USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Atlas of Strafford county, New Hampshire > Part 7
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E. G. & E. Wollsee have nt the village the largest shoe monufactory, it la belioved, in the State. In connection with it is a tonning and currying establishment, so that the raw bides token in aro sent to market in the form of shoes of many descriptions. 300,000 palre are manufactured sunually. The Messra. Wallace commenced with nothing, and hy pationt industry have built up a lorge business and toado thomsalves wealthy.
There are other manufactures at llochester villago on a smaller scale, At Gouio Hlou. N. V. Whitolouco commeuced macbino wool-carding in
1838. In 1834 he mbled the manufacture of linmeed oll. In 1888 bn bought oul ('arr & Ilibbard, who hnel Inlled in the business of manklog Quernicy oloth. In theu commenced lo maske anilnets, but in a few yenta olinoged to daunels. An Incorporated company was afterwards formod. New noi larger mills were built. The Gouio Stanufneturing Company barn now sla oets of machluary, and manufacturo plain and twilled daquela aud shirting daunels.
At East Rochestor Joha Hall commenced manufacturing In tho present mills just previous to the Rebellion. A company was iucorporalel noon after with $50,000 capital, by the name of tho Cocheco Woollen Mann- facturing Company. Additional tallly bavo been huilt mod the business has prospered. They now hinve fifteou mots of tanohinery, and a henutiful and thrivlog village has surfdenly oprung up as if by moglo ou the banks of the Salmon Falls.
Railroads and Telegraphs .- in 1848 thera was no little axeltement upon the subject of mailrundls, not only in this town, but in many other towns la this portion of the State. Nowborn, perhaps, was there grenter lotarest arauseil thou in Rochester. Two ronds loul been chartoreil, onn the Co. checo, fram Dovor, tho other the Great Falls aml Conwny, from tirent Falls. Tho rivalry hotwoen the different companies abil the different towna led to the building of both. la Maroh, 184, Who G. F. & C. Wna opened to Nocbester, and in September of the same year the Cocheco. February 21, 1849, there was a rollrond riot. The two roble, na mur- voyeu, orossed eneh other at Itochester village. The rails of the G. F. & {'. wero already Inid. Partionus of the other ronil enme with free to removn them Citisens of the village turned out to defetul themu. losmit-sovoral knockdowns ond bruises, one hroken limb, rails toru awny, proscontions for assault and battery, and a final sottlement of the disputeil olmime by nu omionble roference, which braught ghout the present loontion of the roads, with an award of $1600 lo Ibn G. F. & C. for romoving Ibolr track. As thera could pol hn one railroad without two, so thorn could not be one telegraph lino without two, nud lu May, 1808, the wires were extendodl along botb rands, und two offices oponerl at Rochester villago.
The l'ortland and Rucheoler Railroad In under contract to this town, and will soon be completed. Otber ranils aro projected, and earnest efforts aro being mode to Insuro their bullding -- one to Nambua nad the other lo Concord.
Rabelhion .- The town responded promptly to all calls upon her patriot- Ism during the Ichellion. Upon reception of the nows of tho fall of Sumter, at tho call of lending mnen of all political partion, one of the Inrgest meclinga over beld assembled at the town ball. Patriotio rasolutions wore passed, pledging the towu to the support of the ailuinistration In carrying ou tho war, and requesting tho selection to enll n legal town meeting to tako montures for pravidlog for tho waals of voluutente amil the support of their Intillos. Over four hundreit tun from this towu serveil la the Unlou army-some for ouly obort poriode, ond ninny lu rogi- mente of other States. The muralment of the town in April, 1886, mlinweil 340 llablo to milliary duty. The total quoln of the town under all oalla was 107. Total eredita hy colletmenta and drafts "0G. The uumber lost in tho servico was 68.
