Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885, Part 61

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 61

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Allen Aldrich was born in the eastern part of this town, on the farm now owned by Arvin Aldrich, on road 14. This place has always been in the Al- drich family since granted by King George III. Arvin was a son of Niles, and a grandson of Niles, Sr. Allen had three sons, Clark B., who was a mer- chant in Syracuse, N. Y .; George A., who was killed by the Indians in Cal- ifornia, in 1849, and Barton C., who has always lived upon the farm where he was born, on road I. He has been selectman six years, supervisor for the past two years, and is at present chairman of the board of supervisors. He married Elmira Hapgood, of Peru, Vt., and has had born to him five chil- dren, only two of whom are living. His daughter lives in Bellows Falls, Vt., and the only son, who has a family of four children, lives at home and car- ries on his father's farm. Barton C. Aldrich is now sixty-three years of age.

Dr. Barton Simmons, son of Edward, was born on the place now owned by James T. Starkey, on road 41, and practiced medicine in this town about fifty years. Of his children, only two are now living, both in this town. His daughter Raney married Charles H. Cook, who is station agent at East West- moreland, where they reside. They have three children, who live at home. Gilbert M., son of Barton, was born on the farm now owned by John B. Knight, on road 9, and now resides on road 44, upon the farm his father oc- cupied about forty years. He left home at the age of sixteen, learned a me- chanical trade, and has since been a railroad engineer about thirty-three years. He was on the Boston & Albany railroad eight years, on the Troy & Boston railroad four years, and on the Georgia railroad nineteen years. He has now lived in town about three years, being obliged to leave the railroad on account of his health. He married Francis B., daughter of Warren Wheeler, and has two sons and one daughter. One son, Clarence B., is a druggist in Great Barrington, Mass., and the other two children are at home.

Henry Leach, whose father Isaac was a native of Salem, Mass., was born in this town in 1803. He had a cloth-dressing mill, which he bought of Jimna

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Walker, in 1858, just opposite the place where he now lives, on road 25, and carried on the business for six years. Mr. Leach has buried three wives, and has had only one child, Charlie H., who lives on the old place with his father.

Thomas Dunham came from Londonderry, Vt., to the town of Westmore- land, in 1783, and purchased the farm recently owned by Samuel D. Clark, located on the Connecticut river, in the southwest part of the town. Mr. Dunham was born in 1735, and died June 17, 1805. He reared a family of eight daughters and two sons. One son died before middle life, the other, named Thomas, 2d, came in possession of the homestead after the death of his father, and resided there many years. He had a family of seven sons and six daughters. He and his family were engaged in the early navigation of the Connecticut river, and continued in that pursuit until the construction of rail- roads on its banks. Of the ninety or more descendants of this early settler, only six bear the name of Dunham. Three reside out of the county, and three within. Josiah, of the third generation, and his son Henry of the fourth, reside in Chesterfield, and are engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. William R., also of the fourth generation, resides in Keene, and is engaged in the prac- tice of medicine. He graduated from Harvard university in 1865, and com- menced practice in Westmoreland the same year. He remained there for ten years, and then went to Keene. Has held an appointment for several years- on the board of examining surgeons for pensions, and is the medical director of the Granite State Mutual Aid Association of Keene. He has also taken an active part in the development of various mines in the states and provinces, and is patentee and inventor of a philosophical instrument for illustrating astronomical problems.

Zenas Britton was born in this town, a grandson of William, who came here from Raynham, Mass. He reared a family of seven children, six of whom are living. Two of them, William B. and Daphne C., reside in town. The latter married Solon Chickering, has two sons, who live at home, and resides on road 35. William B. was born in the eastern part of the town, on the old homestead, which was first settled by his great-grandfather, William. He married Delia S. Derry, of Townshend, Vt., has eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom are living at home. Mr. Britton has never been out of the town more than four weeks at a time during his life. He has always been a farmer, living on his present place most of his life, has been super- visor of this town, and has been highway surveyor seventeen years. He is a ferryman on the Connecticut river, at Britton's Ferry.

Jonathan Cole, from Connecticut, came to Westmoreland with his son Jonathan at an early date, and was the first to locate upon the old Cole homestead, on road 38, where Abel B. now resides, one of the fifth genera- tion to occupy the old farm. Jonathan was one of the original proprietors. of the town, and was quite an old man when he came here. The third generation to occupy the place was also named Jonathan, the fourth Abel, and finally the present, his son Abel B., one of a family of nine chil-

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dren, he being now over seventy-three years of age. He has always been a farmer, has been twice married, first, to Elizabeth Leach, of this town, who bore him two children, second, to Maria Miller, of Dummerston, Vt., who bore him four children, two of whom, Fred C. and Frank W., are living. The former married Adele Proctor, of Westmoreland, and carries on the old farm, he being the sixth generation of the family who have lived there. Frank W. is a book-keeper in a hardware stone at Bellows Fall, Vt.

