Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 27

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Company, Printers
Number of Pages: 1266

USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886 > Part 27

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The first Congregational minister ordained here was the Rev. William Hutchinson, on January 27, 1830. He resigned on January 12, 1833. He was followed by the Rev. Edmund Burt, who was ordained at Franconia., January 13, 1841, and resigned August 20, 1845. The Rev. Daniel Mc- Clenning, his successor, was ordained April 28, 1852, and dismissed, at his own request, August 15, 1854. when he was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas Hall, who commenced his ministration on December 15, 1854. The Rev. Charles W. Richardson and the Rev. Mr. Esty devoted several years to this congregation at the time when it was without a regularly ordained preacher. There is no minister in charge at present.

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TOWN OF BETHLEHEM.

The Church of the Nativity, Protestant Episcopal .- Though no communi- cants to the Protestant Episcopal Church resided in Bethlehem previous to 1879, the village was annually visited by hundreds of its members, whose only opportunities of participating in its services were occasionally in the parlors of the hotels and boarding-houses. The need of a proper edifice in which to worship became, in time, so much felt, that at a service held Sep- tember 12, 1875, by the Rev. Dr. Rankin, initiatory steps were taken to- ward the erection of a permanent structure for summer worship. The prin- cipal mover was George W. Tinges, of Baltimore, who had then resided three summers in Bethlehem, and it is to his untiring energies during the two succeeding years that the present church owes its existence. Mr. Tinges proposed to head a subscription list if ex-Governor Howard, of Rhode Island, would give the necessary land, which the latter not only promptly ac- ceded to, but supplemented his gift with a liberal subscription. Pledges of $500.00 were immediately received, which sum was sufficiently increased during the season of 1876, by offerings at occasional services, by further sub- scriptions, and by pledges of labor, to justify the commencement of the building, for which a design was obtained from C. C. Haight, of New York. The Rev. J. B. Goodrich, then of Littleton, supervised the erection, the funds at his command being, however, little more than enough to put the building under roof.

The Church of the Nativity was opened for public worship on the after- noon of Sunday, July 8, 1877, by the Rev. A. R. Graves, of Littleton, and services were continued throughout that summer, for the most part, twice each Sunday, the edifice being only supplied with common pine seats and chancel furniture, and with cotton cloth in the windows. Before the close of the season, however, additional funds were obtained for providing stained- glass windows, the cost of which was almost entirely defrayed by individual contributions, and for some other requisites. The offerings in 1877 were ap- plied to the building fund, but have since been devoted to the support of the services, with occasional exceptions, a clause in the deed of gift making it imperative that the sittings shall be entirely free.

Several clergymen visiting Bethlehem officiated during the summer of 1877, the Rev. Dr. Rankin taking charge in August of that year. When the church was re opened in 1878, it was placed in the charge of the Rev .. A. R. Graves, of Littleton, who continued until his removal to Vermont, at the close of the season of 1880. Since then it has been each summer in charge of one or more clergymen, who have been assisted by many visiting prelates and clergymen. The church was consecrated on Wednesday, July 28, 1880, by the Right Rev. W. W. Niles, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese ; the sermon on that occasion being preached by the Rev. W. B. Buckingham, of New London, Conn.

After 1877 Mr. Tinges rarely visited Bethlehem, and the good work which he had so zealously begun was thereafter continued with equal zeal by G. B.

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TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER.

Du Bois, of Boston, and it is to the energy of the latter gentleman that the church is mainly indebted for the completion of its interior. The total amount of money collected for the erection and furnishing of the church has been $3,127.77, all of which has been expended. The building is of pointed style, with high gable roof, and-in the interior especially-is of neat ap- pearance, the chancel being tastefully carpeted, the floor covered with mat- ting. the roof oiled and the rafters painted. Its seating capacity is about 250, which it is hoped to increase to 325 by a proposed addition. trustees now having about $1,000.00 in hand for this purpose.

