USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Atlas of Strafford county, New Hampshire > Part 6
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Jeremioh Jones was the fryt munn born in the lown that was elected lo tto Stato Legislature. lle was oteoled for six successive terms and nomi. noted for lbo seventh, but refused to run. Ilim majority at his first olection was ], at the last 168. Hon. Fleury Wtison, United States Senator fruto Mnesachusetts, was born on a farm about two miles south of Furtn. jugton village.
Tho first meeting houso tras built on Robert's Hill, about two miles south of Farmington villogo. The first school house was built at Merrill's Corners, in the southern part of the town, about the year 1791.
Farmington village, located In the northeastern part, is one of the mont enterprising villages in the Stole. It is noted for its repil growth onil ite extensivo shoo facturies, there being seventren, turning out In the year 1868, 1,016,600 pairs of shoes, valued at $1,883,000. There aro also 18 stores, 2 maw-mills, 2 hotels, n bank, high sohonl und 3 churches, vix., Freo Will Baptist, Congregational, and Advent.
The name often used-Farmington Dock (or the Boek)-originated from n growth of large yellow dock, growing on the border of Knight's Brook, shunt one-tilf mile south of the village, where it crosses the road. People were in tto habit of watering their borges nt this place, nud the growth uf
soid plant was so tbick that it became of publio notoriety. Formington was so called from its fino adoptation to farming porsnita. The names of itn mountoins nro from partles who owned them nt an corly dale Job Allard owned the mountains now catled Blue Job, which belongs to tho Blue llitls range, heneo the name Bluo Job. Mad River derives ita nome from ito freshets or floods, to which the country along its banks is subject. It has been known to rise after o beavy nlorm of ono or two bours' duration n number of feol, flooding the country along ils border, sweeping property und everything before it; rocks weighing tons, have been moved from their resting places by its impetuosity and carried quite a distance down the stream. Que of the fluods occurred in 1869, cousing grent destruction of property, and ondangering tho lives of the people. In some instances they were resoued from their houses in boats.
LEE.
Loo was taken from Burham nind incorporated as Lee Parisb, by net of lbo Provincial Oeneroi Court, January 16, 1766. A warrant signed by Jo- seph Sias called the first parlab or town meeting, March 18. Miles Ran- del wos ebosen moderator and parish elerk, and Robert Thompson, Ely Clark, and Nicholas Dudy seleetmen, Beo. 22, 1766. It was volod " that Encebeus Clough iuspect into the affairs of Rev. Mr. Somuol Hutchins." Rov. Samnel Hutchins was minister when tho lown wos incorporated, and continuod untit obeut 1800, when ho wns succeeded by Rev. John Osborn, who, after about o third of a century, was snooeeded by Rev. feroci Ches- ley. The ministry of the three filled a century.
From 1766 to 1816 names conspicuous in the town, now deceased, wero Joseph Sins, Robert Thompson, Miles Rondel, James Brackett, Copt. Jominh Bartlett, John Runtol, Joseph Leavitt, Robert l'orker, Jona Cart- land, Andrew Demeritt, Josoph Durrell, the Ladds, Lowrence, Wilson, Bavis, ood E. B. Nonity. Besides tho nbove, Inter conspicuous havo been Onrdnor Towle (removed), Honorables Josiah Bartlett and Samuel Cortland, ond recently Moses A. Cortinad. Of persons living June 20, 1870, Simon Otis has been of note in Lec, now the oldest inhabitant ; also, Mrs. Elinnbeth Ilale Smith, who is cutitled to most grateful historio men- tion.
The town of Lee, as will be seon, in irregulor in abope. It bas every variety of soil known to tho somo Intitude in New Heupshire, except lime-soll, with bills, plnins, stopes, und meadows; it has meondering rivers and purling brooks, and n famous pond nenr the centro. At o vory early date the town took on extraordinary interest for efficient ond auc- cessful sobools. lis atmosphore hne ever been so healthful that few phy- sicinna have modo it their bowe, yot many of its inbnbitants have stretched their lives into tho nineties. It has been patriotio in ntl our national struggles, never failing to furnish its quota of heroes. It hos too small o population for populous and strong religious societies, but has Und its men and women renowned for bold and vigorous Christinn notion. Al- though the provalonee ef intemperonce, yenre ngo, preyed injurionel y upon tho oomotounity, yol vigorous Christian hereisin bas wrought for the better, and Lee is now onlled, in that respect, "the bomier lown of Strafford County."! It has most voloable mili-sites, nod inexboustiblo bede of ex- cellent elny for brioks ; nod mony lift as high o bead os somo towns boost- ing of more nores and counting more noses.
