  that 
he  left  Cambridge  and  settled  in  Wayland  in  1710.  He  Avas  chosen 
constable  in  Wayland  in  1710,  and  in  1723  he  was  chosen  selectman. 
His  wife  was  Silena  Prown,  daughter  of  Maj.  Thomas  Prowu  of  AVay- 
land.     It  is  tliought  by.some  that  Zachariah  had  several   In'others,  who 


750  GENEALOGIES. 

came  to  lliis  country,  one  of  whom,  Jereni}'  by  name,  was  ten  years  his 
senior,  bnt  no  trace  of  such  rehationship  can  he  (hseovered,  nor  is  it 
known  that  lie  was  related  to  the  Ilcards  who  settled  in  Dover,  N.  II., 
or  to  those  in  Georijia.  He  was  born  in  lOTo,  and  died  Dec.  27,  17G1. 
His  son,  Richards,  was  born  at  Wayland,  Mass.,  April  2,  1720.  His 
wife  was  Sarah  Fiske  of  Wayland.  He  died  May  It),  17112.  David^ 
son  of  Iiichard  and  Sarah,  was  born  June  2,  175S,  married,  first,  Eunice 
Baldwin  of  Wayland,  May  24, 17S4.  She  died  Sept.  5,  178").  He  mar- 
ri(ul,  second,  Sibyl  Sherman  of  Wayland,  Mch.  .31, 1789.  She  died  Sept. 
2,  1845.  David=',  died  .Tan.  22,  18ia.  David-*,  his  son,  was  born  Oct. 
25,  170:5,  and  niai'ried  i;els(>y  Adams  of  I.illleton,  Mass.,  Sept.  2."),  1S17. 
David  and  r>etsey  wei-e  the  pai'enls  of  Augustus,  who  came  lo  Frances- 
town. 

AUtJUSTTS  IIEA1!D  was  born  at  Wayland,  Mass.,  Feb.  20,  lsl!». 
He  was  married  Feb.  20,  1S4.3  to  Maria  French,  who  was  born  at  Tewks- 
bury,  Mass.,  Mai-cli  21,  182.").  He  canx'  to  tliis  town  from  ]>radford  in 
1809,  and  jnirchascd  tlie  Dnstin  place  on  the  turnpike,  where  he  has 
since  resided.      His  children: — 

1.  Mahtha   Ei.lkn,  [b.  in  Sudbury,  Mass.,  Apiil  20,  1S4("),  d. 

iu  Boston,  Miiss.,  Feb.  19,  1855.] 

2.  Maima  Josei'HINI<],  [Ik  in  Sudbury,  Oct.  8,  1848,  d.  at  West 

Medway,  Mass.,  Sept.  15,  1880.] 

3.  Mai;a'  Ki.iZAi'.ETH,  [b.  June  21,1851,  at  Sudbury,  ni.  James 

Fred  Ueane  of  Franeestown,  June  3,  1874,  res.  nt  Green- 
field.] 

4.  Emma  Estella,  []>.  at  Sudbury,  Marcb  5,  1853,  m.  Lyman 

H.  Belcher  of  Franeestown,  March   1,  1877,  res.  at   Fran- 
eestown.] 

5.  Nellie,  [b.  in  Stowe,  Jan.  23,  1856,  m.  Charles  E.  Nutting 

of  Franeestown,  Nov.  28,  1875,  res.  at  Franeestown.] 
0.  Eva  May,  [b.  in  Stowe,  March  5, 1858,' d.  April  22,  1859.] 
7.  FiiANK  CusHiNG,  [b.  .lu  Stowe,  May  14,  1861,  m.  Theresa 

W'ebster  of  Taunton,  Mass.,  Jan.  15,  1891,  is  b}^  vocation 

a  machinist,  res.  in  Providence,  R.  L] 

HENDERSON. 

DAVID  HENDEPvSON  was  for  many  years  a  resident  of  New 
Boston.  He  married  Sarah  Sari^^ent,  Feb.,  1822.  She  was  the  daughter 
of  Daniel  Sargent  of  Golfstown,  where  she  was  boru  Feb.  1, 1800.  One 
of  her  brothers  was,  in  the  eariy  part  of  the  centmry,  a  hunter  in  western 
New  York,  and  died  alone  and  lost  in   the  wilderness.     One  of   his 


HENDERSON.  751 

hounds,  it  is  said,  came  back  to  the  settkMiient  with  liis  throat  partly 
cut,  thereby  telhng  it  is  believed  a  pathetic  story  of  the  last  resort  of  a 
starving  man.  Sarah  (Sargent)  Henderson  came  to  this  town  to  reside 
in  1848,  and  occupied  the  Moses  Jellison  place.  She  removed  to  Ver- 
mont, where  she  remained  one  year,  after  which  she  returned  to  reside 
in  this  town.  Her  second  husband  was  Joshua  Jones  of  New  Jjoston. 
She  died  in  Francestown,  Aug.  22,  188.5.  David  Henderson  died  at 
Vermont  Colony,  Eaton  Co.,  Mich.     IHs  children  were: — 

1.  Lydia  Jane,  [b.  in  New  Boston,  Feb.  21,  1823,  <1.  in  New 

Boston,  June  18,  1823.] 

2.  John,  [b.  in  New  Boston,  May  16,  1824,  rn.  Esther  Qniniby 

of  Weare,  res.  in  Vermont  Colony,  Mich.] 
8.  Elias,  [born  in  New  Boston,  March  22,  1825,  died  in  New 
Boston,  Sept.  9,  1830.] 

4.  Alonzo,  [1).  in  New  Boston,  Marcli  20,  1828.     He  was  a 

captain  in  an  Indiana  res^'iment  dni-ing  tlie  late  war,  was 
married  and  lived  in  Indiana  and  died  in  that  state.] 

5.  Rodney  D.,  [b.  in  New  Boston,  April  1,  1830,  m.  Elizabeth 

Woodward  of  Francestown,  has  resided  for  brief  periods  in 
this  town,  now  resides  in  Massachusetts.] 

6.  Daniel  S.,  [b.  April  1,  1832,  m.  Rebecca  Freeze  Jellison, 

Feb.  16, 1861.  Site  Avas  born  in  Argyle,  Maine,  April  13, 
183U,  and  is  a  sister  of  Moses  Jellison  of  this  town.  Mr. 
Henderson  came  here  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  and 
with  the  exception  of  a  short  time  spent  in  California  has 
since  resided  in  this  town.  He  is  by  trade  a  painter,  but 
has  also  followed  other  vocations  witli  notable  industry 
and  success.      His  children  are: — 

John  J.,  (h.  in  Francestown,  March  5,  1862,  ni.  iVda  Parkin- 
son of  Duubarton,  June  25,1884,  lives  on  tlie  Hutchinson 
place  which  was  formerly  occupied  by  his  father,  is  now 
employed  in  the  soa})stone  shop  at  Greenlield.  His  child- 
ren are: — Grace  May,  born  in  Goffstovvn,  June  16,  1885; 
Clara  Rena,  b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  8,  1888.) 

Daniel  R.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  22,  1863,  m.  Emily  L. 
Whittaker  of  Hancock,  March  31, 1883.  Previous  to  pur- 
chasing his  present  residence,  he  owned  and  occupied  the 
Fairbanks  cottaye  in  Mill  Villao-e.  He  was  for  several 
years  employed  at  the  soa})stone  quarry  in  which  he  was 
the  victim  of  tjie  most  thrilling  accident  known  in  its  his- 


752  GENEALOGIES. 

loiy.  On  the  4th  of  October,  1886  several  of  the  work- 
incii  linisluMl  drilling  two  dee})  holes  in  a  projection  of 
hard  rock  know  among  soapstonc  (|uarrynien  as  "-a  l)u]l 
licad"".  The  top  of  this  projection  upon  wliich  the  work 
was  [)ei'formed  was  about  tliirteen  feet  above  the  bottom 
of  th(;  part  ot"  the  quarry's  pit  in  which  they  were  engaged, 
hciiig  near  its  southern  end.  On  the  foHowing  morning 
biitli  of  tlic  lioles  were  heavily  loaded  ilnd  the  fuse  was 
I  Inly  lighted  l)ut  the  powder  in  Ijoth  failed  to  ignite  and 
Ikmicc  it  became  necessary  to  remove  t]i&  tamping.  The 
work  of  ••(hilling  outgone  of  the  liolcs  was  assigned  to  Mr. 
Ih'iidcrsoii  and  Mr.  Joliii  Morrill.  'I'liis  hole  was  quite 
near  tlu;  cdgi;  of  the  pi-ojeclion  and  was  nuich  deeper  than 
the  other,  which  was  soon  (h'illcd  out  l)y  other  workmen. 
While  Mr.  Henderson  and  Mon'ill  weie  em})loyed  as  di- 
rected, the  former  holding  the  drill  and  the  latter  wield- 
ing tlie  sledge,  the  powder  witli  which  tlie  hole  was  charged 
ignited,  a  teri-ihc  ex[)losion  followed  and  two  large  pieces 
of  rock  weighing,  it  was  estimated,  respectively  three  and 
four  tons,  together  with  numerous  fragments  were  blown 
into  the  air.  Mr.  Morrill  was  standing  a  few  feet  from 
Mr.  Henderson  (who  was  sitting  upon  a  stool  witli  his 
back  toward  the  edge  of  the  projection)  and  escaped  with 
slight  injuries,  but  the  latter  was  carried  up  by  the  larger 
piece  of  rock  a  number  of  feet,  and,  after  turning  a  com- 
plete somerset,  fell  to  the  bottom  of  the  pit,  where,  with 
singular  good  fortune,  he  alighted  u[)onhis  feet.  Proba- 
bly not  one  of  those  who  saw  Mr.  Henderson  in  the  midst 
of  that  terrible  blast  believed  that  he  would  survive  the 
catastrophe,  but  upon  examination  it  was  found  that,  with 
the  exception  of  severe  but  not  permanent  injuries  (caused 
by  the  powder  and  tamping)  to  his  eyes,  his  wounds  were 
coniined  to  his  arms  and  hands,  which  were  so  badly  shat- 
tered and  mangled  however  as  to  render  necessary  the  am- 
putation of  both  arms  four  inches  below  the  elbow,  ami 
Mr.  Henderson  having  a  robust  constitution  and  a  sturdy 
organism,  survived  with  unimpaired  health  andu  nshattei-ed 
nerves,  and  now  with  the  aid  of  an  ingenious  appliance 
consisting  of  a  ''harness",  hook  and  pinchers,  he  displays  a 


HENDERSON,  HIGHLAND.  753 

reniarkal)le  degree  of  self-reliance.  He  was  chosen  a  door- 
keeper of  the  House  of  Representatives  at  Concord  in  the 
winter  of  1893,  and  was  re-chosen  in  1895,  and  so  success- 
fnl  was  he  in  the  performance  of  his  dnties  and  in  gaining 
the  confidence,  sympathy  and  friendship  of  the  members  of 
the  Legislature  that  the  following  CV)ncnrrent  Kesolntion 
was  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives of  New  Hampshire,  on  Friday,  March  29, 1895; 

Resolved,  by  the  House  of  Representatives,  the  Senate 
concurring,  That  our  Senators  and  Representatives  in  Con- 
gress ])e  informed  that  it  is  tlie  wish  of  the  New  Hampshire 
Legislature,  that  they  use  their  influence  in  securing  for 
Daniel  R.  Henderson  the  position  of  door-keeper  in  the 
House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States. 

He  has  also  been  twice  elected  president  of  the  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association  in  this  town.  He  was  appoint- 
ed a  county  justice  by  Gov.  Tuttle,  and  was  made  a  state 
justice  by  (iov.  Smith.  His  children  are: — Gertrude  Re- 
becca, born  in  P>ancestown,  Feb.  13,  1884;  Freddie  Dan- 
iel, born  in  Francestown,  May  1,  1886.) 
)Sii.san  Bldria.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  31,  18(;)(j,  m.  Adam 
Lorge  of  Germany,  Nov.  28,  1891.  Her  child,  Franz  Hen- 
derson Lorge  was  born  in  Francestown,  Oct.  22,  1892.)] 
7.  Mauta  B.,  [b.  in  Highgate,  Vt.,  May  11, 1835,  m.  Lysander 
Wilkins  of  Highgate,  Vt.  in  1853.  She  resided  for  many 
years  in  this  town,  and  died  here,  Dec.  22,  1878.  Her 
only  child,  Sarah  J.,  was  born  at  Highgate,  Vt.,  July  3, 1854, 
is  the  wife  of  Samuel  Stevens  of  this  town.] 

HIGHLAND. 

JOHN  HIGHLAND  settled  quite  early  near  the  Bryant  place.  The 
house  in  which  he  lived  stood  about  thirty  rods  westward  of  the  Bryant 
house.  He  was  made  surveyor  of  highways  in  17S8.  The  Highlands 
were  doubtless  of  Scotch  extraction.  John  resided  in  Windham  previ- 
ous to  his  coming  to  Francestown.  He  liiarried  Sarah  ]>arnet  of  London- 
derry, probably  a  relative  of  Samuel  Barnet,  who  lived  on  the  Wilson 
farm  and  who  was  killed  by  a  falling  tree,  June  13,  1796.  •  John  High- 
land died  in  this  town,  Mar.  7,.  1S0"2  in  his  40th  year.  Of  his  children, 
we  learn  in  the  church-yard,  that  .John  Barnet  Highland,  son  of  John 
and  Sarah,  died  in  the  5th  year  of  his  age,  also  that  David  Campbell 


754  GENEALOGIES. 

IIi,<j;hlaii(l.  sou  of  John  and  Sarah,  died  in  the  3d  year  of  his  age,  the 
date  of  dcatli  not  l)eing  apparent,  and  we  learn  from  another  source, 
that  a  chihl  of  John  was  buried  here,  Nov.,  17'.»1.  Tlis  children  of 
whom  we  have  some  knowledge  were: — 

1.  Ja^iks.  [d.  ill  Ilartlaiid,  A^t.] 

2.  John    I)Ai;M':t,  [b.  in  Fraiicestowii,  Marcli  7,  1796,  was  a 

soldier  from  Wiiidliani  in  the  war  of  1812.] 

0.  Thcjimas,  [in.  Sally  Palmei'  of  Langdon,  d.  in  Laiigdon.] 

4.   1i;a,  [b.  Oct.  2,  1802,  resided  in  Windham,  d.  Ai)r.  8.  1828.] 

HILL. 

DAA^Il)  W.  IlILL  lived  on  the  i)la(('  now  occupie  1  1>y  his  son,  Ed- 
nuiiid  X.  Hill.  He  was  born  in  Caiidia,  Sept.  14,  1801),  being  the  son 
of  Josiah  and  Sara  (Wilson)  Hill  of  thai  place.  He  came  here  in  1827 
with  his  mother,  who  was  then  thi'  widow  of  John  Dustin,  her  second 
husband.  He  married  Mary  L.  Shedd,  Oct.  27, 1842.  She  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  Ebenezer  and  Lucy  (Parker)  Shedd  of  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  where 
she  was  born  Ai)ril  1:!.  ISi:;.  Mr.  Hill  was  a  farmer,  honest,  reliable,  and 
not  a  stranger  to  hard  work.  He  died  here,  Aug.  17.  1884.  His  wife 
died  in  this  town,  April  1,  188:3.  Their  children  were  born  in  this 
town: — 

1.  FREDERICK  L.,  [b.  Ang.  7, 1843,  died  here,  Oct.  27, 1844.] 

2.  Lauka  G.,  [born  Dec.  22,  1844,  m.  Rodney  H.  Wilder  of 

Peterboro',  March  6,  1873,  res.  in  Francestown.] 

3.  Eliza,  [b.  Oct.  17, 1846,  d.  in  P^ancestown,  May  18, 1862.] 

4.  David  Dalton,  [b.  Jan.  16, 1848,  m.  Mary  A.  Mudgett  of 

New  Boston,  March  9,  1876,  d.  in  New  Boston,  Nov.  7, 
1878.] 

5.  Edmund  N.,  [b.  Feb.  16,  1850,  m.  Sarah  A.  Brown  of  Goffs- 

town.     Ony  child,  born  here,  is : — 
David  Ernest,  (b.  Dec.  11,  1889.)] 

6.  Justus  W.,  [b.  March  26, 1852,  d.  in  Farncestown,  Nov.  10, 

1852.] 

7.  HiRxiM  J^.,  [b.  Oct.  17,  1854,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  20, 

1869.] 

8.  Humphrey  W.,   [b.  Oct.  17,  1854,  res.  at   Orange  Park, 

Florida.] 


HODGE.  T65 


HODGE. 


SAMUEL  HODGE  was  the  son  of  Samuel  Hodge  of  Kittery,  Maine. 
The  hitter  served  nearly  throiigh  the  war  of  the  Eevolution,  and  after- 
ward became  the  master  of  a  ship  which  when  on  a  voyage  to  Spain 
went  down  witli  all  on  board. 

SAMUEL  HODGE  came  to  Erancestown  from  Kittery,  Me.  in  the 
year  1790.  He  married  Hannah  Andrews  of  Hillsboro'.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Isaac  and  Lucy  (Perkins)  Andrews  "of  Ipswich,  Mass". 
Isaac  Andrews  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Hillsboro',  where  he  served 
as  town-clerk  and  selectman  besides  being  a  deacon  of  the  church,  and 
justice  of  the  peace.  Samuel  Hodge  was  a  harness  maker,  and  was  a 
man  of  enterprise,  he  built  the  house  now  owned  by  Augustus  H.  Bix- 
by,  and  that  owned  by  William  Butterfield  (in  the  village),  and  was  the 
owner  of  considerable  real  estate  elsewhere  in  the  town.  He  was  post- 
master for  many  years  and  was  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  born  Apr. 
9, 1769,  and  died  in  Francestown,  Dec. 27, 1852.  His  wife  died  in  Eran- 
cestown, April  4,  l.S;j().     Children  all  born  in  Erancestown: — 

1.  Samuel,  Jr.,  [b.  Sept.  17,  1792,  d.  May  10,  1806.] 

2.  PeimvINS,  [b.  Feb.  9,  1795,  m.  Rebecca  Pinkerton  of  Derry, 

was  a  mercliant,  d.  in  Sartartia,  Miss.,  Marcli  14,  1837.] 

3.  Betsey,    [b.  March  19,  1797,  m.   Capt.   James  Martin   of 

Francestown,  d.  in  Francestown,  May,  1835.] 

4.  James  H.,  [b.  Apr.  19,  1799,  m.  Mary  Brown  of  Providence, 

R.  I.,  was  a  merchant  in  FrankHn,  Mo.,  where  lie  died 
April  21,  1840,  was  the  father  of  Thomas  Hodge,  who 
once  lived  in  this  town.] 

5.  Levi,  [b.  Sept.  19, 1801,  m.  Mary  Brown  of  Westmoreland, 

was  a  harness  and  trnnk-maker,  d.  in  Nashua,  N.  H.,  June 
21,  1850.] 

6.  Hannah,  [b.  March  15,  1804,  d.  Sept.  27, 1850  in  Frances- 

town.] 

7.  Samuel  Hodge,  3rd,  [b.  July  7,  1806,  d.  April  9,  1808.] 

8.  George  W.,   [b.  Dec.  20,  1809,  m.  Charlotte  Kimball  of 

Nashua,  res.  in  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  is  by  trade  a  harness- 
maker.] 

9.  Soi'HLA.  A.,  [b.  March  26,  1812,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  7, 

1848.] 

10.  FREDERICK  W.,  [1).  Dec.  4,  1814,  was  a  merchant  in  Sar- 

tartia, Miss.,  where  lie  died  Oct.  18,  1835.] 


756  GENEALOGIES. 

11.  Samuel  Bell,  [b.  Feb.  8, 1818,  m.  lAicretia  Guild  of  Fi-aii- 

cestown,  June  24,  184(3.  Mr.  Hodge  is  a  liarness-niaker. 
He  has  always  resided  in  Francestown  and  lias  from  early 
life  taken  part  in  public  affairs,  has  represented  the  town 
in  the  Leg'ishiture,  aiid  has  l)een  moderator  of  lown-meet- 
iiig,  post-master,  and  is  justice  of  the  peace,  is  a  pnl)lic 
spirited,  large  hearted  man.  <^iily  child: — 
Frederick  Art»pi^tn.'<,  (b.  in  Fraiicestown,  Aug.  18,  1850.  m. 
Carrie  E.  Webster  of  Chirinda,  Jowa,  Nov.  11,  1884,  res. 
in  Pine  City,  Pine  Co.,  Minn.,  where  lie  for  a  numlier  of 
years  held  the  office  of  county  auditor,  and  was  in  1894 
elected  state  senator.  He  has  shown  good  al)ilities  and 
has  been  eminently  and  worthily  successful.)] 

12.  Mehitable  B.,  [b.  Oct.  -31,  1820,  m.  George  A.  Hanscomb 

of  Milford,  Nov.  25,  1849,  d.  at  Milford,  Oct.  3,  1858.] 

HODGMAN. 

AP>KAIIAiI  HODGMAN  came  here  from  JJrookliue  about  the  year 
1S20.  He  lived  several  _years  in  the  mill  house  at  Pleasant  pond,  and 
afterward  built  for  himself  a  house  near  where  the  Amos  Whittemore 
house  now  stands,  in  which  he  dwelt  a  number  of  years.  His  wife  was 
L3'dia  Straw  of  Deeriug.  She  died  in  this  town,  March  26,  ISAK,  aged 
71  years.  Mr.  Hodgman  survived  her  and  died  at  Goffstown.  Their 
children  were: — 

1.  John,  [married  and  moved  to  Bangor,  Me.,  was  a  carpenter 

and  a  superior  workman,  d.  at  Oldtown.] 
2y  Mehitable,  [married  Stephen  Fiiield,  who,  after  her  death, 

ni.  her  sister,  Caroline.] 

3.  Samuel,  [married  and  removed  to  Lyndeboro',  was  killed 

b}^  lightning.] 

4.  Caroline,  [m.,  1st, Blood,  2nd,  Stephen  Fitield.] 

5.  Reubin,  [died  at  Manchester.] 

6.  Mary  Ann,  [b.  at  New  Boston,  married,  1st,  Augustus  Rob- 

bins  of  this  town,  Sept.  29,  1847,  res.  in  this  town  many 
years,  after  which  she  removed  to  Wilton.] 

HOGG. 

JAMES  HOGG  of  this  town  was  a  brother  of  tlie  late  venei-able 
Abner  Hogg  of  New  Boston.  They  were  sons' of  Robert  and  Margaret 
(Gregg)  Hogg  of  Londonderr}-.     This  Robert  and  his  brother,  Joseph, 


HOGG,    HOLMES.  767 

came  from  the  Scotch  part  of  Ireland  about  17o4,  and  settled  in  London- 
deiTj.  They  were  vigorous  Schtchmen  and  stiff  Presbj'terians.  They 
were  sons  of  James  Hogg,  who  "died  in  the  old  country".  James,  son 
of  llobert,  grandson  of  James,  was  the  oldest  of  thirteen  children;  was 
b.  about  1749;  m.  Jennett  Morrison;  came  to  this  town  about  1780; 
was  selectman,  1786, 1787, 1788;  was  on  the  "committe  to  consider  the 
New  Constitution"  in  1788;  was  a  man  of  mark  in  town,  and  of  strong 
religious  character;  was  on  the  first  list  of  buyers  of  pews  in  the  old 
church;  was  a  cousin  of  Hugh  Hogg,  (son  of  Joseph)  whose  name  was 
changed  to  Hugh  Moore;  moved  to  Acworth;  subsequently  to  Warrens- 
ville,  Ohio,  and  beyond  this  we  have  no  knowledge.  His  home  in  Ibis 
town  is  now  the  I'esidencc  of  Samuel  Abbott. 

HOLMES. 

MA.Tor.  OLIVER  HOLMES,  son  of  El)enezer  and  Sarah,  and  grand- 
son of  Samuel  and  Mary  Holmes,  was  born  in  Dedham,  jNIass.,  May  4, 
1740,  he  married  Bethiah  Morse,  July  25, 1703.  She  was  born  in  Ded- 
ham, March  12, 1744,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Ezra  and  IJethiah  (Lewis) 
Morse  of  Dedham.  Oliver  came  to  Francestown  in  1770,  and  is  said  to 
have  "cut  the  first  tree  felled  on  the  Park  farm",  south  of  the  village, 
on  which  he  settled.  He  was  "out  twice  in  the  Iicvoluliouary  war", 
and  was  a  staunch  patriot,  he  was  moreover  a  man  perhaps  second  to 
none  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  town  in  ability  and  influence.  He  held 
many  offices  of  trust  and  was  ready  and  forceful  when  important  meas- 
ures were  pending.  In  the  affairs  of  the  church  as  well  as  in  secular 
matters,  he  was  a  power.  He  had  moreover  an  earnest  liking  for  what- 
ever pertained  to  the  military,  which  was  doubtless  acquired  during  his 
life  in  camp.  We  are  told  that  -Mnilitary  meetings  were  held  at  Major 
Holmes'",  also  that  the  Major  wore  for  a  military  suit  "a  white  coat 
trimmed  witli  l)lack,  a  light  blue  mixed  vest,  or  sometimes  one  of  white 
marseilles  with  great  pockets,  deer-skin  breeches,  silver  buckles,  both 
shoe  and  knee,  and  a  cocked  hat  with  silver  trimmings".  He  wore  crape 
on  his  arm  a  whole  month  as  a  ])a,dge  of  mourning  for  General  Wash- 
ington. Major  Oliver  Holmes  died  at  Francestown,  Sept.  26, 1806,  his 
wife  died  in  Francestown,  May  11,  1808.     Children  were: — 

1.  Sarah,  [b.  Dec.  27,  17G3,  d.  in  FraiicestoAvn,  July  31, 1777.] 
2.-  Redecca,  [b.  Feb.  12,  17(3(3,  d.  in   Francestown,  June  27, 
1804.] 

3.  Belinda,  [b.  July  14,  17G9,  d.  'in  Francestown,  Feb.,  1833.] 

4.  Bethiah,  [b.  Dec.  19,  1772,  died  in   Francestown,  Aug.  1, 

1777.] 

5.  Hannah,  [b.  July  24,  1775,»  d.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  20, 

1775.] 


758  GENEALOGIES. 

6.  Oliver,  [b.  A})ril  7,  1777,  ni.  Anna  IJj'adford  of  Krances- 

town,  Oct.  20,  1803,  lived  on  the  I'ai'k  place,  died  here, 
March  7,  1833.     Children  were:— 

Lavinia,  (b.  Aug.  11,  1805,  ni.  Daniel  ('.  (lonldof  Ilenruker, 
Sept.  10,  1829.) 

Oliver,  (1).  Jan.  8,  1807,  m.  liucretia,  D.  Morse  of  Frances- 
town,  Aug.  9,  1832,  resided  in  Lynn,  d.  in  Boston,  Sept. 
22,  1859.) 

LauriUa,  (b.  July  12,  1808,  unmarried.) 

Hannah,  (b.  June  21,  1810,  ni.  Paul  Oragin,  Jr.,  April  19, 
1842,  d.  in  Woburn,  Mass.,  April  2(3,  1875.)] 

7.  Paul,  [b.  Aug  20,  1780.  d.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  27, 1783.] 

8.  Betsey,  [b.  March  18,  1783,  m.  Joseph  Cressy  of  Frances- 

town,  May  10,  1807.] 

9.  Sally,  [b.  Nov.  24,  178(3,  rn.  Moses  E.  P>radford  of  Frances- 

town.  Oct.  22,  1807,  d.  in  New  Boston,  Aug.  4,  1867.] 

ENOCH  HOTAIKS,  brother  of  Oliver,  settled  on  the  Shattuek  place, 
which  was  previously  owned  by  James  Dickey.'  He  married  Svisanua 
Hart  of  Walpole,  May  20, 1768,  and  died  in  Francestown,  Nov.  17, 1816, 
liis  wife  died  in  Francestown,  Nov.  3,  1834.     Children  were:  — 

1.  Cynthia,  [b.  March  25,  17(39,  d.  Sept.,  177»3.] 

2.  Oliver,  [b.  Dec.  25,  1772,  m.  Olive  Dellaway  of  Frances- 

town,  March  18,  1802,  lived  on  McCain  jjlace,  was  by  trade 
a  carpenter,  removed  to  Hillsboro',  where  he  died  May  18, 
1848,  his  wife  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  18,  1857.  Chil- 
dren : — 

EUzahetli  B.,  (b.  in  Francestown  in  1807,  m.  Eben  K.  Bart- 
lett  of  Bridgewater,  Vt.,  d.  in  Bridgewater  in  1875.) 

Olivia  E.,  (b.  in  Francestown  in  1814,  lii.,  1st,  Samuel  Jack- 
man  of  Bradford  in  1833,  2nd,  Asaph  W.  Churchill  of 
Pomfret,  Vt.  in  1842.)] 

3.  Molly,  [b.  June  20, 1775,  m.  George  Lewis  of  Francestown, 

March  3,  1801,  d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  27,  1861.] 

4.  Nancy,  [b.  April  16,1777,  m.  Jacob  Houston  of  Lyndeboro'.] 

5.  IcHABOD,  [b.  Feb.  22,  1780,  m.  Nancy  Lewis  of  Lyndeboro', 

d.  in  Francestown,  April  5,  1854,  lived  on  the  farm  owned 
by  his  father.     Children  were : — 
Sanford,    (b.  in   Francestown,  m.   Emeline   R.   Twitchell  of 


HOLMES.  759 

Dublin  ill  1848.      He  died  in  Wilton  leaving  a  son,  Frank 

M.,  who  resides  in  Beniiiiig'ton  and  now  bears  the  name  of 

Twitcliell. ) 
Cynthia,  (h.  in  Francestown,  married  James  Crombie  ot"  New 

Boston,  d.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  3,  1840,  aged  30  years.) 
Lewis,  (b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Mittie  Osgood  of  Warner  in 

1838,  removed  to  Warner,   where  he  became  prcnninent 

and  was  elected  to  the  Legislatui'e,  d.  in  Warner.) 
Ma><on,  (b.  in   Francestown,  died  here,  Nov.  28,  1843,  aged 

28  years.)] 
().  I)a\'id,  [1).  in  Francestown,  m.  AnnaDustin  of  Francestown, 

Jan.  31,  1811,  lived  on  the  Joseph  Manahan  place,  died 

here,  March  4,  1827,  aged  43  years.     We  have  the  names 

of  three  of  his  children : — 
Harrison,  (1).  in  Francestown,  m.  Maliala  Burtt  of  Nashua  in 

1842.) 
Henry,  (1).  in  FrancestoA\'n,  removed  early  in  life.) 
David,  (b.  in  Francestown,  d.  here  April  24,  1824.)] 

EBENEZEE  HOLMES,  wlio  was  not  known  to  1«("  :i  ivlulive  of 
Oliver  and  Enoch,  purchased  real  est;ile  here  in  17!)4.  Ills  home  was 
doubtless  near  where  Charles  Vose's  house  now  stnnds.  Tie  went  to 
Utica,  N.  Y.  about  tlie  year  1800.  He  married  ITannah  Khvi'll  of  this 
town,  Nov.  24,  17!)4.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Hannah,  [b.  Sept.  12,  171)5,  died  March  4,  170'.).] 

2.  Wakken,  [b.  April  6,  1798.] 

3.  Samuel, [b.  Dec.  4,  1799.] 

4.  Charlotte,  [b.  Oct.  27,  1802,  d.  Dec.  20,  1804.] 

5.  Luther,  [b.  Dec.  22,  1805.] 

JABEZ  HOLMES,  brother  of  Enoch  and  Oliver,  settled  on  the 
Thomas  Ordway  place  south-west  of  Clark  village.  His  wife  was  Sarah 
French.  He  was  active  in  town  affairs  and  tilled  niajiy  town  offices, 
he  died  in  Francestown,  May  11,  1824.     Children  were:  — 

1.  Richard,  [born  July  14,  1778,  m.  Polly  Lewis  of  Frances- 

town.] 

2.  Jabez,  [b.  Sei)t.  13,  1780,  m.  Eunice  Hall  of  Francestown, 

Oct.  20,  1806.  This  most  excellent  man  lived  and  died  in 
Francestown,  his  home  being  tlie  present  residence  of  Sam- 
uel Stevens.     He  was  for  thirty-four  years  deacon  of  the 


760  GENEALOGIES. 

church  and  was  in  every  I'espect  wortliy  of  the  office,  he 
died  Oct.  27,  1865,  his  wife  died  in  Francestown,  June  2, 
1862.     Children  all  born  in  Francestown  were: — 

Salrrina,  (h,  Oct.  28,  1807,  m.  Mason  Balch  of  Francestown, 
A])ril  17,  1826,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  24,  1831.) 

Aih'Jhw  IF.,  (b.  Feb.  27,  1809,  d.  Dec.  18,  1835  in  Frances- 
town.) 

Sarali  /''.,  (b.  Dec.  15,  1812,  m.  Rev.  Samuel  C.  Bradford  of 
Sundeiland,  Mass.,  Oct.  28,  1850,  d.  in  East  Alstead,  July 
10,  1889.) 

Al,n<ni.  (b.  Nov.  27,  1816,  m.  Ann  McCnrdy,  Oct.  4,  1838, 
(1.  in  Frani-estown,  Nov.  28,  1840.)] 

HOLT. 

vSTEPIIKN  C.  HOLT  was  l.orn  in  Andovrr.  Mass.,  July  '22,  17US, 
and  married  Mary  C  Cragin,  JS^ov.,  1S2] .  Slic  was  born  in  Temple, 
June  18,  1800,  and  died  here,  Feb.  15,  1S!)0.  Mr.  Holt  came  here 
from  Greenfield  in  1848,  and  lived  about  nine  years  on  the  David  Hovey 
place.  He  afterward  lived  on  the  plaee  now  owned  by  Clarence  Foote, 
w4iere  he  died  Jan.  2,  1858.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Stephen  Di:xtei;,  [b.  in  Andover,  Mass.,  July  22, 1822,  ni. 

Joan  Iladley  of  Lyndeboro'.  He  came  here  in  1848.  and 
remained  here  until  1859,  when  lie  removed  to  Lyndeboro'. 
He  served  in  the  Lyndeboro'  Artillery  Co.,  which  was  sta- 
tioned at  IVirtsmouth,  N.  H.  in  the  wai-  of  the  Rebellion. 
He  died  in  Lyndeboro',  April  25, 1876.  His  widow  resides 
in  Mojit  Vernon.      Children  were; — 

Charles  />.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  25,  1851,  d.  in  Mont 
Vernon,  Oct.  4,  1881.) 

Frances  A.,  {h.  in  Fi'ancestown,  March  17,  1854,  res.  in  Mont 
Vernon.) 

Au(/ui<tui<  P.,  (1).  in  Francestown,  Aug.  14,  1856,  d.  in  Fran- 
cestown, Nov.  28,  1856.) 

Auqusfinc  P.,  (twin  brother  of  Augustus,  also  died  Nov.  28, 
1856.) 

Geon/e  P.,  (b.  in  Lyndeboro',  Aug.  6,  1859,  is  a  carpenter,  res. 
in  Mont  Vernon.)] 

2.  Mary  Jane,  [b.  in  Andovei-,  Mass.,  Sept.  12,  1826,  m.  Reu- 

ben Colburn  of  New  Boston.] 


HOLT,  HOl'KINS.  761 

3.  Nathan  Otis,  [b.  in  Temple,  June  10,  1843,  m.  Fanny 
A.  Wright  of  New  Bofciton,  Feb.  1,  1870.  Mr.  Holt  was  a 
carpenter,  as  Avell  as  a  farniei'.  lie  was  a  soldier  in 
the  ICtli  Kegt.  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  received 
a  pension.  He  was  also  a  zealous  and  prominent  mason, 
and  was  once  master  of  the  lodge  in  this  town.  He  died 
at  his  home,  Feb.  1,  1892.     Children:—     " 

Arthur  Warren^  [b.  in  Francestowii,  Nov.  19,  1871,  is  a  mer- 
chant's clerk  in  New  Boston.) 

l*erh'ii  Dexter,  (b.  in  Francestown,  June  7,  1873,  res.  with 
his  motlier  in  this  town.)] 

I)KA.  STEniEN  IKJLT  i-cniuvcd  fruiii  (Jrcciilii'ld  to  Nl-w  JJuston  m 
ISfjC),  aiul  came  to  Francestown  from  the  latter  plac-c  in  ISiJO.  Ilis 
home  in  this  town  was  the  farm  on  which  liis  son,  John  A.  Ilolt,  now 
lives.  He  was  hoi'n  in  (Treenlield,  Ai)nl  10,1810.  Ili^s  wife  was  Sai'ali 
Spalding.  She  was  born  in  Lyndeboro',  June  2,  1820.  They  were 
married  June  6,  1839.  13ea.  Holt  was  deacon  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  New  IJoston,  and  held  the  same  oflice  in  the  church  in  this 
town.  Tie  died  here,  Nov.  24, 1870.  His  wife  died  in  this  town,  March 
.30,  1800.     Their  children:— 

1.  Stei'HEN  Henk\%  [b.  in  Greenlield,  Feb.  11, 1840.      He  was 

a  soldier  in  Co,  K,  5th  N.  H.  Regt.  and  died  of  a  wound 
received  in  battle,  in  Washington,  D.  C,  June  22,  1864.] 

2.  Geokge  p.,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Sept.  14,  1841,  m.  Mary  C. 

Symonds,  April  24,  1866,  is  a  farmer,  res.  in  Greenfield, 
where  he  has  served  upon  the  board  of  selectmen.] 

3.  John  A.,  [b.  Dec.  22,  1842,  res.  in  Francestown,  is  a  most 

excellent  Christian  man.] 

4.  FRANCES  A.,  [b.  Aug.  29,  1844  in  Greenfield,  m.  John  M. 

Duiicklee  of  Greenfield,  Jan.  1,  1873^  He  died  in  1875 
in  Greenfield,  and  she  soon  after  came  to  this  town  to  live. 
She  removed  to  Stoneham,  which  is  now  her  })lace  of  I'esi- 
dence.  Her  children  are: — Cynthia  M.,  born  in  Green- 
field, Sept  21,  1873;  Sarah  Frances,  born  in  Francestown, 
Feb.  16,  1876.] 

5.  Sarah  E.,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Aug.  18,  1847,  res  in  Frances- 

town,] 

6.  Chaeles  W.,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  July  21,  1853,  d.  in  Green- 

field, Aug.  13,  1854.] 


702  GENEALOGIES. 

7.  Chakleh  S.,  []).  in  New  Boston,  Feb.  2,  1858,  d.  in  New 

Boston,  June  18,  1858.] 

8.  Walteh  p.,  [b.  in  Francestowii,  Miucli  4,  1802,  is  a  milk 

dealer  in  Revere,  Mass.] 

HOPKINS. 

ROBERT  HOPKINS,  who  settk'd  on  the  Gibson  pliicc  as  early  as 
17(il»,  was  tlie  youngest  of  tour  l)rothers  of  Scotch  ancestry,  who  emi- 
grated from  the  North  of  Irehmd.  John,  the  oklest,  settled  in  London- 
derry in  17.'>0.  Ilis  wife  was  Elizabeth  Dinsmore,  daughter  of  John 
Dinsmore  of  whom  mention  has  been  made  in  this  work.  Two  of  their 
children,  .Tanu'S  and  Margaret,  were  born  in  Ireland.  The  former  spent 
his  last  years  in  this  town.  James,  one  of  the  four  brothers,  married 
and  reared  a  family  in  Londonderry.  The  fourth  brother,  whose  name 
cannot  be  ascertained,  became  identified  with  the  Scotch  settlers  of 
Maine,  where  his  descendants  are  numci'ous.      l{obei-t  Hopkins  married 

ISIartha  and  lived  in  Windham  a  few  years.     Here  his  wife  died, 

and  he  niarrii'(l  KIcanor  Wilson,  who  was  the  mother  of  his  children. 
He  was  a  very  devout  man  and  was  known  as  "Deacon  Rol)ert"  since 
he  held  the  office  of  deacon  in  the  church  in  Windham  and  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  this  town.  Some  of  the  earliest  religious  meetings 
in  Francestown  were  held  in  his  barn  in  Avhich  the  ordinance  of  baptism 
was  administered.  He  died  in  this  town  in  the  year  1788.  His  children 
were  all  born  at  Windham.     They  were: — 

1.  Elizabeth,  [b.  April  10,  1740.] 

2.  Sarah,  [b.  June  24,  1742.] 

3.  James,  [b.  July  11,  1740.     He  lived  here  a  feAv  years.     A 

child  of  James  Hopkins  was  buried  here  in  April,  1788, 
and  another  in  Feb.,  1793.  He  doubtless  lived  with  his 
fatlier  upon  tlie  Gibson  place.] 

4.  Robekt,  Ji;.,  [b.  July  7,  1752.] 

5.  Boyd,  [b.  Aug*  17,  1755,  m.  Jane   Burns  of  New  Boston, 

removed  to  Antrim  in  1794,  was  a  farmer,  d.  in  Antrim, 
Sept.  20,  1833.     He  was  the  father  of  twelve  children,  six 
of  whom  were  doubtless  born  in  this  town.     His  children 
were : — 
Patty,  (b.  Dec.  27,  1783,  m.  Nathaniel  Griffin,  d.  in  1827.) 
Solomo7i,  (b.  Sept.  8,  1785,  m.  Sarah  Temple,  Dec.  20,  1811, 

moved  to  Alstead,  where  he  died  in  1852.) 
EUzaheth,  (b.  Aug.  25,1787,  m.  William  Wilkins  of  Antrim, 
July  20,  1820,  d.  Feb.  3,  1850.) 


HOPTvINS.  763 

Jane,  (b.  Aug.  12,  1789,  d.  unm.  in  1820.) 

Hannah,  (b.  May  28,  1791,  m.  Charles  Cavender  of  Green- 
field, July  6,  1822,  d.  in  Antrim,  Sept.  29,  1834.) 

Polly,  (b.  May  4,  1793,  d.  in  eliildliood.) 

Sally,  (b.  in  Antrim,  May  14,  1795,  m.  Joslma  Foster  of 
Hancock,  Oct.  8,  181(3,  died  in  Hancock  in  1823.) 

Eleanor  W.,  (b.  in  Antrim,  April  19,  1797,  m.  William  Cav- 
ender, and  removed  to  Fairfield,  Mich.,  where  she  died  in 
1839.) 

Nancy,  (b.  in  Antrim,  May  11,  1799,  d.  aged  20  years.) 

Robert  B.,  (1).  in  Antrim,  June  16,  1803,  m.  Caroline  Rngg 
of  Ringe,  Dec.  23,  1834,  res.  in  Antrim.) 

Polly,  (b.  in  Antrim,  Dec.  11,  1805,  m.  John  Peabody  of 
Antrim,  Dec.  31,  1829.) 

Fanny,  (b.  in  Antrim,  Feb.  12,  1809,  m'.  Benjamin  Tuttle  of 
Hiilsl)or<)\  Jan.  29,  1833,  d.  in  Ilillsboro'  in  1840.)]      • 

.JAMES  HOPKINS  was  the  son  of  John  and  KlizabetJi  (I)insmoro) 
Hopkins,  who  came  from  Ireland  in  the  year  1730,  and  settled  on  land 
which  had  been  given  to  his  father-in-law,  Samuel  Dinsmore,  and  on 
which  the  latter  had  built  a  stone  house,  which  they  jointly  occupied. 
The  front  door-stone  of  this  house  was  on  the  present  line  between 
DeiTy  and  Londonderry.  John  Hopkins  made  a  will  Jan  11),  177S,  in 
which  bequests  were  made  to  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  and  to  his  "loving 
grand-sons,  William,  Ebenezer  and  David,  sons  of  James  Hopkins  late  of 
Francestown,  dec",  also  to  his  "loving  grand-daughters,  Mary  Balch, 
Alice,  Naomi,  Kuth  and  P^lizabeth,  daughters  of  James  Hopkins  late  of 
Francestown".  His  daughter,  Margaret,  who  married  Arthur  Nesmith 
of  Londonderry,  also  received  a  bequest,  and  likewise  her  two  sons. 
John  is  known  to  have  had  four  children  born  in  Londonderry: — John, 
Robert,  Nancy  and  Iluth.  We  have  previously  stated  that  James  and 
Margaret  were  born  in  Ireland.  It  is  said  of  John  Hopkins  the  emi- 
grant, that  "he  lived  till  after  Feb.  .5,  177U."  James  Hopkins  must 
have  come  here  quite  early  since  he  was  not  living  in  1778.  We  are  in- 
formed that  his  sons  with  their  mother,  whose  maiden  name  we  have 
not  been  able  to  ascertain,  lived  for  a  few  years  in  the  house  now  owned 
by  Webster  Duncklee.  James  Hopkins  lived  in  this  town  but  a  short 
time  if  he  indeed  had  a  permanent  residence  here.  His  children  were 
doubtless  all  mentioned  in  his  father's  will  and  if  so  they  were: — 
William,  Ebenezer,  David,  Mary  Balch,  Alice,  Naomi  and  Ruth.  The 
last  nanu'd  married  John  Mellin  i)f  this  town,  Jan.  31,  1792. 


764  GENEALOGIES. 

WILLIAM  HOPKINS,  son  of  James,  was  born  in  Londonderry,  Dec. 
4,  1702,  and  came  liere  with  liis  mother  wlien  quite  youno-.  He  joined 
the  llevohUionary  army  when  a  mere  boy.  "VVliik^.  in  New  Jersey  lie  on 
one  occasion  "rowed  General  Washington  across  the  Delaware  river" 
and  doubtless  by  his  youth  and  readiness  of  speech  and  action  made  a 
good  impression  upon  the  great  commander  since  Washington  gave  the 
young  soldier,  ere  he  took  his  leave,  a  small  book,  which  was  long  treas- 
ured liy  Mr.  Hopkins.  He  married  Kacdiel  Brewster  and  settled  on  the 
Hardy  place  near  the  southern  base  of  Uic  mouiifaiii,  whei'e  he  died 
July  .'j,  ISoO.     Children  l)orn  here: — 

1.  Ebenezei;,.  [1).  April  2(),  1790,  in.  Mary  N.  Ramsey  of  Green- 

field, Dec.  20,  ISIf).  He  lived  on  the  home  })lace  and  on 
other  })laces  in  this  lo^\•n.  He  died  here,  Oct.  31,  1801. 
11  is  wife  was  born  Feb.  19,  1  794,  and  died  in  Francestown, 
Jnne  29,  1879.  Their  children  were  born  in  this  town. 
They  were: — 
WiU'uim  Hnrn'son,  (b.  Oct.  23, 1810,  ni.,  1st,  Frances  B.  Cram 
of  Francestown,  Man^h  29,1840,  2nd,  Emeline  D.  (McAl- 
vin)  Preston  of  Antrim,  March  0,  1873.  M]-.  Hopkins 
served  npon  the  l)oard  of  selectmen,  being  trusted  and  re- 
spected by  his  townsmen.  He  lived  on  the  Campbell  place  on 
Oak  hill  and  afterward  on  the  Herman  Hardy  })lace  now  the 
home  of  his  son.  His  wife  died  in  this  town,  Jnne  1, 1870. 
He  also  died  in  Francestown,  July  26,  1886,  Their  chil- 
dren were  born  in  this  town.  They  w^ere  : — Charles  Mon- 
roe, b.  Feb.  16,  1841,  d.  Aug.  10,  1841;  Marion  Frances, 
b,  July  22,  1842,  d.  July  27,  1850;  Fred  Plarrison,  born 
Api-il  29, 1855,  m.  Minnie  A.  Richardson  of  Mont  Vernon, 
Nov.  23, 1878.  He  is  an  enterprising  farmer,  living  upon 
the  place  last  held  by  his  father.  His  children  were  all 
l)orn  in  Francestown  as  follows , — Marion  Frances,  b,  June 
8,  1881,  died  Jan.  11,  1885;  Eveline,  born  Sept.  1,  1882; 
Willard  Harrison,  b.  Sept.  5,  1884;,  Carrie  Estella,  born 
March  1,  1886;  Bessie  Gray,  b.  March  27,  1891.) 
Mar(/aret  Adeline,  (b.  July  29,  1823,  m.  Joseph  M.  Aiken  of 
Deering,  June  24,  1852,  res.  in  Everett,  Mass.)] 

2.  John,  [b.  Aug,  27,  1792,  m.  Mary  Hopkins,  Sept.  19,  1822, 

was  a  physician,  pi'acticed  at  Sunapee  and  at  Newport,  d. 
in  Vineland,  N.  J.] 


HOPKINS.  765 

8.  Polly,  [1).  Sept.  8, 1794,  d.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  13,  1810.] 

4.  RoxY,  [b.  Jan.  31,  1797,  m.  Jabez  Cram  of  Francestown, 

Dec.  4,  1817,  d.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  27,  1881.] 

5.  William,  Jr.,  [1).  Dec.  4,  1799,  m.,  1st,  Nancy   Balch  of 

this  town,  Nov.  13,  1827,  2d,  Lois  Carson  of  New  Boston, 
Sept.  15,  1840.  Fie  lived  on  the  farm  now  owned  by 
Thomas  Averill.  He  died  here,  April  2,  1859.  His 
children  were  all  born  in  this  town.     They  werei^ — 

Orra  Ann^  (h.  Aug.  23,  1835,  m.  Ambrose  Gonld  of  Green- 
field, Nov.  28,  1877,  res.  in  Greenfield.) 

William  Cleaves,  (b.  Aug.  IG,  1837,  m.  Lucetta  Wood  of 
Manchester,  Oct.  18,  1859,  res.  in  Nashua,  and  is  b}^  voca- 
tion a  belt  maker.  He  enlisted  in  18G1  in  the  N.  H,  Light 
Battery  in  whicli  he  served  three  years.) 

George  Washinr/ton,  (1).  June  10,  1841,  m.,  1st.,  Susan  M. 
Ames  of  Francestown,  Aug.  3,  1868,  2nd,  Ada  F.  Rus- 
sell of  Nashua,  Oct.  11,  1873.  He  enlisted  in  tlie  5th  N. 
H.  Regt.,  Sept.  21,  1861,  and  participated  in  all  of  the 
battles  of  the  Peninsular  ('ampaign.  He  was  discharged 
Dec.  30,  1862,  being  greatly  reduced  by  a  sickness,  which 
nearly  proved  fatal.  He  is  by  vocation  a  carpenter,  and 
res.  in  Medford,  Mass.) 

Nancy  Jane,  (1).  Oct.  31,  1842,  m.  James  Collmrn  of  Frances- 
town,  June  7,  1865,  res.  in  Medford,  Mass.) 

Charlei<  Henry,  (b.  March  20,  1844,  is  a  carpenter,  res.  in 
Medford,  Mass.) 

Harvey  Auym^tuH,  (b.  March  11, 1846,  m.  Jennie  E.  Hoyt  of 
Francestown,  Nov.  27,  1873,  is  a  carpenter  and  builder, 
and  has  been  quite  successful  in  his  vocation.  He  now 
resides  in  Medford,  Mass.  Flis  only  child  is: — Clesson  A., 
b.  in  Nashua,  No.v.  14,  1874.) 

Frank  Ilarwood,  (b.  Dec.  4,  1851,  m.  Emily  C.  Averill  of 
Mont  Verncm,  March  10,  1875,  res.  in  Mont  Vernon,  is  by 
vocation  a  carpenter.)] 

6.  Isaac  Bueavster,  [b.  March  9,  1803,  d.  March  20,  1803.] 

7.  Relief,  [b.  April  6,  1804,  m.  Herman  Hardy  of.  Greenfield, 

Jan.  22,  1828,  died  in  East  Caml)ridge,  Mass.,  Oct.  19, 
1875.] 


760  GENEALOGIES. 

8.  Levi,  [b.  Aug.  28, 180G,  m.  Mary  A.  French  of  Thomaston, 

Maine,  Nov.  15,  1829,  lived  in  Boston,  d.  in  Francestown, 
March  9,  1870.] 

9.  PiaiKiNS  Woodbury,  [b.  May  30,  1810,  m.  Almira  Hardy 

of  (Jreenfiehl,  Nov.  18, 1835,  lived  a  few  years  on  the  Burn- 
ham  place  near  Brennan  brook,  liere  two  of  his  children, 
Al)bie  Frances  and  Angeline,  wei-o  born  and  died.  lie  re- 
moved to  Stoddard  and  from  there  to  (irre6ntield,  where  he 
died  Feb.  22,  1885.] 

EBP:NEZI-:H  ITOPKINS  was  also  a  son  of  .Tamos  TTopkins,  he  settled 
a  sliori  distance  soulliward  of  tlie  home  of  his  brother,  William,  near  the 
the  old  road  at  the  sonthern  base  of  the  mountain.  He  married,  Dec. 
13,  17'.»"2,  Lucy  Deaue,  sister  of  George  Deaiie  of  this  town.  She  died 
here,  Dec.  li*,  lsr)-2,  aged  80  years.  lie  died  in  Francestown,  Sept.  3, 
1842,  aged  77  years.  ITis  children,  all  of  whom  wei'e  boi-n  in  this  town, 
were: — 

1.  Lucy,  [b.  Marcli  20, 1794,  m.  Peter  Farniim  of  Francestown, 

June  6,  1818,  d.  in  Francestown,  June  5,  1876.] 

2.  Nathaniel  Deane,  [!>.  June  30,  1790,  d.  July  13,  1820  in 

this  town.] 

3.  Betsey,  [1).  Oct.  5,  1798,  m.  Cliarles   IL  Starrett  of  Gray, 

Maine,  where  slie  died.] 

4.  Sally,  [b.  April  20, 1801,  d.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  17, 1848, 

aged  forty-seven  years.] 

5.  Horace,  [b.  .Inly  25, 1803,  m.  Susan  Balch  of  Francestown, 

Sept.  29,  1830.  He  was  a  farmer  and  lived  on  the  place 
now  occupied  by  liis  son,  Nathaniel  Deane  Hopkins.  He 
was  a  captain  in  the  militia,  and  was  a  man  of  unques- 
tioned honesty  and  industry.  He  died  May  20,  1878  in 
this  town.     His  children,  all  born  in  this  town,  were: — 

Sarah  Frances,  (b.  Sept.  3,  1831,  m.  Daniel  F.  Patcli  of  Fran- 
cestown, May  7,  1850,  d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  17,  1805.)] 

Nathaniel  Deane,  (b.  Sept.  10,  1834,  m.  Nellie  Gilman  of 
P"'rancestown,  Jan.  1, 1863.  His  only  child,  Mary  Eliza,  was 
born  in  this  town,  June  27,  1870.) 

Ilarveij  Monroe  Blchey,  (b.  April  26,  1845,  m.  Mattie  A.  At- 
:  wood  of  this  town,  Oct.  13,  1872,  is  a  carpenter,  res.  in 
Manchester,  has  two  children.) 

6.  James,  [b.  Sept.  8,  1805,  d.  here,  June  17,  1843.] 


HOPKINS.  767 

7.  Abigail  E.,  [1).  Oct.  15,  1807,  m.  Kimball  Fariium  of  Fian- 

cestown,  Nov.,  1830,  d.  at  Wilton,  Me.  in  1891.] 

8.  Ruth,  [b.  April  28,  1810,  m.  John  Mellen  of  Plainlield,  Vt. 

in  1845,  res.  in  Plainlield,  Vt.] 

9.  Ebenezer,  [b.  March  24,  1813,  was  captain  of  the  "-new" 

military  compan}"  organized  here.      He  died  in  this  town, 
June  7,  1837.] 

10.  Marv,  [b.  Ma}^  25,  1815,  ni.  Allen   Nntting  of  Frances- 
town,  April  28,  1835,  d.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  8,  1891.] 

DAVID  HOPKINS,  brother  of  William  and  Ebenezer,  lived  here  a 
short  time  after  his  marriage,  and  we  think  it  quite  proper  that  his  fam- 
ily should  receive  mention  ni  this  work.  He  was  born  in  Londonderry, 
June  25,  17G7,  and  married  Polly  Fellows,  Jan.  31,  1702.  She  was 
born  in  Thomaston,  Conn.,  Dee.  25,  1767.  Mr.  Hopkins  removed  Avith 
his  family  to  Antrim  in  17!*4,  and  ni  1800  went  to  Plainfield,  Vt.  He  en- 
listed in  the  war  of  1812,  and  died  in  the  hospital  at  French  Mills, 
Canada  in  1814.  His  wife  retained  lo  Francestown  sliorlly  after  he 
joined  the  army.  She  died  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  Feb.  15,  1853.  It 
is  said  of  David  Hopkins  that  he  had  two  sons  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
eleven  grandsons  in  the  liuioii  ai'iiiy  in  the  late  war.     ('Iiildrcn  were: — 

1.  David,  Jr.,  [1).  in  Francestown,  Sept.  25,1792,  in.  Harbary 

Low,  was  in   the  wai-  of  1812,  after  wliicb   lie  settled  in 
Freedom,  N.  Y.,  and  d.  in  1839.] 

2.  Lois,  [b.   Jan.   27,  1794,  m.  Jo.sepli   (Tnnney  and  settled   in 

St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.,  d.  in  Somerville,  Mass.,  May  4,  1880.] 

3.  Mahy,  [twin  sister  of  I>ois,  m.  Di-.  John  Ho[)kins  of  Fran- 

town,  d.  at  Vineland,  N.  J.,  Dec.  10,  1875.] 

4.  Betsey,  [b.  in  Antiim,  Oct.  17,  1790,  d.  of  spotted  fever  at 

Plainfield,  Vt.,  Feb.  13,  1811.] 

5.  Ar.NER  Fisher,  [born  in  Antrim,  May  14,  1798,  m.,  1st, 

Almeda  Rand,  2nd,  Mrs,  Saiah  Clay,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Avar  of  1812,  d.  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  Jnne  25,  1807.] 

6.  .Latta,  [b.  in  Plainfield,  Vt.,  July  5,  1800,  m.,  1st,  Simeon 

Fletcher  of  Greenfield,  2nd,  Benjamin  Bailey  of  Greenfield, 
d.  in  Waukon,  Iowa,  Sept.  30^  1867.] 

7.  Lawson,  [b.  in  Plainfield,  Sept.  22,  1802,  m.  Eliza  Smith 

of  Boston,  d.  in  Boston,  Dec,  1834.] 

8.  Lucy,  [b.  in  Plainfield,  Aug.  24,  1804,  d.  in  Montpelier,  Vt., 

Oct.  23,  1805.] 


768  GENEAL()(ilKS. 

0.  James,  []>.  June  18,  1800  in    Montpeliei',   Vt.,  m.  Haniet 

Watson  of  Nortliwood,  Marcli  25,  1827,  res.  in  Lowell.] 

10.  John,  [twin  brother  of  James,  m.,  1st,  Lydia  A.  Spear  of 

Fi'eedom,  N.  Y.,  2iid.  Pai-tlienia  Hninplney  of  Cdiarlestown, 
Mass.,  3rd,  Lucy  Bryant  of  C'harlestown,  d.  in  Charles- 
town,  March  19,  1874.] 

11.  Philander,    [1).  in  ]\Ionti)elier,  Ang.   12,  1808,  ni.,  1st, 

Maiiain  Iv.  Gipson  of  J  hi:iii])(k'n.  Me.,  2nd,  Caioline  E. 
Rand  of  Chicliester,  d.  in  Chichester,  Aug.  29,  187r).] 

12.  Elihu   lIiiUJARi),    [b.  in   Monti)elier,   April  11,  iSll,  ni. 

Susan  Watkins  of  Portsnioulli,  was  killed  in  a  raih'oad 
accident  at  Sonoma,  ().,  Feb.  3,  1858.] 

13.  Eliza,    [!>.    in    Francestown,   July   23,   1813,  m.    Phineas 

Davis,  (1.  ill  Soinerville,  J\Iass.,  April  11,  1881.] 

PERKINS  AVOCJDJJUKY  llOPKIXS,  son  of  I'cikius  Woodbiuy 
Hopkins,  was  born  in  Francestown,  Jan  12,  IS.'jt),  and  removed  with 
liis  jiarents  to  Greenfield  when  a  child.  He  was  a,  soldier  iu  the  war  of 
the  llebellion,  being  enrolled  in  Co.  CI,  13th  Regt.  N.  11.  A^ols.,  Aug. 
12,  lS(i2,  and  discharged  June  21,  ISGo.  lie  n'larried  i\])])ie  C.  Hardy, 
-fan.  1,  ISOT.  She  was  born  iu  Greenfield,  April,  1840.  Mr.  Hopkins 
came  to  Francestown  soon  after  his  marriage  aud  lived  on  the  Herman 
Hardy  place  now  occupied  by  Fred  Hopkins,  here  his  wife  died  Jan. 
23,  18()<S,  and  he  soon  afterward  returned  to  Greenfield.  He  married 
Jennie  M.  Marden,  Nov.  11,  18G1),  aud  has  since  resided  iu  Greenfield, 
Stoddard  and  Francestown.  He  is  by  vocation  a  farmer  and  now  resides 
iu  Greenfield.     His  children: — 

1.  AiJJUE  F.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  21,  18(38.] 

2.  Willie  S.,  [b.  in  Cxreenfield,  Sept.  2,  1870.] 

3.  Gertie  May,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Jan.  11,  1872,  d.  in  Green- 

field, June  5,  1875.] 

4.  Claiience  M.,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Oct.  16,  1874.] 

5.  BuiiTON  F.,  [b.  ill  Greenfield,  Sept.  29,  1870,  d.  in  Stoddard, 

Aug.  9,  1879.] 

6.  Charles  P.,  [b.  in  Stoddard.  Feb.  7,  1878.] 

7.  EuNA  M.,    [b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  12, 1884.] 

8.  John  E.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  May  27,  1886.] 

JOHN  HOPKINS  aud  James  Hopkins,  Jr.  were  taxpayers  iu  tliis 
town  in  1773. 


HOVEV,   HOWARD.  709 

HOVEY. 

DAVID  HOVEY  came  licre  from  IVterlioro'  in  iS.'il,  and  lived  on 
the  place  last  occupied  Ijy  the  widow  of  John  Clark  near  the  Itand 
brook,  beside  which  the  Fairbanks  mill  then  stood,  and  was  run  by  JNIr. 
Hovey.  lie  was  considered  an  ingenious  man  and  a  good  mechanic. 
Among  the  products  of  his  industry  were  winnowing  mills,  which  were 
at  that  day  sold  readily  in  this  section.  He  lived  late  in  life  on  the 
Daniel  W.  Duncklee  place,  which  was  his  last  liome  in  Francestown. 
He  was  born  in  Peterboro',  Feb.  2S,  1785,  married  Betsey  Gregg,  Dec. 
24,  1812,  and  died  in  Lyndeboro',  May  5,  18()8.  His  wife  was  boi'u 
July  9,  1791,  and  died  in  Greenlield,  June  27,  1SG9.  Their  children, 
all  born  in  Peterljoro',  were: — 

1.  Sakah,  [b.  Apiil  12,  181-1,  111.,  1st,  Sylvester  Proctor  of 

Lyndeboro',  Jan.  21,  1841,  2iid,  Mauley  Kidder  of  Lynde- 
boro', where  she  died,  Nov.  20,  187'J.] 

2.  EijtzA,  [b.  Alio-.  24,  1817,  m.  Franklin  Senter  of  Lyndeboro', 

July  2,  1854,  res.  in  Lyndeboro'.] 

0.  ThcKbe  Farnum,  [b.  March  19,  1825,  m.  Josiah  Swininy- 

ton  in  1845,  d.  in  Milford,  Nov.,  1891.J 

ISAAC  HOVEY,  a  relative  of  David  Hovey,  was  boi'n  in  Hoxford, 
Mass.,  March  1,  1808,  and  married,  1st,  Margaret  Perkins  of  Dunl)ar- 
ton,  who  died  in  Aver,  Mass.,  Feb.  8,  1865.  His  home  in  this  town  to 
wliich  he  came  in  1834  was  the  Cressy  place  on  DriscoU  hill.  Mr. 
Hovey  removed  to  Dunbarton,  where  he  remained  a  few  j'ears  and  re- 
turned to  Francestown,  but  afterward  went  to  California,  and  during 
his  absence  his  house  was  destroye*!  by  lire.  He  linalh'  established 
himself  in  Ayer,  Mass.,  where  he  buried  his  first  wife  and  married,  2d, 
Susan  S.  Lakin  of  Durham,  N.  II.,  Jan.  1,  18()().  He  died  a  few  years 
ago  in  Ayer,  Mass.     His  children,  all  l)orn  in  this  town,  were: — 

1.  Perkins  D.,  [b.  Jan.  6,  1835,  is  a  fai-mer.] 

2.  Isaac  Jamkson,  [b.  March  4,  1837,  res.  in  California.] 

3.  Horace  C,    [b.   Nov.    16,  1840,  is   a   civil    engineer    and 

machinist,  res.  in  Ayer,  Mass.] 

4.  .William  J.  C,  [died  in  P>ancestown,  Feb.  24,  1845,  aged 

6  months.] 

JOIIM  HOVEY,  the  father  of  Isaac,  spent  his  last  years  at  the  home 
of  his  son  in  this  town,  where  he  died  March  17,  1852. 


770  GENEALOGIES. 

HOWARD. 

CHARLES  F.  IIOWAEI)  was  born  on  Salutation  St.,  Boston,  Nov." 
10,  1810,  being  the  son  of  Jolm  Day  and  Sophia  (Hinckley)  Ilowanl  of 
that  city.  He  received  a  good  education  at  the  Eliot  grammar  and  the 
Boston  high  school,  and  served  an  apprenticeshii)  with  a  hat  manufact- 
urer on  Hanover  street.  About  the  year  1882,  heX'tinie  to  Francestown, 
and  followt'd  the  occupation  of  a  hat  maker  and  taught  school  winters. 
He  married,  first,  Sarah  A.  Copeland  of  this  town,  (Tub.  May  2, 1837.). 
She  died  the  following  year  and  he  married,  second,  Eliza  E.  Legg  of 
Boston,  ( Pull.  .lune  17.  IS,"!!).).  She  was  boi'n  in  South  Orange,  Mass. 
in  1818,  and  dieil  Oct.  2!l,  1842.  He  married,  third,  Sarah  A.  Crock- 
ett, Nov.  25,  1843.  She  was  born  in  New  York  City,  April  28,  1821, 
and  is  now  living  in  Chelsea,  Mass.  ISIr.  Howard's  home  in  this  town 
was  the  Copeland  house  recently  remodeled  by  Geo.  W.  Cummings. 
In  1840,  he  I'etuiMied  to  Boston,  and  six  years  later  removed  to  Chelsea, 
where  for  thirty-six  years  lie  was  unanimously  elected  city  messenger. 
He  was  a  most  genial  man,  rich  in  humor  and  quaint  of  speech.  He 
often  jocosely  boasted  that  he  was  of  Royal  blood,  avering  that  the 
Duke  of  Norfolk  was  named  Charles  Howard.  He,  one  day,  poured 
into  the  reci'ptive  ears  of  a  gentleman  connected  with  the  j)ress  the 
much  inflated  story  of  his  lineage,  and,  doubtiess  astonished  at  his  own 
inventiveness  and  fluency,  demonstrated  his  heirship  to  an  elaborate 
coat  of  arms  and  an  awe-inspiring  title,  and  he  talked  with  effect,  for 
while  perusing  his  paper  on  the  following  morning,  to  his  astonishment 
and  inlinite  amusement,  he  found  in  sober  print  a  statement  of  his  apoc- 
ryphal claims  to  hereditary  distinction.  The  joke  caused  much  merri- 
ment among  Mr.  Howard's  friends,  who  for  the  space  of  several  years 
(li<l  not  lose  an  opportunity  to  address  him  as  Duke,  which  appellation 
he  always  good  naturedly  received.  Among  the  many  societies  and 
fraternities  of  which  Mr.  Howard  was  a  member  was  tlie  old  Boston 
School-boys  Association  in  which  he  was  very  poi)ular.  He  died  at  his 
home  in  Chelsea,  April  0,  1893.     His  children  Avere: — 

1.  Sarah,  [d.  in  infancy,  April  8,  1839.] 

2.  Eliza  E.,  [b.  in   Boston,  Oct.  25,  1842,  ni.,  Jan.  10,  1804, 

Coleman  Tilden,  Jr.,  city  messeng-er  of  C'lielsea,  Mass.] 

3.  Sakah  E.,  [b.  in  Boston,  Oct.  11,  1844,  m.  John  11.  Clifford 

of  Brentwood,  Dec.  2,  1863,  res.  in  Chelsea.] 

4.  Sophia  H.,  [b.  Dec.  4,  1846  in  Chelsea,  m.  John  II.  Clark 

of  Hartford,  Ct.,  Sept.,  1879,  res  in  Randolph,  Mass.] 

5.  Celinda  Copeland,  [b.  Aug.  6, 1850,  died  Oct.  31, 1853.] 

6.  Kate,  [b.  in  1852,  died  in  infancy.] 


HOWE,  HOYT.  7-71 

HOWE. 

Dit.  ADONLJAII  HOWE  niarried  Sarah  Hipley  and  lived  in  Jaffrey. 
lie  was  the  father  of  Dr.  Abner  Howe,  who  graduated  at  Dartmouth 
Coll.,  ISni,  and  at  Dartmouth  Medical  Coll.,  1S03,  and  d.,  1826,  aged 
47;  of  Rev.  James  Howe,  who  graduated  at  Dartmouth  Coll.,  1S17, 
at  Andover  Thological  Seminary,  1821,  taught  our  Academy  for  a  time, 
and  settled  in  T(']iperell,  Mass.,  and  d.,  1840,  aged  43;  and  of  Dr. 
Adonijah  ITowc,  Jr.,  and  of  Dr.  Luke  Howe,  both  of  whom  practiced 
for  a  time  in  this  town. 

Dr.  Adonijah  of  Francestown  was  born  in  Jaffrey,  June  21,  1784; 
graduated  at  Dartmouth  Medical  Coll.,  1812;  was  in  study  and  practic^e 
here  some  years  before  his  graduation,  it  is  said,  l)ut  soon  after  Avent 
back  to  Jaffrey  and  was  in  practice  there  till  his  death;  m.  Mary  Wood- 
bury, dau.  of  Hon  Peter  Woodbury  of  this  town.  May  14,  1807;  was  a 
physician  of  considerable  note  in  his  day;  d.  in  Jaffrey,  Aug.  8,  1815, 
aged  31,  in  the  midst  of  his  highest  promise.     Children: — 

1.  Mary  Eloise,  [born  April  9,  1808;  m.  Dr.  John  Fox  of 

Jaffrey,  who  graduated  at  Dartmouth  Medical  College, 
1835,  Aug.  13,  1829;  d.  in  Jaffrey,  Feb.  2,  1837.] 

2.  Sarah  Elizabeth,  [b.  Oct.  9, 1813  ;  d.  in  Jaffrey,  July  30, 

1837;  unm.] 

Dr.  LITKE  HOWE,  son  of  Dr.  Adonijah,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Jaffrey, 
March  28,1787;  graduated  Dartmoutli  College,  1811;  studied  law  with 
Hon.  Sameul  Dakin  of  Jaffrey  and  began  practice  in  that  town  in  1814; 
not  being  pleased  with  the  practice  of  law,  he  took  up  the  study  of 
medicine;  studied  a  while  in  Boston;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  Medi- 
cal College,  1818;  then  settled  in  the  jn-actice  of  medicine  in  his  native 
town;  was  for  a  time  President  of  the  New  Hampshire  Medical  Society; 
was  Post  Master  of  Jaffrey;  m.  Mrs.  Mary  W.  Howe,  widow  of  his  brother, 
Adonijah,  Jan.  25,  1819;  d.  in  Jaffrey,  Dec.  24,  1841,  aged  54;  an  able 
and  successful  man;  his  widow  d.  Jan.  18,  1875.  See  the  Woodbury 
family.  The  children  of  Dr.  Luke  and  Mary  (Woodbury)  Howe 
were : — 

1.  Isabella  Woodbu  ry,  [b.  in  Jaffrey,  Dec.  22, 1819 :  became 

2d  wife  of  Dr.  Jolni  Fox  of  Jaffi-ey,  Jan.  3,  1843.] 

2,  Dr..  Adonljah  Woodbui^y,  [b.  Sept.  25,  1825  ;  graduated 

at  Dartmoutli  Medical  Colleo^e,  1851;  m.  Martha  D.  But- 
terfield  of  Dunstable,  Mass.,  Aug.  21,  1856  ;  practiced 
medicine  in  Dunstable,  1851-1861 ;  moved  to  Hollis,  1861 ; 
thence,  1865,  to  Greenville,  where  he  practiced  about 
fifteen  years;  returned  to  Hollis  and  died  there,  Sept.  9, 
1886;  their  children  were : — 


(  iZ  GENEALOGIES. 

Woodbur//,  (b.  May  12,1857;  m.  P>ances  A.  MeGlade  ;  is 

civil  engineer  in  Illinois.) 
Harry  Dun.^fer,  1j.  Sept.  6,  18r)(S;  d.  infancy.) 
Mary  Elizahetli,  (b.  Feb.  2,  1860;  teaelioi-;  lives  in   ITollis.) 
E(hrard  Dc.rfcr,    (l)orn    Dec.    27,   18(U  ;    Dentist,   l^eppeiell, 

Mass.) 
Fymma  LahrU  (b.   .Inne  17,  18(i8:   m.  Cliarles  J.  liell,  March 

31,  1888.] 
Charles  Lake,  (b.  Dec.  6,  1865;  is  florist  in  Dover.). 
ILIc'n   Wr'iyhl,  (b.  .Ian.  3,  1868:  ni.  Amos  H.  Leighton,  Dec. 

23.  1801,) 
Fannie  Louise,    (1).  Juno  11,  1870  ;  teacliei',  ITollis.) 
Fredericlc  WiJliaai,  {h.   Sept.  30,1872:  now  student,  N.   H. 

College  of  Agricnllui-e.)    , 
Hdi'ace  Leonard,  (1).  June;  4,  1875.)] 

IIOYT. 

.JOIINi  riOYT,  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  Salisbury,  Mass.,  was 
born  about  the  year  KJIO.  It  is  certain  that  he  came  from  England  to 
Salisbury  previous  to  Oct.  1,1039.  He  was  lined  for  felling  trees 
against  the  town's  order,  but  the  fine  was  abated  2'^'  11"'  1044.  He 
was  twice  married  and  both  of  his  wives  bore  the  Christian  name  of 
Frances.  He  was  sergeant  of  the  military  company  of  Salisbury,  though 
we  do  not  know  that  he  was  ever  in  active  service.  He  died  on  the 
2Sth  of  Febi'uary,  1081^.  ThomasS,  his  son,  was  born  Jan.  1, 1041,  and 
mari'ied  Elizabeth  Brown  of  Salisbury,  where  he  resided.  He  died  Jan. 
3,  101)0.  Benjamins,  son  of  Thomas^,  was  born  Sept.  20,  1080.  He 
married  Hannah  Pillsbury  of  jSTewbury.  He  was  .a  tanner  and  lived  iu 
Salisbury  and  Newbury.  He  died  in  1748.  Moses*,  son  of  Benjamin^, 
was  born  March  1,  1707,  and  married  Mary  Carr,  July  15,  1731.  He 
was  a  resident  of  Salisbury  and  Epping,  and  in  1770  of  Weare.  He  was 
a  tall,  stout  man,  and  was  styled  a  cordwainer  and  sometimes  a  yeo- 
man. He  died  about  the  year  1784.  George^,  his  son,  was  born  June 
7, 1748.  and  married  llhoda  Blaisdell  in  Salisbur}',  Mass.,  Oct.  31, 1771. 
About  the  j-ear  1773,  he  removed  from  Salisbury  to  Weare,  and  thence 
to  Henniker  about  the  year  1782,  and  ten  years  later  to  Sandwich.  He 
also  lived  a  short  time  in  Deering  and  in  Hillsboro'  He  was  a  farmer 
and  shoe-maker.  A  record  says  that  his  teeth  were  all  double.  Daniel " , 
son  of  George^  and  Bhoda  (Blaisdell)  Hoyt,  was  born  in  1783,  and 
married  Molly  Codman,  who  died  July,  1851.  He  resided  in  Henniker, 
Bradford  and  Hillsl)oro'.  He  died  Jan.,  1848.  George  and  Molly 
(Codman)  Hoyt  were  the  parents  of  George,  who.  re2:»resented  the  fam- 
il}'  in  Francestown.     The  name  like  all  of  the  old  English  family  names 


HOYT,    HUNGERFORD.  773 

was  spelled  in  many  ways.  In  the  olden  time  its  ortho<j;raphy  was 
Hoit,  Haight,  Iloyette  and  otherwise.  Welister  tells  us  that  the  mean- 
ing of  Iloit  is  "To  leap,  to  caper,"  from  which  we  infer  that  the 
Hoyets  of  ancient  timee  like  those  of  our  own  day  were  famous  for 
their  geniality  and  agility. 

GEORGE  HOYT,  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Codman)  Iloyt,  was  born 
in  Deering,  May  1.3,  1S13.  lie  lived  many  years  in  IJradford  and  re- 
moved from  that  town  to  Deering  in  1864,  and  nine  years  afterward 
came  to  Francestown.  In  1875,  he  went  to  live  upon  the  place  still 
occupied  l)y  his  widow.  lie  was  a  soldier  in  the  w^ar  of  the  llebellion. 
He  died  in  this  town,  Sept.  11,  1875.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife 
was  Eudocia  Call.  She  was  born  in  l>oscawen,  Nov.  5,  1821,  and  was 
married  to  Mr.  Iloyt,  July  21,  1842.     Their  children  are: — 

1.  Elvira,  [b.  in  Bradford,  Fel).  27,  1844,  m.  J.  H.  A.  Bruce 

of  Mont  Vernon,  May  8,  18G1.] 

2.  Olando,  [1).  in  Bradford,  March  23,  184(3,  m.  Eva  C.  Bruce 

of  Stoneham,  Oct.  22,  1873,  res.  at  Milford.] 

3.  Onslow,  [b.  in  Hillsboro',  Jan.  13,  1848,  m.  Ella  Jkirton  of 

Wilton,  d.  in  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  Jan.  20,  1879.] 

4.  Mary  M.  K.,  [b.  in   Bradford,  March  28,  1850,  m.   Daniel 

A.  Colby  of  Francestown,  res.  in  Francestown.] 

5.  Orzando,  [1).  in   Bradford,   July  1,   1852,  unmarried,  is  a 

carpenter,  I'es.  with  his  mother.] 
G.  Lorenzo,  [b.  in   Biadford,  Sept.  13,  1854,  m.  Emma  Green 
of  Stoneham,   Mass.,   June,  1877,  is    a  carpenter,  res.  in 
Stoneham.] 

7.  Emma  Jane,  [b.  in   Bradford,  July  9,  185G,  m.  Harvey  A. 

Hopkins  of  Francestown,  res.  in  Wellington,  Mass.] 

8.  Nancy  Jane,  [b.  in  Bradford,  Nov.  17,  1858,  m.  William 

Eaton  of  Francestown,  d.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  3,  1879.] 

9.  Joseph  C,  [b.  in  Bradford,  March  16,  1861,  d.  in  Frances- 

town,  June  25,  1886. J 

HUNGERFORD. 

FRANKLIN  HUNGERFORD,  who  built  the  house  and  shop  on  the 
Jonathan  Dustin  place,  is  said  to  have  been  a  native  of  the  state  of  New 
York,  whence  he  went  to  Bennington,  where  he  lived  several  years 
previous  lo  coming  to  Francestown,  wh^,ch  was  about  the  year  1845, 
He  was  a  l)lacksmith,  and  both  a  dexterous  and  ingenious  workman. 
He  removed  to  Nashua,  where  lie  die4.     His  wife  was  Eliza  Andrews, 


774  GENEALOGIES. 

a  sister  of  Mrs.  Franklin  Onhvaynf  tliis  town.  She  was  born  in  Weare, 
Fel).  'J.'),  ISIO.  She  died  in  Portsmouth.  They  had  several  children, 
none  of  whom  were  horn  duiing  their  residence  in  Francestown. 

HUNTINGTON. 

SIMON  TIITNTINGT(  )N,  from  whom  Joshua  and  Joseph  of  Frances- 
town  descended,  was  doubtless  an  FnoHshman,  he  is  believed  to  have 
married  Mariraret  IJaret  of  Norwich,  England.  In  1  (').■>.'!,  he  with  his 
wife  and  several  cliildren  left  England  for  America,  l)ut  died  of  the 
small  pox  while  on  the  voyage  and  was  buried  at  sea.  William,  the 
eldest  son  of  Simon  and  Margaret,  was  in  Salisbury,  Mass.  as  eai'ly  as 
1640,  he  died  at  Amesbury,  Mass.  in  KISO.  .Tolin,  his  son,  born  in 
Amesbury,  Aug.,  1648,  married  Elizabeth  Hunt,  Oct.  2.5, 166;),  and  died 
about  1727.  Samuel,  son  of  John,  was  born  in  Amesbury,  where  he 
married  Elizalx'th  Martin,  April  7,  170S.  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel  and 
p]lizabeth,  was  born  at  Amesbury,  -Tan.  l.'>,  1710,  and  married  Abigail 
Maxfield  of  Salis])ury,  Mass.,  Jan.  19,  17M7.  Joshua  of  Francestown 
and  Joseph  of  Society  Land  were  sons  of  Samuel  and  Abigail.  The 
genealogical  Memoir  of  the  family  written  l)y  Rev.  E.  B.  Huntington, 
A.  M.  contains  many  excellent  sketches  and  portraits  of  statesmen, 
jurists  and  divines  of  the  name  of  Huntington. 

JOSHUA  HUNTINGTON  was  in  Francestown  as  early  as  17!>:},  and 
lived  on  the  Carter  place  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  He  was  re- 
puted to  be  a  seventh  son,  although  he  is  not  so  mentioned  in  the  Me- 
moir. Mr.  llodney  S.  Huntington  now  wears  a  silver  coin  given  him 
l)y  his  great  uncle  for  medicinal  purposes  in  1814,  when  he  was  but 
fifteen  months  old.  We  are  told  that  it  proved  a,  ])alm.  Joshua  mar- 
ried .Tane  Quigle}',  who  died  in  Francestown,  Aug.  14,  ISIS.  She  was 
the  first  person  buried  in  the  cemeter}^  at  Mill  Village.  Mr.  Hunting- 
ton removed  to  Marshlield,  Vt.  in  1S23,  where  he  died.  Children 
were : — 

1.  Mauy,  [Ix  June  8,  1784,  d.  in  Francestown,  Nov.,  1817.] 

2.  Jane,  [b.  May  18,  178(3,  m.  Benjamin  Sleeper  of  Frances- 

town,  Nov.  5,  1805,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept  8,  1821.] 

3.  Thomas,  [b.  Aug.  20, 1788,  d.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  5, 1823.] 

4.  Abigail,  [b.  May  6,  1790,  m.  Majniard  Hutchinson  of  Fran- 

cestown, d.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  G,  1864.] 

5.  Susannah,  [b.  Feb.  8,  1792,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  19, 

I860.] 

6.  John,  [l)orn  April  13,  1794,  died  in  Francestown,  April  23, 

1826.] 

7.  Samuel,  [b.  Oct.  7,  1795,  went  early  to  Marshlield,  Vt., 

where  he  died  Feb.  25,  1876.] 


HUNTINGTON,  HURD.  775 

8.  Betsey,  [b.  Jan.  23, 1797,  m.  David  Cochran  of  New  Boston, 

Sept.  2,  1817,  d.  in  New  Boston.  June  5,  1888.] 

9.  David,  [b.  May  8,  1799,  m.  Hannah  Spencer  of  Marshhekl, 

Vt.,  d.  in  Marshfield,  April  21,  1864.] 

10.  Joshua,  [b.  July  13,  1801,  d.  in  Nashua,  April,  1855.] 

11.  Hannah,  [b.  Nov.  7,  1802,  m.  Daniel  Morse  of  P'rances- 
town,  Sept.  19,  1824,  d.  in  Lyndeboro',  Aug.  15,  1863.] 

12.  Sally,  [b.  March  12,  1805.] 

JOSEPH  HUNTINGTON  Wiis  the  son  of  Joseph,  who  married,  tirst, 
Mary  Colby,  March  3,  1775,  and  settled  in  Society  Land  now  J3cnning- 
ton.  She  died  Jan.  2,  1802,  and  Mr.  Huntington  married  I'ersis  Love- 
joy,  Aug.  1(S,  1802.  The  home  of  Joseph  in  Society  Land  was  on  Hunt- 
ington Hill  near  the  north-west  boundary  of  Francestown.  Here  the 
elder  Joseph  died  Oct.  25,  1837,  and  his  widow  died  May  20,  1842,  here 
Joseph,  their  son,  was  born  July  31, 1779.  He  maiTied  Rebecca  Pettee 
of  Francestown,  Nov.  23,  1800,  resided  in  Society  Land  until  1823, 
when  he  removed  to  tlie  Samuel  Collins  place  on  the  noithern  sh)pe  of 
Crotched  Mountain,  where  he  remained  until  1830,  when  lu'  moved  to 
Mill  Village  and  occupied  the  house  now  owned  by  Rodney  Hunting- 
ton. He  was  l)y  trade  a  wlieelwright,  for  several  years  subsetjuent  to 
his  going  to  Mill  Village,  he  manufactured  ploughs,  occu[)ying  a  room 
in  the  house  as  a  workshop.  He  was  an  honest,  ingenious  and  indus- 
trious man,  he  died  at  Francestown,  Nov.  19,  18(')1,  his  death  was 
caused  by  his  cultin'g  his  foot  severely  w'hile  chopping  alone  in  the  woods. 
He  was  found  dead  at  night-fall  fully  lifty  rods  from  the  scene  of  the 
accident,  which  distance  he  had  succeeded  in  struggling  on  toward 
home  ere  he  fainted  from  loss  of  blood.  His  wife  died  in  Francestown, 
Sept,  17,  1870.  All  their  children  save  one  were  born  in  Society  Land, 
now  Bennington: — 

1.  Catherine  P.,  [b.  Dec.  7,  1810,  d.  in  Francestown,  April 

17,1888.]. 

2.  Rodney  S.,  [b.  Oct.  29,  1812,  ni.,  Jan.  7,  1841,.Emeline  B. 

Colley  of  Bedford,  slie  was  born  Feb.  8,  1820,  and  died 
Nov.  5,  1879  in  Nashua.  Mr.  Huntington  resided  forty- 
five  years  in  Nashua,  where  he  was  employed  as  pattern 
maker  in  the  Nasluia  Iron  Foundry.  He  now  resides  in 
Francestown,  is  an  honest,  social  and  intelligent  man. 
Children: — 

Joseplihie  A.,  (b.  in  Manchester,  Dec.  6,  1841,  res.  in  Fran- 
cestown.) 


776  GENEALOGIES. 

Ehner  C,  (1>.  in  Manchester,  Dee.  14,  1844,  d.  at  San  Fran- 
cisco, C'al.,  May  17,  1891,  ni.,  1st,  Clara  Lewis  of  ("linton, 
Mass.,  June  1,  1869,  2nd,  Lizzie  C.  Gregg  of  Middlebury, 
Vt.,  Jan.  17,  1877.) 

Quineij  31.,  (born  in  Nasluia,  A])ril  12,  1851,  ni.  Susie  J. 
Wheeloek  of  Francestown,  Fcl).  21,  1878.  Their  children 
are: — llodney  Quincy,  born  in  Kasliua,  June  24,  1879; 
Sidney  Elmer,  1).  in  Francestowii,  Aug.  11,1881;  Ellen 
Emeline,  1).  in  Francestown,  July  2<'»,  188o,  Mr.  Hunting- 
ton res.  at  (Jreenheld,  is  \)\  vocation  an'  engineer,  is  an 
honest  and  industrious  man,  and  a  skilled  workman.) 
Katie  Maria.  (1).  in  Nashua,  May  12,  1852,  d.  in  Fraiu-.estown, 
Dec.  15,  1860.) 

Mcrtie  Mail,  (adopted  child,  b.  at  I^}'ndeboro\  h'eb.  lo,  1874, 
d.  at  Nashua,  July  9,  1885.)] 

3.  John,  [bom   Aug.  12,  1814,  m..  Isl,  May  25,  1841,   Lucy 

Boardman,   2nd,  April  6,   1854,  So})hronia  D.   Parkei-   of 
Merrimack,  d.  Nov.  16,  1882  in  Nashua.] 

4.  (^EOitGE,  [b.  Oct.  8, 1817,. d.  Feb.  15,  1827  at  Francestown.] 

5.  Herman,  [born   July  16,  1819,  d.  Oct.  2,  1831  in   Frances- 

town.] 

6.  Joseph,  [b.  Sept.  12,  1823  in  Francestown.] 

HURD. 

Rev.  ALBEHT  C.  TIURI)  Avas  born  in  Clniton,  Conn.,  May  IS,  1S31. 
Ilis  father,  Aaron  G.  nnr(l,\vas  the  youngest  son  in  a  family  of  thirteen 
children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  the  others  lived  to  a  good  old 
age,  the. oldest  dying  at  the  age  of  ninety-nine  years  and  twelve  days. 
Aaron  G.  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  \^\'l.  He  lived  to  be  nearly 
ninety-one  years  of  age  and  occupied  places  of  trust  and  responsibility 
in  Church  and  State.  He  held  the  position  of  trial  justice  of  the  peace 
until  disqualified  by  the  state  laws  on  account  of  advanced  age.  He 
was  also  a  selectman  of  the  town,  was  a  county  commissioner,  and  was 
twice  elected  to  the  State  legislature.  His  wife  was  Polly  Wilcox,  the 
daughter  of  a  Presbyterian  deacon,  she  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-eiglit 
years.  Albert  C.  Hui'd  was  brought  up  on  his  father's  farm,  working 
summers  and  attending  the  district  school  winters,  until  he  was  pre- 
pared to  enter  Clinton  Academy.  He  afterward  attended  the  State 
Normal  School  at  New  Britain,  Conn.,  and  taught  school  two  years  in 
that  state.  He  then  went  to  Ohio,  Avhere  he  continued  teaching  two 
years,  after  which  he  entered  Baldwin  University,  where  he  studied 


HUTCHINSON.  777 

two  years,  when  he  was  licensed  to  preach.  Two  years  later  he  was 
ordained  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  He  preached  seven  years  in  Ohio 
and  then  returned  to  his  native  state  and  had  pastorates  in  Montville 
and  Taftville,  Conn,  and  in  Thorndike,  Mass.,  besides  supplying  other 
churches.  He  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Congregational 
Church  in  Francestown,  and  commenced  his  labors  Nov.,  1887,  here  he 
continued  his  services  until  Nov.,  1892,  when  he  was  called  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Congregational  Church  in  IJoscawen,  where  he  now  resides. 
During  his  sojourn  here  he  was  esteemed  a  most  aide  sermonizer,  being 
methodical,  clear,  strong  and  interesting.  Upon  all  doctrinal  points  he 
showed  depth,  solidity  and  intelligence;  he  was  moreover  equal  to  any 
occasion  requiring  a  ready,  pointed  and  effective  address,  and  the  lectures 
delivered  by  him  here  and  in  neighboring  towns  were  creditable  to  his 
forensic  and  literary  attainments.  He  married,  in  Columbia,  Ohio, 
Oct.  3,  1858,  Sara  A.  Tuc-ker  of  Sterling,  Conn.,  an  accomplished  lady 
of  intelligence  and  depth  of  purpose.     Their  children  are: — 

1.  Alice  Coka,  [wliu  married  G.  Avery  Ray  of  Norwicli,  (.'oiin., 

where  she  now  resides.] 

2.  Albert  Griswold,  [wlio  married  Nettie  E.  Bond  of  Palmer, 

Mass.] 

3.  Sarah  Anna,  [who  resides  with  lier  parents.] 

HUTCHINSON. 

Representatives  of  this  family  are  said  to  have  been  prcvminent  among 
the  settlers  of  New  Hampshire  as  early  as  1(531,  and  they  are  believed 
to  have  come  from  Scotland  and  England.  Charles  Frye,  Osgood  and 
Nathaniel  Hutchinson,  who  had  families  in  this  town,  were  the  sons  of 
Thomas  Ilulchinson,  born  at  Andover,  Mass.,  June  28,1753.  He  mar- 
ried riitebe  Chickering,  born  at  Amherst,  N.  H.,  June  9,  1753. 

CHAELES  FRYE  HUTCHINSON,  son  of  Thomas  and  Fli(el)e 
(Chickering)  Hutchinson,  was  born  at  Andover,  Mass.,  Nov.  8,  1784, 
and  came  to  Francestown  about  the  year  1809.  He  married  Betsey 
Dickerman  of  this  town,  Feb.  8,  1810,  lived  in  the  Eames  house  near 
where  George  Sargent  now  lives  in  the  Clark  Village,  later  he  removed 
to  Lyndeboro',  but  returned  to  Francestown  and  settled  on  the  Steele 
place,  where  he  died,  March  22,  1859,  his  wife  also  died  here,  June  29, 
1859.     Children  were: — 

1.  Sarah,  [b.  Aug.  31,  1810,  m.  benjamin  Wells  of  Ipswich, 

Mass.,  d.  Jan.  20,  1887.] 

2.  Charles,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  5,  1812,  m,  Elizabeth 

Hubbard  of  Hampstead,  May  22,  1838,  res.  at  Manchester.] 

3.  Mary,  [b.  March  1, 1822,  m.  George  W.  Thayer  of  Boston, 

Mass.,  Dec.  28,  1843.] 


778  GENEALOGIES. 

4.  Persis,  [b.  Nov.  30,  1824,  m.  William  B.   Bullard  of  Han- 

cock, Nov.,  1846.] 

5.  Elizabeth,  [born  Nov.  30,  1824,  ni.  George  W.  Morris  of 

Charlestowii,  Mass.,  Sept.,  1859.] 

:N'ATnAXIJ:L  HUTCHINSON,  brother  of  Charles  F.,  was  born 
June  24,  1700,  he  came  here  in  1815,  and  lived  on  the  Otis  N.  Holt 
l)lace,  having  married  Sally  Dickerman,  daughter  of  Samuel  Dickerman, 
who  lirst  owned  that  farm.  The  date  of  his  marriage  was  June  24, 
1S14.     He  died  here,  July  5,  18(30.     Children:— 

1.  Betsey,  [b.  Jnh'  18,  1815,  m,  Hiram  H.  Kimball  of  Man- 

chester, Oct.  6,  1835,  d.  March,  1888.] 

2.  Sally,  [b.  Aug.  18,  1817,  m.  Daniel  S.  Stephens  of  Man- 

chester, Sept.^9,  1838,  d.  July  15,  1880.] 

3.  Thaniel  Merrill,  [b.  Sept.  17, 1820,  ra.  Susan  A.  Conner 

of  Dorchester,  Mass.,  Nov.  2,  1843,  he  was  killed  in  the 
railroad  disaster  at  Norwalk,  Conn.,  May  6,  1853.] 

4.  Jltstin,  [b.  Jan.  10,  1825,  m.  Orpha  T.  Fish  of  Hartford, 

Vt.,  July  28,  1853,  res.  at  Manchester.] 

OSGOOD  HUTCHINSON,  the  last  of  the  three  brothers  to  seek  his 
fortune  in  this  town,  came  here  much  later  than  the  other  two  (about 
1830.)  He  was  born  June  4,  1780,  and  married  Hannah  Fuller  of 
Lyndeboro'.  He  lived  ou  the  Daniel  Barritt  place.  He  went  to  west- 
ern New  York  and  finally  to  Buffalo,  Kansas,  where  he  died  Feb.  4, 
18(39.     His  wife  died  at  Jasper,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  5,  18G7.     Children:— 

1.  Osgood,  [b.  Jan.  25,  1807,  d.  Aug.,  1875.] 

2.  Daniel,  [b.  Nov.  16, 1809,  m.  Maiy  Smith  of  Saugus,  Mass., 

lived  on  the  Bailey  place  in  Greenfield,  d.  Nov.  26, 1883.] 

3.  Thaniel  Chickering,  [born  July  3,  1811,  m.  Rebecca  J. 

Lyons  of  Marblehead,  Mass.,  Oct.,  1833,  settled  at  Lynn, 
Mass.,  where  his  son,  William,  is  a  leading  merchant,  d. 
Oct.  15,  1875.] 

4.  Hannah  F.,  [b.  July  3,  1813,  d.  Jan.  15,  1821.] 

5.  Ebenezer,  [b.  March  21,  1816,  became  a  physician.] 

6.  Albert,  [b.  Sept.  20,  1819,  d.  Nov.  1,  1840.] 

7.  Sawyer,  [b.  May  11,  1822,  a  clergyman.] 

8.  William,  [b.  March  1, 1824,  went  to  the  state  of  New  York, 

by  vocation  a  farmer.] 

9.  Hannah  M.,  [b.  July  7,  1827,  d.  Oct:  3,  1829.] 


HYDE,  JELLISON.  779 

S^TEAENES  ITUTCIIIXSON,  who  lived  on  the  Daniel  Henderson 
l)lace,  did  not  claim  relationship  with  those  already  noticed.  He  was 
said  to  be  of  fJreenfield.  He  married  Nancy  Houston,  daughter  of 
Jacoi)  and  Nancy  (Holmes)  Houston.  The  date  of  their  marriage  was 
Nov.  11,  1S24.  Nancy  Houston  lived  for  many  years  in  the  family  of 
George  Lewis  of  this  place.  She  died  in  Deering,  May  16,  1873. 
Stearnes  Hutchinson  died  at  Francestown,  Dec.  25,  1860.  Children 
were : — 

1.  Phcebe,  [b.  ill  1826,  m.  Willard  N.  Haradon  of  Manchester, 

d.  in  that  city.] 

2.  Maynard    Stearnes,   [born    Aug.    20,  1827,  m.  Abigail 

Huntington  of  this  town,  d.  here,  May    11,  I860.] 

3.  Nancy,  [m.  Heniy  White,  a  Methodist  minister,  res.  in  the 

West.] 

4.  Angeline,  [married  Cliarles  Mills  of  Manchester,  d.  in  Man- 

chester.] 

5.  Laurinda,  [b.  March  15,  1836,  d.  in  Wilton.] 

6.  Emily,  [b.  Nov.  20,  1838,  d.  in  Wilton.] 

7.  Rodney  Houston,  [b.  Dec.  3,  1841,  was  drowned  at  Man- 

chester, Aug.  16,  1859.] 

8.  George  Lewis,  [b.  Oct.  18,  1844.] 

PHCEBE  HUTCHINSON,  sister  of  Osgood,  Charles  and  Nathaniel, 
was  born  Feb.  '23, 1778.  She  lived  in  this  town  in  the  famih'  of  her 
brother,  Nathaniel,  and  in  other  families.     She  died  here,  Feb.  18, 1842. 

HYDE. 

WILLIAM  HYDE,  in  1820,  lived  on  the  place  now  owned  and  occu- 
pied by  John  Case.  He  was  born  in  Coventry,  Ct.  in  1779.  His  wife 
was  Alice  Marshall,  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Abigail  (Brown)  Marshall 
of  Billerica,  Mass.  She  was  born  in  Billerica,  Mass.  in  1780,  and  was 
a  relative  of  "the  beautiful  Emily  Marshall"  of  Boston,  of  whom 
Josiah  Quincy,  in  his  Figures  of  the  Past,  says;  "  Centuries  are  likely 
to  come  and  go,  before  society  will  again  gaze  spell-bound  upon  a 
woman  so  richly  endow^ed  with  beauty  as  was  Miss  Emily  Marshall." 
She  was  born  in  Boston  in  1807,  and  from  her  childhood  her  "  loveli- 
ness "  made  her  to  a  remarkable  degree  famous  even  beyond  the  lim- 
its of  her  native  city.  Whenever  she  appeared  in  public  places  "people 
stopped  to  gaze  upon  her,  and  even  to  follow  her."  One  evening  at 
the  old  Federal  Street  Theater,  she  divided  the  honors  of  an  enthusias- 
tic reception  with  Daniel  Webster.  The  gifted  N.  P.  Willis  comple- 
mented her  in  verse,  and  Percival  in  an  acrostic  upon  her  name  wrote; 
"Earth  knows  no  fairer,  lovelier  form  than  thine."     She  died  in  the 


780  GENEALOGIES. 

year  l.'~!."]n.  William  Tlyde  was  hy  vocation  a  carpenlcv.  ITc  died  in 
this  town,  (_)et.  K"),  ISO?.  His  wife  died  here,  Dec.  IS,  1S;!S.  Their 
children  were: — 

1.  Adeline,  [b.  at  Billerica,  July,  1810,  m.  William   Butter- 

field  of  Francestowii,  Dec.  11,  1834,  died  in  tins  town,  Feb. 
7,  1881.] 

2.  Abigail,  [b.   in    Billeriea,  May  (5,  1  Sl-J,  hi.   John    Lang-don 

Kinosbnry  of  Fraiicestown,  Dec.  8,  18o5,'d.at  New  Boston, 
Oct.  15,  1880.] 

3.  Almkiua,  [b.  in  Brookline,  Jan.  21, 1814,  in.  James  Lovell  of 

Springfield,  Vt.] 

4.  William,  [b.  in  Brookline,  Aug'.  30, 1 815,  d.  at  Fraiicestown, 

Sept.  10,  1842.] 

5.  Charles,  [b.  Jan.  15,  1820  in  Francestowii,  m.  Susan  Hardy 

of  Fryeburg,  Me.,  res.  at  North  Chelmsford,  Mass.] 
0.   Geoik^e,  [b.  in   Francestowii,   Oct.   23,   1823,  in.   Julia  A. 
Morgan  of  New  Boston,  June,  1868,  res.  at  North  Chelms- 
ford, Mass.] 

7.  Alice,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.,  1824,  m.  Atwood  Wheeler 

of  Lowell,  Mass.,  d.  in  tliat  city.] 

8.  Bktsey  Ann,  [b.  March  12,  1820,  in.  George  Kingsbury  of 

Francestown,  April  19,  1853,  d.  at  Francestown,  Jul}'  18, 
1891.] 

JELLISON. 

MOSES  JELLISON  was  horn  in  Argyle,  Maine  in  1S47.  His 
father,  .John  I).  .lellison,  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Taige)  Jelli- 
son  of  Monroe,  Maine,  where  .John  I),  was  horn.  He  was  a  school- 
mate and  intimate  friend  of  IIannil»al  Hamlin,  the  statesman.  Two  of 
the  sons  of  John  are  now  living  in  California.  One  of  them,  Benjamin 
F.  Jellison,  is  a  manufacturer  of  California  wines  and  is  a  man  of  great 
wealth.  Moses  Jellison  came  here  in  18G8.  He  has  lived  for  many 
years  on  the  Benj.  Woodward  place,  which  he  still  occupies.  He  mar- 
ried Mary  McManners  of  Malone,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  .5,  1870.  She  was  born 
at  Malone,  ]Sr.  Y.,  Aug.  S,  1849,  being  the  daughter  of  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Dorsey)  McManners.     Children: — 

1.  Charles  William,   [b.  in  tliis  town,  Oct.   9,  1870,  is  a 

carpenter.] 

2.  Susan  E.,  [b.  in  this  town,  March  10,.  1881,  d.  in  this  town, 

April  15,  1881.] 


JOHNSON,  JOSLIN.  781 

CHARLES  JELLISO^s"^,  brother  of  Moses  Jellison,  came  here  in 
ISOo,  and  was  employed  at  the  quarry,  after  a  few  years  he  removed  to 
Vermont,  but  in  1S91  he  returned  with  his  family  and  remained  a  year 
and  a  half,  after  which  he  again  removed  to  Vermont.  He  married 
Minnie  Potter  of  Elmira,  N.  Y.  They  have  three  children  none  of 
whom  were  born  in  this  town. 

JOHNSON. 

JOHN  J0H:N"S0N  of  Boston  married  Eebecca  Pettee  of  Dedham, 
April  5,  1785.  She  was  a  sister  of  Abner  Pettee,  who  settled  in  this 
town  about  the  year  1780.  She  was  born  in  Dedham,  July  o,  17r)8,  and 
died  in  this  town,  April  G,  1834.  John  Johnson  came  here  doubtless 
from  Dedham,  Mass.  about  the  year  1785,  and  began  on  the  Mark 
Pettee  place.  He  died  in  tliis  town,  April  20,  1S4().  His  cliildren 
were : — 

1.  John,  Jr.,  [born  in   Francestown,  Oct.  25,  1785,  m.,  1st, 

Annie  Patch,  May  12,  1808.  She  died  Fel).  7,  1825,  and 
he  married,  2iid,  Sally  Fisher  of  Francestown.  He  died 
Dec.  19,  1873.     Children  were:— 

Thomas  Bl.rln/^  (1).  in  Francestown,  married  Hannah  Osg-ood 
of  Newport,  d.  in  Newport,  Oct.  14,  1858,  aged  49  years. 
Son,  Edward  B.,  res.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  m.  Mary  F. 
Dodge  of  Bennington.  Their  child,  Clarence  R.,  b.  Dec. 
10,  1870,  lives  with  his  mother's  parents  at  Bennington.) 

William  Harris^  (b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Mary  Patch  of  Fran- 
cestown, died  here,  March  21,  1877,  aged  66  years.  Chil- 
dren were: — Mary  Ann,  married  Samuel  H.  Baker  of  Ash- 
land, d.  Dec.  6,  1869,  aged  36  years;  John,  died  young.)] 

2.  Polly  [b.  in  Francestown.  Sept.  21,  1787,  m.,  1st,  Thomas 

Bixby  of  Francestown,  2nd,  William  Patch,  d.  in  Brook- 
line.] 

8.  LucRETiA,  [b.  in  Francestown,  May  12,  1790,  m.  Nahum 
Russell  of  Charlestown,  Mass.,  Feb.  4,  1817,  d.  in  Benning- 
ton, Oct.  11,  1875.] 

4."  Rebecca,  [b.  in  Francestown,  July  2,  1795,  d.  Jan.  18, 
1796.] 

5.  Nabby,  [boi-n  in  Francestown.  Feb.  18,  1797,  m.  William 
Balch,  July,  1817,  d.  in  Francestown,  July  16,  1836.] 

SAMUEL  JOHNSON  was  born  Fel).,  17ir;,  and  married  Hannali 
Lane,  born  January,  1724.  Iler  mother  was  Weltha  Bradford,  grand- 
daughter of  Governer  Bradford  of  Pl3'mouth  Colony.     Hannah,  daugh- 


782  GENEALOGIES. 

ter  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  (Lane)  Johnson,  was  born  Jan.  IG,  174G. 
She  niarried  l*ele<>-  Powell,  with  whom  Sanuicl  Johnson  spent  his  hist 
years.  He  died  in  this  town  and  was  Imried  in  tlie  old  cemetery  "near 
the  wall  on  the  north  side." 

JOSEPH  JOHNSON  was  a  tax-payer  here  in  179.3.  He  lived  in  a 
small  house  "  2o  rods  to  the  right  of  the  Stiles  place"  at  the  foot  of  the 
liussell  hill.     He  was  not  long  a  resident  of  this  town. 

JOSEPH  H.  JOHNSON  lived  in  this  town  as  early  as  1S04.  He 
came  here  doubtless  from  Peteri)oro'  and  kept  a  store  wliere  Mrs.  Hoot's 
house  now  stands.  He  was  afterward  in  trade  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Major  Robert  Wilson  of  Peterboro', 
Nov.  G,  1803.  She  was  born  in  Peterboro'  in  1777  and  died  in  the  state 
of  Illinois.     He  died  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  LucHETiA  Knapp,  [b.  ill  1804,  m.  John  Scott  Harrison,  son 

of  President  William  Henry  Harrison,  and  died  in  1829.] 

2.  SusETTE  Grafton,  [b.  in  1808,  ni.  Joseph  C.  Sniilli,  and 

went  to  Mississippi,  d.  in  1830.] 

3.  Joseph  Haynes,  [b.  Feb.  29,  1812,  resided  in   I-acon,  111. 

in  1876.] 

4.  Maey  Wilson,  [b.  Jan.  8,  1811,  m.  Rev.  William  N.  Stin- 

son,  d.  in  Amity,  Iowa.] 

5.  Caroline  A.,  [married  Robert  Brown  is  not  living.] 

6.  Charlotte  Ann,  [b.  July  4, 1817,  m.  Hugh  T.  Reed,  d.  in 

1841.] 

7.  James  Wilson,  [b.  in  1819,  Avas  a  mechanic  and  inventor, 

d.  of  cholera  in  1849.] 

8.  Elisabeth  Sarah,  [educated  at  Keene,  m.  Hon.  John  T. 

Fisk,  who  was  Lieut.  Governor  of  Kentucky  during  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  a  firm  union  man.] 

JOSLIN. 

TIMOTHY  JOSLIN  came  to  this  town  from  Greenfield  in  1852,  and 
lived  five  years  on  the  Driscoll  place.  He  was  born  in  Leominster, 
Mass.  in  1796,  and  married  Mary  Ann  Lees  in  1824.  She  was  born  at 
Byfield,  Mass.  in  1806.  Timothy  Joslin  removed  in  18.57  to  Lyndeboro', 
where  he  died  Oct.,  18G.3.     His  wife  also  died  in  Lyndeboro',  Nov.,  1868. 

HENPtY  H.  JOSLIN,  son  of  Timothy  Joslin,  succeeded  his  father 
upon  the  Driscoll  place  on  which  he  lived  two  years.     He  married  Jane 
D.  Smith  of  Erancestown,  .Tan.  1,  1858.     Only  child  born  in  this  town 
was: — 
1.  Frank  H.,  [b.  Oct.  3,  1858.] 


KEMP,   KEYSEK.  783 

SAMUEL  O.  J()8LIN,  son  of  Timothy  Joslin,  was  born  in  Lynde- 
boro',  May  20,  1831,  and  married  Ijethiah  V.  Swinington,  also  a  native 
of  Lyndeboro',  March  8,  1829.  He  came  to  Francestown  from  Lynde- 
boro'  in  18(j9,  and  purchased  the  Brewster,  place  up'on  which  he  died 
Nov.  9,  1874.  His  wife  died  in  Greenfield,  Dec.  2,  1890.  Their  chil- 
dren are: — 

1.  George  Otis.  [b.  in  Greenfield,  July  10,  1856,  m.  Emma 

Burnhiun  of  Francestown,  July  11,  1892,  is  a  merchant 
and  the  proprietor  of  the  liotel  in  Bennington,  is  also  post- 
master and  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  selectmen, 
is  popular  and  is  successful  in  business.] 

2.  Edward  Alphonso,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  March  31,  1858,  m. 

Estella  L.  (Barrett)  Pond  of  this  town,  April  9,  1887. 
Mrs.  Pond  had  by  her  marriage  to  Pond  one  chihl:  Mary, 
who  was  born  in  Francestown,  Marcli  16,  1886.  Edward 
Joslin  has  lived  nearly  a  year  on  the  Jones  place.  His 
only  child  is: — 
Herhert  A.,  (1).  in  Francestown,  Feb.  9,  1888.)] 

3.  Sarah  Belle,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Aug.  22,  1863,  m.  Ran- 

som B.  Starrett  of  Greenfield,  Feb.  3,  1883,  res.  in  Green- 
field.] 

KEMP. 

ASA  KEMP  came  here  from  Shirley,  Mass.  about  I  be  year  1790,  and 
lived  first  in  what  is  now  known  as  the  Wilkins  iiasture  half  a  mile  to 
eastwax'd  of  the  Sliattuck  or  George  Whitfield  place.  He  afterward 
lived  on  the  Ebenezer  Pettee  place  to  eastward  of  the  farm  afterward 
occupied  by  his  son,  Asa.  Mr.  Kemp  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier  and 
a  pensioner.  His  wife  was  Alice  Nutting,  sister  of  E])enezer  Nutting, 
who  came  here  from  Pepperell,  Mass.  She  died  in  this  town  July  29, 
1843,  aged  80  years.  Asa  Kemp  died  here,  March  30, 1823.  After  his 
death  his  widow  occupied  a  small  house  whose  site  is  now  noticeable 
near  the  county  road,  not  far  from  the  White  mill.     Children  were: — 

1.  -UzziAH,  [born  Nov.  11,  1785,  m.  Lucy  Fuller,  daughter  of 
Stephen  Fuller  of  this  town,  July  26,  1813.  She  died  in 
Lowell,  Mass.,  April  12,  1862.  and  was  brought  to  this 
town  for  interment.  LTzziah  Kemp  built  on  the  Harvey 
Newton  place,  Avhicli  was  long  his  home.  He  died  here, 
Oct.  8,  1845.  His  children  were : — 
Frances  C,  (b.  Nov.  25,  1813,  d.  Jan.  30,  1814.) 


784  GENEALOGIES. 

Elbrid(je  G.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  26,  1815,  m.  Almira 
M.  Wliitfield  of  this  town,  Sept.  2,  1841,  resided  many 
years  in  Lowell,  but  returned  and  lived  on  the  place  now 
owned  l)y  Daniel  Colby,  here  he  died,  childless,  March  4, 
1879.) 

Calvin  A.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  18,  1816,  in.  Sarah  Ann 
Clark  of  Lowell,  and  res.  in  that  city,  and  is  a  man  of 
prominence.) 

Lucy  Sophia^  (b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  20,  1821,  m.  Jolm 
R.  Southwick  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  Sex)t.  1,  1842,  res.  in 
Boston.) 

Asenath  3Iar/a,  (twin  sister  of  laicy,  m.  William  Johnson 
of  Lowell,  res.  in  the  West.)] 

2.  Sally,    [married   Natlian    Ladd    of    Alexandria,   Marcli   16, 

1815,  d.  here,  June  22,  1837.] 

3.  Edie,  [married  Samuel  Proctor  of  Fiancestown,  Oct.  3,  1815, 

d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  20,  1856,  aged  67  years.] 

4.  Asa,    [mari'ied   Mary  Bailey  of    Society  Land,  Mai'cli    16, 

1815,  was  a  farmer,  res.  in  this  town  on  a  farm  now  deserted 
north  of  the  Benjamin  Deane  place,  died  on  the  Bartlett 
place  near  the  Francestown  and  Bennington  line,  March 
29,  1863  aged  72  years.  His  widow  died  in  tliis  town, 
Jan.  2,  1877,  agecl  87  years.] 

5.  Olive,  [m.  Moses  Newton  of  Francestown,  died  in  Frances- 

town,  May  13,  1869,  aged  73  years.] 

6.  Sophia,  [died  unmarried,  March  14,  1843,  aged  45  years.] 

7.  Jane,  [married  Nathaniel  Whitfield  of  Francestown,  Aug. 

28,  1828,  died  here,  Feb.  2,  1869,  aged  68  years.] 

8.  Betsey,  [married  Joseph  Keyser  of  Alexandria,  removed  to 

Alexandria,  wdiere  she  died.] 

9.  Alice,    [While  the  famil}^  was  living  on   the  place  in   the 

Wilkins  pasture,  Alice,  who  was  but  a  toddling  child,  fell 
face  downward  into  the  little  stream  in  the  run  near  tlie 
house  and  when  taken  out  by  her  agonized  mother,  she  could 
not  be  resuscitated.  We  find  the  date  of  her  deatli  to  be 
June  6,  1812.] 

KEYSER. 

CHARLES  KEYSER,  sonfof  Joseph  Keyser  of  Alexandria,  was  l:)orn 
in  that  town,  Nov.  21),  1831.     His  mother  was  Betsey  Kemp,  daughter 


KIDDER.  786 

of  Asa  Kemp  of  this  town.  Charles  Keyser  married  Mary  Atwood, 
born  in  Alexandria,  Feb.  14,  1835.  They  came  to  live  ou  the  Dartlett 
place  in  1(S8(3.     Their  only  child  is: — 

1.  Alicp:  May,  [b.  at  Alexandria,  July  22,  1868,  m.  Edward 
A.  Newton  of  Hennino'ton,  May  23,  1885,  res.  in  this 
town.] 

KIDDER. 

The  only  emigrant  of  this  name  of  wliom  consick'rahle  may  l)e  learned 
was  James  Kidder,  born  at  East  Grinstead,  Sussex,  England  in  1G2B, 
who  is  called  the  patriarch  of  the  family  in  America.  Tie  was  in  Cam- 
bridge about  1G50.  lie  married  in  1G49  Anna  Moore,  daughter  of  Elder 
Francis  Moore,  hence  it  is  inferred  that  he  was  of  respectable  if  not 
aristocratic  parentage.  He  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Biherica 
and  was  sergeant  of  a  military  comjiany  in  tliat  town.  In  l(j()2  he  was 
a  juror  to  tlie  court  holden  at  Cambridge.     He  died  April  IG,  1G7G. 

SAMUEL  KIDDER,  wlio  settled  where  Levi  Kidder  now  lives,  was 
the  son  of  Phineas  Kidder,  who  began  on  the  Watkins  place  in  Lynde- 
boro'  about  the  3'ear  1797.  The  early  life  of  Phineas  was  spent  in 
Chehiisford,  if  indeed  he  was  not  born  there.  His  wife,  w^hosc  maiden 
name  was  Hannah  Crosby,  w^as  also  of  that  town.  Samuel  married 
Hannah  Brown,  a  native  of  Ij^swich,  Mass.,  and  came  here  about  the 
year  1811.  He  was  born  March  13, 1787  in  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  and  died 
in  Francestown,  March  6,  186G.  His  wife  also  died  in  this  town,  Feb. 
28,  1864,  aged  77  years.  Their  children  w^ere  all  born  in  this  town, 
they  were: — 

1.  Betsp:y,  []).  May  22,  1815,  m.  Sylvanus  Snow  of  Nashua, 

Aug.  8,  1839,  resided  in  Nashua  thirty  years,  now  resides 
in  Francestown.] 

2.  Ann,  [b.  Nov.  3,  1819,  m.  Putnam  Bradford  Andrews  of 

New  Boston,  May  4,  1847,  res.  in  Francestown.] 

3.  Hannah  L.,  [!>.  April  4,  1821,  d.  here,  Aug.  16,  1840.] 

4.  John,  [b.  Aug.  17,  1822,  m.  Electa  Thompson  of  Vershire, 

Me.,  Sept.  21,  1850,  res.  in  New  Boston,  is  a  farmer.] 

5.  Martha,  [b.  March  2, 1826,  m.  Frank  Smiley  of  Peterboro', 

res.  in  Peterboro'.] 

6.  Levi,  [b.  Nov.  7,  1827,  m.  Ellen  Parker  of  New  Boston, 

Jan.  15,  1863,  lives  on  the  home  place.     His  children: — 
mirna,  (b.  January  17,  1864,  d.  Feb.  28,  1865.) 
Perlei/  P.,  (b.  July  1,  1867,  m.  Ada  Peabody  of  Milford. 

Nov.  26,  1891, .res.  in  Milford.) 


786  GENEALOGIES. 

Ida  >S'.,  (1).  Sept.  2,  1870,  m.  George  F.  Lowe  of  Lyndeboro', 

April  5,  1887,  res.  in  New  Boston.) 
Myrtle  i¥.,  (b.  Jul}--  22,  1872.) 
Willie  F.,  (b.  Nov.  16,  1876.) 
Laura  K,  (b.  June  26,  1880.)] 

PIIINEAS  KIDDER  was  the  son  of  riiiiiuas,  who  was  brollier  of 
Samuel,  son  of  Phineas  of  Chehnsford  and  L3'ndeboro\  He  was  born 
on  the  Watkins  place  in  Lyndeboro',  Jan.  1'2,  1817.  He  married,  Oct. 
13,  1842,  Emily  Hardy,  born  in  Greenfield,  April  3,  1822.  He  came 
here  from  Lyndeboro',  purchasing  the  place  lately  occupied  by  his  widow, 
in  1855,  was  a  man  careful  in  business  and  a  farmer  who  made  farming 
profitable.  He  was  a  deacon  in  the  Independent  Congregational  Church 
several  years  previous  to  his  death  which  occurred  at  his  home,  March 
29,  1892.     His  children  were  born  in  Lyndeboro',  they  are: — 

1.  Katie  E.,  [bom  Nov.  14,  1843,  m.  Charles  A.  Rogers  of 

Charlestown,  Mass.,  Dec.  1,  1877,  res.  in  Windham,  Me.] 