The Methodist church .- As already stated, the Methodists erected a church on the site of their present edifice about 1830, and in 1853, when the Con- gregationalists desired to join them in the use of the building, it was materi- ally renovated and improved, and for some time continued as a union church. The new Methodist church grew and prospered well, and about 1874 extensive improvements were made to it. The structure was raised, and a vestry built at a cost of $6.000.00.

Free Will Baptists .- Many years ago there was a Free Will Baptist church in the town, situated about one mile west of the village, but it has long since ceased to exist.

B RIDGEWATER, a small irregularly outlined township, lies in the southeastern part of the county, in lat. 43º 38' and long. 71º 45 , bounded northwest by Hebron and Plymouth, east by Ashland, and a part of the county line, and south by Bristol. It originally formed a part of the township of Hill, then called New Chester, from which it was sev- ered by an act of the legislature passed February 12, 1788, and incorporated into a separate town, with the following bounds :----

" Beginning at the mouth of Newfound river, so called, thence running by the southerly bank of said river to Newfound pond ; thence by the east- erly shore of said pond to Plymouth line ; thence by said line to the Pemige- wasset river, and thence down said river to the bounds first mentioned, in- cluding all the islands in said river lying against said tract."

These bounds were changed, however, by an act of the legislature passed June 24, 1819, which set off the southern part of the town to form, with the northerly part of New Chester, the present township of Bristol.

The surface of the town, rough and uneven, presents some very picturesque scenery. North and south through its center there extends a ridge of high- lands known as Bridgewater hills, whose slope terminates on the east in the valley of the Pemigewasset, and on the west in the shores of Newfound lake. The Pemigewasset, which forms the eastern boundary of the town, is the only stream of importance, though there are numerous minor ones and many springs. About a quarter of Newfound lake lies within the limits of the town. From these highlands many magnificent points of view are afforded. Far to

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TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER.

the northward rise the peaks of the Franconia mountains, the vision to the eastward being met by the beautiful Squam lakes, nestled among the wood- lands, and to the southward hills peep over hills in an endless chain which melts into the distant horizon, while a not unimportant feature in the grand whole is the sparkling waters of Newfound lake. The geological formation of the territory is made up principally of gray sandstone and mica schist. The timber is mostly hard wood, with large quantities of maple, which afford am- ple facilities for sugar-making, which the inhabitants find a profitable indus- try. The soil of the township is generally good, though better adapted to grazing than grain-raising purposes. The B. C. & M. R. R. passes through the northern parn of the town, where it has a station.

In 1880 Bridgewater had a population of 384 souls. In 1885 the town had eight school districts, and nine common schools. Its eight school-houses were valued, including furniture, etc., at $1,530.00. There were eighty-nine children attending school, twenty of whom were pursuing the higher grades, taught during the year by two male and nine female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $18.00 for males, and $16.30 for females. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year w.'s $562.17, while the ex- penditures were $368.75, with John L. Morrison, superintendent

BRIDGEWATER (p. o.) is a hamlet located in the southern part of the town.

Florence V. Mitchell's saw and cider-mill, in the northeastern part of the town, on Mill brook, has the capacity for manufacturing 4,000 feet of lumber per day and 300 barrels of cider per year.

Tradition has it that the first visit of civilized men to Bridgewater was previous to the French war, as follows: During the time that Massachusetts was laying claim to the Province of New Hampshire, a Captain Baker was sent out with a party of men from old New Bury, to ferrit out the Indians, who had a camp somewhere on the Pemigewasset. He surprised them on the north bank of Baker's river, so named in his honor, in Plymouth, where they were driven off with loss. The Indians rallied, however, and overtook Baker on a poplar plain in the eastern part of this town, where a sharp skim- ish ensued, though the whites were again victorious. Samuel Dearborn, an early settler in this vicinity, found a number of skulls on this plain, which were supposed to have belonged to those who were then slain. Though the little party made all possible haste in their retreat, the Indians again overtook them in what is now the township of Hill, where they were eluded by a neat strat- agem, suggested by a friendly Indian, who had acted as guide to the party all through the expedition. The party pretended to go into camp, built a large number of fires, and placed numerous pieces of meat to roast before them, then hid in the bushes. The foe's scouts came on, counted the fires and pieces of meat, and supposing that each piece of meat represented a' soldier, beat a hasty retreat, and were not heard from further.

