USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Orford > Centennial celebration of the town of Orford, N.H. : containing the oration, poems and speeches delivered on Thursday, September 7, 1865 : with some additional matters relating to the history of the place > Part 9
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My mother, who is now living, was seven weeks old when her father enlisted. Grandfather Merrell was a man of no ordinary stamp. Having no advantages for education, he became his own teacher, and educated himself, and was well informed and possessed of good common sense. He was a patriot. In the war of 1812, when over 60 years of age, he volunteered, and served two years in the army, as Captain most of the time. He died in February, 1839 aged 87 years and six months. My grandmother lived to , be 98 years and six months. Mother, who is now living, and quite well, is in her 89th year. She had a brother who died last year, aged 90. My brothers and sisters have all died young. Of nine children, none excepting myself, have attained to the age of 36 years. John Merrell, be- fore referred to, was born in Haverhill, Mass. At the time of his enlistment under Capt. Post, he lived at Haverhill, N. H., or Newbury, Vt., we are not sure which. After the close of the Revolutionary War, he removed to Brunswick, Vt., where he died.
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MERRILL.
The following letter contains all the information of the Merrill family in the hands of the Committee, and is there- fore inserted in this place.
NASHUA, December 2, 1865.
Mrs. Stephen Merrill :
Stephen Merrill, your husband's great-grandfather, lived and died in Boxford, Mass. He was a farmer, and lived to a good old age, bearing a most excellent character. His wife's given name was Keziah-a good woman and notable house-keeper.
They had five children-three sons and two daughters. Their names were Asa, Jesse, Stephen, Betsey and Mehit- able. His second son, Jesse, married Phebe Pearl. They lived in Salem, N. H. He was a farmer, likewise, and had four children, Timothy, Richard, Elizabeth and Dorcas, (the present Mrs. John Gage). Timothy, the eldest son, married Marcia Gage, daughter of Josiah Gage, Esq., who was brother to Benjamin Gage, who was father to the pres- ent John Gage, making your husband's mother, Marcia, and father Gage, own cousins. Timothy Merrill and fam- ily moved to Orford, mother thinks, in 1794, and was fol- lowed in the year 1802, by his father, Jesse Merrill, with the rest of his family, and in company with John Gage.
They settled in the middle of the town, on the farm now occupied by Nathaniel Russell. Jesse Merrill moved twice after that, and died in the house occupied at the present time by Henry Perrin. He died fifty years ago, on Janu- ary 1st, 1816, aged 73. Rather singularly, his birth and death occurred at the same hour, on Sunday, the first day of the week, and the first day of the first month of the year.
Timothy's family was large. He had seven sons and
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four daughters, Jesse, Richard, Josiah, Asa, Phebe, Martha, Mercy, Abigail, Pearl, Silas and Stephen, who is the last remaining of the family in Orford.
Yours, ·M. A. GAGE.
By way of correction, the following is added to the above letter :
" There were nine sons in Timothy Merrill's family. Jeremiah is omitted in the letter. He was twin brother to Josiah. Timothy, another of the brothers, is not men- tioned. It must have been before 1794 that they moved to Orford, as all the children were born here, the oldest in 1788. A. T. MERRILL."
MOREY.
Gen. Israel Morey was born at Hebron, Conn., May 27th, 1735. Died at Orford, August 10th, 1809.
He was married to Martha Palmer, at Hebron, Conn., July 14th, 1757, who was born May 4th, 1733, and died at Fairlee, Vt., January 12th, 1810. Removed with his fam- ily to Orford, January, 1766. They made the long, te- dious and toilsome journey with an ox team-the wife carrying in her arms an infant of six months. Settled on the farm afterwards occupied by Capt. Joseph Pratt, now owned by Tillotson and Cushman. The house was stand- ing until within a few years. He procured a charter for the first ferry across the Connecticut, which was located at that place. Afterwards removed to Fairlee, and was an extensive owner of timber lands. He built the mills on the Pond Brook-the first in town. Returned to Orford, and erected a dwelling, where now stands the house of the late Judge Wilcox.