Churches .- Tho first meeting house was built ou Rochester Hill by the proprietors of the township, 1n 1781. It was " 40 feet long, 30 feet wide, uud 18 foet stul." By un uot of tho Assembly, April, 1737, the inhalatonta of the town (no longer tbo proprietere) wern authorised to raise, hy lazolion, means to support the ministry. Amos Main, & graduato of Harvard.Col- lege, was the frat settled minister. The church was organised in the ismo year. The first admiralous woro Joseph Wolker, Elisaboth, llom, ond Mary Moo Fee. Stephen Derry and Joseph Walker wera the first denoour. Mr. Main died iu 1760. The town, as usunl In those days, pold the funeral empooses. Among tho charges were eloven pousdo ood fro shilllugs fur rum. la 1780 lba town was divided loto parishes, corresponding nenrly to tho praseot lowus-Rochester, Farming!ou, oud Alllton. Tho fret par- ish ( Itochester) built in that yenr & new moeting house on what Is now tho Cominon. In 1812 this bouse was removed lo a tuora central loontiou, where It bas been enlarged noil Improved, nul remains the presont house of worship of the Congregational Svclely. The society received an act of jooorporntion in 1823. It hoe hnil twolve mottled pantors. The longest pas- torato was that of Rov. Joseph IInven, being nearly fifty years. Three of the pasters died and were buried lu Itoohoster. Sla Bro still living and Inboring la otber fields.
Frienda .- Thia In the uezt religious moolety In order of litno. The first rooord we find is from the monthly meeting la Doror : '' 23dl 9th to. IT61. The Fricade at Rochester bavo liberty to keep a mesting thero till the last of the let month neat." This permisilon was renewed from time to time for short periods only, usually shout a mooth. In 1777 the entro liberty was granted during tho pleasure of tho monthly mesling. In 1750 there were twenty-two adult malo Friondo who Jeollaed to join the Test Association. lu lixl tho ndvico of tho mouthly meeting wos givou to tho Friends of Rochester ou their asking for ie, to build a meeting house. The house was built on tho Dover Itouil, naar Judgo Dame's. It was afterwarda token down and the tontorial used for a new house nosr Gonio, from which ploco it bna alooo been raioured to Its pressot locatlou. The monthly meetloga wera held In Rochester as early as 1820, and per- bapo earlier. A meeting houmo won bullt at Meadorhorgogh some thino previous to 1806. In 1828 there were reported to he twenty fouilles belenging lo one meeting and fiftoou farollins to the otbar. In 1838 a collection of booka for a library wan commenced,
Methodiat Fpiacopof .- Tho firot Methodist preaching wns lu 1807, at the school houoo on Rochester Ilill Itond. Warren Banglator and Ebanisor Binke, of the Tuftonborough Cirenlt, preached onco In four weeks on work days. Tho firet converts wern Betay Pince, Lydla I'Iscs, and Hannah Jackson. Tho first cines was soon forwed, und met ut tha houno of l'oul l'lace, who was the lemler. Tho fret nunrtorly wcoting was held in 1808, ot l'nul l'laco's house. Meetings soon were held at the village, at the house of Cnlob Damn, also at Silas Dome's on the T'an Rod Road, now tho almshonse. Many cooverts were made and a cinco formod lu the village. In 1809 mectinga hegon to be held In the court house. Ja 1810 Hezekiah Fields wns stationed here, and the station became a separato appulutment by tho tamo of " Norway Plains." fu 1826 a moeting bouso was built. The corner-stono wos laiil In June, with Imposing Mosonlo ceremonies. Tho bonso was dedicated in October-sermon by Rer. Eben F. Nowell. This house was hullt principally by tho oulerprise of Simon Chane, Chos. Dennett, and Jntes C. Colo, who advanced the money. " This year opanad a new ora iu the history of Methodlam ia Ibo town." In 1820 the socialy was incorporated. It 1828 n parsonage was hullt. In 1810 the houno was repaired anıl a vostry hullt. 1812, a grent revival nceurreil. 1810. meeting house Impraved nt ou outlny of $700. 1M63, hours enlargeit ; vestry repaired; orgsu purchaard. The house now bnd n towor, tho original building heing colirely plain. 1641, now porconago built at n cest of nhout $3000, suitable to the wants ond prospects of the society. 1867-8. the present beautiful church edifica was crectod al a cost of about $10,000; a credit to the society and no ornament to the town. A bell Bud village clock were placed la the tower. Thin soclety la regardod as ono of the most Sourisbing in this conforenes.