Nathan Franklin came here, from Taunton, Mass., one of the early settlers. His son Nathan was born here, and had a family of nine children, five of whom are now living, viz .: Julia, Emerson B., Foster, Lydia and Mary J. Julia married Alexander S. Campbell, has three children, and has lived in Putney, Vt., thirty-one years, but now resides in this town, with Foster Frank- lin, on road 34. . Emerson P. resides in Keene. Foster, who has always been a farmer, lived on the place now owned by George Hibbard, on road 41, for twenty-six years, and has occupied his present farm, on road 34, for the last eight years. He married Martha A. Wheeler, of this town, and they have one child (adopted), who married Oscar J. Ware, and lives on road 35. Mrs. Martha Franklin died June 28, 1874. Lydia married James Moriarty and lives on road 24. Mary J. married Merrick Greeley, has two children, and lives on road 24.

Erasmus Buffum, son of Joseph, who came here from Rhode Island, was always a farmer and reared a family of eight children, three of whom live in town. Jewett E., son of Erasmus, is a farmer, on road 32. James, another son, married Louise M. Howe of this town, has been a farmer most or his life, and resides on the old homestead.

William Daggett, a son of Phineas who was born here, and grandson of William, who came here as one of the early settlers, was born in town, mar- ried Clarissa, daughter of Major Waite, a soldier in the Revolution, and had born to him four children, two sons and two daughters. William, Jr., was born in 1813, and died at Troy, N. Y., in 1860. Clarissa, daughter of Wil- liam, married Sidney S. Campbell, of Chesterfield, N. H., has had three chil- dren, two of whom, a son and a daughter, are living. Eliza, daughter of William, married Stephen K. Cutter, of Cuba, N. Y., and has two sons and two daughters. George W., son of William, was born on Park hill, where Earle Warren now lives, June 30, 1818, learned the shoemakers trade in Walpole, then went to Worcester, Mass., and was in the shoe business there for several years. He had also worked at the tanners business, and, with the exception of ten years, has always lived in Westmoreland, residing on his pres- ent farm for the last twenty years, being a nursery man and tree grafter forty years. He has been moderator of the town, and a justice of the peace for the last twelve years. He married Sarah L. Cole, who bore him five chil- dren, viz .: Marshall, Louise, Clara, Walter and Eliza. Two of them are living. Louise, who married and had two daughters, both now living, died in 1861. Eliza Isabel died in 1862, at the age of five years, and Marshall died in 1862.

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Clara married Willie G. Leonard, of Walpole, and they have had two chil- dren, one son and a daughter, the latter not living. Walter lives at Woon- socket, Dakota.

Abiatha Lambert Shaw, whose father was a native of Massachusetts and an early settler of this town, was born on the farm now occupied by Theo- dore Cole, on road 48. He married twice, first, Susan Coff, who bore him five children, three of whom are living. By his second wife he had no child- ren. His son Charles F. was born on the old homestead, which was in the Shaw family about ninety years, married Alcestia Hills, of Woodstock, Vt., and has one child. He is a farmer and produce dealer, living on road 54.

Sylvester Powers was born, it is supposed, in Connecticut, in 1784, lived in Charlestown, N. H., some time, and afterwards removed to Westmoreland, where he died in 1826. He reared a family of five children, four of whom are now living. One son, Charles, lives in Westminster, Vt., another, W. J., in Marlow, N. H., another, Samuel, in Alstead, N. H., and one daughter, Mrs. Mary Jones, lives in Johnson, Vt.

Araby Barker, son of Benjamin, was born on the farm now owned by War- ren Chase. He reared a family of five children, three of whom are living, two residing in this town, and died when his son Allen A. was but seven years of age. His widow married Wilson Gleason, who died in 1866. Allen A. married Ella M., daughter of John A. Chamberlain, and has no children. His mother and sister still live with him. His brother Henry H. is married and lives in Keene.