Wheelwright's Pond, o beautiful sheet of water, is of historic interest to the present generation. It derives its name from Rev. John Wheelwright, the founder of Exeter. Somo time in Mny, 1600, n party of Indians at- tneked the people of Fox Point, in Newington (then n part of Bover), burned several housos, killed several people, and carried othersinto enpti- vity. After numerous depredations having been committed in Exoler and other places two companies of ecoula raised for tho purpose, started in pursuit, nod overtook the naveges ni Wheelwright's Pond, July, 1690, where n severo engagement ensued. Three of the leading officers und Iwelvo men were killed, and H was supposed n large number of Indiens.
MADBURY.
This peculiarty shaped town was for Innby yenrs a part of Bover and Darboto, but was taken from theso two towns and incorporated into n pariab, May 31, 1756, and May 26, 1708, into a lown. The render will observo by looking at the mup on n foregoing pago, that the town is of tri- nugulor shape contoining about seven square milea.
This town was settled nt a very earty dato. Among the earlier settlors we find the Demeritts, Drews, Emersons, Evans, Chesleys, aud Davia.
A warrant signed by Solomon Emerson cniled the first parish moeting June 28, 1766, and for the choice of first parish officers, Solemon Emerson was chosen moderator; Ebenezer Demeritl parish clerk; John Wingate, l'aul Gerrish, and Jumes Davis melcotinen ; Dauiel Hayes and John Roberts nasensors; Daniel Young and Jnmem Tasker, Jr., commissioners ; and John Demerill wns chosen tho first representativo to represent mid parish in the General Assembly at Exeter, December, 1776. Rev. Samuel Hyde was settled ns minister of tto parish soon after it wan incorporated, and was succeeded hy Rov. William Hooper, who was the lost settled minister in the town. A meeting-hinuse was erected soon after Mr. Hyde onmo into the parish, tius it bas tong minco been used for n town-bonse. This town, not unliko its neighbors, suffered severely by Indian wars ; and wben tho Revolution broko out it gavo its mite towards gaining our inde- pendence. Tho surface is undulating; the moil in the valleyn is a mixturo of elay, while on the hills nro found sandy loumn, with very few stones. " Mahorrimet's Hill," now " Nick's Hill," derives its name from ou ladinn chieftain of that nome. Bollamy River drains the north part of the town, nnil Barbailoes, on the line between this town and Dover, is the only pond, being one linndred und twenty rods long and fifty wide. Minny of the people attend public worship in Dover and the adjoining towns. Thero oro a number of Frienils in Mailbury that belong to the church in Dover. Mailbury station on tho Doston und Maino Railroad, supplies the town with all tho conveniencen of railway communication.
MIDDLETON.
This town, situated in tho north part of Stafford Connly, is small, con- taining only 7154 neres, 4007 of which are improved, tho hnlance woodland nnd swamps. Valuation of farmo $1741,00. There aro 100 houses and 100 families. Tho principal agricultural products are corn, onto, and potatoes, though the soit is rocky and moist, und is better fitted for grnx- ing. The town has increseed very little in poputation during the Inst deendo. In 1860 it was estimated at 476 souls, by tho ecneus of 1870 it numbers 482.
The first settlers camo here in the beginning of the 18th century, mostly from Leo, Somersworth, and Rochester. The town was incorporated Mareb 4, 1778, nnd in December, 1704, the town of Brookfield was severed from It. For many years these two towns united in sending & representativo to the Legislature. In 1826 Bovid Bovis, Esq., who represented theso towns in the Legislature, caused a special net to bo passed, allowing eneb lown a membor, neitber of which bad the constitutional number of votes.