The first settlement was make by Thomas Crawford, who came on in 1766, and located upon the farm now occupied by George F. Fletcher on road 17.

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TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER.

He it was, tradition has it, who gave the name of Bridgewater to the locality, for the reason that civilization could not be reached without crossing a bridge. Mr. Crawford was soon after joined by his brother Jonathan, and several other families from the southern part of the State, and from Reading, Mass., came in, so that the wilderness soon began to take on the appearance of civil- ization, and in 1790 the town had a population of 281 souls. The first town- meeting was held at the house of Samuel Drew, March 11, 1788, when Daniel Heath was chosen moderator ; Thomas Crawford, clerk; Daniel Heath, con- stable ; Thomas Crawford, Simeon Cross and Michael Mosier, selectmen ;. Thomas Locke, Chase Fuller, Samuel Drew, Jonathan Carleton, Jonathan Ingalls, Jr., and Joseph Farrell, highway surveyors; and Jonathan Ingalls and Josiah Heath, hog-reeves. The first marriage recorded was that of Nathaniel Cummings and Mary Crawford. One of the first schools taught in town was kept in a barn on the place where R. P. Mitchell now resides, by Captain Caleb Pillsbury.

Daniel Mitchel, son of Abel and Susan (Glover) Mitchel, was born here in 1848, married Florence V., daughter of John and Susanna (Mitchel) Nutting, in 1877, and has three daughters, namely, Nora Blanche, Ethel S. and Edith Florence. Mr. Mitchel occupies the Robert Mitchel place, in the northeastern part of the town, on road 5.

Capt. Caleb Pillsbury came to Bridgewater at an early day, located on the place where Rivers Mitchel now lives, and reared three sons and ten daugh- ters. Caleb, the seventh child, was born in this town, in 1786, married Nancy. Nelson, July 4, 1808, and reared six sons and six daughters. Randall J., the seventh child of Caleb, Jr., was born here in 1830, learned the carpen- ter and builder's trade, worked in Manchester twelve years, and in California several years. He married Emeline L., daughter of S. G. and Dorothy S. (Prescott) Fletcher, in 1856, and has four sons and one daughter, viz .: Geo. I. and Henry F., who reside in Manchester, and Ida G., S. G. and Fred R., who live at home. Mr. Pillsbury is selectman, and resides on road 4.

Thomas Eastman came to this town, from Hopkinton, in 1804, and located on the place where his granddaughter, Mrs. J. A. West now lives. He reared five sons and one daughter, namely, Aquilla, John, Thomas, Stephen, Benja- min and Hannah. The last mentioned became Mrs. Jonathan Fellows. Stephen, born in 1784, took the homestead, married twice, first, Sally Em- mons, and reared five sons and one daughter. His first wife died in 1825, and he married for his second wife, Sally, widow of Reuben Piper, in 1834, and had born to him one daughter, Harriet A. Mr. Eastman died in 1873, and his widow, aged eighty five years, resides with her son-in-law, J. A. West. The latter was born at Boscowan, in 1827, came to Bridgewater, in 1848, married Harriet A. Eastman, in 1851, and has had one son, who died in in- fancy. Mr. West occupies the Eastman homestead, on road 3.

