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HiSTOEY  OF  Old  Chester, 


FROM    1719    TO     1869. 


BY 


BENJAMIN    CHASE 


AUBURN,  N.  H. : 
PUBLISHED    BY    THE    AUTHOE. 

1869. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1869, 

By  Benjamin  Chase, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  New  Hampshire. 


PRIXTED   BY  JOHN   B.   CLARKE,   MANCHESTER,  N.  H. 


PREFACE. 


lu  my  youth  I  wsls  accustomed  to  hear  my  father,  and  other 
aged  people,  relate  the  incidents  of  olden  time,  in  which  I  was 
always  interested,  and  therefore  remembered.  When  Dr.  Charles 
Bell's  "  Facts  in  Relation  to  the  History  of  Chester"  appeared  in 
the  seventh  volume  of  the  N.  H.  His.  Soc.  Coll.,  it  was  so  small 
in  compass,  containing  little  or  nothing  i-especting  the  Long- 
Meadows,  I  thought  of  collecting  and  preserving  the  traditional 
history  of  that  part  of  the  town. 

Upon  mentioning  the  subject  to  the  Hon.  Samuel  D.  Bell,  he 
insisted  that  we  should  have  a  history  of  the  whole  old  town,  and 
have  it  published,  and  wished  me  to  undertake  the  work.  I  at 
first  declined,  but  seeing  that  the  alternative  was  presented  of  my 
doing  it  or  having  all  the  traditional  part  i^ass  away  and  be  lost,  I 
at  length  consented,  having  the  assui'ance  of  Judge  Bell  that  he 
would  aid  me.  He  has  done  me  the  favor  of  perusing  most  of  the 
work  as  it  has  been  written,  and  has  greatly  aided  by  his  advice 
and  suggestions.  Upon  our  comi^aring  notes,  our  ideas  have  run 
nearly  in  the  same  channel.  He  furnished  most  of  the  mate- 
rials for  the  notice  of  the  grantees  of  Chester.  I  gi-eatly  regTet 
that  he  did  not  live  to  see  the  work  completed. 

I  have  endeavored  to  ascertain  and  show  who  the  earlj'^  settlers 
were,  who  theh*  ancestors  were,  where  they  came  from,  the  iden- 
tical spot  where  they  settled,  who  their  children  were,  and  what 
became  of  them.  To  do  this,  it  was  necessary  to  examine  thor- 
oughly the  records  of  deeds  and  probate,  and  also  to  have  a  map 
of  the  town  as  laid  out  into  lots,  which  is  an  important  part  of 
the  history  of  the  town.  These  locations  are  thus  fixed  for  all 
time. 


IV  PREFACE. 

I  am  aware  that  many  will  object  to  so  much  space  being  taken 
up  with  the  genealogy.  It  was  according  to  my  own  taste  and 
that  of  Judge  Bell,  and  may  be  an  aid  to  descendants  of  Chester 
abroad,  in  tracing  back  their  lineage.  I  have  suppressed  many 
dates,  and  much  respecting  the  later  generation  which  I  had,  or 
which  was  easily  accessible,  that  manj'^  will  yet  wish  had  been 
printed.  I  have  attempted  to  show  how  those  pioueei-s  lived, 
what  they  did,  and  the  energy  they  exerted,  &c.,  not  in  a  poet- 
ical style,  being  sadly  deficient  in  imagination,  but  by  a  plain 
statement  of  facts. 

^Yhere  documents  are  copied,  they  are  literal  copies,  capitals, 
orthography  and  abbreviations,  and  are  indicated  by  quotation 
marks.  I  have  used  the  orthography  of  names  as  found  on  the 
records  from  which  I  was  copying.  Judge  Bell,  when  residing 
in  Chester  forty-five  years  ago,  collected  the  tradition  of  some  of 
the  old  families  from  Col.  AVhite  and  others,  of  which  collection 
I  have  availed  myself.  Stephen  Chase,  Esq.,  kept  a  diary  from 
1784  ta  his  death  in  1819,  from  which  I  have  derived  a  good  deal 
of  information.  I  would  gratefully  acknowledge  the  courtesies 
extended  to  me  by  those  having  charge  of  the  various  public 
oflB.ces  I  have  had  occasion  to  examine.  I  am  greatly  indebted  to 
Capt.  William  F.  Goodwin,  late  Librarian  of  X.  H.  Ilis.  Soc,  for 
finding  and  coijpng  documents  in  the  Secretary's  oflB.ce.  While 
all  of  whom  I  have  made  inquiries  have  treated  me  courteously, 
and  cheerfully  given  such  information  as  they  possessed,  I  can- 
not refrain  from  acknowledging  my  great  obligations  to  Miss 
Margaret  Shirley  for  the  information  given  respecting  the  ancient 
families ;  she  and  her  sister  having  much  more  traditional  knowl- 
edge than  any  other  persons  consulted.  I  am  indebted  to  Henrj- 
M.  Eaton,  Esq.,  for  aid  in  putting  the  names  of  the  early  settlers 
of  Candia  on  the  map,  and  also  to  John  Brown,  Esq.,  and  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Fullonton  for  those  of  Eaymond.  Last,  though  not 
least,  I  would  acknowledge  mj^  obligations  to  the  compositors  and 
proof-reader  for  their  skill  and  patience  in  deciphering  bad  coi^y. 

I  lay  no  claim  to  literary  merit  for  the  work.  There  are,  no 
doubt,  many  errors,  some  merely  clerical  or  typogi-aphical ;  others, 
from  uncertain  and  sometimes  conflicting  traditions;  and  prob- 
ably I  did  not  always  understand  the  idea  meant  to  be  conveyed ; 


PEEFACE.  V 

besides,  when  I  have  made  statemeuts  fi'om  my  own  recollection 
I  may  have  fallen  into  error. 

The  "work  has  greatly  exceeded  my  ex^Dectations  when  I  com- 
menced, and  the  labor  of  preparing  it  many  times  what  I  then 
anticipated ;  but  I  have  never  regretted  the  undertaking.  AYhat- 
ever  may  be  its  merits  or  demerits,  or  the  labor  bestowed  upon  it, 
I  have  derived  a  g'reat  amount  of  satisfaction  in  its  compilation, 
and  if  the  reader  sliall  derive  a  quarter  as  much  in  reading  it,  he 
will  be  amply  repaid  for  his  money  and  time  expended. 

Benjamin  Chase. 
Auburn,  N.  H.,  May,  1869. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  *I. 

PAGE 

The  Proprietary  History  from  1719  to  obtaining  the  Charter,  May  8,  1721,     1 

CHAPTER    II. 

The  First  Settlement  and  Laying  out  of  the  Lots, 25 

CHAPTER    III. 

Original  Grantees  and  their  Lots, 42 

CHAPTER    IV. 

Settlement  of  the  Lines, 59 

CHAPTER    V. 

Settling  Jlinistcrs  —  Presbyterian  Controversy  —  Closing  the  Proprie- 
tors' Affairs, 69 

CHAPTER    VI. 

History  of  the  Town  of  Chester  from  1737  to  1773,  ....      89 

CHAPTER    VII. 

History  of  the  Town  continued,  from  1774  to  1800,  .        .        .        .128 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

History  of  the  Town  continued,  from  1800  to  1868,         .        .        .        .164 

CHAPTER    IX. 

History  of  Roads, 191 


•  •  • 


Vlll  TABLE   OP  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    X. 

History  of  Mills, 222 

CHAPTER    XI. 

Pauperism  —  Rates  or  Taxes — Mail  and  Stage  Facilities,      .        .        .    252 

CHAPTER    XII. 

Literary  and  Professional  History, 272 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

Ecclesiastical,  Religious  and  Moral  Histoiy, 315 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

Military  History, 365 

CHAPTER    XV. 

How  the  Early  Settlers  Lived,  or  the  Industrial  History,  .        .        .     409 

CHAPTER    XVI. 

Town  Officers,  or  Official  History, 447 

CHAPTER    XVII. 

Genealogical  and  Biographical  History, 4G2 

CHAPTER    XVIII. 

History  of  Candia, 632 

CHAPTER    XIX. 

History  of  Raymond, 654 


LIST  AND  LOCATION  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


1.  The  Map. 

2.  Portrait  of  the  Eev.  Ebenezer  Tlagg,  opposite  title  page. 

3.  A  Ground  plan  of  the  Old  Meeting-house, 96 

4.  A  View  of  the  New  Meeting-house, 122 

5.  A  View  of  Long-Meadow  Meeting-house, 158 

6.  An  Inside  View  of  the  Long-Meadow  Meeting-house,   .         .        .  159 

7.  A  View  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Chester,        .        .        .  185 

8.  A  Portrait  of  Dr.  Nathan  Plumnier, 312 

9.  A  Portrait  of  Dr.  James  F.  Brown, 314 

1 0.  A  View  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Auburn,        .        ...  346 

11 .  A  View  of  the  Slethodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Auburn, 

12.  Carding  and  Spinning  "Wool,  Cotton  or  Tow,        .        .        .         .  417 

13.  Breaking  and  Swingling  Flax, 419 

14.  Combing  Flax  and  Spinning  Linen, 421 

15.  An  Old-fashioned  Plow, 426 

16.  A  Snow-shoe, 530 

17.  A  Portrait  of  Samuel  D.  Bell, Jd4    >V"7  / 

18.  A  Portrait  of  B.  Pike  Chase, 487 

19.  The  Kesidence  of  Benjamin  Chase, 488 

20.  Portrait  of  Benjamin  Chase,  face  his  residence,      ....  488 

21.  A  Portrait  of  Stephen  Chase, 489 

22-23.  Portrait  of  John  Clark  and  E.  C.  Clark,  face  each  other  be- 

tiveen, 490, 391 

24.  A  View  of  the  Residence  of  George  P.  Clark,  face,        .        .        .  492 

25.  A  Portrait  of  Hendrick  Dearborn, 506 

26.  A  Portrait  of  John  Folsom, 522 

27-28.  Portraits  of  Nathan  and  SaUy  Griffin,  face  ea«h  other  between    536,537 

29.  A  Portrait  of  Natt  Head,        .........  543 

30.  A  Portrait  of  Frederick  Smyth, 596 

31.  A  Portrait  of  Jesse  J.  Underhill, 605 

32.  An  Old-fashioned  Ax, 606 


INTI10DUCTI0]N\ 


I  think  that  the  eai'liest  of  anj'thing  which  I  have  seen  about 
Chester  is  Oct.  23,  1717.  Samuel  Smith  of  Haverhill  deeded  a 
right  in  Kingstown  to  Samuel  Ingalls  of  Cheshire.  Clement 
Hughes,  the  first  clerk,  spells  it  "  Checher."  The  records  com- 
mence with  "  A  Society  for  Settling  the  Chestnut  Country,"  and 
in  the  charter  it  is  called  "  Chester."  It  is  useless  for  me  to  spec- 
ulate about  the  origin  of  the  name,  any  further  than  to  say  that 
they  are  all  nearly  related  in  orthogi'aiDhy  and  sound. 

The  surface  of  Chester  is  very  uneven,  and  most  of  it  stony,  — 
much  of  it  not  susceptible  of  cultivation ;  but  when  it  is  culti- 
vated, the  soil  is  strong  and  produces  such  crops  as  are  adapted 
to  a  iN'ew  England  climate.  The  forests,  which  were  heavy,  were, 
at  the  lower  j)art  where  the  settlement  commenced,  composed 
mostly  of  walnut  and  chestnut,  intermixed  with  oak  and  pine 
and  other  woods.  At  the  Long  Meadows  the  same,  with  less 
walnut  and  more  hemlock.  Hooksett,  or  Chester  Woods,  abound- 
ed more  in  the  yellow-  or  pitch-i»ine  and  oak,  and  when  burat 
over,  as  it  frequently  was,  the  oaks  came  up  and  grew  rapidly, 
and  produced  an  abundance  of  material  for  hoop-poles,  Candia, 
and  perhaps  Eaymond,  had  a  greater  predominance  of  maple, 
beech  and  hemlock.  There  is  a  great  tendency  when  the  growth 
is  cut  off  for  the  hard  woods  to  sprout  from  the  stump,  and  the 
soft  woods,  especiallj^  white  pine,  to  come  up  from  the  seeds, 
which   makes  even  the  I'oughest  land  valuable. 

Although  the  laud  is   uneven,  there  are   no  large  hills,  but 
simply  swells  which  have  names :    Walnut  Hill,  near  the  lower 


XU  INTRODUCTION. 

corner,  so  called  from  that  timber;  Ingalls  Hill,  because  Capt. 
Ingalls  settled  there ;  Robie's  Hill,  because  John  Eobie  lived  and 
had  a  tau-yard  near  its  base ;  and  Stockman's  and  Severance's 
Hill,  from  people  of  that  name  who  lived  on  its  side.  The  farms 
of  Thomas  Richardson  and  Thomas  Craige  went  back  on  to  Great 
Hill.  At  the  Long  Meadows  is  Mine  Hill,  in  which  tlie  Devil's 
Den  is  situated.  The  Devil's  Den  is  a  cave  on  the  southAvestei'ly 
.side  of  the  hill,  near  its  base,  and  some  thirty  rods  from  the 
road.  Peter  French  of  Sandown  gave  Dr.  Belknap  a  description 
of  it  (which  was  published  in  his  History  in  1792,  and  copied 
into  Morse's  Geographies)  in  wliich  he  drew  largelj^  from  his 
imagination,  telling  of  a  room  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  square. 
1  have  never  had  the  curiosity  to  explore  it,  but  it  is  only 
a  mere  fissure  in  the  rock,  and  so  large  that  a  man  can  with 
difficulty  go  in  sixty  feet.  Rattlesnake  Hill  lies  south  of  the 
pond  and  west  of  Londouderr.v  turnpike.  The  swell  between 
the  two  bays  of  the  pond  is  called  in  the  records  Mount  INIisery. 
The  hill  Ipng  north  of  the  Oswego  mill,  mostly  in  Candia,  is 
called  in  the  records  Tower  Hill ;  but  a  small  circumstance,  which 
occurred  a  little  more  than  fifty  years  ago,  gave  Hazen  McDufFee, 
who  lives  there,  the  appellation  of  "  the  butcher,"  and  the  hill 
has  since  been  called  ''  Butcher  Hill."  A  few  years  ago  a  liberty- 
pole  was  raised  and  a  Fourth-of-July  celebration  hold  on  the 
swell  of  land  near  school-house  No.  5,  in  Auburn,  when  it  was 
named  Bunker  Hill,  which  name  it  has  since  borne. 

There  are  no  large  streams,  but  an  abundance  of  small  ones. 
A  stream  has  its  head  in  Beech  Hill  pond  in  Hooksett,  and  pass- 
ing through  Tower  Hill  pond,  partly  in  Candia  and  partly  in 
Aubui'u,  taking  the  name  of  Oswego  brook,  empties  into  Massa- 
besic  pond.  Another  branch  passes  through  Little  Massabesic 
pond  and  unites  Avith  Oswego  brook,  near  the  old  Calfe  fulling- 
mill. 

The  liond  is  said  to  have  derived  its  name  from  the  circumstance 
that  an  Indian  whose  squaw's  name  was  "  Massa,"  being  inquired 
of  in  regard  to  the  health  of  his  family,  replied,  "  My  massa  be 
sick."  It  is  a  beautiful  sheet  of  water  with  a  hard  shore  and 
bottom,  and  some  fine  beaches  of  sand.  The  stream  leading  from 
the  pond  to  Merrimack  river  is  called  the  Cohas,  and  has  a  fall  of 


INTRODUCTION.  Xlii 

about  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  Alewives,  a.M.  pei'haps  shad, 
formerly  passed  into  the  pond. 

There  are  two  of  the  sources  of  Exeter  I'iver  which  have  their 
rise  in  Chester ;  one  rising  in  Three  Camp  Meadows,  passing  by 
the  old  saw-mill  into  Sandown,  and  again  into  Chester,  and 
another  flowing  from  the  jS'orth  pond,  uniting  with  it  and  passing 
through  Raymond.  Another  branch  rises  in  Candia,  passing  near 
the  station  and  through  EajTuond,  unites  with  the  main  river 
near  the  lines  of  the  towns.  This  last  is  called  the  Xorth  Branch, 
and  the  locahty  near  their  junction,  the  Branch. 

The  stream  rising  near  the  Congi-egational  church  in  Auburn, 
and  passing  through  Auburn  into  Londonderry,  and  thence  into 
Manchester,  and  emptying  into  the  Cohas,  has  meadows  most  of 
its  length,  which  were  called  the  Long  ]\readows,  and  hence  the 
west  part  of  the  town  is  called  the  Long  Meadows.  The  stream 
in  Manchester  is  called  the  Little  Cohas. 

There  is  a  stream  rising  in  Candia,  passing  the- village  and  the 
island  into  Eaymond,  and  through  Jones  pond ;  and  another  com- 
ing from  Deerfield,  uniting  near  Eaymond  Centre,  forming  Lam- 
prey Eel  river,  which  passes  Freetown  mill,  and  into  Epping, 
Merrimack  river  passes  a  short  distance  into  Old  Chester,  the  line 
being  some  distance  west  of  the  river  at  Martin's  Ferry.  The 
Falls  are  called  in  the  records  "  He  Hoxey  Falls,"  but  were  not  in 
Chester,  the  line  crossing  below.  The  stream  from  Lakin's  pond, 
passing  Head's  mill  and  entering  the  river  above  the  falls,  is 
called  "  lie  Hoxey  brook  "  in  the  records. 

A  small  stream  entering  the  river  near  Martin's  Ferry  is  called 
in  the  records  "  Lousy  brook."  The  meadow  on  this  brook,  near 
the  old  Concord  road,  was  called  Bushuell's  meadow,  and  the 
hills  on  the  south  and  west  were  called  Bushnell's  hills,  from 
the  fact  that  a  man  by  that  name  had  a  camp  near  the  meadow, 
where  Samuel  Eowell  formerly  lived  and  Josiah  Clark  now  lives, 
in  Hooksett.  It  was  a  stopping  place  for  travelers  in  early  times, 
and  was  called  Bushnell's  Camj). 


XIV  INTRODUCTION. 


MONEY 


There  were  different  species  of  money  used.  Four  sliillings  six 
pence  sterling  was  equal  to  a  Spanish  milled  dollar.  Six  shil- 
lings lawful  was  equal  to  a  dollar.  The  principal  part  of  the 
money  in  actual  use  was  bills  of  credit  issued  by  the  Pro\dnce, 
which  depreciated,  and  its  value  was  continually  changing.  The 
following  values  are  extracted  from  Belknap's  "New  Hamp- 
shire," Vol.  III.,  p.  125: 

In  1720  an  ounce  of  silver  was  worth  7s.  6d. ;  1725,  16s, ;  1730, 
20s.;  1725,  27s.  Cd.;  1740;  28s.;  1746,  36s.;  1750,  50s.;  1755,  70s.; 
1760,  120s.,  or  one  pound  was  equal  to  one  shilling  lawful. 

This  was  called  "  old  tenor,"  and  sometimes  when  there  had 
been  a  neio  emission,  was  called  "  new  tenor."  I  find  by  old  ac- 
counts that  from  1760  up  to  the  issue  of  the  Continental  money 
by  Congress,  one  pound  "old  tenor"  was  equal  to  one  shilling 
lawful.  Massachusetts  also  issued  bills  of  credit,  which  did  not 
depreciate  so  much  as  those  of  New  Hampshire.  One  pound 
Massachusetts  "  old  tenor  "  was  equal  to  two  sliillings  sixpence, 
lawful. 

May  10,  1775,  Congress  issued  two  millions  of  dollars,  and  in 
July  three  millions  more,  and  in  December  three  millions  moi'e, 
which  was  called  "  Continental  money,"  and  promised  to  pay  in 
Spanish  milled  dollars,  or  its  equivalent  in  gold  or  silver.  This 
was  assigned  to  the  several  States,  and  they  were  to  redeem  it ; 
but  tliis  State  (New  Hami)shire)  had  more  of  its  own  paper  than 
it  could  redeem,  and  it  was  counterfeited  to  a  great  extent,  and 
therefore  depreciated.  One  hundred  dollars  in  silver  was  equiv- 
alent to  the  following  sums : 

January,  1777,  it  was  at  par;  July,  one  dollar  in  silver  was 
equal  to  $1.04 ;  January  1,  1778,  to  $3.25 ;  July,  to  $4.25 ;  Jan- 
uary, 1779,  to  $7.42;  July,  to  $14.77;  January,  1780,  to  $29.34; 
July,  to  $60.00;  Januaiy,  1781,  to  $75.06;  June,  to  $120.00. 

Paper  money  became  entirely  worthless,  and  the  currency  came 
to  a  specie  basis.  I  give  copies  of  the  bills  of  some  of  the  issues 
of  paper  money,  and  would  give  fac-similies,  but  the  expense  is 
too  great  for  my  work. 


INTRODUCTION.  XV 

The  following  is  a  sample  of  the  Province  bills  of  credit: 

"This  Indented  Bill  of  three  Pounds  &  ten 
shillings  Due  from  y'^  Province  of  New  Hamp« 
in  N'ew  England,  to  y«  Possessor  thereof  shall 
be  in  Value  equal  to  Money  and  shall  be 
accordingly  accepted  by  the  Treasurer  and 
Keceivers  subordinate  to  him  in  all  Publick 
pajTuents  &  for  any  Stock  at  any  time  in  y« 
Treasury.  Portsmouth  the  Twentyeth  of  May 
1717.    By  Order  of  the  General  Assembly." 


The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  nicely  engi-aved  bill.    On  the  left 
of  the  signatures  is  a  boat  with  men  in  it,  nearing  a  wharf: 

(  N«  )  (  4039  ) 

Vn  Shills  &  6  Pence  YU  Sliills  &  C  Pence 

"We  Jointly  and  severally  promise  to  pay 
Isaac  AYinslow  Merch*  or  order  in  Boston 
seven  pennyw';  &  half  Coin'd  Silver  Sters, 
Alloy,  Troy -Weight  or  Gold  pro  Eata  by  the 
31'  Decemb"^  1755;  Value  B.ec^;  Boston. 
7^—61  N.E.  1' Aug';  1740.     7«— C^ 

Edw*^  Hutchinson 
Thomas  Oxiiard 
[EXGRATiNG.]  Joshua  Winslow 

Sam'  Sewall 


(Xo.  220  )  6d 

j  Colony  of  the  Massachusetts 
\  Bay,  June  IS"*  1776. 
J^HIS  Bill  entitles  the  Bearer  to  receive 
SIX  PBNCE  L.  M.  out  of  the 
Treasury,  by  the  18th  o/ June,  1778;  and 
shall  be  received  for  that  Sum  in  all  Pay- 
ments agreeable  to  an  Act  of  the  Assembly 
of  said  Colony. 

J.  Partridge,  Com. 


XVI  INTRODUCTION. 

The  following-  is  a  copy  of  a  Coutiuental  bill: — 


*  *  * 

HALF 

According 
to  a  Resolution 
of  Congress, 
j)assed  at  Phi- 
ladelpliia,  Fe- 
bruary 17, 
1776. 


HALF   A 


No.  47642T  , 
A     DOLLAR 


In  this  space  is  a  fig- 
ure of  a  sun-dial,  with 
"  Mind  your  Business"  \ 
beneath  it. 


W.   COALE. 

DOLLAR. 


On  the  reverse  side  is  a  chain  with  thirteen  links,  to  represent 
the  thirteen  United  Colonies.  "Printed  by  Hall  &  Sellers  in 
Philadelphia,  1776." 


abbreviatio:n^s. 

In  ancient  ■wi'itings  a  gTeat  many  abbreviations  are  used,  such  as 
y*'  for  the,  y'  for  that,  y""  for  them.  For  the  lots  I  have  used 
H.  L.  for  Home  Lot,  O.  H.  for  Old  Hundreds,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  for 
Second  Part  of  the  Second  Division,  3d  D.  for  third  Division,  &c. 
In  the  Genealogy,  b.  is  used  for  born,  m.  for  mamed,  unm.  for 
unmarried,  and  d.  for  died.  In  one  generation  I  have  used 
Roman  numerals,  and  in  the  next  figures,  to  denote  the  number  of 
the  children ;  also  the  parent  in  one  generation  is  printed  in  small 
capitals,  the  next  in  Italics,  and  the  next  in  Roman. 


HISTORY  OE  CHESTEE. 


CHAPTER    I. 

PROPRIETARY    HISTORY    FROM    1719    TO  THE   PROCURING  OF   THE 

CHARTER,   MAY   8,  1722. 

The  records  of  Chester  commence  with  the  proceedings 
of  a  meeting  of  "  The  Society  for  Settling  the  Chesnut 
Country,  held  at  Said  Country  the  fifteenth  day  of  October, 
1719."  This  society  had  probably  existed  some  time,  and 
held  meetings  and  kept  records.  It  was  composed  princi- 
pally of  Hampton  people,  with  a  few  Portsmouth  men. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  Chester,  held  by  ad- 
journment, at  the  house  of  Joshua  Wingate  of  Hampton, 
Oct.  7th,  1729,  it  was 

"  Voted,  That  Capt.  Henry  Sherburne  and  Dr.  Edmond 
Topin  be  a  Committee  to  Examine  and  Compare  y*"  town 
book,  and  y'^  Duplicate  book,  &  see  y'  they  Exactly  Agree, 
they  being  upon  Oath  to  Compare  'Em. 

"Voted,  That  Dr.  Edmond  Toppin  keep  y°  Duplicate 
book,  and  it  be  kept  at  Hampton  from  year  to  year,  and 
that  y*"  town  Clerk  Send  attested  Coppys  after  Every  Meet- 
ing to  him  y*  keeps  y*"  Duplicate  book,  in  order  to  be  En- 
tered in  said  book." 

The  records  of  the  earlier  meetings  were  probably  en- 
tered in  the  book  kept  at  Hampton  ;  but  it  is,  probably, 
with  other  papers,  lost.  The  Hon.  S.  D.  Bell  has  made 
enquiries  for  it,  but  without  success. 


Z  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

There  were  also  other  parties  who  petitioned  for  a  grant 
of  this  territory,  or  lands  adjoining,  and  made  efforts  to 
have  possession,  which  I  will  notice  before  following  up  the 
proceedings  of  the  society. 

In  Council, 

August  24,  1720.  "  The  petition  of  John  Calf  &  Compa. 
prefered  to  this  board,  praying  for  a  township  above  Exeter, 
was  read." 

This  was  by  Massachusetts  men,  Mr.  Calf  being  an  in- 
habitant of  Newbury. 

There  is  a  deed  on  the  Rockingham  records,  dated  Oct. 
23,  1717,  from  Samuel  Smith  of  Haverhill  to  "  Samuel  In- 
galls  of  Cheshire,  Blacksmith,"  of  a  right  in  Kingstown. 
If  Capt.  Ingalls  was  in  Chester  at  all  at  that  time,  it  is 
probable  that  it  was  to  have  possession  for  some  of  the 
parties. 

In  Council, 

Oct.  26,  1720.  "  A  message  to  the  board  by  Mr.  S])caker, 
and  Lt.  Col.  Wear,  praying  that  the  Consideration  of  the 
petition  of  Mr.  John  Calf  and  Company  be  suspended  for 
the  present." 

In  board, 

"  Ordered  that  the  Petition  of  Mr.  John  Calf  and  Com- 
pany praying  for  township  nortli  westward  of  Exeter  be 
suspended  till  the  land  disposed  of  in  that  ])art  of  the 
province  be  laid  out  and  bounded  to  prevent  interfering  of 
bounds. 

Richard  Waldron,  Cler.  Con." 

In  Council, 

April  19,  1721.  "  A  petition  signed  by  about  one  hun- 
dred persons  was  prefered  to  this  board  by  Messrs.  Ezekiel 
Walker,  John  Calf  and  Elisha  Story,  praying  for  liberty 
and  Encouragement  to  settle  a  town  on  a  certain  tract  of 
land  North  westward  from  Exeter,  lying  partly  between 
Cheshire  and  New  Portsmouth  and  partly  above  new  Ports- 
mouth adjoining  Cheshire  line,  containing  the  Quantity  of 
ten  miles  Square,  upon  Such  Conditions  as  in  Said  petition 
as  is  on  file  is  contained :  AVherefore  it  is  ordered  in  Coun- 
cil that  the  petitioners  have  liberty  To  build  and  Settle 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  3 

upon  the  said  tract  upon  the  Conditions  in  Said  petition 
mentioned,  provided  it  in  no  way  infringe  on  or  Interfere 
with  any  former  grants  or  possessions  or  propertys. 

Richard  Waldron,  Cle.  Con." 

Mr.  Calf's  former  petition  was  probably  for  Chesliire, 
which  being  postponed,  he  with  others  now  petitioned  for 
Nottingham.  There  is  a  deed  on  the  Rockingham  records, 
dated  1721,  from  Mary  Cottle  to  John  Calf  for  Moses  Lit- 
tle, of  a  right  of  settlement  in  land  lying  westward  of 
Exeter,  called  New  Boston.  The  New  Portsmouth  was 
probably  Barrington.  Barrington  was  granted  to  the  tax- 
payers of  Portsmouth,  according  to  the  amount  of  rates 
they  had  paid  for  tlie  last  four  years,  May  .10,  1722.  It  is 
said  to  have  been  used  as  an  out-lot  to  settle  their  poor  peo- 
ple on. 

Nottingham  charter  is  not  in  the  Secretary's  office,  prob- 
ably having  been  burnt  in  the  office  in  1736.  It  was,  how- 
ever, granted  in  1722,  shortly  after  that  of  Chester.  In 
the  House,  Aug.  26,  1720 :  "  Whereas  our  House  having  a 
pettion  from  Mr.  Brown  &  Company  for  a  town  Ship,  We 
Think  Itt  Infrindg  on  our  towns,  especiall  on  Cheshire 
whare  We  have  a  pettion  on  file  for  this  two  years.  Have 
sent  up  the  petition  and  Memorial  to  the  upper  House 
which  Lays  on  file  In  y"  Clark's  office." 

Who  Mr.  Brown  and  his  company  were,  or  where  they 
resided,  does  not  appear, 

Stephen  Dudley  of  Freetown  (Raymond),  who  was  of 
Exeter  before  and  afterwards,  obtained  a  deed  from  an 
Indian  named  Peter  Penuet,  and  Abigail  his  squaw,  of  a 
tract  of  land  at  Freetown,  as  appears  by  a  deed  on  Rocking- 
ham records,  dated  May,  1722,  wherein,  in  consideration  of 
affection,  Dudley  conveys  to  Francis  James  of  Gloucester 
"  his  right  in  four  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Freetown  to  be 
taken  out  of  that  tract  bought  of  Peter  Penuet  and  Abigail 
his  squaw,  by  deed  dated  Jan.  17, 1718-19,  also  in  virtue  of 
a  power  of  attorney  from  John  Vickers  of  Charlestown." 
The  deed  to  Dudley  is  not  on  the  records.     This  was  prob- 


4  HISTORY    OP    CHESTER. 

ably  a  move  for  color  of  title  and  possession  for  some  of 
the  parties. 

We  now  return  to  the  proceedings  of  the  Society  and  the 
Governor  and  Council  in  relation  to  them. 

At  the  aforesaid  meeting  Oct.  15,  1719, 

"  1*',  Voted,  That  Capt.  Henry  Sherburne  be  Modera- 
tor. 

"  2^'y,  Voted,  That  Joseph  Tilton  be  Clerk  of  the  So- 
ciety. 

"  S'^'y,  Voted,  That  Capt.  Henry  Sherl)urne  be  Receiver. 

"  4^'^'y,  Voted,  That  Joseph  Tilton,  Ichabod  Robic,  Caleb 
Tole,  Clement  Hughes,  Capt.  Henry  Sherburne,  Eph.  Den- 
net  and  Jacob  Stanyon,  be  a  Committee  to  manage  the  af- 
fairs of  the  Society;  And  That  the  s**  Committee  Shall 
have  power  to  Call  meetings  of  the  Society  as  often  as  they 
Shall  Think  Necessary,  and  to  act  in  all  otlier  matters  that 
they  Shall  Think  proper  for  the  good  of  the  whole  Society. 

"  5"''^,  Voted,  That  Ichabod  Robie,  Jacob  Stanyan,  Ca- 
leb Tole  &  Michael  Whidden  be  a  Committee  to  Lay  out 
the  Lotts. 

"  G""y,  Voted,  That  all  priviledges  of  Streams  shall  be 
Reserved  for  y"  Use  of  the  Society. 

"  7^"^  Voted,  That  the  Number  of  the  Society  for  the 
settling  Shall  not  Exceed  ninety  persons. 

u  gthiy^  Voted,  Tliat  the  Committee  Shall  have  power  to 
admit  Such  as  they  Shall  Think  proper  till  the  afore^"  num- 
ber of  ninety  be  Completed. 

"  9"^'y,  Voted,  That  Three  men  Shall  be  kept  upon  the 
spot  at  the  charge  of  the  Society." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Society  for  settling  the  Chesnut 
Country,  held  at  Hampton  the  20th  of  December,  1719, 

"  Voted,  That  in  case  of  a  warr  with  the  Indians  before 
the  Three  years  Limited  for  the  Settling  of  the  Chesnut 
Country  be  Expired,  the  Same  Time  of  Three  years  shall 
be  allowed  after  a  conclusion  of  a  Peace  with  the  Indians 
for  the  s'^  settlement." 

"  At  the  Same  Time  the  Propri"  drew  their  home  Lotts." 
The  home  lots  of  twenty  acres  had  been  laid  out  since  the 
October  meeting,  but  the  list  of  those  who  drew  does  not 
contain  any  names  of  the  Massachusetts  men  who  after- 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  5 

wards  became  proprietors.  There  are  the  names  of  eighty- 
nine  persons  who  drew  their  home  lots  at  this  time,  eleven 
of  which  are  erased  as  having  sold  out,  or  forfeited  their 
rights. 

Joseph  Small  died,  —  his  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Col. 
Thomas  Packer,  and  her  husband's  right  was  voted  to  her, 
and  her  home  lot  exchanged  for  one  near  her  father's.  Thus 
came  a  woman  to  be  a  proprietor.  She  kept  a  public  house 
in  Portsmouth,  and  many  of  the  committee  meetings  were 
held  there.  There  is  a  deed  on  the  Rockingham  records. 
Book  14,  page  20,  in  which  Thomas  Packer  conveys  to 
Susannah  Small  one  "  negro  girl." 

There  is  recorded  in  another  place  in  the  Proprietors' 
records,  those  "  Propriety  y'  did  not  draw  for  their  Home 
Lotts  at  the  first."  The  list  contains  thirty-nine  names,  a 
large  portion  of  whom  were  those  taken  into  the  Society 
from  Massachusetts. 

[Council  Records,  Sep.  24,  1719,  p.  388.] 

"  Mr.  Clement  Hughes  prefered  a  petition  to  this  board 
directed  to  His  Excellency  the  Gov'  and  council,  signed  by 
ab"^  100  Persons,  praying  for  a  township  above  Kingstown  as 
on  file,  which  Ijeing  read,  it  was  resolved  that  the  Same 
should  be  considered  when  His  Excellency  comes  next  into 
this  province." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Chesnut  Country, 
held  at  Greenland  the  16th  day  of  March,  1719-20 : 

"  I'y,    Col.  Packer  Chosen  moderator. 

"  2'^',   Joseph  Tilton  Chosen  Clark. 

"  3'^',  The  form"^  Committe  are  Confirmed  in  their  place 
w^  the  Same  power  as  formerly. 

"  4'^',   The  former  Lott  Layers  are  confirmed. 

"5'^,    Capt.  Sherburne  chosen  Receiver. 

"  6'^',  That  whereas  there  was  a  petition  formerly  prefered 
to  the  Governm*  for  the  Granting  the  Chesnut  Country  for 
a  Township  to  the  Society,  That  the  same  be  withdrawn 
and  another  prefered  when  there  is  a  convenient  Season. 

"  7'^,  Voted,  That  our  Annual  meeting  to  chuse  prudential 
men  Shall  be  on  the  third  Wednesday  in  March,  yearly." 


D  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER. 

At  a  meeting  of  tlie  Committee,  April  25,  1720, 

"  Voted,  That  a  home  Lott  and  a  Farm  of  five  hundred 
acres  be  given  to  His  Excellency  our  Govern"",  or  fifty 
pounds  in  money. 

"  Voted,  Also  a  home  Lott  and  a  Farme  of  five  Hundred 
Acres  to  his  Honn"^  our  Lt.  Govern^" 

By  the  Council  records  this  company  seems  rather  to 
have  the  preference  over  the  others,  yet  it  was  deemed  wise 
policy  to  hold  out  this  inducement,  which  looks  a  little  like 
bribery.  But  we  do  not  know  the  inducements  offered  by 
the  other  parties. 

[Council  Records,  April  28,  1720,  p.  148.] 

"  The  petition  Prefered  by  Mr.  Hughes  at  the  Sessions  in 
September  last,  signed  l)y  about  100  persons,  and  suspended 
till  this  Time,  and  also  another  signed  by  Capt.  Henry 
Sherburne  and  Mr.  Clem'  Hughes  and  comp^  as  a  Suj^ple- 
ment  To  the  aforesaid  petition,  prefered  this  day,  was  read 
at  the  board,  praying  for  a  Township  in  the  waste  land  ad- 
joining Kingstown,  (tc. 

"  Ordered,  that  the  Clerk  give  notifications  to  Such  per- 
sons as  have  claim  upon  the  Said  land  or  have  anything  to 
object  against  the  making  a  Township  according  to  the 
tenor  of  the  above  petition.  To  appear  before  His  Honor  the 
Lieut.  Gov"^  and  Council,  to  whom  the  matter  is  referred." 

[Council  Records,  May  24,  1720,  p.  154.] 

"  The  Petition  of  Clement  Hughes  and  Henry  Sherburne 
prefered  last  session  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  sundry 
others,  praying  for  a  township  at  a  Place  called  Cheshire, 
read  at  y®  board  ;  also  another  petition  from  sundry  persons 
of  Exeter  and  Haverhill,  praying  to  be  joined  with  the  first 
jjetitioners  in  the  settlement  of  the  township,  was  read  as 
on  file." 

[Proprietors'  Records,  May  24,  1 720.] 

"  This  day  the  Committee  (agreeable  to  a  vote  of  the 
Society  of  y'^  16th  of  March  last)  prefered  a  Petition  to  the 
Govern"'  and  Council  for  withdrawing  the  form"^  Petition  and 
a  grant  of  a  Township  in  the  Chesnut  Country  of  ten  miles 
Square,  w*"  Lys  under  consideration  till  next  Term." 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  7 

[Council  Records,  August  26,  1720,  p.  169.] 

"  The  petition  of  Messrs.  Henry  Sherburne,  Clement 
Hughes  and  comp*,  prefered  May  24,  praying  for  a  town- 
ship <fcc.,is  granted,  and  Col.  Hunking,  Capt.  Wibard,  Capt. 
Henry  Sherburne  and  Capt.  Tilton  appointed  to  lay  out  the 
lands." 

I  have  made  an  examination  at  the  Secretary's  office  for 
the  foregoing  petitions,  but  without  success.  There  are  pe- 
titions relating  to  Chester,  bound  up  in  a  volume  with 
other  towns  back  to  1726,  but  none  of  these  are  among 
them.  The  old  files  are  in  a  very  confused  condition,  every 
thing  mixed  together,  —  due  partly,  probably,  to  their  being 
removed  to  rebuild  the  State-House, —  so  that  it  would  be 
almost  an  impossibility  to  make  a  thorough  examination. 
The  following  (apparently  genuine)  is  copied  from  Bell's 
"  Facts  in  relation  to  the  history  of  Chester "  in  N.  H. 
Hist.  Soc.  Coll.,  Vol.  VH,  p.  403. 

[From  the  Council  Records  of  1719.] 
PETITION   FOR   GRANT. 

A  petition  for  a  township  in  y°  Chestnutt  County,  signed 
by  about  100  hand,  preferred  by  Mr.  Hughes,  Sept.  24, 
1719.     Minuted— Read  again,  Apr.  28,  1720. 

To  his  Excellency  Samuel  Shute,  Esq.,  Cajit.  Gen"  &  Com- 
man'^'^in  Chief  in  an  over  His  Majesty's  Province  of  Xew 
Hampshire,  ^c,  and  the  Hon'''*^  the  Council,  now  sitting 
in  Council  at  Pourtsmouth,  in  and  for  said  Province  : 

The  humble  petition  of  sundry  of  the  Inhabitants  of  s*^ 
Province  Humbly  sheweth  That  y""  Petitioners  have  asso- 
ciated themselves  together  to  settle  a  certain  tract  of  waiste 
land  containing  Eight  miles  square,  laying  in  the  Province 
of  New  Hampshire  afores*^,  and  adjoining  on  the  East  to 
Kingston  and  Exeter,  and  on  the  South  to  Haverhill,  and 
on  the  West  and  North  to  y"  woods. 

And  forasmuch  as  y""  Petitioners  are  informed  that  sun- 
dry persons  belonging  to  severall  Towns  in  the  Province  of 
the  Massachusetts  Bay  design  to  petition  y"^  Excellency  & 
Hon"^  to  have  the  same  lott  of  land  granted  to  them  for  a 
township, 


8 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


Your  Petitioners  therefore  most  humbly  pray  that  they 
may  have  the  preference  (having  been  at  a  vast  expense 
of  blood  and  treasure  to  maintain  the  same  against  the 
Enemy),  and  that  the  said  tract  of  land  may  be  granted  a 
township  to  them,  and  as  many  more  as  are  willing  to  set- 
tle the  same,  so  as  to  make  up  the  number  of  one  hundred 
(and  twenty  five)  persons,  under  such  limitations  for  the 
settling  of  it  as  y''  Excellency  &  Hou'^  will  in  your  great 
wisdom  see  convenient  for  the  speedy  settling  thereof,  and 
y''  Petitioners  ever  will  pray  as  in  duty  bound. 

Sept.  24, 1719. 


Tlio«  Phipps, 

Jos.  Pierce, 

Tho.  Packer, 

Joseph  Tilton, 

Natli"  Batchelder,  jr., 

John  Cram, 

Philemon  Blake, 

Jacob  Stan  van, 

Robt.  Row,  Sen"", 

David  Tilton, 

Reuben  Sanborn, 

John  Morrison, 

Sam"  Blake,  jr., 

Nath'  Healey, 

Nath"  Sanborn, 

Joseph  Batchelder, 
John  Sealy, 
Jethro  Tilton, 
Ichabod  Robie, 
Edward  Sanborn, 
John  Prescott,  jr., 
Zachariah  Clitford, 
Joseph  Batchelder,  jr., 
Sam"  Blake,  senr., 
Edward  Gilman, 
John  Searll, 
William  Godfree, 
Nehem''  Leavitt, 
John  MoiTison, 
Sam"  Elkins, 
Rob*  AVade,  jr., 
Jeremiah  Sanborn, 
Daniel  Tilton, 


Henry  Sluu'burne, 
Benj.  Gambling, 
Jos.  Sherburne, 
Clement  Hughes, 
Sam'  Plaisled, 
Elez'  Russell, 
Samuel  Hart, 
Eph"^  Dennett, 
John  Preston, 
Benj.  Sanborn, 
Joseph  Sanborn, 
James  Prescott, 
Jonathan  Prescott,  jr., 
Ricliard  Sanborn, 
Richard  Clifford, 
George  Veazi,  jr., 
Jonathan  Sanborn, 
Nathan  Longfellow, 
Sam"  Sanborn, 
Jacob  Green, 
Henry  Dyea, 
Benj.  Fifield, 
Sherburne  Tilton, 
Benj.  Fogg, 
Joseph  Love, 
Jacob  Gilman, 
Joseph  Young, 
Ephraim  Hoit, 
Abraham  Sanborn, 
Israel  Blake, 
"William  Healey, 
Charles  Stuart, 
Enoch  Sanborn, 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY. 


9 


Thomas  Yeazi, 
Joshua  Prescott, 
John  Cass, 
Daniel  Ladd, 
Abner  HeiTiman, 
Sam"  Prescott, 
Nath"  Bachelder,  senr., 
John  Ladd, 
Oliver  Smith, 
Edward  Fifield, 
John  Gilman,  jr., 
John  Knowles, 
Sam"  Yeazi, 
Benj.  Yeazi, 
Thomas  Yeazi,  jr., 
Nicholas  Xorris, 
John  Xorris, 
Nicholas  Seavy, 
Thomas  Rollins, 
Joseph  Lorrane, 
John  Roberts, 
Moses  Norris,  senr., 


Daniel  Lovering, 
Ebenezer  Lovering, 
Jona°  Robinson, 
Reuben  Smith, 
Thomas  Yeazi,  jr., 
Nath"  Stevens,  jr., 
James  Leavit, 
AVm.  Stevens,  Porch*, 
Jona°  Plummer, 
John  Smith, 
Benj.  Tole, 
Caleb  Tole, 
Abraham  Drake, 
Sam>i  Smith, 
Thomas  Garton, 
James  Purckins, 
Jacob  Moulton, 
Jonathan  Nason, 
Elisha  Smith, 
Jonathan  Dearborn, 
Thomas  Leavitt, 
James  Fogg. 


COPY   OF   THE   LAYING   OUT   OF   THE   FIRST   GRANT. 


Whereas  we  the  subscribers  were  Ordered  and  directed 
by  the  Committee  appointed  by  His  Excellency  the  Govern'^ 
and  Council  to  Lay  out  a  new  Town  adjoyning  to  Haver- 
hill, Kin<2;ston  &  Exeter,  Pursuant  to  the  afors*^  Directions 
we  have  ru)i  the  following  Lines,  viz. :  We  begun  at  a 
white  pine  Tree  marked  R.  W.,  H.  S.,  I.  T.,  W.  B.,  Stand- 
ing on  the  Supposed  Kingston  line,  where  Haverhill  Sup- 
posed Line  Cutts  it,  and  run  Ten  miles  upon  a  W.  N.  W. 
Line  to  a  pitch  pine  Tree  notcht  on  four  Sides  ;  Then  we  be- 
gun again  at  the  afors''  white  pine  Tree  and  run  Three 
miles,  along  Kingston  Supposed  head  Line  to  the  Supposed 
Kingston  North  Corner  Bounds  next  to  Exeter  ;  And  from 
thence  Seven  miles  upon  a  X.  b  E.  Line  to  a  Hemlock  Tree 
marked  R.  W.,  H.  S.,  I.  T.  the  other  two  Lines  being  run 
parralell  to  those  two  Lines  will  make  a  Tract  of  Ten 
miles  Square,  Agreable  to  the  Petition  preffered  by  Capt. 


10  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

Henry  Sherburne,  Clem'  Hughes  &  Comp^  to  and  Granted 
by  His  Excellency  the  Governour  &  Council.  Dated  at 
Portsmouth 

Jan^'  4'%  1720-1. 

Tho^  Pierce, 
Eph'"  Dennet, 
George  Pierce, 
Jo^  Tilton. 

Prov.  of  ) 
N.  HamJ)^  S  Whereas,  we  the  Sul)scribers  were  appointed 
by  His  Excellency  the  Govern''  &  Council  a  Comittee  to 
Lay  out  a  Tract  of  Land  of  Ten  miles  Square  adjoyning  to 
Haverhill  &  Kingston  &  Exeter,  for  a  Township,  and  after 
having  duly  considered  how  the  Said  Tract  of  Land  ought 
to  be  Layd  out  Consonant  to  the  Petition  prcfered  to  His 
Excellency  the  Gov"^  and  Council  by  Henry  Sherburne, 
Clem'  Hughes  <fe  Comp^,  and  that  the  Land  may  not  In- 
fringe on  any  Former  Grant,  and  having  Chosen  Capt.  Jo* 
I'ilton,  Capt.  Tlu/  Pierce,  m""  Ephraim  Dennet,  m'^  George 
Pierce,  m''  Ich'^  Roby  <fc  mr.  Jacob  Stanyaii  to  run  the  Lines 
for  y*"  bounds  of  y^  above  Township,  we  did  order  and  direct 
them  the  s'*  Capt.  Tilton,  <fec.,  to  run  the  Lines  as  is  Ex- 
pressed in  their  return  on  y*"  other  side  ;  &  being  persuaded 
y'  y*"  same  will  not  Infringe  on  any  former  Grant,  we  do  al- 
low &  Confirm  y*^  s*^  return  as  far  forth  as  it  Lyes  in  our 
Power,  and  pray  that  y"  same  may  be  allowed  and  Con- 
firmed by  His  Excellency  the  Governour  &  Council. 

The  corner  bound  of  Chester,  next  to  Londonderry,  near 
Mr.  Tenney's,  down  to  1801  was  a  beech  tree,  which  is  ex- 
pressly mentioned  in  the  charter  of  Londonderry,  June 
21st,  1722.  In  this  survey  they  commenced  at  a  white 
pine,  but  if  the  points  were  not  identical  they  were  not 
far  apart,  for  a  range  of  the  home  lots  laid  out  in  1719 
certainly  commenced  near  the  present  corner.  This  return 
runs  on  Kingston  line  three  miles  (probably  to  the  corner 
near  David  Lane's)  and  "  next  to  Exeter,"  whereas  Exeter 
corner  was  finally  established  more  than  two  miles  farther 
east.  The  lines  were  all  uncertain,  as  we  shall  see  when 
we  come  to  the  settlement  of  the  lines.  This  was  merely 
a  grant  of  the  land,  not  the  charter  of  a  town,  and  whether 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  11 

satisfactory  or  not,  the  bounds  of  the  charter  were  essen- 
tially different,  inckiding  much  more  land.  The  Society. 
seem  to  have  made  great  efforts,  and  spent  time  and 
money  to  secure  their  object.  They  built  a  possession  fence 
around  the  country.  The  committee  had  a  meeting  June 
15, 1720,  and  examined  and  allowed  various  accounts,  includ- 
ing an  account  of  "  Mens  days  Fencing  the  Chesnut  Country 
&  going  there  to  Oppose  the  Haverhill  people."  Tliere 
were  484  days  allowed,  at  an  expense  of  X144,  18s.  This 
could  hardly  have  been  expended  since  the  October  meet- 
ing. 

AVhether  the  claim  of  the  Haverhill  people  was  merely 
an  effort  to  get  a  grant,  or  a  claim  under  the  charter  of 
Haverhill  from  Massachusetts,  or  both,  I  do  not  know. 
"When  I  was  surveying  on  the  additional  lot  No.  31,  in 
1819,  Mr.  Peter  Hall  and  Mr.  Abraham  Sargent  were 
present,  and  they  said  that  they  had  seen  a  monument 
near  there,  said  to  have  been  erected  by  Haverhill  people. 
Their  tradition  was  that  the  charter  of  Haverhill  began  at 
"  Holt's  Rocks  "  (so  called),  and  was  to  run  thence  N.  W. 
to  Merrimac  river  ;  that  they  started  at  the  Rocks  and  run 
twenty  miles  ;  failing  of  provisions  and  liquor  they  erected 
their  monument  and  went  home.  They  were  probably 
right  in  regard  to  the  monument,  but  wrong  in  regard  to  the 
explanation,  as  the  following,  which  is  taken  from  a  copy 
in  the  case  of  French  vs.  Morse,  before  the  Court  of  Ap- 
peals in  the  Secretary's  Ofiice,  will  show  ; 

"  Haverhill,  July  y«  4"',  1674. 

At  the  Request  of  the  Selectmen  of  Haverhill,  the 
Bounds  of  Said  Town  were  perfected  as  followeth  :  From 
Holts  Rocks  we  run  due  northwest  according  to  the  Com- 
pass, not  allowing  any  variation,  allowing  almsbury  their 
full  and  just  bounds,  as  hath  been  determined  by  the  hon- 
oured General  Court ;  all  the  other  line  on  the  west  Side  of 
the  Plantation  we  run  from  Merrimack  River  due  North 
until  it  cutt  with  the  first  line,  where  we  erected  a  great 
Pillar  of  Stones,  this  last  line  was  Set  out  &  begun  to 
run  by  Ensign  Noyes  and  Sargeant  John  Parker  at  eight 
miles  distance  from  Haverhill  meeting  [house],  upon  a  due 


12  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

west  Line,  which  is  according  to  the  grant  of  the  General 
Court,  the  Running  lines  on  both  Sides  of  s*^  Plantation 
were  bounded  by  markt  trees  and  heaps  of  stones,  laid  out 
by  Jonathan  Danforth,  Survey^     Bilereca  12  3m.,  1675. 

The  Court  approves  of  the  Return,  as  attests  Edwd.  Raw- 
son,  Secretary." 

This  pillar  of  stones  was  probably  the  one  seen  by  Mr. 
Hall  and  Mr.  Sargent.  Capt.  David  Shaw  tells  me  that 
there  used  to  be  an  oak  tree  by  the  poor  farm  which  was 
called  "  Haverhill  bounds."  Margaret  Shirley  and  Mrs. 
Cowdery  recollect  the  tree.  By  looking  at  the  map  it  will 
be  seen  that  the  northwestern  line  from  the  corner  of 
Chester  and  Derry  (the  road  over  Walnut  Hill  and  down 
Jack's  Hill)  does  not  correspond  with  the  northeastern  end 
of  the  additional  lots  at  and  above  the  poor  farm,  and  the 
question  may  arise.  If  they  intended  in  laying  out  the  home 
lots  to  follow  Haverhill  line,  how  came  the  offset?  In 
answer,  we  may  suppose  that  Haverhill  line  was  not  well 
defined ;  that  if  trees  were  marked  in  1075  many  of  them 
were  down  ;  and  that  they  started  at  the  supposed  intersec- 
tion of  Haverhill  and  Kingston  lines,  and  on  the  supposed 
course,  and  run  on  to  near  Three  Camp  meadow,  and  then 
offset  about  sixty  rods  to  keep  clear  of  the  meadow  to  the 
road  through  Hall's  Village.  The  line  of  the  liome  lots 
over  the  hill,  if  extended,  would  be  about  the  northeast 
line  of  home  lot  124,  on  which  John  Shirley  settled,  where 
Mr.  Cowdery  now  lives.  They  then  found  that  they  were 
about  sixty  rods  northeast  of  the  old  Haverhill  line,  the 
oak  tree  and  perhaps  other  monuments,  and  they  run  that 
range  of  lots  to  the  line,  and  then  continued  on  as  far  as 
the  home  lots  extend. 

This  is  corroborated  by  the  fact  that,  accompanying  a 
petition  of  Richard  Hazzen,  Jr.,  and  others,  to  the  Council 
of  Massachusetts  in  1728,  complaining  of  the  encroach- 
ments of  the  people  of  Londonderry,  was  a  plan  in  which 
the  line  running  northwest  passes  over  the  corner  of  Ches- 
ter, and  extends  into  Chester,  so  as  nearly  or  quite  to  cor- 
respond to  this  monument.     A  reduced  copy  of  this  plan  is 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  13 

inserted  in  Chase's  History  of  Haverhill,  page  290.  And 
further,  the  first  settlers  of  Londonderry  obtained  a  deed, 
dated  Oct.  20,  1719,  from  John  Wheelwright  (a  grandson 
of  the  original  grantee.of  the  Wheelwright  claim),  of  "  A 
certain  tract  of  land  bounded  as  followeth,  not  exceeding 
the  quantity  of  ten  miles  square :  beginning  at  a  pine  tree 
marked,  which  is  the  southwest  corner  of  Cheshire,  and 
running  to  tlie  northwest  corner  of  the  said  Cheshire,  and 
from  the  northwest  corner  running  a  due  west  line  unto 
the  River  Merrimack,  and  down  the  River  Merrimack,  until 
it  meets  with  the  line  of  Dunstable,  and  there  turning  east- 
ward upon  Dunstable  line  until  it  meet  with  the  line  of 
Dracut,  and  continuing  eastward  upon  Dracut  Line  untill  it 
meets  with  the  line  of  Haverill,  and  Extending  northward 
upon  Haverill  until  it  meets  with  the  line  of  Cheshire,  and 
then  turning  westward  upon  the  said  Line  of  Cheshire  unto 
the  pine  tree  first  mentioned  where  it  began." 

This  line  of  Haverliill  is  probably  the  one  on  Hazzen's 
plan,  but  stopped  at  the  line  of  Cheshire  running  west  north- 
west, according  to  the  grant  of  1720,  —  which  had  prob- 
ably been  previously  surveyed, — and  not  up  to  the  northwest 
line  to  the  monument  seen  by  Mr.  Hall  and  Mr.  Sargent. 
It  would  probably  intersect  the  Londonderry  line  not  far 
from  the  Derry  road. 

At  any  rate,  there  was  a  line  of  Haverhill  run  up  into 
Chester,  and  the  proprietors  or  lot-layers,  in  laying  out  the 
home  lots  in  1719,  did  not  intend  to  trespass  on  Haverhill, 
and  began  on  what  they  supposed  to  be  the  intersection  of 
Haverhill  and  Kingstown  lines,  and  run  north-west  the 
course  of  the  supposed  Haverhill  line ;  and  the  gore,  be- 
tween these  lots  and  Londonderry  line  as  established  by 
the  charter,  was  laid  out  into  additional  lots  in  1726. 

The  return  says  :  "  We  the  subscribers  have  lay*^  out  an 
additional  lot  of  fifty  acres  to  Each  home  lott,  beginning  first 
at  y''  south-east  corner  of  y*"  town  next  Haverhill,  Running 
westerly  along  Derry  line,  called  the  first  Range." 

There  was  allowed  at  the  same  time,  June  15,  1720, 
"  For  time  about  the  Law  suits,  9  days,  £2 — 14s."     Also  of 


14 


HISTORY   OF   CFIESTER. 


"  Money  expended   on  the    Law  Suits  &,   paid   by  Capt. 
Henry  Sherburne  the  Receiver  for  the  Prop''*." 

It  would  seem  from  the  Proprietors'  records  that  they 
had  lawsuits,  but  who  the  parties  were,  and  what  legal 
authority  any  body  had,  does  not  appear.  There  is  a  credit 
March  30,  1723  :  "  So  much  recovered  of  Jarvis  Ring, 
£2  12."  I  have  examined  the  Court  records  of  that  period, 
but  have  found  no  such  cases. 


Paid  to  Mr.  Acmiity  for  pleading     . 
to  Cap'  Phipps,  do.  Sundry  times 
to  Mr.  AValdron 
to  Mr.  JeflVies   .... 
to  Jno.  Pray,  serving  a  writ     . 
to  Michael  Whiddeu,  for  do 


£  s.  d. 

.  1  10  00 

2  10  00 

1  00  00 

1  00  00 

2  00  00 

15  00 

In  1723,  there  is  credit  given  for  cash  recovered  of  Jarvis 
Ring,  <£2  12.  There  is  also  "an  account  of  men's  Labor 
Since  the  Lotts  were  drawn,"  amounting  to  £47  10,  giving 
the  inference  that  the  other  was  before  the  lots  were  laid 
out. 

£     s.    d. 

To  Lot-layers 24  10  00 

to  Committee 8    2  00 

to  Committee's  expenses G  00  00 


Clement  Hughes''  charges. 

To  drawing-  a  petition 

to  cash  paid  the  Clerk  of  the  Council        .... 
to  Drawing  articles  for  the  Society  to  Signe     . 

to        do.      a  plat  for  the  Society 

to  Copy  of  an  Indian  Deed  (probably  the  deed  to 
Stephen  Dudley) 


S.      (1. 

5  00 
10  00 

6  00 

5  00 

6  00 


There  is  also  a  charge  for  "  4^  gallons  of  rum,  6  lbs.  of 
sugar  of  Capt.  Sherburne,  w*^^  was  given  y®  men  at  work  in 
the  Country,"  £1  16  6.  The  whole  amount  of  their  ac- 
count current,  June  15,  1720,  was  £247  7  6. 


"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  the  following  persons 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY. 


15 


were  admitted  proprietors  in  the  Town  of  Checher  agree- 
able to  the  Desire  of  the  Govern',  viz  : 


"William  White, 
Jona.  Emerson, 
Jiio.  Packer, 
Jona.  Kimball, 
Stcph.  Webster, 
Thos.  Silver, 
Sam'.  Ingalls, 
James  Fales, 
Jno.  Littlehale, 
Eph.  Guile, 


Jona.  Clough, 

Thos.  Whiting, 

Jno.  Jaquish, 

Wm.  Daniels, 

Step.  Johnson, 

the  Rev.  Thos.  Simms, 

Rich"^  Haselton, 

Kathan  AVebster,  of  Bradford, 

Richard  Jaquish." 


At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  Nov.  20,  1720,  tlie  fol- 
lowing persons  were  admitted  proprietors,  viz. : 

"Capt.  Henry  Sloper, 
James  Boid, 
Benning  Wentworth, 
Wm.  Crosswait, 
Clem'  ^NFishervey, 


Jacob  Oilman, 
Ed.  Oilman, 
Thos.  Smith,  in  the 
Room  of  Richard  Swain, 
Robert  Ford, 


the  Rev-i  Xath'  Rogers, 
Samuel  Sherburne,  in  y^ 
Room  of  Wm.  Stivens, 
Jos.  Young, 


Amos  Cass, 
Ebeu''  Eastman, 
Luther  Morgan, 
Samuel  Thompson." 


The  first,  and  a  part  of  the  second  list,  were  Massachu- 
setts men,  and  a  part  were  Exeter  men,  including  probably 
the  petitioners  mentioned  May  21,  1720,  and  was  a  matter 
of  compromise  and  put  an  end  to  the  contest  with  Haver- 
hill people. 


"  At  a  General  Meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Town 
of  Checher  held  at  Hampton  the  11th  day  of  January, 
1720-1," 

"  Voted,  Col"  Packer  moderator. 

"  Voted,  Tiiat  eacli  prop''  that  does  not  Settle  pay  ten 
Shillings  per  year  during  three  years,  the  whole  to  be 
Divided  yearly  among  them  that  Settles. 

"Voted,  To  Coll''  Packer,  Coll^'  Wiar,  Caleb  Tole  and 
Sam"  Ingalls  the  whole  Priviledge  of  the  upper  Falls  on  the 
great  Brook  forever,  to  build  a  Sawmill  or  mills  on,  and 
also  ten  acres  of  land  gratis  on  Each  Side  of  s'^  falls  for  the 


16  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

s'^  mills  conveniency,  with  condition  that  the  s"^  mill  shall 
be  fitt  to  Cutt  boards  in  a  Twelve  month  from  this  time  and 
that  they  shall  saw  at  halves  the  Prop™  Loggs,  So  much 
as  they  shall  have  Occasion  for,  for  Building. 

"  And  those  prop'"Hliat  Shall  have  Occasion  to  buy  boards 
shall  be  supplied  with  So  many  as  they  shall  have  occasion 
for  at  the  Rate  of  thirty  shillings  per  thousand  del''  at  the 
mill. 

"  And  if  the  making  of  a  pond  or  ponds  for  s*^  mill  dam- 
nific any  of  the  prop''%  the  Town  shall  make  good  the 
Damage. 

"  Voted,  that  as  soon  as  Thirty  Householders  are  set- 
tled there  Shall  be  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  maintained  by 
the  whole  proprietary ;  and  as  soon  as  fifty  families  are 
Settled  there  shall  be  a  meeting  House  for  the  Publick 
Worship  of  God  built  by  the  ^Yhole  Proprietary." 

This  was  a  grant  of  the  privilege  of  the  "  Old  "  (Has- 
elton's)  sawmill.  Samuel  Ingalls  was  one  of  the  grantees, 
and  the  Haverhill  people  were  quieted  before  this. 

Thus  early,  too,  was  provision  made  for  preaching,  and  a 
meeting-house. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  Jan^  25,  1720-1, 

"  Voted,  that  whereas  the  number  of  proprietors  is  con- 
[a  part  of  this  word  is  torn  off]  and  no  provision  made 
for  a  school  master,  that  the  next  proprietor  that  shall 
Forfeit  his  Lott  the  Same  Shall  [be]  appropriated  for  a 
School." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  March  15,  1720-1, 
"  The  following  acco*^  were  rec''  &  allowed  of.  Ac'  of  charges 
about  y®  bridge  the  first  time."  There  are  the  names  of 
persons  and  the  days  worked  amounting  to  sixty-two  days. 

"  Acco'  of  Charges  about  the  Bridge  the  Second  time," 
eighteen  days.  "  The  third  time,"  twenty  seven  days,  the 
whole  amounting  to  <£134  10s. 

This  was  on  the  bridge  between  Sandown  and  Danville, 
which  was  always  called  "  Cheshire  Bridge." 

"  Acco'  of  time  Searching  the  Country,"  thirty  days  by 
five  persons,  <£9. 

"  Ace'  of  Charges  in  Running  the  Line."     There  were 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  l7 

.twelve  men  five  days  each ;  seven  hands  four  days  each, 
and  one  man  three  days, —  <£38  16s. 

"  Acco'  of  Charges  Looking  and  cutting  the  way,*  and 
keeping  possession,  <fcc."  There  were  twelve  men  five  days 
each ;  fifteen  men  four  days  each ;  seven  men  six  days 
each  ;  amounting  to  X48  12s. 

The  committee  had  a  bill  for  settling,  from  three  to  ten 
days  each,  X16  6s.,  besides  collecting  the  assessments,  (fee. 

Joseph  Tilton  charges  "  six  days  attending  the  Gov""  & 
Council." 

"  Acco*  of  Time  laying  out  y®  Haverhill  mens  lots," —  four 
men  six  days  each,  £9  12s. 

"  Account  of  Charges  Repairing  the  possession  fence,"  — 
seven  men  two  days  each,  two  men  four  days  each,  ,£6  12s. 

"  Ace*  of  time  to  Give  Evidence  at  Court,"  —  two  men 
two  days  each,  XI. 

"  Ace*  of  time  to  find  if  any  Trespas'^  upon  the  Society," — 
four  men  three  days  each,  <£3  12s. 

"  Account  of  what  allowed  the  Committee  appointed  by 
the  Governor  to  Lay  out  y®  Town,"  —  four  men  one  pound 
each,  X4. 

Clement  Hughes^  charges. 

To  Attendance  on  the  Govu'  2  days         .        .        .  £0  12 
To         do.         on  Courts  3  days         ....  0  18 
To  P"^  Dan^  Levit  for  two  horses  that  run  away 
from  peoi^le  left  in  the  Country  to  keep  pos- 
session              7  10 

To  drawing  2  new  mapps £10  00 

and  many  other  items. 

*  There  was  probably  no  kind  of  a  road  this  side  of  Kingston  Plain,  and  when  they 
first  came  to  the  Chestnut  country  they  must  have  come  through  the  wilderness  on 
horse-back,  if  not  on  foot,  and  therefore  kept  south  of  Exeter  river,  and  come  up 
on  to  Walnut  Hill.  But  they  afterwards  looked  out  and  cut  a  way  over  Beech  Plain, 
and  built  some  kind  of  a  bridge  across  Exeter  river,  to  come  through  the  north  part  of 
Sandown. 

At  the  June  Term  of  the  Court  of  Sessions,  1736,  the  grand  jurymen  from  London- 
derry represented  that  there  was  no  highway  from  Kingstown  to  Chester.  An  order 
of  notice  was  served  on  the  selectmen  of  Kingstown,  who  appeared  in  1737,  and 
prayed  for  time. 

2 


18  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Capt.  Henry  Sherburne  charges. 

To  a  book  9s.  6d. ;  pair  of  marking  irous  3s.  6d.         .  0  13 

To  a  mapp 10 

To  So  much  paid  Mrs.  Small  for  expenses  w"^  y* 

Lt.   Gov.   &c 1  00 

and  other  items.     The  general  price  of  labor  and  time  is  6 

shillings  per  day.     The  whole  amount  is  stated  March  30, 

1723.     The  Dr.  side  is  £583  4s.  7d. 

The  Credit : 

125  proprietors  60s.  each  .         .         .      £375  00 

For  forfeitures 6  16 

Recovered  of  Jarvis  Ring        ...  2  12 

Balance  due  from  the  Proprietors        .         198  16  7 

£583  04  7 


The  account  current  is  stated  again  for  1724  and  1725. 

The  Dr.  side,  including  the  above  ))alance,  X541  16s.  9d. 

The  Credit  side  consists  of: 

126  Propri'*  50s  each  2  payment  .         .     £315 

126       do        3  payment  20s.  .         .         .126 

126       do        4        do        10s.  ...         63 

One  for  the  first  omitted         ....  3 

507 
Balance £34  16'  9«> 

I  give  these  items  of  the  accounts  to  show  something  of 
what  these  men  did  and  paid  to  start  the  settlement  of 
Chester. 

"  At  a  Publick  meeting  of  the  Proprietors,  held  at  Capt. 
Wingate's  at  Hampton,  March  1(3,  1720-1  : 

"  Voted,  mr.  Eph''  Dennet  moderator. 

"  Voted,  Clem'  Hughes  CF. 

"Voted,  Capt.  Tho"*  Pierce,  Clem*  Hughes,  Eph.  Den- 
net, Capt.  Jo"  Tilton,  Caleb  Tole,  Ich.  Roby  and  Jacob 
Stanyan  be  a  Committee  to  manage  the  affairs  of  the  So- 
ciety for  y**  Year  Ensuing. 

"  Voted,  Capt.  Jo"  Tilton  Receiver. 

"  Voted,  Cap*.  Tilton,  Caleb  Tole,  Ich.  Roby,  Geo. 
Pierce  and  Jacob  Stanyan  Lott  Layers. 

"  Voted,  That  y''  Lott  layers  lay  out  a  Second  Division 
of  100  acres  each  Lott,  and  Such  Highways  as  they  see 
meet. 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  19 

"  Voted,  That  Cap*  Wingit,  Deacon  Shaw,  &  mr.  In- 
galls  be  a  Committee  to  audit  the  Committee's  acco'*. 

"  Voted,  That  Each  proprietor  pay  thirty  Shillings  by 
the  first  day  of  May  next  to  discharge  y®  Society's  debts. 

"  Voted,  That  the  four  persons  to  whom  the  Stream  is 
granted  Shall  give  each  a  bond  of  Fifty  pounds  to  the  Com- 
mitte  to  perform  the  Conditions  of  s*^  Grant ;  and  if  any 
of  them  Refuse  to  do  it,  the  Committee  is  Impowered  to 
admit  others. 

"  Voted,  That  y^  Haverhill  people  that  are  proprietors 
make  their  way  to  the  Chesnut  Country  passable  for  Carts, 
at  their  Charges,  and  that  mr.  Ingalls  be  Surveyor. 

"  Voted,  That  the  bridge  on  tlie  Road  from  Kingston  to 
the  Chesnut  Country  be  made  passable  for  Carts,  and  that 
Jo*  Sanborn,  Jun"^  be  Survevor." 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  Sep.  29,  1721,  the  fol- 
lowing persons  were  admitted  Proprietors,  viz.,  Coll"  Peter 
Wear,  Capt.  Rich*^  Kent,  Capt.  Josh.  Wingate,  Tho^  Dean, 
Sam'  Shaw,  John  Calf." 

•  ••••••••• 

"  Voted,  That  the  proprietors  of  the  upper  Falls  on  the 
great  Brook  have  the  privi ledge  of  the  Lower  falls  also,  for 
their  Further  Incouragement  to  Ijuild  a  mill  according  to  a 
vote  of  the  Society  at  a  publick  meeting  held  Jany.  11, 
1720  ;  And  in  consideration  of  w*^*^  additional  Priviledge 
they  are  to  build  a  Grist  mill  as  Soon  as  the  Town  will 
need  it." 

This  grant  was  where  Haselton's  grist-mill  and  pail- 
factory  are. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  Jany.  2,  1721-2, 

"  Voted,  Sam'  Welsh,  and  Jacob  Moulton  have  forfeited 

their  Right  in  the  Town  of  Checher,  they  not  having  paid 

their  Charges." 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  Jan^  22^  1721-2, 

"  Present,  Thos.  Pierce,  Eph''  Dennet,  Clem*  Hughes  and 
Caleb  Tole. 

"  Sundry  of  the  Proprietors  having  complained  to  the  Com- 
mittee That  it  was  Detrimental  to  the  Town  That  the  sec- 
ond Division  was  not  Laid,  nor  the  first  yet  perfected,  and 
having  also  Desired  That  a  meeting  of  the  Prop"^  might  be 
warned  to  consult  the  Affairs  of  the  Town  :  — 


20  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER.  \ 

"  Voted,  That  Xotifications  be  Sett  up  accordingly. 

"  Voted,  That  His  Excellency's  Farm  of  500  acres  be 
Laid  out  as  near  the  Center  as  may  be  without  Discommod- 
ing the  home  Lotts." 


a 


THE   NOTIFICATION,    YIZ  : 


These  arc  to  Notifie  all  Concerned  That  a  Gen'  meeting 
of  the  Propriet^  of  the  Town  of  Checher  is  appointed  to  be 
held  at  the  House  of  mr.  Nicholas  Ferryman  in  Exeter  on 
Monday  the  Fifth  day  of  Feb"^'  next,  at  ten  of  the  clock  in 
y**  morning,  to  Choose  lot  layers  to  Lay  out  the  Second 
Division,  the  lot  Layers  chosen  at  the  last  meeting  having 
neglected  to  do  it,  and  Further  to  Consult  and  do  what 
may  be  Thought  Needful  for  the  Town  Service. 

Jan^  22*^,  1721-2.  Tho*  Pierce, 

Eph""  Dennet, 
Rich**  Webard,  |  j     ,  p^  Clement  Hughes, 

Tho* Packer,     \  *^"^^-  ^  '  Caleb  Tole." 

"  At  a  Publick  meeting  of  the  Proprie**  of  the  Town  of 
Checher  held  at  Exeter,  Feb.  5,  1721-2, 

"  Voted,  Coll"  Tho^  Packer  Moderator. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Second  Division  be  two  hundred  acres 
instead  of  100  liefore  voted. 

"Voted,  Sam'  Ingalls,  Clem'  Hughes,  and  Caleb  Tole  Lott 
layers,  to  Lay  out  the  same. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Lott  layers  go  on  the  same  as  Soone  as 
possibly  they  can,  and  as  soon  as  they  have  accomplished  it 
and  make  a  Return  thereof  to  the  Committee,  That  the 
Committee  Notifie  the  Prop"^  to  meet  to  draw  their  Lotts  ; 
And  whereas  there  is  a  former  vote  that  there  should  be  a 
meeting  annually  on  the  Third  Wednesday  of  March,  and 
it  not  being  prolable  that  the  Said  lotts  can  be  laid  out 
before  that  time,  That  the  meeting  be  Defered  till  the 
first  Monday  in  may  next  Except  the  Committee  See  Cause 
to  call  the  meeting  Sooner." 


Proyixce 
Seal. 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  21 


THE     ROYAL     CHARTER. 

George  by  tlie  Grace  of  God  of  Great  Britain, 
France  and  Ireland,  King,  Defend""  of  the 
Faith,  &c.  : 


To  all  People  to  whom  these  j/sents  Shall  come,  Greeting. 
Know  y'^  That  we  of  our  Especial  Knowledge  and  meer 
motion,  for  the  due  encouragement  of  Settling  a  new  plan- 
tation, by  and  with  the  advice  of  our  Council,  have  given 
and  granted  and  by  these  p^'sents  as  farr  as  in  us  lies  do 
give  and  Grant,  in  Equall  Shares  unto  Sundry  of  our  beloved 
Subjects,  whose  names  are  Entred  in  a  Schedule  hereunto 
annexed.  That  Inhaljit  or  Shall  Inhabit  within  the  said 
Grant  within  our  Province  of  New  Hamp%  all  That  Tract 
of  Land  within  the  following  bounds :  (Viz)  to  begin  at 
Exeter  Southerly  Corner  bounds  and  from  thence  run  upon  a 
West  and  by  North  point  two  miles  along  Kingston  north- 
erly Line  to  Kingston  North  Corner  bounds,  then  upon  a 
South  point  three  miles  along  Kingston  head  Line  to  Kings- 
ton South  Corner  bounds,  then  upon  a  West  North  West 
point  Ten  miles  into  the  country.  Then  to  begin  again  at 
the  aforesaid  Exeter  Southwardly  Corner  bounds  and  run 
seven  miles  upon  Exeter  head  Line  upon  a  North  East 
point  half  a  point  more  Northerly,  Then  fourteen  miles 
into  the  Country  upon  a  west  North  west  point  to  the 
river  Merrimack,  and  from  tlience  upon  a  Straight  Line 
to  the  End  of  the  afores'^  Ten  Mile  line ;  and  That  the 
same  be  a  Town  Corporated  by  the  name  of  Chester  to  the 
persons  afores*^,  for  ever  To  have  and  to  hold  the  said  Land, 
to  the  Grantees  and  their  Heirs  and  assigns  forever,  and  to 
Such  associates  as  they  Shall  admit  upon  the  Following 
Conditions : 

1.  That  Every  proprietor  build  a  Dwelling  House  within 
Three  years  and  Settle  a  Familley  Therein,  breack  up  Three 
acres  of  Ground  and  plant  or  Sow  y'^  same  within  four 
years,  and  pay  his  proportion  of  the  Town  Charge  when 
and  so  often  as  Occasion  shall  require  the  same. 

2.  That  a  meeting  House  be  built  for  the  Public  worship 
of  God  within  the  said  Term  of  four  years. 

3.  That  upon  default  of  any  particular  Proprietor  in  Com- 
plying with  the  Conditions  of  this  Charter  upon  his  part. 
Such  Delinquent  proprietor  Shall  forfeit  his  Share  to  the 
other  Proprietors,  which  Shall  be  Disposed  according  to  y® 
major  vote  of  the  Said  Comoners  at  a  Legall  meeting. 


22  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

^thiy^  That  a  Proprietor's  Share  be  reserved  for  a  Parson- 
age ;  another  for  the  first  minister  of  the  Gospell,  another 
for  the  Benefit  of  a  School. 

Provided  nevertheless  that  the  Peace  with  the  Indians 
Continne  dnring  the  aforesaid  Term  of  Three  years  ;  bnt  if 
it  should  so  happen  That  a  warr  with  the  Indians  Should 
commence  before  the  Expiration  of  the  afores''  Term  of 
Three  years,  the  aforesaid  Term  of  three  years  Shall  be 
allowed  to  the  Proprietors  after  the  Expiration  of  the  warr 
for  the  performance  of  the  aforesaid  Conditions,  Render- 
ing and  paying  therefor  to  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors, 
or  Such  other  officer  or  officers  as  shall  be  appointed  to 
receive  the  same,  The  annual  quit  rent  of  acknowlcdg- 
eni*  of  one  pound  of  Good  merch'''*'  Hemp  in  the  said 
Town  on  the  Twentieth  of  December  yearly  forever ;  i-e- 
serviiig  also  unto  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  all  mast 
Trees  growing  on  said  Land  —  according  to  acts  of  Parlia- 
ment in  that  behalf  made  and  provided,  and  for  the  bet- 
ter order,  Rnle  and  Government  of  the  said  Town  we  do  l)y 
these  p'sents  Grant  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Snccessors,  unto 
the  said  men  &  Inhaljitants,  or  those  that  shall  Inhabit  the 
Said  Town,  Tliat  yearly  &  every  year  upon  the  last  Thurs- 
day in  march  forever,  they  shall  meet  to  Elect  and  Chuso 
by  the  major  part  of  them  Constal)les,  Selectmen  and  all 
other  Town  officers,  according  to  the  Laws  and  usage  of  our 
afores*^  Province,  for  the  year  ensuing,  with  Such  Power, 
priviledges  and  authority  as  other  Town  officers  within  our 
aforesaid  Province  have  and  Enjoy. 

In  Wittness  whereof  we  have  Caused  the  seal  of  our 
Said  Province  to  be  hereunto  annexed.  AVittness,  Sam" 
Shute,  Esq"^,  our  Governour  &  Command''  in  Chief  of  our 
Said  Province,  at  our  Town  of  Portsmouth  the  8"'  day  of 
may  in  the  Eighth  year  of  our  reign,  annoq.  Domini  1722. 

By  His  Excellency's  Comand 

w'^  advice  of  the  Council.  Sam"  Shute. 

R.  Waldron,  Cler.  Con. 

A   SCHEDULE   OP   THE   PROPRIETORS'    NAMES,    OF   THE   TOWN    OP 

CHESTER. 


Cap'  Henry  Slierburne,  Jethro  Tilton, 

Benf  Gambling  Esq"",  Amos  Cass, 

Tho»  Phipps  EsqS  James  Perkins, 

Cap'  Josli"  Pierce,  Susau*  Small, 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY. 


23 


Coll"  Peter  Wear, 
Rev^  Nath'^  Rogers, 
Clem'  Hughes, 
Cap'  Tho*  Pierce, 
Cap'  Jos  Sherbui'ne, 
Cap'  Arcli<^  Macpheadris, 
Eph™  Deniiet, 
Benniiig  Weutworth, 
Cap'  Ebeu'^  Weutworth, 
Cap'  Ricli'i  Kent, 
George  Pierce, 
Eleaz''  Russell, 
Ichabod  Roby, 
Rev"!  Tho'  Simms, 
Sam"  Shackford, 
Jn°  Shackford, 
Will"  White, 
Sam"  Ingalls, 
Mich"  W  hidden, 
Will'"  Rymes, 
AVill™  Godfry, 
Eben""  Dearbou, 
John  Cram, 
John  Present,  Jun"", 
Abram  Browne, 
John  Prescut,  Sen"", 
Joseph  Bachelder, 
John  Packer, 
John  Silly, 
Tho^  Levit, 
Sam"  Page, 
Nath"  Sanborn, 
James  Present, 
Xath"  Bachelder,  Sen% 
David  Tilton, 
Jon*  Emerson, 
Elijah  Smith, 
Sam"  Smith, 
Jon"  Dearborn, 
Abram  Drake, 
Cap'  Joshua  Winget, 
Sam"  Blacke, 
Jos  Sanburne, 
Ruben  Sanburne, 
George  Brownell, 


Will™  Hally, 
Zach'  Clifford, 
Enoch  Sanborn, 
Josiah  Bachelder, 
Sam"  Prescot, 
Xath"  Bachelder,  Jnn', 
Benoni  Fogg, 
Richd  Clifford, 
James  Fogg, 
Eben'  Easman, 
Eben''  Loverell, 
Rob'  Row, 
Philip  Tole, 
Edw"^  Sanborn, 
Henry  Works, 
Jery  Sanborn, 
Caleb  Tole, 
Jon*  Plummer, 
Benj*  Tole, 
Benj"  Smith, 
Cap'  Jon*  Sanburn, 
Moses  Blacke, 
Jacob  Basford, 
Jacob  Garland,  Sen', 
Jon*  Brown, 
Piiilemon  Blake, 
Stephen  Sweat, 
Jn"  Sanburn, 
Sam"  Marston,  Jun', 
Nath"  Drake, 
Henry  Sloper, 
Tho«  Smith, 
Will™  Crosswait, 
James  Boid, 
Joseph  Young, 
Clem'  Mesharvy, 
Luther  Morgan, 
Rich*i  Hasleton, 
Jacob  Gilman, 
Sam"  Sherburne, 
Ed«^d  Gilman, 
Tho»  Dean, 
Sam"  Shaw, 
John  Calf, 
Jon*  Clough, 


24  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Benj»  Sanburne,  Rob*  Ford, 

Maj'  Jn°  Gillman,  Ju"  Jaquisli, 

Sam"  Thompson,  Will"  Daniel, 

Stephen  Webster,  Steph"  Johnson, 

Edward  Emerson,  Nath"  Webster, 

Tho«  Silver,  Eich'^  Jaquish, 

Tho»  Whiting,  James  Fales, 

Jn°  Littlehale,  Jn°  Cutt  &  )  one  prop'" 


■J 


Eph™  Gnile,  Benj"  Ackerman,  >     share. 

Jon*  lOmball, 

Province  N.  Hamp%  May  10^^,  1722. 

His  Excellency  the  Govern''  and  the  Hon''^*^  Lieut.  Govern'' 
and  Council  Entered  associate  with  the  within  persons, 
(viz)  - 

His  Excellency  a  Farm  of  five  Hundred  acres  and  a 
home  Lott. 

The  Lieu'  Govern'^  the  same. 

Sam"  Penhallow,  Esq^  a  proprietor's  Share, 

Mark  Hunking,  Esq%  ditto, 

George  Jaffrey,  Esq^  ditto, 

Shad''  Walton,  Esq%  ditto, 

Rich<i  Wibird,  Esq'',  ditto, 

Tho'  Packer,  Esq--,  ditto, 

Tho^  Westbrook,  EsqS  ditto. 

A  True  Copy  of  Chester  Charter  and  the  Schedule 
annexed  to  it. 

Compared  P''  Rich*^  "Waldron,  Cler.  Con. 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE   FIRST   SETTLEMENT   AND  LAYING   OUT   OP   THE  LOTS. 
THE     FIRST     SETTLEMENT. 

The  grantees  of  Londonderry  were  actnal  settlers ;  but 
the  grantees  of  Chester  were  not  residents,  and  yery  few 
of  them  ever  did  reside  in  Chester.  Most  of  them  were 
residents  of  Portsmouth  and  Hampton,  but  several  dwelt 
in  Haverhill,  Bradford,  Newbury  and  other  places.  Among 
them  were  merchants,  farmers,  mechanics  and  clergymen. 
However  patriotic  and  desirous  to  develop  the  resources  of 
the  country  they  may  have  been,  the  idea  of  making  money 
by  the  enterprise  entered  largely  into  their  plans.  As  has 
been  seen,  they  spent  a  great  deal  of  time  and  money. 
Many  grew  tired  and  refused  to  pay  more,  and  forfeited 
their  rights,  both  before  and  after  the  charter,  and  others 
took  their  places.  At  nearly  every  meeting,  while  the  af- 
fairs of  the  town  were  managed  by  the  Proprietors,  there 
was  a  vote  passed  and  a  committee  chosen  to  enforce  pay- 
ment of  the  assessments  due.  The  "  Rights  "  were  thrown 
on  the  market  like  railroad  shares  of  the  present  day,  and 
in  order  to  show  something  of  their  value,  I  insert  a  few  of 
the  sales,  with  the  consideration  named  in  the  deeds  : 

John  Calfe  sold  his  right,  in  1725,  for  fifty  pounds. 

Ephraim  Dennet  deeded  H.  L.  143,  in  consideration  of 
settlement,  building  a  house  and  breaking  up  three  acres  of 
land. 

John  Karr  sold  H.  L.  13  and  half  of  the  right  of  Henry 
Sherburne,  to  Alexander  Craige,  1725,  for  thirty-four 
pounds  current  money. 


26  HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 

EJmond  Tappan  sold  to  Joseph  Dearborn  half  of  Nath. 
Drake's  right,  in  1727,  for  sixty  pounds  money. 

Thomas  Symmes  sold  to  Richard  Haselton  his  father's 
right,  for  one  hundred  pounds  bills  of  credit. 

Richard  Kent  sold  to  John  Tyler  his  right,  hi  1727,  for 
one  hundred  pounds  good  money. 

John  Wentworth  sold  to  Moses  Hale  his  home  lot,  ex- 
tending from  the  meeting-house  to  Shackford's  Corner,  for 
thirty  pounds,  in  1730. 

Moses  Hale  to  Ebenezer  Flagg,  two  home  lots  and  a  house, 
for  two  hundred  pounds,  in  1736. 

Lovevvell's  war  (as  it  was  called)  with  the  Indians  com- 
menced about  the  time  the  charter  of  Chester  was  ob- 
tained, which  no  doubt  retarded  the  settlement.  There 
does  not  seem  to  have  been  any  great  accession  to  the  pop- 
ulation before  1727  and  1728.  The  settlement  at  London- 
derry was  commenced  in  1719,  by  the  Scotch  Irish,  as  they 
were  called  (Scotch  people  who  had  emigrated  to  the  North  of 
Ireland).  Others  came  over,  and  some  stopped  awhile  in 
the  older  towns, —  Alexander  Craige  in  Chebacco,the  Wil- 
sons in  Stratham,  Tolford  in  Bradford,  &c.  Others  came 
to  Londonderry  first,  and  then  came  to  Chester.  Here 
we  e  t.\o  races,  and  a  considerable  prejudice  existed  be- 
tAveen  them,  though  I  think  not  nearly  as  much  as  is  rep- 
resented by  the  writer  of  the  New  Hampshire  Churches. 
They  were  of  two  denominations,  but  both  united  in  the 
settlement  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hale,  though  after  he  left  the  Pres- 
byterians settled  a  minister  of  their  own,  and  refused  to 
pay  taxes  for  the  support  of  Mr.  Flagg,  which  would,  no 
doubt,  produce  ill  feeling.  Then  they  had  different  modes 
of  living.  The  Irish  ate  potatoes  and  the  English  did  not ; 
the  Irish  churned  their  milk  and  drank  buttermilk  and  the 
English  did  not ;  the  Irish  put  barley  into  their  pot-liquor 
and  made  barley  broth,  the  English  put  in  beans  and  had 
bean  porridge.  It  is  true  that  intermarriages  were  con- 
sidered improper.  As  late  as  1762,  when  Benjamin  Melvin 
married  Mehitable  Bradley,  it  was  considered  an  improper 
connection.     But,  after  all,  I  have  seen  no   evidence   to 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  27 

show  that  they  as  neighbors,  did  not  live  quietly  and 
peaceably  together,  or  that  there  was  any  diflference  made 
in  the  election  of  officers. 

The  question,  ivhen  the  settlement  commenced  and  ivlio 
were  the  first  settlers,  is  difficult  to  answer.     We  have  seen 
that  Samuel  Ingalls  is  said,  in  a  deed,  to  have  been  of 
"Cheshire"  in  October,  1717.     He  was  a  Haverhill  man, 
and  would,  naturally,  belong  to  the  Haverhill  people,  whom 
the  Society  were  opposing.     Mr.  Ingalls  is  said  in  a  deed 
to  be  of  Haverhill  in  1719.     In  March,  1721-2,  Samuel  In- 
galls, of  Winfield,  otherwise  Cheshire,  conveys  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Phillips  the  right  of  Stephen  Webster,  reserving  the 
home  lot  No.   64,  which  "  he  lives  on,"   so  that  he  had 
made  a  permanent  settlement  previous  to  that,  and  was 
probably  the  first  settler.     There  is  a  list  of  the  proprie- 
tors who  were  allowed  "  Settlery  for  y''  first  year,"  contain- 
ing twenty-four  names,  but  I  thinlv  only  two  of  them  were 
actual  settlers — Samuel  Ingalls  and  Thomas  Smith — and 
Smith  might  not  then  have  resided  in  town.     Tlie  proprie- 
tors had  voted,  January  11,  1721,  "That  each  Prop^  that 
does  not  settle  shall  pay  ten  Shillings  per  year  during  three 
years,  the  whole  to  be  Divided  yearly  among  those  that  set- 
tles."    The  proprietors  would  build  a  house  and  break  up 
a  piece  of  ground,  and  would  be  entitled  to  the  money. 
This  settlement  money,  amounting  to  twelve  pounds,  is 
charged  by  the  receiver  or  treasurer  as  having  been  paid  to 
Samuel  Ingalls  in  1723.     There  is  another  list,  "  For  y'^  2^ 
&  Third  year,"  of  eighteen,  all  but  Ingalls  and  Smitli  non- 
residents.    But  this  account  has  no  date.     The  town  officers 
were  chosen  and  all  business  done  by  the  proprietors,  so 
that  it  is  somewhat  difficult  to  determine  which  of  the  offi- 
cers were  residents  and  which  were  not,  in  some  cases. 
Ichabod  Robie  was  a  proprietor  and  held  several  offices, 
which  would  indicate  a  residence  ;  but  probably  he  never 
lived  in  town. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  who  were  allowed  ten 
shillings  for  settlement  in  1723,  "  For  the  first  year,"  with 
the  numbers  of  their  lots  and  the  name  of  later  owners ; 
they  erected  a  log  house  and  cleared  a  piece  of  land : 


28  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Clement  Meshervey,  No.  31 ;  Ephraim  Elliot  bought  of 
Ezekiel  "Worthen  of  Kensington,  1747. 

Amos  Cass,  No.  100  ;  sold  to  John  Calf,  1724  ;  and  after- 
wards owned  by  John  Stockman,  and  by  Benjamin  Sever- 
ance in  1751. 

George  Pierce,  No.  121 ;  sold  to  Dea.  Ebenezer  Dearborn 
of  Hampton,  Oct.  3,  1729. 

Col.  Wear,  No.  124  ;  Sampson  Underbill,  1730,  and  John 
Shirley,  1731. 

Col.  Packer,  No.  30  ;  Robert  Runnels  previous  to  1733  ; 
Ben.  Brown,  W.  M.  Richardson,  have  owned  since. 

Capt.  Thos.  Pierce,  No.  131 ;  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  Jr., 
1731. 

John  Sanborn,  No.  120  ;  John  Smith,  and  he  deeded  it  to 
his  sons  Paul  and  Sylvanus  in  1751. 

Zach.  Clifford,  No.  53 ;  Anthony  Towle  ;  now  Samuel 
Kendal. 

Thomas  Smith,  No.  109 ;  James  Basford,  Moses  Hills, 
Jacob  Hills  ;  now  Calvin  Hills. 

Thomas  Smith  lived  on  No.  150. 

Benjamin  Smith  received  settlement  money  on  111. 

Caleb  Towle  on  55 ;  Francis  Towle,  his  son,  lived  on  it. 

Jona.  Kimball,  63  ;  Samuel  Ingalls. 

Samuel  Ingalls,  70  ;    Dea.  William  Tolford  lived  on  it. 

Ephraim  Gile,  61 ;  Thomas  Wells  ;  now  Wm.  Tenney. 

Robert  Ford,  149. 

William  White,  74 ;  Thomas  Haseltine  ;  now  Z.  Shirley. 

Thomas  Dean,  19. 

James  Perkins,  59  ;  Henry  Hall  lived  on  it. 

I  now  insert  the  names  of  some  of  the  early  settlers,  and 
when  their  names  are  found  on  any  record,  to  make  it 
nearly  certain  that  they  resided  in  Chester : 

Samuel  Ingalls  is  named  in  a  deed,  March,  1722,  though 
said  to  be  of  Haverhill. 

Thomas  Smith  received  settlement  money,  1723,  was  a 
committee  to  run  Londonderry  line  in  December,  1722,  and 
was  constable,  1724. 

John  Tolford,  of  Bradford,  bought  of  John  Packer,  H.  L. 
66,  on  which  he  settled  May  25,  1724  ;  was  constable  1730. 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  29 

James  Whiting  was  lot-layer  in  1725,  had  a  child  born  in 
in  Haverhill  in  172-1,  and  one  born  in  Chester  in  1726,  and 
was  constable  in  1726. 

John  Karr  of  Chester  sold  to  Alexander  Craige  of  Che- 
bacco  H.  L.  113,  in  1725,  and  divided  lots  with  Caleb 
Towle  in  1727. 

Jonathan  Goodhue  had  deeds  in  1727. 

William  Powel,  constable  in  1727. 

Jacob  Sargent,  surveyor  of  highways,  1727. 

Eldad  Ingalls,  town  clerk  and  treasurer,  1728.  He  sold 
to  Thomas  Wells,  1729. 

William  Healey  settled  on  his  H.  L.  in  1728  ;  child  born 
in  Chester,  1729. 

William  Wilson  was  in  Stratham,  1727 ;  was  fence-viewer 
in  1728. 

James  Wilson  was  in  Stratham  in  1727 ;  had  a  deed  in 
1728,  was  tythingman  in  1729. 

Robert  Wilson  of  Stratham  had  a  deed  of  Geo.  Jaflfrey 
in  1725  ;  was  in  Chester  in  1729. 

John  Smith  is  mentioned  in  the  return  of  Gov.  Went- 
worth's  farm  of  200  acres  in  1728.  He  was  the  first  set- 
tler at  the  Long  Meadows,  on  Brownel's  additional  lot 
No.  51. 

Ephraim  Haseltine,  lot-layer,  1728  ;  constable,  1729. 

Nathan  Webster,  selectman,  1729. 

Benaniah  Colby,  fence-viewer,  1729, 

Isaac  Foss  of  Greenland,  deed,  1729  ;  surveyor  in  1731. 

Sylvanus  Smith,  committee  to  prosecute  trespassers,  1729. 

Thomas  Glen,  deed,  1729,  fence-viewer,  1730. 

Benjamin  Sanborn  gave  to  his  son-in-law,  Enoch  Colby, 
half  his  right  with  the  house  in  1723.  He  was  assessor  in 
1730  ;  child  born  Jan.,  1730. 

Thomas  Wells  of  Amesbury,  deed,  1729 ;  surveyor,  1731. 

Titus  Wells,  fence-viewer,  and  child  born,  1730. 

Ebenezer  Dearborn  of  Hampton,  deed,  1729  ;  selectman, 
1730. 

Israel  Huss,  field-driver,  1730. 

Page  Bachelder,  deed,  1730. 


30  HISTORY    OF   CHESTEE. 

James  Basford,  deed,  1730. 
Lemuel  Clifford  of  Chester,  tanner,  deed,  1730. 
John  Shirley,  deed,  1730 ;  surveyor,  1733. 
Jonathan  Blunt  had  a  sawmill,  1730 ;  constable,  1731. 
John  Boid,  highway  across  his  lot,  1730. 
John  Aiken,  highway  and  mill  grant,  1730. 
William  Crawford,  deed,  1730  ;  tythingman,  1731. 
Samuel  Emerson,  selectman,  1731. 

Sampson  Underhill  sold  his  farm  in  Salisbury,  April  1, 
1730,  probably  came  to  Chester  in  1730. 
John  Ambrose,  deed,  1731. 
Henry  Ambrose,  deed,  1731 ;  field-driver,  1733. 
Nathl.  Ambrose,  road  across  his  land,  1733. 
Robert  Graham,  deed  of  No.  128  in  1733. 

Who  were  the  early  surveyors  in  laying  out  the  lots  is 
uncertain.  Clement  Hughes  charges  for  "  drawing  a  plat 
for  the  society,"  "  To  drawing  a  Second  plat,"  "  To  draw- 
ing two  new  Mapps."  He  might  have  been  a  practical 
surveyor. 

Ichabod  Robie  was  a  lot-layer  to  lay  out  the  north  divis- 
ion, and  was  voted  fifteen  shillings  per  day  while  the  others 
had  but  ten  shillings.  In  his  account  in  1723,  he  has  credit 
for  seventeen  days  lot-laying,  and  five  days  running  the 
line,  which  may  indicate  that  he  was  a  surveyor. 

Samuel  Emerson,  Esq.,  was  probably  surveyor  in  laying 
out  the  2'^  P.  2*^  D.,  and  all  subsequent  divisions,  and  it  was 
said  that  his  memory  was  so  tenacious  that  he  was  seldom 
at  a  loss  to  find  any  bound  or  tell  where  it  stood  if  lost. 

Their  surveys  were  inaccurate.  There  is  no  certainty  that 
they  ever  surveyed  the  side  lines  of  the  lots,  but  probably 
run  through  on  one  side  of  the  range-ways  and  marked 
bounds  on  both  sides.  The  manner  of  measuring  may  be 
inferred  from  the  complaint  against  the  Londonderry  com- 
mittee, that  they  would  not  allow  eleven  chains  for  ten. 

On  the  old  plans  of  the  Old  Hundreds  (Raymond)  the 
lines  next  to  Chester  and  Candia  are  both  straight ;  where- 
as both  are  really  very  crooked.     The  same  is  true  of  the 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  31 

third  division.  There  were  probably  rough  plans  made  of 
all  the  divisions  at  the  time,  which  accompanied  the  pro- 
prietors' records. 

At  a  Proprietors'  meeting,  Jan.  6,  1747,  it  was  "  Voted, 
That  the  Proprietors  Shall  Pay  for  Riting  a  Return  and 
Drawing  a  Plan  of  the  fourth  Division  Lotts." 

Hon.  S.  D.  Bell  says,  in  the  index  which  he  prepared  for 
the  two  volumes  of  the  Proprietors'  Records,  that  the  plan 
there  inserted,  of  the  home  and  additional  lots,  was  made 
from  a  copy  which  he  made  from  the  original  plan  in  the 
first  volume.  I  recollect  the  plan  perfectly  well  in  1819 
and  1820.  That  plan  is  now  lost ;  but  it  was  far  from  being 
accurate. 

The  corner  of  the  additional  No.  101,  lying  on  Sandown 
line,  is,  according  to  that  plan,  the  corner  of  Sandown  ; 
whereas  the  record  of  the  lot  says  that  it  is  about  thirty- 
two  rods  west  of  it,  and  it  is  thirty-one  rods  and  a  half. 
The  range-way  (the  road  passing  Benaiah  Spofford's),  on 
the  plan,  is  four  lots  of  about  thirty  rods  each  above  the 
corner  of  Sandown  ;  whereas  it  is  actually  but  one  lot. 

In  that  plan  three  home  lots,  Nos.  41, 42  and  106,  have  a 
corner  cut  off  by  Sandown  line  ;  whereas,  according  to  the 
record,  and  as  a  matter  of  fact,  the  additional  lot  No.  131, 
at  the  north  end,  is  thirty-two  rods  wide  between  the  home 
lots  and  Sandown  line.  The  additional  lot  No.  132,  accord- 
ing to  the  plan,  is  some  forty  rods  from  the  home  lots,  but 
the  records  bound  it  on  the  home  lot.  And  Three  Camp 
Meadow  is  not  correctly  represented  on  the  plan. 

I  have  seen  several  plans  of  the  Old  Hundreds  (and 
have  one  in  my  possession),  apparently  ancient  copies,  and 
similar,  drawn  on  a  scale  of  eighty  rods  to  an  inch.  I 
think  there  are  some  old  copies  of  the  third  division. 

When  I  was  first  acquainted  with  the  records  in  1819 
and  1820,  I  think  there  were  vestiges  of  plans  of  some  of 
the  other  divisions.  This  was  earlier  than  Judge  BelFs 
copies.  But  I  copied  from  the  plans  of  Stephen  Chase, 
Esq.,  the  same  that  Judge  Bell  copied  from  into  the  Index  ; 
and  as  he  commenced  surveying  about  1785,  I  supposed 


32  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER, 

that  he  might  have  originally  copied  from  the  old  plans, 
though  the  plans  I  then  copied  from  were  comparatively 
recent,  made,  I  think,  in  1810,  by  his  son  Stephen  Chase, 
Jr.  Esquire  Chase  made  a  plan  of  all  the  lots  in  town 
much  earlier  than  that,  which  I  think  is  yet  extant. 

An  act  was  passed  December  30,  1803,  requiring  the  sev- 
eral towns  in  the  State  to  cause  surveys  to  be  made  and 
plans  to  be  sent  to  the  Secretary's  office  for  a  State  map. 
The  map  was  contracted  for  by  Philip  Carrigain,  and  was 
called  "  Carrigain's  map."  Stephen  Chase,  Esq.,  made  the 
survey  and  plan  of  Chester,  Joseph  Shepard,  Esq.,  of 
Raymond,  Richard  Emerson,  Esq.,  of  Candia,  and  David 
Patten,  Esq.,  of  Derryfield.  There  are  great  discrepancies 
in  their  measures  and  some  in  the  bearings  of  their  lines. 
Patten  makes  the  line  of  Derrvfield,  from  Xo.  134  across 
the  pond,  80  rods  longer  than  Chase  does..  Shepard  makes 
Raymond  line  62  rods  shorter  than  Chase.  Shepard's  plan 
had  been  returned  and  a  letter  was  endorsed  on  the  back, 
saying  that  he  at  first  drew  partly  from  other  men's  sur 
veys,  but  he  had  now  surveyed  for  himself  and  he  knew 
that  he  was  correct.  In  making  a  preliminary  plan  for  the 
map  I  followed  Shepard,  as  he  was  so  positive ;  and  Ray- 
mond was  too  short,  and  crowded  the  lots  out  of  place,  so 
I  am  confident  that  Chase  was  nearer  right  than  Shepard. 
Massabesic  Pond  agrees,  essentially,  with  a  more  recent 
survey. 

In  making  the  plan,  the  outlines  were  drawn  as  near  as  I 
could  from  these  survevs.  I  then  made  an  examination  of 
Candia  lines,  in  respect  to  the  lines  of  the  lots,  and  made 
extensive  examinations  and  some  surveys  in  respect  to 
roads,  etc.,  and  have  availed  myself  of  my  own  surveys 
and  those  of  Stephen  Chase,  Esq.,  to  make  corrections, 
but  mathematical  accuracy  is  not  claimed.  It  has  been  a 
very  perplexing  job  to  construct  the  map,  for  many  times 
when  an  alteration  was  made  to  correct  one  place  it  in- 
jured one  or  two  more. 

It  is,  after  all,  what  the  lawyers  would  call  a  "  chalk," 
but  it  gives  a  good  general  idea  of  the  situation  of  the  lots, 
of  the  roads  and  the  early  settlers. 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  33 


THE   LAYING   OUT   OF   THE   LOTS. 

We  have  seen  that  the  Home  Lots,  of  twenty  acres  each, 
were  laid  out  in  the  fall  of  1719,  before,  so  far  as  I  have 
seen,  that  thej  had  obtained  any  grant  of  the  land.  They 
laid  out  small  lots,  so  as  to  live  compact  and  be  safer  from 
the  Indians.  The  settlement  seems  to  have  commenced  at 
Walnut  Hill  and  Hall's  Village,  and  the  first  burying- 
ground  was  near  "  Three  Camp  meadow."  But  it  seems 
that  they  had  an  idea  that  the  "  town,"'  the  "  centre,"  was 
to  be  at  its  present  location,  and  it  was  laid  out  on  rather  a 
magnificent  scale,  for  in  laying  the  lots  they  reserved  a  ten- 
rod  way  northwest  and  southwest  one  mile,  and  northeast 
half  a  mile  to  Shackford's,  and  southeast  as  far  as  the  lots 
extended,  to  near  where  G.  "W.  Everett  now  lives. 

In  laying  out  the  road  from  Sandown  by  Asa  "Wilson's, 
July  5,  1731,  the  selectmen  allowed  "  Every  one  of  these 
men  to  take  up  six  Rods  of  the  ten  Rod  Highway  that 
Lyeth  at  the  southend  of  their  home  Letts."  The  lots 
were  laid  out  in  squares,  and  reserves  left  lor  roads,  many 
of  them  traveled  a  long  time  before  there  was  any  formal, 
legal  laying  out.  What  induced  them  to  make  the  offsets 
in  their  squares  of  lots  and  reserves  is  incomprehensible  to 
me.  The  idea  of  Haverhill  line  running  northwest  gave  that 
direction  to  the  lots.  The  home  lots,  when  laid  out  in 
1719,  were  not  recorded  in  the  book,  if  any  record  was 
kept.  There  was  afterwards  a  committee  chosen  to  renew 
the  bounds  of  the  several  lots  when  called  upon  by  the 
owners.  Only  a  portion  of  them  were  re-surveyed,  and 
those  returns  were  made  by  the  committee  on  separate 
sheets  of  paper,  and  were  not  recorded  until  December  1, 
1791,  when  Capt.  John  Emerson  and  Stephen  Chase,  Esq., 
were  chosen  a  committee  "  to  record,  in  regular  order,  in 
the  Proprietors'  book  all  the  Home  lots  they  can  find  on 
old  records,  and  other  matters  that  appear  to  concern  the 
Proprietors."  They  did  it,  and  most  of  the  home  lots  are 
dated  about  1740. 
3 


34  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  held  March  16, 1720-21, 

"  Voted,  That  y"^  Lott  layers  lay  out  a  Second  Division 
of  100  acres  each  Lott,  and  such  Highways  as  they  See 
meet." 

These  lots  were  never  laid  out. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  the  town  of  "  Checher," 
held  February  5,  1721-2, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Second  Division  be  two  hundred  acres 
instead  of  100  before  voted." 

This  was  not  laid  out  at  that  time. 


THE   ADDITIONAL   LOTS   OF   FIFTY   ACRES. 

At  a  general  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  Chester,  held 
the  28th  day  of  March,  1723  (the  first  under  the  charter), 

"  Voted,  That  the  Comons  be  laid  out  in  fifty  Acre  lotts 
for  an  Addition  to  the  home  lots  ;  and  what  is  wanting  to 
accomodate  all  the  home  lotts,  to  have  as  many  of  the  200 
acre  lotts  divided  into  50  acre  lotts  as  will  Compleat  it." 

These  additional  lots  were  laid  out  nearly  all  around  the 
home  lots,  extending  from  Sandown  and  Derry  to  near 
the  Long  meadow,  and  it  was  voted  that  "  The  Proprietors 
draw  for  their  addition  on  the  same  Quarter  of  their  home 
lott  Lyes."     They  were  laid  out  in  1724. 


THE    OLD    HUNDREDS    OR    NORTH    DIVISION. 

This  division  includes  the  town  of  Raymond.  "  At  a 
meeting  of  y®  prop'^  of  the  town  of  Chester,  held  at  the 
house  of  Sam'  Ingalls,  10th  of  June,  1728, 

"Voted,  That  there  Shall  be  a  Division  of  Land  Lay^ 
out,  Containing  100  acres  to  Each  originall  prop""  which  is 
halfe  y®  Second  Division  which  was  formerly  Voted  to  be 
200  acres.  It  is  to  be  understood  that  this  Division  of  land 
Shall  be  laid  out  in  parish  order,  viz,  beginning  on  Exeter 
head  line  where  Nottingham  line  Divides  between  them  & 


to  be  a  Committee 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  35 

US,  &  SO  Extending  five  Miles  upon  Each  line  or  so  farr  as 
to  Make  up  Eveiy  full  prop''  100  acres  to  his  Share." 

"  Yoted,  m""  Ichabod  Roby 
m''  Nath.  Heley 

m"^  Jacob  Gilman  )•  to  lay  out 

m'^  Eben^  Derbern  |     y^  100  acre  lotts." 

m'"  Ephraim  Heselton  J 

"  Nov.  27*'^,  1728.     The  wages  of  the  committee  set,— 
Ichabod  Robie  15  Shillings,  the  rest  10  Shillings  per  day." 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  accepted  Nov.  19, 1729. 

Before  these  lots,  called  the  Old  Hundreds  or  North 
Division,  were  laid  out,  there  was  a  mill  built  at  Freetown, 
and  a  road  made  from  there  to  Exeter  line.  Some  of  the 
lots  were  bounded  on  the  mill  pond,  others  on  the  "  Easterly 
side  of  y^  highway  y*  leads  to  the  afores"*  mill  pond."  There 
was  one  tract  of  about  forty  acres  where  the  mill  stood, 
and  another  of  about  sixty  acres  between  the  6Gth  and 
mill  pond,  not  lotted.  There  were  a  great  many  votes 
passed,  and  committees  raised,  about  these  tracts,  and  some- 
thing was  sold  to  James  Wilson  and  Robert  Wilson,  and 
the  residue  was  finally  sold  at  auction,  Sept.  6,  1774,  to 
Capt.  John  Underbill  for  eleven  dollars ;  he  to  have  no 
claim  on  the  proprietors  if  he  did  not  recover  any  thing. 
The  lots  appear  more  regular  on  the  old  plans  than  they 
lay  in  reality.  The  lots  in  the  twelfth  range,  the  one 
bordering  on  Chester,  were  not  bounded  at  the  south  end, 
and  were  supposed  by  the  early  purchasers  to  extend  south 
to  the  reserve  where  the  road  now  is,  and  they  settled 
there.  The  proprietors  called  them  to  account,  and  in  1773, 
the  owners  employed  Nathan  Lane  to  survey  these  lots,  who 
decided  that  the  lots  extended  only  to  where  Raymond  line 
now  is,  forty-three  rods  north  of  the  road.  In  June,  1773, 
the  proprietors  chose  a  committee  to  prosecute  the  owners 
of  these  lots  unless  they  would  settle,  and  the  first  of 
October,  1773,  they  voted  to  John  Lane  the  land  against 
Nos.  12(3  and  128  for  twenty-four  shillings  ;  to  Joshua  Hall, 
against  No.  129  for  twelve  shillings  ;    to  John  Lane,  Jr., 


36  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER. 

against  No.  130  for  twelve  sliillings  ;  to  Abigail  Smith, 
against  No.  127  for  twelve  shillings  ;  to  the  owners  of  123? 
125, 127,  131  and  132,  twelve  shillings  each. 

THE    MEADOWS. 

ChesJiire  abounded  in  beavers  that  built  dams  across  the 
various  streams,  which,  by  flowing  killed  the  growth,  if 
there  was  any  before  there  were  beavers ;  and  when  the 
liunters  killed  the  beavers,  the  dams  went  down  and  the 
land  came  into  grass,  which  was  of  great  use  to  the  early 
settlers.  Beaver  ponds  and  beaver  dams  are  frequently 
mentioned  in  the  records. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  held  Feb.  5,  1721-2, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Lott  Layers  survey  the  principal  mead- . 
ows  and  Reserve  them  out  of  the  Second  Division  for  the 
Publick  use  untill  the  Prop"^  See  Cause  to  Divide  'em." 

April,  1727,  it  was 

"  Voted,  That  The  Inhal)itants,  and  those  That  are  com- 
ing to  Settle,  divide  y^  Cutting  of  y^  meadows  in  Equal 
Proportion  among  Themselves  for  y®  Year  Ensuing ;  and 
that  none  Cutt  any  before  the  Last  day  of  July  on  the 
penalty  of  20s.  to  be  paid  Ijy  each  person  for  Every  day  y* 
he  or  they  shall  offend,  to  be  paid  to  the  Selectmen  for  y® 
use  of  the  Poor  of  the  Town." 

March,  28,  1728,  it  was 

"  Voted,  That  there  shall  be  a  Division  of  Meadow  to 
Every  Right  according  as  it  will  hold  out  in  quantity  & 
quality,  according  to  y*'  goodness  or  badness  of  y*"  Meadow, 
to  make  every  man's  share  as  Equal  as  can  be." 

The  meadows  were  in  all  parts  of  the  town  from  Three 
Camp  meadow  to  the  White  Hall  mill  and  Derryfield. 
The  most  prominent  one  commenced  just  below  the  Con- 
gregational church  in  Auburn,  and  united  with  the  north 
branch  just  back  of  the  burying-ground,  and  extended  to 
Londonderry  line,  and  was  the  "  Long  Meadow"  ;  hence 
that  part  of  the  town  was  called  until  recently  the  "  Long 
Meadows." 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  37 

SECOND   PART   OF   THE    SECOND    DIVISION. 

At  au  adjourned  meeting  held  December  11, 1785,  it  was 

"Voted,  That  there  shall  be  a  Division  of  Land  of  one 
Imndred  acres  Laid  out  to  Each  full  Proprietor's  Share  for 
Quantity  and  Quality,  beginning  at  Kingston  Line  and  so 
filling  up  the  Yaquency  between  the  additional  Lotts  and 
the  north  division  Hundred  acre  Lotts,  so  Extending  Round 
the  additional  Lotts,  which  is  one  half,  and  to  Compleat 
the  second  division  formerly  voted  to  be  two  hundred  acres. 

"  Voted,  Cap'  Sam"  Ingalls,  Lisin  Jacob  Sergent,  Eph- 
raim  Haseltine,  Sam^  Emerson,  and  James  Campbell,  be 
the  Committee  to  Lay  out  the  same." 

This  division  was  laid  out  in  1736,  and  fills  the  space 
between  the  additions  and  Old  Hundreds,  and  extends  into 
Candia  and  Auburn  to  the  neck  of  the  pond. 

THE    THIRD   DIVISION. 

At  a  meeting  held  Jan.  17,  1738-9, 

"  It  was  put  to  vote  whether  to  Lay  out  another  division 
or  divisions  of  Land.     Past  in  the  negative." 

At  an  adjournment  of  this  meeting  May  16,  1739, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Vote  Relating  to  Laying  out  another 
Division  or  Divisions  of  Land,  that  was  Passed  in  the  neg- 
ative, shall  be  Reconsidered." 

And  it  was 

"  Voted,  That  there  shall  be  a  third  division  of  Land 
Laid  out  for  Each  full  Proprietor's  Share,  Containing  Eighty 
acres ;  bounding  the  same  Easterly  on  the  old  Hundred 
acres  Called  the  north  division,  Northerlv  on  Xottinoham 
Lme,  and  Southerly  on  the  Second  part  of  the  second  divis- 
ion, so  Extending  Westerly  to  Compleat  the  same ;  the  Com- 
mittee having  Power  if  they  meet  with  mean  Land  to  give 
reasonable  allowance,  and  if  they  meet  with  Exceeding 
mean  land  to  leave  it  undivided. 

"  Voted,  That  Lt.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  Insin  Jacob  Sar- 
gent and  Mr.  James  Campbell  to  be  the  Committee  to  Lay 
out  the  s'^  third  Division  of  Land. 

"  Voted,  That  Sam^  Emerson  be  Sirvaior  to  assist  to  Lay 
out  the  s*^  third  Division  of  Land ;  but  if  by  Sickness  or 


38  HISTORY   OP    CHESTER. 

otherwise  he  be  disabled,  the  Committee  to  Pi'ovide  sum 
other  Sirvaior  as  to  them  shall  appear  needful ;  aud  for 
Each  Lott  shall  l)e  Paid  fourteen  Shillings  before  the  Lotts 
be  drawn,  by  the  Proprietors  Respectively." 

This  division  lies  in  Candia  and  the  lots  are  more  regular 
on  the  old  plans  than  they  are  in  reality,  though  it  is  pre- 
sumed the  committee  did  not  meet  with  any  exceedingly 
mean,  or  even  mean  land. 

What  was  the  inducement  to  lay  out  the  upper  end  of 
the  first  range  at  such  an  angle,  I  cannot  explain.  The 
upper  lot,  instead  of  N.  29°  E.,  is  with  the  present  variation 
of  compass,  N.  68°  E.     This  division  lay  entirely  in  Candia. 


THE   FOURTH   DIVISION. 

At  a  meeting  March  27,  1745, 

"  Voted,  That  Capt.  John  Tolford,  Lieut.  Thomas  Wells 
(fe  Capt.  Sam'  Ingalls  be  a  Committee  to  lay  out  another 
Division  Containing  60  Acres  to  each  fidl  Proprietor's 
share  ;  considering  the  Quality,  If  it  don't  exceed  120 
acres  to  a  Lott. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Afores*^  Committee  for  Laying  out 
each  Lott  shall  have  tiiree  shillings  Lawful  money  to  be 
paid  to  them  by  the  Proprietors. 

"  Voted,  That  the  afores'^  Committee  shall  lay  out  the 
afores''  Division  of  land  &  make  return  to  the  Proprietors 
by  the  first  day  of  Deccmb''  next." 

The  return  is  dated  1746. 

The  Fourth  Division  lay  partly  in  Auburn,  but  mostly  in 
Manchester  and  Hooksett. 

FIFTH   DIVISION. 

At  a  meeting  held  December  28,  1749, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Remainder  of  the  Common  Lands  in 
this  town  Shall  be  Divided  and  Laid  out  and  Called  the 
fifth  Division. 

"  Voted,  That  Messrs.  William  Crafford,  Anthony  Towl 
and  John  Tolford  shall  be  the  Committee  to  lay  out  the 
fifth  Division  of  Lands  agreeable  to  the  foregoing  Vote,  and 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  39 

to  Lay  it  out  for  Quantity  and  Quality  as  near  as  tliey  Can, 
So  that  Every  Proprietor  may  liave  their  equal  Proportion 
as  near  as  may  be,  and  as  soon  as  may  be." 

The  return  is  dated  1752. 

The  Fifth  Division  lay  between  the  Fourth  Division  and 
Allenstown  line  in  Hooksett. 

SIXTH   DIVISION. 

The  vote  for  laying  out  the  Sixth  Division  was  passed 
Nov.  9,  1772.  Tlie  lots  were  called  ten  acres  each.  The 
committee  Avere  John  Tolford,  John  Underbill  and  William 
Crafford,  who  made  their  return  June  7, 1774.  This  Divis- 
ion was  made  up  of  tracts  of  undivided  land,  and  of  super- 
numerary lots  in  the  other  divisions  in  all  parts  of  the 
town. 

THE   GOVERXOR   AND   LIEUT.    GOVERNOR'S   FARMS. 

It  has  been  seen  that  the  committee  for  managing  the 
prudential  affairs  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Chestnut  Country, 
April  25, 1720,  voted  a  home  lot  and  a  farm  of  five  hundred 
acres  to  the  Governor  and  the  same  to  the  Lieut.  Governor. 
This  was  also  a  condition  of  the  Charter. 

Gov.  Shute's  home  lot  lay  on  the  southeast  side  of  tlie 
Derry  road,  southwest  from  the  meeting-house.  His  farm 
was  bounded  on  the  southwest  by  Pennacook  path,  sixty- 
four  rods,  extending  from  the  farm  of  Jacob  Chase  south- 
east by  east,  and  extending  back  nearly  two  miles.  To 
whom  it  was  originally  sold  I  have  not  learned.  There  is 
recorded  in  the  Rockingham  Records,  Book  21,  page  448, 
an  indenture  dated  1785,  in  which  Samuel  Shute,  of  the 
Parish  of  St.  James,  Westminster,  England,  gives  to  his 
nepliew,  John  Yeomans,  of  the  same  place,  all  his  lands  in 
Chester,  Nottingham,  Rochester,  Bow,  Barnstead  and  else- 
where. It  is  made  in  two  parts  and  certified  by  the  Lord 
Mayor  of  London,  and  the  great  seal  affixed. 

A  power  of  attorney  was  made  by  Yeomans  to  William 
Shirley,  Richard  Waldron,  John  Boydel,  Samuel  Ingalls, 
Ephraim  Haselton,  Samuel  Emerson,  Hugh  Montgomery 


40  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

and  John  Morrison,  to  enter  and  take  possession  in  his 
name.  Dated  April  21,  173G  ;  July  1,  1736,  proved  in  the 
Inferior  Court  of  Boston ;  June  18,  1736,  John  McMur- 
phy,  John  Calf,  John  Boydel,  Samuel  Ingalls  and  Ephraim 
Haselton  entered  and  took  formal  possession. 

Yeomans  brought  an  action  of  ejectment  against  Eliz- 
abeth Underbill  (Sampson's  widow),  in  September,  1738, 
who  appeared  and  entered  a  disclaimer. 

Gov.  Wentworth's  home  lot  lay  from  the  meeting-house 
to  Shackford's  Corner,  and  was  sold  by  him  to  Rev.  Moses 
Hale,  May,  1730.  Mr.  Hale  sold  to  Rev.  Ebenezer  Flagg 
two  home  lots,  September  22, 1736.  The  corner  was  about 
eight  rods  north  of  the  meeting-house.  Jabez  French 
bought  five  rods  of  the  ten-rod  way,  and  James  Yarnum 
live  rods  against  liis  lot. 

Gov.  Wentworth's  farm  was  laid  out  in  1728  in  three 
tracts.  Two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  nearly  tlie  square  on 
the  southwest  side  of  the  road  southeast  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church  in  Auljurn,  sold  to  Andrew  and  Alexander 
Craig ;  two  hundred  acres  in  the  south  part  of  Auburn  set- 
tled by  Nathaniel  Linn ;  fifty  acres  sold  to  John  Moore  on 
Sandown  line. 

There  were  a  great  many  tracts  laid  out  as  amendments 
of  lots  and  compensation  for  highways.  Many  tracts  were 
sold  to  pay  debts.  One  hundred  and  fifty  acres  lying  on 
Oswego  brook,  from  Clark's  mill  to  the  Oswego  mill,  ex- 
tending back  northeast,  were  sold  to  the  Rev.  Moses  Hale, 
to  pay  arrears  of  his  salary.  Land  was  sold  to  the  Coch- 
rans  to  pay  arrears  for  building  the  meeting-house,  and  a 
gratuity  for  their  loss  in  building  it.  A  large  tract  was 
sold  Robert  Boyes,  Esq.,  on  which  is  the  Head  tavern  in 
Hooksett. 

Joseph  Brown,  Samuel  Gault,  a  Knox  and  Andrew 
Octterson  settled  at  the  upper  end  of  the  town  on  land  not 
lotted,  and  claimed  by  the  proprietors,  and  long  lawsuits 
were  carried  on,  commenced  in  1749,  some  of  which  were 
carried  before  the  Governor  and  Council  as  a  court  of  ap- 
peal, but  were  finally  settled  by  the  individuals  purchasing 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  41 

and  quieting  their  titles.  June  19,  1753  it  was  "  Voted, 
that  an  agreement  be  made  with  Messrs.  Gallt,  Knox, 
Brown  and  their  associates  that  the  proprietors  have  Sued, 
of  the  northwest  part  of  the  town,  they  paying  the  Pro- 
prietors of  Chester  Sixty  pounds  old  tenor  in  part  pay  of 
our  Charges,  and  Sink  their  own  charges  and  pay  twenty 
Shillings  per  acre  for  their  Land  they  are  Sued  for,  that 
they  have  Deeds  of,  according  as  what  they  were  laid  out 
for  in  Quality  by  them."  They  probably  settled  under 
title  from  Suncook,  which  was  granted  by  the  General  x\.s- 
sembly  of  Massachusetts,  as  Tyngstown,  was  granted. 
The  deeds  were  dated  1754.  The  proprietors  kept  during 
nearly  the  whole  time  of  their  corporate  existence  equiva- 
lent to  a  standing  committee  to  prosecute  trespassers,  and 
held  hardly  a  meeting  without  passing  a  strong  vote  on  the 
subject.  When  the  Eev.  Mr.  Flagg  was  settled  the  pro- 
prietors gave  him,  by  way  of  settlement,  two  hundred 
acres,  lots  No.  20  and  21  in  the  second  part  of  the  second 
division.  The  Presbyterians  dissented,  and  in  return  a 
large  tract  was  given  to  Eev.  John  Wilson : 

"  That  piece  of  Common  Land  about  the  west  meadows, 
bounding  southerly  on  Londonderry  line  and  Easterly  and 
Northerly  on  Cochran's  land  and  on  Governor  Wentworth's 
farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  northerly  on  the  Highway  by 
the  side  of  the  39^''  lott  and  westerly  on  the  88'''  and  92^^ 
hundred  acre  lotts,  which  Land  was  set  apart  for  the  use  of 
those  who  dissented  against  giving  away  Land.  At  their, 
the  dissenters  request,  it  is  voted  and  given  to  the  Kev.  mr. 
John  Wilson  their  minister." 


CHAPTER    III. 

THE   ORIGINAL  GRANTEES   AND   THEIR   LOTS. 

The  grantees  of  Londonderry  were  actual  settlers,  who 
were  on  the  ground  before  they  procured  their  charter. 
The  grantees  of  Chester,  on  the  other  hand,  were  non-resi- 
dents, very  few  of  whom  ever  resided  in  Chester.  They 
may  be  chiefly  placed  in  three  classes  :  First,  the  original 
association  for  settling  the  "  Chcsnut  Country,"  formed 
at  Hampton  or  Hampton  Falls,  which  included,  from  the 
first,  some  Portsmouth  gentlemen  like  Clement  Hughes, 
Col.  Packer,  etc.,  but  was  mainly  composed  of  residents  of 
Hampton  and  Hampton  Falls,  and  a  few  from  Exeter  and 
Kingston.  A  second  class  consisted  of  people  belonging 
to  Haverhill,  Bradford  and  other  towns  in  that  vicinity. 
Some  of  them  were  proprietors  or  purchasers  in  Haverhill, 
and  laid  some  claim  to  the  Chesnut  Country,  or  wished  to 
procure  a  grant  of  it,  and  tried  to  obtain  possession,  and 
were  admitted  proprietors  by  desire  of  the  government. 
A  third  class  were  the  Governor  and  Council  and  their 
friends,  and  others  in  and  about  Portsmouth.  Many  of 
these  secured  their  places  in  the  list  of  grantees  as  a  mat- 
ter of  personal  favor,  or  by  such  means  as  were  suspected 
to  have  influence,  in  those  days  no  less  than  our  own.  We 
cannot  always  be  certain  that  individuals  are  arranged  in 
their  proper  classes,  though  in  most  cases  there  is  little 
doubt.  Then,  some  not  belonging  to  either  class,  and  some 
who  were  not  petitioners,  and  some  were  petitioners  who 
were  not  grantees.  The  first  class  had  some  men  known 
to  our  day  as  prominent  men,  men  in  public  stations  ;  but 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  43 

the  mass  of  them  and  the  second  class  were  the  substantial 
yeomanry  of  their  towns — the  farmers  and  mechanics. 
Their  motives  were  probably  various  ;  some  went  them- 
selves as  settlers,  others  settled  their  sons  there,  and  still 
others  soon  sold  out  their  rights,  either  to  make  money  or 
to  get  rid  of  paying  bills  without  any  immediate  profit. 
The  third  class  were  induced  to  take  an  interest  in  the 
grant  chiefly  from  an  expectation  of  realizing  a  profit  from 
the  sale  of  their  lands.  But  probably  their  lots  fell  in  such 
locations  as,  in  many  cases,  to  disappoint  their  expectations. 
"We  will  now  give  some  facts  obtained  in  regard  to  them : 

Joseph  Batchelder,  Josiah  Batchelder,  Nathaniel 
Batchelder,  Nathaniel  Batchelder,  Jr.  They  were  de- 
scendants of  Nathaniel,  son  of  the  Rev.  Stephen  Batchel- 
der, the  first  minister  of  Hampton.  Both  were  early 
settlers  of  Hampton  and  ancestors  of  a  numerous  race 
widely  scattered.  Nathaniel  Batchelder  was  one  of  the  as- 
sessors of  Hampton  Falls  in  1719-20,  and  Nathaniel  Batch- 
elder,  Sen.,  probably  the  same  man,  was  selectman  in 
1722-3. 

Jacob  Basford.     (See  "  Early  Settlers.") 

Moses  Blake,  Philemon  Blake,  Samuel  Blake.  They 
were  all  tax-payers  in  Hampton  Falls  in  1727,  and  were 
descendants  of  Jasper  Blake  of  Hampton,  who  died  1673. 
Philemon  and  Samuel  were  petitioners,  but  Moses  was  not. 

Abraham  Brown  and  Jonathan  Brown.  They  were 
descendants  of  John  Brown,  an  early  settler  of  Hampton, 
whose  descendants  are  numerous  and  widely  scattered. 
They  were  tax-payers  in  Hampton  Falls  in  1727.  Numer- 
ous persons  of  the  name  of  Brown,  and  probably  of  the 
same  origin,  are  found  in  ancient  Chester. 

Amos  Cass  was  a  tax-payer  in  Hampton  Falls  in  1727. 
He  was  a  descendant  of  John  Cass,  an  early  settler  of 
Hampton,  who  was  selectman  in  1653,  '7,  '8,  and  in  1672  and 
'5  to  his  death  in  June,  1775.  In  1727  five  of  the  name, 
Amos,  Ebenezer,  Jonathan  (ancestors  of  the  Candia  fami- 
lies), Samuel  and  Joseph,  Jr.  (ancestor  of  Gen.  Lewis 
Cass),  paid  taxes  in  Hampton  Falls. 


44  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

Richard  Clifford  and  Zachary  Clifford.  The}^  were 
tax-payers  in  Kingston  in  1727,  and  Richard  in  Exeter  the 
same  year.  Zachariah  Clifford's  home  lot  was  No,  53.  The 
north  end  was  sold  to  Lemuel  Emerson  by  Samuel  Clifford 
of  Chester,  tanner,  in  1734.  Peter  Clifford  had  children 
recorded  in  Chester  from  1739  to  1750.  Several  Cliffords, 
probably  descendants,  were  early  settlers  in  the  northeast 
part  of  Candia. 

Rev.  Theophilus  Cotton  was  minister  of  Hampton  Falls, 
son  of  the  Rev.  John  Cotton  of  Plymouth,  grandson  of  the 
Rev.  John  Cotton  of  Boston,  nephew  of  the  Rev.  Seaborn 
Cotton  of  Hampton  ;  born  1682,  graduated  at  Harvard  in 
1701,  ordained  1712,  and  died  August  12,  172G. 

John  Cram  was  selectman  of  Hampton  Falls  in  1722, 
tax-payer  in  1727  ;  a  descendant  of  old  John  Cram  of 
Exeter,  afterwards  of  Hampton.  Three  descendants  each 
had  a  son  John  of  a  suitable  age  to  be  a  grantee  of  Chester. 

Ebenezer  Dearborn  and  Jonathan  Dearborn.  (See 
"  Early  Settlers.") 

Thomas  Dean.     His  name  appears  in  a  deed  as  of  Exeter. 

Abraham  Drake  and  Nathaniel  Drake  were  sons  of 
Robert  Drake,  an  early  settler  of  Hampton.  Abraham  was 
ancestor  of  the  eminent  antiquarian,  S.  G.  Drake  of  Boston. 

Benoni  Fogg,  James  Fogg.  Benoni  was  a  tax-payer  in 
Hampton  Falls  in  1727,  and  James  Fogg  in  Hampton  in 
1732.  They  were  descendants  of  Samuel  Fogg  of  Hamp- 
ton, 1650,  who  died  in  1672,  leaving  sons,  Samuel,  Daniel 
and  James. 

Jacob  Garland  was  on  the  tax-list  in  Hampton  Falls  in 
1727,  and  at  Hampton  in  1732 ;  was  taxed  for  a  saw  and 
grist-mill.  He  was  a  descendant  of  John  Garland  who 
went  to  Hampton  previous  to  1653. 

William  Godfrey  was  a  tax-payer  in  Hampton  in  1732  ; 
a  descendant  of  Dea.  "William  Godfrey  who  was  of  Hamp- 
ton in  1651  and  died  there  1671. 

William  Healey  was  of  Hampton  Falls,  and  moved  to 
Chester.     (See  "  Early  Settlers.") 

Nathl.  Healey,  brother  of  William,  and  great  grand- 


PEOPRIETARY   HISTORY.  45 

father  of  the  Hon.  S.  D.  Bell's  wife,  though  not  a  grantee, 
\ras  one  of  tlie  societj,  and  early  became  a  proprietor  and 
■was  one  of  the  lot-layers  of  the  North  Division.  He  was 
of  Hampton  Falls,  where  his  descendants  still  reside. 

Thomas  Leavitt  was  a  tax-payer  in  Hampton  Falls  in 
1727  a  descendant  of  Thomas  Leavitt  who  signed  the 
Exeter  combination  in  1639,  and  removed  to  Hampton 
before  1614.  He  left  several  sons,  among  whom  was 
Thomas,  but  the  grantee  was  probably  a  grandson. 

Samuel  Marston,  Thomas  Marston,  were  tax-payers  in 
Hampton  in  1732.  Thomas  and  "William  Marston  were 
early  settlers  in  Hampton,  having  had  lands  assigned  them 
before  June,  1610.  Both  were  selectmen  several  years. 
Thomas  was  representative  in  1677. 

Samuel  Page  was  probably  of  Hampton,  where  the  name 
is  on  the  tax-list  of  1732. 

James  Perkins.  His  name  not  found,  though  Perkins  is 
a  common  name  in  Hampton,  Hampton  Falls  and  Exeter. 
Abraham  Perkins  was  an  early  settler  in  Hampton,  having 
land  assigned  to  him  before  1710,  and  was  one  of  the 
selectmen  in  1650,  and  five  other  years. 

James  Prescott,  John  Prescott,  John  Prescott,  Jr., 
Saml.  Prescott.  James,  John  and  Samuel  were  tax-payers 
in  Hampton  Falls  in  1727,  and  James  was  selectman  of 
Hampton  in  1718.  They  were  descendants  of  James  Pres- 
cott of  Hampton,  spoken  of  as  early  as  1669.  James  mar- 
ried Mary,  daughter  of  Joseph  Sanborn,  1717.  James  and 
John  were  sons  of  the  first  James,  John,  Jr.,  son  of  John, 
and  Samuel,  son  of  the  second  James. 

Ichabod  Robie  was  of  Hampton  Falls.  (See  "Early 
Settlers.") 

Robert  Rowe  and  Robert  Rowe,  Jr.,  were  tax-payers  in 
Hampton  Falls  in  1727.  Thomas  Rowe  was  of  Hampton 
in  1678,  and  Richard  Rowe,  who  had  a  son  Thomas,  was  of 
Dover  in  1650. 

Benjamin  Sanborn,  Enoch  Sanborn,  Edward  Sanborn, 
Jerry  Sanborn,  John  Sanborn,  Jonathan  Sanborn,  Joseph 
Sanborn,  Nathaniel  Sanborn,  Reuben  Sanborn.     The  Rev. 


46  HISTORY   OF   CHESTI^. 

Stephen  Batclielder  had  a  son-in-law  Sanborn,  supposed  to 
be  John,  who  died  in  England  leaving  two  sons,  John  and 
William,  born  about  1620  and  1622,  who  came  over  with 
Mr.  Batchelder,  and  moved  with  liim  to  Hampton  and 
there  settled.  They  had  large  families  and  are  the  ances- 
tors of  all  the  Sanborns  in  the  country,  so  far  as  is  known. 
The  oldest,  called  Lt.  John,  had  eleven  children,  and  died 
Oct.  20,  1692 ;  and  the  second  called  Esq.  William,  had 
six  children,  —  died  Sept.  18, 1692. 

Of  the  Chester  grantees,  Enoch,  son  of  John,  Jr.,  and 
grandson  of  Lt.  John,  was  taxed  in  Hampton  Falls  in  1727. 

Edward,  son  of  Joseph  and  grandson  of  Lt.  John,  mar- 
ried Dorothy  Roby. 

Jeremiah,  son  of  Xathaniel  and  grandson  of  Lt.  John, 
born  1701. 

Nathaniel  was  probably  father  of  Jeremiah  and  son  of 
Lt.  John  ;  married  Rebecca  Prescott  in  1691,  who  died  at 
Hampton  Falls,  Nov.  9,  1723  ;  was  a  tax-payer  in  Hampton 
in  1732.  • 

John,  son  of  Richard,  grandson  of  Lt.  John,  tax-payer 
in  Hampton  in  1732. 

Reuben,  son  of  Joseph  and  grandson  of  Lt.  John,  mar- 
ried Sarah,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Sanborn,  1714.  He  was 
a  tax-payer  in  Hampton  Falls  in  1727. 

Benjamin,  son  of  Lt.  John,  tax-payer  in  Hampton  Falls 
in  1727. 

Jonathan,  son  of  Jonathan  and  grandson  of  Lt.  John, 
married  Theodate  Sanborn.  He  was  a  tax-payer  in  Hamp- 
ton in  1732.  He  is  mentioned  in  a  deed  as  being  of  Kings- 
ton, and  a  tax-payer  there  in  1727. 

The   wives  of   several    other  grantees  were    Sanborns. 

Abigail,  sister  to  Reuben  and  Edward,  married  Ebenezer 
Dearborn,  who  settled  in  Chester. 

Sarah,  daughter  of  Benjamin,  married  Reuben  Sanborn. 

Abigail,  daughter  of  Nathaniel,  married  Luther  Morgan. 

Mary,  daughter  of  Benjamin,  married  William  Healey, 
settled  in  Chester. 

Abial,  daughter  of  Benjamin,  married  Enoch  Colby  of 
Chester. 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  47 

Theodate,  daughter  of  Benjamin,  married  Jona.  Sanborn. 

Mary,  daughter  of  Joseph,  sister  of  Reuben,  married 
Saml.  Prescott. 

Hannah,  daughter  of  Josiah,  married  Jacob   Garland. 

Besides  these,  three  others  were  petitioners,  who  were  not 
grantees,  Abraham,  Richard  and  Samuel,  sons  of  Joseph, 
Nathaniel,  and  Jonathan. 

Dea.  Samuel  Shaw  was  of  Hampton  Falls ;  taxed  there 
in  1727 ;  a  descendant  of  Roger  Shaw,  an  early  settler  of 
Hampton.  He  was  selectman  of  Hampton  Falls  in  1712, 
'17  and  '19. 

John  Silly  was  of  Hampton  Falls  ;  a  tax-payer  in  1727  ; 
son  of  Thomas  Silly,  who  came  to  Hampton  about  16 9-,  and 
married  Ann,  daughter  of  John  Stanyan  and  ^lary  Brad- 
bury. They  had  two  sons,  John,  born  June  7,  1699,  and 
Joseph,  of  Nottingham,  born  Oct.  4,  1691,  father  of  Gen. 
Joseph  Cilley. 

John  Silly  is  named  in  the  will  of  John  Stanyan,  son  of 
Anthony,  of  Exeter,  as  his  grandson. 

Benjamin  Smith,  Elisha  Smith,  Samuel  Smith,  Thomas 
Smith.  Elisha  Smith  is  on  the  list  of  tax-payers  of  1732. 
Lt.  Thomas  Smith  is  said  to  have  come  from  Hampton  to 
Chester,  though  born  in  Ireland.     (See  "  Early  Settlers.") 

Among  several  families  of  Smiths  in  Hampton,  the 
names  of  the  other  grantees  are  not  found.  Benjamin, 
Samuel  and  Thomas  Smith  were  cut  off  from  Haverhill  by 
the  settlement  of  the  province  line  in  1741.  Thomas  and 
Benjamin  were  paid  settlement  money  in  Chester,  and  were 
probabably  Haverhill  Peak  men. 

Jacob  Stanyan  was  of  Hampton.  Anthony  Stanyan  of 
Exeter  had  a  son  John,  who  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Bradbury  of  Salisbury,  who  in  his  will,  1718, 
names  his  son  "  Jacob,  born  26,  4th  m.,  1667,"  who  was 
uncle  to  John  Silly  above.  He  is,  however,  mentioned  in  a 
deed  as  of  Kingston. 

Stephen  Sweat,  probably  of  Hampton,  son  of  Benjamin 
Sweat  and  Theodate  Hussey,  born  Aug.  3,  1689.  This 
Benjamin  was  son  of  Capt.  Benjamin  Sweat,  who  married 


48  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

Hester  Weare,  sister  of  Councillor  Weare,  and  removed 
with  him  to  Hampton  Falls  in  1662.  Capt.  Sweat  was 
killed  by  the  Indians  at  Scarborough,  Me.,  June  29,  1677. 

Capt.  Joseph  Tilton,  David  Tilton,  Jethro  Tilton, 
Shbrburn  Tilton.  They  were  all  of  Hampton  Falls,  de- 
scendants of  William  Tilton,  of  Lynn,  whose  widow  mar- 
ried Roger  Shaw,  and  moved  to  Hampton.  Capt.  Tilton 
was  first  town  clerk  of  Hampton  Falls,  and  in  1721  was 
moderator,  town  clerk  and  selectman.  Sherburn  was  his 
son,  born  in  1699,  and  David  was  probably  his  brother. 
Jcthro's  marriage  and  children  are  recorded  in  Hampton 
Falls. 

Benjamin  Towle,  Caleb  Towle,  Philip  Towle,  were  of 
Hampton.  Benjamin  and  Caleb  were  in  the  tax-list  of 
1732.  They  were  descendants  of  Philip  Towle,  and  early 
settlers  of  Hampton,  in  1670,  or  earlier.  (See  "  Early  Set- 
tlers.") 

CoL.  Peter  TVeare  was  of  Hampton  Falls,  son  of  Coun- 
cillor Nathl.;  himself  Councillor  in  1698,  and  Judge  of  the 
Superior  Court  from  1726  to  1780.  He  was  one  of  the 
grantees  of  the  old  saw-mill  privilege  in  1721.  He  sold 
his  right  to  Sampson  Underbill  in  1730.  No  descendants 
of  his  name  remain. 

Capt.  Joshua  Wingate  was  of  Hampton,  taxed  in  1732, 
among  other  things,  for  his  trade.  He  was  selectman  in 
1709  and  1722.  He  was  son  of  John  AVingate,  of  Dover, 
1660,  and  had  a  brother  John  of  that  town.  He  was  the 
father  of  Hon.  Paine  Wingate,  of  Stratham. 

Thomas  Dean  was  probably  of  Exeter.  His  name  is  on 
the  tax-list  for  1727,  but  is  mentioned  as  of  Dover  in  a 
deed. 

Jacob  Gilman,  Major  John  Oilman,  Edward  Oilman. 
Jacob  Gilman  was  a  tax-payer  in  Kingston,  and  one  of  the 
selectmen  in  1727.  Major  John  Gilman  and  Edward  were 
tax-payers  in  Exeter  1727.  Major  John  Gilman  was  son 
of  Hon,  John  Gilman,  born  Jan.  10,  1676.  Edward  was 
a  grandson  of  Edward,  a  brotlier  of  John,  who  was  lost 
at  sea  on  a  voyage  to  England  for  mill-gear,  in  1653,     In 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  49 

a  division  of  land  in  Exeter,  in  1725,  thirty,  ont  of  two 
hundred  forty-nine  persons,  were  Gihiians.  Maj.  John  had 
250  acres,  Edward  140,  Edward,  Jr.,  50,  but  no  Jacob. 

Ebenezer  Lovereign  was  of  Hampton  in  1730,  and  of 
North  Hampton  in  1742,  and  deeded  land  in  Chester. 

Samuel  Welch,  whose  share  was  transferred  to  the  Rev. 
Theophilus  Cotton,  was  a  tax-payer  in  Kingston  in  1727. 

The  following  were  admitted  proprietors  at  the  desire  of 
the  Governor :  — 

William  White  was  a  descendant  of  a  William  White 
first  of  Ipswich,  then  of  Newbury,  and  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Haverhill.  William  the  grantee  was  a  clothier ; 
married  Sarah  Phillips,  and  had  a  son  Samuel.  Both  were 
large  land-holders  in  Chester.  Samuel  had  a  daughter 
Sarah,  who  married  David  Howe,  and  Rebecca  married 
James  Duncan,  two  leading  merchants  of  Haverhill. 
The  Chester  lands  descended  to  I^Irs.  Duncan,  and  were 
called  the  "  Duncan  lots."  The  last  was  sold  to  Hon. 
Richard  H.  Ayer  and  Hon.  Richard  Bradley,  about  1832. 

Jonathan  Emerson  was  of  Haverhill,  and  was  cut  off  by 
the  province  line ;  he  was  the  father  of  Samuel  Emerson, 
Esq.,  of  Chester.     (See  "  Early  Settlers.") 

Dea.  Edward  Emerson  was  of  Newbury,  so  named  in 
deeds. 

John  Packer  was  of  Haverhill,  so  mentioned  in  deeds, 
and  was  a  "  cordwainer  "  in  1726.  He  was  left  in  Haver- 
hill on  running  the  line. 

Jonathan  Kimball.  There  was  a  Jonathan  Kimball 
who  lived  in  that  part  of  Haverhill  which  fell  to  New 
Hampshire,  but  I  think  the  grantee  lived  in  Bradford. 
Benjamin  Kimball,  of  Bradford,  sold  half  his  father's 
(Jonathan)  right  to  Samuel  Ingalls. 

Stephen  Webster,  Nathan  Webster.  (See  "  Early  Set- 
tlers.") 

Thomas  Silver  was  of  Haverhill  in  1709.  John  and 
Tliomas,  and  others,  had  leave  to  build  seats  in  the  gallery 
in  1708. 

Samuel  Ingalls.     (See  "  Early  Settlers.") 


50  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

James  Fales,  of  Dedham,  sold  land  in  Chester  in  1728. 

John  Littlehale  was  probably  of  Dracut.  His  son  John, 
of  Dracut,   sold  his  additional  lot  to   McFerson  in  1733. 

Ephbaim  Guile  or  Gile,  was  of  Haverhill,  named  re- 
peatedly in  Haverhill  records.  He  helped  cut  out  the  first 
way  to  "  Cheshire." 

Jonathan  Clough  was  mentioned  in  connection  with 
dividing  lands  in  Haverhill  in  17*20. 

Thomas  Whiting  was  probably  of  Haverhill.  David  and 
John  were  left  in  Haverliill  in  1741.  James  was  probably 
a  son  ;  was  in  Chelmsford  in  1719,  in  Haverhill  in  1724, 
and  in  Chester  in  1726.  He  settled  on  the  home  lot  of 
Thomas,  Xo.  G2,  next  west  of  where  William  Tenny  now 
lives. 

John  Jaquish  was  of  Bradford,  and  sold  land  in  Chester 
in  1731  ;  also  sold  land  to  Richard  Jaques,  of  Haverhill, 
in  1728. 

IliCHARD  Jaquish  was  probably  of  Newbury.  Sebastian 
Ralle  was  killed  in  1724  by  Lieut.  Jaques  of  Newbury,  at 
Norridgewock. 

William  Daniels  was  of  Salisbury  and  sold  his  home 
lot  to  Nathan  Webster  in  1728. 

Stephen  Johnson  was  of  Haverhill,  where  were  seven 
Johnsons  who  fell  to  New  Hampshire  in  the  settlement  of 
the  line  in  1741,  among  them  Stephen  and  Stephen,  Jr. 

Rev.  Thomas  Simmes  was  minister  of  Bradford,  son  of  a 
former  minister.  Rev.  Zacariah  Simmes  of  that  place.  He 
had  a  son  Thomas  who  sold  his  father's  right  to  Richard 
Haselton  in  1728. 

Richard  Haselton  was  of  Bradford.  (See  "  Early  Set- 
tlers.") 

Nathan  Webster  of  Bradford,  Stephen  Webster.  (See 
"  Early  Settlers.") 

The  following  grantees  were  Massachusetts  men  but  not 
admitted  by  request  of  the  Governor  :  — 

Ebenezer  Eastman  was  of  Haverhill.  He  and  his  wife 
Sarah,  "  taverner,"^  sold  his  home  lot  to  Ebenezer  Dearborn 
in  1729.     He  was  active  in  the  first  settlement  of  Penna- 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  51 

cook  and  it  is  said  the  he  was  first  settler  there,  that  his  was 
the  first  ox-team  that  went  from  Haverhill,  and  that  he  set 
out  for  Pennacook  with  a  barrel  of  molasses.  (See  "  His- 
tory of  Roads.") 

Robert  Ford  was  of  that  part  of  Haverhill  which  fell  to 
New  Hampshire  in  1741. 

Capt.  Richard  Kent  was  of  Newbury,  and  sold  his  right 
to  John  Tyler  of  Boxford,  in  1727.     ("See  Early  Settlers.") 

George  Brownal  is  described  in  a  deed  to  John  Smith  as 
of  "  Boston,  Schoolmaster,"  in  1735. 

John  Calfe  was  of  Newbury.     (See  "Early  Settlers.") 

Portsmouth  Grantees,  including  the  Governor  and  Coun- 
cil, and  their  friends. 

Akerman  and  Cutts,  were  of  Portsmouth.  Benjamin 
Akerman  and  Richard  Cutts  were  on  the  tax-list  for  1732. 

William  Crosswait  was  of  Portsmouth,  and  was  taxed 
there  in  1732. 

Ephraim  Dennett,  Esq.,  of  Portsmouth,  taxed  in  1732  ; 
son  of  John  Dennet,  who  was  freeman  in  1672  ;  appointed 
June,  1731,  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  con- 
tinued till  1711  ;  appointed  Councillor  by  mandamus  in 
1732,  and  held  the  office  one  year. 

Benjamin  Gambling,  Esq.,  of  Portsmouth,  taxed  there 
in  1739  ;  son  of  Robert  Gambling  of  Roxbury  ;  born  October 
20,1681 ;  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1702  ;  preferred  to  spell 
his  name  Gambling.  He  was  much  in  public  office  :  Clerk 
of  the  Court,  Register  and  Judge  of  Probate,  Sheriff, 
Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  and  Councillor. 

CoL.  Mark  Hunkins  of  Portsmouth,  taxed  there,  1732  ; 
was  a  Councillor  from  1710  to  1731,  and  Judge  of  the 
Superior  Court  from  1712  to  1729.  His  daughter,  Sarah, 
was  the  wife  of  Lieut.-Gov.  John  Wentworth,  mother  of 
Benning  Wentworth  and  grandmother  of  Gov.  John  Went- 
worth. 

Clement  Hughes  was  a  merchant  of  Portsmouth  ;  taxed 
in  1732  ;  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  in  1717, 
and  of  the  Superior  Court  in  1717  and  1718.  He  was 
clerk  of  the  society  for  settling  the  "  Chesnut  Country," 


52  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

and  of  the  proprietors  from  1719  to  1727.     He  wrote  a 
beautiful  hand. 

George  Jaffrey,  Esq.,  of  Portsmouth ;  taxed  there 
1732  ;  son  of  Hon.  George  Jaffrey  of  New  Castle ;  born  in 
1G83  ;  graduated  at  Harvard  in  1700  ;  Councillor  from 
1716  to  his  death  in  1749 ;  Treasurer  in  1726  ;  Judge  of 
the  Superior  Court  from  1717  to  1726  ;  Chief  Justice  from 
1726  to  1730. 

Archibald  McPhedris,  Esq.,  Portsmouth ;  taxed  there 
in  1732  ;  was  a  native  of  Scotland  and  an  opulent  mer- 
chant. He  married  Sarah  AVentworth,  one  of  sixteen 
children  of  Gov.  John  Wentworth.  After  liis  death  she 
married  George  Jaffrev.  He  was  Councillor  from  1722  to 
his  death,  about  1729. 

Clement  I^Iesserve  was  of  Portsmouth,  1)ut  was  not 
taxed  in  1732.  A  Clement  Messerve,  perhaps  the  father  of 
the  grantee,  was  taxed  in  1673 ;  took  the  oath  of  allegiance 
in  1685  ;  had  a  seat  in  the  meeting-house  in  1693. 

Thomas  Packer  was  of  Portsmouth ;  born  in  London  ; 
bred  a  surgeon  ;  was  at  Salem  ;  removed  to  Portsmouth  ; 
was  eminent  as  a  physician  and  surgeon  ;  Licut.-Col.  in 
the  militia ;  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  from 
1686  to  1698, 1692  to  1695,  and  1698  and  1699  ;  Council- 
lor from  1719  to  his  death  in  1728. 

George  Pierce,  Capt.  Joshua  Pierce  and  Thomas  Pierce 
were  all  probably  of  Portsmouth.  George  and  Thomas 
are  on  the  tax-list  of  1732  ;  Joshua  is  not. 

Samuel  Penhallow,  Esq.,  of  Portsmouth  ;  born  in  Corn- 
wall, England  ;  came  to  Portsmouth  ;  married  Mary  Cutt, 
daughter  of  President  Cutt,  who  inherited  a  large  estate ; 
was  a  successful  merchant ;  was  elected  a  Representative 
in  1699  and  1702  ;  Speaker  in  1702  ;  Recorder  from  1702 
to  1705,  1719  to  1722  ;  Councillor  from  1702  to  1726  ; 
Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  from  1714  to  1716  ;  Chief 
Justice  from  1717  to  his  death  in  1726,  at  the  age  of  61. 
He  wrote  a  history  of  the  Indian  wars. 

Nathaniel  Rogers  was  of  Portsmouth ;  son  of  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Rogers;   born  1700;    graduated  at  Harvard  in 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  53 

1717  ;  pliysiciau,  Representative  and  Speaker  ;  died  Novem- 
ber 29, 1715.  First  wife  was  Olive  Plaisted ;  second,  widow 
Rymes,  daughter  of  Henry  Sherburne. 

Eleazer  Russel  of  Portsmouth ;  married  Margaret  Wal- 
dron.  He  was  taxed  in  1732  ;  was  Postmaster  and  Sheriff 
in  1733,  '1,  '5,  '8  and  '41.  His  son,  of  the  same  name,  born 
in  1720,  was  naval  officer  and  acting  collector  at  Ports- 
mouth several  years. 

William  Rymes  was  perhaps  of  Portsmouth,  but  of  Do- 
ver according  to  some  deeds. 

John  Shackford  and  Samuel  Shackford  were  of  Ports- 
mouth.    ("  See  Early  Settlers.") 

Capt.  Henry  Sherburne,  Joseph  Sherburne  and  Samuel 
Sherburne  were  of  Portsmouth  ;  descendants  of  Henry 
Sherburne,  who  came  to  Portsmouth  about  1G32,  married 
Rebecca,  only  daughter  of  Ambrose  Gibbins,  and  whose 
will  was  set  aside  in  favor  of  his  younger  children.  He 
was  Commissioner  for  small  causes  seven  years ;  Clerk  of 
Writs  in  1649  ;  Selectman  eleven  years  ;  in  1659  and  1660 
Deputy  to  the  General  Court.  He  died  in  1680.  Capt. 
Henry  Sherburne  is  on  the  tax-list  in  1732.  Samuel  and 
Samuel,  Jr.,  Capt.  Joseph  and  Capt.  Joseph,  Jr.,  and  five 
others,  were  also  on  the  tax-list  of  Portsmouth  in  1732. 

Susannah  Small.  Joseph  Small  died.  His  wife, 
Susannah,  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Packer  and  took  her 
husband's  right.  She  kept  a  tavern  in  Portsmouth,  and 
several  of  the  early  meetings  of  the  society  and  committee 
were  held  at  her  house. 

Henry  Sloper  was  of  Portsmouth.  Richard  Sloper  of 
Dover  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Capt.  Henry  Sherburne, 
1658,  and  had  a  son  Henry. 

Samuel  Thompson  was  probably  of  Newington.  "  Mr. 
Samuel  Thompson  "  is  on  the  tax-list  of  Newington  in  1727. 

CoL.  Shadrach  Walton  was  of  New  Castle,  son  of  Geo. 
Walton,  of  Exeter  in  1639.  He  was  at  the  taking  of  Port 
Royal  in  1711 ;  was  of  the  Council  in  1716,  and  presided  in 
that  body  in  1731  and  1736  ;  Judge  of  the  Common  Pleas 
1695  to  1697,  and  from  1716  to  1737,  and  Chief  Justice 


54  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

from  1729  to  1737;  died  October,  1741,  aged  eighty- 
three. 

Benning  Wentworth,  Ebenezer  Wentworth,  Thomas 
"Wentworth,  were  of  Portsmouth  ;  descendants  of  Elder 
William  Wentworth  of  Dover.  Lieut.-Gov.  John  Went- 
worth had  fourteen  children  :  1st,  Benning,  the  Governor  ; 
2d,  John,  Judge  of  Probate  of  Portsmouth  ;  3d,  Hunking  ; 
4th,  William  ;  5th,  Samuel,  father  of  Mrs.  Gov.  John  ;  Gth, 
Mark  Hunking,  father  of  Gov.  John  ;  7th,  Daniel ;  8th, 
Ebenezer ;  9th,  George ;  10th,  Hannah,  married  Samuel 
Plaisted  and  Theodore  Atkinson;  11th, Sarah, married  Mc- 
Phedris  ;  12tli,  Mary  ;  I'Uh,  P^lizabeth  ;  14th,  Rebecca,  mar- 
ried Thomas  Packer.  Benning  and  Ebenezer  were  taxed 
in  Portsmouth  in  1732.  Benning  was  Councillor  from  1732 
to  1741,  when  he  became  Governor  and  remained  in  office 
till  May,  1767.     How  Thomas  is  related  does  not  appear. 

Col.  Thomas  Westbrook  is  on  the  Portsmouth  tax-list 
in  1732.  In  1721  he  commenced  an  expedition  against 
Norridgewock,  but  Ralle  escaped.  He  was  of  the  Council 
from  1706  to  1732,  and  died  1736. 

Michael  Whidden  was  of  Portsmouth,  and  taxed  there 
in  1732,  with  Michael,  Jr.,  and  John,     He  was  a  builder. 

Richard  Wibird  was  of  Portsmouth,  came  there  about 
1700,  from  England ;  was  successful  and  became  wealthy. 
In  1727  he  paid  the  largest  tax  in  Portsmouth.  He  was 
Councillor  in  1716  to  1732.  He  had  three  sons,  Richard, 
Jr.,  a  councillor,  Thomas  and  John,  and  a  daughter  who 
married  Hunking  Wentworth.  He  was  sheriff  in  1732, 
'34,  '35  and  '36. 

Henry  Works.     Nothing  found  in  regard  to  him. 

Joseph  Young  was  on  the  Exeter  tax-list  for  1727,  and 
in  a  deed  of  1738,  as  being  of  Kingston. 


TABLE 

COKTAIXIXG  THE  NAJIES  OF  THE  OKIGIXAL  GRAXTEES  OF  CHESTER,  IX  ALPHA- 
BETICAL Ordek,  with  the  Number  of  their  Lots. 


NAMES. 


H.  L. 


ADD.    O.  H.   2p2D. 


3dD. 


4th  D.  5th  D. 


6th  D. 


Philemon  Blake 

James  Boyd 

Abraham  Brown 

George  Brownell 

Nathaniel  Bachelder.  Sen. . 

Jonathan  Brown 

Moses  Blake 

Samuel  Blake 

Josiah  Batchelder 

Nathaniel  Batchelder,  Jun 

Joseph  Batchelder 

Jacob  Basford 

John  Calfe 

Amos  Cass 

Richard  Clifford 

Zachariah  Clifford 

Jonathan  Clough 

Rev.  Theophilus  Cotton. . . 

John  Cram 

William  Crosswait 

Cutts  &  Akerman 

William  Daniels 

Thomas  Dean 

Jonathan  Dearborn 

Ebenezer  Dearborn 

Ephraim  Dennet 

Abraham  Drake 

Nathaniel  Drake 

Ebenezer  Eastman 

Edward  Emerson 

Jonathan  Emerson 


117 

97 

59 

18 

151 

46 

21 

51 

1 

104 

38 

121 

114 

113 

119 

38 

37 

105 

50 

115 

130 

73 

42 

110 

123 

24 

100 

87 

110 

100 

53 

20 

77 

6 

46 

94 

141 

41 

32 

72 

10 

31 

71 

130 

19 

48 

80 

47 

17 

26 

143 

95 

132 

77 

138 

76 

122 

36 

129 

75 

73 

127 

124 

85 

129 

46 

122 

47 

77 

139 

137 

23 

69 

107 

43 

10 

20 

15 

128 

50 

113 

116 

108 

75 

106 

136 

64 

86 

53 

78 

62 

24 

81 


93 
80 
69 
37 

104 
39 
97 
26 
41 

113 
71 
73 
12 
44 
75 
95 
56 
68 

100 

22 

7 

110 
40 
66 
35 
86 
16 
99 
33 

126 
42 


101 

40 
19 
11 
9 
16 
77 
56 
87 
83 
57 

118 

109 
34 
85 
94 
49 

119 
99 
67 

113 
75 
82 
22 
39 
95 

105 
25 
71 
46 
63 


123 
25 
73 
72 
82 
68 
63 
96 
133 
104 
48 
24 
67 
32 
93 
116 
119 
127 
56 
90 
17 
21 
83 
52 
84 
87 
85 
59 
69 
12 
110 


19 
94 
33 

117 
14 
37 

133 
99 
89 

100 
79 
16 
70 
58 

118 
76 
41 

121 
67 
57 

129 
26 
17 

109 

114 
55 
29 
10 

115 
87 

123 


74 
12 
28 
11 
17 

104 
64 
90 
87 

120 
96 
26 
39 
31 
48 
10 
68 
42 
93 
25 

116 
36 
67 
83 
73 
95 
44 
59 
72 
70 
41 


56 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


TABLE  —  continued. 


UAMES. 

James  Failes 

*Rev.  Ebenezer  Flagg 

James  Fogg 

Benoni  Fogg 

Robert  Ford 

Benjamin  Gambling,  Esq.. 

Jacob  Garland 

Jacob  Gilman 

Major  John  Gilman 

Edward  Gilman 

William  Godfrey 

Epliraim  Guile 

Kichard  Haseltine 

William  Healey 

Rev.  Moses  Hale 

Clement  Hughes 

Col.  Mark  Hunking 

Samuel  Ingalls 

George  Jaffrey,  Esq 

John  Jaquish 

Richard  Jaquish 

Stephen  Johnson 

Capt.  Richard  Kent 

Jonathan  Kimball 

Thomas  Leavitt 

John  Littlehale 

Ebenezer  Loverell 

Samuel  Marston 

Capt.  Archibald  MoPhedris 

Clement  Messervy 

Luther  Morgan 

Col.  Thomas  Packer 

Samuel  Page 

John  Packer 


H.  L.  ADD.  o.  H.  2p2d.  3dD.  4th  D.  5th  D.  6th  D 


76 

4 

131 

36 

13 

109 

20 

- 

- 

- 

20) 
21  J 

- 

- 

- 

2-1 

52 

4 

61 

50 

120 

25 

36 

86 

8 

102 

27 

86 

101 

149 

33 

44 

77 

129 

98 

82 

22 

40 

9 

1 

41 

95 

60 

23 

35 

83 

34 

62 

76 

127 

106 

125 

3 

87 

116 

23 

47 

201 

59 

28 

17 

5 

97 

97 

44 

42 

35 

43 

124 

18 

80 

18 

45 

30 

49 

130 

99 

23 

61 

132 

33 

106 

37 

15 

110 

75 

15 

19 

55 

102 

92 

45 

7 

74 

110 

112 

61 

36 

125 

M 

96 

80 

130 

12 

31 

73 

28 

55 

29 

108 

110 

4 

71 

20 

55 

102 

59 

53 

100 

83 

70 

10 

74 

6 

72 

10 

130 

147 

131 

40 

121 

35 

39 

15 

78 

17 

36 

90 

68 

9 

128 

72 

7 

135 

116 

43 

34 

11 

69 

11 

100 

82 

44 

CI 

J  22 

5 

43 

6 

3 

112 

89 

4 

63 

1 

63 

105 

115 

51 

103 

4 

93 

16 

50 

15 

125 

124 

79 

8 

123 

19 

86 

129 

12 

54 

53 

17 

127 

20 

40 

39 

52 

91 

2 

79 

117 

16 

56 

125 

27 

99 

91 

79 

13 

18 

31 

71 

73 

14 

104 

37 

2 

126 

21 

114 

74 

128 

130 

53 

30 

62 

140 

52 

100 

128 

116 

104 

114 

52 

13 

126 

108 

84 

66 

19 

91 

98 

64 

132 

51 

35 

127 
56 
15 

103 
57 
94 
49 

105 
9 
18 
77 
27 
8 
91 

100 
16 
37 
6 
46 
78 
23 

122 

110 
30 
80 
55 
51 

112 

124 
92 

121 

123 


*  Voted  to  him  by  way  of  settlement. 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY. 

TABLE  —  continued. 


5T 


NAMES. 


H.  L.    ADB.    O.  H.  2p.2d  3d  D.  4th  D.  5th  D.  6tll  D, 


Parsonage  lots 

Samuel  Penhallow,  Esq. . . 

James  Perkins 

Thomas  Phipps,  Esq 

Capt.  Joshua  Pierce 

Capt.  Thomas  Pierce 

George  Pierce 

Jonathan  Plummer 

John  Prescutt 

John  Prescutt,  Jr 

James  Prescutt 

Samuel  Prescutt 

Ichabod  Roby 

Rev.  Xathaniel  Rogers  . . 

Robert  Row 

Eleazer  Russell 

Capt.  "William  Rymes  . . . 

Joseph  Sanborn   

Kathaniel  Sanborn 

Benjamin  Sanborn 

Reuben  Sanborn 

John  Sanborn 

Enoch  Sanborn 

Edward  Sanborn 

Capt.  Jonathan  Sanborn. 

Jerry  Sanborn 

School  lots 

John  Shackford 

Samuel  Shackford 

Capt.  Henry  Sherburne  . 

Samuel  Sherburne 

Capt.  Joseph  Sherburne. 

Dja.  Samuel  Shaw 

John  Sniy 

Rev.  Thomas  Simms 

Thomas  Silver 


128 

56 

25 

5T 

131 

121 

103 

105 

146 

33 

2G 

116 

142 

2 

127 
135 

40 

3 

115 

14 
120 

49 

8 

112 

29 

148 
51 
13 
11 

137 
60 
35 
68 
67 


37 
34 
50 

126 
16 
57 
44 

111 

120 

128 
65 
64 

119 
88 

117 
32 
80 

106 

118 

122 
25 

112 
68 

124 
58 
79 
22 
92 
89 
90 
66 
29 

107 
3 
9 


90 

57 

133 
95 
21 
5- 
39 
79 
25 

126 

130 
96 
82 

111 
45 
38 
58 
92 
31 

117 
54 

127 
27 

120 
48 
59 
89 
55 

119 
49 

109 

56 

37 

1 

105 
23 


78 

122 

84 

101 

123 

18 

10 

15 

58 

51 

70 

31 

81 

05 

40 

133 

54 

103 

38 

72 

2 

117 

107 

28 

48 

128 

67 

47 

8 

63 

45 

76 

96 

115 

29 

25 


90 

93 

70 

80 

96 

53 

84 

88 

31 

122 

121 

17 

54 

2 

4 

28 

59 

8 

55 

89 

66 

120 

103 

106 

33 

3 

91 

97 

74 

21 

30 

69 

107 

1 

26 

38 


38 

32 

- 

54 

92 

89 

88 

119 

29 

122 

78 

109 

11 

104 

66 

121 

134 

118 

19 

42 

111 

65 

108 

52 

42 

113 

88 

126 

21 

82 

29 

90 

98 

75 

126 

3 

124 

136 

62 

107 

7 

53 

78 

36 

6 

134 

34 

2 

28 

28 

60 

27 

72 

126 

47 

91 

21 

55 

3 

119 

7 

96 

84 

30 

22 

99 

49 

1 

106 

94 

40 

50 

77 

31 

38 

45 

137 

13 

64 

43 

- 

70 

75 

81 

118 

62 

34 

60 

44 

114 

80 

46 

113 

50 

105 

126 

106 

85 

54 

91 

6 

43 

20 

120 

76 

117 

112 

107 

58 


HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

TABLE  —  concluded. 


NAMES. 

H.  L. 

ADD. 

O.  H. 

2p.  2d  3d  D. 

4th  D. 

5th  D. 

6th  D 

Susannah  Small 

134 

109 

111 

45 

39 

145 

136 

16 

15 

150 

113 

34 

41 

102 

55 

47 

124 

65 

64 

9 

133 

B 

101 
62 
74 
48 
58 

143 
12 
43 

61 
109 

30 
102 
108 
129 

67 

39 

98 

49 

60 

56 
101 

99 

23 
116 

54 

14 

12 

70 

78 

Farm 

84 

5 

13 

123 

2 

69 

103 

28 

76 
18 

132 
51 

103 

97 

66 

26 

7 

134 
72 
65 
42 
00 
12 

112 
11 
13 
61 
68 
32 

Of 

41 

34 

138 

14 

84 

115 

118 

121 

124 
9 

53 

125 

5 

114 

62 

60 

24 
132 
120 
119 

64 

57 

85 

23 
111 

89 

27 

83 

109 

250) 

200  J 

50) 

30 
118 

94 

32 

129 

4 

92 

11 

73 

7 
114 

81 

51 

36 

6 

108 

78 

45 

65 

98 

14 

10 

18 
111 

76 

60 
123 

92 

29 

acres. 

125 

24 
127 

32 

58 

42 

23 

48 

113 
74 
35 

112 

33 

1 

46 

111 
62 
22 
44 

115 

105 

131 
8 

102 

43 

3 

58 

2 

71 

41 
26 

103 
63 
66 

101 
14 
57 

68 

111 

9 

13 

100 

50 

52 

135 

38 

5 

24 

54 

49 

102 

88 

80 

59 

107 

131 

09 

74 

77 

35 
132 
27 
81 
8 
61 
30 

32 

20 

Benjamin  Smith 

75 

Elislia  Smith 

Samuel  Smith 

47 
33 

CaDt.  Henrv  SloDer 

125 

Jacob  Stdini3,ii 

102 

Steitlien  Sweat 

108 

19 

David  Tilton      

85 

117 

Samnpl  Thoninson      

97 

Philip  Towie 

45 

71 

Caleb  Towle 

63 

Col.  Shadrack  Walton 

69 

Col.  Peter  Weare 

86 

Nathan  Web'^ter 

22 

79 

Capt.  Ebenezer  Wentworth 

Benning  Wentworth 

1 

4 

58 

Thomas  AVhitiner 

14 

William  White 

40 

Capt.  Richard  Wibird 

101 

Capt.  Joshua  Wingate 

24 

Col  Thomas  Westbrook 

01 

TTpnrv  Works 

7 

115 

CHAPTER    IV. 

SETTLEMENT     OF     THE     LINES. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  held  at  Kingston,  Dec. 
31,  1723, 

"  Voted,  That  a  Committee  be  Chosen  to  Join  with  the 
Londonderry  Committee  to  run  the  Line  between  Chester 
and  Londonderry. 

"  Voted,  That  Sam"  Pcnhallow,  Esq'',  George  Jaffrey, 
Esq',  and  Capt.  Henry  Sherburne  be  the  Committee." 

At  a  meeting  March  31,  1726,  it  was 

"  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  a  Committee  to  Apply 
to  the  Gov'  &  Council  for  a  Committee  to  run  the  line  be- 
tween Exeter  &  Chester,  and  that  they  forward  the  Com- 
mittee that  are  Appointed  to  run  y''  line  between  Chester  & 
Londonderry  to  make  their  return  as  Soone  as  possible." 

At  a  meeting  on  the  31  of  Oct.,  1726, 

"  Voted,  That  Caleb  Towl  &  Sam^  Ingalls  be  a  Commit- 
tee w^'*  the  Selectmen  to  see  that  the  line  between  Chester 
&  Nottingham  be  run'd  according  to  Charter,  and  also  the 
head  line  of  Chester." 

Tliese  lines  were  run  soon  after,  as  appears  by  the 
accounts.  Ichabod  Roby  charges  for  four  days  between 
Exeter  and  Chester,  five  and  a  half  days  next  Nottingham. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  find  any  return  of  the  running  of 
these  last  lines,  but  there  was  a  tradition  which  I  had  from 
my  father,  many  years  since,  that  they  ran  out  their  four- 
teen miles,  and  not  finding  the  river,  stopped  and  took 
legal  advice,  and  were  directed  to  run  to  their  monument 
regardless  of  the  measure  ;  that  they  ran  to  and  across 
the  river,  and  then  made  the  head  line  curve  half  a  mile. 


60  HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 

The  head  line  is  crooked ;  but  the  most  probable  hypothesis 
is  that  they  started  at  the  three  pines  at  Londonderry,  and 
took  a  course  too  far  west  and  so  made  a  curve,  and  per- 
haps came  out  the  west  side  of  the  river.  Tliis  line  comes 
to  the  river  just  below  Martin's  Ferry  and  crosses  the 
river.  The  road  to  the  Ferry  laid  out  in  1766  came  to 
the  river  "  where  Lousy  brook  enters  the  river,"  then 
began  at  the  west  bank  and  ran  about  northwest  to  the 
line  of  the  town. 

At  a  town  meeting,  March  13,  1794, 

"  Voted,  Stephen  Chase,  Arthur  Livermore,  &  Will"^ 
White,  Esqrs.,be  the  Committee  (with  full  Power  in  behalf 
of  the  Town  of  Chester)  to  settle  with  Derriileld  and  Goffs- 
town,  and  petition  the  General  Court  in  Order  to  make  the 
River  the  Jurisdiction  line  from  allenstown  down  to  Derri- 
field." 

There  was  probably  an  Act  passed  to  that  effect,  but  I 
have  not  seen  it. 

The  fourteen-mile  line,  according  to  the  surveys  for  Car- 
rigain's  map  taken  about  1805,  was  Raymond  against  Not- 
tingham, three  miles  two  hundred  and  fourteen  rods ; 
against  Decrfield,  two  hundred  and  eighty-eight  rods ; 
Candia,  six  miles  two  hundred  and  twelve  rods ;  Chester, 
now  Hooksett,  against  Allenstown,  five  miles  one  hundred 
and  sixty  rods;  making  sixteen  miles  two  hundred  and 
thirty-four  rods  to  the  river. 

EXETER     LINE. 

Oct.  15, 1726.  Clement  Hughes,  Robert  Smith  and  Jolm 
Sanborn,  selectmen,  preferred  a  petition  to  the  Governor 
and  Council,  showing  that  Capt.  Tobias  Langdon,  Capt. 
Timothy  Gerrish  and  John  Smith  had  been  appointefl  to 
run  the  head  line  of  Exeter,  and  did  it  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  selectmen  of  Exeter,  and  made  a  return  to  them 
instead  of  to  the  Court.  They  pray  for  a  committee  "  to 
run  the  two  miles  that  Exeter  is  to  run  a  W.  b,  N.  point 
above  Dover,  and  then  upon  a  straight  line  to  a  beecli  tree 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY,  61 

on  Kingston  side  lino,  appointed  and  marked  in  1718  by 
the  grand  committee  chosen  by  the  General  Assembly  to 
fix  the  bounds  of  each  town ;  which  straight  line  is  the 
dividing  line  between  Chester  and  Exeter." 

Dec.  16,  1726.  Clement  Hughes,  for  himself  and  in  be- 
half of  the  rest  of  the  selectmen  of  the  town  of  Chester, 
petitioned  the  Lieut.-Governor  and  Council,  showing : 

"  Tliat  the  Prop^  of  y°  Town  of  Chester  in  the  year  1722 
Obtained  a  Charter  which  bounded  the  said  Town  on 
Exeter  head  bound,  which  bounds  were  made  certain  in 
the  year  1718  by  a  Grand  Committc  chosen  for  that  pur- 
pose by  y"  Gcn^  Assembly  in  y*"  year  1715,  as  appears  by 
the  return  of  said  Committe  in  the  Secretary's  office ; 
but  the  Clerk  that  drew  up  the  return  of  said  Committee 
made  a  mistake  therein.  Saying  that  Exeter  Should  run  ten 
miles  upon  a  W.  b.  N.  Line  from  the  North  tree,  whereas 
the  Committee's  Intent  and  former  settlement  was  from 
the  South  tree,  as  can  be  made  to  appear  by  Living  Evi- 
dence, &c.,  Sundry  of  y®  Gentlemen  that  were  of  y®  Com- 
mittee being  now  alive;  and  the  Selectmen  of  Exeter  taking 
advantage  of  s'^  mistake  would  tend  to  the  ruin  of  the  Town 
of  Cbester. 

"  Yo""  petition'^  therefore  humbly  prays  that  the  said  Mis- 
take may  be  rectified,  and  that  no  room  may  be  left  for 
Future  Contention  between  ^the  afore**^  Towns.  And  your 
Petitioner  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

"  Dec.  16,  1726.  Clement  Hughes." 

"  In  Council,  Dec"- 15, 1726. 

"  The  Selectmen  of  Chester  appearing  to  Prosecute  their 
Petition  for  a  Committe  to  run  the  head  line  of  Exeter 
which  is  the  Dividing  line  between  the  s^  Towns,  and  the 
Selectmen  of  Exeter  also  appearing,  and  both  parties  being 
fully  heard,  It  is  Or'^  that  the  Prayer  of  the  Petition  be 
Granted  ;  that  Nath'  Weare,  Esq.,  Deacon  John  Cate  & 
Dan'  Lunt  be  a  Committe,  or  the  Maj""  of  them,  to  run  and 
settle  y""  s'^  Dividing  line,  and  That  they  begin  at  the  red 
oak  tree  marked  for  Dover  west  northerly  bounds,  and  run 
from  thence  upon  a  West  &  by  North  point  of  the  Compass 
two  miles  for  Exeter  bound  on  that  side,  and  from  thence 
upon  a  straight  line  to  the  beach  tree  marked  for  Exeter 
west  northerly  bounds,  according  to  the  grand  committee's 


'62  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

return  in  y®  year  1718,  and  that  they  measure  from  the 
said  Beach  tree  along  Exeter  side  line,  being  E.  &  b.  S.,  to 
a  Commonly  Called  Exeter  South  tree,  which  is  the  bound 
next  Hampton ;  and  they  make  report  to  this  board  of  their 
doings  therein  sometime  between  this  time  and  the  Tenth 
of  Jan^  next,  and  that  the  Charge  be  paid  by  the  two  Towns 
jointly. 

E.  Waldron,  Clr.  Con." 


'J 


THE   committee's   RETURN. 

Pursuant  to  an  order  of  the  lion'''''  the  Lieut  Governor 
&  Council  of  his  Majest*  Prov^  of  New  Hamp''  bearing  date 
Dec''  15^^,  1726,  Wee,  The  Subscribers,  have  been  at  the 
Red  Oake  Tree  Marked  for  Dover  West  Northerly  bounds, 
&  Run  from  Thence  upon  a  West  ct  by  north  Point  of  the 
Compass  two  miles,  making  allowance  for  Windfalls  &  Un- 
eveness  of  Ground,  and  there  markt  a  Young  Red  oak  Tree 
for  Exeter  Bounds  on  that  Side  ;  &  from  thence  Run  South 
twenty-nine  Degrees  and  Thirty  Minuts  West,  Eight  miles 
and  ninety  Rods,  without  allowance  to  the  Beach  Tree 
Marked  for  Exeter  West  Northerly  Bounds. 

Jan>-  9,  1726-7.  John  Gate, 

Daniel  Lunt. 


LONDONDERRY     LINE. 

January  6,  1725-6.  Henry  Sherburne,  Thomas  Packer, 
Samuel  Ingalls  and  John  Sanborn,  in  behalf  of  the  pro- 
prietors of  Chester,  petitioned  Gov.  Wentworth  and  Coun- 
cil, showing  : 

"  That  two  years  since  they  Chose  a  Committe  to  Join 
with  a  Committe  of  Londonderry  to  run  the  Lines  be- 
tween the  two  Towns,  which  the  said  Committee  accord- 
ingly began,  and  made  some  Progress  in  it,  but  did  not 
Compleat  them  by  reason  that  the  Committee  of  London- 
derry would  not  Consent  to  allow  the  usual  allowance  (of 
Eleven  Chains  for  ten)  for  windfalls,  &c.,  in  y®  woods  in 
the  measure  in  the  W.  N.  W.  side  Line,  and  would  allow 
only  bare  measure,  which  was  unreasonable,  and  never 
Practiced  before  ;  the  reason  being  so  Exact  is  because  the 
Proprietors  of  Londonderry  have  artfully  contrived  to  have 
it  in  their  Charter  to  Ligross  to  themselves  the  fishing 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  63 

place  at  Amoskeag,  by  taking  into  their  Town  a  small  gore 
of  Land  at  the  Head  of  Chester,  untill  it  takes  the  said 
fishing  place,  they  having  measured  it  beforehand  for  that 
purpose.  Their  Ingrossing  to  themselves  y®  fishing  ])lace 
will  not  only  be  greatly  prejudicial  to  Chester  but  also  to 
the  other  new  towns." 

They  pray  for  a  committee.  Day  of  hearing  the  25th  in- 
stant and  order  of  notice.  The  prayer  granted  and  James 
Stevens  appointed  surveyor,  Benj.  Barker  and  Jno.  Call- 
ton  chainmen,  and  Capt.  John  Gilman  and  Edward  Hall 
to  keep  tally  and  see  that  proper  allowance  is  made. 

THE   committee's   RETURN. 

Province  of  New  Hampshire  : 

Pursuant  to  an  order  from  y^  Hon'''"  Jo°  Wentworth, 
Esq',  Lieut.  Govern'  and  y*^  Hon'"'*^  Council  for  the  province 
affors**,  passed  in  Council  JbP  25,  1725-6,  Ordered,  that  M' 
James  Stephens  should  be  Surveyor  to  Run  y''  Course  of 
y®  Dividing  lines  Between  y''  towns  of  Londonderry  &  Ches- 
ter, and  W  Benj'"*  Barker  and  John  Callton  to  Carry  y^ 
Chain  to  Measure  y*"  s''  lines,  and  that  Capt.  John  Gillman 
and  M""  Edward  Hall  to  go  one  w'*^  y*^  One  Chain  man  &  y® 
other  yf^^  j^'  other  Chain  Man  to  give  just  allowance  as 
they  thought  fitt. 

The  forementioned  Committe  y*^  IS*'^  of  this  Instant 
Oct'",  and  began  a  Beetch  tree  on  Kingstown  head  line  and 
Run  W.  X.  W.  Course  and  Measured  y'^'  Same,  and  gave  a 
just  Allowance  according  to  y*^  best  of  our  Skill  <fc  Judg- 
ment, Untill  we  Made  up  ten  Miles  to  three  pitch  pine  trees 
standing  on  a  plain  &  Marked,  and  then  turned  on  a  North 
Cource  three  miles  an  half  to  a  great  Rock  in  a  little  hol- 
low w*""  a  heap  of  Stones  upon  it  and  Marked  trees  beside 
it.  all  y®  afFors*^  lines  by  Marked  trees,  the  aforesaid  Com- 
mittee being  upon  oath. 

Ja^  Stephens,  Surveyor. 

Beni^  Barker,  )  ^i    . 

T  1      n  114.       (  Chammen. 

John  Callton,  ) 

John  Gillman,  )  ^        „„  „ 
Edw^Hall,      'I  Overseers. 

Province  of  New  Hampshire,  Portsm*'',  Mar.  23,  1726-7. 
Entered  &  Recorded  this  above  written  Instrument  in  y® 
province  Records,  Book  15,  page  254  and  155. 

P'  M.  Hunking,  Record'. 


64  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


KINGSTOWN     LINE. 

The  charter  of  Kingsto^Yn  is  dated  Aug.  6,  1694.  Be- 
gins "  7  miles  westward  of  the  Meeting  house  in  Hampton, 
thence  a  due  course  W.  B.  N.  ten  miles  into  the  country  ; 
for  its  breadth  is  4  miles  Northerly  from  said  head  point  of 
the  west  line  from  s^  Meeting  house,  and  southerly  to  within 
three  miles  of  the  Northermost  side  of  Merrimack  River." 
This  had  been  run  by  the  grand  committee  as  far  as 
Island  Pond,  though  crooked  against  Chester,  or  at  least 
not  in  a  line  to  the  beech  tree,  the  corner  ])etwcen  Chester 
and  Londonderry.  The  charter  of  Londonderry  on  a  con- 
tinuation of  this  line  lay  "  due  south." 

May  10, 1728,  David  Cargil  preferred  a  petition  in  l)chalf 
of  the  proprietors  of  Londonderry,  asking  for  a  committee 
to  settle  the  line  between  Londonderry  and  Kingstown. 
He  represents  that  Kingstown  charter  says  "  southerly," 
and  they  claimed  S.  by  W.,  and  that  Londonderry  charter 
says  south  and  that  there  is  no  discrepancy,  the  meaning 
being  south.  The  committee  repaired  to  the  north  bound 
of  Kingstown  and  found  the  old  line  to  run  south  between 
eight  and  nine  degrees  west.  The  line  in  1805  ran  south 
three  and  a  half  degrees  west.     Hence  the  controversy. 

At  a  meeting  October  6,  1741, 

"  Voted,  That  mr.  John  Macmurphy,  Robert  Boyes,  Esq', 
and  Insin  Jacob  Sargent  Shall  Ijc  a  Committee  to  See  how 
Large  Kingstown  Grant  is,  and  to  see  what  Land  yet  re- 
mains to  be  Laid  out  between  Said  Kingstown  head  Line 
and  the  Land  already  Laid  out  in  this  town." 

At  a  meeting  June  27,  1745, 

"Voted,  messrs.  Capt.  John  Tolford,  John  Robie,  John 
Moore  and  Enoch  Colby  Shall  be  a  Committe  to  treat  with 
Kingstown  Committe  that  are  Chosen  to  Settle  the  Lines 
between  Said  towns  of  Kingstown  and  Chester,  and  to  Set- 
tle with  them  upon  the  following  Conditions :  if  they  will 
Settle  with  us  (viz.)  agreeable  to  their  Charter  and  our 
Charter  as  they  bound  one  upon  tlie  other,  and  to  make 
Return  of  their  doings  to  the  Proprietors  at  their  next 
meeting." 


PROPEIETARY   HISTORY.  65 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  Chester,  Dec.  4, 1745, 

"  Put  to  vote  whether  to  Settle  the  bounds  with  Kings- 
town agreeable  to  their  Desire,     passed  in  the  negative. 

"  Voted,  That  Robert  Boyes,  Esq'",  mr.  Nathan  Webster 
and  Lieut.  Thomas  Wells  Shall  be  a  Committee  to  take 
Care  and  get  a  Sirvaior  to  Run  our  town  Line  Bounding 
upon  Kingstown,  and  from  the  Corner  of  Nottingham  to 
the  River  and  the  head  Line  of  the  town,  agreeable  to  our 
Charter  ;  and  to  get  Chainmcn  to  measure  where  it  is  need- 
full  ;  and  to  do  what  is  needfull  to  be  Don  in  that  affair  at 
the  Proprietors'  Charge,  and  rj.ake  return  to  the  Proprietors 
at  the  adjournment  of  this  meeting." 

At  the  adjournment  March  4,  1745  [1746], 

"Voted,  That  Robert  Boyes,  Samuel  Emerson,  Esqrs., 
and  Capt.  John  Tolford,  Shall  be  a  Committe  to  Petition 
the  Governor  and  Council  for  a  Committe  to  be  appointed 
by  them  to  Run  and  Settle  the  Line  between  Kingstown 
and  Chester  agreeable  to  our  Charter." 

The  petition  of  Samuel  Emerson  and  Robert  Boyes, 
dated  Jan.  24,  1746,  to  the  Governor  and  Council,  in  the 
Secretary's  office,  shows,  "  That  the  petitioners,  the  tenth 
day  of  May,  1722,  obtained  a  Charter  from  this  Hon.  board, 
with  a  great  many  valuable  Priviledges,  <fec.,  with  a  grant 
of  land  set  forth  in  said  Charter  by  metes  and  bounds ;  but 
part  of  said  lines  or  bounds  have  never  been  run  by  order 
of  this  Hon.  board,  especially  between  your  petitioners  and 
Kingstown,  whereby  your  petitioners  hath  been  laid  under 
considerable  difficulty  which  yet  subsists.  May  it  therefore 
please  your  Excellency  and  this  Hon.  board  to  appoint  a 
survovor  and  chainmen  to  run  and  mark  out  said  line 
according  to  the  metes  and  bounds  in  said  Charter,"  itc. 
The  petition  seems  not  to  have  been  granted. 

There  seem  to  be  discrepancies  in  the  dates.  The  peti- 
tion for  a  meeting  is  dated  Nov.  15,  1745  ;  the  warrant 
Nov.  16, 1745  ;  the  adjournment  March  4, 1745  ;  but  if  the 
adjournment  was  1746,  then  the  petition  is  dated  before  the 
choice  of  the  committee. 
5 


66  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

The  next  we  find  is  at  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of 
Chester,  June  20,  1759, 

"  Voted,  That  major  John  Tolford,  mr.  John  Rohie  and 
Capt,  Anthony  Towl  shall  be  a  Committee  to  Treat  with 
the  Proprietors  of  Kingstown  and  make  a  Settlement  of  the 
Lines  Between  the  s'^  Towns  of  Chester  and  Kingstown 
witli  them,  agreeable  to  our  Charter  and  theirs,  if  they  will ; 
and  if  they  Refuse  to  Do  that,  then  they  have  Power  and 
are  hereby  autliorized  to  Petition  the  Governor  and  Council 
for  a  Committe  to  Establish  and  Settle  the  Said  Lines,  In 
behalf  of  the  Proprietors  of  Chester." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  Chester,  March  11, 
1760, 

"  Voted,  That  Major  John  Tolford,  Mr.  John  Robie,  and 
Capt.  Anthony  Towl,  all  Proprietors  of  Chester  aforesaid, 
they  or  either  of  them  be,  and  hereby  are,  agents  and  attor- 
nes  for  the  Proprietors  aforesaid,  for  them  and  in  their 
name  to  agree  with  the  Proprietors  of  Kingstown  and 
make  a  final  settlement  of  the  Lines  between  said  towns  of 
Chester  and  Kingstown,  or  in  order  thereunto,  if  necessary 
and  advisable,  to  Prosecute  and  defend  in  the  Law  any 
Petition,  action  or  actions.  Real,  Personal  or  mixt,  wherein 
the  Said  Proprietors  are  or  may  be  Literested  or  Concerned, 
in  any  Court  or  Courts,  to  final  Judgment  and  Execution, 
with  full  power  to  Substitute  one  or  more  attorney  or  attor- 
nies  under  them,  and  to  transact  and  Do  to  all  Litents  and 
purposes  as  the  said  Proprietors  might  do  if  Personally 
Present. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Charge  that  our  Said  agents  and  attor- 
nies  shall  be  at  in  Prosecuting  and  Defending  the  aforesaid 
Petitions,  action  or  actions,  Shall  be  Raised  and  Repaid 
them  by  the  Proprietors  of  Chester  aforesaid  ;  and  also  for 
their  time  and  trouble  their-in." 

It  seems  that  Kingstown  Proprietors  take  their  turn  to 
petition,  for  we  find  that  John  Tolford  for  the  proprietors 
of  Chester,  April  23,  1771,  made  answer  to  a  petition  of 
Benja.  Stephens  and  Elislia  Sweat,  agents  for  the  propri- 
etors of  Kingstown,  preferred  to  the  General  Assemljly 
April  2, 1761,  in  which  he  says,  "  And  the  respondents  beg 
leave  to  say  that  the  petitioners  suggest  that  the  respon- 
dents have  lately  raised  a  dispute  concerning  the  bounds 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  67 

between  Kingstown  and  Chester,  and  would  remove  the 
west  line  of  Kingstown  further  eastward.  Now,  the  respon- 
dents say  that  the  said  dispute  has  been  of  long  standing, 
and  that  they,  the  respondents,  now  are,  and  always  have 
been  ready  to  run  the  line  between  Kingstown  and  Chester 
agreeable  to  the  bounds  of  Chester  Charter,  and  that  they 
do  not  desire  one  foot  of  land  more  than  is  contained 
within  the  bounds  of  Chester  Charter  ;  and  that  they  would 
further  observe  that  were  it  not  for  Chester  Charter,  the 
respondents  apprehend  that  the  westerly  bounds  of  Kings- 
town would  be  nearly  a  mile  and  three  quarters  more  to  the 
eastward  than  where  the  respondents  claim,  and  that  they 
have  often  desired  the  Proprietors  of  Kingstown  to  run  the 
lines  between  them  agreeable  to  Chester  Charter,  and  have 
no  objection  to  the  bounds  between  the  said  two  towns  to 
be  properly  run  and  settled,  agreeable  to  the  Charter  of 
Chester,  by  per-sons  unpredjudiced  and  that  understand  the 
compass  and  running  of  lines." 

The  line  was  run,  as  appears  by  the  petition  of  Isaac  Bias- 
del,  Joseph  Linn  and  Jabez  Hoit,  and  was  as  it  now  stands 
and  ran  as  the  north  road  to  Sandown  runs,  twenty  rods, 
or  at  right  angles  seventeen  rods,  east  of  the  crooked  line 
claimed  by  Kingstown.  But  this  did  not  end  the  contro- 
versy ;  but  at  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  November  9, 
1772,  John  Tolford  and  Samuel  Emerson  were  made  agents 
with  similar  powers  to  those  given  in  1760. 

June  10,  1783,  Isaac  Blasdel,  Joseph  Linn  and  Jabez 
Hoit,  selectmen  of  Chester,  preferred  a  petition  to  the 
General  Assembly,  showing  that  tliey  had  been  called  upon 
to  return  a  true  inventory  of  all  lots  or  tracts  of  land  in 
Chester  to  the  Secretary's  office,  which  they  had  done,  but 
find  that  seventy-two  acres  of  the  land  have  been  i^nven- 
toried  in  Sandown  ;  that  the  lines  between  the  towns  were 
never,  so  far  as  they  knew,  perambulated  according  to  law, 
though  the  selectmen  of  Kingstown  and  also  the  selectmen 
of  Sandown  had  often  been  requested  to  do  it.  Though 
the  selectmen  of  Sandown,  in  November,  1782,  consented 
to  perambulate  the  line  between  said  towns,  which  was  sur- 


68  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

vejed  and  marked  by  "Walter  Bryant,  Jr.,  Esq.,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1761,  by  agreement  of  the  proprietors  of  Kingstown 
and  the  proprietors  of  Chester,  agreeably  to  a  resolve  of 
the  General  Assembly  in  May,  1761,  and  the  agreement  of 
the  proprietors  and  Esq.  Bryant's  return,  yet  the  selectmen 
of  Sandown  refused  to  sign  any  return  to  be  recorded. 
They  pray  the  General  Asseml)ly  to  consider  the  difhculty, 
when  Chester  claims  a  straight  line  and  Sandown  a  curve 
or  rather  a  crooked  one.  [An  abstract.]  Day  of  hearing, 
the  second  day  of  the  next  session. 

The  proprietors  of  Chester  June  7,  1785,  "  Voted  to 
James  Waddel,  Samuel  Wilson,  Timothy  Wells,  Sargent 
Wells  and  Benjamin  Wells,  the  land  they  have  respectively 
in  their  possession  laying  west  of  Bryant's  line,"  which 
was  the  end  of  the  controversy. 

TYNGSTOWN    LINE. 

At  a  meeting  held  June  9,  1741, 

"  Put  to  vote  whether  to  take  any  notice  of  the  Propos- 
als made  by  the  Committees  meet  to  Confer  upon  the  town- 
ships of  Chester  and  Tyiigstown  Infringing  upon  Each  other; 
past  in  the  Negative." 

This  was  at  first  thought  to  be  a  clerical  error  and  to 
mean  Kingstown.  But  such  is  not  the  fact.  There  was  a 
long  controversy  between  Massachusetts  and  New  Hamp- 
shire about  the  line  between  them,  and  Massachusetts  had 
granted  towns  up  the  Merrimack.  Among  others  there 
was  a  company  of  volunteers  went  on  snow-shoes,  in  the 
winter  of  1703,  to  Winncpissiokee,  against  the  Indians, 
commanded  by  Capt.  William  Tyng  of  Dunstable.  A  pe- 
tition was  presented  to  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts 
December  13,  1734,  by  Ephraim  Hildreth  and  John  Shep- 
ley,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  other  soldiers,  for  a  grant 
of  land  lying  on  the  east  side  of  Merrimack  river,  between 
Suncook  and  Litchfield.  The  grant  was  made  on  certain 
conditions  and  was  "  Tyngstown."  Major  Hildreth  settled 
there  and  built  the  first  mill  on  the  Cohas  at  Harvey's. 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  69 

They  had  a  meeting-house  near  the  old  corner  of  Chester, 
— the  three  pines.  The  McClentos  were  probably  within 
the  bounds  of  Tyngstown.  It  was  from  these  settlers,  un- 
der a  Massachusetts  grant,  that  the  proposition  came  to 
settle  the  line,  which  Chester  so  summarily  rejected.  (See 
Potter's  Manchester,  pp.  190-212.)  The  settlement  of  the 
Province  line  in  1741  ended  the  Tyngstown  claina. 


CHAPTER   V. 

SETTLING   MINISTERS,   PRESBYTERIAN   CONTROVERSY,   AND    CLOS- 
ING  THE   PROPRIETORS'    AFFAIRS. 

1723.  The  first  meeting  of  the  proprietors,  under  the 
charter,  was  held  the  28th  day  of  March,  1723.  The 
names  of  the  officers  are  given  in  the  list  of  town  officers. 
It  was  "  Voted,  That  forty  shillings  be  paid  by  each  pro- 
prietor by  the  15*^^  of  June  next,  besides  the  Ten  shilP  w"^^ 
is  given  to  those  that  have  settled."  Forty  acres  of  land 
were  granted  to  Thomas  Brown,  but  for  what  consideration 
does  not  appear.  It  was  laid  out  on  Londonderry  line.  A 
home  lot  was  granted  to  Clement  Hughes  in  consideration 
of  his  serving  the  town  as  surveyor  the  year  past. 

1724.  The  annual  meeting  for  1724  was  held  at  the 
house  of  Samuel  Ingalls,  in  Chester,  and  adjourned  to  the 
house  of  Joshua  Wingate,  in  Hampton,  the  second  Tues- 
day in  June.  Votes  were  passed  about  drawing  their  addi- 
tional lots  and  paying  arrearages,  on  penalty  of  expulsion. 
Also,  admitting  Rev.  Theo.  Cotton  in  the  room  of  Samuel 
"Welsh,  and  Thomas  Smith  and  William  Couch  in  the  room 
of  Jacob  Stanyan.  This  year  is  memorable  on  account  of 
the  capture  of  Lieut.  Thomas  Smith  and  John  Karr  by  the 
Indians,  the  only  hostile  incursion  in  Chester.  An  account 
of  it  is  given  in  a  biographical  notice  of  Lieut.  Smith,  on 
a  subsequent  page. 


70  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

1725.  The  annual  meeting  for  1725  was  held  at  the 

house  of  ]\[rs.  Susannah  Small,  in  Portsmouth,  the  25th  of 

March.     Adjourned  to  the  house  of  Thomas  Webster,  of 

Exeter,  the  24th  of  May. 

"Voted,  To  those  that  live  at  Chester  the  Sum  of  twenty 
pounds  to  hire  two  Souldiers  to  guard  them  four  months 
next  ensuing." 

In  Samuel  Ingalls'  account  is  a  credit,  "  By  the  hire  of 
two  soldiers  as  per  vote,  ,£20."  There  was  also  a  vote 
passed  forbidding  proprietors  cutting  or  carrying  away  any 
timber  on  penalty  of  forty  shillings,  and  a  committee 
chosen  to  prosecute  offenders. 

1726.  A  similar  vote  was  passed  March,  1726,  and  re- 
peated again  at  an  adjournment  in  June,  and  a  committee 
chosen  to  prosecute  and  another  committee  "  to  present 
this  vote  to  y^  next  Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  for  their  al- 
lowance." 

The  account  current  for  1726,  including  the  former  ])al- 
ance  of  X34  16s.  9d.,  is  £92  4s.  lOd. ;  Cr.,  126  proprietors 
6th  payment,  10s.  each,  <£63.     Balance  due,  <£29  4s.  lOd. 

1727.  The  annual  meeting  was  held  the  second  Thurs- 
day of  April,  1727. 

"  Voted,  That  y'^  Surveyors  hire  men  to  repair  the  ways, 
y®  wages  not  to  Exceed  4s  per  day  nor  the  sum  of  £10. 

"  Voted,  That  each  Proprietor  pay  Ten  Shillings  to  y® 
Selectmen  to  defray  the  Town  Charges  By  y"  Second 
Thursday  in  May  next." 

The  Account  Currant  for  y^  year  11-21 . 

To  y*  ballance  of  last  years  acct 
To  Sam'  Ingalls,  49i  days  work  on  y«  ways,  4s. 
To   do.   for  laying  out  laud  as  pr  acct 
To  James  Whiting  for  his  assistance  per  do.     . 
To  Clem'  Hughes  for  sundry  payments  per  do. 
To  Robert  Smith  as  Selectman,  3i  d'  a  6s, 
To  John  Sanborn  as      ditto,       2i  d' 
To  Selectmen,  expences  p"^  per  Clement  Hughes  to 
;Mi-.  Ludd  and  Mr.  Ingalls 


Dr 

.     £29 

4 

10 

9 

18 

00 

.       17 

2 

09 

3 

16 

00 

.       28 

7 

6 

1 

1 

0 

15 

00 

0 

11 

10 

£90 

16 

0 

PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  71 

Ut  Supra.  Ck. 

By  rate  on  126  Prop"^  at  10s  pr £63 

Ballance  due  from  the  Prop" 27  16    1 

£90  16     1 

This  is  the  last  account  contained  in  the  records.  Up  to 
this  time,  and  in  1728,  and  probably  longer,  the  money 
was  raised  by  a  tax  on  the  proprietors'  shares,  resident  and 
non-resident.  So  far,  a  large  portion  of  the  officers  have 
been  non-resident  proprietors,  but  in  1728  there  is  a 
change, — all  the  toivn  officers  are  residents. 

The  annual  meeting  was  held  at  Chester,  March  28th. 
Eldad  Ingalls  was  chosen  town  clerk,  and  Capt.  Henry 
Sherburn,  Capt.  Joseph  Sherburn  and  Thomas  Packer 
were  chosen  to  "  make  up  accompts  w^  Chester's  Old 
Town  Clerk,  M'  Clement  Hughes,  and  to  Receive  y^  town 
Book  and  Deliver  it  to  Eldad  Ingalls  y^  present  town 
Clerk." 

"  A  vote  was  past  at  y®  Anp^  Meeting  in  Marcli  that  all 
y^  propr'  of  Chester  should  pay  ten  Shillings  apiece  at  y* 
adjournment  of  the  ann'  meeting,  which  will  be  y*"  second 
Tuesday  of  June  next,  concerning  y*-'  hiring  a  Minis'"  for 
this  Year." 

Eldad  Ingalls  was  chosen  town  treasurer,  and  the  con- 
stable was  to  gather  the  rates,  and  deliver  it  to  the  treas- 
urer. 

There  was  a  vote  passed  at  the  adjournment,  that  if  any 
settler  settling  on  lands  laid  out  should  be  molested  by 
non-proprietors,  the  expense  of  trying  the  title  should  be 
paid  by  the  proprietors. 

There  was  a  meeting  held,  Nov.  12,  1728,  at  the  house 
of  Samuel  Ingalls.     It  was 

"  Voted,  that  y'^  Stating  y^  plan  for  y^  Meeting  house 
should  be  left  in  consideration  till  next  March  Meeting." 

But  the  meeting  was  adjourned  to  Hampton,  on  the  last 
Tuesday  in  December,  and  there 

"  Voted,  That  y^  place  called  y®  Center  where  four  prin- 
cipal Roads  meet,  being  near  y^  Minis'"'  lott,  be  y*  place  for 
Setting  up  the  meeting  house." 


72  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

1729.  The  Annual  Meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of 
Samuel  Ingalls,  and  after  choosing  officers,  adjourned  until 
June  10,  and  a  new  meeting  called  at  the  same  time  and 
place,  "  To  make  Choice  or  give  a  call  unto  M''  John  Tuck 
of  Hampton  to  settle  w"'  us  in  y^  work  of  y°  Ministry,  and 
to  see  what  encouragement  we  shall  give  him  for  his  main- 
tainance  with  us." 

At  the  meeting  it  was 

"  Voted,  That  Mr.  John  Tuck  of  Hampton  is  Chosen  to 
settle  w"'  y^  Inhabitants  of  Chester  in  work  of  y''  Min- 
istry. 

"  Voted,  That  120  pounds  be  Raised  for  y''  support  of  y® 
Gospel  Ministry  (amonge  us)  by  y''  Inhabitants  and  prop''* 
according  to  their  settlement  for  live  years  ensuing,  and 
then  be  Raised  as  the  law  directs. 

"  Voted  in  y**  affirmative. 

"  Voted,  Samuel  Ingalls,  Dr.  Edmond  Toppin  and  Wil- 
son, are  chosen  a  Committee  to  wait  on  Mr.  John  Tuck  to 
Invite  him  to  y"  work  of  y"  Ministry  in  Chester." 

Meeting  adjourned  to  the  third  Tuesday  of  September, 
at  Capt.  Joshua  AVingate's  at  Hampton. 


MR.    tuck's   answer. 

Hampton,  Oc'  7%  1729. 

To  y^  prop"  of  y®  town  of  Chester  this  day  met  at  Capt. 
Wingates  in  Hampton. 

Crentlemen, 

Whereas  you,  w*''  y*"  freeholders  of  y°  town  of  Chester, 
Did  somtime  ago  Invite  me  to  y''  work  of  y*"  Ministry  in 
Chester ;  now  these  are  to  Signifie,  that  for  Weighty 
Reasons  I  Decline  settling  there.  I  wish  you  a  happy  set- 
tlement in  God's  good  time.     This  from 

Your  Hum*"^^  serv* 

Jo"  Tucke. 

At  the  adjournment,  Sept.  16th,  adjourned  again  to  Oct. 
7th. 

"  Voted,  That  Mr.  John  Tuck  be  paid  thirty  shillings 
per  Sabbath  for  fourteen  Sabbaths  last  past. 

"  Voted,  That  there  shall  a  Committe  be  chosen  to  look 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  73 

out  and  get  a  minis'"  to  preach  at  Chester  in  order  to  his 
Settlement  there. 

"  Voted,  That  Sam"  Ingalls  &  Jacob  Sargent  he  a  Com- 
mitte  chosen  to  look  out  for  a  suitable  orthodox  good  man 
y*  shall  be  aproved  by  y*  Neighl^oring  Minis'^. 

"  Voted,  That  there  shall  be  a  meeting  house  built  ac- 
cording to  these  Dimensions:  Imp''*,  fifty  foot  in  length,  and 
thirty-live  foot  wide  &  twenty  foot  post,  and  finish  it  com- 
pletely, both  inside  &  outside,  to  y*"  turning  of  y*"  key,  and 
set  upon  y®  place  appointed  and  before  voted. 

"  Voted,  That  a  Committee  be  chosen  to  agree  w'^  y" 
Carpenter  or  Carpenters  to  build  a  Meeting  liouse  accord- 
ing to  y*  Dimentions  before  mentioned,  and  that  Dr. 
Edmond  Toppin,  &  Sam'  Ingalls  &  Nathaniel  Heally,  be  y" 
Committee  to  agree  w""  y*"  Carpenters  in  y^  behalf  of  y° 
prop'^*  of  Chester. 

"  Voted,  That  there  shall  be  Raised  forty  shillings  in 
Money  on  Every  full  prop""*  share  in  Chester  to  be  paid  unto 
ye  town  treasurer  (Jacob  Sargent  is  chosen),  at  y®  next 
prop"'*  meeting  towards  y^  building  of  a  meeting  house  in 
Chester  to  be  drawn  out  by  the  Committee  as  tliere  shall 
l)e  Occasion  ;  viz.,  Dr.  Edmond  Toppin  and  Sam"  Ingalls  & 
Nathaniel  Haley,  a  Committe. 

"  Voted,  That  there  shall  be  Raised  twenty  Shillings 
in  money  on  Every  full  propr^  lott  in  Chester  for  y*'  paying 
the  town  Debts,  to  be  paid  untoy''  Constable  for  y*"  town's 
use  at  y^  next  prop'^  Meeting  in  Chester." 

In  regard  to  the  location  of  the  meeting-house,  it  sat  on 
the  ten-rod  way.  James  Varnum  bought  of  the  town  five 
rods  in  width  of  the  ten-rod  way,  where  Mr.  Batchelder 
lives,  so  that  the  north  side  would  be  not  far  from  where 
the  north  side  of  the  street  is  now.  When  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Hale  sold  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Flagg,  the  corner  was 
described  to  be  about  eight  rods  northerly  of  the  meet- 
ing-house. Jabez  French  bought  five  rods  of  the  ten-rod 
way  ;  so  the  corner  of  the  church  is  now  probably  near 
where  the  corner  of  the  lot  was,  and  eight  rods  from 
there  would  nearly  correspond  with  the  tradition  that  the 
house  stood  where  the  liberty-pole  now  stands. 

At  a  meeting  Nov.  19,  1729, 

"  Voted,  That  Capt.  Thomas  Pierce  be  a  Collector  for 


74  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Portsmouth,  and  Dr.  Edmond  Toppin  for  Hampton,  Jon- 
athan Emerson  for  Haverhill  &  Bradford,  Mr.  Will"'  Blunt 
for  Andovcr,  Mr.  John  Calf  for  Newberry ;  and  the  Ai)ove 
named  to  Collect  and  gather  y''  Rates  off  those  that  are 
propr"  in  Chester  and  lives  in  the  aboves''  precincts." 

1730.     At  a  meeting  held  January  15,  1729-30, 

"  Voted,  That  y®  Rev.  Mr.  Moses  Hale  is  chosen  to  settle 
w"*  us  in  y'^  work  of  y*^  Ministry  in  Chester. 

"  Voted,  That  there  shall  be  120  pounds  in  Current 
money  or  bills  of  Credit  be  Raised  for  y*^  Support  of  y^  gos- 
pel minisf^'  amonge  us,  to  be  paid  by  the  inhabitants  & 
prop""- of  y^  town  of  Chester,  to  y*^  Rev''.  Mr.  Moses  Hale,  out 
of  y*"  town  treasury  annually  as  long  as  he  Shall  Continue  to 
be  our  minis"' ;  &  Said  money  to  be  Raised  by  y''  prop''^  & 
Inhabitants  acording  to  their  interests  for  five  years  Ensu- 
ing, <fe  then  to  be  Raised  as  the  law  Directs ;  and  y'  a^  money 
be  paid  annually,  according  to  y*^  Same  Value  that  it  pas- 
seth  for  at  this  present  year. 

"  Voted,  That  Lieut.  Tliomas  Smith,  M'  Ebenezer  Dear- 
bon,  Nath"  Webster,  Will'"  Willson  &  Sam"  Ingalls,  be  a 
Committe  to  treat  w"'  the  Rev.  ^Mr.  Moses  Hale,  &  to  ac- 
quaint him  w'''  what  y*^  town  hath  done,  &  to  Invite  him 
into  the  work  of  y''  Minis''^  among  us  in  Chester,  and  to 
Receive  his  ans^^r  and  to  make  Return  thereof  to  the 
town." 

At  the  annual  meeting  March  26,  1730, 

"Voted,  That  y''  Proprietors  of  Chester  pay  two  hundred 
and  twenty  pounds  to  defray  y^  Charges  for  y''  year  en- 
sewing. 

"  Voted,  That  y^  Rev''  Mr.  Moses  Hale  have  twenty  shil- 
lings apiece  of  each  full  propriator's  share,  which  amounts  to 
one  hundred  and  twenty  seven  pounds,  to  be  payed  y®  pres- 
ent year  insewing  in  Money  or  labor. 

"  Voted,  That  the  meeting-house  be  set  on  the  plan  it 
hath  bene  formerly  agreed  on  and  voted  for,  agreeable  to 
the  vote  in  1728  entered  in  the  town  Book  in  page  104. 

"  Voted,  That  Mr.  Will">  White,  Xathan  We])ster,  Eben- 
ezer Derbon,  a  committe  to  agree  with  a  carpender  or 
carpenders  to  build  a  meeting  house  acording  to  the  de- 
menshins  formerly  agreed  on  and  entered  in  y*"  town  book. 

"  Voted,  A  gristmill  priviledge  to  John  Aiken."  (See 
History  of  John  Aiken's  Mill.) 

At  an  adjournment  June  9th, 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  75 

"  Voted,  That  Doct.  Rodgers,  Mr.  Hughes,  Rich^^  Ward, 
Bonj.  Riiss,  be  allowed  there  accounts  in  suppressing  the 
Ryiot  in  1726,  five  days  a  man  at  6s.  per  day. 

"  Voted,  Whereas  there  was  formerly  a  vote  past  that 
the  meeting  house  should  be  bulte  35  fete  in  width,  that  s'* 
meeting  house  shall  be  bulte  thirty  eyght  fete  in  width,  and 
that  the  coniite  chosen  last  meting,  Namely,  Mr.  William 
White,  Nath"  Webster,  Ebez''  Derben,  be  fully  impowered  to 
agree  with  any  Parson  or  Parsons  to  build  s''  meeting 
house  ;  and  whatever  Covenent  or  agreement  they  in  thero 
capasity  shall  make,  the  propriators  will  Ratify  and  Coii- 
firme." 

At  a  meeting  July  15,  1730,  there  was  a  committee 
chosen  "to  deliver  the  minister's  lot  to  Rev.  Mr.  Moses  Hale 
as  soon  as  he  becomes  qualified  to  receive  the  same,"  with 
a  proviso  that  should  he  be  at  any  expense  on  it  and  not  be 
settled,  it  should  be  repaid.  There  was  another  committee 
to  provide  a  parsonage. 

1731.  At  the  annual  meeting  held  at  the  meeting-house 
March  25,  1731,  adjourned  to  May  12,  they  chose  a  com- 
mittee to  sell  all  delinquents'  shares. 

There  was  an  act  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  April 
29, 1731,  the  preamble  of  which  says,  "  Whereas  the  towns 
of  Chester,  Nottingham  and  Rochester  labour  under  incon- 
veniences in  carrying  on  y®  publick  affairs,  especially  sup- 
orting  the  gospel  ministry,"  enacting  that  lands  of  non- 
residents may  be  assessed  and  taken  on  execution  if  the 
taxes  be  not  paid  ;  to  continue  in  force  three  years. 

"  Voted  to  Rais  money  for  finishing  the  meetin  hous, 
£230  ;  and  for  ordaining  the  minister  the  present  year, 
X30  ;  and  for  the  minister's  salary  this  year,  £120." 

There  is  a  memorandum  as  follows : 

The  money  raised  in  the  town  of  Checherin  the  year 
1729,  by  Samuel  Ingalls,  Nathan  Webster  and  Wil- 
liam Wilson,  theh'pi-esent  Selectmen,  and  Commit- 
ted to  Constable  Haseltine  to  Colec  and  gather       .    378  00  00 

S-i  Constable  Heseltine  has  paid 219  00  00 

Remains  iu  s"^  Constabel's  hands  unpaid        .        .        .159  00  00 


76  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

The  money  Eaised  in  the  town  of  Chester  in  the  year 
1730,  by  Cap'  Samuel  Ingalls,  Ebenezer  Dearbon 
and  Nathan  Webster,  the  Present  Selectmen  and 
Committee  to  Constabel  John  Tolford  to  Collect 
and  gather  is 282  00  00 

which  S*^  selectmen  have  not  Counted  for. 

Given  under  our  hands  a  Comite  to  Call  s'^  selectmen. 


Ichabod  Robie,  ?  Cn^y^•^ia 

Moses  Leavit,    <  ^^mite. 


march  the  24"^,  1730-1. 


There  is  an  advertisement  calling  a  meeting  July  21, 
1731: 

"  1.  That  the  Committee  that  Stand  Ingaged  to  the  Car- 
pendors  for  Building  the  meeting  hons  want  their  money 
and  must  have  it  this  meeting,  or  Else  they  are  Liabel  to 
be  Sued. 

"  2.  To  Lett  y"  know  that  the  Lands  of  several  that  have 
Leatly  been  put  to  sale  to  pay  their  Charges,  and  they  that 
do  not  pay  theirs  at  this  mcethig  may  Expect  the  same." 

At  the  meeting, 

"  2.  Many  things  proposed  but  nothing  acted." 

The  meeting-house  was  built,  probably  by  contract,  by 
Thomas  Cochran  and  Peter  Cochran  of  Londonderry,  and 
was  so  far  finished  that  the  annual  meeting  in  March  of 
this  year  was  held  in  it ;  but  it  seems  that  it  was  not  paid 
for  until  1737,  when  forty-six  acres  of  land  were  sold  to 
Thomas  Cochran  to  pay  what  was  due  to  him  and  Peter 
Cochran  for  building  the  meeting-house. 

At  the  same  meeting  June  7,  1737, 

"  Voted,  That  Thomas  Cochran  and  Peter  Cochran  have 
some  gratuity  to  make  up  their  loss,  agreeable  to  their  Peti- 
tion, and  that  the  Same  be  to  the  Value  of  fifty  pounds." 

This  was  laid  out  in  1743  on  the  west  side  of  Massabesic 
pond. 

At  a  meeting  held  September,  1731, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Reverend  Mr.  Brown  of  Haverhill, 
E,ev.  Mr.  Phillips,  and  tlie  Reverend  mr.  Barnard  of  And- 
over,  be  a  comitty  to  take  for  gathering  and  Setling  a  Church 
in  Chester  and  ordaining  the  Reverend  Mr.  Hail. 


PROPRIETARY    HISTORY.  77 

"  Voted,  that  Insign  Jacob  Sargent,  mr.  Ebenezer  Dear- 
born, Enoch  Colby,  Captin  Samuel  Ingalls,  Samuel  Emer- 
son, be  a  Commity  to  take  Care  for  provishan  of  the  ordina- 
tion." 

The  ordination  is  said  to  have  been  October  20. 

1732.  There  was  a  provision  in  the  charter  that  every 
proprietor  should  "  build  a  dwelling  house  within  three 
years  and  settle  a  family  therein,  and  break  up  three  acres 
of  ground,  and  plant  and  sow  the  same  within  four  years, 
and  pay  his  proportion  of  the  town  charge  when  and  so 
often  as  occasion  shall  require."  At  a  meeting  August  2d 
there  was  a  committee  chosen  to  enquire  and  report  on  this 
subject.     August  23, 

"  Voted,  that  there  shall  be  a  Comite  Chosen,  and  fully 
Impowered  to  here  and  Determine  the  pleas  of  those  pro- 
prietors that  are  brought  in  Delinquent  in  their  settlements 
by  the  Comitee,  Lt.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  Ins.  Jacob  Sargent, 
&  Capt.  Samuel  Ingalls,  and  to  allow  or  disallow  of  their 
pleas  for  Settlement  as  they  shall  see  Just  Reason,  and  to 
grant  them  sutabel  time  to  perform  their  settlements,  pro- 
vided they  speedily  pay  their  arrears,  and  that  Comite  make 
report  of  their  proceedings  to  the  proprietors  of  Chester  at 
their  next  meeting. 

"Voted,  Moses  Leavite,  Esq.,  Deacon  William  White 
and  Samuel  Ingalls  be  the  Comite." 

1733.  At  an  adjournment  of  the  annual  meeting  May 
28, 1733, 

"Voted,  to  Rais  127  pounds  to  be  paid  this  year  towards 
the  meeting  hous  and  to  Defray  other  necessary  town 
Charges." 

At  a  meeting  September  25, 1733, 

"  Voted  that  Doct.  Nathaniel  Rogers  of  Portsmouth  is 
Chosen  &  fully  Impowered  to  Prefer  a  Petition  to  the 
General  Court  at  their  next  session  to  get  them  to  make  an 
act  in  behalf  of  the  Proprietors  that  are  Settled  in  the 
town  of  Chester  pursuant  to  the  first  article  in  the  Warn- 
ing." 

That  is,  in  regard  to  delinquents  not  settling  in  town. 
"  Voted,  Lt.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  mr.  Xathan  Webster 


78  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

&  Capt,  Samuel  Ingalls,  to  agree  with  and  liier  a  minister 
to  Preach  with  us  a  Quarter  of  the  year." 

Mr.  Hale's  health  failed  and  he  hecame  deranged  in 
mind,  so  that  he  performed  very  little  ministerial  duty  in 
Chester. 

1734.     At  the  annual  meeting  March  28,  1734, 

"  Voted,  that  there  shall  be  a  Counsell  Called  to  Dissolve 
the  pastoral  Relation  Between  Mr.  Hale  and  the  Church  in 
Chester."  ^ 

At  a  meeting  held  June  27,  1734, 

"  Voted,  that  there  shall  be  men  chosen  to  wait  on  the 
ministers  at  their  next  associate  meeting  to  urge  a  Counsel 
for  the  Dissolving  the  pastoral  Relation  between  mr.  Hale 
and  the  Clnirch  in  Chester." 

At  a  meeting  held  August  15,  1734, 

"  Voted,  that  the  first  "Wednesday  in  September  next  be 
lield  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  Prayer  for  advise  for  another 
minister. 

"  Voted,  that  there  shall  be  5  men  Chosen  to  receive  the 
advise  of  the  ministers  at  the  fast. 

"  Voted,  that  Capt.  Samuel  Ingalls,  Lt.  Ebenezer  Dear- 
born, Lt.  Thomas  Smith,  Mr.  John  Calfe,  John  Sherala 
and  Jolni  Aken  be  tlie  men. 

"  Voted,  that  Lt.  Smith  and  Mr.  John  Calfe  wait  on  the 
Rev**  Mr.  Thompson  of  Londonderry  to  acquaint  him  when 
the  fast  will  be. 

"  Voted,  tliat  mr.  nathan  Webster  wait  on  the  other  min- 
isters to  acquaint  them  when  the  fast  Avill  be." 

At  an  adjournment  September  1,  1734, 

"  Voted,  that  the  Result  or  Determination  of  the  Councell 
be  Excepted  by  the  proprietors. 

"Voted,  that  after  three  sabbath  Days  from  this  time,, 
that  then  the  pulpit  Shall  be  Supplied  three  months  at  the 
publiclv  Charge  of  the  proprietors." 

The  Presbyterians,  who  were  the  Scotch  L-ish  settlers, 
had  previous  to  this  hired  the  Rev.  John  Wilson,  and  ten 
of  them  protested  against  paying  for  the  support  of  another 
minister. 


HISTORY   OF    CHESTER.  79 


THE   PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE    COUNCIL. 

At  an  Ecclesiastical  Council  held  at  Salisbury,  August 
13,  1734,  consisting  of  the  Elders  and  messengers  of  the 
Churches  following,  viz.  : 

Churches.  Elders.  3£essengers. 

Salisbury  P'  chh,  mr.  Caleb  Cashing,     mr.  Justes  Bradbury. 

Salisbury  2^  chh,  mr.  Joseph  Persons,    Deac°  Jabez  True. 

Exeter,  mr.  John  Odlin,  Deac"^  Joseph  French. 

Hampton  Falls,  Mr.  Joseph  Whipple,  Dea.  oniseferos  Page. 

Bradford,  Mr.  Jos  Persons,  jun""  Dea.  Jona.  Woodman. 

Newbury,  m''  John  Lowel,  Dea.  Edw'd  Emerson. 

Kingston,  mr.  Ward  Clark,  Dea.  moses  Elkius. 

Aniesbury,  2=*  chh,  mr.  Paiu  AYhiget,        Dea.  Joseph  Bartlet. 

Being  Regularly  assembled  by  virtue  of  letters  sent  from 
the  cldi.  in  Chester  to  the  aforesaid  Churches  to  here,  advise 
and  direct  the  said  Clih.  of  Chester  what  mav  be  most 
proper  for  them  to  do  under  their  present  difficult  circum- 
stances, by  Reason  of  the  Revr''  mr.  moses  Hale  the  Pastor 
being  wholly  Disabled  from  Serving  them  in  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  and  having  made  due  inquiry  into  the  Case 
and  circumstances  of  the  said  minister  and  people,  we  find 
that  the  said  mr.  Hale,  Having  done  Lettel  or  no  service 
among  them,  and  being  by  the  Providence  of  God  brouglit 
under  greate  disorder  of  body  and  distraction  of  mind, 
and  for  a  time  bereaved  of  his  reason  and  understanding, 
and  thereby  Rendered  uncapabell  of  Discharging  the  work 
of  tlie  ministry  among  them,  and  so  Remaining  witliout  any 
present  appearance  or  prospect  of  being  restored  to  his 
ministry,  and  tlierefore  we  Judge  and  determine  that  it  is 
the  wisdom  and  Duty  of  the  chh.  and  people  of  Chester  to 
proceed  in  Regular  steps  to  Call  and  Settle  a  gospel  minis- 
ter among  them,  that  so  they  may  no  Longer  be  Destitute 
of  the  word  and  ordinances  of  Christ ;  and  would  also  ad- 
vise and  direct  the  said  chh.  and  people  of  Chester  that  be- 
sides allowing  the  said  mr.  Hale  the  town  Right  which 
accrued  to  him  upon  settlement  and  what  also  was  then 
given  him  to  Incourage  his  settlement,  they  should  not  for- 
get their  obligations  to  be  Redy  to  Contribute  to  his  sup- 
port and  Relief  according  to  their  power  and  ability.     So 


80  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Commending  tliem  to  the  God  of  grace  and'  peace  we  sub- 
scribe jour  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Caleb  Cushing,  moderator. 

John  Odlin,  Scribe. 

In  the  name  and  behalf  of  the  Council. 

1735.  The  annual  meeting  held  March  28,  adjourned  to 
May  14, 1735. 

"  The  matter,  after  it  was  fairly  set  forth  Relating  to  mr* 
Hale's  circumstances,  It  was  put  to  vote  whether  mr.  Hale 
had  given  satisfaction  that  he  was  Qualified  for  taking  the 
full  Charge  of  the  ministry  and  whether  the  people  Could 
Receive  him  as  such,    it  past  in  the  negative. 

"  Voted,  that  the  proposals  made  by  mr.  Hale,  Feb""  6"*, 
1734,  Shall  be  a  Direction  to  us  ;  and  forasmuch  as  by  Vote 
of  the  town  mr.  Hale  appears  not  to  have  given  satisfaction 
to  the  people,  we  with  mr.  Hale  do  apply  to  the  Elders  and 
messengers  of  the  Churches  therein  mentioned,  who  are 
Desired  to  Consider  and  Determine  all  matters  Relating  to 
mr.  Hale  and  us  as  in  their  wisdom  they  Shall  Judge  Right. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Elders  and  messengers  meet  at  the 
hous  of  Deacon  Dearborns  in  Chester  the  first  Wednesday 
in  June  next  at  one  o'Clock  in  the  afternoon." 

This  council  proljably  dismissed  Mr.  Hale. 

At  another  adjournment  held  June  10*^,  1735, 

"  Voted  that  the  town  of  Chester  apply  to  the  Neighbor- 
ing towns  for  help  in  our  Difficulties  by  a  brief  for  paying 
mr.  Hale's  arrears." 

John  Calfe,  Capt.  Samuel  Ingalls  and  Lieut.  Ebenezer 
Dearborn  were  chosen  for  that  purpose. 

"  Voted  that  Lieut.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  mr.  Nathan 
"Webster  be  Chosen  and  Impowered  to  take  Care  and  pro- 
vide a  gospel  minister  to  suply  the  pulpit,  and  also  for 
a  further  SujDly  in  order  for  settlement  when  occasion  shall 
be." 

Sixteen  of  the  Presbyterians  entered  their  protest  against 
"  hireing,  calling  or  settling  any  other  minister  in  this  town 
than  what  we  now  have."  At  the  request  of  a  major  part 
of  the  church  a  meeting  was  called  and  held  November  6, 
1735. 


PKOPRIETARY   HISTORY.  81 

"  Voted  the  Rev^  mr.  Timothy  White  Chall  be  the  min- 
ister of  the  town  of  Chester." 

A  salary  of  X120  was  voted,  and  a  committee,  consisting 
of  Deacon  Ebenezer  Dearborn  and  Messrs.  Nathan  Web- 
ster and  John  Calfe,  chosen  to  treat  with  Mr.  White  and 
receive  his  answer. 

At  an  adjournment  held  November  27,  1735, 

"Voted,  that  whereas  there  was  120  Pounds  Voted  for 
Mr.  White's  Salery  per  annum,  so  long  as  he  should  Con- 
tinue the  minister  of  the  town,  it  is  Intended  by  it  that 
the  money  Shall  be  accounted  at  the  same  Value  that  [ta- 
per money  was  when  the  agreement  was  made  with  mr. 
Hale." 

The  money  to  pay  the  minister  and  all  other  purposes 
had  been  voted  and  raised  by  the  "  Proprietors,"  by  the 
"Proprietors  and  inhabitants,"  and  now  "the  Freeholders 
and  inhabitants "  are  warned  to  meet.  The  proprietors 
of  the  common  and  undivided  land  held  separate  meetings 
distinct  from  the  town  after  this  time  ;  but  the  money  to 
support  the  minister  was  raised  from  the  whole  town. 

In  building  the  meeting-house  and  supporting  Mr.  Hale, 
the  Presbyterians  were  active;  but  they  now  have  their 
own  minister,  and  claim  that  a  proviso  in  a  certain  statute 
legally  exempts  them  from  paying  a  minister  tax,  and  at 
the  meeting  of  Nov.  6th  they  enter  another  protest,  signed 
by  thirty-one  men. 

At  a  meeting,  held  June  23,  1736, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Rev"^  Mr.  Ebenezer  Flagg  shall  be  the 
minister  of  the  town  of  Chester. 

"  Voted,  that  there  shall  be  one  Hundred  and  twenty 
Pounds  Paid  to  the  Rev'^  M"^  Ebenezer  Flagg,  as  silver  at 
twenty  shilings  an  ounce,  per  anum.  During  his  ministry  in 
Chester." 

The  following  protest  of  the  same  tenor,  and  more 
numerously  signed  than  those  before  mentioned,  was  en- 
tered : 

We  the  Presbeterian  Congregation  and  Propriators,  In- 
habitants and  Freeholders  of  Chester  afforsaid,  do  Enter 
6 


82 


HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 


tills  our  Protest  and  Desent  against  hiring,  calling,  or  sct- 
tlinof,  any  other  ministers  or  minister  in  this  town  other 
than  the  ReV^  M''  John  Wilson  our  Pastor,  and  also  we  pro- 
test against  paying  any  charges  or  charge  or  salary  that 
shall  arise  from  or  by  such  hiring,  calling  or  settling  any 
other  minister  then  w^e  have  as  afforsaid,  or  giveing  or 
setling  any  Lands  for  that  or  any  other  uess.  given  under 
our  hands  the  day  and  year  above,  and  farther  we  Insist 
upon  the  Benefit  of  the  Province  Law  with  Respect  to  the 
suport  of  the  ministry,  and  also  we  declare  this  meeting 


Ilegall. 

James  Wilson, 

James  Wilson, 

Robert  Grimes, 

James  Quanton, 

Elexeandr  Crage, 

James  Whiting, 

AVilliam  Wilson, 

John  Boid, 

John  Cai'swell, 

James  Croset, 

"William  Carswell, 

William  Craford, 

John  Sherala, 

William  White, 

Thomas  Smith, 

Thomas  Glen, 

Eobert  Wilson, 

Robert  Grames, 

Robert  Gillcreast, 

James  Parson, 

William  AVilson, 

Robert  Boyes, 

Andrew  Crage, 

Joseph  Steel, 

Joseph  Xeill, 

John  Steel, 

John  moore, 

Thomas  megee, 

Charls  moore, 

James  Wilson, 

Robert  mills, 

Thomas  Colwell, 

John  aiken. 

John  macmurphy. 

John  Dickey, 

John  mills. 

Paul  mcferson, 

John  Tolford, 

John  mills, 

Thomas  Horner, 

Patrick  melven, 

John  Ramsey, 

Hugh  ATilson, 

William  Patterson, 

archebald  Canigham, 

William  Tolford, 

James  Campbell, 

Samuel  Brown. 

John  Wadell, 

Rev.  Ebenezer  Flagg  was  ordained  Sept.,  1736.  The 
selectmen  continued  to  rate  the  Presbyterians  and  some 
rates  were  collected,  and  the  Presbyterians  presented  the 
following  petition  to  the  General  Assembly  : 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  83 

To  his  Excellency  Jonathan  Belcher.  Esq.  Got""  and  Com- 
mander in  chief  in  and  over  His  Majesty's  Province  of 
New  Ham}/,  the  Hon"^''  His  Majesty's  Council,  <fc  House 
of  Representatives  for  the  Province  aforesaid. 
The  Petition  of  sundry  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Chester  in 
the  Province  of  Xew  Hampshire,  Humbly  Showeth  : 

That  your  Petitioners,  though  at  present  Inhabitants  of 
Chester  afor^*^,  formerly  belonged,  most  of  them,  to  the 
Kingdom  of  Scotland  &  Ireland,  where  they  were  educated 
in  the  principles  of  Kirk  of  Scotland,  for  which  they  have 
a  great  Veneration :  That  while  Mr.  piloses  Hale  was  the 
Minister  of  the  Town,  your  Petitioners  paid  taxes  towards 
his  Support,  tho'  they  went  many  of  them  to  Londonderry 
to  meeting,  &  most  if  not  all  of  them  constantly  to  receive 
the  sacraments,  not  then  being  in  a  Condition  to  settle  a 
minister  of  the  Presbyterian  order ;  After  Mr.  Hale's  mis- 
fortunes had  necessitated  him  to  lay  aside  the  work  of  the 
Ministry,  the  Town  being  Destitute  of  a  Gospel  Minister, 
your  Petitioners  proceeded  to  call  &  ordain  a  Minister  of 
that  Denomination  among  them,  tho'  Scarce  able  to  pay  the 
charge,  that  they  might  worship  God  &  enjoy  the  ordinances  of 
the  Gospel  in  a  way  (which  they  apprehend)  more  agreeable 
to  Script^  &  the  primitive  pattern,  at  least  more  agreeable  to 
their  consciences  than  they  could  among  the  Congregation- 
alists :  That  during  the  time  that  y^  Town  was  Destitute 
of  a  minister  of  the  Congregational  order,  your  Petition'^ 
often  invited  the  Brethren  of  that  Denomination  to  join 
with  them,  if  not  longer  at  least  till  they  were  better  pro- 
vided for,  &  that  such  Conformity  should  be  no  Expense  to 
them,  for  that  your  Petition"^  would  support  their  own  Min- 
ister themselves  ;  But  they  refused  to  accept  the  orffer : 
That  about  two  years  after  Mr.  Hale  had  left  Chester  those 
of  the  Inhabitants  who  Ditfer  in  Sentiments  from  your 
Petition'*',  in  conjunction  with  the  non-resident  Propriet"^, 
proceeded  to  call  and  settle  in  the  town  a  Congregational 
Minister  who  is  still  there :  That  your  Petition",  appre- 
hending that  those  who  had  called  &  settled  such  a  min- 
ister would  be  for  supporting  him  by  a  tax  on  all  the  In- 
habitants, representing  to  them  in  their  Public  meeting  & 
to  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  that  it  was  highly  unreason- 
able and  unkind,  all  things  and  circumstances  considered, 
to  oblige  your  Petition'^  to  pay  towards  the  support  of  a 
minister  they  did  not  call,  nor  hear  when  settled,  &c.,  & 
prayed  they  might  be  Exempted,  &  the  rather  because  they 
conceived  themselves  to  be  such  Persons  as  were  Intended 


84  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER, 

and  Exempted  by  the  Proviso  in  the  Law  of  the  Province, 
Entitled  an  Act  for  maintenance  &  Supply  of  ministry 
within  this  Province.  But  all  would  not  prevail ;  the 
Selectmen  of  said  Town  rated  all  the  inhabitants  without 
Exception  of  any  sect,  &  have  Distrained  &  Imprisoned 
some  of  your  Petitioners  for  such  Rates.  Your  Petition™ 
therefore  pray  the  aid  of  this  Court  as  the  Dernier  Resort 
of  the  Distressed,  that  you  would  be  pleased  in  your  Great 
Wisdom  and  Goodness  to  explain  the  Proviso  in  the  afores'^ 
act  &  say  whether  your  Petition''^  are  Exempted  thereby 
from  being  taxed  to  the  Settling  &  Supjwrt  of  the  said 
minister.  And  if  your  Excellency  &  the  Hon"®  the  other 
Branches  of  this  Court  shall  not  think  the  law  already 
made  excuses  your  Petition"^  from  the  aforesaid  charge, 
that  you  would  be  pleased  to  Commiserate  the  case  of 
your  Petition''^  (being  as  it  now  Stands  they  must  either 
act  against  their  own  Judgment,  or  dearly  purchase  the 
Liberty  of  the  Contrary)  and  make  a  special  act  whereby 
they  may  be  Discharged  &  Exonerated  from  any  part  of 
the  Burthen  of  Settling  &,  supporting  any  minister  except 
their  own,  &  from  paying  the  afores''  Rates  already  made  ; 
and  that  such  may  have  their  money  allowed  them  from 
whom  the  Same  has  Ijeen  distrained  by  virtue  of  the  afore^*^ 
Rates.     And  yo''  Petition"  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

his  his 

Alexander  -|-  Crage,  William  -|-  Poul,  [Powel] 

mark.  mark. 

James  Campbell,  Joseph  Nill,  [Neal] 

Andrew  Crage,  William  Carswell, 

William  Whit,  Robert  Kilcrist, 

Franciss  Cooks,  John  Dickey, 

Robert  Mills,  Thomas  Colwell, 

William  Colwell,  Hugh  Willson, 

James  Wilson,  David  Crage, 

John  Carswell,  William  Graham, 

Samuel  Brown,  Thomas  Glen, 

John  Waddel,  James  Whit, 

Robert  Graham,  John  Akan, 

John  Bold,  Thomas  Smith, 

John  Karr,  John  Smith, 

Robert  Wilson,  James  Whiting, 

James  Quentou,  Samuel  Ingalls, 

Paul  McFerson,  William  Crafford, 

James  McFerson,  Robert  Dayer, 

William  McFerson,  William  Patterson, 

Samuel  McFerson,  William  Willson, 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  85 

Robert  Knocks,  John  Tolford, 

Robert  Grimes,  John  Mills,  Junr., 

liis 

John  -j-  Pouel,  John  Mills,  Senr., 

mark. 

James  Crossett,  John  Shei-ala, 

Robert  Campbell,  Charles  Moore, 

James  AVillson,  John  Waddall, 

James  Willson,  Junr.,  John  Boid,  Jan." 

The  petition  was  received  in  Council  March  23,  1736-7, 
and  sent  to  the  House,  who  voted  an  order  of  notice,  which 
was  served  on  the  selectmen  of  Chester  by  John  Sherala. 
It  was  postponed  to  the  next  session,  when  the  parties  were 
heard.  The  '  House  voted  to  dismiss  the  petition  ;  the 
Council  non-concurred,  being  of  the  opinion  that  the  peti- 
tioners are  within  the  saving  clause  of  the  act  of  this  prov- 
ince, "  Entitled  an  act  for  the  Maintenance  and  supply  of 
the  ministry  within  this  Province,"  in  which  the  House 
concurred  Oct.  19,  1737,  and  Gov.  Belcher  assented  Oct. 
20.     So  the  Presbyterians  had  the  decision  in  their  favor. 

The  act  referred  to  was  passed  1714,  and  provided  that 
the  freeholders  of  the  respective  towns  in  this  province  in 
town  meeting  might  choose  a  minister,  and  agree  upon  a 
salary,  and  he  should  be  considered  the  settled  minister  of 
the  town ;  and  the  selectmen  shall  make  rates  and  assess- 
ments upon  the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  for  the  payment  of 
his  salary,  &c  .;  "  Provided  always  that  this  act  do  not  at  all 
interfere  with  her  Majesty's  grace  and  favor  in  allowing  lier 
subjects  liberty  of  conscience  ;  nor  shall  any  person  under 
pretence  of  being  of  a  different  persuasion  be  excused  from 
paying  towards  the  support  of  the  settled  minister  or  minis- 
ters of  such  town  aforesaid ;  but  only  such  as  are  conscien- 
tiously so,  and  constantly  attend  the  public  worship  of  God 
on  the  Lord's  day  according  to  their  own  persuasion;  and 
they  only  shall  be  excused  from  paying  towards  the  support 
of  the  ministry  of  the  town." 

The  following  is  the  reply  of  John  Calfe,  John  Tolford, 
Ephraim  Haselton  and  Enoch  Colby,  selectmen  of  Chester, 
to  the  Presbyterian  petition  :  — 


86  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

"  That  after  the  Rev.  Ebr.  Flagg  was  Settled  in  s"^  Town 
a  consideral)le  No.  of  persons  petitioned  the  Gen.  Court  for 
an  explanation  of  the  law  of  Liberty,  Supposing  they,  being 
Presbyterians,  were  exonerated  from  paying  Mr.  Flagg, 
which  was  explained  in  their  favor.  Since  which  time  they 
have  proceeded  in  a  cordial  manner,  and  have  endeavored 
to  take  the  best  method  the  circumstances  will  admit  of  to 
Raise  money  for  the  Respective  ministries  as  follows :  at  a 
Town  Meeting  warned  for  that  purpose  they  voted  separate 
for  Mr.  Flagg's  salary,  and  the  Presbyterians  voted  a  Salary 
for  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jno.  Wilson  their  minister,  and  the  select- 
men Signed  the  Respective  Warrants  to  y"  Constabel  or 
Collectors  to  collect  the  same. 

"  If  this  method  were  not  agreeable  to  the  G.  C.  they  pray 
for  i)articular  directions. 

"  It  was  ordered  Aug.  G,  1740,  that  the  two  congregations 
act  se})arate." 

The  tradition  is  that  John  Tolford  and  James  Campbell 
were  imprisoned  for  their  minister  rate,  and  that  they  sued 
for  false  imprisonment  and  recovered.  That  somebody  was 
imprisoned  is  made  nearly  certain  by  the  words,  "  some  of 
your  petitioners  have  been  distrained  and  imprisoned,"  in 
the  Presbyterian  petition.  But  I  have  examined  the  court 
records  pretty  thoroughly,  and  cannot  find  any  lawsuits 
there. 

There  was  a  petition,  dated  Aug.  20,  1735,  preferred  to 
the  selectmen,  representing  that  "  Whereas  it  often  hap- 
pens that  Business  of  Importance  Requires  Consideration 
Relating  to  the  Common  or  undivided  Land  in  Chester 
which  Cannot  be  so  well  accommodated  at  a  general  town 
meeting  as  by  the  Respective  Proprietors  of  said  Lands  dis- 
tinct." The  petition  is  signed  by  seventy-three  individuals 
with  their  respective  interests  attached  to  their  names  in 
rights  and  quarters  of  rights.  They  represent  sixty-seven 
rights  and  three  quarters.  Of  these  seventy-three,  so  far  as 
I  can  tell,  thirty-eight  were  residents  and  thirty-five  were 
non-residents.  They  asked  to  have  a  meeting  called,  which 
was  done  by  John  Calfe  and  Samuel  Emerson,  selectmen  of 
Chester,  and  held  at  the  meeting-house  Oct.  16,  1735. 
I  have  already  given,  under  the  heads  of  Settling  the  Lines 


PROPRIETARY   HISTORY.  87 

and  Laying  out  of  the  Lots,  what  they  did  on  those  siil> 
jects  ;  I  shall  now  follow  them  to  the  close  of  their  corpo- 
rate existence,  before  taking  up  the  town  of  Chester.  Mr. 
John  Calfe  was  chosen  moderator,  and  Samuel  Emerson 
proprietors'  clerk.  Esq.  Emerson  held  the  office  until  his 
death.  The  last  record  that  he  made  was  the  first  Monday 
of  September,  1793.  On  the  second  day  of  June,  179-4,  his 
son,  John  Emerson,  was  chosen  clerk,  and  held  the  office 
until  his  death.  When  he  was  superseded  as  town  clerk 
in  1817  by  Lemuel  W.  Blake,  he  claimed  to  be  proprietors' 
clerk  and  held  the  books  during  his  life,  when  they  went 
into  the  town  clerk's  office. 

The  Proprietors'  Records  are  contained  in  two  volumes, 
and  have  often  been  called  into  court  in  the  settlement  of 
controversies  about  land.  These  volumes  were  nearly  out 
of  their  binding,  and  otherwise  injured  by  continual  exam- 
ination, and  in  1853  were  in  court  in  Hillsborough  county, 
and  the  Hon.  S.  D.  Bell  took  them  into  his  possession,  car- 
ried them  to  a  binder,  and  at  his  own  expense  had  them 
put  into  substantial  binding,  and  otherwise  repaired.  He 
also,  with  great  labor,  prepared  a  copious  and  valuable 
index,  which  greatly  facilitates  the  examination  of  the  rec- 
ords, and  prevents  their  wear.  The  town  of  Chester,  and 
everybody  who  shall  ever  have  occasion  to  examine  these 
records,  should  hold  Judge  Bell  in  grateful  remembrance, 
—  and  nobody  more  so  than  the  writer. 

At  the  aforesaid  meeting  it  was 

"  Voted,  that  the  Proprietors'  Clerk  be  impowered  to 
warn  meetings  for  the  Present  at  the  Request  of  twenty  or 
more  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  undivided  land  in  Chester, 
they  Setting  forth  the  occasion  of  the  same,  and  the  time 
when  and  where  ;  and  for  the  warning  of  such  meeting  it 
shall  be  accounted  sufficient  warning  to  have  Notifications 
posted  up,  one  at  Chester,  one  at  Portsmouth,  one  at 
Hampton,  one  at  Newbury,  and  one  at  Haverhill,  at  sum 
Publick  Place,  fourteen  days  before  said  meeting ;  and  the 
present  Petitioners  for  every  meeting  shall  be  at  the  Charge 
of  setting  up  the  Notifications  for  the  said  meeting." 

Some  of  the  home  lots  fell  short  of  measure,  and  Capt. 


88  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Samuel  Ingalls,  Samuel  Emerson  and  Ephraim  Haseltine 
were  chosen  a  committee  to  examine  them  and  report. 

John  Calfe  owned  two  home  lots  and  a  half,  and  the 
lot-layers  had  laid  out  eighty  acres  between  the  ponds  at 
Massabesic,  which  the  proprietors  refused  to  accept ;  but 
at  an  adjournment  they  reconsidered  and  accepted,  and 
also 

"  Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Calfe  have  Liberty  to  luiild  a 
fulling  mill  at  massabesick  brook  between  the  two  Ponds, 
agreeable  to  his  own  Proposals." 

What  these  proposals  were  does  not  appear,  but  he  Iniilt 
a  fulling  mill  there,  opposite  Nathan  Griffin's  barn.  (See 
History  of  the  Calfe  and  Blanchard  Mills.) 

It  was  also 

"  Voted,  That  for  settlement  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Timothy 
"White,  or  the  Next  Lawfully  Settled  minister,  their  shall  be 
given  two  Hundred  acres  of  Land  in  the  Next  division,  or 
two  Hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  Land  fairly  apprised." 

Mr.  White  not  Ijeing  settled,  it  was  given  to  Mr.  Flagg  ; 
lots  No.  20  and  21,  second  part  of  the  second  division. 

At  a  meeting  held  May  16,  1739, 

"  Voted,  That  Mr.  John  Macmurphy,  his  heirs  and  Suc- 
cessors, have  Liberty  to  set  up  and  Erect  a  grist  mill  at 
massabesick  River  below  the  Create  Pond  in  tAvo  years, 
not  hendring  Iron  Works  or  saw  mill  if  the  town  shall  see 
it  needful  to  have  them  or  either  of  them  built,"  &c.  (See 
History  of  the  McMurphy  or  Webster  Mill,  on  a  subsequent 
page.) 

The  proprietors  held  many  meetings  for  the  transaction 
of  their  business,  which  consisted  in  laying  out  the  differ- 
ent divisions  and  making  amendments,  and  about  their 
lawsuits,  and  selling  land  to  pay  expenses. 

A  vote  was  passed  the  first  Tuesday  of  November,  1785, 
choosing  Dea.  Jonathan  Hall,  Capt.  John  Underbill,  and 
Robert  Wilson,  Esq.,  a  committee  "  to  sell  all  the  common 
land  in  this  town  that  Lays  scatring  about  in  sundry  places, 
to  any  Person  or  Persons  as  the  Committee  shall  Judge 
Best." 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER.  89 

November  14, 1794,  Stephen  Chase,  who  had  been  chosen 
in  the  place  of  Robert  Wilson,  deceased,  and  Samuel. 
Underbill  in  the  place  of  John  Underbill,  advertised  all 
the  undivided  land  belonging  to  the  proprietors  at  auction, 
which  was  sold  to  Stephen  Chase,  Esq.,  for  one  pound 
seventeen  shillings. 

March  16,  1795,  they  adjusted  their  accounts,  and  had  a 
balance  of  X 2  17  8,  which  was  divided  between  "William 
White,  Stephen  Chase,  John  S.  Dearborn,  Samuel  Wilson 
and  Thomas  Shirley,  representing  one  right  each,  and  John 
Emerson,  representing  eight  and  a  half  rights. 

Thus  ended  the  affairs  of  the  Proprietors  of  Chester. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

HISTORY   OF  THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER   FROM   1737   TO    1773. 

1737.  At  an  adjournment  of  the  annual  meeting  April 
7,  1737, 

'•  Voted,  That  their  shall  be  a  sufficient  Pound  built 
with  Loggs  thirty  foot  square.  Six  foot  High,  with  two  posts, 
a  good  gate,  and  a  Lock  and  Key,  and  set  on  the  Left  hand 
of  the  way  a  Little  to  the  southward  of  John  Boid's,  and 
Completely  finished  by  the  first  Day  of  July  next. 

"  Voted,  That  their  Shall  be  five  Pounds  Raised  to  pay 
for  building  a  Pound  agreeable  to  the  foregoing  Vote. 

"  Voted,  That  Capt.  Ligalls  Shall  build  a  pound  for  five 
Pounds  and  finish  the  same  as  hath  been  before  men- 
tioned." 

There  had  been  a  vote  passed  in  1735  to  build  a  pound, 
and  Jonathan  Blunt  in  1733  was  chosen  pound-keeper,  but 
probably  without  any  pound. 

John  Boid  lived  between  where  John  Haselton  and 
Edwin  Haselton  now  live.  The  first  road  laid  out  in  town 
was  through  John  Boid's  lot  toward  the  meeting-house.  In 
1748  the  road  was  laid  out  from  there,  "  Beginning  at  the 


90  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 

bridge  by  the  Pound  where  the  Highway  is  laid  out  across 
James  Boid's  home  Lott  originally,"  and  extending  south- 
erly to  Epliraim  Haselton's.  This  fixes  the  location  of  the 
pound. 

"  Voted,  That  their  shall  be  fiveteen  Pound  Raised  to 
Purches  a  town  Stock  of  ammunition  for  the  town's  use." 

1738.  The  Presbyterian  parish  records  commence  this 
year. 

"  Jnn.  y°  19, 1738,  at  a  meeting  held  at  Liftennnt  Thomas 
Smith's  of  rar.  wilson's  Congregation,  Caj)t.  Samuel  Ingalls 
chosen  moderator ;  James  Quenton  Chosen  Clerk. 

"1.  Voted,  Ther  meeting  hous  is  to  be  sect  on  mr.  "Wil- 
son's lot  over  against  mr.  wilam  Powel's  hous. 

"2.  Voted,  That  s'^  meeting  hous  shall  Buildcd  38  foot 
long  &  33  foot  wide  with  a  20  foot  post. 

"3.  Voted,  Capt.  Samuel  Ingalls  <fe  John  Tolford  &  wil- 
liam  wilson,  Lift,  thomas  smith  &,  John  Kar  sliall  be  y® 
Comitee  to  oversee  the  building  of  s''  meeting  hous." 

William  Powel  lived  on  lot  No.  14,  at  the  southwest  end, 
and  the  meeting-house  stood  southwest  across  the  way  on 
No.  119,  which  Mr.  Wilson  purchased  in  1735. 

Sept.  18,  1744, 

"  Voted,  John  Moor,  John  Tolford  &  Andrew  Craig  a 
Comity  to  take  a  deed  from  y*^  Rev.  mr.  John  wilson  of  the 
land  wher  y*  meeting  hous  stands,  or  half  an  acre  in  all, 
for  a  burying  place  of  y^  s*^  Congregation." 

The  town  this  year  voted  to  raise  five  pounds  to  add  to 
the  town's  stock  of  ammunition. 

1739.  At  an  adjourned  town  meeting  held  April  4, 

"Voted,  to  Rais  Sixty  Pounds' to  pay  for  the  Supplies 
in  the  ministry  we  have  had  in  time  past,  and  for  mending 
the  glass  of  the  meeting  house,  and  for  other  necessary 
uses. 