Tto first settled minister wns Rev. Nehcininh Ordway (Orthodox), his successor, Eidor Jobn Buxxell, n Frec-Will Baptist, estoblinhed n churob, since which limo this bas been the provniling religions mentiment.
Tho sonthorn and central parts of Middleton have a level surface, but while looking north, Groet Moose, Bald, and Porker mountoins lowor up before tho oye of the beholder, forming a natural bulwark between this end Ibo town of Brookfield. Tbo soil yields scant roturns, yet by that perseveraneo and industry which characterizo the people of New England, muny aro in prosperous circumstances.
Middleton Cornors, a little hamlet south of the centre of the town, is the principal place of business. llere in the post-office, the stores, n hotel, a publio bath, and one Froc-Will Baptist church edifico.
MILTON.
Milton was formed from Roobester, and was incorporated in 1802. Tho lown was first settled about 1716. The first meeting house was built in
.
73
1808. It was really the town bouse, and was open to all denominations. The first preneber wna Rov. Jntto Walkor, a Congregationnlist. Tho plan of the meeting houon is on roeord al the town clark's othee, together with the onmen of the pew owners, among wbieb aro thn "'lumers, Jonencs, Burys, Withame, Lords, who ore among the first settlers of tho town, many of whone doscendants are now living in Milton.
The pewa sold nt prices ranging from (30) thirty to one bundred dollars. Tbo highest being bought by Joseph Plumer, an old and entcomed citizen of those times. Ilis deseendoute otill lien on the old homestood on Plumber's Itidgo. The first school-bouse wos huilt on said ridge, on the site now occupied for the same purpose in District No. 1. Tho firet enw and griot will wao built in 1805, on the site now occupied by Brierly's Felt Works, by a man by the unmo of Knox. The surfnen of the town is broken nnd hilly, and in some cases rising to the dignity of mountains. Teneriffo Mountain in one of the bighoot elovations in this part of the State. Ita summit affords n viow for scores of miles pronnd, and in extent and general iolercot is unenrpassed in ton county. The soil is naturally good, and nunpled to the raising of all agricultural products common to New England. The Salmon Falls Itiver, which separates it from Maine, forms ito eastern boundary for thirteen miles, and affords many valuable water privileges. Alilton Mille (sne pagn 43) io a manufacturing village in the northeast part. For onterprioo and public spirit it is uol surpnosed iu the county. Though stanll, it is dostined to a rapid growth. Miltou Three Pond (sas page 46) (s0 onlled froto tho three ponds in the vicinity) is a flourishing village situated ou the Salmon Fulle River, in the southeast part of the lown. Tbe inbnbi- tants are chiefly ingaged in the innnufnoture of shoes. Many of the farmers depend, not a little, on this branch of mannfacture. Altsched to their farm-houses mny often ho sosu the sbor-shop, whero, during the sen- eous uninvorohle to agricultural pursuits, the former, bis boys, and men, employ themselvos in making shoes, wo four mony limons lo the neglect of their forms.
NEW DURHAM.
Now Durham was incorporated in 1702, and contoins 22,626 acres. In 1740 the tract of land embracing this town was granted to Ehoucser Smith und others, on condition that forty families obould permanently settlo iu il within five years from the declaration of peace, and within two years after a meeting-house, graiu and onw-mill should be erected, and u meet- ing supported. Major Thomas Taob mado early exortious in forwarding the settlement of this town, anıl built the two mills nt bis own expense.
With the assistance of Poul Maroh and others, tho required number of settlora was obtained, by a bounty of fifty acres of land to cach sottor. The town coutnina fivo poude, lbe largest of which is Merry- Meeting, cou- toining about 1000 acres.
The surface of the town is rough, sod some parts no rocky as to bo unfit for cultivation ; the most port is moiot and well adapted to grazing. Mount Bet riteo 630 foot above Morry-Meeting pond, which wasboo ils base. Cropple Crowa is olill higher.
Merry Meeting Rivor flows from tho poud of that onme and empties into Winnipiccogeo Lako. Elas River flows from Cold Rain pond und entoro tho Cocbeco at Formingtou. Cocheco River also hos its source in this town. Thoro ore somo curiosities in this town, ono of which le a remarkablo foun- tain of water, over which a part of Elos River phones. By sinking & small- moutbod vessel ten feet or more into this fountnin, woter enn bo obtained extremely cold and pure. Tho deptb of it has never been necertained, ol- though oltempted many times.