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He had seven children, Israel Morey, born at Hebron, Conn., June 10, 1760, and died at Orford, January 25, 1820. The only survivor of that branch of the family, is Geo. A. Morey, Esq., residing at Fairlee. Capt. Samuel Morey, born at Hebron, Conn., October 23, 1762, and died at Fairlee, Vt., April 17, 1843. His wife was Hannah Avery. The only daughter married Hon. Leonard Wilcox. Moulton Morey, born at Hebron, Conn., July 4, 1765 ; died at Fairlee, Vt. Graduated at Dartmouth College in 1789; was a lawyer, and for some years, judge of the Orange County court. Of a large family, the only one living is Samuel P. Morey Esq., a resident of Fairlee, Vt. Darius L. Morey, born at Orford, August 5, 1771. Died at Fair- lee, Vt., July 25, 1825. Martha Morey, born at Orford, December 20, 1767. She was the first female child born in town. Married Simon B. Bissell, Esq. Sarah Morey, born at Orford, November 6, 1777 ; married Dr. Edward Tudor. Died at Middlebury, Vt. William Pitt Morey, born at Orford, November 6, 1774 ; died January 28, 1807.
HOWARD.
William Howard, son of William and Martha Howard, was born at New London, Conn., May 20, 1775 ; he well recollected witnessing the burning of New London by the British and the surrender of Fort Grisworld, where the garrison was brutally massacred by the victors, Col. Led- yard being run through the body with his own sword after handing it to the commander of the British forces. At the age of fourteen, he was apprenticed to learn the liat- ting business at Norwich, Conn., where he remained until 21 years of age. He came to Orford in 1799, and com- menced the manufacture of hats, which he successfully
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prosecuted for many years. He bore the reputation of an industrious, honest, worthy citizen, with uncommon energy and perseverance, and no aspiration for public preferment. His highest ambition was to attain success in his legiti- mate employment, that he might contribute to the prosper- ity and happiness of those dependent upon him, and the general welfare.
He was selectman of the town, and for thirty years, post- master. He died October 20, 1848, at the age of 74 years. He was twice married, -- first to Betsey Pierce, July 5, 1802, who was born in Chester, N. H., in 1775, and died September 20, 1819. They had seven children, William, Henry Hampstead, Elizabeth Martha, Mary Pierce, James Pierce, John and Nancy.
William married Sarah E. Page, of Sharon, Vt. He is a merchant, and resides at Orford. Henry H., Mary P., and John are residents of Orford. Elizabeth M. married Edward M. Bissell, and died January 10, 1845. Nancy died June 5, 1847. James P. was a lawyer by profession, and died at San Francisco, Cal., January 12, 1850.
Mr. Howard's second marriage was to Abigail Stratton, of Fairlee, Vt., June 13, 1820. They had five children, Louisa, Thomas, Sarah, George and Jane. Louisa died May 1, 1843 ; Sarah died June 20, 1848 ; George died at Natchez, Miss. Thomas resides at Orford. Jane married Daniel G. Corliss, and is a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The name of Howard has always commanded great re- spect and influence in the town.
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PALMER.
Four of this name were among the early settlers of Or- ford-Ichabod, the date of whose coming to the town I am unable to learn ; Moses, who came in 1773 or 1774 ; Na- than, who came about the same time, and Nathaniel, who came in the spring of 1789. Of Ichabod Palmer, I have very little definite information. He was a nephew of Moses Palmer, and cousin of Nathan and Nathaniel. He married Esther Strong.
Moses Palmer was born in Eastern, Connecticut, in 1726. He first settled in Warren, Conn., and moved to Orford after the birth of his four children. He died at Orford, in 1819, aged 93.
Nathan Palmer, a nephew of Moses, was born in East- ern, Conn. Soon after coming to Orford, he married Jemima Strong, of Lyme. About the time Nathaniel Palmer came to Orford, Nathan having sold out his prop- erty to Nathaniel, returned to Connecticut, and some ten years later, removed to Ohio.
Nathaniel Palmer, an older brother of Nathan, was born at Scotland, Windham County, Conn., in 1742. His eight children, seven sons and one daughter, were all born in Connecticut, and came with him to Orford. He was an earnest, christian man, and occupied a prominent position in the infant church of his adopted town. I find his name in the list of those who protested against the doctrinal er- rors of Rev. Mr. Forsyth. He died at Orford in 1815, aged 73.
The descendants of Moses and Nathaniel Palmer have many of them, been found among the most thoroughly re- spected citizens of Orford.
Moses Palmer left one son, Moses. His grandsons Asa and Moses Palmer, remained in Orford. Moses died some years since. The last years of his life, he was the un-
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happy victim of incurable blindness. His only child, a daughter, is settled in Massachusetts. Asa Palmer is still living near Orfordville, the father of a large family of worthy and enterprising sons and daughters-himself one of the few remaining "pillars of the church" at Orfordville. Sev- eral of his children are in Massachusetts. One is now en- gaged in the study of medicine, and one, Asa Burton, whose pointed and most excellent address to the children, Centennial day, none can have forgotten, is now on the paternal homestead, and one of the most intelligent farmers of his native town. The earlier years of his man- hood he spent in teaching in Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio, a chosen profession, for which he was admirably fitted, which ill health compelled him to abandon.
