Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 35

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 35

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TOWN OF CANAAN.

mained a few years, and sold out to Dr. Arnold Morgan, whose practice ex- tended over a period of thirty years. Dr. Morgan died in 1878, and his place was taken by Dr. George E. Leet, who continues to ride in the old buggy of his predecessor. Dr. Ara Wheat, grandson of Elder Joseph Wheat, com- menced practice here forty years ago, and still rides when called for. Dr. E. M. Tucker a graduate from the army hospitals, has been in practice here about twelve years. He has firm nerves and a cool head, and is reckoned among the skillful of his profession. Dr. John Rogers is a man over eighty years of age. These years are a bar to much active practice.

CLERGYMEN.

The clergymen in Canaan have not been so numerous, nor so well paid, as the gentlemen of the other professions. Elder Thomas Baldwin was the first ordained minister. The ceremony took place June 11, 1783, in Deacon Caleb Welch's barn, on South road. Rev. Samuel Shepard, of Brentwood, preached the sermon, Rev. Elisha Ranson, of Woodstock, Vt., gave the charge, and the Rev. Samuel Ambrose, of Sutton, gave the right hand of fel- lowship. His salary during the seven years of his pastorate here was thirty pounds per year. He had a wife and four children. After his departure in 1790 there was an interregnum of twenty-three years before the town agreed to settle another minister. There were so many " gifted " brethern among the people that they would never agree upon any of the numerous candidates who offered themselves, but elder Joseph Wheat finally captured the town, and preached here ninteen years, or until his death. He never received $200 a year. Since that time the Baptists have had a great deal of preaching, but no settled minister. They built a nice little church at East Canaan about fifteen years ago, at a cost of about $7,000. In these years, however, its doors are seldom opened for public worship.

Aside from the respectable citizens already mentioned, there were several men in the past who deserve mention. John Currier, Esq., was prominent for forty years, dying in 1826, useful in all places, trusted and honored with many offices-surveyor, justice of the peace, selectman, representative, guar- dian and executor of many estates. His descendant of the same name ocu- pies the old homestead.

Hon. Daniel Blaisdell came here on his discharge from the Revolutionary army, in 1780, aged eighteen years. Intelligent, self reliant and willful, he worked his way up to fortune and honors, until in 1809 he was elected a rep- resentative to the XI. Congress, the only resident of Canaan who ever received that honor. His decendants, at about the time of his death, 1833, numbered nearly one nundred.

Nathaniel Currier came in 1816. He was a successful trader for many years, and was often elected to various town offices. He was very decided in his political opinions-an active Abolitionist from the organization of the party ;

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TOWN OF CANAAN.

but these opinions proved prejudicial to his business, in the days when public sentiment was strongly pro-slavery. He died in 1863, aged seventy- three years, beliving he had done something to keep the abolition ball rolling. His son Frank is now a trader in his father's old store. Frank D., already mentioned as a lawyer, is a grandson of the old trader.

James Wallace came in 1817 a trader and active business man. He was a manufacturer of pot and pearl-ashes many years ; was prominent in all town affairs, and was honored by election to many offices of trust. He died in 1831, aged forty-four years.

James B. Wallace and Horace S. Currier. sons of the foregoing, were suc- cessful traders up to 1853, when, the former died. Mr. Currier died in 1866.

The Wallace family consisted of eight children, two of whom are living, Mrs. Harriet O. Martin, of Oakland, Cal., and William A., who occupies the old homestead.

Caleb Blodgett, Sr., born in Hudson, N. H., in 1793, married Miss Char- lotte Piper, and took up his residence in Canaan, in 1835. He was for many years sheriff of the county, a clear-headed man, filled with good common sense, a man whose advice was worth attention,-a genial, handy old gentle- man, neighborly, social and reliable. Honors and trusts were heaped upon him, in all of which he acquitted himself with credit. In all his long life he never but once failed to vote the Democratic ticket. He died March 6, 1872. At the preceeding March election his infirmities were so great that he paired off with a Republican, who was suffering like himself.