Nenr the centre of the towa is Rattlo Snako Mountain. The south sido bes & perpendicular front of ohout 100 feet. Formerly vast numbers of rattlesnokoa lived here, but few aro now found. About a milo northensterly from this mountain nro Marches ponda, in which in feund a species of olny which when dried resomhles cbalk in appenrouee and quality. In the nide of Devil's Den Mountain io n remarkable enve, Ibe entrance of wbich io nbout thres feet wide and nino feet high. The outer room is nearly twooty foot square, the inner rooms grow smallor uutil at a distoneo of forly or fifty feel tho passago becomes too mmnull to be explored. Col. Thomns Tasb, who wos a resilent of this town, served in the French and Jodian war Bs osptoin and rumjor, ond ns colooof in the war of Ibe Revolution. llo died ut the ngo of 8i years.
Iter. Nathaniel Portor, a Congregationalist, was ordnined in Now Dur- hoto, in 1775, and dismissed in 1777. He was succeeded by Elder Benjamin Randall, tho patriarch of the Freo Will Daptiot denomination. He organised the first Froe Will Bnptiol Church in Aincrion, in the house of Elder Jooeph Boodey; the house is now slandiog. Elder Randall continued preaching. und truvolled more or less, until at lost ho died of consumption, in 1808, oged 60 yeors. A plain morblo sboft marko hisresting place in the family burying ground on New Durham Ridge. Eldor Joseph Doodey, a cotem- porary and coworker wilb Eller Randall, lived and died in this town. Ho wns born in 1778, commouced preacbiug in 1797, was ordained by Itandoll und olhere in 1790. Ho trovolled oud preached ortensively throughout the New England and Middle States. Un died Muy 12tb, 1867, ot the advanced ngo of U4 years, beloved and revered hy all that know him. He was an honored mombor of tho Masonic Fraternity about sixty years. Elder Nnibnnich Derry, a very worthy mon, had charge of the F. W. Daptint Church in this town nearly forty years. Hle died October 19, 1865, aged 77 yeurs.
ROCHESTER.
Rochester is one of the oldest towns in the State, being tho ninth in order of incurporotion. For many years it has been higbiy prosperous, copecinlly in its manufacturing interesta. MIntry of her cons, in different pario of the country, have gained eminenco not only io huniness hut also in literary and political pursuita. The town ban nu interesting history, of wbiob, for want of space, only a mengro outline can be given.
Surfuce of Country, Character of Soil, &c .- Tho Ancheco Ktiver, flowlug nearly diagonally tbraugh tho town, ond tho Salmon Folle Itivor, formieg ils eastern boundory, bave valuable water privileges, now mostly improved, and around which bave grown up the three villages, Rochester Villago, Gonio, and Enst Rochoster. Rochester Villogo is situnted upon on exten- sivo plain, and was formerly called " Norway Plnine," from tho Inet thot Norway pines oneo covered tho wbolo region. The soil here in thin and annily. Eighty yeoro ago tbo village consisted of eighteen or twenty dwellings only.
" Gonie" is a contenction of the word " Squamsungonic," the Indian uame of the fulle neor thal pluco. The word Is supposed to menn " water from the olay place hill." Tho noil here and for acverol miles below on the Cocheco ia n oloyey loom, and le quite productive.
Rochester 1Till (sometimeo called IInveu's lill) where too early sottlers inndo their homeo, and over which the main roadl' to Dover pasoes, is quito an elermion of land, from which in olcar wentber, Ibo traveller gains a fino viow of tho White Mountaino. The western part of the town, bordering on Barrington oud Strafford, is rough and hilly. Menderborough road, ex- tending along a ridge of Inud lownrde Farmington, in thickty settled by prosperous and intelligent farmers, many of whom belong to the Society of Friendo. Tho firat settler of that portion of the town was Benjamin Meoder, wbo was soon followed by four brothers; fram them and their descendauto is derived tho unme Menderborangh. Chestunt Hills, situated in the corner of threo towns, Rocbeoter, Farmington, ond Milton, com- tand a beautiful view of scenery for many miles in oxtont.