"  Voted,  that  two  hundred  and  forty  Pounds  ])e  Raised 
on  the  Presbyterian  inhabitants  towards  building  a  meeting 
house  for  the  Rev*^  mr.  John  Wilson." 

At  the  Presbyterian  parish  meeting  Jan.  3,  1739, 

"1.  voted,  that  Capt.  samuel  Ingalls,  mr.  James  Camp- 
bell &  John  Aiken,  Chosen  a  [committee]  to  sess  mr.  wil- 


HISTORY   OF   THE    TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  91 

son's  Celery  for  this  present  year ;  likewise  to  sess  y''  money 
for  building  the  meeting'  hous,  for  the  first  Innidred  pound. 
"  2.  voted,  y'  John  Moor  &  John  Shirlee  &  John  Smith' 
&  Robert  mils  &  Andrew  Cra2:e,  Chosen  for  a  Comite  to 
Chus  a  workman  with  the  undertakers  of  the  work  of  s*^ 
meeting  hous  ;  &  likewise  to  give  security  to  y''  undertakers 
for  y''  money  for  Building  s*^  hous,  providing  y^  Congregation 
Give  security  to  them  for  s''  money  ;  &  likewise  to  take  secu- 
rity of  the  undertakers  for  their  performance." 

1740.  In  the  warning  for  the  annual  town  meeting 
March  27, 1740,  is  an  article  (6)  "  To  take  Effectual  means 
and  methods  to  prevent  the  killing  of  fish  as  they  Come 
into  massabesick  Pond,  any  more  than  what  is  for  family 
support,"  &G.     There  is  no  action  on  it  recorded. 

At  an  adjournment  of  the  meeting  April  8tli,  it  is  re- 
corded, 

"  Whereas  at  the  Settling  of  the  Rev*^  mr.  Ebenezer 
Flagg  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  at  Chester  a  number  of 
Inhabitants  Entered  their  desents,  alledging  that  they  were 
of  a  different  Persuasion,  —  Presl)yterians  according  to  the 
Kirk  of  Scotland,  —  and  supposed  the  LaAV  freed  them  from 
Paying ;.  they  applyed  themselves  to  the  general  Court 
where  the  Law  was  explained  in  their  favour,  the  Rev*^  mr. 
John  Wilson  being  their  minister,  and  they  have  Paid  mr. 
Wilson  distinct  from  the  Rest  of  tlie  towne,  separate  from 
mr.  Flagg's  herers.  But  now  it  happens  that  the  filth  article 
inserted  in  the  warning  for  the  Present  meeting  is  to  Settle 
a  Sallary  npon  the  Rev*^  mr.  John  Wilson  ;  the  moderator 
not  thinking  this  meeting  Proper  for  that  affair,  they  insist- 
ing to  Have  Sumthing  done  upon  it,  the  Rest  of  the  town 
being  first  withdrawn  from  mr.  wilson's  Herers  the  moder- 
ator  addrest  himself  to  them  in  the  following  manner :  If 
it  be  vour  minds  that  the  Rev'^  mr.  John  Wilson,  minister 
of  the  Presbyterians,  shall  have  one  Hundred  Pounds 
money  for  his  sallery  for  the  year  Ensuing,  to  be  Paid  by 
the  presbyterians  his  herers,  manifest  it  by  holding  up  your 
hands  ;  they  that  are  of  a  Contrary  mind,  manifest  it  by  the 
same  Signe. 

"  Passed  in  the  affirmative  by  mr.  Wilson's  Hearers." 


92  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 

The  following  act  was  passed  by  the  General  Assembly 
Aug.  7,  17-40,  constituting  two  parishes,  which  quieted  the 
controversy : 


w     Province  of    )  ^^^^°  ^^^'^^  ^^^^^  Georgii  Secundi,  mag- 
9  XT      TT         1  r  /      1186  Britainae,  Francise   et   Hibernice, 
<  NewHampsh^  i      n    •        n      \ 
5  1        )      Decimo  Quarto. 

^  An  act  of  inable  the  Two  Congregations  in  the  Town  of 
a'  Chester  in  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire  to  raise 
t*      money  to  pay  their  Respective  Ministers'  Salary,  &c. 

Whereas  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Chester  in  the 
Province  of  New  Hanp"^''  have  represented  to  this  Court 
that  they  labour  under  great  dificulties  with  Respect  to 
raising  their  Ministers'  Salary  and  collecting  the  same,  and 
have  petitioned  the  Court  for  Relief : 

Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  His  Excellency  the  Govern', 
Council  and  Representatives  convened  in  General  Assem- 
bly, and  by  the  authority  of  the  Same,  That  Each  Congrega- 
tion in  Said  Town  be  and  hereby  is  authoriz*^  and  impow- 
ered  to  Act  Separate  and  Distinct  from  each  other  as  to 
Parrish  affairs,  and  that  Each  Respective  Congregation 
be  and  hereby  is  authorized  and  Impowered  to  Raise 
Money  to  pay  their  Respective  Ministers'  Salary,  for  the  de- 
fraying the  charges  of  Building  and  Repairing  their  Respec- 
tive Meeting  houses  and  other  Parrish  charges,  and  to 
chuse  Wardens  in  each  Congregation  to  assess  the  Persons 
and  estates  of  Each  Congregation  as  shall  be  rais*^  by  them 
Respectively  for  the  ends  &  purposes  afores*^ ;  And  to  Chuse 
Collectors  to  Collect  the  Same,  which  collectors  Shall  have 
the  Same  power  and  Authority  as  Constables  in  this  Prov- 
ince by  Law  have  to  gather  or  Collect  Rates ;  and  that  Such 
Wardens  Chosen  as  aforesaid  be  and  hereby  are  authorized 
and  Impowr''  to  give  a  warrant  to  Such  Collectors  as  fully 
and  Amply  to  all  intents  and  purposes  as  Selectmen  are 
authorised  and  impower*^  to  do. 

And  that  John  Calfe,  Ephraim  Hazeltine  and  Enoch 
Coll)y  be  and  hereby  are  authorised  and  impower*^  to  call 
the  first  meeting  for  y"  Congregationall  Parish,  And  Capt. 
Sam'^  Ingalls,  John  Tolford  and  John  Carr  to  call  the  first 
meeting  for  the  Presbeterian  Parrish,  and  the  said  Congre- 
gations shall  have  power  to  Chuse  all  officers  necessary  to 
manage  &  Transact  Parrish  affairs,  as  other  Parishes  have 
or  ought  by  Law  to  have  within  this  Province. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  93 

Aug.  7"",      Read   three   times  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
1740.        sentatives  and  Passed  to  be  enacted. 

Andrew  Wiggins,  Speaker. 
Eadem       Read  three  times  at  the  Council  Board,  and 
Die.        Voted  a  concurrence. 

Richard  Waldron,  Sec. 

Same  day  I  ascent  to  y®  foregoing  Bill. 

J.  Belcher. 
Coppy  Ex. 

Theodore  Atkinson,  Sec'. 

The  Congregational  records  commence  with  a  copy  of  the 
act.  A  warning  to  call  the  first  meeting,  dated  August  27th, 
1740,  the  meeting  to  be  held  on  the  second  Wednesday  in 
September,  is  signed  by  John  Calfe,  Enoch  Colby  and 
Ephraim  Hazeltine.  John  Calfe  was  chosen  moderator, 
and  adjourned  to  the  17th.  At  the  adjourned  meeting, 
John  Calfe  was  chosen  clerk;  Benj.  Hills,  James  Yar- 
num  and  Eliphaz  Sanborn,  wardens,  and  Paul  Smith,  col- 
lector. 

At  a  parish  meeting,  November  7,  1840,  a  committee 
was  chosen  to  repair  the  meeting-house  (but  not  to  glaze 
it),  and  to  sweep  the  meeting-house  and  buy  a  burying- 
cloth. 

1741.  At  the  annual  town  meeting,  the  last  Thursday  in 
March,  "  John  Tolford  and  James  Varnum  were  chosen  In- 
voice men,  to  take  the  Invoice  of  the  heads  &  estates  of  the 
Whole  town."  They  took  and  returned  to  the  Secretary's 
office  an  inventory  of  the  town.  Chester  had  not  hitherto 
paid  any  province  tax,  but  a  new  proportion  was  now  made, 
and  Chester  was  required  to  pay.  This  inventory  is  given 
under  the  head  of  "  Rates  or  Taxes." 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Congregational  parish, 
March  25,  1741,  it  was 

"  Voted,  that  the  "  Rev"''  Mr.  Flag's  Salary  shall  be  raised 
one  third  part  on  the  poll  if  there  be  no  law  to  the  con- 
trary." 

Cattle  above  one  year  old,  and  horses  above  two  years 
old,  were  to  be  rated,  "if  there  be  no  law  to  the  contrary." 


94  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF    CHESTER. 

A  committee  was  chosen  to  "  underpin  the  meeting- 
house, mend  y'^  glass,  Doors,  and  Seats,  <fcc.,  as  need  Shall 
require." 

The  Presbyterian  parish  meeting,  March  10, 1741,  is  said 
to  have  been  the  first  according  to  law,  though  called  by  the 
■Wardens,  and  not  by  the  persons  named  iij  the  law.  One 
hundred  pounds  is  voted  to  Mr.  "Wilson,  and  that  one-half 
be  raised  on  the  poll,  and  the  other  lialf  on  the  estate. 

"  Voted  y*  John  Tolford's  money  which  he  laid  out  at  y^ 
Law  be  laid  on  this  parish  liy  Rat,  which  is  =£18  4s.  8d. 

"  Voted  y*  5  pounds  shall  be  laid  on  this  parish  by  way 
of  rate,  to  defray  y"  Charge  of  a  debate  y*  hapned  between 
John  mill,  Sener,  &  this  parish." 

1742.  At  the  annual  meeting,  ^[arch  25,  the  selectmen 
were  empowered  to  exchange  a  piece  of  land  with  Jona- 
than Blunt,  so  as  to  accommodate  a  decent  burying- place, 
and  let  him  have  a  part  of  the  ten-rod  way  by  his  house. 
They  did  not  make  the  exchange.  They  began  to  bury  on 
the  ten-rod  way  behind  the  meeting-house.  It  is  the  uni- 
form tradition  that  Sampson  Underbill  was  the  first  per- 
son buried  there,  his  estate  being  apprised  in  May,  1732. 
Many  years  since  I  was  shown  a  grave,  as  his,  just  inside 
the  wall,  opposite  the  meeting-house.  The  town  sold  Jabez 
French  five  rods  of  the  ten-rod  way,  and  there  were  graves 
further  north-west,  which  fell  in  the  road  as  now  fenced. 

March  10,  1742,  the  Presbyterians  "Voted  1000  of 
Joyces  &  1000  of  boards  for  the  gallery,"  and  two  years 
later  appropriated  =£20  for  the  gallery,  "  and  that  John  Tol- 
ford  shall  do  the  work." 

1743.  March  31,  The  town  voted  "  to  Purchis  a  Book  to 
Record  births,  marriages  and  deaths  in." 

"  Voted,  That  Whosoever  shall  Kill  a  grown  Wolfe  in 
this  town  this  year  shall  have  twenty  shillings  Paid  him  by 
the  town,  old  tennour,  and  ten  shillings  for  a  Woulfe's 
whelp." 

The  Congregational  parish,  in  consideration  of  the  dep- 


HISTORY   OF   THE    TOWN    OF    CHESTER.  95 

reciation  of  money,  Yoted  to  give  Mr.  Flagg  thirty  pounds 
old  tenor  in  addition  to  his  salary. 

"  Yoted,  That  Samuel  Emerson,  Deacon  Dearborn,  John 
Calfe,  Jacob  Sargent  and  John  Robie  shall  be  a  Comniitte 
to  sell  to  the  highest  bidder  belonging  to  this  Parish  all 
the  places  for  Pews  in  this  meeting  house,"  &c. 

"  Yoted,  that  three  windows  In  the  Galleries  Over  Each 
Door  and  the  two  long  windows  on  the  back  side  shall  be 
wholly  taken  out  and  Don  up  with  Bords  and  Chilioards. 

"  Yoted,  That  messrs.  Jacob  Sargent,  Benja.  Hills  and 
Enoch  Colby  Shall  be  a  Comniitte  to  take  Care  of,  and 
Dispose  of  all  the  old  Ledd  and  Glass  that  is  In  the  meet- 
ing house,  as  well  as  they  Can  for  the  advantage  of  the 
Parrish,  and  take  care  and  Glase  the  meeting  house  with 
new  Sashes  and  Glass ;  and  Do  any  thing  Elce  to  said 
meeting  house  that  they  shall  Judge  to  be  for  the  benefit 
and  advantage  of  the  Parish,  and  make,  Do  and  Complete 
Said  work  by  the  Last  day  of  September  next,  and  make 
return  to  the  Parish  for  their  recompence." 

The  glass  was  the  diamond  glass,  similar  in  form  to  that 
of  the  Episcopal  and  Catholic  churches  in  Manchester.  There 
was  a  wooden  sash  outside  and  lead  between  the  panes  in- 
side. It  was  now  glazed  with  square  glass.  Whether  the 
space  in  the  meeting-house  which  was  now  to  be  sold  for 
pews  was  ever  seated,  does  not  appear,  and  we  have  no 
certain  knowledge  of  how  it  was  seated.  But  in  the  new 
meeting-house  the  depth  of  two  pews  on  each  side  of  the 
broad  aisle,  from  in  front  of  the  deacons'  seat  (which  was 
in  front  of  the  pulpit)  back  half  way  to  the  front  door,  was 
seated  with  long  seats  made  of  plank  and  high  backs. 
These  were  "  common  seats."  In  1784  two  of  these  seats 
on  each  side  of  the  aisle  were  taken  out  and  the  space 
made  into  pews,  which  were  sold  for  the  purchase  of  a 
bell.  The  last  of  those  seats  were  removed  in  1820. 
Probably  the  old  house  was  seated  in  this  manner,  and  the 
gallery  too ;  the  west  end  for  men  and  the  east  end  for 
women.  April  21,  1743,  the  committee  proceeded  to  sell 
the  ground  for  seventeen  pews,  which  are  so  recorded  and 
dimensions  given  that,  with  the  aid  of  the  diagram  in  Dr. 
Bell's   history,  I   give   a   ground  plan  of  the  old   house. 


96 


HISTORY    OP   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER. 


March  28,  1753, 

"  Voted,  Tliat  the  hind  seats  upon  Each  side  of  the 
Grate  alley  that  goes  from  the  south  Dore  to  the  Pulpit 
be  taken  away,  and  that  there  shall  be  previledges  for 
Building  four  pews,  two  on  each  side  of  the  alley,"  &c. 

It  was  sold  March  28,  1754.     November  7, 1753, 

"  Voted,  that  if  any  Number  of  young  persons  in  this 
parish,  Sufishant  to  fill  any  seat  on  the  Back  Side  of  the 
seats  in  the  Galleries,  Shall  agree  to  Build  them  into  pews, 
they  shall  have  Liberty  to  do  it." 


W  CST 

DGort 


MENS 
STAIRS 


M  F  N  s 
SEAT  S 


PULPIT 


n 


7 


>- 
ui 


Ul 

< 


/7 


/6 


WOMEN S 

SEATS 

3 

4- 

10 


II 


/4 


EAST 
DOOR 


12 


WOME^S 

ST/IIRS 


A  GEOUND     PLAN    OF  THE  OLD    MEETIKG-nOUSE    AS  SEATED   IN    1754,  WHEN    THE 
GROUND  OR  THE   "SECOND  TIER"  OF   FKWS  WAS  SOLD. 


A.  Minister's  pew. 

B.  Deacons'  seat. 

1.  James  Varnum. 

2.  Francis  Towle. 

3.  Jacob  Sargent. 

4.  Winthrop  Sargent. 

5.  Henry  Hall. 

6.  Abraham  Bachelder. 

7.  John  Calfe. 

8.  Ben.  Hills. 


9.  Sylvanus  Smith. 

10.  John  Robie. 

11.  Sam.  Robie. 

12.  Peter  Dearborn. 

13.  Anthony  Towle. 

14.  Jonathan  Blunt. 

15.  Lt.  liben  Dearborn. 

16.  Samuel  Emerson. 

17.  Dea.  Eben  Dearborn. 


THE  SECOND  TIER,   SOLD  1754. 


1 .  Nathan  Webster. 

2.  Sylvanus  Smith. 


3.  Jona.  Moulton. 

4.  Sylvanus  Smith. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  97 

1744.  In  1741  an  inventory  of  the  heads  and  ratable 
estates  had  been  taken  and  sent  to  the  Secretary's  office,. 
and  a  new  proportion  of  taxes  made,  in  which  Chester  is 
called  upon  to  pay  rates  to  the  province,  and  with  our 
ideas  of  taxation  and  representation  we  might  infer  that 
Chester  should  be  represented  as  a  matter  of  right,  but 
such  were  not  the  ideas  then.  There  was  a  continual  con- 
test between  the  prerogative  of  the  crown  and  the  rights  of 
the  people.  The  crown  called  assemblies  as  a  mere  favor 
or  grace.  The  Governor,  as  the  representative  of  the 
crown,  claimed  the  right  to  send  writs  of  election  for  rep- 
resentatives to  such  towns  as  he  chose,  which,  almost  as  a 
matter  of  course,  would  be  to  such  as  he  supposed  would 
favor  the  prerogatives  of  the  crown.  A  writ  was  sent  to 
Chester  and  a  meeting  called  to  be  held  January  21,  1744, 
"  To  make  Choyce  of  a  man  to  Represent  the  said 
town  in  General  assembly."  Mr.  Benjamin  Hills  was 
chosen.  Mr.  Hills  appeared  at  Portsmouth  the  24th,  and 
I  copy  from  the  printed  journal  the  proceedings  in  the  case 
at  full  length : 

A  JOURNAL 

Of  the  House  of  Representatives,  at  a  General  Assembly  of 
His  Majesty's  Province  of  New-Hampshire  in  New  Eng- 
land ;  Begun  and  held  at  Portsmouth,  in  said  Province, 
on  Thursday  the  24^"^  Day  of  January,  Anno  Domini 
1744. 

At  Twelve  of  the  Clock  in  the  Forenoon  were  present 
in  the  Court  House  the  Representatives  of  Portsmouth, 
Hampton,  New  Castle,  Rye,  Exeter,  New  Market,  Green- 
land, Stretham  and  Newington,  in  all  14  Members  ;  Be- 
sides Five  Gentlemen  who  said  they  came  to  represent 
some  Places  that  never  sent  any  Representatives  to  this 
Court  before.  After  One  o'cl'^'',  all  the  above  members 
withdrew,  hearing  nothing  from  His  Excellency  the  Gov- 
ernour  or  Council.  At  three  of  the  Clock  met  again,  and 
were  present  at  the  same  Place  all  the  above  Representa- 
tives, and  also  the  Representatives  of  the  Towns  of  Dover, 
Durham  and  Kingston,  19  in  number. 

All  these  Members  waited  till  Five,  and  then  the  Secre- 
tary came  and  told  them  that  his  Excellency  the  Govern- 
7 


98  HISTORY   OP   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

our  sent  him  to  tell  them  that  he  had  adjonrned  the  Gen- 
eral Court  till  To-morrow,  Eleven  o'clock  ;  Tliat  the  Sheriff 
had  but  just  returned  the  Precept,  and  the  Council  were 
adjourned.  Upon  wliich  it  was  tho*  proper  to  send  Na- 
thaniel Rogers,  Esq.,  and  Major  Ebenezer  Stevens,  to  inform 
liis  Excellency  how  many  Members  had  been  waiting,  and 
how  long;  Who  returned,  and  informed  that  his  Excellency 
told  them  that  tlie  Sheriff  had  but  just  returned  the  Pre- 
cept, and  that  he  did  send  the  Secretary  to  adjourn  the 
General  Court  till  To-morrow,  Eleven  o' Clock. 

Friday,  January  25*''. 

Met  at  Eleven  o'clock,  all  but  the  Representative  of 
Durham.  Mr.  Secretary  Atkinson  came  to  the  House  and 
said,  That  his  Excellency  sent  him  to  see  if  the  House 
were  together ;  And  immediately  after  the  Hon.  Theodore 
Atkinson,  Richard  Wibird  and  Samuel  Smith,  Esqs.,  came 
down  from  the  Council  J3oard,  and  acquainted  the  House 
that  they  were  appointed  by  his  Excellency  the  Governour 
to  administer  to  the  Members  present  the  Oaths  appointed 
instead  of  the  Oaths  of  Supremacy  and  Allegiance,  and  see 
them  subscribe  the  Declaration :  Which  being  done,  they 
witiidrevv.  And  besides  the  al30ve-mentioned  Members,  the 
Oaths  were  administered  to  Col.  Benjamin  Rolfe,  of  Rum- 
ford  ;  Mr.  Henry  Saunders,  of  Methuen  and  Dracut  Dis- 
trict ;  Mr.  Joseph  Jewell,  of  South-Hampton ;  Mr.  Benja- 
min Hills,  of  Chester ;  Capt.  Nicholas  Wliite,  of  Haverhill 
District ; — Places  that  never  were  entitled  by  the  House  or 
General  Court  to  send  a  Representative  to  sit  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  this  Province.  Soon  after  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  Oaths,  &c.,  the  Secretary  came  down  and 
told  the  House  that  his  Excellency  required  the  House  to 
choose  a  Speaker,  and  present  him.  Upon  which  one  of 
the  Members  observed  that  there  were  several  Persons 
present  more  than  used  to  be  in  former  Assemblies,  viz.: 
Col.  Benjamin  Rolfe,  Mr.  Henry  Saunders,  Mr.  Joseph 
Jewell,  Mr.  Benjamin  Hills,  and  Capt.  Nicholas  White, 
from  the  above-mentioned  Places ;  Who  being  asked  how 
they  came  there,  answered,  That  the  Places  from  whence 
they  came  were  required  by  the  high  Sheriff's  Writ  to 
choose  and  send  Representatives  to  attend  and  serve  in 
this  Court;  and  that  agreeable  thereto,  they  were  chosen 
and  sent.  Whereupon  a  Motion  was  made,  and  unani- 
mously agreed,  to  send  Col.  Peter  Oilman  and  Nathaniel 
Rogers,  Esq.,  to  his  Excellency  the  Governour,  with  the 
fcllowipfi:  written  Message,  Viz, : 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF    CHESTER.  99 

3Iay  it  please  your  Excellency: — 

Tlie  House  having  received  a  verbal  Mdssage  from  your  Ex- 
celleucy,  by  Mr.  Secretary  Atkinson,  requiring  them  to  choose  a 
Speaker;  And  observing-  tliat  five  Gentlemen,  viz..  Col.  Benja- 
min Rolfe,  Capt.  Xicholas  AVhite,  Mr.  Joseph  Jewell,  Mr.  Benja- 
min Hills  and  Mr.  Henry  Saunders,  appear  among  them  as 
Members  of  the  House,  "svho,  upon  Enquiry,  are  found  to  come 
from  Ivumford,  Haverhil  District,  South  Hampton,  Chester,  and 
Methuen  and  Dracut  District, — Places  which  have  no  Power,  by 
any  Law  or  Usage  of  this  Province,  that  we  know  of,  to  send  any 
Person  to  represent  them  at  this  Court, — therefore  pray,  that  (be- 
fore they  proceed  to  the  Choice  of  a  Speaker)  your  Excellency 
would  be  pleased  to  inform  them  by  what  Means  those  Places  are 
authorized  to  send  Members  to  this  Court. 

Mr.  Secretary  Atkinson  came  down  and  said  that  he 
was  directed  by  his  Excellency  to  acquaint  the  Members 
(in  answer  to  their  Message)  That  the  Members  Enquired 
after  were  called  here  by  the  King's  "Writ,  which  was  issued 
by  the  Advice  of  the  Council.  And  soon  after  Mr.  Secre- 
tary Atkinson  came  and  told  the  House  that  his  Excellency 
had  adjourned  the  General  Court  till  four  of  the  Clock  in 
the  Afternoon. 

The  House  met  according  to  Adjournment,  and  present 
as  before.  While  they  were  preparing  another  written 
Message  to  send  to  his  Excellency,  Mr.  Secretary  and  Mr. 
Solley  came  and  told  the  House  that  his  Excellency  re- 
quired them  immediately  to  choose  a  Speaker.  But  be- 
fore they  had  Time  to  choose  a  Speaker,  or  send  the 
Message  which  was  preparing,  Mr.  Secretary  came  and 
adjourn*^  the  House  till  To-morrow,  ten  of  the  Clock. 

Saturday,  ten  o'Clock,  Jan.  26*^,  1744. 
Met  according  to  Adjournment,  and  after  some  Debate 
the  Question  was  put.  Whether  the  five  Gentlemen,  viz., 
Col.  Rolfe,  ttc,  from  Rumford,  &c.,  should  have  a  Voice  in 
the  choice  of  a  Speaker.  It  pass*^  in  the  Negative  by  a 
great  Majority,  only  two  Members  (viz.,  Greenland  and 
Newington)  voting  in  the  Affirmative,  and  two  others  not 
being  clear  did  not  vote  at  all.  Then  the  House  proceeded 
to  take  a  list  of  the  Members'  Names,  which  are  as  fol- 
lows : 

Portsmouth  —  Nathaniel  Rogers,  Esq.,  Eleazer  Russell, 
Esq.,  Mr.  Henry  Sherburne,  Jun. 

Dover  —  Thomas  Millet,  Esq.,  Capt.  John  Winget, 
Thomas  Wallingsford,  Esq. 

Hampton  Falls  —  Samuel  Palmer,  Esq.,  Mr.  Joseph 
Phillbrook,  Mr.  Meshech  Weare. 


100  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

Exeter  —  Col.  Peter  Oilman,  Mr.  Zebulon  Gideons. 

New  Castle  —  William  Frost,  Esq. 

Kinj^ston  —  Maj.  Ebenezer  Stevens. 

Strathara  —  Moses  Leavitt,  Esq. 

Newington  —  George  Walton,  Esq. 

Rye  —  Mr.  Jonathan  Lock. 

Greenland  —  Clement  March,  Esq. 

Durham  —  Capt.  Jonathan  Thompson. 

Newmarket  —  Capt,  Israel  Gillman. 

The  Honse  proceeded  to  bring  in  their  Yotcs  for  a 
Speaker,  which  being  examin''  it  appear''  that  the  Hon. 
Nathaniel  Rogers,  Esq.,  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the  House 
by  a  Majority  of  Votes,  and  was  accordingly  conducted  to 
the  Chair. 

Then  the  House  proceeded  to  make  choice  of  a  Clerk,  and 
Mr.  Henry  Sherburne  was  chosen,  Nemine  Contradicente, 
to  be  Clerk  of  this  House,  till  another  should  be  chosen 
and  sworn  in  his  Room.  And  the  Oath  proper  to  said 
Office  was  administered  to  him  by  Ebenezer  Stevens,  Esq. 

Voted,  That  Major  Ebenezer  Stevens,  Col.  Peter  Gill- 
man,  Capt.  John  Wingett,  and  Mr.  Henry  Sherburne,  jun., 
be  a  Committee  to  wait  on  his  Excellency,  and  inform  him 
that  the  House  had  made  choice  of  Nathanael  Rogers,  Esq., 
to  be  their  Speaker,  which  Message  they  delivered ;  And 
Mr.  Secretary  Atkinson  and  Richard  Wibird,  Esq.,  came 
down  and  told  the  House  that  his  Excellency  sent  them  to 
enquire  Whether  all  the  ]\Iembers  that  were  qualified  voted 
in  the  Choice  of  a  Speaker.      Upon  which 

Voted,  That  William  Frost,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Henry  Sher- 
burne, jun.,  go  up  with  the  following  Message  to  his  Excel- 
lency, viz. : 

» 

May  it  please  your  Excellency:  — 

In  answer  to  your  Excellency's  Message  by  Mr.  Secretary  and 
Mr.  Wibird,  all  the  Members  which  represent  the  Towns  and 
Parishes  which  heretofore  used  to  send  Representatives  to  sit  in 
the  General  Assembly  of  this  Province  voted  in  the  choice  of  a 
Speaker,  and  none  other. 

Mr.  Secretary  and  Mr.  Wibird  soon  came  down  with 
the  following  Message : 

Before  his  Excellency  can  approve  or  disapprove  of  the  choice 
of  a  Speaker,  he  desires  to  know  why  those  members  were  ex- 
cluded from  a  Vote  in  the  Choice  of  a  Speaker. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  101 

The  House  immediately  sent  up  Mr.  Sherburne  and 
Mr.  Gideons,  with  the  following  verbal  Answer : 

If  your  Excellency  means,  in  your  Message  by  Mr.  Secretary 
and  Mr.  Wibird,  the  Persons  which  told  llie  House  they  came  from 
Eumford,  Haverhill  District,  Methuen  and  Dracut  District,  South 
Hampton  and  Chester,  the  Keason  why  they  were  excluded  in  the 
choice  of  a  Speaker  was  because  the  House  do  not  know  any  Law 
or  Usage  of  this  Province  by  which  those  Places  are  entitled  to 
the  Privilege  of  sending  Members  to  represent  them  in  this  Court. 

Mr.  Secretary  Atkinson  came  down  with  the  following 
Message  from  his  Excellency  : 

His  Excellency  sent  me  to  acquaint  the  House  that  the  Members 
were  called  in  by  the  King's  Writ,  agreeable  to  former  Practice; 
That  his  Excellency  knows  of  no  other  Avay ;  That  if  the  House 
knew  of  any  other  Precedent  of  their  being  called  in  any  other 
way,  his  Excellency  desired  they  would  acquaint  him,  that  the 
public  business  may  not  be  hindered. 

Upon  which  the  following  Message  was  immediately 
voted,  and  sent  up  by  Mr.  Sherburne  and  Mr.  Wingett. 

3Iay  it  please  your  Excellency :  — 

The  House  in  the  short  Time  they  had  to  search,  find  upon 
their  llecords,  in  the  Year  171-1,  a  Vote,  entitleing  the  Town  of 
Kingston  to  send  a  Member  to  sit  in  this  Court.  In  the  Year 
172G,  a  Vote,  that  a  Precept  should  go  to  the  Town  of  New-Castle 
requiring  them  to  choose  a  Representative  for  Rye.  In  the  Year 
1732,  '3,  a  Petition  from  the  Parish  of  Greenland,  praying  the 
Privilege  of  having  a  Representative,  which  was  granted.  By  all 
which  it  appears  to  the  House,  that  no  Town  or  Parish  (not  be- 
fore priviledgcd)  ought  to  have  a  Writ  sent  them  to  choose  a  Rep- 
resentative, without  a  Vote  of  tliis  House,  or  Act  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

Yoted,  That  Capt.  Israel  Gillman,  Mr.  Meshech  Weare 
and  Mr.  Jonathan  Lock  be  a  Committee  to  go  to  Mr.  James 
Jaffery,  the  late  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  demand  of  him  all  the  Books,  Records  and  Files  that 
belong  to  this  House,  and  bring  them  directly  to  this 
House. 

Mr.  Secretary  Atkinson  came  down  and  told  the  House 
that  his  Excellency  had  adjourned  the  General  Court  to 
Monday  next  twelve  of  the  Clock ;  That  his  Excellency 
will  furnish  himself  with  Precedents,  and  desires  the 
House  will  do  the  same. 

Monday,  Jan.  28"^  1744. 

Some  of  the  Members  being  present,  Richard  Wibird, 
Esq.,  came  to  the  House,  and  by  Order  of  the  Governor, 
adjourn'd  the  General  Court  to  four  of  the  Clock  in  the 
Afternoon. 


102  HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

Four  o'clock.  Met  according  to  adjournment ;  And 
Richard  Wibird,  Esq.,  came  into  the  House,  and  said 
'Twas  his  Excellency's  Order  that  the  General  Court  should 
be  adjourned  'till  To-Morrow  half  an  Hour  past  Ten. 

Tuesday,  Jan.  29*^  1744. 

Met  according  to  Adjournment.  Present,  all  but  Mr. 
Stevens.  And  sent  up  Mr.  Weare  and  Mr.  Gideons  to 
inform  his  Excellency  that  there  was  a  House. 

Mr.  Wibird  came  down  and  told  the  House  That  his 
Excellency  desired  to  know  if  there  was  any  Law  of  the 
Province  supporting  the  setting  aside  any  ^Members,  called 
in  by  the  King's  Write,  from  voting  in  the  Choice  of  a 
Sj^eaker. 

The  House  immediately  sent  up  the  following  Message 
by  Clement  March,  Esq.,  and  William  Frost,  Esq.  : 

May  it  please  your  Excellency :  — 

On  your  Excelloiicy's  desirint?  us  to  produce  some  Precedents 
of  the  Kiyht's  being  in  tiie  House  or  General  Court,  to  grant  the 
Privilege  to  any  Towns  or  Parishes  of  sending  Ilepresentatives  to 
sit  ill  the  General  Assembly,  we  Informed  your  P^xcellency  that 
we  found  in  tlie  llccords  of  the  House,  that  in  the  year  1714:  a  Vote 
was  passed  in  tiio  House,  entitleing  the  Town  of  Kingston  to  the 
Privilege  of  sending  a  Member  to  sit  in  this  Court;  In  the  Year 
1726,  a  Vote  that  a  l^recept  siiould  go  to  the  Town  of  New-Castle, 
to  choose  a  lleprcsentative  for  Kye ;  In  tlie  Year  1732,  a  Petition 
froni  the  Parish  of  Greenland,  praying  the  Privilege  of  having  a 
Representative,  which  was  granted.  Since  wliich,  on  further  Ex- 
amination, we  tind.  that  in  the  Year  1725  a  Vote  was  passed  and 
concurred  above,  desiring  his  Honour  the  Governour  to  send  a 
Precept  to  Londonderry,  requiring  tliem  to  seud  a  Pei'son  duly 
qualilied  to  represent  them  in  this  Court. 

And  for  further  Instances  of  the  Power's  being  in  the  General 
Assembly,  we  would  refer  your  Excellency  to  several  Acts  in  the 
Secretary's  Office,  by  wliicli  Xew-Market  and  Durham  were  en- 
titled to  the  Privilege  of  sending  Members  to  sit  in  the  General 
Assembly;  and  also  to  the  Acts  by  which  Brentwood,  Epping, 
&c..  were  incorporated  into  Parishes,  which  plainly  infer  the 
Right  to  be  in  the  General  Court. 

And  therefore,  that  such  as  are  called  in  from  Places  that  are 
not  privileged  by  the  General  Court,  ought  not  to  vote  in  this 
House  in  the  Choice  of  a  Speaker.  But  the  House  ought  to  ex- 
clude them  as  much  as  if  they  came  from  another  Province. 

Soon  after  this  IVIr.  Wibird  and  Col.  Downing  came  to 
the  House  and  read  the  following  Message  from  his  Excel- 
lency, and  carried  the  Paper  they  read  it  out  of  away 
again,  viz.: 

In  the  present  Situation  of  AfRiirs  in  Respect  to  the  ^Yar,  his 
Excellency  thinks  it  for  His  Majesty's  immediate  Service  not  to 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  103 

enter  further  into  the  Dispute  with  the  Members  called  by  the 
King's  Writ,  and  qualified  as  the  King  commands,  touching  tlie 
rejecting  the  Votes  of  several  Members  in  the  choice  of  a  Speaker, 
which  he  esteems  invading  the  Prerogative  of  the  Crown,  and 
tlierefore  submits  it  till  his  Majesty's  Pleasure  shall  be  known 
thereon. 

His  Excellency  therefore,  that  no  further  Delay  in  the  Publick 
Affairs  may  happen,  approves  of  the  choice  of  Nathanael  Rogers, 
Esq.,  for  their  Speaker,  and  Commands  the  Attendance  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  in  the  Council  Chamber. 

The  territory  which  was  claimed  by  Haverhill  and  Ames- 
bury,  which  was  north  of  the  province  line,  as  run  and 
settled  in  1741,  was  called  the  "  Haverhill  district,"  and 
included  Hampstead,  Atkinson,  Plaistow  and  Newton. 
That  taken  from  Methuen  and  Dracut  was  called  the  "  Me- 
thuen  and  Dracut  district,"  and  included  Salem  and  Pel- 
ham.  Rumford  was  old  Pennacook,  modern  Concord  and 
Bow. 

The  Governor  laid  the  case  before  the  King  and  received 
the  following  instructions  : 

BY    THE   LORDS   JUSTICES. 

Gower,  P.  S.  Additional  instruction  to  Benning  Went- 

Bedford,  worth,  Esq.,  his    majesty's    governor    and 

^Montagu,  commander  in  chief,  in  and  over  the  prov- 

Pembroke.  ince  of  New-Hampshire,  in  New  England 

in  America,  or  to  the  commander  in  chief 
of  the  said  province  for  the  time  being. 
[Seal]  Given   at   Whitehall,   the    30th   day   of 

June,  1748,  in  the  22d  year  of  his  maj- 
esty's reign. 

"Whereas  it  hath  been  represented  to  his  majesty.  That 
you,  having  in  his  majesty's  name,  and  by  virtue  of  your 
commission,  issued  a  writ  to  the  sheriff  of  the  province 
under  your  government,  commanding  him  to  make  out 
precepts,  directed  to  the  selectmen  of  certain  towns,  par- 
ishes and  districts  therein  mentioned,  for  the  election  of  lit 
persons  qualified  in  law  to  represent  them  in  the  general 
assembly,  appointed  to  be  held  at  Portsmouth,  within  the 
said  province,  on  the  24th  day  of  January,  1744-5  ;  by 
which  writ  the  towns  of  South  Hampton  and  Chester,  and 
the  districts  of  Haverhill,  and  of  Methuen  and  Dracut,  and 
the  district  of  Rumford,  were  impowered  to  choose  repre- 


104  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 

sentatives  as  aforesaid ;  the  said  general  assembly  did 
refuse  to  admit  the  persons  duly  elected  to  represent  the 
said  towns  and  districts  to  sit  and  vote  in  the  choice  of 
speaker :  And  whereas  the  right  of  sending  representa- 
tives to  the  said  assembly  was  founded  originally  on  the 
commissions  and  instructions  given  by  the  crown  to  the 
respective  governors  of  the  province  of  Xew-Hampshire, 
and  his  majesty  may  therefore  lawfully  extend  the  priv- 
ilege of  sending  representatives  to  such  new  towns  as  his 
majesty  shall  judge  worthy  thereof : 

It  is  therefore  his  majesty's  will  and  pleasure,  and  you 
are  hereby  directed  and  required  to  dissolve  the  assembly 
of  the  province  under  your  government  as  soon  as  conven- 
iently may  be,  and  when  another  is  called,  to  issue  his 
majesty's  writ  to  the  sheriff  of  the  said  province,  command- 
ing him  to  make  out  precepts  directed  to  the  selectmen  of 
the  towns  of  South-Hampton  and  Chester,  the  districts  of 
Haverhill  and  of  Methuen  and  Dracut,  and  the  district  of 
Rumford,  re(piiring  them  to  cause  the  freeholders  of  the 
said  towns  and  districts  to  assemble  to  elect  fit  persons  to 
represent  the  said  towns  and  districts  in  general  assembly, 
in  manner  following,  viz. :  One  for  the  town  of  South- 
Hampton,  one  for  the  town  of  Chester,  one  for  the  district 
of  Haverhill,  one  for  the  district  of  Methuen  and  Dracut, 
and  one  for  the  district  of  Ilumford :  AND  it  is  his  maj- 
esty's further  will  and  pleasure,  that  you  do  sujtport  the 
rights  of  such  representative,  when  chose  ;  and  that  you  do 
likewise  signify  his  majesty's  pleasure  herein  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  said  general  assembly.  [Douglass'  Summary, 
Vol.  2,  p.  35.] 

1745.  The  town  was  this  year  divided  into  school  dis- 
tricts.    (See  History  of  Schools  and  School-houses.) 

"  Voted,  that  the  town's  stock  of  ammunition  shall  be 
Kept  and  taken  Care  of  by  Messrs.  Jonathan  Blunt,  John 
Eobie  and  William  Tolford  as  a  Committe." 

1746.  At  the  annual  town  meeting  March  27, 

"  Put  to  Vote  whether  to  Petition  for  an  assembly  man  ; 
Past  in  the  Negative." 

'•  Put  to  Vote  whether  to  set  off  a  parish  in  that  part  of 
the  town  Called  Harrytown  ;  past  in  the  negative." 

Tlie  ungranted  land  between  Chester  and  the  river  above 
Londonderry  was  called  Harrytown. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER.  105 

Rev.  Mr.  Flagg  receipts  for  <£240  pounds,  old  tenor,  in 
full  for  bis  salary. 

1747.  At  the  annual  town  meeting,  March  26, 

"  V^oted,  that  the  whole  of  this  meeting  shall  be  Carrjed 
on  by  hand  vote." 

The    Congregationalists    voted    Mr.    Flagg    twenty-five 

pounds,  old  tenor,  to  purchase  firewood,  giving  every  person 

the  privilege   of   paying   his  part  in  wood  at  twenty-five 

shillings  a  cord,  if  delivered  in  season.     The  Presbyterians 

voted  one  hundred  and  forty  pounds  to  Mr.  Wilson  ;  "  also 

To  build  a  Session  house  18  feet  in  length,  16  feet  in  width 

and  7  feet  post,"  and  chose  John  Moor  and  John  Aiken 

a   committee  "to   see  what  way  will  be  most  proj^er  to 

build  it." 

"  Voted  y*  the  people  at  the  long  meadows  is  not  to  have 
any  sermon  up  ther  till  furder  orders." 

By  an  act  passed  in  1701  a  penalty  was  inflicted  for  pro- 
fane swearing,  of  sitting  in  the  stocks  not  exceeding  two 
hours,  and  for  a  second  offence  not  exceeding  three  hours  ; 
for  drunkenness  to  sit  in  the  stocks  three  hours.  Theft 
might  in  some  cases  be  punished  by  whipping,  not  exceeding 
twenty  stripes.  The  stocks  and  whipping  were  legal  pen- 
alties, by  an  act  passed  in  1791,  and  in  force  in  1815.  So 
the  stocks  and  whipping-post  were  a  part  of  the  police  of 
the  town,  and  would  naturally  be  erected  near  the  meeting- 
house. In  the  selectmen's  account  for  1747  is,  "  Paid  unto 
^Yilliam  Turner,  for  making  the  stocks,  £3  00  0."  The 
guide-post  at  the  Centre  has,  within  my  recollection,  had 
staples  and  rings  in  it  as  a  whipping-post. 

1748.  A  leaf  is  lost  from  the  town  records,  containing 
the  warrant  and  a  part  of  the  proceedings  of  the  annual 
meeting. 

"  Relating  to  the  third  artikell  In  the  warning  of  Said 
meeting.  Put  to  Vote  whether  to  Set  of  [off]  a  Parish  at  the 
Southwest  Corner  of  the  town,  agreeable  to  Petition,  or 
not ;  past  In  the  "  [not  said  how,  but  probably  in  the  neg- 
ative] . 


106  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER. 

They  voted  not  to  petition  for  the  privilege  to  send  a 
representative. 

"Voted,  That  Capt,  John  Tolford  and  Capt.  Thomas 
"Wells  be  Impowered  to  Prefer  a  Petition  to  the  Governor 
and  Conncil,  In  order  to  Stop  and  Save  any  men  from  be- 
ing Sent  out  of  town  Into  the  Service  ;  and  further,  when 
their  may  be  a  Convenient  opportunity  Regularly  to  Pro- 
ceed, to  have  a  Suitable  number  of  men  Put  and  kept  in  the 
Service  In  our  own  town." 

There  seems  to  have  been  more  fear  of  the  Indians  this 
year  than  in  any  other.  There  were  several  garrisons  kept 
in  town.  The  house  now  occupied  by  Benjamin  Hills  still 
has  the  port-holes  through  the  boarding.  Lieut.  Thomas 
Smith's,  Maj.  Tolford's,  Abel  Morse's  and  others,  tradition 
says,  were  used  for  that  purpose.  Mr.  John  Butterfield 
said  that  they  used  to  go  from  there  (the  Lane  district)  to 
town  to  garrison.  The  old  Gault  house  in  Hooksett  was  a 
garrison.  There  was  a  man  killed  by  the  Indians  near 
Head's  mill  in  Hooksett  this  year. 

The  three  following  petitions  to  the  captains  of  Chester 
were  from  different  parts  of  the  town,  and  accompanied  the 
petition  of  Messrs.  Tolford  and  Wells  to  the  General  As- 
sembly : 

To  the  Jionorahle  Captins  of  Chester,  Greeting :  — 

Whereas  there  is  a  Considerable  number  of  families 
scattered  in  the  wilderness  in  the  oiit  skirts  of  Chester, 
some  lives  four  miles  and  a  half,  some  three  and  a  half; 
We  are  so  scattered  that  we  think  we  are  very  unfit  to  live 
as  we  dund,  nevertheless  we  would  be  willing  to  imatat 
something  of  the  spirit  of  the  people  of  zeljulan  an  napt- 
lem  who  joperded  there  lives  on  the  high  place  of  the  field; 
and  whereas  we  have  a  velue  for  our  loss  liberties,  we  Earn- 
estly beg  that  your  honours  would  look  upon  us  in  our  Dis- 
tress, and  help  with  some  suldiars,  a  sertain  number ;  we 
are  not  willing  to  arm,  yourselfs  Knowing  our  surcum- 
stances  and  how  it  is  with  us.  believes  you  will  help  us 
this  way  now,  then  we  with  prudence  could  arm,  and  in 
so  doing   your  poor   fellows   will   ever  pray,    if  no  help 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  107 

comes  wc  must  leve  our  houses  and  horns  and  go  lik  scat- 
tered sheep. 

James  Basford,  Jonas  Clay, 

David  McChier,  John  Clay, 

Joshua  Prescott,  David  McClure, 

Jabcz  French,  Jacob  Basford. 

To  the  honorable  Capts.  of  Chester,  greeting  :  — 

Whereas  we  y*"  subscribers  live  remote  from  the  town, 
and  for  some  years  past  have  been  obliged  to  leave  our 
places  for  want  of  a  sufficient  number  of  men  to  Keep  a 
garrison,  which  has  been  greatly  to  our  damage,  and  we 
being  desirous  to  live  here  if  we  can  have  three  or  four 
men  to  help  surport  a  garrison.  We  remain  yours ^  to 
serve. 

Thomas  Carly,  Philip  Grifen, 

Zachariah  Butterfield,  AUet  Bery,     [Berry] 

Stephen  Webster,  Joshua  Hall. 

Alerson  [Aaron]  Butterfield, 

To  the  Captins  of  Chester  :  — 

we  the  subscribers  earnestly  Request  your  aid  and  as- 
sistance in  petitioning  the  General  Court  for  some  help, 
yoursclfs  knowing  how  we  are  Scattered  and  how  far  a 
Distance  from  the  Meeting  House,  some  7,  some  8,  some  9 
miles  from  it.     Gentlemen,  we  are  your  humble  servants, 

William  Allet,  William  McClinto, 

Walter  McFarlan,  Nathneal  Boyd, 

William  Gimel,  [Gambel,]     Micheal  McClinto. 

To  his  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth,  Esq.,  Captain 
General,  Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief  in  and 
over  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire ;  the  Honorable 
his  Majesty's  Council  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  assembly  convened,  the  Tenth  day  of  May, 
1748: 

The  petition  of  John  Tolford  and  Thomas  Wells  of 
Chester,  in  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire,  in  behalf  of 
the  inhabitants  of  s'^  Chester,  most  humbly  shews,  that  the 
s*^  town  of  Chester  exposed  to  the  Indian  Enemy,  and  find- 
ing of  the  Dwelling  houses  in  s'^  Town  so  exposed  that  un- 
less there  be  more  men  to  defend  them  than  the  Town 
itself  can  afford  they  will  unavoidably  be  obliged  to  leave 
them  and  their  lands  also  ;  that  thereby  the  Enemy  will 


108  HISTORY   OP   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 

gain  an  advantage  and  the  Frontier  be  bro't  nearer  the 
Center ;  That  Sundry  Persons  who  live  in  the  out  Skirts 
of  said  Town  have  prey'd  for  help,  as  by  their  respective 
Petitions  hereunto  annexed  and  herewith  presented  may 
more  fully  appear.  Wherefore  your  Petitioners  most  hum- 
bly pray  Your  Excellency  and  Honors  to  allow  such  a  num- 
ber of  men  for  the  Defence  and  protection  of  s''  Town  as 
in  your  great  wisdom  shall  be  tlio't  reasonable. 

John  Tolford, 
Tho«  Wells. 

In  Council  May  11,  1748,  read  and  sent  Down  to  the 
Hon"*"  House. 

The°  Atkinson,  Secretary. 

It  does  not  appear  that  any  soldiers  were  granted. 

The  Presbyterians  "  Voted,  two  hundred  pounds  old 
tenor  of  yearly  Celery  to  y*^  Revt.  nir.  John  wilson  as  long 
as  lie  Dispenses  y*^  Duty  of  a  presbyterian  minister  amongst 
us."  The  money  used  was  bills  of  credit  issued  by  the 
province,  and  it  depreciated  in  value,  hence  there  is  in  both 
parishes  a  continual  fixing  of  the  minister's  salary.  June 
29,  they 

"  Voted,  that  y''  Long  meadow  people  shall  have  their 
proportionable  share  of  tKe  Gospel  according  to  their  pay- 
ment. 

"  Voted,  y*  the  preaching  is  to  Be  held  at  andrew  Crags 
howes.  [Andrew  Craig  lived  at  what  was  the  Presbyte- 
rian parsonage,  where  John  Ray  now  lives.] 

"  Voted  that  their  meting  howes  is  to  be  Builded  at  y*^ 
Crotch  of  the  Road  between  andrew  mcfarlands  <fe  peney 
Cooke  Road  on  peney  Cooke  Road.  [Where  the  Congiega- 
tional  house  now  stands  ;  but  it  was  built  where  tlie  Rev. 
Mr.  Holmes'  house  stands,  the  opposite  side  of  the  main 
road.] 

"  Ther  was  a  vot  tried  if  the  parish  would  refund  the 
money  y*  the  long  meadow  pepole  laid  out  to  Build  this 
meeting  howes,  But  y*^  vote  did  not  Cary. 

"  Lift.  Thomas  Craig,  John  Shirla,  wilam  Gilcrist,  Each 
of  them  Enters  their  protests  against  mr.  wilsons  preach- 
ing up  at  the  long  meadow,  likewise  against  settling  two 
hundred  pounds  Celery  to  the  rever*  mr.  John  wilson; 
likewise  adem  dickey  Enters  his  protest  against  mr.  wil- 
sons going  up  to  the  long  meadow  to  preach  ther." 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  109 

The  Presbyterians  who  then  lived  at  the  Long  Meadow 
had  helped  build  the  Presbyterian  meeting-house,  and  had 
thus  far  gone  there  to  meeting;  but  now  that  they  were  to 
have  preaching  a  part  of  the  time,  and  were  about  to  build 
a  new  meeting-house,  they  wanted  their  money  refunded. 

"  The  Little  Meeting  House,"  as  it  was  called,  was  prob- 
ably built  by  subscription,  as  there  is  no  mention  of  build- 
ing it  on  the  records.  The  first  that  there  is  any  intimation 
that  there  is  one  is  in  a  warning  for  a  meeting,  February, 
1754,  at  their  "  first  meeting  house." 

1749.  A  town  meeting  was  called,  to  be  holden  January 
2d,  "  in  obedience  to  a  precept  Directed  to  us  by  the 
Sheriff  of  Said  Province,  to  elect  and  choose  one  man  to 
represent  this  town  in  General  Assembly."  Capt.  Abel 
Morse  was  chosen.  The  House  had  not  ordered  the  writ 
issued,  but  the  Governor,  as  before. 

"  Capt.  John  Tolford  and  Matthew  Forsaith  Desents 
against  the  Elegallness  of  this  meeting."  But  Mr.  Morse 
was  promptly  at  his  post,  for  in  the  House,  January  4,  a 
"  Message  from  His  Excellency  to  enquire  whether  all  the 
members  that  were  returned  had  taken  the  oath,  particu- 
larly Abel  Morse,  of  Chester." 

The  Governor  disapproved  of  the  choice  of  a  Speaker, 
and  the  question  arose  whether  Mr.  Morse  should  vote. 

Jan.  17th,  the  Governor  directs  that  the  members  from 
the  new  towns  have  a  vote.  Mr.  Morse  had  his  seat. 
Chester  had  been  taxed  some  five  years,  and  not  repre- 
sented. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  March  30, 

"  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen,  or  major  part  of  them, 
shall  be  a  Committee  to  Sell  off  from  all  the  ten  Rod  High- 
ways at  any  time,  near  the  old  meeting  house,  as  they  shall 
think  fit  and  Proper,  without  Infringing  any  nearer  Said 
house  than  the  fences  now  stand  and  are  already  made, 
nor  to  make  Said  Highway  Less  than  five  Rods  wide ;  and 
so  purches  a  Burying  place  from  mr.  Jonathan  Blunt  for 
Said  town,  and  to  build  a  Pound." 


110  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

There  had  been  several  attempts  to  exchange  land  with 
Mr.  Blunt,  but  without  success.  But  now  they  sell  the  land 
and  purchase  a  burjing-place.  At  the  annual  meeting, 
March,  1751, 

"  Voted,  that  mcssrs.  Jonathan  Blunt,  John  Robie,  and 
Capt.  Abel  morss,  Shall  be  a  Committee  to  fence  the 
Burying  place  with  Bords  as  they  Shall  Judg  Suitable  and 
Hansom." 

Mr.  Flagg  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  three  hundred 
fifty-live  pounds,  old  tenor,  in  full  of  salary  and  wood. 

John  Mills,  Arcliibald  Dunlap  and  William  Kilchrist, 
former  collectors  of  the  Presbyterian  parish,  were  in  ar- 
rears, and  a  committee  was  chosen  to  look  them  up,  and 
"  jDroceed  according  to  law." 

"  Voted,  that  the  present  wardens  is  to  rais  as  much 
money  as  they  see  needful  to  defray  law  charges." 

Jolni  McMurphy  lived  in  Londonderry,  but  was  a  pro- 
prietor in  Chester,  and  a  large  landholder.  He  signed  the 
Presbyterian  petition  in  1737,  as  being  aggrieved  in  being 
taxed  for  the  support  of  Mr.  Flagg.  The  Presbyterians 
taxed  him  for  the  support  of  Mr.  Wilson. 

Mr.  McMurphy  complained  to  the  Court  of  Sessions  by 
petition,  saying  that  he  lived  in  Londonderry,  and  ought 
not  to  be  taxed  in  Chester.  Entered  September  term, 
1746.  xVn  order  of  notice  was  served  on  the  selectmen  of 
Chester,  wdio  not  being  parties,  the  Presbyterian  parish 
was  notified.  The  case  was  heard,  September,  1748,  and  a 
verdict  given  for  the  parish.  Tlie  complainant  appealed, 
and  the  judgment  in  the  court  below  was  reversed,  and  there- 
fore Mr.  McMurphy  was  released  from  taxation. 

1750.  In  the  warning  for  the  annual  town  meeting, 
March  29,  is  an  article,  "  To  see  if  the  town  will  appoint, 
Chuse  and  Impower  a  Committee  to  Sue,  Receive  and  Re- 
cover of  the  Last  year's  Selectmen  the  town  Booke  Called 
the  Selectmen's  Booke  ;  and  also  what  money  they  have 
which  belongs  to  said  town  of  Chester :  To  prosecute  them 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  lit 

to   final   Judgment   and    Execution."     Put  to   Tote,   and 
passed  in  the  negative.     Tlie  book  is  lost. 

The  Congregationalists  voted  Mr.  Flagg  twenty  cords  of 
wood  yearly  during  the  whole  of  his  ministry,  or  money 
equivalent. 

1751.  In  the  warning  for  the  annual  town  meeting, 
March  28th,  is  an  article,  "  To  see  if  the  town  will  vote 
that  a  Certain  parcel  of  Land  Laying  at  the  south  west 
corner  of  the  town,  Containing  four  miles  and  a  half  in 
length  and  about  two  miles  and  three  Quarters  in  wedth, 
beginning  at  the  South  East  corner  of  the  lol"'  Lott  in 
the  fourth  Division,  and  Running  north  four  miles  and  a 
half  to  the  north  East  corner  of  the  71''  Lott  in  Said 
Division,  then  went  north  west  to  the  head  Line  of  the 
town, — may  be  adjoined  to  a  part  of  Londonderry  and  the 
Lands  about  ammoskeag  not  Incorporated  into  a  parrish,  or 
otherwise  as  the  town  shall  then  think  and  Judge  Best." 

"  Relating  to  the  Second  artikell  in  the  warning, 
"  Voted,  that  the  Land  may  be  Set  off  as  a  parrish  upon 
the  following  Conditions  (viz.)  :  That  any  Person  that  has 
any  Land  fall  within  Said  Tract  never  pay  any  Taxes  for 
the  same  until  they  make  Settlement  upon  the  Same  ;  and 
that  this  Vote  shall  be  of  none  Effect  unless  they  obtain  a 
Grant  of  the  Governor  and  Council  to  be  Incorporated  into 
a  Parrish,  taking  in  Land  not  Incorporated  into  a  township 
by  amoskeeg  and  part  of  Londonderry,  as  is  Set  forth  in  a 
jDlan  presented  in  meeting  this  day. 

"  Capt.  John  Tolford,  Archibald  Dunlap,  William  Craw- 
ford, Robert  Wilson,  Decents  against  the  foregoing  Vote, 
because  it  Cutts  of  part  of  the  Parrish  alredy  set  of  by  the 
General  Court,  and  further  Cutts  them  of  from  a  Priveledge 
to  their  own  land." 

The  territory  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  General 
Assembly,  September  3,  1751,  into  a  township  by  the  name 
of  Derryfield.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  following  bounda- 
ries do  not  correspond  with  the  vote  of  the  town : 

"  Beginning  at  a  Pitch  Pine  Tree  Standing  upon  the 
own  line  between  Chester  and  Londonderry,  marked  (134), 
being  the   bound  of  one  of  the  Sixty  acre  Lotts  in  said 


112  HISTOEY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER. 

Chester,  being  the  South  East  corner  of  said  Lott ;  Thence 
running  South  into  the  Township  of  Londonderry  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  rods  to  a  stake  and  stones  ;  thence  run- 
ning West  to  Londonderry  North  &  South  Line ;  thence 
running  upon  Landonderry  Line  to  the  head  line  of  Litch- 
field to  a  stake  &  stones  ;  thence  running  upon  the  head  line 
of  Litchfield  to  the  Bank  of  mcrrimack  river ;  thence  run- 
ning up  said  river  as  the  river  runs  Eight  miles  to  a  stake 
&  stones  Standing  upon  the  Bank  of  the  said  river ;  thence 
running  East  South  East  one  mile  and  three  Quarters 
through  Land  not  Granted  to  any  Town  untill  it  comes  to 
Chester  Line ;  thence  running  Two  miles  and  a  half  and 
fifty  Two  Rods  on  the  Same  Course  into  the  township  of 
Chester  to  a  Stake  &  Stones ;  thence  running  South  four 
miles  &  a  half  to  tlie  bound  first  mentioned." 

There  is  a  tract  between  Chester  line  and  the  river,  ex- 
tending above  this  tract  to  Martin's  Ferry,  since  annexed 
to  Dcrryfield. 

John  McMurphy  was  to  call  the  first  meeting,  which  was 
done,  and  held  at  the  house  of  John  Hall,  September  23, 
1751.  John  Hall  was  one  of  the  most  active  men  in  town ; 
■was  paid  £251,  old  tenor,  for  time  and  expenses  in  procur- 
ing the  charter.  He  was  the  first  town  clerk,  and  his  rec- 
ords are  a  literary  curiosity,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  return 
of  some  roads  in  this  work.     Also 

"  Voted,  to  Rase  24  pounds,  old  tenor,  to  be^  rased  to 
paye  fore  Preeching  for  this  present  year." 

The  members  of  the  Presbyterian  parish  lived  from  Wal- 
nut hill  to  Dea.  William  Leatch's  and  John  Orr's  at  Massa- 
besic  pond,  a  distance  of  nine  miles.  They  had  voted  in 
1747  to  have  Mr.  Wilson  preach  at  the  "Long  Meadow,"  a 
part  of  the  time  ;  but  there  seems  to  have  been  some  uneasi- 
ness, and  an  effort  was  made  to  move  the  meeting-house  to 
a  more  central  location.  At  the  annual  meeting  March  12, 
1751, 

"  Voted,  Capt.  John  Tolford,  Hugh  Cromey,  Thomas 
Crag,  William  Leatch  &  James  Quenton  a  Comite  to  Ex- 
amin  and  try  to  find  out  a  Convenient  place  to  move  the 
meeting  house  to." 

At  a  meeting  June  27th, 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  113 

"  Yoted,  y"  meeting  howes  is  to  be  moved  to  a  proper 
senter. 

"Yoted,  no  money  to  be  Raised  to  move  the  meeting 
howes. 

"  Yoted,  the  proprietors  is  not  willing  to  give  np  their 
Rights  of  the  meeting  hows,  Because  tliose  that  has  Lately 
Come  into  the  parish  is  not  willing  to  give  any  more 
towards  y®  moving  of  said  meeting  house  than  those  that 
Build  it. 

"  Yoted,  mr,  Wilson  is  not  to  preach  any  more  at  y*=  long 
meadow. 

"  Yoted,  No  Comitte  Chosen. 

"  Yoted,  The  parish  Except  of  the  Comitte's  report  for 
the  senter  Between  Capt.  John  Tolford  &  Wilam  Leatch's 
for  to  set  the  meeting  howes." 

1752.  It  appears  that  the  small  pox  was  in  town  this 
year. 

"  It  was  voted  to  pay  £5  5s.  old  tenor  for  taking  care  of 
Thomas  Grear's  family." 

1753.  The  Congregational  parish  March  28,  1753, 

"  Yoted,  That  the  hind  Seat  upon  Each  Side  of  the 
Grate  alley  that  goes  from  the  South  Dore  to  the  Pulpit 
Shall  be  taken  away,  and  that  thair  Shall  be  preveledges 
for  Building  four  Pues,  two  upon  Each  Side  of  Said  alley. 
Each  Pue  Shall  be  four  feet  and  Eight  Inches  wide  and  as 
Long  as  halfe  the  Seat ;  the  Platfornie  for  Said  Pues  Shall 
be  but  eight  Inches  high  from  the  meeting  house  flore. 

"  Yoted,  Capt.  abel  morss,  John  Robie,  nathan  webster. 
Shall  be  a  Committee  to  Sell  to  the  highest  Bider  Belong- 
ing to  Said  Parish  the  Preveledges  that  was  voted  for 
Bulding  four  Pues  in  the  old  meeting  house,  and  that  the 
vandugh  Shall  be  on  the  fust  wensday  in  april  next,  at 
three  of  the  clock  in  the  afternoon,  at  the  old  meting 
house." 

November,  1753, 

"  Yoted,  That  the  money  that  the  'Last  (pewes)  was 
Sold  for  Shall  be  put  to  the  parish  youse  to  Defray  charges 
this  present  year. 

"  Yoted,  That  if  any  Number  of  young  persons  in  this 
parish  Sufichant  to  fill  any  Seat  on  the  Back  Side  of  the 
Seats  in  the  Galleries  Shall  agree  to  Buld  them  into  pews, 
they  have  the  Liberty  to  do  it." 
8 


114  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 

An  attempt  is  made  this  year  to  divide  the  Presbyte- 
rian parish.  An  article  was  inserted  in  the  warning  for 
the  annual  town  meeting  to  see  if  the  town  would  vote 
to  set  off  a  parish,  including  nearly  the  same  territory  as 
the  present  town  of  Auburn,  which  was  voted.  Seventeen 
Presbyterians  protested  against  it  because  it  would  ruin 
the  parish.  It  did  not  come  to  a  head  until  1771.  The 
Presbyterians  chose  William  Tolford,  Andrew  Jack  and 
Samuel  Aiken  a  committee  "  To  see  Dissatisfaction  of  some 
people  in  the  Parish."  The  same  committee  was  to  "Build 
one  pair  of  Stairs  against  the  fall  sacrament." 

Their  collectors  were  in  arrears,  and  one  of  the  articles 
in  the  warning  was,  "  The  Collectors  from  John  Mills  to 
this  present  time  are  to  meet  at  Capt.  John  Tolford's  the 
Eighteenth  Day  of  September  next,  to  make  lip  their  ac- 
counts with  the  Comity  upon  their  Perile." 

1754.  A  parish  meeting  was  called  Oct.  8th,  to  make 
an  addition  to  Mr.  Flagg's  salary,  but  the  parish  refused  to 
do  it.  The  Presbyterians  voted  to  add  forty  pounds  old 
tenor  to  Mr.  Wilson's  salary. 

1755.  The  Congregational  parish  at  a  special  meeting 
voted  to  pay  the  collector  eighteen  pence  old  tenor  for 
gathering  the  rates  (on  the  pound.)  The  Presbyterians 
voted  to  raise  twenty  pounds  to  repair  their  meeting- 
house. 

This  year  was  noted  for  the  most  violent  earthquake  ever 
known  in  North  America.  It  occurred  Nov.  18th  at  about 
4  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  lasted  four  minutes  and  a  half.  In 
Boston  about  one  hundred  chimneys  were  leveled  to  the 
roofs  of  the  houses,  and  about  fifteen  hundred  were  in 
jured. 

1756.  Mr.  Flagg's  salary  was  raised  to  ,£640  old  tenor, 
including  wood.  The  Presbyterians  voted  to  raise  £200  to 
repair  the  meeting-house. 

1757.  Mr.  Flagg's  salary  was  X800,  and  £60  for  wood. 
The  Presbyterians  voted  to  raise  .£100  old  tenor  to  build 
a  pulpit. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER.  115 

1758.  In  the  warning  for  the  annual  town  meeting  was 
an  article  "  To  see  if  the  town  will  pay  the  Damage  of 
flowing  the  Land  Round  Massabesick  pond,  so  called,  by 
Capt.  Alexander  McMurphy's  mill."  "  Past  in  the  neg- 
ative." 

The  Presbyterian  parish  "  voted  one  hundred  pounds  old 
tenor  Be  Raised  to  Repair  the  long  meadow  meeting 
house." 

The  town  was  called  upon  for  jurors,  and  Jonathan 
Blunt  was  chosen  grand  juror,  and  Jacob  Chase  petit 
juror,  to  the  May  term  of  the  Superior  Court.  These  were 
the  first  called  for.  Lieut.  Thomas  Heseltine  and  Mr. 
Zephaniah  French  were  chosen  petit  jurors  to  the  Inferior 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  at  the  September  term.  "  Insin  " 
Enoch  Colby  was  chosen  grand  juror,  and  Capt.  Thomas 
Wells,  petit  juror,  at  the  November  term  of  the  Superior 
Court.  The  selectmen  have  a  charge  "  to  making  a  staff 
for  Constable  Bean  £1  5,"  old  tenor. 


1759.  There  were  articles  in  the  warning  for  the  annual 
town  meeting,  to  see  if  the  inhabitants  should  be  required  to 
return  an  inventory  to  the  selectmen,  and  whether  they 
would  doom  tradesmen  and  shop-keepers.  Passed  in  the 
negative. 

The  Presbyterian  parish  voted  Mr.  Wilson  six  hundred 
pounds,  old  tenor,  salary,  and  voted  money  to  repair  the 
meeting-houses. 


'o 


1760.  Mr.  Flagg  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  £1060 
in  full  of  salary  and  wood  the  year  past,  and  the  parish 
voted  X1200  the  year  ensuing. 

The  Presbyterian  parish  voted  to  add  <£50,  old  tenor,  to 
Mr.  Wilson's  salary,  and  to  raise  X300,  old  tenor,  for  finish- 
ing the  two  meeting-houses. 

They  "  Voted  to  major  John  Tolford  six  foot  in  length, 
five  and  a  half  in  widtli,  of  ground  in  their  old  meeting- 
house on  the  right  hand  of  the  south  Door." 

"  Voted,  The  meeting  house  is  to  Be  seated  with  long 
seats." 


116  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN    OF    CHESTER. 

1761.  Samuel  Dudley,  who  lived  in  Raymond,  was 
chosen  surveyor  of  highways  in  1760,  and  he  built  a  bridge 
near  Raymond  Centre  across  tlie  Lamprey  river.  The 
selectmen  refused  to  pay  him  and  he  sued  them. 

In  the  warning  for  the  annual  meeting  was  an  article  to 
"  To  See  if  the  Town  will  Chuse  a  Committee  To  Defend  a 
Case  or  Cases  Now  Depending  at  Law  Between  Sam'  Dud- 
ley, Plaintiff,  and  this  Town,  Defendents,  or  to  act  and  Do 
what  may  then  be  thought  Proper  and  Needful." 

The  old  selectmen,  who  were  sued,  were  made  agents  and 
attorneys  with  power  to  prosecute  the  suit  "  to  fmal  judg- 
ment and  execution."     Dudley  recovered. 

There  is  also  an  article  "  To  See  if  the  Town  will  Vote 
that  the  North  Parish  Shall  be  Set  off  by  the  authority  as 
set  forth  in  a  Petition  to  the  Selectmen  by  messrs.  Jethro 
Batchelder,  Daniel  Lane,  Benjamin  Smith  and  others." 
"  Past  in  the  negative." 

1762.  At  the  annual  meeting  March  25,  1762, 

"  Voted,  That  the  following  Tract  of  Land  may  be 
Incorporated  into  a  Parrish,  being  about  five  miles  and  a 
Half  in  length,  and  about  four  miles  in  width.  Bounding 
Northerly  on  Nottingham  Line,  Easterly  on  the  old  Hun- 
dred acre  Lotts,  so  called.  Southerly  on  the  Long  medow 
Parrish,  so  called,  as  that  is  voted  alredy,  and  westerly  on 
the  forty  acre  Lotts." 

The  Long  Meadow  parish,  as  voted  in  1758,  was  from 
Londonderry  line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  the  43d  lot, 
then  west-northwest  to  Tower-Hill,  and  then  to  the  corner 
of  Derryfield. 

(For  the  petition  for  Candia,  see  a  sketch  of  the  history 
in  this  work.) 

1763.  At  a  meeting  Jan  26,  1763, 

"  Voted,  That  that  part  of  the  Town  of  Chester  Called 
the  North  parrish,  or  Freetown,  as  much  as  was  laid  out  in 
Parrish  forme,  Shall  be  set  of  as  a  Town  or  Parrish." 

This  includes  the  Old  Hundreds  or  North  Division. 

March  31, 

"  Voted,  That  it  be  Left  with  the  Selectmen  to  Inquire 


HISTORY   OP   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  117 

into  and  See  how  much  is  justly  Due  the  Xorth  Parrish,  so 
Called,  for  their  proportion  of  the  school  money  Raised  in 
this  Town  for  three  years  past ;  and  if  they  have  not  had 
their  share,  they  Deliver  the  same  to  them,  Provided  they 
Lay  out  the  same  for  schooling  among  themselves ;  and 
also  all  the  other  parts  of  the  Town  that  have  not  had 
their  proportion  of  the  schooling,  nor  money  as  above  men- 
tioned, shall  be  Considered  and  have  their  proportion  on 
the  same  Condition. 

"  Voted,  That  a  work  house  be  Built  or  Provided  by  the 
Selectmen  To  Putt  and  keep  those  Persons  in  that  Idle, 
Pooer,  Disorderly  and  Lasey,  and  will  not  work ;  and  to 
provide  a  master  to  Take  Care  of  all  such  Persons  as  shall 
be  Committed  to  said  house,  that  they  may  be  Kept  to 
work  and  be  Proceeded  with  as  the  Law  Directs." 

Probably  this  was  never  carried  into  execution. 

1764.  It  was  "  voted  that  James  Fullerton's  Rates  be 
given  him  for  the  year  past.  The  Congregational  parish 
also  abated  their  tax  against  him.  He  lived  in  Raymond. 
"  It  was  on  account  of  his  house  being  burnt." 

John  Robie,  Nathan  "Webster  and  Andrew  Jack  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  settle  about  highways  in  Raymond 
and  make  return.     They  made  return  March  6,  1766. 

"  This  day  agreed  upon  by  us  the  Subscribers,  being 
Chosen  by  the  Town  of  Chester  and  Parrish  of  Raymond 
as  Committees  to  settle  the  Debates  about  the  Highways 
and  all  things  that  was  Debatebell  from  the  Beginning  of 
the  world  to  this  Dav  :  viz.,  that  Ravmond  is  to  have  all 
the  Reserves  that  is  left  in  that  Parrish  for  Highways  to 
convert  them  to  that  use,  ajid  to  Pay  all  Demands  made 
and  to  be  made  for  Highways  in  Said  Parrish  ;  and  Like- 
wise that  the  Parrish  of  Raymond  is  to  Have  their  pro- 
portion of  money  that  was  in  Bank  when  they  were 
Incorporated  as  a  Parrish.  as  "Witness  our  hands.  The 
line  between  Chester  and  Raymond  is  Excepted. 

"  John  Cram,  "" 

Ezekel  Lane,  1   Committee  for  Chester 

John  Robie,  [         and  Raymond." 

Nathan  Webster,  J 

"Voted,  That  the  Parrish  of  Candia  shall  have  the 
Priviledge  to  Dispose  of   all   the  Common  Land  left  for 


118  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 

highways  within  the  said  Parrish  as  they  see  Cause  as  fully 
as  the  Town  authority  to  do,  on  Condition  that  the  Said 
Parrish  shall  Pay  all  the  Demands  for  the  Highways 
already  Laid  out  in  Said  Parrish,  and  Lay  out  and  Support 
all  for  the  future  ;  and  that  the  selectmen  of  Chester  take 
Security  of  the  selectmen  of  Candia  for  their  Performing 
the  above  mentioned." 

1765.  "  Voted,  That  the  Parrish  of  Candia  shall  Have 
their  proportion  of  the  money  that  was  in  Bank  when  they 
•were  Incorporated  by  the  Court  act  Lito  a  Parrish." 

There  were  votes  passed  by  the  Congregational  parish 
respecting  seating  the  meeting-house,  and  the  singers  sit- 
ting together,  for  which,  see  the  Ecclesiastical  History. 

The  Presbyterians  voted  to  fence  their  graveyard. 

1766.  The  town  voted  that  the  j)arisli  of  Candia  should 
have  their  proportion  of  the  money  that  was  in  bank  when 
incorporated. 

Standard  weights  and  measures  were  obtained  this  year 
at  a  cost  of  <£6. 

Mr.  Flagg's  salary,  wood  and  all,  was  <£60  lawful  money. 

Samuel  and  Daniel  Martin's  taxes  abated.  They  lived 
at  Martin's  Ferry. 

Appended  to  the  warning  for  the  Preshyterian  parish 
meeting  was, "  Tlie  Parish  is  desired  to  Consider  what  they 
will  do  In  Regard  to  some  Person  to  take  Care  to  sweap 
the  meeting-house  and  shut  the  Doors  for  time  to  come." 
Mr.  Wilson's  salary  was  to  continue  to  be  .£800,  old 
tenor,  or  .£40  lawful  money.  .  Mr.  Wilson  was  to  preach  at 
the  Long  Meadows,  as  formerly. 

"Voted,  that  william  White,  Junior,  John  Moors, 
James  mills,  Robert  mills,  Thomas  White,  James  Gra- 
ham, mark  Karr,  Hugh  Shirlee,  James  Grims  at  the  long 
meadow,  John  mac  farland,  moses  mac  farland,  Daniel 
witherspoon,  Alexander  withers])Oon,  Joshua  moors,  Jon- 
athan moors,  David  wilson,  Joseph  Dunlap,  James  Dunlap, 
Cliarles  moors,  Robert  fursyth,  John  wilson,  william  Shir- 
ley, John  frain,  is  to  have  Liberty  to  Build  Salts  or  Pews  In 
the  Gallery  Beginning  at  the  north  Corner,  &  from  thence 
all  along  the  west  Eend  next  the  wall.  Clear  a  Cross  to  the 
south  west  Corner,  from  thence  along  the  south  side  next 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF    CHESTER.  119 

the  wall  as  far  as  the  Post  that  goes  up  from  the  south 
East  Corner  of  major  Tolford's  Pew." 

1767.  There  is  nothing  of  note  on  the  records  this  year. 

1768.  In  the  warning  for  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
Congregational  parish  was  an  article  "  to  See  if  the  parish 
will  Grant  moses  marshal  and  the  other  Petitioners  thair 
Request  in  this  article  (viz.),  to  See  if  the  parish  will  vote 
that  the  meeting  house  Doors  Shall  be  opened  to  any  ortho- 
dox minister  to  Preach  in  the  Pulpit  when  Providentially 
passing  throw  the  town,  and  Desired  by  a  number  of  Peo- 
pel  to  preach,  or  when  Sent  for  by  a  number  of  Persons  to 
Preach  when  it  Does  not  Interfere  upon  y^  Rev''  mr.  Flagg's 
Stated  Exercise."     Passed  in  the  negative. 


■'o"- 


1769.  Up  to  this  time  the  province  had  not  been  divided 
into  counties,  but  the  records  were  kept  and  all  the  courts 
were  held  at  Portsmouth.  There  was  quite  an  exciting 
discussion  on  the  subject,  in  which  the  old  contest  between 
the  prerogatives  of  the  crown  and  the  rights  of  the  people 
came  up.  August  21, 1767,  the  House  resolved  to  divide 
the  province  into  four  counties,  and  establish  courts.  The 
Council  said  two  counties  were  enough,  and  that  it  was  the 
prerogative  of  the  King's  Governor  to  establish  courts.  Each 
house  proposed  lines  of  division  which  the  other  nega- 
tived. The  King  was  appealed  to,  and  he  gave  leave  to 
have  the  House  pass  a  bill  subject  to  his  revision,  and 
recommended  five  counties,  which  was  finally  agreed  to. 
Then  there  was  a  contest  about  the  places  of  holding  the 
courts,  Portsmouth  claiming  all  in  this  county,  and  Exeter 
claiming  a  part ;  and  there  was  a  dispute  in  Hillsborough 
county  between  Amherst  and  Merrimack.  There  was  a 
petition  with  seventy-six  signatures,  sent  from  Chester  just 
before  the  passage  of  the  bill,  praying  to  be  annexed  to 
Hillsborough  county,  which  the  House  was  inclined  to 
grant,  but  the  Council  rejected.  There  was  a  like  petition 
from  Londonderry,  and  some  other  towns.  Finally  April 
27,  1769,  a  bill  passed,  though  the  counties  were  not 
organized  until  1771. 


l-JO  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF    CHESTER. 

1770.  At  the  annual  town  meeting, 

"  Voted,  that  tlie  upper  part  of  the  Town  Next  to  Pem- 
brook  Have  the  Liberty  to  build  a  Pound  where  it  shall 
best  siiit  the  Inhabitants,  Provided  they  Do  it  upon  their 
own  Cost  and  Charge,  and  from  time  to  time  support  and 
maintain  the  Same  Without  any  Cost  or  Charge  to  the  said 
Town." 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  warrant  to  a  surveyor  of 

highways  : 

To  M^  James  Wilson  Servayer  of  the  Highways  for  the 
town  of  Chester : 

We  order  you  to  repair  and  Keep  in  good  repair  the  High- 
ways (viz.), From  Dr.  John  ordways  Barn  Down  the  old  rode 
to  Sandown  line,  and  that  rode  ])y  James  waddels  to  Sandown 
line  ;  and  that  rode  between  Jethro  Colbys  and  Hugh  Wil- 
sons land,  round  by  widow  longs  to  widow  worthcns,  and 
that  rode  by  Timothy  Wells  to  the  main  rode,  with  the 
Hands  tliat  live  in  said  rodes. 

by  order  of  us, 

John  Robee,      ^  Selectmen. 
And'''  Jacke,      >  of 

Chester  Apr.  16,  1770,  Nath.  Webster,  )    Chester. 

All  the  men  in  town  were  rated  to  pay  one  or  the  other 
of  the  ministers.  This  year  Samuel  Martin,  Daniel  Mar- 
tin, John  Martin,  Caleb  Dolton,  and  Daniel  Foster,  all  of 
whom  lived  near  Martin's  Eerry,  had  their  parish  rates 
given  in,  on  account  of  living  so  far  from  the  meeting- 
house. 

1771.  At  the  September  term  of  the  Superior  Court, 
1771,  Andrew  Jack,  Nathan  Webster,  and  John  Robie, 
selectmen  of  Chester,  were  indicted  for  not  having  a  gram- 
mar school,  Chester  having  more  than  one  hundred  fami- 
lies. March  term,  1772,  Jack  and  Webster  were  fined 
£10,  and  costs  <£7  12. 

This  year  the  corn  Avas  nearly  large  enough  to  weed,  and 
was  cut  down  by  frost,  the  first  day  of  June. 

1772.  At  the  annual  town  meeting,  March  11**^, 

"  Voted,  That  for  the  Repair  of  Highways  the  present 
year,  tlieir  shall  Be  Raised  Seventy  five  pounds  Lawful 
money. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER.  121 

"  Voted,  that  the  wages  of  Labour  on  the  Highways  shall 
be  two  shillings  per  day." 

The  Congregational  parish  at  their  annual  meeting, 
March  28"', 

"  Voted  to  Buld  a  new  meeting  house  by  the  parish 
within  two  years  from  the  Date  of  this  meeting. 

"  Voted  to  Build  a  meeting  house  sixty  feet  long  and 
forty-five  feet  wide,  and  a  suitable  height,  and  that  it  be 
built  by  the  pews,  so  far  as  they  shall  go. 

"  Voted,  that  there  shall  be  a  Committee  to  Sell  Said 
pews  within  a  convenient  time,  Sold  for  Bords,  Shingle, 
timber.  Labour,  or  any  article  that  is  wanting  for  Said 
meeting  house,  at  cash  price." 

John  "Webster,  Esq.,  Jabez  French,  Saml.  Emerson,  Esq., 
Saml.  B,obie,  and  Jabez  Hoyt,  were  chosen  to  sell  the  pews 
and  build  the  house. 

At  a  meeting,  October  16th, 

"  Voted,  to  build  a  steple  and  porch  to  the  New  meeting 
house,  agreeable  to  the  Plan. 

"Voted,  to  Set  the  New  meeting  house  upon  the  Land 
that  the  Rev'^  mr.  Flagg  gave  for  that  youse." 

The  house  was  built  on  land  which  Mr.  Flagg  bought  of 
Gov.  Wentworth  —  his  home  lot.  The  deed  is  recorded, 
Lib.  124,  fol.  120,  dated  Oct.  15,  1772,  and  conveys 
twenty-four  square  rods  of  land.  The  house  faced  the 
southwest,  the  posts  twenty-eight  feet,  I  think,  the  steeple 
at  the  northwest  end  some  fifteen  feet  above  the  roof,  and 
and  a  spire,  with  a  weather-vane  in  the  form  of  a  gilt 
rooster,  being  more  than  one  hundred  feet  high.  The 
windows  were  forty  panes,  seven-l)y-nine  glass. 

It  was  heavily  timbered,  and  of  first-rate  materials,  and 
the  work  done  in  a  thorough  and  workmanlike  manner. 
Over  the  pulpit  was  a  sounding-board.  In  front  of  the 
pulpit  was  a  pew  called  the  elders'  seat,  and  in  front  of 
that  the  deacons'  pew,  the  occupants  facing  the  congrega- 
tion. On  each  side  of  the  broad  alley  from  the  deacons' 
pew,  about  half  the  width  of  the  house,  were  seats  some 
fifteen  feet  long,  made  of  plank,  which  were  common  or 
free  seats.     The  remainder  was  built  into  pews  about  six 


c 

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HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  128 

feet  square,  and  as  high  as  a  man's  shoulders  while  sitting 
on  the  seat.  The  pews  were  panel-work,  with  a  row  of 
turned  balusters  about  eight  inches  long  near  the  top. 
Three  sides  of  the  pews  were  seated,  so  that  the  congrega- 
tion faced,  sat  sideways  and  back  to  the  minister.  The 
seats  turned  up  for  convenience  of  standing  during 
prayers.  At  the  close  of  the  prayer  there  was  quite  a  re- 
freshing clatter  by  the  falling  of  these  seats.  Nobody  at 
that  day  thought  of  sitting  during  prayers,  excepting  some 
ver}^  infirm  old  woman,  and  she  would  arise  before  the 
amen  was  pronounced.  In  the  gallery  there  was  a 
tier  of  pews  all  around  the  walls  of  the  house  on  three 
sides,  and  one  pew  in  the  front  of  the  gallery  at  each  end 
on  the  back  side  of  the  house.  There  was  one  pew  at  each 
end  of  the  southwest  side  of  the  door,  for  a  negro  pew, 
which  was  not  ornamented  by  balusters.  The  remainder 
of  the  gallery  was  seated  with  long  common  seats.  The 
northwest  end  was  for  the  men,  the  southeast  end  was 
for  the  women. 

There  were  on  the  ground  floor  forty-four  pews,  which 
sold  for  £607  los.  The  highest  was  bought  by  Col.  John 
Webster  for  XoO  ;  the  next  by  Abner  Hills,  for  £25  16s. 
Col.  Webster  bought  four  pews.  In  the  gallery  were 
t.venty-two   pews,  which  sold  for  £100  14s. 

The  house  was  a  noble  structure,  and  did  credit  to  the 
parish,  the  committee  and  the  workmen. 

At  a  parish  meeting,  March  30,  1774, 

*'  Voted  to  accept  of  the  Committee's  accompt  that  was 
to  build  the  New  Meeting  house. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Rev'^  Mr.  Eben"^  Flagg  shall  preach  in 
the  New  meeting  house  for  the  futeur. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Rev'^  mr.  Eben''  Flagg  shall  preach  in 
the  New  Meeting  house  the  Next  Sabbath  Day." 

A  petition  was  preferred  to  the  General  Court  by  John 
Patten  and  others,  showing, 

"  That  the  Subscribers  Being  in  Number  the  greatest  Part 
of  a  District  or  Parish  Commonly  Called  the  Long  Mead- 
ows, and  that  by  a  Vote  of  the  Town  at  there  Anuel  Meet- 


124 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP    CHESTER. 


ing  in  the  Month  of  March,  A.  D.  1753,  Voted  of  for  a 
Parish  By  Certain  Limited  Bounds  More  Clearly  Set  forth 
in  Said  Vote,  the  Coppy  of  Which  Being  Ready  to  Be  Pro- 
duced, Humbly  Prayeth  that  Your  Excellency  &  Honors 
would  be  Pleased  to  Confirm  &  Establish  Said  Vote  & 
Bounds,  and  Grant  Unto  us  all  Parish  Priviledges,  with  full 
Power  to  Hier  a  Gospel  Minister  to  Preach  Unto  us,  or  to 
Settle  &  Ordain  one  over  us  for  the  Better  Convenicncy  of 
our  attending  the  Public  Worship  of  God ;  and  your  Peti- 
tioners as  in  Duty  Bound  will  Ever  Pray. 


Jolui  Fatten, 
Nath'  Liim, 
Robert  Craig, 
Jolin  Orr, 
Samuel  Dinsmer, 
Wells  Chase, 
Barnaid  Bricket, 
Stephen  Dearborn, 
Nathaniel  Wood, 
Joseph  Calfe, 
Samuel  Bluut, 

Mansfield  McDoffy, 

Daniel  Witharspoou, 
Anthony  Stickney, 
Robert  Witharspoou, 
David  AVhitc, 
William  Letch, 
!Moses  Underbill, 
Sam"  Aiken, 
Rob'  Calf, 
Hugh  Crombie, 
Thomas  Sharley, 
James  Sharley,  . 
Samuol  Sharley, 
Wm.  Brown,  Junior, 


Joseph  Linne, 
Caleb  Hall, 
Moody  Chase, 
Moses  Hills, 
David  Witharspoou, 
Peter  Aiken, 
James  AVitherspoon, 
Thomas  Fowler, 
Thomas  Fowler,  Junior, 
Hugh  Mc  aflee, 
Nath'  Presby, 

James  -(-  Horn, 

mark. 

Benja,  Pierce, 
Sam  Pierce, 
Robert  McKinley, 
Stephen  Morel, 
William  McMaster, 
Robert  Gilcrest, 
Joseph  Dearborn, 
Moses  McFarland, 
William  Grimes, 
John  Grimes, 
Adam  Willson, 
James  Grimes." 


"In  Council  Dec.  19,  1771.     The  foregoing  Petition  was 
read  and  ordered  to  be  sent  down  to  the  Hon'"'*^  Assembly. 

Geo.  King,  Dep.  Sec." 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWX   OF   CHESTER.  125 

There  was  an  order  of  notice  upon  this  petition.  Objec- 
tions were  made  as  follows  : 

It  is  answered  by  Andrew  Jack,  Henry  Moore  &  'Rob- 
ert Wilson,  in  behalf  of  the  Presbyterian  Parish,  That  the 
Petitioners  joined  with  the  rest  of  s*^  Parish  in  the  Choice 
of  Rev.  John  Wilson  for  their  minister,  &  voted  him  a 
certain  yearly  salary  ;  and  have  been,  and  still  are,  satisfied 
with  his  life  and  Doctrines,  but  for  other  Reasons  desire  to 
be  set  off  as  a  distinct  Parish,  altho  they  are  convinced  that 
it  is  their  duty  to  perform  their  contract  with  Said  minister, 
and  did  at  a  legal  meeting  held  in  Chester,  mutually  agree 
with  the  rest  of  s**  Parishioners  in  the  lower  End  of  the 
Parish  to  have  one  half  the  Preaching  for  nine  months 
yearly,  from  the  last  day  of  March  to  the  first  day  of  De- 
cember, during  the  time  the  said  minister  was  able  to 
preach,  and  the  remainder  of  his  Preaching  should  be  to 
the  People  of  the  lower  end  of  said  Parish ;  and  that  the 
said  Petitioners  pay  the  sum  of  twenty  pounds  lawful 
money  Yearly  during  the  ministry  of  said  John  Wilson, 
and  collect  their  part  of  the  money  themselves ;  and  the 
Parishioners  at  the  lower  End  of  said  Parish  Then  agreed 
with  the  Petitioners  to  pay  s''  Minister  Twenty  five  pounds 
like  money  Yearly  during  said  Term,  and  collect  the  same 
themselves. 

Now,  we  in  behalf  of  the  lower  End  of  said  Parish 
have  no  objection  to  the  prayer  of  said  Petition  being 
granted,  so  far  as  respects  their  being  set  off  as  a  distinct 
parish,  provided  they  continue  to  fulfil  their  agreement 
before  mentioned  by  paying  s*^  minister  duly,  the  said  sum 
by  them  agreed  to  pay  him. 

But  inasmuch  as  the  lower  end  of  the  Parish  is  utterly 
incapable  of  maintaining  a  minister  themselves,  they  pray 
that  the  said  Petitioners  may  not  be  freed  from  paying  the 
sum  aforesaid  agreeable  to  their  before  ment*'  contract. 

May  21,  1772. 

Jan.  7,  1773,  another  petition  was  preferred  by  twenty- 
nine  of  the  former  petitioners  in  which  they  repeat  the 
prayer  of  their  former  petition. 

March  11,  1773,  a  counter  petition,  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing is  an  abstract,  was  preferred,  showing  that  they  had 
formerly  signed  a  petition,  and  that  at  a  late  public  meet- 
ing of  the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  the  town  voted  almost 


126  HISTORY   OP   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

unanimously  that  the  former  petition  should  lie  dormant ; 
that  it  would  not  relieve  them  of  their  present  troubles ; 
that,  instead  of  having  the  gospel  preached  twice  a  mouth, 
they  should  not  have  it  at  all ;  that  the  former  petition  was 
clandestinely  propagated  among  the  inhabitants  by  design- 
ing men.  Therefore,  they  supplicate  that  the  General 
Court  will  view  the  former  petition  as  propagated  by  a  few 
persons  to  gratify  their  own  humor,  <fec.     Signed  by 

James  Sharlay,  Sam'  Blunt, 

John  mcfarland,  "William  Craig, 

James  Litch,  John  Craig, 

Manslield  mcaffe,  Thomas  Sharley, 

John  Craford,  Jermia  Coner, 

Moses  Uuderhill,  David  Dinsmore, 

Jolni  Orr,  Arthur  Dinsmore, 

William  Yancc,  Robert  Dinsmore, 

Matthew  Templeton,  Thos.  mcmaster, 

Robert  Craig,  Thos.  McMaster,  Jr. 

Robert  McKinly,  "VVm.  McMaster, 

Stephen  Merril,  David  Dickey, 

Stephen  Derben,  Aaron  Rollings, 

Moody  Chase,  William  Gilchrist, 

Nathaniel  wood,  William  Miller, 

Joseph  Derben,  James  Miller, 

Moses  Hills,  Michael  Gordon, 

David  Uuderhill,  Andrew  McFarland, 

Da\'ld  Cunningham,  James  McFarland. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  May  13,  1773,  this  peti- 
tion was  heard,  considered  and  dismissed. 

•The  following  are  the  proceedings  of  the  Presbyterian 
parish  in  regard  to  the  division  of  the  parish.  In  a  warn- 
ing for  a  meeting  of  the  Presbyterian  parish,  April  16, 
1772,  was  an  article  "  To  Se  if  the  Parish  Will  Chuse  a 
Committe,  one  part  From  the  Lower  End  of  the  Parish, 
and  another  part  From  the  Uper  End,  to  Endeavor  to  Settle 
that  the  Parish  May  be  one  as  formerly.  That  If  this 
Comitte  Dos  not  agree,  to  Se  if  the  Perish  Will  Chuse  a 
Committe  To  Opose  the  Petition  latly  caried  into  the  Gen- 
eral Cort,  and  to  Act  and  Doe  What  They  May  think  Best 
for  the  Benefit  of  the  Perish." 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 


isf. 


"  Yoted,  That  thair  Should  be  five  men  Chose  as  a  Com- 
mitte  to  settle  the  Parish. 


"  Matliew  Forsaitli, 
Thomas  McMaster, 
Robert  Wilson, 
Henry  INIoor, 
Joseph  Lin, 

"  MEMMERANDOM 


Committe 

For  the 

y  Prisbetairen 

Parish." 


y 


"  Agread  Upon  By  the  Subscribers  Chosen  as  A  Com- 
mitte for  the  Prisbetairen  Perish  in  Chester,  Part  from  the 
Lower  End  of  the  Town  and  part  from  the  Long  meadows, 
So  Caled  ;  Yiz.,  that  the  Long  meadows  part,  So  Caled,  is 
to  have  the  one  half  of  the  Preaching  for  Nine  Months 
from  the  First  of  March  to  the  First  of  December,  During 
the  time  that  the  Reverand  John  Wilson  is  Abel  to  Preach, 
and  the  Remainder  to  the  Lower  End  of  the  town  ;  and 
that  the  Long  Medows  Party  is  to  pay  the  Snme  of  twenty 
pound  Lawfull  Money  Yearly,  During  the  Reverand  John 
Wilson's  Minisstrey,  and  Colect  That  part  of  the  Money 
themselves,  and  the  Lower  End  of  the  town  to  Pay  twenty 
five  pound  and  Colect  thair  own  Money  themselves. 

"  Chester,  Aprile  the  20^\  1772. 

"N.  B.  Each  Party  Bound  in  Bonds  to  Perform  the 
above  a  Greemint,  or  aply  to  the  Generil  Cort  to  Estabelish 
The  agreement  acording  to  the  above  Themselves. 


Committee 

For  the 
Prisbetairen 


"  Mathew  Forsaith, 
Thomas  McMaster, 
Robert  Wilson, 
Henery  Moor,  I       Parish." 

Joseph  Lin,  J 

1773.     The  town  "  Yoted  that  their  shall  be  a  sufficient 

Pound  Built,  and  that  the  pound  be  set  on  the  south  side  of 

the  Highway  Near  Dustin's  shop."     Col.  Moses   Dustin, 

afterwards   of    Candia,  was    a   blacksmith  ;    probably  his 

shop  was  somewhere  to  the  south  of  the  meeting-house. 

"  Yoted,  That  the  Pound  shall  be  at  Least  Thirty  feet  in 
Length,  and  Twenty  four  feet  in  w^idth,  and  Seven  feet 
High  ;  the  Sils  and  posts  to  be  white  oake,  lined  Six  by 
Eight,  or  Eight  by  Six  ;  the  Rails  to  be  Chesnut,  Hued 
four  by  five  ;  and  the  plates  of  yellow  pine,  Hued  6  by  8  ; 
Braced  at  Each  Corner  from  the  sills  to  the  Plates,  and  a 
good  gate  to  it." 


128  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

It  was  voted  that  the  town  should  pay  jurymen  one  shil- 
ling and  sixpence  per  day,  while  attending  the  several 
courts.  The  town  voted  to  raise  one  hundred  and  five 
pounds  to  repair  highways. 

There  was  an  article  in  the  warning  "  To  see  if  the  Town 
will  Raise  any  thing  by  vote  on  Houses,  as  their  is  no  Law 
for  it  without  a  vote  of  the  town  to  tax  them."  Passed  in 
the  negative. 

Dec.  27,  Thomas  Wells,  having  in  some  way  interfered 
in  some  difficulty  between  John  Tolford,  son  of  Dea.  Wil- 
liam, and  Betty  Waddel,  Tolford  shot  and  killed  him. 
March  term,  1774,  he  was  tried,  plead  insanity,  and  acquit- 
ted. He  was  so  insane  afterwards  that  he  was  kept  in  a 
cage  about  forty  years. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

FROM   1774  TO   1800. 

In  a  warning  for  a  meeting,  to  be  held  July  19,  1774, 
was  this  article  :  "  To  Chuse  and  Impower  one  or  more 
persons  in  our  behalf  to  meet  at  Exeter  the  Twenty-first 
Day  of  this  Instant  July,  at  ten  of  the  Clock  in  the  fore- 
noon, To  Joyn  in  the  Choyes  of  Delegates  for  the  Generell 
Congress,  to  be  holden  at  Philadelphia  the  first  Day  of 
September  next,  to  Devise  and  consider  what  measures  will 
be  most  advisable  to  be  taken  in  order  to  Effect  the  Desired 
End  for  the  Establishment  of  our  rights  and  Libertes  upon 
a  Just  and  Soiled  foundation  ;  and  for  the  restoring  of 
union  and  harmony  Between  the  mother  Country  and  the 
Colanies ;  and  to  Contribute  our  proportion  of  the  Ex- 
pence  of  Sending  ;  that  the  Same  may  be  Raised  by  Sub- 
scriptions or  other  wise,  and  if  Convenient  Sent  by  the 
person  of  our  Town  appoynted  to  Goe  to  Exeter.  Our 
proportion  is  five  pound  Eighteen  Shillings  Lawfull 
money." 


HISTOKY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER.  129 

"Voted,  John  "Webster,  Esq.,  moderator  for  said  meet- 


ing. 


"  Voted,  That  their  Shall  be  Two  men  Chosen  to  meet 
at  Exeter  Tuesday  next  for  the  Ends  mentioned  in  the 
warning  of  said  meeting. 

"  Voted,  That  John  Webster,  Esq^  and  Cap*  Robert  Wil- 
son Shall  be  the  men. 

"  Voted,  that  their  Shall  be  Raised  by  a  Rate  npon  the 
Inhabitents,  as  the  Law  Directs,  the  Sum  of  five  pound 
Eighteen  Shillings  Lawfull  money  to  Defray  the  Charge  of 
the  Deligates  as  mentioned  in  the  warning." 

1775.  In  a  warning  for  a  meeting  to  be  held  January 
*23, 1775,  were  the  following  articles  ; 

"  To  See  who  the  Town  Will  Chuse  for  Deputies  in  their 
Behalf  to  meet  at  Exeter  on  Wednesday,  the  25""  Day  of 
this  Instant  January,  for  the  Choyes  of  Delegates  to  Rep- 
resent this  Province  at  Such  Intended  Congress  as  is  above 
mentioned  ;  and  also  to  Impower  Such  Deputies  when  so 
meet  to  Chose  a  Committee  of  their  Body  to  proportion 
the  Sum  Each  Town  ought  to  Pay  Toward  Sending  Such 
Delegates. 

"  To  See  if  the  Town  will  Vote  to  Pay  the  money  that 
was  our  proportion  to  Pay  for  the  Charge  of  Sending  Dele- 
gates to  the  Continential  Congress  held  at  Pheledelfia  Last 
September,  1774. 

"  To  see  if  the  town  Will  appoynt  a  Committee  to  See 
that  the  agreement  of  the  american  Continential  Congress 
be  Strictly  adheared  to  and  faithfully  Executed." 

"  Voted,  John  Webster,  Esq.,  moderator  for  Said  meet- 
ing. 

"  Voted,  That  there  Shall  be  sum  men  Sent  as  Deputies 
to  meet  at  Exeter  the  25'^  Day  of  this  Instant  January,  To 
Chuse  Delegates  in  order  to  Represent  this  province  at  the 
Intended  Congress  to  be  held  at  Phelidelfia  the  Tenth  Day 
of  may  next,  agreeable  to  the  warning  of  Said  meeting. 

"  Voted,  That  John  Webster,  Esq^,  Capt.  Rob*  Wilson, 
Cap*  Sam^  Robie,  Deacon  Forsaith,  major  French  and 
Robert  Calfe  Shall  be  the  men. 

"  Voted,  That  the  above  Deputies,  when  meet,  have 
power  to  Chuse  a  Committee  out  of  their  Body  to  propor- 
tion Each  Town's  part  or  portion  what  they  ought  to  pay. 

"  Voted,  That  what  money  was  our  proportion  to  Pay 
for  Sending  Delegates  To  the  Congress  held  Last  Septem- 
9 


130  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

ber,  at  Phelidelfia,  Shall  be  Raised  of  the  Town  with  the 
other  Taxes. 

"  Voted,  That  a  Committee  be  chosen  to  see  that  the 
agreement  of  the  american  Contenentell  Congress  Shall  be 
Strictly  adheard  to  and  faithfully  Executed. 

"  Voted,  That  Cap'  Dearborn,  Amos  Emerson,  William 
"White,  Jacob  Chase,  John  Patten,  Simon  Bailey,  Pearson 
Richardson,  Jethro  Colby,  Doctor  ordway,  Josiah  Bradley, 
Robert  Calfe,  Leut.  Hoit,  John  Hesseltine,  Cap*  Wilson, 
Capt.  Robie,  Deacon  Forsaith,  Stephen  merrill,  John  San. 
Dearbon,  Abner  Hills,  Sam"  Brown,  William  Sherley, 
John  Lane,  Jun'.,  Jacob  Hills,  Thomas  Sherley,  Isaac 
Towl." 

This  was  called  a  committee  of  inspection  or  safety. 

March  30th,  1775, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Town  Pay  our  proportion  of  the 
charge  of  Sending  Delegates  to  the  Contingntial  Congress, 
to  be  held  at  Phelidelfia  Next  May,  if  Nescecry. 

"Voted,  That  one  Hundred  and  fifty  pound  L  money 
be  Raised  for  the  Repare  of  Highways  the  present  year, 
at  the  same  Wages  as  Last  year." 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Inspection  held  at 
Chester,  at  the  house  of  John  Webster,  Esq"",  the  15""  Day 
of  march,  1775 :  They  have  Requested  to  Know  the  minds 
of  the  People  of  this  Town  whether  they  will  Consider  any 
thing  at  our  Town  meeting  (Viz.),  What  Incouragement 
they  will  Give  Voluntears  that  Will  hold  themselves  in 
Rediness  upon  the  Shortest  notice  to  goe  against  our  Ene- 
mies that  Shall  Presume  to  Invade  us ;  and  upon  the  Com- 
mitee's  Request  this  meeting  is  called. 

"  Voted,  John  AVebster,  Esq"",  moderator  for  Said  meet- 
ing. 

*'  Voted,  that  this  meeting  Shall  be  adjourned  Till 
Thursday,  the  IS*"^  Day  of  April  Next." 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  freeholders  of  Town  of  Chester, 
held  at  the  new  meeting-house  in  Chester,  the  13"^  Day  of 
April,  1775,  by  adjournment  from  the  30*  Day  of  march 
Last  past.  Now  opened  by  the  moderator,  John  Webster, 
Esq.: 

"  Voted,  to  Give  Incouragement  to  a  Number  of  men 
that  will  hold  them  Selves  in  Rediness  if  called  for  to  Goe 
against  any  Enemy  that  Shall  Presume  to  Invade  us  or  our 
property. 


HISTORY   OP   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  131 

"  Voted,  To  Raise  fifty  Good  Effective  able  Bodyed  men 
into  the  Town's  Servise,  that  Will  Hold  them  Selves  in 
Redyness  if  called  for  by  the  Town  to  Goe  against  any 
Enemy  that  Shall  Come  to  Invade  us  or  our  Property. 

"  Voted,  to  Give  Six  Spanish  milld  Dollers  or  Equele  their 
unto  pr  month  to  fifty  Good  Effective  men  Each,  and  find 
them  their  Provision  as  Long  as  they  are  in  the  Town's 
Servise  ;  They  finding  their  own  Guns. 

"Voted,  That  the  Select  men  Shall  Inlist  the  before 
mentioned  fifty  men  and  Say  when  they  Shall  march. 

"  Voted,  that  their  Shall  be  a  muster  master  to  View 
these  men. 

"  Voted,  that  Cap'  Sam"  Robie  Shall  be  muster  master. 

"Voted,  That  if  any  of  these  fifty  men  Shall  Loose  their 
Guns  in  an  Ingagement  the  Town  Shall  Pay  for  them. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Select  men  Shall  prise  these  fifty  men's 
Guns  before  they  march. 

"  Voted,  that  these  fifty  men  have  the  Liberty  to  Chuse 
their  officers  in  this  Town. 

"  Voted,  that  this  meeting  be  adjourned  till  monday,  the 
first  Day  of  May  next." 

May  1^*,  1775, 

"  Whereas  their  was  a  Vote  pased  at  the  Last  meeting 
that  there  Should  be  fifty  Effective  able  Bodyed  men  In- 
listed  into  the  Town's  Servise  to  be  in  Redyness  upon  the 
Shortest  warning  to  Goe  against  our  Enemies  which  may 
Invade  us,  Wliich  Number  appears  to  be  full  Large  ;  upon 
which  it  is  Voted  that  Instead  of  the  Said  fifty  men  their 
Shall  be  thirty  men  Inlisted,  which  men  shall  have  the 
Same  Incouragement  Paid  them  that  the  minnet  men  have 
in  the  Massachusets  Bay. 

"  Voted,  That  if  the^bove  Thirty  men  Shall  Inlist  and 
fit  themselves  they  shall  have  a  Reasonable  allowance  for 
their  Extreordinary  charge. 

May  15, 1775, 

"  Voted,  To  Chuse  Two  men  to  attend  the  Provential 
asociation  or  Congress  to  be  held  at  Exeter  the  17*^  Day  of 
may  Instant. 

"  Voted,  That  M--  Stephen  morss  and  Capt.  Robert  Will- 
son  Shall  be  the  men,  and  that  they  have  full  Power,  as  set 
forth  in  the  warning  of  Said  meeting." 

In  a  warning  for  a  meeting,  to  be  held  December  11, 
1775,  is  the  following  article  : — 


132  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOV^N   OF    CHESTER. 

"  To  Elect  Two  Persons  having  a  Reall  Estate  of  the 
Vakie  Two  Hundred  pound  Lawfull  money  in  this  Colloncy 
To  Represent  Them  in  Generall  Congress  to  be  held  at 
Exeter  on  the  Twenty  first  Day  of  December  Next  at  three 
of  the  Clock  in  the  afternoon ;  And  to  Impower  such  Rep- 
resentatives, for  the  term  of  one  year  from  their  first  meet- 
ing, To  Transact  Such  Business  and  Persue  Such  mesures 
as  they  shall  or  may  Judge  Nescecry  for  the  Publick  Good  ; 
and,  in  Case  there  Should  be  a  Recomendation  from  the 
Continential  Congress  that  the  Colony  asume  Government 
in  any  Perticuler  forme  which  will  Require  a  house  of  Rep- 
resentetives,  that  They  Resolve  them  Selves  into  Such  a 
house  as  the  Continentel  Congress  Shall  Recomend  ;  and  it 
is  Resolved  that  no  person  be  allowed  a  Seat  in  Congress 
who  Shall  by  him  Self,  or  any  other  Person  for  him,  Before 
said  Choyce,  Treat  with  Liquer  any  Ellectors  with  an  aj)- 
parent  view  of  Gaining  Their  Votes,  or  afterwards  on  that 
account." 

Stephen  Morse  and  Capt.  Robert  Wilson  were  chosen. 

At  a  meeting,  June  8, 

"  Voted,  that  the  Select  men  Drop  the  Graer  [grammar] 
School  for  the  present. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Town  Will  Secuere  the  Select  men 
from  any  Cost,  Charg  or  Damiage  They  may  be  Put  too  for 
not  Providing  a  Grammcr  Scbool  for  the  present  as  the  Law 
Directs.    Jacob  Chase  Decents  against  the  foregoing  Vote." 

They  reconsidered  a  vote  for  a  highway  tax,  and  directed 
the  surveyors  to  repair  the  highways,  as  formerly. 

The  Presbyterians  "voted  that  Mr.  Wilson  should  preach 
nine  months  day  about,  and  three  months  down  here." 

The  battle  of  Lexington  was  on  the  19th  of  April,  and 
when  the  report  of  it  came  to  Chester,  many  of  the  men 
went  to  the  headquarters  of  the  army  at  Cambridge,  and 
while  they  were  absent  reports  spread  in  different  places 
that  the  British,  or  "Redcoats,"  as  they  were  called,  were 
somewhere  in  the  neighborhood,  killing  all  before  them. 

I  will  relate  the  circumstances  of  the  alarm  at  what  is 
now  called  Bunker  Hill,  in  Auburn,  as  I  have  heard  my 
grandparents  and  father  relate  them.  There  were  five 
families  within  half  a  mile,  and  in  four  of  them  the  men 
were   gone  to  Cambridge.     Beginning  at  the  north,  was 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  133 

Capt.  (afterwards  Colonel)  Stephen  Dearborn.  His  family 
consisted  of  his  wife,  his  son  Richard,  aged  eleven,  and 
two  other  lads.  One  of  the  lads,  Thomas  Wells,  brought 
the  word  that  the  British  were  at  Sandown,  killing  all  the 
people.  They  turned  the  cows  and  calves  together,  and 
started  to  the  next  neighbor,  Caleb  Hall's.  Here  were 
Mrs.  Hall  and  five  children,  the  oldest  eleven  years,  and 
the  youngest  eight  months  old.  They  started  on  to  Moody 
Chase's.  He  had  gone  to  visit  his  brother  Jacob's  wife, 
who  was  sick.  His  wife  had  three  children.  Next  came 
TVells  Chase  (my  grandfather).  My  grandmother,  with 
her  son  B.  Pike,  fell  into  the  mournful  procession.  Next 
came  Nathaniel  Woods.  His  wife  had  three  children,  the 
oldest  perhaps  four  years  old,  and  the  youngest  two  weeks. 
They  marched  on  towards  Chester,  directly  towards  the 
enemy.  Somewhere  on  the  road  they  met  Moody  Chase 
returning  home,  who  contradicted  the  report,  and  they  re- 
turned homeward,  and  kept  garrison  that  night  at  the  two 
Chases'.  The  wife  of  Joseph  Calef,  who  lived  on  the  main 
road  near  the  corner,  buried  her  pewter  ware,  to  prevent 
the  Redcoats  from  running  it  into  bullets  to  kill  her 
with.  Hezekiah  Underbill  had  a  quantity  of  silver  money, 
which  he  put  into  a  stocking,  and  put  it  into  the  well. 
William  Graham's  family  heard  the  report  of  muskets  all 
night,  but  it  proved  in  the  morning  to  be  a  horse  stamping 
on  a  plank  floor. 

I  have  heard  it  said  there  was  much  such  an  alarm  at  the 
"  Branch  ; "  and  at  Newbury  the  British  had  landed 
on  Plumb  Island.  These  were  times  that  tried  ivomen^s 
souls.  Mrs.  Healey,  the  mother  of  Hon.  S.  D.  Bell's  wife, 
said  there  was  such  an  alarm  at  Hampton  Falls,  where  she 
lived,  and  that  she  was  old  enough  to  remember  it. 

1776.     At  a  meeting,  held  march  28,  1776,  it  was 

"  Yoted,  That  Those  men  that  went  Down  at  the  Battel 
at  Concord,  be  Paid  for  what  time  they  Stayed  after  the 
others  came  away,  which  was  about  Eight  Days,  at  the  Rate 
the  other  Proventals  wages  are." 


134  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   CHESTER. 

July  9,  1776, 

"  Voted,  That  all  those  Thirty  men  that  have  or  shall 
Inlist  into  the  Servis  of  this  present  Expedition  to  Rein- 
force the  armey  under  Generell  Sullivan,  Shall  be  paid  by 
the  town  as  a  bounty,  over  and  above  what  the  Colony 
promis''  to  pay  as  a  Bounty,  the  sum  of  Thirteen  Dollers 
and  Two  thirds  of  a  Doller  each  ;  and  all  those  Persons 
that  have  or  Shall  Inlist  into  the  present  Servise,  and  have 
Don  their  proportionable  part  Towards  Supporting  the 
present  warr  for  Said  Colony  before,  they  making  that  ap- 
pear to  the  Select  men  or  a  Committee  that  Shall  be  chosen 
by  the  town,  that  then  their  part  of  this  tax  Shall  be  Repaid 
Back  to  them  again. 

"  Voted,  Capt.  Henry  moore,  Nathan  morss,  Capt.  John 
Underbill,  Shall  be  a  Committee  to  Joyn  with  the  Select 
men  to  see  that  Justice  be  Don  with  Regard  to  the  fore- 
going Vote." 

November  25,  1776, 

"  Voted,  that  the  Charge  of  the  present  warr,  So  far  as 
it  Concerns  us,  Shall  be  paid  by  the  Inhabitants  in  equal 
proportion  as  the  other  Town  Charges  are  Paid." 

"  Sept.  27, 1776,  Nicholas  Oilman,  Treasurer  and  Receiver 
General,  Requires  of  the  town  of  Chester  56  pounds  Law- 
full  money  for  the  Currant  year,  and  26  for  the  charge  of 
the  late  Congress  and  assembly,  making  82  pounds." 

The  Congregational  parish 

"  Voted,  To  Give  those  Soldiers  their  Pole  Rate  to  the 
parish,  the  province  Gave." 

ASSOCIA.TION   TEST. 

Colony  of  Neiv-IIampshire. 

In  Committee  of  Safety. 

April  12tS  1776. 
In  order  to  cary  the  underwritten  Resolve  of  the 
Hon'ble  Continental  Congress  into  Execution,  You  are 
requested  to  desire  all  Males  above  Twenty  One  Years  of 
Age  (lunaticks.  Idiots  and  Negroes  excepted)  to  sign  to 
the  Declaration  on  this  paper  ;  and  when  so  done,  to 
make  return  hereof,  together  with  the  Name  or  Names  of 
all  who  shall  refuse  to  sign  the  same,  to  the  General  As- 
sembly, or  Committee  of  Safety  of  this  Colony. 

M.  Weare,  Chairman. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 


135 


In  Congress,  March  14"^,  1776. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  several  As- 
semblies, ConTentions  and  Councils,  or  Committees  of 
Safety  of  the  United  Colonies,  immediately/  to  cause  all 
Persons  to  be  disarmed  within  their  Respective  Colonies, 
who  are  notoriously  disaffected  to  the  Cause  of  America, 
or  who  refuse  to  associate  to  defend  by  Arms  the  United 
Colonies  against  any  Hostile  Attempts  of  the  British  Fleets 
and  Armies. 

(Copy.)  Extract  from  the  Minutes. 

Charles  Thompson,  Secr'y. 

In  Consequence  of  the  above    Resolution   of   the  lion. 

Continental  Congress,  and  to  shew  our  Determination  in 

joining  our  American  Brethren  in  defending  the    Lives, 

Liberties  and  Property  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United 

Colonies  : 

AVe,  the  Subscribers,  do  hereby  solemnly  engage  and 
promise,  that  we  will,  to  the  utmost  in  our  Power,  at  the 
Risque  of  our  Lives  and  Fortunes,  with  Arms,  oppose  the 
Hostile  Proceedings  of  the  British  Fleets  and  Armies 
against  the  United  American  Colonies  : 


John  Crawford, 
William  Lock, 
Samuel  Bluut, 
William  Tolford, 
Daniel  Greenough, 
Robert  McKiuley, 
Matthew  Forsaith,  Jr., 
Edward  Robie, 
Edward  Robie, 
Archibald  Malvafee,  /' 
John  Webster, 
Nathan  Morse, 
Sam^  Emerson, 
Henry  Moore, 
Stephen  Morse, 
Joseph  Linn, 
Daniel  Webster, 
Moses  Hills, 
Stephen  Dearborn, 
Jonathan  Hall, 
Adam  Willson, 
Stephen  Lufkin, 
Kobt.  Calfe, 


James  Rankin, 
Anthy  Somb.  Stickney, 
Edmund  Stickney, 
David  Wetherspoou., 
Peter  Aiken, 
John  Grimes, 
Matthew  Templeton, 
William  Underbill, 
Joseph  Dearborn, 
David  Crage, 
John  Underhill, 
James  Pearce, 
William  White. 
Nathan  Fitts, 
James  Duulap, 
Nathan  Webster,  Junior, 
John  Hasseltine, 
Peter  Dearborn, 
Peter  Hasseltine, 
Nathaniel  Blasdall, 
Ebenezer  Basford, 
Benjamin  True, 
Sam"  Hasseltine, 


13G 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 


Jasiel  Harriman, 
Ebenezer  Townsend, 
Nathaniel  Glidden, 
Wilks  West, 
Caleb  Hall, 
Wells  Chase, 
Moody  Chase, 
Stephen  Merril, 
Alex  Weatherspoon, 
Robert  Craige, 
James  Aiken, 
Bracket  Towl, 
Anthony  Towl, 
Benjamin  Melvin, 
Parker  Carr, 
Ezekiel  Morse, 
David  Currier, 
Robert  Rowe, 
John  Dearborn, 
Jethro  Colby, 
William  McMaster, 
Benj"  Hills, 
Samuel  Hills, 
Ezekiel  Worthen, 
John  Shackford,  Jur., 
Aaron  Townsend, 
Theod^  Shackford, 
Daniel  Richai'dson, 
Moses  Richardson, 
Isaac  Forse, 
Isaac  Forse,  Jr., 
Jonathan  Forsaith, 
Thomas  Wason, 
Rob'  Wilson, 
Will™  AVilson, 
James  Wason, 
Charles  IVIoore, 
Samuel  Moore, 
David  Fuller, 
Benjamin  Hoyt, 
John  Hoyt, 
Joseph  McClellan, 
Stephen  Marden, 
John  Pain, 
Joseph  Knowles, 


Simon  Bayley, 

Moses  Underhill,  Junior, 

Stephen  Hills, 

Richard  Haseltine, 

Jonathan  Darbon, 

David  Foss, 

Isaac  Blasdel, 

Josiah  Hall, 

Pearson  Richardson, 

Samuel  Kiusmand, 

Sam'  Wilson, 

John  Knowles, 

John  Knowles,  Jun% 

Nathan  Knowles, 

Joshua  Prescott, 

Joseph  Long, 

James  Wilson, 

Nathan  Webster, 

James  Waddell, 

Amos  Merril, 

Josiah  Bradley, 

Francis  Towle, 

Jacob  Hills, 

Thomas  Haseltine, 

Benjamin  Haseltine, 

Jabez  Hoit, 

Benjamin  Fuller, 

Samuel  Jones, 

John  Tolford, 

Hugh  Tolford, 

John  Robie, 

Gideon  Rowell, 

John  Coulby, 

Samuel  Rowel, 

Samuel  Forster, 

Henry  Hall, 

Peter  Hall, 

Sam*  Jacks, 

Simon  Berry, 

Thomas 

John  Willson, 

James  Shirlee, 

Hugh  Shirley, 

William  Shirlee, 

Sam'  Robie, 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 


13T 


Amos  Pain, 
Nathan  Norton, 
Samuel  Brown, 
William  Brown, 
William  Gilchrist, 
Abraham  Sargent, 
WintruiJ  Sargent, 
John  Karr, 
William  Mills, 
Eobert  Grahams, 
John  Grimes, 
John  Mills, 
NatW  Sweetser, 
Samuel  McFerson, 
Kobert  Dickey, 
Parker  Morse, 
Josiah  Morse, 
Edmund  Sleeper, 
Joseph  Morse, 
Joseph  Blanchard, 
Abner  Hills, 
Jabez  French, 
Isaac  Hills, 
James  Randall, 
John  Lain, 
Daniel  Dolbeer, 
John  Butterfield, 
John  Lane,  Jr., 
Jonathan  Norton, 
Joseph  Norton, 
Jonathan  Berry, 
Joseph  Smith, 
John  Sevi, 
Ellet  Berry, 
Benja.  Hills, 
David  Richardson, 
Bradbury  Carr, 
JosepJi  Carr, 
Charles  Moore,  Junor, 
Benj.  Currier, 
John  Quimby, 
Robert  Gordon, 


James  Richardson, 
Ebenezer  Dearborn, 
John  Gross, 
]Mark  Carr, 

Thomas  Fowler,  junr., 
James  Wetherspoon, 
Daniel  Wetherspoon, 
Manslield  McAfee, 
Samuel  Aiken, 
Robert  Patten, 
Samuel  Crombey, 
William  Miller, 
Hugh  Miller, 
Thomas  McMaster, 
William  Gilchrist, 
David  Dickey, 
Robert  Dinsmore,     . 
Benjamin  Pierce, 
Samuel  Pierce, 
Barnard  Bricket, 
Joseph  Hills, 
David  Underhill, 
Jonathan  Emery, 
Hezekiah  Underhill, 
Jonathan  Underhill, 
Isaac  Towle, 
John  Orr, 
John  Burley,     . 
Joseph  Hall, 
Joseph  Clark, 
Edward  Presson, 
Cornelius  Morgan, 
Samuel  Worthen, 
Edmund  Elliot, 
Paul  Healey, 
Moses  Underhill, 
Jacob  Perley, 
James  Hidden, 
Samuel  Davis, 
William  Brown, 
Francis  Carr, 
Timothy  Carr. 


138 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 


The  following  persons  signed  the  Association  Test  in 
Candia.  It  was  not  returned  to  the  Secretary's  office,  but 
was  found  among  the  papers  of  Nathaniel  Emerson,  Esq.: 


"William  Baker, 
Thomas  Dearborn, 
James  Eaton, 
Ezekiel  Kuowles, 
Nath'  Maxfield, 
Thomas  Emery, 
John  Clay, 
Jonathan  Pillsbnry, 
Nathaniel  Emerson, 
Walter  Robie, 
Moses  Baker, 
Benjamin  Batchelder, 
Samnel  Dearborn, 
Enoch  Rowel, 
Samuel  Moores, 
Abr'm  Fitts, 
Nicholas  Smith, 
Enoch  Colby, 
Nehemiah  Brown, 
Samuel  "Woi-then, 
Sewell  Brown, 
Stephen  Palmer,  Jr., 
John  Prescott, 
Richard  Clough, 
Obcdedom  Hall, 
Benjamin  Fellows, 
Biley  Smith, 
Jonathan  Smith, 
Joseph  Palmer, 
Benjamin  Hubbard, 
Elijah  True, 
Samuel  Brown, 
Jonathan  Brown, 
Aaron  Brown, 
Jethro  Hill, 
Sherburne  Rowe, 
Joseph  Fitield, 
Stephen  Fitield, 
Theophilus  Clough, 
Jonathan  Hills, 
Samuel  Morrill, 


Zebulon  TVinslow, 
Jesse  Eaton, 
John  Lane, 
John  Sargent, 
Thomas  Patten, 
Henry  Clark, 
Zachariah  Clifford, 
Benjamin  Cass, 
John  Colby, 
William  Turner, 
Robert  Smart, 
David  Bean, 
Obadiah  Smith, 
James  Miller, 
Benjamin  Rowell, 
Nath'  Burpee, 
Jeremiah  Burpee, 
Nicholas  French, 
Isaiah  Rowe, 
Stephen  Palmer, 
John  Sargent, 
Ephraim  Eaton, 
Robert  Wilson, 
James  Yarnum, 
Samuel  Buswell, 
John  Clark, 
Daniel  Hall, 
John  Hills, 
William  Eaton, 
Obadiah  Hall, 
Moses  Sargent, 
Thomas  Anderson, 
Ebenezer  Eaton, 
Robert  Wason, 
Paul  Eaton, 
David  Hill, 
Samuel  Towle, 
John  Robie, 
Simon  French, 
Benaiah  Colby, 
Daniel  Dolber, 


'         HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF    CHESTER.  139 

William  Hills,  John  Moor, 

Jolui  Cammet,  Hugh  Meclellan, 

Elias  Cammet,  Joiiathau  Ring, 

Samuel  Clough,  Joshua  Moore, 

David  Jewett,  Stephen  Clark, 

John  Carr,  John  Clitford, 

James  Prescott,  Jonathan  Cammet, 

Jonathan  Bagbv,  Jacob  Bagley. 
Amos  Knowles, 

At  a  meeting  held  April  14th,  17T7, 

"Voted,  That  a  Committee  of  five  men  be  chosen  to 
agree  with  and  hier  if  they  can  as  soon  as  posibell  so 
many  Good  men  as  Shall  appear  to  he  our  proportion  of 
men  Demanded  to  Serve  in  the  Continental  Servis. 

"  Voted,  Capt.  John  Underbill,  Jacob  Chase,  Esq'', 
Henry  moore,  Esq%  Capt.  Stephen  Dearborn  and  Capt. 
Sam"  Robie  to  be  the   Committee. 

"  Voted,  That  whatsoever  man  or  men  the  aforesaid  Com- 
mittee Shall  agree  with  and  Hier  into  the  aforesaid  Servis  as 
our  proportion  of  men.  Whatsoever  Said  Committe  Shall 
agree  to  pay  them,  the  Select  men  Shall  Hier  money  and  pay 
as  agreed  upon  by  said  Committee,  and  Shall  Raise  Said 
money  l)y  a  tax  upon  the  Inhabitants  as  the  Other  Town  taxes 
are  Raised  :  Alowing  to  those  persons  that  have  Don  part 
of  their  proportion  Toward  Suporting  the  warr  Sence  the 
commencement  of  the  Same  ;  also  allowing  to  those  men 
that  Have  alredy  Inlisted  into  the  Continentel  servise  for 
the  three  years  the  Same  Bounty  and  Encouragement  as 
as  these  shall  have  ther  is  to  be  hired,  Saving  and  Stoping 
out  what  they  have  alredy  Received  from  perticuler 
men." 

May  2Gth,  1777, 

"  Voted,  that  the  Select  men  Raise  the  whole  of  the 
money  this  year  they  have  hired  to  pay  those  men  tliat  the 
Committee  hired  into  the  Continental  Servise,  agreeable  to 
the  vote  of  the  Town." 

Dec.  2d,  1777, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Report  of  the  Committee  that  was 
Chosen  to  allow  the  Soldiers  an  Equality  p'^  month  up  to 
the  three  years  men,  for  their  Servise  Done  in  the  present 
war,  be  Excepted  as  they  have  Given  it  in." 

The  committee  agreed  to  allow  the  following  : 


,£ 

s.  d. 

0 

6  0  per  month 

0 

6  0  per  month 

0 

G  0  per  mouth 

140  HISTOEY  OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

Those  that  went  to  Cambrige  in  the  year  1775, 
8  months, 

Those  that  went  to  Cambrige  of  the  militare, 

Those  that  went  to  Portsmouth,  . 

Those  tliat  went  to  Cambrige,  aud  to  New  York 

after  Leaving  Cambrige,        .         .         .        0  10  0  per  month. 

Those  that  went  to  Cambrige  and  York,  and 
then  to  Canade  Twelve  months  after  Leav- 
ing Cambrige,         .         .         ;         .         .        0  15  0  per  month. 

Those  that  went  to  Ticontroge  5  months,    .        0  10  0  per  month. 

Those  that  went  from  Portsmouth  to  Tye,  after 

Leaving  Portsmouth,     .        .        .        .        0  10  0  per  month. 

Those  that  went  to  York  wath  Lent.  Sam"  Hes- 

seltiue  aud  Lieut.  Ezekiel  Worthin,      .        0    6  0  per  month. 

Sam"  Robie, 

Jacob  Chase,  j  ^  .., 

^V\UUlm  White,      >  Committee. 

Nathan  Fitts, 

1778.     At  the  annual  meeting  March  27, 

"  Voted,  that  there  Shall  be  Raised  this  year  for  the  Re- 
pairing- of  the  Highways,  £90  :  0  :  0. 

"  Voted,  That  their  Shall  l)e  Seven  men  Chosen  for  a 
Committee  of  Safety  in  this  Town. 

"  Voted,  that  Lent.  Sam"  Hesseltine,  Deacon  IMathew 
Forsaith,  Henry  moore.  Esq"",  Capt.  Sam'^  Robie,  Jcthro 
Colby,  Isaac  Blasdell,  and  Nathan  morss.  Shall  be  the 
men." 

At  a  meeting  "held  Feb.  5th,  1778, 

"  Voted,  Relating  to  the  Thirteen  artikels  of  confedera- 
tion proposed  to  be  Entred  into  by  the  thirteen  united 
States  of  america,  they  were  all  Carefully  Read  and  Con- 
sidered, and  then  Put  to  Vote  and  Voted  that  they  be 
Excepted  and  approved  of. 

"  Voted,  That  our  Representatives  be  Desired  and  Di- 
rected to  propose  that  the  assembly  and  Councell  may 
forme  a  plan  or  System  of  Government  for  this  State,  and 
Send  it  through  the  state  into  the  Severell  Towns  and  par- 
ishes, in  ordel"  for  their  Perusal,  Consideration,  and  excep- 
tance," 

May  12th,  1778, 

"  Voted,  that  their  Shall  be  one  person  Chosen  to  Convene 
and  meet  in  Convention  at  Concord,  in  this  State  of  New- 
hampsliire,  on  the  tenth  Day  of  June  Next,  for  the  Sole 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER.  141 

purpose  of  forming  and  Laying  a  permanent  plan  or  Sys- 
tem Governments  for  the  future  Happines  and  well  being 
of  the  Good  people  of  this  state. 

"  Voted,  That  Sam^^  Emerson,  Esq',  shall  be  the  per- 
son." 

March  26, 

"  Voted  that  the  "Widow  mary  Emerson  be  allowed  and 
paid  by  the  Town  for  her  Husband,  who  Died  on  His  way 
coming  home  out  of  the  wars,  as  the  other  Solders  ware 
allowed  and  paid  by  the  Town." 

Nov.  30th,  1778, 

"  Voted,  That  Leut.  Sam"  Hesseltine  and  Robert  Wilson, 
Esqs.,  Shall  Represent  the  Town  in  the  assembly  to  be 
held  at  Exeter  on  the  Third  Wednesday  in  December  Next 
at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  With  full  Power  for  one 
year  from  their  first  meeting  to  Transact  such  Buisness 
and  Persue  Such  mesurs  as  they  Shall  Judge  Nescecry  for 
the  Publick  Good." 

Col.  Moses  Dustin,  who  had  had  the  small-pox,  was  home 
from  the  army,  and  employed  the  wife  of  Elijah  Pillsbury 
to  wash  his  clothes.  She  went  to  a  brook  back  in  the 
pasture,  and  Joseph  Norton's  wife  happened  to  pass,  and 
took  the  small-pox,  and  the  whole  family,  including  two 
Palmer  girls,  had  it.  Mr.  Norton  had  then  three  children. 
Mrs.  Norton  and  one  of  the  Palmer  girls  died,  and  Mr. 
Norton  lost  one  eye.  Dr.  Page's  family  also  had  the 
disease,  and  they  purchased  Merchant  Blasdel's  shop,  and 
moved  it  into  the  south  woods,  on  to  the  parsonage  lot,  and 
removed  the  family  there.  Two  of  Dr.  Page's  children 
died. 

At  a  town  meetijig  Nov.  80th,  1777, 

"  Voted,  to  pay  for  the  shop  that  the  Select  men  Re- 
moved (that  belonged  to  Nathanel  Blasdel),  for  Doctor 
Page's  famely  to  have  the  Small  pox  in,  and  that  it  ]je  left 
with  the  Select  men  to  agree  with  said  Blasdel  how  much 
to  give  for  it,  and  Settle  that  matter  with  him. 

"  Voted  to  give  mary  Palmer  her  cost  when  she  had  the 
Small  pox.  Being  foreteen  pound,  Eleven  shillings,  nine 
pence,  two  farthings." 

They  voted  against  giving   Mr.  Norton  anything  for  his 

expense. 


142  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

There  was  a  meeting  of  the  Presbyterian  parisli,  Dec.  8. 
In  consequence  of  the  high  price  of  the  necessaries  of 
life,  they  voted  to  add pounds  to  the  Rev.  John  Wil- 
son's salary. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Town  will  send  one  man  to  Joyn  in  the 
Convention,  to  be  held  at  Concord  tlie  22d  Day  of  Septemb'' 
Instant,  in  order  to  Regulate  the  price  of  things. 

"  Voted,  that  Jacob  Chase,  Esq'',  to  be  the  man." 

Oct.  18, 1779, 

"  first  Put  to  Vote  whether  to  except  and  approve  of 
the  prices  set  by  the  Convention  at  Concord,  and  past  in 
the  affermetive. 

"  Voted,  that  messrs.  Jabez  Hoi't,  Capt.  Underbill,  Isaac 
Blasdel,  Deacon  Forsaith,  Antliony  Stickney,  William 
Lock,  Epliraim  Fitts,  Simon  Bayley,  and  Robt'  Wilson, 
Esq*",  Shall  be  the  Committee." 

November  29th,  1779, 

"  first  Put  to  Vote  to  see  if  the  Town  will  Except  of  the 
Report  of  the  Comittce  a])poynted  to  Regulate  prices  for 
the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town,  In  this  Town,  and  Voted 
that  it  be  Excepted. 

'^  Voted,  tliat  a  Committee  be  Chosen  to  See  that  the 
foregoing  prices  be  observed  ;  and  Voted  tliat  Jacob  Chase, 
Esq"^,  Deacon  Forsaith  and  antliony  stickney  Shall  be  the 
Comittee. 

"  Voted,  That  any  Person  in  this  Town  that  Shall  not 
com])ly  with  the  prices  Set  hy  the  Committee,  but  Sliall 
Sell  for  more  than  the  artikells  are  Set  at,  They  Shall  for- 
fit  and  pay  the  Value  of  the  Thing  so  Sold  To  the  Com- 
mittee ;  and  on  their  Refusal  to  Pay  that  Sum,  They  Shall 
be  advertised  in  the  publick  Prints  as  Innimecal  to  their 
Countrey. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Comittee  Shall  Get  the  proceedings  of 
this  meeting  printed  in  the  Publick  prints,  at  the  Cost  of 
the  town." 

An  act  of  the  General  Assembly  for  regulating  prices, 

passed  January  18th,  1777,  has  the  following  preamble  : 

"  Whereas  the  exorbitant  Prices  of  the  Necessary  and 
convenient  Articles  of  Life,  and  also  of  Labour,  within  this 
State,  at  this  Time  of  Distress  (unless  speedily  and  effec- 
tually remedied)  will  be  attended  with  the  most  fatal  and 
pernicious  consequences." 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 


143 


The  act  fixes  among  others  the  followmg  prices  : 


8.  d. 

Wheat,  7  6 

Rye,  4  G 

Corn,  3  6^ 

Oats,  2  O' 

Peas,  8  0 

Beans,  6  0 

Potatoes,  in  fall,  1  4 

Potatoes  at  any  season,  2  0 

Cheese,  0  6 

Butter,  0  10 

Pork,  fr'm  100  to  140  lbs.,  0  ih 

Pork,  fr'm  140  to  200  lbs.,  0  5 

Raw  Hides,  0  3 

Sole  Leather,  1  6 

West  India  Rum,  6  8 

N.  England  Rum,  3  10 


6.  d. 

Sugar,                                       0  8 

Molasses,                                 3  4 

Salt,                                        10  0 

Coffee,                                      1  4 

Cotton,                                     3  8 

Flax,                                         1  0 

Wool,                                       2  0 

Stockings  pr,  pair,                  6  0 

Flannel  pr.  yd.,                        3  0 

Tow  Cloth, '                              2  3 

Coarse  Linens,                        4  0 

Cotton,  or  Cotton  and  linen,  3  8 

Good  N.  E.  bar  iron,            40  0 

Farming  labor  in  summer,     3  4 
Mechanics  to  be  in  propor- 
tion, according  to  usage. 


An  additional  act  was  passed  April  8th,  1777,  raising- the 
price  of  some  articles  in  Portsmouth — rye,  5s.,  corn,  4s. — 
and  towns  were  to  choose  a  committee  to  regulate  prices 
in  proportion  as  such  goods  have  heretofore  borne,  com- 
pared to  Portsmouth. 

The  line  between  Chester  and  Raymond  was  settled  this 
year.     The  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson  died  Feb.  1st  of  this  year. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  March  9th,  Deacon  Adam  Wil- 
son, Anthony  Stickney  and  Maj.  John  Tolford  were  chosen 
a  committee  to  hire  preaching,  and  make  provision  for  the 
ministers  they  shall  hire.  They  voted  to  raise  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  pounds. 

At  a  meeting,  August  9th,  they  voted  to  raise  four  hun- 
dred dollars  more.  They  had  no  settled  minister  until  Mr. 
Colby  was  settled  in  1803,  but  depended  upon  temporary 
and  stated  supplies.  They  got  up  a  subscription  and  had  a 
meeting  Dec.  7,  and  chose  a  new  committee  to  expend  the 
money. 

At  a  meeting  held  Jan.  26,  1779, 

"  Voted,  That  those  persons  that  are  gon  into  the  Con- 
tinentel  Servis  for  three  years  or  Longer  for  this  town, 
theyr  famelyes  Shall  be  Supplied  with  Such  Nesicaries  of 


144  HISTORY   OP   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

Life  as  tlioy  Need,  agreeable  to  the  Resolve  of  the  Generell 
assembly." 

April  5, 1779, 

"Voted,  That  their  Shall  be  a  Committee  of  Safety 
chosen  in  this  Town. 

"  Voted,  That  mathew  Forsaith,  Joseph  Lynn,  Capt. 
Benjamin  Currier,  Lt.  John  San.  Dearbon,  Lt.  Jabcz  Hoit, 
to  be  the  Comitte  for  that  purpose." 

April  19, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Town  will  advance  and  Raise  the 
Bounties  to  Hier  the  Solders  for  the  Town's  proportion  as 
Demanded  or  Required  by  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the 
continent  and  State. 

"  Voted,  That  their  Shall  be  a  Committe  of  three  men 
Chosen  to  Inlist  Twelve  men  as  Soldiers  to  Serve  in  the 
Continentel  Servise  During  the  war. 

"  Voted,  That  Ro])ert  Wilson,  Esq.,Lisin  William  Litch 
and  Capt.  John  Underbill  to  be  the  men. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Select  men  Shall  Hier  money  to  Pay 
the  Bounty  allowed  to  the  above  Solders  when  Inlisted,  and 
the  muster  master  Shall  muster  them  and  Request  the 
money  to  Pay  said  Bounties." 

July  5, 

"  Voted,  That  Jacob  Chase  and  William  White,  Esq., 
Shall  be  added  to  the  former  Committe  in  order  to  pro- 
cuer  and  make  up  our  proportion  of  the  Contentell  Battel- 
ion  according  to  the  order  of  the  Committe  of  Safety  in 
April  Last;  and  that  the  Committe  be  Lnpowered  to  pro- 
cure and  Get  the  men  upon  the  Best  Terms  they  can,  and 
what  they  are  obliged  to  Give  more  then  the  Continent  and 
State  have  allowed  as  a  bounty,  the  Town  Shall  Repay 
them. 

"  Voted,  That  the  above  mentioned  Committe  (viz.),  Rob- 
ert Wilson,  Esq.,  Cap*  John  Underbill,  William  Litch, 
Jacob  Chase  and  William  White,  Esq'',  Shall  procure  and 
get  five  or  six  men  for  Solders  to  Goe  to  Road  Island  for 
six  months  upon  the  best  terms  they  Can  for  the  Town. 

"  Voted,  That  the  above  Committe  Shall  Call  upon  the 
Select  men  for  what  money  they  Shall  Hier  as  Solders  as 
aforesaid ;  and  the  Select  men  Shall  Ingage  to  pay  those 
men  they  Sliall  Hier  or  Raise,  and  pay  the  Same  to  them 
or  their  order." 

August  11, 

"  Voted,  That  we  are  willing  to  Joyu  with  Portsmouth, 


HISTORY   OF  THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  145 

Exeter  and  other  towns  in  this  State  for  Redusing  the 
prices  of  the  Nesecerys  of  Life  as  Recomended  by  them 
to  us. 

"  Voted,  That  the  town  Except  and  approve  of  what  the 
Commite  and  Select  men  Did  withe  Regard  to  Hiering  two 
men  as  solders  to  Goe  to  Portsmouth." 

September  6, 

"  Voted,  That  Capt.  Stephen  Dearbon,  Capt.  David  With- 
erspoon,  Capt.  Benj''  Currier,  Shall  be  a  Committe  to  Pro- 
cure our  proportion  of  what  men  is  Sent  for  to  Goe  to 
Portsmouth  as  Solders  upon  as  Reasonable  terms  as  they 
can  be  Got. 

"  It  was  put  to  Vote  "Whether  to  Except  and  approve  of 
the  Plan  or  forme  of  Government  as  now  Read  in  said 
meeting  formed  by  the  Convention  at  Concord :  and  52 
Voted  to  Receive  and  approve  of  it,  and  five  voted  against 
it. 

1780.     At  a  meeting  held  June  20, 1T80,  it  was 

"  Voted,  That  a  Committe  be  Chosen  to  Procure  our  pro- 
portion of  men  for  this  town  to  fill  up  the  Battalion  in  the 
Continential  army,  till  the  Last  Day  of  December  next, 
being  Eleven  men, 

"  Voted,  That  Capt.  Stephen  Dearbon,  Capt.  David 
Wetherspoon,  Capt.  Benj^  Currier,  Lent.  Jabez  Hoit  and 
major  William  White  to  be  the  Committe  to  Procure  s,^ 
men. 

"  Voted,  That  the  above  Committe  be  Instructed  and 
Desired  to  Procure  the  above  Number  of  men  to  Serve  as 
aforesaid  at  as  Reasonable  a  Rate  as  they  can ;  and  what 
sum  Soever  the  Said  Committe  Shall  Ingage  to  Pay  any 
man  so  Hiered,  the  Selectmen  Shall  furnish  the  Committe 
with  money  or  Specie  soficient  to  pay  them ;  and  Raise  the 
Same  of  the  town  by  way  of  assessment." 

At  a  meeting  held  July  5,  1780, 

"  Voted,  That  those  Twenty  men  that  is  Required  to 
make  up  our  proportion  of  men  Shall  be  Hired. 

*'  Voted,  To  Chuse  a  Committe  to  Hire  said  men. 

*'  Voted,  That  Capt.  John  Underbill,  Jacob  Chase,  Esq', 
and  maj'  William  White  be  that  Committe. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Said  Committe  Shall  Call  upon  the 
Select  men,  and  they  Shall  Give  theyr  Securety  to  those 
men  that  they  Shall  Hier  for  what  they  shall  agree  with 
them  for,  and  Pay  them." 
10 


14G  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  held  July  10,  1780, 

"  Voted,  That  wliat  men  the  Committe  Have  Eaised,  be 
Excepted  on  the  Terms  the  committe  ajireed  with  them  for 
(Viz.),  that  they  have  30  Bushels  of  Indian  Corne  \f  month, 
and  250  Dollers  for  three  months,  and  in  proportion  for  a 
Longer  or  a  Shorter  time. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  Proceed  as  they  have  Be- 
gun in  Respect  to  Beef  untill  they  have  Compleated  the 
Sum  the  Court  Have  Called  on  the  Town  for  (Viz.),  that 
they  Ingage  money  Equal  to  Corn  at  three  Shillings  p'' 
Bushell  for  what  they  Purches." 

At  a  meeting  in  November, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  Shall  make  a  Corn  Rate  on 
the  Inhabitants,  to  Pay  the  Solders  what  Corn  they  have 
Ingaged  to  them." 

The  Presbyterians  voted  to  raise  one  thousand  dollars  to 
hire  preaching,  and  to  pay  the  ministers  fifty  dollars  per 
day. 

The  winter  of  1780  was  remarkaljle  for  its  severity. 
Coffin's  history  of  Newbury  and  Chase's  history  of  Haver- 
hill both  say  that  for  "  forty  days,  thirty-one  of  which  were 
in  March,  there  was  no  perceptible  thaw  on  the  southerly 
side  of  any  house."  It  is  my  impression  that  it  was  in 
January  instead  of  March  that  it  did  not  thaw. 

David  Allen,  Esq.,  of  Salem,  N.  H.,  related  to  me,  about 
forty  years  ago,  the  circumstances  as  they  occurred  there. 
He  or  his  father  owned  a  grist-mill,  and  the  people  wanted 
a  path  to  get  to  it.  It  would  snow  one  day  and  blow  the 
next.  They  broke  with  oxen  until  the  snow  was  so  deep 
and  the  oxen  so  cross,  that  they  gave  it  up  and  tried  a  sin- 
gle track,  so  that  they  could  go  to  mill  on  horseback  ;  but 
they  had  to  give  that  up  also,  and  carry  their  grists  on 
their  backs,  traveling  on  snow-shoes. 

The  same  year  is  also  memorable  for  the  "  dark  day," 
the  19th  of  May.  The  sun  was  seen  at  its  rising,  but  was 
soon  obscured  by  clouds  and  smoke,  and  it  was  so  dark  in 
the  middle  of  the  day  that  the  fowls  went  to  roost  and 
candles  were  needed.  It  continued  dark  through  the  day 
and  first  part  of  the  night. 


HISTOEY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF    CHESTER.  147 

1781.     At  a  meeting  held  Jan.  29,  1781, 

"  Voted,  That  a  Committe  Shall  be  chosen  to  Procure 
.  our  proportion  of  Solders  for  three  years,  or  During  the 
present  warr. 

"  Voted,  That  the  above  Committe  Consists  of  five  men. 

"Voted,  Capt.  underbill,  Leut.  Jabez  Hoit,  Rob*  Wilson, 
Esq.,  Capt.  Stephen  Dearbon  and  John  Graham  to  be  the 
Committe  to  Procure  the  Said  men. 

"  Voted,  That  the  above  Committe  be  Desired  to  Procure 
their  above  proportion  of  men  upon  as  Reasonable  terms  as 
they  can  for  the  Benefit  of  the  Town  ;  and  that  the  Select- 
men Hier  money  and  pay  what  they  Shall  Ingage  them ; 
and  as  soon  as  Reasonaljle  Raise  ye  money  of  the  town 
according  to  Law,  by  way  of  assessment,  as  other  town 
Charges  are  Raised." 

At  a  meeting  held  March  5, 1781, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  procuer  in  the  best  manner 
they  can,  and  Deliver  agreeable  to  the  Court  order,  one 
third  of  the  Beef  called  for  by  Congress  for  the  year  1781, 
by  the  Last  Day  of  march  Instant  (Vz.),  9206  pounds. 

"  Voted,  To  add  four  men  as  Committe  men  to  joyn  the 
Committe  chosen  to  Inlist  Continentell  Solders. 

"  Voted,  Joseph  Lynn,  Callab  Hall,  Cap*  Benj*  Currier 
and  Cap'  Henry  moore,  for  the  Said  Committe." 

At  a  meeting  held  July  5, 

"  Voted,  To  Raise  our  proportion  of  Beef  for  the  armey. 

"  Voted,  To  make  a  Beef  Tax. 

"  Voted,  That  the  selectmen  Shall  Divide  the  Town  into 
classes  in  order  to  Procure  the  above  said  Beef. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  Impowered  to  Set  a 
value  upon  Beef,  that  any  Delinquent  class  Should  have 
provided,  or  any  Lidividiial  belonging  to  any  Class;  and 
make  assessments  on  them  Soficient  to  purches  Said  Beef, 
and  that  one  half  of  s'^  beef  be  paid  within  three  weeks, 
and  the  other  half  in  Septembr  next. 

"  Voted,  That  Leut.  John  San.  Dearbon  and  pearson 
Richardson  be  added  to  the  Committe  for  Procuring  our 
cota  of  the  Contentel  Solders." 

At  a  meeting  July  30, 

"  Voted,  That  in  order  to  Procure  the  three  months 
men  now  Required,  the  Selectmen  Shall  Divide  the  Town 
into  Classes  according  to  their  Poles  and  Estates,  and  make 
as  many  Classes  as  there  is  three  months  men  Required 


148  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 

out  of  this  Town ;  and  that  Every  Class  be  obliged  to  pro- 
cure one  man  for  that  Service  ;  and  if  any  Class,  person, 
or  persons  in  Said  Class  Shall  Refuse  or  Neglect  to  pay  his 
proportion  towards  Hiering  or  paying  said  man,  the  Select- 
men Shall  assess  him  Duble  his  proportion  for  the  Hier  of 
said  man  ;  and  he  or  they  Shall  be  obliged  to  pay  it." 
At  a  meeting  Nov.  1, 

"  Voted,  That  Jethro  Coll)y  Shall  be  a  Collector  to  Colect 
and  Gather  what  Corn  is  vet  Due  to  the  Town,  and  that  the 
present  Selectmen  Shall  Give  the  Said  Colector  a  warrant 
to  Colect  Said  Corn,  or  the  Value  thereof  in  money,  as  the 
Said  Selectmen  Shall  Judge  Right  and  just." 

Capt.  John  Underbill  and  Robert  Wilson,  Esq.,  were 
chosen  representatives  to  the  General  Assembly  "  To  trans- 
act such  Business,  and  Pursue  such  mesurs  as  they  may 
Judge  Necessary  for  the  Pu])lick  Good,  and  Particularly  to 
vote  in  the  Choyce  of  Delegates  for  the  Continental  Con- 
gress." 

]\Ir.  Flagg  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  eight  thousand 
continental  dollars  in  full  of  his  salary  the  year  past.  The 
Presbyterians  voted  to  raise  four  thousand  dollars  this 
year. 

1782.     January  8,  1782, 

"  It  was  Put  to  Vote  to  See  if  the  Town  Will  Except  of 
the  plan  of  Government  as  it  now  Stands,  and  it  was  past 
universally  in  the  Negative ;  149  Voters  being  present. 

"  Voted,  That  Lent.  Jabez  Iloit  Shall  carry  these  Votes 
past  with  Regard  to  the  plan  of  Government,  with  the 
Commite's  proposed  alterations  and  amendments,  to  Con- 
cord, and  Deliver  them  to  the  president  of  the  Convention 
to  be  held  there  the  foarth  Wednesday  of  Januar-^  Instant. 

"  Voted,  That  six  more  persons  be  added  to  the  former 
Comraitte  to  make  any  further  Remarks  or  amendments  on 
the  plan  of  Government  that  tliey  may  Think  Nesecery, 
and  make  return  at  the  adjournment. 

"  Voted,  Leut.  Sam"  Hesseltine,  Joseph  Linn,  Joseph 
Blanchard,  Capt.  Benja.  Currier,  Sam"  Emerson,  Esq.,  and 
the  Reve*^  mr.  Flagg  be  the  men. 

"  Voted,  That  Jethro  Colby  be  Cleared  from  Colecting 
the  Corn  that  Remains  Not  Colected." 

January  14, 

"  Voted,  That  a  Committe  be  chosen  to  Take  the  minds 


HISTORY   OP   THE   TOWN   OF    CHESTER.  149 

of  Such  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  as  have  not  Voted  in  the 
meetings  Respecting  the  Plan  of  Government. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Committee  Consist  of  five  persons. 

"  Voted,  That  L'  William  Lock,  Theodor  tShackford, 
Joseph  Blanchard,  Joseph  Linn  and  Richard  Hesseltiue  be 
the  members  of  the  Committee. 

"  Voted,  That  Hezekiah  L'nderhill  and  Sam"  Crumbie 
be  Colectors  to  Colect  the  Remainder  of  the  Corn  tax  which 
was  Due  for  the  year  1780." 

April  9, 

"  In  order  to  procure  our  Quota  of  men  to  fill  up  the 
Contentinetel  army  it  is  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  class 
the  Town  into  Seventeen  classes  Equel  as  they  can  accord- 
ing to  poles  and  Estate  ;  and  that  Each  Class  Shall  Procuer 
one  man  Each  Class  ;  and  Further  Voted,  that  if  any  class, 
or  any  Perticular  person  in  Said  Class,  Shall  Refuse  or  un- 
reasonably Neglect  to  pay  his  proportionable  part  of  the 
charge  Toward  Hiering  and  paying  Said  man  as  atforesaid, 
the  Select  men  Shall  assess  Such  Class,  or  Such  Perticuler 
man  in  Said  Class,  Duble  his  proportion  for  Such  Neglect. 
Said  money  Shall  he  paid  by  the  20'^  Day  of  may  next. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Select  men  Shall  pay  for  the  Rum  that 
will  not  be  Received  by  tbe  State  as  Soon  as  possable,  and 
make  the  Best  of  the  Rum  the  Town  has  now  at  Haverhill." 

The  following  was  found  among  the  papers  of  Col.  Ste- 
phen Dearborn : 

To  Capt.  Stephen  Dearborn  and  Mr.  Robert  Howe :  — 

Agreeably  to  an  act  of  the  General  Court  and  a  vote  of  the 
town,  the  following  persons  who  are  named,  with  the 
amount  of  their  ratable  estate,  are  to  procure  one  able- 
bodied,  effective  man  for  the  continental  service  three 
years,  or  during  the  war,  to  be  ready  to  be  mustered  in,  on 
or  before  the  10th  day  of  May  next,  or  pay  the  fine  agree- 
able to  iaw  and  vote  of  the  town.  You  are  desired  to 
notify  each  one  in  this  list  to  meet  and  prescribe  such 
method  as  they  shall  think  proper  in  order  to  procure  said 
men. 

Jabez  Hoit,  ^  Selectmen 

Stephen  Morse,        >        of 
Joseph  Blanchard,  )    Chester. 
Chester,  April  29,  1782. 


150 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 


£ 

s. 

d. 

£       9. 

d. 

1 

9 

1 

Barnard  Bricket 

2     1 

4 

3 

6 

10 

John  Clark 

1     7 

0 

0 

10 

00 

Abraham  Morse 

0  12 

0 

0 

9 

3 

Capt.  S.  Dearborn 

2  14 

0 

9 

17 

7 

Caleb  Hall 

1  12 

1 

2 

10 

11 

Jonathan  Emery 

1  14 

4 

0 

12 

00 

Samuel  White 

0  16 

6 

2 

18 

8 

Anthony  Stickney 

0    3 

0 

2 

14 

5 

Moody  Chase 

1  18 

9 

1 

6 

0 

Wells  Chase 

2     2 

8 

1 

16 

2 

Jeremiah  Underbill 

1  17 

2 

1 

13 

6 

Nathaniel  Wood 

1  14 

2 

David  Richardson 
Joseph  Carr 
Ezekiel  H,  Kelly 
Wid.  Ann  Carr 
Lieut.  John  Lane 
Jonathan  Norton 
Simeon  Norton 
Joseph  Norton 
Jonathan  Berry 
Jeremiah  Grifflu 
Robert  Rowe 
Samuel  MuiTay 

May  23,  1782, 

"  Voted,  To  Send  Two  men  to  the  Convention. 

"  Voted,  That  Jacob  Chase,  Escf,  and  major  William 
White  Shall  be  members  of  the  Convention  to  be  held  at 
Concord  the  first  Tuesday  of  June  Next,  by  adjournment, 
to  frame  a  permanent  Sistem  of  Government  for  the  State 
of  Newhamp." 

December  23, 

"  It  was  put  to  Vote  to  see  if  the  Town  will  Except  of 
the  Report  of  the  Committe  appoynted  by  the  Town  to 
Revise  the  plan  of  Government ;  and  it  was  Voted  that  said 
Report  be  Received  and  sent  to  the  Convention  at  Concord, 
as  their  Reasons  and  objections  why  they  will  not  Receive 
Said  plan  as  it  now  Stands,  by  the  N°  of  78  yeas  and  not 
one  Nay." 

Jacob  Hills  refused  to  serve  as  constable,  and  paid  his 
fine.  Two  others  were  chosen,  and  it  was  voted  that 
they  should  have  nothing  for  their  service.  They  had  the 
rates  to  collect. 

The  money  last  year  was  the  old  continental,  at  about 
its  lowest  point.  This  year  it  must  have  been  upon  a 
specie  basis. 

Capt.  Pierson  Richardson  agreed  to  deliver  twenty  cords 
of  wood  to  Mr.  Flagg  for  $28.  The  Presbyterians  voted  to 
raise  8150. 

1783.     At  a  meeting  held  May  15, 

"  Voted,  that  Lent.  Jabez  Hoit  Shall  Represent  the 
Town  as  a  member  at  the  Convention  to  be  held  at  Con- 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER.  151 

cord  on  tlie  first  Tuesday  of  June  Next,  for  the  purpose  of 
framing  a  permenent  Plan  of  Government  for  the  State  of 
New  Hampshire,  in  the  place  of  Jacob  Chase,  Esq"^,  who 
is  Dismissed  at  his  own  Request." 

May  26, 

"  Put  to  Vote  whether  to  Except  of  the  plan  of  Govern- 
ment as  it  Now  Stands,  past  in  the  Negetive  by  127  ;  one 
for  it.  Then  it  was  put  to  Vote  to  See  if  they  Will  Except 
of  it  withe  the  proposed  amendments  ;  And  it  Was  Voted 
to  Except  of  it  when  the  proposed  amendments  were  made 
to  it." 

August  28, 

"  Voted  that  the  Last  Peace  published  by  the  Last  Con- 
vention held  at  Concord,  Called  the  Alternetive,  Be  Ex- 
cepted by  the  Town :  65  Votes  for  it ;  Two  against  it." 

There  was  "  a  great  frost  "  August  10. 

1784.  Two  important  events  transpired  this  year  :  Peace 
had  been  made  with  Great  Britain,  the  independence  of 
the  United  States  being  acknowledged  and  the  army  dis- 
banded ;  and  a  constitution  of  State  governments  formed. 
The  chief  executive  was  a  president,  and  Meshech  Weare, 
of  Hampton  Falls,  was  nearly  unanimously  elected.  The 
Council  was  to  consist  of  a  certain  number  from  each  county, 
and  Rockingham  was  to  have  five. 

The  votes  in  Chester  were  nearly  unanimous.  Chester 
was  entitled  to  one  representative,  and  Capt.  John  Under- 
bill was  elected.  Two  hundred  dollars  were  voted  for 
schools.  A  committee  of  five  was  chosen  to  sell  all  the 
wood  and  timber  on  the  school  and  parsonage  lots.  The 
Congregational  parish  "  Voted  to  take  up  the  two  Hind 
Seats  Each  Side  the  Broad  alley  in  order  to  Build  four 
pews  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  Bell."  They  chose 
a  committee  to  build  the  pews,  sell  them  at  auction,  and 
purchase  a  bell.  The  pews  were  built  and  sold  and  bell 
bought.     See  1788. 

May  28,  in  a  drunken  row  at  the  raising  of  Hatter 
Underbill's  barn,  Sam.  Blunt  struck  Matthew  Templeton 
with  a  stone  in  the  forehead,  and  broke  in  the  skull.  Dr. 
Kittredge  was  sent  for,  who  removed  the  fractured  bone 


152  HISTORY   OF   THE  TOWN   OP   CHESTER. 

and  replaced  it  with  a  piece  of  silver  ;  it  healed  and  he 
lived  more  than  forty  years  afterwards. 

1785.     The  Congregational  parish,  March  30, 

"  Put  to  Yoate  to  See  if  the  parrish  would  take  up  the 
Short  Seats  at  the  Right  and  Left  hand  of  the  Galery 
Doors  in  the  meeting  house  and  build  two  pews  whear  s^ 
Seats  now  air,  and  Sell  the  pews  at  A^andue  and  Let  the 
money  Be  Laid  out  as  tlie  parrish  shall  think  best,  and 
past  in  the  Affarmative. 

"  Voated  to  Leave  it  to  the  wardens  to  Sell  the  ground 
for  the  pews  or  to  Build  the  pews  and  then  Sell  them  at 
Vandue  to  the  Highest  Bidder,  as  they  think  Best. 

"  Voted,  that  the  money  which  the  pews  Shall  Fetch 
Shall  be  Laid  out  toards  Colloring  the  meeting  house." 

The  Presbyterian  parish  chose  a  committee  to  settle  with 
all  wardens,  collectors  and  committee-men  who  had  the 
parish  money,  and  to  pursue  it  to  final  judgment  and  exe- 
cution. 

"  Voted  to  raise  thirty  pounds  to  hire  preaching,  and 
chose  Dea.  Forsaith,  Thomas  McMaster  and  John  Grimes 
to  supply  the  pulpit." 

In  a  warning  for  a  meeting  April  19,  is  an  Article  "  to 
See  What  Method  the  parish  Will  take  Relating  a  petision 
By  a  number  of  parsons  Belonging  to  Said  parish,  about 
Removing  the  Meeting  house  to  a  Senter  to  aComedate 
the  Parish,"  &c.  John  Crawford,  John  Grimes,  Capt. 
Henry  Moor,  Benjamin  Melvin,  Col.  William  White,  Capt. 
David  Wetherspoon  and  Robert  Grimes  were  chosen  a 
committee  to  fix  a  place.  They  reported  "  to  set  the  Meet- 
ing hous  in  at  about  Esqr.  Chase's  Brook."  "  the  parish 
not  Satisfied."  "  Adjourned  and  continued  the  committee." 
At  the  adjournment  the  committee  reported  "  to  set  the 
meeting  hous  on  Cap*  John  Underhill's  land  on  the  South 
Side  of  the  Rode,  as  Near  his  old  hous  as  we  Can  Conve- 
niently Set  it  as  the  Ground  Will  allow ; "  and  it  was 
"  Voted  that  the  Meeting  house  shall  Set  their." 

This  year  was  remarkable  for  the  quantity  of  snow,  the 
hardness  and  lateness  of  going  off.     James  Graham  at  the 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF    CHESTER.  153 

Long  Meadow  died  April  14.  John  Waddel,  of  Deny, 
came  witli  horse  and  sleigh  to  the  funeral  across,  over  all 
fences  in  his  way.  It  came  on  wa^'m,  the  snow  went  off, 
and  plowing  was  done  the  25th. 

October  12,  a  daughter  of  Moses  McFarland  had  her 
arm  torn  off  in  a  cider  mill. 

1786.  The  currency  before  the  war  had  been  bills  of  credit 
issued  by  the  Colony,  depreciated  and  called  old  tenor. 
During  the  war  Congress  had  issued  what  was  called  Con- 
tinental money  in  large  quantities,  which  had  been  largely 
counterfeited  and  had  depreciated,  it  is  said,  to  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  to  one,  and  had  been  by  universal  consent 
laid  aside.  There  was  little  gold  and  silver  and  little  for- 
eign commerce,  and  we  can  hardly  conceive  the  difficulties 
they  experienced.  There  was  a  wide-spread  dissatisfaction. 
As  a  specimen  of  the  pecuniary  condition  of  this  time : 
My  father,  B.  P.  Chase,  in  November,  1785,  purchased  a 
tract  of  land  of  the  proprietors,  and  to  raise  the  money  to 
pay  for  it,  he  made  hogshead  lioops  shaved  fit  to  set,  and 
carted  them  to  Newburyport  and  sold  them  for  ten  dollars 
per  thousand  ;  took  his  pay  in  Xew  England  rum,  carted 
that  to  Chester,  and  sold  it  to  the  traders  for  the  same  he 
paid  in  Newburyport.  Staves  were  sold  six  score  to  the 
hundred,  and  I  think  hoops  were. 

About  September  20th  a  company  of  men,  that  may  be 
called  a  mob,  assembled  at  Exeter  and  demanded  of  the 
General  Court  to  issue  paper  money.  The  Court  put  them 
off,  and  meanwhile  called  in  the  militia  and  dispersed 
them.  A  man  by  the  name  of  Eaton,  of  Sandown,  and 
one  by  the  name  of  Morse,  of  Londonderry,  were  im- 
prisoned. 

In  the  warning  for  a  town  meeting,  November  14,  were 
articles  :  "  To  see  if  the  Town  will  accept  the  plan  the  Gen- 
eral Court  have  sent  to  the  Several  towns  and  places  of 
this  State  for  Emiting  a  paper  Currency  as  it  now  stands," 
"  To  see  if  the  Town  will  Yote  to  have  Sum  alterations 
made  than  what  is  set  forth  in  Said  plan."  Both  articles 
were  voted  in  the  negative. 


154  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER. 

This  year  -was  remarkable  for  the  number  of  -wolves. 
Stephen  Chase  says  in  his  diary  :  "  February  6,  Hunting 
wolves ;  started  seven ;  plentier  than  for  fifteen  years. 
Feb.  14,  Shot  a  wolf.  March  8,  Mr.  Brown  killed  a  wolf." 
William  Graham,  Esq.,  told  of  his  mother  taking  him  to 
the  door  to  hear  the  wolves  howl,  and  that  they  came 
around  the  barn  in  the  night  after  the  sheep,  but  the  barn 
happened  to  be  shut  up.  Col.  Thomas  Wilson,  who  lived 
on  the  mountain  in  the  upper  part  of  Candia,  related  to  me 
that  one  day  in  the  spring  his  cattle  were  in  the  woods  to 
browse.  He  heard  a  roaring  among  them,  and  ran  to  them, 
and  a  wolf  had  a  young  creature  by  the  flank.  He  went 
up,  put  his  hands  on  the  creature's  back  and  drew  his  foot 
back  to  kick  the  wolf,  but  the  wolf  let  go  his  hold,  gave  a 
snarl  and  ran  away. 

March  28,  the  Presbyterian  parish  voted  to  build  a  meet- 
ing-house on  the  plan  appointed  by  the  committee.  They 
chose  Mr.  Morse,  Hugh  Tolford,  Thomas  McMaster,  Col. 
Wliite,  Samuel  Sherley,  Anthony  Stickney,  William  Bell, 
John  Grimes  and  Peter  Aiken  a  committee,  "  To  Consider 
the  Bigness  of  the  house  and  draw  a  draft  of  the  Pues,  and 
make  Return  as  soon  as  may  be." 

April  24, 

"  The  Comitys  plan  of  the  house  and  Pues  is  Excepted. 
V*^,  that  this  former  Comity  is  empowered  to  sell  the  Pues." 

1787.  Samuel  Emerson,  who  had  been  town  clerk 
since  1734,  was  chosen  again  this  year,  and  John  Emerson, 
his  &on,  was  chosen  assistant  clerk,  and  the  hand-writing 
of  the  records  chano-es. 


'O^ 


1788.  At  a  town  meeting  held  January  1,  Joseph 
Blanchard  was  chosen  a  "  Delegate  to  set  in  a  Convention 
that  is  to  Be  Holdcn  at  Exeter  Court  House  on  the  second 
Wednesday  of  Febu''  next,  for  the  Purpose  of  taking  into 
Consideration  the  Purposed  Constitution  made  by  tlie  Fed- 
eral Convention  the  17'^  of  Sepf,  1787,  for  the  approba- 
tion or  Disapprobation  of  the  same  when  meet." 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  155 

The  first  meeting  to  choose  representatives  to  congress 
and  electors  of  president  and  vice-president,  under  the 
Federal  constitution,  was  held  December  15.  The  com- 
mittee had  purchased  a  bell  weighing  about  six  hundred 
pounds.  It  was  said  to  have  been  a  first-rate  one,  having 
been  heard  at  McFarland's  tavern,  a  mile  and  a  half  this 
side  of  Haverhill,  being  more  than  fourteen  miles  as  the 
road  is  traveled.  It  was  raised  the  12*^  day  of  June.  A 
parish  meeting  was  held  June  26,  at  which  it  was  "  put  to 
Vote  to  see  if  the  parish  would  Except  of  the  Bell  as  it 
hang,  free  of  all  Costs  Except  what  the  pews  sold  for  ;  past 
in  the  affirmative."  They  voted  to  be  at  the  cost  of  ring- 
ing it  Sunday,  and  other  public  days,  and  that  others  might 
ring  it  at  their  own  expense  at  eight,  twelve  and  nine 
o'clock  on  other  days. 

1789.  The  town  voted  to  vendue  the  poor  of  the  town 
to  the  lowest  bidder. 

1791.  The  town  voted  to  sell  all  of  their  school  lots. 
Joseph  Blanchard,  Esq.,  "  was  chosen  to  set  in  Convention 
to  be  holden  at  Concord,  the  first  Wednesday  of  Sept.  next, 
for  the  purpose  of  Revising  the  Constitution." 

February  17,  1791,  an  act  was  passed  to  give  Jacob 
Green,  Enoch  Noyes,  William  Duncan  and  Daniel  Liver- 
more,  their  heirs  and  assigns,  the  exclusive  right  to  build  a 
bridge  across  Merrimack  river,  at  any  place  one  mile  above 
or  one  mile  below  Isle  Hooksett  Falls,  to  be  held  as  tenants 
in  common  and  not  as  joint  tenants. 

1792.  There  was  an  article  in  the  warning  of  the  an- 
nual meeting,  "  To  see  if  the  town  will  Tote  to  Give  their 
Consent  that  the  General  Court  should  annex  the  Xojth- 
westerly  part  of  this  town  to  Pembrook,"  &c.  Jethro 
Colby,  Jabez  Hoit  and  John  Porter  were  chosen  a  commit- 
tee "  at  the  expence  of  the  petitioners,  to  Join  with  Pem- 
brook Committee  and  see  if  it  is  expedient,  &c.,  and  report." 
There  was  no  report. 

The  committee  to  sell  the  school  lots  made  a  return  that 


156  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

the  ^yhole  amount  of  all  the  lots  was  £139  8s.  3d,  Richard 
Dearhorn  purchased  No.  67,  2  P.,  2  D. 

May  7th  a  meeting  was  held  for  accepting  or  rejecting 
the  amendments  proposed  to  the  Constitution.  The  amend- 
ments were  taken  up  separately,  and  almost  unanimously 
adopted. 

Mr.  Flagg  had  become  infirm,  and  unable  to  perform  his 
ministerial  duties,  and  two  committees  were  sent  to  enter 
into  arrangements  with  him.  A  vote  was  tried  whether 
the  parish  would  give  him  three-quarters  of  his  salary  dur- 
ing his  life,  but  it  did  not  pass. 

May  30,  1793,  voted  to  give  Mr.  Flagg  thirty  pounds  and 
twelve  cords  of  wood  yearly  during  his  life,  he  relinquish- 
ing his  pastoral  charge. 

October  2,  began  to  take  toll  at  McGregore's  bridge, 
the  first  bridge  across  ]\Ierrimack  river. 

October  27,  Isaac  Hill's  negro  had  the  small-pox. 

1793.  The  revised  (our  present)  constitution  was  rati- 
fied and  in  force.  The  senators  were  chosen  by  districts, 
the  councilors  by  counties. 

Joseph  Blanchard,  Stephen  Chase  and  Stephen  Dear- 
born were  empowered  to  sell  all  the  parsonage  lots  in 
Chester,  reserving  the  proceeds  of  the  hundred-acre  lot  to 
the  Long  Meadows,  should  they  be  incorporated  into  a 
parish  before  1801.  There  was  an  attempt  this  year  to 
unite  the  two  parishes.  The  Congregational  parish  chose 
Stephen  Chase,  Esq.,  Capt.  Benj.  Currier,  Capt.  Simon 
Towle,  Capt.  Locke,  and  Josiah  Flagg,  Esq.,  a  committee  to 
try  to  agree  with  the  other  parish  relating  to  settling  a 
minister.  In  the  warning  for  a  meeting  of  the  Presby- 
terian parish,  March  12,  1793,  was  an  article  "  To  see  if 
the  parish  will  choose  a  committee  to  Joyn  a  committee  of 
the  Congregational  Parish  to  confer  and  report  the  pro- 
priety of  settling  two  ministers  in  said  town  to  be  paid  by 
the  town  at  large,  or  otherwise  to  make  proposals  of  con- 
ditions for  both  Parishes  to  join  together  as  one,  and  lay 
the   same   before  said   Parish  at   some  future  meeting," 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER.  157 

Ensign  Sherley,  Esq.  White,  Samuel  Sherley,  Esq.  Blanch- 
ard,  and  William  Bell,  were  chosen  a  committee.  There  is 
nothing  more  on  the  Congregational  records  about  it.  The 
Presbyterians  voted  not  to  accept  of  the  report,  whatever 
it  might  have  been. 

At  a  meeting  of  tlic  Congregational  parish,  May  30,  it 
was  voted  to  give  Mr.  Nathan  Bradstreet  a  call ;  to  give  him 
£75  yearly  during  Mr.  Flagg's  life,  aiid  a  parsonage  worth 
fifty-four  dollars  per  annum,  and  after  Mr.  Flagg's  decease, 
a  salary  of  £90  as  long  as  he  should  perform  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  Jethro  Colby,  Jacob  Hill,  Amos  Merril,  Stephen 
Merril  and  David  Hall  entered  their  dissent  against  the 
vote.  Tlie  parsonage  was  afterwards,  at  Mr.  Bradstreet's 
request,  exchanged  for  the  money.  The  last  Wednesday 
in  October  was  appointed  for  the  ordination.  Esquire 
Flagg  was  to  entertain  the  ministers  free  of  cost,  Edmond 
Webster  was  to  provide  for  the  delegates,  and  a  room  for 
the  council. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Presbyterian  parish.  May  6, 

"  Voted,  that  the  old  Meeting  house  Shall  be  taken  Down 
and  Set  on  the  Ground  that  Capt.  Underbill  Purposes  to 
them,  Near  Joseph  Calph's. 

"  Voted,  that  Will™  Bell,  William  Wilson,  John  Grimes, 
Hugh  Tolford,  and  Joseph  Lins,  is  empowered  To  take 
down  these  old  meeting  houses,  and  Build  a  New  one,  or 
Cause  it  to  be  Done." 

The  first  Presbyterian  meeting-house,  built  about  1739, 
and  the  "  Little  meeting-house,"  which  stood  where  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Holmes'  house  stands,  were  taken  down,  and  the 
materials,  as  far  as  could  be,  were  wrought  into  the  Long 
Meadow  meeting-house,  which  stood  where  the  burying- 
ground  is,  on  No.  73,  2  P.  2  D.  The  new  house  was  raised 
July  4th,  and  the  pews  were  sold  July  11th,  1793.  Dedi- 
cated January  1st,  1794. 

The  Chester  Social  Library  first  opened  June  9,  1793. 
It  was  incorporated  in  1797. 


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HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER. 


159 


1794.  The  account  of  the  committee  to  sell  the  parson- 
age lots  was  rendered.  They  sold  for  .£219  8s.  9d.  Ex- 
penses, £5  7s.  6d. ;  remains,  X244  Is.  3d. 

There  was  an  article  "  to  see  if  any  encouragement 
should  be  given  to  raise  our  quota  of  80,000  men  that  had 
been  called  for."     Dismissed. 

The  Presbyterian  parish  chose  William .  Mills,  Joh)i 
Grimes,  William  Shirley,  Joseph  Blanchard,  David  Currier, 
James  Wason  and  Benjamin  Melvin,  ruling  elders.  Joseph 
Blanchard,  William  Wilson  and  John  Grimes  accepted, 
and  were  ordained  by  the  Eev.  David  Annan. 


ISSIDE  View  of  LOXG-MEADOW  MEETrXG-HOUSE, 


This  year  was  remarkable  for  the  forwardness  of  the 
season,  and  for  the  "great  frost"  the  night  of  the  17th 
and  morning  of  the  18th  of  May.  Richard  Melvin,  Esq., 
recollects  that  when  Esquire  Blanchard  moved  his  wife 
home,  April  23d,  the  apple-trees  were  in  blossom.  Tiie 
rye  was  headed  and  the  flax  up,  but  the  apples  and  all  w jre 


160  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER. 

killed  by  the  frost.  It  is  said  that  the  canker  worms, 
which  had  been  very  troublesome  for  years  before,  were 
greatly  checked  by  the  frost. 

1795.  The  two  parishes  chose  committees  to  make  rules 
iu  regard  to  taxing,  and  changing  from  one  parish  to 
the  other,  which  were  adopted ;  Init  the  document  is  too 
long  to  be  copied.  The  Congregationalists  refused  to  divide 
the  parsonage  money.  They  voted  to  take  up  seats,  and 
have  a  singing  pew  built.  November  19th,  the  Presbyte- 
rian parish  voted  to  hire  the  Rev.  David  Annan  two-thirds 
of  the  time  for  four  years,  and  pay  him  two  hundred  dol- 
lars each  year.  The  committee  engaged  Mr.  Annan  a 
house  to  live  in,  and  they  entered  into  a  strong  written 
obligation,  which,  however,  Mr.  Annan  proving  intem- 
perate, was  dissolved  October  7,  1799.  This  is  the  first 
intimation  we  have  in  the  records  of  those  who  had  been 
employed  to  preach.  Money  had  been  voted,  collectors 
chosen,  and  committees  to  supply  the  pulpit,  and  nothing 
further. 

1796.  May  18th,  David  Carr's  wife  was  buried  —  the 
first  in  Long-Meadow  burying-ground. 

November  7,  the  town  voted  to  divide  the  proceeds  of 
the  sale  of  the  parsonage  lots  equally  between  the  two 
parishes.  It  was  done  March  28tli,  1797,  each  parish 
receiving  £572  9s. 

There  remained  in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer  six  hun- 
dred dollars,  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  school  lots. 

Nov.  14,  Rev.  Ur.  Flagg  died. 

1797.  There  was  an  attempt  to  build  a  new  pound,  or 
remove  the  old  one,  which  stood  near  Ebenezer  Townsend's 
barn.  It  was  voted  that  it  should  remain  there  ten  years, 
and  to  sell  Mr.  Townsend  the  land  incumbered  by  his 
buildings. 

June  14,  1786,  there  was  a  meeting-house  raised  in  Ray- 
mond, at  what  was  considered  the  centre  of  the  town,  near 
where  David  Page  lived.  October  18,  1797,  it  was  moved 
to  the  present  centre.     It  is  the  present  town-house. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN    OF    CHESTER.  161 

1798.  Gov.  Gilman  in  two  or  three  years  reviewed  all 
the  militia  in  the  State.  October  5th  of  this  year,  he  re- 
viewed the  Seventeenth  Regiment.  The  muster  was  on 
Benjamin  Brown's  (now  Woodbury  Martin's)  field.  Col. 
Stephen  Dearborn  commanded,  and  he  killed  an  ox  and 
save  a  lunch  of  beef  and  bread  to  the  regiment.  It  was 
said  that  the  whole  expense  cost  him  one  hundred  dollars. 
They  were  late  in  forming  the  line  and  the  Governor  kept 
them  and  performed  the  firing  after  dark.  There  was  a 
Col.  Hubbard  who  made  powder  at  King's  Falls  in  Exeter, 
of  which  it  was  said  tliat  a  cask  of  it  caught  fire,  and  more 
than  half  of  it  burned  up  before  they  could  blow  it  out. 
Something  of  the  kind  was  used  on  this  occasion,  and  a 
stream  of  fire  could  be  seen  two  yards  from  the  muzzle  of 
the  gun  when  they  fired. 

1799.  There  was  another  attempt  to  have  the  upper  end 
of  the  town  annexed  to  Pembroke,  and  a  hearing  was  to  be 
had  in  June.  There  was  an  article  in  the  warning  of  the 
annual  meeting  respecting  it.     It  passed  in  the  negative. 

Josiah  Flagg  died  April  25.  The  bell  was  broken  while 
tolling  for  his  funeral.  There  was  a  parish  meeting  called 
May  29,  on  the  subject.  It  was  voted  to  have  a  bell  to 
weigh  eight  hundred  pounds.  Benjamin  Brown,  Isaac 
Hills  and  Edmund  Webster  were  chosen  a  committee  to 
procure  it.  They  were  to  take  the  old  bell  and  a  subscrip- 
tion of  827  that  had  been  raised,  and  draw  on  the  parish 
treasurer  for  the  balance.  Aug.  14,  the  bell  was  raised. 
The  committee  rendered  their  account  Oct.  9,  1799.  They 
paid  Aaron  Holbrook  for  casting  and  new  metal,  ^£23  12s. ; 
paid  for  more  metal  in  Boston,  .£12  15s.  lOd. ;  other  bills, 
so  that  it  cost  besides  the  old  bell,  X-17  6s.  4d,  when  it 
•was  hung. 

December  14,  Gen.  Washington  died. 

1800.  "  On  Monday  the  tenth  day  of  February,  Anno 
Domini  1800,  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Chester  met  at  the  lower  meeting-house  in  said  town,  to 
determine  on  some  suitable  mode  of  paying  respect  to  the 
memory   of    Gen.    George    Washington.      After   choosing 

11 


1G2  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

Joseph  Blan chard,  Esq.,  moderator  of  the  meeting,  and 
Amos  Kent,  Esq.,  clerk,  the  following  resolves  were  unan- 
imously passed  : 

"  l*"'.  That  it  be  recommended  to  as  many  of  the  Inhab- 
itants of  Cliester  as  convenient,  to  meet  at  or  near  the 
House  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Brown  in  said  Chester  on  Saturday, 
the  22P-  of  this  Ins'.  Feb^.,  to  pay  a  Tribute  of  Respect  to 
the  virtues  of  the  late  Deceased  General  George  Wash- 
ington. 

2''.  That  the  Inhabitants  when  met  form  in  Procession 
and  march  to  the  meeting-house,  and  that  the  Rev*^.  M"". 
Bradstreet  be  Requested  to  officiate  on  the  occasion. 

8*^.  That  the  front  of  the  gallery  and  Pulpit  be  mantled 
with  Black. 

4"".  That  Cap*.  Abraham  Towle  with  his  company  of  light 
Infantry,  be  requested  to  attend  on  the  occasion  as  a  Mil- 
itary Escort. 

5'".  That  messrs.  Benjamin  Brown,  Benj^  True,  Ju"", 
Ozias  Silsl)y,  Joseph  Blanchard  and  Amos  Kent,  Esq",  be 
a  committee  to  carry  the  foregoing  Resolves  into  effect,  and 
to  make  such  other  arrangements  as  they  shall  think  suit- 
able on  the  occasion. 

"  The  committee  above  named  having  met,  unanimously 
agreed  to  recommend  to  the  inhabitants  of  Chester,  and  of 
other  towns  who  should  think  proper  to  attend  on  the  occa- 
sion, to  meet  at  the  house  of  Mr,  Benjamin  Brown  at  ten  of 
the  clock  in  the  forenoon  of  February  22,  —  each  having  a 
black  crape  on  the  lower  part  of  the  left  arm.  The  com- 
mittee also  recommend  to  the  keepers  of  shops  and  to  the 
different  mechanics,  to  shut  sheir  shops  on  the  22d  of  Feb- 
ruary, and  to  the  different  classes  of  citizens  to  abstain  from 
labor  on  that  day.  On  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  Febru- 
ary, a  large  concourse  of  people  from  Chester  and  the 
neighboring  towns  met  as  requested  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Benjamin  Brown.  At  half-past  eleven  o'clock  a  procession 
was  formed  in  the  following  order  : 

"  1*'.  Music  —  Drum  muffled  and  fifes  trimmed  with  black, 
2*^.  Cap*.  Towle's  company  of  Light  Infantry,  with  arms 
reversed,  as  a  military  escort. 
3^.  Committee  of  arrangements. 
4'^.  Selectmen  and  town  clerk. 
5**^.  Chaplain  and  orator. 
G**".  Civil  magistrates. 
7"*.  Field  officers. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER.  163 

8*^.  Capt.  and  subalterns  of  the  Infantry  and  troop  in 
their  uniform  with  their  side  arms  trimmed  with  Uack. 
9"^.  Deacons,  elders  and  wardens  of  churches. 
lO***.  Musicians, 
ll'**.  Professional  characters. 
12'".  Private  citizens. 

"  The  procession  marched  a  slow  march  toward  the  meet- 
ing-house, the  bell  tolling,  and  the  military  escort  moving 
with  their  arms  reversed.  On  arriving  at  the  meeting- 
house the  military  opened  to  the  right  and  left,  and  rested 
on  their  arms  until  the  procession  had  marched  through. 
Tlie  solemnities  were  opened  by  a  funeral  anthem.  A  judi- 
cious prayer  followed,  a  discourse,  pertinent  and  well 
adapted  to  the  occasion,  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brad- 
street,  and  several  pieces  of  music  suited  to  the  occasion 
were  performed  to  general  acceptance  by  the  singers.  After 
the  services  were  over,  the  procession  returned  in  the  same 
order  as  they  came,  a  quick  march  to  the  place  Avhere  they 
first  formed,  when  the  militia  opened  to  the  right  and  left, 
the  procession  walked  through  and  each  one  retired  to  his 
home. 

"  A  solemn  and  decent  deportment  appeared  in  every  class 
of  citizens  upon  this  occasion ;  the  countenance  of  every 
one  bespoke  the  most  sincere  and  unaffected  sorrow  for  the 
loss  of  a  man  who  had  rendered  such  signal  and  eminent 
service  to  his  countrv." 

At  the  annual  meeting,  Benjamin  Brown,  Simon  Towle 
and  Stephen  Chase  were  chosen  a  committee  to  consider 
the  petition  of  Nathl.  Head  and  others,  praying  to  be 
annexed  to  Pembroke.  They  reported  that  they  had  been 
on  the  ground  and  heard  the  parties ;  that  nearly  one-half 
the  residents  of  the  territory  were  opposed  to  the  measure ; 
and  that  it  would  be  a  greater  burden  on  Chester  to  main- 
tain the  road  through  Chester  woods,  and  recommended 
that  an  agent  be  chosen  to  oppose  it.  Simon  Towle,  the 
representative,  was  chosen  agent. 

There  was  also  a  committee  chosen,  consisting  of  Joseph 
Blanchard,  William  White,  Benjamin  Brown,  Amos  Kent 
and  Daniel  French,  to  make  report  on  the  expediency  of  the 
revision  of  the  Constitution.  Joseph  Blanchard,  in  behalf 
of  the  committee,  made  a  report  in  favor  of  the  measure. 


164  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

I  give  some  of  his  statistics  and  calculations  that  they  may 
be  compared  with  present  expenditures.  The  Legislature 
then  held  two  sessions. 

Travel  of  158  members  to  Concord    ....  $1500 

II  days'  attendance 3476 

Travel  to  Exeter 1550 

28  days'  attendance     .        .        .        .        .        .        .    8840 

$15363 

They  were  in  favor  of  reducing  the  members  to  as  few 
as  one  hundred  and  twenty,  and  alter  the  time  of  sitting  so 
as  to  have  one  session  of  twenty-five  days  only,  and  foot  up : 

Travel,  about $1200 

Pay  of  members 6000 

$7200 

Making  a  saving  of $8096 

This  is  but  a  specimen.  The  committee  went  through 
the  whole  expenditures  of  the  State,  and  made  so  good  a 
case  that  there  were  ninety-six  votes  in  favor  of  a  revision 
and  none  against  it.  But  the  Constitution,  after  sixty- 
seven  years'  further  experience,  remains  unchanged. 


CHAPTER    yill. 

FROM   1801   TO   1868. 

1801.  The  Presbyterians  from  the  lower  part  of  the 
town  owned  pews  and  attended  meeting  at  the  Long 
Meadows,  more  or  less.  Quite  a  number  of  families  of  Eng- 
lish descent,  as  a  matter  of  convenience,  joined  the  Presl^y- 
terian  parish,  and  they  considered  their  meeting-bouse  too 
small ;  and  at  a  parish  meeting,  May  7th,  the  parish  voted 
"  to  cut  the  meeting-house  asunder  and  put  in  1.5  feet." 
Joseph  Blanchard,  Esq.,  Mr.  James  Wason,  and  Mr.  Paul 
Adams,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  build  the  addition  and 
sell  the  pews.     The  house  was  cut  in  the  middle,  moved 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER.  165 

apart,  and  fifteen  feet  put  in,  October  1st.  It  created  some 
difficulty,  because  it  removed  people's  pews  further  from 
the  pulpit.  James  McFarland  left  the  meeting,  and  went 
to  Candia. 

1802.  The  Presbyterian  meeting-house  was  not  finished, 
and  the  committee  was  instructed  to  finish  it  all  but 
painting. 

1803.  The  Presbyterian  parish  voted  "to have  the  sing- 
ing carried  on  in  the  singing  pew  all  of  the  time."  They 
probably  had  had  congregational  singing  a  part  of  the 
time.  At  a  parish  meeting,  May  30th,  the  parish  voted  to 
give  the  Rev.  Zaccheus  Colby  a  call  to  settle,  and  voted  three 
hundred  dollars  as  an  annual  salary.  Mr.  Colby  made  a 
long  communication,  giving  his  views  respecting  baptizing 
the  children  of  parents  who  had  been  baptized,  but  were 
not  in  full  communion  with  the  church,  which  was  called 
the  half-way  covenant.  (See  Ecclesiastical  and  Religious 
History.)  Mr.  Colby  had  been  the  ordained  minister  at 
Pembroke,  and  was  re-installed  October  13th. 

May  8th,  there  was  a  fall  of  six  inches  of  snow.  The 
peach  trees  were  in  blossom,  and  tl\e  grain  and  flax  were 
up.  Benaiah  Spofford  says  that  he  went  from  Hawk  to 
Haverhill  in  a  sleigh  the  9tli  day,  but  came  home  on  bare 
ground. 

The  bell  was  broken,  and  there  were  a  number  of  indi- 
viduals who  were  taxed  in  two  places,  and  a  parish  meet- 
ing was  called  December  5th.  Josiah  Hall,  Joseph  Hall, 
and  Benjamin  Hall,  were  taxed  by  the  Presbyterian  parish, 
and  probal}ly  attended  meeting  there.  The  Congregational 
parish  voted  to  relinquish  Benjamin  Hall's  tax,  and  not 
the  others.  William  Murray's  and  John  Murray's  taxes 
were  relinquished,  they  procuring  receipts  that  they  had 
paid  in  Candia. 

"  Yoted,  to  sell  the  old  bell,  and  purchase  a  new  one." 

Henry  Sweetser,  Josiah  Bradley,  and  Benjamin  Brown, 
were  chosen  a  committee  "  to  transact  said  Business." 


166  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

1804.  At  the  annual  town  meeting,  Henry  Sweetser 
■was  chosen  an  agent  to  petition  the  General  Court  to  have 
the  line  altered,  and  established  in  the  following  manner : 
"  to  begin  at  the  S.  W.  corner  of  s''  Chester,  being  a  pitch 
pine  No.  134 ;  then  on  the  east  side  of  said  lot  No.  134,  in 
the  4'*'  Division  of  the  fang  of  the  pond,  so  called  ;  then  di- 
viding the  waters  so  as  to  leave  Great  Island  in  Derrylield 
and  Deerneck  in  Chester,  to  the  south  west  bounds  of  lot 
No.  41,  in  said  4*^  Division  ;  and  on  Northerly  between 
it  and  No.  42,  to  the  N.  E.  corner  of  s"'  42 ;  then  about  W. 
N.  W.,  on  the  middle  of  the  reserve  between  the  8*''  &  9^^ 
ranges,  until  it  comes  to  No.  102  ;  thence  to  run  N.  10  W. 
to  the  original  head  line  of  Chester  ;  then  on  the  said  head 
line  to  the  river."     The  alteration  was  not  made. 

The  General  Court  passed  an  act  December  30,  1803, 
requiring  the  several  towns  in  the  State  to  make  surveys  of 
their  respective  towns,  and  make  plans  and  send  to  the 
Secretary's  office,  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  State  map. 
At  a  meeting  August  27,  Stephen  Chase,  Joseph  Blanchard 
and  William  White  were  chosen  a  committee  to  make  the 
survey.  The  town  lines,  the  principal  roads,  including  two 
turnpikes,  Massabesic  pond  and  Exeter  river,  were  sur- 
veyed, and  a  plan  made  by  Esquire  Chase,  aided  by  his  son 
Stephen  Chase,  Jr.,  which  is  now  in  the  Secretary's  office.. 
The  expense  was :  Joseph  Blanchard,  twelve  days,  $18  j 
William  White,  eleven  days,  814.67 ;  Stephen  Chase, 
thirty-six  days,  $47. 

The  General  Court  made  a  contract  with  Philip  Carri- 
gain  to  get  up  the  map,  which  after  long  delays  was  pub- 
lished, and  a  copy  sent  to  each  town.  It  was  called 
"  Carrigain's  Map." 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  voted  "  That  the  selectmen 
be  Impowered  to  build  a  stone  pound  on  the  main  Road 
leading  to  Pembrook,  on  the  N.  E.  corner  of  David  Under- 
hill's  Land,  he  giving  the  same  for  s"^  use."  The  pound 
cost  $46.45. 

The  committee  to  procure  a  bell  sent  the  old  one  to  a 
Mr.  Holbrook,  of  Brookfield,  Mass.,  to  be  recast.     His  bill 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  167 

was  $236.95 ;  the  wliole  expense,  $298.05.  The  bell  was 
raised  August  20th.  At  the  same  time  a  town  clock  was 
purchased  of  Mr.  Holbrook  by  subscription,  at  a  cost,  I 
think,  of  one  hundred  dollars.  The  parish  paid  the  ex- 
pense of  putting  up  a  dial,  &c.,  $22.14.  The  clock  proved 
a  bad  bargain,  as  it  never  went  well,  and  a  great  deal  of 
money  was  expended  on  it  to  little  purpose. 

John  Emery  and  Stephen  Heath  shot  a  bear,  and  about 
the  same  time  Capt.  James  Orr  caught  one  in  a  trap, —  the 
last  killed  in  Chester.  A  little  later  B.  P.  Chase  saw  one. 
The  late  Judge  Bell  states  that  as  late  as  1810,  as  Col. 
Israel  W.  Kelley  was  riding  on  the  river  road  in  Goffstown, 
about  a  mile  above  the  falls,  he  saw  two  girls  very  much 
frightened,  who  said  they  had  seen  a  bear ;  when,  looking 
up  the  bank  in  the  direction  they  pointed  out,  he  saw  the 
bear.  He  walked  his  horse  and  guarded  them  to  the  next 
house.     Probably  this  was  the  last  in  this  region. 

1805.  Chester  turnpike  was  built  this  year,  and  the 
bridge  across  the  pond  for  the  Londonderry  turnpike. 

The  Presbyterian  parish  gave  liberty  to  some  individuals 
to  build  horse-sheds  on  the  parish  land.  Hitherto  the 
horses,  some  of  them  coming  six  miles,  stood  entirely  ex- 
posed to  the  weather. 

The  singers  had  liberty  to  extend  the  singing  pew. 

There  was  a  very  unfortunate  occurrence  this  year. 
December  12th,  in  the  evening,  several  men  who  were  at 
work  on  the  Straits  bridge  started  ostensibly  to  go  to  Peter 
Severance's  to  procure  his  cattle  the  next  day.  One  by 
the  name  of  Barnes  arrived  there  long  enough  before  the 
rest  to  have  Mrs.  Severance  get  up,  dress  herself,  and  draw 
a  mug  of  cider  for  him,  and  he  went  to  the  door  and  threw 
it  open  against  her  two  or  three  times.  By  this  time,  the 
rest  of  the  party  having  arrived,  Mr.  Severance,  suspecting 
that  some  violence  was  intended,  fired  his  gun,  the  charge 
passing  Barnes,  who  still  stood  in  the  door,  and  killed  Ben- 
jamin Whittier,  of  Boscawen.  At  the  February  term, 
1806,  he  was  convicted  of  manslaughter,  sentenced  to 
twelve  months'  imprisonment,  and  pay  costs. 


68  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

1806.  The  town  voted  to  pay  a  bounty  of  twelve  cents 
for  killing  crows.  The  question  of  having  a  work-house 
came  up  and  was  dismissed. 

There  was  an  act  passed  Dec.  28,  1805,  authorizing 
towns  to  divide  the  towns  into  school  districts.  The  town 
was  divided  into  twenty  districts,  rather  indefinitely 
bounded. 

June  16,  sun  totally  eclipsed  four  minutes  and  a  half. 

1807.  There  had  been  an  act  passed  for  furnishing  sol- 
_diers  with  rations  muster  day.  The  bill  this  year  amounted 
to  $63.25. 

Great  Britain  and  France  were  carrying  on  a  most  san- 
guine war,  and  were  not  at  all  disposed  to  respect  the 
rights  of  neutrals,  and  American  commerce  suffered  se- 
verely. The  Americans  enjoyed,  notwithstanding  all  of 
their  losses,  a  lucrative  carrying  trade,  but  the  government, 
to  protect  their  rights  or  to  prevent  further  wrongs,  laid 
an  emf)argo  on  all  foreign  commerce.  This  entirely  par- 
alyzed all  business  in  the  sea-ports.  As  an  illustration  of 
its  effects,  Edward  and  Stark  Ray  had  bought  the  Oswego 
mill,  with  some  two  hundred  acres  of  land,  covered  with  a 
heavy  growtli  of  pine  timber  ;  at  this  time  tliey  drevv  their 
lumber  to  Martin's  Ferry,  rafted  it  to  Newburyport,  and 
sold  it  for  eiglit  dollars  per  thousand,  and  the  market  was 
limited  at  that  price. 

1808.  At  a  town  meeting  held  Sept.  26,  a  committee, 
consisting  of  John  Bell,  John  Folsom,  Benjamin  Brown, 
Henry  Sweetser,  Nathaniel  Head,  Joseph  Blanchard,  Wil- 
liam Moore,  Benjamin  Eaton,  John  Wason,  John  Wilson, 
Amos  Kent  and  Ebenezer  Townsend,  was  chosen  to  consider 
the  propriety  of  pr.eparing  a  respectful  petition  to  the  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States,  praying  him  to  suspend  the 
operation  of  the  laws  laying  an  embargo  on  the  ships  and 
vessels  of  the  United  States  so  far  as  relates  to  Spain, 
Portugal  and  their  respective  colonies.  The  committee 
made  a  very  long  report  that  it  would  not  be  expedient,  but 
useless,  inasmuch  as  respectful  petitions  from  a  great  num- 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  1G9 

bcr  of  large  and  populous  towns  had  been  presented  to  the 
Picsident,  praying  to  have  the  eml)arg-o  suspended  so  far  a^s 
relates  to  the  countries  against  which  we  have  no  cause  of 
complaint,  and  where  we  could  have  exchanged  our  provis- 
ions and  lumber  for  articles  of  the  first  importance,  &c. ; 
the  answers  to  these  petitions  have  iniiformly  been  of  the 
same  tenor,  that  while  the  causes  for  laying  it  still  existed, 
the  embargo  must  remain,  &g.  They  vindicated  themselves 
from  the  charge  of  want  of  patriotism  and  exhorted  the 
people  to  gain  and  impart  correct  information  on  political 
subjects,  &c. 

June  27,  there  was  a  tornado  which  blew  down  the  barn 
of  Wells  Chase  while  he  and  his  grand-daughter  Sarah 
Chase  were  in  it  milking.     They  escaped  with  little  injury. 

1809.  Rev.  Mr.  Colby  had  a  paralytic  shock  in  the  desk 
while  reading  the  last  hymn,  in  the  summer  of  1808,  which 
disabled  him  from  preaching.  There  was  a  parish  meeting 
called  Jan.  2,  1809,  to  which  Mr.  Colby  made  a  communi- 
cation, saying  that  if  he  were  no  better  before  March  meet- 
ing he  would  resign  his  charge.  At  the  annual  meeting 
he  asked  a  dismission,  which  was  granted. 

There  was  a  petition  presented  to  the  Congregational 
parish  by  certain  individuals,  for  the  privilege  of  having 
ministers  of  other  denominations  preach  in  the  meeting- 
house when  it  would  not  interfere  with  Mr.  Bradstreet's 
meetings.  Liberty  was  granted  for  the  admission  of  Meth- 
odists, Baptists  and  Freewill  Baptists,  but  only  of  those 
that  the  committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  Mr.  Bradstreet, 
Benjamin  True  and  Nathan  Knowles,  should  approve. 

1810.  There  were  individuals  who  once  paid  taxes  to 
the  Congregational  parish  who  were  inclined  towards  other 
denominations ;  and  being  dissatisfied  with  Mr.  Bradstreet, 
they  declined  paying  taxes.  At  the  annual  meeting  there 
was  a  committee  of  twelve  chosen  to  confer  with  Mr.  Brad- 
street to  see  on  what  condition  he  would  dissolve  the  con- 
nection, and  also  confer  with  the  disaffected  members. 
They  reported  at  the  adjournment  that  Mr.  Bradstreet's 


170  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

terms  were  to  pay  the  loss  which  he  should  experience  in 
the  sale  of  his  real  estate  and  the  depreciation  on  his 
salary,  which  he  supposed  would  amount  to  three  thousand 
and  eight  hundred  dollars.  The  committee  thought  few  of 
the  disaffected  persons  would  willingly  be  members  of  the 
parish.  Therefore  they  reported  against  a  dissolution. 
Report  accepted. 

January  19  was  the  famous  cold  Friday.  The  day 
before  was  warm  for  winter,  but  about  4  o'clock  there 
came  up  a  squall  and  the  wind  blew  a  gale  from  the  north- 
w^est,  which  blew  down  a  great  deal  of  timber.  Tlie  house 
in  which  the  writer  now  lives  was  moved  on  its  foundation 
80  that  the  north  corner  went  to  the  bottom  of  the  cellar. 
Stephen  Chase's  diary  says,  "  Has  not  been  so  cold  for  forty 
years  by  three  degrees." 

1812.  The  spotted  fever  prevailed  in  Londonderry, 
which  caused  a  great  deal  of  alarm.  A  town-meeting  was 
held  April  18. 

"  Voted,  that  in  case  of  the  appearance  of  the  spotted 
fever  within  tlie  limits  of  the  Town,  the  selectmen  for  the 
time  being  be  authorized  to  procure  experienced  medical 
assistance  at  the  expense  of  the  Town." 

It  is  not  known  that  anybody  in  Chester  had  tlie  disease 
at  that  time. 

June  18,  war  was  declared  against  Great  Britain. 

November  16,  the  Presbyterian  parish  voted  to  hire  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Harlow  for  one  year,  and  offered  him  two  hun- 
dred dollars,  a  house  and  twelve  cords  of  wood.  Mr. 
Harlow  supplied  the  desk  three  years. 

1814.  There  was  a  petition  presented  to  the  legislature 
by  James  Otterson  and  fifteen  others,  praying  to  liave  a 
part  of  Chester,  part  of  Dunbarton  and  a  part  of  Aliens- 
town  incorporated  into  a  new  town.  There  was  an  order 
of  notice.     May  30  the  town  voted  that  it  might  be  set  off. 

There  were  men  drafted  at  three  several  times  to  go  to 
the  defense  of  Portsmouth  ;  one  detachment  in  the  sum- 
mer ;  one  draft  was  made  August  26,  for  sixty  days ; 
another  was  made  September  10,  for  ninety  days.  (See 
Military  History.) 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF    CHESTER.  171 

There  was  a  town-meeting  October  3.  There  was  one 
article  to  authorize  the  selectmen,  in  case  more  men  were 
called  for,  to  hire  them.  Another  article  was  to  authorize 
the  selectmen  to  furnish  any  detachment  with  powder  and 
ball.  Both  were  dismissed.  It  was  voted  that  the  town 
pay  each  soldier  drafted  since  March  such  sum  as  will 
make  up  fourteen  dollars  per  month,  including  what  the 
government  paid.  The  government  paid  eight  dollars  per 
month. 

The  dissatisfaction  with  Mr.  Bradstreet  continued  and 
increased.  Several  individuals,  including  several  members 
of  the  church,  were  taxed  by  the  Presbyterian  parish,  and 
attended  meeting  there,  and  refused  to  pay  for  the  support 
of  Mr.  Bradstreet.  The  parish  held  several  meetings,  and 
chose  a  committee  to  confer  with  Mr.  Bradstreet  and  with 
the  disaffected  members.  The  committee  reported  that 
Mr.  Bradstreet  proposed  that  if  on  mature  deliberation  the 
parish  determined  to  dissolve  the  connection  he  would 
leave  their  pecuniary  matters  to  arbitration.  The  delin- 
quent members  were  willing  to  belong  to  the  parish  if  Mr. 
Bradstreet  were  dismissed.  The  committee  reported 
against  a  dissolution,  and  against  the  collector  making  dis- 
tress on  the  delinquents. 

December  29,  a  Moral  Society  was  formed,  to  discounte- 
nance profanity.  Sabbath  breaking  and  intemperance.  It 
was  on  the  moderate  drinking  basis.  (See  History  of  the 
Temperance  Reform.) 

1815.  The  treaty  of  peace  was  signed  at  Ghent,  Decem- 
ber 24,  1811.  The  news  of  peace  came  to  Chester  February 
11.  The  President  appointed  April  13  as  a  day  of  public 
Thanksgiving,  the  same  day  that  was  appointed  by  the 
Governor  as  a  day  of  fasting.  The  day  was  celebrated  at 
Chester.  A  procession  was  formed  near  Benjamin  Brown's, 
escorted  by  the  Chester  Light  Infantry  accompanied  by 
martial  music,  and  marched  to  the  meeting-house  where 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Bradstreet  delivered  a  discourse,  which  was 
printed,  from  the  text,  Psalms  120  :  7,  "  I  am  for  peace," 


172  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF    CHESTER. 

in  which  he  recounted  the  causes  of  the  war.     The  pro- 
cession marched  back  and  had  a  supper,  toasts,  etc. 

September  23,  there  was  a  northeast  storm.  About 
eleven  o'clock  the  wind  veered  to  the  south  and  blew  a 
gale,  blowing  down  buildings  and  uprooting  large  quantities 
of  timber. 

At  the  June  session  of  the  General  Court,  1815,  there 
was  a  petition  of  Jonathan  Gillis,  Isaac  Hiise  and  John 
Dwinnell,  a  committee  in  behalf  of  the  town  of  Manches- 
ter, presented,  praying  for  the  exclusive  right  of  catching 
alewiv'es  in  Cohas  brook.  There  was  an  order  of  notice  to 
Chester,  Londonderry,  Bedford  and  Goffstown.  I  will  re- 
late the  fate  of  the  petition  as  related  to  me  several  years 
since  by  John  Lane,  Esq.,  who  was  the  member  from  Can- 
dia  at  the  time.  ^Mr.  Huse,  who  had  the  petition  in  charge, 
engaged  some  member  who  proved  to  be  a  wag  to  advo- 
cate his  cause  when  it  came  up.  The  gentlemen  referred 
the  House  to  the  member  from  Bedford  (Mr.  Chandler,  I 
think)  as  a  specimen  of  the  Bedford  people,  large  and 
athletic,  being  brought  up  on  chestnuts  and  acorns  ;  and  as 
a  contrast  referred  to  Mr.  Huse  (who  was  a  small  man)  as 
a  specimen  of  Manchester  people,  who  were  brought  up  on 
whortleberries  and  lamprey  eels,  and  were  a  diminutive 
race  of  men,  not  able  to  contend  Avitli  Bedford  people,  and 
therefore  ought  to  be  protected.  It  created  a  laugh,  and 
the  prayer  of  the  petition  was  refused. 

1816.  At  the  annual  meeting,  March,  1815,  John  Bell, 
John  Folsom  and  B.  Pike  Chase  were  chosen  a  committee 
to  consider  and  point  out  in  what  way  the  business  of  the 
town  can  be  conducted  so  as  to  make  a  saving  of  time  and 
money  to  the  town,  and  to  report.  At  the  annual  meeting, 
March,  1816,  they  reported,  that  for  the  three  years  past 
the  expense  of  transacting  the  town  business  had  been  six 
hundred  and  nineteen  dollars,  or  about  two  hundred  and 
six  dollars  per  year.  They  proposed  to  divide  the  town 
into  three  districts,  and  each  selectman  take  the  inventory 
in  one  district ;  have  one  assessor  to  make  the  taxes  ;  one 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF    CHESTER.  173 

overseer  of  the  poor  and  treasurer.     They  make  the  fol- 
lowing estimate  of  the  expenses  : 

Selectmen's  services, $50  00 

Assessor's, 15  00 

Overseer  of  poor's, 15  00 

Treasurer's,        .        . 15  00 

Making  in  the  Tvliole, $95  00 

Tlie  report  was  accepted.  We  cannot  show  precisely 
what  the  saving  was,  but  Joseph  Blanchard  charges  as  se- 
lectman, sixty  dollars  and  ninety-nine  cents  ;  Benjamin 
Fitts,  thirty-five  dollars  and  thirty-six  cents ;  Joseph  Rob- 
inson, twenty-eight  dollars  and  tM'enty-four  cents.  Henry 
Sweetserwas  chosen  overseer  of  the  poor,  and  charges  his 
services  and  expenses  of  maintaining  together,  six  hundred 
and  eighteen  dollars.  Stephen  Chase  was  chosen  treas- 
urer, but  was  also  collector  and  had  no  extra  bill.  It  was 
voted  at  this  meeting  that  in  the  future  two-thirds  of  the 
town  meetings  be  held  at  the  East  meeting-house,  and  the 
other  third  at  the  West  meeting-house. 

The  summer  of  1816  was  the  coldest  ever  known  by  the 
"  oldest  inhabitant ;  "  it  was  also  very  dry.  I  give  a  few 
extracts  from  a  diary  kept  at  the  time  :  "  May  15,  froze 
hard  enough  in  plowed  land  to  bear  a  man  ;  June  6,  snow 
squalls ;  June  8,  a  squall  of  snow ;  June  10,  frost  last 
night ;  June  11,  a  heavy  frost  last  night ;  killed  a  great 
deal  of  corn,  —  some  of  it  entirely  dead,  and  five-sixths  of 
the  apples  killed.  The  5th  of  June  the  thermometer  was 
88° ;  the  6th,  at  40° ;  the  9th,  at  37°.  June  22,  ice  in  James 
Wason's  tan-yard  ;  July  10,  frost  in  low  land  ;  August  22, 
frost  last  night  which  killed  a  great  deal  of  corn  and  pota- 
toes ;  August  20,  a  squall  of  rain,  but  snow  on  the  moun- 
tains at  Goffstown." 

It  was  so  cold  and  dry  that  corn  did  not  grow  to  ripen, 
and  was  killed  early,  so  that  very  little  was  raised.  Abra- 
ham Sargent,  Jr.,  had  removed  from  Handolph,  Vt.,  on  to 
his  father's  farm,  and  brought  with  him  a  very  early 
kind  of  corn.  He  raised  a  crop  of  tolerably  sound  corn 
which  he  sold  the  next  spring  for  four  dollars  per  bushel 


174  HISTORY   OP   THE  TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

for  seed,  and  it  was  a  great  favor  to  the  farmers  to 
obtain  it  at  that  price.  There  was  a  very  short  crop  of  hay. 
Wheat  and  rye  were  extremely  good. 

In  consequence  of  the  shortness  of  crops,  stock  was  very 
low.  My  father  sold  a  pair  of  four-years-old  cattle  for 
thirty-nine  dollars. 

The  first  elephant  ever  exhibited  here  was  at  Sweetser's 
tavern.  May  17  of  this  year. 

The  troubles  in  the  Congregational  parish  about  Mr.  Brad- 
street  continued,  and  it  seems  that  an  ecclesiastical  council 
had  been  held  that  had  recommended  that  if  the  pastor  and 
church  could  not  live  together  in  peace,  the  pastor  should 
ask  a  dismission,  which  he  had  not  done-.  The  parish  at  their 
annual  meeting  chose  a  committee,  consisting  of  William 
White,  Peter  Hall,  Isaac  Lane,  Henry  Sweetser,  Rich''  Dear- 
born, Jona.  Emery,  Stephen  Hills,  Perly  Chase  and  Stephen 
Clay,  3d,"  whose  Duty  it  Shall  be  to  take  into  Consideration 
all  applications  which  may  in  any  way  Concern  the  Prudential 
affairs  of  the  Parish  not  in  any  other  way  Provided  for."  A 
long  communication  was  made  by  Richard  Haseltine,  Nathan 
Knowles,  Benj.  Haseltine,  Ebenezer  Townsend,  Thomas 
Sargeant,  John  Emerson  and  Benja.  Hills,  Jr.,  church 
members.  They  complain  that  Mr.  Bradstreet  had  not 
complied  with  the  result  of  the  Council,  and  violated  his 
own  engagements,  and  intimate  that  the  church  may  be 
driven  to  unpleasant  measures.  They  say  that  if  the  par- 
ish would  join  with  the  church  in  dismissing  the  pastor, 
most,  if  not  all,  who  had  left  would  return  and  endeavor  to 
build  up  the  parish,  &c.  At  a  meeting  May  23,  the  parish 
"  voted  not  to  dismiss  Mr.  Bradstreet." 

After  the  Rev.  William  Harlow's  term  had  expired,  the 
Presbyterian  parish  had  three  or  four  young  men  as  candi- 
dates for  settlement,  but  would  not  agree  to  settle  any  of 
them. 

1817.  The  town  did  not  realize  the  expected  saving  in 
the  expenses,  especially  in  the  support  of  the  poor.  They 
voted  to  accept  the  accounts  all  but  the  charge  of  the  over- 
seer of  the  poor.     The  town  chose  Amos  Kent,  Stephen 


HISTORY    OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER.  175 

Chase  and  John  Folsom  a  committee  to  examine  the  ac- 
counts and  report  the  most  eligible  mode  of  supporting  the 
poor.  The  committee  reported  that  the  expense  of  sup- 
porting the  poor  had  been  unnecessarily  large  ;  and  that 
there  were  too  many  officers,  and  recommended  to  have  one 
selectman  oversee  the  poor,  another  be  treasurer,  and 
another  take  care  of  the  roads,  &c.  William  Graham  was 
chosen  treasurer,  Moses  Haselton,  overseer  of  the  poor, 
and  Jesse  J.  Underhill  to  superintend  the  highways.  The 
selectmen's  services  were  about  fifty  dollars  each,  and 
twenty  dollars  extra  for  overseeing  the  poor. 

At  a  town  meeting  April  28,  the  selectmen  were  directed 
to  prosecute  all  persons  who  may  be  guilty  of  a  breach  of 
the  laws  respecting  retailing  spirituous  liquors.  Retailers 
were  not  permitted  by  law  to  sell  in  less  quantities  than  one 
pint,  and  that  not  to  be  drank  on  the  premises.  The  law 
was  entirely  disijegarded  and  liquor  dealt  out  to  tipplers  by 
most  of  the  retailers. 

It  was  voted,  that  a  sum  be  raised  equal  to  one-half  that 
shall  be  raised  by  subscription,  for  the  encouragement  of 
erecting  a  court-house  here  in  the  event  of  the  courts  of 
law  being  removed  from  Portsmouth.  John  Folsom,  John 
Bell,  Daniel  French,  Joseph  Blanchard  and  Charles  Goss 
were  chosen  a  committee  to  wait  on  the  honorable  commit- 
tee to  locate  the  county  buildings.  John  Folsom  was 
chosen  agent  to  attend  the  legislature  on  the  subject  of 
removing  the  courts. 

The  difficulties  about  Mr.  Brad  street  continued.  At  a 
parish  meeting  a  committee,  consisting  of  Isaac  Lane, 
Richard  Dearborn,  Noah  Weeks,  Samuel  Shackford,  Perly 
Chase,  Peter  Hall,  Henry  Sweetser,  Abraham  Sargeant  and 
Jonathan  Emery,  was  chosen  to  confer  with  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bradstreet.  They  made  a  report  at  an  adjournment,  which 
was  accepted.  Five  hundred  dollars  were  borrowed  from 
the  parish  fund  and  paid  to  Mr.  Bradstreet,  and  the  con- 
tract was  ended. 

In  the  fall  of  1816,  the  Presbyterian  committee  procured 
the  Rev.  Clement  Parker,  a  middle-aged  man  with  a  family, 


176  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

as  a  candidate  for  settlement.  The  last  day  of  December 
there  was  a  parish  meeting  which  gave  him  a  call  and 
offered  him  a  salary  of  8350  and  8100  settlement  money. 
Mr.  Parker  was  ordained. 

Oct.  16,  there  was  a  brigade  muster  near  N.  Head,  Esq.'s, 
at  the  upper  end  of  the  town.  The  town  voted  to  give  the 
non-commissioned  officers,  musicians  and  privates,  thirty- 
four  cents  each. 

1818.  Stephen  Chase,  John  Bell  and  John  Folsom,  who 
had  been  chosen  a  committee  to  consider  the  expediency  of 
erecting  or  purchasing  a  work-house  for  the  use  of  the 
town,  made  report  at  the  annual  meeting  that  it  was  not 
expedient,  which  was  accepted. 

At  the  June  session  of  the  General  Court  there  was  a 
petition  of  Henry  Moulton,  and  thirty  others,  inhabitants  of 
Dunbarton,  presented,  praying  that  a  part  of  Dunbarton 
and  a  part  of  Chester  may  be  formed  into  a  new  town. 
Order  of  notice  on  Chester  and  Dunl)arton.  At  the  annual 
meeting  ]\rarch,  1819,  the  town  gave  their  consent,  but  the 
prayer  was  not  granted. 

In  the  Presbyterian  tax  and  account  book,  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Joseph  Blanchard,  Esq.,  is  a  copy  of  a  commu- 
nication addressed  to  the  wardens,  stating  that  for  a  number 
of  years  they  had  been  members  of  the  parish,  but  that  the 
causes  that  induced  them  to  join  no  longer  continued,  and 
asked  not  to  be  considered  members.  Dated  March  4, 
1818  ;  signed  Benjamin  Eaton,  Amos  Kent,  Benjamin 
Fitts,  Thomas  Sargent,  Benjamin  Kittridge,  Rufus  Kit- 
tridge,  Lemuel  "W.  Blake,  Nathan  Knowles,  3d,  Ezekiel 
Blake,  Joseph  Robinson,  Thomas  Haselton,  Joseph  Long, 
Benjamin  Wilson,  John  Wilson,  William  Moor,  James 
Moor,  Jr.,  Joseph  Richardson,  Jethro  Sleeper,  William 
Walker  and  Nathan  Knowles,  Jr.  There  is  also  a  frater- 
nal answer  by  Joseph  Blanchard,  Nathaniel  W.  Linn,  Sam- 
uel Dinsmore,  wardens.  There  is  also  a  memorandum 
stating  that  they  had  paid  in  four  years  832-1.03. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Congregational  parish,  May  4, 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF    CHESTER.  177 

"  Voted,  To  try  the  Persons  Singly  as  they  stand  on  the 
Petition  to  the  wardens  for  admittance  as  members  to  join 
the  Parish. 

"  Benj"  Kittrige,  Amos  Kent,  John  Wilson,  Will™  Moore, 
James  Moore,  Jr.,  Joseph  Richardson,  Cyrus  Moore,  Benj° 
Eaton,  Rufus  Kittrige,  John  Emerson,  Ezekiel  Blake,  Jo- 
seph Robinson,  Edward  S.  Hills,  Nathan  Knowles,  3d, 
Benj''  Wilson,  Thos.  Sargeant,  Jethro  Sleeper,  Nathan 
Wilson,  Joseph  Long,  Nathan  Knowles,  Jr. 

"  Voted,  To  Receive  all  of  the  above  Persons  as  mem- 
bers of  the  above  Parish." 

The  Hon.  Samuel  Bell,  Stephen  Chase  and  Isaac  Lane 
were  chosen  a  committee  "  to  make  a  certificate  for  the 
Rev*^  Nathan  Bradstreet."  A  Mr.  Jewett  was  employed  to 
preach. 

1819.  The  Congregational  parish  voted  to  shingle  and 
repair  the  meeting-house,  and  chose  Benjamin  Eaton  com- 
mittee to  do  it.  It  was  partly  done  by  subscription.  An 
article  to  sell  the  ground  for  four  floor  pews  in  front  of  the 
pews  last  built  was  referred,  the  committee  reported,  and 
report  was  accepted. 

The  Rev.  Clement  Parker  purchased  the  Paul  Adams 
place  (where  Andrew  Craige  had  made  the  second  settle- 
ment at  the  Long  Meadows),  and  being  unable  to  meet  the 
payments,  the  parish  voted  to  purchase  it  for  a  parsonage, 
and  Mr.  Parker  to  allow  rent  equal  to  the  interest  of  the 
purchase  money,  8^875. 

May  28,  Benjamin  Pike  Chase,  James  Wason  and  Rob- 
ert Dinsmore  were  chosen  ruling  elders.  The  two  first 
were  ordained. 

1820.  At  the  June  session  of  the  General  Court, 
Thomas  W.  Thompson  and  others  petitioned  to  have  a  new 
county  formed  out  of  the  northerly  part  of  the  counties  of 
Rockingham  and  Hillsborough.  At  the  annual  town  meet- 
ing, 1820,  the  sense  of  the  voters  was  taken  :  "  Against  the 
subject  matter,  157  ;  for,  9."  It  was  voted  that  no  swine 
be  allowed  to  go  at  large  in  any  part  of  the  town. 

The  Congregational  parish  had  voted  to  ofier  the  Rev. 
12 


178  HISTORY    OF    THE    TOWN    OF    CHESTER. 

Joel  R.  Arnold  five    hundred  dollars  salary,  and  chose  a 

committee  "  to  call  on  the  persons  belonging  to  the  parish, 

and  see  if  they  would  unite  in  giving  the  Rev.  Mr.  Arnold 

an  Invitation  to  settle  with  us."     The  parish  had  had  so 

much  trouble  in  getting  rid  of  Mr.  Bradstreet,  they  made 

a  proviso  that  if  either  party  was  dissatisfied  they  might  end 

the  contract  by  giving  six  months'  notice. 

There  was  a  parish  meeting,  February  19, 1820. 

"  Voted  to  adhere  to  the  former  vote,  and  confirm  the 
Call  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Arnold." 

The  parish  appointed  the  second  Wednesday  of  March 

for  the  ordination. 

1821.  The  mode  of  supporting  the  poor  came  up  again, 
and  John  Folsom,  Esq.,  Capt.  William  Graham  and  Capt. 
Samuel  Aiken  were  chosen  a  committee  to  report  upon  the 
subject  at  the  next  annual  town  meeting. 

At  the  June  session  of  the  General  Court,  1821,  Samuel 
Head  and  thirty-two  others  presented  a  petition,  show- 
ing that  they  lived  from  ten  to  sixteen  miles  from  the 
place  of  business  and  worship,  &c.  They  pray  that  the 
lands  and  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  Chester  north  of  a  line 
drawn  from  the  northeast  corner  of  Manchester  to  the 
southwest  corner  of  Candia,  may  be  set  off  with  a  part  of 
Dunbarton,  into  a  town.  Order  of  notice  to  Chester  and 
Dunbarton. 

Another  petition  was  presented  by  Nathl.  Head  and 
seventy-two  others,  inhabitants  of  the  northwesterly  part 
of  Chester,  the  easterly  part  of  Dunbarton  and  the  easterly 
part  of  Goffstown,  showing  that  they  were  from  ten  to  six- 
teen miles  from  places  established  for  transacting  town 
business  and  holding  public  worship  in  said  towns,  <fec. 
They  pray  that  a  portion  of  these  towns  may  be  incor- 
porated into  a  town,  &c.  Order  of  notice  to  Chester, 
Goffstown  and  Dunbarton,  to  be  heard  the  first  Tuesday  of 
the  next  session. 

1822.  At  the  annual  meeting,  March  12, 

"  Voted,  that  so  much  of  the  Town  of  Chester  as  lies 


HISTORY   OF   THE    TOWN    OF   CHESTER.  1T9 

Noi'tlierly  &  westerly  of  the  following  line  :  viz.,  Beginning 
at  a  Stake  &  Stones  at  the  South  west  corner  of  Candia, 
thence  S.  29  Deg.  West  to  the  south  head  line  of  Lot  No.  94, 
in  the  4th  division  ;  thence  N.  70"  West,  across  part  of  Lot 
No,  94  &  95  to  the  S.  W.  corner  of  said  No.  95  ;  thence 
Southerly  on  the  Easterly  line  of  lots  No.  80,  71  &  60,  to 
the  S.  E.  corner  of  said  No.  60 ;  thence  strait  to  a  Stake 
and  Stones,  which  is  the  Northeast  corner  of  Manchester ; 
be,  set  off  &  erected  into  a  new  Town,  on  condition  that 
they  take  their  proportion  of  the  paupers  of  said  Chester, 
pay  their  proportion  of  the  debts  Due  by  said  Town,  &  re- 
ceive their  proportion  of  debts  due  the  said  Town." 

This,  with  a  portion  of  Dunbarton  and  GofiTstown,  was 
incorporated  into  a  town  by  the  name  of  Hooksett,  July  2, 
1822.  Previous  to  this,  the  farthest  inhabitants  had  to 
travel  more  than  seventeen  miles  to  Chester  two-thirds  of 
the  time,  to  town  meeting,  and  fourteen  miles  the  other 
third,  to  the  Long  Meadows. 

A  very  able  and  elaborate  report  of  the  committee  chosen 
at  the  last  annual  meeting  to  take  into  consideration  the 
subject  of  a  change  in  the  mode  of  supporting  the  poor  be- 
longing to  the  town  of  Chester,  was  received  and  adopted. 

At  a  meeting,  April  2,  the  town  voted  to  purchase  a  farm 
for  the  poor.     (See  History  of  Pauperism.) 

1824.  There  was  an  effort  this  year  to  have  the  courts 
removed  from  Portsmouth  to  Exeter.  The  sense  of  the 
voters  in  Chester  was  taken,  and  there  were  one  hundred 
seventy-eight  in  favor,  and  none  against. 

Upon  a  settlement  with  Hooksett,  8173.42  was  paid  in 
full  for  all  funds. 

The  Presbyterian  parish  chose  Dr.  Nathan  Plummer  and 
Samuel  Dinsmore  ruling  elders.     They  were  ordained. 

1825.  There  was  an  effort  this  year  to  have  the  sessions 
of  the  courts  removed  from  Exeter  to  Chester,  and  seven 
hundred  dollars  were  appropriated  towards  erecting  a  court- 
house, provided  the  Legislature  should  by  law  direct  the 
holding  the  courts,  or  any  of  them,  at  Chester. 

Tliere   was   a  committee,  consisting  of  John   Folsom, 


180  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 

Samuel  D.  Bell  and  Daniel  French,  chosen,  and  one  hundred 
dollars  appropriated, "  to  aid  persons  in  defining  or  regaining 
their  rights,  who  have  been,  or  may  be,  taken  undue  advant- 
age of."  The  reason  of  this  measure  was  that  there  were 
some  men,  of  whom  Rufus  Wilson  was  the  principal,  who 
would  buy  up  demands  against  poor  people,  institute  suits, 
and  by  settling  and  taking  notes  for  larger  sums  and  then 
suing  again,  greatly  oppressed  them,  and  endangered  their 
becoming  paupers.  Wilson  was  afterwards  convicted  of 
forgery  for  erasing  a  clause  from  a  mortgage  deed,  which 
secured  possession  for  a  limited  time  to  the  mortgager,  and 
he  forfeited  his  recognizance  and  left  the  State,  which 
broke  up  the  gang. 

A  valuable  large  Bible  for  the  desk  had  been  donated  by 
Capt.  Moses  C.  Pillsbury,  then  warden  of  the  New  Hamp- 
sliire  state  prison,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  was  passed  by  the 
Presbyterian  parish ;  also  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Joseph 
Blanchard,  Esq.,  for  the  many  services  he  had  rendered 
the  parish.  There  was  a  meeting  of  the  Presbyterian  par- 
ish July  13,  when  it  was  voted  to  dissolve  the  connection 
between  the  Rev.  Clement  Parker  and  the  parish  on  the 
first  day  of  March  next. 

1826.  The  law  for  dividing  towns  into  school  districts 
required  that  the  territory  should  be  divided,  but  tlie 
division  heretofore  had  been  of  the  inhabitants,  and  inhab- 
itants had  been  changed  from  one  district  to  another.  At 
the  annual  meeting,  John  Folsora,  Josiah  Chase  and  John 
S.  Brown  were  chosen  a  committee  ''to  survey  the  town, 
and  divide  it  into  school  districts."  They  divided  the  town 
into  eighteen  districts,  and  their  report  was  accepted. 

Two  hearses  for  funeral  purposes  were  purchased  this 
year,  for  which  $225  were  paid.  Previous  to  this  the  dead 
had  been  carried  on  a  bier  on  men's  shoulders,  to  the  grave. 
They  were  sometimes,  in  case  of  deep  snows,  carried  on  a 
sleigh.  I  have  heard  my  grandfather  say  that  he  was  one 
to  carry  John  Craig  to  Londonderry,  a  distance  of  at  least 
nine  or  ten  miles.  I  helped,  in  1817,  to  carry  Lydia  Dear- 
born to  Chester,  four  miles  and  a  half. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OP   CHESTER.  181 

.  The  Presbyterian  parish  hired  E.ev.  Abel  Manning  at 
$300,  and  the  use  of  the  parsonage.  He  supplied  the  desk 
until  March,  1831. 

There  was  a  very  long  storm  in  August,  injuring  a  great 
deal  of  hay  and  grain,  and  then  a  very  heavy  southerly 
rain,  which  caused  a  slide  at  the  White  Mountains. 

1828.  The  bell  was  broken  and  a  new  one  procured, 
raised  May  29. 

1829.  An  act  was  passed,  June,  1821,  to  establish  a 
literary  fund  by  taxing  the  banks  half  of  one  per  cent,  of 
their  circulation  or  capital  stock,  to  be  invested  for  the 
endowment  of  a  college.  By  an  act  passed  December  31, 
1829,  the  fund  was  to  be  divided  between  the  towns  in  pro- 
portion to  their  State  tax,  for  the  support  of  common 
schools.  The  selectmen  of  Chester  received  $107.  At  the 
annual  meeting  it  was 

"  Voted,  that  one-fourth  part  of  the  Literary  Fund  re- 
ceived by  this  town  from  the  State  Treasury,  be  annually 
distributed  to  the  several  school  districts,  in  proportion  to 
their  respective  valuations,  for  the  support  of  schools  for 
four  years  ensuing,  and  tliat  the  interest  which  shall  have 
accrued  on  said  fund  at  the  time  of  such  annual  distribu- 
tion be  distributed  in  the  same  manner." 

A  fire  engine  was  purchased  by  individuals  on  Chester 

street.     At  a  town  meeting,  held  July  21,  it  was 

"  Voted  to  adopt  the  first  fourteen  sections  of  '  an  act 
entitled  an  act  deiiniug  the  powers  and  duties  of  firewards 
in  certain  cases.'  " 

Firewards  were  chosen. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Congregational  parish 
Samuel  D.  Bell,  Jethro  Sleeper  and  Samuel  Aiken  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  report  by-laws  for  the  government 
of  this  society  at  an  adjourned  meeting.  At  the  adjourn- 
ment, April  6,  the  committee  reported  a  code  containing 
sixteen  sections.  The  first  was  that  any  person  subscrib- 
ing his  name  to  the  parish  book  should  become  a  member, 
and  liable  to  taxation.  The  fourteenth  provided  that  any 
person  who  should  become  a  member  before  the  first  day 


182  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 

of  June,  1829,  should  be  exempt  from  paying  any  higher 
tax  than  one  dollar  on  the  poll,  and  in  that  proportion  on 
his  estate.  The  report  was  accepted  and  adopted.  Some 
persons  signed  the  book  after  the  first  day  of  June  and 
were  not  taxed,  but  claimed  the  right  to  vote.  A  meeting 
was  called  September  22,  "  to  see  if  the  parish  will  admit 
such  persons  to  vote  before  the  next  annual  meeting."  The 
article  was  dismissed. 

At  a  meeting  September  22  it  was 

"  Voted,  that  the  contract  between  the  Congregational 
parish  in  Chester  and  the  Rev.  Joel  R.  Arnold  be  dissolved 
at  the  expiration  of  six  months  from  the  time  Mr.  Arnold 
shall  receive  this  vote," 

At  the  annual  meeting,  1830,  a  proviso  was  added  to  the 
by-laws,  *'  that  no  person  shall  be  allowed  to  vote  in  any 
matter  coming  before  tlie  parish,  without  the  consent  of  the 
parish,  until  he  shall  become  actually  liable  to  pay  a  parish 
tax." 

1830.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Congregational  parish, 
August  2d,  a  committee  of  nine  persons  was  chosen  to 
present  the  parish  book  to  persons  for  their  signatures  to 
the  following,  to  become  members  of  the  parish,  viz. : 
"  The  subscribers  promise  the  Congregational  parish  in 
Chester  that  so  long  as  they  continue  members  of  said 
parish  they  will  pay  all  parish  taxes  assessed  upon  their 
polls  and  estates,  provided  the  same  does  not  exceed  the 
rate  of  eighty-four  cents  upon  the  single  poll,  and  in  the 
same  proportion  upon  their  taxable  property." 

At  an  adjournment  August  7,  the  parish  invited  the  Rev. 
Jonathan  Clement  to  become  their  minister  on  the  follow- 
ing terms  :  "  That  the  parish  will  pay  him  so  long  as  he 
continues  to  be  their  minister  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dol- 
lars annually,  and  that  he  shall  at  all  times  have  the  right 
to  put  an  end  to  said  contract,  giving  six  months'  notice  of 
his  intention  so  to  do,  and  that  said  parish  shall  in  like 
manner  have  the  right  to  put  an  end  to  said  contract,  giv- 
ing six  months'  notice." 

Mr.  Clement  accepted  the  call,  and  the  second  Wednes- 
day of  October  was  appointed  for  the  "ordination. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  183 

1831.  August  20,  Stephen  Heath  and  Oliver  Welch 
having  been  to  Derrj  with  a  team,  Welch  for  some  cause 
struck  Heath  with  a  stake  so  as  to  cause  his  death.  He 
was  convicted  of  manslaughter  and  sent  to  the  state 
prison,  and  in  a  few  years  was  pardoned. 

August  15,  the  Presbyterians  voted  to  hire  the  Rev.  Ben- 
jamin Sargent. 

November  22,  William  M.  Richardson  and  others  formed 
the  "  Chester  Musical  Society "  and  assumed  corporate 
powers. 

1832.  The  representatives  were  instructed  to  use  their 
efforts  in  the  legislature  to  have  the  courts  removed  from 
Exeter  to  Chester. 

1833.  The  Presbyterian  parish  voted  to  give  a  call  to 
the  Rev.  Benjamin  Sargent,  and  offer  him  the  use  of  the 
parsonage  and  two  hundred  dollars.  He  was  installed  the 
last  Wednesday  in  May. 

1834.  The  town  voted  to  purchase  of  Jonathan  Dear- 
born half  an  acre  of  land  for  an  addition  to  the  burying- 
place,  and  pay  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

1836.  A  record  of  marriages  and  births  had  been  kept 
in  an  unbound  book  from  1726  to  about  1806,  when  a 
bound  book  was  procured  for  the  purpose.  The  old  book 
was  much  worn  and  at  the  annual  meeting,  1836,  the  town 
clerk  was  authorized  to  copy  the  old  book  into  the  new  one. 
This  was  done  in  a  good  bold  hand  by  Mrs.  Tompkins,  the 
town  clerk's  wife. 

November  7,  voted,  ninety-two  yeas,  two  nays,  that  it  is 
expedient  for  the  State  to  grant  an  appropriation  to  build 
an  insane  hospital.  It  was  also  voted  to  authorize  tlie  se- 
lectmen to  cause  the  accounts  of  the  town  to  be  printed, 
which  has  since  been  done,  I  think,  annually. 

1837.  There  had  accumulated  in  the  treasury  of  the 
United  States  a  large  surplus  of  revenue  beyond  the  lia- 
bilities of  the  government,  which  by  act  of  Congress  had 
been  apportioned  among  the  several   States.     At  a  town 


184  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP    CHESTER. 

meeting  February  1,  it  was  voted  to  receive  it,  and  an 
agent  was  chosen  to  receive  it  and  directed  to  loan  enough 
to  the  town  to  pay  their  debts,  and  the  residue  to  individu- 
als, and  the  interest  of  the  money  to  be  divided  equally 
among  the  several  school  districts. 

1838.  At  a  town  meeting  Aug.  28,  the  agent  reported 

that  he  had  of  surplus  revenue  $4,718.67. 

The  selectmen  reported  that  when  they  came  into  oflSce 

the  town  owed $2724  06 

Liabilities  for  roads,  bridges,  &c 4933  66 

Total  indebtedness $7657  72 

It  was  voted  to  appropriate  all  the  surplus  revenue  and 
interest,  excepting  one  year's  interest  to  be  added  to  the 
school  money,  to  defray  town  charges. 

1839.  In  the  warning  of  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
Congregational  parish  for  1836  was  an  article  "  To  see  if 
the  parish  will  consent  to  alter  or  repair  or  otherwise  dis- 
pose of  the  meeting-house,"  and  similar  articles  were  in 
the  warnings  for  1837  and  1838,  all  of  which  were  dis- 
missed. This  year  was  an  article  "  To  see  if  the  Parish 
will  alter  the  meeting-house,  and  choose  a  Committee  to  do 
the  same,  or  to  authorize  John  Picket,  John  W.  Noyes, 
Nathaniel  F.  Emerson,  and  others,  members  of  the  Parish, 
to  alter  the  meeting-house,  provided  they  will  give  satisfac- 
tory bonds  to  the  Parish."  On  motion  of  Henry  F.  French, 
Esq., 

"  Voted,  That  the  Parish  authorize  a  Committe  to  alter 
the  meeting  house,  provided  they  give  a  bond  satisfactory 
to  the  Wardens  of  said  Parish  to  indemnify  said  Parish 
against  the  expenses  of  said  alteration ;  and  complete  said 
alteration  by  December  1,  1839,  and  pay  over  the  amount 
received  by  them  above  the  expenses  of  said  alteration  to 
the  Parish  ;  Yeas  34,  Nays  17." 

John  Picket,  Nathaniel  F.  Emerson,  Thomas  J.  Melvin, 
John  W.  Noyes  and  Benjamin  White  were  chosen  for  the 
said  committee.  John  Lane  of  Candia,  Nathaniel  Parker 
of  Perry,  and  Isaac  Smith  of  Hampstead,  were  chosen  to 
appraise  the  pews  when  the  house  is  altered. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 


185 


The  noble  structure  built  in  1773,  which  faced  the  south- 
west, with  a  steeple  at  the  northwest  end  and  a  porch  at  the 
southeast  end,  was  turned  around,  the  spire  cut  away,  the 
posts  cut  down,  the  whole  interior  altered,  having  only  a 
singing  gallery.  It  was  finished  into  seventy-eight  pews, 
which  were  appraised  at  from  fifteen  to  eighty-five  dollars 
each. 


Congregational  Chukch  in  Chestek,  Remodeled  in  1839. 


1840.  Seventy-five  dollars  were  appropriated  to  pur- 
chase a  grave-yard  near  the  Methodist  meeting-house. 

Oct.  10,  the  Presbyterian  parish  voted  to  dissolve  the 
contract  with  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Sargent. 


186  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER. 

1843.  This  year  was  remarkable  for  the  lateness  of  the 
spring.  There  was  a  "great  snow  storm  March  16,  and 
sledding  till  about  the  middle  of  April.  Pike  Chase  sled- 
ded down  the  Dearborn  mill-pond  April  21. 

1844.  By  a  statement  of  the  treasurer,  the  town  owed 
more  than  was  due  to  it,  84,300.25. 

A  motion  was  made  at  the  meeting  of  the  Congregational 
parish  that  it  is  expedient  to  dissolve  the  connection  be- 
tween the  parish  and  Mr.  Clement ;  negatived.  Mr.  Clem- 
ent took  a  strong  interest  in  the  alteration  of  the  meeting- 
house, and  that  and  other  things  raised  so  strong  an  oppo- 
sition that  he  gave  notice,  Dec.  1,  to  dissolve  the  contract 
after  six  months. 

A  town  meeting  was  holden  for  the  choice  of  electors 
Nov.  4.  The  Whig  candidates,  headed  by  Gen.  Joseph 
Low,  received  one  hundred  votes ;  the  Democratic,  headed 
by  William  Badger,  one  hundred  and  seventy-one  votes  ; 
the  Abolition,  by  Jesse  Woodbury,  twenty-three  votes. 
The  Democrats  prevailed  in  the  State,  and  voted  for  James 
K.  Polk,  who  was  elected.  The  question  was  taken  respect- 
ing the  abolition  of  capital  punishment :  affirmative,  thirty- 
one  ;  negativ'e,  one  hundred  and  twenty-two. 

1845.  The  town  voted  to  instruct  the  selectmen  not  to 
grant  licenses  to  retail  spirituous  liquors. 

A  petition  by  John  Clark  and  others  having  been  pre- 
sented to  the  Legislature  in  1844  to  have  the  town  divided, 
the  west  part  to  be  named  "  West  Chester,"  and  an  order 
of  notice  having  been  served  on  the  town,  there  was  a  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  John  White,  Jacob  Cliase,  David  Cur- 
rier, Stephen  Palmer,  Abel  G,  Quigg  and  James  Brown, 
chosen  to  report  a  line  for  the  division  at  an  adjourn- 
ment. The  question  was  taken  by  ayes  and  noes,  whether 
the  meeting  would  consent  to  a  division  provided  the  com- 
mittee should  report  a  satisfactory  line  :  ayes  one  hundred 
and  forty-eight ;  noes  eighty-three.  There  seem  to  have 
been  two  reports,  and  the  one  made  by  that  part  of  the 
committee  from  the  westerly  part  of  the  town  was  adopted  : 
ayes  two  hundred  and  ten  ;  noes  fifty-nine. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.  187 

There  was  a  strong  opposition  from  individuals  in  the 
"west  part,  headed  by  Jesse  Patten  and  Pike  Chase,  a  re- 
monstrance sent  in  and  counsel  employed  before  the  com- 
mittee, but  the  petitioners  prevailed,  and  an  act  passed  June 
23,  184:5,  that  all  that  part  of  Chester  "  lying  westerly  of 
the  following  lines,  to  wit :  beginning  on  the  line  between 
Chester  and  Candia  at  a  stake  and  stones  in  the  reserve 
between  lots  numbered  fortv-three  and  fifty-two  in  the 
second  division  of  lots  in  Chester  ;  thence  south  seven- 
teen degrees  thirty  minutes  west,  five  hundred  and  sixty, 
two  rods  to  a  spruce  tree  marked;  then  south  twenty-seven 
degrees  west,  two  hundred  and  ninety-eight  rods  to  a  stake 
on  the  northerly  side  of  the  road  leading  from  Jesse 
Wood's  to  Chester  turnpike ;  thence  south  sixty-eight  de- 
grees east,  seventy  rods,  to  a  stake  on  the  northerly  side  of 
said  road ;  thence  south  twenty-five  degrees  west,  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty-seven  rods,  to  a  stone  set  in  the  ground, 
on  the  southerly  line  of  the  road  leading  from  Concord,  N. 
H.,  to  Haverhill,  Mass.  ;  thence  north  seventy-one  degrees 
west,  twenty-four  rods  by  the  southerly  line  of  said  road  to 
a  stake  and  stones  ;  thence  south  twenty-three  degrees 
west,  seven  hundred  and  seventy-two  rods,  to  the  line  be- 
tween Chester  and  Derry ; — be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  sev- 
ered from  the  town  of  Chester,  and  made  a  body  politic 
and  corporate  by  the  name  of  Auburn."  Samuel  D.  Bell 
of  Manchester,  Nathaniel  Parker  and  William  Choate  of 
Derry,  were  named  in  the  act  to  divide  the  property  and 
debts.  Auburn  was  to  pay  two  dollars  and  twenty-six 
cents  and  Chester  four  dollars  and  two  cents,  of  State  tax. 

The  first  meeting  of  Auburn  was  notified  by  John  Clark, 
David  Currier  and  Stephen  Palmer,  and  holden  July  28, 
and  officers  chosen  at  an  adjournment. 

1846.  There  had  accumulated  a  surplus  of  revenue  in 
the  treasury  of  the  United  States,  and  Congress  had  passed 
an  act  for  dividing  it  among  the  States,  and  the  question 
was  laid  before  the  towns  whether  it  should  be  received. 
Chester  voted  unanimously  to  receive  it,  and  Auburn  forty- 
six  to  seven  to  receive  it. 


188  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN    OF   CHESTER. 

The  Congregational  parish  voted  unanimously  to  give  the 
Rev.  Lauren  Armsby  a  call,  with  a  salary  of  five  hun- 
dred dollars.  The  Congregational  society  in  Auburn  voted 
that  it  is  expedient  to  sell  the  old  meeting-house  and  ap- 
propriate the  proceeds  towards  building  a  new  house. 

1847.  The  building  of  the  new  house  was  taken  in 
thirty  shares  of  fifty  dollars  each.  The  share-holders  and 
society  chose  David  Currier,  Pike  Chase  and  Graham  Hall, 
building  committee.  Miles  Burnham  gave  the  land.  J.  • 
"W.  Spofford  took  the  contract  of  the  wood-work  and  David 
Hall  gave  the  bell.  The  house  was  raised  October  5, 
1847,  and  dedicated  February,  1848. 

1848.  The  question  of  a  prohibitory  liquor  law  having 
been  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people,  Chester  voted:  yes, 
ninety-six  ;  no,  33.     Auburn  voted  in  the  affirmative. 

1850.  A  convention  to  revise  the  State  constitution 
having  been  ordered,  John  White  was  chosen  delegate  by 
Chester  and  David  Currier  by  Auburn. 

The  snow  laid  till  April  20,  and  some  drifts  till  the  26th. 
Froze  hard  the  24th  and  froze  May  10. 

1741.  The  Constitutional  Convention  having  been  held, 
and  many  alterations  proposed,  fifteen  questions  were  sub- 
mitted to  the  towns.  In  Chester  the  highest  affirmative 
vote  was  twenty-four  ;  the  lowest,  nine.  In  the  negative 
the  highest  was  one  hundred  ninety-eight ;  the  lowest,  one 
hundred  eighty-two. 

In  Auburn  the  highest  affirmative  was  thirty-seven ;  the 
lowest,  eleven  ;  the  highest  negative,  one  hundred  and  five  ; 
the  lowest,  one  hundred  and  four.  The  whole  work  of  the 
Convention  was  rejected  by  the  State. 

Chester  voted,  sixty-eight  to  forty,  that  it  is  expedient 
for  the  Legislature  to  pass  a  law  exempting  a  homestead  to 
the  value  of  five  hundred  dollars,  from  attachment. 

From  September  8th  to  13th  was  the  warmest  weather  of 
the  season ;  15th  and  16th,  frost ;  23d,  the  ground  froze. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OR  CHESTER.  189 

1852.  April  15th,  a  seyere  snow-storm  ;  19th  and  20th, 
a  great  rain,  carrying  off  all  the  snow,  and  causing  a  great 
freshet,  the  water  being  over  the  bridges  at  Auburn  Village, 
and  up  above  the  base  of  the  great  rock  at  the  pond  shore. 

October  18th,  a  heavy  thunder  shower.  There  were  sev- 
eral barns  burnt  by  lightning. 

1853.  The  Legislature  had  proposed  the  question  of  a 
new  county,  Manchester  to  be  the  shire  town.  Chester  in- 
definitely postponed  the  article. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  town  of  Chester,  July  19,  adjourned 
to  September  13,  it  was  voted  to  erect  a  town-house  two 
stories  high,  thirty  by  fifty  feet,  the  upper  story  for  a  school- 
room, provided  that  8500  be  furnished  by  donation,  and 
the  expense  to  the  town  not  to  exceed  $1000.  Passed, 
seventy-five  to  fifty-one. 

1854.  In  1854  the  building  was  erected  by  a  few  indi- 
viduals, at  an  expense  of  82500,  including  furniture.  In 
1855  the  building  and  land,  were  sold  to  the  town  of  Ches- 
ter for  a  town-house,  for  81250,  reserving  forever  the  sec- 
ond story  for  school  purposes,  to  be  under  the  control  of 
the  trustees  of  Chester  Academy.  A  high  school  has  been 
kept  in  it  a  portion  of  each  year  since  that  time. 

The  question  of  building  a  town-house  has  several  times 
come  before  the  town  of  Auburn,  but  has  always  been  neg- 
atived. 

The  town  of  Auburn  voted,  seventy-one  to  thirty-seven, 
to  instruct  their  representative,  in  case  the  famous  Ne- 
braska Bill,  repealing  the  Missouri  Compromise,  should 
come  before  the  next  Legislature  for  approval  or  disap- 
proval, to  exert  his  influence  against  it. 

Nathan  Griffin  and  a  Mr.  Kendall  had  the  small-pox. 

May  7,  ice  froze  an  eighth  of  an  inch.  No  rain  from 
July  26th  to  September  1st. 

1855.  Chester  appropriated  8200  to  purchase  a  piece  of 
land  for  a  burying-ground,  and  a  committee  was  chosen  to 
purchase   and   lay   out   the   same.     Auburn   appropriated 


90  HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OP   CHESTER. 

$250  for  a  hearse  and  house  at  the  biirying-ground  near 
the  village. 

February  6th,  the  thermometer  19°  below  ;  December  25, 
there  was  a  cold  rain,  and  there  was  no  more  rain  till 
April  2,1856. 

1856.  December  18th,  thermometer  10°  below;  19th, 
8"  below. 

1857.  January  12th,  thermometer  19°  below,  and  at 
night  a  very  severe  snow-storm ;  a  gale,  which  did  a  great 
deal  of  damage  to  shipping.  January  23d,  22°  below  ; 
24th,  20°  below  ;  25th,  6°  below;  26,  2°  below  at  Auburn, 
and  in  many  places  it  was  from  30°  to  40°,  freezing  the 
mercury.  Portsmouth  harbor  froze  over,  which  was  never 
known  before. 

1858.  The  question  of  purchasing  a  county  farm  for 
the  support  of  the  poor  was  submitted  to  a  popular  vote. 
Chester,  yeas,  four ;  noes,  ninety-four.  Auburn,  yeas, 
thirty-five  ;  noes,  forty-two. 

1860.  The  question  of  a  new  county  was  again  taken. 
Chester  voted,  yeas,  thirteen  ;  noes,  two  hundred  sixty-six. 
Auburn  voted,  yeas,  forty ;  noes,  one  hundred  forty-seven. 

1861.  The  question  of  a  convention  to  revise  the  Con- 
stitution, to  be  limited  in  its  compensation  to  travel  and 
ten  days'  attendance,  and  in  its  action  to  diminish  the  num- 
ber of  representatives,  to  increase  the  number  of  senators, 
and  to  make  provision  for  future  amendments  to  the  Con- 
stitution, was  taken.  Chester  voted,  yes,  forty-six  ;  no, 
fourteen.     Auburn  voted  to  dismiss  the  article. 

Several  town  meetings  were  held  about  raising  men  for 
the  army,  the  proceedings  of  which  are  given  in  the  Mil- 
itary History.  There  is  nothing  more  of  much  interest  on 
the  records. 

The  summer  and  fall  of  1865  were  remarkable  for  the 
drouth.  There  was  no  rain  but  some  small  showers  till 
September  17.  The  Bald  Hill  in  Manchester  was  burnt 
over,  destroying  large   quantities  of  wood.     The  fire  got 


HISTORY   OF   ROADS.  191 

into  the  spruce  swamp  in  Auburn,  and  burnt  three  weeks, 
burning  out  large  trees  by  the  roots.  It  remained  com- 
paratively dry  through  the  winter  and  ensuing  summer. 

The  spring  of  1868  is  remarkable  for  the  quantity  of 
foul  weather  and  rain.  May  8th,  six  inches  of  snow  fell. 
From  May  loth  to  27th  was  a  continued  storm,  with  very 
little  sunshine,  and  large  quantities  of  rain  fell,  causing 
more  than  an  ordinary  spring  freshet.  There  was  little 
plowing  and  planting  done  before  June. 

At  a  town  meeting,  September  12,  the  town  voted  to  in- 
struct the  selectmen  to  subscribe  for  two  hundred  shares 
in  the  Rochester  and  Nashua  Railroad,  and  appropriated 
120.000. 


CHAPTEK    IX. 

HISTORY    OF    ROADS. 

Most  of  the  roads  were  cut  out  and  traveled  before  they 
were  formally  laid  out, —  some  of  them  on  reserves,  others 
across  lots,  and  many  of  them  are  described  in  the  returns 
as  "  where,  or  near  where,  the  path  now  goes." 

The  first  travel  from  "•  Walnut  Hill  "  was  down  the  hill 
by  tlie  Jack  place,  and  through  Hall's  Village,  and  up  by 
the  Presbyterian  meeting-house  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  \Yilson's 
to  the  Derry  road.  In  laying  out  Governor  Shute's  home 
lot,  the  cross-road  is  called  "  the  road  to  Haverhill," 

The  first  that  is  said  in  the  records  about  laying  out 
roads,  was  at  a  meeting,  January  14th,  1729-30.  It  was 
voted  to  choose  a  committee  "  to  View  two  Squeers  of  lotts, 
one  that  lays  by  John  Boyd's,  &  y*'  Squeer  that  m""  Blunt's 
Saw  Mill  is  built  on."  Blunt's  mill  was  probably  below 
the  tan-yard,  and  Boyd  lived  on  lot  No.  69,  between  John 
Hazelton's  and  Edwin  Hazelton's.  Ichabod  Robie,  Alex- 
ander Craig,  Jonathan  Blunt  and  Wm,  Powel  dissented. 