Looking about the town, the traveler passes many old houses, of a size greatly out of proportion to the families of the present day. These old houses are chiefly two-stories high, and are not nearly finished, very few of them being painted. They were built when large families were the rule, and increase of offspring the desire-thus : Thomas and Ellen Miner had eight children ; Capt. John and Lydia Scofield had nine children ; Ezekiel and Phebe Wells had eighteen ; Jacob and Phebe Dow had fourteen ; Joseph and Mary Flint had fourteen ; Job and Abigail and Annie Tyler had sixteen ; Daniel and Sally Blaisdell had eleven ; John M. and Sally Barber had eight ; David Pol- lard was the father of twenty children, all of whom attained an adult age ; Nathaniel and Rebecca Currier had eleven ; Joshua and Miriam Harris had ten; and Jehu and Betty Jones had eighteen children.

ACADEMIES.

Noys' academy was established here more than fifty years ago. Its friends and patrons hoped some day to see it a great institution, sending its benign influence far out over the land. Its doors were opened to all races, and whites and blacks were invited to come and partake of its benefits on equal terms. But the public opinion of that day was not tolerant. The academy had not

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long been in operation before the people met in "legal town meeting" and voted that "niggers" could not be tolerated here. And they were not. On the roth of August, 1835, five hundred men, embracing many of the sub- stantial and respected citizens of Enfield, Dorchester and Canaan, assisted by a string of ninety-five yoke of cattle, hauled the devoted building from its foundation, and it was afterward set on fire and burned. The colored boys and girls, seventeen in all, fled from the town for fear of bodily harm, and were not allowed to return. When the noble deed had been accomplished, the selectmen of the town called a legal meeting, and passed a solemn vote of thanks to the "gentlemen" who had so gallantly assisted in abating the "nuisance," as the academy was called, and guaranteed immunity to them from any prosecution that might arise in the premises. And thus this academy was destroyed, and a magnificent educational idea lost to the world. Noboby was prosecuted, and it was confidently asserted at the time that no jury in New Hampshire would return a verdict favorable to an abolitionist. All of which was true.

Canaan Union academy arose from the ashes of the one burned. For about twenty years, with able instructors and a friendly public sentiment, it offered good educational facilities to large numbers of pupils who gathered within its walls. But teachers and pupils are gone, to return no more, and the building, long abandoned, is slowly falling to ruins.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

Nearly all of the early settlers were strongly religious, either through their own prejudices or their convictions, and there always was, and still is, a strong antagonism towards apposite faiths. In 1780 the Baptist preponder- ated. Up to this time they had depended upon one another for religious instruction and entertainment. They now felt it a duty to organize a church, that they might have recognition by the sister churches which were growing up around them. Thus the Baptists formed the first church, but not being able to hire preaching, they still ministered to one another, holding their services in Deacon Welch's barn. Richard Clark would lead off in prayer ; Deacon John Worth would strike up a hymn, and then, oftentimes, Thomas Baldwin would read an interesting discourse. Their's was a very simple religion, and those men and women never tired of discoursing of its saving virtues, or of their own experiences.

Thomas Baldwin, born in 1753, came to Canaan a lad of sixteen, his mother being the wife of Dr. Ebenezer Eames. He was a carpenter by trade, married Ruth Huntington, in Norwich, in 1775, and brought her to Canaan. He was intelligent and thoughtful. In one of the prayer-meetings held in Deacon Welch's barn he resolved to change his mode of life. He began to study with the intention of entering the ministry. This Baptist church was always feeble, and is more feeble to-day than it was one hundred years ago.

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Mr. Baldwin contributed his services until 1783, when he was ordained as an evangelist, and put in charge over the church. He continued with them seven years, and this grateful people generously granted him "thirty pounds lawful money" per year for his services, payable in labor and produce. In 1790 the good man left Canaan, and took up his residence in Boston, where his fame grew and expanded until he became a shining light in his denomination. In 1793 the people built a meeting-house, the owners of pews being the pro- prietors. It was completed and accepted in 1796, being occupied by each denomination pro-rata ; but there never was much satisfaction gotten out of of it until 1814, when Elder Joseph Wheat, a Revolutionary soldier, was called and settled. He continued to occupy the pulpit until his death, in 1833.