History .- Tho town of Roebester was iocorporated May 10, 1722. Fragmento of the original chinrler, bearing the provincial scal and the sigunture of the British governor, Samuel Shute, nra still preserved in the lowu clerk's office. The namo given to the lown is oupponeil to be in honor of the Earl of Rochester, Lord Treasurer of England. Rochester, ns in- corporated, was len miles square. nul included the towns now Farmington and Miltou. Indion ware delayed the sottlements, and it was not patil Deceurbor 26, 1718, thut Captain Timothy Roberts, of Dover, to whom tho honor of being the first settler bas usually been given, morrd his family
within the limito of the new lowoship. nul settled bear the linn of Dovor. Upoo the anmn dny it is claimed that Elessar llawn also moveil iuto towo. Other families soon followed, principally from Dover. In IT87, there woro wisty families io town. lo 1744, thero worn nearly oun hundred and fifty. Al this time an Indian war broke oul, from whiob the town suffered severely. and Its pragress wna arrested. The proprietora made appropriations to builil fivo block-houses or forta in different parts of the towu for the defence of ton nettlere.
June 27, 1746, Josoph Richards, Jobu Richards, Joseph Hanrd, Jobo Weutworth, nud Gershom Downs wern surprised ou Rochester llill by a party of Indians iu umhush, and all killed oxcept John Richards, who was captured, and with a boy named Jonathan Door, carried to Canada, whore they lived a long time with the lodlans. At Ibis timin thera were scrlous thoughts of abandoning the nottlement. Major Davis with a party of forty soldiers was sent to the defence of the town. May 23, 1147, Samuel Drowo, a soldier of the province, was wounded.
June 7, 1747, on engagement took place hotween a party of Indiana and a party of whites below Gonio, in which the Inilinus wern defeateil nud fed. May 1, 1148, ou n Sabbath morning, tho wife of Jonathan Hodgson, while she was gone out to find and milk tho cows, was surprised by the Indians and killod near tho Squnmanogonio garrison. This wos the Inst attempt of the fodinno on Rochester.
Wild animals abouourd la the early history of tho town. Dountles were offered for bears and wolves. Sis heara wara killed in 1761. Deer wore plenty, and Ihn town annually chose officora to see that they were not killed contrary to Inw.
Tho firat mentlou of n pauper is in 1749. After a law anit the town of Somare worth was held liable for his support.
The first ochool won in 1752. The master's name was Johu Forst. Ho boarded round the town, paying bis board in four different families. Tho sobool continued sixteen weeks, and the lencher was paid fiftoen pounds la the de preclated ourrenoy of the times. The schools were very Irregular for some years after this.
Buring the Revolution, Rochester wan one of the most forward towns in the State. Al n town meeting, held January 24, 1714, the town chomo n committee of correspondence, and passed patriotic resolutions, which were published in the Now Hampshire Gasette, ot Portsmouth. The town committee conoloted of llon. Jolin l'lummer, John MoDuffce boil Ebenezer Tibhette, Esqri., and David Wingate. Eight others were added June 19, 1776, hy request of the committee, viz., Ens. lehabod Coraca. Capt. Wil- liam Allou, Lt. William MeDuffeo. Capt. William Chamberlain, Jabes Bame, Copt. David Place, oud Ahner Dam. Ja Ibo fall of IiTi, at the timo of n militia muster, this committee arrested Nicbolos Auotin on aus- picion of being a Dritish egent to omploy workmen to go to noston to build barracks for tho Dritish soldiers. On tho Sth of November he won brought before them, and compelled to confess his guilt, amil on his knees osk forgiveness and pramiso better behavior. As soon as news arriverl of tho hntilo of Lexington men were macroited ut Stophcu Wentworth's tavern. Bounties wern paid them, the towa bought them a supply of lend und blankets, and they were sent off in basto to the army. Rochester wna represented in all tbe delegato conventions of this period. A company of minuto-men served under Cnpt. David Place at Portsmouth anil Combrlugo. Cnpl. Place afterwards raioed und comtannded a company in the Second Continental Htegiment, under Col. James Raid. They served in the North- era Army under Gon. Sullivan, Capt Johu Drewstor also commanded & company of Rochester men in the Northere Army in 1771. Capt. Daniel MoDuffeo commanded a company in tho Northora Army, oud took partia the bottlas of Soratogn and Still woter.
