USA > New Hampshire > Colony, province, state, 1623-1888: history of New Hampshire > Part 21
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In the prime of life, active and enterprising, polite and easy in his address, and placed in power by the same minister who had procured the repeal of the Stamp Act, Governor Went- worth became a popular favorite. His inclination and interest led him to cultivate the good will of the people. Brought up to commercial pursuits, he had a taste for agriculture, and contrib- uted to the encouragement of agricultural pursuits. He began for himself a plantation in Wolfeborough, which led others to emulate his example in cultivating the wilderness. The rapid progress of the Province drew the attention of the people from obnoxious laws enacted for raising a revenue in the colonies. The Assembly voted him a salary of £700, equal to $2,333, besides £60 to £100 for house rent.
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The governor encouraged the building of new roads and was instrumental in locating Dartmouth College at Hanover, in 1769. In 1771, the Province was divided into five counties, - Rock- ingham, Strafford, Hillsborough, Cheshire, and Grafton ; and specie payment was resumed.
The last French and Indian war was virtually ended at the surrender of Montreal, September 8, 1760, and the victorious troops returned and scattered to their hillside farms, to pursue the paths of peace and discuss the exciting incidents of the late conflict.
All fear of an Indian outbreak being now over, the rush from the lower settlements to the upper waters of the Merrimack and Connecticut was immediate and note-worthy.
The first duty of the pioneer was to provide shelter for himself, his wife, and children. The first houses in a town were built of logs, the floors of which were of hewn plank, four or more inches in thickness. As the land was cleared these log-houses gave place to framed buildings. The most durable timber was chosen, and the neighboring Indians frequently assisted in the raising,
The tall pines and oaks were incumbrances to the land, and the first efforts were directed to destroying them. The blows of the axe resounded through the woods ; the tree which had withstood the gales of a century fell quickly to the ground ; the limbs were cut off, and the trunk cut in convenient lengths for handling, when great piles were formed and the torch applied.
After a rain had neutralized the ashes, the grain was sown . and harrowed in; and the harvest gathered frequently paid for the labor of clearing the land and for the land beside.
The roads at first were rough and bad, mere foot-ways or bridle-paths. Horses were trained to carry double, and the pillion, a seat behind the saddle for women, was in general use until the Revolution. The surveyor, with chain and compass, laid out the road and spotted the trees ; the axe-men followed after and cleared a way one or two rods wide, bridging the brooks and streams with logs, and building causeways over wet places of the same material.
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These roads were improved slowly, but in course of time would allow the passage of oxen and heavy loads ; and later they permitted the transit of the chaise and wagon, which came into use soon after the Revolution.
The clothing was almost wholly homespun ; sheep were kept for their wool, and flax was raised on every farm. The wool was carded and spun by the women of the family, and the loom was in every well-organized household. Rev. Jacob Emery of Pembroke once received a summons to attend the Provincial Congress the next day, in the distant town of Exeter. He lacked a pair of pantaloons befitting his dignity, and was in a quandary. His good wife, so says tradition, was equal to the emergency. A sheep was captured and shorn ; its wool-carded, spun and woven ; the necessary garment designed and made from the raw material, and presented to the worthy and patriotic parson, in season for him to set out for the meeting before the dawn of day.
The food of the settlers was plain. Very little tea was used, and coffee rarely ever. Game, or fish, with vegetables, was eaten for dinner ; or bean, corn, or pea porridge. Bread, milk, and boiled Indian pudding were staple articles of diet morning and evening.
The whole settlement were neighbors, and shared in each other's griefs and joys. Ready assistance was rendered to the sick and unfortunate, and interchange of labor was frequent.
Patriarchal simplicity, respect, and submission prevailed in their families ; and especial deference was paid to the Sabbath. It was a day devoted to the spiritual improvement of the old and young alike. Aside from the Bible, books were very scarce and highly prized, -a minister's library consisting of a few choice, well-worn volumes, - and newspapers were almost unknown.
The first iron crane was used in Rumford in 1758. Until then the people in this vicinity used what were known as lug- poles, which were sometimes burned off, letting the fat into the fire.
1 Gilmantown was huge. Eighteen miles was the length from I Rev. J. E. Fullerton.
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Northfield, Canterbury, and Loudon to the Lake Winnipi- seogee at the Weirs. In some places it was ten miles wide. It contained 83,500 acres. The old town included the present towns of Belmont, Gilmantown, Gilford, and the portion of Laconia on the east side of the Winnipiseogee river.