2.  Merrill  H.,  [b.  April  17,  1847,  m.  Ida  L.  Patch  of  Fran- 

cestown,  April  25, 1875,  is  the  proprietor  of  an  eating  house 
at  East  Cambridge,  is  a  man  of  character  and  of  strong  re- 
ligious convictions.] 

3.  Abbie  J.,  [b.  Dec.  16,  1852,  m.  David  A.  Starrett  of  Hills- 

boro',  Aug.  31,  1873,  res.  in  Nashua.] 

KIMBALL. 

JOSEPH  KIMBALL,  1st,  who  lived  on  the  *  Charles  Wells  place, 
was  born  Nov.  21,  174;»  in  Wenliam,  Mass.  He  was  the  son  of  Eich- 
ai"d  and  Susan  (I>alch)  Kimball  of  Wenham  and  Woburn.  Pichard 
died  in  Woburn  in  1702.  He  was  the  son  of  John  and  Charity  (Dodge) 
Kimball.  -John  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Witt)  Kimball  of  Wen- 
ham.  Samuel  was  the  son  of  Richard  and  Mary  Kimball  also  of 
Wenham.  Richard  Kimball  was  born  in  England  at  a  small  place  in 
Suffolk  called  Rattlesdam  about  the  year  1623.  He  was  the  son  of  Rich- 
ard and  Ursula  (Scott)  Kimball  and  came  to  this  covmtry  with  his 
parents  in  1634.  Joseph  KimbaU,  1st,  married  Susanna  Johnson,  Nov. 
25, 1793.  He  died  here, Feb.  16, 1811 .  His  wife  also  died  in  this  town, 
March  31,  1823. 

JOSEPH  KIMBALL,  2nd,  was  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Mudget) 
Kimball.     Daniel  was  a  brother  of  Joseph,  1st,  noticed  above.     .loseph, 

*  Stephen  Rolfe  of  Reading,  Mass.  perhaps  made  a  small  beginning  on  the 
place.  He  sold  to  Joseph  Kimball  then  of  Woburn,  Mass.,  Feb.  15,  1788. 
His  wife's  name  which  appears  upon  the  deed  was  Lucy. 


KIMBALL.  787 

2n(l,  was  born  in  Weajhersfield,  Vt.,  Feb.  20, 1791.  lie  inamed  Han- 
nah Stowell,  Feb.  13,  1817  and  came  to  this  town  and  settled  on  the 
Wells  farm,  which  was  willed  to  him  by  his  uncle,  Joseph  Kimball,  1st. 
He  removed  to  Waitsfield,  Vermont  in  lS;!(i  and  subsequently  to 
Maringo,  111.,  where  he  died  Sept.  3,  1874.  His  wife  died  May  1,  17()7. 
Their  children  were: — 

1.  Daniel,  [born  in  Francestown,  Feb.  7,  1818,  m.  Harriet  A. 

Hill  of  Baraboo,  Wisconsin,  Dec.  26,  1852.  He  was  by 
trade  a  shoemaker,  bnt  was  engaged  in  the  lumbering  busi- 
ness many  years.  He  long  resided  in  Wisconsin,  but  pre- 
vious to  his  residence  in  Wisconsin,  he  resided  four  years 
in  111.,  in  which  state  he  settled  in  1843,  was  the  father 
of  eight  children.] 

2.  A  Daughter,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  2G,  1819,  d.  March 

12,  1819.] 

3.  Enos,  [b.  in  Francestown,  April  1, 1820.     In  183G,  he  went 

witli  his  parents  to  Waitsfield,  Vermont,  but  soon  after 
removed  to  Illinois,  and  in  1844  to  Webster's  Prairie, 
Wisconsin,  where  he  selected  a  squatter's  claim.  He  mar- 
ried, Nov.  21, 1858,  Grace  Wilson  of  Baraboo.  In  1868,  he 
purchased  a  farm  near  North  Freedom,  Wis.,  on  wliich  he 
lived  until  his  death,  April  1,  1884.] 

4.  Joseph,  [b.  .in  Francestown,  Aug.  9,  1821,  went  west  in 

1845,  and  purchased  a  farm  in  Seneca,  McHenry  Co.,  111. 
He  married,  1st,  Marcia  M.  Skinner  of  Waitsfield,  Vt., 
Sept.  20,  1847,  2nd,  Elma  C.  Dana,  Dec.  24,  1879.  He 
died  at  Franklinville,  111.,  Nov.  23,  1882.] 

5.  A  SON,  [b.  here,  Feb.  3,  1823,  d.  here,  April  1,  1823.] 

6.  Horace,  [b.  here,  Aug.  26,  1824,  d.  here,  June  20,  1825.] 

7.  Mary    F.,  .  [b.  here.  May  10,  1826,  m.  Osgood  Joslyn  of 

Waitsfield,  April  13,  1847,  removed  to  Seneca,  111.] 

8.  Warren,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  17,  1827,  m.  Emeline 

Green,  March  23, 1853.  He  has  charge  of  a  cheese  factory 
at  Union  Center,  Wis.] 

9.  Alanson,   [b.  in  Francestown,  June  24,  1829,  m.   Fanny 

Stowell,  Jan.  1,  1854.  He  has  been  employed  at  the  R.  R. 
station  in  Maringo,  111.] 

10.  Sarah  IL,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  17,  1831,  m.  Elihu 

Wilson  of  Baraboo,  Wis.,  Sept.  27,  1854,  res.  in  Baraboo.] 


788  GEM  EA  LOG  IKS. 

11.  Eliza  J.,  [b.  in  this  town,  Feb.  10,  183S,  d.  May  19, 1844.] 

12.  H.  Augusta,  [b.  in  this  town,  Feb.  20, 1835,  m.  N.  Strong 

of  Augusta,   Wis.,  Sept.   9,  1880,   was   for  man 3-  years  a 
teacher  among  the  freedmen.] 

13.  Susan,  [b.  in  Waitsfield,  Vt.,  Feb.  0,  1838,  m.  William 

Sanford  of  Seneca,  111.,  Oct.  0,  1859.] 

14.  WiLLAKi).  [b.  in  Waitsfiehl,  Yt.,  June  10,  1841.  He  en- 
listed ill  an  Illinois  regiment  in  1801,  'and  received  liis 
death  \\()und  in  the  l)attle  of  GuntoAvn,  Miss.,  June  10, 
1804.] 

KINGSBURY. 

JOSEPH  1,  ELEAZElli,  ElJENEZERi  nnd  JOIlNi  KINGSBURY, 
four  ljrotlior.s,  came  from  Iho  soulli-west  of  England  to  participate  in 
the  settlement  of  Massachusetts.  Joseph  is  said  to  have  ai^plied  for 
admission  to  the  first  church  founded  in  Dedham,  and  in  the  town  rec- 
ords for  the  year  1037  appears  the  the  following:  "  Mary,  the  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Millecent  Kingsbury  was  l)orne  the  1  of  7  m".",  (Sept. 
1st.)  Subse(pieutly  Joseph  and  his  brother,  John,  resided  in  Haver- 
hill, Mass.  During  their  residence  there  they  wei'e  returning  one  da}' 
from  their  work,  which  appears  to  have  been  at  some  distance  from  the 
settlement,  when  a  dispute  arose  between  them  concerning  the  way 
they  should  take,  not  coming  to  an  agreement  Joseph  took  a  course 
through  the  wood  reaching  home  in  safety,  while  John,  who  had  chosen 
the  common  path,  was  captured  by  a  lurking  band  of  Indians  and  car- 
ried to  Canada,  where  he  remained  three  years.  He  finally  returned 
to  Dedham,  where  he  died  childless  after  leaving  his  projjerty  to  the 
church. 

Joseph  1,  from  whom  the  Kingsl)urys  of  Francestown  descended, 
finally  settled  in  Norwich,  Conn,  it  is  said,  but  of  this  we  are  not  certain. 
The  Kingsbur}'  brothers  must  have  been  sober  and  sincere  men  having 
at  heart  the  interests  of  religious  institutions,  which  has  characterized 
to  such  a  marked  degree  so  many  of  their  descendants.  If  Joseph^ 
went  to  Norwich  as  above  stated  many  of  his  children  were  born  and 
had  families  in  Dedham.  Nathaniel  2,  from  whom  the  Francestown 
branch  descended,  was  born  in  Dedham,  March  26,  1650,  and  married 
Mary  Bacon,  Oct.  14,  1673.  Nathaniel^,  son  of  Nathaniels  and  Mary, 
was  born  Sept.  14, 1674,  and  married  Abigail  Baker, jDec.  5, 1695.  The 
children  of  Nathaniel^  and  Abigail  wei-e: — Nathaniel*,  Jeremiah*, 
Ebenezer*,  Rebecca*  and  Joseph*.  Joseph*  was  born  Jan.  18,  1719, 
married  Phoibe  Willett,  Jan.  3,1765.  Joseph 5,  the  son  of  Joseph  and 
Phcebe,  was  born  April  19, 1768,  he  married  Silence  Richards,  daughter 
of  Capt.  -Abel  Richards,  Sept.  23,  1792.  She  -was  born  in  Dedham, 
May  26,  1771. 


KINGSBURY.  789 

111  the  old  records  of  Dedham  are  found  the  following  quaintly  con- 
cise entries:  "Joseph  Kingsbury;  allienateth  and  selleth  to  the  Town 
of  Dedham  for  ever;  for  a  seat,  for  a  puhlique  Meetinge  house  one  acre 
of  land  abuttinge  upon  the  high  Street  towards  the  North  and  upon  the 
high  way  leading  from  the  keye  to  the  pond  towards  the  East;  and  up- 
on the  said  Joseph  towards  the  South;  and  Nicholas  Phillips  towards 
the  West  1638." 

"Nicholos  Philips  and  Joseph  Kingsbury  upon  other  Satisfaction  in 
Lands  layded  out  from  the  Towne  vnto  each  of  them  doe  laye  downe  each 
of  them  to  the  Towne  one  pcell  of  ye  South  end  of  their  house  Lots  and 
betwixt  the  Same  and  the  Swanipe  thereby  as  it  is  at  p^'sent  set  out  for 
the  vse  of  a  publike  Buriall  place  for  ye  Towne  for  ever,  6  of  ye  2  mo 
163S." 

From  these  entries  we  learn  that  the  first  Joseph  deeded  to  the  town 
the  first  meeting  house  lot,  and  with  Nicholas  Philips  also  sold  to  the 
town  the  land  included  in  the  old  burying  ground  of  Dedham. 

JOSEPH  KINGSBURY,  wdio  came  to  Francestown,  was  of  the  fifth 
generation  from  Joseph  the  emigrant  as  can  be  seen  from  the  preced- 
ing statement.  He  came  from  Dedham  about  the  year  1793,  purchas- 
ing the  farm  then  owned  by  Samuel  Nutt,  Mr.  Oliver  Pottee  being  the 
present  owner.  The  main  part  of  the  present  house  was  built  by  Mr. 
Kingsbury,  Mr.  Nutt  having  built  the  L  many  years  before.  Mr.  Kings- 
bury was  a  prudent,  hai'd-working  man  and  prospered  in  his  vocation. 
He  died  in  Francestown,  Jan  11,  lcS47,  his  wife  survived  him  more  than 
six  years.  She  died  in  Francestown,  Aug.  1,  1853.  Their  children 
born  in  Francestown  were: — 

1.  Geohge,  [b.  Feb.  1,  1795,  m.  Sally  Everett  of  Francestown, 
May  7,  1822,  was  by  vocation  a  farmer,  and  being  indus- 
trious and  careful  in  all  liis  business  enterprises,  he  was  one 
of  the  most  prosjierous  of  the  citizens  of  the  town.  He 
died  in  Francestown,  Oct.  14, 1869.  His  children  all  born 
in  Francestown  were: — 
Harriet  NewelU  (b.  July  9,  1824,  m.  Sjdvanus  Jewett  of 
Bainbridge,  Ohio,  Sept.  30,  1852,  resided  at  Bainbridge, 
Ohio  and  Pine  Ridge,  Miss.  She  was  a  highly  cultured 
lady,  having  graduated  at  Mount  Holyoke  Female  Semi- 
nary, South  Hadley,  Mass.  in  1847,  and  being  a  teacher  of 
large  experience  and  excellent  reputation  in  both  New 
England  and  the  West.  She  died  in  Francestown,  June 
24,  1855.) 
Geon/c,  Jr.,  (b.  Jan.  8,  1827,  m.  Betsey  A.  Hyde  of  Frances- 
town,  April  19,  1853,  is  a  farmer.     -He  served  in  Co.  F, 


790  GENEALOGIES. 

18th  Regiment,  N.  H.  Vol.  during  the  last  year  of  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion,  is  a  man  of  much  intelligence  and 
profitable  industry.  His  children  born  in  Fiuncestown 
are: — George  Albert;  b.  April  6, 1854,  m.  Sadie  M.  Heald 
of  Milford,  June  4,  1879,  res.  at  DeLand,  Fla.,  is  by  trade 
a  machinist  and  ice-manufacturer;  Warren,  b.  Oct.  23, 
1855,  m.  Ella  A.  Wagner  of  DuQuoin,  111.,  Jan.  11,  1881, 
is  a  grocer  and  wholesale  oil  dealer.  He  has  served  upon 
the  board  of  alderman  in  DuQuoin,  where  he  resides ; 
Henry  Lovell,  b.  May  5,  1861,  m.,  1st,  Ellen  H.  Stevenson 
of  Greenville,  Oct.  12,  1882,  2nd,  Florence  Davis  of  New 
Ipswich,  Jan.  6,  1890,  served  upon  the  board  of  selectmen 
in  Greenville,  where  he  is  engaged  in  mercantile  persuits, 
has  resided  in  St.  Augustine,  Florida,  where  his  first  wife 
died  Dec.  24,  1886.)  ' 

Sarahs  (b.  Feb.  5, 1829,  res.  witli  her  mother  in  Francestown.) 

Hannah  Frances,  (b.  Nov.  17,  1830,  d.  in  Francestown,  May 
2,  1832.) 

Hannah  Caroline.,  (b.  June  6,  1833,  m:  H.  F.  Blakeslee  of 
Metemora,  111.,  Oct.  13,  1853,  res.  in  DuQuoin,  111.) 

Mark  Justin,  (b.  Nov.  12,  1837,  served  3  yrs.  in  the  4th  111. 
Cavalry,  was  afterward  purser  on  the  steamer  Col.  Cowles, 
died  in  the  service  at  Dauphin  Island,  Mobile  Bay,  April 
12,  1865.)] 

2.  Leonard,  [b.  Jan.  20,  1797,  d.  in   Francestown,  Oct.  10, 

1863.] 

3.  Hannah,  [b.  Sept.  24,  1798,  d.  in  Francestown,  May  31, 

1799.] 

4.  Hannah,  [b.  Jan.  25,  1801,  m.  Stephen  Whipple  of  New 

Boston,  July  5,  1831,  resided  in  Ne^V  Boston,  d.  in  Chel- 
sea, Mass.,  Dec.  10,  1876.] 

5.  Joseph,  [b.  Dec.  29,  1802,  m.  Betsey  Everett  of  Frances- 

town,  Dec.  9,  1827,  was  by  vocation  a  farmer  and  one  of 
the  best.  He  was  moreover  a  strong  and  liberal  supporter 
of  the  church  and  a  generous  donor  to  missionar}^  societies, 
he  died  in  Francestown,  Oct.  17,  1884.  His  children  all 
born  in  Francestown  were: — 
Lucy  Ahhij,  (b.  May  13,1829,  m.  Dr.  John  G.  Kerr  of  Ohio, 
Sept.  20, 1853.     She  was  a  pupil  of  Messrs.  Herrick,  Aver- 


KINGSBUHY.  791 

ill  and  Brickett  in  the  academy,  and  afterward  graduated 
at  South  Hadley,  Ma.ss.  She  studied  French  in  Boston, 
Mass.  with  Mrs.  Combs,  a  French  lady.  Afterward  she 
went  to  Illinois  and  tauglit  three  years  in  Henry  Seminary. 
She  sailed  with  her  husband  for  China  in  Nov.,  1853,  reach- 
ing Canton  in  the  following  May,  being  one  hundred  and 
sixty  days  on  a  sailing  vessel,  delayed  during  the  voyage 
by  long  calms.  ( )n  her  way  she  wrote,  "  If  we  could  only 
relieve  the  anxiety  of  friends  at  home  by  letting  them 
know  how  pleasantly  we  are  situated  we  should  be  happy." 
Slie  died  Aug.  26,  1855,  having  lived  in  China  only  fifteen 
months.  Her  remains  were  placed  in  the  burying  ground 
in  winch  the  much  honored  Dr.  Morrison  lies  buried  in 
Macao,  China,  eighteen  miles  from  Canton.) 
Josej^K  (b.  May  15,  1831,  d.  in  Fiancestown,  July  2,  1832.) 
Em'dy^  (b.  May  14,  1833,  m.  Dr.  James  S.  Donnell  of  Towns- 
end,  Mass.,  Jan.  25,  1855,  from  whom  she  se[)arated, 
taking  again  her  maiden  name.  Their  only  child,  Albert 
Joseph,  (now  Albert  Joseph  Kingsbury,)  was  born  in  Fran- 
cestown,  Se})t.  20,  1857,  and  married  Katie  B.  Halh)well 
of  Lowell,  Mass.,  May  19,  1880,  and  resides  in  Lowell, 
He  is  a  very  genial,  honorable  and  capable  young  man  and 
is  now  manager  in  the  Cyclorama  building  in  Boston,  Mass., 
where  the  famous  painting.  The  Battle  of  Gettysburg,  was 
so  long  exhibited.) 
NewelU  (b.  Aug.  19,  1835,  d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  1,  1836.)] 

6.  Newell,  [b.  Jan.  31,  1805,  d.  July  29,  1808  in  Frances- 

town.] 

7.  JULIETTA,  [b.   April   20,  1807.  m,   Kev.   Almon   Benson  of 

Jericho,  Vt.,  May  11,  1841,  d.  at  Centre   Harbor,  Jan.  11, 
1843.] 

8.  John  Langdon,  [b.  March  11,  1810,  m.  Abigail  Hyde  of 

Francestown,  Dec.  8,  1835,  d.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  24, 
1858,  was  a  farmer  and  one  of  the  most  respected  citizens 
of  the  town.  His  death  was  casued  by  falling  from  a  high 
scaffold  in  his  barn.  His  children,  all  born  in  Frances- 
town,  were: — 
Jidia  Ann^  (born  May  26,  1837,  m.  Joseph  A.  Wheeler  of 
Lowell,  Mass.,  May  27,  1858,  res.  in  Lowell.) 


792  GENEALOGFES. 

Charles,  (b.  Oct.  15, 1838,  d.  in  Fiancestown,  Jan.  11,  1847.) 

Alice  Mari^halU  (b.  April  20,  1840,  m.  Rev.  Henry  Maiden 
of  Marash,  Turkey,  Oct.  1,  1878.  She  was  an  amiable  and 
conscientious  lady  and  was  long  a  po[)\ilar  teacher  in  the 
public  schools  of  this  and  other  towns.  She  accompanied 
her  husband  to  his  missionary  field  in  Turkey,  and  died  in 
Marash,  Oct.  17,  1879,  but  not  without  gaining  universal 
affection  and  res})ect  in  her  new  home  aiid  station.) 

Alary  Richards,  (b.  May  31,  1844,  m.  Edward  P.  Morgan  of 
New  Boston,  Feb.  11,  1875,  res.  in  Milford.) 

Charles  Lav;/don,  (b.  Jan.  10,  1850,  m.  Belle  L.  Jones  of 
Spencer,  Mass.,  Dec.  14,  1881,  is  a  j)hysic-ian  of  consider- 
able reputation  in  Boston.) 

Edward  Newell,  b.  Sept.  7,  1853,  m.  Clara  A.  Cofilin  of  New- 
ton, Mass.,  May  5,  1881,  is  a  very  successful  })hysician   in 
Newton  Centre,  Mass.)] 
9.  Mark,  [b.  June  26,  1812,  d.  in  Francestown,  May  29, 1814.] 

KNIGHT. 

JOHN  KNIGHT  was  Ixjrn  in  De'dliam,  Mass.,  May  22,  1757.  His 
wife  was  Eulh  Wilkiiis  of  Mont  Vernon.  She  was  born  March  21,  1701. 
They  were  married  Nov.  9,1780.  John  Knight  was  one  of  the  many 
settlers  from  Dedham,  who  in  1780  began  to  fell  the  oaks  and  to  bnild 
for  themselves  homes  on  Oak  hill.  The  first  house  built  by  him  stood 
on  the  old  road  running  directly  over  the  liill  in  a  westerly  direction 
and  was  between  the  Savage  place  and  the  original  IJenjamin  Deane 
place.  The  Frank  Deane  place  on  the  turnpike  was  afterward  known 
as  the  Knight  place  since  it  was  held  by  the  family  for  a  considerable 
l^eriod.  John  Knight  was  doubtless  a  man  of  abilit}'  and  of  nerve  since 
he  held  the  office  of  high  sheriff  of  the  county.  He  was  moreover  toll- 
keeper  and  his  house  beside  the  turnpike  was  often  referred  to  as  "the 
toll-house."  He  died  in  this  town,  Jan.  14, 1817.  His  wife  died  here, 
Aug.  11,  1820.     Ilis  children  were  born  in  this  town: — 

1.  Levi,  [b.  Oct.  20,  1782,  m.  Emma  Stearns  of  Francestown, 

May  1,  1804.  He  removed  to  Walden,  Vt.,  where  he 
died.  His  children  were: — Deane,  Gerry,  Nathaniel,  Try- 
phosa,  Elisabeth  and  Rutli.  All  were  born  in  Walden,  Vt., 
save  the  first,  who  was  born  in  Francestown.  All  are  now 
living  in  Walden,  Vt.J 

2.  Ruth,  [b.  July  27,  1788,  d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  23,  1790.] 


KNIGHT,  LA  KIN.  793 

3.  RoxANA,  [b.  Nov.  15,  1789,  d.  in  Fraiicestown,  Jan.  19, 

1794,] 

4.  Mathilda,  [d.  at  Fianeestown,  Maicli  15,  1794.] 

5.  John  Gould,  [b.  April  5,  1794,  d.  in   Krancestown,  Jan. 

27,  1797.]     . 

6.  Geery    Whiting,    [l^orn    July    3,  1795,  m.  Tiyphosa  L. 

Wilkins  of  Mont  Venion,  Nov.  9,  1817.  He  lived  al)ont 
five  years  after  bis  marriage  in  tlie  Abner  Fislier  bouse 
after  wliieb  be  removed  to  Mont  Vernon,  and  ivom  tbere 
to  Pelbam,  wbere  lie  died  Aug.  1(3,  1847.  Me  was  by  trade 
a  carj)enter.      His  ebildren  were: — 

John  (r.,  (born  in  Francestown,  Oct.  4,  1818,  m.  Sevina  R. 
Horton  of  Woburn,  Mass.,  Dec.  26,  1845,  d.  in  Lowell, 
Mass.,  Mareli  13,  1882.  His  son,  Henry  S.,  was  born  in 
Woburn,  April  18,  1847.  He  married  Jane  E.  Fisber 
of  tbis  town  and  after  residing  several  years  in  Stonebam, 
came  in  1891  to  live  at  tbe  home  of  his  father-iu-law,  Dr. 
Eaton  Fislier.) 

Mizabeth  Z.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Se[)t.  25,  1820,  m.  David 
Swett  of  Canada,  De(;.  25,  1839,  d.  in  Manchester,  Dec.  9, 
1847.) 

Ruth  IF.,  (b.  ill  Francestown,  Aug.  12,  1822,  m.  Horace  W. 
Humphrey  of  Wateibury,  Vt.,  March  26,  1849,  res.  at 
Waterbury.) 

Fannie  31.,  (b.  in  Mont  Vernon,  Nov.  6,  1824.  m.  Jolin 
Swett  of  C'belmsford,  Mass.,  Jan.,  1847,  d.  in  Lowell,  Mass.) 

Charlotte  W.,  (b.  in  Pelbam,  Aug.  4,  1828,  m.  Andrew  J. 
Calef  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  Sept.  19,  1859,  resided  in  Lowell, 
where  she  .died  June  11,  1870.)] 

7.  Rebecca,  [b.  Feb.  16,  1799,  unmarried,  d.  in  Woburn,  Jan. 

9,  1886.] 

8.  John,  [b.  in  1800,  m.  Lucy  Kilburn  of  Princeton,  Mass.,  d. 

in  Woburn,  Mass.,  Sept.  22,  1863.  He  was  by  trade  a 
currier.] 

9.  Fanny,  [b,  Nov.,  1803,  m.  Josiah  Winslow  of  Hardwick,  Vt., 

d.  in  Hardwick,  Sept.  1862.] 

LAKIN. 

WIISI8LOW  LAKIX  was  a  descendant  of  William  Lakin,  who  in  his 
old  age  emigrated  (about  1G40,)  from  Enghmd  to  America  with  his  two 


794  GENEALOGIES. 

grandson^;,  William  and  John,  sons  of  his  son,  William,  Jr.  They  set- 
tled first  in  Reading,  from  which  phice  they  removed  to  (Iroton,  where 
William,  Sr.  died  Dec.  10,  1672,  aged  91  years,  Winslow  Lakin  was 
born  Aug.  27,  17-")'.».  He  was  the  son  of  Robinson  Lakin,  who  married 
Hannah  Dixlge,  A})nl  1.5,  1746.  Robinson  was  born  Feb.  17,  1720. 
lie  was  the  son  of  James,  who  married  Klizabrlh  ^\'illialns,  Feb.  12, 
1717.  Tlu^  link  Ijctwinm  James  and  William  oi'  .lolin  has  been  lost  but 
there  can  be  little  doubt  that  he  descended  fi-oui  one  of  these  grandsons 
of  the  aged  AVilliam.  Winslow  came  here  from  PepjicivU  al)out  the 
year  17S0  and  settled  on  the  Lakin  hill  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town. 
He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  II is  wifi^  was  Esther  Sawtelle. 
She  was  born  July  .jO,  1761  and  died  in  this  town,  July  o,  184!).  He 
died  here,  Sept.  2;J,  IS-lO.  All  their  children  were  born  in  this  town. 
They  were: — 

1.  Hi'M'.ECCA,  [b.  Dec.  IG,  1782,  was  uuinarried,  d.  in  tliis  town, 

Sept.  29,  185(5.] 

2.  EsTHKii,  [b.  Jan.  22,  1784,  ni.  Juliu  Hutchinson  of  Wilton. 

Sept.  28,  1813,  d.  at  Wilton,  Nov.  28,  1850.] 

3.  Bktsi-:v,  [b.  May  23,  178(3,  d.  in  tliis  town.  May  29,  1788.] 

4.  Iattheu,  [1).  March  13,  1788,  removed,  to  Maine,  wliere  he 

married  and  died.] 

5.  Winslow,  [b.  April  21,  1790,  was  unmarried,  d.  in   tliis 

town,  May  7,  1851.] 

6.  Nathaniel  H.,  [b.  April  13, 1792,  removed  to  Maine,  wliere 

he  died  leaving  a  family.] 

7.  Jessk,  [married   Mary  Ntittino-,  Oct.  7,  1824,  and  lived  on 

the  home  place,  where  he  died  Aug.  29,  1831,  aged  37 

years.     His    two  children  were  born  in  this   town,  they 

were: — 
Luther  Farleif,  (died  at  Manchester,  Feb.   1,  1850,  aged   24 

years.) 
Fanny  Maria,  (b.  April  1,1827,  d.  at  Francestown,  April  17, 

1851.)] 

8.  RoxANA,  [married  Enoch   Fisher  of  this  town,  March   14, 

1816,  removed  to  Charlotte,  Maine.] 

LAMSON. 

JOSEPH  LAMSON  lived  on  the  Aaron  Lewis  place  quite  early. 
He  was  made  hogreef  in  1785.  The  house  in  which  he  lived  was 
burned  down  in  a  forest  fire,  April  15,1892.  ■  Joseph  and  Mehitablc 
Lamson  joined  the  church  here  in  17!t2. 


LEE,  LESLFA'.  795 

LEE. 

WILLIAM  LEE  settled  in  Francestown  in  177L  He  lived  in  the 
south-oiist  pari  of  tlie  town  a  few  years,  having;  eleared  and  settled  the 
place  afterwards  occupied  by  Daniel  Clark,  then  moved  to  Lyndeboro', 
and  thence  to  Weston,  Vt.,  where  he  died.  Was  a  man  of  some  prom- 
inence in  town,  and  was  one  of  the  IJbai'd  of  Selectmen  for  1773.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  Army  from  Francestown,  and  after- 
wai'ds  from  Lyndeboro'.  The  paj'-roll  speaks  of  him  as  "Ensign  Wm. 
Lee."  He  was  sometimes  called  "  Capt.  Lee."  David  C.  Grant,  Esqr., 
chairman  of  the  Lyndeboro'  Town  History  Committee,  writes  that 
"William  Lee  settled  in  that  part  of  Lyndeboro'  which  was  set  off  to 
Greenfield  in  17in  ,"  and  that  he  "  believed  he  was  father  of  Herbert  Lee, 
who  recently  died  in  Hancock."  Herbert  Lee  was  father  of  Charles  H. 
Lee  of  Hancock,  a  soldier  in  the  Union  Army  in  the  late  war,  who  was 
born  in  Weston,  Vt.,  April  S,  1S4(). 

FRANK  E.  LEE  of  Greeniield  married  Mary  A.  Rurnhain  of  this 
town,  Nov.  10,  IS^iS.  He  lived  a  short  time  in  the  Mooar  house  in  the 
village,  removed  to  Cand)i-idge,  Mass.     One  child: — 

1.   FuEDEiMCK',  [1).  l)ef()re  tlie  faniil}'  came  to  this  town.] 

LESLEY. 

•JAMES  TiESLEY  came  from  Londonderry  and  purchased  a  tract  of 
land  near  the  soutli-eastern  slope  of  the  mountain.  The  land  owned 
by  him  comprised  the  "south  end"  of  lot  No.  7.  in  the  Odeiorn  Might. 
Here  he  built  but  evidently  did  not  long  remain  since  in  171);>  he  sold 
to  John  and  James  McPhersoai.  He  married  Margaret  McPherson, 
daughter  of  Samuel  McPherson,  and  subsequently  removed  to  Romeo, 
Mich.,  where  all  his  children,  save  one,  resided  and  left  large  families. 
Children  wei'e: — 

1.  James,  [horn   Aug.  29,  1792,  m.,   1st,  Pho'he  Edgett,  2n(l, 

Martha  Day.] 

2.  Mary  L.,  [b.  Sept.  27,  1794,  m.  Henry  Hillard.] 

3.  Joshua  Feuson,  [b.  March  14,  1796.     He  was  adopted  by 

his  vincle  Joshua,  m.  Mary  Phelps  of  Hollis,  and  had  by 
tliis  marriage  seven  children.  He  resided  in  Deering,  d. 
July,  1845.] 

4.  Ben.tamin,  []).  Sept.  30,  1798,  m.  Deborah  (irifhii.] 

5.  PiEi'.EKAH,  [b.  March  29,  1801,  m.  A  din  Bnrtt.] 
0.   Kacihel,  [b.  Dec.  25,  1803,  m.  Daniel  Alverson.] 

7.   RoxANNA,  [b.  July  14,  1807,  m.  James  Starkweather.] 


796  GENEALOGIES. 

LEWIS. 

WILLTAMi  LEWIS  embarked  for  America,  Aug.  7,  \C^?,ry  in  the  ship 
Ghibe  of  London.  He  was  then  in  his  t\vent3'-fiftli  year  and  was  mar- 
ried. It  is  l)elieved  that  he  soon  returned  to  Enghmd  and  l)rought  to 
America  his  wife,  whose  nuiiden^name  was  Amy  Wells,  since  both  were 
in  1G40  attendants  of  John  Eliot's  church  in  Roxbury.  William  was 
a  friend  and  associate  of  Gov.  Bellingham,  and  was  for  his  time  a  man 
of  wealth.  In  l(i53  he  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  town  of  Lancas- 
ter, Mass.,  in  which  his  son,  John,  also  settled,  and  with  his  father  car- 
ried on  the  business  of  weaving  besides  running  a  grist-mill.  The  set- 
tlers of  Lancaster  were  greatly  troubled  l)y  the  Indimis,  and  of  William 
it  is  said  that  he  endured  trials  and  hardships  until  completely  pros- 
trated. On  Nov.  21,  1071  he  made  a  disposition  of  his  worldly  goods 
and  shortly  afterward  (Dec.  3,  1(571,)  died.  His  son,  John^,  v,'as  l)orn 
Nov.  1,  Ifi.'jo.  After  his  father's  death  the  Lewis  household  was  broken 
up  by  an  attack  of  the  Indians  under  King  Philip,  and  John  returned 
to  Roxbury  and  Dorchester.  He  died  in  IGS.').  His  son,  John^,  was 
born  April  20,  1071  in  Lancaster.  He  was  the  father  of  John-*,  (who 
was  the  father  of  Davids,  Isaac^  and  Asa^,)  also  of  Ebenezer*,  (father 
of  Nathan^)  and  of  Jonathan-*,  who  was  the  father  of  Moses^,  b.  Sept. 
27,  1743,  and  settled  on  the  James  Stearns  place  now  in  fireentield, 
and  of  AaronS,  b.  July  3, 1750,  who  married  Sarah  White  of  Stoughten- 
ham,  Mass.,  Sept.  24,  1772,  and  settled  in  Lyndeboro'. 

ISAAC  LEWIS  was  the  son  of  John  and  Al)igail  Lewis  of  Dedham 
and  was  born  in  Dedham,  Nov.  21,  1745.  He  first  came  to  Frances- 
town,  May  10,^1703,  "when  beech  leaves  were  almost  grown,"  but  did 
not  begin  his  residence  until  Sept.  10,  1707.  This  was  on  the  Israel 
Farnum  or  Sargent  place.  He  received  a  title  to  his  claim  at  even  a 
later  day  since  the  deed  certifying  that  he  bought  one  hundred  acres  of 
land  of  his  father,  John  Lewis,  for  i.'20,  13s,  4d  bears  date,  Nov.  23, 
1770.  Mr.  Lewis  won  and  maintained  a  high  social  position  in  this 
town.  His  wife  was  Mary  Epps,  she  died  in  Francestown,  June  15, 
1777,  in  the  25th  year  of  her  age.  He  died  in  Francestown,  March  27, 
1835,  aged  89  years.     Children: — 

1.  Daniel,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  25,  1775,  m.  Mary  Epps 
of  Danvers,  Mass.,  June  10,  1804.  He  was  graduated  at 
Dartmouth  and  was  educated  for  the  bar,  he  however  set- 
tled on  the  liomestead  and  was  riglitly  regarded  a  very 
useful  man.  He  held  with  credit  man 3^  town  offices,  he 
died  in  Francestown,  Dec.  15,  1827.  Children: — 
Isaac,  (b.  in  Francestown,  July  2,  1805,  d.  in  F'rancestown, 
Nov.  11,  1863.) 


LEWIS.  797 

Mary,  (b.  in  Fraiicestown,  Jul}'  1,  1808,  m.  Moses  Atwood 

of  Francestown.  Nov.,  1835,  d.  June  21,  1844.) 
Daniel,  (b.  Oct.  18,  1813,  d.  Aug.  15,  18G1.) 
Jolm  E-pp^,  (b.  March  1,  1815,  d.  Oct.  10,  1810.)] 
2.   Mary,   [born  in   Francestown,  Nov.  19,  1770,  ni.  Samuel 
Dickerman,  Nov.  18,  1800,  went  to  Topsbani,  Vt.,  Avbere 
slie  died.] 

DAVID  LEWIS  came  here  with  liis  In-other  Isaac,  he  also  was  of 
Dedham,  where  he  was  horn  Aiiij.  .'>1,  17.")(».  lie  settled  on  the  jilace 
now  owned  hy  George  A.  Duncklee.  He  was  a  man  of  means  and  en- 
terprise, he  was  tlie  first  to  construct  a  mill  where  the  kit  factory  now 
stands.  This  was  a  "icorn-mill"  built  in  1774.  A  few  years  after  he 
had  a  saw-mill  in  operation  where  the  saw-mill  now  is  in  Clark  Village. 
He  was  deacon  of  the  church  and  for  many  years  in  town  oftice.  The 
three  brothers,  Asa,  Isaac  and  David  Lewis,  were  the  selectmen  of  the 
town  in  17S4.  David  married,  1st,  Lydia  Clough,  daughter  of  John 
and  Tabitha  Clough  of  Dedham,  Sept.  20,  1770,  she  died  in  Frances- 
town,  May  28,  1789,  in  the  49th  year  of  her  age,  and  he  married,  2nd, 
Sara  Steele,  Sept.  1.5,  1791,  she  died  April  2,  1810,  in  her  (Ust  yeai-,  he 
died  in  Francestown,  July  .3,  1811,  aged  75  years.     Children:  — 

1.  Sara,  [b.  Aug.  20,  1771.] 

2.  Bathsheba,  [b.  May  27,  1773,  d.  Sept.  20,  1770  in   Fran- 

cestown.] 

3.  Lydia,  [b.  July  22,  1774.] 

4.  David,  [b.  Dec.  16,  1770,  m.  1st,  Susannah  Aiken  of  Deer- 

ing,  June  2,  1801,  2nd,  Azuba  Dodge  of  Bath,  Nov.  21, 

1844,  lived  in   the  liouse  owned  and  occupied  by  Albert 

Whitfield,  d.  in   Francestown,  March  18,  1852,  his  first 

wife  died  liere.  May  16,  1844.     Children  were: — 
Harriet,  (b.  Oct.  24, 1802,  m.  Herbert  Vose  of  this  town,  Oct. 

1^,  1833,  d.  in  Francestown,  July  6,  1881.) 
Harvey  Aiken,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  19,  1804,  m.  Sally 

Holmes  of  this  town,  June  16,  1825,  was  a  stone-mason, 
"  resided  in  Manchester,  d.  April  28,  1837.) 
Horace,  (b.  Aug.  28,  1807,  m.  Jerusha  Tucker  of  Easton, 

Mass.,  Sept.  16,  1839,  resided  in  Taunton,  Mass.,  d.   May 

4,  1876.) 
David,  (b.  in   Francestown,  April  26,  1809,  m.  Mary   Ann 

Holmes  of  Boston,  April  21,  1833,  a  merchant  at  Pittsburg, 

Kansas.) 


798  GENEALOGIES. 

John  Clark,  (1).  in  Fraiicestown,  Dec.  4,  1811,  m.  Hariiet 
Houclikiss  of  .luiiian,  Wis.,  Jan.  20,  1839,  d.  June  18, 
1872.) 

Sm«(ti,  (b.  in  Francestown,  April  10,  1815,  ni.  Ezra  Ames, 
Sept.  15, 1839,  resided  in  Hudson,  Mich.,  d.  Dec.  31, 1817.) 

Rohert  Aiken,  b.  July  11,  1819  in  Francestown,  d.  in  Fran- 
cestown,  Nov.  2,  1856.) 

Anderson,  (b.  in  Francestown,  March  10,  1-822,  m.  Elizabeth 
Rich,  was  a  machinist,  d.  in  Francestown,  May  2,  1<S(!7.)] 
5.  J()SEi»H,  [b.  Oct.  9, 1778,  UK,  1st,  Folly  Kiud)all  of  Pendjroke, 
April  7,  1803,  she  died  April  20,  1817,  aged  38,  2iul, 
Joanna,  liuttertield  of  Fraueestown,  Feb.  19,  1818,  lived 
in  the  (Uai-k  village  on  the  Jonathan  Danforth  i)lace  and 
on(;e  owned  the  sa,w-mill,  he  left  town  about  1840,  d.  in 
Lowell,  A])ril  (!,  1803.  Chihlren  by  Isl^  marriage  all  I)orn 
in  Francestown  : — 

Eliza,  (b.  Aug.  21,  1803,  m.  Daniel  Mellen  of  Fi-ancestown, 
Feb.,  1829,  d.  in  New  Boston,  June  9,  1804.) 

David,  (b.  Jan.  10, 1805,  m.  Elmiia  Hall  of  Pembroke,  Sept. 
22,  1830,  d.  in  Pembroke,  June  10,  1845.) 

Foil//,  (b.  June  9,  1800,  m.  Proctor  Perham  of  Lyndeboro', 
March  30.  1843,  d.  Dec.  10,  1874,  in  Wilton.) 

Rodnri/  Garvin,  (b.  Jan.  21,  1808,  m.  Emeline  Parker  of 
Westf(n-d,  Mass.,  Nov.  10,  1835,  d.  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  Aug. 
30,  1840.) 

William  Farnum,  (b.  Nov.  22,  1811,  m.  Lucy  T.  Boynton  of 
Pepperell,  Mass.,  d.  in  Hudson,  April  10,  1884.) 

Joi>epli.,  (b.  A])ril  20,1817,  m.,  1st,  Lavina  Robinson  of  Epsom, 
Mass.,  2nd,  Lucy  Hodgman   of    Carlisle,  Mass.,  Nov.  0, 
1844,  lived  in  Lowell,  where  he  died  May  14,  1874.J 
Children  by  2ud  marriage  were : — 

Asenath,  (b.  Feb.  1,  1819,  m.  S.  P.  Perham  of  Chelmsford, 
Mass.,  Aug.  22,  1844,  d.  in  Chelmsford,  May  29,  1807.) 

Benjamin,  (married  Betsey  Holt  of  Franklin,  was  a  carpen- 
ter in  Wabshaw,  Minn.,  Avhere  he  died  Nov.  10,  1872.) 

Ephraim  B.,  (1).  Jan.  0,  1820,  m.  Rebecca  A.  Underwood  of 
Lowell,  Jan.  31,  1855,  was  a  carpenter  and  a  farmer,  d.  in 
Tjmgsboro',  Mass.) 


LEWIS.  799 

Hiram  A.,  (b.  June  6,  1828,  m.  Mary  J.  Leufest  of  Belfast, 
Maine,  April  3,  1852,(1.  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  June  6,  1878.) 

Henry  Francis,  (b.  March  14,  1832,  m.  Rosilla  lleetl,  Oct. 
21,  1862,  res.  in  Idaho.)] 

6.  Abigail  Hastings,  [b.  in   Francestown,  Jan.  14,  1780,  m. 

Abiier  Gove  of  Weare,  Oct.  31,  1799.] 

7.  AcHSAH,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  22,  1782.] 

ASA  LEWIS,  brother  of  I^aac  and  David,  was  born  in  Dcdhiuii,  Aui;-. 
24,  1750.  lie  came  Iiere  al)oui  Ihe  yv.nv  1774,  and  settled  on  tlie  Cram 
or  Stevens  place  owned  by  Charles  U.  V.  Wells.  He  Avas  a  Revolution- 
ary soldier  and  a  very  capable  man,  and  held  town  otlices  almost  without 
cessation  until  his  removal  to  Littleton,  Vt.,  about  the  year  1800.  He 
had  no  children. 

GP:0R(;E  lewis  was  the  grandson  of  William  and  JJethiah  Lewis 
of  Dedham,  he  was  a  cousin  of  Lethiah  Morse,  who  married  ( )livcr 
Holmes,  and  of  Ik'thiah  Lewis,  who  married  Daniel  Clark.  He  mar- 
ried Molly,  daughter  of  Enoch  Holmes,  March  3,  1801,  and  doubtless 
settled  here  about  that  date.  He  was  a  farmer  and  lived  on  the  McCain 
place,  also  the  Leonard  Spaulding  or  Hadly  farm,  his  last  home  was  in 
the  village  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  J.  T.  ]]ix])y,  where  hi'  died  April  l;j> 
1852.     Had  no  children. 

AARON  LEWIS  was  the  son  of  Aaron  and  Sara  (  ^\'llite)  f.ewis  of 
Dedham,  wlio  settled  in  Lyndeboro'  near  the  Francestown  line  (juite 
early.  Aaron,  the  son,  was  horn  March  10,  1775,  and  mari'ied  Hannah 
Boardman  of  Lynn,  Mass.,  she  Was  born  June  20,  177('),  and  d.  Nov.  20, 
18(*)5  in  Francestown.  Shortly  after  his  marriage  (17'.)8,)  he  sctlled  on 
the  Lamson  place  in  Francestown,  though  (luite  iieai'  the  Lyndeboro' 
line,  and  about  one-third  of  a  mile  from  the  Cressy  bridge,  here  he  died 
June  21,  1855.     Childnai  all  born  in  Francestown  were: — 

1.  Hannah,  [born  Aug.  19,  1800,  m.  Williams  Woodward  of 

Lyndeboro',  April  28,  1830,  d.  in   Lyndeboro'  Aug.  17, 
18(33.] 

2.  Nancy,  [b.  Aug.  21.  1802,  m.  Thomas  Gordon  of  Eastford, 

Conn.,  d.  in  Francestown,  May  19,  18(36.] 

3.  Isaac,  [b.  July  31,  1805,  m.  Emily  Deans  of  Eastford,  Conn,, 

d.  in  Eastbn'd,  Conn.] 

4.  ELiZAriETH  Boardman,   [born    May  2,  1816,  m.   Leonard 

Duncklee  of  Greenfield,  *  March  28,  1839,  resides  in  Fran- 
cestown.] 

*  In  the  Duncklee  family  sketch  the  date  is  given,  perhaps  incorrectly, 
April  2S. 


800  GENEALOGIES. 

"Col.  LEWIS"  is  said  to  have  lived  where  a  cellar  hole  is  now  to 
be  seen  on  tlic  land  of  W.  A.  Lord  and  near  the  N.  E.  corner  of  the 
Johnson  wood  lot.  The  northern  half  of  this  lot,  which  lies  to  west- 
ward of  the  Wheeler  or  Person  place,  Avas  purchased  about  twelve  years 
ago  by  lli(!  Soapstone  Company,  whose  men,  while  cutting  the  wood 
and  tinilici-,  called  the  attention  of  the  writer  to  the  old  cellar,  of  whose 
histoi-y  and  t'ven  existence  very  few  of  even  the  oldest  people  of  the 
town  possessed  a  definite  knowledge.  But  he  was  subsequently  in- 
formi'd  that  Col.  Lewis  lived  there  and  that  his  -wife  was  a  sister  of 
Deacon  Savage's  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Tupper.  This  seems 
probal)l('  since  Deacon  Savage's  first  home  i-n  this  town  was  the  Wheeler 
place.  In  the  lax  list  of  1798,  we  find  the  name  Nath*  Lewis.  Of 
*Xa|]r'^  Lewis  we  have  learned  little,  but  presume  that  he  was  the 
Colonel  Lewis  al)ove  mentioned.  Ilowbeit  the  name  and  the  remains 
of  a  human  habitation  in  the  wilds  of  (lie  solitary  woodland  cannot  fail 
to  I'xcitc  the  interest  of  the  genealogist  and  the  antiquarian. 

LOLLY. 

Dj!.  SAjVII'ICL  lolly  was  nnqueslion;d)ly  tlu'  first  medical  i)racti- 
tioner  who  resided  permanently  in  Francestown.  Of  his  early  history 
little  can  be  learned.  There  is  however  reason  to  believe  that  his  child- 
hood's home,  doubtless  his  birth  place,  was  in  Massachusetts,  but  all 
satisfactory  knowledge  upon  this  subject  and  also  concerning  his  an- 
cestry was  lost  in  the  death  of  the  worthy  doctor.  His  paternal  name 
however  is  known  to  have  been  Lilly,  the  substitution  of  LoUv  being 
of  his  own  designing.  He  went  from  Massachusetts  into  the  Conti- 
nental army  in  which  he  served  five  years  as  surgeon's  mate,  doubtless 
very  credilaldy,  since  he  brought  with  him  from  the  service  many  me- 
mentoes of  appreciation  and  friendship.  lie  married,  Nov.  10,  1785, 
Mary  Fiske,  whose  In-other,  Dea.  -Jonathan  Fiske  v/as  an  early  resident 
of  Francestown.  She  died  in  this  town  several  years  previous  to  the 
death  of  her  hus]>and.  Dr.  Lolly  came  here  about  the  year  1787,  and 
very  soon  had  possession  of  fully  one-fourth  of  the  land  now  included 
within  the  limits  of  the  village.  To  his  professional  business  he  added 
that  of  a  tavern  keeper.  The  building  erected  by  him  doubtless  for  a 
l)nl)lic  house  was  a  long,  low  and  not  inn:)osing  structure,  a  part  of 
which  is  now  the  residence  of  William  H.  Stevens.  He  acquired  con- 
siderable note  as  a  physician,  being  doubtless  skillful  and  sagacious,  and 
possessed  of  originality  bordering  upon  the  eccentric.  Instances  in 
testimony  of  his  mastery  of  his  profession  are  not  wanting.  He  is 
said  on  one  occasion  to  have  told  a  patient  not  to  send  for  him  when 
again  in  need  of  a  physician  for  she  would  surely  die,  and  die  she  did  as 

*  Nathan  Lewis  of  Francestown,  [thought  to  be  the  son.  (b  Apr.  7,  1756.) 
of  Ebenezer'',]  sold  land  to  William  Starrett  of  Francestown  in  1791.  The 
deed  was  given  Feb.  1,  1791,  and  was  signed  by  Nathan  and  Hannah,  his  wife. 


LORD.  801 

predicted.  His  two  daughters  bore  the  names  of  two  of  his  old  army 
comrades,  Shepard  and  Banister,  agreeable  to  promises  made  and  pledges 
given  many  years  previous  to  their  birth.  Some  quaint  specimens  of 
his  personal  effects  are  in  the  possession  of  his  descendants,  among 
which  are  the  heavy  iron  mortar  and  pestle  used  l)y  him  in  the  com- 
pounding of  health-restoring  drugs.  He  died  in  this  town,  May  2, 1813, 
and  was  buried  on  the  very  day  appointed  for  his  second  marriage. 
His  children  were:  — 

1.  Paulina  Banister,  [1j.  in  France.stown,  ni.  Samuel  Stevens 

of  this  town,  died  here,  Jan.  19,  1862,  aged  12  years.] 

2.  Minerva  Shei'ARI),  [b.  in   Francestown,  m.  Charles  Wells 

of  this  town,  April  8,  1816,  died  at  the  residence  of  her 
son,  Charles  ().  V.  Wells,  Sept.  30,  1865,  aged  68  years.] 

LORD. 

EGBERT  LOIM),  the  father  of  William  Lord,  was  a  blacksmith  in 
Ipswich,  Mass.  in  ITol.  He  died  at  Crown  I'oint,  N.  Y.  of  the  small- 
pox, being  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  army.  His  wife  was  Eliza- 
beth Lougec.  Tlu'ir  children  were: — Betsey,  who  married  Perez  Ewell 
of  this  town;  William,  who  will  receive  further  notice;  Mary,  born  in 
Exeter;  Roliert,  also  born  in  Exeter,  who  "followed  the  sea;"  Hannah, 
who  married  Thomas  Haines  of  Concord,  N.  II.,  and  lived  long  and  died 
in  Chichester. 

WILLIAM  LORD,  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  Lord,  settled  on  the 
Lord  farm  in  this  town  about  the  year  1784.  His  wife  was  Susannah 
Quigley  of  Francestown.  She  died  here,  Nov.,  1833.  Mr.  Lord  was 
a  man  of  pi'udence  and  industry,  and  left  a  goodly  estate  to  his  son, 
William.  He  died  in  this  town  about  the  beginning  of  the  century, 
aged  forty-eight.     Children  all  born  in  this  town  were: — 

1.  William,  [b.  Sei)t.  22,  1785,  m.  Betsey  Sliattiick  of  Fran- 
cestown, July  1,  1817,  he  lived,  reared  a  family  and  died 
upon  the  family  homestead  in  this  town.  The  date  of  his 
death  was  Dec.  7,  1865.  Children: — 
William  Alfred,  (b.  in  Francestown,- April  15,  1818,  m.  Ma}^ 
13,  1856,  Rebecca  M.  Tenney,  born  in  Hancock,  Aug,  5, 
1828.  Mr.  Lord  has  held  the  office  of  selectman  and  tax- 
.collector  and  is  one  of  the  solid  men  of  the  town.  His 
children :  Charles  Alfred,  born  at  Francestown,  Feb.  15, 
1857,  married  Cora  L.  Worden  of  New  Boston,  May  15, 
1888,  has  one  child,  Uniil//  Frances,  born  March  18,  1893; 
Albert  Tenney,  born  in  Francestown,  July  19,  1864,  died 


802  GENEALOGIES. 

in  Fraiicestown,  Juii.  7,  18*)();  Delbert  l^iuiii.s,  born  in 
Fiancestown,  Sept.  24,  iSOd,  res.  in  Boston,  Mass.;  Luetta 
Maria,  born  in  Francestown,  Nov.  15,  ISGl*,  d.  in  Frances- 
town,  Jnne  24,  1883.) 

Elizabeth  AnstiHs,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  22,  1820,  d.  Dec. 

26,  1848  in  Francestown.) 
Willard  Monroe^  (1).  in   Francestown,  March  4,   1822,  d.   in 
Francestown,  May  T,  1827.) 

Charles  Gilman,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Jnly  20,  1824,  d.  in 
Francestown,  Sept.  29,  1832.) 

Emily  Frances^  (b.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  8,  182(1,  ni.  William 
A,  Cressy  of  Marblehead,  ]\lass.,  Oct.  11,  1848,  resides  in 
Salem,  Mass.) 

Susan  Caroline^  (b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  1,  1831,  d.  in  this 
town,  Ang.  29,  1832.)] 

2.  Polly,   [married    Edmund  Sliattuck  of    this  town,  April, 

1827,  d.  here,  May  19,  1827,  aged  38  years.] 

3.  Betsey,  [was  unmarried,  d.  April  16, 1819,  in  Francestown.] 

4.  Aiken,  [married  a  widow  Willard,  lived  a  few  years  on  the 

Sliattuck  place  near  Shattuck  pond.  Two  of  his  children, 
Mary  and  Emily,  were  born  in  this  town.] 

5.  Hannah,  [was  unmarried,  died  here,  Jan.  17,  1828.] 

6.  Susan,  [b.  Sept.  11,  1801,  m.  Edmund  Shattuck  of  Fran- 

cestown, Feb.  5,  1824,  d.  m  Francestown,  Dec.  9,  1825.] 

7.  John,  [b.  Aug.  30, 1804,  m. ,1st,  Achsah  Carey  of  this  town, 

July  3, 1828,  2nd,  Angeline  DeButts,  May  13, 1841.  She 
was  born  in  Hampshire  Co.,  Va.,  April  2,  1813,  and  died 
in  Dixon,  111.  in  the  autumn  of  1861.  John  Lord  was  by 
trade  a  blacksmith.  He  lived  in  the  house  now  occupied 
by  Henry  W.  Spauldi ng  and  worked  in  the  shop  connected 
therewith.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  very  affable  and 
honorable  man.  In  1838  he  moved  to  Dixon,  111.,  where 
he  died  Feb.  7,  1873.     His  children  were: — 

John  L.,  (b.  in  Hopkinton,  June  10,  1829,  m.  Mary  L.  War- 
ner of  Worcester  Co.,  Mass.,  June  17, 1851,  res.  in  Dixon. 
111.,  is  a  carriage  maker  and  farmer.) 

Mary  Elizabeth,  (born  in  Francestown,  April  29,  1831,  m. 
Henry  Kelsey,  May,  1850,  res.  in  Dixon,  111.) 


LOMNG.  803 

Augustus  Preyitiss^  (born  April  29,  1833,  was  a  druggist  in 

Dixon,  111.,  d.  March,  18G5.) 
Aschali  Jane,{h.  in   Ilopkinton,  June  3,  1836,  died  Feb.  12, 

1841.) 
Susan  Emllij^  (b.  in  Dixon,  Aug.  16,  1842,  m.  John  Berrie, 

d.  in  Dixon,  March  19,  1882.) 
William  Everett^  (b.  in   Dixon,  was  a  soldier  in  the  U.   S. 

army.     He  died  in  1866.) 
Edward  Turner^  (b.  in  Dixon,  d.  about  the  year  1856.) 
Hannah  xV.,  (1).  in  Dixon,  m.  Sidney  Morgan.)] 

CALVIN  LOKI)  was  the  son  of  George  Lord  of  Ossipee.  He  mar- 
ried iSancy  A.  Taylor  of  this  town,  Nov.  10, 1847.  He  resided  at  Man- 
chester a  few  years  previous  to  his  coming  to  Francestown,  which  was 
about  the  year  1855.  Here  he  was  engaged  iia  trade  and  occupied  the 
Long  Store.  He  was  a  shrewd  and  energetic  man.  He  died  in  this 
town,  Nov.  9,  1861.     His  children:— 

1.  George  C,  [b.  in  Manchester,  Nov.  30,  1848,  m.  Addie  S. 

Brown  of  Greensboro',  Vt.,  Oct.  15,  1879.  He  is  now  a 
prosperous  merchant  in  his  native  city,  where  he  has  held 
the  office  of  selectman.] 

2.  Ida  F.,  [born  in   Francestown,  Dec.  11,  1851,  m.  Edward 

Ricliardson  of  Lyndeboro',  Sept.  28,  1875,  resides  in  Man- 
chester.] 

LORING. 

JOHN  LORING  came  here  from  Methuen,  Mass.  about  the  year 
1797.  His  father,  John  Loring,  emigrated  to  America  from  the  prov- 
ince of  Lorraine  with  his  brothers,  David  and  Solomon,  and  settled  in 
Salem,  Mass.  It  is  said  that  these  three  were  the  younger  brothers  of 
a  Marquis  and.  that  the  original  family  name  was  Lorraine.  John 
Loring,  2nd,  married  tloanna  Morse,  a  native  of  Methuen  and  a  sister  of 
Jacob  Morse  of  Lyndeboro'  and  Francestown.  After  remaining  here 
three  years  he  removed  to  New  Boston,  where  he  died  Dec.  29,  1804, 
aged  .36  years.  His  widow  died  in  Lyndeboro',  Dec.  1,  1848,  aged  80 
years.     Their  children  were : — 

1.  John,  [b.  in  Methuen,  Mass.,  July  5,  1793,  m.  Desire  Fuller, 
daughter  of  Daniel  Fuller  of  tliis  town,  Dec.  19,  1821. 
He  may  quite  properly  be  said  to  have  been  a  resident  of 
this  town,  since  his  boyhood  was  s})ent  here  in  the  family 
of  Mr.  Joseph  Kingsbury,  and  he  Mas  afterward  employed 


804  GENEALOGIES. 

by  Mr.  Daniel  Fuller  upon  the  quarry,  nine  yerrs.  He  en- 
listed in  the  war  of  1812,  being-  the  first  man  from  this 
town  to  offer  his  services  in  that  war.  He  was  a  great 
conversationalist  and  had  a  mind  well  stored  with  the 
"folk  lore"  of  the  olden  time,  by  the  aid  of  which  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  James  P.  Todd  of  New  Boston,  has  rendered 
valuable  assistance  to  the  coni}iiU!is  of  this  woih.  He  died 
in  New  Boston,  March  24,  18(38.] 

2.  Hannah,  [b.  in  Methuen,  m.  Joseph  Kidder  of  Lyndeboro', 

d.  in  Ab)dena,  Ohio.] 

3.  Thomas,  [b.  in  Methuen,  d.  in  New  Boston  of  spotted  feyer 

when  but  10  years  of  age.] 

4.  Sally,  [b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Eli  Curtis  of  L3'ndeboro\  d. 

in  Lyndeboro'.] 

5.  Betsey,  [!>.  in  Francestown,  d.  in  c.liildhood  of  spotted  fever 

in  New  Boston.] 

6.  Silas,  [born  in  New  Boston  and  died  in  infancy,  liis  deatli 

being  cansed  by  tlie  lodging  of  a  bean  in  his  wind-})ipe.] 

LYNCH. 

HIPiAM  TjYNCII,son  of  John  Lynch  of  New  Boston,  purchased  the 
place  now  owned  b}' him,  in  LS71.  He  married  Surah  M.  Parker  of 
New  Boston,  May  30, 1871.  For  near!}'  twenty  years  he  carried  on  the 
business  of  butchering,  in  which  he  evidently  prospered  having  the 
reputation  of  being  a  shrewd,  wide-awake  and  genial  man.  Several 
yeai-s  ago  he  purchased  the  house  in  the  village  now  occupied  and 
owned  by  Mason  II.  Batch,  but  contiuueil  (o  live  where  he  now  resides. 
His  children  are: — 

1.  Mary^  E.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  July  9,  1874,  lives  with  lier 

parents.] 

2.  Henry  H.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  April  27,  187(3.] 

MANAHAN. 

JOHN  MANAHAN,  as  we  are  informed  by  one  of  his  descendants, 
was  born  in  England  of  Scotch-Irish  parents  about  the  year  1744,  being 
the  second  son  of  Michael  Manahan.  lie  was  educated  for  the  army, 
which  he  entered  early  in  life  and  in  17G5  was  stationed  at  Quebec, 
where  he  was  insulted  by  a  superior  officer  and  resented  the  insult  by 
striking  the  offender  in  the  face.  To  escape  punishment  for  this  he 
deserted  and  in  the  month  of  December  in  company  with  twentj-nine 
other  deserters  set  out  for  the  New   England  settlements.     But  the 


MANAHAN.  805 

rigors  of  a  Canadian  wintei*  caused  suffering,  exhaustion,  and  death 
in  the  little  company  and  only  one-half  of  the  men  who  composed 
it,  survived  that  illstarred  journey,  John  Manahan  being  one  of  the 
number.  He  was  afterward  engaged  in  various  ventures  in  New  Eng- 
land and  along  the  coast.  His  first  home  in  New  Ilampshii-e  was  doubt- 
less in  Londonderry,  whence  he  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Taggart 
place  in  Golfstown,  where  he  kept  a  store.  Upon  the  breaking  out  of 
the  llevolutiouary  war  he  enlisted  in  the  American  army  and  partici- 
pated in  the  battle  of  ]}unkor  Kill  and  ^\'as  with  General  Arnold  in  his 
remarkable  expedition  through  the  wilderness  of  Maine  to  Quebec.  It 
is  not  probable  that  he  was  a  resident  of  this  town  previous  to  the  year 
1780.  He  began  on  the  Parker  Bartlett  place  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
town,  which  was  long  held  by  his  descendants.  Sometime  after  he  had 
established  himself  here,  Peter  Woodbury  of  this  town  while  in  Boston 
on  business  was  accosted  by  a  man  on  Long  Wharf  who  inquired  for 
John  Manahan.  Upon  reaching  home  Mr.  Wood))ury  informed  Mr. 
Manahan  concerning  the  stranger.  "It  is  Adam,  my  brother  Adam," 
was  the  response  and  soon  John  was  on  his  way  to  Boston,  where  he 
found  Adam,  who  had  been  sent  by  his  mother  in  Ireland  in  quest  of 
the  missing  bi'other  and  who,  after  a  long  period  rife  with  adventures 
and  privations,  had  thus  brought  to  a  happy  termination  a  protracted 
and  wellnigh|hopeless  search.  Adam  subsequently  settled  on  the  Puller 
place  in  Deering.  He  was  the  father  of  Mrs.  Solomon  Bailey  of  this 
town  and  from  him  descended  the  Manahans  of  Deering  and  llillsboro', 
John  Manahan  is  said  to  have  been  twice  married,  but  we  are  informed 
that  he  married  Mary  Nesmith  of  Londonderry  and  that  she  was  the 
mother  of  his  children.  His  wife,  Mary,  died  Dec.  21,  1811,  aged  59 
years.  He  died  May  10,  1818,  i\ged  74  years.  Their  graves  may  be 
seen  in  the  old  bur3'ing-ground  in  the  village.  Their  children  were: — 
Elsie,  who  married,  1st.,  John  Sexton,  2nd,  John  Mahor,  who  lived  in 
1818  on  the  Mahor  place  in  the  western  part  of  the  town;  John,  who 
married  Ann  Scoby  of  this  town  and  died  here  in  182G;  Mary,  who  died 
in  infancy;  Adam,  who  married  Mary  Brewster  of  Prancestown  and 
settled  in  Greenfield;  James,  who  married  Abigail  Dodge  and  had  live 
children,  John,  Jefferson,  Sarah,  James  and  Ezra.  He  lived  several 
years  on  the  home  place,  but  died  while  3'et  in  the  prime  of  life;  Mar- 
garet, who  married  Edward  Brennan  of  Boston  and  died  here,  April  8. 
1826,  aged  36  years. 

JOHN  MANAHAN,  oldest  son  of  John  Manahan  the  settler,  began 
on  the  David  Manahan  or  Kogers  place.  His  wife  was  Anna  Scoby 
of  this  town.  She  died  here,  Dec.  20,  1854,  aged  75  years.  He  died 
here,  Aug.  16,  1826,  aged  46  years.     His  children  were: —    . 

1.  John,  [born  in  Francestown,  March  17,  1805,  m.  Julitta 
Eaton  of  Bennington,  resided  in  Boston,  died  in  this  town, 
March  29,  1845,  aged  40  years.     His  children  weie: — 


806  GENEALOGIES. 

Joseph  Scohjj,  (b.  ill  Bennington,  Awg.  10,  1827,  m.  Lucy  S. 
Dickey  of  Bennington,  Nov.  24,  1859.  She  was  boi-n  in 
Bennington,  Aug.  31,  1838.  Mr.  Manalian  came  to  live 
on  the  place  he  now  occupies  in  18G2.  He  is  a  man  of 
means,  and  is  often  found  not  wanting  in  libe^alit3^  Chil- 
dren are:  Patience,  born  April  2,  1861  in  Bennington, 
m.  David  C'ochran  of  Francestown,  res.  in  Francestown; 
Joseph  Scoby,  born  Mai-cli  11,  1863  in  Francestown, 
died  in  Francestown,  June  6,  1870;  Edwin  George,  born 
in  Francestown,  Aug.  11,  1865,  res.  with  his  parents; 
Joseph  Dickey,  born  in  Francestown,  Aug.  23,  1870,  died 
in  Francestown,  Maich  29,  1871;  Annie,  born  in  Frances- 
town,  Feb.  20,  1874,  died  here,  Sept.  11,  1874;  Lucy 
Blanche,  born  in  Francestown,  Oct.  18,  1875.) 

Austin  George,  (mariied  Annie  Sherburne  of  Portsmouth,  d. 
in  Boston,  July,  1861.) 

Lydia,  (died  in  childhood.) 

Mary  Ann,  (married  Jerome  N.  B.  Jaquith  of  Jaffrey,  res. 
in  Philadelphia,  Penn.) 

Joltn  jy.,  (unmarried,  went  to  sea  in  early  life.) J 

2.  Susannah,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  13,  1807,  m.  James 

Steele  of  Antrim,  July  7,  1831,  d.  in  Nashua.] 

3.  Mary,    [b.   in   Francestown,  Nov.   16,  1808,  m.   Jesse   D. 

Smith,  April  17,  1826,  d.  in  Nashua.] 

4.  Nancy,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  23, 1810,  m.  Walter  Chad- 

wick  of  Francestown.] 

5.  Mark,  []>.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  24, 1812,  died  in  Nashua.] 

6.  David,  [born  in   Francestown,  Nov.  5,  1814,  m.  Sarah  A. 

Hart  of  Hartford,  Ct.  She  died  in  this  toAvn,  Oct.  31, 
1882.  David  Manahan  succeeded  his  father  on  the  farm 
now  owned  liy  Horace  Rogers.  He  died  here,  Jan.  14, 
1884.  His  children  were  all  born  in  this  town,  they 
were : — 

John  Orren,  (b.  May  19,  1840,  m.,  1st,  Lucy  Woodbridge, 
2nd, ,  is  a  machinist,  res.  in  Cleveland,  O.) 

Orrisa  A.,  (b.  Sept  22,  1842,  m.  Hiram  P.  Clark  of  Frances, 
town,  d.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  25,  1866.) 

Roraee  M.,  (b.  Sept.  2,  1843,  m.  Sarah  E.  Whiting  of  Fran- 
cestown, resides  in    Manchester,  has  two  children  born  in 


MANAHAN.  807 

this  town,  Charles   F.,  born   May  81,  1876,  Gertie,  born 
Feb.  22,  1878.) 
Mark,  (b.  Sept.  5,  1845,  d.  here,  Aug.  17,  1846.) 
Sarah  Frances,  (b.  Aug.  14,  1847,  d.  liere,  Nov.  16,  1873.) 
Charles  F.,  (b.  Sept.  23,  1849,  d.  Jan.  1,  1873.) 
Mary  J.,  (b.  Feb.  28,  1852,  m.  Levi  E.  Bailey  of  Frances- 
town,  Dec.  16,  1882,  res.  in  Francestown.) 
Walter  D.,  (b.  March  28,  1857,  d.  May  30,  1883  in  Sterling 
Junction,  Mass-) 

7.  Esther,  [born  in  Francestown,  Feb.  24,  1817,  m.  Josiah 

Cochran  of  Nashua  and  died  in  that  city.] 

8.  Martha,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  31,  1810,  m.  Horace 

Chase  of  Henniker,  d.  in  Nashua.] 

ADAM  MANAHAIST,  sou  of  John  and  Mary  (Nesmith)  Manahan, 
settled  on  the  Grimes  place  in  Greenfield.  He  was  born  Jan.  8,  1788, 
was  a  farmer,  died  in  Greenfield,  Aug.  24,  182G.  His  wife  was  Mary 
Brewster  of  this  town.  She  died  at  AUenstown,  April  28, 1871.  Their 
children  were: — 

1.  Ednah,  [b.  in  Gieenfield,  May  10,  1810,  m.  Josei)h  F.  Pease 

of  Mei-edith,  resides  in  Candia.] 

2.  George    W.,   [b.  in    Greenfield,   Dec.  23,  1811,  ni.  Sarah 

Lamson  of  Willimantic,  Conn.,  is  a  l)lachsniith,  I'es.  in 
Douglass,  Mass.] 

3.  Mary  N.,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  March  10,  1813,  d.  in  Frances- 

town,  June  9,  1834.] 

4.  Harvey,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Jan.  5,  1815,  ni.  Rebecca  Miller 

of  Beverly,  Mass.,  is  a  mason,  res.  in  Easton,  Mass.] 

5.  Eleanor  N.,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Sept.  10,  1817,  d.  in  Green- 

field, Sept.  ,20,  1819.] 

6.  Elizabeth  E.,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Nov.  10,  1819,  ni.  John  B. 

Richardson  of  Candia,  d.  in  Candia  in  the  spring  of  1845.] 

7.  John  F.,  [born  in  Greenfield,  Oct.  22,  1821,  m.  Sarah  M. 

Wheeler  of  Haverhill,  Jan.  5,  1847,  resides  in  Lowell, 
Mass.,  is  a  carpenter  and  builder,  and  having  aclueved 
success  in  business  is  a  man  of  property  and  influence.] 

8.  Caroline  E.,  [b.  in   Greenfield,  Dec.  4,  1823,  m.  William 

Marden  of  AUenstown,.  res  in  AUenstown.] 

9.  Adam,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Oct.  24,  1826,  was  a  machinist,  d. 

in  Worcester,  Mass.,  Feb.,  1882.] 


808  GENEALOGIES. 

JAMES  MANAIIAN'S  family  has  already  received  brief  mention, 
but  it  nniy.be  added  here  that  Sarah  T).,  his  eldest  child,  married  Amzi 
CJiilds  of  Peterboro',  Jan.  28,  1840,  and  died  March  24,  1856,  aged  36 
years,  and  Ezra  1).,  his  second  child,  married  Abby  (^uint  of  Maine, 
and  died  Oct.  11,1870. 

MacPIIERSON. 

Tliis  name  is  spelled  McFerson,  Ferson  and  F.arson  and  in  other 
ways,  and  the  liistory  of  the  origin  of  the  name  is  not  without  interest. 
The  Macriiersons  trace  their  ancestry  to  a. warlike  people  in  Germany 
called  the  C'hatti,  who  after  long  and  bravely  resisting  the  Iloman 
power  were  forced  ]»y  the  Emperor  Til^erius  Ciesor  to  leave  their  native 
country,  and  end)arking  for  Britain  were  driven  by  adverse  weather  to 
the  North  of  Scotland,  where  they  landed  at  a  place  to  which  they  gave 
the  nniue  of  ('Ii;itlini'ss.  The  time  of  their  migration  was  about  A.  D. 
7(i.  They  rapidly  miiUiplied  and  overspread  the  North  of  Scotland. 
The  line  of  their  descent  can  ])v  followed  back  as  far  as  King  Kenneth 
II,  but  begins  with  (iillicattan  Mor,  head  or  chief  of  Clan  Chattan,  who 
on  account  of  his  large  stature  and  military  genius  had  the  epithet 
3f()r  assigned  him.  He  lived  in  the  reign  of  Malcolm  Can  Morie  and 
left  a  son,  Diarmid  or  Dormutul,  Avho  succeeded  his  father  as  chief  of 
Clan  Chattan  in  the  year  1000.  His  son,  Gillicattan,  second  of  the 
name  to  be  chieftan  of  the  clan,  (lourished  in  the  reign  of  King  David  1. 
lie  left  two  sous,  Diarmid  and  Muriach.  The  former  succeeded  him 
and  ilying  without  issue  was  succeeded  in  1153  by  his  brother,  Muriach, 
who  being  a  younger  son  had  been  l)red  to  the  church  and  was  Parson 
of  Kingousie  then  a  large  and  honorable  benefice.  In  1173  he  obtained 
a  dispensation  from  the  Pojie  and  married  a  daughter  of  the  Thane  of 
Cawder  by  whom  he  had  five  sons:  1.  Gillicattan,  his  heir;  2.  Ewen 
or  Eugene,  called  JJan  from  his  fair  complexion;  3.  Neil  Cromb  or 
Roundshouldered,  who  had  a  rare  mechanical  genius  and  applied  him- 
self to  the  business  of  a  smith  and  constructed  several  utensils  of  very 
curious  workmans]ii[).  lie  is  said  to  have  taken  his  surname  from  his 
trade  and  to  have  been  the  progenitor  of  all  the  Smiths  m  Scotland;  4. 
Furquhard  or  the  Swift,  from  whom  the  McGillirays  of  Inverness-shire 
descended;  5.  David  Dow  or  the  Black,  from  his  swarthy  complexion, 
from  him  the  Davisons  of  Invcrnhaven  are  said  to  have  descended. 

Muriach  died  in  the  reign  of  King  William  the  Lion.  His  son  Gil- 
licattan, who  lived  in  the  year  1214,  succeeded  him  as  chief  of  the  clan. 
Gillicattan  died  leaving  a  son,  Dougal  Daol,  whose  only  child  was  a 
daughter,  Eva,  who  married  Angus  Macintosh,  and  hence  the  chieftain- 
ship devolved  upon  Dougal's  cousin,  Kenneth,  son  of  Ewan,  who  lived 
in  the  reign  of  Alexander  II.  It  was  about  this  time  that  surnames 
became  hereditary,  and  Ewan  took  the  name  of  MacPherson,  or  son  of 
the  parson,  which  was  transmitted  to  his  desecendants. .    The  chieftain- 


MacPHERSON.  809 

ship  of  the  clan  is  still  continued  in  the  line  of  Kenneth,  the  present 
chief  being  Col.  Evvan  Henry  Davidson  MacPhcrson  of  Chun^  in  Bade- 
noch,  province  of  Inverness,  Scotland,  who  as  colonel  of  the  93rd  High- 
landers has  won  military  distinction.  Kenneth  is  said  to  have  had  two 
brothers,  John,  the  progenitor  of  the  MacPhersons  of  Pitman,  and  Gillies, 
or  Elias,  who  was  the  anci^stor  of  the  MacPhersons  of  Inneressie,  and 
hence  thefamily  has  been  known  as  the  "posterity  of  the  three  bretheren." 
Paul  MacPherson,  who  came  to  America,  is  believed  to  have  been  a 
descendant  of  the  Pitman  branch.  Perhaps  the  most  celebrated  literary 
character  of  the  posterity  of  the  three  brothers  was  James  MacPher- 
son, whose  translation  of  Ossian's  Poems  gave  him  undying  fame.  The 
name  MacPherson  was  retained  entire  until  the  year  1820,  when  the 
second  generation  of  American  born  MacPhersons  sacrilic-ed  the  prellx 
to  euphony  and  Scotch-American  disrelish  for  what  savored  of  the  Irish. 
Indeed  the  sons  of  the  emigrant  MacPherson  were  given  to  spelling 
their  name  McFerson  and  the  ultimate  dropping  of  the  il/c  followed 
very  naturally.  The  original  name  has  however  been  re-adopte:l  by 
several  of  the  not  unimportant  branches  of  the  family.  The  MacPher- 
sons formed  one  of  the  septs  or  divisions  of  Clan  Chattan,  whose  hold 
was  in  the  northen  counties  of  Scotland.  The  Mclntoshes,  McUuffces, 
Mcllvaines,  McKeens  and  other  "Mcs"  were  included  in  the  same 
clan.  Their  crest  was  a  mountain  cat  couchant,  with  the  motto: 
"Touch  not  the  cat  without  gloves,"  their  war-cry,  "  Creeg  dhuth 
Chloine  Chatain."  The  plaid  of  the  MacPhersons  (for  each  divisit)n 
had  a  i)laid  of  a  peculiar  arrangement  of  colors,)  was  red,  black,  white, 
red,  azure,  black,  azure,  black,  azure,  black,  yellow,  green,  red,  azure, 
red,  azure,  crossed  by  red,  green,  yellow,  black,  azure,  black,  azure, 
black,  azure,  red,  white,  black  aiKl  red,  making  one  square.  The  family 
emigrated  to  Ireland  doubtless  to  escape  religious  persecution  in  the 
17th  century.  In  the  early  part  of  the  century  two  million  acres  of 
land  in  the  north  of  Ireland,  in  consequence  of  open  and  violent  rebel- 
lion on  the  part  of  the  Irish,  came  into  the  immediate  possession  of 
James  the  First,  who  forthwith  by  liberal  grants  induced  many  of  his 
English  and  Scotch  subjects  to  settle  thereon  hoping  thereby  to  intimi- 
date and  more  readily  hold  in  subjection  the  turbulant  inhabitants  of 
that  part  of  the  island.  The  first  colony  of  Scotch  migrated  from  Ar- 
gyleshire  and  settled  in  the  province  of  Ulster  about  the  year  1012,  but 
many  of  the  Scotch  settlers  in  Ireland  did  not  leave  Scotland  until  a 
much  later  date,  at  least  in  the  latter  half  of  the  century  in  the  reign  of 
James  the  Second,  when  the  cruel  James  Graham  of  Claverhouse, 
seconding  the  bigotry  of  his  monarch,  brought  terror  and  distress  and 
slaughter  anion^  the  sturdy  Covenanters  many  of  whom  escaped  to  Ire- 
land, where  the  evicted  and  Catholic  Irish  rendered  their  condition 
hardly  more  tolerable  than  it  had  been  in  their  own  land  under  the  rule 
and  sword  of  Claverhouse,  hence  many  of  these  sorely  pressed  Scotch- 
men sought  to  better  their  circumstances  by  emigrating  to  America. 


810  GENEALOGIES. 

It  was  not  however  until  171 S,  when  actual  bloodshed  had  ceased,  that 
the  exodus  from  their  adopted  land  became  general.  The  migration 
seems  to  have  continued  during  the  remainder  of  the  first  half  of  the 
century.  In  the  year  1732  Paul  MacPherson,  leaving  the  Parish  of 
Dumbo,  County  of  Derry,  Ireland,  sailed  for  America  and  landed  at 
Boston,  bringing  with  him  his  son  AVilliam.  The  icmainder  of  the  fam- 
ily reached  Portsmouth  in  the  following  year. 

It  is  quite  probable  that  he  spent  the  first  winter  with  friends  in 
Andover,  Mass.  after  which  he  settled  on  a  farm  in'Chester.  His  name 
appears  upon  a  petition  to  tlie  General  Court  against  paying  taxes  to 
support  any  other  ministry  than  that  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination. 
The  names  of  his  sons,  William,  James. and  Samuel,  are  also  upon  the 
petition,  which  bears  date  1736.  No  mention  is  made  in  any  of  the  early 
records  of  the  wife  of  Paul,  hence  we  infer  that  she  was  irot  living  at 
this  time,  but  both  record  and  tradition  indicate  that  a  near  relative  of 
Paul  came  with  him  to  America.  One  of  the  name  settled  in  GofEs- 
town  quite  early.  His  family  were  John,  who  settled  in  Bedford, 
married  Nancy  McDole  and  had  eight  children:  William,  who  remained 
in  Goffstown;  James,  who  settled  in  Dunbarton;  Molly,  who  returned 
to  Ireland;  Peggy,  who  married  a  Morrison  and  settled  in  Henniker, 
where  his  descendants  now  live;  Jennie,  who  died  during  the  voyage  and 
was  buried  at  sea.  This  MacPherson  was  doubtless  a  brother  of  Paul. 
There  was  a  Thomas  MacPherson  of  Dover,  who  in  1744  was  a  volunteer 
in  the  French  and  Indian  war,  and  Frederick  MacPherson  of  Chester 
was  also  a  volunteer  in  1743,  but  of  these  we  know  nothing  farther. 

The  children  of  Paul  were : —  1 .  William,  who  married  Mary and 

resided  in  Londonderry  where  he  died  in  1743.  His  will  is  recorded  at 
Exeter.  He  left  two  children,  Samuel  and  Elizabeth,  the  latter  married 
Capt.  Nixon  of  Boston;  2.  Elizabeth,  who  married,  1st,  xidam  Dickey 
of  Chester.  He  died  in  1753,  his  will  is  recorded  at  Exeter.  Their 
children  were,  Elizabeth,  James,  Joseph,  William,  Jenette  and  Adam. 
William  and  Adam  settled  in  Francestown.  Elizabeth  married,  2nd,  a 
McDuffee  of  Chester;  3.  James,  born  in  1716,  married  Jenette  Lesley 
and  resided  in  Chester,  removed  to  New  Boston  in  1761,  where  both 
died;  4.  Samuel,  born  in  1720,  married  Patty  Witherspoon  of  Chester 

and  settled  in  Francestown;  .j.  Joseph,  born  in  1725,  married  Ann 

of  Chester,  where  she  died.  He  went  to  Deering  about  1763,  was,  by 
trade  a  weaver.  His  children  were,  Mary,  who  married  Robert  McKeen 
and  went  to  Antrim  in  1778,  afterward  to  Corinth,  Vt.,  Margaret,  who 
married  David  McKeen  and  went  to  Antrim  and  from  there  to  Corinth, 
Vt.,  Robert,  who  married  Mary  Christie  of  New  Boston,  and  died  in 
Deering,  William,  who  married  Mary  Blair  of  New  Boston  and  resided 
in  Deering,  Jenette,  who  married  Elias  Dickey,  settled  in  New  Boston; 
6.  Henry,  born  in  1721),  married  Martha  McNeil  of  New  Boston,  and 
settled  in  Francestown.  Paul  -MacPherson  died  in  Chester,  no  record 
of  his  death  is  extant  nor  is  the  place  of  his  burial  known. 


MacPHERSON.  811 

SAMUEL  MacPHERSON  married  Patty  Withorsponii,  daii,<?htor  of 
John  Withersoon  of  Chester, 'and  resided  first  on  the  home  place  in  Ches- 
ter, tlien  at  the  so-called  Peak  in  Londonderry,  and  removed  to  Frances- 
town  ahout  1773.  He  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  association  test  in 
Chester,  and  was  one  of  the  early  school-masters  of  that  town.  His 
Avife  died  in  (Chester.  He  resided  first  on  Oak  Hill,  where  he  cleared 
the  farm  since  known  as  the  Dea.  Savage  farm  adjoining  the  Camphell 
place.  He  is  described  b\'  his  grandson  as  tall,  squareley  and  compacth^ 
built,  of  commanding  presence  and  great  muscular  strength,  and  a 
Godly  man,  whose  religion  was  of  a  thoughtful  and  happy  type  in  those 
days  when  it  was  considered  almost  a  part  of  religion  to  be  sad  and  of 
a  sorrowful  countenance.  It  was  related  that  when  he  was  in  his 
eighty-fifth  year,  two  of  his  sons,  James  and  John,  with  their  cousins, 
Samuel  and  James,  (sons  of  Henry,)  were  engaged  in  clearing  a  part 
of  the  farm  on  Oak  hill,  and  having  made  a  large  pile  of  trees  and 
brush,  they  wished  to  lay  a  large  oak  log  across  the  pile  to  keep  it  com- 
pact and  thus  cause  it  to  burn  more  readily,  and  found  the  log  too  heavy 
for  their  strength.  The  old  man  having  approached  by  the  aid  of  his 
staff,  stood  looking  on,  when  he  said  to  Samuel,  who  with  his  brother 
was  endeavoring  to  place  their  end  of  the  log  in  the  desired  position, 
"Namesake!  I've  seen  a  mon  who  could  put  that  log  up  there  alone." 
Samuel  testily  replied,  -'Uncle,  I  don't  believe  it.  Never  was  a  mon 
who  could  lift  more  than  me  and  Jimmy."  "  Well! "  replied  the  old 
man,  "Just  roll  that  log  up  to  this  stump  where  I  can  stand  without 
slipping  and  I'll  try  lift  at  it,"  and  with  a  single  trial  lifted  his  end  of 
the  log  into  place  on  the  top  of  the  pile,  and  simply  saying  to  his 
nephew,  "  You've  seen  him  too,  have'ut  you?"  walked  awa}-.  His  last 
days  were  spent  in  the  family  of -his'  son  James.  He  died  in  Frances- 
town,  April  30, 1811,  aged  90  years  and  six  months.  His  children  born 
in  Chester  were;  Elizabeth,  born  in  1746,  died  Nov.  28,  1832  in  Fran- 
cestown,  unmarried;  John,  born  in  1750,  married  Betty  MacPherson  of 
Francestown,  died  in  Francestown,  Nov.  26,  1842;  Martha,  who  mar- 
ried a  AVoodis,  went  to  the  Pequawket  Country,  (now  Fryeburg,  Me.); 
Joshua,  who  married  Mary  Hogg  of  New  Boston  and  settled  in  Deering, 
where  both  died;  James,  born  in  1760,  married  Mar}^  Starrett,  Nov.  27, 
1786;  Margaret,  born  Sept.,  1762,  married  James  Lesley  of  London- 
derry, resided  in  Francestown  for  a  period  of  years,  died  in  Romeo, 
Mich.,  Jan.  4,  1833;  Mary,  born  in  1766,  married  Benjamin  Deane  of 
Francestown,  March  8,  1792,  and  resided  in  Francestown  where  she 
died  Oct.  18,  1847. 

JOHN  MacPHERSON  came  to  Francestown  with  his  father,  Samuel 
MacPherson,  about  the  year  1770,  and  after  marrying  his  cousin  Betty, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Martha  (McNiel)  MacPherson,  settled  down 
upon  the  farm  bought  and  cleared  by  his  father.  His  marriage  was 
one  of  the  earliest  in  the  town,  the  festivities  are  said  to  have  lasted  three 


812  GENEALOGIES. 

(lays.  He  ret.aincd  his  mental  faculties  to  tlu-  last,  beioL:;  unwell  only  a 
few  days  previous  to  his  death.  It  was  his  delio;lit  in  his  last  days  to 
tell  his  nephew's  children  of  the  events  of  his  lono-  and  active  life,  of 
the  early  coming  to  Francestowu  through  the  forest  guided  by  marked 
trees,  of  hunting  foxes  and  bears  on  Crotched  Mountain,  of  ti'apping 
mink  and  beaver  at  Pleasant  pond  and  of  marvelous  strings  of  fish 
caught  in  its  waters,  of  building  a  log  house  which  was  their  first  sub- 
stantial shelter.  His  description  of  every  aspect  of  the  dark  day  was 
said  to  be  wonderfully  vivid,  from  the  green  twilight  which  came  on  in 
the  morning  to  the  Egyptian  darkness  of  the  night.  The  early  part 
of  that  day  being  lowery,  he  with  a  neighboi"'s  son  had  gone  to  Pleasant 
pond  to  fish.  As  the  unnatural  darkness  increased  they  became  fright- 
ened and  started  for  home,  l)ut  being  unaldc  to  find  their  way  they 
stopped  at  the  nearest  house,  where  they  wei'e  obliged  to  remain  since 
as  he  affirmed  a  lantern  gave  no  light.  The  good  people  of  the  house 
believing  that  the  Judgment  Day  had  come  spent  the  time  in  reading 
the  Bible  and  in  prayer.  Birds  and  fowls  and  both  wild  and  domestic 
animals  were  alike  affected,  showing  signs  of  fear  and  dread  of  the 
mysterious  and  inexplicable.  He  served  in  the  llevolulionary  war, 
but,  either  having  never  received  or  having  lost  his  discharge,  he  could 
not  at  that  time  draw  a  pension.  He  often  told  of  his  hasty  journey  to 
join  his  company  at  New  Boston,  of  the  all-night's  march  to  Charles- 
town,  Mass.  to  participate  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  on  the  following 
morning,  of  their  position  under  Gen.  Stark  ])ehind  the  rail  fence  cov- 
ered with  new-mown  ha}',  of  the  intense  heat,  of  their  sufferings  from 
thirst  and,  the  wells  being  dry,  of  their  tilling  their  canteens  with  vine- 
gar at  a  house  and  of  the  refreshment  that  even  this  afforded  them,  of 
the  attack  and  the  retreat,  after  which  they  took  their  first  rest  for 
many  weary  hours.  He  died  in  Francestown,  Nov.  20,  1842,  leaving 
no  children. 

•TAMES  MacPHERSOX,  the  fifth  child  of  Samuel,  also  came  with 
his  father  to  Francestown.  In  truth  he  seems  to  have  been  the  leading 
spirit  in  the  matter  of  settling  in  this  town.  The  farm  in  Chester  hav- 
ing been  sold  and  the  paper  money  received'  therefor  depreciating 
rapidly  in  value,  he  urged  upon  his  father  the  wisdom  of  investing  the 
same  in  land  as  soon  as  possible.  He  even  walked  to  Francestown  and 
selected  the  lots  and  went  from  thence  to  the  agent  authorized  to  sell 
the  land,  who  lived  in  New  Ipswich,  entered  into  an  agreement  to  pay 
for  the  property,  one-half  in  money  and  one-half  in  Indian  corn,  when 
it  should  be  raised,  and  returned  on  foot  to  his  home  in  Londonderry. 
The  family  moved  to  Francestown,  built  a  home,  cleared  the  land 
and  raised  the  corn,  and  then  a  second  time  .Tames  walked  to  New  Ips- 
wich to  meet  his  obligation.  The  agent  informed  him  that  the  money 
was  nearly  valueless,  but  like  a  true  man  kept  his  word  and  accepted  it 
in  part  payment  for  the  farm,  after  which  James  walked  to  Portsmouth 


MacPIIERSON.  813 

to  have  the  deed  recorded.  lie  married  Mary,  the  daughter  of  David 
and  Mary  (McClintock)  Starrett,Nov.  27,1780,  and  settled  upon  a  tract 
of  land  which  he  had  purchased|in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town,  this  tract 
comprised  lots  12  and  15  in  the  New  Boston  Addition.  He  built  nearly 
south  of  the  Weston  place,  first  a  log  house  and  afterward  a  frame 
house  which  was  taken  down  and  carried  to  jSTashua  by  bis  son  Samuel 
in  1843.  He  died  in  Francestown,  Nov.  14,  1820.  Children  all  born 
in  Francestown  were: — 

1.  Rebeckah,  [born  March  29,  1788,  m.  Jonathan   Paiker  of 

Chelmsford,  Mass.,  Feb.  6,  1856,  resided  several  years  in 
Chelmsford,  removed  to  Lowoll,  where  she  died  Oct.  20, 
1864.] 

2.  Margaret,  [b.  Nov.  1,  1789,  m.  John  Clark,  son  of  Mat- 

thew and  Nancy  (Dickey)  Clark  of  Wilton,  Dec.  10, 1812, 
res.  in  New  Boston,  Antrim  and  Fiancestown,  in  1839  she 
with  her  family  removed  to  Lowell,  Mass.,  whei'e  slie  died 
Nov.  23,  1866.] 

3.  John,  [b.  March  11,  1792,  m.  Lucy,  daughter  of  Jacob  and 

Lucy  (Powers)  Woods  of  Francestown,  Jan.  19,  1819, 
was  by  occupation  a  saddler  and  farmer.  He  is  said  to 
have  possessed  the  power  of  discovering  underground  water 
courses  by  the  aid  of  a  witch-hazel  stick,  often  it  is  said 
the  bark  wo.uld  be  severed  from  the  wood  so  great  was  the 
invisible  force  exerted,  he  resided  first  in  Antrim,  but  re- 
turned to  Francestown  in  1827  and  lived  on  the  Wheeler 
place  until  1846,  when  he  he  went  to  Nashua,  where  he 
died  July  17,  1872.      He  had  ten  children  as  follows: — 

Luey  Maria,  (born  July  23,  1820,  m.  Granville  Rideout  of 
Nashua,  April  1,  1841,  d.  in  Nashua,  Dec.  6,  1860,  left  7 
children.)  . 

Mary  Sophia,  (b.  Feb.  10,  1822,  d.  Oct.  6,  1840  in  Frances- 
town.) 

Jolm  Leonard,  (born  Dec.  8,  1823,  m.,  1st,  Mary  Branch  of 
Belgrade,  Maine,  Nov.  1,  1846,  2nd,  Leonora  Sabare  of 
Calais,  Maine,  Feb.  20,  1885,  res.  in  Clemensville,  Wis., 
has  eight  children.) 

Clarism  Ann,  (b.  Jan.  1,  1826,  m.  Amos  Fletcher  of  Moscow, 
Me.,  Feb.  18,  1847.  She  now  res.  in  Nashua,  has  ten 
children.) 


814  GENEALOGIES. 

Jam,ei<  Stat-rrft,  {h.  July  23,  1827,  m.  Anir,aista  Willard  of 
Dudsville,  (!;ui;ula,  Oct.  13,  1850,  I'es.  near  Oi'dwa}',  S.  L)., 
has  three  cliikli-en.) 

Levi  Pniif.  (1).  .lul.v  22,  1829,  tl.  Nov.  13,  1837  in  Pnxnces- 
town.) 

Sarah  Fraiin'K,  (1),  May  15,  1831,  m.  Cliarles  Drew  of  Holder- 
ness,  June  1,  18.52,  res.  in  Ijuverne,  Minn.,  lias  three  chil 
dren.) 

Julia  Antoinette^  (b.  Nov.  IG,  1833,  d.  in  Franoestown,  May 
14,  1837.) 

LendemuH'  Antolnett  e^  {h.^ov  .?>i),\'^''^>'^,m.  Joseph  W.Wallace 
of  Nashua,  Oct.  19, 1853,  res.  in  Nashua,  has  three  children.) 

Mari/  Sophia,  (1).  June  G,  1842,  d.  Feb.  23,1847  in  Frances- 
town.) 

The  first  five  of  tliese  children  of  John  Mere  boiii  in  Antrim, 
the  remaining  five  in  Francest()\\  n.  1 1  is  wife  died  in 
Nashua,  Feb.  3,  1885.] 
4.  Capt.  Saimuel,  [b.  Aug.  IG,  1795,  m.  1st,  Fannie  Bixb}^ 
Feb.  27,  1821,  2nd,  Mrs.  Judith  (Woodward)  Hadley  of 
Lyndeboro",  Marchl,  1838, 3rd,  Mrs.  Jane  ( Gilchrist)  Moore 
of  Nashua,  Dec.  22,  1873.  He  inherited  the  home  place 
from  his  father,  where  he  lived  several  years,  after  which 
he  bought  the  farm  of  his  uncle  James  and  moved  upon  it 
in  1833.  In  1842  he  moved  to  Nashua  where  he  d.  Dec. 
18,  1877.  He  was  the  captain  of  the  once  famed  Militia 
Compau}'  of  Francestown,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Com- 
mon Council  of  Naslnia  for  several  years.  Capt.  Samuel 
was  a  man  of  excellent  judgment  and  solid  principles. 
Children  were : — 

Parker  Bixhy,  (b.  Jan.  31,  1822,  m.,  1st,  Mary  A.  Loler  of 
Springfield,  Mass.,  Oct  15,  1845,  2nd,  Mrs.  Jane  H. 
Fletcher  of  Nashua,  March  3,  1864,  res.  in  Lowell  and 
Nashua,  where  he  d.  July  30,  1889,  had  four  childi'cn.) 

Martha  Ann,  (b.  April  22,  1825,  m.  George  McAlister  of 
Hillsboro',  June  10, 1850,  res.  in  Nashua,  Bristol  and  Stone- 
ham,  d.  in  Stoneham,  Dec.  18,  1867,  had  two  children.) 

Ve^dina,  (b.  Feb.  17,  1828,  m.  Abel  W.  Colburn  of  Lyme, 
res.  for  a  short  time  in   Nasliua  and  then  went  to  Spencer 


MacPHERSON.  815 

Brook,  Miim.,  wliere  lie  d.  March,  1875.  She  then  re- 
turned East  and  res.  in  Nashua,  has  two  children.) 

3Iarij  Frances,  (b.  Nov.  27,  1831,  ni.  Charles  P  Matthews  of 
Danville,  Canada,  Se])t.  1,  1858,  has  res.  in  Bristol  and 
Roxbury,  present  residence  Nashua,  has  had  one  daughter.) 

James  Au<)UHt'us,  (b,  Aug.  16,  1835,  m.,  1st,  Cynthia  C.  Bros- 
seau  of  Abbotsford,  Canada,  Dec.  14,  1857,  res.  in  Akron, 
Ohio.  His  hrst  wife  d.  in  Toronto,  July  18,  188(3,  leaving 
one  son.  Earl  B.,  who  is  professor  of  drawing  in  the  Manual 
Training  School  for  boys  in  Chicago,  he  m.  2nd,  Hannah 
Prest  of  Toronto,  Out.,  Nov.  24,  1887.  He  is  a  machinist 
of  more  than  ordinary  ability.)] 

5.  David  Stariiett,  [b.  Feb.  7,  1798,  d.  Dec.  4,  1799.] 

6.  Moses  Biiadford,  [b.  March  26, 1800,  m.  Sally,  daughtei'  of 

Eunice  (Dane)  Colby  of  Bennington,  Oct.  21,  1823,  was 
by  occu})ation  a  carpenter  and  farmer,  res.  in  Antrim  till 
1836,  later  in  Francestown  and  Nashua,  d.  May  6,  1855. 
Children  were  seven  in  number,  none  b.  in  Francestown: — 

Levi  Colhij,  (b.  Dec.  13,  1824,  m.  Roxanna,  E.  Field  of  North - 
field,  Vt.,  Api'il  29,  1848,  is  a  farmer,  I'cs.  in  Hanover,  has 
six  sons.) 

Horace  Dane,  .(b.  June  30, 182»').  ni.  liUcy  Codnian  of  Deering, 
Dec.  25,  1849,  j'es.  Chico,  Butte  Co.,  Cal.,  lias  one  daugh- 
ter.) 

Sarah  Maria,  (b.  June  27,  1829,  m.  (4co]ge  B.  Holt  of  Mer- 
rimac,  May  31,1860,  res.  in  N.  Chelnisrord,liiis  no  childien.) 

John  James,  (b.  Dec.  8,  1831,  m.  Ann  Doyle  of  Plainfield, 
May  13,  1861,  is  a  farmer,  res.  in  Hanover,  has  two  chil- 
dren.) 

Verona  Eveline,  (b.  Dec.  16,  1833,  m.  Stillman  P.  Willard  of 
Harvard, Mass., res.  in  Lawrence,  Mass.,  has  one  daughter.) 

Mary  Ann,  (b.  June  27,  1836,  m.  John  N.  Webster  of  Kum- 
ney,  Dec.  2,  1863,  res.  in  Bennington,  no  children.) 

George  Leonard,  (b.  Aug.  20,  1842,  m.  Mrs.  Maria  H.  Daw- 
son of  New  York  City,  res.  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  no  children.)] 

7.  David,  [b.  Sept.  9,  1802,  d.  Sept.  12,  1805.] 

8.  Levi,  [b.  April  23,  1805,  m.  Prudence  P.,  daughter  of  John 

and  pAinice  (Dane)  Colby  of  Bennington,  March  23,  1830, 
res.  in  Bennington,  Francestown  and  Lowell,  went  to  Cal- 


816  '  GENEALOGIES. 

iforiiia,  in  1850,  crossing  the  isthmus  on  foot,  was  gone  two 
years,  being  quite  successful,  d.  in  Lowell,  June  28, 1863. 
Mrs.  Ferson  after  the  death  of  her  husband  made  a  home 
with  her  daugliter,  Mrs,  Farnham  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  where 
she  died  May  18,  1878,  she  had  six  children: — 

Satira  Ann,  (b.  in  Bennington,  Aug.  26,  1832,  m.  William 
L.  Farnham  of  York,  Me.,  Feb.  26,  1851.  He  is  a  carpen- 
ter l)y  vocation.  They  have  four  children.  Mrs.  Farn- 
liani  has  with  much  effort  and  superior  ability  [)repared  a 
valuable  manuscript  history  of  the  American  MacPhersons 
or  Feisons,  through  which  slie  has  rendered  great  assist- 
ance to  the  writers  of  this  work.  She  resides  in  Lowell, 
Mass.,  where  she  has  lived  for  many  years.) 

Rodmni  Colby,  (b.  in  Nashua,  Oct.  1,  1834,  m.  Martha  J. 
Smith  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  May  24, 1857,  res.  in  Chelsea,  Mass. 
He  served  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  enlisting  Aug.  31, 
1862,  as  ca})tain  of  Co.  H.  6th  Regt.  Mass.  Infantry,  was 
stationed  at  Suffolk,  Va.;  has  two  children.) 

Levi  Oii^v(lh\  (b.  in  Nashua,  Feb.  15,  1837,  m.  Lovilla  E. 
Gleason  of  Otisco,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  10,  1876,  is  a  farmer,  res. 
in  Dysart,  Tama  Co.,  Iowa.  He  served  three  years  in  the 
Civil  war,  enlisting  May  11,  1861  in  Co.  A,  2nd  Regt, 
Mass.  Infantry.  He  was  wounded  in  the  arm  at  Ceder 
Mountain,  Aug.  9,  1862,  returned  to  duty  Oct.,  1862, 
wounded  in  the  head  at  Gettysburg,  July  3,  1863,  returned 
to  duty  Aug.  17,  1863,  discharged  by  reason  of  expiration 
of  service.  May  28, 1864.  The  2nd  Regiment  was  the  first 
raised  foi'  three  years  service  in  Massachusetts.  Mr.  Fer- 
son now  receives  a  pension.     He  lias  no  children.) 

R.omlive  M.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  May  1,  1840,  d.  Sept.  6, 
1847.) 

AttaJena  A.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  5,  1842,  m.  Thomas  E. 
Ross  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  Dec.  30,  1861,  res.  in  Boston,  has 
no  children.  Thomas  Ross  served  in  Co.  H,  6th  Regt., 
Mass.  Infantry  from  Aug.  31,  1862  to  June  3,  1863,  and 
receives  a  pension.) 
Clarentlne  Ervin,  (born  in  Francestown,  May  19,  1845,  m. 
Clara  A.  French  of  Bradford,  Maine,  July  3,  1869,  is  a 
blacksmith,  res.  in  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  served  three  years  in 


MacPHERSOK.  817 

Co.  L,  1st  Regt.,  Mass.  Heavy  Artillery,  enlisting  Feb.  11, 
1862,  when  but  16  years  of  age,  was  discharged,  Feb. 
14,  1865,  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  having 
participated  in  twenty-one  engagements  in  the  army  of  the 
Potomac,  lie  has  one  child.)] 
9.  Leonakd,  [b.  Nov.  17,  1808,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  26, 
1816.] 

HENRY  MacPHERSON,  liorn  in  1720,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers 
of  Francestown,  eoininn  I'loni  Chester  about  1770.  He  cleared  and 
settled  upon  the  farm  now  owned  by  Walter  Smith,  north-east  of  the 
village.  He  was  by  trade  a  weaver  and  was  one  of  the  prominent  men 
in  town  affairs,  being  town-:lerk  for  several  years.  He  married,  1st, 
Martha  McNicl,  daughter  of  AVilliam  McNiel  of  New  Boston,  2nd, 
Mary  Burns  of  New  Boston,  born  Jan.  10,  1731.  His  children,  all  by 
1st  marriage,  were: — Betty,  b.  Oct.  7,  1759,  married  John  McFerson, 
the  son  of  his  brother  Samuel,  and  died  in  Francestown,  Feb.  28, 1813; 
James,  born  Feb.  4,  17(52,  married  Margaret,  daughter  of  David  and 
Mary  (McClinto)  Starrett,  Dec.  14,  178(j,  and  d.  in  Francestown, Nov. 
19, 1841 ;  Samuel,  born  Jan.  1, 17(54,  m.  Rachel,  daughter  of  Daniel  and 
Sarah  (Melvin)  Witherspoon  of  Francestown,  Feb.  15, 1794,  resided  in 
Francestown  until  the  death  of  his  wife,  June  4,  1837,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Shoreham,  Yt.;  Martha,  born  Nov.  3, 1765,  was  not  married. 
She  went  to  Shoreham,  Yt.,  with  her  brother  Samuel's  family,  where 
she  died  in  1839;  Josiah,  born  Nov.  18,  1767,  married  Sarah,  daughter 
of  David  and  Jane  (Wallace)  Jennings  of  Londondeny,  Feb.  14,  1793, 
removed  to  Shoreham,  Yt.  His  lirst  journey  to  Yermont  was  made  on 
horseback,  when  he  bought  his  farm,  after  which  he  returned  to  Fran- 
cestown and  took  his  wife  and  goods  to  Shoreham  with  an  ox-team. 
The  time  being  the  month  of  March  and  doubtless  the  travelling  not 
the  best  may  account  for  their  being  a  round  week  upon  the  road. 
They  must  have  lived  in  a  very  primative  way  for  several  years,  since 
the  first  baby  is  said  to  have  been  rocked  in  a  hollow  log.  Josiah 
was  at  the  battle  of  Plattsburg,  as  was  also  his  son  Josiah.  He  died  at 
Shoreham  in  1858,  leaving  a  family  of  nine  children. 

JAMES  MacPHERSON,  the  oldest  son  of  Henry,  who  settled  upon 
the  Walter  Smith  farm,  came  to  Francestown  with  his  father,  and  after 
his  marriage  to  Margaret  Starrett  lived  in  a  house  south  of  the  John  G. 
Proctor  place  near  his  father's  home,  where  he  died  Nov.  19,  1841. 
His  wife  died  Dec.  1,  1840.  Their  children,  all  born  in  Francestown, 
were : — 

1.  Anne  S.,  [b.  Dec.  11,  1787,  m.  David  Durant,  Jr.  of  Fran- 
cestown, Jan.  4,  1810,  removed  to  Walden,  Vt.,  where  she 
d.  Feb.  17,  1848.] 


818  GENE  ALOG I ES . 

2.  James,  [luiinied  Abigail,  (laughter  of  Nehemiali  Dodge  of 
New  Boston,  was  a  farmer  and  joiner  in  Francestown,  had 
one  (hiugliter,  Mary,  born  June  o,  1815,  .slie  m.  Charles 
Minard  of  Nashua,  where  she  died  Dec.  13,  1875,  leaving 
a  family.  For  some  unknown  reason  James  Ferson  left 
his  family  and  went  to  New  York.  His  wife  died  at  the 
home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Minard. 
8.  ( 'iTAiiLOTTE,  [di'owned  in  a  well  when  two  yeais  of  age.] 
4.  IIi-:ni;y,  [b.  Oel.  2(),  1701,  m.  I'olly,  daughter  of  David  a,nd 
Miiiam  Durant  of  Francestown,  March  11,  1815,  res.  on 
Ferson  place  east  of  the  village,  d.  Dec.  30,  1854.  Chil- 
dren : — 
William  Starrettf,  (b.  Dec.  29,  1815,  d.  Nov.,  1879,  unmar- 
ried.) 
David  Ihirmtl.  (b.  Nov.  24,  1817,  m.  Anna  J.  Hilton,  Feb.  6, 
185<"),  is  a  merchant  and  one  of  the  assessors  of  the  city  of 
Fitcldnirg,  Mass.  Has  five  children.) 
Charlea  Henry^  (b.  Aug.  30,  1819,  m.  Nancy  Stone  of  Chel- 
sea, Mass.,  Nov.  5,  1844.  We  borrow  the  following  ex- 
tract from  Hon.  Geo.  A.  Marden's  biographical  sketches 
of  the  members  of  the  Mass.  Legislature  of  1880.  "Charles 
Henr}^  Ferson  was  born  in  Francestown,  N.  11.,  Aug.  30, 
1819,  he  received  a  cfood  Ens^lish  education  at  the  common 
school  and  at  Francestown  Academy.  He  lived  on  a  farm 
till  he  had  reached  the  age  of  18,  when  he  went  to  Bedford, 
N.  H.  and  learned  the  brick-maker's  trade,  two  3^ears  later, 
1840,  he  went  to  Boston  and  began  life  iov  himself  as  a 
driver  of  a  three-horse  truck,  which  business  he  followed 
a  year,  he  then  went  to  Chelsea  and  resumed  his  trade  of 
brick-making.  This  business  he  has  since  carried  on,  with 
the  exception  of  five  years  when  he  was  engaged  in  busi- 
ness as  a  grocer.  Mr.  Ferson  has  always  carried  on  busi- 
ness by  himself,  haviiig  no  partners,  and  has  been  very 
successful.  Chelsea  was  incorporated  a  city  in  1857  since 
which  date  Mr.  Ferson  has  had  much  to  do  with  city  af- 
fairs. He  was  overseer  of  the  poor  in  1857-8  and  again 
in  1864  and  1866.  In  1860,  '61  and  '68  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Common  Council,  in  1869  he  was  elected  to  the 
board  of  aldermen  but  resigned  to  accept  the  position  of 


MacPHERSON.  819 

city  marslial,  which  he  occupied  through  18(39  and  '70. 
He  was  elected  Mayor  in  1873,  and  was  twice  re-elected. 
In  1877,  '78  and  '79  he  served  on  the  scliool-board  and 
the  present  year  was  again  elected  to  fill  a  vacancy  and  is 
serving  as  chairman.  He  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  for  1879,  and  was  made  chairman,  on 
the  part  of  the  house,  of  the  important  committee  on  roads 
and  bridges,  and  served  also  on  the  committee  on  manu- 
factures. He  was  re-elected  to  the  house  for  1880,  and 
resumed  his  old  place  on  the  committee  on  roads  and 
bridges.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  fine  example  of 
the  successful  man,  who  by  his  own  efforts  lias  risen  from 
the  narrow  circumstance  of  a  New  England  farmer's  boy." 
He  d.  at  Chelsea,  Sept.  5,  1891.) 
Lucretia,  (b.  Oct.  19,  1821,  m.  J.  S.  Gordon  of  Lowell,  Mass., 
March  31,  1839,  res.  in  Lowell,  where  she  died  July  26, 
1840,  leaving  one  son.) 
Marij  Jiinc^  (b.  Dec.  1,  182(5,  m.  Thomas  J.  Brooks  of  Han- 
cock, Jan.  4, 1846,  res.  in  Taunton,  Mass.,  where  she  d.  Jan. 
1,  1872,  leaving  five  children.) 
Hannah  J/.,  (b.  Feb.  14,  1830,  d.  July  30,  1864.) 
James  Jlarvei/,  (b.  Nov.  9,  1833,  m.  Caroline  W.  Tilton  of 
Haverhill,  Mass.,  Jan.  28,  1858,  Avas  a  farmer  and  res.  in 
Francestown,  served  in. the  Civil  War,  enlisting  in  the  9th 
Regt.,  Co.  G,  N.  H.  Vol.  Militia,  and  was  killed  before 
Petersburg,  July  30,  "1864,  while  in  g,  charge  upon  the 
rebel  fort,  when  last  seen  he  was  cheering  his  comrades  on 
and  advancing  before  his  company,  which  after  he  was 
dead,  gave  him  a  soldier's  burial  in  a  pleasant  place,  whei'e 
he  will  rest  as  quietly  as  at  home.  He  left  two  children : 
Minnie  C,  b.  Jan.  29,  1859;  Harry  J.,  b.  July  27,  1861.) 
Marnaret  Emma,  (b.  March  9,  1835,  m.  J.  H.  Fairbanks  of 
.  Fitchburg,  June  2,  1858,  res.  in  Fitcldjurg.)] 
David,  [b.  Aug.  14,  1793,  m.  Deborali,  df},ughter  of  Jona- 
than Bell  of  Goifstown,  Feb.  12,  1817,  was  a  farmer,  he 
A\'as  killed  by  the  falling  of  a  tree  in  the  wood  in  Goffs- 
town,  June  24,1847.     His  childi'en  were  all  ])orn  in  Fran- 


820  GENEALOGIES. 

cestown  where  lie  res.  for  many  years,  his  "wife  d.  Ma}^  23, 
1873.     Children  were:— 
James,  (b.  Oct.  31,  1818,  d.  Oct.  7,  1835.) 
Rodney  B.,  (b.  May  3,  1820,  d.  May  28,  1823.) 
Fha'he  B.,  (b.  Feb.  12,  1822,  d.  Oct.  12,  1826.) 
David  S.,  (b.  Dec.  1,  1823,  m.  Mary  S.  Woodbury  of  Dun- 
barton,  June  17,  1815,  res.  in  Dunbarton,  is  a  farmer  and 
a  man  of  much  intelligence  and  is  possessed  of  those  qual- 
ities that  win  and  retain  respect,  served  on  the  board  of 
selectmen  of   Goffstown  for  three  years,  1803,  '04  and  '05, 
representative  from  the  town  in  1800,  has  three  children.) 
Margaret  A.,  (h.  Sept.  27,  1825,  d.  Nov.  28,  1820.) 
Jonathan  B.,  (b.  Oct.  12,  1827,  d.  Oct.  9,  1828.) 
Jonathan,  (born  Aug.  11,  1829,  m.  Sarah  Sargent,  Nov.  24, 

1853,  d.  Jan.  10,  1855,  left  no  children.) 
Deborah  B.,  (b.  June  27,  1830,  m.  John  Evans,  d.  Feb.  15, 
1850.)] 

6.  Mary  Burns,  [b.  July  7,  1794,  m.  Robert  White,  June  19, 

1823,  res.  in  Walden,  Vt.,  liad  thiee  children,  d.  Dec.  31, 
1833.)] 

7.  Sophy,  [d.  in  infancy.] 

8.  ASENATH,  d.  in  infancy.] 

9.  Margaret,  [born  July,  1803,  m.  Luther  Cowen,  Nov.  23, 

1820,  resided  in  Nashua,  d.  there  Dec.  11,  1838.] 

10.  Sabrina,  [b.  Oct.  24,  1800,  m.  James  H.  Brooks  of  Han- 

cock, Oct.  11,  1825,  res.  in  Greenfield.] 

11.  Eliza,  [b.  Feb.  9,  1809,  m.  Louis  M'Tune  of  Hillsboro', 

went  to  Peterboro',  d.  there  ,  Jan.  20,  1840.] 

SAMUEL,  the  second  son  of  Henry,  married  Rachel  Witherspoon  of 
Fraucestown,  and  settled  upon  the  home  jilace,  which  he  afterward  ex- 
changed for  the  Witherspoon  place.  His  wife  died  June  4,  1837,  after 
which  he  moved  to  Shoi-eham,  Vt.     Children: — 

1.  Sally,  [married  Edward  Smith  Care}'  of  Ringe,  and  died  in 

that  town.] 

2.  Patty,   [married    Stephen  Hovey  of    Peterboro',  Feb.  18, 

1817,  d.  in  Whitefield.] 

3.  LuciNDA  M.,  [b.  July  25,  1809,  m.  Ira  Person  of  Shoreham, 

Vt.,  Feb.  5,  1829,  res.  in  Manchester.] 


HARDEN.  821 

4.  Elvira,  [b.  March  20,  1814,  m.  Samuel  W.  Bartlette  of 

Manchester,  d.  in  Goffstown,  Sept.  30,  1890.] 

5.  John,  [married  Nancy  Allen.     He  died  at  Essex,  Vt.] 

6.  Samuel,  [married  Laurinda  White,  and  was  the  father  of 

six  children,  d.  in  Goshen,  Vt.] 

7.  Lltther,  [was  not  married,  d.  in  Shoreham,  Vt.] 

MARDEN. 

NATHAN  KICIIMOND  MARDEN  came  to  Francestown  from  Mont 
Vernon  in  1841.  His  father,  Nathan  Marden,  was  born  in  New  Boston, 
his  mother  being  Susanna  Stevens,  whose  native  place  was  Ilillsboro'. 
He  is  the  brother  of  Franklin  Marden  of  Mont  Vernon,  who  is  the  father 
of  Hon.  Geo.  A.  Marden  of  Lowell,  Mass.  Mr.  Marden  is  by  trade  a 
shoe-maker,  is  a  respected  citizen,  and  has  long  been  prominent  in  the 
religious  societies  of  the  town,  having  been  for  several  years  president 
of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Francestown.  A  man  of 
good  and  critical  taste  in  music  and  a  teacherjthereof ,  he  was  for  a  long 
period  chorister^in  the  Congregational  Church.  While  in  Mont  Vernon 
he  was  the  captain  of  a  company  in  the  5th  Eegt.,  N.  H.  Militia.  He 
married  Abigail  D.  Fiske  of  Wilton,  Oct.  11,  1S3G.  He  was  born  in 
Mont  Vernon,  Oct.  17,  1812.  Abigail  D.  Fiske  was  born  in  Weld, 
Maine,  Jan.  3,  1814.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Richmond  Fiske,  [b.  in  Mont  Vernon,  Jul^-  25,  1837,  m. 

Sarah  J.  Evans  of  Marblehead,  Mass.,  Oct.  22,  1863,  a 
merchant,  res  in  Marblehead.] 

2.  Sara  Caroline  Appleton  Burnham,  [b.  in  Mont  Vernon, 

July  17,  1839,  m.  Reed  P.  Ordway  of  Francestown,  Aug. 
9,  1862.] 

3.  Edwin  Shannon,  [born  in  Mont  Vernon,  Aug.  19,  1841. 

Employed  upon  a  farm  in  Nashua,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
13th  N.  H.  Regt.,  and  was  severely  wounded.] 

4.  William  Richardlon,  [b.  in  Francestown,  April  2,  1843i 

he  was  in  Troop  L,  1st  R.  I.  Cavalry,  died  Sept.  12,  1863 
at  Annapolis,  Md.  of  disease  contracted  while  in  prison  at 
■  Bell  Island.] 

5.  Jane  Maria,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  9,  1845,  m.  Wood- 

bury P.  Ho])kins  of  Greenfield,  Nov.  11,  1869,  resides  in 
Greenfield.] 

6.  Charles  Newell,  [b.  in  Francestown,  March  25,  1847,  m. 

Rebecca  A.  Bartlette  of  Marbleliead,  Mass.,  April  3,  1872, 


822  GENEALOGIES. 

served  in  Co,  L,  Ist  N.  11.   Cavalry,  is  a  carpenter,  res.  in 
Saiig'us,  Mass.] 

7.  Abbie  Elizabeth,  [b.  in  Francestown,  June  17,  1849,  m. 

Sewell  S.  Brown  of  Francestown,  Jan.  19,  1883,  died  in 
Francestown,  June  2(3,  1889.] 

8.  Hattie  Augusta,  [b.  in  Francestown,  June  16,  1853,  d. 

in  Francestown,  Oct.  2,  1862.] 