192  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

The  first  road  laid  out  and  recorded  was  June,  1730. 
The  selectmen  say,  "  There  behig  a  grate  necessity  of  an 
highway  across  6  homb  Lotts,"  proceeded  to  lay  one  out 
"  three  rods  wide  by  marked  trees,  as  the  path  or  rode 
now  goes, "  First  threw  James  Boid's  homb  Lott  [No.  59]  ; 
2'y,  threw  John  Ailvcn's  homb  Lott   [No,  145  where  John 
Hazelton  now  lives]  ;  3'^,  threw  Jonathan  Marshes  homb 
Lott  [No.  56]  ;    4'-^,  threw  Zachariah   Chandler's   homb 
Lott  [No.  146,  where  Mr.  Aiken  subsequently  lived]  ;  5^^, 
threw  John  Powel's  homb  Lott   [No.   57,  Daniel  Wilson 
lived  on  this  lot]  ;  6'^',  threw  Robert  Wilson's  homb  Lott  " 
[No.  147,  j\[r.  Wilson  and  his   son  John  lived  on  this  lot]. 
The  next  laid  out  was  March  6tli,  1730-31,  "  Three  rods 
wide,  for  convcnicncy  to  goe  to  meeting,  and  General  Ben- 
efit of  the  town  ;  which  highway  begins  first  over  against 
Enoch  Colby's,  Southwest  corner  of  his  homb  Lott,  and  so 
goes  a  litel  anguling  across  six  homb  Lotts,  running  nor- 
norwest,  or  thereabouts,  by  marked  trees,  across  Jonathan 
Emerson's  homb  Lott,  and  William  Powel's  liomb  Lott,  and 
across   Alexander   crage's    and    Jonathan    Blunt's   home 
Lotts ;  then  north  and  by  west  by  marked  trees  and  staks, 
across  Ichabod  Roby's  homb  Lott,  and  Morice  Hobbs  and 
Richard  Taylor's  homb  Lotts,  and  bringing  out  s*^  highway 
to  the  Ten  Rod  highway  about  40  rods  to  y®  south  cast  of 
y®  meting  house,  at  the  nor  west  corner  of  hobbs  and  Tay- 
lor's homb  lott."     The  terminus  of  this  road  was  between 
James  Bell's  and  Deacon  Lane's,  but  probably  was  never 
built  there. 

^,  In  1756  it  was  "  Voted,  That  the  Highway  that  was  Laid 
out  acrost  Taylor's  Lot  So  called  may  be  Exchanged  for  a 
Highway  by  the  Side  of  Sam'  Robie's  land,  where  the  Cart 
way  now  Goes,  whom  Taylor's  Land  So  Called." 

February  23,  1732-3,  it  was  exchanged  to  "  Lay  some- 
thing to  the  west  of  the  aforesaid  Highway,  near  where 
the  old  path  used  to  go,  and  now  goes."  The  lots  crossed 
by  this  road  are  52, 14,  110, 12,  116  and  13. 

The  next  was  from  Sandown  line  by  Asa  Wilson's,  four 
rods  wide,  July  5, 1731,  "  Beginning  on  Kingstown  head 


HISTORY   OF   ROADS.  193 

line  whare  the  Road  now  goes  through  Jeffries'  additional 
Lott,  through  Jacob  Gihuan's  home  Lott  as  the  path  now 
goes;  next  through  James  Basford's  home  Lott  and  a  half; 
next  through  William  wilson's  home  lot  and  half;  next 
through  Page  Bacheldor's  home  lot ;  next  through  Enoch 
Colby's  home  lot." 

At  the  June  term  of  the  Court  of  Sessions,  1736,  the 
grand  juror  from  Londonderry  complained  that  there  was 
no  road  from  Kingstown  to  Chester.  There  was  an  order 
of  notice,  and  the  selectmen  of  Kingstown  appeared  at  the 
September  term  and  promised  to  lay  one  out  as  soon  as 
possible. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  1732,  it  was 

"  Voted,  That,  the  Highways  Shall  be  Repaired  by  a 
Rate  this  year. 

"  Voted,  To  Rais  Sixteen  Shilings  upon  Every  Propria- 
tor's  Share  to  Repare  the  Highways  this  year. 

"  Voted,  that  Every  man  Shall  have  the  Liberty  to  pay 
their  part  of  this  Rate  in  Labour  at  four  Shilings  pr.  Day. 

"•Voted,  that  the  hole  shall  be  Compleated  and  paid  by 
the  last  of  September  next." 

September  20,  1732, 

"  Voted,  That  their  Shall  be  a  hors  path  or  Cart  path 
Cleared  from  this  meeting  hous  to  the  Senter  in  the  north 
parrish,  and  that  the   Same  be   Left   with   the    Sovairs." 

This  was  to  near  where  David  Page  did  live  in  Ray- 
mond, and  went  by  the  Lanes. 

June  20,  1732.  The  road  from  the  main  road  below 
Edwin  Haselton's,  through  additional  lot  No.  127,  "  to  the 
mill  brook  at  the  tail  of  Said  Sawmill,"  was  laid  out. 

May  25,  1738.  The  road  from  the  main  road  below 
Samuel  Haselton's  to  Londonderry  line,  across  additional 
lot  No.  2,  was  laid  out. 

August  28,  1738.  The  road  to  Londonderry  from  near 
the  meeting-house  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Insine  Jacob 
Sargent's  home  lot,  ten  rods  wide,  thence  four  rods  wide 
to  Londonderry  line,  was  laid  out.  It  was  returned 
straight  on  the  reserve  between  the  16th  and  17th  addi- 
tional lots,  but  was  built  further  west. 
13 


194  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER, 

August  28, 1738.  A  highway  beginning  at  a  red-oak  tree 
near  the  meeting-house,  the  southwest  corner  of  Jonathan 
Bhint's  home  lot,  where  he  now  lives  ;  then  southeast  to 
John  Silley's  bound  (home  lot  No.  35)  ;  then  southeast  to 
the  bound  of  Samuel  Smith's  lot,  No.  39  (below  Jacob 
Green's),  to  be  ten  rods  wide  ;  beginning  again  at  Silley's 
corner ;  thence  northeast  to  Cram's  lot  (this  is  across 
from  Robie's  hill  to  the  Hills  road)  ;  then  a  highway  from 
thence  northwest  on  the  reserve  to  Gov.  Shute's  farm  (the 
North  Pond  road),  and  southeast  to  William  Wilson's  land. 

August  28, 1738.  On  the  reserve  from  Haselton's  on  Wal- 
nut hill,  northwest,  down  the  hill  by  the  Jack  place  to 
Three  Camp  meadow.  This  was  on  the  first  traveled  road 
through  Hall's  Village  to  the  Centre. 

June  28, 1742.  A  road  ten  rods  wide,  from  the  meeting- 
house northeast  to  Shackford's  Corner,  "  Not  to  infringe 
on  the  burying-ground." 

In  Bouton's  History  of  Concord,  page  eighty-three,  it 
is  said :  "  At  a  meeting  held  at  Ipswich,  9th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1726,  Ensign  Jolm  Chandler,  John  Ayer  and  Wil- 
liam Barker  were  chosen  a  committee  to  go  out  and  clear 
a  sufhcient  cart  way  to  Penny  Cook,  the  nighest  and  best 
way  they  can  from  Haverliill."  Richard  Hazzen  also  Avas 
one  who  went  "  to  search  out  a  way  from  the  place  where 
Chester  meeting-house  stands  to  Penny  Cook,  and  mark 
the  same." 

On  page  eighty-eiglit:  "  According  to  tradition  Ebenezer 
Eastman's  team  —  six  yoke  of  oxen  with  a  cart  —  was  the 
first  that  crossed  the  wilderness  from  Haverhill  to  Penacook. 
It  was  driven  by  Jacol  Shute,  who,  in  order  to  get  safely 
down  Sugar  Ball  felled  a  pine  tree  and  chained  it  top  fore- 
most to  his  cart,  to  stay  the  motion  of  it  down  the  preci- 
pice." He  also  relates  the  following  of  Ebenezer  Eastman, 
page  552  :  "  Among  the  many  traditionary  anecdotes  it  is 
related  that  soon  after  settling  in  Penacook,  he  made  a 
journey  to  Haverhill  on  horseback  and  purchased  a  barrel 
of  molasses,  which  he  intended  by  some  means  to  carry 
home  with  him.     He  contrived  what  was  called  a  car,  that 


HISTORY   OF   ROADS.  195 

was  formed  of  two  shafts,  one  end  of  which  was  fastened 
to  the  horse,  and  the  other  to  drag  on  the  ground.  Lash- 
ing the  barrel  of  molasses  to  the  car  with  ropes  he  pro- 
ceeded on  his  way  homeward  along  the  path  through  the 
wilderness.  He  got  along  very  well  until  he  came  to  Sou- 
cook  river.  After  crossing,  the  hill  was  very  steep  and  in 
ascending  the  horse  would  stop  to  rest  a  few  moments. 
Having  nearly  reached  the  top  of  the  hill,  on  starting,  the 
rigging  gave  way  and  down  went  the  barrel  full  speed,  and 
was  dashed  in  pieces  against  a  tree,  the  molasses  over- 
spreading and  sweetening  the  ground  in  all  directions. 
The  captain,  summoning  all  the  patience  he  had  at  com- 
mand, exclaimed,  '  Oh  dear  !  my  wife  will  comb  my  head, — 
yes,  and  harrow  it  too  ! '     It  was  truly  a  hard  case." 

This  was  the  traveled  road  to  Penacook  up  to  1738.  It  left 
the  present  main  road  probably  somewhere  near  the  Jacob 
Chase  place,  and  on  to  a  little  east  of  Pike  Chase's  in  Au- 
burn, and  over  the  top  of  the  "  Green  Hill  "  to  the  mouth 
of  the  brook.  The  lot  Hazen  Davis  now  lives  on,  No  78, 
was  the  parsonage,  and  two  acres  and  a  half  were  reserved 
on  the  east  side  for  a  meeting-house  lot,  which  was  sold  in 
1791  to  John  Quimby,  for  =£1  10s.  Probably,  at  first,  they 
forded  the  brook  on  the  sand-bar  and  went  up  the  west  side 
to  "  Oswego  "  and  on  to  "  White  Hall,"  in  Hooksett,  and 
probably  near  Lakin's  pond  and  Head's  saw-mill.  Daniel 
Davis  showed  me,  some  forty-five  years  ago,  places  in  that 
region  where  the  road  passed.  There  were  wood  roads  on 
it  then  in  places.  One  was  at  the  southwest  end  of  lot  No. 
123,  in  the  third  division,  but  it  would  be  impossible  to 
locate  it  precisely  at  the  present  day. 

The  road  to  the  Long  Meadows  was  up  somewhere 
through  the  "  South  woods."  In  laying  out  Gov.  Went- 
worth's  farm  of  tAvo  hundred  acres,  in  1728,  it  was  to  begin 
"  about  fifty  rods  from  John  Smith's  corner  where  he  now 
dwells  [on  the  additional  lot  No.  51]  and  four  rods  from 
the  S.  W.  corner  of  the  outside  additional  lot  in  that 
range"  [No.  67].  When  the  second  part  of  the  second 
division  was  laid  out,  in  1736,  the  northeast  end  line  of  the 


196  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

89th  lot  is  described  as  crossing  the  brook  "  by  the  path 
to  Crage's,"  Andrew  Craige  bought  of  Governor  Went- 
worth  fifty  acres  of  his  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  in  1730, 
and  settled  near  where  John  Ray  now  lives.  Previous  to 
1740  James  Campbell  had  built  a  saw-mill  near  the  school- 
house  No.  4  in  Auburn,  and  he  probably  came  up  that 
way. 

In  a  warning,  March,  1739,  was  an  article 

"  To  consider  of  a  Pettition  Prefered  to  the  Select  men  of 
this  town  by  the  Inhabitants  of  Rumford  and  Canterbury, 
in  behalf  of  tlieniselves  and  their  other  neighbouring  towns, 
Relating  to  the  Laying  out  of  a  Highway." 

At  the  meeting  it  was 

"  Voted,  that  the  affair  of  the  Highway  to  Rumford  and 
Canterbury  be  Left  with  the  Selectmen  to  order  as  they 
shall  think  it  best  &  Conveniant." 

May  23, 1738,  there  was  a  road  laid  out,  leading  from  the 
meeting-house  in  said  Chester  to  Massabcsic.  It  began  at 
the  meeting-house  and  ran  northwest,  and  was  to  be  ten 
rods  wide,  about  to  the  brick  school-house ;  then  west 
northwest,  four  rods  wide,  between  the  second  and  third 
ranges  of  additional  lots.  It  was  where  the  road  now  runs 
nearly  to  Long  Meadow  brook,  then  turned  to  the  north, 
and  kept  about  fifteen  rods  north  of  Beaver  pond.  It  was 
some  sixty  or  seventy  rods  southwest  of  where  Hazen 
Davis  now  lives,  and  came  out  by  Haynes's  and  the  Moses 
Hall  place,  to  the  brook  leading  into  the  pond,  and  so 
crossing  the  brook,  and  running  by  the  pond  forty  rods 
farther. 

In  a  warrant  for  a  meeting,  August,  1739,  is  an  article 
"  To  see  if  the  town  will  Procure  and  Lay  out  a  Highway 
as  conveniant  as  Can  be  had,  for  the  Inhabitants  of  our 
town  that  live  about  the  Long  meadows  to  come  down  to 
meeting,  and  about  their  other  Nessary  business."  It  was 
voted  to  change  the  road  to  the  south  side  of  Mine  hill 
and  Beaver  pond.  This  was  about  the  time  the  Presby- 
terian meeting-house  was  built,  and  several  Presbyterians 
had  settled  at  the  Long  Meadows,  At  the  same  meeting 
it  was 


HISTORY   OF   ROADS.  197 

"  Voted,  That  Capt.  Sam"  Ingalls,  m'"  Nathan  Webster 
and  m'^  John  Tolford  Shall  be  a  Committee  to  take  bonds 
of  the  Inhabitants  of  Rumford  for  the  making  and  main- 
taining a  good  soficiant  Roade  for  Passing  massibeecik 
Pond  towards  their  town,  agreeable  to  their  proposals  made 
to  us,  and  to  Enter  into  bonds  to  them  to  make  and  main- 
tain one  on  this  side,  and  over  the  said  pond,  as  good." 

November  22,  1740.  A  highway  was  laid  out  from  the 
"great  bridge  by  Massabesic  Pond,"  running  up  the  brook 
to  Calfe's  fulling-mill.  This  was  sometimes  under  water. 
It  was  changed  to  higher  land  January  24,  1743. 

March  19,  1740.  A  highway  was  laid  out  below  Calfe's 
fulling-mill,  across  the  river  or  brook  to  the  reserve. 

At  a  meeting,  March,  1741,  it  was 

"  Voted,  That  if  any  Persons  will  freely  goe  to  massabee- 
cek,  and  build  a  bridge  over  the  Brook  below  mr.  Calfe's 
fulling  mills,  it  shall  goe  for  their  turn  of  Work  uj^on  the 
Highways  other  Where,  Day  for  day." 

March  24, 1749.  A  highway  was  laid  out,  "beginning  at 
the  westerly  side  of  Calfs  bridge,  and  running  across  three 
lots  "  to  near  where  Robert  Patten  now  lives,  to  the  west 
end  of  No.  127,  2d  P.  2d  D. 

January  8,  1762.  At  the  request  of  Joseph  Brown  and 
others,  a  highway  was  laid  out,  "  Beginning  at  the  End  of 
the  old  Recorded  Highway  above  Adam  Wilson's"  [who 
lived  near  G.  P.  Clarke's,  l)ut  the  road  began  near  Robert 
Patten's].  It  went  "about  the  old  Roade,  and  by  Sam'' 
Nutt's  farm,  and  so  on  about  the  old  Rode  to  the  bottom  of 
the  first  of  Bushnell's  Hills  so  called ;  then  Turning  a 
Litle  to  the  north  East  of  said  Hills,  by  marked  trees,  to 
the  old  Roade  in  Sight  of  Bushnal's  medow,  so  Called  ; 
and  along  in  and  about  the  old  Roade,  till  it  strikes  abner 
Fowler's  Land  ;  and  so  on,  in  and  about  the  old  Roade, 
through  Esq""  Boys'es  Land,  and  along  by  Sam"  Brown's 
and  William  Brown's,  along  the  old  Roade  as  Near  Joseph 
Brown's  house  as  a  Good  Roade  can  be  had  ;  up  along  to 
mcCoy's  house,  and  along  by  s^  macoy's  in  and  about 
the  old  Roade  till  it  strikes  Chester  Line.  This  road 
went  to  Londonderry  turnpike,  near  where  it  now  does, 


198  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER. 

and  crossed  the  Martin's  Ferry  road  at  what  nsed  to 
be  the"  March  place,"  one  hundred  rods  west  of  Martin's 
school-house,  and  kept  west  of  where  the  turnpike  is, 
and  west  of  a  small  pond,  until  near  the  Amoskeag 
Company's  quarry  (once  Simeon  Carr's),  then  to  Head's 
tavern,  and  as  the  road  now  is  to  Allenstown  line.  The 
road  from  where  Jonathan  Davis  formerly  lived,  up  into 
Hooksett,  went  to  the  west  of  the  present  road.  The  pres- 
ent road  was  laid  out  in  1816. 

The  banks  of  Peter's  brook,  on  the  old  road  liclow  the 
turnpike,  being  steep  and  badly  gullied,  an  alteration  was 
made  further  east,  crossing  the  brook  above  the  turnpike, 
in  1801,  "  Beginning  on  the  main  Road  near  Simon  Carr's 
House,  running  on  the  east  side  of  the  pond  the  most  direct 
Course  the  Ground  will  admit,  to  Lieut.  Joseph  Whitcher's 
House  [the  Clark  tavern],  thence  Southwesterly  to  the 
main  road." 

March  26,  1740.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  bound  of 
home  lot  No.  56  (near  where  Daniel  Wilson  lately  lived), 
then  northwest  on  the  reserve  to  the  northwest  bound  of 
151  (to  the  Emerson  place)  ;  then  southwest  on  the  reserve 
to  the  southeast  corner  of  No.  60  (to  the  poor  farm)  ;  then 
northwest  "  between  said  No.  60  and  the  additions  to  the 
highway  from  Dea.  Dearborn's  to  Londonderry  ;  so  running 
a  bridle  road  of  four  rods  wide  at  the  easterly  end  of  the 
additional  lots  Sam"  Brown,  John  Mills  and  William  Karr 
lives  on,  to  the  N.  W.  bound  of  No.  29  [this  is  from 
the  Derry  road  northwest  by  Oilman  Morris's  up  into  the 
woods]  ;  then  W.  N.  W.  at  the  southerly  end  of  the  second 
range  of  additions  ;  then  N.  W.  at  the  S.  end  of  No.  89  2^ 
P.  2^^  D.  to  Campbell's  sawmill"  [the  old  McDuffee  mill 
near  school-house  No.  1  in  Auburn].  This  is  the  first  road 
probably  traveled  to  the  Long  Meadows,  and  went  near 
John  Smith,  the  first  settler  there. 

Nov.  22,  1740.  At  the  request  of  Moses  Tyler  the  road 
from  the  corner  near  No.  2  school-house  in  Auburn  to  the 
Congregational  church  was  laid  out. 

April  20, 1741.     At  the  request  of  Paul  McFerson  a  four- 


HISTORY   OF   ROADS.  199 

rod  highway  on  the  northwest  side  of  Add.  No.  9.  This  is 
the  road  from  the  road  down  Jack's  hill  to  Three  Camp 
meadow,  laid  out  Aug.  28,  1738,  southwest  to  Derry  line. 
The  road  from  Hall's  Village  to  James  Quenton's  bound, 
to  meet  it,  was  laid  out  March  26,  1751. 

June  28, 1742.  Between  home  lots  49  and  112  from  near 
Francis  Towle's  to  Jona.  Moulton's.  (From  the  Haverhill 
road  across  to  Hiram  Basford's.) 

Same  day,  from  the  end  of  the  last  road  southeast  on  the 
heads  of  the  home  lots,  to  the  Add.  No.  132.  (From  near 
Hiram  Basford's,  by  the  Jacob  Hill  place,  to  G.  W.  Everet's.) 

May  18,  1743.  From  the  southeast  corner  of  home  lot 
39,  (near  No.  4  school-house  in  Chester),  northeast  the 
length  of  the  lot,  then  southeast,  then  northeast  the  length 
of  additional  No.  100  (to  near  the  David  Wilson,  or  Joseph 
Richardson  place),  thence  northeast  across  No.  101  to  110 
additional,  over  the  Great  hill. 

Same  day,  the  east  side  of  additional  Nos.  93  and  118 
(from  near  the  Worthen  saw-mill  northeast),  and  then 
southeast  to  Joshua  Prescott's.  A  new  road  was  laid  out 
Feb.  13,  1838. 

October  26,  1744.  Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of 
additional  No.  Ill  (the  David  Wilson,  or  Joseph  Richard- 
son place),  thence  northwest  on  the  reserve  by  Richardson's 
and  Thos.  Craige's  (Marston's  and  Spofford's,  by  French's,) 
to  No.  118,  the  last  mentioned  road. 

Same  day,  the  road  through  Hall's  Village. 

April  6,  1744.  A  continuation  of  the  road  laid  out  May 
18,  1743,  beginning  at  a  red  oak  near  Joshua  Prescott's 
house,  thence  northeast  to  Prescott's  northeast  bound, 
thence  easterly  across  Jacob  Basford's,  David  McCluer's  and 
Benja.  French's  land,  to  near  Charles  Stevens'  saw-mill. 
This  was  continued  on  by  the  Branch  March  10,  1748. 

April  17,  1744.  Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of 
additional  91  (Shackford's  Corner),  by  Daniel  McFarland's 
and  Israel  Dolby's,  to  the  reserve  between  the  old  and  new 
one-hundred-acre  lots,  near  Lane's,  "thence  W.N.W.  so  far 
as  Ithamar  Berry's  house."  This  as  far  as  Lane's  was  prob- 


200  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER. 

ably  on  or  near  the  horse  or  cart  path,  which  in  1732  was 
voted  to  be  cut  out  to  the  North  Parish. 

March  27, 1745.  Between  home  lots  Nos.  57  and  146,  from 
Hall's  Village  to  the  Haverhill  road,  near  Daniel  Wilson's, 
formerly  John  Powel's. 

Dec.  7,  1745.  From  near  the  old  Presbyterian  meeting- 
house, northwest  to  Derry  road  (where  J.  Dearborn  Morse 
lives).  For  a  long  time  previous  to  this  laying  out,  William 
Powel,  Alexander  Craige  and  the  Rev.  John  Wilson  lived 
on  it,  and  it  was  early  called  the  "  Road  to  Haverhill."  It 
was  also  laid  out  thence  northwest  across  the  Derry  road 
half  a  mile  by  where  Peter  and  Asa  Dearborn  lived, 

Dec.  7,  1745.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of 
home  lot  132  (on  Chester  Street  where  Capt.  B.  Fitts  lived), 
southwest  to  the  l)ridle  road  laid  out  March  26,  1740,  above 
Oilman  Morse's,  then  between  additional  Nos.  21  and  22,  to 
Londonderry  line,  from  where  Stephen  Morse  lived,  by  Jo- 
siah  Morse's. 

Dec.  5,  1746.  A  highway  laid  out  the  southwest  side  of 
Gov.  Wentworth's  farm  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  by 
McKinley's,  Lufkin's  and  Ray's,  and  southwest  by  Samuel 
Aiken's,  now  Grant's,  and  also  northeast,  on  the  southeast 
side  of  the  Governor's  farm,  to  the  main  road  near  Calef's 
in  Auburn. 

Dec.  18,  1746.  Between  the  additional  lots  52  and  53, 
from  near  Jacob  Chase's,  northeast  to  near  Southwick's. 
It  was  continued  on,  March  25,  1752. 

March  5,  1747.  From  the  end  of  the  road  by  Samuel 
Aiken's  (Grant's),  southwest  to  the  west  end  of  Hugh  Mc- 
Duffee's  corn-mill,  and  turning  southerly,  by  school-house 
No.  4  in  Auburn,  through  Daniel  McDuffee's,  John  Wither- 
spoon's  (now  J.  ]\I.  Hall's),  Wentworth's  farm  of  two  hun- 
dred acres  and  Cochran's  land,  to  Londonderry  line,  "  to 
the  road  from  widow  Murdock's." 

March  10,  1748,  On  the  east  side  of  additional  lot  111, 
from  the  Joseph  Richardson  place,  northeast  over  the 
Great  hill  to  where  Josiah  Basford  lived,  A  part  of  this 
road  had  been  laid  out  May  18,  1743  ;  altered  again,  March 
30,  1774. 


HISTORY    OF   ROADS.  201 

March  10,  1748.  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of 
additional  lot  No.  101,  and  thence  east  by  south  on  Sandowii 
line,  the  length  of  the  lot,  then  northeast  across  eight  lots, 
passing  where  John  Moore  lived.  The  first  part  was 
moved  one  lot  northeast  between  Nos.  101  and  102,  July  2, 
1753.  It  is  the  road  from  near  the  Joseph  Richardson 
place,  by  James  Towle's. 

March  10,  1748.  A  continuation  of  the  road  laid  out 
April  G,  1744,  from  Jabez  French's  northeast  corner, 
near  Charles  Stevens'  mill  "  through  the  11th,  12t]i,  13th, 
14th  lots,  2*^  P.  2*^  D.,  crossing  the  N.  E.  Branch  below  the 
saw-mill  upon  the  4(jth  Old  Hundred  acre  lot,  then  across 
No.  45,  44,  43,  27,  26,  25,  24,  to  Exeter  head  line,  to  the 
road  there  laid  out."  (To  the  road  from  Freetown  mill  to 
Exeter.)     This  was  a  new  route  to  Exeter. 

March  10,  1748.  From  Joshua  Prescott's,  northeast  to 
the  road  below  James  Marden's,  formerly  Geo.  Marden's. 

Sept,  2,  1748.  "Beginning  at  the  bridge  at  the  Pound 
where  the  highway  is  laid  out  [June  1730],  across  James 
Boid's  lot  originally,  [near  Edwin  Haselton's]  ;  tlience 
soutlierly  to  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Home  Lot  No.  72  "  [near 
John  Haselton's]. 

Sept.  2,  1748.  From  the  county  road  by  Crawford's 
cider-mill,  southeast  by  the  bounds  of  the  home  lots,  till 
we  come  to  John  Aiken's  grist-mill  pond,  crossing  the 
brook  above  said  mill,  and  running  about  thirty  rods  across 
John  Boid's  home  lot  to  the  reserve,  then  running  north- 
east on  the  southeast  side  of  home  lot  No.  45,  and  across 
Wadel's  and  Hill's,  to  the  road  to  Sandown. 

Dec.  9,  1748.  A  road  from  the  old  saw-mill  down  by 
Haselton's  grist-mill,  to  Sandown  line,  then  south  on  the 
line  to  Thomas  Wells'  home  lot. 

The  Londonderry  people  would  early  have  some  kind  of 
a  road  to  Amoskeag.  The  tradition  is,  that  they  built  a 
large  fire  near  the  falls,  and  took  the  direction  for  a  road 
from  the  east  village.  The  first  road  laid  out  from  Lon- 
donderry was  returned  in  1729,  but  it  was  probably  not 
made.  The  Chester  people  got  on  to  the  Londonderry  road 
through  the  south  woods. 


202  HISTORY    OP    CHESTER. 

March   10,  1748.     The   first  road    Chester  laid   out  to 
Derryfield  began  at  tlie  corner  between  Nos.  83  and  84, 
2d  P.,  2d  D.  (southwest  of  the  corner  near  school-house 
No.  2  in  Auburn),  thence  southwest  the  length  of  the  lot, 
and  through  Nos.  85  and  95,  so  on,  over  "  Rattlesnake  hill," 
to  the  bound  of  183  and  134,  4th  D. ;  thence  on  London- 
derry line  "  to  Amoskeag  path,  then  as  the  path  now  goes 
to  Michael  McClento's  house,"  near  the  Dea.  Sawyer  place, 
and  so  on  to  William  McClento's  house  (the  Huse  place), 
crossing  the  9th  lot,  the  14tli  and  loth  by  Robert  Andrew- 
son's  house  (the  Daniel  Hall  place),  to  the  beaver  dam,  near 
where  the  stream  crosses  the  road  southeast  of  Hallsvillo, 
then  west-northwest  to  Londonderry  line.     This  road  was 
intended  to  go  south  of  the  summit  of  Rattlesnake  hill,  but 
prol)ably  was  never  cut  out  or  traveled  until  it  struck  the 
Derry  road ;    but  a  path  w^as  cut  out  and  traveled  near 
where  the  present  road  is,  to  the  fang  of  the  pond,    and 
the  road  laid  out  by  Derryfield,  June  6,  1769,  was  intended, 
to  meet  it.     The  present  road  was  laid  out  1792.     From 
McClento's  to  the  beaver  dam  it  was  near  the  present  road. 
The  first  Amoskeag  path  probably  crossed  the  stream  below 
the  ILaseUon  mill  at  the  "  old  fordwav."     The  McClentos 
built  bridges  across  the  Cohasses  on  this  route,  and  asked 
pay  of  the  town  in  1740,  but  did  not  get  it. 

Sept.  16, 1748.  Beginning  at  the  southeast  bound  of  the 
14th  lot,  4th  D.,  thence  east-southeast  on  the  reserve  to  the 
middle  of  the  12th  lot,  near  Gamble's,  to  the  corner  of 
John  Hogg's  land,  and  across  the  13th  lot,  crossing  the 
Great  brook  north  of  the  old  fordway  to  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  Nat.  Boid's  fence,  now  J.  Goff  Webster's,  and  across 
the  first  lot  to  the  highway  laid  out.  It  probably  crossed 
the  brook  below  the  Haselton  mill  and  came  into  the 
Derry  road  near  the  Dea.  Sawyer  place,  but  was  never  built, 
for  Derryfield,  Oct  25,  1751,  laid  out  a  road  "  beginning  at 
Mikcll  McClento's,  on  the  eaist  sied  of  his  house  where  the 
fence  is  marked,  &c.  as  the  tree  is  marked  into  Eallwife  falls. 
This  is  in  exchange  for  a  rhoad  formerly  laid  out  through 
Mikel  McClento's  and  Nathaniel  Boyde's  land." 


HISTORY   OP   ROADS.  203 

Dec.  10,  1751.  "  At  the  EUwife  falls,  then  a  cros  the 
Wastwater  to  the  sawmill,  then  beginning  at  the  fore- 
minshined  EUwife  falls,  rnnning  by  marked  trees  throw 
Jolin  Houge's  land  where  they  formerly  past,  about  40 
Roudes  to  the  north  of  a  bridge  wliich  is  in  said  houge's 
land  ;  then  across  mathrow  Ramsey  [lot  No.  12]  by  marked 
trees  on  the  north  side  of  a  whit  Pine  swamp  to  the  Conor 
tree  Betwixt  William  gamble's  and  the  said  Ramesy  lot, 
which  is  a  whit  Eash ;  then  from  thence  By  marked 
trees  acrose  the  18  lote  and  the  17  lote ;  then  acrose 
Broukoup  land  in  waltor  mack  farland's  land ;  then  by 
marked  trees  into  a  rhoad  In  John  Hall's  land  to  the 
south  of  said  Hall's  hones,  to  marked  trees,  as  good 
ground  will  allow." 

Potter's  History  of  Manchester,  pp.  692  and  698,  has 
Ale  wife  Falls  at  the  Haselton  mill ;  and  Samuel  Gamble 
(who  is  probably  better  posted  than  any  other  person)  says 
that  McClento  lived  on  No.  133,  where  the  brick  house 
now  is  ;  that  Alewife  Falls  is  just  below  the  Webster  mill ; 
that  there  was  then  a  saw-mill  there  ;  that  the  waste  water 
was  the  natural  stream ;  that  now  the  road  crosses  above, 
mstcad  of  below  the  mill,  but  is  essentially  the  same  now 
traveled  to  the  Mammoth  road.  The  road  from  McClento's 
to  the  falls  is  superseded  by  one  laid  out  Jan.  2,  1769 : 
"  Beginning  at  a  white  pine  near  Michael  McClento's  house, 
upon  the  Grate  Road  Leading  from  Londonderry  to  Name- 
Skeeg  falls ;  and  from  thence  northward  to  Samuel  Boid's 
House,  Standing  upon  the  Road  Leading  to  Capt.  nicMur- 
phy's  mill  in  the  most  Convenient  Land." 

Sept.  16,  1748.  Beginning  near  William  McClento's ; 
then  by  William  Ellett's  ;  then  to  the  southeast  corner  of 
the  8th  lot ;  so  on  west-northwest  to  the  southwest  corner 
of  the  7th  lot. 

James  A.  Weston,  Esq.,  says  this  was  never  built,  but 
the  last  part  of  the  following  was  a  substitute.  There  was 
a  road  laid  out  by  Derryfield,  Oct.  4,  1751,  beginning  at 
the  town  line,  through  William  Perham's  land  to  the  east 
end    of    John   Harvey's   house,    across    Perham     bridge, 


204  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

across   Barber  Leslie's  and  William  EUett's  land,  to  the 
road  recorded  by  Chester. 

March  1, 1755.  Beginning  on  the  line  between  John  Hall 
and  Robert  Andrewson  (Nos.  14  and  15,  4th  D.),  running 
easterly  the  nearest  and  best  way  to  the  reserve  ;  thence  to 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  16th  lot ;  thence  to  the  north- 
east corner ;  thence  north  the  best  way  to  the  "  sow  west" 
corner  of  the  33d  lot ;  "  then  running  about  more  East  to 
y'=  Brook,  about  ten  rods  below  y*"  forard  way,"  thence 
easterly  to  lot  No.  32.  This  was  probably  intended  as  a 
road  from  Candia  to  the  falls. 

Aug.  6,  1761.  A  road  was  laid  out  from  Alexander  Mc- 
Clento's,  near  the  Huse  or  McQuenton  place,  northeast  to 
Johnson's  beach. 

June  6,  1769.  Beginning  at  Londonderry  line,  near 
Gillis'  brook,  easterly  on  the  line  about  half  a  mile  thence, 
the  "  Nearest  and  Best  way  to  the  South  Eand  of  the  Long 
fang,  So  caled,  as  far  as  our  Town  Gows." 

March  14,  1749.  A  road  from  the  northeast  corner  of 
103,  ^d  P.,  2d  D.,  in  the  neck  of  the  pond  near  where  Joseph 
Brown  now  lives,  to  Miller's,  now  Sam'  Anderson's,  by 
where  Thomas  Coffin  now  lives,  to  the  road  to  the  Congre- 
gational Church  in  Auburn,  which  was  laid  out  Nov.  22, 
1740. 

Sept.  22,  1749.  The  first  road  into  Candia  began  at  the 
southwest  bounds  of  0.  H.  No.  128,  owned  by  John  Lane, 
running  north  29,  east  120  rods,  then  across  lots  129,  130, 
131  and  132  (would  pass  somewhere  near  Chataugue 
mill)  to  common  land,  then  northerly  on  common  land  to 
the  northeast  corner  of  No.  32,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,then  across  31 
and  30,  and  across  128,  127,  83  and  84,  3d  D.,  to  the  re- 
serve ;  then  west  northwest  to  6Q  and  91,  "  called  the  Sen- 
ter."  It  went  near  Wason's,  Patten's,  Willis  Patten's,  and 
Capt.  Smith's,  and  by  Candia  Corner  to  the  meeting-house. 

May  5,  1750.  From  the  road  laid  out  near  Marden's, 
March  10,  1748,  east-southeast  down  across  No.  122,  N.  D. 
to  the  reserve ;  then  north  29"  east,  to  Jethro  Batchelder's 
(the  Todd  road). 


HISTORY   OF   ROADS.  205 

Aug.   17,  1750.     From  Aiken's  grist-mill  down  to  the 
north  side  of  the  brook,  at  the  tail  of  the  sawmill.     Dis-. 
continued. 

May  11,  1750.  From  Clark's  mill  in  Auburn  to  the  main 
road. 

July  8,  1751.  From  the  "  Branch  "  by  Osgood  True's,  to 
Whittier's  in  Raymond.     Altered  May  7,  1765. 

Nov.  5,  1751.  From  near  Osgood  Wason's  in  Candia, 
northeast  by  Dearborn's,  towards  Langford's  on  the  reserve. 

March  24,  1752.  From  the  east  end  of  additional  lot 
No.  107,  near  Charles  Moore's,  northeast  to  the  "  Branch  " 
road  near  the  Locke  place. 

March  25,  1752.  A  continuation  of  the  road  to  Candia, 
from  John  Underliill's  or  Jacob  Chase's,  laid  out  Dec.  18, 
1746.  From  the  southeast  corner  of  additional  lot  No.  70, 
near  where  Mr.  South  wick  now  lives,  and  by  Capt.  AYeeks's, 
by  "  Norway  meadow  "  and  David  Craig's  to  the  north  line 
of  No.  38,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  near  where  Asahel  Weeks  lives. 

Aug.  21,  1752.  From  Exeter  line  up  the  old  cart  road, 
that  was,  when  the  lots  were  laid,  to  David  Bean's,  near 
Freetown  mill.  This  road  was  cut  out  to  go  from  Free- 
town mill  to  Exeter,  and  is  marked  on  the  old  plans,  and 
the  lots  are  bounded  on  it. 

July  9,  1753.  From  near  Mr.  Orcutt's  to  the  North 
Pond  road  ;  between  home  lots  Nos.  7  and  135. 

March  2,  1754.  Beginning  between  Capt.  Morse's  saw- 
mill and  grist-mill  (Couch's),  and  on  to  Derry  line,  near 
Jacob  Couch's. 

March,  1754.  From  Charles  Moore's  and  John  Moore's 
(Wilbur's)  additional  lot  104,  by  William  Moore's  (Daniel 
Sanborn's),  and  John  Hoit's  (Simon  M.  Sanborn's),  to  the 
road  "laid  out  by  the  Parish  of  Brentwood"  (Fremont). 
This  followed  the  north  line  of  Gov.  Wentworth's  fifty 
acres,  and  No.  6  to  the  reserve,  then  on  the  reserve  the 
width  of  No.  2,  and  on  the  south  line  of  No.  3  to  the  sled 
path,  and  across  No.  3  to  the  road  by  Brentwood.  The 
corners  have  since  been  cut  off. 

July  16,  1755.     From  the  main  road  at  Emerson's  Cor- 


206  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

ner,  in  Auburn,  additional  64,  northerly  by  Pike  Chase's, 
over  "  Bunker  Hill"  to  the  new,  or  Dearborn,  saw-mill  on 
lot  No.  57,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  It  led  by  Joseph  Basford's,  the 
only  settler  at  that  time. 

3Iarch  1,  1756.  The  road  by  Archibald  McDuffce's,  now 
Thomas  Goldsmith's,  by  the  Fowler  place,  now  Savage's  in 
Auburn,  to  where  John  Smith  lived. 

July  12,  1756.  From  Cornet  Lane's  east  southeast  by 
Marden's,  to  the  road  to  the  "  Branch,"  by  Joseph 
Knowles's. 

April,  1757.  From  near  Joshua  Hall's  house,  now  Geo. 
S.  Smith's,  between  129  and  130,  old  hundred,  northeast 
into  Raymond,  and  passing  where  Garland  Wason  lives,  to 
J.  Osgood  Wason's,  then  Thomas  Wason's,  to  the  old  road 
to  Candia. 

Oct.  18,  1757.  Began  at  the  northwest  corner  of  No.  3, 
old  hundred,  then  south  29"  west,  on  the  reserve  "  to  where 
the  gate  now  hangs."  Then  across  the  5th,  6th,  and  part 
of  the  7th  lot,  to  Exeter  line,  northward  of  the  burying- 
place,  and  between  Benjamin  Smith's  house  and  barn.  It 
is  the  road  from  near  J.  FuUonton's  in  Raymond  to  Ep- 
ping. 

Sept.  9,  1758.  Candia  "High  Street"  from  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  school  lot  No.  91,  3d  D.,  to  the  westerly 
end  of  the  third  division.  The  upper  end  probably  was 
never  built  on  the  reserve  as  laid  out. 

Dec.  6,  1758.  "  Beginning  at  the  north  end  of  No.  35, 
third  division,  where  the  westerly  path  now  goes,  from 
Jeremiah  Bean's  bars  [near  the  Candia  village  school- 
house],  crossing  the  river  at  the  tail  of  the  saw-mill,  and  on 
by  Enoch  Rowell's  [Candia  Corner]  to  Emerson's  [now 
Parker's  Corner],  then  west  northwest  to  the  southwest 
bound  of  the  92d  lot."  This  would  be  by  the  Colby  and 
Cass  places,  in  all,  five  lots,  or  about  three  hundred  and 
sixty  rods. 

June  12,  1759.  From  Freetown  mill,  by  Raymond  Cen- 
ter to  Dudley's  mill. 

June  12,  1759.     At  the  request  of  Jonathan  Dearborn, 


HISTORY   OF   ROADS.  207 

Wadleigh  Cram  and  David  Diistin, —  beginning  at  the 
southeast  corner  of  Xo.  16,  old  hundred,  running  across 
lots  Nos.  16,  15,  to  Nottingham  line. 

June  13, 1759.  From  Freeto\Yn  mill,  crossing  the  bridge 
below  the  mill,  going  to  the  west  of  the  outlet  nTill,  and 
east  of  Daniel  Robie's  house  (Rev.  J.  Fullonton's),  AVad- 
leigh  Cram's  and  John  Cram's,  to  the  road  laid  out  Oct.  18, 
1757  (the  road  to  Xottingham). 

Feb.  11,  1760.  Between  Ithamar  Berry's  and  Zachariah 
Butterfield's,  between  Xos.  21  and  22,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,— the 
road  from  the  Lane  road  up  to  the  J.  Norton  place. 

March  17,  1760.  From  Derry  line,  near  James  Adams's 
(now  Robert  Adams's),  passing  Hearne  and  Prcsljy,  to  Mc- 
Duffee's  mill  in  Auburn. 

March  17,  1760.  From  David  Witherspoon's,  on  the 
soutlieast  side  of  Gov.  Wentwortli's  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty  acres,  in  Auburn,  northeast  over  the  hill,  instead 
of  across  the  corner,  as  it  now  goes,  and  was  at  first  laid 
out. 

June  14,  1760.  From  the  outlet  of  Jones's  pond,  and 
passing  the  northeast  corner  of  the  37th  lot,  old  hundred, 
to  Jonathan  Bean's  house  in  Raymond,  to  the  road  tliere 
laid  out,  in  April  6th,  1744. 

Sept.  30, 1760.  Beginning  near  Dudley's  mill,  at  the  end 
of  the  road  laid  out  June  12, 1759,  running  westerly,  enter- 
ing Xo.  27,  3d  D.,  between  a  swamp  and  a  great  ledge  of 
rocks,  some  thirty  or  forty  rods  north  of  the  present  road 
at  Oandia  and  Raymond  line,  and  passed  up  the  valley  to 
near  the  Village  school-house  in  Candia.  There  was  an 
article  in  a  warning  in  1775,  "To  see  if  the  Parish  will  vote 
to  have  the  highway  flung  up  that  leads  from  Jeremiah 
Bean's  to  Joseph  Homans'."  Past  in  the  negative.  Ho- 
mans  lived  near  Bean's  Island.     There  was  a  Smart  above. 

Feb.  11,  1761.  Beginning  near  Jethro  Batchelder's 
house,  at  the  road  laid  out  May  5,  1750,  thence  north  29° 
east  to  the  northeast  end  of  lot  122,  old  hundred,  then  west- 
northwest  to  Lane's. 

Dec.  9,  1761.     At  the   request   of  Josiah   Fogg,  Robert 


208  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER. 

Page,  Elislia  Tole,  Jedediah  Brown,  and  Jonathan  Brown, 
from  the  old  Freetown  road,  across  lots  31,  13,  12,  11,  10, 
9  and  8,  old  hundred,  to  the  road  laid  out  April,  1757,  near 
the  old  burying-ground. 

April  BO,  1762,  A  road  was  laid  out  the  northwest  side 
of  additional  lots  Nos.  40  and  39.  Began  nearly  opposite 
the  Jacob  Chase  place,  then  southwest  the  length  of  those 
two  lots,  then  southeast  to  the  road  from  the  Fitts  place  to 
Morse's.     If  this  was  ever  built  there  is  none  there  now. 

Nov.  27,  1702.  From  Enoch  RowelFs  (Candia  Corner), 
passing  between  Emerson's  house  and  barn,  passing  to  the 
west  of  Samuel  Tole  and  Jonathan  Tole,  down  by  French's 
to  Jacob  Griffin's,  to  near  the  Methodist  church  in  Chester. 

Nov.  27, 1762.  From  the  new  or  Dearborn  saw-mill,  in 
Auburn,  crossing  Nos.  57,  58,  59,  60,  61  and  62,  on  to  the 
reserve,  then  north  29° east,  so  far  as  No.  113,  2d  P.,  2d  D., 
to  the  "clay  pits,"  so  called,  in  Candia.  The  last  part  of 
this  road  on  the  reserve  was  sold  by  Candia  in  1797. 

March  24,  1763.  From  Lane's  in  Chester  to  Lane's  in 
Raymond. 

March  24, 1763.  North  Pond  road  from  Nathan  Morse's, 
across  the  Governor's  farm,  and  on  to  Southwick's.  Altered 
Feb.  2,  1767. 

Nov.  25,  1763.  From  William  Preston's,  near  Pufus 
Phillips'  in  Chester,  to  the  Fowler  place  (now  Savage's  in 
Auburn),  to  the  road  laid  out  March  1,  1756.  Afterwards, 
May,  1768,  changed  to  its  present  location  above  Charles 
Chase's,  between  45  and  46  additional. 

The  path  from  what  is  now  called"  Bunker  Hill,"  in  Au- 
burn, to  the  pond  and  Calfe's  mill,  left  the  present  road 
near  the  school-house,  and  crossed  the  farm  of  the  writer, 
near  the  lower  end  of  the  field,  sixty  rods  from  the  present 
road,  wdiere  David  White  first  settled,  and  on  in  that  direc- 
tion until  it  came  to  the  base  of  the  Mine  hill,  then 
along  near  the  base  of  the  hill  to  the  present  road,  near 
where  Mr.  Haynes  lives.  Wells  Chase  drew  boards  for 
bis  house  over  this  path  in  1771. 

Sept.  1764.     From  Massabesic  Pond,  by  William  Craig's, 


HISTORY   OP  ROADS.  209 

(the  Moses  Hall  place)  by  William  Adams'  (S.  Kiml)airs), 
and  on  the  reserve  at  the  end  of  David  White's  lot  (B. 
Chase's),  on  to  the  road  by  Lieut.  Basford's  (it  came  out 
at  the  north  of  H.  Dockham's)  ;  afterwards  altered  across 
the  lot  to  the  school-house. 

Sept.  2,  1766.  From  the  old  main  road  in  Hooksett,  at 
the  March  place,  to  the  river  ''  where  Lousy  brook  empties 
into  the  river"  (at  Martin's  Ferry);  then  beginning  at 
the  west  bank  of  the  river  and  running  nortliwest  to  the 
line  of  the  town. 

June  27,  1767.  From  Charles  Moore's,  now  Daniel  San- 
born's, east  end  of  No.  5, 2d  P.,  2d  D.,northeastto  Whittier's 
land.  No.  30,  old  hundreds,  then  northwest  to  the  highway 
by  Joseph  True's. 

March  3,  1768.  From  the  end  of  the  highway  by  David 
Foss's  additional  lot  No.  107,  on  the  reserve,  northeast  to 
the  road  to  the  Branch. 

June  10,  1768.  A  road  from  near  I.  M.  M.  Elliott's,  on 
Chester  street,  southwest  eighty  rods.  This  road  led  down 
to  additional  No.  39,  where  Jacob  Wells  formerly  lived, 
and  Joseph  Colby  then  lived.     Discontinued. 

Jan.  5,  1769.  From  southwest  of  Prescott's  (now  Wil- 
liam True's),  northwest  on  the  reserve  to  the  road  from  the 
meeting-house  to  Lane's. 

March  3,  1769.  From  the  old  Berry  place,  at  the  end  of 
the  road,  laid  out  April  17,  1744,  to  where  Simon  Haselton 
now  lives,  south  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Aug.  22,  1769.  From  Sandown  line,  up  by  the  Waddel 
place,  and  to  the  road  by  Jacob  Hill's. 

April  6,  1771.  The  northwest  corner  of  additional  lot 
No.  2,  and  running  southeast  to  a  beech  tree,  being  the 
southeast  bounds  of  the  town,  also  the  present  main  road  to 
Derry  line. 

April  26,  1771.  Across  additional  lot  101,  from  the 
Manley  Lane  place  (now  Davis)  to  Sandown  line. 

Dec.  29,  1772.  From  the  southwest  corner  of  No.  100, 
2d  P.,  2d  D.,  (on  the  Folsom  place)  southeast,  crossing  the 

14: 


210  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER, 

Derryfield  road,  and  on  by  Brown  and  Pierce's  mill  to  the 
road  to  Derry  from  Auburn,  at  N,  Presby's.  (Probably  no 
part  of  it  is  traveled  now.) 

Sept.  14,  1773.  From  Robert  Calfe's  (now  Nathan 
Griffin's)  over  Campbell's  bridge,  to  Candia  line,  towards 
Anderson's. 

March  28,  1774.  From  Hugh  McDuffee's  mill,  at  the 
Long  Meadows,  west-northwest  on  the  reserve,  to  the  Derry- 
field  road  near  Mrs.  Shannon's.  There  is  no  road  there 
now. 

Marfth  30,  1774.  From  the  southeast  corner  of  Abner 
Hill's  land,  northwest  on  the  reserve,  between  the  additions 
and  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  "  to  the  highway  by  William  Kendall's  and 
Daniel  Dolbear's"  (to  the  road  to  Lane's). 

Feb.  21,  1775.  From  the  house  where  "  William  Gross 
now  lives  [James  Hooke's]  to  Raymond  line." 

March  26,  1776.  At  Candia  line  at  the  northeast  of  lot 
34,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  by  Griffin's  (now  John  B.  Rand's)  to  the 
road  from  Simon  Haselton's  to  Lane's.     Discontinued. 

Sept.  14,  1784.  Beginning  at  Candia  road,  northeast 
corner  of  additional  lot  No.  74,  thence  west-northwest  to 
the  northwest  corner  of  No.  77.  This  was  to  go  to  No.  39, 
2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  Griffin  had  formerl^/  and  Eliphalet  Poor 
then  lived. 

Dec.  15, 1788.  From  near  Clark's  saw-mill  in  Auburn, 
towards  the  John  Crawford  place,  towards  Candia.  It  was 
altered,  May  16,  1805. 

Dec.  9,  1791.  At  the  request  of  Nathaniel  Emerson  and 
twenty-nine  others  of  Candia,  a  private  way  was  laid  out, 
beginning  on  Candia  line,  on  lot  No.  108,  5th  D,,  crossing 
lots  No.  103,  102,  115,  116,  117,  118,  119  and  120,  to  Al- 
lenstown  line.  It  was  laid  out  for  the  purpose  of  going  to 
Suncook  to  mill,  and  to  Concord. 

April  4,  1792.  Beginning  between  John  Graham's  and 
the  "  Little  meeting-house,"  where  the  Rev.  James  Holmes 
now  lives,  northeast  to  James  Wason's,  now  Stephen  Kim- 
ball's ;  between  69  and  70  2d  P.,  2d  D. 

Oct.  12, 1792.     Beginning  near  David  Patten's,  where  E. 


HISTORY   OF   ROADS.  211 

A.  Heath  lately  lived,  on  No.  102,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  across  104 
and  105,  to  the  pond,  and  across  the  "  straits  "  (the  pond) 
and  through  "  Deer  Neck  "  to  Derrjfield  line. 

In  1794  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  laying  out  a  road 
from  Hale's  bridge,  in  Walpole,  to  Chester,  a  distance  o 
sixty  miles,  in  order  to  take  the  travel  to  Portsmouth.  It 
passed  Amoskeag  bridge,  and  over  Bald  hill,  and  terminated 
at  a  pine  tree  on  Deer  Neck,  where,  or  near  where,  the 
above  road  ended.  I  think  the  road  was  cut  out  so  as  to  be 
sometimes  traveled,  but  was  never  made  either  in  Chester  or 
Derryfield.  There  was  a  bridge  built  across  the  strait  of 
the  pond,  the  remains  of  which  were  there  until  about  1810. 

Oct.  15,  1792.  The  present  road  from  McKinley's  in 
Auburn,  over  Rattlesnake  hill  by  the  "Fang"  of  the  pond 
to  Derryfield  .line,  near  the  Island-Pond  House.  This  is 
instead  of  a  highway  laid  out  March  16,  1748. 

Dec.  9,  1801.  From  James  Wason's  (now  Stephen 
Kimball's)  in  Auburn,  northerly  over  the  hill  to  the  north- 
east corner  of  the  parsonage  lot ;  thence  west-northwest 
across  two  lots  to  the  "  Kent  place." 

Dec.  8,  1801.  From  near  Hugh  Crombie's  in  Auburn,  to 
near  the  Oswego  mill. 

Jan.  12,  1803.  From  near  Joseph  Carr's  (George  W. 
Clark's,  in  Chester),  west-northwest,  crossing  Chester  turn- 
pike, to  Cyrus  D.  Wood's  in  Auburn.  It  is  nearly  on  the 
range'way  between  the  additional  lots. 

April  4,  1804.  From  the  main  road  near  Otterson's,  to 
the  mills  at  Hooksett. 

May  16,  1805.  From  the  end  of  the  road  laid  out  Dec. 
15,  1788,  from  Clark's  mill  by  Crawford's  to  Candia  line 
towards  Anderson's. 

Nov.  23,  1805.  From  Chester  turnpike,  near  where 
Alfred  Sanborn  now  lives,  southwest  by  Coleman's,  to  meet 
the  road  laid  out  Dec.  9,  1801. 

Dec.  6,  1805.  From  the  main  road  near  Nathaniel  Mar- 
tin's in  Hooksett,  to  Thomas  Wicom's. 

Dec.  1805.  From  the  Murray  saw-mill  yard,  to  the  turn- 
pike at  Hook's  mill  in  Auburn.     Altered  March  10, 1810. 


212  HISTORY    OP   CHESTER. 

Dec.  26,  1805.  The  "  White  Hall "  road,  a  continuation 
of  Candia  High  street,  crossing  Cliester  turnpike  at  Rowe's 
corner,  bj  "White  Hall"  mill  (then  Wheeler's),  Daniel 
Davis's,  Martin's  school-house  to  Martin's  Ferry,  It  was 
indicted  Sept.,  1815,  and  discontinued  to  evade  the  indict- 
ment Sept.,  1816,  and  laid  out  again  as  a  private  way  Oct. 
13,  1820. 

A  very  large  share  of  the  country  trade  was  at  Newbury- 
port,  and  a  large  portion  of  it  passed   through  Chester, 
which  was  a  great  thoroughfare  from  the  upper  part  of  the 
State  to   Newburyport,  Haverhill,  and   to  a  considerable 
extent  to  Boston.     The  transportation  was  all  with  teams, 
especially  horse  teams,  in  the  winter.     More  hay  and  less 
grain  were  fed  then  than  now.     I  have  heard  Dea.  E.  H. 
Kelly  say  that  frequently  he  had  drawn  home  a  load  of  hay 
and  fed  it  out  baiting  horses  without  ever  unloading  it  into 
his  stal)le.     Perhaps  this  current  might  have  been  checked 
by  the  construction  of  the  Middlesex  canal,  but  it  continued 
to  a  much  later  day.     The  road  through  Chester  woods  was 
bad,  —  few  people  living  on  it  to  repair  it,  and  the  town  had 
nearly  every  year  to  appropriate  money-  to  repair  it,  over 
and  above  the  highway  tax.     The  road  was  very  hilly,  and 
various  plans  were  devised  as  a  remedy.     One  was  to  take 
the  travel  down  the  North  Pond  road,  and  save  going  on 
the  street,  and  also  save  Robie's  or  Stockman's  hill.     Hence 
the  petition  of  Joseph  Blanchard  and  others,  for  a  road 
from  Long's  Corner  to  the  two-mile  stone.     Also  the  peti- 
tion of  Gideon  George  and  others,  to  go  from  Joseph  Rob- 
inson's  to   Nathan  Webster's,  keeping  the  south  side  of 
Robie's  hill.     The  travel  could  then  go  through  the  south 
part  of   Sandown,  Hampstead  Peak,  and  over  the  Rocks 
bridge.     Another  plan  was  to  go  down  the  old  road  to  the 
brook  ;  then  near  Benjamin  Hills',  and  keep  east  of  Ingalls 
hill, —  when  one  might  go  out  on  to  the  Haverhill  road  by 
Mr.  Tenney's,  or  on  to  the  Sandown  road.     Still  another 
route,  petitioned  for  by  Mr.  David  Poor,  was  to  leave  the  main 
road  near  Capt.  Emerson's,  and  by  Hall's  Village,  keeping 
west   of  Ingalls  hill  to  Ordway's  Corner  in  Hampstead. 


HISTORY   OP  ROADS.  '         213 

This  route,  according  to  Stephen  Chase,  Esq.'s,  survey, 
would  be  in  Chester  five  hundred  and  eighty-five  rods  ;  and 
the  whole  length,  twelve  hundred  and  fifty-five  rods.  The 
old  road,  thirteen  hundred  and  thirteen  rods,  making  a  sav- 
ing of  fifty-eight  rods.  The  road  was  opposed  by  London- 
derry and  Chester,  and  was  not  laid  out.  The  road  was 
widened  and  straightened  from  Blake's  tan-yard  to  Benja- 
min Hill's,  Feb.  20,  1807. 

At  the  August  term  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
1807,  Benjamin  Fitts  and  sixteen  others  presented  a  peti- 
tion for  a  road,  from  the  end  of  the  road  running  southwest 
from  said  Fitts's  dwelling-house  to  the  southwest  side  of 
Moses  Sanborn's  land.  The  petition  was  not  granted. 
The  great  move,  however,  was  the  building  the  turnpikes. 

Chester  turnpike  was  designed  in  order  to  have  a  better 
road,  and  shorten  the  distance  from  Pembroke  to  Chester. 
The  turnpike  was  fourteen  miles  and  two  hundred  and 
forty  rods  long,  and  shortened  the  distance  two  miles  and 
twenty-eight  rods.  It  was  said  that  a  Pembroke  man,  in 
his  enthusiasm,  said  that  when  the  turnpike  was  completed 
it  would  be  all  down  hill  from  Pembroke  to  Chester.  A 
bystander  inquired  how  it  would  be  the  other  way.  He 
replied,  "  About  the  same."  But  it  was  a  very  hilly  road 
both  ways.  There  was,  however,  a  large  amount  of  travel 
over  it,  and  Anderson's  tavern  was  widely  celebrated  as  a 
stopping  place.  In  the  end  it  proved  a  dead  loss  to  the  pro- 
prietors. It  was,  however,  on  the  whole  a  public  benefit. 
It  opened  a  road  to  a  section  that  otherwise  would  not  have 
had  any,  and  gave  a  great  stimulus  to  building  roads. 

Before  the  building  of  the  turnpikes  it  was  not  practiced 
to  elevate  the  centre,  and  have  gutters  on  the  sides  to  carry 
off  the  water.  They  merely  cleared  the  traveled  road  of 
the  worst  obstructions  —  stumps  and  stones, —  and  caus- 
wayed  the  wet  places  with  logs.  If  the  side  of  a  hill 
became  gullied,  they  carted  in  small  stones,  and  covered 
them  so  that  it  soon  became  a  rather  uneven  pavement.  In 
consequence  of  this  mode  the  roads  were  laid  out  narrow. 

A  petition  was  presented  to  the  Legislature,  at  its  June 
session,  1802,  showing 


214  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

"  That  the  distance  from  Concord  Bridge  to  Chester 
East  Meeting  house  may  from  actual  survey  be  shortened 
three  miles  ;  that  the  road  leading  from  s*^  Bridge  to  said 
meeting  house  is  much  used  in  traveling,  and  in  the  trans- 
portation of  Country  produce  carried  from  the  westerly 
part  of  this  state  and  from  the  state  of  Vermont  to  market. 
Perhaps  no  one  road  in  the  state  of  the  same  distance 
would  be  more  useful  to  the  Publick  than  this,  provided 
it  were  as  good  as  it  might  be  made.  But  we  despair  of 
ever  seeing  such  a  road  made  in  the  way  that  has  been 
heretofore  Practiced.  Ten  or  twelve  miles'  distance  of  said 
Road  is  through  land  scarcely  habitable,  and  those  who 
settle  on  such  land  cannot  reasonably  be  Expected  to  do 
much  in  the  repair  of  highways. 

"  When  Persons  belonging  to  Vermont  or  the  upper  Part 
of  this  state  arrive  at  Chester,  they  have  generally  an  oppor- 
tunity of  knowing  what  place  will  afford  the  best  market 
for  the  articles  they  have  to  Dispose  of,  and  they  can  from 
8^  Place,  without  any  material  inconvenience,  go  to  Exeter, 
Portsmouth,  Haverhill,  Newbury  Port,  Salem  or  Boston. 
This  advantage  over  any  other  Road  has  heretofore  induced 
People  to  travel  through  Chester  on  their  way  to  the  sea- 
port towns,  notwithstanding  the  extreme  badness  of  the 
Roads. 

"  Your  Petitioners  are  of  opinion  that  a  Turnpike  road 
may  be  made,  and  supported  for  such  a  reasonable  toll  as 
will  greatly  relieve  the  Publick  from  the  inconveniences  of 
the  road  they  have  been  so  long  subject  to. 

"  Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray  that  they,  with 
such  others  as  may  hereafter  become  proprietors  with 
them,  be  corporated  into  a  Body  Politic  &  corporate,  for 
the  purpose  of  making  a  Turnpike  road  from  Concord 
Bridge  to  Chester  east  meeting  house,  under  such  regula- 
tions and  restrictions  as  you  may  think  reasonable ;  and  as 
in  Duty  bound  will  ever  pray. 

"  Chester,  June  9"^,  1802. 

"  Joseph  Blancliard,  John  Bell, 

John  Wingate,  Pearson  Richardson, 

Beuj"  Brown,  Eben'  Townsend, 

Thos.  Sargeaut,  Joseph  Robinson, 

Amos  Kent,  Simon  Towle, 

Isaac  Hill,  Daniel  French, 

Benj"  Kitterage,  Ozias  Silsby, 

Stephen  Hill,  NatW  Head, 

John  Emerson,  Henry  Sweetser." 
Ezekiel  Blake, 


HISTORY   OF   KOADS.  215 

Tliere  was  a  day  of  hearing  appointed,  and  an  order  of 
notice,  but  the  prayer  was  not  then  granted. 

June  19,  1804,  Henry  SweetSer,  Asa  Robinson,  John 
Bell  and  Amos  Kent,  and  their  associates,  were  incorporated 
into  Chester  Turnpike  Corporation,  and  were  authorized  to 
make  a  road  from  Chester  street  to  Chester  lin^,  in  the 
direction  of  Pembroke  street,  and  to  erect  gates  and  take 
tolls.  They  were  not  to  take  tolls  of  persons  going  to 
meetings,  funerals,  to  mill,  or  ordinary  business  in  town, 
nor  of  soldiers  going  to  attend  military  duty.  The  State 
might  in  forty  years  repay  expenses  and  nine  per  cent, 
interest,  and  the  road  be  the  property  of  the  State. 

The  stock  was  divided  into  three  hundred  shares,  of 
which  were  taken  in  Chester,  by  Brown  &  Sweetser,  eight ; 
John  Bell,  ten  ;  Amos  Kent,  ten  ;  Thomas  Sargent,  three  ; 
Simon  Towle,  four  ;  Ben.  Brown,  two;  James  Wason,  Jr., 
three  ;  John  Wingate,  four ;  Isaac  Hills,  four  ;  E.  Hills, 
two ;  Dr.  B.  Kittridge,  four  ;  Asa  Prescott,  two ;  Samuel 
Shackford,  three  ;  Daniel  French,  two  ;  Jacob  Elliot,  two  ; 
John  Emerson,  two  ;  David  Hall,  3d,  Ebenezer  Townsend, 
B.  P.  Chase,  John  Melvin,  John  Folsom,  Joseph  Robinson, 
Benjamin  Currier  and  Jethro  Sleeper,  one  share  each. 
The  shares  were  assessed  ninety  dollars  each,  making 
twenty-seven  thousand  dollars. 

December  5th,  1804,  the  grant  was  extended  to  Pem- 
broke street.  Damages  were  assessed  to  known  land- 
owners to  the  amount  of  8895.80  ;  to  unknown,  one  dollar 
per  acre. 

The  road  was  built  by  contract.  Jonathan  Richardson 
contracted  from  the  lower  end  to  one  hundred  and  sixty 
rods  beyond  the  spruce  swamp,  the  path  to  be  twenty-six 
feet  wide,  the  center  to  be  thirty  inches  above  the  gutters  ; 
the  causeways  to  be  twenty-two  feet  wide,  and  covered  with 
gravel  eighteen  inches  deep  ;  the  bridges  to  have  seven 
string-pieces,  beveled  so  that  the  plank  touch  not  over  one 
inch  ;  the  planks  to  be  four  inches  thick.  The  hills  were 
to  be  reduced  so  that  the  ascent  should  not  be  more  than 
eighteen  inches  in  a  rod.  Richardson  was  to  be  paid  83.75 
per  rod. 


216  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Simon  A.  Heath  of  Epsom,  contracted  for  a  mile  and  a 
quarter  from  Pembroke  street,  excepting  Suncook  bridge,  at 
$2.  12i  per  rod ;  and  also  for  a  piece  beginning  at  an  angle 
on  the  easterly  side  of  Lakin's  hill,  to  the  south  side  of  the 
stream  below  Hall's  mill,  including  the  bridge,  for  $J:.50 
per  rod.  Stephen  and  Daniel  J.  Mack  contracted  to  build 
from  the  brook  at  Hall's  mill  to  Jona.  Richardson's  job,  for 
$3.72  per  rod.  John  Mclvin  and  Abraham  Sargent  con- 
tracted to  build  over  Lakin's  hill,  for  $3,000,  if  the  road 
measured  a  mile  and  three-quarters,  or  in  that  proportion. 
Asa  Robinson  contracted  to  build  the  bridge  over  Suncook 
river,  for  $1,000.  Samuel  Cochran,  Asa  Robinson  and 
David  Kimball  contracted  to  build  a  tavern  house  at  the 
upper  gate  for  $1,990,  and  to  build  a  stable  for  $150. 
James  Sargent  to  build  a  barn  for  $265.  Abner  Blasdel 
contracted  to  build  the  lower  toll-house  for  $225,  exclusive 
of  the  chinmey.  Simon  French  was  paid  $187  for  the  lot 
at  the  upper  gate.     Tbey  hired  ten  acres  of  it  cleared. 

By  an  account  rendered  to  the  Superior  Court,  from  Jan. 
1806,  to  Jan.  1812.  they  had  received  for  tolls  and  rents, 
.$6,487.67.  From  1808  to  1815,  they  made  dividends 
amounting  to  $18.55  to  each  share. 

An  act  passed  the  Legislature,  July  4,  1838,  repealing 
the  Chester  Turnpike  Corporation,  which  made  a  public 
highway  of  it. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  find  the  records  of  the  London- 
derry Turnpike  Corporation,  but  it  was  laid  out  in  1805, 
from  Butters  Corner  in  Concord,  leading  towards  Boston. 
John  Folsom  and  John  Melvin,  of  Chester,  contracted  to 
build  fifteen  miles  from  Hooksett  bridge  for  $1,050  per 
mile,  and  $1,000  for  straits  bridge  across  the  pond.  The 
road  was  built  in  1806  and  was  the  great  thoroughfare  from 
the  country  to  Boston.  Head's  and  Folsom's  taverns  in 
Chester,  and  Redfield's,  afterwards  Melvin's,  in  Derry,  were 
thronged  with  guests.  But  afterwards,  before  the  rail- 
road was  built,  the  travel  went  down  the  west  side  of  the 
river  ;  and  much  of  the  way  now,  on  either  Chester  or  Lon- 
donderry turnpike,  there  is  seldom  even  a  solitary  traveler. 


HISTORY  OF  ROADS.  217 

A  public  highway  was  laid  out  over  the  Londonderry 
turnpike  in  1839. 

Feb.  20,  1806.  Across  the  Blanchard  mill-pond  instead 
of  going  up  to  the  Calfe  place  (Nathan  Griffin's). 

June  17,  1807.  The  selectmen  laid  out  a  road  from 
Long's  Corner  to  the  Sandown  road,  near  the  second  mile- 
stone.    Discontinued  by  vote  of  the  town,  July  27,  1807. 

At  the  January  term  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas, 
1808,  Joseph  Blanchard,  and  forty-seven  others,  petitioned 
to  have  it  laid  out.  The  Court  laid  it  out,  and  in  the  Jan- 
uary term  execution  was  issued  for  $65.38. 

The  plea  for  the  road  was,  that  the  travel  to  Xewbury- 
port  would  turn  off  the  main  road  and  go  down  the  North 
Pond  road,  to  avoid  the  hills. 

To  evade  building  it,  and  another  petitioned  for  by  Gid- 
eon George  and  fifty-five  others,  January  term,  1807,  pray- 
ing for  a  road  from  Joseph  Robinson's  to  Nathan  Webster's 
to  go  to  the  southwest  of  Robie's  hill,  it  was  voted  Sept.  7, 
1807,  "  lo  raise  half  a  day  on  the  poll  and  estate  accord- 
ingly, and  have  it  laid  out  under  the  direction  of  Stephen 
Chase,  Esq.,  on  Robie's  hill."  George's  petition  was  not 
granted. 

Oct.  9,  1807.  From  Caudia  line  by  Benjamin  Eaton's  to 
the  Murray  saw-mill. 

March  8,  1819.  From  near  where  James  Underbill  for- 
merly lived  in  Auburn,  106,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  by  the  Kent  place, 
to  near  the  bridge,  across  the  Blanchard  mill-pond. 

Sept.  12,  1822.  From  near  John  Wilson,  Esq.  (now 
James  Towle),  by  James  Wason's  to  Richard  Basford's, 
additional  Nos.  102  to  110. 

Sept.  12,  1822.  From  the  bridge  below  "  Oswego  mill" 
to  Candia  line,  towards  McDuifee's. 

From  1830  to  1836.  There  were  various  roads  widened 
and  straightened  which  it  is  not  necessary  to  detail. 

There  was  a  stage  run  from  Dover  to  Lowell  through 
Chester,  which  went  with  the  mail  to  the  office  of  Daniel 
French,  Esq.,  and  Orcutt's  tavern.  A  shorter  route  to  pass 
a  mile  southeast  of  the  meeting-house  was  planned  by  Derry 
people. 


218  HISTORY   OF  CHESTER. 

Dec.  2,  1834.  A  petition  was  filed  by  Henry  "Willey  and 
others,  with  the  clerk  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  set- 
ting forth  that  there  was  a  large  amount  of  travel  from 
Dover  to  Lowell,  and  asking  to  have  the  old  road  widened 
and  straightened,  and  a  new  road  made  from  Epping  Cor- 
ner to  Col.  Mark  Fisk's  in  Derry.  Thomas  D.  Merril  of 
Epsom,  Jacob  Freese  of  Deerfield  and  Jeremiah  Wilson  of 
Gilmanton  were  appointed  a  committee. 

In  Chester  they  laid  out  a  road  from  near  John  Lock's, 
by  Long's  Corner  and  Hall's  Village  to  Derry  line.  The 
damages  assessed  were  $1,722,  and  the  cost  of  making 
estimated  at  $1,722. 

February  term,  1836.  Chester  petitioned  for  another 
committee,  and  Titus  Brown  of  Francestown,  Stc[)hen 
Webster  of  Haverhill,  and  Josiah  Bellows  of  Waljjole, 
were  aj)pointed.  The  committee  reported  against  making 
this  piece  of  new  road  on  condition  of  the  selectmen  laying 
out  the  following,  which  was  laid  out  Aug.  15, 1837. 

August  15,  1836.  The  road  from  the  Worthen  saw-mill, 
by  Shackford's  mill  to  the  old  road  near  the  bridge  (which 
was  built),  thence  diagonally  across  the  farms  to  the  old 
Melvin  place  on  the  street,  thence  across  the  farms  to  Dr. 
Rufus  Kittredge's,  on  the  Derry  road  (which  was  discon- 
tinued by  vote  of  the  town,  Aug.  28,  1838)  ;  also  from  the 
school-house  No.  2,  southeast  nineteen  rods,  thence  to 
Derry  line. 

Whole  damage  awarded $2,043  00 

Shackford  road 293  08 

Towards  Derry 613  46 

The  discontinued  part  was  not  paid  for. 

Sept.  2, 1836.  Laid  out  from  near  Webster's,  to  connect 
with  the  above. 

Oct.  2,  1837.  The  road  from  Poplin  line  to  Daniel  San- 
born's was  widened  and  straightened ;  from  Daniel  San- 
born's to  near  the  river,  a  new  road  ;  thence  widening  and 
straightening  to  Hale  True's  ;  thence  a  new  road  to  Joseph 
True's  land;  thence  widening  and  straightening  to  Benja- 
min French's. 


HISTORY   OF   ROADS. 


219 


June  2,  1836.  A  new  road  from  John  Prescott's  to  the 
Worthen  saw-mill  laid  out. 

Sept.  1,  1836.  A  petition  of  John  Folsoni  and  others 
for  a  road  on  Londonderry  turnpike  was  presented. 

February  term,  1837.  A  viewing  committee  was  sent 
out.  The  proprietors  of  the  turnpike  objected,  unless  they 
could  have  some  pay.  The  road  cost  867,248,  but  they 
did  not  expect  that.  The  committee  reported  in  favor  of 
laying  it  out.  Ambrose  Cosset  of  Claremont,  Horace  Chase 
of  Hopkinton  and  Jacob  Freese  of  Deerfield  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee,  who  laid  it  out  and  awarded  82,000 
damage,  of  which  Chester  was  to  pay  8279,  which  was 
refunded  by  the  county,  return  February  term,  1839. 

By  an  act  of  the  General  Court  passed  July  4,  1838,  the 
charter  of  the  Chester  Turnpike  Corporation  was  repealed, 
making  it  a  free  road. 

In  1838,  the  road  from  near  Candia  line,  passing  below 
the  Oswego  mill  and  to  Manchester  Centre,  was  laid  out  by 
a  court's  committee.  Chester  made  no  opposition,  but  the 
selectmen  attended  to  advise  as  to  its  location.  It  was 
built  in  1839. 

In  the  town  account  for  1838,  there  is  a  charge  of  8137 
for  the  selectmen's  services  and  expenses  about  the  Araos- 
keag  road.  There  is  also  a  charge  of  8405  for  compen- 
sation for  highways,  all  but  835  of  which  was  paid  for  the 
Poplin  road. 

In  the  account  for  1839  are  the  follow 

Road  Committee's  services  and  expenses 
Compensation  for  the  new  Eaymond  road 
Making  the  Poplin  road  . 
Piece  of  new  road  by  Jeremiah  Ray's, 
The  Amoskeao-  road 


Paid  in  one  year  for  new  roads 
Add  paid  in  1838  as  above 


ng  charges  : 

.      $430  97 

.     1,145  70 

227  29 

50  00 

.     2,732  83 


$■4,586  79 
542  00 

$5,128  79 


February  term,  1838.  Petition  of  John  Moore  and  others 
for  a  road  from  John  Locke's  to  Adams'  saw-mill,  in  Derry, 
to  go  into  Sandown.     The  committee  reported  against  it. 


220  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

t)ct.  14,  1840,  the  road  from  near  the  Dearborn  saw-mill, 
in  Auburn,  easterly  across  Chester  turnpike  to  the  Candia 
road,  near  Seavey's,  was  laid  out. 

In  1840,  upon  the  petition  of  John  Clark  and  others,  a 
road  was  laid  out  from  below  the  Blanchard  mills  across 
Candia  road,  over  Bald  hill  to  Manchester.  July  16, 
1841,  the  selectmen  were  instructed  to  build  it  imme- 
diately. They  purchased  a  team  and  hired  help  and 
commenced,  but  a  town-meeting  was  called  at  the  request 
of  the  opponents  of  the  road  and  counter  instructions 
given.  A  part  of  the  petitioners  for  the  road  turned 
against  it  and  had  to  pay  the  petitioners'  expenses  of  the 
contest,  and  be  taxed  to  the  town  to  pay  for  the  opposition. 
It  was  built,  however,  to  the  Candia  road,  and  one  hundred 
and  thirty-seven  dollars  for  land  damages  paid  and  six  hun- 
dred and  thirty-eight  dollars  for  building  it.  Beyond  the 
Candia  road  it  was  discontinued. 

Oct.  28,  1840.  A  road  was  laid  out  from  near  Reuben 
Senter's  (the  old  Crosett  or  William  Brown  place),  to  the 
road  to  Derry,  south  of  No.  4  school-house  in  Auburn, 
across  86  and  87,  2d  P.,  2d  D. 

1843.    A  road  was  laid  out  from  near  Joseph   Smith's 
house  westerly  to  the  Borough  road,  laid  out  October,  1840. 
December  4,  1843.    The  road  from  near  Amos  Morse's  or 
Dinsmore  sawmill  to  the  Derry  road,  was  laid  out. 

Nov.  2,  1844.  A  road  from  the  road  to  Candia,  south  of 
the  Methodist  church,  southeast  to  the  old  Berry  place,  in- 
stead of  one  over  the  hills  laid  out  March  3,  1769,  was 
laid  out. 

1846.  The  road  commissioners,  on  the  petition  of  John 
Moore  and  others,  laid  out  a  road  from  near  Hale  True's 
(the  old  John  Moore  place)  to  near  the  Methodist  church 
in  Sandown.     This  was  to  lead  towards  Lawrence. 

1846.    Jona.  B.  Sanborn  and  others  preferred  a  petition 

to  the  commissioners  for  a  road  from  Daniel  Sanborn's  (the 

Lt.  William  Moore  place),  in  Chester,  to    the    Methodist 

church  in  Sandown.     Not  granted. 

June,  1846.    The  petition  of  Stephen  Dearborn  and  others, 


HISTORY  OP  ROADS.  221 

for  a  road  from  Auburn  Village  to  Lovereign's  Corner  in 
Raymond.  Final  action  September,  1847  ;  laid  out.  Au- 
burn built  from  the  Village  to  the  Murray  road  and  paid 
landholders  8691,  and  for  building  the  road  8IT8I.0O.  The 
whole  damages  were  for  Auburn,  8973  ;  Chester,  8323,  and 
expenses,  8138.83. 

February  term,  1748.  Raymond  petitioned  for  a  discon- 
tinuance. 

August,  1848.     Chester  petitioned  for  a  discontinuance. 

February,  1850.  Auburn  petitioned  for  a  discontinuance 
of  that  part  not  built,  all  of  wliicii  was  granted  ;  afterwards 
laid  out  and  built,  Chester,  1864 ;  Auburn,  1868. 

September  3,  1847.  A  new  road  laid  out  from  Osgood 
True's  to  the  old  road  from  the  Locke  place,  and  the  old 
road  widened  and  straightened  to  Hale  True's,  towards 
Lawrence  or  Haverhill. 

Oct.  16, 1847.  A  road  was  laid  out  from  near  Ebenezer 
Marden's,  southwest  to  the  road  from  Chester  to  the  Branch. 

Oct.  23,  1848.  An  addition  to  the  above  to  near  Wal- 
ter Basford's  shop. 

July  15,  1853.  A  road  was  laid  out  from  near  Frederic 
*  "Wason's  (the  old  David  McClure  and  John  Knowles 
place),  southeast  to  Wason's. 

In  1847  a  road  was  laid  out  from  Londonderry  turn- 
pike passing  the  steam  saw-mill  to  the  Senter  road. 

In  1849  a  road  was  laid  out  from  Londonderry  turnpike 
southeast  to  Londonderry  line  towards  Wilson's  Crossing. 

In  1853  a  road  was  laid  out  from  the  corner  near  school- 
house  No.  2  in  Auburn,  southwest  to  meet  the  road  laid 
out  in  1847. 

In  1864  the  county  commissioners  laid  out  in  Chester 
the  road  laid  out  upon  the  petition  of  Stephen  Dearborn 
and  others  and  discontinued,  and  in  1867  the  selectmen 
of  Auburn  laid  out  the  part  of  the  same  in  Auburn. 

The  Mammoth  road,  leading  from  Hooksett  to  Lowell, 
was  laid  out  after  a  long  contest  in  1831,  which  passes  a 
long  distance  in  Old  Chester,  in  Hooksett  and  Manchester, 
which  cost  the  town  of  Hooksett  between  three  and  four 
thousand  dollars. 


222  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

A  foad  was  laid  out  in  1840  from  the  Factory  Tillage 
across  the  farms  to  the  old  Suncook  road  near  Matthew 
Gault's.  When  the  Londonderry  turnpike  was  laid  out  as 
a  free  road  in  1836,  Hooksett  bridge  was  reserved  by  the 
corporation,  which  the  town  of  Hooksett  purchased  in  1853 
for  $1,610,  which  was  burned  with  the  railroad  bridge  Sept. 
30,  1857,  and  a  new  one  built  at  a  cost  of  86,000,  which 
was  carried  off  by  a  freshet  and  ice,  March  20,  1859,  and  a 
new  one  built  by  the  town  at  an  expense  of  about  $8,000. 


CHAPTER    X. 


HISTORY     OP     MILLS. 


Before  giving  a  history  of  the  building  of  mills  I  propose 
to  give  a  description  of  the  early  mills,  and  of  the  modern 
improvements. 

The  early  saw-mills  were  built  with  flutter  or  undershot 
waterTwheels,  with  heavy  rims,  and  at  least  three  feet  and 
a  half  high,  and  about  four  feet  wide,  with  a  wrought-iron 
crank,  from  sixteen  to  eighteen  inches  long.  The  water 
was  brought  on  in  a  tangent  of  about  forty-five  degrees. 
The  gate  hoisted  perpendicularly.  The  saw-frame  ran  in 
rabbets  in  the  fender  posts,  secured  by  wooden  knees  called 
"  hook  pins."  The  pitman,  to  connect  the  crank  to  the 
saw-frame,  was  all  of  wood.  The  saws  were  of  iron,  so 
that  when  the  breast  was  worn  hollow  they  would  heat  the 
saw  and  strike  the  back  on  an  anvil,  and  straighten  it.  The 
saw  was  strained  by  a  key  or  wedge.  The  carriage  ran  on 
pieces  of  plank,  called  "  nogs,"  about  two  feet  apart,  set 
perpendicularly  in  timbers,  the  corners  cut  out  to  receive 
the  carriage.  Only  one  carriage  side  was  cogged.  Reel 
dogs  were  used  at  both  ends,  so  that  the  dogs  were  drawn 
every  run.  To  feed,  a  roller  went  across  the  mill,  in  front 
of  the  saw,  resting  on  wooden  bearings  on  the  plates,  and 


HISTORY   OF   MILLS.  223 

a  head  hanging  down,  from  which  there  was  a  pole*  some 
ten  feet  long,  with  a  pawl  or  hand  on  the  end,  to  work  the 
rag-wheel.  They  had  no  apparatus  for  raising  the  hand, 
but  always  had  to  be  there,  to  take  it  up  and  lay  it  on  a  pin. 

They  had  no  negro-,  or  gig-wheel,  but  ran  the  carriage 
back  with  their  feet ;  and  to  have  it  go  back  easier,  would 
have  the  mill  incline  a  foot  and  a  half,  or  two  feet,  in  the 
length.     I  have  seen  all  of  this  in  operation  in  my  day. 

About  1808  there  came  along  a  millwright  by  the  name 
of  Oliver  Hawkins,  who  introduced  wider  and  lower  wheels, 
with  the  floats  fastened  to  arms.  He  used  short  cranks, 
and  had  the  water  brought  on  nearly  perpendicular,  and 
after  striking  the  wheel,  the  water  was  brought  round  in  a 
curve.  The  gate  was  drawn  horizontally  on  the  bottom  of 
the  flume.  He  introduced  cogging  both  carriage  sides,  and 
running  upon  a  continued  track  in  the  centre  of  each  side. 

Some  mills  were  built  by  Joseph  Wilson,  of  Hudson,  with 
the  rolling  gate,  and  other  improvements,  perhaps  earlier 
than  Hawkins'.  The  first  change  of  water-wheel  from  the 
flutter,  was  the  spiral  vent,  invented  by  Clark  Wilson,  of 
Swanzy,  in  1830.  It  was  a  reacting  wheel,  with  iron 
buckets  and  wooden  rim. 

The  first  balance  wheel  I  ever  saw  in  a  saw-mill,  was  at 
Osgood's,  at  Methuen,  Mass.,  in  1827.  It  was  a  heavy 
wooden  wheel,  five  feet  in  diameter,  with  a  cast-iron  seg- 
ment, for  counter-balance.  It  was  put  in  by  James  Butter- 
field.     It  waded  so  heavily  in  the  water  that  it  did  no  good. 

In  1838  the  Exeter  manufacturing  company  built  two 
saw-mills,  and  sent  to  Hallowell  for  their  irons,  and  had 
iron  balance-wheels. 

The  first  slides  for  saw-frames,  so  far  as  I  know,  were  in 
the  Locks  and  Canal  Co.'s  mill  at  Lowell,  in  1832,  Y  slides 
on  the  saw-frame  running  in  grooves  in  the  posts.  It  was 
nearly  impossible  to  keep  them  tight  on  the  frame,  and 
there  were  other  difficulties.  The  next  was  Y  slides  on  the 
posts  and  grooves  in  the  saw-frame.  The  Exeter  mills,  be- 
fore spoken  of,  had  square  slides  on  the  inside  of  the  posts, 
and  composition  boxes  on  the  saw-frame.     In  1839,  larger 


224  HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 

square  slides  on  the  inside  of  tlie  posts,  with  wooden  bear- 
ings on  the  frame,  were  introduced.  About  1845,  round 
slides  in  front  of  the  }30sts,  and  soon  after  the  present 
form  of  square  ones  in  front  of  the  posts  were  introduced. 

So  far  as  I  am  aware  the  first  belted  saw-mill  was  built 
for  Ralph  Bricket,  of  Hampstead,  in  1836,  in  connection 
with  a  shingle-mill,  to  split  the  stuff.  It  had  no  counter- 
balance, and  was  not  substantial  enough  to  do  great  busi- 
ness. The  first  iron  segments  on  the  carriage  running  on 
an  iron  track,  so  far  as  I  know,  were  in  a  mill  built  by  the 
Amesbury  Flannel  Manufacturing  Co.  at  the  Tewksbury 
mills.  The  track  was  round  on  the  top.  This  was  in  1839. 
The  first  steam  saw-mill  in  this  region  was  built  by  "Webster 
&  Page,  at  South  Kingston. 

The  clapboards  and  shingles  were  all  riven.  The  earli- 
est clapboard  machine  was  introduced  a  little  previous  to 
1820,  and  the  log  hung  upon  centres,  and  passed  over  the 
saw,  and  was  so  adjusted  as  to  saw  the  requisite  depth  for 
the  width  of  the  clapboard.  It  was  self-setting,  and  had 
sappers  attached  to  the  saw  to  straighten  the  edges.  The 
shingle  machine  was  a  later  invention.  The  first  of  either 
of  these  machines  in  Chester  was  by  John  Clarke,  in  1833. 

The  early  grist-mills  were  driven  l)y  undershot  water- 
wheels,  about  fifteen  feet  high  and  four  feet  wide,  the 
water  brought  on  at  an  angle  of  about  twenty-five  degrees. 
The  gears  used  were  wooden  —  face  or  crown  gears.  The 
runner  was  hung  on  a  stiff  horn,  sometimes  a  tripod,  so 
that  the  spindle  had  to  be  exactly  perpendicular  to  the  face 
of  both  bed,  stone  and  runner.  The  tub-wheel  was  in- 
vented by  a  Mr.  Hitchcock,  the  first  part  of  the  century. 
It  was  at  first  a  small  and  deep  wheel,  with  the  runner 
,  attached  to  the  top  gudgeon.  They  soon,  however,  made 
larger  wheels,  usually  six  to  eight  feet  in  diameter,  fifteen 
inches  deep,  and  geared.  These  wheels  were  mostly  used 
from  1810  to  1835,  for  grain  mills.  The  spiral  vent, 
and  other  reacting  wheels,  and  then  centre-discharge,  and 
various  combinations  of  direct  and  reaction  wheels,  super- 
seded them.     In  the  early  mills,  wrought-iron  gudgeons  or 


HISTORY    OF   MILLS.  226 

bearings  were  used.  The  earliest  cast-iron  wing-giidge^i  saw 
was  put  into  N.  Clark's  mill,  Sandown,  by  Joseph  Wilson, 
in  1812,  though  they  were  probably  used  earlier.  The  cap 
or  flange-gudgeon  was  invented  by  Butler  Wilson,  a  son  of 
the  above,  at  a  later  date. 

As  the  cloth  was  of  home  manufacture,  fulling-  or  cloth- 
ing-mills were  common.  The  fulling-mill  or  stock  was 
driven  by  an  undershot  wheel  about  ten  feet  high,  with  two 
wooden  ovals  or  cams  set  opposite  to  each  other  on  the 
shaft,  to  force  the  feet  or  mallets  alternately  against  the 
cloth,  and  they  fell  back  by  their  own  gravity.  AVhen  the 
ovals  were  too  flat,  or  the  motion  too  quick,  the  mallet 
would  not  fall  back  as  fast  as  the  cam,  and  they  would 
meet  with  a  heavy  concussion.  Cranks,  with  smaller 
wheels,  were  introduced  about  1810. 

The  raising  the  nap  on  cloth  was  done  by  a  small  card, 
by  hand.  Mr.  Haynes  got  up  a  machine  for  raising  the 
nap  on  cotton  and  linen  cloth,  called  "  fustian."  It  con- 
sisted of  a  main  cylinder  on  wooden  bearings,  two  or  two 
and  a  half  feet  in  diameter,  covered  with  teasels,  and  the 
cloth  passing  over  rollers  above  and  below.  Instead  of 
getting  motion  by  attaching  it  to  his  water-wheel,  he  had  a 
rope  attached  to»the  shaft  of  the  machine,  and  passing  over 
a  sheave  at  the  beams  of  his  mill,  with  a  heavy  weight  at 
the  other  end  of  the  rope.  This  was  wound  up  until  the 
weight  was  raised  to  the  beam,  and  then  the  machine  would 
run  until  the  weight  had  run  down ;  then  it  must  be  wound 
up  again. 

The  shearinsr  of  fulled  cloth  was  done  with  hand  shears. 

The  blades  of  these   were   about  seven  inches  wide,  and 

about  thirty  inches  long.     The  cloth  was   laid  across   a 

cushion  about  as  wide  as  the  length  of  the  blades  of  the 

shears.     The  bottom  blade  lay  flat  upon  it,  and  weighted 

down  with  fifty  or  sixty  pounds  of  lead ;  the   other  blade 

connected  by  a  large  bow  or  spring,  and  standing  at  an 

angle  of  about  forty-five  degrees.     A  strap  was  attached  to 

the  bottom  blade,  and  to  a  wooden  handle  or  lever  made  to 

bear  against  the  top  blade,  by  means  of  which  the  shears 
16 


226  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

were  sprung.  In  shearing,  the  shears  were  sprung  with 
one  hand,  and,  weighing  in  all  nearly  one  hundred  pounds, 
moved  evenly  across  the  cloth,  and  then  lifted  and  moved 
back  again.  It  required  a  great  deal  of  skill,  and  was 
very  laborious  work.  These  shears  were  exclusively  used 
until  1812  to  1814,  when  Hovey's  vibrating  shears  were 
introduced,  in  which  by  turning  a  crank  the  shears  were 
s])rung,  and  the  cloth-beams  moved,  also  a  brush  to  raise 
the  nap.  About  the  year  1825,  spiral  blades  were  in- 
troduced. 

The  dyeing  of  fulled  cloth  for  every-day  wear  was  mostly 
with  butternut,  or  oilnut,  bark ;  for  handsome,  black  or 
London  brown,  dyed  with  camwood  darkened,  and  much 
later  indigo  blue  was  introduced.  There  was,  for  men's 
summer  wear,  a  cotton  and  linen  cloth  made,  called  fustian, 
which  was  dyed  with  fustic,  darkened,  and  a  nap  raised 
and  the  cloth  pressed. 

At  a  general  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  "  Checher," 
held  at  Hampton  the  11th  day  of  January,  1720-1, 

"  Voted,  To  Coll"  Packer,  Coll''  Wiar,  Caleb  Towle,  and 
Sam"  Ingalls,  the  whole  Priviledge  upon  the  upper  Falls  of 
the  great  Brook  forever,  to  build  a  Saw  mill  or  mills  on, 
and  also  ten  acres  of  Land  Gratis,  on  EacJi  Side  s^  falls  for 
the  s''  mills  Conveniency,  with  Condition  That  the  s*^  mills 
shall  be  fitt  to  Cutt  boards  in  a  Twelvemonth  from  this 
Time ;  and  that  they  Sliall  Saw  at  halves  the  Proprs. 
Loggs,  So  much  as  they  Shall  have  occasion  for  Building. 
And  those  props,  that  Shall  have  Occasion  to  buy  boards 
shall  be  Supplyed  with  So  many  as  they  Shall  have  occa- 
sion for,  at  the  Rate  of  thirty  shillings  per  Thousand  at  the 
mill.  And  if  the  making  a  pond  or  ponds  for  s*^  mill 
damnifies  any  of  the  proprs.,  the  society  shall  make  good 
the  damages." 

At  a  meeting  at  Hampton,  March  16,  1720-1, 

"  Voted,  That  the  four  persons  to  whom  the  Stream  is 
granted,  Shall  give  each  a  bond  of  Fifty  pounds  to  the 
Comittee,  to  perform  the  Conditions  of  s*^  Grant,  and  if 
any  of  them  Refuse  to  do  it,  the  Comittee  is  Impowered  to 
admitt  others." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee,  September  29,  1721, 


HISTORY    OF   MILLS.  227 

"  A^oted,  That  the  proprietors  of  the  upper  Falls  on  the 
great  Brook  have  the  priviledge  of  the  Lower  falls  also,  for 
their  Further  Icouragen*,  to  build  a  mill  according  to  a  vote 
of  the  Society,  at  a  publick  meeting  held  Jan.  11''',  1720-1, 
and  in  consideration  of  which  Additional  Privilege  they  are 
to  build  a  Grist  mill  as  Soon  as  the  Town  will  need  it." 

James  Basford  at  one  titne  owned  most  of  the  mill.  In 
1731  he  sold  Ebenezer  Dearborn  one-fourth  of  the  "  old 
sawmill."  In  1732  he  sold  to  William  Wilson  one-eighth 
of  the  "  old  sawmill."  In  1734  he  had  some  difficulty 
with  the  proprietors  about  the  mill,  and  they  voted  to  have 
a  reference. 

In  1735  Ebenezer  Dearborn  deeded  to  his  sons  Ebenezer, 
Jr.,  Benjamin,  Thomas  and  Michael,  one-fourth  of  the  "old 
sawmill." 

In  1743,  in  consideration  of  <£22  bills  of  credit,  Ebene- 
zer Dearborn,  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  Jr.,  Thomas  Dearborn 
and  Michael  Dearborn  convey  to  Thomas  Wells  four-sixths 
of  the  "  old  sawmill." 

We  know  little  more  about  the  mill  or  its  owners  until 
about  1780,  when  Hugli  Tolford,  Jacob  Wells,  Capt. 
Clough,  Moses  Haselton,  John  Haselton  and  Benjamin 
Haselton  rebuilt  it.  It  was  rebuilt  once  after  that,  and 
again  in  1848,  and  is  now  owned  by  Edwin  Haselton  and 
Parker  Morse. 

Jonathan  Blunt  had  a  saw-mill  previous  to  1730.  He 
owned  home  lot  No.  12,  and  it  was  probably  on  that,  near 
the  Blake  tan-yard. 

aiken's  grist-mill. 

At  a  meeting,  March  7,  1730,  it  was 

"  Yoted,  that  there  be  encouragement  given  for  building 
a  Grist  mill  on  the  middle  falls  of  the  Grate  Brook,  that  is 
to  John  Aiken's,  and  fourteen  or  fifteen  acres  of  land  to  the 
Eastward  of  s*^  falls,  as  convenient  as  can  be  had  of  com- 
mon land,  provided  s''  Aiken  build  a  sufficient  Grist  mill  by 
this  time  twelvemonth,  and  keep  s*^  mill  in  good  Repair 
from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereafter." 


228  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Mr.  Aiken  built  the  mill  on  his  lot,  No.  145.  This  was 
probably  the  first  grist-mill  in  town. 

William  Graham,  who  married  Mr.  Aiken's  daughter 
Margaret,  purchased  the  mill  and  land  adjoining  in  1745. 

In  1750,  Graham  purchased  at  the  Long  Meadows,  and 
Mr.  Aiken  died,  and  gave  by  will  his  three  home  lots  to  his 
sons  John  and  James.  As  the  mill  was  on  one  of  those 
lots,  it  had  probably  been  re-deeded.  John  Aiken,  Jr.,  lived 
where  John  Plasclton  now  lives,  and  I  think  owned  the 
mill.     It  was  on  that  lot. 

haselton's  grist-mill. 

The  privilege  of  the  "  Lower  falls  on  the  Great  l)rook  " 
was  granted  to  the  proprietors  of  the  ujjper  falls,  Sept. 
29,  1721,  but  they  probably  never  availed  themselves  of 
the  grant. 

May  5,  1746,  it  is  recorded,  "  William  Crafiford  having 
built  a  grist-mill  upon  the  Great  brook  in  Chester  at  the 
Lower  falls  so  called,  the  fifth  day  of  May,  1746,  doth 
Record  his  son  Rol)ert  miller  of  said  Grist  mill."  Henry 
Lunt  owned  the  mill  in  1753,  died  in  1761.  Samuel  Cur- 
rier owned  it  in  1770. 

In  1779  Samuel  Currier,  of  Hampstead,  conveyed  to 
Richard  Haselton  thirty  acres  of  land  with  the  grist-mill, 
the  land  bounded  on  Crawford's  and  Mark  Carr's.  In  1780 
he  bought  a  pair  of  millstones  of  Francis  Chase,  of  New- 
town, for  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  ;  so  he  probably  re- 
built at  that  time.  Tlie  mill  was  once  carried  off  by  a 
freshet;  Peter  Haselton  thinks  about  1793.  It  was  T)nce 
burnt.  It  descended  to  Thomas  Haselton,  then  to  his  son 
Amos  Haselton.  He  put  in  a  machine  for  sawing  clap- 
boards from  the  logs  in  1839.  In  1853  the  mill  was  en- 
tirely rebuilt,  using  the  timber  of  the  old  Long  Meadow 
meeting-house.  Machinery  for  making  pails  was  put  in  in 
1857  ;  planer  and  box  machine  in  1858.  Water  being 
short  a  steam  engine  was  put  in  in  1860 ;  a  second  pail- 
lathe  in  1862.    In  1866  about  thirty-two  thousand  pails  were 


HISTORY   OF   MILLS.  229 

made,  and  fish-kits  to  the  value  of  six  thousand  four  hundred 
dollars,  and  about  one  hundred  and  fifteen  thousand  feet  of 
boards  made  into  boxes. 

carr's,  morse's,  now  couch's  mills. 

Previous  to  1741  John  Karr  had  built  a  saw-mill  and 
grist-mill  where  Couch's  mills  now  are,  for  in  his  inventory 
for  that  year  there  are  two  mills  set  down  to  him. 

In  1743  there  was  an  effort  to  have  a  new  road  to  Lon- 
donderry to  go  by  "  Karr's  mills."  In  the  return  of  the 
road,  March  21,  1754,  it  "  Began  at  a  stake  near  the 
Bridge  Between  Capt.  Morse's  saw-mill  and  grist-mill." 
In  Capt.  Morse's  will,  proved  May  25,  1763,  he  gave  his 
sons,  Josiah  and  Oliver,  the  mills  in  equal  shares.  Oliver 
had  the  homestead  farm,  and  died  in  1770.  The  dam  was 
carried  away  by  a  freshet,  and  at  the  time  Josiah  got  wet, 
took  cold,  and  died  in  1794,  and  the  mills  went  down. 
Oliver  Morse's  widow  married  Taylor  Little  and  had  a 
daughter  Hannah,  who  married  Isaac  Dinsmore,  who 
bought  the  place  and  rebuilt  the  saw-mill  about  1806  and 
again  about  1830.  It  was  some  time  owned  by  Henry 
Abbot,  who  in  1834  put  in  a  shingle-mill,  the  second  in 
town.  He  sold  to  Col.  Couch,  who  put  in  a  run  of  stones 
below  the  road  with  the  shingle-mill. 

THE  MCDUFFEE  MILLS, — NEAR  SCHOOL-HOUSE  NO.  4,  IN  AUBURN. 

In  the  inventory  of  1741,  James  Campbell  (who  lived 
at  the  Pearly  Chase  place  at  Walnut  hill)  is  set  down  as 
having  a  mill,  and  Daniel  McDuffee  (who  lived  at  the 
Daniel  Kimball  place  in  Derry)  had  also  a  mill.  The  re- 
turn of  the  bridle  road  from  where  Oilman  Morse  now 
lives,  through  the  south  woods,  March  25,  1740,  ended  at 
Campbell's  saw-mill.  This  had  been  the  road  to  the 
Long  Meadows.  In  the  return  of  the  road,  March  5, 
1747,  it  runs  by  the  west  end  of  Hugh  McDuffee's  corn- 
mill.  Hugh  McDuffee  owned  the  corn-mill  during  his  life, 
and  Archibald    and    Mansfield    McDuffee    the    saw-mill. 


230  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

James  McDuffee  is  taxed  in  1801  for  two  mills,  which  is 
the  last  tax  on  them.  They  soon  went  down.  John  Mc- 
Duffee, son  of  Hugh,  fell  through  the  place  for  turning  the 
runner  and  broke  his  neck.  The  saw-mill  stood  just  above 
the  present  road  leading  to  Derrj,  the  corn-mill  several 
rods  below. 

NUTT'S,   CRAIGE's,    CROSETT'S    and    brown's    mill,  —  AT    THE 

AUBURN    STEAM-MILL. 

It  is  uncertain  when  or  by  whom  the  first  mill  was  built. 
There  were  two  men  by  the  name  of  Nutt  who  lived  at  the 
Pierce  and  Brown  place  and  might  have  had  a  share  in  it. 
The  first  title  which  I  have  seen  is  Thomas  Shirley  sold  to 
James  Wilson  one  quarter  of  a  saw-mill,  commonly  called 
"  Nutt's  mill  standing  on  Cohas  brook,"  in  1750,  and  An- 
drew Craige,  Jr.,  sells  to  Andre \y  Craige  one-half  of  lot 
No.  93,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  (on  which  the  mill  stood),  and  one- 
fourth  of  the  saw-mill,  in  1764.  Andrew  Craige  bought 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  a  part  of  No.  87  and  one-half 
of  No.  93  (a  part  of  the  Nutt  place),  and  sold  to  James 
and  Benjamin  Crosett.  They  sold  half  the  land  and  one- 
half  the  saw-mill  to  Robert  Fulton.  James  and  Benjamin 
Crosett  sold  to  Benjamin  and  Samuel  Pierce  and  William 
Brown  two  hundred  and  seventy-four  acres  in  1771,  and  it 
is  understood  that  they  had  the  mill,  but  it  eventually  went 
down.  The  mill  stood  on  the  Long  Meadow  brook  some 
seventy  or  eighty  rods  above  the  steam-mill. 

In  1802  Lt.  William  Brown  and  his  son  John  built  a 
new  mill  down  the  stream  near  the  steam-mill.  It'  was 
afterwards  owned  by  Stephen  H.  Reid,  Alanson  Tucker, 
Esq.  (who  new  geared  it  in  1836),  and  John  B.  Adams. 

In  1846  a  company  was  formed,  consisting  of  Johri  B. 
Adams,  John  C.  Pillsbury,  George  H.  Taylor  and  Nathan- 
iel Brown,  who  built  a  steam  saw-mill,  including  circular 
saws  for  various  purposes,  at  an  expense  of  about  five 
thousand  dollars. 

In  1855  it  was  sold  to  the  Land  and  Water  Power  Com- 


HISTORY   OF   MILLS.  231 

pany  of  Manchester,  and  since  owned  by  William  Vincent 
and  Robert  Thompson,  and  is  now,  1868,  out  of  use. 

shackford's  corn-mill. 

When  the  first  mill  was  built  is  uncertain.  In  1776 
John  Shackford  conveyed  to  John  Shackford,  Jr.,  mil- 
ler, one-half  of  his  home  farm  ;  so  the  mill  was  built 
previous  to  that  time.  John,  Jr.,  died  in  1779,  and  his 
son  Samuel  inherited  it  and  held  it  during  his  life-time. 
The  gears  were  rebuilt  in  1836  and  1837,  and  a  run  of 
stones  added.  Samuel's  son,  Jonathan,  sold  to  James 
Locke. 

THE   WORTHEN   SAW-MILL. 

Josiah  Forsaith  says  that  his  grandfather,  Dea.  Matthew 
Forsaith,  purchased  the  privilege  of  Dolly  Worthen,  and 
built  the  first  mill.  She  was  the  widow  of  David  Worthen, 
who  died  Xovember  19, 1766,  and  she  married  Jacob  Chase 
about  1776.  The  mill  was  probably  built  before  1770. 
There  was  a  new  mill  raised  in  1785. 

In  1790,  Matthew  Forsaith,  Josiah  Forsaith,  Michael 
Worthen  and  Benjamin  Currier  are  taxed  one-sixth  each, 
and  Gideon  Currier  one-third.  Capt.  Shackford  subse- 
quently was  an  owner,  and  Cyrus  Eaton,  George  Weeks, 
Daniel  Clay  and  Alfred  Dearborn.  Samuel.  M.  Edwards  is 
now,  1868,  the  principal  owner,  and  has  put  iu  a  circular 
saw  for  sawing  boards. 


BENJAMIN   hills'    MILL. 


Previous  to  1741  Benjamin  Hills  had  built  a  saw-mill  on 
the  North  brook  on  his  farm.  He  sold  one-eighth  part  of 
it  in  1718  to  Thomas  Craig.  Whether  there  were  other 
owners,  and  how  long  it  stood,  is  not  known. 

June  3,  1781,  Benjamin  Hills,  3d,  and  others,  raised  a 
mill  farther  up  the  same  stream.  In  1791,  Stephen  Hills, 
Benjamin  Hills,  3d,  and  Joseph  Long  were  taxed  one-third 
each.     In  1792,  Eliphalet  Hills  was  taxed  for  one-sixth. 


232  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

There  was  a  mill  kept  up  until  1816,  when  Benjamin  Hills, 
Edward  S.  Hills  and  Joseph  Long  were  taxed  for  one-third 
each. 

French's  corn-mill. 

October  6,  1785,  Benjamin  French  raised  a  corn-mill  on 
the  same  stream  still  farther  up,  nearly  opposite  where  his 
grandson,  David  French,  now  lives.  Mr.  French  died  Jan. 
18,  1797.  The  mill  was  taxed  to  his  widow  several  years, 
and  then  to  Sherburn  Dearborn,  who  married  her,  down  to 
1820.  Capt.  Benjamin  Currier  and  Gideon  Currier  once 
had  a  corn-mill  on  the  same  stream,  opposite  where 
Benaiah  Spotford  now  lives. 

ISAAC    hills'    wind-mill. 

May  16,  1789,  Isaac  Hills,  Esq.,  raised  a  wind-mill.  He 
fitted  it  with  the  usual  oblique  vanes,  and  could  do  some 
business  with  it.  But  he  conceived  a  plan  of  what  he  called 
an  "  air-mill."  He  had  an  octagon  tower  with  large  win- 
dows or  doors  in  the  several  sides,  to  open  on  opposite 
sides,  according  to  the  direction  of  the  wind.  The  wind  was 
to  pass  through,  and  operate  on  a  large  float-wheel  in  the 
inside.  He  first  made  a  working  model,  and  told  to  Mr- 
David  Clark  how  it  operated.  Mr.  Clark  shrewdly  enquired 
whether  he  put  any  corn  in  ;  to  which  he  replied  in  the 
negative.  Mr.  Clark  said  that  that  would  make  quite  a 
ditference,  which  he  found  to  be  true,  as  it  never  proved 
effective.  The  building  was  standing  long  within  my  rec- 
ollection, and  its  foundation  is  yet  to  be  seen. 

ISAAC    hills'    corn-mill. 

In  1805,  Isaac  Hills,  Esq.,  built  a  corn-mill  on  the  stream 
below  the  Blake  tan-yard. 

EBENEZER  BASFORD'S  MILLS. 

Ebenezer  Basford  built  a  corn-mill  with  light  stones  to 


HISTORY    OF   MILLS.  233 

operate  by  wind  or  by  hand  at  pleasure.     There  was  after- 
ward a  water-mill  back  northeast  of  the  house. 


THE   LOCKE   MILLS. 

The  first  Locke  mill  was  on  Exeter  river,  up  near  where 
Charles  Moore,  Sen.,  formerly  lived,  not  far  from  the  road 
from  Wilbur's.  It  was  probably  built  as  early  as  1780.  It 
was  owned  by  Capt  William  Locke,  Robert  Wilson,  Esq., 
Lt.  William  Moore,  John  Basford,  and  I  think  that  Domin- 
icus  Prescott  once  owned  a  share.  It  was  burned,  by  Mr. 
Basford's  leaving  fire,  March  27,  1796. 

In  1810  John  Locke  and  Benjamin  True,  Jr.,  built  a  saw- 
mill further  down  the  river,  some  eighty  rods  above  True's 
house.  About  1820  Mr.  Locke  Iniilt  a  corn-mill  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  stream.  In  1847  it  was  rebuilt  by  John 
and  True  T.  Locke,  and  a  shingle-mill  added.  It  was  after- 
wards sold  to  John  Wason,  and  was  burnt  in  1857. 

THE    KNOWLES   MILL. 

In  1802  Nathan  Knowles  built  three-eighths,  Joseph 
Brown  a  quarter,  Nathan  Knowles,  Sen.,  Dominicus  Pres- 
cott, one-eighth  each.  New  gears  were  built  iu  1838,  and 
it  was  burnt  in  1817. 

Charles  Stevens  built  a  new  one  in  18.59. 

TOWLE   AND   SANBORN'S   MILL. 

James  Towle  and  Pufus  Sanborn  built  a  belted  saw-mill 
on  the  North  brook  m  1848. 

mcmurphy's  or  Webster's  mill. 

It  seems  by  the  following  document,  that  there  was  an 
idea  that  there  was  iron  ore  somewhere  in  the  vicinity,  and 
that  iron  works  might  be  erected  on  the  Cohas. 

Tbere  was  an  act  passed  in  1719,  the  preamble  of  which 
sets  forth  that  there  is  very  good  iron  mine  or  ore  in  New 


234  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

Hampshire ;  that  the  working  of  it  was  likely  to  prove  of 
great  advantage,  and  tliat  sundry  gentlemen  have  already 
advanced  stock  for  setting  up  several  furnaces,  &c.,  and  the 
act  forbids  carrying  any  ore  out  of  the  province  under  a 
penalty  of  ten  pounds  per  ton.  The  British  Parliament 
would  encourage  the  manufacture  of  iron  in  the  Colonies 
to  be  sent  to  Great  Britain  to  be  manufactured. 

By  a  statute  -of  23  of  Geo.  11.,  it  is  provided  that  after 
1750  no  subsidy,  or  custom,  should  be  paid  on  any  bar-iron 
imported  from  the  Colonies  into  the  port  of  London.  The 
act  also  prohibits  the  erection  of  any  mill  for  rolling  or 
slitting  iron,  or  any  plating  forge  to  work  with  a  tilt-ham- 
mer, or  any  furnace  for  making  steel,  under  the  penalty  of 
two  hundred  pounds ;  that  every  such  mill  or  furnace 
should  be  deemed  a  nuisance,  and  the  Gover;ior  and  Lieut.- 
Governor  were  required  to  cause  them  to  be  abated. 

So,  though  they  might  have  made  iron  there,  it  would 
have  been  unlawful  to  have  slit  it  into  shoe  shapes  or  nail 
rods,  or  converted  it  into  steel ;  and  the  Governor  would 
have  been  bound  to  have  abated  it  as  a  nuisance. 

May  16,  1739,  there  was  a  vote  passed  making  a  grant 
to  John  McMurphy,  of  land  and  a  mill  privilege,  at  "  Mas- 
sabesic  river,"  below  the  great  pond,  and  a  committee 
consisting  of  Mr.  John  Calfe  Lisin  Jacob  Sargent  and  Sam- 
uel Emerson,  were  appointed  to  finish  this  matter.  The 
following  is  the  report  and  agreement  of  this  committee  : 

"  The  said  Committee  for  and  in  behalf  of  the  said  Pro- 
prietors, and  as  far  as  in  them  Lies,  Persuant  to  a  Vote  of 
the  said  Proprietors  Pased  at  the  said  meeting  in  may 
afforsaid,  do  by  these  Presents  give,  grant,  Enfooff  and  Con- 
firm unto  the  Said  John  macmurphy,  his  heirs  and  assigns, 
for  ever,  free  Liberty  to  Erect,  Set  up,  and  maintain  a  Grist 
mill  at  massabesick  River,  at  any  place  lie  shall  find  most 
convenient  below  the  Create  Pond,  Provided,  and  on  this 
Condition  that  the  Said  macmurphy,  his  Heirs  or  assigns. 
Shall  Erect  the  said  mill  at  the  Place  afforsaid,  and  fitt  and 
compleat  the  Same  so  far  as  to  grind  Corn  for  the  use  of 
those  that  Shall  bring  it  to  the  said  mill  to  be  ground,  for 
the  Custemary  Toll,  within  two  years  from  the  deate 
hereof, —  and  the  Said  macmurphy  Performe  as  is  Expresed 


HISTORY   OF  MILLS.  235 

in  the  third  article  ;  and  on  faihire  of  performing  the  Said 
mill  as  atforsaid,  then  the  Priveledge  to  be  forfited,  and  to 
Return  to  the  Said  Proprietors,  and  their  Successors  for- 
ever :  and  it  is  further  agreed  between  the  said  Parties, 
and  the  Said  Committee  do  hereby  on  the  })ehalf  of  the 
said  Proprietors  Expresly  Ihnit  and  Provide,  that  tlie  Said 
John  macmurphy,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  shall  not  build, 
Erect,  and  Place  the  Said  grist  mill  on  the  Stream  or  River 
afforsaid  so  as  to  hinder,  or  be  any  Prejudice  to  the  placing. 
Building  and  Erecting  Iron  works,  a  Sawmill,  or  mills,  in 
Case  the  Stream  will  be  sufficient  for  that  Purpose,  and 
the  Same  can  be  done  without  any  Prejudice  to  the  Said 
Grist  mill ;  and  if  the  Said  Proprietors  Shall  at  any  time 
Hereafter  see  meeat,  or  think  Proper  that  the  Said  Iron 
works,  Saw  mill,  or  mills,  or  any  of  them.  Should  be  built 
and  Placed  on  the  Said  River  at  the  place  affors'^,  or  near 
theirunto,  and  Should  Resolve  to  have  the  same  done,  but 
that  neither  the  said  works.  Sawmill,  or  mills,  nor  any 
other  building,  shall  hereafter  be  Erected  on  the  Said 
Stream  so  as  to  be  any  Prejudice,  Inturruption  or  Incon- 
veniance  to  the  Going,  maintaining  and  Support  of  the  Said 
Grist  mill :  and  further,  in  Case  the  Said  Proprietors  shall 
at  any  time  hereafter  Resolve  to  Build  Iron  Works  in  Case 
a  s'ficiancy  of  oare  or  Iron  mine  can  be  found  conveniantly, 
a  Sawmill,  or  mills,  or  any  of  them,  the  Said  macmurphy 
and  his  heirs  Shall  have  the  Liberty,  and  the  Same  is  here- 
,by  granted  to  him  and  them,  to  Erect,  build,  and  maintain 
the  Said  Iron  Works,  Sawmills,  or  mills.  So  Long  as  he  and 
they  Shall  see  Cause ;  and  Whenever  he  or  they  shall  see 
Cause  to  Resign  the  said  Priveledge,  the  Same  shall  Re- 
turne  to  the  Said  Proprietors,  and  their  Successors,  and  the 
building  and  Labour  of  the  said  macmurphy  or  his  heirs, 
that  he  or  they  shall  have  done  before  such  Resignation 
shall  Happen,  Shall  be  Valued  by  the  Selectmen  of  the 
town  of  Chester  affors*^  for  the  time  then  being,  and  What- 
soever Sum  the  Said  Selectmen  shall  Value  the  said  Imild- 
ings  and  Labour  at,  the  Said  Proprietors  shall  Pay  or  Cause 
to  be  Paid,  to  the  said  macmurphy,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  on 
demand,  after  such  Valuation  Shall  be  made. 

"Secondly,  the  Said  committee.  Pursuant  to  the  said  Vote, 
do  hereby  Give  and  Grant  to  the  Said  macmurphy,  his  heirs 
and  assigns,  fifty  acres  of  Land  at  the  falls  of  the  said 
River,  to  be  Laid  out  on  both  sides  the  said  River,  Equally 
to  the  out  Lett  of  the  said  Pond,  as  near  and  as  conveniant 
for  the  accomodation  of  the  said  Grist  mill,  and  other  mills. 


236  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

or  mill,  or  Iron  works,  as  aforesaid,  as  the  Said  Land  can 
be  laid  ;  tlic  same  being  Given  and  Granted  by  the  said 
Proprietors  to  the  said  macmnrphy  and  his  heirs,  for  his 
Incouragement  towards  Building  the  Said  Grist  mill  ;  and 
in  Consideration  of  the  Grate  Expence  and  Charge  which 
he  must  necesserely  be  at  to  accomplish  the  same  within 
the  time  Limeted  herein,  and  the  Said  committee  arc  to 
Proceed  and  Lay  out  the  said  fifty  acres  of  Land  in  manner 
afors'\  as  soon  as  the  Same  can  be  Conveniently  done,  and 
to  make  a  Returne  theirof  by  meets  and  Bounds,  and  Record 
the  Same  on  the  Said  Proprietors'  Book  of  Records,  or 
Cause  the  same  to  be  done  as  Soone  as  Laid  out.  More- 
over the  Said  Comittee  Shall  Lay  out  to  the  Said  macmnr- 
phy and  his  heirs,  at  his  or  their  Request,  a  Small  Quantity 
of  Land  at  the  Discretion  of  the  Said  Comittee,  as  shall  be 
Efectuall  to  Prevent  any  Person  or  Persons  from  Iregularly 
and  Clandestinely  or  unfairly  drawing  out  the  Water  from 
the  Said  Pond,  to  the  Deturment  of  the  said  mill  or  mills, 
or  Works,  as  aforesaid  ;  and  further,  that  the  said  mac- 
murj)hy,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  shall  have  at  all  times  here- 
after free  and  full  libei'ty  to  flow  and  Raise  tiie  Wattcr  in 
the  Said  Pond,  as  he  or  they  shall  have  need  or  occasion 
for  the  Carrying  on  the  work  and  buiseness  of  the  Said 
Grist  mill,  or  Saw  mill,  or  mills,  or  Iron  Works,  as  afore- 
said. 

"  Thirdly,  that  the  Said  macmur])hy,  in  building  the  Said 
mill,  or  mills,  or  any  of  the  Works  theirunto  belonging, 
Shall  not  Stop  or  Impede  the  course  of  the  Fish  up  the 
said  River,  but  shall  and  will  leave,  and  Contrive,  and 
make  sufficient  passage  for  that  Purpose.  Moreover,  it  is 
further  agreed  by  and  Between  the  Said  Parties  that  the 
Said  macmnrphy,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  and  will  at 
all  times  after  the  said  Giist  mill  is  fitted  and  Compleated 
for  Grinding,  as  aforesaid,  Grind  for  the  Proprietors  and 
Inhabitants  of  Chester  aforesaid,  and  their  Successors,  be- 
fore and  in  Prefference  of  their  Grists,  to  the  Grists  of  any 
other  Person  or  Persons  Whatever,  for  three  days  in  a  week 
forever  (Viz.),  Every  tuesday,  Wednesday  &  thursday,  for- 
ever, and  the  Comittee  appoynted  and  chosen  by  the  Pro- 
prietors of  Chester  aforesaid,  to  Lay  out  the  aforesaid  Fifty 
acres  of  Land  at  the  falls  of  the  afores*^  River,  on  both 
sides,  to  the  out  Lett  of  the  aforsaid  pond,  and  the  Small 
Quantity  of  Land  to  Prevent  the  Iregular  and  Clandestine 
or  Unfaire  drawing  out  the  Water  from  the  afforsaidPond, 
to   the    damiage   of  the   afforsaid   mill,  or   mills,  or   Iron 


HISTORY   OF   MILLS.  237 

Works,  is  mr.  John  Calfe,  Ensign  Jacob  Sargent  &  Samuel 
Emerson,  of  Chester  afforsaid,  alhvays  Reserving  a  Lib- 
erty and  Priveledge  to  the  Proprietors  and-  Inliabitents 
of  tlie  town  of  Chester  aflforsaid,  to  pass  and  Repass  with- 
out Interruption  too  and  from  the  afforsaid  massabeecek 
River  to  Catch  and  take  at  the  falls  of  said  River,  below 
the  afforsaid  Pond,  for  nesecery  famely  Support,  Such  Fish 
as  may  be  obtained." 

•The  small  quantity  of  land  to  prevent  the  unfair  drawing 
of  water  was  laid  out  af  the  beach  and  valley,  near  where 
the  Island  Pond  House  now  stands,  to  prevent  making 
another  outlet  through  the  Long  Pond. 

In  1750  John  McMurphy  sold  the  mills  and  land  to 
Alexander  McMurphy.  The  mill  stood  on  the  southeast 
side  of  the  stream,  several  rods  above  the  present  road  and 
above  the  present  mill-pond,  and  had  a  low  head  of  water 
without  flowing  Massabesic ;  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  pro- 
prietors, October  18,  1763,  it  was 

"  Voted,  not  to  support  the  flowing  more  than  was 
natural. 

"  Voted,  that  the  privilege  of  grinding  for  the  proprietors 
of  Chester  three  days  in  a  week  at  macmurphy's  mill  at 
Massabeeceek  shall  cease,  and  it  shall  l)ecome  a  common 
priviledge  for  grinding  as  other  mills  are,  upon  condition 
that  the  said  macmurphy  and  his  heirs  shall  forever  keep, 
maintain  and  support  a  Grist  mill  there,  upon  his  and  their 
own  charge." 

When  a  saw-mill  was  first  built,  or  the  Haselton  mill 
below,  is  not  known,  and  the  traditions  are  vague  and  con- 
tradictory. If  Potter  be  right,  in  his  History  of  Manches- 
ter, that  Alewife  Falls,  mentioned  in  the  return  of  a  road 
laid  out  December  10,  1751,  page  680,  were  at  the  Hasel- 
ton mill,  then  that  mill  was  built  before  that,  and  probably 
McMurphy  had  none.  But  if  Samuel  Gamble  be  right, 
that  Alewife  Falls  were  just  below  McMurphy's,  and  that 
the  waste  water  mentioned  in  the  return  was  the  natural 
stream,  and  that  there  was  a  canal  to  carry  the  water  to 
the  saw-mill,  then  McMurphy  had  dug  a  canal  and  built  a 
saw-mill  before  that  date,  and  the  Haselton  mill  is  probably 
of  a  later  date.     (See  History  of  Roads.) 


238  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

November  18,  -1778,  Alexander  McMurphy  sold  for 
£1800,  additional  lot  No.  66,  No.  23,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and 
the  McMurphy  grant,  to  Jolni  Sheldon,  together  with 
the  saw-mill  and  grist-mill.  So  there  was  a  saw-mill  there 
then . 

March  11,  1782,  Sheldon  conveyed  to  John  Webster,  for 
five  hundred  and  seventy  pounds  in  silver,  at  six  shillings 
and  eight  pence  per  ounce,  the  McMurphy  grant,  including 
the  house  and  mills.  Webster  Mug  a  new  and  better 
canal. 

His  son,  Israel  Webster,  next  owned  the  mills.  About 
1810  he  sold  to  James  Patterson  a  privilege  above  the  Mc- 
Murphy mill,  who  built  a  saw-mill,  and  flowed  Massabcsic, 
and  flooded  Blanchard's  mills,  so  that  it  entirely  stopped 
them.  The  water  for  a  long  time  was  above  the  base  of 
the  great  stone  by  the  road,  at  the  head  of  the  pond. 
Blanchard  commenced  an  action,  but  the  legal  remedy 
was  slow,  and  four  young  men  (Esquire  Blanchard's  neigh- 
bors), having  previously  reconnoitercd  the  premises,  went 
one  night  and  cut  away  the  dam,  which  Avas  a  very  haz- 
ardous performance. 

Patterson  once  owned  the  saw-mill  below,  but  not  the 
grist-mill,  and  he  failed,  and  the  premises  went  back  under 
a  mortgage.  Mr.  Webster's  sons  sold,  and  the  mills  are 
now  occupied  by  Gilman  Clough.  Nothing  definite  has 
been  learned  about  the  Haselton  mill.    . 

THE  DEARBORN  SAW-MILL,  FORMERLY  CALLED  THE  "NEW  MILL." 

In  1751,  Thomas  Dearborn  sold  to  six  other  persons, 
among  whom  were  Theophilus  Sargent,  Winthrop  Sargent, 
Sylvanus  Smith,  Ebenezer  Dearborn  and  Thomas  Wells, 
Jr.,  three-quarters  of  an  acre  and  a  half  of  land  for  a  mill 
privilege  at  the  south  corner  of  lot  No.  57,  second  part  of 
the  second  division.  The  corner  of  the  lot  stood  just 
below  the  north  abutment  of  the  bridge.  They  proceeded 
to  erect  a  saw-mill.  Thomas  Dearborn  built  one  quarter, 
the  others  an  eighth  each.     We  can  hardly  appreciate  the 


HISTORY   OF   MILLS.  239 

energy  and  enterprise  of  these  men.  There  was  no  road 
nearer  than  the  main  road  at  Emerson's  Corner,  two  miles 
distant,  —  Joseph  Basford  liad  a  settlement  %Yhere  Wells  C. 
Underhill  now  lives.  The  lumber,  if  drawn  in  the  sum- 
mer, must  be  done  over  a  rocky  path  through  the  woods, 
on  one  pair  of  wheels.  None  of  them  lived  less  than  five 
miles  from  the  mill  and  must  have  gone  that  distance  to  do 
all  of  the  work.  They  built  a  small  house  for  their  accom- 
modation just  north  of  where  the  Borough  road  now  goes. 
In  1772,  William  White,  administrator  of  Sylvanus  Smith's 
estate,  sold  James  Graham  "  one-eighth  of  Dearborn's 
saw-mill."  The  owners  have  been  continually  changing, 
but  the  "  turns  "  have  been  kept  along  uninterruptedly,  it  is 
believed,  ever  since. 

Several  years  previous  to  1810  nothing  was  done  with 
the  mill  on  account  of  a  difficiilty  about  flowing ;  but  in 
consequence  of  a  vast  amount  of  timber  being  blown  down 
by  the  wind,  "  Cold  Friday,"  Jan.  19, 1810,  new  gears  were 
put  in  by  Abner  Blasdel,  millwright,  on  the  Hawkins 
model.  The  frame  was  rebuilt  in  1821,  and  an  entire  new 
mill,  with  stone  foundation,  built  in  1843,  and  a  shingle- 
mill  added  in  1860. 

One-half  of  Lieut.  Ebenezer  Dearborn's  share  has  re- 
mained in  the  family  of  his  son  Stephen  until  the  present 
time.  The  other  half  remained  with  Ebenezer  and  Jon- 
athan while  they  lived.  Among  the  owners  have  been 
James  Wason,  Jr.,  Stephen  Lufkin,  Joseph  Carr,  Joseph 
Hill,  B.  P.  Chase,  Jonathan  Emery,  W.  H.  Underhill, 
Joseph  Chase,  Jr.,  Jacob  Chase,  Noah  Weeks  and  others. 

hall's  mill,  now  harwood's. 

In  1771  Caleb  Hall  bought  of  John  S.  Dearborn  a  part 
of  lot  No.  57,  second  part  of  second  division,  and  erected  a 
grist-mill.  He  went  to  the  Catamount  mountain  in  Aliens- 
town,  for  the  stones,  and  worse-gritted  stones  could  hardly 
be  found.  The  runner,  with  the  date  on  it,  is  the  door-step 
at  the  shoe-shop,  at  Clarke's  building  in  Auburn  village. 


240  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

It  was  a  great  undertaking  to  go  up  through  Chester  woods 
and  get  them.  They  put  up  at  what  was  then  called  the 
"  Red  House,"  and  afterwards  Simeon  Carr's.  John  Aiken 
Jr.,  was  the  mill-wright.  The  mill  was  rebuilt  about  1803, 
and  about  that  time  conveyed  to  his  son,  Moses  Hall ;  and 
afterwards  re-couAcyed  to  Caleb  Hall ;  and  in  the  settle- 
ment of  his  estate,  given  to  Elijah  Hall. 

In  1823  or  '24,  Capt.  David  Hall,  Elijah  Hall  and  Isaac 
Hall  built  a  saw-mill ;  John  Locke  was  mill-wright.  The 
grist-mill  was  rebuilt  about  the  same  time.  The  mills 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Rodney  Allen,  who  rebuilt ;  then 
to  Noah  Clark ;  and  were  burnt  about  1845. 

In  1853,  Rament  Preston  purchased  and  built  a  grist-mill, 
and  he  and  his  brothers,  Nchemiah  and  Paschal,  built  a 
saw-mill.  The  part  belonging  to  Rament  Preston  was  after- 
wards purchased  by  Nathan  K.  Harwood. 

In  1797,  Samuel  Haynes,  a  young  man  from  Greenland, 
purchased  of  Caleb  Hall  a  privilege  a  few  rods  below  the 
grist-mill,  and  erected  a  fulling-mill  and  carried  on  cloth- 
dressing.  In  1802  or  '3,  he  sold  to  Moses  Hall,  who  did 
something  at  cutting  nails  there.  Mr.  Haynes  then  pur- 
chased the  place  now  owned  by  Alfred  Sanborn,  and  built 
the  house  and  a  fulling-mill,  and  carried  on  the  business 
until  1807,  when  he  sold  to  Charles  S.  Bagley  ;  and  in 
1809  Bagley  sold  to  Moses  Chase.  Mr.  Chase  in  1810 
put  in  a  carding  machine,  the  third  probably  in  the  State. 
He  sold  the  clothing  department  to  Samuel  D.  Wason  in 
1812,  and  he,  in  1814,  sold  to  William  Coult.  Moses 
Chase  sold  the  carding  department  to  B.  P.  Chase,  and  in 
1816  he  sold  it  to  William  Coult,  who  put  in  another  card- 
ing machine,  and  in  1820  it  was  burned.  It  was  rebuilt, 
and  new  machinery  was  put  in,  and  sold  to  Jonas  B.  Bow- 
man, who  removed  the  machinery  and  took  down  the 
building.  In  1865  Joseph  Dunlap  of  Goffstown,  .a  large 
lumber  and  wood  dealer,  built  a  new  saw-mill,  with  a  cir- 
cular saw,  on  the  privilege. 


HISTORY   OP  MILLS.  241 


CALFE   AND   BLANCHARD'S   MILLS. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  proprietors,  Dec.  11, 
1735, 

"  Voted,  The  land  which  the  Lotlayers  Laid  out  at  the 
Eequest  of  John  Calfe  for  an  amendment  to  two  home 
Lotts  and  a  half  held  by  him,  which  Transcript  was  Read 
at  the  Last  Proprietors'  meeting,  and  Put  to  Vote  for  Con- 
firmation and  Past  in  the  Negative,  was  Reconsidered  and 
Read  at  this  meeting,  and  Put  to  Vote  and  Past  in  the 
Effermetive. 

"  William  Haley,  Ithemer  Berry,  Enoch  Colby,  Silvanus 
Smith,  moses  Tiler,  decents  against  the  foregoing  Vote." 

This  tract,  containing  eighty  acres,  lay  from  just  above 
the  bridge  crossing  the  mill-pond,  above  Auburn  village, 
up  to  the  bend  in  the  brook  near  Campbell's  bridge. 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  "  Voted  that  mr.  John  Calfe 
have  Liberty  to  build  a  fulling  mill  at  massabeecek  brook 
between  the  two  Ponds,  agreeable  to  his  own  Proposals." 

The  fulling-mill  was  accordingly  soon  built,  and  stood 
nearly  opposite  Nathan  Griffin's  barn. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors,  June  20,  1759, 

"  Voted  and  Granted  to  Robert  Calfe,  Liberty  to  Erect 
and  build  a  Saw  mill  upon  the  Supposed  Priveledge  Granted 
to  his  father,  John  Calfe,  To  Set  up  a  fulling  mill  Be- 
tween the  two  ponds  at  massabecek,  and  forEver  to  Injoy 
the  Same  with  the  Lands  Left  on  Each  Side  of  Said  River 
for  that  use  ;  he,  the  Said  Calfe,  Procuring  and  allowing 
Soficient  Highways  Towards  Penicook,  as  may  be  needfull 
Through  his  Lands  ;  and  he  Paying  to  the  Proprietors  forty 
Pounds  old  tenor  for  the  Same  upon  their  Demand  Within 
one  year  from  this  time,  and  Support  all  Damages  by 
flowing." 

The  saw-mill  was  probably  soon  built.  There  was  cer- 
tainly a  fulling-mill  and  saw-mill  there  in  1771.  The  dam 
flowed  all  of  the  meadow  around  the  "  Little  Massabesic," 
and  up  towards  Clarke's  mill,  on  the  Oswego  brook. 

Thomas  Anderson,  having  purchased  lot  No.  107,  and 
the  meadows  in  it,  which  were  flowed,  in  May,  1772,  com- 
menced an  action  against  Robert  Calfe,  and  in  May,  1773, 
16 


242  HISTORY  OP   CHESTER. 

there  was  a  verdict  for  the  defendant.  The  plaintiff  ap- 
pealed to  the  Superior  Court,  and  September,  1773,  the 
verdict  for  defendant,  for  costs,  was  £1  15s.  3d. 

Dec.  11,  1764,  Jesse  McFarland  sold  to  Thomas  Shir- 
ley fifteen  acres  at  the  north  end  of  No.  123,  the  west  side 
of  the  brook,  and  reserved  the  privilege  of  building  half  a 
mill.     The  mill  probably  was  not  built. 

Oct.  15,  1770,  Robert  Kennedy  sold  to  Samuel  Shirley 
(son  of  Thomas)  fifteen  acres,  the  west  side  of  the  brook, 
and  fifteen  acres  on  the  east  side,  with  the  buildings.  Sam- 
uel Shirley  soon  built  a  corn-mill  on  the  east  side.  He 
also  bought  a  part,  or  all,  of  lot  No.  115,  in  which  "  Little 
Massabesic "  and  the  meadows  around  it  lie,  and  took  a 
more  summary  process  than  Mr.  Anderson  had  done  to 
abate  Calfe's  flowage.  He  procured  a  ])arty  of  men,  who 
were  probably  well  stimulated,  and  proceeded  to  cut  away 
Calfe's  dam.  Mr.  Calfe  prosecutqd  tliem  for  a  riot,  and 
Shirley  became  frightened,  and  to  get  out  of  it  sold  to  Col. 
John  AVcbster.  Col.  Webster  sold  to  Joseph  Blanchard, 
who  had  married  Mr.  Calfe's  only  daughter ;  and  Blanch- 
ard deeded  one-half  to  Calfe  in  1777.  The  Calfe  dam  was 
not  rebuilt ;  the  fulling-mill  was  removed  to  the  Shirley 
privilege  and  the  business  was  carried  on  there  by  Calfe 
and  Blanchard.  Mr.  Blanchard  built  a  small  house  and 
removed  there.  Mr.  Calfe  died  in  1788,  and  Mr.  Blanchard 
carried  on  the  clothing  business  until  1796,  when  the  shop 
was  burned.  Esq.  Blanchard  said  that  there  was  no  fulling- 
mill  between  there  and  Canada ;  and  that  they  had  cloth 
brought  two  hundred  miles  to  be  dressed.  A  saw-mill  was 
probably  built  on  the  west  side  of  the  stream,  soon  after 
Blanchard  purchased  it. 

In  1794,  William  J.  and  John  Folsom  came  to  Chester 
and  set  up  the  manufacture  of  cut  nails,  which  was  carried 
on  by  them  until  1806,  and  by  Joseph  Blanchard,  Esq. 
until  1816.  The  nails  were  cut  by  water  and  headed  by 
hand.  Esq.  Blanchard,  from  August,  1815,  to  October, 
1816,  cut  and  carried  to  the  state  prison,  to  be  headed  by 
the   convicts,  to  the  amount  of  $2,240.28.     John  Melvin 


HISTORY   OF   MILLS.  243 

had  a  blacksmith  shop  with  tilt-hammer  and  started  mak- 
ing scythes;  but  his  foreman  proving  unskillful  he  soon 
abandoned  it.  Mr.  Folsom  and  Mr..  Melvin,  having  taken 
a  large  contract  on  the  Londonderry  turnpike  and  the 
bridge  across  the  pond,  left  the  mills  in  the  fall  of  1805. 

In  1825,  Samuel  D.  Wason  purchased  the  mills  and 
rebuilt  the  saw-mill,  and  in  doing  some  of  the  work  in  the 
old  nail-shop  it  took  fire,  and  the  shop  and  grist-mill  were 
burned.  In  1826,  Col.  Wason  built  a  new  grist-mill  with 
two  runs  of  stones.  It  was  said  by  William  Graham,  Esq., 
who  had  the  title  of  the  mills  from  Col.  Wason  and  settled 
the  bills,  that  he  paid  for  seven  barrels  of  New  England 
rum  used  that  summer  by  Wason's  family  and  help.  In 
1830  Graham  put  in  an  iron  cob-cracker,  the  first  in  town. 

In  1835,  Jay  T.  Underbill  and  Flagg  T.  Underbill  pur- 
chased, and  built  an  edge-tool  shop  with  two  spiral-vent 
water-wheels  (the  first  of  the  kind  in  this  region),  one  to 
drive  a  tilt-hammer  and  the  other  to  do  the  grinding  and 
polishing.  The  tool  business  was  carried  on  here  by  dif- 
ferent individuals,  —  J.  T.  Underbill,  P.  T.  Underbill,  John 
S.  Brown,  Nathaniel  Brown  and  W.  W.  Leighton,  under 
diifferent  firms  until  1856,  when  J.  S.  Brown  sold  to  John 
Clarke,  W.  W.  Leighton  and  Jacob  Lufkin,  and  the  tool 
business  was  carried  on  by  Leighton  and  Lufkin  ;  then  by 
Leighton  alone.  In  1863,  the  saw-mill  was  rebuilt.  In 
1865,  the  concern  was  sold  to  George  G.  Griffin,  and  the 
edge-tool  business  ceased  there. 

Clark's  saw-mill. 

This  mill  was  built  in  1796,  by  Deacon  William  Wilson, 
Samuel  Crombie,  and  Caleb  Hall.  It  was  partially  burned 
twice,  and  about  1806  sold  to  John  Clark,  who  repaired  it, 
and  about  181-1  built  a  grist-mill.  In  1832  the  saw-mill 
was  rebuilt.  In  1833  a  clapboard-  and  shingle-mill  were 
put  into  the  old  grist-mill —  the  first  in  Chester.  In  1838 
a  new  grist-mill  was  built.  The  same  year  the  Oswego 
dam  went  away,  and  carried  away  a  part  of  the  dam  and 


244  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

the  shingle-mill.     In  1866,  George  P.  Clark  put  in  a  new 
water-wheel,  and  a  circular  saw  for  cutting  boards. 

OSWEGO   MILL. 

A  saw-mill  was  first  built  by  Robert  Wilson,  Esq.  I 
have  lieard  my  grandfather  tell  of  working  on  it,  I  think 
the  jear  he  came  to  Chester,  in  1771.  The  mill  stood 
a  few  rods  above  the  present  mill.  There  was  probably  a 
considerable  period  that  there  was  no  mill  there. 

In  1799  James  Shirley  is  taxed  for  a  mill,  and  also  in 
1800,  and  Samuel  Shirley  for  one-fourth  and  Alexander 
Shirfey  for  three-fourths  of  a  mill.  So  probably  James 
built  a  saw-mill  in  1798,  and  the  others  a  corn-mill  in  1799. 
These  mills  were  a  few  rods  below  the  present  mill.  The 
Shirleys  sold  to  Edward  and  Stark  Ray,  in  August,  1806. 

The  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  sold  by  the  proprietors 
to  the  Rev.  Moses  Hale,  called  the  "  Boston  lot,"  with  a 
heavy  growth  of  timber,  went  with  the  mills,  and  they  in- 
tended to  do  a  large  business  luml)cring,  but  the  embargo, 
non-intercourse  and  war  so  depressed  business,  that  after 
manufacturing  lumber,  drawing  it  to  Martin's  Ferry,  and 
rafting  it  to  Newburyport,  they  sold  it  for  eight  dollars  per 
thousand.  • 

About  1819,  Edward  Ray,  who  had  acquired  the  whole 
title,  sold  to  John  Clark,  and  he  soon  after  to  John  H. 
Reid,who  held  it  about  ten  years  and  sold  it  to  Butterfield 
Carken,  and  he  to  James  Davis. 

In  1835  Jay  T.  Underhill  purchased,  and  commenced  a 
dam.  A  stock  company,  "  The  Oswego  Mill  Company," 
was  formed,  a  stone  dam  erected  to  flow  Tower  Hill  pond 
(partly  for  a  reservoir  for  the  Blanchard  mills),  and  a  saw- 
mill was  built. 

In  June,  1838,  a  portion  of  the  dam  went  away,  under- 
mining and  carrying  away  the  mill.  The  privilege  was 
sold  to  David  and  Franklin  Howe,  who  built  the  dam  about 
two-thirds  its  original  height,  and  built  a  saw-mill  and 
shingle-mill,  with  planing-machine,  &c.  It  is  now  owned 
by  Mr.  E.  P.  Offut. 


HISTORY   OF   MILLS.  245 


THE   WHITE-HALL   MILL. 


The  first  mill  at  White  Hall,  in  Hooksett,  was  built  by 
Major  John  Tolford,  but  the  precise  time  is  not  known. 
What  should  induce  him  to  build  there  is  a  mystery.  The 
land  flowed  is  a  very  little  lower  than  the  head  of  Isle 
Hooksett  brook,  which  passes  through  Lakin's  pond  to 
Head's  saw-mill,  and  the  first  season  the  water  ran  that 
way,  giving  him  no  head.  He  then  built  a  dam  at  that  end 
of  his  pond. 

In  1801  Hugh  Tolford  rebuilt  it,  and  in  1803  or  '04  sold 
to  John  S.  Wheeler,  and  he  soon  sold  to  Captain  Daniel 
Sawyer. 

In  1834  Captain  Sawyer  built  a  grist-mill  and  shingle- 
mill. 

head's  saw-mill. 

The  Browns  early  built  a  mill  below  the  road,  on  Isle 
Hooksett  brook.  In  1790  Nathaniel  Head,  Esq.,  owned 
three-quarters,  and  Dr.  James  Brown  one-quarter. 

About  1802  Nathaniel  Head,  Esq.,  built  above  the  road, 
and  owned  the  whole  mill. 

In  1816  or  '17  the  present  canal  and  wheel-pit  were 
excavated,  and  a  mill  built. 

THE   FACTORY   MILL   IN   HOOKSETT. 

The  first  saw-mill  at  the  falls  was  built  by  Thomas  Coch- 
ran, of  Bow,  in  1787,  which  was  carried  away  by  a  freshet. 
Cochran  died  in  1791,  and  it  was  sold  to  Rufus  Harriman, 
and  he  sold  to  William  Reside  and  Isaac  Rowel,  who  built 
two  mills,  which  they  owned  in  1803.  William  Reside 
was  drowned  in  the  falls. 

William  Otterson  bought,  and  sold  to  the  Hooksett 
Manufacturing  Company  in  1823,  and  they  rebuilt,  and 
built  a  grist-mill.  The  Hooksett  Manufacturing  Company 
was  incorporated  in  1823,  and  was  composed  of  Messrs. 
John  Bell,  Samuel  Bell,  Isaac  Hill  and  Richard  H.  Ayer, 
who  erected  a  cotton-mill,  forty  by  eighty  feet,  three  stories, 


46  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

exclusive  of  basement  and  attic,  and  run  at  first  by  iub- 
wheels. 

In  1831  they  blasted  a  canal  through  the  ledge,  put  in 
breast-wheels,  and  rearranged  the  machinery.  It  was 
eventually  merged  with  the  Amoskeag  Manufacturing 
Company. 

About  1789  Nathaniel  Martin  and  Laban  Harriman  built 
a  saw-mill  above  where  the  Mammoth  road  crosses  Bush- 
nel's  or  Lousy  brook.  There  was  a  saw-mill  afterwards 
built  lower  down  on  the  same  stream,  at  what  was  called 
the  "  Smoke  House,"  and  was  once  owned  by  George 
Manter. 

About  1790  there  was  a  saw-mill  Iniilt  on  the  same 
stream,  above  the  road,  near  Martin's  Ferry,  by  a  man  by 
the  name  of  Thompson,  for  John  Stark,  a  son  of  General 
Stark. 

Benjamin  Hall,  son  of  Obededora,  of  Candia,  built  a  mill 
on  the  stream  from  Beech-Hill  pond,  just  above  Chester 
turnpike.  He  owned  it  when  Chester  turnpike  was  built, 
in  1805,  and  several  years  after.  It  passed  into  the  hands 
of  James  Sargent,  and  went  down.  About  1822  or  '23  it 
was  rebuilt  by  a  Mr.  Greer,  and,  I  l>elieve,  afterwards 
burnt. 

Lieut.  Joseph  Whittier  built  a  saw-mill  on  Dalton's 
brook,  which  empties  into  the  river  above  Martin's  Ferry, 
about  1810. 

THE   MURRAY   SAW-MILL. 

The  precise  time  when  this  mill  was  built,  or  who  built 
it,  is  not  known.  The  earliest  tradition  I  have  about  it  is 
that  Captain  John  Wason,  born  in  1764,  told  that  when  he 
was  a  lad  or  young  man,  the  owners  met  to  take  down  the 
old  mill.  After  they  had  completed  the  job,  they  tried  to 
see  who  could  lift  the  crank,  weighing  one  hundred  and 
sixty  or  one  hundred  and  seventy  pounds,  the  highest,  at 
arm's  end.  He  said  that  Benjamin  Eaton  could  easily 
throw  it  over  his  head,  and  that  Major  Jesse  Eaton  was  the 
next  strongest,  but.  could  only  get  the  crank  about  as  high 


HISTORY   OF   MILLS.  2-iT 

as  his  breast.  The  story  has  been  told  that  Mr,  Eaton 
threw  it  over  his  head  with  his  teeth,  but  that  is  rather 
apocryphal.     The  present  mill  was  built  in  1830. 

hook's  mill. 

Israel  Hook,  or  Hawke,  owned  lot  No.  116,  2d  P.,  2d  D., 
as  early  as  1796,  and  it  was  taxed  to  him  until  1807.  He 
probably  built  a  saw-mill  and  grist-mill  that  year,  and  put 
his  son  James  T.  Hook  there,  as  he  was  taxed  for  two  mills 
in  1808.  Phineas  Hook  owned  an  interest  in  the  property. 
He  sold  to  Samuel  Sargeant  and  Jesse  Eaton, 

James  T.  Hook  exchanged  places  with  Samuel  Hook  in 
1818,  The  mills  were  then  owned  by  him  and  his  son-in- 
law,  Sebastian  Spofford,  The  mills  were  burnt  in  1825, 
and  rebuilt,  Abraham  Hook  and  H.  G.  Smith,  the  present 
owners,  have  a  circular  saw,  for  sawing  boards. 

MOSES  Preston's  mill. 

Moses  Preston  built  a  saw-mill  in  1799,  on  the  stream 
leading  through  the  spruce  swamp  to  Dearborn's  saw-mill. 
It  stood  on  additional  lot  No.  75,  near  the  southwest  end, 
and  near  Chester  turnpike.  It  was  owned  by  John  Melvia 
and  Samuel  Underbill,  Jr.,  in  1808,  afterwards  by  Lt. 
Jacob  Elliot,  then  by  Daniel  French,  Esq. 

Lieut,  Joseph  Hill  built  a  saw-mill  on  the  Long  Meadow 
brook,  about  half  a  mile  below  the  main  road,  in  1801. 

Lieut.  Josiah  Underbill  built  a  corn-mill  on  the  .small 
branch  of  the  Long  Meadow  brook  on  his  farm,  in  1812. 
In  1832,  his  son,  Jesse  J.  Underbill,  conyerted  it  into  an 
edge-tool  shop,  with  tilt-hammer,  grinding,  polishing,  &c. 
It  was  burnt  in  1841,  and  rebuilt. 

Deacon  E.  H,  Kelly  built  a  saw-mill  in  1812  ;  rebuilt  by 
his  son  Ephraim  Kelly  in  1833. 

CHESTER   steam-mill. 

In  1847  a  stock  company  was  formed,  and  a  steam  saw- 
mill and  grist-mill,  with  two  runs  of  stones,  were  built  on 


248  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

the  old  Lt.  Dearborn  place,  near  the  Derrj  road,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  about  fourteen  thousand  dollars.  It  proved  an 
unprofitable  speculation,  and  after  disposing  of  some  por- 
tions, the  residue  was  sold  to  the  Amesbury  Manufacturing 
Company,  and  removed. 

PORTER    AND    HEATH'S    STEAM-MILL. 

In  1849,  Porter  and  Heath,  of  Haverhill,  Mass.,  pur- 
chased additional  lot  No.  30,  which  had  a  heavy  growth  of 
timber  on  it,  also  some  other  land,  and  erected  a  saw-mill 
wdth  a  single  saw,  and  also  a  gang,  and  light  stones  for 
grinding  corn,  at  an  expense  of  nine  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars.  After  working  up  the  timber  at  little  or  no  profit, 
the  mill  was  sold  and  carried  to  Alton  Bay. 

MILLS  IN  CANDIA. 

The  first  mill  in  Candia  was  built  by  William  Turner,  at 
the  Village,  and  was  a  saw-mill,  and  stood  where  the  grist- 
mill now  stands,  above  the  road.  In  1756,  Jona.  Blunt 
sold  to  Winthrop  Sargent  "  one-eighth  of  a  sawmill  on  lot 
No.  35,  3  D.,  which  he  bought  of  William  Turner."  When 
the  road  was  laid  out  in  1758,  it  went  "  at  the  tail  of  the 
sawmill."  Joseph  Bean  built  the  first  grist-mill  there,  the 
date  not  known. 

Mr.  Elihu  B.  Cheney  carried  on  cloth-dressing  there 
many  years.  Asa  Ordway  purchased  a  carding-machine 
and  put  it  into  a  mill  which  stood  above,  back  of  the  church, 
where  there  was  a  saw  mill.  Mr.  Ordway  died  in  1812,  and 
Mr.  Cheney  bought  the  machine  and  ran  it.  Charles  S. 
Bagley,  of  Goflfstown,  put  up  a  mill  below,  and  sold  to 
Freeman  Parker  in  1821,  who  finished  it  and  put  in  ma- 
chinery, and  did  carding  and  cloth-dressing  till  1846,  when 
he  sold,  and  a  saw-mill  was  put  in. 

EASTMAN   AND   BEAN'S   MILLS. 

February,  1756,  William  Eastman,  of  Kingstown,  deeded 
to  Samuel  Eastman,  of  Kingstown,  one  quarter  of  lot  No. 


HISTORY   OF  MILLS.  249 

78,  3d  D.,  on  which  a  mill  was  built.  In  1760  a  road  was 
laid  out  from  the  "  reserve  at  Eastman's  mill"  northeast  to 
the  road  from  Dudley's.  In  1760,  Samuel  Eastman  and 
Samuel  Eastman,  Jr.,  had  their  rates  abated  on  account  of 
having  their  house  and  goods  burnt.  The  house  stood 
thirty  or  forty  rods  south  of  the  i^ill.  The  road  they  prob- 
ably traveled  to  get  there  was  from  Chester  by  Lane's,  and 
the  first  road  into  Candia,  laid  out  in  1719,  and  following 
upon  or  near  the  gore  between  the  old  hundreds  and  third 
division.  David  Bean  purchased  the  mill,  and  probably  a 
house,  both  of  which  were  destroyed  by  fire  running  in  the 
woods.  He  rebuilt,  and  the  property  descended  to  his  son, 
Dea.  Abraham  Bean,  who  built  at  the  Island,  the  present 
location,  in  1812,  and  the  saw-mill  is  yet  standing. 

hall's,  or  north  road  mill. 

Obededom  Hall  was  the  first  settler  in  the  northwest  part 
of  Candia,  about  1764,  and  soon  after  built  a  saw-mill  on 
No.  42,  3d  D.,  which  has  been  kept  up,  and  owned  by  the 
Halls,  Browns,  and  others. 

MAPLE-FALLS   MILL. 

This  mill  stands  on  the  reserve  between  fifth  and  sixth 
ranges  of  lots  in  the  third  division,  on  the  Oswego  brook. 
Aaron  Brown,  Benj.  Cass,  Samuel  Morrill,  Theo.  Clough, 
Benj.  Rowe,  Benj.  Hubbard,  David  Brown  and  Samuel 
Cass  have  been  proprietors.     Date  not  known. 

GENESEE   mill. 

This  mill  is  on  the  stream  from  Moose  meadow  to  Tower 
Hill  pond,  and  built  by  Benj.  Hubbard,  John  Camet,  Ste- 
phen Fifield  and  Capt.  Jona.  Brown.     Date  not  known. 

patten's  mill. 

There  was  early  a  saw-mill  built  on  No.  128, 3d  D.,  on  the 
North  Branch  stream.  The  precise  time  when,  and  the 
owners,  are  unknown,  but  it  has  always  been  owned  by  a 


250  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

company  of  the  neighl^ors.     This  is  said  to  be  the  fifth  mill 
on  this  privilege.     It  was  built  in  1833. 

KNOWLES'S   OR   CASS's   MILL. 

Ezekiel  Knowles  was  the  first  settler,  and  built  a  corn- 
mill  on  No.  116,  3d  D.,  in  1777.  It  was  afterwards  rebuilt 
by  the  Knowles  family  in  1805,  and  purchased  by  Col.  Sam- 
uel Cass.     He  new-geared  in  1830,  and  his  son,  J.  Q.  Cass, 


again  in  1853. 


Emerson's  mill. 


A  saw-mill  was  built  before  the  Revolution  by  the  Emer- 
sons,  on  the  stream  below  Knowles's,  and  rebuilt  some 
twelve  rods  lower  down  the  stream  in  1805  or  '6,  and  an- 
other one  built  below  the  new  road  by  Abraham  Emerson 
and  Cofiin  Moore,  with  a  circular  saw,  about  1855. 

MILLS  IX  EAYMOND. 

FREETOWN   MILL. 

The  Old-Hundred-Acre  lots  were  laid  out  in  1728,  and 
the  22d  and  23d  lots  bound  on  the  mill-pond,  and  31st,  32d, 
83d  and  34th  bound  on  the  "  highway  that  leads  to  the  mill 
y'  stands  on  Lampereel  River."  There  was  therefore  a  mill, 
and  a  road  made  from  it,  previous  to  that  time.  In  July, 
1736,  Epbraim  Oilman,  of  Exeter,  sold  to  James  Campbell, 
of  Chester,  one  half  of  all  his  undivided  land  in  Chester, 
reserving  "  The  mill  and  mill-pond  At  Freetown  ;  "  and  in 
1760,  Nicholas  Oilman,  who  had  in  1732  bought  Edward 
Oilman's  right,  sold  land  at  Freetown  to  Daniel  Robie,  and 
to  J.  Dudley  at  the  same  time.  It  is  probable  that  the  Oil- 
mans,  and  perhaps  the  Dudleys,  of  Exeter,  built  the  mill 
and  made  the  road.  The  mill  stood  a  few  rods  higher  up 
the  stream  than  the  present  mill,  and  the  dam  was  high 
enough  to  flow  up  by  the  Center  to  where  Horatio  Page 
lives,  and  the  waste  water  ran  a  few  rods  north  of  the  mill, 
where  there  was  a  mill  just  below  the  road,  which  was 
called  the  "  Outlet  mill "  in  the  return  of  the  road  in  1759. 


HISTORY  OF  MILLS.  251 


THE   BRANCH   MILL. 


The  road  from  Chester  by  the  "  Branch  "  to  the  old 
Exeter  road  was  laid  out  in  1748,  and  it  crossed  the  "  N. 
Branch  of  Exeter  river  below  the  sawmill ;"  so  there  was  a 
mill  there  previous  to  that  time,  but  it  is  unknown  who 
built  it  or  owned  it  for  many  years  after.  It  is  said  that 
William  Todd  and  perhaps  Jethro  Batchelder  and  Stephen 
Harden  were  owners.  There  was  a  mill  there  until  about 
1801,  when  it  was  carried  away  by  a  freshet.  • 


Dudley's  mill. 


Samuel  Dudley  came  from  Exeter  and  settled  on  No.  87, 
old  hundreds,  where  Judge  John  Dudley  afterwards  lived 
and  built  a  saw-mill.  In  1759  a  road  was  laid  out  at  the 
request  of  him  and  others,  from  Freetown  by  the  Center, 
to  the  "  river  below  Dudley's  mill."  There  has  probably 
been  a  mill  there  since  that  time,  and  now  a  very  dilapi- 
dated frame  yet  stands.  Joseph  Dudley,  a  nephew  of  the 
Judge,  came  from  Exeter  and  built  a  mill  on  Lamprey 
river,  near  where  EHas  True's  mill  now  is,  on  No.  89,  old 
hundreds. 

Jones's  mills. 

June  14,  1760,  for  the  convenience  of  Ephraim  Robin- 
son, Charles  Rundlet  and  .John  Leavitt,  there  was  a  road 
laid  out  "  Beginning  at  the  outlet  of  the  pond  above  Jones' 
mill "  which  "  crossed  the  brook  between  the  two  mills  ;  " 
so  there  were  two  mills  there  at  that  time.  John  Leavitt 
lived  where  they  now,  1868,  are  building  a  large  house. 
These  were  probably  Exeter  men,  and  the  other  two  might 
never  have  lived  in  Raymond.  I  have  learned  nothing  of 
Jones  who  gave  name  to  the  pond  and  mill.  Clement 
Dollof  lived  a  little  lower  down  the  stream  and  once  owned 
some  share  of  the  iliills.  He  perished  in  a  snow  storm 
February  1,  1794.  One  of  the  mills  possibly  miglit  have 
been  where  the  Hodgkins  mill  now  is.  Now,  1868,  pre- 
paration is  being  made  by  blasting  to  lower  the  pond,  and 


252  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER.  '      ' 

by  raising  it  four  feet  to  create  a  power  and  do  an  exten- 
sive lumber  business,  making  boxes,  shooks,  etc.,  owned 
bv  Moses  Nutter  and  others. 

There  was  a  mill  on  the  Lamprey  river,  below  Freetown, 
called  Wallace  mill,  burnt  in  1765  and  the  rates  abated. 

John  Fullonton  and  Jonathan  Dearborn  built  a  mill  on 
the  Patuckaway,  on  No.  2,  old  hundreds,  called  "  Stingy 
Mill  "  because  the  liquor  fell  short  at  the  raising. 

Jonas  Clay  deeded  to  Cornet  John  Lane  No.  112,  old 
hundreds,  with  one  whole  saw-mill  and  half  of  another. 

Daniel  Lane  and  others  had  a  saw-mill  on  the  Branch 
brook  when  the  road  was  laid  out  in  1772. 

Joshua  Hall  once  had  a  saw-mill  on  his  lot.  No.  129,  and 
George  S.  Smith  and  Henry  H.  Lane  built  a  circular  saw- 
mill on  the  same  site  in  1868. 


CHAPTEE    XI. 

PAUPERISM,   RATES   OR   TAXES,  AND   MAIL   AND   STAGE 

FACILITIES. 

I  do  not  propose  to  give  any  detailed  history  of  pauper- 
ism in  Chester,  but  to  state  a  few  cases  as  specimens  of 
what  the  town  was  compelled  to  do.  By  an  act  passed 
May,  1719,  it  was  enacted  "  That  if  any  person  come  to  so- 
journ in  any  town  in  the  province  and  be  there  received  and 
entertained  by  the  space  of  three  months,  and  not  having 
been  warned  by  the  constable  to  leave  the  place,  and  the 
names  of  such  persons,  with  the  time  of  their  abode  there, 
and  when  such  warning  was  given,  returned  to  the  quarter 
sessions ;  such  person  shall  be  reputed  an  inhabitant  of 
such  town,  and  the  town  be  liable  to  maintain  such  person. 
It  is  also  enacted,  that  any  person  so  warned  out,  and  neg- 
lecting for  fourteen  days  to  remove,  may  by  warrant  from 
the  next  Justice  of  the  Peace  be  sent  from  constable  to 


PAUPERISM.  "  253 

constable  unto  the  to^vrn  where  he  properly  belongs,  or  had 
his  last  residence,  at  his  own  charge,  if  able  to  pay  the 
same,  or  otherwise  at  the  charge  of  the  town  sending  him." 
In  1772  Robert  Patten  is  paid  for  carrying  Peter  Lurvie's 
wife  and  three  children  to  Coos  ;  but  whether  by  legal  pro- 
cess or  not  does  not  appear.  There  is  also  a  charge  "  to 
going  to  Moses  UnderhilFs  in  order  to  find  out  y^  Names  of 
y®  People  that  come  into  y"  long  meadows,  which  was  four- 
teen in  Number,  and  Drawing  y®  warrants,  and  committing 
it  to  y®  Constable,  to  warn  them  out  of  town."  Sixteen 
were  warned  out  by  John  Patten,  and  one  carried  out  of 
town.  The  pauper  laws  of  one  state  have  never  been  rec- 
ognized by  the  courts  of  other  states,  so  that  Chester  could 
not  go  into  Massachusetts  or  Vermont  to  find  a  residence 
for  paupers.  Such  was  the  case  of  Mrs.  Smith,  mentioned 
hereafter. 

There  is  on  file  a  letter  dated  Dec,  1808,  to  the  clerk  of 
the  court,  enquiring  if  from  1782  to  1785  one  Hannah 
Seaver  was  warned  out.  Answered  in  the  negative.  In 
the  town  account  for  1809  is  a  charge,  "  Paid  the  town  of 
Enfield  for  the  maintenance.  Doctor's  bill,  and  funeral 
charges  of  Hannah  Seaver,  ^40.37."  This  did  not  prove  a 
very  protracted  case. 

In  1789,  Aquila  "Worthen,  of  Amesbury,  in  consideration 
of  certain  provisions  for  house-room,  and  specific  articles 
for  the  maintenance  of  himself  and  wife,  Rebecca  Worthen, 
deeded  to  his  son  Stephen  a  place  in  Chester,  now  Auburn. 
Aquila  Worthen  lived  in  Chester  one  year,  and  probably 
was  not  warned  out,  and  his  wife,  Rebecca,  became  a  pau- 
per in  1798,  and  was  supported  by  the  town  at  a  heavy  ex- 
pense until  her  death  in  1819,  at  the  age  of  ninety-four 
years. 

Joshua  Currier,  a  young  man  from  Sandown,  resided  in 
Chester  as  a  hired  man,  two  years.  In  1791  he  was  taxed, 
and  the  tax  abated  on  account  of  minority.  In  1792  he 
was  taxed,  and  probably  paid.  He  was  either  non  compos 
or  deranged,  and  became  a  pauper,  and  a  lawsuit  was  had 
with   Sandown,  and  in   1796   an   execution  was   paid,  of 


254  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER.  • 

$50.67 ;  and  to  Alpheus  Ferrin  for  boarding  fifteen  weeks 
and  four  days,  *$15.57 ;  and  he  was  supported  at  an  expense 
of  about  a  dollar  per  week  until  1816,  when  he  strayed  off, 
and  it  was  supposed  that  he  died  in  the  woods  in  the  north 
part  of  Hooksett,  or  Allenstown. 

I  give  the  following  case  in  detail  as  a  matter  of  curios- 
ity, and  to  show  the  general  fortune  of  Chester  in  pauper 
cases. 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  )  To  Capt.  Simon  Towl,  Constable 

Rockingham,  ss.  j      for  the  town  of  Chester, 

[l.  s.]  Greeting  :  — 

[l.  s.]  Sir,  You  are  hereby  required,  in  the  name  of  the 
[l.  s.]  State,  forthwith  to  warn  Jei'craiah  GrilTui,  Sarah 
GrifiTui,  his  wife,  and  Rachael  Griffin,  Lydia  Griffin  and 
Nathaniel  Griffni,  their  cliildren,  (if  they  may  be  found 
within  your  precinct)  forthwith  to  depart  out  of  the  town 
of  Chester,  that  they  may  be  no  further  cost  or  charge  to 
said  town. 

Hereof  fail  not,  and  make  return  of  this  warrant  with 
your  doings  thereon  to  the  Clerk  of  the  Session  of  the 
Peace  of  said  County  within  sixty  days  of  the  date.  Given 
mider  our  hands  and  seals,  this  twentie-th  day  of  July,  1789. 

Isaac  Blasdel,     ^ 

William  White,  >  Selectmen  of  Chester. 

Stephen  Chase,  ) 

State  of  New  Hampshire,  ) 

Rockingham.  )      Pursuant  to  the  within  pre- 

cept, I  have  executed  the  within  warrant  according  to  law. 

Simon  Towle,  Constable. 
Chester,  August  24,  1789. 

Chester  Paupers,  rec'd  on  file  Aug.  26,  1789. 

Attest,  N.  Emery,  Clerk. 
Copy  Examined  by  N.  Emery,  Clerk. 

Griffin  and  his  family  became  paupers,  and  it  was  held 
that  Constable  Towle's  return  was  bad,  not  stating  the  facts 
of  what  he  had  done,  and  the  town  was  held  chargeable  for 
their  maintenance  ;  and  in  the  town  accounts  for  1792,  '3, 
and  '4,  are  charges  for  their  maintenance. 

James  Calfe,  a  son  of  John  Calfe,  made  a  settlement  near 
the  school-house  at  Auburn  Tillage,  and  had  one  or  more 


PAUPERISM.     '  255 

children  born  there.  He  soon  removed  to  Massachusetts, 
and  a  daughter  Elizabeth  married  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Smith.  She  became  a  widow,  and  removed  to  Rochester, 
N.  H.,  and  purchased  a  tenement,  and  became  poor.  At 
the  February  term  of  the  Superior  Court,  1823,  Rochester 
commenced  a  suit  for  the  support  of  Mrs.  Smith,  who  had 
not  been  in  Chester  for  fifty  or  sixty  years.  Chester  proved 
that  Mrs.  Smith's  property  in  Rochester  was  sufficient  to 
give  her  a  residence  there,  and  Chester  for  once  recovered 
their  case. 

There  are  a  large  number  of  notices  served  upon  Ches- 
ter, on  file,  claiming  support  of  paupers.  In  1799,  Han- 
over claims  for  the  support  of  Mary  Wormwood.  She  and 
William  Wormwood  were  supported  for  a  long  period. 
In  1818  Londonderry  claimed  for  the  support  of  Sally 
Aiken.  Samuel  Aiken,  4th,  of  Chester,  (Peter's  son)  mar- 
ried Sally  Coffin,  of  Londonderry,  who  had  inherited  a  con- 
siderable property.  Between  them  they  soon  spent  it,  and 
Aiken  abandoned  his  family,  and  they  became  paupers. 
Londonderry  commenced  an  action  for  their  maintenance, 
which  was  contested,  but  was  decided  against  Chester,  and 
in  18^20  an  execution  for  1193.49  was  paid,  and  8101.00 
for  further  support.  She  and  two  or  three  children  were 
supported  several  years.  In  1817  Weare  claimed  for  the 
support  of  Joshua  Willet's  children ;  Chichester  claimed  for 
the  support  of  his  wife.  In  1835  Deering  claimed  for  the 
support  of  Joshua  Willet.  They  were  supported  a  long 
time. 

Previous  to  the  purchase  of  the  farm  and  almshouse  in 
1822,  it  was  customary  to  vendue  the  board  of  such  of  the 
paupers  as  were  in  town  to  the  lowest  bidder.  They  fre- 
quently fell  into  poor  hands.  As  a  specimen  I  give  some 
of  the  conditions  of  sale,  names  of  paupers,  prices  and 
purchasers  in  1814,  Joseph  Blanchard,  William  Graham 
and  Josiah  Worthen,  selectmen  : 

"  The  purchaser  to  take  them  from  their  present  res- 
idence, supply  them  with  necessary  meats  and  drinks, 
washing  and  lodging ;  the  selectmen  to  _^furnish  clothing. 


256 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


If  any  die,  are  to  be  paid  in  proportions ;  the  purchaser  to 
find  them  rum,  tobacco  and  snuff,  if  needful. 


"  Pay  per s'  Names. 

Nanny  McDuffee, 

Eebecca  AYoi-then,  . 

Ruth  Badger, 

Mrs.  Hodgkins, 

Joshua  Cui-rier, 

Thomas  Bennet,* 

Nancy  Allen, 

Daniel  Allen  and  wife, 

Ruth  Hills, 

Rachael  Sanborn's  lame  boy, 

Solomon  Seavey, 


$40  00 
51  70 


47 

00 

56  50 

19 

50 

66 

00 

16  50 

29 

12 

43 

24 

42 

51 

Purchasers. 

to  Elizabeth  Shirley. 

James  Holt. 

Joseph  Hills. 

Jeremiah  Rand. 

Joseph  Brown. 

Joseph  Brown. 

Jesse  J.  Underhill. 

not  sold,  supplied. 

Nathaniel  Head. 

Mrs.  Sanborn. 

his  daughter  Joanna." 


At  the  annual  town  meeting  in  Candia,  1824, 

"  Voted,  That  the  services  and  keeping  of  the  paupers, 
twenty-four  in  number  as  per  list  presented  by  the  tSeloct- 
men,  should  l)e  let  by  auction  for  the  term  of  one  year  from 
the  20th  of  March,  instant ;  that  they  should  be  well  used, 
and  kept  as  well  clothed  as  they  now  are  ;  and  that  one 
or  more  of  the  Selectmen  should  visit  them  as  often  as  once 
in  each  month  ;  the  purchaser  to  pay  all  bills  incurred  on 
their  account,  whether  in  health  or  sickness,  or  deaOi,  for 
the  above  term  of  time." 

They  were  struck  off  at  $131.50. 

In  the  warrant  for  holding  the  annual  meeting,  March 
13,  1821,  was  an  article,  "  To  see  if  the  town  will  make 
any  alteration  in  the  mode  of  supporting  their  poor,  by 
building  or  purchasing  a  work-house,  and  buying  land  to 
set  those  to  work  who  are  able  to  labor ;  or  take  any  other 
measure  that  shall  be  thought  best  when  met."     It  was 

"  Voted,  John  Folsom,  Esq.,  Capt.  William  Graham  and 
Capt.  Samuel  Aiken  be  a  committee  to  report  on  the  sub- 
ject matter  of  said  14th  article  at  the  next  annual  town 
meeting." 

At  the  annual  meeting,  March  12,  1822,  the  committee 
made  a  very  elaborate  and  able  report,  drawn  up  by  Mr. 


*  Thomas  Bannet  was  non  compos,  and  was  brought  from  some  place  unknown  and 
left  in  Chester  in  the  night,  and  was  a  pauper  ten  or  twelve  years. 


HISTORY   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER.    •  257 

Folsom,  stating  replies  they  had  received  from  Londonderry 
and  Exeter  as  to  the  result  of  their  experience.  The  com- 
mittee recommended  to  the  town  to  purchase  a  farm,  estab- 
lish a  house  of  industry,  and  keep  their  poor  all  together 
in  one  place. 

At  a  meeting  holden  April  2,  1822, 

"  Voted,  That  the  town  purchase  a  suitable  farm  and 
appropriate  the  same  to  the  residence,  support  and  employ- 
ment of  the  poor  of  said  town." 

They  appropriated  any  funds  in  the  hands  of  the  treas- 
urer ;  to  raise  by  tax  twenty-one  hundred  dollars  by  seven 
annual  installments ;  and  to  raise  by  loan  what  is  necessary. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  (John  Folsom,  Josiah 
Chase  and  Lemuel  W.  Blake)  be  a  committee  to  purchase 
a  farm." 

The    selectmen   purchased   of   Peter   Shirley   the   farm 

where  James  Shirley,  sen.,  first  settled,  and  paid  $2,200. 

They  made  an  addition  to  the  house  and  repaired  it.     The 

stock,  tools,  furniture,  &c.,  cost  -^1,226. 29.     Cost  of  the 

establishment,  $3,426.29. 

RATES    OR    TAXES. 

The  public  expenses  were  at  first  borne  by  the  original 
proprietors  or  grantees,  and  as  they  were  mostly  non-resi- 
dents they  soon  sold  their  rights,  or  parts  of  rights,  to  act- 
ual settlers,  or  other  non-residents,  who  then  became  pro- 
prietors and  chargeable  with  the  expense.  Some  items  have 
been  given  in  the  Proprietary  History.  The  proprietors 
were  sometimes  slack  in  their  payments  which  caused 
great  embarrassment. 

In  April,  1731,  there  was  an  act  passed,  the  preamble  of 
which  recites,  "  That,  Whereas  the  several  towns  of  Ches- 
ter, Nottingham  and  Rochester  labor  under  many  incon- 
veniences in  carrying  on  public  affairs  and  especially  in  the 
maintenance  and  support  of  the  gospel  ministry  among 
them,  by  reason  of  the  great  numbers  of  the  proprietors  of 
land  within  said  townships  living  out  of  the  Province,  by 

which  means  the  constables  or  collectors  of  the  aforesaid 
17 


258  .  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

towns  are  unable  to  collect  the  rates  due  from  their  re- 
spective proprietors  living  out  of  the  province  as  aforesaid." 
It  was  enacted  that  the  lands  within  any  of  those  towns 
might  be  extended  on  for  rates  and  cost,  to  continue  in  force 
three  years.  Tlicre  were  continually  votes  being  passed 
and  committees  raised  for  selling  the  rights  of  delinquents, 
but  as  there  came  to  be  inhabitants  who  were  not  proprie- 
tors the  rates  were  levied  on  both  ;  but  in  what  manner  I 
have  seen  nothing  to  indicate.  An  act  passed  in  1703 
provides  "  that  the  justices,  yearly  at  their  December  ses- 
sion, shall  appoint  one  freeholder  in  each  town  to  go 
through  the  town  in  which  he  belongs,  unto  every  inhabi- 
tant, and  take  an  account  of  such  person's  ratable  estate, 
and  shall  deliver  it  to  the  selectmen  between  December  and 
March  each  year,  and  such  person  shall  have  power  to  ap- 
point one  or  more  assistants."  At  a  town-meeting  held  the 
last  Thursday  of  March,  1741,  John  Tolford  and  James 
Varnum  were  chosen  "  Invoice  men  to  take  the  Invoice  of 
the  heads  and  Estates  of  the  Whole  town,"  which  was 
taken.  That  document  is  in  the  Secretary's  office  and  in 
the  excellent  hand-writing  of  Mr.  Varnum.  The  town  had 
never  before  been  rated  to  the  province  and  this  inventory 
was  for  fixing  the  proportion.  There  are  D  houses  and  S 
houses.  In  some  of  tbe  inventories  the  distinction  is 
made  of  two-story  houses  and  one-story  houses,  which  is 
probably  meant  here. 

The  following  is  the  inventory  ;  interesting,  as  showing 
the  taxable  persons  and  property  then  in  town : 


EATES   OR   TAXES. 


259 


An  Invoise  Taken  of  y®  mens  Estates  whose  names  are 
here  mentioned  Between  the  month  of  December  and 
Marcli,  which  is  in  j"  year  1741. 

Pr.  James  Yarfium,  )  j 

T  ,      rr  If     1  }  Invois  men. 

John  Tolford,  \ 

Chester,  Febuary  27"S  1711. 

IXYOICE     TABLE. 


NAMES. 

X 

6 

o 
W 

a 

i 

O 
X 

a 
o 

aa 

0 
0 

X 

0 

CO 

n 

in 
"o 

03 

0 

i 

CO 

1 

2 

1 

i 
1 

i 
1 

1 
1 

"i 
i 

.  . 

i 

5 

1 
1 

i 

3 

8 
3 
5 

4 

.• 

3 
1 

7 
5 
6 
6 

3 
6 

2 
5 

ii 

6 
5 

'e 
11 

o 
5 

3 
2 

13 
3 

6 
2 
9 
3 

2 

2 

'2 
'2 

'2 

'2 

'2 
'2 

'2 

'2 

'2 

i 

1 
1 

i 

'2 

1 
3 

i 
1 

1 

'\ 

1 

1 
1 
1 
2 
1 

2 

i 

'4 
3 

2 
1 
1 
•2 

i 

2 

'2 
2 

1 
I 

"3 

1 
2 
1 
2 

1 

1 
1 

i 

i 

i 
1 
1 

i 
1 

i 

1 
1 

"i 

"1 
1 

1 

i 

'2 
1 
1 

i 

1 

1' 

1 

1 

2 

i 
'3 

2 

'i 
i 

i 

'i 

2 

'2 

2 

'i 
'2 
'2 

'2 
'2 

5? 

'4 
'2 

"i 

'2 
3 

'2 
1 

"2 

i 

.. 
1 

William  White 

Jarob  Sartrent.  Jr 

Ebeiiezer  Gial 

Nathan  Hale 

John  Clement 

Arlam  Dickev     

James  Shirley,  Jun 

Michal  Oerbon 

James  Sliirlev 

John  Uniierliill 

Thomas  Richardson 

Bradbury  Karr 

Jonathan  Sanders 

Nathan  Webster 

Stephen  Webster 

.fames  Varnum 

Wid.  Elisabeth  Underhlll. . 

Wid.  Elisabeth  Rowell 

David  0  rage 

John  Bastonl, 

Moses  liichartlson 

Thomas  Wasson 

John  Wadwell 

Widiaui  Turner 

Robert  Gillcrees 

John  Mills,  Jan.... 

Robert  Mills 

Martha  Forsith 

John  Carswell 

Joseph  Taylor 

John  Robie 

SaniU.  Robie 

Samll.  Powell 

William  Powell 

Titus  Wells 

Robert  Graham 

Robert  Graham,  jun 

William  Graham 

Patrick  Melvin 

John  Allen 

Thomas  Worthen , . . 

Eliphaz  Sanborn 

Ithamer  Berrv 

Joseph  Clark 

260  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

INVOICE     TABLE  —  continued. 


NAMES. 


73 

5 

CO 


S 


2 


o 
O 


.a 


Jonathan  Hall 

Benja.  Bachildcr 

Page  Bachilder 

James  Calfe 

King  Calfe 

Robert  Calfe 

Danll  Calfe 

Joseph  Calfe 

John  Foss 

John  Ambioss 

Henry  Anibross 

Capt.  Sanill.  ]ngals 

Lieut.  Ebene/er  Derbon 

Ens.  Jac(il)  Sargent 

Nathan  Webster 

John  Calfe 

Benja.  Hills 

William  Wilson 

Ephraini  Hesseltine 

Thomas  Hes.seltine 

John  Hesseltine 

Thomas  Wells 

John  Talford 

William  'J'altord 

John  .Shirley 

Anthoney  Towle 

Thomas  Smith 

•James  Campble 

Benaih  Colbe 

Enock  Colbe 

Samll.  Emerson 

Jonathan  Blunt 

Isaac  Foss 

Jonathan  Mmilton 

Ebenezar  Derbon,  Jun. 

Silvanus  Smith 

Paul  Smith 

Peter  Derbon 

William  Healy 

Robert  Kunals 

Joshua  Preseott 

Jacob  Bassford 

Joseph  Bassford 

Ebenezer  Blunt 

Ste])hen  Clay 

John  Snuth. 

Robert  Gorden 

Hugh  Ramsey 

Archabald  Macaphee.. . . 

Daniel  Macaphee 

James  Cro-wheit 

Alen  Temlington 

Robert  Crage 

Alexander  (/rage 

Nathanal  Hall 

Jethro  Tiltoii 

Isaac  Foss,  Jun 

James  Wadwell 

James  mac  clure 

Nathan  Colbee 

Peter  Clittbrd 

Joseph  Davis 

Thomas  Hill 

Thomas  Crage 

David  mac  clure 

Wid.  Mary  Carswell 

Archabalil  Dalaph 

William  Grimes,  Jun. . . 


RATES   OR   TAXES. 
INVOICE     TAB'LY.— concluded. 


261 


NAMES. 


Moses  Hills 

John  Karr  

Thomas  Glinn 

Henry  Hall 

John  Webster. . . . 

John  Aken 

Robert  Willson... 

Francis  Towle 

Hufih  Willson 

James  Willson. . . . 
William  Craford... 

Samll.  Hills 

Ben.ia.  Derbon 

Andrew  Crage 

Winthrop  Sargent 
William  Karr. .. . 
John  Karr,  Jun. 
Samuel  Brown.. . 
Thomas  Derbim. . 
Paul  Mac  fason. . , 

John  Moore 

Charles  Moore. . . , 
Xathanal  Wood.., 

Jonas  Clay 

Jonas  Clay,  .Jun. 
James  Bassford. . 


6 

o 

i 

s 

o 

a 

(B 

CO 

a 

S 

O 

1 

X 

•3 

i 

6 
a 

<o 

, 

..* 

OJ 

X 

O 

o 

c 

o 

o 

E 

K 

P^ 

«2 

>i 

^ 

O 

U 

w 

M 

(M 

iH 

(J 

M 

1 

15 

2 

1 

3 

2 

2 

23 

2 

5 

2 

2 

4 

1 

18 

2 

3 

1 

1 

1 

12 

3 

.   . 

2 

4 

,  . 

9 

2 

2 

2 

2 

i 

9 

2 

1 

2 

2 

12 

2 

3 

1 

1 

i 

,  . 

8 

2 

3 

2 

.  . 

15 

3 

2 

2 

11 

2 

1 

2 

1 

i 

8 

2 

2 

1 

9 

2 

2 

i 

6 

1 

15 

2 

3 

2 

3 

9 

2 

2 

1 

1 

3 

1 

i 

6 

2 

i 

5 

3 

1 

2 

1 

i 

2 

8 

2 

1 

2 

1 

2 

2 

2 

3 

1 

1 

1     1 

5 

1 

i 

5 

1 

,  , 

2 

1 

1 

,  . 

The  following  from  an  old  act  in  regard  to  making  taxes, 
I  insert  as  a  curiosity :  From  "  the  Generall  Lawes  and 
Libaties  of  the  Province  of  New  Hampshire  made  by  the 
Generall  Assembly  in  Portsm°,  the  16"'  of  March,  1679-80, 
and  approved  by  the  Presid*  and  Council. 

"Making  Eates. 

"  That  there  may  be  a  just  and  equall  way  of  Eaising-  means  for 
defraying  y''  publique  charge,  boath  in  church  and  civill  affairs, 
whereof  every  p'rsou  doth  or  may  receive  y"  benefit ;  these  persons 
and  estates  shall  be  asseasted  or  rated  as  followeth:  viz.,  to  a 
single  rate  of  a  penny  in  the  pound,  every  male  person  above  the 
age  of  16  years  is  valued  at  ISZ.;  and  all  land  within  fence,  med- 
dow  or  marsh,  mowable,  shall  beat  '>^.  per  acre;  all  pasture  lands 
without  fence  rate  free;  all  oxen  4  years  old  and  upward,  3s.; 
steers,  cows  and  heiffers  of  three  years  old  at  4s. ;  steers  and 
heiffers  of  2  years  old  at  os. ;  yearlings  10s. ;  horses  and  mares  of 
3  years  old  and  upward,  at  20s. ;  sheep  above  one  year  old  at  5s. ; 
swine  above  one  year  old  at  10s. ;  and  all  other  estates  whatsoever, 
in  y*^  hands  of  whome  it  is  at  y''  time  when  that  shall  be  taken, 
shall  be  i-atod  by  some  equall  proportion  by  y**  selectmen  of  each 
toAvn  w"^  grate  care  \\  p'ticulars  be  not  wronged;  and  all  ships, 
ketches,  boates,  barques  and  all  other  vessells  w^soever  shall  be 
rateable,  as  allso  all  dwelling  houses,  ware  houses,  wharffs,  mills 
and  all  haudycrafts  men  as  cai-penters,  masons,  joiners,  shoe- 
makers, taylors,  tanners,  cun-iers,  butchers,  bakers,  or  any  other 


262 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


artificei's,  victuallers,  merch'^  and  innkeepers  shall  be  rated  by 
estymatyon." 

This  was  probably  the  law  for  a  long  period,  as  I  have 
examined  a  reprint  of  the  laws  from  1706  to  1770,  also  all 
the  acts  in  the  Secretary's  office  during  that  period,  without 
finding  anything  on  the  subject. 

The  following  is  one  page  of  an  inventory,  found  among 
the  papers  of  Deacon  John  Hills.  There  is  no  date,  Init  it 
must  have  been  as  early  as  1745,  for  Moses  Tyler  sold  to 
Andrew  McFarland  that  year.  There  is,  on  the  back  side,  a 
footing,  probably  of  the  whole  inventory.  There  are  two 
taxed  for  faculties,  —  some  trade,  or  other  extra  mode  of 
making  money.  Mills,  or  a  trade,  were  taxed  as  faculties 
in  Hampton  in  1732  : 

INVENTORY. 


Kames. 


M 


tH 


o 


Nathaniel  Wood 

Jonas  Clay 

Jona.  Saunders 

Henry  Ambrose 

James  Varnum 

Benj .  Dearborn 

Robert  Runnels 

William  Healey 

King  Calfe 

Benj.  Batchelder  . 

James  Basford 

Itbamar  Berry 

John  Allen 

Titus  Wells 

Thomas  Hill 

Eliphaz  Sanborn  .... 

John  Underbill 

Page  Bachelder 

Peter  Clifford 

Joseph  Clark 

Jona.  IliiU 

Moses  Tyler 

James  Calfe 

Nathl.  Hall  

Capt.  Tiltcm 

Ebenezer  Dearborn  . 

Peter  Dearborn 

Widow  Rowel 

Widow  Underhill 

David  Craige 

Nathan  Webster,  Jr. 
Nathan  Colby 


80 


10 
8 

10 
2 
4 
4 

12 
3 
3 
2 
4 

4 
3 
3 
4 
2 
2 
4 
4 
20 
16 
5 
6 

3 

10 


649 


66 


100     53     55     59     69 


51 


EATES   OR   TAXES. 


263 


The  following  table  shows  the   proportion  of  province 
rates  in  1709,  to  raise  .£1720  : 


Portsmouth    ....  £377  10s. 

Dover 361    9 

Exeter 325     8 


Haniptou 
New  Castle 


£505  13s. 
150  00 


In  order  to  show  the  relative  progress  of  the  several  old 
towns  in  the  province,  I  give  the  proportion  of  province 
rates  to  each  £1000  : 

TABLE  Showing  the  Puoportiox  of  Province  Rates. 


TOWNS. 


Portsmouth    . 
Dover    .     .     . 
Exeter   .     .     . 
Hampton    .     . 
Hampton  Falls 
New  Castle    . 
Kingstown 
Newington 
Stratham    .     . 
Gosport      .     . 
Loudonderrv  . 
Rye   .     .     ."  . 
Greenland 
Oyster  River  . 
Somersworth  . 


1723. 


£ 

171 
171 
128 
74 
74 
81 
44 
38 
49 
19 


8  d. 
10  0 
12  2 
12  8 
18  9 

18  9 
5  8 

10  5 

19  0 
G  0 
5  0 


1728. 


£  s. 

187  16 

217  15 

127  18 

94  4  5 

88  4  3 

24  19  4 

45  6  0 

36  14  8 

60  14  11 

.  16  0  4 

68  3  10 

29  7  1 


1732. 


£        s.  d. 

142  16  3 

103  13  5 

114  3  6 

94  12  6 

90  16  8 

21  3  2 

54  3  0 

25  1  4 

57  4  7 

52  13  0 

32  16  0 

35  15  10 

97  16  3 

39  15  6 


TABLE     II 


TOWNS. 


Portsmouth 
Hampton  . 
Dover  .  . 
Exeter  .  . 
Londonderry 
Chester .  . 
Kingston  . 
Derryiield  . 
Rumford  . 
Bow  .    •     . 


264 


HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 


Footings  of  the  Inventoky  in  Chester  in  1753. 


Polls 241 

Houses        179 

Tillage        462 

Mowing 1098 

Pasture G70 

Horses        58 

Oxen 302 

Cows 389 


Three-year-olds 87 

Two-year-okls 121 

One-year-olds     .     .     .     .     .  170 

Three-year-old  colts     ...  15 

Two-year-old  colts  ....  12 

One-year-old  colts   ....  11 

Male  slave 1 

Orcharding 51 


An  act  was  passed  July  3,  1766,  providing  that  the 
Province  rates  might  be  paid  in  the  following  articles  of 
produce  at  the  following  prices,  new  tenor : 


AVt'll  tanned  sole  leath- 
er per  iiound      ...       4  00 
Tallow  per  pound       .     .       2     6 
"Winter  a)id  Spring  cod- 

lisii  i)er  quintal  .  4  00  00 
PiK^ii  pevbariel  .  ,  3  00  00 
Tar  per  barrel  ...  2  00  00 
Turpentine  per  barrel  4  00  00 
W.  P.  joists  per  M.  .  4  00  00 
W.  P.  boards  per  M.  5  00  00 
W.  O.  two-inch  plank 

per  iM 25  00  00 


£ 

8.      (1. 

Bar  ii-on  per  cwt    . 

.      5 

00  00 

Hemp  per  pound 
Indian  corn,  bush 

•     • 

3  00 
10  00 

Rye 

Peas                  " 

1 

10  00 
1  00 

AVinter  wheat  " 

1 

5  00 

Barley             "     . 
Pork          per  poun 
Beef 

d  ' 

10  00 

1  00 

9 

Flax 

3  00 

Bees-wax           " 

5  00 

Bavberrv  wax  " 

3  00 

CENSUS  OF   1767. 


Males. 

Females. 

, 

<o 

ffl 

S-; 

<0 

> 

> 

TO'SfKS. 

11 

"SS 

i-t 

d 

CD 

t§ 

> 
O 

5 
c 

S 

•a 

3 

o 

Chester 

116 

168 

106 

24 

295 

153 

7 

2 

34 

916 

Candia 

27 

C8 

09 

100 

68 

1 

363 

Raymond 

21 

78 

13-2 

3 

134 

81 

6 

362 

Dp  rrvfipld      

29 

31 

50 

7 

81 

38 

•• 

5 

230 

RATES   OR   TAXES. 


265 


INVENTORY  OF   1777. 


e3 

CA 

rs 

O 

a 

^ 

a 

o 

o 

a 

o 

a 

si 


1-4 
4) 

to 

3 

a) 

a 

ja 

93 

o 

o 

o 


Polls 

Orchard 

Arable 

Mowing 

Pasture 

Horses 

Three-years  Colts. 
Two-years  Colts. . . 

One-year  Colt 

Oxen 

Cows 


339 

143 

162 

127X 

603 

205 

1751 

449 

2749 

852 

141 

51 

36 

10 

22 

24 

17 

11 

243 

115 

600 

241 

131 

71M 

311 

445 

1033 

49 

5 

6 

5 

76 

229 


Three-years  old  . 
Two-years  old. . . 

One-year  old 

Rents  of  mills  . . 
Stock  in  trade  . . 
Money 


257 

116 

331 

164 

317 

137 

£95  00 

£29 

280 

125 

3907 

683 

87 
1.38 
118 
£64 
100 

52 


State  tax,  1783,  which  must  have  been  lawful  money,  as 
the  Continental  was  worthless :  — 


Constable  Joseph  True  to  pay 
Robert  Witherspoou 
Joseph  Brown,  Jr.   . 


£ 
643 

B. 

5 

d. 

9 

361 

12 

10 

80 

00  00 

PROPORTION  FOR  STATE  TAX. 


Towns. 

1773. 

1789. 

1803. 

£      8.     d. 

£      s. 

d. 

£      8.    d. 

Chester 

22     8     - 

16     2 

10 

11   19     - 

Candia 

8     6- 

8     2 

4 

6     4     7 

Raymond 

7  13    - 

6     4 

8 

4     2     1 

Concord      • 

13  U    - 

12     7 

4 

10     8     2( 

Exeter 

24     4     - 

15  10 

2 

8    8     6 

Londonderry 

35  15     - 

20  15 

3 

15     2     1 

Portsmouth 

58     2    - 

_    _ 

_ 

27     8    5 

Derrvfield 

3  12    - 

2  10 

4 

2     2     - 

266 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


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RATES   OR   TAXES. 


267 


The  earliest  tax-list  which  we  have  is  for  1785,  which  is 
not  inserted  on  account  of  its  length. 


TABLE 

Shottixg  the  Number  of  Inhabitants,  Numbee  of  Polls  and  Proportiox  of 
State  Taxes  ix  Several  Towns  in  1820;  also  the  Proportion  in  1829,  Pop- 
ttlation  in  1860,  Valuation  and  Proportion  in  1864. 


Towns. 


QO 

a 

g 

s 

fi 

C 

o 

o 

o 

o 

S 

CO 

1-t 

•.J 

-.J 

-t^ 

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c 

C) 

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CO 

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C 

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pS    CO 

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w-t 

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o 

tH 

d     <-! 

e^ 

Ph 

Ph 

Ch 

> 

O     1> 


Chester 

Auburn* 

Candia 

Kaymond 

Londonderry  . . . 

Derryt 

Manchester 

Concord  

Exeter 

Hampton 

Hampton  Falls  . 

Kingston 

Portsmouth 


2,262 

415 

S9.03 

$7.40 

1,276 
886 

§389,234 
296,858 

1,273 

240 

5..54 

4.90 

1,575 

4-27.803 

961 

177 

3.62 

3.43 

1,269 

320.676 

3,12T 

515 

13.27 

5.17 

1,717 

627,501 

7.54 

1,990 

678.645 

761 

133 

2.48 

2.69 

20,108 

10,176,142 

2.338 

498 

13.48 

13.73 

10,889 

5,036,014 

2,114 

457 

9.90 

9.46 

3,309 

1,661,274 

1,098 

187 

4.58 

4.67 

1,230 

518.991 

57-i 

100 

3.40 

3.27 

621 

393.121 

847 

170 

3.67 

3.67 

1.216 

435,713 

7,327 

1,190 

54.36 

42.41 

9  335 

6,442,062 

$2.99 

2  29 

3.29 

2.47 

4.83 

5.22 

78..38 

38.84 

12.79 

4.22 

3.02 

3.36 

49.67 


*  Incor  porated  June,  1845.        t  Incorporated  July,  1827. 

These  statistics  are  given  to  show  the  absolute  and  rel- 
ative progress  of  these  towns. 

In  1732,  Portsmouth  had  479  polls ;  Exeter  had  333  ; 
Hampton  had  221.  In  1727,  Hampton  Falls  had  224  polls ; 
and  Kingston  had  120. 

Up  to  1833,  in  making  taxes  a  specific  value  was  put 
upon  animals  of  each  grade,  irrespective  of  their  real 
value,  and  also  on  acres  of  land.  At  that  time  there  was 
an  act  passed  requiring  all  property  to  be  appraised  at  its 
cash  value. 


268  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


STAGE    AND    MAIL    FACILITIES. 


Besides  occasional  private  conveyance  for  letters,  there 
were  sometimes  persons  "who  periodically  traveled  on  horse- 
back and  carried  letters  and  newspapers.  My  grandfather 
took  a  Newburyport  paper,  during  the  Revolutionary  war, 
which  was  probably  brought  by  a  "Post-rider," 

The  Committee  of  Safety,  Dec.  2,  1779,  appointed  Peter 
Robinson  for  the  term  of  six  months,  to  ride  from  the  post- 
office  in  Portsmouth,  to  set  out  from  thence  Saturday  morn- 
ing, and  ride  to  Peterborough  in  this  State,  and  send  a  man 
weekly  to  Charlestown,  No.  4  ;  and  carry  and  return  all 
public  letters  and  dispatches  free  of  charge,  for  which  ser- 
vice he  shall  receive  from  the  State  the  sum  of  three  hun- 
dred pounds  lawful  money.  [N.  H.  Hist.  Col.,  Vol.  7,  p. 
211.] 

There  was  probably  no  regular  mail  or  stage  through 
Chester  before  1793  or  1794.     In  the  New  Hampshire  Reg- 
ister for  1794  there  is  the  following  list  of  dejmty  post- 
masters :     Jeremy  Liljbey,  Portsmouth  ;  J.W.  Oilman,  Ex- 
eter ;  George  Hough,  Concord  ;  Samuel  McClure,  Hanover  ; 
and  Samuel  Crosby,  Charlestown.     There  might  have  been 
others,  however,  in  the  State.     Tappan  Robie,  Esq.,  of  Gor- 
ham,  Maine,  says  that  his  uncle,  Edmund   Webster,  was 
appointed  postmaster  about  1793  ;  that  he  was  clerk  in  his 
uncle's  store,  and  acted  as  assistant  in  the  post-office  ;  and 
the  office  supplied   Chester,  Sandown,  Hampstead,  Candia 
and   Raymond,   and  j)erhaps  Londonderry.     He  recollects 
that  Ozias  Silsby,  of  Chester,  rode  post  and  carried  a  mail 
from  Portsmouth  to  Amherst.     [He  went  to  Peterborough.] 
The  mail  was  carried  on  horseback.     This  supplied  Chester 
with  a   mail.     Chase,  in   the   history  of  Haverhill,  p.  453, 
says: 

"  At  this  period  (about  1791)  newspapers  and  letters 
were  carried  through  the  country  by  persons  who  rode  on 
horseback,  called  ■•  Post-riders.''  Samuel  Bean  was  post- 
rider  from  Boston  to  Concord,  N.  H.  His  route  was 
through  Andover,  Haverhill,  Atkinson,  Kingstown,  Exeter, 


STAGE    AND    MAIL    FACILITIES.  289 

Epping,  Xottingliam,  DeerfieM  and  Pemln'oke,  to  Concord  ; 
returning,  passed  through  Londonderry  and  Haverhill.  He 
performed  the  route  once  a  week. 

"The  first  stage  from  Haverhill  to  Boston  was  started 
about  this  time.  It  was  a  two-horse  coach,  by  a  Mr.  Gage, 
He  performed  the  route  only  •  when  he  had  custom.'  It 
took  twelve  hours  to  perfoiwi  the  journey.  An  advertise- 
ment in  a  Boston  paper  under  date  of  April  9, 1798,  informs 
the  public  that  the  '  Haverhill  Stage  Coach  is  complete, 
with  genteel  curtains  and  cushions,  and  an  able  pair  of 
horses  ready  for  service.'  It  was  to  set  out  from  Chad- 
wick's  Ferry,  in  Bradford,  on  Tuesday  the  IGlh,  at  six 
o'clock  precisely,  arrive  at  Mr.  Abbot's,  in  Andover,  before 
eight,  and  at  Mr.  Peabody's  in  Boston,  before  one.  The 
proprietor  gave  notice  that  he  intend.s  m  a  short  time  that 
the  stage  shall  perform  this  route  twice  a  week.  Fare,  3d. 
per  mile.  In  November,  1793,  a  stage  commenced  running 
twice  a  week  from  this  place  [Haverhill]  to  Concord  N.  H., 
connecting  with  the  Boston  stage.  It  was  owned  by  par- 
ties in  this  town,  Chester,  and  Concord.  The  mail,  how- 
ever, continued  to  be  carried  on  horseback  for  several  years 
after  the  establishment  of  a  regular  line  of  stages." 

Mr.  Robie  says  that  the  first  stage  was  owned  by  Rogers 
and  Kendall.     Mr.  Chase  further  says,  p.  454 : 

"  At  the  celebration  attending  the  opening  of  the  Ando- 
ver and  Haverhill  Railroad  to  Bradford,  Oct.,  1837,  Hon. 
Leverit  Saltonstall,  late  of  Salem,  said  he  well  recollected  the 
first  setting  up  of  the  first  stage-coach  between  Boston  and 
Haverhill,  some  forty  or  fifty  years  before,  by  Judge  Blodg- 
ett,  of  Haverhill.  It  started  very  early  in  the  morning 
from  Haverhill,  in  order  to  have  time  to  perform  the  dis- 
tance, and  arrive  comfortably  in  Boston  before  dark.  The 
boys  followed  it  through  the  villages,  and  the  women  put 
their  heads  out  of  the  windows  gazing  upon  the  wonder ; 
and  the  welkin  rang  with  the  shout  of  '  The  Stage  !  The 
Stage  ! '  A  stage  was  afterwards  established  to  run  between 
Haverhill  and  Concord,  X.  H.  This  was  considered  a  most 
extraordinary  event ;  and  one  of  the  leaders  had  a  bell  of 
a  size  nearly  equal  to  that  of  the  bell  of  an  academy,  sus- 
pended to  his  neck,  the  sound  of  which  could  be  heard  a 
great  distance,  to  give  the  intelligence  that  the  stage  tvas 
comi7ig.'^^ 

I  have  heard  it  said  that  Mr.  Benjamin  Brown  drove 
through    Chester   the    first    trip.     A   negro   subsequently 


270  .HISTORY   OP    CHESTER. 

drove.  It  is  said  that  Matthew  Templeton  and  others  as- 
sembled at  Dea.  John  Graham's  to  see  the  stage.  Mr. 
Templeton  was  probably  dressed  in  an  uncouth  manner, 
aud  had  a  large  dent  in  his  forehead,  where  his  skull  was 
broken,  which  caused  some  of  the  passengers  to  laugh. 
Mr.  Templeton  cautioned  thei#  against  laughing,  as  they 

were  all  going  to  the  d 1  together,  with  a  nager  to  drive 

them. 

The  earliest  I  recollect  of  a  stage  it  passed  over  Chester 
turnpike  twice  a  week  each  way,  and  was  driven  by  a  man 
by  the  name  of  Hall,  and  was  owned  by  Kendall.  This 
was  in  1806.  Some  time  after  it  was  removed  to  the  Lon- 
donderry turnpike.  There  were  several  changes  each  way, 
and  at  length  there  was  one  put  on  each  route,  when  it  was 
thought  both  must  fail.  Tbere  could  not  be  business  to 
support  two  stages.  Thomas  Pearson,  of  Haverhill,  for  a 
long  time  drove  through  Chester,  and  Nathaniel  Walker,  of 
Plymouth,  through  Londonderry.  Fathtr  Gibbs  for  a  long 
time  rode  post  on  Silsby's  route,  from  Exeter  to  Peterbor- 
ough. He  rode  horseback,  carried  a  mail,  and  carried 
Portsmouth,  Exeter  and  Amherst  papers,  and  did  express 
business  generally. 

Edmond  Webster  died  May  12,  1801,  and  Dr.  John  Win- 
gate,  who  married  Sarah  Webster,  was  appointed  post- 
master. He  lived  in  the  Webster  house,  and  held  the  office 
till  1807,  when  he  removed  from  town,  and  Daniel  French, 
Esq.,  was  appointed  April  25,  1807,  who  held  the  office 
until  near  the  close  of  his  life,  when  he  resigned,  and  his 
son,  H.  F.  French,  was  appointed. 

About  1826  a  post-office  was  established  at  what  is  now 
Auburn  village,  called  the  "  West  Chester  "  office.  David 
Currier,  Esq.,  then  David  Currier,  3d,  procured  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  office,  and  was  appointed  postmaster.  The 
office  was  first  served  with  a  mail  from  Anderson's  tavern, 
on  Chester  turnpike.  Afterwards  a  mail  was  carried  from 
Kingston,  serving  Hawke,  Sandown  and  West  Chester,  to 
Hooksett.  Afterwards,  about  1827,  the  Haverhill  and  Con- 
cord stage  ran  on  the  old  road.     About  1837  there  was  a 


STAGES   AND   MAIL   FACILITIES.  271 

post-office  established  at  Walnut  Hill  called  "  East  Ches- 
ter," and  Robert  Shirley  appointed  postmaster.  After  the 
building  up  of  Manchester,  about  1843,  a  stage  was  run, 
and  carried  a  mail  through  West  Chester,  Candia,  Deerfield, 
&c.,  to  New  Market,  until  1863,  when  the  mail  was  put  on 
the  cars,  and  the  stage  stopped,  and  Auburn  had  a  daily 
mail. 

There  are  no  postmasters  given  in  the  New  Hampshire 
Register  for  Candia  or  Raymond,  before  1818.  Probably 
those  offices  were  established  in  1817.  Moses  Fitts,  Fred- 
eric Fitts,  1821,  and  Benjamin  Pillsbury  from  1822  to 
1883,  are  named  as  postmasters  in  Candia.  Joseph  Blake 
is  named  as  postmaster  in  Raymond  from  1818  to  1835. 
According  to  the  best  information  I  have  been  able  to  ob- 
tain, there  was  a  "post-rider"  who  carried  a  mail  on 
horseback  from  Exeter  or  Portsmouth,  to  Concord,  passing 
through  Brentwood,  Poplin,  Raymond,  Candia,  South  Deer- 
field  and  AUenstown,  once  a  week  each  way.  He  also 
carried  newspapers.  There  was  for  a  season  a  post  office 
at  Anderson's,  called  "  Candia  Turnpike,"  and  also  one  on 
Candia  north  road. 

About  1830  there  was  a  joint  stock  company  formed,  and 
a  stage  run  from  Dover  to  Lowell,  passing  Raymond  and 
Chester,  which  carried  a  mail.  About  1734  Stephen  Os- 
good, of  Raymond,  having  purchased  a  large  share  of  the 
stock,  put  on  a  stage  from  Pittsfield  to  Chester,  connecting 
at  Chester  with  the  Lowell  stage,  which  would  supply  Can- 
dia with  a  mail.  Tliese  stages  I  think  ran  three  times  a 
week  until  the  Boston  and  Maine  railroad  took  the  travel, 
in  1838  or  1839.  After  the  Manchester  and  Lawrence 
railroad  went  into  operation,  a  stage  was  run  from  Chester 
to  Derry  depot,  which  carried  a  daily  mail,  and  the  Haver- 
hill stage  ran  into  Manchester,  and  finally  ceased.  For  a 
long  time  after  stages  ran  and  mails  were  established, 
newspapers  were  carried  by  a  post-rider.  About  1808  or  '9 
one  James  Tallant,  of  Concord,  rode  post  from  Concord  to 
Chester,  and  perhaps  farther,  and  carried  the  "  New  Hamp- 
shire Patriot  "  and  "  Concord  Gazette  "  in  his  saddle-bag  s 


272  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER. 

but  whether  both  papers  could  agree  to  be  in  one  end,  I  do 
not  know.  After  Tallant,  my  brothers,  Moses  and  John, 
had  papers  come  by  stage,  and  carried  them  on  horseback 
through  Candia,  Deerfield,  &c.,  to  Exeter  ;  and  my  father, 
B.  P.  Chase,  carried  them  through  the  Long  Meadows  to 
the  Neck. 


CHAPTEK   XII. 

LITERARY   AND   PROFESSIONAL.  —  HISTORY   OP   SCHOOLS. 

EARLY   STATUTES   IN   RELATION   TO    SCHOOLS. 

Nov.  11,  1647. 

"  It  being  one  chief  j)oint  of  that  old  deluder,  Satan,  to 
keep  men  from  the  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  as  in  for- 
mer times  by  keeping  them  in  an  unknown  tongue  ;  so  in 
these  latter  times,  by  persuading  from  the  use  of  tongues, 
that  so  at  least  the  true  sense  and  meaning  of  the  original 
might  be  clouded  by  false  glosses  of  saint-seeming  deceivers ; 
that  learning  may  not  be  buried  in  the  grave  of  our  fathers, 
in  the  church  and  commonwealth,  the  Lord  assisting  our 
endeavors : — 

"  It  is  therefore  ordered,  that  every  township  in  the  juris- 
diction, after  the  Lord  hath  increased  them  to  the  number 
of  fifty  householders,  shall  then  forthwith  a})point  one 
within  their  town  to  teach  all  children  as  shall  resort  to 
him,  to  write  and  read,  whose  wages  shall  be  paid  either  by 
the  parents  or  masters  of  such  children  ;  or  by  the  inhabi- 
tants in  general,  by  way  of  supply,  as  the  major  part  of 
those  that  ordered  the  prudentials  of  the  town  shall  ap- 
point ;  provided  those  that  send  their  children  be  not 
oppressed  by  paying  much  more  than  they  can  have  them 
taught  for  in  other  towns. 

And  it  is  further  ordered,  that  where  any  town  shall  in- 
crease to  the  number  of  one  hundred  families,  or  house- 
holders, they  shall  set  up  a  Grammar  school,  the  master 
thereof  being  able  to  instruct  youth  so  far  as  they  may  be 
fitted  for  the  University :  provided,  that  if  any  town  neg- 
lect the  performance  hereof  above  one  year,  that  every  such 
town  shall  pay  £5  to  the  next  school,  till  they  shall  per- 
form this  order." 


HISTORY   OP   SCH00L9.  273 

An  act  passed  in  1714  proTided, 

"  That  for  building  and  repairing  meeting-houses,  minis- 
ters' houses,  school-houses,  and  allowing  a  salary  to  a 
schoolmaster  of  each  town  within  their  province,  the  select- 
men in  their  respective  towns  shall  raise  money  by  an  equal 
rate  and  assessment  upon  the  inhabitants,  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  in  the  present  act  directed  for  the  maintenance  of 
the  minister ;  and  every  town  within  this  province  shall, 
from  and  after  the  publication  hereof,  provide  a  schoolmaster 
for  the  supply  of  the  town." 

An  act  passed  1719,  provides, 

'*That  every  town  within  this  province  having  the  number 
of  fifty  householders,  or  upwards,  shall  be  constantly  pro- 
vided of  a  schoolmaster  to  teach  children  and  youth  to  read 
and  write.  And  when  any  town  or  towns  shall  have  the 
number  of  one  hundred  families  or  householders,  there  shall 
be  a  grammar  school  set  up,  and  kept  in  every  such  town, 
and  some  discreet  person,  of  good  conversation,  well  in- 
structed in  the  tongues,  shall  be  procured  to  be  master 
thereof ;  and  every  such  schoolmaster  to  be  suitably  encour- 
aged, and  paid  by  the  inhabitants." 

The  act  empowers  the  selectmen  to  employ  such  masters, 
and  raise  money  by  way  of  rate  to  pay  the  same,  and  inflicts 
a  penalty  of  twenty  pounds  for  neglecting  to  settle  such 
master  sis  months. 

An  act  passed  in  1721,  provides, 

"  That  not  only  each  town,  but  each  parish  of  one  hun- 
dred families,  shall  be  constantly  provided  with  a  grammar 
school." 

A  penalty  of  twenty  pounds  is  inflicted  upon  the  select- 
men for  neglecting  one  month.  An  act  passed  January, 
1770,  recites  in  the  preamble,  that  the  penalties  in  the  fore- 
going acts  were  originally  set  in  paper  bills-of-credit,  and 
not  in  lawful  money,  and  reducing  the  penalty  to  ten  pounds- 

An  act  passed  Dec,  1805,  provided  for  dividing  towns 
into  districts,  and  empowered  districts  to  raise  money  for 
building  and  repairing  school-houses,  &c. 

An  act  passed  Dec.  22,  1808,  requires  the  selectmen  to 

raise  a  sum  equal  to  seventy  dollars  for  each  dollar  of  the 

town's  proportion  of  the  state  tax  ;  and  authorizes  districts 
18 


274  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

to  hold  land.  It  also  requires  towns  to  choose  three  or 
more  inspectors  or  visitors  of  schools. 

An  act  passed  July  6,  1827,  requires  selectmen  to  raise 
ninety  dollars  for  each  dollar  of  the  town's  proportion  of 
the  state  tax. 

At  a  meetiiifTj  of  the  committee,  January  25,  1720-21, 

"  Voted,  That  whereas  the  number  of  proprietors  is 
Con  .  .  .  and  no  provision  made  for  a  School  Master,  That 
the  next  proprietor  that  Shall  Forfeit  his  Lott,  the  Same 
Shall  be  appropriated  for  a  School." 

This  provision  was  made  after  the  first  grant  of  the  lai^d, 
but  before  the  charter,  and  there  was  hardly  a  permanent 
settler  there. 

The  next  we  find  on  the  records  is  at  an  adjourned  meet- 
ing, April  7th,  1737, 

"Voted,  to  Rais  thirty  Pounds  to  Hier  a  Schoolmaster 
this  present  year. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  shall  Remove  the  said 
schoolmaster  to  the  scvcrall  Parts  of  the  town  as  shall  be 
Conveniaut." 

Though  there  is  no  evidence  that  anything  had  been  done 
by  the  town,  it  is  hardly  to  be  supposed  that  nothing  had 
been  done  to  educate  the  children  for  about  eighteen  years. 
The  schools  were  held  at  private  houses,  and  although  re- 
moved to  different  parts,  all  the  children  in  town  might  fol- 
low the  master  into  the  several  quarters. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting,  November  2d,  1738, 

"  Voted,  That  their  Shall  be  twenty  Pounds  Raised  to 
Support  a  School  in  this  town." 

At  an  adjourned  meeting,  April  8,  1740, 

"  Voted,  that  their  Shall  be  a  School  maintained  in  the 
town  this  year  throughout ;  Partly  by  School  masters,  and 
Partly  by  School  dames,  as  the  Select  men  Shall  Judge  best 
for  the  town." 

In  the  warning,  March  0th,  1721,  is  an  article 

"  To  act  what  may  appear  needful  about  building  a 
School  house  or  houses. 

"  Put  to  Vote,  Whether  to  build  a  School  house  in  the 
Senter  of  the  town  or  no.     Passed  in  the  negative." 

At  the  annual  meetirg,  March  25,  1742, 


HISTORY   OF    SCHOOLS.  2/.'^ 

"  Voted,  That  there  shall  be  a  school  Keept  in  this  town 
the  year  through  out,  and  that  the  Select  men  Shall  Ee- 
move  the  Said  School  into  the  Severall  Quarters  of  Said 
town,  so  that  they  Shall  have  their  Equal  Proportion  of  the 
the  Same,  according  to  what  Rates  they  Pay." 

They  probably  refused  to  build  a  school-house  in  the 
center,  because  the  school  might  be  kept  there  all  of  the 
time. 

In  the  warning  for  a  meeting,  March  29th,  1744,  is  an 
article, 

"  To  see  if  the  town  will  build  a  School  house  or  housen, 
or  to  act  and  do  any  thing  about  Keeping  a  School,  or 
Schools,  or  building  a  house  or  housen,  as  Shall  appear 
mose  for  the  benefit  and  advantage  of  the  town. 

"  Voted  to  Build  School  Housen. 

"  Voted,  That  a  Committee  shall  be  Chosen  to  Divide  the 
town  into  Severall  Parts,  in  order  to  accomodate  School 
Housen. 

"  Voted,  That  Capt.  Sam"  Ingalls,  Benjamin  Hills,  Insin 
Jacob  Sargent,  william  Haley  and  andrew  Crage,  Sliall  be 
the  Coraitte." 

In  the  warning  for  the  annual  meeting,  March  28th, 
1745,  is  an  article, 

"  To  See  if  the  town  will  Except  of  the  return  of  the 
Committee  that  was  chosen  to  Divide  the  town  into  parts 
for  the  Conveniancy  of  building  School  housen  ;  or  act  and 
do  anvthing  that  shall  be  thought  needful  and  nessecery 
about  a  school  or  schools,  and  a  school-house  or  housen." 

At  an  adjournment  of  the  meeting,  April  4tli, 
"  Voted,  that  the   Committee's  Return  that  was  Chosen 
to  Divide  the  town  into  parts.  In  order  to  accomedate  School 
housen,  be  Excepted. 

"  The  Persons  under  named  Decents  against  the  fore- 
going Vote,  ....  John  Robie,  Sam"  Bartlet,  Jonathan 
Blunt,  Jonathan  Moulton,  Robert  Runells,  Enoch  Colby, 
David  Crage,  Isaac  Foss,  Page  Bachelder,  Benjamin  Bach- 
elder,  Sam"  Powell,  Francis  Towl,  Ebenezer  Dearborn, 
Junr.,  Benjamin  Hills." 

AVe  have  no  means  of  knowing  to  a  certainty  into  how 
many  parts  the  town  was  divided,  or  their  boundaries  ;  but 
there  probably  were  but  three ;  for  if  there  had  been  one  at 
the  Centre,  John  Robie,  Jonathan  Blunt,   and   Ebenezer 


276 


HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS. 


Dearborn,  Jr.,  who  lived  near  the  Centre,  and  Benjamin 
Bachelder  and  Robert  Runnels,  who  lived  within  about 
half  a  mile  up  street,  and  others  —  Jonathan  Moulton, 
Enoch  Colby,  and  Samuel  Bartlett  —  within  a  mile  below, 
would  not  have  dissented.  I  have  conversed  with  people 
who  remembered  the  three.  One  stood  on  John  Sanborn's, 
opposite  Moses  Webster's  home  lot  No.  21 ;  one  at  Walnut 
hill,  not  far  from  Robert  Shirley's  ;  and  the  third  at  the  Long 
Meadows,  between  Samuel  Aiken's  (Charles  C.  Grant's) 
and  David  Witherspoon's  (the  Hardy  place).  Mrs.  Whit- 
tier,  daughter  of  Samuel  Aiken,  recollects  this  house,  or  of 
hearing  her  parents  tell  about  it. 

In  1746  the  select  men  charge : 

Paid  unto  master  Wood 

Paid  unto  Dec"  Ebcnczer  Derbon,  for  boarding   . 
Paid  unto  Ins*^  Jacob  Sargant,  for  borcling  y*  master 
Paid  unto  Abel  Morse,  for  bording  y*  master 
Paid  unto  John  Ilaiseltine,  for  bording  the  master 
Paid  unto  Andrew  Crag,  for  bording  the  master 
Paid  to  Capt.  Morse,  for  three  days,  horse  and  man,  for 
going  after  a  Coolmaster         .... 

1847.     Master  Wood  is  paid           .... 
and  Dea.  Dearborn,  John  Ilazeltine,   and    Andrew 
Craige,  for  boarding 

1748.    Master  Wood  is  hii-ed  again,  at 

and  Capt.  Blunt,  Joseph  Calf  and  Dea.   Dearborn 

boarded. 
John  Eobie  is  paid  for  bringing  up  the  master,  time 

and  expenses 

Master  Wood,  it  seems,  lived  somewhere  down  country, 
and  is  probably  the  one  who  was  afterwards  Dr 
Wood. 


£ 

s. 

d. 

66 

00 

0 

19 

9 

0 

4 

10 

0 

5 

12 

0 

8 

11 

0 

8 

2  0 

r 

1 

15 

0 

80 

0 

0 

V 

80 

0 

0 

44 

0  0 

0  0 


George 


1749.    Paid  Doctor  Samuel  Mooves,  for  schooling 
Paid  to  the  Long  meadow  Quarter  for  Schooling 


£ 

108 

31 


s.  d. 

0  0 
0  0 


The  Long  Meadows  had  one-quarter  of  the  money  paid 
to  them.     Dr.  Moores  is  said  by  Eaton  (History  of  Candia, 


HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS. 


277 


page  91)  to  have  come  from  Hampstead. 
Candia  Corner. 


He 


1750.  Paid  to  m""  Heury  Herring,  for  Schooliug  . 
Paid  to  m""  Jolm  Ilickey,  for  Schooling 

Paid  to  M""  Samuel  Moores,  for  Schooling     . 

for  a  Journey  to  newbury  after  a  Schoolmaster 
for  time  and  expeuce  hireing  School  master 

1751.  Paid  to  m'  John  Hickey,  for  schooling 
Paid  to  m"'  James  Dresser,  for  schooling 
Paid  to  m""  nehemiah  mc  neal,  for  schooling 

Paid  to  Xathauiel  Blasdell,  for  hording  the  masters 
for  three  Days,  man  and  horse,  after  a  School 

master    .        .        . 

for  one  day  of  a  man  and  two  hoi'ses,  bringing  up 
the  master  from  Bradford       .... 
for  time  and  Expense  hireing  School  masters 
for  time  and  expense  making  up  "with  School 
masters 


settled  at 

£ 

s.  d. 

112 

0  0 

88 

0  0 

40 

0  0 

2 

0  0 

3 

0  0 

104 

0  0 

27 

10  0 

32 

0  0 

15 

0  0 

4  10  0 

2  00  0 
1  10  0 

1  GO  0 


In  1752  Master  McXeil  is  paid  £lo4.  Deacon  Hasel- 
ton,  Andrew  Craig,  Enocli  Colbj,  Peter  Dearborn,  Mr. 
Carr,  Deaoon  Dearborn,  Mr.  Knowles  and  Mr.  Basford 
are  paid  for  boarding.  It  seems  that  this  year,  though 
they  had  no  school-house,  tliey  had  a  school  in  the  north 
part. 

In  1753  Mi\  Hazclton  and  Mr.  McXcele  were  tlie  mas- 
ters, and  Deacon  Dearborn,  Mr.  Craige,  Jacob  Chase  and 
Jolm  Knowles  boarded. 

In  1754  "  master  Heseltine,  master  mcfarson  and  mas- 
ter mcneal,  at  the  Longmeadows,"  were  masters,  and  Dea- 
con Dearborn,  Jacob  Chase  and  Thomas  Haseltine  boarded. 

In  1755,  "  Paid  to  mr.  Hessard,  for  teaching  school, 
<£132  ;  To  mr.  Boies,  for  teachimg  school,  .£28."  Captain 
Blunt,  Charles  Moore,  William  Tolford  and  Bradley  Carr 
boarded,  and  William  Graham  and  Patten,  at  the  Long 
Meadows. 

At  the  animal  meeting  March,  17-18, 

"  Voted,  To  Raise  two  Hundred  Pounds,  old  tenor,  the 
present  year  for  Schooling  and  other  necessary  town 
Charges. 


278  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

"  Voted,  That  Each  Quarter  of  the  town  as  it  is  Divided 
Shall  Share  theyr  Ef|uell  Proportion  of  the  money  Raised 
for  Schooling,  appropriated  to  that  use  and  no  other. 

"  Voted,  That  the  town  Defend  and  Secure  the  Select- 
men from  any  Damage  they  may  come  at,  for  not  Provid- 
ing a  Gramcr  School." 

In  a  warning  for  a  town  meeting,  June  21,  1756,  is  an 
article, 

''  To  See  What  the  town  Will  Do  Concerning  Hicring  a 
Gramer  School  master  for  the  year  1756  ;  It  being  an 
Express  from  the  Court  by  the  Grand  Juryman  to  the 
present  Selectmen. 

"  Voted,  That  the  present  Selectmen  (viz.),  John  Robie, 
And'"'  Craige  and  Jacob  Basford,  Shall  take  Care,  and  if 
they  can.  Provide  a  Grammcr  Scliool  master  for  the  town, 
So  as  to  fuliil  and  answer  the  Intents  of  tiie  Law  ;  and  if 
they  cannot  obtain  one,  then  they  are  fully  impowered  to 
address  the  Court  In  behalf  of,  and  in  favor  of,  the  town  on 
that  account,  and  at  the  Charge  of  s''  Town." 

In  the  warning  for  the  annual  meeting  March  30,  1758, 
are  articles, 

"  2'^  To  See  if  the  town  Will  Vote  that  all  the  people 
within  three  Quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  old  meeting-house 
in  Chester  Shall  have  their  proportion  of  the  scliooling  at 
that  place  according  to  the  taxes  they  pay,  and  chuse  their 
own  School  master  or  mistress,  as  they  shall  See  Cause. 

'•  8''.  To  see  if  the  Town  will  Raise  Such  a  Sum  of  money 
as  they  shall  judge  Needful  for  schooling  ;  and  to  see  if  the 
Town  vrill  give  Every  Division  their  Proportion  of  the 
money  so  Raised,  and  every  Quarter  to  be  obliged  to  Put 
Said  money  to  said  use  ;  and  that  the  Quarter  may  Chuse 
their  own  master  or  mistress  as  they  Shall  Judge  Needful. 

"  9"'.  To  see  if  the  town  will  vote  that  Charming  fare,  so 
called,  sliall  Have  their  Proportion  of  schooling. 

10'"^'.  To  see  if  the  town  will  vote  that  the  North  Parish, 
called  Freetown,  shall  have  their  proportion  of  Schooling. 

12'^.  To  see  if  the  Town  will  Vote  that  the  Society  about 
Jacob  Basford's  Shall  Have  the  Schooling  made  up  to  them 
which  was  omitted  the  year  past,  1757. 

"  Relating  to  the  second  article  in  the  warninfj  of  said 
meeting.  Put  to  Vote,  past  in  the  Negative. 

"  Relating  to  the  Third  artikill  in  the  warning  of  said 
meeting,  It  was  put  to  Vote  and  past  in  the  Negative. 


HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS.  279 

"  Eclating  to  the  ninth  and  tenth  artikells  in  the  warning 
of  this  meeting,  It  is  Voted  that  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
North  parisli,  so  called,  and  the  Inhabitants  of  Charming- 
fare,  so  called,  shall  have  Their  proportion  of  schooling 
amongst  them,  according  to  the  whole  tax  they  Pay  towards 
schooling. 

"  Relating  to  the  twelfth  artikell  in  the  warning,  put  to 
Vote,  past  in  the  Negative." 

A  meeting  was  called  the  second  day  of  May,  1758, 

"  1^.  To  See  if  What  money  the  town  will  Raise  this 
present  year  for  the  use  of  Schooling. 

"  3.  To  See  if  the  Town  will  allow  the  north  part  of  the 
Town  by  Cornet  Lane's,  and  the  Inhabitants  Round  about,  a 
Larger  Share  of  the  School  this  year  for  their  not  having 
had  their  part  of  the  School  for  live  or  six  years  past, 
Except  one  month  the  Last  year. 

"  -1.  To  See  if  the  town  will  allow  the  north  East  part  of 
the  Town  by  Jacob  Basford's,  and  the  Inhabitants  their- 
about,  any  thing  this  year,  they  not  having  their  part  of  the 
Schooling  Last  year. 

"  Relating  to  the  Second  artikell  in  the  Warning  of  this 
meeting  on  account  of  Schooling, 

'•  Put  to  Vote  Whether  to  Raise  any  Certain  Sum  of 
money  for  that  End;  and, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  Raise  for  the  use  of  school- 
ing the  present  year,  the  sum  of  six  Hundred  Pound,  old 
tenor. 

"  3.  Voted,  That  that  part  of  the  Town  near  Cornet 
Lane's  shall  have  their  part  of  the  Schooling  for  the  present 
year,  according  to  what  they  Pay  towards  that  Rate. 

"  4.  Voted,  That  the  north  East  part  of  the  Town  about 
Jacob  Basford's,  shall  have  forty  two  Pounds,  old  tenor. 
Paid  to  them  this  year  Towards  Schooling  more  than  their 
proportion,  they  not  Having  any  the  year  past." 

In  the  warning  for  a  town  meeting,  March  29,  1759,  was 
an  article, 

"  4*\  To  See  if  the  Town  will  Vote  off  the  middle  of  the 
Town,  three  Quarters  of  a  mile  Each  way  from  the  old 
meeting  house,  with  Respect  to  the  school;  or  further,  if 
the  Town  shall  think  it  best ;  and  the  Rest  of  the  Town, 
Each  and  Every  part  of  it,  may  have  their  Equal  part  of 
the  money  that  is  Raised,  or  their  equal  proportion  of  the 
school  the  year  Ensuing." 


280  HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 

At  the  meeting  it  was 

"  Voted,  That  for  Conveniency  of  schooling  Three  Quar- 
ters of  a  mile  Round  the  old  meeting  house  shall  have  the 
Priviledge  of  sending  to  School  there  ;  and  the  other  parts 
of  the  Town  Shall  Have  the  Liljerty  of  Joining  together  for 
Conveniency  in  the  several  parts  of  the  same ;  and  Every  one 
of  Said  Parts  shall  Have  their  Equal  proportion,  according 
ta  what  money  they  Pay  Towards  the  schooling  this  year  ; 
Provided,  they  Lay  it  out  in  Schooling  this  year." 

In  the  warning  for  the  annual  meeting,  March  27,  1760, 
"  2.   To  see  what  method  the  Town  Shall  think  proper 
The  year  Ensuing  With  Respect  to  the  schools." 

"  Voted,  To  leave  it  to  the  selectmen." 

In  the  warning  for  the  annual  meeting,  March  26,  1761, 

was  an  article, 

"  5.  To  See  if  the  Town  will  Vote  To  build  a  school  house 
Near  Thomas  Worthen's,  in  this  town,  and  another  a] tout 
Francis  Towl's,  and  their  Shall  be  a  school  Keiit  Eight 
months  in  a  year,  four  months  in  Each  of  them  school 
houses  yearly ;  or  to  act  and  Do  what  shall  then  be  Thought 
needful.  Raise  money  for  the  out-parts  of  the  town  accord- 
ingly as  shall  be  needful." 

"  5'y.  Upon  the  fifth  article,  Put  to  vote  Whether  to  Build 
School  Houses  or  not ;  Past  in  the  Negative." 

Thomas  Worthen  lived  at  the  old  "Friend"  Stevens 
place  a  few  rods  east  of  where  J.  M.  Elliott  now  lives  ; 
Francis  Towle  lived  on  the  Haverhill  road  nearly  opposite 
the  road  across  to  Hiram  Basford's. 

In  the  warning  for  a  meeting  called  expressly  for  the 
purpose,  Nov.  4,  1760, 

"  2.  To  See  if  the  Town  will  Vote  to  secure  the  Selectmen 
from  the  fine  for  not  Providing  for  the  Town  a  Gramer 
School  master  the  Present  year,  in  as  much  as  they  are  in 
Danger  of  being  Presented  ;  or  to  act  and  Do  what  then 
and  their  shall  be  Thought  Needful." 

At  the  meeting, 

"  Relating  To  the  Second  artikell,  Put  to  Vote  Whether 
to  Secure  the  selectmen  from  the  fine  fur  not  Providing  a 
Gramer  School  for  the  Town  the  Present  year,  past  in  the 
Negative." 


HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS.  281 

111  the  Trarning  for  the  annual  meeting,  March  25,  1762, 
vvas  an  article, 

"  V^.  To  see  vrhat  method  the  Town  will  take  in  Respect 
to  their  School  houses,  whether  they  will  think  fitt  to  Raise 
a  sum  of  money  of  the  whole  Town  to  build  and  Repare 
School  houses;  or  what  method  they  will  take  in  that 
Respect. 

At  the  adjourned  meeting,  May  4,  1762, 

"  Relating  to  the  sixth  and  seventh  artikells  in  the  warn- 
ing of  this  meeting.  They  Were  Put  to  Tote  and  past  in 
the  Negative." 

Tlie  sixth  article  was  respecting  building  a  pound  at 
Freetown. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  March  31,  1763, 

"  Voted,  That  it  be  Left  With  the  selectmen  to  Inquier 
into  and  see  how  much  is  Justly  Due  to  the  Xortli  Parish, 
so  Called,  for  their  proportion  of  the  School  money  Raised 
in  tliis  Town  for  three  years  past,  and  if  they  have  nut  had 
their  sliare  then  to  deliver  the  Same  to  them  ;  Provided 
they  Lay  out  the  Same  for  Schooling  among  themselves  ; 
and  also  all  the  other  parts  of  the  Town  that  have  not  had 
their  proportion  of  the  Schooling,  nor  money  as  above  men- 
tioned, shall  be  Considered,  and  liave  their  proportion  on 
the  same  Conditions." 

At  the  September  term  of  the  Superior  Court,  1771, 
Andrew  Jack,  Nathan  Webster  and  John  Robie,  the  select- 
men of  Chester,  were  indicted  because  Chester,  having  more 
than  one  hundred  families,  had  no  grammar  school.  At  the 
March  terra,  1772,  Jack  and  Webster  were  tried  and  lined 
XIO,  and  cost,  taxed  £1  12s.  4d. 

In  the  warning  for  the  annual  meeting  March  25,  1773, 
there  was  an  article, 

"  5^y.  To  see  if  the  Town  will  Chuse  a  Committee  to 
appoint  places  Where  the  school  houses  shall  be  Built  for 
the  Town's  Servis,  and  to  be  Built  by  the  Town." 

"  Relating  to  the  fifth  artikell  in  the  warning  about  build- 
ing school  Houses,  put  to  Vote  ;  Passed  in  the  Negative." 

In  the  warning  for  a  town  meeting,  June  8, 1775,  was  an 
article, 
"  2'y.  To  see  if  the  Town  will  Vote  that  the  Selectmen 


282  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER. 

shall  not  maintain  a  Grammer  School  at  present,  and  make 
the  Selectmen  Secure,  so  that  they  shall  Come  to  no  Dam- 
age or  Cost  for  not  Proceeding  according  to  the  former 
Lawes." 

At  the  meeting  it  was 

"  Voted,  that  tlie  Selectmen  Drop  the  Gra'cr  school  for 
the  jn-esent. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Town  will  secure  the  Selectmen  from 
any  Cost,  Charge,  or  Damage,  They  may  be  Put  Too  for  not 
Providing  a  graraer  School  for  the  present  as  the  Law  Di- 
rects.    Jacob  Chase  Decents  against  the  foregoing  vote." 

The  indictment,  and  fining  the  selectmen,  had  caused 
them  to  have  a  grammar  school,  but  now  the  pressure  of 
the  burden  of  the  incipient  Revolution  caused  them  to  dis- 
continue it.  • 

At  the  annual  meeting,  March  28,  177G, 

"■Voted,  that  what  money  Shall  Be  Raised  in  this  Town 
the  present  year  for  the  Su])j)ort  of  Schooling  Shall  be  Laid 
out  so  as  to  accommodate  all  parts  of  the  Town  as  AVcll  as 
may  be. 

"  Voted,  To  Raise  fifty  pound  Lawful  money  for  School- 
ing the  present  year." 

At  the  annual  meeting,  1777,  one  hundred  pounds  were 
voted  for  schooling ;  in  1778,  two  hundred  pounds  were 
voted  ;  1779,  four  hundred  pounds ;  1780,  twelve  hundred 
pounds;  1781,  voted  not  to  raise  any  money;  1782,  the 
article  not  acted  on  ;  1783,  left  with  the  selectmen  ;  1784. 
two  hundred  dollars. 

The  following  list  of  teachers,  their  compensation,  &c., 
is  extracted  from  the  selectmen's  accounts  in  an  old  book 
which  I  had  not  found  when  the  other  was  written : 

17;>7.     Master  Boys,    .         .         .         .         .        .         .  £5G  00  00 

Master  How, 255  00  00 

1758.     iMr.  Thos.  Boies, 60  00  00 

Ensign  Qnanton, 67  14  00 

Mrs.  Sarah  Ingalls, 29  00  00 

Mr.  AVilliani  Smith, 42  00  00 

Dr.  Ordway, 40  00  00 

Mr.  Boies'  widow, 76  00  00 

Mrs.  Curriour, 33  00  00 

Likewise  neighbors  about  Bradbury  Carr's,      .         .  13  11     6 


HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS. 


283 


Likewise  neig'libors  about  Beuj.  Hill 

Ensign  Quanton, 

Mrs.  Dudley, 

1759,     Dr.  Ordway,    . 

INIaster  Scott, 

Thomas  Shirlee, 

Master  Level, 

Mrs.  Dudley,  about  Mr.  Hills', 

Widow  Currier, 

Dr.  Ordwaj', 

Paid  to  Charming-  Fair, 

Freetown, 

Xortliwest  part,  joining  Suncook, 

17(10.     Master  Hazzard, 

Master  Scott, 

17G1.     Mr.  Hazzard,  8  months, 

Mr.  John  Crombie,  2  months, 

Ensign  James  Quenton, 

Steplien  Webster, 

Hiring  schoolmasters  and  notifying  each  quarter  ? 
To  repair  school-house,  I 

1762.    John  Flagg,  10   months,  [Mrs.  French   has 

the  original  bill,] 

Board  10  nioutlis,        .... 

James  Quanton,  at  the  Long  Meadows, 

David  Webster,  .... 

John  McNeel, 

17G3.     Mr.  Balcli,  3  months, 

Mr.  Flagg,  for  boarding, 

Master  Quanton,  It  months, 

Mr.  Scott,  4  months,  3  weeks. 

Master  HeiTing,  one  month, 

Josiah  Flagg,  one  mouth. 

Dr.  Band,  one  week, 

North  part,  or  Freetown,  for  three  years  past. 

Upper  part,  next  to  Suncook,  three  years 

1761.     Master  Ordway, 

Master  Quanton,  .... 

1765.    Master  Ordway,  9  months,  Lawful 

At  the  Long  Meadows, 

At  Cornet  Lane's,     . 

Upper  part,  2  years, 


22  00  00 
63  16  00 
22  10  00 
166  17  6 
141  00  00 
40  00  00 

48  00  00 
22  GO  00 
20  00  00 
51  16  00 
26  00  00 

49  00  00 
10  00  00 

384  00  00 
141  15  00 
400  00  00 
100  00  00 
68  00  00 
30  00  00 

8  00  00 

444     8  11 

217  10  00 

100  <)0  00 

60  00  00 

58  00  00 

155  10  00 

90  12  00 

375  00  00 

237  10  00 

60  00  00 

60  00  00 

10  00  00 

255  11     6 

39  00  00 

437  00  00 

268  00  00 

36  00  00 

7     5  00 

1  10  00 

1     G  00 


Henry  Herring,  the  former  master,  has  become  a  pauper, 
and  warned  out  of  town. 


284 


HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 


1), 

14  9  9 

10  00  00 

5  00  00 

5  00  00 

28  2  6 

5  00  00 

2  00  00 

1  12  00 

12  00 

•        • 

9  00 

1766.    Master  Eaucl,  5  mouths  5  days  (Lawful), 
Master  Evans,  4  moutlis,    .... 
Master  Quenton,  2  months, 
Master  Smith,  2  months,     .... 
Master  Evans,  11  montlis  6  days  (Lawful), 
Master  Quanton,  2  months, 
Master  Ilaselton,  one  month. 
Cornet  Lane,  their  proportion, 

Joseph  Brown,  do 

Same  for  17G6, 

Dr.  Rand  is  boarded  at  the  expense  of  the   town  five 
weeks,  when  sick. 

1768.    Master  Evans  (Lawful),  .        .        .        .  32  10  00 

Master  Morse, 1    8  00 

Joseph  Brown,  their  proportion,        ....  9  00 

Mr.  Brown  received  for  all  the  town  that  is  now  in  Hook- 
sett. 

1770.    Master  Evans, 

Joseph  Brown,  

1772.  Master  Shaw,  9  months. 
Master  Donoven,  3  months  one  week, 

Master  True,  3  months, 

Josiah  Flagg,  in  1770, 

Paid  Rev.  Mr.  Flagg  and  John  Tucker,  for  board, 
Joseph  Brown,  

1773.  Master  Ordway, 

Master  Cheever, — kept  at  Walnut  Ilill, 

Going  to  Hampton  Falls,  two  men  and  horses,  aftei 

schoolmaster, 

Long  Meadow  projiortion, 

Joseph  Brown, 

Cornet  Lane, 

John  San.  Dearboi-n  (No.  2),     . 

Going  to  Hampton  and  Xewbury  after  schoolmaster. 

Master  Herrick, 

Going  to  Epping  and  Beverly, 

Master  Evans  kept  probably  this  year  at  the  Long  Mead- 
ows, in  Stephen  Merril's  kitchen,  as  my  father  went  to  him 
there. 

1774.  [There  is  a  charge  for  man  and  horse  going  to  Haverhill  to 
bring  up  Mr.  Prentice.] 

Mr.  Prentice,  from  April  17,  1774,  to  March  4,  1775,  24  12  00 


32  10  00 

10  10  00 

21  8  4 

9  15  00 

5  00  CO 

1  17  6 

8  7  10 

1  9  00 

7  4  CO 

4  16  00 

12  00 

9  15  00 

1  10  00 

2  14  00 

3  15  00 

r,      12  00 

7  3  00 

HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS. 


285 


Matthew  Forsaith,  Jr., 

Long-  Meadow,    .... 

1776.     Beiijamiu  Hill's  quarter, 

Meeting  house  quarter, 

Stephen  Darbou, 

John  Hazelton,    .... 

Joseph  Eichardson,     . 

Jacob  Chase,        .... 

David  Witherspoou,  for  Long  Meadow, 


3  11  00 
10  1  00 
40  11     6 

4  13  00 
1  17  11 
4  17     2 

3  5     4 

4  CO  8 
10    4     2 

stricts  until  1805. 


Towns  were  not  districted  bv  law  into  dis 
The  districts  before  this  were  by  arrangement  of  the  inhab- 
itants, or  by  the  selectmen.     I  copy 

THE   PROPORTION    OF   SCHOOL   MONEY   FOR   IKE    YEAR   1785. 

Lt.  John  Dearborn,  Esqr.   Chase,   Eliplialet   Poor, 

John  Robie,  Francis  Towl,  Jonathan  Dearborn,  15  16     9 

Mr.  Poor  lived  at  the  back  part  of  Chase's  plain,  on  lot 
No.  39,  2d  P.,  2d  D.     Francis  Towle  was  on  home  lot  55. 

Stephen  Morse,  Isabel  Dickey,  John  Shirley,  Simon 

Berry,  Lt.  Dunlap, 10    4    5 

Isabel  Dickey  lived  where  Jacob  Couch  now  lives. 
Esqr.  Hoit,  Samuel  Jack,  James  Crawford,  .  7    9    4 

The  Walnut  Hill  District. 
Dea.    Hills,  "Widow    Severance,  Michael  "Worthen, 

James  Waddel,  William  "Wilson,  .         .         .  G  16     5 

Jamas  Waddel  lived  below  where   G.  W.  Everett  now 
lives. 

Esqr.    Robert  Wilson,  David    Foss,  Benj.  French, 

William  Moor, 6     7     G 

David  Foss  lived  near  the  top  of  the  Great  Hill  ;,William 

Moor  then  lived  on  the  old  John  Moor  place. 

John  and  Benj.  Hoit,  John  Knowles,  3d,       .         .  13     2 

Cai)t.    Joseph    True,    Joseph    McLellan,     Joseph 

Knowles,  Jr.,  Joseph  Kuowles,  .         .         .  2     9    4 

John  Knowles,  Xathan  Knowles,  Jacob  Basford, 

Samuel  Hills, 3  17    5 

Lt.  John  Lane,  Jonathan  Burrey  [Berry],  An- 
thony Morss, 4     12 

Moses    Richardson,    David     Richardson,    Ithamer 

Burry,  Xathauiel  Levait, 4    2     9 

Mr.  Leavet  lived  on  the  old  discontinued  road  north  of 
John  B.  Rand's. 


286  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER. 

Capt.  Unclciliill,  Obadiah  Hall,  Joecpb  Carr,  .  G     3     9 

Robert   Calf,   James  Calder,  Robert    VVitherspooii, 

Denis  Dunifin  [Donovon],  ....  o     2     9 

Maj'^  Dearborn,    Abraham  Morse,    Moses    Preston, 

Jeremiah  UnderhilJ, 2  IG  00 

Abraham  Morse  lived  where  Moodv  B.  Carr  once  lived, 
nortlnvest  of  Geo.  Clark's.  (The  Bradbury  Carr  place.) 
Why  Moses  Preston's  tax  should  be  put  there  I  cannot  con- 
ceive. 

Doct.  Joseph  Brown,  David  Knox,  Samuel  Davis, 

James  Emerson,  Xath.  Martin,            .  .         .             5  11  lO 
This  included  all  of  Hooksett. 

Joseph    Linn,    Cif)t.  Wethcrspoon,    Capt.  Silver, 

Samuel  Pierce,     .         .         .         .    '    .  .         .             4  00    5 

Anthony  Stickncy,  Aaron  Burbank,  John  Patten, 

"William  Graham,  Lt.  "William  Brown,  .         .             7  15     4 

Mr.  Burbank  lived  at  the  James  Hoit  place,  on  London- 
derry turnpike. 

The  districts  remained  much  the  same  without  being 
numbered. 

DISTRICTS,   WITH    THEIR    PROPORTION     OF    MONEY,   NUMBERED, 
AND   THE   NAMES   OF   PERSONS   LIVING   IN   THEM   IN    1801. 

Xo.  1.  Daniel  Ilodgkins,  Pearley  Aver,  Ens.  Robin- 
son, Bradbury  Quimby,  Beiy.  Hills,  Jonathan  Cur- 
rier,             $90  91 

Bradbury  Quiml)y  lived  at  Forsaith's  Plain,  and  Jonathan 
Currier  at  Worthen's  saw-mill. 

Xo.  2.  Samuel  Johnson,  John  Mills,  Lt.  "William "Wil- 
son, "William  3Iills,  Lt.  James  Dunlap,  Cort..  David 
Shaw, 

No.  3.  Josiah  Chase,  "Widow  Anna  Underbill,  and  Jo- 
seph Calfe, 

This  included  all  of  Xo.  1  in  Auburn. 

Xo.  4.  Joseph  Long,  Susanah  "Wadwell,  "\7idow  Sev- 
erance, Isaac  Hills,  Esq.,    ...... 

Xo.  5.  Paul  Adams,  Samuel  "White,  Ens°  Patten, 
Dea"  John  Grimes,  George  Farnum, 

Samuel  White  lived  on  the  hill  between  Severance's  and 
the  Folsom  place  ;  Ens.  Patten  where  E.  A.  Heath's  family 
live,  and  George  Farnum  lived  on  the  Folsom  place. 


50  80 

44 

77 

36 

38 

34 

30 

29 

64 

22 

22 

9 

40 

8 

56 

18 

66 

27 

21 

HISTORY    OF    SCHOOLS.  287 

Xo.  6,    W^  French,  James  Wori=oii,  Maj'' Henvy  Moore,  26  81 

Xo.  7.     Esq^  Iloit,  ^Y•^  Jack,   Dea"  Richard  Ilaseltinc,  27  86 
Xo.  8.     Capt.    Lock,   Joshua    True,    Daniel    Prescott, 

George  Harden ,  Jacob  Basford,          .         ,         .         .  32  94 
Xo.  9.    John    Patten,    John  AVithcrspoon,   Deac"  Wil- 
liam Wilson, 20  65 

Xo.  10.   Lt.  Peter  Hills,  Joseph  Xorton,  Jonath"  Berrv,  16  37 
Xo.  11.     Capt.  "Wetherspoon,  Joseph  Linn,  Joseph  Sil- 
ver, Lt.  Will™  Brown,  Benj"  Peabody,       .         .         .  24  49 

Mr.  Pqabody  lived  the  west  side  of  rattlesnake  hill,  near 
Manchester  line. 

Xo.  12.  Silas  Cammett,  Ithamer  Berry,  John  Grifli:!, 
Joseph  Smith,  B.  Moody  Carr,  .... 

Xo.  13.     XatW  AVoods,   Sam'    Haynes,  James  AVorson, 

Xo.  14.     Lt.  AVill'"  Moore,  Levy  Iloit,     .... 

Xo.  15.     Samuel  Murrey,  John  Clark, 

Xo.  16.  Dea"_Adam  Wilson,  John  Crafford,  Jonath'^ 
Davis, 

Xo.  17.    Josiah  Rowel,   Simeon  Carr,  John  Laken, 

Xo.  18.    Lt.    Joseph    Whicher,    John    Prescott,   Jesse 

Kimball,  Samuel  Rowell,  Jun',  .         .         .         .         15  12 

No.  17  and  18  were  in  Hooksett. 

An  act  was  passed  Dec.  28,  1805,  authorizing  towns  to 

divide  into  school  districts.     At  a  town-meeting,  March  2G 

180G, 

"  Voted,  that  the  Town  Clerk  be  directed  to  make  a  rec- 
ord in  the  Town  Book  of  all  the  school  classes  in  the  Town, 
as  they  now  stand." 

Then  the  selectmen  were  directed  to  divide  the  fifth  and 
make  report  at  an  adjournment.  At  the  adjournment,  the 
third  Monday  of  April,  the  town  voted  to  reconsider  the 
former  rote,  and  John  Emerson,  Joseph  Blanchard  and 
Benjamin  Brown  were  chosen  a  committee  to  district  the 
town,  and  report  at  an  adjournment  of  the  meeting.  The 
meeting  was  adjourned  to  the  third  Monday  of  May.  But 
a  meeting  was  called  the  12th  of  May  (the  second  Monday), 
at  which  it  was 

"Voted,  that  the  committee  chosen  at  the  last  Town 
fleeting  shall  not  be  a  Committee  to  district  the  Town  into 
school  Districts. 

"  Voted,  Not  to  choose  any  Committee  to  district  the 
Town  into  school  Districts. 


288  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

"  Voted,  that  the  report  the  selectmen  have  made  to  this 
meeting  Respecting  the  dividing  of  the  lifth  school  Class 
be  accepted  [which  is  as  described  in  the  boundaries  of 
the  5th  and  the  20tli  school  Districts,  as  will  hereafter 
appear] . 

"  Voted,  that  the  selectmen  be  directed  to  give  to  the 
Town  Clerk  all  the  Boundaries  of  all  the  school  classes  by 
the  bounds  of  the  land  they  now  own  in  the  Intermediate 
spaces. 

"  Voted,  that  if  any  Person,  or  persons,  has,  or  shall 
settle  in  the  intermediate  spaces  between  the  Extreem  parts 
of  two  Classes,  he  shall  belong  to  the  Class  the  land  he 
settled  belonged  to. 

"  Voted,  if  any  person  lives  in  one  Class  and  shall  move 
to  a  farm  he  may  now  own,  and  adjoining  the  Class  he 
moved  from,  he  may  still  belong  to  the  Class  he  moved 
from  by  applying  to  the  Town  Clerk,  and  having  it  recorded 
on  the  Town  book,  in  the  month  of  April  following,  and 
not  afterwards. 

"  Voted,  that  tlie  selectmen  determine  immediately  which 
class  the  non-resident  Lands  l)elong  to,  agreeable  to  law, 
and  furnish  the  Town  Clerk  with  a  Copy." 

Record  of  School  Classes  for  the  Town  of  Chester, 
agreeable  to  sundry  votes  past  at  a  meeting  held 
May  12th,  1806,  for  dividing  the  town  into  School 
Districts,  which  are  as  follows,  viz.  : 

District  No.  One. 

Laying  between  the  two  mile  stone  below  Benj"  Hills ; 
the  1*'  ]3ridge  E.  of  Crawford's  House  ;  the  bend  of  the 
Road  E.  of  Peter  Hall's ;  S.  E.  corner  of  Capt.  Emerson's 
orchard  ;  S.  End  of  Doc'  Kittridge's  house ;  S.  W.  corner  of 
Capt.  Fitts'  Land  ;  Corner  on  Main  Road  between  s*^  Fitts 
place  and  Esq"^  robie  ;  N.  W.  corner  of  Benj"  Brown's  land, 
on  Cammet's  Road ;  Doct.  Sargeant's  Bars  at  Clay  place ; 
N.  E.  Of  Lieut.  Forsaith's  land  ;  Sawmill  N.  of  Wid"  Ste- 
vens' ;  S.  E.  corner  Robie  place ;  Near  Wid°  Severance  ; 
Excepting  the  Dunlap  farm,  is  to  belong  to  District  No.  2. 
[Doct.  Benjamin  Kittredge  then  lived  on  the  Derry  road, 
where  Benjamin  Davis  now  lives,  —  the  Robert  Graham 
place.] 

District  ISfo.   Two. 
Laying  between  the  S.  End  Doc*  Kittridge's  house  ;    S. 


HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS.  289 

E.  corner  of  Capt.  Emerson's  orchard ;  the  bend  of  the 
Road  E.  of  Peter  Hall's  House  ;  the  Brook  between  Lieut. 
Wilson  and  Wid°  Jack's  ;  on  all  the  Roads  to  Derry  line  ; 
up  to  Wardwell's  Meadow  Brook;  W.  of  Stephen  Morse's  ; 
Moses  Sanborn's  S.  W.  corner;  &  the  Dunlap  farm  out  of 
District  No.  1.  ' 

District  No.   Three. 

Laying  between  the  bridge  E.  of  Capt.  Preston's  house  ; 
N.  W.  corner  of  David  UnderHill's,  Junr.,  land  ;  N.  E. 
corner  of  Rev*^  Mr.  Colby's  land ;  Guid  Post  W.  of  David 
Weatherspoon's  House  ;  S.  E.  corner  of  Deac"  Hall's  land  ; 
■with  the  farm  of  Joseph  Carr  &  B.  Moody  Carr,  out  of  Dis- 
trict No.  17.  [David  Underbill,  Jr.,  lived  on  the  Jere. 
Underbill  place,  and  the  line  went  to  the  S.  E.  line  of  No. 
73,  2d  P.,  2d  D.     This  includes  No.  1  in  Auburn.] 

District  No.  Four. 

Laying  between  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Wid"  Severance  ; 
the  S.  E.  Corner  of  Joseph  Wetherspoon's  land  ;  the  1** 
bridge  E.  of  Crawford's  House  ;  Haseltiue's  sawmill ;  San- 
down  line  on  both  Roads  ;  the  Corner  E.  of  Joseph  long's  ; 
the  corner  by  Capt.  Worthen's. 

District  No.  Five. 

Laying  between  the  Guide  Post  E.  of  Paul  Adams ;  N. 
E.  corner  Rev.  Mr.  Colby's  Land,  on  the  Mane  Road  ;  N. 
E.  Corner  of  John  Patten's  Land  ;  Mount  Misery  Brook ; 
the  S.  W.  corner  of  Dennis  Dunnivan's  land  &  1-2  way  on 
the  Road  from  Deac"  Grihies  to  James  Worsen.  [Dennis 
Donovan  tbcn  lived  where  Matthew  Dickey  lately  lived, — 
the  old  Fulton  place.     This  is  No.  2  in  Auburn.] 