Abel Fletcher came to Bridgewater, from Massachusetts, with his wife (Betsey Gillman) about 1806, and located in the northeastern part of the

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TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER.

town, on the place where his granddaughter, Mrs. Randall J. Pillsbury, now lives. He reared two sons and six daughters, as follows: Samuel G., born in 1804; Rhoda (Mrs. Samuel Mead), who died in 1884; Jane H. (Mrs. Samuel Currier); Betsey (Mrs. William Wheeler); Mary (Mrs. Moses Farnham), who died in Rumney; Franklin, who died young; Eliza Ann (Mrs. J. Lyford); and Sarah (Mrs. Asaph Dearborn), of Plymouth, now deceased. Samuel G. married four times, first, Lydia Prescott, who bore him one son, S. G., and second, Dorothy S. Prescott, who bore him two sons and two daughters, viz .: Emeline L. (Mrs. Randall J. Pillsbury); Ruth A., who died at the age of fifteen years; George F., of Bridgewater ; and Henry G., who died at the age of twenty three years. Mr. Fletcher married for his third wife, Mary L. Sleeper, widow of Cyrus Sleeper, who died in 1878, and he married for his fourth wife, Sally, widow of Noble Prime, of Manchester. Mr. Fletcher has been a prosperous farmer, and an extensive cattle dealer. He moved to Plymouth, N. H., in 1883, where he now resides.

Joshua Fletcher came from Westford, Mass., and located on the place where Manson S. Brown now lives. He married Sarah Brown, and reared eight sons and one daughter. His son Nathan married Nancy Pillsbury, of Bridgewater, and had born to him three sons and two daughters, viz .: Cyrus, born in 1810, died in 1852; Arthur F., born where he now resides in 1811; Samuel W., now of Ashland; Julia Ann, born in 1816, died in 1842; and Arvilla, who married Charles Barnard. . Cyrus married Mary L., daughter of Moses W. Sleeper, and had born to him one son, Arthur F. The latter, born in 1836, married twice, first, Betsey Jane Wheeler, in 1859, who bore him one son, Cprus W., of Fitchburg, Mass., born in 1860. This first wife died in 1863, and he married for his second wife Ellen S., daughter of Ed- mund and Sarah (Hogsdon) Brown, in 1864, and has had born to him two daughters, Blanch Jane and Mary Ellen. A part of Arthur F. Fletcher's house is said to be a portion of the first frame house ever built in Bridgewater.

Moses Fifield came to Bridgewater, from Brentwood, in 1814. Samuel, one of his family of three sons and six daughters, was born in 1806, and mar- ried Elmira, daughter of Daniel and Betsey (Cass) Martin, in 1826. Of his three sons, Daniel M. was born in 1828, Edwin A. died young, and John E. S. was born March 21, 1842. The latter married Eliza E., daughter of David and Sarah (Abbott) Fifield, of West Concord, in 1866, and has had born to him four daughters and one son, viz .: Rose Elmira, Addie Grace, Sarah Abbott, Edith May, and Elwin Augustus. Mr. Fifield has been town clerk seven years, and occupies a part of his grandfather's homestead, on road 15.

David B. Clement, son of Simeon, was born in Thornton, N. H., in 1812, and when seventeen years of age came to Bridgewater. He married Mary, daughter of Joshua and Lydia Rollins, in 1837, and has had born to him one son and two daughters, as follows: Lydia R., David B. Jr., and Mary S. R. (Mrs. Joseph A. Bartlett). Mr. Clement is a prosperous farmer, and resides

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TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER.

on road 6. His son, David B. Jr., born in 1842, married Ellen M., daughter of Joseph and Al mira (Prescott) Hickins, in 1871, and has children as fol- lows : Willie D., Josie H., Harry B., Myra, Ellen, Rose, Jane and Mary. Mr. D. B. Clement, Jr., is first selectman, and resides on a part of his father's farm, on road 6.

John Brown, born in Andover, N. H., May 7, 1804, came to Bridgewater in 1839. He married twice, first, Eliza Noyes, of Springfield. in 1835, who bore him two sons and one daughter, viz .: Elizabeth M. (Mrs. J. George Morrison), born in 1841, died in 1878; John S., born in 1844; and Jona- than I., born in 1848. His first wife died in 1854, and he married for his second wife, Dorothy A. Spiller, in 1855, and had born to him two sons and one daughter, as follows : Flora Annette, who married Sumner G. Prescott, and died in 1879; Walter Sherman, born in January, 1864; and Clarence E., born in 1869. Mr. Brown resided in the eastern part of the town, was justice of the peace many years, and died in 1874. Walter S. married Sarah, daughter of Charles L. and Marilla (Houghton) Hoyt, March 9, 1885.

