Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885, Part 45

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 > Part 45

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376

TOWN OF RINDGE.

ular retreat at Winchendon, called " The Higlands," which is made the sub- ject of the accompanying illustration. This "Family Home " is con- ducted by the Doctor and his son, Dr. Frederick W. Russell, both of whom have made the study and treatment of mental and nervous diseases, physical and nervous exhaustion, opium and alcoholic inebriety a specialty. The- Home is not an institution or asylum. It is to all intents and puposes a "Family Home," where everything is made as homelike as possible. Patients are not subjeted to the care of common nurses, but are provided with com- panions. Intelligent gentlemen are employed as attendants and companions- of the male patients, and educated American women of experience are the attendants and companions of the lady patients. The feeling of social deg- radation that is commonly felt by patients in retreats and public institu- tions, who are subjected to the control of uncultivated nurses, is not experi- enced here. The utmost possible liberty is permitted, under suitable guar- dianship, to all the patients, and each one is regarded and treated as a mem- ber of a private family. Each case receives the attention and study given to private practice, and when needed the ablest medical talent in the country is called into consultation. The Highlands, so-called, is a pleasant mansion with cottages annexed, situated in the midst of ample grounds, on an emi- nence overlooking the town of Winchendon and the valley of Miller's river. From the windows a superb range of hills and mountains can be seen, reach- ing fron Wachusett in the southeast to Monadnock in the northwest. The drives in the vicinity are considered delightful, and for healthfulness of loca- tion the Highlands are unsurpassed. Dr. Ira Russell is the founder and superintendent of the Home; Dr. F. W. Russell, the asssistant superin- tendent.

Dr. Walton H. Aldrich, son of George H., now of Troy, N. H., was born in Swanzey July 2, 1854. After graduating from the high school in Troy, he entered the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and graduated in April, 1875. After taking one course of medical lectures at the Dartmouth Medical college, he commenced reading medicine, which he followed three years. He graduated from the University Medical college of New York city, receiving his diploma in February, 1880. He then com- menced practice in Gilsum, remaining there eighteen months, when he re- moved to Rindge Center, where he now resides, having been very successful thus far as a physician. He married Eliza J. Wilder, of Peterboro, N. H., in October, 1879.

Asa Jones, of Welch descent, married Mary, daughter of George and Eu- nice B. Martin, and reared a family of fourteen children. His son Asa mar- ried Rachel Saunders, of Jaffrey, who bore him seven children. He located upon the farm where George Wilson now resides, on road 50, and was a life- long resident of the town. Samuel, son of Asa, Jr., married Angennette, daughter of Joshua and Sally Davis, of Charlton, Mass., has ten children and resides on road 28.

Ira Russell

377

TOWN OF ROXBURY.

The First Congregational church, located at Rindge village, was or- ganized in 1765, Rev. Seth Dean being the first pastor. Their church build- ing, begun in 1764, did service until 1797, when the present building was erected. on the same site. This building was re-modeled in 1839, and again in 1871, so that it will now seat 500 persons and is valued at $6,000.00. Rev. Seth Payson, D. D., the second pastor, was ordained December 4, 1782, and died February 26, 1820. Rev. Amos Wood Burnham, D. D., was or- dained November 14, 1821, and resigned November 14, 1867, after a long and successful pastorate of forty-six years. His widow now resides with her daughter, Mrs. A. B. Haywood, of Keene. Rev. Frank Gray Clark was in- stalled June 3, 1873, and resigned November 30, 1878. Rev. Ezra J. Riggs was ordained and installed July 10, 1879, and resigned September 30, 1882. The present acting pastor is Rev. Richard T. Wilton, the society having 197 members, there being 169 families included in the parish. The church has also a flourishing Sabbath-school with 200 scholars.

The First Methodist church, located at West Rindge, was organized by a council of fourteen persons, with thirty members, in 1827. Their church building, erected in 1850, was removed from Rindge in 1881. It will seat 200 persons and is valued at $2,500.00. The society has fifty-nine members, with Rev. A. W. L. Nelson, pastor.

R OXBURY, the smallest town in the county, both in regard to area and population, lies in the central part of the county, in lat. 42° 57', and long. 4° 51', bounded north by. Sullivan and Nelson, east by Nelson and Harrisville, south by Marlboro and Keene, and west by Keene and Sulli- van. The town was formed from parts of Nelson, Marlboro, and Keene, containing an area of six thousand acres, and was incorporated December 9, 1812.