District  No.  Six. 

Laying  between  the  corner  E.  of  Joseph  Long's ;  San- 
down  line,  S.  of  William  Wilson,  4"';  bridge  over  Exeter 
river ;  N.  side  of  Esq.  Wilson's  land  ;  the  bridge  at  the 
Great  Hill,  S.  of  Jacob  Basford's;  sawmill  by  W*^  Stevens'  ; 
N.  E.  Corner  of  Lieut.  Josiah  Forsaith's  land.  [No.  6  is 
now  No.  6  in  Chester.] 

District  No.  Seven. 

Laying  between  the  Brook  W.  of  W'^  Jack's  ;  Derry  line 
on  both  Roads  ;  S.  E.  Corner  of  Chester  ;  Sandown  line  on 
19 


290  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Ijoth  roads ;  the  2  m.  stone  at  the  corner  Moses  Hasseltine's 
Land. 

District  No.  Eight. 

Laying  between  the  X.  side  of  Esq""  Wilson's  land  ;  the 
N.  side  of  John  Hoit's  land  ;  Raymond  line  on  all  the 
Roads  ;  N.  E,  corner  of  Garland's  Pasture  ;  N.  E.  corner 
of  Melvin's  Land  ;  the  corner  W.  of  Sherburn  Dearborn's  ; 
the  Bridge  at  Great  Hill,  by  Jacob  Basford's. 

District  No.  Nine. 

Laying  between  the  N.  E.  corner  of  John  Patten's  Land; 
E,  of  Lieut.  David  Hall's  land  ;  over  Cammel's  Bridge  ;  N. 
side  of  Esq""  Blanchard's  Land,  on  main  Road.  [David 
Hall  lived  on  the  parsonage  lot,  where  Hazen  Davis  now 
lives.     This  district  is  No.  3  in  Auburn.] 

District  No.  Ten. 

Laying  between  Doct.  Sargcant's  Pasture  Barrs,  at  Clay 
place  ;  N.  E.  corner  of  Melvin's  Land  ;  N.  E.  of  Garland 
Pasture  ;  Raymond  line  on  both  Roads  ;  first  brook  W.  of 
AVid*'  Betsey  Berry's ;  S.  side  Joseph  Norton's  Land. 
[Lane  district.] 

District  No.  Eleven. 

Laying  between  Guid  Post  W.  of  Capt.  Weatherspoon  ; 
the  N.  side  his  orchard  ;  Deac"  Hall's  S.  E.  corner ;  Derry 
line  on  both  Roads,  &  Likewise  on  the  turnpike  ;  Derry- 
field  line  ;  S.  side  John  Folsom's  land  ;  on  Derry  Turn- 
pike, «fc  road  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Dennis  Dunnivan's  land. 
[This  embraces  about  No.  4  in  Auburn.] 

District  No.  Tivelve. 

Laying  between  the  S.  corner  of  Phineas  Morse's  land  ; 
tlie  brook  W.  of  Wid°  Betsy  Berry's  ;  Candia  line  on  both 
roads  ;  the  S.  E.  &  N.  W.  of  Joseph  Smith's  Land.  [This 
is  No.  11  in  Chester.] 

District  No.  Thirteen. 

Laying  between  David  L^nderhill,  Junr.'s  land,  Joining 
Jesse  Wood  land,  on  Candia  road  ;  Lt.  Moses  Preston's 
sawmill ;  and  the  road  down  by  Caleb  Hall,  S.  side  of 
Turnpike ;  N.  side  of  Hains' ;  end  of  the  road  at  Kent's 
House  ;  E.  side  of  Lt.  David  Hall's  land  ;  1-2  way  on  the 
road  to  Deac"  Grimes'.     [This  is  No.  5  in  Auburn.] 


HISTORY   OP   SCHOOLS.  291 

District  No.  Fourteen. 

Laying  between  the  bridge  on  Exeter  River  ;  Poplin  line 
by  levi  Hoit's  ;  N.  side  of  John  Hoit's  land ;  on  the  road 
to  Raymond.     [No.  9  in  Chester.] 

District  No.  Fifteen. 

Laying  between  the  S.  side  of  the  turnpike  by  Sani^ 
Haines  ;  Great  bridge  on  the  turnpike  in  the  spruse  swamp  ; 
Candia  line  on  Road  &  turnpike  ;  Murray's  Sawmill.  [No. 
6  in  Auburn.] 

District  No.  Sixteen. 

Laying  between  the  W.  side  of  Escf  Blanchard's  Land  ; 
Candia  line,  N.  of  John  Crawford's  ;  Sharley's,  at  Swago  ; 
the  10*''  mile  stone.     [No.  7  in  Auburn.] 

Disti'ict  No.  Seventeen. 

Laying  between  the  corner,  between  Esq.  Robie's  &  Capt. 
Fitts's  ;  the  S.  W.  corner  of  Capt.  Fitts's,  on  home  place  ; 
1st  Bridge  E.  of  Capt.  Preston's  ;  Saw  mill ;  Great  bridge 
in  spruse  swamp,  on  Turnpike ;  S.  corner  of  Phineas 
Morse's  land ;  N.  W.  corner  of  Benj"  Brown's  land,  on 
Cammet's  Road ;  excepting  the  farm  of  Joseph  Carr  and 
B.  Moody  Carr,  which  belong  to  Dis*  No.  3.  [No.  3  in 
Chester.] 

District  No.  Eighteen. 

Laying  between  Allenstown  line  ;  Isle  Hoxet  fall,  the 
two  roads,  &  Derry  Turnpike  at  Peter's  Brook ;  W.  line  of 
No.  62,  in  the  5'^  division  ;  turnpike  and  Allenstown  line, 
on  s*^  Chester  Turnpike. 

District  No.  Nineteen. 

Laying  between  the  10*^  Mile  stone  on  Main  Road  ; 
Candia  line  on  Chester  turnpike,  k  Road  ;  the  W.  side  of 
No.  62,  in  5th  divis",  on  Chester  Turnpike  ;  Peter's  Brook 
on  the  two  roads  &  Londonderry  Turnpike  ;  Martin's  Fer- 
ry ;  Derrifield  line,  and  the  Road  to  Thomas  Wicom's. 

District  No.   Twenty. 

Laying  between  Mount  Misery  Brook  ;  Derrifield  line  ;  on 
Derry  turnpike  and  Highway  f  E.  side  of  John  Folsom's 
Land  on  said  Turnpike  &  Highway.     [No.  8  in  Auburn.] 


292  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

District  No.   Twenty-one. 
At  the  annual  inacting  March  13,  1821, 

"  Voted,  That  the  Inliabitants  of  Beach  hill  (so  called) 
be  erected  into  a  School  District  by  themselves."  [This 
included  all  the  inhabitants  on  and  east  of  Chester  turn- 
pike in  Hooksett.] 

At  the  annnal  meeting  March  14,  1826,  John  Folsom, 
Josiah  Chase  and  John  S.  Brown  were  chosen  a  committee 
to  survey  the  town  into  school  districts,  and  fix  suitable 
monuments,  and  report.  The  committee  made  no  actual 
survey,  but  defined  the  lines  of  the  several  districts  by  the 
lines  of  lots,  roads,  streams,  &c.,  without  changing  the 
inhabitants  from  one  district  to  another.  The  three  dis- 
tricts in  Hooksett  were  of  course  omitted,  leaving  eighteen. 
No.  twenty  in  the  old  division  was  numbered  eighteen. 

At  the  annual  meeting  March,  1832,  a  portion  of  district 
No.  two,  including  Hall's  Village,  was  set  off  into  a  district 
numbered  nineteen,  but  was  re-annexed. 

Probably  the  early  school-houses,  after  those  built  in 
1745,  were  built  by  individuals.  At  any  rate  there  are  no 
records  about  them,  and  we  have  to  rely  upon  tradition. 
There  were  no  school-house  taxes  previous  to  1808. 

Number   One. 

"Whether  one  of  those  built  in  1745  was  built  at  the  cen- 
tre is  not  certain,  but  probably  was  not.  The  earliest  tra- 
dition I  have  is  from  Mrs.  French,  born  1782.  Her  earliest 
going  to  school  was  in  a  rather  old,  poor  house  which  stood 
not  far  from  the  present  house.  There  was  a  move  in 
1805  for  building  a  new  house,  but  it  did  not  succeed.  In 
1811  there  was  another  move  to  buy  the  old  academy  or 
build  a  new  house,  but  two  hundred  dollars  were  expended 
in  repairing  the  old  one.  Dec.  8,  182G,  there  was  a  vote 
passed  to  raise  two  hundred  dollars  to  purchase  the  acad- 
emy and  repair  it,  and  a  committee  chosen  with  authority 
to  sell  the  old  house ;  but  there  appears  to  have  been  no 
money  raised  by  tax  ;  and  afterwards  an  article  to  see  if 
the  district  would  accept  of  the  committee's  account  was 


HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS.  293 

dismissed.  The  old  house  was  moved  first  to  near  Daniel 
Bell's  for  a  vestry,  then  near  N.  F.  Emerson's  for  a  ten- 
ement. Dec.  28,  1856,  the  school-house,  together  with 
Richards  &  Greenough's  store,  was  burned.  In  1857  the 
the  present  house  was  built  at  an  expense  of  sixteen  hun- 
dred dollars. 

In  1801  an  academy  building  was  built  by  individuals 
and  finished  in  good  style  for  the  time.  Several  terms  of 
a  high  school  were  kept  in  it,  but  it  did  not  prove  a  perma- 
nent school.  It  was  eventually  sold  to  District  No.  1,  for  a 
school-house.     It  was  burned  as  above. 

Number  Two. 

There  is  little  doubt  that  one  of  the  first  school-houses 
was  in  this  district,  and  stood  near  the  corner  of  the  road 
into  the  south  woods,  nearly  opposite  Moses  Webster's  (the 
old  Sargent  place).  About  1796,  a  new  school-house  was 
built  on  the  south-west  side  of  the  cross-road  on  Carr's 
land,  which  was  burned.  Then  one  was  built  at  the  corner 
of  the  Mills  road. 

The  Hall's  Tillage  district  was  re-united  with  the  sec- 
ond, and  in  1861  a  new  house  was  built  at  an  expense  of 
about  six  hundred  and  thirty  dollars. 

Number  Three. 

Formerly  extended  from  Josiah  Chase's,  on  Gov.  Shute's 
farm,  to  Joseph  Calfe's,  above  the  Long  Meadow  meeting- 
house. The  school-house  then  stood  in  Thomas  Merril's, 
now  G.  "W.  Chase's,  orchard  (additional  lot  No.  59).  In 
1804  the  seventeenth  district  was  formed  and  the  school- 
house  removed  to  nearly  opposite  to  where  the  present 
house  in  No.  1  in  Auburn  now  stands,  on  additional  lot 
No.  48.  Its  date  is  not  known,  but  probably  about  1780. 
It  was  a  very  poor,  rickety  concern,  but  was  used  until 
1815,  when  a  new  one  was  built  and  set  on  the  southwest 
corner  of  David  Hall's  lot,  No.  63.  In  1857,  it  was  re- 
moved to  its  present  location  and  remodeled  at  an  expense 
of  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars.  It  is  No.  1  in 
Auburn. 


29-1  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

Number  Four. 

The  old  school-house  stood  a  little  southeast  of  Edraond 
Sleeper's,  and  -^-as  open  and  cold  ;  and  the  door  unfastened, 
so  that  sometimes  animals  lodged  in  it.  In  1825  it  was 
removed  to  the  fork  of  the  road,  the  site  of  the  present 
house,  and  repaired.  In  1850  the  district  voted  to  build  a 
good  new  house,  and  appropriated  three  hundred  dollars, 
and  chose  G.  W.  Everet,  Asa  Wilson  and  Edmond  Sleeper 
a  committee,  and  they  went  on  and  erected  a  good  house 
and  furnished  it  with  modern  chairs  and  desks,  the  first  I 
think  in  town,  at  an  expense  of  about  four  hundred  dollars. 
It  would  have  done  credit  to  the  district  had  they  paid  for 
it.  But  for  some  reason  the  district  was  dissatisfied  and 
the  selectmen  paid  over  but  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 
The  committee  commenced  an  action  for  the  balance  due, 
but  the  court  held  that  they  were  not  justified  in  going 
beyond  the  appropriation,  and  they  recovered  the  other  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  appropriated,  and  lost  the  one 
hundred  dollars  over-expended. 

Number  Five. 

No.  5  originally  included  No.  2,  No.  4  and  No.  8,  in 
Auburn.  One  of  the  ^ohooVhouscn  built  in  1745,  was 
probably  in  this  district,  and  stood  near  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  lot  No.  82,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  In  1773,  my  father,  B.  P. 
Chase,  went  to  school  to  Master  Evans  in  Stephen  Merril's 
kitchen ;  of  course  there  was  no  school-house  in  modern 
No.  5,  then.  In  1780  Thomas  Anderson  came  from  Can- 
dia  and  went  to  school  to  Hugh  Crombie  in  a  school-house 
which  stood  on  a  corner  of  then  Miller's,  since  Anderson's, 
land,  near  where  Mr.  Wiman's  house  now  stands.  So  the 
house  was  built  previous  to  1780. 

In  April,  1808,  a  school-meeting  was  held  (one  of  the 
first  under  the  law  of  1805),  and  "  Voted  to  raise  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  Dollars  for  the  Purpose  of  Building  a  school- 
house  for  S*^  District."  The  house  was  built  by  contract 
by  Paul  Adams.  This  house  stood  some  forty  rods  from 
the  corner  towards  McKinley's,  and  was  used  with  repairs 


HISTORY   OP   SCHOOLS.  295 

until  1857,  when  the  present  house  was  built  at  an  expense 

of  six  hundred  and  forty-seven  dollars  for  the  lot,  house 

and  furniture. 

Numher  Six. 

As  near  as  I  can  learn,  there  was  no  school-house  in  this 
district  until  about  the  year  1800,  when  one  was  built  cor- 
responding to  the  times,  which  stood  where  Mr.  Asa  Noyes' 
house  now  stands.  In  1808  one  hundred  and  forty-six 
dollars  and  eighty-five  cents  school-house  tax  was  raised  to 
repair  it.  It  was  afterwards  removed  to  its  present  loca- 
tion, near  the  corner  of  the  road  to  Wason's. 

Numher  Seven. 
One  of  the  original  %  school-housen  "  was  built  in  this 
district.  It  stood  nearly  opposite,  though  a  little  north  of 
where  John  A.  Haselton  now  lives  (the  old  Ephraim  Has- 
elton  place).  It  stood  so  long  that  Peter  Haselton,  born  in 
1783,  and  Thomas  Haselton  born,  1785,  went  to  school  in 
it  several  years,  though  it  was  open  and  cold.  After  that 
was  untenable,  the  schools  were  kept  several  years  in  pri- 
vate houses.  Then  one  was  built,  located  where  the  pres- 
ent one  stands.  Tliis  gave  place  to  a  new  one,  built  in 
1858,  at  an  expense  of  six  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

Numher  Eight. 

The  first  school-house  in  this  district  is  supposed  to  have 
been  built  about  1785.  It  stood  on  the  northeast  side  of 
the  road,  to  the  southeast  of  the  present  one.  The  pres- 
ent one  was  built  in  1823  by  a  tax,  but  different  portions 
were  jobbed  out  to  different  members  of  the  district,  and 
done  like  job-work  generally ;  but  one  did  not  dare  to  com- 
plain of  another.  There  were  one  hundred  and  fifty-five 
dollars  and  eighty-four  cents  raised  Ijy  tax^  It  was  en- 
larged, remodeled  and  moved  back  on  the  lot  in  1858. 

Numher  Nine. 
This  is  No.  3  in  Auburn.     The   old  house,   which  was 
built  before  the  memory  of  the  "  oldest  inhabitant,"  stood 
near  the  pond  and  near  the  road  from  Captain  Orr's.     Its 


296  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

quality  was  about  on  a  par  with  its  fellows.     In  1827  John 

Clark,  Jr.,  was  disannexed   from  No.  16  and  annexed  to 

No.  9,  and  a  new  school-house  was  built  above  the  Blanch- 

ard  mills,  at  the  corner  of  the  road  from  the  Kent  place. 

It  was  quite  a  good  house  for  its  day,  and  two  hundred  and 

ten  dollars  and  sixty-three  cents  were  raised  by  tax  to  defray 

the  expense.     In  1857  the  old  house  was  removed,  and  a 

new  one  built,  which,  with  its  furniture,  cost  one  thousand 

dollars. 

Number  Ten. 

The  first  old  house,  perhaps  twelve  feet  square,  is  still 
standing,  near  the  old  Joshua  Ilall  house  (George  S. 
Smith's).  It  is  beyond  the  memory  of  the  oldest  inhabi- 
tant. The  new  one,  standing  neaf  Deacon  John  Lane's, 
was  built  in  1848,  and  two  liundred  dollars  were  raised  by 
tax. 

Number  Eleven,  —  now  Number  Four  in  Auburn. 

TVhen  the  first  old  house  near  Aiken's  went  down,  a  new 
one  was  built  southwest  of  the  brook  and  the  west  side  of 
the  road,  near  where  David  Ball's  house  stands.  April  28, 
1817,  there  was  a  petition  to  the  selectmen  to  call  a  district 
meeting,  "  To  see  how  much  money  the  district  will  vote 
to  have  raised  To  finish  the  School  house  where  the  frame 
now  stands."  One  hundred  and  nine  dollars  and  fifteen 
cents  were  raised  by  tax. 

Number  Twelve,  —  notv  Number  Eleven  in  Chester. 

This  district,  previous  to  the  formation  of  the  17th,  ex- 
tended from  Camet's  to  Ithamar  Berry's  (William  Weeks'), 
and  the  school-house  stood  just  above  Ensign  William 
Weeks',  now  Captain  Noah  Weeks'.  Then  a  new  one  was 
built  where  the  present  one  stands,  near  tlie  Methodist 
church.  The  present  house  was  built  in  1853,  and  cost 
two  hundred  and  ninety-two  dollars  and  thirty-nine  cents. 

Number  Thirteen, —  now  Number  Fifteen  in  Aulurn, 
The  earliest  tradition  I  can  now  get  about  the  old  school- 
house  is  from  Samuel  Chase,  Esq.,  of   Portland,  son  of 
Moody  Chase,  born  in  1780.     It  was  there  the  earliest  of 


HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS.  £97 

his  recollection.     As  it  is  where  the  writer  received  his 
common  school,  academic  and  collegiate  education,  except 
literally   his   senior   year   in   the   new   house,   and   as   it 
is  probably  a  fair  specimen  of  the   old  school-houses  and 
schools  —  at  least  in  the  Long  Meadows  —  he  will  describe 
it.     The  house  was  fifteen  by  sixteen  feet,  six  feet  stud. 
The  outside  boarding  was  "  feather-edged  ; "  the  walls  on 
the  inside  were  ceiled  ;  a  loose  floor  overhead  ;  the   door 
opened  into  the  room,  and  was  furnished  with  a  wooden 
latch  and  string.     There  were  at  first  three  windows  of 
nine  panes  each,  but  afterwards  another  was  added.     At 
first  there  were  on  a  part  of  three  sides,  writing-benches, 
composed  of  planks  some  fifteen  or  eighteen  inches  wide, 
one  edge  supported  against  the  walls  of  the  house,  the 
other  by   legs  inserted  in  auger-holes.     For  seats,   slabs 
with   legs   were  used.     The  writers,  of  course,  sat  with 
their  backs  to  the  teacher.     Inside  of  the  writers'  seats  were 
similar  ones  for  the  smaller  urchins.     The  "  Master"  had 
a  chair  and  a  pine  table  in  the  center,  and  "  Master  Rus- 
sel  "  swayed  a  scepter  in  the  form  of  a  hickory  switch  long 
enough  to  reach  every  scholar  in  the  house.     There  was  a 
brick  chimney,  with  a  wooden  mantel-piece,  in  one  corner  of 
the  house,  w^hich  so  far  counteracted  the  laws  of  iiature 
that  the  smoke  came  down  into  the  house,  instead  of  rising:. 
Green  wood  was  used,  which  was  out  in  the  snow  until 
wanted,  so  that  it  took  a  considerable  part  of  the  forenoon 
before  the  house  was  warm, the  scli/)lars  meanwhile  rubbing 
their  eyes  on   account   of  the   smoke.     By  this   time  the 
mantel-piece  is  on  fire,  and  some  one   must  get  snow  and 
quench  it. 

A  No.  13  boy  was  the  actor  in  the  following  incident, 
though  I  think  it  occurred  in  another  district :  Master 
Russel  had  the  lad  reading  some  of  the  proper  names  in 
the  Old  Testament  (and  probably  those  old  worthies,  if  they 
had  been  present,  would  not  have  suspected  that  he  was 
reading  their  names),  when  the  master  says,  "  Stop,  stop, 
Elijah  !  you  bring  tears  to  my  eyes,  for  you  are  calling  the 
names  of  my  old  friends  in  Ireland  !  " 


298  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

In  1815  the  old  school-house  was  sold  at  auction  to  B. 
Chase,  for  six  dollars,  and  may  now  be  seen  in  the  form  of 
Pike  Chase's  sheep-shed,  with  half  the  middle  beam  cut 
away  for  kindling.  The  members  of  the  district  put  up  a 
new  frame,  and  raised  a  tax  and  finished  it  at  an  expense 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  dollars  and  forty-four  cents. 

In  1851,  the  district  having  refused  to  raise  any  money, 
the  selectmen  raised  one  hundred  and  seventv-five  dollars, 
with  which  the  house  was  thoroughly  repaired. 

Numher  Fourteen. 

There  was  no  house  here  early,  the  district  being  very 
small.  Dolly  Hoit,  born  in  1774,  says  she  generally  went 
to  Poplin  to  school,  but  there  was  sometimes  a  school  kept 
at  John  Knowles's.  The  first  school-house  tax  raised  was 
in  188-1,  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars,  and  in  1836 
fourteen  dollars. 

Number  Fifteen, —  Numher  Five  in  Auburn. 

So  late  as  1810  they  cither  had  no  school-house,  or  it  was 
too  open  to  have  a  school  in  winter.  R.  S.  Clark  says  that 
on  the  cold  Friday,  January  19th,  1810,  the  school  was 
keeping  at  Moses  Bricket's.  The  first  house  was  probably 
built  by  individuals,  and  in  1813  there  was  a  tax  raised  of 
thirty-two  dollars.  The  old  house  stood  a  little  north  of 
the  present  road  to  Auburn  village.  In  1856  the  district 
voted  to  remove  the  old  house  on  to  the  Dearborn  road, 
thirty-two  rods  east  of  the  turnpike,  and  repair  it.  Mr. 
Amherst  Coult  offered  to  give  the  frame  if  they  would 
build  a  new  one,  which  offer  was  rejected.  Two  hundred 
and  eighty-five  dollars  were  expended. 

Number  Sixteen, —  Number  Seven  in  Auburn. 

This  district  erected  a  house  as  early,  perhaps,  as  1796, 
but  it  remained  unfinished  so  as  to  be  unfit  for  use  in  cold 
weather,  and  Nathaniel  Underhill's  house  and  Deacon 
Kelly's  shop  were  used.  The  house  stood  near  where  the 
present  brick  one  stands,  and  underwent  several  repairs, 


HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS.  299 

and  ill  1827  gave  place  to  the  present  one,  for  which  the 
district  was  taxed,  in  1827  and  1828,  two  hundred  and 
sixteen  dollars. 

District  No.  Seventeen, — noiv  No.  Three  in  Chester. 

This  district  was  formed  from  No.  1  and  No.  3,  in  1805. 
The  school-house  was  probably  built  by  individuals,  and 
stood  a  few  rods  southeast  of  the  Josiah  Chase  house,  now 
Fred.  Morse's.  In  1808  fifty-two  dollars  and  twenty  cents 
school  tax  was  raised.  The  house  was  afterwards  moved 
to  near  where  the  present  brick  house  stands,  and  in  1835 
sold  to  Elijah  Hall  for  a  tenement,  and  the  brick  one  built. 
Tax  raised,  1835,  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  ;  1836, 
two  hundred  and  seventy  dollars. 

District  No.  Eighteen, — HeacVs,  in  JTooksett. 

The  first  school-house  in  this  district  was  built  about 
1805,  and  burned  in  1808.  A  tax  of  two  hundred  and  fif- 
teen dollars  raised,  and  the  house  rebuilt  in  1808.  The  new 
one  burned  in  1839,  and  a  good  brick  one  built  in  its  place, 
costing  five  hundred  dollars.  This  district  has  been  No.  1 
in  Hooksett.  Sometime  prior  to  1842  it  was  divided,  and 
a  new  district,  No.  7,  constituted  at  the  Factory,  and  a 
house  built  in  1818,  costing  five  hundred  dollars.  There 
has  been  another  district  formed  from  the  Head  district, 
No.  9,  and  a  house  built  near  the  Head  tavern  in  1857, 
costing  six  hundred  dollars. 

District  No.  Nineteen,  —  Martinis  (No.  Two')  in  Hooksett. 

All  of  Chester  woods  was  once  in  one  district.  Robert 
Martin,  born  1778,  informed  me  that  when  a  boy  there  was 
a  log  school-house  near  Martin's  Ferry,  which  probably 
accommodated  that  part  of  Chester,  and  the  upper  part  of 
Derryfield.  There  was  probably  no  other  school-house 
before  the  turnpike  was  built  in  1806.  In  1808  one  hun- 
dred and  twelve  dollars  were  raised  by  tax,  and  a  house 
built  at  the  junction  of  the  turnpike  and  White  Hall  road. 


300  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

District  No.  Twenty/, — No.  Eight  in  Auburn. 

This  district  was  a  part  of  No.  5,  and  was  constituted  in 
1806.  The  school-house  was  probably  commenced  by  indi- 
viduals.    In  1808  fifty  dollars  were  raised  by  tax. 

District  No.  Twenty-one, —  Beech  Hill  (No.  Three)  in  Hook- 
sett. 

Constituted  1821.  Was  in  Chester  but  one  year.  The 
school-house  stands  by  the  turnpike  above  Hall's-mill 
brook,  where  the  road  to  Candia  turns  from  the  turnpike. 
There  have  been  two  school-houses  burned  there. 

In  1851  a  building  was  erected  by  a  few  individuals  at  an 
expense  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  including 
school  furniture.  In  1855  the  building  and  land  were  sold 
to  the  town  of  Chester  for  a  town-house,  for  one  thousand 
two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  reserving  forever  the  use  of 
the  second  story  for  school  purposes,  to  be  under  the  control 
of  the  trustees  of  Chester  Academy.  A  high  school  has 
been  kept  in  it  a  portion  of  each  year  since  that  time. 


HISTORY   OF   SCHOOLS. 


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802 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


Money  ArrROPRiAXED  for  Schools  ix  Auburn. 


District 

1846. 

1850. 

1855. 

1860. 

1865. 

No.  1 

$15  92 

$34  12 

$48  03 

$45  36 

$31  02 

*  1 

9  00 

10  00 

10  00 

2 

28  41 

47  95 

57  06 

67  59 

55  59 

3 

50  07 

80  32 

95  03 

109  30 

117  71 

4 

26  42 

57  16 

81  87 

75  24 

46  27 

5 

27  17 

47  02 

60  56 

72  34 

62  07 

6 

27  56 

40  41 

58  41 

59  56 

59  01 

7 

27  77 

49  42 

76  16 

90  23 

81  03 

8 

33  37 

57  48 

67  05 

63  36 

51  12 

$2.'!6  69 

$413  88 

$.553  17 

$592  98 

$513  82 

•  Money  received  Irom  Chester  in  No.  1. 

In  1759  there  was  paid  to  the  northwest  part  of  the 
town,  towards  Suncook,  ten  pounds,  old  tenor,  equal  to 
about  one  dollar  and  sixty-seven  cents  for  their  part  of  the 
school  money. 

In  1767  Joseph  Brown  was  paid  twelve  shillings  lawful 
money  ;  and  for  1766,  nine  shillings. 

In  1810  District  No.  18,  Head's,  had  thirty-nine  dollars 
and  twenty  cents ;  No.  19,  Martin's,  tliirty-six  dollars  and 
nine  cents;  No.  21, Beech-Hill, fourteen  dollars  and  ninety- 
two  cents. 

No.  18  has  been  divided  into  Nos.  1,  7  and  9  ;  No.  19  is 
No.  2,  and  No.  21  is  No.  3. 

Money  ArrRorRiAXED  to  these  Districts  by  Hooksett. 


District 

1842. 

1845. 

1850. 

1855. 

1860. 

1865. 

No.  1 
7 
9 
2 
3 

$68  85 
83  28 

57  77 
27  12 

$78  52 
98  89 

83  69 

32  40 

$99  05 

116  23 

117  66 
46  73 

$217  42 
222  87 

216  86 
116  37 

$125  05 

185  65 

110  40 

190  57 

98  68 

$116  72 
116  72 

86  '20 
177  72 

76  64 

Where  the  school  money  was  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents 
in  1766,  it  was  seven  hundred  and  eighty-nine  dollars  and 
forty-two  cents  in  1865. 


GEADUATES.  803 


LIST   OF   GRADUATES. 

The  following  list  contains  the  names  of  those  who  were 
natives  of  Chester ;  also  of  those  who  were  residents  dur- 
ing their  college  course,  though  not  natives. 

1761.  John  Flagg,  son  of  Rev.  Ebenezer,  and  Lucretia 
Keys,  born  Feb.  24,  1742,  graduated  at  Harvard,  1761 ; 
M.  D,,  1766 ;  settled  at  Lynn,  Mass. 

1778.  John  Webster,  son  of  Col.  John  "Webster  and 
Hannah  Hobbs,  born  March  13,  1754 ;  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth, 1778  ;  studied  theology  and  preached  some,  but 
gave  up  the  profession  from  diffidence  ;  settled  in  Chester, 
and  removed  to  Franklin,  Yt.,  and  died  Jan.  7,  1838,  aged 
eighty-three. 

1787.  Jonathan  Calef,  son  of  Joseph  Calef  and  Eliza- 
beth Jewel,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  ;  was  pastor  of  the 
Congregational  church,  Bloomfield,  Maine,  1794,  dismissed 
1708;  installed  at  Lyman,  1801,  dismissed  1831;  died 
April  25, 1845,  aged  eighty-three. 

1798.  Josiali  Webster,  son  of  Nathan  Webster  and 
Elizabeth  Clifford,  born  Jan.  16,  1772  ;  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth, studied  theology  with  Rev.  Stephen  Peabody,  of 
Atkinson  ;  ordained  Fourth  Congregational  church,  Ips- 
wich (Chebacco),  1799,  dismissed  1806;  installed  at 
Hampton,  June  8,  1808 ;  married  Elizabeth  Knight,  of  At- 
kinson ;  died  in  1837.  John  Calvin,  graduated  at  Dart 
mouth  in  1832,  Joseph  Dana,  1832,  and  Claudius  Buchan- 
nan,  1836,  were  his  sons. 

1805.  Francis  Brown,  son  of  Benjamin  Brown  and 
Prudence  Kelly,  born  Jan.  11,  1784  ;  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth ;  tutor  at  Dartmouth  from  1806  to  1809 ;  studied 
theology ;  ordained  at  North  Yarmouth,  Maine,  Jan.  10, 
1810,  dismissed  1815  ;  appointed  President  of  Dartmouth 
Sept.  27,  1815 ;  went  a  tour  to  western  New  York  for  a 
consumptive  tendency  in  1818,  and  to  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia  in  1819,  and  died  soon  after  his  return,  July  27, 
1820.  In  person  he  was  commanding  and  dignified,  and 
of  prepossessing  manners,  and  had  a  mind  of  uncommon 


£04  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

acuteness  and  moral  worth,  lie  was  forced  into  a  conflict 
between  the  college  and  the  state,  the  trustees  having  re- 
moved President  Wheelock  and  appointed  him,  the  Legisla- 
ture and  the  Superior  Court  being  in  favor  of  President 
"Wheelock.  But  the  case  was  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court 
of  tlie  United  States,  by  writ  of  error,  and  was  decreed  in 
favor  of  the  trustees.  His  course  was  unexceptionable,  and 
for  the  college  effective.  Williams  and  Hamilton  conferred 
D.  D.  in  1819.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Rev. 
Tristram  Oilman,  of  North  Yarmouth,  Feb.  4,  1811,  and 
had  three  children.  Samuel  Oilman  Brown,  Dartmouth, 
1831,  Professor  at  Dartmouth  and  President  of  Hamilton 
College,  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  is  his  son. 

1806.  Edmund  Flagg,  son  of  Josiah  Flagg  and  Anna 
Webster,  born  July  13, 1787,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  ;  Avas 
preceptor  of  Moore's  school,  1803  and  '7  ;  read  law  with 
Daniel  French,  of  Chester,  and  F.  D.  Channing,  of  Boston  ; 
settled  in  Wiscassett,  Maine,  1810 ;  was  Register  of  Pro- 
bate, 1812,  and  is  said  to  have  possessed  shining  talents. 
He  went  abroad  for  his  health,  and  died  at  St.  Croix,  W.  I., 
Dec.  14,  1815.  He  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Col.  Da- 
vid Payson  of  Wiscassett. 

1803.  William  White,  son  of  Col.  William  White  and 
Elizabeth  Mitchel,  born  May  13,  1783  ;  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth. He  read  la^v  witli  Amos  Kent,  of  Chester,  and 
John  Wilson,  of  Belfast ;  commenced  practice  at  Union, 
Maine,  1809;  was  post-master  from  1809  to  '12  ;  removed 
to  Thomaston  and  Belfast ;  published  orations  and  a  his- 
tory of  Belfast ;  died  June  17,  1831. 

1811.  .Caleb  Chase,  son  of  Moody  Chase  and  Anna 
Webster,  born  Feb.  4,  1783,  graduated  at  Dartmouth.  He 
studied  theology  but  never  preached ;  was  several  years  a 
teacher,  and  in  a  bookstore.  He  died  at  Portland,  Sept.  2, 
1850. 

1814.  Samuel  Emerson,  son  of  Capt.  John  Emerson 
and  Elizabeth  French,  born  Feb.  4,  1792,  graduated  at 
Dartmouth  ;  read  law  with  Amos  Kent,  of  Chester ;  com- 
menced practice  at  Moultonborough,  1817  ;  Sandwich  1824; 


GRADUATES.  305 

Moultonborough  again  in  1827  ;  Solicitor  of  Carroll  county ; 
Senator,  1859 ;  married  Mary  Ann  F.  Morton,  1817,  and 
Elizabeth  (Merril)  Picket,  1860. 

1816,  Samuel  Dana  Bell,  son  of  Hon.  Samuel  Bell, 
graduated  at  Harvard ;  LL.  D.  at  Dartmouth,  1851.  (See 
the  Genealogy.) 

1816.  John  Rogers,  son  of  Major  William  Rogers  and 
Abigail  Worth,  born  at  West  Newbury,  Mass.,  May  2-1, 1787 ; 
graduated  at  Dartmouth.  His  mother  married  Moody 
Chase,  which  brought  him  to  Chester.  Before  preparing 
for  college,  he  learned  the  art  of  dressing  cloth  of  Wil- 
liam Haselton  of  Suncook.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr. 
Chadborne  of  Concord ;  graduated  from  the  Medical  De- 
partment of  Dartmouth  in  1819  ;  commenced  practice  in 
Chester;  removed  to  Boscawen,  and  died  January  5,  1830. 
He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Caleb  Knight  of  Wake- 
field. 

1818.  James  White,  son  of  Colonel  William  White  and 
Elizabeth  Mitchel,  born  September  2,  1792,  graduated  at 
Dartmouth.  He  read  law  with  his  brother  William,  at 
Belfast,  and  began  practice  there  in  1821.  Was  State 
Treasurer  from  1842  to  1847.  He  married  Lydia  Shaw 
Wood  and  Mrs.  Hannah  W.  Cushman. 

1820.  ■  John  Bell,  son  of  Hon.  Samuel  Bell,  graduated  at 
Union. 

1822.  James  Bell,  son  of  Hon.  Samuel  Bell,  graduated 
at  Bowdoin. 

1822.  Luther  Y.  Bell,  son  of  Hon.  Samuel  Bell,  gradu- 
ated at  Bowdoin.     (See  Genealogy  of  the  Bell  Family.) 

1825.  Thomas  Tenney,  son  of  Silas  Tenney  and  Rebecca 
Bailey,  born  at  Bradford,  Mass.,  Xovem1>er  10,  1798 ;  grad- 
uated at  Dartmouth  ;  taught  at  Moore's  school ;  Hampton, 
two  years  ;  Portland,  one  year ;  studied  theology  with  Rev. 
N.  Ronton  ;  ordained  at  Standish,  Me.,  dismissed  in  six 
years ;  taught  in  Gorham  four  years  ;  has  preached  at 
Mason  City  and  Plymouth,  Iowa.  He  married  Martha 
Tenney,  daughter  of  William  Parker  of  Dunbarton. 

1826.  John  S.  Emerson,  son  of  Captain  John  Emerson 

20 


306  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

and  Elizabsth  French,  born  December  23,  1800,  graduated 
at  Dartmouth ;  graduated  at  Andover  m  1830 ;  agent  of 
A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  in  1830-31 ;  ordained  a  missionary  in  1831, 
sailed  November,  1831,  arrived  at  Honokilu  in  May,  1832  ; 
visited  the  United  States  in  1860,  when  Dartmouth  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  degree  of  M.  D. ;  staid  eleven  months 
and  returned.  He  has  published  several  valuable  elemen- 
tary books  in  the  languages  of  the  Sandwich  Islands.  Died 
March  26,  1867.  He  married  Ursula  Sophia,  daughter  of 
Rev.  Gad  Newell,  of  Nelson,  October  25, 1831. 

1827.  Henry  J.  Hall,  son  of  Joseph  Hall  and  Ruth  Har- 
riman,  born  October  25,  1795,  graduated  at  Watcrville,  Me. 
He  is  a  minister  at  Kalamazoo,  Michigan.  He  married 
Emily  A.  Wood  in  1828. 

1827.  Sewell  Tenney,  son  of  Silas  Tenncy  and  Robecca 
Bailey,  born  at  Bradford,  Mass.,  August  27,  1801,  gradu- 
ated at  Dartmouth  ;  taught  at  Sanbornton  one  year ;  grad- 
uated at  Andover  in  1831 ;  ordained  in  1831  ;  installed 
over  the  Bethel  church,  Portland,  and  dismissed  in  1835. 

1832.  Stephen  Chase,  son  of  Benjamin  Pike  Chase  and 
Mary  Chase,  born  August  30,  1813,  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth ;  studied  at  Andover  one  year  in  the  class  of  1834  ; 
preceptor  at  Gorham  one  year ;  taught  in  Virginia  and 
Maryland  two  years  ;  tutor  and  professor  at  Dartmouth 
from  1838  till  his  death.  He  published  a  treatise  on  Alge- 
bra. He  died  January  7,  1851.  He  married  Sarah  T. 
Goodwin,  of  South  Berwick.  Frederic  Cliase  (Dartmouth, 
1860),  and  Walter  Wells  Chase  (Dartmouth,  1865),  were 
his  sons. 

1835.  Charles  Tenney,  son  of  Silas  Tenney  and  Rebecca 
Bailey,  born  at  Chester,  September  23,  1814,  graduated  at 
Dartmouth  ;  preceptor  at  Gilmanton  one  year  ;  at  San- 
bornton in  1837  ;  graduated  at  Bangor  in  1840  ;  Gilman- 
ton again  from  1841  to  1844 ;  professor  of  rhetoric  of 
the  tlicological  seminary  at  Gilmanton  in  1844  ;  ordained 
in  1844 ;  installed  at  North  Haverhill  and  Plaistow  in 
1853,  dimissed  in  1858;  installed  at  Biddeford,  Me.,  in 
1858. 


GRADUATES.  307 

1838.  Christopher  S.  Ball,  son  of  Hon.  John  Bell  and 
Persis  Thorn,  born  June  4,  1819,  graduated  at  Dartmouth. 
(See  the  Bell  Family.) 

1841.  Daniel  Tenner,  son  of  Silas  Tenney  and  Rebecca 
Bailey, born  December  10,  181<3,  graduated  at  Dartmouth; 
graduated  at  Lane  Seminary  in  1844 ;  settled  at  Oxford,  Ohio, 
from  1845  to  1856  ;  Lawrence,  Mass.,  from  1857  to  1862  ; 
Boston  from  1862  to  1865.  He  married  Mary  Adams, 
daughter  of  Deacon  Nathaniel  Parker,  September  22, 1844. 

1842.  Perley  Smith  Chase,  son  of  Josiali  Chase  and 
Abigail  Shaw,  born  November  8,  1817,  graduated  at  Brown 
University.     He  read  law,  and  practiced  at  Lawrence. 

1843.  Amos  Lufkin,  son  of  Nehemiah  Lufkin  and 
Rachael  Currier,  born  September  1,  1816,  graduated  at 
Dartmouth  ;  taught  at  Taunton  and  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

1843.  John  Wason  Ray,  son  of  Stark  Ray  and  Hannah 
Wason,  born  December  23,  1814,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  ; 
taught  at  Atkinson  in  1843-'44  ;  Manchester,  from  1814  to 
1848;  Eastport,  1848-'49 ;  Reed's  Ferry,  1850;  also  at 
Derry ;  ordained,  and  stated  supply  at  Gofifstown.  He  is 
now  at  Hastings,  Minnesota. 

1844.  Charles  Henry  Bell,  son  of  Hon.  John  Bell  and 
Persis  Thom,  born  November  18,  1823,  graduated  at  Dart- 
mouth.    (See  Genealogy  of  the  Bell  Family.) 

1844.  Hiram  Chase,  son  of  Josiah  Chase  and  Abigail- 
Shaw,  born  July  1,  1819,  graduated  at  Union  ;  died  August 
31,  1845. 

1847.  Rufus  Jay  Kittredge,  son  of  Dr.  Riifus  Kittredge 
and  Sally  Temple  Underbill,  born  in  1828,  graduated  at 
Dartmouth,  and  M.  D.  at  Jefferso-n  Medical  College.  He- 
died  in  1850. 

1848.  John  Currier  Clark,  son  of  John  Clark  and  Eliza- 
beth Currier,  born  at  Chester  (now  xVuburn),  March  3, 
1822,  graduated  at  the  Wesleyan  Univereity,  Middleton, 
Conn. ;  immediately  became  teacher  of  mathematics  at  the- 
New  Hampshire  Canference  Seminary  ;  then  Principal  of 
the  institution  in  1850 ;  resigned  in  1852,  on  aiccount  of 
ill  health ;  then  went  into  the  lumber  trade  at  Cleveland, 


308  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Ohio ;  then  at  Detroit,  and  now  resides  at  St.  Clair,  Michi- 
gan, where  he  is  County  Superintendent  of  Schools. 

1850.  David  Bremner,  son  of  William  Bremner  and 
Helen  Frazer,  born  in  Scotland  June  25, 1828,  graduated 
at  Dartmouth,  and  at  Andover  in  1853  ;  pastor  of  the  Sec- 
ond Congregational  church  at  Rockport  from  1855  to  18G4; 
at  Plymouth  in  1864. 

1851.  George  Bell,  son  of  Hon.  Samuel  Bell,  born  June 
28,  1829,  graduated  at  Dartmouth. 

1852.  John  Bell,  brother  of  the  above,  graduated  at 
Dartmouth. 

1853.  Charles  Bell,  brother  of  the  above,  graduated  at 
Brown  University.     (See  Genealogy  of  the  Bell  Family.) 

1854.  Edmund  Webster  Kittredge,  son  of  Dr.  Rufus 
Kittredge  and  Sally  Temple  Undcrhill,  born  November  29, 
1833,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  ;  read  law  at  Harvard,  and 
practices  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

1855.  Nathan  Sherburne  Haselton,  son  of  Thomas  Has- 
.elton  and  Elizabeth  Sanborn,  born  March  29,  1829,  gradu- 
;ated  at  Dartmouth,  and  at  Andover  in  1858  ;  ordained  at 
Springfield,  Vt.,  January,  1859  ;  died  January  22,  18G0. 
He  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Rev.  Robert  F.  Lawrence, 
of  .Claremont. 

1855.  David  Quigg,  son  of  Abel  G.  Quigg  and  Lydia 
Bixby,  born  at  Litchfield  in  1834 ;  read  law  at  Peoria,  and 
practices  at  Cliicago. 

1856.  Charles  Tenney  Melvin,son  of  Thomas  J.  Melvin 
and  Harriet  Tenney,  born  June  23,  1835,  graduated  at 
Dartmouth,  aud  Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  1859  ; 
pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Columbus,  and  Elk 
<Grove,  aiid  Rising  Sun  Prairie,  Wisconsin  ;  married  Eliz- 
abeth, daughter  of  Thomas  Tracy,  in  1860,  and  Sarah  A. 
Yauderburg  in  1864. 

1857.  Arthur  Falsena,  son  of  Hon.  John  Folsom  and 
Dorothy  Temple  Underhill,  born  July  4,  1833,  graduated 
at  Amherst ;  studied  theology  at  Danville  Theological 
Seminary,  Kentucky ;  about  1862  went  a  missionary  to 
Canton,  China,  under  the  Old  School  Board  of  Foreign 
Missions. 


UNDER-GRADUATES.  309 

1857.  Richard  Folsom, brother  of  the  foregoing,  graduated 
at  Amherst ;  studied  law  at  the  Harvard  Lavr  School,  and 
is  in  practice  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

1862.  David  Folsom,  brother  of  the  above,  born  July  4, 
1839,  graduated  at  Dartmouth.  He  was  a  merchant  at 
Memphis,  Tennessee,  in  1862-'63  ;  at. New  Orleans  to  Feb- 
ruary, 1864  ;  then  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.  The  three  above 
were  born  in  what  is  now  Auburn. 

UNDER-GRADUATES. 

Eleazer  Blanchard,  son  of  Hon.  Joseph  Blanchard  and 
Sarah  Calfe,  died  1809,  aged  twenty-seven,  a  Sophomore  at 
Dartmouth. 

Arthur  Livermore  French,  son  of  Hon.  Daniel  French 
and  Betsy  T.  M.  Flagg,  died  April  25, 1825,  aged  nineteen, 
a  Junior  at  Dartmouth. 

James  Isaac  Bell,  son  of  Hon.  John  Bell,  entered  Dart- 
mouth 1837.     (See  the  Bell  Family.) 

Samuel  Francis  Murry,  of  Auburn,  son  of  Samuel  Murrj 
and  Eveline  French,  entered  Dartmouth  1861 ;  after  one 
term  enlisted  into  the  second  regiment  U.  S.  Sharp-shooters, 
was  promoted  to  captain,  and  is  now  a  druggist  at  Man- 
chester. 

Charles  "Warren  Kimball,  son  of  Lewis  Kimball  and  El- 
eanor Elkins,  born  1847,  now,  1868,  a  Sophomore  at  Dart- 
mouth. 

Albert  Augustus  Osgood,  of  Auburn,  son  of  Cady]  Os- 
good and  Mary  Kelly,  born  Feb.  9,  1844,  now,  1868,  a 
Sophomore  at  Dartmoutli. 

Oilman  Jenness,  son  of  Abraham  Jenness  and  Abigai  1 
Haselton,  born  at  Derry,  Feb.  25,  1850,  now  a  resident  of 
Chester,  Sophomore  at  Dartmouth. 

James  F.  Savage,  of  Auburn,  son  of  Rev.  Isaac  A.  Sav- 
age and  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  John  Clark,  born  Feb.  24, 
1849,  Freshman  at  Dartmouth. 

Charles  Almond  Goldsmith,  of  Auburn,  son  of  Thomas 
Goldsmith  and  Esther  McDuffee,  born  June  29, 1846,  is 
now  a  Senior  in  the  Medical  Department  of  Harvard  Uni- 
versity. 


310  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


PROFESSIONAL    MEN,   NOT     COLLEGE     GRADUATES,    NATIVES     OF 

CHESTER. 

Dr.  Edward  Dearborn,  son  of  Jonathan  Dearborn  and 
Delia  Robie,  studied  medicine  and  practiced  at  Seabrook. 

Dr.  Cyrus  Dearborn,  brother  of  Edward,  studied  medi- 
cine, and  practiced  at  East  Salisbury,  Mass. 

Dr.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  another  brother,  studied  medi- 
cine, and  practiced  at  Nashua.  (See  under  the  name  in 
early  settlers.) 

Dr.  Jonathan  Ililliard  Shaw,  son  of  Cornet  David  Shaw 
and  Abigail  Smith,  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Benjamin 
Kittredge,  practiced  in  Candia  and  Dunbarton,  and  went  as 
surgeon  on  board  of  a  privateer  in  1814  ;  died  Sept.  3, 1821. 

Dr.  John  Sargent,  son  of  Abraham  Sargent  and  Lydia 
Richardson,  born  Jan.  6,  1793,  studied  medicine  with  Dr. 
Zadock  Howe,  of  Concord,  practiced  at  Loudon,  Sandwich 
and  Tamworth  ;  died  at  Moultonborough,  May  17,  1840. 

Dr.  Josiah  I.  Hall,  son  of  John  Hall  and  Hannah  Ingalls, 
born  March  1,  1805,  studied  medicine  with  Drs.  Benjamin 
and  Rufus  Kittredge,  and  Dr.  McMullan  of  New  Boston, 
practiced  in  Manchester,  and  now  resides  in  Chester,  but 
does  not  practice. 

John  James  Bell,  son  of  Hon.  S.  D.  Bell  and  Mary 
Healey,  born  Oct.  30, 1827  ;  attorney-at-law  now  at  Exeter. 
(See  genealogical  part  of  this  work.) 

Dr.  Rufus  Shackford,  son  of  Capt.  Samuel  Shackford  and 
Hannah  Currier,  born  Dec.  17, 1816,  studied  medicine  wath 
Dr.  James  M.  Curamings,  Groton,  Mass. ;  in  the  Tremont 
street  medical  school,  Boston  ;  attended  lectures  at  Dart- 
mouth in  1842,  also  at  Harvard  in  1843  and  '44;  graduated 
from  Harvard  March,  1845  ;  practiced  at  Groton,  also  at 
Lowell,  and  removed  to  Portland,  where  he  is  still  in  prac- 
tice. 

Dr.  Hosea  Ballon  Burnham,  son  of  Miles  Burnham  and 
Saloma  Hall,  born  at  Chester,  now  Auburn  ;  fitted  for  col- 
lege at  Gilmanton  and  Sanbornton   Bridge ;  entered   the 


PHYSICIANS.  311 

Wesleyaii  University  1818,  remained  there  through  his  Jun- 
ior year,  then  left  on  account  of  ill  health  ;  studied  medi- 
cine with  Dr.  W.  D.  Buck,  of  Manchester  ;  M.  D,,  Vermont 
Medical  College,  1853 ;  is  a  fellow  of  the  N.  H.  Medical 
Society  and  member  of  the  American  Medical  Association  ; 
in  practice  at  Epping. 

Dr.  Mary  E.  Cox,  daughter  of  Rufus  Sanborn  and  Betsy 
Eitts,  born  at  Chester,  Nov.  1834,  studied  medicine  and 
received  the  degree  of  M.  D.  at  N.  Y.  Hygeio  Therapeutic 
College,  1861 ;  at  present  resides  in  Chester,  travels  and 
lectures  on  the  laws  of  health. 

Dr.  James  F.  Brown.     (See  Physicians.) 

PHYSICIANS. 

Who  was  the  first  physician  in  Chester  is  not  known. 
Tabitha  Foss,  in  her  administration  account,  1747,  charges 
for  having  paid  Drs.  Rogers  and  Bond  ;  and  Mary  Has- 
clton,  in  1759,  charges  as  having  paid  Dr.  John  Bond,  and 
they  probably  resided  in  Ciiester.  There  was  a  Master 
Wood  who  taught  school  in  1746,  '47  and  '48  ;  and  there 
was  a  Dr.  George  Wood  in  Chester,  who  removed  to  Lon- 
donderry about  1770  and  practiced  there  until  about  1785, 
but  there  is  no  certainty  that  they  were  the  same. 

Dr.  Samuel  Moore  was  a  school  teacher  in  1749  and  '50. 
He  married  Mehitabel  Ingalls  about  1750.  He  removed  to 
Candia  Corner  and  was  a  very  prominent  man  there,  though 
I  think  not  as  a  practicing  physician.  Mrs.  Moore  was 
famous  as  a  midwife.     He  died  in  1793  ;  she  died  in  1818. 

Dr.  John  Ordway  was  a  native  of  Amesbury,  came  to 
Chester  and  taught  school  in  1758  ;  married  Sarah,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  Robie,  in  1760,  and  lived  nearly  opposite 
where  John  Robinson  now  lives.     He  died  about  1770. 

Dr.  John  Manning  is  paid  for  a  visit  to  a  pauper  in  1781, 
and  is  taxed  in  1785.     Nothing  further  is  known  of  him. 

Dr.  Benjamin  Page  was  in  town  and  his  family  had  the 
small-pox  in  1778.  H-j  was  in  Chester  in  1785  and  '87. 
There  was  a  Dr.  Page  in  Raymond,  who  lived  on  No.  122, 


312  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Old  Hundreds,  and  Dr.  Benjamin  Page  is  taxed  for  the  Ray- 
mond place  several  years.  His  buildings  in  Chester  were 
burned  April  5,  1791.  New  buildings  were  put  up,  which 
he  sold  to  Joseph  Robinson  about  1793,  and  left  town. 
He  died  at  Hallowell,  Oct  28,  1825,  aged  seventy-eight. 

Dr.  Thomas  Sargent  came  to  Chester  about  1777,  and 
practiced  until  about  1818,  and  removed  to  Canada.  (See 
his  name  as  an  early  settler.) 

Dr.  Samuel  Foster  was  born  in  Bilerica,  Mass. ;  studied 
medicine  at  Woodstock,  Conn.  He  came  to  Chester  and 
married  Mary  Colcord  of  Brentwood,  Feb.  19,  1789.  He 
removed  to  Candia  in  June  of  the  same  year,  and  prac- 
ticed there  until  1812.     He  died  at  Brentwood,  1826. 

Dr.  Benjamin  Kittredge  came  to  Chester  in  1790,  and 
died  1830. 

Dr.  Rufus  Kittredge,  his  son,  studied  with  his  father  and 
practiced  in  Candia  one  year,  and  in  Chester  until  1849, 
then  removed  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  He  is  yet  alive.  (See 
the  name  in  the  genealogical  history.) 

Dr.  Frederic  Mitchell  practiced  in  Chester  from  1815  to 
1817  or  '18.     Nothing  further  is  known  of  him. 

Dr.  Josiah  Richards  came  to  Chester,  June,  1814  ;  M.  D., 
Dartmouth,  1814.  He  stayed  but  a  short  time  and  went  to 
Claremont. 

Dr.  John  Rogers  graduated  at  Dartmouth,  1816  ;  studied 
with  Dr.  Chadborne  of  Concord ;  M.  D.,  Dartmouth,  1819, 
when  he  settled  in  Chester  ;  removed  to  Boscawen,  1821  or 
'22  ;  died  1830.     (See  Graduates.) 

Dr.  Nathan  Plummer,  son  of  Nathan  Plummer  and  Mary 
Palmer,  born  Aug.  16,  1787  ;  studied  medicine  with  Dr. 
Robert  Bartley  of  Londonderry  ;  practiced  a  short  time 
there  ;  came  to  the  Long  Meadows  1818 ;  married  first, 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Rev.  Zaccheus  Colby ;  second,  Mehit- 
abel,  daughter  of  Robert  Dinsmore  ;  alive  1869,  but  disabled 
for  practice  by  the  infirmities  of  age.  Dr.  Albert  Plum- 
mer, M.  D.,  Bowdoin,  now  of  Hamilton,  Minnesota,  is  his 
son.  • 

Dr.  Lemuel  M.  Barker,  son  of  Lemuel  and  Mary  Barker, 


^d&~ 


^^''C^Jkec'^ty  (/ loty^n^-ff^-^'  'y'f^^- 


PHYSICIANS.  313 

studied  medicine  with  Dr.  R.  D.  Murray  ;  M.  D.,  Dartmouth 
182-i ;  commenced  practice  at  Chester,  1825  ;  removed  to 
Great  Falls,  1831 ;  thence  to  Boston  ;  has  been  superinten- 
dent and  resident  physician  of  the  Massachusetts  State 
Hospital  and  member  of  the  State  Senate  ;  now  resides  in 
Maiden  ;  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Hon.  William  M. 
Richardson,  1826. 

Dr.  Joseph  Reynolds,  son  of  Rev.  P.  Reynolds,  born  at 
"Wilmington,  Mass.,  Aug.  2,  1800  ;  studied  medicine  with 
Dr.  James  P.  Chaplin  of  Cambridge  ;  M.  D.  at  Boston, 
1828 ;  came  to  Chester,  March,  1830 ;  thence  to  Gloucester ; 
thence  to  Concord,  Mass.,  1852,  where  he  still  resides. 

Dr.  "William  "W.  Brown,  son  of  Ebenezer  Brown  and 
Mary  "Whittier ;  born  in  Vermont,  Aug.  28,  1801 ;  fitted  to 
the  senior  class  of  Union  College,  but  was  prevented  by 
sickness ;  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  John  Poole  at  Brad- 
ford, Vt.,  and  with  Prof.  Mussey  ;  M.  D.,  Dartmouth  ;  Jan., 
1831,  commenced  practice  at  Poplin,  had  an  extensive 
practice  in  that  and  the  neighboring  towns ;  removed  to 
Chester,  1834,  and  remained  until  1845;  spent  the  winter 
of  1845  and  '6  at  the  University  and  hospitals  of  New 
York  ;  then  settled  in  Manchester ;  was  surgeon  of  the 
Seventh  N.  H.  Vols,  nearly  three  years.  His  son,  "W'illiam 
C,  was  hospital  steward,  and  died  soon  after  his  return. 
His  son,  Charles  L.,  was  lieutenant  in  the  Fourth  N.  H. 
Vols.,  died  at  Folly  Island,  S.  C. 

Dr.  Darius  A.  Dow,  born  at  Sugar  Hill,  Plaistow,  came 
to  Chester  about  1847  ;  removed  about  1850  ;  married  a 
daughter  of  Abel  G.  Quigg,  and  is  said  now  to  reside  at 
"Westford,  Mass. 

Dr.  Jacob  P.  "Whittemore,  son  of  Jacob  "Whittemore  and 
Rebecca  Bradford,  born  at  Antrim,  May  10,  1810  ;  studied 
medicine  with  Dr.  Gregg  of  Hopkinton  and  Prof.  Dixi 
Crosby;  M.  D.,  Dartmouth,  1847  ;  practiced  at  Hartford, 
Vt.,and  Gilmanton  ;  came  to  Chester,  Dec,  1847;  removed 
to  Haverhill,  Mass.,  1864.  His  son,  James  H.,  M.  D.,  Dart- 
mouth, 1861,  is  assistant  physician  at  the  McLean  Asylum. 

Dr.  James  F.  Brown,  son  of  James  Brovrn  and  Elizabeth 


314  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

W.  Langford,  born  on  the  "  Neck  "  in  Cliestcr,  now  Auburn, 
Sept.  6, 1838  ;  studied  medicine  with  Prof.  Crosby  ;  M.  D., 
Dartmouth,  1861 ;  settled  in  Chester,  Oct.,  1801,  and  is  yet 
in  active  practice  there.  He  married  Abbie,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Scribner  and  Ann  Langford  of  Raymond. 

Dr.  Geo.  W.  Manter,  son  of  Francis  Manter  and  Harriet 
Revall,  born  at  Londonderry,  Aug.  22, 1824  ;  studied  med- 
icine with  Dr.  William  H.  Martin  of  Londonderry ;  M.  D. 
at  Castleton  (Vt.)  Medical  College,  1854 ;  commenced  prac- 
tice at  Auburn,  Feb.,  1855  ;  removed  to  Manchester,  May, 
1862,  and  is  in  practice  there. 

Dr.  Hanson  C.  Canney,  son  of  Paul  Canney  and  Eliza  Han- 
son, born  at  Strafford,  Nov.  17,  1841 ;  studied  medicine 
with  John  Wheeler,  M.  D.,  of  Barnstead  and  Prof.  A.  B. 
Crosby  ;  M.  D.,  Dartmouth,  1864  ;  commenced  practice  in 
Auburn,  1865,  and  remains  there. 

Dr.  John  Dearborn  has  resided  in  Chester  several  years, 
and  is  a  botanic  physician. 

The  wife  of  Dea.  ]\[att]iew  Forsaith,  the  wife  of  Dr. 
Samuel  Moore,  and  Mary  Bradley,  the  wife  of  Caleb  Hall, 
were  noted  in  their  day  as  midwives.  These  midwives  bore 
the  appellation  of  "  Granny."  The  wife  of  Joseph  Clark 
bore  that  a[)pellation  and  probal)ly  officiated  in  that  ca- 
pacity. Likewise  Mary,  the  wife  of  Roliert  Gordon,  and 
mother  of  David  White's  wife,  who  died  about  1795  at  a 
very  advanced  age. 

Capt.  James  Shirley,  who  died  1796,  was  a  seventh  son 
and  famous  for  curing  king's  evil  or  scrofula  by  the  stroke 
of  the  hand. 

Henry  West,  born  1781,  was  also  a  seventh  son,  and 
people  made  long  journeys  to  come  to  him  and  he  made 
long  journeys  to  visit  patients. 

ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW. 

John  Porter,  son  of  Asa  Porter  and  Mehitabel  Crocker, 
was  born  at  Haverhill ;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1787 ; 
studied  law  ;  was  introduced  into  Chester  l)y  Toppan  Web- 
ster, to  do  his  collecting ;  came  April  1,  1790 ;  removed 


'k 


' i::^>7^9^-^^^^ 


;>^^-tr^t 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  CONGREGATIONAL.  315 

April  19, 1793,  to  Broome  county,  Canada  East ;  died  there, 
time  not  known. 

Arthur  Livermore  came  to  Chester  in  1793,  and  was  ap- 
pointed a  Justice  of  Superior  Court  December  21,  1799, 
•which  office  he  held  until  1810  ;  Chief  Justice,  from  1813 
to  1816.  He  afterwards  lived  in  Holderness,  and  died 
there. 

Daniel  French  immediately  succeeded  Judge  Livermore  ; 
died  October  15,  1840.     (See  the  Genealogy.) 

Amos  Kent  came  to  Chester  in  1854;  died  June  8, 1824. 
(See  the  Genealogy.) 

Samuel  D.  Bell  came  to  Chester  in  1820 ;  removed  to 
Exeter  in  1830.     (See  the  Genealogy.) 

David  Pillsbury  immediately  succeeded  Samuel  D.  Bell, 
and  removed  to  Concord  in  1854.  (See  Graduates  in 
Candia.) 

Henry  F.  French  commenced  practice  in  Chester  in  1835, 
and  practiced  there  till  1840.     (See  the  Genealogy.) 

John  Kelley,  son  of  Simeon  Kelley  and  Elizabeth  Knight, 
born  at  Plaistow  July  22,  1796,  graduated  at  Amlierst  in 
1825  ;  studied  law  with  Stephen  Minot,  of  Haverhill,  and 
E.  Moore,  of  Boston,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Suffolk 
county  bar  ;  practiced  law  three  years  ;  taught  at  Atkinson 
six  years,  and  at  Adams  Female  Academy  three  years  ; 
came  to  Chester  in  1842,  and  removed  to  Atkinson  in 
1844,  and  has  been  much  engaged  in  surveying  and  civil 
engineering.  • 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE   ECCLESIASTICAL,   RELIGIOUS   AND   MORAL   HISTORY.      ' 
CONGREGATIONAL   PARISH   AND    CHURCH. 

The  proceedings  of  the  town  and  parishes,  in  relation  to 
building  meeting-houses  and  settling  and  dismissing  minis- 
ters, have  already  been  given  in  the  general  history  of  the 


316  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

town.  The  grantees  and  the  earlj  settlers  were  mostly 
of  English  descent,  and  were  Congregationalists ;  but  Lt. 
Thomas  Smith,  John  Smith,  the  Wilsons,  and  others  who 
came  early,  were  of  Irish  descent,  and  were  Presbyterians. 

It  is  true  that  there  was  a  prejudice  of  race,  and  each,  of 
course,  like  all  other  sects  in  all  countries,  had  a  strong 
preference  to  their  own  doctrines  and  modes  of  worship  ; 
but  that  the  Irish  wera  considered  intruders,  and  that  that 
degree  of  hostility  prevailed  that  is  represented  in  the 
"  History  of  New  Hampshire  Churches,"  I  see  no  evidence. 
These  Irishmen  seem  to  have  been  jyst  as  freely  elected  to 
office  —  and  that  as  soon  as  they  came  to  town  —  as  others. 
The  Irish  being  poor  and  few  in  number,  joined  in  set- 
tling Mr.  Hale,  and,  so  far  as  appears,  as  promptly  paid 
their  taxes  as  others  did.  Of  course,  when  their  numbers 
increased,  and  Mr.  Wilson  came,  they  settled  and  had  to 
pay  him,  to  do  which  they  no  doubt  had  to  practice  great 
self-denial,  and  they  did  not  wish  to  be  taxed  to  pay 
another  minister.  A  more  noble  document,  as  to  its  spirit, 
its  language,  and  its  penmanship,  was  never  drawn,  than 
the  Prcsl>yterian  petition  presented  to  the  Governor,  Coun- 
cil and  Assembly,  in  1737  (page  83). 

Then,  in  relation  to  the  Congregationalists,  they  were 
the  standing  order,  and,  it  is  said,  put  Major  Tolford  and 
James  Campbell  to  jail.  They  did  no  worse  than  my 
father  did,  by  the  warrant  of  the  Presbyterian  parish,  as 
late  as  1807,fwhen  he  took  a  cow  from  Samuel  Underbill 
and  drove  her  off  and  sold  her,  to  pay  a  minister  tax. 
Mr.  Underbill,  being  a  Quaker,  refused  to  pay.  The  cow 
brouglit  three  dollars  more  than  to  pay  the  tax,  and  I 
recollect  distinctly  "  Aunt  Sarah  "  came  up  Sunday  morn- 
ing through  the  mud,  and  left  the  money,  saying  that 
#he  cow  was  hers,  but  the  money  was  not,  and  she  could 
not  sleep  with  the  cursed  stuff  in  the  house  I 

Rev.  Moses  Hale  was  ordained  October  20,  1731.  He  is 
said  to  have  been  a  native  of  Boxford,  and  graduated  at 
Harvard  in  1722.  Governor  Wentworth's  home  lot  lay  on 
the   road   from   the  meeting-house  to  Shackford's  Corner, 


ECCLESIASTICAL —  CONGREGATIONAL.  317 

which  Mr.  Hale  bought  May,  1730.  By  tlie  charter,  the 
first  settled  minister  had  a  right  through  the  town.  The 
home  lot  was  next  to  Governor  Wentworth's,  which  Mr.  Ilalc 
had,  and  probably  built  a  house  where,  or  near  where,  the 
the  Bell  house  now  stands.  The  L  part  of  that  house  was 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Flagg's.  Mr.  Hale  sold  to  Mr.  Flagg,  March, 
1786. 

Mr.  Hale's  health  was  poor,  and  it  was  said  that  he 
was  deranged,  and  after  some  negotiation,  he  was  dismissed 
August  13,  1734.  It  does  not  appear  that  there  was  any 
difficulty  excepting  Mr.  Hale's  inability.  His  wife  appears 
on  a  deed  as  Abigail.  He  removed  immediately  to  Haver- 
hill, and  was  there  in  1756. 

The  difficulties  between  the  Congregationalists  and  Pres- 
byterians have  been  given  in  the  Proprietory  History.  The 
meeting  that  gave  Mr.  Flagg  a  call  was  holden  June  23, 
1736, 

The  controversy  about  taxes,  then  commencing,  would 
naturally  produce  some  unpleasant  feeling,  and  Mr.  Wilson 
was  of  a  retiring,  cautious  turn  of  mind.  Mr.  Flagg,  on 
the  other  hand,  was  very  social  and  genial,  and  was  deter- 
mined to  cultivate  harmony  and  friendship  with  Mr.  Wil- 
son. So  one  day  he  walked  to  Mr.  Wilson's  and  rapped, 
and  Mr.  Wilson  came  to  the  door.  Mr.  Flagg  introduced 
himself  by  saying  that  he  was  the  minister  who  had  recently 
come  to  Chester  ;  that  there  were  no  other  ministers  near, 
and  that  it  became  them  to  be  on  terms  of  friendship  and 
intimacy.  The  only  reply  he  received  was  an  "  Umph  !" 
After  talking  a  few  minutes,  he  bade  Mr.  Wilson  a  good- 
bye, saying  he  would  do  himself  the  pleasure  of  calling 
again  in  a  few  days.  He  accordingly  called  again,  but 
with  a  like  result.  The  third  time,  after  some  hesitation, 
Mr.  Wilson  ventured  to  invite  him  in,  and  they  ever  after 
lived  on  terms  of  intimacy  and  friendship. 

Mr.  Flagg  was  not  what  would  be  called  at  this  day  a 
revival  preacher,  but  was  suspected  of  leaning  towards  Ar- 
minianism,  preaching  good  works,  which  was  certainly 
good  so  far.     He  succeeded  in  keeping  the  parish  united, 


318  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

and,  so  far  as  appears,  united  in  liim  during  a  ministry  of 
nearly  sixty  years ;  all  who  were  not  Presbyterians  being 
taxed,  and  paying,  except  some  who  lived  in  Hooksett  and 
others  in  Raymond  sometimes  having  their  rates  abated. 

Nearly  everybody  at  that  day  went  to  meeting  riding  on 
horseback,  or  in  a  sleigh  in  winter,  the  horses  standing 
exposed  to  the  weather,  gnd  the  men,  women  and  children, 
during  two  long  services  and  intermission,  sitting  in  a  cold 
house  without  fire,  excepting  that  the  women  might  have  a 
foot-stove. 

The  usual  preliminary  to  marriage  was  the  publication  of 
bans  by  the  minister  or  town  clerk ;  but  before  the  Revo- 
lution a  license  was  sometimes  procured  from  the  governor, 
for  which  it  is  said  two  crowns  were  paid.  This  mode  was 
very  convenient  for  the  purpose  of  clandestine  marriages, 
though  not  confined  to  such.  Mr.  Parker,  in  his  History 
of  Londonderry,  p.  76,  says  :  "  The  ministers  of  this  town 
opposed  the  practice."  Mr.  Flagg  approved  of  it,  and  of 
course  all  of  those  in  the  neighborhood  wishing  to  be  mar- 
ried under  a  license  resorted  to  him,  and  they  were  there- 
fore called  "  Flagg  marriages.'''' 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  license  in  the  hand-writing 
of  Gov.  Wentworth : 

"  Province  of  )  To  Either  of  the  Ordained  Ministers 
New  Hampshire,  )  of  the  Gospel,  of  the  Province  Aforesaid: 

You  are  hearby  Authorized  and  Impowcred  to  Join  to- 
gether in  holy  Matrimony,  Mr.  Roljcrt  MacMurphy  and  Mrs. 
Jean  >Shirla,  unless  Some  Lawful  Impediment  a])pcars  to 
you  to  the  Contrary.  Given  at  Portsmouth  the  Eleventh 
Day  of  February,  1747-8. 

B.  Wextworth." 

"  Chester. 
Tliese  may  Certify  that  Mr.  Robert  MacMurphy  And  Mrs. 
Jane   Shirley  were   Lawfullv  Married  This  Tenth  Day  of 
March,  1747-8,  pr 

Eben'  Flagg." 


^co- 


It  seems  to  have  been  a  tolerably  prolific  marriage,  for 
eight  births  are  recorded  on  the  back  of  the  license  ;  also 
the  death  of  the  wife,  Dec.  31,  1804,  aged  about  eighty- 
four  years. 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  COXGKEGATIOXAL.  31 9 

Although  most  aged  people  when  thej  see  the  degeneracy 
of  the  present  age,  look  back  to  the  good  old  times  and  say 
'■''It  was  not  so  u'hen  I  was  young, ^''  yet  there  were  radical 
innovators  even  then,  who  disturbed  the  quiet  of  the  con- 
servatives. 

There  was  then  very  little  of  the  science  of  music  known. 
The  singing  was  mostly  by  rote,  perhaps  instinctive,  like 
tliat  of  the  birds.  Tliere  were  two  metrical  versions  of  the 
Psalms  which  were  used  in  public  and  private  worship. 
The  English,  called  Tate  and  Brady's,  containing  also  the 
Songs  of  Moses,  Deborah,  Solomon,  some  from  Isaiah, 
Lamentations,  &c.,  wliich  was  used  by  the  Congregational- 
ists ;  and  the  Scotch  version,  which  was  used  by  the  Pres- 
byterians. The  Scotch  version  is  probably  now  used  in 
Scotland,  as  an  edition  of  the  bible  printed  in  Glasgow  in 
1858  contains  it ;  and  Carleton,  the  correspondent  of  the 
"  Boston  Journal,"  tells  that  on  the  voyage  to  England, 
after  a  religious  service  on  board,  a  Scotch  clergyman's 
conscience  was  not  satisfied  until  he  had  sung  one  of  those 
Psalms.     The  following  are  specimens : 

Sixth  Psal^i.     {EnjJish  version.) 

1 .  Lord,  in  th v  wrath  rebuke  me  not, 

Nor  in  thy  hot  wrath  chasten  me, 

2.  Lord,  pity  me,  for  I  am  weak ; 

Lord  heal  me,  for  my  bones  vex'd  be, 

3.  Also  my  soul  is  vexjcd  sore  : 

How  long,  Lord,  wilt  thou  me  forsake  ? 

4.  Return,  0  Lord,  my^oul  release; 

0,  save  me  for  thy  mercy's  sake. 

5.  In  death  no  mem'ry  is  of  thee 

And  who  shall  praise  thee  in  the  grave  : 

6.  I  faint  with  groans  ;  all  night  my  bed 

Swims  :  I  with  tears  my  couch  wash'd  have, 

7 .  Mine  eye  with  grief  is  dim  and  old. 

Because  of  all  mine  enemies. 

8.  But  now  depart  away  from  me. 

All  ye  that  work  iniquities. 

Because  Jehovah  now  hath  heard 

The  voice  of  these  my  weeping  tears  ; 

9.  The  Lord  hath  heard  my  humble  suit,  ; 

Jehovah  will  receive  my  pray'rs. 


820  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

10.  Let  all  mine  enemies  be  ashamed 

And  greatly  troubled  let  them  be 
Yea,  let  them  be  returned  back, 
And  be  ashamed  suddenly. 


Sixth  Psalm.     (Scotch  version.) 

1.  Lord,  in  thy  wrath  rebuke  me  not, 

nor  in  thy  hot  rage  chasten  me. 

2.  Lord,  pity  me,  for  I  am  weak  ; 

heal  me,  for  my  bones  vexed  be. 

3.  My  soul  is  also  vexed  sore  ; 

but.  Lord,  hovf  long  stay  wilt  thou  make  ? 

4.  Return,  0  Lord,  my  soul  set  free  ; 

O,  save  me  for  thy  mercy's  sake. 

5.  Because  those  that  deceased  are, 

of  thee  shall  no  remembrance  have ; 
And  who  is  he  that  will  to  thee 
give  praises,  lying  in  the  grave  ? 

6.  I  with  my  groaning  weary  am, 

I  also,  all  the  night,  my  bed 
Have  caused  for  to  swim  ;  and  I 
with  tears  my  couch  have  watered. 

7.  Mine  eye,  consum'd  with  grief,  grows  old 

because  of  all  mine  enemies. 

8.  Hence  from  me  wicked  workers  all, 

for  God  hatii  heard  my  weeping  cries. 

9.  God  hath  my  supplication  heard, 

my  pray'r  received  graciously. 
10.  Sham'd  and  sore  vex'd  be  all  my  foes, 
sham'd  and  back  turned  suddenly. 


A  Part  of  the  Sixtt-Fifth  Psalm.     {English  version. 

1.  Silence  to  thee;  thy  praise,  0  God, 

In  Sion  :  paid  shall  be 

2.  The  vow  to  thee,  who  hearest  prayers, 

All  flesh  shall  come  to  thee. 

3.  "Works  of  iniquity  prevail 

Against  me  sore  do  they ; 
But  as  for  our  transgres-si-ons. 
Thou  shalt  them  purge  away. 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  CONGREGATIONAL.  321 

4.  0  blessed  is  the  man  of  whom 

Thou  thy  free  choice  dost  make  ; 
And  that  he  may  dwell  in  thy  courts. 

Him  near  to  thee  dost  take ; 
For  with  the  good  things  of  thy  house 

Be  satisfy'd  shall  we  ; 
And  with  the  holy  things  likewise 

That  in  thy  temple  be. 

5.  In  righteousness  thou  by  the  things 

That  dreadfully  ai'e  done 
Wilt  answer  give  to  us,  0  God, 
"   Of  our  sal-va-ti-on, 
On  whom  the  ends  of  all  the  earth 

Do  confidently  stay ; 
And  likewise  they  that  are  remov'd 

Far  off  upon  the  sea. 

6.  He,  girt  with  might,  doth  by  his  strength 

Fix  mountains  ;  he  doth  swage 

7.  The  noise  of  seas,  noise  of  their  waves. 

Also  the  people's  rage.  ^ 


A  Part  of  the  Sixty-Fifth  Psalm.     (Scotch  version.) 

1.  Praise  waits  for  thee  in  Zion,  Lord, 

to  thee  vows  paid  shall  be. 

2.  0  thou  that  hearer  art  of  pray'r, 

all  flesh  shall  come  to  thee. 

3.  Iniquities,  I  must  confess, 

prevail  against  me  do  ; 
But  as  for  our  transgres-si-ons, 
them  purge  away  shalt  thou. 

4.  Blest  is  the  man  whom  thou  dost  choose, 

and  mak'st  approach  to  thee, 
That  he  within  thy  courts,  0  Lord, 
may  still  a  dweller  be ; 
.  We  surely  shall  be  satisfy'd 
with  thy  abundant  grace. 
And  with  the  goodness  of  thy  house, 
ev'n  of  thy  holy  place. 

.5.  0  God  of  our  salva-ti-on. 

Thou  in  thy  righteousness, 
By  fearful  works  unto  our  pray'rs 
thine  answer  dost  express  : 
21 


322  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Therefore  the  ends  of  all  the  earth, 
and  those  afar  that  be 

Upon  the  sea,  their  confidence, 
O  Lord,  will  place  in  thee. 

6.  Who,  being  girt  with  pow'r,  sets  fast, 

by  his  great  strength  the  hills. 

7.  Who  noise  of  seas,  noise  of  their  waves, 

and  people's  tumult  stills. 


The  singing  was  congregational.  The  minister  read  the 
Psalm,  and  repeated  the  first  two  lines,  which  the  choris- 
ter toolc  up  and  sang.  A  deacon  in  a  pew  directly  in  front 
of  the  pulpit  then  read  a  line,  in  which  the  whole  congre- 
gation joined  in  singing ;  then  another  line  was  read  and 
sung,  and  so  on,  through  the  Psalm.  As  the  reading  was 
done  by  a  deacon,  it  was  sometimes  called  deaconing'  the 
Psalm. 

In  the  warning  of  a  meeting  of  the  Presbyterian  parish, 
March  11,  1760,  was  an  article  "to  see  if  tlie  parish  will 
raise  any  money  for  hiring  a  man  to  Rais  the  Salnis  in  the 
meeting  house." 

The  practice  of  the  minister's  repeating  the  first  two 
lines  continued  till  quite  a  recent  date  —  long  after  the 
occasion  ceased.  The  same  mode  was  practiced  in  family 
devotions.  Colonel  R.  E.  Patten,  of  Candia,  tells  me  that 
his  grandfather,  Thomas  Patten,  continued  the  practice 
through  his  life,  having  but  one  tune,  and  that  only  the 
length  of  one  line,  and  which  suited  all  measures.  I  have 
heard  my  mother  tell  of  stopping,  when  passing  in  the 
evening,  to  hear  John  Craige  and  his  housekeeper  Ruth 
Porter  and  her  son  Samuel,  who  performed  their  devotions 
in  the  same  way.  However  unscientific  and  unharmonious 
all  this  might  appear  to  a  scientific  and  practiced  ear,  it  no 
doubt  inspired  as  true  and  deep  devotion  as  the  great 
Music  Hall  organ  will  in  a  modern  audience. 

It  was  also  sometimes  practiced  at  raisings  to  sing  a 
Psalm  after  the  frame  was  up ;  and  probably  they  some- 
times sang  with  the  spirit,  if  not  with  the  understand- 
ing ;  and  I  have  heard  of  some  very  ludicrous  parodies 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  CONGREGATIONAL.  823 

being  made,  when  a  wag  was  called  upon  to  "  deacon  the 
Psalm." 

The  first  meeting-houses  were  seated  with  long  seats, 
which  were  common,  each  individual  sitting  where  he  chose 
or  could  get  a  seat. 

In  March,  1762,  the  Presbyterians  chose  "  Hugh  Cromby, 
Cap.  James  Shirley,  Robert  Grayms,  a  Committee  to  Di- 
vide the  seats  in  the  old  meeting  house,  or  to  act  therein 
as  they  Shall  see  Propper." 

In  the  warning  for  March,  1764,  the  parish  are  notified 
to  appear  and  hear  the  report  of  the  committee. 

In  a  warning  for  a  rheeting  of  the  Congregational  parish 
for  August  1,  1765,  is  an  article  "  To  see  if  the  parish  will 
vote  to  Chose  a  Committee  to  Seat  the  meeting  house,  to 
prevent  Disorder  in  Said  meeting  house."  Passed  in  the 
negative.  This  was  to  appropriate  particular  seats  to  indi- 
viduals or  families. 

In  Hampton  records,  1650,  is  a  record  of  the  seating  the 
meeting-house.  There  are  seats  assigned  to  Roger  Shaw, 
William  Marston,  and  others  ;  and  the  women's  seats, 
Roger  Shaw  for  a  wife,  Goodey  Marston,  Goodey  Dalton,  etc. 

In  the  same  warning  was  an  article  "  To  see  if  the 
parish  will  vote  that  those  persons  that  Come  nighest  the 
approved  Rule  of  Singing  may  have  the  Previlidge  of  Being 
Seated  to  Gether  in  the  Second  Long  Seat  in  the  men's 
Galery,  for  the  Benefit  of  helping  Each  other  in  said  Rule  ; 
and  that  they  may  be  Seated  to  gather,  to  prevent  Disorder 
they  Desire  to  be  Seated  in  said  Seat,  or  Elsewhere,  to 
Gather  in  Said  meeting  house." 

It  was  "Voted,  that  those  parsons  that  Can  Sing  by  Rule 
Shall  Set  to  Gather  in  the  meeting  house  in  the  front  Sliort 
Seats  in  the  men's  Gallery." 

Here  was  an  innovation.  They  had  singing-schools,  and 
had  learned  by  rule,  and  of  course  had  new  tunes,  and  had 
a  choir.  How  the  conservatives  bore  it  is  not  fully  known. 
But  I  once  heard  Deacon  Moses  Richardson,  who  was  one 
of  the  innovators,  relate  an  anecdote  upon  the  subject. 
Captain  Amos  Emerson  was  the  chorister,  and  named  the. 


324  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

tune  to  be  sung  loud  enough  to  be  heard  all  over  the  house, 
so  that  the  congregation  knew  what  to  sing.  There  was 
one  tune  which  Jethro  Colby  would  not  hear,  but  when  he 
heard  it  named  would  leave  the  house.  On  one  occasion 
Captain  Emerson  agreed  with  the  choir  to  name  some  other 
tune  and  then  sing  the  bad  one.  So  he  gave  out  an  agree- 
able tune  iif  a  loud,  clear  voice,  and  sung  the  disagrecal)le 
one,  Mr.  Colby,  meanwhile,  keeping  his  seat.  Upon  return- 
ing from  meeting,  Mr.  Colby  was  inquired  of  why  he  did 
not  leave,  and  replied  that  that  tune  was  not  sung ;  but 
was  finally  convinced  by  Captain  Emerson  that  it  was.  He 
was  cured  of  leaving  the  house. 

About  this  time  the  Anti-Pedo-Baptism  began  to  creep  in. 

In  1768  Moses  Marshal  and  others  asked  to  have  the 
moating-house  doors  opened  to  any  Orthodox  minister  provi- 
dentially passing,  which  was  negatived. 

In  1772  Gideon  Rowel  and  Elijah  Heath  asked  to  have 
their  rates  abated,  on  account  of  professing  to  be  Anti- 
Pedo-Baptist,  which  was  negatived. 

At  a  parish  meeting,  October  12,  1770,  it  was  "Voted 
to  have  Doct.  "Watts'  Psalms  and  hymns  sung  in  this  con- 
gregation in  the  future." 

There  seems  to  have  been  a  compromise  between  the 
progressives  and  tlie  conservatives  about  deacoiiing  the 
Psalm ;  for  at  a  meeting  May  6,  1789,  there  was  a  commit- 
tee chosen,  consisting  of  Capt.  Emerson,  Capt.  Towle,  Lieut. 
John  Dearborn,  MaJ.  Dearborn  and  Stephen  Morse,  to 
consult  with  the  singers  and  report.  The  result  was,  that 
in  the  forenoon  the  Psalm  was  to  be  sung  without  reading ; 
twice  in  the  afternoon  to  be  read  two  lines  at  a  time,  and 
once  sung  without  reading,  Dea.  John  Webster  and  Dea. 
Joseph  Dearborn  were  chosen  to  read  the  Psalm. 

"  Voted,  That  the  Singers  Shall  Lead  the  Singing,  and 
other  people  Join  with  them  as  they  tbink  fit;  and  that 
the  Singers  shall  appoint  a  man  to  pitch  the  tune  among 
themselves." 

Wc  may,  perhaps,  as  well  say  what  is  to  be  said  about 
singing  liere,  as  elsewhere. 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  CONGREGATIONAL.  325 

When  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns  were  first  introduced 
by  the  Presbyterians  is  not  known,  but  could  not  have 
been  so  early  as  by  the  Congregationalists  it  is  certain,  for 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark  would  not  have  tolerated  it.  In  rela- 
tion to  having  a  choir  there  had  been  some  innovation  and 
compromise,  as  we  find,  March  8,  1803,  that  the  parish 

"  Voted,  That  the  Singing  be  carried  on  in  the  Singing 
Pew  the  whole  of  the  day." 

About  1806  Samuel  Graham  carried  his  bass-viol  into  the 
meeting-house  thauksgiving  day,  but  no  sooner  did  he 
begin  to  sound  it,  than  Dea.  William  Wilson  took  his  hat 
arid  left  in  hot  haste,  and  Moody  Chase  followed,  who  came 
into  my  grandfather's  after  meeting,  being  nearly  ready  to 
burst,  and  gave  vent  to  the  bile. 

I  find  an  entry  in  a  diary,  Aug.  14,  1814  (which  was 
Sunday),  "Jesse  J.  Underbill  carried  a  Bass  Viol  into  the 
meeting  house."  Dea.  Wilson  moved  to  Henniker  in  1809, 
and  lived  there  until  perhaps  1822  ;  and  meanwhile  not 
only  a  bass-viol,  but  a  clarionet  was  used,  which  he  had  to 
bear,  enquiring  "  who  blowed  that  u'hastle  up  there." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Congregational  parish,  March  23, 
1808, 

"  Voted,  To  give  leave  to  the  Singers  to  use  a  Bass  viol 
in  the  meeting  house,  and  Tenor  one." 

Before  musical  instruments  were  introduced  they  had  a 
home-made  instrument,  a  kind  of  whistle,  so  constructed  as 
to  make  it  longer  or  shorter  and  thus  give  flatter  or  sharper 
sounds,  which  was  used  to  "  pitch  the  tune." 

There  are  now  no  church  records  to  be  found  earlier 
than  1819.  The  Rev.  Lauren  Armsby,  who  was  formerly 
pastor  and  wrote  the  liistory  of  the  church  in  Chester  for 
the  "  History  of  the  New  Hampshire  Churches,"  says  that 
there  was  a  small  book  containing  little  of  interest,  and 
that  the  authority  he  used  in  the  case  of  Mr,  Bradstreet 
was  mainly  an  account  drawn  up  by  Capt.  John  Emerson 
and  the  records  of  the  Haverhill  Association.  As  I  have 
access  to  neither,  I  shall  rely  on  him. 


326  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Mr.  Flagg  became  old  and  unable  to  perform  the  duties 
of  his  office.  January,  1793,  it  was  voted  to  hire  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Bradstreet  to  supply  the  pulpit,  and  he  was  ordained 
Oct.  13,  1793.  Mr.  Bradstreet  was  apparently  a  young 
man  of  great  promise,  and  the  parish  and  church  were  as 
strong  as  any  in  the  neighborhood,  and  the  connection 
promised  to  be  lasting  and  prosperous.  But  Mr.  Brad- 
street's  salary  depreciated  in  value,  and  he,  perhaps,  might 
have  been  unduly  avaricious,  and  was  naturally  rather  lazy, 
and  gradually  grew  remiss  in  his  pastoral  duties  and  shorter 
iu  his  sermons,  until  he  went  through  his  exercises  in  less 
than  half  an  hour,  having  no  singing,  —  when  it  took  about 
twenty  minutes  to  ring  and  toll  him  there.  When  some 
one  complained  to  him  of  the  shortness  of  his  sermons,  he 
replied  that  he  preached  the  worth  of  his  money,  and  if 
they  wished  longer  sermons  they  must  pay  more  money. 

Of  course  an  alienation  grew  up  between  him  and  the 
church  and  parishioners,  though  it  is  quite  possible  that  the 
blame  was  not  all  on  one  side.  In  1814,  about  twenty  of 
the  parish  removed  their  taxes  to  the  Presbyterian  parish, 
and  many  of  them  attended  meeting  there.  In  a  commu- 
nication sent  him  in  1814,  or  early  in  1815,  approved  by 
two-thirds  of  the  male  members  of  the  church,  they  say : 

"  They  saw  you  initiated  into  the  ministerial  offices  of 
the  parish,  and  charged  witli  the  pastoral  functions  of  the 
church  in  this  place ;  they  saw  you  young,  exemj)lary  and 
assiduous  to  perform  the  duties  of  your  charge.  With  this 
flattering  example  they  had  anticipated  that  numbers  would 
have  been  added  to  their  then  large  and  flourishing  church 
and  congregation,  and  that  you,  Rev'd  Sir,  would  have  gone 
out  and  in  before  them  ;  would  have  solaced  and  supported 
tlie  faint-hearted  by  your  conversation  and  advice  ;  would 
have  tempered  and  brought  down  the  passions  of  tlie  stub- 
born and  high-minded ;  and,  in  fine,  that  you  would  have 
proved  an  example  for  them  in  private  and  in  public,  in 
person  and  in  family." 

The  letter  goes  on  to  state  that  their  anticipations  had 
been  disappointed.  The  church  had  dwindled  during  Mr. 
Bradstreet's  ministry  from  thirty  male  members  to  eleven. 


ECCLESIASTICAL  — "CONGREGATIONAL.  327 

Mr.  Bradstreet  declined  joining  in  a  mutual  council,  and 
an  ex  'parte  one  Avas  called,  April  26,  1815.  The  council 
did  not  succeed  in  healing  matters,  and  were  recalled,  with 
two  additional  churches,  Oct.  11.  They  persuaded  the 
parties  to  call  a  mutual  council,  which  convened  and  sat 
eight  days.  The  church  had  previously  excommunicated 
Mr.  Bradstreet,  which  the  comicil  condemned ;  and  they 
recommended  that  the  church  rescind  their  vote  of  excom- 
munication, and  that  both  parties  consent  to  a  separation. 
Both  parties  wished  to  maintain  their  ground,  and  the  dis- 
affected members  carried  the  matter  before  the  Association 
with  which  ]\[r.  Bradstreet  was  connected.  After  a  severe 
contest  there,  the  disaffected  majority,  and  Mr.  Bradstreet 
and  the  adhering  minority,  backed  down  somewhat.  Mr. 
Bradstreet  asked  a  dismission,  which  was  granted  and  con- 
firmed by  a  council,  Oct.  7,  1817.  Thus  ended  a  very 
unpleasant  and  unchristian  controversy. 

Rev.  Leonard  Jewet,  of  Hollis,  preached  nearly  a  year 
and  his  health  failed.  In  Dec,  1819,  a  call  was  extended 
to  the  Rev.  Joel  R.  Arnold,  and  he  was  ordained  March  8, 
1820.  So  much  trouble  had  been  experienced  with  Mr. 
Bradstreet,  the  parish  made  the  condition  in  the  contract 
that  either  party  might  end  it  by  giving  six  months'  notice. 

Mr.  Arnold  was  a  man  of  strong  convictions  and  he 
expressed  them  strongly.  Among  other  things,  he  saw  the 
terrible  evils  of  intemperance,  and  had  his  ideas  quickened 
by  a  man  dying  in  the  road  with  a  jug  of  rum  by  his  side, 
sold  by  a  member  of  his  church,  and  preached  against  it, 
before  the  technical  temperance  movement  came  up,  which 
gave  offence  to  some.     He  w^as  dismissed  March  31,  1830. 

Feb.  28,  1828,  the  church  resolved, 

"  That  it  is  the  decided  opinion  of  this  church  that  it  is 
inexpedient  for  professed  Christians  on  any  ordinary  occa- 
sion to  call  for  and  drink  spirituous  liquors  or  wine  at  any 
store  or  tavern  in  this  town." 

In  August,  1830,  a  call  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  Jona- 
than Clement,  which  was  accepted,  and  he  was  ordained 
Oct.  13.     He  graduated  at  Middlebury  College  in  1818, 


328  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

He  was  a  teacher  in  the  Phillips  Academy  at  Andover  ten 
years,  and  while  there  was  one  of  the  first  signers  of  the 
pledge  of  the  first  temperance  society  formed  on  the  prin- 
ciple of  total  abstinence  from  ardent  spirits.  He  did  not 
bring  the  subject  into  the  pulpit  until  the  opponents  dared 
him  to  do  it,  saying  that  he  had  not  done  it,  and  dare  not ; 
when  he  delivered,  I  think,  three  discourses,  on  three  suc- 
cessive Sundays,  which  had  a  favorable  effect  not  only  on 
temperance,  but  on  religion  generally.  June  13,  1832,  the 
church  "  Voted  to  require  from  all  those  who  shall  here- 
after be  received  to  their  communion,  a  pledge  to  entire 
abstinence  from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits."  There  is  a 
pledge  of  the  same  date  having  the  names  of  thirty-three 
males  and  fifty-nine  females  appended  to  it.  The  period 
of  Mr.  Clement's  ministry  was  the  period  of  protracted 
meetings  and  of  revivals.    He  was  dismissed  Sept.  10, 1845. 

The  Rev.  Lauren  Armsby  began  to  preach  Jan.,  1846  ; 
was  settled  May  27.  He  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1842. 
He  was  dismissed  in  185G,  and  Avent  West.  He  was  a  chap- 
lain in  the  army,  and  returned  to  New  Hampshire,  and  is 
now,  1868,  at  Candia. 

Rev.  H.  0.  HowLAND  was  ordained  Aug.  12,  1857.  He 
was  dismissed  May  21, 1862,  and  removed  to  Pennsylvania. 

Rev.  J.  LocTan  Tomlinson  was  ordained  Oct.  1,  1863. 

STATISTICS   OF   THE   CONGREGATIONAL   PARISH   AND    CHURCH. 

The  earliest  tax-list  on  the  records  is  in  1801,  when 
nearly  everybody  was  taxed  to  either  of  the  parishes,  and 
there  are  two  hundred  and  forty-three  names,  and  a  poll- 
tax  is  forty-seven  cents.  Capt.  John  Emerson  })aid  the 
highest,  five  dollars  and  seventy-four  cents  ;  Benjamin  Hills 
the  next,  five  dollars  and  twenty-six  cents. 

In  1810  two  hundred  and  eight  persons  were  taxed,  and 
a  poll-tax  was  sixty-seven  cents.  The  largest,  John  Bell, 
ten  dollars  and  sixty  cents  ;  Stephen  Chase  the  next,  eight 
dollars  and  forty-one  cents. 

lu  1820  tliere  were  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven  persons 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  CONGREGATIONAL.  329 

taxed,  and  a  poll-tax  was  one  dollar  and  eight  cents.  Jolm 
Bell  paid  twenty  dollars  and  seventy-nine  cents ;  Daniel 
French,  sixteen  dollars  and  ninety-four  cents. 

In  1830  one  hundred  and  ninety  persons  were  taxed,  and 
a  poll-tax  was  eighty-four  cents.  Fifty-one  of  these  paid  an 
additional  tax. 

In  1840  one  hundred  and  ten  persons  were  taxed,  and  a 
, poll-tax  was  ninety-eight  cents. 

In  1850  eighty-live  persons  were  taxed,  and  a  poll-tax 
was  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents. 

In  1860  forty-seven  persons  are  taxed  to  the  amount  of 
three  hundred  and  seventy-three .  dollars  and  forty-two 
cents.  The  current  expenses  were  six  hundred  and  thirty- 
two  dollars  and  fifty-four  cents.  The  rest  by  subscription 
or  im provided  for. 

What  was  called  the  "  great  revival"  was  in  1711,  and 
in  1742  thirty-eight  united  with  the  church.  Whole  num- 
ber under  Mr.  Flagg,  two  hundred  and  forty-three  to  full 
communion,  and  two  hundred  and  eighty-seven  who  owned 
the  covenant.  (N.  H.  Churches.)  In  December,  1819, 
the  church  drew  up  and  signed  a  covenant,  and  there  are 
the  names  of  thirty  males  and  fifty  females  appended  to  it. 

Rev.  Joel  R.  Arnold,  born  at  Westminster,  Vt.,  1704, 
was  not  a  graduate.  Admissions  to  the  church  during  his 
ministrv,  one  hundred  and  ten. 

Rev.  Jonathan  Clement,  born  at  Danville,  Vt.,  June  21, 
1797,  graduated  at  Middlebury,  and  studied  at  Andover 
Theological  Seminary.  Addition*,  two  hundred  and  seven. 
He  has  been  at  Woodstock  ;  is  now  at  Norwich,  Vt. 

Rev.  Lauren  Armsby,  born  at  Northbridge,  Jan.  16, 1817, 
graduated  at  Amherst  in  1842  ;  studied  at  Union  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  one  year,  and  at  Andover  two  years.  Addi- 
tions, sixty-one  by  profession,  thirty  by  letter. 

Rev.  Harrison  0.  Howland,  born  at  West  Brookfield, 
Mass.,  June  25,  1813,  graduated  at  Amherst  in  1841,  at 
Union  Theological  Seminary  in  1844.  Additions,  twenty- 
six  by  profession,  thirteen  by  letter. 

The  charter  of  the  two  parishes  has  been  given,  page 


330  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

92,  and  I  had  prepared    a  complete  list  of  parish  officers, 
but  my  work  proves  so  voluminous  that  I  reluctantly  omit  it. 

THE   PRESBYTERIAN   PARISH   AND    CHURCH. 

The  prominent  points  of  the  history  of  the  Presbyterian 
parish  have  been  given  in  connection  with  the  history  of 
the  town  and  Congregational  parish,  and  little  remains  to 
be  done  more  than  to  give  a  brief  notice  of  some  of  the 
ministers,  and  touch  upon  some  few  points  not  before  men- 
tioned. 

The  Rev.  John  Wilson  was  ordained  over  the  Presbyte- 
rian parish,  and  a  church  formed,  in  1734,  l)ut  by  what 
ecclesiastical  authority  is  not  known,  or  of  how  many 
members  the  church  was  composed,  as  there  are  no  records 
extant.  Mr.  Wilson  continued  his  ministrations  until  his 
dcatli,  Feb.  1,  1779,  and  all  that  is  known  about  his  family 
is  given  in  the  genealogical  part  of  this  work.  lie  was 
probably  a  very  good,  well-disposed  man,  and  in  all  the 
controversies  which  arose  about  preaching  at  the  Long 
Meadows,  and  dividing  the  parish,  there  is  no  evidence 
that  any  fault  was  found  with  him.  I  have  heard  my  father 
say  that  his  preaching  was  mostly  expository  ;  that  he  took 
some  [)ortion  of  scripture  (in  course,  I  think),  and  ex- 
j^lained  and  enforced  it.  He  had  either  his  discourses  or 
skeletons  of  them,  written,  and  often  looked  them  over 
after  entering  the  desk,  but  made  no  use'  of  notes  in 
preaching.  t 

From  the  death  of  Mr.  Wilson  to  the  hiring  the  Rev.    . 
David  Annan,  in  1795,  we  have  no  record  whatever,  except 
raising   money,   and  choosing   committees   to   supjJy  the 
desk,  but  have  to  rely  exclusively  upon  tradition,  and  that 
is  very  meager,  mostly  what  I  have  heard  my  father  tell. 

The  first  of  the  stated  supplies,  I  think,  was  a  Rev.  Mr. 
Clark,  who,  it  is  said,  had  been  settled  at  White  River,  N. 
Y.,  and  he  supplied  several  years.  He  was  probably  some- 
what bigoted  in  his  ideas,  and  eccentric  in  his  manners, 
but  a  very  sincere,  good  man,  and  faithful  to  his  own  con- 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  PRESBYTERIAN.  331 

victions.  There  are  many  anecdotes  related  of  him,  some 
of  which  I  will  relate.  He  was  called  upon  to  solemnize  a 
marriage  between  James  Calder  and  Molly  Linn,  and  on 
the  occasion  they  had  tea,  which  he  refused,  saying  he 
would  have  a  bowl  of  barley  broth.  It  might  have  been 
a  patriotic  motive  which  influenced  him.  He  believed  the  , 
old  Scotch  version  of  the  Psalms  to  be  the  only  proper 
matter  to  sing  in  religious  worship,  and  held  in  great  ab- 
horrence what  he  termed  "  Watts'  great  bundle  of  psalms 
and  imitations." 

The  singing  was  congregational,  and  he  wished  all  to 
join.  He  said  on  one  occasion,  "  Sing  !  sing  !  all  o'  ye,  and 
shame  the  devil ;  for  we  read  of  the  devil  having  a  prayer, 
but  never  of  his  having  a  psalm  !  "  On  one  occasion  lie 
took  for  his  text  the  death  of  Joshua,  and  said  that  when 
they  buried  him,  they  buried  a  great  deal  of  religion  with 
him.  Some  country  sleighs  passing  at  the  time,  he  added, 
"  Yes  ;  and  they  are  now  carrying  all  the  religion  out  of 
the  land  by  sleigh-loads." 

The  women  of  the  present  day  cannot  rightly  claim  the 
invention  of  all  the  foolish  fashions.  Their  grandmothers 
and  great-grandmothers  had  even  the  "  waterfall,"  though  in 
a  little  different  form.  They  let  the  foretop  grow  long,  and 
combed  it  forward,  and  put  a  cushion  called  a  "  roll,"  on  the 
head,  and  turned  the  hair  back  over  it.  Good  Father  Clark 
held  this  in  utter  abomination,  it  being  a  device  of  the 
great  adversary. 

Sunday  schools  did  not  then  exist,  but  the  religious  food 
for  children  was  the  Assembly's  Catechism,  which  was  the 
lesson  for  Sunday  evening  at  home,  and  Saturday  forenoon 
at  school.  It  might  be  thought  rather  dry,  if  not  strong 
food,  for  infant  minds,  though  I  do  not  at  all  regret  that  I 
w^as  fed  with  it. 

Well, Parson  Clark  used  to  pay  his  parochial  visits,  and 
assemble  the  young  people  of  the  household,  and  chatechise 
them.  On  one  occasion  he  made  a  visit  to  the  family  of 
Robert  Wilsc^i,  Esq.,  who  had  some  half-dozen  daughters, 
and  a  brother-in-law  by  the  name  of  Mitcliell  having  about 


332  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

as  many  more  living  in  the  same  house.  Now  these  girls 
were  probably  not  much  better  nor  much  worse  than  the 
girls  of  the  present  clay.  They  wished  to  be  in  the  fashion, 
even  if,  in  the  opinion,  of  the  minister,  at  the  expense  of 
serving  the  devil.  Well,  Father  Clark  had  them  seated 
around  the  room,  and  they,  understanding  that  he  was 
coming,  had  the  rolls  out  of  sight,  and  their  hair  combed 
smoothly  down.  Mr.  Clark  commenced  by  commending 
their  modesty  ;  he  had  not  in  a  long  time  seen  such  a  mod- 
est company  of  lasses  ;  they  had  none  of  those  wicked  rolls 
on  their  heads.  Just  at  this  instant  Jonathan  Wilson 
opened  the  door,  and  threw  a  lot  of  the  rolls  into  Mr. 
Clark's  laj),  greatly  to  his  horror,  and  to  the  chagrin  of  the 
modest  hisses.     What  became  of  Mr.  Clark  is  not  known. 

The  next  minister  that  is  known  was  the  Rev.  Tillotson 
Howe.  Where  he  came  from,  or  went  to,  is  not  known. 
Anthony  Somerby  Stickney  was  quite  active  aitiong  the 
Presbyterians,  and  was  collector  of  taxes,  and  one  of  the 
committee  to  hire  preaching  several  years,  though  once 
there  was  a  protest  entered  against  it,  because  he  was  not 
a  member  of  any  church.  Mr.  Howe  was  hired,  and 
boarded  at  Mr.  Stickney's,  and  after  a  while  married  Mr. 
Stick ney's  daughter. 

There  was  a  man'  by  the  name  of  Hutchinson  who 
preaciied  awhile,  and  another  by  the  name  of  Pickle,  of 
whom  nothing  more  is  known. 

There  was  a  Rev.  James  Davis,  a  revival  preacher,  wlio 
preached  a  few  months,  and  caused  a  considerable  religious 
excitement,  and,  it  is  was  said,  several  conversions. 

The  Rev.  David  Annan  came  from  Scotland,  and  had 
preached  awhile  at  Peterborough.  He  came  to  Chester 
and  preached  awhile,  and  March  14,  170G,  a  written  con- 
tract was  entered  into,  engaging  him  for  four  years.  He 
proved  intemperate,  and  said  and  did  many  foolish,  if  not 
wicked  things.  He  said  he  tried  the  experiment  of  pray- 
ing over  one  bed  of  onions  and  fiddling  over  another,  to 
see  which  would  do  best.  The  people  becarag  dissatisfied, 
and  the  Presbytery  was  about  to  discipline  him,  and  the 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  PRESBYTERIAN.  333 

contract  was  dissolved  October  7,  1T99.  It  is  said  that  he 
returned  to  Scotland,  but  some  of  his  sons  remained  in  this 
country. 

The  Rev.  David  McGregore,  afterwards  of  Bedford,  sup- 
plied the  desk  for  some  time. 

At  a  parish  meeting,  held  May  30, 1803,  a  call  was  given 
to  the  Rev.  Zaccheus  Colby  to  settle.  (He  had  been  settled 
in  Pembroke,  and  for  his  family  connections,  see  the  gene- 
alogy part  of  this  work). 

In  order  to  understand  the  history  of  the  circumstances 
attending  this  call,  it  will  be  necessary  to   refer  to    the 
Presbyterian  polity.     The  government  of  the  church  lay 
in  a  board  of  ruling  elders,  called  the  Session,  who  ad- 
mitted and  disciplined  the  members,  subject  to  an  appeal 
to  the  Presbytery.     Members  were  required  to  bring  for- 
ward all  their  cliildren  for  baptism.     These  childi'en  stood 
in  rather  an  anomalous  position  —  partly,  but  not  wholly,  in 
the  church.     It  was  their  duty,  however,  as  soon  as  they 
came  to  years  of  discretion,  to  come  into  full  communion 
with  the  church.     In  this  way  many  became  united  with 
the  church  without  any  pretence  of  experimental  religion, 
and  seldom,  if  ever,  came  to  the  communion,  or  even  to 
meeting.     Then  it  was  the  custom  for  these  baptized  chil- 
dren, though  never  having  joined  in  full  communion,  to 
bring  their  children  forward  for  baptism.     In  some  cases 
(perhaps  with  those  in  full  communion,  as  well  as  those 
under    the    half-way    covenant,    as    it   was    called),    the 
child  offered  for  baptism  was   born   rather  prematurely, 
reckoning   from   marriage  ;    in    which   case   the    parents, 
standing  in  the  broad  aisle,  received  a  severe  admonition, 
and  made  a  very  humble  and  penitent  confession.     I  think 
that  the  same  practice   prevailed   in   the   Congregational 
churches  in  respect  to  baptism,  for  I  see  that  parents  who 
never  belonged  to  the  church  had  their  children  baptized. 

A  committee  was  chosen  to  wait  on  Mr.  Colby  and 
receive  his  answer,  who  reported  with  a  communication 
from  Mr.  Colby  which  is  here  given  in  full : 


334  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


MR.    COLBY  S   COMMUNICATION. 

Chester,  June  11,  1803. 
To  the   Committee  of  the  Presbyterian  Society, —  to  be  commu- 
nicated:— 

If  different  Ideas  haA'e  been  taken  from  my  conversation  on  the 
Subject  of  Infant  Baptism,  it  was  doubtless  owing  to  my  neglect- 
ing to  give  my  Ideas  in  positive  terms  relative  to  one  part  of  the 
subject,  which  I  thought  proper  to  do  at  that  stage  of  the  business 
before  us.  Now  it  appears  duty,  and  I  feel  happy  to  give  you  my 
sentiments  in  full  and  plain.  I  believe  the  children  of  believing 
Parents  or  Parent  have  right  to  Baptism,  whether  theirs  by  birth, 
or  ad()i)tion.  It  ever  has,  aiul  still  does  appear  to  me  an  error  to 
admit  Parents  under  the  vows  of  the  covenant  to  the  Privilege  of 
Baptism  for  their  Children,  when  at  the  same  time  they  take 
themselves  off  from  the  communion  of  Saints  at  the  Lord's  Table. 
Though  this  has  been  a  custom  Avith  many,  I  do  not  find  any  thing 
in  the  Bible  or  in  your  Constitution  to  justify  it  in  my  view. 

If  I  should  be  active  in  the  admission  of  any  in  this  way,  while 
I  verily  believe  it  is  wrong,  to  me  it  would  be  sin.  God  would 
hide  his  face  from  me  and  I  should  be  troubled ;  nor  could  you 
put  confidence  in  a  man  who  would  sin  against  his  own  under- 
standing. Yet,  as  I  believe  this  is  among  those  things  concerning 
which  every  one  must  be  full)'^  persuaded  in  their  own  mind,  I 
feel  no  disposedness  to  be  offended  with  those  Persons,  Churches 
and  Minislors  who  differ  from  me  in  Opinion.  If,  upon  exchanges 
with  neighboring  Ministers,  any  of  the  People  that  I  may  have 
the  charge  of  shall  conscienliously  thiuk  it  their  duty  to  offer 
their  Children  in  Baptism,  while  they  do  not  see  it  their  duty  to 
approach  the  Lord's  Table,  and  the  minister  thinks  it  his  duty  to 
indulge  them,  I  shall  not  attempt  to  hurt  their  minds  or  lord  it 
over  their  consciences,  but  I  must  be  excused  from  this  practice. 
New  additions  upon  this  ground  after  my  settlement  in  any 
place  must  not  expect  Baptism  for  their  Children  by  my  own 
hand,  until  they  be  willingly  moved  by  the  love  of  Christ  to  come 
to  his  Table  and  whatsoever  he  commands.  All  this  is  plain  in  my 
view. 

2'ily,  You  wish  to  know  on  what  ground  I  consider,  and  in 
what  light  I  view  those  Parents  who  have  had  Baptism  for  their 
Children,  but  have  not  come  to  the  communion  with  Christ  and 
his  People  at  his  Table,  and  what  usage  they  may  expect  from  me 
if  I  should  become  their  Minister.  Respecting  this  I  observe,  1st, 
If  I  receive  a  church  to  my  Pastoral  care,  I  receive  all  her  real 
proper  members,  for  there  must  be  no  schism  in  the  church.  These 
Persons  have  been  received  by  the  church  as  real  proper  members 


ECCLESIASTICAL —  PRESBYTERIAN.  385 

of  their  Christian  Body,  and  that  upon  their  personal  reqnest,  so 
are  under  their  watch  and  care.  It  would  not  be  right  for  me  to 
separate  them  from  the  Body  to  which  they  are  joined  by  Holy 
Covenant.  It  would  not  be  regular  or  Friendly  for  the  Church  to 
cut  them  off  suddenly  wliile  they  And  no  more  error  in  tliem  than 
they  knew  of  at  the  time  when  they  received  them.  Therefore  their 
membership  must  be  acknowledged.  These  Parents  by  profes- 
sion are  on  Gospel  ground.  They  have  professed  the  same  Faith 
in  the  Father,  in  the  Son,  in  the  Holy  Ghost  and  in  the  Scriptures 
that  every  Christian  does.  They  must  not  be  driv^i  from  it,  but 
they  must  live  in  it,  and  let  their  lives  and  conversation  corres- 
pond with  it.  These  Parents  have  made  a  solemn  and  everlasting 
Covenant  before  Angels  and  men,  wnth  the  Father,  Son  and 
Spirit,  one  God,  to  be  his  forever ;  promised  to  obey  Christ  as 
their  King,  from  which  they  cannot  go  back  with  safety.  They 
must  not  be  driven  back  by  any,  but  be  encouraged  by  all  to 
observe  all  Christ's  sayings,  and  to  do  his  Will  in  all  things,  that 
they  perish  not,  nor  be  found  wanting  when  weighed  in  tlie  Bal- 
ance. Those  deficiencies  which  were  about  them  when  they  came 
into  the  Covenant,  and  have  still  been  with  them,  must  now  be 
made  up  by  stronger  and  more  pure  exercises  of  faith  in,  and  love 
to  Christ,  whereby  they  will  feel  constrained  willingly  to  follow 
the  Lamb  wlicrever  he  calls  them,  and  be  willing  to  suffer  almost 
anything  rather  than  take  themselves  off,  or  be  cut  oft'  from  the 
communion  of  Saints  at  Christ's  Table.  With  these  things  in 
view,  I  think  it  will  be  my  duty  to  Baptize  the  Children  of  these 
Parents  until  some  other  fault  shall  be  found  in  them  beside  their 
omitting  the  Lord's  Table,  unless  it  shall  appear  plain  to  the  Ses- 
sion, tiiat  their  omission  is  from  wicked  inattention  to  the  Scrip- 
tures, to  their  own  Holy  profession  and  Covenant,  and  from  want 
of  real  love  to  Christ ;  but  not  from  pious  Fear,  i.e.,  an  overbearing 
sense  of  the  sacredness  of  the  ordinance,  and  of  their  own  vile- 
ness,  which  may  be  the  case  with  some  old  Christians  for  a  time. 
As  these  wish  to  have  Baptism  again  for  their  Cliildren  before 
their  approach  to  the  Table,  they  must  feel  their  Bonds  to  walk  as 
circumspectly  and  live  as  religiously  as  though  they  had  come  to 
the  Table  for  years.  They  must  be  sober  and  chaste  in  conversa- 
tion, temperate,  just,  kind,  peaceable,  attentive  to  the  Scriptures, 
to  all  Religious  Instruction  which  falls  in  their  way,  and  prayer- 
ful in  their  Families  and  Closet.  Then  they  may  expect  the  same 
kind,  gentle,  loving  and  faithful  usage  from  the  Minister  and 
Elders  as  old  communicants  receive,  with  whom  they  are  equal 
subjects  of  discipline.  Wishing  you  divine  direction  and  a  Bles- 
sing ou  all  your  pious  attempts  to  promote  the  cause  of  Christ 
among  you  and  build  up  his  church,  I  subscribe,  your  aflfectionate 
Friend,  Zacheus  Colbey. 


336  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

I  may  perhaps  as  well  here  as  elsewhere  describe  some 
of  the  customs  of  the  Presbyterian  church  differing  from 
others,  or  from  present  customs. 

I  think  they  held  but  two  sacramental  occasions  at  the 
Long  Meadows  (for  I  must  rely  mainly  on  my  own  recol- 
lections) yearly.  These  were  great  occasions.  They  held 
a  fast  on  Thursday  previous,  which  was  kept  with  great 
strictness.  I  recollect  that  my  grandmother  would  eat 
nothing  before  the  going  down  of  the  sun.  They  would 
have  two  long  sermons.  In  some  places  they  would  have 
sermons  Friday  and  Saturday,  though  I  think  not  usually 
at  the  Long  Meadows,  within  my  recollection  ;  although 
they  might  have  had  in  earlier  times.  When  Sunday  came 
there  was  a  general  rush.  In  the  hrst  place  there  were  the 
Presbyterians  from  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  who  did 
not  usually  attend  meeting  here  on  account  of  the  dis- 
tance,— James  "Wason,  William  Bell,  Col.  White,  the  Shir- 
leys,  Forsaith,  Tolford,  etc.,  came  up  ;  then  many  from 
Londonderry  and  otlier  places  who  were  communicants  ; 
then  a  great  many  young  people  from  this  and  the  neigh- 
boring towns,  moved  by  much  the  same  impulse  which 
carries  multitudes  to  a  Methodist  camp-meeting  at  the 
present  day.  They  had  a  plan  for  preventing  any  goat 
from  mingling  with  the  sheep,  which  was  practiced  some 
time  within  my  recollection.  Each  church  had  a  quantity 
of  small  pieces  of  metal  stamped  with  the  initials  of  the 
church,  called  tokens,  which  were  distributed  by  the  elders 
to  the  communicants.  Tliese  were  a  kind  of  tickets  of 
admission.  The  first  part  of  the  service  was  called  "  fenc- 
ing the  Lord's  table." 

I  most  vividly  remember  "  Father  Morrison  "  (who  used 
to  come  over  when  they  were  destitute  of  an  ordained  minis- 
ter) with  his  broad  Scotch  brogue,  with  his  spectacles,  when 
not  reading,  up  on  his  forehead.  He  would  proceed  to 
enmiierate  the  qualifications  and  disqualifications  of  wor- 
thily partaking  of  the  ordinance,  and  invite  those  qualified 
and  debar  those  not  qualified.  They  had  a  long,  narrow 
table,  extending  from  near  the  pulpit  to  near  the  front 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  PRESBYTERIAN.  337 

door,  covered  with  neat  and  white  linen  table-cloths,  on 
which  were  placed  the  flagons  of  wine,  and  flat,  thin  cakes 
of  unleavened  bread  on  pewter  platters  covered  also  with 
neat  white  cloths  for  the  purpose.  The  elements  were  both 
consecrated  with  one  service.  The  communicants  were 
invited  to  come  forward  and  fill  the  table  (seats  on  either 
side  being  provided)  which  was  done  first  by  the  elderly 
communicants,  the  choir  meanwhile  singing  a  stanza  or 
two. 

A  favorite  hymn  for  the  occasion  was  the  13th  of  B.  III? 
of  Watts : 

"  How  sweet  and  awful  is  the  place 
AVith  Christ  within  the  doors," 

and  as  the  services  proceeded,  vacating  and  filling  the 
seats, 

"  "Why  was  I  made  to  hear  thy  voice, 
And  enter  while  there's  room  7  " 

and  — 

"  Pity  the  nations,  0  our  God, 
Constrain  the  earth  to  come." 

While  the  elements  were  being  passed  along  the  table 
by  the  elders.  Father  Morrison  continued  talking,  making 
a  most  earnest  and  affectionate  exhortation.  The  table 
was  vacated  and  filled,  the  choir  meanwhile  singing,  and  it 
generally  took  three  tables  to  serve  the  communicants,  dur- 
ing which  the  same  services  were  repeated.  Mr.  Morrison 
would  make  an  exhortation  to  faithfulness  to  the  commu- 
nicants, and  a  very  affectionate  appeal  to  the  unrepentant. 
The  whole  was  a  very  solemn  and  impressive  service,  and 
would  last  until  nearly  sunset.  The  whole  was  closed  by  a 
meeting  and  thanksgiving  sermon  on  Monday. 

Dec.  81,  1822,  the  Session  voted,  "  That  the  members  of 
the  church  all  partake  at  one  time,  the  elderly  members  at 
the  table  as  usual,  and  the  remainder  in  the  front  body 
pews,  or  the  adjoining  pews." 

It  may  be  proper  here  to  say  that  there  are  no  Session 
records  extant  previous  to  1804,  those  kept  previous  to  that 

time  supposed  to  have  been  carried  to  Henniker  by  Dea. 

22 


338  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Wilson  when  he  moved  there  about  1809,  -which  is  greatly 
to  be  regretted,  as  they  would  have  been  at  least  quite  a 
curiosity.  The  records  which  we  have  contain  very  little 
of  general  interest,  being  merely  a  routine  of  business,  ad- 
missions of  members,  and  a  few  cases  of  discipline. 

Mr.  Colby  was  reinstalled  Oct.  13,  1803.  Some  time  in 
the  summer  of  1808,  while  reading  the  hymn  after  sermon, 
he  had  a  paralytic  shock,  so  that  he  could  not  finish,  and 
which  disabled  him.  In  January,  1809,  he  made  a  com- 
munication to  the  parish,  saying  that  if  he  did  not  recover 
before  March  meeting  he  should  resign,  aiid  that  he  would 
preacli  one  sermon  a  day,  if  able,  at  his  own  house,  which 
I  think  he  did  sometimes,  although  unable  to  stand. 

They  had  only  temporary  supplies,  partly  from  the  sem- 
inary at  Andover,  until  Nov.,  1812,  when  the  Rev.  William 
Harlow  was  hired,  who  supplied  until  1815.  Where  he 
came  from  is  unknown.  He  was  apparently  a  sincere  man, 
but  of  moderate  abilities.  He  went  to  Plymouth  county, 
Mass.  They  then  employed  a  Mr.  Wlieeler,  Philip  Col1)y, 
and  a  Mr.  White,  as  candidates,  but  neither  of  them  suffi- 
ciently united  the  people  to  justify  his  settlement.  In  the 
fall  of  1816,  the  Rev.  Clement  Parker,  then  of  Cabot,  Vt., 
or  vicinity,  was  procured,  and  was  ordained  Feb.  19,  1817. 

The  first  Sunday  schools  at  the  Long  Meadows  were  in 
1819.  They  were  held  at  the  several  school-houses  after 
the  meeting.  The  exercises  were  reading  and  recitation 
of  passages  of  scripture  and  hymns.  Earlier  than  this, 
perhaps  as  early  as  1810,  the  children  were  required  to 
commit  to  memory  and  meet  statedly  on  a  week  day  and 
recite  passages  to  support  points  of  theology.  Emerson's 
Evangelical  Primer,  and  a  question  book  by  Rev.  Harvey 
Wilbur,  afterwards  famous  as  a  lecturer  on  astronomy, 
were  used  as  text-books. 

Rev.  Mr.  Parker  was  dismissed  Oct.,  1825,  and  Rev.  Abel 
Manning  supplied  until  1831,  when  the  Rev.  Benjamin 
Sargent  was  hired,  and  installed  April  19,  1833. 

The  subject  of  abolition  on  Mr.  Garrison's  principle  was 
first  introduced  at  the  monthly  concert  Jan.,  183-4,  as  one 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  PRESBYTERIAN.  3o9 

of  the  proper  objects  of  prayer,  which  caused  a  great  deal 
of  excitement,  as  being  very  improper  for  the  occasion. 
Mr.  Sargent,  however,  expressed  his  gratification  that  it 
was  introduced,  said  that  he  had  some  time  felt  an  interest 
in  the  subject,  but  had  not  deemed  it  prudent  to  introduce 
it.  Mr.  Sargent  was  a  man  of  very  sensitive  feelings,  and 
he  entered  very  warmly  into  the  abolition  movement,  which 
was  as  warmly  opposed  in  the  parish,  and  in  the  Confer- 
ence and  Presbytery  with  which  he  was  connected.  It  was 
supposed  that  upon  that  subject  he  was  a  nlonomaniac, 
and  that  he  embraced  some  very  erroneous  ideas,  but 
whether  any  more  erroneous  than  that  slavery  is  a  divine 
institution  may  be  a  question. 

The  Temperance  and  Abolition  movements  excited  a  good 
deal  of  interest.  The  documents  are  very  lengthy,  and  I 
will  give  sufficient  abstracts  to  give  a  clear  idea  of  their 
purport.  In  April,  1835,  a  preamble  and  resolutions  were 
unanimously  adopted  by  the  Session,  and  the  following 
pledge :  "  ^Ye  hereby  promise  totally  to  abstain  from  the 
use  of  ardent  spirits  as  a  drink." 

"  Yoted  unanimously  that  all  the  present  members  of 
the  church  be  respectfully  invited  to  sign  the  foregoing 
pledge  ;  and  all  new  members  be  required  to  sign  it  before 
admission." 

There  are  seventy-six  names  appended  to  the  pledge. 
Jan.  25,  1840,  a  vote  was  passed  unanimously  to  strike  out 
the  word  "  required,"  and  insert  the  words  "  respectfully 
invited."  The  Session  at  the  same  time  passed  a  vote  re- 
iterating their  former  convictions  on  the  subject,  and  dis- 
claiming any  power  to  exonerate  any  one,  but  yielded  to 
what  appeared  to  be  the  honest  convictions  of  some  people. 

In  order  for  the  general  reader  to  understand  what  is  to 
follow,  it  seems  necessary  to  explain  some  points  about  the 
Presbyterian  church. 

In  1794  the  General  Assembly  gave  their  views  of  slave- 
holders as  being  "  sinners  of  the  first  rank,  and  guilty  of  the 
highest  kind  of  theft."  In  1818,  the  Assembly  gave  their 
views  of  slaveholding,  "  that  it  was  a  violation  of  the  most 


340  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

sacred  and  precious  rights  of  Imman  nature  ;  utterly  incon- 
sistent with  the  law  of  God,  and  irreconcilable  with  the 
gospel  of  Christ." 

Although  all  avowedly  took  the  Bible  for  their  guide  and 
tlie  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  as  an  exposition  of 
it,  there  w^as  nothing  like  uniformity  of  belief  in  matters 
of  speculative  theology.  Perhaps  the  most  important  point 
of  difference,  and  the  source  of  the  others,  was,  the  Old 
School  held  that  Adam's  sin  was  imputed  to  all  his  pos- 
terity, and  therefore  infants  were  actual  sinners  ;  the  New 
School  held  something  different.  It  so  happened  that  those 
portions  of  the  church  most  tinctured  Avith  New  School 
theory  were  somewhat  tinctured  with  anti-slavery,  and 
other  reforms.  The  Old  School  element  had  the  ascendency 
in  1837.  The  Assembly,  in  organizing,  excluded  the  com- 
missioners from  three  synods  in  the  Western  Reserve,  who 
were  most  contaminated  by  New  School  theory  and  anti- 
slavery,  with  the  pretext  that  they  came  in  under  an  un- 
constitutional plan  of  union,  passed  in  1801. 

In  their  circular  letter  they  say:  "  One  of  the  most 
formidable  evils  of  the  present  crisis  is  the  wide-spread  and 
ever  restless  spirit  of  radicalism^  manifest  in  both  church 
and  state.  ...  It  has  in  succession  driven  to  extreme 
fanaticism  the  great  cause  of  revivals  of  religion,  temper- 
ance, and  the  rights  of  man."  There  does  not  appear  to 
have  been  any  action  this  year  on  the  subject  of  slavery. 

In  1888, 1  think,  though  I  have  not  the  minutes  at  hand^ 
the  New  School  had  the  ascendency,  and  the  Old  School 
portion  seceded,  sued  for  their  portion  of  the  funds,  and 
finally  recovered.  During  all  these  contentions  about  spec- 
ulative theology,  slavery  and  slaveholders  went  entirely 
unrebuked,  but  the  "  Princetown  Review,"  as  well  as  the 
religious  press,  were  publishing  long  and  labored  articles, 
proving  from  the  Bible  that  slavery  was  right. 

The  Londonderry  Presbytery  were  in  much  the  same 
condition  as  the  Assembly.  Part  were  Old  School,  and  part 
were  New ;  part  were  anti-slavery,  and  part   pro-slavery. 

The  first  decision  of  the  lawsuit  was  in  favor  of  the  New 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  PRESBYTERIAN.  341 

School,  and  their  delegate,  the  Rev.  E.  L.  Parker,  was  on 
his  own  motion  instructed  to  go  into  the  Assembly  which 
had  the  decision  of  the  civil  court,  but  before  he  arrived 
there,  a  full  bench  had  reversed  the  former  decision,  and 
he  was  forced  to  go  into  the  Old  School  Assembly,  and  the 
connection  has  remained. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Session,  held  January  25,  1840,  the 
following  resolution  was  brought    forward    and  adopted 

Resolved,  that  the  following  petition  be  presented  by 
the  Session  to  the  Presbytery,  at  its  next  meeting,  to  be 
holden  at  Londonderry  on  the  last  Wednesday  of  April 
next. 

.  The  Session  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Chester  to  the  Lon- 
donderry Presbytery : 

Dear  Brethren, — "We  would  affectionately  and  respectfull}'  re- 
quest you  to  pass  a  resolution  withdrawing  all  ecclesiastical  con- 
nection with  both  bodies  claiming  to  be  the  General  Assembly  ot 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  and  to  send  copies 
of  said  resolution  to  both  bodies  claiming  to  be  the  General 
Assembly. 

The  Session  would  assign  the  following  reasons  for  passing  such 
resolution  and  seceding  from  the  bodies. 

1st.  The  Session  can  see  no  possible  good  resulting  from  said 
connection. 

2d.  The  sending  up  Commissioners  involves  an  expense  in  time 
and  money,  which  might  be  otherwise  appropriated  in  the  benev- 
olent operations  of  the  day  to  produce  great  good,  while  it  now 
produces  very  little,  if  any. 

3d.  We  cannot  conscientiously  be  associated  with  the  Old  School 
Assembly,  because  it  nourishes  the  awful  sin  of  slavery  in  its 
bosom,  enslaving  their  own  brethren,  reducing  them  to  chattels, 
buying  and  selling  them,  and  depriving  them  of  the  word  of  God ; 
and  also  because  said  Assembly  has  exercised  the  most  arbitrary 
and  unchristian  authority,  endeavoring  to  lord  it  over  God's  heri- 
tage in  cutting  off  three  Synods,  and  passing  such  resolutions,  if 
carried  into  operation,  would  cut  oif  many  of  our  ministers  and 
some  of  our  churches. 

AVe  cannot  conscientiously  be  associated  with  the  New  School 
Assembly,  because  they  also  tolerate  slavery,  and  also  because  if 
said  Assembly  does  tolerate  such  heresies  as  is  said  by  some  that 
thev  do,  we  cannot  give  them  countenance. 


342  HISTORY  OF   CHESTER. 

We  cannot  fellowship  either  Assembly,  because  they  indulge  in 
unwarrantable,  unchristian  and  disgraceful  strife,  —  brother  going 
to  law  with  brother, —  and  that  before  unbelievers. 

4th.  Because  secession  would  tend  to  restore  aud  keep  peace  in 
your  own  body.  Difference  of  opinion  existing  among  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbytery,  wliich  Assembly  the  Presbytery  should  be 
connected  with,  occasions  discussions  and  perplexities  which 
wastes  the  time  of  your  Sessions,  which  would  all  be  removed  by 
such  a  secession  as  we  ask. 

This  could  not  be  granted,  if  not  for  any  other  reason,  be- 
cause if  Londonderry  did  not  belong  to  the  legal  Presby- 
terian church,  Major  Finkerton's  heirs  would  reclaim 
their  fund. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Session,  February  14th,  1840,  the 
following  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  for  a  man  to  claim  property  in  man, 
\ipon  which  is  founded  the  system  of  American  slavery,  is 
at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances  a  gross  usurpation 
of  power,  a  heinous  sin  against  God,  and  sliould  be  imme- 
diately repented  of  and  forsaken. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  not  invite  any  professed  min- 
ister of  the  gospel  to  officiate  as  such  in  God's  house,  nor 
any  professed  Christian  to  commune  with  us  at  the  Lord's 
table,  whom  we  know  to  be  guilty  of  this  sin,  but  will  rather 
admonish  all  such  of  their  sin  and  exhort  them  to  repent- 
ance. 

Resolved,  That  we  consider  all  who  apologize  for  slave- 
holding,  or  in  any  way  palliate  its  sinfulness,  and  thci-eby 
soothe  the  conscience  of  the  slaveholder,  and  do  not  as  far 
as  in  them  lies  warn  the  oppressor  of  his  guilt  and  danger, 
to  be  guilty  in  the  sight  of  God. 

Resolved,  That  we  believe  it  to  be  agreeable  to  the 
spirit  of  the  gospel  voluntarily  to  associate  so  as  unitedly 
to  act  against  any  moral  evil,  and  we  believe  that  the 
American  Anti-Slavery  Society  is  an  association  whose  ob- 
ject is  the  entire  abolition  of  slavery,  and  that  we  cordially 
approve  of  its  measures. 

Resolved,  That  the  clerk  be  directed  to  cause  these 
resolutions  to  be  published  in  the  Herald  of  Freedom,  and 
Christian  Panoply,  and  transmit  a  copy  to  the  Presbytery 
at  its  next  meeting. 

A  very  long  document  dated  June  9th,  1841,  was  pre- 
sented to  the  Session,  of  which  on  account  of  its  length  an 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  PEESBYTERIAN.  343 

abstract  only  is  inserted.  Christian  kindness  and  fraternal 
affection  are  expressed.  The  former  expressions  of  the 
General  Assembly  and  their  present  position  and  practice 
are  recited ;  and  that  the  church  in  Chester,  being  an  in- 
tegral part,  was  implicated,  and  that  a  further  connection 
would  be  to  "  consent  with  thieves,  and  to  be  partakers 
with  adulterers."  They  say  that  church  organizations  and 
creeds  are  of  mere  human  origin,  and  tend  to  divide  the 
world  into  parties  to  war  with  each  other ;  and  they  pro- 
fess to  fall  back  on  Christ  as  their  ruler  and  the  gospel  as 
their  guide,  and  profess  a  willingness  to  suffer  any  obloquy 
or  other  result  that  might  follow.  They  conclude  by  ask- 
ino-  to  be  dismissed  from  the  church  but  not  recommended 
to  any  other. 

The  paper  contained  the  following  names  :  Amos  Chase, 
Nathan  Plummer,  Mehitabel  Plummer,  Mary  C.  Plummer, 
Judith  C.  Plummer,  Alonzo  R.  Dinsmoor,  Louisa  R.  Dins- 
moor,  Ruth  Chase,  Mary  Gilbert,  William  Coult,  Laura 
Coult,  Catharine  M.  Porter,  Grace  McKinley,  Ezekiel  Fox, 
Sarah  Fox,  James  Ray,  Lucy  Ray,  Ann  C.  Ray,  Lucy  S. 
Sargent.     (Laura  Coult  afterwards  erased  her  name.) 

The  subject  was  taken  up  in  Session,  Aug.  12,  1841,  and 
answered  in  a  kind  and  fraternal  manner.  That  the  Ses- 
sion considered  it  altogether  inconsistent  with  the  princi- 
ples of  the  gospel  and  the  rules  of  other  churches  to  com- 
ply, unless  it  be  with  a  view  of  joining  some  other  church 
or  forming  a  new  one.  Subsequently  Benjamin  Chase  made 
a  communication,  which  is  not  on  the  record,  much  the 
same,  with  the  addition  of  his  expressing  his  conviction  that 
the  New  Testament  taught  the  doctrine  of  non-resistance 
to  the  extent  of  not  going  to  law,  and  instead  of  asking  a 
dismission  dismissed  himself. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Session,  December  17,  1842, 

"  Voted  unanimously,  That  all  such  members  of  this 
Church  as  are  desirous  of  uniting  to  form  a  new  Church  in 
this  place,  under  the  name  of  '  The  Second  Congregational 
Church  in  Cliester  '   have  liberty  to  do  so  ;    and  when  they 


344  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

have  so  united  in  forming  such  a  new  church,  or  shall  have 
united  with  such  church,  then  their  connection  with  this 
church  shall  cease." 

October  10,  1840,  the  parish  voted  to  dissolve  the  con- 
nection between  them  and  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Sargent. 

In  April,  1841,  the  Presbytery  dissolved  tlie  pastoral  re- 
lation, and  at  Mr.  Sargent's  request  dissolved  his  connec- 
tion with  that  body.  They  express  great  concern  for  the 
future  happiness  of  Mr.  Sargent  and  in  the  welfare  of  the 
parish  and  church. 

In  September,  1841,  Rev.  Samuel  Ordway  was  hired  as 
stated  supply  and  continued  until  Jan.,  1843,  when  he  or- 
ganized the  Second  Congregational  church  in  Chester,  and 
the  Presbyterian  church  ceased  to  liave  an  active  existence. 

STATISTICS  OP  THE  PRESBYTERIAN    PARISH  AND  CHURCH. 

The  tax-lists  and  accounts  commence  at  the  same  time 
of  the  Session  records  in  1804.  At  that  time  nearly  or 
quite  everybody  paid  a  tax  to  one  of  the  parishes.  A  few 
of  the  Long  Meadows  paid  to  the  Congregational  parish. 

In  1804  there  were  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  persons 
taxed,  of  whom  William  Bell,  George  Bell,  Lt.  Jacob  El- 
liott, Lt.  Robert  Forsaith,  Andrew  Jack,  Wid.  Mary 
Jack,  "William  Mills,  Heirs  of  David  Mills,  estate  of 
Henry  Moore,  Robert  Mills,  Mary  Moor,  Capt.  Simon 
Merril,  William  Shirley,  Peter  Shirley,  Hugh  Tolford, 
James  Wason,  James  Wason  3d,  Col.  William  White, 
Lt.  William  Wilson,  Samuel  Wilson,  Edward  Wilson,  Mer- 
ibah  and  Susannah  Wadwell  and  Robert  Jack  belonged  to 
'  the  lower  part  of  the  town.  The  highest  tax  was  of  Dea. 
E.  H.  Kelley,  88.71,  the  next  of  Lt.  Elliott,  $7.76.  A 
single  poll  paid  73  cents. 

In  1820  one  hundred  and  seventeen  were  taxed,  of  whom 
nine  belonged  at  the  lower  part  of  the  town.  A  poll  tax 
was  $1.09. 

In  1830  sixty-one  were  taxed,  and  a  poll  tax  was  $1.30. 

The  last  tax  made  was  in  1841  Avhen  tliirty-one  were 
taxed  and  paid  $160.22,  and  the  residue,  about  one  hundred 
dollars,  raised  by  subscription. 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  SECOND    CONGREGATIONAL.  345 

There  is  a  list  of  church  members  in  1802  containing 
ninety-five  names.  Hugh  Tolford  and  wife,  William  Bell 
and  wife,  William  White  and  wife,  William  Mills  and  wife, 
Hugh  Shirley,  Benjamin  Melvin,  Margaret  Moore,  and  Jean 
McClellan,  belonged  to  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  and 
Thomas  Anderson,  Sen.,  William  Anderson  and  wife,  the 
wife  of  Thomas  Patten,  and  Jean,  the  wife  of  Joshua  Moore 
of  Candia. 

There  is  another  list  made  October  27,  1827,  containing 
the  names  of  seventy  residents  and  five  who  had  removed 
from  town. 

Col.  William  White  and  wife  were  all  who  remained  of 
the  old  Presbyterians  at  the  lower  end  of  the  town. 

The  only  means  wliich  we  have  of  knowing  who  the  Rul- 
ing Elders  were,  is  the  titles  prefixed  to  their  names  when 
tliev  were  elected  to  some  office,  which  does  not  date  their 
office.  William  White,  Sen.,  is  styled  Deacon  in  1732  ; 
Matthew  Forsaith  in  1749 ;  William  Leatcli  in  1752  ; 
Matthew  Forsaith  in  1766  ;  Adam  Wilson  in  1777  ;  William 
Tolford  in  1780  ;  John  Graham,  William  Wilson  and  Jo- 
seph Blanchard  were  chosen  in  1794  and  ordained  by  Mr. 
Annan  ;  David  Currier  and  Ezekiel  H.  Kelley  were  chosen 
in  1800  ;  B.  Pike  Chase  and  James  Wason,  Jr.,  were  chosen 
in  1819  ;  Dr.  Nathan  Plummer,  Jr.,  and  Samuel  Dinsmoor 
were  chosen  in  1824,  and  John  Folsom,  Benjamin  Chase 
and  Amos  Chase  were  chosen  in  1833. 

I  had  prepared  a  complete  list  of  the  officers  of  the  Pres- 
byterian parish,  but  my  work  is  so  voluminous  that  I  omit  it. 

THE   SECOND    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH    AND   SOCIETY   IN 

CHESTER. 

For  some  reason  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  dissolve  the 
Presbyterian  parish  and  church,  and  organize  a  Congrega- 
tional one.  Accordingly,  agreeably  to  an  act  passed  July  3, 
1827, "  The  Second  Congregational  Society  in  Cliester  "  was 
organized  June  11,  1842,  and  a  code  of  by-laws  adopted, 


346 


HISTORY   OF  MILLS. 


one  article  of  which  was  that  all  moneys  should  be  raised 
by  voluntary  subscription.  The  condition  of  membership 
was  signing  the  by-laws  and  paying  one  dollar  annually. 
On  the  first  day  of  January,  1843,  sixteen  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  adopted  articles  of  faith  and  a  cove- 
nant, and  were  organized  into  a  church  by  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Ordway,  and  assumed  the  name  of  The  Second  Congrega- 
tional Church  in  Chester.  After  the  town  of  Auburn  was 
incorporated,  in  1845,  the  name  of  the  society  and  church 
was  altered  to  the  First  in  Auburn.  There  is  a  list  of  mem- 
bers of  the  church  up  to  May  3,  1857,  containing  eighty- 


CONGBEGATIONAL  CHUECH  IN  AUBUKN. 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  BAPTIST.  347 

six  names.  Rev.  Samuel  Ordway,  "vrho  had  been  stated 
supply  to  the  Presbyterian  parish,  continued  to  labor  till 
the  summer  of  18-16,  when  tlie  Rev.  James  Holmes,  a  na- 
tive of  Londonderry,  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  in  1838, 
commenced  his  labors  and  was  installed  pastor  Dec.  5, 
1849,  and  yet  sustains  that  relation,  but  has  asked  a  dis- 
mission. 

The  Presbyterian  parish  deeded  the  society  their  prop- 
erty, consisting  of  the  meeting-house  and  lot,  and  the 
parsonage.  The  parsonage  was  sold  for  six  hundred  dol- 
lars, and  widow  Elizabeth  Bebee  made  the  society  residuary 
legatee,  from  which  they  received  five  hundred  and  forty- 
five  dollars  and  twenty-nine  cents. 

A  new  house  of  worship,  with  a  vestry  in  the  basement, 
was  erected  in  1847,  and  dedicated  in  Feb.,  1848,  costing 
about  twenty-six  hundred  dollars.  Miles  Burnham  gave 
the  land,  and  David  Hall,  of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  gave  a  bell. 
The  old  Presbyterian  house  was  sold  and  taken  down. 

HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTIST   CHURCH. 

Although  there  were  individuals  who  were  Baptists  in 
Chester,  and  might  have  been  occasional  preaching,  there 
was  no  organized  church  until  1819,  when  a  church  was 
organized  by  the  Rev.  Williaji  Taylor,  of  Concord,  consist- 
ing of  sixteen  members,  of  whom  Capt.  Pearson  Richard- 
son, Walter  Morse,  Jacob  Green,  and  Timothy  Smith  of 
Sandown,  were  prominent.  Col.  Stephen  Clay  and  Josiah 
Chase  united  afterwards,  and  were  active  members.  Walter 
Morse  and  Josiah  Chase  were  the  deacons.  They  wor- 
shiped in  Capt.  Richardson's  hall  until  1823,  when  a  meet- 
ing-house was  built  on  the  west  side  of  the  Haverhill  road, 
on  home  lot  Xo.  13,  which  cost  about  two  thousand  two  hun- 
dred dollars. 

They  had  for  preachers,  besides  Mr.  Taylor,  Rev.  Josiah 
Davis  of  Methuen,  and  the  Rev.  Duncan  Dunbar,  a  Scotch- 
man, afterwards  of  New  York  city.  Gibbon  Williams  was 
installed  ;    Geo.  Kallock  and  John   Upton  were  ordained 


3-48  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

pastors.  A  difficulty  arose  about  a  preacher,  a  part  of  the 
society  believing  him  to  be  corrupt  and  a  part  adhering  to 
him,  which  for  a  time  disorganized  the  church  and  society, 
and  they  had  no  preaching,  and  their  eai'ly  records  were 
lost,  and  the  meeting-house  went  to  decay. 

At  a  meeting  of  the   Portsmouth  Association,  held  at 
Newton,  1845,  a  committee,  consisting  of  brethren  Ayers 
of   Dover,    Gilbert    of  Northwood,  Wheeler  of  Plaistow, 
and   Swain  of   Brentwood,  were    appointed    to  visit   the 
church  in  Chester  and  attempt  to  settle  their  difficulties. 
The  committee  met  the  church  Jan.  13,  1846,  and  recom- 
mended to  disband  the  existing  church  and  organize  a  new 
one,  which  was  accordingly  done,   and  a  cluirch  of  fifteen 
members  was  formed,  and  William  Bell  chosen  deacon  and 
clerk.     There  are  the  names  of  sixty-three  members  on 
the  records,  and  James  D.  Bell  and  Silas  F.  Leonard  are 
the  present  deacons.     The  society  had  failed  to  hold  their 
annual  meeting,  and  April  9,  1859,  a  meeting  of  the  cor- 
poration was  held  by  a  warrant  of  a  justice  of  the  peace. 
At  subsequent  meetings  in  1860,  a  constitution  and  by- 
laws were  adopted,  to  which   twenty-two  names   are  ap- 
pended.    It  was  also  voted  to  sell  the  old  house  and  land, 
which  was  done  ;  the  house  for  one  hundred  and  ninety- 
seven  dollars,  and  the  land  for  twenty-six  dollars.     A  small 
piece  of  land  was  purchased  of  Alfred   S.  Dearborn,  near 
the  town-house,  and  where  Wilkes  West's  shop  stood,  for 
one  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars,  and  a  contract  was 
made  with  Hiram  S.  Pollard  to  build  a  house  for  twelve 
hundred   dollars,  which  was   dedicated   August   29,  1861. 
Preaching  has  since  been  had  by  various  individuals,  as 
stated   supplies  most  of  the  time,  paid   for  by  voluntary 
subscription. 

METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH. 

Methodism  did  not  probably  make  much  progress  in 
Chester  before  1800. 

In  1802  the  Congregational  parish  voted  to  give  in  Levi 
Hoit's  tax,  and  not  tax  him  in  future,  provided  he  should 
pay  for  the  support  of  the  ministry  in  Poplin. 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  METHODIST.  349 

In  March,  1805,  William  Wilson,  4th,  John  Locke,  and 
Widow  Mary  Moore,  presented  certificates  that  they  belonged 
to  the  Methodist  society  in  Poplin,  signed  by  David  Batch- 
elder,  deacon. 

About  1807,  John  Clark  came  to  Chester  from  Sandown. 
He  purchased  the  farm  of  Deacon  Adam  and  William  Wil- 
son. He  was  a  Methodist,  and  he  procured  the  Rev. 
George  Pickering,  a  gentleman  of  Southern  birth, —  a  man 
of  education,  tall,  and  of  gentlemanly  appearance, —  who 
preached  in  Mr.  Clark's  house  the  first  Methodist  sermon 
preached  at  Long  Meadows,  probably  about  1809.  Mr. 
Pickering  afterwards  preached  in  the  Long  Meadow  meet- 
ing-house.    Mr.  Clark  named  his  oldest  son  for  him. 

Mr.  Clark  being  a  man  of  energy  and  means,  occasion- 
ally procured  other  preachers,  among  whom  were  Rev. 
John  Broadhead  (who  was  once  a  member  of  Congress), 
Cass,  Newhall,  and  others,  who  preached  in  Mr.  Clark's 
house,  the  Kent  house  and  barn,  the  Herrick  house,  and 
school-house,  which  then  stood  near  the  pond  shore. 

When  a  new  school-house  was  built,  in  1827,  at  the  site 
of  the  present  one,  near  the  bridge  across  the  Blanchard 
mill-pond,  the  question  arose  whether  that  should  be  used 
by  the  Methodists.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Manning  was  then 
preaching  to  the  Presbyterians,  and  had  a  strong  antipathy 
to  the  Methodists,  and  said  that  if  they  were  permitted  to 
preach  in  it,  he  never  would.  The  district,  however,  voted 
that  it  should  be  open  for  religious  and  moral  meetings, 
and  Mr.  Manning  was  as  good  as  his  word,  and  refused  to 
preach  in  it. 

There  was  a  class  formed  early,  and  quarterly  meetings 
held.  In  September,  1826,  there  is  an  entry  in  a  diary, 
"  Quarterly  meeting  at  the  Kent  place."  The  old  school- 
house  would  not  be  sufficiently  capacious  for  such  an^occa- 
sion,  as  people  came  from  Hooksett,  Candia  and  Chester 
to  those  meetings. 

In  1836  a  meeting-house  was  built.  A  subscription  was 
started,  and  fifteen  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars  sub- 
scribed, including  four  hundred  by  Mr.  Clark.     Mr.  Clark 


;-> 


« 
a 

<; 

o 
i> 

73 

M 


o 


ECCLESIASTICAL  —  METHODIST.  351 

took  a  contract  to  furnish  a  site  and  build  a  house  for  two 
thousand  dollars,  and  whatever  it  cost  more  than  others 
paid,  he  gave. 

December  4th,  1836,  B.  B.  Hall  was  clapboarding  the 
extreme  top  of  the  eastern  gable,  standing  on  a  saw-horse 
which  tipped  over  and  precipitated  him  to  the  ground,  bj 
which  he  was  badly  injured,  but  survived. 

The  house  was  dedicated  July  20,  1827. 

Eev.  Mr.  Fales  was  stationed  here  in  1838,  and  after- 
wards Messrs.  Quimby,  Stearns  and  Smith,  and  protracted 
meetings  mere  held,  and  accessions  made.  But  a  dililiculty 
arose  between  some  of  the  members,  and  they  became  dis- 
organized, and  for  a  season  meetings  were  not  held,  and  the 
old  rec.ords  are  lost. 

Since  1843  the  desk  has  been  mostly  supplied  by  stu- 
dents from  the  Biblical  Institute  at  Concord.     In  1858  and 

1859  the  Rev.  Joseph  Scott,  who  had  completed  his 
studies,  supplied,  and  was  a  man  of  talent,  radical  in  his 
ideas,  inflexible  and  persevering  in  his  purpose,  taking  a 
high  stand  on  the  temperance  and  anti-slavery  movements, 
and  was  active  in  getting  up  and  sustaining  the  Band  of 
Hope.     He  joined  the  New  England  Conference. 

There  were  twenty-seven  church-members  in  1859.  In 
1861  there  were  eighty-four  scholars  in  the  Sabbath  school. 
In  1865  there  were  forty-one  names  on  the  list  of  members. 

The   succeeding   ministers   have   been,  Messrs.  Marsh, 

1860  ;  Spencer,  1861 ;  DeForrest,  1862  ;  H.  B.  Copp,  from 
the  Conference,  1863  ;  R.  J.  Donalson,  1864  ;  A.  Folsom, 
from  the  Conference,  1866. 

the   METHODIST   EPISCOPAL   CHURCH   IN   CHESTER. 

There  was  a  church  organized  in  1851,  by  Rev.  Elisha 
Adams,  the  Presiding  Elder  for  Dover  District,  and  Rev. 
James  M.  Young,  a  member  of  the  New  Hampshire  Con- 
ference, supplying.  The  same  summer  a  church  edifice 
was  erected  near  the  south  line  of  No.  36,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  on 
the  road  from  Chester  to  Candia.     It  was  built  under  the 


352  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

direction  of  Joseph  Smith,  Amos  Southwick,  Samuel  M. 
Edwards,  John  Majnard,  Isaac  L.  Seavey  and  Simon 
Haselton,  and  dedicated  in  October.  It  cost  about  one 
thousand  dollars. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  preachers  who  have 
ministered  to  the  church  and  society : 

James  M.  Young,  two  and  one  half  years  ;  Charles  U. 
Dunning,  two  years ;  George  M.  Hamlin,  of  the  Biblical 
Institute,  one  year ;  Jesse  Brown,  two  years  ;  Henry  Nut- 
ter, of  the  New  Hampshire  Conference,  one  year ;  C.  Henry 
Newell,  of  the  Biblical  Institute,  two  years ;  Edwin  S. 
Chase,  one  year ;  Charles  W.  Harkins,  one  year  ;  Joseph 
T.  Hand,  one  year  ;  John  Keogan,  one  year ;  True  Whit- 
tier,  one  year  ;  Ezekiel  Stickney,  local  preacher,  one  year  ; 
Abraham  Folsom,  of  the  New  Hampshire  Conference. 

The  average  membership  since  1854,  has  been  about 
sixty. 

THE    TEMPERANCE    MOVEMENT. 

Drunkenness,  or  intoxication  from  the  use  of  intoxicat- 
ing liquors,  has  prevailed  since  the  days  of  Noah,  and  has 
been  condemned  by  all  good  men.  From  the  earliest  time 
in  the  history  of  New  England  there  has  been  legislation  to 
regulate  the  sale  of  liquors  to  prevent  drunkenness. 

By  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  New  Hampshire, 
passed  5th  of  George  II.,  all  taverners,  innholders  and 
retailers  are  required  to  procure  a  license.  Taverners  and 
innholders  were  required  to  pay  an  excise  of  eight  pence 
per  gallon  on  all  wine,  rum,  and  other  spirits,  and  retailers 
to  pay  six  pence  per  gallon. 

By  an  act  4th  of  George  11. ,  nobody  was  allowed  to  sit 
tippling  more  than  two  hours,  nor  after  ten  o'clock  at 
night ;  and  no  taverner  was  allowed  to  trust  more  than 
five  shillings,  or  retailer  more  than  twenty  shillings. 

By  an  act  passed  in  1715,  no  apprentice  or  negro  was 
allowed  to  have  any  kind  of  drink  without  special  allow- 
ance of  his  master ;  nor  any  other  person  after  ten  o'clock 
at  night,  nor  to  sit  more  than  two  hours,  nor  to  drink  to 


TEMPERANCE.  353 

drunkenness,  or  other  than  strangers  to  remain  in  any 
tavern  on  the  Lord's  day.  Tything-men  were  to  be  chosen 
to  "  inspect  licensed  houses,  and  inform  against  offenders, 
and  had  power  to  bring  them  before  the  next  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  without  making  information,"  and  all  persons  were 
required  to  assist  them.  The  number  of  taverns  or  ale- 
houses in  the  several  towns  was  limited  to,  Portsmouth, 
six;  Hampton,  three;  Dover,  three ;  Exeter,  two ;  New 
Castle,  two  ;  Kingston,  one,  and  Newington,  one. 

By  an  act  passed  February,  1758,  it  is  provided  that  no- 
body should  be  licensed  in  Londonderry  without  being 
recommended  by  the  selectmen,  and  not  more  than  three 
taverners  and  three  retailers.  In  1761  the  selectmen  of 
Londonderry  petitioned  the  General  Assembly,  represent- 
ing that  they  had  not  so  many  taverners  and  retailers  as  the 
public  good  required  ;  and  an  act  was  passed  that  the  Ses- 
sion might  license  so  many  proper  persons,  well  qualified, 
as  will  be  for  the  advantage  of  the  public,  and  no  more. 
A  stringent  license-law  was  passed  in  1791. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Haverhill  Association,  held  at 
the  house  of  Rev.  Nathan  Bradstreet,  in  Chester,  on  the 
second  Tuesday  of  June  (the  10th),  1812,  action  was 
taken  with  a  view  to  discountenance  the  improper  use  of 
ardent  spirits  ;  and  it  was  voted  "  that  no  brother  shall  be 
deemed  wanting  in  generosity  or  hospitality  if  he  neglects 
to  provide  ardent  spirits  for  his  brethren,  when  they  meet 
at  his  house."  Rev.  Messrs.  Smith  and  Church  were  also 
appointed  a  committee  to  confer  with  the  Londonderry 
Presbytery  on  the  subject,  and  to  obtain  their  cooperation 
with  them  in  measures  calculated  to  prevent  the  intemper- 
ate use  of  ardent  spirits. 

The  following  preamble  and  rules  of  conduct  were  unan- 
imously adopted  at  the  same  time  and  place. 

The  Haverhill  Association  being  deeply  impressed  with 
the  numerous  evils  which  grow  out  of  the  excessive  use 
of  spirituous  liquors,  and  feeling  themselves  to  be  under 
sacred  obligations  to  be  patterns  of  sobriety,  and  to  avoid 
every  appearance  of  evil,  do  agree  to  adopt  the  following 
general  rules  of  conduct  : 
23 


354  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

1.  This  association  agree  that  they  will  consider  the 
exhibition  of  spiritous  liquors  in  their  meetings  as  no  part 
of  brotherly  entertainment ;  and  they  agree  in  common 
cases  of  health  to  "wholly  refrain  in  their  use. 

2.  The  members  of  this  Association,  being  acquainted 
with  each  other's  determination,  do  decide  that  a  brother 
of  this  body  shall  not  be  deemed  deficient  in  the  rites  of 
hospitality,  who  omits  in  ordinary  cases  to  set  s])iritous 
liquors  before  us  in  our  common  intercourse,  bitt  sliall  be 
considered  as  acting  a  decorous,  brotherly  and  Christian 
part. 

3.  This  Association  do  agree  that  they  will,  in  their 
parochial  visits,  in  their  social  interviews  and  circles,  in 
their  attendance  on  funeral  and  marriage  solemnities,  do 
all  they  deem  consistent  with  Christian  prudence  to  dis- 
countenance and  suppress  the  common  use  of  ardent  spirits. 

4.  This  Association,  feeling  a  deep  and  tender  concern 
for  the  tcmjioral  and  eternal  welfare  of  the  peoj)lo  under 
their  parochial  care,  bog  leave  to  solicit  their  particular  at- 
tention to  this  important  subject.  They  unitedly  and  earn- 
esth'  recommend,  that  they  would  refrain  from  the  use  of 
ardent  spirits  in  their  friendly  social  intercourse  ;  and  in 
particular  on  funeral  occasions,  when  God  is  calling  us  to 
solemn  thoughtfulness,  that  everything  might  be  avoided 
which  tends  to  weaken  the  impression  and  render  us  less 
mindful  of  our  latter  end.  [Congregational  Quarterly, 
April,  18G4,  p.  171.] 

There  was  a  Moral  Reform  Society  formed  in  Chester, 
December  29,  1814,  for  the  purpose  of  restraining  profan- 
ity. Sabbath-breaking  and  intemperance.  The  members 
were  pledged  not  to  drink  too  much. 

These  movements  were  good  in  themselves  ;  they  were 
setting  the  face  Zion-ward,  but  being  merely  local  and  on  a 
low  standard  they  did  not  get  the  community  far  that  way. 
I  do  not  know  what  the  Haverhill  Association,  or  any  other, 
did  at  their  private  meetings,  but  I  think  that  long  after 
this  it  was  a  custom,  if  not  an  indispensable  one,  to  have  ar- 
dent spirits  at  ecclesiastical  councils  and  ordinations,  and  I 
know  that  it  was  at  funerals  and  at  weddings. 

It  is  pertinent  as  a  matter  of  history  to  describe  the  drink- 
ing usages  of  the  times,  and  I  will  not  go  back  of  my  own 
recollection.     Chester  was  a  farming  town,  and  a  large  ma- 


TEMPERANCE.  855 

jority  of  the  people  did  not  use  ardent  or  distilled  liquor 
constantly  every  day,  though  carpenters,  masons  and  other 
mechanics  expected  to  be  furnished  with  it.  The  land  sur- 
veyor could  not  run  a  straight  line  without  it,  and  every 
farmer  used  it  during  his  haying  and  reaping.  On  all  pub- 
lic occasions,  such  as  military  trainings,  raisings,  and  haul- 
ings,  it  was  universally  fm'uished.  A  guest  was  not  cordially 
treated  who  had  not  the  decanter  placed  before  him.  To 
get  absolutely  drunk  was  disgraceful,  but  not  to  get  rather 
"  tight."  At  the  Long  Meadows  it  was  a  custom  for  a  por- 
tion of  the  men,  especially  in  cold  weather,  Sunday  noon  to 
go  to  Captain  Wason's  bar-room  and  warm  the  outer  man 
by  a  good  fire,  and  many  of  them  the  inner  man  with  a 
glass  of  liquor.  I  recollect  one  good  deacon  who  would  be- 
gin to  cough  as  though  there  was  something  in  his  throat, 
and  put  one  hand  on  his  breast,  observing  that  he  did  not 
feel  very  well,  and  reach  out  the  tumbler  for  a  glass  of 
liquor.  He  apparently  had  much  the  same  feeling  when 
asked  to  make  a  prayer  at  an  evening  meeting.  He  did 
not  feel  well  and  would  rather  join  with  somebody  else. 

The  minister  did  not  live  near  the  meeting-house,  and 
when  a  neighboring  minister  preached  he,  and  some  of  the 
deacons  to  keep  him  company,  went  into  what  was  called 
the  session  room  and  had  a  decanter  of  liquor  placed  be- 
fore them. 

At  Chester  a  considerable  portion  of  the  congregation  re- 
sorted to  Captain  Richardson's  tavern,  and  he  stood  during 
the  intermission  in  his  bar  to  serve  customers.  The  same 
was  true  at  Derry  at  Dr.  Isaac  Thom's  store,  and  I  saw  the 
same  operation  at  Windham  as  late  as  1832. 

Then  cider  was  a  common  drink  at  the  table  and  in  the 
field.  When  a  lad,  if  a  neighbor  happened  in  on  an  errand, 
I  had  to  draw  a  mug  of  cider  to  treat  him  with  ;  and  had 
to  put  up  half  a  gallon  or  a  gallon,  according  to  the  number 
of  hands,  to  carry  into  the  field  morning  and  noon.  The 
liquor  itself,  though  drank  alone,  was  supposed  to  be  bene- 
ficial at  all  seasons  and  in  all  temperatures  ;  but  certain 
mixtures  and  preparations  were  invented  to  adapt  it  to  the 
temperature  of  the  occasion. 


356  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

To  clear  the  cobwebs  from  the  throat  in  the  morning  and 
give  an  appetite  for  breakfast  in  summer,  green  tansy  or 
wormwood  was  pomided,  and  the  juice  squeezed  into  the 
liquor.  Flip  was  a  favorite  drink  for  cold  weather.  To 
make  it,  a  "  loggerhead  "  was  needed,  which  was  a  piece  of 
iron  about  six  inches  long  and  an  inch  square,  with  a  shank 
or  handle  about  three-eighths  thick  and  two  feet  long. 
This  was  put  into  the  fire  and  heated  red-hot.  A  quart 
mug  or  pewter  quart  three-fourths  full  of  malt  or  hop  beer 
sweetened,  and  the  hot  loggerhead  thrust  in  to  heat  it  and 
make  it  foam,  when  half  a  pint  of  rum  was  poured  in,  and 
a  mug  of  flip  was  produced,  which  was  drank  quickly  while 
foaming.  In  taverns  of  good  business  one  or  more  logger- 
heads were  continually  in  the  fire  in  winter.  Take  half  a 
pint  of  rum,  and  add  lemon  juice  to  sour  and  sugar  to 
sweeten,  and  water  sufficient,  and  you  had  a  mug  or  bowl 
of  punch,  good  to  cool  you  in  hot  weather.  The  rum 
sweetened  and  hot  water  added  made  sling.  Another  mix- 
ture was  toddy.  The  rum  was  put  into  a  glass  tumbler 
and  a  quantity  of  loaf  sugar  added.  They  had  an  instru- 
ment called  a  toddy-stick.  It  was  seven  or  eight  inches 
long  and  about  an  inch  in  diameter  at  tlie  lower  end,  with 
which  they  crushed  the  sugar  and  stirred  it  up,  and  water 
was  added  and  a  little  nutmeg  grated  in.  The  ringing 
noise  of  the  toddy  stick  against  the  sides  of  the  tumbler 
was  very  musical  in  the  ears  of  the  drinker.  It  was  some- 
times poured  into  a  bowl  and  the  bowl  filled  with  milk, 
which  was  milk-toddy.  Still  another  mixture  Avas  egg-nogg. 
One  or  more  eggs  were  put  into  a  bowl  with  sugar.  To 
beat  up  and  thoroughly  mix  the  eggs  and  sugar,  they  used 
a  piece  of  wood  about  eight  inches  long,  three-quarters  of 
an  inch  in  diameter,  with  a  transverse  piece  two  or  three 
inches  long  inserted  in  the  lower  end.  This  was  taken 
between  the  palms  of  the  two  hands,  by  rubbing  which, 
gave  a  revolving  motion.  The  half  pint  of  rum  and  milk 
being  added  and  mixed,  made  a  bowl  of  egg-nogg. 

During  the  war  of  1812  spirits  were  very  dear,  and  dis 
tilleries  were  erected  and  potatoes  were  distilled ;  and  po- 


TEMPERANCE.  357 

tato  whisky  was  produced,  wliicli  was  a  very  nauseous  ar- 
ticle, but  was  drank  with  avidity  by  confirmed  topers,  and 
more  or  less  by  all.  The  great  wonder  is,  that  all  were  not 
drunkards.  1  do  not  suppose  that  the  people  of  the  Long 
Meadows  were  very  much  worse  than  other  people. 

The  store-keepers  had  license  to  retail  spirituous  liquors, 
but  not  in  less  quantities  than  one  pint,  and  that  not  to  be 
drank  on  the  premises  ;  but  all  the  traders  in  town,  I  think, 
excepting  John  Bell,  did  sell  by  the  glass.  Capt.  Benj. 
Fitts  did  a  large  business  at  shoeing  oxen,  and  it  was  a 
custom  for  every  owner  of  the  oxen  shod  to  go  to  Sweet- 
ser's  store  and  get  a  pint  of  New  England  rum,  which 
made  the  shop  the  resort  of  loafers. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  April  28,  1817,  the  selectmen 
were  instructed  to  prosecute  all  persons  who  should  violate 
the  law  relating  to  retailers. 

At  the  June  session  of  the  Governor  and  Council  in 
1817,  Samuel  D.  Wason,  who  had  commanded  the  militia 
company  at  the  Long  Meadows,  was  promoted  to  the  office 
of  major.  He  called  out  the  company  to  fill  the  vacancy 
and  treated  the  company  and  spectators  to  as  much  punch 
as  they  would  drink.  Among  the  spectators  Avere  some  of 
the  most  respectable  men  of  the  parish,  including  church 
members  and  deacons.  They  did  not  keep  the  pledge  of 
the  Moral  Reform  Society,  but  many  of  them  were  a  good 
deal  intoxicated.  The  next  Sunday  the  Rev.  Clement 
Parker  delivered  a  discourse  advocating  total  abstinence 
instead  of  moderate  drinking,  maintaining  that  ardent 
spirit  was  entirely  useless  ;  that  a  man  could  do  more  work 
without  it  than  with  it.  This  is  the  first  discourse,  so  far 
as  1  know  or  believe,  ever  delivered  taking  so  high  a 
ground.  It  caused  a  great  deal  of  talk.  One  old  man 
asked  for  its  publication,  saying  that  he  wished  the  world 
to  know  how  great  a  fool  Mr.  Parker  was.  Young  men 
said  that  it  was  the  greatest  folly  to  suppose  that  a  man 
could  work  at  haying  and  harvesting  without  rum,  and  that 
so  long  as  they  were  able  to  purchase  a  gallon  of  rum  they 
would  have  it.     It  is  possible  that  Mr.  Parker's  practice 


358  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

was  not  always  as  good  as  his  preaching,  but  the  writer 
was  a  convert,  and  has  never  tasted  ardent  spirit  since. 
There  were  two  other  young  men  who  soon  after  abandoned 
its  use,  David  Currier  and  Pike  Chase  ;  and  there  is  one 
man  in  town  over  seventy  years  of  age  (Amherst  Coult) 
who  never  drank  any. 

Since  the  foregoing  was  written  a  book  has  come  to  hand 
entitled  "  History  of  Temperance  in  Saratoga  County," 
which  gives  an  account  of  forming  a  temperance  society 
there  on  the  principle  of  total  abstinence,  in  1808,  which, 
though  not  relating  to  the  history  of  Chester,  may  be  in- 
teresting to  preserve.  The  prime  mover  was  Dr.  Billy  J. 
Clarke,  who  was  born  at  Northampton,  Mass.,  Jan.  4,  1778, 
and  removed  with  his  father,  first  to  Williamstown,  Mass., 
then  to  Pownal,  Yt.,  where  his  father  kept  a  store,  and  Billy 
was  a  clerk,  dealing  out  liquors,  against  which  his  moral 
sense  revolted,  and  he  studied  medicine,  and  commenced 
practice  in  Moreau,  Saratoga  county,  X.  Y.  At  the  winter 
term  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  at  Ballstown,  in 
1808,  he  attempted  to  organize  a  County  Temperance  Soci- 
ety, but  it  was  regarded  by  both  bar  and  liench  as  visionary 
and  impracticable.  But  on  a  stormy  night  in  March,  1808, 
after  a  day  of  toil,  visiting  his  patients,  and  wet  and  mud- 
dy, he  entered  the  parsonage  and  accosted  its  occupant. 
Rev.  Lebbeus  Armstrong,  and  said,  "  Sir  !  We  sliall  become 
a  community  of  drunkards  unless  something  is  done 
speedily  to  arrest  the  progress  of  intemperance."  Dr. 
Clarke  personally  solicited  a  meeting  of  his  neighbors, 
which  was  convened  at  Mawney's  tavern,  April  13, 1808,  at 
which  time  it  was  resolved  to  form  a  temperance  society, 
and  "  that  the  members  of  this  meeting  wholly  abstain 
from  all  spirituous  liquors."  There  are  thirteen  names  re- 
corded as  members.  The  book  gives  a  biographical  notice 
of  Dr.  Billy  J.  Clarke,  Rev.  Lebbeus  Armstrong,  Hon. 
Gardner  Stow,  and  James  Mott,  the  only  survivors  of  the 
original  members  when  the  book  was  printed,  in  1855. 

But  liquor  continued  to  be  drank  to  great  excess.    About 
the  first  of  December,  1821,  a  new  store  was  opened,  and 


te:\iperance.  359 

bj  way  of  dedication,  the  owner  treated  free  of  charge,  all 
who  called  on  a  certain  day.  One  individual  imbibed  rather 
freely,  and  bought  a  jugful  to  carry  home,  but  he  never 
arrived  there,  having  been  found  dead  in  the  road  the  next 
morning.  At  the  funeral  it  was  thought  that  some  of  the 
family  were  not  as  sober  as  they  should  be.  This  aroused 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Arnold  to  preach  and  talk  against  intemper- 
ance. Things  however  went  on  in  the  old  track.  In 
182G,  Dr.  Lyman  Beecher  preached  his  six  sermons  against 
intemperance,  which  were  printed  and  widely  distributed. 

Nearly  if  not  the  first  organized  movement  on  the 
principle  of  total  abstinence  was  at  Andover,  Mass.  The 
Rev.  Jonathan  Clement,  afterwards  of  Chester,  who  was 
then  a  teacher  in  the  academy  there,  was  one  of  the 
first  to  sign  the  pledge.  The  first  organized  action  in 
Chester  was  in  1829.  Dr.  Justin  Edwards,  one  of  the 
formers  of  the  first  society,  came  to  Chester  and  spoke  on 
the  subject.  A  call  was  issued  for  a  meeting  to  consider 
the  subject.  One  deacon  refused  to  sign  the  call  on  the 
ground  that  a  little  did  him  good,  and  he  did  not  Avish  to 
deny  himself  of  a  good  thing  because  others  abused  it. 
He,  however,  afterwards  signed  the  pledge  and  became  a 
warm  advocate  of  the  cause.  He  said  that  he  found  all  of 
the  drunkards  in  town  hanging  to  liis  skirts.  The  meet- 
ing was  held  and  a  society  formed,  pledging  its  members 
to  total  abstinence  from  all  distilled  liquors.  I  have 
not  been  able  to  find  the  records  of  that  society.  But 
meetings  were  held  and  the  pledge  was  circulated,  and  the 
community  were  aroused  as  never  before  on  the  subject. 
Among  other  things  enquiries  were  addressed  to  the  retail- 
ers as  to  the  quantity  they  sold,  and  the  result  was  that 
about  ten  thousand  gallons  of  Xew  England  rum  were  re- 
tailed in  Chester  that  year,  at  a  cost  of  at  least  four  thou- 
sand dollars,  besides  the  West  India  rum,  gin,  <fec. 

In  April,  1835,  the  Session  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
passed  a  preamble  and  resolution,  adopting  a  pledge  to 
abstain  from  ardent  spirits  as  a  drink,  and  requesting  the 
present  members  of  the  church  to  sign  it,  and  requiring  its 


360  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

signature  by  all  candidates  for  admission.     (See  History  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  in  this  work.) 

There  was  an  idea  prevalent  that  the  whole  evil  lay  in 
distilled  liquors,  and  that  it  was  best  rather  to  encourage 
the  use  of  fermented  liquors  as  a  remedy,  rather  than  a  part 
of  the  disease.  But  the  idea  was  soon  found  to  be  falla- 
cious, and  the  most  active  friends  of  the  movement  changed 
their  base,  and  adopted  a  pledge  of  abstinence  from  all  in- 
toxicating liquors.  A  society  was  formed  and  a  constitution 
adopted  on  that  basis  at  Chester,  Feb.  13,  1838,  called  the 
"  Cliester  Washington  Total  Abstinence  Society."  There 
are  the  names  of  ninety-one  males  and  one  hundred  and 
seventy-four  females  attached  to  the  pledge. 

March  17,1858,  another  society,  called  the  "  Chester  To- 
tal Abstinence  Society,"  was  formed,  and  the  pledge  circu- 
lated by  a  committee  of  females,  and  the  names  of  two 
hundred  and  twenty-nine  males  and  two  hundred  and  fifty- 
six  females  are  attached  to  the  pledge. 

In  April,  1849,  the  "  Auburn  Total  Abstinence  Society" 
was  formed.  The  pledge  was  afterwards  circulated  by  a 
committee  of  females,  and  the  names  of  eighty-one  males 
and  one  hundred  and  one  females  are  attached  to  it.  These 
female  committees  were  nets  which  caught  quite  a  number 
who  did  not  stay  cauglit. 

In  the  winter  of  1858  and  '59,  Auburn  was  canvassed 
l)y  Rev.  James  Holmes  and  Rev.  Joseph  Scott,  meetings 
held  in  the  different  school-houses,  and  names  of  children 
up  to  sixteen  years  of  age  obtained  to  a  pledge  to  abstain 
from  all  intoxicating  liquors,  tobacco,  and  the  use  of  pro- 
fane language.  Jan.  18,  1859,  tbcy  were  organized  into 
the  "  Auburn  Band  of  Hope."  There  are  the  names  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty-eight  males  and  one  hundred  and 
thirty-seven  females  attached  to  the  pledge. 

THE  ANTI-SLAVERY  MOVEMENT. 

In  order  to  duly  appreciate  the  formation  of  an  anti- 
slavery  society  it  will  be  necessary,  for  the  benefit  of  those 
not  acquainted  with  the  history  of  the  time,  to  relate  some 


ANTI-SLAVERY   MOVEMENT.  361 

t 

facts  showing  the  state  of  public  opinion  on  the  subject  at 
the  time.  Yery  nearly  everybody,  South  as  well  as  North, 
had  professed  to  believe  slavery  to  be  a  great  evil,  some 
time  and  in  some  way  to  come  to  an  end.  Benjamin  Lundy 
had  advocated  gradual  emancipation  without  making  any 
disturbance.  But  when  Mr.  Garrison  started  the  "  Liber- 
ator," January  1st,  1831,  advocating  immediate  and  uncon- 
ditional emancipation,  without  compensation  or  expatria- 
tion, it  produced  a  great  excitement  through  the  whole 
country.  The  excitement  was  at  its  height  in  1835.  The 
American  people  have  never  been  so  well  united  on  any 
question  as  that  abolition  must  be  put  down.  The  most 
eminent  saints  and  the  most  eminent  sinners  were  for  once 
united.  The  jarrhig  sectarians  for  the  time  forgot  the 
other  heresies  in  view  of  the  greater  one  that  the  negro 
was  a  man  within  the  meaning  of  the  golden  rule.  Eccles- 
iastical bodies  passed  resolutions  denouncing  abolition,  and 
religious  newspapers  and  theological  quarterlies  published 
long  and  labored  articles  defending  slavery  from  the  Bible. 
The  most  conflicting  and  contradictory  reasons  were  brought 
against  emancipation.  In  one  breath  the  negroes  were  a 
lazy  and  indolent  race,  and  if  free  would  either  live  by 
theft  or  starve  ;  in  the  next  they  would  all  come  North  and 
would  come  into  competition  with  white  laborers  and  wages 
would  be  down  to  the  starving  point.  One  moment  God 
himself  had  made  such  a  line  of  demarcation  between  the 
races  that  civilization  or  education  or  religion  itself  could 
not  remove  it  —  that  they  could  never  dwell  together  in 
peace  ;  and  the  next  moment  that  if  emancipated  universal 
amalgamation  of  the  races  would  ensue. 

October  20th,  1835,  the  Rockingham  Western  Confer- 
ence met  at  Oandia,  and  Stephen  Chase  was  a  delegate  and 
on  the  business  committee,  and  Ijrought  forward  a  resolution 
saying  that  it  was  the  duty  of  Christians  to  examine  every 
moral  question  and  engage  in  every  right  one.  It  was  ad- 
mitted, with  the  supposition  that  it  meant  temperance 
merely  ;  but  when  it  was  found  to  mean  abolition  also,  it 
threw  the  Conference  into  a  great  excitement.     One  mem- 


362  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

ber,  generally  very  quiet,  said  that  if  this  question  was  to 
be  mooted  in  the  Conference  he  would  leave  it.  The  minis- 
ter of  Candia  (who  was  one  of  the  business  committee  and 
had  consented  to  the  introduction  of  the  resolution)  se- 
verely rebuked  Mr.  Chase  in  private,  saying,  "  You 
knew  I  did  not  want  my  people  to  hear  one  word  on  the 
subject." 

Members  of  the  Londonderry  Presbytery  argued  by  the 
hour  in  favor  of  taking  evidence  to  convict  a  minister  of 
saying  something  derogatory  to  the  doctrine  of  a  particular 
election,  because  it  was  against  the  "  standards  of  our 
church,"  and  then  opposed  the  passage  of  a  very  weak 
milk-and-water  anti-slavery  resolution,  because  it  was  de- 
rogatory not  to  the  "  standards  "  alone,  but  to  the  church 
itself.  The  resolution,  however,  passed,  and  the  editor  of  the 
"  New  Hampshire  Observer,"  the  Congregational  paper,  re- 
fused to  publish  it.  At  the  meeting  of  the  General  Associa- 
tion at  Plymouth  in  1835,  a  request  was  made  that  they  hear 
George  Thompson  of  England,  on  Anti-Slavery.  The  mo- 
tion was  negatived  by  Dr.  Church  saying,  "  We  won't  hear 
one  word  on  the  subject." 

Mr.  Thompson  went  to  Concord  and  took  lodgings  with 
George  Kent,  and  was  there  mobbed.  The  "  Observer" 
apologized  for  the  mob,  saying  that  they  only  wanted  a 
little  sport.  The  "  Statesman  "  said  that  it  was  as  harm- 
less as  a  military  muster.  The  "  Patriot  "  contradicted 
both,  saying  that  it  was  the  determination  of  the  people  of 
Concord  that  the  Abolitionists  should  not  be  heard  tliere. 

The  politicians  were  equally  devoted  to  stopping  the 
heresy  as  the  ministers,  —  the  heresy  that  a  negro  is  a  man 
within  the  meaning  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
In  Concord  they  held  a  great  meeting,  and  Isaac  Hill, 
the  very  soul  of  Democracy  in  New  Hampshire,  and  Dea- 
con Samuel  Fletcher,  a  leading  Whig,  stood  shoulder  to 
shoulder  and  made  speeches. 

In  Portsmouth  they  also  held  a  meeting,  at  which  Abner 


ANTI-SLAVERY   MOVEMENT.  3G3 

Greenleaf,  the  quintessence  of  Pemocracv,  and  a  leading 
Whig,  Mr.  Hackett,  I  think,  valiantly  faced  the  enemy. 

August  21,  1735,  there  was  an  "  immense  gathering"  at 
Faneuil  Hall,  in  Boston,  and  great  speeches  made  to  put 
down  the  heresy.  This  resulted  in  a  great  mob,  October  21 , 
1835,  of  five  thousand  gentlemen  of  property  and  standing 
to  quell  a  meeting  of  the  Female  Anti-slavery  Society,  com- 
posed of  thirty  or  forty  inoffensive  women  !  Like  meetings 
were  held  in  all  the  principal  cities  and  villages. 

The  abolition  heresy  did  not  take  much  root  in  Chester 
until  1834.  About  the  first  of  January  of  that  year  a  copy 
of  the  declaration  of  the  convention  which  formed  the  Amer- 
ican Anti-slavery  Society  strayed  into  town.  Mr.  Henry 
Abbot,  who  owned  the  Dinsmore  saw-mill,  had  the  "  Lib- 
erator "  that  year,  and  the  leaven  spread.  Early  in  1835, 
the  "Herald  of  Freedom"  was  started  in  Concord,  and 
some  half-a-dozen  copies  were  taken  in  town. 

September  12th,  1835,  a  meeting  was  called  at  the  Pres- 
byterian meeting-house  to  discuss  the  subject  of  slavery. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Clement  had  a  special  invitation  to  attend. 
But  a  few  weeks  before  he  had  preached  at  Haverhill,  and 
the  Rev.  Samuel  J.  May  preached  to  the  Unitarians  and 
was  to  deliver  a  lecture  in  the  Christian  Union  Chapel  in 
the  evening  ;  Mr.  Clement  went  to  the  meeting,  but  it  was 
entirely  broken  up  by  the  mob  outside  throwing  stones  and 
gravel  against  the  windows,  breaking  the  glass.  A  loaded 
cannon  was  being  drawn  to  the  spot,  to  add  to  the  noise  of 
the  mob,  if  nothing  more,  and  it  was  understood  to  have 
been  the  intention  to  have  removed  the  stairs  leading  into 
the  chapel,  so  that  those  inside  rushing  out  should  be 
plunged  headlong  some  eight  feet.  Mr.  Clement  deemed 
discretion  the  better  part  of  valor,  and  declined.  Rev.  Mr. 
Sargent  had  agreed  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Feckham  for  an  ex- 
change to  have  him  speak  at  the  meeting,  but  he  deemed  it 
prudent  to  stay  at  home.  The  meeting,  however,  was  held, 
and  a  society  formed. 


364  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

A  preamble  and  constitution  drawn  up  by  Stephen  Chase 
were  adopted.     The  following  are  the  leading  articles  : 

"  Believing  that  slaveholding  is  a  sin  against  God,  as 
well  as  a  violation  of  the  dearest  rights  of  man,  and  that  its 
continuance  involves  the  dissolution  of  the  Union,  the  insur- 
rection of  slaves,  and  curse  of  God  upon  our  country ;  and 
feeling  it  our  duty  unitedly  to  remonstrate  against  it,  we 
have  formed  ourselves  into  a  society,  to  be  governed  by  the 
following  constitution." 

"  Art.  2.  The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  enlighten 
the  puljlic  mind  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  and  if  possible  to 
persuade  the  slaveholder  to  emancipate  his  slaves. 

"  Art.  3.  This  society  will  never  advise  or  countenance 
a  resort  to  force,  but  will  use  for  the  accomplishment  of  its 
object  those  means,  and  those  only,  which  are  sanctioned  by 
the  Constitution  and  Laws  of  our  country." 

One  would  hardly,  at  first  sight,  see  in  the  above  either 
treason  or  infidelity,  but  it  was  held  to  contain  both.  The 
constitution  was  signed  by  those  present,  and  officers 
elected  :  B.  Pike  Chase,  president ;  Isaac  Hall,  vice-pres- 
ident; Amos  Chase,  secretary;  Benjamin  Chase,  treasurer. 
The  constitution  was  afterwards  circulated  through  the 
town,  and  there  are  now  the  names  of  fifty-one  males  and 
sixty-one  females  attached  to  it.  Little  more  was  done  by 
the  society  than  electing  officers  and  sending  delegates  to 
the  various  conventions.  The  following  extracts  from  the 
Treasurer's  report  show  about  what  was  done. 

"  Early  in  the  season  of  1835  your  Treasurer,  on  his 
private  account,  ordered  a  few  publications  of  the  A.  A.  S. 
S.,  for  distribution,  and  in  the  sununer  extended  the  num- 
ber to  six  Emancipators,  sixteen  Human  Rights,  forty  Anti- 
Slavery  Records,  and  forty-eight  Slave's  Friends.  The  pub- 
lications were  distributed  in  this  town,  and  more  or  less  in 
the  following  towns  :  Candia,  Raymond,  Poplin,  Brentwood, 
Exeter,  Plaistow,  Haverhill,  Hanipstcad,  Hooksett,  Man- 
chester and  Goffstown.  Several  individuals  contributed  to- 
wards the  expense  of  the  publications." 

The  "Emancipator"  was  a  large-sized  paper;  the 
"  Human  Rights,"  a  half-sheet  paper  ;  the  "  Anti-Slavery 
Record,"  a  large  tract ;  "  The  Slave's  Friend,"  a  small  one 
for  children,  printed  monthly. 


MILITARY   HISTORY.  365 

"  In  March;  1S36,  four  individuals,  memljers  of  this 
society,  namely,  John  Clark,  Amos  Chase,  Benja.  Chase, 
and  Stephen  Chase,  engaged  to  sustain  one  twenty-fifth  part 
of  the  ''  Herald  of  Freedom,"  which  was  issued  at  a  very 
low  price  to  subscriljers,  and  distributed  gratuitously  to  some 
extent,  and  upon  the  settlement  of  the  accounts  were  as- 
sessed in  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars,  or  twelve  dollars  and 
twenty-five  cents  each,  which  has  been  paid. 

"In  January,  1837,  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Root  lectured  in 
this  place,  a  collection  was  taken  up  in  behalf  of  the 
A.  A.  S.  S.,  amounting  to  ten  dollars  and  seventy-five 
cents,  which  was  paid  over  to  Mr.  Root.  Two  other  indi- 
viduals gave  him  one  dollar  each. 

"  One  hundred  of  the  A.  S.  Almanack  for  1888  has  been 
purchased  by  Mr.  Wm.  B.  Paine,  which  are  in  a  course  of 
distribution." 

July  4th,  1837,  the  Rev.  T.  H.  Miller,  of  Portsmouth, 
delivered  an  address  on  slavery  in  the  Baptist  meeting- 
house. 


CHAPTER     XIV. 

THE  MILITARY  HISTORY  OF   CHESTER. 

The  first  military  law  passed  in  New  Hampshire  was  in 
1718.  All  the  means  of  knowing  about  the  military  organ- 
ization in  Chester  is  the  titles  prefixed  to  the  names  of  the  in- 
habitants. The  first  found  on  our  records  was  in  1731.  Sam- 
uel Ingalls  has  the  title  of  captain ;  Ebenezer  Dearborn  of 
lieutenant ;  and  Jacob  Sargent  of  ensign  ;  which  is  prob- 
ably nearly  as  early  as  there  was  any  military  organization. 
Thomas  Smith  is  lieutenant  in  1732  ;  John  Tolford  is 
captain,  and  Thomas  Wells  lieutenant,  in  1714 ;  Abel 
Morse  is  captain  in  1746,  and  Thomas  Wells  in  1748  ; 
Thomas  Craige  is  lieutenant,  James  Varnum  is  ensign, 
and  Robert  Calfe  sergeant,  in  1749 ;  Enoch  Colby  is  also 
ensign,  and  Eben  Dearborn,  Jr.,  sergeant,  in  1749;  Silra- 
nus    Smith  lieutenant,  in  1752 ;    Samuel  Robie  in  1753  ; 


366  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

and  Benaiali  Colby  in  1756  ;  and  Jonathan  Blunt  captain 
the  same  year.  John  Lane  was  appointed  cornet  of  the 
ninth  troop  of  the  first  regiment  of  cavalry,  commanded 
by  Col.*  John  Downing,  September  ITth,  1754,  by  Benning 
Wentworth ;  John  Tolford  is  major,  and  Andrew  Jack 
lieutenant,  in  1757  ;  James  Shirley  is  captain,  and  James 
Quentan  ensign,  in  1759.  Henry  Hall  is  ensign  in  1761 ; 
Sam.  Robie  captain  in  1761 ;  Robert  Wilson  lieutenant  in 
1765  ;  Captain  Underbill,  Lieutenant  Joseph  Basford,  and 
Ensign  Joseph  True,  in  1765 ;  Oliver  Morse  and  Henry 
Moore  lieutenants,  and  Samuel  Ilazelton  cornet,  in  1766  ; 
Richard  Emery  major,  in  1769  ;  Andrew  Jack  captain,  in 
1770 ;  Joseph  True  captain.  Lieutenant  Witherspoon,  in 
1775  ;  Major  French  (Jabez),  1774  ;  Hugh  Shirley,  1775  ; 
David  Witherspoon  captain,  and  James  Dunlap  lieuten- 
ant, in  1766.  Stephen  Dearborn  had  a  commission  of  cap- 
tain under  the  king.  May  3,  1767  ;  and  under  Congress, 
September  5,  1775  ;  major,  March  25,  1785  ;  lieutenant- 
colonel,  April  5,  1793  ;  resigned,  September  18,  1800. 

A  militia  law  was  passed,  September  19,  1776,  enroll- 
ing in  train-bands  all  able-bodied  men  from  sixteen  to  fifty 
years  of  age ;  exempting  nearly  all  officers,  ministers, 
Quakers,  negroes,  Indians,  and  mulattoes  ;  each  company 
to  be  mustered  eight  times  a  year. 

Then  there  was  to  be  an  "  alarm  list,"  composed  of  all 
male  persons  from  sixteen  to  sixty-five  years  of  age  not  in- 
cluded in  the  train-band,  with  some  exceptions,  if  of  suffi- 
cient ability,  to  be  inspected  twice  a  year.  The  captains  of 
the  alarm  list  by  custom  had  a  brevet  title  of  colonel. 
There  was  to  be  a  military  watch  kept  by  those  belonging 
to  the  train-band  and  alarm  list,  under  the  direction  of  the 
commissioned  officers  of  the  town. 

In  looking  over  the  rolls  of  the  men  in  the  French  and 
Indian  wars  from  1745  to  1760,  in  the  Adjutant-General's 
Report,  vol.  ir.,  1866, 1  find  the  following  Chester  names, 
although  it  is  not  certain  that  they  were  all  Chester  men ; 
and  some  Chester  men  may  have  been  overlooked. 


MILITAEY   FRENCH   WAR.  367 

111  the  winter  of  1745-6,  Captain  John  Goffe  had  a  com- 
pany of  thirty-seven  men  scouting  the  woods  on  snow-shoes, 
of  which  Samuel  Brown  was  a  sergeant ;  under  Jeremiah 
Clough,  Henry  Ervine  ;  under  Andrew  Todd  scouting  at 
Canterlmry,  1746,  Archibald  Miller,  Adam  Wilson,  Wil- 
liam McMaster,  John  Grimes  and  James  Wilson.  Adam 
Wilson  and  Archibald  Miller  afterwards  lived  in  Chester, 
but  probably  went  from  Londonderry. 

Captain  Daniel  Ladd's  company,  at  Canterbury,  1746: 
Enoch  Rowel,  Zebedee  Berry,  Paul  Healey,  Samuel  Moore, 
and  John  Xutt ;  William  Presson  and  Henry  Ervine,  July 
to  December,  1746  ;  Samuel  Moore  again  in  1747.  Daniel 
Foster  (lived  near  Martin's  Ferry)  was  in  Eastman's  com- 
pany. Under  Moses  Foster  at  Suncook,  John  Moore,  John 
Carr.  John  Webster  was  lieutenant  in  John  Goffe's  scout- 
ing party  in  1748  ;  he  might  have  been  Col.  Webster  of 
Chester.  He  -was  afterwards  captain  and  raised  a  scout 
of  twenty  men,  and  none  of  them  Cliester  men  ;  it  is  prob- 
able that  he  was  not  the  man.  In  what  way  the  men  com- 
posing these  scouts  were  raised,  whether  by  voluntary  en- 
listment or  impressment,  or  both,  I  do  not  know. 

It  has  been  seen  that  in  1747  the  town  voted  to  petition 
the  Governor  and  Council  "  to  stop,  and  save  any  more 
men  being  sent  out  of  the  town  into  the  service,  and  to 
have  a  suitable  number  of  men  kept  in  the  service  in  our 
own  town."  In  1748  there  were  petitions  sent  from  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  town  to  the  captains,  and  by  John  Tolford 
and  Thomas  Wells  to  the  Governor  and  Council  for  men ; 
but  probably  Chester  never  had  any  direct  aid.  (See  1747 
and  1748  in  the  history.) 

In  the  expedition  against  the  French  Forts,  DuQuense, 
Niagara  and  Crown  Point,  in  the  winter  of  1755,  New 
Hampshire  furnished  a  regiment  of  six  hundred  men,  un- 
der Col.  Joseph  Blanchard,  in  which  the  following  Chester 
names  appear :  Joseph  Morril,  Daniel  Martin,  Caleb  Dal- 
toii,  Robert  Gordon,  John  Shackford,  Nathan  Morse,  Saml. 
Towle,  Samuel  Emerson  (son  of  Saml.  Emerson,  Esq.,  died 
at  Albany,  Nov.  17,  1755),  Robert  Kennedy,  John  Rowe, 


368  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

John  Craig,  Saml.  Dudley,  James  Eaton,  John  Hall,  clerk, 
(might  have  been  the  first  town  clerk  of  Derryfield,)  Ithiel 
Gordon,  James  Fulerton,  Sam'l  Daulton,  Reuben  Towl, 
Curtis  Bean,  John  Dal  ton,  Jonas  Clay,  William  Aiken, 
Robert  Witherspoon,  "William  Wilson,  Daniel  Wilson, 
James  Aiken,  John  Gage,  Nathaniel  Etherage. 

For  the  expedition  against  Crown  Point  in  1756,  New 
Hampshire  raised  a  regiment  of  seven  hundred  men,  under 
the  command  of  Col.  Nathaniel  Mcserve,  of  Portsmouth,  in 
the  roll  of  which  the  following  Chester  names  appear : 
Jesse  McFarland,  William  McMaster,  John  Nutt,  Robert 
Gordon,  Francis  Towle,  Joseph  Dudley,  John  McClellan, 
Benja.  Fuller,  William  Baker,  Gideon  Rowel,  Ben.  Bachel- 
der,  James  Shirley. 

In  1757  New  Hampshire  furnished  a  regiment  of  five 
hundred  m(3n  for  the  Crown  Point  expedition.  Chester 
names  :  Robert  Kennedy,  Hugh  Quinton,  John  Carr,  Sam- 
uel Towle,  sergeant,  Paul  Healey,  corporal,  Benj.  Bacliel- 
der,  Edmund  Elliott,  EI)enezer  Eaton,  Samuel  Hazelton, 
Amos  Merril,  Jonathan  Towle,  Stephen  DearV)orn. 

The  sixth  company  was  commanded  by  Richard  Emery. 
Richard  Emery,  of  Chester,  married  Mary  Blunt,  1765,  and 
is  styled  major  in  Chester  records  in  1767.  The  Kenne- 
dys might  have  been  GofTstown  men,  and  the  Chester  Dal- 
tons  did  not  spell  their  names  Daulton. 

In  August,  1757,  a  reinforcement  was  sent  to  Charles- 
town  No.  4,  which  served  until  November.  Timothy  Foss, 
David  Weljster,  David  Hill,  Samuel  Dalton,  Isaiah  Rowc, 
Benja.  Fuller  and  Samuel  Brown  are  Chester  names. 

There  was  a  company  sent  in  1757  to  garrison  Fort 
William  and  Henry.  Chester  names  :  Benjamin  Libley, 
Stephen  Marden  and  Nathl.  Rand. 

In  1758  another  regiment  was  sent  to  Crown  Point,  in 
•which .  Samuel  Towle  is  second  lieutenant,  and  several 
Chester  names  before  mentioned  ;  and  James  Clay,  Benja. 
Currier,  NatliT  Wood,  Hugh  Quinton,  Thomas  Wason,  John 
Mills,  Joseph  Linn,  Mathew  Tcmpleton,  Hugh  Shirley,  Rob- 
ert McKinley,  Oliver  Morse,  second  lieutenant  of  the  eighth 


MILITARY   HISTORY.  3G9 

company,   Josliua    Prescott,    Ezekiel    Morse    and    John 
Qiiimby. 

In  1760  a  regiment  was  raised  to  invade  Canada.  John 
Goffe  was  colonel,  and  Richard  Emery,  probably  of  Ches- 
ter, major.  Hugh  Quinton,  David  Weatherspoon,  James 
Graham,  Archibald  McDaffee,  Eobert  McKinley,  James 
Quinton,  Hugh  Shirley,  Robert  Wasson,  James  Weather- 
spoon,  Samuel  Haseltine,  David  "Webster,  Jacob  Basford 
(died),  Ebenezer  Basford,  Jonas  Clay,  David  Craige,  Jona- 
than Emerson,  (son  of  Samuel  Emerson,  Esq.,  died  at  Crown 
Point,  November  7th,  1760,)  John  Gage,  Samuel  Ingalls, 
John  Karr,  John  Seavey,  Titus  Wells,  Jacob  Griffin,  Stephen 
Webster,  John  Mills,  Jacob  Quimby,  Nathaniel  Maxfield 
and  Nathaniel  Rand  were  from  Chester. 

Besides  the  foregoing  found  on  the  rolls,  it  is  said  that 
Matthew,  son  of  Samuel  Gault,  was  an  officer,  and  died  at 
Cape  Breton,  1759.  His  will  was  proved  August,  1759. 
William  Otterson,the  grandfather  of  the  Hooksett  Ottersons, 
is  said  to  have  been  in  the  army  and  drowned  in  crossing 
Lake  Champlain  in  1760.  It  has  also  been  said  that  Abra- 
ham ]\Iorse  was  in  the  French  war,  and  that  Elijah  Pills- 
bury  was  before  Quebec  when  Wolfe  was  killed.  He  prob- 
ably enlisted  at  Newbury.  Wells  Chase  went  from  New- 
bury a  campaign  under  Governor  Shirley  to  Norridgewock 
in  1754,  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Ticonderoga  in  1758. 
Archibald  McDuffee  was  in  the  French  war.  The  king 
issued  a  proclamation,  dated  Feb.  19,  1754,  offering  certain 
bounties  in  land  to  such  officers  and  soldiers  as  should  en- 
ter his  service  against  the  French ;  and  another  proclama- 
tion, dated  Oct.  7,  1763,  ordering  the  land  for  the  New 
England  states  to  be  laid  off"  in  the  state  of  Virginia,  about 
one  hundred  miles  above  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  river.  In 
1816,  James  Miltimore,  of  Windham,  came  along  and  pro- 
cured powers  of  attorney  from  the  Chester  soldiers,  among 
whom  were  Wells  Chase,  Robert  McKinley,  Matthew  Tem- 
pleton  and  Archibald  McDuffee,  empowering  him  to  re- 
cover and  sell  the  lands,  and  gave  bonds  back  to  pay  them 
one  half  of  all  that  he  should  receive.  I  think  nothing  fur- 
ther was  heard  about  it. 
24 


& 


370  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

The  news  of  the  battle  at  Lexington  spread  with  amazing 
rapidity.  Nathaniel  Emerson  received  the  news  at  mid- 
night at  Candia,  and  aroused  the  people,  and  drummer 
David  Hill  beat  up  for  recruits,  and  Moses  Dustin  is  said  to 
have  been  the  first  to  fall  in,  and  he  served  through  the 
war.  They  soon  raised  a  squad,  which  soon  started  for 
the  scene  of  the  war.  Probably  more  than  half  the  able- 
bodied  men  started,  with  such  arms  as  they  had  and  with 
such  conveyance  as  was  at  hand,  and  went  to  Cambridge, 
the  headquarters  of  the  army.*  A  portion  of  the  men  en- 
listed, and  the  rest  returned  home.  So  far  as  the  action  of 
the  town  of  Chester  is  concerned,  by  votes  in  town-meet- 
ing, it  has  been  given  in  the  history  of  those  years.  The 
army  rolls,  and  other  papers  relating  to  the  war,  are  con- 
tained in  eleven  large  volumes  in  the  Adjutant-General's 
office.  The  matter  is  very  voluminous  and  difficult  to 
arrange,  and  I  know  of  no  better  way  than  to  give  the  rolls 
containing  Chester  men,  always  including  Candia  and  Ray- 
mond, designating  the  respective  towns,  Chester  A,  Candia 
B,  and  Raymond  C,  so  far  as  practicable.  I  will  also  sup- 
ply any  seeming  deficiencies  by  documents  or  tradition. 

According  to  the  Report  of  the  Adjutant-General,  1866, 
vol.  2,  New  Hampshire  had  three  regiments  in  1775  ;  the 
first  commanded  by  John  Stark ;  the  second  by  Enoch 
Poor ;  the  third  by  James  Rcid.  Stark's  and  Reid's  were 
stationed  at  Medford,  and  were  at  Bunker  Hill ;  and  Col. 
Poor  remained  on  duty  at  home.  The  tenth  company  of 
the  third  regiment  was  commanded  by  Hezekiah  Hutch- 
ins,  and  Amos  Emerson  of  Chester  was  lieutenant ;  and 
the  names  of  David  Currier,  Josiah  Morse,  Peter  Severance, 
Thomas  Wilson  and  Samuel  Moore  appear  on  the  roll. 
Capt.  David  Shaw  says  that  William  Gross,  his  mother's 
half  bi'other,  was  in  the  Bunker  Hill  battle,  under  Emer- 
son. There  were  two  other  men  known  to  be  in  the  battle 
whose  names  I  have  not  found,  —  Caleb  Hall,  who  went 
down  at  the  time  of  Lexington  battle  and  enlisted,  and 
Dea.  John  Hills  of  Candia,  who,  while  lying  behind  the 

*  See  page  132. 


MILITARY  HISTORY.  371 

rail  fence  stuffed  with  hay,  had  a  ball  strike  his  foot,  which 
he  picked  up,  and  not  fitting  his  gun,  he  brought  it  home. 
There  is  a  letter  from  Parker  Morse  to  Dea.  Hills  extant, 
directed  to  him  as  belonging  to  Hutchins'  company  at  Mys- 
tic. Some  of  the  men  who  went  down  at  that  time  and 
staid,  might  have  enlisted  in  Massachusetts  regiments,  be- 
fore the  New  Hampshire  ones  were  organized. 

CHESTER. — HEZEKIAH   HUTCHIXS'   COMPANY. 

Simon  Merril,  A,  Joseph  Spillad,  A, 

"William  Shannon,  David  Currier,  A, 

Joseph  Smith,  A,  Thomas  Wilson,  B, 

Saml.  Brown,  A,  John  Lane,  Jr.,  A, 

James  Gross,  A,  John  Tucker,  C, 

Peter  Severance,  A,  John  Lane,  3d,  C, 

Saml.  Morse,  Simon  Norton,  A, 

Reuben  Sanborn,  A,  James  Randal,  C, 

Josiah  Morse,  Jr.,  A,  William  Randal,  C. 

Those  from  Chester  are  marked  A,  Candia,  B,  and  Ray- 
mond, C,  and  the  uncertain  are  left  unmarked. 

In  the  selectmen's  accounts  for  the  year  1776,  there  are 
the  following  items  charged : 

"  Paid  Joseph  Linn,  Hugh  Cromby,  Andrew  Aiken,  John 
Vance,  Alexander  Wetherspoon,  Timothy  Lunt,  Jeams 
Craft,  their  wages  for  service  done  at  Medford. 

"  Paid  Josepli  Louge,  Samuel  Webster  and  Benj.  Long, 
for  service  done  at  Medford.'' 

In  1775  there  is  a  charge  for  pork  sent  to  Cambridge, 

£6  7s.  5d. 

"  Paid  to  Maj.  Jabez  French  money  that  we  hired  to  sup- 
port the  Delegates  that  went  to  Philadelphia,  <£9  8s.  6d.'' 

There  are  also  charges  for  blankets,  and  for  numbering 
the  people. 

Philip  Tilton,  captain,  Jacob  Webster,  lieutenant,  both 
of  Raymond,  and  John  Tilton,  second  lieutenant,  of  San- 
down,  were  the  officers  of  the  third  company,  second  reg- 
iment, June  12,  1775,  and  Caleb  Richardson's  name  is  on 
the  roll. 

There  is  a  pay-roll  of  Capt.  Nathan  Brown's  company, 


372 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


David  Gilman's  regiment,  April  10,  1776,  in  which  are 
Chester  names  :  Nathaniel  Blasdel,  James  McFarland,  John- 
Shannon,  John  Lane,  Reuben  Hall,  Zachariah  Butterfield, 
Jacob  Lane,  William  Shannon,  Theophilus  Lovereign  of 
Raymond,  Hugh  Crombie,  James  Aiken. 

July,  1776.  A  roll  of  Capt.  Joseph  Dearborn's  company, 
No.  6  in  Col.  Wyman's  regiment,  in  the  Continental  service 
against  Canada,  as  mustered  and  paid  by  John  Dudley, 
Esq.,  muster-master  and  paymaster  of  said  company  : 


Joscpli  Dearborn,  Capt.,  A, 

David  Wetherspooii,  Lieut.,  A, 

Mathias  Haines,  Private,  C, 

William  Leatch,  A, 

Samuel  Webster,  A, 

Jeremiah  llicliardson,  A, 

Jeremiah  Towle,  A, 

Thomas  Wells,  A, 

Samuel  Dinsmore,  A,  died, 

Anthony  Towle,  A, 

Gideoii  Currier,  A, 

John  Knowles,  A, 

Richard  Payne, 

Joseph  Kuowlcs,  Jr.,  A, 

Josiah  AVells,  A., 

John  Koberts,  C, 

Thomas  Wason,  B, 

John  Wason, 

Nathan  Lane,  C,  d.  Sep.  26, 

Israel  Griffin, 

Benjamin  Cass,  B, 

John  Prescott, 

Moses  Hills,  A, 


Peter  Moores,  B, 
Joshua  Moores,  B, 
Enoch  Colby,  B, 
Jacob  Clifford,  B, 
Obadiah  Hall,  A, 
Benjamin  Hall,  A  or  B, 
James  Aiken,  A, 
James  Bell, 
Joseph  Linn,  A, 
Hugh  McDuffee,  A, 
Moses  McFarland,  A, 
John  McClellan,  A, 
David  Taj^lor, 
Joseph  Hills,  Jr.,  A, 
Ezekiel  Morse,  C, 
John  Batchelder, 
John  Leavitt,  C, 
Ezekiel  Knowles,  B, 
James  Willson,  A, 
James  McFarland,  A, 
John  Vance,  A, 
Ebenezer  Collins, 
Asa  Dearborn,  A. 


Each  private  received  ten  pounds,  four  shillings  and  nine 
pence  ;  sum  total,  six  hundred  and  twenty-nine  pounds, 
aiineteen  shillings  and  thr^ee  pence.  Extra  wages, —  paid 
four  sergeants,  viz.,  William  Leatch,  Enoch  Rowel,  B, 
Caleb  Morril  and  Moses  Sanborn,  A,  eiglit  shilUngs  ;  four 
corporals,  viz.,  Anthony  Towle,  A,  Benaiah  Colby,  A, 
Ezekiel  Knowles,  B,  and  Asa  Heath,  at  four  shillings  each  ; 
David  Hill,  B,  drummer,  four  shillings. 


MrLITARY   HISTORY. 


3T3 


Muster  and  pay-roll  of  men  in  Capt.  Samuel  McConnel's 
Company,  Col.  David  Gilman's  regiment,  raised  out  of 
the  regiment  commanded  by  Col.  John  Webster  to  rein- 
force the  Continental  army  at  New  York,  and  mustered  and 
paid  by  Col.  John  Webster,  December,  1776  : 


Ezekiel  Wortlien,  Lt.,  A, 
Ichabod  Ilobie,  Sergt.,  B, 
John  Cliuk,  Corporal,  B, 
Timothy  Jewel,  Private, 
Abraham  Brown, 
Josiah  Foi'saith,  A, 
Paul  Eaton,  B, 
Amos  Knowles,  B, 


John  Clay,  B, 
David  Underhill,  A, 
Isaac  Blasdel,  A, 
Nathaniel  Blasdel,  A, 
Eliphalet  Gordon,  C, 
Peter  Severance,  A, 
Daniel  Moody,  C, 
Dearborn  Heath,  A. 


Muster  and  pay-roll  of  men  raised  in  Col.  Thornton's  and 
Col.  Webster's  regiment,  to  serve  in  Capt.  Runnels'  com- 
pany, Col.  Thomas  Tasker's  regiment,  September  26,  1776. 
This  company  was  raised  from  the  Londonderry  and  Ches- 
ter regiments.  Men  from  Londonderry  marked  L,  as  far 
as  known : 


Daniel  Runnels,  Capt.,  L, 
Samuel  Ilaselton,  Lt.,  A, 
Samuel  Buswell,  Ens.,  B, 
Ichabod  Kobie,  B, 
James  Sharley,  A, 
Jeremiah  Conner,  A, 
Caleb  Smith,  C, 
Gilniau  Dudley,  C, 
John  Berry,  A, 
Jonathan  Dearborn,  A, 
Nicholas  Oilman,  C, 
Derbon  Ileth,  A, 
William  Anderson,  B, 
Moses  Turner,  B, 
AVilliam  Wilson,  B, 
William  Moore,  A, 
Samuel  Pierce,  A, 
Joseph  Presby,  A, 
William  Wilson,  A, 
Simon  Towle,  A, 
Jonathan  Underhill,  A, 
Jacob  Hills,  A, 


Samuel  Hart, 
Benjamin  Haseltine,  A, 
John  Colhy,  C, 
James  Richardson, 
Robert  AVason,  B, 
Bracket  Towle,  A, 
John  Shirley,  A, 
David  Mills,  A, 
Samuel  Morse,  L, 
James  Hazard,  A, 
Samuel  Dunlap, 
Josiah  Dearborn,  A, 
Samuel  Thompson,  L, 
Pierce  Gage,  L, 
Richard  Hall, 
Zibah  Kimball,  L, 
John  AVilliams,  L, 
John  McGown,  L, 
John  Tarbox,  L, 
James  Sprague,  L, 
Abiel  Cross,  L, 
Arthur  Darrah,  L, 


374 


HISTORY    OP   CHESTER. 


Henry  Campbell,  L, 
James  Mooreland,  L, 
John  Morrisson,  L, 
John  Cochran,  L, 
Thomas  Wilson,  L, 
George  Orr,  L, 
Joseph  Caldwell,  L, 
David  Morrison,  B, 
John  Ferguson,  L, 
William  Moore,  A, 
John  Clifford,  C, 
John  Sargent,  C, 
Peter  Haselton,  A, 
Alexander, 
Shirley,  A, 
Daniel  Whitcher,  C, 
Thomas  Archibald,  L, 
Thomas  AYallace,  L, 
James  Cambel,  L, 

September  26,  1776,  by 


Peter  Robinson, 
Samuel  Spear, 
Robert  Morrisson,  L, 
John  Hughes,  L, 
William  Eayers,  L, 
Jonathan  Holmes,  L, 
John  Stuart,  L, 
James  Ferguson,  L, 
Joseph  Hobbs,  L, 
Andrew  Robertson,  L, 
John  Turner, 
Humphrey  Holt,  L, 
Nathan  Plummer,  L, 
Samuel  Tasker,  L, 
Robert  Wilson,  B, 
Robert  Bold,  L, 
Mathew  Dickey,  L, 
Elijah  Town,  L, 
Stephen  Donald,  L. 
John  Webster. 


Chester  and  Londonderry  probably  belonged  to  one  regi- 
ment up  to  1775. 

In  Raymond  records,  Jmie  15,  1775, 

"  Voted,  to  impower  John  Dudley,  Esq.,  with  some  other 
persons,  to  nominate  suitable  persons  for  field  officers  for 
the  regiment  that  did  belong  to  Col.  Thornton's  regiment. 

"  Voted  unanimously  that  they  are  willing  that  the  said 
regiment  should  be  divided  into  two  regiments." 

Pay-roll  of  Capt.  Stephen  Dearborn's  company,  Thomas 
Stickney's  regiment,  in  Gen.  Stark's  brigade,  which  com- 
pany marched  from  Chester,  in  the  State  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  joined  the  Northern  Continental  army,  1777, 
from  July  19  to  September  18  : 


Stephen  Dearborn,  Capt.,  A, 
Ezekiel  Lane,  Lieut.,  C,  killed, 
John  Lane,  Jr.,  2d  Lieut.,  A,  ad- 
vanced to  1st  Lt.,  Aug.  16, 
Robert  Wilson,  Ensign,  A,  ad- 
vanced to  2d  Lt.,  Aug.  16, 
Andrew  Aiken,   Scrgt.,  A,   ad- 
vanced to  Ensign,  Aug.  16, 


Nathl.  Maxfield,  B, 
Ichabod  Robie,  B, 
Ebenezer  Dearborn,  A, 
David  Currier,  A, 
Joseph  Brown,  A, 
Josiah  Gordon,  A, 
Sherburne  Dearborn,  A, 
Robert  Dinsmore,  A, 


MILITARY    HISTORY. 


375 


Joseph  Cass,  Sergt.,B, 

Bracket  Towle,  Sergt.,  A, 

Thomas  Dearborn,  Sergt.,  B, 

John  Uuderhill,  Sergt.,  A.,  ad- 
vanced to  Sergt.  Aug.  16, 

Benja.  Fellows,  Corp., 

Levi  Swain,  Coi-p.,  C, 

David  Underhill,  Corp.,  A, 

Robert  Rowe,  private.  A,  ad- 
vanced to   Corp.  Aug.  16, 

Israel  Clifford,  private,  B, 

Nathaniel  GrifSn,  A, 

Joseph  Peavey, 

John  Gammet,  B, 

Daniel  Allen,  A, 

John  Blake, 

Moses  Leavit,  C, 

Moses  Webster,  Jr.,  A, 

Josiah  Hall,  A, 

David  Perkins, 

Benjamin  Smith,  B, 

Enoch  Osgood,  C, 

Samuel  Robie,  A, 

Simon  Towle,  A, 

Anthony  Clifford,  B, 

John  Patten,  A, 

James  McFarland,  A, 

James  Presby,  A, 

Joseph  White,  A, 

Stephen  Fogg,  C, 

Jacob  Chase,  A, 

Samuel  Hills,  A, 

William  Towle, 

Jacob  Elliot,  A, 

James  Richardson,  A, 


David  Patten,  A, 
Moses  Webster,  A, 
Benjamin  Haseltiue,  A, 
Isaac  Blasdel,  A, 
Sinkler  Fox, 
Wm.  Pattredge  Fox, 
Jona.  Bachelor, 
Daniel  Todd,  C, 
Amos  Kimball,  A, 
Joseph  Rollins, 
Samuel  Fogg,  C, 
Samuel  Moore,  B, 
Samuel  Dearborn,  B, 
Amos  Kuowles,  B, 
James  Libbey,  B, 
Benjamin  Eaten,  B, 
Benjamin  Wadley,  B, 
Phillip  Morse,  C, 
Robert  Wilson,  Jr., 
Oliver  Smith,  B, 
Elisha  Thomas, 
Enoch  Colby,  B, 
John  Bagley,  B, 
John  Clay,  B, 
Moses  Emerson,  B, 
Benjamin  Fuller,  A, 
John  Knowles,  A, 
William  Brown,  A, 
Wilks  West,  A, 
Thomas  Wilson,  B, 
Benjamin  Packard, 
John  Moore,  B,  died  Aug.  21 
John  Elliott,  Drummer,  A, 
David  Hall,  A. 


This   regimont   served    in   the    battle    of    Benuuigton, 


August  16. 


376 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


Pay-roll  of  Captain  Moses  Baker's  company  of  volun- 
teers, who  marched  from  Candia,  in  the  State  of  New- 
Hampshire,  and  joined  the  Northern  Continental  army  at 
Saratoga,  September,  1777. 

Entered  Sept.  27,  discharged  Nov.  3. 


Moses  Baker,  Captain,  B, 
Abraham  Fitts,  Lieutenant,  B, 
Jonathan  Bagley,  Ensign,  B, 
Isaiali  Kow,  Sergeant,  B, 
Josepli  Clifford,  Sergeant,  B, 
Sewall  BroAvn,  Private,  B, 
Jonathan  liing,  B, 
Jolui  Sargent,  B, 
Natlianiel  Burpee,  B, 
Jacob  Clifford,  B, 
Benjamin  Hubbart,  B, 
Ilichard  Clough,  B, 
Stephen  Palmer,  B, 
Enoch  Howell,  B, 


James  Hazard,  A, 
Silas  Cammet,  B, 
Samuel  Bagley,  B, 
John  Hills,  B, 
Jesse  Eaton,  B, 
Benjamin  Whitcher,  C, 
Xathan  Eitts,  A, 
Samuel  Ilaselton,  A, 
John  Dearborn,  A, 
Josiah  Flagg,  A, 
Edward  Robie,  A, 
Moses  Ilaselton,  A, 
Stephen  Hill,  A. 


Pay-roll  of  Capt.  Josepli  Dearborn's  company,  in  Col. 
Moses  Nichols'  regiment ;  marched  to  Rhode  Island,  en- 
tered Aug.  5,  discharged  28tli  +  2  days'  travel  home. 

Joseph  Darbon,  Captain,  A, 

Benja.  Cass,  Lieutenant,  B, 

Jacob  AVorthen,  Ensign,  B, 

Jabesh  Iloit,  Sergeant,  A, 

Benj.  Batchelder,  Sergeant,  B, 

Samuel  Runel,  Sergeant, 

Ephraim  Fitts,  Corporal,  A, 

Zebulon  "NVinslow,  Coi-poi'al,  B,  Walter  Clay,  B, 

Aaron  Brown,  Corporal,  B,  Henry  Clark,  B, 

Benja.  True,  Private,  A, 

Benja.  Currier,  A. 


Wilks  West,  A, 
John  Wilson,  A, 
Caleb  Hall,  B, 
Philip  Morse,  C, 
Obed  Edom  Hall.  B, 
Jonathan  Camct,  B, 
Silas  Camet,  B, 


John  Lane,  A, 
James  Whitten,  C, 
William  Mills,  A, 
Asa  Dearborn,  A, 
John  Emerson  A, 
Benja.  Haselton,  A, 
Joseph  Knowles,  A, 
James  Pierce,  A, 


Joseph  Bean,  B, 
Amos  Knowles,  B, 
Enoch  Colby,  B, 
Caleb  Brown,  B, 
Thomas  Wilson,  B, 
Oliver  Smith,  B, 
Burleigh  Smith,  B, 
William  Shannon,  B, 
Sewel  BroAvn,  B, 
Jonathan  Pilsbury,  B. 


Robert  Runnels,  A, 

Allowance  for  forty  horses  at  XIO  each. 


MILITARY   HISTORY.  377 

In  the  summer  of  1778,  a  brigade  was  sent  from  New 
Hampshire  to  Rhode  Island. 

There  was  a  company  attached  to  Col.  Peabody's  regi- 
ment, of  which  Daniel  Reynols,  of  Londonderry,  was  cap- 
tain. Bracket  Towle  first  lieutenant,  and  Jacob  Elliott 
second  lieutenant,  a  portion  of  which  was  from  Chester. 
Entered  service  June  1,  1778,  discharged  Jan.  1,  1779 : 

William  Moore,  Corporal,  A,  Samuel  Shamion,  A, 

James  Hazzard,  Corporal,  A,  Paul  Healey,  A, 

Jacob  Lane,  Corporal,  C,  Jethro  Colby,  B, 

Samuel  Robie,  Drummer,  A,  Thomas  Shannon,  B, 

Dearborn  Heath,  A,  John  Shannon,  B, 

Isaac  Blasdel,  A,  Nath'  Griffin,  A, 

Samuel  Robie,  Jr.,  A,  Isaac  Colby,  killed  Aug.  27, 

Moses  Webster,  Thomas  Morse,  C. 

In  James  Aiken's  company  for  Rhode  Island,  1778, 
Thomas  Shirley,  James  Ottcrson,  Samuel  Davis  ;  and  Benj. 
True  went  to  Rhode  Island  in  Capt.  Marston's  companv, 
1777. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  war  the  soldiers  were  mainly 
citizens,  and  enlisted  for  short  terms,  and  many  of  them 
appear  on  several  rolls,  and  with  a  degree  of  accuracy  can 
be  assigned  to  their  respective  towns ;  but  later  many 
strangers  were  enlisted,  who,  when  their  names  appear  on 
a  roll,  cannot  be  assigned  to  any  town  with  any  certainty. 
There  are  recruits  credited  to  the  towns,  some  without  any 
mention  of  what  companies  they>were  assigned  to,  or  what 
service  cno-ao-ed  in. 


'0"0'' 


CREDITED    TO    CHESTER,    1777. 

Company.  Couipanj*. 

Michael  Lamey,  Capt.  Richards.  Sam*  Hoyt,  Emersou. 

Jas.Russ,krd,    Isaac  Farewell.  Reuben  Hall, 

Bartho*  Stevens,      Ebenz''  Fiy.  John  Berry,  killed, 

Sam*  Dolten,  "         "  Ebenez''  Berry, 

Stephen  Lovekin,  Blodgett.  James  Akin, 

Jouath"  Forsaith,  died,      "  John  McClennen, 

,Tohu  Lane,  "  Jerem'i  Towle 

Josiah  Hills,  died,        Emerson.  James  Akin,  Jr. 


378 

HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

Company. 

Company, 

Wil™  White, 

Emerson. 

Wil'"  Moore, 

Robertson. 

Euos  Jewell, 

Eobertson. 

Jonatli"  Karr, 

Fry. 

Tho^  Wells, 

Carr. 

Daniel  Shirly, 

Emerson. 

Wil"  Furuell, 

McClary. 

Henry  True, 

<< 

Benj'°  Akin, 

Emerson. 

Sam'  Akin, 

<< 

Sam'  Wells, 

Morrill. 

John  Vance, 

Fry. 

Peter  Wells, 

a 

RECRUITS   SENT   BY   COL.   WEBSTER,   JULY    13,  1779. 


Residence. 

Went  for 

Thomas  Whittaker, 

Chester, 

Chester. 

Reuben  Sticknee, 

Raymond, 

(i 

Timothy  Clay, 

Candia, 

<( 

Samuel  Nay, 

R. 

<< 

Timothy  Ingalls, 

Chester, 

<( 

Jacob  Elliot, 

<< 

(< 

Phineas  Bean, 

Candia, 

Candia. 

Joseph  Marston, 

Deerfield, 

t< 

Josiah  Tucker, 

Nottingham, 

Raymoi 

RECRUITS   SENT   BY   CHESTER. 


Enlisted  for 

Thomas  Wells,  War. 

Sam'  Hoit, 

George  Cooper,  ** 

Enos  Jewell,  " 

Samuel  Wells,  " 

Jeremiah  Griffin,  " 

Given  u]}  to  Meredith. 
Peter  Wells,  "» 

W™  Garrison,  3  years. 

Rich-i  Flood,  " 

Lived  in  Raymond. 
Stephen  Keyes,  " 


Enlisted  for 

Lived  in  Plymouth. 
Valentine  Sargent,        3  years. 

Lived  ill  Londonderry . 
Jos.  Davis,  3  years. 

Sam.  Richardson,  " 

George  Mansfield,  '* 

Sam'  Houston,  6  mos. 

Lived  in  Bedford. 
Moses  Webster,  6  mos. 

Sam'  Robie,  " 

Reuben  Tole,  •< 

Dan'  Parker,  " 


TROOPS   RAISED   IN    1779    FOR  SERVICE    IN   RHODE   ISLAND. 

Thomas  Whittaker,  Timothy  Ingalls, 

Reuben    Stickney    (Raymond  Jacob  Elliott, 

enlisted  for  Chester),  Hardy,  July  28,  1779,  two 

Timothy  Clay,  months, 

Samuel    Kay     (Raymond,    for  Dearborn  Heath,  July  28,  1779, 

Chester),  two  months. 


MILITARY   HISTORY. 


379 


Jonathan  Wilson, 
William  Moore, 
Benjamin  True, 
Sam'  Walker, 
John  Knowles, 
John  Brown, 
Robert  Runnels, 
Isaac  Blasdell, 
Moses  Webster, 
John  Aiken, 
James  Russ, 
Jona.  Burrow,  Sergt., 
Cha'  Hanson, 
Jedediah  Knock, 
Sam'  Akens, 
Barnard  Merrill, 
Jon"  Rankin, 


July  1,  1780. 

Phineas  Stevens 

(Tamworth  hired  him  first), 
Daniel  Shirley, 
Samuel  AVells, 
Samuel  Holt, 
AVilliam  Moore, 
Stephen  Lufkin, 
Robert  Hastins, 
Reuben  Hall, 
Geo.  Cooper, 
James  Aken,  died, 
Jeremiah  Towle, 
Henry  True, 
John  McClennen, 
Jona.  Knock, 
Abiel  Stevens 

(Tamworth  hired  him  first) . 


Capt.  Livermore's  Co.,  Third  Regiment. 
Thos.  Shi-onder,  d., 
James  Thompson, 
Josiah  Wells,  d., 
Thomas  Wells, 
William  White,  d., 
John  Barry, 
Eben''  Barry, 

Parker  Morse,  Sergt., 

Robert  Sliarle, 

Daniel  Sharle, 

William  Moer, 

Joseph  Brown, 

John  Spiller, 

Benj.  True,  Jr., 

Caleb  Richardson, 

Gilbord  Morse, 

Theoder  Morse, 

W"  Garrison, 

(Mustered  but  claimed  by  Mass.)Enos  Jewell,  Southampton, 


John  Lane, 

William  Furnal, 

Sam'  Dal  ton. 

Jona.  Forsyth, 

John  Vance, 

1 

Barth"  Stevens. 

July  1,  1781. 

Jos.  Davis, 

Sam'  Richardson, 

Sam'  Houston, 

6  mos. 

Moses  Webster, 

<< 

Sam'  Robie, 

« 

Reuben  Tole, 

<( 

Dan'  Parker, 

li 

Geo.  Mansfield, 

3  years. 

Thomas  Wells, 

Sam'  Hoit, 

Geo.  Cooper, 

Richd  Flood, 
Stephen  Keyes, 
Yaleutiue  Sargent, 

Thomas  Wells, 
Samuel  Hoit, 


Peter  AVells, 

Joseph  Davis, 

Valentine  Sargent,  Londonderry. 

AUGUST  25,  1781. 
War.    Joseph  Davis, 
"        Sam'  Richardson, 


380  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

George  Cooper,  War.  Geo.  Mansfield, 

Enos  Jewell,  "  Sam*  Houston,  Bedford,  6  mos. 

Jere.  GriflSn  "  Moses  Webster, 

(Given  up  to  Meredith),  Sam'  Eobie, 

Peter  Mills,  3  years.  Keubeu  Tole, 

William  Garrison,  "  Daniel  Parkei-, 

Richard  Flood,  Raymond,  Charles  Mann, 

Stephen  Keyes,  Plymouth,  Jonathan  Conant. 
Valentine  Sargent,  Londonderry, 

APRIL  12,  1782. 

John  Worth,  Thomas  Dollof, 

Reuben  Stickney,  Eben''  Currier, 

Joseph  Tucker,  William  Batchelder, 

Daniel  Clay,  William  Hall, 

Abraham  Brown,  Daniel  Doyne, 

Ed*  Hamilton,  Rob'  H.  Hill, 

Moses  Basford,  Andrew  Nelson. 

There  is  a  history  of  the  First  New  Hampshire  Regi- 
ment, by  Frederic  Kidder,  1868,  containing  a  roll  of  the 
enlisted  men  who  served  between  January,  1777,  and  Jan- 
uary, 1782,  which  contains  the  names  of  John  Knook  and 
David  Shirley  of  Chester,  and  of  Thomas  Caj)ron  of  Candia, 
not  on  the  foregoing  list. 

The  foregoing  is  a  list  of  the  soldiers  furnished  by  Ches- 
ter, as  correct  as  can  be  conveniently  made  from  the  army- 
rolls  ;  but  those  cover  so  much  ground,  and  so  many 
strange  names  occur,  which  are  not  assigned  to  any  par- 
ticular town,  that  it  is  probably  very  incomplete.  There 
are  names  of  men  on  the  town  accounts  to  whom  bounties 
were  paid,  and  the  names  of  others  to  whom  notes  were 
paid,  probably  for  bounties,  without  being  so  designated, 
which  mostly,  if  not  all,  are  included  in  the  foregoing  rolls, 
so  that  it  was  not  thought  best  to  spend  the  time  in  col- 
lecting, and  space  in  the  History  to  print  it. 

Great  exertion  had  to  be  used  to  raise  men.  The  town 
was  divided  into  classes,  according  to  the  immber  of  men 
to  l)e  raised,  and  one  or  more  men  assigned  to  each  class, 
which  they  were  required  to  raise.  The  town  was  also 
classed  to  raise  beef  and  corn  for  the  army,  and  also  to 
support  the  soldiers'  families. 


MILITARY   HISTORY. 


381 


The  following  specimen  of  the  requisitions  was  found 
among  the  papers  of  Col.  Stephen  Dearborn  : 

To  Capt.  Stephen  Dearborn  and  Rohert  Howe  :  Agree- 
ably to  an  act  of  the  General  Court  and  a  vote  of  the 
town,  the  following  persons  Avho  are  named,  with  the 
amount  of  their  ratable  estate,  are  to  procure  an  able- 
bodied,  effective  man  for  the  Continental  service  three 
years,  or  during  the  war,  to  be  ready  to  be  mustered  in  on 
or  before  the  lUth  day  of  May  next,  or  pay  the  line  agreea- 
ble to  law  and  vote  of  the  town.  You  are  desired  to 
notify  each  one  in  this  list  to  meet  and  prescribe  such 
method  as  they  shall  think  proper  in  order  to  procure  s*^ 
man. 

Chester,  April  29, 1782. 

Jabez  Hoit,  ^  Selectmen 

Stephen  Morse,        >        of 
Joseph  Blanchard,  \    Chester. 


David  Richardson, 
Joseph  Carr, 
Ezekiel  H.  Kelley, 
Widow  Auxi  Carr, 
Lieut.  John  Lane, 
Joiia.  Norton, 
Simon  Norton, 
Josepli  Norton, 
Jona.  Berry, 
Jeremiah  Griffla, 
Robert  Rowe, 
Samuel  Murray, 


£      8.     d.  £    s.    d. 

19     1  Barnard  Bi-icket,  2  10  1 

3     6  10  John  Clark,  17  0 

10  00  Abraham  Morse,  12  0 

9    3  Capt.  Steph'n  Dearborn,  2  14  0 

2  17     7  Caleb  Hall, 

2  10  11  Jona.  Emery, 

12  00  Samuel  Wliite, 

2  18     8  Stickney, 

2  14    5  Moody  Chase, 

1    6  00  Wells, 

1  16     2  Jere.  Underhill, 

1  13    6  Nath'  Wood, 


1 

12 

1 

1 

14 

4 

16 

6 

3 

0 

1 

18 

5 

2 

2 

8 

1 

17 

2 

1 

14 

2 

The  following  are  recruits  furnished  by  Candia,  as 
found  on  various  muster-rolls,  and  given,  as  found  in  the 
Adjutant-GeneraFs  office : 


1777.  John  Magoon, 
Stevens  Bailey, 
Jonathan  Green, 
Isaac  Morse, 

1778.  Nehemiah  Leavitt, 
John  Kent, 

Asa  Pierce, 
John  Mitchell, 


John  Colby, 
Eleazer  Quiraby, 
John  Tavlor. 


John  Loveren, 
John  Kent, 
James  Tiel, 
Thomas  Capron, 


382  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Eben""  Williams,  James  Jeel, 

William  Wilkins,  James  Bragdon, 

Henry  Gotham,  David  Hill, 

Nat.  Wadley,  Kob'  Holland, 

David  Bagley,  Jonas  Perry, 

W"  Patten,  Henry  Ivimball, 

Daniel  Libbe,  Joseph  Gilman, 

John  Caldwell,  Humprey  Hunt. 

1779.  David  Libbie,  John  Kent, 
John  Caldwell,  Phineas  Bean, 
Michael  Poor,  Joseph  Marston, 
John  Anderson,  John  Grattan  (2  mos) . 
John  Loverin, 

1780.  Benjamin  Eaton,  Samuel  Shannon, 
Samuel  Clay,                 •                 John  Eaton, 
Edward  Currier,                            Alex""  Eaton. 

1781.  Col.  John  Webster  certifies  that  he  sent  forward  the  fol- 
lowing four  men  for  Caudia,  when  there  ought  to  have  been  five : 

John  Wasson,  Nathaniel  Underbill, 

Jonathan  Davis,  Thomas  Anderson. 

1782.  Jona.  Morris,  John  Moore, 
Peter  Cammet,  Benja.  Sanborn, 
Eben'  Eaton,  Jason  Hazard. 
Moses  Norris, 

RECRUITS    FURNISHED   BY   RAYMOND. 

Capt.  IlarTc'S  Co.,  Col.  Zong^s  liegt. 

Benja.  Fox,  Ezekiel  Holman. 

James  Fullington, 

Col.  Nathan  Hale's  Regt. 

W-"  Tole,  Jo'  FuUongtou, 

David  Batchelder,  Theo""  Lovering, 

Jon»  Fullonton,  Ithiel  Gorden. 

Cajit.   Waifs  Co.,  Col.  Stark's  Begt. 
Richard  Robinson. 
Capt.  BoioelVs  Co.,  Col.  Nathan  Hale's  Begt. 
William  Towle,  James  Hersey, 

Joseph  Fullington,  John  Lane, 

Ithiel  Gordon,  junr.  Caleb  Gilman, 

Eliphalet  Gorden,  Thomas  Taylor, 

Amos  D.  Leavitt,  Joseph  Jewel. 

Aaron  Sanborn, 


MILITARY   HISTORY. 


383 


1779.  Hezekiah  Pollard, 
John  Moore, 
James  Libbey, 
James  Mack, 
James  Delap, 

Josiah  Tucker,  from  Nott- 
ingham, enlisted  for  Ray- 
mond, 

1780.  W™  Pat.  Prescott, 
Timothy  Jewell, 

1781.  Eliph*  Gordon, 

James  Libbey,  of  Candia, 
Theo""  Loverin, 
Elijah  Pollard, 
Ezek'  Pollard, 
Barton  Pollard, 
Hezek''  Pollard, 
Rich'i Robinson,  Capt.  Bos- 
ton's Co., 
Nat.  Richardson, 


Jonathan  Fullertou,  Row- 
ell's  Co., 

John  Fox,  for  two  mos., 

Benj.  ■^^^uttier,  enlisted  for 
Kingston, 

Thomas  DoUoff,  enlisted 
for  Kingston, 

Jos.  Dolloff  Leavitt,  en- 
listed for  Kingston. 

Smith  Cram, 
Richard  Flood. 

Wm.  Towle, 
James  Wells, 
John  Moore,  of  Chester, 
James  Dunlap,  of  Massa- 
chusetts State, 
Ithiel  Gordon, 
Eliph'  Gordon, 
Theo^  Lovrin, 
Joseph  Fullerton, 
"William  Towle. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  soldiers  who  enlisted  in  the 
army  from  Chester  in  the  war  of  1812,  fm-nished  by  Josiah 
Forsaith : 

Josiah  Forsaith,  died  August  18,  18G8. 

Jonatlian  Currier,  died  at  Sackett's  Harbor. 

David  Dolbier,  of  Raymond. 

Josiah  Sanborn,  discharged  at  Concord. 

Bradbury  Moody  Carr,  died  at  Concord. 

John  Colby,  died  at  French  Mills. 

Abner  Blasdel,  said  to  have  deserted. 

Ebeuezer  Blasdel,  died  at  Acworth. 

Samuel  Davis,  died  at  Concord. 

Joseph  Xeal. 

John  Crawford,  died  at  Nottingham  in  1866,  aged  80. 

Josiah  Moore,  died  in  1821. 

Henry  Moore,  killed  in  battle. 

Moses  Underbill,  Jr. 

Benjamin  Currier,  Jr. 

Nathan  "Webster. 

John  Dunlap,  died  in  1867. 

Nath'  Griffin. 

William  Griffin,  died  in  the  army. 


384 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


From  Raymond. 

Amos  Davies,  killed  at  French  Mills. 
Theophilus  Stevens  died. 

DRAFTED   MEN. 

There  was  a  draft  made  of  men  to  defend  Portsmouth 
harbor.  The  following  is  the  roll  of  a  company  which 
served  from  May  24  to  July  4,  1814,  and  were  from  the 
seventeenth  regiment.  Those  from  Chester  are  marked 
A  ;  Candia,  B  ;  Raymond,  C  ;  Allenstown,  D: 


George  Evans,  Capt.,  D, 
Samuel  Aiken,  Jr.,  Lieut.,  A, 
Noah  Week,  Ensign,  A, 
"William  Stan  wood,  Sergt.,  A, 
Jonathan  Morrill,  Sergt.,  A, 
Samuel  "VV.  Evans,  Sergt.,  D, 
Reuben  Bean,  Sergt.,  B, 


True  C.  Graves,  Corp., 
John  Dinsmore,      "      A, 
]\roses  Dudley,         "       B, 
James  AVilcomb,    "      A, 
Moses  Crichet,  Musician,  B, 
Moses  Chase,  Musician,  A. 


Privates. 


Josiah  Anderson,  B, 
Andrew  Buutin,  A, 
John  Brown  3<*, 
David  Brown  S"^, 
Jona.  S.  Brown, 
Ebenezer  Brown, 
Jonathan  Ball,  A, 
Joseph  Calfe,  A, 
Zacheus  Colby,  A, 
Jonathan  Cass,  B, 
Jeremiah  Chandler, 
Samuel  Clark, 
Joseph  Ci'essy,  A, 
James  Dinsmoor,  A, 
Benjamin  Edgerly, 
Nathan  French, 
Da\'id  Glidden,  C, 
William  Greenough,  A, 
Phineas  Haley,  C, 
Henry  Hall,  A, 
John  Johnson,  A, 
Amos  Kimball,  A, 
John  Lane,  C, 
Thomas  Leonard, 
John  Mars, 


Charles  Marston,  A, 
Moses  C.  Magoon,  C, 
Richard  Morse, 
Supply  Morse, 
Nath.  Martin, 
Thomas  Montgomery,  A, 
Peter  Niel,  A, 
Nathan  Poor,  C, 
Jacob  Randall,  A, 
Richard  Robie,  B, 
Wadley  Richardson,  B, 
John  P.  Rowell,  A, 
Orlando  SpofFord,  A, 
John  Seavey, A, 
Richard  Straw, 
Jona.  H.  Shaw, 
Henry  Thatcher,  C, 
Elisha  Towle,  C, 
Samuel  Thompson, 
Daniel  Towle,  C, 
Enoch  Worthen,  B, 
John  Wilson,  3'',  A, 
Stephen  Worthen,  Jr.,  A, 
Abram  Smith, 
Edmund  Richardson. 


MILITARY   HISTORY. 


385 


The  following  is  a  roll  of  the  company  of  Capt.  Samuel 
Collins,  of  Deerfield,  which  served  three  months  from  Sep- 
tember 12,  1814 : 

Moses  Hezeltou,  3"^,  Lieut.,  A,  Josiali  ^Yliiclier,  Corp.,  B, 

Henry  Osgood,  Ensign,  C,  John  Brown,  Jr.,     "      C, 

Jonathan  Cass,  Sergt.,  B,  James  C.  Eand,        "     A. 
James  Severance,  Sergt.,  A, 


Squires  Bachelder,  B, 
Ebenezer  Brown,  C, 
John  Brown,  A, 
Joseph  ClifTord,  B, 
Nehemiah  Clay,  A, 
Joseph  Chase,  Jr.,  A, 
Daniel  Carr,  A, 
Henry  Clifford,  C, 
Richard  Currier,  B, 
Gilman  D.  Cass,  B, 
Jonathan  Emerson,  B, 


Privates. 


David  Emerson,  A, 
James  P.  French,  B, 
Keuben  Gale,  B, 
Phiueas  Healey,  B, 
Peter  M.  Mills,  A, 
Henry  Morse,  C, 
Samuel  Roberts,  C, 
Daniel  Robey,  C, 
John  Towle,  B, 
Haly  True,  C, 
Daniel  McDuffee,  A. 


The  following  is  a  roll  of  the  company  of  Capt.  Samuel 
Aiken,  Jr.,  of  Chester,  which  served  sixty  days  from  Sept. 
26, 1814. 

Samuel  Aiken,  Jr.,  Capt.,  A,        William  Aiken,  Sergt.,  A, 

Joseph  Hubbard,  1st  Lieut.,  B,    Samuel  Lane,      Corp.,  A, 

Wm.  Stanwood,  Ensign,  A,         Francis  Folsom,      *'  C, 

Jabez  Crooker,  Sg't  and  Cl'k,  A.Benjamin  Rowe,     "  B, 

William  Turner,       Sergt.,  B,      James  Wilcomb,     "  A, 
Jonathan  Morrill,        "        A,     Nathan  Brown,  Musician,  C» 
Abel  Read,                   •'        B,      Richard  Eaton,  B, 
Jeremiah  Chandler,     *'        C,      Gilman  Loveriug,  C. 


Privates. 


Orlando  Spofford,  A, 

John  Hall,  A, 

Benjamin  Mills,  A, 

William  Greenough,  A, 

John  Davis,  A, 

Ebenezer  Wilcomb,  A, 

David  Morrill,  A, 

David  Murry,  A, 

John  Shirley,  A, 

25 


Samuel  Lane,  Jr.,  A, 
Josiah  Turner,  B, 
Daniel  Taylor,  B, 
Gilman  Richardson,  B^ 
Isaiah  Lane,  B, 
John  Clark,  B, 
Willis  Patten,  B, 
Moses  Patten,  B, 
John  Colby,  B, 


386 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


John  Butler,  A, 
Benjamin  Preston,  A, 
Daniel  Ball,  A, 
John  Dolby,  A, 
Eobert  Wilson,  A, 
AVilliam  Dearborn,  A, 
Jeremiah  Eand,  Jr.,  A, 
L.  H,  Seavy,  A, 
Jonathan  Norton,  A, 
Theodore  Jewett,  A, 
Eobert  Mills,  A, 
Nathan  Webster,  A, 
John  Seavey,  A, 
John  Wilson,  A, 
Heni-y  West,  A, 
David  Leach,  A, 
James  Calfe,  A, 
Israel  Blake,  A, 
Eeuben  DinsmoT'e-,  A, 
Stephen  J.  Worthen,  Jr.,  A, 
Mead  E.  Undcrhill,  A, 
John  Chase,  A, 
Mathew  Dickey,  A, 
Jonathan  AYilliams, 
Samuel  Thompson,  A, 
John  Ilosdcn,  A, 
Joseph  Brown,  A, 
John  A.  Otterson,  A, 
Joshua  Mai-tin,  Jr.,  A, 


Jeremiah  Brown,  B, 
Parker  Hills,  B, 
Benjamin  Eaton,  B, 
Moses  Stephens,  B, 
Sewall  Brown,  B, 
John  Moore,  B, 
Moses  Critchet,  B, 
Biley  Smith,  B, 
Sargent  French,  B, 
James  Wilson,  B, 
Aaron  Eowc,  B, 
William  Eaton,  B, 
Jonathan  Eobey, 
Nathan  Thorne,  B, 
Joseph  Eand,  B, 
Samuel  Moody,  C, 
David  Clillbrd,  C, 
David  Gill,  C, 
David  Brown,  Jr.,  C, 
Supply  Morse,  C, 
^Moses  llealey,  C, 
Daniel  Scribner,  C, 
James  Dudley,  Jr.,  C, 
Jonathan  Holman,  C, 
Isaiah  Cram,  C, 
Nathaniel  Towle,  C, 
David  Eobie,  C, 
John  Smith,  C. 


A   ROLL   OF   MEN    SENT   INTO  THE  ARMY  FROM    CHESTER    DURING 

THE   REBELLION. 

Abbreviations  used,  —  disch.  dis.,  discharged  for  disability; 
re-e.,  re-enlisted;  pro.,  promoted;  Corp.,  Corporal;  Serg.,  Ser- 
geant; k.,  killed;  d.,  died;  w'd,  wounded;  trans.,  transferred; 
des.,  deserted;  rec,  recruit. 

Second  Regiment,  mustered  into  U.  S.  Service  June  10,  1861. 

Three  Years. 

Co. 

C,  Andrew  Nichols,  w.  Gettysburg,  d.  Andersonville  ,  June,  180-4. 

C,  Charles  J.  Eand,  disch.  dis. 

E,  Arthur  T.  Leonard,  Corp.,  disch.  dis. 

E,  George  S.  Brown,  j)ro.  Corp. 

E,  Aaron  Everet,  disch.  dis. 

E,  Joseph  Everet,  disch.  dis. 


MILITARY  HISTORY.  387 

Becruits. 

I,  "William  Broard,  trans,  to  Navy. 

I,  Frank  Douaghue. 

K,  James  Farrel. 

I,  James  McGuire,  w'd  June  3,  1864. 

I,  Frank  Strickland,  deserted. 

A,  Jokn  E.  Hartwell,  enlisted  Sept.,  1865,  mustered  out,  Dec,  '65. 

Third  Begiment,  —  Three  Tears. 

B,  Converse  L.  "Weymouth,  w'd  severely,  disch.  dis.  Jan.,  1865. 
D,  John  S.  Blasdel,  re-e.  veteran,  disch.  dis.,  1865. 

Fourth  Begiment,  —  Three  Years. 

C,  Orrin  T.  Dodge,  re-e.  Feb.,  1864. 

I,  Franklin  A.  Bi-own,  Corp.,  disch.  dis.  July,  1862. 

I,  Charles  M.  Ordway,  re-e.  Feb.,  1864. 

K,  Stickney  S.  Gale,  Serg.,  re-e.  Feb.,  1864. 

Fifth  Begiment,  —  Three  Years. 

K,  Joseph  Bronilland,  rec.  Dec,  1863,  k.  at  Petersburg,  June,  '64. 
H,  Jacob  Pollatscheck,  rec.  Dec,  1863. 
C,  James  Eogers,  rec.  Aug.,  1863. 

C,  Joseph  Trickey,  rec.  Dec,  '63,  w'd  June,  '64,  d.  Aug.,  1864,  at 

Alexandria,  Va. 

Sixth  Begiment,  —  Three  Years. 

D,  James  Farrel,  rec.  Nov.,  1863,  deserted  Camp  Nelson,  Ky., 

Dec,  1863. 
C,  Henry  Scott,  I'ec  May,  1864. 

E,  Thomas  J.  Wilson,  rec.  Nov.,  1863. 

C,  "William  M.  Locke,  re-e.,  Dec,  *63,  pro.  Corp.,  d.  dis.  Aug. ,'64. 
C,  "William  Smith,  rec.  May,  1864,  disch.  dis.,  Sept.,  1864. 

Seventh  Begiment,  —  Three  Years. 

A,  Henry  O.  Davis,  re-e.  Feb.,  1864,  pro.  Corp.,  w'd  severely 
Oct.,  1864,  disch.  dis.,  Dec,  1864. 

Eighth  Begiment,  —  Three  Years. 
A,  James  M.  M.  Elliott,  mus.  Nov.,  1861,  dis.  May,  1862. 

F,  Joseph  Everett,  Corp.,  Dec,  '61,  pro.  1st  Serg.,  k.  Pt.  Hudson, 

May,  1863. 
F,  Charles  H.  Kent,  mus.  Dec,  1861,  trans,  to  "7.R.  Corps,  May, '64. 
F.  Samuel  C.  McDuffee,  mus.  Dec,  1861,  disch.  dis.,  Dec,  1863. 
F.  John  Robinson,  "  "  <'         "      Feb.,  1863. 


888  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Ninth  Regiment,  —  Three  Tears. 

A,  James  A.  Cole,  mus.  July  3,  1862. 

B,  Charles  F.  Shaw,  "        "         "      clisch.  dis..  Fredericksburg, 

Jan.,  1863. 

Eleventh  Regiment, —  Three  Years. 

I,  John  Underhill,  Serg.,  Sept.,  1862,  w'd  Dec,  '62,  dis.  March,'63. 

I,  Daniel  S.  AYest,  Corp.,  "  w'd  severely  May,  1864:. 

I,  WilUam  E.  C.  Cooledge,  Sept.,  1862. 

I,  James  M.  M.  Elliott,  Sept.,  1862. 

I,  "Warren  J.  Hills,  Sept.,  1862,  missing  in  action,  July,  1864. 

I,  Dudley  J.  Marston,  Sept.,  1862,  w'd  Dec,  1862. 

I,  Cyrus  E.  Roberts,  Sept.,  1862,  trans,  to  I.  C,  Sept.,  1863. 

I,  Edmund  T.  Eoby,  Sept.,  1862.  des.,  June,  1864. 

I,  Thomas  O.  Reynolds,  Sept.,  1802,  w'd  Dec,  1862. 

I,  Sewell  W.  Tenney,  Sept.,  1862,  w'd  Dec,  1862,  disch.  April, 

1863. 
I,  Nathaniel  West,  Jr.,  Sept.,  1862. 

Fourteenth  Regiment, —  Three  Tears. 

Franklin  C.  Weeks,  Asst.  Surg.,  Sept.,  1862,  dis.  dis.,  Mar.,  1864. 
F,  Charles  A.  Clark,  rec  Jan.,  1864. 

Fifteenth  Regiment, — Kine  3fonths — Oct.,  1862. 

K,  Wallace  T.  Larkin,  2d  Lieut.,  Nov.,  1862,  disch.  to  accept  pro- 
motion, Aug.,  1863. 
K,  Luther  C,  Stevens,  Sergt. 
K,  AJbert  F.  B.  Edwards,  Corp. 
K,  John  A.  Hazelton,  Corp. 
K,  Marston  L.  Brown. 
K,  Milton  S.  Brown,  disch.  dis.  July,  1863. 
Iv,  Hemy  N.  Brown, 
iv,  Emerson  Childs. 
K,  David  F.  Clay. 

K,  John  S.  Cuirier,  disch.  dis.,  July,  1863. 
K,  David  C.  French. 
K,  Matthew  Foi-saith. 
K,  George  M.  D.  Mead. 
K,  Samuel  V.  Osgood. 
K,  Benj.  F.  Spofford. 
K,  John  W.  West,  2d. 

Eighteenth  Regimeyit,  —  Three  Tears. 

Silas  F.  Learnard,  Maj.,  July,  1865;  not  mustered;  mustered  out 
as  Captain,  July,  1865. 


MILITARY   HISTORY.         '  389 

D,  William  S.  Greenough,  Capt.,  com.  Sept.,  1864. 

D,  Jolm  Underliill,  2d  Lieut.,  com.  Sept.,  1864. 

D,  Albert  F.  B.  Edwards,  Corp.  Sept.,  1864,  pro.  to  Sergt. 

D,  Perley  C.  Ingalls,  "Wagoner,  Sept.,  1864. 

D,  Richard  H.  Currier. 

D,  Samuel  V.  Osgood,  pro.  Corp. 

D,  George  S.  Smith,  pro.  Corp. 

D,  Francis  Savoie. 

D,  Aaron  D.  Sargent,  disch.  dis. 

D,  Isaac  F.  Underliill,  pro.  Corp. 

D,  Albert  Hason,  d.,  dis.  at  City  Point,  Oct.,  1864. 

H,  Silas  F.  Learnard,  Capt.,  com.  Feb.,  1865,  pro.  Major,  July, 

1865. 
H,  Cyrus  S.  Dolloff,  Sergt. 
H,  Augustus  P.  Greenough,  Sergt. 
H,  John  T.  Lovitt,  Corp. 
H,  Joseph  E.  Morse,  Musician. 
H,  Ephraim  Nichols,  Wagoner. 
H,  Samuel  S.  Adams,  pro.  Corp. 
H,  Willard  E.  Colburn. 

H,  Albert  B.  Goldsmith,  d.,  dis.  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  Feb.,  1865. 
H,  Henry  II.  Hook,  d.,  dis.  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  Feb.,  1865. 
H,  Eichard  C.  Lawrence,  pro.  Corp. 
H,  Fred.  D.  Morse. 
H,  William  B.  Eobie. 
H,  William  H.  Underbill. 

H,  Benj.  F.  Undcrhill. 

Heavy  Artillery. 

James  P.  Batchelder,  mustered  Aug.,  1863,  disch.  dis.,  March, 

1864. 

C,  Joseph  W.  Chase,  mustered  Sept.,  1864. 

K,  Charles  P.  Abbott,  appointed  Artificer,  Sept.,  1864. 

K,  Jacob  J.  Elliott,  Sept.,  1864. 

K,  John  ^Y.  Hazeltine,  Sept.,  1864. 

K,  George  H.  McDuffee,  Sept.,  1864. 

K,  Charles  f".  True,  Sept.,  1864. 

K,  George  F.  Tebbetts.      • 

K,  Elbridge  Wason.  '^\ 

K,  Clement  A.  West. 

K,  George  W.  Wilcomb. 

K,  Charles  H.  West. 

K,  John  W.  West,  2d. 

Sharpshooters. 

Silas  W.  Tenney,  mustered  Nov.,  1861. 