The township was granted in 1727 to twenty-four persons by the name of Gilman, together with 153 others. Many of the shares were the gift of the government for service in the wars.
The character of the first proprietors and settlers will be the acorn determining the character of the full-grown tree. A greater part of the early inhabitants came from Exeter. As Exeter was settled from Massachusetts, and was for some time under Massachusetts, the early settlers were imbued with the ideas and habits of the State.
It is worthy of special notice that at least seventeen of the founders were college graduates ; twelve of them ministers of the gospel. Others were men of note and influence in their old homes.
Though all the proprietors did not become settlers, their enlarged ideas in regard to the founding of schools and the early building of churches attracted the best class of citizens, and have given Gilmanton a proud record in the State.
The great attractions of the region to-day were the great hindrances to its early settlement.
The beautiful lake on its northern boundary was a favorite resort of the red men, as it is of his white brother. The clear waters abounded with food for his scouting parties. The chain of lakes and rivers served as the thoroughfare for the Canada Indians, as they made their dreaded incursions upon the white settlers.
Old Belknap was a point of observation which the savage climbed, not to revel in the wonderful view of lake dotted with green islands, of mountain, and of valley, but to see where the curling smoke of some settler revealed the hope of a scalp.
It is not surprising that so exposed a spot was not settled till 1761, when the Indian wars were over.
We little realize the hardships and toils of the early settlers.
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Imagine all the iron work for the first saw-mill brought on horseback. Or think of the 26th of December, 1761, when Benjamin Mudgett and wife arrived in town. Think of it, oh ye who boast of an hour's walk as a great achievement. The last twelve miles, so the story goes, they came on foot and on snowshoes. It is not strange that, a mile from her journey's end, the wife threw herself upon the snow, saying, "I may as well die here as anywhere ; if I attempt to go farther it will kill me, and if I stop here I shall but die." She reached her home, and lived seventy-three years after.
Lower Gilmanton was the first region settled. Here lived the old lawyers, Stephen Moody, Esq., John Ham, Benjamin Emerson, and the old physicians, Dr. Silver, Dr. B. Kelley, and Dr. N. C. Tebbetts.
East Gilmanton was of importance. Here was the first Con- gregational church, and when Gilmanton became a shire town of Strafford county, the court was held in the meeting-house.
Iron Works, or Averytown, grew up from the operations in iron ore commenced in 1778. The ore was taken from Suncook or Lougee's Pond, in twenty feet of water. The working being unprofitable was discontinued. Here Senator James Bell prac- tised law, and kept the post-office.
Gilmanton Corner has been the social and literary centre of the town. Gilmanton Academy was erected in 1796. In 1799 the county court began to be held in the village. Here Judge Ira A. Eastman commenced his practice. The Theological Seminary was opened in 1836.
Factory Village, now Belmont Village, received its name from the brick factory erected in 1834. The town of Belmont was left by the separation of the lower part of Gilmanton from it in 1859.
Meredith Bridge Village, Lake Village, and Gilford Village were set off, in 1812, with the town of Gilford.
The first settler in Meredith Bridge Village was Samuel Jewett, who came in 1777. He served at Bunker Hill. When he enlisted he was too short ; but the enlisting officer run his hand through the soldier's hair, and lifted it till it touched the
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pole under which the soldiers stood, telling him that what he lacked in inches he made up in grit. Daniel Avery, who came in 1779, by his energy may be called the father of the village on the Gilmanton side.
Lake Village, for a time, boasted her iron works, the ore for which came from Gunstock mountain. On Gunstock brook, at the foot of the mountain, grew the rural village now called Gilford Village.
Gilmanton boasts her literary ventures. In 1800 appeared the Gilmanton Gasette and Farmer's Weekly Magazine. The Rural Museum appeared the same year. Both soon disappeared.
For four years from its first number, May, 1835, the Saboath- School Advocate was issued. The Parents' Magazine was born in Gilmanton, September, 1840, but was early carried to Con- cord. In 1842 and 1843 the Biblical Journal was born and died. The New Hampshire Repository was the last venture.
Gilmanton Academy was chartered June 20, 1794. Peter L. Folsom, A. B., was the first preceptor, holding the position six years. The tuition was $1.00 a term.