The surface of the territory is exceedingly broken and uneven-almost a continual succession of rocks and hills. Why the name of Roxbury was chosen by its wise fathers we are unable to state; but should suppose that " Rocks-bury" would have been more appropriate, and all its rocks are not buried at that. Still, there are many farms in its narrow valleys susceptible of a high degree of cultivation, its numerous hill slopes afford many broad acres of fine grazing land, and even its ancient rocks afford a generous rev- enue, for here are to be found most excellent granite quarries. And not alone in a pecuniary sense is the little town valuable-its very roughness affords a variety of natural scenery whose picturesqueness and even grandeur is remarkable. Here was born, and here among these hills received his first inspiration, Joseph Ames, the celebrated artist and portrait painter to the Pope of Rome. The north branch of the Ashuelot forms the boundary line between the town and the township of Keene, while Roaring brook waters

378

TOWN OF ROXBURY.

the southern part of the town, emptying into the Ashuelot in the southwestern corner of the township, affording several mill privileges in its course. In the eastern part of the town, lying partly in Nelson, is Woodward pond, covering an area of several hundred acres. Another small pond lies in the southern part of the town, extending into Marlboro. Plumbago is the only mineral of importance that has been discovered. The best grade of granite is found in the southern part of the town, where the first quarry was opened by Mat- thew Nims. Other individuals and companies have operated the quarries, one of whom quarried granite for use in erecting the capitol building at Albany, N. Y.

In 1880 Roxbury had a population of 126 souls. In 1884 it had three school districts and three common schools, its school-houses, including fur- niture, etc., being valued at $1,000.00. There were thirty-two pupils attend- ing the schools, taught by five female teachers during the year, at an average monthly salary of $21.00 each. The entire amount raised for school pur- poses during the year was $268.87, while the entire amount expended was $237.70.

The first town meeting in Roxbury was held January 1, 1813, when the following officers were elected : Robert Emes, moderator ; Solomon Kings- bury, town clerk ; Solomon Buckminster, Daniel Cummings and Matthew Nims, selectmen ; and Eli Clark, constable ; all taking the oath of office be- fore Josiah Robbins, justice of the peace. The first representative was Solomon Buckminster, elected March 8, 1814.

There is now no postoffice in the town, though there formerly was one located where the Congregational church stands, corner roads 16 and 17, but was discontinued about twenty-five years ago. Gideon Newcomb was the first postmaster. At this point, also, there was at one time a store, sev- eral dwellings, and quite encouraging promise of a village. A physician, Dr. Sargent, was the first merchant, and was succeeded by a Mr. Evans, from Peterboro. John and Gideon Newcomb were the first blacksmiths, and manufactured twisted gimlets when they first came into use. Grosvenor Brooks was also a blacksmith here. It is uncertain who was the first child born in the town after its incorporation ; but Jonathan Parker was born here February 10, 1813, and about the same time also occurred the births of Franklin Holman, Eliza Buckminster and Gilman Nims.

John and Ebenezer Nims were the sons of Godfrey Nims, of Deerfield, Mass. They were the ancestors of the family of this name in Keene. Godfrey had eleven children, all of whom, with the exception of the two sons mentioned, and one daughter, were destroyed while captives after the raid on Deerfield, in 1704. Ebenezer married Sarah Hoyt, while both were captives in Canada, and their eldest son, Ebenezer, was born while there, February 14, 1713. David, second son of Ebenezer, was born in Deerfield, Mass., March 30, 1716, came to Keene in 1737, and was probably the first one of the family there. He married Abigail Hawks, and was the first town clerk

379

TOWN OF ROXBURY.