9.  Jessie    Benton    Fuemont,   [b.    in    Francestown,  Sept.  1, 

1857,  m.  Milton  E.  Osborn  of  Peterborough,  Nov.  25, 1880, 
she  res.  in  Peterborough.] 

GEORGE  WATERMAN  MARDEN,  son  of  Jonathan  Marden  of 
New  Boston,  was  l)oru  Oct.  17,  1832.  Jonathan,  his  father,  was  born 
July  6,  1788,  and  married  Sally  Foster,  Dec.  ol,  18].-).  The  father  of 
Jonathan  was  Lemuel,  born  Aug.  30,  1745,  and  went  from  Rradford, 
Mass.  to  New  Boston  about  1786.  He  married  in  Bradford,  Hannah 
Greenough  in  1700.  She  was  bornMay  21, 1750,  and  died  Oct.  20, 1843. 
Jonathan  was  the  lirother  of  Nathan,  who  was  the  father  of  Capt. 
Nathan  R.  Marden  of  this  town.  George  Waterman  Marden  came 
here  from  New  Boston  about  the  year  1858,  and  purchased  the  farm 
now  owned  by  Lyman  H.  Belcher.  He  married,  tirst,  Abby  Sawyer, 
April  1,  1858.  She  died  in  this  town,  Aug.  20, 1801,  and  he  soon  after 
removed  to  Peterboro',  where  he  maia-ied,  second,  Aseuath  B.  Ilovey, 
and  where  he  has  since  resided. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  MARDEN,  a  native  of  Bennington,  and 
the  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Wilson)  Marden  of  Bennington,  came  to 
Francestown  about  the  year  1845,  and  occupied  the  place  now  owned 
by  Capt.  N.  R.  Marden.  His  wife  was  Clarissa,  daughter  of  Levi  and 
Betsey  (Colby)  Andrews  of  Weare.  The  former  died  in  Weare  in 
1824,  aged  55  years.  George  W.,remoA'ed  to  Nashua,  where  his  wife 
died.     He  died  in  West  Deering. 

MARTIN. 

SAMUEL  MARTIN,  who  cleared  the  Fanington  place,  was  a  native 
of  Amesbury,  Mass.,  where  he  was  born  Dec.  25, 1747.  He  must  have 
been  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  town  since  his  name  appears  upon  the 
list  of  tax-payers  of  1773.  His  wife  was  Mary  Dickey,  sister  of  .John 
Dickey,  who  began  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Fred  Hopkins.  She 
was  born  in  Londonderry,  Oct.  27, 1740,  and  died  in  this  town,  Dec.  14, 
1822.  Samuel  Martin  died  of  asthma  while  sitting  in  his  chair  at  his 
home  in  Francestown,  Aug.  15,  1812.  His  children  were  all  boiii  in 
this  town,  they  were: —  .  • 


MARTIN.  823 

1.  Rachel,  [b.  April  11,  1774,  m.  Moses  Bailey  of  this  town, 

Feb.  6,  1793,  d.  in  Franeestown,  Sept.  26,  1815.] 

2.  Anna,  [b.  May  27,  1776,  m.  Thomas  Bogue  of  Windhall, 

Vt.] 

3.  Betsey,  [1).  June  28,  1779,  ni.  8amnel  Lewis  of  Gieenfield, 

Jane  7,  1803.] 

4.  Molly,   [b.  Maieh  4,  1781,  m.  Solomon   Maiden  of   New 

Boston,  Dec.  25,  1800.] 

5.  Robert,  [b.  March  5, 1783,  m.  Rebecca  Lewis  of  Greenfield, 

and  settled  upon  the  home  place.     He  Imilt  a  part  of  the 

house  now  occupied  by  Eben   Farrington,      Ilis  children 

were : — 
Lewis,  (b.  March  4,  1808,  m.  Betsey  Eaton  of  Bennington.) 
Lydia,  (b.  Jan.  16,  1810,  m.  Capt.  Wheeler  of  Peterboro'.) 
Samuel,  (1).  in  1816,  m.  Lovilla  Brown,  res.  in  Battle  Creek, 

Mich.) 
Rebecca,  (b.  July  10,  1819,  m.  Joseph  Eaton  of  Bennington.) 
Moses,  (b.  July  20,  1822,  m.  Dorcas  Clark  of  Cape  Cod.)] 

6.  Sally,  [b.  Nov.  6, 1786,  m.  Charles  Bailey  of  Francestown, 

Sept.  1,  1807,  removed  to  Vermont,  and  died  in  that  state.] 

7.  Jennie,  [died  in  this  town,  Jan.  16,  1834,  unmarried.] 

8.  James,  [b.  Sept.  22, 1791,  m.  Betsey  Hodge  of  Francestown. 

He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  afterward  a 
captain  of  the  military' company  in  this  town.  He  lived 
upon  the  Phelps  place,  d.  here,  Dec.  30,  1846,  His  chil- 
dren were  born  in  this  town : — 

James,  Jr.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  19,  1821,  d.  in  the  U. 
S.  Hospital,  Honolulu,  Sandwich  Islands,  Oct.  27,  1865.) 

Mary,  (married  Edwin  Hardy  of  Nashua  and  resided  in  that 
city,  she  removed  to  Mason  Village^  where  she  died. ) 

Sophia  Maria,  (b.  June,  1825,  was  unmarried,  d.  at  Lowell, 
June  22,  1878.) 

Samuel  Hodge,  (b.  Oct.  13,  1830,  m.  Martha  Hutchins  Annis 
of  Manchester,  Nov.  23,  1853.  He  was  state  senator  in 
1875.  He  i-esided  many  years  in  Manchester.  He  re- 
moved to  Chicago  in  1891,  where  he  now  resides.  He 
has  two  sons: — James  A.  and  Harvey  E.)] 

9.  SajNIUEL,    [married    Rachel  Talbot  of   this  town,  April   7, 

1814.] 


824  GENEALOGIES. 

JESSE  MARTIN,  a  brother  of  Samuel  Martin,  married  Mary  Hop- 
kins of  thi^  town  an<l  lived  here  a  few  years.  Three  of  his  ehildren 
were  buried  here,  the  hrst  in  Mareh,  17.S5,  tiie  second  in  Feb.,  17S9, 
the  third  in  the  early  part  of  1700.      He  removed  to  Plaintield,  Vt. 

McAllister. 

ARCHIBALD  McALT.ISTER  lived  some  years  in  Francestown  on 
the  Mitchell  place  and  perhaps  other  places.  He  was  son  of  John 
McAllister  of  New  Boston.  John  settled  in  ilie  souOi  part  of  tliat  (own 
in  1748;  was  of  Scotch  race;  was  b.  in  the  Scotch  part  of  Ireland;  was 
a  man  of  mucli  courage  and  force;  of  character;  was  member  of  the 
first  Board  of  Selectmen  in  New  Boston  (17(53);  died  with  his  son  in 
Francestown  about  1789.  Archibald  moved  to  Antrim  soon  after  the 
death  of  his  fatiier  (al)out  1700,)  and  d.  there  in  ripe  old  age.  His 
wife  was  Maria  McKeen.  He  was  b.  in  Ireland  about  1743,  and  was 
nearly  five  years  old  when  the  family  canu-  over.  Cannot  give  the  date 
of  his  death.  His  wife  d.  in  Antrim,  IS-J.").  They  were  both  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  (;hurch  in  that  town,  and  were  spoken  of  as  "most 
worthy  and  devout  people." 

McALVIN. 

DANIEL  McILVAINE  was  the  son  of  Robert  Mcllvaine,  who  with 
his  wife  emigrated  from  Scotland  to  Ireland,  where  both  were  mur- 
dered in  their  beds  by  the  Catholic  Irish.  Daniel,  then  an  infant,  was 
not  noticed  by  the  murderers  and  lived  to  be  brought  up  by  friends 
and  to  come,  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  to  America.  He  settled  in 
AVindham  about  the  year  1740.  Two  older  l)rothers  are  said  to  have 
emigi-ated  with  him,  all  three  coming  from  the  parish  of  Sisson,  county 
of  Donegal,  Ireland,  where  Daniel  was  born.  William,  the  eldest,  set- 
tled in  Portland,  then  Casco  Bay,  Maine.  John,  the  second  son,  died 
in  the  South  leaving  no  family.  The  name  was  written  Mcllvaine  un- 
til 1806,  when  it  was  changed  to  McAlvin.  Daniel,  who  settled  in 
Windham,  married  Mary  Smith,  "an  English  girl."  The  first  years  of 
his  married  life  were  spent  in  Boston  and  Woburn,  he  subsequently 
purchased  a  farm  in  AVindham,  upon  which  he  died  July  25,  1785. 
His  wife  died  in  Francestown,  Feb.  1(1,  1803.  Three  of  the  sons  and 
one  of  the  daughters  of  Daniel  settled  and  died  in  Francestown.  Mary, 
the  daughter,  was  born  in  Windham,  Aug.  4,  1757,  and  died  unmarried 
in  this  town,  it  is  said. 

JOHN  McALVIN"  settled  in  Antrim  in  1782,  where  he  was  elected 
selectman  in  1793.  In  the  following  year  (1794)  he  came  to  Frances- 
town  and  lived  and  died  on  the  place  now  owned  by  John  Shattuck. 
He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution  and  a  pensioner.  His  wife  was 
Mary  A.  Quigley  of  this  town.  He  died  cliildless,  April  14, 1834,  aged 
83  years.     His  wife  died  in  this  town,  May  14,  1815. 


McxlLVIN.  825 

WILLIAM  McALYIN,  brother  of  John  and  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary 
(Smith)  McAlvin,  also  came  here  from  Antrim  in  1794.  His  wife  was 
Jane  Quigley  of  this  town,  to  whom  he  was  married  in  1790.  His 
home  was  the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by  Joseph  F.  Duncklee. 
He  was  born  in  Windham  in  17o3,  and  died  in  Francestown,  May  22, 
1.S42.  He  was  a  sergeant  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  and  a  pen- 
sioner.     His  wife  also  died  here  May  12, 1842.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Polly,  [b.  in  Antriin,   Dec.   24,  1792,  was   unmarried,  died 

at  Lyndeboro'.] 

2.  William,  [b.  in  Antrim,  May  2,  1794,  m.  Martlia  Scoby  of 

FrancestoAvn,  Ajjril  6.  1820,  lived  on  tbe  Jose}»b  Lewis  oj- 
Danforth  place  in  Clark  Village.  He  died  in  Frances- 
town,  April  11,18(34.      His  children   were: — 

S'n,xa)i  J((it(',  (]).  in  Francestown,  April  4,  1821,  m.  Hii'am  P. 
Clark  of  Fia.ncestown,  Feb.  14,  184(3,  d.  in  Francestown, 
Oct.  11,  18(31.) 

William.  Frankliiu  (b.  in  Francestown,  July  14, 1822,  d.  Sept. 
20,  1855,  was   nnmai'ried.) 

3Iar//  Am/,  (1).  in  Fiancestown,  March  lo,  1824,  m.  Francis 
H.  Duncklee  of  this  town,  Dec.  25,  1849,  res.  in  Frances- 
town.  )] 

3.  Betsey,  [b.  Nov.  20,179(3,  unmari'icd,  d.  in    Fi'aiu'estown, 

April  29,  1870.] 

4.  Susan,  [b.  May  28,  179(S,  m.  Timotiiy  Ordway   of  Lynde- 

boro',  March  23,  1824,  d.  in  Lyndeboro'  in  1878.] 

5.  John,  []>.  Jan.  9,  1800,  m.  Achsah  Kimball  of  Wilton,  Oct. 

12,  1830.  He  went  to  Lowell  in  1829,  and  died  in  that 
city  Feb.  5,18(36.] 

JAMES  McALVIN  was  a -brother  of  William  and  John,  and  was 
l)oru  in  Windham,  Nov.  30,  17(;)1,  being  the  youngest  sou  of  David; 
the  emigrant.  He  was  a  Eevolutionary  soldier  from  Windham  July 
23,  1781.  He  married, (1st,)  Jane  Gregg,  Dec.  28,  1786.  She  was  born 
in  Windham, March  28,  17(31,  and  d.  March  4,  1809.  He  married, (2nd,) 
Widow  Mary  Gregg,  June  30, 1810.  She  had  by  her  first  marriage  one 
daughter,  Nancy,  who.  married  Dea.  Caleb  Weston.  James  McAlvin 
was  a  tailor  by  trade.  He  came  to  this  town  from  Windham  in  1803, 
and  occupied  the  house  in  which  Charles  Bailey  now  lives.  He  died 
in  this  town,  May  10,  1850.  His  second  wife  was  born  July  15,  1772, 
and  died  in  Francestown,  Oct.  24,  1853.     His  Children  were: — 


826  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  Daniel,  [1).  in    Wiii(lliiim,  .Inly  1(!,  1788,  iii.  Eleanor  Fol- 

lansljee  of  Fiancestown,  Nov.  14,  1811.  Me  lived  wliile 
in  this  town  with  his  uncle  John,  on  the  John  Shattuck 
j)lace.  He  moved  to  Lowell,  Mass.,  wheie  he  died,  July 
liM847.      His  ehildren  were:— 

Miirji  'I((ti(\  (ni.,  (1st,)  (iihnaii  Davis,  of  this  town,  June 
o,  1884,  (2n(l,)  Jonathan  Knight  of  Andierst  in  1855,  res. 
in  iKndierst. ) 

^JoJnt  Smilh,  (<I.  here,  Aug.  17,  1820,  aged  15  years.) 

Jamey^^  (died   in  childhood.) 

Elhridfie  GiJntnii.  (died  in  Woreestei',  Mass.,  aged  66  years.) 

Eleanor  Frances^  (  unniarricil,  died  in   A  nilierst. )] 

2.  William,  [h.  in    Windham,  July   12,  1790,  ni.  Lucia  John- 

son, removed  to  C'harlestown,  Mass.,  wdiere  he  died,  May 
13,  1840.] 

3.  Maky,    [b.  in   Windham,   Aug.   20,  1792,  d.  here  May  11, 

1812.]' 

4.  James,  [m.  Eleanor  Russell,  d.  at  Farmersbui'g,  la.  in  1865.] 

5.  John  Billincjs,  [b.  in  Windham,   Dec.  7,  1800,  m.  Mary 

Sisson  of  Charlestown,  Mass.,  July  13,  1830,  removed  to 
Lowadl,  where  he  was  a  member  of  the  common  council, 
and  also  "school  committee.'"     He  died  in  Lowell  in  1880.] 

McCAINE. 

DAVID  MeCAINE  was  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  His  father,  Bar- 
net  McCaine,  was  born  m  the  county  of  Down,  and  his  mother,  Mar- 
garct(McGowan)McCnin,  was  born  in  the  county  of  Armagh,  Ireland. 
They  emigrated  to  this  country  immediately  after  their  marriage,  and 
settled  at  Bedford,  X.  H.  Barnet  McCaine  was  a  Bevolutionary  sol- 
dier and  a  signer  of  the  Association  Test.  He' enlisted  Sept.,  1776, 
and  was  mustered  in  as  a  private  in  Capt.  Samuel  McConnel's  com- 
pany in  Col.  Nahum  Baldwin's  regiment,  which  marched  to  re-inforce 
the  Continental  Army  in  JS'ew  York.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
White  Plains,  Oct.  28,  1770,  and  was  discharged  with  his  regiment  in 
December  following.  He  resided  a  few  years  in  Londonderry,  from 
which  place  he  removed  to  Peterboro',  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  87. 
His  wife  also  died  in  Peterboro'  at  the  age  of  84.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  ten  children,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Bedford.  David, 
their  eighth  child,  was  born  Feb.  12,  1794.  He  was  twice  married. 
His  first  wife,  to  whom  lie  was  married  June  2,  1821,  was  Mary  Bick- 
ford.     She  was  born   in  Antrim,  Dec.  7,  1798,   and   died    in  Frances- 


MfCAIKE.  827 

town,  July  5,  1840.  His  second  wife,  Abigail  Gibson,  was  born  in 
Ilenniker,  June  1,  1704.  She  married  Mr.  McCaine,  Dec.  8,  1840, and 
surviving  him,  died  in  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  Xov.  21,  1880  Soon  after  his 
first  marriage  he  settled  in  Peterboro',  but  came  to  Francestown  in 
1828.  He  lived  many  years  on  the  George  Lewis  place  in  Dist.  No.  .'5. 
He  afterward  occupied  the  Leonard  Spaulding  cottage  in  the  village, 
where  he  died,  June  15,  18G8.  He  was  by  trade  a  cabinet  maker.  His 
children  were: — 

1.  Martha,  [b.  Dec.  21, 1821,  d.  March  25,  1822.] 

2.  David,  [b.  in  Peterboro',  May  3,  1823,  m.  Louisa  M.  Gib- 

son of  Henniker,  Dec.  11,  1850,  re.*?,  in  St.  Paul,  Minn.] 

3.  Daniel,  twin  ])rotlier  of    David,  [married     Betsey  Maria 

Guild  of  Francestown,  Nov.  28,  1850.  He  was  for  several 
years  engaged  in  trade  in  tliis  town,  and  was  afterward 
similarly  engaged  in  Manchester  and  in  Boston  ;  from  the 
latter  place  he  went  to  Roxbury,  Vt.,  where  he  Avas  inter- 
ested in  the  development  of  a  marble  quarry,  and  later  he 
took  a  like  interest  in  a  soapstone  quarry  in  Groton,  Mass. 
From  Groton  he  removed  to  Minnesota,  where  lie  fol- 
lowed the  lumber  business.  He  I'epresented  Francestown 
in  the  legislature  in  1855-l>;  was  a  man  of  very  good  abili- 
ties. He  died  in  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  July  10,  1889.  His 
children: — 

Ethjar  A.,  (b.  Nov.  21,  1854,  d.  Oct.  19,1855,  in  Frances- 
town.) 

Addle  31.,  (b.  in  Groton,  Mass.,  Jan.  7,  1807  ;  is  a  teacher  in 
the  public  schools  in  St.  Paul,  Minn.) 

4.  Barnet,  [b.  March  15,1825,  d.  Sept,  15,  182G.] 

5.  Mary,  [b.  in  Peterboro',  May  27,  .1827,  m.  True  Ah)rton  of 

Bristol,  Me.,  Feb.  22,  1853,  res.  in  Chelmsford,  Mass.] 

6.  William,  [b.  in  Francestown,  April  20,  1830,  m.  Helen  J. 

Gray  of  Peterboro',  Oct.  23,  1860,  res.  at  St.  Paul,  Minn.] 

7.  Martha,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  15,  1832,  m.    William 

-  H.  Grant  of  Lyndeboro',  Jan.  4,  1855,  res.    at   St.  Paul, 
Minn.] 

8.  Sarah  W.,    [b.  in    Francestown,  July  18,  1835,   m.   Smith 

C-arr,  of  Danville,  \'t.,  Jan.  12,  1855,  res.  in  Northampton, 
Mass.] 

9.  Jennie  E.,  [b.  in   Francestown,  March  16,   1838,  m.  Rev. 

Bjorne  Peterson,  March  11,  1890.     He  was  born  in    Ice- 


828  GENEALOGIES. 

laiul,  Aug.  2,  1826,  and  is  a  niissionarv  in  the  colon}-  of 
Icelanders  at  Winnipeg,  Maniloha.  Canada,  wlieie  liis  wife 
also  resides.] 

McEWEN. 

Mi;s.  IIAKIUP:T  McEWEN  was  i\w  widow  of  Kev.  Jamiis  Mc- 
>Ewen,  a  preacher  of  much  note  at  Bratlleboro",  Vt.  She  came  to 
Francestown  from  Brattlel)oro',  Vt.  in  November,  ISoi,  and  with  her 
son-in-law,  Dr.  Martin  N.  lioote,  and  liis. family,  occupied  the  house 
now  owned  b}-  Mrs.  Martin  N.  Tloote.  ^Slrs.  ]SrcEwen's  maiden  name 
was  Harriet  Cook.  Her  parents  wen;  capaljle  and  sturdy  people.  Her 
father,  who  once  resided  in  Cornish,  held  the  oltice  of  sherilf  during 
Shay's  Tlebellion  in  ITSO-T,  and  frequently  had  his  resolution  and  cour- 
age sorely  tested  in  those  excitinu'  days.  Mrs.  McEwen  doubtless  in- 
herited nuich  from  her  pareuts,  since  slie  was  a  lady  of  great  strength 
of  purpose  and  mental  vigor.  Early  in  life  she  resided  in  Claremont, 
where  she  founded  the  first  Sabbath  school  in  that  town  ;  later  she 
taught  a  school  for  young  ladies  in  Woburn,  Mass.,  and  afterward  had 
charge  of  a  similar  institution  in  (Joncord,  N.  H.  She  died  at  her 
home  in  Francestown,  Oct.  l.l,  l.S7"2,  aged.Ti)  years.  Her  only 
(adopted)  child  is: — 

1.  Abby  Kimball,  [b.  in  Topsiield,  JNIass.,  April  9,  1832,  m. 
Martin  N.  Roote  of  Byfield,  Mass.,  Nov.  22,  1852.  The 
father  of  Mrs.  Roote  was  Benjamin  Kimball  of  Topsiield, 
Mass.,  and  her  mother  was  Abigail ( Brock  )Kindjall,  from 
Alfred,  INlaine.  Her  great  uncle,  Jacob  Kimball,  was  a 
lawyer  in  Boston,  and  a  com[)oser  of  music.  Tlie  fruits 
of  his  talent  are  found  in  many  of  the  "singing  books"  of 
half  a  century  ago.  Her  grandmother  Kimball,  a  bright 
active  and  worthy  woman,  died  in  Topsiield,  at  the  un- 
common age  of  one  hundred  years  and  tAvo  months. 
Mrs.  Roote  is  an  accomplished  musician,  and  was  in  the 
prosperous  d-djs  of  the  academy,  teacher  of  music  in  that 
institution.] 

McKAY. 

WILLIAM  McKAY  was  born  in  the  Highlands  of  Scotland  in  1758. 
His  name  was  pronounced  as  though  spelled  McKai,hut  subsequently, 
like  the  others  of  the  clan,  he  wrote  and  pronounced  it  McCoy.  There 
was  a  William  McCoy,  an  older  man  in  Peterboro'  at  the  same  time. 


McLANE.  829 

William,  of  this  town  was  "couscriptt'd"  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and 
sent  over  to  this  country  as  a  soldier  to  tight  the  Americans  in  177G. 
He  was  taken  prisoner,  and  managed  to  avoid  an  exchange,  and  es- 
cape unto  his  Scotch  countrymen  in  New  Hampshire.  The  close  of  the 
war  found  him  in  New  P>oston,  but  in  178o  he  settled  in  Frances- 
town,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Frank  Cram.  He  died  .  in  Decem- 
ber, 1832.  His  wife  was  Molly  Cameron,  b.  Lochaber,  Scotland,  1745. 
She  d.  in  Francestown,  September,  1832.  The  fact  may  be  of  inter-^ 
est  to  remember  that  the  ship  which  brought  McKay  and  his  fellow- 
soldiers  as  a  re-inforcement  to  the  15ritish  in  Boston,  sailed  into  the 
harbor,  not  knowing  it  had  been  evacuated  by  them,  and  the  whole 
were  captured  without  tiring  a  gun  ! 

The  children  of  William  and  Molly( Cameron) McKay  were  three  in 
nnmbei'.  She  was  a  smart  woman;  and  he  is  described  as  a  man  "'of 
good  ability,  thrifty  and   iiidustridus." 

1.  James,   [b.  June,  1785;  carpenter  by  trade;  was    said     of 

liiin  that  he  ''was  a  man  above  tlie  average  in  intellect, 
and  accumulated  a  good  property ;  but  by  misfortune  be- 
came poor,  and  was  maintained  at  the  pul)lic  expense  ; 
unm.;d.  1864. J 

2.  Margaret,  [m.   Levi  Thompson   of  Anli'ini;   was  deserted 

by  her  husl)iind  ;  lived  willi  her  fathei'  until  ids  deatli ; 
had  two  children*;  became  partially  insane,  and  d.  on  tlie 
county  farni  at  Goffstowii.] 

3.  John,  [m.  i\Jary   M.  Thompson   of  Antrim;    broke  his  leg- 

wrestling  with  ('a[)t.  John  Deiuston,  mortiheation  set  in, 
and  soon  caused  his  death ;  said  to  have  been  in  Novem- 
ber, 1816,  when  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age.] 

McLANE. 

The  first  of  this  name  in  Francestown  was  Maleom  McLane,  who 
came  here  in  1784,  bu3'ing  of  Hugh  Morrill  the  j^lace  next  north  of 
Haunted  Lake,  where  the  remains  of  the  old  house  are  now  seen. 
He  "  was  born  in  the  parish  of  Lear  Castle,  county  of  Argyle,  Scot- 
land ;  landed  in  Boston  in  the  fall  of  1773  ;  and  came  among  his 
Scotch  countrymen  in  Londonderry  and  New  Boston.  Malcom's 
mother  was  Molly  Beaton.  His  father  was  Daniel,  who  was  in  the  ar- 
my of  Charles  the  Pretender  at  the  battle  of  Cullodin(Apr.'  16'  17-l()), 
and  claimed  descent  from  a  younger  branch  of  the  famih'.  Was  son 
of  Sir  John  McLane.  The  clan  McLane  was  located  on  Loch  Buoy. 
Maleom    married  Isabelle  Livingston,  born  in    Scotland,  and  dau.  of 


880  genealogip:s. 

Joliii  and  Jenny  (Carmichael)  Livingston.  Malconrs  parents  died  in 
Scotland.  lie  had  a  brother,  Hugh  MeJ.anc,  who  eanie  lo  this  town, 
and  was  partially  insane,  so  that  many  were  afraid  of  him.  Hvigh 
never  married.  He  died  in  1859,  aged  90.  Capt.  Obediah  McLane  of 
(Toftstown,  was  a  clansman,  but  not  a  near  relative  of  Malcom.  In 
the  Revolution,  (apt.  ()l)ediah  was  a  ])roniinent  ollicer.  and  was  de- 
tached to  look  after  Torii's  and  deserters,  with  whom  he  had  many 
desperate  and   romantic  encounters. 

Malcom  McLane  d.   in  this  town,  Jan.  19,  iS.'jl.  •  His    wife    d.    Xo- 
vember,  1S09.     Tbeir  children  were: — 

1.  John,  [1).  ill  New  Boston,  Alarcli  G,  1784;  lu.  Elizabeth  Mc- 
Colloin,  of  that  town  in  181;");  settled  in  this  toA\n  on  the 
farm  next  east  of  his  father's  farm,  whefe  he  resided  un- 
til aboitt  1822,  when  he  moved  to  Newport,  and  tlience 
after  some  years  to  Fairlee,  Vt.,  where  lie  died,  Aug.  8, 
1851.  Was  frequently  a  town  office)'  in  tlie  last-named 
place  ;  was  representative  of  Fairlee  in  tlie  state  legisla- 
ture ;  and  held  tlie  office  of  associate  judge  of  the  court 
of  Caledonia  county.  Was  a  clear-headed  and  capable 
man,  greatly  respected  by  all.  He  hiid  a  family  of  four- 
teen children,  several  of  whom  have  come  to  honor. 
His  wife,  a  most  excellent  woman,  died  in  New  Boston, 
Se])t.  30,  1882,  aged  91.     Their  children  were: — 

Niel,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  19,  1816,  m.  Sarah  C.  Kelso 
of  New  Boston,  Aug.  14,  1849;  resides  in  that  town; 
door  manufacturer,  and  a  successful  business  man  ;  many 
years  Justice  of  the  Peace;  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  of  1888;  a  helper  of  all  good  things;  a  great 
reader,  and  one  of  the  most  intelligent  men  in  this  vi- 
cinity ;  his  clear  and  accurate  memory  has  been  of  great 
value  in  the  preparation  of  this  book  ;  their  only  child, 
M*aiion  A.,  m.  John  H.  Clark  of  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  Oct. 
9,  1890.) 

Alexander^  (b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  16,  1817;  resided  in 
Fairlee,  Vt.;  m.  Betsey  Church  of  Kirby,  Vt.,  1850;  is  a 
farmer ;  was  many  years  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  select- 
man ;  representative  of  Fairlee  in  the  legislature ;  and 
had  five  children  :  Mary,  Henry  F,,  Emma.  Abl)y  and 
James.) 

John,  (h.  in   Francestown,   April  14,   1818;  resides  in   New 


McLANE.  831 

Boston  :  m.  Hannah  F..  Wlii})[)le  of  that  town.  Novem- 
ber, 1850  ;  four  cliildren  :  P)essie,  who  m.  P^phriani  War- 
ren, Willie,  who  d,  in  (•hildhood,  James  N.,  who  ni.  Re- 
becca Andrews,  and  Reed  W.,  who  m.  Ada  A.  Saltmarsh, 
May  H,  1884.) 

■Charlei<,  {h.  in  Francestown,  April  28,  1819  ;  ni.,  (1st,)  Re- 
becca Bailey  of  New  Boston;  m.,(2nd,)Edwina  Powell  of 
Vershire,  Vt.,    1852;  resides    in    New   Boston:    twice  on 

the  board  of  selectmen  ;  five  children  :  George  B. . 

who  was  son  of  the  first  wife,  and  m.  Etta  Moulton  ,   John 

W.  ,  who  m.  Nellie  Wilder,   Sarah  E.  ,  who 

m.  Henry  H.  Smith,  Susan,  who  m.  William    Parre,- 

and   Mary.) 

Roilneij^  (b.  in  Francestown,  July  18,  1820 :  m.  Adeline 
Farley  of  New  Boston,  November,  1853  ;  resides  in  New 
Boston  ;  door  manufacturer;  Justice  of  the  Peace  ;  select- 
man ;  has  been  some  years  treasuier  of  the  town  ;  they 
have  but  one  child,  Charles  Sumner,  who  studied  law  with 
Senator  Wadleigh  of  Milford  ;  settled  in  Dover,  and  was 
for  a  time  city  solicitor,  but  went  west  in  ISST.  ami  is 
now  located  m  Kansas  City,  Mo.) 

Mary,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  11,  1821,  m.  James  Lj-ford 
of  Canterbnry  in  1851;  resided  in  Tilton  :  had  f<uii'  chil- 
dren ;  James  O.,  Albert,  Mai-ion  and  Amos,  of  mIioui  the 
oldest,  James  ().,  m.  Susan  Hill  of  Concord,  and  resides  in 
that  cit}'.) 

Na)icij  J.,  {h.  in  Newport,  Feb.  11,  1823;  resides  in  New^ 
Boston;  unm,) 

George  W.,  [h.  ■  m  Newport,  Apiil  30,  1824;  ni.  Philena 
Renyon  of  Plainlield,  Nov.  10,  1848;  lesidcd  in  New 
Boston  ;  painter  by  trade  ;  twice  on  the  board  of  select- 
men ;  d.  March  3,  1883  ;  two  children,  Hannah  and  P^liza- 
beth,  of  wliom  the  older,  m.  Charles  Gregg,  and  lives  in 
Lowell.) 

EUzaheth,  (b.  in  Newport,  June  29, 1825  ;  d.  in  Fairlee,  Vt., 
March,  1842.) 

Clari.'<m,  (h.  in  Newport,  Aug.  5,  1827;  d.  in  Fairlee,  Vt., 
Aug.  15,  1849.) 


882  GENEALOGIES. 

Helen^  (1>,  in  Ne\v|)()i't,  Jul}'  ol,  1828:  resided  in   New  Bos- 
ton ;   mini. ) 

Sarali^  (b.   in   Siina})ee,   June   22,  18-)U  ;  resided  in    Fairlee, 
Yt.;  uniu.) 

Marian.  (1).    in     Sunapee,  July   4,180-?;  d.    in    Springfield, 
Mass.,  December,  18oo.) 

Robert  E..  (b.  in  Grafton,  Oct.  28,  1884:  m.  Einnia  liui'ton  of 
Atliol,  iNIass.:  resides    in     lMiili})ston,   that  state  ;  farmer  ; 
cliildrcii:    Fi-cderick,  (n-orgc  and  Archibald.)] 
2.   Jam:,  [1).  in    i-'ranccstow  ii,  MaA'   1,  1780:   d.  in    this    town, 

Dec,  7.  1  <sr)2  :  num.] 
8.  Danikl.  |b  Oct.  10,  17<S7:  m.  Marv  Starrett  of  New  Bos- 
ton in  iSl.");  resided  in  tiiat  town  :  Avas  captain  of  the 
New  i>()si<)n  military  company:  his  wife  was  a  daughter 
of  I)a\id  Stariett  :  he  d.  Dec.  12,  IHoJl;  children  were 
nine  ill  nund)e]',  oC  m horn  only  the  tiirce  U\st  named  are 
living:  John  L.,  Roxann,  l^evi,  Niel,  David  S.,  Augusta, 
Nancy,  Abigail  and  Jane] 

4.  Nancy,  [b.    April  2,    1789  :  d.    in    Francestown.  June   26, 

1879  ;  unni.] 

5.  Niel,  [b.  Feb.  (i,  1791  ;  was    student    in  the  academy  ;  be- 

came a  laA\yer  and  settled  in  Little  Bock,  Ark.,  and  was 
judge  of  that  territory  at  the  time  of  his  death,  Decem- 
ber, 1822,  thougli  but  a  young  man  ;  was  lamented  as  one 
cut  down  in  the  midst  of  great  promise  ;  studied  law  with 
Judge  Ivcvi  \\^)od]niry,  and  afterward  \\ith  the  celebrated 
Johii  J.  Crittendon  of  Kentucky  :  was  a  clear  and  l)ril- 
liant  scholar, — an  honor  to  his  native  town  ;  unm.] 
().  JNlAKY,  [b.  Oet.  9,  1792  :  d.  in  Francestown,  March  9,  1873; 
unm. J 

7.  IsAi'.KL.  [b,  April  4,    1794;  d.    in    Francestown,    Jan.    21, 

1881  ;  unm.] 

8.  Archibald,  []>.  May  2(5,  1796  ;   farmer  ;    resided   in    this 

town;  d.  Dec.  17,  1852;   unm.] 

McLAUdHLIN. 

JOn:^  Mclaughlin  and  his  wife,  Mary,  with  five  clnl(h-eii, 
came  from  the  Scotch  colony  in  Ireland  in  1735  ;  came  to  London- 
derry, and  about  1738  settled  in  Bedford.     It    seems  certain    that  his 


McMASTEK.  833 

son  John,  who  m.  Jennett  Taggart,  settled  in  New  Boston,  and  built 
the  Bradford  house  in  that  town.  Thomas  McLaughlin  of  Frances- 
town  seems  to  have  been  the  oldest  child  of  John  of  New  Boston. 
But  little  can  be  learend  concerning  hini.  He  came  here  as  early  as 
1774,  and  settled  on  the  Spaulding  farm,  south  of  the  village.  He  was 
chosen  by  the  town  as  one  of  the  ''committee"  to  try  those  "sus- 
pected"  of  being  Tories,  June  10.  177.");  wiis  n  member  of  the  "Com- 
mittee of  Safety",  177()  ;  was  on  our  boai'd  of  selectmen,  1776,  and 
chairman  of  the  board  in  1781.  Soon  after  this  date  we  lose  sight  of 
him.  There  was  a  Thomas  Mcl>aughlin  that  enlisted  for  London- 
derry, September,  17S1,  though  not  belonging  to  that  town,  and  pos- 
sibly it  was  our  Thomas.  He  was  in  the  army  for  this  town  for  a 
time.  There  was  also  a  John  McLaughlin  in  the  army  f'l-om  this  town, 
probably  a  brother  of  Thomas.  The  children  of  Thomas,  the  last 
three  born  in  this  town,  the  others  probal)ly  in  New  Boston,  were: — 

1.  Thomas,  Jr.  [h.  April  12,1770.] 

2.  RoBEiiT,  [1).  Oct.  12,  1771. j 

3.  Joseph,  [b.  April  20,  1773.] 

4.  Elizabeth,  [b.  May  16,  1775.] 

5.  James,  [b.  Oct.  5.  1777.] 

6.  Lauohlin,  [1).  Sept.  19,  177i».] 

McMASTER. 

WILLIAM  McMASTER  was  of  Scotch  race,  and  seems  to  have 
been  the  oldest  son  of  John  and  Betsey  (Brown)  McMaster  of  Wind- 
ham, and  wash,  in  that  town,  Dec.  28,  1748.  He  married,  Novem- 
ber, 1774,  Sarah  Smith,  daughter  of  Dea.  John  Smith  of  New  Boston, 
and  half-sister  of  the  late  Dea.  Thomas  Smith  of  that  town.  She  was 
born  Dec.  20,  1752.  William  McMaster  came  here  among  the  pioneers 
of  the  town,  and  settled  on  the  David  Hill  farm(then  in  New  Boston.) 
His  house  was  a  small  and  humble  one.  It  stood  beside  the  meadow, 
at  the  foot  of  the  hill  east  of  the  present  house.  McMaster  was 
smart  and  capable  and  young,  but  among  the  poorer  settlers,  as  ap- 
pears from  the  fact  that  his  tax  on  the  first  list  (1772) was  among  the 
smallest,  being  only  nineteen  shillings.  He  was,  however,  chosen 
town  clerk  at  the  first  regular  March  meeting,  1773, (the  previous 
board  of  town  officers  having  been  chosen  July  2,  1772),  and  was  suc- 
cessively clv>sen  to  that  office  in  1774, 1775, 1770,  1777  and  1778.  In 
the  spring  of  that  year,  only  a  few  weeks  after  the  town  meeting,  he 
was  stricken  down  with  a  fever  and  died,  aged  29,  most  sincerely 
mourned  by  all  the  town.  His  widow  afterward  married  Maj.  John 
Burns,  who  seems  to  have  lived  thereafter  a  few  years  on  the  place 
where  McMaster  died.      There   his   father,  John  Burns,   formerly    of 


834  GENEALOGIES. 

New  Boston,  died.  Maj.  John  Burns,  who  was  a  roving,  earnest, 
brave  man,  had  lived  a  short  time  in  Antrim,  having  begun  to  clear  a 
farm  there,  which  he  sold  to  his  brother,  Robert.  After  the  death 
of  his  father  here,  the  whole  family  moved  to  New  Boston,  and  thence 
in  1802  to  Whitefiekl.  In  this  last-named  town  he  was  a  pioneer,  and 
continued  there  till  his  death,  May  0,  1S."")'2,  at  the  age  of  nearly  97. 
At  the  age  of  KS  he  represented  Whitelield  in  the  legislature (1S43). 
He  was  a  man  held  in  the  highest  esteem.  In  184S,  at  the  age  of  J»3, 
he  made  his  last  visit  in  this  vicinity,  driving  froni  Wbiteiield  here, 
loO  miles,  in  an  open  wagon  alone  ! 

^laj.  John  Hums  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  which 
phu-e  he  visited  sixty-eight  years  later, (1843);  and  was  also  out  in  the 
war  of  1812.  The  children  of  Maj.  John  and  Sarah  (Smith  McMas- 
ter)  Burns,  were:  David,  William,  Hannah,  Polly,  Sally  and  Jane. 
David,  the  eldest,  who  was  prol)al)ly  born  in  Francestown,  was  a  man 
of  promincncH'  in  the  community  where  he  lived  ;  represented  Wbite- 
iield in  the  legislature  of  the  state  several  years;  was  held  in  the 
highest  respect,  and   1.  April  30,  1S(;4. 

It  may  be  said  here  that  Samuel  Burns,  reputed  to  be  a  younger 
brother  of  jMaj.  John  Burns,  lived  in  Francestown  a  few  years.  He 
had  a  child  bui-ied  here  in  1700,  and  was  last  taxed  in  town  in  1795. 

The  first  death  recorded  in  Francestown  was  that  of  Jennett  McMas- 
ter,Oct.  4,  1772.  In  the  annals  of  that  date,  on  a  preceding  page  (p. 
54),  will  be  found  a  special  reference  to  her.  She  was  a  fair  and  win- 
some girl  ;  and  her  early  death  was  felt  as  an  affliction  by  all  the  new 
settlement.  She  was  without  doubt  a  sister  to  William,  and  his  only 
daughter  was  named  for  her.  The  children  of  Wdliam  and  Sarah 
(Smith)McMaster  were: — 

1.  John,  [b.  in  tliis  town,  Aiio-.  17,  1775,  lived  in  New  Bos- 
ton with  his  mother  and  stei)-father,  Maj.  Burns,  most  of 
the  time  till  1802,  when  they  all  moved  to  Whitelield; 
*  m.   Lydia  Whittier(some   wrote  it  WhicJier)of  Haverhill, 
Mass.,  who  d.  in  1866,  aged  92. 

John  McMaster  was  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the 
town  of  Whitetield  ;  was  an  excellent  man  ;  was  largely 
interested  in  establishing  the  institutions  of  that  town  ; 
and  d.  there  March  19,  1848,  aged  73.  He  was  for  a  long 
time  town  clerk  of  Whitelield,  and  was  a  prominent  mem- 
ber of  the  Free  Will  Baptist  church  in  that  place.  He 
had  live  children  :  Sally,  Jennett,  Lydia,  William  B.  and 
Mary  B.;  and  his  descendents  are  now  living  in  Wlnte- 
field,  and  are  of  high  standing  in  the  community,     Lydia, 


MELLON.  835 

tlie  third  child  of  John  and  Lydia  (Whicher)  McMaster, 
was  1).  Jnly  8,1808,  and  was  the  first  American  child  b. 
in  Wlutefield.  When  they  went  to  that  town  the  pre- 
vions  antninii,  only  a  parts  of  their  log-  cabin  was  covered, 
and  they  sle})t  on  a  bed  of  leaves  in  one  coiner,  with  all 
the  rest  open  to  the  sky  !  Bnt  they  used  to  say,  ''■they 
were  never  happier  than  in  those  first  years  in  the  wil- 
derness."] 
2.  'sIenny,"  or  Jennktt,  [b.  April  16,  1777;  said  to  have 
married  a  Mr.  Little,  and,  after  his  death,  to  have  m.( 2nd) 
a  Mr.  Ewell  or  Eweii,  and  to  have  died  many  3'ears  ago 
at  or  near  the  town  of  Sutton.  Great  effort  has  been 
made  to  trace  her  definitely,  but  in  vain.] 

MKLLON. 

CHARLES  MELLON  came  here  as  early  as  3774,  and  settled  on  a 
part  of  what  has  recently  been  known  as  the  Holmes  Batch  farm. 
He  was  of  Scotch  race;  was  of  mature  years  when  he  came,  and 
brought  a  family  with  him.  Was  a  man  of  excellent  character,  having 
dignity,  ability,  and  the  confidence  of  ah.  Was  chosen  June  10,  177o, 
as  one  of  the  committee  to  "examine  and  try"  any  "suspected  "  of 
being  Tories.  Was  chairman  of  the  committee  to  "procure  preach- 
ing" for  the  year  1777.  It  is  not  known  where  Charles  Mellon  was 
born,  but  he  lived  in  London<lerry  for  some  years,  and  his  son  Thomas 
was  born  there  in  17r)(). 

The  children  of  Charles  Mellon  are  believed  to  be  as  below  given, 
though  we  may  not  have  them  all: — 

1.  Thomas,  [m.  Jean  McCollom  of  New  Boston;  was  a  Revo- 

lutionary soldier  in  Oapt.  Peter  Clark's  company  in  the 
battle  of  Bennington;  in  1779,  the  town  "voted  Thomas 
Mellon  Surveyor  in  Room  of  his  Father  Charles  Mellon"; 
he  moved  to  Newbury,  Vt.,  where  he  died  in  1852,  aged 
90.  He  had  three  sons,  Robert,  John  and  Charles,  and 
two  daughters  ;  one  of  the  daughters,  Esther  Mellon,  m. 
Daniel  T.  (xregg  of  New  Boston,  and  was  motlier  of  tlie 
late  John  H.  Gregg  of  that  town.] 

2.  John,  [Rovolutionar}^  soldier;,  was  in    the  "expedition  to 

Rhode   Island,"  1778;  m.  Rutli    Hopkins    of    this    town. 


836  GENEALOGIES. 

Jail.  31, 1792 ;  was  taxed  here  1793  :  but  soon  after  moved, 
it  is  believed,  to  Newbury,  Vt.] 

3.  Robert,  [was  taxed  here  1793.] 

4.  Polly,  [m.  Joseph  Parker  Paige  of    Goffstowu,   Nov.  28, 

1793.] 

MERRILL. 

PHINEAS  MERRILL  from  Lcxiii-iloii,  Mass.,  settle.!  on  the  Todd 
place  about  the  3'ear  IIHO.  He  was  an  excellent  man  and  a  Revolu- 
tionary patriot.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife,  who  was  the 
mother  of  his  children,  died  in  this  town.  His  second  wife  was  a 
widow  Kurd.  Lie  was  by  trade  a  shoemaker.  lie  removed  to  Alexan- 
dria previous  to  1800,  and  subsequently  to  IIel)ron,  w]i(,Te  he  died. 
He  was  the  father  of  six  children,  all  of  whom  wt-re  born  in  Francees- 
town.     They  were  : — 

1.  Dolly,  [married Cox  of  Hebron,  d.  iu  Hel)roii.] 

2.  Rhoda,  [married  Simouds  of  Alexandria,  d.  in  Al- 

exandria.] 

3.  Sally,  [ ] 

4.  A  DAUtiHTER,  [married Emmerton  of  Boston,  d.  in 

Boston,  Mass.] 

5.  A  Daughter,  [married Starrett.  died  in  this  state.] 

6.  Deborah,  [married  Joshua  B.  Dodge  of  this  town  ;  died 

here  July  25.  1865,  aged  77  years. 

HART  MERRILL,  a  brother  of  Phineas,  came  here  probably  from 
Charlestown,  after  the  latter  removed  to  Hebron,  and  lived  in  the 
Duncklee  cottage  in  the  village,  which  then  stood  further  down  the 
sti'eet.  He  was  a  man  of  some  education,  and  was  several  times 
elected  to  serve  on  the  school  board.  One  of  his  children  had  a  narrow 
escape  from  a  mad  dog  that  came  rushing  down  the  street  and  toward 
the  house,  while  the  child  sat,  all  unconscious  of  danger,  upon  the 
door  step,  and  was  well  nigh  at  the  mere}'  of  the  rabid  creature,  when 
a  brave  dog  owned  iu  the  neighborhood,  rushed  out  to  give  battle  to 
the  stranger,  and  was  thus  instrumental  in  saving  the  child's  life. 
The  records  give  the  names  of  the  children  of  ''Hart  and  Peggy  ]Mor- 
rill.,"  as  follows  : — 

1.  Leonard  Knight,  [b.  Jan.  4,  1803.] 

2.  Haskel  Bailey,  [born    in    the  town    of    Charlestown,  in 

the  Commonwealth   of  Massachusetts,  on    the    4th  day  of 
August,  A.  D.,  1807.] 

3.  Harriet,  [b.  March  23,  1809.] 


MILLS.  887 

iMILLS. 

GEORGE  EDGAR  MILLS  was  bora  at  Grafton,  Vt.,  Oct.  27,  1835. 
He  married,  (1st),  Mary  Frances  Hopkins  of  Mont  Vernon,  Sept.  23, 
ISGO;  (2nd),  Mrs.  Fanny  E.  Whitfickl  of  this  town,  Dec.  23,  1881,  by 
occupation  a  carpenter.  Mr.  MilUs  served  in  the  navy  in  the  war  of 
the  Rebellion.  lie  was  aj)pointed  acting  ensign,  Sept.  12,  1863,  and 
was  ordered  to  duty  on  tlie  U.  S.  sloop-of-war  Savannah,  and  shortly 
after  on  the  U.  S.  steamer  Grand  Gulf.  He  was  2)romoted.  Oct.  18, 
1804,  to  Act.  Master.  On  the  20th  of  February  following  he  was  or- 
dered to  serve  on  Gen.  Newton's  stall"  as  an  aid-de-camp,  in  the  last 
attack  on  Tallahassee,  Florida.  In  the  battle  of  Newport,  a  month 
later,  he  was  twice  wounded.  He  resigned  in  August,  1865,  and  was 
discharged  Sept.  15,  18G5.  He  came  here  in  1876,  and  lived  first  in- 
the  cottage  near  the  hotel,  afterward  in  the  Colburn  cottage.  His  first 
wife  died  here  Feb.  11,  ISSQ.  He  removed  to  Hillsboro',  where  he  re- 
mained a  short  time,  and  now  i-csidos  in  ^Nledford,  Mass.  His  chil- 
dren:— 

1.  Fhed  Willls,  [b.  ill   Nasliua,,  Sept.  18,  1802,  m.  Frances  L. 

Fanium  of   Francestowii,  Oct.  8,   1882,  res.    in    JNIedlnrd, 
is  b}^  vocation  a  carpenter.] 

2.  Jennie  Louise,  [b.  in  Nashua,  Aug.  11,  1804,  d.  in  Nashua, 

Sept.  17,  18(;4.] 

3.  Ada  Fiiances,  [b.    in    Nashua,  June  29,  1860,  m.    Arthur 

George  Batchelder  of  this  town,  Oct.  30,  1881,  res.  in  Bed- 
ford, Mass.] 

4.  George  Albei;t,  [h.  in  Nashua,  Oct.  19, 1872  ;  is  a   printer, 

res.  in  Medford,  Ahiss.] 

5.  Grace  Iola,  [b.  in   Mont  Vernon,  Marcli   8,  1870,  res.  in 

Medford,  Mass.] 

JONxlTHAN  MILLS  was  born  Sept.  16,  1872,  and  married  in  this 
town,  Susanna  Davis  of  Deering,  Jan.  1,1793.  We  have  reason  to 
believe  that  he  lived  on  the  Woods  place  beside  the  Deering  road. 
In  1799,  he  was  made  highway  surveyor.  Just  how  long  he  lived  in 
town  is  not  known.  He  was  here,  however,  as  late  as  1806,  when  he 
was  a  resident  of  Dist.  No.  3.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Mary  P.,  [b.  April  20,1795.] 

2.  Joshua  M.,  [b.  April  20, 1797.] 

3.  John,  fb.  Oct.  1,1799.] 

4.  Jesse,  '[b.  Jan.  4,  1802.] 

5.  Elizabeth,  [b.  June  28,  1804.] 


838  GENEALOGIES. 

MITCHELL. 

It  has  been  ditticult  to  get  infonnatiou  conceniiiiii-  Uiis  family. 
The  name  John  Mitchell  is  signed  to  a  petition  of  j^arties  in  T^ondon- 
derry  under  date  of  Sept.  20.  IToS.  This  .John  was  no  dould  father 
of  Francis  ]Mitcli('ll,  who  signed  the  Association  'J'csl  in  that  town, 
April,  177()  ;  and  of  -lohn,  .Tr. ,  who  was  a  selectman  in  Londonderry 
in  174'.»  ;  and  also  of  Dca.  Sanmel  Mitchell,  who  settled  in  IVter- 
boro'  in  1759. 

Thomas  Mitchell  of  Francestown  was  akin  to  these.  His  father, 
Thomas,  with  his  wife  Mary  and  four  children:  Jane,  William,  John 
and  Thomas.  .Tr..  came  from  the  Scotch  Settlements  in  the  north  of 
Ireland  about  \7')0.  A  daughter,  Mary,  was  born  to  them  on  the 
ocean,  during  the  passage  to  this  country.  They  settled  in  London- 
derry or  vicinity  ;  and  after  the  father's  deatli  the  family  was  scat- 
tered. William  settled  in  Acworth  in  1777.  Thomas,  Jr.  settled  in 
Francestown;  of  the  others  we  have  no  information.  Thomas,  Jr.,  or 
simply  Thomas,  as  known  in  Francestown,  often  called  "-Lieut. 
Mitchell,"  settled  near  the  schoolhouse  in  the  north-west  part  of  the 
town  about  1775,  and  built  the  "  Mitchell  ]\Iills"  there.  Was  among 
the  pioneers  in  that  jjart  of  the  town.  \\as  a  member  of  the  Com- 
mittee to  ''ge.t  provisions"  for  raising  the  Meetinghouse,  April  3, 1775. 
Was  on  the  committee  "to  Colect  the  Remander  of  the  Key  that 
the  Town  Indetted  to  James  Hawood,"  June  24,  17^2  ;  Hawood 
or  Harwood — being  a  soldier  in  the  army  from  Francestown.  There 
were  four  voters  by  the  name  of  Mitchell  in  this  town  in  1793,  but 
all  were  gone  from  town  soon  after  the  beginning  of  the  present  cen- 
tury. We  have  not  been  able  to  trace  them  successfully.  Thomas 
Mitchell  was  a  nuui  of  considerable  prominence  in  this  comnuinity 
while  here;  was  often  on  the  Committee  to  procure  preaching.  His 
mother  died  here  January,  1787.  His  wife  was  Jenny  McGinuis,  and 
she  died  in  Acworth  in  1820.  He  died  in  that  town  in  1825.  The 
Mitchells  were  all  Scotch,  and  many  of  them  w^ere  mill-wrights  and 
mechanics.  Thomas  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  a  "Lieut." 
in  the  field. 

The  children  of  Thomas  and  ,Jenn3'(McGinnis)Mitchell  were  as  fol- 
lows, though  perhaps  not  in  this  order: — 

1.  Betsey,  [b.   probably  in    Londonderry;  m.  a  Mr.  Armour, 

and  went  to  Belfast,  Maine.] 

2.  Hugh,  [b.    in    Francestown,  Aug.  17,  1775;  some  of    the 

family  seem  to  have  called  him  John,  and  probably  his 
name  was  John  Hugh  Mitchell ;  he  went  away  from  Fran- 
cestown abotit  1800,  and  no  trace  can  be  found  of 
him.] 


MONTGOMERY.  839 

3.  Jenny,  [b.  Feb.  .5,  1778;  in.  James    Dickey,  and    lived    in 

Acworth  ;  They  bad  ten  ehibb'en  :  Asenatb,  Tbonias  M. 
Jame.s,  Levi,  Mercy,  Mary,  John,  Ahnond,  Nancy  and 
Stephen  ;  she  d.  April  11,  1853.] 

4.  Nancy,  [b.  Marcb  12,  1781;    m.    Jonathan   Mitchell,    and, 

they  settled  in  Acworth  ;  he  d.  about  1840;  had  four 
children;  William  L.,  A\ho  was  father  of  Dea.  A.  J. 
Mitchell  of  Lempster,  James  L.,  who  d.  unm.,  Nancy,  wlio 
m.  William  Clark,  and  is  now  living  in  Acworth,  and 
Jonathan,  lately  deceased  in  that  towai.] 

5.  Thomas,  [b.  July  24,  1783;  m.  Mercy  Slader  of    Acworth  ; 

d.  in  Lempster  in  1834;  had  ten  children,  as  follows,  the 
oldest  beinon  born  in  1811  ;  Thomas  D.,  William  E.,  C'a- 
milla,  Zenas  S.,  Johathan  I).  L.,  Le\\'is,  Nancy  L.,  vSylves- 
ter  A.,  Mary  L.  and  George  C.  Sylvestei'  A.  Mitchell, 
named  above,  was  1).  in  1828;  m.  Frances  A.  C'ar[)entei'  of 
Walpole;  and  is  a  prominent  man  in  the  town  of  Al- 
steacl  at  the  present  time.] 

6.  William,  [His  name  appears  on  our  tax  list,  but  not  in  the 

list  of  births;  and  hence  he  was  pro])al)ly  the  oldest  in- 
stead of  the  youngest  child.  It  is  believed  that  he  and 
his  brother,  Hugh  went  to  New  Orleans.  Nothing  more 
is  known  of  him.] 

MONTGOMERY. 

HUGH  MONTGOMEIIY,  a  Ilovolutioiiary  soldirr.  came  Iieiv  al)()ut 
the  year  1780,  and  lived  on  the  place  on  Uradtord  Hill,  now  owned  by 
Dr.  Bixby.  He  was  l)orn  in  November,  1750.  He  removed  to  Ac- 
worth  about  the  year  ISOO.  His  wife  was  Mary  Caniplu'll.  Their 
children  were: — 

1.  Jane,  [b.  May  10,  1771,  m.    William    Smith,    ami    les.    in 

Acworth.] 

2.  David,  [b.  June  8,  1774,  d.  young.] 

3.  William,  [b.  Oct.  10,  1775,    m.    Maiy  Dodge,   removed   to 

VValden,Vt.;  d.  there  about  1853.] 

4.  Polly,  [b.  Feb.  27,  1778,  m.  Nathaniel  Silsby.] 

5.  Hugh,  [b.  Jan.  17,  1780.] 

6.  Thomas,  [b.    in    Francestown,  Sept.  14,  1782,    m.    Martha 

Woodbury.     He  settled  in  VVhitefield  in  1812,  where  he 


840  GENEALOGIES. 

soon  became  prominent.  He  was  the  second  Justice  of 
the  Peace  in  that  town,  and  for  twenty  years  held  tlie 
othce  of  selectman,  and  was  many  times  sent  to  the  state 
legislature  ;  died  in  1854.] 

7.  MARGAiiiOT,  [b.  Oct.  21,  1784,  m.  Keuben  .Smith.] 

8.  John,  [1).  July  25,  1787.] 

9.  Anna,  [b.  Sept.  27,  1780,  m.  John  M.  Gove.] 

10.  David,  [b.  Dec.  12,  1701,    m.    Koxy  Morse   of   this    town, 

June  7.  1818.  He  long  resided  in  Acworth,  where  he 
dit'd  April  H,  1800.] 

M()().\R. 

r4ARI)NER  JSIOOAR  came  here  fi'(.ni  Ilolli^  al>()ut  the  year  18.36. 
His  father.  .Jacol)  Mooar,  of  Hollis.  m.-ii-ried  Doiviis  A\'(M)d,  ot  thai  town 
May  2(1,  171l4.  Gardner  was  ])orn  hi  Hollis,  .Ian.  4,  17i)o,  and  married 
June  S,  1S2(),  Mary  Hardy,  daughter  of  Solomon  Hardy  of  Plollis,  and 
cousin  of  Luther  Hardy,  who  w.a.s  long  a  resident  of  this  town.  She 
died  in  Franeestown,  ISlay  8,  1840,  aged  48  years.  Gardner  Mooar 
was  hy  trade  a  cooper,  and  was  a  man  of  good  mental  capacity.  He 
lived  in  tlie  S.  I.  Bard  house,  which  stood  until  within  a  few  years  be- 
tween the  horse  sheds  and  the  late  residence  of  Caroline  Draper. 
He  also  occupied  the  house  now  rented  ])y  Oliver  St.  John.  He  died 
here  March  16,  18(;;3.     Children  were: — 

1.  Charles,  [b.  at  Hollis,  June  17,  1822,  graduated  at  Dart- 

mouth in  1848,  went  to  Covington,  Ky.,  where  he  com- 
meiu-ed  the  practice  of  law.  He  held  the  office  of  Judge 
of  the  Court  of  Kenton  county,  from  1858  to  1862,  was 
residing  in  1870  at  C'ovington,  Ky.] 

2.  Grant,  [b.  in  Hollis,  and  married   KoAvemi  Colburn  of  that 

town.      He  removed  to  Milford,  where  he  died.] 

3.  Alma  L.,  [b.  in   Hollis,    m.  James  M.  McCoy  of    Lowelb 

Mass.,  April  4,  1844.] 

MOODY. 

DANIEL  M(30DY  came  here  from  New  Boston  in  1871,  and  lived 
in  the  house  in  Mill  village  still  owned  by  him.  He  was  born  at 
Minot,  Me.,  Oct.  14,  1821,  by  vocation  a  wheel-wright.  He  married, 
(1st,)  Persis  A.  Marble  of  Poland,  Me.  She  died  at  Lowell,  Mass.,  Feb. 
18,  1801.  He  married,  (2nd,)  Nancy  M.  Jordan,  boiai  atDanVille,  Me., 
Nov.  17,1822,  date  of  marriage,  Sept.  20, 1S62.    Mr.  Moody  returned 


MOOliE.  841 

to  New    Boston    in    the  spring  of  ISDO,  where   lie   now    resides.     His 
children  were: — 

1.  Emma  R.,  [b.  in   Minot,  Me.,  Sept.  18,  1846,    d.   at    Minot, 

Sept.  20,  1864.] 

2.  George  F.,  [b.  in    ]\Iiiiot,  April  27,  1848,   is    a    tiaveling 

agent,  res.  in   Troy,  N.  Y.] 

3.  Augustus  B.,  [b.    at    Minot,  Me.,    1850,    res.  at    Bangor, 

Maine.] 

4.  Edward  D.,  [b.  in  Minot,  Me.,  April  28,1852,  m.,(lst,)Cora 

E.  Fislier  of  New  Boston,  Sept.  6,  1873,  (2n(l, )  Sarah  E. 
Cook  of  Leominster,  Mass.,  June  2,  1892;  res.  at  Leomins- 
ter, Mass.,  is  a  piano-frame  maker,  and  a  respected  citizen.] 

5.  Charles  A.,  [b.  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  Sept.  1, 1858,  m.   Emma 

Duncklee  of  Lyndeboro',  September.  1878,  is  a  tiaveling 
salesman;  res.  in  Stoneham,  Mass.] 

6.  Frank  A.,  [b.  in  Lowell,  Mass., Nov.  24,1860,  d.  at  Nashua, 

May  5,  1867.] 

JEKKMIAII  r..  MOODY,  son  of  Elisha  Moody  of  JJetlileliem,  eamc 
here  about  the  y(!ar  IS.'jS,  and  lived  in  the  Ilillburn  house,  near  the 
outlei.  of  Pleasant  pond,  nearly  five  years,  and  hence  is  entitled  to  a 
brief  notice  in  this  work.  He  is  said  to  have  come  hei'e  from  Hud- 
son, and  to  have  returned  to  that  town.  He  was,  during  his  stay  here, 
proprietor  of  the  "saw-mill  near  his  house.  His  wife  was  Dolly  B. 
Mack.  His  children,  none  of  whom  were  born  in  Francestown, 
were: — Annie  E.,  who  married  Stark  \Yebster  of  Manchester;  Sam- 
uel E.,  who  has  resided  at  Manchester  Center;  Sarah  A.,  who  mar- 
ried Daniel  Wheeler  ;  Mary,  who  died  of  diphtheria  in  this  town, 
Jan.  3,  ISGl,  aged  four  years  ;  Jay,  who  also  died  in  this  town  of  that 
dread  disease,  Feb.  2,  1861,  aged  two  years. 

MOORE. 

WILLIAM  MOORE  in  1793  lived  in  a  house  which  stood  on  the 
west  side  of  the  road,  a  short  distance  to  northward  of  the  residence 
of  -C'yrus  A.  Barrett.  William  or  "  Billy"  Moore,  was  a  teamster,  and 
was  a  man  of  courage  and  muscle.  On  one  occasion  when  on  his 
way  to  Boston  in  company  with  Dea.  James  Fisher,  whose  team  was 
in  advance  of  Mooi-e's  ;  a  coarse  fellow  was  met  who  ordered'  the  dea- 
gon  to  "turn  out  or  fight."'  "  I  am  not  a  fighting  man,"  returned  the 
worthy  church  official,  "  but  here  is  Billy  Moore,  who  would  as  soon 
fight  as  not."  The  doughty  stranger  scrutenized  for  a  moment  Bil- 
ly's superior  proportions  and    keen  willing  eye  and  quietly  gave  the 


842  GENEALOGIES. 

two  i;;eiitl('ni('ii  Iroiii  Frauccstown  onc-liall'  ol'  llic  lii^iiwiiy.  A\'ini;mi 
Moore  did  not  remain  liciv  many  years.  He  had,  at  least,  two  chil- 
dren:— 

1.  William,  \h.  Jan.  IT,  1780.] 

2.  Polly,  [b.  March  17,  1790.] 

Col.  Iir(;il  MOOliE  was  for  a  quarter  of  a  conlnrv  one  of  the 
most  proinineiil  men  in  town.  Was  especially  pi'ominent  in  military 
alfairs.  His  name  is  spelled  Moore,  More,  Moors,  but  is  properly 
:,nven  al)ove.  His  name  was  formerly  Hog*;.  James  Ilogg,  a  Scotch- 
man.  lived  in  the  north-east  part  of  Ii'ela-nd,  and  had  among  other 
children  two  sons,  Robert  and  Joseph,  who  came  to  America,  and  set- 
tled in  Londonderry,  N.  H.  Rol)ert  was  the  father  of  James  Hogg, 
selectman  in  Fi-ancestown  in  ]7S<'-7-S.  and  of  the  late  Abner  Hogg 
of  Xew  Boston.  Joseph  had  children.  Tliomas,  James,  William,  Hugh, 
Agnes,  Mary  and  Sarah,  though  not  in  (his  order.  Thomas,  William 
and  Hugh,  (sons  of  Joseph,)  had  their  names  changed  to  Moore. 
Thomae  Moore  settled  in  Washington,  was  the  father  of  Joseph 
Moore  of  Antrim,  and  drowned  liimself  about  LSiio.  ^vhen  under  the 
intluence  of  li(juor.  William,  son  of  Joseph,  was  b.  Oct.  10,  1770, 
married  Kachel  Moore  of  IJedford,  and  lived  and  died  in  that  town. 
Hugh,  son  of  Joseph,  and  cousin  of  Abner  Hogg,  Esqr.  of  Ncav  lios- 
ton,  though  some  twenty  years  younger,  was  born  near  the  close  of 
1783,  being  probaldy  the  youngest  of  the  family. 

His  sister,  Sarah,  whose  name  also  was  changed  to  Moore,  m.  Capt. 
William  Dickey  of  Hillsboro',  and  was  mother  of  the  late  John  Gilman 
Diidvcy  of  that  town.  Col.  Hugh  was  often  called  "■  Moore-Hogg"; 
and  his  friends  used  laughingly  to  tell  him  that  in  changing  the  name 
he  "had  not  imjjroved  the  matter  much."  The  family  were  smart  and 
respected,  and  this  so-called  "  joke"  did  not  hurt  them.  A  daughter 
of  Hugh  tells  me  that  her  Aunt  Agnes  m.  Thomas  Stuart  of  Ilenni- 
ker,  Ix'ing  his  second  v.ife.  The  history  of  that  town  wrongly  says 
"  Betsey"  Moore. 

Col.  Hugh  Moore,  tlien  known  as  "Capt.  Moore,"  marched  to  Ports- 
mouth with  a  company  of  a  liundred  men,  for  defence  of  that  place, 
in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  of  a  military  turn,  tail,  stately,  coura- 
gious,  and  full  of  life.  He  did  not  see  much  actual  service  in  battle, 
but  continued  to  be  conspicuous  in  military  circles,  and  seems  to  have 
held  the  commission  of  colonel  from  the  governor  for  several  years. 
He  held  a  "muster"  of  his  Regiment  "in  the  tield  of  Mrs.  Folly  Gib- 
son," Sept,  12,  1S21.  And  it  was  considered  a  "proud  day"  for  him  ! 

Col.  Moore  was  second  selectman  of  the  town  in  181(5,  and  for  the 
years- 1817,  1818  and  1819,  was  chairman  of  the  Board  and  Town 
Clerk  also.  He  held  many  smaller  ottices  from  time  to  time,  and  was 
tax-collector  at  the  time  of  his  death.     Was  a  genial,  laughing,  wide- 


MORGAN.  843 

awako  man;  was  also  a  fnic  sinuer,  and  taught  sioging-scliools  in  his 
best  (lays.  As  all  drank  li(jUoi'  at  that  date,  he  became  addicted  to 
the  habit,  and  it  proved  too  much  for  him  in  the  end;  and  being  partly 
deranged,  he  wandered  away  and  took  his  own  life.  This  occured  in 
the  last  of  August,  1S.-50.  He  rode  on  horse-back,  as  was  his  custom, 
and  wandered  in  this  way  into  the  town  of  Windsor;  went  into  a  pas- 
lure  and  tied  his  horse  on  the  Perkins  farm,  in  the  south  part  of  that 
town;  then  walked  across-lots  in  a  south-west  direction  till  he  came  to 
the  Ih'anch  river,  near  the  old  Burns  saw-mill  in  Antrim,  and  there 
hung  himself  to  a  ti'ce.  There  was  of  course  a  great  hunt  for  him; 
but  he  eould  not  be  found.  The  body  hung  two  weeks  in  the  hottest 
weather  and  was  fearfully  decayed,  when  it  was  found  by  some  girls 
will)  were  out  l)lackberi\ying,  and  who  were  almost  overcome  with 
fright  at  the  spectacle  ! 

The  liorse  nearly  starved  to  death  before  it  wore  off  its  halter  and 
was  free.  It  gnawed  a  large  beech  tree  nearly  off  in  its  hunger  and 
distress  ! 

Col.  ]Srooi-e  lived  on  what  is  now  known  as  the  Gillis  place,  situated 
in  the  preseni  limits  of  l^ennington,  it  being  a  part  of  the  tract  taken 
from  Francestown  in  1S4'2,  to  form  that  town.  He  m.  Polly  Forsaith 
of  Deering,  who  d.  Oct.  22^  isr)-2,aged  (Jo.     They  iiad  children: — 

1.  Mark,  [b.  Sept.  12,  1810  :  d.  Jan.  29,  1880  ;  num.] 

2.  Mary  A.,  [b.  Jan.  If),  181-t;  m.  William  H.  Hillbiun,  Aug. 

29, 1859;  now  living  near  Pleasant  pond  ;  no  children.] 

3.  Eliza,  [b.  Jan.  28,  1822,;  ni.  Amos   Wliittemore,  Oct.  21, 

1856;  d.  July  24,  1888  ;  no  children.      Her  linsband  died 
Feb.  8,  1880,  aged  07.} 

4.  Horace,  [b.  Oct.  28, 1825  ;  d,  July  22, 1848.] 

MORGAN. 

EPITl^AIM  MORGAN  was  born  in  Beverly,  Mass.,  July  ;],  1793. 
His  father  was  Ephraim  Morgan,  and  his  mother,  Sally,  daughter  of 
Kichard  Stanley  of  this  town.  When  eight  years  of  age  he  came  here 
to  live  in  the  family  of  John  Stanley,  with  whom  he  remained  several 
years,  and  was  afterward  employed  among  the  farmers  of  the  town, 
until  his  marriage  in  the  year  1821,  when  he  purchased  the  place  now 
occupied  liy  Henry  C.  ]Morrill,  upon  wliicli  lie  spent  the  remainder  of 
his  days.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was  Atty  Damon.  She  was 
born  ill  Asliby,  Mass.,  May  lo,  1800,  and  died  in  this  town,  Feb.  5, 
ISC.S.  Ho  died  here  March  22,  1873.  They  were  people  of  sterling 
worth,  diligent,  circumspect,  true  and  (iodly.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Charles,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  8,  1825;  m.,(  1st,) Mary 
Abbott  of  Beverly-,  Mass.     She  died  in  tliis  town,  Dec.  9, 


844  GENEALOGIES. 

1850,  ag-ed  20  years.  He  married, (2n(l,)Laviiia  Monroe 
of  IlillsboiT)',  who  survived  liini.  Cliarles  Morgan  was  by 
vocation  a  shoemaker.  After  a  lesidenee  of  one  year  in 
Beverly,  he  returned  to  this  town,  sctthMJ  upon  tlie  home- 
stead and  died  here  Nov.  8,  1850.      His  cliihheii  were: — 

Marij  Anrus^{h.  in  Francestown,  Dec  20,  1848,  m.  James 
'!'.  I>ixl)y,  Se])t.  8,  1809,  res.  in  this  town,  is  a  hidy  of 
skill  antl  taste  in  music,  of  which  she  is.  a  teacher  widely 
known.) 

C/iarh's  1^,(1).  in  Francestewn,  m.  "Nellie  (hiy  of  Ilillshoro*, 
res.  in  Ilillshoro".)] 
2.  Francis  H., [b.  in  Franccsiow  n,  Dec.  25,  182(3,  m.  Martha  E. 
LeP.osquet  of  Nottingliam,  N.  11.,  Nov.  29,  180(J.  His 
niinoril\'  and  much  of  his  early  maidiood  \\ere  speiit  in 
this  town.  He  was  superintendent  of  schools  in  1861-62, 
aiul  represented  Francestown  in  the  legislature  of  1862-63. 
He  was  appointed  by  Secretaiy  Chase  to  a  clerkship  in 
the  Treasury  Department  at  Washington,  which  })osition 
he  held  for  more  than  twenty  years,  when  he  Avas  com- 
pelled by  ill  health  to  resign.  In  1871,  he  was  sent  to 
London,  England,  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasiuy,  as 
custodian  of  U.  S.  bonds  to  the  amount  of  '$10,000,000  to 
be  placed  upon  the  market  in  England.  Pie  was  thus 
given  an  opportunity  to  visit  Paris  and  other  Europ)ean 
cities.  It  must  also  be  mentioned  that  he  was  elected  a 
,  delegate  from  New  Hampshire,  to  the  National  Republi- 
can Convention,  holden  at  Chicago,  in  1860,  and  there 
supported  Abraham  Lincoln  as  candidate  for  the  presi- 
dency. He  was  moreover  a  manager  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Soldier's  Aid  Society  at  Washington,  during  the 
war  of  the  Rebellion.  He  died  at  Washington,  D.  C, 
Sept.  20,  1886.     His  children   were: — 

Franch  P.,(b.  in  Danbury,  N.  H.,  Dec.  25,  1867.) 

AUce,{\).  in  Washington,  D.  C,  Nov.  14,  1869,  d.  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  March  14,  1875.) 

Florence,  {h.  in  Washington,  Jan.  10,  1872,  d.  in  Washington, 
D.  C,  March  14, 1875.) 

Charle8,(h.  in  Washington,  D.  C,  June  29,  1874.) 

Mari/,(h.  in  Washington,  D.  C,  Dec.  24,  1879.)] 


MORGAN.  845 

3.  Gerry,  [1).  in  Fiancestown,  Aug.  10,    1828,  m.    Mary  J. 

Strong-  of  Boston,  Mass.,  April  17,  1861.  He  remained 
at  home  until  he  attained  Ids  majority.  In  Novendjer, 
1849,  he  sailed  for  San  Fi'ancisco,  California,  where  he 
arrived  in  June  of  the  following  year.  He  was  for  a 
number  of  years  engaged  in  mining  and  stock-raising  in 
California.  In  September,  1808,  he  was  elected  Register 
and  ex-officio  auditor  of  Nevada  county,  which  office  he 
held  until  March,  18*)G,  when  he  returned  home  by  the 
way  of  the  Istlimus.  He  after^\'ard  lived  a  short  time  in 
Francestown,  occupying  the  house  now  ow^ied  by  Nathan 
H.  Wood.  Pie  subsecjuently  removed  to  Andover,  N.  H., 
where  lie  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  pegs.  Dur- 
ing his  residence  in  Andover  he  was  twice  elected  to  the 
legislature.  He  was  the  lirst  advocate  of  free  text  books 
foi'  school  chiUben,  and  continued  to  agitate  the  measure 
through  the  press  and  the  legislature,  until  it  was  adopted 
by  the  legislatures  of  Massachusetts,  Maine  and  New 
Hampshire.  He  has  lived  during  the  last  fourteen  years 
in  Fryeburg,  Me.,  and  has,  in  com})any  witli  his  brother, 
Augustus,  owned  and  superintended  a  peg  manufactor}^ 
at  Bartlett,  N.  H.,  in  which  he  is  still  interested.  His 
children  arfe:  Minnie  Therei<a^  Alice  Evelyn^  3Inhel  Auc/us- 
ta,   William  Gerri/^  Grace  Evangeline.'] 

4.  Augustus  E..[b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Lydia  (iordon  of  Hen- 

ruker,  is  in  company  with  his  brother,  Gerry,  in  Bartlett. 
He  has  a  residence  in  Nashua.] 

5.  John,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  20,  1881,  m.  Sarah  Neville, 

of  New  Boston  ;  was  by  vocation  a  photographer  ;  resided 
a  number  of  years  at  New  Boston,  d.  at  Bartlett,  Dec. 
20,  1891.] 

6.  Theresa,  [b.  in  Francestown,  July  22,  1836,  m.  James  H. 
.    Stari'ett  of  Francestown,  Nov.  12,  1860,  res.  in  this  town.] 

7.  Augusta  M.,  [b.  in    Francestown,  May  22,    1838,  was    a 

dress-maker,  and  resided  in  tins  town.  She  died  lieie, 
April  7,1888.] 

JOSIAH  MOIKIAN,  son  of  Josiah  and  Kebecca  (Whiting)  Morgan, 
lived  on  the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  b}^  Eri  Harvey.  His 
father  was,  in  1814,  when  he  married    Kebecca  Whiting,  a  resident 


846  GENEAL(>(;iKS. 

of  A-^orinonl.  .Tosiah  mari-ittl,  Feb.  14.  ls;;7.  Mai'v  'riuinipson  of  Fraii- 
cestown.  Ill"  ix'inovcd  i'roni  town  about  the  ycai'  IS.';;,  lo  llockton, 
111.,  wliere  he  died,  March  lo,  IS'.IO.  Ilis  wife  died  in  ijocklon,  111.,  in 
ISS.-).     Their  children  were:  — 

1.  Frances  A.,  [b.  in   Fraiicestowii,  Jnl\-  "2.').  l,S4ti,  m.   Ileniy 

H.   llcaly  of  Providence,   R.  I.,   Marcli   29,  IcSd;"),   res.  in 
Providence,  I*.  I.] 

2.  Julia  A.,[li.  in  l-'rancestown.  d.  in  Kocklon,  111.] 

0.  William,  [1).   in    Franceslown.  -Mvas    killed""  on    ilu-  Clii- 

cago  &  Nortiiwestern  K.    IJ..  in    1803.] 
4.   Ella  F.,[1).  in  Iloekton,  111.,  married  Enieiy  F.  Sliarp,  July 
6,  187(k  riis.  in  Beloit,  Wisconsin.] 

ZAClIAIilAII  MORGAN,  a  ])rothcr  of  .losiah.  livd  a  siiuii  time  in 
this  town. 

MOP  RILL. 

HUGH  MOrillILL  came  here  in  1771.  and  beuan  on  tlu;  McLane 
place,,  where  he  remained  fourteen  years.  His  father,  Robert  Mor- 
rill, found  a  home  with  him  during  his  I'esideuce  here.  In  17S4,  lie 
removed  to  Connecticut,  and  two  years  later  (17S())to  !N"ew  York. 

HENRY  CALVIN  MOREILL,  who  now  resides  on  the  Morgan 
place,  was  born  in  Loudon,  Oct.  ll,l.S-27.  His  father,  Oliver  Went- 
wortli  Morrill  of  Loudon,  was  born  Jan.  10,  1S04,  and  mai-ried  Mary 
Sargent,  Nov.  2:5,  lS2n.  She  was  born  July  28,  1803.  Henry  C.  Mor- 
rill married  Mary  Jane  Mon-ison,  Nov.  22,  1853.  She  was  born  in 
Dublin,  N.  II.,  Aug.  20,  1834.  Her  2)arents  were  Joseph  and  Mary 
(Burns)  Morrison,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass., 
April,  1810,  the  latter  was  born  in  Dublin,  Aug.  11,  1811.  Mr.  Mor- 
rill came  hei'c  in  1S74,  and  purchased  the  place  on  which  he  now  re- 
sides. He  and  his  wife  are  industrious  and  worthy  people.  An  adopted 
child:— 

1.  Ralph  Milton,  [b.  in  New  Boston,  Dec.  20, 1877.] 

JOHN  MORRILL  was  ])orn  in  Nottingham.  July  14, 1846.  His  father, 
whose  name  was  also  John,  was  the  son  of  John  Morrill  of  Deering, 
and  therefore  the  Ijrother  of  Mrs.  David  Brown  of  this  town.  Tlie 
mother  of  John,  of  Francestown,  was  Lydia(I-Iall) Morrill  of  Notting- 
ham. Both  .lohn  and  his  wife  died  at  Fremont,  N.  II.  John  Morrill 
was  married,  Aug.  14.  1871,  to  Kate  G.  Johnson,  daughter  of  (ieorge 
C.  and  Marv(I)avis) Johnson  of  Hooksett,  where  she  was  born,  Oct. 
14,  18.54.  Tiie}'  came  here  from  Manchester  in.  1879,  and  purchased 
the  place   upon  which  the}'  now  live.     During  the  war  of  the  Rebel- 


MOKSE.  847 

lion,  Mr.  Morrill  served  in  the  nav}-,  entering  the  service  in  February, 
1864.  He  is  by  vocation  a  quarrynian,  also  a  farmer.  His  children 
are: — 

1.  Charles  luvixi;,  [b.  at  Manchester  May  28, 1872,  res  with 

his  parents."! 

2.  Pearl  May,  [b.  in  Francestown,  March  24.  1887.] 

MOnSE. 

TIMOTHY  MOUSE,  was  a  deccndant  of  Samuel  Morse,  wlio  emi- 
grated from  England  in  HVoi),  and  settled  tii'st  in  Walcrlown,  and 
afterward  in  Dedham,  and  when  the  town  of  Medtield  w;is  incorpo- 
rated, became  a  resident  of  that  place.  In  truth  Saniuid  was  foremost 
in  the  enterprise  when  Dedham  was  settled  in  l();>(;-7.  and  was  a  se- 
lectman of  the  town  in  1040-42,  and  also  (own  trc  j.sui-ci'.  The  house 
built  by  him  in  Medfield  was  the  first  '■■llred  "  l)y  Ihc  Indians  when 
they  burned  Medflcld,  Feb.  21,  l()7o.  His  '^  wife  Kli/.nlxiJi/'  to  whom 
he  was  married  in  Englnad,  was  forty-eight  years  of  age  at  the  time  of 
their  emigration.  Beyond  this,  little  is  known  of  her,  save  that  she 
survived  jiim,  and  receivcil  l)y  will,  "thai  little  estate  of  outward  things 
which  the  good  Lord  had  been  pleased  to  bestow"  u])on  Samuel. 
She  died  at  Medlield,  Mass.,  ,Iune  20,  l(;o4,  aged  CT  yeiir-.  SanuieU 
Morse  was  born  in  P^ngland  in  loSo  ami  died  at  Medlleid.  April  '>A^'>oA. 
His  son  John2,  born  in  IGll,  removed  to  Boston,  an  1  (lie<l  in  lOoT. 
Ezra3,  son  of  .lohn-,  was  liorn  in  Dedham  in  1(1!  !,  m.  .Toanna 
Hoare,and  die(l  nr  lOKT;  Ezra  •*,  liis  son  was  born  at  Dedham,  Jan. 
2S,  1671,  and  died  Oct.  17.  17()();^  John'"',  son  of  Ezra,  was  born  Nov. 
10,  1703,  and  married  Mary  Guile,  and  died  Nov.  22.  17.".().  John^, 
son  of  John5,  and  Mary  was  born,  Sept.  12.  1727,  maiiied  JJebccea 
Gay,  May  21,  17.V2,  and  died  Xov.  2;i,  ISOl.  Timoiliy  Morse  was  the 
son  of  Johns  and  Rebecca  (Gay)  Moi-se.  and  w;i^  born  as  Dedham, 
Sept.  8,  17r)9.  He  was  a  Ilevolutionary  soldiei-,  ;uiil  also  did  military 
duty  during  Shay's  Rel)eHion,  and  was  captain  in  the  militia.  He 
married,  Nabby  Dean,  daughter  of  Nathaniel  Dean  of  Dedham,  Mass., 
Oct.  25,  1786.  She  was  born,  Nov.  22,  1764.  He  came  to  Frances- 
town  from  Dedham,  Mass.  inl7S;).and  scIIIcmI  u]ion  tlie  farm  now  held 
by  his  grandson,  John  G.  Morse,  in  the  eastern  pait  <>!  the  town;  here 
he  died,  Sept.  22,  1824;  his  wife  survived  him  many  years;  her  death, 
which  occurred  at  her  home  in  Francestown,  wgs  on  May  9,  1853. 
Their  children,  (the  tirst  two  born  in  Dedham,  the  other  three  in  this 
town),  were: — 

1.  Abigail,  [b.  August  1.  1787,  d.  in    Francestown.  March 

1,  188;").] 

2.  Mark,  [b.  June  29,  1789,  m.  Rebecca  Campbell  of  Fran- 


848  gp:nealogies. 

cestown  in  1811,  and  succeeded  Ids  fatlier  upon  the  home 
estate:  he  was  an  energetic  man,  a  prudent  manager,  and 
was  extensively  engaged  in  farndng.  He  died  Nov.  21, 
1860;  his  wife  died  in  Coiiord.  April  20,  1884.  Child- 
ren were: — 

Lncretla  Don%(h.  at  Francestown,  March  7,  1812,  m.  Oliver 
Holmes  of  F'rancestewn,  Aug.  9,  1832,  d.  in  Boston.) 

Mason  Willlaw,,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Nov:  17,  1S13,  m.  Abby 
P.  G.  P]'icst  of  Boston,  Nov.  17,  1839.  lie  early  in  life 
slioweil  a  good  business  capacity,  and  was  foi-  many  years 
a  piomincnt  merchant  in  Boston;  he  now  resides  in  Fran- 
cestown. ) 

Mark  EI  J  !>■■,{]).  in  Francest(M\  ii,  ]\Iay  lo,  ISl('),  is  a  manu- 
fa.ctui-('i-  of  agricultural  implements,  m.  l^lnlena  Kelley 
of  Macpiokta.  la.,  res.  in   Michigan. ) 

JiiHd  Lmir  r(i.{h.  in  Francestown,  April  7.1  Si  8,  m.  Frank- 
lin (ialc  of  Concord,  June  1,  1846.) 

Jtilni  (jrr/»ii'i<.(h.  in  FraneestoMii,  June  14.  1820,  m.,(lst,) 
Laurilla  H.  Bradford,  Dec.  8,  1  846  ;'(2nd,)  Boxy  P.  Brad- 
ford, Sept.  17,  1854 ;  has  always  lived  upon  the  farm 
owned  by  his  grandfather  and  his  father,  and  is  one  of  the 
snl)stantial  men  of  the  town  ;  has  sei'ved  u[)on  its  board 
of  selectnu'ii.  l)esides  repi-esenting  it  in  tlic  state  legisla- 
ture. Child  by  first  mai-riage,  born  at  Fiancestown: — 
Jolin  McCee,  b.  June  1,  1848,  resides  in  Francestowii. 
Has  scr ^•cd  very  accepta])ly  upon  the  board  of  supervis- 
ors, and  is  now  one  of  the  selectmen  of  the  town.  Children 
by  second  mariage,  all  horn  an  Francestown: — Addie 
Laurilla,  ]>.  Dec.  25,  1856,  res.  in  Amherst;  Ella  Fran- 
ces, b.  Dec.  3.  1858.  d.  at  Francestown,  March  17,  1883. 
Martlia  Bradford,  b.  Oct.  25,  1862,  m.  Myron  P.  Swallow 
of  Groton,  Mass.,  Jan.  24,  1889;  Annie  Maiia.  b.  June 
14,  1866;  Julia  Gale,  h.  Oct.  5,  1869:  Hannah  Campbell, 
I).  Oct.  5, 1873,  d.  April  7,  1882.) 

Levi  Bixb//^(h.  in  Francestown,  (~)ct.  1,  1823,  m.  Marion  N. 
Parker  of  Fjancestown,  Nov.  29,  1847,  res.  in  Boston, 
Mass.) 

Ti/iioth//  .De(nu{h.  in   Francestown,  Sept.  30.  1825,  m.  Ade- 


MORSE.  H-tO 

line  Haseltiiie  of  Francestown,  Marcli  9,  1850,(1.  in   Fran- 
cestown,  Jan.  20,  1867.) 
Frances  Adelaide,  (h.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  1,  1828,  m.  Amo.s 
Blancliard  of  Concord,  d.  in  Concord.) 

3.  JLTLiA,[b.  Ang.  8,  1791,  d.  in   Francestown,  Feb.  24,  1819.] 

4.  RoxY,[b.   July   15,    1793,    ni.    David   Monig'oniery    of    Ac- 

worth,  d.  in  Concord,  Aug.  10,  1888.] 

5.  MASON,[b.  June  15,  1797,  d.  in   Paramaribo,  S.  A..  Jan.  17, 

1830.] 

JACOB  MORSE  was  of  the  f<ixlli  geiieralion  from  Aiilhony  Morse, 
who  was  born  in  Marlborough,  Wiltshire,  England,  May  9,  1G06,  and 
emigrated  to  America  in  1635,  being  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  New- 
bury, Mass.  We  read  in  a  biographical  sketch  of  Anthony,  that  "he 
was  called  to  public  trusts  of  civil  and  sacred  character,  reared  pious 
and  distinguished  children,  and  led  a  long  life  of  strict  integrity  and 
hunil)le  piety.  The  character  of  his  descendants  is  an  eulogium  ui)on 
his  piety."  lie  was  twice  married.  His  death  occurred  at  Newbur}^, 
Oct.  12,  IGHtj.  William  and  Robert  Morse,  brothers  of  Anthony,  also 
settled  at  Newbury.  Samuel  Finlay  B.  Morse,  the  inventor  of  the 
Magnetic  Telegraph,  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  Anthony,  being  the 
son  of  Rev.  Jedidiah  Morse.  D.  I),  of  Charlestown,  Mass.,  who  has 
been  called  the  father  of  American  Geogi'aphy.  Benjamin^  the  sec- 
ond son  of  Anthony^,  was  a  deacon  of  the  church  in  Newbury;  he 
married  Ruth  Sawyer,  and  had  by  this  marriage,  Joseph^,  who  mar- 
ried Lydia  Plummer,  Jan.  4,  1G88,  and  died  at  Casco  Bay,  Sept.  9, 
1745.  Joseph4,his  son  was  born,  April  .30,  1700,  married  Patience 
Peacock,  April  17,  1727,  and  died  Dec.  21,  1755.  Obadiahs,  son  of 
Joseph  and  Patience,  was  born  Aug.  15,  17.38.  He  removed  from  Me- 
thucn,  Mass.  to  Lyndeboro',  Avhere  he- resided  many  years.  He  with 
his  wife,  Lydia  (Myrick)  Morse,  finally  removed  to  Vermont,  where 
they  died.  Jacob «,  was  the  son  of  Obadiah  and  Lydia  (Myrick) 
Morse.  He  came  here  from  Lyndeboro'  about  the  year  1807,  and 
lived  in  the  house  which  long  stood  where  is  now  the  residence  of 
John  Shattuck.  He  also  lived  in  the  south  part  part  of  the  town. 
His  wife  was  Lydia  Senter  of  Lyndeboro'.  She  died  in  this  town, 
Jan.  14,  1865,  aged  84  years.  Jacob  removed  to  New  Boston,  where 
he  died  about  the  year  1828.     Children  were: — 

1.  WiLLAKD,  [b.  in  Francestown,  married,  d.  at  Hartford,  Ct.] 

2.  Daniel,  [b.    in    Francestown,   m.    Hannah    Huntington   of 

Francestown,  d.  here,  June  1,  1864,  aged  63  years;  bis 
wife  d.  at  Ljmdeboro',  Aug.  15,  1863,  aged  61  years.  He 
lived  on  several  places  in  this  town.  Children  were: — 


850  GENEALOGIES. 

Daviil,  (1).  ill  Fnuicestown,  ni.,  (1st,)  Lenora  Kendall  of 
Orange;  (-lul,)  Laura  Garland  of  Alexandria,  res.  in 
?klaiislield,  Mass.] 

Mar// J..{]).  in  Francestown,  ni.  Albert  Tenney  of  Alexan- 
dria, d.   in  Alexandria.] 

01ii\\{\).  ill  Wliitelield,  ni.  Ilosea  .Jewell,  of  Franeestown,  d. 
in    Deeriiig-,  Feb.  1,  1854.] 

L//di((,{h.  in  l^'i-aiicestown;  ni.  Iliraiii  Kendall,  of  Bristol,  d. 
at  Bristol.) 

3Iarf.a  A.,(]).  in  Franeestown,  res.  in  Coiieoid.  uiini.) 

IIannah^(\).\\\  Franeestown,  died  in  New  Boston.) 

Snutn  El''Z(thet]i^{h.  in  Franeestown,  Dec.  9,1841,  m.  I).  N. 
Bntlerlield  of  Xew  Boston,  Get.  22,  1862,  d.  at  New  IU)s- 
ton,  Sept.  30,  1874.) 

Mark  i7.,(b.  at  Franeestown,  Oct.  22,  1843,  m.  Sarah  E.  Har- 
ris of  LA'ndcboro',  Jan.  30,  1871,  res.  in  Lyndeboro'.)] 

3.  MAi;Y,[b.  in   Franeestown,  ni.  He/.ekiali  Colby  of  Hooksett, 

d.  in  Pembroke.] 

4.  RKBECGA,[b.  in  Franeestown,  Nov.  14,  1806,  ni.  Aug.  11, 

1829,  David  Upton  of  Mont  Vernon,  res.  in  Mont 
Vernon.] 

5.  Lavinia, [b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Solomon  Avery  of  Fran- 

eestown, d.  Aug-.  4, 1889.] 

6.  SusAX,  [b.    in  Francestown.  Aug.  8,  1810,    m.     Samuel  N. 

Tucker  of  Francestown,  Jan.  22,  1835,  res.  in  Frances- 
town.] 

7.  Leonard,  [b.  in  Francestown,  m.,  (1st,)  Pliadje  Smitli  of 

P\ancestown,(2nd,)  Elizabeth  Carkin  of  Lyndeboro',  lived 
for  a  number  of  3'ears  in  the  south  part  of  the  town,' 
was  by  vocation  a  farmer,  d.  at  Stoddard.  His  first  wife 
died  at  Manchester.  He  had  by  his  first  marriage  tliree 
children  ;  they  ai'c: — 

Helen  A.^ih.  at  Francestown,  Aug.  28, 1847,  m.  (1st,)  Ons- 
low Hoyt  of  Francestown,  (2nd,)  Charles  H.  Dodge  of 
Friuosstown,  re^.  at  Hillsboro'  Bridge.) 

Renr// B.  F.,{h.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  22,  1849,  m.  Ida  A. 
(Mills) Kimball  of  Deering,  Aug.  19,  1871,  is  employed 
at  the  soapstone  quarry ;    has  one  child,  Cora  E.,  b.  at 


NESMITH.  85 1 

Deering,    July    3,  1872;  m.  Fred  J.  Cleaves  of   Antrim, 
Dec,  12,  1891,  res.  at  Antrim.) 
Harriet  i^.,( married   Warren  Ames  of  Milford  in   1871,  res. 
in  Waldeboro',  Maine.)] 

8.  Hannah,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  1,  1817,  m.  Levi  P.  Bai- 

ley, Dec.  17,1840,  res.  in  Lyndeboro'.] 

9.  Julia,  [b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Aaron  Holden  of  New  Ips- 

wich, res.  in  Lyndeboro'.] 

TIMON  M.  MOUSE  came  here  from  Manchester  in  1824,  and  lived 
ten  years  on  the  Jonathan  I'atch  place,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town. 
He  was  horn  in  South  Newbury  in  October,  1824.  His  father,  Col. 
Jeremiah  Morse,  was  long  a  resident  of  South  Xewburj',  He  was 
three  times  married,  and  had  nine  children.  He  died  in  South  New- 
bury, March,  189;"),  aged  93  years,  and  it  is  worth}'  of  mention  that  he 
was  the  oldest  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  New  Hampshire.  Timon  Morse 
married,  (1st,)  Hannah  (Poor)  Boynton.  She  died  in  this  town,  Aug. 
22,  1884,  aged  58;  (2nd,)Minda  Whiting  of  Amherst.     He  removed  to 

Medford,  Mass.,  where  he  now  resides.     Children: — 

1.  Will  C,  [b.  in   Manchester,  May  5,  1851,  m.  Matilda  H. 

Russell   of    Manchester,  Sept.  17,  1874,  resided  a  short 
time  with  his  })arents  in  Francestown,  removed   to  Med- 
ford, whei'e  he  died  June.  20,  1888.     His  children  are: — 
Carrie  Louise,  (b.  in  Manchester,  Feb.  23,  1877.) 
Plurner  Ervitu/,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  4,  1879.) 

2.  Carrie  eJosEPHiNE,  [k  in  Manchester    in    18G0;  died  in 

Manchester;  aged  6  years. 

NESMITH. 

The  earliest  representatives  of  this  family,  of  whom  we  have  a  cer- 
tain knowledge,  emigrated  from  Scotland  to  the  valley  of  the  river 
Bann,  in  Ireland,  in  the  year  1C90.  Three  brothers,  Thomasi,  Johni 
and  James  1  Nesmith,  it  is  believed  were  the  first  to  come  to  America. 
The  first  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  and  was  living  near  Philadelphia  in 
17o0.  The  second  also  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  Some  of  his  de- 
scendants are  now  living  in  Waverly,  Ohio.  James^,  whose  name  ap- 
pears upon  the  memorial  to  Gov.  Shutc  of  Massachusetts,  March  26, 
1718,  was  one  of  the  first  sixteen  settlers  in  Londonderry,  where  he  lo- 
cated, April  22,  1719,  being  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  town.  He 
married  in  Ireland,  Elizabeth  McKean,  daughter  of  James  and  Janet 
(Cochran)  McKean.  She  died  in  Londonderry,  April  29,  17(13,  aged 
(37  years.      He    was    appointed  one  of   the  elders  of  the  West  Parish 


852  GENEALOGIKS. 

church  in  Londonderry  at  its  formation  in  Iho  year  1739,  being  con- 
sidered a  sturdy,  capable  and  worthy  man.  lie  died  May  9,  17G7, 
aged  7;j  years.  He  was  the  fatlier  of  nine  children,  two  of  whom 
were  born  in  Ireland;  Arthur,  his  eldest  son  died  in  infancy  in  Ire- 
land, James2,  his  second  son  was  born  in  Ireland,  Aug.  4, 1718.  He 
married  Mary  Dinsmoor,  dau.  of  Robert  Dinsmoor  of  AVindham,  and 
settled  in  Londonderry.  He  was  the  father  of  James^,  born  in  1744, 
who  was  the  father  of  Robert  of  Francestown;  Benjamin,  the  young- 
est child  of  Jamesi,  married  Agnes  (.Tilmore,  daughter  of  James  Gil- 
more  of  Londonderry. 

ROBERT  XESMITIT  was  the  son  of  James  ami  Mary  (McClure) 
Nesmith  of  Londonderry,  who  were  th(>  parents  of  eight  children, 
Robert  being  the  fouilh.  William  M.,  Ihe  youngest  of  the  famil}^, 
was  the  lather  of  Hon.  James  \V.  Nesmith,  who  was  United  States 
Senator  from  Oregon.  Robert  Xesmith  began  here  about  the  year 
1(S00,  on  the  jjlace  now  owned  by  Amasa  Downs.  He  built  the  old 
house  which  stood  very  near  where  Mr.  Downs'  house  now  stands,  and 
which  was  pulled  down  by  Mr.  Downs.  He  also  had  a  blacksmith 
shop  a  few  rods  north  of  the  house,  for  he  was  by  trade  a  blacksmith. 
He  was  one  of  the  earliest  postmasters  in  this  town;  and  remained  in 
office  fifteen  3-ears.  He  married  Roxana  King,  \yho  died  here,  Feb.  23, 
1871,  aged  90  3ears.  He  died  here,  Dec.  "21, 1823,  after  an  illness  of 
three  years,  aged  43.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Go\YiN  GiLMORE,  [was  a  blacksniitli,  lived  with  his  mother 

on  the  phice  left  by  his  father;  d.  here,  Sept.  21,  1873.] 

2.  Sylvanus,  [died  here  Nov.  26,  1851,  aged  45;  was  unmar- 

ried.] 

3.  Hika:m,  [died  in  this  town,  Se])t.  14,  1846  ;  was  unmarried.] 

NEWTON. 

MOSES  XEWTON  came  here  from  Bennington  in  1818.  He  mar- 
ried Olive  Kemp,  daughter  of  Asa  Kemp  of  this  town.  His  early  home 
was  in  Hubbardston,  Mass.  He  also  resided  in  Alexandria,  N.  H. 
He  lived  several  years  on  the  Asa  Kemp  place,  and  on  the  Billings 
place  on  Bullard  hill  ;  he  afterward  re-crossed  the  line  into  Benning- 
ton, but  returned  and  spent  his  last  days  in  this  town;  his  home  being 
the  present  residence  of  Mrs.  Almira  Kemp.  He  died  Jan.  31,  1877, 
aged  84  years.  His  wife  also  died  in  this  town,  Mayil,  1869,  aged  73 
years.     His  first  two  children  died  vei-y  young;  the  others  were: — ■ 

1.  Samuel  P.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  June  29,  1819,  m.  Mary 
E.  True  of  Francestown,  Dec.  10,  1846.  She  died  in  this 
town,  June  6,  1890.     Mv.  Newton  lias  since  his  marriasre 


NEWTON.  853 

lived  oai  the  place  now  occupied  by  him  and  his  son-in- 
law,  Sewell  Brown.  He  is  by  trade  a  mason;  as  a  neigh- 
bor and  a  citizen,  his  reputation  is  of  the  best,  and  his  ex- 
cellent memory  aiid  considerable  knowledge  of  the  earl}^ 
residents  have  been  helpful  to  us  in  the  preparation  of 
this  work.      His  children  were  all  born  in  Franciestown: — 

Harriet  A.,  {h.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  7;  1847,  m.  Ejihraim 
Fuller  of  Deering,  June  1,  1871,  res.  in  Globe,  Arizona.) 

Mia  S.,  (b.  May  19,  1850,  m.  (1st)  Harrison  H.  Hardy  of 
this  town,  Jan.  19.  18G9,  (2nd,)  Sewell  S.  Brown  of  Fran- 
cestown, June  17,  1891.) 

Geori/e  A.,(h.  Sept.  9,  1852,  m.  Alice  Wilson  of  Globe,  Ari- 
zona, Oct.  12,  1881  ;  after  learning  the  jeweler's  trade  in 
Bennington,  he  went  west,  and  resided  in  several  states 
of  that  section.  He  finally  removed  to  Arizona,  and  be- 
came one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Globe,  where  he  estab- 
lished himself  in  the  jewelry  business,  and  also  purchased 
a  ranch  in  that  vicinity.) 

Carrie  M.,(b.  Nov.  12,  1856,  m.  John  C.  Gardner  of  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.,  Dec.  15,  1881,  res.  in  Cambridge.) 

Ilarrij  a.,{h.  Jan.  18,  1866.) 

2.  Heniiv,  [b.    ill    Francestown,    December,   1821,  m.  Emih' 

Blauchard  of  Greenfield,  and  settled  in  Bennington  ;  is  by 
vocation  a  farmer.] 

3.  AsENATH,  [b.  ill    Francestown,  Dec.  27.  1823,  m.  Horace 

Belcher  of  Francestown,  and  res.  in  Francestown.] 

4.  Almira,  [b.   in    Francestown,   February,  1826,  d.  in   Ben- 

nington, August,  1847.] 

5.  Harvcii  //.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  16,  1829,  m.    Louisa 
•      Gould  of  Greenfield,  July  4,  1855.      She  was  born  in  Green- 
field, Nov.  21,  1832,  being  the  daughter  of  Richard  Gould 
of  that  town.      Mr.  Newton   lived  on   the  place  in  Dist. 

■  No.  1,  now  owned  by  his  widoAV,  here  he  died,  Nov.  4, 
1873.      His  children  were: — 

Loiiisa  F.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  May  5,  1856,  m.  Latimer  E'oote 
of  Francestown,  d.  here  May  16,  1879.) 

Ljidia  S.,{\).  at  P'rancestown.  Oct.  22,  I860,  d.  in  Frances- 
town.  Oct.  23,  1873.) 


854  GENEALOGIES. 

Cora  J.^  (b.  in  Fraiicesiown,  May  6,  1861,  m.  Byron  Richard- 
son of  Greenfield,  wliere  she  for  a  time  resided.) 

Charles  II.,{h.  in  Francestovvn,  Jnl}^  31,  1863,  res.  in  Man- 
chester. ) 

Myra  X., (b.  April  8,  1867  in  Francestown,  ni.  Fi-uih  Paige 
of  Manchester,  res.  in  Francestown.) 

Martha  E.,{h.  March  15,  1871.)] 

EDWARD  ALBERT  NEWTON,  sou  of  Henry  Newton,  came  here 
to  live  on  tlie  John  Collins  place  in  ISS")..  In  the  summer  of  1887,  the 
liouse  upon  tli(>  place  Avas  burned,  and  the  present  house  was  built  by 
Mr.  Newton  in  the  following;  autumn.  He  was  born  in  Bennington, 
Nov.  i),  18(51,  and  married,  May  2.'),  188;"),  Alice  M.  Keyser.  She  was 
born  in  Alexandria,  July  22,  18G8.  Their  only  child  is  : — 
1.   MAUiiiCECtJOSBY,  [b.  in  Francestown,  May  3,  1890] 

NICHOLS. 

SAMUEL  NICHOLS  was  the  ^'second  settler"  in  what  is  now 
Francestown,  locating  on  the  McCaine  place,  south  of  the  "first  set- 
tler," John  Carson,  in  1760.  It  has  been  said  Nichols  was  a  relative 
of  Carson.  He  was  a  sturly  Scotchman,  and  firm  Presbyterian;  but 
he  went  cordially  into  the  Union  church  in  1700.  He  was  born  in  the 
Scotch  part  of  Ireland,  came  directly  to  this  place,  and  brought  a 
young  wife,  whom  he  seems  to  have  married  in  Londonderry.  Four 
brothers  by  the  name  of  Nichols — Thomas,  Daniel,  Adam  and  John, 
settled  in  Antrim;  and  Samuel  of  this  town  was,  it  seems,  a  brother, 
(or  possibly  cousin)  of  these.  Samuel  was  the  oldest,  and  the  others 
came  along  into  this  vicinity  as  soon  as  old  enough  to  come.  Thomas 
and  Adam  married  Francestown  girls.  Each  of  the  brothers  had  a 
son  SaniueJ,  and  the  families  repeated  the  household  names  generally, 
much  to  our  confusion.  And  all  these  brothers,  except  Daniel,  who 
suddenly  died  in  Antrim,  went  to  New  York  together,  or  nearly  at  the 
same  time.  For  other  notice  of  Samuel  Nichols,  see  page  21.  He 
was  a  keen,  useful,  fearless  man.  Was  one  of  the  wealthiest  in  town, 
as  appears  by  the  tax-list  of  1772.  His  name  is  found  on  various  pe- 
titions of  the  eai'ly  settlers,  and  on  various  committees,  indicating  that 
he  was  a  man  of  standing  and  influence.  He  moved  to  Holland  Pur- 
chase, New  York,  in  1801);  his  son,  John,  and  two  other  of  the  chil- 
dren remaining  here  a  few  years  longer.  The  children  of  Samuel 
Nichols  were  as  follows  : — 

1.  John.  [b.  in  the  autnmn  of  1760,  and  was  the  first  white 
child  lx)rn  in  Francestown;  he  remained  here  until  1813, 
when  he  followed  his  father  and  kindred  to  Holland  Pur- 


NUTT.  865 

cliase,  N.  Y.  He  married  a  Steele,  presumably  akin  to  the 
wife  of  his  uncle,  John  Nichols,  of  Antrim.  Have  made 
great  effort  to  leai-n  the  subsequent  history  of  this  first 
child  of  the  town,  but  all  in  vain.] 

2.  Samuel,  Jr.,  [  His   birth  recorded  in  New   Boston,  if  any- 

where; is  said  to  have  married  Sally  Dutton  of  this  town, 
Feb.  !•,  180i>,  and  to  have  followed  the  others  to  New 
York.] 

3.  James,  [of  whom  we  have  no  knowledge.] 

4.  Peggy,  [m.  Joel  Dutton  of  this  town,  Oct.  8,  1812. J 

5.  Jennie,  [m.  Andrew  Dutton  of  this  town,  Aug.  80,  1810.] 

6.  Sally,  [of  whom  we  have  no  knowledge.] 

7.  Mary  Ann,  [of  whom  no  knowledge.] 

8.  Susan,  [twin-sister  of  Mary  Ann.] 

9.  Nancy,  [of  whom  no  knowledge.] 

NUTT. 

SAMUEL  NUTT*.  rnoin  Dci-ryficld,  was  the  ninth  selUer  of  the 
town,  beginning  as  hr  did  on  Uiv  place  now  occupied  liv  Oliver  Pet- 
tee,  in  1767.  He  was  by  trade  a  carpenter,  and  doubtless  several  of 
the  earliest  built  frame  houses  in  Franccstown  were  his  handiwork. 
He  also  bore  the  honor  of  being  the  first  town  clerk  of  Franccstown, 
and  his  plain  and  heavy  penmanship  in  the  oldest  record  book,  is  still 
well  preserved.  He  moved  to  Vermont  about  the  year  17*J.3.  He  is 
said  to  have  been  married  twice, >and  to  have  been  the  father  of  seven- 
teen childi-en.  His  second  wife,  with  whom  he  came  to  Franccstown, 
was  Elizabeth  Dickey,  sister  of  William  Dickey,  of  this  town.  We 
find  recorded,  the  names  of  the  following  children  of  Sanuiel  and 
Elizabeth  Nutt:— 

1.  William,  [b.  March  14,   1760;   from   him   descended    the 

Nutts  of  Nashua.] 

2.  Elizabeth,. [b.  Sept.  3,  1761,  m.  Alexander  Thompson  of 

of  Antrim,  d.  at  Antrim,  May  27,  18-10.] 

3.  Eleanor,  [b.  July  3,  1763,  m.  James  Brewster  of  Erances- 

town,  and  resided  in  this  town.  In  her  old  age  she  was 
a  ready  narrator  of  incidents  replete  witli  tlie  nerve-test- 
ing experiences  of  the  pioneers  of  the  town.  The  family 
must  have  lived  here  several  years,  when  late  one  after- 
noon the  howling  of  a  pack  of  wolves  on  the  Cochran  hill 
was  heard  at  her  home,  and  perhaps  caused  some  concern. 


856  GENEALOGIES. 

since  tlie  liowliiig-  of  another  })ack  on  the  Bradi'oiil  liill 
was  soon  heai'd,  and  it  was  ere  long  apparent  that  the  two 
packs  had  joined  forces,  and  were  making  toward  tlie 
feeding  grounds  of  tlie  cattle  that  had  not  l)een  driven  n[) 
for  the  night.  Accordingly  Eleanor  and  her  sister,  wlio 
were  ac-.customed  to  drive  the  stock  from  the  pasture, 
])ravely  hurried  fortli  and  found  tlie  cattle  awaiting  the 
onset  of  the  AV(»lves,  the  hu'ger  and  stronger  members  of 
the  herd  liaving,  witli  a  show  of  courage  and  generalship 
unlooked  for  in  domestic  aniurals.  got  tlie  smaller  and 
weaker  ones  togetlier  within  a  circle,  made  formidable  by 
i-eady  hoofs  and  brandislied  hoi'iis.  The  wolves  were  at 
this  juiictui'e  alarmingly  near,  and  what  was  done  l)y  tlie 
girls  was  doubtless  done  quickly,  and  with  some  nervous- 
ness;  but  they  succeeded  in  securing  t!ic  '•  bell  cow,' and 
in  leading  her  from  the  i)asture,  and  since  tlie  other  cattle 
followed  I'eadily,  all  were  brought  safely  to  the  bai-n.  At 
another  time  the;  wolves  surrounded  the  out-buildings  at 
night,  and  tlieir  howling  was  frightful,  Mr.  Nntt  being 
confined  to  his  bed,  could  not  take  clirect  measures  to  dis- 
perse them  ;  but  he  re(|uested  Eleanor  to  bring  his  gun 
and  ammunition  to  liis  bedside,  and  loaded  the  weapon 
heavily,  and  Eleanor  at  once  went  out  and  discharged  it 
among  tlie  woh'es,  whose  liowling  and  snarling  increased 
ten-fold,  ere  they  took  to  flight.  It  was  not  known  that 
any  of  the  savage  creatures  were  killed ;  but  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning  blood  stains  were  found  upon  the  ground 
from  Avhich  they  had  been  driven  in  the  night.  This 
brave  woman  died  in  this  town,  Sept.  23,  1843.] 

4.  Sa:\iuel.  [b.  June  4,  17C)6  ;  was  a  preacher,  and  it  is  said 

was  a  man  of  great  |)hysical  strength.     He  died  at  Upper 
Gilmanton,  N.  H.] 

5.  John,  [b.  Feb.  29,  1768.] 

6.  Joseph,  [b.  Nov.  13,  1769.] 

7.  Benjamin,  [b.  July  10,  1771,  was  buried  in  this  town  in 

June,  1791.] 

8.  Adam,  [b.  Dec.  13, 1772.] 


NUTTIN(;.  H'u 

NUTTING, 

JOHNi  NUTTIXGJroiu  the  county  ol"  Kent,  England,  came  to  this 
country  not  long  before  the  year  IB^O.  He  wass  niari-ied  to  Sarah  Eg- 
gleton,  Aug.  2S,  1(5.50,  in  Woburn,  Mass.  He  afterward  lived  in 
Chelmsford.  Mass.  a  few  years,  whence  he  moved  to  Groton.  He 
was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  1(574.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  chil- 
dren. John2,  the  eldest  was  born,  Aug.  25,  1G51.  He  was  twice  mar- 
ried; both  of  his  wives  bore  the  name  of  Mary.  His  lirst  wife,  to 
whom  he  was  married,  Oct.  11,  l(i74,  was  the  mother  of  his  five  sons. 
EleazerS.  the  youngest,  married  Abigail  Davis.  June  25.  1719;  Elea- 
zer-^.  their  child  was  born.  Jan.  25,  172r),  and  married  Snrah  Fariis- 
worth,  March  22, 174!),  and  died  Nov.  10,  1791.  ?]leaz  r'^.  son  of  Elea- 
zer*,  and  hence  of  the  tifth  generation  from  .lohni.  was  the  tirst  of 
the  name  in  Francestown.  Concerning  the  Farnswnrilis.  Ave  learn 
that  Joseph  Farnsworth  of  Dorchester.  Mass..  was  admitted  a  free- 
man, Dec.  14,  1638,  while  another  bearing  the  same  name  was  admit- 
ted in  1639.  The  tirst  to  settle  in  (xroton  was  Matthias,  an  original 
proprietor.  Both  the  Nuttings  and  the  Farnsworths  did  good  service 
in  the  warof  the  i-Jevolulion.  especially  at  llunkei'  Hill,  where  eight 
Nuttings  are  said  to  have  taken  part  in  the  lialtl;'.  Klea/.er'>.  enlisted 
three  times;  he  was  discharged  in  17S3.  He  was  Imhii  in  Pepperell. 
Mass.,  Sept.  13,  17(50,  and  was  married  in  17S2.  to  Sarah  Kemj).  a  na- 
tive of  (Tj-oion,  born  Fel).  5,  1764.  His  tirst  home  after  his  marriage 
was  in  Peppei'ell.  where  he  remaine(l  until  17S5,  wiieii  he  removed  to 
Society  Land  (the  !)arl  now  Bennington),  from  which  place  he  came 
to  Francestown,  jibout  the  year  1790.  ;uid  lived  wlurc  .lames  Foote 
built  and  lived,  liesidc  the  County  road,  and  not  far  from  where  tlie 
White  mil!  now  stands.  He  went  to  Danville.  A'ernionl.  where  his 
wife  died.  .\ug.  26,  1S24.  He  married  Susannah  Petlengill,  Oct.  11, 
1S2(5.  She  was  Itorii,  June  2,  17<)!»,  and  died  March  2,  1S39.  Elea- 
zer  Nutting  died  at  Hardwick,  Vermont,  Jan.  7,  1851.  His  children 
were: — 

1.  Sally,  [b.    in    Pcpperell,  Mass..  Feb.   27.  lT8o.   in.    (1st,) 

James  (Teineiit  of   Windsor.  Vt..  Dec.  10,  iSli!.  m.(2ii(l.) 
William  Locke  of  Cabot,  Vt..  d.  at  Barnet.  Vt.] 

2.  Eleazer.  [b.  in  Society  Laud,  Aug.  2»>.  1787.  ni.  Margaret 

Trask,  resided  at  Boston,  where  he  died.] 

3.  Betsey,  [b.  in  Society  Land,  March  1,  1790,  resided  at  Dan- 

ville, Vt.,  d.  at  Barnet,  Vt.] 

4.  Samuel,  [b.  in   Francestown,  March  12,  1792,  m.  Deliver- 

ance iMorse  of  Deering;  was    a    farmer,  died  at  Danville, 
Vermont.] 

5.  Jonathan,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  3,  1794,    m.   (1st,) 


858  GENEALOGIES. 

I.aiuii  l»(M)t  of  Diuiville,  Vt..  (2n(l,)  Helen  Souiers  of  Bar- 
net.  \'t..  rJrd.)   Kmily— .  d.  at  Hardwick,  Vt.] 

<>.    Im/xick.  [1).  ill   I'^iancestow  II.  .I;iii.  1  2. 1  71>7.  ni.  Staidey  I^aige 
of  Danville.  \'t..  l''ebmarv.  1828,  died  in  Danville,  Vt.] 

7.  .In!ix.  [1).   in   l*'ra,  ict'stown.  June  4,  17!>1',   ni.    Mary  Short  of 

Danville.    \'t..   Jnne   8.   18*24,   was    a    slioenniker  at    Mai- 
den. \'i.1 

8.  Mai;v.  ri).  ()(i.  ti.  1801.  in    Franeesro\vn..ni.  Andros    Bateli- 

L 

(d(U'i'of  Uarnet.  \'l..  .Ian.  22,  1828,  d.  in  Iowa.] 
!*.    Moses  B..  [b.   in    Frain/estown.    I''el).   o.   18(14.   ni.    Lauretta 

Burpee  of  JaU'rey,  d.  at  liarnet,  \'t.] 
lU.  AsENATH,  [b.  in  Franeestown,  Feb.  14.  1S07.  m.  Jolni  Un- 

dei'wood  of  Lincoln.  Mass..  res.  in   Lincoln.] 
11.  Ai.LiN.  [b.   al    Fia'icestow  II.  Se])t.   d.   1801t.   ni.    Mary    Hop- 
kins of    Fiaiicestown.    April    2S.   18:5,").       lie   resided   for 
about   iwinity  years  in  Danville.  \'l..  after  wliicli   lie  eanie 
to    Fiaiicestow  11.       He   owned    and   oc(Mi])ie(l    the    Nnttinn' 
pla;-e  on  Oak  hill,  and  also  li\(Ml   in  other  [)laces   in    town. 
lie  died  here.  Fid).  1(),  1888.      His  children  \\eie:- 
liir.  <niioiiiL(\).  in    Dan\ille,  March   27.  1887.  res.  iji    Fiaiices- 
town.) 
Ehcit  ///■>y^/^^/^^•,(l).  in  Danville,  June  1(;),1839,  ni.   Perli)ia(Os- 
o-ood)  Perkins  of   Browntield,  Me.,  Aug.  18,  1867.     He  is 
a,  manufacturer,  ami  a  much  respected  citizen  of  Hooksett. 
He  served   three  years  in  the  4th  N.  H.  Regt.,  in  the  War 
of  the  Rebellion  :   has   re}>resented    Hooksett  in   the  legis- 
tnrc. ) 
Maria  fh, /,-.{]>.   in    Danville.  Vt..  Oct.  25,  1  844:  m.   Scott  D. 

Hoyt  of  Hillsboro",  May  8,  1865,  res.  in  Hillsboro'. ) 
Gror;/e  T>ea)i(\{h.  i\l  Danville,  Vt.,  March  D,  1846,  m.  Emma 
Buzzell  of  Nashua.  March  1*,  1861b  He  is  a  machinist  and 
lives  in  isashua,  fiom  which  city  he  was  sent  to  the  legis- 
lature in  1890.  He  has  also  served  upon  the  l)oard  of 
aldermen.) 
Charles  Eleazei\(h.  <it  Danville,  April  29,  1850,  m.  Nellie  E. 
Hurd  of  Francestown,  Nov.  25,  1875.  He  was  for  a  time 
proprietor  of  the  Fi-ancestown  hotel ;  was  town  clerk  sev- 
eral years,  and  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  selectmen 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  wdiich  occurred  June  9,  1890.) 


