USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Biographical review; this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire > Part 19
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Hampshire. One brother subsequently be- came a shoemaker, and the other a commer- cial traveller. Grandfather Swasey purchased land in Exeter, where he afterward lived, occupied in farming, and reared his family.
Henry Swasey early learned the trade of a paper-maker, at which he was employed for some time. He subsequently turned his at- tention to agriculture, buying the farm on which his son, John R., now lives, and there resided until his death, January 28, 1877. His wife, whose death occurred December II, 1851, bore him seven children; namely, James H., Mehitabel A., Charles A., Charles W., Rebecca E., John R., and Aroline E. James H., born October 10, 1819, who is a carpenter in Waltham, Mass., married, June 24, 1847, Susan A. Dudley, and has one child, Ella B., born March 17, 1848. Mehit- abel A., born April 13, 1823, died January 26, 1890. Charles A., born September 13, 1826, died in infancy. Charles W., born June 15, 1828, who is a retired locomotive engineer, now farming in South Berwick, Me., married Louisa Boston, and has three children - Charles H., Frank E., and Arthur J. Rebecca E., born May 14, 1830, is the wife of George W. Pressey, a farmer in Dear- born, N.H., and the mother of two children Flora A. and Lizzie R. Aroline E., born August 20, 1837, married Daniel R. Hoyt, by whom she had five children - Etta, Daniel, Ida, Myra, and Roscoe - both parents being now deceased.
John R. Swasey completed his education in the Kensington Academy, where his brothers and sisters had also been pupils. Choosing farming as his life occupation, he remained on the old homestead, engaged in that calling, and caring for his parents in their last years. At the death of the latter he succeeded to the homestead. The farm is a valuable property of one hundred acres, much of which he tills with profit, raising hay, corn, potatoes, and the smaller grains. Ile is held in high re- gard throughout the community. In politics, while he is a strong advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, he has never sought political favors.
Mr. Swasey was married, December 25, 1863, to Miss Martha J. Fall, who was born,
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September 28, 1835, in York County, Maine. Her paternal grandparents, Stephen and Eliz- abeth (Gerrish) Fall, were among the early settlers of Lebanon, Me. Her father, Isaac C. Fall, a merchant and farmer, was actively engaged in business until his demise in July, 1862. He married Martha Pray, who was born in Lebanon, daughter of Samuel and Betsey (Wentworth) Pray, both natives of Berwick, Me. She survived her husband until May, 1894. They had eleven children, as follows: Angeline P., now the wife of B. L. Stevens, of Dover, N. H .; Sylvester, a merchant, in Chelsea, Mass .; Mary E., the wife of Hiram Lord, of Berwick, Me .; Har- riet, the wife of the Hon. William Emery, of Alfred, Me .; Samuel P., living in Lebanon, Me., who married Susan E. French, of Brain- trec, Mass .; Martha J., now Mrs. Swasey ; Isaac C., Jr., who was killed during the late Rebellion in one of the battles fought in Vir- ginia; Henry R., of whom no authentic rec- ord has been preserved; Frank H., living in Arizona, who married Lottie Coffin; Albert M., a resident of Everett, Mass. ; and Stephen, a farmer, in Lebanon, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Swasey are the parents of five children, namely: Annie J., born December 31, 1864, who married John E. Troy, a chef in Boston, and has two children - Ruth M. and. Arthur S .; Cora H., born June 19, 1869, who is the wife of James A. Bickford, an undertaker at Northwood Narrows, this county; Mary R., born October 14, 1871; Everett H., born May 6, 1875, who died September 4, 1880; and John F., born March 10, 1877.
BEN FOLSOM, profitably engaged in the manufacture of brass plumbing sup- plies at Exeter, where he established himself in business about thirty years ago, was born here on October 25, 1828, son of Josiah and Mary (James) Folsom. The Folsom family were among the earliest settlers of New England. It is alleged that as carly as 1638, on the ship "Diligent," twelve fami- lies came thither from Hingham, England, and that one of these families was John Fol- som, with his young wife and two servants. About five years later they settled in Exeter.
James Folsom, the grandfather of Eben, and the son of Peter, was the first-born of twelve children, his birth occurring on June 22, 1756. He followed the occupations of carpen- ter and farmer, owning an excellent farm here, in addition to other property. At the time of his death he was between eighty and ninety years of age. His wife, a Miss Folsom before marriage, was a double cousin. She bore him twelve children, four sons and eight daughters.