The Test Association, at the beginning of the war, sbows the name of 198 loyal men, willing to risk their lives nod fortunes to opposo tho British fleets and armies. Thero wore twenty-two torice or persons who refused to siga onel au agreement, and twenty-lwo Quakers " who did not choose to sign." Rochester lost fourteen teu in the service in tho yenr 1776. Thrao of Ibase died prisoners in the hands of the eoemy. The wbolo aumhar killed and died in tho servico won twenty-uloc.
The leading men of this period wero lion. doba Plommer, Li .- Col. John McDuffee, Deacou James Knowlos, and Dr. Jnmos Howe.
Hon. John Plummer was the firot magistrato in Ibe town. Ro was ap- poloted, by the British governor, n jurige of the Court of Common Plens, when that court wow organized, in 1713. Ho was reappointed in 1776, when an independent Stote government was first cotaulighed. Ilo retained the office till his voluntary resignotion fu 1705, at which timo be waoebist justice.
Lt .. Col. John Mc Duffee wos born in 1724; was a lioutonant in the Froneb and Englioh wara; woo at the capturo of Louisberg in 1768, and com- manded a dolachment of men under Gen. Wolfe at the siege of Quebec. He cerved In tho Revolutionary army fram the bottle of Dunker Ilill till 1778, being part of the time Brigude Commissary. lle was the first re- presontative of tho town, being chosen to the I'rovineinl Assombly in 1762; also a member of the Stato Legionture in 1782. Was six years a State Senntor, being n port of that timo "Senior Seuator" or ohairman. Died Get. 15, 1817, aged 98.
Deucon James Knoicles come to Rooheater in 1749. Ileld manny town offices; was a member of many of the conveolions that fostered the spirit of tho revolution; wan six years a member of tho legininturn. For forty yeore he was a duooou of the church. lle was universally trusted und rempcoted, and spent a lorgo portion of bis long lifo la useful nud unambl- tious publio servico.
Dr. James Howe was ono of sin hrothers who served their country in the Revolution from the battle of Bunkor llill till the clooo of tho wnr. Dr. Howe was murgeou's malo iu Col. l'ierso Long's regimeot, onil was one of tho ouferera in the Canada expedition of 1177. Ilo was threo yenre n representativo in the legislature, and was distinguished for his Daiural taleut and bis greot benevolence.
Divwiona of the Town and the County .- Formington was tokon from Itooleater Dec. 1, 1798. Milton wna takeu from Rochester Juno 11, 1802. Before the division of Strofford County in 1840, Rochester wn ono of the Ibroe lowns where terms of tho court were regularly held. Tbo town furnished a court- bouso fer the use of the county, and ut ono time unsuo- cessful efforts were mnde to buvo the joil located here. There are persons living wbo remember the visits of Webster and Mason to Ibo lowu in Ibo practice of their profession.
Manufacturea .- Tho first incorporated company at Norway Pluins wna the Meehanios' Compnay, which commenced tho manufacture of blankets la 1834 with a onpital of $15,000. Previous to this thern bad becu, booidea the enw-millo, various kinds of business ottempted al thema folls. Several fulling and fnisbing milla lind for years heen prosperously con- ducled. The mannufacture of nails, of seythes, of colton yara, and tho dis. tilling of brandy, were carried on nt ono time or another, wlib different degrees of success. Tho Mechouies Company falled In 1841. It was fol- lowed by tho Gonie Compony, which soon come to a liko mod. Wetmore nnd Storterant took the remaios. They soon separatrd, dividing privileges and mille between them. Wetmore eventually foiled or abandoned the business. J. D. Sturtevant by skill and business ability ouocveded. In 1846 other persoan were admitted nad ibe company was incorporated as the " Norway Plains Company." The capital, from timo to time, las beca increased- in graal measure from the profits of business-until, from $60,000 la 1847, it now amounts to $260,000. They buvo 25 mets of machinery, and make 15,000 pairs of blankets and 620,000 yards of danncis anonally.
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