OliDWAY.  859 

Ella  Flnrefta,(h.  at  Danville,  Jan.  3,  1851,  m.  Nathan  Heniy 
Wood  of  Boxboio",  Mass.,  Get.  23,  1872,  res.  at  Frances- 
town.] 

Chii-d  Bdl(\{\).  wx  Francestown,  April  15,  185G,  m.  Nelson 
T.  Wlieelock  of  Francestown.  Dec  25, 1880,  res,  in  Fran- 
cestown.)] 

ORDWAY. 

DANIEL  OllDWAY  canic  licrc  to  reside  in  1S.')1I.  He  was  born  at 
Pelhani,  April  ."i,  ISl.",.  and  inai-i'ied  Xaney  B.  Lanu'dell.  June  IS,  1S4(I. 
She  was  boi-ii  in  Mont  Vevnoii,  Sept.  2S,  1S12.  Mr.  Onhvay's  liome 
is  what  is  generally  known  as  the  Scoby  place,  whioli  once  boasted  the 
valuable  accessoi'ies  of  a  saw  and  grist  mill,  and  ••clay  pits."  Tie  is  a 
veryearcd'ul  and  industrious  man,  and  a  successful  fai'mer.  His  children 
are : — 

1.  NANtn,  [1).    at    Monl     N'enion,    April   5,    1841.   ni.   .loslina 

J.   \\'oo(ll)iii'y  of  New  Boston,  March  (5,  188S,  i-es.  at   the 
home  of  lier  parents.] 

2.  Fkan(;k.s  H.,  [h.  at  Mont  Vernon,  .Innc  30.  1S43.  d.  in  Fian- 

cestown,  April  13,  1892.] 

3.  Etta  P..  [1).   in    Monl    N'ci'non.   Ahirch    20.   1 S50,   res.   with 

her  parents.] 

ELEAZEll  OHDWAY  mari'ied  Susan  Dow,  and   roside(l    i'or  many 
years  at  West   Deering.      He  came  here  about  the  year  ISI.'),  and   re- 
mained here   nine  years,  occu^jyiug  during  this  tinu'  the  Samuel  Col- 
lins" place.      He  i-etui'ued   to  West  Deering,  where   liis  wife  died.      His 
. last  N'ears  were  spein  in  (iolfstown.      His  children   were: — 

1.  I.VDIA,  [married  William  Staidey  :  d.  in  Canada.] 

2.  Hannah.  [  married  Nathan  White  of   Deerino-.  and  died   in 

that  town.] 

3.  Judith,  [married  John  Putney  of  Bradford,  where  she  long 

resided  and  died.] 

4..Betsp:y,  [married  James  Palmer  of  Deering-,  and  died  in 
that  town.] 

5.    BfAL,  [was  nnmarried:  ;  he  died  at  Goffstown.] 

IJ.  Ai'.iGAit..  [married  Steven  Barker;  slie  died  in  Frances- 
town,  July  7,  1850.] 

7.  FitANKT.tN,  [h.  at  West  Deering,  m.  Fannie  Amlrews.  in 
1839.      She  was  horn   in  Weare,  Oct.  1,   1817.     Thev  re- 


<S(i()  GENEALOGIE.S. 

sided  at  Anti'ini  and  Deering-  previous  to  tlieir  coming  to 
Fraiicestown,  which  was  in  the  year  184().  Air.  Ordwa}-, 
after  o(-cu})yiiig  several  })laces  in  this  town,  purchased 
tlie  Abner  Fisher  liouse,  wliich  lie  took  down  and  re- 
erecte(]  on  the  ])hice  now  owned  hy  'Plionias  F.  Foote  ;  here 
he  died.  .May  lo,  18<U,  aged  oT   ycais.     Chihh'en  were: — 

RefJ  /*(!//('.{]).  in  Ani'tim.  Feb.  14.  1S4<).  m.  Sara  C  Marden 
of  F]-aiU'est()wn,  Aug.  9,  1862  :  lias  resided  a  few  years  in 
Nasliua.  He  is  by  vocation  a  pattei-n-maker  and  carpen- 
ter, and  is  one  of  tlie  l)est  nieclianics  in  Francestown. 
His  cliihlren  : — Waltei'  I^..  1).  in  Francestown.  Aug.  9, 
18(J;>,  d.  in  Francesto\\  n.  .July  ^^2.  1864.  W^irren  ('.,  b.  in 
Francestown,  June  16.  I860,  ni.  Carrie  F.  Dolliver  of 
Lyndt4)oro".  Api'il  l-*.  1887:  is  a  carpenter:  iesi<]es  in 
FrancestoA\n.  Will  ]{..  1).  in  Nashua,  May  lO,  1867,  m. 
(Trace  IJlake  of  Boston,  I'cs.  in  Medford.  Mass.  Maui'ice 
F..  b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  25,  1883.) 

Levi  N.,(h.  in  Deering,  Oct.  20,  1843.  He  enlisted  in  tlie 
1st  Iv.  I.  Cavalry,  and  died  in  the  seiwice  in  J'ortsniouth, 
K.  I.,  Oct.  21,1862.) 

ElizahetJi  Ann,{\).  in  Fi'aiu;estown,  May  19,  184<i,  died  here 
Aug.  19,  1849.) 

Fra)ice><  U.,(h.  at  Francestown,  July  20,  I80O.  ni.  William 
Butterfield  of  Manchester,  res.  in  Lowell,  Ahrss.) 

Mart/  Janejh.  in  Fiancestown,  Feb!  24,1854,  m.  Charles  H. 
Reed  of  Manchester,  res.  in  Manchester.)] 

8.  Susan,  [married,    (1st,)    William  Fairbanks  of  Deering,  m. 

(2nd,)  Richard  McAllister  of  Deering,  d.  at  Hillsboro' 
Bridge.] 

9.  Jonathan,  [b.  in  Deering,  Xov.  9,  1814,  m.  Mehitable  Gay 

of  Deering.  Oct.  4,  1885,  res.  in  Hillsboro'.] 

THOMAS  ORDWAY,  who  came  here  from  Manchester  in  1851  and 
purchased  the  .Jabez  Hohnes  place,  was  born  in  Fitchburg,  Mass.  July 
;!0,  1797.  His  father.  Amos  Ordway.  was  born  in  West  Xewbury, 
Mass.,  ]\Iay  !»,  17r)2,  and  died  Jan.  10,  1S32.  The  maiden  name  of 
his  wife  was  Lydia  Thurlow.  She  was  born  at  Rowley.  Mass.,  May 
13.  1755;  was  married  to  Amos  Ordway,  Jan.  26,  1775,  at  Lunen- 
burg, Mass.,  and  died,  April  4,  1(S30.  Thomas  Ordway  was  married 
lo  .Tane  M.  Rrown,  daughter  of  Israel  and  ]Mary(Stevens) Brown,  April 


OIML  861 

3,  1827.  Sho  was  l)orn  nt  Maiu-hcster.  March  24,  1S07,  and  died  in 
that  city,  Nov.  l-"),  LSSn.  'Sir.  Ordway  was  by  vocation  a  farmer.  He 
died  in  Franeestown,  March  26,  1882.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Martha  B.,  [b.  in   Lowell,  Mass.,  Oct.  14,  1828,  m.  Dana 

Hiintoon,  of  Franeestown,  in  1853,  res.  in  Manchester.] 

2.  T.  Warren,  [h.  in  Litchfield,  Nov.  15,  1830, m.  Jennie  Steb- 

bins  of  Spring'fiehl,  Mass.,  was   a  clothier  and    resided  at 
Holyoke,  Mass.,  where  he  died,  Dec.  9,  1882.] 

3.  LucRETiA  L.,  [b.  in    LitehHeld,  Sei)t.   9,  1832.  d.   in    Lilch- 

field.  Dee.  24,  1832.] 

4.  LuCRETiA  L..  [b.  at  Goffstowii,  Feb.  23;   1835,  m.   Russell 

O.  lUirleio'h,  of  Fi'ancestown  in  1854,  res.  at  Manchester.] 

5.  ()i;rp:k  C  [b.  at  (ToffstoAvn.  Apiil  24,  1837,  d.  at   Frances- 

toAvn,  March  2(;.  18<;(;.] 
G.   William  S..  [b.  at  Goffsiown,  Sej)!.  3,   1840,  ni.  Josie  Bus- 
well  of  Lyndebero".      lie  was  a  f-oldier  in    the  war  of   the 
Rebellion  ;   is  a  fanner,  res.  at  Brayton.  la.] 

7.  Samuel  A.,  [b.  at  New   Boston,  Oct.  25,  1843,  ni.   Melissa 

Elliott  of  Ivyndeboro';  is    an    upholsterer,  res.  at   Fitch- 
bui'g".] 

8.  Map.y  .L.  [b.  at    Manchester,    June    12,    1846,  m.    Henry 

Dodge  of  Franeestown,  res.  at  Manchester.] 

9.  Clara  H.,  [b.  at  Manchester,  May  4,  1850,  d.  at  Frances- 

town,  Aug.  21,1856.] 

10.  Ella   F.,  [!>.  at    Franeestown,  April    20,  1854,  m.    John 

Case,  of  Antrim,  May  13,  1875,  res.  in  Franeestown.] 

ORR. 

ANN  OliK,  doubtless  the  most  notable  common  scliool  teacher  of 
this  section  in  the  tirst  half  of  tlie  century,  was  tlie  daughter  of 
George  and  Margaret  (Wallace)  Orr,  and  granddaughter  of  Danie  1 
and  Eleanor  (Orr)  Orr,  and  great  granddaughter  of  the  Scotcli  e  mi- 
grant, John  Orr.  She  was  a  native  of  Bedford,  and  was  sister  of 
Eleanor  Orr,  who  became  the  stepmother  of  "William  R.  Sawyer  of  this 
tow-n.  She  taught  not  only  here  but  in  several  towns  in  the  immediate 
vicinity,  and  many  a  public  functionary  and  possessor  of  elaborate  d  i- 
plomas  and  sonorous  titles  and  degrees,  has  not  yet  forgotten  the  ti  me 
wlien  a  mere  morsel  of  humanity  he  fathomed  tlie  mysteries  of  the 
alphabet  under  her  vigorous  tutorage.  Her  term  of  service  in  thi  s 
town,  or  rather  her  terms  of  service  extended  through  many  years. 
The  present  brick  schoolhouse  in  the  village  and  the  small  school- 
house  whitli  once  stood  near  it,  being  the  buildings  in  which  she  taught. 


86'2  GENEALOGIES. 

M;inv  of  her  methods  of  instruction  would  not  l)e  iJOpulnr,  even  in  ru- 
ral districts,  to-day.  but  in  matters  of  discipline,  she  had  ideas  in  ad- 
vance of  her  times,  and  in  fact  in  advance  of  the  present  lime,  since 
she  displayed  something  akin  to  invention  and  humor,  instead  of  se- 
verity in  the  })unisliments  she  intlicled;  lier  desion  doul)tless  being  to 
mortif}"  the  spirit,  rather  than  to  l)i-uisi'  the  Hesh.  Some  of  her  })i'ac- 
lices  would  hardly  be  winked  at  by  a  modern  puljlic.  Next  to  her  ai'- 
dent  love  for  her  vocation,  was  lier  love  for  strong  tea.  indeed  the  two 
loves  were  united  in  the  persuance  of  her  vocation,  since  during  the 
tedious  school  hours  she  had  in  the  tire-place  and  later  upon  the  rusty 
box  stove,  a  large  pot  of  this  oriental  beverage — probaldy  one  hundred 
proof,  in  which  she  found  I'ecourse  in  seasons  of  extreme  tliirst  or 
when  her  perceptive  powers  needed  stimulating  oi'  hei-  nerves  steady- 
ing for  sternei'  work.  Though  she  sometimes  ])lie(i  the  fei'ule,  and 
with  effect,  yet  she  generally  brought  discomlilure  to  recreant  youth 
and  Juvenility  by  instruments  unique  and  less  barl)ai-ous.  She  always 
liad  at  hand  a  nund)er  of  sticks  of  various  lenghts,  not  for  purposes  of 
flagellation,  but  being  split  at  one  eml  they  were  attached  to  tho  noses 
of  offending  pupils — of  course  taking  a  nipjiing  hold  and  standing  out 
before.  Certaiidy  a  keen  sense  of  the  ridiculous  must  have  been 
awakened  in  the  minds  of  scholars  or  visitoi-s  and  even  of  grave  S.  S. 
C's,  bv  the  spectacle  afforded  l)y  a  squad  of  untoward  urchins,  embryo 
mayors,  governors  anil  congressmen,  all  standing  in  line,  each  with  a 
stick  twelve  or  eighteen  inches  in  length,  pointing  smartl}'  outward 
and  upward  from  his  nasal  extension,  like  the  jibboom  of  an  oyster 
boat  Iviug  at  anchor.  Of  the  affectiveness  of  this  grotesque  infliction 
from  a  disciplinary  standpoint,  we  cannot  speak,  Init  since  the  nasal 
organs  of  thv  young  were  and  are  during  their  growth  very  susceptable, 
we  find  ourselves  attributing  the  exceeding  thinness  of  the  noses  of 
many  of  our  older  citizens,  to  Ann  Orr's  ])eculiar  punisliment. 

That  she  was  a  worthy  woman,  who  can  doubt  ?  And  a  ])ro()f  that 
she  was  a  teacher  of  unusual  merit,  can  be  found  in  the  fact  that  she 
was  sought  after  and  emploved  when  she  had  well-nigh  reached  the 
])erio(l  when  among  mortals  the  eye  grows  dim  and  tlie  vital  force  is 
abated,  but  as  m  the  most  serious  phases  of  human  experience,  some- 
thing inordinately  ludicrous  may  present  itself,  so  In  the  trying  toil  of 
the  m'ost  worthy  souls  there  will  be  exhibitions  of  eccentricity  which 
the  humorist  well  may  study,  and  thus  it  was  with  Ann  Orr.  Since 
she  never  married,  she  doubtless,  with  the  impulses  of  a  true  teacher 
and  a  kindly  woman,  retained  an  almost  parental  affection  for  her  pu- 
pils, ])oth  the  recreant  and  the  dutiful,  to  the  last,  and  as  she  in  hei- 
latter  years,  saw  the  success  of  the  gifted  and  meritorious,  slie  must 
have  entertained  genuine  pride  in  the  thought  that  she  had  been  in 
some  small  degree  instrumental  in  their  advancement.  She  was  ])orn 
Sept.  21,  178-2,  and  died  at  Bedford.  Nov.  !).  1S49.  having  taught  fifty 
consecutive  vears. 


PAIGE.  863 

PAIGE. 

X<)RMAN«  K.  PAIGE  was  born  in  Dunslal)l<',  Mass..  Dec.  2.  1S1!<. 
bcini;  tln3  son  of  P^rlmunl''  and  Betsey  (Dwighl)  Paige.  The  former 
was  horn  at  <;roton.  ^larch  ."!,  177S,  and  died  at  Xashua.  Dee.  "J-l.  18G(i. 
the  latter  was  Ijcirn.  March  1,  ]~~X.  and  died  at  Xashua.  Nov.  Hi.  1S(>7. 
Ednumd  Paige  was  tlie  son  of  Phineas*  Paige,  who  was  boi'n.  June  5, 
1745,  and  married  Hannali  Stone.  Feb.  "2.  17(59;  she  was  born,  Oct.  29. 
1747,  and  died,  Sei)t.  21 .  1S39.  Phineas  died,  Dec.  .-n  .  1S;5:!.  He  was, 
doubtless,  the  of  John^  Paige  of  (iroton,(I)orn  Jan.  ?>().  1712.  irnd  mar- 
ried Mary  Parker,  .Sept.  12, 1733,)  who  was  probably  the  son  of  John^, 
born  in  10(59,  who  is  believed  to  have  been  the  son  of  Johni,  who  mai'- 
ried  Faith  Dunster,  ^Vlay  12.  l(j()4,  and  was  a  resident  of  Groton.Mass. 
in  1()(>5. 

XonnanK.  Paige  married  Mai'y  II.  Leavitt.  Sept.  ;!,  IX.'iC).  She  was 
l)()rii  at  Portland.  Me.,  Sept.  29,  1<S19.  They  caini'  here  from  Nashua 
in  1S77.  and  purchased  the  place  on  which  Mrs.  Paige  and  lu-i-  son. 
Charles,  now  live.  Xorman  K.  Paige  was  by  trade  a  macliiiii^^t.  lie  died 
here.  Xov.  7,  1S79.      His  children  are: — 

1.  ('hai;les  N.,  [1).  at   Nasliua,  July  11,  iSoT,  is  a  laiincr.  res. 

oil  tlie  lionie  j)lace.] 

2.  John  D.,  [h.  at    Naslnia.  Aug.  H.  ISliO.  les.  at    Lyii(lel)()r(»".] 

PARK. 

WISXEli  PAHK  was  lH)rn  at  Dedham,  Mass..  Fel).  23,  1S3.-,.  His 
father,  Harrison  Greenough  Parle,  was  born  at  Providence.  K.  I..  June, 
]<S09.and  died  at  X'orwood,  Mass.  His  mothei-  was  Julia  i^ird  :  she 
died  at  Dedham,  in  1835,  aged  23  years.  Harrison  Greenongh  Park 
was  the  son  of  Calvin  and  Julia  (Ware)  Park.  The  former  was  a 
native  of  Stockbridge,  Mass..  and  the  latter  of  Wrentham,  Mass. ;  both 
died  at  Stoughton,  Mass.,  the  former  in  1S45,  aged  75  years.  Wisner 
Park  married  Maria  A.  Manstield.  March  20.  1S()4.  She  was  born  at 
Canton,  Mass.,  March  15,  1840,  l)eing  the  daughter  of  William  and 
Pha'be(Tillson)  Mansfield,  of  Canton.  He  enlisted,  June,  1802.  in  the 
40th  Mass.  infantry,  participated  in  nuich  of  the  hard  service  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain.  He 
is  a.manof  extensive  reading  and  displays  an  intelligent  interest  in  the 
living  questions  of  the  day.  He  came  here  from  Gi'oton.Mass.  to  live 
on  the  Luther  Hardy  place  in  the  fall  of  1888.     His  children  are: — 

1.  WiSNEK  I.,  [b.  at  Canton,  Mass.,  May  4,18(36,  m.  Ida  Rich- 

ardson of  Westford,  ^Nlass.;  res.  at  Concord,  ^Nlass.] 

2.  Ruth,  [b.  Oct.  8,  1874.] 

3.  Mabel,  [b.  Feb.  26, 1879.] 


864  GENEALOGIES. 

PARKER. 

WILLIAM  PARKER  was  born  in  Wilton,  Oct.  2,1790.  He  came 
here  in  1S2l*.  and  kept  hotel  in  the  old  hotel  buildinir  that  was  de- 
stroyed in  ihe  lire  of  18.").*).  He  was  one  ot  ihe  most  widely  known  and 
poiDular  landlords  in  tliis  section,  havinij:  a  lar<;e  patronage,  and  keep- 
ing, for  tliosc  times,  a  model  public  house.  He  was  for  a  long  period 
County  Judge,  and  was  known  as  Judge  Parker,  being  thus  otHcially 
designated.  He  married,  (Lst.)  Hannah  F.  Hayward,  Dec.  19,  ISlO. 
She  was  boi'u  al  Dublin. .July  li."!.  1790.  and  died  at  Wilton,  Aug.  7, 1819. 
He  married.  (2nd.)  Anna  H.  Hartshorn,  April  ll.lS-20.  8he  was  born 
at  Wilton,  Feb.  (;.  179«;.  and  died  at  Roston.  Mass..  Oct.  IS,  1887.  He 
returned  to  Wilton  in  lS.-)7.  where  he  died.  Oct.  18.  1859.  Children 
were: — 

I.  Havwaim)  p..  [1).  at    Wilton.  July  1>,  1811,  in.  Catharine  R. 

Ivatoii  of  Bo.sion.  d.  in  California,  Dec.  9,  1890.] 
■2.   Rebecca  A.,[1).  ai   Wilton.   Oct.  14.   1818.  m.  Thomas   P. 

Wilson  of  HillsLoro;  d.  at  Boston.  Dec.  8,  1884.] 
o.   William   W..  [b.  at  AVilton.  .Ia;i.  17.  1815,  m.  Nanc}'  An- 

(hews  of  HiIlsl)oi'o',  res.  at  Boston,  Mass.] 

4.  Charles  H.,  [b.  at   Wilton,  Aiil;-.  1«3'.  181(),  ni.  Rhoda  A. 

Buxton  of    Milford,  N.  H..  April    29,  1841,  d.  in  Cali- 
fornia.] 

5.  James  S.,  [b.  at  Wilton.  Dec. 2o,  1820.  m.  Susan  A.  Darie  of 

Plymouth.  Ma-s.,  Nov.  1.  184i»,  d.  at  New  Bedford,  Mass.] 

6.  Thomas  B..  [b.  at  Fiancestown,  Feb.  8,  1823,  m.  Emily  S. 

Owen  of  Boston,  d.  at  Wilton,  N.  H.,  Atig.  25,1859.] 

7.  ^Marion  N..  [h.  at  Francestown,  June  4,  1825.  m.  Levi  B. 

Morse  of  Boston.  Nov.  29,  1847;  res.  at  Boston.] 

8.  Geoiige  F.,  [b.   at   Francestown,  Oct.  19,   1827,   m.   Lizzie 

W.  Nichols  of   (Ireentield.  Awj;.  b,   1857,  d.  in  California, 
Dec,  23,  1883.] 

9.  .ALviMA  P.,  [b.  at   Francestown,  Feb.   8.  1830,  m.(lst,)Chas. 

F.  Patch  of  Francestowit,  (2nd,)  William  H.  Haskell  of 
Boston,  d.  at  Cambridge.  Mass.,  Jan.  28,  1883.] 

10.  Joanna  C,  [b.  at  Francestown,  April  2,  1832,  m.  John  D. 

Butler  of  Bennington,  Sept.  24,  1878,  res.  at  Boston.] 

II.  Joseph  M.,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Jttne  28,  1835.  m.  Carrie 

E.  Streeter  of  California,  July,  1890,  res.  in  California.] 
12.  Harvey  D..  |"b.   at   Francestown,   Sept.  19,  1837,  res.  in 
California.] 


rAKKP:K.  865 

*  CHARLE.S  I'AlJKEli  came  here  from  his  native  town  of  Chehns- 
ford,  Mass.,  in  lS()-2.  Ills  fatlier,  Jonathan  l^irker,  was  also  a  native 
of  Chehnsford,  and  \\as  a  ))rotlier  of  Col.  Moses  Parker,  who  i-eceived 
a  mortal  wonnd  at  Hunker  Jlill,  June  17,  177."J,and  died  a  pi'isoner  in 
lioston  on  tlie  4th  of  July  following.  His  mother  Avas  Hannah  Clark 
of  Lyndehoro',  a,  daughter  of  Capt.  Peter  Clark,  of  Kevolutionary  fame. 
Jonathan  Parker  settled  in  North  Lyndehoro',  on  the  place' now  owned 
hy  Geoi'ge  Barnes.  Here  Charles's  brother  Willard  was  born,  Sept.  2, 
1800.  The  latter  graduated  at  Harvard,  studied  medicine  with  Ur. 
John  C.  Warren  of  Boston,  and  for  nine  years  occupied  Chairs  of  Anat- 
omy and  Surgery,  in  Woodstock,  Vt..  in  Pittsfield,  Mass.  and  in  Cin- 
(•innati,  Ohio,  visiting  Europe  in  the  mean  time  for  tlie  pui'pose  of 
travel  and  study.  He  at  length  settled  in  New  York  city,  Avhere  he,  for 
more  than  forty  years,  held  the  front  rank  in  his  profession,  being  one 
of  the  most  eminent  physicians  in  America.  He  it  was  avIio  removed 
a  lumo]-  from  the  neck  of  a  young  man,  whose  father  had,  in  vain,  of- 
fered a  million  dolhirs  to  the  leading  surgeons  of  Evirope,  for  its  re- 
moval. The  degree  of  L.  L.  D.,  was  conferred  upon  him  by  Princeton 
College,  and  on  the  event  of  his  death,  which  occurred  at  New  York, 
April  25, 1884,  the  pulpit  and  the  press  were  united  in  doing  him  honor. 
When  Willard  Parker  was  five  years  of  age,  Jonathan  renu)ved  with 
his  family  to  Chehnsford,  where  his  son, Granville,  was  born.  This 
son  of  Jonathan,  and  brother  of  Charles,  studied  law,  and  practiced  in 
his  native  county,  until  1858,  when  his  health  failing,  he  went  south 
and  settled  in  (Juyandotte,  Ya.  He  was  of  course  a  Union  man  when 
the  qtiestion  of  the  secession  of  Yirginia  was  agitated,  and  was  called 
to  Washington  by  President  Lincoht  and  Senators  Sumner  and  Wade 
to  aid  in  devising  measures  ta  keep  Yirginia  in  the  Union.  So  pro- 
nounced was  he  in  his  opposition  to  the  southern  caitse  that  Gov.  Wise 
of  Yirginia  sent  otficers  to  arrest  him,  and  we  can  but  conjecture  what 
his  fate  would  have  been, had  not  afriendly  southerner, (a secessionist,) 
given  him  warning,  which  he  heeded,  and  crossed  the  river  into  Ohio, 
thirty  minutes  before  the  arrival  of  the  governor's  men,  who  burned 
his  house  and  library,  and  confiscated  his  stock.  As  soon  as  it  was  safe 
for  him  to  do  so,  he  retui-ned  and  was  chosen  by  the  people  a  member 
of  the  commission  that  framed  the  constitution  for  the  newly-formed 
state  of  West  Yirginia.  He  raised  two  regiments  for  the  Unioit  army 
and  through  the  war  was  actively  patriotic,  although  he  declined  a 
judgeship,  and  other  official  positions,  doubtless  on  accouttt  of  his 
h^ealth.  He  was  the  author  of  a  book  entitled,  "  The  Formation  of  the 
State  of  West  Yirginia,  and  other  Incidents  of  the  late  Civil  War," 
which  was  published  in  1875.  He  died  at  Wheeling,  W.  Ya.,  May  10, 
1881,  in  his  seventy-third  year. 

*This  branch  of  the  Parker  family  is  said  to  have  descended  from  one  of 
five  brothers,  who  came  from  England  to  Massachusetts  in  1G44,  and  settled 
in  Chelmsford. 


866  GENEALOGIES. 

Peter  C.  Parker,  another  son  of  Jonathan,  was,  while  in  Siam, 
seized  and  detained  as  a  hostage  and  naiTowiy  escaped  with  his  life. 

Charles  Parker  was  born,  Sept.  13,  181(3.  He  married  Ehoda  B. 
Downes  of  Francestown,  Oct.  28,  1856.  His  home  in  this  town  was 
the  Downes  place,  now  occupied  by  John  Moses.  He  was  possessed 
of  ready  intelligence,  was  a  great  reader,  and  like  his  distinguished 
brothers,  was  a  man  of  strict  uprightness  and  goodness  of  heart.  He 
died  in  this  town.  May  3,  1888. 

Thomas  O.  Parker  of  Pembroke,  married  Aurilia  Dodge,  daughter 
of  Joshua  B.  Dodge  of  this  town,  Xov.  8,  185*).  He  lived  a  few  years 
on  the  .Tosluia  Dodge  place,  and  has  sin-ce  resided  at  (,'hicopee  Falls, 
Mass. 

PARKINSON. 

WIJJJAM  PABKINSOX  and  liis  young  wife,  Esther  Woods,  emi- 
grated from  Scotland,  and  settled  in  ]jondonderr\',  Ireland,  aljout  1739. 
In  that  city  their  eldest  son,  Henry,  was  born  in  1741.  In  1744,  these 
three  came  to  this  country,  and  settled  witli  their  Scotch  kindred  in 
Londonderry,  N.  H.,  where  five  daughters  and  five  more  sons  were  ad- 
ded to  them,  all  the  names  being:  Henry,  Aaron,  Jonathan,  Reuben, 
Esther,  Elizabeth,  Sylvanus,  William,  Katherine,  Mary  and  Susan. 
Henry  (b.  Londonderry,  Ire.,  1741,)  was  graduated  from  Princeton  Col- 
lege, 1765.  After  graduation  he  taught  several  years  in  some  department 
of  the  college,  and  was  called  "Tutor  Parkinson."  Returning  to  his 
father's  home  in  Londonderry,  X.  H.,  he  was  there  at  the  time  of  the 
battle  of  Lexington,  and  at  once  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Capt.  lieid's 
company,  and  marched  with  them  to  the  vicinit}^  of  Boston,  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  Under  date  of  July  6,  follow- 
ing, he  received  his  commission  as  quarter-master  in  the  First  X.  H. 
Regiment,  commanded  by  Gen.  Stark.  In  the  spring  of  1777,  Gen. 
Stark  indignantly  threw  up  his  commission,  and  in  June  following, 
his  friend  Parkinson  received  his  discharge,  and  returned  to  Xew  Hamp- 
shire. Some  weeks  before,  in  anticipation  of  this  change,  he  deter- 
mined to  join  the  new  settlement  in  FrancestoAvn,  and  arranged  with 
certain  parties  to  clear  a  portion  of  the  land  he  had  purchased  in  this 
town.  It  is  recorded  of  him  that  "his  constitution  was  broken  while 
in  the  service." 

Here  he  prepared  his  log  house  and  barn  as  fast  as  possible,  and  his 
buildings,  though  very  humble,  being  ready  for  occupation,  he  married 
Jennett  McCurdy  of  Londonderry,  Sept.  17,  1777,  and  came  immediate- 
ly to  his  new  home.  The  following  April, (1778,)  he  seems  to  have  been 
appointed  town  clerk  ])y  the  selectmen,  in  place  of  William  McMaster, 
and  in  this  position  he  served  through  1778, 1779  and  1780,  to  the  great 
acceptance  of  all,  the  books  being  kept  in  a  hand-writing  remarkably 
distinct  and  beautiful — after  more  than  a  hundred  years.  March  23, 
1780,  an  Article  was  in  the  town  warrant  "to  choose  a  Man  whom  the 


PARKINSON.  867 

Town  think  tit  for  a  Justice  of  the  Peace";  for  which  purpose  they  chose 
Ilcnry  Parkinson,  no  one  opposing.  No  doubt  he  was  "fit"  for  the  of- 
fice. .Tustices  of  the  Peace  Avere  then  chosen  by  the  legislature,  on 
reconmiendaton  of  the  town.  The  removal  of  Mr.  Parkinson  to  another 
locality  soon  after  prevented  his  serving  as  such  magistrate  in  this  place. 
In  177!)  he  was  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  the  other  mem- 
bers being  Nathaniel  Boyd  and  Oliver  Holmes.  Yery  early  in  17S1, 
Mr.  Parkinson  went  to  Pembroke,  N.  11.,  where  he  lived  three  years, 
his  family  following  him  there  in  the  course  of  the  summer.  He 
seems  to  have  been  engaged  in  teaching  in  Pembroke.  Thence  he  went 
to  Concord  and  "maintained  a  superior  school"  in  that  place  for  ten 
years,  1784-1704.  From  Concord  he  went  to  Canterbury,  bought  a 
farm,  and  Iniilt  a  house  and  mill.  Here  he  established  a  "classical 
school,"  where  he  fitted  young  men  for  college,  and  was  known  for 
many  years  as  the  "Canterbury  school-master."  He  helped  a  large 
numl)er  of  ])otli  sexes  to  an  education,  and  pursued  his  favorite  calling 
till  enfeebled  by  old  age.  He  died  in  that  place,  May  S,  1820.  He 
was  a  man  of  fine  scholarship  and  great  usefulness.  He  had  three  sons 
and  five  daughters;  but  as  only  one  was  born  in  Francestown,  and  thai 
one  lived  here  less  than  three  months,  we  will  confine  our  notice  to 
him  and  his  descendents.  Robert  Parkinson,  oldest  child  of  Henry, 
and  Janett  (McCurdy)  Parkinson,  was  born  in  Francestown,  May  18, 
1781.  He  received  a  good  education  under  his  father.  In  1808  he 
was  employed  by  Col.  Timothy  Dix,  who  had  purchased  large  tracts  of 
land  in  Coos  county,  then  largely  an  unbroken  wilderness,  to  superin- 
tend the  building  of  a  road  through  Dixville  Notch.  Being  pleased 
with  the  land  and  the  prospects,  he  purchased  a  farm  in  East  Colum- 
bia, where  he  built  a  house  of  "hewn  logs,"  and  lived  alone  most  of 
the  year  1809,  clearing  his  land  and  sowing  winter  grain  for  harvest 
the  following  year.  In  February,  1810,  he  married  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  Daniel  Kelso  of  New  Boston,  and  they  at  once  moved  into  their 
"wilderness  home."  This  home  then  became  a  shelter  for  other  set- 
tlers soon  flocking  to  the  vicinity.  In  it  were  the  first  pri'jgite  schools 
and  the  first  religious  services  of  that  town.  His  barn  was  the  "first 
building  there,  built  of  sawed  timbS'r,"  and  in  it  was  kept  the  first  pub- 
lic school  of  the  place.  Subsequently  he  became  embarrassed  with 
debt  on  account  of  heavy  investments  in  lumber,  which  the  war  em- 
bargo rendered  unsaleable,  and  still  later  and  further  by  being  security 
for  others;  aud  hence  moved  to  New  Boston  in  1821.  He  spent  his 
last  days  in  Nashua,  and  died  there,  May  12,  1849.  He  was  a  great 
reader,  was  in  his  early  life  a  teacher,  and  was  a  very  scholarly  and  ca- 
pable man.  The  children  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Kelso)  Parkinson 
were  as  follows, briefly  noticed, though  not  born  here: — 

1.  Mauy  Jane,  [b.  Dec.   28,   1810;   unmarried  ;  lives   in    Wo- 
burn,  Mass.;  was   many  years  a  teacher,  and  part  of    the 


868  GENEALOGIES. 

time  ill  the  School  of  Design,  Cooper  Institute,  New  York 
City.] 

2.  Hon.  Heniiy,  [b.  Oct.   11,    1812;    m.    (1st,)    Mary  Alley, 

1841,  who  died  the  following  year:  f  2nd,)  Lydia  R.  Wil- 
son of  Antrim,  Nov.  2,  1843,  wlio  died  Nov.  9,  1885. 
Henry  Parhinson  was  a  man  of  well-informed  mind  and 
upright  character,  of  much  enterprise  in  business,  and 
standing  high  in  the  respect  of  his  fellowmen.  Was  put 
in  many  places  of  trust;  was  county  commissioner  ae  the 
time  of  his"  death.  Was  killed,  by  the  cars  in  Nashua, 
June  19,  1880.  Left  no  children.  Had  l^ecii  merchant 
and  builder  in  Nashua  many  years.] 

3.  Eliza  Ann,  [b.  March    11,  1814  :  m.  Luke  Nichols  of  An- 

trim in  185G,  who  died,  Aug.  12,  of  the  same  year;  m., 
(2nd,)  Leonard  McKean  of  Manchester;  d.  May  12, 1859; 
no  children.] 

4.  Rev.  Royal,  [b.  Nov.  8-   1815;  graduate  Dartmouth  Col- 

lege, 1842;  graduate  Andover  Seminary,  1847,  settled 
over  Congregational  church,  Cape  Elizabeth,  Me.,  Oct.  18, 
1848  ;  m.  Joanna  Griffin  of  Brunswick,  Me.,  Nov.  21, 1848; 
subsequently  preached  in  West  Falmouth,  Me.,  Sandwich 
and  Temple,  this  state,  and  Windham,  Queechy  and  Ran- 
dolph, Vt.;  w'as  chaplain  in  Lnion  Army,  1864-5;  then  be- 
came connected  with  the  Treasury  Department  at  Wash- 
ington, where  he  died,  Dec.  21,  1882.  Was  a  scholarly 
and  devoted  man.  Left  four  cliildren,  all  sons,  and  all 
lawyers,  and  all  having  degrees  from  Dartinoutli  College, 
theii^  names  being,  Joseph  G.,  Robert  H.,  George  I>.  and 
William  D.;  and  the  three  oldest  having  an  office  together 
in  Cincinnati,  O.] 

5.  Frances  C,  [b.  March  9,  1819;  fine  scholar  and  l^egan  to 

teach  at  the  age  of  fifteen  (1834)  and  taught  most  of  the 
time  for  fourteen  years,  her  last  charge  being  the  Girls' 
High  School,  Nortliampton,  Mass.;  m.  Rev.  Meloncthon  G. 
Wheeler,  May  4,  1848,  who  d.  Feb.  9,  1870;  now  resides 
in  North  Woburn,  Mass.;  children  were,  Elizabeth  P.,(now 
Mrs.  John  R.  Carter,  Woburn,  Mass.,)  Prof.  John  PL,  a 
graduate  of  Harvard,  and  of  the  LTniversity  of  Bonn,  pro- 
fessor of  Greek  in  tlie  University  of   Virginia,  a  most  bril- 


PATGH.  869 

liant  and  critical  scliolar;  died,  Oct.  10,  1887;  Carrie  A., 
who  was  graduate  of  Wellesley,  and  married  Prof.  Charles 
H.  Cooper  of  Carlton  college,  Minn.;  Cornelia  F.,  who  stud- 
ied at  Wellesley,  and  married  W.  W.  Hill  of  Woburn, 
Mass.;  and  Edward  F.,  who  graduated  Bowdoin  college, 
and  is  now  in  the  Hartford  Theological  Seminary.] 

6.  Cauoline,  [b.  Oct.  13,  1820;  forty  years  a  teacher,  chiefly 

in  the  cities  of  Nashua  and  Worcester,  Mass.;  d.  unm.  in 
North  Woburn,  Mass.,  March  25,  1877.] 

7.  John   K.,  [b.  in  New  Boston,  Jan.  31,  1822,  the  older  chil- 

dren having  been  born  in  Columbia;  machinist;  now  liv- 
ing at  Diamond  Springs.  Cal.] 

8.  Clara  H.,  [b.  Sept.  7,  1824  :  was  teacher  in  Nashua  Acade- 

my, and  in  what  is  now  Smith  College;  m.  Henry  W.Her- 
rick,  1849;  they  reside  in  Manchester;  children:  Allen  E., 
wood  engraver  and  artist,  Manchester;  Rev.  Robert  P.,  a 
graduate  of  Dart.  Colleo'c  and  of  Hartford  Seminarv,  now 
President  of  Western  Minnesota  Seminary,  and  Henry  A., 
who  is  mill  engineer  of  the  Amoskeag  Corporation.  ]\Ian- 
chestei'.] 

PATCH. 

JONATHAN  PATCH,  wlio  settled  in  Franccstowu,  was  tlie  great- 
great  grandson  of  Xicliolasi  I'alcli.  (son  of  Nicholas  and  Jane,)  who  was 
born  in  the  parisli  of  South  Pellx-rton,  in  Somersetshire,  near  Burles- 
comh,  England.  The  reeord  of  the  bai)tisni  of  Nicholas  bears  dale, 
June  26,  lo97.  lie  came  from  England,  with  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  and 
his  two  sons,  John  and  James,  to  Salem,  ^Slass.,  in  lO.'jC).  lie  had  a 
gi'ant  of  ten  acres  of  land  in  1().')S,  and  another  grant  of  fort}'  acres  in 
Ki:)".),  when  he  was  made  a  freeman.  He  was  by  occupation  a  farmer, 
and  was  a  man  of  prominence,  particularly  in  the  church,  to  which  he 
bequeathed  a  portion  of  his  property.  He  was  a  memljer  of  the  tirst 
church  in  Salem,  and  with  his  wife,  was  among  the  founders  of  the 
ehureh  in  Ijeverh',  Mass.,  where  he  died  in  November,  1673.  From 
his. sou  John  descended  the  Beverly  Patches;  John  married  Elizabeth 
Brackenbury,  daughter  of  Bichard  ?Jarckenbury.  She  wns  born  in 
16-2i),  and  at  her  deatli,  Jan.  14,1716,  was  "called"  the  tirst  female 
child  born  in  the  colony.  The  Patches  of  Fraucestown  descemled  Irom 
Thomas-,  a  younger  son  of  Nicholas,  the  emigrant.  Thomas  was  l)orn 
in  Salem,  in  1640;  he  married  Mary  xV.  Lovett,  James^,  his  son,  who 
was  born  in  Wenham,  Mass.,  1677. and  married  Rebecca  Byles,wasthe 
third   in   Ihe  line  of  descent,  the  next   in  the  line  being  James's  son 


870  GENEALOGIES. 

Thomas 4,  born  in  Bevdrly,  June  23,  1715,  married  Elizabetli  Stanle}-. 
Jonatliano  of  Francestown,  the  son  of  the  said  Tliomas  and  Elizabeth, 
was  born  Sept.  28,  1744;  he  married  in  Beverly.  Oct.  1.  1705,  Annie 
Hull,  daughter  of  Theopholous  and  Sara  (Williams)  Hull.  -Jonathan 
Patch  settled  about  1780,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mrs.  AVilliam 
Patch,  in  the  extreme  eastern  i)art  of  the  town.  He  was  preceded  upon 
the  place  b}'  Peter  Cristy,  who  it  wovild  seem  had  not  greatly  improved 
it.  A  cellar-hole  which  marks  the  spot  where  James  Adams  built  his 
cabin  is  now  to  be  seen  at  no  great  distance  north  of  the  Patch  place. 
Jonathan  came  here  from  Beverly- about  the  year  177o.  He  died  July 
17,  1825;  Annie,  his  wife,  was  boi-n,  April  27,  1747,  and  died  in  Fran- 
cestown. Aug.  3,  1834.  His  children  were  :  Thomas.  Theopholous, 
John,  IJenjamin,  Isaac.  .Jonathan.  Samuel  and  Annie.  The  first  four 
of  whom  were  doubtless  born  in  Beverly,  and  the  remainder  in  Fran- 
cestown. Benjamin,  whose  family  we  shall  not  again  mention,  lived 
on  the  Levi  Dodge  place  in  Greenfield  for  a  number  of  3'ears.  His  wife 
was  a  Langdell,  and  b}'  his  marriage  to  her  he  had  two  children,  Hull  and 
Betsey,  ere  he  removed  to  Johnson.  A^ermont;  Isaac  also  went  to 
Johnson,  Vermont,  and  had  no  family  in  Francestown. (His  son  Isaac, 
however,  lived  for  a  few  years  on  the  Josejjh  Manahan  place. )Jona- 
than  died  young.  Samuel,  the  7th  son,  called  "the  doctor,"  went  to 
Ohio,  where  he  had  a  family,  Annie  married  .lohn  .Tohnson,  and  died 
in  this  town,  Feb.  7,  1825. 

THOMAS  PATCH,  the  oldest  son  of  Jonathan,  was  a  shoemaker. 
He  lived  for  a  short  time  on  the  Black  place,"  but  it  cannot  be  ascer- 
tained that  he  resided  in  town  any  considerable  length  of  time.     His 

wife  married  for  a  second  husband, Small.     She  died  in  New 

Boston.  The  place  of  his  death  is  not  known.  Two  of  his  children 
were  buried  here  in  July,  1793.  Three  of  his  children  grew  to  matu- 
rity: William,  Irene  and  Ephraim.  William  was  born,  March  25,1788. 
He  resided  a  number  of  years  at  South  Reading,  Mass.,  where  he  died, 
Oct.  13,  1825.  His  wife  was  Polly  (Johnson)  Bixby,  widow  of  Thomas 
Bixby  of  this  town.  She  was  married  to  Mr.  Patch,  Sept.  13,  1811, 
and  died  at  Brookline,N.  H.,  Aug.  31,1876.  So  many  of  the  children 
of  William  were  identified  with  this  town  that  we  make  mention  of  this 
family. 

1.  William,  [b.  Sept.  10,  1812,  m.  Hannah  (Hawks)  Tweed ; 

d.  Aug.  19,  1843,  at  Francestown.] 

2.  LucRETiA  G.,  [b.  Jan.  28,  1814,  m.  Sliepard  W.  Richmond, 

d.  at  Brookline.] 

3.  Mary,  [b.  Jan.  1,  1816,  m.  William  H.  Johnson  of  Frances- 

town,  d.  here,  March  16,  1881.] 


PATCH.  871 

4.  Olive,  [b.  June  25,  1818.  m.  William  Hall,  d.  at  Daiivers, 

Mass.,  Aug.  23,  1847.] 

5.  John  Hart,  [b.  March  21,1820,  m.  Sara  Boardman,  was  for 

a  number  of  yeai's  in  trade  liere ;  went  to  Webster,  Mass., 
where  he  died,  June  8,  1863.     His  children: — 

WiUimii  H.,(h.  Oct.  8,  1840,  at  Newport.) 

jS.  Etta,{\).  at  Newport,  Nov.  10,  1848.) 

Frank  H.^{\).  at  Francestown,  July  8,  1851,  m.  Florence  M. 
Bailey  of  Bradford,  in  1869,  res.  at  Bradford.) 

Etta  M.^(h.  at  Francestown,  m.  Charles  H.  Bobbins  of  Web- 
ster, in  1875,  resides  at  Webster.) 

6.  Rebecca  A.,  [b.  Sept.  24,  1820,  m.  William   B.  Dodge  of 

Francestown,  d.  at  Nashua,  Aug.  23,  I860.] 

7.  Daniel  Fuller,  [b.  at  South  Reading,  Mass.,  March  2,1825, 

m.  (1st,)  May  7,  1850,  Sara  ¥.  Hopkins  of  Francestown. 
She  died  here,  Feb.  17,  1865.  He  m.  (2nd,)  Serena  P. 
Thompson  of  Francestown,  Nov.  2,  1867.  She  also  died 
in  this  town,  July  5,  1871.  His  third  wife  was  Marga- 
rette  P.  Buell,  to  whom  he  was  married,  June  19,  1873. 
He  was  by  vocation  a  shoemaker  and  a  tailor;  came  here 
in  his  boyhood:  was  during  the  latter  years  of  his  resi- 
dence here,  with  the  Downes'  Bros.,  in  their  store.  He  is 
a  man  of  good  social  qualities,  both  honest  and  efficient  in 
business,  and  was  manytimes  elected  tow^n  clei-k.  He  went 
from  this  town  about  1875,  and  became  a  })artner  in  a  shoe 
store  at  Newport,  where  he  now  resides.  Only  child,(by 
first  marriage, )  was : — 
Willie  Eu(/ene,(h.  at  Francestown,  Ang.  25, 1852,  m.  Ella  R. 
Worth  of  Barnet,  Vt.,  June3, 1880  ;  res.  at  Manchester.] 

THEOPHELUS  PATCH,  the  second  son  of  Jonathan,  was  born  at 
Beverly,  Jan.  10,  1769.  He  married  Rebecca  Stanley  of  Francestown, 
and  settled  on  the  Reubin  Dntton  place  in  Greenfield,  here  he  farmed 
prudently  and  reared  a  large  family.  He  died  in  Greenfield,  May  26, 
1S29.  His  wife,  Rebecca  Stanley,  was  born  at  Beverly, Mass.,  May  1, 
1868,  and  died  in  Greenfield,  March  21,  1811.  Their  children  were: 
1.  Jonathan,  born  in  Greenfield,  March  21, 1790,  married  Lucy  Burnham 
of  Greenfield.  2.  Betsey,  who  married  Isaac  Lowe  of  Greenfield.  3.  Sal- 
ly, who  married  Richard  Stanley,  and  resided  in  Greenfield.  4.  Hannah, 
who  married  David  Pratt,  of  Reading.    5.  Rebecca,  6.  John  Lovett.    7. 


872  GENEALOGIES. 

William,  who  married  and  settled  in  Francestowii.  S.  Anna,  who  mar- 
ried Tiichard  Stanley  in  Greenfield.  '■).  Friah  and  10.  Ira,  the  for 
merof  whom  settled  in  Wisconsin,  the  latter  in  Ohio. 

JONATHAN  rATOlI,  the  oldest  son  of  'I'hcdpla-lus,  ranic  fn.in 
(Greenfield  in  lS2.'J,and  lived  I'orahont  ten  years,  ocenpying  the  Cressv, 
the  William  I'ateh  and  the  Fairl)anks'  places;  he  then  returned  to 
Greenfield,  where  he  remained  until  1S4(I,  when  he  again  crossed  our 
borders  and  lived  on  the  Driscoll,  and  afterward  the  Stanley  place. 
While  living  in  this  town  he  was  several  times  elected  selectman.  He 
died  here,  Aug.  25,  18(54.  His  wife.  T.ucy  Burnham,  to  whom  he  was 
married,  March  "25,  1S23,  was  l)orn  in  (ircenfield.  June  25,  1793,  and 
died  at  Francestown,  Oct.  4,  1880.  Their  cliiMren.  all  ijorn  at  Fran- 
cestovvn,  were: — 

1.  lIii{AM,[l).  April  18,1824,  m.  Sara  J.  Hardy  of  Greenfield, 

Dec.  (),  1857.  He  is  a  fai-mer  and  cattle  dealer;  has  re- 
sided at  (ireenfield  and  at  Sluiron,  \"enn()nt,  l)ut  lias  lived 
duriiiL;-  tlie  gi-eater  part  of  liis  life  in  this  town,  where  he 
now  resides.  In  Mr.  Patch,  we  lind  an  excellent  type  of 
the  intelligence  and  respectability  of  our  leading  citizens. 
He  has  iilled.  with  credit,  many  important  ofiices  ;  has  been 
selectman  for  a  number  of  jears,  and  has  been  elected 
member  of  the  legislature  from  this  town,  and  is  now 
})resident  of  the  Savings  Bank,  and  a  director  of  the  Na- 
tional Bank.      His  children  : — 

Nellie  Jane, {h.  at  Sharon,  Vt.,  Oct.  15,  1858,  d.  at  Frances- 
towm,  Nov.  25,  1877.] 

Hiram  Edsotu  (b.  at  Francestown,  Feb.  5,  1860,  m.  Nell  Eu- 
nice Fletcher  of  Greenfield,  Jan.  13,  1892,  resides  at  Fran- 
cestown, is  engaged  cliiefly  in  farming.  He  has  been  chair- 
man of  the  board  of  selectmen,  upon  which  he  has  served 
several  years.) 

Charles  Albert,  {h.  at  Francestown,  Dec.  18,  1863,  resides  at 
Francestown,  was  selectman  in  1891  and  '93.)] 

2.  Charles  Frederic,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Oct.  6,  1826,  mar- 

ried ]Maria  P.  Parker  of  Francestown,  June  16,1855.  He 
was  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  and  held  the  position 
of  postmaster  several  years,  and  was  considered  a  young 
man  of  much  promise.    He  died  in  this  town,  Aug.  5, 1856.] 

3.  Julia  Maria,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Jan-  16,  1831,  m.  Joseph 

F.  Duncklee  of  Francestown,  November,  1857.] 


PATCH.  873 

4.  Caroline  Lucy,  [b.  at  Fiancestcwn,  Jan.  11,  1833,  cl.  at 

Fraiicestown,  March  3,  1869.] 

5.  Albert  Henry,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  6,  1840,  d.  at  Fran. 

cestown,  June  22, 1861.] 

WILLIAM  PATCH,  son  of  Theophelus,  was  born  at  Greenfield, 
June  27,  1804.  In  April,  1.S32,  he  came  here  and  purchased  the  farm 
long  owned  by  his  grandfather,  Jonathan  Patch.  His  wife  was  Sally 
Stevens  of  this  town,  to  whom  he  was  married,  April  17,  1832.  Mr. 
Patch  was  a  man  of  genial  disposition,  sober  industry  and  honest  deal- 
ing. He  died  at  his  home  in  this  town,  July  7, 1883.  His  Avife,  an  in- 
telligent and  worthy  Christian  woman,  died  here,  July  10,  1892. 

Their  children,  all  born  at  Francestown,  were: — 

1.  William  H.,  [b.  Aug.  17,  1833,  d.  at  Francestown,  Aug.  15, 

1834.] 

2.  Harvey  W.,  [b.  Sept.  23, 1834,  m.  Nancy  Raddin  of  Lynn, 

Mass.,  Oct.  28,  1869.     He  now  resides  at  Lynn,  Mass.] 

3.  SARAM.,[b.  Feb.  18, 1836,  d.  at  Francestown,  Aug.  3, 1854.] 

4.  Warren  P.,  [b.  March  12,  1838,  m.  (1st,)  Mary  Trask  of 

Danvers,  Mass.,  May  25,  1864,  (2nd,)  Caroline  P.  Upton 
of  Salem.  Mass.,  Jan.  1,  1865.  He  is  in  the  butchering 
business  at  Peabody,  Mass.] 

5.  Henry  F.,  [b.  Dec.  7,  1839,  married  Lenora  Bull  of  Harlem, 

N.  Y.,  June  29, 1870.  Dr.  Henry  Patch  received  a  good 
academic  education  in  his  native  town,  pursued  the  study 
of  medicine  at  Hanover,  where  he  graduated,  and  is  now 
prosperous  in  his  profession  at  Chappaqua,  N.  Y.] 

6.  William  T.,  [Ix  Sept.  25, 1841,  d. in  this  town,  Jan.  7, 1846.] 

7.  Ann  Elizareth,  [b.  March  4,1843,  married  Martin  L.  Col- 

burn  of  New  Boston,  March  20,1871,  and  resides  in  Fran- 
cestown.]   . 

8.  Emily  Jane,  [b.  April  10,  1846,  m.  Albert  Dodge  of  Fran- 

cestown, Dec.  6,  1883,  resides  in  Francestown.] 

9.  Abby  C,  [b.  March  21,  1848,  d.  in  Francestown,  July  15, 

■  1854.] 

10.  Charles  F.,  [b.  Aug.  14,  1851,  d.  in  this  town,  July  13, 

1854.] 

JOHN  PATCH,  the  third  son  of  Jonathan  Patch,  settled  on  the 
place  afterward  owned  by  his  son  John,  in  the  south-western  part  of 
the  town.  He  married  Hannah  Stanley  of  this  town,  Nov.  8,  1798,  and 
died  in  Francestown  about  the  year  1810.     His  children  were:— 


874  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  Hannah,  [b.  in  Fraiicestown,  March  5,  1799;  unniaiTied  ;  d. 

in  Greenfield,  Jan.  19,  1850.] 

2.  John,  [b.  in   Fi'ancestown,  Jan.  3,  1801,  m.  Harriet  Biirn- 

liam  of  Greenfield,  Jan.  29,  1846,  and  settled  upon  the 
home  place,  where  he  died,  June  13,  1875.  His  wife  re- 
sides in  Greenfield.  Children  : — 

Harriet  Blaria,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  3,  184G,  d.  here,  July 
22,  1851.) 

Mary  France-y-^  (b.  at  Francesto\\ii,  May  7,1852,  d.  here,  Sejjt. 
25,1856.)     ^  •     " 

Ida  Ella,  (adopted  daughter,)).  Jan.  28,  1851,  at  Amherst, m. 
Merrill  H.  Kidder  of  Francestown,  April  25,  1875,  res.  at 
Cambridge,  Mass.)] 

3.  AsENATH,  [b.  in   Francestown,   Dec.   21,   1804,  m.  William 

Savage  of  Gi'eenfield,  June,  1824.  d.  in  Gi'cenlield.  March 
11,  1883.] 

4.  EoDNEY,  [b.  in   Francestown,  June  10,  1807,  m.  Mary  S, 

Sawyer  of  (ireeidield,  June  7,  1832,  was  a  m  heelwright, 

died  in  Greenfield,  May  31,  1882.]  . 
ISAAC  PATCH  was  the  son  of  Isaac,  and  the  grandsfni  of  Benjamin 
Patch.  He  married,  (1st.)  Julia  Ann  Starrett  of  this  town,  Nov.  13, 
1820,  and  bouglit  and  oeeupied  the  Joseph  Manahan  phice,  where  his 
first  wife  died,  Oct.  1,  1830.  His  second  wife  was  Sabrina  Starrett  of 
New  Boston,  who  survived  him  and  married  Daniel  Tajlor.  He  was 
a  carpenter  ;  with  William  Patch,  he  turned  and  remodeled  the  old 
meeting-house.  He  died  in  this  town,  Oct.  9,  1837,  aged  37.  His 
children  were: — 

1.  Julia  A.,  [b.  at  Francestowji,  Aug.  8,  1834,  m.  Prof.  Her- 

man A.  Dearborn  of  Weare,  March  23,  1858,  res.  at  Col- 
lege Hill,  Mass.] 

2.  FiiANKLiN  I.,  []).  in  Francestown,  Sept,  11,  1838,  m.  Mary 

Osgood  of  Laconia,  in  1862,  was  a  merchant  in  Nashua, 
d.  at  Laconia,  November,  1867.] 

PATTERSON. 

The  Pattersons  were  of  the  vigorous  Scotch-Irish  race.  The  emi- 
grant ancestor  of  David  Patterson,  who  settled  in  Francestown,  was 
"William  Patterson,  who  came  to  America  in  173G;  he  was  of  the  fourth 
generation  from  .John  Patterson,  who  was  born  in  Scotland,  Mhere  he 
lived  and  died,  leaving  a  son,  Robert,  who  was  also  born  in  Scotland. 
John,  the  son  of  Robert,  was  born  in  Dunluce,  Ireland,  in  1710,  and 


PATTEKSOK.  875 

died  1781  ;  his  wife's  name  was  Sarah  Farrin.  John  and  Sarah  were 
the  parents  of  William,  who  came  from  Ireland,  and  settled  on  Tatter- 
son  Hill,  afterwards  Smith's  Hili,  in  Londonderry.  Peter,  a  brother 
of  William,  also  settled  in  that  town.  Mrs.  Robert  C.  Mack  of  Lon- 
donderry, has  as  an  heirloom,  a  saucer,  once  the  property  of  Sarah(Far- 
rin)Patterson,  which  survived  the  siege  of  Old  Londonderry,  Ireland, 
in  1688-9. 

Dea.  DAVID  PATTEESON,  son  of  William,  was  born  at  Litch- 
field, June  17,  175.')  ;  he  married,  Oct.  5,  1780,  Sarah  Betton,  born  in 
Windham,  Oct.  11,  1758,  the  daughter  of  James  and  Betsey  (Dickey) 
Betton,  and  sister  of  Hon.  Silas  Betton,  M.  C;  she  died  in  Frances- 
town,  Oct.  30,  1842.  David  Patterson  was  evidently  a  trusted  citizen 
of  Londonderry,  where  he  was  elder  in  the  church,  and  in  17!)6,  was 
collector  of  taxes.  lie  I'emoved  to  Temjjle  before  the  year  1800,  and 
in  that  town  he  was  moderator  of  town  meeting  for  fovir  years,  and 
was  selectman  and  tithing-man,  and  in  1815,  represented  the  town  in 
the  legislature.  He  lived  for  several  years  in  Greenfield,  whence  he 
came  to  Francestown  in  1824,  and  settled  on  the  Willard  Carter  farm. 
The  house  in  which  he  lived  stood  originally  eastward  of  the  Isaac 
Lewis  or  Israel  Farnum  place,  but  was  subsequently  moved  some  dis- 
tance to  the  southward,  where  it  remained  for  many  years.  Mr.  Pat- 
terson had  no  children  born  in  Francestown.  In  truth,  all  had  reached 
muturity  at  the  time  of  his  coming  to  this  town.  His  children  were: 
James  B.,  born  at  Londonderry,  Sept.  1,  1781,  died  in  Londonderry, 
Feb.  2.3,  1788.  William,  born  in  Londonderry,  July  28,  1784,  died  at 
Francestown,  Mayl8, 1832.  John ,  born  at  Londonderry,  May  27, 1788, 
died  in  Windhain,  Jan.  30,  1807.  James,  born,  March  8,  17'.)0,  died 
at  Francestown,  March  2,  183(3.  Betsey,  born  Feb.  9,  1793,  in  Lon- 
donderry, married  Ephraim  B.  Searle,  Sept.  9, 1813,  lived  in  New  Ips- 
wich and  in  Boston,  where  her  husband  died;  she  came  to  Frances- 
town  to  live  in  1827,  removed  to  Manchester,  where  she  died,  Feb.  8, 

1879.  Nancy,  born  in  Londonderry,  July  23,  1795,  m.  Dea.  John 
Clark  of  New  Ipswich,  died  in  Greenfield,  Jan.  4,  1869.  Sally,  born 
in  Temple,  Aug.  6, 1799.  m.  March  18,  1823,  Willard  Carter  of  Wil- 
mington, Mass.;  resided    in    Francestown,  where  she  died,  Dec.  22, 

1880.  Mary  Boyd,  born  in  Temple,  June  6,  1801,  married  Zebediah 
Peavey  of  Greenfield,  March  23,  1824,  died  in  Greenfield,  Dec.  21, 
1886.     Dea.  David  Patterson  died  in  Francestown,  Jan.  29,  1843. 

WILLIAM  PATTERSON,  son  of  Dea.  David  Patterson, (born  July 
28, 1784),  came  here  in  1824.  He  was  by  vocation  a  farmer,  and  lived 
upon  the  homestead.  His  wife  was  Polly  Fisk;  she  was  born  in  Tem- 
ple, Oct.  12,  1785,  was  married  to  Mr.  Patterson,  Jan.  10,  1808,  and 
died  at  Nashua,  Jan.  6,  1854.  He  died  at  Francestown,  May  18,1832. 
Their  children  were:- — 


876  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  John,  [b.  in  Temple,  Nov.  15,  1810,  m.  Orissa  Fisher  of 

Fraiicestown,  Nov.  15,  1832,  was  a  blaek.sniiih,  went  to 
Mendon,  Midi.,  where  he  died,  March  11,  1851.] 

2.  MaiiyAnn,  [1).  in  Temple,  Ma}*  24,  1814,  res,  in  Boston, 

Mass.] 

3.  Sarah  Betton,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  March  26, 1817,  m.  Joseph 

Sawyer  of  Greenfield,  June  26, 1838,  res.  in  Greenfield.] 

4.  William  Morrison,  [b.  in  Greeniiidd,  Dec.  12,  1819,  d. 

young.] 

5.  Martha  Whiton,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Oct.  25, 1821,  m.  Cliarles 

D.  Paige,  d.  in  Manchester,  July  16,  1854.] 

6.  E^siiLY  Augusta,  [b.  in  Franceslown,  Oct.  30,  1827,  d.  in 

Nashua,  Aug.  9,  1849.] 

.JAMES  I'ATTERSOX,  brother  of  William  Patterson,  was  boni  in 
Londonderry,  March  8,  1790,  and  married  Abigail  Straw  of  Greenfield 
in  1814.  She  was  ])orn  in  Greenfield,  Dec.  0,  1797,  and  died  in  Fran- 
cestoAvn,  April  27,  18;>7.  He  died  in  Fraucestown,  April  3,  1836.  He 
was  b}'  trade  a  blacksmith,  and  lived  in  the  house  now  owned  and  oc- 
cupied by  Albert  Whitefield.     His  children  were: — 

1.  John,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  March  3,  1815,  d.  here.  May  15, 

1835.] 

2.  ELizABETH,[b.  at  Greenfield,  Aug.  8,  1816,  m.  Albert  Wil- 

lard  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  Oct.  9,  1837,  d.  in  Lowell,  July  25, 
1838.] 

3.  William,  [b.  in  Greenfield  in  1818,  d.  in  1819.] 

4.  LouisA,[b.  in  Greenfield,  July  16,  1820,  d.  here,  July  12, 

1837.] 

5.  Abby  Maria,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Oct.  30, 1822,  m.  John  E. 

Kennedy  of  LoAvell,  Mass.,  Sept.  21,  1845,  d.  at  Lowell, 
Sept.  12,  1846.] 

6.  Elvira,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  May  24,  1824,  d.  at  Lowell,  Aug. 

16,  1839.] 

7.  LoviNiA,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Sept.  25,  1825,  d.  at  Lowell, 

Mass.,  May  15,  1838.] 

8.  Laura  A.,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  Aug.  1,  1828,  d.  at  Lowell, 

Mass.,  Jan.  17, 1845.] 

9.  Charles  James,  [b.    in   Francestown,  June  27,  1833,  m. 

Sarah  F.  Noyes  of  Bristol,  N.  H.,  April  16,  1858,  d.  at 
Lowell,  Mass.,  April  24, 1870.] 


PEABODY.  877 

PEABODY. 

FRANCIS  PEABODY  came  to  New  England  in  the  ship  Planter, 
in  1635,  from  St.  Albans,  England.  His  name  being  enrolled  in  a  cer- 
tificate found  in  the  Augmentation  office,  Polls  Court,  Westminster 
Hall,  London,  dated  April  2,  1635.  He  is  called  Husbandman,  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  The  certificate  reads  as  follows:  "  Theis  underwrit- 
ten names  are  to  be  transported  to  New  England,  imbarqued  in  the 
Planter,  Nicholas  Tracie,  master,  bound  thither.  The  parties  having 
bought  certificates  from  the  minister  of  Great  St  Albans  in  Ilartford- 
shire,  and  at  testacons  from  the  Justice  of  Peace,  according  to  the 
Lords  order."  Francis  lived  in  Lynn  and  Hampton  in  1638.  Made  a 
freeman  in  1640.  He  was  chosen  by  the  town  of  Hampton,  1649,  one 
of  the  three  men  to  "ende  small  causes."  When  Hampton  became 
jDart  of  New  Hampshire,  ho  removed  to  Topsfield,  1651.  He  was  one 
of  the  most  prominent  men  of  that  town,  both  for  property  and  enter- 
prise. He  died,  Feb.  19,  1697-S.  Among  his  descendants  was  George 
Peabody,  the  well-known  London  banker  and  philanthropist,  who  Avas 
born  in  the  sixth  generation  from  Francis,  at  what  is  now  called  Pea- 
body,  Feb.  18,  1795.  Other  men,  eminent  for  piety,  and  distinguished 
for  patriotism,  literature  and  science,  are  found  among  his  descendants. 
Many  of  his  descendants  have  settled  in  Hillsl)oro'  county.  The  direct 
descent  of  David  Peabody,  who  at  one  time  lived  in  Francestown,  is 
as  follows,  viz. : 

1.  Francis  Peabody  had  fourteen  children,  the  first  was: 

2.  John,  born,  1842,  liad  ten  children,  the  fifth  was: 

3.  David,  b.  Jnly  12,  1678,  lived  and  died  in  Boxford;  had 

eleven  children,  the  fifth  was: 

4.  John,  b.  April  11,  1714  in  Boxford;  of  his  eleven  child- 

ren, the  first  was: 

5      David,  b.  June  27,  173(3,  lived  in   Hudson,  liad  cliildren, 

among  whom,  Esther,  m. Nahor  of  Antrim,  and 

Hannah,  m.  Joseph  Hill  of  Antrim,  the  oldest  was: 

6.     David,  b.  March  2,  1764. 

DAVID  PEABODY,  born  March  2,  1764,  in  Nottingham  AVest,now 
Hudson,  where  he  lived  about  thirty  years;  married  Eunice  Cross,  lived 
successively  in  Londonderry,  Peterboro',  Francestown,  N.  H.  and  Ot- 
sego, N.  Y. ;  died  in  Otsego,  July  25,  1832.  His  widow,  Eunice,  died 
in  Albion,  Mich; ,  March  4, 1842,  aged  76  years.    Their  children  were : — 

1.  John,  [b.  Feb.  2,  1787,  m.  Lucy  Goodricli  of  Fitchbui-g, 
Mass.;  lived  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  where  he  died,  July, 
1849,  leaving  children:  John  and  Charles  ;  the  latter,  Rev. 


878  GENEALOGIES. 

Charles  Peabody,  was  principal  of  Francestown  Academy, 
1888(?,)  afterward  graduating  at  Williams  College  alid  An- 
dover  Theo.  Sem.  He  was  settled  in  Biddeford,  1860,  in 
Elliot,  Me.,  186G,  and  Ashburnliam,  Mass.  He  was  living 
in  Springfield,  Mass.,  1892.] 

2.  Moody  M.,  [b.  May  13,1789,  d.  in  Kingston,  L.  C,  Febru- 

ary, 1866.] 

3.  Paul  Tenney,  [b.  Dec.  28,  1792,  d.  Julyl3,  1856.] 

4.  Elizabeth,  [b.  April  30,1794,  m.,  liad  children,  d.  Aug.  25, 

1825,  in  New  York  state.] 

5.  Sally,  [b.  April  29,  1796,  m.  Ebenezer  Kinson  of  ^Nlont  Ver- 

non, N.  H.;  removed  to  Otsego,  N.  Y.;  had  children.] 

6.  Mehitable,  [b.  June  23,  1798,  m.  Timotliy  Gay  of  Fran- 

cestown, where  she  lived  until  1840,  d.  in  Pioston,  March 
9,  1873.     See  record  of  the  Gay  family.] 

7.  Lydia,  [1).  Feb.  13, 1801,  m. Mallard,  d.  July  11, 1832] 

8.  RoxiA,  [b.  July  6,  1803,  d.  Jan.  25,  1811.] 

9.  David,  [b.  June  26, 1805,  lived  in  Francestown  a  few  years, 

was  clerk  for  William  Bixl)y  about  1825 ;  removed  to 
Delhi,  N.  Y.;  was  a  dentist ;  married,  had  children,  d.  in 
Elmira,  N.  Y.,  aged  about  70.] 

10.  (3LIVEU,  [b.  Feb.  11,  1807,  in   Peterboro',  N.  H.;  married, 

died  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  July  11,  1832.] 

PEARSONS. 

JESSE  PEAKSOXS  lived  about  sixteen  years  in  the  Chandler  house 
at  Mill  Village.  Duriug  his  not  long  residence  in  this  towu,  he  was 
generally  popular,  and  was  elected  selectman.  He  was  by  trade  a  car- 
penter, and  had  a  shop  on  or  near  the  spot  on  which  the  barn  of  the 
Chandler  place  now  stands.  He  died  in  this  town,  June  3,  1855, aged 
tifty-nine  years.  His  wife  was  Betsey  Boutwell  of  Lyudeboro',  a  rela- 
tive of  Mrs.  Xehemiah  Epps  of  this  town.  She  went  from  town  shortly 
after  her  husband's  death,  and  died,  Aug.  2,  1873,  aged  seventy-four 
years  and  six  months.  Her  remains  were  brought  here  aud  buried  be- 
side those  of  her  husband  iu  the  Mill  Village  cemetery.  They  had  two 
children,  both  of  whom  were  born  previous  to  their  coming  to  this 
town.     They  were: — 

1.  Kimball,  [removed  to  Massachusetts.] 

2.  Thurstin,  [removed  to  Manchester.] 


PEllLEY.  879 

PERLEY. 

HIRAM  PERLEY  was  born  in  Boxford,  Mass.,  July  18, 1800.  His 
father  was  Moody  Perley  of  Boxford,  and  his  mother  was  Nabby  Gould 
of  Topsfield.  Moody  Perley  was  the  son  of  Moses  and  Hannah  (Fry) 
Perley,  and  was  born,  March  10,  1760.  He  was  married  to  Xabby 
Gould,  Dec.  10,  1793.  Hiram  Perley  married  Ruth  Ann  Smith  of  Box- 
ford, April  4,1844.  She  was  born,  Nov. 4, 1806,  and  was  the  daughter 
of  Joseph  and  Kezia  (Gould)  Smith  of  Boxford,  who  were  united  in 
marriage,  Dec.  17,  1805.  Joseph  Smith  was  the  son  of  Nathaniel  and 
Sarah  (Burpee)  Smith;  he  was  born,  Fel).  27,  1771.  Hiram  Perley  came 
to  Francestown  previous  to  the  year  1852,  and  purchased  the  farm  now 
known  as  the  Perley  place,  westward  of  the  village;  here  they  lived 
childless  and  secluded,  and  here  Mrs.  Hiram  Perley  died,  Feb.  2.3,1863, 
and  Hiram  Perley  died  Feb.  23,  1865. 

PETERS. 

PETER  PETERS  was  a  native  of  Sweden;  he  married,  first,  Ann 
Foote,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Betsey  Foote  of  this  town;  second, Mary 
Jane  Colby,  Feb.  8,  1875.  He  resided  several  years  in  Bennington, 
being  employed  in  the  powder  mill;  he  also  resided  a  short  time  in 
West  Deering.  He  was  by  trade  a  cooper.  During  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion,  be  served  in  tlie  14th  Regt.  N.  H.  Volunte(M-s.  He  lived  on 
several  places  in  this  town,  the  last  being  the  present  residimce  of  his 
widow.     Here  he  died.  May  30, 1886,  aged  45  years.     His  children :- 

1.  Frederic  Augustus,  [b.  in  Beiniino-ton,  June  14, 1876.] 

2.  Mary  Louie,  [b.  in    Francestown,  Sept.    11.    1878,  d.  at 

West  Deering,  March  15,  1882.] 

3.  John  Arthur,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  22,  1880.] 

4.  Ella  Estelle,  [b.  in    Francestown,  Dec.  26,  1884,  d.  at 

Francestown,  July  5,  1890.] 

PETTEE. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  Pettee  genealogy  begins  with  Joseph i  and 

Sarah  ( )  Pettee,  who  lived   in    Weymouth,  Mass.,  as  early  as 

1639,  and    are  known  to  have  had    two  sons,  Samuel^  and    Simon^. 

Samuel2  was  born,  Oct.  24,  1685.     He  married  Elizabeth ,  and 

settled  in  Walpole,  Mass.  Simon,  the  younger  brother,  is  supposed 
to  have  settled  near  the  home  of  Samuel.  Simon's  children  were  : 
Samuel^,  Ebenezer^,  Eleazer^  and  John 3.  Ebenezer^  married  Mary 
Deane  of  Dedham,  where  he  settled,  and  where  his  son,  Abner,  who 
settled  in  Francestown,  was  born. 

Perhaps  this  sketch  should  have  been  prefaced  by  an  allusion  to  the 
origin  of  the  name;  but  very  little  can  be  advanced  in  this  direction, 


GENEALOGIES. 

save  assumption  and  inference.  It  is  however  claimed  by  some  histo- 
rians that  tlie  name  spelled  Pitty,  Pittee,  Petit,  Pettit,  originated  among 
the  Hugunots  of  the  sixteenth  century,  and  that  the  Pettees  are  there- 
fore of  French  extraction. 

ABNEK  I'ETTEE  was  one  of  the  many  settlers  who. came  from 
Dedhani,  Mass.,  about  the  year  17S0.  He  was  the  son  of  Ebenezer  and 
Mary  (Deane)  Pettee,  who  were  married  in  Dedham,  July  3,  1740,  and 
had  as  children,  born  at  Dedham,  Ebenezer,  born  May  25,  1741,  Simon, 
born  Dec.  5,  1742,  Abigail,  born  Oct.  2,  1744,  Daniel,  born  Sept.  16, 
174S,  Abner,  born  April  3,  1751,  Mary,  born  July  3,  1753,  Rebecca, 
who  married  Jolin  Johnson,  and  came  to.Francestown.  Abigail  and 
]\Iary  also  found  homes  in  this  town,  the  former  being  the  wife  of 
Hezekiah  Farrington,  and  the  latter  the  wife  of  John  Buggies,  Daniel 
married  Hannah  Bullard,  Aug.  25,  1774,  and  remained  in  Dedham. 
Abner  Pettee  settled  on  Bradford  Hill,  westward  of  the  George  Kings- 
l)ury  ]tlnce.  and  near  the  old  road  which  ran  nearly  east  and  west  over 
the  hill.  He  married  (]st,)Cathariue  Holmes,  May  11,  1779.  She  was 
a  sister  of  Oliver,  .Jabez  and  Enoch  Holmes,  of  whom  mention  has  been 
made.  She  died  in  1795,  and  he  mai'ried  (2nd,)  Joanna  Balch,Dec.  22, 
1795.  He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  was  a  man  of  large  frame, 
and  of  uncommon  strength.  It  is  said  that  a  little  girl  in  this  town 
upon  being  asked  by  the  minister,  "Who  was  the  strongest  man?" 
Answered  innocently,  "Abner  Pattee."  He  died  in  Francestown, 
Feb.  25,  1837.  Children. (all  l)y  first  marriage,  and  all  born  in  Fran- 
cestown,) were: — 

1.  Catharine,  [b.  Marcli  1.  1780.] 

2.  Rebecca,  [b.  July  29,  1783,  m.  Joseph.  Huntington  of  So- 

ciety Land,  Nov.  23,  1809,  d.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  17, 
1870.] 

3.  Abner,  [b.  March  IG.  1785,  m.  (1st,)  Polly  Deane  of  Fran- 

cestown, April,  1815,  (2nd,)  Olive  (Whiting)  Boardmanof 
Lydeboro',  who  survived  him  and  died  in  the  state  of  New 
York.  ]\fr.  Pettee  lived  during  the  latter  years  of  his  life 
where  liis  srin  George  now  resides;  he  was  for  several 
years  u[)on  the  board  of  selectman,  and  was  an  industrious 
and  worthy  man.  He  died  Jan.  24,  1854,  leaving  an  en- 
vial)le  reputation  for  staunch  manhood  and  faithful  living. 
His  children,  (all  born  at  Francestown  and  all  by  first 
m  ar ri  ag  e  ) ,  w  e  r e : — 
Mark,(h.  Jan.  19,  1816,  m.  Jennette  Gove  of  Henniker,  Feb. 
2,  1842;  she  was  born  at  Henniker,  Aug.  31,  1819.  Mr. 
Pettes  wa->  for  niiiy  yair.:^  a  fanner  iii  this  town.   He  now 


PETTEE.  881 

resides  at  Boston.  Children,  all  born  in  Francestown): — 
Helen  J.,  b.  Feb.  8,  1844,  res.  in  Medford,  Mass.  Deane 
H.,  b.  Feb.  16, 1847 ;  is  a  box  niannfacturer  in  Boston,  m. 
Amanda  M.  Kemmick  of  Boston,  Mass.,  Oct.  28,  1875. 
Will  E.,  b.  April  15, 1852,  m.  Idella  E.  Tenney  of  Fitchbnrg, 
Mass.,  Oct.  12,  1873;  is  a  sash  and  blind  manufacturer. 
Mark,  b.  Aug.  30,  1853,  d.  Sept.  24,  1854.    Cornelia  A., 

•  b.  Aug.  2,  1856,  m.  Henry  C.  Averill  of  Newport,  July  15, 
1876,  res.  in  Newport.  Cordelia,  b.  Aug.  2,  1856,  m.  Will 
O.  Smith  of  Boston,  Nov.  9,  1875,  res.  at  Medford,  Mass. 
Arthur  C,  b.  Feb.  21,  1859,  m.  Ida  W.  Ellis  of  Quincy, 
Mass.,  Oct.  25,  1890,  res.  in  Qunicy;  is  by  occupation  a 
milkman.  Frank  G.,  b.  March  29,  1861 ;  is  a  trunk-maker 
in  Quincy,  Mass. 

Mary^(h.  May  13,  1818,  lives  in  Francestown,  is  a  most  ex- 
cellent Christian  lady.) 

Rebecca  K.,(h.  Aug.  16,  1821,  m.  Peter  Cram  of  Mont  Ver- 
non, July,  1850,  resides  at  California,  Mo.) 

Dean  II.,(h.  Sept.  9, 1824,  d.  in  Francestown,  April  17, 1845.) 

Greorge  F.,{h.  April  9,  1828,  m.  Margia  L.  Hardy  of  Fran- 
cestown, Feb.  14,  1861.  She  died  in  Francestown,  May 
7,  1890.  Mr.  Pettee  has  been  a  life-long  resident  of  this 
town,  and  his  recognized  efficiency  and  good  sterling  quali- 
ties have  won  for  him  official  positions  and  personal  promi- 
nence. He  has  represented  the  town  in  the  state  legisla- 
ture ;  has  served  many  years  upon  the  board  of  selectmen, 
and  in  the  capacity  of  a  teacher,  superintending  school 
committee,  member  of  the  school  board,  and  trustee  of 
the  Academy,  has  had  the  educational  interests  of  the 
town  at  heart  from  his  "youth  up."  Children,  all  born 
at  Francestown:  Walter  F.,  b.  May  28,  1862,  m.  Josie 
Burt  of  Laconia,  Oct.  11,  1890.  G.  Freddie,  b.  July  6, 
1866,  d.  Jan.  11,  1873.  Elmer  H.,  b.  June  11,  1868,  d. 
March  24,  1870.  Emma  L.,  b.  Nov.  5,  1870.  Mary  A., 
b.  May  8,  1873.     George  E.,  b.  April  2,  1876.) 

Oliver  B.,(b.  Aug.  14, 1836,  m.  Melvina  A.  Cristy  of  New 
Boston,  March  15,  1873.  She  died  at  Francestown,  April 
20,  1889.     Mr.  Oliver  Pattee  is  a  farmer  in  this  town,  is  a 


882  GENEALOGIES. 

man  of  unfailing  and  well-directed  industry,  and  the  best 
.     of  principles.    Only  child  :  Freddie  A.,  b.  in  Francestown, 
Dec.  17,1876.)] 

4.  Ebenezer,  [b.  Dec.  23,  1788,  m.  Lydia  Hall  of    Frances- 

town,  Oct.  19,  1813  ;  began  near  the  old  Kemp  farm  in  the 
nortliern  part  of  the  town,  afterward  owned  a  mill  on  the 
Collins  brook,  east  of  the  school-house  in  Dist.  No.  1,  near 
which  he  lived.  Later  he  owned  the  mill  and  the  A.'W. 
Wood  place  in  Mill  village,  whence  he  moved  to  Brook- 
line,  where  he  died,  April  28,"  1873  ;  his  wife  died  at 
Brookline,  Jan.  5,  1868.  His  children,  all  born  in  Fran- 
cestown, were: — 

Emcline  H.,{h.  Dec  20,.  1814.  d.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  17, 
1823.) 

Mary  Tf.,  (b.  June  1,  1816,  m.  Francis  A.  Peterson  of  Brook- 
line,  where  she  resides.) 

Horace,(h.  Dec.  1,  1817,  m.  (1st,)  Elizabeth  F.  Wilson  of 
Francestown,  Nov.  7,  1843, (2nd,) Sarah  E.  Adams  of  New 
Boston,  Oct.  27,  1856  ;  is  an  enterprising  merchant  at 
INIanchester.) 

Emily  B.,(h.  April  1,  1824,  m.  Josepli  W.  Peterson  of  Brook- 
line,  d.  at  Brookline,  May  28,  1858.) 

J(iwt'.y,(b.  March  29,1826,  d.in  Francestown,  March  4,  1846.) 

Holmes  B.,(h.  Oct.  13,  1831,  m.  Frances  B.Adams  of  New 
Boston,  Oct.  31, 1857;  was  in  partnership  with  his  brother 
Horace,  in  Manchester,  where  he  died,  Feb.  21,  1892.)] 

5.  Twins,  unnamed,  [b.  in  1795.] 

PHELPS. 

JOHN  PHELPS,  son  of  John  and  Deborah  Phelps,  was  born  Apr.  20, 
1744.  He  married  Dec.  24,170-2,  in  Hollis  to  Mary  Lakin  of  Groton. 
Of  the  ancestry  of  his  parents,  John  and  Deborah,  we  have  no  certain 
knowledge.  There  is  however  a  tradition  that  the  emigrant  ancestor 
of  John  of  Hollis,  came  to  this  country  from  AVales.  The  name  of  John 
Phelps  appear  upon  the  roll  of  Revolutionary  soldiers,  who  went  from 
the  town  of  Hollis,  Luther  Phelps,  son  of  John  and  Mary(Lakin) Phelps, 
was  born  at  Hollis,  June  17,  1787,  and  married  Mary  Brooks  in  1S22. 
She  was  born  in  Hancock,  July  19,  1798,  and  died  in  Deering,  July  5, 
1850.  Luther  Phelps  lived  many  years  in  Deering  where  he  died,  Feb. 
11,  1853. 


PIERCE.  8(55 

WILLIAM  AMES  PHELPS,  sou  of  Luther  and  Mary  (Brooks)  Phelps, 
was  born  in  Deering,Eeb.  5,1820.  He  married  June  4,  1850,  Francis 
Maria,  daughter  of  James  and  Melinda(Grimes)Eoss,  of  Deering,  where 
she  was  born,  Aug.  1,  1829.  Mr.  Phelps  came  here  with  his  family 
from  Manchester  in  ISGo,  having  purchased  the  place  on  which  he  now 
lives.  He  is  by  vocation  a  blacksmith  as  well  as  a  farmer,  is  accounted 
a  good  citizen.     His  children  are: — 

1.  Ella  Maria,  [b.  in  Deering,  April  12,1852,  m.  Orlando 

D.  Wilson  of  Sherburne,  Vt.,  Api'il  12,  1872,  res.  in  An- 
trim.] 

2.  Mary  Frances,  [b.  at  Deering,  Oct.  3,  1854,  m.  Sylvester 

Tenney  of  Peterboro',  Jan.  1,  1878,  res.  in  Peterboro'.] 

3.  Annie  Laurie,  [b.  at  Goffstown,  Feb.  1,  1861,  m.  (leorge 

Woodbridge  of  Bennington,  Nov.  27,  1886,  res.  in  Ben- 
nington.] 

4.  Edmund  Hale,  [b.  in  Goffstown,  Aug.  22,  1862.  res.  in 

Reading,  Mass.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  milk  busi- 
nesss.] 

5.  Elizabeth  Adelia,  [b.  in  Manchester,  Oct.  31,  1864,  m. 

Charles  E.  Robertson  of  Penacook,  Oct.  27,  1887,  res.  in 
Antrim.] 

PIERCE, 

IsTATHAN  PIERCE  was  one  of  the  early  residents  of  this  town, 
just  where  he  lived  in  town  we  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain.  Sarah 
Pierce  presumed  to  be  his  wife,  became  a  member  of  the  cliurch  here 
previous  to  the  year  1792.     Children  were: — 

1.  Joseph,  [b.  Oct.  10,  1769.     Flis  name  appears  upon  the  tax 

list  of  1793,  and  he  doubtless  had  a  family  in  this  town, 
since  we  find  in  an  old  memorandum  the  following  entry : 
"Joseph  Parce,  Jun.  buried  (in  the  old  yard,)  Februar}^, 
1791,  "and  in  the  town  records  we  find,"  Joseph  son 
Joseph,  and  Esther  Parce, born  Aug.  19,  1796,  also  Joseph 
Pears'  wife,  buried  February,  1794.] 

2.  Nathan,  [b.  May  5,  1771,    was  doubtless  the  liead  of  a 

family  in  the  town,  since  we  find  recorded  the  following 

names  of  children  of  Nathan  "Parce." 
Sarah,  (b.  April  29,  1795.)    • 
Wlinam,(h.  April  3,1798.) 
Folly, {h.  Aug.  7,  1801.) 


884  GENEALOGIES. 

Judith  Sleeper, {h.  Sept.  3,  1803.)] 

3.  Sarah,  [b.  June  25,  1775.] 

4.  Lemuel,  [b.  Sept.  25,  1777.] 

5.  WiLLiAM,[b.  Dec.  1,  1779,  m.  Abigail  Starrett  of  Frances- 

town,  July  15,  1802,  removed  to  Vermont,  and  died  in 
that  state.     His  children  were : — 

Abigail,{h.  in  Hebron,  April  22,1803,  m.  Jolni  H. 

of  Corinth,  Vt.,  May  5,  1828,  d.  at  Reading,  Mass.  Jan.  9, 
1855.) 

Susa7i,{d.  in  Reading,  unmarried,  Aug.  9,  18G2.) 

Drtv/tZ, (lived  in  Montpelier,  Vt.) 

Simeon,{\\\^vv\ed  Hannah  Lewis  of  Reading,  removed  to  Wis- 
consin, and  died  at  Oshkosh.) 

WilU(im,{m-Avv'nn\.  Dorothy  Rideout  of  Maine,  died  in  Read- 
ing, Mass.) 

jE///2rt/^g^7i,( married  George  Winn  of  Reading,  died  at  Read- 
ing, in  1868.) 

'7o.s-gj» A,  (married  Adeline  Strong  of  Reading.) 

Moses  5., (died  unmarried.) 

(rt^orf/g,  (married  Lucinda  Richardson  of  Wilmington,  Mass., 
died  at  Reading.)] 

6.  Susanna, [b.  July  26,  1782.] 

7.  Deborah, [b.  June  22,  1786,  m.  Timothy  Osgood  of  this 

town,  Nov.  14,  1804. 

DR.  LEVI  J.  PIEUCE,  pi-acticed  medicine  here  a  few  years  occupy- 
ing the  Searle  house  in  the  villiage.  His  name  appears  in  this  work 
among  the  names  of  physicians. 

POTTER. 

SAMUEL  POTTER,  purchased  land  here  in  1784.  He  was  previous 
to  this,  a  resident  of  Goffstown.  His  home  here  was  the  place  now 
occupied  by  Albert  Whitfield.  Samuel  Potter  was  by  trade,  a  nail- 
maker  and  was  by  repute,  a  very  eccentric  man.  The  date  of  his  de- 
parture from  town  is  not  known,  but  he  doubtless  lived  here  at  least 
twelve  years.  To  him  and  his  wife,  Mary,  were  born  in  Francestown, 
three  children: — 

1.  Samuel, [b.  May  17, 1790.] 

2.  Hannah, [b.  March  6,  1792.] 

3.  AARON,[b.  Aug.  17,  1794.] 


PRENTISS.  885 

PRENTISS. 

ISAAC  A.  PRENTISS,  when  a  boy  came  to  this  town  from  Boston, 
Mass.  with  Mr.  Nahum  Russell  of  this  town  and  lived  first  in  the  fam- 
ily of  James  Dennison,  he  afterward  lived  with  Moses  Cram  of  Weare, 
and  subsequently  found  a  home  at  Mr.  William  Lord's.  He  purchased 
the  Taylor  place  in  Mill  Villiage  and  died  there,  unmarried,  June  24, 
1865,  aged  54  years. 

PRESBY. 

JOSEPH  E.  PRESBY,  came  here  from  Nashua  in  lSfi5,  and  pur- 
chased the  place  now  occupied  by  his  widow.  He  was  born  in  Bradford, 
N.  H.,  Aug.  16,  1820,  and  married  (1st,)  Jane  Fulton,  xipr.  4,  1844. 
She  was  born  in  Bradford,  June  6,  1822.  He  married,  (2nd,)  Caroline 
Hayward  of  Nashua;  (3rd,)  Eliza  J.  Eaton,  Oct.  20,  1859.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  Nathan  and  Mary  (Bowman)  Eaton,  who  have  already  re- 
ceived mention  in  this  work.  Joseph  Presby  died  in  Francestown, 
Dec.  7,  1880.  His  children,  by  first  marriage,  none  of  whom  resided 
in  this  town,  were: — 

1.  Louisa  H.,[b.  in  Nashua,  Aug.  28,  1845,  m.  Henry  Smitli 

of  Milford,  d.  in  Nashua.] 

2.  Lucy  M.,[b.  in  Nashua,  Nov.  18,  1848,  m.  Lane  of 

Charlestown,  Mass.,  res.  in  Charlestown.] 

By  second  marriage: — 

3.  Alice  H.,  [b.  in  Nashua,  July  3,  1850,  m.   Fred   Johnson   of 

Hampstead,  N.  H.] 

PRESTON. 

JEDEDIAH  and  SAMUEL  PRESTON,  two  brothers,  came  to 
America  from  England  in  the  ship  Constantine  in  1770,  and  tradition 
informs  us  that  they  were  accompanied  by  a  third  brother,  Hezekiah, 
who  settled  in  Massachusetts. 

*Jedediah  Preston  was  born  iu  Yorkshire,   England,  Apr.  21.  1749. 

*Jedediah  Preston  was,  by  repute,  a  man  of  a  very  nervous  tempera- 
ment, with  more  than  a  mite  of  the  eccentric  in  his  nature.  The  gun 
carried  by  him  while  a  subaltern  officer  in  the  Continental  Army  is  now 
in  the  possession  of  James  H.  Preston.  It  is  a  formidable  looking  piece, 
and  Jedediah  in  times  of  unwonted  excitement  is  said  to  have  dis- 
charged itcontrary  to  orders,  but  not  without  bringing  death  or  discom- 
fiture to  the  British.  While  he  was  living  inllillsboro',  Mr.  Stewart,  a 
neighbor,  who  was  engaged  in  rafting  logs  on  the  river,  came  to  him  lo 
borrow  some  "setting  poles,"  or  poles  used  in  that  kind  of  work.  "You 
won't  bi-ing  them  back,"  said  Jedediah,  petulently,  "I    will,"  returned 


886  GENEALOGIES. 

Two  years  after  coming  to  America,  lie  married  Esther  Burtt,  whose 
acquaintance  he  made  on  board  the  Constantino,  she  also  being  a  pas- 
senger on  that  vessel.  He  worked  at  farming  in  Andover,  Mass.,  two 
years,  after  which  he  went  to  Hillsboro",  where  he  settled  and  became 
prosperous, and  where  he  died  in  1823.  Samuel  Preston  lived  for  many 
years  in  Burlington,  Mass.  His  son  Samuel,  however,  made  a  home  for 
himself  in  the  northern  wilderness  and  l)ecame  one  of  the  first  settlers 
of  Campbell's  Gore,  (now  Windsor.)  where  his  son,  Jacob  Preston,  of 
Francestown  was  born. 

JAMES  H.  PKESTOX,  came  here  from  Hillsboro'  in  1892  and  pur- 
chased the  Steele  place  on  which  he  now  lives.  He  is  of  the  fourth 
generation  from  Jedediah  Preston,  lh(!  emigrant,  whose  son,  Jedediah 
was  born  in  Hillsboro',  Jan%  21,  1773,  and  married  Hephzibah  Hardy, 
a  relatives  of  Hermon  Hardy  of  this  town.  Hammon,  son  of  Jedediah 
and  Hephzibah  was  born  in  Hillsboro',  Nov.  8, 171*9,  and  married  Sophia 
Huse  of  Henniker  in  1824,  and  died  in  Hillsboro',  Sept.  o,  1875. 
Sophia  Huse  was  born  in  Henniker,  March  IjO,  1799,  and  died  in  Hills- 
boro', Feb.  25,  1850.  James  H.  Preston,  son  of  Hammon  and  Sophia 
(Huse)  Preston,  was  born  in  Hillsboro',  Sept.  14,  1829,  and  married 
Lucinda  Mellon,  Dec.  29,  1852,  she  was  born  in  Walden,  Vt.,  July  2, 
1829,  and  is  a  descendant  of  the  Mellons  who  went  from  N'ew  Boston  to 
Walden,  and  who  were  doubtless  related  to  the  Mellons  of  Francestown, 
who  also  removed  to  Vermont.  Mr.  Preston  is  by  vocation  a  wheel- 
wright as  well  as  a  farmer.  He  has  interested  himself  in  the  genealogy 
of  the  Prestons  of  this  section  and  has  rendered  us  valuable  assistance 
in  the  preparation  of  this  sketch.  His  children,  none  of  whom  have 
resided  in  Francestown,  are:  — 

1.  John  S.  W..[b.  Nov.  14, 1857,  m.  Sarah  E.  Martin  of  Weare, 
May  1,  1880,  resided  at  Boston,  Mass.] 

Mr.  Stewart.  -'Xo  you  wont,"  insisted  the  other,  "you  will  be  drowned," 
"I  will  bring  them  back  even  if  I  am  drowned,"  replied  Stewart,  and 
taking  the  poles,  he  repaired  to  the  river  and  singularly  enough,  icas 
drowned.  Sometime  during  the  following  night  a  son  of  Mr.  Preston, 
heard  a  disturbance  on  the  premises  and  springing  fi'om  his  bed,  hurried 
out  and  found  the  cattle  in  the  corn  field.  He  drove  out  the  intruders 
and  proceeded  to  close  the  gap  in  the  fence  through  which  they  had 
entered,  with  some  hop  poles  which  were  near  by.  While  thus  employ- 
ed, old  Jedediah  having  been  awakened  repaired  to  the  door  of  the  house, 
wh-ere  the  sight  of  a  moving  figure  arrayed  in  white  and  burdened  Avith 
poles,  chilled  his  very  marrow,  for  Stewart's  reckless  promise  came  like 
a  rtash  to  his  mind,  and  with  an  unsteady  voice  he  called  out  "Don't 
bring  them  back,  Stewart!  Don't  bringthem  back!"  A  few  words  from 
his  son  relieved  him  of  his  superstitious  fears, -but  not  of  the  burden  of 
a  joke  which  he  had  unwittingly  brought  upon  himself. 


PllESTON.  887 

2.  Sophia,  [b.  IVIarcli  28,  1866,  m.  Charles  Nelson  of  Hillsboro', 

Feb.  28,  1884,  res.  at  HilLsboro".] 

3.  William  Hammon,  [b.  June  15,  1868,  m.  Mary  E.  Carr  of 

Boston,  Mass.,  Apr.  8,  1889,  resided  at  Boston,  Mass.] 

JACOB  PRESTOX,  was  born  in  Windsor,  March  5,  1789,  and  came 
to  Francestown  about  the  year  1810  to  learn  the  bLacksmith!s  trade  of 
vSamuel  Burge.  He  married  Betsey  Clark  of  Francestown, Dec.  IG  1813. 
He  worked  at  his  trade  in  several  shops  in  this  town,  one  of  which, 
long  ago  remodelled  is  the  house  of  Oliver  St.  John.  His  last  years 
were  spent  with  his  son,  Luke  W.  Preston  in  Mill  Villiage  where  he 
died,  Jan.  12,  1872.     His  only  child   is: — 

1.  Luke  W.,  [b.  in  Windsor,  Dec.  15.  1816,  ni.  Mary  F.  Fair- 
banks of  Francestown,  Sept.  9, 1844.  He  long  followed  bis 
father's  vocation  in  Mill  Villiage  occupying  the  honse  and 
shop  long  occupied  by  Henry  W.  Spaulding.  He  was 
twice  elected  to  the  otiHce  of  selectman.  No  man  stood 
better  in  the  community  in  wliich  he  lived  and  throughout 
the  town,  as  a  neighbor  and  a  citizen.  In  1 873,  he  removed 
to  Henniker  where  he  now  resides.      His  children: — 

George  C,  (b.  in  Manchester,  Aug.  17,  1848,  m.  Emma  J. 
Boynton  of  this  town,  Nov.  6, 1871.  He  is  now  a  success- 
ful merchant  and  a  leading  citizen  of  Henniker,  where  he 
has  held  the  office  of  town-clerk  and  post-master  and  is  now 
justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  elected  to  represent  the  town 
in  the  Legislature  in  181)0,  and  in  1892,  Mas  elected  to  the 
Senate.) 

Walter  H.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  July  12,  1854,  m.  Nettie  A. 
Rice  of  Henniker,  Dec.  27,  1877,  Avorked  for  a  time  at  the 
mason's  trade,  but  settled  in  Henniker  and  went  into 
partnership  witli  his  brother  George.  He  died  in  Henniker, 
July    12,  1890.) 

Arthur  Gr.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  March  8,  1856,  m.  Eliza  A. 
Lovering  of  NeAv  Boston,  Dec.  1,  1875,  was  for  several 
years  in  the  store  of  Solomon  Atwood  in  New  Boston,  but 
removed  to  Henniker,  where  he  is  now  in  trade  with  his 
brother.)] 

PROCTOR. 

SAMUEL  PROCTOR,  came  here  from  Massahusetts,  about  the  year 
1810.     He  married  Edie  Kemp  of  this  town,  Oct.    3,    1815.      She  died 


888  GENEALOGIES. 

here  Feb.  20,  1856,  aged  67  years.  Samuel  lived  several  years  on  the 
Ebenezer  Pettee  place  in  the  north  part  of  the  town.  He  was  after- 
ward employed  by  John  Gibson  and  occupied  a  small  house  to  north- 
ward of  the  Gibson  tavern.  He  died  here  Xov.  2'3,  1826.  His  child- 
ren were  all  born  in  this  town.     They   were: — 

1.  Mary,  [married  Levi  IMcIntja^e  of  Vermont,  d.  in  the  West.] 

2.  Sarah,  [married  Otis  Dinsmore  of  this  town,  d.  in  Deering.] 

3.  Eliza  Jane,  [married Cram  of  Vermont,  d.    in  Ver- 

mont.] 

4.  Alice,  [married  Person  WiHard  of  Deering,  (pub.   Sept.    1, 

1845),  d.  at  Warner.] 

5.  John  Gibson,  [m.  (1st,)  Jane  Dustin  of  Francestown,  she 

died  here  Jan.  29,  1859,  aged  50  years,  (2nd,)  Mary  J. 
(Whitfield) Woods.  He  died  on  the  place  now  owned  by 
John  Hastings,  Nov.  30.  1884,  aged  59  years.  He  was  the 
father  of  four  children,  three  of  whom  Avere  by  his  first 
marriage. 

i¥"a?7/,(left  home  early  in  life.) 

SamueL{}\.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  18, 1859,  aged  8  years.) 

iSarah  Jam\(^d.  in   Francestown.) 

John  ii.,(b.  in  Francestown,  res.  in  Lowell,   Mass.)] 

PUNCHARD. 

JOSEPH  PUNCHAED  was  a  resident  of  this  town  as  early  as  1806. 
He  built  tlie  house  now  occupied  by  Daniel  S.  Henderson,  but  lived 
several  years  in  the  Greenwood  house.  He  was  by  trade  a  shoemaker. 
He  married  Polly  Maxfield  of  this  town  Feb.  K),  180.5.  She  died  Sept. 
4,  1815.  The  children  of  Joseph  Punchard,  after  the  death  of  their 
mother,  went  to  Mississippi  to  live  with  an  uncle  who  resided  in  that 
state.  We  have  the  names  of  four,  they  were: — Mary,  Samuel,  Sopli- 
ronia,  and  William.  Samuel  live!  for  a  time  near  Satartia,  Miss.  He 
married  Mary  F.  Haseltine,  daughter  of  James  ■  W.  Haseltine  of  this 
town,  Aug.  20,  1835.  Betsey  Punchard,  doubtless  a  sister  of  Joseph, 
married  Ira,  son  of  Abner  Fisher  of  this  town,  Sept.  25,  1806.  From 
the  Revolutionary  Rolls,  we  learn  that  Joseph  Punchard  from  Frances- 
town,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Continental  army. 

PUTNAM. 

LEVI  PUT:N'AM,son  of  Townes  and  Polly(Shaw)Putnam  of  Lynde- 
boro'  was  born  May  6,  1847.  He  married  Louisa  Colby  of  this  town, 
May  15,  1871,  and  came  here  from  Lyndeboro'  to  live  on  the  Whitney 
or  Colby  place,  which  he  has  since  occupied.  He  is  by  trade  a  painter. 
His  children  are: — 


QUIGLEY.  889 

1.  FiiANK  GiLMAN,  [b.  ill  Lyiideboi'o,  May  29,  1872,  res.  with 

his  parents.] 

2.  Emma  Alice,  [b.  in    Francestown,  Apr.  5,  1875,  m.  Henrj'- 

Hood  of  Weare,  res.  in  Weare.1 

3.  Geoege  Warren,  [b.  in  Francestown,  March  20,  1877.] 

4.  Willie  Arthue,  [b.  in  Francestown,  July  13,  1879.] 

5.  Sewell  Clinton,  [b.  in  Francestown,  May  26  1882.] 

6.  Walter  Alton,  [b.  in  Francestown,  June  17,  1885.] 

QUIGLEY. 

THOMAS  QUIGLEY,  a  brave  and  smart  youug  Scotchman,  was  born 
in  the  Scotch  County  in  the  northeast  part  of  Ireland  in  170.3.  At  the 
age  of  21  he  seems  to  have  started  for  America.  The  ship  was  wreck- 
e"d  near  tlie  coast  and  young  Quigley  lost  everything,  not  even  saving 
clothes  enough  to  cover  him.  Everything  but  the  stout  shirt-collar 
around  his  neck  Avas  torn  off  his  body  before  he  was  thrown  upon  the 
shore!  Yet  with  Scotch  toughness  and  grit,  he  survived  all  this,  and 
went  to  woi'k  to  retrieve  his  fortunes.  It  is  not  known  where  he  was 
for  the  next  ten  years,  though  probabl}'  at  hard  labor  in  the  vicinity  of 
Boston.  He  maiTied  about  1734  and  settled  in  Londonderry  (now 
Windham)  in  17;)<S,  or  before,  was  active  in  securing  the  incorporation 
of  Windham  in  17;)!i,  and  was  selectman  of  that  town,  1744.  He  was  a 
man  of  force  and  good  calculation,  accumulating  a  good  property  in 
Windham,  where  he  resided  nearly  .30  years.  He  moved  his  family  to 
Francestown  in  1767,  (then  a  part  of  Kew  Boston),  and  being  one  of 
the  early  settlers  of  this  town  some  of  these  statements  concerning 
him  have  already  been  given  in  the  body  of  this  work  at  that  date.  He 
came  here  as  early  as  1762  and  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land  on  what 
is  now  the  turnpike,  embracing  the  Willard  Carter  farm  (now  Kim- 
ball J.  Wilson^s)  and  the  McAlvin  or  Duncklee  farm.  Here  he  and 
his  sons  made  beginnings,  clearing  somewhat  each  year.  The  first 
house  upon  it  stood  north  of  said  Wilson's  and  on  an  old  road  once 
open  from  the  Smith-Sawyer- Avery  place,  to  the  Isaac  Lewis  place,  and 
has  been  gone  many  years.  Subsequently,  in  giving  this  tract  to  his 
children  for  two  farms,  he  divided  it  by  a  line  running  north  and  south 
so  that  each  should  have  part  of  the  meadow,  which  is  so  valuable  to 
this- day.  Quigley  bought  other  large  tracts  of  land  in  town,  and  gave 
each  of  his  children  a  farm,  was  a  Christian  man,  often  on  committees 
in  church  affairs,  and  consulted  in  matters  of  importance,  both  in  IS'ew 
^Boston  (old  town)  and  Francestown.  In  the  Revolution,  being  an  old 
man,  he  naturally  clung  to  the  old  order  of  things,  and  was  almost  a 
tory  for  some  years.  Yet  he  had  the  confidence  of  the  people,  and  a 
meeting  to  help  on  the  cause  of  the  patriots  was  held  July  IG,  1776 
"at  Thomas  Quigley's  House".     When  a  call    was  given   Rev.    Robert 


890  GENEALOGIES. 

Annan  to  settle  in  this  town  in  1781,  Thomas  Quigley  was  one  of  the 
committee  chosen  by  the  town  "to  Present  the  Peticion  to  the  Pres- 
bittery".  He  died  Aug.  22,  1793,  aged  nearly  90  years.  Was  held  in 
highest  esteem  bj'  the  whole  communit}-,  was  of  mature  years  when  he 
came  here,  bringing  with  him  a  famih-  of  thsee  sons  and  six  daughters, 
most  of  whom  were  grown  up.  They  were  all  born  in  Windham,  ex- 
cept, perhaps,  the  oldest,  and  were  as  follows: — 

1.  JoHX,  [The  Windham  History  states  that  he  was  'living  in 
New  Boston  in  1765"' — which  means  that  he  was  in  the 
''New  Boston  Addition" — afterwards  Francestown.  This 
was  the  location  of  his  father  with  whom  John,  beinof  un- 
married,  continued  to  reside.  No  doubt  they  had  a  house 
built  as  early  as  the  above  date,  for  shelter  while  working 
liere  in  summer  seasons.  John  was  well-educated  for  the 
times,  and  one  of  the  smartest  men  in  this  vicinity.  Was 
a  land-surveyor;  was  Deputy-Sheriff  1771,  and  1772,  and 
perhaps  longer;  was  appointed  by  the  State  Legislature  to 
call  the  first  meeting  in  this  town;  was  chosen  by  the  town 
its  first  Moderatoi-and  chairman  of  its  first  Board  of  Select- 
men, holding  ])oth  offices  by  continued  election  for  several 
3-ears;  was  chosen  by  the  town  to  build  its  first  meeting- 
house(Aug.  31,  1772);  was  on  almost  every  committe  ap- 
pointed for  any  purpose;  and  had  every  gift  and  honor 
that  the  town  could  confer. 

But  he  held  a  Commission  from  the  King  as  Deputy- 
Sheriff,  and  it  has  been  said  also  and  no  doubt  with  truth 
a  Commission  from  the  King  as  Justice  of  the  Peace;  and 
he  at  least  leaned  strongly  toward  the  royal  cause.  He  was 
under  suspicion  on  this  account  even  before  the  war  broke 
out;  but  for  the  most  })art  he  had  the  confidence  of  his 
fellow-townsmen,  being  elected  chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Selectmen  and  also  Moderator,  so  long  as  he  sta3'ed  in 
town.  But  the  opposition  to  him  become  intense  outside 
of  the  town,  and  increased  within  and  on  occount  of  it,  he 
absconded  in  1776,  and  nothing  more  was  ever  heard  from 
him.  An  account  of  these  affairs  may  be  found  in  the 
body  of  this  work  covering  the  early  years  of  the  war.  He" 
Avas  a  tor}'  in  his  preferences  without  doubt,  but  mild  and 
friendly,  and  unwilling  to  break  witJi  the  patriots,  so  long 
as  it  could  be  avoided.     Careful  study  of  the  case  leads  the 


QUIGLEY.  891 

writer  to  a  lenient  view  of  liis  error  and  an  honest  sorrow 
for  him  as  an  able  and  good  man  feeling  bound  in  con- 
science by  his  oft-repeated  oath  to  the  king.] 
William,  [Settled  and  died  on  what  is  now  known  as  the 
Felch  Place  near  Deering  line, — which    place  had  been 
cleared  and  occupied  by  his  brother-in-law,  Matthew  Aiken. 
William  married  Hannah  Brown,  who  had   a  sister,    Mrs. 
P\ilton  living  near  on  the  Deering  side  of  the  line.     He 
took  tlie  farm  at  Aiken's  death,  but  did  not  occupy  it  many 
years,  as  he  died  Sept.  12,  1784,  aged  39  years,  and  some 
months.     He  left  but  one  child  named  below.     His  widow 
married  John  Gibson. 
James,  (b.  July  7,  1776;  m.  Nancy  Gillis  of  Deering,  Sept.  12, 
1799,  who  died  Jan.  1,  1861  aged  nearly  84.  James  occu- 
pied the  homestead  of  his  fathei-,  and  died  there  July  12, 
1858.     He  left  eight  children,  as  follows: — First,  Hannah, 
who  was  a  dress-maker,  and  died  unm.  when  on  a  visit  at 
Greene,  N.  Y.,  Jan.  31,  1838,  aged  34;    Second,    Lucinda, 
who  was  b.  Aug.  10,  1805,  m.  1st.,  John  Hosley  of    Han- 
cock, 2nd.,  Noah  Leonard  of  Troy,  Pa.;  the  third    child  of 
James,  was  William,  who  was  b.  July  24,  1807,  m.  1st., 
Mary  J.  Rolfe  of  Hillsboro,  2nd.,  Asenath  Bixby  of  Fran- 
cestown,d.  Nov.  27, 1861,  leaving  one  child,  Charles  A.,  who 
married  Mary  A.  Burte   of   Bennington,  July    24,    1865, 
and  died   here  May  17,  1872.     Children  of  Charles  A., 
were:  James  F.,  born  at  Francestown,  Aug.  5,  1867,  died 
here,  Feb.  23,  1872;  Fanny  Ella,  born  at  Francestown, 
May  30,  1870,  married  Elmer  E.  Mandego  of  Manchester, 
May  29,  1887.     Children  of  Fanny  Ella,  were:  Howard 
Turner,  born  at  Manchester,  Apr.  7,  1888;  Leola  B.,born 
at  Francestown,  Apr.  19, 1890;  Verna,  born  at  Nashua,  June 
27,1892:  Nancy,  fourth  child  of  James,  was  born,  July  27, 
1809,  d.unm.  Feb.  17,  1856;  Mary,  fifth  child,  b.  Nov.  16, 
1811,    m.    Isaiah  W.   Sweetzer  of    Bennington  (formerly 
Deering,)  Oct.  28,    1848,  died  in  Antrim,  Jan.  1,  1892, 
leaving  one  child,  Nancy  Maria,  b.  Sept.  8,  1854;  Harriet, 
sixth  child  of  James,  b.  Feb.  13, 1815,  m.  Benjamin  S.  Ab- 
bott of  Reading,  Mass.,  Apr.  23,  1840,  d.  Oct.  5, 1848,  leav- 
ing one  child,  B.  F.  Abbott  of  Nashua;  James  Jr.,  the  7th 


892  GENEALOGIES. 

cliikl  of  James,  b.  Sept.  11,  1817,  lived  on  the  family 
homestead,  died  unm.  May  27,  1861;  and  Oliva  Jane,  8th 
child  of  James,  b.  June  16,  1819,  d.  niim.  Nov.  5,  1863. 
It  should  be  added  here  that  Benjamin  F.  Abbott  of  Nashua? 
son  of  Harriet  Quigle}-,  named  above,  was  brought  up  in 
Francestown.  He  was  born  in  Readiug.  ]\Iass.,  July,  1847; 
came  to  this  town  1849;  lived  here  till  1868,  when  at  age 
of  21  he  went  to  Nashua;  m.  Etta  F.  Pulmerof  that  city, 
Oct.  20,  1875,  and  died  there  Sept.  14,  1877.)] 
o.  Maegaret,  [m.  Matthew  Aiken,  who  was  the  first  settler 
on  the  Quigley-Felch  Place.  He  was  killed  by  the  fall  of 
a  tree  when  a  young  man,  but  the  date  is  not  known.  She 
was  taxed  as  "  Widdow  Akean"  in  1772,  and  died  here, 
Dec.  3,  1816.] 

4.  Maiiv  a.,  [called  -Molly"  m.  John  Mdlvaine:  left  no  child- 

ren, died  in  Francestown.] 

5.  Susannah,  [m.Wm.  Lord;  d. Nov.  1833;  see  Lord  family.] 

6.  [m.  Holmes  ] 

7.  Betsey,  [b.    Jan.  23,  1797;   m.  Joshna  Huntington;    was 

mother  of  Mrs.  David  Cochran  of  New  Boston,  who  died 
June  15,  1888,  aged  nearly  92;  JNIrs.  Huntington  died 
Aug.  14,  1818;  w<ii  the  first  person  buried  in  the  Mill  Vil- 
lage Cemetery,  now  crowded  full.] 

8.  Thomas  Jr.,  [promising  young  man;  was  appointed  Ijy    tlie 

town  June  10,  1775,  Avhen  only  19  yrs.  of  age,  to  '^assist" 
in  collecting  the  '••Land  Tax  from  the  proprietors  that  lives 
out  of  Francestown  for  building  the  meeting-house";  lived 
with  his  father;  died  greatly  lamented  July  17,  1782,  in 
his  27th  year.] 

9.  Jane,  [b.  1757;  m.  William    Mdlvaine  1790;   d.   May    12, 

1842,  aged  85.  See  Mdlvaine  family.  These  nine  child- 
ren of  Thomas  Quigley  may  not  be  given    in    their  exact 

order.      Their  mother  Mary died  in  Francestown, 

Apr.  15,  1793  in  her  80th    year.] 

RAND. 

NEIIEMIAII  RAXD,  the  father  ot  Xehemiah,  who  settled  iu  Fran- 
cestown, was  born  at  Charlestown',  Mass.,  in  1734.  With  Charles- 
town,  he  is  also  connected  by  historical  bonds,  peculiarlly  strong, 
since  he  was  the  owner  of  Bunker  Hill,  in  the  days  of  the  Revolution. 


RAND.  893 

He  was  by  trade  a  hatter,  and  was  thrice  married.  By  the  first  mar- 
riage, he  had  two  daughters;  his  second  wife  was  Mary  (Prentice) 
Frost,  widow  of  Dr.  James  Frost,  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  and  daughter 
of  Eev.  Thomas  Prentice  of  Charlestown.  When  Charlestown  was 
burned  by  the  British,  during  the  battle  of  Bunker  Plill,  his  two  dwell- 
ing houses  and  hatter's  shop  were  destroyed,  and  he  with  his  famih' 
compelled  to  flee  for  safety.  With  his  wife  and  his  two  daughters, 
and  a  lad  named  Nehemiah  Frost,  who  had  lived  with  him  from  early 
childhood.  He  went  to  Lyndeboro',  where  his  brother,  John  Rand, 
was  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  for  four  years,  and  where  he 
himself  owned  land  which  had  been  partialh^  cleared,  besides  some 
sheep  that  had  been  left  in  charge  of  his  brother.  After  settling  in 
Lyndeboro',  he  had  by  his  second  wife  three  children:  Irene,  who  mar- 
ried I^ehemiah  Frost,  and  removed  to  Temple,  where  she  died.  Nehe- 
miah,  born,  Jan.  14,  1777,  married  Sarah  Batten  of  Francestown,  May 
1,  1801.  Margaret,  who  married  Dr.  John  ('lark  of  L3'ndeborough. 
The  second  wife  of  l^ehemiah  Rand,  died  Oct.  20,  1787,  and  he  mar- 
ried for  his  third  wife,  Margaret  Prentice,  sister  of  his  second  wife, 
Oct.  21,  1791.  He  died  at  Lyndeborough,  July  10,  1794.  Nehemiah 
Rand,  Esq.,  as  he  was  designated,  was  a  man  of  considerable  property 
for  his  day.  He  was  also  mucli  trusted  with  ijublic  affairs;  was  long 
a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  had  the  honor  of  representing  Lynde- 
borough in  the  legislature. 

Nehemiah  Rand  came  to  Francestown  about  1803.  He  lived  upon 
what  is  now  known  as  the  Rand  farm,  in  the  south  part  of  the 
town.  This  farm,- as  we  have  previously  mentioned,  was  owned  quite 
early  by  Richard  Batten,  his  father-in-law.  He  was  a  farmer  and 
school-teacher;  he  died  at  Francestown,  July  13, 1850.    Children  were : — 

1.  Nehemiah,  [b.  at  Lyndeborough,  Feb.  18,  1802,  m.  Har- 

riet ().  Hutchinson  of  Lyndeborough,  April  28,  1830,  was 
by  profession  a  ph3'sician,  resided  at  Hancock  and  Nelson, 
d.  at  Nelson,  March  1,  1869.] 

2.  Richard  Batten,  [b.  at  Francestown;  April  11,  1804,  m. 

(1st,)  Mary  J.  Baldwin,  Jan.  10,  1830,  (2nd,)  Ellen  Bry- 
ant of  Wayne,  Maine,  April  10,  1837,  resided  at  Hancock, 
■    at    Holliston,  Mass.,  Winthrop,  Maine,    and    at    Wayne, 
Maine;  was  a  clothier,  died  at  Wayne,  Me.,  Feb.  11,  1881.] 

3.  John,  [b.  at  Francestown,  April  22,  1807,  m.  Fanny  D.  Sy- 

•  monds  of  Milford,  Oct.  30, 1832,  was  a  farmer,  d.  at  Mil- 
ford,  March  10,  1884.] 
4  AND  5.  Twins,  unnamed,  [b.  April  24,  1811,  d.  April  24  and 
25,1811.] 