Josiah Folsom, born March 2, 1787, in a house close by, on his father's farm, was a carpenter, contractor, and builder, and also owned a good farm. At his death in 1874, when eighty-seven years of age, he left prop- erty valued at about fifteen thousand dollars. He was a man of rugged constitution, and until his final illness he had never suffered on account of sickness. He was married three times, first in October, 1812, to Miss Mary Woodruff, of Connecticut. She left one daughter, Mary Bragdon, who died in Exeter in 1895, over eighty years of age. May 22, 1825, the father formed a second union with Miss Mary James, of Hampton, this county. There were three children by this marriage, namely: Josiah James, now residing on the Folsom estate in the house erected by his father; Elizabeth, the widow of Samuel Hall, who was for many years the publisher of the Exeter News Letter; and Eben, the subject of this sketch. The third marriage was contracted with Miss Elizabeth James, also of Hampton, who had no children.
Eben Folsom completed his education at Phillips Academy. When seventeen years of age, he became an apprentice of James Derby at the machinist's trade, which he has suc- cessfully followed throughout his life. With the exception of a year in Providence, R. I., and one in Mittineague, Mass., he has worked for the most part in this place. From 1849 to 1860 he held the position of foreman in the shop of Sanborn & Richardson here and at East Boston, Mass., and was for four years in charge of the brass department of the Squam- scot Machine Company at South New Market, this county. In 1865 he established his pres- ent business, the manufacture of brass goods used in plumbing, in which he now gives em- ployment to between thirty-five and forty men.
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On April 24, 1862, Mr. Folsom was united in marriage with Miss Hannah S. Bagley, born in Salisbury, Mass., January 29, 1829, daughter of William Bagley. Their only son and child, Wendell Burt Folsom, is now in partnership with his father, and the book- keeper of the firm. He married Miss Bessie Knowles, of Augusta, Me. In politics the elder Mr. Folsom is a supporter of Republi- can principles. In 1872 he represented the town of Exeter in the State legislature. He is a member of the Masonic Order. Both he and Mrs. Folsom have lived in their present home since their marriage, a period of more than thirty years.
ALTER J. DUDLEY, of Raymond, the present owner of the old Dudley homestead, was born here, June 26, 1855, son of James T. and Harriett (Joslyn)
Dudley. He is a descendant on his father's side of Governor Thomas Dudley, the founder of the family in this country. Governor Dud- ley, who was born in England in 1576, came to America in 1630, and settled in Boston, Mass. After serving as governor of the colony for several years, he died in 1653, aged seventy-seven years.
Barnard Tucker, the paternal grandfather of Walter J. Dudley, was born in Raymond, and spent his life in agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Sallie Dudley, a grand- daughter of Judge John Dudley. Judge Dud- ley, who was born on April 9, 1725, came to Raymond in 1776, and purchased the home- stead which has since been owned by his de- scendants. Ile married Eliza Gilman; and his son, Moses Dudley, was the father of Mrs. Tucker. Moses, who was born on the old place in Raymond in 1766, followed farming all his life, was very prominent in town and State affairs, served as a Representative in the State legislature for a number of years, and died July 2, 1843, aged seventy-seven years. Ile married Miss Nancy Glidden, of Exeter, N.H. Of the ten children born to them the only survivor is Mrs. Tucker, now ninety-eight years old. She has borne her husband nine children, of whom a son and four daughters survive. These are: Annie L., the wife of
Ezra Young, of Boston; Sarah A., the wife of H. G. McClure, of Raymond; Jennic T., the wife of Frank R. Grout, of Raymond; Isaac N. Tucker, a resident of Boston, Mass. ; and Helen T., the wife of John Eaton, of Ray- mond. The father was a Whig in politics. Although not a man who cared for official po- sition, he was prominent in town affairs. He died in August, 1869, sixty-seven years of age.
James T. Dudley was a son of Barnard and Sallie (Dudley) Tucker. On coming into possession of the old Dudley homestead, he changed his name to Dudley, the maiden name of his mother. He was born in Ray- mond, and during the active years of his life was engaged in farming. He attended the Congregational church. In politics he was a Democrat. From the time he was old enough to cast his first vote he took great interest in town affairs, and served very creditably as Town Treasurer, and on the Board of Select- men, of which he was Chairman for a number of years. He was also a member of Junietta Lodge and Granite Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Raymond; of Rock- ingham Lodge, No. 76, of Candia; the Royal Arch Chapter and Trinity Commandery, A. F. & A. M., of Manchester. He married Miss Harriett Joslyn, and the two sons born of the union are both living, namely: James W., re- siding in Franconia, N.H .; and Walter J., the subject of this sketch. The father died February 20, 1895, seventy years of age.