390  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

The  foregoing  list  is  made  from  the  report  of  the  Adju- 
tant-General. There  has  been  a  list  made  by  Miss  Noyes 
of  Chester,  which  she  calls  the  "  Roll  of  Honor,"  which 
does  not  contain  the  names  of  a  number  of  foreign 
recruits  credited  to  Chester,  and  contains  the  following 
names  not  in  the  foregoing  list : 

Louis  Bell,  Daniel  Osgood, 
John  Bell,  Samuel  S.  Parker, 
Heury  Beals,  Curtis  B.  Robinson, 
William  Brown,  Charles  B.  Robie, 
Mark  Carr,  Edward  I.  Robie, 
Perley  Chase,  Joseph  S.  Rowell, 
Joseph  Dane,  D.  Lcroy  Sanborn, 
Charles  A.  Deai'born,  Page  R.  Smith, 
David  J.  Dearborn,  Alphonso  P.  R.  Smith, 
Lloyd  G.  Gale,  John  P.  Spofford, 
James  Gcrah,  Frederick  Spollett, 
Nelson  Gillingham,  Charles  L.  Seavey, 
Jesse  Hall,  Daniel  A.  Webster, 
Joseph  W.  Ilazelton,  Robert  Wason, 
Keuniston,  Frank  C,  AYood, 


Cyrus  F.  Marston,  Charles  C.  Willey, 

Benj.  F.  Morse,  Charles  S.  Wells, 

Frank  Morse,  Charles  II.  Weymouth. 


PROCEEDINGS   OF   THE   TOWN   OF   CHESTER   IN   REGARD    TO 

SOLDIERS. 

At  a  meeting  held  the  16th  of  May,  1861,  the  following 
preamble  and  resolution  were  passed : 

"  Whereas,  there  exists  open  rebellion  against  the  Govern- 
ment of  this  country,  threatening  the  destruction  of  our 
glorious  Union,  and  requiring  the  prompt  action  of  every 
loyal  citizen,  therefore 

"  Resolved,  that  the  town  of  Chester  pay  each  man,  citi- 
zen of  the  town^  who  may  enlist  or  has  enlisted  into  the 
o-overnment,  the  sura  of  eleven  dollars  a  month,  and  three 
dollars  additional  to  such  of  said  men  as  have  families, 
during  such  enlistment,  and  also  provide  to  said  men  one 
rubber  and  one  woolen  blanket,  fit  for  military  service, 
provided  they  do  not  receive  extra  pay  from  any  other  state 
or  town.     Said  sum  of  money  to  be  paid  on  their  return 


MILITARY    HISTORY.  891 

from  service,  or  for  the  support  of  their  families  during 
their  absence,  out  of  any  money  in.  the  town  treasury  not 
otherwise  appropriated." 

At  a  meeting  held  January  7th,  1862,  it  was 
"  Voted,  that  the  town  accept  the  act  of  the  Legislature 
of  New  Hampshire  in  regard  to  furnishing  aid  to  the  fami- 
lies of  volunteers,  and  approved  July  4th,  1861,  and  that 
the  selectmen  be  instructed  to  carry  it  out  accordingly." 

At  the  annual  meeting,  March,  1862,  it  was 

"  Voted,  that  the  town  instruct  their  selectmen  to  bor- 
row a  sufficient  sum  of  money  for  the  support  of  families 
of  volunteers  in  the  United  States  service,  agreeably  to 
the  law  for  that  purpose,  approved  July  Ith,  1861." 

At  a  meeting,  held  August  30th,  1862,  the  following 
votes  were  passed : 

"  Voted,  to  pay  to  all  who  enlisted  or  may  enlist  under 
the  call  of  the  President  for  three  hundred  thousand  volun- 
teers, dated  July  2,  1862,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars. 

"  Voted,  that  we  pay  volunteers  (sufficient  to  complete 
our  quota)  under  the  call  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States  for  three  hundred  thousand  militia,  dated  August 
4th,  1862,  for  nine  months,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars,  and  the  same  aid  to  their  families  that  the 
three  years  volunteers  receive,  provided  they  do  not  re- 
ceive said  aid  from  the  state. 

"  Voted,  to  instruct  the  town  treasurer  to  issue  proposals 
for  five  thousand  dollars,  to  pay  said  volunteers  on  their 
being  mustered  into  the  United  States  service,  and  that 
said  money  be  raised  by  five  annual  installments  to  pay 
said  debt." 

At  a  meeting  held  August  1,  1863,  it  was 

"  Voted,  that  each  drafted  man  (or  substitute)  be  paid 
three  hundred  dollars,  ten  days  after  being  mustered  into 
service,  and  that  the  selectmen  be  authorized  to  borrow  the 
sum  of  forty-five  hundred  dollars  on  the  credit  of  the  town 
for  this  purpose." 

At  a  meeting  held  January  4th,  1864,  it  was 

"  Voted,  to  authorize  the  selectmen  to  borrow  the  sum  of 
seventy-five  hundred  dollar's  on  the  credit  of  the  town,  to 
re'imljurse  Silas  F.  Learnard  for  money  he  has  or  may  pay 
out  for  volunteers  under  the  last  call  of  the  President." 

At  a  meeting  held  May  4th,  1864,  it  was 

"  Voted,  to  pay  to  each  reenlisted  soldier  who  has  reen- 


392  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

listed  to  fill  the  quota  of  Chester  under  previous  calls  of 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  each,  additional,  and  voted  to  instruct  the 
selectmen  to  borrow  the  sum  of  ten  hundred  and  fifty  dol- 
lars on  the  credit  of  the  town  for  that  purpose." 

At  a  meeting  held  June  7,  1864,  it  was 

"  Voted,  to  pay  to  each  person  drafted  from  Chester  and 
accepted,  since  May  1st,  1861,  or  who  has  furnished  a 
substitute,  the  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars ;  and  to  each 
person  who  may  be  drafted  and  accepted,  or  furnish  a  sub- 
stitute, to  fill  the  quota  of  Chester,  the  same  sum  of  three 
hundred  dollars,  and  that  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to 
raise,  by  taxation  or  otherwise,  the  sum  of  three  hundred 
dollars  for  each  person,  as  demanded  by  this  vote. 

"  Voted,  Silas  F.  Learnard,  a  war  agent,  to  pay  out  all 
bounties  to  drafted  men  who  are  accepted  or  who  furnish 
substitutes,  and  to  control  the  raising  of  men  to  fill  the 
quotas  of  Chester,  and  that  he  be  paid  the  sum  of  three 
dollars  per  day,  and  expenses,  for  his  services." 

At  a  meeting  held  July  16th,  1864,  it  was 

"  Voted,  that  the  war  agent  for  the  town  be  instructed  to 
procure  volunteers  sufficient  to  fill  the  quota  of  the  town 
of  Chester  under  future  calls  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States  for  volunteers  for  the  army,  by  paying  a  town 
bounty  not  exceeding  the  amount  authorized  by  the  laws 
of  the  State,  and  the  said  agent  shall  have  discretionary 
power  to  procure  volunteers  in  anticipation  of  calls.  And 
the  selectmen  are  authorized  to  hire  a  sum  of  money  not 
exceeding  six  thousand  dollars,  for  said  purpose." 

At  a  meeting  held  September  1st,  1864,  it  was 
"  Voted,  that  the  selectmen  (or  war  agent)  be  author- 
ized to  pay  to  each  volunteer  citizen  of  the  town  who  shall 
volunteer  for  one  year  to  fill  the  quota  of  Chester  under 
the  last  call  of  the  President  for  five  hundred  thousand 
men,  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars." 

At  a  meeting  held  November  8th,  1864,  it  was 

"  Voted  to  raise  five  thousand  dollars  in  addition  to  the 
amount  already  raised,  to  pay  the  bounty  to  the  soldiers 
who  have  enlisted  from  Chester,  and  instruct  the  selectmen 
accordingly." 

At  a  meeting  held  January  17th,  1865,  it  was 
"  Voted,  that  the  town  pay  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dol- 
lars to  each  person,  citizen  of  the  town,  who  shall  enlist  to 


MILITARY   HISTORY.  393 

the  number  not  exceeding  sixteen,  and  that  the  selectmen 
be  authorized  to  hire  the  sum  of  eight  thousand  dollars  for 
that  purpose. 

"  Voted,  that  the  town  pay  Silas  F.  Learnard  ten  dollars 
for  each  enlisted  man  to  fill  the  quota  of  Chester  under 
said  call,  instead  of  three  dollars  pei;^ay  and  expenses,  as 
before  voted." 

ROLL   OF   ENLISTED   MEN   FOR   AUBURN. 

First  EegimSnf,  Three  Months,— Clustered  in  May,  1861. 

Co. 

C,  Amos  W.  Brown. 

Second  Beg iment,  Three  Tears, — Mustered,  June,  1861. 

C,  John  Chase,  pro.  Corp.,  w'd  at  Gettysburg. 
C,  John  Davis,  pro.  Corp. 
C,  Hazen  Davis,  Jr.,  w'd  slightly,  July,  1863. 
C,  Edwin  Plummer,  w'd  slightly,  July,  1863. 

C,  Alfred  J.  Sanborn,  disch.  dis.  July,  1861,  re-e.  Nov.,  1864. 

D,  John  D.  AVood,  rec.  Sept.  1861,  d.  in  hospital  Nov.,  1862. 

F,  Felix  C.  Hackney,  rec,  d.  Oct.,  1865, 

Third  Regiment  Three  Tears, — Mustered,  August,  1861. 
A,  Johu  C.  Hagan,  appointed  Wagoner,  mustered  out  Aug.,  1864, 

since  died. 
H,  Lanson  Blake,  re-e. 
H,  Alonzo  D.  Emery,  dis.  Dec,  1861. 
H,  Leroy  McDuflfee,  pro.  Sergt.,  re-e.  Jan.,  1864, 

Fourth  liegiment,  Three  Tears, — Mustered,  September,  1861. 
C,  Henry  C.  Griffin,  pro,  Corp.,  re-e,,  Feb.,  1864,  w'd,  cap.  at 
Drury's  Bluff,  d,  in  Libby  prison,  Sept,  10,  1864. 

E,  Ebenezer  S.  Emery,  disch,  dis.,  Oct,,  1862, 

E,  Carlton  C.  Eichardson,  re-e.  Jan.,  1864, 

G,  William  Gunston,  re-e.  Feb.,   1864,  killed  at  Drury's  Bluff 

May  16,  1864. 
G,  Amos  W.  Brown,  re-e.  Feb.,  1864. 
K,  Thomas  B.  Platts,  re-e,  Feb.,  1864. 

Fifth  liegiment,  Thi^ee  Tears, — Mustered  October,  1861. 

C,  Isaac  Boxall,  rec. 

F,  John  Whitehouse,  rec. 
F,  Thomas  Darty,  rec. 
F,  Murtz  Sulbvan,  rec. 

Sixth  Regiment,  Three  Tears,  —  Mustered,  November,  1861. 
I,  Frederick  Schaeffer,  rec. 


394  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Seventh  Begiment,  Three  Tears,  —  October,  1861. 
A,  Thorntou  Hazcn,  w'd  Ft.  Wagner,  July,  '63,  died  of  wounds 

Aug.  29,  1863. 
I,  Otis  F.  Butrick,  disch.  dis.  Aug.,  1862. 
H,  Joliu  Walton,  rec. 

Eighth  Regiment,  Three  Years, — Mustered  December ,  1861. 

D,  Frank  C.  Wood,  disch.  dis.  at  Camp  Parapet,  La.,  July,  1862. 

Ninth  Regiment,  Three  Years,  —  Jlusto'ed  J'uli/,1S62. 

A,  Ebeu  Bean,  died  at  Washington  Dec,  1862. 
A,  George  W.  Goodwin.  • 

A,  Moses  Eeed,  died  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  April,  1863. 
A,  Alonzo  D.  Emery,  trans,  to  Bat.  E,  U.  S.  Art.  Sept.,  1862. 
A,  John  D.  ]S'eller,  rec.    Dec,  1863,  cap.,  died  in  Eebel  prison 
at  Salisbury,  N.  C,  Feb.,  1865. 

A,  James  R.  Preston,  trans,  to  Sixth  X.  H.  Vols.  June,  1865. 

B,  Charles  F.  Shaw,  disch.  dis.  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Jan.  15,  '63. 
K,  Charles  Delos,  rec.  Dec,  1863,  deserted  Jan.,  1864. 

Tenth  Regiment,  Three  Years, — Clustered  Augnst,  1862. 

A,  Albert  Plumnicr,  Hospital  Steward,  pro.  Asst.  Surg.  Jan.,  '65. 
A,  Lucian  Holmes,  Corp.,  pro.  Sergt.,  captured  at  Fair  Oaks,  Va., 

Oct.,  1864,  died  in  Rebel  prison  at  Salisbury,  Jan.  4,  1865. 
A,  John  Y.  Demeritt,  died  at  Washington,  Jan.  5,  1863. 
A,  Jacob  P.  Buswell. 

A,  Charles  H.  Buswell,  trans,  to  U.  S.  S.  Corps. 
A,  Joseph  L.  Davis,  died  of  wounds  received  June  3,  1864. 
A,  Charles  H.  Grant,  pro.  to  Corp.,  captured  at  Fair  Oaks,  Va. 

Oct.,  1864,  died  in  Rebel  prison  at  Salisbury  Feb.  14,  '65. 
A,  Edward  M.  Melvin,  disch.  dis.  Dec,  1864. 
A,  Henry  C.  Moore,  w'd  June,  1864,  died  at  De  Camp  Hospital, 

N.  Y.,  Sept.  8,  1864. 
A,  George  B.  Sanfoi-d. 
A,  Franklin  Shannon,  died  of  wounds  June  16,  1864. 

A,  Charles  Pingree,  pro.  to  2d  Lieut,  of  Co.  I,  23d  U.  S.  colored" 

volunteers,  killed  before  Petersburg,  July  3,  1864. 

Eleventh  Regiment,  Three  Years,  —  Clustered  August,  1862. 

B,  John  Cole,  rec.  Dec,  1863.      . 
K.  William  Clark,  rec.  Dec.  1863. 

Twelfth  Regiment,  Three  Years, — Clustered  August,  1862. 
I,  Felix  C.  Hackney,  rec.  Dec,  1863. 

E,  James  Krotzer,  "  "  "  [1864 
H,  James  Murray,  "  ''  ''  killed  at  Cold  Harbor  June, 
E,  William  Moll,           "      "          ''     deserted  Nov.,  1864. 

H,  Oliver  Rinker,         "      '<  '*    trans,  to  2d  N.  H.  Vols. 


MILITARY   HISTORY.  895 

Fourteenth  Regiment,  Three  Tears, — Mastered  September,  1862. 

D,  Stephen  C.  Coult. 

Fifteenth  Regiment,  INine  Months, — Clustered  October,  1862. 

E,  Moses  B.  Davis. 
E,  Daniel  C.  Abbott,* 
E,  WilUs  H.  Brown. 
E,  Jesse  Woods,  d. 

E,  Frank  C.  Woods,  disch.  dis.,  d.  at  Auburn. 
E,  Jonathan  Ballou,  mustered  out,  Aug.  1863. 

Eighteenth  Regiment,  —  Mustered  September,  1864. 

H,  Alexander  M.  Ballon. 
H,  Jonathan  Ballou. 
K,  Sylvester  E,  Emery. 
K,  Carlton  Emery. 
K,  Alfred  D.  Emery. 
K,  Alouzo  D.  Emery. 
K,  George  A.  Wood. 

First  Regiment  Cavalry — Mustered  Dec,  1861. 

Troop. 

L,  John  S.  Coffin,  re-c.  Jan.,  1864. 

I,  Warren  J.  Davis,  capt'd  June,  186-4,  paroled  March,  1865. 

K,  Chester  C.  Smith,  disch.  June,  1862. 

First  Light  Battery,  Three  Tears,  —  3fustered  Sept.,  1861. 

David  H.  Bean,  bugler,  re-e.  Dec,  1863. 

Robinson  Brown,  bugler. 

James  M.  Bus  well. 

John  H.  Goodwin,  dropped  from  rolls,  Oct.,  1864, 

James  M.  Preston. 

William  Preston. 

Benjamin  S.  Stewart,  rec.  Dec,  1863. 

Hugh  B.  Cochran,  drafted. 

First  Regiment  Heavy  Artillery,  —  Mastered  Sept.,  1864. 

Co. 

C,  Edwin  Coleman. 

C,  George  Coult. 

C,  Geoi-ge  E.  Edmonds. 

C,  Benjamin  Eaton. 

C,  Jacob  Lufkin. 

C,  Henry  M.  Preston. 

C,  Stephen  Pingree. 

G,  Charles  H.  Lyman,  disch.  dis.,  Jan.,  1865. 

K,  Joseph  P.  Brown. ' 


896  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

K,  William  G.  Brown. 
K,  Denuis  Donovan. 
K,  Luther  Preston. 
K,  Harrison  Preston. 
K,  Robert  T.  Plummer. 
K,  Simon  G.  Prescott. 
K,  Beuj.  F.  Sherburne. 
K,  John  E.  Wliite. 
M,  George  C.  Kimball. 

Second  Beyimeat  Sharpshooters — 3fustered  November,  1861. 

Samuel  F.  Muny,  1st   Lieut.,  2d  Lieut.,  pro.  to  Capt,,  Sept., 

18G3. 
F,  Alfred  J.  Sanborn,  w'd  May,  1864,  mustered  out  Nov.,  1864. 

Those  Who  Furnished  Volunteer  Substitutes. 

Wells  C.  Underbill,  Harrison  Burnham, 

Andrew  F.  Fox,  Joseph  Underliill. 

Daniel  Webster, 

Drafted  3fen. 

Evander  G.  Preston,  Benj.  D.  Emery, 

John  N,  Claflin,  Edward  O.  Prescott, 

George  AV.  Hall,  Charles  H.  Patten, 

Alexander  M.  Philip,  Charles  H.  Merrill. 
W.  I.  Gilbert, 

Substitutes  For  Drafted  Men. 

August  Shaffer,  Isaac  Powell, 

James  McKew,  I'atrick  O'Niel, 

Edward  Haley,  Charles  Bond, 

William  Warren,  Charles  A.  Varnham. 
Henry  Cole, 

Commutation  fee  of  three  hundred  dollars  paid  by  Arthur 
Dinsmore. 

PROCEEDINGS   OF   AUBURN   IN   REGARD   TO    SOLDIERS. 

June  1,  1861,  there  was  a  town  meeting  to  see  if  the 
town  woukl  give  bounties  to  such  as  had  enlisted  or  should 
enlist  in  the  support  of  the  Government  in  the  present 
emergency.  Also  to  see  if  the  town  would  provide  each  of 
said  men  with  one  rubber  and  one  woolen  blanket  fit  for 
military  service.     The  articles  were  dismissed. 

At  a  meeting,  Sept.,  26,  1861,  it  was 

""  A'oted,  to  pay  for  the   support  of  such  of  the  wives 


MILITARY   HISTORY.  397 

and  families  of  those  who  have  enlisted  or  may  enlist  in 
the  service  of  the  United  States,  as  are  entitled  to  support 
by  the  provision  of  an  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  last 
June  session. 

"  Voted,  the  selectmen  be  authorized  to  hire  a  sum  of 
money  not  exceeding  eight  hundred  dollars,  and  appropri- 
ate the  same." 

At  the  annual  meeting  held  March  11,  1862, 

"  Voted,  to  raise  a  sum  not  exceeding  three  hundred 
dollars  to  aid  the  families  of  volunteers." 

August  11,  1862, 

"  Voted,  to  raise  eight  hundred  dollars  to  aid  the  fam 
ilies  of  volunteers. 

"  Voted,  to  pay  one  hundred  dollars  to  each  man 
(citizen  of  our  town),  who  has  enlisted  or  may  enlist  to  fill 
our  quota  of  three  hundred  thousand  three-years  men. 

"  Voted,  to  pay  one  hundred  dollars  to  each  man 
(citizen  of  our  town),  who  may  enlist  to  fill  our  quota  of 
the  last  call  for  three  hundred  thousand  nine-months  men. 

"  Voted,  that  the  selectmen  be  authorized  to  borrow  a 
sum  not  exceeding  three  thousand  dollars  on  the  credit  of 
the  town." 

Dec.  22,  1862, 

"  Voted,  that  the  selectmen  be  authorized  to  procure 
volunteers  from  this  town  or  any  other  that  may  be 
credited  to  us,  until  our  quota  is  filled,  by  paying  a  sum 
not  exceeding  one  hundred  dollars  to  each  volunteer. 

"  Voted,  that  the  selectmen  be  authorized  to  hire  on 
the  credit  of  the  town,  a  sum  not  exceeding  six  hundred 
dollars  to  carry  the  foregoing  vote  into  effect,  and  pay  the 
expense  of  recruiting  and  other  incidental  expenses." 

On  motion, 

"  Voted,  to  raise  one  hundred  dollars  in  addition  to  the 
foregoing." 

March  10,  1863, 

"  Voted,  to  raise  a  sum  not  exceeding  a  thousand  dol- 
lars to  aid  the  families  of  volunteers." 

Aug.  27, 1863, 

"  Voted,  that  the  town  raise  and  pay  to  every  drafted 
man  who  shall  enter  the  service  or  furnish  a  substitute, 
the  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars  at  the  expiration  of  ten 
days  after  such  drafted  man  or  substitute  shall  have  been 
mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States. 


398  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

"  Yoted,  that  the  selectmen  be  authorized  to  borrow  or 
hire,  on  the  credit  of  the  town,  a  sum  not  exceeding  six 
thousand  dollars  to  carry  out  the  foregoing  vote." 

At  a  meeting  held  Oct.  3,  1863,  the  foregoing  votes  were 
rescinded.     On  motion, 

"  Resolved,  that  the  town  raise  and  appropriate  three 
hundred  dollars  as  a  bounty  to  each  of  the  members  of  the 
enrolled  militia  of  the  state  from  the  town  of  Auburn  who 
may  be,  or  have  been,  drafted  or  conscripted  under  the  laws 
of  the  United  States  to  serve  in  the  array  of  the  United 
States  during  the  existing  rebellion,  or  to  the  substitutes  of 
such  conscripts,  and  that  the  selectmen  be  authorized  to 
pay  such  bounty  to  the  order  of  such  drafted  man,  or  his 
substitute,  or  his  order,  after  ten  days  from  the  time  when 
such  drafted  man  or  his  substitute  shall  have  been  mus- 
tered into  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

"And  that  the  selectmen  hire  on  the  credit  of  the  town, 
the  sum  not  exceeding  eight  thousand  dollars  to  carry  out 
the  foregoing  vote,  and  that  they  give  the  notes  of  the 
town,  and  therefore  cause  a  copy  of  all  such  notes  to  be 
recorded  by  the  town  clerk  in  the  records  of  the  town. 

"  Yoted,  that  the  selectmen  borrow  or  hire  on  the 
credit  of  the  town,  a  sum  not  exceeding  eight  hundred  dol- 
lars, to  carry  out  the  laws  of  the  state  rendering  aid  to 
families  of  volunteers." 

Dec.  3, 1863, 

"  Voted,  that  the  town  raise  eight  thousand  dollars  to 
encourage  voluntary  enlistment  to  fill  the  quota  of  said 
town  under  the  last  call  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States  for  three  hundred  thousand  volunteers :  that  the 
town  assume  and  cash  the  United  States  and  state  boun- 
ties coming  to  each  volunteer,  upon  their  assigning  the 
same  to  the  town :  that  the  town  pay  to  each  volunteer 
belonging  to  said  town,  who  is  entitled  to  8402  United 
States  bounty,  upon  his  assigning  all  bounties  that  may  be 
due  him  to  the  town,  eight  hundred  dollars ;  to  each  vol- 
unteer belonging  to  said  town  who  is  entitled  to  8302 
United  States  bounty,  upon  his  assigning  all  bounties  that 
may  be  due  him  to  the  town,  seven  hundred  dollars  ;  to 
each  volunteer  not  resident  in  town,  a  sum  not  exceeding 
six  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  upon  a  like  assignment  of  his 
bounties ;  said  sums  to  be  paid  upon  their  being  accepted 
and  mustered  into  the'  United  States  service,  and  in  no 


MILITARY   HISTORY.  899 

• 

case  shall  a  bounty  be  paid  to  any  person  enlisting  after 
the  quota  is  full :  that  the  selectmen  are  hereby  author- 
ized to  borrow  a  sum  not  exceeding  said  eight  thousand 
dollars  to  pay  the  aforesaid  bounties  and  give  the  notes  of 
the  town  for  the  same, — and  cause  a  cop^^  of  said  notes  to 
be  recorded  in  the  book  of  the  town  clerk." 
April  2,  1864, 

"  Voted,  to  pay  all  volunteers  that  have  enlisted,  or 
may  enlist,  to  fill  the  quota  of  the  town  under  the  call  of 
the  President  for  two  hundred  thousand  men,  three  hun- 
dred dollars. 

"  Voted,  to  hire  four  thousand  dollars  on  the  credit  of 
the  town  to  carry  out  the  foregoing  Yote." 

Aug.  8,  1864, 

"  Voted,  that  the  town  raise  and  appropriate  a  sum  not 
exceeding  six  thousand  dollars  to  encourage  voluntary  en- 
listments in  said  town,  and  that  the  selectmen  be  author- 
ized to  hire  the  same  on  the  credit  of  the  town,  and  that 
the  town  treasurer  be  instructed  to  pay  to  each  volunteer 
for  one  year,  or  his  substitute,  or  to  the  order  of  his  substi- 
tute, the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  ;  and  to  each  volun- 
teer for  two  years,  or  his  substitute,  or  to  the  order  of  his 
substitute,  the  sum  of  two  hundred  dollars ;  and  to  each 
volunteer  for  three  years,  or  his  substitute,  or  to  the  order 
of  his  substitute,  the  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars.  Said 
sums  to  be  paid  when  such  volunteer,  or  his  substitute,  shall 
be  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

"Voted,  that  the  town  assume  and  cash  the  state  bounty, 
and  take  an  assignment  back  from  the  state. 

"  Voted,  to  instruct  the  selectmen  to  hire  the  sum  not 
exceeding  six  thousand  dollars,  to  pay  drafted  men  or  their 
substitutes. 

"  Voted,  that  any  person  putting  in  a  substitute  can  take 
an  assifrnment  of  the  state  bounty  from  their  substitute, 
and  have  the  same  cashed  by  the  town." 

August  16th,  1861, 

"  Voted,  to  pay  two  hundred  dollars  in  gold,  or  its 
equivalent,  to  each  man,  to  pay  expenses  in  procuring  sub- 
stitutes. 

"Voted,  to  instruct  the  selectmen  to  hire  a  sum  not 
exceeding  eight  thousand  dollars  to  cash  the  state  bounty. 

"Voted,  that  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to  hire  a  sum 
not  exceeding  eight  thousand  dollars,  to  pay  for  procuring 
substitutes. 


400  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

"  Voted,  that  the  selectmen  be  authorized  to  pay  three 
per  cent,  bonus  on  money,  if  it  cannot  be  procured  for  less. 

"  Voted,  that  tlie  town  appoint  one  agent  to  act  in  uni- 
son with  the  selectmen  in  procuring  substitutes." 

Andrew  F.  Fox  was  chosen  agent. 
September  2d,  1864, 

"  Voted,  to  instruct  the  selectmen  to  pay  the  sum  of 
four  hundred  dollars  in  addition  to  the  one  hundred  dollars 
which  was  voted  at  the  meeting  of  August  8th,  to  citizen 
volunteers  under  the  last  call  of  the  President. 

"  Voted,  an  agent  to  see  to  the  roll  of  the  militia  of  this 
town." 

Kcndrick  Emery  was  chosen  agent. 

"  Voted,  that  the  agent  be  paid  the  sum  of  three  dollars 
per  day,  and  his  expenses. 

"  Voted,  to  authorize  the  selectmen  to  hire  on  the  credit 
of  the  town,  a  sum  not  exceeding  eight  thousand  dollars, 
to  pay  their  own  citizens  that  have  enlisted,  or  may  enlist, 
to  jiU  the  quota  of  the  town,  under  the  call  of  the  Presi- 
dent." 

January  9th,  1865, 

"  Resolved,  that  the  town  raise  a  sum  of  money  not  ex- 
ceeding eight  thousand  dollars,  and  appropriate  the  same 
as  bounties  to  such  persons  as  may  voluntarily  enlist,  as 
volunteers  or  as  substitutes  'for  enrolled  or  drafted  men, 
to  fill  the  quota  of  the  town  under  the  last  call  of  the  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States  for  three  hundred  thousand  men 
to  serve  in  the  army  and  navy. 

"  Resolved,  that  the  town  pay  each  man  voluntarily  en- 
listing or  volunteering  as  a  suljstitute  for  an  enrolled  or 
drafted  man  of  this  town,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  for 
one  year,  two  hundred  for  two  years,  three  hundred  for 
three  years  ;  and  to  each  man  who  has  .been  an  inhabitant 
of  tliis  town  for  three  months  preceding  this  meeting,  en- 
listing in  the  quota  of  this  town,  the  sum  of  six  hundred 
dollars  for  one  year,  seven  hundred  dollars  for  two  years, 
and  eight  hundred  dollars  for  three  years  ;  and  that  per- 
sons so  enlisting  by  this  vote  to  receive  them  or  their  order 
as  soon  as  they  are  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States. 

*'  Voted,  that  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to  raise  a  sum 
of  money  not  exceeding  eight  thousand  dollars,  to  carry 
out  the  foregoing  vote." 


MILITARY   HISTORY. 


401 


The  following  list  of  soldiers  furnished  by  the  town  of 
Candia,  and  the  bounties  paid  them,  has  been  given  by 
Abraham  Emerson,  Esq.  I  prepared  a  list  from  the  Adju- 
tant-General's Report,  showing  the  companies  and  regi- 
ments in  which  they  served,  but  the  names  of  many  were 
not  found  there  credited  to  Candia,  owing  probably  to  the 
large  number  classed  under  "  unknown,"  and  some  others 
who  enlisted  into  Massachusetts  regiments.  The  following 
list  is  certified  by  the  selectmen  as  having  enlisted  from 
Candia  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  in  1861,  or 
previous  to  any  bounty  being  paid  by  the  town : 


J.  Lane  Fitts, 

Stephen  Dearborn,  killed  at 
James  Island, 

George  Emerson,  killed  at 
Fredericksburg, 

."Wells  C.  Haines,  wounded 
at  Bull  Eun,  taken  pris- 
oner, and  died  at  Kich- 
mond, 

John  G.  Burbeck, 

David  Bedee, 

William  Bedee, 

Richard  B.  BroAvn, 

John  Brennard, 

Fi'ancis  Fifield, 

Edmund  J.  Langley, 

Lewis  B.  Carr, 

Edwin  J.  Godfrey, 

George  W.  Clay, 

Rufus  Ward, 

Henry  Buzzell, 

Lorenzo  Fifleld, 

William  Norton, 

Richai'd  Norton, 

Lucieu  CaiT, 

Charles  Turner, 


Horace  Dearborn, 

Albert  Harlow, 

Chester  C.  Smith, 

J.  Henry  AVorthen, 

John  Sullivan, 

Stephen  Fifleld, 

William  Robinson, 

James  Gannon, 

George  Robinson, 

"William  Daniels, 

George  A.  Turner, 

Guilford  Batchelder, 

E.  Morrill, 

David  R.  Daniels,   died  in 

army, 
David  Dudley,  died  in  Maiy- 

laud, 
John  Hall, 
William  Roberts, 
Charles  B.  Carr, 
E.  MattheAvs, 
Charles  Robinson, 
David  Xorton,  Jr., 
Henry  Norton, 
Reuben  Batchelder. 


On  the  17th  of  October,  1861,  we  find  the  following  vote 
passed  by  the  town  of  Candia  in  aid  of  volunteers  : 

"  That  the  selectmen  be  authorized  and  instructed  to 
raise  by  loan,  or  otherwise,  a  sum  of  money  not  exceeding 


26 


402  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

five  hundred  dollars,  and  expend  so  mucli  of  the  same  as 
they  may  think  proijer  in  aiding  the  families  of  such  per- 
sons as  have  enlisted  and  been  mustered  into  the  service  of 
the  United  States  from  this  town  ;  the  same  to  be  expended 
agreeably   to   the   law   of  New   Hampshire,  passed   June, 

1861.  Also,  that  the  same  provision  be  granted  to  all  who 
may  hereafter  enlist." 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  March,  1862,  the  following  vote 

was  passed : 

"  Voted,  that  the  selectmen  abate  the  poll-tax  of  all  sol- 
diers that  have  enlisted  into  service  from  this  town." 

At  a  legal  town-meeting,  held  on  the  14th  day  of  August, 

1862,  the  following  votes  were  passed  in  the  affirmative  : 

"  Voted,  that  one  thousand  dollars  be  raised  to  aid  the 
families  of  volunteers. 

"  Voted,  that  the  selectmen  hire,  at  the  lowest  possil)le 
rate  of  interest,  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  to  pay  each  vol- 
unteer who  has  enlisted,  or  may  enlist  into  tlie  service  of 
the  United  States  for  three  years,  and  who  has  been  mus- 
tered into  said  service  to  make  up  the  quota  of  Candia, 
agreeable  to  the  last  call  of  the  President  for  three  hun- 
dred thousand  men,  two  hundred  dollars." 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was 

"  Voted,  to  add  one  hundred  dollars,  making  three  hun- 
dred to  each  volunteer." 

On  the  13th  of  the  same  month  it  was 
"  Voted,  to  pay  the  nine-months  men  one  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  each." 

The  following  is  a  list  of  names  of  those  who  received  a 
bounty  of  three  hundred  dollars  each,  at  the  time  Captain 
W.  R.  Patten  enlisted  his  company.     Here  is  the  receipt : 

"  We  severally  acknowledge  to  have  received  from  the 
town  of  Candia  the  sums  set  to  our  names,  agreeable  to  the 
vote  of  the  town  passed  August  14th,  1682,  to  encourage 
volunteer  enlistments  into  the  service  of  the  United  States 
for  the  term  of  three  years." 

"William  E.  Fatten,  Captain;  R.  Baxter  Brown,  1st  Lieut. 
William  Clark,   sickened  in        Henry  W.  Rowe, 
the  ai'iny,  retui'ued  to  Con-        Lewellyn  Wallace,   died  in 
cord  and  died,  army, 

Robert  Clark,  Charles  R.  Rowe, 

Ansell  Emerson,-  George  W.  Hartford, 


MILITARY   HISTORY. 


403 


Edwin  Haines, 

Frank  Sovaine, 

Edward  B.  Robinson, 

Thomas  C.  Eunnells, 

Oliver  Haynes, 

George  Mead,  died, 

Dexter  Read, 

Woodbury  Hartford, 

Joel  P,  Beau,  returned,  died, 

Jesse  D.  Beau, 

N.  F.  Brown, 

Daniel  Brown,  Jr.,  died, 

E.  W.  Foss, 

C.  R.  Stacy, 

Charles  E.  Wason, 

Manson  M,  Bricket, 

Levi  Barker,  Jr., 

Frederick  F.  Emei'son, 

Charles  M.  Lane, 

Nathl.  Hardy,  died, 

Charles  C.  Page, 

Leonard  F.  Dearborn, 

George  AY.  Griffin, 


Hem  an  O.  Mathews, 
Charles  C.  Brown, 
E.  F.  Brown,  died, 
N.  J.  Dearborn, 
Rufus  Ward, 
Ezekiel  L.  Shurtleff, 
John  H.  Harrison, 
Thomas  J.  Morrill, 
Joseph  L.  Gleasou, 
Albert  M.  Morrill, 
Augustus  B.  Gile, 
James  H.  Mori'ill, 
Charles  A.  Jones, 
Hiram  G.  Gleasou, 
George  C.  Fifleld, 
Asa  E.  Buswell, 
John  A.  Gile, 
Daniel  C.  Davis, 
Woodbury  D.  Dearborn, 
Reuben  H.  Dunn, 
George  W.  Brown,  Jr., 
William  Collins. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  volunteers  for  nine  months,  who 
were  paid  a  bounty  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  each  ; 


Levi  Barker, 
Andrew  J.  Mead, 
Daniel  B.  Langley, 
Edward    P.  Lane,   died    at 

New  Orleans, 
Henry  T.  Eaton, 
Walter  W.  Bean, 
Franklin  Clay, 
John  H.  Bean, 


Samuel  C.  Xay, 

P.  Gerrish  Robinson, 

Daniel  Hall,   died   at 

Orleans, 
Frederic  Clay, 
Joseph  Avery, 
George  W.  Taylor, 
Charies  W.  Hoit, 
John  A.  Haines. 


New 


At  a  legal  meeting  held  on  the  10th  of  January,  1863, 
the  following  vote  passed  affirmatively: 

"  That  the  selectmen  be  instructed  to  appropriate  six 
hundred  dollars  to  aid  the  families  of  volunteers." 

At  the  annual  meeting,  1863,  it  was 

"  Voted,  to  raise  one  thousand  dollars  to  aid  the  families 
of  volunteers." 


404  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

July  14th,  1863,  it  was 

"  Voted,  to  appropriate  two  thousand  dollars  to  aid  the 
families  of  volunteers." 

At  a  legal  meeting,  held  on  the  2d  day  of  September, 

1863,  tiie  following  vote  was  passed  afifirmatively : 

"  To  pay  each  drafted  man  three  hundred  dollars, 
whether  he  serves  himself,  or  procures  a  substitute." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  town,  held  on  the  30th  day  of  No- 
vember, 1863,  to  see  what  measures  the  town  would  take  to 
fill  its  quota,  the  selectmen  were  instructed  to  procure  a 
sufficient  number  of  men  at  as  low  a  rate  as  may  be,  and 
that  the  town  raise  a  sum  of  money  not  exceeding  eight 
thousand  dollars,  and  appropriate  as  much  as  may  be 
necessary  in  procuring  said  men. 

List  of  Volunteers  under  the  call  of  October  nth,  18G3. 

Patrick  Donnelly,  Carl  Neagle, 

Augustus  Archer,  George  Smith, 

Cliarles  Smith,  George  C  Brow' n, 

Edward  Black,  John  Nelson, 

John  Wilson,  Martin  Rapee, 

John  Brown,  Frederick  IMcPherson, 

Horace  Colburn,  James  AVebber, 

Nelson  Hurd,  Charles  Fifield. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  1864,  it  was  voted  to  raise  one 
thousand  dollars  to  aid  families  of  volimteers. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  town,  April  28,  1864,  it  was  voted 
to  pay  veteran  soldiers  three  hundred  dollars  bounty. 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  voted  to  raise  two  thousand 
five  hundred  dollars,  to  be  paid  as  bounties  to  raw  re- 
cruits ;  also  to  raise  five  thousand  dollars  to  be  expended  in 
filling  our  future  quotas,  if  any  calls  be  made  prior  to 
March  next. 

At  a  legal  meeting  of  the  town  held  Aug.  30,  1864,  it 
was  voted  to  raise  fifteen  hundred  dollars  to  aid  families  of 
volunteers. 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  voted  to  raise  five  thousand 
dollars  in  addition  to  what  had  already  been  raised  ;  and  to 
pay  to  drafted  men,  or  substitutes  for  drafted  or  enrolled 
men,  the  highest  bounties  allowed  by  law. 


MILITARY   HISTORY.  405 

At  a  meeting  held  Dec.  28, 1864,  it  was  voted  to  pay 
volunteers,  residents  of  Candia,  six  hundred  dollars  for  one 
year. 

"  Voted,  to  raise  a  sum  not  to  exceed  twelve  thousand 
dollars,  to  pay  volunteers  or  substitutes." 

Substitutes  for  Drafted  Men. 

James  O'Donnel,  Thomas  Marks, 

Carlz  Fitzrun,  John  Stevens, 

James  Sullivan,  James  Han. 

The  above  were  paid  three  hundred  dollars  each,  by  the 
town. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  enlisted  in  1864,  who 
were  paid  a  bounty  of  four  hundred  dollars  : 

James  Thomas,  Thomas  Hai-vey, 

James  Wright,  Edward  Bailor, 

George  Bower,  Malcom  McKinna, 

Charles  Dearborn,  George  A.  Turner, 

William  Rohinson,  Richard  Howard, 

Alexander  Wliite,  Robert  Field, 

Nicholas  Johnson,  Cyrus  W.  Truel, 

AVillie  F.  Eaton,  John  H.  Brown, 

A.  Frank  Patten,  Orlando  Brown, 

Reuben  H.  Fitts,  Sam'  C.  Nay. 

The  following  enlisted  under  the  vote  to  pay  six  hundred 
dollars  bounty : 

John  C.  Fifield,  Orestes  J.  Bean, 

Lewis  H.  Cate,  William  G,  Fitts, 

George  L.  Merrifield,  John  L.  Quimby, 

Lewis  D.  Moore,  Samuel  L.  Carr, 

John  H.  Mears,  Frank  G.  Bursiel. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  1865,  it  was  voted  to  raise  twelve 
hundred  dollars  to  aid  families  of  volunteers. 

Here  follows  a  list  of  substitutes  furnished  by  enrolled 
men,  to  each  of  which  the  town  paid  a  bounty  of  three 
hundred  dollars: 

Joseph  B.  Quimby,  Charles  Fuller, 

Thomas  Smith,  John  Curdines, 


406 


HISTOEY   OF   CHESTER. 


John  Logan, 
Frank  Eogers, 
James  Cheney, 
James  Green, 
Edmund  Boyle, 


Frank  Stanton, 
James  Webb, 
Wm.  H.  Williams, 
John  Haynes, 
Jacob  Shenau. 


The  following  list  of  the  soldiers  furnished  by  the  town 
of  Raymond  has  been  given  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  FuUonton, 
who  is  preparing  a  history  of  Raymond ;  as  with  the  town 
of  Candia,  there  are  discrepancies  between  that  and  the 
Adjutant-General's  Report : 


Sewel  J.  Tiltou,  Capt., 
John  A.  Cram,  Lieut., 
George  B.  Cram, 
George  II.  Tilton, 
John  Brown, 
Orren  T.  Dodge, 
Samuel  G.  Bartlet, 
Warren  True, 
Augustus  A.  True, 
Elias  True,  Jr., 
Elbridge  G.  Moore, 
William  B.  Green, 
Hazen  Currier, 
George  P.  Sargent, 
George  S.  Fullonton, 
J.  Francis  FuUonton, 
Henry  Robinson, 
David  T.  Osgood, 
George  S.  Gove, 
Geoi'ge  D.  Howe, 
George  B.  Robinson, 
Daniel  R.  Bean, 
Andrew  C.  No  well, 
Gilford  F.  Gilman, 
Charles  H.  Edgerly, 
John  H.  Dearborn, 
David  W.  Towle, 
Nathan  II.  Magoon, 
Thomas  R.  Tuttle, 
Isaiah  G.  Young, 
Chase  O.  Wallace, 
AYm.  A.  Wallace, 
Geo.  W.  Gilman, 


Elisha  Towle, 
Nathaniel  Emery, 
Ricliard  Abbot, 
Rufus  A.  Tilton, 
Daniel  W.  Osgood, 
Nathan  Norton, 
Jonathan  P.  Ilolman, 
Abraham  S.  Healey, 
John  Gilc, 
William  II.  Fcrren, 
Charles  H.  Abbot, 
William  H.  Kenniston, 
Alvah  Fogg, 
James  Pecker, 
John  H.  Hill, 
Franklin  P.  MoiTison, 
Horatio  H.  C.  Morrison, 
Daniel  AY.  Norton, 
Laomi  G.  Warren, 
George  C.  Johnson, 
James  Card, 
Charles  Dow, 
Jona.  F.  Brown, 
Timothy  Gleason, 
George  W.  Healey, 
Samuel  II.  Robinson, 
James  H.  P.  Morrison, 
Jesse  F.  Morrill, 
Josiah  W.  Lane, 
George  M.  Brown, 
Samuel  C.  Nay, 

(claimed  by  Candia) , 
Frank  S.  Heath, 


MILITARY   HISTORY. 


407 


Wm.  Y.  Griffin, 
Leonard  G.  Tilton, 
Cyrus  W.  Dwight, 
James  O.  Scribner, 
Charles  E.  Dodge, 
Joseph  Gleason, 
Hiram  Gleasou, 
Edward  Gleasou, 
Charles  H.  Perkins, 
John  D.  Folsom, 
Daniel  Robinson, 
John  D.  Brant, 
Robert  P.  Kennard, 
Joseph  A.  Littlefleld, 
Samuel  M.  Heath, 


James  L.  Stevens, 
Samuel  Spaulding, 
Abner  Lowell, 
Charles  L.  Randlet, 
Cyrus  E.  Poor, 
Wm.  H.  Thurston, 
Charles  Jones, 
David  S.  Healey, 
George  Tripp, 
Joshua  Smith, 
Orren  B.  Cram, 
Samuel  G.  Healey, 
,John  M.  Smith, 
Daniel  Bachelder, 
George  S.  Gove. 


Those  who  furnished  substitutes  for  Raymond 


Charles  W.  Lane, 
T.  M.  Gould,  M.  D., 
William  B.  Blake, 
Saml.  I.  Locke, 
Charles  A.  Bachelder, 


Elisha  T.  Gile, 
Thomas  B.  Bachelder, 
John  F.  Lane, 
Horace  G.  Whittier, 
Irving  Folsom. 


The  following  votes  were  passed  bj  the  town  of  Ray- 
mond, respecting  raising  men,  paying  bounties,  &c. 

Sept.  28,  1861,  voted  to  adopt  an  act  authorizing  cities 
and  towns  to  aid  the  families  of  volunteers,  and  authorized 
the  selectmen  to  pay  the  families  of  volunteers. 

April  5,  1862,  six  hundred  dollars  were  appropriated. 

Aug.  22,  1862,  voted  to  pay  a  bounty  of  two  hundred 
dollars  to  all  those  who  have  enlisted  since  the  first  of 
August,  1862,  and  all  that  may  enlist,  to  a  number  sufficient 
to  fill  the  quota  of  the  town  for  the  six  hundred  thousand ; 
to  be  paid  on  their  being  mustered  into  service.  The 
selectmen  were  also  instructed  to  pay  the  families  of  volun- 
teers the  full  amount  that  the  law  allows. 

March  10,  1863,  the  selectmen  were  authorized  to  hire 
eight  hundred  dollars  to  pay  the  families  of  volunteers. 

July  31,  1863,  Josiah  S.  James  was  chosen  agent  to  see 
that  the  quota  of  the  town  was  allowed. 

August  20, 1863,  voted  to  pay  a  bounty  of  two  hundred 


408  HISTORY  OF   CHESTER. 

and  ninety  dollars  to  all  those  who  are  drafted  and  mus- 
tered into  the  service,  and  compelled  to  serve  in  the  army 
of  the  United  States,  and  also  to  all  substitutes  that  may 
be  mustered  in  and  serve. 

September  24,  1863,  voted  to  pay  all  men  drafted  from 
the  town  of  Raymond,  up  to  the  present  time,  mustered 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  or  their  substitutes, 
three  hundred  dollars,  agreeable  to  an  act  of  June,  1863. 

May  31,  1864, 

"  Voted,  that  the  town  pay  three  hundred  dollars,  drafted 
on  a  call  for  two  hundred  thousand  men,  or  their  substitutes 
when  mustered  into  service. 

"  Voted,  that  the  town  pay  two  hundred  dollars  to  all 
that  have,  or  may  reenlist,  to  keep  the  quota  full  for  the 
town. 

"  Voted,  that  the  selectmen  be  autliorizcd  to  hire  men  to 
enlist,  to  fill  the  quota  of  the  town,  all  lliat  the  town  may 
be  called  upon  to  furnish  by  the  government  in  future,  not 
to  exceed  three  hundred  dollars  per  man,  and  hire  a  sum 
not  exceeding  ten  thousand  dollars." 

June  5,  1864,  the  selectmen  were  authorized  to  hire 
substitutes  for  drafted  men,  and  pay  not  exceeding  three 
hundred  dollars  each,  and  also  for  those  called  for  in 
future  ;  and  to  hire  a  sum  not  exceeding  fifteen  thousand 
dollars. 

December  26,  1864, 

"  Voted  to  pay  citizens  of  the  town,  who  may  volunteer, 
one  hundred  dollars  in  addition  to  the  state  bounty  for  one 
year,  and  two  hundred  dollars  for  two  years. 

"  Voted  to  pay  substitutes  for  volunteers  three  hundred 
dollars. 

"  Voted  to  pay  drafted  men  all  the  law  allows. 

"  Voted  to  authorize  the  selectmen  to  advance  the  state 
bounty. 

"  Voted  to  authorize  the  selectmen  to  hire  not  exceeding 
five  thousand  dollars." 

March  14,  1865, 

"  Voted  to  refund  to  each  and  every  person  who  may 
have  provided  a  substitute  the  one  hundred  dollars  paid 
by  them,  over  and  above  the  amount  previously  received 
from  the  town." 


CHAPTER     XV. 

HOW    THE    EiRLY    SETTLERS    LIVED,    OR    THE    INDUSTRL\L    HIS- 
TORY  OF    CHESTER. 

Everybody  will  understand  that  the  first  tenements  must 
have  been  log-huts  with  stone  chimneys.     As  a  specimen  of 
the  early  chimneys,  Joseph  Basford  built  a  frame  house  on 
the  place  where  Wells  C.  Underbill  lives,  which  was  sold 
to  Moody  Chase  in  1769,  who  reared  in  it  a  large  family. 
His  daughter  Mary  (wife  of  B.  P.  Chase)  used  to  relate 
that  they  could  see  to  work  the  longest  by  the  light  which 
came  down  chimney,  of  any  place  in  the  house  ;  and  that 
the  child  who  sat  the  farthest  back  against  the  back-log 
was  the  one  who  complained  most  of  the  cold.     Cranes  to 
hang  their  kettles  over  the  fire  were  not  in  fashion,  but 
two  pieces  of  wood  called  "cross-bars"  were  put  into  the 
chimney,  some  three  feet  above  the  mantel-piece  (which 
was  of  wood),  and  another  called  a  "  lug-pole  "  across  them 
on  which  to  hang  "  trammels."     The  ovens  were  built  in 
beyond  the  back  of  the  fireplace,  so  that  the  smoke  came 
into  one  common  flue.     Then  came  half-flue  ovens,  being 
built  about  half  way  from  the  back  to  the  jamb.     Next 
came  ovens  built  out  to  the  jambs  with  a  separate  flue  for 
the  smoke,  called  whole-flue  ovens.     Perhaps  there  were 
no    chimneys  built  without   cranes,  or  with   baclv  ovens, 
since   1800,  but  a  great   many  have   been  in   use   since 
then.     Some  of  the  fireplaces  were  so  capacious  as  to  burn 
wood  four  feet  long.     They  would  first  put  on  a  "  back- 
log," from  a  foot  to  a  foot  and  a  half  in  diameter,  and  a 
"  back-stick,"  smaller,  on  the  top,  then  a  "  fore-stick,"  and 
small  wood  in  front  laid  on  andirons,  if  they  were  able  to 
have  them,  if  not,  on  stones.     Where  such  a  fire  of  good 


410  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

hard  wood  was  in  operation,  it  gave  out  a  great  amount  of 
heat,  and  the  cooking  had  to  be  done  over  such  a  fire. 

The  ancient  windows  were  of  what  was  called  "  diamond 
glass."  The  sides  of  the  panes  were  about  five  inches  and 
the  angles  oblique.  The  longest  diagonal  stood  perpen- 
dicular, so  of  course  the  outside  of  the  casement  was  half- 
panes.  The  outside  sash  was  of  wood,  and  between  the 
panes  was  lead.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Congregational  par- 
ish April  21,  1713,  Jacob  Sargent,  Benj.  Hills  and  Enoch 
Colby  were  chosen  a  committee  to  sell  the  old  lead  and 
glass,  and  glaze  the  house  with  new  sashes  and  glass. 

STOVES. 

I  make  a  few  extracts  relating  to  the  history  of  stoves, 
from  an  article  in  the  "Scientific  American"  of  Nov.  9, 
18G7. 

"  Stoves  are  comparatively  of  recent  general  use,  though 
they  were  known  in  this  country  as  early  as  1790.  In  that 
year  Mr.  Pettibone  of  Philadelphia  was  granted  a  patent 
for  a  stove  which  he  claimed  to  be  capable  of  warming 
houses  by  pure  heated  air.  Pettibone's  stove  was  soon 
after  put  up  in  the  alms-house  at  Philadelphia,  This  was 
probably  the  first  attempt  to  use,  at  least  in  this  country. 
From  this  time  forward,  for  many  years,  the  stove  was 
confined  to  public  places ;  its  use  for  warming  private 
houses  or  for  cooking  purposes  not  having  been  thought  of. 
The  long  box-stove,  capable  of  taking  three-feet  wood,  was 
the  only  stove  our  ancestors  knew  anything  about.  The 
first  advance  towards  a  cooking  stove  Avas  making  the 
Franklin  stove  with  an  oven  ;  and  the  first  that  deserves 
the  name  was  an  oblong  affair,  having  an  oven  running 
the  whole  length,  the  door  of  which  was  in  front,  directly 
over  the  door  for  supplying  fuel ;  and  having  also  a  boiler- 
hole  and  boiler  on  the  back  part  of  the  top  near  the  pipe. 
Then  a  stove  similar  in  arrangement,  with  swelling  elliptic 
sides  was  made,  generally  called  the  nine-plate  stove. 

"About  1812  cooking  stoves  were  made  at  Hudson  from 
patterns  made  by  Mr.  Hoxie,  wno  was  the  first  to  elevate 
the  fire-box  above  the  oven.  In  1815  William  T.  James  of 
Lansingburgh,  afterwards  of  Troy,  made  the  stove  known 
as  the  '  James  stove,'  which  not  only  continued  the  leading 
cooking  stove  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century,  but  may 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  411 

yet  be  seen  on  board  of  small  eastern  coasting  vessels, 
where,  being  cheap  and  durable,  it  supplies  the  place  of  a 
caboose." 

In  the  James  stove,  the  oven  was  directly  over  the  fur- 
nace, and  the  sides  were  swelled  out  to  give  place  for  an 
oval  boiler  on  each  side  ;  they  were  cast  heavy  and  were 
very  durable.  They  were  very  liable  to  burn  whatever  was 
in  the  oven,  unless  the  utmost  care  was  used.  I  have 
heard  it  related  that  when  one  of  these  stoves  was  first  set 
up,  the  goodman  waited  to  be  called  to  breakfast  until  out 
of  patience,  and  upon  going  into  the  house  found  the  good- 
wife  in  a  perfect  storm :  the  stove  was  good  for  nothing,  — 
the  biscuit  were  burned,  —  and  as  a  penalty  for  getting 
such  a  piece  of  furniture  he  would  have  to  dispense  with 
his  breakfast.  With  a  good  deal  of  coaxing  he  prevailed 
on  her  to  mix  another  batch,  which,  with  careful  atten- 
dance, he  succeeded  in  baking,  and  at  ten  or  eleven  o'clock 
succeeded  in  having  his  breakfast.  There  was  a  cooking- 
stove  made  at  Franconia  (a  heavy,  coarse-made  concern) 
earlier  than  the  James  stove  was  used  here,  but  I  think 
was  never  used  in  Chester.  Jonathan  Aiken,  Esq.,  of 
Goffstown,  had  used  one  of  them  several  years  and  thrown 
it  by  previous  to  1836.  Other  patterns  were  soon  intro- 
duced with  the  oven  by  the  side  of  the  furnace  and  under 
the  furnace. 

People  were  very  punctual  in  going  to  meeting,  and  some 
of  them  riding  three,  four,  or  even  six  miles  on  horseback, 
when  there  was  not  sleighing,  their  horses  standing  out  of 
doors  exposed  to  the  cold,  and  they  remaining  in  the 
meeting-house  without  fire  during  two  long  services  and 
intermission,  except  that  a  part  of  the  men  would  resort  to 
the  neighboring  tavern  where  they  could  warm  inside  as 
well  as  outside.  In  1821  Samuel  D.  Bell,  Esq.,  drew  up  a 
subscription  paper  and  carried  it  round  and  collected 
money  and  purchased  a  stove  which  was  put  into  the  Con- 
gregational meeting-house.  In  1822  the  Rev.  Clement 
Parker  went  round  at  the  Long  Meadows  and  procured  a 
subscription,  and  when  people  plead  poverty  he  offered  to 


412  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

advance  the  money  and  take  bis  pay  in  wood.  The  stove 
was  procured  and  put  into  the  house  in  the  broad  aisle  in 
front  of  the  pulpit,  the  funnel  going  up  nearly  to  the  ceil- 
ing, and  then  out  at  the  front  window.  The  first  time  a 
fire  was  kindled  the  stove  cracked,  when  the  conservatives 
said,  "  /  told  you  so." 

The  first  cooking  stove  in  Chester  was  bought  by  Daniel 
French,  Esq.,  in  1824.  The  next  about  the  same  time  by 
Hon.  Samuel  Bell.  The  James  pattern  was  perhaps  the 
earliest  here. 

Tlie  first  cooking  stove  in  the  Long  Meadows  was  one  of 
the  James,  by  Hon.  John  Folsom,  about  1830,  bnt  not 
liking  it,  he  carried  it  back  ;  and  the  first  to  permanently 
remain  was  a  rotary,  in  which  the  top  turned  to  bring  five 
different  boilers  over  the  fire,  bought  in  January,  1835,  by 
the  writer ;  and  several  others  were  bought  the  same  winter. 

Before  cooking  stoves  were  generally  introduced,  the  tin 
baker  was  invented,  and  used  to  ])ake  cakes,  pies,  <fec., 
before  an  open  fire.  It  consisted  of  a  tin  box  about  twenty 
inches  long,  the  bottom  about  a  foot  wide,  inclining  about 
twenty-two  and  a  half  degrees,  and  set  on  legs ;  a  perj)cn- 
dicular  back  four  or  five  inclics  wide,  with  a  hinge,  and  the 
top  similar  to  the  Ijottom,  with  a  sheet-iron  bake  pan  sus- 
pended between  them,  so  that  when  the  baker  was  set 
before  the  fire  at  a  suital)le  distance,  the  inclined  surfaces, 
top  and  bottom,  refiected  the  rays  of  heat  upon  the  materi- 
als to  be  baked.  The  first  of  these  in  the  Long  Meadows — 
probably  in  Chester  —  was  bought  by  the  writer  in  the 
spring  of  1832. 

Previous  to  the  stove  or  baker  was  the  Dutch-oven,  for 
baking,  frying,  &c.  It  was  a  shallow  cast-iron  kettle,  with 
a  cast-iron  cover.  The  articles  to  be  baked  were  put  into 
it,  over  the  fire,  and  the  cover  filled  with  coals. 

Previous  to  any  of  these  devices,  for  roasting  meat  a  spit 
was  used.  It  was  an  iron  rod  about  a  yard  long,  with  a 
crank  at  one  end.  The  andirons  had  l)earings  to  support 
the  spit  riveted  to  the  side  next  the  fire.  The  meat  was 
attached  to  the  spit,  which  was  laid  into  these  bearings, 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  413 

and  the  crank  turned  to  bring  all  sides  to  the  fire.  I  have 
seen  the  apparatus,  but  I  think  not  in  use. 

Another  mode,  which  I  have  seen  a  great  many  times, 
was  to  suspend  the  spare-rib  by  a  hook  and  line  before  the 
fire,  with  a  dripping-pan  under  it,  and  one  of  the  children 
would  turn  it  with  a  stick.  When  the  line  became  hard 
twisted,  it  would  turn  itself  the  other  way  until  untwisted. 

Before  the  introduction  of  stoves,  they  endeavored  to 
"  keep  fire  "  by  burying  a  good  hard-wood  brand  in  the 
ashes.  When  fire  was  lost,  and  neighbors  were  not  at  hand 
to  borrow  from,  resort  was  had  to  flint  and  steel,  with 
tinder  (a  cotton  or  linen  rag  burnt  to  coal)  to  catch,  and 
a  sulphur  match  to  take  from  that ;  or  a  gun,  with  a  little 
powder  and  tow,  was  sometimes  used.  When  stoves  be- 
came common,  about  1832  or  '33,  friction  or  lucifer  matches 
were  introduced. 

A  story  used  to  be  told  of  a  "  Mother  Hoit,"  who,  when 
her  fire  was  low,  poured  powder  from  a  horn,  intending  to 
stop  it  off  with  her  finger,  but  it  proved  too  quick  for  her, 
and  the  horn  went  out  at  the  top  of  the  chimney.  It  used 
to  be  a  saying,  "  as  quick  as  Mother  Hoit's  powder-horn." 
Oliver  Eaton,  of  Seabrook,  informed  us  that  it  occurred 
there,  and  that  he  once  heard  the  expression  used  on  a 
wharf  in  New  York  by  an  English  sailor,  who  said  that 
he  had  heard  it  used  on  the  wharves  of  London. 

The  milk-pails  then  in  use  were  wood,  and  the  pans  of 
earthen,  tin  not  being  used  until  within  the  present 
century.  Their  dishes  were  of  pewter,  the  dresser  —  a  set 
of  open  shelves  —  being  set  off  with  platters  and  plates, 
basins  and  porringers.  These  may  be  seen  in  the  back- 
ground of  the  cut  illustrating  combing  flax  and  spinning 
linen.  Then  the  children  had  wooden  plates,  or,  perhaps, 
a  square  trencher  to  eat  from.  I  used  a  wooden  plate 
when  a  boy,  also  a  pewter  spoon.  Their  spoons  were 
mostly  made  of  pewter.  They  were  clumsy,  and  very 
liable  to  be  broken. 

Robert   Leathhead,   who  lived  where  Matthew   Dickey 


414  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

lately  lived,  used  to  itinerate  with  ladle  and  spoon-monld 
to  run  pewter  spoons.  He  was  a  religious  man,  a  Presby- 
terian, and  knew  nothing  of  responses,  or  the  use  of  amen^ 
except  as  a  finis  to  a  religious  exercise.  On  one  occasion 
he  put  up  with  a  family  of  Freewill  Baptists  or  Methodists, 
who  invited  him  to  lead  in  their  family  devotions.  He  had 
but  just  commenced,  when  there  came  a  loud,  responsive 
"  amen,"  which  Mr.  Leathhead  took  as  a  signal  for  him  to 
close,  which  he  reluctantly  did. 

They  had  a  piece  of  cooper's  ware,  called  a  piggin,  hold- 
ing aV>out  a  gallon,  one  stave  of  which  projected  four  or  five 
inches  above,  for  a  handle.  It  served  as  a  ladle  to  dip 
water,  and  also  as  a  \\'ash-dish.  They  also  used  a  gourd- 
shell  as  a  ladle.  It  had  a  long  neck,  like  some  species  of 
squash,  which  made  a  convenient  handle.  One  may  be 
seen  lying  on  the  floor  in  the  forementioned  cut;  Hard- 
shell pumpkin-shells  were  used  to  store  balls  of  yarn  and 
remnants  of  cloth.  It  was  told  of  one  old  lady  that  at  her 
death  she  had  pumpkin  shells  which  she  carried  from  her 
father's  at  her  marriage,  fifty  years  before. 

Almost  as  a  matter  of  course,  coming  poor  into  a  new 
and  hard,  rocky  country,  our  ancestors  must  have  fared 
hard,  and  sometimes  had  a  scanty  living.  I  have  heard  it 
related  that  a  lad,  some  sixty  or  seventy  years  ago,  re- 
marked that  he  supposed  Mr.  So-and-so's  folks  lived  well ; 
that  they  had  meat  all  the  year  round  —  implying  that  his 
folks  had  not,  which  was  probably  true.  I  have  heard  the 
woman  of  the  other  family  relate  that  they  were  short  of 
meat,  and  boiled  a  small  piece  with  some  sauce  and  greens  ; 
that  they  had  a  caller  to  dinner  who  was  probably  meat- 
hungry,  and  he  took  the  whole  and  ate  it. 

It  was  usual  for  a  man  who  had  a  family  to  go  to  the 
"  Falls,"  or  to  Haverhill,  and  get  and  salt  a  barrel  of  ale- 
wives,  or  the  Derryfield  folks  of  lamprey-eels.  Once  when 
the  fish  were  rather  short  at  the  Falls,  and  many  were  wait- 
ing, one  of  the  fishermen  fell  in  and  went  down  through  the 
falls  some  distance,  and  when  he  got  his  head  above  water 
one  of  the  anxious  customers  inquired  :  "  And  saw  ye  any 
fish  in  your  downcoming  ?  " 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  415 

The  English,  by  boiling  beans  very  soft  with  their  boiled 
dish,  and  thickening  the  liquor,  made  bean-porridge,  which 
was  a  common  and  favorite  dish.  It  has  been  said  —  I  do 
not  vouch  for  its  truth  —  that  when  the  man  was  going 
away  with  his  team  the  woman  would  make  a  pot  porridge 
and  freeze  with  a  string  in,  so  that  he  could  hang  it  on  his 
sled-stake,  and  when  he  wanted  to  bait,  would  cut  off  a 
piece  and  thaw  it.  The  Irish  had  a  corresponding  dish  in 
barley-broth,  barley  being  substituted  for  beans.  It  was 
related  of  old  Mrs.  Linn  that  she  had  company  one  day, 
and  had  some  charming  good  broth,  but  forgot  to  put  in 
the  meat.  The  Irish  used  to  churn  their  milk  and  cream 
together,  and  use  the  buttermilk  as  a  common  drink. 

There  was  another  dish  which  was  a  great  luxury,  which 
was  baked  pumpkin  and  milk.  In  the  autumn  and  early 
winter,  take  hard-shell  pumpkins  and  cut  a  hole  in  the  stem 
end  sufficiently  large  to  admit  the  hand,  and  scrape  the  in- 
side oui  clean,  and  replace  the  top.  If  the  oven  was  not, 
like  Nebuchadnezzar's  furnace,  heated  seven  times  hotter 
than  it  was  wont  to  be  heated,  it  was  a  great  deal  hotter 
than  usual,  and  after  the  pumpkins  were  in,  it  was  plastered 
around  the  lid  to  keep  the  heat  in.  Dr.  Bouton,  in  his 
"  nistory  of  Concord,"  says  that  they  filled  them  nearly 
full  of  new  milk,  and  ate  directly  from  the  shell,  and  that 
Governor  Langdon,  when  boarding  at  Deacon  Kimball's, 
preferred  that  mode  as  being  the  most  genteel.  I  never 
saw  that  mode  practiced,  but  have  eaten  pumpkin  and  milk 
a  great  many  times.  The  shells  were  very  useful  to  hold 
balls  of  yarn  and  remnants  of  cloth. 

Some  wheat  was  raised,  and  the  flour  used,  but  most  of 
the  bread  used  was  brown,  composed  of  rye  and  Indian. 
Such  a  thing  as  purchasing  flour  was  hardly  known  j^revi- 
ous  to  1810,  or  later. 

A  favorite  and  good  method  of  cooking  potatoes  was  to 
open  the  hot  embers  on  the  hearth,  and  put  the  potatoes  in 
and  cover  and  roast  them. 

The  most  common  drink  was  cider,  but  in  warm  weather 
beer   was   made.     In   some   places    malt-beer    was   used, 


416  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

but  I  have  seen  no  indications  that  it  ever  was  in  Chester. 
It  was  commonly  made  of  hops,  though  sometimes  by  boil- 
ing spruce  boughs.  Spruce  beer  has  been  made  at  my 
father's  long  since  my  recollection.  Beer  would  be  an 
indispensable  article  for  every  innholder  in  cold  weather, 
for  the  purpose  of  making  fiiio. 

When  the  people  had  large  families  it  was  not  uncommon 
to  have  but  one  suit  for  each  of  the  children,  and  the 
mother  must  wash  and  drv  the  clothes  after  the  children 
were  in  bed.  I  have  heard  an  old  man  say  that  when  he 
was  a  boy  his  mother  made  him  wear  his  shirt  backside  for- 
ward  half  of  the  time,  to  make  it  wear  out  alike. 

The  clothing  was  mostly  of  domestic  manufacture.  The 
men,  however,  sometimes  wore  leather  small  clothes  of 
moose-hide,  buck-skin  or  sheep-skin.  The  Committee  of 
Safety  (Col.  N.  H.  Hist.  Soc,  vol.  7,  p.  63)  "  agreed  with 
Mr.  Daniel  Oilman  for  100  coarse  moose  hide  breeches  at 
18s."  Simon  Berry  and  William  Locke  came  from  Rye  about- 
the  same  time,  and  their  fathers  soon  made  a  journey  to 
Chester  to  see  their  sons.  Mr.  Berry  wore  a  pair  of  sheep- 
skin breeches,  and  being  caught  in  a  shower,  the  breeches 
got  wet  and  sagged  to  the  calf  of  the  leg.  Mr.  Berry  took 
his  knife  and  cut  them  off  at  the  proper  place  at  the  knee  ; 
soon  the  sun  came  out,  and  the  breeches  shrank,  so  they 
were  as  much  too  short  as  they  had  before  been  too  long. 

Their  sheep  were  of  a  coarse-wooled  kind.  The  wool 
was  carded  with  hand-cards,  which  was  very  laborious 
work  for  the  women.  Sometimes,  to  make  it  more  cheer- 
ful, they  would  have  a  5ee  or  loool-hreaking .  It  Was,  I  be- 
lieve, as  much  work  to  card  as  to  spin  it,  and  a  woman's 
stint  of  spinning  was  five  skeins  per  day,  for  which  the 
usual  price  was  fifty  cents  and  board  per  week,  perhaps  less 
sometimes. 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY. 


41T 


Caeding  and  SnxxixG  Wool,  Cotton  or  Tow. 

In  Coffin's  "  History  of  Xcwbiuy,"  under  date  1704,  it 
is  said :  "  In  June  of  this  year  the  first  incorporated 
woolen  factory  in  Massachusetts  was  erected  at  the  falls  of 
the  river  Parker,  at  Newbury.  The  machinery  was  made 
in  Newburyport,  by  Messrs.  Standring,  Armstrong  and 
Guppy."  This  was  probably  the  first  wool-carding  done 
by  machinery  in  this  region,  if  not  in  the  country,  and  I 
am  so  informed  by  Mr.  Dustin,  of  Salem,  N.  H.  The  next 
was  by  Mr.  Alexander,  where  Mr.  John  Taylor's  factory  now 
is,  in  Salem,  N.  H.,  soon  after  the  year  1800.     The  people 

of  Chester  used  to  go  there  with  their  wool,  and  pay  a' out 

27 


418  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

eight  cents  per  pound  for  carding.  I  believe  Mr.  Alexander 
did  some  manufacturing. 

In  1805,  Samuel  Ilaynes,  of  Chester,  procured  a  carding 
machine,  and  ran  it  that  season,  and  then  returned  it  to 
the  vender.  The  next  carding  machine  in  this  region  was 
made  at  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  and  put  up  at  Poplin  Rocks, 
by  Samuel  Gibson,  who  came  from  Methuen,  Mass.,  in  1806. 
The  next  carding  machine  was  made  by  D.  &  J.  Marsh, 
Haverhill,  Mass.,  for  Moses  Chase,  and  set  up  in  the  Haynes 
fulling-mill,  in  1810.  Some  of  the  conservatives,  or  fogies, 
were  much  offended  at  the  innovation,  as  it  would  ruin  the 
women,  and  make  tliem  idle  and  lazy.  The  cards  were 
then  all  set  by  hand,  giving  employment  to  women  and 
children  to  set  the  teeth. 

For  men's  wear,  fulled  cloth  was  made  and  dressed  by  the 
clothier  at  from  ninepence  to  one  shilling  and  sixpence  per 
yard.  Sometimes,  to  save  this  expense,  heavy  waled  cloth 
was  made  and  dyed  with  bark  at  home.  For  women's  win- 
ter wear,  "  baize  "  was  made  and  dyed  green,  or  without  any 
fulling  or  napping,  dyed  with  redwood  or  camwood,  and 
])ressed,  and  called  pressed  cloth;  or  sometimes  merely 
dyed  with  l)ark  at  home.  Nearly  every  good  house-wife 
would  have  a  blue  vat,  in  the  form  of  a  ''  dye-pot,"  in  which, 
instead  of  dissolving  the  indigo  at  once  with  sulphuric  acid, 
it  was  put  in  a  bag  and  dissolved  gradually  in  urine. 
Tiiose  old  enougli  to  remember  the  operation  will  retain 
vivid  recollections  of  the  operation  of  "  wringing  out  the 
dye-pot,"  on  their  olfactories.  Here  Avas  dyed  the  v/ool 
for  stockings,  and  mother's  and  grandmother's  woolen 
aprons.  Many  times  when  I  was  a  small  boy,  when  I  came 
from  sliding,  or  other  recreation,  with  my  hands  aching 
with  cold,  I  had  them  wrapped  in  grandmother's  blue 
woolen  apron. 

For  summer  wear  the  men  had  a  cotton  and  linen  cloth 
called  fustian.  The  women  had  for  dresses,  aprons,  &c., 
plaids  of  various  patterns.  So  occasionally  a  web  was 
made  for  handkerchiefs. 

The  raising  of  flax  and  the  manufacture  of  linen  was 


INDUSTRIAL    HISTORY. 


419 


first  introduced  by  tlie  emigrants  from  Ireland  to  London- 
derry, in  1719,  and  they  were  eminent  in  that  line  of  man- 
ufacture. It  may  be  wise  to  preserve  a  knowledge  of  the 
various  processes  of  it. 

After  tlie  flax  was  "  pulled,"  the  seed  was  threshed  off, 
and  the  flax  was  spread  to  rot.  It  lay  exposed  to  the  dews, 
rain  and  sun,  until  the  woody  part  had  become  tender,  so 
as  readily  to  break  in  pieces.  The  fibre  would  meanwhile 
turn  of  a  darker  color,  and  become  more  pliable.  After 
the  sledding  had  broken  np,  al)out  tlie  first  of  March,  the 
flax  was  "got  out."     The  first  operation  was   breaking. 


fe   .    -^iViaK'r/    « alt  ,'?^. 


mm 


-fl 

In  " 


BltI:;AKI>-G  A>;D  SWIXGLIXG   I'LAX. 


420  .  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Tlie  flax-break  was  an  oak  stick  some  six  feet  long  and  a 
foot  square,  set  on  legs,  with  about  four  feet  of  it  about  half 
cut  away  diagonally,  leaving  one  foot  square  of  each  end. 
Here  were  inserted  four  hard-wood  slats,  edgewise,  with 
the  upper  edge  sharp.  To  match  this  were  another  set  of 
slats,  one  end  inserted  in  a  block  called  a  "  head,"  and  the 
other  in  a  wooden  roller  hung  to  the  back  part  of  the  body 
of  tlie  break.  The  operation  of  breaking  was  to  raise  the 
top  slats  with  the  right  hand,  by  means  of  a  pin  or  handle 
in  the  head,  and  with  the  left  hand  put  the  flax  into  the 
break,  and  it  was  operated  until  the  woody  part  of  the  flax 
was  broken  fine,  and  most  of  it  fallen  on  the  floor.  The 
next  operation  was  combing  the  seed  ends  hy  drawing  it 
through  a  comb  of  twelve  or  sixteen  iron  teetli  inserted  in 
a  board.  The  next  operation  was  swingling.  A  board 
about  seven  inches  wide  and  four  feet  long  was  set  in  a 
heavy  block  to  keep  it  steady  and  upright.  This  was  a 
^'  swingling  board."  A  heavy  wooden  knife  about  two  feet 
long  w^ag  used  to  beat  the  flax  over  this  board  to  separate 
the  finer  "  shives  "  and  the  coarser  tow.  This  operation 
was  called  "  swingling."  A  very  smart, man,  with  good 
flax  and  a  good  dry  day,  and  leaving  it  rather  rough,  would 
swingle  forty  pounds  in  a  day,  though  twenty  pounds  would 
be  an  ordinary  day's  work.  The  breaking  was  about  equal 
to  the  swingling,  which  would  make  ten  to  twelve  pounds 
■on  an  average,  as  an  ordinary  day's  work  of  dressing  from 
the  straw. 

The  next  process  in  the  manufacture  was  comljing.  The 
iiax  comb  was  made  by  inserting  teeth  made  of  nail  rods, 
say  six  inches  long,  and  pointed,  into  a  board  or  plank, 
which  would  be  secured  firmly  to  a  chair,  or  something 
-else.  My  grandmother's,  yet  in  good  condition,  has  twelve 
teeth,  about  half  an  inch  apart,  and  seven  deep,  the  teeth 
ill  each  row  standing  opposite  the  spaces  of  the  preceding 
row.  The  Jflax  was  drawn  continually  through  this  comb, 
until  the  "tow"  or  short  and  imperfect  fibres  of  tlie  flax 
were  all  drawn  out.  The  flax  was  then  ready  to  put  upon 
the  "  distaff"."     The  Irish,  or  linen  wheel,  was  about  twenty 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY. 


421 


inches  in  diameter,  hung  on  an  iron  crank,  and  was  opera- 
ted by  the  foot  on  a  treadle.  The  wheel  had  two  grooves 
in  its  circumference,  one  to  receive  a  band  to  drive  the  fliers 
and  the  other  to  drive  the  spool  with  a  g^uicker  motion 
to  "  take  up  "  the  yarn.  The  distaff  was  a  sapling  about 
an  inch  thick,  with  four  or  live  branches,  which  were  tied 
together  at  the  top.  The  flax  was  put  on  this  and  the  thread 
drawn  from  it.     Two  "  double  skeins  "  was  a  day's  work. 


C0MBi>-G  Flax  axd  Spinning  Linen. 


The  linen  manufacture  was  quite  a  business  with  the 
Scotch  Irish  of  Londonderry  and  Chester,  making  fine 
linen  cloth  and  thread,  and  bleaching  it  and  sending  it  to 


422  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER. 

the  towns  to  market.  The  beach  of  Massabcsic  was  a  fa- 
vorite place  for  bleaching.  Linen  constituted  a  very  impor- 
tant part,  with  cotton,  of  household  fabncs  and  barter, — 
shirts,  slieets,  table  linen,  summer  dresses,  handkerchiefs, 
meal  bags,  &c. 

There  was  a  process  to  facilitate  bleaching,  called  "  buck- 
ing." It  was  to  put  the  cloth  or  yarn  into  a  tub,  cover  it 
with  a  cloth,  and  fill  the  tub  Avith  ashes,  which  were  leached, 
the  lye  passing  through  the  cloth.  Tlic  process  v/as  re- 
peated at  j)leasure. 

After  bleaching  the  cloth,  came  the  final  operation  of 
"  beetling,"  which  was  performed  l)y  folding  the  clotli  and 
laying  it  on  a  flat,  smooth  stone.  The  beetle  was  of  maple, 
or  some  hard  wood,  perhaps  two  feet  long  and  five  inciies 
in  diameter,  two  thirds  the  length  turned  down  to.  a  suita- 
ble size  for  a  handle.  The  cloth  was  beaten  with  this,  and 
the  folds  continually  changed,  until  the  whole  web  was  ren- 
dered sufficiently  pliable  and  soft.  I  have  seen  the  opera- 
tion performed  by  laying  the  cloth  on  the  stone  hearth,  and 
using  the  pestle. 

The  smaller  girls  would  take  the  "  swingling-tow  "  and 
beat  out  the  shives,  and  spin  and  double  and  twist  it,  and 
sell  to  the  merchant  for  wrapping-twine.  The  older  ones, 
to  make  their  purchases  at  the  store,  v.'ould  make  all-tow, 
tow-and-lincn,  or  cotton-and-lincn  cloth,  to  barter  with  the 
store-keeper,  ^[y  sisters  tell  me  that  when  one  was  about 
nine  and  the  other  thirteen,  in  1810,  the  elder  one  spun 
the  warp  and  the  younger  one  tlie  filling,  and  made  a  web 
of  tow  cloth,  and  bought  them  dresses ;  and  tliat  they  now 
have  pieces  of  those  dresses. 

Also  the  shoe-thread  was  of  linen,  and  all  shoes  were 
then  sewed.  Pegging  the  soles  is  a  modern  invention. 
The  people  wanted  ropes  for  bed  cords,  and  other  purposes, 
which  were  frequently,  if  not  universally,  of  home  manu- 
facture. The  flax  or  tow  was  spun  and  warped  in  three 
strands,  of  the  required  length.  A  machine  was  made  by 
taking  three  pieces  of  hard-wood  board  about  a  foot  square, 
and  making  round  tenons  or  bearings  on  the  opposite  cor- 
ners, forming  cranks,  one  end  of  which  was  inserted  in  a 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  423 

stationary  standard  with  hooks,  to  which  to  attach  the  three 
strands  of  the  rope.  A  shorter  and  movable  piece  of  board 
with  corresponding  holes  was  put  on  to  the  other  tenons, 
by  moving  which  gave  a  crank  motion,  and  twisted  the 
strands.  A  simple  crank  at  the  other  end  twisted  the 
rope.  A  small  block,  with  three  grooves  for  the  strands, 
aided  in  "  laying  the  rope  even." 

In  the  culture  of  flax  there  was  a  weed  very  prolific  in 
small  seed,  called  "  wild  flax."  This  increased  so  fast  that  it 
was  necessary  once  in  two  or  three  years  to  clean  the  seed. 
Tliis  was  done  by  having  a  cylinder  of  tin  or  sheet-iron, 
perforated  so  as  to  let  the  wild  seed  pass  and  retain  the 
flax  seed.  This  screen  was  suspended  on  bearings,  the 
seed  put  in  and  the  machine  turned  by  crank  until  the  seed 
was  cleaned.  The  two  last  named  machines,  I  think,  might 
have  been  seen  about  the  premises  of  the  late  Jacob  Chase, 
a  few  years  since,  probably  made  and  owned  by  his  grand- 
father. Tow  was  carded  and  spun  on  u  large  wheel  like 
cotton  or  wool. 

Cotton  has  been  a  constituent  part  of  clothing  as  far 
back  as  I  have  any  knowledge.  It  was  of  course  carded 
and  spun  by  hand  until  the  starting  of  factories,  wlien  cot- 
ton warp  was  made  and  sold  at  the  stores,  and  the  weav- 
ing done  by  hand.  Cotton  was  also  sold  at  the  stores.  The 
weaver's  reed  or  "  slaie,"  was  made  of  sticks  of  cane,  whittled 
with  a  knife,  and  the  twine  wound  by  hand.  Peter  Aiken  and 
James  and  Alexander  Shirley  were  famous  in  Chester  for 
making  them.  Their  looms  were  heavy,  clumsy  things. 
Tlie  web  was  sprung  by  the  feet,  the  shuttle  was  thrown 
and  the  "  lathe  "  swung  to  beat  in  the  filling  with  the 
hands,  so  that  with  every  throw  of  the  shuttle  and  beat  of 
the  "  lathe,"  the  hands  had  to  be  changed- from  one  to  the 
other.  Five  or  six  yards  was  a  day's  work  of  weaving. 
The  yarn  was  reeled  in  threads  of  two  yards  each,  forty  of 
which  made  a  "  knot,  "  and  seven  knots  a  "  skein,"  and 
fourteen  knots  a  "  double  skein."  The  warp,  for  warping 
was  wound  on  "  spools,"  and  the  filling  on  "  quills  "  made 
of  elder.  The  spooling  and  quilling  gave  employment  to 
boys  and  girls. 


424  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Another  branch  of  household  manufacture  was  yarn  cov- 
erlets for  bed  covers,  in  which  a  good  deal  of  taste  and 
mechanical  ingenuity  were  displayed  in  the  colors  and  fig- 
ures. Among  those  eminent  for  weaving  this  article  in  a 
great  variety  of  figures  was  the  wife  of  John  Locke,  and 
after  her  death  his  daughter  Polly,  now  the  wife  of  John 
Currier  of  San  down. 

The  tanners  had  no  chemical  process  or  hot  liquor.  To 
grind  the  bark  they  used  a  circular  stone,  generally  a  worn 
out  mill-stone.  They  fitted  a  central  post  or  shaft  with 
wooden  bearings,  with  a  horizontal  shaft  or  axletreo,  one 
end  working  with  a  wooden  bearing  in  the  post,  the  other 
end  fitting  and  passing  througli  the  eye  of  the  stone  far 
enougli  to  attach  a  horse.  A  circular  platform  of  wood  was 
l)uilt  nearly  twenty  feet  in  diameter.  As  the  horse  made 
his  circuit,  the  stone  rolled  over,  crushing  the  l)ark.  A 
hand  was  always  in  attendance  to  continually  rake  the 
coarse  bark  out  under  the  stone,  and  shuvc  the  fine  to  the 
centre. 

The  first  barlv-mill  was  invented  and  ])atentcd  in  1808, 
by  Paul  Pillsbury  (an  uncle  of  Parker  Pillsbury  of  aboli- 
tion notoriety),  who  Avas  born  at  West  Newbury,  and  lived 
at  Byefield.  Instead  of  the  cylinder  and  cone  being  cast 
whole,  as  in  modern  mills,  they  were  cast  in  segments,  and 
fitted  to  wood.  He  sold  his  patent  for  two  thousand  dol- 
lars, but  never  got  his  pay.  The  first  bark-mills  introduced 
into  Chester  were  at  a  later  day,  probably  about  1812,  and 
were  cast  whole,  the  cone  being  fitted  to  a  perpendicular 
Avooden  shaft,  and  standing  in  the  centre  of  the  platform, 
and  the  horse  attached  to  a  sweep  and  traveling  in  the  old 
track.  The  farmers  were  their  own  butchers,  and  carried 
the  hides  to  the  tanners,  who  tanned  either  by  the  piece  or 
upon  shares.  Upper  leather  would  tan  in  the  course  of  the 
summer,  and  it  would  be  a  winter  business  to  curry  it.  It 
was  all  shaved  down  with  the  currying-knife,  there  being 
no  splitting-machines  before  1810  or  1815.  The  sole 
leather  took  a  year  or  more  to  tan.  There  is  the  name  of 
Lemuel  Clitford  of  Chester,  tanner,  in  a  deed  as  early  as 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  425 

1734,  but  wlietli^er  lie  actually  tanned  here  is  uncertain. 
Ichabod  Robie,  a  grantee,  was  a  tanner  at  Hampton  Falls, 
and  taught  his  sons  the  art.  He  settled  his  son  John  on 
home  lot  No.  85,  about  1738,  who  had  a  yard  where  Robin- 
son's yard  lately  was,  and  he  taught  his  sons  the  art.  Sam- 
uel Robie  settled  on  his  father's  lot,  116,  and  had  a  yard 
whore  the  Blake  yard  lately  was,  and  taught  his  son  Ed- 
ward the  art,  who  once  carried  on  the  business  in  Candia 
at  the  brook  north  of  Parker's  Corner.  Tanner  Martin  set 
up  the  business  in  Chester  Woods  about  1780,  and  James 
Wason  at  the  Long  Meadows  about  1785,  and  Capt.  Ezekiel 
Blake  came  to  Chester  in  1792  and  did  quite  a  business  at 
the  Samuel  Robie  yard. 

There  was  no  such  thing  as  sale-shoe  work  then.  The 
people  carried  their  stock  to  the  shoemakers,  or  sometimes 
shoemakers  itinerated  from  house  to  house  with  their  "  kit." 
I  recollect  about  fifty-five  to  sixty  years  ago,  Mr.  Stocker, 
a  very  small  man,  father  of  Aaron  Wilcomb's  wife,  used  to 
go  through  our  neighborhood.  It  is  said  of  Samuel  -Mur- 
ray tliat  he  would  make  shoes  for  Dea.  John  Hills,  and  that 
the  Deacon  would  pay  him  in  labor  on  the  farm ;  that  Mr. 
Murray  would  work  with  the  Deacon  day-times  and  make 
shoes  to  pay  him  nights. 

At  that  time  the  utmost  economy  had  to  be  practiced. 
All  of  the  young  people  and  some  of  tlie  old  ones  went 
barefoot  during  the  summer,  and  the  maidens  when  going 
to  meeting  would  either  go  barefoot  until  nearly  there  or 
wear  thick  shoes  and  carry  the  "  morocco  "  ones  in  tlieir 
hands  to  save  the  wear.  Long  within  my  recollection,  the 
maidens  going  across  to  the  Long  Meadows  to  meeting 
carried  their  shoes  in  their  hands  until  across  the  brook. 
The  father  and  mother,  if  not  the  grandfather  and  grand- 
mother, had  the  horse  with  the  saddle  and  pillion,  and  the 
younger  ones  walked,  sometimes  from  three  to  six  miles. 

The  heel  pegs  were  made  with  a  knife.  Sometime,  prob- 
ably from  1812  to  1815,  Mr.  Pillsljury,  the  inventor  of  the 
bark-mill,  fixed  a  tool  to  plow  grooves  across  a  block  of 
maple,  and  then  cross-plow  it,  which  pointed  the  pegs,  and 


426 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTKR. 


then  tliey  were  split  with  a  knife  and  mallet.  Mr.  Pills- 
bury  soon  got  up  improved  machinery  and  did  a  large 
business  at  making  pegs,  and  then  pegged  shoes  were  in- 
troduced. (See  Shoe  and  Leather  Reporter,  July  10, 1868.) 
Boots  were  not  in  common  use.  They  had  "  leggings  " 
or  "buskins,"  knit  to  reach  from  tlie  knee  to  the  shoe, 
with  the  bottom  widened  so  as  to  cover  the  shoe,  and 
leather  strings  to  tie  them  down.  I  wore  them  myself 
when  a  lad,  and  I  have  heard  my  graudfiither  say  that  he 
never  had  a  pair  of  boots  nor  an  outside  coat  before  he 
was  twenty-one  years  old.  Boots  made  by  crimping  in  the 
ankles  were  not  in  use  before  1805  or  '6,  and  they  were 
known  for  many  years  as  "  Snwarrow  boots,"  fi-oni  the 
name  of  the  Russian  General  Snwarrow.  Before  that  the 
fronts  were  in  two  parts.  The  foot  had  a  tongue  which 
went  up  two  or  three  inches  into  the  leg.  They  were  gen- 
erallv  worn  with  white  tops  and  small  clothes  or  "breeches" 
which  came  down  just  l)clow  the  knee.  Breeches  were 
generally  worn  till  about  that  time,  and  some  old  men  wore 
them  as  long  as  they  lived. 


PLOWS. 

The  plows  had  the  wrought-iron  shares,  the  beam  being 
very  long  with  wooden  mould-l)oard,  plated  with  old  hoes 
and  other  scraps  of  iron.  What  are  now  bent  for  handles 
were  then  straight,  and  were  called  "  thorough-shots,"  as 
was  also  the  stud  at  the  forward  part  of  the  irons,  which 


INDUSTRIAL    HISTORY.  427 

projected  far  enough  above  the  beam  to  attach  the  handles 
to  it.     The  handles  were  lon;^  pieces  of  wood  attached  to 
the  forward  ''  thorough-shots,"  and  also  to  those  behind, 
with  wooden  pins,  and  extending  back  two  feet  or  more 
behind,  making  a  very  long  plow.     Franklin  Crombie,  Esq., 
says  that  he  measured  one  that  formerly  belonged  to  Mat- 
thew  Templeton,  which    was   nearly  fourteen   feet    long. 
After  a  wliile  the  crooked  handles  were  introduced,  though 
within   the    present   century.     They  then  went   into   the 
woods  and  found  a  tree  with   as  good  a  turn  as  they  could, 
and  split  out  their  handles.     When  the  turuiiikcs  were 
built,  in  1803,  the  Dutch  plow  was  introduced.     It  was  a 
triangular  piece  of  iron,  so  made   as  to  form  a  wing  and 
point,  and  the  forward   part  of  the  mould  with  a  wooden 
land-side,  plated  and  attached  to  the  wood  by  a  bolt.     The 
plow  was  very  short.     Uany  of  them  were  afterwardj?  made 
by  Abraham  Sargent,  Jr.,  and  Daniel  Wilson,  as  late  as 
1830.     The  first  cast-iron  plows,  so  far  as  I  know,  were  the 
Hitchcock  pattern.     Proliably  the  first  brought  into  Chester 
was  by  Hawley  Marshall  of  Brentwood,  18o0-183o. 

Iron  or  steel  shovels  were  not  much,  if  any,  used  here, 
previous  to  building  the  turnpikes  in  1805.  They  used  to 
take  a  large  red-oak  tree  and  split  out  the  shapes  and  make 
wooden  shovels  and  have  the  edge  shod  with  iron,  which 
were  called  "  shod  shovels."  July  0,  1775,  the  committee 
of  safety  ordered  James  Proctor  paid  nine  pounds  fur 
"sixty  Shod  Shovels  by  him  delivered."  In  Stephen 
Chase's  diary  Feb.  24,  1797,  is  an  entry  "  Sawed  great  oak 
log, —  making  shovels."  Air.  John  Brickett  of  Haverhill 
was,  as  late  as  about  1810,  famous  for  making  shod-shovels. 

The  manure-forks  were  of  iron,  very  heavy,  with  long 
handles  like  a  pitch-fork  handle. 

Hoes  were  made  by  common  blacksmiths,  of  iron  and 
laid  with  steel,  and  were  frequently  new-steeled. 

The  scythe-snaths  were  either  straight  or  with  a  natural 
bend,  and  home-made.  Probaldy  there  were  none  man- 
ufactured by  being  steamed  and  bent  previous  to  1810. 

The  rakes  were  also  of   home  manufacture,  and  much 


428  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

heavier  than  the  modern  ones.     The  first  that  my  father 
had  of  a  different  khid  was  a  Shaker  rake  in  1808. 

The  pitch-forks  were  iron  and  very  heavy  and  clumsy  at 
that,  steel  ones  not  heing  used  much  before  1830.  My 
grandfather's,  made  about  1762,  are  yet  in  good  condition. 

WAGONS. 

When  wagons  were  first  introduced  into  Chester  is  not 
known.  Tbe  first  that  I  liave  seen  any  mention  of  a  wagon 
is  August,  1797.  Lieut.  Josiah  Underhill  charges  Joseph 
Hall  with  "  binding  of  wagon  wheels,"  and  in  October  of 
the  same  year,  credits  Mr.  Hall  for  his  "  wagon  to  Haver- 
hill, 8s.  6d."  It  appears  from  Lieut.  Underhiirs  accounts, 
that  soon  afrcr  that  time  he  had  a  wagon  built  himself, 
and  often  let  it  to  others.  Simon  M.  Sanborn  says  that  the 
first  ox-wagon  in  that  part  of  the  town  was  owned  by  his 
grandfather,  John  Hoit,  he  thinks,  not  more  than  sixty-five 
years  ago.  Capt.  Noah  Weeks,  born  1790,  says  that  the 
first  ox-Avagon  on  the  street  was  procured  by  Mr.  Sweetser 
to  draw  liis  store-goods  on  ;  and  that  he  had  taken  eight 
barrels  of  cider  on  a  cart  with  bags  of  apples  on  the  top, 
and  driven  the  team  to  Newburyport.  It  is  related  of  one 
Moses  Williams  of  Sandown,  that  he  procured  an  ox-wagon 
to  move  a  family  from  Danvers,  and  that  lie  lay  awake  the 
night  befine  starting,  planning  how  he  should  turn  his 
wagon  when  he  arrived  there. 

The  mode  of  drawing  boards  on  one  pair  of  wheels  was 
to  have  "drafts," — aspire  al)out  twenty  feet  long  spread 
Aery  Avido,  pinned  on  tlie  top  of  the  axletrce  and  extending 
l^ack  four  or  five  feet,  so  that  the  boards  Avere  to  bear  on 
the  drafts  before  and  behind  and  not  tip  on  tlic  axletree. 
On  sucli  a  vehicle  large  quantities  of  boards  w^ere  drawn  to 
Haverhill  and  Sweat's  Ferry.  It  has  Ijcen  done  within  my 
OAvn  recollection  by  my  father. 

The  earliest  light,  one-horse  wagons  Avere  about  the  year 
1810.  Deacon  Walter  Morse  says  that  lie  had  the  first  one 
in    Chester,   about   1811.     They   were  rather  rough   and 


INDUSTRIAL    HISTORY.  429 

heavy,  the  body  on  the  axletrees,  without  thorough-braces 
or  springs.  Tlie  first  gig-wagon  in  the  Long  Meadows  was 
owned  by  Deacon  James  Wason,  I  tliink,  abont  1812. 
John  Ordway,  Esq.,  says  the  first  he  ever  saw  or  heard  of 
was  made  by  Samuel  Smith,  of  Hampstead,  about  1809  or 
1810.  Before  this,  a  few  of  the  wealthiest  had  a  licavy, 
clumsy,  square-top  chaise.  In  1805  there  were  about  twenty 
persons  taxed  in  Chester  for  a  chaise.  The  tire  of  wheels 
was  formerly  cut  in  pieces  the  length  of  tlic  felloes,  and 
nailed  on.  The  whole  or  hoop-tire  came  into  use  with  the 
gig-wagon.  The  first  on  oxcart  wheels  was  about  1820 • 
Short  boxes  were  used, — for  cart  wheels,  about  three  inches 
long,  and  for  light  wheels  about  two  inches.  The  pipe 
boxes  and  iron  axletrees,  I  think,  were  not  used  previous 
to  1820.  The  boxes  were  then  made  with  a  chamber,  so  as 
not  to  bear  in  the  middle.  They  were  not  made  without  a 
chamber  before  1830. 

Most  of  the  traveling  was  done  on  horseback,  and  fre- 
quently doul^le, —  the  man  before,  and  the  woman  on  the 
jnUion  behind.  Much  transportation,  especially  of  small 
and  ligbt  articles,  such  as  bottles,  jugs,  sugar  and  butter- 
boxes,  was  done  in  saddle-bags.  Most  of  the  going  to 
mill  was  also  on  horseback.  Sometimes  larger  and  heavier 
articles  were  transported  long  distances.  When  Wells 
Chase  built  his  house  in  1771,  he  brought  windows  ready 
glazed  on  horseback  from  Newbury.  When  he  built  a  pair 
of  cart-wheels  in  1780,  he  and  another  man  went  to  Deer- 
field  for  the  iron  on  horseback.  I  find  on  his  account-book 
a  charge,  "  By  myself  and  horse  to  Deerfield,  4X  16s.,  Old 
Tenor,  to  E.  Fitts  ;  "  also  for  a  day  "  tiring  the  wheels." 

This  iron  was  made  in  Deerfield  by  Daniel  Ladd,  on  the 
Lamprey  river,  about  a  mile  above  Robinson's  mills.  South 
Deerfield.  The  ore  was  the  bog  ore,  and  was  dug  near  the 
base  of  Saddleback  mountain,  and  near  North  wood  line, 
and  transported  to  the  furnace.  The  quality  was  indiffer- 
ent, containing  sulphur,  or  some  other  foreign  substance, 
which  made  it  difficult  to  weld ;  but  it  answered  a  purpose, 
the  supply  from  the  mother  country  being  cut  off  by  the 
war. 


430 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


It  is  related  of  Deacon  Jonathan  tiall,  that  when  he 
visited  his  daughter,  the  wife  of  Deacon  Joseph  Dear- 
horn,  at  Rnraney,  he  carried  her  a  bag  of  meal  on  horse- 
back. When  Jonathan,  the  son  of  Deacon  Jonathan  Hall, 
moved  to  Rnmney  with  his  wife  and  child,  they  went  on 
horseback  with  two  horses,  and  carried  their  bed  and  cook- 
ing utensils,  and  a  child.  She  sometime — probably  after- 
wards—  carried  a  linen-wheel  before  her  on  horseback  to 
Rumncv. 


SNOW-SHOES. 

Snow-shoes  were  much  used  in  traveling  on  foot  on  deep 
snows,  and,  presenting  so  large  a  surface,  prevented  slump- 
ing. The  folhjwing  descri))tion  and  the  annexed  cut  are 
made  from  a  ]tair  of  snow-shoes  which  my  grandfather 
bought  aljout  one  hundred  and  five  years  ago,  Avhich  are 
now  in  good  condition  : 

The  snow-shoe  consisted  of  a  piece  of 
tough,  hard  wood,  generally  abput  scven- 
eigliths  of  an  inch  tliick,  l)ent  at  the  front 
part  in  a  semicircle  about  sixteen  inches 
in  diameter,  and  tlic  hinder  part  elon- 
gated, so  that  tiie  ends  came  together  side 
Ijy  side,  and  were  riveted  and  loaded  willi 
a  small  piece  of  lead,  so  that  wlien  walk- 
ing that  end  would  trail  on  the  snow.  The 
extreme  lenofth  was  three  feet.  Near  eacli 
end,  and  tenoned  into  the  bow,  were  flat 
pieces  of  hard  wood,  to  which,  and  to  the 
bow,  was  fastened  a  strong  netting  of 
leather  or  green-hide.  The  foot  was  fast- 
ened near  tlie  toe  by  means  of  a  leather  strap  and  strings, 
while  the  heel  was  It'ft  free.  A  man  used  to  them  would 
travel  with  great  case,  some  said  easier  than  on  bare  ground 
without. 

In  1703  Captain  Tyng  raised  a  company  of  volunteers  at 
Dunstable,  and  marched  to  Winnipiseogee  against  the 
Indian  enemy  on  snow-shoes,  for  which  the  survivors  had 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  431 

a  grant  of  laud  from  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts 
in  1736,  lying  on  the  east  side  of  Merrimack  river,  three 
miles  wide,  extending  from  Litchfield  to  Suncook,  which 
was  called  "Tyngstown."  Once  within  my  recollection 
my  father  took  a  bushel  of  corn  on  his  shoulder  and 
traveled  on  snow-shoes  to  Blanchard's  mill,  a  distance  of 
two  miles  and  a  half.  I  have,  many  times  since  I  have  kept 
house,  traveled  across  to  the  Long  Meadow  meeting-house 
to  meeting  on  snow-shoes.  I  have  heard  my  grandmother 
tell  of  being  caught  out  in  a  snow-storm  at  a  childbirth, 
or  other  occasion,  and  walking  home  on  snow-shoes. 

BLACKSMITHS. 

• 

The  blacksmiths  did  all  kinds  of  work.  They  not  only 
did  the  jobbing,  such  as  shoeing,  forging  chains,  plow-irons, 
tfec,  but  made  the  axes  and  hoes,  shod  the  shovels  and  made 
scythes.  Slitting-mills  were  not  common,  and  they  took  the 
Russia  and  Swede's  bars  and  split  them  with  a  chisel,  and 
drew  the  iron  to  its  proper  size  and  shape. 

Swings  for  shoeing  oxen,  I  think  were  not  used  much, 
if  any,  before  1810,  and  not  uniformly  used  until  a  much 
later  date.  A  bed  of  straw  was  prepared  ;  the  ox  was 
thrown  down  and  turned  upon  his  back  ;  a  man  sat  and 
held  his  head ;  the  fore  and  hind  legs  were  drawn  and 
lashed  together,  so  that  they  crossed  each  other  between 
the  knee  and  ankle,  and  were  shod  in  that  position.  Lieut. 
Josiah  Underbill  used  to  prepare  the  shoes  and  nails,  and 
go  up  to  Deacon  Kelly's  and  in  his  stable  shoe  all  the  oxen 
from  there  to  Martin's  and  White  Hall.  I  find  on  Lieut. 
Underhill's  tedger,  1798,  charges  for  "  a  scythe,  6s.;  laying 
a  broad-axe,  9s. ;  laying  a  hoe,  2s.  6  ;  two  new  hoes,  9s.; 
shoeing  a  shovel,  3s. ;  laying  an  axe,  3s.  ;  a  crooked  shave, 
3s. ;  new  axe,  8s. ;  breasting  a  mill-saw.  Is.  4.  [The  saw 
was  of  iron,  and  when  worn  so  as  to  be  hollow  on  tlie 
breast,  was  heated,  and  the  back  struck  on  the  anvil  and 
so  straighted.]     Cutting  new  teeth  on  a  mill-saw,  3s." 


432  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


SCYTHES. 

Although  Lieut.  Josiah  Underhill,  and  perhaps  other 
biacksiiiiths,  made  scythes,  a  large  portion  of  those  used  in 
Chester  must  have  been  brought  from  abroad  ;  and  al- 
though not  particularly  relating  to  the  history  of  Chester, 
some  facts  may  be  worth  preserving,  and  illustrate  the  his- 
tory of  the  times. 

Maj.  Benjamin  Osgood  made  scythes  by  hand  at  Methuen 
about  fifty  or  sixty  years  ago.  He  was  a  very  powerful 
man  to  work,  and  of  great  endurance  :  and  he  once  told 
me  that  he  had  worked  from  four  o'clock  in  the  morning 
till  eight  at  night,  with  two  sledgemen,  who  took  turns  in 
blowing  and  striking.  They  took  Russia  bars  and  split 
them  up  with  a  chisel,  and  also  the  steel,  and  they  would 
make  eight  scythes  in  a  day,  so  that  four  scythes  would  be  a 
a  very  large  day's  work  to  make.  Tlie  earliest  scythes  that 
I  recollect  were  stamped  with  the  name  of  "  Waters." 

Sutton,  now  Millbury,  Mass.,  was  a  great  place  for  mak- 
ing scythes,  and  I  have  the  following  facts  from  Mr.  Na- 
thaniel Waters,  an  aged  man,  througli  his  grandson.  He 
says  that  the  first  scythes  made  in  this  country  were  made 
at  Salem,  Mass.,  about  the  year  1700,  entirely  by  hand. 
Quite  early  a  man  by  the  name  of  Putnam  commenced 
making  scythes  by  hand  on  Putnam  Hill,  in  Sutton.  There 
was  an  act  of  Parliament  cited  in  the  history  of  Mc- 
Murphy's  mill,  in  this  work,  forbidding  tlie  use  of  tilt- 
hammers.  Putnam,  to  evade  the  law,  as  he  supposed,  ran 
one  by  horse-power  many  years.  About  1770  Deacon  Asa 
Waters  erected  a  shop  in  Sutton,  and  ran  tilt-hammers  in 
violation  of  the  law,  and  several  other  shops  were  built  in 
that  region  about  1795.  The  •'  Waters  "  scythes  and  "  Sut- 
ton "  scythes,  much  used  in  Chester  from  fifty  to  sixty-five, 
or  more,  years  ago,  came  from  there. 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  433 


COOPERS. 

Coopers'  work  was  of  course  done  by  hand  and  with 
coarse  tools.  The  earliest  howel  for  crozing  the  staves  for 
the  head,  which  I  ever  saw,  was  a  small  adz  with  the  edge 
curved  and  a  short  handle,  somewhat  resembling  in  shape 
a  shoe-hammer.  "When  I  was  a  lad  they  had  one  at  Dea. 
Morse's  with  which  we  used  to  crack  nuts.  This  gave  way 
before  my  day  to  a  crooked  shave  or  drawing-knife,  with 
an  iron  shank  for  the  right  hand  in  the  barrel,  and  a  han- 
dle for  the  left  outside.  About  1815  the  stock  howel,  a 
kind  of  heel-plane  with  a  curved  iron,  was  introduced.  At 
that  time  and  later,  a  large  business  was  done  at  fish  bar- 
rels, also  on  beef  barrels ;  and  of  course  staves  and  hoop- 
poles  were  quite  an  article  of  traffic,  as  they  were  before 
that  time.  It  appears  by  Lieut.  Underhill's  ledger,  men- 
tioned under  the  head  of  "  Blacksmith,"  that  he  took  them 
in  pay  for  his  work  and  hired  them  drawn  to  Haverhill  and 
Newbury. 

For  a  season,  making  "  shooks "  was  quite  a  business. 
They  were  red-oak  hogsheads  for  molasses,  set  up,  trussed, 
pared  and  howeled,  and  taken  down  and  bundled  and  sent 
to  the  West  Indies.  But  so  many  unskillful  men  and 
cheats  went  into  it  that  they  ran  it  under.  Corresponding 
with  this  was  making  hoops  to  go  with  these  shooks. 
Making  staves  and  heading  was  once  quite  a  business,  as 
was  also  cutting  hoop-poles.  Wood  land  was  owned  by  non- 
residents, and  the  old  hoop-pole  men  were  not  over-particular 
about  their  lines.  One  of  them  had  a  novice  at  the  business 
helping  him  one  day,  who  inquired  if  they  had  not  got  to 
his  line  ;  he  replied,  "  My  line  always  goes  till  sunset,  sir." 
Eum,  beef  and  fish  barrels,  also  molasses  hogsheads,  were 
made  in  Chester,  and  large  quantities  of  stock  carried  to 
Haverhill,  Newbury  and  other  places  and  sold. 

There  were  no  pail-  and  tub-factories, —  all  was  done  by 
hand.  When  we  consider  the  enormous  quantities  of  such 
articles  turned  out  at  these  establishments  now,  we  are  led 
28 


434  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

to  wonder  what  is  done  with  them  on  the  one  hand,  and 
how  our  ancestors  got  along  on  the  other.  Their  work 
was  from  the  best  materials  and  was  heavy  and  substantial, 
and  was  carefully  used.  My  grandmother  was  married  iu 
1700,  and  soon  went  on  to  a  farm,  and  procured  a  cheese- 
tub  and  milk-pail  which  were  in  use  long  after  my  recollec- 
tion, I  think  till  her  death  in  181-1,  —  at  least  fifty  years. 

HATS. 

The  wool  for  hats  had  first  to  be  carded  by  hand  and 
then  "  bowed."  The  bow  was  a  catgut  line  fastened  to  a 
wooden  bow,  similar  in  form  to  an  Indian's  bow,  which  was 
struck  by  a  wooden  pin  and  snapped  into  the  wool,  which 
threw  it  into  a  light  mass  into  the  desired  form.  The 
bowing  was  quite  a  trade  to  learn.  Probably  "  Hatter  " 
Undcrhill  was  the  earliest  hatter  in  town,  afterwards  Dan- 
iel Greenough,  Perley  Ayer,  Stiles,  Daniel  Langmaid  and 
James  French. 

POPLAR   AND   PALMLEAF   HATS. 

Daniel  Pressy  was  a  wool-hatler,  and  resided  below 
Ingalls'  hill  where  Francis  Chase  now  lives  in  Sandown, 
and  had  a  brother-in-law  by  the  name  of  Mason  Lincoln, 
also  a  hatter,  who  worked  with  him,  who  was  the  inventor, 
or  brought  the  art  of  getting  out  the  stuff  and  making  the 
hats.  A  gauge  with  several  spurs  at  suitable  intervals? 
from  one-sixteenth  to  one-eighth  of  an  inch,  was  passed 
heavily  over  a  piece  of  poplar  wood  about  eighteen  inches 
long,  then  a  jointer  with  the  iron  lying  very  flat  cut  the 
stuff  off,  which  was  braided  with  seven  strands  and  sewed 
into  hats.  Mr.  Lincoln  and  Micajah  Rogers,  who  lived 
where  John  Hunkins  lately  lived,  got  up  a  set  of  tools,  and 
commenced  the  business  of  getting  out  the  stuff.  Jonathan 
Bond,  who  lived  where  Ezekiel  Currier  now  lives,  got  sight 
of  the  tools,  some  said  clandestinely,  and  did  a  great  busi- 
ness in  getting  out  the  stuff.  It  was  at  first  a  great  secret, 
but  it  soon  became  an  open  one.     This  was  in  1806,  and 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  485 

the  first  hats  sold  for  fifty  cents  each.  It  became  a  great 
business  in  all  the  region,  nearly  all  the  women  and  child- 
ren going  into  it,  and  all  of  the  traders  dealing  in  the  hats. 
They  were  sent  South  and  West  in  vast  quantities.  The 
price  of  common  coarse  hats  eventually  came  down  to  four 
or  five  cents  each.  They  were  very  light, —  good  summer 
hats,  and  in  a  rain  would  swell  so  as  not  to  leak  badly. 
The  business  was  liowever  overdone  as  to  quantity  and 
quality.  William  Hazelton  of  Chester,  and  John  Ordway 
of  Hampstead,  dealt  largely  in  these  hats,  and  happened  to 
be  in  Boston  together  in  March,  1827.  A  dealer  who  pur- 
chased of  them  had  just  imported  some  palmleaf,  and  got 
a  man  by  the  name  of  King,  from  Rhode  Island,  to  instruct 
in  the  art  of  making  hats.  They  purchased  stock  and 
hired  Mr.  King  to  come  up  and  instruct  the  girls  at  two 
dollars  each.  Mr.  Hazelton  and  Mr.  Ordway  had  twelve 
or  fourteen  girls  each  to  learn  the  trade.  From  this  begin- 
ning it  became  a  great  Ixisiness.  The  leaf  was  then  split 
with  a  knife  by  hand,  and  the  hats  were  pressed  by  hand. 
For  the  fine  hats  they  then  furnished  stock  and  paid  one 
dollar  each  for  making,  and  sold  in  Boston  for  one  dollar 
and  fifty  cents.  They  were  sent  to  South  America  and 
sold  there  for  five  dollars  each. 

These  facts  are  communicated  by  Mr.  Ordway.  Since 
writing  the  above,  I  have  received  the  following  account 
from  Mr.  Jabez  Boyden,  of  South  Pedham,  aged  about 
eighty  years.  He  says  that  the  first  he  ever  knew  of  the 
palmleaf-hat  business  was  in  1823  or  '4,  he  does  not  remem- 
ber which.  He  was  engaged  in  the  sennit  or  braided-hat 
manufacture,  and  used  to  peddle  them  in  Rhode  Island. 
One  day  at  a  tavern  in  Newport,  some  one  asked  him  why 
he  did  not  hire  a  man  by  the  name  of  King,  whom  he 
knew  in  that  place,  who  knew  how  to  make  palmleaf  hats 
braided  whole.  The  man  King  said  he  had  been  a  sailor, 
and  had  been  captured  by  the  Spaniards  and  put  in  prison 
where  he  learned  to  braid  palmleaf  hats.  Mr.  Boyden 
hired  Mr.  King  to  come  to  South  Dedham  and  teach  the 
girls  to  make  them.     He  says  that  the  first  hat  cost  him 


436  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

fifty  dollars.  After  he  got  everything  ready  he  had  to  give 
five  dollars  for  the  first  hat  to  new  beginners,  and  one  dol" 
lar  each  afterwards.  The  hats  sold  at  from  three  to  ten 
dollars  each,  according  to  quality.  After  Mr.  King  had 
worked  for  him  three  or  four  months,  some  one  from  New 
JETampshire  offered  him  great  pay  to  go  there  and  teach  the 
^nls-  He  went  and  was  gone  a  few  months  and  returned. 
My-  King  was  dissipated  and  would  not  work  when  he  had 
money.  About  the  time  Mr.  King  came  to  South  Dedham, 
a  womg^a  at  Dedham  Centre  took  an  old  hat  to  pieces  and 
learned  to  make  them,  made  one  for  her  husband  and 
claimed  to  be  tlie  first  to  invent  the  art  of  making  them, 
and  ihreatened  to  sue  Mr.  Boyden  for  infringing  upon  her 
rights.  He  got  his  first  leaf  from  South  Carolina,  but  it 
was  not  strong,  so  they  chartered  a  schooner  from  Salem 
to  go  to  Cuba  and  get  a  cargo.  The  first  lot  of  hats  he 
sent  to  New  Yoj:k  was  sold  wholesale  at  two  dollars  and 
fifty  cents  each. 

POTASH. 

The  boiling  of  potash  was  quite  a  business  in  early  times. 
The  early  inhabitants  burnt  good  hard,  green  wood,  in  an 
open  lire,  and  made  good  ashes  and  an  abundance  of  them, 
and  nearly  every  trader  took  in  ashes  in  pay  for  goods.  I 
think  that  Col.  Webster  was  a  manufacturer.  I  find  in 
■merchant  BlasdeU's  ledger,  date  1770,  an  account  of  what 
his  potash  cost.  The  "  potash  Citals  "  were  three  hundred 
and  twenty  pounds  ;  bringing  "  the  Citals  from  Haverhill," 
twelve  pounds.  The  whole  expense  was  six  hundred  and 
six  pounds,  equal  to  one  hundred  and  one  dollars.  Robert 
Calfe  made  potash,  and  paid  ninepence  per  bushel  for  ashes. 
In  1700  Samuel  Shirley  had  a  potash  manufactory  near  the 
]3ond  and  paid  eight  pence  per  bushel  for  ashes.  After- 
wards George  Bell,  son  of  William,  had  a  store  on  the  east 
side  of  the  road,  opposite  the  pond,  and  made  potash  where 
Mr.  Shirley  had  done.  For  a  long  period  after  John  Bell 
came  to  Chester  he  had  a  manufactory,  which  I  think  was 
the  last  in  Chester. 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  437 


CLOCKS. 

The  early  inlmbitants  had  few  clocks.  The  people  were 
poor,  and  clocks  were  scarce  and  dear.  As  a  substitute, 
sun-dials  were  used.  The  dials  were  made  of  pewter  with 
a  triangular  piece  called  the  "  gnomon  "  placed  on  the  me- 
ridian to  cast  a  shadow,  and  the  circumference  was  grad- 
uated to  show  the  hours.  The  English  school-books  then 
used  gave  rules  for  dialing.  But  dials  were  useless  in  the 
night  and  in  cloudy  weather. 

The  earliest  clocks  were  of  English  manufacture,  and 
some  had  only  an  hour  hand  and  struck  but  once  at  each 
hour.      One,  apparently  very  ancient,  was  owned  by  Dea. 
Richard  Haselton,  and  afterwards  by  his  son  Thomas.     I 
am  informed  by  the  Rev.  T.  H.   Miller  that  there  were 
clocks  made  in  Portsmouth  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
years  ago,  and  that  there  was  a  clock-maker  there  by  the 
name  of  Fitz,  who  flourished  about  one  hundred  years  ago 
and  later.     There  was  a  David  Blasdell  of  Amesbury,  born 
in  1712,  who  was  a  clock-maker.     I  have  seen  several  of 
his  clocks,  one  with  the  date  1741  on  it.     His  son  Isaac 
came  to  Chester  in  1TG2  and  carried  on  the  clock-making 
business  until  his  death  in  1791. 

The  clocks  were  of  brass,  rather  heavily  made,  and  to 
run  one  day.  The  line  was  of  linen,  passing  over  grooved 
wheels  armed  with  points  to  prevent  slipping.  One  line 
and  one  weight  carried  both  time  and  striking.  Chester 
people  and  others  were  supplied  with  these  clocks  as  far  as 
they  were  able  to  purcliase.  My  grandfather,  Wells  Chase, 
made  a  great  effort,  and  in  1788  purchased  one,  for  which 
he  paid  twenty  dollars  for  the  movement,  and  had  the  case 
made.  He  paid  a  part  of  the  purchase  in  wood  at  eight 
shillings  per  cord,  drawn  to  Chester,  where  John  West  now 
lives.  Col.  Stephen  Dearborn  had  one  about  the  same  time 
wnth  the  name  of  Mr.  Blasdell's  son  Richard  on  it.  My 
grandfather's  is  yet  good,  and  I  have  it  running.  Mr. 
Blasdell  made  a  few  eight-day  clocks  near  the  close  of  his 


438  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

life.  There  was  a  Simon  Willard,  of  Roxbury,  Mass.,  who 
was  a  celebrated  clock-maker,  but  I  believe  none  of  his 
clocks  came  to  Chester.  Timothy  Cliandler,  of  Concord, 
born  April  25,  1762,  first  learned  the  trade  of  card-making, 
(wool  cards)  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  apprenticeship 
traveled  on  foot  from  Pomfret,  Conn.,  about  1784.  He  did 
not  go  into  card-making,  but  hired  a  man  by  the  name  of 
Cummings,  who  was  an  apprentice  to  Mr.  Willard,  and  set 
up  clock-making  in  Concord,  and  did  a  large  business.  He 
made  eight-day  clocks  of  a  lighter  and  better  finish  than 
the  Blasdcll  clocks.  Several  of  these  clocks  came  to  Chester. 
It  may  not  be  improper  to  give  here  a  short  description 
of  the  manner  in  which  clock  work  was  once  done,  wliich  I 
have  from  Abiel  Chandler,  son  and  successor  to  Maj.  Tim- 
othy Chandler.  The  wheels  were  cast  blank  and  the  teeth 
were  cut  on  a  gear  engine  which  was  turned  with  one  hand 
and  the  tool  held  down  with  the  other.  The  teeth  were 
rounded  up  with  a  file.  The  pinions  were  imported  cut, 
but  the  lever  had  to  be  rounded  with  a  file.  Mr.  Clian- 
dler, however,  thinks  that  on  the  earlier  pinions  the  teeth 
were  sawed  out  by  hand.  The  pivots  were  turned  in  a 
lathe  composed  of  a  spring  pole  overhead  with  a  line  pass- 
ing from  it  and  around  the  piece  to  be  turned,  to  a  treadle 
operated  by  the  foot,  so  that  when  the  treadle  was  borne 
down  tlie  piece  turned  towards  tlie  oj)erator  and  his  tool 
would  cut,  the  spring  of  the  pole  carried  it  back  again. 
Sometimes,  in  such  light  work  as  clock-making,  a  bow  sim- 
ilar to  a  fiddle  bow  was  used,  the  string  passing  round  the 
piece  to  be  turned,  and  operated  by  one  hand  and  a  file  held 
on  by  the  other.  I  think  the  spring  pole  and  treadle  was 
the  only  lathe  then  in  use  by  chair  makers  and  cabinet 
makers.  Tobias  Cartland,  of  Lee,  born  1765,  did  quite  a 
business  at  chair  making,  and  got  out  and  carried  a  great 
deal  of  stuff  to  Portsmouth  on  horseback,  and  his  lathe 
was  standing  two  or  three  years  ago.  Mr.  Chandler  says 
that  when  Low  &  Damon  set  up  chair  making  in  Concord, 
in  1806,  and  for  several  years  after,  they  used  such  a  lathe. 
Levi  and  Abel  Hutchins,  of  Concord,  learned  their  trade  of 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  439 

Mr.  TVillard  and  set  up  the  business  there  about  1788,  per- 
haps a  little  later  than  Maj.  Chandler.  The  first,  or  one  of 
the  first  clocks  made  by  Abel  Hutchins,  is  now  owned  by 
his  grandson,  and  is  running.  The  dial  or  face  was  made 
of  an  old  brass  kettle.  Quite  a  number  of  their  clocks 
came  to  Chester  and  sold  for  from  fifty  to  sixty  dollars  each. 
They  were  well  made  and  in  well  finished  cases,  and  some 
of  them  at  the  top  of  the  face  showed  the  phases  of  the 
moon;  Levi  Hutchins,  in  his  autobiography,  says  that 
probably  he  and  his  brother  Abel  made  the  first  brass  clocks 
that  were  made  in  New  Hampshire,  but  Isaac  Blasdell  made 
clocks  in  Chester  twenty-five  years  before  they  did  in 
Concord. 

James  Critchet,  of  Candia,  was  a  man  of  great  mechani- 
cal genius.  When  a  young  man  he  saw  a  clock  which  had 
a  cuckoo  that  crowed  instead  of  striking,  which  excited  his 
curiosity,  and  he  made  quite  a  number  of  wooden  clocks 
which  ran  twenty-four  hours ;  one  he  made  for  Dea.  Abra- 
ham Bean,  and  altered  it  to  an  eight-day  clock.  Making 
wooden  clocks  was  not  much  of  a  business  previous  to  1820. 
From  1820  to  1830  the  Connecticut  clocks  were  hawked 
about  the  country  by  peddlers,  and  the  movement  sold  for 
about  twenty  dollars,  and  many  of  them  were  put  up  in  a 
corner  of  the  room  and  run  for  many  years  without  a  case, 
and  did  good  service. 

UMRRELLAS. 

It  is  said  that  there  were  a  few  umbrellas  used  in  France 
and  England  early  in  the  eighteenth  century,  but  were  not 
common  there  until  about  1775,  and  a  few  were  imported,  but 
were  not  common  previous  to  the  year  1800.  I  think  the 
first  owned  in  the  Long  Meadows  was  bought  by  my  mother, 
in  1804,  and  is  yet  in  existence.  The  first  in  Chester  is 
said  to  have  been  bought  by  Josiah  Morse,  Jr.,  the  precise 
date  not  known,  but  probably  a  little  earlier.  The  first 
owned  in  Sandown  is  said  to  have  been  purchased  by  a 
daughter  of  Deacon  Nathaniel  French,  soon  after  the  death 
of  her  father,  which  occurred  April  30,  1803,  for  which  she 
paid  five  dollars. 


440 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


VARIOUS   ACCOUNTS. 

Ill  order  to  show  liow  our  ancestors  lived,  in  what  thev 
trafficked,  and  the  prices  of  articles,  I  make  extracts  from 
various  old  accounts  : 

Exeter,  Nov.  14,  1754. 
Eec^  of  Mr.  James  Wilsou,  two  thousand  and  a  lialf  of  red  oak 
hogs''  staves,  at  sixteen  pounds  old  tenor,  per  thous"^. 

John  Oilman,  Jr. 

That  would  1)C  five  dollars  and  thirty-three  cents  jDcr 
thousand,  drawn  to  Exeter. 

The  next  is  from  a  ledger  of  "  Merchant"  Blasdell,  who 
traded  at  Chester  Street  and  did  an  extensive  Itusiness, 
commencing  in  1759.  The  money  was  old  tenor,  of  which 
it  would  take  six  pounds  to  make  a  dollar.  ITc  charges 
Jesse  Johnson  with 

&      8. 

200  board  nails, 2    4 

A  pound  of  Coffee, 1    G 

A  gallon  of  Molasses, 3    0 

A  puuud  of  alum, 0  12 

A  thousand  of  boards, 24  00 

He  gives  credit  for  "  30  primers,  at  c£6  each  ;  67  pair  of 
buckles,  large  ones,  at  XI  :  10  ;  small  ones,  at  XI :  5." 

This  seems  to  have  been  with  a  dealer,  as  it  is  all  on  one 
page: 


£   s. 

2  doz.  and  three  buttons, 116 

3i  yi^  of  serg, 

.       22  1;3 

i  y'^  buckram. 

«                •                •                • 

I) 

4i  y'^*  black  shaloou,    . 

«                •                •                « 

.       12     7 

h.  y'^  cotton  cloth. 

•                •                •                • 

1 

Wife  making  a  coat, 

•                «                t                • 

4  10 

"        "        jacket  an 

cl  bveecl;es, 

9  00 

Bed  blanket, 

i        «        •        t 

,       15  00 

2  gallons  N.  E.  rum, 

•        f        •        • 

8  00 

2  qts.  W.  I.  rum. 

*                     9                     « 

8  00 

4  lbs.  sugar, 

.                     .                     • 

2    8 

4  thousand  shingles, 

*                     *                     * 

.       32  00 

1  paper  of  pins,    , 

•                     •                      • 

15 

A  mug, 

•                     •                      • 

1  00 

1  lb.  powder, 

«                     «                       t 

27 

INDUSTRIAL    HISTORY. 


441 


Pewtei- bason, ^  ^^ 

An  oirnce  of  iudigo, ^^ 

14  yard  of  broadcloth, 18  00 

Id  ibs.  cotton  wool, 2  17 

1  gallon  of  molasses, 3  00 

2  bi-ead  pans, 1    ^ 

1  pair  of  cai'ds  and  a  slate, 6  18 

2  bushels  of  corn, 6  00 

1  gill  of  rum, 1  10 

He  charges  James  Croset  with  articles  "  when  you  broke 
vour  les:." 

From  Wells  Chase's  account-book,  1771,  Caleb  Hall  is 
charged  "  for  self  and  oxen  to  Suncook,  12s."  This  was  to 
the  Catamount  hill,  in  AUenstown,  after  mill-stones. 

1791,  Samuel  Shirley  is  charged  with  "  ashes  at  8  pence 
per  bushel."  He  is  credited  with  "  rum,  at  Is.  4  per  quart, 
and  tobacco  at  2  pence  per  yard."  They  had  tobacco  for 
chewing,  called  "  pig-tail,"  which  was  twisted  into  a  cord 
about  five-sixteenths  of  an  inch  thick,  and  rolled  into  bun- 
dles and  sold  by  the  yard. 

I  will  next  give  some  items  from  a  ledger  of  Lt.  Josiah 
Underbill,  commencing  in  1797.  The  money  is  lawful,  six 
shillings  to  the  dollar.  Although  Mr.  Underbill  began  very 
small  at  first  (probably  not  far  from  1780),  his  business 
was  now  large,  extending  to  Daniel  Davis  and  Jedediah 
Kimball,  at  White  Hall  in  Hooksett,  to  John  Clarke, 
Bricket  and  Murray,  and  to  Dea.  John  Hills  and  Simon 
-French,  in  Candia. 

John  Clarke  is  charged  "for  a  mill-saw,  £2:8:0;  for 
breasting  a  saw.  Is.,  4."  Their  saws  were  iron,  and  when 
worn  hollow,  were  heated,  and  the  back  struck  on  the  an- 
vil and  straightened.     "  Mending  a  mill-saw." 

In  1799,  Alexander  and  James  Shirley  were  charged 
with  "  paying  for  a  German  mill-saw  13  dollars."  This 
was  probably  one  of  the  earliest  steel  saws.  The  Shirleys 
owned  the  Oswego  mill.  They  are  at  the  same  time 
credited  with  "  1000  boards  at  the  mill,  $5.00."  There 
are  several  saws  charged  which  he  made,  and  quite  often 
breasted.     Scythes  are  quite  frequently  charged,  usually  at 


442  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

7s.  6d.,or  8s.  each;  narrow  axes,  at  8s.;  new  steeling,  4s. 
to  5s  ;  new  hoes,  5s.,  new  steeling,  2s.  6d. ;  shoeing  oxen, 
7s.  6d. ;  horse,  5s.  4d.     James  and  Silas  Hunter  are  charged 
"to  making  an  instrument  to  haul   teeth,  2s.  6."     So  it 
seems  that  he  made  surgical  instruments.     Stephen  Chase 
is  charged  with  "  a  pair  of  corks  for  his  hoys.  Is.  4  ;  shoe- 
ing a  shovel,  2s.  6  ;  for  a  gripe  for  the  sTiay^     Paul  Adams 
is  charged  for  "  a  hook  and  buckles  for  a  sleigh  harness 
and  bits,  4s.  6."     The  hooks  were  attached  to  the  leading 
lines  to  hitch  to  the  bits.     He  is  also  charged  with  "  mak- 
ing a  loggerhead,  9d."     They  had  a  drink  called  flip,  for 
cold  weather,  composed  of  rum  and  beer.     The  loggerhead 
was  heated  red  hot,  and  immersed  in  the  liquor  to  warm  it 
and  make  it  foam.     There  is  work  charged  to  the  Folsoms, 
for  "  making  and  repairing  their  nail  machinery."     There 
are  several  charges   for    flax-comb    teeth ;   mending    and 
making  cranks  for  linen  wheels ;  spindles  for  woolen  wheels, 
<fec.     He  took  much  of  his  pay  in  barter.     Heading  was 
about  four  shillings  per  hundred,  and  staves  about  the  same 
price.     They  were  counted  six  score,  or  one  hundred  and 
twenty,  to  the  hundred.     They  were  then  drawn  to  Haver- 
hill at  about  four  dollars  per  thousand.     He  took  coals  at 
six  cents  per  bushel.     There  are  frequent  credits  for  loads 
of  pine' (pitch  wood  for  lights). 

From  the  account-book  of  Richard  Dearborn  the  follow- 
ing prices  are  learned : 

1811,  rum,  70  cts. ;  molasses  60  cts. ;  scythe,  $1.00  ;  salt, 
$1.00 ;  souchong  tea,  81.00.  1812,  mowing  G7  cts.  per  day  ; 
bark  at  Hampstead,  -^iG.OO  per  cord  ;  cotton,  23  cts. ;  sugar, 
17  cts.  ;  dry  pine  wood,  $2.00  per  cord  at  Chester ;  calico? 
34  cts. ;  glass,  9  cts.  per  light.  1815,  war  prices,  N.  E. 
rum,  $1.33  ;  nails,  12  1-2  cts.  ;  scythe,  $1.00.  1816,  N.  E. 
rum,  67  cts.  1817,  rye  was  two  dollars,  in  consequence 
of  the  cold  season  of  1816.  James  French  is  credited  for 
a  "napt  hat,"  $4.00;  a  wool  one,  $1.75.  1815,  James 
Wason  is  credited  with  a  "  four-wheel  carriage  to  Deer- 
field."     This  was  the  first  gig-wagon  at  the  Long  Meadows. 

From  B.  P.  Chase's  book :     1804,  Polly  Blasdcl  is  cred- 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  443 

ited  with  twenty-one  weeks'  work  —  housework  and  nursing 
—  810.50,  and  witli  an  umbrella  (the  first  in  the  Long 
Meadows  and  yet  in  a  condition  to  he  used),  83.00. 
She  is  charged  with  "  a  yard  and  a  half  of  baize,  75 
cts. ;  Pair  of  calf  skin  shoes,  1.12  ;  Six  yards  of  calico 
and  a  fan,  2.06  ;  Five'yds,  drugget,  2  1-4,  checked,  3.50." 

1803  to  1806,  another  girl,  who  worked  for  fifty  cents  per 
■week,  is  charged :  "  Horse  and  side-saddle  to  Bow,  16 
miles,  83  cts. ;  Sheeting,  50  cents,  &  India  cotton,  42  cts.; 
[This  India  cotton  was  a  yery  coarse  and  thin  cloth,  not  so 
good  as  the  lowest  priced  shirting  of  the  present  day] 
1  1-2  yds.  striped  linen  for  a  loose  gown,  50  ;  8  yards  of 
calico,  at  3s.  8,  and  a  pair  of  mitts,  5.65  ;  4  yds.  of  woolen 
cloth  for  a  great  coat,  &  making,  4.83  ;  one  pair  silk  gloves, 
1.08,  1  pr.  calf.skin  shoes,  1.04, —  2.12  ;  6  yds.  cotton  and 
linen  cloth,  3.00  ;  Yellow  baize,  42  cts.  per  yard." 

In  1819  he  charges  another  girl,  who,  I  have  good  reason 
to  know,  "was  one  of  the  very  best,  who  worked  for  sixty-seven 
cents  per  week  at  house-work,  including  spinning,  milking, 
and  nursing  an  invalid  woman,  "  1  pair  cow-hide  shoes,  1.34 ; 
1  pair  calf-skin  shoes,  1.42  ;  1  pair  morocco  shoes,  1.57." 

THE   DATE   OF   SOME    OF   THE   HOUSES   IN    CHESTER. 

Capt.  Samuel  Ingalls  was  the  first  settler,  had  the  first 
child  born,  and  built  the  first  framed  house  about  1732, 
"which  was  taken  down  several  years  since  to  give  place  to 
the  one  where  Humphrey  Niles  lives,  on  Walnut  Hill. 
Probably  the  oldest  house  now  standing  is  the  old  Fitts 
house.  Dea.  Ebenezer  Dearborn  deeded  to  his  son  Benja- 
min home  lot  No.  132,  in  1735,  and  he  is  rated  for  a  D 
(two-story)  house  in  1741,  and  the  house  was  probably 
built  between  those  periods.  Dearborn  sold  to  Nathan 
Fitts,  in  1767.  Lt.  Ebenezer  Dearborn  was  married  in  1730 
or  '31,  and  the  L  part  of  the  house  (  where  James  R.  Gor- 
dan  lives  )  probably  was  his  first  house,  and  older  than  the 
Fitts  house.  He  afterwards  built  the  front  part,  date  not 
known.  Francis  Hills  says  that  the  house  where  Benjamin 
Hills  lives,  built  by  his  great  grandfather,  Benjamin,  Sen., 


444  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

was  a  garrison,  and  that  the  port  holes  may  yet  be  seen 
through  the  boarding,  though  covered  on  the  outside  with 
clapboards.  If  that  be  the  fact  it  jwas  probably  built  as 
early  as  1750.  Wells  Chase  and  a  fellow  apprentice  by  the 
name  of  Moses  Haskall  took  their  tools  on  their  backs, 
at  Newbury,  and  came  to  Chester  and  built  a  house  for 
Stephen  Morse,  in  1755,  being  the  old  part  of  the  house 
where  Gilman  Morse  now  lives.  The  L  part  of  the  John 
Bell  house,  where  William  Grecnough  lives,  was  built  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Flagg  ;  time  not  known,  but  probably  as  early 
as  1750  or  '60.  It  was  moved  back,  and  the  front  part 
built  by  John  Bell,  Esq.,  in  1806.  Col  John  Webster  built 
what  is  now  Bachelder's  hotel,  in  1761. 

Probably  the  oldest  house  in  Auburn  was  built  by  Joseph 
Calfe,  wlio  was  married  in  1746,  and  it  might  have  been 
built  previous  to  that,  or  they  might  have  lived  awhile  in  a 
log  house.  Barnard  Bricket  built  the  house  where  his 
grandson  David  P.  Bricket  lives,  in  1766.  Wells  Chase 
built  a  one-story  house  where  his  grandson,  Pike  Chase, 
lives,  in  1771 ;  second  story  added  in  1828.  Col.  Stephen 
Dearborn  built  a  house  the  north  side  of  the  Borough  road, 
cast  of  the  saw-mill,  in  1761,  but  soon  moved  it  on  to  the 
hill,  and  it  is  a  part  of  the  L  or  low  part  of  the  present 
house.  The  front,  or  two-story  part,  was  built  in  1776  or 
1777.  Samuel  Murray  lived  in  the  cellar  kitchen  while 
building  his  house  in  1781.  Isaac  Blasdel  built  the  house 
in  which  John  West  lives  ;  Lt.  Josiah  Underbill  and  Jacob 
Chase  built  houses  in  1785.  Tappan  Webster  built  where 
Mr,  Orcutt  lives,  in  1787. 

1788.  William  Hicks  built  where  Woodbury  ^Masters 
lives. 

1791.  Dr.  Benjamin  Page's  house  was  burnt,  April  5  ; 
a  new  frame  raised  April  30,  sold  to  Joseph  Robinson,  who 
finished  it. 

1793.  Alexander  Eaton  built  the  house  opposite  the 
Long  Meadow  meeting-house. 

1794.  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent  built  his  house  where  John 
White  lately  lived.  Cornet  Isaac  Lane  built  where  his  son 
Isaac  lives. 


INDUSTRIAL   HISTORY.  445 

1796.  Nathaniel  Woods  and  Joseph  Linn  Luilt  at  the 
Long  Meadows,  and  the  Rev.  N.  Bradstreet  where  John  Y/. 
Nojes  lives. 

1798.  Samnel  Underhill  built  where  Geo.  S.  Underhill 
lives. 

1799.  Amos  Kent  bnilt  where  Mrs.  Aiken  lately  lived. 

1800.  Daniel  French,  Esq.,  built  his  house.  Joseph 
Wetherspoon  built  where  Henry  Moore  lives.  It  has  been 
occupied  by  Moses  Emerson,  Charles  Goss,  John  Bryant, 
and  others. 

1804.  Gilbert  Morse  Imilt  what  has  been  the  Congrega- 
tional parsonage,  where  Sarah  Robinson  lives. 

1807.  Jacob  Elliott  built  about  this  year. 

1808.  Thomas  Anderson  built  where  his  son  Samuel 
now  lives,  in  Auburn.  Capt.  David  Hall  built  where  Hazen 
Davis  lives,  in  Auburn.     Joseph  Mills  built  about  this  year. 

1809.  Benjamin  Hills  built  at  the  John  Powel  place? 
where  Daniel  Wilson  lately  lived.  He  had  not  moved  into 
it  before  the  cold  Friday,  January  19,  1810,  and  the  wind 
moved  it  on  its  foundation. 

1812.  Josiah  Haselton  built  where  Lewis  Kimball  lives, 
on  Walnut  Hill. 

1822.  Thomas  Cofhn  built  where  Rev.  James  Holmes 
lives. 

1832.  Jay  T.  Underhill  built  where  Mr.  Chamberlain 
now  lives. 

1833.  Hon.  Samuel  Bell  built  his  house. 

FIRES   OCCURRING,    SO    FAR   AS   ASCERTAINED. 

Samuel  Eastman  and  Samuel  Eastman,  Jr.,  house  and 
goods,  Candia,  1759  ;  James  Fullonton's  house,  Raymond, 
1763  ;  David  Bean's  mill  and  house  burned  in  Candia  5 
Dea.  Richard  Hazelton  had  his  grist-mill  burned,  time  not 
known ;  Jonathan  Berry's  house,  April  15,  1786 ;  Phillip 
Griffin's  house,  March,  1788 ;  Nathaniel  Head,  two  barns 
and  six  oxen,  Nov.  25,  1788  ;  John  Crawford's  house,  July 
10,  1789  ;  Dr.  Page's  house  and  barn,  April  5,  1791 ; 
Joseph  Blanchard's  clothier's  shop,  July  10,  1795 ;    Capt. 


446  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

Locke's  saw-mill,  March  27,  1796  ;  Haselton's  barn,  Octo- 
ber, 1799  ;  John  Haselton's  house,  June  14,  1800  ;  Daniel 
True's  house,  Jan.  6,  1801  ;  James  Stevens'  blacksmith- 
shop,  Dec.  12,  1801  ;  Silas  Cammet's  house,  May  1,  1802  ; 
Moses  Preston's  shop,  Sept.  7,  1805  ;  John  Melvin's  black- 
smith-shop, Dec.  11,  1807  ;  Capt.  Fitts's  blacksmith-shop, 
Jan.  7,  ]814  ;  John  Clark's  house,  July  15, 1818  ;  William 
Coult's  fulling-mill,  and  two  carding-machines  and  cloth- 
iers' tools,  1820  ;  Samuel  Anderson's  tavern-stand  in  Candia, 
including  a  large  two-story  house  with  L,  a  large  stable  and 
barn,  and  all  of  the  contents,  including  twenty-three  horses 
and  eleven  swine,  Oct.,  1821 ;  the  house  of  the  widow  of 
Robert  Forsaitli  at  Walnut  Ilill,  May,  1822  ;  the  saw-mill 
and  grist-mill  of  Samuel  Hook  and  Sebastian  Spofford, 
April,  1825  ;  the  grist-mill  and  old  nail-shop  at  the  Blanch- 
ard  mills  owned  by  Col.  S.  D.  Wason,  burned  in  the  fall  of 
1825  ;  the  house  of  John  French  of  Candia,  April  21, 
1831 ;  Zaccheus  Colby's  house,  May  24,  1837 ;  Candia 
meeting-house,  Jan.  25,  1838  ;  Jesse  J.  Underbill's  edge- 
tool  shop,  1841  ;  the  Hall  grist-mill,  owned  by  Noah  Clark, 
about  1845;  the  Knowles  saw-mill,  1847  ;  Ephraim  Kelly's 
house  and  shop,  April  25,  1850  ;  William  P.  Underh ill's 
barn  and  L  to  his  house,  Sept.  20,  1850  ;  John  Moore  and 
John  Wason's  saw-  and  shingle-mill,  1851  ;  Samuel  Colby's 
house  and  barn,  March  2j  1853 ;  Hale  True's  house, 
formerly  the  house  of  Robert  Wilson,  Esq.,  1853  ;  Rich- 
ards and  Greenough's  store,  and  school-house  No.  1,  Dec. 
28,  1856  ;  William  P.  Underhill's  house  and  barn,  Dec.  20, 
1857 ;  Capt.  Moses  Haselton's  barn  by  lightning,  1862  ; 
Pollard's  steam  saw-mill,  1864;  the  Perley  Chase  house, 
June,  1867. 

TREES. 

Paul  and  Sylvanus  Smith  came  from  Hampton  to  Chester 
about  1730.  Soon  after  making  an  opening  they  brought 
from  Hampton  some  apple-trees  on  horseback  and  set  out, 
one  of  which  bore  a  peck  of  apples  in  1868.  A  large  elm 
at  the  Templeton  place,  at  the  Long  Meadows,  was  set  out 
when  Matthew  was  just  large  enough  to  steady  it,  probably 


TOWN   OFFICERS.  447 

about  1745.  Barnard  Bricketcame  to  Chester  in  1765,  and 
the  great  elm,  whose  top  now  extends  eighty-five  feet,  and 
whose  trunk  at  four  feet  from  the  ground,  whicli  is  its 
smallest  place,  girts  about  fourteen  feet,  was  then  a  small 
sapling,  which  he  then  pruned.  It  has  several  large 
branches,  so  that  it  is  larger  ten  or  twelve  feet  from  the 
ground.  The  elm  at  Isaac  Lane's  was  either  a  sapling 
growing  there  when  Cornet  John  Lane  came  there  in  1749 
or  set  soon  after.  The  elms  in  front  of  the  French  office, 
opposite  the  house,  were  set  by  H.  F.  French  about  1829. 
The  other  trees  above  the  old  Melvin  place  were  set  by  Mr. 
French,  aided  by  T.  J.  Melvin  and  others,  from  1831  to 
1834.  Those  opposite  the  Melvin  place  were  set  by  Mr. 
Melvin  and  John  White  in  1843.  The  trees  on  the  Haver- 
hill road,  near  where  the  old  Baptist  church  stood,  were  set 
by  Silas  F.  Learnard  in  1845.  The  three  elms  nearest  the 
house  of  the  writer,  were  set  by  Benjamin  Chase,  Jr.,  in 
1855.  The  other  elms  and  maples  were  set  a  year  or  two 
later.     The  maples  in  front  of  the  house  were  set  in  1867. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

TOWN    OFFICERS,    OR   THE    OFFICIAL    HISTORY. 

It  may  not  be  improper,  preliminary  to  giving  a  list  of 
town  officers,  to  say  something  about  the  duties  of  some 
that  have  become  obsolete.  There  probably  were  laws  on 
the  subject  previous  to  those  I  have  examined. 

DEER   INSPECTORS. 

It  was  supposed  to  be  beneficial  to  preserve  the  deer  and 
to  destroy  the  wolves,  though  deer,  being  the  natural  game 
of  the  wolf,  probably  had  a  strong  tendency  to  preserve 
the  wolves. 

By  an  act  of  the  14th  of  George  II,  it  is  enacted  that 
no  deer  shall  be  killed  from  the  last  day  of  December  to 


448  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

the  first  day  of  August  annually,  under  the  penalty  of  ten 
pounds ;  and  in  case  of  inability  to  pay,  to  work  forty  days 
for  the  first  offence,  and  fifty  days  for  subsequent  offences. 
Any  venison  or  skin  newly  killed  was  evidence  of  guilt. 
Every  town  was  required  to  choose  two  proper  persons  to 
inspect  and  search  suspected  houses. 

An  act  was  passed  in  1758,  forbidding  the  killing  any 
buck,  doe  or  fawn,  from  the  first  day  of  December  to  the 
first  day  of  August  annually,  under  a  penalty  of  fifteen 
shillings.  Towns  were  authorized  or  required  to  choose 
two  suitable  persons  annually,  whose  peculiar  office  it  shall 
be  to  prevent  as  much  as  may  be,  the  breach  of  this  act ; 
and  shall  have  full  power  to  search  in  any  place  within 
their  respective  limits,  to  open  any  doors,  chests,  or  other 
places,  locked  or  concealed,  where  they  shall  have  any 
reason  to  suspect  any  flesh  or  skin  of  buck,  doe  or  fawn 
to  be  hid.,  etc. 

In  1741,  James  Campbell,  Thomas  "Wells  and  Joshua 
Prescot  were  chosen  a  "  committee  to  prevent  the  killing 
of  Deer  contrary  to  law."  Deer-inspectors  were  chosen 
until  1797. 

HAYWARDS   OR   FIELD-DRIVERS. 

By  an  act  of  4tli  George  the  First,  1719,  towns  were  re- 
quired to  maintain  pounds,  and  that  other  persons,  as  well 
as  hawards  or  field-drivers,  take  up  and  impound  any  s\v^ine, 
neat  cattle,  horses  or  sheep,  as  shall  be  found  damage-feas- 
ant  in  any  corn-field  or  other  inclosure,  or  swine  found 
unyoked  or  unringed,  &c. 

An  act  of  February  9,  1760,  enacts  that  towns  shall  have 
full  authority  at  their  annual  meeting  to  make  rules  and 
orders  to  prevent  cattle  and  horses  of  such  as  are  not  free- 
holders going  at  larg€  and  grazing  on  any  unfenced  land. 
Animals  found  at  large,  contrary  to  such  rules,  shall  be 
taken  up  and  impounded  by  the  field-driver,  &c.  Field- 
drivers  were  chosen  in  1729,  and  until  1790.  They  had 
such  officers  in  England. 


TOWN   OFFICERS.  449 


HOGREEVES. 


By  an  act  of  4th  of  George  First,  1719,  towns  are  re- 
quired to  choose  two  or  more  meet  persons  to  see  to  the 
due  observance  of  the  laws  and  orders  relating  to  swine? 
and  with  a  penalty  of  twenty  shillings  for  not  serving. 

The  hogreeve,  upon  complaint  that  any  person  neglects 
to  yoke  and  ring  his  swine,  is  "  to  notify  the  owner ;  and  if 
he  still  neglects  to  yoke  and  ring  them,  the  said  officer 
shall  yoke  and  ring  them  and  have  twelve  pence."  All 
swine  going  at  large  from  the  first  day  of  April  to  the  last 
day  of  October  are  to  be  yoked,  and  all  the  year  to  be 
sufficiently  ringed.  No  yoke  shall  be  accounted  sufficient 
that  shall  not  be  the  depth  of  the  swine's  neck,  aiid  half  so 
much  below,  and  the  sole  or  bottom  three  times  as  long  as 
the  thickness  of  the  swine's  neck. 

There  was  an  act  passed  in  1759,  authorizing  towns  hav- 
ing commons  to  make  by-laws  respecting  swine  going  at 
large,  but  they  must  not  go  without  being  ringed.  The 
ringing  was  to  insert  a  piece  of  iron  wire  through  the  hog's 
nose,  bring  the  ends  together,  and  twist  them  so  tliat  it 
should  project  about  an  inch  above  the  nose,  which  would 
prevent  roottlig. 

There  was  a  by-law  made  in  1792,  that  swine  might  go 
on  any  highway  or  common,  being  well  ringed  and  not 
yoked,  provided  they  did  no  damage  ;  but  if  damage  was 
done,  complaint  might  be  made  to  the  hog-constalile  (hog- 
reeve), who  was  to  proceed  according  to  law  ;  and  such  was 
the  law  for  twenty-five  years.  Hogreeves  were  cliosen  in 
1771.  Until  about  1820,  most  of  the  swine  ran  in  the 
highway.  It  was  a  custom  in  Chester  to  choose  every  man 
lately  married  as  hogreeve. 

FISHWARDS. 

An  act   was   passed   February,  1761,  the    preamble   of 

which  recited  that,    "  Whereas,  the  catching  of   fish  at 

Amoskeag  Falls  has  been  of  great  advantage,"  &c.,  and 
29 


450  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

enacts  that  fisli  shall  not  be  caught  at  Amoskeag  Falls  be- 
tween sunset  Saturday  and  sunrise  Monday,  under  penalty 
of  twenty  shillings  sterling. 

An  act  was  passed  May  5,  1764,  forbidding  catching  fish 
in  Merrimack  river  more  than  three  days  in  a  week — Tues- 
day, Wednesday  and  Thursday — under  the  penalty  of  four 
pounds.  There  have  been  various  other  acts  passed  regu- 
lating the  catching  of  fish,  and  fishwards  were  chosen  until 
a  recent  date. 

SEALERS   OF  LEATHER. 

By  an  act  passed  in  1701,  it  is  enacted  tfiat  no  currier 
or  shoemaker  shall  be  a  tanner,  and  no  tanner  or  shoe- 
maker shall  be  a  currier.  Tanners  and  curriers  were  re- 
quired to  do  their  work  well,  and  shoemakers  were  for- 
bidden to  work  bad  leather. 

All  leather  was  to  be  searched  before  it  passed  out  of  the 
hands  of  the  tanner  or  currier,  by  searchers  or  sealers 
chosen  by  the  towns,  who  should  have  two  seals  ;  with  one 
they  should  seal  all  leather  well  tanned,  and  with  the  other 
all  leather  well  curried.  They  were  empowered  to  search 
any  house  or  place  where  they  suspected  there  was  leather 
unsealed,  and  sieze  all  insufficient  leather.  The  sealers 
were  to  have  one  penny  per  hide  for  searching  and  sealing, 
and  three  pence  per  mile,  after  the  first  mile,  traveling  fee. 
Sealers  of  leather  were  chosen  up  to  1829. 


TYTHINGMEN. 

By  an  act  passed  in  1715,  it  was  enacted  that  no  taverner 
or  retailer  should  suffer  any  apprentice,  servant  or  negro  to 
drink  in  his  house  ;  nor  any  inhabitant  after  ten  o'clock  at 
night,  nor  more  than  two  hours ;  nor  suffer  any  person  to 
drink  to  drunkenness,  or  others  than  strangers  to  remain 
in  his  house  on  the  Lord's  day,  under  a  fine  of  five  shill- 
lings. 

The  second  section  provided  that  the  selectmen  should  see 


TOWN   OFFICERS.  451 

that  at  least  two  tythingmen  should  be  annually  chosen, 
whose  duty  it  was  to  inspect  all  licensed  houses,  and  inform 
of  all  disorders  to  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and  also  inform 
of  all  who  sell  without  license,  and  of  all  cursers  and 
swearers.  Each  tythingman  was  to  have  a  black  staff  two 
feet  long,  with  about  three  inches  of  one-  end  tipped  with 
brass  or  pewter,  as  a  badge  of  office.  In  1763,  in  the  town 
accounts,  is  "  Paid  to  Jabez  Hoyt,  for  a  tythingman's  staff, 
£1 ;"  and  in  1775,  "  Paid  Wilkes  West,  for  a  tythingman's 
staff,  2s.  6d."  The  penalty  for  not  serving  when  chosen 
was  forty  shillings,  and  in  default  of  payment  or  want  of 
property,  was  imprisonment. 

By  an  act  passed  December  24,  1799,  for  the  better 
observance  of  the  Loifd's  day,  and  repealing  all  other  acts 
for  that  purpose,  all  labor  and  recreation,  traveling,  and 
rudeness  at  places  of  public  worship  on  the  Lord's  day,  are 
forbidden.  Taverners  are  forbidden  to  entertain  inhabi- 
tants of  the  town.  The  tythingmen  had  power  to  com- 
mand assistance,  and  forcibly  stop  and  detain  all  travelers, 
unless  they  could  give  sufficient  reason.  The  tythingmen 
were  required  to  inform  of  all  breaches  of  the  act,  and 
their  oath  was  sufficient  evidence,  unless  invalidated. 

Having  given  the  votes  for  Governor,  and  marked  them, 
and  the  Representatives,  to  show  the  position  of  the  town 
in  regard  to  the  political  parties  since  1803,  it  may  be 
necessary  to  give  an  outline  of  the  various  parties. 

The  first  division  into  political  parties  was  in  regard  to 
the  federal  constitution  ;  those  favoring  it  were  Federalists, 
those  opposing  it,  Anti-Federalists.  The  Federalists  pre- 
vailed, and  the  government  under  the  constitution  went 
into  operation,  and  all  united  in  electing  and  reelecting 
General  Washington  president.  But  some  had  more  faith 
in  democracy,  of  the  people, .than  others.  The  French  Rev- 
olution occurred,  and  as  they  were  avowedly  fighting  for  lib- 
erty, for  democracy,  or  republicanism,  and  they  had  aided 
us,  there  was  a  natural  sympathy  with  them,  while  the 
government  took  neutral   ground.     Two  parties  grew  up 


452  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

out  of  these  elements,  called  the  Federal  and  Republican. 
John  Adams  and  Hamilton  may  be  considered  the  represent- 
ative men  of  the  Federal  party,  and  Jefferson  of  the  Repub- 
lican. The  Republicans  prevailed,  and  Jefferson  took  the 
presidential  chair  in  1801.  The  political  lines  do  not 
seem  to  have  been  drawn  in  Chester  until  1803. 

The  Republicans  kept  the  control  of  the  government 
through  embargo,  non-intercourse,  war,  and  the  European 
wars, —  all  exciting  topics, —  and  elected  Munroe  president 
by  an  overwhelming  majority,  in  1817.  He  took  a  very 
pacific  course,  and  for  various  reasons  the  political  elements 
W'Cre  hushed,  and  he  was  reelected  all  but  unanimously, 
and  the  old  parties.  Federal  and  Republican,  were  at  an 
-end.  At  the  next  presidential  electioir.  New  England  was 
nearly  unanimous  for  J.  Q.  Adams.  William  H.  Crawford 
was  a  caucus  candidate ;  General  Jackson  and  Henry 
Clay  were  also  candidates.  There  was  no  choice  by  tlie 
•electors,  and  Adams  was  elected  by  the  House.  A  furious 
opposition  grew  up.  The  parties  were  Administration  and 
Opposition. 

At  the  next  presidential  election  they  were  Adams  and 
Jackson.  Jackson  prevailed,  and  his  adherents  became 
Democrats  at  last,  and  his  opponents  called  themselves  at 
first  National  Republicans,  then  Whigs.  The  "Whig  jiarty 
were  not  successful,  and  sometimes  the  election  went  by 
default. 

The  Abolitionists  made  some  political  demonstrations, 
and  in  1840  formed  the  Free  Soil  party  ;  but  it  made  very 
little  progress.  In  the  presidential  election  of  1856  the 
old  Whig  party  became  utterly  extinct,  and  a  new  party  was 
formed,  the  distinctive  principle  of  which  was  to  prevent 
the  extension  of  slavery  into  new  territory.  It  was  named 
the  Repuljlican  party.  John  C.  Fremont  was  its  candidate 
for  president,  who  was  defeated.- 

There  are  some  of  the  votes  for  governor  which  do  not 
come  strictly  under  the  party  names.  Isaac  Hill  had  been 
chief  political  manager,  and  had  nearly  everything  his  own 
■way,  but  some  of  his  own  party  were  not  entirely  satisfied. 


TOWN  off:cers. 


453 


In  1823,  Saml.  Dinsmore  \ras  the  regular  candidate  for  Gov- 
ernor, and  Levi  Woodbury  was  nominated  as  an  indepen- 
dent candidate,  and  supported  by  all  who  were  dissatisfied 
with  Mr.  Hill's  management.  He  was  elected,  but  Tyler- 
ized  and  went  over  to  Mr.  Hill.  I  think  that  in  1826, 
D.  L.  Morrill,  though  belonging  to  the  Democrat  party,  was 
an  independant  candidate,  in  opposition  to  Pierce,  the  regu- 
lar nominee. 


TOWN    OFFICERS 


Chosen    at  the  first  meetino;   under  the  charter  of  the 
town  of  Chester,  held  the  28th  day  of  March,  1723. 


Thos.  Pbipps,  Esq.,  jNIoderator. 
Clement  Hughes,  Clerk. 
Samuel  Ingalls,    1 
Clement  Hughes,  }  Selectmen. 
Caleb  Tola,  ) 

Zaccheus  CliiTord,  Constable. 


Cajit.  Thos.  Pbipps, 
Muj.  John  Oilman, 
Coll.  Peter  Wiar, 
Benjamin  Smith,     i 
Clement  Messarvy, 
Samuel  LngaUs,       J 


or  any  two  of  there  be 
a  Colli,  to  receive  and 
allow  the  accounts. 

Surveyors  of 
highways. 


AT  CHKSTER,  MARCn  31,  1724. 


Edward  Emerson,  Moderator. 
Clement  Hughes,  Town  Clerk. 
Thomas  Smith,  Constable. 
Samuel  Ingalls,  I   T^t.iavers 
Jos.  Works,        J   ^^  layers. 


Samuel  Ingalls, 
Jos.  Works, 
Clement  Hughes, 
Ensign  John  Sanborn, 
Timothy  Kezar, 


Selectmen. 


AT  CHESTER,  MAECH  23,   1725. 


Capt.  Henry  Sherburne,  Moderator. 
Thomas  Parker,  Clerk. 


Samuel  Ingalle, ) 
Jno.  Sanborne,  i 
Thos.  Packer, 


Selectmen. 


James  Whitney, )      "'^  "^^  highways. 
Samuel  Ingalls,  Constable. 
Capt.  Henry  Sherburne,  Auditor. 


AT  EXETER,   MARCH   31,  1726. 


Clement  Hughes,  Moderator. 

Clement  Hughes,  Clerk. 

John'Sanlwrn, 

Clement  Hughes,  J  Selectmen. 

Kobert  Smith, 


James  WTiiting,  Constable, 

Samuel  Ingalls,     ) 

Thomas  Smith,      {  Lot-layers. 

James  Whiting,     ) 

Samuel  Ingalls,  Surveyor  of  highways. 


1727. 
Chester. 


This   and    all    future 


meetings   were 


held    at 


Thomas  Pierce,  Moderator. 
Clement  Hughes,  Clerk. 
John  Sanborn,       ) 
Clement  Hughes,  |  Selectmen. 
Robert  Smith,        ) 
WiUiam  Powell,  Constable. 


Samuel  Ingalls,  ) 

Thomas  Smith,    5  Lot-layers. 

James  Whiting, ) 

Capt.  Joseph  Sherburne,  )    .  ..^jfo-, 

Thomas  Parker,  /  -^'iQitors, 


454 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


Samuel  Ingalls,  Moderator. 

Eldad  IngallH,  Clerk. 

Samuel  liigalls, ) 

Jacob  Sargent,   [  Selectmen. 

Thomas  Smith,  ) 

tJonathan  Goodhue,  Constable. 

William  Powell,  Surveyor  of  highways, 


AT  CHESTER  MARCH  28,  1728, 

William  Wilson, 


Beiij.  Philbrook,  j 


Fence- viewers. 


Samuel  Ingalls, 

Eldad  IngallB,     5  Lot-layera. 

Jacob  Sargent,    ) 

Eldad  Ingalls,  Treasurer. 


MARCH  27,  1729. 


Eldad  Ingalls,  Moderator. 

Samuel  Ingalls,  Town  Clerk. 

Epliraim  Haselton,  Constable. 

Samuel  Ingalls,     1 

Nathan  Webster,  i  Selectmen. 

William  Wilson,  ) 

Jacob  Sargent,      I  „  ,     e  t  •  ^ 

Nathan  ^\^bster,  j  Survey's  of  highways. 


•  Fence-viewers. 


Thomas  Smith, 

Benaiali  Colby, 

James  Wilson,  Tythingman. 

Ephraim  Haselton, ) 

Samuel  Ingalls,        J  Lot-layers. 

Jacob  Sargent,  J 

Jacob  Sargent,  Treasurer. 


MARCH  7,  1730. 


Ebenezer  Dearborn,  Moderator. 
Samuel  Ingalls,  Town  Clerk. 
John  Tolford,  Constable. 
Samuel  Ingalls,  ) 

Nathan  Webster,       J  Selectmen. 
Ebenezer  Dearborn,  1 


.,1 


Assessors. 


Jacob  Sargent, 
William  Wilson, 

James  Whiting,  1  rri..ti,!„~, 

Benaiah  Colby,   j  Tythingmen. 


MARCH  25,  1731. 


Moses  Leavitt,  Moderator. 
Samuel  Emerson,  Town  Clerk.* 
Jonathan  Blunt,  Constable. 
Ebenezer  Dearborn  "I 
Samuel  Emerson, 
Enoch  Clolby,  }•  Selectmen. 

Samuel  Ingalls,         I 
Jacob  Sargent,         J 


Isaac  Fobs, 
Thomas  Wells, 
Sylvanus  Smith, 
Thomas  Glen, 
Thomas  Haselton 


Surveyors  of  highway 
and  fence-viewers. 

J  Tythingmen. 


MAKCH  30,  1732. 


Ichabod  Roby,  Moderator. 
Ebenezer  Dearborn,  Jr.,  Constable. 
Samuel  Emerson, 
Jacob  Sargent,  J  Selectmen. 

Ephraim  Haselton, 


Nathaniel  Ambrose, 
Titus  Wells,  Jr. 
Isaac  Foss, 
Nathan  Webster 
Thomas  Glen, 


■1 


JTyth 


ingmen. 


Surveyors  of  highways. 


MARCH  29,  1733. 


Capt.  Samuel  Ingalls,  Moderator. 

William  Wilson,  Constable. 

Capt.  Samuel  Ingalls,  J 

Thomas  Wells,  v  Selectmen. 

Thomas  Glen,  ) 

Samuel  Emerson,         j 

Ephraim  Haselton,       |  Lot-layers. 

Capt.  Samuel  Ingalls, ) 

Ithamar  Berry,       1 

John  Sherrila,         | 

Anthony  Tole,        }■  Surveyors  of  highways. 

Nathan "  Webster, 

James  Wilson,        J 


Fence-viewers. 


SlP^Irk,}  Tythingmen. 

John  Trillord,        I 
Jonathan  Blunt,  j 

Enoch  Colby,         I  Field-drivers 
Henry  Ambrose,  /  ^ 'eia-arivers. 

Jonathan  Blunt,  Pound-keeper. 
Lt.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  \ 
Samuel  Emerson,  J  Auditors. 

Nathan  Webster,  ) 


*  He  was  re-elected  till  1787. 


TOWN    OFFICERS. 


455 


MAKCH  28,  1734. 


Capt.  Ichabod  Roby,  INIoderator. 
Anthony  Towie,  Constable. 
Jacob  Sargent,       ) 
Samuel  Emerson,  [  Selectmen. 
Thomas  Glen,        ) 

l^i^.'iUt^&ford.lT^thingmen. 

Thomas  Wells,  ] 

Paul  Smith,  I  Surveyors  of  the 

Isaac  Foss,  ,'        highway. 

Jacob  Wells,  J 


Moses  Tvler, ) 

John  Calfe,    S  Auditors. 

John  Aiken,  ) 

^hZ^arnSn,  }  Fence-Viewers. 
Capt.  Samuel  lugalls, ) 
Samuel  Emerson,         (  Lot-layers. 
Ephraim  Haselton,      ) 


MARCH  29,  1735. 


John  Calfe,  Moderator, 

John  Karr,  Constable. 

John  Calfe, 

Samuel  Emerson,  [  Selectmen 

Moses  Tyler, 

Isaac  Foss,  ") 

Thomas  Wells, 

John  Sherrala, 

Jacob  Wells, 


|- Surveyors  of  highways. 


Sf'#l!lti„g,}Tythingmen. 

^^??l^^^ith,}  Fence-Viewers. 

Capt.  Ingalls,  ) 

Samuel  Emerson,     5  Lot-layers. 

Ephraim  Haselton,  ) 


I  have  prepared  a  list  of  town  officers  for  each  year  to 
the  present  time,  but  my  work  proves  so  vohmiinous  that  I 
am  under  the  necessity  of  abridging  and  condensing  it. 


MODERATORS. 


173G  to  1739,  Ensign  Jacob  Sargent. 

1740,  John  Calfe. 

1741,  Capt.  Samuel  Ing.alls. 

1742,  Lieut.  Ebeuezer  Dearborn. 

1743,  John  Calfe. 

1744,  Moses  Tyler. 

1745,  Samuel  Ingalls. 

1746  to  175C,  Capt  Abel  Morse. 
1757  to  1760.  John  Webster. 

1761,  Abel  Morse. 

1762,  1763,  John  Webster. 
1764,  'Samuel  Robie. 

1765  to  1768,  John  Webster. 
1769,  Samuel  Robie. 
1770  to  1775,  John  Webster. 
1776,  1777,  Samuel  Robie. 
1778,  1779,  John  Webster. 

1780,  Jacob  Chase. 

1781,  John  Webster. 

1782,  Jacob  Chase. 

1783,  Stephen  Dearborn. 

1784,  John  Webster. 

1785,  Jacob  Chase. 

1786,  Robert  Wilson. 

1787,  Jacob  Chase. 

1788,  Isaac  Blasdel.     v 


1789  to  1793,  Jacob  Chase. 
1794,  William  White. 
1795  to  1797,  Jacob  Chase. 

1798,  Joseph  Blanchard. 

1799,  Jacob  Chase. 

1800,  Joseph  Blanchard. 

1801,  Henrv  Sweetser. 

1802,  William  White. 

1803,  Joseph  Blanchard. 

1804,  Henry  Sweetser. 

1805,  Joseph  Blanchard. 
1806  to  1808,  Henrv  Sweetser. 
1809  to  1812,  John  Bell. 

1813  to  1816,  Joseph  Blanchard. 

1817  to  1822,  John  Bell. 

1823  to  1827,  Samuel  Aiken. 

1828,  John  Folsom. 

1829  to  1835,  Samuel  Aiken. 

1836  to  1841.  David  Currier,  Jr. 

1842,  David  Pillsbury. 

1843,  David  Currier. 

1844,  David  Pillsbury. 

1845,  David  Currier. 

1846,  Perlev  S.  Ch.ise. 

1847,  1848,  Charles  H.  Bell. 
1819  to  1869,  Thomas  J.  Melvin. 


TOWN  CLERKS. 


1731  to  1787,  Samuel  Emerson. 
1788  to  1816,  John  Emerson. 
1817  to  1823,  Lemuel  W.  Blake. 
1824  to  1S26,  William  Eaton. 
1827,  1828,  Samuel  D.  Bell. 
1829  to  1833,  John  S.  Brown. 
1834  to  1843,  Isaac  Tompkins. 
1844,  Benjamin  Fitts. 
1845  to  1848,  William  Greenough. 


1849  to  1851,  Silas  F.  Learnard. 

1852,  Jacob  P.  Whittemore. 

1853.  1854,  William  Greenough. 
1855  to  1859,  Lucien  Kent. 
1860  to  1865,  William  F.  Robie. 

1866,  Charles  S.  Wilcomb. 

1867,  Clement  A.  West. 

1868,  1869,  William  Greenough. 


456 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


•ELECTMEU. 


1736,  Samnel  Ingalls, 
Ephraim  Haseltine, 
Jacob  Sargent. 

1737,  Samuel  Emerson, 
Jobn  Cahe, 
James  Norris. 

1738,  Benjamin  Hills, 
Nathan  Webster, 
John  Tolforil. 

1839,  Samuel  Emerson, 
Thomas  Wells, 
Anthony  Towle, 
John  Tolford, 
James  Campbell. 

1740,  John  Calle, 
Ephraim  Hasseltine, 
Enoch  Colby, 
John  Tolford, 
John  Karr. 

1741,  Samuel  Ingalls, 
Benjamin  Hills, 
James  Campbell, 
John  Calfe, 
Svilliam  Wilson. 

1742,  Ebenezer  Dearborn, 
Nathan  Webster, 
John  Karr. 

1743,  Samuel  Emerson, 
Enoch  Colby, 
John  Karr. 

1744,  John  Robie, 
John  Webster, 
William  Tolford. 

1745,  Moses  Tyler, 
Ephraim  Hasseltine, 
John  Moore. 

1746,  Abel  Morse, 
John  Kobie, 
Andrew  Craige. 

1747,  Lieut.  Ebenezer  Dearborn, 
John  Karr, 

John  Robie. 

1748,  is  lost  from  the  Kecoids. 

1749,  Abel  Morse, 
John  Tolford, 
Thomas  Craige, 
James  Varnum, 
Robert  Calfe. 

1750,  John  Webfter, 
Nathan  Webster. 
Matthew  Forsaitb. 

1731,  John  Webster. 

Matthew  Eorsaith, 
Nathan  Webster. 

1752,  John  Robie, 
Andrew  Craige, 
Bradbury  Carr. 

1753,  Jobn  Webster, 
Andrew  McFarland, 
John  Robie. 

1754,  Thomas  Haspeltine, 
James  Sherala, 
Samuel  Robie. 

1755,  Henry  Hall, 
John  Haseltine, 
Andrew  Jack. 

1756,  John  Robie, 
Andrew  Craige, 
Jacob  Basford. 

1857,  Samuel  Robie, 

Andrew  Jack, 

Nathan  Webster. 
1758,  Thomas  Hasseltine, 

Stephen  Webster, 

James  Quantan. 


1759,  Samuel  Hills, 
Andrew  Jack, 
Stefdieu  Webster. 

1760,  John  Robie, 
Jona.  liluiit, 
John  Tolford. 

1761,  Samuel  Robie, 
Nathan  Webster, 
Hugh  Crombie. 

1762,  John  Webster, 
Bradbury  Carr, 
Mattliew  Forsaith. 

17C3,  Matthew  Forsaith, 
Nathan  Webster, 
Benjamin  Hills. 

1764,  Robert  Wilson,  Jr., 
John  Rotiie, 
Abraham  Fitts. 

1765,  Robert  Wilson, 
Jabez  French, 
John  Webster. 

17G6,  Matthew  For»alth, 
John  Robie, 
Nathan  Wei)8ter. 

17C7,John  Underbill, 
Roljert  Wilson, 
Ebenezer  Dearborn. 

1768,  John  Underliill, 
Robert  Wilson, 
John  Lane. 

1769,  Steiihen  Morse, 
Thomas  McMaster, 
John  Ordway. 

1770,  John  Robie, 
Andrew  .luck, 
Natlian  AVobster. 

1771,J«lin  Robie, 
Andrew  .Jack, 
Nathan  Wel)ster. 

1772,  Samuel  Robie, 
Joseph  True, 
Robert  AV'ilson. 

1773,  Samuel  Robie, 
Joseph  True, 
Robert  Wilson. 

1774,  Samuel  Robie, 
Joseph  True, 
Robert  Wilson. 

1775,  Dr.  John  Ordway, 
Nathan  Fitts, 
AVilliam  White. 

1776,  Stephen  Dearborn, 
David  Witherspoon, 
Benjamin  Hills. 

1777,  Stephen  Morse, 
William  White, 
Nathan  Fitts. 

1778,  William  White, 
Nathan  Fitts, 
Samuel  Haseltine. 

1779,  Pearson  Richardson, 
Henry  Moore, 
Edward  Robie. 

1780,  Josiah  Forsaith, 
Isaac  Hills, 
.Tosiah  Flagg. 

1781,  Stephen  Morse, 
Benjamin  Hills, 
William  White. 

1782,  Jabez  Hoit, 
Stephen  Morse, 
Joseph  Blanchard. 

1783,  Jabez  Hoit, 
Joseph  Lynn, 
Isaac  Blasd«l. 


TOWN   OFFICERS, 


457 


1784,  Isaac  Blasdel, 
Jabez  Hoit, 
William  TATiite. 

17S5,  Isiac  Blasdel, 
"William  White, 
Steiilien  Dearborn, 

1786,  Robert  Wilson, 
Stephen  Dearborn, 
Benjamin  Long. 

1787,  Robert  Wilson, 
Stephen  Dearborn, 
Benjamin  Long. 

1788,  Isaac  Blasdel, 
William  White, 
Stephen  Chase. 

1789,  Isaac  Blat^del, 
William  White, 
Stephen  Chase. 

1790,  Isaac  Blasdel, 
William  White, 
Stephen  Chase. 

1791,  Isaac  Blasdel, 
William  White, 
Stephen  Chase. 

1792,  William  White, 
Stephen  Chase, 
Simon  Towle. 

1793,  William  White, 
Stephen  Chase, 
Simon  Towle. 

1794,  Stephen  Dearborn, 
John  Graham, 
Benjamin  Hall. 

1795,  Stephen  Dearborn, 
William  White, 
Stephen  Chase. 

1796,  Stephen  Dearborn, 
William  White, 
Stephen  Chase. 

1797,  Stephen  Chase, 
John  Emerson, 
John  Wilson,  Jr. 

1798,  Stephen  Def-rborn, 
John  Emerson, 
John  Wilson,  Jr. 

1799,  William  Moore,  Jr., 
Benjamin  Hall, 

:B.  Pike  Chase. 

1800,  William  Moore,  Jr., 
Benjamin  Hall, 

B.  Pike  Chase. 

1801,  William  Moore,  Jr., 
Benjamin  Hall, 

B.  Pike  Chase. 

1802,  Stephen  Chase, 
John  Wilson, 
Josiah  L'nderhill. 

1803,  Stephen  Chase, 
John  Wilson, 
Abraham  Towle. 

1804,  Stephen  Chase, 
John  Wilson, 
Abraham  Towle. 

1805,  Stephen  Chase, 
John  Wilson, 
Abraham  Towle, 

1806,  Stephen  Chase, 
John  Wilson, 
Abraham  Towle. 

1807,  James  Orr, 
Josiah  Forsaith, 
John  Folsom. 

1808,  James  Orr, 
Josiah  Forsaith, 
John  Folsom. 

1809,  Joseph  Blauchard, 
Stephen  Chase, 
Ezekiel  Blake. 


1810,  Joseph  Blanchard, 
Stephen  Chase, 
Ezekiel  Blake. 

1811,  William  White, 
Benjamin  True, 
Richard  Dearborn, 

1812,  William  White, 
William  Moore, 
Wilham  Graham. 

1813,  Joseph  Blanchard, 
William  Moore, 
William  Graham. 

1814,  Joseph  Blanchard, 
William  Graham, 
Josiah  Worthen. 

1815,  Joseph  Blanchard, 
Benjamin  Fitts, 
Josejih  Robinson. 

1816,  Joseph  Blanchard, 
Benjamin  Fitts, 
Joseph  Robinson. 

1817,  William  Graham, 
I^Ioses  Haselton, 
Jesse  J.  Underbill. 

1818,  William  Graham, 
Moses  Haselton, 
Jesse  J.  Underhiy. 

1819,  William  Graham, 
Jesse  J.  Underbill, 
Samuel  Aiken. 

1820,  Samuel  Aiken, 
William  H.  Underbill, 
Ei)hraim  Kellv. 

1821,  William  H.  Uiiderlull, 
Ephraim  Kelly, 
William  ^Moore. 

1822,  John  Folsom, 
Josiah  Chase. 
Lemuel  W.  Blake. 

1823,  John  Folsom, 
Josiah  Chase, 
Lemuel  W.  Blake. 

1824,  John  Folsom, 
Josiah  Chase, 
Jethro  Sleeper. 

1825,  Samuel  Aiken, 
Nathan  Knowles,  3d, 
Walter  Morse. 

1826,  Samuel  Aiken, 
Nathan  Knowles,  3d, 
Walter  Morse. 

1827,  Samuel  Aiken, 
Thomas  Coffiji, 
Daniel  Wilson. 

1828,  Josiah  Chase, 
Thomas  Coflin, 
Daniel  Wilson. 

1829,  John  Folsom, 
David  Currier,  Jr., 
William  Haselton. 

1830,  David  Currier,  Jr., 
William  Haselton, 
Zaccheus  Colby. 

1831,  Stephen  Dearborn, 
Benjamin  Fitts,  Jr., 
Isaac  Lane,  Jr. 

1832,  Stephen  Dearborn, 
Benjamin  Fitts,  Jr., 
Isaac  Lane.  Jr. 

1833,  Benjamm  Fitts,  Jr., 
Joseph  Chase, 
Robert  S.  Prench. 

1834,  Joseph  Chase, 
Robert  S.  French, 
William  H.  UnderhiL'. 

1835,  Joseph  Chase. 
AVilliam  H.  Underbill, 
Samuel  Anderson. 


458 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


1836,  Samuel  Amlerson, 
Joliii  S.  Brown, 
Ilobert  Sbirley,  Jr. 

1837,  John  Folsom, 
Robert  Shirley,  Jr., 
Richard  Dearborn. 

1838,  Samuel  Aiken, 
Amos  Chase, 
Benjamin  White. 

1839,  Ephraim  Orcutt, 
Amos  Chase, 
Benjamin  'WTiite. 

1840,  Ephraim  OrcUtt, 
Benjamin  Fitts,  Jr., 
Isiiac  Lane,  Jr. 

1841,  John  Loclie,  Jr., 
John  Lane,  Jr. 
Franlilin  Crombie. 

1842,  Noah  Weeks, 
Benjamin  Fitts,  Jr., 
Jam.es  Brown. 

1843,  John  White, 
John  W.  Noyes, 
James  M.  Kent. 

1844,  Abel  a.  Quigg, 
James  Brown, 
True  T.  LoAe. 

1845,  Tliomas  J.  .Melvin, 
James  M.  Kent, 
Samuel  Amlerson. 

1846,  Thomas  J.  Melvin, 
James  JI  Kent, 
George  W.  Hook, 

'",  Jolm  S.  Couch, 
Silas  F.  Leariianl, 
Nehemiah  Simonds. 

1848,  ]Ienry  F.  Chiuse, 
Daniel  Sanborn, 
Asa  Wilson. 

1849,  Henry  F.  Chase, 
Alfred  S.  Dearborn, 
Thomas  F.  Revnokls. 

1850,  Henry  F.  Chas"e, 
Thomas  F.  Reynolds. 
Amos  Haselton. 

1851,  Ejihraim  Orcutt, 
Amos  Haselton, 
William  P.  Underbill. 

1852,  Ephraim  Orcutt, 
William  V.  Underbill, 
Hiram  Pressey. 


1847 


1853,  William  P.  UnderMll, 
Hiram  Pressey, 
Rufus  W.  Moore, 

1854,  James  JI.  Kent, 
Rufus  W.  Moore, 
Austin  G.  Merril. 

1855,  .lames  M.  Kent, 
Austin  G.  Merril, 
Parker  Morse. 

1856,  Parker  Morse, 
Thomas  F.  Reynolds, 
Henry  Moor. 

1857,  Thomas  F.  Reynolds, 
Henry  Moor, 
George  Marden. 

1858,  Henry  3Ioor, 
George  Marden, 
Lewis  Kimball. 

1859,  James  M.  Kent, 
Lewis  Kimball, 
Charles  Cliase. 

1860,  Thonijis  J.  Melvin, 
Charles  Chase, 
Hiram  Basford. 

1861,  Thomas  .J.  Melvin, 
Hiram  Basford, 
PMwin  Haselton. 

1862,  Thomas  J.  Jlelvin, 
Edwin  Haselton, 
"William  T.  Green. 

1863,  James  M.  Kent, 
William  T.  Green, 
Eben.  Marden. 

1864,  James  M.  Kent, 
William  T.  Green, 
Eben.  Marden. 

1865,  Thomas  J.  Melvin, 
Lucion  Kent, 
Joshua  B.  Cheswell. 

1866,  Lucien  Kent, 
Joshua  B.  Cheswell, 
George  W.  Clark. 

1867,  George  W.  Clark, 
James  R.  Gordon, 
Anders<m  Holman. 

1868,  James  R.  Gordon, 
Anderson  Holman 
William  Crawford. 

1869,  William  Crawford, 
Charles  S.  Wilcomb, 
James  D.  Lane. 


BEPRE.SENTATrVES. 


1744,  Precept  sent  out  by  the  Governor. 

Benj .  Hill  elected,  but  not  received 

by  the  House. 
1748,  Capt.  Abel  Morse. 
1752,  Sylvanus  Smith. 
1755,  Samuel  Emerson. 
1758,  Capt.  Abel  Morse. 
1765,  John  Webster. 
1768,  John  Webster. 
1771,  .John  AVebster. 
1774,  .Jolm  Webster. 
1776  to  1778,  Robert  Wilson, 

1779,  John  Webster, 
Robert  Wilson. 

1780,  Jacob  Chase, 
Robert  Wilson. 


1781,  John  Underbill, 
Robert  Wilson. 

1782,  Jacob  Chase, 
William  White. 

1783,  Jabez  Hoit, 
William  White. 

1784,  .John  Un<lerhill. 

1785,  William  White. 
3786,  John  Underbill. 

1787  to  1793,  .Joseph  Blanchard. 
1794,  1795,  Arthur  Livermore. 
1796  to  1798,  William  White. 
1799,  1800,  Simon  Towle. 

1801,  William  White. 

1802,  Henry  Sweetser. 


TOWN   OFFICERS. 


459 


REPEESENTATIVES  A2fD  VOTES  FOB  GOTEENOK. 


At  this  time  the  lines  of  party  were  drawn,  and  those  names  with  a  star  indicate 
RepuhUcans,  while  the  others  are  Federals.  I  have  also  given  the  votes  for  Governor, 
indicated  in  the  same  manner. 

The  old  parties  were  dissolved  under  Monroe's  second  term. 


1803,  Henry  Sweetser,* 

John  T.  Gihnan, 

177 

John  Langdon,* 

57 

18M,  Henrv  Sweetser,* 

J.  T.  Oilman, 

158 

J.  Langdon,* 

79 

1805,  Henrv  Sweetser,* 

J.  T. 'Gihnan, 

143 

J.  Langdon.* 

129 

1806,  Henry  Sweetser,* 

John  Langdon,* 

119 

Levi  Bartlett, 

63 

180T,  Henry  Sweetser,* 

John  Langdon, 

115 

Levi  Bartlett. 

81 

1808,  Henry  Sweetser,* 

John  Langdon,* 

118 

J.  T.  Gihnan, 

11 

1809,  John  Folsom, 

John  Langdon,* 

136 

Jeremiah  Smith, 

211 

1810,  John  Folsom, 

Jeremiah  Smith, 

164 

John  Langdon* 

143 

1811,  Henry  Sweetser,* 

Jolir.Langdon,* 

173 

Jere.  Smith, 

146 

1812,  John  Folsom,    . 

J.  T.  Gihnan, 

196 

William  Plummer,* 

126 

1813,  John  Folsom, 

John  T.  Gihnan, 

197 

"William  riummer,* 

126 

181-1,  John  Folsom, 

J.  T.  Gilman, 

211 

William  Plummer,* 

175 

1815,  John  Folsom, 

William  Moore, 

J.  T.  Gilman, 

216 

William  IPlummer,* 

152 

1816,  John  Folsom, 

William  Moore, 

William  Plummer,* 

187 

James  Sheaf, 

214 

1817,  William  Moore, 

Benjamin  Fitts, 

Wiliiam  Plummer,* 

174 

James  Sheaf, 

1G6 

1818,  William  Moore, 

Benjamin  Fitts, 

W'iliiam  Plummer,* 

135 

William  Htile, 

69 

1819,  John  Folsom, 

Charles  Goss,* 

Samuel  Bell,* 

111 

AVilliam  Hale, 

2§ 

1820,  John  Folsom, 

Charles  Goss,* 

Samuel  Bell,* 

256 

1821,  Samuel  Aiken, 

Charles  Goss,* 

Samuel  Bell.* 

260 

1822,  Samuel  Aiken, 

William  Moore, 

Samuel  Bell,* 

236 

1823,  Samuel  Aiken, 

William  Graham,' 

Levi  Woodbury, 

159 

Samuel  Diusm"ore,* 

67 

1824,  Samuel  Aiken, 
William  Graham, 
Levi  Woodbury, 
David  L.  ]VIorrU, 

1825,  Samuel  Aiken, 
Samuel  D.  Bell, 
David  L.  Morril, 

1826,  Samuel  D.  Bell, 
Samuel  Aiken, 
David  L.  Morril, 
Benjamin  Pierce,* 

1827,  Samuel  Aiken, 
Jesse  J.  Underbill, 
Ber^jamin  Pierce,* 
David  L.  Morril, 

1828,  Jesse  J.  UnderhUl, 
John  Bryant, 
John  Bell, 
Benjamin  Pierce,* 

1829,  John  Bryant, 
John  Folsom, 
John  Bell, 
Benjamin  Pierce,* 

1830,  John  Folsom, 
Samuel  Aiken, 
Timothy  Upham, 
Matthew  Harvey,* 

1831,  Samuel  Aiken, 
John  Brvant, 
Ichabod  Bartlett, 
Samuel  Dinsmore,* 

1832,  David  Currier,  Jr., 
Samuel  Aiken, 
Ichabod  Bartlett, 
Samuel  Dinsmore,* 

1833,  David  Currier,  Jr., 
Stephen  Dearborn,* 
Samuel  Dinsmo  re,* 

1834,  Stephen  Dearborn,* 
Jesse  J.  Underbill, 
William  Badger,* 

1835,  Jesse  J.  Underbill, 
Ephraim  Orcutt, 
Joseph  Healey, 
William  Badger,* 

1836,  Ephraim  Orcutt, 
David  Currier,  Jr„ 
Isaac  Hill,* 
Joseph  Healey, 

1837,  Isaac  Tompkins, 
David  Currier,  Jr., 
Isaac  Hill,* 

1838,  Isaac  Tompkins, 
Joseph  Chase, 
James  Wilson,  Jr., 
Isaac  Hill,* 

1839,  Isaac  Tompkins, 
Joseph  Chase, 
James  Wilson, 
John  Page,* 

1840,  David  Currier,  Jr., 
Isaac  Tompkins, 
Enos  Stevens, 
John  Page,* 

1841,  John  W.  Noyes, 
John  S.  Brown, 
Enos  Stevens, 
John  Page,* 


128 

75 


202 


88 


146 
9 


263 

59 


296 
70 


256 

87 


242 
90 


194 
93 


12T 
164 


155 
137 


96 
26 


99 


274 
121 


209 
115 


178 
159 


200 
131 


460 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


1842,  John  W.  Noyes, 

Daviii  Pillsbury,* 

Henry  Hubbard,* 

147 

Euos  Stevens, 

91 

1843,  .Te.«se  J.  Umlerhill, 

William  Brown,  Jr., 

Henry  Hubbard,* 

171 

Anthony  Colby, 

14C 

1844,  David  Pillsbury,* 

Stei)hen  Dearborn,* 

John  H.  Steel,* 

200 

Anthony  Colbv, 

172 

Daniel  Hoit,  ""Free  Soil," 

26 

1845,  John  Folsoni, 

Ephraini  Orcutt, 

Anthony  Colbv, 

225 

John  H.  Steel',* 

201 

Daniel  Hoit,  F.  S., 

19 

1846,  G.  \y.  Everet,  F.  S., 

Jared  W.  Williams,* 

1.39 

Anthony  Colby, 

113 

Nathl.  S.  Berry,  F.  S. 

39 

1847,  Thomas  J.  Melvin, 

Jared  W.  Williams,* 

1-23 

Antlionv  Colby, 

121 

Nathl.  S.  Berry,  F.  S., 

37 

1848,  Thomas  J.  Melvin, 

N'athl.  S.  Berry,  F.  S., 

102 

Jared  W.  Williams,* 

133 

1849,  William  Greenough, 

Xathaniel  S.  Berry,  F.  S., 

26 

Samuel  Dinsmore,* 

133 

Levi  Chamberlain, 

129 

1850,  Thomas  J.  Melvin, 

Samm-l  Dinsmore,* 

132 

Levi  (Jhamberlain, 

•    144 

Nathl.  S.  Berrv, 

10 

1851,  Thomas  J.  Melvin, 

Samuel  Dinsmore,* 

97 

Thos.  E.  Sawyer, 

92 

John  Atwood;  F.  S. 

44 

1852,  Thomas  E.  Sawyer, 

135 

Noah  Martin,* 

131 

John  At  wood,  F.  S. 

34 

1653,  Ji>lin  W.  Noyes, 

James  Bell, 

1.55 

Noah  ;\Iartin,* 

131 

John  H.  White, 

25 

1854,  John  W.  Noyes, 

James  Bell, 

148 

Nathl.  B.  Baker,* 

108 

Jared  Perkins,  F.  S. 

20 

1855,  Edmund  Sleeper, 

James  Bell, 

37 

Nathl.  B.  Baker,* 

105 

Ilalph  Metcalf, 

165 

1856,  John  Lock, 

Ichabod  Goodwin, 

30 

John  S.  Wells,* 

101 

Ralph  Metcalf,  Rep. 

136 

1857,  James  M.  Kent, 

John  S.  Wells,* 

Si 

William  Haile, 

152 

1858,  Osgood  Richards, 

Asa  P.  Gate.* 

90 

William  Haile, 

166 

1859,  Jacob  Chase, 

A.sa  P.  Cate,* 

106 

Ich.abod  Goodwin, 

162 

1860,  Parker  Morse, 

Asa  P.  Cate,* 

93 

Ichabod  Goodwin, 

193 

18G1,  Daniel  Bell, 

George  Stark,* 
Nathl.  S.  Berry, 

90 

174 

1862,  Henry  Moore, 

Nathl.  S.  Berry, 

159 

George  Stark,* 

79 

Paul  J.  Wlieeler, 

20 

1863,  Silas  F.  Learnard, 

Joseph  A.  Gilmore, 

124 

Ira  A.  Eastman,* 

92 

Walter  Harriman, 

62 

1864,  William  Crawford, 

Joseph  A.  Gilmore, 

210 

Edward  W.  Harrington,* 

70 

1865,  William  Crawlbrd, 

Frederick  Smyth, 

179 

Edward  W.  Harrington,* 

78 

1866,  AVilliam  Tenney, 

Frederick  Smyth, 

190 

John  G.  Sinclair,* 

78 

1867,  David  L.  BacheMer, 

Walter  Harriman, 

204 

John  G.  Sinclair,* 

£8 

1868,  David  L.  Bachelder, 

Walter  Harriman, 

208 

John  G.  Sinclair,* 

101 

1869,  Rufus  W.  Moore, 

Onslow  Stearns, 

183 

John  Bedel,* 

74 

TOWN    OFFICERS   IN   AUBURN. 


MODEKATOR3. 


1846,  Stephen  Dearborn, 
1847  to  18.52,  Franklin  Crombie, 
18.53,  '54,  Andrew  F.  Fox, 
18.55.  'oil,  Franklin  Crombie, 
1857,  '58,  John  F.  Patten, 


1S.59,  Franklin  Crombie, 
1860,  Elisha  A.  Heath, 
1861  to  '63,  Andrew  F.  Fox, 
1864  to  '69,  Franklin  Crombie. 


TO'^r:^  CI.ERK.S. 


1816  to  '49,  Samuel  Anderson, 
18.50  to  '54,  Harrison  Burnham, 
1855,  Jacob  Lufkin, 
l85'3  to  '58,  Nathl.  Brown, 

1859,  John  Moore, 

1860,  '61,  Samuel  Dame, 


1862,  Luther  Brown, 

1863,  Harrison  Burnham, 

1864  to  '66,  Evander  G.  Preston, 

1867,  Harrison  Burnham, 

1868,  '69,  Evander  G.  Preston. 


TOWN   OFFICERS. 


461 


1846,  Jatnes  Bro-wu, 
James  Hoit, 
Samuel  Murray. 

1847,  David  Currier, 
Pike  Chase, 
Stephen  Dearborn. 

1848,  Pike  Chase, 
Geo.  P.  Clarke, 
Andrew  F.  Fox. 

1849,  Pike  Chase, 
William  Hoyt, 
Freileric  A.  ilorse. 

1850,  Stephen  Dearborn, 
Andrew  F.  Fox, 
Elislia  A.  Heath. 

1851,  Andrew  F.  Fox, 
Elisha  A.  Heath, 
Gilman  C.  Smith. 

1852,  Elisha  A.  Heath, 
.James  Underhill, 
Willard  G.  Watson. 

1853,  Elisha  A.  Heath, 
James  Underhill. 
Willard  G.  Watson. 

1854,  Andrew  F.  Fox, 
Oliver  Miles, 
George  G.  Griffin. 

1855,  Hugh  Crombie, 
William  Hall, 
William  B.  Brown. 

1856,  Franklin  Crombie, 
William  B.  Brown, 
Paschal  Preston. 

1857,  Franklin  Crombie, 
David  L.  Osgood, 
Wm.  W.  Leighton. 


SELECTMEN. 


1858,  David  L.  Osgood, 
William  H.  .Murrav, 
Kathan  B.  Goldsmith. 

1859,  Hugh  Crombie, 
William  H.  Murray, 
Enoch  G.  Watson. 

18G0,  Ehsha  A.  Heath, 
Stephen  Kimball, 
Alfred  T.  Wood. 

18G1,  Andrew  F.  Fox, 
Alfred  T.  Wood, 
Hidden  Brown. 

1862,  Andrew  F.  Fox, 
Stephen  Emery, 
Nathan  K.  Harwood. 

1863,  Andrew  F.  Fox, 
Ehen.  ^I.  Leavett, 

Abraham  Hook. 

1864,  John  Moore, 
Hugh  Crombie, 
Foster  Berry. 

1865,  Franklin  Crombie, 
Mosee  C.  Clark, 
Edwin  Plumnier. 

1866,  Franklin  Crombie, 
Moses  C.  Clark, 
Edwin  Pluromer. 

1867,  Andrew  F.  Fox, 
Jacob  Lufkin, 
Charles  C.  Grant. 

1868,  Jacob  Lufkin, 
Charles  C.  Grant, 
Arthur  Dinsmore. 

1869,  Charles  C.  Grant, 
Arthur  Dinsmore, 
Henry  Dockham. 


1846,  Samuel  Anderson, 
Jared  W.  Williams,* 
Anthony  Colbv, 

Nath.  Sl  Berry,  Free  Soil, 

1847,  Samuel  Amlefsun, 
Jared  W.  Williams,* 
Autlionv  Colby, 
Nathl.  S.  Berry, 

1848,  Franklin  Crombie, 
Jared  W.  Williams,* 
Kathl.  S.  Berrv, 

1849,  Franklin  Crombie, 
Levi  Chamberlain, 
Samuel  Dinsmore,* 
Xathl.  S.  Berrv, 

1850,  Hiaden  Brown',* 
Samuel  Dinsmore,* 
Levi  Chamberlain, 
Nathl.  S.  Berrv, 

1851,  Hidden  Brown,* 
Samuel  Dinsmore,* 
Thomas  C.  Sawver, 
John  Atwoo<i,  F.  S., 

1852,  Anilrew  F.  Fox,* 
Noah  Martin,* 
Thomas  K.  Sawver, 
John  Atwood.  F.  S., 

1853,  Andrew  F.  Fox,* 
Noah  Martin,*  ' 
James  Bell, 

John  H.  White,  F.  S., 

1854,  Elisna  A.  Heath,* 
Nathl.  B.  Baker,* 
James  B3II, 

Jared  Perkins,  F.  S., 

1855,  Voltaire  E.  Lary, 
Nath.  B.  Baker,* 
Ralph  Metcalf, 

1856,  Hu-h  Cr  .mbie, 
Ralph  Metcalf,  Repub., 
Johns.  Wells,* 


KEl'KESEXTATITES  AND  VOTES  FOR  GOVERNOR. 


1857 

,  Hugh  Crombie, 

85 

William  Haile, 

79 

John  S.  Wells,* 

14 

1858; 

,  William  W.  Leigbton, 
AVilliam  Haile, 

78 

Asa  P.  Gate,* 

78 

1859, 

John  Clark, 

24 

Ichabod  Goodwin, 
Asa  P.  Gate,* 

78 

1860, 

1  George  P.  Clark,* 

106 

Ichabod  Goodwin, 
Asa  P.  Cate,* 

79 

1861, 

,  Geo.  P.  Clark,* 

85 

George  Stark,* 

14 

Nathl.  S.  Berry, 

1862, 

1  William  Vincent,* 

85 

George  Stark,* 

75 

Nathl.  S.  Berry, 

14 

1863 

,  William  Vincent,* 
Ira  A.  Easlmau,* 

89 

Joseph  A.  Gilmore, 

73 

Walter  Harriman, 

31 

1864, 

,  Paschal  Preston, 
Jo>eph  A.  Gilmore, 

83 

Edward  W.  Harrington, 

57 

1865, 

,  Paschal  Preston, 

32 

Frederick  Smvth, 
E<lward  W.  Harrington, 

89 

1866, 

,  Samuel  F.  Murry, 

56 

Frederick  Smyth, 

25 

John  G.  Sinclair,* 

1867, 

,  Pike  Chase, 

89 

Walter  Harriman, 

52 

John  G.  Sinclair,* 

37 

1868; 

,  Rev.  James  Holmes, 
Walter  Harriman, 

93 

John  G.  Sinclair,* 

116 

1869 

,  Jacob  Lul  kin. 
Onflow  Stearns, 

119 

John  Bedel.* 

81 

107 
80 

108 
89 

101 
101 

113 
116 

122 
110 

97 
81 

lU 
77 
23 

113 

91 

96 
67 

108 
71 

104 
89 

111 

97 

105 
79 


CHAPTER     XVII. 

A     NOTICE    OP   THE    EARLY    SETTLERS,    OR    THE   GENEALOGICAL 
AND   BIOGRAPHICAL   HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

AIKEN. 

John  Aiken  was  born  in  Ireland  about  1689,  and  came  to  this 
country,  it  is  said,  witli  John  Tolford,  who  was  in  Bradford  in 
1724.  He  appears  first  on  Chester  records  in  1730,  when  a  grant 
of  land  is  made  to  him  to  encourage  liini  to  build  a  grist-mill,  and 
a  I'oad  was  laid  out  across  his  home  lot  No.  145,  where  he  then 
lived,  and  on  the  northeast  end  of  which  he  built  the  first  grist- 
mill in  Chester.  lie  afterwards  purchased  two  other  lots,  ^os.  58 
and  14G,  where  he  afterwards  built.  The  subsequent  occupants 
of  the  first  lot  have  been  his  son  John,  Jr.,  Moses  Hills,  and  John 
Ilaselton ;  of  the  last,  Josiah  Dearborn,  Benjamin  Hills,  Read 
and  Pcabod}'.  He  appears  to  have  been  an  energetic  business 
jnan,  and  his  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Karr,  is  reported  to 
have  been  a  veiy  shrewd  manager  after  his  decease,  and  that  they 
gave  their  children  a  good  education  for  the  times.  They  had 
two  sons,  John  and  James.  John,  Jr.,  was  a  millwright,  and 
married.  They  had  five  daughters : — ^Margaret,  m.  William  Gra- 
ham, Sen.,  and  came  to  the  Long  Meadows;  Martha,  m.  John 
"Waddel,  of  Londonderry,  and  d.  March  23,  1817,  a.  eighty-eight; 
Jane,  m.  James  Crosett,  at  the  Long  Meadows,  and  went  to  the 
Mohawk  country;  Elizabeth,  m.  a  Taylor,  of  Derry,  and  has  de- 
scendants there;  Mary,  born  1739,  m.  John  Karr,  of  the  east 
part  of  Derry.  She  had  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  the  young- 
est of  whom,  Elizabeth,  m.  Edmund  Adams,  of  Derry,  at  the 
mills,  whose  children  yet  reside  there.  John  Aiken's  will  is  dated 
Nov.  22,  1750.  He  d.  Dec.  1,  1750;  will  proved  Dec.  26,  1750; 
personal  estate,  £1982;  real,  £4000. 

Samuel  Aiken  was  a  younger  brother  of  John ;  and  there  was 
another  brother,  William,  an  educated  clergyman,  who  d.  in  Ire- 
land before  Samuel  came  over.  Samuel  m.  a  Young  in  Ireland, 
and  came  over  about  1736,  and  had  a  very  long  passage.    They 


GENEALOGY — AIKEN.  463 

came  into  Portsmouth,  and  lived  a  while  in  Greenland,  and  then 
came  to  Chester.  June  22,  1738,  he  purchased  one  half  of  Xo. 
82,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and  settled  where  Charles  C.  Grant  now  lives  in 
Auburn.  Tliey  afterwards  purchased  the  other  half  of  the  lot, 
and  settled,  James  on  the  northeast  end,  v/here  Deacon  Brigham 
lately  lived,  and  Peter  on  the  southwest  end.  There  were,  at  the 
time  of  his  settlement,  two  families  of  friendly  Indians  living 
near.     They  probably  had  two  sons  b.  in  Ireland. 

I.  William,  settled  at  the  "  Xeck,"  between  Severance  and 
Spotford,  and  went  to  Passamoquoddy,  and  was  with  his  wife 
drowned,  leaving  a  dau.  Sarah,  and  sons,  "William,  James  and 
Robert,  who  lived  with  their  grandfather.  James  and  Roberfc 
went  to  Bunker  Hill  and  never  returned.  {Mrs.  Whittier.) 
n.  James,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Andrew  McFarland.  Children: — 
Andrew,  b.  1755;  William,  d.  young;  Margaret;  Samuel,  b. 
1761,  m.  Martha,  dau.  of  "William  Graham;  James,  b.  1762;  John, 
b.  176i,  m.  Betsy,  dau.  of  Archi.  McDuffee,  d.  July  1801;  Mary, 
b.  1774,  m.  Stephen  Heath.  James,  Sen.,  Andrew,  James,  Jr., 
and  John,  are  said  to  have  been  in  the  Eevolutionary  army. 
James  and  James,  Jr.,  d.  there,  and  Andrew  was  wounded.  The 
widow  d.  April  2,  1818,  a,  85. 

III.  Peter,  b.  on  the  passage  from  Ireland,  used  to  say  that  he 
was  not  born  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  He  m.  Eebecca,  dau.  of 
Thomas  Fowler ;  lived  on  his  father's  lot,  and  on  the  southwest 
end  of  Xo.  83,  where  Benjamin  Crosett  had  lived.    Children: — 

Eebecca,  m.  John,  son  of  Jona.  Emery;  Peter ;  Thomas ;  and 
Samuel,  m.  Sally  Coffin,  about  whom  there  was  a  lawsuit  between 
Chester  and  Derry.  They  all  went  to  Canada.  Peter  Aiken  d, 
Oct.  21,  1806;  Eebecca  d.  1796. 

IV.  Sarah,  m.  Eobcrt  Witherspoon. 

V.  Samuel,  m.  Isabella  McDoIe,  of  Gotfstown,  and  lived  on  the 
homestead.  He  d,  Jan.  4,  1825,  a.  76 ;  she  d.  March  18,  1837,  a. 
78.    ChilcU-en:— 

1.  Eosanna,  b.  March  2,  1784,  m.  Alex.  McGregore  and  Dear- 
born "Whittier;  d.  Xov.  23,  1867.  She  had  a  very  retentive  mem- 
ory, and  gave  much  tradition  about  the  Aiken  families,  and  Long 
Meadow  people  generally.  Her  grandmother  lived  till  she  was 
twelve  years  old,  and  she  used  to  read  for  her  the  old  letters  re- 
ceived from  John  Aiken  and  John  Tolford  to  them  in  Ireland. 

2.  Samuel,  b.  Jan,  10,  1786,  m.  Xancy  Marston,  of  Hampton, 
Oct.  15,  1811.  He  was  famous  as  a  teacher,  was  a  military  officer, 
and  a  magistrate;  was  representative  several  times,  and  held 
various  other  offices,  and  was  a  trader.  He  d.  March  30,  1840 ; 
she  d.  Aug.  6,  1867,  a.  85,  They  had 'several  children  who  d. 
young.    Those  who  survived  were 


464  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

ISTanc}',  b.  April  3,  1816,  ra.  John  W.  Xoj'cs;  Jane,  July  16, 
1818,  ra.  Prof.  Daniel  J.  Noycs;  Isabel,  b.  Dec.  16,  1820. 

Samuel  and  Isabella  also  had 

3.  Lucy,  b.  June  7,  1788,  m.  Alvin  Jones,  of  Boston,  m.  (2) 
James  Ray,  d.  Sep.  20,  1854;  4.  Jane,  b.  Aug.  6,  1790,  u.m.;  5. 
John,  b.  Jau  2,  1793,  went  to  Belfost ;  6.  Williani,  b.  April  25, 
1795,  m.  Betsy,  dau.  of  Archi.  McDutFee;  7.  Katharine,  b.  April 
14j  1798,  d.  suddenly  of  some  malignant  disease,  Sept.  9,  1819; 
8,  Mary,  b.  June  20,  1800,  m.  Levi  Whitney,  of  Boston;  is  now 
alive;  9.  Robert,  b.  Feb.  5,  1804. 


AMBROSE. 

Nathl.  Ambrose  was  the  son  of  Henry  and  Hannah,  and  was 
b.  at  Salisbury,  Mass.,  Dec,  14,  1677;  m.  Sarah  Eastman,  Dec, 
1697.     Children:— 

I.  Elizabeth,  b.  Oct.  2,  1698,  m.  Sampson  TTnderhill  and  Benj. 
Batcheldcr. 

II.  Henry,  b.  Aug.,  1701,  came  to  Chester,  d.  1746. 
HI.  John,  b.  Sept.  28,  1707. 

IV.  Sarah,  b.  June.  1716,  m.  a  Veasey. 

V.  Abigail,  m.  Joshua  Prescott. 

Nathl.  Ambrose  and  his  sons  Henry  and  John,  and  daughter 
Abigail,  probably  came  to  Chester  in  the  fall  of  1731.  Mr.  Am- 
brose bought  the  H.  L.  No.  110,  of  Alexander  Craig,  and  lived  a 
little  west  of  the  old  Presbyterian  meeting-house.  His  will  was 
dated  June  3,  1745,  proved,  June  26,  1745.  His  son  Henry  seems 
to  have  had  no  permanent  place  of  residence  in  Chester,  is  not 
named  in  the  will,  and  is  taxed  for  nothing  but  a  poll  in  1741. 

John's  wife  was  Elizabeth.  He  settled  on  Add.  No.  97,  a 
little  west  of  Francis  Hill's.  He  had  six  children,  Robei't,  the 
oldest  of  whom,  b.  March  6,  1732,  m.  Mary  Ethredge,  a  grand- 
daughter of  John  Calfe,  and  sister  to  Joshua  Hall's  wife.  John 
gave  to  Robert  one  half  of  his  farm,  but  he  sold  out  and  moved 
to  the  Easi  Village  at  Concord,  where  the  family  have  been  con- 
spicuous. 

ANDREWSON  OR  ANDERSON. 

Thomas  Andrewsox,  as  he  is  called  in  the  early  records,  or 
Andei'son,  the  present  name,  came  from  Ireland  at  the  same  time 
with  Da^ad  Dinsmore  at  the  age  of  13  years.  He  m.  Jean  Craige 
and  settled  on  No.  132,  2d  I^.  2d  D.,  where  Luther  Flint  now  lives 
in  Candia.  In  1762  there  was  an  article  in  the  warning  of  the 
towu-meeting  to  see  Avhat  the  town  would  do  about  a  road,  he 


GENEALOGY  —  BASFORD.  465 

having-  lived  in  town  more  than  five  yeai's  and  had  no  road.  It  is 
said  that  he  was  a  very  strong,  courageons  man  and  once  killed 
two  bears  with  a  pitch-wood  knot.  He  d.  Oigt.  10,  1804 ;  she  d. 
June,  1780.    Cliildren :—  \ 

1.  WaUam,  b.  Aug.  6,  1756;  m. ;  lived  on  No.  133,  2d  P., 

2d  D. ;  d.  Sept.  19,  1808. 

2.  Joseph,  b.  June  17,  1758. 

3.  John,  b.  Dec.  19,  1759;  went  to  Ohio, 

4.  Thomas,  b.  June  19,  1762 ;  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  James  Gra- 
ham, and  lived  at  the  Long  Meadows,  on  the  Arclii.  Miller  place, 
No.  81,  2d  P.  2d  D.    He  d.  Jan.  5,  1841 ;  she  d.  Aug.  1854,  a.  79. 

5.  Agnes,  b.  May  14,  1764 ;  m.  Thomas  "Wilson  of  Candia ;  d. 
April  5,  1803. 

6.  Joseph,  b.  Oct.  28,  1766;  went  to  Maine. 

7.  Allen,  b.  Feb.  25,  1769;  moved  to  Holden,  Mass.;  d.  June, 
1839. 

8.  Samuel,  b.  Aug.  23,  1771 ;  m.  (1)  Anna,  dau.  of  Moses  Sar- 
gent; m.  (2)  Mary,  sister  of  Ins  first  wife.  He  lived  first  on  the 
homestead  and  after  Chester  turnpike  was  built  he  built  there, 
and  was  widely  known  as  a  landlord.  See  *'  Fires.-'  He  d.  1850; 
his  first  wife  d.  1817. 

9.  Ilargaret,  b.  Dec.  9,  1773;  m.  (1)  John  Crawford;  m.  (2) 
Jonathan  Sanborn ;   d.  July  21,  1847. 

10.  David,  b.  Jan.  1,  1779;  m.  Lvdia  Aver;  lived  at  Lebanon, 
N.  H. 

Robert  Andrewsox  was  an  early  settler  on  No.  15,  4th  D.,  in 
Derryfield  (the  Daniel  Hall  place) .  On  the  Derryfield  records  is 
"  Eobert  Anderson,  son  of  John  and  Gieri  his  wife,  married 
Sarah  McQuestion,  danter  of  Hugh,  Dec'  2,  1742."  There  are  the 
births  of  "  Mary  and  Gien." 

ARWIN. 
Henry  Ar^vin  was  in  Chester  in  1757,  lived  and  kept  tavern 
after  the  Hatter  Underhill  style,  on  the  old  road,  on  No.  110,  4th 
D.,  and  sold  to  Ezra  Badger. 

BADGEE. 
Ezra  Badger  bought  Arwin's  tavern  stand ;  kept  a  tavern  in 
the  same  style,  the  guests  sleeping  on  the  floor.    Mrs.  Badger 
was  a  long  time  a  pauper,  and  d.  very  aged,  July  27,  1815. 

BASFORD. 

JACOB  BASFORD  was  a  grantee,  and  his  wife  was  Elizabeth, 

and  they  lived  at  Hampton.    In  1729,  he  deeded  his  estate  in 

Hamilton  to  his  eldest  son  Jajies,  then  of  Dover,  who  was  baptized 

May  9,  1697.    James,  about  1730,  came  to  Chester,  and  settled  on 

30 


466  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

H,  L.  146,  since  owned  by  Moses  Hills,  Jacob  Hills,  now  Calvin 
Hills.  He  owned  three  lots,  and  at  one  time  a  large  share  of  the 
old  saw-mill  and  the  saw-mill  grant,  and  seems  to  have  been  a 
trading  man,  thougli  not  very  thrifty,  as  there  are  a  lai'ge  number 
of  cases  of  debt  on  the  court  records  against  him,  which  were  de- 
faulted, and  his  mother  became  a  town  charge.  In  Oct.,  1735,  he 
deeded  his  farm  to  his  son  Jacob,  and  Jan.,  1737,  he  deeded  to 
Moses  Hills.  His  name  is  not  on  the  iuventoiy  of  1741,  but  there 
is  a  John,  probably  his  son,  rated  for  a  poll. 

Joseph  Basford,  probably  another  son  of  Jacob,  m.  Elizabeth, 
dau.  of  Jona.  Goodhue,  Jan.  8,  1746,  and  settled  at  the  Long 
Meadows,  on  No.  73,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  Wells  C.  Underbill  now 
lives.  The  old  house  was  taken  down  in  1851.  They  had  Jona- 
than, Joseph,  Jacob,  Benjamin,  Elizabeth,  James  and  Aaron,  but 
nothing  is  known  of  them.  In  March,  1760,  he  joined  with 
Nathaniel  Wood  and  Elizabeth  (the  Wid.  Goodliue),  in  selling  to 
Jabez  Hoit  H.  L.  No.  3,  the  Goodhue  or  Clay  place.  The  same 
year  he  sold  to  Wood,  and  in  1769  to  Moody  Chase,  and  in  1771 
to  Wells  Chase,  his  lands  at  the  Long  Meadows.  An  anecdote  is 
related  of  him,  that  while  residing  at  the  Long  Meadows,  some 
one  told  him  that  his  mother  had  fallen  into  the  well.  He  replied 
that  he  would  '•light  his  pipe  and  hasten P^ 

Jacob  Basford,  i)robably  another  son  of  the  grantee,  purchased 
the  east  half  of  No.  18,  2d  P.,  2dD.,  March,  1737,  and  settled  near 
where  Charles  Stevens  now  lives ;  he  married  Abigail  Silver,  at 
Haverhill,  April,  1734.  He  went  into  the  French  war  and  died, 
1700.  The  inventory  of  his  estate  was  returned,  Feb.,  1761. 
Children : — 

I.  John,  b.  1741,  lived  on  the  homestead,  and  went  to  Maine. 

II.  Ehenezer,  born  Nov.  9,  1744;  m.  (1)  Mary  Richardson,  Feb. 
14,1765;  lived  near  the  homestead.    Childien: — 

1.  Sarah,  born  1765.  2.  Moses.  3.  Abigail.  4.  Ebenezer.  5. 
and  6,  David  and  John,  1772.  7.  Reuben.  Hem.  (2)  Wid.  Me- 
hitabel  Young.  Children :  8.  Betsy,  b.  1781,  m.  AVilliam  Hoit,  Jr., 
d.  1807.  9.  Nathaniel.  10.  Walter,  b.  July  22,  1785,  m.  S'arah, 
dau.  of  John  Knowles,  Jr.  He  d.  Aug.  30,  1865;  she  d.  Oct.,  8, 
1859.  11.  Lucretia,  born  1787,  d.  1865.  12.  Mary,  1700.  13.  Amy, 
b.  Nov.  10,  1794. 

Ebenezer  d.  Sept.  21,  1816.     Mehitable  d.  April  10,  1836,  a.  84. 

III.  Abigail,  b.  Jan.  2,  1748. 

IV.  Jacob,  born  April  22,  1750;  m.  Abigail,  dau,  of  Jonathan 
Moulton,  and  lived  on  a  gore  between  Add.  Nos.  Ill  and  17,  2d  P., 
2d  D.,  N.  E.  side  of  Great  Hill.     Children  :— 

1.  Jonathan,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Geo.  Marden.  2.  Abigail, 
m.  John,  son  of  Dominicus  Prescott,  d.  1816.     3.  Rebecca,  m. 


GENEALOGY —  BACHELDER.  467 

Eobert  Knowles,  d.  Feb.  2,  1850.    4,  Josiah,  b.  April,  1785,  m. 
Betsy  Osgood  aud  lived  ou  the  homestead;    d.  Nov.  13,  1835. 
5.  Richard,  born  1789,  m.  Betsy,  dau.  of  Master  Morrice  Gibbons ; 
lived  near  the  homestead  for  a  time,  but  went  to  parts  unknown . 
Jacob  d.  1813;  his  widow  m.  Jonathan  Brown;  d.  1841. 

V.  James,  born  Aug.  8,  1754. 

VI.  Mary,  b.  1758. 

BAETLETT. 

AYlien  John  Calfe  sold  his  homestead  in  1745,  it  was  bounded 
by  Samuel  Bartlett,  who  lived  on  H.  L.  No.  37.  He  had  a  dau. 
Elizabeth;  m.  Jethro  Colby,  and  lived  there.  They  had  a  dau. 
Lydia,  m.  Edmund  Sleej)er  and  lived  there.  Mr.  Bartlett  had  a 
dau.  Abigail,  m.  Lieut.  Ezekiel  AYorthen.  He  d.  March  25, 
1762,  a.  57 ;  she  d.  April  1,  1801,  a.  85. 

BACHELDER. 

Page  Bachelder  was  a  son  of  Benjamin  B.  and  Susanna 
Page,  and  was  baptized  July  20,  1707.  In  1731,  when  the  road 
by  Asa  Wilson's  was  laid  out,  he  owned  H.  L.  No.  104,  and  i)rob- 
ably  lived  near  school-house  No.  4,  in  Chester,  and  about  that  time 
had  a  mortgage  of  James  Basford's  place.  He  afterwards  settled 
on  Add.  No.  bb,  afterwards  owned  by  Capt.  Edward  Preston,  W. 
H.  and  AV.  P.  Underbill.  He  m.  Elizabeth  Hill  March  24,  1744 
(perhaps  a  second  wife).     He  d.  175G. 

Benjamin  Bachelder  was  a  brother  of  Page ;  baptized  June, 
1708,  aud  lived  on  H.  L.  No.  138,  on  Chester  Street,  about  where 
the  house  owned  by  Mr.  Sargent  stands.  He  m.  for  a  second  wife 
Elizabeth  Ambrose,  the  Avidow  of  Sampson  Underbill.  He  also 
owned  the  land  opposite  where  Mr.  White  lived,  which  was  sold 
by  his  administrator  to  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent  in  1782.  Hannah, 
the  wife  of  Dr.  Sargent,  bought  the  homestead  in  1785.  There 
have  since  lived  there,  Dea.  John  Webster,  John  Kimball,  the 
teacher  of  singing,  and  James  French. 

Jethro  Bachelder.  There  was  a  man  of  that  name  b.  at 
Hampton  in  1698;  m.  Dorothy  Sanborn  in  1721,  who,  I  think, 
must  have  been  too  old  to  be  the  settler  in  Chester. 

On  Chester  records  is  Jethro  Bachelder  and  Abigail,  his  wife . 
Chil.,  Mary,  Daniel  and  Nathaniel.  He  lived  in  Raymond  on  122 
O.  H.,  on  the  Todd  road,  and  was  a  petitioner  for  the  incorpora. 
tion  of  Raymond. 

BEAN. 

DAVID  BEAN,  b.  1725,  m.  Mary  Judkins  of  Kingstown  in  1748, 
d.  1793.    He  settled  in  Epping  aud  built  a  set  of  buildings  which 


468  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

were  soon  destroyed  by  fire.  He  then  settled  and  built  a  house  in 
Raymond,  and  thence  removed  to  Candia,  at,  or  near  the  Island, 
and  bought  Eastman's  mills,  Avhich  were  destroyed  by  fire  from 
the  woods.  He  raised  a  family  of  ten  children,  six  sons  and  four 
daughters,  all  but  one  of  whom  married  and  had  families.  Dea. 
Abraham  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Nicholas  Gordon  of  Poplin,  and  lived 
on  the  homestead,  and  had  four  sons,  Joseph,  David,  Abraham 
and  Gordon  who  all  settled  on  the  old  homestead.  He  also  had 
six  daughters.  David  is  named  in  a  deed  as  of  Chester  in  1755, 
and  was  probably  then  in  Raymond.  He  was  surveyor  of  lumber 
in  Candia  in  1768.     Abraham  d.  Oct.  29,  1833. 

Reuben  Beau,  son  of  David,  had  a  son  Moses,  who  learned  the 
art  of  tanning  and  shoemaking,  and  set  up  at  what  is  now  Candia 
Village,  and  may  be  considered,  in  a  sense,  the  father  of  the  place, 
as  it  was  the  commencement  of  the  shoe  business  there,  and  Dea. 
Samuel  Dudley  learned  his  trade  of  him.  He  also  built  the  first 
meeting-house  and  was  pastor  of  the  church  several  years.  He 
went  to  St.  Joseph,  Mich.,  and  d.  1838. 

BELL. 

JOnX  BELL,  though  not  of  the  first  colony  to  Londonderry, 
in  1711),  had  a  grant  of  land  made  to  him  in  1720,  in  Aiken's 
range,  on  which  he  settled  and  spent  the  remainder  of  liis  life, 
and  where  his  son  John  lived.  After  commencing  a  clearing  and 
building  a  cabin,  he  returned  to  Ireland  for  his  wife  and  two  sur- 
viving children,  in  1722.  He  was  b.  in  the  county  of  Antrim, 
1678,  m.  Elizabeth  Todd,  and  had  two  sous  and  two  dau.  b.  iu 
Londonderry.  He  d.  July  8,  1743;  she  d.  1771.  The  daughters, 
Letitia,  Xaorai,  Elizabeth  and  Maiy,  all  m.  men  by  the  name  of 
Duncan.  Samuel,  b.  Sept.  28, 1723,  removed  to  Cambridge,  X.  Y. ; 
m.  Sarali  Storrow.  John,  b.  Aug,  15,  1730,  m.  Mary  Ann  Gilmore, 
dau.  01"  James  Gilmore,  Dec.  21,  1758.  He  held  various  respon- 
sible offices.  He  d.  Xov.  30,  1825;  she  d.  April  1,  1822,  a.  85. 
Children :  — 

I.  II.  James  and  Ebexezeu,  d.  in  youth. 

III.  JoxATHAX,  m.  Sarah  ^Y.,  dau.  of  Josiah  Flagg,  Esq.,  lived 
and  traded  at  the  Toppan  Webster  place,  in  Chester ;  d.  1808.  The 
widow  m.  Daniel  French,  Esq. 

IV.  John,  b.  July  20,  1765.  He  received  his  early  education  in 
Londonderry,  and  when  he  arrived  at  manhood,  being  of  an  en- 
terprising disposition,  he  dealt  for  a  time  in  the  products  of  Can- 
ada. In  tliis  business  he  had  occasion  to  make  repeated  journeys 
to  Montreal,  which  were  then  no  holiday  excursions,  but  toilsome, 
and  not  Avithout  danger.  At  a  later  period  he  established  himself 
in  trade  in  Chester,  where  he  resided  during  the  remainder  of  his 


GENEALOGY — BELL.  469 

life.  He  was  successful  in  business,  and  some  years  before  his 
death  retired  with  a  competency.  In  1817  he  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Executive  Council,  and  was  annually  re-elected  for  five 
successive  years.  In  1823  he  received  the  appointment  of  High 
Sheriff  for  the  county  of  Rockingham,  and  in  1828  was  elected 
Governor  of  the  State.  He  died  March  23,  1836,  having  sustained 
tlu'ough  life  the  character  of  an  honest  man.  He  married,  Dec. 
2.5,  1803,  Persis,  daughter  of  Dr.  Isaac  Thorn,  of  Londonderry, 
who  survived  him  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  dying  in 
Nov.,  1862,  at  the  age  of  84  years,  beloved  and  deeply  lamented. 
Gov.  Bell  had  ten  childi'en  :  — 

1.  Mary  uinne  Persis,  b.  Sept.  2,  1804;  m.  Rev.  Nathaniel  Bou- 
ton,  D.  D.,  of  Concord,  where  she  died,  Feb.  15,  1839,  leaving 
five  children. 

2.  Miza  Thorn,  b.  Jan.  23,  1806,  m.  Hon.  John  Nesmith,  of 
Lowell,  Mass.    She  d.  Sept.  22,  1836,  leaving-  one  dau. 

3.  John,  b.  Nov.  1.5,  1807,  educated  at  the  Mil.  and  Scientific 
Inst.,  Norwich,  Vt.,  d.  in  New  York  City,  Jan.  26,  1828. 

4.  Susan  Jane,  d.  in  infmcy. 

5.  Harriette  Adelia,  b.  April  11,  1812,  d.  Aug.  29,  1836. 

6.  Jane  Gibson,  b.  April  30,  1814,  d.  Aug.  4,  1835. 

7.  Caroline,  d.  in  early  childhood. 

8.  Christopher  Sargent,  b.  June  4,  1819,  grad.  at  Dartmouth 
College  in  1838,  commenced  studying  for  the  ministry,  and  died 
in  Havana,  Cuba,  Jan.  20,  1839,  where  he  had  gone  on  account  of 
a  jpulmonary  alfection. 

9.  James  Isaac,  b.  March  1, 1821,  entered  Dartmouth  College  in 
1837,  left  in  the  autumn  of  1838  and  made  a  voyage  to  the  East 
Indies  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  and  was  lost  with  other  pas- 
sengers in  the  ship  Harold,  which  was  burned  at  sea,  Oct.  26,  1839. 

10.  Charles  Henry,  b.  Nov.  18, 1823,  grad.  at  Dartmouth  College 
in  1844,  studied  law,  and  practiced  at  Chester,  Somersworth  and 
Exeter. 

Y.  Samuel,  b.  Feb.  9,  1770,  grad.  at  Dartmouth,  1793,  LL.  D. 
Bowdoiu,  1821.  ile  studied  law  with  Hon.  Samuel  Dana,  of  Am- 
herst; admitted  to  the  bar  1796,  practiced  at  Francestown  till 
1808,  Amherst  till  1810,  removed  to  Chester  1812 ;  lived  on  the 
Melvin  place  on  the  Street,  and  built  a  new  house  near  where 
Thomas  Dearborn  had  lived,  H.  L.  No.  23,  1833;  d.  Dec.  23, 
1850.  He  was  Representative  from  1804  to  1806;  Speaker  1805 
and '6;  was  Senator  and  President  1807  and  '8;  Justice  of  the 
Superior  Court  1816  to  1819;  Governor  of  New  Hampshire  1819  to 
'23;  U.  S.  Senator  1823  to  '35;  Trustee  Dart.  1808  to  '11.    He  m. 

(1)  Mehitable  B.,  dau.  of  Hon.  Samuel  Dana;  she  d.  1810;  m. 

(2)  Lucy  G.,  dau.  of  Jonathan  Smith,  of  Amherst.     Children:  — 


470  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

1.  Samuel  Dana,  b.  Oct.  9,  1798,  grad.  Harvard  1816,  LL.  D. 
Dai-tmoutli,  1854.  He  read  law  in  the  oflace  of  Hon.  George  Sul- 
livan, of  Exeter,  admitted  to  the  bar  Feb.  1820,  practiced  at  Mer- 
edith Bridge  six  months ;  then  in  Chester  till  1830 ;  then  cashier 
of  Exeter  Bank  till  1836,  when  he  resumed  the  practice  of  the  law 
in  Concord,  and  in  1839  he  removed  to  Manchester.  He  was  Rep- 
resentative from  Chester  1825  and  1826.  He  was  appointed  Solic- 
itor of  Rockingham  county  1823 ;  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common 
Pleas  1848 ;  Justice  of  the  Superior  Court  1849  to  1859 ;  then 
Chief  Justice,  which  office  he  resigned  Aug.  1, 1864.  He  was  one 
of  the  several  commissioners  to  revise  the  statutes  of  New  Hamp- 
shire in  1830,  1842,  and  1867.  He  was  a  very  industrious  man, 
and  of  varied  acquirements,  and  especially  eminent  as  an  antiqua- 
rian, as  the  reader  may  see  by  a  reference  to  the  notice  of  the 
Chester  grantees,  p.  42,  the  materials  of  which  he  mainly  fur- 
nished, probably  without  leaving  his  oflBce.  He  m.  iMary,  dan. 
of  Newell  Heale'y,  Aug,  8,  1826.  He  d.  July  31,  1868 ;  she  d.  1864. 
Children :  — 

1.  Jolm  James,  b.  Oct.  30,  1827.  He  studied  law  and  practiced 
in  Maine  and  Exeter;  2.  Samuel  N.,  b.  March  25,  1829,  grad. 
Dart.,  1847;  read  law  with  lion.  William"  C.  Clarke,  and  is  in 
practice  in  Manchester;  3.  Mary  W.,  m.  John  P.  Newell,  d.  1858. 

2.  John,  b.  Nov.  5,  1800,  grad.  Union,  1819;  studied  medicine 
with  Dr.  Shattuck  of  Boston,  and  afterwards  at  Paris;  M.  D., 
Bowdoin,  1822;  Prof.  Anatomy,  University,  Vt. ;  Editor  of  theN. 
Y.  Med.  &  Surgical  Journal;  went  South  for  his  health,  d.  of 
consumption  at  La  Fouche,  Lou.,  Nov.  29,  1830. 

3.  Mary  Ann,  b.  Oct.  26,  1802,  m.  John  Nesmith,  of  Lowell, 
d.  1830. 

4.  James,  b.  Nov.  13,  1804,  grad.  Bowdoin,  1822,  read  law  with 
his  brother  Samuel  D.  Bell,  practiced  at  Gihnanton,  Exeter  and 
Gilford;  U.  S.  Senator,  1855,  to  Ms  death.  May  26,  1857;  m.  Ju- 
dith Almira,  dau.  of  Nathl.  Upham.  Charles  Upham  Bell,  Bow- 
doin, 1863,  now  an  Attorney  at  Exeter,  is  their  son. 

5.  Luther  V.,  b.  Dec.  2,  1806;  grad.  Bowdoin,  1823;  M.  D., 
Dart.,  1826;  LL.  D.,  Amherst,  1855;  practiced  in  Dei-ry,  1831  to 
1837 ;  Superintendant  McLean  Asylum  for  Insane,  Charlestown, 
Mass;  Surgeon,  11th  Mass.  Vols;  Brigade  Surgeon  and  Medical 
Director,  Hooker's  Division;  d.  Feb.  12,  1862,  at  Budd's  Ferry, 
Ya.  He  ni.  Frances,  dau.  of  Dea.  James  Pinkerton,  of  Derry, 
1835;  she  d.  1855. 

6.  George,  b.  June  24,  1829;  grad.  Dart.,  1851;  read  law 
with  "Wheeler  and  Faulkner,  of  Keene;  practiced  in  Chicago, 
Manchester  and  Cleveland ;  he  was  Author  of  Bell's  Digest.  He 
was  drafted  and  went  into  the  army  and  d.  soon  after  his  return, 
Sept.  2,  1864.    He  m.  Emma  Preston. 


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GENEALOGY — BERRY.  471 

7.  John,  b.  July  19,  1831;  gracl.  Dart..  1852;  studied  medicine 
at  the  University  of  Pa. ;  M.D.,  1854 ;  practiced  at  Kingston,  Derry 
andjSr.  Y.  City;  Surgeon  of  oth  U.  S.  Cavalry,  1861  to  1864:  m. 
Mary  Ann,  dau.  of  Pliineas  Bedee. 

8.  Charles,  b.  Aug.  10,  1833;  grad.  Brovrn,  1853;  studied 
medicine  and  practiced  in  Coucoi-d;  he  was  author  of  "Facts  in 
Relation  to  the  Hist,  of  Chester,"  X.  H.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.  Vol.  7; 
m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Nathl.  F.  Emerson;  d.  Feb.  29,1856. 

9.  Louis,  b.  March  8,  1836;  studied  law  and  opened  an  office  at 
Farmington;  was  appointed  Col.  4th  N.  H.  Yols.,  May  16,  1863; 
killed  at  Fort  Fisher,  Jan.  15,  1865.  He  m.  Mary  A.  P.,  dau.  of 
Eev.  Xathl.  Bouton.     She  d.  soon  after  he  did. 

William  Bell  was  b.  at  Paisley,  in  Scotland.  He  m.  Beatress 
Barr,  of  Glasgow,  and  they  came  to  America  previous  to  1780, 
and  first  settled  in  Greenland,  and  went  into  trade;  he  soon  came 
to  Chester  and  purchased  the  Capt.  Blunt  place.  His  name  is  not 
on  the  tax-list  of  1785,  and  is  on  that  of  1790.  He  at  first  lived 
in  what  has  been  called  the  Greenough  house,  where  Mrs.  Lang 
now  lives,  and  had  a  store,  but  soon  built  the  large  house  where 
his  grandson  James  now  lives.  He  d.  July  2,  1817  ;  she  d.  March 
1,1825,  a.  84.     Children:— 

1.  William,  Jr.,  was  b.  at  Paisley  in  1775;  m.  Mary  McMas- 
ter,  of  Augusta,  Me.;  was  a  trader  there;  came  to  Chester:  d. 
May  10,  1848;  she  d.  March  8,  1861,  a.  79.  2.  George,  b.  in 
Greenland,  1780;  once  traded  and  made  potash  near  the  Pond, 
in  Auburn;  d.  unm.,  1803.  3.  Elizabeth,  m.  Gilbert  Morse;  d. 
Sept.,  1812. 

BERRY. 

Ithamar  Beret  came  from  Greenland.  He  first  settled  on 
Chester  Street,  on  H.  L.,  ]S'o.  32,  where  Thomas  Wortheu  and 
James  Stevens  afterwards  lived,  a  little  east  of  where  J.  M,  M. 
Elliott  now  lives,  but  soon  moved  back  upon,  or  near  Xo.  22,  2d 
P.,  2d  D.,  on  what  has  been  called  the  "Berry  place,"  where  his 
son  and  gi-andson  Jonathan  lived.  He  was  certainly  on  the  Street 
in  1732,  and  back  towards  Raymond  when  the  road  was  laid  out 
in  1744.     His  wife  was  Ann.     Children: — 

I.  Zebedee,  b.  June  5,  1726.  He  lived  on  No.  50,  2d  P.,  2d  D., 
where  Coffin  M.  French  now  lives,  in  Candia. 

n.  LUet,  b.  1727;  lived  in  Chester,  on  37,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  He  d. 
1785 ;  his  wife  d.  1835,  said  to  be  90. 

in.  Ithamar,  b.  1735;  m.  Abigail.  Lived  on  Xo.  41,  2d  P., 
2d  D.,  where  William  Weeks  now  lives;  d.  Feb.  19,  1803.  Chil- 
di'en : — 

1.  Dolly.    2.  Moses,  b.  1762,  lived  where  his  L'ucle  Zebedee 


472  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

lived;  in  Candia,  d.  at  Staustead,  1810,    3.  Aaron.    4.  Kachael. 
5.  Ellet  and  John,  twins;  went  to  Me.    6.  Eliijlialet. 

IV.  Elizabeth. 

V.  Ann,  ra.  Josepli  Smith. 

VI.  Jonathan,  b.  1741;  m.  Betty  Smith  of  Brentwood,  and 
lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  1805.  The  widoAV  m.  Lt.  Samuel  Bus- 
well,  of  Candia.  Chil: — 1.  Pearson  S.,  b.  1771,  noted  in  his  early- 
life  for  his  dissolute  habits,  and  in  later  life  for  his  religious  zeal. 
2.  Jonathan,  b.  1773;  m.  a  dan.  of  Elijah  Pillsbury,  lived  on  the 
homestead.  3,  John.  4.  Sally,  m.  Richard  Bus weU  and  Asa  Pot- 
ter. 

VII.  Dolly,  m.  John  Seavey,  b.  1743. 

VIII.  John. 

Simon  Berry  came  from  Rye  about  1760,  lived  on  H.  L.  No.  76, 
where  Col.  Webster  first  settled.  He  liad  a  dan.  Phebe,  m.  Lt. 
William,  son  of  Robert  Wilson,  and  lived  on  the  homestead.  She 
d.  1819.    Mr.  Beny  went  to  Corinth  in  1787. 

BLAKE. 

Capt.  EzEKiEL  Bi.AKE  Came  from  Milton,  Mass.,  in  1792,  and 
carried  on  tlie  tanning  and  currying  business  at  the  Samuel  Robie 
yard.  He  ra.  Deborah  Ward  Sept.  2,  1785;  he  d.  Dec.  1,  1830; 
she  d.  Nov.,  1833.  They  had  seven  children,  the  five  youngest 
born  in  Chester.  His  second  son,  Lemuel  Ward,  was  born  at 
Milton,  Mass.,  Feb.  21,  1791;  m.  Susan  S.,  dau.  of  Dea.  Nathan 
Knowles,  Jr.,  Oct.  6, 1814,  and  had  chil., — Gilman,  Geo.  W.,  Otis, 
Henry,  Emeline,  James,  Charles  C.  and  Miranda  C. 

Lemuel  W.  worked  with  his  father  at  tanning  and  currying 
until  ls24.  This  business,  however,  did  not  suit  his  taste  or  genius. 
He  Avould  spend  a  portion  of  his  time  repairing  watches  or  on 
musical  instruments,  and  in  other  mechanical  employments.  In 
Feb.,  1824,  he  entered  the  machine  shop  at  Nashua  as  an  appren- 
tice, or  on  trial,  without  any  particular  bargain  as  to  compens- 
ation. Although  a  green  hand  he  took  hold  of  the  woi-k  like  an 
old  workman.  After  trial  they  told  him  that  they  would  give  him 
as  much  as  they  dared  to  on  account  of  offending  the  old  hands. 
He  after  a  wliile  took  a  job.  His  oldest  boys,  by  mounting  on  a 
box,  could  tend  a  lathe.  Wliile  at  Nashua  he  was  organist  at  the 
cluu-ch  which  he  attended.  In  Aug.,  1833,  he  went  to  Springfield, 
Mass.,  and  worked  under  the  celebrated  John  Chase.  He  was 
constantly,  wherever  he  worked,  making  improvements  in  the 
mode  of  doing  work,  getting  up  new  and  improved  tools,  &c. 
He  purchased  a  shop  and  removed  to  Pepperell,  Mass.,  in  May, 
1830.     Ho    invented    and  patented  iu  1841,   a  center-dischai-ge 


GENEALOGY — BLANCHARD.  473 

■watei'--^lieel,  one  of  the  very  best  of  its  class,  and  very  exten. 
sively  used,  and  got  np  in  first-rate  style.  He  also  invented  and 
patented  an  extension  auger,  and  a  belt-fastener.  He  d.  Feb.  13, 
186-i,  and  left  the  business  to  bis  sons.  His  five  sons  and  two 
sons-in-law  are  all  macliinists,  and  it  is  very  rare  that  so  much 
mechanical  genius  can  be  found  in  one  family. 

BLAXCHAED. 

There  was  a  Joseph  Blaxchard  of  Dunstable,  who  was  a  Jus- 
tice of  the  Superior  Court  from  1749  to  17o8,  and  was  surveyor 
for  the  Masonian  Proprietors.  He  had  a  son  Joseph,  named  in 
the  will  in  1758.  His  name,  with  the  prefix  of  Col.,  is  in  the  list 
of  tax-payers  in  Litchfield  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  (Meni- 
mack)  in  1745.  He  was  a  grantee  of  Thornton,  removed  and  d. 
there.    He  had  thi-ee  sous,  Joseph,  Eleazer  and  Zaccheus. 

Joseph  was  b.  1753.  He  partially  learned  the  clothier's  trade 
and  came  to  Chester  about  1772,  and  went  to  work  with  Robert 
Culfe  at  the^clotliier's  trade.  He  m.  Sarah,  Mr.  Calfe's  only  child, 
and  continued  there,  and  in  1777  purchased  the  mill  and  jDrivilege 
at  t  he  present  location,  and  removed  there  and  conveyed  one-half  to 
Mr.  Calfe.  His  advantages  of  school  education  were  very  limited, 
but  liis  natural  talent  was  far  above  mediocritj-,  and  he  was  soon 
promoted  in  public  business.  From  1788  to  1793,  he  was  Eepre- 
sentative.  He  was  delegate  from  Chester  to  the  convention  wliich 
ratified  the  Federal  Constitution,  and  also  to  revise  the  State  Con- 
stitution. He  was  two  or  three  years  in  the  Senate,  and  two 
years,  1800  and  1801,  in  the  Council.  He  was  a  very  genial  com- 
panion, abounding  in  anecdotes.  It  is  said  that  in  early  life  he 
was  a  veiy  hard  working,  industrious  man,  but  iu  later  years  not 
so  thrifty  in  pecuniary  matters.  An  anecdote  will  illustrate  two 
traits  of  his  chai-acter.  A  man  who  was  hardly  compos  mentis, 
who  was  then  at  the  mill,  observed  that  he  had  profitable  mills. 
He  replied,  "  Yes."  "  Yoit  have  profitable  oflSces,  too."  "  Yes." 
' '  Well,  with  it  all  you  do  not  get  rich."  The  joke  was  so  good 
and  true  and  from  such  a  source,  Esq.  Blanchard  delighted  in 
tellmg  it.     Several  of  their  first  cliildren  died  young. 

1.  Joseph,  m.  Abigail  Rogers,  a  dau.  of  Moody  Chase's  second 
wife,  and  had  five  children.  The  oldest,  Joseph,  is  station  agent 
at  Martin's  Ferry.  Joseph  absconded  and  was  supposed  to  have 
d.  1809. 

2.  Lucy,  m.  Thos.  Montgomery  and  went  into  Vermont. 

3.  Eleazer,  was  an  under-gi-aduate  at  Dartmouth,  and  d.  1809, 
a.  27. 

4.  JS^ancy,  d.  unm.  in  1809. 

5.  Sally,  m.  Josiah  Melvin  and  went  to  Maine. 

6.  Cyrus,  d.  1809,  a.  22. 


474  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

7.  Hannah,  b.  Jan.  7,  1790;  m.  Dea.  Samuel  Dinsmore  iu  1811. 

8,  Polly,  m.  Richard  Fitts  and  went  to  Salisbury,  N.  H. 

Mrs.  Blaucliard  d.  Dec.  2,  1793,  and  he  m.  (2)  Dorothy  John- 
son, widow  of  David  Folsom,  April,  1794.     He  d.  March  7,  1833, 

a.  80.    She  d.  May  14,  1830,  a.  88. 

BLASDELL. 

There  were  early  at  Amesbury  two  men  by  the  name  of  "  Blas- 
DALE,"  —  Henry  and  Ealph,  and  there  are  a  great  many  of  the 
name  on  Amesbury  records. 

Nathaniel  Blasdell  was  a  wheelwright  and  lived  on  II.  L.  34. 
The  house  aud  an  acre  of  land  were  sold  to  Dr.  Sargent  in  1780, 
and  he  sold  to  Daniel  French,  Esq.,  who  erected  the  present 
house.  Mr.  Blasdell  purchased  a  quarter  of  an  acre  of  land  of 
William  and  Paul  Healey  in  1759,  and  built  a  store  where  the 
French  office  now  stands,  wliich  was  sold  to  the  town  in  1778, 
and  removed  into  the  south  woods  for  a  pest-house  when  Dr. 
Page's  family  had  the  sraall-pox.  He  did  quite  a  business  as  a 
trader  several  years,  selling  goods  and  taking  his  pay  in  produce 
and  lumber.  He  also  made  potash.  He  always  went  by  the  name 
of  Merchant  Blasdell,  aud  I  have  one  of  his  ledgers  in  my  posses- 
sion.   He  d.  Dec.  22,  1786.    Chil.  on  Chester  records:  — 

William,  born  1747,  INIicajah,  Molly,  Abijah,  Nathan,  and  John, 
of  whom  uotliing  is  known. 

Isaac  Blasdell.  Jonathan  and  Hannah  Blasdell,  of  Amesbury, 
had  nine  children;  the  first  b.  1699;  David,  the  sixth,  b.  Feb.  5, 
17^11-12;  wife,  Abigail.  He  was  a  clock-maker,  aud  I  have  seen 
several  of  his  clocks.    They  had  seven  children.    The  tliird,  Isaac, 

b.  March  27,  1738,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  E.  Currier  of  Amesbury.  In 
March,  1762,  he  purchased  of  Dr.  John  Ordway  five  acres  of  H. 
L.  No.  34,  and  five  rods  of  the  ten-rod  way  (where  John  West 
now  lives)  and  came  to  Chester  and  set  uj)  his  trade  of  clock- 
making.  He  was  in  the  Revolutionary  army  several  times,  select- 
man, and  continually  sealer  of  weights  and  measures.  He  d.  Oct. 
9,  1791.  His  widow  m.  Jona.  Swain  of  Raymond,  and  d.  Dec.  6, 
1795.     Children:  — 

1.  Hannah,  b.  April  6,  1758;  m.  Dea.  Amos  Morse,  1780;  d. 
Feb.  6, 1795.  2.  Isaac,  b.  1760,  went  to  Salisbury,'N.  H.  3.  Rich- 
ard, b.  Nov.,  1762,  lived  with  his  father;  d.  unm.  July  26,  1790. 
4.  Molly,  b.  1765,  m.  a  Wadleigh,  aud  went  to  Canada.  5. 
David,  went  to  Peacham,  Vt.  6.  Anna,  b.  July  13,  1769,  m.  B. 
P.  Chase,  Oct.  7,  1792,  d.  Feb.  22,  1808.  7.  Abner,  b.  April  18, 
1771,  m.  Jemima  Melcher  and  lived  iu  Chester;  had  a  son  John 
(the  father  of  Albert  Blaisdell  of  Greenland,  the  builder).  He 
enlisted  in  1813,  and   went  to  the  Canada  frontier  and  never 


GENEALOGY — BRADSTREET.  475 

returned.  8.  Lydia,  b.  July  5,  1773,  m.  Josiali,  son  of  Jacob 
Chase,  d.  April  1,  1857.  9.  Abigail,  b.  1775,  d.  May  19,  1803.  10. 
Ehenezej',  b.  1778,  m.  Nancj^  Noyes;  enlisted,  d.  at  Acworth,  N. 
H.,  on  his  way  to  the  frontiei",  April  12,  1813. 

BOID. 

JAMES  BOID,  the  grantee,  lived  in  Portsmouth.  There  was  a 
John  Boid,  who  lived  on  James  Boid's  H.  L.  Xo.  59,  where  the 
first  road  was  laid  out  in  1730 ;  and  he  was  the  first  pound-keeper. 
He  was  said  by  Col.  White  to  have  been  a  brother  of  the  Rev.  Mr . 
McGregor's  wife. 

John  Boid,  son  of  the  above,  made  a  will  dated  Jan.,  1751-2, 
proved  1752.  He  had  no  real  estate.  His  inventory  was,  "  Two 
Jackets,  one  pair  of  cloth  breeches,  three  old  checked  shirts,  one 
old  hat-cap,  and  handkerchief,  one  pair  of  old  stockings,  and  an 
old  blanket.  Money  and  notes,  old  tenor,  £536."  He  gives  his 
cousin,  Margaret  McGregor,  eldest  clan,  of  the  Rev.  David  Mc- 
Gregor, £310,  and  the  residue  after  some  small  legacies. 

There  was  a  Thomas  Boid,  owned  H.  L.  No.  27,  in  1730,  and 
probably  lived  on  it,  southwest  of  the  Dearborn  farm,  near  where 
the  steam-mill  lately  stood. 

Nathaniel  Boid  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Dorryfield,  on 
No.  1,  where  J.  G.  Webster  now  lives.  He  signed  the  petition  in 
1748.  The  road  laid  out  Sept.  16,  174:8,  ran  to  his  fence.  His  wife 
was  Margaret,  and  had  Margaret,  b.  1752,  m.  Archibald  Gambel; 
William,  b.  1755. 

There  was  a  Nathan  Boid  on  No.  16,  in  Derryfield. 

BRADLEY. 

JosiAH  Bradley  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Jonathan  Moulton,  and  lived 
on  bis  place,  H.  L.  No.  113,  where  Hiram  Basford  now  lives.  He 
d.  May  2,  1778.  Chil.:—  1.  Josiah,  b.  May  17,  1770,  m.  Phebe, 
dau.  of  Abel  Webster,  1792,  lived  on  the  homestead,  and  went 
to  Maine.    2.  Jonathan,  b.  1776. 

BRADSHAW. 

Joshua  Bradshaw  lived  on  H.  L.  No.  63,  at  the  Josiah  Chase 
place,  on  Walnut  Hill,    Chil. : —  Peter,  John  and  Sarah. 

BRADSTREET. 

The  Rev.  Nathan  Bradstreet  is  said  in  the  History  of  New 
Hampshire  Churches  to  have  been  born  in  Ips^ch,  Mass.,  in  1770 ; 
but  I  always  understood  that  he  was  a  native  of  Rowley.  He  grad. 
at  Dart,  in  1791,   and  studied  theology  at  Newburyport.    He  m. 


476  HISTOEY   OP   CHESTER. 

4 

Phebe  Dexter,  of  Cliarlestowii,  a  ueice  of  Lord  Timothy  Dexter 
Aug.  10,  1796.     Her  father  afterwai'ds  lived  at  Westford,  Mass., 
and  when  Mr.  Bradstreet  left  Chester  he  went  there.    Mr.  Brad- 
street  built  a  house  on  H.  L.  No.  8,  where  John  W.  Noyes  now 
Uves.    He  d.  Jan.  29,  1827.     Children:  — 

Freeborn,  b.  Aug.  22,  1799;  Melissa,  b.  1801;  Nathan  Dexter, 
b.  1803;  WilUam,  b.  1808;  Susannah,}).  1811.  Notlaing  is  known 
of  the  children.  See  further,  History  of  the  Congregational 
Church. 

BLUNT. 

Capt.  Jonathan  Blunt  was  b.  at  Andover,  about  1708,  and  was 
in  Chester  and  had  a  saw-mill  in  1730.  In  1734,  William  Blunt, 
of  Andover,  deeded  to  Jonathan  H.  L.  Nos.  1  and  12.  He  settled 
on  No.  1,  where  Sarah  Robinson  now  lives.  His  wife  was  Mary, 
and  they  had  eight  children,  the  oldest,  John,  b.  1735.  Joshua,  b  . 
1740, 'm.  Mary  Grove,  and  had  Isaac,  b.  June  1780,  d.  March,  1865. 

Mary  Bhtnt,  b.  1743,  m.  Maj.  Richard  Emery.  Capt.  Blunt 
was  a  prominent  man  in  town,  an  innkeeper,  and  d.  May  24, 1762. 

BROWN. 

Samuel  Brown  was  in  Bradford  in  1734.  John  Jaques  sold  to 
him  Add.  No.  17,  and  Thomas  Smith  gave  to  his  cousin,  Samuel 
Brown  of  Bradford,  No.  66,  O.  H.,  June,  1734.  He  came  to 
Chester  and  built  on  No.  17,  a  little  southwest  of  where  Amos 
Green  now  lives.  When  an  attempt  was  made  in  1743  to  have  a 
road  laid  out  across  the  lots  by  Karr's  mill  to  Londonderry,  he 
agreed  to  give  the  present  I'oad  across  his  land  provided  they 
would  not  go  by  liis  house.  He  signed  the  Presbyterian  protest, 
Nov.,  1735.  lie  probably  sold  to  John  Mills,  who  afterwards 
lived  there,  and  moved  to  where  Jabez  French  first  lived,  on  the 
cast  half  of  No.  17,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  He  bore  the  appellation  of  Dr. 
Brown.  His  wife  was  Susannah.  He  d.  May,  1794;  she  d.  May 
3,  1789.  They  had  several  children,  the  oldest  of  whom  d.  young. 
Of  those  whom  we  know  any  thing  about: — 

I.  Joseph,  b.  Feb.  23,  1758,  m.  (1)  Lydia,  dan.  of  Caleb  Hall, 
1782.  Chil. : — Sara ;  Abraham  and  Samuel,  went  to  Maine  ;  Betsy, 
m.  Moses  Chase,  son  of  B.  Pike  Chase.  She  d.  Dec.  15,  1790.  He 
m.  (2)  Lydia  Mace,  and  had  several  children  who  settled  in  San- 
down  and  Haverhill,  Mass.    He  lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  1802. 

n.  Jonathan,  b.  Nov.  22,  1760,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Jonathan 
Moulton,  and  settled  in  Poplin,  now  Fremont,  about  a  mile  south 
of  the  Rocke  bridge.  To  distinguish  him  from  another  and  older 
man,  he  was  generally  called  *'  Chesherman  Brown.^^     Children : — 

1.  Jonathan,  lived  in  Poplin.    2.  Ebenezer,  m.  Mary  Whitcher, 


GENEALOGY — BROWN.  477 

of  Brentwood,  and  settled  in  Yersliire,  Vermont,  and  made  iron 
from  the  bog  ore  there.  They  were  the  parents  of  Dr.  William 
W.  Brown,  b.  Aug.  28,  1804.  '  See  Physicians.  3.  Eliphalet,  set- 
tled in  Vienna,  Maine.  4.  Josiah,  went  to  sea  and  never  returned. 
6.  Sail)",  m.  Peter,  son  of  Stephen  Morse,  of  Chester,  1799.  6. 
Susannah,  m.  Moses  H.,  son  of  Sherburne  Sanborn,  1801,  and 
lived  in  Poplin. 

Sarah  d.  March  15,  1822,  and  he  m.  (2)  her  sister  Abigail,  wid. 
of  Jacob  Basfoi'd.     She  d.  1841. 

III.  David,  b.  Sept.  17,  17G5,  lived  in  Eaj-mond  ou  O.  H.  No. 
100,  near  the  railroad. 

Jedediah  Brown  came  from  Kensington,  and  settled  on  No. 
11,  O.  H.,  and  is  mentioned  in  the  return  of  a  road  across  his  lot 
in  1761.  He  had  two  sons,  Levi  and  Josiah,  and  three  daughters, 
Mary,  Dolly  and  Abigail. 