894  GENEALOGIES. 

6.  Thomas  Prentice,  [b.  at  Francestown,  Sept.  21,  1814,  m. 
(1st,)  Lydia  Wheeler  of  Lyndeborough,  April  21,  1842, 
(2nd,)Sarah  D.  Clark  of  Lyndeboro',  June  7,  1866.  His 
first  wife,  ^\']lo  was  the  mother  of  liis  children,  was  born  at 
Lyndeboro',  June  8,  1818,  and  died  at  Francestown,  Feb. 
14,  1864.  Deacon  Rand  was  one  of  the  prosperous  and 
prominent  citizens  of  the  town,  and  one  whose  religious 
principles  and  many  qualifications  were  recognized  by  his 
townsmen.  He  was  for  twentj'-seven  years  deacon  in  the 
Congregational  church.  One  of  the  fine  memorial  win- 
dows in  tlie  new  cliurch  edifice,  was  placed  there  to  his 
memory.  He  was  also  trustee  of  the  Academy,  and  served 
upon  the  board  of  selectmen.  In  early  life  he  was  a  suc- 
cessful school-teacher.  He  lived  upon  the  farm  long  owned 
])y  his  father;  here  he  died,  June  1,  1880.  Children,  all 
born  in  Francestown,  were : — 
Sarah  Catharhn',(h.  Nov.  30, 1843,  resides  at  ]\Ionson,  Mass.) 
Frances  DoUf/.(h.  Nov.  10,  1846,  d.  at  Francestown,  March 

14,  1873.) 
Lydia  Harriet^{\i.  Dec.  31,1850,  resides  at  Monson,  Mass.) 
Nehemiah    Wheeler^  (b.  Sept.  14,    1853,  m.  Jenny  Peck  of 
Monson,  Ma'-is.,  July  20, 1883.     She  died  at  Monson,  April, 
1886,  leaving  two  children,  Frieda  and  Carl  W.     Nehe- 
miah Wheeler  graduated  at  the   New  York  Homoeopathic 
Medical  College  in  1878,  and  has  added  to  his  professional 
lore,  the  fruits  of  a  sojourn  in   Europe,  during  which  he 
gave  proof  of  possessing  literary  proclivities  by  writing 
.  highly  creditable  contributions    to  the  press.       He  is  at 
present  in  practice  at  Monson,  Mass.,  where  he  is  deserv- 
edly successful  and  popular.) 
Ahby  KimhalU  (b.  July  31,  1855,  m.  William  H.  Clark  of 

Lyndeborough,  Dec.  15,  1875,  res.  at  Lyndeborough.) 
Jolin  Prentice, {h.  Nov.  8,  1857,  m.  Harriet  Anderson  of  Mon- 
son, Mass.,  Jan.  17,  1889;  has  a  son,  Frank  Prentice. 
John,  early  proved  himself  the  possessor  of  first-rate  abili- 
ties, with  a  distinctive  literary  bent,  but  was  borne  by  des- 
tiu}''  into  the  field  of  medicine.  He  graduated  at  the  New 
York  Medical  College  in  1883,  and  now  has  a  large  prac- 
tice in  the  city  of  Worcester,  Mass.)] 


*^^?%^^^, 


RICHARDS.  895 

RICHARDS. 

JOSEPH  RICHARDS,  was  born  (probably  in  Abington,  Mass.)  Dec. 
27,  1727;  married  Sarah  AVhitinarsh;  was  a  farmer,  and  died  Nov.  11, 
1785.  His  wife  died  Dee.  IS,  1813,  aged  84.  xVmong  their  children 
was  James  Richards,  b.  in  Abington,  Mass.,  May  31,  17.57;  who  mar- 
ried Lydia,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Shaw  of  Abington:  was  a  farmer,  aRd 
many  years  Justice  of  the  peace  and  Deacon  in  the  church;  and  died 
March  1,  1842.  His  wife  died  Aug.  20,  1828,  aged  71.  They  had  ten 
children  of  whom  the  youngest,  b.  in  Plainfield,  Mass.,  Feb.  !»,  1800, 
was  afterwards  the  Rev.  Austin  Richards  of  Francestown.  An  accident 
when  he  was  eight  years  old  nearly  severed  his  left  hand  from  the  wrist; 
and  helped  to  shape  the  course  of  his  life.  Being  disabled  from  service 
on  the  farm,  he  was  sent  to  school.  His  preparatory  studies  were  with 
his  pastor,  Rev.  Moses  Hallock,  and  in  Amherst  Academy.  He  was 
graduated  at  Amherst  College  in  the  class  of  1824.  He  went  at  once 
to  Andover  Seminary  and  was  graduated  there  in  1S27.  He  studied 
theology  with  the  intention  of  being  a  missionary  to  the  heathen, 
being  influenced  thereto  by  his  brothers,  James  and  William.  James 
Richards  was  "with  Gordon  and  Mills  under  the  hay-stack  at  Williams- 
town  on  that  memorable  da}'  often  called  the  Birth-day  of  Foreign 
Missions."  But  while  young  Austin  Richards  was  waiting  for  a  foreign 
appointment  and  growing  impatient  of  delay,  the  ojjportunity  came  to 
commence  work  for  the  Lord  at  once  in  Francestown,  and  he  accepted 
it.  Was  ordained  ISTov.  7,  1827;  and  dismissed  March  10,  18.36.  In 
this  short  pastorate  a  little  more  than  eight  years,  320  were  added  to 
the  church.  The  "occasion  of  his  leaving  Francestown  was  a  call  to  be- 
come the  first  pastor  of  the  Olive  St.  Church,  Nashua,  over  which  he 
was  installed  April  G,183G.  He  remained  in  this  pastorate  till  Nov.  10, 
1866 — more  than  thirty  years;  during  which  time  562  persons  were 
added  to  his  church.  He  then  returned,  almost  at  once,  to  his  first 
charge  in  this  town,  and  remained  four  years,  when  he  retired  to 
spend  the  rest  of  his  days  in  the  city  of  Boston.  Thus  he  began  and 
closed  his  ministi-y  here.  He  was  a  good  preacher,  sound,  able  and 
ready.  As  a  minister,  he  was  in  the  truest  sense  a  peace-maker.  As  a 
man,  he  was  gentle,  winsome  and  large-hearted.  As  a  pastor,  he  was 
a  model,  judicious,  affectionate,  impartial,  and  full  of  sympathy.  He 
was  an  "  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  there  was  no  guile."  The  degree 
of-D.  D.,  was  conferred  upon  him  by  Dartmouth  College,  in  1860. 
He  died  May  9,  1883.  His  wife  was  Maria  Creighton  Odiorne,  dan. 
of  Hon.  George  Odiorne  of  Boston.  They  were  married,  Dec.  12, 
1827;  and  she  died  in  1878.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  George  Odiorne,  [b.  Dec.  27, 1828;  cl.  Sept.  3,1874;  num.] 

2.  William  Austin,  [b.  Sept.  1,  1832;  is  merchant  in  Boston, 

nnm.] 


896  genealogip:s. 

3.  An  infant  child  buried  at  Francestown. 

4.  Edwakd  Porter,  [b.  Sept.  19,  1834;  d.  in  childhood,  at 

Nashua.] 

5.  Maria  Christiana,  [b.  July  4,  1.S37;  m.  Thomas  P.  Smitli 

of  Boston  Apr.  10, 1861.     Children: — 
f^idney  Richanh,  (b.  Feb.  9,  1862.) 
Caroline  Cecelia,  (b.  Oct.  29,  1863.)] 

6.  Mary  Ellen,  [b.  Apr.  19.  1840;  d.  June  '26, 1874.     Unm.] 

7.  Edwin  Fereno,  [b.  Sept.  23,  1842,  m.  Sarah  F.  Yaugn  of 

Boston,  Aug.  31,  1869;  is  a  druggist.     Children: — 
Edwin  AuHtin,  (b.  June  30,  1870.) 
Amelia  Gertrude,  (b.  Sept.  14.  1872;  d.  age  of  8.) 
Luther  Creiiihton,  (b.  Nov.  4,  1874.) 
WdJiam  Inriah.  (b.  Nov.  29.  1877;  d.  July  7,  1880.)] 

8.  Elizabeth  Marsten,  [b.  Jan.  3  1847.] 

RICHARDSON. 

The  Kichanlsoii  family  in  America  can  successfully  claim  Norman 
oriofin  and  English  ancestry.  The  name  is  traced  back  to  the  years 
immediately  following  the  Norman  Conquest,  when  the  son  of  Richard, 
the  son  of  William  ]3elward,Lord  of  the  Moity  of  Malpasse,was  called 
John  Kichard-son.  The  Richardsons  were  numerous,  enterprising,  and 
really  eminent  in  the  counties  of  Norfolk,  Yorkshire  and  Durham, 
Eng.,in  the  early  part  of  the  sixteenth  century.  Much  can  be  learned 
concerning  them  in  Banks'  "•  Landed  Gentry  of  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land." The  iirst  to  come  to  this  country  was  Ezekiel  Richardson,  who 
came  from  England,  with  Winthrop,  in  1630,  and  who  w^as  joined  by 
his  two  brothers,  Samuel  and  Thomas.  About  five  years  after,  Eze- 
kiel settled  in  Charlestown,  and  was  made  a  freeman.  May  18,  1G.31. 
He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Woburn,  where  he  died,  Oct.  21,1647. 
Samuel  and  Thomas  were  each  granted  --a  house  plot"'  in  Charlestown, 
in  1637.  They  as  well  as  Ezekiel,  were  active  in  the  settlement  of  the 
town  of  Woburn,  which  was  begun  within  the  original  limits  of  Charles- 
town. In  1638,  the  thre?,  brothers  had  lots  assigned  them  in  Wo- 
burn, on  the  same  street,  in  what  is  now  Maiden.  Samuel  paid  the 
highest  tax  assessed  in  Woburn  in  1645.  He  died  in  that  town,  March 
23,  1658.  Thomasi  w^as  the  youngest  of  the  brothers,  all  of  whom 
were  doubtless  young.  After  the  death  of  Thomas,  which  occurred 
at  Woburn,  Aug.  28,  1651,  his  widow,  Mary,  became  the  second  wife 
of  Michael  Bacon,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  Dr.  Leonard  Bacon  of 
New  Haven,  Ct.  The  children  of  Thomas,  were:  Mary,  Sarah,  Isaac, 
Thomas,  Ruth  Pho?be,  and  Nathaniel.  Thomas^,  his  second  son,  Avas 
born,  Oct.  4,  1645.     He  married,  first,  Mary  Stiinpson,  second,  Sarah 


RICHARDSON.  897 

Patten.  He  settled  in  Billerica,  from  which  town  he  was  a  deputy  to 
the  General  Court  in  1703  and  1704.  He  died  at  Billerica,  Feb.  25, 
1720.  Xathaniel3,  his  third  son,  (by  his  second  marriage,)  was  born  in 
Billerica,  Jan.  25,  1079.  He  lived  in  Billerica  upon  a  farm  given  him 
by  his  father,  and  died  in  that  town,  April  4, 1753.  His  wife  was  Mary 
Heacock,  to  whom  he  was  married  by  Kev.  Samuel  "Whiting  of  Bille- 
rica. Hezekiah^^  their  son,  was  born  in  Billerica,  May  8,  1715,  and 
married,  Sept.  30,  1740,  Elizabeth  Walker,  daughter  of  Jacob  Walker 
of  Bille'rica.  They  settled  inTownsend,  where  he  died,  June  17,1795. 
Jacob^,  the  second  son  of  Hezekiah  and  Elizabeth,  was  born  in  Town- 
send,  Mass.,  Dec.  13,  1742.  He  married  Sarah  Brown,  daughter  of 
Josiah  Brown  of  Billeriea,  May  19,  1766;  she  was  born  at  Billerica, 
July  28, 1742,  and  died  March  1, 1825.  Jacob  Richardson  was  a  black- 
smith and  farmer.  He  removed  from  Billerica,  where  he  settled  after 
his  marriage,  to  Lyndeboro',  in  1805.  He  was  a  lieutenant  in  a  com- 
l^any  which  marched  from  Billerica  in  September,  1777,  and  assisted  in 
the  defeat  and  capture  of  BurgoA'ue,  in  October  of  that  year.  He  died 
at  Lyndeboro",  Sept.  5,  1817.  His  son  Timothy 6,  was  born  in  Bille- 
rica. Oct.  1,1773.  His  wife  was  Judith  Keynoldsof  Greentield.  They 
settled  in  Lyndeboro',  where  both  died.  They  were  the  parents  of 
John''^  Richardson,  who  married  Sarah  Ann  Barnes  of  Bedford,  and  also 
settled  in  Lyndeboro',  where  both  died.  John  was  the  faiher  of 
Heni'yS  and  George^  Richardson,  who  have  long  resided  in  this  town. 
HENRY  RICHARDSON,  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (l^arnes)  Richard- 
son, was  born  in  Lyndeboro',  Aug.  31,1836.  He  married.  July  9, 1859, 
Lavina  D.  Harding,  born  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  April  12,  1838,  daughter  of 
James  D.  and  Hannah  X.  (Davis)  Harding,  of  Swampscott,  Mass. 
Henry,  with  his  brother,  George-,  purchased  the  Eaton  farm  in  1860, 
and  came  from  Lyndeboro'  to  live  thereon  in  the  spring  of  that  year. 
He  is  a  capable  man,  and  has  been  almost  constantly  in  town  office, 
having  served  upon  the  board  of  supervisors,  and  as  chairman  of  the 
board  of  selectmen  years  in  succession.  He  has  also  represented  the 
town  in  the  legislature.  His  children  were,  all  save  one,  born  in  this, 
town.     Theywei'e: — 

1.  Fred,  [b.  in    Ljiuleboro,  April  0,  I860,  was  drowned    in 

Pleasant  pond,  Aug.  15,  1880.] 

2.  Elmer  F.  [b.  Ma}^  28,  1865;  m.  Rosa  A.  Perliam  of  Wilton, 

Jan.,  1885.  resided  a  few  years  in  this  town,  removed  to 
Wilton  when  he  now  lives.  His  children  are: — Florence 
A.,  Eva  May,  and  Dora  Belle.  The  first  two  were  born  in 
this  town,  the  last  in  Wilton,] 

3.  Edith.  M.,  [b.  Apr.  15, 1867; m.  Fred  W.  Perham  of  Wilton, 

June  6,  1888,  res.  in  Wilton.] 


898  GENEALOGIES. 

4.  James  H.  [b.  Oct.  29,  1869.] 

5.  Emma  F.  [b.  June  23,  1871.] 

6.  Ira  A.,  [b.  .Jan.  16,  1879.] 

GEOKGE  H(3()rER  RICHARDSOX,  brother  of  Henry,  was  born 
in  Lyndeboro',  June  11,  1838.  He  married  Hannah  Melissa  Harding 
of  Swanipscott,  April  9,  1863.  She  is  the  sister  of  the  wife  of  Henry, 
and  was  born  in  Swanipscott,  Mass.,  Oct.  23,  1842.  George  Richard- 
son came  here  with  his  brother,  Henry,  in  1860. '  He  is  a  man  favora- 
bly known  in  the  town.  Has  many  years  filled  the  office  of  road  agent. 
His  children  : — 

1.  Louise,  [b.  in  Swanipscott,  Dec.  20,  1867.] 

2.  Mary  Adelaide,  [b.  in  Fraucestown,  Jan.  18, 1870:  d.  in 

Francestown,  May  18, 1889.] 

3.  GiiORGE,  [b.  in  Francestown,  May  15, 1877.] 

4.  Frank  E.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  3,  1884;  d.  in  Frances- 

town,  May  14,  1889.] 

JOHN  RICHARDSON  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Richardson,  who  re- 
sided in  Hillsboro',and  at  a  later  date  in  West  Deering,  where  he  died, 
and  where  he  is  said  to  have  been  buried.  John  Richardson  was  born 
Aug.  8,  1788.  He  came  to  Francestown  when  ten  years  of  age.  He 
married  Huldah  Batchelder,  of  this  town,  Aug.  15,  1815,  and  built  for 
himself  a  home,  on  what  is  now  known  as  the  Woods  place,  on  the 
road  to  Pleasant  pond.  Here  he  lived  ten  years,  after  which,  he  re- 
moved to  Antrim,  from  which  town  he  returned  to  Francestown  in 
1835,  and  purchased  the  Moses  Emerson  farm,  where  he  lived  until 
1850,  when  he  built  the  house  now  occupied  by  his  son,  John  Page 
Richardson.     He  died  here,  Jan.  20,  1864.     His  children  were  : — 

1.  Amos,  [b.  in  Francestown,  June  3,  1816;  d.  June  4,  1816.] 

2.  Emeline  B.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Mar.  12,  1818;  m.     David 

Smiley  of  Francestown,  June  24,  1841,  res.  in  Stoughton, 
Mass.] 

3.  Ann  H.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  15,  1821,  m.  (1st,)  Wil- 

liam Woodbury  of  Pelham,  July  1,  1857, (2nd,) Philip  R. 
Piper  of  Newburyport,  Mass.,  Sept.  1870,  res.  in  Newbury- 
port.] 

4.  RoxANA,  [b.   in   Francestown,     May  28,   1825,  d.  June  11 

1825.] 


RICHARDSON.  899 

5.  Mary  D.,  [b.  in  Antrim,  Nov.  28,  1827,  m.  John  E.  Parker 

of  Boston,  Jan.  28,  1856,  res.  in  Boston,    Mass.] 

6.  Dea.  John  Paige,  [b.  in  Antrim,  July  18,  1830,  m.  (1st,) 

Mary  A.  Hardy  of  Greenfield,  Sept.  6,  1860,  (2nd,)  Ame- 
lia Cutter  of  Pelham,  Mar.  4,  1875.  He  is  a  farmer  in 
good  circumstances  and  is  an  intelligent  and  pious  man. 
He  has  held  the  office  of  deacon  in  the  Congregational 
church  since  1878.  His  first  wife  died  in  this  town,  Apr. 
15,  1873.     Children:— 

Charles  R.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  25,1863,  d.  in  Frances- 
town,  Apr.  3,  1864.) 

Maria  A.^  (b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  17,  1866,  is  a  succes- 
ful  teacher.)] 

ISAAC  KICnAEDSO:N',  a  younger  brother  of  John  Richardson, 
lived  several  years  in  a  house  that  once  stood  on  the  south-east  corner 
of  land  belonging  to  S.  D.  Downes,  and  near  the  residence  of  Oliver 
St.  John,  known  later  as  the  Elijah  Belcher  house. 

He  removed  to  Hillsboro',  where  he  remained  two  years;  after  which 
he  returned  and  occupied  the  place  now  owned  by  Levi  Putnam, 
several  years;  he  then  moved  to  Lempster,  and  from  thereto  Hills- 
boro', where  he  died.  His  wife  was  Louisa  Dinsmore  of  Francestown, 
whom  he  married,  Oct.  14, 1819.    Children  were: — 

1.  Catherine,  [b.  in  Francestown,  died  in  infancy,  June  30, 

1820.] 

2.  Jerome  P.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  removed  to  Caroline,  N.  Y., 

is  now  employed  on  the  railroad.] 

3.  Isaac  F.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  d.  in  Cambridge,  Mass.] 

4.  Lorenzo  D.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  May  19,  1826,    m.    Mary 

Ann  Ordway  of  Hillsboro.'  He  is  by  vocation  a  teamster, 
resides  in   Bennington.] 

5.  Mary  Frances,  [b.    in   Francestown,    d.  in    Francestown, 

Sept.  27,  1834,  aged  seven  years.] 

6.  Ann  E.,  [b.  in  Hillsboro',  res.  at  Charlestown,  Mass.] 

7.  Charles,  [b.  in  Francestown,  m.  Mary  Fortner  of  Andover, 

Mass.,  res.  at  Worcester,  Mass.] 

8.  Honor  A,  [b.  in  Francestown,  d.  in  childhood  at  Hillsboro'.] 

STEPHEN  RICHARDSON,  son  of  Daniel  and  Bathsheba  (Flint) 
Richardson  of  Sutton,  came  here  from  Chelmsford  in  1866.  He  lived 
first  on  the  DriscoU,  place  afterward  on  several  places  in  town.  He  re- 
moved to  Greenfield  in  1873,  but  returned  in  1892,  and  now  lives  on 


900  GENEALOGIES. 

the  Balcli  farm.  He  was  born  in  Sutton,  -June  4,  1S21,  and  married 
Mary  Foote  of  this  town.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  war  and 
in  the  war  of  the  Kebellion  he  served  in  the  Mass.,  heavy  artiller}'. 
His  children  are: — 

1.  Lucy  A.,  [b.  in   Hudson,  July  17,  1851,  in.  Asa  Baldwin 

of  Wilton,  Dec.  5,  1870,  now  res.  in  Francestown.] 

2.  Mary  Jane,  [b.  in  Hudson,  May  12,  1853.  res.  at  Wilton.] 

3.  Elvena  L.,  [b.  in   Hudson,  Oct.  5,  1855,  res.  at  Wilton.] 

4.  Lord  Byron,  [b.  in  Sutton,  Apr.  4.  1857,  m.  1st,  Cora  J. 

Newton  of  Francestown,  2nd,  Nellie  Bartlette  of  Bennino- 
ton,  res.  at  Bennington.] 

5.  Horace  F.,   [b.  in  Hudson,  Sept.  5,  1858,  m.  Sophia  Mc- 

Adanis  of  Hillsboro',  is  a  carpenter,  res.  at  Hillsboro.'] 

6.  George  W.,  [b.  in  Nashua,  Ajjr.  5,  18G2,  res.  at  Frances- 

town.] 

7.  Charles,    [b.    in    Francestown,  Oct.    6,    18<37,    ni.    Delia 

Rockwell  of  Greenfield,  is  a  farmer,  lives  at  Greenfield.] 

8.  William   F.,    [b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  5,  1870,  lives  in 

Francestown.] 

9.  Mark,   [b.  in    Greenfield,  May  7,    1873,  res.  at    Frances- 

town.] 

ZACHARIAH  RICHARDSON,  was  the  llrst  keeper  of  a  public 
house  in  the  village.  He  came  from  Litchfield  before  1780,  and  began 
where  the  hotel  now  stands.  He  owned  at  one  time  nearly  half  of  the 
land  on  which  the  village  now  stands.  I)ea.  Jonathan  Fiske  and  Dr. 
Samuel  Lolly  bought  of  him  in  1787.  He  doubtless  was  one  of  the 
man}'  hardly  permanent  residents  of  the  town,  who  were  soon  lured 
from  these  rugged  wilds  by  gildeil  accounts  of  the  fairness  of  Na- 
ture's features  beyond  the  Connecticut.  The  house  built  by  him  was 
small,  and  he  was  doubtless  a  farmer  as  well  as  a  landlord.  His  wife's 
name  was  Sarah.  Their  children,  a  part  of  whom  were  doubtless  born 
in  this  town,  were: — 

1.  Sarah,  [b.  Jan.  23,  1773.] 

2.  Lydia,  [b.  Dec.  8,  1775.] 

3.  Robert,  [b.  Oct.  17,  1778.] 

4.  Thomas  Stoddard,  [b.  Aug   20,  1780.] 

5.  William  Kendall,  [b.  Apr.  28,  1784.] 

G.  Jacob,  [this  name  appears  upon  the  records  but  the  date 
of  birth  was  for  some  reason  omitted.  We  find  in  an  old 
memorandtim  containinsf  a  record  of  the  earliest  burials 


RICHMOND.  901 

in    the    old    cemeteiy,  this  entry,  June  1780,   Zacheriah 
Richardson's  chihl.] 

THOMAS  EICHAEDSON  of  this  town  married  Dolly  Tenipleton,  of 
this  town,  Apr.  6,  1H02. 

RICHMOND. 

SHEPHEliD  W.  RICHMOND  married  Lucretia  Patch,  formerly  of 
France&town,  and  after  a  brief  residence  in  Heading,  Mass.,  came  to 
this  town,  in  18.37,  and  settled  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Clarence 
B.  Foote.  In  1851  he  removed  to  Springfield,  Ohio,  but  returned  in 
1866.  He  was  a  cabinet  maker  and  a  shoe  maker,  and  was  a  superior 
workman.  He  finally  removed  to  Brookline,  where  both  he  and  his 
wife  died.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Augustus,  [d.  in  Chicag-o.] 

2.  Geokge,  [has  resided  in  Springiield,  Ohio.] 

3.  Edward,  [was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  died 

in   Springfield,  Ohio.] 

4.  Isaac,  [is  a  harnessmaker,  res.  in  Illinois.] 

5.  Henry,   [is  a   R.  R.  engineer,  has    resided    in    Delaware, 

Ohio.] 

6.  John,  [w^as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  and  died 

in  the  service.] 

7.  Horace,  [res."  in  the  state  of  Washington.] 

RlLEY. 

JAMES  lilLEY  lived  in  the  Elijah  Belcher  house.  He  was  a  tailor 
by  trade.  His  wife  was  Susan  McCoy  of  New  Boston.  They  re- 
moved to  Hillsboro',  thence  to  Antrim  about  the  year  1S;3;"3.  One 
sou: — 

1.  James,  [ ] 

ROBBINS. 

AUGUSTUS  ROBBINS,  a  native  of  Mason,  married  Mary  Ann 
Hodgman,  daughter  of  Abraham  Hodgman  of  this  town,  Sept.  29, 
1S47,  and  lived  several  years  in  the  mill  house  at  Pleasant  pond.  He 
built  the  house  long  occupied  by  Amos  Whittemore;  he  was,  while 
here,  a  farmer  and  day  laborer.  When  the  war  of  the  Pebellion  was 
ill  progress  he  enlisted  and  being  an  expert  rifleman  and  a  keen  active 
man  was  doubtless  of  service  to  his  country.  His  family  removed  to 
Wilton  where  several  of  its  members  were  known  to  reside.  Augus- 
tus  died  at   the  house    of  Robert   Clark  in  Candia,  June  4,  1890,  his 


902  GENEALOGIES. 

death  was  without  doubt  caused  by  an  affection  of  the  heart,  since  he 
died  ahiiost  instantly  while  sitting  at  the  supper  table,  llis  children, 
all  of  whom  were  born  in  Francestown,  were: — 

1.  Cyrus  Augustus,  [enlisted  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion 

and  died  in  the  service.] 

2.  Elbridge  David,  [died  in  this  town  Nov.  11,  18G2,  aged 

12  years.] 

3.  Geoffard  O.,  [removed  to  Wilton.] 

4.  Charles,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  16,  1858.] 

5.  Rosy,  [removed  to  Wilton.] 

ROGERS. 

HORACE  ROGERS  is  the  son  of  Abner  and  Betsey  (Maynard 
Rogers  of  Greentield.  He  was  born  in  Greenfield,  Aug.  .3,  1S18,  and 
married  Lucy  T.  Rogers  of  Litchfield,  Dec.  2,  1845.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  David  and  Rebecca  (Pollard)  Rogers,  of  Litchfield  in 
which  town  she  was  born  Jan.  14,  1823.  Horace  Rogers  resided 
twenty-four  years  in  Bennington,  from  which  place  he  went  to  Green- 
field, Avhere  he  lived  one  year.  He  came  here  from  Greenfield  in 
Apr.,  1882,  and  purchased  the  David  Manahari  farm,  which  he  and  his 
two  sons  have  since  carried  on  with  constant  and  well  directed  labor. 
His  children  are: — 

1.  Lovell  a.,    [b.  in   Bennington,  July  25,  1846,  res.  with 

his  parents  in  this  town.] 

2.  David  E.,  [b.  in  Bennington,  Jan.  5,  1853,  res.  with  his 

parents.] 

ROOTE. 

DR.  MARTIX  NELSOX  ROOTE  is  a  descendant  of  Thomas 
Roote,  who  emigrated  from  Badby,  Eng.,  in  16.37.  The  family  is  said 
to  have  originated  in  Xormand}'.  The  name  was  originally  spelled 
Routes  and  was  pronounced  with  two  syllables,  the  s  being  silent. 
Thomas  Roote  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  selectmen  of 
Hartford,  Conn.,  and  was  afterward  one  of  the  eight  founders  of 
Northampton,  Mass.  It  is  said  of  the  family  that  since  the  days  of 
Thomas,  "it  has  held  an  honorable  position  among  the  multitude  of 
characteristic  Xew  England  families,  that  have  made  the  general  New 
England  country  life  and  influence  what  it  is.  The  physical  charac- 
teristics of  the  Roote  family  are  large  frame,  tall  stature,  spare  flesh, 
dark  hair  and  eyes.  The  members  of  the  family  have  been  usually 
reticent,  undemonstrative  not  courting  popularity  or  office,  and  of  the 
Puritan  type  in  thought  and  morals.     Very  few  of  them  have  had  any 


ROPER.  903 

mechanical  ability.  The  great  majority  have  been  farmers,  physi- 
cians and  clergymen.  The  greatest  reputations  made  by  any  of  the 
family  have  been  gained  in  the  legal  profession."  Dr.  Martin  Nelson 
Roote  was  born  at  Byfield,  Mass.,  Dec.  14,  1S29.  He  was  the  son  of 
Dr.  Martin  Uoote,  a  physician  of  considerable  celebrity  in  Byfield, 
and  its  vicinity.  Dr.  Roote  graduated  at  Amherst  College.  He  stud- 
ied medicine  with  his  father  at  Byfield,  Mass.,  at  Castleton,  Vt.,  and 
at  Boston,  where  he  completed  his  medical  course.  In  the  fall  of 
1852,  he  came  to  Francestown,  where  he  occupied  the  house  in  the 
village  once  owned  and  occupied  b}'  Dr.  James  Crombie.  Here  he 
practiced  several  3'ears,  after  which  he  was  principal  of  the  Academj-, 
and  was  subsequently  assisiant  in  that  institution.  His  last  labors  in 
Francestown  were  in  the  service  of  the  Congregational  Church, 
whose  pulpit  he  filled  very  acceptably  for  quite  a  period.  He  is  at 
present  a  successful  pharmacist  and  prescriber  at  Charleston,  N.  H. 
He  married  Nov.  22,  1852,  Abby  Kimball  McEwen.  Their  only  child 
is: — 

1.  Clarence  Bcjrgiss,  [b.  m  Fruiifestown,  Oct.  3,  1853,  m. 
Idelle  M.  Both  well  of  Barre,  Mass.,  Oct.  3, 1882.  He  pre- 
pared for  college  at  Francestown  Academy,  and  graduated 
at  Williams  in  the  class  of  '70.  He  studied  law  at  Barre, 
and  at  the  Boston  University',  where  he  graduated.  He 
practiced  law  at  Barre  for  a  short  time.  Of  late  he  has 
been  engaged  in  teaching,  for  which  profession  he  has  a 
strong  attachment,  and  is  at  present  Master  of  the  High 
School  at  Northampton,  Mass.  In  scholarship  ami  natural 
ability  his  rank  is  high  among  the    soiis  of  Francestown.] 

ROPER. 

MERRICK  ROPER  was  born  in  Sterling,  Mass.,  Mch.  15,  1792, 
and  came  to  this  town  with  Mr.  Joseph  Willard  in  1807.  He  married 
Susan  Fairbanks  of  Francestown,  Nov.  18,  1817.  The  house  long  oc- 
cupied by  him  is  now  the  residence  of  Daniel  S.  Henderson.  He  was 
by  trade  a  cabinet  maker.  The  shop  in  Avhich  he  industriously  la- 
bored is  now  a  part  of  the  house  occupied  by  Frank  (Crosby.  He 
died. in  this  town  Feb.  19,  1861.  His  children  Avere  all  born  in  Fran- 
cestown,    They  are: — 

1.  Charles,  [b.  Feb.  7,  1819,  m.  Amelia  Nesbaum  of  Zanes- 
ville,  Ohio,  Dec.  25,  1851.  He  served  in  an  Ohio  regi- 
ment in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  and  was  in  Gen.  Lew 
Wallace's  brigade  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  is  a  house- 
painter,  res.  in  Zanesville,  Ohio.] 


904  GENEALOGIES. 

2.  Sylvester  H.,  [b.  Nov.  24,  1823,  m.  1st,  Almiia  D.  Hill 

of  reteiboro\  Apr.  23,  1845.  2i]d,  Ellen  F.  Robinson  of 
Lynn,  Mass.,  Oct.  28.  1873.  When  a  boy  he  clisjJayed  a 
remarkable  degree  of  precocity  in  mechanics  and  his  ca- 
reer as  an  inventor  has  proved  lihn  to  be  without  a  rival 
in  mechanical  genius  among  tliose  who  have  gone  out 
from  Francestown.  At  twelve  years  of  age,  although  he 
had  not  seen  a  steam  engine,  he  constructed  a  small  sta- 
tionary engine  which  is  now  preserved  in  the  laborator}^ 
of  Francestown  Academy.  Two  years  later  he  made  a 
locomotive  engfine  and  sliortlv  afterward  saw  for  the  first 
time  a  locomotive  in  Nasliua.  He  left  home  early  in  life 
and  pei'SLied  his  trade  as  a  machinist  in  Nashua,  Manches- 
ter, New  York,  and  Woi'cester,  and  in  1854,  became  a 
resident  of  Boston,  Mass.  Al)out  this  time  he  invented 
the  Handstitch  Sewing  Machine  which  was  in  many  re- 
spects superior  to  the  sewing  machines  of  earlier  inven- 
tion. In  the  year  1861,  lie  invented  a  hot-air  engine 
wliich  was  superceded  by  gas  engines  which  were  found 
to  give  better  results.  He  also  experimented  with  steam- 
carriages,  and  invented  breech  loading  guns  of  different 
patterns.  Among  his  later  inventions  may  be  mentioned 
a  machine  for  manufacturing  sci'ews  in  the  construction 
of  which  his  son  Cliarles  participated,  a  furnace  of  supe- 
rior design,  and  an  automatic  tire-escape.  The  last  two 
he  especially  values  as  being  of  possible  service  in  the 
preservation  of  human  life.  Indeed  Mr.  Roper's  heart  is 
with  his  inventions,  and  he.  with  reason,  asserts  that  the 
inventor  as  well  as  the  artist  and  the  literary  genius 
should  find  unselfish  pleasure  in  the  products  of  his  hand 
and  brain.     He  still  resides  in  Boston,  Mass.] 

3.  Lucy  Ann,  [b.  Feb.  5.  1828,  m.  George  C.  Patten  of  Deer- 

ing,  Nov.  11,  1851.  res.  at  Deering.] 

4.  Edward  F.,    [b.  Dec.    17,    1831,    m.    1st,  Henrietta  M. 

Green  of  Revere,  Mass.,  Sept.  16,  1857,  2nd,  P^liza  Beals 
of  Cohasset.  Mass.,  June  7,  1867,  3rd,  Mary  D.  Bailey  of 
Francestown,  Dec.  14,  1893.  He  followed  the  machinist 
trade  in  early  life  and  was  for  a  time  employed  in  the  fa- 
mous   Singer    Sewing    Machine  Manufactory  at  Boston, 


lioss.  905 

Mass.,  his  present    vocation  is  that  of  a  jeweller,  res.  in 
Francestown.] 
5.  Susan   Elizabeth,  [b.    Sept.    25,  1836,    m.  Ephraim    W. 
Colburn  of  New  Boston,  Jnne  4,  1857,  res.  in   Frances- 
town.] 

ROSS. 

GEORGE  W.  ROSS,  who  lived  about  twelve  years  on  the  Swining- 
ton  place  was  the  great  grandson  of  Hugh  and  Mary  Ross  of  AV^oburn, 
Mass.,  where  their  son  .John  was  born  in  1759.  .Tohn  was  a  Revolu- 
tionary patriot.  He  married  Mary  Barr  of  Jjedford,  and  settled  in 
Goffstown,  but  subsequently  lived  in  Antrim  and  in  Deering  where  he 
died  Oct.  3,  1843.  His  wife  died  at  Alexandria  in  1839.  James  Barr 
Ross  the  son  of  John  and  the  father  of  George  W.,  was  born  in  Goffs- 
town, Sept.  1,  1797,  and  married  Melinda  Grimes  of  Greentield,  Jan. 
1,  1824.  She  was  born  in  Greenfield,  .Jan.  2,  180>>,  and  died  in  Deer- 
ing, July  30,  1844.  James  served  through  the  war  of  1812,  and  died 
at  Deering,  Oct.  4,  18.j4.  George  W.  Ross  was  born  in  Deering, 
Sept.  1.  1827,  and  married  Elmira  Phelps  at  Bellows  Falls,  Vt.,  in 
1850.  She  was  bor;i  at  Deering,  xVug.  2,  1830.  They  came  here  from 
Deering  in  1856,  and  removed  to  Greentield  in  18G8,  thence  to  Ben- 
nington, in  1869,  where  he  died  Mch.  6,  1888.     Their  children: — 

1.  James  L.,  [b.  in  Deering,  May  1, 1852,  res.  at  Bennington.] 

2.  Georgette    M..  [b.  in    Deering,  Dec.  22,  1853.  m.  Albert 

M.  Jenks  of  Goffstown,  res.  at  Goffstown.] 

3.  Lizzie  S.,  [b.  in  Deering,^Nov.  25,  1857,  m.  Angiistus  H. 

Gutterson  of  East  Pepperell,  Mass.,  res.  at  South  Gard- 
ner, Mass.] 

4.  Ada  J.,   [b.   in   Francestown,  July   9,    1862,   ni.    Harry  E. 

Carr  of   South  Gardner,  Mass.,  res.  at    South    Gardner, 
Mass.] 

5.  LuRA  B.,  [b.  in  Francestown,   Apr.  9,  1864,  d.  March  6, 

1875.] 

6.  George  A.,    [b.  in    Francestown,   Dec.  12,   1864,  res.  in 

-Bennington.] 

7.  Fred  B.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  25,  1866,  res.  in   Ben- 

nington.] 

8.  LuLA  B.,  [b.  in  Greenfield,  B^eb.  9, 1868,  m.  Elmer.  D.  Wes- 

ton of  East  Pepperell,  Mass.,  res.  at  Pepperell,  Mass.] 
8.  Effie   F.,  [b.  in    Bennington,  Dec.  20,  1870,  res.  in    Ben- 
nington.] 


906  GENEALOGIES. 

10.  Harry    H.,  [b.   in    Bennington,    Jan.    -21,   1873,    res.   in 
Bennington.] 

ROWELL. 

RICHARD  8.  ROWEJ.L,  was  born  in  Weare,  Dec.  19,  18:}3.  His 
grandfather,  David  R,owell,  was  an  earl}-  settler  of  AVeare,  where  his 
grandniotlier,  Mary  (Brown)  Rowell  was  killed  by  lightning.  His 
father,  Stephen  Rowell,  married,  first,  Irena  Bartlett  of  Deering,  sec- 
ond, Kerenhappuch  Bartlett  of  Deering,  third,  Sarah  R.  Woodbury  of 
Xewport.  The  first  named  was  the  mother  of  Stephen,  who  came 
here  in  1859.  He  was  a  very  industrious  man  being  employed  as  a 
farmer  and  stonelayer.  He  married  Sarah  S.  Sterns  of  Weare,  Sept. 
K),  1S56.  The  house  in  which  he  lived  for  several  years  is  now  the 
residence  of  Charles  B.  Gale,  hei'e  he  died  Aug.  29, 18G4.  His  widow 
removed  to  Nashua  shortly  after  his  death  and  died  in  that  city  in 
1868.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Clara  M.,  [b.  Jan.  20,1858.] 

2.  Almon    B.,   [b.  June  22,  1859,  m.  Mabel  J.    Sanborn  of 

Mancliester,  Sept.  1,  1886.] 

3.  George  A.,  [b.  Feb.  9,  1863,  died  June  29,  1865.] 

RUGGLES. 

JOHN  RUGGLES,  a  blacksmith,  lived  about  the  first  of  the  centu- 
ry on  the  place  south  of  the  Flint  place,  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  road,  afterward  known  as  the  Ruggles  place.  Previous  to  his 
coming  to  this  town  he  lived  in  Dedham,  Mass.,  where,  as  will  be 
seen  in  our  sketch  of  the  Pettee  family,  he  married  Mary  Pettee, 
Apr.  18,  1782.  She  died  in  this  town,  Jan.  3,  1816,  and  John  not 
long  afterward  returned  to  Massachusetts.  We  have  some  knowledge 
of  his  children,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Dedham.     They  were: — 

1.  Abijah,  [b.  Dec.  24,  1784.] 

2.  John,  [b.  July  6,  1785.] 

3.  Simon,  [b.  Oct.  22,  1787,   m.   Sarah    Petty  Dustin  of  this 

toAvn,  removed  to  Cambridgeport,  Mass.,  where  he  died.] 

4.  Mary,  [b.  Apr.  17,  1789,  m.  John  Dustin  of  Francestown, 

May  29,  1810.  She  died  in  this  town,  Aug.  8,  1822. 
Her  death  was  sudden,  since  she  fell  lifeless  while  kindl- 
ing a  tire  in  her  kitchen. 


EUSSELL.  907 

RUSSELL. 

XAHUM  KUSSELL,  son  of  Walter  Kussell  of  West  Cambridge, 
(now  Arlington,)  Mass.,  was  born  at  Charlcstown,  Mass.,  Feb.  16, 
179L  He  married  Lucretia  Johnson  of  this  town,  Feb.  4,  1817,  and 
in  the  following  year  came  to  live  on  the  Mark  Pettee  place,  on  which 
the  Johnson's  settled  quite  early.  This  branch  of  the  Russell  family 
descended  from  William  Russell,  an  emigrant  from  England,  who  set- 
tled in  Cambridge,  west  ijarish,  then  called  "Menotomy,"  as  early  as 
1645.  Hannah  (Russell)  Hill,  the  mother  of  Hon.  Isaac  Hill,  the 
founder  of  the  Xew  Hami^shire  Patriot,  and  one  of  New  Hampshire's 
most  enterprising  statesmen,  was  of  this  race  of  Russells,  likewise  is 
Governor  Russell  of  Massachusetts.  Nahum  Russell  resi:led  in  this 
town  until  182.5,  when  he  removed  to  the  place  in  Greenfield,  now  oc- 
cupied by  his  son  Nahum,  on  which  he  died  in  1S54.  His  children 
were  : — 

1.  Nahum,  [b.  in  Arlington,  Mass.,  Nov.   9,  1817,  m.   Elicta 

A.   Rogers    of    Otsego,   N.    Y.,   Feb.    20,   1839,    res.    in 
Greenfield.] 

2.  John,  [b.  in  Francestown,  June   3,  1819,  d.   in    Greenfield, 

Nov.  29,  1834.] 

3.  George,  [b.  in   Francestown,  Aug.  21,  1820.     He   crossed 

the   plains  to  California,  and  married  and  reared  a  family, 
and  died  in  that  state.] 

4.  William,  [b.  in   Greenfield,  Sept.  29,  1826,  m.  1st,  Betsey 

Jane     Barker     of    Antrim,    2nd,    Lucy    Hutchinson     of 
Greenfield,  res.  in  Chelmsford,  Mass.] 

5.  Lucretia    Anna,  [b.    in    Greenfield,   May   22,    1828,    m. 

John    C.   Dodge    of    Bennington,  Feb.  10,   1846,  res.  in 
Bennington.] 

AARON  RUSSELL  of  Wilton,  married  Phoebe  Gilbert  of  Frances- 
town  in  1792,  and  by  this  marriage  had  seven  children.  The  family 
occupied,  as  late  as  1824,  the  Eri  Harvey  place  in  this  town.  The  pa- 
rents, and  two  or  more  of  the  children,  removed  to  Springfield  where 
Aaron  and  his  wife  both  died.     Children  were: — 

1.  Eleanor,  [m.  James   McAlvin  of  this  town,  d.  in    Iowa.] 

2.  Phq^be,  [m.  John  Russell  of  Sutton,  Jan.  27,  1825.] 

3.  Betsey,  [m.  Elihu  Chase  of  Springfield,  Nov.   26,  1822.] 

4.  Susan,  [m.  Flint,  resides  in  Claremont.] 

5.  Isaac,  [m.  in  Grafton,  removed  to  Iowa.] 

6.  Jacob,  [res.  in  Springfield.] 

7.  Alvah,  [m. Poore,  in  Goffstown.] 


908  GENEALOGIES. 

SAN  FORD. 

DE.  SAMUEL  SANFORD  settled  here  in  the  practice  of  medicine, 
in  1802.  Have  but  little  knowledge  of  him.  Under  date  of  Apr.  5, 
1803,  he  advertised  in  the  "Cabinet"  to  '^inoculate  for  the  Kine  Pox 
at  ^1.2r),  and  afford  what  medical  aid  may  be  necessary  through  the 
course  of  the  disease,"  and  to  "visit  Amherst,  Milford  and  Wilton, 
Fridays,  and  Hancock,  Saturdays." 

SARGENT. 

DAVID  M.  SAKGENT  was  the  son  "of  Daniel  Sargent,  who  re- 
moved from  Derry  to  Goffstown,  where  he  died  in  1856,  aged  84  years. 
The  wife  of  Daniel  was  a  Ricliards  of  Gott'stown.  David  M.,  was 
born  at  Goffstown.  July  8,  1805,  and  married  Nancy  W.  Gallishan,  born 
at  Newburvport,  Mass.,  May  20,  1808.  The  Sargents  are  said  to  be  of 
English  and  Scotch  extraction,  while  the  Gallishans  are  of  English  ori- 
gin and  are  of  comparatively  recent  emigration.  David  M.  Sargent 
came  here  from  Nashua  to  live  on  the  Isaac  Lewis  place  in  1877,  here 
after  a  residence  of  eleven  years,  he  died  Mar.  31,1889.  His  wife 
died  in  Boston,  May  12,  1887. 

GEORGE  G.  SARGENT,  son  of  David  M.,"  and  Nancy  (Gallishan) 
Sargent  was  born  at  GolfstOAvn,  July  25,  1835.  He  married  Araminta 
Clemant,  Mar.  7,  1858.  She  was  born  in  Hudson,  Feb.  16,  1841. 
Her  father,  David  Clemant,  was  born  at  Dracut,  Mass.,  Jan.  19,  1777, 
and  died  at  Hudson,  Oct.  18,  1888.  Her  mother  was  Dorcas  Wilson. 
She  was  born  Sept.  7,  1799,  in  Hudson,  and  died  in  that  town,  Sept., 
1867.  Mr.  Sargent  enlisted  Jan.  17,1862,  in  the  74th  Ohio  Infantry 
and  was  discharged.  Mar.,  1865.  He  came  here  from  Nashua,  and 
purchased  the  Hiram  Clark  place,  and  the  Lewis  Mills,  in  1874.  Here, 
as  in  Nashua,  he  has  the  reputation  of  being  a  careful  and  successful 
man  of  business;  both  he  and  his  wife  are  strenuous  advocates  of  the 
cause  of  temperance.     Their  children  are: — 

1.  Geoiige    M.,  [b.  in    Merrimac,  Nov.   23,  1858,  m.»Ada    M. 

Blackwell    at  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  Nov.  2,  1885,  res,  at   Kan- 
sas City,  Mo.] 

2.  Alice  G.,  [b.  at   Waynesville,  O.,  June   11,  1860,  d.   Sept. 

2,  I860.] 

3.  Stella  N.,  [b.  at  Waynesville,  O.,  Oct.  3,  1861,  ra.   June 

1,  1882,  Will   F.  Duncklee   of  Francestown,  res.  in  Fran- 
cestown.] 

4.  David  C.,  [b.  at  Waynesville,  O.,  Apr.   29.  1866,  m.  Rosa 

Polie  of  Dover,  Apr.  25,  1887,  res.  in  Keene.] 


SAVAGE.  909 

5.  Dora   M.,  [b.   in    Nashua,   May   16,  1874.    res.    with    her 
parents.] 

SAVAGE. 

DEA.  NATHAN  SAVAGE  was,  during  the  Revok;tion,  engaged  in 
an  iron  foundry,  "making  war  stores"  for  the  continental  army.  In 
1785,  he  came  from  Sliaron,  Mass.,  to  Erancestown  and  built  first  a  log 
house  and  afterward  a  frame  dwelling  on  the  Wheeler  place  northwest 
of  the  residence  of  George  E.  Pettee.  He  afterward  lived  on  the  Sav- 
age place  on  Oak  hill,  and  later  occupied  the  Perle}-  place  on  which  he 
died.  His  parents  were  William  and  Sarah  (Hobbs)  Savage.  The 
former  was  born  in  Connecticut,  in  the  year  1721,  and  died  in  Sharon, 
Mass.,  Mch.  1,  180(5,  the  latter  was  born  in  Newton,  Mass.,  in  1724, 
and  died  at  Sharon,  Nov.  5,  1797.  The  ancestors  of  William  Savage 
are  said  to  have  come  from  England.  The  children  of  William  and 
Mary,  were  Mary,  born  in  1746,  William,  born  in  1748,  Nathan,  born 
at  Sharon,  Mass.,  Apr.  10,  1754,  and  Jesse,  born  in  1759.  Nathan, 
married  in  1776,  Remember  Tupper.  She  was  born  in  Sharon,  June 
27,  1753,  and  died  in  Erancestown,  Dec.  11,  1848.  He  was  for  twenty- 
eight  years  a  deacon  of  the  church  in  this  town,  and  was  a  pure 
hearted,  and  Godly  man.  Many  of  his  papers  and  memoranda  which 
bear  evidence  of  his  careful,  methodical  ways,  and  his  hour-glass,  said 
to  be  two  hundred  years  old,  and  other  quaint  and  interesting  family 
relics  are  now  in  the  possession  of  his  granddaughter,  Mrs.  Mark 
Morse  of  Lyndel)or()'.  Tlis  death  occurred  Eeb.  25,1845.  Children 
were : — 

1.  John,  [b.  in    Sharon,  Mass.,   July  9,  1777,  m.  Annie    Cas- 

well, Apr.,  1811.  She  died  at  Easton,  Mass.,  Feb.,  1879. 
He  was  a  merchant  in  Roxburv,  and  in  P)Oston,  where  he 
died  Apr.  21,  1850.] 

2.  James,  [b.  at  Sharon,  June  29,  1781,  m.  Ruth  Wood,  was  a 

ship  carpenter,  res.  at  Blue  Hill,  Maine,  where  he  died 
June  3, 1817.] 

3.  William,  [b.  at  Sharon,  Apr.  8,  1784,  was  lost  at  sea.] 

4.  Nathan,  Jr.,  [b.  at    Erancestown,  June    28,   1787,  gradu- 

ated at  Williams  College,  and  studied  Theology  with 
Rev.  Moses  Bradford,  died  in  Natchez,  Miss.,  July  5, 
1816.] 
T).  Jesse,  [1).  in  Fraiicestown,  Mch.  15,  1791,  rn.  Charlotte 
Harris,  Jan.  5,  1810,  d,  at  Stoughton,  Mass.,  Mar.  28, 
1828.] 


910  GEKEALOOIES. 

6.  Abner,  [b.  at    Francestown,   July  4,  1794,  m.  Polly  Shat. 

tuck  of  Francestown,  June  21, 1821,  He  was  a  life  long 
resident  of  this  town,  and  occupied  for  many  years  the 
house  in  which  Daniel  R.  Henderson  noAv  lives.  He  died 
here  Jan.  14,  1878.  Children,  all  l)orn  in  Francestown, 
were: — 

Miranda  S..  (b.  Apr.  17,  1822,  m.  Smith  P.  Davidson  of  Nash 
ua,  Apr.  30,  1840,  d.  in  Windham,  Mch.  3,  1858.  Smith 
P.  Davidson,  was   of  the  Davidson  family  of  Windham.) 

Albert  L.,  (b.  May  21,  1824,  m.  Margaret  J.  Dow,  resides  in 
Boston.  Children: — Henry  A.,  is  not  living.  Charles 
A.,  b.  in  1855,  d.  in  1857.  Evelyn  L.,  resides  in  Boston, 
Mass.) 

Adaline  M.,  (b.  June  5,  1826,  m.  Epraim  Dockham  of  Boston, 
Dec.  25,  1848,  d.  in  Boston,  June  1860.) 

Rarriet  K,  (b.  Aug.  13,  1828,  d.  Sept.  22,  1844.) 

Catharine  E.,  (b.  Nov.  13,  1833,  died  in  Francestown,  July  8, 
1855.) 

Infant,  (b.  Apr.  10,  1836,  d.  May  23,  1836.)] 

7.  Sally,  [b.  at  Francestown.  Mch.  2,  1799,  m.  Oliver  Harris 

of  Abbington,  Mass.,  Feb.  3,  1835,  d.  at  Lyndeboro', 
Sept.  19,1867. 

SAWYER. 

WILLIAM  EEED  SAWYER'S  ancestry,  can  be  traced  to  Edmond 
Sawyer  who  was  in  1758  a  selectman  of  Hampstead,  from  which  town 
he  removed  to  Sutton,  where  he  died  about  the  year  180.5  aged  ninety- 
two  years.  The  cliildren  of  Edmond  were:  Joseph,  Enoch  and 
Abigail.  Enoch^  married  Sarah  Little  and  settled  lirst  in  Goffstown, 
where  he  was  doubtless,  prominent  since  he  was  sent  to  the  Legisla- 
ture from  that  town.  He  left  Goffstown  in  1794,  and  settled  in  An- 
trim, where  he  was  accounted  "a  vigorous  and  able  man"  and  where 
he  died  in  1817,  aged  seventy-six.  He  was  the  father  of  four  sons 
and  four  daughters,  all  of  whom  went  with  him  from  Goffstown  to 
Antrim.  Samuel^  his  oldest  son  married,  1st,  Susannah  Eeed  of  An- 
trim, Dec.  29,  1794,  and  made  for  himself  a  home  on  land  adjoining 
his  father's  estate.  Here  his  lirst  wife  died,  Jan.  17,  1815,  and  he 
soon  after  removed  to  Bedford,  where  he  married,  2nd,  Eleanor  Orr, 
daughter  of  George  Orr  of  Bedford,  May  16,  1816,  Ann  Orr,  famous 
as  a  teacher,  was  her  sister.  Samuel  Sawyer  spent  the  last  seven 
years   of  his   life  at  the   home    of  his  son   William  Reed'*  Sawyer  of 


SAWYER.  911 

Francestown  where  he  died  June  22,  1848,  aged  seventy-seven  years. 
William  Reed  Sawyer  was  the  son  of  Samuel  by  his  first  marriage. 
He  was  born  in  Antrim,  Dec.  22,  ISOG,  and  married  Abby  Stevens  of 
Francestown,  June  22,  1835.  He  came  from  Xashua  to  FrancestOAvn 
in  1830,  and  purchased  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Alvin  Avery.  He 
removed  to  the  place  in  the  village  now  owned  by  him,  in  1886.  Mr. 
Sawyer  is  a  good  farmer  and  a  very  prudent  and  religious  rnan.  His 
children  were: — 

1.  Charles    Franklin,  [b.  in    Nashua,  Mch.  17,  1836,  d.  in 

Francestown,  June  22,  1858.] 

2.  Susan   Maria,    [b.  in    Francestown,    Jan.    10,    1842,    m. 

Amasa  Downs  of  Francestown,  Feb.  1,  1866,  res.  in 
Francestown.] 

3.  William  Reed,  Jr.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  29,  1846,  ni. 

1st,  Ella  Frances  Camp  of  Manchester,  2nd,  Sara  A. 
Camp  of  Manchester,  Feb.  20,  1889.  He  is  by  trade  a 
carpenter  and  is  a  stirring,  energetic  man.  He  has  twice 
been  elected  councilman  at  Lawrence.  Children  by  1st 
marriage: — William  Reed,  Ella  Frances,  ('liarles  Franklin, 
Abby  May,  by  2nd  marriage: — Emily  Maria,  Samuel 
Stevens,  Lewis  Francis. J 

EEUBEN  M.  SAWYER  was  the  son  of  Enoch  Sawyer,  who  was 
the  second  son  of  Enoch  and  Sarah  (Little)  Saw^-er,  and  hence  the 
brother  of  Samuel  Sawyer  of  'Antrim,  Bedford  and  Francestown. 
Enoch  Avas  born  in  1777,  and  married  Lucy  Simonds  in  1802.  He 
lived  upon  several  farms  in  Antrim,  and  died  at  the  home  of  his  son 
Rodney,  in  that  town,  Mch.  .5,  1840.  He  was  the  father  of  six  chil- 
dren, Rodney,  his  oldest  son,  was  the  author  of  many  brief  poems  of 
unquestioned  merit.  Reuben  M.,  was  his  second  son.  He  was  born, 
at  Antrim,  Aug.  31.  1805,  and  married  Mary  Preston  of  Windsor, 
May  19,  1837.  He  came  to  Francestown  from  Antrim  in  1845,  and 
purchased  the  farm  then  known  as  the  Everett  place  which  has  been 
occupied  several  years  by  John  j^.  Moses.  He  was  by  trade  a  carpen- 
ter. He  was  a  very  capable  and  reliable  man,  and  was  many  times 
elected  to  office  in  this  town.  He  died  here,  July  9,  1878.  His  wife 
was  born  at  Windsor,  Mch.  14,  1805,  and  died  in  this  town  Feb.  1, 
1870.     Their  children  are: — 

1.  Clara  A.,  [b.  in  Windsor,  Apr.  20,  1833.  m-  Garvin  S. 
Sleeper  of  Francestown,  Mch.  21,  1867,  res.  in  Frances- 
town.] 


912  GENEALOGIES. 

2.  Hp:nry  H.,  [b.  in  Antrim,  Dec.  26,  1840,  m.  x-Vntonia  H. 
Savage  of  Waterville,  Me.,  Dec.  5,  1876.  He  was  in  his 
early  manhood  a  successful  teacher,  is  now  a  commission 
merchant  in  Boston,  Mass.] 

SCOBY. 

DAVID  SCOBY  who  settled  on  the  Daniel  Orel  way  place  as  early 
as  1778,  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Scoby  whose  father  emigrated  to 
America  from  Belfast,  Ireland  in  1887.  The  name  of  the  father  of 
Joseph  is  l)elieved  to  have  been  David,  and  he  is  said  to  have  brought 
witli  him,  his  daughter  Mary,  as  well  as  his  son  .Josej)!!,  and  to  have 
left  in  Ireland,  a  daughter  named  Catharine,  and  a  son  whose  name  is 
not  given.  Mary  died  in  America,  unmarried.  Joseph  held  public 
office  in  ]iedford  years  in  succession. 

David  Scoby  was  a  man  of  some  enterprise,  being  the  tirsl  lo  utilize 
the  water  of  Scoby  pond  by  building  a  saw  mill  near  its  outlet.  lie 
died  in  this  tovvn,  Apr.  2S,  1S::^9,  aged  eigbty-stx  years.  His  wife 
died  in  Lowell,  Mass.     Their  children  were: — 

1."  Maky,  []n.  William  Cochran  of  this  town,  d.  here  Nov.  17, 
1851,  aged  81  years.] 

2.  JoHX,  [m.  Maria  Griffin,  of  Weare,  Aug.  1,  1790,  died  in 

Goffstown,  July  22,1851.] 

3.  Ann,  [m.  John  Manahan   of  Francestown,  d.  here  Dec.  20, 

1854.  aged  75  years.] 

4.  Joseph,  [m..  practiced    medicine    in    Windham    and   died 

there.] 

5.  Jamp:s,  [m. Spurr  of    Boston,  is  not    living.     His 

death  was   caused  by  his  falling  from  a  flag  pole  to  which 
he  was  adjusting  a  rope.] 

6.  Willia:m,  [m.  Jane    M.  Dickey  of    Francestown,    Dec.   22, 

1812,  died  in  Milford.] 

7.  Jean,  [m.  Robert    Smith   of  Windham,  Mch.  6,   1821,  re- 

sided in  Windham.] 

8.  Susannah,  [m.    Alpheus    Gay    of    Francestown,    Dec.    8, 

1814,  d.  at  Manchester.] 

9.  David,  [m.    Kebecca    (Allen)    Whiting   of    Francestown, 

lived  in  a  small   house   that   once  stood  westward  of  the 
Ordway  house.     He  removed  to  New  York.] 

10.  Martha,  [m.  William  McAlvin  of  P^ancestown,  Apr.  6, 
1820,  died  in  Francestown,  Jan.  30,  1874,  aged  80  years.] 


SEARLE.  913 

SEARLE. 

MES.  J3ETSEY  SEAKLE  came  here  from  Boston  in  the  year  1827, 
she  was  the  daughter  of  Dea.  David  Patterson,  and  was  born  in  Lon- 
donderry, Feb.  3,  1793.  She  married  Ephraim  B.  Searle,  Sept.  9, 
1.S13.  Mr.  Searle  was  born  July  11»,  17'^9,  he  was  the  son  of  Daniel 
Searle  of  Temple,  who  was  of  the  fifth  generation  from.  Andrew, 
born  in  England  in  IfilG.  Said  Andrew  emigrated  (juite  early  to 
Massachusetts,  his  son  William  was  in  Ipswich  in  l()(i7,  and  removed 
to  Rowley  in  l(j90.  P^phraim  B.,  was  a  merchant  in  Boston,  where  he 
died,  Jan.  9,  182().  Mrs.  Searle  built  and  occupied  the  house  in  the 
village  now  ovvned  by  Mr.  Amasa  Downes  known  as  the  Searle  house. 
She  removed  to  ^Manchester  in  1S75,  where  she  died,  Feb.  S.  1879. 
Her  children  were: — 

1.  JjiENE,  [b.  .Inly  4,  1814,  m.  George    Porter   of   Mauclje.ster, 

May  21,  1840.     Cliildreii:— 
Johiu  (b.  Mar.  18,  1858,  at  Manchester.) 
Lizzie  31.,  (b.  at  Manchester,  Apr.  27,  1854.) 
Georr/e,  (1).  at  Manchester,  Mar.  15,  1856.)] 

2.  Ephuaim  a.,  [b.  in    Boston,  Jan.   3,  1818,  ni.  Xancy   Por- 

ter   of  Derry,  Oct.   1,  1840,  d.  at    Manchester,  Jnne    25, 

1874.] 
8.  Edward  Dwicht.  [1).  in  Boston.  Jan.  1,  1820,  d.  Aug.  28, 

1826.] 
4.  George  Addison,  [b.  in    Boston,  July  10,  1824,  m.  Abby 

Hunton   of    Newport,    Sept.  8,  1847,   d.   at    Manchester, 

May  20,  1867,  had  two  chihh'en: — ]\Iary  and  Frank.] 

SEARLES. 

JOTHAM  SEABLES  was  a  native  of  Nashua ;  he  married,  1st, 
Sally  Hoyt  of  Goffstown.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Captain  James 
Hoyt,  a  Revolutionary  patriot,  2nd,  Susan  Bailey,  daughter  of  Noah 
Bailey  of  Francestown.  Mr.  Searles  was  by  vocation  a  farmer.  He 
came  to  Francestown  about  the  year  1806,  and  lived  on  the  Woods 
place,  which  was  on  the  Deering  road  nearly  two  miles  north  of  the 
village.  He  lived  in  town  about  twenty  years  and  returned  to  Lynde- 
borough,  where  he  died.  His  first  wife  died  in  Francestown,  Aug. 
20,  1812.  His  children  by  1st  marriage,  all  but  the  last  two  of  whom 
were  born  previous  to  his  coming  to  Francestown,  were: — 

1.  Sally,  [b.  Aug.   28,    1794,  m.   James    Nowell   of  Lowell, 

Mass.] 


914  GENEALOGIES. 

2.  John,  [b.  March   4.    1707,   in.   Sol)riiia    Mills    of  .Johnson, 

Vt.] 
H.  Nancy,  Ij).   .Ian.  18,  1800,  d.  at    Henniker,  OL-t.  14,1857.] 

4.  Anstiss    B..  [1).   .Jan.    26,    1803,   m.    Stephen    Kimball   of 

Henniker,  .June  2,  1824,  cl.  at  Henniker,  Aug.  25,1882.] 

5.  EiTNiCE,  [b.  Mar.  26,  1805,  m.  Henry  Carter   of  I^eterboro', 

d.  at  Peterboro'.  May  1,  1883.] 

6.  William    I).,  [b.   in    Francestown,  May- 20,  1807,   ni.    Iai- 

cinda  Worthly.  daughter  of  .Jonathan  Worthly  of  South 
Weare,  Apr.  13,  1840.  She  was  l)o]-n  at  Weare,  Oct.  30, 
1805,  her  father  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  Revolutionary 
army.  William  Searles  resided  for  a  time  in  Weare 
but  i-eturned  to  his  native  town  where  he  died,  Sept. 
10,1864.  Only  child:— ] 
Elizahefh  Anna,  (b.  in  Weare,  Ma}- 13,  1842,  d.  in  Frances- 
town,  Nov.  22,  1891.)] 

7.  .James  M.,  [b.  in    Francestown,  Mar.  26,  1809,  m.    Hannah 

Harlow  of  Boston,  Mass.,  d.  in  I^oston.] 
By  2nd  marriage. 

8.  Mary   I^.,  [b.   in   Francestown,  Sept.   4,  1821,  m.   Charles 

Blood  of  Amherst,  d.  at  New  York  City.] 

9.  Silence    Iv.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  m.  1st,  Ward    .Jackson  of 

Nashua,  2nd,  Charles  Blood  of  Amherst.] 

10.  LuciNDA   I^.,    [m.  William   Gray  of  Wilton,  d.   at    South 

Lyndeboro\  Apr.,  1888.] 

11.  Stephen  B.,  [b.  in    Jvyndeborough,  d.  in  Temple,  aged  16 

years. 

SHATTUCK. 

SAMUEL  SHATTUCK  who  lived  in  Soitiersetshire,  England,  as 
early  as  1525,  was  the  tirst  of  the  Shattuck  family  to  receive  biograph- 
ical notice.  Later  in  tlie  sixteenth  centnry  lived  .Tolm  and  George 
Shattuck  wliose  names  have  been  worthily  perpetuated  within  our 
borders.  The  name  also  appears  upon  parish  records  in  Berkshire, 
Eng.,  bearing  date  May  3,  1628,  Sept.  14,  1632,  and  Apr.  29,1635. 
There  is  evidence  that  very  many  of  the  early  English  Shattucks 
were  respectable  and  wealthy  people.  The  geneology  of  the  Shat- 
tucks of  Francestown  can  be  traced  with  accuracy  to  William  Shat- 
tuck whose  name  appears  upon  an  old  list  of  the  proprietors  of  Water- 
town,  Mass.,  in  1642.  His  name  is  written  "William  Chattuck,"  in 
the    earlv  records.     He  was    born    in   England    in    1622,  and   died   in 


SHATTUCK.  915 

Watertown,  Mass.,  Aiicf.  14,  1()72.  His  ancestors  were  evidently  of 
Lancastershire,  Somersetshire,  or  Berkshire,  but  nothing  conclusive 
has  yet  been  obtained  concerning  his  parentage  and  place  of  birth. 
Previous  to  his  coming  to  America,  he  learned  the  weaver's  trade,  but 
like  most  of  the  early  settlers  he  soon  became  a  land  owner  and  a 
farmer.  He  was  a  shrewd,  capable  and  influential  man  and  by  his  in- 
dustry and  enterprise  acquired  considerable  property.  His  residence 
was    on   Common    Hill    near  "King's  Common."     He  married  when 

twenty  years   of  age,  Susanna   ,  and    was    the    father    of  two 

children,  John2  his  oldest  son  born  at  Watertown,  Feb.  11,  1G47, 
was  a  sergeant  in  the  militarj^  company  raised  by  Captain  Richard 
Beers  of  Watertown,  in  1(37.3,  for  the  defence  of  the  settlers  who  were 
then  being  sorely  pressed  l)y  the  Indians  under  King  Philip.  On  the 
4th  of  September  of  that  year.  Captain  Beers'  company,  while 
marching  to  the  relief  of  Squawkeaque,  now  Xorthfield,  was  utterly 
routed  by  a  large  body  of  Indians  lying  in  ambush.  Captain  Beers 
was  killed  and  of  his  conmiaud  only  sixteen  men  escaped  death  at  the 
hands  of  the  savages.  John^  Shattuck  was  one  of  the  survivors  of 
the  fight,  and  he  was  immediately  dispatched  to  the  Governor  of  the 
Colony  to  make  known  to  him  its  direful  result.  Ten  days  afterward, 
(Sept.  14th),  John  2  was  drowned  while  crossing  the  ferry  between 
Charlestown  and  Boston,  and  what  may  seem  singular  in  connection 
with  this  casualty  is  the  fact,  that  though  the  boat,  which  foundered 
in  consequence  of  a  violent  wind,  was  heavily  loaded  with  horses  and 
passengers,  he  who  had  survived  the  onslought  of  the  wily  savages, 
alone  was  lost.  He  was  by  trade  a  carpenter,  his  residence  was  in  the 
present  village  of  Watertown.  He  married  June  20,  1664,  Ruth 
Whitney  of  Watertown.  His  son  Samuel 3  was  born  in  Watertown, 
Mass.,  in  1676  and  died  in  Ciroton,  Mass.,  July  22,  17o8.  His  wife 
was  Elizabeth  Blood  of  Groton.  Their  son  SamueH,  born  in  Grotou, 
Apr.  7,  1696,  married,  1st,  Anna  Williams,  2nd,  Sarah  Pierce,  and 
died  in  Pepperell,  Mass.,  Mar.  4,  1775.  Samuel^,  the  son  of  SamueH 
and  Anna,  was  the  first  child  born  in  Pepperell,  the  date  of  his  birth 
was  Sept.  25,  1726.  He  married  Elizabeth  Wesson  who  died  of  con- 
sumption, Nov.  10,  1806.  He  died  Sept.  16.  1805.  Of  his  five  chil- 
dren, Stephen  of  Francestown,  was  the  second. 

STEPHEN  SHATTUCK  was  born  in  Pepperell,  Mass.,  Feb.  5, 
1760.  He  was  of  the  sixth  generation  from  William  Shattuck  of 
Watertown.  He  served  three  years  in  the  Continental  army  and  was 
a  pensioner.  He  married  Lucy  Richardson,  Apr.  26,  1781,  and  set- 
tled in  Pepperell,  where  he  lived  until  1798,  when  he  came  to  Fran- 
cestown, and  settled  upon  the  place  lately  occupied  by  Mrs.  George 
Whitfield,  near  Shattuck  pond  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town,  he 
died  at  Francestown,  Junt'  5, 18?);),  his  wife  died  June  12,  18.34.  Their 
children  were: — 


916  GENEALOGIES. 

1.  Lucy,  [b.   in    Pepperell,   Aug.    20,    1782.   m.   Samuel    M. 

Smith  of  Francestown,  May  23.  1821,  d.  at  Hartford, 
Conn.] 

2.  Stephen,  [b.  in    Pepperell,  Aug.  10,  178o,  m.  1st,  Hannah 

Carter    of  North    Eeading.  Mass.,  Mar.,  1816,  2iid.  DoUy 

(Carter)     Longley    of  Northborougli,    Mass..    Jan.,  1811. 

He    resided    at    Francestown,    also    at    Marlborough,  and 

Boylston,  Mass.,  d.  at  Berliji.  Mass.      Children  were: — 
Miranda  K.  (b.  Jan.  25, 1818,  m.  at  Dubuque,  Iowa..  Jan.  11, 

1841,  Joseph  W.  Holt,  formerly  of  Reading.  Mass.) 
Elijah    C'.,  (b.  Aug.    27,  1820,  m.  at  Berlin.  Sept.  25,  1848, 

Olive  Colburn  Wheeler  of  Berlin,  Mass.) 
Hannah  A.,  (b.  May  18.  1822.  d.  at    St.  Louis.  Mo..  June  2, 

1839.) 
Stephen  A.,   (b.   June    12.  1824.  was    a    merchant    at  Cedar 

Rapids,  Iowa.)] 

3.  A  child  unnamed,  [d.  when  but  a  few  days  old.] 

4.  Jesse,  [!>.  at  Pepperell,  Nov.  14,  1788,  resided  at    Frances- 

town,  Boston,  Lowell,  Worcester  and  Hartford,  m.  Har- 
riet Williams.  When  in  Francestown,  he  lived  on  the 
DriscoU  place  on  Driscoll  hill,  he  died  in  Hartford,  Ct. 
His  children  were: — 

Mary  A.  F.,  (b.  Apr.  23.  1820.  m.  Epraim  Wood  of  Bury, 
Quebec.) 

William  Henri/,  (b,  Feb.  7,  1822,  m.  Sarah  Louden,  May  1, 
1843.) 

Granville  .Z>..  (b.  Jan.  12,  1824.  m.  Caroline  Gear,  Feb.  18, 
1845.) 

Harriet  IF.,  (b.  Mar.  19,  1826,  d.  July  19,  1826.) 

Franklin  TF,  (b.  Sept.  1,  1827.) 

Lyman  P.,  (b.  Aug,  23,  1829.) 

Aaron  Draper,  (b.  Mar.  9, 1832,  is  a  portrait  painter  in  New 
York.) 

George  Washington,  (b.  March  7,  1835.) 

Joseph,  (b.  July  17,  1838.)] 

5.  Betsey,  [b.   in   Pepperell,   Oct.   8;   1790,   m.   William    R. 

Lord  of  Francestown,  July  4,  1817,  d.  in  Francestown, 
Mar.  5,  1872.] 

6.  Anna,  [d.  in  1794,  aged  2  years.] 


SHATTUCK.  917 

7.  Polly,  [b.  in    Pepperell,  Mar.  14,*1794,  m.  Abner    Savage 

of  Francestown.  June  21,  1821,  d.  in  Francestown,  Aug. 
2,  1866.1 

8.  Edmund,  [b.  in    Pef)perell,   Sept.  5,    1797,  ni.    1st.  Susan 

Lord  of  Francestown,  Feb.  5,  1821,  2nd,  Polly  l^ord  of 
Francestown,  Apr.,  1827,  3rd,  Olive  Stevens  of  Frances- 
town,  Feb.  19,  1828.  Mr.  Shattuck  was  one  of  the 
thrifty  farmers  of  the  town,  and  was  long  a  member 
and  supporter  of  the  church.  He  lived  fo]-  man}'  years 
on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son  George  A.  Shattuck, 
here  he  died  Dec.  22,  1872.  His  children,  all  l)orn  in 
Francestown,  were : — 

Smrui  C,  (d.  July  16,  1826,  in  infancy,  only  child  l)y  1st 
marriage.) 

C/il/,/.  unnamed,  (b.  May  27,  1829.) 

Franr.i^  Edmumh  (b.  Mar.  3.  18o0,  m.  Apr.  20,  1858,  Caro- 
line M.  Hartney,  who  was  born  at  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y., 
Feb.  14,  1832,  now  resides  in  Francestown  village.  Mr. 
Shattuck  is  by  vocation  a  farmer  and  quarryman.  Chil- 
dren: — Abbie  H.,  b.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  30,  1859, 
m.  Jesse  P.  Woodbury  of  Francestown,  Feb.  21,  1883, 
res.  in  Francestown.  Fannie,  b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  4. 
1861,  d.  in  Francestown,  May  17,  1868,  Jennie  E.,  b.  in 
Francestown,  Aug.  2,  1864,  is  by  vocation  a  teachei'. 
Annie  F.,  1).  in  Francestown.  Sept.  12,  1866,  d.  in  Fran- 
cestown, Feb.  8,  1867.  Frank  S.,  b.  in  Francestown, 
July  1,  1868,  is  a  clerk  in  a  store  in  Maiden,  Mass. 
James  E..  b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  23.  1870,  is  b}-  trade  a 
shoe  maker. ) 

Adeline  M.,  (h.  Aug.  15,  1831,  m.  James  C.  Wing  of  Man- 
chester, Sept.  2,  1856,  d.  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  Apr.  30,  1872.) 

George,  (b.  July  4,  1833,  d.  Mar.  8,  1834.) 

HarttvelU  (b.  Oct.  17,  1834,  m.  Mary  E.  Snow  of  Berlin, 
Mass.,  Aug.  18,  1868,  d.  in  Berlin,  Aug.  4,  1873.) 

JohnLewh.,  (b.  Dec.  15,  1836,  m.  Aug.  31,  1869,  Sarah  Clark 
Hartney,  l)orn  i]i  Ogdensl)urg,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  8,  1850.  jNJr. 
Shattuck  was  for  a  few  years  in  California,  res.  at  present 
in  Francestown,  is  by  occupation  a  quarryman.  Chil- 
dren   all   born    in    Francestown  : — Jessie    H.,  b.   Feb.  10, 


918  GENEALOGIES. 

1871.  Annie  B.,' b.  Aug.  31,1873.  John  Alfred,  b. 
Aug.  1,  1876.  Edith  M.,  b.  Feb.  27,  1878,  d.  in  Frances- 
town,  Mar.  17,  1879.  Child  unnamed,  b.  June  9,  1880, 
d.   June    28,1880.     Bernice    Adeline,  b.  Apr.  17,  1892.) 

Ahhy  Epp)<^  (b.  Nov.  15.  1838,  d.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  2*.t, 
1857.) 

Charlotte  Atiii.  (b.  Apr.  10,  1840.  d.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  1, 
1858.) 

Georr/e  Andrew,  (b.  Nov.  29,  1842.  m.  Ellen  M.  Cochrane  of 
Francestown,  Jan.  28,  1891,  is  one  of  the  prosperous 
farmei's  of  the  town.) 

Sichiei/  M'dton,  (b.  Feb.  15,  1844,  m.  1st.  Lucy  A.  Alcott  of 
Lowell,  Mass.,  Oct.  20,  1870,  2nd,  Kate  A.  Tebbets  of 
Swampscott,  Mass.,  May  (!,  1886,  is  a  merchant  in 
Swampscott.)] 

9.  MAKTiiA.  1)).    in    Francestown.    Ang.  13,   1799,   m.  John 

Stanley  of  this  town,  Sept.  13,  1835,  d.  in  Hartford, 
Conn.] 

10.  WiLLARD.  [b.   in    Francestown,  Ju'ne    20.  1801,  m.    Eliza- 

beth   Fuller,  daughter   of  David  and  Sally  (Gay)  Fuller, 
Apr.  15.  1828.     She   was    born  in  Dover,  Mass.,  Apr.  27, 
1804.      Willard    went  to  Dedham,  Mass.,  in  1830,  and  re- 
moved to   Bangor,  Cal.,  where   he   died  Oct.,  1866.     His 
death    was    caused    by  his    being    thrown    from  a  wagon. 
All  of  his  children,  excepting  one,  were  born  in  Dedham. 
They  were  : — 
Franch  Willard,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  29, 1828,  m.  Hattie 
L  Rimete    of    Dedham,  Mass.,  Oct.  15,  1871,  d.  in    Hyde 
Park,  Mass,  Feb.  14,  1892.) 
Timothy  Fuller,  (h.  Mar.  12,  1831,  m.'  1st,  Louisa  Leonard  of 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  is  now  residing    with  his  second  wife 
in  California.) 
Charles  F.,  (b.  Feb.  25,  1834,  d,  in  Dedham,  Nov.  8,  1836.) 
Sarah  E..  (b.  Feb.  25,  1836,  d.  in  Dedham,  May  5,  1852.) 
Martha  J/.,  (b.  Oct.  20,  1839,  d.  in  Dedham.) 
Edward,  (b.  Sept.  9,  1841,  res,  in  California.) 
Albert.  (1).  Jan.  13,  1845,  d.  in  California.)] 


8HEDD.  919 

11.  Fanny,  [b.  in  Francestown,  July  16,  1806,  m.  Mark 
Deane  of  Francestown,  June  15,  1830,  d.  in  Frances- 
town.  Jan.  14,  1877. J 

SHEDD. 

GEORGE  M.  SHEDD  came  here  from  Xevv  Boston  in  183(i,  and  re- 
mained here  twelve  3-ears,  after  which  he  returned  to  Xew  Boston.  He 
was  born  in  Clielmsford,  Mass.,  Jan.  'J,  1801),  and  married  Hannah 
Emerson  of  Weare,  May  14, 1835.  She  was  born  at  Weare,  Aug.  22, 
1806.  Mr.  Shedd  lived  on  the  place  long  occupied  bj'  Mr.  Parker  Bart- 
lette  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town.  In  New  Boston  he  served  upon 
the  board  of  selectmen  several  years,  and  was  twice  sent  to  the  State 
Legislature.  He  died  in  New  Boston,  May  1, 1885.  Children,  all  ex- 
cept one,  born  in  this  town,  were: — 

1.  Child,  unnamed,  [b.  June  4,  1838,  d.  June  6,  1838.] 

2.  George    Frederick,  [b.   Ma}-  2,  1839,  m.  Eliza  A.   Fogg 

of  Salmon  Falls,  Sept.  8,  1859.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion,  res.  in  Nashua.] 

3.  Daniel   Fuller,  [b.  Apr.  20,  1843,  m.  Clara    E.  Fogg-   of 

Salmon  Falls,  Nov.  22,  1864,  res.  in  Lowell.  IJe  served 
in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.] 

4.  Charles   Henry,  [b.  in   New   Boston,  June    26.  1850,  ni, 

Clara  F.  Poor  of  GofTstown,  Dec.  28,  1871,  by  vocation  a 
farmer,  is  one  of  the  active  citizens  of  New  Boston,  has 
served  as  moderator  of  town  meeting  many  years,  and 
upon  the  board  of  selectmen  two  years  and  upon  the 
school  board  for  the  same  period.] 

SHEPERD. 

HENRY  SHEPERD,  was  born  in  Marseilles,  France,  Jan.  6, 1839. 
He  came  to  America,  in  1862.  In  the  year  1870,  he  came  to  Frances- 
town  and  remained  about  three  3'ears,  and  a  half,  after  which  he  lived 
in  Stoddard,  Ilarrisville  and  other  phices.  In  1881,  he  returned  to 
Francestown  and  remained  here  a  few  years.  He  is  at  present  em- 
ployed here  though  his  family  is  in  Holyoke,  Mass.  He  is  by  trade  a 
blacksmith  and  is  employed  at  the  quarry.  He  once  occupied  the  small 
brown  house  south  of  the  No.  5,  school-house.  He  married  Lizzie 
(Boutelle)  Wyman.  She  was  born  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  Aug.  24, 
1849.     Their  children:— 

1.  Child,  unnamed,  [b.  in  Antrim.] 

2..  Willie  Henry,  [b.  in  Francestown,  May  21,  1871,  d.  in 
Holyoke,  June  5,  1881.] 


920  GENEALOGIES. 

3.  Wallace  Ashley,  [b.  in  Hanisville,  ^ept.  24,  1874,  d.  in 

Harrisville,  Dec.  1,  1874.] 

4.  Susan  Rebecca,  [b.  in  Hari'isville.  .June  :>.  1876,  lived  six 

days.] 

5.  GiJACiE  Belle,  [b.  in  Nelson,  Oct.  20,  1877.] 

().  James  Herbert,  [b.  in  H()l3^oke.  July  30,  1881.] 
7.  Lizzie  Etta,  [b.  in  Fnincestown.  Oct.  15,  1884.] 

SHORT. 

Ei.IZAl)I-7J'II  Sll()irj\  prrliaps  renu'iiibcrcd  h\  many  a?^  ••Mann 
Short."  lived  a  number  of  3'ear.s  in  a  little  col  wliicli  stood  beside  the 
turnpike  near  the  northwest  corner  of  the  liatchelder  Held,  on  ••the 
tiat"  to  noi-thward  of  the  vilhiiic  Of  Wi(h)\v  Short,  little  thai  is 
strietly  hiograpliical  seems  to  lie  known.  Some  say  that  she  eame 
from  Dcerinij;.  and  we  are  led  to  believe  that  she  at  one  lime  lived  in 
that  town,  since  her  dausiliter  Charlotte,  when  mari-ied  to  Luther 
IJoutelle  was  ^•of  Deering."  That  her  liusbund  departed  this  life  long 
previous  to  Iver  coming  here.tliere  can  be  but  little  doul)t  but  in  her 
years  of  liealtli  and  activity  she  was  seldom  dejected  because  of  hei- 
widowhood,  since  she  was  by  nature  selfreliajit,  and  readily  turned  to 
Hccount  the  natural  resources  of  tliat  quarter  of  the  flat.  Above  the 
door  of  lier  "small  dwilling'"  was  displayed  a  sign,  (said  to  have  been 
the  handiwork  of  a  prominent  jiractitioner  in  the  town )  whicli  bore 
the  somewhat  commercial  and  convivial  announcement: — "Spruce 
I3eer,  Sold  Here."  Then,  as  now,  no  water  was  softer  and  sweeter  than 
that  in  the  deep  cool  channel  of  Marm  Short's  brook,  and  hard  by  was 
every  sort  of  root  and  herb  that  a  maker  of  a  domestic  beverage 
could  desire,  and  there  was  indeed  a  demand  for  Mrs.  Short's  beer  in 
those  days  of  much  travel  upon  the  turnpike,  and  the  sunbrowned, 
heavy-voiced  teamsters  from  beyond  the  Connecticut  were  for  man}-  a 
year  her  profitable  patrons.  She  is  also  said  to  have  disposed  of  her 
beer  in  hospitality  ;  for  she  was  often  visited  by  the  ladies  of  the  vil- 
lage, who  were  prompted  perhaps  by  good  feeling,  curiosity  and 
thirst.  The  children  too  frequented  her  abode  being  entertained  by 
her  singula]-  ways  and  quaint  sociability.  They  would  soriietimes, 
however,  in  malice  or  mischief,  annoy  her  and  she,  not  being  given  to 
forbearance  and  long  suffering,  would  order  their  immediate  depart- 
ure, and  enforce  the  same  with  spirit,  frequently  giving  them  a  speedy 
chase  down  the  highway.  In  times  of  political  excitement  she  was 
especially  sensitive  and  explosive,  for  she  was  an  unyielding  partisan 
and  like  many  very  decent  people  would  abuse  her  most  worthy 
neighbors  in  the  interest  of  unscrupulous,  stranger  politicians.  Dur- 
ing the  first  Harrison  campaign,  two  young  girls  (now  stately  mati'ojis) 
called  at  her  home  and  soon,  by  piquant  comments  ui:»on  lier  jjolitical 


SLEEPEFt.  921 

faith,  had  her  iiiu.st  amu.singly  out  of  humor;  at  length  fairly  enraged, 
she  seized  her  broom  and  brandishing  it  threateningly  she  com- 
manded "Out  of  my  house  you  little  Whigs  !"  Of  course  the  young 
debators  were  nonplussed  by  an  argument  so  sweeping  and  preceded 
her  through  the  doorway  with  precipitation.  She  is  described  as  a 
not  tall  but  stoutly  moulded  woman,  with  large  dark  features.  She 
was  known  to  have  two  children  Charlotte  and  Daniel.  The  former, 
a  worth}'  lady  married  ^Nlay  IG,  1S20,  Luther  Boutell.  who  was  for 
some  time  a  resident  of  this  town.  Charlotte  died  here  May  3,  1858. 
Daniel  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  but  we  can  not  ascex'tain  that  he 
had  a  fixed  place  of  abode,  and  he  was  doubtless  a  journeyman  at 
iiearl.  Mrs.  Short  died  here  Oct.  8,  1851,  aged  9H  years.  No  tomb- 
stone marks  her  grave,  but  verily  tier  memory  will  be  jierpetuated  in 
the  little  stream  that  meanders  adown  the  flat. 

SLEEPER. 

BP:XJAMIX  sleeper,  Sk.,  was  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah 
Sleeper  of  Kingston,  at  which  place  he  was  born  Apr.  18,  1746.  His 
wife  was  Judith  Clough,  daughter  of  Obadiah  and  Sarah  Clough.  She 
was  born  at  Kingston.  Aug.  13,  1748.  The  date  of  their  marriage 
was  Nov.  "22.  1770.  Mr.  Sleeper  came  here  in  the  year  17G9,  and 
built  a  log  house  uvav  where  now  stands  the  residence  of  Garvin  S. 
Sleeper,  which  was  liuilt  by  Benjamin,  Sr. ,  at  a  later  date.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  jirosperous  of  the  earh'  settlers,  and  was  prominently 
identified  with  the  affairs  of  the  town,  serving  upon  the  board  of  se- 
lectmen, besides  holding  minor  offices.  He  also  did  good  service  as  a 
captain  in  the  Revolutionary  arn^^•.  he  died  at  his  home  Oct.  15,  1820, 
his  wife  died  here  May  10,  181-2.  Children  all  l)oni  in  Francestown, 
were : — 

1.  Sarah,  [b.  Dec.  16,  1772,  d.  Dec.  20,  1772.] 

2.  Benjaimin,  [b.  Apr.  6,  1773,  d.  Apr.  8,  1773.] 

3.  Samuel,  [b.  Mch.  13,  1775,  d.  Mch.  26,  1775.] 

4.  Obadiah,  [b.  Dec.  26,  1778,  m.  Polly  Whiting  of  Frances-. 

town.    Nov.    10,   1801,  was   a   teacher    and   a   farmer,  the 

place    on    which   he  lived  was    abotit  one-fourth  of  a  mile 
-south   of  the  farm    cleared  and  owned  by  his  father.      He 

died    in    Batavia,  Mich.,  Sept.,  1838.     Children    born    in 

Francestown  : — 
Zachariah     Whitiuf/,    (b.    Jan.    21,    1803,    was    drowned    in 

Pleasants  pond,  Dec.  5,  1818.) 
Roxana,  (h.  Oct.  21,  1804,  m.  George  Bird  of  New  Boston, 

Mav  12,  1832,  d.  in    Holliston,  Mass.,  Oct.,  1847,  had  one 


922  GENEALOGIES. 

child,  Georgfe  Elbridg-e  Bird,  borii  in  Framinoham,  Mass., 
Oct.  4,  1838,  resides  in  West  Deering.) 

(Jrile,  (b.  Dec.  5.  1806,  d.    in    Francestown,  Sept.  2:'),  1832.) 

Eaton,  (b.  Ang.  21,  1809,  m.  Eliza  Simons  of  Deering-, 
Feb.  2,  1831,  was  a  farmer  and  lived  npon  the  })lace  now 
occupied  by  his  son  Garvin  S.jSlee))er,  \\here  he  died 
i\lch.  11,  1873,  his  wife  died  here,  I\Ich.  1,  1892.  Chil- 
dren born  in  this  town  were: — (First).  Garvin  Simons, 
b.  Nov.  18,  1833,  m.  Glara  A..  Sawyer  of  Francestow  n. 
Mch.  21,  1867.  He  is  a  "man  of  much  ability  and  of 
very  extensive  reading,  has  represented  the  tcnvn  in  the 
Legislature,  served  u[)on  the  board  of  supervisors  and 
been  moderator  of  town  meeting  many  years,  he  was  also 
a  delegate  to  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1876,  and 
is  a  Past  Master  of  the  Pacilic  Lodge  of  Fi'ee  Masons. 
His  only  child  is  Perley  Mason,  b.  in  Francestown,  Se])t. 
22,  1869,  res.  in  Boston,  Mass.  (Second),  Huldah  Maria, 
b.  Jan.  24,  1835,  m.  Enoch  H.  Bartlett  of  Deering,  Dec. 
30, 1855,  lives  in  Deering.) 

Nathaniel,  (1).  June  22,  1811,  d.  in  Francestown,  ^Vug.  22, 
1813.) 

Julia,  (b.  Apr.  25,  1813,  m.  Otis  Koyden  of  Walpole,  Apr., 
1833,  d.  in  Walpole,  July  2,  1877.) 

Rebecca,  (b.  May  7,  1815,  m.  Daniel  Knowlton  of  Framing- 
ham,  Mass.,  June,  1834,  d.  in  Francestown.  July  30, 
1838.) 

Harvey,  (b.  Jan.  6,  1817,  m.  Mary  Newcombe,  d.  in  Brattle- 
boro',  Vt.,  Dec,  1886.) 

Moses  Whitinf/,  (b.  Feb.  15,  1819,  m.  1st , Mary  C.  Torrey  of 
Quincy,  Mass.,  Jan.  24,  1843,  2n(l,  Julia  Ann  Reed  of 
Boston,  Mass.,  Dec.  22,  1858.  He  was  by  vocation  a 
mason.  He  died  at  Woburn,  Mass.,  Mar.  1,  1890.  His 
children  by  first  marriage  were: — (  First), [Charles  Francis, 
b.  at  Quincy,  Mass.,  Mch.  1844,  m.  Anna  F.  Gale  of 
Francestown,  is  by  vocation  a  farmer  and  a  mason.  He  was 
a  soldier  in  the  9th  Regt.  N.  H.  Vol.,  in  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion,  and  was  severely  wounded  at  Petersburg,  Vir- 
ginia, his  children  are: — George  Edwin,  b.  at  Frances- 
town,  Aug.  4,  1867,  and   Maud    Hortense,  b.  at    Frances- 


SLEEPER.  928 

town,  Nov.  10,  1869.  (Second),  Ebin  Woodward,  b. 
Aug.  lo.  1846  in  Quincy,  Mass.,  he  married  Mattie  S. 
W^oodson  of  Austin,  Minn.,  Aug,  16,  1874,  now  resides 
in  Minneapolis,  Minn.  Children  are:  — Florence  Torrey, 
1).  at  Minneapolis,  Sept.  5,  1875,  d.  May  9,  1879,  in 
Hinckley,  Minn.  Ruby  Reed,  b.  in  Hinckley,  Dec.  28, 
1877.  Jean  Allen,  b.  in  Minneapolis,  Sept.  13,  1881. 
Stella  Whiting,  b.  in  Minneapolis,  Aug.  25,  1883. 
(Third),  Maria  Cevilla,  b.  at  Quincy,  July  3,  1848,  m. 
Daniel  B.  Tobie,  Mch.  28,  1865,  resides  in  Francestown. 
(Fourth),  Almon  T..  b.  in  Quincy,  Mass.,  Feb.  21,  1851, 
(1.  Sept.  18,  1851.  ]\Iary  Alice,  b.  in  Quincy,  Apr.  11, 
1852,  m.  Charles  L.  Batchelder  of  Francestown,  Nov.  28, 
1873,  d.  in  Nashua,  Jan.  5,  1879. 

The  only  child  of  Moses  by  2nd  marriage  was,  Theodore 
Eaton,  b.  in  Quincy,  Oct.  5,  1859,  m.  Evelyn  P.  Flint  of 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  Jan.  28,  1885.) 

Levi  Almon.,  (b.  Mar.  6,  1821,  m.  Hannah  Alexander  of 
Quincy  in  1859,  d.  in  Holebrook,  Mass.)] 

5.  Sarah,  [b.  Mch.    25,    1780,  d.   Sept.  1,  1864    in    Frances- 

town.] 

6.  Benjamin,  Jr.,  [b.  Aug.  27.  1788,  m.  Jane  Huntington  of 

Francestown,  Nov.  5,  1805,  lived  on  the  place  now  owned 
by  William  Terrin,  was  a^soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
was  in  the  battle  of  York,  (now  Toronto),  where  General 
Zebulon  Pike  was  killed  by  the  explosion  of  a  magazine, 
d.  at  Concord,  Mass.,  Aug.  18,  1829.  Children  born  in 
Francestown: — 

iSara,  (b.  May  10,  1807,  m.  William  Terren  of  Frances- 
town,  Apr.  4,  1828,  d.  in  Francestown,  Apr,  15,  1830.) 

Mary^  (m.  James  Cram  of  Weare,  and  died  in   that  town.) 

Abigail^  (b.  Feb.  21,  1811,  m.  John  Prince  of  Amherst, 
June  2,  1835,  d.  in  Amherst.  May  1,  1850.) 

Zehulon  Montgomery  Pike^  (m.  Roxana  Lufkin  of  Weare, 
where  he  died  Feb.,  I860.)] 

7.  Anna,  [b.  Jan.  9,  1786,  d.  Apr.  20,  1786.] 

8.  Judith,  [b.  Jan.  16.  1790,  d.  Apr.  4,  1790.] 


924  GENEALOGIES. 

NATHANIEL  SLEEPEK,  Sr.,  a  younger  brother  of  Benjamin, 
came  here  in  the  year  ITTJi,  and  settled  on  the  place  which  was  lono- 
used  as  the  paor  /(ii-iii.  His  wife  was  Betsey  C'lough  of  Kingston. 
Mr.  Sleeper  died  in  this  town,  PVl).  ').  lS-21.  The  circumstances  of 
his  death  were  thus  given  in  the  Amherst  Cabinet.  ••He  took  supper 
at  half  past  (>  o'clock  p.  m.,  on  Saturday,  apparently  well,  an  hour 
after  which,  he  was  taken  with  a  violent  pain  in  his  wi'ist.  which  so 
increased  that  l)y  ii  o'clock  the  pain  w'as  almost  unlx'arable,  medical  aid 
was  immediately  summoned  but  to  no  effect.  Tht^  ))ain  subsided  at  12 
o'clock  at  noon,  at  which  time  a  mortification  took  place  and  he  ex- 
pired on  Monday  at  "i  o'clock."  aged  seventy.      His  children  were:  — 

1.  Anna,  [b.  Dee.    24.  1772.   d.    in    l''raiu'esto\vii.    June    12. 

1773.] 

2.  Anna,  [b.  in    Kraneestown.  Apr.  K).  1774.  d.  Sept.  1.  1774 

in  Francestowii.] 

3.  Samuel,  [b.     in    Francestowii,  May     23,    1775,    ni.    Patty 

Stevens  of  Salisbury,  went  to  Cbelsea,  Mass.,  wlien 
twenty-one  years  of  age.] 

4.  Sakah,  [b.  in   Francestowii,   June    17,  1777,  iiiiniarried   d. 

in  Francestown,  Jan   4,  18»Jl.] 

5.  Nathaniel,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Mcb.  10,  1771>,  d.  July  5, 

1779.] 

6.  Nathaniel   Jh.,  [b.   in   Francestown,   Aug.   26,   1780,  in. 

Jenny  Eastman   of  Weare,  Nov.  12,  1812,  d.  in   Nashua.] 

7.  Hannah,  [b.  in    Francestown,  iNIay  lO,    1782,   unmarried, 

d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  5,  1840.] 

8.  Amos,  [b.  in    Francestown.  Nov.  21,  1785,  m.  Nancy  Ever- 

ett, of  Francestown.  Nov.  9,  1820.  He  lived  on  the  old 
Starrett  place,  (now  no  more),  in  Dist.  No.  5,  removed  to 
Nashua  in  1836,  went  to  Summit,  Wis.,  twenty  years 
later,  afterward  removed  to  Waunatosa,  Wis.,  where  he 
died  Sept.  13,  1861.     Children,  all   born   in  this  town: — 

Laurilla,  (b.  Nov.  4,  1821,  m.  1st,  Joseph  Wood  of  Nashua, 
May  22,  1845,  2nd,  Henry  Booth  of  Milwaukee,  Wis., 
Jan.  14,  1864,  res.  in  Magomanie,  Wis.) 

Evander,  (b.  Jan.  31,  1822,  d,  in  Nashua,  Nov.  12,  1838.) 

Euphemia,  (b.  June  12,  1824,  m.  George  L.  King  of  Bloom- 
ington.  111.,  Oct.  9.  1855,  res.  at  Merrimack,  Florida.) 

Maria,  (b.  Dec.  1,  1825,  m.  Dea.  Norman  Dutton  of  Mete- 
mora.  111.,  June  6,  1869,  res.  at  Metemora,  111.) 

Electa,  (b.  Jan.  20,  1828,  d.  Sept.  9,  1842,  in  Nashua.) 


fti.EKPEH.  025 

Cnnu-Jia  B.,  (1).  June  21,  1830.  m.  Clinton  K.  Daniels  of 
Milwaukee,  Wis.,  Sept.  19,  18o8,  res.  in  Monee,  111.)]      ' 

9.  Nathan,  [m.  Nancy   Hadley    of    Deering,  Nov.  11,  1813, 

removed  to  Franklin.] 

10.  David,  [m,  Betse}-  Hadley  of  Deering.  published  Nov.  1, 

1815,    removed    to    Cambridge,    Vt.       Children    born    in 

Francestown  were: — 
Lydia,  (b.  May  12,  1817.) 
Mamiu  (b.  Sept.  12,  1819.) 

11.  Flizaijeth,  [unm.  died  at  Fi-ancestown.  Nov.  3.  1873.] 

MOSES  SLEEPEE.  doubtless  a  relative  of  Benjamin  and  Nathaniel, 
settled  quite  early  upon  the  John  Sleeper  place  near  the  road  leading 
to  Garvin  Slee]ier's.  His  name  appears  upon  the  list  of  tax-payers  of 
1793,  but  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  he  did  not  live  long  in  this 
town.     It  is  known  that  he  had  three  children: — 

1.  Fdward,  [was    living  here  in  1806,  but   finally  settled   in 

Wliitetield,  \t.'] 

2.  A  daughter,  [who    married White,  and    lived   and 

had  a  family  in  Whitefield.] 

3.  John.  [m.    I^ydia    Dodge,  daughter    of    Simeon    Dodge    of 

this  town  July  20.  1809.  He  lived  U])on  the  place  first 
owned  by  his  father,  where  he  died,  Mch.  25,  1853,  aged 
06.      His  children  were  all  born  in  this  town,  they  were: — 

Annie^  (d.in  Fiancestown.-Mch.  11. 1812,  aged  three  years.) 

Clarissa,  (d.  in  Fi-ancestown,  Sept.,  1S19,  aged  seven  years.) 

Ahmlra,  (b.  Mch.  8,  1813,  m.  1st,  James  O.  Pratt  of  An- 
trim, (pub.  Feb.  23,  1837,)  2nd.  Emerson  Favor  of  Ben- 
nington, June  13,  1844,  res,  in  Benrdngton.) 

Orissa,  (m.  Cyrus  Jaquith  of  ]Milford,  Nov.  6,  1839,  d.  in 
Wilton.) 

Harriet,  (m.  Dr.  Norman  Smith  of  Groton,  Mass..  (pub. 
May  2,  1838.)  d.  in  Groton.) 

Lj/ilia  Adeline,  (m.  Hosea  Jewett  of  Bradford,  (pub.  Aug. 
12,  1850.)  d.  in  Francestown.  Apr.  6.  1852.) 

M'trie/td.  (m.  Dr.  Norman  Smith  of  Groton.  Mass..  Nov.  6, 
1843.  d.  in  Groton.) 

Vlariaa  Ann,  (was  unni.  d.  Nov.  13,  1841.  in  Reading. 
Mass.,  and  was  buried  in  this  town.) 

.1//  Infant,  (d.  Nov.  1829.) 


(»2t)  GENEALOGIES. 

Creorye  Franld'nu  (1).  Sept.  18,  I80I,  111.  Ellen  M.  Iviiicolii 
of  Hillsboi'o",  Apr.  18,  1852,  lived  on  the  place  now 
owned  by  Dr.  (leo.  Bixby.  by  vocation  a  bi'ick  mason,  re- 
moved to  riillsboro'  with  his  family.  His  children: — 
Hattie  F,,  b.  in  Francestown,  Se})t.  2o,  1858,  is  a  taih)r- 
ess.  res.  in  Hillsboro'.  Heniy  .F.,  b.  in  Francestown. 
Auo-.  81.  1855.  m.  Fannie  O.  Wilson,  Dec.  10,  1881. 
Frank  P..  1).  in  Francestown.  Apr.  5..  1857.  m.  Jennie 
Booth  of  Brooklyn.  N.  V..  Jan.  5,  1884.  Fred  A.,  b.  in 
Francestown,  Sept.  1,  1859,  nr.  ^largaret  Monahan  of 
Stoddard,  Sept.  2,  188<).  Dexter  ( )..  b.  in  Francestown, 
July  21,  1862.  m.  Jnlia  Wrio-ht  of  Washington,  Jan.  23, 
1889.  Daniel  L.,  b.  Dec.  28,  18(;4,in  Francestown,  d. 
in  Hillsboro",  Nov.  13,  1883.  George  Freeman,  b.  in 
Ilillsboro',  Oct.  (.;,  18(18,  m.  Mary  H.  Smith  of  North 
Weare.  Aug.  31,  1890.  Susie  Ellen.,  b.  in  Hillsboro'. 
Jnne  30.  1872.  Charles  Howaid.  1).  in  Hillsboro;  Aug. 
21.1875.)] 

SMH.EV. 

JOHN  .S:MILEY  was  doubtless  a  deseeiidant  of  Francis  Smiley, 
who  was  our  of  t'ovu'  brothers  of  Scotch  origin  who  are  said  to  have 
come  to  America  together  and  to  have  settled  at  Haverhill,  Mass.  A 
sister  Margaret,  accompanied  them.  She  afterward  married  Francis 
Smith  of  Salem.  Francis  Smiley  purchased  a  farm  in  Windham.  Nov. 
."b  174.-),  where  he  died,  Mch.  Ifi,  1768.  John  Smiley  was  born  in 
Windham,  lie  was  tlie  son  of  David  Smiley  who  died  in  Fi'ancestown, 
Sept.  4,  ISl;').  in  his  eightv-hrst  year.  The  Smileys  succeeded  the 
Campbells  upon  the  Tobie  place,  .Jolui  lieing  here  as  early  as  ISOd. 
He  married  Dorcas  Austin  of  this  town,  Mch.  2(8, 1809.  She  was  born 
in  Methueu,  Mass.,  Feb.  18,  1779,  and  died  in  Mont  Yernon,  Feb.  8, 
1879,  being  one  hundred  years  of  age  lacking  ten  da3'S.  .John  Smilej' 
died  in  this  town  Feb.  18,  1848,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  Children, 
all  born  in  Francestown,  were: — 

1.  Elizabeth,  [b.  Mch.  29,  1810,  m.  Cephas  Parker  of  Read- 

ing, Mass.,  June,  1831,  d.  at  Heading.  Mass.] 

2.  John.  [b.   Nov.  17.  1811,  m.  Charlotte    Anderson    of  New 

York    City,  was  a  clergyman,  d.  at  Union    Clntrch.  Miss., 
in    l<sr»2.  fi-om    disease    contracted    in    the    service   of  his 
*     c(mntrv  in  the  War  of  the  Uel)ellionij 


SMITH.  U27 

3.  Dorcas    A.,  [b.  Nov.  1,  1813.  m.  John    Averill    of  Mont 

^"el•non.  Dec.  16.  1856,  res.  in  Mont  Vernon. J 

4.  David,  [b.    Aug.   3,    1815,   ni.  Enieline    h.  Kiehanlson    of 

this    to\\'n,  June    24,  1841,  is  a  farmer,  res.  in   Stoun'hton, 
Mass.] 

5.  Hannah,  [b.  Dee.  23,  1817.  d.  in  this  town.  Apr.  4,1836.] 

6.  Rhoda,  [b.  Feb.  21,  181!».  d.  here,  Jan.  2,  1842.] 

7.  Moses,  [b.    Mar.   31.    1822.    m.    1st,    Abbie    (Ireenfeaf    of 

Cambridge,  Mass.,  2nd,  iNIaggie    Ryan    of  llidgeley,  Md., 
was  a   machinist,  d.  in    Wilmington,  Del.,  Aug.  1,  1881.] 

SMITH. 

I)KA.  JOIIX  SMITH  was  of  Scotcli-Irish  micesin.  His  uraud- 
fatluT,  LieiU.  Thomas  Smith,  it  is  believed,  was  a  survivoi'  of  the 
siei;e  of  L()n(h)uderry,  in  H'ehnuh  He  emigrated  to  New  Hampshire 
in  1711),  and  was  a  grantee  of  Chester,  Xov.  20. 1720,  and  was  se- 
lectman of  that  town  in  1728.  IHs  wife's  maiden  name  was  Karr, 
but  of  her  history  little  seems  to  be  known.  Lieutenant  Smith  was 
carried  into  captivity  by  the  Indians  in  1724.  and  there  is  an  interest- 
ing account  of  liis  severe  experience  in  the  possession  of  the  N.  H.. 
Historical  Society.  He  removed  from  Chester  to  New  Boston,  being 
the  first  settler  of  the  town,  in  1733,  and  died  there,  although  the 
date  of  his  death  cannot  be  ascertained.  His  son  I)ea.  John  Smith, 
the  father  of  Dea.  .John  Smith  of  this  town,  married  first, Mc- 
Neil, second,  Ann  Brown  of  Francestown.  He  had  nineteen  chil- 
dren, five  by  the  first  marriage,"  and  fourteen  by  the  second.  Two 
of  his  children  died  of  dysentery  in  175().  He  was  deacon  in  the 
Bresbyterian  church  in  Xew  Boston,  and  died  in  that  town  Sept.  .">, 
1800,  aged  seventy-three  years.  Dea.  John  Smith  of  Francestown, 
was  the  son  of  Deacon  John  Smith  of  Xew  Boston,  by  his  first  mar- 
riage. He  must  have  settled  here,  on  the  Reed  Sawyer  place,  as 
early  as  1784.  His  first  wife  was  Elizabeth  Campbell  of  Litchfield. 
She  was  born  in  17f53,  and  died  in  this  town,  Aug.  17,  1794.  His 
seeond  wife  was  Lucretia  Colby.  She  died  in  this  town,  Aug.  17, 
1827,  aged  fifty-six  years.  Dea.  John  Smith  served  seven  years  in  the 
army  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Benning- 
ton by  a  bullet  which  entered  his  neck  and  was  not  removed.  He 
was  chosen  deacon  of  the  church  in  this  town  in  1790.  He  was  born 
.June  9,  1759,  and  died  in  Francestown,  Aug.  24,  1824.  His  children 
were : — 

1.  David  Campbell,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  2,  1785.  He 
graduated  at  Dai'tmoutli  in  the  class  of  1813,  studied 
la\A',  and    was   admitted  to  the  bar  in  this  state.      In  1815 


928  GENEALOGIK?^. 

he  emigrated  to  Ohio  aiul  was  the  first  attorney  to  settle 
])eniianently  in  Columbus.  In  181<).  David  Smith  with 
Ezia  (ii'iswold.  Jr.,  established  and  i-ommeneed  the  publi- 
cation of  the  Ohio  Monitor.  "a\Aeekly  jirotective  tariff  anti- 
slavery,  Democratic  newsjjaper,  and  tlie  first  to  commence 
its  publication  from  the  start  in  C'oknubus."  Mr.  Griswold 
soon  sold  out  his  interest  to  David  Smith  who  remained  sole 
}>ropriet()r  and  editor  for  more  than  twenty  years.  During 
this  period  he  was  three  times  elected  State  Printer. 
Jan.  18,  1817,  David  Smith  was  elected  by  the  T^egisla- 
ture  Associate  Judge  of  the  Coui't  of  Common  Pleas 
for  Fraidclin  county,  which  ofhce  he  resigned  in  1822  to 
accept  a  seat  as  Representative  foi'  Franklin  county,  in 
the  'I'wenty-first  General  Assembly.  He  was  also  elected 
to  the  Twenty-fifth  General  Assendtly.  in  182(1.  It  was 
at  this  time  that  the  passage  of  the  odious  ''block  laws" 
was  agitated  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  but  Judge  Smith  al- 
though elected  as  a  Jackson  Democrat,  true  to  his  anti- 
slavery  convictions,  opposed  all  such  measurers.  Sal- 
mon P.  Chase,  while  Governor  of  Ohio,  (Ui  one  occasion 
publicly  referred  to  him  in  a.  very  complimentary  man- 
ner. "Judge  Smith."'  said  Mr.  Chase,  ''was  a  jjioneer  of 
freedom  and  equality  in  Ohio,  and  deserves  much  j)raise 
for  it."  In  the  fall  of  183(3.  he  was  appointed  to  a 
clerkship  in  the  Dead  Letter  Office  in  Washington  and 
continued  in  the  Government  service  for  a  nuiuber  of 
3-ears.  He  was  twice  married,  l^t  in  1814  to  Rhoda  S. 
Mitchell,  2nd  in  1820  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  to  Harriet  B, 
Mitcliell.  His  A\ives  were  sisters,  and  were  born  in  Ha- 
verhill, Mass.  Judge  Smith  died  in  Columbus,  Feb.  3, 
18(55. 

2.  John,  [b.  Aug.  28,  1787,  was    a   farmer,  ni.  Olive    Wilson, 

resided  in  Ohio,  and  died  in  that  state  in  18(35. 

3.  Bp:tsfa',  [b.    Feb.   7,  1789.   married,  d.   in    Ohio.  Apr.    22, 

1855.] 

4.  Jenny  McNeil,  [1).  Dec.  23,  1790.  m.  Daniel    Wheeler    of 

Lyndeboro',  resided  in  New  York,  where  she  died.] 

5.  Mary,  [b.    Aug.   19.   1793.   m.  Benjamin    Dodge    of  New 

Boston,  d.  in  New  Boston,  June  1(3.  187(3.] 


S^NIITH.  929 

6.  W1LLIA.M,  [b.  Mch.  25,  171H3,  d.  here  Sept.  12,  1797.] 

7.  Sarah,  [b.  Mch.  23,  1798,  d.  here  Apr.  7,  1798.] 

8.  Sally,  [b.  Sept.  14,  1799,  d.  in  this  towji,  Nov.  19,  1818.] 

9.  Ebenp:zek,  [b.  Nov.  16,  1802,  resided    in    Charlestown,  N. 

H.,  d.  in  New  Boston,  Mar.  80,  1833.] 

10.  Nancy,  [b.  Apr.  27,  1805,  m.  Dr.  William  Butler  of  New 

York,  d.  in  New  York,  Apr.,  1850.] 

11.  Ira,  [b.  June  3,  1807,  d.  in    P^rancestown,  ,]\\ne  8,  1821.] 

12.  James,  [b.  June  6,  1815,  graduated   at   Dartmouth,  was  a 

teacher  in  New  Jerse}',  d.  in  New   Jersev,  Oct.  28,  1835.] 

URIAH  SMITH  was  a  son  of  Uriah  Smith  wlio  reinoveii  from 
Princeton,  Mass.,  and  became  one  of  the  earhest  and  most  substan- 
tial settlers  of  West  Wilton.  He  married  Olive  Burton  of  Wilton. 
'Nov.  27,  1803,  and  came  to  this  town  where  he  was  long  engaged  in 
trade,  the  parsonage  occnpied  by  Kev.  A.  J.  Abbott,  being  the  build- 
ing in  which  "he  kept  store."  and  the  house  of  Daniel  R.  Henderson 
was  his  residence  ere  the  present  home  of  Edson  H.  Patch  was  built 
and  occupied  l\v  liim.  Mr.  Smith  is  now  remembered  by  the  older 
residents  of  this  town  as  a  man  of  sterHng  nu'rit  and  practical 
methods  in  business.  He  died  in  182(i,  on  the  14th  of  March,  whicli 
was  -'town  meeting  day."'  and  on  that  day  he  was  a  candidate  for  the 
ortice  of  town  cb  rl<,  and  received  a  majority  of  the  ballots  cast,  but 
ere  his  election  was  declared  by  the  moderator,  James  Haseltine  ap- 
proached him  and"  said:  '•'You  are  elected  Smith,"  and  at  once  to  the 
confusion  and  grief  of  those  around  him,  Mr.  Smith  fell  back  in  his 
seat,  and  died  almost  instantly,  doubtless  of  heart  disease.  His  wife 
died  here  July  14.  IS;")?.     His  children  were  all  born  in  this  town: — 

1.  Ollva,  [b.  May  27,   1805,  m.   Rodney  G.  Cochrane  of  this 

town.  May  1,  1828,  d.  here.  May  12,  185().] 

2.  Samuel,  [b.  Aug.  12,  1807.     He  graduated  at    Dartmouth 

College,  also  at  the  T>aw  School  at  New  Haven,  and  set- 
tled and  [)ractical  law  at  Henniker.  where  he  died  Aug. 
18,  1837,  was  unmarried.] 

3.  Uriah,  Jr.,  [b.  Feb.  3,  1809.     He    like    his   father  had  a 

taste  for  mercantile  persuits,  and  though  young,  formed  a 
partnershi})  witli  his  brother-in-law,  R.  G.  Cochrane, 
which  was  however  of  brief  duration  since  he  died  here 
Jan.  31,  1830.] 

WALTER  SMITIU  who  purchased  the  Emerson  farm  in  1877,  is 
the    son    of  Lorenzo    Dow    Smith,  who  was  born  in  Moultonborough, 


980  GENEALOGIES. 

and  married  Martha  W.  Straw  of  Sandwich,  N.  H.  Lorenzo  Smith 
followed  the  seas  for  many  years  and  was  during  much  of  this  time  a 
ship's  ofHcer.  He  was  the  son  of  Simeon  Dana  Smith  who  married 
Olive  Ann  Harriman,  and  became  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Moulton- 
borough,  and  afterward  of  Campton,  in  this  state.  Walter  Smith  was 
l)orn  at  Campton,  Feb.  17,  1846.  He  married  Aug.  (1,  18(;5,  Louisa 
Mills,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Hephzibah  S.  (Webber)  Mills  of  Deer- 
ing,  where  she  was  born  May  25,  1841.  Mr.  Smith's  early  manhood 
was  spent  in  his  native  town.  He  however  resid-ed  in  Deering  a  few 
years  previous  to  his  coming  to  Francestown.     His  chil  'ren  are: — 

1.  George  R..  [b.  at    Campton,  Mar."  3,  1867,  is  a  member  of 

the  board  of  selectmen  and  of  the  school  'hoard.] 

2.  Bert  W.,  [b.  at  Campton,  Jan.  14,  1870.] 

3.  Eva  W..  [b.  at  Deering,  Nov.  27,  1875.] 

DEXTER  D.  SMITH  is  the  son  of  Ezra  and  Anna  (IJrewster) 
Smith.  The  former  was  born  in  Gardner,  Maine  and  the  latter  was 
of  the  Brewster  family  of  this  town.  Dexter  Smith  was  born  in 
Francestown,  .Ian.  1'2,  18-25.  His  early  life  was  spent  at  the  home  of 
his  uncle,  Isaac  Brewster,  in  Francestown.  He  enlisted  in  Co.  G., 
9th  Regt.  N.  H.,  \"ols.  and  served  two  years,  in  the  war  of  the  Re- 
bellion. He  married,  Sept.  19,  1848,  Helen  M.  Houghton,  daughter  of 
Euclid  Houghton  of  Andover,  Mass.,  and  Eunice  (Waketield)  Hough- 
ton, a  native  of  Gardner,  Me.  Helen  M.  Houghton  was  born  at 
Gardner,  Me.,  March  1,1825.  Dexter  Smith  is  by  trade  a  shoe- 
maker.    He  has  of  late  lived  in  Hillsboro'.     Children: — 

1.  Lizzie  Brewster,  [b.  in    Francestown,  Nov.  16,  1851,  m. 

David  M.  Rollins   of  Greensboro',  Vt.,  Sept.  3,  1872,  has 
since  resided  in  Nashua.] 

2.  Helen    Maria,  [b.  in    Francestown,  Aug.  13.  1853,   d.  in 

Francestown,  Mar.  20,  1854.] 

SAMUEL  MILES  SMITH  married  Lucy,  .  daughter  of  Stephen 
Shattuck  of  this  town.  May  2.3,  1822.'  He  lived  a  short  time  on  the 
Jonathan  Patch  place.  By  a  former  marriage  he  had  two  children, 
David  and  Maria.     He  died  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  Sept.  15,  184.3. 

SPAULDING. 

EDWARD  SPAULDING,  from  whom  by  widely  diverging  family 
lines  the  Spauldings  of  this  town  and  vicinity  descended,  came  to 
America  about  1(530.  His  name  first  appears  in  the  records  of  Brain- 
tree,  Mass.,  where  his  first  wife  Margaret,  and  daughter,  Grace,  died. 
He  was  made  a  freeman  May  13,1040.  In  1653,  he  removed  to 
Chelmsford  which  has  from  that  time  been  the  stronghold  of  the  Xew 


SPAULDING.  931 

Entjland  Spauldinos.  The  frequent  appearance  of  bis  name  upon  the 
early  records  in  connection  with  various  town  officers  and  interests 
shows  liim  to  have  been  prominent  among  his  townsmen.  Special 
mention  was  made  of  his  orchard  in  1664,  and  other  indications  of  his 
thrift  and  enterprise  are  not  wanting,  he  died  in  Chelmsford.  Mass., 
Feb.  26, 1670. 

ABEL  SPAULDIXG  the  first  of  the  descendants  of  Edward,  to 
settle  in  Francestown,  came  to  this  town  about  17S5,  and  settled  on 
the  Henry  Morrill  place,  southwest  of  the  village.  He  was  born  in 
Chelmsford,  Mass.,  Sept.  2,  1737,  being  of  the  fifth  generation  from 
Edward  the  emigrant  (Edwardi,  John2,  Joseph^,  Simeon*,  Abel^.) 
He  married  ^Mar}-  Warren  '  of  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  Apr.  29,  1767,  she 
died  in  Francestown,  Dec.  4,  lcS20.  He  died  in  Francestown,  Oct.  14, 
1819.  Three  sons  came  with  him  to  this  town.  Abel  Jr. ,  born  June 
19,  1768,  who  did  not  long  remain  here.  Suppl}',  born  Sept.  16,  1773, 
and  died  in  Francestown,  July  24,  1840.  Timothy,  born  in  Chelms' 
ford  Mar.  2S,  1779. 