and the first town treasurer of Keene, being appointed May 2, 1753, and serving many years. Lieut. or Dea: Zadoc Nims, David and Alpheus, sons of David, raised families. Asahel, their brother, was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, aged twenty-six. Capt. Eliakim, son of David, Sr., lived to the age of ninety years. David Nims, Jr., was born in Deerfield, Mass., October 29, 1742 (O. S.). The farm on which Brigham Nims, of Roxbury, now lives, was deeded to David Nims, Jr., by his father, December 12, 1763, and at that time was bounded on the east by the east line of the township. He settled there in 1768, having built a house on the land, with board windows made to slide in grooves. He married Jemima Carter, of Lancaster, Mass., during the same year, and reared a family of ten children, of whom five sons and three daughters married and had families. Two of these, Sally and Lucy, married respectively. Calvin Chapman and James Wright. The former had two sons, K. B. and Henry, who live in Keene. David son of Mrs. James Wright, lives in Walpole, his brother Nahum and his sister Eliza, who married Levi Smith, reside in Keene. Matthew, the third child of David, Jr., was born in 1773, upon the place where his son Brigham now resides. He mar- ried Lucy Brown, December 2, 1802, reared a family of eight children, has held various local offices and was chosen to represent Roxbury, but declined. He died June TI, 1849, and his widow died February 10, 1871. Of his children, Hiel died at the age of twenty-two ; Reuel had three children, viz .: Ainsworth M., Sumner and Mary C., the latter of whom resides in Keene. He built and kept a store in Nelson, and was a justice of the peace. He died at Keene, in 1879. Kendall, who never married, spent his life in Rox- bury, was town clerk about fifteen years, was selectman, a justice of the peace, town representative, and held other offices. He was fife-major of the militia and died May 20, 1876. Brigham, who was born on the farm which he now occupies, June 11, 1811, is a farmer and has always been interested in town and church affairs. He has been school superintendent several years, representative two years, and has held all the other offices the town affords, excepting town clerk. He has also been a justice of the peace sev- eral years. He married Susan S. Gould, of Stoddard, and has three chil- dren, viz .: Clara S. (Mrs. Byron C. Knight), of Marlboro, David B., who has been selectman and is tax collector, and Susan M. Gilman married Char- lotte Stone, of Nelson, and has six children, as follows : Albert G, Laura L. (Mrs. G. E. Whitney), Lucy M. (Mrs. W. P. Carlton), Ellen E. (Mrs. Hiram Houghton), all of Keene, Sarah E. (Mrs. O. D. Beverstock), of Mun- sonvile, and Rev. Granville Nims, of Walton, N. Y. Gilman was a farmer here, held the offices of selectman, representative, etc., and was paralyzed by a stroke of lightning, the effects of which caused his death, August 31, 1883. Laura M. married Rev. Luther Townsend, and has no children. Rufus F. married Abbie A. Farwell, of Nelson, and had three children, two of whom died young, and the other, Abbie S., married Jonathan S. Gleason, and lives in Illinois. Lucy C. married Charles H. Whitney, of Nelson, had one

380

TOWN OF ROXBURY.

son, Charles R., and one daughter, who died young. C. H. Whitney and wife now reside in Keene.

Gideon Phillips, a native of Smithfield, R. I., and a soldier in the Revolution, came from Rutland, Mass., soon after his marriage, and located near where the meeting-house now is. His brother Richard came about the same time and located about a mile east of him. The former reared six sons and three daughters, all living to maturity, and died here at an advanced age. Richard, who also served in the Revolution, a portion of the time on board a priva- teer, had a family of four children, only two of whom, George W. and Olive, grew to an adult years. In the autumn of 1780 he moved to Dublin, where he died in 1834, aged seventy-nine. Richard, second son of Gideon, was born in Roxbury, April 14, 1800, married his cousin, Olive Phillips. He was a mu- sician, devoted most of his time to that profession, and helped to furnish music at thirty-one musters in one season. He lived to the age of seventy- four years, having brought up one son, William, now of Roxbury, and one daughter, Mrs. Freelove Southern, of Dublin. Dea. Reuben Phillips, son of Gideon, was deacon of the Congregational church in Roxbury thirty-nine years, and reared a family of fifteen children, of whom six sons and four daughters grew to maturity.

Nathan Nye came here, from Barre, Mass., about 1790, and located upon a farm on road 19. This place had formerly belonged to a Mr. Bank, but through financial reverses of the latter, it fell into the hands of Mr. Nye. Nathan was a shoemaker before he came to this town, was twice married, and reared a family of fourteen children. His son Gardner was born August 8, 1802, on road 19. The four families of the name now residing in town are desce dants of Nathan.

Eli Clark, who married Patience Stone, came to Packersfield, now Roxbury, from Hubbardston, Mass., about 1800. His son Eli was educated at the Phillip's academy, at Exeter, and the high school at New Ipswich, and was intending to enter the ministry, but while pursuing his studies his health be- came impaired, and, by the advise of physicians, he went south. When he recovered, he taught school in South Carolina, where he met Mary A. Masely, whom he married, and soon after returned to Roxbury. Here he engaged in farming and in the cattle business. He held various offices of trust, and reared a family of three sons and three daughters. Of his sons, Henry C., the eldest, is in a store in Brooklyn, N. Y., Quincey E. is a farmer, and Daniel W. is a clergyman, pastor of a Congregational church in New Haven, Conn. Of the three daughters, two, Freelove and Mattie B., are teachers.