A Unireredhat Society hna axisted for many yonre. It ban taver bad any bousn of worabip, and for years ban had no statod services.
The First F. W. Baptist Society was organized Murob 10, 1826, ot tho bouso of Enoch Tibbetts. A churob was organized at the bouso of John York. April 16, 1820, when soventano persone received the right band of fellowablp. Conferenco muetloga were held moothly at private dwall- Inge for noveral yenra. From 1888 to 1838 no records are founil. In tho laller year the church reorganised and was divided Into suveral branohan, each branch lo bave the privilego of holding monthly meetings. In 1840 a meellug houso was built and dedicated at Goulo. The first quarterly meeting in Itochester was held at the court-bouoe, in 1889, Augoal 10. In 1842 Itev. D. Swatt was obosen first pastor of the church. In 1801 a poworful revival attended tho Inhora of Ilev. W. T. Smith. Among other
74
udmissione to the chureb at this period, were thirty-three married persons. The church is at the present time without a puntor.
The Second F. W. Baptist Society was organized in 1840 by about sixty persons, who nasociated togetber and adapted n constitution. They bnve been tho means of supporting local preaching in different districts in the town, but linve no house of worship.
The Boat Rochester and South Lebanon F. W. Bophut Society have a neat house of worship at East Roebester. The chureb was organized June 1, JAG6, and Rev. Isnao llyatt beenme pastor. The church edifica was built soon after nt a cost of $0000. Mr. Nytt remained two years, during which time twenty-nine persons nnited with the cureb. Ilev. A. Lovejoy is the present puator.
The Walnut Grove F W. Baptist Society bova a small but neat mecting house on tho Salmon Falls Rond, erected in 1807. They have since that time had services quito regularly, and boro formed a Sabbath sebcol, though wo believe they have not a settled pastor.
Thu Adventists linve theotings a great port of the year in the town hell at Rochester village. They havealso two small bouses uf worship in other parts of tho town, one being at Bart Roebester.
The Roman Catholic number about fifty families. They have a meeting house near the Common, built recently. Rev. Mr. Welch, of Portsmouth, in the officiating clergyinan.
School .- From 1827 to 1860 the llochceter Acedemy was a prosperous institution. It had no funds ; the building finally passed luto other bande ; other institutions sprang up in the netghhering towns, and it was suffered to he discontinued. The town Is divided into twenty school districts. The public schools of Rochester village are uniler the Somersworth Act. They will compare favorably with the schools of other villages of the character of this. They consist of a high nebool, twointermediate and three primary schools. The number of children attending echnol during tho yeor, in thio district, is about 800. The next largest schools are at Gonic, East Rochcelor, anıl Meuderborough.
Library .- The Rochester Social Library Co. was organised in 1792. In- corporated 1794, The number of volumes in 1828 was 400. From 1823 to 1884 it was in a neglected condition. Ever since It has been very pros- perous. Number of volumes now, about 1000. The payment of five dollars constitutes any person a slinrebolder.
Distinguished Men .- Hon. John I'. Hole, representative in Congreso, U. S. Senator, and Minister to Spain, Was born in Rochester villsgu, and re- mided bere for twenty-two years.
Hon. Nathaniel Upham, a resident of Rochester from 1802 to 1820, a successful merchant sad public spirited man, wos one of the Governor's council in 1811-12, and a representative in Congress for threo torms, fram 18if to 1828.
llon. David Barker, Jr., was a native of Rochester, and resided haro till him wiecth, April 1, 1888. Hle was Representative in Congress from 1827 to 1819. He was a lawyer of fine talenta
Hon. James Furrington, n physician of somo celebrity, ronided hore from 1818 till his death, in 1869. Ilo was a Representative and Senator in the State Legislature, and a Representative in Congress, 188i-9.
Ilon. Jacob HI Ela, the presont Representativo in Congress of the First District, is a nativo of and resident in this town. He has been a member of the Legislature and O. S. Marshal for New llampsbiro, and has held various other polltleal offices of bonor.