Thomas Hammond, son of Thomas and Hannah (Burnham) Hammond, was born at Dunbarton, in 1814, and came to Bridgewater in 1840. He worked for Nathan Hammond five years, and worked on a farm in Hebron eight years. He bought the Nathan Hammond farm in 1853. He married twice, first, Esther D. Hammond, December 1, 1839, who bore him one son and one daughter, Melissa W., who died in 1855, aged twenty-four years, and Nathan D., who died in March, 1871, aged twenty-eight years. His first wife died March 26, 1844, and he married for his second wife Sarah N., daughter of Nathan and Mary L. (Noyes) Hammond, in 1845. Mr. Nathan Hammond married twice first, Isabel Smith, who bore him two sons and two daughters, and second, Mary L. Noyes, and had born to him four sons and five daugh- ters. He built the house where Mr. Thomas Hammond now lives, on road 14, and where the present Mrs. Thomas Hammond was born.

Rodney Hammond, son of Nathan, was born in 1810. Of his children, Ann A. married David S. Batchelder, Esther D. married Henry W. Tilton, and Mary N. married D. S. Johnson, in 1861. The latter has two sons, Ora P. and Herman F. D. S. Jonnson died in 1875, and the widow married Rev. Thomas Wyatt, in 1876. They live on the D. S. Johnson homestead on road 21.

John W. Goss, son of Daniel and Malinda (Weeks) Goss, was born at Gil- manton, in 1831, and married Olive A., widow of Charles Henderson, in 1852. He enlisted in Co. K, 14th N. H. Vols., in 1862, and served three years. He afterwards went to Sandwich, where he was engaged in the grist and shingle-mills for several years. He came to Bridgewater in 1884, and occupied the Boardman place, on road 16. He has one son, John H., who was born in 1862, and works the farm with 'his father.

Alonzo F. Wheeler, son of William O. and Betsey (Fletcher) Wheeler, was born in Plymouth, in 1835, and learned the blacksmith trade, and worked

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TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER.

with his father. He married Lucia N., daughter of Samuel Worthen, in 1857, and has had born to him, two sons and one daughter, viz .: Nellie F., born in 1859, died in 1879; Roscoe F., born in 1865 ; and George H., born in 1873. Mr. Wheeler resided for a time in North Groton, came to Bridgewater in 1864, and bought the J. T. Morrill farm. He resides off road 16.

Orrin L. Dolloff, son of Levi and Roxia (Locke) Dolloff, was born July 26, 1833, and married Clarinda, daughter of Daniel and Dorcas (Baker) Elliot, May 26. 1859. His children are Alba O., who married Nellie, daughter of John and Emily (Haywood) Vose, of Alexandria; Mrs. Frank H. Elliot, of Con- cord, and Mabel M. and Maud M., twins, born November 1, 1868. Mr. Dolloff owns a farm of seventy-five acres, and is proprietor of a summer boarding-house, formerly the old Hoyt stand, on road 11.

Alba H. Carpenter, son of Horace H. and Elizabeth Carpenter, was born in Coos county, in 1854, learned the carpenter trade and also the blacksmith trade. He married Isabel, daughter of Luther Barrett, and the widow of Elisha B. Ferrin, in 1880, and has one daughter, Ethel May, born April 2, 1883. Mr. Carpenter occupies the Luther Barrett homestead, a farm of 120 acres, on road 19.

Charles Woodman, son of Isaac and Mary E. (Locke) Woodman, was born in Woodstock March 24, 1822, taught school several winters, and married Jemima, daughter of Jacob and Jemima (Cook) Avery, in 1848. He lived on his father's farm two years, and has been engaged in the mercantile busi- ness sixteen years. He came to Bridgewater in 1865, and located on the James Brown farm. He has had born to him five sons and two daughters, viz .: Jacob A., living in this town ; Lyman B., who is a soliciting agent and resides at home ; Charles S., who resides in Ashland; Addie C., who is a teacher and a crayon artist, and resides at home ; Corydon E., who lives in Boston ; Cora M., who died in infancy, and Austin W., who is a guide and landscape painter. Mr. Woodman has been justice of the peace about thirty years.