Solomon Kingsbury, a native of Dedham, Mass., came to this town in the year 1800, and was selectman and town clerk several years. Seth, one of his two children, was born in town, was selectman eighteen years, and town rep- resentative three years. Elbridge, son of Seth, was born on the homestead, which he still owns, on road 5. He has been selectman sixteen years, town clerk for the last eight years, and represented his town in 1877-'78. He is at present secretary of the Cheshire County Agricultural Society.

381

TOWN OF STODDARD.

Josiah Woodward was born at Worcester, Mass., December 16, 1766. He married twice, first, Keziah Collister, of Marlboro, N. H., February 20, 1800, who bore him four sons and one daughter, and died July 31, 1810; second, Sally M. Wakefield, June 24, 1848, who also bore him four sons and a daughter. He came to Cheshire county previous to 1800 and settled at the outlet of Wood- ward pond, now in Roxbury. He was engaged in farming, in the manufacture of lumber, and was in the grist-mill business. He drilled and blasted out the channel from the pond, and built the first mills ever erected there and probably the first one in the town of Roxbury .* He was a member of the Congregational church here, being one of its founders, and a liberal supporter of it. Of his children, Cyrus W., Josiah M., and Keziah (Mrs. Seth Wardsworth) reside in Keene, and Joseph A., his youngest son, lives in this town. The latter began, at the age of eighteen, to learn the carpenter's trade with his brother Cyrus, in Dublin, and about 1860, moved to Keene, where he was engaged in the sash and door business, and in the manufacture of chairs, for about nineteen years. He married twice, first, Mary Dudley, of Marlboro, 1852, and second, Rachel C. Lane, of Swanzey, October 13, 1857, who bore him one son, Fay- ette A., who is an engineer on the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf R. R.

The First Congregational church of Roxbury was organized by a council of ministers convened for the purpose, August 15, 1816, and Rev. Christopher Paige, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1784, was installed as pastor November 21, 1816. He was dismissed March 2, 1819, through some difficulties which arose, and from that time until 1837 the church was without a settled pastor. In May of that year, however, the Rev. Alanson Rawson, who was laboring here as an evangelist, was installed as pastor. He remained until May 3, 1842, when, his salary proving inadequate to the demands of an increasing family, he resigned. January 1, 1843, Rev. Ezra Adams commenced his la- bors here, remaining six years, when he accepted a call in Gilsum. He was succeeded by Rev. Bezaleel Smith, who remained until 1852. After him came Rev. S. H. Tolman. The society now has thirty-two members. with Rev. Joseph G. Patten, pastor. Their first church building was succeeded by the present structure, built in 1849. It will seat 250 persons and is valued, including grounds, at $1,000.00. The society has an interesting Sabbath- school, with Elbridge Kingsbury, superintendent.

S TODDARD lies in the northeastern corner of the county, in lat. 43 4', and long. 4º 57', bounded north and east by the county line, south by Nelson and Sullivan, and west by Sullivan, Gilsum and Marlow. It was originally granted to Col. Samson Stoddard and twenty-four others,

* It is probable that when he settled there it was a part of Marlboro to 1805, changed to Nelson in 1806, and Roxbury between then and 1813, judging from the records of births of his children.

382

TOWN OF STODDARD.

under the name of Limerick, and was incorporated November 4, 1774, under its present name, given in honor of Colonel Stoddard. It has an area of 35,925 acres, about 1.100 of which is covered by water and 12,897 under cul- tivation.

The surface of the town is exceedingly rough and uneven, so much so, indeed, as to be pictured as "confused hills bearing the appearance of a sea of molten lava suddenly cooled whilst its ponderous waves were yet in com- motion." The highest point is Pitcher mountain, in the western part, whose summit, attaining an altitude of 2,170 feet, is, next to Monadnock, the high- est in the county. The territory also forms the summit of the highland between the Connecticut and Merrimac rivers, the streams of the western part finding their way into the former, and those of the eastern into the lat- ter. So marked is this water shed, indeed, that the eaves from two of the houses in the town find their way from the one side into the Connecticut, and from the other into the Merrimac. Scattered among the valleys are numer- ous ponds, or lakelets, many of which are well stored with the finny tribe and are haunted by the disciples of "Sir Isaac." Of these, Island pond, lying in the eastern part, is the largest. It is studded with small islands, and covers an area of about 300 acres. Long pond, another handsome sheet, lies in the northern part, extending into Washington. Munsonville pond lies in the southwestern part, extending from Nelson. The south branch of the Ashuelot, the principal stream, has its source near the center of the town. Branch river is the next in size and both afford some good mill privileges. The soil is deep, with a clay bottom, though generally cold and moist, and better adapted to grazing than tillage.