Rev. Thomas O. Upham. D. D. a professor In Bowdoin College for more then thirty years, buthor of tonny works, theological und philosophical, estensively used in this country, is a non of llon. Nathaniel Upham already mentioned, and from early childhood a reshlent of the town until bis sp- polutment to the professorship in 1826. From July, 1828, for nearly two Jenrs he was collengue pastor of the Congregational Church.
Jonathan P. Cuching, son of l'eter Cushing, was born In Roobester, March 12. IT98. By his own Industry nud perseverabee, ho prepared himself for college, and graduated nt Dartmouth, Working nt his leingro moments at his trade as n midler to pay his expenses Ile became l'revideot of lampden Sidney College in Virginia, ond after a career of usefulnees died April 26, 1886.
Hon. Nathaniel G. Upham, a Judge of the Superior Court of Judicaturo from January 8, 1838, to December 1, 1842, wao a son of llon Natbaniol Upham. He was Commiwinner from the United States to Great Britain in l'resident l'ierce's administration. Died December 11, 1809.
Francis W. Upham, LL. D. was also a non of lion. Natbanlel Uphom, and o native of Rochester. No was formerly law partner of llon. Robert Rantonl, and Is now Professor of Mental Philosophy in Rutger's College, New York. Hon. Noah Tebbels was born in Rochester ia 1802. Graduated nt
Bomloin Collego in 1822. He was a representativo In the Legislature; and in January, 1843, was appointed a Judge of the Court of Common Plena, which ofheo bo hold at hio death September 0, 1844.
Hon. Charles Il. Woodman, now n practising lawyer in Dover, was a Judge of the Court of Common Plens from August 20, 1854, to lugust 18, 1865, a native of Rochester, son of Jereminh II. Woodman. Esq.
Hlon. Theodore C. WFoodmon, Inwyer of Bucksport, Maine, who has been Speaker of tho Mnino Houso of thepresentatives, is also a son of J. H. Woodman, and a native of Rochester.
Richard Dome was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1810 to 1820. Was n conacillor 1809-10. A senator and representative in tho State Legislature. llo was a member of the Society of Friends, much esteemed. Died September 10, 1828, nged 72.
Isaac and Seth Adams, though compelled to struggle with many disad- TAbinges and obstacles in ently life, linvo rison by their perseverance and tatonta to great wealth. Jenae Adams invented the famous Adams printing prens, which has been to extensively usrd in this country. Seth Alinme ia will larguly ongaged in the eugar-requing business ia South Boston.
Charles .Min in one of the most wealthy nud successful merchants in San Francisco. Like the Adamses, be hne contended with many difficulties, and won success by his own efforts. Ite is a descendant of the first gospel minlater of Rochester.
Hon. James H. Edgerly, in the present Judge of Probato for Strafford County, to which office he was appointed in October, 1800.
Hon. N. V. Hi'hitehouse, a representative in the Legislature, nad a member of the Governor's Council in 1856 and 1867.
Population of Rochester at diferent Periods.
In 1767, 981, being the 14th towa in the State.
1775, 1448, 1790, 2667, =
Stb
2d
1800, 2016,
=
0th
1810, 2118,
12th
1820, 2471,
8th
1830, 2156,
20tb
1840, 2481,
18th
1850, 3000.
18th
11
1860, 8881,
1810, 4104,
8th
In 1767 there were font slavos, two mate and two female. Tho Jest olavo died In 1188.
Tho volnation of the town in 1808, for taanblo purposes, wnu $1,076,088. The banking capital and deposits in esringe bauk, at the present time, im about $600,000.
ROLLINSFORD.
Tho territory Includeil in tho promont limits of Rollinsford was nettled so early ne 1680, in tho vicinity of Saltnon Falls, hy men sent over by Macon and Gurges, amil In 1641 n auw ond grint-malll were built at the falls, wbich wero burnt several years after.