Barnabas Shelley came here from Raynham, Mass., about eighty years ago, and located upon the place now occupied by Warren Shelley, off road 22 .. Barnabas, one of the six children of Barnabas, Sr., was born at the old home- stead, and reared a family of four children, as follows : Elisha, Joseph, Em- eline and Lewis C. Elisha married Lucy S. Hall, and is a farmer in East Westmoreland. Joseph, who was born on the old homestead, remained there. until twenty-one years of age, when he left for a year or so, then returned, and owning a part of the old farm lived there about fifteen years, then moved to Westmoreland village, where he has been postmaster fifteen years. He has been selectman, assessor and town treasurer, each three years, and collector nine years. He has been a partial invalid through rheumatism the past twenty-seven years. He is much esteemed and is valued as an efficient post- master. He married Betsey F. Balch, and has reared four children, all of whom are living. His son Warren W., has been a butcher in Westmoreland, but left the business on account of rheumatism, and now resides on road 44. Emeline married Henry Livingston, of Walpole, and has had two children. She is left a widow, and keeps a store in Westmoreland. Lewis C. married Betsey Woodward, has two children, both living at home, is a farmer and lives in East Westmoreland.

Edwin J. Goodnow, son of Jonathan, who was a native of this town, and grandson of Jonathan, Sr., who came here from Massachusetts, was born on

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the place where Ambrose Higgins now lives, on road 33. He learned the trade of a wheelwright, and followed that occupation until he entered the army, August 12, 1862. He enlisted in Co. A, 14th N. H. Vols., was in the service two and one half years, and lost his left arm at the battle of Win- chester, W. Va., September 19, 1864. On his return from the war in 1865 he built a wheelwright shop on Partridge brook, where his saw-mill,. built in 1871, now stands, on road 25. He has followed that business since, and has been town clerk ever since his return.

Asa Cole, a native of Harvard, Mass., came here about 1800, was a mill- wright by trade, and reared a family of eleven children, only one of whom is- now living. His son Theodore, who lives on road 48, was born in town, remained at home until the age of twenty-one, when he went to New Bed- ford, Mass., and shipped as a whaler. He followed this occupation sixteen years, being master of a ship eight years, and is now known as Captain Cole. He then manufactured for two years ivory and wooden rules, in Brattleboro, Vt., the firm being E. A. Stearns & Co., which business merged into the Standard Rule Company, at New Britain, Conn. He lived in Westminster, Vt., in Belmont, Mass., and was in the produce business in Boston, and finally re- tured here, in the autumn of 1875, where he has since resided. He repre- sented his town in 1881-'82. He married Livilia, daughter of Wilson Glea- son, who was born in the house now owned by A. A. Barker, on road 48. They have had five children, two of whom are living. The oldest, Frank T., is a lawyer, of the firm of Collins & Cole, of Columbus, O. William H. is married, a farmer, and lives in Atwater, California.

Daniel Patten was a son of John Patten, who moved here from Norton, Mass. His son George W. was born here, has always been a farmer, and takes great pride in his place, which is located on road 22. He has the best sugar grove in the town of Westmoreland. Daniel W., son of Daniel, and brother of George W., left home at the age of twenty-three, married Elizabeth H., daughter of Gilbert T. Huestis, and has two daughters, Martha C. and Ella E. The former lives at home, and the latter married Albourne L. Ab- bott, who is a baggage master on the Boston & Lowell R. R., in Boston, Mass. He spent four years in Hinsdale, and the remainder of his life he has lived here. He has a small farm on road 26, but still works at his trade, that of a carpenter, which he learned when a boy, of his father. He was town representative in 1863-'64, and has been a justice of the peace the last thirteen years.

Luther Knight, a native of Franconia, N. H., moved here about 1800, and reared a family of six children, only one of whom, Charles, is living. The latter was born on the place now owned by Willard Evans, on road 8, and with the exception of one year, when he resided in the Western states, has always lived in town. He married Lucy, daughter of Ezekial Woodward, of East Westmoreland, and has two daughters, one of whom lives in Boston, and the other at home. He has held most all of the town offices, having:

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been selectman two years, town treasurer two years, and was town repre- sentative in 1869 and '70, being elected twice when the legislature held an- nual sessions.

Christopher C. Fuller, a son of Joseph, who came here from Franconia, N. H., was born in Westmoreland, on the farm now owned by J. E. Fuller, on road 5. He married Elsie Clement, who bore him three children, Han- nah M., Joseph E. and Lucy A. Lucy A. married Isaac W. Rawson, had one child, and died in October, 1882. Hannah M. married Henry T. Fos- ter, and has six children. She is now a widow. Joseph E. was born at Bel- lows Falls, Vt., and came here at the age of four years. He has been mail carrier for the last three years between East Westmoreland and Westmore- land. He married Ann Elizabeth White, and has five children, three sons and two daughters, all living at home. His mother lives with him, at seventy- five years of age.