TIMOTHY  SPAULDING  succeeded  his  father  on  the  Morrill  farm; 
he  married  Lydia  Moore  of  Bradford,  N.  H.,  Oct.  8,  1801.  She  was 
born  in  Bradford,  July  31,  1782  and  died  in  Embden,  Me.,  Dec.  16, 
1838.  Timothy  died  in  Francestown,  Jan.  2,  1845.  Children,  al^ 
born  in  Francestown,  were: — 

1.  Lydia,  []).   July  17,  1802,  m.  Walter    Spaulcling    of  North 

Anson,    Me.,    Oct.    2i),   1829,    d.   in    Oakland,   Aug.    27, 
1869.] 

2.  Betsey,  [b.   Sept.  29.  1803,  m.  William    Carter,  Nov.  17, 

1825.] 

3.  Mary,  [b.  May  4,  1805,  m.  Thomas  C.  Litchfield.  May  16, 

1830.] 

4.  Oliver,  [b.  Mar.  1,  1807.] 

5.  Sally,  [b.  March    25,   1809,  m.    1st.    Jeremiah    K.   Gates. 

Jan.  8,  1835,  2nd,  Benjamin  Brackett,  Apr.  18,  1865,  res. 
in  Peterboro.'] 

6.  Nancy,  [b.  Feb:   5,  1811,   m.   Charles    Coolidge    of  West- 
.  minister,    Mass.,    May     12,    1831,    removed     to     Brattle- 

boro',  Vt.] 

7.  HAnr.iET,  [b.   Jan.  24,  1813,  m.  Lewis    Litchfield,  and    re- 

moved to  Kansas  where  she  died  Apr.  7,  1855.] 

8.  Edmund,  [b.  Apr.  14,  1815.] 

9.  Orrlssa.  [b.  Apr.  13,  1817,  m.  Joseph    C.  Patten,  Feb.  27, 

1834.  removed  to  Anson.  Maine,  d.  June  16,  1857.] 


9S2  (TENEAL()(iIES. 

10.  Orinza,  twin  sister  of  Orrissa,  [ni.  Charles  Piillen.] 

11.  Emily  Clark,  [b.  Mar.  2,  1S19,  m.  I^eonard  Townsend.] 

12.  Timothy  Clark,  [b.  Mar.  27.  1821.] 

13.  Abel  Warren,  [b.  Apr.  21».  1823.] 

14.  Horace  Moore,  [b.  July  1».  182o.  removed   to    Ki)d)deii. 

Me.] 

LEONAEI)  srAriJ)IX(i  l)ecanie  a  rcf-idcnt  of  tliis  town  about 
the  3'ear  L*^ol.  He  was  of  the  st-veiith  ui'iicration  from  Edward  of 
Braintree  and  Chehiisford.  his  ancestry  beinij  as  follows: — Eldwardi, 
who  died  in  Chelmsford.  Feb.  2(5,  KuO.  Andrews,  born  Nov.  19,  1652, 
(1.  May  ').  171.">.  Ilenry^.  born  in  Chelmsford.  Nov.  2.  KiSO.  died  Apr. 
4,  1720,  Henry-i.  born  in  Chelmsford.  Nov.  22.  170-4.  d.  Apr.  20.  1792, 
Samuel^,  l)oni  .Jan.  ."51.  172(),  d.  Sept.  11.  1797.  Henry^,  born  in  Mer- 
rimac,  Nov.  3,  17()0,  whoss  last  years  were  spent  in  Francest own;  he 
married  .Joanna  Russell  of  Dunbarton,  Feb.  11,  17<S7,  and  was  the 
father  of  many  children,  his  wife  died  Nov.  1.  185.3,  he  died  in  I.ynde- 
boro',  ]\Iay  31,  1857.  Leonard'^  Spaulding  was  l)orn  in  Lyndeboro', 
Oct.  3.  1802,  he  married,  1st,  Ede  Farrington  of  (ireentield,  Sept.  15, 
1831.  She  was  born  Aug.  4.  1800,  and  died  .Jan.  26,  1856,  married 
2nd,  Elizabeth  Anna  Fail-banks  of  Francestown.  Dec.  8, 1856.  Leonard 
Spaulding  purchased  the  farm  now  known  as  the  Gerrish  or  Hadley 
place'southwest  of  the  village,  here  he  farmed  prosperously  until  well 
advanced  in  years,  when  he  removed  to  his  late  residence  in  the  vil- 
lage where  he  died  Jan.  3,  1890,  leaving  a  reputation  as  a  staunch 
supporter  of  the  church  to  which  he  left  a  liberal  bequest.  His  chil- 
dren were  all  born  in  this  town: — 

1.  Leonard  Vila,  [b.  Aug.  26,  1832,  m.  Mary    Morrison    of 

Louden,  N.  H.,  Oct.  5,  1853.  He  is  in  the  Insurance 
business  in  Haverhill,  Mass.] 

2.  Ebenezer   Farrington,  [b.  Apr.  28.  1835,  fitted  for    col- 

lege at  Francestown  Academy,  but  did  not  enter,  he 
graduated  at  the  Massachusetts  State  Normal  School  at 
Bridgewater,  in  1856,  was  for  three  years  master  of  the 
Grammar  School  in  Janesville,  Wisconsin.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1860,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine,  and  in  the 
following  winter,  took  a  course  of  lectures  at  the  Ritsh 
Medical  College  at  Chicago,  111.,  Apr.  29,  1862,  he  was 
tendered  a  coiumission  as  assistant  surgeon  in  the  army, 
he  reported  to  the  commander  of  the  7th  Wisconsin 
Volunteers,  and  was  with  that  regiment  during  some  of 
the   most   terrific   battles    of  the  war.      His  health  becom- 


SPAULDING.  988 

ing'  impaired  he  \v;)s  obliged  to  resign  his  coinmission, 
but  was  at  once  appointed  special  assistant  surgeon  in 
which  ca2)acity  he  continued  in  the  service  until  March 
1865,  when  he  rejoined  his  regiment  ^-near  the  scenes  of 
the  last  battles  of  the  Rebellion."  He  s})ent  the  fall  of 
\55  and  the  winter  of  "65—6  at  the  Harvard  Medical 
School  where  he  took  his  degree.  After  three  years  of 
country  practice  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Hiram  Gove 
of  Boston,  and  rapidly  won  a  large  practice.  He  is  ac- 
tive in  [)ublic  interests.  es[)ecially  in  Avork  for  the  poor, 
he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Boston  school  board,  and 
filled  offices  of  trust  in  the  church.  He  married  Ada  H. 
Pearsons  of  Janesville.  Wis..  Apr.  28,  1864.  Mrs. 
S[)aulding  is  a  lady  of  culture  and  is  connected  with  va- 
rious reform  movements  of  the  times.  Their  son  Hol- 
lon  Curtis  Spaulding,  graduated  with  distinction  at  the 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  technology.] 
8.  Henry  Biiekd.  [1).  .Ian.  2.  1888.  d.  in  Francestown.  Sept. 
30,  1867.] 

4.  Isaac    Newton,  [b.    Aug,   29.   1889.    d.   in    Fiuncestown, 

Dec.  19.  1841.] 

5.  Augusta    Caroline,  [b.  Mch.    80,  1848,  m.  Granville    M. 

Duncan  of   Afitrim.  Oct.  8.  1872,  and  resides  in  Antrim.] 

6.  Sarah    Maria,  [b.  Jan.  5,  1845,    d.  in    Francestown.  Jan. 

27.  1857.] 

HENRY  WHITNEY  SPArLl)IX(;  is  of  the  eighth  .generation 
from  Edward.  Jlis  American  ancestors  of  the  name  of  Spaukling 
were  Edward i,  Aiuh'ew^,  John 3,  born  in  Chehiisford,  Aug.  20,  16i^"2, 
Sampson^,  born  in  Chehnsford,  June  7,  1711,  graduated  at  Harvard  in 
1732,  was  a  clergyman,  preached  in  Tewksbury,  sixty  years,  Jona- 
than5,  born  Sept.  15,  1747,  Abel",  born  in  Tewksbury,  Mass.,  Nov!  7, 
1773,  Abel'',  the  father  of  Henry,  born  in  Hollis,  Apr.  23,  1800,  mar- 
ried Hannah  Duncklee  King  of  Washington,  N.  H.,  removed  to 
Milford,  where  he  died  Oct.  lo,  1877.  Henry  Whitney  Spauld- 
ing was  born  in  ]\Hlford,  Sept.  3,  183.3,  he  married  Charlotte  Farmer, 
Aug.  IC),  1S.")(),  she  was  born  in,  Nashua,  Feb.  23,  1839.  He  came  to 
Francestown  in  1872,  and  lived  several  years  in  the  Ordway  liouse 
above  the  vilhige  (since  destroyed  by  fire)  and  followed  his  vocation 
as  a  lilacksniitli    in    the    ])rick  shoi)    owned  bv  J^acilie  L.  Clark,  ere  lie 


034  GENEALOGIES. 

removed  to  his  present  home  in  Mill  Village.  Mr.  Spanklins'  is  an 
excellent  blacksmith,  a  man  of  information  and  is  active  in  politics. 
Children: — 

1.  Otis   S.,  [b.  in    Milford,  Oct.    21.  1857,  m.  Cora   A.  Serib- 

ner,  Dec.  24,  1883,  res.  in  Koehester.  N.  Y.] 

2.  Carrie  L..  [b.  in    Milford,  June    7.  18«;0,  re.s.  in    Frances- 

town.] 

3.  Arthur   H.,  [b.   in    Milford.  Mch.   1U,.1864,  m.    Mary    B. 

Morrison  of  Peterboro',  Mch.  2,  1892,  is  the  proprietor  of 
the  Francestown  hotel.] 

4.  Mary    J.,  [b.   in    Milfoid.  Mch.  18.   1868,  d.   in    Milford, 

May  27,  18(38.] 

5.  Walter    H.,  [b.  in    Milford,  Apr.    1(5,  1870,  res.  in    Fran- 

cesto^Aal.] 

6.  John    W.,  [b.  in    Milfcn-d,  Apr.  12,  1872,   res.   in    Frances- 

town.] 

7.  Allen  W.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  (5.  1873.] 

8.  Katie  P.,  [b.  in  Francestown.  July  2(),  1875.] 

9.  Wallis  M.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Aug.  2(3,  1881.] 

SPEAR. 

ABRAHAM  SPEAK  came  here  to  live  with  the  Whitneys  some 
time  after  tiiey  settled  in  this  town,  his  wife  being  a  member  of  that 
family.  She  died  in  this  town,  Mar.  .30,  1830.  A  child  of  Abraham 
Spear  died  here  .Tuly  27,  1831,  aged  five  years.  "Mr.  Spear,"  per- 
haps the  father  of  Abraham  died  here  June  15,  1817. 

*  STANLEY. 

PtlCHAEI)  STANLEY  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  extreme 
southeastern  part  of  the  town,  was  of  Beverly,  Mass.,  which  has  been 
the  home  of  many  generations  of  Stanleys.  The  ancestry  of  liichard 
has  not  been  definately  traced,  and  little  is  known  of.  his  career  pre- 
vious to  the  year  1775,  when  he  brought  his  family  in  an  ox  wagon 
from  Beverly  to  the  Stanley  or  Adoniram  Dodge  farm  in  this  town. 
His  children,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Beverly,  were  Rebecca,  who 
married  Theophilus  Patch,  and  died  in  Greenfield,  Hannah,  who  mar- 
ried -John  Patch,  and  died  in  this  town  Sept.  29,  1845,  aged  seventy 
years,  Keziah,  who  married  first  Isaac  Patch,  second  Levi  Dodge  of 
Greenfield,  June  11,  ISll,  and  died  in  (jrreenfield,  Sail}',  who  married 
Ephraim  Morgan,  and  died   in  Springfield,  .John,  who  married  Betsey 

*  The    name   is   spelled  Sfandlcv  upon  the  familv  tombstones  in  the  old 
biiiving  ground. 


STANLFA'.  035 

Dane,  and  died  in  this  town.  The  wife  of  Richard  died  here  June  2. 
1814,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  lie  died  here  Feb.  11,  1S23.  aged 
eighty-six  years. 

JOHN  STAXLEY  succeeded  his  father,  Richard  Stanley  upon  the 
Dodge  place.  He  married  Betsey  Dane  of  Francestovvn,  Mar.  22, 
1803.  Mr.  Stanley  was  long  a  member  of  the  church  and  was  a  so- 
ber Christian  man.  He  died  in  this  town  July  2(),  1834,  aged  sixty- 
one  years.     His  children  were  born  in  this  town,  they  were: — 

1.  John,  [b.  in    1805,   m.  Martha    Shattuck,   Sept.   18,  1835, 

lived    on    the    Jonathan    Patch    phxce,  died   hei'e  Apr.  10. 

1845.      His  children   were: — 
Olive  E.,  (b.  Aug.  15,  1836,  d.  here,  Apr.  0,  1854.) 
Lucy  M.,  (b.    June    26,    1840,  removed    fiorn    town    when 

young  and  died  in  Connecticut.)] 

2.  William,  [m.  Sarah    H.   Spaulding    of  Naslma.  d.  at    Fox 

Lake,  Wisconsin,  Nov.,  1861.] 

3.  Irene,  [m.  William    Loring    of  New    Boston,  died  in  Mis- 

souri.] 

4.  Olive,  [unm.  died    in    Fraiu-estown,  Ang.    21>.  1833,  aged 

twenty-four  years. 

5.  Joseph,  [m.  Mary  Sheldon   of  Vermont,  was  a  shoemaker, 

d.  in  Natick,  Mass.,  Apr.,  1858.] 

6.  Davls,  [m.  Nancy    Veas}'    of   Westmoreland,  a  shoemaker, 

res.  in  Lyons,  Iowa.] 

7.  Elizabeth,  [Ij.  in  1814,  died  unmarried.  Mar.  18,  1845,  in 

Francestown.] 

8.  Benjamin,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  21,  18l(').  m.  Mary  D. 

Andrews    of  New    Boston,  June    6,  1843,  was   a    farmer, 
died  in  New  Boston,  Mar.  1.  1880.] 

9.  Reed  P.,  [b.  in  1818,  married,  died  here  Dec.  14,  1854.] 

10.  Makk,  [b.  in   1820,  was  a  shoemaker,  died   in    this   town, 

unm.  Nov.  3,  1862. 

RICHARD  STANLEY  a  native  of  Beverly,  Mass.,  and  a  nephew 
of  Richard  Stanley  Avho  began  on  the  Adoniram  Dodge  place,  pur- 
chased in  1840,  the  Dutton  place  in  Greenfield  on  which  he  lived  un- 
til about  the  year  1864,  when  he  purchased  the  Isaac  i're.wster  or 
Burnham  place  in  Francestown,  which  was  his  home  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  He  was  married  three  times,  tirst,  to  Sally  Patch 
of  Gi-eenfield,  second,  to  Annie  Patch, '(sister  of  Sally,)  third,  to  "Mrs. 


936  GENEAI.OGIKS. 

Russell."     Up   (HimI  In  this  town  Jan.  4.  1S7-J.  a^ed  .seventy-one  years. 
His  children  were  l)()rn  in  Beverly,  they  wci-e:  — 

1.  Sakah.  [in.  Levi     Dodge     of     (iicenlield,  aiui     reside.s     in 

Greenfield.] 

2.  Joanna,    [ni.    Kenljen     Dnttnii     nf     (ireeiiHel<l.    I'esides    in 

Greenfield.] 
>).    liKJHAHD  Calvin,  [was    jjiofessor  of  clieniisti'y  and  n'eolo- 

iiv  in    Bates    College,  and    was    one    (rf  the  most  efficient 

and    popular    members   of  the  facnlty  of  that  instittition. 

He  was  also  a  veiy  effective  pulpit  orator.      He  was  twice 

nianied.      He  died  in  Lewiston,  Me.] 
4.    Kzi:a  Patch,  [j-esides  in  Manchester.  Mass..  is  nnnuirried.] 

STARK  I0T1\ 

WILLIAM  ST.\:;KKTT  was  hoin  in  the  Hi-hlands  of  Scotland. 
Apr.  lo.  1<)'.:4.  When  he  was  two  yeai-s  of  aire,  his  parents  Hed  from 
the  country  and  took  refuge  in  the  north  of  Indand  to  escape  persecu- 
tion l)ecause  of  their  religious  helief.  Tie.  with  his  parents,  is  said  to 
have  heen  conci'aled  in  a  cave  three  nionth.s,  previous  to  their  going 
to  Ireland.  He  married  Mary  (Gamble,  who  was  born  in  the  county 
of  Derry.  Ireland,  in  KlitS).  The  (Gambles  were  among  the  earliest  of 
the  Scotch,  who  emigrated  from  Scotland  to  Ireland.  William  and  his 
wife  came  to  this  country  in  172S.  and  settled  first  at  Pemaquid  and 
in  IT.j.j.  at  upper  St.  (Georges,  now  Warren,  Me.  He  removed  to  Wo- 
burn  on  the  l)i'eakinu-  out  of  King  George's  war,  and  finally  removed 
to  Dedham.  ^SPiss..  where  he  died  Mar.  S.  17<)9.  His  widow  returned 
to  St.  Georges.  Me.,  and  died  there  Apr.  12.  1786.  The  children  of 
William  and  Mary  ((ramble)  Starrett,  were  : — Margaret,  who  was 
three  times  mai-ried  and  died  childless.  Hugh,  who  was  lost  at  sea. 
David,  born  Dec.  27,  17.'5(),  in  Warren,  Me.,  and  married  quite  early 
in  life,  and  settled  in  Derryfield,  Thomas,  also  born  in  Warren,  Me., 
where  he  left  many  descendants,  and  William  whose  prime  and  old 
age  were  spent  in  Fraiicestown,  David  also,  as  will  be  seen,  finally 
settled  in  Francestown,  though  he  was  long  a  much  esteemed  citizen 
of  Derryfield,  where  he  lield  the  ottice  of  town  clerk  from  1767  to  1775 
and  from  1777  to  1771).  His  departure  from  Derryfield  was 
much  regretted. 

WILLIAM  STARHP:TT,the  first  of  the  name  to  come  toFraucestown. 
was  the  son  of  William  and  Al)igail  Gamble  Starrett,  as  previously 
mentioned.  He  was  born  in  Warren,  Me.,  May  4,  174.3.  He  married 
iVbigail  Fisher  of  Dedham,  ]Mass..Dec.  10,1767.  She  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  Deboi'ah  Fisher  of  Dedham.  and  sister  of  jSTathan 
Fisher   who  settled  on  the  Samuel   Stevens   place.     She  was  Ixu'u  in 


.stai;i;ktt.  '.l:57 

Dedhiun,  Juir'  1.-).  1741),  and  died  in  Fraiicestown.  Sept.  -21.  IS-Jl. 
William  Starrett  and  his  wife  left  Dedliam  on  AVednesday.  May  1».  1770, 
and  arrived  at  New  Boston,  Saturday  the  I'ith  day.  Mere  they  hired 
tlie  -'Carson  place  three  years."  This  place  was  a  shorl  distance  south- 
west of  the  school-house,  in  Dist.  Xo.  ."i,  beini;-  on  llu'  I'oad  leading  to 
the  Lewis  or  McCain  place,  and  a  few  rods  to  southward  of  the  corner, 
at  the  top  of  the  hill.  The  L  of  the  house,  which  stood  there  wiihin 
the  memory  of  many  who  have  hardly  reached  midiUe  life,  was  the 
old  Starrett  tavei'u  of  the  Xew  Boston  Addition.  On  ^londay.  the  Slst 
day  of  F(d).  177."!.  AVilliam  and  his  caijable  consort,  moved  onto  the 
farm  now  owned  l)y  their  grandson,  James  Ilowai'd  Starrett,  in  the 
sonlh  part  of  the  town.  William  Starrett  served  in  the  Ifevolutionary 
war.  He  was  oiu>  of  the  founders  of  the  Congregational  church,  and 
was  for  forty-eight  years  a  deacon  of  tlie  same,  while  thenundjerof 
(own  otlices  held  by  him  were  not  few.  He  died  in  Francestown,  Aug. 
.■).  IS-J!).  His  death  was  caused  hy  his  being  terribly  gored  by  a  fero- 
cious bull.      His  children,  all  but  one,  bomi  in  Francestown,  were: — 

1.  Maiiv,  [b.  ill     Dedham,    May   12,  17(;9,  d.  Nov.  HO.  1769.] 

2.  WiLLiA^Ni,  [1).  Nov.  4,  1770,  m.  Litcy  Baldwin,  Sept.,  1797, 

re.sided  in  Antrim  and  in  Putnam,  (now  Wasliington,) 
Me.,  d.  in  Pntnam.  Aug.  25,  1817.  had  nine  children, 
none""  of  wlioni  were  born  in  Francestown.  His  son 
Charles  Hammond,  was  born  in  Antrim,  July  6.  1800, 
and  ni.  Betsey  Hopkins  of  Francestown.  He  lived  here 
a  short  time  occupying  the  house  long  owned  by  Caroline 
Draper,  was  l)y  timle  a  blacksmith,  d.  in  Gray,  Me.,  in 
1869.  William's  son,  William,  b.  in  Warren,  Me..  Sept. 
26,  1806,  also  resided  here  a  short  time,  he  died  in 
Douglas,  Mass.,  in  1848.] 
o.  Hugh,  [b.  Aug.  12,  1772.  d.  in  Francestown.  June  14, 
1773.] 

4.  David.  [1).  Apr.  21,   1774.   m.   Nabby    E.  Appleton.  Sei)t., 

1808.  d.  in  Arkansas,  June  1819.] 

5.  Abner,  [b.  Sept.  28,  1776,  m.  Elizabeth   Dane  of  New  Bos- 
"    ton,  Sept.,  1800,  resided  a  few  years    in   Francestown    on 

the    Frank    Starrett    i)lace.  d.    in    Harlem.  Me.,  Aug.  14, 
1819.      Two  of  his   children    were  born  in  Francestown.] 

Abner,  (b.  Aug.  14,  1801,) 

BameL  (b,  Nov.  25,1802.)]  • 

6.  Nabbv.  [b.  Oct.    22,    1778.    m.    Gerry    Whiting.  Sept.   9, 

17<;)8.  d.  in  New  Boston,  Apr.  1,  1831.] 


938  GENEALOGIES. 

7.  Hannah,  [1).    Jan.    2.    1781.   d.    in    Francestown.  Oct.  24. 

1830.] 

8.  Deborah,  [b.  Dec.  2(),  1782.  m.  Samuel    Buioe    of     Fi'an- 

cestown.  Feb.  o,  1822,  d.  in    Francestown,  Oct.  8.  1869.] 
!>.   Polly,  [b.  .Jan.    29.  1785,    d.    in    Francestown.    Sept.    2!t. 
1862.] 

10.  LuTHEi;.  [b.  .Ian.    <i.    1787.    (b    in     Francestown,  May    21, 
1815.] 

11.  Sevelle,  [b.  June    12,  1789,  m.  Cynthia  Gay  of  Frances- 

town,  Feb,  13,  1816,  and  lived  on  tlie  farm  formerly 
owned  by  his  father.  He  served  on  tlie  board  of  select- 
men and  was  for  twenty-four  years  a  deacon  of  the 
church,  d.  in  Francestown.  Apr.  14.  1875.  Children 
were: — 

Milton  6r.,  ( b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  8,  1816.  ni.  Amy  A. 
Billings  of  South  Deerfield.  Mass.,  (Pub.)  May  29,  1843. 
She  died  in  Francestown,  May  14,  1883.  Milton  G. 
Starrett  had  much  musical  talent,  and  taught  singing- 
school,  was  also  a  tlirifty  man  of  business.  He  was  for 
many  years  engaged  in  trade  in  this  town  l)eing  in  the 
fii'm  of  Starrett,  Downes  &  Co.  He  died  in  Frances- 
town,  Jan.  18,  1861.  Only  c-hild,  Nellie  iVugusta,  born 
in  tins  town  and  died  here,  Aug.  16,  1876,  aged  twenty- 
three.) 

Emily  Caroline,  {h.  in  Francestown,  May  29,  1820,  d.  in 
Concord,  July  14,  1891.) 

William  A.^  (b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  13,  1823,  m.  -Emily 
Bruce  of  Mont  Vernon,  Nov.  15,  1849,  was  a  tanner  and 
currier,  d.  in  Francestown.  Oct.  10,  1854.) 

Franklin  Bun/e.  (b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  28,  1827.  m.  1st, 
Roxie  C.  Hardy  of  Francestown,  Nov.  12,  1857,  2nd, 
Sarah  J.  (Blanchard)  Holt,  Dec.  18,  1884.  Mr.  Starrett 
is  by  vocation  a  farmer,  but  has  shown  ability  and  enter- 
prise in  mechanical  pursuits,  resides  in  Francestown, 
Children: — Charles  F.,  b.  in  Francestown,  Mar.  30,  1860, 
d.  in  Francestown,  May  25,  1876,  Willie  C.,  b.  in  Fran- 
cestown, July  16,  1861,  is  an  engineer,  i-es.  in  Benning- 
ton, Herman  E..  b.  in  Francestovyn,  Nov.  23,  1867.  Ed- 
win B.,  b.  in  New  London,  Aug.  14,  1873.) 


STAKRETT.  ItiUI 

'Jinnee  Howard^  (b.  in  Francestown,  Sept.  10,  1834,  m' 
Theresa  A.  Morgan  of  Francestown,  Nov.  11,  1858,  lives 
on  the  farm  owned  by  his  father  and  grandfather.  Chil- 
dren:— Milton  (ierry,  b.  Jan.  24,  1861,  graduated  at 
Tnfts  College  in  the  class  of  '^Q^  he  afterward  filled  the 
])osition  of  tutor  in  that  institution,  is  by  profession  an 
electrical  and  civil  engineer,  resides  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
is  one  of  our  many  young  men  of  fine  abilities  both  na- 
tive and  acquired.  Frederic  Charles,  b.  May  21,  1863, 
res.  in  Bennington,  Annie  Augusta,  b.  July  20,  1865,  d. 
Feb.  5,  1880,  in  Francestown,  Arthur  Edward,  b.  Apr.  3, 
1868.)] 

12.  LoE,  \\^.  June  12.  1789,  m.  Isaac  Heaton  of  Putnam,  Me., 

Jan.  23,  1815,  removed  to  Putnam,  (now  Washington,) 
Maine,  where  she  died,  May  24,  1822.] 

13.  Calvin,  [b.  July  28,  1791,  m.  Betsey  Clark,  Oct.  7,  1817, 

removed  to  Putnam,  (now  Washington),  Maine,  was  by 
occupation  a  farmer.  Pie  died  in  Washington.  Me.,  Mar. 
17,  1876.] 

DAVID  STARRETT  came  to  Francestown  from  Derryfield,  (now 
Manchester,)  in  1779,  and  settled  on  the  Pettee  place,  east  of  the  vil- 
lage, now  occupied  by  George  F.  Pettee.  Here,  as  in  Derryfield,  Mr. 
Starrett  was  an  appreciated  and  respected  citizen.  He  married,  1st, 
Mary  McClinto,  Oct.  2S,  1760.  She  died  in  Francestown,  Dec.  9, 
1785.  He  married,  2nd,  Elizabeth  (Thorndilve)  Langdell,  Feb.  S, 
17S7.  She  died  in  Charlestown,  Sept.  27,  18:56.  He  died  in  Frances- 
town,  Mar.  19,  181P,,  Children  by  1st  marriage,  all  born  in  Derryfield. 
were: — 

1.  William,. [b.  Aug.  27,  1761,  m.  ^Mary  Dickey  of  Frances- 
town,  Nov.  21,  1786.  and  lived  on  the  Carson  place  pre- 
viously occupied  by  his  uncle  William,  here  he  died  Oct. 
8, 1810.     His  wife  died  Nov.  30,  1832.     Children  were:— 

-  Thomas,  (b.    Feb.    23,     1788.    m. Dodge    of    New 

Boston.) 

Sn]ihia,  (b.  July  7,  1789.) 

Pattij,  (b.  Mar.  16,  1791.) 

Imar.  M).  Apr.  20,  1793.) 

David.  (1).  Feb.  17.  1795.  d.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  9,  1813.) 

Mnrn.  (b.  Dec.  25.  1796,  in  Francestown.  d.  Mar.  29.  1816.) 


IMO  genealo(tIes. 

Rehecrn.  (  h.  .Ian.  25.  1799,  d.  in  Fi'anci' nown.  Apr.  4.  1818.) 

Julia,  (1).  Jan.  2,  1801.) 

Wilh'nm,  (I).  Feb.  5,  1808,  d.  in    Fraiiccstown.    .July,  1801.) 

John,  ()).  iMay  8,1804,  m.  lvel)fci-a  Woods  of  Francestown, 
Jan.  22.  1828,  d.  July  11,  1849.  cliildrcii:— Mary  Luere- 
tia,  1).  Nov.  20.  1828,  m.  Geo.  E.  Cuit-.s.  Jane  11,  1843, 
Frances  Maria,  b.  Dec.  12,  1880.  ni.  J)i.  -lames  E.  Reeves, 
Oct.  4.  1872,  John  Fraiddin.  1).  Dec.'  21,  1832,  d.  Sept. 
23,  1848,  William  Parkei'.  b.  F.eb.  2().  183.5.  m.  Hattie  S. 
Bass,  Apr.  11.  I8r)(i,  Eliza  Antoniette,  b.  Mar.  12,  1837, 
d.  Sept.  30.  1837.  Josiah  Graves,  b.  Nov.  1.  1838.  d.  Sept. 
l(i.  183!i.  (Miailes  Ilenrv.  b.  June  1.  1841.  m.  Eizzie  Lu- 
cas, Jan.  22.  18()5,  Tlieodoi'e  Ayiiew,  b.  .June  2,  1845,  m. 
Ophelia  Vouncr,  Oct.  11,  1804,  Jacol)  Wood,  b.  Nov.  10, 
1848,  d.  Oct.  2.3,  1849.)] 

2.  David,  [b.  May  9,  1703,    m.  1st.    Mary    Langdell    of  New 

Boston,   Aug,    27,    1788,    2iid,  Abigail    Langdell.  Dec.  1, 
1818,  d.  in  New  Boston,  Nov.  29,  1839.] 

3.  Maikiauet,  [b.  Feb.  10,  1705,    m.   James    MacPlierson    of 

Francestown,    Dec.    14,   1780.    d.    in    Peterboro\  Dec.  1, 
■1840.] 

4.  Mauv,  [b.  Aug.  20,  1707,  m.  James    ^lacPherson    of   Fran- 

cestown, Nov.  27,  1780,  d.  at   Peterboro',  May  21,  1835.] 

5.  Jenette,  [b.  Dec.  14,  1709,  m.  Alexander   Witliersjmon  of 

Antrim.  Mar.  20.  1788.  d.  in  Antrim.  Mar.  28.  1810.] 

6.  Na^'XY.  [b.  Jan.  9.  1772.  d.  Jan.  10.  1787.] 

7.  Ar.iGAiL.  [b.  Feb.  20.  1774.  m.  William  Pierce  of   Fraiu-es- 

town.  July  15.  1802.  d.  in   Reading.  Mass.,  in  1843.] 

8.  Rebecca,  [b.  Mar.  7,  1770.  d.  Dec.  19,  1787.] 

9.  Sarah,  [b.   Aug.   30.  1778.  m. Wise.  d.    June    15, 

1809.] 
Ghildren  by  2nd  marriage   all  born  in  Francestown.  weie: — 

10.  John,  [b.  Jan.  29,  1788,  d.  Feb.  4,  1788.] 

11.  John,  [b.  Jan,  31,  1789,  m.  Ann    Love,  daughter  of  Wil- 

liam and  Margaret  Love  of  Hillsboro',  Mar.  10,  1810,  d. 
in  Windsor,  Yt.,  Dec.  23.  1803.  He  was  an  able  man. 
He  held  the  oiitice  of  High  Sheriff  of  the  county  foi' 
several  years.  His  children,  born  in  Francestown,  were: — 
Maria  A.,\h.  Jan.  13,  1811,  d.  Oct.  12,  1829.) 


STARUETT.  1>41 

EmeUne  X.,  (b.  May  14,  1812.  in.  James  Gibson  of  Heading, 
Mass.,  Dec.  o,  1859,  was    long  a   })Opiilar    scliool   teaelier, 
resided  in  Reading,  jNlass.) 
MarnareU  (b.  Oct,  31,  1813,  d.  Sept.  19.  1839.) 
Joint  Stark,  (Ij.  Oct.  8.  181'),  died  unniari'ied.) 
David,  (b.  July    31,    1817.  m.    Sarah    A.    Bixby    of     Hills- 
borough, Sept.  28.   1848.      He    resided    in    Hillsboro',  for 
several  years,  where  he  held  the  office  of  tax  collector,  he 
also    held    commissions    from  a  2nd  Lieutenant's  to  a  Col- 
onol's  in  the  state  militia,      lie  came  to  Francestown  with 
his    fainily  in    18(>(),  removed   to    Greenfield,  fi'om    which 
town    he    was  a  member   of  the    State  J^egislature  and  of 
the  C'onstitutional  Convention  of  1889.      He  d.  in  Gi'een- 
field,  Apr.  28,  1891.      Children    all  born    in    Hillsboro":  — 
David  A.,  b.  Se})t.  27,  18r)l,  m.  Al)bie  Kidder  of  P^rances- 
town,  Aug.  31.  1873,  res.  in    Nashua,  Ransom  B..  b.  Apr. 
21,  1853,  m.  Belle    Josliii    of  Francestown,  Feb.  3,  1883. 
res.  in    Gi'eenfield.  Belle,  b.  Dec.  23,  1861.  m.  Edward  W. 
Goidd  of  (ireenfield,  Oct.  10.  1882,  res.  in  Hills1)oro\) 
Caroline,  (b.  July  12,  1819.  d.  Apr.  16.  1826.) 
Lenora  B..  ( b.  May  25,  1821.  I'es.  in  Hancock,  is  unm.) 
Eliza  J.,  (h.  Oct.  9.  1822,  d.  Apr.  27.  1826.) 
France^  C.  (1).  Mar.  30.  1825,  m.  Sibley  Forl)ush  of   Royals- 
ton,  Mass.,  June  15,  1851.) 
Eliza  J.,  (b.  Sei)t.  10,  1827.  wa>   unm.  d.  Dec.  26.  1863,  in 

Windsor,  Vt. ) 
Attn  J/.,  (1).  June  5,  1831,  unm.  res.  in  Lowell.  Mass.] 

12.  JosKi'H.   [1).  Se])t.  18,  1790,  d.  July  30,  1794.] 

13.  Benjamin,  [b.  Oct.  12.  1792,  d.  Aug.  18,  1795.] 

STEVENS. 

SAMI^EL  STEVENS,  the  grandfather  of  Samuel  who  now  lives  in 
Francestown,  was  born  in  Exeter,  England.  When  a  lad  he  came  to 
America  in  a  ]3ritish  man-of-war  from  which  he  escaped  at  night  and 
swam  ashore  near  the  old  Charlestovvn  liridge,  barely  eluding  a  boat's 
companv  sent  in  ])ui-suit  of  him,  whose  oars  he  could -distinctly  hear 
\n  tbe  darkness.  He  married  Rebecca  Stiles  and  settled  in  Boxford. 
M;iss.  His  liome  in  this  section  Avas  near  the  Philip  Fletcher  faini  in 
(Jreenticld.  Late  in  life  he  went  to  Chester,  Vt.,  where  he  died  about 
tlie    year   ISOd.      His    wife    died   at    the   same   place  in  lS2o.     Samuel 


1>42  GENEALOcaKS. 

their    son  was   Itoni  in  IJoxf'nrd,  ^Slass.,  Mai'.  '■*>.  IT')'.),  canic  to  Frances- 
town  in  1800. 

SAMUEL  STEVENS  married,  1st,  May  l>«,  1793,  Sally  Epps.  She 
was  horn  in  Lyndeboro',  and  died  in  Francestown,  Aug.  S,  179(),  2nd, 
Abigail  Epps.  Dec.  20,  17K0.  She  was  l)()rn  in  Lynde])oro".  June. 
1775,  and  died  in  Francestown,  3Iay  17,  lS2o,  .'ird.  Perlina  J. oily  of 
Francestown,  Nov..  lSi'7.  He  lived  on  several  places  in  town,  the 
small  place  at  what  was  once  known  as  the  Stevens  corner,  west  of  the 
present  Balch  farm-house,  and  the  place  once  owned  by  Samuel  Lolly, 
west  of  the  residence  of  Patrick  Foote,  bi_'ing  of  the  number,  res.  in 
Francestown  until  his  death.  .May  -JS.  ls.")l.  Children  by  Isl  marriage 
were: — 

1.  FiiANCis.  [(1.  ill  infancy.  Sept.  8,  1794.] 

2.  Sally,  [d.  June  9.  1809,  ag-ed  tliirteen  yeai-s.] 
By  2ii(l  marriage. 

3.  John   Fuost,  [d.  in  infancy.! 

4.  Olive,  [h.    in    Francestown.    May    9,    1802.    m.    Edmund 

Shattuck  of  Francestown,  Fel).  19.  1828,  ]-es.  in  Frances- 
town.] 

5.  Samuel,  [b,  in    Francestown,  Sept.  24.  1804,  m.  Mary  Lol- 

ly, Feb.  14.  1882,  now  lives  v,lth  his  son  Samuel  E. 
Stevens.  He  was  once  captain  of  the  independent  infan- 
try comj)any  of  Francestown.  is  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  and  a  very  worthy  citizen.  His  .  re- 
markal)ly  retentive  memory  has  been  of  value  to  us. 
Chiklren  all  liorn  in  Francestown: — 

(ii'ori/f  Ileiif/f,  (b.  Aug.  13,  1834,  m.  1st,  Flarriet  Burnham 
of  New  Boston.  Dec.  25,  1862,  2nd,  Mary  P.  Goodiich  of 
Lyndeb.oro',  Sept.  24,  1872,  has  had  three  children,  is  a 
mechanic,  resides  in  Lowell.) 

Charles  Franklin.,  (b.  Sept.  17,  183o.  was  in  the  7th  N.  H. 
Regt.,  and  died  in  tlie  service  in  Beaufort,  S.  C,  Aug.  30, 
1862.) 

Maria  Ann,  (b.  June  19.  1837.  m.  Harlan  P.  Downes  of 
Francestown,  Aug.  9.  1862.  res.  in  Francestown.) 

Mark  Farley,  (b.  Feb.  20,  1839,  d.  May  23,  1858.) 

Samuel  Fpps.  (b.  Mar.  20,  1843,  m.  1st.  Mary  Ann  Benson 
of  FrancestoAvn,  Nov.  21,  1868,  2nd,  Sarah  Maria  Hen- 
derson. Jan.  6,  1879.  He  has  served  u|)on  the  board  of 
selectmen.      Children    all    l)orn    in     Francestown.    1)^-    1st 


STILES.  U43 

inaiTiage:— Ella  INIav,  1).  Aug-.  11,  1868,  d.  Oct.  27,  1868, 
Minnie  Louisa,  b.  Aug.  24,  1870,  ni.  Fred  A.  Fuller  of 
NeAV  Boston,  Apr.  25,  1888,  res.  in  New  Boston.  Cliailes 
Frank,  b.  Dec.  27,  1871,  Hattie  Emma.  1).  Dec.  81,  1874, 
by  2nd  m.  Mark  Monroe,  b.  Dec.  4,1879,  d.  ( )ct.  22, 
1880,  Sarah  Viola,  b.  Feb.  3,  1880,  Annie  Augusta,  b. 
Jan.  7.  1885,  Mabel  Alice,  b.  Nov.  16,  1886.) 
Minerva  Lolly,  (b.  Feb.  14,  1845,  m.  Levi  P.  Lbidley  of 
Lyndeborough,  Feb.  7.  1867.  res.  in  Lyndeborougli.)] 

6.  Francis    Epps,  [b.  in    Francestown,    Sept,    23,    1806.    m. 

Hannali  Colby  of  Society  Land,  Dec  1831,  was  a  brick- 
layer, resided  in  Bennington,  d.  in  Manchester,  Oct.  9, 
1840.] 

7.  Sally,  [b,    in     Francestown,    Nov.    4,    1810.    m.    William 

Patch  of  Francestown,  Api-.  17,  1832,  d.  in  Francestown, 
July  10,  1892.] 

8.  Abigail,  [b.  in    Francestown,    Aug.  26,  1813,  m.    William 

Iv.  Sawyer  of  Manchester.  June  22,  1835,  les.  in  Fran- 
cestown.] 

9.  John    Louis,  [b.  June    28,1818   in    Francestown.  m.  Saia 

Emerson   of  Francestown,  Apr..    1841.  AAas    a    farmer    in 
Francestown    and   in    C'avendisli.  A't..  where  lie  died  May 
10,  1847.] 
Only  child  by  3rd  marriage: — 

10.  William,  [b.    Jul}-   9,  1829,  is  a  farmer,  res.  in    Frances- 
town  village.] 

STILES. 

JACOB  STILES,  probal)ly  from  :Mi(l(lk'lon.  Ma^ss.,  married  Polly 
Jjiitler  of  Ijennington,  an  aunt  of  the  late  John  D.  Butler  of  that 
town,  June  2.5,  1799,  being  then  of  Greenfield,  since  he  lived  on  the 
Russell  farm  near  the  Francestown  line.  He  became  a  citizen  of 
Francestown  about  the  year  isr2,  when  he  came  to  live  on  what  has 
since  been  known  as  the  Stiles  place  near  the  foot  of  the  Russell  hill, 
the  l)uildings  of  which  were  at  a  much  later  day  removed  by  James 
W.  Ilaseltiue,  Esq.  The  family  remained  in  town  but  a  few  years. 
lie  died  Oct.  10,  183G.  His  widow  died  Dec.  30,  1840.  Their  chil- 
dren were: — 

1.  Fanny,  [m.  Kemlall  Gray  of  Hancock,  d.  Sept.  28,  1883.] 

2.  Maria  L.,  [m.  Woodward  of  Warner,] 


*.>44  GENEALOGIKS. 

3.  HAiiitiET.  [m.  Sylvef^ter    \A'ymai)    of   (iiueiiiield.  afleiw  aid 

of  Manchester,  where  she  died.] 

4.  Akminda,  [d.  young-.] 
;■).  Saiiah  Axx.  [ ] 

(3.  Ambrose,  [d.  Mch.  oO.  184;").] 

7.  Sabka,  [d.  Nov.  IG,  1888.] 

8.  Clarissa,  [d.  Dec.  20,  1884.] 

!).   Moody  IJ..  [d.  in  Cornish,  unniai'rieiL] 

OLn'Ki:  STILKS.  was  hrvc  iroiii  ISi).')  lill  Isl-J.  lie  iimi-rii'd 
Khoda  Sawvcrol'   Di-acut.  May  l."!.  ISO.""). 

.ST.    .lOIIN. 

OLIVER  ST.  .JOHN,  son  of  Louis  and  Adeline  (Laiilant)  Si.  .lolin. 
was  l)orn  in  Si.  .Julian.  Canada.  Sejil.  l'.».  ISC.O.  He  nianied.  (1st,)  in 
Chainpion.  .Mi(  li..  I'auliiie  Auuc  She  died  in  t'liani])ion.  May.  lSS."j. 
and  he  niari-ied.  (lind.)  Maria  J>ouise  C'hanlal.  .]iil\  1.  ISSS.  She  was 
born  in  Si.  ISoswell.  Canada, -Tunc  •20.  LSCi."!.  'J'hey  came  liere  from 
Lowell,  Mass.,  in  the  sjii-ini;-  ol"  ISS'.i.  and  lived  a  shoi-t  time  on  .John 
IIenderson"s  plac;'.  Their  pi'esent  home  was  purcdiased  in  IS!*:!.  It 
will  l)e  seen  that  two  ol'  the  (diildren  of  <)liver  were  l)y  his  lirsl  mar- 
riaii-e.     Children  :-- 

1.  Delina.  H).  in  Champion,  Mieh..  Se-pi.  20.  1881.] 

2.  Joseph  P.,  [b.  in  Champion,  Mich..  Apr.  10,  1883.] 

3.  Mary  Axx,  [b.  in  Francestown,  M  ir.  S>,  1889.] 

4.  Oliver  A.,  [1).  in  Francestown,  Feb.  13,  1891.] 

0.  Joseph  Willie,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  29,  1893.] 

SWININGTON., 

^riLES  15.  SAVIXI^TiTOX  came  to  this  town  from  Greenfield,  in 
1S7L  He  is  the  son  of  .Job  and  Elizabeth  (Clark)  Swinington  of 
Lyndeboro'  where  he  was  born  ^leh.  L"L  ls;}-2.  lU'  married,  Mel).  ?>, 
LS.-)8,  Harriet  >L  Jiutler.  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Abigail  (Kcyes) 
Butler  of  Antrim.  She  was  born  in  Antrim.  May  li'.),  1S4L  Her 
grandfather,  Tobias  Butler,  is  said  to  have  been  '^one  of  the  noted 
characters  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  lown."'  In  the  history  of 
Antrim  he  has  been  kindh'  noticed  in  a  sketch  of  considerabk'  length 
and  no  little  interest.  Her  father,  Tliomas  ]3nller,  was  born  in  An- 
trim, in  17!)!),  l)eing  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  nine  children.  y\y. 
Swinington  has  (hn'ing  his  residence  in  town  occupied  his  present 
home,  the  Boyd  place.      His  children  are: — 


TALIiOT.  945 

1.  John    Butlei;,  [b.  in    Greentield,    (J)ct.    1,    18(53.    in.  Vii- 

manolia   Abbott,  daughter  of   Rev.  A.  J.  Abbott  of  Fran- 
cestown,  Oct.  25.  1892,  res.  in   Francestown.] 

2.  WiLLEY    Clai;k,  [b.   in    GreenJiekl,   Aug.   29,   1870,    res. 

with  his  parents.] 

TALBOT. 

PETER  TALBOT,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  Eljenezer  Tallxit  who 
settled  in  Francestown,  about  the  year  1807,  was  a  native  of  Lanca- 
shire, England.  lie  came  to  New  England  about  the  year  1675,  and 
lived  in  Dorchester,  (,'helmsford  and  Milton,  Mass.  George^,  his  only 
son,  who  left  descendants,  was  born  in  Chelmsford.  Dec.  28,  16i~!8, 
and  married,  while  a  resident  of  Milton,  Mass.,  Fel).  18,  1700,  Mary 
Turel  formerly  of  Boston,  Mass.  By  this  marriage  he  had  nine  chil- 
dren, four  sons  and  live  daughters,  all  of  whom  married  and  had 
families.  Ebeuezer^,  the  father  of  Ebenezer  of  Francestown,  was 
born  Dec.  4,  1723,  in  "modern  Stoughton."  He  was  the  eighth  child, 
and  the  youngest  son.  His  residence  was  in  Stoughton.  He  married, 
Mch.  G,  1747,  Elizabeth  Withington  of  Dorchester,  Mass.,  daughter 
of  Williani  and  Elizabeth  (Blake)  Withington.  He  died  June  20, 
1704.  She  died  July  2,  1802.  They  had  nine  children,  of  whom  four 
sons  and  three  daughters  lived  to  be  heads  of  families,  Ebenezer*, 
was  born  at  Dedham,  Mass.,  Nov.  3,  1751.  He  was  the  third  child, 
and  second  son.  He  tirst  married  Dec.  7,  1779,  Elizabeth  Fuller.  At 
the  time  of  his  marriage  he  was  a  resident  of  Stoughton,  Mass., 
where  he  continued  to  reside  for  several  years,  buying  a  part  of  the 
original  Talbot  homestead.  In  1784,  he  removed  to  Norwood,  thence 
to  Francestown.  The  original  Talbot  place  in  this  town  was  on  Bul- 
lard  hill,  being  the  first  to  northward  of  the  road  leading  from  tnb 
Campbell  place,  over  that  spur  of  the  mountain.  The  spot  is  now 
marked  by  a  cellar  hole.  Ebenezer  is  said  to  have  served  in  the  Liev- 
olutionary  war.     He  died   in   the  year  1812.     His  first  wife  was  born 

Sept.  25,  1752,  being  the   daughter   of  Benjamin  and  Sarah  ( ) 

Fuller  of  Norwood,  Mass.  She  died  Mch.  13.  1805.  His  second 
wife  to  whom  he  was  married,  Feb.  2,  1809,  was  Lydia  Smith  of  this 
town.  From  old  deeds  we  learn  that  Ebenezer  was  a  "•cordwainer," 
or  shoemaker,  as  well  as  a  farmer.     His  children  were : — 

1.  Jedediah,  [b.  in    Dedham,  Dec.   28,  1780.  was    a'  farmer, 

died  in  Alichigan.] 

2.  Betsey,  [b.  in  Dedham,  Feb.  21,  1783,  m.  Johii    Dinsmore 

of  Bennington,  June   16,  1808,  d.  in    Bennington.] 

3.  Rachel,  [b.  in    Dedham,  July   31,  1785,   m.  Samuel    Mar- 

tin of  Francestown,  d.  in  Winhall,  Vt.] 


04P)  GENEALOGIES. 

4.  Ei'.P^XEZEU.  [1).   ill    Dedliam,  July    7.  1787,    m.    1st,    Maiy 

Boyd  of  Francestown,  in  1817,  2nd,  Dec.  29,  1846,  Lucy 
(Fullej-)  Keni}).  of  this  town.  He  lived  in  the  first 
lioiise  to  iiortliward  of  his  father's,  also  in  the  Abner 
Fisher  house  on  Oak  Hill.  His  last  years  were  spent 
with  his  son  William  in  Billerica,,  where  lie  died,  Nov.  5, 
18H9.      His  children  were: — 

Fuller  R..  (1).  ill  Francestown.  July  25,  1819,  in.  Elizabeth 
McNeil  of  New  Boston,  Nov.  2(j,  1846,  res.  in  Williams- 
burg, Iowa.  He  lived  several  years  in  the  Nutting  house 
on  Oak  Hilk) 

William  L..  ( h.  in  Francestown.  Dec.  15,  1820,  ni.  Hannah 
H.  Maxfield  of  Manchester,  lived  in  the  Nutting  house, 
liad  no  chihlren,  removed  to  Dracut,  Mass.,  d.  Sept.  1. 
1880.) 

CurtU  A.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  16,  1822,  m.  1st,  Mary 
A.  Dolloff  of  Went  worth,  Dec.  25,  1845,  2nd.  Emily  J. 
SuU}^  of  London,  England,  Oct.  15,  1877,  also  lived  in 
tiie  Nutting  house,  now  resides  in  New  Boston.  His 
children: — Charles  Curtis,  b.  in  Newburyport,  May  1, 
1847,  is  married,  res.  in  Salem,  Mass.,  Mary  E.,  b.  Dec. 
28,  1849,  m.  Oliver  (lordon  of  New  Hampton,  N.  H.,  res. 
in  Waltham,  Mass.,  William  F.,  b.  May,  1851,  in  Man- 
chester, d.  in  California,  Emma  Jane,  b.  in  Manchester, 
May,  1853,  m.  Stephen  Chapman  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  where 
she  now  resides.) 

Alvah  B.^  (b.  in  Francestown,  June  22,  1824,  was  unm.  res. 
in  Iowa,  d.  Aug.  28,  1890.) 

Martha  Ja ni\  {h.'iw  Francestown,  Nov.  7,  1829.  m.  Albert 
G.  Swan  of  Lowell,  Mass.,  Sept.  3,  1851,  res.  at  Lowell.)] 

5.  Joel,  [b.  in  Dedliam,  Sept.  5,  1791,  \^as  a  farmer,  died    in 

Dedham,  Mass.] 

TARBELL. 

WILLIAM  F.  TARBELL  was  born  in  Mason,  now  Greenville, 
Nov.  25,  1825.  He  was  the  son  of  Asher  Tarbell,  born  in  Mason  and 
died  in  Hartford,  Vt.  Mr.  Tarbell  came  to  Francestown  in  185G  and 
lived  vipon  several  places  during  his  residence  here.  He  removed  to 
Nashua  and  thence  to  Vermont,  where  he  died  in  the  spring  of  1885. 
His  wife  was  Lydia  Rogers,  born  in  Thetford,  Vermont,  .June  0,  18.30. 


TARBELL.  947 

She  was  married  to  Mr.  Tarbell,  Sept.  2.5,  1850,  and  to  John  A.  Bur- 
ton of  Wilton,  Aug.  27,  1870.  She  lived  for  a  short  time  at  Wilton, 
then  returned  to  Francestown  where  she  died,  Feb.  15,  1882.  Chil- 
dren of  William  Tarbell,  were: — 

1.  Edward  Payson,   [b.  in    Thetford,  Vt.,  Jan.  26,  1852,  res. 

at  Fordland,  Mo.] 

2.  Charles  Frederick,  [b.  in  Mason,  Jan.  4,  1854,  m.  Eliza 

Hicks   of  Perkinsville,  Vt.,  July  4,  1878.  is  a  farmer,  res. 
at  Cavendish,  Vt.] 
8.  Willia:si  Barbour,  [b.  at  Mason,  Nov.  22,  1856,  m.  Nel- 
lie   Adams  of  Paw  Paw  IlL.  Aug.  29,  1885,  is  a   farmer, 
at  Paw  Pa\v,  111.] 

4.  George  Walter,  [b.  in    Francestown,  Sept.  22,  1858,  is  a 

dry  goods  clerk  in  Boston.] 

5.  Clarence  Cutter,  [b.  in    Francestown,  Dec.  22,  1859,  m. 

Lizzie   Lane    of    Roseville.  111.,  Nov.,  1879,  is    a   farmer, 
res.  at  Paw  Paw,  111.] 

6.  Mary    Jane,  [b.  at    Francestown.   Feb.    16,   1862,   res.  at 

Northampton,  Mass.] 
Only  child  of  John  A.  Burton  and  Lydia  liis  wife: — 
1.  Alice    Eunice,  [b.  in  Wilton,  May   24,1871,  is   employed 
in  a  hospital  in  Northampton,  Mass.] 

Rev.  LATHROP  TAYLOR. 

LATHEOP  TAYLOE  was  born  in  Buckland,  Mass.,  Aug.  :j,  lSi:j. 
He  was  son  of  Barnabas  and  Hannah  (Billington)  Taylor.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  commenced  a  course  of  study  with  Rev.  Mr.  Mil- 
ler of  Heath,  Mass.,  which  he  continued  in  the  academy  in  Manches- 
ter, Mass.  He  then  entered  college  at  Middlebury,  Vt.,  where  he  was 
graduated  in  the  class  of  1830.  He  was  graduated  from  Andover 
Seminary  in  1842,  and  was  settled  over  the  Spring  St.  Cong,  church, 
Taunton,  Mass.,  in  1843.  After  a  pastorate  of  some  four  or  five  years 
there,  he  went  to  a  strong  church  in  Springfield,  Vt.,  from  which 
place  he  came  to  Francestown.  He  was  installed  here  Nov.  19, 1851, 
and  was  pastor  until  Aug.  18,  1857.  From  this  place  he  went  to 
Bloomington,  111.,  and  subsequently  labored  in  other  important  fields 
in  that  state.  Was  pastor  a  while  in  Madison,  Wis.,  the  seat  of  the 
state  rniversity.  Was  in  ccjntinuous  service  nearly  fifty  years.  Was 
a  preacher,  sound  and  strong  and  of  high  standing.  Was  a  member 
of  the  first  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Illinois  Home  Missionary  Soci- 
ety, and  was  its  second  president.  He  gave  a  "sketch  of  the  Frances- 
town   church'"  ifi    the   history    of  the   New   Hampshire  churches  1855. 


948  GENEALOGIES. 

lie  was  greatly  respected  in  this  town,  and  the  chnrch  nnder  him  was 
one  of  the  strongest  in  the  State..  Mr.  Tayk)r  died  in  Wheaton,  111., 
Jan.  28,  180.").  He  married,  1st,  Hannah  Hall  of  IJevere,  Mass.,  Oct., 
1844,  who  died  in  Francestown,  Dec.  .1,  185.3,  and  2nd.  Lncinda 
Brickett  of  New  Ipswich,  1857.     His  children  were: — 

1.  William  Latheop,  [b.  Taunton,  Mass.,  Aug.,  1845,  m. 
Florence  Montgomery  of  Farmington.  111.; served  through 
the  War  of  the  Rebellion:  lives  in  Canton,  111.] 

'I.  Hannah  Maria,  [b.  SpringlieUl,  \'t..  Jan.  17.  1847;  m. 
Henry  P.  Heald;  lives  in  Kavens\\oo(l  Park,  Chicago,  111.] 

3.  Feancks    BiLLiNGTON,  [b.    Springheld,  Vt..  July   5,  1849; 

although  but  a  boy,  he   served  through  the  civil  war  on  a 
gunboat:  d.  in  Farmington,  111.,  Jan.,  1867.] 

4.  Hall,    [b.  Springfield,  Vt.,  Aug.,  1851;  m.  Fannie  Bellows 

of  Rock  Island,  111.:  d.  in  Chicago,  Aug.,  1889.] 

5.  Sarah    Jane,  [b.  Francestown,  1853;  m.  William    Hench 

of  Rockford,  111.;  d.  Fountainvale,  111.,  1879.] 

6.  Harriet    Annetta    Josephine,    [b.    Francestown,  Feb., 

1855;  m.  Thomas    Threlkeld  and    resides  in   Lexington, 

Ky.] 

7.  Lucy   Ellen,  [b.  1859;  m.  Lewis    P.  Harvey   of  Chicago; 

now  a  widow  with  two  sons,  in  Wheaton,  111.] 

8.  Kate    Woods,    [b.    Bloomington,    111..    1861:    m.   George 

Wood  of  Rutland,  111.;  resides  in  Peru,  111.] 

WILLIAM  TAYLOK  was  born, Dec-.  <),  171t7.  He  married  Mary  L. 
Balch,  of  FrancestoAvn,  Dec.  30.  1821,  and  resided  in  Lyndeboro' a 
slnn-t  time  previous  to  his  coming  to  this  town,  Avhich  was  about  the 
year  1823.  His  home  here  was  the  place  now  occupied  by  John  A. 
Burnham.  He  was  an  honest  and  respected  farmer.  Late  in  life  he  re- 
moved to  Troy,  where  he  died,  Nov.  (I,  1870.  Two  of  his  children, 
twin  boys,  unnamed,  were  l)orn  in  Lyndeboro',  Oct.  9,  1822,  and  died 
there,  Oct.  10,  1822.  His  other  children  were  born  in  Francestown. 
They  were: — 

1.  Mary,  E.,  [b.  July  9,  1824,  m.   Milton    C.  Dickey   of  this 

town,  Sept.  30,  1847,. res.  at  Cadet,  Mo.] 

2.  Nancy  A.,  [b.  May  17,  1826,  m.  Calvin    Lord    of   Frances- 

town,  Nov.   10,  1847,  d.  in    Francestown,  Dec.  17,  1873.] 

3.  S.  Frances,  [b.  Oct.  23,  1829,  m.  Charles    W.  Whitney  of 

Troy,  Sept.  2,  1850,  res.  in  Troy.  ] 


TEIMPLE.  !U1» 

DANIEL  TAYLOR  feiKc-erdod  Isaac  Patch  upon  the  Joseph  Mana- 
hau  place.  He  married  Sabrina(Starrett) Patch,  widow  of  Isaac  Patch, 
March  12,  1838.  He  removed  to  Nashua,  where  he  died,  July  18, 
1865.     Only  child:— 

1.  Milton    A.,  [b.  in    Francestown,  Oct.  14,  1841,  m.    Nellie 
French  of  Nashua,  Oct.  10,  1866,  res.  in  Nashua.] 

THOMAS  EDWAKD  TAYLOR,  son  of  Thomas  Taylor,  was  a  native 
of  Haverhill,  Mass.,  came  here  from  New  Boston  about  the  year  1870, 
and  occupied  the  Prentiss  place  in  Mill  Village.  lie  was  engaged  in 
drawing  the  soapstone  from  the  (jiiarry  to  the  depot  at  Greenfield. 
He  was  a  stirring,  vigorous  man,  whose  presence  was  felt  in  the  town. 
He  served  one  year  upon  the  l)oard  of  selectmen.  He  died  here,  af- 
ter a  long  illness,  Hec.  3,  1884.  Shortly  after  his  deatli.  his  widow  re- 
moved to  Maiden.  Mass..  where  she  now  resides.     Their  only  child: — 

Mamie  E..  [ ] 

TEMI'LE. 

JABEZ  TEMPLE  located  on  the  Abbott  place  on  Oak  hill,  as  early 
as  ISII.  He  WIS  a  brother  of  Jonathan  Temple  of  Reading,  Mass., 
who  settled  in  Antrim,  and  is  said  to  have  come  hero  from  West  Read- 
ing, Mass.  He  was  twice  married.  Records  inform  us  that  Jabez 
Temple's  wife  died  here,  Oct.  3,  1822.  He  removed  to  Derry.  Xt.. 
where  he  died.      His  childi'cn  were:  — 

1.  Hepzibah,  [uiunarried.] 

2.  Persis,  [m.    Joseph    Buttertiehl    of    this    town,    ^hir.    18, 

1817,  d.    in    tliis    town,    Oct.    14.  1872,  aged    seventy-six 
3' ears.] 

3.  Samuel,  [ni.  Polly    Fairbanks    of  this    toAvn.    removed    to 

Derry,  Vt.,  and  died  there.] 

4.  Jauez,  [m, Boardman    of     Henniker,    lemoved    to 

Henniker.] 

5.  A    daughter,  [m.  Woods,  lived    in  Massachusetts.] 

6.  Mary,  [removed  to  A^ermont.] 

TEMPLETON. 

THOMAS  TEMPLETON  was  living  as  early  as  17!».'i,  on  a  snuill 
place,  which  is  now  included  in  the  pasture  of  Charles  B.  Railey,  south- 
ward of  the  home  of  (4arvin  S.  Sleeper.  Mary  Templeton  was  a 
member  of  the  church  in  this  town  in  1792.  The  Templetons.  wlio 
were  of  Scotch  lineage,  were  once  numerous  in  Windliam  and  An- 
trim.    Thomas  was  highway  surveyor  here  in  18()t). 


950  genealogip:s. 

TERREN. 

WILLIAM  TEIU^EX,Jk.  was  born  in  ]5ost(ni.  Mass., Nov.  S,  ISOl. 
His  father,  William  Terren,  Sr..  was  by  trade  a  rope-maker,  and  re- 
sided in  Boston.  William  Terren,  Jr. .  when  seven  years  of  age,  went 
to  live  with  a  relative  in  New  Boston,  and  after  a  few  years  came  to 
Francestown,  where  he  was  employed  first  upon  ihe  Emerson  farm, 
and  afterward  upon  other  farms  in  the  town.  lie  married  (1st,)  Sarah 
Sleeper  of  Francestown,  Apr.  4,  1S2S.  She  died.- Apr.  1."),  1S:!(),  and 
he  married  ('2nd,)  Eliza  Abbott,  March  L"),  IS.'U.  She  Avas  Ixu-n  in 
Chelmsford,  Mass.,  May  12,  1808,  and  died  at  her  hoiue  in  this  town, 
June  22,  1890.  Mr.  Terren's  residence  in  this  town  was  the  place 
now  owned  by  his  son  William.  Here  he  died,  May  6,  1883.  His 
children:  — 

1.  Saha  J.,  [b.  in    Francestown,  Nov.   5,    1829.    ni.    William 

Wilson  of  Kew  Boston,  res.  in  New  Boston.] 

2.  William  P..  [l).  in   Eraneestown,  Sept.  25,  1838,  ni.  Lydia 

J.  l^almer  of  Deering,  Fel).  4,  18G2.  She  was  horn  in 
Deering,  July  7,  1835.  Mr.  Terren  is  a  very  energetic 
and  indnstrions  man.      His  children  are: — 

Edwin  A..  ( h.  in  Francestown.  Feh.  27,  18(34,  is  a  car- 
penter.) 

Anna  M.,  (h.  in  Francestown.  Mch.  14.  1873.  res.  with  her 
parents.)] 

3.  Mary  E.,  [b.  in    Francestown.  Dec.  15.  183G,  m.  1st.  Bart- 

lette  Clough  of  Deering,  2nd,  Hiram  C'lough  of  Deering, 
Nov.  26.  1872.  res.  in  Deering.] 

THOMPSON. 

SAMUEL  THOMPSON,  from  Dedham,  built  and  occupied  a  log 
house  on  the  Bryant  farm  quite  early.  The  present  house  was  built 
for  Mr.  Thompson  by  Benjamin  Deane.  A  year  was  spent  by  the  for- 
mer *  clearing  the  land  and  ])utting  up  the  log  house  before  he  brought 
his  famil}'  from  Dedham.  which  was  about  the  year  1785.  His  wife 
was  Olive  Felch,  to  whom  he  was  married,  Apr.  .3,  1777.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Steiihen  and  Hannah  (Fisher)  Felch.  The  former  was 
born  Sept.  10,  1781 .  the  latter  Sept.  20,  17;)4,  she  was  l)orn  Nov.  9, 
17.")().  and  died  in  this  town.  Feb.  18,  1844.  Samuel  Thompson  was 
horn  May  20.  174!).  and  died  in  Francestown,  Jan.  80,  182.").  He  had 
two  cliil(lr(  n  both  of  whom  woi-(^  1)orn  iti  Dedham.     Thev  were: — 


*  The    first    land  cleared  by  Mr.  Thompson  was  the  burying  ground  on 
the   Brv:mt   (arm. 


THNMPSON.  951 

1.  Olive,  [b.  Aug.  7,  1778,  m.    John    Felcli    of  Wearc,  Dec. 

22,  1796,  d.  Nov.  24,  1860,  in  P'rancestown.] 

2.  Mary.  [b.    Dec.  27.  1779,    m.  Benjamin    P^elcli    of  Weare, 

Apr.  14.  1799.  d.  in  Weare  in  18o7.] 

LUTHER  THOMPSOX  came  with  his  Iji-othcr  from  Dedham.  Mass., 
and  began  on  the  Phelps  place.  He  ere  lonir  removed  to  A'ermont, 
and  probably  had  no  children  born  in  this  town. 

DAXIEL  THOMPSOX  was  the  son  of  Alexander  Thompson,  an 
emigrant  from  Perth,  Scotland,  w^here  the  family,  it  is  said,  owned 
large  landed  estates.  Alexander  was  born  in  1761.  He  descended 
from  a  danghter  of  the  Scottish'  king,  Robert  Bruce.  He  served 
several  years  in  the  British  army,  since  his  father  had  six  sons,  some 
of  whom  must  enter  the  service,  and  the  lot  to  go  fell  upon  him. 
His  wife  was  Elizabeth  Xntt,  daughter  of  Samuel  Xutt  of  Frances- 
town.  She  died  May  •27,  1S40.  He  lived  a  short  time  in  London- 
derry and  in  179:5,  was  a  tax-payer  in  Francestown,  his  home  being 
the  house  which  once  stood  a  short  distance  to  westward  of  the  resi- 
dence of  Joseph  Manahan.  He  removed  to  Antrim  in  1796,  where  he 
died  in  1827.  Daniel  Thompson  was  born  in  Antrim,  Fcl).  29,  1796, 
and  married  Persis  M.  Ladd  of  Haverhill,  Sept.  3,  181S.  He  came 
here  from  Vermont  in  1887.  He  was  by  trade  a  blacksmith.  The 
house  now  occupied  by  Pacific  L.  Clark,  was  l)uilt  by  his  son  Alexan- 
der; in  this  he  lived  many  years,  and  worked  in  the  brick  shop  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  street.  Daniel  Thompson  and  Moses  Bradford 
were  chosen  tithingmen  in  1843,  l)eing  the  last  incumbents  of  that  of- 
tice  in  this  town.  After  residing  hefe  about  twenty  years,  he  re- 
moved to  West  Xewbury,  Mass.,  thence  to  Lancaster  where  he  died, 
Jan.  2,  1879.  His  wife  was  the  daughter  of  Joseph  Ladd.  She  was 
born  Jan.  11,  1794  and  died  Apr.  1,  1879.     Their  children  were: — 

1.  Alexander,  [b.  in  Corinth,  Vt.,  July   11,  1819,  and    died 

in  Lancaster,  Sept.  3,  1882.  His  brother  William  says  of 
him,  "His  opportunities  were  small,  but  lie  made  the 
nn:)st  of  them,  was  a  great  reader  and  tui-ned  to  pj'actical 
advantage  all  he  read,  and  unlike  many  macliinists  he 
knew  the  tools  of  his 'trade  and  the  coni[)Osition  of  the 
wood,  steel  and  other  tuaterial  he  worked.  I  think  he 
was  inspirited  to  diligence  and  perseverance  by  what  he 
knew  of  Elihu  Burritt,  the  learned  blacksmith."  He  mar- 
ried Dec.  25,  1866.  Alice  C.  Twitchell.] 

2.  Maky   Chaulotte,  [b.  at  Corinth,  Vt..  May    21,  1821,  m. 

John  Bigelow  of  Ryegate,  Vt.,  Dec.  26,  1836,  wdiere  she 
innv  resides.] 


052  GENEALOGIES. 

0.  William  L..  [h.  in  Newbury,  Vt.,  -June  H,  1823,  oTaduate<l 

ill  medicine  in  Mar.,  1857,  practiced  in  Dover,  until  Dec 
1865,  when  lie  removed  to  Augusta,  Me.,  where  he  still 
continues  his  professional  labors.  He  was  one  of  the 
coij)orate  members  of  the  State  Home  Medical  Society, 
and  has  been  twice  elected  to  its  presidency.  He  has 
five  cliildren,  four  sons  and  one  daughter.] 

4.  John  Ik.  [b.  at  Newbury,  Vt.,  Dec.  14,  1824.  is    practicing 

medicine  in  Boston,  Mass.] 

5.  Sarah  Auauella,  [b.  at   Newbury,  Vt..  Dec.  19,  182t),  m. 

(leorge   J.  L.  Colby  of  Newbury,  Mass..  Feb.  21,  1847,  d. 
Sept.  12,  1871,  at  West  Newbury.  Mass.] 
().   Daniel,  Ji;..  [b.  in   To})sliam,  Xt..  Oct.  25.  182^.  m.  Olive 
A.  Armington,  May    !•),  1850.  is    a  niacliinist,  res.  at    St. 
Johnsbury,  Vt.] 

7.  Wakken    Ives,  [b.  in    Topsham,  \'t..  May  -5,  18o0,  d  Oct. 

1,1831.] 

8.  Wauuen.  [1).    in    Tojshani,    Jan.    5,  ls;')2.  d.  in    Augusta, 

Me.,  Se])t.  28,  1867,  from  exposure  and  hardshi[)S  inci- 
dent to  army  life  duiing  the  War  of  the  Hebellioii.] 

9.  Lavinia    Augusta,  [Ik  in    Topsham.  Vt.,  Apr.    24,  1834, 

m.  Francis  Jones  of  Stotighton,  Mass.,  Jan.  25,  1854, 
res.  in  Haverhill,  Mass.] 

10.  Sei:kna    Peksis,  [b.  in    Francestown,   Feb.    16,  1838,  m. 

Daniel  F.  Pat(;h  of  Francestown,  Nov.  2,  1867,  d.  in 
Francestown,  July  5,  1871.] 

THOKNDIKE. 

WILLAKI)  THOKNDIKE  came  here  from  Acworth  in  1816  and 
built  the  ■  mill  on  the  spot  loii"'  occupied  by  the  late  Issachar  Dodge. 
He  was  a  ''clothier"  by  trade,  and  his  mill  was  a  ''clothing  and  fulling 
mill."  After  a  few  years  he  built  (1S20)  the  house  known  as  the 
Issachar  Dodge  house,  now  owned  by  Rodney  "Wilder.  He  seems 
to  have  left  town  about  1M27,  and  moved  to  Claremont.  He  died 
there  Mar.  21,  1864,  aged  eighty-one.  His  wife  Lucy  Mayo,  died 
Jan.  22.    1858,  aged  sixty-nine.     Children: — 

1.  Asa  J.,  [b.  Lempster,  Sept..  22.  1811:  m.  Olive    Hodgman 

of  Kennebunk,  Me.,  June,  1840;.  d.  Vineland,  N.  J., 
June,  1867.] 


ToiUK.  953 

2.  Sarah    S.,  [b.  Lempstei'.  Mar.  31,  1813:  iii.  Ivhvard    Tiix- 

bmy    of  Windsor,  Vt.,    Dec.    24,  1840.  and    lives    in    the 
last  named  place.] 

3.  Harkiet    N.,  [b.  Acworth,  Feb.    22.    1815;  d.    Nortlifield, 

Vt.,  May  10,  1882:   unm.] 

4.  Orrisia  W.,  [b.  in    Francestown,    Feb.  8,  1817:  m.    Pliilo 

Kenyon  of  Plainfield,  Apr.,  1845;  lives  in  Orford.] 

5.  John  M.,  [b.    in    Francestown.    Aug.    11,    181U:   ni.    l^ncy 

Belnap  of  Windsor.  Vt.,  Sept.  17.  184'J;   lives  in  "Ijeacb- 
ville,  (Jxford,  Ontario  county."] 

6.  Lucy    A.,  [b.  in    Francestown,    Aug.  4,  1821;   ni.  William 

Henry  of  Cdareniont,  June.  1846;  d.  in    tlial  place    June. 
1848.] 

7.  LucKiOTiA    (t„  [b.   in    Francestown,    Aug.    8.  1824;   d.    in 

Windsoi-,  \'t.,  Aug.  27,  1807;  num.] 

8.  EmelijSK,    [b.    in    Claremont,    Dec.    1*.>,    1828;  ni.    Joshua 

Avery  of  Orford,  Dec.,  1853;  lives  in  that  town.] 
!>.  Jane  A.,  [b.  Sept.  13,  1834;  ra.  Edward   Ingalls  of   Wind- 
soi-, Vt.,  Se[)t.,  1861;  lives  in  Northtield,  Vt.] 

TOBIE. 

DANIEL  T(U?II':  was  born  in  Deeriug'.  Oct.  S.  ISI.-).  His  fatlier, 
whose  Christian  name  was  JJaniel,  was  adopted  by  Samuel  !>rooks 
Tobie.  whose  family  name  was  thus  given  him  while  hisiialernal  name 
was  successfully  concealed.  Sanuiel  Brooks  Tobie  was  a  shrewd  and 
enterprising  settler  of  Weare.  He  was  son  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth 
(Brooks)  Tobie.  and  was  born  Oct.  1(5,  1749.  In  1767  he  bound  him- 
self to  Jonathan  and  Kezia  Dow,  with  whom  he;  remained  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  is  said  to  have  lived  at  Hampton 
Falls,  previous  to  Jiis  going  to  Weare.  Daniel,  the  adopted,  married 
Lydia  Bartlett,  of  Deering,  and  settled  in  Springtield.  After  his 
death  which  occurred  in  that  town,  his  widow  returned  to  the  home 
of  her  parenls.  where  Daniel  of  Francestown  was  born.  He  married 
Feb.  20,  1830,  Celenda  Downing,  born  in  Deering,  July  1),  1815,  who 
now  resides  with  her  son.  Daniel  removed  to  Springtield  soon  after 
his  marriage,  but  returned  to  this  section  and  remained  a  short  time 
in  Deering,  from  whicli  town  lie  came  in  lS.o'2  to  live  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  John  F.  Blood.  Being  prudent  and  industrious  he  pros- 
pered upon  his  farm  where  he  died  Apr.  22,  1S77.     Only  son  is: — 

1.  Daniel  Brooks,  [b.  in  Spiingtield,  Apr.  8,  1840,  m.  Maria 
C.  Sleeper    of  Francestown,    Mch.    28,    1865,   and   lived 


954  GENEALOGIES. 

Upon  the  lioine  })lac?e  until  1880,  when  lie  removed  to  his 
present  residence  in  the  viUag-e.  In  1892  he  was 
elected  to  serve  upon  the  l)oar(l  of  selectmen.  His  chil- 
dren are:  — 

M'Hiut'  Mahch  (1).  in  Francestown.  Kov.  28,  18()(i.  is  an  ex- 
perienced ])ul)lic  scliool  teacher,  resides  with  her  parents.) 

AJtJtcd  S/f ('/>('/:  (1).  in  Francestown,  Feb.  12.  18To,  is  a  suc- 
cessl'td  teat-her.  res.  with  her  parents.)]' 

TODD.    ■ 

CoL.  AXDIJEW  TODD.llic  ciiii^nnU  aiicesiors  of  the  Todds  of 
Peterljoro".  Anlriiu.  F'rancestowii  and  Xcw  IJoston.  was  ilic  son  of 
.lanu's  and  Rachel  (Xclson)  Todd.  l)oth  of  wlium  were  natives  of 
Scothuid.  He  was  born  in  l()i)7  in  Ireland,  where  lie  married  Beatrix 
Moore,  whose  fatlier  .lolm  ]Mo(n'e.  was  nuu'dered  in  the  massacre  of 
(ilencoe,  Scotland,  in  1()!)2.  Andrew  Todd  came  to  Londonderry  in 
1720  and  ere  low^  hecame  a  leading  m;!n  in  that  town.  He  was  often 
chosen  moderator  of  })ublic  meetings,  and  was  a  selectman  fourteen 
yeai's,  and  was  a  representative  of  the  town  in  the  provincial  legisla- 
ture. He  was  an  officer  in  the  French  war  of  1744.  and  in  the  war  of 
17-").").  during  which  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  colonol.  The  last 
year  of  his  life  was  spent  with  his  daughter  .Jane",  in  Peterboro', 
where  he  died  Sept.  l.j.  1777.  He  w^as  tlie  father  of  eight  children. 
James  the  eldest  was  born  in  Londonderry,  Aug.  1,  1720.  He  died 
unmarried  upon  the  homestead  in  Londonderry.  Samuel,  the  second 
child,  was  born  .June  ?>.  172G.  He  married,  1st,  Hannah  Morrison, 
2nd.  Ann  Cochran.  He  settle  1  in  Peterboi-o'  where  he  was  killed  by 
the  fall  of  a  tree,  Mch.  30,  1765.  Mary,  the  third  child,  was  born  July 
31,  1728,  x\lexander,  the  fourth  child  of  Andrew,  was  born  June  2, 
1730.  He,  like  his  father,  earned  a  good  military  reputation;  was  a 
captain  in  the  French  war  and  was  once  taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians 
wiio  intended  to  Imrn  him  to  death.  But  while  they  were  taking  off 
his  clothes,  lie  watched  his  opportunity  and  just  as  they  were  drawing 
his  shirt  over  his  head,  he  by  a  sudden  spring,  regained  his  libex'ty, 
and  though  hotly  persued,  reached  the  camp  in  safety,  not  however 
until  he  had  spent  three  days  and  three  nights  in  the  forest.  His  wife 
was  Letitia  Duncan.  The  best  years  of  his  life  were  spent  upon  a 
fine  farm  in  Hooksett.  He  died  in  Londonderry  at  the  age  of  seventy. 
The  remaining  children  of  Col.  Andrew,  were:  IJachel,  who  was  born 
Apr.  14,  1733.  and  married  Moses  Morrison,  and  lived  in  Hancock. 
John,  born  Apr.  18,  1730,  who  Avas  drowned  at  the  Amoskeag  Falls, 
when  twenty-four  years  of  age,  Jean,  born  Mch.  9.  1736,  married  Wil- 
liam Miller  of  Peterboro",  Andrew,  born  Jan.  11,  1738,  never  married. 


TODD.  955 

JAMES  TODD,  who  began  upon  the  Todd  place  al)out  the  year 
17S.5.  was  tlie  son  of  Samuel  and  Ann  (Cochran)  Todd,  mentioned 
above.  Samuel  went  from  Londonderry  to  Peterboro"  in  1749,  built  a 
camp  in  the  forest  and  commenced  to  clear  the  land  around  about  for 
a  farm.  He  carried  his  <)rain  to  Townsend,  Mass.  to  be  ground.  On 
one  occasion  when  he  was  tliere  ^^to  mill,"  some  Indians  came  to  his 
camp  and  stole  all  the  ]irovisions  they  could  tind.  lie  had  however 
taken  the  precaution  to  l)urv  the  greater  j^art  of  his  stores,  in  a  se- 
cure place  in  the  wood.  He  was  a  hardy,  fearless  young  man  and  en- 
dured much  while  striving  to  secure  a  competence,  and  when  that  was 
even  within  his  reach,  he  was  killed  by  a  falling  tree.  Mar.  30,  ITHo. 
It  was  a  ten-ible  stroke  to  the  family  and  the  neigh))orhood,  l)ut  the 
hard-working,  much-enduring  one  was  gone.  He  married,  1st,  Han- 
nah, daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (Wallace)  Morrison,  who  died 
Xov..  17(iO.  leaving  two  children.  Betty  and  John.  He  married,  ind, 
Ann  Cochran  in  176"2.  by  whom  he  had  also  two  children:  Jane  and 
James.  Betty,  the  oldest  child  of  Samuel,  died  at  Peterboro',  unmar- 
ried, Aug.  24,  1S26,  aged  seventy-two  years,  John,  the  second  child, 
born  Apr.  0.  1757,  was  a  soldit  r  throughout  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  returned  to  the  homestead  in  Peterboro',  in  17sn.  and  mar- 
ried, 1st.  Rachel,  daughter  of  Dea.  George  Duncan,  2nd,  Sarah 
(Smith)  Annan,  widow  of  Rev.  David  Annan.  He  died  Oct.  27, 
1846,  Jane,  the  third  child,  born  in  1763,  married  John  Morrison,  and 
lived  in  Hancock,  where  she  died  about  the  year  1820,  James,  who 
was  the  youngest  child,  was  born  in  Peterboro'  probably  about  the 
close  of  the  year  17<i4.  He  married,  1st,  Unity  Paige  of  Goffstown, 
2nd,  Sarah  (Miller)  Duncan,  cousin  of  Gen.  James  Miller  of  Peter- 
boro'. He  died  in  this  town  'Dec.  8,  1841.  His  second  wife  died  here 
Oct.  3,  1840.  All  of  his  children,  save  the  last  two,  were  l)y  tlie  first 
marriage,  and  all  except  the  oldest  were  born  in  this  town.  They 
were : — 

1.  Nabby,  [m.  Natlianiel  Cochrane  of  Weathei'slield.  A^eriiioDt, 

Oct.  it.  180(),  and  died  in  Averment.] 

2.  Samuel,  [b.    Nov.  14,  1787.   m.    Betsey    Starrett    of  New 

Boston,  June  7,  1814,  and  settled  in  New  Boston  npon 
the  farm  now  owned  by  his  son,  Dea.  James  P.  Todd, 
where  he  had.  a  large  family,  and  where  he  died,  Oct.  6, 
1880.]  • 

8.  William,  [b.  Mch.  12,  1789.  m.  :\Iary  Center  of  Goffs- 
town, Feb.  3,  1813,  was  a  farmer,  went  to  New  London 
where  he  died  May  21,  1880.] 

4.  Anna,  [b.  July  13,  1791,  m.  John  Sargent  of  Marslitield. 
Vt..  and  h)ng  resided  in  Marsh  fie  Id.] 


9oH  genp:alogies. 

5.  Nathaniel,  [b.  Mch.  2:').  1790,  m.  1st,  Sally  Dane.  2ii(l. 
Mrs.  Guile  of  Newport,  settled  in  Xe\A'  London,  and 
died  there  Dec.  5.  1879.] 

().  Mai:y  B.,  [b.  ]\Iay  <!,  179.").  ni.  Daniel  Rixby  of  Frances- 
town.  Jan.  21,  1819,  d.  in  Franeestown.  Oct.  4,  183G.] 

7.  Jake,  [b.  Nov.  28,  179().  m.  Benjamin    Deane    of  Frances- 

town,  Nov.  H.  182o.  d.  ill  Franeestown.  Oct.  28,  1879.] 

8.  Boi'.EitT.  [1).    Oct.  20.  1800.  m.  (^Iiarlotte'   Witlierspoon    of 

Aiiti'ini.  Now  10.  1820.  She  Wii'^^  liorii  in  Antrim.  Aj)r. 
Ki.  180;').  and  died  in  New  London.  Oct.  10.  187;"). 
Rolieit  Todd,  lixcd  abonl  ten  years  in  the  Johnson  house 
in  Mill  Xillage.  removed  to  New  London  about  the  year 
1845.  He  died  in  New  London.  Jan.  2.  1880.  His 
children  were: — 

Aiixf/H  /)*..  (  b.  in  Fianccstown,  .\-})r.  9,  1830,  m.  Sarah  E. 
Farwell  of  Scytheville,  Aug.  12,  1858;  was  a  farmer, 
lived  a  few  yeai-s  on  the  Todd  farm  in  this  town:  re- 
moved to  New  London,  where  he  died  Oct.  0,  1875.) 

Emily  A..  ( b.  in  Franeestown,  Sept.  20,  1831.  m.  Oren 
Messer  of  Scytheville,  Oct.  9,  1851,  res.  in   Scytheville.) 

Harriet  F.,  {]).  in  Franeestown,  Dec.  26,  1835,  m.  Edwin  A. 
Jones  of   Wilmot.  May  24,  1857,  res.  in  Scytheville.) 

Cliarles  >S'..  (b.  in  Franeestown.  July  9,  1838.  d.  in  New 
London.  Nov.  0.  1856.) 

Henri/  31.,  (b.  in  New  London.  Jan.  3,  1840.  is  a  tanner  and 
currier,  res.  in  Scytheville,  m.  ALaria  Buswell  of  Brad- 
ford, Aug.,  1875.) 

9.  James,  [b.  July  8,  1802.  m.  Mary  S.  Dodge    of  New    Bos- 

ton, Nov.  8,  1831,  was  a  farmer;  settled  in  New  London, 
and  died  there  Nov.  15,  1870.] 

10.  Eli,  [b.  July  19,  1804,  m.  Abigail  Nelson  of  Sutton,  Nov., 

1831,  was  a  farmer,  resided  in  New  London,  where  he 
died  Apr.  23,  1881.] 

11.  IloxANA,  [b.    Sept.   8.    1800.  m.  Perley    Ayer    of  Hamp- 
stead,  lived  in  Panesville,  Oliio,  where  she  died.] 

12.  John,  [never  married:  lived  upon  the  farm  until  liis  death, 

at  the  age  of  forty-six  years,  Apr.  2,  1858.] 

13.  Sara,  [died  in  Franeestown.  -\ug.  11,  1818,  in    the    sixth 

year  of  her  age.] 


TOWLK,  Do  7 

Dk.  AKTHITR  JA]MP:s  TODT)  is  the  sou  of  Dea.  James  Paige 
Todd  of  New  Boston,  and  hence  the  grandson  of  Samuel  of  New 
Boston,  and  the  great  grandson  of  James  and  ITnity  of  Fraucestown. 
His  mother  was  Abigail  Desire  Loring.  daughter  of  John  and  Desire 
(Fuller)  Loring  of  New  Boston  and  the  grand-daughter  of  Daniel 
Fuller  of  this  town.  Dr.  Todd  was  born  in  New  Boston.  Dec.  (J, 
1850.  He  married  May  7,  ISSo,  Susan  C.  P.  AVhittle,  daughter  of 
Dr.  James  P..  and  Harriet  A.  (Hayward)  Whittle  of  Weare.  She 
was  born  in  Manchester,  Sept.  14,  ISi;;}.  He  graduated  at  Frances- 
town  Academy  in  1M80.  and  at  the  Ijoston  University  School  of  Med- 
icine, June  4,  1SS4.  He  came  to  this  town  May  1,  1885,  and  has  be- 
come popular  as  a  citizen  and  as  a  physician  and  is  now  favored  with 
an  extensive  practice.  He  was  superintendent  of  schools  in  his  na- 
tive town  previous  to  his  coming  to  Fraucestown.     His  children  are: — 

1.    ivAUi:.\  Etjzabeth.  [1).  in  Franeestown,  Oct.  7,  1887.] 
'1.   Gk()i;(ik  VV^HiTTLE,  ri).  ill  Fiancestown,  Auo-.  23,  1892. 

TOWLK. 

'I'liis  family  was  in  Hampton,  N.  H..  (|uite  early  from  which  pla<('. 
;il  hast  one  of  the  name,  reniovt'd  to  Chester,  N.  IT.  Isaac  Towle. 
the  father  of  Isaac  Towle  who  died  here  in  ]8.')6  was  baptized  Apr.  (», 
17;55.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Dorcas  (John- 
son Philbrick  and  had  four  children: — Simon,  Abraham,  Isaac  and 
p]lizabeth.  He  died  Aug.  '24,  17!)1.  Little  is  known  of  bis  ancestiT, 
save  that  he  was  the  sou  of  Zacliariah  and  Anna  Towle. 

ISAAC  TO\\'LL  came  here  from  Chester  in  1821,  and  lived  on  the 
place,  on  the  turnpike,  long  owned  by  Frank  Deane.  He  married, 
1st,  Nancy  Pillsbury.  in  17i)2.  She  was  born  Apr.  19,  1772  and  died 
.Tune  (),  1811).  He  married.  2nd.  Sally  (Kimball)  Butterlield,  widow 
of  William  Butterlield,  May  '.».  1S17.  She  was  born  May  27,  1771 
and  died  here  Sept.  2,  1840.  He  married,  3rd,  Hannah  Shackford, 
Sept.  11,  1848.-  She  was  born  May  ."),  1774.  Isaac  Towle  was  a 
farmer  and  a  quiet  uupretentious  man,  he  was  born  Feb.  15,  1771, 
and   died  in  this  town,  June  14,  1850.     His  children: — 

1.  Betsey,  [b.  Aug.  27.  1798  d.  Feb.  12,  1853.] 

2."  Anna,  [b.  Sept.  4,  1795,  m.   Richard    G.    Cross,    Mcli.    25, 

1824,  d.  in  New  London,  N.  H..  Apr.  14,  1864.] 
:>.   David,  [b.    Afch.    4.  1797,    d.    in    New    London,  Apr.    13, 

1872.] 

4.  Esther,  [b.  Apr.  24,  1800.] 

5.  Hannah,  [b.  Fel).  10,  1803,  married   and    lived   in    Atkin- 

son wliei'c  slie  died.] 


958  GEXEALOGIES. 

().  Elijah,  [b.  Api-.  13.  1805.  m.  A[)])liia  Pliilhi'ick  of  Weare, 
June  20,  1889.  She  was  ))Oiii  July  22,  1809.  nnd  died  in 
New  London,  Aug.  30,  1877.  Elijali  Towle  resided  here 
for  many  years  on  the  phice  })urchased  and  occupied  by 
liis  father,  lie  removed  to  New  London  whci'c  he  died 
March  28,  1869.      His  children  were:— 

Sarah  -/.,  (1).  in  FrancestoM u.  Aug.  11.1840.  was  a  taih)]ess 
in  Manchester,  where  slie  (bed  Oct.  6.  1880.) 

haac  •/..  (b.  in  Francestown.  Mch.  81,  1848.  -was  a  farmer, 
resided   in    New    London,  ^\■ilere  lie  died  Mcli.  19,  1881.) 

Savtnel  P.,  (I),  in  Francestown,  Oct.  4.  1851.  is  a.  teamster, 
i-esides  in  New  London.) 

Laura  A.,  (b.  in  Francestown.  Fel).  O,  1854.  resides  in  New 
London. ) ] 

TOWNSEXI). 

AAKOX  TOAVNSEND  a  merchant  :ui(l  cabinet-maker  settled  on  or 
near  the  Vose  place  in  the  vilbiire  as  early  as  178S.  ITe  sold  to  .Tosiah 
Vose  in  ISOO  and  doubtless  left  town  soon  afterward.  He  is  said  to 
have  built  the  house  now  occupied  by  Charles  V,.  Jjaile}'.  The  Chris- 
tian name  of  bis  wife  was  Phcebe.  He  doubtless  bad  three  children 
liorn  in  this  town: — 

1.  Joseph  Koiball.  [b.  June  5,  1789. j 

2.  Betsey  Stickney,  [b.  Mar.  2.  1791.] 
8.  Aakon  Tappix,  [b.  Jan.  12,  1798.] 

DEXXIS  TOAVXSEXl)  occupied  the  Black  jdace  several  years,  and 
persued  the  trade  of  a  blacksmith  in  the  small  sho])  which  stood  near 
by.  He  was  a  taxpayer  here  in  ISIO.  lie  died  of  lock-jaw  caused  by 
cutting  his  foot.  Xov.  10.  ISi;!.  Xancy.  his  wife,  returned  to  Massa- 
chusetts, (whence  the  family  came  to  this  town)  and  died  in  Boston. 
We  have  the  names  of  two  ebildren:  — 

1.  Ramon,  [b.    Mch.    18,  1812.  when  a-  boy    lived    witli    Rev. 

Moses  Bradford.] 

2.  ED^VARD,  [b.  Jtily  1,  1813.] 

TRl^E. 

.JOIIX  TRrE.son  of  Eeuben,  who  was  born  .June  26,  1732.  and 
Hannah  (Osgood)  True,  was  l)orn  in  Platntield,  this  state.  June  21). 
17!^4.  He  was  a  *'tannei-.  currier  and  slioe-Uiaker,"'  baving  learned 
lb(>se    trades    in    Salisl)ui-v.     ( )ct.  23.  isil ,  he    married    Lucv  Dole   of 


TIU-'K.  !''V.) 

Xew  London,  and  ininu'di;dt'Iy  removed  to  Franeestown  where  he 
hought  what  was  afterwanh  long  known  as  llie  --True  Tannery.""  It 
stood  a  few  steps  below  the  residence  of  liis  son-in-law.  Samuel  P. 
Xewton.  Here  he  ''followed  his  trade  until  ainnit  is^o.  when  on  ac- 
count of  failing  health  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  it.  He  was  re- 
ported as  making  the  best  sole-leather  manufactured  in  this  part  of  the 
country."  He  died  Feb.  22,  LSfiO;  and  his  wife  died  Mar.  19,  1840. 
He  was  a  Baptist,  and  was  known  as  l)ea.  True,  having  been  ap- 
pointed deacon  in  the  liaptist  church  at  its  formation,  and  holding 
that  ottice  as  long  as  the  church  existed.  Another  has  said  of  him, 
'•Fie  was  well  versed  in  Bible  lore  and  his  great  delight  was  in  study- 
ing its  truths.  While  his  hands  were  employed  about  his  daily  tasks. 
he  was  solving  in  his  mind  the  difficult  points  of  Holy  writ,  and  would 
talk  on  these  subjects  for  hours.  Industry,  honesty,  and  integrity 
were  strictly  adhered  to  l)y  liim  through  a  long  life  of  usefulness." 
The  children,  Ijesides  the  two  oldest  who  died  in  infancy,  w^ere  all 
l)orn  in  P'rancestown,  and  were  as  follows: — 

•3.  Mauk,  [b.  Nov.  1,  l8lo;  studied  at  district  scliool  and 
academy;  taught  liis  Hrst  school  at  tlie  age  of  sixteen; 
worked  his  way  to  an  education  in  tlie  face  of  great  ob- 
stacles, and  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College  in  the  class 
of  1845  ;  gave  himself  with  great  enthusiasm  to  the  pro- 
fession of  teaching,  which  hefoHowed  witli  unusual  success 
for  more  than  twenty-five  yeais;  was  for  a  lime  professor  of 
Greek  and  Latin  at  New  Hamilton  Semijiaiy  :  was  prin- 
cipal of  the  Hancock'  Academy  :  was  associate  principal 
at  New  London;  was  princi})al  of  the  High  Schools  of 
Brewster,  Mass.,  Winchester,  Mass.,  and  of  Dublin  this 
state  ;  went  to  Antrim  in  IStiO.  to  assist  his  brother-in- 
law^  Abbott  in  his  manufacturing  business,  were  he  re- 
mained till  death. 

Mark  True  was  a  man  of  marked  eiithusia'sm  in  every 
thiug  he  undertook;  was  ^-up  to  the  times,"  wide-awake 
and  courageous;  quick,  nervous,  active,  and  excitable;  a 
liard  worker;  set  in  his  own  opinions,  tliough  charitable 
toward  the  opinions  of  others;  a  manly  man.  always 
ready  to  ackiiowledge  an  eri'o'r;  was  a  man  deeply  relig- 
ious and  spiritual;  was  deacon  of  the  Antrim  Baptist 
church ;  was  greatly  respected  in  that  town,  having  been 
at  times  moderator  of  town  meetings;  was  rejiresentative 
of  Antrim  in  the    Legislature  in  1864    and  in  1867  ;  was 


9H0  GENEALCXilKS. 

superiiiieiidino-  school  committee  at  the  time  ot"  liis  death; 
he  m.  1st.  Laura  A.  Fiske    of  Dublin,  May,  184(3,  mIio  d. 
Apr.    1(),    1852,    leaving    one    child;  ni.    2nd.    Mary    II. 
Crocker    of  BrcAA'ster,  Mass.,  Nov.  1852;   wlio    d.  at    An- 
trim. A])r..  18()1,  having-  borne  him  two  children:  m.  3rd, 
Ilannali    S.  Neal    of  Meredith.  .June    19.  1862.  wlio    sur- 
vives  him.     He    d.  from    apo})lexy    Feb.  lo,  1875.     The 
chihlreii  of   Mark  True  were: — 
Ahhoft    Finke    (b.  New    London,  A-pi-.    4.    1852:  studied    at 
New  London  and  entered  Brown  University,  but  left   col- 
lege at   the  death  of  his    father:   m.  Mary  Brant    of  Stod- 
dard. Aug.  28.  1877:   Ituilt    and    resided   in     Antrim    and 
went    into    tlie    nianufactui'iiig    of  bedsteads  and  cribs  in 
lliat    town    whicli  he  continued   several  years:   was  super- 
intendent   of  schools    in     Antrim    187<)    and  1S77:   after- 
.    wards    moved    to  Keene    and  d.  there  Mai-.  ll>.  188VI:   left 
three  children  all  b.  in  Antiim,  Herbert    Mark,  who    was 
b.    June    19,   1878,  Luara    Annette,  who    was    b.  A[.i-.  5. 
1881,  and  N'iola  Frances,  who  was  b.  .Inne  29.  1S85.) 
Heurii  Jii<hn„.  (1).  March,  1857:   d.  May.  1858.) 
HerJ>er1   Osi/ooJ,  { b.  in    Antiim    May  30.  1859;  giaduate    of 
Exeter    Academy:     entered    F)]()wn      I'niversity    and    re- 
mained two  vears:   then  left  to  take    his  medical  course  at 
Harvard  l'ni\ersity,  from  which  lie    graduated    in    1885; 
was  then  for  a  year  and  a  half  House  Physician    and  Sur- 
geon at    the  City  Hospital.  Worcester,  Mass.;  began  prac- 
tice   in    Fawtncket.  H.  I..  Ai)r.    9.  1887:  has    been    three 
years  attending  physician  at  the    Pawtucket    Dispensary; 
member  of  the  Bhode    Lsland    Medicial    Society,  and    the 
Providence  Medical  Association.)] 
4.  Cai;olini-:.  [b.  June  19.  1818;  m.  Alexander  Wilson  of  this 
town,  who  d.  in  Aug..  I860;   m.  2nd.  Ransom    Chessmore 
of  Antrim  and  d.  in  that    town    July  17,  1885:  had    one 
child  only — 
Clara  U..  (child  of  1st  husband,   b.  Mar.  25,  1861:  m.  Fred 
C.  Parmenter    of  Antrim,  Nov.  27,  1883;  they  reside    at 
Deny    Depot:  have    one    child.    Bessie    C..    b.    Mar.    25^ 
1885.)] 


Ti:rK.  061 

.").  Hannah  OsciOui).  [b.  May  -22,  182o:  in.  John  I{.  Abbott 
of  Antrim,  Dec.  19,  IS-tH.  wbo  d.  Dec.  H,  18(13;  slie  d. 
.Inne  21.  1875:   they  left  cliildien: — 

■Inlin  (t.,  (1).  Nov.  o.  1854;  is  a  maiuifactnrei-  at  Antrim: 
has  l)ee)i  tieasmer  of  that  town;  m.  ClaiaM.  ilai'lin  of 
Antrim,  Oct.  H,  1887;  lias  children,  Cliarles  Ilaihin.  who 
was  b.  Mar.  1,  1889,  and  l{o1)ert  John,  -wlio  was  b.  Nov. 
27,  1890.) 

Oharlex  S..  (  b.  Aul;-.  IH.  1856;   I'esides  in  I-'ort    Payne.  A  hi.) 

ILirlaii  P.,  (b.  July  10.  1860:  orad.  Philli[)s  Academy, 
Exeter,  1881:  at  l^rovv!!  rniversity  1885:  and  at  Har- 
vard Medical  College  1889:  is  })iacticing-  physician  in 
Providence.  \i.  I.:  is  mend>er  of  Ivliode  Island  Medical 
Society:   and  Msiting-    Phy  ician   Rhode    behind  Hospital. ) 

JI(ir//  Jitttc,  (  b.  July  13,  1857;  aii  ;i(lo|ited  dangliter;  niece 
of  Mrs.  Al)bott;  is  sten()g-ia})her  and  iy|)ewiiter  iov  tlie 
(ioodell  ("o..  in  Antrim.)] 
ti.  LvDiA  Jank.  [b.  July  18.  1824:  m.  Thonias  Ab-Coy  (d' 
Peteiboro".  son  of  Thomas  McCoy  of  Sharon.  A[*r.  16. 
1847;   d.  in  Peterl)oro\  Feb.  17.  1863:   children:- 

(riuniiulh'  (j.  (b.  ^blr.  9.1848:  m.  Sarah  I'pton.  June  2, 
1876:  resides  in  Jaffery:  has  children.  Alice  E..  and 
El-nest  F. ) 

Hetiri/  J.,  (b.  Sept.  10,  1849.) 

Jnf'/(  /"..  (1).  Nov.  7.  1851;  m.  E.  W.  Baker  of  Antrim. 
Feb.  10.  1878:  children.  Nora  A..  All)ert  A.,  and  Laren 
F.) 

Ji>/ui  T..  (1).  Apr.  9,  1853:   resides  in  Chehnsford,  Mass.) 

Mary  J.,  (1).  .July  13,  1857;  same  as  the  adopted  daughter, 
Jennie  Abbott,  named  al)ove.) 

Fred  L..  (b.  Dec.  3.  1860;  m.  Lettie  Cram.  Oct.  11,  1888; 
resides  in  Chelmsford.  Mass.;  has  one  child.  Bertha,  b. 
Mar.  5.  1891.) 

Sarah  E.,  (b.  Feb.  5,  1863.)] 
7.   Mary    Emeline.  [b.  Oct.  5,  1825;  m.  Samuel    P.  Newton 
of  this    town    Dec.    10.1846;  she    d.    June    6,  1890;  see 
Newton  family.] 


062  GENEALOfrLES. 

TICK. 

JOSEPH  Tl'CK.  in  ISll.  lived  dm  ihc  pliicc  now  occupicMl  l)y  Wil- 
liam Phelps.  Till'  (lirisiiaii  naim-  of  his  \\\['v  was  Hebtc-ca.  He  sold 
to  Joseph  P.uHei'liidd.  and  removed  lo  Lein])sler.      Children  were: — 

1.    Rki'.Kcca.  [iiiai'iie'd  in  Lenipster.] 

il.   John,  [went  with  his  parents  to  Lenipstei'.] 

TI'CKKIJ. 

SAMl'KIv  X.  'rrCKKli.  came  here  fi'om  Dorthester.  Mass..  about 
the  year  JS7<),  and  lias  lived  nearly  fourteen  yeai's  on  the  place  he  now 
occupies.  He  was  Ixu-n  in  Littleton.  Mass..  Api-.  2.";.  1S17.  and  mar- 
ried Susan  Morse  of  Fraucestowu.  Jan.  '22,  LSJi.").  lie  served  in  the 
war  of  the  llebelliou  in  the  22ih\  Mass..  Reu"t  and  is  a  pensioner. 
His  (diildren  are: — 

1.  .Mai;v  Kbi/.Vf.KTH.  [b.  in  Lowell,  Mass..  Nov.  (>.  18oo.  ni. 
Josiali  P.  Curtis  of  Antrim,  res.  in  Anti'im.] 

•2.  A'esta  L..  [1).  in  New  Ipswich.  Nov.  ■).  1837.  in.  1st.  War- 
ren M.  Albro  of  Attleboro*,  Mass.,  'iiid,  Samuel  O.  An- 
drews of  Francestown,  res.  in  Lyndeboro".] 

8.  Sa.muel  H..  [b.  in  Francestown.  Mch.  20,  1840.  m.  Cath- 
arine Bates  of  Boston,  res.  in  Maiden.  Mass.,  served  in 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion  in  the  lord  Mass.,  Regt.] 

1.  WiLLARD  N.,  [b.  in  Lowell.  Mass..  June  22.  1818,  d.  Fel). 
19,  1852.] 

o.  Susan  R..  [b.  in  Boston.  July  8,  1847,  m.  Alexander 
Glover  of  Dorchester,  Aug.  22,  1868,  res.  in  Dorchester, 
Mass.]  ^     ■ 

6.  Hauhiet    a.,  [b.  in    I^oston.    Apr.  lO.  1850.  m.  James    W. 

Merrill   of  Dorcliester.    Mass.,  d.  in    Lyndel)oro',  Fel).    4, 
1891.] 

7.  Matilda  A.,  [b.  in  Boston.  Nov.  28. 1854,  d.  Mch.  2, 1859.] 

VOSE. 

KOBEKT  VOSE  came  from  Lancashire,  England.  1638,  ami  settled 
iu  Dorchester,  Mass.,  (now  Milton),  lived  to  great  age,  and  left  two 
sons,  Edward  and  Thomas.  Tlie  last  named  settled  in  ]SIilton,  was  a 
smart  man,  and  of  considerable  note  in  his  day.  He  left  a  son,  Henry, 
who  occupied  the  Vose  homestead,  and  reared  a  large  family,  one  of 
his  sons  was  Robert,  the  father  of  Sanuiel  Yose  of  Bedford. 
(Sanmeis.    Robert*,    HenryS,    Thomas3,    Pioberfi),  Samuel,  of  Bed- 


VORE.  OH  3 

t'oi-d.  111.  Phebe  Vickerv  of  that  town,  and  had  children: — Thomas, 
))i)rn  Aug.  o,  1757;  Dea.  Samuel  (of  Antrim);  Robert  (of  Antrhn) : 
Francis;  Hon.  John  (of  Atkinson,  Dartmouth  College  1795,  noted 
teacher,  State  Senator,  deacon  of  Congregational  church,  died  1S40, 
aged  seventy-four;)  Eoger  (of  Spencer,^.  Y.);  Mercy,  and  Phebe. 

FRANCIS  VOSE,  born  in  Pedford  about  17(;4,  called  on  our  rec- 
ords, ^'Francis  Ihn-iKird  \'ose,"'  came  here  about  17S5:  and  his  last 
tax  in  town  was  in  17'.)5.     Children: — 

1.  FiiAN(UR,  [1).  Francestowii.  Oct.  31,  1788.] 

2.  Phebe.  [h.  May  7.  17!»1.] 

JOSIAH  \'()SE  was  a  native  of  Milton,  Mass.  He  came  here  from 
Litchfield  about  the  year  179(;.  His  wife  was  Judith  Coffin  of  New- 
buryport,  Mass.,  in  which  place  he  lived  previous  to  his  going  to 
Litchtield.  Judith  Coffin  was  a  descendant  of  Tristram  Coffin  who 
was  born  in  UMYA,  in  Prixham  parish,  town  of  Plymouth  in  Devon- 
shire, England,  being  the  son  of  Peter  and  Joanna  Coffin.  He  was  a 
Royalist,  and  in  consequence  of  the  success  of  Oliver  Cromwell  he 
embarked  for  America  in  ICA'I.  His  first  residence  in  this  country  was 
at  Salisbury,  Mass.,  he  soon  removed  to  Haverhill.  ^lass.,  however, 
and  in  1G48,  was  a  i-esidi'iit  of  ><ewburyport.  In  1()59.  a  company 
formed  in  Salisbury.  iJiirchascd  nine-tenths  of  the  island  of  Nan- 
tucket upon  which  he  settled  in  KiGO.  He  died  in  1()81,  aged  seventy- 
two  years.  His  wife  was  Dionis  Stevens.  The  descendants  of  Tris- 
tram Coffin,  are  nunu'rous.  Charles  Carleton  Coffin  tlu'  popular 
writer  and  lecturei- l)eing  of ^ the  number.  Judith  (Coffin)  Vose,  died 
in  this  town  Dec.  2S,  1S49,  aged  eighty-two  years.  Josiali  ^"ose  was 
a  hatter.  The  building  in  which  he  lived  and  labored  stood  where  is 
now  the  residence  of  Miss  Jennie  Pradford.  He  died  in  this  town 
May  4, 1843,  aged  seventy-eight  years.     His  children  were: — 

1.  Jtdith,  [b.  ill  Litchtield,  m.  Samuel  Sargent  of  Hills])oro\ 

Sept.  1(3,-  1810,  residetl  in  Hillsboro',  d.  in  Cliichester.] 

2.  Nancy,  [b.  in  Litchfield,  in.  Sanutel    Biitterfield    of  Goffs- 

town,  Nov.  18,  1810,  d.  in  Goffstown.] 

3.  Elisha,  [b.  in    Francestown,  July  22,  1797,  m.  Sally    Gay 

of  Francestown.  He  was  by  vocation  a  hatter.  The 
house  in  which  he  lived  is  now  the  residence  of  his  old- 
est son  Charles  A.  Vose.  He  died  in  this  town  June  11, 
1876.  His  wife  died  here  Mar.  25.  1878.  Their  chil- 
dren were: — 
Charley  ^..[b.  in  F'rancestown,  July  17,  1825.  m.  Ist, 
Amanda    JNI.  Smith    of  ^hinchester,  Sept.  13.  1858.      Slie 


OtU  GENKAL()(ilES. 

was  bom  Feb.  10.  1(S28,  and  (\\vd  in  i^'iiuict'stown.  Ak-li. 
1,  1861,  ni.  2n(l,  Frances  A.  .Ja(initli.  June  H.  1805.  She 
was  born  in  (ireentield.  May  28.  1838.  Children: — Ella 
A.,  l)()rn  in  l''ran('esl(n\n.  May  8,  18.V,t.  d.  in  Canaa)i, 
Aup'.  30.  1851*,  (diaries  S..  Ijorn  in  Francesiown.  Feb.  23. 
1801.  res.  with  Ins  paienls.  is  en^a^ed  in  I'arniino-.  The 
early  life  of  .Mr.  \"ose  was  not  without  uncommon  expe- 
rience and  genuine  adventuit'.  In  1851'.  he  wcMit  to  Cal- 
ifornia by  the  way  of  Panama,  undergoing  all  the  hard- 
ships \\liiidi  weiv  then  iiuddent  to  a.  joui'ney  across  the 
isthnnis.  He  howevei-  reacdicd  (alifornia  resolute  and 
hopeful,  and  was  soon  located  in  \^)lcano\ille.  Fldoiado 
Co..  where  he  engaged  in  nieicantile  business  and  in 
nnning.  In  August  1857  having  been  successful  in  his 
several  enterprises  he  (hn-ided  to  return  home  and  the 
following  month  liaving  recrossed  the  isthmus  on  the 
Panama.  I\.  IL.  he  end)arked  at  Aspinwall  upon  the 
Central  America,  wdiich  proved  to  be  the  George  Law. 
ail  old  steamer.  Avhich  had  l)een  refitted  to  meet  the  great 
demand  for  passenger  vessels,  occasioned  by  the  ''Cali- 
fornia gold  fever."*  The  boat  seemed  seaworthy  however 
until  she  reached  the  latitude  of  Cape  Hatteras,  where 
she  was  stiaudv  by  a  terrific  gale  which  soon  assumed  the 
force  and  proportions  of  a  htirricane.  At  twelve  o'clock 
on  the  day  of  the  storm  it  became  evident  that  the  sliip 
was  leaking  badly,  and  all  hands  were  summoned  to 
pump  and  to  bail  water.  v>hicli  still  gained  upon  the  sea- 
men so  rapidly  that  in  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  the 
women  and  children,  and  siek  men  were  put  aboard  a 
brig,  whose  captain  having  recognized  the  steamer's  clis- 
ti'ess  signals,  was  humanely  lying  to,  at  no  great  dis- 
tance. By  this  measure  which  was  not  accomplished 
without  casualties  and  great  difficulty,  forty  lives  were 
saved.  At  nightfall  it  became  evident  to  the  five  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men  alioard  the  foundering  steamer  that 
she  must  soon  go  down.  The  violence  of  the  gale  and 
of  the  sea  was  now  literally  tremendous:  the  water  was 
pouring  in  at  the  })ort  holes  and  the  decks  were  fast  be- 
ing shattered   by  the    Avaves.     At  about  eight  o'clock    in 


VO.SE.  9fio 

the  evening,  Mr.  ^'(>se  seeing  lliat  no  time  was  to  be  lost, 
went  down  into  tlie  cabin  where  he  succeeded  in  wrench- 
ing from  its  casing  a  door  upon  which  he  hoped  to  be 
able  to  keep  himself  afloat  after  the  sinking  of  the  ves- 
sel. In  the  cabin  were  bags  of  gold  which  were  offered 
free  to  all,  though  no  man  in  that  time  of  immedi- 
ate peril  dare  cumber  himself  with  their  weight.  There 
were  even  then  many  of  the  passengers  in  the  cabin 
and  staterooms,  seemingly  with  suicidal  indifference, 
making  no  liaste  to  take  the  better  chances  for  safety  up- 
on the  deck  above.  One  man  was  actually  making  a 
I'.hange  of  raiment,  and  when  warned  and  urged  to  take 
immediate  measures  for  self-[)reservation.  declared  that, 
"if  die  he  must,  he  would  die  Avitli  a  clean  shirt  on.  ' 
The  water  was  rushing  d.n\-n  the  companionA\ay  when 
Mr.  Vose  ascended  to  the  deck  Vi'liich  was  now  crowded 
with  men  having  life  preservers,  improvise<l  rafts,  and 
pieces  of  plank  ami  of  timber  which  they  had  secuied  to 
aid  them  in  their  battle  with  the  waves.  With  the  rest 
Mr.  Vose  waited  for  a  huge  on-coming  wave  by  which  he 
hoped  to  1)6  borne  clear  of  tlie  sinking  steamer,  he  was 
however  thrown  back  with  violence  upon  the  deck  and 
the  door  upon  which  he  had  depended,  was  forced  from 
his  grasp  and  swept  away.  A  second  attem[)t  was  suc- 
cessful and  very  soon  the  great  ship  broke  in  two  in  the 
middle,  and  went  down,  the  water  rushing  into  her  huge 
funnels  with  a  gurgling  roar,  the  death  rattle  and  groan 
of  the  ill-fated  craft.  It  was  then,  when  more  than  five 
hundred  nien  were  struggling  and  shrieking  in  a  sea  of  the 
wildest,  roughest  sort,  that  a  powerful  voiced  man  called 
out,  "Three  cheers  for  the  Central  America,"  and  though 
death  was  imminent  to  all  and  present  with  many  three 
mighty  cheers  were  given.  Mr.  Vose  with  many  others 
was  drawn  down  into  the  vortex,  caused  by  the  siidc- 
in<4  of  the  steamer,  but  being  a  strong  and  ex[)ert  swim- 
mer, he  did  not  lose  his  self-possession,  and  sooji  regained 
the  surface,  though  not  without  the  loss  of  some  of  his 
clothing,  and  struck  boUlly  out,  often  having  to  avoid 
and  beat  off  the  frenzied  and  drowning  who    would    have 


966  gp:xealogies. 

je()[)ardize(I  liis  cliaiiL'es  foi-  safety.  He  and  two  otbei's 
at  length  laid  hold  upon  one  ol"  the  steamers  sky-lights, 
which  providentially  floated  within  their  reach,  and  which 
with  their  life-preservers,  supported  them.  One  of  his 
companions  Avas  Billy  Birch  of  the  famons  Califoi'nia 
minstrels,  a  man  of  extraordinary  coolness,  whose  rally- 
ing speeches  and  nnfailing  liumor  gave  unwonted  forti- 
tude to  his  companions.  Aftej-  heing  in  the  water  six 
honrs  during  wliich  time  they  drifted  eighteen  miles  from 
the  scene  of  the  wreck,  they  discerned  lights  of  a  ship, 
which  ere  long  bore  down  upon  them  and  rescued  fort}'- 
nine  of  the  unfortunate  passengers  of  the  Central  Amer- 
ica. When  a  rope  was  throAAii  to  Mr.  \'ose.  he  was  well 
nigh  exhausted,  and  was  iu)t  able  to  make  it  fast  arottnd 
him,  and  after  being  drawn  nearly  to  the  vessel's  rail,  he 
(b()})ped  hack  into  the  sea.  He.  h()^\•ever,  mustered  his 
strength  for  a  second  effort  and  after  (hawing  the  r()})e 
around  liis  body  he  succeeded  in  making  it  fast  by  means 
of  a  loop  into  which  he  thrust  liis  arms,  and  was  drawn 
up  to  the  deck  of  the  stranger,  which  proved  to  be  a  Nor- 
wegian l)arque  bound  for  Falmouth.  England.  Both  her 
ca[)tain.  whose  name  was  Johnson,  and  her  crew,  treated 
tliosc  saved,  with  the  kindness  of  trne  seamen,  and  con- 
sented to  take  them  to  Norfolk,  Va.  Captain  Johnson 
gave  a  statement  of  singular  facts,  if  facts  they  were,  in 
connection  witli  the  rescue.  He  said  that  on  the  previ- 
ous (hiv  the  l)arque  ^\•as  sailing  on  a  certain  ccuirse.  when 
a  large  sea-bird  suddenly  appeai-ed  and  hovered  in  a 
strange  manner  around  the  head  of  the  man  at  the  Avheel, 
much  to  his  annoyance,  and  to  avoid  the  l)ird  another 
course  was  taken,  but  without  the  desired  effect,  for  the 
bird  still  flew  around  the  helmsman  Avith  an  unaccounta- 
ble persistency,  and  once  more  they  tacked,  and  thus 
were  l)rought  aiiKuig  the  dispairing  survivors  of  the 
wreck.  It  may  be  added  that  the  bird  Avas  captured,  and 
beini:'  tethered  by  a  cord  in  the  cabin  it  picked  the  bare 
feet  and  half-naked  limbs  of  the  rescned  men  periiaps  to 
remind  tiiem  of  the  gratitude  due  it.  which  after  all  was 
ex[)lained.  the  rescued    men  were  most  anxious  to  bestow. 


M'ALLACK.  '.Mil 

The  brig,  luiviiig  on  board  the  women  and  chil(hen, 
reached  Norfolk  sliortly  after  the  arrival  of  the  barque. 
Among  the  women  was  the  wife  of  Hirch.  This  lady, 
Mr.  \'ose  informs  us,  had,  wiien  on  board  the  steamer,  a 
canary  of  which  she  seemed  quite  fond.  Before  enter- 
ing the  boat  that  Mas  to  convey  her  to  the  Inig,  she  was 
seen  to  take  this  canary  from'  its  cage  and  put  it  care- 
fully into  her  bosom.  When  she  reached  Norfolk  the 
little  songster  was  triumphantly  exhibited  in  a  cigar  box 
Mduch  had  been  converted  into  a  temporai'v  cage  by  the 
sympathetic  sailors.  Tlie  ne\A's  of  the  wreck  of  the 
Central  America  caused  a  sensation  in  the  East  not  un- 
like that  produced  by  the  tidings  of  a  disastrous  bat- 
tle. Five  hurnlred  lives  were  lost,  besides  a  treasure 
of  gold-dust  and  bullion  worth  one-and-a-(piarter  mil- 
lion dollai'S,  which  now  lies  at  the  bottom  of  the  ever 
stormy  sea  off  Hattei'as.  Mr.  Vose  has  since  his  I'e- 
turn  from  California  resided  in  Francestown,  and  has  been 
mainly  employed  in  farming.  In  1875  and  "7t>  he  I'epre- 
sented  the  town  in  ihe  Legislature  and  is  regarded  as  one 
of  her  solid  men. ) 

Cornelia  A.,  (h.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  11,  1  Si^H,  m.  Elbridge 
K.  Batchelder  of  F'rancestown,  Dec.  lo,  1841>,  res.  in 
Francestown.) 