Walter J. Dudley acquired his rudimentary education in the common schools of Raymond. This was supplemented by a scientific course at the New Hampton Institute, from which he graduated with the class of 1874. At the close of his school life he returned home, and . after his father's death became the owner of the old homestead. The farm contains three hundred acres of fertile land, well adapted to mixed husbandry, which Mr. Dudley carries on very successfully. In 1883 he was joined in marriage with Miss Ida F. Hale, of Boston, who has since made him the father of two sons and a daughter. These are : Frank, who is attending school; Harriett J., now three years old; and James T., the youngest child.
Mr. Dudley is a stanch Democrat. In
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1885 he was a Representative to the State legislature. He was County Commissioner from 1887 to 1893, and he served four years as Selectman of the town. He is a member of Junietta Lodge, No. 47, and of Granite Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Raymond; and of Rock- ingham Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M., of Candia, in which he has served as Master four years. The family are regular attendants of the Orthodox church.
RA N. BLAKE, of the firm of Blake, Allen & Co., shoe manufacturers of Northwood, was born in Kensington, this county, October 11, 1832, son of Ira and Dorothy (Sanborn) Blake. His great- grandfather, Hezekiah Blake, who was a farmer of Kensington, died in 1842, at the great age of ninety years. His grandfather, Hezekiah's son John, who was born on the Blake home- stead in Kensington, spent his life in that town, engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. John Blake died in 1840, at the age of sixty- five. His wife, who was a Miss Blake of the same place, also lived sixty-five years. This couple reared the following children: Ira, John T., Phillman, Newell, Lucy, and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is now Mrs. Wadley.
Ira Blake was born on the homestead in Kensington in 1799. He was adopted by his uncle, John Blake, who at his death left his farm to his nephew. Mr. Blake took up civil engineering . when a boy, and followed the profession during his active life. His ser- vices were often demanded to settle estates, write deeds, and transact other business of a kindred nature. Successively a Whig and a Republican, he was active in political affairs. In his native town he presided as Moderator at the town meetings for thirty years, and he represented the place in the State legislature during one session. He died at the age of seventy-six. Ilis wife, who was likewise a native of Kensington, lived to be eighty-three. Their children were: John A., Lucy E., Ira N., Mary S., and Sarah E. Lucy E. and Sarah E. are married to husbands named Cram.
Ira N. Blake began to learn the shoemaker's
trade when eighteen years of age. Not long after he started in business for himself, filling orders for "turned work" in his native town. Two years later he established a business of the same kind in Hampton Falls, this county, where he remained about three years. Then, after spending a few years in the oil regions, he engaged in machine work at Seabrook, this county. This was in 1869. In 1872 he opened business in Hampton Falls again. He began in 1876 to perform contract work for C. B. Lancaster, of Boston, of whose factories in Pittsfield, N. H., he was superintendent until 1887. He became closely identified with the business interests of Pittsfield while there. When the Farmer's Savings Bank was organized, he was made President, in which capacity he labored hard for its success. He was also extensively interested in real estate there. He purchased a farm that stretched down the hillside from Main Street to the river, opened up a new street, putting up seven new cottages for his workmen, and erecting an elegant residence for himself at the corner of Main and Blake Streets. In 1887 he estab- lished his present business in Northwood. The enterprise has been very beneficial to this town.
Mr. Blake is a strong Republican. While in Pittsfield, though making no effort to ac- quire political influence, he nevertheless won the good-will of the people of the town, who twice elected him to the State legislature. He has also been returned to that body from Northwood, holding his seat two years ; and he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1892.
ILLIAM BUTTERWORTH, one of the prosperous, self-made men of Londonderry, was born in Lanca- shire, England, March 9, 1830. He is a son of John and Ann (Dana) Butterworth, both English born. His parents with their chil- dren came to America in 1839 in the " Mara- thon," a well-known merchantman of that day. After a voyage lasting six weeks they landed in Boston, and subsequently resided in Massa- chusetts, first at North Andover, and then in Lowell. The father was a shoemaker, and
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worked at his trade in England and America. Both parents died in Lowell. Three of the children are living: Benjamin S., in Chicago, Ill. : Samuel D., in Lowell, Mass. ; and Will- iam, the subject of this sketch.