Steward Estey, a native of Sutton, Mass., came to this town when a young man, and located near where Henry Estey now lives, on road 3. He reared a family of five children, three sons and two daughters. Henry, the only child now living, spent the winters for ten years in teaching, and has been a farmer the last sixty years. He married Mary A. Chamberlain, of Pomfret Vt., and for his second wife, Julia A. Watrous, of Windsor, Vt. The latter died in 1875. Nathaniel, son of Steward, born here, was a farmer, and mar- ried Lois Woodward, who bore him three children, Betsey, Edward and Emily. He died in May, 1881. His widow survives him, living with her son Edward on road 3. Betsey died when twenty years of age, and Emily lives at home. Edward was born on the place where he now resides.

Col. Tileston A. Barker, one of the eleven children of Benjamin and Abi. gail Barker, was born in Westmoreland, April 18, 1807. When quite young he began the manufacture of boots and shoes. He was appointed mail agent from Boston to Burlington, and held this office eight years under the admin- istration of Pierce and Buchanan. His honesty and integrity were above question, and he was very active in town and state affairs. He was door- keeper in the House of Representatives eleven years, was town representa- tive five years, and was state senator in 1872 and 1873. He took an active part in the war of the Rebellion, being captain of a company which he him- self recruited. He enlisted first as a three months' man, later on in Co. A, 2d N. H. Vols., and was at the battles of Bull Run, Malvern Hill, and the seven days fight before Richmond, and Williamsburgh. Still later, when the 14th N. H. Vols. were organized, he was lieutenant-colonel, and served as such until the close of the war. He lived with impaired health until De- cember 7, 1879, when he died at his son's residence in Keene, and was bur- ied in Westmoreland with masonic honors. Col. Barker married Senira Albee, of Chesterfield, who bore him three sons, the youngest dying in infancy. Col. Fred A. Barker now lives in Keene, and Capt. Frank T. Barker, lives in Bradford, Penn.

Joseph Fuller,

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TOWN OF WESTMORELAND.

Dr. Noah Fuller was one of the early settlers of Westmoreland. On the 6th day of April, 1779, he being at that time a resident of Wrentham, Mass., he purchased of Zethon Bailey, of this town, 100 acres of land in lot 3, range 3, division 2, the deed of which was recorded July 19, 1780. Here he built a log house and settled with his wife, though he subsequently built a large two- story house on the first road leading from East Westmoreland to Surry. His wife died after bearing him one son, Josiah, and he married for his second wife Esther Ware, of Wrentham, who bore him eight children, as follows : Noah, Robert, Joshua, Joseph, Eunice, Abigail, Dorothy and Sybil. The Doctor held many positions of trust and responsibility, and is buried in the old cemetery in Surry.

Joseph. the youngest son of Dr. Noah, was born July 30, 1779, married Annie, daughter, of Josiah Knight, of Worcester, Mass., and had born to him nine children, as follows: Luther, who married Samantha Foster, of Whitestown, N. Y .. and for his second wife Sarah Cushing, of Putney, Vt. ; Betsey, who became the wife of Ebenezer Britton, of Westmoreland ; Chris- topher C., who married Elsie Clement, of Warner, N. H .; Washington, who married Lucinda Constantine, of Mt. Holly, Vt. ; Mary, who became the wife of Caius Hall, of Westmoreland ; Simeon and John, who died at the age of twelve years ; Lucy, who became the wife of Fred Dean, of Westmoreland ; and Lydia E, who became the wife of Mr. Bowman, of Bartonsville, Vt. Mr. Fuller was one of the charter members of the Baptist church, and always took a deep interest in religious affairs, but he could never be persuaded to accept a public office of any kind. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him, and died on the old homestead July 26, 1856, his widow surviving him until January 22, 1858. Many of his descendants now live in the town, while many others have gone elsewhere and are now occupying prominent positions in life, of whom may be mentioned the following :-

Col. Levi K. Fuller, son of Washington, now of Brattleboro, Vt. He was born at East Westmoreland, February 24, 1841, and married Abby E., daughter of Jacob Estey, of Brattleboro, May 8, 1865. At the present time he is commander of the First Vermont Light Battery, president of the Brat- tleboro Sewing Machine Co., vice-president of the Estey Organ Co., and for many years has been a member of the firm of J. Estey & Co., organ manu- facturers. His elegant residence is situated in a beautiful grove on an em- inence in the southern suburbs of Brattleboro village. Capt. Charles P. Hall, principal of the high school at Hinsdale, and J. Edward Hall, book-keeper of the Estey Organ Co., are children of Mary. J. Eugene Fuller, of West- moreland, and Hannah, wife of Henry Foster, of Walpole, are children of Christopher C. William H. Fuller, of Walpole, is a son of Luther. Josiah Fuller, a grandson of Dr. Noah, went to the Sandwich Islands, attained a high official position and died there.