About 1100 n party of men commenced a risol nottlement near Rollins- ford Station, amf cotmenoed to olear land oud build houses. For many years the nottiers fram these parts travelled tho rough cirauitous road to Dover Neck on tbo Sabbath, until 1713, when a place of worship was
erceted at Cocheco Falls, where the law enforced attendance-a Inw which was repeatedly enforced. There the people from the remotent part of Rollinsford gathered ontil 1729, when a church was established, & meeting bouse built, and this town, including Somersworth, was set off in a separate perish by the name of Somersworth. Rev. James Pike was ordained Getober 28, 1780, and remained bere till his death (May 10, 1742), "a faithful minister of Christ " Mr. Pike's descendante now resida nent wbere their ancestor spent so many years of usefulness. Tbrco houses of worship were onceessively built near the old burying-ground, and the plaen wan the centre of business until the woollen and cotton manufactories started at Great Falls nod Salmon Falls. Among the earlier settlers we find the names of Wentworth, Itoberts, Rollins, l'ike, Ycaton, Styles, Philpet, Carr, and Wallingford. Tho town derires its namo from the familles of Rolline and Wallingford.
The people of this section did not escape the inronds of the Indians. As carly ns the 16th of October, 1015, they innde an nasault on Sulmon Falls. A party of seven who were sent ont to reconnaitre, were surprised, three were killed, and the balance retreated. The nest dny Lieut. Roger Plaisted went out with twenty men to bury the bodios of bin friends, and, falling Into on ambush, Plaisted, bis sou, and one other, were killed. No very important trouble with the Indious is recorded until the Freneb and Indian war, which Insted from 1088 to 1600, when Count de Frontenno, Governor of Canada, seat several purties of Frenob atul Jodians to attnek the defence- Jean frontier soitlements of the English. One party were engaged In that memorable burning and masenere at Scbeneetady, N. Y. On the 18th of March, 1690, another party, under the command of Sieur llertel, a French officer, attacked Salmon Falls, then a small settlement containing n saw and grist-mill and some eighteen houses, and destroyed the whole village, und burned the barns with the horses and cattle in that. Thirty-Livo were killed nod fifty token prisoners ; most of the latter were women and children. After committing every possible depredution they fled, with their prisoners, to the woods.
A few hours bore the aowe to Cochceo and other neighboring cottle. meuts, und a band of one hundred and fifty meu were immediately raised and started in pursuit. They enfun up with the enemy on Wouter's Brook, in the towa of Berwick, wbero a severe battle eusued. Au intor- esting story is told of this engagement, which we will give.
While pursuing the enemy tho English passed a house owned by Thomas Toogood (now in possession of Daniel Wentworth, Berwick). Toogood joined the party and during the fight was taken prisoner by un ludian. After inquiring bis namo the Indica proceeded to prepare stringa to secure him. While doing this Toogood santehed bis gun and retrenting gradually, keeping bis gun pointed at him, declared he would fire if ho made any holse that would frighten the others on the other side of the stream. The tadion lind no redress but to stand and sbont after bit by the name of " No-good ! No-good!" Toogood safely escaped, but returned to bis house to God his family stnin, and bis dwelling in flumes. After this the surviving Mettlers of Salmon Falls ceparnted, somis to the fort at Wells, otbero to Co- chiseo (Dover), and some years elapsed before the village was rebuilt.
Eldor Wentworth, a resident of this town, was at Dover the night Major Waldrou was killed. llo wos speuding the time ot tho lleard Garrison, while Mrs. Heard and a portion of her family were gone to Portsmouth. Wentworth, broused hy the bark of n dog, closed the door, and falling on bis back, placed bis feet ngninet it. The Indians fired several shots at the door hnt failed to hit him ; thus the occupants of the house were saved.
From December 10, 1764, to July 8, 1849, Rollinsford was a part of Somersworth.