I.  Levi  ,m.  Elizabeth,  dan.  of  Jona.  Swain,  Esq.     Children  : — 

I.  Jedediah,  d.  Nov.,  1868.  2.  Jonathan  S.,  lived  on  the  Swain 
place.  3.  Libby.  4,  Levi.  5.  John,  Esqr.,  b.  1796,m.  a  Worthen, 
and  has  been  noted  as  a  land  surveyor,  and  a  very  ingenious 
blacksmith. 

II.  Josiah,  lived  in  Raymond. 

There  were  three  brothers  by  the  name  of  Brown  who  came 
from  Scotland  and  settled  in  the  upper  part  of  Chester,  towards 
Suncook. 

I.  Samuel,  m.  Jean  Gibson,  in  Scotland,  and  settled  on  No.  28, 
5th  D.,  on  what  is  now  the  Hooksett poor-farm.    Children: — 

I.  Joseph.     2.  Margaret. 

3.  Ann,  m.  Frederic  McCutcheon,  of  Pembroke. 

4.  John,  m.  Betsy  Burgin ;  lived  in  Hooksett ;  d.  in  Newbury- 
port  a.  98. 

5.  3IoUy,  m.  Robert,  son  of  Samuel  Davis,  who  was  drowned 
in  Laken's  pond,  July,  180.5.  She  died  at  Newburyport,  a.  96. 
Nathaniel  Head,  Esq.,  related  to  me  the  following,  which  he 
said  that  he  had  from  Mr.  Brown  and  his  wife : 

Some  persons  sowed  a  large  quantity  of  rye  on  the  j)lain  on  the 
east  side  of  the  river  at  Concord,  and  set  stakes  at  each  bushel, 
for  the  i)urpose  of  letting  the  reaping  for  the  seed.  Mrs.  Brown 
prepared  breakfast,  nursed  her  child,  and  went  to  Concord,  a  dis- 
tance of  five  or  six  miles,  reaped  her  bushel  sowing,  finishing  be- 
fore any  of  the  men,  and  returned  home. 

II.  Joseph,  usually  called  doctor,  on  account  of  preparing 
drops  for  fits,  m.  Ann  Otterson,  a  sister  of  William  Otterson,  and 
settled  on  land  not  gi-anted  by  the  proprietors  of  Chester,  near 
Head's  saw-mill.    He  probably  had  a  title  from  the  proprietors  of 


478  HISTOEY   OP   CHESTER. 

Suiicook,  but  he,  with  others,  was  sued.     (See  page  40.)     Chil- 
dren : — 

1.  Ann,  m.  James  Knox,  of  Pembroke. 

2.  (Tosejyh,  settled  at  Peacham,  Vt. ;  m.  2d,  Molly  Gay. 

3.  Je  my.    4.  Bachael. 

5.  James,  also  called  doctor,  m.  Margaret  Moore,  1793,  and 
lived  on  the  homestead,  and  afterwards  on  the  west  side  of  the 
river. 

6.  Lydia.     7.  Mary.    8.  3Iartha. 
Dr.  Joseph  d.  1796. 

III.  William  m.  Euth,  dau.  of  Daniel  McDuffee,  of  London- 
derry, and  lived  on  No.  30,  5th  D.     Children: — 

1.  Daniel,  m.  Joanna  Durgin,  settled  at  Corinth. 

2.  3IoUy,  m.  Ezra  Abbot,  d.  a.  83. 

3.  James,  m.  Molly  McCiirdy,  settled  at  Grand  Isle,  Vt. 

4.  Sarah. 

5.  Capt.  John,  m.  Polly,  dau.  of  Matthew  Gault. 

6.  Capt.  WiUkim,  m.  Sally  Buntin,  lived  where  Samuel,  Sen., 
had  lived.    Children : —   • 

1.  Anna,  b.  Feb.  26,  1799,  m.  Col.  John  Head,  d.  April  3,  1849. 
2.  Hiram,  b.  Jan.  23,  1801.  He  was  the  first  Mayor  of  Manches- 
ter.    3.  Andrew.     4.  John.     5.  Calvin. 

Lt.  William  Bkown  was  a  ship-carioeiiter  at  Newburyport,  and 
came  to  Chester  in  1771,  in  companj'^  with  his  father-in-law,  Ben- 
jamin Pierce.  They  purchased  of  James  and  Benjamin  Crosett 
274  acres  of  land  lying  in  86,  87  and  93,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  Mr.  Brown 
lived  where  Israel  Senter  now  lives,  and  Pierce  fifty  or  sixty  rods 
to  the  northeast.    He  d.  1805.    Children: — 

1.  William,  m.  Sarah  Sheldon,  lived  on  the  Pierce  place.  They 
went  to  Mount  Desert,  Me.,  with  their  children,  and  d.  thei'e,  he 
a.  95,  she  over  90.  2.  Joshua,  went  to  Vermont,  had  a  dau. 
Pamela,  m.  James  Hoit.  3.  Benjamin  P.,  m.  a  dau.  of  Asa  Bur- 
bank,  lived  at  the  intersection  of  the  Rattlesnake-hill  road  with 
Londonderry  Turnpike ;  went  to  Vt.  4.  Judith.  5.  Eunice.  6. 
John,  ni.  a  Merril,  on  the  homestead,  and  went  West. 

Benjamin  Brown  came  from  Newbury,  m.  Prudence  Kelly. 
He  lived  ou  Add.  No.  85,  where  Nathan  Morse  had  lived,  and 
afterwards  on  the  Street,  H.  L.  No.  135,  where  Woodbury  Masters 
now  lives.  He  was  a  long  time  a  partner  in  trade  with  Henry 
Sweetser.  She  d.  Sept.  9,  1798;  he  married  (2)  Widow  Lunt. 
He  d.  1818,  at Piscataqua  Bridge.    Children: — 

1.  Nancy,  m.  Henry  Sweetser,  1798,  d.  April  28,  1799. 

2.  Mercy,  m.  Daniel  French,  1799,  d.  March  8,  1802. 

3.  Hannah. 

4.  Lydia,  b.  Feb.  6, 1782,  m.  Toppan  Ilobie,  Oct.  8,  1804,  d.  Feb. 
23,  1811. 


GENEALOGY — BROWN.  479 

5.  Francis,  b.  Jan  11,  1784;  gracl.  Dart.  1805;  m.  Elizabeth, 
dau.  of  Kev.  Tristram  Gilmaii,  of  North  Yarmouth,  Feb.  4,  1811, 
d.  July  27,  1820.  (See  Graduates.)  Chil.:  — Samuel  Gilmau, 
Dart.,  1831;  Mary;  and  Frances,  d.  y. 

6.  Prudence,  b.  April  3,  1786,  m.  Rev.  David  Thurston,  of  Wiu- 
throp,  Me.,  Oct.  31,  1811. 

Nathaniel  Brown,  b.  at  Hamilton  Mass.,  Sept.  3,  1770,  m. 
Mary  Sleeeper,  of  Newburyport,  who  was  b.  March  16,  1779;  re- 
sided at  Newburyport  until  1814 ;  removed  to  Chester,  on  to  the 
Elliot  place.    Children: — 

1.  John  Sleeper,  b.  Nov.  6,  1797,  m.  Phoebe  C,  widow  of  Rev. 
Amasa  Hayes,  Nov.  1,  1832.  He  was,  from  1823,  Deputy  Sherift" 
fourteen  years;  1855,  Sheriff  live  years;  wfts  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  Notary  Public,  and  Coroner;  was  several  years  in  the 
Underbill  firm,  in  the  edge-tool  business,  and  carried  it  on  him- 
self several  years  at  Auburn.  In  1861  he  was  appointed  Inspec- 
tor of  Customs  at  Boston. 

2.  Nathaniel,  b.  Sept.  2,  1799,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  William  Gra- 
ham ;  was  in  the  tool  business ;  lives  in  Auburn. 

3.  William  C,  b.  Aug.  2,  1801.  He  was  several  yeai-s  a 
teacher ;  a  teacher  of  music  in  Boston ;  a  composer  of  music ;  a 
compiler  of  three  collections  of  music,  and  author  of  a  celebrated 
j)oem  on  rum.  He  was  seven  years  editor  of  "  Zion's  Herald," 
the  Methodist  paper  in  Boston,  and  editor  and  publisher  o 
the  "Mother's  Assistant."  He  has  been  twelve  years  Register 
of  Probate  of  Suffolk  County. 

4.  Simon,  b.  Nov.  29,  1802,  m.  Ann  C,  dau.  of  Hon.  Daniel 
French,  May,  1827.  He  learned  the  art  of  printing  in  the 
"Patriot"  office,  at  Concord.  He  was  a  partner  in  establishing 
the  "  Ilinghara  Gazette;"  and  afterwards  in  publishing  the  "N. 
H.  Spectator  "  at  Newport.  In  1837,  went  into  the  office  of  the 
Clerk  of  the  U.  S.  House  of  Representatives;  and  was  Secretary 
of  the  Commissioners  of  Public  Buildings ;  was  in  the  General 
Post  Office ;  and  Librarian  of  the  House  of  Representatives  from 
1840  to  1848;  since  1855,  has  been  agricultural  editor  of  the  "N. 
E.  Farmer,"  and  is  a  practical  farmer  at  Concord,  Mass.  In  1855, 
was  elected  Lieut.-Gov.  of  Mass. ;  and  in  1857,  Repi-esentative 
from  Concord. 

6.  3Iury,  b.  Dec.  18,  1806,  m.  F.  T.  Underbill. 

6.  Sarah  S.,  b.  Oct.  4,  1810,  m.  Jay  T.  Underbill;  d.  Aug. 
17,  1862. 

7.  Elizabeth  E.,h.  Oct.  4,  1810,  m.  a  Whitney;  d.  Oct.  24,  1864. 

8.  Charles  II.,  b.  Sept.  29,  1814,  resides  in  Manchester. 


4S0  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


BRICKET. 

Babnard  Bricket  came  from  Newbury  in  1765,  and  settled  on 
No.  60,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  Ms  gi-audson  David  P.  now  lives. 
The  great  elm  w\as  then  a  sapling  which  he  trimmed.  He  m. 
Mar.v,  dau.  of  Nathl.  Hall,  March  5,  1767.  Ch.  :—Josiah,  b.  June 
27,  1769,  d.  unm.  3fary,  m.  Capt.  Jacob  Libby.  Sarah,  b.  1775, 
m.  Josiah,  son  of  Capt.  John  Sargent.  Jfoses,  b.  June  5,  1780,  m. 
Sally,  dau.  of  Da^dd  Pillsbury;  lived  on  the  liomestead;  d.  Sept. 
25,  1859;  she  d.  Nov.  12,  1859,  a.  79.  Anna,  b.  1783,  m.  Henry 
Clark. 

Barnard  m.  (2)  Mehitabel  French,  of  Hawke,  1798.  He  d. 
Aug.,  1S05.  The  wid.  m.  John  Butterlield;  d.  Feb.  7,  1824, 
a.  70. 

BUTTERFIELD. 

Zachariah  settled  about  1740,  on  the  west  end  of  No.  21,  2d  P., 
2dD.,  near  the  road  to  the  Norton  phice;  had  several  children; 
d.  in  1754.    Nothing  is  known  of  the  family. 

Aaron  Butterfield  settled  near  the  east  end  of  the  lot  where 
Stephen  Pingree  now  lives;  had  one  son,  John,  b.  April  8,  1746, 
m.  dau.  of  Israel  Dolby,  Sen.,  who  d.  Aug.,  1805;  lived  on  the 
homestead,  had  no  cliildren.  He  m.  (2)  Mehitable  French,  wid.  of 
Barnard  Bricket ;  she  d.  Feb.  7,  1824,  a.  70.  He  gave  his  property 
to  Robert  S.  French.  He  d.  Sep.  17,  1833.  They  came  from  Wil- 
mington, and  had  sometimes  to  go  to  town  to  garrison,  and  both 
signed  the  petition  for  soldiers  in  1748. 

BURLEY. 

John  Bl'rlet  m.  Huldey,  only  dau.  of  Sylvanus  Smith.  He 
was  a  mariner;  sailed  from  Newburyport  in  July,  1781,  was 
taken  by  the  British  and  carried  to  Ireland  and  imprisoned,  and 
died  there  in  the  summer  of  1782.  They  had  Jo?in,  b.  July  3, 
1780.    The  widow  aftei-wards  m.  Daniel  Greenough. 

BURPEE. 

Nathaniel  Burpee  came  to  Chester  from  Rowley  in  1753,  and 
settled  on  No.  37, 3d  D.,  where  Wiuthrop  Wills  had  Uved.  He  m. 
Esther  Roth.  He  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Caiidia,  having 
William  Turner  on  one  side,  and  Obed  Hall  on  the  other  as  neiffh- 
bors.  He  was  a  tailor,  and  a  teacher  of  singing.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  deacons.  He  was  in  the  French  war,  and  was  at  the  siege 
of  Cape  Breton  in  1745 ;  d.  1815,  a.  94.    Children :  — 

Jeremiah;  Nathaniel,  m.  Dorothy  Cun-ier,  lives  on  the  home- 
stead; Nathan,  Ezra,  Mehitable;  Sally,  h.  1782,  m.  Peter  Hall, 
Jr.,  d.  1831 ;  Esther  and  Patti/. 


GENEALOGY  —  CALFE.  481 


BUSWELL. 

There  was  a  William  Buswell  in  Salisbury,  wlio  was  one  of 
the  Commissioners  to  run  .the  line  between  Salisbury  and  Hamp- 
ton, in  16G7,  but  the  records  of  Salisbury  do  not  afford  us  any 
connection  between  him  and  Lt.  Samuel  Busavell,  who  came 
from  that  town  to  Chester  in  1763.  He  was  the  son  of  John  and 
Tabitiia,  b.  Oct.  22,  1741.  He  m.  Betsy,  dau.  of  Capt.  John 
Underhill  in  17G4.  He  settled  on  the  west  half  of  No.  120,  2d 
P.,  2d  D.  He  was  a  carpenter.  He  was  in  the  French  war  and 
at  Cape  Breton,  and  also  in  the  Eevolutionary  war.  ]Mr.  Bus- 
well's  son  Samuel  went  to  Georgia  about  the  year  ISOO,  against 
his  mother's  desire,  as  she  supposed  that  she  should  never  see  him 
again.  She  having  a  strong  taint  of  hypochondria,  took  her  bed 
and  never  left  it  or  spoke  for  6  or  7  years.  She  d.  Sept.  30,  1806- 
Lt.  Buswell  m.  (2)  Betty  Smith,  the  widow  of  Jonathan  Berry. 
Children :  — 

I.  John,  m.  Mehitable  McClure,  dau.  of  James  McClure,  in  1792, 
lived  on  the  homestead  and  had: — 1.  Samuel,  m.  Susan,  dau.  of 
Maj.  Jesse  Eaton.  2.  Jacob,  m.  Mary  Sargent,  lives  on  the  Dea. 
Kelly  place,  in  Auburn.  3.  Mahala.  4.  ZSTancy.  5.  Richard.  He 
d.  1851,  a.  84. 

II.  Jfoses,  a  physician,  d.  in  Maine. 

HI.  Sarah,  m.  Moses  Underhill  (son  of  the  hatter)  ;  d.  1826. 

IV.  Blclmrd,  m.  Sarah  Berry,  and  was  drowned. 

V.  William,  went  to  Canada. 

VI.  Hannah. 

VII.  David,  Uved  in  Bradford,  N.  H. 

CALFE,  or  as  now  written  C  A  L  E  F . 

John  Calfe  was  a  signer  of  a  petition  for  a  grant  of  Notting- 
ham. He  was  a  clothier,  and  lived  at  Newbury,  Mass.  His 
parentage  is  not  known,  but  he  was  probably  a  descendant  of  the 
famous  Ilobert  Calfe,  a  merchant  of  Boston,  who  oi^posed  the 
witchcraft  delusion  in  1692.  He  was  one  of  the  grantees  of  Ches- 
ter. He  however  sold  his  right  to  Tristram  Knight  and  Thomas 
Pike,  of  Newbury,  Jan.,  172-),  and  by  Knight  sold  to  Jonatlian 
Locke,  the  father  of  Capt.  AVilliam,  and  the  Capt.  settled  on  the 
2d  P.,  2d  D.,  No.  12.  In  1724,  he  bought  of  Amos  Cass  half  his 
right.  The  home  lot  was  No.  100,  on  wliich  Cass  had  built  a 
house,  and  received  settlement  money.  When  he  came  to  Chester 
is  not  certain,  but  he  settled  there.  He  bought  another  lot  and  a 
half  adjoining  in  1734.     He  had  an  amendment  to  these  lots  of  80 

acres,  laid  out  in  1735,  Ij-ing  from  where  the  road  crosses  the 
31 


482  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Blancliard  mill-pond;  up  by  Nathan  Griffin's  to  Campbell's  bridge, 
which  the  Proprietors  refused  to  accept  until  he  made  proposals 
to  build  a  fulling-mill,  for  wMch  they  gave  him  a  grant  in  1735, 
and  he  built  the  mill.  He  probably  removed  to  the  mill,  but  in 
1745  he  sold  to  a  Towlc,  of  Exeter,  two  home  lots,  reserving  two 
acres  on  which  "Robert  Gordon  lives,"  and  it  was  his  homestead 
"where  I  now  dwell."  It  was  soon  sold  to  John  Stockman,  and 
by  liim  to  Benjamin  Sevei-ance,  and  his  widow  lluth  lived  there 
many  years.  "Where  the  house  stood  is  now  owned  by  Charles 
Wilcom,  southeast  of  the  road  from  the  hill  across  to  the  Hills 
road.  March  9,  1734,  he  was  chosen  one  of  a  committee  to  adjust 
the  selectmen's  accounts,  and  he  held  various  offices.  He  m.  Deb- 
orah lung,  of  Boston,  1702.    Children: — 

I.  John,   b,  1703:  m.  Naomi  Elliot. 

II.  Deborah,  b.  1705. 
■III.   William,  b.  1706. 

IV.  3Iarn,\).  Feb.  1707;  m.  Ethridge,  and  had: — ^Xathl.,  who 
settled  in  Raymond ;  Deborah,  m.  Joshua  Hall ;  and  Mary,  m.  Rob- 
ert Ambrose,  and  went  to  Concord. 

Y.  James,  b.  1709 ;  first  settled  on  the  amendment,  and  removed 
to  Massachusetts.     (See  Hist.  Pauperism.) 

VI.  King,  first  settled  on  the  farm  owned  by  the  writer,  and 
went  to  Massachusetts. 

VII.  Joseph,}).  Oct.  31,  1718;  m.  Elizabeth  Jewell,  of  Ames- 
bury,  Sept.  30,  1746.  He  settled  on  Add.  No.  64,  just  N.  W.  of 
the  road  over  Bunker  hill  to  Candia,  Avhere  James  Emerson  after- 
wards lived.  The  house  is  still  standing  and  probably  the  oldest 
in  Auburn.  He  d.  Dec.  21,  1793.  They  have  five  children  on 
Chester  records,  all  of  whom  d.  young,  of  throat  distemper.  On 
one  or  more  occasions  while  they  were  gone  to  the  grave  with 
one  child,  another  died.  They  had,  who  survived: — 1.  Jonathan, 
grad.  at  Dart.,  1787,  was  pastor  Cong.  Ch.,  Bloomfield  and  Lyman, 
Me.;  d.  April  25,  1845,  a.  83.  (See  Graduates.)  2.  Joseph,  m. 
Eunice,  dau.  of  Capt.  James  Silver,  lived  near  the  Long  Meadow 
meeting-house.  INlale  ch.,  James  and  Joseph.  He  d.  about  1804. 
She  d.  Nov.  15, 1855,  aged  86.  3.  David,  m.  Mary  Haselton,  1792 ; 
lived  on  the  homestead ;  exchanged  farms  with  James  Emerson  and 
went  to  Londonderry.  Had  a  son  John,  who  was  a  woolen  man- 
ufacturer at  Moore's  Village,  and  resides  in  Manchester. 

VIII.  There  was  a  son  Daniel,  not  on  the  Newbury  records,  but 
named  in  the  will,  and  m.  Mary  Gile,  1743.  Ch. : — Moses,  b.  1744, 
but  where  he  lived,  or  where  went,  is  not  known. 

IN.  Bohert,  not  on  the  records,  m.  Hannah  Flanders,  1748. 
Sarah,  b.  June  12,  1749,  m.  Hon.  Joseph  Blanchard ;  d.  Dec.  2, 


GENEALOGY — CARR.  483 

1793.  Robert  procured  a  grant  and  built  a  sa-w-mill,  and  \ras 
quite  a  business  man.  His  first  wife  d.  and  be  m.  (2)  Mary  Folsom , 
the  widow  of  Samuel  Bradley  who  was  killed  by  the  Indians. 
She  lived  at  Chester  more  than  tliirty  years,  but  went  back  to  Con- 
cord about  1796,  and  d.  at  her  grandson,  Richard  Bradley's, 
Aug.  10,  1817,  aged  98.  She  was  a  woman  of  great  energy  and 
of  superior  education,  having  been  brought  up  in  the  family  of 
Nicholas  Gilman,  father  of  Gov.  J.  T.  Gilman.  Robert  Calfe  d. 
1788. 

JoHX  Calfe's  will  is  dated  March  11, 1718,  proved  May  25, 1748, 
and  Robert  was  executor  and  residuary  legatee.  John's  wife  was 
then  alive. 

CAMPBELL. 

James  CAirPBELL's  name  is  found  on  the  records  as  an  auditor 
in  1736.  It  is  also  on  the  Presbyterian  protest,  June,  1736,  and 
the  tradition  is  that  he,  with  John  Tolford,  was  imi^risoned  for 
not  paying  the  minister  rate.  He  lived  on  Add.  lot  Xo.  1,  at  the 
Perley  Chase  place.  He  removed  from  town  and  his  name  is 
found  in  Londonderry. 

KER,  KERR,  KARR,  CARR. 

Different  ways  of  writing  the  same  name.  In  1725,  John" 
Karu,  of  Chester,  sold  to  Alexander  Craige  a  home  lot.  There  is 
a  memorandum  on  the  Proprietors'  records,  1727,  that  "  John  Karr 
having  bought  John  Shackford's  additional  lot,  he  and  Caleb 
Towle  had  agreed  to  divide  both  lots  crossways,  and  Karr  to  have 
the  S.  W.  end  and  Towle  the  X.  E.  end  of  both  lots."  In  April, 
1730,  he  bought  Add.  No.  20.  In  the  inventory  of  1741,  John 
Karr  is  rated  for  two  mills.  In  1713,  a  contemplated  road  was  to 
pass  Karr's  mills,  and  also  across  Abel  Morse's  land.  Jan.  18, 
1743,  John  Karr  and  his  wife  Mary,  of  Chester,  sold  to  Abel 
Morse,  of  Newbury,  Add.  lots  20  and  21.  He  then  probably 
moved  into  Londonderry.  He  was  a  large  land-holder.  His 
estate  was  divided  July,  1769.  Heirs:  John,  was  dead;  Hugh; 
Ann  Moore,  wife  of  James  Moore:  Mary  Karr  and  Margaret 
Karr.  There  is  a  tradition  that  two  men,  Thomas  Smith  and 
John  Karr,  were  caj)tured  by  the  Indians  in  1724.  It  was  prob- 
ably this  man  and  not  another,  as  has  been  supposed.  (See  notice 
of  Thomas  Smith.)  The  Nos.  20  and  21  is  where  Amos  Morse 
lived;  Shackford  and  Towle's,  22  and  23.  Couch  and  Benj.  AYil- 
son  now  own  the  southwest  end. 

There  was  another  Johx  Karr  or  Ker,  who  was  in  Ireland  in 
1736,  as  appears  by  a  certificate  in  the  possession  of  his  great 
grandson,  Nathan  Carr,  of  Candia: — "That  John  Ker  and  his 


484  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

wife  Elizabeth  Wilson  lived  within  the  bounds  of  this  congregation 
from  their  infancy,  behaving  themselves  soberly,  honestly,  and 
piously,  free  from  any  Public  Scandall,  so  that  they  may  be  re- 
ceived as  members  of  any  Christian  Congregation  or  Society 
where  God  in  his  Providence  may  order  their  lot,  is  certified. 
Bally  Wollon,  June  23,  1736,  by  Ja.  Thompson."  They  were 
probably  a  newly  married  couple,  and  came  immediately  to  this 
country. 

John  Tolford  sold  to  John  Karr  two  home  lots,  Nos.  21  and  9, 
where  his  great  grandson,  Saml.  Carr,  now  lives,  Feb.  28,  1738. 
Children :  — 

I.  John,  b.  1737,  ra.  Mary  AVilson,  dan.  of  Robert,  and  settled 
on  No.  GG,  3d  D,  near  the  meeting-house,  in  1764,  and  built  the 
house  in  wliich  Nathan  Carr  now  lives,  supposed  to  be  the  oldest 
house  in  Candia.  lie  d.  1813,  she  d.  1829.  Chil.  of  John  Carr, 
Jr.:  —  Elizabeth,  m.  Samuel  Clay,  resided  Concord,  Vt. ;  Ann,  m. 
AVilliam,  son  of  Dr.  Coliiii  Moore;  John;  Robert,  m.  a  Marden; 
Mary,  m.  William  Murray;  Joseph,  m.  Nancy  Brown,  lived  on 
the  homestead,  d.  1842. 

II.  3Iarl',  b.  about  1743,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  William  Gil- 
christ; d.  July  26,  1782.  She  m.  Abraham,  son  of  Capt.  James 
Silver,  and  moved  to  New  Chester;  she  came  back  to  Chester,  d. 
Aug.  15,  1834,  a.  86.  Ch.  Samuel,  m.  Mary  Stinson,  and  lived  on 
the  homestead. 

III.  Joseph,  b.  about  1744,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  William  Gilchrist, 
d.  July  30,  1783.  She  m.  (2)  Robert  Graham.  Karr  and  Graham 
lived  on  the  Robert  Gilchrist  place,  where  Dr.  Josiah  I.  Hall  now 
lives,  H.  L.  10  and  43. 

John,  Sen.,  d.  Oct.  22,  1792,  a.  75;  Elizabeth,  d.  Sept.  22, 1781, 
a.  76. 

The  fore-mentioned  proposed  road  passing  Karr's  mills  would 
cross  the  land  of  Abel  Morse,  John  Karr,  Jr.,  Robert  Graham,  and 
John  Karr;  and  in  the  inventory  of  1741  there  are  John  Karr, 
John  Karr,  Jr.,  Mark  Karr  and  William  Karr.  In  the  return  of 
the  road  from  Dex-ry  road  to  Gilman  Morse's,  in  1740,  it  was  at 
the  "  easterly  end  of  the  additional  lots  that  Sam.  Brown,  John 
Mills  and  William  Karr  Lives  on."  William  Karr  probably  lived 
where  Gilman  Morse  lives,  and  gave  place  to  Stephen  Morse,  and 
moved  into  Londonderry,  and  had  a  son  John  who  ni.  Mary,  young- 
est dau.  of  John  Aiken,  Sen.,  who  were  the  parents  of  the  wife  of 
Edmund  Adams,  at  the  mill.  There  was  a  Mark  Karr  at  a  later 
day  near  the  foot  of  the  hill,  west  of  Haselton's  grist-mill. 

Bradbury  Karr  is  on  the  inventory  of  1741,  but  his  name  is 
Carr  in  all  other  places.  The  other  Karrs  were  of  Scotch  descent 
and  were  Presbyterians.    It  is  said  by  his  descendants  that  he  was 


GENEALOGY  —  CHASE.  485 

of  Welsh  oi'igin.    He  settled  on  Add.  No.  '71,  where  his  great 
gi-audsoii,  Geo.  W.  Clark,  now  lives.    His  wife  was  Aiina.    Chil. : 

I.  Joseph,  b.  Nov.  20,  1742,  m.  Hannah  Ayer,  lived  on  the 
homestead,  d.  Feb.  27,  1835 ;  she  d.  Feb.  25, 1833.  Cliil. :— 1.  Han- 
nah A.,  b.  Nov.  10,  1765,  m.  Green,  of  Salem,  Mass.  2.  Joseph, 
b.  Feb.  26,  1767,  m.  Bett\'-,  dau.  of  Daniel  Kichardson,  d.  Oct., 
1855.  3.  Anna,  b.  Ang.  26,  1770,  m.  a  Silver,  and  John  Clark,  Jr. 
d.  Jan.  18,  1859.  4.  Bradbury  Moody,  b.  Dec.  15, 1773,  m.  Snsan, 
dau.  of  David  Hall.    He  enlisted  in  1813,  d.  at  Concord,  AjDril  13. 

n.  3Iolbj. 

in.  Parker,  b.  1750,  settled  on  Add.  No.  72.  He  sold  to  Wil- 
liam Weeks,  and  went  into  the  country. 

TV.  Judith. 

Simeon  Carr  lived  on  the  Boyes  land,  half  a  mile  southeast  of 
the  Head  tavern,  in  Hooksett,  by  the  Amoskeag  Company's 
quai-ry;  kept  tavern;  had  a  dau.  b.  about  1778,  m.  Maj.  Nathl. 
Head,  who  sold  to  Mark  Whittier  and  went  west. 

David  Carr,  a  brother  of  Simeon,  bought  Hatter  Uuderhill's 
place,  and  built  the  house  lately  owned  by  Gilman  C.  Smith.  His 
wife  was  buried  May  18,  1796,  and  was  the  first  person  buried  in 
the  Long  Meadow  burying-ground.  He  sold  to  Capt.  John  Wa- 
son,  and  moved  to  Piermont.  ^ 

CHASE. 

I  shall  digress  so  far  fi-om  the  History  of  Chester  as  to  give 
the  genealogy  of  several  prominent  Chases  not  connected  with 
Chester. 

There  were  two  of  the  name  who  came  from  Cornwall,  Eno-- 
land,  to  Hampton,  N.  H.,  about  1639,  Thomas  and  Aquila. 
Aquila  m,  Anna  AVheeler  and  went  to  Newbury  in  1646.  Chil- 
dren :  — 

I.Sarah.  2.  Anna.  S.Priscilla.  4.  Mary.  5.  Aquila.  6.  Thomas, 
b.  July  25,  1654,  m.  Rebecca  Folansbee,  Nov.  22,  1677.  7.  John. 
8.  Elizabeth.  9.  Ivuth.  10.  Daniel,  b.  Dec.  9,  1661,  m.  Martha 
Kimball.  11.  Moses,  b.  Dec.  24,  1663,  m.  Anna  Folansbee,  Nov. 
10,  1684,  and  settled  in  what  is  now  West  Newbury  on  the  main 
road  about  one  hundred  rods  above  Bridge  street,  and  a  part  of 
the  farm  is  now  owned  by  his  g.  g.  g,  son,  Samuel  Carr.  He  d. 
Sept.  6,  1743.  A  large  majority  of  all  the  Chases  in  the  United 
States  are  probably  liis  descendants. 

6.  Thomas  and  Rebecca  had  a  sou  Thomas,  b.  1680,  who  had  a 
son  Abel,  b.  1702,  m.  Mary  Bricket,  1728,  and  settled  in  Sutton, 
Mass.  He  had  a  son  Abel,  b.  1732,  m.  Judith  Gale.  He  had  a  son 
Abel,  b.  1754,  m.  Hannah  Bond.  He  had  a  son  Jonas,  b.  1782,  ra. 
Lavina  Bayden.  He  had  a  son  Leonard  who  came  to  Milford, 
N.  H.,  b.  Aug.  12,  1812,  was  one  of  the  Executive  Council  several 
years,  d.  1808. 


486  HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 

ThoMx\.s  and  Eebecca  had  another  sou,  Jonathan,  h.  1G83,  m. 
Joanna  Pahner,  settled  in  Stratham.  They  had  a  son  James,  to 
whom  he  gave  add.  lot  No.  97.  James  came  to  Chester  and  lived 
a  short  time,  about  1740 ;  sold  his  lot  to  Benjamin  Hills  (the 
Ambrose  place)  and  went  to  Epping,  North  river,  where  his 
descendants  still  reside. 

Thomas  had  another  son,  James,  b.  Sept.  IG,  1685,  m.  ISFartha 
Rolfe.  When  a  child  she  was  knocked  in  the  head  by  the  Indians 
and  left  for  dead,  but  recovered.  Tliey  had  a  son  JOHNSON,  b. 
Oct.  25,  1730,  m.  Abigail  Pike,  July  9,  1753.  After  the  death  of 
her  husband  she  came  to  Chester;  d.  1804,  a.  80.    Children:  — 

II.  Hannah,  b.  Nov.  14,  1754,  m.  John  Haselton,  son  of  Eph- 
raim,  March  21,  1782,  d.  of  cancer  Jttly,  182G. 

III.  PEULEY,b.  June  2, 1758,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Nalhaniel  Ingalls. 
She  d.  Sept.  15,  1791.  He  lived  at  first  on  the  south  side  of  Wal- 
nut Hill,  then  near  the  top,  at  the  James  Campbell  place.  Chil- 
dren : — 

1.  Nancy,  m.  Ryan. 

2.  Josiah,  b.  Oct.  2,  1791,  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Cort.  David 
Shaw,  1816.    Children:— 

Perley  S.,  b.  Nov.  8,  1817,  grad.  at  Brown  University,  1842; 
Hiram,  b.  July  17,  1819,  gi-ad.  at  Union  College,  1844,  d.  Aug. 
31,  1845. 

Abigail  d.  June  20, 1824.  Josiah  ni.  (2)  Adaline  Ayer,  and  had 
George  S.,  b.  July  28,  1836,  grad.  at  Newton  Theo.  Sem.,  1866. 

Perley  m.  (2)  Achsah  Mudget.  Chil., —  John,  Mary  and 
Louisa,  all  d.  of  consumption  witliin  fifteen  months. 

Daniel,  the  tenth  child  of  Aquila  had  a  son  Daniel,  1).  Oct.  15, 
1702,  m.  Mary  Carpenter,  1723.  He  settled  in  Concord,  N.  H. 
His  will  was  proved  March  16, 1775.  He  .had  a  son  JONATHAN, 
b.  March  1, 1733,  m.  Sarah  Stickney.  Jonathan  and  Sarah  had  Sam- 
uel, b.  March  10, 1761,  m.  Molly  Stanley.  They  had  a  son  Horace 
b.  Dec.  14,  1788,  grad.  at  Dart.,  1814,  is  Attorney  at  Law  in  IIop- 
kinton,  and  has  been  Jitdge  of  Probate.  Jonathan's  5th  son, 
Charles,  m.  Sarah  Currier  and  had  a  son  Carlton,  grad.  at  Dart., 
1817,  is  now  (1868)  Bishop  of  N.  H. 

Moses,  the  eleventh  child  of  Aquila,  had  Moses  and  Daniel, 
twins,  b.  Sept.  20,  1685 ;  Moses  d.  young. 

I.  Daniel,  m.  Sarah  March,  Jan.  2,  1707,  lived  at  Newbury  till 
about  1725,  then  in  Littleton,  then  in  Sutton,  Mass.  They  liad 
10  children: — 

1.  SAMUEL,  b.  Sept.  28,  1707,  m.Mary,  dau.  of  Judge  Dudley. 
He  went  to  Cornish,  N.  IL,  and  was  a  Judge  in  Chesliire  County, 
d.  Aug.  12,  1800. 

The  tenth  child  of  Daniel  was  Moses,  b.  March  16,  1727,  m. 


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490  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

23,  1791,  d.  unmarried,  1829.  4.  Polly,  b.  1793,  d.  1807.  5.  Ja- 
cob, b.  Feb.  26,  1797,  m.  Hannah  James  and  Nancy  Ilaselton ; 
lived  on  the  homestead ;  d.  in  1861.  6.  Dolly,  b.  Jan.  12,  1799, 
ra.  Robert,  sou  of  John  Crawford,  d.  Aug-.  31,  1864.  7.  Ehoda, 
b.  April  2,  1802,  m.  Ira  James.  8.  Sally,  d.  young.  9,  Sally,  b- 
Oct.,  1805,  m.  Richard,  son  of  Richard  Dearborn,  d.  1848.  10. 
Henry  Franklin,  b.  Aug.  30,  1808,  m.  Abigail  Mitchel;  lived  in 
Chester  on  the  Capt.  John'  Underbill  place ;  d.  at  Westminster, 
Vt.,  March  20,  1867. 

3.  JosiAii,  b.  April  6,  1767,  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Isaac  Blasdell, 
1791,  lived  on  the  south  end  of  Gov.  Shute's  farm,  and  Grantham, 
N.  H. 

JACOB,  Sen.,  m.  (2)  Dolly  Colby,  widow  of  David  Worthen. 
He  d.  Dec  12,  1803.    Prudence  d.  1775.    Dolly  d.  1816. 

Stephen  Chase,  Esq.,  came  on  to  the  stage  of  active  life  about 
the  time  that  Samuel  Emerson,  Esq.,  left  it,  and  in  some  respects 
filled  about  the  same  sphere.    He  was  noted  as  a  land  surveyor 
for  more  than  thirty  years,  and  made  the  survey  and  i^lan  of  Ches- 
ter for  Carrigain's  map,  which  is  remarkably  accurate.     He  wrote 
a  veiy  large  proportion  of  the  deeds  and  wills,  and  administered 
on  the  estates  of  his  time,  and  held  the  office  of  selectman  many 
3'ears.     In  Esquire  Emerson's  day,  he  was  a  kind  of  oracle,  and 
nearly  all  the  small  disputes  were  referred  directly  to  him.    But 
things  changed,  and  in  Esquire  Chase's  day  there  was  more  liti- 
gation, and  he  was  the  Justice  to  try  the  causes,  or  one  of  the 
arbitrators.    Although  not  a  finished  workman,  he  had  quite  a 
mechanical  genius,  making  carts,  plows,  and  other  tools,  and 
plastered  houses.     From  1784  to  near  his  death  he  kept  a  diary, 
filled  largely  with  his  labors  on  the  farm,  and  other  lousiness, 
which  shows  him  to  have  been  a  very  industrious  man  :  and  in  it 
arc  also  entered  the  birtlis,  marriages  and  deaths,  and  many  of 
the  interesting  events  of  the  times,  from  which  I  have  drawn 
many  facts  otherwise  lost. 

Joseph  Chase's  tenth  child : — 

X.  MOODY,  b.  Oct.  7, 1744,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  John  Webster,  of 
Ilampstead,  Oct.  25, 1768.  She  d.  Dec.  4, 1791.  He  m.  (2)  Abigail 
Worth,  wid.  of  William  Rogers,  April  19,  1772.  He  d.  July  27, 
1^8.  She  d.  Dec.  9,  1826.  He  bought  of  Joseph  Basford  part  of 
his  homestead  No.  73,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  Wells  C.  Underbill 
now  lives.     Children  : — 

1.  John  W.,  b.  1769,  m.  Prudence  Stark;  lived  at  Picrmont;  d. 
1863.  2.  Mary,  b.  Feb.  24,  1771,  m.  B.  P.  Chase,  1808;  d.  Feb. 
15,  1823.  3.  Joseph,  b.  April  4,  1774,  m.  Nancy,  d.  of  Maj.  Jesse 
Eaton;  lived  on  a  part  of  the  homestead;  went  to  Canaan  1816; 
d.  Sept.  6,  1820.    4.  Jacob,  b.  March  22,  1776;  lived  at  Newbury 


I 


^)^' 


I 


"i 


/ 


/ 


7/V^ 


5    •# 


GENEALOGY  —  CLARK.  4iJi 

and  Hoi^kinton.  5.  Moodr,  b.  April  17,  1767,  lived  at  Haverhill, 
Mass. ;  d.  Aug-.  26,  1833.  6.  Samuel,  b.  Aug.  11,  1780,  v^'ent  to 
Portland,  1800;  d.  July  26,  1867.  7.  Caleb,  b.  Feb.  3,  1783,  grad. 
uated  at  Dartmouth  1811;  never  followed  any  profession ;  d.  at 
Portland,  Sept.  20, 1850.  8.  Anna,  b.  1785,  d.  1806.  9.  Elizabeth, 
b.  1787,  m.  Moses,  son  of  Caleb  Chase.  10.  Thomas,  b.  Xov.  8, 
1789,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Samuel  Shannon;  d.  1852,  at  Haverhill 
Mass.  11.  Hannah  H.,  b.  Nov.  23,  1791,  m.  Eeuben,  son  of  Jere. 
Underbill. 

[For  a  more  detailed  and  extensive  genealogy  of  Chases,  see  a 
manuscrix^t  collection  by  the  writer.] 

CLARK. 

Joseph  Clark  was  in  Chester  previous  to  1736.  In  1840  he  had 
an  amendment  laid  out,  and  was  tythingman  in  1743.  He  settled 
on  Add.  lot  Xo.  58,  where  G.  W.  Chase  now  lives.  He  had  chil- 
dren recorded  from  1736  to  1760: — 

Mary,  m.  Thomas  Merril,  who  lived  on  the  homestead. 

Heuben,  b.  1760,  went  to  Cabot. 

Joseph  Clakk's  estate  was  divided  in  1782. 

Jonx  Clark  was  from  Portsmouth.  His  flither  came  from 
England,  and  d.  when  John  was  young.  He  came  to  Candia,  and 
learned  the  art  of  tanning  of  AYalter  Robie.  He  purchased  of 
Joseph  Dearborn  part  of  59,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  in  1777,  and  lived 
there.  He  was  b.  Oct.  15,  1751 ;  m.  Sarah  Wadley,  of  Brentwood, 
who  was  born  March  22,1755.  He  d.  1827;  she  d.  1842.  Chil- 
dren : — 

1.  John,  b.  1776,  m.  Anna  Carr,  widow  of  Silver.  • 

2.  Abifjail,  b.  1778. 

3.  Eleazer,  b.  1779,  went  to  Stanstead. 

4.  Benjamin.   5.  Sarah. 

6.  Henry,  b.  1788,  went  to  New  Boston. 

7.  Charlotte,  m.  Jonathan  Dustiu. 

8.  Anna  m.  Cotton  Norton. 

9.  Abner  B.     10.  Mary. 

11.  Bichard  S.,  b.  April  21,  1801,  m.  Abra,  dau.  of  George 
Wood;  lives  in  Auburn. 


■  5 


Ancestors  of  John  Clark,  2d. 

Nathaniel  Clark,  of  Newbury,  d.  Aug.  25,  1690,  a.  46.  He 
was  a  merchant  in  what  is  now  Newburyport ;  owned  a  wharf, 
warehouse,  brigantine,  &c.  He  m.,  1663,  Elizabetli  Somerby, 
dau.  of  Henry  (who  came  to  Newbury  in  1639,  and  had  eleven 
children,  one  of  whom,  Rev.  John,  b.  1670,  grad.  Harvard  1690? 


492  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

ordained  in  Exeter,  1698).  Nathaniel  Clark,  b.  1666,  m.  Elizabeth, 
dau.  of  Dr.  Peter  Tappan,  and  sister  of  Rev.  Christopher  Tappan; 
d.  1690,  onboard  of  the  "  Six  Friends,"  in  the  Canada  expedition, 
leaving  one  sou,  Nathaniel,  b.  1689,  m.  Sarah  Greenleaf,  1710. 
They  had  a  son 

Nathaniel,  born  1728,  ra.  Mary  Hardy  in  17.53 ;  lived  in  Haver- 
hill, Mass.  Their  eldest  son,  DAVID,  learned  the  art  of  dressing 
cloth,  and  set  up  in  business  at  Allen's  mills,  in  Salem,  and  after- 
wards at  SandoMai.  He  m.  Anna  Woodman,  and  their  eldest  son, 
John,  was  b.  in  Salem,  May  25,  nS-i.  He  came  to  Chester  about 
1806,  and  bought  the  Dea.  Wilson  place,  No.  126,  2d  P.  2d  D.,  and 
afterwards  large  tracts  of  other  lands,  and  did  an  extensive  busi- 
ness at  lumbering  and  farming.  He  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Dea. 
David  Currier,(who  was  b.  July  5,  1787)  Nov.  12,  1812.  He  d. 
May  15, 1863 ;  she  d.  ISIarch  11, 1868.  Chil.  who  survived  -.—Geo P., 
b.  Aug.  23,  1813,  m.  (1)  Jane  Graham;  m.  (2)  Susan  J.  Crombie ; 
lives  on  the  liomestead.  3rary  Ann,  m.  Rev.  Isaac  A.  Savage. 
Catharine  P.,  m.  Rev.  Wm.  C.  Tenney.  John  C,  grad.  Middle- 
ton.     (See  Graduates.) 

Greenleaf  Clarke,  of  Atkinson,  of  the  Council ;  William  C,  grad  . 
Dart.  1832,  and  Attoruey-Gcnenil;  and  John  B.,  grad.  Dart. 
1843,  publisher  of  the  "Mirror,"  are  sous  of  Greenleaf,  a  brother  of 
David  Clark. 

CLAY. 

In  Chester  records  is  the  marriage  of  Joxas  Clay  and  Margaret 
Naton,  1735,  and  the  birtli  of  Pegge,  Jan.  3,  1737.  She  was  noted 
in  her  day  as  a  witch.  Ou  the  petition  for  soldiers  in  1748,  arc 
the  names  of  Jonas  and  John;  on  the  petition  for  the  incorpora- 
tion of  Raymond,  are  the  names  of  David  and  James;  and  tlicre 
is  the  name  of  Jonas,  Jr.,  on  same  record.  These  were  probably 
children  of  Jonas,  Sen.  He  once  lived  on  No.  112,  N.  D.,  which 
he  deeded  to  John  Lane,  with  one  whole  saw-mill  and  half  of 
another,  in  1765.  This  must  have  been  Jonas,  Jr.,  for  Jonas 
Clay's  will  was  proved  in  1748. 

Stephex  Clay  lived  on  the  northwest  side  of  the  road  from 
Shackford's  to  Lane's,  probably  on  Add.  lot  No.  123.  The  divis- 
ion of  the  school  districts  was  the  pasture  bars  at  the  Clay  place. 
He  m.  Mary  Powell,  Oct.  12,  1740.    Children :  — 

James,  b.  1741. 

Stephen,  b.  Aug.  1,  1743,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Moses  Richardson, 
April  16,  1772,  lived  on  H.  L.  No.  3,  the  Goodhue  place.    Chil. : — 

1.  Betsy,  m.  Eliphalet  Danforth. 

2.  Stephen,  b.  Jan.  18,  1777,  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Daniel  Dolby. 
She  d.  1819,  a.  38.  He  m.  (2)  Nancy,  dau.  of  Walter  Robie,  Esq. 
She  d.  1827.  He  m.  (3)  Avid.  of  Jonathan  Ball;  lived  on  the 
homestead. 


A 


GENEALOGY  —  COLBY.  493 

3.  Moses,  b.  Sept.  19,  1780,  m.  Jane  Lane,  wid.  of  Ezekiel 
Blake,  Jr. 

4.  Nehemiah,  b.  Aug.  31,  1783. 

John  Clay  settled  east  of  Candia  meeting-house,  on  No.  63,  3d 
D,,  m.  a  dau.  of  John  Eobie.  Their  chiklren  were,  Walter,  who 
lived  on  the  homestead,  Stephen,  and  John.  He  m.  (2)  Lydia  Eo- 
bie, dau.  of  Samuel,  and  wid.  of  Richard  Ordway.  Their  daugh- 
ter, Sally,  m.  Richard  Emerson  and  Pliiueas  Colby. 

CLIFFORD. 

The  Cliffords  were  of  Kingston,  and  several  have  been  in 
Chester,  of  whom  little  is  known.  In  1731,  Lemuel  Clifford,  of 
Chester,  tanner,  sold  to  Samuel  Emerson  the  north  end  of  two  H, 
L.'s,  53  and  101.  He  migiit  have  lived  on  the  south  end,  where 
Mr.  Kendall  now  lives.  From  1739  to  1750,  Peter  Clifford  has 
children  recorded.  In  17-45,  Samuel  Healey  sold  a  quarter  of  Ms 
farm,  No.  110,  O.  H.,  to  Isaac  Clifford,  of  Kingston.  He  m. 
Sarah,  dau.  of  William  Healey,  and  went  to  Rumney.  He  had 
10  children :  — 

Sarah,  m.  Sherburne  Rowe,  of  Candia. 

Elizabeth,  m.  Nathan  Webster,  of  Chester. 

Bridget,  m.  Jonathan  Pillsbury,  of  Candia. 

Isaac,  went  to  Wentworth. 

Nathaniel,  Rumney. 

John  and  Samuel,  to  Stanstead. 

Joanna,  m.  John  Shaw,  of  Brentwood. 

Huldah,  m.  Charles  Nichols,  of  Rumney. 

John  Clifford  and  William  lived  on  No.  82,  3d  D. 
Zachariah,  on  No.  2,  3d  D. 

COLBY. 

ENOCH  COLBY  is  said  to  be  of  Hampton,  but  his  name  appears 
on  the  Hampton  Falls  tax-list  of  1727;  m.  Abial,  dau.  of  Benja- 
min Sanborn,  a  grantee,  Avho  was  a  son  of  Lt.  John.  She  was 
sister  of  the  wife  of  William  Healey,  b.  July  20, 1700,  m.  Dec.  16, 
1725.  Jan.  1,  1723,  Benjamin  Sanborn,  of  Hampton,  in  consider- 
ation of  affection,  conveyed  to  Enoch  Colby,  also  of  Hamj)ton, 
one  half  of  his  right  in  Chester,  and  the  house  on  said  right.  The 
H.  L.  is  No.  115,  where  he  settled,  where  the  Misses  Pressey  now 
live.  He  probably  did  not  come  to  Chester  till  about  1728;  his 
name  first  appears  on  the  record  as  surveyor  of  highways  in  1730. 
Will  proved,  Aug.  30,  1780.     Children :  — 

I.  ExocH,  probably  b.  at  Hampton,  m.  Abigail  Blasdell,  settled 


49J:  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

in  Candia,  south  end  of  No.  89,  3d  D.,  and  had  nine  cliildren. 
John,  Enoch  and  Jethro,  were  soldiers  in  the  Revolution. 

1.  John,  d.  at  Yalley  Forge. 

2.  Jethro,  was  at  11. 1.,  d.  on  the  "  dark  day/'  1780,  after  Ms 
return  home. 

3.  Enoch,  m.  Lydia  Wortheu,  and  settled  in  Thornton.  He  was 
Representative,  Senator,  and  Councillor,  five  years  from  1813. 

4.  Nehemiah,  lived  on  the  homestead,  m.  Marv  Rowe ;  d.  1810, 
a.  82. 

5.  Abner. 

6.  Samuel,  m.  Ruth  French,  and  carried  her  behind  him  on 
horseback  to  Derby,  Vt. 

7.  Abigail,  m.  John  Colby,  of  Amesbuiy. 

8.  Mary,  d.  1780. 

II.  Sarah,  m.  William  Turner,  the  second,  if  not  the  first  set- 
tler in  Candia.     She  d.  May  30,  1810. 

III.  DoKOTiiY,  b.  Jan.  5,  1730,  m.  (1)  David  Worthcn,  and  m. 
(2)  Jacob  Chase,  Esq. ;  d.  Aug.  15,  181G. 

IV.  Jethro,  b.  May  8, 1733,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Samuel  Bart- 
lett,  Xov.  1,  1756.  lie  lived  on  H.  L.  No.  37,  the  Bartlett  place. 
He  d.  April  4, 1803 ;  she  d.  July  13, 1778.  He  m.  (2)  Nanne  Moul- 
ton,  wid.  of  Josiah  Bradley,  Sen.     She  d.  1793.     Child:  — 

Lydia,  b.  Feb.  17,  1700,  m.  Edmund  Sleepei-,  1779,  d.  Jan.  3, 
803. 

V.  SusAxxAii,  b.  Aug.  22,  1735,  m.  Blake,  of  Hampton,  parents 
of  Stephen  Chase's  wife. 

VI.  Abiel,  b.  July  10,  1741,  m.  a  Hill.  ENOCH  m.  (2)  Sarah 
Sargent,  1748. 

Vn.  Abigail,  b.  Dec.  19,  1749,  m.  James  Towle,  of  Hawke. 

VIII.  MARY,b.  Nov.  9,  1756,  m.  Bcnj.  Long,  went  to  Schenec- 
tady, N.  Y. 

IX.  Elizabeth,  b.  June  27,  1758,  m.  John  Wilson,  Esq. 

X.  Judith,  b.  Aug.  10,  1760,  m.  Joseph  Long. 

Benaiah  Colby  came  to  Chester  about  the  time  that  Enoch  did. 
He  was  fence-viewer  in  1729.  He  settled  on  H.  L.  No.  51,  whei-e 
Francis  Haselton  now  lives.  He  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Nathan  Web- 
ster, Sell.,  the  grantee.    Children:  — 

Sarah,  b.  1729. 

John,  b.  Jan.  10,  1731. 

Benaiah,  b.  May  29,  1734 ;  m.  Abigail  Emei'son  1764. 

3Iary,  b.  Oct.  3,  1736. 

Anne,OQt.  27,  1738.    He  m.  (2)  Elizabeth  Emerson  1745. 

John,  b.  April  19,  1750;  m.  Ruth  Wells. 

Nathan  Webster  in  his  will  gives  legacies  to  lus  grandchildren, 
Benaiah  and  Mary  Colby,  in  1746. 


GENEALOGY — COLBY.  495 

Benaiah  Colby,  Jr.,  m.  Abigail  Emerson,  1764.  He  lirecl  at 
differeut  places;  once  on  Xo.  112  O.  H.,  the  Jonas  Clay  jilace. 
Children :  — 

1.  Moses,  b.  July  11,  1765;  went  to  Rockport,  Mass. 

2.  Sarah,  b.  1766;  m.  a  Colby  of  Poplin. 

3.  Elizabeth,  b.  1768;  m.  Stephen,  son  of  Joshua  Prescot;  went 
to  Sandwich. 

4.  Abigail,  b.  1770;  m.  Eben  Tabor  and  a  Sawyer  of  Sandown. 

5.  Jonathan,  b.  1772;  m.  Betsy,  dau.  of  Jonathan  Berry. 

6.  Joseph,  b.  1775;  m.  Rhoda  Barret  and  went  to  Corinth. 

7.  Benaiah,  d.  young. 

8.  Mary,  b.  1779;  m.  John,  son  of  Jonathan  Norton. 

9.  Anne,  b.  July  2,  1781 ;  m.  Ebenezer  Marden. 

10.  Benaiah,  b.  Sept.  2,  1783. 

Bexaiah  Colby's  son  John,  b.  1750,  m.  Ruth  Wells,  1270;  has 

seven  cliildren  on  the  record,  of  whom  nothing  is  known. 
* 
There  was  a  Nathan  Colby  who  sold  H.  L.  Nos.  30  and  135, 
(where  Woodbury  Masters  lives)  to  Col.  Webster  in  1757,  and  a 
Joseph  Colby,  who  owned,  and  probably  lived  on  i)art  of  Add. 
No.  40  (where  William  Whittemore  now  lives)  in  1760.  John 
Underhill,  Jr.,  afterwai-ds  lived  there. 

The  Rev.  Zaccheus  Colby  was  the  son  of  Zaccheus  and  Mary 
Eastman  Colby,  b.  at  Newton,  N.  H.  He  served  an  apprentice- 
ship at  tanning  and  currying  with  Col.  John  Calfe  of  Kingstown. 
After  he  became  of  age  he  fitted  for  college  at  Dummer  school  at 
Byefield,  and  grad.  at  Dart.,  1777.  He  man-ied  Mary  Calfe,  dau. 
of  Ms  former  master.  He  was  settled  as  a  minister  in  Pembroke, 
1780,  and  his  cliildren  were  all  born  there.  It  is  said  that  he  was 
once  oflered  a  Professor's  Chau'  at  Bowdoin,  but  he  declined  it. 
Children :  — 

1.  John,  b.  1785. 

2.  Samuel,  b.  1787;  m.  LydiaCoult;  lives  at  Pembroke. 

3.  Jf'iri/,  b.  1789;  d.  unm. 

4.  Hannah,  b.  Jan.  13,  1791,  unm. 

5.  Sarah,  b.  March  2, 1793;  m.  Dr.  Nathan  Plummer ;  d.  March, 
1835. 

6.  Zaccheus,  m.  Mary  Coult  and  lived  on  the  homestead. 

7.  Judith,  went  a  missionary  to  Harmony  Station,  Osage 
Indians. 

Mr.  Colby  lived  in  Chester  on  Gov.  Wentworth's  fann  of  250 
acres  where  Alexander  Craige  lived.  He  d.  Aug.  10,  1822,  a. 
75.  She  d.  May  20,  1837,  a.  78.  See  further,  Hist.  Presbyterian 
Church  in  this  work. 


496  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


CEAIGE. 


ALEXAJS'DER  CRAIGE  probably  came  from  Ireland.  Feb.  27, 
1724  or  '5.  Jolm  Carr  of  Chester  conveyed  to  Alexander  Craigc 
of  Chebacco  (Hamilton,  Mass..)  the  H.  L.  No.  13,  and  one-half  of 
all  other  divisions.  Jnne  11,  1729,  he  exchanged  lots  with  Mor- 
rice  Ilobbs  and  Richard  Taylor,  and  took  No.  110,  "  on  which  the 
said  Craig-e  now  lives."  Tliis  was  a  little  west  of  the  old  Pres- 
byterian meeting-house  and  joined  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wilson's  lot. 
AYhen  the  road  was  laid  out  from  Enoch  Colby's  across  the  lots 
to  the  ten-rod  way,  in  1730,  damage  was  awarded  to  Alexander 
Craige,  and  Avhen  it  was  changed  in  1733,  it  was  across  the  land 
of  Nathaniel  Ambrose.  July,  1730,  Mr.  Ci'aige  bought  of  Gov. 
Wentworth  150  acres  of  his  farm  of  250  acres,  and  his  sou  xindrew 
bought  about  the  same  time  50  acres  of  the  same  farm,  and  they 
made,  probably,  the  second  settlements  at  the  Long  Meadows ;  Al- 
exander, at  the  Colby  place,  Avhcre  Jacob  Lufkin  now  lives,  An- 
drew, his  son,  at  what  has  been  the  Presbyterian  parsonage,  where 
John  Ray  now  lives.  The  road  to  get  there  was  thi-ough  the  south 
woods,  probably  from  where  Gilman  Morse  now  lives.  The  name 
of  Alexander  Craige  is  on  the  protest  against  hiring  or  settling 
any  other  minister,  June,  1735,  and  Alexander  and  Andrew  are 
both  signers  of  the  protests  of  Nov.  G,  1735,  and  June,  1736.  His 
will  is  dated  Sept.  5,  1750,  proved  Oct.  31, 1750.  The  legatees  are 
Alexander  Craige,  Jr.  (50  acres  of  his  homestead),  grandson 
David,  daughter  Agnes  and  granddaughter  Mary ;  Andrew  was 
executor  and  residuary  legatee.  David  Craige  sold  to  Andrew 
Ms  right  in  his  father's  estate. 

Alexander,  Jr.,  sold  the  place  to  William  Graham. 

Andrew  m.  Agnes,  dan.  of  Robert  Graham,  and  was  a  very 
prominent  man  in  town,  and  especially  in  the  Presbyterian  parish. 
He  was  one  of  the  conmiittee  to  take  a  deed  of  Mr.  AVilson  of 
half  an  acre  of  land  that  the  meeting-house  stood  on  in  1744.  In 
1748  it  was  voted  ''that  the  meeting  [at  the  Long  Meadow]  be 
held  at  Andrew  Craige's  house."    He  is  termed  Esquire  in  1761. 

Andrew  and  Agnes  his  wife  have  a  son  Andrew,  Jr.,  on  the  rec- 
ords, b.  Dec.  15, 1740.  He  sold  to  his  father  in  1764  one-fourth  of 
the  Crosett  saw-mill.  "Wliere  he  went  to,  and  whether  there  were 
other  children  is  not  known. 

Andrew  was  a  large  land-holder.  He  sold  his  homestead  to 
Elizabeth  Stickuey  and  Edmund  Stickney,  May  23,  1771,  and  was 
in  New  Chester  in  1774,  but  there  is  no  ti-adition  of  Craiges  there 
now. 

David  Craige  settled  on  No.  38,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  just  above  whei'e 
Asahel  Weeks  now  lives.    He  and  Abigail  his  wifa  had  Alexander, 


GENEALOGY  —  CRAIGE.  497 

b.  Feb.  22,  1741;  David,  h.  Sept.  2,  1746;  Abigail,  b.  Aug.  4, 
1748. 

David,  Jr.,  m.  Elizabeth  Richardson,  dan.  of  Moses  Richardson, 
Sept.  23,  1770.  She  \ras  b.  Aug.  11,  1750.  The  whole  family 
went  to  Rumney. 

David,  Sen.,  d.  about  1795,  and  his  wife  lived  to  be  104  years  old. 

Alexande)' lived  in  Rumney,  and  probi^bly  lived  and  kept  tavern 
in  Chester,  where  Mr.  Orcutt  now  lives,  but  died  in  Rumney. 

David,  Jr.,  had  7  sons.  Stephen  was  the  father  of  Capt.  Stephen 
Dearborn's  second  wife.  Tappan  Webster  Craige,  the  youngest, 
was  b.  1790,  is  now  (1867)  alive,  and  has  a  large  family.  Byron 
M.  lived  on  the  homestead  at  Rumney,  others  in  Saxonville,  Law- 
rence, &c. 

David  Craige,  Jr.,  d.  at  the  age  of  62,  his  wife  Elizabeth  at  the 
age  of  99  years  and  6  months. 

Abigail,  dau.  of  David,  Sen.,  m,  Thos.  Ramsey  of  Rumney, 
Aug.  27,  1772.     They  both  died  Jan.  1837. 

Lieut.  Tuomas  Craige  lived  on  Add.  No.  114,  where  Benaiah 
Spoiibrd  now  lives.  He  might  have  been  a  son  of  Alexander 
though  I  have  seen  nothing  to  indicate  it.  In  the  old  Presbyter- 
ian burying-ground  is  a  stone,  "  Margaret,  wife  of  Thomas  Craige, 
d.  Sep.  17,  1754,  aged  28." 

"William  Craige  and  Jane,  his  wife,  settled  on  No.  77,  2d  P., 
2d  D.,  where  Moses  Hall  lately  lived.  He  bad  two  sous — Bobert^ 
died  early;  John,  d.  March,  1805.  His  poll  not  being  taxed  1790, 
supposed  to  be  over  85.  He  was  blind  many  years.  Both  were 
bachelors. 

William  Craige  had  a  dau.  Jane  buried  at  Deny,  d.  Oct.  6, 1745, 
aged  18.  There  was  also  a  dau.  Isabel,  m.  Alexander  McMurphy 
of  Londonderry;  and  Robert  Archibald,  d.  1806. 

Some  of  the  ^tables  of  longevity  make  William  and  Jane,  d. 
1775,  aged  100,  but  by  the  age  of  the  daughter  she  could  not  have 
been  so  old. 

There  was  a  fiimily  of  Craiges  came  over  in  1736  or  1737  with 
John  McKinley,  Allen  Templeton  and  John  Orr. 

Robert  Craige  m.  Margaret  Crosett.  He  purchased  25  acres 
of  Gov.  AYentworth's  farm  of  250  acres.  She  d.  Sept.  15,  1754; 
Thomas,  their  son,  d.  1757,  and  Robert  made  Robert  McKinley 
his  heir.    He  d.  Sept.  14,  1790. 

Ann  Craige  m.  John  Mclvinley,  who  did  not  come  to  Chester 
but  stopped  in  Boston. 

AGXE.S  Cr.uge  m.  Allen  Templeton,  w^ho  settled  to  the  N.  W. 
of  Robert  Craige.    She  d.  1797. 
32 


498  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Jane  Ckaige  m.  Johu  Gunyou,  and  lived  on  what  was  the 
Derby  place  in  Dei'ry, 

Thomas  CRiViGE  settled  in  Londonderry.  Ilis  will  was  proved, 
May  27,  1778.  Tlie  legatees  were  Lis  wife  Martha,  sister  Ann 
McKiuley,  and  brother-in-law  John  Gunyon. 


CRAWFORD. 

"WILLIAM  CRAWFORD  came  from  Ireland,  it  is  said,  when 
Ms  son  Robert  was  two  years  old.  Ebenezcr  Ayers,  of  Haverhill, 
sold  to  William  Crawford,  of  Chester,  H.  L.  No.  47,  Sept.  8, 1730, 
reseiwing  the  right  for  his  father  to  cut  firewood.  It  is  probable 
that  Ayers  had  a  house  then.  It  was  N.  E.  of  the  main  road,  near 
where  Daniel  Wilson  lately  lived,  and  was  taken  down  by  Joseph 
Carr,  Jr.,  1828,  said  then  to  be  the  oldest  house  in  town.  He 
built  the  first-grist  mill,  where  Ilaselton's  now  is.  In  the  Propri- 
etors' Records  is  entered,  "  WilUam  Crafibrd,  having  built  a  Gris 
mill  upon  the  Great  brooke,  in  Chester,  at  the  Lower  falls,  so 
called,  the  fifth  day  of  May,  1746,  doth  Record  his  son,  Robert 
Crafibrd,  miller  of  said  Grist-mill."  In  1748  he  deeded  Add.  lot 
No.  129  and  the  mill  to  Robert.      William's  wife  was  then  Jean. 

WILLIAIVI  m.  Mary,  dan.  of  Robert  Graham;  d.  1786.  Chil- 
dren : — 

I.  Robert. 

II.  WiLLiAJi,  mentioned  in  Graham's  will  in  1747.  William, 
Jr.,  had  a  road  laid  out  from  his  lot  No.  129,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  near 
Clark's  mill,  in  Auburn,  to  the  main  road,  in  1749.  He  probably 
died,  as  we  hear  nothing  more  about  him. 

Robert,  it  is  said,  exchanged  the  mill  with  Ileniy  Lunt,  for  land 
in  Sandown,  and  removed  there.  He  m.  Joanna,  dan.  of  Jona- 
than and  Theodate  Sanborn,  April  10,  1755.  She  was  b.  July  3> 
1736.     Children:— 

1.  John,  b.  Sep.  25,  1757;  m.  Margaret,  dau.  of  Thomas  Ander- 
son; lived  on  lot  No.  130,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and  had  his  house  burnt, 
July  10,  1789.  He  d.  Nov.  8,  1831.  She  d.  July  21,  1837.  Cliil- 
dren: — 

Robert,  b.  Aug.  29,  1792;  m.  Dolly,  dau.  of  Stephen  Chase, 
Esq.,  Nov.  6,  1821.  He  d.  Dec.  26,  1825.  She  d.  Dec.  31,  1814. 
Children:— 1.  William,  b.  Jan.  9,  1823;  m.  Eliza  R., dau.  of  Rev. 
Luther  Crawford,  Sept.  25,  1866.  2.  Lucinda  A.,  Oct.  2,  1824,  d. 
Jan.  24, 1841. 

2.  William,  b.  March  1,  1759;  m.  Susan  Melvin,  1786,  lived  in 
Plymouth  till  1798,  then  in  Alexandria.  He  d.  Oct.  15,  1837. 
She  d.  Dec.  20,  1822.     Children :  — 

Joanna;  AYilliam;  Susan;  Ida;  Mary;  Sarah;  James;  Luther, 


GENEALOGY  —  CRITCHET.  499 

b.  Nov.  31,  1806,  grad.  at  Brown,  1834,  m.  Almira  Everet,  Feb.  4, 
1834,  cl.  Feb.,  1838;  Loiiisa,  b.  Sep.  30,  1810. 

3.  Bobert,  b.  May  10,  1761,  d.  April  27,  1838. 

4.  Mary,  b.  July  16,  1765,  d.  July  8,  1841. 

Egbert  m.  (2)  Jaue,dau.of  AlleuTempletou  and  Agnes  Craige. 
6.   Thomas,  b.  1773,  d.  Sep.  11,  1842. 

6.  George,  b.  1780,  d.  Nov.  13,  1846. 

7.  Jane,  b.  1780,  d.  Jan.  25,  1839. 

8.  Joanna. 

These  last  sis  lived  unmarried  on  the  homestead  in  Sandown 
and  the  estate  descended  to  William,  son  of  Robert.     He  removed 
to  Chester.    Egbert  d.  Sep.  5,  1791;  Jane  d.  July  10,  1832,  a.  91. 

WILLIA3I  CEAWFOED'S  second  wife  was  Jane.    Children  :— 

in.  JoHx,  m.  a  Carr,  lived  ou  No.  129,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  near 
Clai'k's  mill ;  afterwards  moved  to  the  main  road  where  Hugh 
Crombie  lately  lived.    Children : — 

Mary  Anne  and  Elizabeth .  One  of  these  daughters  m.  a  French, 
of  Enfield,  and  d.  1866,  over  90. 

Jghn  m,  (2)  Margaret,  dau.  of  Dea.  Adam  "Wilson.    Children : — 

John,  was  in  the  army,  1812,  lived  at  Nottingham,  d.  July,  1865, 
a.  80, 

Hannah,  b.  July,  1788,  m.  a  Young,  d.  1867. 

John,  Sen.,  d.  Oct.  27,  1790.  The  widow  m.  Samuel  Crombie, 
d.  Sep.  9,  1842. 

lY.  James  lived  num.  ou  the  homestead. 

Y.  A  dau.  m.  a  Wilson  of  New  Boston.  James  gave  Mr.  "Wil- 
son the  x>lace  and  d.  at  New  Boston.    It  was  sold  about  .1827. 

CEITCHET. 

The  Critchets  are  said  to  be  of  "Welsh  origin.  At  the  March 
term  of  the  court,  1750,  was  a  case,  Thomas  Critchet  of  Exeter, 
Joiner,  against  Ebenezer  Critchet  of  Portsmouth. 

TiiGMAS  Critchet  came  eai'ly  to  Candia,  and  settled  on  No.  1, 
3d  D.,  about  40  rods  back  from  the  present  road;  was  surveyor 
in  1765.    He  had  four  sons. 

Edward  Critchet  was  a  hayward  in  1768. 

Edward  and  Thomas  settled  in  Epsom. 

Benjamin  had  a  roving  turn  and  never  settled. 

James  m.  Susannah  Smith  of  Eaymond,  and  lived  on  the  home- 
stead. He  had  a  remarkable  mechanical  talent.  He  was  self 
taught ;  was  noted  as  a  mill-wright ;  made  wooden  clocks ;  and 
did  quite  a  business  at  repairing  clocks  and  watches.  He  d.  of 
cancer,  3Iay,  1849,  aged  88,  comparatively  otherwise  a  robust  man. 
Children : — 

Thomas ;  James ;  Caleb,  d.  y. ;  Moses ;  Isaac,  now  ou  the  home- 
stead; John  and  Joseph. 


500  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


CROMBIE, 

John  Crombie  came  from  the  north  of  Ireland,  and  settled 
near  the  lower  end  of  the  English  range  in  Londonderry.  He 
had  a  son  Hugh,  who  m.  Rebecca  Jordan,  and  settled  in  Chester, 
on  Xo.  80,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  Thomas  Coffin  lives,  in  Auburn. 
He  d.  of  apoplexjs  Nov.  23,  170G. 

He  had  a  son  Samuel,  who  m.  the  widow  of  James  Graham,  and 
had  a  son  Samuel,  who  went  to  Vermont.  Samuel  m.  (2) 
Widow  Margaret  Crawford,  and  had  Hugh,  b.  1796;  d.  1866. 

Hugh,  Sen.,  had  also  a  daughter  Molly,  m.  Capt.  William 
Leatch. 

Benjamin  Crombie  was  half-brother  of  John,  b.  near  Bally- 
more,  in  Ireland.  His  father  d.  in  Ireland,  and  his  mother  came 
over  with  him.  He  m.  Kebccca  Davis,  of  Ipswich,  Mass.,  and 
settled  at  New  Rowley.  In  1773  he  came  to  Derrylicld,  and  in 
1782  to  Chester,  where  his  grandson,  Franklin  Crombie,  now 
lives,  No.  74,  4th  D.    He  was  a  teacher.    He  had  eleven  children : 

6.  Moses,  b.  Sept.  7,  1751,  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Moses  (Hatter) 
Underbill.     She  d.  April  29,  1849.     Children:— 

Moses,  Jr.,  d.  March  4,  1868,  a.  87.  Elizabeth,  b.  March  22, 
1790,  m.  Matthew  Reid. 

11.  Amos,  b.  Aug.  29,  1764,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  John  Patten, 
Dec.  29,  1802.  They  had  Franklin,  Esq.,  b.  Oct.  25,  1803,  and 
Luther,  1808. 

Benjamin  d.  May  2,  1806,  a.  90.  His  wife  d.  Dec.  13,  1809,  a. 
80.  Amos  d.  Sept.  10,  1854.  His  wife  d.  Dec.  29,  1842.  These 
two  sons  are  all  who  came  to  Chester. 

C  R  O  S  E  T  T . 

James  Crosett  m.  a  Young,  a  sister  of  Samuel  Aiken's  wife,  in 
Ireland.  His  name  appears  in  the  Presbyterian  protest,  June, 
1836.  His  name  is  not  on  the  inventory  of  1741.  He  had  two 
sons: — 

James,  m.  Jane,  dau.  of  Robert  Graham, 

Benjamin,  m.  a  daughter  of  AVilliam  Graham. 

In  1745  they  purchased  No.  83,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  James  settled  op- 
posite to  Robert  Craige,  at  the  corner  of  the  road  over  Rattlesnake 
hill,  where  the  old  McKinley  house  stood,  which  they  sold  to 
Robert  Craige  in  1760.  James,  in  1763,  purchased  the  northwest 
fifty  acres  of  Gov.  Wentwortlrs  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  and 
settled  on  it,  and  in  1771  sold  to  William  Graham,  who  settled  his 
son  David  there.  Subsequent  occupants:  Wm.  Crombie,  Samuel 
Remie,  Jesse  Patten,  now  Albert  Pratt. 


GENEALOGY  —  CUEPJER.  501 

* 

Benjamin  settled  on  the  southwest  half  of  83,  "vrhich  has  since 
been  occupied  by  Peter  Aiken,  Eeuben  Dimon,  and  Stark  Eay. 
About  17G9  they  sold  to  Andrew  Craige,  and  purchased  the  Xutt 
place,  which  included  Nos.  86  and  87,  and  part  of  93,  2d  P.,  2d  D., 
which  in  1771  they  sold  to  Benjamin  and  Samuel  Pierce  and  AVil- 
liam  Brown.    They  went  to  some  place  on  the  Mohawk  river. 

CUKRIER. 

Thomas  Currier  and  Mary,  his  wife,  were  of  Amesbury.  He 
d.  Sept.  27,  1712.  She  d.  March  2,  1705.  Their  seventh  child  was 
BEXJA:MIN,  b.  March  27,  1668.  His  wife  was  Abigail.  Their 
first  son  was  Gideon,  b.  Feb.  21,  1712,  m.  Mary.  She  d.  Oct.  13, 
1784.     He  settled  in  Chester  on  Add.  lot  Xo.  15.     Children: — 

I.  Benjamin,  b.  Sei)t.  18,  1740,  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Joshua  Pres- 
cott,  Dec.  6,  1764.  He  d.  1816.'  She  d.  Jan.  2,  1824,  aged  80. 
They  Lived  on  Add.  lot  Xo.  114,  where  Benaiah  Spofford  now 
lives,  and  was  a  Captain  in  the  militia  during  the  Revolution. 
Children : — 

1.  Lucretia,  b.  Oct.  28,  1765,  m.  Moses  K.  Hall,  Dec.  29,  1785, 
d.  Aug.  1861. 

2.  Lydia,  b.  March  21,  1767,  m.  Dr.  Samuel  Quimby;  weut  to 
Maine. 

3.  Hannah,  d.  young. 

4.  John,  b.  March  4,  1770,  m.  Hannah  Currier;  lived  at  Sand- 
wich. 

5.  Anna,  b.  July  24,  1773,  m.  Samuel  Lane,  of  Chester;  d.  May 
23,  1833. 

6.  Dolly,  b.  June  23,  1775,  m.  Samuel  Joy,  Winthrop,  Me., 
1793. 

7.  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  17,  1777,  m.  Xathl.  Merril,  1797. 

8.  Abigail,  b.  1779,  m.  Rev.  Joseph  Merril,  Skowhegau,  Me., 
1803. 

9.  Benjamin,  m.  Dolly  Taylor  1804;  went  to  Maine. 

10.  Hannah,  b.  July  13,  1785,  m.  Samuel  Shackford,  Chester, 
April  24.  1806 ;  d.  Aug.  7,  1865. 

11.  David,  b.  Feb.  9,  1787,  m.  Betsy  Worthen;  lived  on  home- 
stead. 

12.  Betsy,  b.  Aug.,  1787,  m.  John  Lane,  of  Maine. 

II.  Simeon,  b.  July  13,  1745,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Jonathan 
Moulton.  He  lived  on  Add.  Xo.  17,  on  the  Derry  road,  wliere 
Capt.  Stevens  now  lives.  He  d.  Aug.  29,  1824.  She  d.  April  21, 
1834,  a.  86.     They  had:— 

1.  Joseph,  m.  Anna  Hall. 

2.  Gideon,  m.  Hannah  Jack;  d.  Mairh  10,  1851,  a.  76. 

3.  Abel,  m.  Sally  Quimby,  went  to  Xorwich,  Vt. 


502  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

I 

4.  Sai-ah,  m.  Jos.  Taylor,  Wilmot. 
These  were  born  iu  Amesbury. 

III.  Gideon,  b.  Aug.  13,  1754,  in  Chester,  m.  Anna,  duu.  of 
Daniel  Richardson,  and  had  a  son  Asa,  now  liAing  in  Raymond; 
lived  at  the  Branch,  No.  44,  O.  H.  He  died  Oct.  1,  1835.  Slie  d. 
March  19,  1827. 

IV.  Jonathan,  b.  Sept.  29,  1756,  went  to  Phnnouth. 

V.  Sarah,  b.  Jan.  18,  1759,  ni.  Reuben,  son  of  Samuel  Ilills, 
and  went  to  Maine. 

VI.  Anna,  m.  Joseph,  son  of  Benjamin  Severance,  and  went  to 
Salisbury,  N.  II. 

Thomas  Currier  lived  near  the  Worthcn  saw-mill ;  m.  Sarah 
Coburn,  and  had: — 

1.  Tliomas,  settled  iu  Elaine. 

2.  Ebenezer,  m.  a  Dresser,  and  Nancy,  the  wid.  of  Eljcn  Blas- 
dell.    He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution. 

3.  Jonathan  m.  Mary  Prescott,  1794;  d.  in  the  army  at  Sackett's 
Harbor,  Aug.  22,  1813. 

4.  Mary,  m.  Stinson. 

Thomas,  Sen.,  d.  pi-evious  to  1780,  and  his  widow  m.  Mansfield 
MoDuflee,  and  d.  1835,  aged  105. 

Dea.  David  Currier  was  born  in  1750,  in  Leslie,  a  parish  of 
Scotland,  near  Perth  Head,  about  thirteen  miles  nortli  of  Edin- 
burgh, and  the  seat  of  John  Leslie,  Earl  of  Rathers.  He  came  to 
this  country  in  the  ship  '^MinerA'a,"  and  landed  in  Boston,  May 
11,  1774.  He  was  a  tailor,  and  worked  a  shoi-t  time  in  Boston, 
but  soon  came  to  Chester,  and  boarded  witli  eTaines  Wilson,  where 
Jacob  Green  now  lives.  "When  the  war  broke  out,  in  1775,  he  vol- 
unteered, and  went  to  the  headquarters  of  the  army,  and  was  in 
Bunker  Hill  battle,  stationed  ]>eliind  the  rail  fence.  He  seiwed 
seven  months.  In  1777  lie  was  in  Capt.  Stephen  Dearborn's  com- 
pany, at  the  battle  of  Bennington.  He  m.  Mary,  only  daughter 
of  David  Dinsmore,  and  bought  that  part  of  No.  123,  2d  P.,  2d 
D.,  lying  the  west  side  of  the  brook,  and  lived  near  the  Blanchard 
saw-mill.  He  d.  April  1,  1840,  a.  85.  She  d.  Aug.  20,  1»46,  a. 
82.     Children  :— 

James,  m.  Catherine  Patten,  went  to  Genesee  County,  N.  Y.  • 

Elizabeth,  b.  July  5,  1787,  m.  John  Clark;  d.  March  14,  1868. 

John,  d.  umnarried,  1823. 

Mary,  m.  Samuel  Fletcher. 

3Iargaret,  m.  William  Graham,  Esq. 

David,  b.  Sept.,  1800,  m.  Lydia  R.,  dan.  of  John  Meh-in.  He 
held  various  offices  in  Chester  and  Auburn;  now  cashier  of  Deny 
Bank. 


'  # 


\       \ 


GENEALOGY  —  DEAEBORN.  503 


DAVIS. 

There  was  a  Joseph  Davis  in  Chester,  who  had  six  children 
recorded  from  1739  to  1751,  but  nothing  is  Ivuown  of  them. 

Samuel  Davis  was  an  early  settler  on  No.  124,  4th  D.,  at  what 
is  called  White  Hall,  in  Hooksett.     Children : — 

1.  Eobert,  m.  Molly,  dan.  of  Samuel  Brown  of  Hooksett.  He 
was  drowned  in  Lakin's  Pond,  1805. 

2.  Jonathan,  m.  Susey,  dau.  of  John  Patten,  and  lived  on  No. 
78,  4th  D.,  where  Hidden  had  lived. 

3.  JosejjJi. 

4.  Daniel,  lived  on  the  homestead. 

b.  Samuel,  m.  Betsey,  dau.  of  Jere.  Underhill;  d.  at  Concord, 
in  the  U.  S.  service,  April  7,  1813.  Samuel  Davis,  Sen.,  d.  Oct. 
20,  1806. 

DALTON. 

John,  Samuel  and  Caleb  lived  on  No.  110,  4th  D.,  between  the 
old  main  road  and  river  in  Hooksett.  Some  of  the  name  were  in 
the  Indian  war.  They  sometimes  had  their  minister  rates  abated 
on  account  of  living  so  far  from  the  meeting-house. 

DICKEY. 

John  Dickey  lived  on  Add.  No.  27,  where  Jacob  Couch  lately 
lived.  His  wife  was  Margaret,  and  their  children,  Daniel,  b.  1737, 
Isabel,  1739,  and  Robert,  1742. 

Adam  Dickey's  will  was  proved  1753.  His  children,  Elizabeth 
Jane,  Joseph,  William,  Janet  and  Adam,  all  minors. 

David  Dickey  probably  came  from  Ireland.     His  wife  was 
Isabella.     Whether  he  came  to  Derryfield  or  not  is  uncertain. 
His  son  John  m.  Janet  McClento,  and  lived  about  the  centre  of 
lot  No.  12,  4th  D.     He  had  two  sons,  John,  b.   1786,  lived  on  the 
homestead  where  his  son  David  now  lives ;  David,  lived  south  of 
Jonas  Harvey's. 

DEAEBORN. 

Godfrey  Dearborn  was  the  i^atriarch  of  the  Dearborn  iamily 
in  the  United  States.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  native  of  Exeter, 
county  of  Devon,  in  the  S.  W.  pai-t  of  England.  The  time  of  his 
birth  is  not  known.  He  was  twice  married,  but  the  name  of  his 
first  wife  and  time  of  marriage  is  unknown.  She  was  li^dng  in 
1650,  and  d.  previous  to  Nov.  25,  1662,  when  he  m.  Dorothy  the 
wid.  of  Philemon  Daltou,  by  wliich  marriage  there  was  no  issue. 

In  1639  Rev.  John  AYheelright  removed  with  a  company  of  his 
friends  from  Mass.  to  Exeter,  and  founded  a  settlement.    They 


50-4  HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 

framed  and  signed  among  themselves  a  kind  of  social  compact. 
It  was  signed  by  thirty-five  persons.  Godfrey  Dearborn  signed 
by  making  his  mark,  as  he  did  his  will  more  than  forty  years 
afterwards.  His  farm  in  Exeter  is  said  to  have  been  in  what  is 
now  Stratham.  He  remained  in  Exeter  about  ten  years,  and  then 
removed  to  Hampton,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
He  was  selectman  of  Exeter,  1648 ;  and  March  4,  1650,  seats  were 
assigned  to  "goodmau  and  goody  Dearborn,"  in  Hampton  meet- 
ing-house. In  Hampton  he  settled  at  the  West  End,  and  the  farm 
in  1848  was  occupied  by  some  of  his  descendants.  For  a  very  full 
genealogy,  see  Hist,  and  Gen.  Hog.,  Vol.  2.  Godfrey  Dearborn 
had  six  children,  three  sons  and  tln-ee  daughters:  — 
1.  Henry,  b.  1633,     2.  Thomas,  b.  1634. 

3,  4,  5,  three  daughters,  of  whom  little  is  known  except  that 
in  liis  will  is  a  legacy  "  to  my  tlu'ee  dni^igbtei's,"  though  Sarah  m. 
Thomas  Nudd. 
6.  John  Avas  b.  in  Exeter,  about  1742,  m.  Mary  "Ward. 
1.  Henry,  b.  in  Enghiud  about  1633,  came  over  with  his  father 
when  about  six  years  old;  m.  Elizabeth  Marrian,  Jan.  10,  1666. 
He  was  one  of  the  selectmen  of  Hampton,  1676  and  1692;  d.  Jan. 
18,  1725.    Henry  had  seven  children,  three  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters.    One  of  the  daughters,  Sarah,  m.  Philemon  Blake,  who  was 
a  grantee  of  Chester,  son  of  Jasper  and  Deborali  iJlake.     The  old- 
est son,  JOHX,  b.  Oct.  10,   1666,  m.  Abigail  Bacheldei*,   1689,  d. 
!Nov.  14, 1736.    He  lived  in  what  is  nowIS'orth  Hampton,  and  Avas 
a  deacon  in  Hampton,  and  afterwards  in  North  Hampton.     When 
he  removed  to  North  Hampton  it  was  a  wilderness.     His  house 
was  standing  in  1848,  and  had  remained  in  the  family  u^)  to  about 
1820. 

DEA.  JOHN  DEARBOEN  had  ten  children,  four  sons  and 
six  daughters.  His  second  child  was  Joxatiiax,  b.  May  8,  1691, 
m.  Hannah  Tucke,  Dec.  29,  1715.  He  removed  to  Stratham.  He 
d.  Jan.  29,  1779. 

JoxATiiAN  had  a  son  Jolin,  who  resided  on  the  homestead  in 
Stratham,  b.  April  2,  1718,  d.  March  22,  1807. 

He  had  a  son  Jonathan,  Avho  settled  in  Chester,  now  Raymond, 
on  No.  17,  O.  H.  In  1759  there  was  a  road  laid  out  at  the  request 
of  Jonathan  Dearborn  and  others.  His  wife  was  Abigail,  Cliil- 
dren : — 

1.  John,  m.  Mehitabel  Cram.  2.  Abigail,  m.  gimon  Page.  3, 
Jonathan,  m.  Sarah  Page.  4.  Nathaniel,  m.  Mary  Cram.  5,  Sarah, 
m.  (1)  Nehemiah  Cram,  m,  (2)  Josiah  Brown,  m.  (3)  John  Moody. 
All  lived  in  Raymond. 

DEA.  JOHN'S  ninth  child  was  SiMox,  lived  on  the  paternal 
estate;  was  executor  to  his  father's  will,  and  residuary  legatee, 
and  had  twelve  children,  the  youngest  of  whom  was 


GENEALOGY  —  DEARBORN.  505 

Henry,  b.  Feb.  23,  1751.  He  was  a  physician  iu  Xottiiigliam, 
N.  H.,  1772;  Capt.  in  the  N.  H.  regiment  at  the  battle  of  Bunker 
"Rill,  1775 ;  Capt.  in  Ai'nold's  expedition  against  Quebec,  1775-6 ; 
Major  with  the  command  of  a  distinct  corps  at  the  battles  of  Still- 
water and  Saratoga,  1777  ;  Lt.-Colonel  at  the  battle  of  Monmouth, 
1778;  Deputy  Quartermaster- General  at  Yorktown  and  the  sui'- 
render  of  CornwalUs,  1781 ;  Col.  of  the  tirst  N.  H.  reg.  from  1781 
to  the  end  of  the  war;  removed  to  Maine,  1784;  Brigadier-Gen. 
and  Marshal  of  Maine ;  member  of  Congress,  1795 ;  Sec.  of  War, 
1801;  Collector  of  Boston,  1809;  Maj.  Gen.  U.  S.  Army,  1812; 
Minister  to  Portugal,  1822;  d.  at  Roxbury,  Mass.,  June  6,  1829. 

Godfrey  had 

2.  Thomas,  b.  in  England  about  1631,  m.  Hannah  Colwell,  Dec  . 
28,  1665.  His  residence  was  in  that  part  of  Hampton  called 
Drake  Side.  He  was  a  deacon;  d.  April  11,  1710.  His  second 
child  was  EBEXEZER,  b.  Oct.  3,  1689,  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Jo- 
seph and  granddaughter  of  Lt.  John  Sanboru,  Oct.  7,  1703.  She 
was  b.  Oct.  1,  1686.  He  was  one  of  the  grantees  of  Cliester,  and 
removed  there,  and  also  five  sons.  In  a  deed  of  H.  L.  Xo.  121, 
in  Chester,  Oct.  3,  1729,  he  is  said  to  be  of  Hampton.  His  name 
is  on  the  inventory  of  Hampton  Falls,  1727.  His  own  home  lot 
was  Xo.  17,  hi-Hg  by  the  side  of  the  one  he  purchased,  and  he 
probably  settled  there  nearly  opposite  the  old  "White  place,  where 
Joseph  AYebster  now  lives. 

His  name  first  appears  on  Chester  records  as  moderator  of  the 
annual  town  meeting,  March  26,  1729-30,  and  he  was  chosen  one 
of  the  selectmen  at  the  meeting.  -In  1731,  Samuel  Ingalls  is 
styled  Capt.,  Ebeuezer  Dearborn  Lt.,  and  Jacob  Sargent  ''In- 
siga,"  being  probably  the  first  military  ofiicers  in  Chester.  In 
1731  he  is  called  Deacon.  He  was  elected  to  very  many  oflices  iu 
town.  His  vrill  was  dated  March,  1767,  and  proved  ilarch  27, 
1772.  He  d.  March  15,  1772.  His  wife  d.  Feb.  26,  1768.  They 
had  eight  children:  I.  Ebenezer;  H.  Mehitable;  HI.  Peter;  IV. 
Benjamin;  Y.  Thomas;  YI.  Michael;  YH.  Abigail;  YHI.  Mary. 

I.  Ebexezer,  Jr.,  usually  called  Lieut.  Ebenezer,  b.  Jan.  27, 
1705,  m.  Huldali  Xasou,  Jan.  13,  1731 ;  m.  (i)  Elizabeth  Swain, 
the  widow  of  Samuel  Hills.  He  settled  on  H.  L.  No.  131,  where 
James  E.  Gordon  ;^now  lives.  He  d.  Jan.  10,  1790.  His  will  is 
dated  July,  1780,  proved  Jan.  20,  1790.  Elizabeth  d.  July  31, 1793. 
Children :  — 

1.  Hannah,  b.  Oct.  13,  1731,  m.  Elijah  Heath  of  Chester. 

2.  Sarah,  b.  Jan.  9,  1731,  m.  John  Shackford,  Jr.,  of  Chester; 
d.  Aug.  18  or  19,  1811. 

3.  Huhlah,  b.  Aug.  18,  1735. 

4.  Stephen,  b.  May  15,  1738. 

5.  Phebe,  b.  Feb.  20,  1741,  m.  Wilkes  ATest,  d.  1783. 


506  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

6.  Ehenezer,  b.  Sept.  6,  1744. 

7.  Jonathan,  b.  Dec.  26,  1746. 

8.  Richard,  b.  May  2,  1747  (?),  who  d.  young. 

4.  Stephen,  b.  1738,  m.  Kuth,  dau.  of  Jolin  Eobie,  Sept.  18, 
1761.  She  was  b.  1739,  d.  Feb.,  1808.  He  m.  (2)  Lydia,  dau.  of 
Samuel  Robie,  who  had  beeu  m.  to  Richard  Ordway,  brother  of 
Dr.  John,  aud  to  Johu  Chay.  She  d.  Sept.  29,  1817,  aged  74.  He 
d.  Oct.  10,  1827.  Stephen  aud  Ruth  had  Richard,  b.  Sept.  21, 
1764,  m.  Molly  Ordway,  dau.  of  Richard,  June  5,  1788.  He  d. 
May  21,  1823;  she  d.  Dec.  11,  1842,  a.  78.  Children:  — 1.  Ruth, 
b.  Feb.  12,  1789,  d.  unmarried,  Dec.  7,  1842.  2.  Lydia,  b.  July  27, 
1790,  d.  unmarried,  June  21,  1817.  3.  Mahala,  b.  June  27,  1792,  d. 
Aug.  30,  1806.  4.  Sally,  b.  May  17,  1784,  d.  unmarried,  Jan.  19, 
1867.  5.  Stephen,  b.  Aug.  10,  179G,  m.  (1)  Lydia,  dau.  of  Rev. 
Samuel  Harri?;,  m.  (2)  Mary  Ann  Craige,  d.  March  16,  1859.  6. 
Richard,  b.  Oct.  9,  1798,  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Stephen  Chase,  Esq., 
d.  Feb.  1,  1853.  7.  Hendrick,  b.  June  22,  1803,  m.  Sylvenia 
Fletcher,  d.  March  25, 1861,  —had  three  daughters  and  one  son  on 
the  homestead. 

Col.  Stephen  Dearborn  was  appointed  Captain  under  George 
ni,  by  John  AYentworth,  May  3,  1707 ;  Capt.  under  Congress, 
Sept.  25,  1775;  Maj.  Sept.  25,  1785;  Lieut.-Col.  April  5,  1793; 
resigned  Sept.  18,  1800.  His  son  Richard  was  adjutant.  He 
commanded  a  company  at  Bennington,  in  1777.  Colonel  Dear- 
born was  several  times  selectman.  He  first  settled  near  the  New 
or  Dearborn  saw-mill,  but  soon  removed  his  house  up  the  hill 
where  his  great  grandchildren  yet  reside,  on  No.  68,  2d  P.  2d  D. 

6.  Ebenezer,  b.  1744;  m.  Edith,  or  Adah,  dau.  of  Nathan  Phil- 
brick  of  Hampton,  1769.  Lived  on  H.  L.  No.  34.  He  d.  Aug. 
18,  1825.     She  d.  May  5,  1819,  a.  72.     Children:— 

1.  Johu,  m.  Susan  Luf  kin  and  moved  to  Corinth.  2.  Jonathan, 
m.  his  cousin  Anna,  dau.  of  Jonas  Dearborn.  She  d.  1808;  m. 
(2)  Jane  Stinson.  No  male  issue.  He  was  born  the  day  the 
meeting-house  was  raised;  lived  on  the  homestead  Nov.  2,  1831. 
She  d.  1833.  3.  William,  m.  a  Lowell,  of  Amesbury,  and  resided 
there. 

7.  Jonathan,  b.  1746;  m.  Delia,  dau.  of  John  Robie,  and  lived 
on  the  homestead.  He  d.  Nov.  22,  1826 ;  a.  80.  She  d.  April  7, 
1814,  a.  63.     Children:  — 

1.  Richard,  b.  Aug.  8,  1774;  m.  Dolly,  dau.  of  Samuel  Under- 
bill, and  went  to  New  Chester  aud  had  a  lai'ge  family;  among 
whom  was  Jonathan,  a  physician  at  Seabrook.  He  m.  (2)  Susan- 
nah Sargent,  widow  of  John  Melvin.  2.  Edward,  b.  July  16, 
1776;  m.  Knight  of  Atkinson;  no  issue.  He  studied  medicine 
with  Dr.  Cogswell  of  Atkinson ;  settled  in  Seabrook,  where  he 


I-- 


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*  ^  ^« 


GENEALOGY  —  DEARBORN.  507 

had  a  larg'e  aiid  successful  practice  for  more  than  tifty  years,  aud 
received  the  honorary  degree  of  ]\I.  D.  He,  by  will,  gave  $10,000 
to  endow  an  academy  at  Seabrook,  and  $5,000  to  the  Congi-ega- 
tional  society  there.  3.  Jonathan,  b.  Jan.  25,  1781 ;  m.  Sarah, 
dan.  of  Dea.  Amos  Morse,  1805,  and  lived  on  the  homestead  and 
at  the  Glidden  place  in  Chester.  Had  Charles  E.  and  Alfred  S. 
4.  Cyrus,  b.  Aug.  2,  1785;  studied  medicme  with  liis  brother 
Edward;  settled  in  practice  at  East  Salisbury,  Mass.,  and  had  a 
successful  practice  there  between  fifty  and  sixty  years.  He  has 
been  rej)resentative  of  the  town  and  held  various  offices.  ^5. 
Ebenezer,  b.  July  30,  1793,  m.  Hannah  D.  Dyson  of  Beverly, 
1826 ;  studied  medicine  two  years  with  liis  brother  Edward,  and  a 
year  and  a  half  with  Dr.  Thomas  Kittridge  of  Xorth  Andover, 
Mass.;  attended  a  course  of  lectiu'es  in  Boston;  also  a  course  at 
Dai't. ;  M.  D.  Dart.,  1821;  was  Councillor  and  Pi-esident  of  the 
N.  H.  Med.  Society;  settled  in  jiractiee  in  Nashua  in  1816,  and 
had  a  successful  practice  there  for  forty-five  yeax'S  and  then  retired 
from  practice,  but  still  resides  there.  Charles  Ebenezer  Dear- 
born, Dai*t.,  1842,  is  liis  son.  There  were  also  tln-ee  daughters: 
Anna,  m.  her  cousin  Jonathan,  son  of  Ebenezer;  d.  July,  1808. 
Huldah,  num.,  and  Delia,  m.  a  Hoit  of  New  Chester.  Jonathan 
m.  (2)  Elizabeth  Pike,  who  d.  May  1,  1855,  a.  88. 

II.  Mehitable,  b.  Nov.  12,  1703;  m.  Dea.  Nathaniel  Fitts  of 
Salisbury,  Mass.,  May,  1744;  d.  June  11,  1765. 

III.  Peter,  b.  Nov.  14,  1710;  m.  Margaret  Fifieldof  Kingston, 
Dec.  2,  1736.  He  lived  on  H.  L.  No.  25,  up  the  cross  road  from 
the  Derry  road.    He  d.  Oct.  28,  1781.    Children :  — 

1.  Anna,  b.  Oct.  17,  1737;  m.  John  Haselton,  son  of  Ephraim, 
1764;  d.  Nov.,  1780. 

2.  Peter,  b.  Jan.  26,  1740;  m.  Tabitha  Morril,  Dec.  26,  1765;  d. 
Oct.  24,  1770. 

3.  Dea.  Joseph,  b.  Aug.  17,  1742;  m.  Betty,  dan.  of  Dea.  Jonas 
Hall,  in  1761;  settled  on  No.  69,  2d  P.,  2d  D.;  sold  to  John 
Clarke,  1777.  He  was  a  Lt.  and  Capt.  in  the  army.  Chil.: — 
Lydia,  Anna,  Sarah,  Mehitable,  Betsy,  John,  and  Eleanor  b. 
1785.    He  removed  to  Rumney.    She  d.  Jan.  1816. 

4.  Ifarif,  b.  1746. 

5.  Josiah,  b.  Oct.  24,  1751 ;  m.  Susannah,  dau.  of  Samuel  Em- 
erson, Esq.,  Aug.,  1779,  lived  on  the  old  John  Aiken  place,  and 
removed  to  Weare.  Chil. : — Nebemiah,  Susannah.  Henry,  Josiah, 
Edward,  Samuel,  David  and  Jonathan,  twins,  Peter  aud  John. 
Henry,  Josiah,  Samuel  and  David  are  said  to  have  settled  in 
Corinth. 

6.  Sarah,  b.  Sep.  16,  1764. 

7.  Asa,  b.  July  25,  1756 ;  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Sam.  Emerson,  Esq., 


608  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

Dec,  1781;  lived  on  the  homestead,  and  went  to  Chelsea,  Vt. ; 
was  Cai^t.  of  Cavalry.  Chil. : — Peter,  Lucretia,  Isaac,  Catharine, 
N'ancy,  Samuel,  AYilder,  Ilubbert,  Sally,  Perley,  and  Adaline. 

8.  Sherburne,  b.  Sept.  5,  1758;  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Isaac 
Towle,  May,  1779.  She  d.  1798.  Chil. :— Elizabeth,  Benjamin, 
Edmond,  Xancy,  Cyrene  and  Billy.  He  m.  the  widow  of  Beiij- 
French,  and  Susan,  dau.  of  Moses  Emerson;  d.  Oct.  9,  1852. 

IV.  Benjamix,  b.  Aug.  13,  1713;  m.  a  Colcord  of  Kingston. 
Oct.  31,  1735,  his  father  gave  him  II.  L.  132,  and  a  jiart  of  the 
old  saw-mill.  He  settled  on  the  lot  and  built  the  house  where 
Capt.  B.  Fitts  lately  lived.  It  is  on  the  inventory,  1741,  and  is 
probably  the  oldest  in  town.  He  sold  to  Nathan  Fitts,  Nov.,  1767, 
and  removed  to  Plymouth,  N.  II. 

V.  Tuo:\iAS,  b.  Dec.  3,  1713;  m.  Doi-othy  Sanborn,  Sept.  10, 
17-41.  In  1742  liis  father  gave  him  H.  L.  23  and  122,  on  which  he 
settled.  He  built  a  quarter  of  tlie  New  or  Dearborn  saw-mill,  in 
17.51,  His  will  Avas  dated  Jan.  7,  1754,  proved  Jan.  30,  1754. 
He  gave  his  son,  John  Sanborn,  the  homestead,  saw-mill,  &c. 
His  widow  m.  Samuel  Emerson,  Esq.      Cliildren:  — 

1.  Mary,  b.  May  23,  1752;  m.  Sanmel  Towle,  son  of  Anthony, 
settled  in  Candia. 

2.  John  Sanborn,  b.  Dec.  12,  1743;  m.  Mary  Emei'son  of 
Haverhill,  Sept.  25,  1764,  lived  on  the  homestead,  and  in  1778 
purchased  of  Samuel  Robie  the  Robie  place  (John  Robinson's) 
and  tan-yard  (the  Blake  yard).  Slie  d.  April  25,  1806.  Hem. 
Mehitablc  Bradley,  the  widow  of  Bcnj.  Melvin,  Oct.  20,  1807. 
He  d.  Dec.  2,  1813.  She  d.  Feb.  14,  1824.  He  was  a  deacon- 
Chil.:— 1.  Mary,  b.  Aug.  12,  1705;  m.  Ozias  Silsby.  2.  Lydia,  b. 
Jan.  24,  1707;  m.  Bcnj.  Hills,  .3d,  1730.  '  3.  Olive,  b.  Nov.  24, 
17G8;  m.  Joseph  Robinson.  4.  Abigail,  b.  July  9,  1770;  m.  Rev. 
John  Kelly.  5.  Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  1,  1772;  m.  Nathaniel  Abbot 
of  Concord,  1792.  6.  Sarah,  b.  Sept.  13, 1773 ;  m.  Moses  Carlton ; 
d.  March  18,  1809,  at  West  Concord.  7,  Susanna,  b.  June  23, 
1775;  m.  Capt.  Bcnj.  Fitts.  8.  Hannah,  b.  Feb.  14,  1777;  m. 
Benj.  Pain  and  Sargent.  9.  John,  b.  Sept.  9,  1778;  d.  Dec.  3, 
1809.  10.  Rebecca,  b.  April  26,  1780;  m.  Nathan  Knowles,  3d. 
11.  Nathaniel,  b.  June  15,  1781,  m.  Newman;  was  an  attorney; 
d.  at  Northwood. 

3.  T/?o;»r^s,  b.  March  11, 1745;  m.  Mary  Morrison,  1708;  settled 
in  Candia,  near  the  meeting-house,  on  No.  C7,  3d  D.,  was  killed 
by  a  cannon  ball,  at  R.  I.,  1778.  The  widow  m.  Joseph  Palmer, 
and  had  another  family;  d.  Dec,  1820.  Chil. : — 1.  David,  settled 
at  Cazeno,  N.  Y. ;  was  a  lawyer.  2.  John,  settled  in  Sanbornton. 
3.  Samuel,  settled  in  Candia;  his  sons  Thos.  and  Benj.  live  in 
Candia,  and  Leonard  in  Lowell.    4.  Thomas,  settled  in  Raymond. 


GENEALOGY — DINSMORE.  509 

4.  Dolly,  b.  Jail.  12,  1748;  m.  Xathl.  Emerson,  and  went  to 
Stoddard,  N.  H. 

5.  Sam>(el,h.  Xov.7, 1751 ;  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Winthrop  Sargent ; 
settled  in  Candia,  on  No.  34,  3d  D. ;  d,  1818. 

6.  Elizabeth,  d.  yonug. 

YI.  Michael,  b.  April  24,  1719;  m.  Dorothy  Colbv,  April  11, 
1751.  They  had  Nabbe,  b.  Jan.  9,  1751.  Michael's  will,  dated 
Oct.  20,  1753,  proved,  Jan.  30,  1754;  d.  Jan.  5,  1754. 

VII.  Deacon  Ebenezer's  seventh  child  Abigail,  b.  Jan.  27> 
1721;  m.  James  Varnum,  Oct.  26,  1742,  and  lived  in  Chester, 
where  Bachelder's  inn  now  is,  and  after  Mr.  Varnum's  death  in 
1756,  m.  John  Robie, 

YIII.  Mary,  b.  June  11,  1743.  In  Dea.  Ebeuezer's  will,  dated 
March,  17G7,  g.  d.  Xabbe,  Mehitable  Fitts,  Anna  Morril  and 
Abigail  Robie  are  legatees. 


■"D^ 


DEXTER. 

Lord  Timothy  Dexter  was  of  Xewbuin-port.  He  was  a 
leather-dresser;  was  remarkable  for  his  eccentricity,  ignorance, 
and  luck  in  pecuniary  affairs.  He  once  wished  to  send  a  venture 
to  the  "West  Indies,  and  inquired  of  some  one  what  it  was  best  to 
send.  He  was  answered,  "  Warming-pans."  Not  knowing  but 
warming-pans  were  needed  there  to  warm  beds,  he  invested 
largely,  and  it  proved  a  rich  speculation,  the  warming-pans  sell- 
ing for  ladles,  and  the  covers  for  strainers. 

He  had  quite  a  number  of  statues  of  the  jirominent  men  of  the 
time,  full  sized,  carved  in  wood  and  mounted  on  pedestals,  in 
front  of  liis  residence  at  Xewburyport.  He  had  a  tomb  built  and 
a  coffiu  made,  and  was  put  into  it,  and  mock  funeral  ser\'lce3  per- 
formed. He  wrote  a  book  entitled,  "  A  Pickle  for  the  Kno-uiug 
Ones,"  with  all  the  marks  of  punctuation  together  at  the  close, 
that  each  reader  might  season  for  himself. 

He  was  brother  to  the  father  of  the  vrife  of  Rev.  Xathan  Brad- 
street.  He  bought  the  Toi)pan  Webster  place,  and  moved  into 
Chester  Feb.,  1796,  and  lived  there  a  year  or  two.  He  offered  to 
pave  the  street  from  there  to  the  meeting-house  if  they  would 
name  it  "  Dexter  street,"  but  they  were  indifferent  about  the  name 
or  having  it  paved,  and  it  was  not  done.  He  moved  back  to 
Xewburyport,  but  owned  the  place  several  years. 

DINSMORE. 

The  early  tradition  of  the  Dinsmore  family  is  derived  from  a 
discourse  by  Rev.  John  Dinsmore,  at  a  golden  wedding  of  Arthur, 
Jr.,  at  ^Vnson,  Me.,  Sept.  10,  1865: — 


510  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

"  The  original  progenitor  of  all  the  Dinsmores  that  live  in  this 
country  and  the  old,  so  far  as  we  are  able  to  trace  the  genealogy, 
iived  in  a  place  in  Scotland  called  Achenwead,  about  the  time  the 
Pilgrim  Fathers  landed  on  Plymouth  Eock.  He  was  a  wealthy 
farmer,  being  called  the  Laird  of  Achenwead,  having  tenants 
under  him.  He  had  two  sons,  the  younger,  called  John,  left  liis 
home  at  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  went  to  Ireland,  and  settled 
near  Bellywaitche,  in  the  county  of  Antrim."  He  had  four  sons. 
John,  the  oldest,  emigrated  to  America,— the  first  one  of  the  name 
who  ever  came, —  date  unknown.  He  landed  at  Gorges,  in  Maine, 
was  captured  by  the  Indians,  and  carried  to  Canada ;  went  back 
to  Gorges,  thence  to  Buxton,  thence  to  LondonderrJ^  The  pro- 
])rietors  gave  him  a  f\irm.  He  was  a  mason,  and  built  him  a  stone 
house;  sent  for  his  family,  who  arrived  in  1730.  He  lived  to  the 
age  of  ninety-nine. 

David  Dinsmore,  a  grandson  of  John,  was  a  tailor  in  Ireland, 
and,  I  think,  worked  with  another  tailor  by  the  name  of  Kennedy. 
Kennedy  died,  leaving  two  children.  David  married  tlie  Avidow, 
and  about  1745  they  set  sail  from  Londonderry  in  Ireland.  Tliey 
had  a  long,  tedious  voyage,  it  being  three  months  before  they 
lauded  in  Boston,  and  were  put  on  short  allowance.  They 
brought  flax  and  a  linen  wheel  with  them,  and  she  immediately 
commenced  making  linen  thread  for  sale.  They  soon  removed  to 
Londonderry,  and  he  Avorked  at  liis  ti-ade.  In  May  8, 17-47,  James 
Adams  deeded  to  "  David  Dinsmore  of  Londondeny,  tailor,"  No. 
22,  4th  I).,  in  Chester,  wliich  was  in  Derryfield.  In  1758  he  pur- 
chased tlie  west  half  of  lot  No.  84,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  on  which  he  set- 
tled.   She  d.  1807,  a.  97. 

David  Dinsmore  was  b.  in  1714;  Elizabeth,  1610.    Children  :— 

1.  Samuel,  b.  1741,  m.  Mary,  dan.  of  John  Waddel ;  lived  on 
No.  66,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  They  liad  Elizabeth,  wlio  m.  James  AVason, 
who  lived  there,  and  (2)  m.  Bebee.  Slie  bequeathed  her  property 
to  the  Presbyterian  parish.  Samuel  d.  in  the  army  about  1776. 
Mary  d.  Sept  14,  1784,  a.  38. 

2.  James,  b.  1743,  lived  in  the  English  range,  Londondeny. 

3.  David,  b.  1746,  settled  at  Minot,  Maine. 

4.  Thomas,  b.  1748,  settled  at  Anson,  Maine. 

5.  Arthur,  b.  March  24,  1752,  m.  Margaret,  dau.  of  James  Ful- 
ton; lived  on  the  south  end  of  the  homestead.    Children: — 

David,  Ehzabeth,  James,  Samuel,  William  W.,  Thomas,  Mar- 
garet, Jane  A7.,  and  Arthur,  b.  1794.  About  1794,  he  removed  to 
Anson,  Maine ;  d.  1829. 

6.  Robert,  b.  March  24,  1752,  m.  Abigail  Sanborn,  and  lived  on 
the  homestead.  He  d.  Jan.  10,  1824.  She  d.  Nov.  27,  1800. 
Children : — 


GENEALOGY  —  DUDLEY.  511 

David,  d.  young.  Eobert,  b.  1784,  -went  to  Me.  Eeuben,  b. 
1785,  went  to  Me.  Samuel,  b.  Feb  15,  1788,  m.  Hannah,  dan.  of 
Joseph  Blauchard,  Esq.,  Dec.  26,  1811;  d.  March,  1864 ;  lived  on 
the  homestead.  John,  b.  1790,  d.  unmarried  in  Texas.  Eliza- 
beth, b.  1791,  m.  Nathl.  B.  Remie;  went  to  Anson,  Me.  James, 
b.  1796,  m.  Zilplia  Taylor;  d.  at  AYestminster,  Vt. 

Bobert  m.  (2)  Hannah  Long-.  Mehitabel,  b.  1802,  m.  Dr. 
Nathan  Plummer,  Dec.  6,  1836.  Judith,  b.  1804,  m.  John  Scott; 
d.  1844. 

7.  Mary,  b.  1754,  m.  Dea.  David  Currier;  d.  Aug.  20,  1838, 
a.  82. 

DOLBY. 

Israel  Dolby  was  probably  from  Rye.  The  name  of  Nieless 
Dolby  is  on  the  tax-list  of  Rye  in  1732.  He  bought  of  Cornet 
John  Lane  all  of  lot  No.  20,  2d  P.  2d  D.,  lying  southeast  of  the 
road  from  Chester  to  Lane's,  and  was  there  when  the  road  was 
laid  out  in  1748.  He  moved  to  Candia  previous  to  1778,  and  lived 
near  where  Coffin  M.  French  now  lives.    He  d.  1797.    Children :  — 

1.  Israel,' rxx.  Jane,  dau.  of  Joseph  Morril;  residence  on  the 
homestead  and  at  Candia;  d.  1823.  ChiL,  Isaac  and  Sarah,  went 
to  Sutton,  N.  H. 

2.  Daniel,  m,  a  Haynes,  settled  in  Candia.  Children :  — Wil- 
liam; John,  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Walter  Robie,  Esq.,  lived  on  the 
homestead;  Abigail,  m.  Col.  Stephen  Clay,  d.  1819,  a.  38. 

3.  Sarah,  m.  Ens.  John  Butterfield,  d.  1805. 

DUDLEY. 

Rev.  Samuel  Dudley,  of  Exeter,  son  of  Gov.  Thomas  Dudley, 
was  b.  at  Northampton,  iu  England,  in  1606,  d.  at  Exeter,  1683. 
He  had  a  son  Stephen,  m.  Sarah  GiLman,  dau.  of  Hon.  John  Gil- 
man,  1684,  d.  1734.    He  had  a  son 

STEPHEN,  b.  at  Exeter,  March  10,  1688,  m.  Sarah  Davidson, 
and  d.  at  Exeter,  1734.  He  purchased  a  tract  of  land  at  Freetown, 
of  an  Indian,  Peter  Penuet,  and  Abigail  his  squaw,  Jan.  17,  1718- 
19.  He  had  a  commission  from  Gov.  Shute  of  which  the  follow- 
ing is  a  copy :  —  . 

"Province  of  New  Hampshire. 

Samuel  Shute,  Esq..  Captain  General,  and  Commander  in 
Chief  iu  and  over  his  Majestie's  Province  of  New  Hampshire  iu 
New  England,  &c..  To  Stephen  Dudley,  of  Freetown,  in  the 
Province  aforesaid.  Greeting  : 

By  virtue  of  the  Power  and  Authority  invested  by  his  IMajesty's 
Royal  commission  to  me  granted,  to  be  Captain  General,  &c.,  over 
this  His  Majesty's  Province  of  New  Hampshire  aforesaid,  I  do  (by 
these  Presents)  reposing  especial  trust  and  confidence  in  your  loy- 


612  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

alty,  courage,  and  good  conduct,  constitute  and  appoint  j'ou  the 
said  Stephen  Dudley,  to  be  Coloiiel  and  Town  Major  of  Free- 
town albre>aid,  which  land  you  have  obtained  by  deed  from  Peter 
Penuet  and  Abigail  his  Squaw.  Given  under  my  hand  and  seal 
at  arms,  at  Boston,  the  seventeenth  day  of  August,  in  the  seventh 
vear  of  the  reisfu  of  his  Majesty,  King  George,  Annoque  Dom- 
ini 1721).  [17 lit'?]  Samuel  Shute. 
By  his  Excellency's  command. 

John  Boydel,  his  Secy. 

This  was  copied  from  the  genealogy  of  the  Gilman  family  by 
John  Kelly,  in  the  Exeter  ''  News-Letter."  Dudley  deeded  to 
Francis  James,  'of  Gloucester,  400  acres  of  this  land,  May,  1722, 
and  refers  to  his  deed  as  dated  Jan.  17,  1718-19.  He  also  deeded 
some  of  this  tract  to  his  son  James,  the  father  of  Judge  Dudley. 
If  this  commission  be  genuine  there  must  be  some  mistake  about 
the  date,  as  Gov.  Shute  left  and  went  to  England  immediately  after 
signing  the  chai'ters  of  Chester,  Londonderry  and  some  other 
towns  in  1722,  and  the  seventh  year  of  George  would  be  1720. 

Stephen  Dudley  had  a  son  James,  b.  at  Exeter,  1715,  m.  Mary 
Folsom,  d.  17G1.  He  had  a  son  Samuel,  b.  at  Exeter,  1720.  He 
settled  on  No.  67,  O.  H.,  and  built  a  saw-mill.  He  was  a  peti- 
tioner for  the  road  from  Freetown  by  the  Centre  to  Dudley's  mill 
in  1769.  In  1760  he  was  chosen  surveyor  of  highways,  and  built 
a  bridge  across  the  river  near  Raymond  Centre,  but  the  selectmen 
refused  to  pay  the  bill.  He  sued  the  selectmen  of  Chester,  and 
lost  his  case  in  the  Infei'ior  Court,  but  appealed,  and  at  the  May 
term  of  the  Superior  Court,  1761,  obtained  a  verdict  for  £18  7s., 
debt,  and  £48  4s.,  cost.  He  had  a  large  family;  sold  to  his 
brother,  the  Judge,  went  to  Maine,  d.  Aug.  30,  1797. 

Hon.  John  Dudley  was  son  of  J^^IIES,  b.  April  9,  1725,  at  Ex- 
eter; m.  Elizabeth  Gilman,  June  22,  1749,  d.  1806.  He  came  to 
Raj-mond  in  1766,  to  where  Samuel  had  lived,  where  his  great 
grandson.  .lames  T.  Dudley,  now  lives.  He  was  one  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety  from  April  2,  1776  to  May  29,  1784,  and  a  Judge 
of  the  Superior  Court  from  1785  to  1797.  He  had  a  son  Hoses, 
Esq.,  b.  1766,  m.  Nancy  Glidden,  and  lived  on  the  homestead;  d. 
1843.  They  had  10  children.  The  7th,  Elbridge  G.,  grad.  at 
Dart.     [See  Graduates  in  Raymond.] 

James  had  also  a  son  Joseph,  b.  at  Exeter,*  1728,  and  he  had  a 
son  Joseph,  b.  at  Exeter,  1750,  removed  to  RajTnond,  No.  81,  O. 
H.  He  built  a  mill.  He  had  nine  children :  2.  Joseph,  b.  Feb.  7, 
1790,  m,  Sally,  dau.  of  Thomas  Dudley,  moved  to  Candia  Village, 
d.  1868.  His  sou  Alvin  is  an  extensive  shoe  manufacturer  there. 
J.  Francis  graduated.  [See  Graduates.]  3.  Dea.  Samuel,  b.  May 
5,  1796,  m.  Judith  Pillsbury.  He  learned  the  art  of  tanning  and 
shoemaking  of  Elder  Moses  Bean,  and  succeeded  him,  and  did  an 


GENEALOGY — DUSTIN.  513 

extensive  business ;  and  did  much  to  build  up  tlie  village  and  the 
Baptist  society  there. 

DUNLAP. 

Archibald  Dunlap  came  from  Ireland,  m.  Martha,  dau.  of  Jo- 
seph Neal,  1741,  and  lived  on  Neal's  homestead,  H.  L.  No.  26. 
Children :  — 

1.  Joseph,  b.  1742,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Hugh  Wilson,  settled  in 
Goffstown. 

2.  James,  b.  1744,  m.  Dorcas  Davis,  had  one  son  John,  b.  1790, 
d.  18G7.    Lived  on  the  back  end  of  the  homestead,  d.  1803. 

3.  John,  b.  1746,  lived  in  Bedford. 

4.  Mary. 

5.  William,  m.  Boyes,  went  to  Schenectady. 

6.  Sarah. 

7.  Samuel,  m.  Mary  Cochran,  -went  to  Salisbury,  N.  H. 

8.  Martha. 

The  father  and  three  daughters  died  in  two  weeks  of  throat 
distemper. 

DUSTIN. 

Moses  Dustin,  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Triphena  Haselton,  and 
great-grandson  of  Thomas  Dustin  and  Hannah  Emerson  (re- 
nowned for  being  captured  by  the  Indians,  and  killing  her  cap- 
tors and  escaping),  b.  at  Haverhill  in  1741,  m,  Mary  Buck.  He 
was  a  blacksmith  and  lived  in  Chester  until  about  1772,  when  he 
removed  to  Candia,  on  to  No.  44,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  Upon  hearing  of 
the  battle  of  Lexington,  Drummer  Hill  beat  up  for  volunteers, 
and  Mr.  Dustin  was  the  first  to  fall  in.  A  considerable  number 
volunteered  and  went  to  Cambridge.  Dustin  served  first  as  Lieu- 
tenant, then  as  Captain  to  the  end  of  the  war,  and  was  afterwards 
Captain  of  the  Alarm  List,  which  gave  liim  a  brevet  title  of 
Colonel. 

Col.  R.  E.  Patten  has  his  watch  which  he  carried  through  the 
war,  and  also  his  papers.    He  had  10  children,  of  whom  7  lived: — 

1.  Jonathan,  b.  17G8,  m.  Polly,  dau.  of  Walter  Robie;  went  to 
Stanstead. 

2.  3foses,  went  to  "Windliam. 

3.  Hannah. 

4.  George  W. 

5.  Nathaniel. 

6.  Sally. 

7.  Lydia,  b.  Aug.  11,  1792,  m.  Joseph,  son  of  Peter  Hall.  He 
d.  1795,  a.  51.    She  d.  1827,  a.  77. 

JoHX  Dustin  was  a  physician,  and  was  at  Martin's  Ferry  in 

1775,  and  his  widow  lived  there  in  1818. 

33 


514  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


EATON. 

There  were  two  distinct  families  of  the  name  wlio  came  to 
Candia,  though  they  were  probably  distantly  related. 

Benjamin  Eaton,  of  Dunstable^,  m.  Anna  Rand.  He  d.  at  Dun- 
stable, but  Anna  came  to  Candia,  and  d.  at  her  son  William's. 
Children : — 

1.  William,  m.  lluth  Bradley,  and  settled  on  No.  62,  2d  P.,  2d 
D.,  since  occuiiied  by  Solomon  Stevens  and  Jacob  Mead.  Chil- 
dren : — 

Benjamin,  m.  Anna  Worthen,  d,  1835.  Anna,  m.  Solomon 
Stevens,  d.  Jan.  21,  1847,  a.  85.  llelief,  m,  Prescott,  went  to 
New  York.  Sarah,  m.  Ilarrinian,  of  Bath,  Me.  Jesse,  m.  Bas- 
ford,  wont  to  Bangor,  Me.  Moses,  died.  Patty,  m.  Glincs,  of 
Moultonborough.    William,  went  to  Portland.    • 

2.  Ddvid,  m.  a  Clement,  went  to  Sutton,  N.  II.  , 

3.  Jonathan,  settled  in  Plaistow;  had  Benjamin  and  Deacon 
William,  who  lived  in  Chester,  and  Pev.  Asa,  of  Boston,  and 
James,  on  the  homestead. 

•4.  James,  m.  Abigail,  dan.  of  Nathl.  Wood,  Sen. ;  lived  on  No. 
39,  3d  D.     She  d.  March,  1733,  a.  98.     Children:  — 

Alexander,  m.  Edna,  dan.  of  Capt.  Edward  Preston.  John, 
went  to  Maine.  Benjamin,  went  to  Maine.  They  were  all  in 
the  Pevolutionary  army.  Abigail,  m.  Jonathan  Pressey,  of  Ches- 
ter.    Betsy,  m.  a  Baker  and  Webster. 

5.  Ebenezer,  m.  Phebe  Sargent,  lived  at  the  corner  of  the  road 
west  of  William  Eaton's.    Children: — 

Ebenezer,  went  West.  David,  m.  a  Rowe,  went  to  Bridge- 
water.  Sarah,  m.  Thurston,  of  Hill.  Phebe,  m.  Plaisled,  of 
New  Hampton. 

6.  Jesse,  m.  Sarah  Worthen;  lived  also  on  No.  61,  2d  P.,  2d  D. 
He  d.  Dec.  23,  1808.    She  d.  June  3,  1801.    Children:— 

Nancy,  b.  Sept.  30,  1775,  m.  Joseph,  son  of  Moody  Chase;  d. 
Jan.  19,  1857.  Mary,  m.  French,  and  Gilman,  went  to  Unity. 
Sarah,  m.  Benjamin  Pillsbury,  Esq.,  of  Candia.  Hannah,  m. 
Henry,  son  of  Ephraim  Eaton.  Jesse,  m.  Sarah,  dan.  of  Dea. 
Caleb  Prince ;  lived  in  Candia.  Susan,  m.  Samuel,  son  of  John 
Buswell;  lives  in  Candia.  Eleanor,  m.  John,  son  of  Dea.  Caleb 
Prince.  Ebenezer,  m.  Sarah,  dan.  of  James  Shirley.  Love  and 
Asa,  not  married. 

John  Eaton,  Senior,  the  first  of  the  name  in  Salisbury,  Mass., 
was  made  freeman  by  the  General  Court  of  Mass.,  May  25,  1636. 
He  had  two  sons,  John  and  Thomas.  John  settled  on  the  home- 
stead and  had  EPHPtABI,  m.Mary,  dau.  of  Capt.  Henry  True  of 


GENEALOGY — ELLIOT.  515 

Salisbury,  Feb.  5,  1689,  and  had  i  sons,  Ephrai.ai,  Samuel, 
Hexry  and  Jabez. 

Henry,  b.  Jan.  17,  1704,  m.  Maiy,  dau.  of  Ensign  Henry  True, 
and  lived  iu  Salisbury  on  the  farm  of  his  father-in-law.     Children : 

Ephraim,  1745,  Peter,  Mary  and  Sarah. 

Ephraim  m.  (1)  Abigail  Perkins,  1768;  m.  (2)  Sarah  Stevens, 
1772.  He  came  to  Candia  in  1773  and  purchased  of  Ben.  Bach- 
elder  No.  113,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  his  grandson,  Henry  M.  Eaton, 
now  lives.    He  d.  1826,  a.  81.    She  d.  1822,  a.  74.    Children :  — 

1.  Mollj^,  m.  Dr.  Jacob  Moore  of  Andover,  N,.  H.,  son  of  Dr. 
Coliin  Moore.  They  were  the  parents  of  Jacob  B.  Moore,  for  a 
time  connected  with  Isaac  Hill  in  publishing  the  '^New  Hamp- 
shire Patriot,"  and  with  John  Farmer  in  publishing  a  Gazetteer 
of  New  Hampshire  and  Historical  Collections;  also  of  Henry  C. 
Moore,  a  celebi'ated  musician. 

2.  Henry,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Maj.  Jesse  Eaton  and  lived  on 
the  homestead;  d.  March,  1852,  a,  75. 

3.  Hannah,  m.  Moses,  son  of  Thomas  Patten. 

4.  Peter,  m.  Hannah  Hale,  dau.  of  Dea.  E.  H.  Kelly;  was  a 
ti'ader  in  Candia  and  went  to  Manchester  aind  was  father  of  F.  B. 
Eaton,  the  historian  of  Candia. 

5.  Sally,  d.  unmarried. 

Paul  Eaton,  the  son  of  Jabez  and  Sally  True,  came  from  Sea- 
brook  to  Candia  pi'evious  to  1770,  and  bought  of  Isaiah  Rowe 
No.  114,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  now  occupied  by  his  grandchildren.  He 
m.  Molly  Tilton  about  1765,  who  d.  about  1775 ;  m.  (2)  Hannah 
Emerson.     He  d.  1830,  a.  90.     Children:  — 

Molly;  Anna;  Henry  T.;  John;  Sally;  Lydia,  m.  Josiah 
French ;  and  Luke. 

Col.  H.  T.  Eaton  lived  on  the  homestead;  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of 
Col.  Nathaniel  Emerson.    He  d.  1851;  she  d.  1818. 

ELLIOT. 

Edmund  Elliot,  of  Amesbury,  bought  H.  L.  No.  31,  in  1747, 
and  afterwards  No.  134;  m,  Mehitabel  Worthen.  He  d.  Oct.  8, 
1789 ;  she  d.  April  11,  1806.     Children:  — 

1.  Jonathan,  b.  Dec.  8,  1748,  settled  in  Pembroke. 

2.  Elizabeth,  b.  1750.     3.  Mehitabel,  b.  1756. 

4.  Jacob,  b.  Nov.  5,  1755,  m.  Martha  Sleeper,  April  10,  179^; 
lived  on  the  homestead,  was  at  Bennington  and  at  R.  I.,  in  the 
ReA^olution ;  d.  Dec.  6, 1841.  She  d.  1850.  Chil. :  —Edmund,  lives 
at  Exeter;  Eliza;  Martha;  Jacob,  lives  at  Raymond;  John  S.,,  d. 
at  Chester;  James  M.  M.,  lives  at  Chester. 

5.  Sarah,  b.  1758. 

6.  John,  b.  1761,  went  to  Ohio. 


516  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

7.  Ephraim,  b.  1764,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Edward  Robie;  8.  Ed- 
mund; and  9.  Ezekiel.    The  last  three  settled  in  Tliorntoii,  N.  II 

EMERSON. 

In  1656  Michael  Emerson  moved  into  Haverhill,  and  in  1661 
he  had  a  lot  of  meadow  assigned  him.  In  1665  he  was  chosen 
"  to  view  and  seal  all  leather  "  in  town.  It  was  the  first  choice  of 
sealer  of  leather  in  Haverhill,  and  he  was  annually  re-elected  for 
many  years,  so  it  is  probable  that  he  was  a  shoemaker.  It  is  said 
that  he  settled  near  the  pi-esent  site  of  the  depot,  and  that  his 
fann  lay  the  east  side  of  Little  River.  He  m.  Hannah  "Webster, 
April  1,  1657,  and  they  had  fifteen  children,  the  oldest  of  whom  ' 
was  Hannah,  b.  Dec.  23,  1657;  m.  Thomas  Dustin,  Dec.  3,  1677, 
and  by  him  had  tliirteen  children.  She  was  the  heroine  who  was 
captured  by  the  Indians  and  carried  to  the  confluence  of  the  Mer- 
rimac  and  Contoocook  rivers,  witli  Mary  Neff  and  a  young  man 
named  Samuel  Lannerson,  and  they  killed  tlieir  captors  and  took 
their  canoe  and  returned  to  Haverhill. 

Michael  Emerson  had  a  son  JOXATH^VN  who  was  one  of  the 
grantees  of  Chester  and  was  admitted  at  the  request  of  the  Gov- 
ernor. In  1690  he  was  commander  of  one  of  the  garrisons  at 
Havei'hill,  and  in  1701  the  Indians  attacked  his  garrison  and  he 
repulsed  them.  In  1705  he  and  othei's  had  a  privilege  granted 
them  of  setting  up  a  grist-mill.  In  17il,  in  the  settlement  of  the 
province  line  he  was  left  in  Haverhill. 

Jonathan  Emerson  had  a  son  Samuel,  b.  1707,  who  settled  in 
Chester.  In  1722  Jonathan  purchased  the  right  of  Samuel  Mars- 
ton,  the  H.  L.  No.  52  on  which  Samuel  settled,  and  September, 

1735,  it  was  deeded  to  him,  and  the  lot  was  called  Jonathan  Emer- 
son's when  the  road  was  laid  out  in  1730.  Samue^.  first  appears 
,<Dn  Chester  records  in  1731,  when  he  was  chosen  town  clerk,  and 
he  was  re-elected  every  year  up  to  1787.  He  was  at  the  same 
.meeting  chosen  one  of  the  selectmen.  He  filled  a  place  in  Ches- 
ter which  uo  other  mau  has  filled,  or  could  fill.  He  was  the  first 
justice  of  the  peace  in  town.  After  he  came  to  Chester  he  did 
jiearly  all  the  laud  surveying,  and  wrote  most  of  the  deeds ;  he 
iwas  surveyor  to  lay  out  the  second  part  of  the  second  division  in 

1736,  and  all  subsequent  divisions.  It  was  said  that  he  had  so 
tenacious  a  memory,  and  his  organ  of  locality  so  largely  developed, 
ithat  if  any  bound  was  lost  he  cauld  tell  nearly  where  it  stood.    He 

was  a  man  of  such  integrity  and  judgment,  and  the  people  had  so 
much  confidence  in  him,  that  nearly  all  the  minor  controversies 
were  without  any  legal  formalities  i-eferred  to  him,  and  his  decis- 
ion was  beyond  review  or  appeal. 


GENEALOGY  —  EMERSON.  ,         517 

Samuel  Ejierson  m.  Sarah  Aver,  of  Haverhill,  Feb.  15,  1733. 
Children :  — 

I.  Samuel,  b.  Sept.  13,  1734,  d.  1736. 

II.  Jonathan,  b.  April  19,  1736,  d.  Xov.  7,  1760,  at  Crown 
Point. 

III.  Saim(el,  b.  Jan.  11,  1738,  d.  N'ov.  17,  1755,  at  Albany. 
He  and  Jonathan  were  soldiers  in  the  French  war. 

IV.  Sarah,  b.  Oct.  17,  1739,  m.  Dea.  Stevens,  of  Kingston. 

Y.  Nathaniel,  b.  May  2,  1741,  m.  Sarah  Tilton,  Nov.  15,  1764, 
settled  on  No.  117,  3d  D.,  where  Freeman  Parker  now  lives,  in 
Candia ;  and  where  Jonathan  had  commenced  a  settlement.  Cliil- 
dreu : — 

1.  Jonathan,  d.  young. 

2.  Anna,  m.  Seth  Knowles,  went  to  Maine. 

3.  Samuel,  m.  Maiy,  dan."  of  John  Varnura,  lived  in  Kaymond. 

4.  Sarah,  m.  Edward  Robie,  went  to  Corinth. 

5.  Nathaniel,  m.  Polly,  dan.  of  Simon  Norton,  lived  in  Maine, 
and  on  the  homestead. 

6.  Eichard,  m.  Sally,  dan.  of  John  Clay,  lived  on  the  home- 
stead; made  the  survey  and  plan  for  Carrigain's  map  ;  d.  1806. 

7.  Elizabeth,  m.  Col.  H.  T.  Eaton,  d.  1818. 

8.  Hannah,  m.  Richard  Jenness,  went  to  Piermont. 

9.  Lydia,  m.  Samuel  Patten. 

10.  Nabby,  m.  John  Lane,  Esq.,  Nov.  21,  1811;  she  d.  1867. 
Col.  JSrathaniel  Emerson  filled  many  offices,  civil  and  military. 

He  was  an  officer  in  the  militia  from  1763  to  1775,  under  the  King, 
and  Lt.-Col.  under  the  State.    He  was  in  the  battle  of  Benning- 
ton, and  Lt.-Col.  in  1778.    He  was  Representative   1790,  1792 
1794  and  1798.    He  d.  April  30,  1825 ;  she  d.  Jan.,  1814. 

VI.  Abigail,  b.  ;743,  d.  1754. 

VII.  Hannah,  b.  1745,  d.  1749. 

VIII.  Lydia,  b.  1746,  d.  1754. 

IX.  Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  23,  1747,  m.  Col.  Barnard,  of  South 
Hampton, 

X.  Hannah,  b.  1750,  d.  1754. 

Sarah  Ayer  d.  Nov.  18, 1751.  Samuel  m.  (2)  Dorothy  Sanborn, 
wid.  of  Thomas  Dearborn,  Nov.  26,  1754. 

XI.  3Ioses,  b.  Nov.  15,  1755,  m.  (1)  Lydia,  dau.  of  Theophilus 
Sargent.  She  died,  and  he  m.  (2)  Lydia,  dau.  of  Abraham  Fitts. 
Children :  — 

Moses,  lives  in  Candia. 

Lydia,  m.  Richard  Towle ;  went  to  Steuben  Co.,  New  York. 

Susan,  m.  Sherburne  Dearborn. 

Jonathan,  lives  in  Candia;  John  and  Sarah,  went  to  N.  Y, 

Abraham,  b.  Sept.  14,  1800,  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  John  Dolby, 


518  '  HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 

lives  on  the  liomestead ;  had  two  sons  graduated,  John  D,,  1853, 
and  Lutlier  AYilson,  1862.     (See  Graduates  in  Candia.) 

Thomas,  m.  Sarah  Ann  Ha3-nes,  lives  at  Manchester;  and  Dor- 
othy, went  to  New  York. 

3Ioses  lived  on  No.  65,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  his  son  Abraham 
now  lives. 

XII.  John,  b.,Aug.  13,  1757,  m.  Eliabeth,  dau.  of  Dea.  Nathl. 
French,  Dec.  25,  1783;  lived  on  the  homestead.     Children:  — 

1.  Waity  Gray,  b.  Nov.  3,  1784,  m.  Israel  Huse,  1807. 

2.  Sarah,  b.  Sept.  8,  1786,  m.  Josiah  Haselton,  1809,  alive  1869. 

3.  Betsy,  b.  Feb.  14,  1789,  m.  Gen.  Daniel  Iloit,  of  Saiuhvich. 

4.  Samuel,  b.  Feb.  4,  1792,  grad.  at  Dartmouth,  1814,  a  lawyer 
in  Moultonborough.     (See  Graduates.) 

5.  Nancy,  b.  June  14,  1794,  m.  Rev.  Isaac  Jones. 

6.  Susan,  b.  1796,  d.  1812. 

7.  CUirissa,  b.  Nov.  13,  1798,  m.  (1)  Edwin  Frost,  went  a  mis- 
sionary to  Bombay;  m.  (2)  Henry  AVoodward,  a  missionary  at 
Ceylon ;  m.  (3)  AVilliam  Todd,  a  missionary. 

8.  John  S.,b.  Dec.  28,  1800,  grad.  Dart.  1820.    (See  Graduates.) 

9.  Nathaniel  F.,  b.  May  11,  1804,  m.  Clarissa  Goodhue,  1831; 
lived  on  the  homestead,  and  at  Clielsca,  Mass. 

XIII.  Xahbe,  b.  Oct.  13,  1760,  m.  Benjamin,  sou  of  Dea.  Jona. 
Hall,  and  Capt.  Isaac  Towle,  d.  April  5,  1844. 

XIY.  Susanna,  b.  April  13,  1762,  m.  Josiah,  son  of  Peter  Dear- 
born, went  to  AVeare. 

XV.  Anna,  b.  Nov.  14,  1763,  m.  Asa,  son  of  Peter  Dearborn; 
went  to  Chelsea,  Vt. 

Samuel  d.  Sept.  26,  1793;  Dorothy  d.  March  25,  1804;  John 
Emerson  d.  April  3,  1844;  Elizabetli  d.  July  15,  1852,  a.  90. 

Capt.  Amos  Emeusox  m.  Susannah,  dau.  of  Capt.  Abel  Morse, 
1762,  lived  in  different  places  in  Chester,  and  was  a  Capt.  in  the 
Revolutionary  army;  d.  in  Candia^  1823.  There  are  seven  chil- 
dren recorded  from  1764  to  1778,  of  whom  nothing  is  known. 

EMERY. 

In  1755  Richard  Emery  was  of  Exeter,  and  Thomas  Emery 
was  of  Plaistow.  In  1757  Rlchard  Emery  commanded  a  com- 
pany in  the  Crown  Point  expedition.  Oct.,  1765,  Richard  Emery 
and  Mary  Blunt  were  m.  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Flagg;  and  he  is  styled 
"J/f/yor"  in  1767,  in  Chester  records;  but  nothing  further  is 
known  of  him. 

Thomas  Emery  afterwards  lived  in  Hampstead,  and  d.  at  Brad- 
ford, N.  IL,  and  had  a  son  EliphaM,  who  settled  in  Bedford,  and 
a  dau.  who  m.  a  Burroughs,  and  lived  nearly  opposite  Judge 


GENEALOGY — FITT8.  519 

Calfe,  in  Hampstead.  Jonathan,  b.  about  1750,  learned  the  ti-ade 
of  carpenter  of  Capt.  Edward  Preston.  He  m.  Elizabeth  Glidden. 
In  1774  he  bought  part  of  No.  74,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and  settled  on  it, 
near  Xo.  5  school-house  in  Auburn.     Children :  • — 

Dolly,  unmarried;  John,  m.  Eebecca,  dau.  of  Peter  Aiken,  was 
lost  at  sea;  David,  m.  Polly  Porter,  d.  1809;  Betsy,  m.  Jacob 
Burrill ;  Thomas,  lived  at  Sheldon,  Vt. ;  Moses,  m.  Lois  Stebbins 
and  d.  on  the  homestead;  Richard,  m.  Polly  Palmer  and  livoc>  on 
the  Dea.  Leach  place,  near  the  Pond,  where  his  son  Stephen  now 
lives;  Jonathan,  m.  Xancy  Eaton,  now  alive  i\t  Washing-ton,  \t.\ 
Samuel,  m.  Abigail  Noyes,  lived  at  Washington ;  James,  lived  in 
Vermont. 

FIELD. 

John  Field,  leather-dresser,  bought  Ko.  77,  4th  D.,  1779.  and 
settled  there.  He  d.  1791,  and  the  place  was  sold  to  Dea.  E.  H. 
Kelly,  in  1792. 

FITTS. 

The  American  ancestor  of  the  family  of  Fitts,  or  Fitz,  was 
Robert,  who,  with  his  wife,  Gu.vce  D.,  was  among-  the  orig-iual 
settlers  of  Salisbury,  Mass.  The  plantation  was  begun  by  Mr. 
Bradstreet  and  others  in  1G39.  The  record  of  land  granted  to 
Robert  Fitts  is  on  page  21  of  the  early  town  records.  The  list 
contains  68  names,  among  which  is  "  Rob.  flltts."  The  name  of 
"  Rob.  Fitt,  Planter,"  as  he  sigued  it,  appears  several  times  on 
the  Salisbury  and  Xorfolk  county  records,  from  1640  to  1662.  He 
removed  to  Ipswich,  and  Avas  there  Jan.  5,  1663,  and  d.  Jlay  9, 
1665,  leaving  a  wife,  Grace,  and  a  son  Abraham.  His  wife  d. 
April  25,  1684. 

Abraham  Fitts  m.  Sarah  Tomsox,  May  16,  1655,  by  "  ye  wor- 
shipfull  Symon  "Bradstreet.-'  She  was  dau.  of  Simon  Tomson, 
He  m.  (2)  wid.  Rebecca  Birdly,  Jan.  7,  1668.  Abraham  Fitts  d. 
March  27,  1692,  will  proved  April  6,1692;  inventory,  £366  10s. 
They  had  seven  children.    The  sixth, — 

Richard,  b.  Feb.  26,  1672,  m.  Sarah  Thorne,  March  18,  1694-5. 
Jan.  16,  1691,  liis  father  conveyed  to  him  all  of  his  lands  in  Salis- 
bury, including  the  original  grant  to  his  grandfather,  and  the  land 
is  yet  in  the  ijossession  of  his  descendants.  Richard  Fitts  d.  Dec. 
3,  1744 ;  she  d.  March,  1773,  a.  100.  They  had  eight  cliildren,  the 
seventh. — 

DANIEL,  b.  April  30,  1710,  m.  Ruth  Brown,  at  Salisbury,  Xov. 
11,  1734.  She  was  b.  1712,  d.  June  3,  1788.  Daniel  d.  March  30, 
1796.    He  was  celebrated  as  a  blacksmith.    Children:  — 

Abraham,  b.  Oct.  24,  1736.    He  learned  the  blacksmith  trade 


520  HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 

of  his  fiither,  and  came  to  Chester  in  1759.  He  m.  Doroth}-,  clau. 
of  Ensign  Henry  Hall,  May  27,  1760.  It  is  said  that  he  worked 
awhile  near  Enoch  Colby's,  but  he  owned  6  acres  of  land  north- 
west of  the  brick  school-house  in  Chester,  which  he  sold  to  Moses 
Uuderhill  in  1778.  July  2,  1763,  in  consideration  of  £720,  old 
tenor,  Enoch  Colby,  Jr.,  sold  him  20  acres  of  the  north  end  of  the 
lot  ©n  which  he  lived  (Xo.  89,  3d  D.),  with  two  rods  on  the  west 
side,  to  the  brook,  for  watering.  He  there  set  up  his  trade,  and 
by  industry  became  wealthy,  and  settled  his  sons  on  farms.  He 
and  his  descendants  have  filled  a  large  space  in  the  history  of  Can- 
dia.  He  was  one  of  the  fourteen  original  members  of  the  church 
in  Candia,  in  1770;  was  a  petitioner  for  tlie  incorporation  of  Can- 
dia,  and  held  various  ofiices  of  trust.  He  was  selectman  of  Ches- 
ter in  1764.    He  d.  Aug  6, 1808 ;  she  d.  Nov.  8, 1804.    Children :  — 

1.  LycUa,  b.  March  9,  1761,  m.  Moses  Emerson,  1785,  d.  1835. 

2.  Dorothy,  b.  Oct.  31,  1762,  m.  Dea.  Samuel  Cass,  and  Dea. 
Eben  Nay,  of  Raymond;  d.  1836. 

3.  Daniel,  b.  Jan.  21,  1765,  m.  Rachel   French,  of  Salisbury 
Mass.,  1790.    He  lived  on  No  61,  3d  D.,  d.  Sept.  17, 1829.    She  d! 
June  21,  1830.     Children  :  — 

Mary,  b.  1790,  d.  unmarried,  1818;  Salome,  m.  Moses  Buswell; 
Daniel,  b.  Dec.  4,  1794,  m.  Nancy  Hall,  of  Jiradford,  and  Mrs.  Lu- 
cinda  (Johnson)  Kimball;  Joseph,  m.  Rlahala  Buswell;  Rachael, 
m.  John  Pillsbury  ;  Benjamin;  Judith  Hall;  and  Abraham. 

4.  Jloses,  b.  Nov.  14,  1767,  m.  Sarah  Oidway,  dau.  of  Rev.  Ne- 
hemiah  Ordway,  d.  1838;  she  d.  1823.     Children  :  — 

Sophia;  Sally;  Frederick;  Moses  Hall,  grad.  Dart.,  1831; 
Franklin,  a  physician  ;    and  Alfred. 

5.  lieuben,  b.  March  8,  1770,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Jethro  Hill, 
1792,  lived  on  Mr.  Hill's  lot,  d.  1838.     Children:  — 

John,  b.  March  19,  1794,  m.  Abigail,  dan.  of  John  Lane,  and 
were  the  parents  of  Rev.  James  H.  Fitts,  the  author  of  the  Fitts 
genealogy;  Joshua,  m.  Sarah  Knowles;  Eliza;  and  Phcbe. 

6.  Sally,  b.  April  20,  1772,  m.  Jonathan  Carr,  d.  1704. 

7.  Samuel,  m.  Sarah  Tov.ie,  1796,  lived  on  No.  64,  d.  1850;  she 
d.  1831.     Children:  — 

Lydia;  Sarah,  m.  Jonathan  Brown;  Clarissa,  m.  John  Emer- 
son ;  and  Asa,  a  teacher  of  music. 

8.  EUzaheih,  b.  April  17,  1777,  m.  Bcnaiah  Fox;  d.  1823. 

9.  Abrahavi,  m.  Susannah,  dau.  of  John  Lane,  1804.  He  d. 
Oct.,  1865;  she  d.  May,  1865,  a.  87.    Children:  — 

JohuL.;  Isaac  N. ;  Dorothy;  Ilamiah  G.;  Sabrina;  Jesse  R.; 
Abraham;  RuthL.;  Benaiah;  and  Susan. 

lu.  Xathan,  m.  Nancy  Dearborn,  1805.     Children:  — 
Chiistopher  C;  Edward  D.;  Mary;  Isaac;  and  Sarah. 


D 


GENEALOGY — FLAGG.  •  521 

Nathan  Fitts  was  a  sou  of  Daniel  Fitts,  and  was  b.  at  Salis- 
bury, Mass.,  Dec.  13,  1739,  His  father  put  him  apprentice  to  his 
brother  Abraham,  and  he  came  to  Chester  with  him.  He  m.  Abi- 
gail, dau.  of  Maj.  Jabez  French,  Juue  8,  1768.  He  d.  Jan.  27, 
1781.  The  wid.  m.  Dea.  Nathaniel  French,  and  d.  1831.  In  1767 
Mr.  Fitts  bought  of  Benj.  Dearborn  H.  L.  Nos.  132  and  22,  where 
he  lived.    Children:  — 

1.  Hannah,  b.  May  4,  1769,  m.  Moses,  son  of  John  Sanborn, 
1789,  and  went  to  Corinth. 

2.  Benjamin,  b.  June  6,  1771,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  John  Hoit. 
Children :  — 

Sully,  m.  Moses  Robie;  Betsy,  m.  Matthew  Holmes;  Hannah, 
d.  Oct.  11,   1797. 

He  m.  (2)  Susannah,  dau.  of  Dea.  John  S.  Dearborn,  April 
10,  1798.    Children :  — 

Susan,  m.  John  Tabor;  Benjamin,  b.  1800,  m.  Climena  Green; 
Nathan,  m.  Judith  Colby ;  Charles ;  Mary,  m.  Frederick  Morse ; 
JohuD.;  George  W.;  Hannah  H. ;  Luther,  m.  E.  F.  Haseltine, 
lives  on  the  homestead;  Ann  C,  d.  young. 

Capt.  Benj.  Fitts  did  a  large  business  as  a  blacksmith,  on  the 
homestead,  as  did  his  son  Benjamin.  He  d.  May  20,  1857;  she  d 
April  15,  1860. 

3.  JSfatlian,  b.  Aug.  5,  1774,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Joseph  Morse, 
lived  on  the  Jabez  French  place ;  d.  1825.    No  issue. 

4.  Elizabeth,  b.  1778,  m.  Daniel  Tilton. 

Ephraim  Fitts,  son  of  Richard  Fitts  and  Sarah  Brown  of 
Southampton,  b.  May  10,  1745,  m.  Rhoda,  dau.  of  Thos.  Wortiicn, 
of  Chester,  1765.  He  came  to  Chester  and  learned  the  trade  of 
blacksmith,  of  Abraham  Fitts,  and  lived  at  the  head  of  Chester 
Street,  nearly  opposite  the  turnpike,  southeast  of  the  parsonage 
I'oad.  Isaac  Blasdell,  Jr.,  and  Josiah  Underhill,  were  liis  appren- 
tices. He  had  10  children.  He  went  back  to  Southampton,  and 
d.  1800;  she  d.  Feb.  28,  1826,  a.  82. 

For  a  very  copious  and  well-prepared  genealogy  of  the  Fitts 
family,  see  a  work  by  Rev.  James  H.  Fitts,  of  West  Boylston, 
Mass. 

FLAGG. 

Rev.  Ebexezer  Flagg  was  the  son  of  Ebenezer,  born  1678, 
who  was  the  son  of  Gershom,  b.  1641,  who  was  the  son  of 
Thomas,  who  in  1637,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  came  over  with 
Richard  Carver  from  Scratby,  Norfolk  county,  a  few  miles  north 
of  Yarmouth,  in  the  hundred  of  East  Flagg,  England,  and  settled 
in  Watertown,  Mass.  Gershom  m.  Hannah  Leffingwell,  and 
they  had  ten  children,  of  whom  the  sixth  was  Ebenezer,  who  m. 
Elizabeth  Carter,  and  they  had  eleven  children,  one  of  whom  was 


522  .  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Key.  Ebenezer,  b.  at  'Woburn,  Mass.,  Oct.  18,  1704.  He  gradu- 
ated at  Harvard,  1725,  and  came  to  Chester  in  1736.  Rev.  Moses 
Hale,  "now a  i-esident  of  Haverhill,"  deeded  him  two  home  lots, 
marked  on  the  map  "  B  "  and  "  M,"  being-  Gov.  Wentworth's  and 
the  first  settled  minister's.  The  L  part  of  the  Bell  house  was  Mr  • 
Flagg's.  He  was  married  to  Lucretia  Keys  by  Rev.  Mr.  Hooper, 
of  Boston,  Xov.  15,  1739.     Children:  — 

I.  Lucretia,  b.  Jan.  27,  1741,  m.  Coffin,  of  Portsmouth. 

II.  John,  b.  Feb.  24,  1743,  graduated  at  Harvard  1761;  M.  D., 
1766;  settled  in  Lynn;  d.  May  27,  1793. 

in.   Thomas,  b.  Oct.  17,  1745,  went  to  Virginia. 

IV.  Josiah,  b.  April  8,  1748,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Col.  John  Web- 
ster, March  18,  1777;  lived  on  the  homestead;  was  an  officer  in 
the  Revolution;  d.  April  25,  1799.  She  d.  May  1,  1799.  Chil- 
dren : — 

1.  Betsy  Van  Mater,  b.  Feb.  12,  1778,  m.  Daniel  French,  Esq., 
1805;  d.  April  23,  1812. 

2.  Catherine  Gardner,  b.  Jan.  8,  1780,  m.  TVm.  J.  Folsom :  d. 
Sept.  25,  1807. 

3.  Sarah  Wingate,  b.  May  31,  1782,  m.  Jonathan  Bell,  and  m. 
(2)  Daniel  French,  Esq.;  still  (1869)  alive  in  Chester. 

4.  Henry,  b.  April  9,  1785;  still  living,  1869. 

5.  Edmund,  b.  July  3,  1787,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  1806 ;  d. 
at  Island  of  St.  Croix,  Dec,  15,  1815. 

V.  Sarah,  b.  July  8,  1751,  m.  Evans;  d.  July  29,  1831. 

VI.  Richard,  b.  April  25,  1754,  d.  Jau  21,  1762. 

VII.  Ebenezer,  b.  March  19,  1757,  m.  Mary  Emerson,  1781; 
lived  at  Salem,  and  was  a  brass  founder;  d.  1796. 

VIII.  Mary,  b.  July  4,  1759,  m.  Greenough,  brother  of  Daniel. 

IX.  Catherine  Flagg,  b.  1762,  died  in  infancy. 

Rev.  Ebeu.  Flagg  d.  Nov.  14,  1796.  Lucretia  d.  March  30, 
1764,  a.  41.  Mary  d.  ]S'ov.  10,  1783,  a.  62.  (See  further,  notices 
of  Clergymen.) 

FOLSOM. 

JOHX  FOLSOM,  b.  at  New  Market  July  7, 1723 ;  Sarah  Veasey , 
b.  at  Stratham,  Nov.,  1727;  m.  Jan.,  1748.  She  d.  Sept.  19,  1756. 
Their  second  child,  David,  b.  May  20,  1750,  m.  Dorothy,  dau.  of 
Rev.  William  Johnson,  of  Newbury,  Mass.  He  was  a  clerk  for 
Gen.  Moulton,  of  Hampton.  They  had  William  J.,  b.  1774,  and 
John,  h'.  March  11,  1776.  He  had  the  idea  suggested  to  him  of 
cutting  nails  by  seeing  a  tin-worker  cut  off  a  piece  from  the  end 
of  an  iron  hoop  with  his  shears.  When  John  was  about  twelve, 
which  would  be  in  1788,  the  family  removed  to  Harrisburg,  Penn., 
and  there  Mr.  Folsom  got  up  machinery  for  cutting  and  heading 


f  «  f 


/ 


t..*.**- 


ar 


GENEALOGY  —  FOLSOM.  523 

nails,  which  was  yeiy  rude.  They  were  cut  with  shears  so  fixed 
that  they  could  be  oj)erated  by  the  foot,  while  the  iron  was  fed  in 
by  the  hand.  They  were  screwed  into  a  common  vise,  and  receiv- 
ed a  blow  with  a  hammer  to  head  them.  They  soon  made  an  im- 
provement in  heading-.  They  had  two  bai-s  of  iron  hinged  at  one 
end,  one  fastened  to  a  bench,  and  the  other  to  vibrate,  with  dies  to 
receive  the  nails  near  the  joint.  A  rope  or  chain  was  attached  to  the 
end  of  a  movable  bar  and  to  a  treadle,  so  that  with  the  foot  they 
were  drawn  together  to  hold  the  nail  to  be  headed.  At  first  they 
not  only  put  in  every  nail  with  their  fingers,  but  also  took  them 
out.  The  next  step  was  to  bore  a  hole  through  the  bench,  and  let 
the  nails  drop  out.  This  machineiy  was  used  until  after  they 
came  to  Chester,  and  the  heading-  was  done  in  the  same  way 
while  it  was  carried  on  there.  I  find  charges  on  Lieut.  Unde"r- 
hill's  book,  in  179G,  to  "\Y.  &  J.  Folsom,  for  '•  making  and  mend- 
ing shears." 

In  about  six  months  after  arriving  at  Ilarrisburg,  David  Folsom 
died  of  small-pox.  The  sons,  young  as  they  were,  carried  on  the 
business  some  four  years,  or  until  about  1792,  when,  having  the 
fever-and-ague  badly,  they  were  advised  to  come  Xorth.  They 
procured  a  horse  and  cart,  and  came  to  Xew  Hampshire.  Mrs. 
Folsom,  after  a  while,  opened  a  boarding-house  at  Exeter,  and  the 
sons  went  (for  what  reason  I  do  not  know)  to  Tamworth.  The 
wife  of  Hon.  Joseph  Blanchard  died  in  1793.  He  was  senator,  I 
think,  and  the  Legislature  sat  at  Exeter,  and  he  boarded  at  Mrs. 
Folsom's,  and  finally  married  her  in  April,  1794. 

The  Folsoms  soon  came  to  Chester,  and  built  a  shop  near  where 
Mrs.  Wiley's  house  now  is,  and  went  to  work  with  such  machin- 
eiy as  I  have  described.  After  a  while  they  turned  Esquire 
Blanchai'd's  fulling-mill  into  a  nail-factory,  and  commenced  cut- 
ting by  water.  William  J.  Folsom  left  the  concern,  went  to 
Chester  and  went  into  trade.  He  m.  Catherine  G.,  dau.  of 
Josiah  Flagg,  Esq.,  and  had  Henry,  Frederic  and  Catherine,  who 
m.  Israel  "Webster,  Jr.  Mrs.  Folsom  d.  1807,  and  he  went  back 
and  cut  nails  for  Esquire  Blanchard,  and  d.  1809,  Dec.  11. 

John  Folsom  carried  on  the  nail  bu.siuess  until  the  fall  of  1805, 
when  he  and  John  Melvin  took  a  contract  to  build  fifteen  miles  of 
the  Londonderr}'  turnpike  from  Hooksett  bridge,  and  also  the 
Straits  bridge.  He  the  next  year  bought,  and  built  a  house  and 
opened  a  tavern  on  that  i-oad,  No.  98,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and  was  noted 
as  a  landlord.  He  was  much  in  public  business  as  a  selectman, 
representative,  &c.  From  1802  to  1808,  the  Republican  party  pre- 
vailed, and  sent  Henry  Sweetser  representative,  and  he  boasted 
that  he  had  been  seven  years,  and  could  go  seven  more,  but  in 
1809  Mr.  Folsom  was  elected.    He  went  one  or  more  vears  from 


524  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Deny,  after  he  removed  there,  and  was  the  oldest  member  in  the 
House. 

In  1820  a  Court  of  Sessions  was  established  for  laying  out 
roads,  auditing  accounts,  «fec.,  and  John  Harvey,  Hall  Burgin 
and  [John  Folsom  were  appointed  judges.  He  was  a  straight- 
forward, upright  man.  He  m.  Mehitabel,  dau.  of  Benj.  Melvin, 
Dec.  25,  1800.  They  had  no  issue.  She  d.  March  23,  1824.  He 
m.  (2)  Dolly  T.,  dau.  of  Lieut.  Josiah  Underhill,  who  was  a  niece 
of  his  first  wife,  Dec.  9,  1824.  John  Folsom  d.  Aug.  9,  1850. 
Dorothy  T.  d.  Dec.  5,  184G.  They  had  eight  children,  three  of 
whom  graduated.     (See  Graduates.) 

I  have  given  a  detailed  account  of  the  making  of  nails,  as  re- 
lated to  me  by  Mr.  Folsom,  and  corroborated  by  Richard  Melvin 
and  Mrs.  Dinsmore.  I  suppose  it  was  the  first  nail-cutting  in 
the  world.  The  self-heading  machines  of  Odiorne  &  Perkins 
superseded  all  hand  work. 


FORSAITH. 

Dea.  Matthew  Forsaith  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  went 
thence  to  Ireland.  He  there  m.  Esther  Graham,  a  daughter  of 
Robert  Graham,  and  came  over  Avith  the  Graham  family  about 
1730,  and  at  first  lived  south  of  the  meeting-houi-e,  but  made  a 
final  settlement  on  Add.  lot  No.  91,  wliere  his  gi-andson  Josiah 
iiow  lives.  He  was  an  enterprising  business  man,  and  his  name 
appears  Irequently  on  the  town  and  Presbyterian  records.  Chil- 
dren:— 

1.  JIatfhew,  Jr.,  was  a  physician,  and  went  out  in  a  man-of- 
war  and  died  at  sea. 

2.  Jonathan,  was  in  the  army  at  Ticonderoga,  and  d.  there  July 
9,  1777. 

3.  David,  came  home  and  died  May  21,  1778. 

4.  Esther,  d.  March  29,  1778. 

5.  Bobert,  b.  1746,  m.  Margaret,  dau.  of  Dea.  William  Tolford, 
1767,  and  lived  on  the  Tolford  place,  whei'e  Mr.  l^lerrill  lives,  at 
Walnut  Hill.     He  d.  1810. 

6.  Hannah,  m.  Wilkes  West,  d.  Jan.,  1793. 

7.  Dea.  WiUiain,  went  to  Deering;  d.  about  1808.  He  had  a 
son  James. 

8.  Josiah,  m.  Katy  Richardson,  dau.  of  Caleb  R.,  and  lived 
where  his  fiithcr  did;  d.  March  18,  1833.  He  had  several  chil- 
dren, among  whom  was  Josiah,  b.  Jan.  25,  1785;  lived  on  the  old 
place;  d.  Aug.  18,  1868. 

Dea.  Foksaith's  wife  was  famous  as  a  midwife.  She  d.  July 
1,  1784.    He  d.  Sept.  G,  1791,  a.  about  90. 


GENEALOGY — FRENCH.  525 


FOSS. 

Isaac  Foss  was  in  Greenland  in  1729,  and  bought  H.  L.  No. 
37,  wliere  Edmund  Sleeper  now  lives,  and  might  have  settled 
there,  but  he  soon  went  back  on  to  Add.  101,  and  deeded  it  tQ 
his  son  Timotliy,  in  1757 ;  subsequently  owned  by  Daniel  Rich- 
ardson, and  Daniel,  Jr.,  now  by  David  Lane.  There  was  an 
Isaac,  Jr.,  Thomas,  and  Joseph,  of  whom  nothing  is  known. 

John  Foss,  probably  from  Greenland,  m.  Tabitha,  dau,  of  En- 
sign Jacob  Sargent,  March  11,  1745,  and  settled  on  the  northwest 
end  of  Add.  No.  105,  on  the  Great  Hill,  the  lot  Rufus  Sanborn  lives 
on.  The}'  had  a  son  David,  b.  Oct.  12,  1744,  m.  Anne  Richardson, 
1767,  and  had  11  children.  The  second,  Hannah,  b.  Sept.  26, 
1770,  m.  Jethro,  son  of  John  Sanborn,  and  was  mother  of  John 
and  Rufus,  of  Chester. 

There  was  one  Jonathan  Underbill,  b.  1780,  named  probably 
for  Hezekiah  UnderhiU's  son  who  d.  iu  the  army.  John  Foss  d., 
and  administration  was  granted,  1746,  to  the  widow,  who  charges 
for  nursing  David  since  Nov.  10,  1745.  Tabitha  m.  Hezekiah,  son 
of  Sampson  UuderliiU.     She  d.  May  24,  180o. 

FOWLER. 

There  was  a  man  by  the  name  of  Fowler  who  was  b.  in  Wales 
and  gave  seven  years'  service  for  his  passage.  He  settled  in 
Amesbury  and  m.  there,  and  had  a  son  Thomas,  who  m.  a  Davis, 
and  came  to  Chester  about  1764,  and  d.  1794,    Children :  — 

I.  Tliomas,  Jr.,  was  b.  in  Amesbury  in  1750,  and  one  brother, 
and  some  sisters.  They  settled  near  the  east  side  of  No.  89,  2d 
P.  2d  D.,  in-obably  where  Archi.  MoDuffee,  Sen.,  settled. 

II.  Jeremiah,  the  brother,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and 
d.  soon  after  his  return. 

III.  Rebecca,  m.  Peter,  son  of  Sanniel  Aiken,  Sen.,  d.  1796. 
Thomas  m.Phebe  Colburn  in  1781,  d.  June,  1828.     Cliildren:  — 

1.  Thomas,  m.  a  Worthen,  went  to  New  York.  2.  Anna,  m.  Jo- 
seph Worthen,  went  to  Dorchester,  N.  H.  3.  Hannah,  m.  Win- 
throp  Rollins,  went  to  Dorchester,  N.  H.  4.  Rebecca,  m.  Joseph 
Carlton.  5.  Stephen,  m.  Ann,  dau.  of  Daniel  McDuffee;  lived 
first  on  the  homestead,  went  thence  to  New  York,  and  thence  to 
Micliigau. 

FRENCH. 

BENjA:Mm  Frexch  was  of  Kingstown,  in  1744,  and  sold  to  Da- 
vid McClure  the  west  half  of  No.  17,  2d  P.  2d  D.,  and  the  same 
year  the  road  was  laid  out  through  his  laud. 


526  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

March  10,  1748,  the  road  to  the  Branch  was  laid  out,  ''  Begin- 
ning at  Jabez  French's  N.  E.  corner."  Jabez  was  probably  the 
son  of  Benjamin,  and  settled  where  Dr.  Samuel  Brown  once  lived, 
northwe>t  of  Charles  Stevens'  saw-mill.  May  10,  1751,  Joseph 
Basford  and  wife,  and  Moses  Richardson  and  wife,  deeded  to  Ja- 
*bez  French  H.  L.  Fos.  2  and  140,  on  which  he  lived,  and  gave  it 
to  his  grandson,  Nathan  Fitts,  Jr.  He  m.  Hannah,  the  dau.  of 
Benjamin  Hills,  Sen.,  Jan.  5, 1743.  He  was  a  major.  He  d.  Oct. 
9,  180C.  His  wife  d.  Oct.  5,  180G,  and  they  were  both  buried  in 
one  grave.    Cliildren:  — 

1.  Hannah,  b.  Nov.  10,  1744. 

2.  Abifiail,  b.  Sept.  4,  1746,  m.  Nathan  Fitts,  and  Dea.  Nathl. 
French  of  Sandown;  d.  June  18,  1831. 

3.  Buih,  b.  May  29,  1753,  m.  Josiah  Hall;  d.  Nov.  25,  1836. 

Zepiiaxi.vii  Frexch  m.  Mary  Greeley,  1746.  He  d.  June  24, 
1763.  He  settled  on  Add.  No.  117,  where  his  descendants  have 
lived.    Besides  children  who  d.  young,  they  had 

I.  Benjamin,  b.  1751. 

II.  Surah,  b.  1759,  who  was  a  deaf  mute. 

III.  Mary,  b.  1761,  who  was  famous  as  a  fortune-teller. 

IV.  Zephaniah,  b.  1763,  a  deaf  mute,  who  was  burnt  to  death 
in  a  coal  camp,  1788. 

Benjumin  French  m.  Esther  Currier,  and  had, —  1.  Jonathan;  2. 
Benjamin;  and  3.  Nathaniel.  He  d.  1797.  The  Avidow  m.  Sher- 
burne Dearborn. 

SiMOX  Fkexch  came  to  Chester  from  Salisbury,  Mass.  Joseph 
French  sold  to  Simon  French  25  acres,  which  he  bought  of  Samuel 
McPherson,  Add.  Nos.  8  and  9.  Benjamin  Porter  sold  to  Simon 
■  French,  for  133  Spanish  dollars,  one  half  of  No.  51,  2d  P.  2d  D., 
on  which  he  settled,  in  Candia,  in  1765.  He  m.  a  dau.  of  John 
Shackford,  Sen.,  of  Chester.  She  was  a  feeble  woman,  and  was 
mostly  confined  to  her  bed  for  nine  years,  and  they  endured  severe 
hardships.  At  one  time  he  went  to  Trickling  Falls,  East  Kings- 
ton, a  distance  of  twenty  miles,  and  bought  a  bushel  of  corn 
and  brought  it  home  on  his  back.  It  is  said  that  he  and  Daniel 
Dolby  once  went  to  Plymouth  and  bought  corn  and  brought  it 
home  on  horseback.  He  d.  Aug.  3,  1823 ;  time  of  her  death  not 
known.     Children :  — 

I.  liuth,  m.  Samuel  Colby,  of  Candia,  settled  at  Derby,  Vt., 
and  had  Nehemiah,  a  merchant,  and  Moses,  a  physician. 

II.  Dolly,  m.  Andrew  Rankin,  settled  at  Littleton.  They  were 
the  parents  of  Rev.  Andrew  Rankin,  a  minister  who  was  settled 
in  Salisbury,  N.  H.,  and  d.  at  Danbury. 

III.  John,  b.  March  25,  1770,  m.  Comfort,  dau.  of  Dr.  Coffin 


GENEALOGY — FRENCH.  527 

Moore,  Dec.  20,  1793;  she  b.  Jan.  24,  1770.    He  d.  Dec.  24,  1845; 
she  d.  Dec.  1,  1834.    Lived  on  the  homestead.    Children:  — 

1.  Martha,  b.  Oct.  22,  1794. 

2.  Simon,  b.  Feb.  2,  1796,  m.  Ann  B.  Evans,  lives  on  the  home- 
stead. 

3.  Coffin  M.,  b.  April  6,  1799,  m.  Dolly  Pillsbmy,  and  lives  on 
the  Zebedee  Berry  place,  near  the  homestead.  They  have  a  son 
Samuel  Franklin,  b.  Dec.  22,  183.1,  g-rad.  at  Dart.  1860,  Audover 
Theo.  Sem.,  1865;  settled  at  Hamilton,  Mass.  Also  George  H. 
French,  b.  July  27,  1838,  g-rad.  at  Dart.  1862,  entered  Andover 
Theo.  Sem.  1865.     (See  Graduates  in  Candia.) 

4.  Lncinda,  b.  1803,  m..  Frederick  Fitts. 

5.  Eveline,  b.  1805,  m.  Samuel  Murray,  d.  1848.  Simon  French 
Sen.,  m.  (2)  Comfort  "Weeks,  wid.  of  Dr.  Coffin  Moore.  She  d- 
Nov.  1,  1814. 

Hox.  Daniel  Frexcii  vt^as  the  son  of  Gould  and  Dorothy 
French,  b.  at  Epping,  Feb.  22,  1769.  He  was  a  student  at  Exeter 
under  Dr.  Abbot,  two  years,  and  also  was  under  the  tuition  of 
Rev.  Robert  Gray,  of  Dover,  some  time.  He  studied  law  with 
Hon.  William  K.  Atkinson,  of  Dover,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1796.  He  practiced  law  at  Deerfield  Parade  two  years,  and 
came  to  Chester,  and  succeeded  Hon.  Arthur  Livermore,  who  was 
appointed  .Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  Dec,  1799.  He  was  ap- 
pointed Solicitor,  June,  1808;  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the 
United  States  Court  in  1809;  was  appointed  Attorney-General 
Feb..  1812,  and  resigned  in  1815;  contiiuied  to  practice,  attending 
all  the  terms  of  the  courts  till  within  a  few  years  of  his  death, 
Oct.  15,  1840.  He  was  appointed  Postmaster,  April,  1807,  and 
held  the  office  until  1839,  when  he  resigned,  and  his  son,  Henry 
F.,  succeeded  him.  Loammi  Davidson,  Edmund  Flagg,  Abner 
Emerson,  Stephen  Crooker,  Jabez  Crooker,  B.  B.  French,  Eben 
French  and  Henr^F.  French,  wei-e  students  at  law  in  his  office. 
Besides  his  profession  he  was  quite  a  farmer. 

Gould  French  d.  May  12,  1823,  a.  83;  Dorothy  d_  Dec.  12,  1804. 
Daniel  French  m.  Mercy,  dau.  of  Benj.  Brown,  Sept.  15,  1799. 
Children :  — 

1.  Benjamin  B.,  b.  Sept.  4,  1800. 

Mercy  d.  March  8,  1802.  He  m.  (2)  Betsey  Y.  M.  Flagg,  dau.  of 
Josiah  Flagg,  Esq. ,  June  30,  1805.     Cliildren :  — 

2.  Arthur  Livermore,  b.  May  28,  1806,  d.  April  25,  1825,  an  un- 
dergraduate at  Dartmouth. 

3.  Ann  Caroline,  b.  Feb.  3,  1808,  m.  Hon.  Simon  Brown,  lives 
at  Concord,  Mass. 

4.  Catharine  J.,  b.  Jan.  12,  1810,  m.  Dr.  P.  P.  Wells,  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y. 


528  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

5.  Sarah,  b.  Aug,  3,  1811,  m.  Dr.  S.  L.  Chase,  Lockport,  N.  Y. 
He  m.  (o)  Sarah  ^Y .  Flagg,  dan.  of  Josiah  Fkxgg,  Esq.,  aud  wid- 
ow of  Jonathan  Bell,  Nov.  6,  1812.     Children:  — 

6.  Henry  F.,\).  Aug.  14,  1813. 

7.  Harriette  V.  31.,  d.  March  9,  1811. 
8  Elizabeth  Jane,  d.  July  4,  1818. 

9.  Edmund  Flagg,  b.  July  17,  1819,  m.  Margaret  Brady,  lives 
at  Washington  City. 

10.  Arianna,m.  Charles  E.  Soule,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.;  d.  May 
1-4,  1865. 

11.  Helen  Augusta. 

Benjimihi  B.,  son  of  Daniel  French,  besides  being  an  attendant 
at  the  public  schools  of  Chester,  was  a  student  at  the  academy  at 
North  Yarmouth,  Me. ;  studied  law  in  liis  father's  office,  aud  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  Feb.,  1825.  Dartmouth  conferred  the  honor- 
ary degree  of  A.  M.  on  him  in  1852.  He  practiced  law  at  Hook- 
sett  and  Sutton,  N.  II.,  and  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Courts, 
and  went  to  Newport  in  1827 ;  was  Assistant  Clerk  of  the  Senate 
in  1830,  and  Representative  in  1831,  '32  and  '33;  aud  w^as  propri- 
etor and  editor  of  the  ''N.  H.  Spectator."  lie  was  an  Assistant 
Clerk  of  tjie  U.  S.  House  of  Representatives,  1833;  and  Clerk  of 
the  House  in  18-45,  He  was  President  of  the  Magnetic  Telegraph 
Company,  and  Commissioner  of  Public  Buildings.  He  was 
elected  to  the  thirty-tliird  degree  in  Masonry,  and  was  Grand 
Master  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  He  m,  Elizabeth  S,,  dau.  of 
Hon,  Wm,  M,  Richardson,  and  had  two  children.  She  d.  May, 
1861 ;  m.  (2)  Mary  Ellen  Brady. 

Henry  F.  French  was  educated  at  the  Pinkerton  Academy  at 
Deny,  and  at  Pembroke,  and  at  Hingham  Mass.,  where  he  went 
to  study  French,  He  studied  law  in  his  father's  office,  and  at  the 
law  school  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  aud  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
Aug.  14,  1835.  He  practiced  law  with  his  father  till  his  death ; 
was  at  Portsmouth  one  year,  then  removed  Ito  Exeter,  and  held 
the  office  of  Solicitor  ten  years  from  1838 ;  and  that  of  Bank  Com- 
missioner four  years  from  1848 ;  aud  practiced  law  in  Exeter  until 
appointed  a  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  Aug,  15,  1855, 
wliich  office  he  held  till  Aug,  1,  1859,  He  opened  an  office  in 
Boston  in  Sept.,  1859,  and  removed  his  family  to  Cambridge  in 
1860;  was  appointed  Assistant  District  Attorney  for  Suffolk 
county,  Nov,  19,  1862,  and  held  the  office  (at  the  same  time  prac- 
ticing law)  until  June,  1865,  when  he  was  elected  the  first  Presi- 
dent of  the  Mass,  Agricultural  College.  He  removed  to  Amherst, 
where  the  college  was  established,  Sept.,  1865,  having  resigned 
his  office  in  Boston,  Being  unable  to  organize  the  college  accord- 
ing to  his  ideas  of  what  such  an  institution  should  be,  he  resigned 


GENEALOGY — FULLONTON.  529 

Ms  position  there  Oct.  17,  18C6,  and  resumed  his  profession  in 
Boston  in  the  spring  of  1867.  He  purchased  a  farm  in  Concord, 
Mass.,  on  which  he  still  resides,  still  practicing  his  profession  in 
Boston.  Dartmouth  conferred  the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts  upon  him  in  1852 ;  and  he  was  elected  an  honorary  member  of 
the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society  at  Cambridge,  July,  1861.  He  has 
always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  agriculture,  was  active  in  orna- 
menting his  native  town  with  trees.  He  set  the  elm  trees  in  front 
of  his  father's  office  and  nearly  opposite  the  dwelling,  about  the. 
year  1829.  He  was  also  a  leader  in  setting  other  trees  on  Chester 
street.  After  removing  to  Exeter  he  was  active  in  ornamenting 
that  ancient  town  with  trees.  He  was  President  of  the  Rocking- 
ham Agricultural  Society,  from  its  organization,  in  1852,  till  he 
left  the  State.  He  was  long  a  regular  contributor  to  several  agri- 
cultural papers,  and  published  a  very  full  treatise  upon  farm 
draining  soon  after  his  agricultural  tour  in  Europe  in  1857. 

He  m.  (1)  Anne,  dan.  of  Chief  Justice  Richardson,  Oct.  9,  1838. 
She  d.  Aug.  29,  1856.  Cliildren:  —  Harriette  Van  Mater,  m.  Maj. 
A.  Hollis,  Concord,  N.  H. ;  ^Ym.  M.Richardson;  Sarah  Flagg; 
and  Daniel  Chester.    He  m.  (2)  Pamela  M.  Prentice,  of  Kecne. 

fullonto:n^. 

JOHN  FULLONTON  came  from  England  and  settled  in  Ep- 
ping,  and  had :  — 

I.  James,  who  lived  in  Ra}Tnond,  and  had  his  house  burnt,  and 
■Went  to  Sanborntou. 

II.  AViLLiAM,  went  to  Wolfeborough. 

III.  Joiix,  who  is  called  Captain,  settled  in  Raymond  on  lot 
No.  3;  m.  (1)  Delia  Locke.    Children: — 

1.  Ezekiel,  went  to  Cambridge,  Vt. 

2.  Mary,  m.  Eliphalet  Folsom,  of  Raymond. 

3.  Joseph. 

4.  John,  killed  in  the  army. 

5.  Francis,  went  west. 

John  m.  (2)  Molly  Cram,  of  Hampton,    Cliildren:  — 

6.  JEphraim,  m.  (1)  Margaret,  dau.  of  Thomas  Patten,  and  (2) 
Miss  Foster,  of  Cambridge,  Vt. 

7.  Anna,  m.  Eben  Osgood,  of  Loudon,  d.  1818. 
John  m.  (3)  Rachael  French.     Children:  — 

8.  Ebenezer,  m.  Lydia  Purrington. 

9.  liachael,  m.  David  Page,  of  Raymond,  d.  1834. 

10.  Jeremiah,  ra.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Joseph  Dudley.  Children:  — 

1.  Susannah,  d.  1831. 

2.  Rev.  Joseph,  b.  Jan.  31,  1808,  is  a  minister;  preached  at  Ac- 
ton, Me.,  Danville,  N.  H.,  and  Raymond;  lives  on  the  Daniel  Ro- 

34 


530  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

bie  i^lace,  and  is  the  historian  of  Raymond.    He  m.  Abigail  D. 
Eobinson,  of  ^orth  Hampton, 

3.  Jeremiah,  lived  on  the  homestead. 

4.  John,  grad.  at  Dart,  in  1840.     (See  Graduates  of  Eaymoud.) 

FULTON. 

There  were  two  men  of  that  name  at  the  Long  Meadows. 

Robert  Fultok  bought  of  Benjamin  Crosett  part  of  N"os.  87 
•and  93,  2d  P.  2d  D.,  and  half  tlie  saw-mill,  in  1768. 

James  Fulton  lived  on  No.  85,  2d  P.  2d  D.,  where  Matthew 
Dickey  lately  lived.    His  wife  was  Mai-garet.    Children :  — 

Jean,  b.  April  18,  1745,  m.  Robert  Leathhead,  and  went  to  Me. 

Marffciret,  b.  Dec.  22,  1749,  m.  Arthur,  son  of  David  Dinsmore, 
went  to  Anson,  Maine. 

GAGE. 

Joiix  Gage  lived  on  home  lot  No.  13,  probably  near  where  Dea, 
John  Lane  now  lives.  He  bougiit  two  and  one  half  rods  of  the 
ten-rod  vray  in  1767. 

Samuel  N.  Gage  lived  on  Add.  No.  27,  whore  John  Dickey 
formerly  lived,  and  Jacob  Couch  lived;  d.  suddenly,  1800. 

GAMBEL. 

"William  Gambel  or  Gamble  came  from  Londonderry,  Ire- 
land, at  the  age  of  fourteen,  with  the  McClentos  and  Starret. 
He  lived  awhile  at  Londonderry,  and  married  a  widow  Clark 
there.  Previous  to  1748,  he  bought  lots  No.  10  and  11,  4th  D., 
and  a  corner  of  No.  12,  on  which  he  built,  where  Samuel  Gamble 
now  lives.  He  was  a  petitioner  for  soldiei's  in  1748.  His  will  is 
dated  Nov.  25,  1785,  at  which  time  he  died  of  colic,  a.  77.  Chil- 
dren : — 

I.  Janet,  m.  Alexander,  son  of  William  McClento,  Feb.  22, 
1760. 

H.  3fargaret.  m.  a  Love. 

He  m.  (2)  Ann,  dau.  of  Archibald  Stark.  She  was  burnt  to 
death  by  the  burning  of  the  house,  Jan.  28,  1805. 

III.  William. 

IV.  Archibald^  m.  (1)  Margaret,  dau.  of  Nathl.  Bold,  who  d. 
in  childbed;  m.  (2)  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  John  Patten.  He  lived 
on  the  homestead.  He  d.  1844,  a.  82.  She  d.  1834.  They  had 
several  children,  of  v.iiom  Samuel  survives  on  the  homestead. 

GAULT. 

SAJSIUEL  GAULT  was  born  in  Scotland;  m.  Elsie  Carlton, 
of  "Wales,  and  had  three  children  born  in  Scotland.    He  moved  to 


GENEALOGY  —  GILCHRIST.  531 

Londonderry,  Ireland,  and  had  two  cliildren  born  there.  lie 
came  to  this  country,  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  his 
great  grandson,  Matthew  Gault,  near  the  upper  end  of  Chester, 
now  Hooksett,  on  the  Suucook  gi-ant.     Cliildren  : — 

I.  Patrick,  m.  Anna  Thompson,  and  had  tive  children.  He  d. 
aged  70. 

II.  Samuel,  m.  Ann  Coclu-an ;  settled  in  Bradford,  Vt.,  and  had 
nine  children. 

III.  Andrew,  m.  Molly  Ayer,  of  Londonderry,  and  settled  in 
Pembroke,  and  had  three  sons  and  four  daughters: — 

1.  Samuel.  2.  Matthew.  3.  Andrew.  4.  Elsie.  5.  3Iolly..  6. 
Jenny.    7.  Betsy.     He  d.  in  Pembroke,  a.  83. 

IV.  Matthew,  m.  Betsy  Marsh,  and  was  an  oificcr  in  the 
French  war,  and  d.  at  Cape  Breton,  a.  35.  He  made  a  will 
March  19,  1759,  i^robably  before  leaving  home,  which  was  proved 
August,  1759,  in  which  he  gave  all  his  property  to  liis  wife. 

V.  Jenny,  m.  Robert  Clark,  of  Merrimack.  They  were  both 
drowned  about  a  year  after  their  marriage. 

1.  Samuel,  son  of  Andrew,  m.  Anna  Gile,  and  settled  in  Bow. 

2.  JIatthew,  b.  1755,  m.  Elizabeth  Bunton;  lived  on  the  old 
Gault  farm,  and  had  twelve  children,  nine  of  whom  lived  to  be 
married,  among  whom, — 

2.  Polly,  m.  John  Brown,  of  Chester.  She  is  now  of  Milton, 
Vermont. 

8.  Matthew,  m.  Dollie  D.  Cochran,  and  lives  on  the  old  Gault 
farm.    They  have  communicated  the  Brown  and  Gault  families. 

Jlaftheio  d.  Oct.,  1824,  a.  69.  His  wife  d.  1818,  a.  56.  The  old 
Gault  house  was  a  gai'rison. 


GILCHRIST  — in  the  early  deeds  KILCHRIST  and  GILCREAS. 

There  were  two  men  of  that  name  who  settled  in  Chester,  and 
were  brothers,— ROBERT  and  WILLIAM.  Their  ancestors  are 
said  to  have  lived  near  Ayrshire,  in  Scotland,  and  emigrated  to 
the  neighborhood  of  Londonderry,  in  Ireland. 

ROBERT  GILCHRIST,  of  Chester,  bought  of  Joshua  Brown 
H.  L.  Xo.  10,  Dec,  1732,  on  which  he  settled;  since  occupied  by 
Joseph  Carr,  Robert  Graham,  now  by  Josiah  J.  Hall.    Children : — 

I.  John,  b.  1731.  He  was  a  house  carpenter,  and  went  to  Hal- 
ifax to  work.  It  is  said  that  in  consequence  of  au  ugly  dream 
wliich  alarmed  him,  he  left  in  the  first  vessel  bound  to  Boston;. 
There  he  came  in  contact  with  the  small-pox ;  came  home,  had 
the  disease,  and  died  in  1746.  The  neighbors  were  afraid  to  go 
near  the  house,  but  somehow  learned  that  he  was  dead,  and  i>i-o- 
cured  a  rough  board  coffin,  and  left  it  on  a  high  snow-drift.    The 


532  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

mother  and  Alexandei-,  aged  about  fifteen,  with  the  younger  chil- 
dren, managed  to  dig  a  grave  back  some  distance  from  the  house, 
and  bury  him  at  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  drawing  him  on  a  sled 
with  a  pair  of  steers. 

II.  Alexander,  b.  Oct.  28,  ra.  Martha,  dau.  of  John  Shirley. 

III.  William,  b.  Jan.*  8,  1736,  was  never  married;  lived  awliile 
on  lot  Xo.  99,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  Isaac  Towle,  Jr.,  afterwards 
lived,  and  subsequently  near  Mr.  Parker's  meeting-house,  Deny, 
his  sister  Elizabeth  keeping  house,  and  after  her  death  a  niece, 
till  about  1811;  then  went  to  Goifstown  and  lived  with  Alex- 
axd'er;  d.  of  spotted  fever  about  1815. 

IV.  Agnes,  b.  May  28,  1738,  m.  John  Kelso. 

V.  Elizabeth,  b.  Aug.  8,  17-10,  unmarried,  lived  with  William. 

VI.  ItOHERT,  b.  Oct.  8,  17-13,  settled  in  Gollstown,  and  is  said 
to  have  died  in  the  "  old  war." 

EGBERT'S  will  was  proved  Sept.  24,  1746;  legatees,— his  wife 
Agnes,  who  d.  Sept.,  1758 ;  sons  John,  Wllliam,  Alexander  and 
Robert,  two  home  lots,  10  and  43;  dau.  Agnes  and  Elizabeth; 
brother  WILLIAM,  executor.  The  place  Avas  sold  to  John  Carr, 
and  Alexander  went  to  Goifstown  about  1763,  and  bought  a 
farm  of  one  of  the  Millers,  near  Bedford  line.  He  used  to  say 
that  he  attended  school  but  two  days,  but  acquired  such  an  educa- 
tion that  he  surveyed  land  and  wrote  many  deeds.     Children: — 

1.  Jfury,  b.  17G3;  unm.;  resided  with  her  parents. 

2.  Samuel,  b.  Jan.  12,  1764,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  John  Aiken,  of 
Bedford,  1791;  lived  in  Bedford  and  Goifstown  West  Village,  and 
d.  1822.  They  had  sixteen  children,  three  of  whom,  John,  James 
and  Matthew,  were  physicians,  and  settled  in  Candia,  and  several 
of  the  others  settled  there. 

3.  John,h.  May  8,  1765,  m.  Sarah  Aiken,  Aug.  24,  1790;  d. 
Sept.  8,  1855,  a.  90.  They  had  ten  children.  The  eighth,  Alex- 
ander, b.  July  6,  1808,  is  a  cabinet-maker  at  Candia  Village. 

4.  Janet,  b.  June  12,  1768,  m.  W^illiam  Eiddle,  of  Bedfoi-d, 
1791;  d.  1839;  had  eight  children,  two  of  whom,  Polly  and 
Martha,  m.  Dr.  P.  B.  Woodbury,  of  Bedford. 

5.  James,  d.  young. 

6.  Alexander,  b.  1772,  m.  Margaret  Moore;  settled  in  Dunbar- 
ton;  d.  July  28,  1844.     They  had  five  children. 

7.  David,  b.  Dec,  1777,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Robert  Kennedy, 
Dec.  31,  1805;  settled  on  the  homestead;  d.  Xov.  28,  1847'.  They 
had  eight  children: — 

David,  b.  Aug.  24,  1813,  m.  Lydia  Morrison;  is  a  merchant  at 
Franldin,  N.  H.  Robert,  b.  1818,  m.  Lydia  Russel,  was  a 
crockery  and  glass  dealer  at  Manchester;  d.  Dec,  1866. 

There  were  among  the  grandchildren  of  Alexander  Gilchrist, 


GENEALOGY  —  GOODHUE.  533 

who  are  -widely  scattered,  quite  a  number  of  prominent  persons, 
a  very  copious  account  of  whom  has  been  given  by  David  Gil- 
christ of  Franklin;  but  my  limits  do  not  permit  giving  the 
details. 

r  WILLIAM  GILCHRIST,  who  was  a  brother  of  Eobert.  Sen., 
was  of  Andover,  March,  17-±0,  and  bouglit  of  Alexander  Craige 
fifty  acres  of  the  northwest  end  of  Gov.  AVentworth's  farm  of 
250  acres,  where  James  Crosett  and  David  Graham  afterwards 
lived,  but  whether  he  ever  lived  there  is  uncertain. 

Thomas  Glen,  in  March,  1743,  in  consideration  of  £10  and  affec- 
tion, conveyed  to  Elizabeth  Miller  (his  sister,  and  had  been  m.  to 
Robert  :\mier),  II.  L.  Xos.  21,  125  and  22.  Dec.  31,  17U,  Jaue 
Glen,  widow,  quitclaimed  to  William  Kilchi'ist  all  her  right  in 
her  husband  Thomas's  estate. 

William  Gilchrist  m.  Wid.  Elizabeth  Miller,  and  they  lived 
on  the  Glen  place,  and  had  three  daughters: — 

Molly,  m.  Joseph  Linn,  d.  1822. 

Sarah,  m.  Joseph,  son  of  John  Carr,  Jr.,  and  Robert  Graham. 

Elizabeth,  m.  Mark  Carr  and  Abraham  Silver,  d.  Aug.  15, 
1834.  a.  86. 

William  Gilchrist  d.  Aug.  5, 1795.  The  farm  was  sold  to  Moses 
Sanborn,  and  he  sold  to  his  father,  John  Sanborn,  and  went  to 
Corinth.  John  made  an  heir  of  his  grandson,  John  Sanborn, 
who  now  resides  there. 

GLEN,   GLINN,   GLYN. 

The  family  probably  came  from  Ireland  to  Boston  between  1720 
and  1728.  A  dan.  Martha  m.  David  McClure  there,  al:iout  1730. 
The  father  probably  d.  there ;  the  mother  d.  in  Chester,  March  19, 
1756,  a.  88. 

Thomas  Glen,  b.  about  1700,  bought  H.  L.  129  (afterwards 
owned  by  Peter  Dearborn)  in  1729.  He  was  constable  in  1733. 
He  owned  H.  L.  21,  125  and  '22,  where  he  lived,  and  gave  to  Eliz- 
abeth Miller  before  his  death.  He  m.  Jean  Wilson.  He.  d.  ]SIarch 
18,  1744,  a.  44.  The  wid.  m.  Rev.  John  Wilson,  and  d.  April  1, 
1752,  a.  36. 

Elizabeth  Glen  m.  (1)  Robert  :Miller;  (2)  William  Gilchrist, 

GOODHUE. 

Johxathax  Goodhue  was  of  Chester,  and  bought  land  in  1727 ; 
was  constable  in  1728;  m.  Elizabeth  Powel,  April  28,  1720.  Chil- 
dren: —  Elizabeth,  b.  March  16,  1729,  m.  Joseph  Basford;  Mary^ 
b.  May  2,  1730,  m.  Moses  Richardson ;  d.  Oct.  13,  1809.  He  set- 
tled on  H.  L.  142.  He  was  killed  by  the  fall  of  a  tree,  and  is  said 
to  have  been  the  last  person  buried  at  Three  Camp  Meadow.   The 


534  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

wid.  m.  Nathl.  'W^ood,  and  she  had  the  estate  appraised,  and  took 
the  oath  by  the  name  of  Elizabeth  Wood,  June,  1731.  The  place 
has  been  occupied  by  N.  Woods,  Jabez  Iloit,  and  by  Stephen  Clay. 

GLIDDEN. 

Nathl.  Gliddex  was  fi-om  Exeter ;  was  brother  of  Moses  (the 
hatter)  Undorhill's  wife:  was  a  cabinet  maker,  and  lived  directly 
below  the  burying-g-round  at  Chester;  m.  Phebe  Bntterfield,  dau. 
of  Samuel  Robie's  second  wife.  His  son,  John  L.,  b.  1782,  m. 
Mary  Simonds,  wid.  of  Nathan  Webster,  Jr.  Nathl.  d.  18U. 
John  L.  d.  1838.     Mary  d.  Doc,  1863,  a.  83. 

GORDON. 

Robert  Gordon  lived  on  II.  L.  No.  36,  on  the  homestead  of 
John  Calfe.  Mr.  Calfe  reserved  his  lot  when  he  sold  in  1745. 
David  White  m.  a  dau.,  and  the  mother  lived  with  them.  She 
was  f\imou8  for  the  manufacture  of  tine  linen,  and  was  pi'obably 
a  midwife,  as  she  bore  the  appellation  of  "  Granny  Gordon."  She 
d.  about  1795,  a.  over  90. 

There  was  another  Ro,bert  Gordox,  who  lived  above  Head's 
tavern,  in  Ilooksett,  at  a  later  daj^ 

GRAHAM. 

ROBERT  GRAHAM  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  m.  Janet  Hume, 
and  had  a  family  of  children  born  there.  The  precise  time  of 
coming  over  is  not  known.  In  1733  he  purchased  H.  L.  No.  128, 
where  he  settled,  since  occupied  by  Drs.  Benj.  and  Rufus  Kit- 
tridge,  a»id  now  by  Benj.  Davis.  In  1747  he  deeded  the  north- 
west half  to  his  son  William,  who  soon  died  without  issue.  He 
signed  the  Presbyterian  protest,  Nov.,  1735;  he  and  his  son  Rob- 
ert that  of  June,  1736.  His  will  was  proved  Dec,  1748,  when  it 
is  said  he  was  80  years  old.  The  children,  according  to  the  will, 
and  the  division  of  AVilliam's  estate,  were: — Robert,  m.  Jane 
Karr,  of  Londonderry ;  Agnes,  m.  AndreAV  Craige ;  Jean,  m. 
William  White,  Sen.;  Esther,  m.  Matthew  Forsaith ;  Mary,  m. 
William  Crawford;  and  Ann,  unmarried;  and  his  wife,  Janet, 
was  then  alive.     He  was  a  blacksmith. 

Robert  lived  on  Add.  No.  16,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Deny 
road,  d.  May,  1790.     Children :  — 

1.  James,  m.  Molly,  dau.  of  John  Carr,  settled  on  Add.  lot  No. 
22,  near  Stephen  Morse;  moved  to  the  south  part  of  Deering. 
She  d.,  and  he  m.  (2)  a  dau.  of  William  Graham,  Sen.  None  of 
his  descendants  remain  at  Deering. 

2.  John,  d.  unmarried,  in  Chester,  in  1793. 

3.  llobert,  m.  Sarah  Gilchrist,  wid.  of  Joseph  Carr,  and  lived 


GENEALOGY  —  GREENOUGH.  535 

on  H.  L.  Xo.  10,  the  Robert  Gilchrist  place,  where  Josiah  I.  Hall 
now  lives.  Children:  —Xanc}-,  m.  Jesse  Mills;  Sally,  m.  Eobert 
Mills;  Polly,  m.  John  Shirley;  and  Jane,  ra.  Jesse  Christie. 

4.   William,  m.  Mary  Karr,  of  Londonderry,  1799,  lived  on  the 
homestead,  and  went  to  GoflFstown. 

AViLLiAii  Grahaji  came  from  Ireland,  it  is  said,  with  Eev.  Mr. 
Wilson ;  was  a  brother,  or  some  relation,  of  Eobert.  He  m.  Mar- 
garet, dau.  of  John  Aiken,  Sen.,  and  in  1745  bought  Aiken's  grist- 
mill and  a  tract  of  land.  In  1750  he  bought  Xo.  70,  2d  P.,  2d  D., 
and  settled  on  it.  He  was  a  linen  weaver,  and  after  his  children 
were  grown  they  raised  flax,  dressed  and  spun  it,  and  he  wove  it, 
and  they  did  a  thriving  business,  so  that  he  settled  his  sons  on 
farms.     He  d.  April  21,  1789,  a.  73.     Children:  — 

I.  John,  m.  Elizabeth  Anderson,  and  lived  at  first  on  Gov. 
Wentworth's  farm,  the  Alex.  Craige  place,  and  then  on  the  home- 
stead; d.  April  17,  1819,  a.  75.    Children:  — 

■  1.  William,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Benj.  Hall,  and  Margaret,  dau. 
of  Dea.  David  Curriar;  lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  Aug.,  1861,  a. 
85.  2.  Samuel,  m,  Catharine  J.,  dau.  of  Lt,  Josiah  Underhill ; 
lived  on- No.  G9,  d.  1808.  3.  Martha,  m.  David  Hall,  d.  1861,  a. 
83.  4.  Elizabeth,  m.  Jesse  J.  Underhill.  5.  Jane,  m.  John  Hall, 
went  to  Vt. 

II.  James,  m.  a  Carr,  had,  —  1.  Margaret,  m.  James  McMurphy ; 
m.  (2)  Jane  McMurphy.  Children:— 2.  Elizabeth,  m.  Thomas 
Anderson,  d.  1854,  a.  70.  3.  Alexander,  went  to  Lebanon.  4. 
John,  lived  in  Chester  and  Atkinson.  5.  Mary,  d,  185C,  a  76.  6. 
Sarah,  m.  David  Porter,  d,  1851,  a.  67.  James  d.  April  11,  1785. 
The  wid.  m.  Samuel  Crombie. 

III.  David,  m.  Mary  Kennedy,  granddaughter  of  David  Dins- 
more's  wife ;  settled  on  the  northwest  end  of  Gov.  Wentworth's 
.250  acres,  since  occupied  by  Eemic,  Jesse  Patten,  and  Albert 
Pratt;  had: — Mary;  Jane;  Elizabeth,  m.  John  Wharf,  1807; 
Catharine,  m.  Eobert  Wasoii.  David  d.  June  5,  1790.  The  wid. 
m.  AVilliam  Crombie,  went  to  Maine. 

William,  Sen.,  had  six  daughters.  One,  m.  James  Graham, 
son  of  Eobert,  went  to  Deering;  one,  m.  Benjamin  Crosett,  went 
to  the  Mohawk  country;  Sarah,  m.  John  McMurphy,  of  London- 
derry; Jane,  ra.  James,  son  of  John  Waddel,  of  Londonderry,  d. 
1803;  Margaret,  m.  Samuel  Shirley,  d.  1793;  Jfartha,  m.  Samuel, 
son  of  James  Aiken,  d.  1850,  a.  86. 

GREENOUGH. 

Daniel  Greenough  was  a  hatter;  m.  Huldah  Smith,  wid.  of 
John  Barley,  1783.  Children: — David,  d.  in  the  East  Indies; 
Hannah;  Smith,  b.  1788,  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Moses  Underhill,  d. 
Feb.  19,  1819;  Mary;  William;  Sally,  b.  1805. 


536  •  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


GEIFFIN. 

The  Griffins  were  of  Kensington.  The  first  wlio  settled  in  Ches- 
ter, Philip  (I  think),  settled  at  the  back  part  of  Chase's  plain, 
near  the  southeast  corner  of  No.  39,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and  some  of 
the  family  were  buried  there.  Jacob  settled  on  No.  30,  2d  P.,  2d 
D.,  a  little  below  where  the  road  from  Auburn  crosses  the  road  to 
Candia.  The  cellar  is  yet  open  in  French's  pasture.  Philip  set- 
tled on  the  gore  between  the  O.  H.  and  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  John 
B.  Rand  lived.  He  had  a  son  Jolm,  whose  family  was  for  a  long 
period  a  heavy  expense  to  the  town.     Obadiah  settled  on  No.  120, 

0.  H. 

Richard  Griffix  was  the  son  of  Isaac  Griffin,  of  Kensington. 
He  m.  Sally  Batchelder,  of  Ilawke,  and  lived  in  Sandown  and 
Weare,  and  Avas  a  soldier  in  the  llevolution. 

yathan,  b.  Oct.  3,  17«8,  in  Woare,  and  came  to  Chester  April 

1,  1810.  He  purchased  a  part  of  Calfc's  amendment,  and  settled 
where  Robert  Calfe  lived,  near  the  old  fulling-mill  privilege.  Pie 
m.  Sally  Evans,  Jan.  23,  1820,  who  was  b.  at  Springfield,  N.  H., 
March  18,  1795.     He  d.  June  23,  1866.     Children:  — 

Page  S.;  George  G.,  who  lives  on  the  homestead  and  owns  the 
Blanchard  mills;  French  B. ;  and  Sebastian  S. 

HALL. 

Dea.  Richard  Hall  settled  in  Bradford,  Mass,  as  early  as 
1G73.  His  wife  was  Martha.  He  had  six  children,  among  whom 
were:  — JOHN,  b.  March  22,  1G73,  m.  Mary  Kimball,  and  lived  in 
Methuen,  and  d.  Nov.  12,  1703;  JOSEPH,  b.  Feb.  19, 1680,  and 
lived  in  Bradford. 

JOHN  HALL  had  ten  cliildren,  among  whom  was  Hexrv,  b. 

Nov.  23,  1712,  m.  Joanna ,  and  settled  at  Hall's  Village,  in 

Chestei',  on  H.  L.  No.  56,  and  had: — 

I.  Jfary,  b.  Nov.  14,  1735,  m.  Thomas  Chase,  and  went  to 
Salisbury,  N.  H. 

II.  Dorothy,  b.  May  7,  1737,  m.  Abraham  Fitts,  and  lived  in 
Candia. 

III.  Caleb,  h.  Nov.  1,  1738,  m.  Mary  Bradley;  made  a  settle- 
ment in  1703,  on  the  road  leading  by  Pike  Chase's  in  Auburn, 
about  sixty  rods  from  the  main  road,  and  afterwards  on  tlie  hill 
where  Henry  Dockham  now  lives,  No.  73,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  He  d.  Feb. 
15,1835.     She  d.  April  0,  1822,  a.  77.     Children:— 

1.  Lydia,  m.  Joseph  Brown,  d.  Dec.  15,  1790. 

2.  Molly,  b.  June,  1706,  m.  B.  P.  Chase;  d.  Dec.  18,  1790. 

3.  Anna. 

4.  Judith,  d.  unmarried. 


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GENEALOGY — HALL.  537 

5.  David,  b.  Aug.  7,  1774,  in.  Martha  Graham,  clau.  of  Deacon 
John  Graham.    He  d.  1842;  she  d.  May  1,  1861. 

6.  Moses,  b.  June  7,  1782,  m.  Mary  Orr;  lived  on  the  William 
Craige  place;  d.  1856.  ' 

7.  Elijah,  b.  July  22,  1784,  m.  Lydia  Smith,  1809;  d.  1S55. 

8.  Isaac,  b.  Sept.  20,  1788,  m.  Lucy  Palmer;  m.  (2)  Anna 
Wason,  widow  of  Jesse  Withersiioou.    He.  d.  Oct.  10,  1868. 

It  is  related  that  when  liviug  in  the  old  house,  as  Mrs.  Hall  sat 
rocking  the  cradle,  a  bear  came  in  at  one  door,  and  passing 
through  the  room,  went  out  at  another.  It  is  also  related  by 
Isaac  Hall,  that  wliile  his  father  was  in  the  army,  in  1775,  his 
mother  tended  the  grist-mill  enough  to  bread  her  family  of  five 
children  and  purchase  a  case  of  drawers,  which  he  owned. 

ly.  Henry,  b.  May  30, 1740,  m.  a  Bradley  and  settled  in  Candia; 
removed  to  Ilumney. 

V.  Joanna,  b.  May  17,  1742. 

VI.  Obededom,  b.  Dec.  1,  1744,  m.  Mary  Kimball  of  Hamp- 
stead,  Dec.  27,  1764;  settled  on  No.  19,  3d  D.,  in  Candia,  about 
that  time,  and  was  the  first  settler  in  the  northwesterly  part  of 
the  town.  It  is  related  of  his  wife,  that  once  when  her  husband 
was  sick  or  lame,  she  threshed  a  grist  of  rye  and  cauglit  and  sad- 
dled the  horse,  and  rode  upon  his  back  to  Trickling  Falls,  East 
Kingston,  about  tAventy-live  miles,  to  mill.  They  had  twelve 
children.    He  d.  Sept.  8,  1805.     She  d.  Dec.  25,  1799. 

Vn.  Judith,  b.  Oct.  4,  1746. 

VIII.  Peter,  b.  June  9,  1751,  m.  Lois  Atwood;  lived  with  his 
father,  and  had  ten  children,  of  whom  Henry  and  Moses  still  sur- 
vive, living  at  Hall's  Village,  in  Chester.     Children : — 

David,  d.  young.  Anna,  b.  1778,  m.  Joseph  Currier;  d.  1865. 
Peter,  b.  1780,  m.  Sally  Burpee;  lived  in  Candia;  d.  1862.  John, 
b.  June  16,  1782,  m.  Hannah,  dan.  of  Nathl.  Ingalls;  d.  1860;  she 
d.  186S.  Joseph,  d.  young.  Joseph,  b.  1786,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of 
Col.  Moses  Dustiu,  and  m.  (2)  Mary  Knowles;  he  d.  Oct.  11, 
1829;  the  wid.  m.  Joseph  Knowles.  Henry,  b.  1788,  m.  Lydia 
Marston;  lives  on  the]hoinestead.  Lois,  m.  John  Proctor,  1828. 
Lucy,  unm.,  d.  Oct.,  1829.  Moses,  m.  Marv  Cochran;  lives  at 
Hall's  Village. 

JOHN  HALL'S  youngest  son  was  Joshua,  b.  Dec.  11,  1724, 
m.  Deborah  Ethridge,  Sept.  12, 1750.  She  was  a  granddaughter  of 
John  Calef,  and  sister  of  the  wife  of  Robert  Ambrose,  of  Con- 
cord. John  Hall,  of  Methuen,  gave  to  his  son  Joshua,  of  Chester, 
25  acres  of  No.  129,  O.  H.,  on  which  he  settled,  where  George  S. 
Smith  now  lives.  He  d.  Jan.,  1794.  She  d.  Jan.  1,  1801.  Chil- 
dren : — 

1.  Sarah,  b.  1753,  m.  Matthias  Haynes;  went  to  Moulton- 
borough. 


4 


538  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

2.  Beuhen,  m.  Betsy  Hook,  lived  in  Che?ter;  d.  1826. 

3.  Jloses  K.,  b.  Jan.  2o,  1758,  m.  Lucretia  Currier,  dau  of  Capt. 
Benjamin  Currier.  He  d.  Aug.  18,  1837.  She  d.  Aug.  17,  1801. 
Chil:  — Hannah, m.  Benjamin  Chase;  Charlotte,  unm. ;  Sarah,  m. 
Isaac  Howe;  Kimball,  ra.  Sophia  Emerson,  d.  1854. 

4.  Josiah,  went  to  parts  unknown. 

5.  Joshua,  b.  1762,  ra.  Polly,  dau.  of  Joseph  ]Morsc.  He  d. 
1845;  she  d.  1856. 

C.  Jesse.h.  1764,  m.  Polly,  dau.  of  "Wilkes  West;  lived  in  Campton. 
7.    William,  d.  in  the  army.     8.  David,  unmarried. 
9.  John,  m.  Nancy  Brown,  went  to  Tuftonborough. 
I       10.  Elizabeth,  m.  Jonatlian  Bagley,  went  to  ]\laine. 

^       JOSEPH  HALL,  son  of  Dea.  Richard,   b.   Feb.  9,  1680,  m. 

Sarah ,  had  eight  or  nine  children,  among  Avhom  was  JoxA- 

i  THAX,  b.  Aug.  15,  1716,  m.  Mehitabel  Kimball,  about  1740;  re- 
C    moved  to  Chester ;  settled  on  Add.  No.  46,  w^herc  Daniel  Porter 

lately  lived,  and  had  eight  children: — 

1.  Betty,  b.  March  28,  1742,  ra.  Dea.  Joseph  Dearborn,  and 
went  to  Rumucy. 

2.  Susan,  b.  Feb.  10,  1743,  m.  "Walter  Robie,  and  settled  in 
Candia.    She  d.  Oct.  2,  1821. 

3.  Jonathan,  b.  Dec.  8,  1745,  ra.  Hannah  Buttcrfield,  settled  in 
Rumney. 

4.  Josiah,  b.  Oct.  7,  1747,  m.  Ruth  French,  dau.  of  Maj.  Jabez 
French;  settled  at  the  Long  Meadows,  where  his  grandson,  John 
M.  Hall,  now  lives;  d.  Sept.  10,  1825. 

5.  Jlchitabel,  h.  June  15,  1749,  m.  John  Robie;  settled  in 
Candia;  d.  July  5,  1832. 

6.  Joseph,  b.  Jan  31,  1752,  m.  Ruth  Harriman;  lived  on  a  part 
of  his  father's  farm,  where  J.  "W.  Chase  now  lives;  d.  Dec.  18, 
1832. 

7.  Benjamin,  (Maj.)  1).  Sept.  4,  1756,  m.  Nabbo,  dau.  of 
Samuel  Emerson,  Esq.,  and  lived  with  his  father;  d.  May  23, 
1806. 

8.  Priscilla,  b.  April  4,  1760,  m.  Francis  Porter,  of  Salem, 
Mass. 

.     Dea.  Jonathan  Hall  d.  July  2,  1809.     His  wife  d.  Feb.  21,  1808. 

Joseph  Hall,  son  of  Dea.  Richard,  had  also  Nathaniel,  or,  as 
on  the  Bradford  records,  "Nathan,"  b.  April  2,  1719,  m.  Mary 

;  settled  in  Chester,  on  Add.  No.  63,  where  Jonathan  Bailey 

lately  lived.     Children  :— 

1.  Mary,  b.  July  17, 1744,  m.  Barnard  Bricket;  lived  in  Chester. 

2.  Nathaniel,  b.  Dec.  20,  1746,  m.  Nelly  Merrill;  went  to 
Goshen. 

3.  David,  b.  Dec.  11,  1749,  m.  Judith,  dau.  of  Winthrop  Sar- 
gent, March  8,  1781 ;  lived  on  the  homestead. 


GENEALOGY  —  HASELTINE.  339 

4.  Obadiah,  b.  May  13,  1752,  m.  Sarah  Stickuey. 

5.  Sarah,  b.  June  22,  1757,  m.  Peter  Severance. 

6.  Eleanor,  b.  June  29,  1759,  m.  Col.  Simon  To-s\'le  May  13, 
1779 ;  lived  in  Chester  and  Haverhill,  N.  H. 

Nathaniel  d.  April  5,  1803.    Man'  d.  June  23,  1809. 

Thomas  Hall  and  '^  Makcey,"  his  wife,  came  from  Ireland  to 
Loudouderry.  It  is  related  of  him  that  he  undertook  to  fell  a 
tree,  and  not  understanding  it,  he  cut  all  around  it,  and  when  it 
began  to  fall  he  ran,  but  the  wrong-  way,  and  it  fell  on  him  and 
killed  liim.  He  had  a  son  John,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  AVilliran 
Dickey,  Jan.  4,  1741.  He  was  an  early  settler  of  Derryfield. 
Thomas  Smith  sold  to  John  Hall,  of  Chester,  a  lot  in  Bare 
Meadow,  in  1744,  and  Thomas  Hall,  of  Chester,  bought  of  James 
Adams,  Xo.  6,  4th  D.,  in  1745.  John,  and  perhaps  his  father 
with  him,  settled  on  No.  15,  just  below  Manchester  Centre.  He 
was  an  innkeeper,  and  the  place  has  been  occupied  for  a  public 
house  until  within  a  few  years,  when  the  house  was  burned.  He 
was  active  in  i^rocuring  the  charter  of  Derryfield,  and  at  a  town- 
meeting,  Nov.  25,  1751,  John  Goflfe,  William  McClento  and  AVil- 
liam  Perham  were  chosen  a  committee  to  examine  liis  accounts 
and  allow  what  they  thought  right,  who  reported  that  what  he 
had  expended  in  time  and  money,  at  a  reasonable  or  rather 
moderate  allowance,  amounts  to  the  sum  of  two  hundred  pounds, 
old  tenor.  He  was  chosen  the  first  town  clerk,  and  held  the  office 
several  years.  The  orthography  and  grammar  of  his  records  are 
a  curiosity.     Children: — 

Janet,  b.  Xov.  6,  1742.  Daniel,  b.  July  28,  1744.  Samuel,  b. 
Feb.  28,  1747.  Thomas,  b.  Nov.  6,  1748."  Elizabeth,  b.  Jan.  6, 
1750.  Marcy,  b.  Aug.  12,  1752.  Sarah,  b.  Jan.,  1755.  John,  b. 
Sept.  22,  1758.  Martha,  b.  April,  17G0.  William,  b.  Sept.  28, 
1762. 

HAERIMAN. 

Jazael  HARKniAX  lived  on  No.  123,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  about  half 
way  from  the  pond  to  the  mills,  and  had  a  dau.  Sarah,  m.  Eobert 
McKinley ;  Mercy,  m.  David  Carr,  went  to  Piermont. 

Laban  Harkbian  came  from  Hampstead,  and  hved  above  the 
Head  tavern,  in  Hooksett,  towards  Suncook,  a  few  years,  about 
1780,  and  went  back  to  Hampsteed,and  his  brother,  Rufus  Har- 
RtiiAx,  took  his  place,  and  in  a  few  years  sold  and  went  to  Corinth. 

HASELTINE. 

The  Haseltines  were  of  that  part  of  Rowley  now  Bradford. 
JoHX  and  Jean  had  Samuel,  b.  Dec.  20,  1645;  J/c/r^,  b.  Sept. 
10,  1648;  2iathaniel,  b.  Feb.  7,  1656. 


540  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Robert  and  Ann  had,  —  Anne,h.  Feb.  1,  1641;  Jfcwi/,  16i2; 
3fary,  1646;  Abraham,  b.  March  23,  1648;  Deliverance,  1650; 
Mizaheth,  1653;  Bobert,  1657;  Gershom,  1662. 

Abraham  and  Elizabeth  had,  —  Mary,  1672;  Eobert,  1676; 
RICHARD,  the  grantee  of  Clicster,  b.  Nov.  13,  1679. 

RICH^UID,  m.  Elizabeth  Chadwick,  Jan.  14,  1702-3.  Chil- 
dren :  — 

I.  Ephraim,  b.  Sept.  23,  1703;  II.  Richard,  b.  Aug.  18,  1705; 
III.  Thomas,  b.  March  18,  1707;  IV.  Jonx,  b.  Nov.  22,  1708;  V. 
Mary,  b.  Feb.  7,  1710-11;  VI.  Abigail,  b.  April  15,  1715;  VII 
and  VIII.  William  and  Jamks,  twins,  b.  July  20,  1729. 

I.  Ephraim  probably  came  to  Chester  as  early  as  1727.  He 
was  chosen  lot-layer  in  1728.  He  was  m.  to  Ruth,  dau.  of  Capt. 
Samuel  Ingalls,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  "Wilson,  1735,  and  settled  on  Add. 
No.  2,  a  little  back  of  where  his  great-grandson,  John  A.  Hasel- 
ton,  now  lives.     His  will  was  proved  July  30,  1772.     Children:  — 

1.  John,  b.  June  9, 1736,  m.  Anna  Dearborn  and  Hannah  Chase. 

2.  Peter,  b.  April  29,  1738,  m.  Molly  French  and  Hannah  Iloitj 
had  no  children.  Lived  where  Samuel  H.  lived.  He  d.  March 
22,  1807. 

3.  Mary,  b.  May  2,  1740,  m.  Simon  Bailey,  who  lived  in  Ches- 
ter, and  was  many  years  scaler  of  leather.    Moved  to  Dunbarton. 

4.  Richard,  b.  Oct.  2,  1742,  m.  Lucy  Cross. 

5.  Eltzabeth,  b.  Oct.  5, 1745,  m.  her  cousin  Samuel,  son  of  John. 

6.  Susannah,  b.  Jan.  31,  1748,  m.  Nathan  Merril,  of  Poplin;  d. 
Sept.  21,  1828. 

7.  Ruth,  b.  May  8,  1750,  d.  unmarried,  Sept.  20,  1800. 

8.  Hannah,  b.  March  15,  1754,  d.  young. 

9.  Epliraim,  b.  June  21,  1759,  unmarried. 

10.  Hannah,  b.  June  18,  1760,  m.  Dea.  E.  H.  Kelley,  d.  Jan., 
1805. 

1.  John  Haseltine,  son  of  Ephraim,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Peter 
Dearborn,  Feb.  1,  1764.     She  d.  Nov.  29,  1780.     Children :  — 

1.  Sarah,  b.  Sept.  27,  1766,  m.  Stephen  Clay,  son  of  John  Clay, 
of  Caudia.  She  d.  March,  1846.  He  m.  (2)  Hannah  Chase,  dau. 
of  Johnson  Chase,  March  21,  1782. 

2.  John,  b.  Jan.  1,  1783,  m.  Mary  "Wells,  Sept.  3,  1823,  d.  1867. 

3.  Mary,  b.  July  18,  1784,  m.  John  "Wells,  and  a  Davis. 

4.  Samuel,  b.  June  15,  1786,  m.  Abigail  Tabor,  d.  Jan.,  1869. 

5.  William,  b.  May  5,  1789,  m.  Mercy  J.  Cochran,  March  4, 
1822.    Lived  on  the  old  E.  Haseltine  place ;  d.  March,  1864. 

6.  Hannah,  b.  Aug.  4,  1791. 

7.  Eunice,  b.  Aug.  15,  1794,  m.  Nath.  Lane. 

8.  Ephraim,  b.  Nov.  9,  1797,  d.  1803. 

9.  Ruth,  b.  Nov.  10,  1800,  m.  —  Clark. 


GENEALOGY  —  HASELTINE.  541 

John  Ilaseltine  d.  June  27,  1815.    Hannah  d.  July,  1826. 

4.  Dea.  Richard,  son  of  Ephraoi,  m.  Lucy  Cross,  of  Bradford. 
Lived  on  the  Capt.  Ingalls  i)lace,  and  bought  the  gTist-mill  in 
1779.     He  d.  Jan.,  1819."   Children:  — 

1.  Sarah,  b.  Oct.  15,  1773,  m.  Reuben  Wells,  d.  Oct.  16,  1840. 

2.  Ephraim,  b.  Jan.  27,  1775. 

3.  Eichard,  b.  Oct.  26,  1776. 

4.  Mary,  b.  April  18,  1778,  m.  Samuel  Dodge,  d.  1806. 

5.  Ruth,  b.  Aug.  29,  1780,  m.  Philip  Wells,  d.  Feb.  20,  1854. 

6.  Peter,  b.  March  20,  1783,  m.  Susanna  B.  Robinson,  March 
20,  1810.     He  d.  March  U,  1868;  slie  d.  March  22,  1868. 

7.  Thomas,  b.  Aug.  4,  1785,  m.  Elizabeth  Sanborn,  Nov.  22, 
1810.  Lived  at  the  mill;  d.  Sept.  4,  1846.  She  d.  Sept.  10,  1843. 
Their  children  who  survived,  —  Capt.  Amos,  (lives  on  the  home- 
stead) aud  John  N.,  carry  on  making  pails,  boxes,  &c.,  at  the 
"Falls  on  the  Great  Brook"  (see  oVIills)  ;  Susan  D.,  m.  Ephraim 
Orcutt;  Nathan  S.  (see  Graduates). 

in.  Thomas  Haseltixe,  sou  of  the  grantee,  came  to  Chester 
about  tlie  same  time  that  Ephraim  did.  Dec.  28,  1730,  the  wid. 
of  the  Rev.  Theo.  Cotton  conveyed  to  Ephraim  aud  Thomas  H., 
of  Chester,  the  46th  H.  L.,  on  condition  of  settlement.  He  m. 
Joanna  Hills,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Hills,  Sen.,  May  8,  1738.  Chil- 
dren :  — 

1.  Abigail,  b.  Feb.  18,  1739,  m.  Jabez  Hoit,  Esq.,  of  Chestei",  d. 
1817. 

2.  Rebecca,  b.  Xov.  6,  1741,  m.  a  Coffin,  went  to  New  Boston. 

3.  Thomas,  b.  May  22,  1744. 

4.  Moses,  b.  Feb.  18,  1745,  m.  Bridget  French. 

6.  Benjamin,  b.  Aug.  15,  1752,  m.  Susanna  Richardson. 
6.  Joanna,  b.  Oct.  24,  1757,  m.  David  Bartlett,  of  Campton. 
Thomas  settled  on  H.  L.  No.  73,  where  Z.  Shirley  now  lives. 
4.  Moses  m.  Bridget  French,  Juue  1, 1775.    Lived  on  the  home- 
stead; d.  Aug.  19,  1807.     She  d.  June  27, 1808.     Children:  — 

1.  Thomas,  b.  March  23,  1776,  m.  Lucretia  Hill,  June  26,  1800. 

2.  Peter,  b.  Oct.  26,  1779,  d.  1800. 

3.  Moses,  b.  March  24,  1782,  m.  Sarah  Ayer;  she  b.  April  8, 
1784.     Lived  on  the  Benaiah  Colby  place ;  d.  Aug.  9,  1862. 

4.  Josiah,  b.  Dec.  18,  1784,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Capt.  John  Emer- 
son, April  13,  1809,  d.  June  25,  1840. 

5.  Benjamin  Haseltine  m.  Susanna  Richardson,  dau.  of 
Thomas  Richardson,  Oct.,  1779.  Lived  on  H.  L.  No.  68,  where 
Parker  Morse  now  lives.     Moved  to  Orford.     Children :  — 

Pearson;  Amos;  Anna;  Benjamin,  b.  Feb.  1,  1786;  Susanna; 
James,  b.  Aug.  4,  1790;  Priscilla;  aud  Betsey. 

lY.  John  Haseltine,  son  of  the  grantee,  came  early  to  Chester, 


542  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

m.  Maiy,  daii.  of  Capt.  Samuel  lagalls,  and  lived  near  where  Ed- 
win Haseltlue  now  lives.    Children:  — 

1.  Samuel,  h.  June  28,  1740,  m.  his  cousin  Elizabeth. 

2.  Mary,  b.  Xov.  23,  1741. 

3.  John,  b.  Feb.  14,  1743,  d.  young. 

4.  Eben,  b.  May  3,  1747. 

5.  James,  b.  March  27,  1750. 

6.  Bille,  b.  March  10,  1751. 

7.  Sarah,  b.  March  20,  1754. 

8.  John,  b.  Nov.  8,  1756,  in.  Rebecca  Barton,  Nov.  15,  1781. 
John,  Sen.,  d. ;  administration  to  Mar\%  Sept.,  1759.    His  wid. 

m.  a  Hall,  of  Bradford,  and  the  younger  children  went  with  her. 

1.  Samuel  m.  Elizabeth,  Dec.  17,  1767,  lived  on  the  homestead. 
Children: — John,  b.  July  14,  1771;  Mary;  Elizabeth;  Samuel; 
Hannah,  b.  June  20,  1780.     The  family  moved  to  Corinth. 

8.  John  m.  Rebecca  Barton,  lived  in  Bradford,  and  d.  1837. 
Children: — Abif^ail,  b.  March  15,  1788,  who  was  preceptress  of 
Bradford  Academy,  still  living;  Nancy,  b.  Dec.  2,  1789,  m.  Dr. 
Judson,  one  of  the  first  missionaries  to  Burmah;  Mary,  still  liv- 
ing in  Bradford. 

HEAD. 
JOHN  and  NATH^iNIEL  HEAD,  brothers,  came  from  Wales, 
and  settled  in  Bradford,  Mass.,  and  both  subsequently  i-emoved 
to  Pembroke.  NATHANIEL  had  three  sons :  Nathaniel,  born 
in  Bradford,  Mass.,  March  6^  1754;  James  and  Richard.  James 
settled  in  Conway,  whei'e  he  died.  Richard,  the  youngest, 
died  in  Bradford,  ]\Iass.  It  is  related  of  Nathaniel,  that  Avhen 
a  young  man,  he  paid  his  addresses  to  a  Scotch-Ii'ish  girl  by  the 
name  of  Knox,  to  whom  it  seems  Ms  father  had  taken  an  aver- 
sion, probably  on  account  of  her  parentage.  As  the  boy  was 
driving  the  oxen  for  his  father  to  plow,  the  following  conver- 
sation is  said  to  have  taken  place:  '^Nathaniel,  do  you.  intend 
to  marry  that  Ii'ish  girl?"  "Yes,  father,"  was  the  rejily. 
"  Then  understand  you  can  never  share  in  my  property."  "Very 
well,"  said  the  son,  "I  will  take  care  of  myself ;"  and  suiting 
the  action  to  the  word,  he  dropped  the  goad-stick  and  left  his 
father's  home.  He  afterwards  married  the  young  lady  in  ques- 
tion, Anna  Knox,  daughter  of  Timothy  Knox,  of  Pembroke,  b. 
Dec.  30,  1753.  He  came  to  Chester  about  1780,  and  built  a  log 
house  on  the  same  spot  where  his  grandson  Natt  now  lives, 
where  he  remained  until  his  death.  His  father,  true  to  his  threat, 
gave  him  in  his  vdW  one  dollar,  and  the  rest  to  his  brothers.  He 
was  an  energetic  business  man,  and  successful  in  the  accumulation 
of  property.  He  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolution.  (See  Adj.- 
Generars  Report,  1866,  Vol.  2,  p.  364.)  He  d.  Oct.  24,  1829,  a. 
75;  Anna  d.  Feb.  3,  1821.    Children:— 


L 


I 


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r. 

iJ 

'Uii 


■I'  ^'-1  "f . 


544  '  HISTORY   OP    CHESTER. 

8.  Hannah,  m.  "Wm.  Preston,  Jr. ;  lived  in  Chester,  and  moved 
to  Plymouth. 

William  Healey  deeded  to  his  son  8amuel\\x%  O.  11.  No.  110, 
in  1743,  on  which  he  settled.  He  sold  25  acres  of  the  southwest 
corner  to  Isaac  Clifford,  of  Kingston,  in  1745.  Samuel  sold  the 
residue  of  the  lot  to  Simon  Bo.tchelder,  in  17G5. 

Samuers  children  were :— AYilliam  Smith,  b.  1745 ;  Sarah ;  Sam- 
uel, b.  1749;  Lydia;  Jona.,  d.  young;  Elizabeth  and  Abigail,  d. 
young.  By  a  second  wife:  — Flanders;  Benjamin,  b.  17G0;  Jona- 
than and  Elizabeth. 

7.  Paul  lived  on  the  homestead.  William  Healey  and  Paul 
Healey  sold  to  Nathl.  Blasdell  a  quarter  of  an  acre  of  land,  on 
which  he  built  a  store  in  1759.  Panl  Healey  and  Abigail  sold  to 
Dr.  Thomas  Sargent  the  southeast  half  of  the  lot  hi  1785.  The 
other  half  was  probably  sold  to  Edward  Robie  and  wife;  for  Dr. 
Sargent  and  wife  and  Edward  Kobie  and  wife  sold  to  Toppan 
Webster  an  acre  and  a  half,  on  which  the  house  was  built  in  1788. 
Paul  Healey  and  Paul,  Jr..  were  taxed  hi  Chester  in  1785.  Wil- 
liam Healey  owned  H.  L.  1.33  in  176G,  and  Paul  Healey,  Jr.,  set- 
tled on  it,  and  sold  to  Edward  Robie,  where  his  grandson  John 
Robie  now  lives.  It  is  said  that  they  went  to  Dunbarton.  It  is 
said  that  Mary,  the  wife  of  William,  lived  to  be  one  hundred 
years  old.  If  she  d.  in  Chester,  would  not  be  more  than  ninety- 
five. 

HEATH. 

Elijah  Heath  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Lt.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  and 
settled  on  Add.  No.  57,  where  Samuel  Hall  now  lives;  adminis- 
tration to  Hannah,  May,  1776.    Children:— 

1.  Anna,  m.  Jeremiah  Uuderliill  Sept.,  1775;  d.  1844. 

2.  Elijah,  d.  1784. 

3.  Levi. 

4.  Stephen,  m.  Maiy,  dau.  of  James  Aiken;  lived  on  No.  84, 
2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  Arthur  Dinsmore  had  lived;  went  to  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

6.  Hannah.    6.  James.    7.  Ifiriam. 

8.    Huklah,  m.  Samuel,  son  of  David  White. 

These  were  under  fourteen  years  old,  Feb.,  1779,  except  Elijah. 

HILLS. 

Joseph  Hills,  b.  1602,  was  in  New  England,  1638 ;  Charlestown^ 
1639 ;  Maiden,  1647  to  1655,  thence  to  Newbury;  m.  Anne,  wid.  of 
Henry  Lunt,  1665,  d.  Feb.  5,  1688,  a.  86.  Children: —  Samuel; 
Wayt;  Gershom;  and  four  daughters.  Samuel  m.  Margaret 
Wheeler,  1679,  and  had  14  children.    The  fifth,  — 


GENEALOGY — HILLS.  545 

1709,  by  the  Eev.  Mr.  Belcher.  He  was  a  cooper.  He  bought  of 
Philemon  Blake  half  of  his  right,  and  of  Reuben  Sanborn  half  of 
his,  excepting-  the  home  lot,  in  1725,  and  other  land  in  1732,  and 
was  of  Newbury,  and  did  not  settle  on  any  of  these  lots.  He 
was  an  Auditor  in  1737.  In  1744  he  was  chosen  Eepresentative, 
and  sent  home.  (See  that  year  in  the  History.)  lie  settled  on 
Add.  No.  98,  where  his  great-grandson  Benjamin  now  lives. 
His  house  was  a  garrison,  and  the  port-holes  are  yet  seen  in  the 
boarding.  He  d.  Nov.  3,  1762,  a.  79.  She  d.  Sept.  -4,  1769,  a.  79. 
Children :  — 

I.  Samuel,  b.  Aug.  10,  1710,  m.  Rebecca  Thurston. 

II.  Abigail,  b.  March  21,  1713. 

III.  Rebecca,  b.  April  1,  1715,  m.  Moses  Hills,  Jan.,  1735. 

IV.  Joanna,  b.  March  15,  1717,  m.  Thomas  Haseltine,  1738. 

V.  Ruth,  b.  July  10,  1719. 

VI.  Benjamin,  b.  March  12,  1721,  in.  Eleanor,  dau.  of  Stephen 
Morse,  Sept.  15,  1761. 

VII.  Abner,  b.  Feb.  13,  1723,  m.  Mary  Stockman,  June  10, 
1747. 

VIII.  Hannah,  b.  Nov.  13,  1724,  m.  Jabez  French,  d.  1806. 

IX.  Prudence,  b.  Feb.  12,  1726,  m.  Jacob  Chase,  d.  May,  1775. 

X.  Moses,  b.  1728. 

I.  Samuel  Hills  m.  Rebecca  Thurston,  Jan.  28,  1735,  came  to 
Chester  about  1736,  settled  on  Add.  lot  No.  96,  where  his  son  Ste- 
phen afterwards  lived.  He  d.  Feb.  2,  1762;  she  d.  May  21,  1743. 
Children :  — 

1.  Edmund,  b.  Dec.  7,  1735,  at  Newbury. 

2.  John,  b.  March  25,  1738,  at  Chester,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Josiah 
Morse,  Sept.  22,  1764;  settled  in  Candia  on  No.  Ill,  2d  P.,  2d  D., 
where  his  grandson.  Edmund,  now  lives.  He  was  at  Bunker  Ilill, 
and  the  taking  of  Burgoyne.  He  was  one  of  the  first  deacons, 
1771.  He  d.  Feb.  27,  1818;  she  d.  Jan.  24,  1839.  Children:  — 
Mary,  b.  Sept.  26,  1765,  d.  unmarried,  March,  1854;  Edmund,  b. 
1767,  d.  1789;  Susannah,  b.  1770,  m.  Samuel  Hardy,  1797,  d.  Nov., 
1824;  Josiah,  b.  May  8,  1772.  m.  Sally  Wilson,  lived  at  Deering, 
d.  1818;  John,  b.  Feb.  4,  1777,  d.  uimiarried,  on  the  homestead, 
March  19,  1841;  Elizabeth,  b.  1781,  d.  unmarried,  Nov.,  1830; 
Parker,  b.  Feb.  23,  1785,  m.  Charlotte,  dau.  of  Edward  Prescott, 
Nov.  26,  1818,  lived  on  the  homestead,  d.  Jan.  1,  1865.  His  son 
Edmund  lives  on  the  homestead. 

3.  Samuel,  b.  March  12,  1743,  m.  Anne,  dau.  of  Josiah  Morse, 
1770,  went  to  Sandwich,  N.  H. 

Samuel,  Sen.,  m.  (2)  Elizabeth  Swain,  Nov.  18,  1743. 

4.  Imac,   Esq.,  b.  Aug.  31,    1744,   m.   Lucretia  Tilton,    1773. 

Children :  — 

35 


546  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

Rachael,  b.  1773;  Lucretia,  b.  Sept.  15,  1779,  m.  Thos.,  son  of 
Moses  Haselton,  d.  1868.  Her  mother  d.  same  day.  Isaac  m.  (2) 
Mehitabel  Stevens,  1781.  Chil. :— Edward  S.,  b.  July  10,  1785,  m. 
Dorcas  Sawyer;  John ;  and  Sally.  Isaac  lived  on  Add.  No.  95,  d. 
Sept.  24,  1824.    Mehitabel  d.  Aug.  26,  1851,  a.  99. 

5.  Stephen,  b.  March  29,  174G,  m.  Anna  Stevens,  of  Brentwood, 
Dec.  11,  1783;  lived  on  the  homestead ;  d.  Jan.  31,  1831;  she  d. 
1842,  a.  85.     Children :  — 

1.  Hannah,  m.  Nathan,  son  of  Joseph  Long.  2.  Ebenezer,  b. 
May  26,  1786,  m.  Mary,  dan.  of  Joseph  Robinson;  lived  at  Ames- 
bury,  d.  Aug.  17,  1864.     3.  Rufus.    4.  George. 

6.  JElizabeth,  b.  1747,  m.  Joseph  Norton;  d,  of  small  pox,  1778. 

7.  Hannah. 

8.  Ileuben,  b.  Aug.  14.  1752,  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Gideon  Currier, 
went  to  Maine. 

9.  Rachael. 

10.  liebecca,  b.  1756,  m.  her  cousin  Benjamin,  son  of  Abner 
Hills.  ' 

11.  Josiah,  b.  1758. 

12.  Ebenezer. 

13.  Rachael,  b.  1762. 

Elizabeth,  the  widow  of  Samuel,  m.  Lt.  Ebenezer  Dearborn, 
d.  July  31,  1793. 

VI.  Bexjamin,  sixth  child  of  BENJAMIN,  m.  Eleanor,  dau.  of 
Stephen  Morse,  Sept.  15, 1761 ;  lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  May  6, 
18U1 ;  she  d.  Jan.  2,  1814.     Children :  — 

1.  Benja^nin,  b.  Nov.  1,  1762,  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Dca.  John  S. 
Dearborn,  Oct.  29, 1786 ;  had  15  children,  4  d.  young ;  lived  on  the 
homestead.     He  d.  Sept.  25,  1851;  she  d.  June  2, 1844.     Children: 

Nathl.,  b.  1789;  Henry,  b.  1792,  m.  Harriet  Clay,  went  to  Me.; 
Lydia,  b.  1795,  d.  Sept.  4,  1822;  James,  b.  1796;  Eleanor; 
Charles,  b.  1800;  Lucinda,  1801;  Benjamin,  b.  Nov.  28,  1802,  m. 
Jane,  dau.  of  Thomas  Wilson,  lives  on  the  homestead;  Elizabeth 
A. ;  and  Rufus. 

2.  Eleanor,  b.  Oct,  8,  1764,  m.  James  Stevens. 

3.  Eliphalet,  b.  1767;  was  insane  or,  as  some  said,  was  be- 
witched, did  not  speak  for  two  years;   d.  Jan.  5,  1797. 

4.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  7,  1767,  m.  a  Thing  of  Brentwood. 

YII.  Abner,  the  seventh  child  of  BENJAMIN,  Sen.,  m.  Mary 
Stockman,  June  10, 1747  ;  lived  near  the  E.  side  of  No.  15,  2d  P.,  2d 
D.,  on  the  road  from  near  Joshua  Prescott's  to  Marden's;  d.  Oct. 
3,  1794.     Children:— 

1.  Benjamin,  b.  April  24,  1748,  m.  his  cousin  Rebecca,  dau.  of 
Samuel  Hills,  July  16,  1782 ;  lived  on  the  old  John  Aiken  j^lace, 
and  built  the  present  house  on  the  Powel  place  where  Daniel  AV"il- 


'  GENEALOGY  —  HILLS.  547 

son  lately  lived;  d.  June  14,  1829;  she  d.  May  20,  1827.    Cliild- 
ren: — 

Asa,  b.  1783;  Jesse,  b.  1784,  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Daniel  Eichard- 
son;  Achsali;  Zillali;  Ziba,  lives  at  Rumney ;  Ammi;  and  Adah. 

2.  Peter,  b.  Nov.  25,  1750,  m.  Abigail  Varnum,  the  wid.  of  Eze- 
kiel  Lane,  1780;  she  d.  Jan.,  1802.  He  m.  C2)  Edna  Davis.  She 
m.  (2)  Peter  Hall;  d.  July  22,  1848,  a.  89. 

3.  John. 

4.  Abner. 

6.  Joseph,  b.  May  18,  1757,  m.  Mary  Knowles,  who  d.  1813 ;  m. 
(2)  Mary  Page,  lived  on  the  homestead,  and  where  Amos  Stevens 
now  lives.  He  d.  Sept.  10,  1843;  Mary  Page  d.  Sept.  20,  1849,  a. 
82. 

6.  John.    7.  Edmund. 

Moses  Hills  and  Eebecca  Hills,  probably  dau.  of  BEXJA- 
MEN",  were  m.  at  Newbury,  Jan.  28,  1735.  In  January,  1737,  he 
bought  of  Jacob  Basford,  son  of  James,  a  part  of  4  home  lots,  42, 
106,  146  and  105,  and  came  to  Chester  and  settled  on  No.  106.  He 
afterwards  went  back  to  Newbury,  fell  down  stairs  and  broke  his 
neck.     Cliildren : — 

1.  Jacob,  b.  Oct.  25,  1735,  m.  Margarett  Platts ;  lived  on  his 
father's  homestead  in  Chester.  He  d.  Nov.  2,  1815.  She  d.  Sept. 
9,  1809.     Children:— 

Abigail,  b.  1760;  Molly;  Edmund;  Daniel,  b.  Nov.  19,  1767, 
m.  Mary,  dau.  of  John  Knowles,  Jr.,  lived  on  the  Moulton  or 
Bradley  place,  H.  L.  No.  49,  d.  July  20,  1816;  she  d.  Nov.  21, 
1867 ;  Susannah,  b.  Feb.  17,  1770,  m.  Nathan,  son  of  John 
Knowles,  Jr.,  d.  1862;  Rebecca;  Betty;  Moses,  b.  April  24,  1777, 
m.  Hannah  Morse,  lived  where  John  Aiken  first  lived,  H.  L.  No. 
145,  d.  Jan.  2,  1813 ;  she  d.  Sept.  10,  1863,  a.  85 ;  Sally. 

2.  Hoses,  b.  1740,  lived  on  Add.  No.  49,  at  the  Long  Meadows, 
S.  E.  of  Long  Meadow  Brook;  went  into  the  country. 

3.  Joseph,  b.  Jan.  18,  1745,  m.  Prudence  Sargent.  His  father 
in  1772  gave  him  Add.  No.  62,  on  which  he  settled;  sold  to 
Joseph  Bailey,  built  on  Add.  No.  49,  where  Nehemiah  Luf  kin 
lately  lived.  No  issue.  He.  d.  Aj)ril  11,  1823 ;  she  d.  Dec.  23, 
1842,  a.  93. 

Jonathan  Hills  was  of  Newbury,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Thomas 
Merril,  of  Newbury,  Oct.  25, 1749 ;  settled  on  Candia  High  street, 
No.  94,  3dD.;  d.  1812;  she  d.  1809. 

Jethro  Hill,  m.  Mehitabel  Jewet ;  came  from  Shetham,  1765, 
settled  on  No.  98,  3d  D. ;  d.  May  25,  1722. 


548  HISTORY   OP    CHESTER. 


HOIT. 

JOHN  HOIT  of  Newtown  cl.  1752;  Mary,  his  wife,  d.  at  Clies- 
ter,  1776;  liad  two  sous,  Benjamin  and  John;  came  to  Chester. 
Benjamin,  b.  1736,  m.  Mary  Colby,  b.  1738.  He  d.  1803;  she  d. 
1824 ;  settled  on  No.  3,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  near  Foplin  line.    Children  :— 

Benjamin,  b.  1700. 

Betty.   Mary. 

Huldah,  b.  1765,  m.  Tabor,  went  to  Maine,  d.  1851,  a.  85. 

Abner. 

3firkim,  m.  Smith  of  New  Hampton. 

Levi,  b.  March  23,  1771,  lived  on  the  homestead;  had  a  son 
Batchclder,  lived  on  the  homestead,  drowned  in  Exeter  river, 
Feb.  15,  1841. 

Hannah,  b.  1773,  m.  J.  Abbot  of  Poplin,  d.  March  16,  1864,  a. 
91. 

Dolly,  b.  Dec.  15,  1774,  nnmarried,  on  the  homestead;  alive  in 
1869. 

John  Hoit  m.  Sarah  Collins,  came  to  Cavil  mill  in  Poplin, 
thence  to  Chester.     Children  : — 

1.  Molly,  b.  1764,  m.  Sherburn  Sanborn.  He  d,  1831,  a.  80; 
she  d.  Sept.  24,  1852.  Children: — Moses  Sanborn  of  Fremont  and 
Simon  M.  Sanborn  of  Chester. 

2.  Hannah,  b.  1776,  m.  Capt.  B.  Fitts,  d.  Oct.  11,  1797. 

3.  Mrs.  Dowse,  of  Deertield,  d.  about  1860,  a.  84. 

4.  John,  m.  a  Glidden,  who  gave  birth  to  three  children  at  a 
birth,  who  all  lived.     He  d.  1790. 

5.  A  dan.,  m.  John,  son  of  Joseph  Knowles,  d.  a  young  woman. 
John  Hoit  m.  (2)  wid.  Miriam  (Brown)  Hobbs.     He.  d.  Nov. 

14,  1818,  a.  89;  Sarah  Collins  d.  Dec.  24, 1788;  Miriam  d.  March 
19,  1826,  a.  95  y.  9  m. 

William  Hoit  came  from  Amesburj^,  1785  to  '90 ;  lived  on  Gov. 
Wentworth's  farm  of  200  acres;  m,  Afia,  dan.  of  Aquila  Wor- 
then.     He  d.  1820,  a.  82;  she  d.  1830,  a.  82.     Children:— 

William,  ni.  Betsy,  dau.  of  Eben  Basford.  He  d.  at  Nashua 
about  1864. 

James, h.  1780,  m.  Pamela,  dau.  of  Joshua  Brown;  lived  in 
Auburn;  she  d.  1868.     He  d.  1848. 

Elizabeth,  b.  1791,  m.  Amos  Stickney,  d.  Sept.  20,  1842. 

Jabez  Hoit  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Thomas  Haseltine,  April  17, 
1760.  March  6,  1760,  he  bought  of  Nathl.  and  Elizabeth  Wood, 
H.  L.  No.  3,  (the  Goodhue  or  Clay  place).  After  the  death  of 
Thomas  Wells  he  sold,  probably  to  Stephen  Clay,  and  bought 
where  William  Teuney  now  lives,  H.  L.  61.    Children: — 


GENEALOGY  —  INGALLS.  •  549 

Abigail,  b.  Jan,  IG,  1761. 

Thomas,  b.  1762,  d.  1779,  at  Surinam. 

Jahez,  b.  1765,  lived  at  Hampstead. 

Josiah,  b.  1770,  lived  at  Sandown. 

3Ioses,  b.  1773,  was  a  teacher;  d.  in  Deny. 

Jesse,  b.  1774. 

Samuel,  b.  1781. 

Jabez  d.  Aug.   7,  1817,  a.  82;  Ms  wife  d.  May  1, 1817,  a.  77. 

HODGKINS. 

Daniel  Hodgkixs  was  a  cabinet  maker;  liA-ed  on  a  tract  bought 
by  Elipliaz  Sanborn,  adjoining  Gov.  Sliute's  farm  on  tlie  east.  His 
wife  Xancy  was  insane,  and  a  long  time  maintained  by  the  town ; 
she  d.  April  23, 1822.  Son  Daniel,  insane,  and  lived  with  Deacon 
Weeks,  of  Greenland,  and  in  a  paroxysm  shot  the  deacon;  was 
confined  in  jail  during  life. 

INGALLS. 

Capt.  Samuel  Ingalls  was  b.  at  Andover,  Mass.,  May  7, 1683. 
He  moved  to  Haverhill,  and  Oct.  23,  1717,  Samuel  Smith,  of 
Haverhill,  deeded  to  Samuel  Ingalls  of ''Chesher,  blacksmith," 
a  right  in  Kingston.  He  probably  was  in  Chester,  and  had  at 
least  a  constructive  residence  to  have  possession  in  behalf  of 
Haverhill  people.  He  did  not  belong  to  the  society  originally, 
but  was  admitted  with  eighteen  others,  at  the  request  of  the  Gov- 
ernor, in  1720.  He  was  one  of  the  grantees  of  the  saw-mill  privilege. 
and  is  a  grantee  named  in  the  charter.  It  is  said  that  he  actually 
removed  to  Chester  in  1720,  though  in  deeds  he  is  said  to  be  of 
Haverhill  after  that  time.  In  March,  1722,  Samuel  Ingalls  of 
"  Winfield,  otherwise  Cheshire,"  deeded  to  Phillips  the  right  of 
Stephen  Webster,  reserving  '"the  home  lot  Xo.  64,  on  which  I 
live."  He  was  a  very  prominent  man  in  town,  held  various  offices ; 
was  selectman  in  1723,  '24  and  '25 ;  lot-layer  in  1724  to  1728 ;  town 
clerk  in  1730 ;  was  the  first  captain  in  town,  being  so  called  in  1729. 
He  built  the  first  framed  house  in  town  about  1732,  which  stood 
where  Humphrej'  Xiles  now  lives,  and  was  taken  down  when  the 
present  house  was  erected.  He  d.  Oct.  6,  1747.  The  inventory 
of  his  estate  was  returned  March,  1750 ;  his  homestead  of  67  acres 
appraised  at  £3,380;  account  settled  in  1760.  The  heirs  were 
Samuel  Moores,  Thomas  Wells  and  Nathaniel  Ingalls,  He  m. 
Mary  Watts.     Children  (born  in  Haverhill)  :— 

I.  Elizabeth,  b.  Sept.  8,  1709,  m.  Thomas  Wells. 

II.  Sarah,  b.  Oct.  27,  1710;  unm. 
in.  Samuel,  Sei)t.  15,  1712. 

IV.  Mary,  b,  Nov.  27,  1714,  m.  John  Haseltine,  of  Chester, 
and  (2)  a  Hall,  of  Bradford. 


550  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

V.  Ruth,  b.  Jan.  31,  1717-18,  m.  Ephraim  Haseltine  of  Chester. 
yi.   Timothy,  b.  April  20,  1720. 
Those  born  in  Chester  were  : — 

VII.  3Iehitabel,  b.  1723,  being  the  first  white  child  b.  in  Ches- 
ter, m.  Dr.  Samuel  Mooi-es,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Chester, 
and  a  very  prominent  man  in  Candia.     She  d.  April  12,  1818. 

VIII.  Abigail,  b.  1725,  m.  Stephen  Morse;  d.  May,  1806. 

IX.  Nathaniel,  b.  Dec.  12,  1727,  m.  Abigail  Huse,  and  lived  in 
Sandown.     Children: — 

1.  Israel.  2.  Peter,  d.  y.  3.  Polly  or  Mary,  m.  Perley  Chase. 
4.  Peter.  5.  Abigail,  m.  Benjamin  Smith,  of  Hanover.  6.  Me- 
hitabel,  m.  John  Clough,  1793;  lived  at  Concord,  N.  H.  7. 
Josiah,  m.  Olive  Sanborn,  of  Andover.  N.  H. ;  d.  at  Chester.  8. 
Samuel,  m.  Betsy  Clough;  lived  at  Sandown;  d.  18GG,  a.  93. 
9.  Hannah,  m.  John  Hall;  d.  18G8. 

Eldad  Ingalls  came  to  Chester  from  Haverhill,  and  lived  on 
II.  L.  No.  61,  at  the  corner  of  the  town.  He  was  moderator  and 
town  clerk  in  1728.  In  Dec,  1729,  he  was  of  Haverhill,  and 
deeded  his  lot  to  Thomas  "Wells,  of  Amesbury.  It  has  since  been 
occupied  by  Jabez  Iloit,  and  Silas  and  William  Tenny. 

There  was  a  Peter  Ingalls  in  town,  who  d.  in  1751. 

An'dreav  jACK's^.name  first  appears  on  the  Presbyterian  records 
as  warden  in  1747,  and  moderator  from  1752  to  1755,  and  on  the 
town  records  as  constable  in  1752.  He  settled  at  the  foot  of 
Jack  hill,  on  the  road  from  Walnut  hill  to  Three  Camp  meadow. 
He  had  a  son  Samuel,  m.  Molly  McMurphy;  he  d.  1793.  Chil- 
dren:— 

Jean,  1776;  Hannah,  b.  1777,  m.  Gideon,  son  of  Simeon  .Cur- 
rier, 1798;  Andrew,  1780,  lived  on  the  main  road  near  the  Tol- 
ford  place,  d.  May  1828;  Ilobert;  James;  Polly;  Samuel,  d. 
1822;  Alexander,  b.  1793. 

Andrew  also  had  a  dan.,  who  m.  John  Moore,  who  was  killed 
in  1778 ;  m.  (2)  Lt.  Samuel  Scribner ;  lived  in  Candia. 

KAKR  — see   CARR. 

KELLY. 

Dea.  Ezekiel  H.  Kelly  was  the  son  of  John  Kelly  and  Han- 
nah Hale,  of  Newbury ;  m.  Hannah,  youngest  dan.  of  Ephraim 
Haseltine,  1784.  He  lived  several  years  on  the  Thomas  Wor- 
then  place,  opposite  Elliot's.  In  1792  he  purchased  No.  77,  4th 
D.,  of  the  estate  of  John  Fields,  and  opened  a  public"  house, 
which  he  kept  in  good  style,  and  had  a  great  run  of  custom.    She 


GENEALOGY — KITTRIDGE.  551 

d.  Jan.,  1805.     He  m.  (2)  Ruth  Davis.    He  d.  1833.    Children: — 

1.  Hannah  Hale,  b.  1787,  m.  Peter,  son  of  Ephraim  Eaton. 

2.  Ephraiyii,  b.  1789,  m.  Nancy,  dau.  of  James  Orr. 

3.  Bath,  b.  1791,  m.  Amos  Chase. 

4.  ^Sasan,  b.  1797,  m.  Samuel,  son  of  Richard  Dearborn,  of 
Hill. 

5.  Jfart/,  b.  1799,  m.  George  R.  Gilbert;  d.  1867. 

6.  Lf/dia,  b.  Dec,  180-4,  m.  James  Donovon. 

KIMBALL. 

John  Kimball  came  from  Bradford,  and  lived  at  the  Beuja. 
Bachelder  place.  He  was  a  teacher  of  music.  He  m.  a  niece  of 
Col.  Webster.  He  d.  1805.  The  widow  m.  Dr.  John  Wingate, 
and  went  to  Maine. 

Jesse  Kimball  lived  on  the  River  road  between  Martin's  Ferry 
and  Derrytield  line;  had  son  Jedecliah,  who  lived  on  117,  4th 
D ;  Ezra  and  Amos,  who  lived  on  or  near  the  homestead. 

KENT. 