Samuel Chickering, born in Guilford, Vt., reared a family of seven children, six of whom are living, five of them residing in this town. His son Albert

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married Nancy M. Butts, of Lisbon, Conn., has five children, is a farmer and cattle dealer, and lives in the eastern part of this town. Adaline, daughter of Samuel, married Curtis Hastings, of Waterford, Vt., and is now a widow. Rhoda, daughter of Samuel, married William White, of Walpole, has three children, and is also a widow. Solon, son of Samuel, married Daphne Brit- ton, has two children, and is a farmer on road 36. Samuel, another son, was born on the place now owned by John Woods, and has lived there or near by, with the exception of one year, all his life. He married Lucy Wilber, has two children, one living at home, has always been a farmer and resides- on road 7. Henry, another son of Samuel, Sr., married Jane Britton, has six children, is a farmer and lives in Chesterfield.

Erasmus Wellington was born in Sturbridge, Mass., came to this county when quite young, and after spending about thirty years in this county, moved to Illinois, where he died soon after. Of his family of three children, one daughter is a widow and resides in Belvidere, Ill., another is married and resides in Rock Falls, Ill., and a son, Eli R., lives in this town. The latter was. born on the place now owned by Frank H. Holden, on road 22. He lived in. Chesterfield sixteen years, and while there was selectman of that town. He has resided here for the last fourteen years, has been school committee, and represented the town in 1883-'84. He married Persis L., daughter of John Albee, and granddaughter of Ichabod Albee, one of the first settlers of this. town. Their homestead had always been in the possession of the Albee fam- ily until occupied by Mr. Wellington. The latter has had a family of four children, one of them dying in infancy. Of the others, Clara M. married A. Clarence Coff, and lives on Park hill, and E. Clinton and Mary Ida live at home.

Josiah Noyes came to Westmoreland in 1808, and located upon the place now owned by his son Augustus, on road 44. He reared a family of six chil- dren, only two of whom are living, and died in 1840. His son Josiah was a physician, practicing in Needham, Mass., about forty-five years, and died in 1877. Varnum, another son, is a Presbyterian minister, but is not preaching now, because of ill health. Augustus, son of Josiah, Sr., was born in Acton, Mass., married Persis Stone, of Marlboro, who bore him eight children, six of whom are living. Of these, one daughter, Zol A. M., married Rev. Will- iam Edwin Locke, a Congregational minister. and has been with him as a missionary in Turkey for the last fifteen years, and has three children. Another, Maria P., has been a teacher in the Chicago schools for sixteen years. Har- riet A. and Adaline W. still remain at home ; Frederick A. lives in Buffalo, N. Y., and Edward B. is married and lives in Chicago, Ill.

Sherebiah Cowdery came to Westmoreland, from Ashby, Mass., in 1815, and located just opposite the place where his son John now resides, on road 26. He was a carpenter and clock maker, reared a family of six children, and lived to the age of eighty-four years, and his wife lived to the age of eighty- six years. John, his eldest child, was born in Ashby, Mass., in 1810, and

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entered his father's shop, which was situated near their home, at the age of fifteen. He has helped frame seven churches, and he and his father built the present Congregational church building in Westmoreland. He has always lived here, has been a carpenter and undertaker, and also learned the painter's trade. He has been justice of the peace fifteen years, town collector seven years, and town treasurer the past five years. He has been clerk of the Con- gregational church for the past nine years, and deacon the last eight years. He was in the old state militia seven years, and held all the offices from lieu- tenant to colonel. He married Amanda Goddard, of Royalston, Mass., in 1835, and has two children, Henry F. and Mary A. The former has lived here most of his life, with the exception of six years, which time he spent in Worcester, Mass. He married Lois A. Knight, and has four children, all at home. He has been town clerk one year and deputy sheriff two years. Mary A. married Joseph H. Brown, who is a baker in Boston, Mass., and has had four children, three of whom are living.

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Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885, Part 61

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