Jared Palmer, the oldest son of Nathaniel, lived in Or- ford, to the advanced age of 87 years. For nearly half a century, he was a deacon in the Orfordville church, and at all times, an active christian. He was always at his post in religious meetings, weck days as well as Sundays ; and often selected as a delegate to ecclesiastical councils. None of his numerous descendants remain in Orford. He was the father of eleven children, six of whom are still liv- ing. His surviving son, Samuel Palmer, is a well known citizen and christian man in Cambridgeport, Mass.
Calvin Palmer, second son of Nathaniel, spent consider- able part of his life in northern New Hampshire, where he died in 1850. One of his sons, Alexander, has recently lived at Lisbon-an estimable citizen, superintendent of the Sabbath School, &c., &c.
Stephen Palmer, third son of Nathaniel, came to Orford with his parents, when a boy of thirteen or fourteen years, and from that time retained the same home-the farm first purchased by his father, till the last day of his life. He died in 1857, at the age of 81 years. During the greater part of his life, he was well known up and down the Con-
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necticut river, as the efficient builder of the heavy-tim- bered bridges common at that time. He was the father of two children. His daughter died at 18. His son, William S. Palmer, having graduated at Dartmouth College in 1853, and taught several years in different institu tions in New England and Ohio, is now settled in the ministry at Wells River, Vt., an honor to his church and his profession.
Elijah Palmer, fourth son of Nathaniel, spent most of his life in Orford, dividing his time between farming and mechanical labor. His home was in Quintown through the years of his greatest activity. When an old man, he removed to Wentworth, with his youngest son. When about 80 years old, he became a member of the Congre- gational church, at Piermont. He died in 1854, aged 82. Only one of his sons is still living in Orford, Austin Palmer, for some years past selectman and justice of the peace, and he has recently purchased the celebrated Hazen farm in Newbury, Vt. Nathaniel Palmer, his oldest son, died when a young man, at Orford ; not, however, until he had won an enviable reputation, as a man of remarkable ge- nius and signal general intelligence.
John N. Palmer is in Wisconsin. E. West Palmer died some years since, in Boston. George Palmer is in Nashua, and Henry is a very successful farmer in Piermont. Hor- ace Palmer, fifth son of Nathaniel, spent his life in Orford, most of it in the West Parish. He died in 1856, aged 76. He was the father of eleven children-none of whom have resided in Orford for several years. One son, I believe, is in New York, and one in Minnesota. Two daughters are in Minnesota, and three in Massachusetts.
Clara Palmer, the only daughter of Nathaniel, was mar- ried to a Mr. Hosford, and removed to Bath. Her son, Elisha Hosford, died in Kentucky; and her daughter is now Mrs. Dr. Hosford, of Orford-the only descendant of Nathaniel Palmer who has, at present, a permanent home
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in the town of his adoption, withal, a most worthy repre- sentative of the family.
NEWELL.
John Newell was born in Salem, Mass., January 31, 1768 ; married Eunice Corliss, of Alexander, Mass., Sept. 1, 1791, and moved to Orford and bought a farm in the East part of the town, where he resided for nearly sixty years. In 1851, he went to Woodstock, Ill., where he died at the age of 90 years and 5 months. He lived more than 60 years a worthy christian, always cheerful and contented, ever ready to speak a word in behalf of the christian cause. His wife died about three years after, at the age of 89. Amidst the changes and sorrows of a long life, she had the cheering presence of her Savior. They had twelve chil- dren-three died in infancy. John, Eunice and Lorensa are now living. Lucy married Benjamin Finney, a farmer. Emily married James Hutchins, a merchant at Woodstock, Ill. Daniel went to New York City, and married Annala- nah Richie, he was the pastor of a Presbyterian Church some twenty years, when ill health compelled him to seek other employment, and he became the proprietor and edi- tor of the Family Circle and Parlor Annual. David mar- red a Miss Hall, moved to New York, as a broker and bank- er. Sally married William Stetson, of Orford, a farmer. Benjamin married Polly Fifield, and lived in Piermont, N. H., as a carriage maker. Eunice married Samuel Niles, of Orford, a farmer. Mrs. Niles married for her second hus- band, M. Ramsey, and now reside in Woodstock, Ill. Lo- rensa married Porter Cutting, and lives in Woodstock, Ill. John, Jr., married Betsey Stetson, of Lyme, N. H., and in
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1821, purchased a farm near his father's in Orford, upon which he lived till 1863, when he moved to Manchester, N. H., where they now live at an advanced age, frugal and industrious, and in the enjoyment of a good degree of health. They were the parents of six daughters, to whom they , gave good advantages for education, and at the same time . not neglecting to impart to them useful and practical les- sons in house-keeping. One thing is worthy of note, that of the family gathering during the month of August, which has been observed for more than 20 years, and is still kept up, much to the pleasure of both, parents and chil- dren. Hattie A., married James Huse, lives in Enfield, N. H., manufacturer of bedsteads. Louise M., married G. W. Follansbee, lives in New York City, clerk at the Astor House. Lorensa S., married G. W. Boynton, lives in Manchester, N. H., watch maker and jeweller. Mary S., married B. Frank Niles, of Orford, a farmer, she died in Nov. 1862. Lizzie E., married Henry A. Gage, printer and publisher at Manchester, N. H. Anna R., married H. A. Horton, and lives on the old Homestead in Orford.