Amos  Kext,  Esq.,  was  born  at  Kent's  Island  in  Newburj',  Oct. 
16,  1774;  graduated  at  Harvard  1795;  studied  law,  and  came  to 
Chester  in  1798;  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Hon.  Joshua  Athertou,  of 
Amherst,  Nov.,  1799.  He  was  a  good  counsellor,  but  a  poor 
advocate.  He  was  Senator  for  District  No.  3,  1814  and  1815.  He 
had  a  taste  for  farming,  and  purchased  at  different  times  about 
200  acres  of  land  on  lots  106,  115,  76  and  77,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  which 
was  called  the  Long  Meadow  farm,  on  which  he  built  a  house  and 
large  barns,  and  hired  a  great  deal  of  help,  all  of  whicli  v.'as  un- 
profitable, and  involved  him  in  debt.  He  d.  June  18,  1824.  His 
wife,  so  far  as  I  now  know,  survives.     Children : — 

Charles;  Abigail;  Jf'iri/;  Philip;  Joshua;  Bzbecca  F.;  Amos; 
George,  a  deaf  mute ;  and  Frederic. 

The  Long  Meadow  farm  was  sold  to  John  Clark,  Esq.  The 
homestead  was  assigned  to  the  widow  as  dower,  and  sold  to  Sam- 
uel Aiken,  Esq. 

KITTRIDGE. 

The  Kittridges  were  of  Tewksbury,  Mass.,  and  were  hereditary 
j)hysicians.  Dr.  Benjamin  was  the  oldest  of  eight  sons,  all  of 
whom  were  physicians,  of  whom  Dr.  G.  W.,  of  Epping,  was  the 
youngest.  His  mother  was  a  Baldwin,  of  the  family  where  the 
name  of  the  world-famous  apples  originated.  He  was  less  cau- 
tious than  Dr.  Sargent,  and  was  considered  sui^erior  as  a  surgeon. 
He  came  to  Chester  in  1790,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Col.  John 


552  HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 

Webster,  Dec.  30,  1792,  and  settled  on  the  old  Robert  Graham 
place,  n.  L.  No.  128,  where  Benjamin  Davis  now  lives.  Chil- 
dren : — 

Bufus,  b.  Nov.  21,  1794,  m.  Sally  T.,  dan.  of  Lt.  Josiah  Under- 
bill, and  practiced  in  Chester  many  years,  and  went  to  Cincinnati, 
Ohio. 

Elizabeth  d.  1802.  He  m.  (2)  Catherine  J.  Underliill,  the 
widow  of  Samnel  Graham,  in  1812. 

George,  b.  March  31,  18U,  d.  a  young  man. 

In  1807  he  purchased  the  Col.  Webster  place  and  moved  there. 
lie  d.  1830,  aged  62.    The  wid.  m.  John  Bradley. 

KNOWLES. 

JOHX  Knowles,  jr.,  of  Rye,  b.  Oct.  12,  17U,  d.  March  26, 
1798;  m.  Sarah  Moulton,  b.  Aug.  U,  1714.  Nov.  2,  1749,  he 
bought  of  David  ]\IcClure  the  west  half  of  No.  17,  2d  P.,  2d  D., 
and  moved  the  house  to  the  present  site.     Children:  — 

I.  John,  b.  Feb.  19,  1743,  m.  Mary,  dau,  of  Cort.  John  Lane. 
Children:  —  1.  David,  b.  May  14,  17C4,  went  to  Andover,  N.  H. 
2.  Jonathan,  m.  Sarah  Ilackct,  went  to  Canterbury.  3.  Ezekiel, 
b.  Feb.  12,  1769.  4.  Nathan,  b.  March  8,  1774,  m.  Susannah,  dau. 
of  Jacob  Hill.  5.  Mary,  b.  Aug.  18,  1781,  m.  Daniel  Hills,  d. 
Nov.  21,  18G7.  6.  Sarah,  b,  Jan.  8,  1785,  ni.  Walter,  son  of  Eben 
Basford,  d.  Oct.  8,  1859. 

II.  sSfuthan,  b.  Nov.  14,  1748,  m.  Susannah,  dau.  of  Theodore 
Shackford,  Nov.  28,  1775.  He  d.  April  30,  1837;  she  d.  Dec.  29, 
1841.     Children:  — 

Natlian.b.  Dec.  25,  1776,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Robei't  Wilson,  Esq., 
June  2,  1795.  She  d.  Sept.  20,  1806.  He  m.  (2)  Rebecca,  dau.  of 
Dea.  John  S.  Dearborn,  Dec.  31,  1807.  He  d.  Sept.  10,  1861;  she 
d.  Jan.  2,  1864.  They  lived  near  the  west  end  of  lot  No.  12,  2d 
P.,  2d  D.,  where  Dearborn  Knowles  now  lives. 

HI.  Jlary,  b.  Nov.  28,  1755,  m.  Joseph,  son  of  Abner  Hills,  d. 
181;!.     Others  d.  voung. 


o  • 


Joseph  Knowles  came  from  Rj'e,  m.  Sarah  Paine,  sister  of 
Capt.  AVilliam  Locke's  wife;  settled  on  lot  No.  16,  2d  P.,  2d  D. 
He  d.  Feb.  2,  1797.     She  d.  June  24,  1808.     Children  :  —  . 

1.  John,  m.  dau.  of  John  Hoit,  and  lived  near  where  Mr.  Hoit 
lives.    She  d.,  and  he  m.  again  and  went  to  Centre  Harbor. 

2.  Joseph,  Avent  to  Northfield. 

3.  Sarah,  b.  Oct.  2,  1765,  m.  Josiah  Morse,  d.  1850. 

4.  liobert,  b.  May  8,  1768,  m.  Rebecca,  dau.  of  Jacob  Basford; 
lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  July  22,  1857. 

5.  Abigail,  b.  May  31,  1771,  m.  William,  son  of  Robert  Wilson, 
Esq.,  went  to  Corinth. 


GENEALOGY  —  LANE.  553 


la:ne. 

William  Lane  was  of  Englisli  origin,  and  was  of  Boston,  and 
admitted  freeman  May  8,  1652.  The  tradition  is  that  one  brother 
settled  in  Beverly  and  another  in  Maine,  and  that  they  were  all 
cordwainers.  His  wife's  name  was  Mary,  and,  according  to  Bos- 
ton records,  d.  May  2, 1656 ;  but  as  a  dau.  was  b.  May  15,  it  should 
probably  be  May  22.  He  m.  (2)  Mary,  dau.  of  Thomas  Brewer, 
of  Eoxbury.     Children :  — 

I.  Samuel,  b.  Jan.  23,  1651.  II.  John,  b.  Feb.  5,1653.  III. 
Mary,  b.  May  15,  1656.  IV.  Sarah,  b.  June  15,  1657.  V.  Wil- 
liam, b.  Oct.  1, 1659.  YI.  Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  3, 1662.  VII.  Eben- 
ezer,  b.  1666. 

V.  William,  b.  in  Boston,  m.  before  1685,  Sarah  "Webster,  who 
was  b.  in  Hampton  1659,  and  removed  to  Hampton  before  1688, 
and  resided  near  the  spot  where  the  academy  now  stands,  and  was 
a  tailor.    He  d.  Feb.  14,  1719;  she  d.  Jan.  7,  1745.    Children:  — 

1.  JOHN,  b.  Feb.  17,  1685,  m.  Mary  Libbey,  of  Rye.  f-oou 
after  marriage  he  went  to  sea,  was  taken  by  pirates  and  kept  in 
captivity  seven  years ;  returned  home  and  went  to  sea  again,  and 
never  returned. 

2.  Sarah,  b.  1688.     3.  Elizabeth,  1691.     4.  Abigail. 

5.  JOSHUA,  b.  June  6,  1696.  6.  Samuel,  1698.  7.  Thomas, 
1701. 

Joiix  Lane  was  son  of  JOHN  LANE  and  Mary  Libbey  of 
Rye,  b,  Oct.  12, 1709,  m.  (1)  Hannah  Lamprey.  She  was  b.  1710. 
.He  m.  (2)  Mary  Kuowles,  b.  Nov.  2,  1718.  He  d.  Feb.  13,  1784. 
Mary  d.  1787.  Jan,  13,  1742-3,  he  bought  of  Ephraim  Blunt,  of 
Andover,  No.  128,  O.  H.,  and  No.  20,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  He  sold  to 
Israel  Dolby  all  but  about  20  acres  of  the  west  side  of  No.  20. 
He  built  on  the  20  acres,  where  his  grandson,  Col.  Isaac  Lane, 
now  lives.  He  moved  to  Chester  about  1749.  He  was  appointed 
by  Benning  Wentworth  "Cornet  of  the  ninth  troop  of  the  first 
Regt.  of  Cavalry  commanded  by  John  Downing,  Col.,"  Sept.  17, 
1754.  He  was  the  first  officer  of  that  rank  in  town ;  and  in  all 
records  is  called  "  Cornet  John  Lane."     Children :  — 

I.  John,  b.  Oct.  17, 1733,  m.  Mary  Colby,  dau.  of  Benaiah,  1755* 
lived  on  130,  O.  IL,  d.  1779.    Children :  — 

I.  Hannah,  1756,  m.  Jeremiah  Rand,  1782.  2.  John,  1758.  3. 
Samuel,  1760,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Daniel  Lane,  and  Anna,  dau. 
of  Benjamin  Currier.  4.  Joseph  C,  b.  1762.  5.  Benaiah,  b. 
1764,  m.  Abigail  Lufkin,  dau.  of  Stephen.  6.  Webster,  1766.  7. 
Mary,  b.  1768.     8.  Matthias,  b.  1770. 

II.  Daniel,  b.  July  8,  1735,  m.  Mary  Butterfield,  June  20,  1756; 
m.  (2)  wid.  Batchelder;  d.  1825;  lived  on  No.  116,  O.  H.    Chil- 


554  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

dren:  —  1.  Jacob,  b.  1757.  2.  Hamitih,  b.  1759,  m.  Samuel,  son 
of  John  Lane,  Jr.  3.  Lydia,  1761.  4.  Ezekiel,  m.  a  Page,  lived 
on  the  homestead.     5.  Thomas. 

III.  Ezekiel,  b.  Jnly  4,  1739,  m.  Abigail,  dan.  of  James  Yar- 
mtm,  1762,  lived  on  the  north  end  of  No.  128,  O.  H.  He  Avas  First 
Lieut,  in  Capt.  Stephen  Dearborn's  Co.,  and  was  killed  in  the 
battle  of  Bennington,  Aug.  16,  1777.  The  wid.  m.  Peter,  son  of 
Abiier  Hills,  1780,  d.  1802.  He  left  one  son,  Josiah,  b.l764,  m. 
Betsy,  dan.  of  John  Shackford,  lived  on  the  homestead. 

IV.  David,  b.  Feb.  21,  17-41,  m.  Ilannali  Morse,  1762,  lived  o  n 
No.  115,  O.  H.,  d.  Aug.,  1824.     Children :  — 

1.  Mehitabel,  m.  Jonathan  Ambrose,  of  Concord.  2.  David, 
m.  Polly  Xorris,  lived  on  the  homestead,  and  had  Jonathan  Am. 
brose  and  Daniel  Xorris ;  was  killed  by  a  cart-Avhcel  running  over 
his  head  Maj-  13,  1807.    3.  Isaac.    4.  Hannah.    5.  Nathan. 

V.  Mary,  b.  Feb.  24,  1743,  m.  John  Knowles,  Jr. 

VI.  Hannah,  b.  Feb.  25,  1745,  m.  Ezekiel  Morse. 

VII.  Nathan,  b.  June  12,  1747,  m.  Hannah  Holmes  about  1770, 
lived  on  No.  121,  O.  II.,  where  Garland  AV'asou  now  lives;  d.  in 
the  army,  Sept.  26,  1776.  The  wid.  m.  William,  son  of  Thomas 
Shannon.     One  dau.,  Lois,  in.  a  Morse. 

VHI.  Isaac,  d.  young. 

IX.  Sarah,  b.  1758,  m.  Levi  Swain,  d.  1839. 

X.  Isaac,  b.  April  19,  1760,  m.  Abigail  Garland,  1780,  lived  on 
the  homestead.  He  d.  April  21,  1834.  He  was  appointed  coj-net 
by  John  Sullivan.  His  son  Isaac  held  the  same  office,  and  rose  to 
colonel.     Children:  — 

1.  Sally,  b.  1782,  m.  Josiah  Seavey,  1802.  2.  Abigail,  b.  1784,  . 
m.  Thomas  Wason,  1802.  3.  Molly,  b.  1786,  m.  Dea.  Amos 
Batchelder,  1844.  4.  Anna,  b.  1788,  m.  Jona.  A.  Lane,  son  of 
David,  Jr.  5.  John,  b.  1791,  m.  Ruth  Page,  1821.  6.  Betsy  m. 
Jona.  A.  Lane,  1822.  7.  Isaac,  b.  Feb.  25,  1799,  m.  Caroline 
Marshall,  1837,  lives  on  the  homestead.  8.  Peter,  b.  Feb.  22, 1802, 
m.  Sai'ah  Simpson,  1837. 

XL  Jonathan,  m.  Susannah  Emerson,  1785,  lived  on  the  north 
end  of  Xo.  126,  O.  H.,  d.  March  2,  1847.  Children:  —1.  Susan, 
m.  Jona.  James.  2.  Sally,  m.  Jona.  "Woodman.  3.  Abigail,  ra 
Dr.  Abraham  French.  4.  Polly,  m.  Dea.  Amos  Bachelder.  5. 
Relief,  num.  6.  Betsy,  m.  John  Page,  of  Kingston.  7.  lluth,  m. 
Moses  Page.    8.  Jason,  lived  on  the  homestead. 

5.  JOSHUA,  son  of  William  and  Sarah  Webster,  m.  Bathsheba, 
dau.  of  Samuel  and  Mary  Robie,  and  resided  about  half  a  mile 
north  of  the  old  Baptist  meeting-house  in  Hampton,  and  was  a 
tanner.  He  was  a  deacon.  He  was  killed  by  lightning,  June  14, 
1766.    His  wife  d.  April  13,  1765.    They  had  16  children  from 


GENEALOGY  —  LINN.  555 

1718  to  17-41.  The  fifth,  Joshua,  b.  July  8,  1724,  m.  Rnth  Batch- 
elder,  Dec.  16,  1747,  and  resided  in  the  northeast  part  of  Poplin 
(Fremont) ,  and  was  a  carpenter  and  cabinet-maker.  He  d.  Jan. 
13,  1794 ;  she  d.  June  12,  1812.  They  had  10  children  from  1748 
to  1770.  The  second,  John,  b.  Oct.  24,  1750,  m.  Hannah,  dan.  of 
Joseph  and  Susannah  Godfrey,  Nov.  30,  1775.  She  b.  Nov.  19, 
1755.  They  settled  in  Candia,  on  the  east  half  of  Xo.  38,  3d  D., 
where  his  son,  Dea.  Ezekiel  Lane,  now  lives.  He  was  a  carpenter 
and  cabinet-maker,  and  held  various  offices.  He  d.  March  12, 
1823;  she  d.  Oct.  15,  1845.     Children:  — 

1.  Euth,  b.  Feb.  16,  1777,  m.  Abel  Reed,  March  6,  1800. 

2.  u  sanna,  b.  April  22,  1778,  m.  Abraham  Fitts,  of  Candia, 
April  SO,  1804. 

3.  Joseph,  b.  Oct.  22,  1779,  m.  (1)  Grata  Melvin;  m.  (2)  Sarah 
"Whitmarsh;  lived  in  Danville,  Yt.,  Portland,  Me.,  and  ^filledge- 
ville,  Ga. 

4.  Josiah,b.  Aug^.  15, 1781,  m.  Phebe  Moml,  lived  in  Wheelock, 
Vt,,  Ogden,  X.  Y.,  and  Pawpavr,  Mich. 

5.  John,  b.  Oct.  15,  1783,  m.  Abigail,  dan.  of  Nathl.  Emerson, 
Esq.,  Xov.  21,  1811.  He  lived  on  the  north  end  of  No.  65,  3d  D., 
"where  Moses  French  had  lived.  He  Tvas  a  laud  surveyor,  and  was 
much  in  public  business.  Richard  Emerson  Lane,  grad.  Dart. 
1841,  was  his  son.     He  d.  1851 ;  she  d.  June  25,  1866. 

6.  Hannah,  b.  1787,  d.  unmarried,  1846. 

7.  Joshua,  b.  Jan,  5, 1790,  m.  Lydia  Fitts,  1821,  lived  in  Candia. 

8.  Ezekiel,  b.  Aug.  17,  1792,  m,  Mary  Rowe,  Dec.  8,  1824,  lived 
on  the  homestead. 

9.  Sally,  b.  1794,  d.  unmarried,  1865. 

10.  Isaiah,  b.  May  31,  1797,  m.  Frances  Bachelder,  Xov.  15, 
1825.  He  was  a  phj'sician,  and  practiced  in  Candia  from  1827  to 
1855;  removed  to  Meiiden,  N.  H.,  and  d.  soon  after.  James  P. 
Lane,  grad.  at  Amherst,  is  his  son,  who  is  preparing  a  genealogy 
of  the  Lane  family,  and  has  furnished  the  materials  for  the  early 
part,  and  his  branch,  for  tliis  notice. 

11.  Abigail,  b.  Dec.  22,  1798,  m.  John,  son  of  Reuben  Fitts,  of 
Candia. 

LIXN. 

Nathaniel  Lixx  of  Dover,  laborer,  bought  land  in  Canterburv 
in  1735.  AYhen  he  came  to  Chester  is  uncertain.  He  settled  on 
Gov.  Wentworth's  farm  of  200  acres.     He  had:  — 

1.  Joseph,  m.  Molly,  dau.  of  William  Gilchrist;  lived  on  the 
homestead.    Joseph  d.  1823,  a.  82  ;MoUy  d.  1822.     Children  :  — 

Xancy,  m.  John  Withei-spoon ;  Lucy,  m.  John,  son  of  David 
Underbill;  Nathaniel  W.,  m.  Ruth,  dau,  of  Ai'chie  McDuffee;  and 
I  think  there  were  other  daughters. 


556  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

2.  Agnes,  m.  Capt.  David  Withcrspoon. 

3.  3folly,  m.  James  Caldcr. 

The  wife  of  Nathl.  Linn,  Sen.,  d.  1799. 

LEATCH. 

William  Leatch  was  of  Londonderry  in  1738 ;  is  first  found 
on  Chester  records  in  1742.  He  settled  on  lot  No.  75,  2d  P.,  2d  D., 
near  the  shore  of  the  pond.  He  was  called  Deacon  in  1776.  He 
had  one  son,  Capt.  William,  m.  Molly,  dan.  of  Hugh  Crombie, 
who  had  a  large  family;  all  left  town  but  William,  m.  Polly, 
dau.  of  Nathl.  Martin. 

LUNT. 

Henry  Luxt  purchased,  probably  of  Robert  Crawford,  the 
grist-mill  "on  the  great  ])rook  at  the  lower  falls"  (Haselton's), 
and  owned  it  several  years;  d.  1761. 

LOCKE. 

Capt.  William  Locke  was  a  son  of  Jonathan  Locke  of  Rye; 
m.  Christiana  Paine,  sister  of  Joseph  Kiiowles'  wife.  His  father 
in  1761  purchased  the  right  of  John  Calfe,  including  the  2d  P., 
2d  D.,  and  all  subsequent  divisions.  William  settled  near  the 
centre  of  No.  12,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  on  the  road  from  Charles  Moore's, 
by  James  McClure's,  to  the  road  to  the  "  Branch."  He.  d.  Nov. 
16, 1825,  a.  87.     She  d.  1800.     Children :  — 

1.  Mary,  m.  Capt.  Benj.  True,  d.  Nov.  13,  1839,  a.  71. 

2.  Abigail,  m.  James  Tucker  and  went  to  Andover,  N.  H. 

3.  John,  m.  Eleanor  Tucker  and  lived  on  the  homestead.  He 
d.  June  13,  1846,  a.  81;  shed.  Feb.  16,  1821,  a.  53. 

4.  Margaret,  m.  Capt.  William  Moore;  d.  March  29,  1844. 

5.  Dolly,  b.  June  9,  1780;  m.  (1)  Josiah,  son  of  Charles  Moore, 
Jr.;  m.  (2)  Thomas  Shannon;  alive  1868. 

6.  Hannah,  d.  unmarried. 

LONG. 

Nathan  Long  was  surveyor  of  highways  in  1747.  He  settled 
on  Add.  lot  No.  99;  m.  Naomi  Eastman,  Sept.  10,  1748.  He  d. 
Jan.  6,  1768.  The  widow  m.  John  Robie,  but  soon  left  Mm;  she 
d.  July  18,  1821,  a.  93.     Children :  — 

1.  Benjamin,  b.  1750;  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Enoch  Colby,  and 
went  to  Schenectady,  N.  Y. 

2.  Joseph,  b.  Sept.  18,  1752;  m.  Judith,  dau.  of  Enoch  Colby; 
d.  Nov.  26,  1836;  lived  on  the  homestead.     Children:  — 

Nathan,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Capt.  Stephen  Hills.  Enoch,  m. 
Polly,  dau.  of  James  ^Moore ;  lived  on  the  homestead  and  in  the 
Greenough  house.    Sally,  d.  unmarried. 


GENEALOGY  —  ^.URTIN.  55T 

4,  Nathan,  b,  Xov.  19,  1764;  lived  at  Amesbury;  was  father  of 
Eev.  J.  A.  E.  Long,  who  d.  at  Hooksett,  May  3, 1846,  a.  65. 

LUFKIN. 

Stephen  Lufkix  was  a  mariner,  and  came  from  Massachusetts, 
and  bought  of  Moses  Marshall  the  west  half  of  Add.  lot  No.  40; 
m.  Sarah  Choate.    He  d.  July  9,  1803;  she  d.  1788.    Children:  — 

1.  Elizabeth,  b.  1755. 

2.  Stepheu,h.nbQ\  d.  young. 

3.  Abigail,  m.  Benaiah  Lane;  d.  in  Chester. 

4.  David. 

6.  Sarah,  m.  a  Forsaith,  and  moved  into  the  country. 

6.  llachael,  b.  1771;  m.  Moses,  son  of  Capt.  John  Underbill. 

7.  Susannah,  b.  1773;  m.  John,  son  of  Ebeuezer  Dearborn,  and 
went  to  Corinth. 

8.  Humphrey,  b.  March  5,  1775 ;  m.  Lois  March,  lived  on  the 
homestead;  d.  June  19,  1842. 

9.  Polly,  b.  1777 ;  m.  a  Mudgett  and  went  to  Weare. 

10.  JSFehemiah,  b.  April  14,  1780;  m.  llachael  Currier  and  lived 
with  Joseph  Hills  on  Add.  lot  No.  49 ;  d.  May  15,  1864.  She  d. 
1857. 

11.  Ruth,  m.  an  Eastman  and  went  to  Corinth. 

12.  Stejyhen,  was  lost  at  sea. 

13.  Jacob,  b.  1787 ;  m.  a  Farrar  and  was  a  mariner. 

MARTIN. 

■\Yhen  the  road  to  Martin's  Feriy  was  laid  out  in  1776,  it  crossed 
land  owned  by  "  several  of  the  Martins." 

Daniel  Martin  lived  near,  and  kept  the  ferry;  sometimes,  it 
is  said,  sitting  in  the  house  and  permitting  his  wife  to  row  i^eople 
across  the  river.  He  had  a  son  Ensign  Joshua,  who  lived  at  the 
intersection  of  the  White  Hall  road  with  Londonderry  turnpike. 
He  had  a  large  family. 

Nathaniel  Martin  came  from  Pembroke  and  bought  No.  84, 
4th  D.,  about  1780;  built  on  the  old  road,  a  little  west  of  the  turn- 
pike. He  was  a  tanner,  and  was  always  called  "  Tanner  Martin." 
He  m.  Jane  Green.    Children: — 

William,  went  to  Maine.  Betty,  m.  a  Favour,  of  Hill.  Robert, 
b.  July,  1778,  m.  Margaret  McDuffee,  d.  at  Auburn,  Dec.  25, 1865 ; 
she  d.  1868.  Samuel,  went  to  Maine.  James',  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of 
Capt.  Johu-Wason,  d.  in  Ohio.  Hannah,  m.  Edward  Ray.  Polly, 
m.  William  Leatch,  d.  at  Auburn,  1867.  John,  Dudley  and  Abigail, 
went  to  Maine.    Isaac,  d.  in  Chester,  unm. 


558  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


MARDEN. 

Stephen  Harden  lived  on  No.  U,  2(1  P.  2(1.  D.,  where  Thomas 
Feruald  ouce  lived,  and  where  Thomas  Lane  now  lives.  He  was 
a  petitioner  for  Raymond;  his  wife  Avas  Elizabeth;  they  had  nine 
children  recorded  from  17G0  to  1781,  of  whom  nothing  is  known. 
The  widow  was  taxed  in  1785. 

Geouge  Makden  was  b.  at  Rye,  Jan.  29,  1741;  Sarah  Webster, 
his  wife,  b.  April  12,  1745;  he  d.  Feb.  22,  182G;  she  d.  Sept.  27, 
1835.  They  came  to  Chester  and  settled  on  Xo.  123,  O.  H.  Cliil- 
dren : — 

James,  b.  Oct.  17,  1769,  went  to  Palenno,  Me.,  and  m.  there. 

Sarah,  b.  1771,  m.  a  Muggridge. 

31ary,  b,  1772,  m.  Geo.  Carr,  went  to  Corinth. 

Elizabeth,  b.  1775,  m.  Jonathan,  son  of  Jacob  Basford,  went  to 
Belfast. 

Abigail,  b.  May  18,  1777,  m.  Asa,  son  of  Joshua  Prescott,  lived 
in  Chester  and  Picraiont. 

Josiah,  b.  1779,  m.  Hannah  Webster,  lived  in  Rye. 

Ebenezer,  b.  Jan.  22,  1781,  m.  Xancy,  dau.  of  Benaiah  Colby, 
Jr.,  lived  on  the  homestead. 

George,  b.  1782,  went  to  Palermo,  m.  there. 

Xanrij,  b.  1790,  m.  Joshua,  son  of  Dominicus  Prescott,  went 
to  AVashington,  Vt. 

MARSHAL. 

Moses  Marshal  was  an  early,  if  not  the  first,  settler  on  the 
West  half  of  Add.  lot  Xo.  40.  He  lived  there  in  1759  and  in 
1768.  He  was  a  cabinet-maker;  sold  to  Stephen  Lufkin,  and 
went  to  Deerfield. 

McCLENTO. 

The  first  settlement  in  Denyfield  was  by  William  Perham, 
Archibald  Stark,  McXeil  and  others,  about  1736.  The  first  in 
that  part  of  Chester  was  by  William  and  Michael  McClexto. 
Michael  was  in  Londonderry  and  bought  land  there  in  1731,  and 
1733.  He  is  in  Chester  in  1744.  William  McClento  of  Ivingstown 
bought  of  Thomas  Packer  of  Dracut,  1  lot  in  the  3d  range  in 
<'Tyngstown,"  in  June,  1739.  So  they  probably  settled  there 
under  a  claim  from  Tpigstown,  about  1740.  But  so  far  as  Chester 
was  concerned,  they  were  squatters. 

The  Proprietors  sued  them,  and  a  verdict  was  rendered  in  favor 
of  the  defendants,  Dec.  8,  1743,  and  appealed.  The  land  on 
which  they  settled  was  not  lotted  until  1745.  They  came  up  from 
Londonde'iTV  on  foot  with  their  eflects.    It  is  said  by  some  that 


GENEALOGY  —  M'CLURE.  559 

Michael  settled  on  Xo.  1,  4tli  D.,  near  Trhere  the  present  road  to 
"Webster  Mill  leaves  the  Derry  road ;  but  Samuel  Gamble  (who 
is  most  pi-obably  right,)  says  that  he  lived  on  No.  133,  where  the 
brick  house  now  stands.  AVilliam  with  his  pack,  and  his  wife 
with  a  ''  bairn  "  in  her  arms,  forded  the  brook  some  distance  be- 
low the  present  road,  with  the  water  to  their  "haunches,"  and 
erected  a  hut  near  the  river,  but  afterwards  built  at  the  Huse  place, 
on  lot  Xo,  4.    William's  wife  was  Agnes.    They  had: — 

WiUlam,  Jr.,  m.  Ogilbe,  1765. 

John,  m.  Christian  McXeal,  1768. 

3fary,TQ..  David  Starret,  son  of  "\Yilliam  and  Maiy,  Oct.  28^ 
1760,  and  had  7  children. 

Alexander,  m.  Janet  Gambel,  dau.  of  "Wm.  and  Elizabeth,  1760- 

Janet,  m.  John  Dickey,  son  of  David  and  Isabella,  Feb.  26, 1760. 
David  Starret  sold  the  place  to  Isaac  Huse,  about  1780,  and  went 
to  Frances  town. 

iMiCHAEL  McClexto  had  a  daughter  JS^ancy.  He  used  to  buy 
thread  and  perhaps  fine  linen  cloth,  and  he  and  his  daughter 
would  take  each  a  pack,  and  carry  it  to  Boston  to  sell,  taking 
from  four  to  six  days,  and  sometimes  netting  them  three  pounds. 

Nancy  m.  Alexander  Arvrin,  who  had  a  hut  near  the  river, 
further  down,  and  was  famous  for  telling  fortunes.  It  is  said 
that  Arwin  would  take  a  bag  of  ashes  on  a  handsled,  and  go 
down  to  Dea.  Pinkerton's  to  replenish  liis  stock  of  rum  and  tobac- 
co.   The  McClentos  signed  the  petition  for  soldiers  in  1748. 

McCLALLOX. 

JoHX  McClallon  is  named  in  1751  in  the  return  of  a  road,  and 
Joseph  in  1765,  in  an  alteration.  They  were  probably  father  and 
son,  and  lived  on  Xo.  13,  2d  P.  2d  D.,  on  the  road  to  the  Branch, 
below  the  Locke  house  (Dennis's),  near  where  Pollard's  steam 
mill  now  is.  Joseph  had  a  dau.  Sallj-,  m.  Capt.  Abraham  Towle, 
d.  1814. 

McCLUKE. 

Ja^ies  McClure  of  Loudouden-y  bought  Add.  lot  Xo.  109,  in 
1736,  and  settled  on  it  on  the  road  from  Wilbur's  to  the  Locke 
place.  n  1747  an  inquest  was  hel  1  on  Ms  body;  verdict,  death 
by  misfortune  (killed  by  felling  a  tree) . 

David  McClure,  it  is  said  by  Eaton's  History  of  Candia,  p.  89, 
came  from  Edinburgh,  or  vicinity,  about  1720.  His  marriage  to 
M  xi\\Vi  Glen  (sister  to  Thomas)  "  ten  years  after,  on  the  11th  of 
June,  was  the  first  imptial  ceremony  performed  by  the  Eev.  Dr. 
Morehead,  after  his  ordination  as  Pastor  of  the  first  Presbyterian, 
now  Federal  Street  church  [Boston] .    Most  of  the  children  were 


560 


HISTORY    OF   CHESTER. 


there  born  and  baptized."  May  17,  1744,  be  purchased  tlie  west 
half  of  No.  17,  2d  P.  2d  D.,  and  built  a  house  some  distance  west 
of  the  present  house  where  Frederick  "Wason  now  lives,  there  then 
being  no  road  laid  out.  After  John  Knowles  i^urchased,  he  moved 
it  to  the  present  location  and  it  is  in  the  present  house.  In  1748  he 
and  lus  son  David  signed  the  petition  for  soldiers  to  defend  them 
from  the  Indians.  It  is  said  that  the  wife  was  a  very  energetic 
and  courageous  woman ;  that  when  an  attack  from  the  Indians 
was  expected,  and  the  men  absent,  she  stood  sentry,  gun  in  band, 
and  the  Indians  came,  but  left  without  making  an  attack.  He 
sold  bis  place  to  John  Knowles,  Jr.,  of  Rye,  jSTov.  22,  1749,  and 
bought  No.  30,  2d  P.  2d  D.  He  built  a  log  house  near  the  centre 
of  the  lot.  In  1753  he  deeded  the  north  half  of  his  lot  to  his  son 
David,  who  sold  to  Thos.  Patten.  It  has  been  supposed  that  he 
was  the  lirst  settler  in  Candia,  but  it  is  doubtful  whether  AVilliam 
Turner  was  not  earlier.  He  perished  in  a  snow  storm  in  return- 
ing from  a  visit  to  a  daughter  in  Raymond.  Administration  on 
his  estate,  May,  17G2.  Cbil. : — David;  James;  Martha,  m.  James 
!Miller;  Mary,  m.  Thomas  Patten,  1752,  d.  1815. 


'     1 


McDUFFEE. 

Daniel  McDuffee  was  one  of  the  original  grantees  of  Lon- 
donderry and  in  the  settlement  of  the  Province  line  in  1741,  there 
was  said  to  be  cut  off  from  Haverhill,  Daniel  Mackafee,  Hugh 
Macaffee  and  John  Macaffee ;  the  two  latter  were  sons  of  the 
former.  ' ' .  ^  ,/  1    <f  >  ?/.* 

Daniel  lived  on  the  Daniel  Kimball  place  in  Dferry,  and  was  a 
blacksmith.  He  and  his  wife,  Ruth,  came  from  Ireland.  In  1748 
he  gave  to  his  son  John  half  of  his  farm  "joining  Rev.  David 
McGregor's,"  but  it  is  said  that  John  and  his  brother  Daniel  after- 
wards went  to  Bradford,  Vermont.  In  1737  Daniel  bought  No. 
89,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and  in  1741  was  taxed  for  a  mill.  It  was  a  corn- 
mill,  and  stood  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  lot.  In  1741 
he  gave  his  "dear  brother  Archibald"  one-half  of  the  lot;  and 
his  name  was  on  the  inventory  of  that  year.  He  lived  where 
Thomas  Fowler  lived,  and  notliing  further  is  known  of  him.  In 
1744  he  gave  to  his  son  Hugh,  as  Ins  portion  of  his  estate,  all  that 
part  of  No.  89,  west  of  the  brook  and  meadows;  together  with 
his  corn-mill,  reser\nng  the  right  to  build  a  saw-mill  there  if  he 
chose,  which  probably  was  never  done.  The  deed  was  witnessed 
hy  Samuel  Macaffee.    Children:  — 

I.  JIuyh  had: — 

1.  John,  who  once  owned  the  Manter  mill  in  Londonderry,  but 
fell  through  a  j)lace  for  turning  the  runner  in  the  Chester  mill, 
and  broke  his  neck. 


GENEALOGY — MCDUFFEE.  561 

2.  James,  lived  on  the  homestead  and  had  Hazen,  Thomas,  John, 
and  Martha,  who  m.  Dudley  C.  Sweate.    He  d.  1804. 

3.  Betty,  m.  Samuel  Shirley,  d.  1843,  a.  80. 

4.  Anna,  non  compos,  and  was  a  long  time  a  pauper.  Hugh  d. 
April,  1802. 

II.  JIansfield,  served  in  tlie  Revolutionary  army,  and  after  his 
return  m.  Sarah  Coburn,  the  wid.  of  Thomas  Currier,  in  1787, 
and  lived  on  Xo.  88,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  Daniel  Ball  lately  lived. 
They  had  no  children,  but  made  Eben  Currier  his  heir.  He  d. 
April,  1815;  she  "d.  1835,  a.  105.  Wheu  nearly  or  quite  100  years 
old  she  would  walk  from  her  sou's,  near  Hooksett  line,  to  her 
daughter-in-law's,  near  the  "Worthcn  saw-mill,  eleven  miles  in  a 
day.  On  one  occasion  a  person  invited  her  to  ride ;  she  replied 
that  she  could  not  stop,  and  kept  on  her  course. 

In  1740  Daniel  McDuffee  bought  of  the  proprietors  for  twenty- 
six  pounds,  bills  of  credit,  the  east  half  of  lot  Xo.  88,  2d  P..  2d  D., 
on  which  he  settled  his  son, — 

III.  Archibald,  who  lived  near  the  northeast  corner  where 
Thomas  Goldsmith  now  lives.  He  m.  Sarah  Emerson  of  Derry- 
field.  He  d.  Feb.  23,  1830,  a.  94;  Sarah  d.  Dec.  29,  1818.  a.  77. 
Children :  — 

1.  Daniel,  m.  Ann,  duu.  of  Samuel  Shirley,  and  lived  the  last 
of  his  dajs  ou  lot  Xo.  91,  4th  D.,  on  Tower  Hill  in  Candia ;  had 
five  sons,  Hazeu,  Samuel,  Archi.,  Daniel  and  David.  He  d. 
April  5,  1855,  a.  84*  years  and  6  mouths;    she  d.  Xov.  29,  1860, 

a.  85. 

2.  Archibald,  b.  April  13,  1771,  d.  Xov.  14.  1855;  m.  Sarah, 
dau.  of  Stei)hen  Merril,  Sept.  8,  1803;  she  b.  Dec.  6,  1785;  d. 
Sept.  29,  1856.     They  lived  on  the  homestead.     Children:  — 

Almira,  b.  Sept.  26,  1805.  m.  Rufus  Forsaith  ;  d.  1839  ;     Ilira  ra, 

b.  1807,  m.  Mary  Ann  Wallace,  d.  1856;  Mahala,  b.  18u9,  d. 
1827;  Esther,  b.  Aug.  23,  1811,  m.  Thomas  Goldsmith,  Hves  on 
the  homestead;  they  have  a  sou  Charles  Almond,  b.  June  29, 
1846.  now,  1868,  an  undergraduate  of  the  Med.  Dep.  Harvard 
University;  Amos,  d.  1832;  Mary  Jane,  d.  1847;  Susan,  d. 
1839;  Stephen  Merril,  b.  Dec.  19,  1820,  m.  Hepsibah  Pijigree; 
Harriet,  b.  Xov.  20,  1825,  m.  Xathau  Goldsmith. 

3.  Charles,  settled  in  Cabot,  Vt. 

Archibald  had  six  daughters:  Susa,  ra.  James  Shirley.  Sarah, 
m.  a  Clark.  Euth,  m.  Xathl.  W.,  son  of  Joseph  Linn.  Xaomi, 
m.  Edward  P.  Whiddcn  of  Auburn.  Polly,  m.  McMurphy.  Betsy, 
m.  John,  sou  of  James  Aiken,  and  a  Hazelton  of  Manchester. 

D.A^viEL,  Sen.,  had  a  dau.  Ruth,  m.  William  Brown,  one  of  the 
brothers  who  settled  near  Suncook. 

36 


562  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


McFARLAND. 

Daniel  McFarland  in  1738  bought  Add.  No,  128,  and  a  ten- 
acre  amendment  on  whicli  he  settled.  His  will  was  proved  in 
1761.  Chil.:  —  Samuel,  Isabel,  Elizabeth,  Hannah  and  Jerusha. 
Since  owned  by  Anthony  Morse,  Peter  Hills  and  G.  W.  Hook. 

Andrew  McFarland  bought  of  Moses  Tyler  70  acres  with 
buildings,  on  the  road  from  No.  2  school-house  in  Auburn  to  the 
Congregational  church,  lately  owned  by  John  Cross.     Children: — 

Jesse  and  John,  once  owned  the  Dca.  Currier  place.  No.  123, 
2d  P.,  2d  D. 

Mioses,  liad  a  daughter  who  had  her  arm  torn  off  bj^  cider-mill 
nuts,  Oct.  12,  1785. 

James,  lived  on  the  northeast  end  of  the  70  acres;  m.  wid.  Ben- 
son; had  Andrew,  b.  1780,  d.  1814. 

"Walter  McFarlaxd  probably  lived  in  the  east  part  of  Lon- 
donderry, being  one  Avho  was  cut  off  from  Haverhill  in  1741,  He 
bought  of  Samuel  Emerson  No.  16,  4th  D,  April,  1747,  and  prob- 
ably settled  on  it  (lately  the  Hunt  place).  He  was  a  petitioner 
for  soldiers  in  1748.  His  estate  was  settled  by  John  Hall  in  1748. 
Chil.:  —  Martha,  Margaret  and  Joseph.  It  is  said  that  Nathan 
Boid  afterwards  lived  there. 

There  was  a  James  McFarland  who  came  from  Scotland,  who 
was  called  the  fiddler  and  weaver;  lived  at  the  Long  Meadows ; 
first  at  the  Dug  Hill,  between  Anderson's  and  Severance's;  then 
on  the  lUO-acre  school-lot,  near  where  Richard  S.  Clark  now 
lives.     Went  to  Ilyegate,  Vt. 

McFERSON— McFARTEN. 

In  the  settlement  of  the  Province  line,  in  1741,  Paul  Macfarten 
and  James  Macfarten  were  cut  off  from  Haverhill.  Paul  Mc- 
Fersox  owned  Add.  lots  No,  8  and  9.  His  name  is  on  the  Pres- 
byterian protest,  Nov.  6,  1735;  in  1741  a  road  was  laid  out  at  his 
I'equest  on  the  west  side  of  No.  9.  In  1742  he  gave  his  son  James 
36  acres  at  the  north  end  of  these  lots,  and  bounded  it  on  John 
Webster  (lot  No.  7),  and  on  4  acres  sold  to  "William  Turner. 
James  m.  Mary  McNiel,  and  moved  to  New  Boston,  and  had  a 
EOn  AYilliam,  b.  1774,  grad.  Dart.  1797,  and  was  a  physician.  In 
1748  Paul  deeded  to  Samuel  McFerson  the  south  end  of  these  lots, 
with  half  the  orchard  and  half  the  buildings. 

In  the  will  of  AYilliam  McFerson,  of  Londonderry,  dated  1743, 
James  McFerson,  of  Chester,  and  Samuel,  and  Elizabeth  Young, 
are  legatees,    James  lived  on  Add.  lot  No.  18,  back  southwest  of 


GENEALOGY  —  MCKINLEY.  563 

"where  Mr.  Cooledg-e  now  lives,  and  the  place  "was  afterwards 
owned  by  Simeon  Currier.  In  the  inventory  of  Goffstown  for 
1772,  are  the  names  of  James  Ferson  and  James  Ferson,  Jr. 

McGEE.    • 

Thomas  McGee  was  b.  in  Ireland.  He  first  came  to  London- 
derry, and  was  a  weaver.  In  1735  he  bought  of  James  Wilson 
of  Chester,  the  soutliwest  half  of  Add.  No.  14,  with  the  privi- 
lege of  passing  on  Wilson's  half  by  Eobert  Mills'  land,  to  the 
highway.  Robert  Mills'  wife  was  his  sister.  About  1745  he  re- 
moved to  Colerain,  Mass.  This  land,  with  the  north  end  of  the 
lot,  was  sold  by  Adam  Morril  to  Hugh  Shirley,  in  1790,  and  is  a 
part  of  the  town  farm. 

McMASTER. 

WrLLiAM  and  Thomas  McMaster  settled  on  No.  101,  2d  P.,  2d 
D.,  in  the  Neck  of  the  Pond;  William  where  Joseph  Bx-own  now 
lives;  and  Thomas  where  Charles  SpofTord  now  lives.  It  is  not 
known  that  William  had  any  children.  Thomas  had  a  son  Thomas, 
who  lived  a  bachelor  on  the  homestead,  d.  1822,  a.  72. 

McMURPHY. 

Alexander  McMuRrnv,  of  Londonderry,  m.  Isabel,  dau.  of 
William  and  Jane  Craige,  of  Chester.    Children :  — 

1.  J(:n»e.*^,  brought  up  by  his  grandfather«Craige,  m.  Margaret, 
dau.  of  James  Gi*aham,  lived  where  the  Huntings  now  live,  in 
Auburn,  and  in  the  Neck  where  Franklin  Brown  lives. 

2.  Jane,  m.  (1)  James  Graham;  (2)  Samuel  Crombie. 

McKINLEY. 

John  McKinlcy  m.  Ann  Craige,  a  sister  of  Eobert,  and  came 
over  with  the  Craiges,  and  stopped  in  Boston,  where  Egbert 
was  born,  in  1787.  At  ten  years  of  age  Eobert  came  to  Chester 
to  live  with  his  nncle,  who  made  him  his  heir.  He  m.  Sarah 
Harriman,  dau.  of  Jazael.    Their  children  were,  — 

1.  Margaret,  m.  Oliver  Hill  and  lived  in  Belfast,  Maine,  and 
they  were  lost  at  sea. 

2.  John,  m.  Dolly  Johnson,  lived  at  Belfast. 

3.  Thomas,  d.  at  sea. 

4.  Ann,  b.  1785,  m.  James  Badger,  who  was  lost  at  sea.  She  is 
aUve,  1869. 

5.  Blary,  m.  Elisha  Cole,  Southbridge,  Mass. 

6.  SaJhj,  b.  May  6,  1789,  m.  David  Abbot,  lived  at  Hooksett, 
Chester,  and  Windham ;  d.  Jan.  30,  1869. 

7.  Elizabeth,  m.  Amos  Adams,  went  west. 


564  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

8.  Jane  O.,  m.  Elisha  Andrews,  went  to  Louisiana,  d.  Sept., 
1868. 

9.  liobert,  h.  April  22,  1790,  m.  Grace  Smith  1827,  lived  on  the 
homestead;  d.  Aug.  11,  1845. 

His  sons  live  in  Auburn.  Robei't,  Son.,  d.  Aug.  27,  1830,  a.  93. 
Sarah,  his  wife,  d.  Dec.  19,  1815,  a.  91. 

MELVIN. 

Patuick  Melvin's  name  first  appears  on  the  records  as  signer 
of  the  Presbyterian  protest  of  June  10,  1735,  thougli  probably  he 
was  in  town  earlier.  He  settled  on  II.  L.  No.  29.  His  wife  was 
Mary.  His  will  Avas  proved  April  28,  1759.  The  legatees  were 
his  wife*  Mary,  Benjamin,  Abraham,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  John,  and 
Jane.  The  widow  was  a  remarkably  smart  woman,  and  kept 
house  for  Dea.  Matthew  Forsaith,  and  had  a  legacy  in  his  will. 
She  d.  Oct.  1,  1795.     Children  :— 

I.  Benjamin,  b.  Dec.  9,  1733,  m.  Mehitabel,  dau.  of  Samuel 
Bradley  (who  was  killed  by  the  Indians  at  Concord,  Aug.  11, 
1746),  July  13,  1762.  She  was  b.  Dec.  27,  1745.  The  widow  of 
Mr.  Bradley  m.  Kobcrt  Calfe,  of  Chester.  Benjamin  Melvin  d. 
Dec.  29,  1802.  The  widow  m.  Dea.  John  S.  Dearborn;  d.  Feb. 
14,  1825.     Children  :— 

1.  Anna,  b.  March  27,  1763,  m.  Lieut.  Josiah  Underhill,  1784, 
d.  March  17,  1847. 

2.  Samuel,  b.  1765,  went  to  Me. 

3.  Sarah,  b.  Sept.  20,  1767,  m.  James  Orr,  d.  March  29,  1861. 

4.  Polly,  b.  1770,  m.  Tarlton,  d.  1824. 

5.  Benjamin,  b.  1773,  m.  Betty,  or  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Abraham 
Sargent,  went  to  Me. 

6.  Jolm,  b.  Jan.  8,  1776,  m.  Susannah,  dau.  of  Abraham  Sar- 
gent, Nov.  13,  1800;  lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  June  11,  1814. 
The  wid.  m.  Richard,  son  of  Jona.  Dearborn,  d.  1868.  Chil. : — 
Luther,  b.  1801;  JolmF.;  Lydia  R.,  m.  David  Currier;  Thomas 
J.,  b.  April  11,  1808,  m.  Harriet  Tenney,  had  a  son,  Charles  T., 
grad.  at  Dartmouth,  1856.     (See  Graduates.) 

7.  Josiah,  b.  June  28,  1778,  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Joseph  Blanchard, 
Esq.,  and  lived  in  Chester  and  Maine. 

8.  Mehitabel,  b.  April  14,  1781;  m.  Hon.  John  Folsom;  d. 
March  23,  1824. 

9.  William,  b.  1783;  went  south. 

10.  Richard,  b.  Feb.  14,  1786;  m.  Ann,  dau.  of  David  Patten, 
1825;  she  d.  Aug.  15,  1842;  m.  (2)  Jane  D.  Carr,  Feb.  2,  1843; 
lives  at  Derry  village.    No  children  alive. 


GENEALOGY  —  MILLER.  565 

n.  Abraham  Melvin,  went  to  Weave.    Nothing  is  known  of 
him. 
III.   Elizabeth. 
JV.  John,  went  to  Maine. 

V.  3Ianj,  b.  1745;  ni.  (1)  David,  son  of  AYilliam  White,  Sen.; 
m.  (2)  Stephen  Merril;  cl.  July  13,  1833. 

VI.  Jane,  b.  1747 ;  m.  James,  son  of  Thomas  Wason,  Sen. 

MEREIL. 

Amos  Merril  came  from  Newbuiy ;  was  a  bachelor ;  lived  the 
last  of  Ills  days  with  Edmund  Sleeper;  d.  1824,  a.  93. 

Stephen  Merril  was  brother  of  Amos.  In  1768  he  bought  of 
Andrew  McFarland  50  acres  of  the  Tyler  land  at  the  Long  Mead- 
ows,    lie  m.  a  sister  of  Barnard  Bricket.     Cliildren:  — 

1.  Barnard,  lived  in  Chester.  2.  Hannah,  m.  a  Bartlett  and 
went  to  Sanbornton.  3.  Mary,  m.  John,  son  of  Edward  Prescott; 
were  parents  of  Capt.  John,  of  Hooksett,  and  Mary,  b.  1793,  m. 
Edward  Robie.  4.  Nelly,  m.  Nathl.,  son  of  Nathl.  Hall;  went  to 
Goshen. 

He   m.   (2)  Mary  Melvin,   wid.  of  David  White.     Had:  — 

5.  Sarah,  m.  Arclii.  McDuffee,  Jr.  He  d.  1822,  a.  86.  Mary  d. 
1833. 

Thomas  Merril  was  from  Cambridge;  was  a  painter;  m.  Mary 
Clark,  dan.  of  Joseph  Clark,  and  lived  on  the  Clark  place  where 
G.  W.  Chase  now  lives;  d.  1808. 

MILLER. 

There  was  a  Miller,  probably  Robert,  who  ra,  Elizabeth,  sis- 
ter of  Thomas  Glen  and  also  sister  of  David  McClnre's  wife. 
They  had  one  son,  James.  Robert  d.  and  the  wid.  m.  William 
Gilchrist,  who  in  1752  gave  to  his  son-in-law  (step-son)  James 
Miller  of  Chester,  a  "  tract  in  a  new  plantation,  the  west  side  of 
the  Great  River,  called  Goflfstown."  James  m.  Martha,  dau.  of 
David  McClure,  and  settled  on  the  above  tract;  and  afterwards 
sold  to  Dea.  Thomas  Sliirley  and  Alexander  Gilchrist,  who  lived 
there;  he  went  to  Candia  to  live  with  his  father  McClure.  Chil- 
dren: — William,  Samuel,  Thomas,  Josiah,  Matty,  and  Joanna,  m. 
Joseph  Abbott. 

Archibald  Miller  in  1747  bought  No.  81,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and 
settled  on  it,  where  Samuel  Anderson  now  lives.  March,  1754, 
the  widow,  Mary,  and  Andrew  Craige  were  appointed  adminis- 
trators. The  wid.  m.  John  Shirley.  Children: — William,  James 
and  Hugh,  and  perhaps  others.    They  sold  to  Thomas  Anderson. 


566  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


MILLS. 

John  Mills  came  from  Ireland,  and  was  iu  Haverhill  in  1733. 
In  1734  lie  bouglit  half  of  Add.  No.  19,  west  of  where  Mr.  Cool- 
edge  now  lives.  He  was  there  in  1740,  when  the  road  was  laid 
out,  but  afterwards  moved  to  Colerain,  Mass.,  and  was  killed  by 
the  Indians  soou  after. 

Egbert  Mills  was  a  brother  of  John,  and  probably  came  to 
Chester  about  the  same  time,  and  bought  of  liichard  Ilaseltine 
his  Add.  lot  No.  15,  on  which  he  settled.  He  was  married  before 
he  came  from  Ireland,  and  had  a  son  John,  who  lived  on  Add. 
No.  51,  where  John  Smith  first  settled,  and  he  lived  there  in  1756, 
when  the  road  was  laid  out.  There  was  a  John  Jlills,  probably 
the  same  man  who  bought  Dr.  Samuel  Brown's  place.  Add.  lot 
No.  17,  m.  Susan  Ferren.  Children: — John,  Thomas,  James 
and  Mary.  Thomas  m.  a  Stinson;  he  d.  1804;  the  wid.  m.  Peter 
Abbott;  d.  about  1831. 

Robert  m.  (2)  Jane  McGee,  sister  to  Thomas;  d.  17G2,  a.  80. 
Children :  — 

I.  David,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  AVilliam  Wilson,  Jr.;  lived  on 
the  homestead ;  had :  ^  1.  Robert ;  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Robert  Gra- 
ham. 2.  Jesse,  m.  Nancy  Graham  and  lived  on  the  homestead. 
3.  Peter,  went  to  Conn.  4.  Hugh,  m.  a  Dodge  and  lives  in  Derry 
Peak.  5.  Stephen,  d.  unm.  6.  Marv,  m.  Reuben  Heath  and 
went  to  Pembi-oke.  7.  Asenath,  m.  Simon  M.  Sanborn  of  Ches- 
ter.    David  Mills  d.  April  21,  1802. 

Robert  Mills  also  had :  — 

II.  Jonathan,  went  to  Colerain ;  thence  to  New  York. 

III.  Jfary,  m.  Col.  William  White;  d.  Dec.  24,  1780,  a.  43. 

IV.  Martha,  m.  John  Sweetser  of  Deering. 

V.  Jane,  ni.  James  Wilson  of  Colerain. 

VI.  VU.  VIII.  Robert,  James  and  Joseph,  went  to  Deering. 
IX.  William,  m.  Ann,  only  dau.  of  Rev.  John  Wilson,  and 

lived  on  Mr.  Wilson's  place ;  d.  March  19, 1840,  a.  94.  Children : — 
Joseph,  m.  Hannah  Greenough;  Benjamin,  m.  Jane,  dau.  of  Lt. 
William  Wilson. 

MORSE.  . 

There  were  seven  men  by  the  name  of  Morse,  who  came  from 
England  to  America. 

Axthony  Morse  was  b.  at  Marlborough,  Wiltshire,  England, 
May  9,  1606;  emigrated  to  this  country  and  settled  at  Newbury, 
1635,  and  d.  there  Oct.  12,  1686.  He  had  10  children;  the  second, 
Dea.  Benjamin,  b.  March,  1640,  m.  Ruth  Sawyer,  and  had  11 
children;  the  oldest  BENJA]MIN,  b.  Aug.  24  1686,  m.  Susannah, 


GENEALOGY  —  MORSE.  56T 

dau.  of  Abel  Merril,  and  granddaughter  of  Aquila  Chase,  and 
had  nine  children,  the  oldest  of  whom,  Capt.  ABEL,  b.  Oct.  5, 
1692,  m.  Grace  Parker  of  Bradford,  17 U.  He  d.  April  20,  17G3; 
she  d.  1755.  His  will  dated  Dec.  5,  17(50.  Among  the  legatees 
are  grandchildren,  Ezekiel  and  Edna  Stevens,  children  of  Abel. 
Ezekiel  lived  on  north  end  of  No.  129,  O.  H.,  near  where  John 
Harden  now  lives. 

ABEL  MORSE  of  Newbury  bonght  of  [John  Karr  Add.  lots 
Nos.  20  and  21,  where  Amos  Morse  lately  lived,  Jan.  18, 1743.  He 
soon  after  bought  the  other  side  of  the  I'oad,  Nos.  22  and  23,  with 
the  mills.  He  was  the  first  representative  admitted  into  the  Genl. 
Ass.,  in  1748.     He  had  the  title  of  Capt.  in  174G.     Children  :— 

I.  Parkek,  b.  April  20,  1715,  graduated  at  Harvard,  1734,  m. 
Haiuiah  Huse ;  was  a  physician  at  Woodstock,  Conn. 

n.  Abel,  b.  March  13,  1717,  went  to  Sutton,  Mass. 

HI.  Nathan,  b.  June  12,  1719,  settled  on  Add.  lot.  No.  85,  on 
the  North  Pond  road  (the  Caniet  place),  went  toMoultonborough. 

IV.  JosiAn,  b.  1721,  m.    Mary,  dau.  of  Joseph  Chase,  sister  of 
Jacob  and  Moody,  and  lived  on  Add.  No.  21,  d.  Feb.  8,  1795;  she 
d.  July  18,  1815.' 

V.  Stepiiex,  b.  Feb.  15,  1724,  m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  Capt.  Samuel 
Ingalls ;  lived  on  the  N.  E.  end  of  Add.  No.  21 ;  d.  March  6,  1807 ; 
she  d.  May,  1806. 

VI.  Rebecca,  b.  1726. 

VII.  ELEANOK.b.  1728,  m.  Dea.  Benjamin  Hills,  d.  Jan.  14,1814. 

VIII.  Oliver,  b.  1730,  m.  Elizabeth  Eaton,  1760,  lived  on  the 
homestead.  Chil.: — Elizabeth,  Rebecca,  James,  True,  Perley  and 
Sarah.  He  d.  1770;  the  wid.  m.  Taylor  Little,  and  went  to  New 
Boston,  and  some  of  the  children  settled  there.  She  had  two 
daughters.  Hannah  Little  m.  Capt.  Isaac  Dinsmore,  and  lived 
on  the  Morse  place.  Little  and  wife  d.  there ;  she  d.  Sept.  22, 
1821,  a.  82. 

IX.  Abraham,  b.  1733,  m.  Sarah  Woodman,  June  2, 1763;  lived 
in  different  places  in  Chester;  she  d.  1828,  a.  98;  he  d.  1807. 
Children : — 

David;  Sarah,  .b.  1767;  Pliineas;  Betty,  b.  1771,  d.  Oct  16, 
1862;  Ednab.  1774,  d.  1856.     All  unmarried. 

Capt.  ABEL  m.  (2)  Sarah  Kimball,  Sept.  29,  1757. 

X.  SusAXNA,  b.  1763,  m.  Capt.  Amos  Emerson. 

IV.  Issue  of  JosiAH  and  Mary: — 

1.  Mary,  b.  May  31,  1745,  m.  Dea.  John,  son  of  Samuel  Hills. 

2.  Josiah,  b.  Oct.  17,  1747,  m.  (1)  Lois  Webster,  1773;  m.  (2) 
Sarah,  dah.  of  Joseph  Knowles,  1796.  He  d.  July  9,  1812;  she  d. 
July  9,  1850,  a.  84  y.  9  m.  He  built  the  house  where  Daniel 
Greenough  formerly  and  Enoch  Long  lately  lived.    Children: — 


568  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Josiah;  Edward;  Asa;  Martha;  John,l).  March  IG,  1797.  m.  Judith 
Hardy,  d.  Noa\  1851;  she  d.  Dec.  6,  1861;  Eliza,  b.  1788,  m- 
Nathl.  French  1818;  Sarah,  d.  v.;  Hazen,  b.  Oct.  23,  1803,  m. 
Hunkins  and  Nancy  Norton,  d.  at  Chester. 

3.  Anna,  b.  July  26,  1749,  m.  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel  Hills, 
went  to  Sandwich. 

4.  Parker,  b.  Nov.  16,  1751,  wont  to  Decring. 

6.  Joseph,  b.  May  12,  1753,  m.  Mary  Randal,  lived  on  H.  L.  114, 
where  John  Rowel  and  Pearson  Richardson  had  lived,  d.  Dec.  27, 
1811 ;  she  d.  Feb.  8,  1831,  a.  80.     Children :  — 

1.  Molly,  b.  Sept.  4,  1776,  m.  Joshua  Hall,  d.  1856. 

2.  Rachael,  b.  1778,  m.  Graham  of  Concord. 

3.  Hannah,  b.  1781,  m.  Nathan  Fitts. 

4.  Lucy,  b.  Jan.  5,  1783,  unni.,  alive  1869. 

5.  Joseph,  b.  1784,  m.  Phebe  D.  West. 

6.  Oliver,  d.  y. 

7.  Levi,  1787,  Salem,  Mass. 

8.  Walter,  b.  April  10,  1789,  m.  Edna  Davis,  1812,  lived  on  the 
homestead,  d.  March  14,  1865. 

9.  Edmund,  b.  1792,  m.  Clarissa  Blake. 

G.  Amos,  m.  Hannah  Blaisdell,  1780,  lived  on  the  homestead. 
Children : — 

1.  Richard,  b.  1781,  m.  Mehitabel  Piper,  d.  1846. 

2.  Sarah,  b.  1784,  m.  Jona.  Dearborn,  d.  1861. 

3.  Josiah,  b.  1786,  m.  Lydia  Shannon,  d.  1858. 

4.  Mary,  b.  1788,  m.  Daniel  Carleton,  alive  1869. 

5.  Abigail,  b.  1790,  m.  Eliphalet  Sargent,  d.  1846. 

G.  Elizabeth,  b.  1792,  m.  Luther  AVaterman,  d.  1865.  Hannah 
d.  Feb.  6,  1795.    Amos  m.  (2)  Judith  (Worth)  Kelly,  1796. 

7.  Amos,  b.  1796,  m.  Abigail  Rogers,  lived  on  the  homestead. 

8.  Oliver,  b.  1799. 

9.  Judith,  b.  1802,  unm. 

10.  Parker,  b,  1807,  m.  Mary  Jenncss,  lives  on  H.  L.  68,  tlie  Ben. 
Haselton  place. 

V.  Issue  of  Stephen,  son  of  Capt.  Abel  and  Abigail  Ingalls:  — 

1.  Samuel,  b.  July  30,  1750,  d.  1848,  at  Plymouth,  N.  H. 

2.  Abigail,  b.  Oct.  8,  1752,  d.  unm.,  1830. 

3.  Gilbert,  b.  Nov.  8,  1754,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Wiliiara  Bell; 
built  the  house  which  has  been  the  Congregational  parsonage. 

4.  Jonathan,  b.  March  3,  1757,  d.  March  3,  1840,  at  Haverhill, 
N.  H. 

5.  Theodore,  b.  July  27, 1759,  d.  Feb.,  1829,  at  Springfield,  N.  H. 

6.  Ebenezer,  b.  Nov.  18,  1761,  d.  Dec.  12,  1820,  at  Kingston, 
N.  H. 

7.  Stephen,  b.  March  13, 1764,  m.  Susan  Parker,  d.  at  Dracut. 

8.  Adah,  b.  March  22,  1766,  d.  unm. 


GENEALOGY  —  MOORE.  569 

9.  Isaac,  b.  N'ov.  26,  1769,  m.  Xancy,  dau.  of  Stephen  Wovtben, 
lived  on  the  homestead,  d.  June  29,  1859. 

10.  Peter,  b.  Dec.  8,  1771,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Jona.  Brown,  of 
Poplin;  lived  at  Poplin  and  Chester;  d.  1863. 

AxTHOXY  Morse  came  from  ZSTewbury,  m.  a  Platts,  sister  of 
Jacob  Hills'  wife,  had  dau.  Hannah,  m.  Moses,  son  of  Jacob  Hills. 
He  lived  where  Daniel  McFarland  formerly  lived,  where  Peter 
Hills  and  G.  W.  Hook  have  lived;  went  to  N'orthtield,  N.  H. 

M  O  O  Pt  E . 

John  Moore  and  Charles  Moore  came  from  Ireland  together^ 
John  Moore  of  Londonderry  bought  Gov.  Wentworth's  farm 
of  fifty  acres,  in  1738,  but  he  settled  on  the  east  end  of  Add.  lot 
No.  104,     He  m.  Jane  Morrison  in  Ireland.     Children : — 

I.  James,  m.  'Mary,  dau.  of  William  Todd,  lived  near  the 
Branch  on  lot  No.  45,  O.  H. ;  d.  a  youug  man.  The  widow  m. 
Kobert  Wallace  of  Londonderry,  had  James,  John,  b.  about  1785, 
lived  in  Raymond,  and  Robert;  she  d.  1832,  a.  91.     Children: — 

1.  Capt.  William,  m.  Margaret,  dau.  of  Capt.  William  Locke, 
lived  on  Add.  102,  on  the  Caleb  Richardson  place.  He  d.  Oct.  31, 
1810,  a.  78;  she  d.  March  29,  1844. 

2.  Robert,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  William  Todd,  Jr.,  lived  on  the 
homestead;  he  d.  Jan.,  1804;  she  d.  Nov.,  1856,  a.  84. 

3.  James,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  AVilliam  Todd,  Jr.,  lived  at  Free- 
port,  Me.;  he  d.  March,  1797.  The  widow  m.  Robert  Withers- 
poon,  d.  at  Auburn,  1852,  a.  78. 

11.  John,  m.  a  dau.  of  Andrew  Jack,  lived  in  Candia,  on  lot 
No.  73,  3d  D.;  had  a  son  Andrew,  b.  1776,  who  m.  Ruth,  dau.  of 
Thomas  Patten,  d.  a.  69.  John  was  killed  in  the  army,  1778;  the 
wid.  m.  Sam.  Scribuer. 

III.  Major  Henry,  lived  unmarried  on  the  homestead,  d.  1801, 
a.  73. 

IV.  Charles,  m.  Molly  Whittier,  lived  on  Gov.  Shute's  farm,  on 
the  N.  Pond  road,  where  Samuel  M.  Edwards  now  lives,  d.  1811; 
she  d.  about  1830.     Children  :— 

1.  James,  m.  Nancy  Young,  dau.  of  Eben  Basford's  wife,  lived 
in  different  places  in  Chester,  d.  at  Exeter,  Feb.  1827. 

2.  Josiah,  m.  Dolly,  dau.  of  Capt.  William  Locke,  lived  on  the 
homestead,  d.  1821;  the  wid.  m.  Thomas  Shannon,  alive  1869. 

3.  Reuben. 

4.  Robert. 

5.  John,  m.  Susan  Robie,  went  to  Belfast,  Me. 

6.  Henry,  killed  in  the  army. 

John  Moore  had  two  daughters,  Peggy  and  Holly,  unm. ;  Molly 
d.  1808.    He  d,  1777 ;  she  d.  Oct.  5,  17S6. 


570  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Charles  Moore  was  a  younger  brotlier  of  John;  m.  Jane,  dau. 
of  AVilliara  Wilson,  Sen.;  bought  lot  Xo.  5,  2d  P.  2d  D.,  settled 
ou  the  West  end  on  the  road  across  from  John  Moore's  by  Locke's 
toMcClellan's;  d.  1799.    Children:  — 

I.  Lt.  William,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Robert  Wilson,  Esq.,  settled 
on  the  E.  end  of  homestead,  where  Daniel  Sanborn  now  lives;  d. 
about  1803;  she  d.  Dec.  1819.     Chil.:— 1.  Ira.    2.  Betsy,  m.  a 
Kimball.    3.  Susannah,    4.  Polly.    5.  Cyrus,  m.  Polly,  dau.  of 
Capt.  Ezekiel  Blake.    6.  Alice,  m.  Benj.  Poor.    7.  Anna. 

II.  Joshua,  m.  Jean,  dau.  of  Thomas  Patten,  lived  in  Candia, 
on  127,  3d  D.,  d.  1810.     Ills  son  Seldcu  lives  on  the  homestead. 

Dr.  Coffin  Moore  was  a  native  of  Stratham,  came  to  Candia 
about  1700,  and  was  the  first  physician  there,  and  Avas  said  to 
have  been  skillful.  He  m.  Comfort  Weeks,  of  Greenland.  He 
d.  1768.  The  wid.  m.  Simon  French;  d.  Nov.  1,  18U.  Chil- 
dren:— 

I.   William.    II.  John.    III.  Coffin. 

IV.  Jacob  B.,  m.  Mary,  dau,  of  Ephraim  Eaton,  and  was  a 
physician;  settled  at  Andover,  X.  H.,  and  had: — 

1.  Jacob  B.,  a  partner  with  Isaac  Hill,  in  the  '*X.  H.  Patriot;" 
one  of  the  authors  of*  Moore  and  Farmer's  Gazetteer,  of  N.  H. ;" 
also  of  the  "  X,  H,  Hist,  Coll," 

2.  Henry  E,,  celebrated  as  a  musician. 

3.  Mary,  m.  Dr.  Thomas  Brown. 

4.  Jolm  W.,  once  editor  of  the  "  Bellows  Falls  Gazette." 

V.  Patty,  m.  Dea.  Caleb  Prince. 

VI,  PoUy. 

VII,  Comfort,  m,  Jolm,  son  of  Simon  French. 

Samuel  ;Moores  was  an  early  settler,  and  a  man  of  great  influence 
in  Candia.  lie  lived  at  the  Corner,  on  Xo.  69,  3d  D.  The  name 
is  found  on  records  as  of  Portsmouth,  but  is  said  by  Eaton  to  have 
come  from  Hampstead.  He  m.  Aleliitabel,  dau  of  Capt,  Samuel 
lugalls,  who  was  b,  1723,  being  the  first  white  child  boi'u  in 
Chester,  He  must  have  lived  in  Chester  befoi*e  settling  in 
Candia,  She  Avas  celebrated  as  a  midwife.  He  d,  Oct,  28,  1793; 
she  d,  Api'il  12,  1818,  at  Deerfield,  He  was  always  called  "  Doc- 
tor Moores,"    Children: — 

1.  Peter,  b,  Dec,  13,  1751,  m.  Mary  Varnura;  went  to  Maine, 

2.  David,  b.  1754. 

3.  Samuel,  lived  on  the  homestead;  was  a  major  in  the  militia. 

4.  Timothy.    5.  Nathaniel.    0.  Josiah. 


GENEALOGY — MURRAY.  571 


]M  O  E  K I  L  L  . 

Joseph  Morrill  came  from  Soutli  Hampton;  lived  on  the 
northeast  end  of  Add.  No.  1-i,  and  Thomas  McGee  ou  the  south- 
west end.  He  had  a  son  Adam,  who  sold  the  place  to  Hugh 
Shirley  in  1790,  and  settled  ou  the  north  Pond  road,  on  Gov. 
Shute's  farm,  where  Barnard  P.  Robie  now  lives.    Children : — 

1.  Joseph,  m.  Abigail,  dan,  of  Dea.  Xathl.  French,  and  went 
to  Maine.  2.  Josiah.  3.  Lydia,  m.  Elii^halet  Berry.  4.  Eachael. 
5.  Sarah,  m.  Heath,  of  Boscawen.  6.  Jonathan,  7.  David,  went 
to  Northfield.     8.  Polly,  m.  Heath. 

Joseph,  Sen.,  had  a  dau.  Jane,  m.  Israel  Dolby,  Jr. 

MOULTON. 

Jonathan  Moultox  of  Bradford,  bought  of  James  Norris,  of 
Chester,  three  home  lots,  Nos.  102,  38,  and  113,  in  Jan.,  1741. 
They  lived  on  Xo.  113,  and  it  has  since  been  occupied  by  Josiah 
Bradley,  Joseph  Witherspoou,  Daniel  Hills,  and  now  by  Hiram 
Basford.    He  m.  Sarah.    Cliildren:  — 

1.  Xanne,  b.  1741,  m.  Josiah  Bradley;  lived  on  the  homestead. 

2.  Sarah,  b.  1743,  m.  Jou.athan  Brown  of  Poplin;  d.  March  15. 
1822. 

3.  Betty  or  Elizabeth,  b.  1769,  m.  Suneon  Currier;  d.  April  24, 
1834. 

4.  Abigail,  m.  Jacob  Basford  and  Joua.  Brown;  d.  1841,  a.  88. 
Jona.  Moulton  d.  1771;  his  widow  d.  Feb.  22,  1807. 

MUREAY. 

Sa^hjel  Murray  came  from  Rye  to  Chester  about  1780,  and 
bought  lot  No.  109,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and  a  piece  of  No.  60,  to  enable 
him  to  settle  on  the  road.  He  m,  (1)  Elizabeth  Berry.  Chil- 
dren :  — 

1.  Samuel,  lived  in  Greenland. 

2.  Susannah,  m.  U.  Lamprey;  lived  at  Lunenburg,  Vt.  Sam- 
uel m.  (2)  Hannah  Dalton. 

3.  Elizabeth,  m.  John,  sou  of  John  Carr;  lived  in  Springfield, 
N.  H. 

4.  William,  m.  Mary  Carr;  lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  Dec.  15, 
1851. 

5.  Josiah,  m.  Dolly  Prescott;  lived  in  Hampstead. 

6.  John,  m.  EUzabeth  Pillsbury ;  lived  near  the  homestead.  He 
d.  June  5,  1862,  a.  85;  she  d.  Nov.  2,  1866,  a.  84. 

Samuel  Murray  d.  Jan.  18,  1826,  a.  92.  Hannah  d.  Nov.  30, 
1820,  a.  86. 


572  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


NORTON. 

Joseph  Nokton  came  from  Greeulaiicl;  m,  Elizabeth,  dau.  of 
Samuel  Hills.  Pie  settled  on  the  northeast  end  of  Gov.  Shute's 
farm.  She  d.  of  small-pox  1778.  He  m.  (2)  widow  Molly  Tabor. 
Children :  — 

Lydia,  m.  Daniel,  son  of  Jonathan  Norton;  d.  1863,  a.  92. 

Joseph,  d.  iinm. 

Sally,  d.  unm. 

Josiah,  was  drowned  in  Wlietstone  pond,  iinm. 

Joseph  Norton  d.  Feb.  17,  1818,  a.  81.  She.  d.  March  21,  1840, 
a.  100  y.  1  m. 

Jonathan  Norton  was  a  brother  of  Joseph;  settled  on  131, 
O.  H.,  where  Josiah  Seavey  hxtely  lived.     Children: — 

1.  Simon,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Thomas  Patten;  had:  —  1.  David. 
2.  Simon.     3.  Polly,  m.  Nathl.  Emerson,  Jr. 

H.  John,  m.  Polly,  dau.  of  Benaiah  Colby;  lived  on  the  home- 
stead. 

IH.  7>aw/e;,  m.  Lydia  Norton;  lived  in  Raymond. 

IV.  Nathan,  and  V.  David. 

He  d.  1791.    The  widow  m.  Stephen  Lufkin. 

NUTT. 

John  Nutt  and  William  Nutt  lived  on  No.  86,  2d  P.,  2d  D., 
where  the  Crosetts,  and  Brown  and  Pierce  afterwards  lived. 
They  were  probably  the  first  settlers,  and  owned  a  large  tract  of 
land  in  86,  87  and  93,  and  probably  built  the  first  saw-mill  there. 
John  d.  1758,  William,  1760. 

ORR. 

John  Orr  came,  from  Ireland  with  Robert  Ci-aige,  Allen  Tcm- 
pleton,  and  others;  m.  Martha,  dau.  of  Allen  Templeton;  settled 
on  No.  76,  2d  P.,  2d  D.     Children :  — 

1.  James  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Benja.  Melvin;  lived  on  homestead; 
had  a  large  family.    James  d.  1811,  a.  81 ;  she  d.  1861,  a.  93^. 

2.  3Iolly,  m.  David,  sou  of  John  Patten;  d.  Nov.  IG,  1838. 

OTTERSON. 

The  present  generation  of  Ottersons,  at  Ilooksett,  know  noth- 
ing beyond  their  grandfather  William  and  a  brother  Andrew, 
who  came  from  Ireland  with  the  Browns.  But  there  is  the  will 
of  James  Otterson  of  Londonderry,  on  the  Probate  record,  dated 
Oct.,  1760,  the  legatees  of  which  are  wife  Agnes,  James,  George, 
John,  and  grandson  James  and  granddaughter  Mary,  correspond- 


GENEALOGY  —  PATTEN.  573 

ing-  to  the  names  of  their  father  and  aunt,  and  the  time  soon  after 
William  died. 

William  m.  Miss  Temple,  in  Ireland,  and  settled  first  on  land 
bought  by  Boyes,  near  Simeon  Carr's,  but  in  Jan.,  1757,  he  bought 
of  Robert  Boyes  No.  128,  5th  D.,  where  Isaac  C.  Otterson  now 
lives.  He  enlisted  into  tlie  army,  and  was  drowned  in  crossing 
Lake  Champlain,  in  1760.  His  estate  was  administered  on  by 
Joseph  Brown,  in  1760. 

The  name  of  Andrew  appears  on  the  records,  sometimes  as  of 
Chester,  and  sometimes  as  of  Londonderry,  and  he  went  to  parts 
unknown. 

There  was  a  sister  Ann  m.  Dr.  Joseph  Brown. 

William  had : — 

I.  James,  b.  Aug.  9,  1757,  m.  Mary  Chase  of  Sutton,  N.  H. ; 
was  a  soldier  at  Rhode  Ishmd  in  1778;  d.  Dec.  22,  1816.  She  d. 
1845,  a.  80.     Children:— 

1.  William,  b.  1789,  m.  Betsy  Cochran;  lives  in  Ilooksett. 

2.  James,  b.  1792,  m.  a  Shirley,  and  Mehitabel  Orr;  d.  1867. 

3.  Elizabeth,  m.  Nicholas  DoUof. 

4.  Isaac  C,  b.  1797,  m.  Margaret  Head;  lives  on  the  homestead. 

5.  John  A.,  twin,  b.  1797,  lives  at  Clinton,  Mass. 

6.  Mary,  b.  1802,  m.  John  Young;  lives  in  Hooksett. 

7.  Jotham  D.,  b.  1805,  an  iron  founder  at  Naslma,  and  INIayor 
of  the  city  in  1869. 

8.  Martin  Luther. 

XL  Ilary,  num.,  d.  Nov.  22,  1845,  a.  86. 

In  some  tables  of  longevity  there  is  the  name  of  James  Otter- 
son,  dying  at  the  age  of  103  years ;  but  nothing  is  known  of  him. 

PATTEN. 

Dea.  Robert  Patten  came  from  Edinburgh  or  vicinity  to  Bos- 
ton about  1724,  and  lived  there  about  15  years,  and  then  removed 
to  Exeter.  His  cliildren  were  b.in  Boston.  July  7,  1741,  lie  pur- 
cliased  of  Samuel  Emerson  No.  79,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  on  which  he 
made  a  settlement.     He  d.  1754.     Children:  — 

I.  Thomas,  b.  1725;  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  David  McClure,  17o2, 
and  bought  the  west  half  of  McClure's  lot.  No.  30,  2d  P.,  2d  D., 
in  1754,  and  settled  there.  He  d.  1816,  a.  91.  She  d.  1815.  Chil- 
dren :  — 

1.  Elizabeth,  m.  John,  son  of  James  Varnum,  and  Moses  Clark. 
2.  Thomas,  unm.  3.  Mary,  m.  Simon  Norton.  4.  Jean,  m. 
Joshua  Moore,  and  lived  near  her  father's.  5.  Martha,  m.  Joseph 
L.  Seavey  of  Rye.  6.  Sarah,  m.  Benjamin  Wadley.  7.  Richard, 
m.  Lemuel  Dimon.  8.  Margaret,  m.  Jacob,  son  of  John  Sargent 
of  Candia.     9.    Hannah,    m.   Ephraim  Fullington  and  went  to 


574  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Cambridge,  Vt.  10.  Ruth,  m.  Andrew,  son  of  John  Moore  of 
Caudia.  11.  Samuel,  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Nathaniel  Emerson,  and 
lived  on  the  McClure  place.  12.  Moses,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of 
Ephraim  Eaton,  and  lived  on  the  homestead. 

ir.  John,  m.  Jean  Karr,  1753,  and  lived  on  the  homestead.  She 
d.  1709 ;  he  m.  again ;  2d  wife  d.  1811 ;  lie  d.  1812.    Children :  — 

1.  Janet.  2.  Molly,  unm. ;  d.  1836,  a.  80.  3.  David,  b.'Sept. 
2.  1758;  m.  Molly  Orr,  1784,  and  lived  at  the  ''  Neck,"  and  on  the 
homestead.  They  had  a  large  family ;  among  whom  were  Jesse 
b.  April  G,  1788,  m.  Hannah  Orr  and  Lucinda  Evans;  and  Ann, 
b.  1798,  m.  Richard  Melvin,  d.  1812.  David  d.  1835.  4.  Eliz- 
abeth, m.  Archi.  Gamble  of  Manchester.  5.  Susey,  m.  Jonathan 
Davis.  6.  John,  d.  young.  7.  Anna,  b.  1766 ;  m.  Amos  Crombie ; 
d.  1842.    Cliildren:  —Franklin,  Esq.,  b.  1803,  and  Luther. 

III.  Bobert,  m.  Catherine  Karr  and  settled  lirst  on  the  south- 
west side  of  the  homestead,  where  the  Huntings  now  live.  About 
1774  he  bought  of  Zebulon  Winslow  No.  83,  3d  D.,  and  removed 
to  Candia.  They  had  9  children.  William  kept  the  homestead; 
m.  Abigail,  dau.  of  William  Turner;  had  Willis,  who  lives  on  the 
homestead,  liobert  m.  (2)  Abigail  Clark,  and  had  Dea.  Francis 
and  4  other  children. 

PEARCE. 

James  Pearce  m.  Molly,  dan.  of  Capt.  John  Underhill,  1765; 
lived  on  James  Basford's  amendment,  AY.  of  the  brick  school- 
house,  where  Aaron  Wilcomb  and  Elijah  Hall  have  since  lived; 
had  9  children ;  d.  1796 ;  the  widow  and  children  went  into  the 
country. 

PIERCE. 

Benjamin  Pierce,  with  his  son  Samuel  and  William  Brown, 
came  from  Newburyport  aud  bought  of  James  and  Benjamin 
Crosett  270  acres  in  Nos.  86,  87  and  93,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  the 
Nutts  had  lived.  Brown  lived  where  Israel  Senter  now  lives,  and 
Pierce  some  50  rods  further  northeast.  Samuel  Pierce  m.  a  dau. 
of  Nathl.  Presby  who  lived  on  No.  92,  where  Hunton  lately  lived; 
she  m.  (2)  a  Nichols.    Eunice  Pierce  m.  William  Brown. 

POOR. 

John  Poor  came  from  Wiltshire,  Eng.,  to  Newbury  in  1635,  and 
there  have  been  many  of  the  name  there ;  Indian  Hill  seems  to 
have  been  the  seat  of  the  settlement.  James  Bricket  and  Samuel 
Poor,  of  Newbury,  divided  certain  lands  they  owned  iu  Chester 
in  1765,  and  Samuel  Poor,  Sen.,  deeded  to  Samuel  Poor,  Jr.,  No. 
26,  O.  H.,  Feb.  1765,  on  which  he  settled.    He  ajDpears  to  have 


GENEALOGY PRESCOTT.  575 

lived  but  a  short  time,  for  in  October  of  the  same  year,  adminis- 
tration of  his  estate  was  granted  to  Samuel  Poor.  lie  had  two 
sons : — 

I.  Samuel,  m.  Lydia  Swain,  and  lived  on  the  homestead,  and 
had  a  son  Samuel. 

II.  Ebenezer,  ra.  Mary,  dau.  of  Capt.  Nathan  Brown,  and 
bought  of  John  Poor  30  acres  of  the  east  end  of  No.  43  O.  II.,  in 
1770,  on  which  he  lived,  where  his  son  Benjamin,  b.  March  4, 
1798,  now  lives,  who  m.  Alice,  dau.  of  Lieut.  "William  Moore. 

Samuel,  Jr.,  had  also  JIary,  m.  a  Kimball  of  Boxford,  and 
Hannah,  m.  a  Reynolds. 

POAYEL. 

William  Povvel  came  to  Chester  previous  to  1728,  for  he  was 
surveyor  of  highways,  and  liis  dau.  Elizabeth  was  m.  to  Jona. 
Goodhue  that  year.  He  bought  and  settled  on  the  southwest  end 
of  H.  L.  No.  14.  It  was  voted  to  set  the  Presbyterian  meeting- 
house ''  over  against  Wm.  Powels."  He  was  probably  somewhat 
advanced  in  years,  for  in  1735  he  deeded  to  John  Powel  II.  L.  Nos. 
14  and  57  in  consideration  of  maintenance,  and  took  a  deed  back 
of  all  of  No.  57,  north  of  the  road,  which  is  where  the  Daniel 
Wilson  house  stands.  The  brook  there  was  called  "  Powel's 
brook."  There  was  a  William  Powel  who  had  children  recorded 
from  1737  to  1755,  probably  his  son. 

PILLSBUEY.. 

Elijah  Pillsbury  was  from  Newburj^  about  1765 ;  settled  on  a 
tract  of  land  sold  to  Maj.  Tolford,  lying  between  Nos.  37  and  38, 
2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and  Gov.  Shute's  farm  on  the  side  next  to  Norton's, 
but  afterwards  moved  out  on  the  road  to  Candia,  on  No.  38.  He 
m.  Anna  Bartlett.  Children:  —  Sarah,  m.  Jonathan  Seavey; 
Stephen,  unm. ;  'Anna,  m.  Isaac  Towle,  Jr.  He  d.  1830,  a.  92 ; 
she  d.  about  the  same  time,  a.  93.  • 

PEESCOTT. 

Joshua  Prescott  probably  came  from  Kensington  and  settled 
near  the  southwest  end  of  the  northwest  half  of  No.  18,  2d  P., 
2d  D.  He  was  deer  inspector  in  1741.  He  m.  Abigail,  dau. 
of  Nathl.  Ambrose,  and  sister  of  Sampson  Underbill's  wife.  She 
d.  1785.     Children:  — 

I.  xS'ara/i,  m.  Joseph  True. 

n.  Abigail,  b.  about  1744;  m.  Capt.  Benjamin  CuiTier;  d.  Jan. 
2,  1824,  a.  80. 

HI.  Joshua. 

IV.  John,  went  to  Sandwich. 


576  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

V.  Domimcus,  m.  a  Moulton  and  lived  on  the  homestead.     Had : 
1.  Hannah,  m.  Edward  Prescott.     2.  John,    m.  Abigail,  dau.  of 
Jacob   Basfoi'd  and   lived  on  the  homestead.      3.    IMiohael.     4. 
Joshua,  m.  Nancy  Harden.     5.  Jesse,  m.  Hardy.     Abigail  died. 
Joshua  m.  (2)  Mary  Moulton.     Childi-eu:  — 

VI.  Daniel,  went  west. 

Vn.  Asa,  b.  1765;  m.  Abigail  Marden;  Avas  along  time  Dep- 
uty Sheriff  in  Chester,and  went  to  Piermont. 

Vni.  Joseiih. 

IX.  Edirard,  b.  1709;  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Dominicus  Prescott. 

Joshua  Pkescott  had  a  brother  Edwakd  who  came  to  Chester, 
but  does  not  appear  to  have  had  any  permanent  residence,  an  d 
little  is  known  of  bim.     He  had  a  son. — 

1.  John,  who  m.  Mary.  dau.  of  Stephen  Mcrril,  and  had  Capt* 
John  of  Ilooksctt.  and  Mary,  b.  17'J3,  m.  Edward  liobie,  Jr. 

2.  A  dau.,  m.  Sanmel  Whidden. 

PRESSON. 

"William  Pressox  came  from  Beverly,  and  settled  on  Add- 
No.  44,  nearly  opposite  where  Rufus  Phillips  now  lives.  His  wife 
Mary  took  out  administration  on  his  estate  in  \  7GG.     Children  : — 

I.  William.  Jr.,  m.  Haiiiiali.  dau.  of  "William  Ilealey,  June  12, 
1762.  Chil. : — Molly,  AVilliam,  Hannah,  Mary  and  Benjamin. 
He  owned  a  tract  of  land  near  the  brick  scliool-house,  which  he 
sold  to  Moses  Underbill  in  1761,  and  went  to  Rumney. 

n.  Capt.  Edirard  Presson,  lived  on  Add.  lot,  No.  5.').  where 
Page  Bachelder  had  lived,  and  where  "William  P.  Underbill  now 
lives;  hem.  Edna  Greenough,  1763.  Chil.: — 1.  Moses,  b.  1764 > 
m.  Joanna,  dau.  of  Capt.  John  Underbill,  lived  on  Add.  lot.  No. 
57,  where  Rufus  Phillips  lived,  went  "West.  2.  Robert  Greenough. 
3.  Edna,  m.  Alexander  Eaton.     4.  Edward,  went  to  "\^t. 

Edirard  m.  (2)  Molly  Moore.  Cliil.: — 5.  Ednuind  Moore,  m. 
Polly  "NYeeks,  d.  in  Baltimore.  6.  John.  7.  Benjamin,  b.  1792, 
lives  at  Auburn. 

Edward  m.  (3)  "Wid.  Pollard.  8.  Rament,  lived  in  Auburn. 
9.  Nehemiah,  in  Manchester.  10.  Emerson,  in  Auburn.  11, 
Paschal,  b.  1808,  lived  in  Auburn  and  Manchester.  Capt.  Pressou 
d.  Feb.  21,  1823. 

III.  A  daughter,  m.  a  Chamberlain,  lived  at  Newburj',  Yt. 

QUANTON. 

James  QuajsTOx,  in  1737,  bought  Add.  lot  No.  10,  and  settled 
on  it  near  Three  Camp  meadow.  He  was  clerk  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian parish,  from  1738  to  1769.  His  will  was  dated  and  proved 
Dec,  1772.  Legatees,  wife  Agxes,  son  Hugh,  g.  daughter  Susan- 
nah Watson,  dau.  of  Ann.',  dau.  Elizabeth  McFarland;  Joshua 
and  John,  had  land  in  New  Chester ;  Agnes  and  David,  Executors. 


GENEALOGY — RICHARDSON.  577 


QUIMBY. 

Jacob  QrnrBY  m.  Ann  Robie,  dau.  of  John,  and  Tvidow  of 
Jonathan  Towle;  lived  on  Xo.  63,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  where  —  Palmer 
no^\' lives;  had  one  son  John,  who  was  brought  up  by  Col.  Ste- 
phen Dearborn.  He  went  to  Stanstead.  Quimby  d.  early,  and 
the  widow  m.  James,  son  of  James  Yaruum. 

Bradbury  Qui:wby  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  John  Shackford,  Jr., 
1778.    Child: — Charlotte,  b.  1800,  m.  Capt.  Noah  Weeks. 

RAND. 

There  seem  to  have  been  three  men  of  the  name,  but  not  to 
have  had  permanent  residences,  and  little  is  known  of  them. 

Nathcmiel  had  no  son  so  far  as  known. 

John  Band  had  one  son,  Jeremiah,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  .John 
Lane,  Jr.,  and  had  a  large  family. 

William  Rand  had  a  son  Joseph,  b.  Ai)ril  12,  1783,  alive,  1868. 
"\Yilliam  d.  1787.    John  and  William  were  brothei's. 

RICHARDSON. 

JOSEPH  RICHARDSON,  Jr.,  the  sou  of  Joseph  and  Marga- 
ret Godfrey,  b.  Dec.  31,  1686,  at  Newbury,  m.  Ann  Riggs,  at 
Gloucester,  Feb.  21,  1712.    Children: — 

I.  Anne,  b.  1712.  II.  Thomas,  b.  Oct.  31,  1716.  III.  Moses, 
b.  July  28,  1718.  lY.  William,  b.  1719.  Y.  Daniel,  b.  March  28, 
1722.  YI.  Mary,  b.  Sept.  lo,  1725.  YII.  Caleb,  b.  May  9,  1731. 
As  early  as  1725,  Joseph  Richardson  began  to  trade  in  Chester 
land. 

II.  Thomas  Richardsox  and  Priscilla  Pearson  m,  Nov.  17, 
1737.  The  Pearsons  owned  a  tide-mill,  at  Newbury  Old  Town. 
Thomas  settled  on  Add.  lot,  No.  113.  In  1717  his  father  gave  him 
the  N.  AY.  half  of  the  lot  next  to  Thomas  Craige's.  He  d.  1795,  a. 
78;  she  d.  1803,  a.  87.    Children:— 

1.  Elizabeth,  b.  in  Newbury,  m.  a  Rolfe  of  Newbury. 

2.  Hannah,  b.  Nov.  25,  1710,  m.  Eastman  of  Boscawen. 

3.  Pearson,  b.  Feb.  21,  1712,  m.  Martha  Webster,  1761,  and 
Wid.  Simonds;  lived  on  H.  L.  No.  Ill,  where  Dea.  Walter  Morse 
lived,  and  also  where  Charles  Wilcom  lives;  was  an  innholder; 
had  no  children,  d.  Nov.  26,  1827. 

4.  Priscilla,  b.  July  18,  1715,  m.  Kimball  of  Boscawen. 
o.   Thomas,  b.  July  6, 1747. 

6.  Lydia,  b.  Aug.  28,  1719,  m.  Abraham,  son  of  Winthrop  Sar- 
gent, d.  Feb.  6,  1810. 

7.  Abigail,  b.  Dec.  9,  1752,  m.  a  True  of  Yt.,  d.  a.  65. 

37 


578  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

8,  Susannah,  h.  March  26,  1754,  m.  Benjamin,  son  of  Thomas 
Ilaselton,  lived  in  Chester  and  Orford. 

9.  Jeremiah,  b.  Llarch  25,  1757,  lived  at  Hai'tland,  Vt. 

III.  Moses  Richardson,  b.  1718,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Jonathan 
Goodhne,  17-46,  settled  on  Add.  lot  No.  70,  east  of  the  Carr  place, 
where  G.  W.  Clark  now  lives,  d.  March  30,  180G;  she  d.Oct.  13, 
1809.    Cliildren:— 

1.  Mary,  b.  1747. 

2.  David,  b.  1748,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Theo.  Shackford,  1773. 

3.  Elizabeth. 

4.  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  29,  1751,  m.  Stephen  Claj-  of  Chester. 

5.  Nelle,  m.  Bracket  Towle,  and  went  to  Corinth. 

6.  liuth.    7.  3Ioses. 

8.  Jonathan,  b.  1765,  m.  an  Edmonds,  lived  opposite  where 
Capt.  "Weeks  now  lives;  moved  to  Xorthwood. 

9.  Lticretia.     10.  Anna. 

11.  Edward,  b.  Feb.  1, 1772,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Silas  Camet,  1797, 
d.  1804.  The  wid.  m.  Robert  S.  Iluntoon,  went  to  Unity  and 
Orford,  d.  at  Auburn,  Dec,  1863,  a.  83. 

V.  Daniel  Riciiardsox  m.  a  Davis,  settled  on  Add.  lot  No.  101, 
where  Isaac  Foss  lived,  and  near  where  David  Lane  now  lives ; 
he  d.  March  23,  1799 ;  she  d.  March  30,  1799.    Children:— 

1.  Jloses,  b.  at  "West  Newbury,  Nov.  12,  1752,  m.  Sai-ah,  dau.  of 
Jacob  Chase,  Esq.,  1778,  went  to  Protectworth,  now  Springfield ; 
d.  1841. 

2.  Joseph,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Robert  Wilson,  Esq.,  lived  on  Add. 
No.  Ill,  Avhere  Lt.  David  "Wilson  had  lived;  no  issue;  d.  June  6, 
1752,  a.  84. 

3.  Daniel,  m.  Lois  Knapp,  1791,  lived  on  the  homestead,  d.  Feb. 
1826. 

4.  Anna,  m.  Gideon  Currier,  d.  March  19, 1827. 
6.  Lydia,  m.  Nathan,  son  of  Abel  Webster. 

6.  Betty,  m.  Joseph  Carr,  Jr. 

VI.  Caleb,  b.  1731,  m.  Catharine,  lived  on  Add.  No.  102,  east  o^ 
where  Capt.  AVilliam  Moore  lived.  Cliil.: — 1.  Caleb.  2.  Catha- 
i^ine,  m.  Lt.  Josiah  Foi'saith,  b.  March  30,  1768,  d.  1818 ;  and  3, 
Mary. 

DANHEL  RICHARDSON  was  a  farmer  of  Pelham,  N.  H. ;  he 
m.  Sarah  Merchant  of  Boston.    Children: — 

1.  William  Merchant,  b.  Jan.  4,  1775,  graduated  at  Harvard, 
1797;  LL.  D.,  Dart.,  1827.  He  read  law  in  the  office  of  Hon. 
Samuel  Dana,  of  Groton,  Mass,  and  was  associated  with  him  in 
the  practice  of  the  profession  for  a  season.    He  was  elected  a 


GENEALOGY  —  ROBIE.  579 

Representative  to  Congress  in  1811,  and  re-elected,  but  resigned  in 
181J:  and  removed  to  Portsmouth.  He  was  a]3pointed  Chief  Jus- 
tice of  the  Superior  Court  in  1816,  which  office  he  held  to  his 
death.  He  purchased  the  farm  of  Benjamin  Brown,  and  removed 
to  Chester  in  1819;  ho  m.  Betsy  Smith,  dau.  of  Peter  Smith,  of 
Pelham,  1798;  d.  March  23,  1838.     Children:— 

1.  Sarah  31.,  m.  Dr.  Lemuel  M.  Barker. 

2.  William,  b.  1802,  d.  1819. 

3.  Elizabeth,  b.  1805,  m.  Hon.  B.  B.  French,  1824,  d.  1860. 

4.  Mary,  m.  S.  J.  S.  Vose,  of  Lancaster. 

5.  Anne,  b.  1811,  m.  Hon.  Henr}^  F.  French,  d.  1856. 

6.  Louisa,  b.  1814,  m.  Rev.  C.  C.  P.  Russel,  now  of  Wasliing- 
ton,  D.  C. 

7.  Samuel  Ifather,  m.  Mary  "Wliittemore,  formerly  of  Chester, 
d.  1843. 

n.  Gen.  Samuel  M.,  wlio  was  a  farmer,  and  was  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  and  also  of  the  Senate,  d.  March  11, 
1859,  a.  82. 

HI.  Hon.  Daniel,  was  a  lawyer  of  Tyngsborough.  Chil. : — 
1.  D.  S.  Bichardson,  m.  Isabella,  dau.  of  Samuel  Aiken,  Esq.,  of 
Chester.    2.   William  A.    3.  George  F.,  Mayor  of  Lowell. 

ROBIE. 

In  a  list  made  Feb.  1,  1677,  of  cottages  erected  in  Haverliill 
since  Jan.  25,  1G75,  is  the  name  of  John  Robie.  He  lived  in  what 
is  now  Atkinson.  June  16,  1691,  he  set  out  to  move  his  family, 
consisting  of  seven  children,  the  oldest  not  quite  eleven  years  old, 
(his  wife  having  died  a  few  days  before),  to  a  place  of  refuge, 
where  Benjamin  Clement  lately  lived,  at  the  North  Parish.  He 
was  returning  with  the  family  in  a  cart,  and  had  got  opposite  the 
burying-ground,  near  Jesse  Clement's,  where  he  was  killed  by 
the  Indians,  and  his  son  ICHABOD,  probably  the  oldest,  was  taken 
captive  by  the  Indians  and  carried  off.  There  are  two  traditions, 
one  that  he  was  I'ansomed,  and  the  other  and  most  probable  one, 
that  by  the  aid  of  a  friendly  Indian  he  escaped  and  returned 
home.     (See  Chase's  Hist,  of  Haverhill,  p.  160.) 

He  somewhere  learned  the  art  of  tanning,  and  settled  in  Hamp- 
ton Falls.  He  was  a  member  of  the  "  Society  for  Settling  the 
Chesnut  Country,"  attended  the  first  meeting,  and  was  one  of  the 
committee  to  lay  out  the  home  lots,  and  also  of  tiie  old  hundred- 
acre  lots,  and  also  for  running  the  lines.  His  name  appears  so 
often  on  the  records  that  we  might  infer  that  he  removed  to  Ches- 
ter, and  he  probably  built  a  house  on  his  home  lot  No.  116,  where 
John  Robinson's  old  house  is,  and  spent  considerable  time  in 
Chester,  but  never  permanently  resided  here.    His  will  was  dated 


580  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

Oct.  10,  1752 ;  proved  Sept.  26,  1753,  The  legatees  are  his  wife 
Mary,  sous,  I.  John,  II.  Henry,  and  III.  Samuel,  and  Sarah  Til- 
ton.  John  was  to  have  a  silver-fitted  sword  and  silver-headed 
cane,  and  they  are  both  now  in  the  family  of  the  late  Hendrick 
Dearborn,  of  Auburn.  Col.  Stephen  Dearborn,  son-in-law  of 
John  Eobie,  was  an  oflScer  in  the  militia  for  more  than  thirty 
years,  and  commanded  a  company  at  the  battle  of  Bennington, 
and  used  this  sword.  Samuel  liobie  was  to  have  his  pistols  and 
holsters,  the  cap  and  brass-hilted  sword  and  silver-headed  riding 
cane.  Henry  was  to  have  the  homestead,  including  the  tan-yard, 
and  was  residuary  legatee. 

I.  John  Ror.iE,  b.  1712,  m.  Ann  Williams,  a  woman  of  Welsh 
origin.  The  Dearborns  have  some  of  her  table-linen.  ICTIABOD 
bought  H.  L.  No.  35,  Dec,  1732,  on  which  John  settled,  near 
where  Nathan  ilorse  lately  lived,  and  his  tan-yard  was  where 
Robinson's  was.     Children: — 

1.  Edward,  m.  a  Silver,  went  to  Plymouth. 

2.  Jchabod,  unm.,  was  a  tanner  at  Pembroke;  d.  at  Springfield. 

3.  Walter,}).  May  2  (O.  S.),  1741.  He  came  to  Candia,  and 
built  a  camp  on  No.  119,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  by  the  side  of  a  large  rock, 
the  wolves  sometimes  looking  in  upon  him.  His  first  crop  was 
rv'e,  and  having  no  barn  to  store  and  tliresh  it  in,  he  drew  to 
Chester  over  the  hill  by  Col.  Dearborn's,  whei'c  there  must  have 
been  little  road.  He  m.  Susa,  dau.  of  Dea.  Jonathan  Hall,  Dec. 
23,  17G3,  and  moved  to  Candia  Jan.  10,  1764.  He  was  a  justice, 
and  filled  an  important  place  in  Candia.  He  d.  June  28,  1818 ; 
she  d.  Oct.  20, 1821.    Children:  — 

AYalter,  b.  Dec.  22,  1764,  m.  Dorothy  Tiltou,  who  was  b. 
Aug.  11,  1763;  lived  on  the  homestead;  Edward  and  Jonathan, 
went  to  Corintli;  Susan,  m.  John  Moore,  went  to  Belfast; 
Polly,  m.  Jona.,  son  of  Col.  Moses  Dustin;  Lydia,  m.  John 
Dolby;  Sally,  m.  Thomas  Towle;  Nancy,  m.  Col.  Stephen  Clay, 
of  Chester. 

4.  John,  m.  Mehitabel,  dau.  of  Dea.  Jonathan  Hall;  settled  on 
No.  64,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  1764.     Children :  — 

William,  m.  Keziah  Clark,  1797;  lived  on  the  homestead;  d. 
1860;  Ichabod  and  Jonathan,  went  to  Corinth;  Ebenezer,  to  Bur- 
lington; Priscilla,  to  Stanstead;  John,  m.  Silver,  and  lived  near 
Candia  Corner,  d.  1866. 

5.  liufh,  m.  Col.  Stephen  Dearborn;  d.  1808,  a.  69. 

6.  A  daughter,  m.  John  Clay,  of  Candia. 

7.  An7ia,  m.   (1;  a  Towle,  (2)  J.  Quimby,  (3)  James,  sou  of 
James  Varnum;  lived  in  Candia ;  d.  18U7. 

8.  Delia,  m.  Col.  Jonathan  Dearboi-n;  d.  April  7,  1814,  a.  63. 
Ann  d.  May  20, 1755,  a.  42 ;  John  m.  (2)  Abigail  Dearborn,  dau. 

of  Dea  Ebenezer,  widow  of  James  Varnum.    Children: — 


GENEALOGY — ROBIE.  581 

9.  A  dau.,  m.  Samuel,  sou  of  Col.  Joliu  W^ebster;  yreut  to  New- 
port, N.  H. 

10.  Sarah,  m.  Dr.  Samuel  Flag-g. 

11.  Samuel,  m.  Dorothy  Worthen,  dau.  of  David;  weut  to 
Spriug-field,  X.  H. 

Abigail  d.  Oct.  25,  1773.  Jonx  m.  (3)  Naomi,  wid.  of 
Kathau  Long,  but  she  soon  left  liim;  she  d.  1821,  a.  93;  he  d. 
March.  1788. 

II.  Hexry,  b.  1711,  lived  ou  the  homestead,  and  his  descend- 
auts  still  reside  there.  He  m.  Abigail  Butler  Oct.  9,  1734,  and 
they  had  eleven  children: — 

1.  Daniel,  b.  Jan.  4,  1735,  settled  at  Freetown,  on  O.  H.  Xo. 
11,  where  Rev.  Joseph  Fullontou  now  lives.     Children: — 

1.  Nathan,  ft^ther  of  Nathan,  of  Auburn,  Eev.  Thomas,  and 
David.     2.  Henry.     3.  Daniel. 

2.  Ichabod,  b.  May  25,  1737.  He  settled  on  No.  61,  3d  D., 
where  liis  gi'eat-grandson,  Samuel  B.,  now  resides.  He  was  a 
soldier  of  the  Eevolution,  and  his  name  appears  often  on  the 
records  of  Candia.    Children : — 

Levi,  m.  Aiuia,  dau.  of  Richard  Ordway;  lived  ou  the  home- 
stead. 

Lowell,  went  to  Alexandria,  N.  H.  One  dau.  m.  Knowles ;  one 
a  Tuck,  went  to  Maine. 

III.  Samuel,  son  of  Ichabod,  b.  1717,  m.  a  Perkins;  settled  on 
his  father's  H.  L.  No.  116;  probably  built  John  Robinson's  old 
house.    Children :  — 

1.  Sarah,  m.  Dr.  John  Ordway,  1760;  afterwards  m.  a  Dr. 
Gordon,  and  (3)  John  P.  "Williams.     They  d.  in  Newmarket. 

2.  Lydia,  m.  Richard  Ordway,  of  Amesbury,  brother  of  Dr. 
John;  m.  (2)  John  Clay  of  Candia;  m.  (3)  Col.  Stephen  Dear- 
born; d.  Sept  29,  1817,  a.  74. 

3.  Edward,  b.  1746,  m.  Sarah  Smith,  dau.  of  Col.  "Webster's  sec- 
ond wife,  in  1771.  He  settled  first  in  Candia,  and  came  to  Chester 
Street;  d.  Dec.  26,  1837,  a.  92.    She  d.  1843,  a.  89. 

Sajiuel,  m.  (2)  widow  Phebe  Butterfield,  mother  of  Nathan- 
iel Glidden's  wife,  and  had  Samuel  and  PoUi/,  who  lived  at 
Gofl"stowu.  Samuel  sold  his  farm,  including  his  tan-yard,  to  John 
S.  Dearborn,  in  1778,  and  took  his  pay  in  Continental  money,  and 
it  went  down  on  his  hands,  and  he  lost  it. 

Children  of  Edward  and  Sarah  : — 

1.  Mary,  b.  July  17,  1772;  m.  Ephraim,  sou  of  Edmund  Elliot; 
went  to  Thornton. 

2.  John  Smith,  b.  March  12,  1776,  m.  a  Mcintosh,  of  Dor- 
chester. 

3.  Edward,  b.  Nov.  20,  1778,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  John  Pi'escott, 
and  lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  Sept.  12,  1857. 


582  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

4.  Toppan,  b.  Jan.  27,  1782. 

5.  Sarah,  b.  1785,  m.  Stephen  Brummer;  went  to  Maine. 

6.  Thomas  Sargent,  b.  Jan  14,  1791,  went  to  Gorham,  Maine ; 
m.  Clarissa  Adams,  and  liad  three  sons,  all  of  whom  are  clergy- 
men, the  Kev.  Edward  Robic  of  Greenland,  being  one  of  them- 
He  d.  1838. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICE   OF  TOPPAN  ROBIE. 

He  was  named  for  his  great  uncle.  Col.  Christopher  Toppan,  of 
Hampton,  who  when  he  was  a  child,  gave  him  a  pistareen  (twenty 
cents)  for  his  name.  When  a  boy,  at  ten  or  eleven,  he  was  pu^ 
into  the  store  of  his  uncle  Edmund  Webster,  as  a  chore-boy,  and 
while  there  Mr.  Webster  was  appointed  the  first  postmaster  in 
Chester,  and  he  acted  as  assistant.  In  1796,  he  went  as  an  appren- 
tice into  the  store  of  Capt.  C.  B.  Brooks,  of  Haverhill,  and  had 
fifty  dollars  for  the  first  year,  and  sixty  dollars  afterwards,  for 
clothing.  In  1799  he  went  to  Gorham,  Me.,  as  clerk  in  a  store, 
and  in  1802  commenced  business  on  his  own  account,  and  con- 
tinued in  a  profitable  retail  business  till  1850.  He  seems  disposed 
to  be  liberal  with  his  accumulations.  He  has  given  to  the  minis 
terial  fund  of  the  First  Parish  in  Gorham,  nine  thousand  dollars ; 
for  a  soldiers'  monument  in  Gorham,  two  thousand  dollars ;  for 
a  clock  on  the  Congregational  meeting-house  in  Gorham,  five 
hundred  dollars;  to  the  Congregational  Society  in  Chester,  five 
thousand  dollars,  and  to  the  Congregational  Society  in  Candia, 
towards  the  purchase  of  an  organ,  fifty  dollars.  He  was  liein-c- 
scntative  from  Gorham  to  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  from 
1813  to  1819,  and  to  that  of  Maine  in  1820  and  1821 ;  one  of  the 
Executive  Council  of  Maine ;  has  long  been  a  trustee  aitd  treas- 
urer of  Gorham  Academy,  and  held  various  town  otfices.  He  m. 
Lydia,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Brown  and  Prudence  Kelly,  b.  Feb.  6, 
1782,  m.  Oct.  8,  1804.     She  d.  Feb.  23,  1811.     Children :  — 

Harriet,  b.  Aug.  9,  1805,  m.  Oliver  Lincoln  of  Boston,  in  1829, 
d.  1832;  Francis  Brown,  b.  Aug.  19,  1809,  who  graduated, 
studied  medicine,  and  in  making  some  chemical  prepai'ations  lost 
both  his  eyes,  and  is  totally  blind;  m.  Martha  Prince,  lives  in 
Gorham. 

Toppan  m.  (2)  Sarah  T.  Lincoln.     Cliildren: — 

Charles ;  George  (died)  ;  and  Frederic.    She  d.  April  23,  1828. 

He  m.  (3)  Wid.  Eliza  Cross.    She  d.  Xov.  2,  1865. 

Mr.  Robie  says  that  he  never  used  tobacco  in  any  fonn,  and  can 
say  about  the  same  of  ardent  spirits ;  is  now  (March,  1869)  more 
than  eighty-seven  years  old,  and  writes  a  most  excellent,  fair  and 
I'ound  hand. 


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GENEALOGY — RUSSEL.  583 


EOWE. 

Daniel  Rowe  came  early  to  Caudia,  m.  Abigail  Stockman;  d. 
about  1786;  she  d.  Dec.  12,  1813.  He  was  in  the  French  war, 
and  Avas  at  Cape  Breton.  He  had  a  son  Isaiah,  who  settled  on 
lot  No.  114,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  on  the  Pine  hill,  and  sold  it  to  Paul 
Eaton,  previous  to  1770,  and  purchased  and  settled  on  Xo.  40,  od  D. 
Hem.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Samuel  Healey,  1704,  Children: — 1.  Jon- 
athan. 2.  Susanna.  3.  Elizabeth.  4.  Lydia.  5.  Xatlianiel,  who 
lived  on  the  homestead.  6.  Sarah.  7.  Mehitable.  8.  Olive. 
9.  Lucy.  10.  Dolly,  m.  Stephen  Smith,  and  was  mother  of  Hon. 
Frederick  Smyth.     11.  Abigail. 

Isaiah  d.  Sept.  18,  1810,  a.  07.    Sarah  d.  1824. 

ROWEL. 

John  Rowel  was  probably  the  first  settler  on  the  north  end  of 
H.  L.  No.  114,  where  Dea.  Walter  Morse  lately  lived.  July  1, 
1729,  John  Rowel,  of  Salisbury,  bought  No.  50,  and  he  and  Ben- 
aiah  Colby  probably  divided  the  two  lots  crosswise,  as  Avhen 
James  Norris  bought  No.  113,  in  1734,  it  was  bounded  on  "  John 
Rowel  and  Benaiah  Colby."  In  1744  Judith  Howel  and  John 
Saunders  and  ivife  sold  to  Enoch  Colby,  each  one  sixth  of  their 
father  John  Rowel's  right  in  Xo.  50,  and  Enoch  Rowel  two 
sixths,  he  being  the  oldest  son.  In  1746  Enoch  bought  half  of 
No.  87,  8d  D.,  (at  Candia  Corner)  where  he  settled.  Ilis  wife 
was  Miriam,  had  2  cliildren  d.  young  in  1752;  Miriam,  b.  1753; 
Enoch,  b.  1756;  Mary,  b.  1763.     He  d,  1770. 

Gideon  Rowel,  of  Amesbury,  bought  of  Lt.  Thomas  Smith 
and  wife  Maiy,  his  homestead  of  40  acres,  in  I\larch,  1752,  He  d, 
previous  to  1785.  Benjamin  lived  at  Candia,  on  No.  128,  3d  D., 
unmarried.  Samuel,  d.  1815,  Iliriam  and  Sarah,  all  unmarried, 
on  the  homestead. 

RUSSEL. 

Master  George  Russel  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  was  a 
grenadier  in  the  army  of  Gen.  Gage,  at  Boston.  He  was  one  of 
the  reinforcement  sent  out  to  Lexington.  He  said  that  the  British 
soldiers  were  instructed  to  fire  breast  high,  but  the  Yankees  took 
aim,  and  instead  of  facing  their  enemies,  fired  from  every  rock 
and  tree.  He  determined  to  desert,  and  engaged  with  a  country- 
man to  carry  him  out  of  Boston.  He  was  put  into  a  hogshead 
and  headed  up,  vrith  holes  for  ventilation  bored  in  the  head.  The 
teamster,  without  knowing  the  nature  of  his  cargo,  rode,  sitting 
on  the  hogshead,  stopping  the  vent  holes  and  nearly  suflbcating 


58-1  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 

Mr.  Eussel.  lie  however  survived,  and  came  to  Londonderry, 
and  his  name  appears  on  the  Association  Test,  in  177G,  and  it  is 
said  that  he  served  a  campaign  in  the  American  army,  praying 
that  he  might  be  killed  rather  than  he  captured. 

He  came  to  Chester  and  settled  on  the  south  corner  of  lot  No. 
74,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  a  little  S.  E.  of  the  Auburn  pound.  He  turned 
pedagogue,  and  for  a  long  period  taught  nearly  all  the  schools  in 
the  Long  MeadoAvs,  and  was  looked  up  to  with  about  the  same 
reverence  that  the  minister  was.  The  writer  received  the  first  ru- 
diments of  his  school  education  from  "Master  Russel."  He  was 
a  man  of  very  eccentric  manners,  and  would  hardly  be  tolerated 
for  a  single  day  as  a  teacher,  at  the  present  time.  He  m.  Martha 
McNeil,  of  Londonderry.     Children: — 

John,  settled  at  Ncav  Boston. 

Dawson,  lived  in  Candia  aiul  in  Londonderry. 

Mary,  m.  and  went  to  (ialena,  111. 

About  1806  he  went  to  live  with  his  son  John,  at  New  Boston, 
and  d.  there. 

SANBORN. 

ELiniAZ  Saxhorn's  name  appears  frequently  on  the  records. 
In  Dec,  1737,  he  bought  of  the  proprietors  20  acres,  lying  oil  Pen- 
nacook  path,  directly  east  of  Gov.  Shute's  farm,  and  probably 
settled  on  it,  where  Daniel  Ilodgkins  afterAvards  lived.  Nothing 
more  is  known  of  him. 

SARGENT. 

'•  JACOB,  5th  Sou  to  Will  Sargent  and  Mary  his  wife,  was 
born  March  13,  An.  Do.  lG,S7-8."  ''  Jacob  Sargent,  Jr.,  and  Ju- 
dith Harvey,  both  of  Amcsbury,  Avere  married  together  by  Mr. 
Thomas  AVells,  Minister  of  Amcsbury,  Dec.  ye  7"^,  1710." 

His  name  appears  first  on  Che'ster  records  as  selectman  in  1728. 
He  is  styled  Ensign  in  a  deed  in  1730,  and  on  Chester  records  in 
1731.  He  occupied  a  very  prominent  place  in  Chester.  The 
name  of  ''  Inshie  Jacob  Sargent  "  appears  on  the  records  of 
nearly  every  tOAvn  meeting  for  many  years.  He  settled  on  H.  L. 
No.  18,  where  Moses  Webster  now  Wxqs.  In  1736  he  gaA'e  his  son 
Winthrop  one  half  of  three  H.  L's.,  — 18,  19  and  123.  He  d. 
April  6,  1749.  Administration  to  his  wife,  Judith,  June  28,  1749. 
Children : — 

I.  WiXTHROP,  b.  Oct.  28,  1711,  m.  Phebe,  dau.  of  William  Ilea- 
ley,  June  1,  1738.  He  liA'ed  on  the  homestead,  back  towards 
Hall's  Village.  He  d.  Dec,  1788;  she  d.  Nov.  4,  1806,  a.  90. 
Children: — 

1.  Lizzie,  b.  Dec.  22, 1738,  m.  John  Sanborn ;  lived  first  in  San- 


GENEALOGY — SARGEXT.  585 

down,  then  on  the  William  Gilchrist  place,  where  his  grandson 
John  now  lives.  Mr.  Sanborn  d.  Dec.  3,  1828;  Lizzie  d.  Aiml 
6,  1832. 

2.  Jfoses,  b.  Xov.  2,  1743,  m.  Sarah,  dan.  of  James  Yarunm , 
settled  on  lot  No.  91,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  d.  1826-;  she  d.  1843.  Cliil- 
dren : — 

1.  Anna,  m.  Samnel  Anderson;  d.  1817.  2.  Samnel,  m.  Sally 
Pillsbnry,  1798.  3.  Abigail.  4.  Sarah,  m.  Samnel  Haynes,  the 
clothier,  of  Chester;  d.  1811.  5.  Moses,  m.  a  Whiting,  lived  on 
the  homestead,  and  went  to  Stanstead.  6.  Mary,  m.  Samuel  An- 
derson. 

3.  Jla/'i/,  b.  May  14,  1745. 

4.  John,  b.  March  17,  1746,  m.  Mary,  dan.  of  "William  Turner, 
lived  on  the  east  half  of  No.  120,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  He  d.  Nov.  17, 
1834 ;  she  d.  1823.  Children :—  Josiah,  m.  Sarah  Bricket,  d.  1817  ; 
Sarah, m.  Josiah,  son  of  William  Shannon;  Moses,  m.  Sarah,  dau. 
of  William  Shannon. 

5.  Abraham,  b.  Feb.  28,  1748;  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Thomas  Eicli- 
ardson,  1769;  lived  where  Ensign  Jacob  lived.  He  d.  March, 
1822;  she  d.  Feb.  6,  1840,  a.  90  years,  5  months.     Children:  — 

1.  Mary,  b.  1769.  2.  Lydia,  b.  1771;  m.  Samnel  Towle.  3. 
Abraham,  b.  July  25,  1773;  m.  (1)  Polly  Belknap,  Jan.  1,  1800; 
she  d.  Nov.  23,  1812;  m.  (2)  Sarah  Sanborn,  Jan.  10, 1814;  she  d. 
July  23,  1833 ;  m.  (3)  Sally  Underbill,  widow  of  Smith  Green- 
ough,  and  lived  at  Eandolph,  Vt.,  and  on  the  homestead.  He  d. 
Oct.,  1851.  4.  Margaret,  b.  1775;  m.  Sherburne  Wiggin;  lived 
in  Concord.  5.  Susannah,  b.  June  17,  1777;  m.  John  Melvin  and 
Eichard  Dearborn,  d.  Feb.  4,  1868.  6.  Huldah,  unm.  7.  Benja- 
min, b.  1781.  8.  Elizabeth,  b.  June  23,  1784;  m.  Benjamin  Mel- 
vin, 1804,  and  went  to  Maine.  9.  Thomas,  b.  1786.  10.  Martha. 
11.  John,  b.  Jan.  6,  1793;  m.  Sally  Wilkins;  d.  at  Moulton- 
borough,  May  17,  1840.  He  was  a  physician.  (See  Professional 
History.) 

6.  Phebe,  b.  1751;  m.  Ebenezer  Eaton  of  Candia. 

7.  Jmlith,  b.  Jan.  15,  1752;  m.  David,  son  of  Nathaniel  Hall,  d. 
Jan.,  1733. 

8.  Sarah,  b.  1755;  m.  Samuel,  son  of  Thomas  Dearborn,  and 
lived  in  Candia. 

n.  Jacob,  b.  Nov.  10,  1713.    In  1748,  his  father  gave  liim  No. 
130,  3d  D.,  (the  AVard  place)  on  which  he  lived;  d.  without  issue. 
ni.  Judith,  b.  March  27,  1716;  m.  Francis  Towle,  1738. 

IV.  Sarah,  b.  March  8,  1718;  m.  Enoch  Colby,  1748. 

V.  Elizabeth,  b.  1722. 

VI.  Dorothy,  b.  1725.     (The  foregoing  were  b.  in  Amesbury.) 

VII.  Tabitha,  m.  John  Foss,  1744.  He  d.  Nov.  14,  1745;  m. 
(2)  Hezekiah  Underbill ;  d.  Aug.  23,  1803. 


586  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

VIII.  JoHX,  m.  Susannah  Ilarriman  and  settled  on  ISTo.  70,  3d 
D,  where  B.  P.  Colbj^  now  lives;   d.  Nov.  14,  1797.    Children:  — 

1.  Jacob,  m.  Margarett,  dau.  of  Thomas  Patten.  2.  John. 
3.  James,  m.  Elizabeth  Rowe,  and  once  owned  and  lived  at  Hall's 
mill  on  Chester  Turnpike.  4.  Hannah,  m.  Caleb  Towle  of  Ilawke. 
5.  Sarah,  unm.    6.  Susa,  m.  Thomas  Emery. 

IX.  Theophilus,  lived  near  Candia  Corner ;  m.  Lydia  Mitchell, 
1753;  d.  1807.  Children: — The  first  three  d.  young.  4.  Lydia,  h. 
Jan.  29,  1752;  m.  Moses,  son  of  Samuel  Emerson,  Esq.;  d.  July 
22,  1784.  5.  Judith,  h.  1763;  m.  John  Eaton.  6.  Theo2)hilus,h. 
1765;  m.  Ruth  Rowe  and  went  to  Belfast.  7.  3foses,  d.  unm. 
8.  Jonathan, m..  Anna,  dau.  of  Thos.  AVasou  and  lived  in  Candia. 

The  Rev.  CHRISTOPHER  SARGENT  was  a  settled  minister 
at  Amesbury,  and  afteiT\'ards  at  Methueu.  He  had  thirteen  cliil- 
dreu,  the  youngest  of  whom,  Dr.  Thomas,  was  b.  at  Amesbury, 
July  22, 1766.  He  received  his  preparatory  education  at  Methueu. 
Dr.  Isaac  Thorn  of  Londonderry  m.  a  dau.  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sar- 
gent, and  it  is  supposed  that  Dr.  Thomas  studied  his  profession 
with  him.  He  came  to  Chester  about  1777  and  boarded  with  Maj. 
Jabez  French  until  he  was  married.  He  m.  Hannah  Smitli,  dau. 
of  Col.  Webster's  last  wife,  Oct.  15,  1780.  In  Jan.,  1780,  he 
purchased  an  acre  of  land  with  a  house  on  it,  where  Mrs.  French 
now  lives,  the  Merchant  Blasdell  place.  In  1782,  he  bought  of 
Isaac  Blasdell,  administrator  of  Ben.  Bachelder,  the  land  soutlieast 
as  far  as  the  Eben  Dearborn  place,  and  afterwards  built  the  house 
where  Mr.  "WTiite  lately  lived.  He  was  a  very  cautious,  but 
skillful  physician,  and  had  an  extensive  practice.  He  remained  in 
Chester  until  1819,  and  then  went  to  Hartford,  Lower  Canada. 
Children :  — 

John,  d.  young. 

Sally,  h.  June  21,  1784;  m.  Samuel  Head,  Oct.  24,  1811;  d. 
Nov.  6,  1854. 

Edmund  Toppan,  b.  1786;  d.  1796. 

Hannah  Smith  d.  Nov.  15,  1788.  Dr.  Thomas  m.  (2)  Nancy 
Hall  of  Concord,  Feb.  26, 1792 ;  she  d.  Nov.  22, 1817.    Children  :— 

John,  b.  April  22,  1793;  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Samuel  Andei-son. 

Hannah  Smith,  b.  Aug.  12,  1794;  m.  Robert,  son  of  Dr.  James 
Brown  of  Ilooksett,  and  Robert  Smith  of  Bristol,  N.  H. ;  d.  May, 
1868. 

Nancy  Hall,  b.  Nov.  15,  1798;  m.  Rice  Dudley  of  Pembroke. 

Ilary  Jane,  d.  unm. 

He  m.  (3)  Mrs.  Elizabeth  G.  Ladd,  Feb.  27,  1820.  He  d.  Nov. 
18,  1829 ;  she  d.  1830. 


GENEALOGY  —  SEVERANCE.  687 


SCEIBNEE. 

Sa^iuel  Screbxer  ^vas  of  Exeter,  perhaps  of  that  part  now 
Breutwood.  He  was  accidentally  shot  by  a  man  who  was  out 
hunting.  He  had  a  son  John,  who  lived  in  Poplin  (Fremont) 
near  Cavel  mill.    He  m.  a  Smith  and  had :  — 

1.  Lieut.  Samuel,  who  lived  in  Candia  on  the  John  Moore  place, 
No.  73,  3d  D.,  and  m.  Moore's  widow;  m.  (2)  a  Harriman,  and 
had:  — 

2.  Manoah,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Daniel  Fitts,  and  settled  in  Ray- 
mond on  No.  105,  O.  H.,  near  Jones  Pond,  and  had  Daniel,  m. 
Ann  Langford,  and  John,  m.  a  Page,  still  residing  there. 

3.  John,  resided  on  the  homestead;  d.  1853.  His  gTandson, 
Benning  S.,  resides  there. 

4.  A  daughter,  m.  Henry  Smith ;  d.  at  Auburn,  Nov.  4.  1858, 
a.  81. 

SEAYEY. 

JoHX  Seavet  probably  came  from  Eye;  m.  Dolly,  dau.  of 
Ithamar  BeiTy,  1762 ;  settled  on  the  west  half  of  No.  36,  2d  P.,  2d 
D. ;  d.  May  18,  1806  ;  she  d.  1816.     Children:  — 

1.  Jonathan,  b.  1763;  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Elijah  Pillsbury;  m. 
(2)  Lucretia  Eand. 

2.  Elliott  Berry,  b.  1766 ;  m.  a  dau.  of  John  Eand ;  no  children. 

3.  Ann,  m.  Isaac  Libby  of  Candia. 

4.  JToIly,  m.  Sam.  Seavey. 

5.  John,  m.  Betsy,  dau.  of  Sherburne  Dearborn;  moved  to  the 
country. 

6.  Andrew,  b.  Feb.  21,  1778;  m.  Hannah  Foss  and  lived  on  the 
homestead. 

7.  Josiah,  b.  Aug.  14,  1780;  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Cort.  Isaac  Lane; 
lived  on  the  Jona.  Morton  place;  d.  July  31,  1863. 

8.  Greenleaf. 

SEVEEANCE. 

Benjajiin  Severance  was  from  Kingstown;  m.  Euth,  dau.  of 
"William  Long  of  Kingstown.     In  1751  he  bought  of  John  Stock- 
man H.  L.  100  and  36,  where  John  Calfe  had  formei-ly  lived.    He 
d.  early;  she  d.  1816,  a.  between  85  and  90.     Children:  — 

Joseph,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Gideon  Cm-rier,  Sen. ;  went  to  Salis- 
bury, N.  H. 

Peter,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Nathaniel  Hall,  and  lived  on  No.  100, 
2d  P.,  2d  D.  He  d.  1817 ;  she  d.  Dec.  23, 1839,  a.  83.  Sons,  Geo. 
W.,  and  James,  lived  in  Auburn. 


588  HISTORY   OF    CHESTER. 


SHANNON. 

Thomas  Shannon  is  said  to  have  come  from  the  "  Shoals;"  m.. 
a  sister  of  Nathaniel  Rand,  and  had  no  permanent  residence. 
Children :  — 

1.  WiUiam,  m.  Hannah  Holmes,  wid.  of  Nathan  Lane.  Chil- 
dren:—  Dea.  Josiah,  m.  Siarah,  dan.  of  Capt.  John  Sargent; 
Sarah,  m.  Moses  Sargent;  Jane,  m.  Jona.  Worthen.    He  d.  1807. 

2.  Samuel,  m.  (1)  Lydia  Taber;  m.  (2)  L5'dia(Leavitt)  Griffin, 
1792.  He  d.  1813;  she  d.  May  25,  1842,  a.  87.  Children:  — 
1,  Lydia  T.,  b.  1794;  m.  Josiah  Morse.  2.  Thomas,  m.  Davis. 
3.  Sarah,  ra.  Thomas  Chase. 

3.  Thomas,  m.  (2)  Dolly  Locke,  wido-w  of  Josiah  Moore. 

4.  John,  m.  a  dau.  of  Jacob  Griffin. 

SHACKFOED. 

William  Shackfobd  was  of  Portsmouth,  and  was  a  retailer. 
Children :  — 

1.  JOHN  was  also  of  Portsmouth,  and  a  block-maker,  and  was 
a  gTantee  of  Chester. 

2.  SAMUEL,  also  of  Portsmouth,  was  a  block-maker  and  a 
grantee.     His  -w-ill  was  proved  March,  1730-31. 

John,  his  sou,  was  a  shoemaker,  and  settled  first  in  Andover, 
then  came  to  Chester  and  settled  on  his  fathei''s  additional  lot  No. 
92,  where  his  great  grandson  Jonathan  now  lives ;  d.  Nov.  2, 
1786.     Children  :  — 

I.   Theodore,  m.  Mary  Bartlett,  Feb.  14,  1754.     Children:  — 

I.  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  3,  1755;  m.  David  Richardson,  1773.  2. 
Susannah,  b.  Feb.  5,  1757;  m.  Dea.  Nathan  Knowles.  3.  Molly. 
4.  Anna.     5.  Theodore,  b.  July  7,  1770. 

Theodore,  Sen.,  lived  on  the  Plain,  and  he  and  his  son  removed 
just  out  of  Chester  into  Alleustown. 

II.  John,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Lt.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  and  lived 
on  the  homestead.  His  Tvill  proved  June  10,  1779.  She  d.  Aug., 
1814.  Children:  — 1.  Billy.  2.  Sarah,  b.  1765,  m.  Bradbury 
Quimby.  3.  Samuel,  b.  Nov.  19,  1767 ;  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Ca^Dt. 
Benjamin  Currier,  April,  1806 ;  lived  on  the  homestead.  He  d. 
Jan.  23,  1843;  she  d.  Aug.  17, 1865.  4.  Jonathan,  b.  1770;  num.; 
d.  Dec,  1799.  5.  Richard,  b.  Nov.  6,  1772 ;  uum. ;  d.  Sept.  3, 
1864.     6.  Betsy,  m.  Josiah  Lane,  son  of  Ezekiel  Lane. 

ni.  A  daughter,  m.  Simon  French,  and  lived  in  Caudia. 


GENEALOGY — SHIELET.  589 


SHAW. 

Cornet  Daatd  Sha-sv  \vas  son  of  Hilliard  Shaw  of  Hampton 
Falls;  m.  Abigail,  only  dau.  of  Paul  aud  Love  Smith,  1780;  lived 
on  the  Smith  i^Iace,  H.  L.  119,  He  d.  Xov.  11,  1825;  she  d.  Dec. 
25,  1847,  a.  94.  Children : —Po?<Z  Smith,  b.  1782,  num.,  d.  May 
15,  1805;  Jonathan  HiUiard.  b.  1784,  was  a  jDhysician,  d.  Sejjt., 
1821 ;  David,  b.  June  20,  1788,  m,  Sally  Marden,  1817,  resides  on 
the  homestead;  Abigail,  m.  Josiah,  son  of  Perley  Chase,  1816, 
d.  1824. 

SHIRLEY. 

It  is  said  that  the  Shirleys  date  back  to  the  Gei*mans,  and  that 
the  Countess  of  Huntingdon,  who  was  the  patron  of  "Whitefield 
and  "Wesley,  was  a  Shirley ;  but  those  who  came  to  Chester  came 
fi'om  Ireland,  and  were  of  Scotch  origin. 

Ja31es  Shirley  came  to  Chester  at  a  very  advanced  age,  about 
the  year  1730,  and  lived  on  Add.  lot  No.  13,  where  the  town  farm 
now  is.  He  had  a  lai'ge  family.  Several  sons  came  over,  onlj' 
three  of  whom  came  to^Chester;— I.  JOHX;  II.  CAPT.  JA^^IES; 
III.  TH03L\S.    He  is  said  to  have  died  1754,  a.  105. 

I.  JOHX  bought  Add.   Xo.   13,  Xov.  6,  1730,  on   which  his 
father  lived.     Xov.,  1731,  he  bought  of  Sampson  Underbill,  H.  L. 
Xo.  124,  on  which  he  settled,  where  Margaret  Sliirley  and  Mrs. 
Cowdery  now  Live.    He  m.  for  a  second  wife,  the  widow  of 
Ai"cM.  MiUer.     Cliildren :  — 

1.  James.  In  1741,  John  deeded  to  his  son  James  the  north 
end  of  Add.  lot  Xo.  13.    Xothing  further  is  known  of  liim. 

2.  Mary,  m.  James  AYilsou. 

3.  Axx,  m.  Eobert  "Wilson. 

4.  Martha,  m.  Alexander  Gilchrist  aud  went  to  Goffstown. 

5.  Jane,  m.  McMurphy  of  Londonderry. 

6.  Dea.  Th05ias,  b.  1728,  m.  Margaret,  dau.  of  Capt.  James 
Sliirley,  and  went  to  Goftstown  and  purchased  of  James  Miller ; 
d.  1808;  shed.  1820,  a.  93. 

7.  Daxiel  went  to  Xew  Chester. 

Issue  of  Dea.  Thomas  and  ]\Iargaret :  — 

1.  Jane,  m.  Eobert  Patten  of  Bradford. 

2.  Polly,  m.  Eobert,  son  of  Alexander  Gilchrist. 

3.  James,  m.  Mary  Moore.  _  He  was  three  years  old  when  they 
moved  to  GoflFstown,  and  rode  there  on  horseback  behind  his 
mother.  He  lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  1855,  a.  96.  Cliildren: — 
1.  Xancy.  2.  Jane.  3.  Thomas,  d.  at  Memphis.  4.  Daniel, 
lived  in  Goffstown. 


590  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

5.  James,  was  a  lawyer  and  lived  at  Vicksburg.  Gen.  Grant's 
entrencliments  went  through  his  front  yard  and  his  house  was 
destroyed ;  and  Gen.  Grant  gave  him  possession  of  the  house  of  a 
rSbel.  After  the  surrender,  a  great  many  claimed  to  have  always 
been  loyal,  and  Gen.  Grant  referred  their  cases  to  Mr.  Shirley,  and 
the  labor  and  excitement  wei"e  more  than  he  was  able  to  endure, 
and  he  d.  Aug.,  1863.  His  son  Robert  Q.  was  admitted  to  West 
Point  upon  the  recommendation  of  Gen.  Grant. 

6.  John,  is  at  Suspension  Bridge,  N.  Y.  7.  Gilman,  was  a 
teacher  at  Cortland,  N.  Y.  8.  William,  at  the  same  place.  9. 
Robert  M.,  m.  Maria  McCutcheou;  lived  on  the  homestead,  but 
removed  to  Manchester,  and  has  a  son  on  the  homestead. 

II.  CAPT.  JAMES  SHIRLEY  was  a  seventh  son,  and  famous 
for  curing  king's  evil,  and  was  a  man  of  considerable  note.  He 
was  b.  Dec,  1700,  m.  Janet  Shirley,  in  Ireland,  and  d.  May,  1796. 
He  came  to  Brookliue,  Mass.,  and  in  1734  bought  Add.  lot  No.  IT, 
and  settled  where  Dudley  C.  Swain  now  lives.    Children :  — 

1.  James,  who  while  coming  from  Exeter  Avas  caught  in  a  thim- 
der  shower,  got  off  his  horse  and  Avas  leading  him,  was  struck  by 
the  lightning  and  killed ;  silver  money  in  his  pocket  and  silver 
knee-buckles  were  melted. 

2.  Margaret,  m.  Dea.  Thomas  Shirley. 

3.  Agxes,  m.  John  McNair,  who  was  a  mariner,  and  d.  soon 
after  marriage;  she  d.  Feb.,  1823,  a.  80. 

4.  JoHX,  lived  on  his  father's  homestead,  and  had  a  son  John. 

5.  Hugh,  lived  on  Add.  No.  13;  was  several  years  clerk  of  the 
Presbyterian  parish,  and  had  a  son  Peter  who  sold  the  i)lace  to 
the  town  and  went  to  Maine. 

6.  Lieut.  Willia3i,  m.  Mary  Morrison,  1788;  lived  on  H.  L. 
124.  He  was  several  years  clerk  of  the  Presbj'terian  iiarish.  He 
d.  1807 ;  she  d.  July,  1843,  a.  83.    Children:  — 

1.  3Tarr/aret,  b.  Aug.  6,  1789;  unm.,  on  the  homestead. 

2.  (Tames,  b.  1791. 

3.  John,  b.  1793,  m.  Polly,  dau  of  Robert  Graham. 

4.  William,  b.  1799. 

6.  2fanj,  b.  1801,  m.  Samuel  Cowdery. 
6.  JRobert,  b.  1803. 

III.  TH0:MAS  SHIRLEY  was  half  brother  of  John  and  Capt. 
James.  He  lived  in  several  places.  He  once  lived  on  Add.  lot  No. 
51,  where  John  Smith  first  settled.  In  one  deed  he  is  said  to  be  of 
Timberlane  (Hampstead) ,  but  hisi  final  settlement  was  at  what  is 
now  Auburn  Village,  his  cellar  yet  being  open  in  Amos  Chase's 
field.  He  died  in  consequence  of  a  blow  from  John  Patten.  He 
and  Patten  met  at  Cajit.  Underhill's  tavern  and  had  some  altercation. 
Patten  had  an  old  scythe  in  his  hand  which  he  was  carrying  to  a 


GENEALOGY  —  SILSBY.  591 

blacksmith,  and  probably  without  any  intention  of  inflicting  any 
serious  injury,  struck  Sliirley  with  the  taug-  of  the  scythe,  making 
a  wound  in  his  head.  The  wound  was  not  considered  serious  at 
first.  It  was  inflicted  Dec.  25,  1775.  Shirley  went  to  London- 
derry, to  Dr.  "Wood,  for  treatment,  and  died  there  Feb.  1,.1776. 
Patten  was  indicted,  and  tried  at  the  September  term,  and  con- 
victed of  manslaughter,  and  sentenced  to  be  branded  in  the  hand, 
which  was  executed.  He  had  a  surgeon  in  attendance  to  ajjply 
some  remedy,  but  it  was  so  slightly  done  that  he  thought  his 
services  needless. 
Thomas  Shirley  had  five  sons  and  one  daughter  :— 
1.  JoHX.  2.  Samuel.  3.  Alexander.  4.  James.  5.  Thomas. 
6.  Anna.    The  names  of  most  of  them  ai'e  on  the  army  rolls. 

1.  Of  John  I  have  no  ti-adition. 

2.  Sajiuel,  b.  about  1740.  He  lived  on  lot  No.  123,  2d  P.,  2d 
D.,  near  the  pond.  He  built  the  first  grist-mill  at  Auburn  til- 
lage, kept  tavern  and  boiled  potash.  He  moved  to  Xorthfield, 
and  thence  to  Union  Bridge;  died  about  1806.  Hem.  (1)  Mar- 
garet, dan.  of  William  Graham.    Children:  — 

1.  Ann,  m.  Daniel  McDuffee;  d.  Nov.  29,  1860,  a.  85. 

2.  John,h.  1781,  m.  Joanna  Gale;  was  a  builder  of  wharves 
and  pile-bridges ;  d.  1851.  He  had  a  son  John  Major,  b.  1831; 
a  lawyer  at  Andover,  X.  H. 

3.  Molly,  m.  Alexander  Donovan;  d.  1826. 

4.  Betsy.    5.  James,  went  to  Long  Island. 
6.  Margaret.    7.  Sally.     8.  Lucretia. 

Margaret  d.  1792.  He  m.  (2)  Anna,  dau.  of  Master  James 
Hazard,  Oct.,  1793. 

9.  Samuel.    10.   William.    11.  Stephen  Dearborn. 

He  m.  (3)  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Hugh  McDuflee,  1798.  She  d. 
1843,  a.  80.    She  had:  — 

Kancy,  m.  Eodney  Allen,  went  to  ^Michigan. 

3.  Alexander  m.  a  dau.  of  James  Hunter. 

4.  JA3IES  m.  Susa,  dau.  of  ArcMe  McDuffee.  They  owned  the 
Oswego  mill,  and  sold  to  the  Rays  in  1806. 

5.  Thomas  m.  Mary  Ann,  dau.  of  James  Wilson. 

SILSBY. 

OziAS  SiLSBT,  son  of  Henry  Silsby  and  Bethia  Woodward,  b. 
at  Windham,  Conn.,  Jime  15,  1760;  gTaduated  at  Dartmouth, 
1785 ;  studied  theology,  and  preached  at  Henniker,  and  at  Wells, 
Me.,  but  his  health  failing,  he  was  never  ordained.  He  came  to 
Chester,  and  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Dea.  John  S.  Dearborn,  1794,  and 
built  a  house,  and  lived  on  tlie  Haverhill  road,  where  James 
Stevens  lately  lived,  nearly  opposite  the  old  Baptist  meeting-house. 


592  HISTOEY    OF   CHESTER. 

He  wag  the  first  mail-carrier  tlirougli  Chester  from  Exeter  to 
Peterborough.  His  wife  d.  1802.  He  m.  (2)  Frances  Congdon. 
He  afterwards  lived  iu  Bedford,  Suttou,  "Warner,  and  died  at 
Hillsborough,  Feb.  28,  1833. 

SILVER. 

Capt.  James  Silver  lived  on  Add.  lot  No.  61,  where  John 
Smith,  the  first  settler  at  the  Long  Meadows,  lived;  d.  1796. 
Children :  — 

Joseph,  lived  on  the  homestead. 

Abraham,  m.  Elizabeth  Gilchrist,  widow  of  Mark  Carr ;  lived  at 
New  Chester. 

Eunice,  m.  Joseph  Calf,  Jr.,  and  John  Downing;  d.  1855,  a.  8G. 

Muldah,  m.  Eldridge. 

Molly,  uum. 

SLEEPER. 

TnoJiAS  Sleeper,  b.  iu  England  about  1607,  came  to  Hampton 
1640;  d.  July  30, 1696.  His  wife,  Joanna,  d.  at  Kingstown  Feb.  5, 
1703,  a.  80.     They  had  7  children:— 

VI.  Aaron,  b.  Feb.  20,  KiGl,  m.  Elizabeth  Shaw  May  23,  1682. 
He  m.  (2)  Sarah;  d.  at  Kingstown  May  9,  1732,  a.  71.  He  had 
17  children  by  his  first  wife,  and  2  by  his  second,  of  whom 

II.  MOSES,  b.  Jan.  22,  1685,  m.  Margaret,  dau.  of  Capt.  Jona. 
Saiiborn  (who  was  Lt.  John  Sanborn's  fifteenth  child),  Jan.  9, 
1714.  She  was  b.  March  20,  1698.  He  d,  at  Kingstown,  Jan.  13, 
1754.    They  had  15  children,  of  whom 

IV.  David,  b.  Nov.  16,  1721,  m.  Margaret  Scribncr,  Nov.  24, 
1743,  and  at  that  time  removed  to  Sandown.  He  m.  (2)  Enth 
Jeuness,  b.  1735.  He  had  19  children;  13  sous  and  2  daugliters 
lived  to  maturity,  and  the  descendants  are  very  numerous,  par- 
ticularly in  Bristol,  N.  H.     He  d.  1780. 

3.  David,  h.  1748,  settled  on  the  homestead  at  Sandown;  re- 
moved to  Vershire,  Vt.,  and  back  to  Sandown, 

4.  Edmund,  b.  March  17,  1753,  m.  (1)  Lydia,  dau.  of  Jethro 
Colby,  March  11,  1779;  lived  on  the  Colby  place,  H.  L.  101  and 
37.  She  d.  Jan.  3,  1802.  He  m.  (2)  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Lt. 
Ezekiel  Worthen,  May  7,  1803.  He  d.  June  1,  1838.  She  d.  July 
18,  1840,  a.  75.     Child:— 

Jethro,  b.  Nov.  9,  1780,  m.  Martha,  dau.  of  Timothy  Wells, 
Jan.  10,  1806;  d.  Sept.  9,  1844. 

15.  Benjamin,  the  fifteenth  child  of  David,  b.  Jan.  17,  1771, 
m.  Betty  Hills,  1796;  hadJosiah,  b.  April  3,  1798;  lives  in  Lon-" 
donderry.     He  d.  at  Compton,  Canada  East. 

V.  Henry,  sou  of  MOSES,  b.  Feb.  17,  1726,  m.  Sarah  Morse  of 


GENEALOGY  —  SMITH.  593 

ISTewburypoi-t,  1748;  resided  tliei-e.  He  d.  Dec.  16,  1781.  She 
was  b.  March  28,  1731,  d.  1793,  had  7  children:— 

4.  John,  b.  Aug.  2,  175-1,  d.  unm.,  June  27,  1834.  He  was  in 
the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill ;  also  in  the  expedition  under  Mont- 
gomery, which  went  up  through  the  woods  to  Quebec,  suffering 
seyerelr.  Upon  the  death  of  Montgomery  he  was  taken  prisoner, 
and  lay  in  prison  nine  months.  He  went  on  a  voyage  as  carpen- 
ter in  the  frigate  Boston,  and  several  in  privateers.  He  had  quite 
a  mechanical  genius.  I  tliink  that  he  once  told  me  that  he  made 
the  first  joiners'  moulding  tools  made  in  this  country.  He  came 
to  Chester  with  his  brother-in-law  Xathl.  Brown  in  1814. 

7.  3£ary,  b.  March  16,  1770,  m.  Xatlil.  Brown;  d.  Xov.  11,  1835. 

Xni.  Richard,  the  thirteenth  child  of  MIOSES,  b.  April  17, 
1738,  m.  Martha  Fifleld  April  22,  1702;  d.  at  Kingstown  1813,  a. 
75;  had  a  dau.  Jfartha,  m.  Lt.  Jacob  Elliot  1798;  d.  1850. 

SMITH. 

Lt.  Thomas  Smith  was  a  grantee,  having  been  atbnitted  by  the 
committee,  Nov.  20,  1720,  in  the  place  of  Richard  Swain.  It  is 
said  that  he  came  from  Ireland  to  Hampton,  but  his  name  is  not 
fouud  on  Hampton  records.  He  came  early  to  Chester ;  was  a 
lot-layer  in  1725,  and  selectman  in  1728.  It  is  said  that  he  married 
a  sister  of  John  Karr,  Sen.  He  settled  on  H.  L.  Xo.  150.  His 
name  appears  frequently  on  the  records  as  Lt.  Thomas  Smith.  In 
March,  1762, he  sold  to  Gideon  Rowel  of  Amesbury,  and  moved  to 
New  Boston.  The  Rowel  heirs  conveyed  to  Nathaniel  Sleeper. 
John  Picket  and  Thomas  Haselton  have  since  OAvned  it. 

In  1724,  he  and  John  Karr  were  taken  by  the  Indians,  an 
account  of  wliich  I  extract  from  Dr.  Bell,  N.  H.  His.  Soc.  Coll. 
Yol.  7,  p.  404:  — 

''  Karr  was  abau.t  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  his  sister  was 
Smith's  wife.  They  were  making  brush  fence  to  secure  the  cow 
from  the  Indians.  They  were  surprised  by  the  crack  of  a  gun, 
the  ball  passing  between  them,  touching  Smith.  The  l)idiuns 
sprang  upon  and  captured  them ;  a  scuffle  ensued  in  which  Smith 
turned  the  butt  of  his  gun  with  a  view  of  sinking  the  lock  into 
the  head  of  Capt.  Joe  English,  the  leader  of  the  Indians,  but 
missed  his  aim.  [The  hill  in  New  Boston,  whose  south  end  is 
very  steep  as  seen  from  Auburn,  was  named  for  this  Indian.] 
They  Avere  captured.  They  proceeded  nortliward  till  niglit,  when 
the  keepers  each  managed  to  secure  his  j^risoner  for  the  night. 
They  were  not  allowed  to  see  where  each  other  lodged.  Smith's 
captor  cut  a  notch  in  the  spreading  root  of  a  beech  tree,  fitted  in 
the  ankle  of  the  prisoner,  then  drove  down  a  stake  so  as  to  make  the 
foot  secure,  while  the  prisoner  was  lying  on  his  back.  His  arms 
38 


594  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

were  also  tied  above  him  with  the  sinews  of  a  deer.  Tlie  next 
day  they  pursued  their  journey,  the  prisoners  not  being  allowed 
to  speak  to  each  other.  The  next  nig'ht  Smith  took  special  notice 
in  which  direction  Karr  was  placed  from  him.  lie  was  secured  as 
on  the  night  previous,  with  the  addition  of  having  hooks  put  over 
his  elbows  and  driven  firmly  into  the  ground. 

Resolving  to  make  his  escape  after  his  Indian  was  asleep  (the 
Indian  slept  on  the  ends  of  the  cords  with  which  he  was  bound) , 
he  gradually  tried  the  strength  of  his  strong  arms,  and  the  hooks 
gave  way.  Then  he  found  tliat  the  cords  would  give.  He  con- 
tinued to  strain  upon  them  until  he  could  get  his  thumbs  under 
the  cord  that  stretched  across  his  breast.  Then  with  that  aid  he 
raised  it  upon  his  chin,  then  got  it  into  his  mouth,  and  after  a 
long  trial,  succeeded  in  raising  it  over  his  nose,  and  finally  over 
his  entire  head.  He  might  have  killed  the  party  but  thought  it 
would  be  murder.  Leaving  them  to  their  pleasing  dreams,  they 
found  a  stream  of  water  in  which  they  traveled  as  tar  as  possible 
to  elude  the  dogs.  At  length  tlioy  climbed  some  trees,  and  soon 
the  day  dawned,  when  they  heard  the  alarm  war-Avhoop  of  their 
disappointed  captors,  which  was  answered  by  another  party  on 
the  opposite  side  of  them.  Their  position  was  now  a  critical  one : 
directly  between  two  parties  of  Indians  so  near  as  to  answer  each 
other  Avith  the  voice.  Descending,  they  made  their  way  back 
towards  Chester,  Avhere  they  anived  on  the  evening  of  the  third 
day  after  capture.  The  garrison  was  at  Chester,  not  London- 
derry. 

The  above  is  the  relation  of  Dea.  Thomas  Smith,  a  grandson  of 
Lieut  Smith,  now  (1852)  over  eighty  years  of  age." 

John  Smith  was  probably  a  brother  of  Lieut.  Thomas,  and  was 
the  first  settler  at  the  Long  Meadows.  In  laying  out  Gov.  Went- 
worth's  farm  of  200  acres  in  1728,  they  began  "  about  40  rods 
from  John  Smith's  corner  where  he  now  dwells."  Thomas  Smith 
deeded  to  him  the  Add.  No.  51  in  1731,  and  something  is  said  in 
the  deed  about  his  quarter  or  share.  They  had  bought  Brownell's 
right,  or  a  part  of  it.  John  and  Rachel  Smith  sold  John  Mills 
No.  51,  in  1741.  Thos.  Sliirlcy  and  Capt.  James  Silver  afterwards 
occupied  it. 

There  was  another  John  Smith  of  Hampton,  who  was  a  com- 
missioner for  running  the  line  between  Massachusetts  and  New 
Hampshire,  and  who  had  two  sons  Paul  and  Sylvanus,  who  were 
early  settlers  in  Chester.  Sylvanus  Smith  was  surveyor  of  high- 
ways in  1731.  They  built  their  first  camp  on  H.  L.  No.  20,  some- 
where opposite  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  AYilson  afterwards  lived,  that 
being  the  main  or  only  road;  but  after  a  road  was  opened  by  Dea. 
Dearborn's,  they  moved  on  to  the  northwest  end  of  the  lot  a  little 
'^•-^^h  of  where  Capt.  David  Shaw's  barn  now  stands. 


GENEALOGY  —  SMITH. 


595 


Paul  Smith  m.  wid.  Love  (Marston)  Gross,  Dec.  18,  1752. 
Abigail,  b.  Dec.  19,  1755,  m.  Cornet  David  Shaw.  The  woods 
were  infested  with  bears  after  Mi-s.  Shaw's  recollection.  He  d. 
about  1765. 

May  29,  1733,  Paul  and  Sylvanus  Smith  bought  H.  L.  Xo.  24, 
on  which  Sylvanus  settled.  He  built  one-eighth  of  the  New  or 
Dearborn  saw-mill  in  1751,  which  his  administrator  sold  in  1772. 
He  was  representative  in  1752.  He  m.  "Wid.  Mary  Weare  of 
Hampton  Falls.  (Daniel  Weare  of  Chester  bought  of  Thomas 
Shirley  half  of  Add.  No.  40.  He  was  probably  her  son.)  They 
had  a  dau.  Huldah,  m  (1)  John  Burley;  m.  (2)  Daniel  Green- 
ough;  d.  Oct.  24,  1847,  a.  85. 

Benjamin  Smith  came  from  Exeter  about  1750,  and  settled  on 
No.  73,  3d  D.  He  was  probably  the  third  settler  in  Candia,  and 
they  were  much  troubled  with  bears.  He  m.  Sarah  Hoit  of  Sea- 
brook,  and  had  nine  children.  He  d,  Jan.  14,  1827,  a.  99.  Chil- 
dren :  — 

Benjamin,  m.  Nancy  Kobie  and  lived  on  the  homestead  and  had 
a  souCapt.  John,  who  lives  on  the  homestead;  Nathl.;  Nicholas; 
Dolly;  Elizabeth,  m.  Capt.  John  Wason,  d.  Dec.  3,  1743,  a.  81 ; 
Lydia,  and  Hannah. 

Besides  Benjamin  Smith,  there  appear  to  have  been  four  others, 
said  to  be  brothers,  who  came  to  Candia  from  Brentwood,  and 
were  sous  of  ISEAEL  SMITH,  b.  1706,  and  Mary,  b.  1709,  who 
were  ni.  Dec.  5,  1728.  They  were  innkeej)ers  at  the  sign  of  a 
horse. 

I.  Chase, 

n.  Oliver,  settled  on  No.  49,  3d  D. ;  d.  Nov.  20,  1810. 

ni.  BiLEr,  settled  on  the  north  end  of  No.  49,  3d  D.,  about 
1771,  and  about  1788  bought  of  Jacob  AVorthen  the  gore  lot  No. 
81,  5th  D.,  and  lived  where  his  son  Biley  now  lives.  He  had  a 
dau.  Abra,  m.  George,  son  of  Nathl.  "Wood,  of  Chester.  He  d. 
Oct.  3,  1829. 

IV.  Jonathan,  settled  on  No.  26. 

I.  Chase  Smith  came  with  his  family  to  Candia  about  1771 ; 
settled  on  the  north  end  of  No.  49 ;  d.  Jan  3,  1810.  He  had  a  son 
Joseph  Chase,  b.  Jan.  17,  1759,  m.  Elizabeth  Gilman  (b.  Sept.  5, 
1756,)  June  8,  1778,  resided  on  the  homestead.    Children: — 

1.  Abigail,  b.  Dec.  12,  1779. 

2.  Joseph  Chase. 

3.  Stephen,  b.  June  6,  1785. 

4.  Betsy.    5.  Ilary. 

6.  Jesse,  b.  Jan.  13, 1794,  lives  on  the  homestead. 

7.  Sally.    8.  Jlehitabel. 


596  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

3.  Steplien,  b.  1785,  m.  Dolly,  clau.  of  Isaiah  Eowe,  Dec.  26, 
1809;  lived  ou  No.  25,  aud  moved  to  Manchester.    Children: — 

1.  Oilman  C.  2.  Sarah.  3.  Fi-ederick.  4.  Sophia.  5.  Abra- 
ham Calvin. 

3.  Frederick,  b.  March  9,  1819,  m.  Emily,  dau.  of  John  Lane, 
Esq.  (who  was  b.  July  22,  1822,)  Dec.  11,  1844.  They  have  no 
children.  The  original  name  is  said  to  have  been  Smyth,  and  for 
the  ijurpose  of  business  convenience  when  he  commenced  busi- 
ness he  restored  the  y  in  writing  Ms  name.  He  was  i*eared  ou  a 
farm,  with  only  common-school  and  academic  education. 

In  1838  he  went  to  Manchester  and  engaged  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits. In  1849,  1850,  and  1851,  he  was  City  Clerk.  In  1852,  1853 
and  1854,  he  was  elected  Mayor,  and  again  in  1864,  unanimously, 
by  all  parties.  In  1855  he  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  and 
Council,  chairman  of  the  commissioners  to  locate,  i)urchase  a 
site,  and  build  the  House  of  Keformation  for  juvenile  ofienders. 
In  1861  he  was  appointed  a  commissioner  to  the  World's  Fair  in 
London,  and  acted  as  one  of  the  jurors  at  the  distribution  of  the 
awai-ds.  He  made  an  extended  tour  on  the  continent  of  Europe, 
and  as  he  was  connected  with  the  State  and  National  Agricultural 
Societies  in  an  official  capacity,  he  made  the  condition  of  European 
agriculture  a  subject  of  especial  investigation.  In  1865  he  was 
elected  Governor,  and  re-elected  in  1866.  In  1866  he  was  chosen 
by  Congress,  for  six  years,  as  one  of  the  managers  of  the  National 
Asylum  for  Disabled  Soldiers. 

As  Mayor  of  Manchester  and  as  Governor  of  the  state,  he  did 
much  to  sustain  the  credit  of  the  city  and  state,  especially  the 
state  in  the  disordered  condition  of  its  finances;  and  also  did 
much  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  of  New  Hampshire  soldiers  in  the 
camp  and  hospital.  He  has  been  cashier  in  the  Merrimack 
Kiver  and  First  National  bank  since  its  charter  in  1855;  also 
treasurer  and  chief  officer  of  the  Merrimack  River  savings  bank 
He  is  also  a  trustee  of  the  New  Hampshire  College  of  Agriculture 
and  Mechanic  Arts,  and  is  also  officially  connected  with  many 
other  benevolent,  moral  aud  industrial  enterprises  in  New  Eng- 
land. 

There  was  a  Bexjamix  Smith  settled  in  Raymond,  on  No.  7, 
O.  H.  In  1761  a  road  was  laid  out  near  his  land,  leading  into 
Epping. 

Joseph  Smith  is  said  to  have  come  from  what  is  now  Raymond 
when  a  boy,  and  might  have  been  a  son  of  Benjamin.  He  gave 
his  time  till  21  to  Jonathan  Beny  for  50  acres  of  land.  He  was 
b.  March  19,  1753;  m.  Ann  Berry;  settled  where  Simon  Haselton 
now  lives;  but  afterwards  bought  of  Robert  Rowe  No.  40,  2d  P., 
2d  D. ;  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  aud,  it  is  said,  at  Bunker 
HiU.    He.  d.  May  24,  1825.    Child:  — 


^■•^<»'^mf0<j^ 


^^^^^vS? 

-J 
1 

^^Hi| 

^  0,  ^  ^ 

1 

GENEALOGY  —  TEMPLETON.  597 

Joseph,  b.,  March  19,  1778,  m.  Anna  Garland;  lived  on  the 
homestead;  d.  Oct.  21,  1858.  Children:— Peter;  Anna;  Joseph, 
on  the  homestead. 

STICKNEY. 

Elizabeth  and  EoiruNi)  Sticknet,  of  Xewburyport,  bought  of 
Andrew"  Craige  his  homestead,  the  south-east  iiart  of  Gov.  AVent- 
■svorth's  farm  of  250  acres,  in  1771.  There  was  an  Anthony 
Stickney  there,  upon  whose  estate  Anthony  Somerby  Stickney 
administered  in  1776. 

Anthony  8.  was  quite  a  prominent  man,  especially  in  the  Pres- 
byterian parish,  though  on  one  occasion  there  was  a  protest 
entered  ao-uinst  liis  serving  in  some  office  because  he  was  not  a 
church-member.  He  and  his  wife  Ruth  had  Dorcas,  b.  1776,  and 
Euth,  b.  1781,  and  some  other  cbildreu.  One  m.  Eev.  Tillotson 
Howe.    Stickney  went  to  Pembroke. 

SWEETSER. 

Henry  Sweetser  came  from  CharlestowTi,  INfass.,  as  a  clerk  in 
the  store  of  Toppan  Webster.  After  Mr.  Webster  stopped  busi- 
ness, he  and  Benjamin  Brown  formed  a  copartnership  in  trade, 
and  did  a  large  business,  much  of  it  ou  credit,  and  to  secure 
pa^nnent  took  several  farms  at  a  higher  price  than  they  could 
realize.  The  Republican  party  had  the  ascendency  in  town,  and 
Mr.  Sweetser  was  very  i)opular,  and  was  chosen  Representative 
from  1802  to  1808.  He  also  held  various  other  offices.  He  held 
the  office  of  Quartermaster-General  of  Xew^  Hampshire.  He 
several  years  kept  tavern  in  Toppan  Webster's  house.  He  m. 
!Xancy,  dan.  of  Benj.  Brown,  Nov.  19,  1798.  She  d.  childless. 
He  m  (2)  Susan,  dan.  of  Jolm  West  of  Concord  and  had  several 
children,  of  whom  I  am  not  informed.  He  removed  to  Concord 
about  1822. 

TEMPLETON. 

Allen  Templeton  came  over  with  Robert  Craige  and  John 
Mclvinley.  He  had  been  married  in  Ireland,  and  had  a  daughter 
born  there,  and  liis  wife  died  there.  The  daughter's  name  was 
Martha,  and  she  m.  John  Orr. 

Allen  m.  Agnes  Craige,  sister  of  Robert,  and  had:  — 

1.  3Iattheio,  who  lived  a  bachelor  on  the  homestead  of  25  acres 
of  Gov.  Wentworth's  farm,  west  of  Robert  Craige's,  until  an  old 
man,  when  he  gave  his  property  to  Thomas  Crawford  and  w*ent  to 
Sandown,  and  d.  Nov.  22,  1825,  a.  87.  He  was  very  eccentric, 
and  many  anecdotes  are  related  of  him. 

2.  Jane,  m.  Robex't  Craw^ford,  of  Sandown.  She  d.  July  10, 
1832,  a.  91. 

Allen  d.  1755,    Agnes  d.  May  3,  1797. 


698  '  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 


TENJ^EY. 

Silas  Texket,  b.  Dec.  4,  1772,  m.  Rebecca  Bailey  (b.  May  13, 
1773)  Oct.  26,  1795 ;  lived  iu  Bradford  until  1804  or  '5,  when  he 
purchased  H.  L.  Ko.-Gl,  where  Jabez  Hoit  had  lived.  He  d.  July, 
1834.    She  is  alive  (1869).     Children:  — 

Bailey,  b.  Jan.  7,  1797. 

Tliomas,'b.'^o\.,  1798,  ^-ad.  Dartmouth,  1825;  m.  Martha  T. 
Parker.     (See  Graduates.) 

Seu-ell,  b.  Aug.  27,  1801,  grad.  Dart.  1827. 

Sally,  b.  Jan.  13,  1804,  m. Hale  and  Eev.  J.  R.  Arnold. 

William,  b.  July  13,  1807,  m. Murray;  lived  on  the  home- 
stead. 

Harriet,  b.  Apnl  8,  1812,  m.  Thomas  J.  Mehin. 

Charles,  b.  Sept.  23,  1814,  grad.  Dartmouth  1835;  m.  Emily  G. 
Pai'sons  1841.     (See  Graduates.) 

Daniel,  b.  Dec.  10,  1816,  grad.  Dartmouth  1841 ;  m.  Mary  A. 
Parker,  1844.     (See  Graduates.) 

TODD. 

William  Todd  came  from  Ireland  and  lived  some  time  in  Bos- 
ton, lie  was  i)robably  married  in  Ireland.  He  settled  on  O.  H. 
No.  56,  in  Raymond.  He  was  one  of  the  petitioners  for  Raymond' 
Children :  — 

I.  Mary,  m.  James,  son  of  John  Moore,  m.  (2)  Robert  Wallace ; 
d.  1832,  a.  91. 

II.  William,  went  to  Freeport,  Me.;  m.  a  Brown  of  N.  Yar- 
mouth. Children:  —  1.  Mary,  ra.  Robert,  son  of  James  Moore; 
lived  at  the  Branch;  d.  Nov.  10,  1856,  a.  84.  2.  Anna,  m.  James, 
son  of  James  Moore ;  lived  at  Freeport,  Me.  He  d.  1798 ;  she  m. 
Robert,  son  of  Alexander  AYitherspoon ;  d.  at  Auburn,  April  19, 
1852,  a.  78. 

III.  Daniel,  m.  Susan,  dau.  of  James  Wilson,  and  lived  at  Ray- 
mond near  the  Branch. 

TOLFORD. 

JoHX  Tolford  was  bom  about  fifteen  miles  from  Londonderry, 
Ireland,  iu  July,  1701.  He,  it  is  said,  came  over  in  company  with 
John  Aiken.  In  May,  1724,  John  Packer  of  Haverhill,  Mass., 
conveyed  to  John  Tolford  of  Bradford,  the  home  lot  No.  66,  and 
one-half  of  all  of  the  other  divisions,  on  condition  that  he  should 
make  a  settlement.  He  accordingly  settled  on  that  lot  on  AValuut 
HiU.  He  was  a  Major  in  the  militia  and  held  many  civil  oJffices. 
He  became  a  large  landholder  and  was  an  enterprising  man.    He 


GENEALOGY  —  TOWLE.  599 

built  the  first  saw-mill  at  White  Hall  in  Hooksett.  He  m.  Jean 
Mc^NIurphy,  Jan.  8,  1734,  and  had  9  children,  3  of  whom  were 
sons : — 

1.  Joshua,  b.  Feb.,  1739,  and  moved  to  Alexandria  when  he 
was  about  22  years  of  age. 

2.  Hugh,  b.  Dec.  22,  1747,  m.  Elizabeth  Patten  of  Bedford,  and 
lived  on  the  homestead,  and  had: — Isaac,  b.  1786;  William,  b. 
1795,  lives  at  Bedford;  Jane;  and  Elizabeth,  d.  April  24,  1823. 

3.  John,  b.  Jan.  2,  17o0,  lived  in  Danbury,  X.  H. 

Major  John  Tolford  d.  May  1790.  Jean  d.  Dec.  29,  1792. 
The  following  is  copied  from  the  Collections  of  the  N.  H .  Hist. 
Soc.,  Yol.  4,  p.  201 :  — 

'^Henvas  selected  in  1754,  being  then  a  Major,  by  the  govern- 
ment of  X.  H.,  as  one  of  the  ofiicers  to  command  the  party  sent  to 
explore  the  Coos  countn*,  which  party  set  out  3Iarch  10,  and  in 
seven  days  reached  the  Connecticut  river  at  Piermont.  They 
were  accompanied  by  John  Stark,  who  had  been  the  preceding 
year  a  prisoner  among  the  Indians,  aud  was  acquainted  with  that 
region,  as  a  guide.  After  passing  one  night  and  making  such 
observations  as  their  time  would  allow  them,  they  returned,  aud 
on  the  13th  day  from  the  time  they  left,  reached  Concord." 

Dea.  "William  Tolford  was  brother  of  Maj.  John;  owned  H. 
L.  69  and  70,  and  lived  there,  where  Mr.  Merril  now  lives.  He  m. 
Isabel,  dau.  of  John  McMurphy.     She  d.  Oct.  17,  1748,  a.  35.     He 

m.  Agnes .    She  d.  Jan.  22,  1785,  a.  66.    He  d.  Sept.  2.5, 

1792,  a.  92.  His  will  dated  1787.  The  legatees  were  John, 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  William  Powel,  Mary,  "uife  of  David  Mc- 
Murphy, Robert  Forsaith  residuary  legatee.    Children:  — 

1.  Elizabeth,  b.  Dec.  13,  1736. 

2.  John,  b.  Nov.  3,  1738,  who  was  many  years  insane  and  con- 
fined in  a  cage. 

3.  Mary. 

4.  David. 

5.  Margaret,  b.  1746 ;  m.  Robert  Forsaith,  and  moved  to  New 
Chester,  1770 ;  had  5  children  born  there,  aud  retui'ued  to  the  Dea. 
Tolford  place,  where  they  had  4  more  children.    He  d.  1810. 

T  O  W  L  E  . 

CALEB  TOWLE  was  son  of  Philip  Towle  and  Isabel  Asten  of 
Hampton;  b.  May  14,  1678;  m.  Zipporah  Bracket.  He  was  one 
of  the  Society  for  Settling  the  Chestnut  Country,  attended  the  first 
meeting,  was  chosen  one  of  the  committee  to  manage  the  affairs 
of  the  Society,  and  likewise  one  of  the  committee  to  lay  out  the 
Home  Lots,  ^e  was  also  one  of  the  gi'antees  of  the  first  saw- 
mill, and  owned  a  part  of  it  up  to  tlie  time  of  making  liis  will, 
Sept.,  1763,  and  gave  it  to  his  sons  Anthony  and  Francis.  They 
had  nine  sons  and  thi'ee  dausfhters. 


600  HISTORY    OF    CHESTER. 

Caleb,  tlie  second,  b.  Maj-  9,  1701,  had  by  the  will  his  .O.  H. 
lot,  ]S"o.  12,  on  which  Elisha,  his  son,  had  previously  settled,  being 
a  petitioner  for  a  road  in  1761. 

Anthony,  the  third  son,  b.  April  30,  1703,  ni.  Sarah  Hobbs, 
Nov.  7,  1734.  He  settled  on  the  southwest  end  of  H.  L.  53  and 
151,  bought  of  the  Clifibrds;  Samuel  Emerson  buying  the  north- 
east end.  He  was  constable  in  1731.  Administration  granted  to 
Phineas  Towle  May,  1765.'   Children:  — 

I.  lieuben,  b.  1735. 

II.  Sainiielf  b.  Xov.  20,  1737,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  Thomas  Dear- 
born, March  13,  1760;  d.  1793.  He  settled  on  the  south  half  of 
No.  49,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  near  school-house  No.  4  in  Candia.  Chil- 
dren : — 

1.  Elizabeth,  b.  17G1. 

2.  Tliomas,  b.  April  18,  1767,  m.  Sally,  dau.  of  Walter  Robie, 
Esq.,  and  lived  on  the  homestead. 

3.  Siuuuel,  b.  1769,  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Abraham  Sargent,  1792; 
keiJt  tavern  several  years  in  the  Toppan  Webster  house. 

4.  Olif.    5.  Eben.    6.  Sarah. 

7.  Jonathan,  b.  1781;  d.  at  Havana,  1801. 

8.  Eichard,  b.  1783,  m.  Lydia,  dau.  of  Moses  Emerson,  and 
lived  with  his  uncle,  Dea.  John  S.  Dearborn,  sold  out  and  went 
to  Steuben  County,  N.  Y. 

9.  Polly. 

III.  Jonathan,  b.  1739,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  John  Robie,  and  lived 
near  Samuel.  In  laying  out  tlie  road  in  1762,  it  went  '•  west  of 
Samuel  Tole  and  Jonathan  Tole's  housen."  Walter  Robie  settled 
liis  administration  account,  1777. 

IV.  Fhineas,]).  1742.    V.  Jlorris,  b.  1743.   VI.  Bracket,  b.  1746. 
VII.  Sarah.    VIII.  Simon.    IX.  Ilary. 

X.  Anthony,  b.  Nov.  4,  1752;  lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  1808. 

Francis  Towle,  eleventh  son  of  Caleb,  b.  Jan.  13,  1711,  m. 
Judith,  dau.  of  Ensign  Jacob  Sargent,  June  4,  1738,  and  settled 
on  his  father's  H.  L.,  No.  55.  Children:  —  Elizabeth,  Hannah, 
31ary,  Zipporah  and  Francis,  who  settled  on  No.  85,  2d  P.,  2d 
D.,  the  northwest  side  of  the  road  over  Rattlesnake  Hill. 

Isaac  Towle,  the  son  of  Zachariah  and  Anna,  baptized  April 
6,  1735,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Nathan  Philbrick  and  Dorcas  John- 
son, Feb.  17,  1754.  She  was  b.  May  13,  1730.  Isaac  d.  Aug.  24, 
1791.  The  wid.  m.  Jonathan  Swain,  Esq.,  Jan.  9,  1797;  d.  Feb. 
5,  1820.  He  settled  on  Add.  No.  61;  was  a  blacksmith.  Chil- 
dren :  — 

I.  Simon,  m.  Eleanor,  dau.  of  Nathl.  Hall,  1I?9;  built  and 
lived  in  the  house  since  occupied  by  Benjamin  and  William  Eaton, 
Drs.  Brown,  Whittemore  and  Brown ;  moved  to  HaAerliill,  N.  H., 
about  1805;  d.  Dec.  11,  1808.    Children:— 


GENEALOGY  —  TRUE.  601 

Edward;  Hemy;  Charles;  Elizabeth;  Frederic. 

II.  Abraham,  m.  (1)  Sally  McClelloii;  she  d.  1814.  He  m.  (2) 
IS'abby  Emerson,  widow  of  Benja.  Hall.  He  lived  on  the  home- 
stead.    Children : — 

Caiy,  d.  imm.    Sally,  m.  Benjamin  Baker  and  Henry  Eobie. 

HI.  Isaac,  b.  1771,  m.  Anna,  dan.  of  Elijah  Pillsbnry,  1792;  she 
d.  1814.  He  m.  (2)  Wid.  Bntterfield,  1815;  she  d.  1846.  He  m. 
(3)  Mrs.  Hannah  Shackford.  He  lived  on  Xo.  103,  2d  P.,  2d  D. ; 
built  the  house  where  Andrew  F.  Fox  now  lives ;  moved  to  Fran- 
cestown;  d.  June,  1856. 

IV.  Elizabeth,  m.  Sherburne,  son  of  Peter  Dearborn,  1779 ;  she 
d.  Nov.  25,  1798. 

TOWNSEND. 

Ebexezer  TowNSEXD  cauie  from  Charlestown,  Mass.;  settled 
on  H.  L.  No.  11,  where  John  Gage  had  lived;  m.  Ann  Parker 
June  4,  1776.  He  d.  Oct.  12,  1840,  a.  88;  she  d.  June  12,  1831,  a. 
71.    Children: — 

John,  b.  1777. 

JSrinci/,  b.  1778,  m.  Jona.  Parker  of  Pittsfield. 

Hannah,  h.  Ju\y  30,  1780,  m.  Dea.  John  Lane;  lived  on  the 
homestead;  d.  April  28,  1861,  a.  81. 

Uben,  b.  1782,  lived  in  New  York  City. 

Isaac  Parker,  b.  1784. 

Betsy,  b.  1786,  m.  AYilliam  Stanwood;  lived  at  Newburyport. 

Abigail,  b.  1789,  m.  William  Barstow. 

Nathan,  b.  1791,  m.  Eliza  Harding;  lived  at  Wilmington, 
Mass. 

Deborah,  b.  Aug.  26,  1793;  d.  April  24,  1826,  unm. 

TEUE. 

Capt.  Joseph  True  came  from  Salisbuiy,  Mass. ;  was  surveyor 
of  highways  1755;  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Joshua  Prescott;  settled  on 
No.  13  or  14,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  the  southwest  side  of  the  river,  below 
the  Branch.     Children :  — 

31olly,  b.  1757,  m.  Dr.  Francis  Hodgkins;  Henry;  Abigail', 
Sarah,  m.  David  Glidden;  Joseph,  b.  1766;  Love,  b.  1770. 
Joshua,  b.  1772;  Levi,  d.  1832. 

Joseph,  Sen.,  d.  April,  1800. 

Bexjamtn  True  came  from  Salisbury,  Mass. ;  was  surveyor  of 
highways  in  1756 ;  m.  Mehitabel  Osgood.  They  settled  first  on 
the  northeast  side  of  the  river,  near  the  Branch,  but  moved  to  the 
southwest  side,  on  No.  14,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  He  d.  May  5,  1817  ;  she 
d.  Oct.  24,  1825,  a.  94.    Child:  — 

Capt.  Benjamin,  m.  Mary  Locke,  dau.  of  Capt.  William  Locke, 


602  HISTOEY   OF   CHESTER. 

and  lived  on  the  homestead,  whei*e  his  son, Osgood  now  lives. 
He  d.  Xov.  13,  1841,  a.  81  v.,  7  mo.    She  d.  Nov.  13,  1839,  a.  71. 

TUENER. 

"William  Tcrxer,  previous  to  1742,  had  purchased  four  acres 
at  the  northeast  end  of  Add.  No.  9,  of  Paul  McFersou.  He  "was 
eithei'  the  first  or  second  settler  in  Candia.  There  is  a  tradition 
that  David  McClure  was  the  first  settler,  and  that  Mr.  Turner  bor- 
rowed fire  there  when  he  moved  to  Candia ;  but  he  bought  lot  No. 
35,  3d  D.,  1741.     He  m.  Sarah,  dan.  of  Enoch  Colb}'.    Children: — 

1.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  5,  1747,  first  child  in  Candia;  d.  num.,  183G. 

2.  3Iary,  b.  April  9,  1752,  m.  Capt.  Sargent;  d.  1823. 

3.  Moses,  b.  Nov.  1755 ;  lived  on  the  homestead ;  d.  1844. 

4.  Susanna,  b.  Nov.  12,  1758. 

Wm.  Turner  d.  Dec.  8,  1796;  his  wife  d.  :May  28,  1811.  Now 
if  Mr.  Turner  went  to  Candia  when  first  married,  he  was  there 
before  McClui-e.  In  1756  Jona.  Blunt  sold  to  Winthrop  Sargent 
one-eighth  of  a  saw-mill,  on  No.  35,  3d  D.,  which  he  purchased  of 
William  Turner. 

TYLER. 

Richard  Kent,  of  Newbury,  sold  his  full  right  to  Johx  Tyler 
of  Boxford,  May  2,  1727.  He  gave  up  the  Home  and  Add.  lots, 
and  in  1731  had  them  both  laid  out  together  northwest  of  Gov. 
Wentworth's  farm  of  250  acres,  southwest  of  the  Congregational 
church  in  Auburn.  In  1734,  he  deeded  it  to  his  son  Moses,  who 
had  previously  settled  on  it.  The  road  from  the  corner  near 
school-liouse  No.  2,  in  Auburn,  to  the  Congregational  church, 
was  laid  out  at  his  request  in  1740.  He  sold  to  Andrew  McFar- 
land  in  1745,  including  the  orchard.  He  moved  to  Suncook. 
McFarland  sold  fifty  acres  to  Stephen  Merrill.     Children  : — 

Joshua,  b.  1735;  Hannah;  AdonijaJi;  Jepthah;  dSfabby,  b. 
1743. 

UNDERHILL. 

The  earliest  of  any  of  the  name  that  we  know  anything  about, 
and  the  ancestor  of  all  of  that  name  in  Chester,  was  Sajipsox. 
There  are  deeds  on  the  records  in  his  name  as  early  as  April,  1717, 
in  which  he  is  styled  "  clothier."  Sampson  Underbill  and  Eliza- 
beth Ambrose,  both  of  Salisbury,  were  married  by  Rev.  Caleb 
Gushing,  minister  of  the  gospel  in  Salisbury,  Januaiy  15,  1717. 
(See  Nathl,  Ambrose) . 

SA:SIPS0N  UNDERHILL  sold  to  Jenness  his  farm  of  fifty  acres, 
on  which  "  he  lived  and  kej)t  tavern,"  April  1, 1730,  for  £500,  and 
probably  then  came  to  Chester.    He  bought  H.  L.  No.  28,  and  lived 


GENEALOGY  —  UNDERHILL.  '   603 

near  where  D.  L.  Bachelder  s  hotel  now  is.  He  probably  died  in 
1732,  as  his  estate  was  appraised  in  May  of  that  year  at  £483,  19s. 
6d.  His  wife  was  administrator.  The  uniform  tradition  is  that  he 
was  the  fii'st  person  buried  in  the  present  burying-gTOund.  It  was 
on  the  ten-rod  way,  in  the  rear  of  the  old  meeting-house.  A  grave 
was  shown  me  many  years  since,  as  Ms,  just  inside  of  the  wall, 
opposite  the  i^reseut  meeting-house. 

There  is  on  SaUsbiuy  recoi-ds :  "  John  IJnderhill,  son  of  Samp- 
son and  Elizabeth  his  wife,  born  March  16,  1720-21 ;  Jeremiah, 
born  Dec.  29,  1724."  There  were  also  Hezekiah  and  Moses,  not 
on  the  records. 

In  August,  1742,  the  widow  settled  her  account  of  administra- 
tion, and  charges  for  the  support  of  a  son  Hezekiah  4i  years; 
Moses,  6d  years,  and  a  sick  son  Jeremiah,  10  yeai's. 

In  1842,  March  29,  Elizabeth  Underbill  conveyed  to  James 
Yaruum  of  Chester  the  home  lot  Xo.  28,  and  John  Underbill 
released  the  same ;  also  a  house  and  barn  on  the  highway  between 
the  lot  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Flagg's.  The  widow  was  soon  after 
married  to  Benjamin  Batchelder,  who  lived  where  Mr.  Sargent 
now  lives,  below  Mr.  Orcutt's  H.  L.  138.  James  Varnum  pur- 
chased of  the  town  five  rods  of  the  ten-rod  way.  He  sold  to  Col. 
"Webster.  The  place  has  been  subsequently  owned  and  occupied 
by  Dr.  John  Wingate,  Dr.  Benjamin  Kittridge,  A.  G.  Quigg,  J. 
S.  Brown,  and  others,  now  by  D.  L.  Bachelder.     Childi-en: — 

1.  Joiix  Underhill,  m.  Joanna  Healey,  daughter  of  ^Villiam 
Healey,  Oct.  21,  1741.  They  lived  on  Add.  53,  near  Jacob  Chase. 
He  d.  July  31,  1793;  she  d.  Aug.,  1809.    Children:— 

I.  Betty,  b.  July  13,  1742,  m.  Samuel  Buswell,  of  Candia.  She 
was  a  hypochondriac,  and  lay  in  bed  without  speaking  six  years ; 
d.  Sept  30,  1806. 

n.  William,  Y).  Feb.  15,  1744,  m.  Abigail  Choate;  settled  on 
lot  Xo.  46,  3d  D.,  in  Candia;  sold  to  X.  Brown  in  1771 ;  removed 
to  Moultonborough ;  had  6  children. 

III.  John,  b.  June  20,  1745,  m.  Hannah  Colby;  settled  in  Ches- 
ter, near  the  brick  school-house,  where  AY.  AATiittemore  now 
lives,  and  i-emoved  to  Plainfleld,  and  d.  of  hypo.,  1816.  Had  7 
children. 

IV.  2£olly,  b.  Dec.  4,  1747,  m.  James  Pierce;  lived  opposite 
where  John  lived ;  moved  into  the  country. 

V.  Moses,  b.  Feb.  2,  1749,  m.  Patty  Knight,  Xabby  Elliot  and 
Eachael  Lufkin,  and  had  a  large  number  of  children,  most  of 
whom  d.  young: — 

Patty,  m.  a  Godfrey  of  Hampton;  Moses,  num.,  was  in  the  war 
of  1812;  Sally,  b.Xov.  26,  1790,  m.  (1)  Smith  Greenough,  m.  (2) 
Abraham  Sargeut,  Jr. ;  Polly,  m.  Thomas  Montgomery;  Stephen, 


604  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

m.  Sally  Currier;  David,  was  a  wheelright,  lived  in  Concord,  re- 
moved to  Amherst,  and  was  county  treasurer,  d.  July  28,  1827 ; 
Euth,  m.  G.  W.  Everett,  and  lived  in  Chester. 

Jloses  lived  a  little  west  of  the  brick  school-house  in  Chester ; 
he  d.  Feb.  8,  1838. 

Yl.  David,  b.  Sept.  9,  1751,  m.  Jemima  Blake;  resided  on  the 
homestead:  d.  July,  1827;  she  d.  June  25,  1829;  had  one  son, 
John,  m.  Lucy  Linn. 

VII.  Samuel,  b.  May  5,  1752,  m.  Sarah,  dan.  of  Hezekiah 
Underbill;  resided  on  Add.  lot  No.  54,  where  George  S.  Under- 
bill now  lives.  Hed.  Sept.  20,  1828;  she  d.  Aug.,  1829.  Chil- 
dren:— 

1.  Eichard,  who  lived  at  New  Chester  and  on  the  Charles  Moore 
place  in  Chester,  and  had  8  children. 

2.  William  H.,  m.  Sally  March  and  Elizabeth  ToAvle,  dan.  of 
Isaac  Towle,  Jr. ;  resided  on  Add.  lot  No.  55,  where  his  son  AV'il- 
liam  P.  resides;  d.  Dec.  14,  1843,  a.  60. 

3.  Samuel,  m.  Betsy  March;  resided  in  New  Chester  and  Bos- 
cawen. 

4.  Dolly,  m.  Eichard  Dearborn,  son  of  Jonathan;  resided  in 
NcAV  Chester. 

VIII.  Jeremiah,  b.  Aug.  6,  1755,  m.  Anna  Heath;  lived  where 
Caleb  Hall  first  settled,  on  the  road  to  what  is  now  called  Bunker 
Hill,  in  Auburn.  They  had  9  children,  who  were  raised  in  a 
house  with  but  one  large  room  and  a  bedroom.  He  d.  suddenly, 
Sept.  16,  1794;  she  d.  May  19,  1844.    Children:  — 

1.  David,  b.  1776.  2.  Elijah,  m.  Molly  White.  3.  Benjamin, 
m.  Polly  Green.  4.  Betsy,  m.  Samuel  Davis.  5.  Eeuben,  m. 
Hannah  H.  Chase.  6.  Anna,  m.  Joseph  Little.  7.  James,  m. 
Elizabeth  Chase.  8.  Samuel.  9.  John,  b.  Nov.  46,  1793,  m. 
Molly  Chase. 

IX.  Sarah,  m.  Capt.  Eichard  Greenough,  of  Atkinson;  d.  1838. 

X.  Joanna,  m.  Moses  Preston. 

2.  Hezekiah  Uxderhill,  son  of  Sampson,  m.  Tabitha  Sargent, 
wid.  of  John  Foss.  He  was  a  shoemaker,  and  settled  on  Add.  lot 
No.  47,  where  his  son  Josiah  and  gi'andson,  Jesse  J.,  lived.  He 
d.  March  8,  1800;  she  d.  Aug  24,  1803.     Children:  — 

I.  Jonathan,  who  probably  died  in  the  army. 

n.  Hannah,  m.,  and  went  to  Cabot,  Vt. 

TIT.  Sarah,  m.  her  cousin  Samuel  Underbill ;  d.  Aug.,  1829. 

IV.  Josiah,  b.  about  1759,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Melvin, 
Feb.  26,  1784;  d.  May  1,  1822,  a.  63;  she  d.  March  1*7, 1847.  Cliil- 
dren :  — 

1.  Jesse  J.,  b.  Oct.  2,  1784,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Dea.  John 
Graham;  d.  Oct.  21,  1860;  she  d.  Sept.  18,  1851,  a.  60. 


i 


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606 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


Jesse  J.  once  told  me  that  Nathaniel  Hall  had  an  ax  in  which 
the  smith  did  not  succeed  in  welding  in  the  steel,  and  he  riveted 
it,  and  Mr.  Hall  had  to  carry  a  hammer  to  tig-hten  the  rivet.  He 
did  )iot  tell  me  who  the  smith  was,  hut  one  of  his  children  told 
me  that  it  was  his  father.  Mr.  Underhill,  however,  became  a 
workman,  and  drove  a  thriving  business  at  all  branches,  includ- 
ing scythes,  axes,  hoes,  &c.,  as  his  account  book  shows. 

The  earliest  specimen  of  a  narrow  or  chopping 
ax  that  I  have  seen,  was  apparently  made  of  iron, 
two  to  two  and  a  half  inches  wide,  and  half  an 
inch  thick,  with  no  head  or  poll  more  than  the 
thickness  of  the  iron.  The  eye  was  plated  so  as  to 
have  ears  jiroject  inside  on  the  handle,  and  the  ax 
would  be  about  nine  inches  loug.  They  would 
then  have  a  straight  handle  nearly  three  feet  long. 
Gordon  Bean,  of  Candia,  has  two  which  he  found 
on  his  farm,  one  apparently  considerably  worn, 
about  nine  inches  long,  the  other  apparently  new, 
and  longer. 

The  first  whom  I  knew  to  make  a  business  of 
edge-tools  was  Ingalls  of  Dunstable,  at  the  Harbor, 
I  suppose,  near  where  the  shop  of  the  Underhill 
Company  now  is. 

As  Mr.  Underhill's  sons  grew  up,  they  learned  the  trade. 
Jesse  J.  settled  where  the  Candia  I'oad  crosses  the  Londonderry 
turnpike,  wiiere  Charles  Offut  now  lives,  but  soon  returned  and 
took  his  father's  shop.  He  soon  turned  his  attention  almost  ex- 
clusively to  the  tool  business. 

The  axes  were  then  made  of  Russia  iron  and  blistered  steel. 
At  the  time  of  the  war  of  1812  it  was  very  difficult  to  get  steel,  it 
being  of  English  manufacture.  American  steel  was  tried,  but  it 
proved  worthless.  Mr.  Underhill  at  length  obtained  a  quantity 
which  was  smuggled  through  Canada,  for  which  he  paid  seventy- 
five  cents  per  pound. 

At  that  time  they  had  a  veiy  slow  method  of  doing  their  work. 
They  would  take  as  long  a  piece  of  iron  as  they  could  well  han- 
dle, and  cut  and  turn  down  about  an  inch  to  make  a  head,  then 
plate  the  cheek,  and  cut  it  off  and  lay  it  aside  for  one-half  of  the 
ax;  and  then  in  the  same  manner  make  the  other  side,  and  weld 
them  together.  One  of  Mr.  Underhill's  apj)rentices,  Nathaniel 
Brown,  informs  me  that  he  and  Joseph  Neil  used  to  work  three 
hours  in  the  winter  evenings  to  make  three  polls,  without  wekling 
in  the  steel.  But  after  a  while  they  cut  oflf  a  pattern  for  an  ax, 
plated  the  cheeks,  turned  it  over,  and  either  welded  on  or  upset  a 
head.    The  steel  was  either  split  or  drawn  down  with  a  welding 


GENEALOGY — .UNDERHILL.  60T 

heat,  to  weld  uj)  the  blisters.    After  all,  the  tool  would  ofteu 
l^rove  iiawy.  ^ 

It  was  then  a  good  day's  work  for  two  men  to  make  six  axes, 
working-  from  morning  till  night,  with  no  finish  whatever.  It 
would  then  take  the  purchaser  two  or  three  hours  on  an  ordinary 
grindstone  to  grind  an  ax  to  an  edge. 

In  1822,  Mr.  Underhill,  with  his  apprentices  (his  brother  Jay 
T.  and  Elihu  Thayer)  went  to  work  at  Boston  for  Mr.  Faxon, 
then  a  celebrated  workman.  The  work  was  all  done  there  by 
hand,  and  with  a  common  forge,  but  they  had  a  horse-power  to 
l)ut  on  some  finish,  and  two  hands  were  required  to  forge,  temper 
and  grind  six  chopping  or  three  broad  axes  per  day. 

In  1824  Mr.  Faxon  died,  and  the  Underliills  took  the  shop.  In 
1826  Jesse  J.  returned  to  Chester  and  put  up  a  horse-power,  and 
put  some  finish  on  liis  tools.  In  1828  Jay  T.  built  a  shoj)  on  Ches- 
ter Street,  and  moved  liis  horse-power  from  Boston,  and  ran  four 
fires.  In  1829  Jesse  J.  and  his  son  Samuel  G.  went  to  Boston, 
and  did  business  in  the  old  fashipn.  In  1832  Jesse  J.  returned  to 
Chester  and  fitted  up  a  water-power,  with  tilt-hammer,  grinding 
and  polishing,  in  his  father's  old  grist-mill. 

In  183-3,  Flagg  T.  having  learned  the  trade,  J.  T.  and  he  bought 
the  Blanchard  mills,  built  a  shop,  with  tilt-hammer,  grinding,  and 
blowing  common  bellows  by  water.  In  1837,  J.  S.  Brown  became 
a  partner.  In  1839  Jay  T.  died,  and  the  business  was  carried  on 
under  ditferent  firms  by  F.  T.  Underhill,  J.  S.  Brown,  Xathaniel 
Brown,  and  ^Y.  W.  Leighton. 

About  1839  the  business  undei^went  a  great  revolution.  The 
hard  coal  furnace  with  a  fan-blower,  which  gave  a  much  hotter 
fire  with  a  constant  blast,  was  introduced,  and  refined  English 
iron  of  a  more  suitable  size  used,  so  that  instead  of  being  an  hour 
making  one  poll,  four  axes  could  be  made  with  steel  fit  for  the 
grinder  in  one  hour,  without  any  division  of  labor.  In  the  Under- 
liill  and  Blodgett  shops,  where  there  is  a  greater  variety  of  tools 
and  di\-ision  of  labor,  it  is  done  much  faster. 

These  improvements  were  introduced  into  the  large  establish- 
ments of  Collins  at  Hartford,  and  Hunt  at  Douglass,  several 
years  earlier.  George  W.  set  up  at  N'ashua  in  1839,  but  a  large 
stock  company  was  formed  in  1851,  of  which  he  is  6U.perinten- 
dent.  George  "VY.  informs  me  that  when  he  first  started  at 
Nashua  in  the  old  Ingalls  shop  with  a  blower,  nine  narrow  or  five 
broad  axes  was  a  day's  work.  The  Underhill  company,  in  1865, 
employed  about  sixty  men  and  produced  three  hundred  chopping 
axes,  and  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  broad  axes,  and  other 
kinds  of  tools  daily.  Cast-steel  was  not  used  by  Mr.  Underhill 
until  about  1820.  It  was  at  first  supposed  to  be  incapable  of 
standing,  excepting  laid  on  iron,  as  in  chisels  andx)lane  irons ;  and 


608  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

there  was  a  great  secrecy  about  welding  it.  "When  it  first  came 
into  use  it  was  not  of  assorted  sizes,  but  about  au  iuch  square. 
For  axes  it  was  cornered  down,  and  for  other  tools  had  to  be 
drawn.  When  blister  steel  was  used,  and  in  the  early  days  of 
cast-steel,  German  steel  Avas  used  for  small  tools. 

3.  Moses,  the  third  son  of  Sampson  Underhill.  learned  the  trade 
of  a  hatter  at  Exeter,  and  always  went  by  the  appellation  of 
"Hatter  Underliill."  He  owned  land  and  probably  lived  and 
carried  on  his  trade  a  little  northwest  of  the  brick  school-house  in 
Chester,  where  his  nephew  Moses  afterwards  lived.  In  1770  he 
bought  of  John  Dearborn  of  Stratham,  half  of  Xo.  127,  2d  P.,  2d 
D.,  on  which  he  built.  His  house  stood  the  west  side  of  the  main 
road  a  few  rods  south  of  the  barn  where  Oilman  C.  Smith  lately 
lived  in  Auburn.  His  house  was  single  in  width  with  a  stone 
chimney  sufficiently  capacious  to  receive  wood  eight  feet  long, 
which  he  drew  in  with  a  horse.  The  fireplace  has  been  standing 
witliin  my  recollection,  and  I  have  seen  old  men  in  passing  point 
it  out  to  young  men.  He  kept  a  tavern,  furnishing  his  guests 
lodging  on  bear  skins  on  the  floor.  Jesse  J.  Underhill  once  had 
occasion  to  call  upon  Daniel  Webster  at  his  office  in  Boston.  Mr. 
Webster  inquired  of  his  relationship  to  the  landlord  of  the  "Bear 
tavern."  He  said  that  when  a  lad  he  drove  his  father's  team  and 
used  to  put  up  tliere  and  lie  on  bear  skins ;  they  therefore  called 
him  the  "  Bear."' 

He  m.  Anne  Glidden  of  Exeter,  sister  to  Xathaniel  Glidden, 
Dec.  26,  1753.     Children :  — 

Abigail,  b.  Oct.  21,  1754,  m.  Moses  Crombie,  d.  April  29, 1849; 
Elizabeth,  b.  Feb.  20,  1757,  d.  unmarried;  Anne,  m.  John  Wilson 
and  Avent  to  Corinth,  Vt. ;  Nathaniel  went  to  Piermont,  N.  H. ; 
Moses,  m.  Sarah  BusWell  and  lived  where  Eobert  Patten  now 
lives,  on  127,  2d  P.,  2d  D.    He  d.  1827 ;  she  d.  1826. 

VARNUM. 

Jaaies  Tarxuji  and  John  Tolford  were  chosen  invoice  men  in 
1741,  and  the  inventory  wliich  Avas  returned  to  the  Secretary's 
office  to  make  a  proportion  of  rates,  is  in  his  hand-Avritiug,  and  it 
is  excellent.  He  m.  Abigail,  the  A'oungest  dau.  of  Dea.  Ebenezer 
Dearborn,  Oct.  26,  1742.  March  29,  1742,  he  bought  of  Elizabeth, 
widow  of  Sampson  Underhill,  H.  L.  Xo.  28,  with  a  house  and 
barn  on  the  ten-rod  way,  where  he  hved,  and  probably  kept 
tavern,  as  a  proprietors'  meeting  was  adjourned  from  the  meeting- 
house to  James  Varnum's,  "  on  account  of  the  cold."  He  sold  to 
Col.  John  Webster,  March  2,  1753. 

Abigail  administered  on  liis  estate  AjDi'il  28, 1756.  She  m.  John 
Robie.     Children:  — 

1.  Abigail,  b.  1743,  m.  Ezekiel,  son  of  Cort.  John  Lane,  1762, 


GENEALOGY — WASON.  609 

who  d.  iu  the  army,  1777,  and  she  m.  Peter  Hills,  1780;  d.  Jan.  4, 
1802. 

2.  flames,  b.  Feb.  14,  1745,  m.  Anua,  dau.  of  John  Robie,  who 
had  been  married  to  a  Towle  and  to  Jacob  Quimby,  and  lived 
where  Qnimby  had  lived,  Xo.  63,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  He  d.  Xov.  7, 
1827,  at  Stanstead,  C.  E. 

3.  John,  b.  Sept.  23, 1746,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Thomas  Patteli, 
and  lived  in  Raymond;  d.  June,  1803.  Children:  —  1.  Polly,  m. 
Samuel,  son  of  Col.  Nathaniel  Emerson.    2.  Peter.    3.  John. 

4.  Peter.  5.  Josiah.  6.  Mary,  m.  Peter  Moores,  and  went  to 
Maine.  7.  Sarah,  b.  Jan.  29,  1754,  m.  Moses,  son  of  AYiuthrop 
Sargent.    She  d.  1813. 

WADDEL. 

Jame3  and  Johx  "Waddel  lived  on  Add.  Lot  132.  It  is  not 
known  that  John  had  a  family.  James  married.  Children :  — 
Betty,  killed  by  John  Tolford;  a  dau.,  m.  "Woodsworth,  d.  in 
Chester;  Susannah,  d.  1824;  Jlirabah,  b.  1750,  um.  d.  1848,  a.  98. 

^^ASOX. 

Tho^ias  TVasox  came  from  Ireland  to  Londonderry.  In  July, 
1738,  he  bouglit  Add.  Lot  Xo.  106.  Isaac  Foss  had  settled  on  the 
west  end  of  101 ;  John  Foss  on  the  west  end  of  105,  in  1745 ;  .John 
Moore  and  James  McClure  on  the  east  end  of  their  lots,  but  Mr. 
"Wason  settled  near  the  center  of  his  lot,  and  the  family  remained 
without  a  road  until  1822.  He  d.  Jan.,  1801,  a.  about  100.  Cliil- 
dren : — 

I.  Thomas,  lived  iu  Candia  on  the  goi-e  between  the  old  and 
new  hmidreds,  where  J.  O.  AVason  now  lives;  d.  1792, 

II.  Robert,  m.  a  "VTason  of  Hudson,  and  lived  in  Candia,  on  the 
east  end  of  Xo.  118,  2d  P.,  2d  D. ;  d.  1805,  a.  70.    Children:  — 

1.  Dea.  James,  b.  1762,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Samuel  Dinsmore, 
and  lived  on  Xo.  m,  2d  P.,  2d  D. ;  d.  1826. 

2.  Capt.  John,  b.  1764,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Benjamin  Smith 
of  Candia:  lived  near  Candia  corner  and  opposite  the  Long 
Meadow  meeting-house.     He  d.  1848,  a.  84;  she  d.  1843,  a.  81. 

3.  Thomas,  went  to  Corinth. 

4.  Bets}',  m.  Ebeuezer  Gregg  of  Dorchester. 

5.  Anna,  m.  a  Clough  of  Caiidia. 

6.  Sarah,  m.  Edward  Baker  of  Ljnne. 

7.  Hannah,  m.  a  Frost  of  Lyme. 

8.  Robert,  m.  Catharine,  dau.  of  David  Graham;  went  to 
Maine. 

ni.  John,  went  to  St.  Johns,  Xew  Brunswick. 
IV.  James,  b.  1746,  m.  Jane,  dau.  of  Patrick  Melvin,  who  was 
89 


610  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

b.  1747;  lived  on  the  homestead.    He  d.  March  U,  1829.    Chil- 
dren ;  — 

1.  John,  m.  Jane,  dau.  of  Thomas  Wilson,  who  d.  1805;  m.  (2) 
Sarah  Osgood;  lived  on  the  gore  vrhere  Thomas  Wason,  Jr.,  had 
lived. 

2.  Thomas,  b.  Kov.  23,  1775,  m.  Abigail,  dan.  of  Cornet  Isaac 
Lane.    He  d.  1862,  a.  87. 

3.  Mary,  b.  1777,  m.  a  Holt;  d.  1829. 

4.  Sarah. 

5.  James,  b.  Feb.  13,  1780,  m.  Dorothy,  dan.  of  Capt.  Michael 
Worthen,  who  was  b.  March  7,  1783;  both  alive  18G9;  lived  on 
the  homestead. 

6.  Samnel,  b.  June  13,  1783;  lived  unm.  on  the  homestead;  d. 
July  4,  1868. 

AVEBSTEE. 

SiEPHEN  Webster  was  born  in  Ipswich,  and  came  to  Haverhill 
about  IGGO.  He  was  a  tailor  and  was  father  of  the  grantee  of  that 
name,  who  is  mentioned  as  having  built  a  house  previous  to  1675, 
in  Haverhill.  Stephen,  Sen.,  had  a  brother  Natlian  who  settled 
in  Bradford,  whose  wife  was  Marj',  and  they  had:  1.  NATHAN, 
one  of  the  grantees  of  Chester,  b.  March  7,  1678-9.'  2.  Israel,  b. 
1686.  3.  SAMUEL,  b.  Sept.  25,  1688,  who  was  the  father  of  Col. 
John  Webster. 

NATHAN,  the  grantee,  came  to  Chester  between  1728  and 
1732,  and  owned  two  home  lots,  Nos.  71  and  72,  and  settled  on 
72,  a  little  north  of  where  Lewis  Kimball  now  lives.  His  wife 
was  Martha. .   Children :  — 

I.  Daniel,  b.  Oct.  26,  1712,  who  settled  on  Add.  No.  4,  north- 
west of  Haselton's,  towards  Jack's  Hill.  He  m.  Mary  Blasdell, 
and  had  two  daughters,  —  Abigail,  b.  1746,  and  Mary,  b.  1749. 
His  will  .was  proved  May  30,  1780 ;  had  a  grand-daughter,  Martha 
Sargent. 

II.  Nathax,  b.  July  1,  1715,  m.  Martha  Blasdell,  Feb.  10,  1742; 
lived  on  H.  L.  No.  117,  where  xVmos  Green  lately  lived,  and  had 
11  children,  most  of  whom  d.  young.    He  d.  1794. 

Nathan,  his  third  child,  b.  Nov.  19,  .1747,  lived  on  the  home- 
stead; m.  Elizabeth  Clifibrd,  dau.  of  Isaac  Clifford,  and  grand- 
daughter of  Wm.  Healey,  May  8,  1771,  and  had  10  children. 
Josiali,  b.  Jan.  16,  1772,  graduated  at  Dartmouth,  1798;  settled  at 
Hamilton,  Mass.,  and  Hampton.  He  had  a  son  John  Calvin,  who 
graduated  at  Dartmouth,  1832 ;  settled  atHopkinton,  Mass.  Also, 
Joseph  Dana,  1832,  and  Claudius,  b.  1836.     (See  Graduates.) 

JS'athan  and  Elizabeth's  5th  child  was  Nathan,  b.  April  9,  1780, 
m.  Mary  Simonds,  dau.  of  Capt.  P.  Richardson's  wife,  and  lived 


GENEALOGY  —  WEBSTER.  611 

with  Capt.  E.    He  d.  March  30,  1815.    The  wid.  ra.  John  L. 
Glidden,  and  d.  Dec.  19,  1863. 

NATHA]^  WEBSTER,  the  gTantee,  had  also :  — 

III.  Stephen,  b.  Feb.  18,  1717-18.  He  lived  on  No.  131,  O.  H., 
subsequently  owned  by  Jona.  Norton,  John  Norton  and  Josiah 
Seavey.  He  must  have  been  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  that 
part  of  the  town.  He  moved  to  Candia  and  was  a  petitioner  for 
the  charter.    His  wife  was Eachael.    Children:  — 

1.  David,  b.  Dec.  12,  1738,  who  went  first  to  Hollis,  then  to 
Plymouth,  N.  H. ;  was  in  the  French  war,  and  was  very  active 
during  the  Eevolution ;  was  a  colonel,  and  was  sheriff  of  Grafton 
county.  (See  N.  H.  Hist.  Soc.  Coll.  Vol.  7,  pp.  132,  133, 25-4,  263, 
264,  269,  291  and  292;  also  Adj.-Gcn.  Eep.,  Vol.  2,  1866,  p.  352.) 

There  were  also  :  — 

2.  8tei)hen;  3.  Lydia;  4.  Sarah;  5.  Amos.  Eachael,  the  wife, 
d.  1754.  Stephen  m.  Sarah  Clough  and  had:  —6.  Daniel,  and  7. 
Rachael. 

NATHAN,  the  grantee,  had  also :  — 

IV.  Abel,  b.  July  2,  1726;  m.  Hannah  Emerson,  probably  of 
Haverhill.    He  lived  on  the  homestead  for  a  time.     Children:  — 

1.  Nathan,  who  m.  Lydia  Eichardson,  .dan.  of  Daniel  E. 

2.  Phebe,  m.  Josiah  Bradley,  Jr.  He  d.  at  Mr.  B.'s,  Feb.  14, 
1801. 

NATHAN,  the  grairtee,  also  had  a  dan. :  — 

V.  Mary,  m.  Beuaiah  Colby.  His  will,  dated  March,  1746, 
proved  Oct.  29,  1746,  in  which  he  gave  his  eons  the  lots  on  which 
they  lived,  and  other  lands.  The  homestead  has  been  owned  by 
Moses  Haselton,  Josiah  Haselton,  who  built  the  present  house  in 
1812,  and  Lewis  Ivimball. 

CoL.  John  Webster,  son  of  SAML.  and  Mary,  b.  Aug.  9,  1714, 
came  to  Chester  about  1735.  He  settled  on  H.  L.  76,  which  has 
been  subsequently  owned  by  Simon  Berry,  and  by  his  son-in-law, 
Lt.  Wm.  Wilson,  and  his  son  Daniel  and  now  by  Mr.  Blackstock. 
It  is  said  that  he  opened  the  first  store  in  town  about  1750,  in  a 
part  of  his  house.  March  20,  1753,  he  purchased  of  James  Var- 
num  the  H.  L.  No.  28,  first  settled  by  Sampson  Underbill,  with 
five  rods  of  the  ten-rod  way  where  Bachelder's  hotel  now  is,  and 
built  the  present  house,  and  kept  a  store,  and  I  think  a  tavern. 
He  was  also  surveyor  of  highways  in  1743,  and  selectman  in  1744, 
and  representative  several  years.  He  was  an  energetic  business 
man,  and  was  very  active  during  the  Eevolution ;  was  muster- 
master,  and  sometimes  advanced  money  for  bounties  to  the  sol- 
diers. (See  Coll.  N.  H.  Hist.  Soc,  Vol.  7,  pp.  65,  116,  162,  171, 
188,  189,  219  and  222.)  He  m.  Hannah  Hobbs,  Nov.  29,  1739. 
Children :  — 


612  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

1.  Ilary,  b.  Jane  2,  1741;  d.  1760. 

2.  Hannah,  b.  1743;  d.  1763. 

3.  Sarah,  b.  Nov.  14,  1745,  m.  Dr.  John  Wingate;  liveS  on  the 
"Webster  i)lace,  but  went  to  Maine;  d.  1810. 

4.  Anna,  b.  Feb.  4,  1749,  m.  Josiah  Flagg;  d.  May  1,  1799. 

5.  mizabeth,  b.  1752;  d.  1754. 

6.  John,  b.  March  13,  1754,  graduated  at  Dartmouth,  1778.  He 
studied  theology  and  preached  awhile,  but  through  diffidence  gave 
it  up.  He  resided  in  Chester,  was  a  deacon,  and  I  think  traded 
awhile  and  removed  to  Franklin,  Vt.,  where  he  was  greatly 
esteemed,  and  d.  Jan.  17,  1838,  a,  83.  He  m.  Rebecca  Webster, 
May,  1782,  and  had  Sarah  Wingate,  b.  1783. 

7.  Samuel,  b.  Feb.  15,  1757,  m.  a  dau.  of  John  Eobie,  and  went 
to  Newport,  N.  H. 

Hannah  d.  Nov.  20,  1760.  Col.  Webster  m.  (2)  wid.  Sarah 
Smith  of  Hampton,  Nov.  17,  1762.  She  had  two  Smith  children: 
Sarah,  m.  Edward  llobie,  and  Hannah,  m.  Dr.  Thomas  Sargent. 
Children :  — 

8.  To7J2:)a?i. Webster,  b.  July  22,  1765,  m.  a  niece  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Flagg  and  had  several  daughters.  He  lived  on  H.  L.  No.  7,  the 
William  Healcy  place  where  Mr.  Orcutt  now  lives,  and  built  the 
present  house.  He  was  a  trader  and  inti'oduced  Henry  Sweetser 
into  town  as  a  clerk,  and  John  Porter,  the  first  lawyer,  to  collect 
his  debts.  Webster  failed  and  went  to  N'ewburyport ;  thence  to 
Wasliington,  and  was  for  a  long  period  engaged  in  the  general 
post-office,  and  d.  there. 

9.  Mary,  b.  May  6,  1768,  m.  William  Hicks,  who  was  a  gold- 
smith, and  built  the  house  where  Woodbury  Masters  now  lives. 
She  d.  April,  1790. 

10.  Elizabeth,  b.  1771,  ih.  Dr.  Ben.  Kittridge ;  d.  Sept.,  1802.' 

'   11,  Edmund,  b.  1773;  lived  and  traded  at  the  homestead;  d. 
unm.  May  12,  1801. 
Col.  Webster  d.  Sept.  16,'  1784.    His  wife  d.  April  30,  1795. 

WEEKS. 

William  Weeks  was  of  Greenland ;  m.  Susannah  Haynes.  He 
d.  Sept.,  1821,  a.  76;  she  d.  May  31,  1845,  a.  94.  He  was  a  car- 
penter and  lived  in  Portsmouth  until  the  war ;  came  to  Chester, 
and  purchased  of  Parker  Carr;  lived  on  Add,  No,  72.  Chil- 
dren :  — 

John,  William  and  Bennin,  went  to  Bangor,  Me. ;  Jfary,  m,  Ed, 
Moore  Preston;  Susan,  m,  James  Calef;  iV^oa/i,  b,  1790,  m,  Char- 
lotte Quimby,  lives  on  the  homestead. 


GENEALOGY — WEST.  613 


WELLS. 

Jacob  Wells  "was  an  early  settler  in  Chester,  and  lived  on  Add. 
lot  Xo.  39,  about  80  rods  southwest  of  Chester  Street. 

Titus  Wells  had  an  amendment  opposite  Elliott's,  southeast  of 
the  cross-road  to  the  parsonage  lot.    He  was  there  in  1730. 

Lt.  Thomas  Wells  of  Amesbury  bought  of  Eldad  Ingalls,  H. 
L.  No.  61,  in  1729.  He  is  said  to  have  m.  Elizabeth,  eldest  dau. 
of  Capt.  Ingalls,  b.  1709,  and  he  is  named  as  an  heir  in  settlement 
of  Capt.  Ingalls'  estate  in  1760.  The  name  of  his  wife  is  Hannah 
on  the  record.  He  was  a  man  of  note  in  Chester,  and  a  large 
landholder.  His  will  was  dated  Dec.  27,  1768,  and  proved  May 
8,  1769.  Legatees:  —  son,  1.  Winthrojy,  who  m.  Dolly,  dau.  of 
William  Healey,  and  settled  first  iu  Candia  on  No.  37,  3d  D. ;  sold 
Dea.  Nathl.  Burpee,  and  went  to  Phinouth,  N.  H.  2.  Thomas, 
3.  Henry,  lived  in  Sandown.  4.  Benben,  and  5.  Samuel,  had  the 
homestead  and  were  executors.  6.  Ebenezer.  7.  Peter.  8.  Sarah 
Carr,  and  9.  Phebe  Wells.  His  homestead,  lying  in  Chester,  con- 
tained 100  acres.  *He  had  170  acres  in  Goffstowu,  and  400  iu  New 
Chester.  There  was  another  Thomas  Wells,  probably  the  son 
above  named,  whose  wife  was  Ruth,  who  was  killed  by  John 
Tolford,  Dec.  27,  1773. 

WEST. 

Wilkes  West  came  from  Beverly  when  about  21  years  of  age. 
He  m.  Phebe,  dau.  of  Lt.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  Aug.,  1762.  He 
settled  on  Gov.  Shute's  H.  L.,  where  A.  S.  Dearborn  lately  Lived, 
and  was  a  cairpenter  and  cabinet-maker.  His  shop  stood  about 
where  the  Baptist  church  stands.  He  was  at  the  battle  of  Ben- 
nington; d.  April  10,  1830,  a.  91.    Children:  — 

1.  Esther,  d.  young. 

2.  Molly,  13.  1762,  m.  Jesse,  son  of  Joshua  Hall,  went  \o  Camp- 
ton. 

3.  Joseph,  d.  young.  ^ 

4.  Nason,  d.  at  Phnnouth. 

6.  John,  d.  at  Beverly.  ' 

6.  Jackson,  d.  at  Greenfield. 

7.  Thomas,  was  in  the  ai-my,  1812. 

8.  Joseph,  b.  Feb.,  1779,  m.  PoUy,  dau.  of  Jeremiah  Rand; 
lived  on  the  homestead. 

9.  Henry  II.,'b.-^%'^t.  5,  1781,  was  a  seventh  son,  famous  for 
curing  king's  evil ;  m.  Sarah  Rogers ;  lived  at  Hall's  Village ;  had 
a  large  family. 

Phebe  d.  1783.  Wilkes  m.  (2)  Hannah, 'daui  of  Dea.  Matthew 
Forsaith;  she  d.  1793.    Children:  — 


614  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

10.  Esther,  m.  Caleb  Towle  of  Hawke,  1809. 

11.  Phehe  D.,  b.  1788,  m.  Joseph,  sou  of  Joseph  Morse,  1806. 

12.  Hannah,  m.  "William  Kelsey,  1808. 

13.  Sally,  m.  Thaclaw  Henamingway,  1814. 

WHITE. 

Dea.  "William  White  (not  the  grantee  of  that  name)  was  b.  in 
England  in  1C87. '  His  father  was  a  glover,  and  removed  with  him 
to  Londonderry,  in  Ireland,  while  he  was  an  infant.  His  father 
was  wounded  in  the  siege  of  that  city,  in  1668  and  1669.  He  came 
to  this  country  ia  1725,  and  resided  in  Londonderry,  in  the  double 
range,  until  about  1733,  when  he  came  to  Chester  and  settled  on 
H.  L.  No.  126,  where  Joseph  Webster  now  lives.  His  name  first 
appears  in  Chester  records  on  the  Presbyterian  protest,  March  28, 
1735.  He  was  a  linen  weaver.  He  m.  in  Ireland,  and  his  wife  d. 
before  arriving  in  this  country.    Cliildren:  — 

I.  Henry,  resided  in  Litchfield;  was  a  mariner;  d.  at  Halifax 
about  1755. 

II.  Jfr;/<e5,  was  a  mariner ;  d.  unmarried. 

HI.  Jane,  m.  Patrick  White  and  lived  at  Peterborough. 

After  William  came  to  Chester  he  m.  Jane,  dan.  of  Robert 
Graham.     Children: — 

IV.  Bohert,  lived  in  Goffstown  and  New  Boston. 

Y.  David,  m.  (1)  Mary,  dan.  of  Kobert  Gordon;  m.  (2)  Maiy, 
dau.  of  Patrick  Melvin.  He  lived  on  No.  71,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  first 
back  some  60  I'ods  from  the  present  road,  on  the  first  path  to  the 
pond,  then  where  the  writer  lives.  He  d.  1776.  The  widow  m. 
Stephen  Merril;  d.  July,  1833.  They  had  a  large  family,  the  old- 
est of  whom,  Samuel,  m.  Huldah,  dau.  of  Elijah  Heath;  lived  on 
the  homestead  and  at  the  Neck;  d.  Jan.,  1827. 

VI.  and  Vn.  Thomas  and  William,  the  first  twins  bom  in 
Chester,  b.  March  4  (O.  S.).  1740.  Thomas  A.  unm.  William 
resided  on  the  homestead.  He  was  appointed  Major  in  1775;  Lt. 
C^.  in  1784;  was  muster  master  in  1777  and  1778;  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  1791;  Senator  of  District  No.  3  in  1806,  '7  and  '8.  .  He 
m.  (1)  Mary,  dau.  of  Robert  Mills,  Jan.  24,  1764.    Children:— 

1.  Jane.  2.  Jonathan.  3.  Susaniiah,  b.  1768,  m.  Jonathan 
Quimby,  1790.  4,  Robert.  5.  Mary.  6.  Elizabeth.  7.  Ann. 
They  mostly  went  to  Belfast,  Maine. 

Mary  d.  Dec.  24,  1780,  a.  43.  He  m.  (2)  Elizabeth  ilitchell, 
Sept.  17,  1782.    Children :  — 

8.  William,  b.  1783,  grad.  at  Dartmouth  in  1806 ;  was  a  lawyer. 
9.  John,  b.  1785.  10.  Thomas,  d.  unm,  1830.  11.  Sarah,  b.  June, 
1790,  d.  1825.  12.  James,  b.  Sept.  2,  1792,  grad.  at  Dartmouth; 
was  a  lawyer.     (The  above,  excepting  Sarah,  went  to  Maine.) 


GENEALOGY  —  VTILSON.  615 

13.  David  M.,  b.  1795,  d.  in  Chester.    14.  Olif,  b.  1798,  d.  July 
22,  1826.     15.    Lavina,  b.   1800,   d.  uum.  July  10,    1836;    all  in 
Chester.     16.  Beujamin,  b.  Aug  24,  1807,  is  now  at  Ballard  Vale. 
William  d.  Nov.  9,  1829.    EUzabeth  d.  April  3,  1832,  a.  71. 

WHITTIER. 

Eeuben  "Whittier  was  probably  from  Newtown  and  early 
settled  on  lot  Xo.  30,  O.  H.,  in  Eajinond.  •  His  wife  was  Mary, 
and  they  had  eleven  children  on  Chester  records: — 1.  Moses,  b. 
1740.     2.  Richard,  b.  1743.     3.  Josiah,  b.  1747.    4,  Reuljen,  1749. 

5.  Mary,  b.  Sept.  17,  1751,  m.  Charles  Moore,  Jr.,  d.  about  1830. 

6.  Joseph,  b.  1752.    7.  Daniel,  b.  1753.    8.  Deborah,  b.  1755.    9. 
Sarah,  b.  1756.    10.  iMirriam,  b.  1757.    11.  Phineas,  b.  1758. 

Mark  "Whittier,  b.  July  26,  1746,  came  fi-om  Newtown  about 
1798,  to  Chester  Woods,  now  Hooksett.  He  m.  Elizabeth  San- 
bom,  b.  April  13,  1755;  d.  Oct.  4,  1830.  He  d.  Aug.  1,  1824. 
Children :  — 

1.  Joseph,  b.  June  21,  1774,  came  to  Chester  at  the  same  time 
his  father  did,  and  settled  on  No.  113,  4th  D.,  at  what  has  been 
the  Clark  tavern,  and  owned  a  large  tract  of  land.  He  m.  Sarah 
Whitaker.  He  d.  Aug  19,  1845;  she  d.  July  31,  1851,  a.  74. 
They  had  two  sons,  Joseph  and  Samuel. 

2.  Mark,  b.  Sept.  15,  1776,  m.  Betsey  Dustin,  dau.  of  Dr.  John 
Dustin.  of  Martin's   Ferry,   May  2,   1806.     She  was  b.  Jan.  16 
1780.    They  settled  in  Boscawen  (now  Webster).    He  d.  April 
26,  1838;  she  d.  Feb.  14,  1865.    They  had  four  children:  George, 
Betsey,  Olive  and  Moses. 

3.  Abigail,  b.  Dec.  21,  1778;  d.  Feb.  8,  1838. 

4.  Dearborn,  b.  May  19,  1781,  m.  (2)  Eosanna  Aiken,  wid.  of 
Alexander  McGregor,  and  lived  on  the  Simeon  Carr  place,  in 
Hooksett.  He  moved  to  Londonderry,  and  was  killed  by  the  cars 
Jan.  26,  1850. 

5.  Dolly,  b.  Feb.  24,  1784,  unm. ;  lived  in  Hooksett;  d.  Oct.  10, 
1850. 

6.  Samuel,  b.  Apr.  18, 1786,  Uvedin  Newtown;  d.  Jan.  17,  1864. 

7.  Mary,  b.  July  29,  1788,  d.  Nov.  20,  1815. 

8.  Jonathan,  b.  Feb.  7,  1792,  m.  (1)  Charlotte  P.  Abbott,  of 
Andover,  Mass.  They  had  two  children,  Elizabeth  and  Charles 
M.  He  m.  (2)  Rhoda  ^Tijttier,  wid.  of  John  Jones.  Lived  in 
Hooksett  on  the  Carr  place  till  1837,  then  on  the  Eowe  place  in 
the  village;  went  to  Plymouth  in  1853,  and  d.  Sept.  14,  1868. 

9.  Heuben,  b.  Oct.  4,  1796,  d.  March  16,  1797. 

W^ILSON. 
The  earliest  tradition  that  the  Wilsons  have  is  that  a  father, 
James  Wilson,  and  four  sons,— I.  AVilliam,  H.  James,  IH.  Eobert, 


616  HISTORY   OP   CHESTER. 

♦ 

and  IV.  Hugh, — came  over  from  Ireland  and  settled  in  Chester; 
but  in  some  tables  of  longevity  there  is  a  James  Wilson  who  died 
in  1739,  aged  100.  This  father  could  not  have  been  near  as  old  at 
that  time.  Then  the  names  of  three  Jame^  "Wilsons  are  attached 
to  the  Presbyterian  protest,  June  23,  1736,  so  it  is  nearly  certain 
that  the  grandfather,  an  old  man  of  nearly  90,  came  over  with  the 
family. 

JAIMES,  the  father,  was  in  Stratham  in  1728,  and  i^urchased 
H.  L.  49  and  112,  on  which  he  settled.  In  May,  1732,  he  bought 
of  Jamea»Basford  one-eighth  of  the  old  saw-mill.  In  Nov.,  1732, 
he  deeded  the  two  home  lots  to  h;s  son  Hugh,  in  consideration  of 
mainiainiug  him  and  his  wife. 

I.  William  Wilson  was  in  Stratham  in  1727.  He  was  fence- 
viewer  in  1728,  selectman  in  1729  and  1730.  He  settled  on  H.  L. 
No.  40,  where  his  great-grandson  Asa  now  lives.  His  will  was 
dated  Aug.,  17G1 ;  proved  June  27,  17G4;  legatees,  his  wife,  Rob- 
ert, Martha  Steel,  James,  Elizabeth  IfitcheU,  Jane  Ifoore,  Mary 
Craige  and  William^ 

1.  Robert,  first  settled  on  the  cross-road  on  Add.  Lot,  No.  100; 
then  on  No.  102.  He  was  a  very  prominent  man  in  Chester.  He 
built  the  first  mill  at  Oswego;  was  active  during  the  Eevolu- 
tionary  war ;  was  for  a  season  one  of  the  Committee  of  Safet3\ 
(See  Coll.  N.  H.  Hist.  Soc,  Vol.  7,  pp.  43,  90  and  319.)  He  was 
representative  from  1776  to  1780.  His  will  is  dated  Aug.  8,  1791 ; 
proved  Nov.  IG,  1791.  He  d.  Oct.",  2,  1791.  He  m.  Jane  Aiken, 
Nov.  13,  1759.     She  d.  Sept.  29,  1821,  a.  86.    Children:  — 

1.  John,  b.  Sept.  7,  1760,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Enoch  Colby; 
lived  on  part  of  the  homestead.  He  d.  March  8,  1837 ;  she  d. 
Sept.  29, 1831.  2.  Jonathan,  1762 ;  went  to  Belfast,  Me.  8.  Mary, 
b.  1763,  m.  William,  son  of  Charles  Moore,  d.  1819.  4.  Susannah, 
b.  1765,  m.  Jeremiah  TowJe.  5.  William,  b.  1768,  m.  Abigail, 
dau.  of  Joseph  Knowles,  in  1793;  lived  on  the  homestead;  went 
to  Corinth,  Vt.  6.  Margaret,  b.  1769,  m.  Morrice  Gibbons,  and 
Thomas  Wilson;  d.  1861.  The  Gibbons  children,  — Betsy,  m. 
Richard  Basford;  Sopliia,  in.  John  Robie;  Susan,  m.  Samuel 
Wilson,  7.  Anna,  b.  1771,  m.  Joseph  Richardson.  8.  Nathaniel, 
d.  young.  9.  Sarah,  b.  Feb.  11,  1777,  m.  Nathan  Know^les;  d. 
Sept.  20,  1806.    10.  Elizabeth,  unm. ;  d.  1812. 

2.  Martha,  m.  David  Steel  of  Londonderry. 

3.  >[anies,  d.  unm. 

4.  Elizabeth,  m.  a  ISIitchel. 

5.  Jane,  m.  Charles  Moore,  Sen. 

6.  Mary,  m.  a  Craige  of  Londonderry. 

7.  Tr«7/<'a»i,  lived  on  the  homestead ;  m.  his  cousin  Martha,  dau. 
of  James  Wilson.  He  d.  Sept.  23,  1825,  a.  89  years,  6  months. 
Children :  — 


GENEALOGY  —  WILSON.  617 

I.  Mary,  m.  David  Mills.  2.  Benjamin,  lived  ou  the  homestead ; 
m.  (1)  Rebecca  Huukins,  1780;  m.  (2)  Judith  Brown,  1794:;  the 
parents  of  Asa  now  living-  on  the  place.  He  d.  Feb.,  1819 ;  she  d. 
March  10,  1864,  a.  95  years,  6  months.  3.  Joshua,  went  to  Salis- 
bury, Mass.     4.  Martha,  unm. ;  d.  1862,  a.  88. 

II.  James  Wilson  settled  on  H.  L.,  No.  103,  -^here  Jacob 
Green  lately  lived.  A  James  Wilson,  probably  his  fofther,  vras 
tythiug-man  in  1729.  He  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  John  Shirley.  He  d. 
April  16,  1791 ;  she  d.  1792.  His  will  proved  Dec.  21, 1791.  Leg- 
atees, his  wife  Mary,  David,  James,  Edicard,  Jane,  Martha, 
Elizabeth  and  Mary  Ann. 

1.  David,  lived  on  Add.  Lot  No.  Ill,  where  Joseph  Eichardson 
afterwards  lived ;  went  to  Danville,  Vt. 

2.  James,  b.  1750;  lived  on  the  homestead;  m.  Hitty,  dan.  of 
Levi  Whitman;  had  Phebe,  m.  Jacob  Green.  He  d.  1824;  she  d. 
1854,  a.  77. 

3.  Edward,  settled  first  on  Add.  No.  100;  went  to  Canada. 

4.  Jane,  num. 

6.  Martha,  m.  William  Wilson. 

6.  Elizabeth. 

7.  Bebecca,  m.  John  Wilson. 

8.  Susan,  m.  Capt.  Daniel  Todd. 

9.  3fary  Ami,  m.  Thomas,  son  of  Thomas  Shirley. 

III.  Robert  Wilson  of  Stratham  bought  half  of  Geo.  Jaffrey's 
right  in  Chester,  in  1725,  and  the  other  half  of  the  H.  L.,  No.  147, 
in  1729.    He  m.  Ann,  dau.  of  John  Shirley,  1733.    Children:  — 

1.  Ann. 

2.  Mary,  b.  July  8,  1739,  m.  John  Carr  and  settled  in  Candia. 

3.  John,  lived  on  the  homestead;  m.  Rebecca,  dau.  of  James 
Wilson;  d.  1804.    The  wid.  m.  Timothy  Wells. 

4.  Bobert,  b.  1744,  settled  in  Candia  on  No.  112,  2d  P.,  2d  D. 
6.   William,  b.  1753,  lived  before  marriage  in  Candia,  ou  121, 

2d  P.,  2d  D. ;  m.  Phebe,  dau.  of  Simon  Berry ;  lived  on  H.  L.  No. 
76;  d.  1824;  she  d.  1819.    Children:  — 

Mary,  m.  Alexander  Gordon  of  AYindham ;  Daniel,  m.  Mehit- 
abel  Phelps ;  lived  on  the  homestead  and  on  H.  L.  57,  where 
John  Powel  first  lived;  d.  1863;  Jane,  m.  Benj.  Mills;  Phebe,  m. 
David  Worthen;  William,  went  to  Woburn,  Mass. 

IV.  Hugh  Wilson  lived  on  H.  L.  No.  49;  d.  March,  1790. 
Children :  — 

1.  Samuel,  b.  1750,  lived  on  the  homestead,  unm. 

2.  Anna,  b.  1752,  m.  Joseph,  son  of  Archi.  Duulap,  and  went  to 
Gofistown. 

3.  Sarah,  b.  1755,  m.  a  Tolford,  and  went  to  Boscawen. 

4.  Thomas,  b.  Dec.  13,  1757,  m.  Agnes,  dau.  of  Thomas  Ander- 


618  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 

son.  She  d.  1803.  He  m,  (2)  Margaret  Wilson,  wicl.  of  Morrice 
Gibbons.  He  lived  in  Caudia  on  34,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  He  d.  1808; 
she  d.  1861.    Children:  — 

Jane,  m.  Jno.  "Wason ;  d.  1805 ;  Sarah,  m.  Thos.  Lane ;  Margaret, 
m.  Samuel  Ferren ;  Samuel,  m.  Susan  Gibbons;  John;  C3'rus; 
Jane,  m.  Benj.  Hills. 

Eev.  JoHX  "Wilson  is  said  to  have  been  b.  in  Ulster  County, 
Ireland,  in  1709.  He  entered  the  University  of  Edinburgh.  The 
.  Hon.  S.  D.  Boll  has  his  Latin  gTammar.  He  came  to  this  country 
in  1729,  and  collected  a  small  church  and  congregation  of  the 
Scotch  Ii'ish,  and  was  ordained  in  1734.  He  lived  on  H.  L.  No. 
12,  on  the  southwest  end,  on  what  was  then  the  "  Road  to  Haver- 
hill." In  1735  he  boixght  II.  L.  No;  119,  except  5  acres  oAvned  by 
Sylvanus  Smith  where  Capt.  Shaw's  house  stands.  The  Presby- 
terian meeting-house  stood  near  the  southeast  end  of  it.  He  m. 
Jane  or  Jean  Wilson,  the  widow  of  Thomas  Glen.  Glen  d. 
March  18,  1744.  They  had  one  dau.,  Ann,  m.  William  Mills. 
Jean  d.  April  1,  1752,  a.  30.  He  d.  Feb.  1,  1779.  His  will  was 
dated  April  26,  1760;  proved  June  1,  1779.  It  represents  that  he 
was  weak  of  body.  It  gives  all  of  his  property  to  his  daughter 
Ann  if  she  should  aiTive  at  age  or  marriage.  Sliould  she  die  the 
property  was  to  be  sold;  Sister  Elizabeth  EUerson  to  have  £8 
sterling;  brother  James  of  Coleraine,  inn-holder,  to  have  £60 
sterling;    the  residue  to  brother   Thomas  of  Thurlow,   parish 

Bally  Rally,  and  sister  Martha  Taylor  of ,  in -Ireland;  they 

paying  cousin  Ann  Miller  £10  sterling.  Capt.  James  Shirley  aiid 
Sylvanus  Smith,  executors.  Smith  was  dead,  Shirley  declined, 
and  Ann  was  appointed. 

Dea.  Adam  Wilson  was  the  son  of  William  Wilson  of  London- 
den-y  or  Windham;  m.  Elizabeth  Horner;  settled  on  No.  126,  2d 
P.,  2d  D. ;  house  stood  near  where  Geo.  P.  Clark's  cider-house 
now  stands.  She  d.  1803.  He  went  to  Ilenniker;  d.  1817,  a.  93. 
Children :  — 

1.  John,  m,  Ann,  dau.  of  Moses  Underbill;  went  to  Corinth. 

2.  Dea.  William,  m.  Jaiiette  Wilson ;  lived  on  the  homestead 
and  in  Henniker;  d.  in  Me.    She  d.  1828,  a.  84. 

3.  Jfarr/aret,  m.  (1)  Jolin  Crawford;  (2)  Samuel  Crombie;  d. 
Sept.,  1842,  a.  87. 

Col.  Thomas  Wilson  was  b.  in  Londonderry  or  Wlndliam; 
brought  up  by  Robert  Wilson,  Esq.;  was  in  the  army;  m.  Sarah 
Currier  and  settled  on  the  mountain  in  Caudia,  on  No.  109,  5th 
D. ;  d.  1831,  a.  84.  He  once  told  me  that  he  used  to  be  troubled 
with  bears  and  wolves ;  that  once  he  heard  a  roaring  among  the 
cattle,  and  upon  going  to  see  the  trouble,  found  a  wolf  hold  of 


GENEALOGY  —  WOOD.  619 

one  of  the  young  cattle,  and  tlie  wolf  kept  Ms  hold  until  he  came 
up  and  was  about  to  kick  him,  when  the  wolf  let  go  with  a  growl 
and  ran  away. 

WITHERSPOON. 

John  Witherspoox  probably  came  fi'om  Ireland.  He  was  in 
York  in  1741,  and  bought  of  the  Rev.  John  Wilson  the  land  voted 
to  him  by  the  proprietors,  May,  17-41,  bounded  by  Londonderiy 
line  and  Gov.  Wentworth's  farm  of  200  acres.  He  settled  whei-e 
J.  M.  liall  now  lives,  in  Auburn.     Children  :  —  ■ 

I.  Daniel,  lived  on  the  homestead  and  sold  to  Josiah  Hall  in 
1784,  and  went  to  Fi-ancestown. 

n.  Alexander,  settled  on  the  east  half  of  the  "Wilson  grant, 
and  sold  to  Worthen  and  went  to  Freeport;  m.  the  widow  of 
James  Moore. 

III.  James,  went  to  Maine. 

IV#  David,  m.  Agnes,  dau.  of  Nathl.  Linn,  and  settled  near  the 
west  corner  of  No.  90,  2d  P.,  2d  D.  He  was  an  officer  in  the 
Revolutionary  army.    Children :  — 

1.  John,  m.  Ruth  Chamberlain;  lived  at  Newbury,  Vt.  2. 
Joseph,  m.  Elizabeth,  dau.  of  Nathan  Webster,  1799 ;  d.  1806.  3. 
Robert,  m.  Hannah,  dau.  of  Dea.  James  Wason.  4.  Samuel,  m. 
Susan  Tinker,  and  went  to  Bedford.  5.  Jesse,  m.  Anna,  dau.  of 
Capt.  John  Wason;  d.  at  Thctford,  Vt.,  1836. 

V.  Robert,  m.  Sarah,  dau.  of  Samuel  Aiken,  Sen.,  and  settled 
on  the  north  end  of  No.  74,  ■2d  P.  2d  D.,  and  d.  1795.  They  had 
one  son,  John,  who  m.  Nancy,  dau.  of  Joseph  Limi,  and  lived  on 
the  homestead.    He  sold  and  removed  to  Cabot,  Vt.,  about  1817. 

VI.  Mary,  m.  William  McDole  of  Goffsfeown. 

WOOD. 

Nathaniel  Wood  came  from  Boxford  and  married  Elizabeth 
Powell,  the  widow  of  Jonathan  Goodhue.  She  took  out  ad- 
r^nistration  on  Goodhue's  estate  by  the  name  of  Elizabeth  Wood 
in  1731.  They  lived  on  the  Goodhue  place  until  17G0,  when 
they  sold  to  Jabez  Hoit,-and  bought  50  acres  of  No.  73,  2d  P.,  2d 
D.,  of  Jos.  Basford.    He  d.  1773.    Children:  — 

I.  Obadiah,  settled  in  Andover,  Mass. 

II.  Abigail,  m.  James  Eaton  and  lived  in  Candia;  d.  1833,  a.  98. 

III.  Nathaniel  b.  Aug.,  1737,  m.  Mary,  dau.  of  William  Eaton; 
lived  on  the  homestead;  d.  1817;  she  d.  1813.  Children:  — 
1.  Betty,  d.  1846.  2.  George,  m.  Abra  Smith;  d.  1803,  a.  33. 
3.  Jesse,  m.  Polly  Davis;  d.  1851.  4.  Josiah,  uum.  on  the  home- 
stead; d.  1848,  a.  71. 

IV.  Buth,  m.  a  Porter;  d.  in  Manchester. 


620  HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


WOETHEN. 

Thomas  "Worthen  ^vas  surveyor  of  highways  in  1743 ;  lived 
where  Titus  Wells  had  lived,  uearly  opposite  Edmund  Elliott's. 
His  will  was  dated  1769;  proved  Sept.  1,  1773,  His  widow,  Dor- 
othy, d.  1803,  a.  99.  The  legatees  were  vnfe  Dorothy,  grandsons 
Michael  and  Thomas,  sons  of  Da^id;  granddaughters  Sarah  and 
Dolly ;  Mehitabel  and  Dolly,  daughters  of  Jonathan ;  son  Ezekiel ; 
dau.  Ehoda  Fitts,  wife  of  Ephraim  Fitts,  the  blacksmith ;  Mary 
Clifford,  Lydia  "Worthen ;  Samuel,  executor  and  residnary  legatee. 

I.  David  m.  Dorothy,  dau.  of  Enoch  Colby.  He  d.  Nov.  19, 
17GG ;  the  Avid.  m.  Jacob  Chase,  Esq. ;  d.  Aug.  15, 1816.  He  lived 
on  Add.  Xo.  93,  where  Michael  and  his  son  David  lived.  Chil- 
dren :  — 

1.  Michael,  b.  Jan.  6,  1758,  m.  Dorothy  Brown,  1778;  d. 
1840,  a.  82.  Chil. : — Lydia,  m.  Aaron  Whittier ;  Isaac,  b;  1781,  m. 
Hannah,  dau.  of  Capt.  B.  True;  went  to  Canada;  Dorotl^^,  b. 
March  7,  1783,  m.  James,  son  of  James  "NVason ;  Betsy,  m.  David 
Currier;  David,  m.  Jane  Wilson;  Lucretia,  m.  Joseph  Day. 

2.  Sarah,  b.  1760,  m.  Reuben  Sanborn  and  went  to  Springfield, 
N.  H. 

3.  Dorothy,  b.  1763,  m.  -Samuel,  son  of  John  Eobie ;  went  to 
Springfield,  N.  H. 

4.  David,  b.  1765. 

II.  Lt.  Ezekiel,  m.  Abigail,  dau..  of  Samuel  Bartlett,  1762 ; 
lived  on  H.  L.  No.  142 ;  d.  1827,  a.  86.  Children:  —Elizabeth,  b. 
Dec.  6,  1774,  m.  Edmund  Sleeper;  Samuel;  Ezekiel;  Lydia; 
Josiah,  b.  June  27,  1780,  m.  Betsy,  dau.  of  James  Stevens,  d. 
1862;  Jonathan,  b.  April  9,  1783,  m.  Jane,  dau.  of  William  Shan- 
non; d.  1825. 

ni.  Samuel,  m.  Abigail  Ambrose,  1769. 


LONGEVITY. 

There  have  been  published  at  different  times  instances  of  lon- 
gevity in  Chester,  but  they  are  not  reliable.  Most  of  them  prob- 
ably originated  from  Moore  and  Farmer's  Gazetteer  of  New 
Hampshire.  The  person  who  supplied  that  merely  went  to  a  few 
old  men,  and  they  told  him  what  they  had  heard,  as  nearly  as 
they  recollected ;  but  it  was  all  tradition,  and,  to  say  the  least, 
some  of  it  apocryphal,  the  dates  being  uncertain  and  the  ages 
probably  overrated.  There  are  included  in  this  table  persons  who 
were  natives  and  moved  away,  some  of  them  many  years  before 


LONGEVITY. 


621 


efore 


their  death ;  others,  natives  of  other  places  who  spent  most  of  their 
lives  before  coming  to  Chester,  but  died  here.  Of  course  it  con- 
tains more  than  an  average  of  the  longevity,  though  no  doubt  it  is 
verj'  imperfect,  especially  in  early  times.  G.  8.  indicates  grave- 
stone ;  the  dates,  time  of  death.    Many  of  the  dates  and  ages  are 

not  certain. 

Years. 

James  "Wilson,  father  of  James,  and  grandfather  of 

William,  James,  Hugh  and  Eobert,  is  said  to  have 

been 

Robert  Graham,  said  by  Col.  White  to  be 
James  Shirley,  said  to  be     . 
Alexander  Craig,  said  to  be 

(His  will  was  proved  Oct.  31,  1750,  and  tlier 

he  could  not  have  been  so  old,  but  his  father  might 

have  have  been  of  tli#t  age.) 
.Jane  Glen,  G.  S.  dated  March  9, 

Eobert  JNIills, 

Benjamin  Hills,  G.  S.  March  15,         .        . 
Rebecca,  his  wife,  G.  S.  Sej)t.  4,         .... 
Dea.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,  G.  S.  March  15, 
Abigail,  his  wife,  G.  S.  Feb.  26,         .... 

William  Healey,  will  proved, 

Mary  Sanborn,  his  wife  born  1690,  time  of  death  not 

known,  probably  1785^  about 

William  Craig  and  wife,  said  to  be   . 

(But  he  was  alive  in  1778,  and  they  had  a  daughter 

Jean,  died  1745,  a.  16,  which  wc^uld  not  indicate  so 

great  an  age  of  Mrs.  Craig.) 
John  Dickey,  G.  S.  April  30, 
Margaret,  his  wife,  July  4,  1787, 
Samuel  Aiken,  G.  S.  Jan.,  . 
His  widow,  1797,' about 
William  Crawford,  March,  over 
1790.     Maj.  John  Tolford,  May,     . 

Jane  McMurphy,  his  widow,  Dec.  29,  1792 

Lieut.  Ebenezer  Dearborn, 

Dea.  Matthew  Forsaith,  Sept.  6,  about 

Esther  Graham,  his  wife,  July,  1784,  over 

Dea.  William  Tolford,  Sept.  25, 

Samuel  Emerson,  Esq.,  G.  S.  Sept.  26, 

Dorothy,  his  widow,  March  27,  1804, 

Widow  Mary  Gordon,  mother  of  David  White's  first 

wife,  about 

Mary,  widow  of  Patrick  Melvin,  Oct.  1,  over 
Capt.  James  Shirley,  May  30,  over    . 


1739. 


1747. 
1754. 
1760. 


1756. 
1762. 

1769. 
1772. 
1768. 
1772. 


1775. 


1779. 


1786. 


1791. 

1792. 
1793. 

1795. 


1796. 


100 
80 

105 
98 


88 

80 

79 

79 

92 

83' 

82 

95 
100 


80 
89 
84 
92 
80 
89 

85 
90 
80 
92 
86 
83 

90 
80 
95 


622 


HISTOEY   OF   CHESTER. 


1797. 
1799. 
1800. 


1801. 

1802. 
1803. 


1804. 

1805. 
1806. 


1807. 


1809. 


1812. 


1814. 

1815. 


Eev.  Ebenezer  Flagg,  ^N'ov.  14,   . 

Agues  Craig,  widow  of  Allen  Templetoii,  ISIay  3, 

James  AYacldel,  Jau.,  more  thau 

Samuel  Brown,  Sen.,  of  Hooksett,     . 

Jean  Gibson,  Ms  widow/ died  at  Corinth,  date  not 

known, 

Thomas  Wason,  Jan.,  .        .        . 

Elizabeth,  widow  of  Samuel  Bartlett,  G.  S.  Ain-il, 

Dea.  Benjamin  Hills,  G.  S.  May  6,     .        .        . 

Eleanor,  his  wife,  G.  S.  Jan,  6,  1814, 

Hugh  McDuflee,  April,  about     ;        .        .        . 

Martha  Neal,  wid.  of  Archi.  Duulap,  G.  S.  May  8, 

Doi'othy,  widow  of  Thomas  Worthen,  March,  . 

Nathaniel  Hall,  April  5, 

Mary,  his  widow,  Jan.  23,  1809, 

Pri^cilla  Pearson,  widow  ^f  Thomas  Richardson 

May  11, 

Thomas  Richardson,  1795, 

John  Mills,  Jan., 

His  widow,  wife  of  Peter  Abbott,  1831,  over    . 
Abigail  Pike,  widow  of  Johnson  Chase,  or  Perley 

Chase's  mother, 

John  Craig,  March, 

John  Lakin,  Chester  Woods,  Sept.  24, 

Benjamin  Crombie,  May  2, 

Rebecca  Davis,  his  wife,  Dec.  13,  1809,      .  • 

Major  Jabez  French,  G.  S.  Oct.  9,      .        .        . 

Hannah  Hills,  his  wife,  Oct.  5,   .... 

Phebe  Ilealey,  widow  of  Wiuthrop  Sargent,  Nov.  9 

Moses  Richardson,  March  30,      . 

Mary  Goodhue,  his  wife,  Oct.  13,  1809, 

Sarah,  widow  of  Jonathan  Mo  niton,  March  3,  sup 

loosed  to  be  about     .        .        .        .        . 
Stephen  Morse,  G.  S.  March  6,  ... 

Abigail  Ingalls,  his  wife.  May,  1806,  . 
Elizabeth,  widow  of  David  Diusmore, 
Dea.  Jonathan  Hall,  July  21,       .         .         .         . 
Mehitabel  Kimball,  his  wife,  Feb.  21, 1808, 
Joanna  Healey,  widow  of  Capt.  John  Underbill 

Aug.,         .        • 

Theodore  Shackford,  Oct,  18,  at  Allenstown,    . 

John  Patten,  March  3, 

Jean,  his  wife,  June  6,  1811,  about    . 

Hannah  Gurdey, 

Sarah  Dearborn,  widow  of  John  Shackford,  Aug.  20, 
Mansfield  McDuffee,  Api-il, 


LONGEYITT, 


623 


Sarah,  his -widow  (see  1835), 105 

Widow  of  Ezra  Badger,  very  aged. 

Jacob  Hills,  Xov.  2,  G.  S., 81 

Mary  Chase,  widow  of  Josiali  Morse,  June  28,          .  90 

1816.  Dorothy  Colby  (Worthen) ,  wid.  of  Jacob  Chase,  Esq.  85 
Euth  Long,  widow  of  Beujamiu  Severance,  about    .  90 

1817.  Xathaniel  Wood,  July  IG, 80 

Jabez  Hoit,  Aug.  7,  6.  S., 82 

Abigail  Haulton,  his  vrife.  May  1,  1817,     ...  77 

Dea.  Adam  Wilson, 93 

Benjamin  True,  Sen. 

Maiy,  widow  of  Eobert  Calef,  at  Concord,        .        .  98 
Abigail    Craig,  widow  of  David  Craige,   Sen.,   at 

Eiimney, 104 

1818.  Joseph  Norton,  Feb.  17, 81 

Mary  McFarland,  widow  of  James  Aiken,        .        .  82 

John  Hoit,  Nov.  14  (see  1826),            .        .        .        .  89 
Mehitabel  Ingalls,  widow  of  Dr.  Samuel  Moore,  at 

Deei-field,  April  12  (first  child  born  in  Chester),    .  95 

1819.  Eebecca,  mother  of  Stephen  Worthen,  Apiil  27,-      •  *  94 

1820.  WilliamHoit,  Jan.  20  (seel8;30),        ....  82 
Elizabeth  Philbrook,  widow  of  Isaac  Towle  and 

Jonathan  Swain^  Esq.,  Feb.  18,  ....  90 
Margaret  Shirley,  wife  of  Dea.  Thomas  and  dan.  of 

Capt.  James  Shirley,  at  Goffstovni,         ...  93 

Hannah  Murray,  wife  of  Samuel  Murray,  Nov.  30,  .  86 

1821.  Naomi  Eastman,  widaw  of  Nathan  Long,  Jitly  18,    .  93 
Elizabeth  Eaton,  widow  of  OUver  Morse  and  Taylor 

Little,  Sept.  22, 82 

Jane  Aiken,  widow  of  Eobert  Wilson,  Esq.,     .        .  86 

1822.  Stephen  Merrill,  April  20, 86 

His  wife  (see  1833). 

Widow  of  Benjamm  Fuller,        .        .        .        .        .  80 
Widow  of  Daniel  Harper,  very  aged. 

1823.  Agnes  Shirley,  widow  of  John  McNair,  and  daughter 

of  Capt.  James  Shirley,  Feb.,           ....  80 

Joseph  Lenn,  Feb.  19,         ......  82 

Molly  Gilchi-ist,  his  wife,  Dec.  4,  1822,  about    .        .  80 

Capt.  Edward  Preston,  Feb.  23,          ....  93 

Eobert  Reynolds,  March  28, 88 

1824.  Abigail  Prescott,  widow  of  Capt.  Benjamin  Currier, 

Jan.  2, 80 

Widow  Elliot,  March  1, 90 

Amos  MeiTill,  April  9, 93 

Simon  Currier,  Aug.  29, 79 

Isaac  Hills,  Esq.,  Sept.  24, 80- 


624 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


1827. 


1828. 


Molly  Colby,  widow  of  Beujamiu  Hoit,  Oct.  3, 
Wells  Chase,  Dec.  28,  .        .        •        . 

Sarah  Hovey,  his  wife,  Oct.  5,  1814,  . 

1825.  Mehitabel  Bradley,  widow  of  Benjamin  Melvia  and 

John  S.  Dearborn,  Feb.  14, 
Beatrice  Bell,  widow  of  William  Bell,  March  1,  over 
Dennis  Donovan,  May  14,   .      .  . 

William  AYilson,  Sept.  25, 

Mehitabel  Osgood,  wid.  of  Benj.  True,  Sen.,  Oct.  24 
Capt.  William  Locke,  Nov.  0,     . 
Ebenezer  Dearborn,  Aug.  18,     . 
Matthew  Templetou,  Nov.  22,     . 

1826.  Samuel  Murray,  Jan.  18,  •  .  .  .  . 
Hannah,  his  wife  (see  1820),  .... 
Miriam  Hoit,  widow  of  John  Iloit,  March  19,  i 

months  over 

George  Marden,  Feb., 

Sarah,  his  wife  (see  1835) ,  .        .     •   . 

Jonathan  Dearborn,  Nov.  2,        .        .        .        . 

Col.  Stephen  Dearborn,  Oct.  27,         .         .         . 

Lieut.  Ezekiel  Worthen, 

Dinah  Edwards  (colored) ,  lived  at  Capt.  Emerson's, 

Capt.  Pearson  Richardson,  Nov.  26,  7  months  over  . 

Janotte   Wilson,   wife   of  Dea.   William,   Sept.   29, 
(The  Dea.  went  to  Maine  and  lived  many  years.) 

John  Archibald,  Oct.  12,  between  80  and 

John  Sanborn,  Dec.  3,         .         .         . 

His  widow  died  in  1832, 

Sarah  Woodman,  widow  of  Abraham  ]Morse,  June  26 
1829.    James  Wason,  March  15,     . 

Benjamin  Hills,  sou  of  Abner,    . 

William  White,  Nov.  9,       .        .        . 
1833:    Archibald  McDuffee,  Feb.  23,     . 

His  wife  died  1818. 

Wilkes  West,  April  10,        .        .        . 

Robert  McKinley,  Aug.  27, 

His  wife    (see  1845) . 

Samuel  Porter  (born  at  Boxford),  May, 

Elijah  Pillsbury,  July  17,     . 

Anna  Bartlett,  his  wife,  1833, 

Adam  Morrill, 

Aphia  Worthen,  widow  of  William  Hoit, 
1831.     Abigail  French,  wid.  of  Nathan  Fitts,  June  18, 

Mary  Randall,  widow  Joseph  Morse,  Feb.  28,  . 