The Academy was, for a while, one of the two principal in- stitutions in the State, and numbers among its graduates many leading citizens. It was a part of the original design to have the Academy furnish a theological training for ministers. A department called Gilmanton Theological Seminary was formed in 1836, "to aid in providing an adequate supply of able, hum- ble, zealous and laborious ministers of the gospel for the churches of the State and country, especially the feeble and destitute."
Gilmanton soil and climate have been especially favorable to the growth of churches. There have been three Congregational churches. The first, for years the town church, was incorpo- rated in 1817 as the First Congregational Society. Rev. Luke A. Spofford succeeded Rev. Mr. Smith in 1819, and was succeeded in 1825 by Rev. Daniel Lancaster, who became pastor of the second church in 1835.
The Centre (Congregational) Church, on the Academy grounds, was organized in 1826. Rev. Herman Rood became pastor the
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same year. Enjoying the audience from the Academy, and the patronage of the Seminary, this church has been the leading Congregational church in town. After Mr. Rood's pastorate, it was ministered to by Rev. Daniel Lancaster half the time, till he became its pastor in 1835. Mr. Lancaster conferred a great benefit upon the town by compiling a laborious and accu- rate history, which must serve as the foundation of all future histories of the town.
The Iron Works Congregational Church was organized in 1829. The first pastor, Rev. Charles G. Safford, came in 1831, and remained till 1836. Rev. S. S. N. Greeley was pastor from 1839 till 1842.
The First Baptist Church was organized Nov. 16, 1773. The original male members were Orlando Wood, Thomas Edgerly, Thomas Mudgett, John Fox, Dudley Young, Samuel Weeks.
1 The original charter of Marlow, signed "Ben. Went- worth," and bearing date October, 1761, shows that the town grant was divided into seventy equal shares, containing by admeasurement twenty-three thousand and forty acres, six miles square. " As soon as there shall be fifty families resi- dent," reads the charter, "and settled thereon, said town shall have the liberty of holding two fairs annually." The grantees are sixty-nine in number, and William Noyes's name heads the list.
Good authority gives the names of the first settlers as Joseph Tubbs, Samuel and John Gustin, N. Royce, N. Miller, and Nathan Huntley, and the same authority states that the first town meeting was held in March, 1776; but the records of a town meeting held in March, 1766, are now in existence, and the town has the notices of such meetings from that time forward. The authentic copy reads as follows :
" The Inhabitants of this town met according to the warning in the Charter, and being legally warned to meet at the dwelling-house of Sam'l Gustin, Joseph Tubbs was chosen Moderator for said Meeting, and Sam'l Gustin Clerk for said town ; and the meeting was adjourned to the third Tuesday of
I G. B. Griffith.
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May next at the Dwelling-House of Joseph Tubbs of Marlow at one of the clock in the afternoon on said day.
" May ye 16th, 1766, then met according to adjournment and chose Joseph Tubbs the first Selectman ; Sam'l Gustin the second Selectman, and Martin Lord the third Selectman.
" SAM'L GUSTIN, Clerk."
These were probably the first selectmen chosen. In 1767 Nathan Huntley, Samuel Gustin, and Nehemiah Royce were chosen selectmen.
In 1773 is the first copy of a warrant for a town meeting. It was directed to the constable.
In 1778 the first minister was settled, Rev. Caleb Blood, Congregationalist. He was dismissed the next year, and Rev. Eleazer Beckwith, Baptist, succeeded, and preached till his death in 1809.
The Proprietors' committee in 1767 were Nathan Huntley and Samuel Gustin. In 1783 John Lewis was chosen collector of the Rumbe tax, and in the same year it was voted to exempt the widows from taxation for twelve months.
It. is evident that but few of the charter members remained in town for a long period : if they did, they left no descendants. Nathan Huntley's name does not appear on that document, yet he was one of the first settlers.
The earliest buildings were put up near Baker's Corner, by John Gustin. Nathan Huntley settled near Marlow Hill, and Joseph Tubbs in the south part of the town. The first meeting-house was built in 1798, on Marlow Hill. It had big, square, two-story galleries all around, and contained the " box pews." It was taken down in 1845, and removed to the south, now the main, village, as a sort of a union church ; it is now called the Christian Church. There is no preaching in it at present, and the basement is used as the town hall. Origin- ally this edifice stood near Baker's Corner; it was not clap-boarded or plastered, and was furnished with the primitive wooden benches. The Methodist church, also, originally stood on Marlow Hill. Before its erection, there were quite a number of Universalists in town, and, not agree-
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ing in regard to a minister, a committee was chosen - one from the Baptists, one from the Congregationalists, and one from the Universalists - to procure a pastor ; and in order to have one that would unite them, they employed the Rev. Peter Jacobs, a Methodist, and this was the first introduction of Methodism in Marlow, which is at this time the popular church of the place.