PRATT.
My father was born in Salem, Mass., in 1745, and died in Orford, December 12th, 1832. He removed from Salem to Orford in 1792. The eastern part of Orford was then but partially settled. Our nearest neighbor, if I recollect right, was Col. Simpson, who then lived near where Judge Wilcox used to live, and where he died. There was then a one story meeting house between where the Universalist meeting house now stands, and the river. The Rev. Mr. Sawyer preached there when my father came to Orford. He died, I believe, at the age of 100 years. I believe the two eldest men then in Orford, were Deacon Strong, Mr.
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E. Strong's grandfather, and Deacon Tillotson, Obadiah Tillotson's grandfather.
At the time my father came to Orford, wolves and bears were quite plenty. My oldest brother, Joseph, went into the barn yard near the house one night, and found a wolf in the yard. At another time, two wolves came in the night, and carried off one of our sheep.
There was no post office in Orford when my father came there. Gen. Pickering was Post Master General under Washington's administration. He was a near neighbor to my father, in Salem. He gave my father the post office for Orford ; but having much other business to attend to, he let Major John Mann the office, who kept it for a num- ber of years.
My mother was born in the year 1743, and died in Or- ford in 1809. I have frequently heard her relate the land- ing of the British troops in Salem, at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Col. Leslie commanded the British troops. They were sent there by Gen. Gage, from Boston, with orders to take possession of the cannon known to be deposited there. The troops landed on Sunday, in the month of January. My father, I believe, was absent. The alarm was given by the beat of the drum. My mother was in the Rev. Mr. Bernard's meeting house when the alarm was given. As she turned the corner of the street to go home, she met Col. Leslie, with his troops, marching up. They halted near a house where a man lived, who was said to be a tory. The British troops were soon sur- rounded by two thousand people. My mother said the soldiers looked pale. The selectmen of salem asked Col. Leslie about his business in coming on the Sabbath day un- der arms. He told them that he had orders from Gen. Gage to take the cannon deposited there. They told him the cannon belonged to the state of Massachusetts, and he could not have them. In the meantime, the boats had
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been rendered useless, and the bridge draw was up. Col. Leslie then marched down to the bridge, in order to cross and take the cannon. When he got on the bridge, and found he could not cross, he rode back in a rage, and said if they did not let down the draw, he would fire on the multitude that followed him down to the bridge. The head men of the town told him if he did fire on the people, not one of his men should go off the bridge alive. He then rode back and consulted his officers, and then came back and said if he did not obey the command of Gen. Gage, his head must come off; he also said if they would let down the bridge, and let him pass so many rods from it, he would give his word and honor that he would turn back, and not meddle with the cannon, and would leave the town immediately. The draw bridge was then let down. He marched to the place, and wheeling around, took off his hat-bid the people good-bye, and left for Boston.