Congregational church .- As early as 1790 a Congregational church was organized here by Rev. Mr. Page, of Hebron, as a branch of the Hebron. ·church, services being held in Dea. Boardman's barn. In 1802 a church building was commenced, which was completed in 1806, a large, two-story, antique-looking affair. In 1798, or about that time, Dea. Joshua Fletcher, from Plymouth, moved into the town, locating near where the church was built, and preached to the congregation until 1822. In 1825 Rev. Charles Bowles was ordained and engaged for five years, though he only preached three and a half years, when he was dismissed by a council. At that time the society had thirty-eight members. From the time Mr. Bowles left, up to 1850, the society continued to hire preaching most of the time, though grad- ually declining in strength and numbers. The church building was remod- dled and is now used as a town hall. At Bridgewater, in the southern part of the town, however, a neat chapel has been erected, which is used in union by all denominations for religious purposes.

I76

TOWN OF BRISTOL.

B RISTOL lies in the extreme southeastern part of the county, in lat. 43° 35' and long. 71º 45', bounded north by Bridgewater, east by New Hampton (in Belknap county, the Pemigewasset river being the boundary line), south by Hill, in Merrimack county, and west by Alexandria, the little town being very irregular in outline. To give an approximately correct idea of the conditions which brought the town into existence, one must turn back to the charters of other townships in its vicinity. First, then, a township by the name of New Chester, which name was subsequently changed to Hill, was granted by the Masonian proprietors to John Tolford, Matthew Thornton and forty-eight others, September 14, 1753. This grant included the present territory of Hill, Bristol and Bridgewater. On Febru- ary II, 1788, that part of New Chester north of Newfound river was set off to forni a new town by the name of Bridgewater, which was bounded as fol- lows : " Beginning at the mouth of Newfound river, thence running by the southerly bank of said river to Newfound pond ; thence by the easterly shore of said pond to Plymouth line ; thence by said line to Pemigewasset river ; and thence down said river to the bounds first mentioned, including all the islands in said river against said tract." Finally, on the 24th of June, 1819, the legislature passed an act incorporating the southern part of Bridgewater and the northern part of New Chester into a new township. This latter was a small town containing only about nine thousand acres, which was given the name of Bristol.

The surface of this little township is decidedly mountainous in its charac- ter, and presents a wealth of natural scenery that is picturesque and pleasing · to a high degree, while its altitude is sufficiently great to warrant cool sum- mers and a healthful climate. Bristol Peak, situated in the northeastern part of the town, is the highest elevation within its limits, being 1,785 feet above the level of the sea. Between Sugar Hill, just north of the village, and an elevation to the west of it. flows Newfound river, with its unrivalled water- power, the outlet of Newfound lake. About two-thirds of this fine body of water lies within the limits of Bristol. Its waters are clear and pure, and, lying in the midst of picturesque scenery, its shores vary from white sandy shingle to precipitous, rocky bluffs, forming in all not a small factor in the, town's fine scenery. There are several other small streams, but they are of minor importance. The water-power afforded by Newfound river is, as we have intimated, one of the best and most reliable in the county. The stream, in its course of two miles from the lake to the Pemigewasset, makes a total fall of 241 feet and seven inches. The lake, which has a length of between six and seven miles, and is three miles in width at its broadest portion, forms a superior reservoir, having an extensive water-shed. Its waters are held in reserve by a dam at its outlet, so that it may be drawn down, if necessary, during the dry season, to the extent of six feet. Although the surface of the town is rough, the soil is of more than average fertility, and good crops of hay and of nearly all of the cereal products are generally secured, while fruit

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Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 27

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Company, Printers Number of Pages: 1266

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- comp. cn
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Syracuse, N. Y., Syracuse Journal Company, Printers
Number of Pages: 1266