Saralt  F.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  Se[)t.  7.  1881.  m.  Dr.  Israel 
r.  Chase  of  Weare,  Oct.  28,  1854,  res.  in  Plillsboro".) 

Mary  A.^  (b.  in  Francestown,  F'eb.  25,  18oH,  m.  Hiram  Rice 
of  Henniker,  Mar.  15,  1860.  d.  in  Henniker,  Sept.  i>, 
1870.)      . 

George  U..  (b.  in  Francestown.,  Jan.  7,  18ol>.  m.  Ellen 
Maria  Smith,  Aug.  11,  1864.  She  ^^■as  born  in  Bradford, 
Aug.  16,  1837.  (ieorge  E.  Vose  is  by  trade  a  painter. 
He  has  served  acceptably  upon  the  board  of  super- 
visors and  is  an  influential  nvdu  in  local  politics.  All 
of  his  children  were  born  in  this  town: — Oeorge  Fred- 
erick, born  Aug.  6,  1865,  died  in  Francestown,  Jan.  8, 
1866,  Edward  Lawrence,  b.  Oct.  5,  1867,  is  a  painter,  res. 
with  his  parents,  Harry  Eugene,  b.  May  25,  1870,  m. 
Amanda  Sharkev  of  Chicago,  Julv,  1890,  res.  in  Chicago, 


\H]H  (;i:xi':ALO(^;n:s. 

Alice  Augusta,  1).  Oct.  14,  1872,  <1.  in  tliis  town,  Oct.  li», 
181M).  -Joseph  Lawrence,  b.  Mar.  10.  lS74.  Jesse  B.  Sniitli. 
b.  Mar.  2,  1876.) 
'/oini    11. .  ( b.    in     Fi"uicesto\\ii.    Sept.    ^)(),    184;").    m.  l-Lniina 
Gregg  of   Boston,  Mass.,  res.  in  Revei'e,  Mass.)] 

4.  Sally,  [b.  in  Francestown.  Jan.  12,  17*.'*.'.  unniarrieil.  (i.  in 

Concoi'd,  Feb.  8.  1890.] 

5.  Hkki'.KKT,  [b.  at    Francestown,  nuuried     Harriet     Lewis    of 

Francestown,  Oct.  L").  l8o-),  d..  iii  this  town  June  2:'>, 
1879,  aged  seventy-eight  years.  Me  was  many  yt'ais  a- 
inerchant  liere,  was  sitccessful  and  honorable  in  IjU.-iiu'-s 
and  was  ti'usted.  and  lespected  by  liis  townsmen.  lie 
was  elected  towai  cleik  several  yeais  and  also  lillcd  th'' 
()!tice  of  j)ostmaster.      His  chihhen  were: — 

Helen  M..  (  b.  in    Franci'Slown.  \ov.  2x.  18>)4,  d.  in   Fianccs- 
town.  .\ov.  1  !.  185*.'.) 

Harriet  A..  (  b.  in    Fraiun-slown,  Sept.  o.  l8-)8.  d.    hcie,  Oct. 
lb,  1850.)] 
(3.   Mary.  [b.  in     l-'i^aiu-cstown,  died  here,  Sept.  2-),  1842,  ag(!d 
thirty-seveii  yeais. 

WAiJ.A(  F. 

AXDA  WALLACE  of  Lyicleboro".  m.  Sully  Faii-hanks  of  lliis 
town,  (pub.  .Jan.  .'il.  1S;>,S).  IL'  occupied  llii'  house,  since  re-modeled 
and  oeiaipied  l»y  Lphraim  W .  Colburu.  lie  died  of  arose  cancer,  in 
lliis  town.  Sept.  •_'.-).  1S.5S.  a,i>-ed  seventy-live  yeart^. 

WARKEX. 

THOMAS  WAR  REX  resided  in  Francestown  several  years.  Like 
all  the  other  Warrens  in  EnL!,land  and  America,  he  was  no  doubt  a 
descendant  of  William  de  Varenne,  a  Xorman  IJaron,  wlio  advanced 
into  England  with  William,  the  Conqueror,  and  look  pari  in  llie  battle 
of  Hastings.  Ocl.  14,  l(J<i(j.  He  married  a  daughter  of  William,  was 
called  Earl  Varenne.  and.  was  one  of  the  ••guardians  of  the  Kingdom" 
of  England,  when  for  a  lime  William,  the  king,  returned  to  Xoi 
mandy.  Before  the  conquest,  he  resided  on  the  banks  of  ihe  Varenne, 
a  small  river  of  Xormandy.  in  north  part  of  France,  whence  the 
name,  William  de  Varenne. 

RICnAKI)  WAKKEX,  who  came  over  in  the  Maytlower.  Kii'O. 
.John  Warren,  who  was  established  in  Watertown.  Mass..  in  K).")."),  and 
.Joseph    Warren,  who   came    in    the    ship    Alice    Id."!.")  to  \'irgini;i.  and 


\vai;i;kn.  '.MIO 

tliciici'  to  Xrw  lOiiulaud.  wltl'  rel;itivi:s.  and  ])i'()l)aMy  hrollicrs.  .lacol) 
Warren,  understood  to  be  a  son  of  Joseph,  niai'iied  Mary  1  lildi'clli. 
June  21,1G67.  Tliey  had  four  children,  of  whom  the  oldest  was 
Joseph,  who  was  born  Oct.  ^o.  IHTO.  and  married  Kutli  Wheeler.  Mar. 
1 1.  Kl'JCi.  They  had  six  children.  Theii'  fourth  child  was  Thomas, 
born  .Mar.  ■'>.  1704.  This  Thomas,  though  an  old  man.  was  vigorous 
and  fearless,  and  was  caj)tain  of  a  company  at  the  l)attle  of  Bunker 
Hill,  where  his  cousin,  (ien.  Joseph  Warren  was  killed.  This  Thomas 
married  a  Dodge,  and  one  of  his  sons  was  Peter  Warren,  who  was 
born  in  Townsend.  .Mass..  June  1(1.  17.V2.  mari'ied  Judith  .Vdams. 
lived  ai)out  twenty  years  in  Hancock,  was  a  useful  and  excellent  man. 
and  died  in  Fredonia.  X.  Y..  May  12.  IS;};!.  Scvei-al  of  his  descend- 
ants have  come  to  honor  in  New  York  and  the  west. 

Ephi'aim.  another  son  of  Joseph  and  IJutli  (\\'lieeler)  ^Varl•en. 
probably  the  oldest,  married  Esther  Parker  and  settled  in  (  helmsfoi-d. 
Mass.  He  used  to  sjjcak  often  of  "his  cousin,  (ien.  Joseph  \\'ari-en," 
and  the  family  have  always  been  proud  of  their  kinship  with  the  first 
distinguished  jjutriot  wiio  laid  down  his  lift'Jn  the  cause  of  ourlilierty. 
This  Ephi'aim  was  the  father  of  Josiah  Warren  of  Xew  Boston,  the 
lirst  of  the  name  in  that  town.  This  Josiah  was  great-grandfather  of 
the  writer,  whose  mother  was  Elizabeth  Warren.  Ei)hraim.  son  of 
this  .Io>iah.  was  many  years  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  church  of 
(ioffstown. 

.Another  son  of  K|)lii-aim  and  p]sther  (Pai'kei')  Wai'i'en  was  without 
doubt  Thomas  \\'arren  of  Francestown,  who  was  thus  a  brothei"  of 
.losiah  oi'  N<'W  .lioston,  and  John  of  Antrim.  Thomas  Wari'en  mai'- 
I'ied  a  Dustin.  a  sister,  or  possil)ly  a  cousin,  of  Eliphalet  Dustin  ol 
this  town.  He  settled  tirst  "  in  Xew  Boston,  but  moved  to  Frances- 
town,  probably  in  1773.  His  name  is  not  on  the  tax  list.  Oct..  1772. 
though  he  signed  the  petition  for  tax  on  non-resident  landownei's  to 
help  liuild  the  church.  Dec.  2.  1772.  He  moved  to  Ludlow.  Yt..  pi-ob- 
ably  not  far  from  17Sr).  He  had  a  child  die  here  Sept.  17.  17S2:  and 
also  an  old  record  savs.  ••Thomas  Wai"ren"s  wife  and  child  diiMl  the 
same  day,  January.  17S.'5."  We  have  no  kru)wledge  of  any  daughters. 
l)ut  he  had  six  sons  that  grew  up:  Thomas  Jr..  John.  Eiihraim,  Par- 
ker. Dustin  and  Silas. 

1.  Thomas.  Ji:..    [Went    to    Essex    Co..  X.   Y..  al)()ut    ISOO: 

three  of  his  sons  settled  in  Mii-hii^aii:  notliiuL;  ftiilher 
known  of  him.] 

2.  .John.  [1).  in    Xew    lioston.  Apr.    24.    ITtlS:   (L  in     LinUow. 

\'t..  July  o.  1852:  his  wife  was  Lydia  ('lKi:nil)erlain  of 
GofTstown,  whom  he  m.  Mar.  4.  1788.  His  grandson,  K. 
K.  Warren,  Esq.,  is  I'resident  of  the  Featherbone  Maiiu- 
factiiring  Co..  Three  (_^aks,  Mich.] 


'•'7'»  CKNKAI.OCIIOS. 

'■>.    I-J'll  i;a  I  M. '  11,1(1  ilii'cc  s.iiis.  Mdscs.  I  liiicliiiKiii  niitl   l'>|)lii-;rnii. 

.1 1'.:    this  is  all   xw  know  nl'   liiiii.  '. 
4.    I'ai:i<i:i:.   !  Had  iwo  sons.   Ilciiiv  and  Clark.] 
.).    I)rsi"iN.     Noiliiiin'  learned  of   liini.j 
I).   Silas.  '  Not liinL;'  leanuMJ  of   liiin.] 
a- 

\\i:lls. 

(I!  A  i;i.i:s  \\KLI>  x.u  nf  Mai-lin  \\(11>  of  (  oIcIh-Ici.  (  l . .  cainc 
lifi-f  ill  Isll.aini  (ijiciicd  a>I(irc  in  a  laiildiiiu-  which  >1(mi(1  w  licrc 
Ma-oii  II.  ISaieir^  fi;ini  new  snnul"-.  lit  h(iar(h'(i  fni' a  lime  wilh  1)|-. 
SiiiiHifl  I.nlly.  whiiM-  (laiiu'liler.  Miiici'va  he  iiian'iiMi  A|)r.  ■'>.  iM<>. 
Alter  lii>  inarriaiic  he  livnl  in  ilir  1)|-.  I,iill\  hiiii>c  iiniil  in-  reinii\  imI 
(  iSL'.-, )  1,1  the  1)1(1  Drix-nll  pljicc  \i,  \\c-i\\:inl  n\'  'rhmiia-  Ave  I  ill'-,  lie 
liiially  i)ccn|iieil  ihc  Lolly  rami  lieu>i-  where  he  died  Aul:'.  I'J.  IS-J'.I. 
Ills  \\\[\'  di(.-d  lieiT  Sc])l.  .'in.  Isf).").  ;ii^cd  >i.\ly-i h Tec  years.  Tlieii'  only 
eiiild:  - 

1.  (  11  AlM.l'.s'  (  )  lis  r(».Mi;i;i  )\'.  Ml.  in  |-"ianecsto\\  ii.  .\iio.  1. 
\x-2-.  III.  .\lai\  .Viioclinc  (  IJiiiit  )  <^)iii,L;le\ .  Jniie  In.  1s7-"'.. 
.Mr.  Wells  lias  always  li\('(i  in  his  nati\t'  town  and  is  one 
of  its  liest  citizens.  |-'.arl\'  in  lifi'  he  followe(l  the  \dca- 
tioii  of  shoe  niakino-  hut  is  now  a  fai'iiier.  Ills  (  hildreii 
are:  — 
C/i>ir/ex  /'"UK/-"//.  (  li.  I-'raiieeslow  n.  .Iiih  ll.  lST(».) 
(reon/''   Olix.  (1).  in   l-"raneestown.  ()et.  '!').  isys.) 

M.VW'I'IN  WKM.S.  a  hroihcr  of  (  harles.  was  heic  oc(a>ioiially 
while  ihe  laller  \\a>  in  trade,  and  is  -aid  to  ha\;'  luiill  the  house,  re- 
niodided  and  enlarLi'ed  ii\  Saninel  \\.  Ilocf^e.  lie  also  was  of  ( 'oiches- 
ter.  {  t..  W  itll  win(dl  jdaee  the  ^V(dl^  family  has  lieell  ])|-omillelll  ly 
idenl  ilie(l. 

WKST. 

Di;.  .lOlIN  \\'V<\'  wa>ihe-on  of  '{"iniothy  K.  We-l  of  r,i-adfo|-d. 
who  maiTied  Kli/aheih  l-"iillei'.  daiiiihtei'  of  Daniel  I-'nller  of  this 
lowii.  .Ma\  -IT.  ls-_';;.  lie  wa-  horn  iij  niadfonl.  Nov.  (1.  ls;;(i.and 
man-ie<l.  I -l .  .leiinie  L.  \\adleii:li  of  r.radfoi-d.  .\pi-.  -JT.  I  s.-)S.  -Jml. 
I'llla  N.  Fiillei-  of  Clarendon.  \'!..  .Iiiiie  I'.l.  ISCT.  Jle  Liradnated  at 
Harvard  Medical  S(diool  in  iSdS.and  he^ian  the  [traclice  of  medicine 
in  this  town,  wliere  he  had  ]»re\  ioiisly  resided,  haxiiii;-  receixcd  liy  will 
one-half  of  the  estate  <d'  his  L;raiidfatlier.  DaiTud  l-'nller.  His  home, 
while  here,  is  still  known  as  the  West  idaee'.  He  remox'ed  to  .Man- 
chester ahont   llie  year  1S7"_',  where  he  held  a  lii;^h     rank    ill  the    Medi- 


\\i<:sTOX. 


iiTl 


cil  jiltirosioii.  lie  \v;i>  ;i  mcliilitror  till'  X;iti(iii;il  ^MimHciiI  A^^(|<•i:l- 
lion  and  of  llic  New  Iliiiupsliirc  .\[c(li(:il  Society.  He  was  also  a 
nicinlici-  111'  I'acilic  I,(h1l:i'  mI'  Masons  in  Fi-anccstow  n.  and  d'  liif 
AnioskcaL;-  X'dcrans.  He  held  llic  otiicc  of  sidfclman  in  lliis  town. 
lie  died  in  Manciicslci-.  .Inly  ;;i.-lSSU.  His  llrst  wil'r  died  hciv.  .Ian. 
'.I.   1  sec.      j  Ii>  childi-cn   wci'c  :--- 

1.    Ll/,/,11-:    .1..   [1).  ill     Kniiiceslow  II.  May    'I-'k  Isiid.  d.  in     Maii- 

cliesTci'.  Dec.  l'4.  1SS2.] 
■2.    Inf.vnt    Im.v.    (1).    luTc    .Ian.    Ili.    IStiii.    d.    iiciv    .Ian.    1 -V. 

1si;l>.] 

'■\.  I  NFAN  r  1)(>\  .  I  1).  litMT.  .Illlic  S.  1  S< ■>:').  (I.  lie  11'.  .Ill lie  1  <>.  1  St;:',.] 
4.    Inf.WI'     oirl.    II).     lifio     .Mav     'JT.    iStU.    il.    here    .liiiic     1<>. 

isca.] 

.').    Al'.F.lF  !{..   [li.    ill     Francf.stdw  11.  -Ian.     12.  iSC.'.t.  d.  in     Maii- 

clie.ster.] 
(I.    .IdllN   Iv.  [1».    ill     l-'iaiiccsTowii.    .Ian.    !*<•.    ISTl.d.  in     Maii- 

clicsicr.  JM'l..  I'd.  is;.').; 


WKSTON. 

.F\.M  i;s  WKSTOX.  son  (d  .Film  and  .loaiina  Weston  of  Feadin-. 
.NFi^s..  was  hon;  Sent.  17.  17<><;.  and  inarfied  Fetsey  llosey.  daiiuhlei- 
n[  Foliert  and  Maiv  llose\  .  She  was  lioiai  .Vpr.  :',.  17iiS.  lie  eaine 
liefe  Iroin  Fea(.linL:  alioiil  the  year  ISO."),  and  settled  on  the  jiiaee  now 
owned  li\  Fenjaniin  Weston.  Ilis  wife  died  hei-e.  .Vow  •_".».  ls.")<i. 
lie  died  in  lliis  lowii.  .\o\.  7.  ls."l(i.  He  was  of  the  same  aneestfy  a> 
I-;x-(;ovei-noi-  Weston  of    .Maindu  sier.      His  eliildi'en: 

1.    Uktsia'.     11).    Sept.    2.    1  "'.•.").    ill.    Aaron      W'liiiU'iiiofe     nf 

l.\  nilel)iir(i".  (I.  ill   L\  ii(]('l)()n)  .  .Mdi.  •><•.  1S,)S.] 
■2.    .Ia.\II-;s.   ri).   Midi.    o.  IT'.'T.     m.     I{el)eeca     Baldwin,     died     in 

j)(tsl()ii.^Mass..  S('])i.  .").  IST').] 
o.    ()'l"!s.   [1).  Se|)l.  -I".  IT'.'S.  niai-ried    and  lived  in  Siiotiswood. 

N.  .1..  wlit'ii  lie  (lied  Sei)F  -24.  1S(19.] 
4.    1)I-:n.i.\min.  [1).    Ahl;-.    2~ .  LSdO.    was    twiee    inarrieil.  d.  in 

IJeadiii-.  .Mass.] 
:..    Li  ■niFi:.  [1).  Meh.  -l  ISIFJ.  d.  .M(di.  1.").  ls()2.] 
(i.    Sii.AS.   [1).   Meh.  !'.  1S04.  res.  in     Providence.   \l.   I.,  was    llie 

I'alliei'    of    Ivlward     l*a\son    Weston,  tlie    peijestrian.  d.  in 

rrovideiice.  Sept.  20,  ISF))'..] 
7.    .loiiN.   I  1).    in     l'"raiieesto\\  11.    .hdy     1.").     ISO,"),     ni.    Susanna 

('ldliil)ie  of    New      liosloll.   .Mcli.  1.  1  S:5S.      She     was     Ihmii 


(17:^  (4ENEAL(>(;iES. 

ill     New     I)ost()iu  Feb.  It,  ISO-J.    uiid    died    in    this    town. 

M;i\   i!l.  IcSSl.      John  Weston  lived  npon  tlie    iioniestead. 

As  a  I'aiiuer   and  a  citizen    lie    \\as    lield    in    t^ood    re])nte. 

lie  died  liere.  Sept.  18,  188;|.      His  eliildien  weiv:— 
Beiijdiitiii,  (1).  in  Fraiieestown.  A])i-.  2").  1So*t.  is  uninarried. 

li\-es  upon  tlie  homestead.) 
Heiirii,  (1).  in   I-'raneestown.  .Inne  S.  1S41.  died  in  this  town. 

Sept.  !t,  18(14.) 
Mary  ?J..  [h.  in     Fran('(^sto\\ii.    Dec.  1:5.    1844.  d.  here.  .Inly 

7.  18(;i.)] 

<S.    1'a.mi;l.\.  H).    in     I'"rancestown.      .Inly     1:').    1807.      Has    a 
daiin'hter:- — 
Aim.  (I),  in  I'"rancestown.  Xov.  1<L  1  S44.  is  a  dressniak(M'.  res. 
in   l''i'ancesto\\ii. )] 

'.».  Dka.  Calki!.  M).  in  Fianeestown.  Aug.  21».  I80it.  m. 
Nancy  (iivLi^-  <d'  Fianeestown.  A])r.  18.  1 847.  He  was 
chosen  deacon  of  the  church  in  1X44  and  ha\iiiL;-  re- 
sioned  was  an'aiii  chosen  in  I8t)2,  beino-  continned  in  of- 
fice seventeen  vears.  He  was  a  conscientifuis  and  (iodly 
man.  He  lived  for  many  years  in  the  McAlvin  cottage, 
in  the  villa^'e,  now  occupied  by  Charles  l)ailey.  He  died 
in  this  town  Feb.  28, 1876.] 

WHEELOC  Iv. 

TIIKOIJKN  XFJ.SOX  WHP:EL()('K.  son  of  Olivri-  K.  Wlicclock 
caine  here  from  (iraftoii,  A'erniont  as  superintendent  at  the  Soapstone 
(Quarry  in  ISMo.  In  1S74  he  removed  to  Tlaverhilh  l)iit  after  an  ah- 
seuco  of  two  years  lie  returned  witli  liis  family,  and  i-csuined  liis  du- 
ties as  superinteii(h>iit  and  remained  liere  until  1SS4,  when  he  went  to 
Chester,  A'crniont.  where  he  resided  six  years,  after  which  he  re- 
turned  and  remained  here  until  the  fall  of  1K92,  wdien  he  removed  to 
Perkinsville,  Yt.,  where  he  now  resides.  He  owned  and  occupied  for  a 
number  of  years  the  Taylor  house  in  Mill  Village.  He  is  a  man  of 
great  experience  in  his  vocation.  He  married  Ellen  .lane  Wright  of 
Grafton,  Vt.  She  died  at  Chester.  Yt..  May  10,  ISSo.  Their  children 
are: — 

1.   FiiANiv    Henky,  [b.    in    Athens.    \t..    .hine    5.    18r)().    ni. 

Adella  Applel)ee  of  Knapp,  A\'is.,  res.  in  Wisconsin. 
•2.   St\sAN    Jank,    [b.    in    Grafton.    \'t..    Alio.    80.    18r)8.    m. 

(^nincy    AI.    Hiintino-ton    of    Fraiieestown.  Feb.  :^1.  1878. 

r(\s.  in  (ireenheld.] 


WHEKLOCK.    WHITE.  '.'(■) 

8.   Delia    Fhances,  [1).  in  (IraftoM.  \'t..  Oct.  7.  IHo.").  m.   Isi. 

C'luirles    I).  Alexander   of   Fi-aiicestown.    2n(l.    Clniilcs   I*. 

Dodge  of  Andiei'st,  res.  in  ("liestei'.  \'t.] 
4.   Nelson  F.,  [b.  in   (irafton.  \'t..  Fel).  1<>.  IS")?,  m.  ("laia    15. 

Xntting    of   Fi'ancestown,  Dee.  2;").  IS.SO.      He    sneeeeded 

liis    father  as   snpei-intendent   at   the    (^iiari'v  in  18S4.  hiis 

served  upon  the  hoard  of  supervisors.      Children: — 
Marij   Viohi.  (h.  in    j-'raneestown.    Dee.  1.  18S1 .  d.    in    Fraii- 

cestown.  .Inly  i':',.  1884.) 
Leiia  Belle.  (!>.  in  FraneestoA\'n.  .Mdi.  To.  188,").)] 
.").   ('lai;a    L..    [I),  in    (irafton.    \'t..  Aug.  2i!.   1  S.V.l,    m.  Fiank 

Lowe  of  CrreeJiHeld.  ,Ian.  4.    1881.  res.   in  (ii'eentield.] 

wnrrF. 

(rEOHGE  XATHAXLEL  WHITE  was  im.ih  in  Aiulover.  Mass.. 
Auii'.  ^4,  1S21.  Ills  pai'PHls.  Xalliaiiie'l  and  ITaiiuali  While,  came  from 
Enuiaud  to  Andovc  r.  shortly  licl'oic  his  liinh.  He  nianicd  'S\m\  Ann 
ChancUer  of  Andovei.  -Inne  (i.  1S47.  and  lesideil  in  J^awrence  and 
Andovei-.  [)n'vious  to  liis  coniinu'  lo  this  t<i\vii.  whicli  was  in  lsr)S.  He 
was  (Mi^aucil  for  tlie  most  pan  in  mccdianical  pci'snits.  was  a  man  vcrx 
ctiicient.  forceful,  and  smart,  and  as  a  coiiversalionalist  and  public 
speaker  was  especially  valued  in  the  litei'aiT  and  rcdi^ioiis  societies  of 
the  town.  lie  hqre  a  part  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  holding  tlie 
rank  of  orderly  sergeant  in  the  First  Kliode  Island  Cavalry.  He  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Miirdlcitoro"  (iaj).  and  was  taken  i)risoner 
and  coutiued  in  Lii)by  Prison.  He  retui-ned  to  his  homo  in  this  town, 
in  lSti4,  where  lie  remained  inilil  lS7(b  when  he  removed  to  (toITs- 
towli  where  he  died  May  <•.  ISSl.      His  idiildi-en  were:  — 

1.  CE()i;<iE  HoLHL'ooK.  [h.  in  Lawrence,  Mass.,  May  2,  1848. 
He  was  a  superior  and  po})uhir  student  in  Francestown 
Academy,  where  he  completed  his  })re})aratory  studies, 
and  entered  Amherst  College,  where  he  was  graduated  in 
1870,  and  retained  three  years  in  the  capacity  of  tutoi'. 
after  which  he  was  made  princi[)al  of  the  pre})aratory 
department  and  professoi'  of  Greek  and  l^atin  in  Oherlin 
College,  where  he  became  distinguished  as  an  instructor. 
Me  was  moreover  called  to  serve  upon  the  common  coun- 
cil at  ()l)erliii,  which  attests  liis  popularity  as  a  citizen. 
He  married  Laura  ^.  Billings  of  South  Deei'field,  Mass.. 
Nov.  oO.  1871.      He  died  at  Oberlin,  Ohio.  .Inly  7.  18!t:5.] 

■1.   Anna    Isauei-la.  [b.  in    Ando\er.  ALiss..  .laii.  li.  ISoU.  m. 


1174 


(i  KN  KA  !,()(;  I  i:s. 


Dr.  l-'iaiik  Ulaisdcll    of   ( iotTsiow  ii.  Aiil;.  _*•'.  1^77.  res.  in 

(iof'l'slow  11.  lias  lliic'c   cliildrcii.j 
'■).    l''i;.\NK     XkwtoN.  [1).  ill     Ndiiii     AndoNcr.   Mass..   Nov.    17. 

lx.">1.isa  iiicicliaiit   ill   New    ^ Ork  ('il\.  i 
I.    .Mai;\     lvi-rii:.     1..  in     Ndriii     .VndoNcr.    April    4.  Is.Vi.    d. 

ilinc  .hii\    1  4.  I  s.').'). 
.').   (   11  Ai;i.i;s  l"i:i:.M(tNr.     1).  in    Aiido\cr.  (  >(:i.  4.  IS.Mi.  m.  l-"dla 

.M.  Lulkiii    of   (lotTsiown.     Dec.    is.    ls7s.  ivs.  in    (iolTs- 

lown. 
li.    llAl:l;^   ( 'ii.\m>li:i;.  'J>.  in     I'laiici'stow  n.  .\iil:.  1".  i^os.  is 

a   lcl('^ra])lifr.  ics.  in    L\nii.   .Mass.' 
7.    W'li.i.ii-:    l\ii\\  A  i;i>.-    li.  ill     I'laiicrsiow  II.  .Mcli.  I.").  ImII.  hi. 

Loitic    Swell     of    .\iilriiii.  lo.  in   Nasjnia.  is  a  ni('<dianic.] 

I!i:\.l  A.MIN  W  lirri-:  wlio  sailed  <,ii  ih.'  \\illanl  llaluii  laiiii  mI.omI 
llif  \(ai-  17sj  \\,i>  ilic  xuii  (if  IJcnjainiii  niid  .Maiv  Wliiir  nf  hcdiiaiii. 
wlici-f  he  \\a>  lioni  .\ii-.  -Jl.  17-111.  lli>  lii>l  uilr.  lo  wIkhii  ln'  \va> 
married  Nov.  •_'.  17S4.  \va>  .Mar\  l-'alc-  of  \\'al-iiolc.  She  diid  alpoui 
li'ii  vcar-~  al'lcr  llicir  coiniii::  1<'  tlii'-  lowii.  and  lie  inaiTicd.  I'lid.  .Mary 
.lackxiu.  .Iiil\  •_'.  i7'.i.").  ">lic  was  liorii  .hiiic  14.  17iin  and  died  in  lliis 
i<i\\n..lul\  •_'.  1S44.  Mr.  Wliitc  \va>  a  soldier  of  ilu-  IteNolniion.  a 
swonl  carried  liy  him  in  thai  memoiaide  «-|i'ui:i:le  i>  now  in  ilie  ■|)o>>e^- 
sioii  i>['  his  ^^raiidson.  Samiiel  \\'illard  lOaloii.  lie  died  in  ihi-  town. 
Si'pi.   ](■).   1S1l>.      Ili>  ehildreii  hy  hi-  lir-l  marriage  were: 

1.    1-J! km:zki;.  [1).     in      l-'ianccsiow  n.    ni.     Nal)l)\'     (i('oi'0(.     of 

( iicciilitdd.  il.  licrc  S(>|)i.  :).  ISi^li.  aocd  toriy  \(>ars.  j 
■J.   .1  i:i;i;.\ii.\ii.   ^h.  in    Fiaiiccsiow  n.  diccl  at  sea.] 
■').    i.rcv.      li.  in      {'"ranccsiow  n.     \'rU.    -!.     17Sli.     in.     IJcii jaiiiin 

Fislior  (d    this  town,  and  dii'(l  here   No\'.  S,  Ixiiil.^ 
4.    .MiLI.W   !  1).     here,     inairicfl      lien  i;iiniii      ( J  reelev.     iiiirlc     of 

I  loiacc  ( ii('(dey.] 
('hildirii  1)\    i!iid  luarriaLic  were: — 
.").    I)i:i'si:\'.     I),  hei-f  M(di.  lli.  171Hi.  in.  Saniind     l^aloii  of   this 

t(.\vn.  d.  here  Oct.  1!'.  1S7<).] 
().    L<  )\'K\\!:li..     1).  ill     FraiieesTown.  die<l    voiino     in     I-'raiiees- 

toWll. 

7.    Kiif  i:i".N.     1).  in    this    town.  ()ct.    4.  I^'MI.  d.  here    .\].r.  S-). 

ISliS.] 

(  II.MII.KS  11.  Wlirn-:  eame  here  from  DeeriiiL;  in  ihe  fall  of  ISSS. 
Hi-  I'alher.   I,e\i   While.  \\a-  horn  in   l.e.xiiiLilon .  .Ma--..  .Iiine  ■_'•_'.  Isl4. 


wiiiri''..   \\ii  iri'ii:i,i). 


DT.') 


Mini  iiKii-ricil  .Inly  4.  lS4-_'.  S;irali  .1.  I  )cnicritt .  lioni  in  Xdl  iimlniin.  N. 
II..   I>rc.     •_'."■..     ISlS.       Lc\i     \v;i>     >()li     (if    .I()>('|)ll      While     \^\\n     IHni-|-ic(l 

^ II:in-i;ii:lnii  (if    LcNiiiulon.  wliosc    ln'iM  licr.  Dniiid     I  I:in-iiiul<»ii . 

;i  yiiiilli  (if  >i\tfcii  year-,  wa^  lln-  lii--l  martyr  In  lihci-iy  in  liic  liatllr 
III'  LcNinu'liui.  .loxpli  was  a  lineal  iloceinlanl  nl'  llie  wise  and  de- 
\nnl  ])i-eachei-  William  While  of  I  )ni-ehesiei-.  lOn^iaml .' wlm  came  in 
ihe  .Mayllowei-  In  I'lymnuih  wilh  his  wile  Susannah,  and  wlinse  xm. 
I'ei-etii-jme.  was  ihe  lir>i  clnld  oi'  iMiropean  exlracl  imi .  hni'n  in  New 
KuLiland.  Le\i  \\'hite  I'emnvcd.  in  ls")4.  Ii-oin  Maiden  in  ihe  -Inhn 
.\iken  place  in  I)eei-iiiL;.  and  in  .\ni:ii^l  oT  ihal  yeai'.  he  Imill  llie  coal- 
kiln,  which  stands  within  the  limits  t>\'  this  town,  and  latei'  the  mill 
InddW-  the  nllllel  uf  Shatluck  pond,  hnth  (d'  whi(di  are  slill  nwneil  li\ 
inemliers  nT  ihe  familv.  The  lanii  hnildinL;s  wcfe  lini-ned  in  >epl.. 
ISSS.  and  in  the  fnllnw  iiiL;- .  nmnt  li  ( 'hai'les  II .  While  came  hei-e.  lii'sl 
iiccupvim:'  the  Imiise  of  William  II.  I'ai'nnm.  and  altei-ward  llie  Ikhisc 
of  I)ani(d  I!.  Tnlde.  which  Mr.  While  exidiam^ed  lor  his  preseiil  resi- 
lience. He  >er\cd  in  the  war  of  ihe  Ii(d)tdlioii  in  the  1st  N.  II. 
('avalry.  He  married  Myra  .M .  .Ma^oim.  .May  1.  ISTd.  She  was  horn 
ill  Kllenliiii-.  X.  Y ..  \-\-\>.  ;;.  ISK;.      Children:- 

1.    I-'i;i:ii  .M<  »r  i/r(  »N.  j  h.  in     .Mainlicsicr.  Dee.  It'..  IsTI.    is    an 

cno-inccr.  i-f>^.  willi  lii.s  jiai'cnts.  ' 
i'.    Ni';!,!.ii';    .M.u.'ioN.  i  li.  in     Dcci-ino.    -Iiilv    27.     |S7I.    d.    in 

Fraiicc'sloM  11.   .\])r.  1  :'>.   IS'.'l.j 
■\.    M\ss\F.  ivrnKi..     li.  in   Dcciino.  .M(dL.  i!'.'.   JSTi'i. 
4.    >h  i;rii-:  J.wi:.  [h.  in   I)(criiio-.  .Ian.  :!.  Is7s. 

wiiri'i-ii'jj). 

(;l':()l{(il':  WIIITFIKLI)  wa>  horn  in  Diin-lalile.  Inn  r.-ided  in 
I  lollis  from  w  hi(di  place  he  removed  lo  Wilton.  Maine,  and  t  hence  came 
to  I-'raiicesiow  n.  in  ISi'-'i.  I  !e  lived  on  ihe  \\'ood>  place  and  al  lerw  ar<l  on 
ihe  Shattmdx  or  \\lnlli(d<l  place.  His  wife  was  Lydia  i;am:-er.  daiiuh- 
ler  of  N(diemiah  and  Lyilia  I!am:-er  of  Hold-,  where  she  was  hoi-n. 
Oct.  •_'(!.  177'.i.  They  were  married  \o\.  -27.  isoj.  In  the  r<cord  (d' 
ihe  inarriaLie.  .Mr.  W  liil  licld's  .>iir-iiame  is  sp(dlcd  Whiudiidd.  indee<l. 
Wliitidhdd  is  said  lo  ha\e  lieeii  ihe  original  ori  hoLiraph)  of  ihe  name, 
and  the  famih  i-  -aid  lo  he  of  ihe  same  hramdi  as  that  of  the  ureal 
Mclhodisi  divine.  ( .eoruc  \\'hilerKdd.  who  died  near  IJosion  in  I77n. 
(.eoru'e  Whillield  and  his  wife  remoxcd  lo  .\iilrim  with  tlndr  son 
(.eorue.  where,  holh  died.  Tlie  former  Oct.  l-J.  IS.'..",  liic  latter.  ()cl. 
17.  IS'io.      'I'hidr  idiildrcii  were:    - 

1.    N.\NCN'.   [1).  in   llollis.  fiiarriiMl     lloract'   W'ldislcr.  in     .Maine, 
ami  (lied  in  lliat  stale  in   1S.')(I.  agLMJ  lit'ly-lwe  years.] 


l»7t)  GEXKALOCIKS. 

'2.  .Ia.mi-;s.  riiiiiiiicd.  1st.  J''.iiiiii;i  \V('l)st('i'.  ^nd.  Lucy  Ann 
Ladd  l)()lli  of  wlioni  were  of  Maine,  died  lieie  Sejil.  -'■). 
18:U. 

■).  Xatiianiki,.  ri).  Apr..  1 80.").  m.  1st.  Jane  Keiu})  of  Fian- 
(H'stowii.  Aug-.  28.  1828,  2nd.  Liieinda  Fowler  of  Mollis. 
Sept.  14.  18()lt.  He  resided  a  few  vears  in  Alexauifria. 
His  last  lesideiice  in  this  town  was  tlie  [)lare  now  owned 
and  oecu|>ied  by  Henry  Avery,  lieie  lie'died  Feb.  o.  1889. 
His  lirst  wife  died  ()et.  17.  IS.'),").  His  w  idt)w  retui-ned 
to  Hollis  where  siie  now  li\('s.  J  lis  chihlren  were: — 
■  lunirs.  (  b.  Mcli.  1.  182*J.  ni.  Fanny  l-]li/.ai)eth  IJelcher  of 
Franeestown.  Mavll.  18")-!.  lie  li\ed  on  the  David 
I-'isher  phiee  northeast  of  Dr.  Tiionias  1-^.  Fishers  resi- 
dence, was  by  Nocation  a  farmer.  ditMl    here  Aug.  •>.  1878. 

•  dnldren: lames  Alfied  born   Nov.  4.  1  <S;")4,  died  Dec.  1<'). 

I8(i(l.  Saraii  Li/./.ie.  liorn  -Ian.  1<».  iSCiO.  m.  .John  4"iacy 
of  Mah)nc.  N.  "W.  res.  in  IJostou.  Mass.) 
All'i-rt  A'..  ( b.  in  Ale\an(bia.  ui.  1st.  Sarah  11.  l^nieiy 
of  liartlett.  Sept.  2.  ls,")(;.  2n(K  l^mily  4.  Winn  of 
Fiancestown  4an.  14.  lSti2.  lias  long  resided  in  the 
David  Lewis  house  in  the  village,  is  a  teamster  and 
one  of  the  best.  His  lii'st  wife  died  in  this  town.  .Ian.  '■^. 
iSCil.  aged  twenty-seven  vears.  c-hildit-n: — Ida  Jane  loin 
Oct.  2:b  1S.")8.  died  Feb.  2.  18(11.  John  Bickford.  born  in 
Fraiicestown  ()ct.  2").  18()2.  \\\.  (irace  ('.  Dennis  of  Hai'd- 
w  i(d;.  Mass..  Aug.  1.  Is'tl.  is  a  raili'oad  fireman,  res.  in 
\\'orcester.  Mass..  Harvey  .Vlbert.  born  in  Franeestown 
May  21.  18()4.  is  a  harness-maker,  res.  in  Franeestown.) 
JLirace  K..  (  b.  in  Francestt)W  n.  ALiy  4.  1  8o7,  eidisted  in  the 
1st  Massacduisetts  Hegiment.  ser^•ed  with  distinction  in 
the  war  of  the  liebellion  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  capitain. 
He  died  in  Washington.  !).(".) 
Sitiith  A.,  (1).  in  Franeestown.  Mch.  24.  1844.  marrie<l  in 
1882.  Florence  Mori-ison  of  ("iiu/innati.  daughter  of  J. 
(\,  and  Lydia  S.  Moi-rison  of  that  city.  In  l8tjl.  he  en- 
listed as  a  pi'ivate  in  the  2nd  New  Hampshire  Regiment, 
and  partii'i[)ating  in  several  severe  battles  not  unscathed, 
returned  to  his  motive  town  where  he  assisted  in  raising  a 
company  for  the  9tli  Regiment  and  went    to  the    front  as 


WHITFIELD.  .  077 

captain  of  company  G.  In  the  battle  of  Autietam  lie 
received  a  severe  wound  which  necessitated  his  return 
lionie,  but  ere  long-  he  was  again  at  the  seat  of  war 
and  ere  its  close  received  a  lieutenant  colonoFs  com- 
mission. In  1(S»)7,  he  entered  the  United  States  revenue 
service,  and  ten  years  later  abandoning  the  practice  of 
law  which  he  had  commenced,  lie  accejjted  the  appoint- 
ment of  revenue  agent,  the  duties  of  which  office 
bi'ouglit  him  in  contact  witli  the  illicit  licjnor  distillers  of 
the  South,  and  called  forth  all  his  mitive  shreA\'dness  and 
soldierly  (jualities  in  many  a  thrilling  encounter.  In 
1880  he  accepted  the  position  of  assistant  postmaster  of 
Cincinnati  and  two  years  later  was  appointed  postniiister 
by  President  Arthur.  The  efficiency  that  he  displayed 
ill  ibis  oitice  won  for  him  praise  and  favor  in  the  Queen 
City,  and  was  doubtless  taken  into  consideration  when  in 
188!)  he  received  from  President  Harrison  the  ap[>oint- 
nieiit  of  2nd  assistant  })Ostmaster  general  of  the  United 
Slates,  which  was  followed  upon  the  retirement  of  Hon. 
J.  S.  C'iarkson  in  1890  by  his  nomination  and  aj)poiiit- 
nient  to  the  office  of  1st  assistant,  which  in  189"2  he  re- 
signed to  .take  charge  of  the  Western  business  of  the 
ITnited  States  Postage  Stamp  Delivery  Company  of  \\hich 
he  is  a  director  and  vice  president,  his  residence  being  in 
Chicago.  111.)] 

4.  LvDiA.  (married  Snuth  Adams  of  Watertown,  Mass..  d.  in 
Lowell,  June  29.  1859,  aged  fifty  years.] 

o.  Almira  Mauia.  [b.  in  Wilton,  Maine.  Jan.  16.  1811.  m. 
Elbridge(T.  Kemp  of  Francestown,  Sept.  2,  18-42.  res.  in 
Francestown.] 

I).  Daniel,  married.  1st,  Rebecca  Robinson.  2nd.  Sara,  ( Rob- 
inst)n)  Davis,  was  a  farmer.  His  last  residence  in  this 
town  was  the  place  on  which  Clarence  Foote  now  lives. 
He  died  in  Francestown.  Oct.  27.  1880,  aged  sixty-six 
years.  His  first  Avife  died  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  his  second 
in  Peterboi'o",  Mary  Jane  Davis,  daughter  of  the  latter 
was  born  in  Maine,  Nov.  18,  1833,  and  m.  1st,  Charles 
Woods,  2nd,  John  G.  Proctor,  she  now  resides  in  Lowell, 
Mass.      Only  child  of  Daniel  and  Rebecca  is: — 


itTiS  .  GENEALOCIl'^S. 

llvhci-cd  (f..  (1».  ill  Deei'iiiL;'    .hiii.  4.  18o<i,  m.  Patrick    Foote 
of    I''ia!i('('st(i\\ii.    Sei)t.    ^n.lS.")".    re.s.  ill    Francestowii.)] 
7.   (iiooiMiK  l-'...  1  1).  in     Wilton.  Mc.  luanied    Alviia    Hvitchin- 
soii    of     Wilton.    X.     II..     .May.    1  S^JS.    livt-d    (luring    the 
greater  part  of   his  life  on  the  SliaHtirk    plaee    jirevionsly 
the  home    of  his  parents.      His    last  days    Mere  spent    on 
tile  .James    Whitiield  plaee.  where  lie    died  -Jan.  i^T.  1888, 
aged    si\tv-nim^    veai's.      His    widow    now  resides  in  this 
town    and    to  her    exeellent    memory  we    are    greatly  in- 
dehtech      Children: — 
(ri-j>i\'/e    A\.  ( h.  in     Franeeslown.  Jan.     1.  1840,  m.    Jane    ('. 
(-arter    of   .lohnson.     \'t..  Mch.  4.  l8()o.  was  a  fa.rnuM-.    re- 
moved    to    .lohnson.  Xl.      I  h-  enlisted  in  the  War    of    the 
Ivebellion.  and    was    killed    in  the  battle    of  tiie     Wilder- 
ness in  18()4.) 
A/rirti  .]/..  (1).  in     Franeesto\\  n.  .Iniie    18,  1842.    iii.  (xeorge 
Sweetser   of    Deeriug.  Dee.    '■].  18(51,  removed    to     Lynde- 
boro",  where  he  died  Dee.  4.  1880.) 
F,nnii((     F..  (1).   in     Franeeslown.     .\ng.    17.    1845.    mai-ried 
'riiomas    F.    Foote    of   Franeestown,  Nov.  '2,  18(!ii.  res.  in 
Franeeslown.) 
'hinirs    Harris, >, I.  (  b.  in     Franeestown.  Oct.  F").  1848,  m.  Ali- 
bie  M.  Davis  of  Nashua     Mch.  '.>.  1877,  is  a  teamster    and 
earpente]'  and  a  man    of  mneli  ingenuity  and  skill  in     me- 
ed i  an  ics.) 
Ahiu'ni  A..  (  b.  in     Franeestown.  Apr.  2:2.  18,51.  m.  -loiin  W. 
Hastings    of  Peterboro.  Nov.    27,  187i>,  res.    in    Franees- 
town. ) 
Will/inn   IF..  (  b.  in  Franeestown,  ( )et.  24,  ISoo.  res.  in  Lowell, 

Mass..  is  in  the  meat  busines. ) 
C]i,irl,'s     W..  (b.  ill     Powell,  Mass..  Ahiy    12.  18.S6,  m.  ^Piry 
A.  White    of   Deering,  Se[)t.  ■).  1882,  is    a   carpenter,  res. 
in  Hill  six  »ro'.) 
FAln><     K.,  (1).    in     Franeestown.  Sept.  2.  18.V.).  m.    Posa    .P 
Battles    of    Hillsboro".  >P-h.  20.  ISS:',.  is    a  farmer,  res.  in 
Hillsboro". ) 
Etta  N.,  (b.  in     Franeestown.    A[)i-.  10.  18t!2.  m.  1st.  Henry 
D.  Adams    of   Antrim.  Aug.    o,  18-7D,  2iid,  Henry   Avery 
of   Lyndeboro',  res.  in  Fi'ancestown.)] 


WHITNEY.  U79 

WHITNEY. 

.1  )irX  WIIITXEY^  who  was  doubtless  the  lirst  to  hear  tliis  lainily 
iianu'  Id  America  eniharked  at  I[)swich,  Enghm<l,  foi'  New  Enuiaud  in 
thf  shi|)  Kli/.ahetli  and  Ann.  in  Apr..  Ki;!.").  when  thirty-five  years  of 
aii'i'.  With  liiiii  came  his  wife,  Eliuoi',  aijed  thirty,  and  sons  .John 
Wicliard.  Nathaniel.  Tlionias,  and  .Tonathan.  He  was  made  a  freeman 
Mai'.  .'!.  l(i:!(l.  was  a  selectman  of  AVatertown,  Mass.,  l)efore  the  year 
l()4().  and  in  K).").").  was  town  clei'k.  ]Ic  died,  .luni'  1.  Hu'.'>.  aued 
seventy-four.  The  (h'sccndants  of  .John  inter-married  (|uite  early  with 
the  Shal tucks  and  also  with  the  Nuttings,  and  the  Whitney's,  as  well 
as  the  Shattueks  and  Nuttings,  were  early  settlers  of  (iroton.  Mass. 

.JAMES  "WHITNEY,  who  began  on  the  Putnam  jjlace  was  one  of 
the  little  colony  fi'om  (irotoii  and  vicinity,  who  built  iheii' cabins  on 
l.akin  hill  and  iiround  it.  Of  the  family  of  .James  we  can  h^arn  l)Ut 
Utile  and  there  is  I'eason  to  concdude  that  it  was  not  large.  .\  i-ela- 
tive  of  .James,  mari'ied  Ain-aham  Speai',  who  lived  on  the  Putnam 
place  seve)-al  years.  She  die(l  in  this  town  Mar.  '.'A),  iSoO.  .James's 
sou  IJenjamiii.  also  lived  on  the  homestead.  The  wil'e  of  .James  died 
here.  -Jan.  .iii.  IS-J.").      lie  died  in  this  town.  Fed).  Ki,  IS.'U. 

.JOSEPH  \VIHTXEY.  doubtless  came  here  with  .James,  and  per- 
haps lived  with  hiin.  In  the  records  of  Pepperell,  we  find:  -Joseph, 
son  of  .Joseph  aUil  Abigail  Whitney,  l)orn  Oct.  "J;5.  IToo.  .James,  son 
of  .Joseph  and  Abigail  Whitui'V,  Ixirn  Dec.  (>,  17.")7.  In  a  record  of 
deaths  in  this  town,  we  learn  that  .lames  Whitney  died  here  I'^id).  iCi. 
is;jl,  aged  seve.nty-three  years,  which  leads  us  to  conclude  thai 
.Joseph  and  .James  were  l)rothers.  and  natives  of  Pepperell,  ^lass.  A 
child  of  .Iose})h  was  l)urie<l  heVe  in  ITiMI. 

MOSr:S  AVIIITXEY  of  Westminster,  Mass.,  was  in  trade  liere  as 
early  as  IS2;j.  He  was  in  company  with  Dr.  Farley  in  tlie  < Gibson 
store,  now  occupied  as  a  dwcdlim;-  by  Daniel  U.  Tobie.  He  married 
Mary,  (hiughter  of  liev.  Ueeil  and  Hannah  (J-'aige)  Paige  of  Han- 
cock. She  was  boiai  0(d.  '2.  17It'.).  They  removed  to  Oswego.  N.  Y.. 
where  he  died  Fed).  -Jo.  ISdO.and  whei'e  she  also  died.  .June  •_".!.  ISS."). 
Their   children  wi're: — 

1.     Reed  Pakie.  [b.  Dec.  IT.  1818,  was  a  oi-aiu  inerchant    in 

Chicag-o,  111.,  d.  alxjiit  1888.] 
■2.'  Samuel,  [b.  Jan.  28.  1821,  d.  a  soldier   in    tlie    army.  Pel). 

2.  18))8.] 
'■).   ChaklI'^s.,  [b.  Pel).  2,  l8ol,  is    a.    g-raiii    niercdiaiit    in    Chi- 

eao-o.  111.] 
4.  Catheiiixe  Ahi'.v,  []>.  Aug.  12.  18o4.  res.  in  ('liicago.  111.] 
.").    I1eni;y  H..  [1).    Sept.    27.    1838.    is   a.   grain    merchant    in 

Chicago,  111.] 


1»<S(I  gi<:np:alo(5Ies. 

WHITING. 

CALEIJ  "\VinTIX(i  who  caiuf  to  this  town  about  17(t-j  from  Dcd- 
ham,  Mass.,  was  the  son  of  Zachariali  and  KUzabolh  (Philips)  Whit- 
ing- Avho  were  married  June  2(5,  172!».  Zachariali  was  a  descendant  of 
Nathaniel  and  Hannah  Whiting  who  wei-e  in  Dedhani  as  early  as  1(544. 
Elizabeth  Piiilii)s  was  of  Koxbuiy,  Mass..  Caleb  was  born  at  Dedhani, 
•Ian.  4.  ITM--).  anil  mari'ied  Susanna  Cain  of  JJoston,  Oct.  21,  17(55. 
He  built  a  small  house  south  of  the  New  J^ostoli  North  road  nearly 
southwest  of  the  old  McLane  place  and  about  one-half  mile  to  east- 
wai'd  of  the  present  Whiting  place.  His  farm  comprised  one  hundred 
acres.  It  was  lot  2S.  in  the  New  JJostcni  New  Addition.  Here  he 
died  in  1770.  his  death  being  the  first  in  town.  Thomas  Eaton  of 
Dedliam  who  ni;irried  Sara  Whiting.  CaUlf's  sistei',  then  came  into  the 
possession  of  the  estate  and  deeded  it  to  Zachariali  Whiting,  brother 
of  Calel).  May  14.  1771,  ••and  in  the  eleventh  year  of  His  Majesty's' 
Keign." 

ZACHAIUAII  WHITINC;  mentioned  above  as  the  brother  of  Ca- 
leb, and  hence  the  son  of  Zachariali  of  Dedham,  and  Elizabeth 
(Philij)s)  Whiting  of  IJoxbury,  was  born  at  Dedham,  .Inly  s.  1747, 
and  died  in  Francestown,  Feb.  4,  1.S14.  H.e  married,  lirst,  Desiri' 
Could.  Dec.  2(i,  17(59.  She  was  born  in  Dedham,  Oct.  31,  174',»,  and 
died  in  Francestown,  Feb.  29,  1807.  They  came  to  Francestown  in 
1771  and  lived  upon  the  place  purchased  of  Thomas  Eaton.  Zacha- 
i-iaii  was  an  ensign  in  the  Revolutionary  army.  His  commission,  a 
(quaint  document  bearing  date  Dec.  l.").  1779,  is  in  the  possession  of 
Harve}-  N.  Whiting.  Zachariali  married,  second,  the  widow  of 
Timotli}- Newell  of  Needham,  Mass.  Children,  all  by  1st  marriage, 
and  all  save  one  born  in  Francestown.  were: — 

1.  LUTHEU.  IJ).  ill   Dedliain.  Oct.  1^2.  1770.  d.  Nov.  'iU.  ITKJ.] 

2.  ('ALEii,  [b.    .hily    lo.  1772.    d.    in    Francestown.    Aug,    9, 

179(3.] 

3.  Nathanip:l,  [1).    Jan.    22.    1774,    m.  3etsej   Richards     of 

Dedliam,  Oct.  15,  1797,  d.  in  Francestown,  Oct.  (i,  1841. 
His  wife  d.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  7,  1839.  Mr.  Whiting 
lived  tipon  the  place,  (though  not  in  the  present  house), 
so  long  owned  by  him  and  his  son,  and  Harvey 
jMathaniel.  his  grandson.  Children  all  born  in  this  town, 
were: — 

BeUeij,  (b.  Mar.  30.  17!t9,  m.  Nehemiah  Dodge  of  New 
Boston,  Jan.  28.  1824,  res.  at  Newport.) 

Ste.plieii,  (b.  June  29,  1801,  m.  Rebecca  Morse  of  Weare, 
was  a  fanner,  d.  at   West    Randolph.  \'t..  Jan.  22.  1874.) 


WHITING.  981 

NathanieU  (b.  May  22.  1803,  in.  1st,  Sally  Shattuck  of 
Francestown,  Nov.,  1829,  she  d.  Jan.  7,  1840,  and  he 
married,  2nd,  Elizabeth  (Dodge)  Cochrane  of  New  Bos- 
ton, Mar.  15,  1842,  she  died  in  Francesto^^'n,  Aug.  6. 
1889.  Nathaniel  Whiting.  Jr.,  was,  in  the  active  years 
of  his  life,  one  of  the  most  enterjirising  farmers  of  the 
town.  He  now  resides  with  his  son  Harvey  on  the 
home  place.  His  oidy  child  by  1st  marriage  was: — Saia 
Elizabeth,  who  died  in  infancy,  children  by  2]id  mariiage 
were: — Sarah  P^lizabeth,  born  in  Francestown,  Jan.  4. 
1843,  m.  Horace  Manahan  of  Francestown.  Jan.  19. 
1875.  d.  in  Francestown,  Mar.  2,  1878.  Mary  Josephine, 
born  in  Francestown,  Sept.  3,  1845,  d.  in  Francestown. 
May  20,  1862,  Harvey  Nathaniel,  born  in  Francestown. 
May  7,  1850,  married  Maria  McKee  of  An  Sable,  N.  Y., 
Apr.  23.  1877.  He  sncceeded  to  the  home  estate  in  early 
manhood  and  has  from  that  time  managed  its  affairs  with 
note-wortliy  ability  ami  indnstiy:  he  has  served  npon  the 
board  of  selectmen.  ()nly  child  Lida  .)..  h.  in  Fiances- 
town.  Jan.  12,  1879.) 

Ahel  ilicliaiuh.  (1).  A[)r.  G,  1800,  res.  in  Dedham.  Mass..  is 
unmarried. ) 

Averjj,  {h.  .]\\ne  30.  ISlO.  d.  in  Dedham,  Sept.  30.  1875. 
was  unmarried.) 

Sarah  E.,  (b.  Oct.  18.  1814.  m.  Dean  Bixby  of  Frances- 
town,  Nov.  25.  1841,  d.  in  Manchester,  Jan.  8.  1867.)] 

4.  (rEiiitY,  [b.  Oct.    29,  1775.  m.  Nabby    Starrett    of  Frances- 

town,  Sept.  9.  1798,  d.  in  New  Boston,  Nov.,  1827.] 

5.  Maiiv,  [b.  Se})t.  15,  1778,  m.  Obadiah  Sleeper  of  Fran- 
cestown, Nov.  10,  1801.  d.  in  Fi'ancestown,  Sept.  23, 
1826.] 

6.  Hannah,  [b.  June   15,  1781,  m.  Benjamin    Ober    of  John- 

son, Vt.,  Jan.  17,  1805,  d.  at  Johnson,  ^^t.] 

7.  Ebenezek,  [b.   Jan.  22,  1784,  m.  Rebecca    Allen,  Mai.  15, 

1810,  d.  in  Francestown,  Jan.  12,  1814.     He  lived  on  the 

place  owned  l)y  his  father.      Children: — 
A  child,  (d.  in  infaijcy,  Oct.  9.  1814.) 
I)t'i<ire     (Tidhl  (b.    Dec.    26,   1810.     m.  Feonard    Cram     of 

Weare,  Mar.  3.  1829,  d.  at  Coffstown,  July  2.  1S03.)] 


982 


GENKALOCIES. 


8.    IvEP.ECOA,  [1).  July  7.  178().  ni.  .losiali    M()i'!^a!i  of   .Idlmsou, 

y\..  Feb.  27.  1814.] 
It.   ZAciiAiirAH.    I'l).    Sept.    24.    17X;».    m. Dodm'     of 

Joiiii-;(Mi.  \  {..  resided  in  •.lolmsdii.  wlicic  lie  (I'u'd.j 

Willi  TKMoi:!:. 

A^[^)S  S.  WIIlTTK-MOin-;  was  !)oiii  Aim.  •;.  ISIS,  lli^  |>;iicnis 
wt'i'c  I'lark  and  I  Inuiiah  (^lonini;)  W'liiUt  iikh'c  Imili  ni  wliiun  wt-rc- 
horn  ill  \\'i';irc.  ihc  loi-iiier  Aug.  iM  .  17>^.').  llic  latter.  N(>\.  .'!(i.  IT^T. 
Tlic  foriiK  r  (lied  .M;ir.  "Jd,  1S20.  the  l.tlK  r  Api-.  2:'..  IS(IS).  Amos  W'hit- 
Icinoiv  was  (wicc  married,  lii-sl.  to  Caroline  |-',.  M.  (irilliii  of  this  town 
in  1S47.  Slie  died  .luiU'  7.  IS.').";,  and.  he  married,  second.  ()rt.  21, 
IS.')."),  Kliza  .1.  .Moore  of  liiis  town,  wlio  died  liei'e  .Inly  24.  IsSS.  He 
Tor  a  nuinher  ol  years  jiad  charm'  "'  I'l''  '"•'^^'  "i'"  •'•  riea>anl  pond, 
and  for  a  mimher  ol'  years  he  lixcd  in  the  small  cotlage  a  shorl  dis- 
tance to  southward.  He  was  a  very  jo\  iai  man  and  many  (d'  his  liu- 
niorous  savings  are  not  yet  forgotten.  He  died  al  hi--  home  in  tliis 
town.  l-"(d).  S.   ISSC.      Ilis   cdiildreii  were;  — 

1.  Ax(;ei.ixe  M..  [!).  Auo'.  22.  1848.  died  4  m.  12.  l<S.-)7.] 

2.  Clara  M..  [h.  .\no-.  18,  1851,  died  .lui.v  IS.  1852.] 

3.  Vaa.a  Vj..  [b.  Mar.  31,  1853,  inanied,  Kiijali    Brown  of  this 

town.  Oct.  25,  1870.  removed  lo  Hillsboro"  Bridoc    where 
sIh-"  imw    resides.] 

AAHON  WiirrTKMOllE  came  herefrom  LymU  horo".  alxiut  the 
veai-  1S22,  and  lived  a  few  ^-eai's  in  the  IJrewstei-  house  in  the  south 
part  of  the  village.  He  married  lictsey  Weston  of  this  town  .\pr. 
2'.).  1S17.  was  by  vocation  a  fanner,  returned  to  Lyndeboro"  and  died 
in  that  town.      iFis  (diildreu  were: — 

1.  I).\Nii':b    I)<)Ai;i).M.v>:.  [h.  Sei)t.  0.  1819.  res.  in    Lyndeboro'. 

m.  .Ann  I-^.  Boiitwell  of   Lyndeboro*.]' 

2.  Aakox.  [b.  Feb.  22,  1821,  d.  Oct.  4,  1841.] 

3.  James,  [h.  Jan.  4,  1823.  d.  Jan.  1.  1836.] 

4.  William    Lewis.    [!>.    Ano-.    21.    1824,   in    Franeestown. 

is  a  teacher  of  note  has  tauohr    in  Milford,  N.  IL,  and    in 
l)ostj)n,  Mass.] 

5.  Hai:i:!KT    Newell,  [h.  Mch.  12.  182(i,  d.  June  17.  1S5S.] 
<;.  JoiiN   \Vi;sT(..\.  [1).  Feb.  23,  1828.  d.  Jan.  8,  185H.] 

7.  Eliza  Ann.  [b.  Jan.  24.  1830,  d.  Jan.  23.  1873.] 


WlLDKi;.    WILLAKK. 

WILDKR. 


083 


nODXKV  II.  WILDKI!  ciiinc  Iktc  from  l\'t(M-I)oi-<)"  in  July.  1SS4. 
He  is  Ihc  son  of  ('.  I''r:ii!klin  and  Catliarim'  (Milk'r)  ^\'il(l^■r  *>\'  Pctfr- 
lioro";  liic  latter  was  a  niece  of  (ieneral  Jann-s  ^Nlillei'  who  won  undy- 
ing fame  at  lAindy's  Lane.  .Mr.  Wilder  has  foi'  years  been  cimau'ed 
in  i-elailing-  --hakers  ^oods"  in  this  and  in  other  towns  in  the  \icinity. 
and  has  also  hud  the  sii[)ervisiou  of  a  large  farm  in  Petei-lMiio".  and  is 
lU^emed  a  eareful  manager,  lie  married  Laura  (i.  Hill,  danghlei-  of 
David  W.  Hill  of  tliis  town.      Theii- cliihli-en  arc: — 

1.  D.wiT)    F..  [1).  ill     Fraucestown.  June  4.  1874.1 

2.  J.v.MKs   MiLLKi;,  [b.  ill    Fraiicestowii.  Se|)t.  7.  1877.  is    em- 

ployed ill  a  store  in  Peterboro'.] 
;').    K.VTi':  Ev.VNOKLi.XK,  [b.  in  Fram-estown,  A])i-.  H.  1  S80.J 
4.    .\i:thui:  1)..  [b.  in  Peterboro",  .Ian.  5.  l,S,si).] 

WILLARI). 

.lOSLlMI  \VILL.\i;i)  was  horn  in  Sterlin-.  .Mass..  .Meh.  L"!.  i77'.i. 
heing  the  son  of  Kphi'aiin  W'illard  of  Sierliiig.  who  was  lioiai  M(di.  1."!. 
i74S.  and  married  Lois  (i.iry.  hoiai  .June  11.  17^,4.  by  whom  h.e  had 
thirteen  (diildreii  of  whom  .lox'idi  was  the  liflh.  l-',jihi'aim  \\'illard 
died  in  Sterling.  -Inly  '2'2.  1^21.  his  wife  also  died  in  .'Sterling.  .loseph 
^Villard  mari'ied  M<di.  •2i\.  IS07.  Mary  Sawyer,  horn  in  Sierling,  Nov. 
1(1.  17S1.  The  Sawyer's  wei'e  originally  of  ]!owley.  Mass.  Ih'  came 
here  in  ISt)7.  and  oeenjrn'd  the  place  now  owned  li\  his  daughlei' 
.Mary.  He  was  hy  trade  a  cnhinel  ma.ker.  or  furniture  manulacturer. 
ami  liad  a  shop  njuju  the  sti-eani  in  the  little  vall/y  east  of  the  village. 
He  also  occui)ie<l  a  shop  which  stood  wheri'  ih.e  lihrai-y  hall  now 
stands.  He  was  postmaster  in  this  town  from  !S41  to  1S."')4.  hcsides 
holding  sevei-al  town  otHces.  He  died  here  Dec.  14.  1S.-)!K  His  wife 
died  here  Mch.  I'S,  ISlU.  Their  chihlreii  were  .all  hoiai  in  this  town, 
they  were: — 

1.  PHEJ5E    S..  [b.    Feb.    4.    FS08.  ni.  Otis    Chase    of   Deerino-, 

Dec.  81.  183-2,  d.  in  Weaie.  Feb.  4.  1881.1 

2.  Mai;v    ('..  [1).  .\])!-.  4,  ISIO,  res.  in    Fianvestown,  is    an    in- 

tellig'ent  and  nineli  respeeted  bidy.~| 

:').  AU.YENI8,  [b.  Nov.  13,  1811,  m.  .lonatlian  {'ajje  of  Weare, 
July  9,,  18311,  d.  in  Weare,  Feb.  18,  1844. 

4.  Moses  S.,  [b.  Sept.  11.  1813,  m.  Mary  xAnu  Gouler  of 
Weare.  .Inly  14,  1.S4,S,  d.  in  Francestown,  Feb.  20,  1888.] 

.").  C.\i;oj.ixE,  [b.  Sept.  23,  1816.  d.  Jan.  13,  183.3,  in  Low- 
ell, Mas.s.] 


984  GENEALOCIKS. 

(i.  Maktha  a..  [1).  Sept.  8.  1811',  was  foi'  many  years  a  city 
missionary  in  Boston,  died  in  Coiieord.  N.  H.,  Jan.  24, 
1802.] 

7.  Sakah    F.,  [1).    Alio-.    26,  1821,    m.    Daniel    P.    Hixby    of 

Fraiicestown,  Aug".  12.  181i',  d.  in    Francestowii,  Jan.  28, 
1851).] 

8.  Putnam  S.,  [b.  Apr.  l-J,  1824,  d.  in    Franeestown,  Apr.  28, 

188(1] 
0.   Austin    (J.,  [h.    Nov.,    1828,    d.  in    Franeestown,  Feb.  11>, 
1847.] 

WILSON. 

ALKXAXI)I';I!i  WILSOX  wild  came  lo  lliis  country  i'n.iii  llie 
X(ii-(li  (if  Ireland  al)()lil  the  year  \~'2i>.  was  one  iif  the  most  cstccnicd 
of  the  Scdtcli  Irish  cniiirrauts.  lie  was  a  sdMiri-  and  rendci'cd  ini])dr- 
lant  sci'vicc  in  the  sieur  of  Louddndcrrv.  Ii'(dand.in  KlSl).  and  in 
considd'atidii  of  ihat  serNicc  his  farms  in  Ldndondprry.  N.  II..  was 
t'xomptcd  Irom  laxalion,  until  the  Hcvohnidn.  He  died  Mar.  4,  17o'2, 
a<ied  ninely-thriH'  years.  His  son  .lames-  l)di-n  in  Londonderry.  Ire- 
land, in  ICiSO.  also  passed  thrdu,i;h  the  inemdr;d)le  sie^-e  ol'  that  city. 
He  came  to  Ameriea  with  his  fatliei'.  Here  he  married  -Tanet  Tai:; 
i^art  and  settled  upon  liis  father's  f:n-m  on  wliitdi  he  lived  until  his 
death.  June  12,  177'i.  His  wife  died  Jan.  TJ.  ISOO,  aged  ninety-seven 
years.  They  wei-e  the  parents  of  thirteen  children: — A<>nes3,  (ieorge^, 
Alexander^.  Jnmes'*.  Mary-^.  .lanet^.  John-'.  San\uel^,  Annis^,  Mar- 
garet^, Eleanoi'-^ .  Samuel^,  (ieoi-ge'^.  The  lii-si  (reorge^  was  killed 
when  eighteen  years  of  age  and  the  first  Sanuiel^  died  N'oung,  Alex- 
andi'r'i.  tin-  tliinl  child,  was  horn  Max  '>.  IT.'il.  in  Londonderry,  Init 
settled  in  Windham,  where  he  luiilt  a  large  mill  on  or  near  the  site  of 
Neal's  mills,  lie  \vas  one  of  the  very  foremost  men  of  the  town  in 
business,  nerve,  and  influence.  He  was  for  four  years  tipon  the 
board  of  seleetmeii.  He  disposed  of  his  pro|)erty  in  Windham  and 
came  to  live  with  his  son  .Tames*  in  Franeestown,  and  in  this  sketch 
receives  further  mention. 

JA^MES-i  WILSON,  who-  settled  upon  the  Wilson  farm  on  the 
iidi-fh  side  of  Crotched  mountain  in  1793,  was  the  son  of  Alexander 
Wilson  of  Windham,  who  married  Jane  ]McKean,  jSTov.,  1756,  and  died 
in  Franeestown,  Dec.  21,  1821.  aged  ninety-one  years,  his  wife  died 
in  Fraiicestown,  Oct.  20.  1800.  Their  remains  rest  in  the  old  ceme- 
tery in  the  villager  James  was  a  man  of  some  education  and  when  a 
yottng  man  tatight  school  in  Franeestown,  and  here  became  ac- 
(jtiaiuted  with  Mary  Eaton,  dutighter  of  Mo^es  Eaton,  to  whom  he 
was  married,  Nov.  24,  178.5.     Mr.  Wilson's  latter  years  were  not  spent 


in  I'riincestown.  since  he  weiil  AVcsi  ihhI  died  in  Troy.  OIud.  Sept.. 
1821.  His  widow  rt'turnt'd  to  Friuiccstowii  and  subsequently  niamed 
Eliphalet  Webster  of  Gilsuni.  She  died  at  the  residence  of  her  .son 
Alexander,  in  Franeestown.  Apr.  "i.j.  ISoT.  The  children  of  James 
wei'e : — 

1.  Moses  Eaton,  [b.  in    Wiiidliani.  May  19.  ITST).      lit-  si  tid- 

ied theology  and  went  as  a  missionai'v  lo  the  western  In- 
dians, and  died  in  the  west  leaving  one  son.] 

2.  Ai^EXANDEH.  [1).  in  Windham.  July  9,  1788.  ni.  1st.  Kli/.a- 

l)eth  Fairbanks  of  Fiancestown.  Apj-.  27.  181-').  2nd.  Cai- 
oline  True  of  Ffaiicestown.  Feb.  21.  l8ot).  d.  in  Frances- 
town,  Aug.  12,  1860.  was  long  one  of  the  leading  citi- 
zens of  tile  town.  Children  by  1st  inairiage.  all  born  in 
Fiaiieestow  11.  were: — 

>Sus(ttiii(i/i  jBi/(hi</x.  {\).  Apr.  2o.  1814.  111.  Elias  J*.  Bryant 
of  Franeestown.  Sept.  4,  1834,  res.  in  Franeestown.  has 
greatly  assisted  the  i;onipilers  of  this  Avork.) 

Mtiri/.  (  b.  Mar.  o.  l.Slt).  in.  Kimball  W.  i^mersoii  of  Fran- 
eestown. Oet.  8.  1840.  res.  in  Nashtia. ) 

Elizabeth  Fairhank.^,  (b.  Apr.  9,  1818,  m.  lioraee  Fettee  of 
Manehester.  Nov.  7, 1848.  d.  in  Manchester.  Jan.  2H,  1855.) 

S<(r(i!u  (b.  A[)r.  lo.  1820,  m.  Dr.  James  Crombie  of  Fran- 
eestown, Feb.  8,  1844,  d.  in  Deny,  Feb.  8,  1888.) 

'A^//f.  (I).  Oet.  28,  1822,  111.  George  F.  Billings  of  South 
Deeriield.  Mass.,  Nov.  24,  1858,  res.  in  Pasadena.  Cal. 

■Idine.^.  (b.  Oct.  24,  1822.  m.  Lueretia  Batehelder  of  F'raii- 
eestowu.  Se[)t.  28.  1848,  d.  in  Sandoval.  111..  Nov.  11. 
1874.) 

Adaline,  ( b.  Oct.  4.  1824.  d.  Jan.  11,  1827.) 

EUais  Ahj-andcr.  ( b.  Feb.  6,  1827,  m.  Caroline  Batehelder 
of  Conway,  Mass.,  Oct.  3,  1850.  She  was  the  daugliter 
of  Kimljall  and  Armenia  (Stearns)  Batcheldei-.  and  was 
born  in  Conway.  Jan.  16,  1829.  Mr.  Wilson  was  a  man 
of  means  and  inliuence  and  served  a  nitmber  of  years 
upon  the  board  of  selectmen.  Children  were: — Charles 
E.,  b.  in  Buckland,  Mass..  Feb.  3,  1852,  ni.  Lydia  T. 
Dickinson  of  Amherst,  Mass.,  May  8,  1876,  is  an  over- 
seer in  a  hat  factory  in  Amherst,  Mass.,  Sarah  L.,  b.  in 
Franeestown.  Mar.  16,  1856,  m.  1st,  Farlin  A.  Temple  of 


'.•H»)  GENEALOGIES. 

New  ^■(.l•k  Slate.  Dec.  27.  1874.  'JikI,  Edward  W.  DoUi- 
\er  (if  l.\  udeborougli.  N.  H..  Mar.  18.  1877.  ret?,  in 
L\  lulehoid".  Harriet  A.,  b.  IS'ov.  17.  1860.  in  Frances- 
low  ]i.  ni.  Dr.  Ilerbei't  S.  Hutchinson  of  Milfoid,  July  22, 
1 882.  r^^s.  ill  Milford,  Elizabetli  F..  b.  in  i-'rancestown. 
Dec.  10.  18()8,  res.  in  Milford. ) 

J/o.sv'.s-.  (b.  June  27.  1821*.  d.  Auo.  3.  1881.) 

Aiisfiii  Br'i<lh>r<l.  (  b.  .Jan.  :-).  18o2.  m.  .Mary  Ikisli  of  Dehi- 
waie.  ()iiio.  May  8.  18()5.  res.  in  Norton,  ()liio.) 

ILirriet  A</ii/iiic.  (1).  .Inly  19,  1834.  ni.  Cieorne  L.  Sniead  of 
Coiiunbiis.  ()liio.  July  16,  186-).  d.  in  Colunilms.  Ma\* 
10,  1870.)] 

0.  Anne.  [!>.  in    Pelliain.    Jan.  27.  171»l.ni.  Dinion    Dodt^e  of 

New  Boston.  May  11,  1811.  d.  in  Nashua.  Aug.  29,  1863.] 
4.  John.  [b.  in  Francestow)i.  -Ian.  1.  1793,  removed   to    Dela- 
ware, Ohio,  where  he  I'eared  a  large  family.] 
.").  James  BitADFOUD.  [b.  May  8.  1795,  d.  in  infancy.] 

6.  Samuel,  [b.  Dec.  10,  1797.  removed  to  Delaware.  Oliio.  d. 

there  July  23,  1825.] 

7.  I\(>MEKT,  [b.  Nov.  4.  1799,  d.  in  infancy.] 

8.  Elizabeth,  [b.    in    Francestown.  Oct.   27,  1801.  m.  David 

Bush  of  Delaware.  Ohio.  Jan.  1,  1820,  d.  July  11,  1877, 
in  Delaware,  ("o.  Ohio.] 

9.  Peksis.  [1).  Mar.  4.  1805.  d.  in  infancy.] 

10.  Fkancks  MAitiA.  [h.  Sept.  16.  1808.  m.  Samuel  B.  Col- 
lins of  Francestiiwn,  Feb..  1829,  d.  in  Ghent.  Minn.^ 
Aug.  21.  1887.] 

EJ.MEH  ]•:.  WILSON  laiiie  lare  from  Wlitoii  in  1S86.  Hi'  was 
l)()rn  in  Antrim.  Dec  :!n.  iSCi-J.  and  married  .Jennie  M.  Sweetser.  born 
in  Fi-ancestown.  Apr.  •-".).  ISi;:',.     Their  children  are:  — 

1.  [Florence  J.,  [b.  in  Wilton,  Sept.  20,  1881.] 

2.  [Geoiige  E..  [b.  in  Wilton,  May  3,  1884.] 

3.  Ella  E.,  [b.  in  Wilton.  July  14,  1886.] 

4.  Oka  M.,  [b.  in  Francestown,  Nov.  29,  1893.] 

WINN. 

BEX.JAMIX  WIN>»'  was  the  son  of  Nazareth  Winn,  who  died  of 
eonsumption  in  Bennington.  Benjamin  was  born  in  Greenfield  and 
married  Margaret    Foote    of  this  town,  (Pub.  Nov.  3.  LS,37).      He    re- 


WILSON,    WITHERSPOON.  *.»ST 

sidt'd  in  Bennington  and  Antrim.  From  the  latter  place  he  came 
here  about  the  year  18A8,  and  lived  and  was  employed  on  the  Gibson 
farm.  He  died  here  Jan.  25. 1.S62,  a2:ed  fortv-nine  years.  Mis  widow 
has  since  been  a  resident  of  this  town.     Their  children;: — 

1.  Emily,  [b.  in    Bennington,  Apr.  19,  1841,  ni.  Albert   Whit- 

field of  France.sto\vn,  Jan.  14,  1862,  res.  in  this  town.] 

2.  HAi{\n<:Y  Ho\vai;d,  [1).  in  Bennington.     He  enlisted  in  the 

2nd  New  Hampsliire  Regiment    when    eigliteen  years    of 

age,  and  was  killed  in  the  second  Bull  Run    engagement, 

Aug.  29,  1862.     His  name  may  be  seen  updii  tlie  soldiers 

monument  lately  dedicated  in  Antrim.] 
;>.   Almiua,  [b.  in    Antrim,  m.  William  Walhice    ol    ('oncord, 

res.  in  Concord.] 
4.   Alonzo.  [b.  in    Antrim,  m.  Lenoi-a  Jones,  res.  in  Wilton.] 
').   Ann.  [b.  in  Antrim,  m.  E'lward    Nealey  of  Lowell.  Mass., 

res.  in  Nashua.] 
6.   Chaiile.s.  [b.  in  Antrim,  where  he  died  when    lliree    \onrs 

of  age.] 

WITHERSPOON. 

JOHN  WITHP^RSPOON.  a  Scotchman,  from  the  Scot(di  part  (.f 
Ireland,  located  for  a  time  in  York.  Me.,  but  bought  and  settled  in 
that  part  of  Chester  uoav  Auburn,  in  May,  1741.  He  had  children. 
Daniel,  Alexander,  .James,  David,  Robert  and  Mary.  Pi-obal>ly  Alex- 
ander was  the  youngest,  as  tliis  order  of  names  is  not  authoritative. 
There  seems  to  have  been  an  earlier  Alexander  Witherspoon  in  Ches- 
ter, but  no  doubt  this  is  the  one  who  married  Jane  Stai-rett  of  Fran- 
cestown.  Mar.  20,  IT.'^S,  settled  in  Anti-im.  and  died  ilicfc  in  1S4S. 
aged  eighty-seven. 

JAMES,  son  of  John  came  to  Francestown  and  Iniill  the  Willard 
house.  1791,  and  had  a  store  in  it,  and  after  a  few  years  moved  to 
Maine.      Had  a  son  James.  .Jr..  taxed  here  in  171)."C 

DAVID,  son  of  John,  was  an  officer  in  the  Hevolutiduary  Armv. 
returned,  and  lived  and  died  in  Chestei'. 

HOHEHT.  son  of  John,  settled  in  Chester  and  died  in  1711.'). 

M.VHV.  daughter  of  .John,  m.  William  McDole  and  lived  and  died 
in  the  south  part  of  (ioffstown. 

D.VXIEIi.  son  of  John,  born  in  Sandown.  Aug.  12.  1742.  piohahly 
the  oldest  of  the  famil}',  settled  on  the  homestead,  in  Chesici-.  but 
sold  in  17S4.  and  the  following   vear.  located  in  this    town,      lie    li\e  I 


M88  GENEALOGIES. 

jibout  u})i)osite  to  the  Jacol)  Cooper  hou?<c.  and  died  here  in  Feb.  11, 
1827,  aged  eighty-six.  His  wife  was  Sarah  Melvin  of  Chester,  born 
June  1,  1747,  and  sister  of  Abraham  Melvin,  Sr.,  of  Weare,  it  is  said. 
Probabl}'  this  was  tlie  one  whose  name  was  given  as  Elizabeth,  oi' 
Sarah  Elizabeth.  They  were  married  Dec.  S.  1770.  she  died  Oct.  7. 
lS-24.     Their  cliildren  wei'e.  though  perhaps  not  in  tliis  exact  order: — 

1.  Rachei..  [b.  ill  Clu'stci-.  Dt'f.  1^5.  1771:  m.  Samuel  Mc- 
Pherson,  Feb.  lo.  1794.  d.  in  (ioslicii.  \''t.  See  AlcPhei- 
soM  family.] 

•1.  JoiiM  McMastek.  [1).  Dec.  17.  177^).  was  a  deal  mute; 
uiim.;  was  killed  hy  beiiin'  llnowii  I'rnm  a  lioise.  May  22, 
1801I.  It  was  Sal)!)atli  moniiiiL;'  and  he  went  into  the 
pastttre  to  eatcli  tlie  horse  id  ^o  lo  eliurch.  jumped  onto 
its  \y.\vk.  and  stalled  w  ithont  saddle  or  bridle  at  a  i-apid 
pace  for  tlie  hou.se.  w  Iumi  the  horse,  t'rio-hteneil  ai  some- 
tliino'.  suddenly  sto])ped  and  ihicw  lum  ovei-  its  head, 
breaking-  his  neck.] 

o.  Thomas,  [b.  Oet.  10.  177i;,  lost  at  sea,  Sept..  iSOl.] 

4.  Lois,  [b.  Apr.  4.  1778.  deaf  mute.  num..  <1.  here  May  16, 
1864.] 

o,  KOBEIIT,  [b.  .May  8.  1780.  m.  Annie  Moore,  (probably  from 
Deny),  Mar.  25.  1807:  was  a  blaeksmitli:  went  to  Port- 
laiKl  Me.:  d.  there  F^eb.  18.  1842.] 

6.  Jenny,  [b.  Sept.  26.  1783;  unm.:   was   said  to  be  the   -first 

woman    in    Francestown    ever   to    work    in  a  faetory:"   d. 
here  May  16,  1868.] 

7.  Benjamin,  [b.  June   26,178,");   remained    on  the  old    home- 

stead: d.  July  14.  1864:   unm.] 

WOOD. 

JEREMIAHi  WOOD  the  great  great  grandfather  of  Nathan  Henr}- 
Wood  of  Francestown,  married  Dorothy  Burnett  in  Lyme,  Ct.,  March 
29,  1709.  She  was  a  granddaughter  of  Henry  Champion  who  was 
born  in  England  in  1611.  and  coming  to  America,  was  one  of  the  ear- 
liest settlers  of  Saybrook  and  Lyme.  Ct.  She  died  July  17,  1752. 
Jeremiah  Wood  died  in  Littleton.  Mass.,  July  lo,  1730,  aged  tifty-two 
years.  His  son.  John^.  born  Feli.  :'>.  1719.  m.  Lydia  Davis  in  Har- 
vard, Mass.,  Oct.  19,  1743.  lie  died  at  Littleton,  Mass.,  Apr.  8.  17(58, 
Johns  his  son  was  born  at  Littleton.  Mass..  Sept.  3.  1747,  and  mar- 
ried Lucy  Martin  in  1769.  She  was  born  at  Old  Ipswich.  Mass..  July 
11.17.")1.     John3,  desiirnated  as   Deacon  John,  died  at    Littleton.  May 


WOOD.  989 

4,  182B,  Carshenn*  \\'o(i(l.  son  of  Deacon  John,  was  born  in  Littleton, 
Xov.  19.  1776,  married.  1st.  JJetsey  Lawience,  2n(l.  Tivphena  Law- 
ivnce.  Carshena*  suceeeded  to  the  large  patrimonial  estate,  which 
comprised  a  farm  of  three  hundred  acres  besides  outlying  lands.  The 
farm  was  in  that  part  of  Littleton,  which  is  now  Ijoxboro',  here  he 
died  July  lo,  1854.  His  widow  Tryphena  (Lawrence)  "Wood  also  died 
in  Boxboro'.  Aug.  .'jO,  1870.  aged  seventy-six  years. 

NATHAN  HE^'KY  WOOD  son  of*  Carshena  Wood  was  horn  upon 
the  homestead  in  Littleton,  (now'lioxboro',)  May  22,  1828.  He  went 
early  in  life  to  Honf)lulu.  Sandwich  Islands,  where  he  was  for  a  nuni- 
i)er  of  years  employed  in  \hv  shoe  l)usiness.  While  in  that  city,  he 
was  made  familial'  with  many  events  of  note  in  the  history  of  the  Is- 
lands, and  knew  personally  the  dignitaries  of  the  realm.  He  was 
present  at  the  wedding  of  (^)ut(ii  Knnna  at  Honolulu.  He  has  with 
other  meiiientocs  a  gold  medal  presented  to  him  by  King  Kameha- 
nu'ha  n',  as  a  prize  foi-  supei-ior  marksmanship  while  a  member  of 
the  Honolulu  Rifle  Company.  lie  was  married  in  1872  to  Ella  J'lo- 
retta  Nutting  of  Fraiicestown.  and  lived  a  shoi't  time  at  Ayer  Junc- 
tion. Mass.,  ere  his  connng  to  Fi'ancestown  to  reside,  which  was  in 
1874,  when  he  came  into  possession  of  his  present  home,  the  Moses 
Bradford  place.  During  his  residence  here  he  has  filled  the  office  of 
supervisor  and  constable.  He  is  a  man  of  extensive  information,  ac- 
(juired  through  reading  and  travel.      Ilis  children:  — 

1.   Cora  Florktta,  [li.  in  .Vyer.  Mass..  .\pr.  27.  1873.] 
•2.  Allen  He.vi;.v.  [h.  in  Francestowii.  May  3(1.  1881.  died   in 
Fran cest o w 1 1 .  \\\<^.  7.1881.] 

SYLVANUS  (xILnEirr  WOOD  came  to  live  on  the  Gilbert  farm 
ill  the  fall  of  1858.  He  was  liorn  in  Topsham.  Vt.,  Feb.  17,  1830. 
Ilis  father,  Ansoii  Wood,  was  a  native  of  Lyme,  and  his  mother,  Lo- 
rinda  (Currier)  Wood,  was  born  in  Orange.  Vl.  He  married,  l.st, 
Lestina  Gilbert  of  this  town,  Dec.  IB.  1858,  2nd,  Dec.  10.  1885.  Net- 
tie O.  (Schlim)  Osburne,  whose  native  place  is  New  York  City.  She 
married,  first  Sylvester  Osburne  by  whom  she  had  one  daughter.  Ber- 
tha L.  who  was  born  in  Weare.  Jan.  P>.  1870.  ^Fr.  Wood  has  (by  his 
second  marriage)  one  child: — 

1."  E\A  Edna.  [b.  in  Fraiicestown.  Feb.  2.  1887.] 
WOODHinDOE. 

Hkv.  JOHNi  WOODBllllX^E  was  Iiorn  in  England,  in  1(11:;.  He 
came  to  this  country  in  1034.  .  He  married  Mercy,  daughter  of  (.o\. 
Thomas  Dudley  of  .Massachusetts  Colony  in  1639,  and  died  at  Head- 
inir  Mass..  Mar.  17.  ir)l)5.  His  fourth  child.  Rev.  Benjamin-  Wood- 
hi-idue.  horn  in  lt',45.  married    Marv.  (hiughler   of  Rev.  .lohn  Ward    of 


99(1  fiENEALOfilKS. 

Haverhill,  Mass.,  June  :],  l(i72.  and  died  Jan.  1."),  1710.  His  son  IJen- 
janiins  born  Oct.  12,  lOSO,  married  Marv.  daughter  ol  Peter  Osgood 
of  Salem,  Mass.,  Sept.  9,  1715.  He  died  June,  174().  His  son  Ben- 
JMmin-*  born  in  Salem.  Mass..  Apr.  IS.  171S.  married  Altia  Tronibley 
of  Somersworth.  died  in  1S04,  IJenjamin'"'.  his  son,  l)orn  at  .Vndovei'. 
Mass.,  Jan.  7.  \7'u.  married  Martha  Melendy  of  Heading.  Mass.,  in 
1785,  died  Api-.  l;^,  1S4(),  Osgood*',  liis  son.  born  at  Andover,  Mass.. 
Feb.  27,  17i)2,  married  Hannah  Stevens.  .Inly  :51 .  1S18.  died  at  Green- 
tield,  Oct.  ;],  18S2.  His  wife  was  Inini  at  Andover.  Mass..  .July  12. 
1796,  died  at  .Vndover,  Feb.  !».  IS2().  The  last  named  were  ilic  parents 
of  (Jeorge  ]>.  \\'oodbridge   foi'merly  ol    Franceslowii. 

(iKOlKiK  JJ.  WOODBHIIXJI-:.  son  of  Osgood  and  Hannah 
(Stevens)  Woodbridge.  was  boi-n  in  Ando\er,  Mass.,  Mar.  1,1H2(I, 
and  married  at  Andover,  Eliza  Woodl)iidg(>,  Jan.  81 ,  1849.  She  was 
l)oi-n  July  12,  1S2S.  and  died  at  IJennington,  Nov.  S.  ISS.").  (ieorge 
]>..  eame  here  from  (Jreentield  in  llu'  spring  of  iSCij.  lived  until  tlu' 
summer  of  18r)'l.  on  tlie  Hrewster  or  Joslin  place,  and  then  returned 
to  Greenfield.  He  enlisted  Sept.  5,  1S()4.  in  the  Isi  New  Hampshire 
Volunteers,  Company  Iv,  Heavy  Artilery  and  was  discharged  Aug.  S, 
1865,  for  disaliilily.  He  died  in  ileiininglun.  .Ian.  11.  1S88.  Only 
child  is: — 

1.  riFJ)i;(;E.  [1).  in     I'^ancestowii.  Dec.   29,  1861,  m.  Annie  L. 
I'liclps    of    l-'iaiice.stowii,    Nov.    2-).    1886.    res.    in    Ben- 


nington.] 


WOODIUKY 


JOHN'i  WOODUriiY.  the  emi-i-ant  ancestor  of  Peter  Woodbury 
who  settled  in  Francestown  was  doubtless  tlu^  son  of  John  Woodbury, 
Jr..  of  lUirlescombe  in  the  hundred  of  Hampton.  Devon.  Fng.,  who 
mai-ried  Jane  Ilumffries.  .June  2.  159().  Of  John  the  father  of  John, 
•Ir. .  little  is  known,  sav(>  that  he  was  ta.xed  for  lands  in  Burlescombe 
as  early  as  154.">.  One  William  Woodlniry  was  Lord  Prior  of  Wor- 
cester in  151o.  and  the  names  John.  Nicholas.  Alicia  aufl  Walter 
Woodltury  wei'c  entered  much  earlier  upon  the  tax  lists  of  the  parish 
of  Woodl)ui'y.  hundred  of  East  Budleigli.  county  of  Devon,  and  a 
IJoberto  de  Wodeberie  (knight)  was  witness  to  a  deed  A.  D.  1241.  In 
the  records  of  the  exchecpier  for  A.  I).  1216. — l.'JOS.  is  found  the 
naiiH^  of  William  de  •■Wodelierie'"  who  was  credited  with  hold- 
ing lands  in  -AVodeljere"  and  --F^sse''  anil  •■Brigeford."  From 
this  primitix'e  orthography  of  tlie  name  it  is  doubtless  rightly  con- 
jectured tliai  it  is  derived  fi-oni  the  Danish  >r<iihn  and  in  the  .\nglo 
Saxon  is  a  compound  of  wode.  meaning  ••mad  or  furious."  ami  />"/// 
ovhiji-iij  e(|uivalein  to  (German  lun-ijli  or  English  hordinjli.  An  old 
Danish  earthwoi'k   known  a>  Woodbury  castle,  is  still  to  be  seen    upctn 


wooDi'.ritv.  991 

a  hill  in  ihe  p.iri.-h  to  which  it  ^avc  ils  nainc  l)i'iorr  thf  coiKiiu'si  by 
the  Normaii>.  Tlic  date  of  the  rnuoval  ol'  .loluii  fi-om  IJurlcsconibe 
lo  Somersetshire,  whence  lie  came  lo  Anievica,  is  not  known.  In 
l(V2-J:.  he  landed  at  Cape  Ann  heinii'  then  connected  with  the  Dorches- 
ter company  of  which  Hiciiliou  lias  been  made  in  l  he  iicnealou'v  of 
the  Balch  family.  When  in  Ki-Jfi  that  company  met  with  I'ailni'e  and 
most  of  its  members  returned  to  Knyland,  John  Woodbury  with 
John  Balch.  Roger  (,'onani.  and  Peter  Palfries,  having  been  promised 
grants  of  land  at  Xaumkeag  now  Salem,  by  Kev.  John  White  one  of 
the  leading  spirits  of  the  company,  decided  to  remain,  ami  in  ICrJC) 
they  removed  with  their  stores  and  their  stock  to  Xaumkeag  ;iiul  thus 
))ecame  the  first  settlers  of  Salem.  Mass.  lu  the  autumn  of  the  fol- 
lowing year  (1627.)  John  Woodbury  went  to  England  in  the  interest 
of  the  ''planters."  He  remained  in  England  six  months  rendering 
important  service  to  the  little  colony,  ny  i)rocnring  for  the  same, 
much  needed  supplies  and  by  ol)taining  from  the  company  at  home  a 
■'comfortable  answer  to  them  that  sent  him.''  He  now  brought  with 
him  to  America  his  son  Humphrey'-, and  his  younger  brother  William^ 
is  thought  by  some  to  iiaxf  accompanied  him.  al  this  time  (l(i2S). 
His  name  often  appeal's  upon  the  records  of  the  colony  in  testimony 
of  his  prominence.  Several  years  he  was  constal)le  and  as  such  as- 
sessed, collected  and  dislnirsed  taxes,  recorded  deeds,  boundaries  of 
land,  etc.  He  was  constantly  a  l)iisy  surveyor,  and  as  ••an  old  Planter" 
received  2(10  acres  from  the  Hay  Company.  In  .May.  Ki;)').  he  was 
sent  to  the  general  court  as  de])uty  from  Salem,  and  again  in  Septem- 
ber of  that  yeai-.-  In  K',;;);.  lie  was  one  df  the  seleitmen.  In  1(537  and 
until  his  death  he  again  held  tlu'  office  of  selectman,  and  in  that  year  he 
was  again  chosen  deputy,  and  again  in  Ki.'JS.  liesides  hohling  many 
minor  offices.  He  and  his  wife  Agnes  were  members  of  the  first 
church  in  Salem.  He  died  in  l(j41.  His  age  was  not  known,  but 
it  is  thought  to  have  been  -'not  much  above  sixty."  It  has  been 
said  of  his  life  that  it  was  one  --of  energy  and  faithfulness  to  the 
interests  of  the  colony."  John'  Woodbury  was  twice  married. 
His  second  wife  whose  name  was  Agnes,  (often  written  .\nnis 
and  Ann,)  survived  him.  Humphrey'-^,  born  in  1(509.  the  only 
child  who  came  with  him  to  America.  Avas  in  Ki.-JS.  tlie  head 
of  a  family.  John  li;id  l)esides:  Hannah'-'  liaiUized  in  1(J36. 
Abigails  in  l(i;37.  and  Peter'-  in  l()4t).  Peter'-  son  of  John' 
and  Ann  Woodbury  was  Ijorn  Sept.  li*.  I(j4().  he  married,  first. 
Abigail  Batehelder,  second.  Sarah  Dodge.  By  the  first  marriage  he 
had  Peter^,  born  Dec.  12.  l()(')(i,  died  July  H.  1704  from  him  des- 
cended James  Woodbury  whose  last  years  were  spent  in  Frances- 
town.  By  the  second  marriage  (to  Sarah  Dodge).  Peter  had  Josiah^ 
born  June  15.  1(>S2.  married  L3fdia  Herrick  in  1708  and  had  one 
son.  Josiah"!.  and'four  daughters.  Josiah*  was  born  Feb.  15,  1709, 
and  married  Hannah  Perkins  of  Ipswich  who  died  in  1761,  aged  forty- 


1>1»2  GENEAUXilES. 

.■<ix  years,  lie  died  in  177.').  Tlicy  had  two  sons  and  four  daughtt'i>. 
Peter-T.  t<un  of  Josiah'*  and  llannali  (rcikins)  Woinlbury  was  born  in 
Beverly.  Mass..  Mar. -JS.  17:?S.  He  niairird  Mrs.  Klizabeth  (I)od<;e) 
Rea.  widow  of  .James  I'ea,  in  17<'iii.  Alioiit  1770  be  i-enioved  from 
Beverly  lo  a  pait  of  Anibersl.  N.  11..  iliat  is  now  .Moni  \'ei-non.  His 
name  is  npon  the  list  of  names  of  ciii/.i  iis  of  Andieist  who  in  177.-> 
pledged  themselves  to  resist  the  tyranny  of  (ireat  Britain.  There  is 
also  evidence  that  he  afterward  saw  serviee  in  the  1! evolutionary  war. 
and  that  long  previous  to  this  be  x  ivc(l  in  tlir  Ficndi  and  Indian 
war.  He  was  moreover  a  memlxT  of  the  conveniion  limi  framed  the 
lirst  eonstitiition  of  New  Hampshire.  llcdicil  ()(i.  11.  1S17  in  An- 
trim where  he  lived  in  his  old  age  and  wiiert'  liis  wife  also  passed 
away.  .Vitril  lit.  ISI-J.  Peter",  his  son.  wa>  hoiii  in  Beverly.  Jan.  !t, 
17(57.  he  married  Mary  Woodbury.  l)orii  at  Be\eily.  .Vug.  1.").  17<')lt. 
She  was  the  liaULiliter  of  .Jame>  \\  oodhui'y.  wiio  wa>  of  the  lifth  gen- 
eration from  .John',  the  line  of  deseeiit  heiiii;: — lohn'.  I'eter-. 
Peter-*.  Peter^.  .lame-"'.  Peter-*,  father  of  .James,  served  in  the 
Frem-h  war  in  ('olonoi  Plaisted's  regiment,  and  in  \~~')  wa>  a  minute 
man.  beinti'  a  serireant  in  the  company  of  C'apt.  (  .il;!!  Pea.  his  cousin, 
and  was  in  the  battle  of  I.exiiigtoii.  altlioUL;b  then  more  than  sixty- 
tiiiu'  years  o|'  auc  ( ioveriior  ^\'oodllUl•y  of  \'(i-monl  is  a  descend- 
ant of  one  of  his  sons.  AVheii  t weiity  years  of  age.  Jarnes  enlisted 
in  t'oi.  Bagley's  n'^imeni  of  Ma>s.  Pungers  and  marched  to  Lake 
(ieori^e.  where  be  participalcd  in  all  the  hard  lighting  of  the  eani- 
]tai,uii.  In  the  following  year  he  went  to  Louisldirg  and  to  (^)ue)(cc. 
and  was  with  (ren.  Wolfe  in  the  battle  on  the  Ileiirhts  of  iMiraham  in 
which  engagement  .James  was  wounded.  lie  married  Hannah  "J'rask. 
Nov.  '>.  1701.  and  in  17fif;  went  to  .Vmherst.  N.  II..  where  he  resided 
until  isod.  when  be  came  to  Fra)icest<nvn  to  spend  his  last  days  at 
the  home  of  liis  daugluei'.  here  he  died  Mar.  ;>.  IS-j."}.  His  wife  also 
dieil  here  Oct.  .").  ISli).  Sju-ab  bis  fifth  child  born  May  o.  1771.  mar- 
ried. 1st.  .Josiah  Beard.  Dec.  :\.  17!>.'!.  •2inl.  Isaac  .Vndrews.  She  died 
at  the  home  of  .Jesse  WooiHuii-y  in  this  town  Mar.  '2'>.  lH(i3. 

PETKP''  W()()1)B!'];V.  l.oni  .Ian.'.).  I7t;7.  came  to  Fraiieesiow  ii. 
from  Amherst  (now  Mont  X'ernon)  about  the  y(!ar  17.'^r).  He  Ijegan 
business  as  a  merchant  on  (tr  near  the  ]^irk  place  south  of  the  village, 
but  soon  opened  a  store  in  the  village  and  later  built  the  residence 
since  owned  by  his  descendants.  Mr.  Woodbury  was  for  many  3'ears 
a  leading  citizen  of  FrancestoAvn.  He  represented  the  town  in  the 
legislature  for  a  long  period  of  years  besides  serving  two  terms  as 
state  senator  and  holding  ofHces  in  the  town.  He  married  Mary 
Woodburj',  daughter  of  .Tames,  as  previously  mentioned,  Ajn-il.  178('». 
He  died  in  Francestown,  Sept.  1'2.  18."{4.  -His  wife  died  in  Frances- 
town,  Dec.  31,  1S39.     Children  all  born  in  Francestown  were: — 


r>r' 


wooDiiriiv.  !>9o 

1.  Makv.  [b.    Oct.    28.1787.111.    l^t,  Dr.   Adoiiijali    Howe    of 

Jatt'rey,  May    14.  1807.  :2ii(l.  Dr.  Luke    Howe    of  Jaffrey, 
Jan.  25.  181!>.  d.  at  Westford,  Mass..  Jan.  18.  1875.] 

2.  Levi.  [b.  Dee.  2.  178'.t.      He  was  o-radiiated  at    Dartiiiotitli 

College  ill  1809.  and  beyaii  the    study  of  law.  wliieli    was 
persued  a  poitioii  of  the   time  tinder   Jud^e  (ioiild  at    the 
Law    School    in    I^itehfiehl.  Connecticut,  and    for  a  period 
under   Hon.  Samuel    Dana  at    Boston,  and   afterward    un- 
der Jud^e  Jerennah  Smith  at  Exeter.      He  be^'an  tlie  prac- 
tice ol'  his    jji'ofessioii  in   Se}itein1)ei'.  181-').  wlicii    his    line 
abilities  found  inimediate  jecoonition  and  gained    loi'  him 
a  practice  never  exceded  by  that  of  any  yoiui!^'  hiwyei-    in 
the  state  in  liis  first  year  at  tlie  bai-.      Tiie  room  whicli  was 
his  liist  hiw  oHice.  may  still  l)e  seen  in  tlie  Woodbury  resi- 
dence in  our  village      In  1810, he  was  appointed  one  of  the 
associates    justices    of  the   Su[)reme  Coui-t  of  New  Hamp- 
shire and  tiionuli  iiis   youth  caused   unfavorable    comment 
I»\-  the  opposing'  political  ])ai1y.  his    masterly  |(e)lorinaiice 
of   his  (huies  won  public    a|)probation.      In    1810.  he  mar- 
ried Llizabetli  W.  Clapp. 'daughter  of    Hon.  Asa  Chtpp   of 
roilhiiid.    Maine,    and    ]'emo\ed    his    residence    to    Ports- 
moiiih.      in  March,  1823,  he  w^as  elected  ^-ovcrnor   ol'  the 
stale  1)\  a  very  large    majority.      In    1824  he    leturned   to 
the  [Jiactice  of  his  profession  at  Portsmouth,  but  in  1825. 
he    was    elected  to    the    legislature     from    tliat     city    and 
chosen    speaker    of     the    house,    and    before    tlie    session 
closed    elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  in  which  Inuly 
he    took    his   seat    in  Decemlier    of  that    year.      Here   his 
gras})  of  the  great  national   (juestions  of  that  time  gained 
for  him  high  popular  esteem  and  tlie  respect   of  his  polit- 
ical rivals  while  extracts  from  his  forceful  speeches    were 
-    made    the    key   notes    of    party  creed    in    many  a  iiigged 
campaign.      His  term   ended   Mar.  4.  18ol,  and  in  May  of 
that  year  lie  was  invited  by  President  Jackson  to  take  the 
secretaryshi})   of  the   navy  which    he    accepted,  after    de- 
clining a  seat    in    the    State    Senate  to  which  he  had  been 
elected,  and  the  mission    to  Spain  which  had  been  offered 
him  by  General  Jackson.      As  the  head  of  the    Naval  De- 
partment, he  was  most  efficient,  his  policy  and    course   of 


Om  GENEAIXXMES. 

action  I)('iiiL;-  such  as  to  oain  tui'  liis  own  ^overiinient  tlie 
res})ecl  of  all  nations  however  i-eiuote.  and  whatever  the 
social  condition  of  their  j)eoi)le.  The  seveie  [)iniishment 
adniinisiered  1)\-  ( 'oniniodore  John  Downes.  at  Quallah 
lialtoo  upon  the  Malay  priates  was  the  result  of  ins  eii- 
cr^N  and  decision.  In  1  S:')4  lu^  was  appointed  secretary 
of  tlie  treasuiy.  which  oflice  he  held  uiuh-r  Mr.  \'an 
liuicn.  ()f  Mr.  \\'oodl)nry  as  secretary  of  the  treasury 
in  iliosc  \t'ars  of  ureal  hay-ainl  and  trial  to  that  depart- 
intMii.  it  has  heeii  said  that  ••periiaps  iu>  man  in  the  I'uited 
States  could  have  suriH(Uinte(l  the  obstacles  which  he 
overcame."*  In  1 S41  he  was  ai^ain  elected  to  the  riiited 
States  Semite  1)\  the  legislature  of  New  Haiupshii'e.  He 
took  his  scat  in  the  senate  on  March  4th.  1  (S41 .  That 
hody  then  boasted  its  intellectual  and  political  giants. 
l)Ut  even  among  these,  his  native  ahilit}'  and  his  long  ex- 
perience in  i)ublic  service  gave  liiui  a  marked  pioniinence. 
In  184o  President  Polk  invited  him  to  till  a  vacancy  on 
tlie  su[)reme  court  beuch.  caused  by  tlie  resigmition  of 
.ludge  Story.  This  he  accepted  after  declining  the  Mis- 
sion to  Knghuul  offered  him  by  Mr.  Polk.  Mauy  of  the 
decisions  rendered  by  him  in  the  few  years  of  his  labors 
ui»oii  the  supreme  beuch.  are  among  the  luost  important 
aud  historic  that  have  emiuated  from  that  tribtiual.  On 
liis  return  from  Washingtoti.  in  the  spring  of  1851,  it 
was  evident  to  his  friends  that  the  constant  labors  of  his 
unusually  active  life  were  underminitig  his  constitution. 
At  this  time  his  name  was  being  mentioned  in  connec- 
tion w  ith  the  presidency  and  it  w.as  believed  that  his 
noinimition.  in  the  coming  campaign  would  tmite  the  sev- 
eral elements  of  his  party  and  at  least  not  enhance  the  an- 
tagonism of  its  opponents  since  as  has  been  said  "he 
commanded  a  good  report  in  all  sections  of  the  country." 
But  the  decline  (jf  his  health  was  now  painfully  appar- 
ent and  his  honors  with  his  days  were  numbered.  He 
died  at  his  home  in  Portsmouth,  Sept.  4,  1851,  His 
son: — 


.^iS****''^!^ 


■^'^%^yy'T  Bather 


^^^^-^^.^^-^^^^^^/^^ 


WOf)DP.UHV.  l»!l;") 

('h,irh'i<  Levi,  (born  in  Portsmonth  iMay  22,  1820.  In  1881 
lie  went  with  his  parents  to  the  City  of  Washington, 
wliei-e  he  jveeived  the  o'reater  j)art  of  liis  education. 
He  was  admitted  to  tlie  bai'  ])efore  lie  l)ecanie  of  aee.  and 
in  1840.  removed  to  ALabama,  where  lie  entered  upon. the 
praetice  of  law.  In  Nov.,  1845.  he  settled  in  Boston. 
Mass..  and  was  soon  after  admitted  to  the  bai-  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  tiie  I'nited  States,  on  motion  of  Daniel 
Webster.  He  \Aas  nominated  l)v  Piesident  Pier(^e. 
Charge  d'Aifaii-s  to  Bolivia  which  he  declined.  He  was 
appointed  I'nited  States  attorney  for  Massachusetts,  hav- 
ing been  nominated  for  that  position  by  President 
Buchanan.  He  was  elected  to  the  Massachusetts  legisla- 
tui'e  of  which  lie  was  a  member  in  187<*  and  "71.  having 
I'esigned  the  office  of  I  nited  States  Commissioner  which 
he  had  held  for  many  years.  Mr.  Woodbury's  })rofes- 
sional  practice,  has  been  very  extended  lecjuiring  Ids  at- 
tendance at  tlie  Tnited  States  (;ourts  of  all  of  the  ^drth- 
ern  states,  and  at  the  Sujuemc  Court  in  \\'ashington.  I). 
V.  He  still-  resides  in  Boston.  To  him  we  are  greatlv 
indebted  for  valuable  contribntions  to  our  laboriously  ac- 
quired knowledge  of  the  Woodbury  genealogy.)] 

Petek  Pei;kixs.  [b.  Aug-.  8.  1791.  He  was  fitted  for  col- 
lege at  Atkinson  academy  and  at  Francestown  iicademy. 
After  studying  medicine  with  several  physicians  of  note 
and  attending  medical  lectures  at  Yale  and  at  Dartmouth, 
he  in  181;").  began  the  practice  of  medicine  at  (ioffstown, 
lieing  in  [»artnership  with  Dr.  Cove,  his  former  prece})tor. 
He  remained  at  (loffstown  six  niontlis.  when  he  removed 
to  Bedford.  He  was  chosen  [)resideiit  of  the  New 
Hampshire  Medical  Society  also  president  of  the  South- 
ern District  New  Harnpsliiie  Medical  Society,  and  presi- 
dent of  the  Hillsboro"  County  Agricultural  Society.  He 
m.,  1st.  Mary  Riddle  of  Bedford,  in  1818.  2nd.  Martha 
Riddle  of  Bedford.  Aug.  24,  1819.  :-5(l,  Kliza  Bailey, 
daughter  of  Josiali  (xordon,  Esq.  of  Bedford.  Oct..  1832. 
He  died  in  Bedford  aftei'  many  years  of  successful  })rac- 
tice,  Dec.  ."),  1800.] 


!•{•()  (r?:xKA !-()(;  IKS. 

4.  Anstriss  B..[1>.  May  :il^t.  1  7i»-">.  m.  Neliciiiiali  Rastiuaii  oi  Farm- 

iiigtoii.  Oct.  24.  1824.  •!    in   Fai-iniiiuton.  Sept.  10,  1847.] 

5.  Martha,  [b.  Aug-.  14,  17!H1.  m.  'riioinas    (riimes   of   Wind- 

sor. Vt.,  Sept.  10.  1818.  (I.  Dec.  2.").  18;').k] 
H.    Hannah  Tkask.  [1).  Mar.  17.  'ilW.  m.  Isaac  O.  Bai-nes  ol' 

Boston.  Mass..  d.  Feb.  27,  18oo.] 

J 

7.  James   Tuask,  [b.  May  *.>,  180:1  lie  was  nraduatiMl  at    llai- 

vard  college  in  182:>.  and  studied  law  a\  ith  his  brotber 
Levi  at  Portsnioiub.  was  a(biiit led- to  tlie  bar  in  1  82(!.  and 
settled  in  Ball)  where  he  remained  live  years.  A!tliouoh 
he  o'ave  ])root'  of  brilliant  abiUties  in  the  j)ractice  of  liis 
profession  he  i(din(]nish(^d  it  for  the  niinistr\-  and  was  in 
18:>2  orchiined  oxer  the  I^AaiiLiidieal  ehiirch  in  Acton. 
Mass..  wdiere  he  remained  t\\t'nt\-  \eai's.  He  re[ires(Mited 
Acton  in  the  leyislatiiic  with  nciv  marked  al)ilitv.  He 
mai'ried  Augusta  Poiter  of  .M(mU'oi(1.  Mass..  May  -51. 
1827.  In  1852  he  lemoNcd  to  Milford.  Mass..  wliere  he 
died  Jan.  16.  1861.] 

8.  HAintii-r.  [b.  May   1.  1800.  m.  I'erley  Dodge    of  Amherst. 

May  01.  18:-51.  d.  in  Amherst.  Feb.  11.  1887.] 

9.  Jesse,  [b.  May    17.    1807.    m.    Hanmih    \V.    Duncklee    of 

F'rancestown.  Sept.  2.  18;)4.  Mr.  Woodl)ury"s  life  was 
spent  in  Francestown.  He  served  U[)on  the  board  of  se- 
lectmen, was  justice  of  the  peace  and  for  many  years  a 
trustee  of  the  academy.  He  was  one  who  |)ieferi'ed  the 
sober  comforts  and  seclusion  of  his  home  to  the  emolu- 
meuts  and  attendant  bnidens  of  public  office,  a  man  with 
heart  as  large  and  princii)les  as  unquestioned  as  those  of 
his  illustrious  kinsmen.  He  died  at  his  home  July  4, 
1889.  His  children  all  bom  at  Francestown  w'ere: — 
Feter,  (b.  Jan.  13,  1836,  d.  in  Francestown,  Dec.  20.  1837.) 
Je-iKe  Perley,  (b.  Nov.  5.  1887.  He  received  an  academic 
education,  and  early  liegan  the  practice  of  law  in  the  of- 
lice  of  Chai-les  Levi  \Voodl)U)y  of  Boston.  Upon  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion  he  decided  to 
enter  the  service,  and  in  Aug.  of  1861.  accepted  an  ap- 
pointment from  (-lideon  Willes.  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  as 
assistant  paymaster  and  clerk  on  tempoi-ary  service  and 
oi'dered  for  dutv  on    the  Lnited  States    ship  Ino.  cruising 


wo<»i)Hri:v.  1>97 

ill  search  of  the  Sumter,  till  Jan.  10.  1862.  He  was 
then  (letaclied  and  oideied  for  duty  on  the  United  States 
yunboat  ("hocuni.  of  the  Noitli  Atlantic  squadron,  doino- 
duty  in  connection  witli  the  army  on  tlie  "^'ork  and  Pay- 
monkey  rivers.  Hani[)toii  Roads  and  other  points.  On 
June  13,  18()2.  A\liile  returning  in  the  cars  from  McC'lel- 
land's  army  to  White  House  [jandino-  he  \\iis  wounded  in 
an  attack  upon  the  tiain  hy  Stuart's  Cavalry  aiul  in  the 
followino-  .July  w:vs  detacluMl  from  the  Chocura.  In  Seji- 
leinlxM'  of  lS(i2.  he  was  coitiniissioued  assistant  })ayrnasier 
in  the  Tnited  States  navy,  and  in  October  of  that  year, 
was  ordered  foi'  duty  on  hoai'd  the  I'nited  States  iron 
clad  steanic)-  Passaic  which  soon  afterA\ard  partici|)a- 
led  in  the  lerrihc  bonibarchueiit  of  Forts  Sumter,  Moul- 
trie and  Mc:\lister  and  other  strongholds.  His  service 
on  board  tlie  Passaic  continued  one  year,  when  he  was  (h-- 
taclied.  and  in  December  nl  1  SHo.  was  ordered  for  dut\ 
(ui  board  the  United  Stales  steamer  Sacramento.  \\  liicli 
was  sent  into  foreign  A\aters  to  detect  and  t;heck  the  oper- 
ations of  confederale  (qiiisers.  He  Avas  detached  from 
the  Sacramento,  in  September  of  18(io,  and  in  April  of 
186(».  he  resigned  thus  ending  his  term  of  service.  He 
resumed  the  practice  (if  law  but  after  a  few  vears  he  re- 
moved to  Moweaqtia.  111.,  where  lie  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. In  USTo  lie  came  to  Francestown  where  he  has 
since  resided,  lie  manied.  1st.  Mary  Morton  of  QuincA. 
Mass..  Nov.  2.  lS()o.  she  died  in  Francestown.  .Jan.  21. 
1878.  He  married.  2iid.  Abbie  H.  Shattiudv  of  Frances- 
town.  Felr.  '2'4.  18H3.  Children.  l)y  1st  marriage,  were: — 
Mar}^  Morton  b.  in  Dedham.  Mass.,  Dec.  16,  1868,  m. 
Etna  J.  Fletcher  of  (ireentield.  Nov.  11,  1890,  res.  in 
(rreenfield.  Jesse  D..  b.  in  Moweaqua.  111..  Mav  7.  1871. 
Martha  M..  1).  in  Moweaqua,  111..  July  9.  1872,  Edith  b. 
in  Quiiu-y.  Mass..  Feb.  .").  1S74.  A\'illiam  S.  M..  It.  in 
Francestown.  Sept.  2o.  1X7.").  d.  ju  Francestown.  June  17. 
1.S88.  Children  liv  2nd  marriage: — (ieorge  H..  b.  in 
Francestown.  Oct.  14.  18,S:',.  d.  in  Francestown.  .Jtih  11. 
1888.  Harrv.l).  in  Francestown.  Jan.  29.  188r).d.  Mav  1  S. 


9i»S  (iENKALOfilKS. 

1888.  Fannie  Kli/.ahetli.  h.  May  11.  iSSlt.  Ilarrv  (ieoroe. 
b.  .Ian.  7.  1891.) 

Peter.  ( b.  May  4.  1 -'^40,  was  o-ra,(biate(l  at  Dartinonlli  col- 
leo-e  in  1860.  has  made  teaching  liis  ])rofessi(in.  he  has 
l)een  connected  with  sevei'al  etbicational  insiitntioiis  in 
llie  \\'est.  and  is  imw  master  in  the  llohleniess  K])isc(i- 
pal  school.  ) 

Marii  BiniiielL  (1).  .\ov.  4.  lS4:i.  d.  .Jan.  -51.  1X4.').) 

Hannah  Tra>f/r  Jianies.  ( b.  Api-.  .-!7.  1<S4.").  ni.  Dr.  .b)lni 
Frankbn  l"'itts  of  ('an(Ha.  .Inne  Jl.l.sTO.  ics.  in  l-'ian- 
cestow  11. ) 

./antes  Trash-.  ( b.  .Inly  ol.  1S47.  m.  Maiy  M.  Lnfkin  (»f 
(ioffstown.  .fniy  27,  187;').  lie  was  uradnated  al  Dart- 
month,  class  of  '72  and  also  took  a  conrse  in  civil  en- 
o'ineerini;-  at  tht^  Thayer  school.  Mr.  W'oodbnry  now  re- 
sides in  I'"raiH-estown.  has  stnved  many  years  ii[(on-  the 
s(diool  board  ami  for  nuiiiy  years  has  held  office  of  town 
clerk.  He  was  elected  to  re])resent  the  town  in  the  leg- 
islature in  Nov..  1892.  He  is  eminently  })nl)lic  spirited. 
lil>eral  and  honorable.  Mis  children: — Almon  ].,iifkin.  1). 
Sept.  22.  1877.  d.  .Ian.  1 4.  1S78.  Maiy  Ella.  1).  Dec.  o. 
18S(l.  .lames  Lnfkin.  b.  \\\<y.  (i.  1SS4.) 

Ai/e/irio'.  (1).  .Inly  1.  l.S,")l.  m.  Rev.  Herbert  A.  Ivemi(d<  of 
Nel)raska  ('ity.  N(d>..  .Inly  28.  187o.  lias  three  children. 
Herbert  Wdodbniy.  Adeliene  Haninili  ami  Mand.  res.  in 
Kast|)ort.  Maine.)] 

10.  Adei.ikxk.  [b.  A])i-.  22.  ISO!),  m.  Edwin  E.  Hnnnell.  May 
2.  1  Soo.  res.  in  ()akland.  ('al.  Her  son  (reorge  AN'ood- 
bnry  Bunnell  is  professfn-  of  (Ireek  and  literatnie  in  the 
I'niversity  of  ("aliforrna.] 

11.  (xKOhKiE    \VASHiN(iT<)N.  [b.  .Jttne    2.  1811.   m.    Martha   J. 