Salmon Falls, the only village in the lown, is built on the Salmon Falls or Newickawounock River, ono and a ball milo above tido wator. The first inilt of nny size was built in 1821, by James Ranlet, of Portsmouth, who commenoed the manufacture of woollen goods. The mill was burned in 1880. It was rebuilt, and is now merged into a fourisbing cottoa manufoetory, running 82,000 spindles and 960 looma. Rollinsfurd, though o mull tuwn, stands high in the scato of agriculture, and ranks among the best fruit-growing towos in the State. The Inte Samuel Wentworth was not only a man of inany noble qualities, but a rare pomologist, and n visit to bis orchards, with him na a guide, wos highly interesting. The sous of Rolliueford ocoupy prominent positions at home and nbrood. Wo find them ut tho bar, ob the benoli, ond in our executivo balls, but we will not eulogize the living, wo will leave that for the pen of evue future historian.
SOMERSWORTHI.
That part of Strafford County thot gow bears the name of Somersworth wna soltleik domo timo niter Waldron hegan the settlement at Cocecho Lower Falls (1640), probably nbout tho yenr 1010, at or nonr Humphrey's (now llucsey'o) Pond. The people gradually pashed further and further into the wilderuess. The llenrd family had commenced a clearing and huilt n garrison northwest of Vuruey's (now Garrison) Itill. Others found their way still further into the north of Dover, soldom going beyond two or three miles from a garrison house, to which they could fly in time of peril. About 1075 a tamily settled two miles north of Salmon Falls, on the Indigo Hill Road, and tradition mays thay built n garrison.
During the earlier Indian warn, Somersworth experienced very little of tho dosolating effeoty that befoll her other more populous neighbors. The Indinum ronmed the country in amall banda, and on their way to some Inrger community, often ntlocked the lonely farm-bouses lying in their track. George und Martin Rickor, Jubez Garland, and Gersham Dowas are mentioned among those who foll victims to the prowling savageo.
Elonezer Downs, s Quaker, living on Indigo Hill, who, liko his brethren, refused to arm bimtelt or seek protection from the savages, was cap- tured, taken to Cenads and sohit with a number of othors. Around the camp-fres, at night, the Indlions gathered, ond for pnatime brought forth their prisoners to dance. On their way to Cunaun, Frieud Downe refused to gratify their desires, and consequently was subjected to ill usage. Ile was taken by the enme band that enpturod the family of Jobn Haason, of Knox-Mlarsb, in Dover, and the following summer Mr. Hanson redeemed bio family, togother with Mr. Bowns.
Somersworth parish was created December 19, 1729, and incorporstod Into a towa by on net of the Gamerul Assembly nt l'ortomouth, April 22, 1764. Boforo this it wuo a part of Dover. From the town records wo copy the following interesting Items. At a meeting held in the meeting house May 6, 1751, it was voted "yt yo Selcot-men Sball bave ten sbil- lings Enob for thoir Servicos ns Select-inen ye Present year." Again at unotbor time " yt a map Should he appointod to See yt yo Doar (deer) Low wom properly Enforced." Also st anothor meeting, March 13, 1770, & vote was taken to "me if yo town will Join Berwick iu Building and keep- ing In repair a Cart Bridge at yo great falls."
It was about 1750 that Andrew Horn came from Bover and purchased the land whora Great Falls lo now located, ercoted a house near the pro- sent site of the Boston and Maine railrond dopot, and shortly afterwards a euw and grint-mill at t bo falls. Those who bad explored this region years before, bad returned with glowing accounts of the beauty of the moenery, aud of tho magnificence of o fall, where the water dashed from ledgo to ledgo, down a distance of a bundred fcet or more ; and from its being the Iargost on the Salmon Falln River, they tormed it tho "' great falls," benco the origin of the anmo of one of the most beautiful villages in Now England.
In 1772 n uew meeting houso wan orderod to bo built, and o committeo appointed " to soo to yo Building Thereof." (Tho reader must boar it in mind that the meeting house, tho " training lot " and the centre of husi- ness, was hy tbo graveyard near the present location of Rollinsford jone- tioa. For o moro tborough account, seo history of Rolliasford, in this Work. ) Among the men who took an activo part in tho public business of the town at that time, were Hon. John Wentworth, Hoa, lobabod Rollins, Dr. Moses Carr (for many years towu elork), Lienteannt Yenton, Joshun Roberts, Thomas Stackpolo, Richard Philpot and their beloved pastor, Rov. James l'iko.
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