In 1880 Stoddard had a population of 553 souls. In 1884 it had nine school districts and six common schools. Its seven school buildings (one not used) were valued, including sites, furniture, etc., at $1,850.00. There were 134 pupils attending these schools, taught by twelve female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $18.60. The entire amount of revenue for school purposes during the year was $654.20, while the entire amount expended was $606.18, with Edward B. Dodge, superintendent.

STODDARD is a post village located in the central part of the town, at an altitude of 1,412 feet, being the highest village in the state except Bethlehem. It has one church (Baptist), an hotel, store, school-house, blacksmith shop, two butcher shops, town-hall, grange-hall, and about twenty-three dwellings.

SOUTH STODDARD, a post village, located in the southeastern part of the town, has one hotel, store, blacksmith shop, school-house, and about ten dwellings.

MILL VILLAGE lies about a mile east of Stoddard village. It has an hotel, store, saw-mill, school-house, etc., and about twenty-three dwellings.

The Stoddard Lumber Co., located at the foot of Island pond, off road 24, manufactures dimension lumber, chair stock, clothes-pins, cloth-boards, pail- handles, oil cans, buckets, etc., employing twenty-five men, and doing about $150,000.00 worth of business per annum.

383

TOWN OF STODDARD.

O. D. Beverstock manufactures wood pulp at Stoddard, employing six men. D. Clinton Parker, on road 41, is patentee and manufacturer of the Gem folding chair, a very useful article of furniture.

The settlement of the town was commenced by John Taggard, in June. 1768, and about the same time came Reuben Walton, Alexander Scott, James Mitchell, Richard Richardson, Amos Butterfield, Joseph Dodge, and Oliver Parker. Mr. Taggard's family suffered many privations, Mr. Taggard being obliged to fetch his grain on his back through the forest from Peterboro, a distance of twenty iniles. At one time the family, for six days, had nothing to eat but the flesh of a moose. But prosperity at length began to dawn up- on them, new settlers came in rapidly, and the forest began to melt before them, and the broad cleared acres to appear. Four years after Mr. Taggard came here, in 1773, the town had 215 inhabitants, and the following year the township was incorporated. Eventually it became one of the most populous and enterprising towns of the county, for its inhabitants, thrifty and well-to-do, sturdy and vigorous in whatever they undertook, it could not help but be a prosperous and growing community. The maximum of this prosperity was probably reached in 1820, when the census returns showed us a population of 1,203 souls, where now is less than 553. The ever insatiable west, the pro- fessions, the great cities, and, above all-death, have recognized the sons of this rural town. Falling and tottering are many family homesteads,

"Where health and plenty cheer'd the laboring swain,"

now mournfully left to the sport of the winds.

The first grist-mill built in the town stood upon the present farm of Daniel Upton, and was supplied with stones no larger than one can lift. The first tannery was upon the farm of Nathan Stacy, near Mill Village. Another was subsequently built at the corner of the road, near the house; and the next stood in the rear of the Central House. The manufacture of glass was car- ried on here quite extensively at one time, the first to engage in the business being Joel Foster, a German. Charles H. Dodge, in removing the sills of his house, in 1881, being one of the houses spoken of as occupying the summit of the water-shed, found a document dated 1778, and two coins dated, re- spectively, 1787 and 1757.

Soon after the settlement of the town arose the usual questions and the usual troubles incident to all new settlements. The settlement of the western boundary line (see sketch of Marlow) proved a grevious trouble. The build- ing of a meeting-house, a necessary concomitant, next puzzled the heads of the town's statesmen. But finally these troubles were swallowed in the greater trouble of the war with the mother country. The "seditious" conduct of some of the inhabitants seems to have greatly worried and annoyed the re- maining portion of the little community. Especially was the ire of the Revo- lutionists directed against one Oliver Parker, who was adjudged a person in- imical to the liberties of his country by the committees of safety of Stoddard

384

TOWN OF STODDARD.

and Marlow, as set forth in the following copy of a set of resolutions passed by them :-

"I. It is the opinion of the Committees that ye sd Parker is notoriously Disafected to the American cause :

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Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885, Part 45

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Printed at the Journal Office
Number of Pages: 1034