Abigail  Rowell,  widow  of  Josiah  Rowell,  of  Hook 
sett,  Aug.  3, 


86 
87 

77 

79 
80 
94 
89i 
94 
86 
81 
87 
92 
86 

92 

85 
90 
80 
88i 
86 
80 
84 
84 

90 
90 
94 
98 
83 
81 
89 
94 

94 

93 

88 
92 
93 
82 
86 
85 
80 

85 


LONGEVITY. 


625 


Hev  Imsbaud  died,  1823,      ......  79 

Capt.  Stephen  Hills,  Jan.  31, 85 

His  widow,  1842, 85 

1832.  Samuel  Shirley,  at  Sanboriiton,  Jan.  7,      .        .        .89 
His  widow  (see  1843) . 

Joseph  Hall,  Dec.  18, 81 

1833.  Judith  Sargent,  widow  of  David  Hall,  Jan.  31,         .  81 
Hon.  Joseph  Blanchard,  March  7,       ....  80 

Stephen  Worthen,  April  27, '81 

Abigail  Woods,  widow  of  James  Eaton,  and  mother 

of  Alexander  E.,  and  of  ISIrs.  Pressey,  ...  98 

John  Butterfield,  Sept.  17,  5  months  over  .  .  87 
Mary  Melvin,  widow  of  David  AYhite  and  Stephen 

Merrill,  July  13, 88 

1834.  Elizabeth  Moulton,  widow  of  Simeon  Currier,  April 

24, 86 

Her  husband,  Aug  29,  1824, 79 

John  Sleeper,  June, 80 

Elizabeth  Gilchrist,  widow  of  Mark  Karr,        .        .  86 

Asa  Haselton,  Sen.,  about 91 

1835.  Caleb  Hall,  Feb.  15, 96 

Mary  Bradley,  his  wife,  Apr.  6,  1822,          ...  77 

Joseph  Carr,  Feb.  27,  .......  92 

Hannah  Ayer,  his  wife,  Feb.  25,  1833,        ...  85 

Widow  of  Elliot  Berry, 90 

Sarah  Coburn,  wid.  of  Thomas  Currier  and  Mans- 
field McDuffee, 105 

Gideon  Currier,  died  in  Raymond,  Oct.  1,.         .         .  81 

Sarah  Webster,  wid.  of  George  Marden,  Sept.  27,     .  90 

1836.  Dolly  Johnson,  wid.  of  David  Folsom  and  Joseph 

Blanchard,  Esq.,  May  14, 88 

Molly,  daughter  of  John  Patten,  Jan.  4,  nearly          .  80 

Mehitabel,  widow  of  Eben  Basford,  April  10,            .  84 

Sherburn  Sanborn,  May  8, 80 

Molly  Hoit,  his  wife,  Sept.  24,  1852,            ...  88 

Joseph  Long-,  Nov.  26, 84 

Euth  French,  widow  of  Josiah  Hall,           ...  83 

Josiah  Hall,  Sept.  10,  1825, 70 

1837.  Martha  Perley,  wife  of  Samuel  Porter,  (born  at  Box- 

ford,)  Jan. 19,           ..'....  83 

Dea.  Nathan  Knowles,  April  30,          ....  89 

Susannah  Shackford,  his  wife,  Dec.  29,  1842,     .         .  85 

Edward  Robie,  Dec.  26, 92 

Sarah  Smith,  his  wife,  Aug.  4,  1843,           ...  89 
40 


626 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


Sarah  Gilclirist,  widow  of  Joseph  Carr  and  Eobert 

Graham, 

1888.    Moses  Underhill,  Feb.  8, 

Edmund  Sleeper,  June  11, 

ISIary  Orr  Patten,  wid.  of  David  Patten,  N"ov.  17, 

DaA'id  Patten,  April  17,  1835,       .... 

Dea.  John  "V\"ebster, 

1839.    Sarah  Hall,  widow  of  Peter  Severance,  Dec.  28, 
1810.    Lydia    Eichardson,  widow  of    Abraham   Sargent 
Feb.  6,  7  months  over 

"\yilLiam  Mills,  March  19, 

Molly  Norton,  wid.  Joseph,  March  22,  6  months  over 

Abiah  Orcutt,  mother  of  Eph.  Orcutt,  March  4, 

Dea.  David  Currier,  Apr.  1, 

3iary  Dinsmore,  liis  wife,  Aug.  20,  1836,     . 

Levi  Whitman,  native  of  Bedford  and  father  of 
James  Wilson's  wife, 

Ebenczer  Townsend,  Oct.  12,     . 

^Michael  "Worthen, 

Dolly  Brown,  liis  Avife,  (time  not  known,) 

1841.  Capt.  James  Orr,  Oct.  11,  .        .        .        .    '    . 
Sarah  Melvin,  liis  wid.,  March  29,  1861,  6  mos.  over 
Abigail  Moulton,  wid.  of  Jacob  Basford  and  Jona- 
than Brown, 

Lieut.  Jacob  Elliot,  Dec.  6,         .... 
Thomas  Anderson,  Jan.  5,  .... 

1842.  Sarah  Wadley,  wid.  of  John  Clark,  Feb.  23,     . 
Euth  Kelly,  wid.  of  Parker  Chase,  May  17, 
Lydia  Leavit  Griffin,  widow  of  Samuel  Shaimon 

May  25, 

Margaret  "Wilson  Crawford,  wid.  of  Samuel  Crom 

bie,  Sept,  9, 

Peter  Hall,  Dec.  1,  6  months  over 

Edna  Davis,  widow  of  Peter  Hill  and  Peter  Hall 

July,  1848, 

Prudence  Sargent,  widow  of  Joseph  Hills,  at  the 

Long  Meadows,  Dec.  23,  .... 

1843.  Mary  Morrison,  wid.  of  William  Shirley,  July, 
Joseph  Hill,  son  of  Abner  Hill,  Sept.  10,  . 
Mary  Page,  his  wife,  Sept.  20,  1849, 
Elizabeth  McDuflfee,  wid.  of  Samuel  Shirley,  Sept.  6 
Capt.  Benjamin  True,  Dec.  6,     . 

1844.  Capt.  John  Emerson,  April  3,     . 
Elizabeth  French,  his  widow,  July  16,  1852, 
Xabbe  Emerson,  wid.  of  Benj.  Hall  and  Capt.  Abra 

ham  Towle,  April  3,  6  months  over 


86 
89 
86 
81 
77 
83 
82 

90 
94 

100 
88 
85 
82 

85 

88 
82 
80 
81 


88 
86 
79 
87 
90 

87 

87 
91 

89 

93 
83 
86 
82 
80 
81 
86 
90 

83 


LONGEVITY. 


62 


Anna  Heath,  T;riclow  of  Jere.  Underliill,  May  19,      .  86 

Eleanor  Blasdel,  -widow  of  Andrew  Xeal,  Xoy.  11,  .  85 

Susannah,  wid.  of  Jacob  Green,  Oct.  31,    .         .         .  94 

1815.    Eev.  Jonathan  Calef,  at  Lyman,  Me.,         ...  83 

Joshua  Hall,  April  24, 83 

Polly  Morse,  Ms  wife,  April  3,  1856,           ...  80 

Susannah  Haynes,  wid.  of  "Wm.  ATeeks,  May  3,        .  94 

William,  her  husband,  Sept.,  1821,      ....  76 

1846.  Sarah  Haselton,  widow  of  Stephen  Clay,  nearly  .  80 
James  Otterson,  of  Hooksett,  Dec.  26,  .  .  .  89 
Mary  Chase,  his  wife,  Feb.  9,  1845,    ....  80 

Mary  Otterson,  Xov.  22,  1845, 86 

John  Locke,  June  18, 81 

Eben  Currier,  May,  about 86 

1847.  Anna  Eaton,  wife  of  Solomon  Stevens,  Jan.  31,  .  85 
Mr.  Stevens  (see  1854). 

Anna  Melvin,  wid.  of  Lt.  Josiah  Uuderhill,  Mar.  17,  84 

Mrs.  Larabee, 80 

Huldah  Smith,  wid.  of  Daniel  Greenough,  Oct!  24,  85 

Abigail  Smith,  wid.  of  Cornet  David  Shaw,  Dec.  25,  94 

1848.  Paul  Adams,  Feb.  22, 85 

Mrs,  Gould,  mother  of  the  wife  of  John  S.  Brown, 

July  21, 85 

Capt.  John  "Wason,  July  8, 84 

Elizabeth  Smith,  his  wife,  Dec.  3,  1843,      ...  81 

"Wife  of  Asa  Haselton,  Sept.  4, 86 

Meribah  "Waddel,  Aug.  30, 98 

1849.  Abigail  Uuderhill,  widow  of  Moses  Crombie,  April 

29,  6  months  over 94 

John  Griffin,  at  almshouse,  March  3,          ...  86 
Euth  Seavey,  his  wife,  about  the  same  age. 

Hannah,  mother  of  Dea.  John  Lane,  May  25,    .         .  84 
Judith  ^Vorth  Kelly,  widow  of  Dea.  Amos  Morse, 

Sept.  9, 89 

Elizabeth  Eichardson,  widow  of  David  Craige,  Jr., 

at  Eumney, 99 

1850.  William,  son  of  Lt.  William  Brown,  ...  95 
Sarah  Shelden,  his  wife, 90 

(They  died  with  their  cMldren  at  Moimt  Desert, 

Me.,  the  exact  time  not  known.) 
Sarah  Knowles,  wid.  of  Josiah  Morse,  Jr.,  July  9, 

9  months  over 84 

Martha  Graham,  widow  of  Samuel  Aiken,  Feb.  2,    .  86 

Hon.  Samuel  Bell,  Dec.  23, 81 

1851.  Dea.  Benj.  Hills,  Sept.  25, 88 

Lydia  Dearborn,  Ms  wife,  June  2,  1844,    ...  77 


628 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


Meliitabel  Ste.vens,  wife  of  Isaac  Hills,  Aug.  26,        .  99 

Isaac,  her  liusband,  Sept.  24,  1824,      ....  80 
Mrs.  Evans,  mother  of  the  wives  of  IST.  Griffin  and 

Jesse  Patten, 83 

Thomas  Wicom,  of  Ilooksett, 101 

Ann  Archibald,  Nov.,  nearly 80 

1852.  B.  Pike  Chase,  March  16, 90 

Mr.  Flint,  March  29, 81 

James  Stevens,  June  3, 86 

His  widow,  Kov.  10,  1865, 88 

Joseph  Richardson,  June  6, 84 

Amos  Crombic,  Sept.  10, 88 

Sherburne  Dearborn,  Oct.  9, 94 

Bettj^,  Dau.  of  Abraham  Morse,  Oct.  16,   .        .        .  81 
Molly  Brown,  widow  of  Eobert  Davis,   d.  at  her 

daughter,  Mrs.  Hale's,  at  Xewburyport,  April  12,  94 
John  Brown,  d.  at  liis  sou  Sanuiel  Brown's,  Bangor, 

April  19, 92 

(Cliildren  of  Samuel  Brown  of  Ilooksett.) 

1853.  Lydia  Seuter,  Avidow  of  Reuben  Senter,  April  19,  83 
Reuben,  her  husband,  Dec.  12,  1842,           .         .        •  79 

1854.  Solomou'Stevcus,  Oct.  14, 93 

His  wife  (see  1847) . 

Alexander  Donovon,  Nov.  19, 82 

Martha  Smith,  widow  of  Silas  Camet,  Sen.,  d.  at  Or- 

ford,  July  21,  6  months  over 99 

Betsy  Elkins,  wid.  of  Samuel  Wallace,  Oct.  21,        .  80 

1855.  Betty  Hoit,  dau.  of  Beuj.  Iloit,  Feb.  22,  .  .  .  94 
Daniel  McDuffie,  April  5,  6  months  over  ...  84 
Ann  Shirley,  his  wife,  Nov.  29,  18G0,  d.  in  Caudia,    .  85 

David  Porter,  July  12, 82 

Elizabeth  Pike,  widow  of  Jona.  Dearborn,  May  1,  88 

John  Cofl3.n,  Aug.  8, 89 

Eunice  Sargent,  his  wife,  July  2,  1860,       ...  92 
Eunice  Silver,  widow  of  Joseph  Calef  and  John 

Downing, 86 

Joseph  Carr,  Oct.,  8  months  over       ....  88 

1856.  Edua,  dau.  of  Abraham  Morse,           ....  82 

1857.  Capt.  Beuj.  Fitts,  May  20,            86 

Susan  Dearboi-n,  his  wife,  April  15,  1860,           .         .  85 

Robert  Knowles,  July  22,             89 

Edward  Robie,  Jr.,  Sept.  12, 79 

Joseph  Robinson,  Dec,  6  months  over       ...  89 

1858.  Scpheu  Webster,  March  3, 84 

Dolly  Pillsbury,  his  wife,  Feb.  19,  1857,     ...  79 


LONGEVITY. 


629 


1859. 


1861. 


1862. 


1863. 


1864. 


Joseph  Smith,  Oct.  24,        ...        . 

Benj.  Davis,  Xov.  16, 

Thomas  Coleman,  Nov.  22,  ... 

Mary  Stinsoii,  widovr  of  Samuel  CaiT,  Sept. 

AYido-\v  of  Henry  Smith,  Nov.  4, 

Nancy  Carr,  wid.  of  John  Clark,  Jr.,  Jan.  18, 

Isaac  Morse,  June  29, 

Moses  Brickett,  Sept.  25,     . 

Sally  Pillsbury,  his  wife,  Nov.  12, 

Sarah  Melvin,  wid.  of  James  Orr,  March  23, 

James  Orr  d.  Oct  11,  1841,  .... 

Hannah  Townsend,  wife  of  Dea.  John  Lane, 

'>8 
Martha  Graham,  wid.  of  David  Hall,  May  1, 
Lncretia  Currier,  wid.  of  Moses  K.  Hall,  Aug, 
Moses,  her  husband,  Aug.  18,  1837,    . 
William  Graham,  Esq.,  Aug.  3,  . 
Dea.  Nathan  Kuowles,  Sept.  10, 
Eebecca  Dearborn,  his  wife,  Jan.  2,  1864, 
Abigail  C.  Heath  (Ch.  Bee),      . 
Peter  Hall,  Jr.,  d.  March  29,       .         .         . 
John  Kimball  at  Auburn,  Ajiril  25,    . 
John  Murray,  June  5,  .... 

EHzabeth  Pillsbury,  liis  wid.,  Nov.  2,  1866, 
Capt.  Moses  Ilaselton,  Aug.  9,   . 
Josiah  AYorthen,  Aug.  10,   . 
Susanna  Hills,  wid.  of  Nathan  Knowles,  Jr., 
Martha,  dau.  of  William  Wilson, 
Persis  Thorn,  wid.  of  Hon.  John  Bell,  Nov.  22 
John  Clark,  Esq.,  May  15,  . 

Robert  Mills,  June  6, 

Josiah  Seavey,  July  31,        ...        . 

Peter  Morse, 

Hannah  Morse,  wid,  of  Moses  Hills,  Sept.  10, 
Mary  Camet,  wid.  of  Edward  Richardson,  and 

of  R.  S.  Hunton,  Dec.  7,  .         .         . 

Mary  Simonds,  wid.  of  Nathan  Webster  and 

L.  Glidden,  Dec,  19,         .... 
Lydia,  wid,  of  Daniel,  and  dau,  of  Josejih  ]^ 

d.  in  Raj'mond, 

Hannah  Iloit,  wid.  of  Joseph  Abbott,  March 

Fremont, 

Nehemiah  Lufkin,  May  15, 

Judith  Brown,  wid.  of  Benj.  Wilson,  May  10, 


April 

17, 


Nor 


15, 


wife 

John 

ton 

22,  at 


80 
80 
87 

84i 
81 

89)1 
90 
79 
79 

93i 
81 

81 
83 
96 
79 
85 
85 
84 
92 
82 
84 
85 
84 
82 
82 
92 
88 
84 
79 
82 
83 
89 
85 

81 

83 

92 

91 

84 
95i 


630 


HISTORY   OF   CHESTER. 


1865. 


1866. 


1867. 


1868. 


1869. 


Ricliarcl  Sliackforcl,  Sept.  30, 92 

Lydia  Aj'er,  wicl.  of  Daniel  Anderson,  Dec.  2,  .  84 
Polly  Green,  wid.  of  Benj.  Underliill,  ...  82 
Wid.  of  James  Stevens  (see  1852),     ....        88 

Isaac  Blunt,  March, 85 

Robert  Martin,  Dec.  25,  5  mouths  over  ...  87 
Hannah  Currier,  wid.  of  Samuel  Shackford,  Aug.  7,  80 
Anna  Hall,  wid.  of  Joseph  Currier,  Oct.  13,  .  .  87^ 
Polly  Porter,  wid.  of   David  Emery  and  Charles 

Emerson, 80 

Amos  Green,  April,  nearly 79 

Nathan  Griffin,  June  23,  between       .        .        .78  and  79 
Nancy  Marston,  wid.  of  Saml.  Aiken,  Esq.,  Aug.  6 
Patty  Davis,  wife  of  Hazen  DaWs,  Aug.  10, 
Mary  Knowles,  wid.  of  Daniel  Hills,  Nov.  21, 
Eosanna  Aiken,  wid.  of  Alex.  McGi-egor  and  Dear 

born  AMiitticr,  at  Londonderry,  Nov.  23, 

John  Ilaselton,  Dec, 

Polly  Gault,  wid.  of  John  Brown,  Oct.  31,  at  Milton 

Vt., 

Pamela  Brown,  Avid.  of  James  Hoit,  nearly 

John  White,  Feb.  3, 

Susanna  Sargent,  wid.  of  John  !Melviu  and  Richard 

Dearborn,  Feb.  4,  7  months  over     . 

Moses  Crombie,  March  4, 

Elizabeth  Currier,  wid.  of  John  Clark,  Esq.,  March 

14,  8  months  over 

John  Clark,  her  husband,  May  15,  1863,     . 
Hannah  Ingalls,  wid.  of  John  Hall,  March, 

Peter  Ilaselton,  March  17, 

Susan  B.  Robinson,  his  wife,  March  20,     . 
Lucretia  Hills,  wid.  of  Thos.  Haselton,  June  19, 

months  over 

Samuel  "Wason,  July  4, 

Josiah  Forsaith,  Aug.  18,  9  months  over    . 
Ruth  Wood,  wid.  of  Ebenezer  Wood,  Sept.  12, 
Isaac  Hall,  Oct.  10, 


Asa  Noyes,  Dec.  28,  8  months  over    . 

Wife  of  Samuel  Kendall,  Jan.  4,  3  months  over 

Samuel  Haselton,  Jan.  16, 

Sally  McKinley,  wid.  of  David  Abbott,  Jan.  30, 
Sarah,  dau.  of  Dea.  John  S.  Dearborn,  and  wid.  of 
Moses  Carlton,  d.  at  West  Concord  (was  the  old- 
est native  of  Chester  at  her  death), 


85 

88d 

86 

84 
85 

84 
80 
84 

90 

87 

80 
79 
81 

85 
72 

88 
85 
83 
79 
80 
88 
82 
82h 
80 


95il 


LONGEVITY.  631 


Aged  Persons,  including  Natives,  some  op  whom  have  been 

ABSENT   MANY  YEARS,   AND   PRESENT  EeSIDENTS   NOT  KaTIVES. 

The  oldest  native,  so  far  as  is  known,  is  Dolly  Hoit,  dau.  of 
Benjamin  Hoit,  who  has  resided  in  Chester  nearly  all  of  her  life ; 
b.  Dec.  15,  1774. 

The  next  oldest  native  is  James  AVason;  b.  Feb.  13,  1780. 

Dorothy  "Worthen,  his  wife,  b.  March  7,  1783. 

Dorothy  Locke,  the  widow  of  Josiah  Mooi'e  and  Thomas  Shan- 
non; b,  June  9,  1780. 

The  oldest  resident  is  Kebecca  Bailey,  the  widow  of  Silas  Ten- 
ney;  b.  May  13,  1773. 

Hannah  Porter,  widow  of  William  Preston  and  James  Emer- 
son; b.  1781. 

Samuel  Kendall;  b.  May  12,  1782. 

Hannah  Foss,  the  widow  of  Andrew  Seavey;  b.  Sept.  27,  1782. 

Lucy  Morse;  b.  Jan.  5,  1783. 

Joseph  Rand;  b.  April  12,  1783. 

Sarah  Ayer,  widow  of  Capt.  Moses  Haselton;  b.  April  8,  1784. 

Betsy  Green ;  b.  1784. 

Mary  Haselton,  widow  of  John  Wells  and  Da\^s;  b.  July  18, 
1784. 

Stephen  Farnham;  b.  Aug.  25,  1785. 

Ann  McKinley,  wid.  of  James  Badger;  b.  1785. 

Johnson  Morse;  b.  at  Dracut,  Feb.  12,  178G;  now  of  Chester. 

Peter  Card;  b.  at  Woolwich,  Me.,  April  7,  178G;  now  of 
Auburu. 

Sarah  Emerson,  widow  of  Josiah  Haselton;  b.  Sept.  8,  1786. 

Ednah  Davis,  widow  of  Walter  Morse;  b.  Sept.  18,  1786. 

Benaiah  Spofford;  b.  Sept.  9,  1786. 

Polly  Page,  his  wife;  b.  Aug.  9,  1792. 

Aaron  Ball;  b.  at  Priucetown,  May,  1786;  came  to  Chester, 
1824. 

Abigail  Lane,  widow  of  Thomas  Wason;  b.  July  17,  1782. 

Molly  Lane,  widow  of  Dea.  Amos  Bachelder,  June  29,  1786. 

Anna  Lane,  wife  of  Jona.  A.  Lane;  b.  Aug.  30,  1788. 

John  Lane ;  b.  Jan.  6, 1792.  (The  last  four  are  children  of  Cor- 
net Isaac  Lane.) 

John  Porter;  b.  Feb.  12,  1787. 

Hannah  Hall,  wife  of  Benjamin  Chase;  b.  Feb.  18,  1787. 

Dr.  Nathan  Plmnmer,  Aug.  11,  1787. 

Elizabeth  Chase,  widow  of  James  Underbill;  b.  Sept.  18,  1787. 

John  Colby;  b.  1785. 

Samuel  Colby;  b.  1787. 

Hannah  Colby;  b.  1791. 

(Last  three  are  children  of  Eev.  Zaccheus  Colby.) 


632  HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 

William  Ottersou;  b.  Oct.  30,  1789. 

Mary  Morse,  widow  of  Daniel  Carlton;  b.  March  5,  1788. 

Henry  Hall;  b.  April  18,  1788. 

Sally  Stevens,  widow  of  Henry  Dockham;  b.  May,  1788. 

riiebe  West,  widow  of  Joseph  Morse,  May  13,  1788. 

Capt.  Daiid  Shaw;  b.  June  20,  1788. 

Margaret  Shirley;  b.  Aug.  25,  1789. 

Mary  Judkins,  widow  of  Asa  Noyes;  b.  Oct.  9,  1789. 

Dea,  John  Lane;  b.  at  Ipswich.  Oct.  28, 1789;  came  from  New- 
bury port  to  Chester,  1815. 

Hannah  Blauchard,  widow  of  Dea.  Samuel  Dinsmore ;  b.  Jan. 
7,  1790. 

Capt.  Noah  Weeks;  b.  1790. 

Elizabeth  Crombie,  Avidow  of  IMatthcw  Reid ;  b.  March  22,  1790. 

Sally  Underbill,  widow  of  Smith  Grcenough  and  Abraham 
Sargent;  b.  Nov.  2G,  1790. 

Charlotte  Hall,  dau.  of  Moses  K.  Hall,  Dec.  30,  1791. 

Mary  Prescott,  widow  of  Edward  Ilobie;  b.  March  27,  1793. 


CHAPTER     XVIII. 

HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 

I  greatly  regret  that  my  time  and  space  do  not  permit 
me  to  give  a  fuller  history  of  that  part  of  old  Chester.  It 
is  disputed,  and  is  of  little  consequence,  who  was  the  first 
settler  in  Candia.  Eaton,  in  his  History  of  Candia,  page 
8,  says  that  "  David  McClure  came  from  Chester  to  Candia 
about  the  year  1743."  He  did  not  buy  his  Chester  lot 
until  1744,  and  in  1748  he  was  a  petitioner  for  soldiers 
with  others  in  that  neighborhood,  and  sold  his  place  there 
to  John  Knowles,  Jr.,  of  Rye,  November  2,  1749.  William 
Turner  bought  his  lot  in  1741.  There  is  a  tradition  that 
his  dauahter  Sarah  was  the  first  white  child  born  in 
Candia.  She  was  born  in  November,  1848.  There  soon 
removed  to  Charming  Fare  (as  that  part  of  Chester  was 
then  called)  quite  a  number  of  families,  among  whom 
were  Benjamin  Smith  from  Exeter,  Wiuthrop  Wells,  John, 


HISTORY   OF  CANDIA. 


633 


Theophilus  and  Jacob  Sargent,  Dr.  Samuel  Moore,  Enoch 
Rowel  and  Obededom  Hall,  from  Chester. 

A  petition  was  presented  to  the  General  Assembly,  dated 
March  22,  1763,  praying  to  be  set  off  as  a  distinct  parish, 
signed  by  the  following  persons,  who  probably  constituted 
most  of  the  voters  in  town : 


Benjamin  Bachelcler, 
Samuel  Moores, 
Jonathan  Hills, 
Samuel  Towle, 
Kicklus  Smith, 
Jonathan  Towle, 
Kath^  Ingalls, 
Theophilus  Clough, 
John  Karr, 
Thomas  Chretchet, 
Samuel  Eastman, 
John  Clay, 
Moses  Baker, 
Theop.  Sarg-ent, 
Stei)hen  Webster, 
Joseph  Smith, 
Jeremiah  Bean, 
Zebedee  Berry, 
Phineas  Towle, 


AVilliam  Turner, 
Winthrop  ATells, 
Abraham  Fitts, 
Sherburn  Rowe, 
Asel  Quimby, 
Gilman  Dudley, 
Zachariah  Clifford, 
Enoch  Colby, 
Moses  Smart, 
Nath^  Emerson, 
John  Sargent, 
Jonathan  Bean, 
Benj.  Smith, 
James  McClure, 
Stephen  Palmer, 
Jacob  Sargent, 
Ichabod  Robie, 
Elisha  Bean, 
David  Hills. 


The  prayer  was  granted,  and  a  charter  given,  dated 
December  17,  1763.     The  boundaries  were  as  follows  :  — 

"  Beginning  at  the  North  East  Corner  of  said  Parish,  on 
the  Line  of  the  Townsbip  of  Nottingham  at  a  Hemlock 
tree,  at  the  head  of  the  Old  Hundred-acre  Lotts  ;  then  runs 
South  twenty  Nine  Degrees  West,  joining  to  said  lotts  as 
they  are  Entered  on  the  Proprietors'  Records,  about  four 
miles  to  a  stake  and  stones ;  then  West  North  West  to  a 
Maple  Tree,  Ijeing  the  North  East  bounds  of  the  Lott  Num- 
ber forty-three,  in  the  Second  part  of  the  Second  Division, 
and  continuing  the  same  course  by  towerhill  pond  to  a 
stake  and  stones,  what  completes  five  miles  and  a  half  upon 
this  course  ;  then  North  Twenty  Nine  Degrees  East  to  a 
Pitch  Pine,  which  is  the  South  West  Boundary  of  the 
Eighty  acre  lott  in  the  Third  Division,  Number  one  hun- 
dred twenty  three ;  then  North  twenty  Nine  Degrees  East 
to  Nottingham  Line,  and  then  on  that  Line  to  the  Hem- 
lock Tree  first  mentioned." 


634  HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 

Samuel  Emerson,  Esq.,  was  appointed  to  call  the  first 
meeting.     The  meeting  was  holden  March  13,  176-1. 

Moderator^ — Dr.  Samuel  Moores. 

Parish  Clerh, — Dr.  Samuel  Moores. 

Constable,  —  Winthrop  Wells. 

Selectmen,  —  Lieut.  Benjamin  Bachelder,  John  Sargent, 
Jeremiah  Bean. 

Tytliingman, — John  Clay. 

Surveyors  of  Highways,  —  Lieut.  Saml.  Towl,  Moses 
Baker,  Elisha  Bean,  Zebedee  Berry. 

Fence  Vieivers, — Matthew  Ramsey,  Stephen  "Webster. 

Hawards, — Stephen  Palmer,  Moses  Smart. 

Deer  Inspectors, — Theophilus  Clough,  Jonathan  Bean. 

Committee  to  Examine  the  Selectmen'' s  Accompts, — Stephen 
Webster,  Walter  Robie,  Nathaniel  Emerson. 

On  the  first  leaf  of  the  old  records  is  the  following  : 

"  A  Parish  Book  of  Records,  No.  1,  Kept  by  Samuel 
Moores,  Esq.,  from  the  Incorporation  of  said  Parish  up  to 
October,  1793,  and  at  his  Decease  succeeded  by  Samuel 
Moores,  Jr.,  and  kept  until  March,  1798  ;  and  then  by 
Walter  Robie,  Esq.,  until  March,  1806  ;  and  then  by  Rich- 
ard Emerson,  until  the  month  of  October,  1806,  when  he 
Deceased  ;  and  then  by  John  Lane,  until  March,  1820  ;  and 
then  by  Peter  Eaton  until  March,  1831 ;  and  then  by  Fred- 
erick Fitts,  until  March,  1832  ;  and  then  by  S.  A.  Sar- 
gent until  March,  1836  ;  and  then  by  Dr.  Samuel  Sargent 
until  Feb.,  1810." 

The  old  book  closed  in  1807. 

The  selectmen  the  first  year  charge  :  "  Paid  Asahel  Quim- 
by  for  a  constable's  staff,  <£4."  This  was  old  tenor,  equal  to 
about  sixty-seven  cents.  The  ^taff  is  now  in  possession  of 
Edmund  Hills,  Esq.  It  is  of  hard  wood,  about  eighteen 
inches  long,  and  an  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter,  stained 
black,  with  a  pewter  ferule  about  three  inches  long  on  one 
end.     It  was  a  badge  of  office. 

I  shall  continue  the  history  under  different  heads. 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  635 


BUILDING   THE   MEETING-HOUSE. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  parish,  held  Sept.  8,  1766, 

"  Voted,  to  build  a  meeting  House. 

"  Voted,  that  the  meeting  house  Shall  be  set  on  or  near 
the  North  west  corner  of  the  Parsonage  lot,  so  called: 

"  Voted,  that  the  meeting  house  frame  Shall  be  Begun 
upon  the  22  Day  of  this  instant  September  ;  John  Clay, 
Walter  Robie,  Esq.,  Benja.  Cass,  Moses  Baker,  Jonathan 
Bean,  Nathl.  Emerson  and  Abraham  Fitts,  a  Committee." 

They  voted  to  raise  sixty  pounds,  to  be  paid  in  work  at 
two  shillings  and  six  pence  per  day  for  common  hands,  or  in 
lumber,  and  to  hire  workmen,  &c.,  the  frame  to  be  com- 
pleted by  the  last  day  of  October.  If  any  did  not  pay  in 
work  or  lumber,  the  constable  was  to  collect  it  in  money. 
The  house  was  to  be  forty-five  feet  wide  and  fifty-five  feet 
long.  Five  pounds  lawful  money  was  voted  to  be  raised, 
to  be  used  by  the  committee,  if  needed. 

At  a  meeting,  Oct.  20.  1766, 

"Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  shall  Assess  a  Sufficient  Sum 
to  finish  the  meeting  house  Fraim. 

"  Voted,  That  there  Be  Provided  for  Raising  Supper, 
Codfish,  Potatoes  and  Butter." 

At  a  meeting,  February  5,  1767,  it  was  voted  to  sell  the 
pew-ground  for  the  wall  pews,  and  William  Baker,  Dr. 
Samuel  Moores  and  William  Turner  were  chosen  a  com- 
mittee to  sell  it,  and  take  care  that  the  frame  be  boarded, 
shingled  and  underpinned.  The  pew  ground  was  sold 
February  19,  1767. 

September  17,  1767,  it  was  voted  "  to  sell  the  ground  for 
six  more  pews  behind  the  men's  and  women's  seats,  in 
order  to  finish  the  outside  of  the  meeting-house  this  fall  as 
far  as  said  pew-ground  will  go."  It  was  sold  October  1, 
1767.  The  purchase  was  to  be  paid  in  merchantable  pine 
boards,  at  eighteen  shillings  per  thousand,  and  shingles  at 
seven  shillings  per  thousand,  by  the  first  day  of  June. 
The  second  sale,  the  same  articles,  at  the  market  price. 

Nov.  23, 1767,  it  was  voted  "  that  the  meeting-house  shall 
be  glazed  this  fall,  as  soon  as  may  be  conveniently  done  by 


636  HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 

way  of  assessment,"  and  liberty  was  given  to  cut  timber  on 
the  parsonage  and  school  lots  to  make  red-oak  hogshead 
staves  to  defray  the  expense,  "  to  be  three  feet  eight  inches 
long,  and  delivered  at  the  meeting-house  by  the  tenth  day 
of  February  next." 

August  28,  1769,  voted  that  the  meeting-house  com- 
mittee build  the  men's  and  women's  seats  in  the  meeting- 
house. 

June  15,  1773,  voted  that  there  shall  be  a  pulpit  built  in 
six  months.     Jonathan  Bagley  entered  his  dissent. 

February  21,  1775,  it  was  voted  to  sell  ground  for  pews 
in  the  gallery  to  the  highest  bidder,  and  the  finishing  the 
meeting-house  to  the  lowest  bidder. 

March  9,  1779,  "  Voted,  that  the  Seats  Shall  be  made  in 
the  Galleries,  and  the  Brest  work  lined  this  season." 

July  21,1783,  it  was  voted  "that  y<^  Brest  work  and 
seats  in  the  Galleries  in  the  meeting  house  be  Built  the 
Present  Year."  The  committee  "  Shall  Build  a  pew  in  the 
front  Galleries,  from  Pillar  to  Pillar,  for  the  use  of 
Singers." 

March  29,  1796,  the  question  was  taken  about  building  a 
steeple  and  porch,  and  negatived,  fifty-two  to  fifty-nine,  but 
a  vote  was  passed  to  give  up  the  stairway  and  sell  it  for 
pew-ground,  to  go  towards  building  a  steeple  and  porch, 
provided  a  sufficient  number  of  men  can  be  found  to  build 
the  rest  of  the  steeple  and  porch.     They  were  built. 

March  9,  1802,  it  was  voted  to  raise  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  dollars  to  be  annexed  to  what  is  subscribed  to- 
wards purchasing  a  bell.  It  seems  that  Major  Samuel 
Moore  had  purchased  a  weather-cock  of  Mr.  Jones,  of  New- 
buryport,  and  had  failed  to  pay  him  ;  in  1802  the  town 
voted  to  pay  him. 

The  old  house  was  burned  January  25,  1828,  and  the 
present  one  built  the  same  year. 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  637 


HIRING    AND   SETTLING   MINISTERS. 

In  the  selectmen's  account  for  1764  is  an  item,  "  Paid 
John  Clay  for  boarding  the  minister,  <£4." 

1765.  "  Paid  Mr.  Gilman  for  preaching  fourteen  sab- 
baths £14.  Theophilus  Sargent  going  to  Exeter  after  a 
minister,  5s.  Lieut.  Bachelder,  going  to  Hampton  after  a 
minister,  4s.     Theo.  Clough,  for  going  after  a  minister,  5s." 

1766.  Mr.  Gilman,  preaching  twelve  sabbaths.  Mr. 
Hillard,  preaching  four  sabbaths.  There  were  some  Pres- 
byterians in  the  parish  who  probably  asked  not  to  be  rated, 
and  it  was  voted,  "  Concerning  those  persons  that  call  them- 
selves Presbyterians,  past  in  the  negative." 

1767.  John  Clay,  Ichabod  Robie  and  Moses  Baker  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  hire  a  minister,  and  Mr.  Webster 
was  paid  for  fifteen  sabbaths  ,£18. 

1768.  The  former  committee  was  reelected  and  £20 
voted  to  hire  preaching,  and  Mr.  Gilman  paid  for  fifteen 
and  Mr.  Hall  for  two  sabbaths.  Mr.  Clay  is  paid  for 
boarding  Mr.  Hall  aud  his  horse  two  weeks,  and  John 
Clay,  Esq.  Robie,  Moses  Baker,  Ichabod  Robie  and  Abra- 
ham Fitts  are  paid  for  going  after  ministers. 

June  8,  1768.  "  Voted,  that  there  Shall  be  a  minister 
Settled  as  soon  as  may  be  Conveniently  done. 

"Voted, that  the  Comt*"  that  is  appointed  to  hire  Preach- 
ing, shall  appoint  a  day  of  Fasting  and  Prayer,  in  order  to 
the  Calling  of  a  Gospel  minister,  and  hire  a  minister  upon 
probation  or  trial. 

"  Voted,  that  the  Parish  have  Pitched  upon  Mr.  Tristram 
Gihuan  as  a  minister,  that  the  Committee  shall  hire  upon 
trial  in  order  to  for  settlement." 

Sept.,  1768,  they  voted  to  give  Mr.  Gilman  "  forty  pounds 
for  1769 ;  add  two  pounds  ten  shillings  per  ann.,  until  it 
amounts  to  sixty  pounds ;  that  he  shall  have  the  improve- 
ment of  half  of  the  parsonage,  and  to  bring  more  into 
cultivation,  and  to  build  a  house  suitable  for  a  minister,  as 
soon  as  may  be  (conveniently  done)  ;  afterwards,  £5  per 
ann.,  till  it  amounts  to  £70." 


638  HISTORY    OF   CANDIA. 

Nov.  7,  they  voted  him  the  whole  of  the  parsonage.     Mr. 
Oilman  declined  the  call. 

June  29,  1769,  voted  to  raise  X20,  lawful,  to  he  laid 
out  in  preaching,  and  Walter  Rohie,  Doct.  Samuel  Moores 
and  Benj.  Cass  were  chosen  a  committee  to  lay  out  the 
money.  Yoted  to  make  choice  of  one  of  the  three  min- 
isters for  further  trial,  and  a  "universal  Choice  "  made  of 
Mr.  Jonathan  Searle. 

August  28,  1769,  the  parish  gave  Mr.  Searle  a  call,  and 
offered  him  <£40  and  the  use  of  the  parsonage,  and  bring 
thirty  acres  under  improvement,  and  find  him  a  conve- 
nient dwelling  house.     Mr.  Searle  gave  a  negative  answer. 

Mr.  Searlo  is  paid  for  preaching  ten  sabbaths,  Mr. 
Joseph  Currier  for  two,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Lancaster  for 
four  sabbaths. 

Nov.  26, 1770,  it  was  voted  "  to  give  Mr.  David  Jewett 
a  call  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  amongst  us,  and  to  give 
him  X50,  lawful,  the  first  year,  and  add  <£5  per  year  until 
it  amounts  to  £65  per  year,  and  that  to  be  his  stated  sal- 
ary, Avith  the  income  of  the  parsonage  ;  to  finish  the 
house,  build  a  barn  and  dig  a  well,  as  soon  as  can  conve- 
niently be  done."  Mr.  Jewett's  answer  was  in  the  afiirma- 
tive,  and  is  upon  the  records. 

Feb.  5, 1771,  it  was  voted  that  he  be  ordained  the  first 
Wednesday  of  September  next. 

March  11, 1777, 

"  Voted,  that  all  those  persons  that  have  heretofore 
Joined  with  the  Baptist  Society  in  Deerfield,  bring  a  Cer- 
tificate within  two  months  from  this  Date,  from  the  asses- 
sors of  said  Baptist  Society,  that  they  were  rated  there, 
then  the  Selectmen  of  this  parish  are  to  make  a  Draw 
back  of  the  minister  rate  the  present  year." 

In  the  Parish  accounts  the  rates  of  the  following  persons 
were  abated  for  1776,  they  being  Baptists :  Benjamin 
Rowel,  Benjamin  Carr,  Capt.  John  Sargent,  Ensign  Jona- 
than Bagley,  Robert  Smart,  Jonathan  Woodman,  Edward 
Critcl^iet,  Thomas  Critchet  and  William  Turner. 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  639 

February  8,  1779, 

"  Voted,  that  the  Parish  Desires  mr.  Je-^ett  to  ask  a  Dis- 
mission from  this  People  of  the  Pastoral  Care  and  Charge 
he  has  taken  upon  him." 

A  committee  was  at  the  same  time  chosen  to  treat  with 
Mr.  Jewett.  Money  had  depreciated  in  value,  and  in  con- 
sequence, probably,  Mr.  Jewett  asked  for  more  salary. 

May  27,  1779, 

"  Voted  unanimously  not  to  make  any  addition  to  mr. 
Jewett's  Salary  for  the  Present  year." 

"  Voted,  to  Chuse  a  Committee  of  seven  to  Confer  with 
mr.  Jewett,  and  see  what  he  will  take  as  to  his  Civil  Con- 
tract with  this  People,  and  ask  a*  Dismission  by  way  of  a 
Council  from  the  Pastoral  Care  and  Charge  he  had  taken 
upon  him." 

Mr.  Jewett  probably  made  a  communication,  for  June  10, 
"  Voted,  not  to  act  any  thing  upon  the   paper  or  letter 

Subscribed  to  the  moderator  of  this,  and  Signed  by  mr. 

Jewet,  and  read  at  this  meeting." 

Another  large  committee  was  chosen  and  empowered  to 
settle  with  Mr.  Jewett  as  to  the  civil  contract. 

March  6,  1780,  a  vote  was  taken  respecting  making  Mr. 
Jewett  satisfaction  by  making  up  his  salary.  Negatived, 
forty-four  to  eighteen. 

It  appears  that  Mr.  Jewett  had  made  a  proposition  in 
writing  to  submit  the  matters  in  controversy  to  a  mutual 
council  of  five  statesmen.  The  parish  chose  the  latter,  and 
raised  a  committee  of  five  to  give  and  take  bonds.  The 
referees  were  chosen,  but  a  part  of  them  declined  to  at- 
tend, and  Judge  Weare  advised  another  trial  for  settle- 
ment. Mr.  Jewett  made  a  long  communication,  and  the 
parish  voted  to  comply  with  his  proposals.  The  currency 
had  depreciated,  and  Mr.  Jewett  had  built  wall  on  the  par- 
sonage, which  he  claimed  pay  for.  He  was  dismissed,  and 
I  have  no  further  knowledge  of  him. 

March  13,  1781,  it  was  voted  not  to  raise  any  money  to 
hire  preaching,  but  the  deacons  were  chosen  a  committee 
to  lay  out  the  money  subscribed. 

Jan.  7, 1782,  it  was  voted  to  employ  the  Rev.  Mr.  Prince 


640  HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 

4 

for  the  term  of  six  or  seven  years  "  to  preach  amongst  us." 
He  was  to  have  the  use  of  tlic  parsonage,  and  a  hired  hand 
six  months  in  each  year.  He  was  blind.  He  preached 
seven  years.  His  son  Caleb  resided  in  Candia,  and  was  a 
deacon  many  years. 

May  23, 1789.  "  Voted,  to  hire  Mr.  How  to  preach  three 
months." 

July  12,  1790,  it  was  voted,  seventy-six  to  twelve,  to  give 
the  Rev.  Jesse  Remington  a  call,  and  give  him  the  use  of 
the  parsonage  and  sixty  pounds  lawful  money,  and  draw 
him  twenty  cords  of  wood  yearly,  with  the  privilege  of 
cutting  on  the  parsonage  .what  should  be  sufficient  in  addi- 
tion to  keep  his  fires.  He  was  ordained  Oct.  20,  1790 ; 
died  March  3,  1815. 

Rev.  Isaac  Jones  was  ordained  Feb.  7, 1816  ;  dismissed 
May  12,  1818.     His  salary,  8500. 

Rev.  Abraham  "Wheeler  was  installed  January  13,  1819  ; 
dismissed  October  29,  1832  ;  salary,  -f  525. 

Rev.  Charles  P.  Russel,  ordained  December  25,  1833  ; 
dismissed  May  26,  1841  ;  salary,  8500. 

Rev.  William  Murdoch,  ordained  December  1, 1841 ;  dis- 
missed Jtdy  5,  1854  ;  salary,  $500. 

Rev.  William  T.  Herrick,  installed  July  5,  1854 ;  dis- 
missed July  2,  1858  ;  salary,  8600. 

Rev.  E.  N.  Hidden,  installed  Nov.  2,  1859 ;  dismissed 
December  31,  1864 ;  salary,  8000  and  use  of  the  parson- 


age. 


October  10, 1865,  a  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  Lauren 
Armsby,  formerly  of  Chester. 

The  number  of  church-members  in  1816  was  twenty- 
eight  ;  in  1822,  seventy  ;  in  1823,  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
two  ;  in  1824,  two  hundred  and  fifteen ;  in  1857,  two 
hundred  and  sixty-eight. 

In  1869  a  church  organ  was  purchased  at  an  expense  of 
8450. 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  641 


UNION   OR    FREEWILL   SOCIETY   AND    CHURCH. 

There  was  quite  an  interest  in  religion  near  the  mountain 
in  Nottingham  in  1799,  which  extended  into  the  neighboring 
towns,  and  in  1802  a  church  was  organized,  the  members 
living  in  Nottingham,  Deerfield,  Candia  and  Raymond. 
There  was  another  revival  in  1^10,  and  another  in  1815. 
Moses  Bean,  a  son  of  Reuben  Bean  of  Candia,  was  ordained 
at  Deerfield,  1810.  The  first  marriage  solemnized  by  him, 
on  record,  is  May  1,  1810.  He  built  the  meeting-house  at 
the  Village  about  181G,  after  the  revival.  In  1818  the 
church  was  divided,  the  brothers  and  sisters  in  Deerfield 
and  Nottingham  forming  one  church,  and  those  in  Candia 
and  Raymond  forming  another,  but  giving  to  every  indi- 
vidual liberty  to  belong  to  the  church  he  or  she  desired. 
They  entered  into  covenant  and  constituted  a  church,  Avhich 
is  signed  in  behalf  of  the  church  by  Jeremiah  Fullonton. 

There  is  a  catalogue  dated  1821  (although  some  were 
added  later)  containing  about  two  hundred  and  twenty 
names,  some  belonging  to  Deerfield  and  some  to  Epping. 
In  the  record  of  a  church  meeting,  Aug.,  1820,  it  is  said 
that  five  were  baptized  and  "  above  one  hundred  spoke  in 
meeting."  At  a  church  meeting  May  24,  1824,  it  was 
agreed  to  divide  the  church  by  the  town  line,  and  those 
near  the  line  have  liberty  to  join  which  church  they  should 
desire.  Samuel  Dudley  was  chosen  deacon,  and  William 
Turner  clerk.  Sept.  9,  1830,  agreed  to  a  new  covenant, 
and  sixty-three  names  are  appended. 

The  new  meeting-house  was  built  in  1847.  The  ])ase- 
ment  and  vestry  cost  $400,  and  the  superstructure  cost 
$1,500.     The  following  are  among  the  preachers  employed : 

Previous  to  the  division  the  name  of  Elder  David  Har- 
riman  is  frequently  found.  Elder  Moses  Bean  was  the  son 
of  Reuben  Bean,  and  grandson  of  David  Bean,  and  seems 
to  have  been  in  a  sense  the  father  of  the  church,  as  he 
built  the  first  meeting-house,  and  it  was  voted  Nov.  17, 
1824,  "  to  receive  Elder  Moses  Bean  as  Pastor  of  this 
41 


642  HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 

Church."  Nov.  15,  1830,  Elder  Bean  resigned  and  Elder 
J.  Knowles  was  called  ;  dismissed,  and  Elder  B.  S.  Manson 
chosen;  dismissed  April  4,  1839,  and  Elder  S.  P.  Furnald 
chosen  ;  dismissed,  and  Elder  S.  Whitney  chosen. 

METHODIST   EPISCOPAL   CHURCH   AND   SOCIETY. 

Moses  Colliy  came  from  Hawkc  (Danville)  in  1806,  and 
purchased  the  John  Sargent  place.  He  was  the  first  Meth- 
odist in  Candia,  and  his  children  have  ever  been  efficient 
supporters  of  that  denomination.  Others  moved  into  town 
or  became  Methodists  and  retained  their  connection  with, 
or  joined  the  churches  of  Hawke,  Po})lin  and  Sandown. 
When  the  church  was  organized  at  Chester,  now  Auburn, 
they  generally  united  with  that  and  constituted  a  class.    ' 

A  society  and  church  were  formed  in  Candia  in  1859,  and 
they  then  erected  a  place  of  worship  with  a  stone  basement 
for  a  vestry,  at  the  expense  of  81,500.  There  is  a  mem- 
bership of  about  forty,  and  they  have  been  regularly  sup- 
plied with  a  Conference  preacher :  —  Henry  Nutter,  1859  ; 
Lorenzo  Draper,  1860  and  '61 ;  James  Adams,  1862  and 
'63 ;  N.  H.  Chase,  1864  and  '65 ;  James  Adams,  1866 ; 
Silas  Green,  1867  to  '69. 


THE   PARSONAGE. 

The  parish  of  Candia  had  the  parsonage  lot  No.  90,  and 
school  lot  No.  91,  in  the  third  division. 

March  10,  1767,  voted  c£20,  lawful,  in  labor,  be  laid  out 
on  the  parsonage  lot  at  2s.  6d.  per  day.  There  was  a  like 
vote  in  1768. 

Oct.  31, 1768,  it  was  voted  to  build  a  sufficient  parsonage 
house  in  one  year  ;  finish  two  rooms  ;  dig  a  well ;  clear  up 
and  bring  under  improvement  thirty  acres  within  four 
years.  It  was  determined  Feb.  6,  1769,  "  that  the  house 
should  be  28  by  26  feet,  two  stories  high  and  as  near  the 
meeting-house  as  the  land  will  admit;  that  <£30  lawful  be 
raised,  one-half  in  merchantable  boards  and  the  other  half 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  643 

in  shingles  ;  that  the  frame  shall  be  raised  by  the  loth  of 
April." 

March  24,  lT69,the  dimensions  were  altered  to  38  by  20, 
"  with  a  Citching  Room  upon  the  South  side  at  the  East 
End,  two  Stories  high,  Eighteen  feet  square." 

August,  1769,  voted  that  the  overplus  of  the  staves  be 
laid  out  in  buying  brick  for  the  parsonage-house  chimney. 

Dec.  13,  1770,  voted  "  to  build  a  stack  of  chimneys  with 
two  fireplaces,  and  finish  one  room  by  the  first  day  of 
October  next ;  likewise  finish  another  room  by  the  first  day 
of  December  next ;  dig  a  cellar  and  also  set  out  an  orchard 
of  one  hundred  trees  next  spring." 

May  7,  1791,  .£50  was  voted  "  to  finish  the  house  and 
build  a  barn ;  dig  and  stone  a  well ;  dig  and  stone  a  cellar, 
and  set  out  an  orchard  this  present  year." 

Sept.  13,  1813,  voted  to  sell  one  acre  of  land  off  the 
front  of  the  parsonage  lot  to  the  Rev.  Jesse  Remington  for 
one  hundred  dollars.  Mr.  Remington  commenced  the 
erection  of  a  house. 

Oct.  2,1815,  it  was  voted,  99  to  35,  to  sell  the  parsonage 
lot  and  not  to  divide  the  interest  money  of  the  proceeds 
among  the  difierent  denominations. 

A  very  long  preamble  and  resolutions  were  also  passed, 
setting  forth  that  the  proprietors  of  Chester  reserved  and 
.set  apart  a  lot  of  land  as  a  parsonage,  and  that  the  Con- 
gregationalists  have,  without  molestation  for  nearly  half  a 
century,  appropriated  the  income  to  the  support  of  their 
teachers  agreeably  to  the  original  intent  of  the  proprietors ; 
it  was  obvious  that  the  proprietors  coald  not  have  intended 
that  any  denomination  which  did  not  then  exist,  and  espe- 
cially whose  religious  tenets  impel  them  to  proscribe  and 
disclaim  all  annuities  and  salaries  to  their  religious  teach- 
ers, should  have  the  benefit  of  such  a  grant ;  that  it  is 
believed  that  all  the  ratable  inhabitants  of  the  town,  except 
those  from  principle  opposed  to  stipendiary  contracts  with 
religious  teachers,  do  pay  taxes  to  the  support  of  Congre- 
gational teachers.  It  was  resolved  that  the  interest  of  the 
money  for  which  the  parsonage  should  be  sold  should  be 


644  HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 

appropriated  to  the  Congregational  society.  The  lot  was 
sold  in  lots  to  different  individuals  Dec.  4,  1815,  for 
$4,289. 

At  the  January  term  of  the    court  of  Common  Pleas, 

1818,  the  Union  Baptist  society  of  Candia  commenced  a 
suit  against  the  town,  claiming  $1,000.  It  was  tried  in  that 
court  and  decided  in  favor  of  the  town  ;  was  appealed  and 
reviewed,  and  a  final  decision  in  the  Superior  court,  Feb., 

1819,  which  sustained  the  former  verdict. 

The  affairs  of  the  Congregational  society  were  carried  on 
by  the  town  until  May,  1831,  when  a  separate  society  was 
organized. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  Dec.  31,  1831,  votes  passed 
giving  the  meeting-house  to  the  Congregational  society, 
reserving  the  right  to  hold  town  meetings  in  it  until  a  town 
house  shall  be  built,  also  to  give  to-  said  society  83,500  of 
the  parsonage  fund,  and  to  the  Union  Baptist  society  -^889. 

In  1835  the  smallpox  prevailed  in  Candia.  William 
Towle  d.  March  12 ;  Owen  Runnels,  March  25 ;  Asa  Hun- 
toon,  March  31 ;  a  dau.  of  Owen  Runnels,  April  6  ;  Nelson 
Healey,  April  7  ;  David  Heath,  April  18  ;  and  Asa  Heath. 

SCHOOLS. 

At  a  meeting  April  4,  1TG4,  "  Voted  £100,  old  tenor,  to 
Hire  Schooling."  The  selectmen  paid  Dr.  Moore  for  keep- 
ing school,  £4:0.  In  1765,  .£200  was  voted  and  paid  Dan- 
iel Row  for  keeping  school;  £9  3s.  6d.  to  Zachariah  Clif- 
ford or  his  wife  for  keeping  school.  In  1766  they  voted 
to  raise  £250,  old  tenor,  or  £12  10s.  lawful  money,  equal 
thereto,  to  hire  schooling.  They  paid  Master  Haselton  for 
keeping  school  one  month,  £2  ;  paid  Isaac  Clifford's  wife 
for  keeping  school,  six  weeks  and  one  day,  17s.  ;  Zach- 
ariah Clifford's  wife,  12s. ;  Mr.  Bowen,  for  keeping  school, 
£1  16s.  9d. 

Money  is  paid  tliat  year  to  tlie  south  quarter ;  to  the 
southeast  quarter ;  to  the  centre  quarter ;  to  the  west  quar- 
ter ;  and  to  the  northeast  quarter.     In  1767,  Master  Shaw 


SCHOOLS.  645 

is  paid  for  keeping  scliool  in  the  south  quarter ;  Esquire 
Moore  and  Nathaniel  Emerson  in  the  center  quarter  ;  and 
Israel  Gilman's  wife  in  the  northeast  quarter.  There  was 
a  Paul  Jewett  who  kept  school  several  years ;  also  Richard 
ClilTord's  wife,  Samuel  Buswell  and  Ezekiel  Worthcn.  In 
177o  a  motion  was  made  to  hire  a  grammar-school  master 
(that  is  one  to  teach  the  languages), — negatived. 

"  And  likewise  it  is  voted  that  y®  Parish  Does  Except 
[accept]  of  a  Reading  and  writing  School  this  Present 
year,  and  that  Each  Quarter  Respectively  shall  have  the 
Liberty  to  Choose  there  own  School  master  upon  y*'  Pro- 
viso the  major  Part  of  Each  Quarter  Shall  be  agreed  in 
one  Person  within  the  S])ace  of  ten  Days  from  this  Date, 
and  make  application  to  the  Selectmen  to  Employ  him." 

In  1744,  Abraham  Fitts,  Master  Forsaith,  Master  Otis, 
Mrs.  Hazzard,  Mrs.  Rendall  and  Mrs.  Cram  are  teachers. 

In  1778,  £80  lawful  was  raised  for  schooling. 
,  In  1782,  paper  money  being  nearly  worthless,  it  was 
voted  to  raise  one  hundred  silver  dollars  for  schooling. 

The  present  division  of  Candia  into  thirteen  scliool  dis- 
tricts was  made  in  1844,  but  it  does  not  appear  by  the  rec- 
ords what  proportion  of  money  each  district  has  had, 
although  No.  1,  at  the  Corner,  No.  2,  at  the  meeting-house, 
and  No.  3,  near  John  Robie's,  are  large  and  have  more 
money,  but  some  of  the  smaller  districts  by  giving  wood 
and  board  have  had  nearly  as  much  school. 

Candiar  has  made  liberal  expenditures  for  schools  ;  has 
had,  besides  the  town  schools,  a  high  school  in  the  fall,  a 
large  portion  of  the  time ;  and  the  town,  as  will  be  seen, 
has  furnished  a  large  number  of  graduates  and  professional 
men. 

In  the  year  1795,  the  town  raised  for  schools,  $450  ; 
from  1800  to  1824,  8500  ;  from  1825  to  1835,  8600 ;  in 
1845,  8650  ;  in  1850,  8700  ;  from  1855  to  1865,  81,000, 


646  HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 


PROFESSIONAL   HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 

Graduates  of  Dartmouth. 
[The  following  is  furnished  hy  Abraham  Emerson,  Esq.] 

1827.  David  Pillsbury,  the  son  of  Benjamin  Pillsbuiy 
and  Sarali,  daughter  of  Maj.  Jesse  Eaton,  was  horn  at  Ray- 
mond, Feb.  17,  1802,  and  died  at  Concord,  May  25,  1862, 
aged  60.  He  read  law  with  the  Hon.  Henry  Hubbard  of 
Charlestown,  and  the  Hon.  Samuel  Dana  Bell  of  Chester; 
went  into  practice  at  Chester  in  1830 ;  lived  there  many 
years,  then  removed  to  Concord ;  was  appointed  judge  of 
the  Police  court,  in  which  office  he  died  1862. 

1828.  Frederick  Parker,  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Mar- 
garet, dau.  of  James  Aiken  of  Bedford,  was  born  at  Bed- 
ford, Oct.  3,  1799,  was  a  lawyer;  lived  in  Bangor,  Me., 
where  he  died  May  19,  1834,  aged  34. 

1829.  Jacob  Hook  Quimby,  the  son  of  Jacob  H.  Quimby 
and  Susanna,  dau.  of  Reuben  Bean  of  Candia,  was  born  at 
Springfield,  June  6,  1806 ;  was  professor  of  Latin  and 
Greek  at  St.  Mary's  College,  Md. ;  died  Feb.  6,  1838, 
aged  31. 

1830.  William   Henry   Duncan,   tlie    son   of    William 

Duncan  and  Mary,  dau.  of' ]\lcMurphy  of  Derry, 

was  born  at  Candia,  Sept.  26,  1807  ;  began  practice  as  a 
lawyer  at  Hanover,  where  he  still  resides. 

1881.  Moses  Hall  Fitts,  the  son  of  Moses  Fitts  and 
Sarah,  dau.  of  Rev.  Nehemiah  Ordway,  was  born  at  Candia, 
Jan.  1,  1808.  He  has  been  principal  of  Lewiston  Acad- 
emy, N.  Y. ;  county  school  commissioner ;  now  principal 
of  Palmyra  Academy,  N.  Y. 

Ephraim  Eaton,  the  sou  of  Henry  Eaton  and  Hannah, 
dau.  of  Maj.  Jesse  Eaton,  was  born  at  Candia,  Sept.  13, 
1808,  practiced  law  at  Concord ;  was  afterward  agent  of  a 
manufacturing  company  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died 
March  3,  1863. 

1833.  Jesse  Eaton  Pillsbury,  the  son  of  Benjamin  Pills- 
bury  and  Sarah  Eaton,  dau.  of  Maj.  Jesse  Eaton,  was  born 


PROFESSIONAL   HISTORY.  647 

at  Candia,  Dec.  10, 1807.  He  taught  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
but  is  now  principal  of  the  academy  at  Kingston,  N.  Y. 
He  was  brother  of  David  above  named. 

1811.  Richard  Emerson  Lane,  the  son  of  John  Lane, 
Esq.,  and  Abigail  Einerson,  was  born  at  Candia,  June  2, 
1813,  was  teaching  and  reading  law  at  Lewistown,  N.  Y., 
where  he  died  suddenly  in  1842, 

1843.  Lorenzo  Clay,  the  son  of  Walter  Clay  and  Dolly, 
dan.  of  David  Pillsbury,  was  born  at  Candia,  Nov.  5, 1817. 
He  settled  as  a  lawyer  at  Augusta,  Me.,  where  he  still 
resides. 

1850.  Moses  Patten,  the  son  of  Moses  Patten  and  Han- 
nah, dan.  of  Ephraim  Eaton,  was  born  at  Candia,  July  4, 
1824 ;  graduated  at  Andovcr  Theological  Seminary  in 
1855 ;  settled  at  Plympton,  Mass. 

1853.  John  Dolbeer  Emerson,  the  son  of  xVbraham 
Emerson  and  Abigail,  dan.  of  John  Dolbeer,  was  born  at 
Candia,  May  29,  1828 ;  graduated  at  Andover  Theological 
Seminary  in  1858  ;  located  in  Haverhill,  N.  H.,  nine  years, 
and  is  now  at  Biddeford,  Me. 

1853.  Jonathan  C.  Brown,  the  son  of  Jonathan  Brown 
and  Sarah,  dau.  of  Samuel  Fitts,  was  born  at  Candia, 
Jan.  19,  1827.  He  engaged  in  teaching,  and  finally  in  a 
broker's  office  in  N.  Y.,  where  his  health  failed  about  18G0. 

1855.  Daniel  Dana  Patten,  the  son  of  Moses  Patten  and 
Hannah  Eaton,  was  born  at  Candia,  April  25,  1829  ;  read 
law  in  Boston  ;  is  now  engaged  as  a  teacher  at  Stoneham, 
Mass.     He  is  brother  to  Moses  above  named. 

1858.  Samuel  Collins  Bean,  the  son  of  Josepli  Bean 
and  Lydia,  dau.  of  Col.  Samuel  Collins  of  Deeraeld,  was 
born  at  Candia,  Dec.  19,  1835 ;  graduated  at  Harvard 
Divinity  School,  and  is  now  settled  at  Salem,  Mass. 

1858.  Joseph  Francis  Dudley,  the  son  of  Joseph  and 
Sarah  Dudley,  was  born  at  Raymond,  June  11, 1830.  He 
studied  law  in  Boston  ;  graduated  at  Bangor  Theological 
Seminary,  and  settled  in  Winona,  Minn. 

1858.  Albert  Palmer,  the  son  of  Joseph  Palmer  and 
Abigail,  dau.  of  Col.  Thomas  Wilson,  was  born  at  Candixi, 


648  HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 

Jan.  17,  1831.     lie  became  a  teacher  in   Boston   Latin 
school,  and  is  noM^  in  business  at  Boston. 

1860.  Caleb  Gushing  Sargent,  the  son  of  Jonathan  Sar- 
gent and  Sarah,  dau.  of  Isaac  Marston  of  Hampton,  was 
born  at  Candia,  Dec.  24, 1835.  He  studied  law,  and  is  now 
a  teacher  and  merchant  at  Corinth,  Vt. 

1800.  Samuel  Franklin  French,  the  son  of  Dea.  Coffin 
M.  French,  was  born  at  Candia,  Dec.  22,  1835.  lie 
studied  divinity  at  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  and 
is  now  settled  at  Hamilton,  Mass. 

1800.  AVilson  Palmer,  the  son  of  Joseph  Palmer  and 
Abigail  "Wilson,  was  born  at  Candia,  March  1,  1833  ;  grad- 
uated at  Albany  Law  School,  and  is  now  superintendent  of 
city  schools  at  Independence,  Iowa. 

1800.  Alanson  Palmer,  the  brother  of  the  preceding, 
was  born  at  Candia,  May  12,  1835.  He  is  a  teacher  in 
New  York  city. 

1861.  William  Robie  Patten,  the  son  of  Dea.  Francis 
Patten  and  Rebecca,  dau.  of  Dea.  Aaron  Knight  of  Han- 
cock, was  born  at  Candia,  Aug.  30,  1837.  He  practices 
law  at  Manchester,  N.  H. 

1862.  Luther  Wilson  Emerson,  brother  of  John  D. 
Emerson,  was  born  at  Candia,  Oct.  14,  1838  ;  read  law  in 
the  office  of  Lewis  &  Cox,  New  York  city,  where  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar,  and  is  now  practicing. 

1863.  George  Henry  French,  brother  of  S.  Franklin 
French,  was  born  at  Candia,  July  27,  1838  ;  graduated  at 
Andover  Theological  Seminary  in  1868. 

1865.  Charles  Hubbard,  son  of  J.  Pike  Hubbard  and 
Adaline,  daughter  of  Captain  Eben  Eaton,  was  born  at 
Candia  July  4,  1839,  graduated  at  Andover  Theological 
Seminary  in  1868. 

The  following  are  graduates  of  other  colleges  : — 

James  P.  Lane,  son  of  Dr.  Isaiah  Lane,  a  graduate  of 
Amherst  College,  and  of  Andover  Theological  Seminary, 
settled  in  North  Andover,  Mass. 

Alvah  Smith,  son  of  Charles  Smith,  graduated  at  Michi- 
gan University,  and  is  a  teacher  at  the  West. 


PROFESSIONAL   HISTORY.  649 

Henry  Robie  Morrill,  son  of  Samnel  Morrill  and  Miranda, 
daughter  of  Josiah  Short,  graduated  at  the  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, Middletown,  Conn. ;  is  now  a  teacher. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  professional  men,  natives  of 
Candia,  not  graduates  of  college  : — 

Moses  Palmer,  self-educated ;  an  ordained  minister  of 
the  Methodist  denomination,  located  for  many  years  in 
Unity,  N.  H.,  where  he  died. 

Dr.  Moses  Bagley  practiced  in  Candia  from  1817  to  1823, 
when  he  died. 

Dr.  Isaiah  Lane  practiced  in  Candia  from  1824  to  about 
1855,  when  he  removed  to  Plainiield,  N.  H.,  where  he  died 
soon  after. 

Jacob  Read,  Groveland,  Mass.,  a  self-taught  lawyer,  was 
admitted  to  the  Essex  bar,  where  he  holds  a  high  position. 

Dr.  Thomas  Wheat,  son  of  Dr.  Nathaniel  Wheat,  now  a 
practicing  physician  of  note  in  Manchester,  N.  H.,  a  grad- 
uate of  Jefferson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia. 

Dr.  Franklin  Fitts,  son  of  Moses  Fitts,  a  graduate  of 
Hanover  Medical  College,  commenced  practice  at  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.,  in  1835,  where  he  soon  died. 

Rev.  James  H.  Fitts,  son  of  John  Fitts,  a  graduate  of 
the  theological  seminary,  Bangor,  settled  in  West  Boyl- 
ston,  Mass.,  married  Celina,  daughter  of  Coffin  French. 

James  H.  Eaton,  son  of  Capt.  Eben  Eaton,  studied  law 
at  Lawrence,  Mass.,  and  was  for  many  years  principal  of 
the  high  school  there  ;  is  now  cashier  of  a  bank  in  that 
city. 

Dr.  John  Wilson  Robie,  son  of  John  Robie  and  Sophia 
Gibbons,  of  Chester,  is  a  graduate  of  New  York  medical 
school,  and  is  a  physician  of  that  city. 

John  Taylor  Moore,  son  of  John  Moore,  Esq.,  and  Polly, 
daughter  of  John  Taylor,  Esq.,  counsellor-at-law,  Man- 
chester, N.  H. 

Dr.  J.  Frank  Fitts,  son  of  Joseph  Fitts  and  Mahala, 
daughter  of  John  Buswell,  a  graduate  of  New  York  Medi- 
cal School,  and  is  located  in  Francestown,  N.  H. 


650  HISTORY   OF   CANDIA. 


VOTES    PASSED    BY    THE    PARISH    OF    CANDIA   RESPECTING    THE 

REVOLUTIONARY   WAR. 

July  18,  1774,  Abraham  Fitts  was  chosen  to  meet  at 
Exeter  on  the  21st,  to  join  in  the  choice  of  delegates  to 
the  General  Congress. 

January  3,  1775,  Lieut.  Moses  Baker  was  chosen  to  rep- 
resent the  parish  in  a  meeting  at  Exeter,  on  the  25th 
instant. 

Walter  Robie,  Esq., Capt.  Nathaniel  Emerson,  Dr.  Samuel 
Moore,  Mr.  Benjamin  Cass  and  Mr.  Jacob  Worthcn  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  inspect  all  persons  who  do  not  con- 
form to  the  advice  of  the  late  General  Congress. 

"  Voted,  to  buy  a  barrel  of  powder,  flints  and  lead, 
answerable  tliercto  as  a  Parish  stock. 

"  Voted,  Capt.  Emerson,  Lieut.  Baker  and  Ens.  Bean 
Desire  all  the  males  in  Candia  from  sixteen  to  sixty  years 
old,  to  meet  at  Some  Convenient  time  at  the  meeting  house 
in  Candia,  in  order  for  viewing  with  arms  and  ammunition. 

"  Voted,  that  the  People,  as  above  mentioned,  shall  meet 
at  the  meeting  house  in  Candia,  this  day  fortnight,  at  one 
of  the  Clock  in  the  afternoon." 

February  21,  1775, 

"  Voted,  that  the  Parish  Do  Confirm  y**  Transactions  of 
the  last  meeting  and  approve  of  what  the  Committee  of 
Inspection  have  Drawn  up,  Relating  to  y**  affairs  of  the 
Present  Day,  and  made  an  addition  to  y°  Committee  of 
inspection  of  4  Persons,  (Viz.)  Dea.  Nath'  Burpee,  Mr. 
Abrm.  Fitts,  Lieut.  Moses  Baker  and  mr.  Ichabod  Robie." 

May  11,  1775,  Dr.  Samuel  Moore  was  chosen  to  repre- 
sent the  parish  in  the  Provincial  Congress,  to  be  held  at 
Exeter  May  17. 

June  14,  1775,  Capt.  Nathaniel  Emerson,  Lieut.  Moses 
Baker  and  Dr.  Samuel  Moores  were  chosen  a  committee 
to  consult  with  the  several  officers,  towns,  parishes  or  com- 
mittees out  of  the  same,  what  way  or  manner  shall  be 
thought  best  to  regulate  the  militia  in  this  regiment  accor- 
ding to  the  direction  of  Congress. 

April  3,  1777,  ten  dollars  each  year  was  voted  to  each  of 
those  eighteen  persons  who  had  enlisted  for  three  years, 


EEYOLUTIONARY   HISTORY.  651 

and   a   committee  chosen  to  collect  the  money  (if  any) 
which  had  been  subscribed. 

At  an  adjournment,  April  8,  ten  dollars  to  each  was  added 
to  the  above.  A  committee  was  also  chosen  to  enquire 
and  see  how  much  time  and  money  each  person  has  ex- 
pended in  supporting  the  war  since  the  Concord  fight. 
The  committee  reported  as  follows,  which  was  accepted  : 

"  Concord  men  Is.  per  day,  and  extra  charges. 
"  8  months  men,  with  Lieut.  Emerson,  4  dollars  each. 
"  8  mouths  men,  with  Lieut.  Dustin,  2  dollars  each. 
"  Winter  Hill  men  with  Capt.  Baker,  1  dollar  each. 
"  1  years  men  to  York  8  dollars  :  those  to  Delaware, 
2  dollars  each. 

"  Ty men,  13  2-3  dollars  each. 

"  New  York  men  last  fall,  2  dollars  each. 
"  Joseph  Bean  to  Canada,  20  dollars." 

May  19,  1777,  Moses  Baker,  Walter  Robie,  Abraham 
Fitts,  I.  Rowe  and  Benjamin  Cass  were  chosen  a  commit- 
tee to  affix  and  settle  the  prices  of  goods  and  articles  in 
the  parish  of  Candia,  in  pursuance  of  an  act  in  addition 
to  the  regulation  act.  (See  in  the  history  of  Chester  for 
1779,  ppT  142, 143.) 

January  19,  1778,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  procure 
our  quota  of  Continental  soldiers  for  three  years  or  during 
the  war,  and  at  an  adjournment,  in  February,  another  com- 
mittee of  five  was  chosen  to  make  further  trial. 

April  20,  the  committee  was  instructed  to  make  further 
trial,  and  hire  money  and  pursue  the  business  without  loss 
of  time. 

August  3,  1778,  a  committee  was  chosen  to  make  in. 
quiries  respecting  the  families  of  those  in  the  Continental 
service  for  three  years,  and  supply  them  with  the  neces- 
saries of  life. 

August  19, 1779,  it  was  voted  to  adopt  measures  similar 
to  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  and  use  the  utmost  of  our 
power  in  reducing  the  prices  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  and 
gain  the  credit  of  our  currency.  Capt.  Sargent  and  John 
Clitford  were  chosen  delegates  to  attend  a  convention  at 
Concord. 


652  HISTOEY   OF   CANDIA. 

October  26,  1779,  it  was  voted  to  comply  with  the  prices 
that  the  late  Convention  stated,  and  a  committee  of  seven 
was  chosen  to  state  prices  upon  articles  which  the  Conven- 
tion did  not,  and  to  carry  the  same  into  execution. 

July  4,  1780,  a  committee  was  chosen  to  hire  twelve  sol- 
diers by  way  of  a  parish  tax.  A  committee  was  also 
chosen  to  make  an  average  of  what  every  person  had  done 
in  the  war  since  it  commenced. 

July  10,  1780,  a  committee  was  chosen  to  assist  the 
selectmen  in  procuring  our  quota  of  beef  for  the  Continen- 
tal army. 

November  14,  1781,  it  was  voted  that  the  selectmen 
make  a  tax  in  Indian  corn  to  pay  the  six-  and  three-months 
men.  There  had  been  several  votes  passed  respecting  rais- 
ing soldiers,  which  had  proved  ineffectual. 

June  17,  1782,  it  was  voted  to  divide  the  parish  into  as 
many  classes  as  will  supply  the  deficiency,  and  if  any  class 
or  person  refuse  to  pay  their  proportion  for  hiring  a  soldier 
they  shall  pay  double,  to  be  assessed  by  the  selectmen. 

THE  EARLY  PATHS  AND  ROADS  IN  CANDIA. 

The  first  road  laid  out  and  probably  the  first  traveled  in 
Candia,  was  that  laid  out  Sept.,  1749.  David  McClure  set- 
tled near  it.  It  is  said  that  Mr.  Turner,  instead  of  going 
up  to  the  Corner,  had  a  path  across  from  Benjamin  Smith's 
to  his  place.  Obed  Hall  early  settled  on  No.  19,  and  Win- 
tlirop  Wells  on  No.  37,  where  Dea.  Burpee  afterwards 
lived.  They  had  a  path  from  Mr.  Turner's,  crossing  tlie 
stream  above  Clay's  mill.  Samuel  Eastman  came  from 
Kingstown,  probably  through  Chester,  and  took  the  first 
road  and  followed  up  between  the  0.  H.'s  and  3d  D.,to  the 
stream  below  Bean's  Island  where  he  built  a  mill.  But  that 
was  a  round-about  way  from  Exeter,  and  Samuel  Dudley 
procured  a  road  laid  out  June  12,  1759,  from  Freetown, 
passing  near  the  Centre  to  the  "  tail  of  Dudley's  saw-mill," 
which  was  extended  Sept.  30,  1760,  passing  north  of  the 
present  road  to  the  Island,  and  bearing  to  the  north  to 
Jerelniah  Bean's,  near  the  village  school-house.  The  re- 
mains of  the  road  may  yet  be  seen.     Joseph  Homans  lived 


EOADS.  65 


o 


near  the  Island,  and  Moses  Smart  above.  This  ^vas  after- 
wards discontinued.  July  26, 1766,  Candia  laid  out  a  road 
beginning  at  Eaymond  line  between  the  first  and  second 
ranges  of  lots  (near  Critchet's)  then  west  northwest  to  the 
road  by  Jeremiah  Bean's.  In  1771,  Raymond  laid  out  a 
road  from  Dudley's  to  meet  it. 

It  is  said  that  Enoch  Colby  had  a  path  across  to  the 
reserve  between  Nos.  65  and  114,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and  down 
to  the  clay  pits,  and  over  the  road  laid  out  Nov.  27,  1762, 
and  by  the  Dearborn  mill,  and  over  what  is  now  called 
Bunker  Hill  in  Auburn,  to  Chester.  It  is  said  that  John 
Robie  and  the  Towles  sometimes  traveled  that  way.  The 
first  road  laid  out  by  Candia  was  Oct.  29,  1764,  from 
Emerson's  Corner  by  Moses  Baker's  and  Thomas  Patten's, 
to  the  road  laid  out  by  Chester,  Sept.,  1749. 

Matthew  Ramsey  lived  on  No.  116,  3d  D.,  and  Benjamin 
Bachelder  owned  No.  11-3,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  and  lived  towards 
the  east  end.  Oct.  29,  1764,  a  road  was  laid  out,  begin- 
ning at  the  southwest  corner  of  No.  89,  3d  D.,  then  west 
northwest,  following  the  reserve  to  Matthew  Ramsey's 
house,  and  on  to  the  reserve  between  Nos.  114  and  122; 
thenco  to  Ben.  Bachelder's,  then  back  to  the  west  end  of 
his  lot  to  the  reserve  near  where  H.  M.  Eaton  now  lives, 
and  by  Samuel  Buswell's  to  Walter  Robie's  house. 

The  south  road  was  laid  out  at  the  east  end  of  Nos.  121 
and  122,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  April  6,  1770.  Dec.  6,  1760,  the 
road  was  laid  out  from  Esquire  Robie's  by  Dea.  Hills'. 
The  same  day  a  road  was  laid  out  on  the  north  side  of  No. 
119,  2d  P.,  2d  D.,  (Robie's)  west  northwest  to  the  reserve  ; 
then  29''  west  on  the  reserve  to  Chester  line.  Chester  laid 
out  a  road,  passing  over  Campbell's  bridge  to  meet  this, 
Sept.  14,  1773.  This  was  to  give  Candia  people  a  way  to 
Calfe's  and  Shirley's  mills. 

March  20,  1764.  From  the  meeting-house  southwest 
between  the  parsonage  and  school  lots. 

April  8,  1769.     From  Deerfield  line  to  Jeremiah  Bean's. 

The  same  day  from  Dea.  Burpee's  to  Capt.  Brown's. 
(The  north  road.) 


654  HISTORY   OF   RAYMOND. 

April   6,  1770.     From  William   UndcrhiU's  to   Henry 
Hall's. 

June  30,  1773.     Extended  to  Allenstown  line. 


CHAPTER   XIX 


HISTORY   OF   RAYMOND. 


That  part  of  Old  Chester  which  is  now  Raymond  was 
formerly  called  Freetown,  and  whatever  is  known  about 
it  has  been  given  in  the  history  of  Chester. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  petition  for  being  set  off 
as  a  separate  parish : 

"  To  his  Excellency  Benning  Wentworth,  Esq.,  Governor 
and  Commander-in-chief  i-n  and  over  his  Majestie's  Prov- 
ince of  New  Hampshire  ;  To  the  Hon'ble  His  Majestie's 
Council  and  the  Hon'ble  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Assembly  convened :  — 

"  The  Petition  of  us,  the  subscribers.  Inhabitants  of  that 
part  of  Chester  CalP  the  Xorth  Parish,  or  frcetown,  Hum- 
bly Sheweth  That  your  Petitioners  Living  at  such  a  great 
Distance  from  the  Town  that  they  have  no  advantage  of 
the  Ministry  nor  School,  Notwithstanding  they  have  for 
many  years  Paid  Their  proportion  to  the  support  of  Both  ; 
And  The  Town  being  Sensible  That  It  would  be  Just  for 
us  To  be  freed  from  that  Charge,  have  at  a  meeting  held  at 
Chester,  Jany.  26th,  1763,  Voted  That  That  Part  of  the 
Town  of  Chester  Called  the  North  parish,  or  freetown,  as 
much  as  is  Laid  out  parrish  form,  shall  be  sett  of  as  a 
Town  or  parrish.  the  bounds  of  s"  north  Parrish  so  CalP 
are  as  fols. :  —  beginning  at  the  North  East  bound  of  Ches- 
ter upon  the  head  line  of  Exeter  at  a  birch  or  maple  tree, 
being  the  bounds  between  Chester  and  Nottingham ;  So 
Running  South  at  29  degrees  West,  bounding  on  Exeter 
head  line  five  miles  to  the  South  East  Corner  of  the  Lot 
No.  30 ;  then  west  northwest  five  miles,  or  so  far  as  to  con- 
tain all  the  old  hundred  acre  Lotts  ;  then  north  20  Degrees 
east,  Five  miles  to  Notting"^  Line ;  then  on  s*^  Lne  to  the 
first  bounds. 

"  We  therefore  Pray  That  all  the  Lands  Included  in  S^ 


HISTORY  OP  P.AYMOND. 


655 


Bounds,  ^vitli  all  the  poles  and  Estates  therein  Contamed 
may  be  Incorporated  into  a  distinct  Parrish  from  the  Town 
of  Chester,  and  Invested  with  the  same  Powers  and  Priv- 
iledges  That  Towns  in  This  Province  are  by  Law  Intitled 
to,  and  That  we  may  have  Liberty  To  bring  in  a  bill 
accordingly. 

Petitioners  as  in  Duty  bound  shall  Ever 


your 


"  And 
Pray. 

"March  1st 


1763. 


"  Daniel  Jorden, 
Dauiel  Holman, 
EUsha  Towle, 
Jonathan  Brown, 
Simeon  Berry, 
iXoah  moulton, 
"Wadleigh  Cram, 
Joseph  glgiles  [Giles], 
Daniel  Lane, 
Ezekiel  Lane, 
David  Lane, 
Xathau  Moulton, 
Josiah  Fog-g, 
Daniel  Clay, 
Stephen  marden, 
Obadiah  Griifin, 
Moses  Sanborn, 
Caleb  Row, 
Robert  Page, 
John  Sweet, 
Daniel  Robie, 
James  Clay, 
Stephen  Wilson, 
Jethro  Batchelder, 
Beuj,  Whittier, 
Clement  Dollof, 


Daniel  Gordon,  iur., 
John  Cram, 
Alexander  Mel, 
Stephen  Fogg, 
Benjamin  Smith, 
James  Fullonton, 
Samuel  Cram, 
John  Stevens, 
Jonathan  Dearborn, 
Benia  Bean, 
Curtis  Bean, 
Isaac  Clifford, 
Paul  Smith  Marston, 
Benjamin  Prescott, 
John  Fullonton, 
Joim  Wells, 
John  Prescott  Downs, 
William  Todd, 
Timothy  Clough, 
Ezekiel  Smith, 
David  Bean, 
Alexander  Smith, 
Barton  Pollard, 
David  Bean,  Jr., 
Xathaniel  Ethridge, 
EnochFogg." 


The  petition  was  received  in  the  House  December  1, 
1763  ;  an  order  of  notice  to  be  advertised  in  the  "  New 
Hampshire  Gazette."  The  petitioners  had  leave  to  bring 
in  a  bill,  April  12,  1764.  Passed  the  House  May  4,  and 
the  Council  May  9,  1764.  Samuel  Emerson,  Esq.,  was  to 
call  the  first  meeting. 

The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Benjamin 


656  HISTORY   OF   RAYMOND. 

Bean,  innliolclcr,  May  29,  1764.  Samuel  Dudley  was 
chosen  moderator ;  Ezeldel  Smith,  parish  clerk ;  Benja- 
min Whitcher,  constable  ;  Caleb  Row,  Samuel  Dudley  and 
Eobert  Page,  selectmen  ;  Stephen  Fogg,  Joseph  Dudley 
and  Ezekiel  Lane,  committee  to  examine  the  selectmen's 
accounts,  and  also  assessors  ;  Josiah  Fogg,  Jonathan  Dear- 
born, Joseph  Dudley,  Simon  Barry  and  Clement  Dollof, 
surveyors  of  highways;  Stephen  Thurston,  Jona.  Dear- 
born, Joseph  Smith,  Curtis  Bean,  Samuel  Fhilbrick  and 
Daniel  Scribner,  hawards ;  James  Fullonton,  Nathl.  Etli- 
redge,  Moses  Whitcher  and  Joseph  Dudley,  tythingmen; 
John  Swatt,  John  Stevens,  deer  inspectors  ;  Benj.  Bean, 
Alexander  Smith,  surveyors  of  lumber ;  John  Smith, 
poundkccper. 

"  Voted,  the  Pound  be  built  between  Benj.  Bean's  orch- 
ard and  the  mill. 

"  Voted,  the  Selectmen  be  a  Committee  to  run  the  Parish 
Line. 

"  Voted,  that  the  first  monday  in  march  be  the  Day  to 
hold  the  annual  meeting  in  the  Parish  of  Raymond  for 
time  to  come." 

BUILDING   A   MEETING-HOUSE. 

They  had  a  great  deal  of  trouble  about  locating  and 
building  a  meeting-house,  but  my  limits  do  not  permit  me 
to  go  very  fully  into  detail. 

January  25,  1768,  it  was  voted  "  to  build  a  Parish  meet- 
ing house  for  tlie  public  worship  of  God  in  said  Parish." 
Enoch  Fogg  dissented.  They  voted  to  raise  £100,  and  to 
set  it  somewhere  near  where  David  Bachelder  now  lives  ; 
chose  James  Moore  and  Elisha  Towle  a  committee,  and 
authorized  them  to  purchase  land,  to  build  it  as  big  as  they 
shall  think  proper,  and  to  pay  laborers  two  shillings  and 
six  pence  per  day. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  March  7,  1768,  an  attempt  was 
made  to  revoke  the  former  vote,  which  failed. 

April  4,  1768,  it  was  voted  to  revoke  the  former  vote, 
and  to  set  it  between  Benjamin  Bean's  and  the  pound. 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  657 

September  22,  1768,  a  motion  to  revoke  the  vote  of 
April  4  was  negatived,  also  one  to  set  off  the  southwest 
part  of  the  parish  to  Chester  old  town.  It  was  also  voted 
to  sell  privileges  for  pews  according  to  a  plan  drawn  by 
Nicholas  Gilnian  of  Exeter,  and  the  proceeds  go  towards 
building  a  house.  A  petition  was  sent  to  the  General  As- 
sembly to  send  a  committee  to  locate  the  house,  which  was 
done,  and  March  23,  1769;  they  reported  that  the  westerly 
end  of  lot  No.  37,  at  a  place  called  Sled  Hill,  would  best 
accommodate  the  parish,  which  report  was  laid  on  the 
table. 

June  17,  1770,  Ezekiel  Lane  moved  that  it  be  adopted, 
but  it  was  ordered  to  lie  for  further  consideration. 

July  3,  1769,  a  motion  to  set  it  there  was  negatived.  It 
was  voted  to  choose  a  committee  to  build  the  house,  but 
also  voted  not  to  act  any  further  on  it.  The  committee 
had  cut  and  hewn  timber,  and  March  4,  1771,  a  committee 
was  chosen  to  take  care  of  it. 

March  1,  1773,  the  question  was  taken  respecting  paying 
for  cutting  and  drawing  the  timber  ;  negatived. 

April  12, 1753,  it  was  voted,  forty-three  to  fifteen,  to  set 
it  as  near  the  centre  as  may  be,  on  a  pitch-pine  plain, 
at  the  easterly  side  of  Freetown  pond.  Nicholas  Oilman, 
Elisha-  Towle  and  Ezekiel  Lane  were  chosen  a  committee 
to  raise  it,  put  in  the  window  frames,  underpin  and  shingle 
it.  It  was  to  be  thirty-five  feet  wide,  forty-five  feet  long, 
and  twenty-one  feet  post,  and  to  be  so  far  done  in  one  year. 
The  committee  were  to  purchase  the  land  to  set  it  on. 
There  were  fourteen  who  entered  their  dissent. 

June  6, 1774,  voted  to  revoke  all  former  votes  in  relation 
to  setting  the  meeting-house,  and  to  set  it  near  the  dwell- 
ing house  where  Stephen  Gale  now  lives,  on  the  great  road. 
There  were  eighteen  who  dissented  against  setting  it  at 
that  place. 

Benjamin  Cram,  John  Dudley   and  Robert  Page  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  build  the  meeting-house  and  pur- 
chase the  land  to  set  it  on.     Seventy-five  pounds  was  voted 
towards  building  the  house  and  paying  the  old  committee 
42 


658  HISTORY   OF  RAYMOND. 

for  cutting,  hewing  and  hauling  the  timber  in  1768.  The 
frame  was  to  be  ready  to  raise  the  first  of  October.  There 
were  twenty  dissenters.     The  frame  was  raised. 

March  6,  1775,  a  motion  was  made  to  remove  the  meet- 
ing-house to  some  other  place  ;  negatived.  Also  to  set  off 
a  number  of  inhabitants  to  the  old  town  ;  also  negatived. 

The  house  was  not  finished  and  January  4,  1779,  it  w^as 
voted  to  sell  the  frame  to  the  highest  bidder.  It  was  sold, 
and  the  timl)er  used  for  a  bridge. 

August  29,  1785,  it  was  voted  to  build  a  meeting-house. 
A  committee  was  chosen  to  locate  it. 

September  15,  "  Voted  to  Set  the  meeting  house  on  the 
Plain  nigh  the  senter,  on  the  easterly  side  of  the  branch  on 
mr.  James  Gorge's  land,  nigh  the  Road  that  leads  across 
Sider  fery.  So  called." 

Daniel  Norris,  Samuel  Xay,  Matthias  Haynes,  Calelj 
Smith,  Benjamin  Cram,  Levi  Swain  and  Clement  Dollof 
were  chosen  a  committee.  Two  acres  of  land  were  to  be 
bought,  and  the  frame  put  up,  boarded,  shingled,  under- 
pinned and  clap))oardcd,  and  the  window-frames  and  doors 
put  in.  The  committee  were  to  build  as  hig  as  they  saw 
fit,  and  have  it  done  by  the  first  day  of  December,  1786. 
The  house  was  set  on  lot  No.  137,  near  the  railroad,  and 
near  Avhere  Horatio  Page  now  lives.  It  was  raised  June 
14,  1786. 

June  28,  1786,  voted  to  have  pews  built  and  sold,  and 
appropriate  the  money  to  finishing  the  house. 

March  5,  1787,  voted  that  the  parish  meetings  shall  for 
the  future  be  held  in  the  meeting-house. 

The  meeting-house  stood  very  near  the  centre  of  the 
parish,  but  in  rather  a  by-place  and  surrounded  by  woods, 
so  that  some  one  said  that  a  meeting-house  had  been  found 
in  the  woods. 

May  22,  1797,  it  was  voted,  fifty-one  to  thirty-seven,  to 
remove  it  on  'to  the  main  road  from  Deerfield  to  Poplin. 
Four  hundred  dollars  were  appropriated  towards  paying 
the  expense. 

Several  ineffectual  attempts  were  made  to  reconsider  the 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  659 

vote,  and  protests  entered  against  moving  it.  A  large 
team  from  Raymond  and  adjoining  towns  was  collected, 
and  moved  it  October  18,  1797,  to  its  present  site. 

August  20, 1798,  voted  to  sell  the  remaining  pew  ground, 
finish  the  house,  and  build  porches. 

After  the  Baptists  had  a  society  they  claimed  their  share 
of  the  house,  which  created  some  confusion,  and  the  Con- 
gregational society,  which  had  in  1816,  procured  an  act  of 
incorporation,  erected  a  new  house  in  1834.  They  divided 
the  stock  into  forty-five  shares  of  twenty-five  dollars  each. 
The  old  house  became  much  dilapidated,  but  has  been 
thoroughly  repaired  for  a  town-house  and  school-room. 

HIRING   AND   SETTLING  MINISTERS. 

June  10,  1764,  three  hundred  pounds,  old  tenor,  was 
voted  to  hire  preaching,  and  the  same  sum  in  1765.  It  was 
also  voted  that  those  persons  who  belong  to  the  Presbytery 
shall  be  eased  of  their  rates.  The  tax-lists,  as  far  back  as 
1768,  show  that  there  were  a  number  of  persons  who  were 
not  rated  to  pay  the  minister,  and  probal^ly  none  were  ever 
compelled  to  pay,  which  shows  great  toleration  for  the 
times. 

There  is  little  to  show  who  were  employed  for  preachers. 
In  1766,  Samuel  Webster,  Solomon  Moore  and  Tristram 
Oilman  are  paid  for  jDreaching.  In  1768,  Mr.  Oilman  ;  in 
1770,  Jona.  Searles  ;  1773,  Mr.  Webster  ;  1774,  Mr.  Web- 
ster, seventeen  weeks,  £24.  Little  or  no  money  was 
raised  during  the  war. 

Oct.  15,  1787,  voted  to  give  Mr.  Stephen  Williams  a 
call  and 'offer  him  fifty  pounds  the  first  year,  and  add  five 
pounds  each  year  till  it  amounts  to  sixty-five  pounds  ;  one- 
third  part  in  beef,  pork,  corn,  or  grain.  It  was  voted  to 
build  a  parsonage  house  and  barn  ;  give  him  the  use  of  the 
parsonage  lot ;  to  clear  twenty  acres  of  the  lot,  and  give 
him  twenty  cords  of  wood  annually.     He  did  not  accept. 

Aug.  17, 1790,  voted  to  give  Mr.  Thos.  Moore  a  call,  and 
offer  him  fifty  pounds  the  first  year,  and  add  five  pounds  until 


660  HISTORY   OF  RAYMOND. 

it  amounts  to  sixty  pounds  yearly ;  the  use  of  the  parson- 
age ;  build  a  house  and  barn  ;  clear  twenty  acres  ;  and  give 
him  twenty  cords  of  wood  yearly.     He  did  not  accept. 

In  1791,  articles  of  faith  and  covenant  were  drawn  up, 
and  twenty-one  names  are  appended ;  also  the  names  of 
Jonathan  and  Mary  Swain  from  tlie  church  in  Kensington. 
Rev.  Nehemiah  Ordway  preached  as  stated  supply  most 
of  the  time  from  1793  to  1797. 

July  7,  1800,  voted,  to  give  Mr.  Jonathan  Stickney  a 
call ;  offer  him  two  hundred  dollars  salary  ;  give  him  the 
income  of  the  parsonage ;  build  a  house  and  barn ;  dig  a 
well ;  and  give  him  twenty  cords  of  wood.  They  were  also 
to  clear  twenty  acres  of  the  parsonage.  There  were 
votes  passed  for  making  great  preparation,  and  appoint- 
ing Wednesday,  Oct.  22,  for  the  ordination. 

Mr.  Stickney's  health  failed,  having  consumption,  and 
the  parish  voted,  Oct.  26,  1807,  that  the  connection  be 
dissolved  according  to  the  result  of  council. 

May  25, 1817,  twenty-three  were  admitted  to  the  church. 

June  29,  1817,  forty-four  >vere  admitted  ;  and  ■  it  is  said 
in  the  church  records  "  that  such  a  time  we  never  saw 
before."     There  is  a  list  of  memljers,  Oct.,  1817,  containing 
one  hundred  and  forty-four  names. 
.  The  following  are  the  subsequent  ministers  :  — 

Stephen  Bailey,  from  Oct.  1,  1817,  to  Oct.  22,  1822  ; 
iSeth  Farnsworth,  Oct.  3,  1824,  to  1834 ;  Andrew  H.  Reed, 
Kov.  13,  1834,  to  Oct.  26,  1836  ;  Anson  Sheldon,  June  28, 
1837,  to  Oct.  15, 1839  ;  John  C.  Page,  Oct.  6, 1841,  to  May 
T,  1851  ;  David  Burt,  Xov.  5,  1851,  to  1855  ;  D.  B.  Brad- 
iford,  Dec.  4,  1855,  to-  July  23,  1858  ;  George  W.  Sargent, 
Dec.  21,  1859,,  to :  Jan.  16, 1865  ;  E.  D.  Chapman,  Dec.  6, 
1866, 

,   FREEWILL   BAPTIST   CHURCH   IN   RAYMOND. 

It  is  said  that  the  first  sermon  preached  by  a  Freewill 
Baptist  minister  in  Old  Chester,  was  in  the  meethig-house 
in  Raymond,  by  Elder  Jeremiah  Ballard  about  1802,  fol- 
lowed by  Elder  Randall  sometime  afterward.     An  account 


ECCLESIASTICAL.  661 

of  the  organization  and  division  of  the  church  has  been  given 
in  the  history  of  Candia.  A  house  of  worship  was  built  in 
Raymond  in  1826.  Elder  Hiram  Holmes  was  pastor  until 
1839 ;  Elder  Tobias  Foss,  five  years,  ending  in  1853 ; 
Elder  Joseph  FuUonton,  the  historian  of  Raymond,  from 
1853  to  the  present  time,  1869. 
Present  membership,  forty-two. 

METHODIST  EPISCOPAL   SOCIETY   AND    CHURCH   IN   RAYMOND. 

The  legal  society  was  formed  Nov.  23,  1841,  and  was 
maintained  as  an  organization  until  Dec.  30, 1848.  During 
this  period  the  society  worshiped  in  the  town  hall. 

The  first  board  of  trustees,  appointed  Dec.  30,  1848, 
were  Samuel  Poor,  Dudley  Lane,  John  C.  Dearborn,  Joshua 
F.  Lane,  J.  M.  Fitts,  David  Griffin  and  John  F.  Folsom. 
They  had  been  connected  with  other  societies  in  the  main- 
tenance of  ministers  under  the  circuit  system. 

In  1849,  they  erected  a  commodious  house  of  worship 
costing  about  $1,500,  exclusive  of  a  ground  story,  used  as 
a  store. 

The  following  have  been  the  pastors :  — 

1847,  Rev.  A.  C.  Manson  and  Rev.  Silas  Greene  ;  1848, 
Rev.  Mr.  Loveland ;  1849,  Rev.  James  Adams  ;  1850,  Rev. 
Mr.  Emerson,  now  in  a  Southern  field  ;  1852,  Rev.  G.  W. 
Rogers,  now  deceased  ;  1853,  Rev.  E.  Mason ;  1855,  Rev. 
S.  P.  Heath ;  1857,  Rev.  Charles  Young ;  1858,  Rev.  L. 
L.  Eastman ;  1860,  Rev.  N.  L.  Chase ;  1861,  Rev.  N.  M. 
Bailey  ;  1863,  Rev.  James  Adams  ;  1865,  Rev.  R.  J.  Don- 
elson ;  1867,  Rev.  G.  W.  Ruland,  its  present  pastor. 

During  the  year  1868  the  house  of  worship  has  been 
refitted  and  much  improved,  and  the  society  has  been 
blessed  with  a  revival,  and  quite  a  number  united. 

The  present  membership,  over  one  hundred. 


662  HISTORY   OF  RAYMOND. 


LITERARY  AND   PROFESSIONAL   HISTORY   OF   RAYMOND. 

Schools  and  School-houses.' 

There  were  probably  no  school-houses  previous  to  the 
incorporation. 

April  1,  1765,  "  voted  -whether  there  should  be  school- 
houses  built,  and  it  Past  in  the  negative."  1767,  <£60  voted 
for  schooling;  1770,  £30;  1771,  X35. 

March,  1770,  it  was  voted  to  build  four  school-houses, 
one  in  each  quarter.  John  Dudley,  James  Moore,  Ezekiel 
Lane  and  Robert  Page  were  chosen  a  committee  "  to  fix  a 
place,  and  say  where  said  houses  shall  stand,  and  build 
said  houses." 

In  1781,  voted  not  to  raise  any  money  for  schools. 

In  1766,  the  selectmen  charge  for  paying  James  ]\roore 
for  Daniel  True,  for  schooling  and  boarding,  X9  4s. ;  John 
Dudley  for  Nathaniel  Stillman,  schooling  and  boarding  two 
months  and  a  half,  48s. ;  Abel  Morse  for  schooling  ;  1767, 
Abel  Morse ;  again  in  1768  ;  again  in  1770,  for  three 
months,  £4  10s.;  Josiah  Flagg,  six  weeks,  X2  5s. ;  Ezekiel 
Lane  for  boarding  him,  XI  10s.  Dr.  Hodgkins  taught  the 
same  year.  Ezekiel  Lane  is  paid  <£12  9s.  lOd.  for  building 
a  school-house  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  parish.  Li 
1786,  Master  Melville  in  the  northwest  part;  Mrs.  Nabby 
Welch  in  the  southeast  and  northeast  parts ;  Master  Rob- 
inson in  the  northeast ;  and  David  Lane  for  boarding  Mas- 
ter Calfe. 

Previous  to  1800,  the  sum  generally  raised  for  schools 
was  £45  ;  in  1825,  8300 ;  in  1845,  by  tax  and  literary 
fund,  8600  ;  in  1864,  8800. 

The  first  Teachers'  Institute  was  held  at  Exeter  in  1828^ 
at  which  Raymond  was  represented.  In  1865,  i\\Q  town 
granted  the  privilege  to  individuals  to  finish  the  second 
story  of  the  town-house  (the  old  meeting-house)  for  a  high 
school. 


GRADUATES.  QQ^ 


GRADUATES  FROM  RAYMOND. 

1827.  David  Pillsbuiy  was  born  in  Raymond,  but  after- 
ward lived  in  Candia,  and  is  claimed  as  a  graduate  of 
Candia. 

1839.  Elbridge  Gerry  Dudley,  tlie  son  of  j^loses  Dudley 
and  Nancy  Glidden,  was  born  at  Raymond  August  13, 1811. 
He  read  law,  opened  an  office  in  Boston,  and  has  since  died. 

1840.  John  Fullonton,  the  son  of  Jeremiah  Fullonton 
and  Hannah  Dudley,  was  born  at  Raymond  August  3, 
1812.  He  taught  at  Parsonsfield,  Me.,  also  at  Whitestowu, 
N.  Y,;  studied  divinity  at  Whitestown  ;  was  ordained  an 
evangelist  there ;  became  professor  in  the  above  seminary 
from  1851  to  1854,  and  since  then  at  New  Hampton,  Dart- 
mouth conferred  the  honorary  degree  of  D.  D.  in  18G2. 

1840.  Timothy  Osgood  Norris,  the  son  of  James  Nor- 
ris  and  jMartha  Osgood,  was  born  at  Raymond  August  13, 
1812.  He  taught  at  Hampton  several  years,  and  now  re- 
sides in  Iowa. 

1849.  George  A.  Blake,  the  son  of  Joseph  Blake, 
graduated  at  Williams  College,  and  Boston  Medical  College, 
in  1852  ;  practiced  at  Walpole,  Rollinsford,  and  Burlington, 
Iowa,  and  was  connected  with  the  sanitary  service  of  the 
army,  and  continued  till  after  the  close  of  the  war. 

1851.  Luther  Eastman  Shepard,  the  son  of  Jesse  Sliep- 
ard  and  Mary  Robie,  was  born  at  Raymond  December  28, 
1820.  He  taught  from  1852  till  1858 :  then  read  law  at 
Lowell,  Mass.,  and  went  into  practice  there. 

1852.  Wilson  Smith  Abbott,  the  son  of  David  Abbott 
and  Affa  Smith,  was  born  at  Raymond  July  18,  1826.  He 
was  a  teacher  from  1852  to  1858  ;  was  commissioner  of 
schools,  and  president  of  the  New  Hampshire  Board  of 
Education  for  1860  and  1861. 

1855.  Robert  Wallace,  the  son  of  John  Wallace  and 
Mary  Currier,  was  born  at  Raymond  in  1827. 

1858.  Joseph  Francis  Dudley  was  born  at  Raymond 
June  11,  1830.     (See  Candia  graduates.) 


664  HISTORY   OF   RAYMOND. 

1859.  Calvin  Howard  Brown,  the  son  of  Joseph  Brown 
and  Elvira  Howard,  was  born  at  Raymond,  October  19, 
1834.  He  was  a  teacher,  then  read  law  at  Boston,  and 
went  into  practice  there.  He  was  lost  in  the  wreck  of  the 
steamer  Melville,  on  the  way  to  Hilton  Head,  South 
Carolina,  January  T,  1865,  aged  thirty. 

1860.  John  Peaslee  Brown,  the  son  of  Jonathan  Brown 
and  Hannah  Heath,  was  born  at  Raymond,  October  12, 
1833.  He  was  a  teacher  from  1860  to  1862,  then  studied 
medicine  ;  graduated  at  Harvard  JMcdical  School,  and  is 
now  assistant  surgeon  in  the  insane  asylum  at  Concord. 

1861.  David  Henry  Brown,  the  son  of  Joseph  Brown 
and  Elvira  Howard,  was  born  at  Raymond,  August  17, 
1836.  He  taught  from  1861  to  1864 ;  was  clerk  in  the 
U.  S.  quartermaster's  department  at  Nashville,  Tennessee  ; 
is  now  with  Taggard  &  Thompson,  publishers,  Boston. 

1862.  Oilman  Henry  Tucker,  the  son  of  Henry  Tucker 
and  Nancy  Dudley,  was  born  at  Raymond,  January  20, 
1836.  He  read  law,  was  on  the  staff  of  the  Governor  of 
New  Hampshire  two  years,  and  then  went  into  the  school- 
book  business  at  Boston. 

1863.  Daniel  Norris  Lane,  the  son  of  Daniel  Norris 
Lane  and  Hannah  Lane,  was  born  at  Raymond,  September 
25,  1834.  He  was  principal  of  the  high  school  at  Wey- 
mouth, Mass. 

1864.  John  Woodbury  Scribner,  the  son  of  John  Scrib- 
ner  and  Betsey  Dearborn  Page,  was  born  at  Raymond, 
March  7,  1840. 

James  W.  Brown  was  a  senior  at  Dartmouth  ;  died  De- 
cember 22,  1864,  aged  twenty-three. 

Abbie  Scriljner,  daughter  of  Daniel  Scribner  and  Ann 
Laugford,  graduated  at  Holyoke  Seminary  in  1863,  mar- 
ried Dr.  James  F.  Brown,  February,  1863. 

PHYSICIANS. 

Dr.  Francis  Hodgkins  came  to  Raymond  about  1770,  and 
held  various  offices  in  town.  He  married  a  daughter  of 
Capt.  Joseph  True,  of  Chester.     He  died  October  8,  1812. 


EARLY  ROADS.  QQ5 

Dr.  Benjamin  Page  was  in  Chester  in  1778,  and  in  1786, 
but  at  some  time  lived  in  Raymond,  on  No.  122,  0.  H., 
and  returned  to  Chester,  where  he  lived  until  1793. 

Dr.  John  Pillsbury  practiced  from  1798  to  1804,  and 
went  to  Candia. 

Dr.  Phineas  Trull,  from  1805  to  1809  ;  went  to  New 
Market. 

Dr.  .Thomas  K.  Merrill,  from  1820  ^to  1823  ;  went  to 
Booth  Bay,  Maine. 

Dr.  Stephen  Gale,  from  1824  to  1846. 

Dr.  Stephen  Brown,  1829,  one  year ;  went  to  Deerfield. 

Dr.  Theodore  Wells,  son  of  Rev.  Nathaniel  Wells,  1829  ; 
afterwards  settled  as  a  minister  at  Barrington. 

Dr.  Peter  Y.  Fry,  1846  to  1855,  went  to  Oyster  Bay, 
Long  Island. 

Dr.  John  0.  ]5aynes,  eclectic,  1848  to  1857  ;  lived  in  the 
Langford  district ;  went  to  Deerfield. 

Dr.  True  M.  Gould,  1855  ;  still  in  practice. 

Dr.  David  Brown,  botanic. 

Dr.  Moses  L.  Magoon,  a  native  of  Raymond,  is  a  dentist. 

THE  EARLY  ROADS  IN  RAYMOND. 

Freetown  mill  was  built  previous  to  1728,  when  the  lots 
were  laid  out,  and  a  road  cut  out  from  Exeter  to  near  the 
mill,  on  which  the  lots  are  bounded,  which  was  laid  out  by 
the  selectmen  of  Chester,  August  21,  1752. 

September  20,  1732,  Chester  voted  that  there  shall  be  a 
horse-path  or  cart-path  cleared  from  this  meeting-house  to 
the  centre  of  the  north  parish. 

March  10,  1748,  Chester  laid  out  from  the  Branch  to 
Freetown,  and  others  September  22,  1749,  May  5,  1750, 
July  8,  1751,  April,  1757,  October  18,  1757,  June  12, 1759, 
from  Freetown  to  Dudley's  Mill ;  June  12,  1759,  June  13, 
1759,  from  Freetown  towards  Nottingham  ;  June  14, 1760, 
from  Jones  pond  to  No.  39  and  the  main  road.  (See 
History  of  Roads  in  Chester.) 

April  11,  1768,  a  road  was  laid  out  from  near  John  Ful- 
lonton's,  by  Stingy  mill  to  Epping  line. 


6Q6  HISTOEY   OF   RAYMOND. 

June  6,  1770,  on  Candia  line  from  Jacob  Sargent's  to 
W.  Clifford's. 

December  25,  1770,  from  near  Ezekiel  Lane's,  cast, 
southeast,  on  the  reserve  towards  the  Todd  road. 

June  26,  1770,  from  near  Reuben  Whittier's,  near  Ches- 
ter line,  to  the  Branch  road. 

March  4,  1771,  from  near  John  Dudley's,  northeast  to 
the  road  laid  out  by  Candia,  near  Thomas  Critchet's. 

May  26,  1772,  from  near  Daniel  Lane's,  northeast,  pass- 
ing Lane's  mill,  the  length  of  No.  116. 

October  2,  1772,  the  Oak  Hill  road. 

March  6,  1775,  and  March  4,  1776,  the  Pond  road  from 
Candia  line,  near  William  Clifford's,  passing  William 
Smith  riealey's  and  between  Robert  Wadleigh's  house  and 
barn  to  the  rangeway  at  the  northerly  corner  of  John 
Sweat's  field,  and  on  the  parsonage  and  school  lots,  and 
the  lot  of  Benjamin  Moulton  and  Henry  Trashcr,  to  the 
great  road  that  leads  down  to  Freetown. 

July  4,  1783,  from  the  above  road,  across  No.  100  to  the 
road  leading  to  the  meeting-house,  by  "  Sider  ferry." 

February  4,  1790,  from  Dr.  Page's,  No.  122,  passing 
Nay's  on  the  rangeway  to  Jones  road. 

February  14,  1789,  the  Green  road,  beginning  at  Candia 
line  on  the  south  end  of  No.  110,  east  southeast,  to  the 
road  laid  out  March  7,  1785  ;  then  to  run  to  the  west  end 
of  Samuel  Nay's,  where  he  now  lives.  This  last  probal)ly 
■was  never  built. 

November  7, 1792,  from  near  David  Lane's,  across  land 
of  Samuel  Shaw  and  several  lots,  to  the  Jones  road.  This 
is  the  present  road  from  Lane's  to  the  Centre.  Before  this 
they  had  probably  passed  down  the  reserve  on  the  road 
laid  out  December  25,  1770,  to  the  road  laid  out  from  Dr. 
Page's,  1790,  which  must  have  been  traveled  before  laid 
out,  as  Jonas  Clay,  and  others,  lived  on  or  near  it.  The 
Mountain  road  is  mentioned  in  the  return  of  Oak  Hill 
road,  but  I  have  not  seen  any  return  of  it. 


REYOLUTIONARY  HISTORY.  667 


VOTES   PASSED   BY  RAYMOND   RESPECTING   THE   REVOLU- 
TIONARY  WAR. 

July  18,  177-i,  John  Dudley  was  chosen  delegate  to 
Exeter  to  choose  delegates  to  the  Congress  at  Philadelphia. 

January  6,  1775,  John  Dudley  and  Jonathan  Swain  were 
chosen  delegates  to  Exeter  to  choose  delegates  to  the  Con- 
gress at  Philadelphia,  on  the  10th  of  May. 

May  5,  1775,  John  Dudley  was  chosen  delegate  to  Exeter 
the  17th  of  May,  to  a  convention  to  adopt  and  pursue  such 
measures  as  may  be  judged  most  expedient  to  preserve  the 
rights  of  this  and  the  other  colonies. 

It  was  voted  to  enlist  ten  ahle-bodied  men,  fixed  with 
arms  and  ammunition,  that  they  may  be  ready  to  go  against 
any  violence  or  invasion,  at  any  time  when  called  for,  and 
Capt.  Elisha  Towle  was  chosen  to  enlist  the  men  ;  and  that 
they  should  meet  half  a  day  each  week,  and  to  allow  each 
man  one  shillmg  per  week,  and  Capt.  Towle  two  shillings 
per  week  ;  Capt.  Towle  to  have,  if  called  for,  three  pounds 
twelve  shillings  per  month,  and  each  man  thirty-six  shil- 
lings ;  also  to  receive  three  pomids  to  purchase  ammunition, 
and  fifty  pounds  to  purchase  provisions. 

July  10,  1775,  John  Dudley,  Jonathan  Swain,  Benjamin 
Whittier,  Ezekiel  Lane,  Benjamin  Cram,  Robert  Page  and 
Thomas  Gordon,  were  appointed  a  committee  of  safety. 

May  12,  1777,  Daniel  Robie,  Ithiel  Gordon,  and  Joseph 
Dudley  were  chosen  a  committee  to  settle  and  affix  the 
price  of  such  goods  and  articles  in  said  parish,  according 
to  an  act  of  court. 

Voted  to  raise  8600  or  .£180,  to  add  to  the  bounty  of 
those  men  who  should  enlist  for  three  years,  and  chose  a 
committee  to  enlist  them. 

Feb.  2,  1778,  voted  to  accept  the  articles  of  confed- 
eration adopted  by  Congress,  except  the  4th,  5th  and  8th 
articles. 

April  26,  1779,  voted  to  raise  two  thousand  dollars  to 
hire  five  men  to  enlist  during  the  war.     Chose  Capt.  Ben- 


668  HISTORY   OF   RAYMOND. 

jamiii  Whittier  and  Capt.  John  FuUonton  to  procure  the 
men. 

July  19,  1779,  voted  to  give  two  soldiers  one  hundred 
dollars  per  month,  including  state  bounty  and  wages  for  six 
months,  and  forty  shillings  of  it  in  corn  per  month,  at  three 
shillings  per  bushel  for  two  months  of  the  six ;  and  to 
advance  ten  pounds  to  each  man  for  traveling  expenses. 

Aug.  9,  1779,  voted  to  accept  the  plan  of  government 
drawn  up  at  Concord. 

Voted  to  come  into  similar  measures  with  Portsmouth  in 
reducing  the  prices  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  chose 
Capt.  John  Montgomery,  Ithiel  Gordon,  Capt.  Benjamin 
Whittier,  Joseph  Dudley  and  Jedediah  Brown  a  committee 
to  report  a  plan. 

Aug.  30,  1779,  voted  to  refer  the  regulating  prices  of 
the  necessaries  of  life  to  the  convention  to  be  held  at  Con- 
cord the  22d  day  of  September,  and  chose  Jona.  Swain  to 
represent  this  parish  at  the  convention. 

March  6,  1780,  voted  to  allow  Capt.  Whittier's  account 
of  XloO,  for  time,  expense  and  depreciation  of  money  pre- 
paid to  enlist  five  men. 

July  6, 1780,  voted  that  the  selectmen  be  a  committee 
to  purchase  beef  for  the  support  of  the  army  as  ordered  by 
the  General  Court.  A  committee  was  also  chosen  to  hire 
a  number  of  soldiers  for  six  months,  and  also  a  number 
for  three  months. 

Aug.  27, 1781,  voted  to  empower  the  selectmen  to  pur- 
chase the  beef  cattle  for  five  coppers  per  pound,  and  pay 
for  it  in  merchantable  pine  boards  at  four  dollars  per  thou- 
sand at  Freetown. 

Dec.  18,  1782,  voted,  twenty-six  to  one,  not  to  have  any 
governor  or  privy  council. 

RATES   OR   TAXES. 

The  earliest  tax-list  on  the  records  is  for  1768  ;  and  the 
earliest  selectmen's  account  is  for  1766. 

The  highest  tax  is  Benjamin  Bean's ;   parish,  £1  15s. 


RATES   OR  TAXES.  669 

6d. ;  minister,  lis.  lOd. ;  province,  10s.  4  l-4d.  The  par- 
ish amounts  to  <£63  17s.  8d. ;  the  minister  to  £21  4s.  3d. ; 
and  the  province  to  X2  18s.  7  l-2d. ;  there  was  due  from 
Constable  John  Fullonton,  <£56  3s.  5d. 

In  1769,  Josiah  Fogg's  is  the  highest :  parish  £1  17s. 
Id. ;  province,  15s.  ;  minister,  lis.  3d. 

In  1774,  John  Dudley's  and  Josiah  Fogg's  were  the  high- 
est, and  equal :  province  and  county,  8s.  3d.  ;  parish,  15s. 
Id. ;  meeting-house,  Dudley,  not  taxed  ;  Fogg,  8s.  3d. ; 
minister  Dudley,  not  taxed  ;  Fogg,  3s.  lOd. 

In  1777,  Josiah  Fogg's  was  the  highest:  parish,  £1  Is. 
8d. ;  state,  7s.  4  3-4d. ;  war,  6s.  5d. 

In  1779,  John  Dudley,  Esq.'s,  is  the  highest :  first 
continental,  X12  10s.  ;  second,  <£12  lOs. ;  first  state,  <£9 
7s.  6d ;  second,  £9  7s.  6d. ;  parish,  <£6  5s.  6d.  This  was 
depreciated  currency. 

In  1780,  besides  the  same  rates  as  in  1779,  there  is  a 
war-rate  and  a  beef-rate.  Josiah  Fogg  is  again  uppermost ; 
war,  X331  lOd. ;  beef,  X165  15s. 

In  1788,  Benjamin  Cram  is  the  highest ;  state  specie 
orders,  XI  Is.  8d. ;  state  specie,  lOs.  3d. ;  state  certificates, 
X4  lis.  4d. ;  indents,  £d  8s.  6d.  ;  school,  XI  Is.  8d.  ; 
minister,  lOs.  lOd.  This  was  on  a  specie  basis,  the  old 
paper  having  become  worthless,  and  was  to  be  paid  in  part 
in  state  securities. 

The  paupers  in  Raymond  were  sold  at  auction  as  in 
other  places.  In  the  warrant  for  the  annual  meeting,  1767, 
is  an  article  "  To  Pass  a  Yoat  to  See  whather  that  Henry 
flood  and  his  family  Shall  be  Set  up  to  the  Lowest  Bidder, 
or  him  to  have  him  that  will  keep  him  Cheepest  for  the 
year  insuing,  and  to  be  set  up  this  night  after  the  metting 
to  a  vandue."     The  vote  passed. 

Mr.  Flood  was  afterwards  a  Revolutionary  soldier. 


670 


HISTORY   OF   RAYMOND. 


LONGEVITY   IN   RAYMOND. 
[By  Eev.  Joseph  Fullonton.] 


Samuel  Peavey,  Jan.  11,  1811,  . 
Daniel  Lane,  March  28,  1825,  nearly 
Sarah  Page,  1831, 
Mrs.  Mary  Wallace,  1831,  . 
Daniel  Xon-is,  Oct.  13,  1835,      . 
Mercy  Xay,  Dec.  31,  1842, 
Mary  Lovereign,  June,  1851,     . 
Mary  B.  Poor,  Jan.  18,  1852,     . 
Col.  Theophilus  Lovereign,  April  15 
Jacob  York,  Sept.  13,  1856, 
Ruth  Ciihnan,  1859,     . 
WicloAV  of  Daniel  Noxton,  18G3, 
James  Norris,  Jan.  17,  186-i, 
John  Bachclder,  Jan.  26,  1864,  . 
David  Page,  over 


1852 


96 

90 

95 

91 

90 

93 

92 

94 

93 

91 

91 

92 

93 

94 

90 


The  Rev.  Joseph  Fullonton  has  for  several  years,  as  he 
has  had  leisure,  been  collecting  materials  and  writing  a 
history  of  Raymond.  He  made  the  very  liberal  offer  to 
give  his  manuscript  to  the  town,  provided  the  town  would 
print  it. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  1867,  the  town  voted  to  accept 
the  offer  and  to  give  a  copy  to  every  family  in  town.  Mr. 
Fullonton  wished  some  time  to  revise  his  work,  and  has 
delayed  printing  it. 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 


At  the  annual  town  meeting  in  1868,  the  town  of  Auburn 
voted  to  pay  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  for  each  and  every 
copy  of  Chase's  History  which  should  be  subscribed  for  by 
the  inhabitants  of  the  town,  to  be  deducted  from  the  sub- 
scription price.  In  August,  1868,1  issued  a  circular,  invit- 
ing the  natives  of  Chester,  and  others  interested  in  the 
history,  in  order  to  defray  the  expense  of  the  illustrations, 
to  sul)scribe  and  advance  money, —  those  advancing  ten 
dollars  to  have  one  copy  of  the  Avork,  and  those  advancing 
twenty  dollars  to  have  two  copies,  and  to  have  their  names 
and  donations  inserted  in  the  book.  This  circular  has  been 
very  liberally  responded  to,  greatly  exceeding  my  most  san- 
guine expectations,  and  the  donors  have  my  hearty  thanks. 
Many  of  them  being  men  of  limited  means,  must  in  these 
times  of  high  taxation  find  it  difficult  to  spare  the  money. 
Without  this  liberality,  the  work  could  not  have  been 
printed  without  a  heavy  loss. 

SUBSCKIPTIONS     IX     CHESTER. 

Jolin  "W.  Xoyes, 
Thomas  J.  Melvin, 
William  Crawford, 
Isaac  Lane, 
Epliraim  Orcutt, 
William  P.  Underhill, 
Beujamin  F.  Underhill, 
Charles  Chase, 
Joseph  W.  Chase, 
Barnard  P.  Eobie, 


$20 

Stephen  Pingree, 

SIO 

20 

James  Hook, 

10 

10 

Dr.  James  F.  Bi'own, 

10 

10 

Silas  F.Leamard, 

10 

10 

Edmund  Sleeper, 

10 

10 

Hiram  Basford, 

10 

10 

Parker  Morse, 

10 

10 

Edwin  Haselton, 

10 

10 

Francis  Haselton, 

10 

10 

Clark  B.  Hall, 

10 

672 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 


Dr.  Josiali  I.  Hall, 
John  S.  Couch, 


George  P.  Clark, 
George  G.  Griffin, 
Amherst  Coult, 
Benjamin  Chase,  Jr., 
Wells  C.  Underliill, 
Pike  Chase, 
Stephen  C.  Coult, 


Frederick  Smyth, 
Samufl  X.  Bell, 
Benjamin  II.  Cliase, 
'^yilliam  ZSI.  Plummer, 
Noah  S.  Clark, 


Charles  II.  Bell, 
Natt  Head, 


Hazen  R.  Underhill, 
Dayid  Currier, 


Arthui"  B.  Underhill, 


Graham  Hall, 
Hiram  Hall, 


Rufus  K.  Underhill, 


Sio 

George  S.  Smith. 

$10 

10 

* 

AUBURN. 

$20 

George  Coult, 

$10 

20 

Charles  C.  Grant, 

10 

20 

Andrew  F.  Fox, 

10 

20 

Samuel  Anderson, 

10 

10 

David  B.  Dickey,     . 

10 

10 

Olonzo  R.  Dinsmore, 

10 

10 

ANCHESTER. 

$20 

Dr.  AVm.  "NY.  Brown, 

$10 

20 

John  F.  Brown, 

10 

10 

Paschal  Preston, 

10 

10 

William  W.  Leighton, 

10 

10 

EXETER. 

$20        John  J.  Bell, 

HOOKSETT. 

$20 

DERRY. 

$20        Charles  Curner, 
10        Richard  Melvin, 

BOSTON. 

$20        Orlando  H.  Underhill, 

BOSTON   HIGHLANDS. 

$10        Harriet  Xewell  Hall, 
10        Hazen  Basford, 

B I L  E  R I C  A  ,    :M  A  S  S  . 

$20 


NASHUA. 

George  W.  Underhill,  $20        Jotham  D.  Otterson, 

Dr.  Ebenezer  Dearborn,        10 


$20 


$10 
10 


$10 


$10 
5 


Hem7  F.  French, 


CONCORD,   MASS. 

$10       Simon  Brown, 


$10 


$10 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.  673 

■WASHINGTON   CITY. 

Benjaniiu  B.  French,  820        F.  O.  French,  $10 

BROOKLYN,   N.   Y. 

Mrs.  Cathei-ine  J.  F.  Wells,  $10 

PORTLAND, ME. 

Dr.  Kufas  Shackford,  $10 

LYNN,    MASS. 

John  F.  Patten,  $10 

SOMERVILLE,    MASS. 

Samuel  G.  Underhill,         $10. 

BOSTON    HIGHLANDS. 

Graham  Hall  (additional),  $10 

EPPING. 

Dr.  Hosea  B.  Burnham,    $10 

CHESTER. 

Isaac  Lane  (additional),       $5.        Hemy  Harrison  Lane,         $10 

ST.   CLAIR,  MICH. 

John  C.  Clark,  $10 

PEEKSKILL,    N.    Y. 

Benjamin  Eattredge,  $10 

CINCINNATI,   OHIO. 

Edmund  AV.Kittredge,        $10 

HASTINGS,    MIXN. 

Rev.  John  W.  Ray,  $10 

PEMBROKE. 

Nancy  H.  Dudley,  $10 

BALTIiJ 

Wells  Chase,  $10 

CHICAGO, ILL. 

Alfred  Hall,  two  days  taking  views,  also  paid  for  use  of  instil- 
ments and  printing,  $15. 

43 


ERRATA. 


The  following  errors  have  been  discovered,  which  the  reader  is  desired  to 
turn  to  and  correct :  — 
Page    28  —  Top  line,  for  "  Ephraim  Elliot,"  read  "  Edmund." 

44  —  4th  line   from  the  top,   read   "  Samuel  Emerson  and  Lemue 

Clifford." 
188  — Eor  the  year  "  1741  "  read  "  1851." 
196  —  3d  line  from  the  top,  for  "  two  hundred  acres  "  read  "  twq  liun 

dred  and  fifty  acres." 
199  —  5th  paragraph  from  the  toi>,  for  "  Feb.  13,  1838,"  read  "June  2, 

1836." 
204  —  4th  paragraph,  for  "  McQuenton  "  read  "  McQucston." 
296 — 12th  line  from  the  bottom,  for  "  Xo.  Eleven  "  in  Chester,  read 

"  No.  Five."    4th  lino  from  the  bottom,  for  "No.  Fifteen,"  rear. 

"  No.  Five  in  Auburn." 
298  — 2d  line  from  the  top,  for"  B.  "Chase,"  read  "B.P.Chase."   17th 

line,  for  "  No.  Five,"  read  "  No.  Six." 
305  —  For  "  Luther  V.  Bell,  graduated  1822,"  read  "  1823." 
315  — loth  line  from  the  top,  for  "  1854,"  read  "  1798." 
343  —  18th  line  from  the  bottom,  for  "  Lucy  S.,"  read  Lucy  L." 
371  —  14th  line  from  the  bottom,  for  "  Joseph  Louge,"  read  "  Longe." 
38G  —  19th  name,  for  "^Reuben  Dinsmore,"  read  "Dimon." 
386  — 21st  line  from  the  top,  for  "  Mead  R.,"  read  "  Ned  R." 
453— For  "  Zaccheus  Clifford,  Constable,"  read  "  Zachariah." 
477 — 16th  line  from  the  bottom,  for  "John  Brown,  d.  at  Newbury- 

port,"  read  "  Bangor." 
'  498  —  8th  line  from  the  bottom,  read  "Dec.  3, 1804,"  instead  of  "1814." 
512  — 22d  line  from  the  top,  for  "  1769,"  read  "  1759." 
579  — 9th  line  from  the  top,  read  "  1825,"  instead  of  "  1824." 
582  —  2d  line  from  the  top,  read  "  Beeman,"  instead  of  "  Brummer." 
623  —  9th  line  from  the  top,  for  "Abigail  Haulton,"  read  "  Haselton." 

2d  line  from  the  bottom,  for  "  Simon  Currier,"  read   "Simeon." 

10th  line  from  the  bottom,  read  "Linn,"  instead  of  "Lenn." 
637  —  17th  line  from  the  top,  insert  is  between  "  Gilman"  and  "  paid." 
672  —  Erase  "  Hiram  Hall  of  Boston  Highlands." 


ADDENDA. 


Page  307,  insert : — 

1847.  Samuel  N.  Bell  graduated  at  Dartmouth.  (See  Bell  family,  page 
-0.) 

Page  444  :  — 

The  building  now  used  as  a  wood-house,  etc.,  by  Benjamin  Wilson,  was  a 
;  welling-house,  and  probably  was  built  by  John  Karr,  previous  to  1740.  The 
f.3orings  are  split  out  and  not  sawed.  John  Karr  has  two  mills  on  his  inven- 
ory  in  1741,  and  if  there  had  been  a  mill  when  the  house  was  built,  the 
lioorings  would  hare  been  sawed,  not  spht.  The  house  was  used  as  a  garrison. 
There  are  some  vestiges  of  an  Indian  encampment  by  the  side  of  the  mill-pond. 

Page  544 :  —  Dearborn  Heath,  whose  name  frequently  appears  on  the  army- 
lolls,  was  a  son  of  Elijah  Heath. 

Page  582:  — 

Joseph  Sobixsox  came  from  Brookline,  Mass.,  and  was  a  saddler  by  trade, 
lie  purchased  Dr.  Benjamin  Page's  place  about  1792,  and  set  out  and  grafted 
the  orchard,  which  was  the  first  orchard  of  a  considerable  size  ever  wholly 
grafted  in  Chester.    It  has  been  very  productive. 

"  He  m.  Olif,  dan.  of  Dea.  John  S.  Dearborn,  July  25,  1790.     He  d.  Dec. 
1857,  a.  89  years  and  6  months.     Children  :  — 

1.  John,  b.  1791. 

2.  Susanna,  b.  1792,  m.  Peter  Haselton ;  d.  IMarch  20,  1868. 

3.  James,  b.  1794,  lives  in  Kensington. 

4.  Mary,  b.  1795,  m.  Ebenezer,  son  of  Capt.  Stephen  Hills. 

5.  Sarah  B.,  b.  1793,  unm.,  in  Chester. 

6.  Olif,  d.  young. 

7.  Caroline,  b.  1804,  d.  unm, 

8.  Joseph,  b.  1809,  unm. 
Page  583  : — 

Robert  ErrN->*ELS  was  an  early  settler,  probably  the  first  settler  on  H.  L. 
135,  where  Woodbury  Master  lives.  He  had  a  son  Robert  who  lived  on  Add. 
No.  40,  nearly  oppo.?ite  the  brick  school-house.  He  d.  1823,  a.  83.  He  m. 
tiusanna  Purnald.     Children  :  — 

JMoily  ;  John;  William;  Owen,  b.  1790,  lived  in  Candia ;  he  and  a  daugh- 
ter d.  of  small-pox  in  1835.  The  Eev.  Thomas  P.  Reynolds,  who  was  select- 
man of  Chester  in  1856  and  1S57,  was  his  son. 

Page  622  :— 

1798.     John  Knowles,  sen.,  d.  March  26, 83 

Page  624 :— 

1826.    Abigail,  widow  of  Moody  Chase, 82 


INDEX. 


Academy 20.3 

aud  town  house 189,  300 

Accounts 14,  18,  70,  To 

to  be  printed 183 

various 440 

Almshouse 176,  179,  257 

Association  test 134 

Autislavery 339,  360,  363 

Auburn 18C 

soldiers 393 

officers 4G0 

Battle  at  Lexington,  alarm  at 132 

Baptists 324,  347,  641,  660 

Barlv  mills 424 

Bass  viol .•',i>5 

Bean  porridge  and  barlej-  broth 415 

Bears 167 

Bells 151,  155,  161,  165,  181 

Auburn 347 

Candia 636 

Blacksmiths 431 

Boots,  shoes  aud  pegs 425 

Brown,  Knox  &  Gault  sued 40 

Bur3'ing  groun.l,  94,  109,  110,  16«,   183, 
185,  189. 

Caxdia,  voted  off. 116,  118 

History  of 632 

Carding  machines 240,  417,  418 

Carrigain's  map,  survey  for 32,  166 

Charter 21 

of  the  parishes 92 

Church  formed 76 

Classed,  town,  for  men  and  beef. .  .147,  140 

Clocks 437 

Cochrane,  lan<l  sold  and  granted  to,  40,  76 

Confederation,  articles  of 140, 6.'50, 667 

Constitution  of  New  Hampshire,  151, 
155,  156,  163,  188,  190. 

Federal 154 

Convention  for  forming  a  government, 
140,  145,  148.  150. 

to  regulale  prices...  .142, 144,  651,  668 

Coopers  433 

Counties 119 

New 177,  190 

County  farm 190 

Courthouse 175,  179,  183 

Covenant,  half-way 333 

Currency 153 

Dark  day 146 

Deed,  Peiuiet  to  Dudley 3 

Wlieelwright  to  Londonderry  ...  13 

Deer  inspectors 447 

Delinquent  proprietors 77 

Deputies  chosen 129,  131,  132 

Derrytield  voted  off. Ill 

line 166 

ovens 412 


Eakly  settlers 25  to  30,  469 

how  they  lived 462 

Earthquake 114 

Ecclesiastical 315 

Congregational,  315;  in  Auburn, 
345;  in  Candia,  637;  in  Ray- 
mond, 659. 

Presbyterian 330 

Baptist,  347;   in  Candia,  641;  in 

liajTBond,  660. 
Methodist,  351;  in  Auburn,  348; 
in  Candia,   641;    in  Raymond, 
G61. 

Egg-nogg 356 

Embargo 168 

Engine 181 

Field  drivers 448 

Fires 445 

Flax 418 

Fkst  settlers,  25-30,  549;  in  the  Long 
IMeadows,  594;  in  Candia,  560, 
602,  632. 

child,  550 ;  in  Candia 603 

twins ■ 614 

house 443,  549 

saw-mill,  226;  in  Candia,  248;  in 
Raymond,  250. 

grist-mill 227 

meeting-house,573 ;  in  Candia,  635 ; 

in  Raymond 656 

bark  mill 424 

fulling  mill 241 

carding  machine 240,  417,  418 

cooking-stove 412 

umbrella 439 

hearse 180 

wagon 428 

Flagg,  land  granted  to 41 

marriages 318 

Flip 356 

Freetown,  Dudley's  deed  of 3,  511 

Commission  as  town  major  of. . .  .511 

mill 35,  2.50 

voted  off. 116 

Settlement  with Ill 

Gexealogy 462 

Aiken 462 

Ambrose,  Anderson 464 

Arwin 465 

Badger,  Basford 465 

Bartlett,  Bachelder,  Bean 467 

Bell 468 

Berry 471 

Blake 472 

Blanchard 473 

Blasdell 474 

Bold,  Bradley,  Bradshaw,  Brad- 
street 475 

Blunt,  Brown, 476 


678 


INDEX. 


Gexbalogy  —  Briclcett,    Butterfiekl, 

Burlcv.  Burpee 4S0 

Buswell .' .'. ■181 

Calfe -m 

Campbell,  Can- 4K.'? 

Cliase 485 

Ciark 491 

Clav 402 

Cliit'owl,  Colby 493 

Craige 496 

Crawlbrd 498 

Critcbet ...499 

Croiubie,  CroiCtt 500 

Currier 501 

Davis,  Daltoii,  Dickey,  Dearboni,.5!)3 

De.xter,  Din.'imore 509 

Dolby,  Dudley 51 1 

Diuilap,  Dustiu 513 

Eaton 514 

Elliot 515 

Emerson 51 G 

Eiuery 518 

Field,  Fitts 519 

Flag!? .")i.'l 

Folsom 5L'2 

For.saith 524 

Fo.ss,  Powk'r,  French 525 

Fullonton 529 

Fulton 530 

Gage.  Ganibcl,  Gault 530 

Gilihrist 531 

Glen.  Gooilhue 5.33 

Gliihien,  Gordon,  Gj'abani 534 

Greenough 535 

Grirtia 5.36 

Hall 536 

Harriman,  Ilaseltine 539 

He.ad 542 

Healev 543 

Heath,  Hills 544 

Hoit 548 

Hovlgkins 549 

Iiigalls 549 

Jack 550 

Karr  (see  Carr). 
Kilchrist  (see  Gilchrist). 

Kelly 550 

Kimball,  Kent,  Kittriilge 551 

Knowles 552 

Lane •5.'i3 

Linn 555 

Leatcb,  Lnnt,  Locke,  Long .556 

Lnfkin 5.57 

]\I;irtin , 557 

Marden,  Marsliall,  McClento. ..  .S-iS 

JMcClallon,  McClure 5.59 

SlcDurtce 560 

McFarland,  .McFerson 562 

McGee.    JIcMaster,    McMurphv, 

I\^cKinley ;.563 

Melvin 564 

Merrill,  Miller 565 

Mills,  Moi-so 566 

IMoore 569 

Morrill,  Mnulton,  Murray .571 

Norton,  Niitt 572 

Orr,  Otterson 572 

Patten 573 

Pierce,  Poor 5,4 

Powel,  Pillsbnry,  Prescott 575 

Presson .576 

Quanton 576 

Quimby 577 

Kand,  Richardson 577 

Robie 579 

Ru^ve,  Rowell,  Russell 583 

Sanborn,  S.argent .584 

Scribner,  Seavev,  Severance 587 

Shannon,  Shackford 588 


Genealogy  —  Shaw,  Shirlev 589 

Silsby ' 591 

Silver,  Sleeper 592 

Smith 593 

Stieknev,  Sweetser ,507 

Teuipleton 597 

Tenney,  Todd,  Tolford 598 

Towie 599 

Townsend,  True 601 

Turner,  Tyler 602 

Underbill 602 

Varnnm 608 

Wadded,  "Wason 609 

Webster 610 

Weeks C12 

Wells,  V/est 613 

Wbite 614 

Wbittier,  AVilson 015 

Witlierspoon,  Wood 619 

Worthen 620 

Government,  jjlan  of,  140,  145, 148, 150, 
151. 

Governor  and  Lie\it.   Governor,  farm 

voted.  6,  24 ;  laid  out 39 

Graduates,  303;  in  Candia,  646;  Ray- 
mond, 663. 

Grammar  school,  indictment   for  not 

having 120 

Voted  not  to  have 132,  645 

Grant  of  Che.diire 7  to  10 

Grantees,  schedule  of. 22 

Notice  of. 45  to  51 

Alphabetical    list    of,  and    their 
lots 55 

Hale,  Rev.  Moses,  ordination  of 76,  77 

Dismission  of. 78-80 

Half-wav  covenant 333 

HarrytoWn 104-112 

Hats 434 

Havwards  or  field-drivers 448 

Haverhill  line 10-13 

Peoi)le  to  make  their  own  way.  •  19 

Cut  off  from .560,  562 

Hearses 180,  189 

Highways,  (see  roads) 191 

Hogreeves 449 

Hooksett,  petitions  fur,  155,  161,  163, 

176,  178,  179. 
Houses,  dates  of. 443 

Indians 09, 106, 107,  593 

Industri.al 409 

111  the  order  in  which  they  occur 
in  tlie  book: 

Residences 409 

Stoves 410 

Baker  and  Dutch  oven 412 

JIatches.  i>ails,  spoons 413 

Scanty  living,  tish 414 

Bean  porridge,  baked  pumpkins,  415 

Clothing 416 

Canling   machines,  and   woolen 

and  linen 416-423 

Tanning  and  shoe.';  and  boots,424-426 

Plows,  shovels  and  forks 426-428 

Wagons,  transportation  on  horse- 
back, snow-shoes 428-430 

Blacksmifhs,  scythes. 431-432 

Cooiiers,  hats 4.;3-436 

Potash,  clocks,  umbrellas.. .  .430-439 

Accounts 440 

Dates  of  houses 443 

Fires 445 

Trees 446 

Inventory 93,  259-267 

Iron  made  at  Deerfield 429 

Iron  works  at  Massabe.sic 234 

Insane  asylum 183 


INDEX. 


679 


lUKORS  &Tsi  chosen 115 

KrNGSTOWN  line 64-68 

LiAJS^D  sold  or  given 40,  41, 88 

Lawsuits 14,  40,  86,  110,  558 

with  Dudley 116 

Saiulown 253 

Kochestcr 255 

Londonderry 255 

Leather,  sealers  of 450 

Lexington,  battle  alarm  at 132 

Soldiers  at,  to  be  paid 133 

Ljibrary  formed 157 

tiiuen  inauuiacture 4is 

L^ines,  settlement  of 59 

Exeter 60 

Lou<londerry 62 

Kingstown 64 

Tyngstown 68 

Literary  liistory 272 

Longmeadows  to  have  no  preaching'. . .  105 

to  have 108 

meeting-house 152, 157,  158, 150 

<-iOtS,  laying  out  of 33 

Table  of. 55 

Home 4 

Additional 34 

Old  Hundred 34 

Meadows 36 

2d  P.,2dD 37 

3d  D 37 

4th  D.  and  5th  D 38 

6th  D 39 

Mails 268 

Map,  Carrigain's 32, 166 

for  tlie  liistorv 32 

Meeting-house,  71,"73,  75,  76,  35,  06,  108, 
119,  121,  184. 

Seating 323 

Presbyterian,  90, 152, 154, 157, 164, 
347. 

Second  Congregatiopal 188,  347 

Baptist 347,  348 

Methodist.  349,  351;  in  Caudia, 
635;  in  Raymond,  656. 

Llilitary 365 

Early  officers 365 

Soldiers  in   French  and  Indian 

wars 367 

Revolution 370 

1812 383 

Rebellion. — Chester,  386,  votes, 
390;  Auburn,  393,  votes,  396; 
in  Candia,  401 ;  Raymond,  400. 

:tiills,  privileges  granted 15 

Lower  falls 19 

John  Aiken 74 

John  MoMurphy 88, 115 

John  Clalfe 88 

Description  of 22-i 

History  of 226-252 

Old  saw-mill 226 

Aiken's 227 

Haselton's 228 

Carr's.  McDuffee's 229 

Kutt's  or  Crofeett's 230 

Shackford's,  Worthen's.  B.  Hi]ls',2?.l 

French's,  I.  Hills',  Basford's 232 

Locke's,  Knowles'  Towle  &  San- 
born's, Mc^Murphy's  or  Web- 
ster's   233 

New  or  Dearborn's 238 

Caleb  Hall's i>39 

Calfe  &  Blanchard's 21 1 

Clark 243 


Mills,  Oswego 244 

White  Hall,  Head's  factory 245 

Ben.  Hall,  Martin,  Whittier,  Mur- 
ray's  246 

•  Hook's,  Preston's  steam 247 

Porter  &  Heath 248 

in  Candia —  Village,  Bean's,  248; 
O.  Hall's,  M.  Falls,  Genesee, 
Patten's,  249;  Knowles'  or 
Cass',  Emerson's,  250. 
in  Raymond,  —  Freetown,  250 ; 
Branch,  Dudley's,  Jones',  251 ; 
AVallace's,  Fulierton's,  Clay's, 
Lane's,  Jo.shua  Hall's  252. 

Ministers, — .John  Tuck 72 

ISIoses  Hale 74-SO 

Timothy  White 81 

Ebenezer  Flagg 81 

Money xiv 

Musical  society 183 

Nails,  cut,  manufactured 242,  522 

Officers,  early  military 365 

Town,  447,  453';  in  Auburn 460 

Parties,  political 451 

Peace  celebrated 171 

Pennacook,  the  first  path  and  team  to,  194 

PetiU(Uis,  Brown  &  Co 3 

John  Caife 2,  3 

Clement  Hughes 5,  6,  7-10 

Presbyterian 83 

for  dividing  the  parish 123 

for  soldiers 106 

to  set  oif  the  upper  end,  155,  161, 
163,  176,   178,  179. 

Physicians 311 

in  Ravmond CG4 

Plans  of  lots 30-31 

for  Carrigain's  map 32, 160 

for  the  map 32 

Plows 4/6 

Poor,  and  pauperism 176,  178,  252 

Potash 436 

Pound 89, 127 

towards  Suncook 120 

at  Ravmon<l 656 

Prices  regulated 142,  144,  651,  668 

Pumpkins  baked 415 

Rates  or  taxes 2.57 

in  Raymond 668 

may  be  paid  in  produce 264 

Raymond  voted  off". 116,  117 

History  of. 654 

Records,  duplicate 1 

Representatives  called  for  aiid  rejected, 
97-104. 

chosen 109-132 

not  to  treat 132 

instructed 140 

m  Chester 458 

in  Auburn 461 

Revenue,  surplus 183,  187 

Roads,  History  of. 191 

to  Walnut  hill,  191,  194,  198,  201,  209 

ta  Londonderrv 193.  198,  205,  217 

to  Sandown,  192,  194, 199, 201, 209, 

217,  220. 
to  Ravmond  by  Lane's,  193,  194, 
199.'  210. 

bv  the  Branch 199,  201,  209 

from  Auburn..  .200,  207,  208,  211,  221 

Massabesic 196,  197,  208 

Pennacook 194,  197 

to  Caudia  by  Lane's 204,  206,  208 


680 


INDEX. 


Road,  by  the  Borough 290,  205,  208 

over  Bunker  liill 205,  208 

at  the  Long  Meadows,  195,  196, 

198,  200,  204,  205,  206,  207,   208, 

209,210,211,220,221. 

to  Derrytield 201  204,  211 

to  Pojilin 199,  201,  205,  209,  218 

Hall's  Village 198, 199,  200 

to  the  saw-mill 193,  201,  205 

Chester  turnpike .213,  210,  219 

Londonderry  turnpike 216,  219 

to  evade  Kobie's  hill 212,  217 

to  Manchester 219,  2-.'0 

J.  Blanchard'a  jietition  for 217 

S.  Dearborn's        "  "   220 

B.  Fitt's  "  "  213 

Gideon  George's   "  "  212 

J.B.Sanborn's     "  "   220 

J.  Moore's  "  " 219 

H.  Willcy's 218 

Cross-roads  in  Chester 199-221 

Roads  in  Candia 204-210,  6.'J2 

Ravniond 201,  20.5-210.  005 

Hooksett,   19T,  208,  210,  211,212, 

221,  222. 

SACRAJfEXTAL  occasions 3.3C 

Safety,  Committee  of,  1.30, 140,  144,  650,  6G7 

Schools,  lots  appropriated  for 10 

Lots  to  be  sold 155,  160 

Districts 104,  168,  180,  288,  292 

History  of. 272 

in  Candia 644 

in  Itavmond 662 

Scythes  . . .'. 432 

Seating  the  meeting-house 323 

Selectmen's  book 110 

Selectmen,  list  of 456 

in  Auburn 461 

Settlers,  first 25-30 

Early 402 

Shovels 4i!7 

Singing 319-.325 

Snowshoes 430 

Society  for  settling  the  Chestnut  coun- 
try  1,2,4,5 

Moral  Reform 354 


Society,  Temperance 358-360 

Antislavery 363 

Soldiers 70,  106,  108,  130,  131, 139 

in  the  French  war 366 

in  the  lievolution 370 

in  war  of  1812 38a 

in    I{ebelli(jn,   3.s6;  Auburn,  393; 
Candia,  401 ;  Raymond,  400. 

Stages 268 

Stocks  built 105 

Suncook  grant 41 

Table  of  grantees  and  their  lots &5 

Invoice 259,262 

Proportion  of  taxes 26; 

Census,  inventory 264-207 

School  money 30. 

Tanners 421 

Taxes 2.5T 

Congregational 32^ 

Presbyterian 344 

Raymond 068 

may  be  paid  in  produce 264 

Temploton,  Matthew,  skull  broken 15! 

Temperance 327,  339,  352-360 

Tools,  edge 605 

Toddy 3o(; 

Town  officers 447,  453 

Auburn 460 

Turnpike,  Chester 167,  211 

Londonderry 216,  219 

Tyngstown 68 

Ty  thinguieu 45', 

Umbrellas 43D 

Waooxs 428 

Wasliington's  funeral  services 161 

Watt's  Psalms  to  be  sung 324 

Weatlier,    remarkable,  120,    146,  1.52, 

1.59,  165,  109,  170,  172,  173,  181, 

1S6,  188,  190. 

Wells,  Thomas,  killed 128 

Whipping  and  stocks 105 

Wilson,  Kev.  John,  land  granted  to. . ..  41 

Wolves 94,  154 

Workhouse  voted 1 17, 179, 250 


INDEX   TO  NAMES. 


In  indexing,  the  followin!;?  have  been  omitted;  — The  names  of  t!ie  grantees  in  the  table,  on  page  .^5; 
also  those  attached  to  the  Association  test,  page  136;  also  the  names  of  the  parents  of  the  graduates;  and 
in  the  table  of  longevity  where  the  husband  and  wife  are  both  given,  the  n;inie  of  the  wife  is  omitted. 
In  the  Genealogy,  only  the  names  of  heads  of  families  and  souie  prominent  individuals  have  been  indexed. 
Among  the  great  number  of  names  occurring,  probably  others  have  escaped  notice. 


Abbott  Charles  H 406 

Daniel  C 395 

Hannah 629 

Henry 229,  363 

Mr 269 

Richard 406 

Sallv 630 

WiL-iou  S 663 

Achmuty  Jlr 14 

Adams,  Kcv.  E 351 

James 207 

Rev.  James 642,  661 

John 452 

John  Quincy 452 

Paul 164, 177,  294,  442,  6i7 

Samuel  S 389 

William 209 

Aiken,  Andrew 371,  374 

I5enjamin 378 

James 136,  372,  377,  379 

John,  family,  462 ;  30 ;  mills,  74,  78, 
82,  84,  90,  105,  192,  201,  205,  227, 
261,  379,  455. 

Jonathan 411 

Martha. 627 

Nancy 630 

Mary 623 

Peter,  family.  .463;  124,  135,  154,  423 
1  Samuel,  family,  462;  114,  124,  137, 
276,  296,  378,  379,  621. 
Samuel,  Esq.,  178,  181,  256,  385, 
457,  458,  459. 

Samuel  and  Sally 255 

AVOliam 368,  385 

Akerman  and  Cutts 51 

Allet,  William 107 

Allen,  Daniel 256,  375 

David 146 

Nancy 256 

Alexander,  Mr 417 

Ambrose,  family 464 

Henry 30,  260,  202,  454 

John 30,  260 

Nathaniel 30,  454 

Anderson,  family 464 

John 382 

Josiah 384 


Anderson,  Lydia 603 

Samuel.  178.  204, 445, 446,  457, 458, 
400,  401,672. 

Thomas, 241,  382,  445,  626 

William 345 

Andrewson,  V.  family 465 

Robert,  family 202,  204 

Annan,  Rey.  David 159,  160,  330,  332 

Archer,  Augustus 404 

Archibald,  Ann 628 

John 624 

Thomas 374 

Armsby,  Rev.   Lauren,   188,  325,  328, 
329. 

Armstrong,  Rev.  L 350 

Arnold,  Rev.  Joel  R.,  178, 182,  327,  329,  359 

Atwood,  John 400,  461 

Avery,  Joseph 403 

Arvs-iii,  Henry 465 

Atkinson,  Theodore 98,  99,  101,  lOS 

Ayer,  John 194 

Rev.  Mr 348 

Perley 434 

R.  H.  and  R.  Bradley 49 

Bachelder,  or  Batchelder,  family. .  .467 

Abraham 96 

Beiyamin,  260,  202,  275,  276,  308, 
376,  633,  634,  637,  653. 

Charles  A 407 

Daniel 407 

David  L 73 

Guilford 401 

James  P 389 

Jethro 116,  204,  207,  655 

John 372,  670 

Jonathan 375 

Joseph 8,  23,  43 

Joseph,  Jr 8 

Josiah 23,  43 

Molly 631 

Nathaniel,  Jr 8,  9.  23,  43 

Page 29,  193,  260,  262,  275 

Reuben 401 

Squires 385 

Rev.  Stephen 43 

Thomas  B 407 


682 


INDEX. 


BaclieMer,  William 380 

Badger,  Ann 631 

Ezra 465 

Kuth 256,  623 

AVilliam im,  459 

Baglev,  Charles  S t.'lo,  248 

David 382 

Moses 649 

Johu 375 

Jonathan 376,  636,  638 

Samuel 376 

Bailev,  lluv.  N.  M 661 

'Siniyn 130,  142,  540 

Kev.  Steplien 660 

Stevens 381 

Bailor,  Kdwai-il 405 

Balier.  Xaf  lianiel  B 460 

Cap't.  Moses,  376,  633, 634, 635, 637, 
(150,  651,  653. 

AVilliam 368,  635 

Balch,  Master 283 

Ballard,  Elder  Jeremiah 660 

Ball,  Aaron 631 

Daniel 3><6 

Jonathan ' 384 

Ballon.  Alexander 395 

Jonal  ban 395 

Barker.  Benj 63 

Dr.  L.  M 312 

Levi 403 

William 194 

Barnard,  Kev.  Mr 76 

Barnes.  Mr 167 

IJartlett,  Elizabeth 622 

Dea.  Joseph 79 

Samuel,  liimily 467 ;  275,  276 

Samuel  G 406 

Ichabod 4.59 

Levi 4.59 

Uastord.  tViniily 465 

Ebenezei- 135;  mill 2.32,  309 

Hazen 672 

Hiram 199,  4.58.  671 

Jae.ib.2:?.  107,  109,  260,    -77,  289, 
309, 456. 

James 28,  30,  107,  22T,  261,  262 

John 2,59 

Joseph 206,  209,  260,  366,  409,  466 

Mehirabel 625 

Mosjs 380 

Beals,  Henry 390 

Bean,  family 467 

Abraham 049 

Bean's  Island 652 

Benia 055,  056 

Benj 655,  668 

Constable 115 

Curtis 368,  655,  6.50 

Daniel  R 406 

David,  fiimilv,  467,  205;  mill,  218; 
445.641,  655. 

David,  jr 655 

David  H .305 

Kben 394 

Elisha 6.33,  6.34 

Gordon 006 

Jesse  D 403 

Jeremiah,  206,  207,  6.33,  634,  6.52,  6.53 

Joel  V 403 

John  n... 403 

Jona 207,  209,  6.33.  634 

Joseiih 376.  651 

El.ler  Mo.ses 641,  642 

Orestes  J 405 

Phineas 378,  382 

Keuben 384,  641 

Samuel:  268;   Samuel  C 647 

Ay  alter  W 403 


Bebee,  Eliz.abeth 341 

Bedee,  David 401 

William 401 

Bedel,  John 407 

Beecher,  Rev.  Lyman 359 

Belcher,  Gov 83 

Bell,  family 468 

Beatrice 624 

Charles,  7,  95 ;  History 308 

Charles  H 307,  455,  672 

Christopher  S 307 

George 308,  436 

James 192,  305,  372,  460 

James  D 348 

James  I 309 

John,  168,  17-',  17.5,  176,  214,  215, 
305,  308,  .328,  329,  357,  390,  436, 
444,4.55.  4.59. 

John  J.. .310,672 

Dr.  John 305.  .303 

Louis 390 

Luther  V ...305 

Persis 629 

Hon.  Samuel. .  .177,  412.445,  4.59,  627 
Hon.  S.  D..  1,  31,  87,  133.  167.  180, 
181.  187,  30.5,  315,  412,  455,  4.59. 

Samuel  N 470,672 

William. .  .154,  157,  336,  344,  345,  348 

Bellows,  Josiah 218 

Bennet.  Thomas 256 

Berrv,  Family 471 

"Allet 107 

Ebenezer 377,  379 

Ithamar..  .199,  207,  2.59,  262,  200,  454 

John 373,  .377, 379 

Jonathan 150,  381,  445 

Nathaniel  S 400,  461 

Simeon 6.55 

Simon 416,  656 

AViilow 625 

Zebeilee 367,  633,  634 

Black,  Edward 404 

Blake,  family 472 

Ezekicl 176,  177,  214,  425,  4.57 

George  A 663 

Israel 8,386 

Jasper 43 

John 375 

.I(j.seph -71 

Lanson 393 

I,emuel  W 87,  176,  2.57,  455,  457 

Moses 23,  43 

Philemon.  8,  23 ;  Samuel 43 

William  B 407 

Blancbard,  family 473 

Dolly.., 625 

Eleazer ' 309 

Joseph.  148,  149. 1.54.  1.55. 150,  1.57, 
159.  102,  163,  164,  160,  lfl><,  173, 
17.5,  176.  ISO,  212,  214,  217,  .34.5, 
381.  445,  455,  456,  457,  458,  625; 
mill.  241. 

Col.  Joseph .367,  473 

Blasdell.  family 474 

Abner..." 216,383 

David 437 

Eben 383 

Isa.ac^  67,  136,  140,  14-2,  254.  373, 
.375,  377,  .379,  437,  444,  456,  4.57. 

Johns.. 387 

Nathaniel,  135,  141,  277,  372,  373, 
436,  440. 

Polly 442 

Richard 437 

Blodget,  Col .  Samuel 269,  .377 

Blunt,  family 476 

Ebenezer 260 

Isaac 630 


INDEX. 


683 


Blunt,  Jouiitlian,  30,  89, 96, 104, 109, 110, 
191,  192,  227,  260,  275,  27G,  366, 
454,  45G. 

Samuel 124, 126, 135,  151 

WUliaiu 74 

Bold,  famil}' 475 

Jameri 15,  23,  90,  192 

Joliu 30,  8i2,  84,  85,  89,  191,  201 

Js'achanlel 107,  202 

liobeit 374 

Bond,  Charles 396 

Br.  Jolin 311 

Joiiatlian. ..:..; 434 

Boston,  Capt 383 

Bouton's  History 194,  415 

Boyle,  Edmund." 406 

Boydel,  John. 39,  40, 512 

Boydeu,  Jabez 435,  436 

Boyes  or  Boies,  Mr 277,  '.'82 

Kobert .:. . .  .40,  64,  65,  82,  197 

Bowen,  Mr 644 

Bower,  Goorge 405 

Bjxall,  Isaac 393 

JJradbiirv,  Justes 79 

Bradford,  Rev.  D.  B 660 

Bradley,  family 475 

josiah 130,  165 

Meliitabel 26,  624 

Bradshaw,  family 475 

Bradstreet,  family 475 

Key.  Nathan,  157,  162,  183,  169, 
171,  174,  175,  177,  178,  325,  326, 
3>1,  353,  445. 

Bragdon,  James ■  -382 

Brant,  John  D 407 

Bremner,  David 308 

Brenuard,  John 401 

Bricket,  family 480 

Barnard' 124, 150,  441,  444,  447 

David  r ;■ 444 

John 427 

Manson  il 403 

Moses -298,  620 

Ral[jh 224 

Broad,  William 387 

Broadhead,  Kev.  John 349 

Bronilland,  ,Tos 3S7 

Brown,  family  476 ;  &  Co 3 

Aaron .376 

Abijjail 626 


Brown  <&  Sweetser 215 

Am  OS  W 393 

Benjamin,  161,  162,  163,  165,  168, 
171,215,269. 

Caleb 376 

Calvin  n 664 

Charles  C 403 

Daniel 403 

David 384,  386 

David  H ..664 

Dr.  David 665 

Ebenezer .384,  385 

Francis 303 

Franklin  A 387 

George  C 404 

George  M 406 

George  S 386 

George  W 403 

Henrv  N 388 

Hidden .461 

James 186,  458,  461 

Dr.  James  F 311,  3i3,  671 

James  W .,. 664 

Jedediah .,208,  668 

Jeremiah 3S6 

Rev  Jesse  ,352 

John. .  .43,  379,  384^  385/ ioij  406,  624 


Brown,  John  F ^.672 

John  H 405 

John,  Jr 385 

John  P 664 

John  .S 180,  292,  455,  458,  459 

Jonathan 23,  43,  208,  384,  655 

Jonathan  C 647 

Jonathan  F 406 

Joseph ,  40,  41,  .197,  256,  265,  284, 
374,  379,  386. 

Joseph  P 395 

Marston  L.,  388;  mill 210,  230 

MiltonS 388 

Nathan 385 

Cant.  Nathan 871 

E.  F 403 

N.  F 403 

Orlando 405 

PoUy 630 

Rev.  Mr 76 

K.Baxter 402 

Richard  B t  •  .401 

Robinson 395 

Samuel,  82,  84,  130,  197,  198,  261, 
367,  368,  622. 

Sewel 976,  383 

Simon 677 

Dr  Stephen 666 

Thomas 68 

Titus 219 

AVilliam 197,  375,  390,  460,  620 

William  B 462 

AVilliam  G 395 

WUliam.  Jr 127 

Dr.  William  AV 313,  671 

Willis  H 396 

Bryant,  John 445,  459 

AValter,  Jr 62 

Buntin,  Andrew 385 

Burbeek,  John  G 409 

Burnham,  Harrison 396,  468 

Dr.  H.  B 310,674 

Miles 188,341 

Burpee,  family 480 

Nathaniel 376,  650,  652,  653 

Burrow.  Jona >  .379 

Bursiel.  Fr.ank  G 405 

Burt,  Rev.  David 660 

Bushnell's  hills  and  meadow 197 

Buswell,  tamily ..481 

Asa  E 403 

Charles  H 394 

.Tames  M 395 

Jacob  P ^  •  ■  •  •,_•  394 

Samuel 373,  645,  653 

Butler,  John 386 

Buttertield,  family 480 

Aaron 107 

.John 106,  625 

Zachariah 107,  207,  372 

Buttrick,  Otis  F 394 

Buzzel,  Henry 401 

Caldwell,  Joseph 374 

John 382 

Calfe,  or  Calef,  Daniel 482 

James 2,54,260 

Jolin,  family.  481;  2,3,19,23,25, 
28,  40,  51.  74,  78,  80, 81, 85, 86.  87, 
88.  92.  93,  95,  96.  234;  mill,  241, 
260,  455, 456,  456,  481. 

Jonathan 303,  627 

Joseph,  family  482;  133,  260,  276, 
303.384: 

King.' 260,  262 

Jlarv 623 

Robert  135;  mill 241 


684 


INDEX. 


Carlton,  Jolm 63 

jNIarv 632 

Sarah 630 

Camet,  John 375 

Jonathan 376 

Martha 628 

Teter 382 

Silas 2'H>,  370 

Campbell,  bridge 210 

Henry 374 

James 37,  82,  84,  86,  90,  196,  198 

Mill 229,  260,  316,  448,  456 

Kobert 85 

Canney,  Dr.  Hanson  C 314 

Cunningham,  Archi 82 

Daviil 126 

Cajiron,  Thomas 381 

Card,  James 406 

Peter 631 

Cargil,  David 64 

Carlv,  Thomas 107 

Carrigain,  Philip 32,  106 

Carr,  Wid.  Ann 150,  381 

Benjamin 638 

liradlmry,  liimily  .  .483;  259,  277,  456 

Bradbury  M 383 

Charles  B 401 

Daniel 385 

David  485 ;  his  wife 160 

Elizabeth 6.'5 

Capt.  James 378 

John,  family,  483;  25, 29,  69,  81,  90, 

92;  mill,  229,  0.33. 
John,  Jr.,  familj',  483;   261,r367, 
308,  309,  450. 

John,  of  Candia,  family 484 

Jonatlian '. 378 

Joseph.  family,;^485;  150,  211,  381, 
625,  628. 

Lucien 401 

Lewis  B 401 

Mark 390,  484 

Mary 029 

Samuel 4.S5 

Samuel  L 405 

Simeon 485 

Carswell.  John 82,  84,  2,50 

Wid.  Mary 260 

William 82,  84 

Cass,  Amos 15.  2.'.  28,  43 

Benjamin,  372,  376,  635,  638,  650,  651 

Ebenezer 43 

Gilinan  D 385 

John 9,43 

Jonathan,  Jr 43 

Jonathan 384,  385 

Joseph 375 

Lewis 43 

Eev.  Mr 349 

Samuel 43 

'  Cartland,  Tobias 438 

.  Cate,  Asa  P 460,  461 

John 61,62 

Lewis  H 405 

.  Chamberlain,  Mr 445 

Levi 400,  461 

■  Chandler,  Mr 172 

Abiel 438 

Jolm 144 

Jeremiah 384 

Ma,).  Timothy 438 

Zachari.ah  . . ." 192 

Chase,  Abigail 622 

Amos 343,  345,  364,  365,  4,58 

Aquila,  iamily 485 

BarucJi ". 487 

Benjamin,  family,  489;   345,  364, 
365,  447. 


Chase,  Benjamin  Pike,  family,  487;  133, 

153,  107,  172,  177,  215,  272,  294, 

298,  345,  304,  409,  442,  457,  628. 

Ben,iamin  H 672 

Benjamin,  Jr 447,  672 

Caleb 304 

Carle  ton.  Bishop 486 

Charles 458,  071 

Daniel,  family 486 

Dorothy 623 

Dudley,  family 487 

Rev.  Edwin  S 352 

Francis 228,434 

George  W 293 

Hannah 631 

Heber 487 

Hiram 307 

History  of  Haverhill,  13,  146,  268,  209 

Henry  F 458 

Horace 486 

Ithamar 487 

Jacob,  family,  489;   39,  11.5,  130, 

132,  1.39,  140,  142,  144,  145,  150, 

151,  1.52,  180,  195,  200,  205,  208, 

277,  282,  285,  375,  444,  455,  458, 

4G0. 

John 272,  386,  393 

Gen.  Jonathan 487 

Joseph 385,  457,  459 

Joseph  W 389,  671 

Josiah ISO,  257,  292,  299,  347,  457 

Leonard 485 

Moody,  family,  490;  124,126,133, 

1,50.290,  325,  381,409. 

Moses,  Sen.,  family 486 

Moses,  mill 240,  272,  384,  418 

Rev.  K.  H 042 

Key.  N.  L 061 

Perlev,  family,  486;  174, 175,  390,  446 

Perley  S 307,  455 

Philander,  Bishop 487 

Pike,  180,  187,  188,  195,  298,  358, 

444,461,672. 

Ruth 626 

Salmon,  Salmon  P 487 

Stephen,  Esq.,  fivmily.  489;  31,32, 

33,  89,  154, 150,  103,  100,  170,  173, 

174,  176,  177,  213,  217,  254,  328, 

427    442    457. 

Stephen  ,'Prof.' 306,  361,  364,  365 

Wells,  family,  487;  124,  ];53,  150, 

109,  208,  309,  381,  429,  430,  437, 

441,  444,  024,  073. 

Chapman,  Rev.  E.  D 000 

Cheever,  Master 284 

Cheney.  James 406 

Cheswell,  J.  B 458 

Childs.  Emerson 3.88 

Choate,  William 187 

Church,  Rev.  J.  H 353,  302 

Clatlin.  John  N 390 

Clark,  Billy  J 3.58 

Charles  A 388 

David 492 

Elizabeth 630 

George  ^V 4.58 

Henry 375 

George  P 197,401.492,  672 

John,  family,  491;  150,  373,  381, 

385.441;  niill,    243. 
John,  2d,  family,  491;    mill,  40, 

243,  180,   220,  349,  305,  440,  461 

629,  630. 

John  B 492 

JohnC 307,673 

Joseph,  family,  491 ;  259,  202 ;  wife, 

314.  4.54. 

Rev.  Mr 325,  330,  331 

Kancy 629 


INDEX. 


685 


Clark,  Nathaniel 225 

Noah     .....        .     446 

Noah  S 67-2 

Kichard  S     491,562 

Robert 402 

Moses  C  .   461 

Samuel 3S4 

Sarah 626 

William 394,  402 

Clav,  Daniel 380,  655 

David  F 388 

Franklin 403 

Frederic. 403 

George  W 401 

Henry 452 

James 368,  655 

John,  107,  373,  375,  580,  581,  633, 

634,  035,  G37. 
Jonas,  tamilv,  492;  107,  261,262, 
368,  369,  454,  666. 

Lorenzo 647 

Nehemiali 3.S5 

Samuel 382 

Sarah 627 

Stephen,  family 492 ;  174,  260 

Timothy *. 378 

"Walter   ...        376 

Clement,  Rev."Joiia.j'l82Vi86,  327,'  329, 
357,  .363. 

Clifford.  Anthony 375 

David 386 

Henry .385 

Isaac 6.55 

Israel 375 

Jacob 376 

John 374,  651 

Joseph 376,  3.S5 

Lemuel 30,  44.  424 

Mrs 644,  645 

Peter 44,  2G0.  262 

Kichard 8,  23.  44 

"William 666 

Zachariah 8,  23,  28,  44,  633,  644 

Clough,  Capt 227 

Jeremiah 367 

Jonathan 15,  23,  .50 

Richard 376 

Theophilus 633,  634,  6.37 

Timothy 6.55 

Cochran ". 41,  200 

HughB 395 

Jolm 374 

Tliomas  and  Peter 76 

Coffin,  History 146,  417 

John 628 

John  S 395 

Thomas 445,  4.57 

Colburn,  Willard  E 389 

Horace 404 

Colby,  Antliony  460 

Ben.aiah,'  f;imily,  494 ;   29,  260,  366, 

.372.  454. 
Enoch,  fixmilv.  493;  29,  64,  85,  92, 
93.   95,   115,    192.   193.   260.    275, 
276,  277.  .365,  372,  376,  410,  454, 
455,  4.56,  633,  653. 

Hannah 631 

Isiiac 377 

Jethro,  family,  494;  120,  130,  140, 
148,  155,  157,  324.  .377. 

John .373,  381,  383,  385,  631 

Joseph 209 

Moses 642 

Nathan,  family 495;  260,  262 

Rev.  Phillip 3.38 

Samuel 446,631 

Rev.  Zaccheus,  family,  495;  143, 
165,  169,  333,  334,  338. 


Cole,  Zaccheus    446 

James  A 388 

Jolm 392 

Hsnry  .393 

Collins,  Ebenezer 674 

oapL.  .>amuei  385 

William 403 

Coleman,  Edwin 395 

Thomas 629 

Colwell.  Thomas 82,  84 

William 84 

Conant,  Jona 380 

Conner,  Jeremiah 126 

Cooledge.  William  E.  C 388 

Cooper,  George 378,  379,  380 

Copp,  Rev.  H.  B 351 

Cossett,  Ambrose 219 

Cottle,  Mary 3 

Cotton.  John 44 

Seaborn 44 

Theophilus 44,  49,  69 

Couch.  John  S.,  mill 229,  458,  672 

Jacob 503 

William 69 

Coult,  Amherst 298,  358,  672 

George 395,  672 

Stephen  C 395,  672 

WiUiam 240,  343,  446 

Cowdery,  Samuel 12 

Cox.  Dr.  Marv  E 311 

Craige,  Alexander,  familv,  496 ;   25,  26, 

29,  40,  82,  84, 191, 192,  200, 260, 621. 

Andrew,  40,  82,  84,  90,  91,  108,  177, 

196 ;  mill,  230,  261,  275,  276,  277, 

456. 

David.  84,  135,  205,  259,  262,  275,  369 

Edward 259 

Elizabeth 627 

John 126,  180,  322,  368,  622 

Robert,  family 497 ;  124,  126 

Thomas,  108, 112, 199,  231, 260,  365, 
456. 

William,  family 497 ;  126, 208, 621 

Crawford,  familv 498 

John.  .  .12(3,  135,  152,  210,  211,  383,  445 

Robert 228 

William,  30,  38,  39,  82,  84,  111,  201,  621 

Craft,  James 371 

Cram,  Benj 657,  658,  667,  669 

George  B 406 

Isaiah 386 

John 8,  23,  44,  117,  194,  207,  655 

John  A 406 

Jlrs 645 

Orren  B 407 

Samuel 655 

Smith 383 

Wadleigh 207,  655 

Cressev,  .Tosei)h 384 

Critchct.  family 499 

Edward : 6.38 

James 439 

Moses .384,  386 

Thomas 633,  638,  666 

Crooker.  .Tabez 385,  527 

Stephen 52T 

Crombie,  fiimily 500 

Abigail 627 

Amos 628 

Benjamin 622 

Franklin 4.58,  460,  461 

Hugh 323,  456,  461 

Margaret 626 

Moses 630 

Crossett,  familv 500 

James,  82,  85,  441 ;  mill,  230 

Cross,  Abial ,373 


686 


INDEX. 


Cross  wait.  Jam  260 

William 15,  23,  51 

Cumniings,  j\lr 438 

Curdine,  John 405 

Currier,  Abigail 623 

Anna 630 

Benjamin,  familv,   501;  144,145, 
147.  148,  156,  2i5,  368,  376,  383. 

Charles 672 

De:i,  i^avid.  familv,  502j  159,345, 

370,371,  374,  626. 
David,  Esq.,  186,  187, 188,  270, 358, 
455,  457,  459,  461,  672. 

Ebenezcr 380,  627 

Edward 382 

Elizabeth 625 

P>,ekiel 434 

Gi.leon 372,  C25 

HiMien 4>C 

Jolm  .S :>■  's 

Jonathan 383 

Rev.  Joseph ; .  .638 

Joshua 253,  256 

Mrs 282,  283 

Kichard ,  . .  .385 

Kidiard  H ;. 380 

Simeon .,'L..  .(i'23 

Thomas,  family C02 

Daltox,  family .503 

Caleb 120,  .nCT 

John • 368 

S^iumel 808,  377,  37!) 

Dame,  Samtiel 400 

Dane,  .losejih  390 

.  Danforlli.  Ji>iiathan 12 

Daniels.  David  R 401 

Darrab.  Artliur 373 

"William 15,24  50,40] 

Darty,  Thi.mas 393 

Davies,  Amos : S."?! 

Davis r.03 

Beniamin 629 

Dani.^1 ...195.441 

D.aiiielC ...;.... 40:5 

Hazen .195,  196,  446,  393 

IlenrvO 387 

Rev.  James 3.32 

John 39.-! 

Jonathan 3S2 

.      Joseph  L 394 

Rev.  Josiali "  !7 

Marv ^'31 

Molly <;28 

Mnees  B 39r, 

Pattv f:.-:0 

\\'arren  J 3fi5 

Daver,  Robert 84 

Dean.  Thomas 19,  23,  28,44,  48 

Dearborn,  fomily 5f"3 

Alfred  S •...348 

A.sa 372,376 

Beniamin 261,  26-2,  443 

Charles 40.i 

Charles  A .390 

Dr.  Cvrns...  310 

David  J v.... 390 

Dea.  Ebenezer,  familv.  5'5;j23, 
28,  29,  35.  .37,  44,  74.  T.'i.  76,  77, 
78,80.  81.  95.  96,  198,  227.  200, 
262,  276,  277,  365.  44.3.  454.  621. 
Lient.  Ebenezer.  fapiilv,  505;  96, 
1,37.  227,  200,  27.5,  374,  448,  454, 
4.50.  621. 

Ebenezer -  624 

Dr.  Ebenezer 310,  672 

Dr.  Edward ' .310 

Elizabeth 628 

Heath .377 

Gen.  Henry^ .505 


't ' 


Dearborn,  Horace         401 

John        376 

John  C       ...  661 

Dr.  John .314 

Joun  H 406 

Dea.  John  S.,  family,  508;  89, 130 
■  136,  144,  147,  284,  324. 
Jonathan,  tUe  grantee,  9,  23,  44; 
\  of  Haymond,  206,  655,  6.56. 

Jonathan,  family,  .506;  136,  373,  634 
I     Joseph.  26,  124,  126,  135,  324.  372, 
.376,  430. 

Josiah 373 

Leonard  F 403 

Lydia'. 180 

.'    Mehitabel 624 

Michael 227, 259 

Mill 208,  220,  238,  653 

N.J.;.. 403 

Peter,  family,  5071  90,  135,  260, 

263,  277.      ■ 
Richard. ...  156, 174,  175*  442,  457,  458 

Samuel 375 

Sherburne 374,  628 

Col.  Stephen,  fain ilj',5rG;  324,126, 
1.30,  1.T!,  1.35,  «39,  14.5,  147,  149, 
1.50,  1.50,  161,  220,  221,  28.5,  324, 
366,  368^  .374,,  381,  401,  437,  444, 
4.55,  456,  457,  459,  460,  461,  ■6:4. 

Susanna 630 

Thomas,  family,  .50? ;  227,  238, 261,  375 

"\yilliam 386 

AVoodbury  D. 403 

DeForrcst,  Rev.  Mr 351 

1  Delos,  Charle*! ,. . .  ..394 

;  Dela]),  James .383 

Demerritt.  John  Y ...v 394 

I  Dennett,  Er'hraim,  4,  8,  10,  18,'  19,  20, 
'    •  23,  25,51. 

I  Dickey,  ftnnily ; . . . .  ..503 

Adam 259 

David 126 

I   ,  David  B •. 672 

.  John 82,84,2.59,621 

!  Matthew , 374,  386 

I JDinsmore,  family .509 

'  Arflinr 126,296,461 

David 126 

Elizabeth 622 

Hannah 632. 

Isaac 'i . 229 

J.u.ics 3is4 

John .^S4 

Olonzo  It 343,  672 

Reuben .386 

Robert 126,  177,  374 

Samuel.  124,  176,  179,  34.5,  372, 
453.459,460,401. 

Dockham.  Heiirv ...461 

Sally ...;.. 032 

Dodge,  Charles  E 407 

Orrin  T... 387,  406 

Dollofl".  Clement 6.58 

Cyrus  S 389 

Joseph 3S3 

Thomas .sgo,  .3S3 

Donagiuie.  Frank .,387 

DonaM.  Stephen .'?74 

Donelson,  Rev.R.  J...   ..351,  661 

Donnellv,  Patrick 404 

Dolby.  faniilT.. .511 

Dollo^,  Clement 655,  656,  &58 

Donovan,  Alexander 628 

blaster ■ . . .  284 

Dennis 396,  624 

Dow,  Cliarles 406 

Dr.  D.  A .313 

Dowries,  J.  Prescott. 6.55 

DownincT,  Col 102,  .366 

Eunice 628 


3NDEIS. 


687 


Doyne,  Daniel 3-SO 

Drake.  Abraham y,  '23,  44 

Natlianiel 23,  44 

Kobert 44 

Samuel  G 44 

Draper,  Lorenzo 642 

Dresser,  Master, 277 

Dudley,  family 5U 

Diviil 401 

Elbridge  G 663 

Gilman 373,  633 

James 386 

James  T 512 

John 374,  657,  662,  666,  667,  669 

Joseph 368,  656,  667,  668 

Joseph  F 647,  663 

Mill 206,  207, 251,  665 

Moses 3S4 

]Mrs 283 

:Kancv  H 673 

Samuel 116,  3GS,  641,  652,  656 

Stephen 3, 14, 511 

Dunbar,  Rev.  Duncan 347 

Duncan ,  James  &  How 49 

Mrs 49 

William  H 646 

Dunn,  Reuben  H 403 

Dunning,  Kev.  C.  U 352 

Diiulap,  family 513 

Archi llf>,  111,  260 

James 118,  135,  366 

John 383 

Joseph 118 

Martha 622 

Samuel 373 

DusLin.  family 513 

Col.  Moses 127, 141,  370 

Lieut 651 

Mr 417 

D'.vight.  Cyrus  W 407 

Dwiunel,  John 172 

Eastxax,  Eben 15,23,50,  194,  367 

Ira  A.  ; 460 

Eev.  L.  L 661 

Samuel,  mUl 248, 44.5,  633,  652 

Eaton,  family 514 

.  Abigiul 6-25 

Ale.Xiiucler 382,  444 

Rev,  Asa 514 

Ben.iainin,  168,  176,  177,  375,  382, 
386,  305. 

Cyrus 231 

Ebenezer 368,  382 

Epbraim ■.  .646 

Henry  M 653 

James 368 

James  H 649 

Josse 376 

John 382 

Oliver 413 

Mr 1.5.3 

Paul 373 

Peter 634 

Richard 385 

Vrilliam 3S6 

Willie  F 405 

Eayers.  William 374 

Edgdrlv,  neii.i:»uiin 384 

Charles  H 406 

Edmonds,  George  E 395 

Edwards.  Albert  F.  B 388,  .389 

Dinah 624 

Dr.  Justin 359 

Samuel  M 231 

Elkius.  Dea.  Moses 79 

Samuel 8 

Elliot,  family 515 

Edmund 368 


Elhot,  Ephraim 28 

Jacob,  Lt.,  215.  344,  375,  377,  378, 
445,  626. 

Jacob  J 389 

J.  M.  M 209,  387,  388 

John 375 

Widow 623 

WUliam 203,  204 

Emerson,  family 516 

Abraham.' 4ul,  646 

Amos 130,  323,  324,  370,  377,  378 

Ansel 402 

David 385 

Dea.  Edward 24,  49,  79,  453 

Frederic  F 403 

George 401 

Hannah 631 

John,  33. 154, 174, 177.  212, 214, 215, 
325,  328,  376,  455,  457,  626. 

JohnD 647 

John  S 305 

Jonathan 15,  23,  49,  74,  369,  385 

Luther  W 648 

Moses 375,  445 

Rev.  Mr 661 

Nathaniel,  family,  517 ;   208,  210, 
370,  633.  634,  635,  645,  650,  651. 

Nathaniel  F 184,  293 

Polly 630 

Richard .32,  634 

Saujuel,  family;  517.  30,  37.  39,  49, 

65,  67.  m,  87,  88.  !}5,  96,  121,  13.5, 

141,  148,  154,  2-34,  260,  304.  367, 

454,  455.  456,  458,  621,  634,  655. 

Widow IMarv.. .   141 

Emery,  Alfied  D.\ 395 

Alonzo  D 393,  394 

Ben.j.  D 396 

Carlton 395 

Eben  S 393 

John 167 

Jonathan,  family,  518;  150,  174, 
175.:?81. 

Hendrick 400 

Ri(;hard.  family,  ...  .518; 366, 368,  369 

Stephen 461 

Sylvester  E 395 

Erwin  or  Arw  in,  Henry,  family..  .465;  367 

Ethridge.  Nathl 368,  655,  656 

Evans.  Capt.  George 384 

blaster 294 

Mrs 628 

Samuel  W .384 

Everet.  Aaron .'586 

G.  W 33,  294,  406 

Juseiih 386,  387 

Fales,  James 15,  '24.  50 

Rev.  Mr .351 

Farewell,  Capt.  Isaac 377 

Farnham,  Stephen 631 

Farnsworth.  Rev.  Seth  600 

Farrel,  James 387 

Fellows,  Benjamin .375 

Ferguson,  James 374 

John 374 

Ferren.  A "54 

William  H 406 

Field,  family 519 

Robert 405 

Fifield.  Ben 8 

Charles 404 

Edward 9 

Francis 401 

George  C 403 

JohnC 405 

Lorenzo 401 

Stephen 401 

Fiske,  Col.  Mark 218 


688 


INDEX. 


FItts,    family 519 

Abigail 624 

Abraham,  376,  633,  635,  637,  645, 

650,  651. 
Benjamin,  1T3,  176,  200,  213,  357, 
446,  458,  459,  451,  628. 

Ephraim 142,  376 

Franklin 649 

Frederick 271,  634 

James  H 649 

J.  Frank 649 

J.Lane 401 

J.M 661 

Moses 271 

Moses  H 646 

Mr 437 

Nathan 135,  140,  376,  443 

Reuben  IT 405 

William  G 405 

Fitzrun,  Carlz 405 

Flagg.  familv 521 

Rev.  Ebenezer,  26,  40,  41,73.81, 
82,  86,  91,  93,  9.5,  105,  110,  111, 
114,  11.5,  118,  119,  121,  148,  150, 
1.56,  157,  160,  283,  317,  318,  326, 
329,  444,  622. 

Edmund 304 

John 283..303 

Josiah,  156,  157,  IGl,  283,  284,  376, 
456,  662. 

Fletcher,  Samuel 362 

Flint 628 

Flood.  Henrv 669 

Richard 378,  379,  380,  383 

Fogg,  Alvah 406 

Benjamin 8 

Benoni 23,  44 

Daniel 44 

Enoch 655,  656 

James 9,  23,  44 

Josiah 207,  655,  656,  669 

Samuel 44,  375 

Stephen 375,  655, 6.56 

Folsom,  familv 522 

Kev.  Abraham 351,  3.52 

Arthur 308 

David 309 

Francis 385 

Irving 407 

John,  168,  172,  175,  176,  178,  179, 
180,  209.  215,  216,  219,  256,  257, 
202,  345,  412,  442,  455,  457,  458, 
4.59. 

John  D 407 

JohnF 661 

Richard 309 

Ford,  Robert 15,  24,  28,  51 

Forsaith,  family 524 

Esther 314 

Jonathan .377,  379 

Josiah 231,  373,  383,  457,  6.30 

Master 645 

Matthew,  109,  in,  129,  1.30,  140, 

142,  144,  1.52,  2.59,  456.  621. 
Matthew.  Jr.,  135,  285,  336,   388; 

mill,  231. 
Robert 118,  344,  446 

Foss,  familv 525 

David 209 

E.  W 403 

Isaac 29,  S:60,  275,  454,  4.55 

John 260 

Tabitha 311 

Timothv 368 

Elder  Tobias 661 

Foster.  Daniel 120,  .367 

^Nloses 367 

Fowler,  femily 525 

Thomas 124,  206,  208 


Fox,  Andrew     .,  396,  400,    60  461,  462,  672 

Beiijamhi 382 

Ezekiel  aud  .Sarah 343 

John 383 

William  Jf 375 

fVain,  John 118 

Freeze,  Jacob 218,  219 

Fremont,  John  C 452 

Fry,  Dr.  Peter  Y 665 

French,  familv 525 

Arthur  L 309 

Benjamin 199,  218 

Benjamin  B 673 

Daniel,  163,  175,  180,  214,  215,  217, 
270,  315,  329,  412, 445. 

David  C 388 

F.  0 673 

George  H 648 

Henry  F 184,  270,  315,  447,  672 

Jabez,  40,  73,  107,  121,   129,  201, 
366,  371,  622. 

James 434,  442 

James  P 385 

John 446 

Dea.  Joseph 79 

Mrs 292 

vs.  Morse 11 

Nathan 384 

Dea.  Nathaniel 439 

Samuel  F 648 

Roberts 457 

Sargent 386 

Simon 208,  216,  441 

ZeT>haniah 115,  121 

Frost,  William 100,  102 

Fry,  Caiit.  Ebenezer 377 

Fuller,  Benjamin 368,  375 

Charles 405 

Widow 623 

FuUonton.  famil}' 529 

George  S 40G 

James 117,  368,  382, 445,  655,  656 

Jeremiah 641 

^John 206,  655,  663,  665,  668,  «69 

Jona 382,  383 

Joseph 382,  383 

Rev.  Joseph 207,  406,  661,  670 

J.  Francis 406 

Funiald,  ?:ider  S.  P 642 

Furnel,  William 378,  379 

Gage,  Mr 269 

Pierce 373 

John 368,  369 

Gale,  Llovd  G 390 

Reuben 385 

Steiihcn 657 

Dr.  Stephen 665 

Stickney  S 387 

Gambel  or  Gamble,  family .530 

S.amuel 203,  237 

William 107,  202 

Gambling,  Benjamin 8,  22,  51 

Robert 51 

Gammet,  John 375 

Gannon,  James 401 

Garland.  Jacob 23,  44 

John 44 

Garton,  Thomas 9 

Garrison,  William 378,  379,  380 

Wm.  Lloyd 361 

Gault,  familv 530 

Matthew 369 

Samuel 40,  41,  106,  369 

George,  Gideon 212,  217 

James 6.58 

Gerah,  James 390 

Gerrish,  Timothy 60 

Gial,  Ebenezer 259 


INDEX. 


689 


Gibbs,  Mr 270 

Gibson,  Samuel "118 

Gideons,  Zebulon 100, 101, 102 

Gilbert,  Mary 313 

Rev.  IVii- 318 

"W".  1 396 

Gilcluist,  Gilcreasor  liilclirist,  fe,mily..531 

.Alexander 531 

Robert 82,  84, 124,  259 

WUliam 108,  110, 126 

Gile  or  Guile,  Augustus  B 403 

ElJsbaT 407 

Ephraim 15,  24,  50 

John 406 

John  A 403 

Joseph 655 

Gill,  Da  rid 386 

Gillis,  Jona '. 172 

Gilnian,  Caleb 382 

Col.  David 372,  373 

Ed^yard 8, 15, 23,  48 

George  W 406 

Gilford  F 406 

Capt.  Israel 100, 101 

Jacob 8, 15,  23,  35»  48,  193 

John 9,  24,  48,  63,  440 

John  T 161,  459 

Joseph 382 

J.W 268 

Mrs frl5 

Kicholas 134,  373, 057 

Col.  Peter 98,  100 

Ruth 670 

Ilev.  Tristram 637,  638,  659 

GUlingham,  NeLson 390 

Gleason,  Edward 407 

Hiram 407 

Hkam  G 403 

Joseph 107 

Joseph  Ij 403 

Timothy 406 

Glen,  GUnn  or  Gljoi,  ftimily 533 

Jane 621 

Thomas 29,  82,  84,  261,  454,  455 

Glidden,  family 534 

David 384 

Mary 029 

Xathaniel 534 

Grodfrey,  Daniel 416 

Edwin  J 401 

William S,  23,  44 

Goffe,  John 307,  369 

Goldsmith,  Albert  B 389 

Charles  A 309 

Nathan  B 4C1 

Goodhue,  fiimily 533 

Jonathan 29,  454 

Goodwin,  George  W 394 

Ichabod 460,401 

JohnH 395 

Gordon  family 534 

Daniel,"jun G55 

Eliphalet 373,  382,  3S3 

Ithiel 368,  382,  383,  667,  668 

James  K • . .  443,  458 

Josiah 374 

Marv 314,  621 

Micliael li:6 

Robert 260,  367,  368 

Thomas 667 

Goss,  Charles 175,  459,  475 

Gotham,  Henry 382 

Gould,  Mrs.  Dr.  T.  M 427,  005 

Gove,  George  S 406,  407 

Graham  or  Grimes,  famUy 534 

James 118, 124,  152,  369 

John,  124,  135,  147,  152,  154,  157, 
159,  210,  270,  345,  367. 


Graham,  Robert  30, 82,  84,  85,  152,  259,  621 

Samuel ; 325 

WilUam,  84,  124,  133, 154, 175, 178, 
228;  mill,  243,  2.56,  259,  260,  277, 
457  459    629. 

Grant,  Charles  C." . '. 200,  461, 672 

Charles  H 394 

Grattau,  John 382 

Graves,  True  C 384 

Grear,  Thomas 113 

Green,  Amos '630 

Betsey 631 

Jacob 8,347 

Jiunes 406 

Jonathan 381 

Rev.  Silas 661 

Susannah 627 

William  B 406 

Wilham  1 458 

Greenleaf,  Abner 363 

Greenough,  family 535 

Augustus  P 389 

Daniel 135,  434 

Huidah 627 

William 384,  385,  444,  455 

Capt.  William  S 389 

Griffin,  family 536 

David 661 

George  G.,  mill 243,  672 

George  W 403 

Henry  C 393 

Israel 372 

Jacob 208,  369 

Jeremiah 150,  254,  378,  380,  381 

John 627 

Kathan 88, 189,  217,  630 

Nathaniel 375,  377,  383 

Obadiah 655 

PliiUip 107,  210,  445 

William 383 

William  Y 40T 

Gunston,  William 393 

Gurdey,  Hannah 622 


Hackett,  Mr 363 

Hackney,  Felix  C 393,  394 

Hagan,  John  C 393 

Hall,  fixmily 536 

Alfred 673 

Benjamin 165,  246, 372,  457 

B.  B 351 

Caleb.  124, 133, 147  150;  mill,  239, 
243,370,  376,  381,  441,  625. 

Charlotte 632 

Clark  B 671 

David,  157. 188,  215,  347,  375,  347, 
375,  445. 

Daniel 403 

E.tna 626 

Edward 63 

Elijah 299 

George  W 396 

Graham 188,  672,  673 

Hannah 630 

Harriet  Xewell 672 

Henry 28,  96,  261,  366,  384,  632 

Henry  J 306 

Hiram 672, 673 

Isaac 364,630 

Jesse 390 

John 112,  203,  368,  385,  401 

Jonathan.    88,  135,  260,  202,  430,  622 

Joseph 165,  428,  625 

Joshua, 35,  107, 206,  296,  627 

Josiah 165,  375,  625 

Dr.  Josiah  1 310,  672 

Judith 625 


^ii. 


44 


690 


INDEX. 


Hall,  Liicretia 639 

xMarv •. .  .3U,  625 

Martha 629 

M'  ises 629 

Mill .....239,249 

Mr 270 

Rev.  Mr 637 

yatliniiiel 260,262,  622 

Obailiali 372 

Obeiledom.  miti.  249,  396,  537,  633, 
652. 

Peter Ill  174, 175,  626,  629 

Keabeu 372,  377,  379 

Kutb 625 

Villa|;e 33,  200 

William ..3S0,  4G1 

Hale,  Kev.  Moses.  26.  40,  73,  74,  75,  76, 
78,  79.80,85,  316  317. 

Col.  Kathan .">2 

William 40 

Haley.  Kdward 

Jinmilton.  Alexander 

Ed  vard 

Hamlin.  ItcT.  George  J'' 

!l-m,  Jniiies 

Hand,  Uev.  J.T 

Haiisou  Cliarle.s 

Hardy - 

Xatliauiel 4i>3 

Harkiiis,  Iv'^iv.  C.  "W 351 

Harl  (\v,  Albert 4'il 

Rev.  W 170,174,  3?..S 

Harper,  Widi)\v i;.:; 

Hairimaii,  Ihiuily .jiiO 

Aimer , 9 

David 641 

n.j^lv:'M'.'.'.['...  '.'.' 

•  .•iiill ■   ; 

Hui  -.373 

Ha;  i-ge  W...  ■)«>2 

I'V 

Ha.:  iiE 

Haiv.  ■.    •■    ::u -".i 

Mti  tihew 459 

Mill 

Tli^.mas 

na.'il^i,     ■  Haselton,  family. . . 

22ii,  568 

fi^fi 

in,  174,  -.1 


a,29,35,37,./s  i>^,  ,_.,  io, 
.  92,  93,  160,  277,  295,  454, 

;.:c. 

FranLws 671 

.1     I       s9,    130,  2-.,  — ,  _U0,  276, 
'.4G,  456,  630. 


\V. 


.175, 2-7,  ;;7(;.  3- 


:   S oltf- 

o,  374,  6:30 

■^15,  23,  5:.  ::;-',  374,226, 

.  135,140.     '03,366, 


-.  2S,  115.  2"^.  277.  2?'.  4"7. 
'"),  450. 
Jliam 


.631 
.352 


Haskall,  Moses 444 

Ha«ou,  Albert :  389 

Ha.«tings,  Robert 379 

Hawkins,  Oliver 223 

Haynes,  Edwin 403 

John 406 

John  A 403 

Dr.  Jolm  0 665 

Matthias 372,  6.58 

Mr 196 

Oliver 403 

Samupl,  225 ;  mill 240,  418 

"Wells  C 401 

Hazen,  Thornton 394 

Hazard.  Jason 382 

Mr 277, 283, 373,  376,  377 

Mrs 645 

Hazzen,  Richard 12, 194 

Ho;iil,  farailv 542 

X.athaniel,  163,   168,  176,  178,  214, 
;.'."«.  :M9.  445. 

Kait. 672 

Samuel 178 

Tavern 40,216 

Healev,  family 543 

Abraham  S 406 

Davi<l  S 407 

George  W 406 

Moses 386 

Mr.« 133 

Nathaniel 8, 35,  44,  73 

NeLsoii 644 

Paul 367,  368,  377 

Phineas 384,  385 

Siiuiuel  G 407 

Smith  666 

William,  8,  23,  29,  44,  260,  2G2,  275, 
621. 

riearne,  Mr 207 

Heath,  family 544 

Abigail  C 629 

Asa 644 

David 644 

Dearborn 373,  377.  378 

Klijah .324 

E.  A 210,461 

Franks 406 

Samuel  ISI 407 

Simon  A 216 

Rev.  S.  P 661 

Stephen 183 

HerricU,  Mr 284 

Rev.  Wm.T 640 

Herring,  Mr 277,  283 

Hcrsev,  J.-imes 382 

Hicks,'  William 444 

Hickev.  .John 277 

Iliddeii,  Rev.  E.  N 640 

Hililretb,  Ephraim 68 

Hill,  Jsa.ac 452,  453 

JohnH .406 

Robert  H 380 

Hillard,  Mr 63T 

Hills,  faniilv 544 

Abiier 130.  210 

Beniamin,  93,95. 96,  97, 98,  99, 106, 
275,  2S3,  285,  32S,  443,  445,  456, 
0-21,  622,624,627. 
Benj.  .Jr.,  174,  212;  mill,  231,  260, 
275. 

Calvin 28 

David 368,  3T0,  372,  382,  6.33 

E 215 

Edmund 634 

Edwards 177 

Francis 443 

ri.innah 629 

lac.  101.  214,  215;  mUl,  232,  362, 
623,  628. 


INDEX. 


691 


Hills.  Isaac,  negro 156 

Jacob,  28,  130,  150,  157,  199,  209, 
373,  623. 

John 370,  371,  376 

Dea.  Jolin 262,  376,  425,  441,  653 

Joiiathau 633 

Joseph 256,  372,  626 

Josiah 377 

Blarv 630 

Mehitabel 628 

Tyloses 28, 124, 126,  135,  261,  372 

Parker 3H6 

Pruilence 626 

Kuth 256 

Samuel 261,  375 

Stephen 174,  214,  625 

Warren  J 388 

Hitchcock,  Mr 224 

Hobbs,  Joseph 374 

IVlorice 192 

Hodgkins,  family 549 

Daniel. . . ." 549 

Dr.  Francis 6G4 

Mrs 256 

Hogg,  John 202 

Hoit,  family 548 

Aphia 624 

Betty 628 

Charles  W 403 

Dolly 298,631 

Ephraim 8 

Jabez,  67,  121,  130,  142,  144.  145, 
147,  148,  149,  150,  155,  376,  381, 
45o.  457,  623. 

James 256,  461 

John 205,  428,  623 

Levi 348 

Miriam 624 

Molly 624 

IMotlier 413 

Pamela 630 

Samuel 377,  378,  379 

"WiUiam 623,  461 

Holhrook.  Aaron 161,  166,  167 

Holland,  Robert 382 

Holmes.  Elder  Hiram, 061 

Rev.  James,  108. 157,  347,  360,  445,  461 

Jonathan '. 374 

Lucien 394 

Holt,  Hum]phrey 374 

Samuel 379 

Holuian.  Anderson 458 

Daniel 655 

Ezekiel 382 

Jonathan 386 

Jonathan  P 406 

Homaus,  Jns 217,  652 

Hook.  Abraham 461 

George  W 4.58 

Henry  H 389 

Israel,  J.  T.  and  Samuel,  mill . .  .247 

James. . .' 671 

Mill 211 

Samuel 446 

Horn,  James 124 

Horner,  Thomas 82 

Hosden,  John 386 

Hough,  George 268 

Houston.  Samuel 378,  379,  380 

How,  Mr 282 

Rev.  Mr 640 

Tillotson 332 

Howard,  Richard 405 

Howe,  David  and  Franklin,  mill 244 

Hovev's  shears 256 

Hoxie,  Mr 410 

Hubbard,  Benjamin .376 

Charles 648 


Hubbard,  Colonel 161 

Henry 460 

Joseph 385 

Haghes,  Clement,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8, 10, 14,  17, 
18,  10,  20, 23,  30,  42,  51,  61,  69,  70, 

71.  75,  453. 

John 374 

Hunkins.  Col.  Mark 24,  51 

John 434 

Hunton,  Mary 629 

Huntoon,  Asa 644 

Hunt,  Humphrey 382 

Hunter,  James  and  Silas 442 

Hurd,  Kelson 404 

Huse,  Isa.TC 172 

Huhs,  Israel 29 

Hutchins,  Abel  and  Levi 438,  439 

Capt.  Hezekiah 370 

IKGALLS,  family 549 

Eldad 29,71,454 

Nathaniel 633 

PerlevC 389 

Samuel,  2, 15,  16,  19,  20,  23,  27,  28, 
34,  37.  38,  39.  40,  49.  59,  62,  69, 70, 

72,  73,  74,  75,  76.  77.  78.  80,  84, 
88,  89.  9  ■,  92.  197,  260,  275,  305, 
309,  453,  454,  455,  4.56. 

Sarnh 282 

Timothy 259,  378 

Jack,  family 550 

AndreW. . .  .114,  117,  120,  125,  281, 

344,  366,  456. 

Marv 344 

Robert 344 

Jackson,  Gen 452 

James.  Josiah  S 407 

William  T.,  stoves 410,  412 

Jaquish,  .Tohn 15,  24,  50 

Richard 15,  24,  50 

Jeel,  James 382 

Jeffrey,  George 14,  24,  52,  59 

James 101 

Jenness.  GOman 309 

Jewell.  Enos 378,  379,  380 

Joseph 9S,  99,  382 

Timothv 373,  383 

Jewett,  Rev.  "L  327 

Rev.  :Nrr 3,'<,  0.'59 

Paul 45C64 

Johnson,  Geo 06 

Jesse 440 

JolmC 384 

Nicholas 405 

Stephen 15,  24,  50 

Jones,  Charles 407 

Charles  A 403 

Rev.  Isaac 640 

Mr P"6 

Pond  207,0(5 

Jorden,  Daniel 055 

Kallock,  Rev.  George 347 

(For  Karr,  see  Carr.) 

Kelly,  family 550 

Ephraim 446,  457 

Dea.  Ezekiel  H.,  150, 212.  298, 344, 

345,  381,  431. 

Israel  W 167 

John 315 

Kendall,  Mr 189,  269,  270 

Samuel 631 

His  wife 630 

Kennard,  Robert  P 407 

Kennedy,  Robert 367,  368 

Kenuiston,  Mr 390 

William  H 406 


692 


INDEX. 


Kent,  family 551 

Amos,  162.  1G3,  168,  174,  176.  177, 
214,  215.  315,  445. 

Charles  H 387 

George 362 

James  M 4.58,  460 

John 381,382 

Lucien 455,  458 

Keogan,  Rev.  J 352 

Keyes,  Stephen 378,  370,  380 

Kezar,  Timothy 453 

Kimball,  family 551 

Amos 375,  384 

Benjamin 49 

Charles  VV 309 

David 216 

Deacon 415 

George  C 396 

Henry 382 

Jertediah 441 

John 629 

Jonathan 15,  24,  28,  49 

Lewis 445,  458 

Zibah 373 

Kitig,  Mr 435 

Kittridge,  family 551 

Dr.  Benjamin,  176,  177.  214,  215, 
.312,  673. 

Dr 151 

E'lmunfl  W 308.  673 

Dr.  Rufus 176,  177,  218,  312 

Kufus  J 307 

Knock.  JeJedlah • 379 

Jonathan 379 

Knowles,  family 552 

Amos 373,  375,  376 

Ezokiel 372 

Elder  J 642 

John. . .  .9,  277,  298.  372,  375,  379,  632 
Joseph,  206,  372,  376;   Mr.,  277; 

mill,  446. 
Kathan.  169.  174,  176,  jlH;  mUl, 
233,  625,  629. 

Robert 628 

Susaima 629 

Knox,  Mr 40.  41 

Itebert ; 85 

Krotzer,  Janiea 394 

Ladd,  D.ar.iel 9,  429 

Capt.  Daniel 367 

John 9 

Lakin,  John 022 

lyamey,  Michael 377 

Lancaster,  Rev.  Thomas 638 

Lane,  family 553 

Anna 631 

Charles  M 403 

Charles  W 407 

Daniel 116,  655,  666,  670 

Daniel  N 664 

David....... 10,  655,  662,  666 

Dudley 661 

Ed^\-ard  P 403 

Ezekiel,  117,  .374,  655,  657, 662,  666,  C67 

Hannah 627,  629 

Isa.ac 174,  175,  444,  447,  4i58.  671 

Isaiah 385,  649 

Jacob 372,  377 

James  D 458 

James  P 648 

John,  35,  130,  206,  208,  279,  283, 
284,  296,  366,  372.  376,  377,  379, 
381,382,384,458,631,  634. 

John.  Jr 35, 130, 150,  371,  374 

Dea.  John 192,  371,  632 

John,  Esq 172,  184 

John  F 407 

Joshua  tr 661 

Josiah  W 4C6 


Lajie,  Nathan 35,  372 

Richard  E &17 

Samuel 3ii5 

Langdon,  John 415,  459 

Langlev,  Edmund  J 401 

Daniel  B 403 

Langmaid.  Daniel 434 

Larkiu,  Wallace  T 388 

Larabee,  Mrs 627 

Lary,  Voltaire  E 461 

Lawrence.  Richard  C 389 

Leatch,  family 556 

David 386 

James 126 

Dea.  "William 112. 113 

Lieut.  William 124,  259,  345 

Leathhe.ad,  Robert 413 

Lcarnard,  Silas  F.,  348,  388,  389,  391, 
302,  393.  447,  458,  460,  671. 

Arthur  T : 386 

Leavltt,  Amos  D 382 

Daniel 17 

flames 9 

John 372 

Joset)h  D 383 

Moses 76,  77,  100,  375,  454 

Nathaniel 381 

Nehcmiah 8 

Thomas 9,  23,  46 

Lelghton,  W.  W.,  461;   and  Lufkin, 
mill,  243,  672. 

Leonard,  Thomas 384 

Leslie,  Barber 204 

Libbev,  Benjamin 368 

"Daniel 382 

David 382 

James 375,  383 

Jeremy 268 

Lincoln,  Mason 434 

Linn,  family 555 

Joseph,  67, 124.  127,  135, 144,  147, 
14«,  149,  157,  368;  371,  372,  445, 
456,  623. 

Nathaniel 40,  124 

Mrs 415 

Nathaniel  W 176 

Little,  Elizabeth 623 

Moses 3 

Littlefleld,  Joseph  A 407 

Littlehale,  John 15,  24.  50 

Livermore,  Arthur 60,  315,  458 

Daniel 155 

Locke,  family 556 

John,  mill 233,  349,  424,  627,  4.58 

Jonathan 100,  101 

Samuel  1 407 

True  T 458 

"William,  142,  149,  156,  135;  mUl, 
233,  416.  446,  624. 

William  M 387 

Logan,  John 406 

Long,  family 556 

Benjamin 371,  457 

Colonel 382 

Joseph 177,  371,  625 

Nar.mi 623 

Widow 120 

Loveland,  Rev.  Mr 661 

Lovereign,  Eben 23.  49 

Gihnan 385 

John 381,382 

Marv 670 

Theodore 383 

Theophilus 372,  382,  383,  670 

Lovitt,  John  T 389 

Lorrane,  Jos 9 

Low  and  Damon 438 

Gen.  Joseph 186 

Lowell.  Abner 407 

Rev.  John. 79 


INDEX. 


693 


Luf  kin,  family 557 

Amos 307 

Jacob 395,  460,  461 

Mr 200 

Nehemiah 629 

Stcplien 135,  377,  379 

Lundy,  Beiijamm 001 

Lunt,  Daniel 61.  62 

Timothy 371 

Lurvie,  Peter • 253 

Lyman,  Charles  H 395 

Mack.  Daniel  J.,  and  S 216 

James 383 

Mann,  Charles 380 

Manning,  Rev.  A 181,  338,  .349 

Dr.  John 311 

Manler,  Dr.  G.  W 314 

Magoon,  John 3^1 

3Ioses  C 384 

l>r.  Mo.ses  L GG5 

Kathan  H 4(  G 

Mansfield,  George 378,  379,  ?80 

Manson.  Kev.  A.  C 661 

Elder  B.  S     642 

March.  Clement 100, 102 

Stephen 198 

Marden,  family 558 

Ebenezer 458 

George 201,  204,  206,  624 

James 201 

Sarah 625 

Stephen 368,  6.55 

Marks,  Capt 3^2 

Thomas 405 

ZMars.  John 384 

Marsh.  D.  and  J 418 

Jona 192 

Rev.  Mr .351 

Marshal,  family 5.58 

Hawley 4-27 

Moses 119,  324 

Marston,  Cant 377 

Charles 384 

Cvrus  F 390 

Joseph 378,  382 

Samuel 23,  45 

Thomas 45 

AVilliam 45,  323 

Martin,  family 557  '. 

Daniel 118,  120,  367  ] 

Du.llev  J .388  I 

John 120 

Joshua 386  ' 

Nathaniel 211,  384,  455  \ 

Xoah 460,461 

Robert 299,  630  ' 

Samuel 118,  120 

Mason,  Rev.  E 661 

Masters.  Woodbury   444 

Matthews.  E 401 

Herman  O 403 

Maxfleld.  Nathaniel    369.374 

May,  Samuel  J 3.36  I 

McClailon,  lamily 559  I 

Jean 345  ! 

John 368,  372,  377,  .379  i 

McClary,  Capt 378  i 

McClento,  f  mily 558  | 

Alexander. 204  i 

Michael 107  j 

McClentos.. 69,  292  | 

William 107,  202,  203  ' 

McClure.  familv 5.59 

David  . . .". 107,  199,  260, 632,  &52 

James 260,  6.33  ! 

McConiiel,  Capt.  Samuel 373  [ 

McCoy.  Mr 197 

(McDuffee,  family 560 


McDuifee.  Archi 135,  206,  260,  369,  624 

Daniel 200,  260,  385,  628 

George  H 389 

Hugh 124,  372,  &22 

Leroy 393 

Mansfield,  124,  126,  622;  mill,  200, 
207,  210,  229. 

Nancy 256 

Samuel  C 3ST 

Sarah Gi'5 

McFarland,  family 5G2 

Andrew 108, 126.  262 

Daniel 199',  259 

James 126, 165,  372,  375 

Jesse 363 

John 118, 126 

Moses 118,  124,  153,  a72 

Tavern 155 

Vralter 107 

McFersou.  family 562 

Frederick 404 

James 82,  S4,  250 

Paul 50,  82,  84, 198,  2GI 

Samuel .84 

"William 84,  562 

McGee.  family 5G3 

Thomas 82 

McGown,  John 373 

McGuire,  James 387 

McGregor,  bridge 150 

Rev.  David 333,  475 

^NIcKew,  James    3^6 

McKinlev,  family 5C3 

Grace ...343 

Robert.  124,  126,  135,  200,  211,  369, 
624. 

McKinna,  Malcolm 405 

McMaster,  family 5G3 

Thomas 126,  127,  152,  154 

"William 124, 126,  367,  oC8 

McMurphv,  family 5G3 

Alexander 115,  203 

John,  40,64,  82,  88,  110,  112:  mill, 
233. 

Robert 318 

McNair,  Agnes 623 

McNeil,  John 283 

Nehemiah 277 

McPhedris,  Archi 23,  .52 

McQue.ston,  Gen 204 

Mejul,  Andrew  J 403 

George 403 

George,  M.  D 388 

Mears,  John  H 405 

;\Iel,  Alexander 655 

ZMelville.  Master. .     662 

Melvin,  family  : 564 

Benjamin 26,  1.52,  159,  218,  345 

Charles  T 308 

Eilward  M 3D4 

John 215,  216 

Mary G21 

Patrick 82,  259 

Richard 1.59,  216,  G72 

Thomas  J 184,  447,  455,  460,  G71 

Merrifielil,  George  L 405 

Merril.  family 565 

Amos. ." 157,  368,  623 

Austin  G 4.58 

tJirna  d 379 

Charles  H 356 

Mary C25 

Simon 344,371 

Stephen,  124, 126, 130, 151, 284, 294, 
■623. 

Thomas  D 2I8 

Dr.  Thomas  K cg5 

Meserve,  Clement 15,  23,  28,  52,  4.53 

Col.  Nathl '.3C8 


694 


INDEX. 


Mctcalf,  Rali»li 460,  4r>l 

Miles,  Oliver 4G1 

Miller,  family 505 

Arclii 204,367 

James 126 

Kev.  T.  H 365,  437 

William 126 

Millet.  Thomas 0!> 

Mills,,  family 566 

Benjamin 385 

David 344,373 

James 118 

John,  82,  85,  94,  114, 198,  259,  368, 
369,  622. 

Joseph 445 

Peter 380,385 

Robert,  82,  84,  91,  118,  259,  344, 
386,  621,  629. 

William 159,  344,  345,  376,  626 

Miltemore,  James 369 

Miiiot,  Stephen 315 

Mitchel,  Ur.  Frederick 312 

J..lai 381 

Moll,  Willi.am 394 

IMoiitgomerv,  Hugh 39 

Capt.'johu 668 

Moody,  Daniel ' 

Samuel 386 

ISIoore,  family 569 

Charles,  82,  85,  118,  205,  209,  261,  277 

Cvrus ^"i 

ElbridgeG 406 

Henry,  125,  127,  134, 135,  139,  140, 
147,  152,  344,  366,  383,  445,  456, 
458. 

Henry  C 394 

James 177,  656,  662 

John,  40, 64,  82,  90,  91,  105,  118, 
201,  205,  219,  220,  261,  3o7,  375, 
382.  383,  386,  456,  460,  461. 

JohuT 649 

Jonathan 118 

Joshua 118,  345,  372 

Josiah 383 

Lewis  D 4(15 

Margaret 345 

Marv 344,349 

Mehitabel 311,  023 

RufusW 458,460 

Moore  &  Wason,  mill 233,  446 

Solomon 659 

Kev.  Thomas 659 

William.  168,  177,  373,  374,  377, 
378,  370.  457,  459. 

jVfooreland.  James 374 

Moores,  family 570 

reter..: 372 

'  Dr.  Samuel,  276,  277,  311,  317, 370, 
375,  633,  634,  635,  638,  644,  &15, 
C50. 

^Miyor  S.imuol 634,  636 

Morgan,  Luther 15,  23 

Morrill,  family 571 

Adam 624 

Albert  M 403 

Caleb 372 

Capt 378 

David 3S5 

David  L 453,459 

E 401 

HenrvR 649 

James  H 403 

,Kssr  F 406 

Jos.ph 367 

Joiia 384 

Thomas  J 403 

Morris,  Jona 382 

Morrison,  Franklin  P 406 


Morrison,  Horatio  H.  C 40G 

James  H.  P 406 

Rev.  W 336,  337 

Morrisson,  David 374 

John 8,40,374 

R6bert 374 

Morse,  family 566 

Abel,  iOG,  109,  110,  113,  205,  229, 
276,  365,  662,  456. 

Abraham 150,  369 

Amos 220,  433 

Benj .390 

Betty 628 

Edna  F 628,  633 

Ezekiel 369,  372 

Frank 390 

Fred.  A 461 

Fred.  D 389 

Gilbert 379,445 

Oilman 414 

Henry 385 

Isaac 381,  629 

Johnson 631 

Josiah 200,  370,  371,  439 

Joseph  R 389 

Judith 627 

Lucv 631 

Mary 6->.3,  624 

Mr 153,  1.04,284 

Nathan 134,  135,  140,  208,  .367 

Oliver 366,  368 

Parker,    227,    371,   379,   458,   460, 
671. 

Pcrcr 620 

Phebe 6.32 

Philip 375,  376 

Richard 481 

Samuel 37!,  373 

Sarah 624,627 

Stephen,  131,   132,   13.5,   149,  200, 
324,  381.  414,  456  622. 

Supplv 384,386 

Theodore 379 

Thomas .377 

Dea.  Walter 347,  428,  457 

Mott.  James :^58 

Moulton,  family .571 

Benjamin 666 

Henrv 170 

Jacob 9,  19 

Jona 96,  199,  260,  275,  276 

Nalh.an 655 

Nn.ah 055 

Sarah 622 

Munroe,  James 4.52 

Murdoch,  Kev.  Wm 640 

Murray,  family 57 1 

David 385 

Hannah 623 

J.'unes .394 

John 165,629 

Mill 211,  246 

Samuel.   150,    381,   425,  441,  444, 
461,  624. 

Samuel  F .309,  396,  461 

Williaau 165 


.vso^.  Jona 9 

av,  Jlercv 670 

Samuel 378,658,666 

Samuel  C 403  405,406 

eagle,  Carl 404 

eller,  John  D .394 

eson,  Andrew 380 

John 404 

eal,  Elenor 627 

eil,  Joseph 82,  84,  383 

Peter 384 


INDEX. 


695 


Newell.  Rev.  C.  H 352 

NewhaJl,  Kev.  Mr 349 

Nichols,  Andrew  S 386 

Ephraini 389 

Col.  Moses 376 

Niles,  Humphrey 443 

Norris.  Daniel 658.  670 

James 455,  456, 670 

Moses 382 

NichoLas 9 

Timothy  0 663 

Norton,  familV.  572 

Daniel  \V 406 

David 401 

Henry 401 

Jona 1.50,  381.  ,386 

Joseph 141,  150,  201,  oi<l',  t>23 

Lydia 629 

Molly 626 

Natlian 406 

Kichard 401 

Simeon 150,  371,  381 

Wi.low  Daniel 670 

AVilliam 401 

Nowel,  Andrew  0 4!16 

Noyes,  Asa 295,  630 

Ensign 11 

John  ^y. . .  .184,  445,  458,  459,  460,  671 
Mary 632 

Nutt,  tiunily 572 

Mill 2.30 

John 367,  3C8 

Nutter,  Kev.  H "."2,  642 

Odlix,  Rev.  John -. .  .79.  80 

Orcutt,  Abiah 626 

Ephruim,   105,  217,  444.   l.'?.  459, 
460,  C71. 
Orr,  family .572 

George 374 

James 167,  295,  4.57,  r>J6 

John 112,  124,  li"       " 

Sarah 

Ordway,  Charles  M. 

John 

Dr.  John,   120,  130,  ':>!    : 
311,  4.56. 

Rev.  Nehemiah .  .cm 

Ordwav's  corner 

Osgood,  Albert  A 

Benjamin 

Daniel 

Daniel  W 

David  T 

Enoch 

Henrv 

Snmu(.4  V " 

Stephen 

Otis,  Master 

Otterson,  family. 

Andrew. .". . . 

James 

John  A 

Jotham  D ■■,  ^  '■ 

Marv 6jV 

William KOO,  63l' 

O'Donnel,  James.  ..405  1 

O'Nei!,  Patrick .  .?0«  ] 

Packard,  Ben 

Packer.  John '';-'••>  ■-■"•,  i-' 

Thomas,  5,  8,  15,  20,  24,  23,  42,  52, 
62.71,226,453. 
Page,  Dr.  Benjamin,  141,  311,  444,  44.5, 
665,  666. 

CliarlesE 403 

Da%dd 193,  670 


Page,  Horatio 658 

John .4.59 

Rev.  John  C 660 

Dea.  Onesiphorns 79 

Robert '207,  655,  656.  657,  662,  667 

Samuel 23,  45 

Sarah 670 

Paine,  W.  B 365 

Palmer,  Alanson.. 648 

Albert 647 

JMisses'. 141 

Moses 'do 

Samuel 'M) 

Rtenhcr. 1S6,  187,  oTG,  GJJ,  034 

I  AVJlsoii 648 

Parker,  Eev.  Clement,  175,  176, 177, 180, 
338,  357,  411. 

Daniel .378,  379,  3S0 

Rev.  Edward  L 34 1 

Piedeiick 646 

Nathaniel .187 

S^ira-iel  S 390 

P-    "  ner 206 

:  y  (Rev.  E.  L.) 318 

Pati'.i!,  ij'iiily - ..'73 

A.  Frank li)5 

fi— lesH :m 

i  Dana 647 

210,375,626 

187 

121,  130,  253,  277,  375,  622 

Joiiu  F 673 

Mill 249 

626 

625 

3>i5,  647 

197,  253 


Av'iliiam  ii 402,  048 

Willis 385 

"'  Tames 230 

lu 82.84 

n.i..-ijji.rd ''72 

V,  Col TT 

.iir -09 

Pearson,  Thomas. .   270 

Peaver.  Jf:>o;)h 375 

670 

4<6 

:•■;•? 

.-•.!>■  ,"N  '1    .H'jii  I-'fff  -  .  .       3 

,  Wdllam 203 

■ ,  Abr,aliani 45 

larles  H 407 

•  vl:' 37.5 

-'•5 
:.-.l 


1l!:^V.  .JOS.   ,jr. .  . 

Perrvman.  Nicliolas. 

"•  ''•■■ •>   ^Ir 

•enj.amiii 


.  79 
.  20 
.410 
.454 


Phiilip,  Alexander  M 

Plrll't.s,  Rev.  Mr 

Thomas 

L'g.  Kev.  George,    . 

J-;lI,c:,  Jolii: 

Pieice.  fam 

Asa :>-.  i 

Benjamin,  124;  mill 230,  459 

George 10,  18,  23.  28,  .52 

James 135,  376 

Joseph 8 


696 


INDEX. 


Pierce,  Joshua 22,  52 

Samuel 124,  230,  373 

TLomas. .  .10,  18,  19,  20,  23,  28,  52,  73 

Pillsbury,  family 575 

Beiyaniin 271 

David 315,  455,  460,  646,  663 

EliJali 141,  369,  624 

Jesse  E 646 

Dr.  John 665 

Jouatlian 493 

Moses  C 180 

I'arker 424 

^.       Paul 424,  425 

Puigree,  Charles 394 

Stephen 395   671 

Pinkerton,  Maj 342 

Plaisted,  Samuel 8 

Platts,  Thomas  B 393 

Plummer,  Dr.  Albert 312,  304 

Edwin 7 393 

Mary  C  and  Judith 343 

IC.  and  Mehitabel 343 

Nathan S74 

Dr.  Natlian 179,  345,  C31 ,  C72 

Polk,  James  K 18G 

Pollard.  Barton : 383,  655 

Elijah 383 

Ezekiel r.83 

llezekiah ' 383 

Hiram 446 

Mill 446 

Polletscheck,  Jacob 3S7 

Poor,  family 574 

Cyru.s  E 4f)7 

David      212 

Elipiialet 210 

Cai>t.  Enoch.  370 

]Marv  B 670 

^'■' •' ' 3S2 

384 

Porte:  ..u's  mill 248 

Daviti 62>; 

J')hn 155,  314,  CSl 

Martha 625 

Ruth 322 

Samuel 624 

Pottesr's  History 203,  237  ' 

Powel,  family 575 

Isaac 396  ■ 

John....- 85,  192,  200,445  ' 

Sanniel  ; 259,  275 

AVilliam.  29,  81,  90    191,192,200, 
259,  454.  i 

Pray,  John 14  I 

Prentiss,  Master 284 

Prescott.  family 575 

Asi : 215 

Benjamin 6.55 

Edward  O    SHG 

James 8,  23,  45 

John 23,  45 

John  Jr 8,  23,  45  , 

Jonathan 8 

Jo.<hua.  .9,  107,  199.  201,  200,  369,  448  ' 

Samuel 9,  23,  45  ■ 

Simon  G .3f>6 

"William  P 383 

Presby,  James 375  ,' 

Joseph .573 

Nathaniel 124,  207,  210  , 

Pressy,  Daniel 4.34 

"Hiram 458 

Preston  or  Pi-esson,  family 576 

Benjamin ' 3K6  | 

Edv.ard 623  1 

Evander  G .396,  46fi' 

Harrison 396 

Henrv  M ' 305 

James  M 395 


Preston,  James  E 394 

Jolui 8 

Luther 396 

Moses,  mill 247,  446 

Nehemiah 240 

Paschal 240,  461,  672 

Rament 240 

William 208,  367,  395 

Prince,  Calcl) 640 

Kev.  Mr 639 

Proctor,  James 427 

Putnam,  scythes 432 

Qu ANTON",  family 576 

Hugh 308,369 

Janies,  82,  84, 90, 112,199,  259, 282, 
283,  284,  366,  369. 

Quigg,  Abel  G 186,  458 

David 308 

Quimby,  family 577 

Asahel .  1 633,  614 

Eleazer 381 

Jacob 369 

Jacob  H 646 

John 195,  369 

John  L 405 

Joseph  B 405 

Kev.  Mr 351 

Ralle,  Sebastian 50,  .54 

Ramsey,  Hugh 260 

John 82 

MalDiew 203,  634,  653 

Rand,  family ,577 

Ch.arles  J 386 

Dr 283,284 

James  C 385 

Jeremiah 256,  386 

Joseph 386,  631 

Nathl 368,  369 

Randal,  Jacob 384 

James ,371 

William 371 

Randlct,  Charles  L 407 

Rankin,  James 1.35 

Jona 379 

Rapee,  Martin 404 

Ray,  Edwa,rd  and  Stark 168,  244 

James,  Lucy,  Ann  C 343 

John 108,  196 

John  W 307,  673 

Redfield,  Mr .216 

Remington.  Rev.  Jesse 040,  643 

Rendal),  William 210 

Mrs...   645 

Read,  Jacob 049 

Reid,  Abel 385 

Itcv.  Andrew  H 660 

Dexter 403 

Elizabeth 6.32 

Capt.  James 370 

Moses 394 

Reynolds,  Capt  Daniel 377 

Dr.  Jo.seph 313 

Robert (23 

Thomas  F 458 

Thomas  O .388 

Richards  &  Greenongh 446 

Capt 377 

Dr.  Josiah 312 

Osgood , 4G0 

Ricliardson,  family 577 

Caleb '. 371,379 

Carlton,  C .393 

David 150,  381 

Oilman .385 

James 373,  375 

Jeremi:ib 372 

Jona 215 

Joseph 177,  199,  200,  201,  285,  628 


INDEX. 


697 


Richardson,  Moses 259,  323,  622 

Kathaniel 383 

Pearson.  130, 147. 150,214,  347,  355, 
456.  624. 

Priscilla 622 

Samuel 378,  379 

Thomas 259,  622 

■Wadlev 384 

Hon.  Wm.  M 28.  183 

Eing,  Jarvis 14,  18 

Jona 376 

Rinker,  Oliver 394 

Roberts.  Cyrus  E 388 

John 9,  372 

Samuel 385 

William 401 

Robertson,  Andrew 3  4 

Capt 378 

Eobie.  family .579 

Barnard  P 671 

Charles  B 390 

Daviil 386 

Daniel 207,  385,  655,  667 

Edmund  T 388 

Edward 135,  376,  425,  625,  628 

Edward  1 390 

Ichabod,  4.  8,  10,  18.  23,  27.  30,  .35, 
45,  59.  76.  191.  192.  373. 374,  425, 
454,  455,  633.  637.  650. 
John,  64,  66.  95.  96,  104,  110,  113, 
117,  120,  259,  'i75,  276,  281,  425, 
456,  645. 

John  "W 649 

Jonathan 386 

Mary 632 

Samuel,  96,  121,  129,  130.  131.  1.39, 
140,  192,  259,  365.  360,  375,  377, 
378,  379,  380,  425,  455. 

Toppan 268,  269,  582 

"SValter 634,  635,  637, 650,  651,  653 

Eobie's  liill 212 

Robmson.  Asa 215.  216 

Andrew 374 

Charles 401 

Curtis  B 390 

Daniel 407 

Edward  B 403 

George 401 

George  B 406 

Henry 406 

John.'. 387 

Jonathan 9 

Joseph.  173.  176. 177.  212,  214,  215, 
217,312,444,457  628. 

^Ma.iter 662 

Peter 268,  374 

P.  Gerrish 403 

Richard 383 

S.'imuelH 406 

Sar.ih 445 

William 401,  405 

Robinson's  mill 429 

Roger.s.  Frank 406 

Bey.  G.  W 661 

James  C 387 

Dr.  John 305,312 

Rogers  and  Kendall 269 

Micajah 434 

Rey.  Kathaniel 15,  23,  52 

Dr.  Nathaniel,  52,  75,  77,  98,  99, 
100,  311. 

Rolfe,  Benjamin 98,  99 

Rollins   Aaron 1"26 

Joseph 375 

Thoiir  s 9 

Root.  Rey.  David 365 

Eowe,  family 583 

Aaron 386 

Benjamin 385 


Rowe,  Caleb 655,  65C 

Charles  R 402 

Daniel 583 

George  D 406 

Henry  W 402 

Isaiah 368,  376,  651 

John 367 

Richard 45 

Robert 8,  23,  45, 149, 150,  375,  381 

Sherburn 633 

Thomas 45 

Kowe's  Corner 212 

Rowel,  family 58.3 

Abigail 624 

Capt 383 

Elizabeth 259,  262 

Enoch 206,  208,  367,  372,  376.  633 

Gideon 324,  368 

John  P     384 

Joseph  S 3B0 

Ruland.  Rev.  G.  W 661 

Runnels,  Capt.  Daniel 373 

Owen 644 

Robert,  28,  260,  262,  275,  276.  376,  37& 

Samuel 376 

Thomas  C 403 

Rnss,  Benjamin 75 

James 379 

Russel.  familv 583 

Rev.  Charles  P 640 

Eleazer 8,  23,  53.  99 

Master  George 297 

Rymes,  William 23,  53 

Saxboen,  family 584 

Abraham. ." 8,47 

Alfred  J 393,  396 

Benjamin 8,  24,  29,  45,  46,  47,  382 

Daniel 218, 458 

D.  Leroy 390 

Edward 8,  23.  45 

Eliphaz 93.  259.  262 

Enoch 8,  23.  45,  46 

Jeremiah 8,  23, 45 

John,  23,  28,  45,  46,  60,  62,  70,  276, 

624. 

Jonathan. 8,  23,  45,  46 

Jonathan  B 220 

Joseph 8,  19,  23,  45,  47 

Josiah .47,  383 

Moses 213,  372,  655 

Kathaniel 8,  23,  45 

Rachel 2.56 

Reuben 8,  23,  45.  371 

Richard 8,  47 

Samuel 8,  4T 

Sherburne 625 

Simon  M 428 

Sanford.  George  B 394 

Saltonstall,  Leverett 269 

Sargent,  family ,584 

Aaron  D 389 

Abraham,  11,  12, 137, 173, 175, 216, 

427. 
Rev.  Benjamin,  183,  185,  338,  339, 

344.  36- i. 

Caleb  C 643 

George  P 406 

Rev.  George  W 660 

Jacob,  29.   37,   64,   73,  77.  S5,  96, 

193,  234,  254.  260.  275,  276,  365, 

410,  454,  455,  456,  633. 

James 216 

John,  374.  376,  632,  633,  634,  638, 

642,  051.' 

Dr.  Jolm 310 

Lucy  L 343 

Lvdia 626 

P'hebe 622 


698 


INDEX, 


Sargent,  Dr.  Samuel 634 

S.  A 

Theophilus 586,  633,  637 

Dr.  Thomas,  174, 170,  177,  214,  215, 
312,444. 

Valentine 378,  379.  380 

Wiuthrop 96,  137,  238,  248,  261 

Saunders,  Henry 98,  99 

Jona 259,  262 

Saraga,  James  F.. 309 

Savoie,  Frano.is 389 

Sawyer,  Daniel,  mill 245 

Deacon 202 

Scliaelfer,  Fred 373 

Scott,  Henry .3«7 

llev.  Joseiih 351 

Master 283 

Scribncr,  family 587 

Abbie 664 

Daniel 386,  0.56 

James  O 407 

John  W 664 

Sealy,  Jolm 8 

Searles  Kev.  Jona 659 

Searll,  JoLn 8 

Seaver,  Hannah 253 

Seavey,  family 581 

Charles  L .390 

Hannah 631 

Isaac  L 35-2 

John 369,  384,  386 

Josiah 629 

L.  H 386 

Nicholas ...,.,.. 9 

Senter,  Lvdia 628 

Reuben 220,628 

Severance,  fiimily 587 

Ben 28 

James 385 

Peter 167,  370,  371,  373 

Ruth 623 

Sarali 626 

Shackford,  family 588 

Hannah 630 

John,  23,  53;  mill. ., 231,  367 

Richard 630 

Dr.  Kufiis 310,  073 

Samuel 23,  53, 175,  215 

S.irah 022 

Susannali 625 

Theodore. . . .  :  149,  632 

Shacktord's  corner 194,  199 

Shaftur,  August 300 

Shannon,  family r,>-r< 

Dorothy 0.',1 

Franklin 391 

John 372,  377 

Lydia 626 

Samuel 377,  382 

Tliomas      .377 

William 371,  372,  370 

Shaw,  Cimilv 589 

Abigail 627 

Charles  F 394 

David 12,  370,  6.32 

Dr.  Jona.  H 310,  384 

Master 284,  644 

Roger 47,  323 

Samuel 19,  23,  47 

Sheldon,  Rev.  Anson 660 

John 238 

Shenan.  Jacob 406 

Shepard,  Jos .32 

LuHier  K 663 

Shepley,  John 68 

Sherbiirne,  Benj.amin  F 396 

Henrv,  1,  4,  5,  6,  7,8, 10, 14, 18,  22, 
25,  .53, 59, 62,  71, 99,  100,  101,  4.53. 
Joseph 8,  23,  53,  71,  453 


Sherburne,  Samuel 15,  33,  ,53 

Shirley,  fjimily hh'J 

Daniel 378,  379 

Elizabeth 256,  6:^6 

Governor 369 

Hugh 118,  1.36,  345,  366,  368,  369 

James,  124,  126,  136.  2.57,  259,  314, 

323,  36(),  308,  373,  4,56,  621. 
James  and  Alexander's  mill,  244,  441 
John,  12,  30,  78,  82,  S5,  91,  1U8, 260, 
385,  455. 

Margaret 12,  623,  632 

Mary 626 

Peter 2.57,  ,344 

Robert 271,  276,  379,  458 

Samuel. . .  .124,  154,  157,  436,  441,  625 
Thomas,  89,  124, 126, 130,  283,  377,  590 
William,  39,  118, 130,  136, 157, 159,  374 

Zaccheus 28 

Shronder,  Thomas .379 

Shurtleff.  Ezekiel  L 403 

Shute,  Jacob 194 

Gov.  Samuel. .  .7,  22,  39,  191,  194,  208 

Silly,  John 23,  47, 104 

Jo.scph 47 

Thomas 47 

Silsby,  family 591 

'  Ozias 162,  214,  268,  270 

Silver,  family 592 

Thomas 15,  24,  49 

Simms,  Thomas    15,  23,  26,  50 

Simonds,  Kehemiah 458 

Sleei)er,  family 592 

Edmund 294,  626,  671 

Jethro 176,  177,  181    215,  4.>7 

John 625 

Sloper,  Henry 15,  23   53 

Small,  Joseph 5 

Susanna'd 5,  53,  70 

Smart.  Mr 207  ' 

Moses 633,  634,  6,53 

R.ibert 038 

Smith,  family ,5!i3 

Abigail 36 

Abraham 3S4 

Alexander 055,  0.50 

Ali.ho)iso  P.  R 300 

Alv;ih 648 

Benjamin,   23.  28.  47. 116,  206, 375, 
453.  632,  633,  052,  655. 

Burleigh 376,  386 

Caleb 373,658 

Charles 404 

Chester  C 395,401 

Elisba 9,  23,  47 

Mrs.  Elizabeth 2,53,  2.55 

Ezekiel .655,  650 

George 404 

George  S 290,  389,  072 

Isaac 184 

John,  9,  28,  29,  60,  84,  91,  195,  206, 
200,  316,  386,  656. 

John  M 407 

Joseph 3.52,  371,  629,  633,  656 

Joshua 407 

Rav.  Mr 351,  353 

Nicklus ;....633 

Oliver 9,  375,  37G 

Page  R .390 

Paul 28,  93,  260,  446 

Reuben 9 

Robert 60,  453 

Samuel 2.  9,  23,  47,  98,  194,  4^9 

Sylvanus,  28,  29,  96,  260,  365,  446, 

4,54,  455. 
Thomas,  15,  23,  27,  28,. 47,  09,  74, 
78,  82,  84,  90,  106,  200,  316,  405, 
453,  4.54,  583. 
Timothy 347 


INDEX. 


699 


Smith,  ■William 282,  284 

Widow 629 

Bmyth.  Frederick 60,  672 

Soa'tbwick,  Aiuos      352 

Sovaine,  Frank 403 

Spaulding,  Samuel 407 

Spear,  Samuel 374 

Spencer,  Rev.  Mr 351 

Spillad,  Jos 371 

Spiller,  Jolm 379 

Spofford,  Beiiaiah 31, 1C5,  631 

Benjamin  F 388 

Jolm  P 384 

Joseph  S 390 

Joseph  W 188 

Orlando 384 

Polly 631 

Spollet,  Fred 390 

Sprasue,  James 373 

Stacv.C.  R 403 

Stanton,  Frank 406 

Stanwood  W 384,  385 

Slanyan,  Anthony •  •  47 

Jacob 4,  8,18.47,69 

Stark.  Gen.  John .370,  374,  382 

Stearns,  Rev.  Mr 351 

Steel,  John  82;  John  H 46 

Joseph 8^ 

Stevens,  Abiel 379 

Anna '■ 627 

Bartholemew 377 

Benjamin •  ■  ■  •  66 

Charles,  mill 199,  201,  233 

Ebenezer 93,  100 

Enos 459 

James 63,  446,  628 

James  L 407 

John 405,  655,  656 

LutherC 388 

Motes 38G 

Phineas 379 

Solomon 628 

Widow 630 

William 15 

Stewart,  Benjamin  S 395 

Stickuey,  family 597 

Ani-.hony  S.  124, 135,  142,  143,  154, 
332,  381. 

Edmund 15 

Rev.  Ezekiel 352 

Rev.  Jonathan 660 

Reuben 378,  380 

Col.Thoma.s 374 

Stiles,  Mr 434 

StiUmau,  Master    662 

Stocker,  Mr 425 

Stockman,  John 28 

Story,  Elisha 2 

Stow,  Gardner 358 

Straw,  Richard 384 

Strickland,  Frank 387 

Stuart.  John -X-^ 374 

Swain,  Jonathan .660,  667,  668 

Levi 374,  658 

M  ary 660 

Rev.  Mr 348 

Widow 623 

Sweat,  Benjamin 47 

Elisha        60 

Stephen 47 

John 655,  558,  666 

Sweetser,  familv     597 

Henrv,  165, 16G,  168,  173,  174,  175, 
214,"  215,  428,  455,  458,  459. 

Sullivan.  James 405 

John 401 

Murtz 393 


Tallaxt,  James 271 


Tarbos,  Jolm 373 

Tasker,  Samuel 374 

Col.  Thomas 373 

Taylor,  Daniel 385 

David 372 

George  W 403 

John,  381 ;  factory 417 

R 192 

Thomas 382 

Rev.  William 347 

Tebbits,  George  F 3S9 

Teil,  James 381 

Templei  on ,  familj' 597 

Agnes 622 

Allen 260 

Matthew,  126,  135,  151,  270,  368, 
369,  427,  446,  624. 

Tenney,  family 598 

Charles 306 

Daniel 307 

Mr 10 

Rebecca 631 

Sswel 306 

Sewel  W 388 

Silas 212 

Siias  W 389 

Thomas 305 

William 28 

Thatcher,  Henry 384 

Thorn,  Dr.  Isaac 355 

Nathan 386 

Thomas,  Elisha 375 

James 405 

Thompson,  George 362 

James 379 

Jona 100 

Rev.  Mr 78 

Samuel 15,  24,  .53,373 

Thomas  W 177 

Thornton,  (Joi.  Matthew 373,  374 

Thrasher,  Henry 666 

Thurston,  Stephen 656 

William  H 407 

Tilton,  Datiiel 8 

David 8,  23,  48 

George  H 406 

Jethro 8,  22,  48,  260,  262 

John 370,  371 

Joseph. . .  .4,  5,  7,  8,  10,  17,  18,  48,  .58 

Leonard  G 407 

Philip 370,  371 

Ruius  A 406 

Capt.  Sewel  J 406 

Sherburne 48 

Willi.am 48 

Todd,  Andrew 367 

Daniel 375 

William,  family 598,  655 

Tolford,  familv 598 

Hugh.  .i36. 154.  157,  227,  .336,  344,  345 
John.  26,  28,  38,  39,  64,  65.  66,  67, 
76,  82,  85,  86,  90,  92,  93,  94,  106, 
107  ,108,  109  111,  112,  113,  114, 
115,  119,  128, 1.36,  143,  11-7;  mill, 
245,  258,  2,59,  260,  316,  365,  366, 
367,  454,  456,  621. 
William,  28,  82,  104,  114,  128,  135, 
260,  277.  621. 

Tomlinson,  Rev.  J.  L .?28 

Tompkins.  Myh 183 

Toil) -an,  p:ilmund 1,  26,  72,  73,  74 

Towle,  familv 599 

Abraham 457,  162 

Anthonv,  28,  38,  66,  96,  260,  324, 
372,  4.54,  455,  45G. 

Benjamin 9  23,  48 

Bracket 373.  375,  377 

Caleb,  4,  9.  15,  18,  19,  20,  23, 23,  29, 
48,  59,  226. 


700 


INDEX . 


Towle,  Daniel 384 

David  W 40G 

Elisha.  .28,  208.  aS4.  406,  655,  656,  657 

Francis 96,  199,  261,  275,  2S0,  368 

Isaac 130 

Jeremiah 372,  377,  379 

John 385 

Jonathan 208,  368,  633 

Kabhe 626 

Kathl 386 

I'liineaB 633 

Phillip 23,  48 

.    Keiihen 368,  378,  379,  380 

&  Sanborn's  mill 233 

Samuel 208,  367.  368,  633,  6.34 

Sinir.n 156,  163,  214,  215,  254,  373 

AVilliam 375,  382,  383,  644 

Town,  Elijah 374 

Townsend,  Kbenezer,  168,  174,  214,  215,626 

T^ic'^ev,  Joseph 387 

Trip,  deor^'o 407 

True,  family 601 

Augii!?tiis  A 4U6 

B.-i  janiin,  1.35,  162,  169,  376,  377, 
379,  457,  623,  626. 

Charles  F ZKU 

Dsiiiel 446,  602 

Ki:,is  S 406 

T!:il,- 218,220,  221,. 385,  JIG 

lUiiry ...378,379 

Dei.  Jabez 79 

tlo-scph 209,  205,  366,  456,  664 

Muslor 284 

Jkliitabel 624 

OsK.iod 221 

AA'arren 406 

Truol.  Cvriist  \V M)r, 

Trull.  Dr.  Pliinoas C«;5 

Tuck,  liev.  John 72 

Taeker,  Oilman  H 664 

John 371 

Jos.ph 380 

,1nn\n.h  378,  3^3 

Tarner,  family 602 

Charles 401 

Oeo:ge  A 401,  405 

Jol-.Ti 374 

.Josiali 3.^5 

Mosc* .iT.i 

rv.al'. 632 

V.illiiun.  138,  259,  335,  C32,  633, 
r.:a.  6.3.^641,  C52.     -" 

Tiittle.  Tlmnias  K 406 

Tyler,  famil  v 602 

.loliii 26,  51 

MoSLS 198,  202 

Tyng  Cajr.  Wm 68,  430 

UsDsnini.i.,  family 602  | 

Ann.i 627 

Artliur  B 672 

]!<;i;iMuiinF 389.  671 

D^ivi.l 1-.6,  166,373,  .375 

l-llc.J  Lih 30,  259,262,  631 

]j-..'.  :■  K 672 

G.-  !t;.-.S 445 

Gf    gt;  W 672 

Hezekiah 133, 149 

Is'iacF 389 

Jaiii.s 217,  461 

JavT 445 

Jay  T.  and  Flagg  T.,  mill...  .243.  244 

Jeremiah 1.50,  381 

Je^se  J 175.  256,  325,  416,  457,  459 

J  (anna 622 

John.  a5,  39,  88,  89,  134,  135,  139, 
142,  144.  145.  147,  148,  151,  152, 
l.'>7,  205,  259,  2C2,  306,  375,  388, 
3cJ,  456,  458. 


Underhill,  Jonatlian 373 

Joseph .396 

Josiah 428,  431,  432,  441,  444,  605 

Moses,  124,  126,  151,  253,  383,  434, 
626. 

Natlianiel 298,  382 

Ked  R ,386 

Orlando  H 672 

Pollv 030 

Kufiis  K 672 

Sampson 28,  30,  48,  94 

Samuel 89,316,445 

Wells  C 390,  409,  072 

William 135,  0.54 

AVilliam  H 389,  4.57 

William  P 446,  457,  458,  671 

Upton,  Rev.  John 347 

Vais-CE,  John 371,  372,  .378 

William 126 

Vanihani,  Charle.s  A 396 

Varnum.  familv 608 

James,  40,  73,  93,  96,  258,  259,  262, 
365,  4.o6. 

Veazi,  Benj.aniiu 9 

George.  Jr 8 

Samuel 9 

Thomas,  Jr 9 

Vickers,  John 3 

Waddel,  family 609 

Bettv 128 

James 68,  82, 120.  209,  260,  622 

John 82,  84,  .85,  153,  2.59 

Merihah 344,  627 

Susanna 344 

Wade,  Robert 8 

Wadloigh.  Robert 666 

Wadley,  Benjamin 375 

Kaihani.  1 382 

Wait,  Cajit 382 

Walilron.  Richard 2.  3,  14,  22,  24,  39 

Walker,  Ezekiel 2 

^Nathaniel 270 

Samuel 379 

William 176 

Wallace,  Betsy 628 

Charles. ". 406 

I.ewellyn 402 

Mrs.  Mary (;70 

Robert C63 

I'homas 374 

Wni.  A 406 

WallingJbrd,  Thomas 99 

Walton.  George ino 

John 394 

Shadrach 24.  .53 

Ward,  Richard 75 

Rufus 401,  403 

Warren,  I.oami  G 406 

William 3<j6 

Washington.  George 161,  163 

Wason,  lainily C09 

Abiji.iii; 631 

Charles  E 406 

Dorothy a31 

Elbridge 389 

Frederick 221 

Garland 206 

James,  1.59,  164,  173,  177,  204,  210, 
215,  217,  295,  336,  344,  345,425, 
429,442,624.6.31. 

•Tohu 108,  246,  355,  372,  382,  627 

J'din  O 205,  206 

Mr 204 

Robert 369,  373,  390 

Samuel 003,  630 

Samuel  D.,  mill 243,  357,  446 


INDEX. 


701 


Wason,  Tliomas,  204,  206, 259,  368,  372, 
f22. 

Waters,  >rathaniel 432 

AVatts'  Psalms  aud  Hvmns. . .  .324,  325,  331 
Wear,  Col.  Peter. .  .2;  15, 19.  23,  28,  48,  226 

Weave,  Slesheck 99, 101, 151 

Xathaniel 61 

Webb,  James 401' 

Webber.  James 404 

Webster,  family 610 

l)a%-i(l 259,  283, 368,  3C9 

Daniel 135,396,  608 

Daniel  A 390 

Edmund 157,  161,  268,  270 

Israel 238 

Jacob 371 

John 238,  626 

Jobn  G 202 

Col.  John,  123,  129.  130,  135,  367, 
373,  374,  382,  436,  455,  456,  458. 

Dea.  Jolm 303,  324 

Ecv.  Josiah .303 

&  Page,  miU 224 

Moses,  276,  293.  375,  377,  378,  379,  380 
Nathan,  15,  24,  29,  49,  65,  74,  75, 
76,  77,  80,  81,  96,  113,  117,  12ii, 
135,  136,  197,  212,  217,  259,  262, 
281,  303,  383,  386,  456. 

Samuel 371,  370 

Kev.  Samuel 659 

Stephen,  15,  24.  27, 49,  50,  107,  218, 
259,  283,  369,  628,  633,  634,  637. 

Webster's  mills 88,  203,  233 

Weeks,  family 612 

Franklin  C 388 

Noah 175,  296,  384, 428,  458,  632 

Susannah 627 

William 296 

Welch,  Mrs.  Nabby 6G2 

Oliver .". 183 

Wells,  family 613 

Catharine  F ; 673 

Benjamin 68 

Charles  S 390 

Jacob 209,  227 

James 383 

John 655 

Jcsiah 372 ,  379 

Peter 378,  379 

Samuel 378 

Sargent 68 

Dr.  Theodore 665 

Thomas,  28,  29,  38,  65,  106,  107, 
108.  115,  128,  201,  227,  260,  385, 
3G7,  572,  378,  379,  448,  456. 

Winthrop 632.  633.  634 

Welsh,  Samuel 19,  49,  69 

Wentworth.  Benning,  15,  23,  54,  103, 
107,  318,  366,  654. 

Ebenezer 23,  54 

Governor  John,  26,  39,  46,  54,  195, 
200,  205,  207,  496,  497. 

West,  family 613 

Charles  H 389 

Clement  A 389 

Daniel  S 388 

Dr.  Henry 314,  386 

John 444 

John  W 388 

Nathaniel 388 

Wilkes 348,  375,  376,  624 

Westbrook.  Thos 24,  .54 

Weston.  James  A 203 

Weymouth,  Charles  H 390 

Converse  L 387 

Wheeler,  Rev.  Abraham 640 

J.  S.,  mill 212,  245 

Kev.  Mr 338,  348 

Wheat,  Thomas 649 


Wheelwright's  claim 13 

John 13 

Whid<len,  Michael 4, 14,  23,  54 

Whitcher,  Benjamin 376,  656 

Josiah 385 

Moses 6f  6 

Wliite,  family 654 

Alexander 405 

Benjamin 184 

David 124.  208,  209 

James.. .'.  .84,  385 

John 186,  188,  444,  447,  630 

John  E 396 

Josejih 375 

Kev.  Mr...   338 

Nicholas 98,  99 

Samuel 49,  150,  3.'-l 

Thomas 118 

Rev.  Timothy 8:,  8S 

William.  15,  23,  28,  49,  74,  75,  304, 

378.  379. 
Col.  William.  60,  89,  118,  1.30.  135, 
110,  144,  145,  150,  152,  154,'  157, 
163,  160,  174,  254,  336,  344,  378, 
455,  457,  458,  624. 
Deacon  William. .  .77,  82,  84.  259,  345 

Wh'.telu.use,  John 393 

AVTiiting,  James 29,  70,  82,  84 

Thomas 15,24.  58 

Wiiitman.  Levi 626 

Whitnev,  EMer  S 042 

Whittaker,  Thomas 373 

Whittemore,  Dr.  J.  P •. . .  .313 

Whitten,  James 376 

Whittier,  family 615 

Benjamin 167.  383,  655,  667 

Captain ' 668 

Daniel 374 

Horace  G 4^37 

Joseph 198,  246 

Keuben 205,  209,  666 

Pvev.  True 352 

Kosanna 630 

Whipple,  Kev.  Jos 79 

Wibard,  Capt.  Richard,  7,  20,  24,  54,  98, 
100,  101,  102. 

Wicom,  Thomas 211,  628 

Aaron 425 

Wilcomb,  Ebenezer 385 

George  W 389 

James 384,  385 

Wilbur,  Rev.  H 338 

Wilkins,  William 382 

Willard,  Simon 438 

Willet,  Joshua 255 

WiUev,  Charles  C 390 

Henry 218 

Williams,  Eben 332 

Rev.  Gibbon 347 

John 373 

Jona 386 

Moses 428 

Rev.  Stephen 659 

William  H 406 

Wilson,  familv 615 ;  26,  72,  316 

Atham.  124,  135,  143,  197,  337,  345, 
367,  '623. 

Asa 33,  192,294 

Benjamin 177 

Butler 225 

Wilson's  Crossing 221 

Daniel 368,  427,  445 

David 118,  199 

Edward 344 

Hugh 82,  84,  120,  261 

James,  29,  35.  82,  84,  85,  120,  259, 
261,  367,  372,  386,  440,  621. 

Jane 623 

Janette 624 


702 


INDEX. 


Wilson,  Jereni  iah 218 

John.  .1G8,  177,  217,  376,  384,  386,404 
Kev.  John,  41,  78,  82,  86,  90,  91, 

94.  105,  108,  111),   11.',  113,  114, 

115,  118,  125,  132,  142,  143,  191, 

200,  316,  317,  330. 

Jonathan 332,  379 

Joseph 223,  225 

Judith 629 

Martha 629 

Nathan 177 

Robert,  29,  35,  84,  88,  125,  127,  129, 

130,  131,  132,  141,  142,  144,  147, 

148,  244,  201,  331,  3G6,  374,  375, 

370,  455.  456,  4.57,  458. 

Samuel 68,  89,  344 

Thomas. .  ..154,  370,  371,  374,  3T5,  376 

Stephen 655 

Tliomas  J 387 

Wil'.iam.  29.  74,  75, 82,  84,  193,  227, 

260,  319,  3C3,  456,  624. 

Dea.  William 157,  243,  325,  315 

Lieut.  William 344,  349 

Wiman,  Mr 294 

Wiiigate,  John 48,  99,  100,  101 

I>r.  Julm 214,  215.  270,  612 

Joshua 1, 18,  19,  23,  48,  69,  72 

Rev.  Paine 48,  79 

Winslow,  Zebulon 37G 

Witherspoon,  family 619 

Alexander. . ." US,  136,  371 

Daniel 118,  124,  137 

David,  124,  135,  145,  152,  207,  285, 

366,  369,  372. 

James 124,  137,  .369 

Joseph 445 

Robert 124,  265,  3G8 


Wood,  family 619 

Dr 311 

Frank 390,  394,  395 

George  A 395 

Jesse 395 

John  D 393 

Master 278 

Naihaniel,  124.  126,  133,  150,  261, 

202,368,381,445,023. 
Kuth 030 

Woodbury,  Levi 453,  459 

Jesse 1?6 

Woodman,  Dea.  Jonathan 79 

Jonathan 638 

Works,  Henry 23,  ,54 

Wormwood,  M.ary '2.'J5 

William 255 

Worth,  John 380 

Worthen,  ftimilj- 620 

Aquila 253 

Dorot  hy 6i2 

Enoch 384 

Kzekiel 28,  273,  624,  645 

Jacob 376,  650 

Josiah 457,  6:9 

J.  Henry 401 

Michael",  mUl 231,  626 

Rebecca 2.53,  623 

Stephen 386,  625 

Thomas 280 

Wright,  Jaines 405 

Teomans,  John 39,  40 

York,  Jacob 670 

Young,  Rev.  Charles C61 

Isaiah  G 406 

Joseph 15,  23,  54 


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