William Butterworth was nine years of age when he arrived in America. He received his education chiefly in the public schools of Lowell, Mass., which he was seldom able to attend for more than three months in the year. With the years of discretion, however, came a desire for more knowledge; and by reading and observation he has since largely made up for his early loss. He worked for several years at the forge, making various kinds of iron articles. Then he took up farm work, and in 1866 obtained employment in the town of Windham, this county. In 1875 he moved to Londonderry, and settled on the farm he now occupies. Here he has seventy-five acres of land in a high state of cultivation, the neat and substantial buildings and well-kept grounds witnessing to the thrift and good taste of the manager.
Mr. Butterworth was married, November 30, 1854, to Mary A. Way, a native of Unity, N.H., and a daughter of Joseph and Lurena (Currier) Way, who were both born in Sulli- van County. He has one adopted son, Will- iam A. Butterworth, who lives in London- derry.
Mr. Butterworth is prominent among the Democrats of the district, and has served as Selectman of the town. He is well known and respected in Londonderry.
ON. JOSEPH S. SMITH, of Smith- town, a section of Seabrook, this county, was born in Seabrook, Feb- ruary 20, 1848, son of Jeremiah and Eliza (Stevens) Smith. Smithtown takes its name from the family, who have been resi- dents for some time. Jacob Smith, the grand- father, also a native of Seabrook and a tanner by trade, died there at an advanced age. Jeremiah Smith obtained his education mainly in the district school. Ile was a boot-maker ; and, besides managing a farm, he followed his trade in Seabrook almost to the day of his death. A man of much intelligence, he was
one of the leaders in the community. John Wesley had few more ardent disciples than Jeremiah Smith. He was one of the founders of the Methodist church in Seabrook, and therein officiated as an Elder for many years preceding his death, which occurred in his seventy-seventh year. His wife, who was a daughter of Joseph Stevens, of Salisbury, Mass., attained the advanced age of eighty-six. The children reared by them, all living in Seabrook, are: Eben F., Abram M., Jacob, Mary, James, and Joseph S.
The Hon. Joseph S. Smith obtained his edu- cation in the district school and at Sea- brook Academy. He afterward learned the shoemaker's trade, and worked at it for a while in Haverhill, Mass. In 1876 he built a store near his home, and therein started a general merchandise business. This enterprise proved quite successful, and he has carried it on since. He now has a well-established trade.
Mr. Smith was married in 1872 to Miss Annie A. Brown, daughter of Captain John L. Brown, of Seabrook. Captain Brown was a "forty-niner," and spent four years in Califor- nia. Mrs. Smith is the Postmistress of Smith- town and the Treasurer of Seabrook Library. She is the mother of one child, Jeremiah L. Mr. Smith has been a Democrat since he came of age. In 1872 he cast his first Presidential vote for Horace Greeley and B. Gratz, when the Republicans nominated Grant and Wilson. He occupied a seat in the New Hampshire legislature of 1887-88. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Rockingham Lodge, No. 22, of Hampton, N. H., and Hunto Encampment ; and a Trustee of both Dearborn Academy and the Methodist church in Seabrook.
ΑΡΤAIN SAMUEL BILLINGS, formerly a resident of Portsmouth, was one of the ablest commanders of our merchant navy in the middle years of the century. Born within sight and sound of the ocean waves at Kittery Point, Me., July 14, 1809, he was a "toiler of the sea " at the age of eleven. Seven years later he was master of his own vessel. His last voyage was made to Australia. At the time of his marriage he was master of the schooner
SAMUEL BILLINGS.
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"Franklin," built at Eastport, Me. Subse- quently he commanded, being at the same time a part owner, the brig "Empress," the bark "Apphia Maria," the bark "Mary- Annah," the ships "Granite State" and "Ella E. Badger." In the "Apphia Maria" Captain Billings transported troops to Mexico during the Mexican War, but he was chiefly engaged in carrying cotton to Europe.