Spiars  of  Satartia.  Miss.,  was  by  profession  a  physician. 
he  died  near  Vazoo  ('itv.  Miss.,  where  he  had  long  re- 
sided. ()ct.  2b.  187.').  leaviii'L;-  two  sons.  JJobert  S])iars  and 
George  Washington,  both  of  whom  were  l)oiii  in  Satar- 
tia. Miss.] 

WILLIAM  criiTlST  WOODJUKY  win.  (  aiiic  1  rum  .Vcworili  to 
this  town  in  is;;7  was  of  The  scv(Mith  generation  fidiii  \\'illiaiiii  Wood- 
liur\  .  a  \i>iiiio('r  lirotlici-  of  .IdIhi  of  wlioin  mention  lias  hccn  made.    A\'il- 


\V(»(»i»iui:v.  '.'Oil 

liam  is  thought  to  have  (•(Hiu'  fi'diii  Ku^laiid  in  Kl'JS.  Ih' settled  at  lU'V- 
ei'ly.  Nfass..  wiiere  liis  sons.  Nicholas-.  A\illiani-.  Ihi«ih-.  Andrew-  and 
Isaac-  wefc  hoi'n.  Nicholas-,  tlie  oldest  died  at  I'everlv.  leaving  a 
son  Xich()las=i.  lioi-n  in  IJevei'ly.  July  ."tl .  IC).");;.  died  Ocl.  1."!.  1(>93. 
William-*,  son  (d'  Xi(d)olas:'.  was  Ixu'n  Maiidi  ■_".•.  IHS.k  ami  died 
^larcli  li.").  171S.  His  son  Samuel"',  lioj-n  Sept.  S.  1717.  mai'i'ied  .hidith 
()l»er.  who  died  Dec.  "Jl.  17ori.  Samnel"'  died  Nov.  '■>.  17')(l.  leaving  a 
son  Curtis'^,  who  was  hoi-n  .Ian.  10.  1744.  in  IJeverly.  where  he  died 
Nov.  17.  ISl.").  His  wife  was  I>etliiali  Lovett.  boi'n  in  lievei-ly  in  174."). 
died  in  IJeverly  Di'c.  .'id.  1S17.  \\'illliam"  Curtis,  son  of  (  urlis''.  was 
born  in  Beverly.  Sept.,  170S,  he  married.  1st.  IJehecca  Dodge  nt'  AVen- 
hani.  Mas><.  Their  daughter  Kebecca.  who  came  to  reside  in  Frances- 
town,  was  born  in  lieverly  in  17*J4.  married  (ieorgi'  (iroce.  in  ]>eveily. 
where  she  died  in  1S7(I.  William  ("urtis  married.  -Jiid.  Matty  Dodge, 
who  was  born  in  Wenham.  Mass..  May.  177.').  and  died  in  Mancliester. 
•luly  !t.  1S.')!I.  Mr.  Woodbury,  with  his  daughtei-  liebecca  and  his 
three  sons.  H^eitry.  Adoiurani  .Judson  and  Samuel  Ilolton.  settled  on 
wiiat  was  long  used  as  th(>  town  jioor  larni  in  the  northeastei'n  ]iart  id' 
the  town,  here  he  died  Sept.  :iS.  1S40. 

MKXltY  WOODDUHY^  who  succeeded  his  father.  William  (  uitis". 
upon  the  home  |)lace.  was  boi-n  in  IJeverly  Dec.  ■_'.">.  ISOS.  He  mar- 
ried. 1st.  Hannah  Davidson  of  Acworth.  she  died  at  Manchester.  Oct. 
■J."5.  1H4'.).  He  married.  "Jiid.  Mrs.  Sally  L.  Woodluiry.  who  died  in 
Manchester  in  1S."')7.  aged  I'orty-three  years.  In  lS4(i.  Henry  \\  ood- 
bur}-  renu)ved  with  his  fannly  to  Maiudiester.  He  died  in  Denvei'. 
Col.,  Nov.  .").  ISSl.     ('hildren  liy  lirst  marriage  were: — 

1.  Ai)(>nii;am   Ji'DsoN.  [I),  in  Acwoitli.  Dec.  'I'A.  iS;):').  ui.  1st. 

Harriet  E.  Farriiio'ton  of  Maiicliestcf  in  IS.")",  liinl.  Ina 
v.  Hai'botif  of  Denver,  ('ol..  in  187S.  is  a  jotirnalist  by 
})rofession.  res.  in  Denver.] 

2.  Sally  Davidson,  [h.  in    .Vcworth.  .Inne    11.  IS.'),'),  m.  Col. 

Frank  M.Seolt  of  Pennsylvania  in  1X7-).  res.  in  Denver. 
Col.] 
o.  Em  Davidson.  [!>.  in  .Vewortli.  May  oO.  1887.  tn.  .\niiie 
A.  Jarvis  of  Cheshire.  Conn.,  in  187-").  Hri  Davidson 
^■radtiated  at  Dartmouth  in  IStio.  He  enlisted  in  the  1st 
N'erniont  Cavalry,  tuiptttred  a  confederate  liao-  in  the 
Shenandoah  \'alley  in  1  8ti4,  for  which  u;allaiit  act  he  re- 
ceived a  Cong'ressional  medal  and  "shottlder  straps,"  he 
was  badly  wounded  the  night  before  Lees  surrender,  los- 
iiig-  one-half  of  his  right  hand,  now  resides  in  Cheshire. 
Conn.] 


lOOO  (JKNKAI.oc.  IKS. 

4.  Sa.mi'kl  StiIvLMAN.  [1).    ill    FiaiK-csiow  n.    Fi'l).  1.  ISoit.  in. 

Kvclyii  K.  Ilavward  of  lieuver  Uiook.  (Ol..  in  187'-k  is  a, 
fainn^r.  res.  in  l>ea\er  Brook.] 

').  I{<><;ki;  Williams,  [h.  in  l^'ranrcsiow  ii.  Mar.  -"J.  Is41.  m. 
Anna  M.  Koons  of  Deliver,  (dl..  in  1ST'>.  He  cnlisieMl 
in  the  -'xl  New  Haiupsliii't-  Ivenimcnt.  in  .Inly.  1S(I1.  ami 
served  through  the  war  beinn'  niiistered  oni  at  ('oncoid. 
.\uix.  '2.  iSi;,").  He  held  llie  rank  n\'  caplain.  served  iipo)i 
the  staff  of  Major  General  A.  II.  Teny.  has  since  held 
the  rank  of  lli-igadier  (leiieral  in  ilie  (Oloiado  militia, 
hesides  Ixdni^-  JJeyeiit  of  llie  liiiNcrsity  of  ('oloiado.  and 
Presideiil  of  the  DeiiNcr  (lianihcr  of  (  oniinerce.  and 
holdiiiL;'  hi^li  olhces  in  niaiix  jifonii  i;eiit  orders,  he  is  hy 
voeatioii  a  ])id)lisher.  and  ie>i<les  in   l)eii\cr.] 

H.  Hannah  Kkiilcca.  [h.  in  l-"raiicesto\\  n.  l-'eh.  ]'2.  1  (S4-').  d. 
in   Main-liestcr  in  1  (S4!*.  ■ 

7.  Mai;v  Ann  llAl)L^:^■.  f  h.  in  l-"ranccsio\\ n.  May.  1M4.").  d.  in 
Manchester  in  1  847.] 

5.  Ki':r.L('('A.  jl).  in  Manchestci-  in  lcS47  where  she  d.  inlS41>.] 

ADOXIUAM  .HDSON  \\( )( iDI'.rii  V  w  lio  al-..  came  linv  wiili  lii> 
t'allu'r.  William  Curli^  Woodhury.  inairicil  Kli/.aliclli  Si  rallnn.  and  iiad 
two  cliiidren: — (icormaiid  Hcin-v.  The  loi'incr  now  lives  in  Wilimi. 
Minn.,  while  the  latter  rcsido  with  liis  iatlui-  in  .Iainc>-t(twii.  Xoi'l  li 
Dakota. 

S.^MIKI.  IIOI/I'ON  WOODUrilV.  l.i-otlicr  of  Urnv\  and  A<lo- 
liirain.  married  Sallv  Lancaster  I)a\idsoii  and  i-eino\cd  to  (ialveslon. 
Texas,  where  he  lived  until  1S4'.L  when  he  set  out  for  (alit'ornia  and 
died  id'  cholei-a  at  liio  (.raiide  C'ilv.  Helx'cca.  his  sister,  who  came  to 
Fraucestown  was  horn  in  Ueverlv  in  17tt4.  and  man-ie(l  (ieoriic  (iroce 
ill  Iicverly  where  she   died  in  ISTd. 

WOODS. 
.lACOn  WOODS  who  came  here  from  I'eiipeiell  alioul  the  year 
171J.J.  was  a  descendant  of  Samuid  Woods,  who  was  one  of  the  origi- 
nal proprietors  of  (iroton.  Mass..  where  he  is  said  to  have  owned  an 
■•eleven  acre  right."  Two  of  his  descendants,  Daniel  and  Thomas, 
were  killed  in  Loveirs  fight.  Ileiirv  Woods,  who  served  as  major,  un- 
der Col.  William  Prescott  at  iJunker  Hill,  and  who  was  afterward  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  colonel,  and  after  the  war.  to  that  of  general  of 
the  militia,  was  also  a  descendant  of  Samuel,  and  a  resident  of  that 
part  of  Groton.  which  is  now  Pepperell.  Samson  Woods,  son  of 
Henry,  '•\^^as    waiter  to  his    father  at   lUinker   Hill,"  and  upon  the  re- 


WOODS.  1001 

treat  of  the  Americans.  althou2:h  not  fifteen  years  old  and  small  of 
his  age,  "he  loaded  himself  with  the  knapsacks  of  two  slain  soldiers." 
which  he  succeeded  in  bearing  away,  but  on  attempting  to  get  over  a 
rail  fence  the  knapsacks  swung  on  one  side  of  the  rails  leaving  young 
Samson  suspended  struggling  and  calling  for  help  on  the  other.  In 
the  conftision  of  retreat  no  one  rendered  him  assistance,  and  he 
would  <loubtless  have  fallen  into  the  liands  of  the  British  had  not  a 
cannon  ball  shivered  a  post  near  him  and  levelled  the  section  of  the 
fence  upon  which  he  was  hanging.  He  lived  to  be  a  deputy  sheriff 
and  an  officer  in  the  militia.  Of  the  ancestry  of  Sannteli  we  have 
learned  nothing,  but  he  is  said  to  have  come  from  England.  By  his 
wife.  Alice,  he  had  six  children.      His    son  Xathaniel-  born  March  27. 

1668,  married  Alice  by  whom  he  had  twelve  children.     Isaac^. 

Xathaniel's  fourth  son.  born  Feb.  "20,  1700,  married  Abigail  Stevens. 
Sept.  21.  1725,  Isaac*,  their  eldest  sou.  designated  as  captain,  was 
born    Oct.    2!i.    172.").      He    married,    first,   Tryphena    Parker,    second, 

Anne .  .Tan.  IS).  17r)8,  third.  Mary  Woods,  Oct.  11,  1759,  .Tacob^ 

was  born  in  Pejiperell.  M'ass.,  Aug.  20,  1770,  being  the  sixth  cliild  of 
Capt.  Isaac  and  Mary  Woods.  The  maiden  name  of  his  wife  was 
Lucy  Powers,  slie  was  born  in  Hollis.  .June  24.  1775.  and  died  in 
Francestown.  Apr.  .'30,  1S5'J.  Their  first  home  in  this  town  was  the 
Woods  place,  to  southward  of  Crotchet  Mountain,  where  a  cellar  hole 
is  still  to  be  seen  near  the  old  road  running  over  BuUard  hill.  The 
house  which  formerly  stood  there  is  now  the  dwellinsi  of  Mrs.  James 
Buxton.  .Jacob  afterward  lived  on  the  "Woods  place  beside  the  Deer- 
ing  road  and  later  in  the  house  long  occupied  by  Caroline  Draper. 
Jle  died  here  May  22,  1852.  His  ten  children  w'ere  all  born  in  this 
town,  and  a  recoi-d  informs  tis  that  "they  were  all  together  at  their 
father's  taljle  in  Francestown,  N.  H.,  August  10,  1826."  They 
were:  — 

1.  Lr^CY,  [b.  Nov.  28,  1797,  m.  John  Ferson  of   Francestown. 
•         Jan.  19,  1819.  d.  in  Nashna,  Feb.  3.  1885.] 

2.  Nancy,  [b.  Oct.    29,  1799,  m.  Ellis    Leonard    of  Foxboro'," 

Mass..  Apr.  10,  1823,  d.  in  Mansfield,  Mass.,  Apr.  8, 
1863.] 

3.  Isaac,  [b.   July  16,  1801,   m.  Mary   W.  Healey   of  Wash- 

ington, xAug.  8,  1826,  was  by  trade  a  stone  cutter,  res.  a 
few  years  in  Francestown,  d.  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  Apr.  18, 
1889.']  . 

4.  Nehemiah,  [b.    Ajir.   9,   1803,   ra.  1st,  Eunice    Parker    of 

Greenfield.  She  died  in  this  town  Dec.  29,  1852,  aged 
fifty-one  years.  He  m.  2nd,  Frances  B.  Wheeler  of 
Nashua,    she    died  in    Goffstown,    June    21,   1884,  aged 


1002  GENEALOGIES. 

se\eiity-;'Wo  yeans.  Xeheiiiiali  lived  for  a  number  of 
years  on  the  place  now  owned  by  ('harles  F.  Bailey.  He 
removed  to  Suncook  where  he  died  Nov.  5,  1882. 
Children  were: — 

Char/es.  (married  Abny  Jane  Whitfield  of  l^'iuneestown, 
and  died  May  12,  1857,  aged  twenty-foui'  years.  His 
children  are: — Eunice  E.,  b.  in  Francestown.  m.  Albert 
Shattuck,  res.  in  Peterboro',  Nelly,  b.  iii  Manchester,  m. 
Herman    Smith    of  Peterboro'.  res.  in  Jersey  City,  N.  J.) 

Frank,  (m.  Emeline  Adams  of  Hollis,  d.  in  Concord,  July 
23.  1893,  had  two  children  born  in  Francestown, 
Charles,  who  has  res.  in  Boston,  Mass.,  and  an  infant  son 
who  died  in  this  town.  Jan.  30,  1856.)] 

5.  Sally,  [b.  Mar.   28,  1807,  m.    Amasa    Pratt   of  MaiisHeld, 

Mass.,  Fel).  12,  1829,  d.  in  Miuisiield,  Mass.,  Mar.  4, 
1876.] 

6.  Rebeccah,  [b.    Nov.    26,  1808.    m.  John    Starrett,  is    not 

living.] 

7.  Joseph,  [b.  Feb.  21,  1811,  m.  Lydia    Hodgman,  d.  in    Fox- 

boro',  Mass.,  Oct.  17,  1889.] 

8.  Mary,  [twin    sister    of    Joseph,   m.  French    Keyes.   d.   in 

Ashland,  Dec.  18,  1852.] 

9.  Jacob,  [b.  Mar.   26,  1813,  m.  1st,  Cynthia    K.  Rowell    of 

Allenstown,  Sept.  16,  1834,  2nd,  Sarah  Ann  (Majerson) 
Dixon  of  Lawrence,  Mass.,  Jan.  3,  1885,  res.  in  Con- 
cord.] 

10.  Clarissa,  [b.  Dec.    30,  1816,  m.  Forbes    Pratt   of  Mans- 

field, Mass.,  Aug.  1,  1839,  d.  in  Mansfield.]  * 

WOODWARD. 

EPHKAIM  WOODWAKD  from  whom  the  Woodwards  of  Lviide- 
boro'  and  Francestown  descended,  married,  first  in  Brooklyn,  Conn., 
Hannah  Williams.  Jan.  14,  173(i.  He  settled  in  Lyndeboro'  about  the 
year  1740,  where  liis  first  wife  died,  and  he  married,  •2nd.  Huldah 
Cram  of  that  town  July  -22.  1742.  By  his  first  marriage  Ephraim  had 
at  least  one  son.  Ithemer,  who  settled  in  Francestown. 

ITHEMER  WOODWARD,  son  of  Ephraim  and  Hannah  (Wil- 
liams) Woodward,  married  Huldah  Sharp,  probably  of  Lyndeboro'. 
He  settled  on  the  AVoodward  or  Farrington-  place  quite  near  the 
Lyndeboro'  line,  about  the  year  1795.     His  wife  became  a  member   of 


WOODWARD.  1008 

the  church  in  this  town  in  1798.  He  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  Conn.. 
:uk1  (lied  in  Francestown,  Jan.  9, 1839,  aged  ninet}' years.  His  wife 
died  here  .Tuly  12,  1828,  aged  seventy-four  years.  Their  children 
were:  — 

1.  Eliphalet,  [married,     Polly    Buttertield    of      this     town. 

Mar.  4.  1802,  removed  to  Hanover,  N.  H.] 

2.  Elijah,  [married    Rhoda    Austin  of  tliis    town,   Nov.   IT, 

1808,  removed  to  Landgrove,  Vt.] 
o.  Daniel,  [b.  Jan.  30,  1777,  m.  1st,  J^icy  Burnham  of 
Greenfield.  Dec.  29,  1803.  2nd.  Hannah  Woodward  of 
Francestown,  May  1,  1848,  3rd,  Hannah  M.  Woodward 
of  Francestown  in  1858.  He  was  the  father  of  Daniel, 
Jacob  and  Abner,  who  once  resided  in  Francestown.  He 
died  in  this  town  June  25,  18G7.] 

4.  Delia,  [married    Ephraim     Davison    of    Landgrove,    Vt., 

Nov.  17,  1808.] 

5.  Lucy,  [married    Ephraim  Putnam  Woodward  of  Brooklyn, 

Ct.,  Apr.  7,  1808.] 

6.  HuLDAH,  [married Whiting,  and    removed    to    the 

West.] 

7.  Benjajmix,  [married    Betsey  Bixby  of    Francestown.  lived 

on  the  homestead  and  also  on  the  Jellison  place.  He 
died  in  this -town  July  21,  1859,  aged  seventy-two  years. 
His  widow  survived  him  and  died  Jul}'  19,  1862,  age<l 
seventy-six  years.  Their  children  were: — 
Greon/e  B.,  (b.  in  Francestown,  July  29,  1815,  m.  Mary  J. 
Clark,  Sept.  10,  1843.  She  was  born  in  Canaan,  Dec.  11. 
1815.  He  removed  to  Manchester  but  returned  to  this 
town  and  d.  Sept.  6,  1877,  where  his  son  Richard  now 
lives,  which  is  the  home  of  his  widow.  Children,  all 
born  in  Francestown: — Harry  G.,  b.  Oct.  1,  1844.  d.  in 
Francestown,  Sept.  10,  1875,  Richard  C,  b.  Dec.  23,1845, 
m.  Amanda  R.  Bailey  of  Mont  Vernon,  Sept.  10,  1875. 
Children  born  in  Francestown  are: — Emma  J.,  b.  Dec.  6, 
1870.  George  H.,  b.  Dec.  6,  1872,  Bertha  A.,  b.  Apr.  5, 
1879.  Stella  H,  twin  sister  of  Richard  C..  m.  Henry 
Bo  wen  of  Vermont,  June,  1869,  has  one  child,  Willie  F., 
born  Dec.  11,  1869.  Plibbard  P.,  the  fourth  child  of 
George  B.,  b.  June  6,  1851.  lives  on  the    homestead.  Em- 


1004  GENEALOGIES. 

ma  S.,  twin  .sister  of  Hibbai-d  P..  m.  Whitney  Barden  of 
Montague,  Mass.,  Nov.  30,  1879.  Mary  J.,  sixth  child  of 
George  B.,  b.  Oct.  1,  18oo.  ni.  Hiram  Bailey  of  this 
town,  Mar,  27,  1875,  Sarah  Jane,  seventh  child  of  George 
B.,  b.  Apr.  26,  185(3.  m.  .Vlonzo  P.  Bailey  of  this  town, 
Sept.  11,  1875.) 

ElizabeiJi    U.,  (b.  in    1817,  in    ^'raneest()^^■n,  m.  Bodney    D. 
Henderson,  in  1857,  res.  in  Dedhani,  Mass.) 

Frances    Mario,  ( b.  in    Francestowu,    m.    Moses    Towns    of 
Londonderry  in  1852,  d.  in  Manchestei-.) 

Harriet,  (b.  in    Fi-ancestown.  ni.  Milo    Dow.  in    184o,  res.  in 
Stonehani.  Mass.. )] 
8.   Aakox,  [died  unmarried  in  this    town.  Dec.  20.  18(:)t).  aged 
seventy-five  years.] 

JAC'OIJ  ANDREWS  WOODWARD,  son  ol'  Daniel  Woodward, 
settled  oil  the  Closes  Jellison  place.  lie  was  born  in  Lyndeboro,' 
Apr.  10,  1801.  His  wife  was  Julia  Rowen  of  Ilolderness.  He  was 
first  taxed  here  in  1S4.")  and  died  in  this  town  .July '20,  184G,  leaving 
an  only  child: — 

1.   (tEORGIANA,  [resides  in  Leominster.  Mass.] 

GEORGE  X.  WOODWARD  was  a  taxpayer  iu  this  town,  in  the 
year  1841.     He  did  not  remain  long. 

ABNER  B.  WOODWARD,  son  of  Daniel  and  Luey  (liiu'iihani) 
Woodward,  came  here  from  Lyndeboro".  his  native  town,  and  was  em- 
plo3'ed  several  years  upon  the  Daniel  Fuller  farm,  and  after  the  death 
of  the  widow  of  Daniel,  in  1858,  received  by  beciuest  a  goodly  por- 
tion of  the  Fuller  estate,  and  being  a  man  of  the  stirring,  go-a-head 
sort,  he  soon  became  interested  in  various  business  enterprises  and  in 
public  affairs,  was  trustee  of  tht;  academy,  president  of  the  savings 
bank  and  a  member  of  the  board  of  selectmen.  He  married.  Mar. 
30,  1859,  Caroline  M.,  daughter  of  Lyman  and  Elizabeth  (Holbrook) 
Perkins  of  Lyme.  She  was  born  iu  Cotton,  Canada  East,  Mar.  10, 
1836.  Mr.  "Woodward  removed,  in  1883.  to  Stoueham,  Mass..  where 
he  now  resdes.     Children,  all  born  in  Francestown,  were: — 

1.  Will    A.,  [b.    July    3,  1861,  m.  Katie  E.  Fuller    of  Plain- 

ville.  Mass.,  Aug.  18.  1891.  is  a  very  successful  public 
school  teacher.] 

2.  Mart   P.,  [b.  Jan.    19.  1868,  m.  Fred    A.  Wilson    of  Ben- 

nington, Dec.  19.  1882.  d.  in  Fr-ancestown.  Dec.  28, 
1882.] 


WOODWAEI).  1005 

3.  CARitiE  P..  [b.  Apr.  7,  1866.] 

4.  Abner  L.,  [b.  July  22,  1868.] 

5.  Fred  F.,  [b.  June    16.  1873.   d.  in    Stoneham,  Mass.,   Jan. 

10.  1884.] 

6.  Albert  S.,  [b.  Aug.  31.  1876.] 

7.  Herbert  F..  [b.  May  4,  1871.  d.  in  Francestowii.  July  31, 

1871.] 

Uka.  DANIEL  WOODWARD,  :iu  elder  l)i-other  of  Abner, 
came  here  from  Lowell,  Mass.,  in  LSoO,  and  for  a  few  ^years  occupied 
the  Guild  place,  now  known  as  the  (juarry  boarding  house.  While  in 
Lowell  he  was  chosen  a  deacon  of  the  .John  street  church.  He  was  a 
line  singer  and  a  popular  instructor  in  vocal  music.  Dea.  W'oodward 
was  born  May  2;),  1S09,  he  married  Cynthia  Simonds  of  IJurlington. 
Mass.,  Sept.  0.  \S•^2.  She  died  June  5.  1SS7.  He  died  in  Lyndeboro". 
April  3,  1866.     Children  were: — 

1.  Charles    Hknrv,  [b.  iu    Lowell,  Mass.,  Dec.  16.  1833.  d. 

Apr.  25,  1835.] 

2.  Henry  Martin,  [b.  in  Newburyport,  Mass..  July  15.1836, 

m.  Belinda  A.  Kobbins  of   Lowell,  Mass.] 

3.  William  Bixby,  [b.  in  Newburyport,  Mass.,  Apr.  8.  1838, 

d.  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  Mar.  4.  1859.] 

4.  Jacob   Andrews,  [b.  in    Lyndeboro',  Sept.    28.   184'5,   m. 

Lena  K.  Slielden  of  Lowell,  Sept.  26.  1872,  res.  in 
Lyndel)oro',  where  he  is  an  influential  citizen  and  has 
held  public  offices.] 

5.  Edward    Paysox,  [b.  in    L^-ndeboro",    Aug.    8,   1851,    m. 

Eliza  Shaw  of  Norton,  Mass.,  Aug.  21,  1878.] 


ADDENDA. 
BREED. 

XEHEMIAH  BREED  lived  on  Bullard  Hill  and  afterward  iu  the 
village.      He  is  said  to  have  come  from  Lynn,  Mass. 

.    BROOKS. 

CHARLES  S.  BKOOKS  was  Ijorn  in  Ashburnhiim,  Mass.,  Feb.  2."). 
lS3.'j,  being  the  son  of  Dickerson  and  Hannah  (Kemp)  Brooks  of 
Ashburnham.      He    was    employed  in    the    Clinton    bedstead   shops  in 


1006  GENEALOGrES. 

Aiurini  in  IS')."),  Imt  two  years  later  went  lO  Calil'ornia  wlici-e  he  re- 
mained aljoiit  tive  years  successfully  enga.i^ed  in  mining.  He  married, 
Dee.  25.  18(52,  Lizzie  B.  Paige  of  Webster.  an<l  again  became  a  resi- 
dent of  Antrim  and  also  the  proprietor  of  one  of  the  inanulactories 
of  Clinton  village,  which  he  disposed  of  in  IST-'),  and  in  ISTCi.  came 
here  having  purchased  the  place  now  owned  by  .lohn  Shaltnck  on  which 
he  lived  nearly  ten  years,  aftei-  which  he  returned  to  Antrim.  The 
historian  of  that  town  says  of  him:  ■•Probably  as  a  business  man.  Mr. 
15rooks  had  no  superior  in  Antrim,  lie  was  en'ergelic.  cool,  sharp, 
popular  and  liduest."  Here,  though  not  in  active  business,  he  was 
Justly  held  in  the  highest  esteem.     Only  child: — 

1.  Charles    Willis,  [b.  Dec.  ±  ISOT.  in.  Mahcl    ('.  Duwnes 
oi   Francestown.  res.  in  Brooklyn.  N.  Y.] 

(RAM. 

DAXIEJ^  (liAM  was  born  in  Francesiown.  >;()V.  ."!.  ISKi.  and  died 
in  San  Francisco.  Cal.,  Feb.  8.  1SS(). 

DANE. 

dOlIN  DAXl''.  .h;..  foi-  many  years  well  known  as  the  senior  part- 
nei-  in  the  old  lirm  of  d.  &  N.  Dane,  merchants  in  Franeestown,  was 
the  son  of  .lohn  Dane,  who  with  his  wife  ]')eborah  (Bailey)  Dane, 
moved  from  Andover.  Mass..  and  settled  in  (Treenlield  in  171)0.  The 
children  of  John  and  Deborah  were: — Deborah,  born  in  Andover, 
Mass..  John,  also  born  in  Andover,  James,  Xathan.  Henry,  Moses, 
Ezra 'and  (4iiman.  all  born  in  Greenlield,  John,  Jr.,  was  borii  in  An- 
dover. Mass..  in  17S(),  and  in  181i),  married,  Cloe  Bowers  of  Peter- 
boro".  born  in  17'.)8,  lived  in  the  rnitari:in  parsonage,  also  in  the  old 
Lolly  house  on  Kwell  hill.     His  children  were:- 

1.  JoHX    Bowers,  [b.   in    1821,   in.   Philena    Wliitteiiioie    of 

Greentielrl,  resides  in   Hillsboro",  children: — 
France.'^     Philena,  (b.     in     Greenfield,     Jul}'     12,   1845.   m. 

Georo-e  W.  Ctiniminus    of  Peterboro".  res.  in    Hillsboro'.) 
John    Henri/,  (b.  in    Franeestown,    Mar.    15.    1848,    res.    in 

Hillsboro'.) 
WiUiam    Fred,  (b.  in    Antrim,  Mar.   31.  1853.  ni.  Clara    A. 

Shedd  of  Peterboro.'  Nov.  28.  1871.;] 

2.  Faxxy  Holt.  [b.  in    Franeestown.  in    1827,  m.  1st,  James 

W.    Bradford    of     Franeestown.    2nd.    Bennett    S.  Buck- 
niinster  of  Antrim,  in  18G9.  d.  in  Antrim.  Oct.  20.1890.] 


DANE,    WOOD.  1007 

XATIIAX  DAXE,  son  of  John  and  Deborah,  was  born  in  trreen- 
field  in  17IJ'2.  He  coraincneed  business  with  his  brotlier  John  in 
Francestown,  in  the  year  1825.  where  he  remained  until  1850,  wlien 
the  tirni  was  dissolved.  He  then  went  to  S'outh  lioyalton,  Vt..  and 
opened  a  drni^-  st(n-e  wliich  proved  (luile  successful.  He  remained  in 
Royalton  eijjhteen  years  when  he  retired  from  business.  He  died  un- 
married in  Hancock,  Aug.  12,  1871. 

WOOD. 

AMAZIAH  WILKIXS  WOOD  was  horn  in  Springfiehl.  X.  H.,  .Jan. 
.'3,  181G,  being  the  son  of  .John  and  Tryphosa  (Parker)  AVood  of  Wil- 
mot,  and  a  grandson  of  Joseph  Wood  who  went  quite  early  from 
Kowley,  Mass.,  into  the  northwestern  part  of  Mei-rimae  county.  He 
came  here  from  Hatfield,  Mass.,  in  the  summer  of  18,58,  and  for  ten 
years  was  proprietor  of  the  Milford  and  Francestown  stage  line.  In 
the  latter  yeai-s  of  his  life  he  was  engaged  in  farming,  his  home  being 
the  Boynton  i)lace  in  Mill  Village.  He  married,  first,  Pheebe  Jane 
Mclntire.  daughter  of  Dea.  Elias  Mclntire  of  Lyndeboro',  second. 
Mary  Wheeler  Kittredge,  daughter  of  Zephaniah  Kittredge,  and 
granddaughter  of  Dr.  Zephaniah  Kittredge  of  Mont  Vei-non.  She 
died  in  this  town.  Oct.  27,  1879.  Amaziah  Wood  die  1  in  this  town. 
Feb.  8,  1889.  He  was  the  i'ather  of  live  children,  two  of  whom  were 
by  the  first  marriage.     They  were:— 

1.  Ellen  Augusta,  [b.  at    Manchester.    Nov.   10.   184-1.  m. 

N.  Addison   Parker  of  New    London.  Fel).  8.  1866,  res.  at 
Concord.] 

2.  Elias    x4ugustine,  [twin  l)rotlier  of   Ellen  Ansqnsta  died 

when  four  years  of  age.] 
8.   Mary   Jane,  [b.  at    Wilton,  Nov.  11.  1817,    res.   at    Fran- 
cestown.] 

4.  Geokge    Kittredge,  [b.  at    Bristol,   Aug.  19,   184!>,  is   a 

teacher,  res.  in  Francestown.] 

5.  Charles    Eugene,    [b.  at    Concord.    Aug.  13,  1851,  m. 

Mary  Anna    Clark     of    Deering.  Oct.  25,  1876,  is   a  har- 
nessraaker,  res.  at  Flillsboro'  Bridge.] 


POEJVIS 


The  followiiiii;  are  pijetic-il  contrihulions  to  thi;s  work    by  residents 
and  natives  of  Fraiicestown. 

I. 
My  country  shall  thy  blood-stained  soil. 

So  dear  to  every  loyal  heart. 
Tremble  at  proud  rebellious  frown. 
And  yield  to  traitors  guileful  arts. 

II. 

No  I  let  us  not  permit  to  die 

Our  glorious  nations  noble  name 
Fight  for  its  honor  one  and  all. 

Strong  be  our  heart,  steady  our  aim. 

III. 

Shall  the  blood  of  our  brave  fathers. 

•  Sons  and  brothers  ever  flow 

To  restore  our  nation's  honor. 

Sullied  by  our  nation's-foe? 

IV. 

Shall  the  tears  of  widows,  orphans 

Plead  in  vain  to  God  for  aid. 
Must  the  best  blood  of  the  nation 

Pay  the  price  e'er  war  be  stayed? 

V. 

IjoI  our  nations  God  shall  answer 

'Mid  the  cannons  deafening  roar 
Judgments  thro'  the  earth  shall  follow 

Till  thou  lettest  my  people  go. 

VI. 
Patriot  dead!  the  heroes  fallen 
Rest  beneath  a  southern  sky. 
Still  they  live  in  deeds  of  glory 
Live  for  they  cai;  never  die! 

Martha   T.  Downes. 


1010  POEMS.    . 

SHAVINGS. 


Scattered  about  the  Hoor  they  lie. 
(,'rushed  by  the  feet  of  passer's  by. 
Sweet  with  the  breath  of  spruce  and  pine, 
liouiid  eacli  other  they  curl  and  twine. 
('ris[)  and  clean  and  harnaless  quite.     • 
Why  do  I  linger  at  the  siiiht? 

Ahl    I  am  carried  back  again. 
^^'iIll  a,  thrill  of  joy  and  a  touch  of  pain. 
To  childhood's  hours,  of  long  ago. 
When,  heedless,  T  wandered  to  and  fro. 
I'ntouched  by  sorrow,  pain,  or  care. 
I>ooking  for  pleasui'c  everywhere. 

And  in  memory  1  stand  once  more 

In  the  dear  old  shop  with  littered  floor. 

Blocks,  and  sawdust,  and  shavings  white. 

^or  boys  and  girls  a  jolly  sight; 

The  whizzing  saw,  and  the  whirring  plane, 

I  seem  to  see  them  all  again. 

I  listen  to  catch  the  whistle  clear 
That  told  a  loving  father's  cheer. 
And  hear  again  with  the  hammer's  ring. 
The  grand  old  tunes  he  used  to  sing; 
The  tender  word  and  the  loving  touch, — 
I  little  knew  they  -were  worth  so  much. 

Where  now  are  those  who  with  me  strayed. 

Ana  with  the  blocks  and  shavings  played? 

Ah  me!  for  many  fleeting  years 

We've  mourned  for  two,  with  bitter  tears; 

The  others,  scattered  here  and  there. 

In  life's  great  conflict  bravely  share. 

The  strong  full  voice  I  used  to  love 
Joins  in  the  chorus  sung  above; 
There,  with  the  Christ  he  followed  here. 
The  dear,  dear  father  knows  no  fear; 
And,  through  that  Saviour  justified, 
He  is  forever  satisfied. 

I  would  not  be  a  chiid  again.         , .  . 
Although  so  free  from  care  and  pain, 
For  there's  a  fuller,  deeper  draught 


POEMS.  loll 

Than  cliiliUiood's  Vipa  have  ever  quaffed; 
A  cup,  bv  joy  and  sorrow  filled, 
From  rich  experience  distilled. 

For,  stronger  the  Father's  arms  enfold 
And  bear  us  up  as  we  grow  old, 
We  learn  a  trust  we  never  knew 
When  all  was  bright  and  none  untrue; 
And  memory's  ti'easures  I'icher  grow. 
As  down  life's  slope  our  footsteps  go. 

Flore lic  A.  Ihxlge  Attcood. 

ODE. 

I!Y    DR.    JOHN    PRENTICE    RANI). 

Though  forth  from  the  home  of  our  youth  we  may  wander. 
Far,  far  from  the  haunts  of  its  innocent  glee. 
Though  hopes  we  may  shatter,  and  precious  years  squander. 
O  ]SIother.  New  Hampshire,  we'll  still  think  of  thee; 

Of  thee,  Old  New  Hampsire. 

We'll  still  think  of  thee. 

Ikit  should  a  kind  Providence  bless  each  endeavor. 
And  prosper  our  labors  on  land  and  on  sea. 
No  lurements  of  riches  or  kindred  shall  sever 
Our  hearts  best  affection.  New  Hamshire,  from  thee; 

From  thee.  Old  New  Hampshire. 

New  Hampshire,  from  thee. 

Home,  home  is  the  spot  that  we  first  loved  and  cherished. 

The  place  of  our  childhood.  Avhere  e'er  it  may  be; 

O  tell  us,  no  never,  that  first  love  has  perished; 

NeM'  Hampshire,  our  first  love,  our  home  is  with  thee; 

With  thee.  Old  New  Hampshire, 

Our  home  is  with  thee. 

As  the  heights  first  illumed  by  the  sun  in  the  morning- 
Catch  his  last  loving  look  as  he  sinks  in  the  lea. 
So  our  hearts  fondly  turn  at  the  chill  of  death's  warning 
To  thee.  O  New  Hampshire,  to  slumber  with  thee. 
With  thee,  Old  New  Hampshire. 
New  Hampshire,  with  thee. 
Sung    at  a  ban(iuet  of  the  Sons    and  Daughters    of  New  Ham2)shire 
ill    Worcester.  1892. 


1012  POKMS. 

THE    GRANITE  HILLS. 

READ  AT    THE  IIAXQUET  OF    TIIK  SONS  AND  DAUGHTERS  OF    NEW 
HAMPSHIRE  AT  WORCESTER,  MASS..  FEB.   12,  1^91. 

Let  us  sing  tonight  of  the  Granite  Hills, 

That,  since  the  dawn  of  time. 
Have  borne  aloft  their  regal  forms 

In  majesty  sublime; 
The  gales  have  swept  their  upturned  brows. 

The  thunders  muttered  by. 

l')Ut  what  are  winds  and  storms  to  those 

Hrave  ehil<lren  of  the  skv? 

*  • 

Thev  stand — the  same  old  (4ranite  Hills 

Wliich.  when  the  Avorld  was  young. 
iJdlli'd  hack  unto  the  Morning  Stars 

Tlie  anthems  tliey  iiad  sung; 
Tlicir  roaring  torrents  rushed  amain — 

Their  tuneful  l)rooklets  ran — 
To  swell  that  universal  strain 

From  which  all  song  began. 

And  they  shall  stand.     The  centuries 

Sweejj  lightly  o'er  their  heads 
As  rippling  waves  of  summer  streams 

Upon  their  pebbly  beds; 
And  sylvan  generations  pass 

Through  their  appointed  span 
As  tleetingly  as  vernal  grass 

Before  the  eyes  of  man. 

Come,  sing  with  me  of  the  Granite  Hills. 

"Whose  domes  and  turrets  white, 
Rising  above  the  shifting  clouds. 

Are  bathed  in  crystal  light! 
Those  palace  towers,  the  Northern  Star 

Has  chosen  for  his  own. 
And  midst  their  radiance  afar 

Fixed  his  unchanging  throne. 

Before  that  throne  the  glittering  hosts. 

That  throng  the  boundless  blue, 
At  eventide  are  marshaled  forth 

To  pass  in  grand  review; 
From  unseen  realms  their  cohorts  bright 

Troop  up  the  eastern  sky 
And,  circling  round  that  central  height, 

March  on  eternally. 


POEMS.  1018 


O  let  us  siny  of  the  Granite  Hills! 

No  grander  ever  rose 
To  meet  the  smiles  of  coming  Day 

Or  wait  the  sun's  repose; 
No  grander  forests  ever  shook 

Their  giant  arms  in  air, 
Nor  e'er  sang  sweeter  bii-d  or  brook 

Than  those  that  carol  there. 

"Wild  flowers  clamber  up  those  steeps 

And  crowd  the  vales  between. 
While  lakelets  from  their  glassy  deeps 

Reflect  to  heaven  the  scene. 
The  hunted  doe  for  refuge  seeks 

Those  haunts  of  solitude, 
And  on  the  jagged  top-most  peaks 

The  eagle  tends  her  brood. 

Yes.  let  us  sing  of  the  Granite  Plills. 

Built  up  that  man  might  see 
How  wonderfully  near  to  heaven 

Some  things  of  earth  may  be; 
Built  up  to  hold  unceasingh' 

Before  our  human  eyes 
The  grandeur,  strength  and. symmetry 

To  which  a  soul  may  rise! 

Among  those  ever-blessed  heights 

Is  many  a  sacred  place. 
Which  from  our  minds  the  busy  years 

May  nevermore  efface; 
The  old  home  standing  on  the  hill 

Beneath  the  maple  shade; 
The  school-house  past  the  noisy  mill 

Where  we  as  children  played; 

The  village  common,  long  ago 

The  scene  of  bat  and  ball. 
Protected  by  a  faithful  row 

Of  horse-sheds  for  a  wall; 
The  meeting-house  just  farther  out, 

To  which  we  used  to  bring 
Our  "Watts'  Select,"  and  turn  about 

To  see  the  choir  sing; 

Aftd  that  long-hallowed  spot,  beneath 

The  church's  sheltering  shade. 
Where  some  who  lived  and  toiled  for  us 


1014  POEMS, 


Are  now  in  slumber  laid; 
Above  their  heads  the  willows  wave. 

And  staggering  slabs  of  slate 
Eecord  at  every  grassy  grave 

A  name. — an  age. — a  date. 

(iod  bless  the  dear  old  (irauile  Hills. 

And  may  they  ever  stand 
Fit  symbols  of  the  strength  and  Ixipi' 

Of  all  this  favored  land : 
Mav  everv  sou  and  daughter  Imi-n 

Among  those  sunnnits  fair 
Remember  their  high  l)iith.  and  seorn 

To  l)ring  disliditor  lliire. 

Be  it  remembered  that  for  us 

Those  ehangeless  altars  rise. 
And  wait  to  bear  our  oi-iscnis 

Like  incense  to  the  skies. 
Fi-om  bourne  to  bourne,  from  pdlc  to  pole. 

Where'er  our  brothers  dwell. 
Let  pseans  of  devotion  roll 

And  hymns  of  homage  swcdl. 

Now  let  us. raise  the  song  again. 

\}\i]  sti'ike  the  music  higher. 
Nor  stay  until  its  glad  refrain 

Shall  every  soul  inspire; 
Let  heart  with  heart  in  praises  vie. 

Until  each  bosom  thrills 
^Vith  pnr])oses  as  grandly  high 

As  those  eternal  hills. 


Jh:  X.    ir.  Knnrl. 


ORIGINAL  HYMN. 

AVIUTTEN    BY    MISS     MARY    PETTEE. 

God  of  our  Fathers,  by  whose  hand. 
Sustained  and  guided,  still  we  stand. 

We  look  to  Thee.     O  bless  us  now. 
As  in  this  Temple  first  we  bow. 

We  dedicate  this  house  to  Thee. 

And  for  Thy  glory  may  it  ])e.     • 
()  pour  Thy  spirit  down  with  power. 

Anil  till  our  hearts  from  this  glad  hour, 


POEMS.  1015 

O  Lord  make  here  Thy  dwelling  place. 
And  grant  the  tokens  of  Thy  grace: 

Here  let  the  fervent  prayer  arise, 

And  songs  of  praise  ascend  the  skies. 

Here  may  the  gospel's  joyful  sound 

Call  in  the  people  all  around. 
The  rich,  the  poor,  the  great,  the  small. 

To  crown  the  Saviour  Lord  of  all. 

And  when  our  service  here  is  done. 

And  home  we're  gathered  one  by  one. 
May  each  with  joy  and  gladness  say. 
The  Lord  hath  led  me  all  the  way. 
Sung    at    the    Dedication    of  the    Congregational  Church.  Frances- 
town.  X.  H.,  July  1.  1SS4. 

THE  FIRE  KING. 

( )li  I  am  a  king,  though  you  think  mc  a  slave. 

And  fret  me  with  warder  and  grate. 
And  make  mc  lo  live  in  dungeons  that  give 

No  hint  of  my  regal  estate! 

Though  you  ilrive  me  about  with  your  tlampers 
and  draughts 

And  smother  my  ])i'eath  in  a  tlue. 
And  grudgingly  dole   me  a  ])it1anc('  of  co;il 

As  the  world  T  enciirlc  for  you: 

Though  you  call  me  to  lighlcn  and  warm  your 
abodes. 

Your  larders  with  viands  to  till. 
To  wake  at  the  scratch  of  a  lucifer  match 

By  da^'  or  by  night  at  your  will. 

I  bid  you  beware,  though  I  servilely  toil. 

I  am  never  the  serf  that  I  seem. 
For  mine  is  the  sun.  and  the  stars  every  one. 

And  the  skies  where  my  thun(lerl)olts  gleam. 

Oh  who  can  depict  my  ecstatic  delight. 

Or  cope  with  my  rollicking  play, 
As  I  sweep  the  broad  plain  a  forest  to  gain. 

And  lick  up  the  towns  in  my  way! 

When  I  M^aken  in  wrath  from  my  cave  in  the  earth 

The  mountains  portentiously  quake. 
The  seas  at  the  sight  stagger  back  in  affright 

And  the  islands  stand  dazed  in  their  wake! 


1015  POEMS. 


And  man,  bi'aggart  man.  who  calls  himself  lord 

Of  earth  and  the  measureless  main, 
At  the  touch  of  my  breath  drops  silent  in  death. 

Mere  ashes  to  whiten  the  plain. 

But  boast,  puny  man,  of  your  might  while  you  can. 

Your  slave  will  not  always  obe}' ; 
Anon  he  will  rise  in  revolt  to  the  skies 

And  the  earth  shall  be  melted  away:. 

And  the  heavens  shall  roll  themselves  hack  like 
a  scroll. 
The  stars  shall  like  stubble  consume. 
And  lirmaments  shake  with  the  thunders  thai 
wake 
When  he  shall  his  sceptre  resume. 

Dr.    J.     /'.    UdHil. 


INDEX. 


GENERAL  INDEX  OF  SUBJECTS 


IN    THE    BODY    OF    THIS    WORK. 


Page. 

Academy.  Incorporation  of.  172 

■•      "     History  of,  295 

"■          Building  burned.  305 

"           Re-union.  308 

Accidents.  First,  3 

Li'^t  of,  463 

Alarm  List,  265 

Alumni.  314 

Annexation  to  Francestown,  157 

Appeal  to  Com.  of  Safety,  86 

Association  Test,  91 


Ballots,  first  written, 

Banks, 

Bands  of  Music, 

Baptist  Church, 

Battle  of  Lexington. 

"  Bennington, 

Bunker  Hill, 

"  Trenton, 

Bear  Hunt, 

Bears,  Depredations  of. 
Beavers, 
Bell,  new, 
Big  Stories, 
Boston  Tea  Party, 
Boston  Port  Bill." 
Bradford  hill, 
Bullard  hill. 
Burning  Mountain, 


116 

404,  405,  473 

408,  409 

247 

83 

257 

254 

94 

187 

439,  440 

1 

198 

473 

68 

68 

443 

442 

438 


Call  to  Mr.  Bradford,  126 

Calvinistic  Society,        •  180 

Church  building,  sold,  181 

Clergymen  of  f^rancestown,  444 

College  Graduates,  458 

Common,  33 

Congregational. Church,  231,  245 

Congregational  Society,  240 

Continental  Paper,  101 

"         Depreciation  of,  102 

End  of,  110,  128 

Constitution  of  U.  S.,  123 

Constitutional  Conventions,  96,  97, 

186,  206 

Constables,  50 

Cork  Muster,  267 

Crack  Regiment,  266 

County  Congress,  74,  80 

County  Divisions,  176 

Count\  Farm,  194 

County,  [^lans  for  new,  200 

Counties,  Formation  of,  32 

Crotched  Mountain,  437 

Customs.  Old,  348 


Page. 
Dark  Day,  107 
Dark  Day  of  1881,  469 
Declaration  of  Independence,  94 
Deer  Keepers,  57 
Dennison  Pond,  436 
Difficulties  with  England  be- 
ginning, 66 
Dismission  of  Mr.  Bradford  241 
Donors  of  Academy  Funds.  317 
Drinking  Customs,  362 
Dysentery  Scourge,  153 

Ecclesiastical  History,  226 

Electoral  Commission,  207 

Engine  Company,  404 

Fires,  464 

First  birth  in  town.  21 

"   Burial  "        "  55 

"  Death   "       "  24 

"  Framed  house  in  town,  20 

"   Recorded  death  in  town,  54 

"   Settler  in  town,  18 

"  Town  Warrant  in  State  Name,  95 

Flour,  first  barrel  of,  372 

Flowage  Company,  404 

Forests,  how  cleared,  109 

Francestown  Banks,  404,  405 

Francestown,  Name  of,  39 

Francestown  Resolves,  73 

Freshet  of  1804,  158 

Funeral  Customs,  388 

Genealogies,  beginning  of.  479 

Gore,  the  so-called,  426 

Grand  Army,  408 

Grange,  409 

Grants  of  towns  by  Mass.,  5 
Grants  of  towns  by  Masonians,           7 

Grasshopper  Year,  178 

Great  Apple  Tree.  21 

Greenfield  Incorporation.  131 

Guide  Boards,  first,  139 

Hardships  of  Settlers,  368 

Hard  Winter.  105 

Hartford  Convention.  166 
Haunted  Lake.  432,  434 
Height  of  Neighboring 

Mountains,  437 

Hog-reeves,  52 

Holland  Purchase,  455 

Home  Circle.  408 

Horse  Blocks,  369 

Hotel  Company,  404 


IV 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Incorporation  of  Francestown.  !(!,  39 
"         Petition  for,  :J6 

"         Hearing  on,  38 

"'         of  Deering,  40 

"         Act  of  our,  40 

"         of  Bennington,  191 

Indian  Tribes,  9 

Justice  of  Peace  Chosen,  104 

Justices  do.  in  Francestown^  456 

Lawj-ers  of  this  town,  447,  448 

Light  Infantry,  268 

Liquor  Licenses,  140 

Literary  Fund,  182,  288 

Locating  Meeting-House,  13 

Lvndeboro' Addition.  132 

Marriage  Customs.  390 

Masonian  Proprietors,  4,  0,  7.  8,  10,  64 
Masons,  406 

Meeting-House,  in  old  town.  14 

"  *•   Petition  for  moving.    15 

"   Raiding  First,  81 

"  "  Finishing  outside,        97 

"  Pulpit  of,  105 

"  "  Reported  finished,     146 

"  of  1801  raised.  156 

"  "  sold  by  town  to 

Society,  181 

Military  History,  252 

Military  Parades.  163 

Militia,  Organizing  the,  87,  89 

Militia,  Separation  of,  139 

Minerals  in  Crotched  Mountain,    441 
Ministerial  Lot,  110 

Mills  and  Manufactures.  393 

Minute  Man,  S3,  84 

Moral  Society,  403 

Mudgett's  Bail,  70 

Musical  Society,  403 

Nails,  by  hand.  382 

Negroes  in  Francestown,  470 

New  Boston  Addition,  11 

New  Hampshire,  4 

Oak  Hill,  26 

Old  Cellars,  474 

Old  Vestry,  189 

Palm  Cloth,  49 

Petitions  against  Separation,  12 

"     to  join  Francestown,    132,134 
"     "  divide  Francestown, 

135,  152 
Pews,  first  sold,  82 

Physicians  of  Francestown,    445,  446 
Pine  Tree  Law,  69 

Pleasant  Pond,  435 

Postage  Rates,  453 

Postmasters,  454 

ost Offices,  449 

ost  Riders,  451 

ost   Routes,  450 

ound.  122,  170 


Page_ 
Poverty  Year,  169 

Presbyterian  Church,  227,  230 

Publishment  of  Marriage,  65 


Qiiarrv, 

Railroad,  N.  H.,  Central. 
Railroad  to  Greenfield, 
Railroads,  votes  for. 
Regulating  Prices, 
Representative,  first, 
Representatives,  list  of, 
Roads, 

Sabbath-day  Houses. 
Sabbath  School, 
Safetv.  Committee  of. 
Saw  Mills, 
Secession, 
Second  Settler, 
School  Children  in  1814, 
School  Districts  of  1806, 


399 

453 
453 

205,  206 

99 

137 

336.  347 


25,  195,  325 

138 
246 

85 

20.  23,  34 

202 

21 
168 
162 


School  Districts  or  Classes.  128,  282 
School  Inspectors,  164,  286 
School  Houses,  281 
Schools.  First  money  for,  108 
Schools  of  Francestown,  277 
Scotch,  473 
Scotch  and  English  in  Frances- 
town,  384 
Selling  the  Poor.  148 
Settlement  of  Mr.  Bradford,  236 
Shattuck  Pond,  436 
Shav's  Rebellion.  121 
Shower.  The  Great  of  1881,  470 
Slavery  in  N.  H.,  118 
Soap-stone  Company,  402 
Social  Library,  403 
Society  Land,  8 
Soldiers  of  Revolution,  262 
Soldiers  of  Union  Army,  274 
Soldiers  of  War  of  1812,  272 
Spire  to  the  Church,  199 
Spotted  Fever,  167 
Stamp  Act,  67 
State  Road,  331 
Stores,  460,  463 
Stoves  in  Church,  175 
Superintending  School  Com.,  289,291 
Superstitions,  466,  468 
Surplus  Revenue,  187 
Surrender  of  Lee,  204 
Swath  of  the  Boulder,  440 

Tavern,  first,  33 

Taverns,  20,  468 

Tax  List,  first,  53 

Tax  on  Wild  Land,  58 

Tax  List  of  1793,  142 

Tax  Collecting  sold,  147 

Teacher's  Institutes,  193 

Teachers  of  Francestown,  292,  294 

Temperance  Movements,  172,  185 

Tithingmen,  51 


INDEX. 


Time  Pieces, 
Toleration  Act, 
Tools, 

Topographical  Items, 
Town  "Countants," 
Town  Boundaries, 
Town  Lines, 
Town  Officers, 
Trapping,  first. 
Turn   Pikes, 

Union  with  Mass., 
Unitarian  Society, 


Page. 

373,  375 

248 

381 

424 

50 

111 

425 

335 

2 

149 


Page. 

249,  251 

411 

171 

75,  76 

429 


Unitarian  Church, 
Villages  in  town, 
Villages  of  1817, 
Visits  to  Tories, 
Waliingford  Right. 
War  with  France  Threatened,  145 

War  of  1812.  165,  271 

War  Debt,  205 

Warning  out  of  town.  119 

Washington,  De;. th   of,  152 

5    Water  Company.  409 

180    Woodbury  Legacy,  197 


INDEX    OF    NAMES 


IN  THE  BODY   OF   THIS  WORK. 


Abbott,  Wni.,  p.  142. 

Rev.  A.  J.,  250,  445. 
Adams,  ).  q.,  178,  181. 
"C.  F.,  ]tl4. 
Augusta  S.,  o12. 
Rev.  D.  E.,  221. 
lames,  88. 
"Rev.  \V.  R.,  .31.'). 
Aiken,  Matthew,  Zb. 

William,  44,64,  13.j. 
"Widdow,"  53,  142. 
Eliza,  292. 
Nathaniel,  463. 
Thomas,  64. 
John,  64,  328,404. 
James,  S4. 
"Fred,  417. 
Charles,  423. 
Edward,  429. 
Aldridge,  Nathan,  262. 
Alexander,  Robert,  35,  37,  64. 

Caleb,  2!I6. 
Allen,  Samuel,  463. 
Ames,  Geo.,  273. 
Nellie,  292. 
Clark,  263. 
Anderson,  Wm.,  39S. 
Andrews,  C.  C,  314. 
A.T.,  406. 
Annan,  Rev.,  127,  229,  234. 
Armer,  64,  133,  136. 
Asten,  S..2S3. 

E.,  283. 
Atherton,  Joshua,  75. 
Atkinson,  Theodore,  39,  41. 
Atwood,  Moses,  189,  446. 

Rev.  ].,  196,  24S,  406. 
Flora",  210,211,224. 
David,  342,  405,  4.57. 
John,  425,  445. 
Mrs.  Marv  E.,  472, 
L.  F.,  292,318,  345,346, 

419. 
Nellie  M.,  292. 
Austin,  Jonathan,  142. 
Samuel,  142. 
F.    272. 
Carrie  S.,  313. 
Averill,  J.  P.,  303,  311,  314. 
Avery,  S.  D.,  273. 
Ayers.T.,  272. 

Badger,  Wm.,  186,  192. 

David,  77. 
Baglev,  Eben,  87. 
Bailev,  142,  262,  284. 
L.E.,462. 
S.  S.,   406,  407,  412,  419, 

420. 
David,  404. 
Mary  J.,  398. 
A.C.,  274. 
Baker,  Joseph,  425. 
Balcb,  Laurilla  A.,  472. 

Mason    H.,  319,  418,  472. 
Mark,  318,  457. 
C.  E.,  314,  319. 
Rev.  Wm.,  228. 
Israel,  82,   116,    133,   142, 
283. 


Balch,  lohn,  73,  324,451. 
Isaac,  133,  142. 
Wm.,  184,   247,  268,   341, 
342,  345. 
Baldwin,  W.  O.,  314. 
Nahuni,  i04. 
I.O.,3l4. 
Samuel,  406. 
Bard,  S.I. ,   189,   290,   292,   299, 
302,   310,   311,  341, 
415,  421,  446. 
Geo.    1.,   217,   314, 
445,  4.58. 
Barker,  N.  B.,  303. 
Barnard,  Widow,  65. 
Barnes,  I?ev.,236. 

Kev.  1.,  102. 
lsaacO.,301,310,  314. 
Barnet,  Samuel-,   136,  142,    283, 

331. 
Barrett,  C,  274. 
J.,  274. 

Ezra,  398,  421. 
G.  A.,  421. 
Barton,  F.  A.,  401. 
Bartlett,  losiah,  139. 
Parker,  464. 
Thomas,  451 . 
Hon.  J.  P.,  315. 
E.  B.,407. 
Batchelder,  O.  S.,  316,  318. 

Israel,  178,  19f,  198, 

305,    319,  342, 

343,    404,   405, 

413,  415,    457. 

M.,  130. 

>  N.,  130. 

E.  K.,  405,  419,  457. 

Amos,  142,262,  284, 

471. 
George,  218. 
Lucrelia,  292. 
Roxy,  292. 
H.  K.,  317. 
Batten,  John,  133,  142. 

Richard,  133,   142,   252, 
262,  283,   331, 
461. 
Baxter,  144,  284. 
Bean,  J.  W.,  272,  417,  422. 
Beard,  Josiah,  142. 

William,  2.57. 
Bedell,  Capl.  T.,  78. 
Belcher,  I..,  333. 

L.  H.,407. 
Christie,  409. 
Frank,  409. 
H.  A.,  273. 
F.  W.,  274. 
Bell,  Samuel,  156,    182,  283,  298, 
314,  338,  339,   416, 
447,  454,  464. 
Hugh,  1.57,  282. 
John,  201,  447,  4.58. 
Edward,  274. 
Luther  V.,  447,  458. 
lames,  448,  458. 
Sanniel  D.,  448,  458. 
Bennett,  J.  E.,  315. 


Berrv,  N.  S.,  193. 

Rev.  A.,  316. 
Betlon,  lames,  328,  429. 
Bickford,  Cora,  312. 
Sara,  312. 
Billings,  I.aura  J.,312. 
Bingham,  S.,  4o4. 
Birney,  J.  G.,  192. 
Bixby,  Mrs.  Mary  A.,  419. 

C.  H.,  445," 4.58. 
Dean,  396,  423. 
Thomas  E.,  318,405, 

407,  413, 
472. 
lames   T.,   318,  344, 
405,  419. 

D.  p.,  405,416. 
Ernest,  409. 
George  H.,  274,  315, 

419,  446, 
Paul  H.,  181,184,188, 
246,  292,  305, 
342,  343,  404, 
415,  457. 
William,    165,    172, 
181,    182, 
201,     289, 
299,    301, 
317,     330, 
404,    416, 
454.    461 , 
465. 
Asenath,292. 
Edward,    2.54,    262, 

330. 
Levi,  176,315. 

E.  E.,.319. 
Daniel,  37,  64,  330, 

396,  397.  404, 
419. 
Asa,  64,  82, 142,  262, 

331 . 

Thomas,  82,  105,  119, 

142,  147,  156, 

238,  2.54,  257, 

283,  298,301, 

330,  337,  .338, 

A.  H.,  274,  290,315, 

319,  344,  346, 

407,  408,  410, 

415,  417,  457, 

Blair,  William,  12,  15. 

John,  12,  15. 
Blanchard,  B.  A.,  274. 

Col.    Joseph,  10 
Blasdel,  136. 
Blodffett,  Samuel,  69. 
Blood,  Francis,  104. 
Boardman,  1.,  283. 

Rev.    214,   220, 
448. 
Boudinot,  Elias,  113. 
Bouton,  Rev.   Dr.,  7. 

Miss  H.  S.,3I1. 
Boutwell,  N.  B.,  315. 

James,  303,311. 
Rev.  W.  T.,300, 
Luther,  419. 
Bowman,  Francis,  451. 


406, 
420, 


396, 
458. 
194, 
315, 
405, 

180, 
197, 
298, 
307, 
340, 
419, 
462, 


283, 


395, 
405, 

283, 

124, 
172, 
262, 
3'/3, 
339. 
318, 
406, 
413, 
472. 


444, 


314, 


INDEX    OF    NAMES 


Vlll 


Boyd,  Nathaniel,  p.  100,  '236,  285, 

3'28,  3H0,  142, 

•262,  •2S4,  336. 

Samuel,    14-2,    144,     262, 

2S4. 
Ebenezer,  181,  289,    292, 
340,   341,  457. 
Charles  H.,  292,  306,  315, 

444,  458. 
'I'homas,  328,  429. 
William,  429. 
Hoves,  William,  15. 
Robert,  15. 
Joseph,  15, 
Hovlston,  E.  D.,  80,  451. 
Hrackett,   Annie  D.,  313. 
Bradford,  Moses  E.,    h2,    177, 
188,191, 
284,341, 
342. 
Rev.  .Moses,  126,  104, 
176,  180, 
229,  2.}1, 
235,  238, 
241,  244, 
287,  289, 

403,  443, 
444,  466, 
471. 

Robert,  142,  254,  262, 
284,  397,  405, 
415,418. 

M    C,  ISl. 

Rev.  K.   I'.,  240. 

Levi   B.,  245,  247. 

Benjamin,  2.57. 

J.  H.,269. 

'Ilialcher,  271. 

Thomas  B,  343,  419, 
318,344, 

404,  405, 
456. 

Jennie  M.,  418,  472. 
Oliver  L.,  316,  447. 
Thomas    L.,  447,  317. 
David,  446, 
Hannah,  292. 
Levi,  292. 
Martha,  292. 
Roxv  P.,  292. 
Emina  A.,  292. 
Samuel  C  444. 
Moses,  Jr.,  444,  4-58 
Ebenezer,  444,  4.58. 
Breckenridjje,  201. 
Brennan,  Edward,  430. 
Brewster,  Isaac,  64,  82, 142,  429, 
4GA. 
lames,  142,   262,   285, 

331 . 
John,  142. 
Jennie,  292. 
S.  N.,  417. 
Brickett,  Harry,    193,   221,   290, 
304,    311,  319. 
H.  L.,  4.58. 
Brooks,  Rev.  ].,  248. 

J.  L.,"274. 
Brown,    Jonn,  13,15,  22,37,44, 
49,  53,    58,    262, 
321. 
Thomas,   13,  15,  22,  25, 
37,-53,  142, 262, 
326,   329. 
John,  of   Kansas,  201. 
Mary,  30. 
Aaron,  80. 
leremiah,  142. 
Titus,  172,176,  177,  178, 
181,  182,  241,246, 
247,  289,  290,298, 
299,  340,  341,342, 


Brown,  Titus,  403,  413,  418,420, 
448,  454,  465. 
E.G.,  248. 
William,  262. 
David,  272. 
E.  K.,  290,417,458. 
Emily  U.,  292,304,  311, 

314. 
Charles,  274. 
S.  O.,  274. 
James,  274. 
Sewell,  418. 
Bruce,  Rev.  John,  1.53,  236. 

Georfje  A.,  316. 
Bryant,  E.  A.,  274,  316,  317,317, 
MissS.  A.,  312. 
S.  E.,  396,  420. 
Mrs.  1.  W.,  414. 
Robert  A.,  445. 
Buchanan,  J.,  197,  199. 
Buckminsler,  John,  1.56,  284. 
Bullard,  142,  269,  283,  445. 
Burge,  Deborah,  242. 
S,2S;5,  414. 
Benjamin,  444,  4,58. 
Burke,  R.,  291 
Burnett,  Rob't,  429. 
Burnham,  Caroline  M.,311. 

Emma  .\.,  292. 
Burns,  Samuel,  135,  142. 
lames,  136,262. 
lohn,  136,331. 
C.  It.,  218,  402. 
Bush,  E.  G.,  221. 
Butler,  II.  H.,269. 
Buttertield,  Samuel,   28,  37,  -53, 
262,  326. 
William,  29,   34,  35, 
37,  44,  47, 
53,  58, 142, 
231,     253, 
262,     314, 
328,     333, 
394. 
Isaac,     34,    37,    84, 

142,  262. 
Oliver,  .34,  105,  142, 
257,  285,  395, 
405,  414,  420, 
439,  471 . 
William,  Jr.,  47,  53, 
99,  142, 
247,405, 
418,429, 
431. 
Moses  and  Robert, 
142,  262,  272,  285, 
331,  4.39. 
P.  C,  178,  404. 
O.  C,  181. 
Joseph,  272,  473. 
D.  W.,274,  344. 
Harriet,  292. 
D.  C,  407. 
D.  N.,  467. 
Buxton,  H.  E.,  274. 
lames,  414. 
Caldwell",  Samuel,  89,  181. 
Thomas,  89. 
lames,  11,  111,336. 
L.,  274. 

William     and      Mat- 
thew. 142. 
Calwell,  M.,  274. 
Campbell,  Wm.,  142,    254,   256, 
257,    262,   283, 
David,  266,  272. 
Daniel,  75,  80. 
Rev.  H.  F.,   243,  249, 
2.50,   444. 
Wm.  I.,  446. 
I.  T., '314,  313. 


Campbell,  Hon.  C.  H.,  315. 

Dr.  315. 
Card,  J.,  274. 
Carey,  M.,  274. 
Cargan,274. 
Carkin,  John,  406. 
Carleton,  D.,  247. 

O.,302,  310. 
Carpenter,  Rev.,  248. 
Carr,  Jesse,  194. 

Marv  G.,  313. 
W.  S.,  317. 
Carry,  R.,  274. 

Carson,  John,   11,  12,    13,  18,  19, 
20,  21,  23,  25,  37, 
43,   56,  58,  82,  85, 
88,    98,  142,   257, 
262,  272,321,326, 
327,  329,  .395,  422. 
Simon,  257,  262. 
Wm.,  20. 
Robert,  142. 
A.  S.,  274. 
Carter,  WiUard,    27,     319,    342, 

417. 
Cass,  Eewis,  193,  197. 
Cavan:iu>ih,  C,  262. 
Chapin,  C.  11.,  317. 

Georjfe  A.,  316. 
Chase,  C,  181. 
M..  2S3. 
Marv  I.,  .312. 
W.  b.,  406. 
I.  K.,  414. 
Chamberlain,  164. 

L.,  194. 

Capt.,   John,  13. 
Chandler,  G.  11.,  407. 
Cheney,  B.  P  ,  317. 

Luther,  405. 
Christie,  Jesse,  15,  44,  89. 

Peter,  .53,  56,  73,  262. 
Wni.,88,  262,  .329. 
Dr.,  316 
Chubbuck,  S.,  105,  262. 
Church,  I.e.  T.,  274. 
Cilley,  Joseph,  93,  142. 
Clark,  Haniel,  142   2S;i. 
Nathan,  142,284. 
Daniel,  73,  99,   142,   147, 

262,  283. 
Peter,  136,165,    172,   181, 
257,   268,  298,  305, 
308,  314,  341,  398, 
404,  418,  448,  462. 
Annie  G.,  291,  292. 
Ella,  292. 
Robert,  15,  38. 
William,  15,  53,  140. 
James    G.,    308,  314,  317, 
■John  L.,  314,  448,458. 
Charles   H.,  346. 
James,  448. 
F.  G.,  217,244,  290,  .307, 

312,  319. 
P.  L.,   318,  419,  423,  4.54. 
Joel,  283. 
T.  J.,274. 
Warner,    178,    190,    198, 

342,  396,  457. 
William  Jr.,  181. 
Clark,  Ninian,336. 
John,  457. 
John  G.,  458. 
Peter  Jr.,  458. 
Moses,  463. 
Dr.,  470. 

Hiram  P.,  20,  61, 198,212, 
268,  318,  343, 
344,  345,  394, 
404,  405,  414, 
4'i7,    472,  474. 


INDEX    OF    NAMES 


Clement,  S.  S.,  p.  333. 
Cleaves,  Susan,  313. 
Clough,  Nathan,  53,  58. 
Cobb,  yVbby  S.,  312. 
Flora  C,  313. 
Cochran,  Thomas,  11,  12,  13. 
Rodney  C,  407. 
Rodney   G.,    184,   415, 

4ti2. 
A.  J.,  308,313. 
T.  H.,  303. 
Addie,  292. 
Carrie,  292. 
J.,  292. 
James,  326. 
lohn  )r.,  104. 
Ninian,   104,  142,    231, 

23S. 
William,  142,  285,  43(i, 

457. 
I.,  181. 
•  Clark  B.,  186,31.5. 
Rev.    VV.  R.,   244,306, 
308,    .315. 
H.,  317. 
1.  B.,  315. 
Cogswell,  L.  W.,  316. 
Colburn,  W.  W.,  315. 

Martin     L.,    316,     346, 
347,      404, 
407,  422. 
E.  I..,  318. 
E.   \V.,    409,   419,   420, 

472. 
James,  419. 
Emma,   292. 
I.  L.,  274. 
Rosa,  292. 
Colbv,  lohn,  135. 
b.  A.,  274. 
1.  F.,  274. 
Anthony,  193. 
Collins,    1.    M.,    270,   333,    342, 
343,   404,   457. 
J.  274. 

Samuel    B.,  342. 
Conn,  Dr.  G.  P.,  316. 
Connell,  Dr.  |.,  317. 
Cooper,  iacob,  35. 

S.,  272. 
Coston,  E.,  262. 
Converse,  j .,  271. 
Cook,  Charles  P.,  419. 
Cotton,  Rev.,  231. 
Cowell,  Prol.,  .309,  313. 
Cowen,  Luther,  419,  423. 
Cram,  Lewis.  272. 
Cram,  142,  162,  283,  298,  460. 
Cress V,  Andrew,  130,    1.33,    142, 
147,  262. 
Joanna,  .311,  408. 
Crombie,  N.  C,  181. 

James,  176,   289.    41S, 

446. 
T.    H.,    189,  219,   290, 
315,  446. 
Crosby,  A.  H.,  306,  311,  44S. 
Stephen,  448. 
Frank,  419. 
Crnwlev,  J.,  274. 
Cummings,  E.  P.,  290. 
E.  D.,  446. 
Geo.  W.,   346,   347, 
402,   405, 
410,    413, 
415,      457, 
465,      472, 
474. 
Cunningham,  A.,  88. 
Cutler,  Rev.  C,  244,  245,  444, 
Cutter,  Eliza,  30.5. 

Ermina,  311, 
Cutts,  164. 


Daland,  Rev.,  248. 
Dane,    Nathan,    177,    181,    188, 
292,    342,    343, 
457. 
John,  142. 
Daniel,  136,  .330. 
Daniel  Jr.,  1.36. 
M.  A., -292. 
Danforlh,  Jona,  345,  346. 
Darlinsr,  C.  H.,  316. 
David,  E.  C,  316. 
Davidson,  Rev.,  2.33. 
Davenport,  Rev.,   241,244,290, 

444. 
Davi=,  Lydia  W.,  312. 

Jonah  M.,397,  419. 
Rev.   J.,  248. 
Deane,    Benjamin,   81,  135,  142, 
1.55,  162,263, 
282,  318. 
B.  F.,  3.51. 
George,    283,    289,   339, 

340,  395,  422. 
Laura,  292. 

Newell  F.,  318,  344,345. 
Mark,  333. 
Deering,  Frances,  39. 
Dearborn,  Prof.,. 315. 

Hon.  J.  G.,  315. 
Rev.  Wni.,  315. 
C.  v.,  290,-317,448. 
Dennison,  142,  279,  292,  461. 

D.  D.,  274. 
Diamond,  .3.30. 

Dickerman,  Samuel,  44,  47,  -52, 
53,  .55,  63, 
82,       142, 
1.56,     232, 
283,     320. 
3.30. 
Dickev,  Elias,  463. 
Samuel,  429 
James,  29,  37,  44,  45,53. 
John,  29,  .33,-37,  44,  46, 
47,  48,  49,  53,  .56, 
81,  82,85,  87,88, 
95,  124,  126,  128, 
142,236,2.55,263, 
^84,  .320,  321,328, 
330,  337. 
Adam,  35,   47,   -5-3,   6.5, 
73,  88,  328,  329, 
429. 
William,  35,  37,  •53.  .57, 
96,    111,    142, 
263,  284. 
Joseph,  47,  53,  328. 
M.,  284. 
Thomas,  285. 
Betsey,  292. 
Harve'v,  292. 
Mary  1.,  292. 
DIcke,  Stephen,  142. 
Dinsmore,Tohn,  64,  282. 

Robert,  134,  1.57,  263, 
282,  456. 
Samuel,  186,  194. 
Horace,  333. 
Othniel,458. 
W.  B.,  318. 
Dr.  S.,  446,457. 
Dodge,  Benj.,  3.36. 

Adoniram,  334. 

Edward,  333. 

Perley,  315. 

Jennie  E.,  292. 

Susan,  292. 

Ella,  292. 

Levi,  292,  315. 

A.S.,274. 

Merrill,  270,292. 

Albert,  247. 

Issachar,  223,  247,   .318, 


Dodge,  Issachar,   395,405,   420, 
421,   423,   429. 
James,  142. 
Joshua,  4-30. 
Gideon,  109,  136. 
Simeon,  82,  142,  156,263, 

283,  395. 
J.  C,  181,  184,  315. 
P.,  181,302,310,314,418, 

447,  448,  4-57. 
William,  404. 
Porter,  464. 
E.  \V.,  472. 
C.  K.,  407. 
S.  H.,  407. 
Donahue,  laffery,  53. 
Dorson,  T.,  142". 
Douglas,  S.  A.,  197,  201. 
Dow,  Moses,  125. 
Downes,  Harlan  P.,  32,  420. 

George    E.,  216,  247, 
.319,   346, 
407,   410, 
417,    422, 
472. 
Amasa,   245,   247,   274, 
397,    410,   413, 
416.  472. 
S.  D.,  247,  292,  314,319, 
.343,  344,  .345,  404, 
406,  407,  410,  417, 
421,  454,  4.57,  462. 
472. 
Augusta,  292. 
(J race,  292. 
Mabel,  292.      . 
Anna,  292. 
Draper,  Wm.,  133,  142 

Mrs.  X.  C,  151,  421. 
T.,  272. 

Aaron,  263,  46(5,  471. 
DriscoU,  D.,  285. 
Drury,  Dr.  B  ,336,  .337,  445. 
Dudlev,  Joseph,  5. 
Dunlap,"A.  H.,  3n3,  314. 
Dumas,  Frank,  402. 
Duncan,  John,  89,  125. 
Duncklee,  Daniel    W.,   22,   2.51. 
George   A.,    23,   209, 
318,344, 
346,  472. 
J.,  182,  414,  457. 
"F.  H.,  203,  .3^8,   344, 

464. 
Francis,  272. 
Marv  A.,  292. 
Hannah  \V.,  292, 408. 
Sarah,  292. 
Emma  J.,  292. 
Durell,  164. 
Durrar.t,  142,  263,  285. 
Dustin,  Wm.,  87. 
Z.,  134,  136. 
John,  135,  272. 
'£.,136,142,263,282. 
Alexander,  172,  292,295, 

310. 
J.  S.,  274. 
George  A..  274. 
Mrs.  J.,  463. 
Dutton,  Jacob,  130,  133,142,263, 
431 
Benjamin,  142. 
Joel,  283. 
Prof.,  .315.  ■ 

Eaton,  Harry  W.,  4.58. 
C.  H'.,  274. 
J.  W.,  274. 

Moses,  126,  142,253,284. 
Thomas,169,172,177,184, 

284,298,299,301, 

323. 


INDEX    OF    NAMES. 


E:iton,  S.  W.,  p.  XU. 

F 

erson,  S.,  26$,  284,332. 

Harrison,  401. 

lames   11.,  274 

Ellenwood,2S4. 

Robert,  263. 

Emerson,  Kev  ,  2;14. 

Paul,  15. 

K.  \V  ,  178,270,285, 

lanet,  4G3. 

318,  .•543,344, 

Marv  S.,  263. 

40.),  4.i7. 

lames,  12,  13,  15. 

'1'.,  284. 

Henry,  13,  15,  116. 

Ausrust;!,  293. 

F 

ifield,  Mrs.,  I  ,  422. 

Sarah,  293. 

Nat.  89. 

Emma,  293,  312. 

F 

illmore,  199. 

Frankif,  293. 

F 

isher,  Abner,  142,263,  283,3.30. 

Nellir,  293. 

David,  142,  1.58,283,3:32, 

Epps,  Francis,  SO,  104,  133,  2i)3, 

396. 

456. 

lames,  32,  33,  45,46,48, 

N.,  181,4.'J7. 

55,  73,81,82,  84, 

Georjje    D.,   209,  220,  274, 

85.    87,   88,    116, 

291,  293.  316, 

126,128,  142,1.55, 

318,  346,  407, 

2.31,232,2.36,323, 

408,  409,  462. 

336,337,416,420. 

Mamie,  293. 

Samuel,  32,  33,  37,  429. 

Annie,  293. 

Nathan,  37,   44,   47,    53; 

EstabrooUs,  Kev.,  229,  234. 

.57.  73,143,231, 

Everett,  C.   W.,  316. 

257,     263,    283, 

Willard,   239,  245,  246, 

330. 

292. 

Richard,  174. 

E.,  158,221,238,  263,284, 

Thomas,  143,263,254. 

314,398,  403,444,4.')S, 

Thomas  E.,  199, 203, 293, 

P.,  163. 

316,343,344, 

Sallv,293. 

:}45,  446.  457. 

.Marv,293. 

Moses,  143,283,  430. 

AbhV,  293. 

Seth,  143,  283,  3.30. 

Ewell,    Capt.,   82,  142,  1.56,  443. 

M.   B.,  245,  319,  464. 

Peres,  142,  283,  397,  420. 

Mark,  181,404. 
Eevi,  182. 

Fairbanks,  Jennie,  4.55. 

H.   P.,  246. 

Amos  P.,  318. 

William   y.,  26S. 

Sallv,  293. 

Ira,  272,  283. 

Sara'h  A.,  293. 

W.  T.,  274. 

Elias,   82,   139,  140, 

Zibiah,293. 

142, 147,  1.55, 

Aaron,  .3.32,3.33. 

237,  240, 245, 

Nathan,  I r.,  3.39,  340. 

263,  284,  337, 

Tohn,  394,  416,  417. 

.338,  .339. 

Matthew  A.,  461. 

I.,  181,  .341,396,422. 

F 

ske,    Jonathan,  128,    131,  136, 

"A.  G.,  219,  317,319, 

1.39,  236,   237, 

465. 

245,  337,   338, 

Dea.    B.,    240,    245, 

420. 

246,  247, 

Rev.,  236. 

.396. 

Fitts,  Dr.,  211,  407,  446. 

labes,  404. 

F 

atrsr,  T.  \V.,406. 

F'airchild,  Rev.,  242. 

Fletche?.  Dea.  l.,316. 

*       Pattv,  471. 

Eva  M.;317. 

Fairfield,  181.' 

Gilman  P.,  405. 

Farnum,  Peter,  143,263,268,271, 

Robert,  425. 

272,    283,    338, 

Flint,  Geo.  W.,  218. 

339. 

G.  W.,  .308,     .312,     313, 

Israel,  24. 

407. 

N.,   184,  199,  268,  343, 

Amos,  409. 

4.57    462. 

F 

sllansbee,  Wm.,  447. 

W.    H.,  208.  316,  318, 

I'- 

^llansbee,  143,   157,   263,    284, 

344,  397,  404, 

343. 

410,  416,  420, 

F 

olsom.  Rev.,  241,  244,  290,444. 

4-59. 

F 

nrsMith,  Robt.,  136. 

E.  W.,  410. 

Wm.,  163. 

Sarah  1.,  293. 

F.   F.,  .311,  316. 

Israel  15.,  457. 

Foster,  Abial.  125,  13S. 

Mary  B.,  472. 

F 

)Ote,  Thomas  ¥.,  414. 
P.  M.,274. 

Farlev,  Dr.,  176,  289,  419,  446. 

A.,  274. 

Nathan,  406. 

T.,  274. 

Farmer,  143,  270,  285. 

S.,  275. 

F"arrar,  Rev.,  236. 

F 

.X,  C.  l.,314. 

Timothv,  104,  125. 

I.,  274. 

Farrington,  142,  143,  163. 

F 

•anklin,  B.,  4.53. 

F'avor,  M.,  134,  135. 

K 

-eeman,  Geor2:e,  301,  310. 

Felch,   John,  1.34,  136,  157,   283, 

F 

remont,  ].  C,  199. 

.331. 

F 

rench,  J.'O.,  316. 

Benjamin,  142,331. 

F 

•ve,  P.T.,  318,  344. 

David,  2S3. 

D.F.,  406,  446,457. 

Samuel   L.,  472. 

F 

uller,  Thaddeus,  143. 

Felt,  Benjamin,  99. 

T  ,  263,  2S3. 

Person,  John,  282. 

Seth,  143,  263,  283,  330.  i 

Fuller,  Daniel,  143,  172,  177, 
184,  188,  190,  195,  198. 
259,  263,  284,  298,  299, 
305,  329,  330,  343,  395, 
400,  401,  404,  406,  4.57, 
471. 

Rufus,  143,263,283,418. 
S.,  142,  182.  263,  284. 
lason,  1-12,  283,  331,. 338, 

460. 
Ira,  283. 

Daniel,  jr., 341,  342,  4.57. 
Fulton,  Robert,  .58,  73,  88,  110, 

329,  336. 
Gale,  R.  F.,  316. 

C.   H.,  415,  454,  462. 
Gambell,  Dr.,  198,  343,  446. 

Archibald,  105,  263. 
Gardner,  Frank,  423. 
Garfield,  Pres.,  208. 
Gav,T.,  ISl,  184,  415,454. 
Albert,  218,  315,  317. 
Ich.,2-3,  463. 
George  F.,  26.3. 
Cviithia,  293. 
Alpheus,  293  315,  318,  .341, 

342. 
Susan,  293. 
Joel,  316,  333. 
Aug-iistine,  M.,  4.58. 
Georirc  F.,  4.58. 
George,  Emm.i  A.,  293. 

A.  (.,293,312,419,  4.58. 
If   ■l.,275. 
G«rrish,  Henry,  104. 
Gibbens,  136. 
Gibson,  Walter,  4.58. 
Polly,  163. 
lane,  463. 
David,  283. 
Gibson,  Matthew,  134,  135,  142. 
John,  136,  143,  164,  165, 
169,  170,  184,  187, 
194,  283,  323,  338, 
339,  340,  341,  342, 
343,  415,  4.59,  462. 
Gilbert,  E.,  142,  263,  2S5,  471. 

I.,  285. 
Gilchrist,  David,  315. 
Gilman,  John  T  ,  139,  1.52. 

N.,  125. 
Glover,  Henrv,  263. 

J.,  283. 
Goffe,  lohn,  37. 
Gove,  Mrs.  A.,  463. 

Jonathan ,  75,  80,  125. 
Goodale,   ].  L.,  311. 
Goodell,  Marv  A.,  312. 
Goodhue,  P.  E.,  .317. 
Goodridsre,  Rev.,  233,  236. 
Gordon,  164,  45n. 
Gould,  A.  E.,  317. 

H.  D..317,  407. 
D.,  266. 
S.,  181. 
Grant,  Wm.,  316. 

Wm.  H.,  448. 
Graves,  C,  275. 
Gray,  William,  12. 
Greelev,  Horace,  206. 
Green,' John,  143,  283. 

Francis,  2S3. 
Gregg,  Dr.,  314. 

Hugh,  12,  15. 
James,  15. 
Tames   Jr.,  15. 
David, '47,  73,  263,  329. 
Samuel,  47. 
Alexander,  140. 
Tohn,  263. 
William,  271. 
Grimes,  T.  G.,  316. 

John,   25,   140,  298,301 


INDEX    OF    NAMES 


XI 


Grimes,  John,  p.  456,  461. 
Guild,  Geo.  K.,  315,  317. 

I.,  180,  184,  341,  404,  454. 

Joseph,  128,  142,  •284,338, 
400. 

Daniel,  293,  340,  341. 
Gun,  Samuel,  53. 
Gutterson,  2S3,  313. 

Iladlev,  George,  S9. 

Abel,  105,  263. 
Mary  A.,  312. 
E.,  31^. 
Haines,  H.  P.,  313. 
Hale,  Kobt.,  42.5. 
Nathan,  93. 
William,  1()4. 
)ohn  P.,  192,  197. 
Hall,  lohn,  37,429. 
Daniel,  37. 
Samuel,  37. 
Joseph, 331 . 
"Stephen,  282. 
Eben,  2S2. 
Richard,  282. 
Hambiett,  C..).,  317. 
Hanson,  Anaie,  313. 
Hardv,   K.  P.,  293. 

Cvnlhia  A.  C,  293. 
IVfargie  I,.,  293. 
Addie,  293. 
G.  F.,  315. 
Hannah  ().,  293. 
H.  H.,275. 
A.  S.  S..275. 
I.uther,  343. 
Harris,  C,  275. 
Harrison,  A.,  317. 

\V.  H.,  189. 
Harrod,  lames,  99,  143,  263. 
Hart,  Seth.,  136. 
Harvev,  M.,  1S3. 
Haseltine,  I.,29S. 

J.    \V.,   172,    177,  188, 
298,    301,   342, 
397,   404,   420, 
421,   44S,   456. 
Haskell,  Wni.,  470. 
Haven,  164. 
Haves,  207. 

Hayward,  Svlvanus,    22i,  247, 
306,   313. 
Hazen,  Richard,  (i. 
Heath,  143. 

Henderson,  D.  R.,  402,  407,  413, 
415,417. 
Susie  M.,  293. 
John   I.,  409.- 
HerricU,  H  .,  290;  304,  311. 

Jonathan   Ir.,  343. 
Hibbard,  M.   M.,  312. 
Highland,  136,  283. 

Thomas,  136. 
Hill,  David  W.,  35,  279. 

Laura  G..  293. 
Hix,  William,  275. 
Hodge,  Fred  H.,  317. 

George  W.,  409. 
Samuel,    143,    172,   284, 
298,    299,    301, 
338,    415,    418, 
4.54,  456,  471. 
S.  R.,  213,  315,  319,  344, 
404,  405,  406,  410, 
418,  4.54,457,472. 
Frank  A.,  405. 
Ilogg,  Elizabeth,  157. 
Abner,  56. 
Robert,  15. 

Tames,  53,   S2,    116,    119, 
124,  143,  263,   337.- 
Holland,  John,  5S,  59. 
Holbrook,   A.M.,   195,  44S,  457. 


Holcomb,  \V.  F.,  316. 
Holmes,  Eben,  143. 

Enoch,  S2,  143,  283. 
William,   .37,     47,    73, 

329,331. 
labez,  81,   82,  111,  116, 
119,124,131,140, 
.336,  337,  338. 
David,  283. 

Oliver,  34,  37,    44,    4.5, 
47,  49,  53,  57,  64, 
73,  80,  81,  82,85, 
95,   96,   99,   124, 
126,  132,136  1.39, 
141,  143,147,1.55, 
162,  226,231,263, 
283,  320,326,3.36, 
337,  456,  459. 
Oliver  Jr.,  1.55,  165,  172, 
283,   284.   28", 
298,    301,   341, 
457. 
Jabez  Jr.,  14.3,   174,240, 
245.  246,  283, 
336,  337,  338. 
L^wis,  268. 
Ichabod,  283. 
l-ivinia,  293. 
Hannah,  293. 
Oliver,  3d.  338,  3.39. 
Holt,  Stephen,  245,  247,  231. 
S.  H.,  275. 
O.  N.,  275,  407. 
Nellie  B.,312. 
Perlev,  409. 
F.,  181. 
Hopkins,  Fred,  29. 

Robert,  31,37,  47,   .53, 

231,  232,   233, 

263,  329. 

lohn,  35,37,47,53,272. 

James,  .37,  47,  49,   53, 

143,  320,    .329. 

Kovd,  99,  124,  128,143. 

Eben,    142,    270,    283, 

323. 
William,  142,  263,285. 
Clark,  181. 
Wm.  H.,  212,'270,319, 

345.' 
Horace,  270. 
David,  272,  275. 
G.  W.,  275. 
H.  M.  D.,  275. 
Ora  A.,  293. 
Fred  L.,  472. 
Houston,  Rev.,  76,'2.34. 
How,  Rev.,  229. 

A.,  284,  446. 
Howard,  Dr.  N.,  446. 

Roxanna,  293. 
Charles,  315,  397,  409. 
Howe,  James,  297,  310. 
Huntington,   Joseph,   134,   135, 
158. 
Gideon,  143. 
Joshua,    82,     143, 

823. 
J.  M.,  422. 
■R.  p.,  406. 
S.,  272. 
J.  283,  464. 
Huntley,  Mrs.,  313. 
Hurd,  Augustus,  431. 
B.  S.,  309,  313. 
Rev.  A.  C,  244,  245,  247, 
421. 
Hutchinson,  O.,  248. 

).  D.,317. 
A.C.,317. 
Dr.  H.  S.  446. 
Rndnev,  464. 
Hyde,  Wm.,  333. 


Hyde,  Betsey  A.,  293. 

Inman,  Ralph,  35. 
Ives,  Rev.,  244,  245,  445. 

Jackman,  Julia, 313. 
"Jackson,  Dr.,  399. 

Andrew,  181. 
James,  Rev.,  250,  445. 
Jameson,  N.  W.  C,  303,  314. 
jaquith,  Abby  W.,  311. 
Jellison,  C.  W.,  409. 
"lewelt,  R.,  311. 
Johnson,  143,  263,283,  284,296, 

314,  461. 
Jones,  Joel,  170. 

Rev.  Z.,  248. 

T.,  2(53. 

Dr.,  314. 

J .,  .332. 

Kelv,  Capt.,  .58,  ,59. 
Keliev,  J.  R.  H.,  317. 

F.  H.,  401. 
Kellogg,  Rev.,  244,  444. 
Kemp,  Asa,  263. 

Uzziah,  333. 
Kendrick,  Benj.,  75. 
Keyes,  A.  L.,  313,  316. 
Kidder,  P.  C,  231,  398,  471. 
Killani,  Benj.,  13.5. 
Kimball,  Reuben,  1.30,  133. 
Joseph,  143,  162. 
King,  Jonathan,  41. 
Kingsburv,     Joseph,    149,    169, 
•lU,    318, 
405,   422. 

George,  181,  273, 
293,  403, 
417. 

Leonard,  464. 

John  L.,  464. 

"J.  M..  275,  293. 

"Ilann:ih,2e3. 

Julietta.  293. 

Harriet  N.,  293. 

Sarah,  293. 

Lucy  A.,  293. 

Caroline  II.,  293. 

Emily  J.,  293. 

N. .,416. 

Mrs.  A.  R.,  319. 

Mrs.  S.  E.,  318. 

Dr.  E.  N..  317,  447. 

Dr.     Charles,    317, 
447. 

Warren  E.,  293. 

Mary  R.,  293. 

Alice  M.,  293. 

Julian  A.,  293. 
Kittredge,  Dr.,  446. 

A.,  284. 
Knight,  143,  283. 
Knowlton,  T.  O.,  290,  307,  312. 

Labaree,  B.,  302,  311, 

Labonte,  422. 

Lakin,  W.,  143,  263,  2S3,  330. 

N.  H.,  272. 
Lamson,  J.,  143. 
Langdeli;  Jacob,  463. 
Langdon,  lohn,  164. 

W.,  125. 
Larwell,  275. 
I.aslev,  lames,  143. 
Lee.  \\  i'iliam,  35,  37,  .53,  .56,  .58, 

263,  336. 
Lewis,  George,  283,  307,  317. 
Nathaniel,  143. 
Asa,  52,  58,  73,  143,  282, 
.   257.    263,  336.  337. 
Moses,  .37,   .53,  1.30,  232, 
.329. 


xn 


IKDEX    OF    NAMES. 


Lewis,  Aaron,  p.  35,  37,44,  53,  [ 
•263,  'JSl. 
Daniel,  24,  164,  176,287,  i 
2S9,  293,298,299,  | 
;523,  339,  340,448, 
457,  458. 
John,  23. 
"loseph,  284. 

Isaac,   23,  24,  25,  37,  53,  1 
81,  82,  89,  99, 143, 
232,  2.36,  245,  284, 
327,337,471. 
Daviil,  11,  20,  23,  24,25, 
37,  45,  46,  47,  48, 
•iO,  53,  59,  61.  95, 
96.  Ill,  136,  143, 
147,  1.55,165,174. 
176,  232,234,236, 
237,  245,284,328, 
336,.337,338,  394, 
403,404,457,  463. 
Lincoln,  A.,  192,  201,  208. 
L.,  143. 
\V.  II.,  251. 
Little,  Chas.,  312. 
Liverniore,  12G. 
Livingston,  Jolm,  15. 
Locke,  314. 

Lollev.  Saninel,    143,    165,    263, 
283,    412,     415, 
418,  445. 
Longlev.  302,  311'. 
Lord,  William,  82,  284. 

William  A.,  293,  318,  345, 

372. 
lohn,  423. 
Emily  F.,  293. 
Loring,  John,  272. 
Levering,  R.  F.,  406. 
Lovcwell,  lonathan,  104. 
Lovejov,  Marv  C,  293. 
Low,  ]'o?epli,"l92. 
Simon,  263. 
Lvons,  — ; ,  275. 

Mace,  L,285. 
Manahan,  M.,  270,  293. 

l.,263,    284,  285,  330, 
468,  471. 
Mrs.  John,  440. 
Frances,  293. 
Mary  J.,  293. 
Ora,  293. 
Adam,  463. 
Walter  D.,  464. 
1  oseph  S.,  472. 
Marcy,  W.  L.,  197. 
Murdcn,  lennie,  293. 

N.  R.,  407,  413,  420. 
E.  S.,  275. 
C.  N.,  275. 
W.  R.,  275. 
Rev.  H.,  315. 
Marrell.  143. 

Martin,  Samuel,  35,   37,    44,  .53, 
.58,  143,257,263, 
285,  328,  330. 
lesse,  143,  264. 
lames,  263,  268,  272. 
Robert,  285, 
Mason,  lohn  Tufton,  6. 

Capt.  John,  4,  424. 
Elihu;  296,  310. 
Masterman,  1.,  1.36. 
Mather,  165, '401. 
McAllister,  lohn,  13. 
Daniel,  87. 
McCaine,  404,  457. 

Daniel,  343. 
McCarthy,  275. 
McCaulcv,  271. 
McCleuch.  Robert,  119,  142. 
McClurg,  John,  130. 


McCov,  Emma  A.,  293. 
Charlotte,  312. 
\\  jlliam,  142,  184. 
McCollom,T.,  331. 
McClure,  David,  163. 
John,  143. 
Samuel,  272. 
Joseph,    142,  2.57,  264. 
McCuUev,  275. 
McDonald,  264,  275. 
McGaw,  Robert,  90, 
McGee,  Rev.,  242,  244,  290,  444 
McGreggor,  David,  31,  233. 

Rev.,  227. 
McGunnery,  58. 
.Mcllvaine,  Daniel,  301. 

lohn,    264,  283,298, 
301,  339,  403, 
423. 
lames,  264,284,412, 

419. 
William,    264,    2S4. 
Robert,  278. 
McKeen.  lohn,  429. 

Charles,  342. 
William.  2.5. 
Mcl.ane,  Hugh,  143,  ?S5. 
M.,  35,  143.  284. 
Obadiah,  260. 
Charles,  328. 
Niel,293,  313,  406. 
lohn,    284,    289,    293, 
461. 
McLaughlin,    Thomas,   73,   85, 
87,    88, 
264,  330, 
336. 
lohn,  140,264. 
McM aster,  Wm.,   35,  37,  44,  -53, 
56,  .58,  73,  85, 
86,  87,  88,  96, 
264,  .336. 
lanct,  54,  321. 
McMellan,  143. 
McMillan,  A.,  96,  .336. 
McMurphv,  A.,  125. 
McNiel,  \'\m.,  13,  15. 

lohn,  64,  269. 
McPherson,  John,  143.  254,  4.35. 
Haivev,  53. 
Samuel,  26,  142,441. 
Henry,  26,    37,    47, 

142.  329. 
James,  26,   87,    142, 
143,  264,284, 
442. 
William,  135,  264. 
Paul,  26. 
Means,  Rob't,  61. 
Mears,  1.,  275. 

Mellen,' Charles,  47,  73,  85,   87, 
88,  .330. 
Thomas,  88,  264,  330. 
lohn,  143,264. 
Rob't,  143. 
Melendv,  G.  B.,  316. 
Merriam,  Wm.,  130. 
Merrill,  H..  164,  2S3,  287,  289. 

I.M.,  408. 
Miles,  Rev.,  236. 
Miller,  lames,  178. 
Milliken,  307,  .312. 
Mills,  JameS;  1.36,143,284. 
Miltimore,  Daniel,  257. 
Mitchell,  Oliver,  136. 

lohn,  1.36,  143. 
Thomas,  81,    82,   116. 
143,  264,  396, 
Montgomery,    Hugh,   143,  264, 
429. 
William,  262,  264 
Montieth,  Lizzie,  313. 

H.  R.,  308,  .312. 


Moody,  Daniel,  396,  422. 
Mooar,  Gardner,  421. 

C.  H..  315. 
Moors,  Robert,  11. 

Rev.  Sol,  12,  16,  27,  227, 
234.  235. 

William,  75,87,  143. 

Col.   D.,  89. 

Hugh,  163,165.  264,271, 
272,  283,  340. 

Humphrey,  190. 

James,  264. 
Morgan,  Thensa,  293. 

•  Gerrv,  406. 

Aug.E.,  406. 

F.  II.,  290,  293,314,-319, 
344,  457. 
Morrill,  Robert,  35,  .58. 

Hugh,  35.  .53,  88. 

D.  L.,  178. 
Morrison,  143.  2.33,  296,  .310. 
Morse,  Capt.,  .52. 

lohn  M.,  347. 

Timothy,   143,    264,   284, 

"      463. 
Obcd.,  143. 
lacob,  284. 
Annie  M.,  293. 
Mark,   296,  305.  314,  332, 
343,  .393,  404,  457, 
462. 
Levi  B.,  316,  .318. 
John  G.,  35,  207,212,318, 
319,345,346,405, 
406,  407,  472. 
Moses,  J.,  275. 
Moulton,  275,  290,  446. 
Mdwry,  Clara,  313.  ^ 

MucleV,  John,  143. 

Nesmith,  Rob't,   172,   283,   298, 
301,  413,   416, 
4,54. 
Hon.  G.  W.,  182,190. 
James,  264. 
Arthur,  264. 
Newman ,  Thomas,  1.36. 

Eben,  136. 
Newton,  Samuel,  397. 
Hattie,  293. 
H.,284. 

Giles,  181.     416,    417, 
449,  454,  459. 
Nichols.  Moses,  104. 
David,  264. 

Samuel,   13,' 21,  25,  .37, 
47,  .53,  73, 126, 
143,    326,  327. 
John,   82,  143,257,  262, 
264,  284,  .303,  311, 
.314. 
Lizzie,  .312. 
Nutt,  William,  143,  257,  264. 

Samuel,  25,28,  .37,  41,  44, 
4.5,  47,  49,  53,  73, 
82,  88,  95,  99,124, 
126,  143,  226,  320, 
330,  331,336. 
Nutter,  E.,  283. 
Nutting,  Mrs.  A.,  416. 

Charles    E.,  345,   346. 
Ella,  293. 

Eleazur,  119,  134,  136, 
143,  264,  332. 

Obrion,  M.,  136. 
Ordwav,  Levi,  275 

R.  P.,  404,  419,  420. 

Warren,  409. 

Franklin,  414. 
Odiorne,  J.,  64,  428. 

Packer,  Thomas,  425. 


INDEX    OF    NAMES 


Paige,  Daniel,  p.  284. 
Jonathan,  163. 
Jeremiah,  104. 
C.  S.,  309,  313,   316,  407. 
Parke,  Wisner,  459. 
Parker,  Rev.  L.  S.,  242. 

Alexander,  37,  328. 
Ch;irles,  397. 
Mrs.  Rhoda  B.,  397. 
J.  C,  317. 
I.  S.,  316. 

"William, 177,184,248,268, 
30.5,    404,   457, 
459,    46.5,  471. 
Parkinson,  64. 
Parkinson,  R.,  303,  311. 

Henrv,   96,    99,    104, 
264,  293,336, 
4.')6. 
Partridge,  311,  316. 
Parish,  Rev.,  236. 
Patch,  '1  homas,  143. 
Benj,  143. 

Jonathan,  82,  ITie,  2S4,342. 
John,  199,  2S.5,  843,4.57,471. 
Hiram,  203,  318,  319,    344, 
345,   405,  406,'407, 
410,  413,  41.5,   416, 
420,  457,  472,  474. 
C.  F.,  293,  311,  314,;454. 
D    K.,  319,  344,  345. 
Nahum  H.,  343. 
Edson    H.,    346,   347,  409. 
Dr.  II.  F.,  447. 
Isaac.  283. 
lulia  M.,  293. 
Caroline  L.,  293. 
Sarah  M.,  293. 
Ann  E.,  293. 
Patten,  Samuel,  88. 
E.,  269. 

Matthew,  13,    75,  76,  104, 
433. 
Patterson,  Thomas,  130. 
I.,  181. 

William,  181. 
David,  416. 
Peabodv,  Rev.  C,  .304,  311. 
Peacock,  Rev.  248. 
Pearson,  Mary,  130. 
Pearsons,  Jesse,  190,  342. 
Peavev,  P.,  271. 

George  S.,  405,  474 
Charles  S.,  405,  474. 
B.  B.,  181. 
Penhallnw,  S.,  450. 
Perkins,  Rev.  ].  \V.,  314. 

D.  S.,  263. 
Peters,  P.,  275. 

Fied,409. 
Peterson.  Dr.,  449. 
Pettee,  Oliver,  2S. 

.'Vbner,  143,  264,  283,  285, 

332,  342. 
Ebenezer,  171,  398. 
Marv  \V.,  293. 
-     Rebecca,  293. 

Holmes  R.,  293,  318. 
Walter  K.,  293. 
Emma  I..,  293. 
R.  II.,  312. 
Horace,  318. 
lames,  458. 
Oliver  B.,  473. 
George    F.,  203,  207,  208, 
209,  212,  216, 
220,  290,  291, 
293,  318,  345, 
346,  409. 
Philbrick,  S.,  87. 
Pierce,  Ben).,  136,  157,'266. 
Nathan,  143. 
Franklin,    197,  299,  .305, 


Pierce,  Franklin,  314. 
Pierce,  loseph,  143,  272. 
Pike,  Miss  M.  K.,  313. 
Pilsburv,  S.,  134,  135. 
Pinckev,  C.  C,  145. 
Pitcaira,  Maj.,  S3. 
Plumnier,  \A  in.,  171. 
Polk,  ].  K.,  192. 
Poor,  Enoch,  93. 
Potter,  143,  419. 
Pratt,  Prof.,  314. 
Premiss,  S.  M.,  445. 
Presby,  Elisa,  395. 
Piescott,  S.  P.,  307,  312. 
Preslon,  Jacob,  421. 

L.  W.,  38,  344,  405,423. 
Proctor,  ].  G.,  275. 
Pufler.  C.  H.,  313. 

Jacob,  1.34.  135. 
Matthew,  134,  135. 
Punchard,  264,  283,  415. 
Putnam,  lostph,  135. 
r.,  271. 
Mary  I.  ,  313. 
Qj.iia lev,  1  amis,  2S3. 

Thomas,  11,  27,  37,47, 
53,  56,  73,  88, 
143,  255. 
Thomas  Ir.,  47,  65,73, 

SS 
William,  37,47,48,53, 
73,88,99,329, 
330. 
John,  27,  33,  37,  42,43, 
44,  45,  46,  47,49, 
53,56,  57,  .58,65, 
70,  73,  76,77,78, 
79,  80,81,91,95, 
104,    226,     336, 
4.56. 
Ramsev,  W.  H.,  314. 

John,  264 
Rand,  Dea.,  245,    247,    315,  318, 
343. 
N.,  284,  447. 
Sarah  C,  293.    . 
Frances  D.,293 
N".  Wheeler,  293,  317,  447. 
Abb:e  11.,  293. 
Hattie,  293. 
John,  293,  317. 
Dr.  1.  P.,  447. 
Bansom,  E.  P..  311. 
Rav,  Aaron,  451. 
Reed,T.  P.,  275. 
|oel,  135. 
jolhani,130. 
James,  93. 
Richards.  Rev.  A.,  241,  242,244, 
245,  246,414, 
444. 
W.  A.,  407. 
Richardson,  Zach.,  82,  143,144. 
264,  412,416, 
459. 
J.  P.,  246,   247,    319, 

407,  420. 
lames,  264. 
L .,  269. 
John,  420. 
lonas,272. 
Geo.  \V ,,  275. 
Emeline,  293. 
Marv,  293. 
Mar'ia,  293. 
Edith  M..  293. 
Louie,  293. 
Henrv,  319,  344,345, 

346,  409. 
Fred  A.,  464. 
Richmond,  S.  W.,  409. 
Rideout,  Lucretia.  293. 
C.  G.,  275. 


Riley,  Philip,  18. 

James,  275. 
Robie,"l.,425. 
Robinson,  Geo.,  471. 

Harry,  463,  471. 
Peter,  451. 
Rolf,  143. 

Rollins,  J.  M.,  316. 
Root,  C.  B.,  312,  317,  458. 

Dr.,  247,  307,  312,  418,446. 
Roper,  S.  H.,  318. 

C.  A.,  409. 

-Merrick,  420. 

Eucv,  293. 

Elizabeth,  293. 

C,  315. 

E.  F.,  318,  407,  418. 
Rowan,  12. 

Rowell,  Rev.,  244,  245,  444. 
Ruggles,  S.,  264. 

lohn,  284. 
Russell,  is"..  34. 

Sanford,  Dr.,  446. 
Sargent,  David,  24. 

Geo.  G.,  275,  395, 
Savage,  A.  L.,  211,  317. 
C.  W.,  309,  313. 
Nathan,  144,   237,   245, 
284,   289,   314, 
323,  339. 
Sawtelle,  186.  315. 
Sawver,  H.  E.,  247,  306.  311. 
Thomas  E.,  197. 
Clara  A.,  294. 
Susan  M.,  294. 
Henben  M.,  342. 
H.  H.,  218,294.  317. 
W.    R.,   318,   334,   416, 
473. 
Scammell,  93. 
Schurer,  275. 
Scobv,  David,  264,  285. 
Mary,  294. 
lohn,  294,  447. 
■Joseph,  447. 
J.,  285. 
Scott.  \V.,  197. 

lohn,  275. 
Searle,  Wm.,  421. 

Mrs.  B.,  419. 
Secombe,  Rev.,   214,    216,    223, 

243,  245,  444. 
Senter,  John,  429. 
Shaddock,  143. 
Shattuck,  S.,  463. 

Minerva,  294. 
Abbie  H.,  294. 
Jennie  E.,  294. 
S.,  264,  283. 
Mrs.  F.  E.,  415. 
Shays,  121. 
Sheafe,  James,  171. 
Sherburne,  126. 
Shepherd,  63. 
Short,  D.,  272. 
Silsby,  0.,451. 
Simonds,  Joseph,  336. 

S.,  406. 
Sleeper,  Benj.,  30,  53,  .58,  63,  89, 
100,  124,  128,143, 
232,  272,284,324. 
329,  336. 
Xathaniel,V30,   53.    5S. 
82. "124,143, 
232,  rr[2S4, 
324. 
Garvin,, 30,  266,294,318, 

344,""345,'=407. 
Nathan,  56. 
Moses,  143. 
C.  F.,  275,  443. 
Obed.284. 


XIV 


INDEX    OF    NAMES. 


Sleeper, Edward,  p.  2i)4. 
Amos,  294. 
I  oh  11,  396    404. 
Zachariah,  463. 
Small,  27.'). 
Smiley,  270,  284. 
Smith,  Dca.  Thomas,  21,  22. 
Reuben,  1.5,  111. 
Thomas,  12. 
Samuel,   12,    1.5,   2."),  448, 

4.58. 
Uea.   John,  13,  lo,  •22,14:'., 
147,  237,24ft, 
264.  284. 
David,  272. 

J.,  126,164,236,  240,257. 
Ezra,  272. 
A.  .M.,  27.5. 
D.  D.,  275. 
lohn,  275. 
i.,avina,  312. 
Gov.,  1.  B.,315. 
George  R.,  347. 
lacob,  451. 

Uriah,  165,  171,  283,  298, 
299,   404,  413,  415, 
417,401. 
Spaldiiifi,  H4. 
Spalding,  Dr.  E.T.,  447. 
L.  H.,  318. 
A.  H.,  404,  416,  4.59. 
H.W.,  423. 
Stanley,  lohn,  284. 

Richard,    14;l,  284,  .306, 

315. 
William,  324. 
Stapleton,  118. 
Stark,  Gen.,  75,  89,  93,  256. 
Starrctt,  A.  E.,  409. 

\Vm.  A.,  409. 
E.  M.,  409. 

Hammon,  396,  414,421 
Charles,  464.  "T 

Frank  B.,  318,333,396, 
406,  409,473. 
lames  H.,  318,  408,457, 
lohn,  289,  298,  340. 
Abner,  284. 
Mrs.  .\.A.,  250,417. 
Milton  G.,  201.316,343, 

409,  4.58. 
Saville,"19S,  245,   342, 

.•198. 
David,'82,  99,  100.  Ill, 
116.  124.126,143, 
1.56,  2.36,284,.321, 
323,  330,  336,337, 
456 
William,  20,  33,  -37,  43, 
44,  46,  47,  48, 
49,  59.  73,  82, 
95,  100,    110, 
119,  124,  126, 
140,  143,  147, 
170,  231,234, 
238,  240,  245, 
253,7257,  264, 
284,  320,  336, 
337,  403,  459, 
463. 
Stearns,  248. 

Stevens,  W.  H  .,  318,  416,?460. 
C.  F.,  27.5,409. 
I.  I..,  402. 
Samuel,  345,  40;i. 
S.,  288. 
D.,  315. 
U.,311. 
Sleel,  ].  B.,  181. 
David,  181. 
Susannah,  292. 
St.  lohn,  421. 
Stewart,  S.  B.,  307,  312. 


Stone,  P.,  271. 

Rev.,  242. 
Storer,  164. 
Stowe,  lere.,  301. 
Straw,  E.  A.,  216,  217. 
Sturtevanl,  463. 
Sullivan,  John,  .«2,  125,  2  )5. 
Sumner,  (>eo.,  136. 
Switzer,  N.,  80. 

Taaue,  P.,  275. 
Talent,  H.,  .53. 
Tappaii,  -M.  W.,  2(i:'.. 
Temple,  J.,  282. 
Templeton,  .\l.,  144,  452. 
Tenncy,  Marv  A.,  313. 
Tavlor,  Rev.  M.,  159 

■/..,  193. 

William,  431. 

John,  429. 

'I'homas  K.,  345,  423. 

Samuel,  294. 

I.athiop,  229,   238,    242, 
244,  290,  444. 

Andrew,  136. 

Thompson,  Daniel,  .52,  191. 
lohn,  136. 
Samuel,     144,     282, 

.331. 
Alex.,  144. 
Luther,  144. 
William,  285,  :',17. 
S.  P.,  312. 
Thorndike,  W.,  .395,  423. 
Thorpe,  144. 
Thornton,  M.,  445. 
Tilden,  S.  i  ..207. 
Tirrell,  M.',  275. 
Titus,  Helen,  .317. 
Tobie,  Minnie,  294. 
Althea,  294. 
David  H.,  347,  462. 
Todd,  Robert,  422. 

Dr.  A.  1.,  317,  407,  446. 
George  L..  316. 
lolin,  264. 

lames,  144.284,298. 
Samuel,  220. 
lowle,  1.,  .332. 
Townsend.  144. 

Aaron,  412,  418,  402. 
Aaron,  \r.,  419. 
rrue,  1 .,  24S,  397. 
M.,  294,  303. 
Tuck,  A.,  313. 
los.,282. 
Tucker,  S.  N.,275. 

Thomas,  151. 
Tupper,   T.,  409. 
Twiss,G.  H., 312,  .315. 
Tyler,  ].,  190. 

Upham,  T.,  183. 

VanBuren,  184. 
Vallier,  Fred,  422. 
Vose,  Elisha,397,  418, 

losiah,  2S3,  397,   412,    418, 

462. 
Francis,  144. 
Cornelia,  294. 
Frances,  294. 
.A.uousta,  294. 
Prof.  I.  E.,  30S,  .313. 
Georsie  E.,  422. 
Herbert,  318,342,343,404, 

418,  454,  457. 
Charles  A.,   318,  319,345, 
405,  406,  410, 
■H8,  419,473. 

Wadleiiih,  B.,  473. 


Walker,  1.  G.,  316. 

James,  164.  287,  289,448. 
Timothy,  152, 
W  .  B.,  406. 
Andrew,  12,  13,  15. 
Dr.,  315. 
Wallace,  Rob't,  1.36. 

B.  F.,  181,303,311,314. 
Mrs.  S.  K.,  319. 
Anda,  419. 
Waldo,  O.  .s.,  408. 
Wallinglord,  Col.,  42S,  429. 
Walton,  A.,  264. 
Wardwell,  276. 
Wassell,  Rev.,  250. 
Washinaton,  123,  1.52. 
Warren^J.  K.,  .312,  317. 

Thomas,  47,  99,  264. 
Weare,  M.,92. 
Webster,  True,  136. 
Daniel,  190. 
Wellman,  Mrs.  ].  C,  316. 
Wells,  Charles, '165,  409. 
C.E.,  276. 

C.  O.  P.,  318,  409,  473. 
Martin,  417. 
Wentworth,  Col.,  39,41. 

Gov.,  8,  16,  39,  40, 
60,  74. 
West,  |ohn,31S,   344,    401,   405, 
406,407,446,4.57. 
ir.,  276. 
Ben).,  125. 
Weston,  Gov.,  216,  217. 
Ann  L.,  294. 
Caleb,  245,  247,294,420. 
lames,  2S4. 
Wheeler;  [.  K.,316. 

William,  105,  264. 
G.,  401. 
H.P.,  406. 
Wheelock,  N.  J.,  407,  415. 
Susan  M.,  294. 
Whiople,  Wm.,  256. 
White,   144. 

Geo.  N.,  219,  276. 
Benj.,  283. 

Pro!.  G.  H.,  .308,  315,458. 
Fred,  409. 
Wm.,  Jr.,  15. 
Wm.,  15. 
Zachariah,  37. 
C,  S  ,  276. 
C.  H.,  276,  419. 
Levi,  396. 
Perley,  396. 
Whiting,  Benj.,  70,  75. 

Caleb,   24,  25,54.321, 

327. 
Stephen,  24. 
H.  N.,  207,  345,  .346. 
Abel,  270. 
Nat.,  273,  284. 
Elizabeth,  407. 
Zach.,  24,  .53,  73,82,99, 
124,144,232,284. 
336,  471. 
W  hitfield,  G.,  270. 

Geo.  E.,  276. 
Horace,  276,'315. 
S.  A.,    276,«f315,  465. 
James  H.,  418 
Albert  N.,  419. 
Whitnev,  143,  264,  283,52S'9,'314. 

W.  B.,  .316. 
Whiton,  Dr..  .31,2.33. 
Whitton,  Laura,  313. 
Whittle,  J.  F.,  316,446. 
Wliittemore,  lacob,  194,  333. 
Abram,  195,334. 
Wier,  Robt.,  37. 
Wilcox,  S.  M.,  448,  457. 
N.  F.,  309,  313. 


Wilder,  Mrs.  L.  G.,  :'.0.i. 
Wilkins,  John,  111. 

Amos,    144. 
!.,  181,  284,  .l.-i^. 
Rev.  D.,2.31. 
Peter,  28.">. 
Willard,  Mary,  417. 
Sarah,  294. 

Joseph,   268,    28<),   290, 
294,     296,    4i;i, 
417. 
Willinnis,  1.  W.,  YXi. 

Charles,  ?,'Mj,  402. 
A.  H.,  402. 
Wilson,  John,  317. 
L.  P.,  31ii. 
Nellie  A.,  313. 
Thomas,    44,    SO,    144 

283,  336. 
Moses,  E.,  314,  45S. 
Harriet,  294. 
lames  G.,  294. 
Sarah  F.,  294. 
Elias  A.,  209,  270,  318, 
344,  345,  41.5. 
Henry,  193. 
Alexander,    ISl,     247, 
340,.34 1,404, 
4.57. 
lames,  R3,  13(i,  144,164, 
169,  283,  289,323, 
331,3.39,340,413, 
4.^4,  4.'i9. 
Wingate,  138. 
Winn,  H.  H.,  27fi. 


INDEX. 

XV 

Winn,  Mrs.  M.,  420. 

Woodburv,  R-  L-,  276. 

Withtrspoon,    Daniel,  144 

285. 

Tesse  P.,    276. 

315 

|;imes,  144, 

412. 

316, 

414 

John,      140, 

141, 

457. 

144, 

461. 

Hannah,  294. 

Wood,  Amaziah,422. 

Addie,  294. 

Walter,  406. 

Mary,  294,  314 

446 

Wm.  A.,  .316. 

B.  F".,  406,  407. 

Mary,  294. 

■Mrs.  >.,  40S. 

[acob,  285. 

Geo.  W.,  447. 

F.  N.,  276. 

Levi  P.,  458. 

N'ehemiali,  193. 

Peter,  82,  123, 

140, 

George  K.,  291,  294 

313, 

141,    144, 

147 

317,  319 

408, 

148,   162, 

164 

417. 

165,    169, 

172 

Wo(.dliridge,  G.  B.,  276. 

184,  2.52, 

283, 

Worcester,  N.,  104. 

287,    289, 

294 

Woodburv,  P.  P.,  314. 

298,    299, 

323 

■    MarvM.,  294. 

338,    3.39, 

340 

Martha,  294. 

398,   404, 

412 

lames,  2.53, 

413,    416, 

454 

■j.  T.,  251,   291, 

294, 

4.56,    460, 

465, 

346,   347, 

408, 

471 

410,   444, 

4.57, 

W 

ood  w 

ird,  W.  A.,  317,  458. 

4.58,  473. 

Elijah,  285. 

lesse,  192,   268, 

314, 

A.  B.,345,  401, 

405, 

318,  .343, 

457. 

406,  407. 

Levi,  171,    182, 

197, 

L,  130,  1.33,  144 

264, 

289,    29.5, 

305, 

285. 

314,   .31.5, 

340, 

W 

orthk-v,  'P..  87. 

448,  4.56, 

4.58, 

W 

right, 

■|.  R..272. 

464. 

W 

yman 

A.,  316. 

Charles  L.,  308 

.314, 

317 

Yerring 

ton,  216. 

losiah,  2.53. 

*f:^ 


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