Oral tradition says that a Mr. Marshall was the first man to preach a Methodist sermon in town, but nothing is remembered of him except the fact that he preached two or three times.
Mr. Jacobs was succeeded by Rev. Paul Dustin, a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he organized a Methodist society. Among its first members were Francis Brown, Amos Gale, Jr., and wife, Cyrus Comstock and wife, Mrs. Griffin, and Samuel Rice. Subsequently Mr. Dustin preached for the Congregationalists at Alstead, where he died, February IO, ISII, at the early age of thirty-six, and was buried in the cemetery at Alstead Centre.
Rev. Dexter Bates was probably his successor, as he was known to be the pastor in 1812-13. He is spoken of as "a strong man, full of zeal and energy."
In 1815 Marlow was embraced in Grantham Circuit, New England Conference, Vermont district, with Eleazer Weils presiding elder, and Warner Bannister preacher ; the latter did not preach in Marlow oftener than once in four weeks. The entire circuit, comprising probably from six to ten towns, re- ported a membership of two hundred and fifty-five whites and one colored.
Calista M. Huntley (Marie Calisto Piccioli) was born in Marlow, April II, 1841, and with her parents moved to Boston in 1845, and from thence to Lynn in 1851. At a very early age she manifested great musical talent, and seemed to feel the strongest desire to cultivate her gift. The sooner to accomplish her darling wish, she purchased a sewing machine, and after working upon it till its price was paid, she, at the tender age of twelve, began to save her wages till she was enabled to purchase a piano. Then her mus- ical education commenced in earnest. Before she had taken any lessons, Calista had mastered many of the problems of this beautiful science. After receiving instruction a while from a competent teacher, she herself gave lessons, remaining a pupil still. Hier talent not only secured scholars, but
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she ere long was offered the leading place in churches and at festivals ; so she was able to continue her favorite study. In April, 1866, she went to Italy. and pursued her chosen vocation, taking lessons till she had perfected a thorough course of study, under the tuition of the best masters. In the meantime she gave concerts and other entertainments to pay her expenses, under the stage name of Marie Calisto. In 1869 she married Geromano Piccioli. Since then she has visited and sung in all the principal cities of England, Ireland, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and, in fact, over the whole civilized world, and has won a lasting and well-deserved fame. She speaks four different languages fluently, and though she of necessity has quite a foreign air, still she is very easy in her manners, broad in her religious views, and in all respects is a lady of fine appearance, to whom the humblest may easily find access at her elegant home. Her residence is in Italy, but she is now temporarily stopping in Lynn, Mass. Marlow has good reason to be proud of this distinguished artist.
Here, too, was the native place of Rosinee Richardson, familiarly known as "Fat Rosinee," who in her day was the wonder of the world. She trav- elled with Barnum for several years, and died not long since in Florida.
Nahum Stone, son of Phineas, who in olden times had a small tannery at the head of Stone Pond, was a native of Marlow. He at one time owned and edited what is now known as the Cheshire Republican, at Keene.
Among the early settlers and substantial citizens passed away was Mr. Far- ley, who came from Billerica, Mass., and who, at one time, owned the princi- pal part of the " Plains," selling out his mill rights to Mr. Russel Huntley.
Wells Way, commonly called the "Old Squire," was a very popular and prominent man ; almost all arbitration was left out to him. He was a town clerk for many years and held various other offices. Silas Mack and Samuel Royce were both town clerks and selectmen for many years. 1
Old manuscript letters tell us that in 1788 there were forty- two votes cast in Marlow. John Langdon had thirty-six ; John Sullivan, six. In 1800 it was voted not to tax a widow's cow. At the annual town-meeting, the same year, William Lewis was chosen constable and collector ; he was to receive three dollars and eighty cents for his labor in the latter office.
Baker's Corner was in olden times the only business resort. Here was a flourishing store, a potash manufactory, and a hotel. The public-house first opened had Samuel Richardson for pro- prietor. All these buildings subsequently passed into the hands of William Baker. The first store ever kept in town was opened by Mr. Lamphier in the house now owned by Curtis Winham, on the Hill. Soon after, Francis D. Ellis opened a store and hotel, and a hostelry was also started by Elisha Huntley, Esq.