A most creditable incident in his life, as it is one of much interest in the history of our commerce, was that which brought him the distinction of being the first master of a ship to take an American vessel with its cargo, after crossing the ocean, up through the wind- ings of the river Seine, in France, to the city of Rouen. He did it when all other masters of American vessels, who had been invited to do so, had refused to make the attempt, and in opposition to the wishes of the other owners of the "Mary-Annah," in which he did it. On the occasion he carried a cargo of cotton from New Orleans. All the way up the Seine he and his ship were the objects of one contin- uous ovation, with cannon firing, people cheer- ing, and the flags of France and America flying everywhere. At Rouen he was met by an im- perial band of music and a deputation of repre- sentative citizens, who escorted him to where a superb banquet was laid to do him honor. Before leaving the place, the Free Society of Trade and Industry of Rouen gave him a re- ception, at which he was presented with a sil- ver medal and an engrossed address commem- orative of the event. Among other souvenirs then received by him were: a complete Atlas of Marine Charts; a volume of fine engravings .
of the principal buildings of Rouen ; a perfect model of the "Mary-Annah" for the Captain's wife; and a vase of exquisite flowers, under glass, for his two daughters, after whom the bark was named. The date of the event, as fixed by the medal, was April 4, 1852.
It is further claimed for Captain Billings that he was the first master to take a temper- ance crew out of Eastport, and that the cargo of fish brought back by this crew was larger than any ever before unloaded at Eastport. Ilis lucky star, or rather that of his profes- sional skill, was as much in the ascendant in the last important voyage he made as it was
throughout his previous career. He reached his destination, Australia -- the same as that of his first voyage - without any mishap worth considering, in the "Ella A. Badger." Re- turning, he arrived at the port of Baltimore as the Civil War was beginning. Ignorant of the fact, he was surprised to be unable to get a pilot as he entered, and to miss some of the lights. However, his greatest surprise came when he, one of the most careful of masters, found himself in shoal water. The cause, he afterward learned, was the fact that the rebels had altered the location of the lights with a view to facilitate the capture of Northern vessels. It then was a matter of surprise to him that, all things considered, the ship did not go ashore. He managed to get her into port safely. Shortly after this incident, hav- ing followed the sea for forty years, he retired to private life, taking up his residence in Greenland, N. H., this county, on a fine estate purchased on that occasion.
In 1835, February 3, he was married to a daughter of George Tetherly, of Portsmouth. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Billings, William Tetherly, fought for independence in the Revolutionary War. Her father, who was a native of Eliot, Me., came here when he was eighteen years old, and obtained employ- ment in the soap and candle factory of Mr. Frothingham. He subsequently followed that business for forty years, living to the age of ninety-four years. His wife, Nancy, a daugh- ter of Ephraim Billings, of Portsmouth, came of Scottish ancestry. She bore him ten chil- dren, of whom but Mrs. Billings and another are now living. Mr. Tetherly was not con- nected with any church ; but he read his Bible every day, and tried to live a Christian life. His wife, who was active in Sunday-school work, very frequently had ministers for guests. She was seventy-four years old when she died. Captain and Mrs. Billings had three daughters and two sons, all of whom, except the eldest, Mary E., are now deceased. Their son-in-law, William Grace Billings, who made his home with Captain Billings, was born September 10, 1852, and died September 1, 1893. He was engaged in the sash and blind business for some years; was Grand Master in Piscataqua Lodge, No. 6, Independent Order of Odd
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Fellows; Past Master of St. John's Lodge, holding the thirty-second degree of Masonry, and having membership in Aleppo Mystic Shrine; P. E. C. of De Witt Clinton Com- mandery, Knights Templars; member of Damon Lodge, Knights of Pythias; a member of the Mechanics' Fire Association; a Past President of the Associated Mechanics and Manufacturers of New Hampshire; Vice-Presi- dent of the Board of Trade; a Director of the Mercantile Library Association ; and for three years an Alderman of Portsmouth.
Captain Samuel Billings died June 14, 1870, in his sixty-first year. When he removed to Greenland, he gave one hundred dollars for the purchase of a bell to the Congregational church of that place. He was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, but took little interest in the organization. Excepting the six years spent in Greenland, Mrs. Billings has been a resident of Portsmouth all her lifetime. She is now eighty-two; but with the excep- tion of her hearing, which is failing, she is in full possession of her faculties.
EORGE H. McDUFFEE, one of the foremost citizens of Candia, N. H., a brick-mason by trade, now serving the first year of his second term as a Repre- sentative to the lower house of the State legis- lature, is of Scotch-Irish descent. There were three brothers - Archibald, John, and Daniel - that emigrated with their parents, John and Martha McDuffee, to America, the one who settled in Massabesic, Hillsborough County, N. H., becoming the progenitor of this branch of the family.
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