My father made his first voyage on the ocean when he was fourteen years old. He continued in this employment about thirty years. He commanded a merchant vessel a number of years. After the Revolutionary War began, lie was taken prisoner, by a British man-of-war. While a pris- oner, the vessel in which he was confined, had a running fight with a French man-of-war. The English Captain set him and the officers on Martha's Vineyard, near Boston, allowing him only what he could put into a chest. The rest of the crew were sent to Halifax. He afterwards took the command of a ship of war, called the Grand Turk, car- rying twenty guns, with a crew of 100 men. The vessel was owned and fitted out by Capt. E. H. Derby, of Salem. He sailed in this vessel three years. He visited Biboa, in Spain, and was in the English Channel, but never landed in England. In the time of the Revolutionary War, a large English Frigate kept cruising near Massachusetts Bay, and had taken many American vessels-sending their crews to
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Halifax. Before my father left Salem to go to sea, he heard that this man-of-war was cruising in Massachusetts Bay ; but as his ship was a fast sailing one, he was confi- dent he could outsail her, and escape, as he thought it would be hopeless to fight with so large a vessel of war. As he sailed out on a cruise, he came in sight of this large English Frigate that had taken so many American vessels. When my father came within hailing distance, the Captain of the English Frigate called out through his speaking trumpet : " You Yankee rascal, strike your flag, or I will blow you into the air." A favorable wind at that moment brought the Grand Turk, with her ten guns on a side, close to the Frigate. My father gave the word to be ready to fire. The Captain of the Frigate called out and said : "For God's sake, don't fire-if you do, you will sink us immediately." He then hauled down his flag, and then my father, followed by the marines, sprang on board of the Frigate. The Captain met him, and handed his sword to him. In the evening, the Grand Turk, with her prize, re- turned to Salem.
One dark night, while sailing on a cruise, he came in sight of a man-of-war. He could judge of her size only by the lights she carried. The men on board his vessel were loth to engage her. My father thought he would see what she would do. He ordered the gun to fire to the right, then to the left of the vessel, and then to fire as near as he could, right into the center of the vessel. The light of the man-of-war then went up, as a signal to fire ; but they did not fire, and hauled down their flag. When they came to see the size of my father's vessel, they exclaimed-" We are kidnapped." The prize was then brought safe into Salem.
Three of my father's family died in infancy. My oldest brother died in Orford. Jonathan died in Providence, R. I., in 1847. Henry died in 1827, and Margaret in 1859.
NATHANIEL PRATT.
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PHELPS.
Samuel Phelps was born at Hebron, Conn., July 6th, 1742, and died May 2d, 1815. Married to Lydia Morey, of Lebanon, Conn., May, 1764. She died January 23d, 1832. They lived together in the marriage relation, more than fifty years. Came to Orford in April 1771. They had thirteen children-Samuel, born December 2d, 1776 ; was three times married, first to Patience Cook ; second to Fanny Stevens, third to Anna Bartholomew. They had eight children, one died in infancy. Three are now living. Anna married Oliver Mitchell, and resides in Orford. Ab- ner, a lawyer, resident of San Francisco, Cal., and Tim- othy B., who resides in Lyme.
Benona, born March 31st, 1768; died February 1st, 1770. Benona, born June 21st, 1775; died July 22d, 1775. Joel, married Saphronia Dodge ; died September 1st, 1822. Nathaniel, born September 18th, 1780 ; died 27th of the same month. Nathaniel, born July 4th, 1782, and died a few years since. George Morey, born January 2d,, 1788, and died a few years since, at Hill, N. H. He was a lawyer, and was twice married, first to Lydia Thurs- ton, and second to Sarah W. Fitch. He had six children by his first wife, and one by the second.
Orenda, born April 10th, 1765. Married Samuel Bliss, and died November 27th, 1821. They had ten children.
Bridget, born October 26th 1769; died August 13th, 1842. She married Joseph Archer. They had ten chil- dren-five of whom died in infancy.
Lydia, born August 9th 1771. Married Hazel Russ, and died October 26th, 1840. They had eight children.
Mary, born June 20th, 1773; died Setember 1st, 1774. Assenett married Thomas Stevens, born May 13th, 1777 ; died February 1st 1835. They had nine children, three of whom died in infancy.
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Mary, born April 30th 1774 ; died a few years since. Married Joseph Dutton.
QUINT.
Benjamin Quint came to Orford in 1792, and settled in the easterly part of the town, called Quinttown, from whom it derived its name. He raised a large family. Some of his descendants are now residents of Orford. He was in the war of the Revolution, and served with John Paul Jones ; was aboard the Bon Homme Richard in the action with the Serapis. He died many years since at an advanced age.
ROGERS.
Nathaniel Rogers, a son of Rev. John Rogers, minister at Boxford, Mass., was born June 7, 1718 ; was graduated at Harvard College ; settled at Leominster, Mass., as a farmer ; removed to Orford, N. H., in 1770, and was alive in 1784.
Nathaniel Rogers, son of the preceding, was born at Leominster, about 1750 ; came to Orford about 1770, and died October 11, 1820. He was a farmer, and was many years one of the selectmen of the town. He was a ser- geant in the army of the American Revolution, in the company commanded by Capt. Jonathan Chandler, in the regiment commanded by Col. Jonathan Chase. He bore a high character for integrity and sound judgment. His wife was Eunice Allen. She survived him many years, and died at an advanced age. He left five children, John, Hannah, James, Eunice and Charles.
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