I G. B. Griffith.
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In 1761 charters were granted to Canaan, Enfield, Lebanon, Hanover, Lyme, Orford, Bath, Lyman, Holderness, Marlow, Goffstown, Lempster, Grantham, Newport and Plainfield.
The first permanent settlement in Canaan was made in the winter of 1766 or 1767, by John Scofield, who conveyed what effects he possessed the distance of fourteen miles over a crust of snow upon a hand-sled. Among others of the first settlers were George Harris, Thomas Miner, Joshua Harris, Samuel Jones, and Samuel Meacham. The first church was formed in 17So. Rev. Thomas Baldwin, D. D., a Baptist minister, was ordained in 1783. Rev. Joseph Wheat was settled in 1813. A Congregational society was incorporated in 1820 and Rev. Charles Calkins was settled over it.1
The first settlers of Enfield were Nathaniel Bicknell, Jonathan Paddleford, and Elisha Bingham. A Congregational church was organized in December, 1799, over which Rev. Edward Evans was settled. Jesse Johnson, one of the early settlers, was a justice of the peace and a member of the legislature. His son of the same name was a leading citizen of the town. A society of Shakers was organized in the town in 1792, under the administration of Elder Job Bishop.1
The first settlement was made in Lyme, in 1764, by Walter Fairfield, John and William Sloan, and others from Connecticut. A Congregational church was organized in 1772 and Rev. Wil- liam Conant was settled the next year.1
The first settler in Orford was a Mr. Cross, who came with his family from Lebanon, in 1765. He was followed the same year by General Israel Morey, John Mann, Esq., and a Mr. Cas- well, with their families from Connecticut. A church was or- ganized in 1770 and Rev. Oliver Noble was settled as minister. He was followed in 1787 by Rev. John Sawyer; in 1801 by Rev. Sylvester Dana ; in 1823 by Rev. James D. Farnsworth. Rev. Mr. Dana was settled over the West church for over ten years.
The settlement of Bath was commenced in 1765 by John Harriman, from Haverhill, Mass. He was soon followed by
I John Farmer.
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Moses Pike and the family of Mr. Sawyer. A Presbyterian church was organized in 1778 and dissolved in 1791, when a. Congregational church was formed. Rev. David Sutherland was its first settled minister.
Among the first settlers of Lebanon were William Downer, William Dana, Levi Hyde, Charles Hill, Silas Waterman, and Nathaniel Porter from Connecticut, who made the first settle- ment north of Charlestown. They were a " hardy, brave people ; tenacious of their principles ; many of them were men of strong minds, good habits, correct principles, and good, common edu- cation." A Congregational church was organized in 1771, and Rev. Isaiah Potter was settled as minister. A Baptist church was formed in 1782, over which Rev. Jedidiah Hibbard was settled. A Universalist society was organized in 1813.1
The first settlement in Hanover was made in 1765 by Colonel. Edmund Freeman, from Connecticut. The next year he was joined by Benjamin Davis, Benjamin Rice, Gideon Smith, and Asa Parker, all from the same colony. In 1770, Dartmouth College was established there by Rev. Dr. Wheelock.1
Goffstown was granted by the Masonian proprietors in 1748, and incorporated thirteen years later.
The first settlement of Newport was made in 1763, by Jesse Wilcox, Ebenezer Merritt, Jesse Kelley, and Samuel Hurd, from Connecticut.
Plainfield was settled in 1764, by L. Nash and J. Russell, from Connecticut. A Congregational church was formed in 1765 and Rev. Abraham Carpenter was settled as minister. The town is the seat of the Kimble Union Academy at Meriden,. incorporated June 16, 1813, and endowed by Hon. Daniel Kim- ball.
Hawke, or Danville, Amherst, Peterborough, and Boscawen were incorporated in 1761.
The first settlement was made in that part of Kingston now Danville, between 1735 and 1739, by Jonathan Sanborn and Jacob Hook. Rev. John Page was settled as minister in 1763. He died in 1782.
I John Farmer.
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The first settlement was made in Peterborough, in 1739, by William Robbe, Alexander Scott, Hugh Gregg, William Scott, and Samuel Stinson, some of whom were accompanied by their families. The settlement was abandoned in 1744, and the region was not occupied again until 1748. On their return they were joined by many from Londonderry and Lunenburg, so that in ten years there were forty-five families in the township, who were . mostly Presbyterians. Rev. John Morrison was settled as min- ister in 1766.
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