In 1803 a Congregational church was organized as a branch of the church in Hanover. Dr. Eden Burroughs had charge of it. This, like the Baptist, was always a feeble, and partially a missionary church. In 1825 Rev. Amos Foster, of Salisbury, was ordained and installed its pastor. He labored here nine years, doing good and praying for blessings upon the people, but it was sterile soil, and needed more vigorous cultivation than it received. The Congre- gational house was built and dedicated in 1829, and has often been well attended, but there was a lack of heart and sympathy on the part of the worshippers, and year by year it fell away, until now the church is not repre- sented in the doings of the association.

The Methodists organized a class here about 1800, and they had circuit- riders for many years, and extensive revivals occurred under their earnest leaders. In 1826 they built a small house on South road, in which they worshiped eighteen years. Then they sold it, and in October, 1844, dedi- cated the house on "The Street," in which they now worship, under the minis- tration of Rev. I. Taggart. There is also a Methodist church at East Canaan, organized about twenty-five years ago ; but it is not strong, either in numbers or wealth. Mr. Taggart is in charge, and his labors are divided between the two chutches.

The Free Will Baptists have a church organization here also. In numbers they exceed all the other denominations. Having no house of worship, they usually assemble in school-houses. They have no stated preaching, but depend upon such preachers as may come along, and thereby they may "some- times entertain angels unawares."

A considerable number of Canadians, of French extraction, have migrated to the town, probably more than a hundred. These are all Roman Catholics. They have no place of worship, but a priest comes to them at intervals, administers the rites or the church, and receives their contributions in return.

236

TOWN OF DORCHESTER.

D ORCHESTER lies in the southern-central part of the county, in lat. 43° 46' and long. 71 59' bounded north by Wentworth, east by Gro- ton, south by Canaan and west by Lyme. The town was originally granted July 8, 1761, to Henry Thompson and others ; but " Henry Thomp- son and others " failed to comply with the requirements of their charter, and hence forfeited all right to the township. In answer to petition, the territory was again granted to Samuel Hobart and others, who, it seems, also failed to keep the bond. A third time then was the land granted to John House and others, in seventy-two equal shares, May 1, 1772. Under this latter grant were the settlements made and the lands held.

The surface of the town is very uneven, in spite of which, however, it is a good farming territory. Smart's mountain lies partly within the northwestern corner, from whose summit, at an altitude of about 2,500 feet, a charming and extensive view may be obtained. Bald Head, another prominent eleva- tion, rises from its eastern border. The numerous other elevations are of minor importance, among which may be mentioned Pollard, Thompson, Norris and Read hills. The south branch of Baker's river, a tributary of the Pemigewasset, and Rocky Branch rivers, afford here some excellent mill privi- leges. The intervals along Baker's river are very fertile, yielding excellent crops of hay. There are also several small ponds here, the largest of which is Norris pond, near the central part of the town. Smart's pond lies on the western line, and Line pond on the northern line of the township. The town has an area of about 23,040 acres, about 9,531 of which is improved land.

In 1880 Dorchester had a population of 586 souls. In 1885 the town had eight school districts and ten common schools. Its nine school-houses were valued, including furniture, etc., at $2,310.00. There were 144 chil- dren attending school, six of whom were pursuing the higher grades, taught during the year by two male and seven female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $28.00 for males and $19.05 for females. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year was $641.32, while the expenditures were $664.07, with Byron Richardson, superintendent.

DORCHESTER (p. o) is a hamlet located in the eastern part of the town.

NORTH DORCHESTER, (p. o.) is a hamlet located in the northern part of the town.

FITTSVILLE, (p. . ) is a hamlet in the northeast part, where is located the only store in the township.

John A. Norris has a steam saw-mill, on road 18, which turns out a large amount of lumber.

Leonard S. Fellows has a saw-mill on road 33, operated by water-power, which turns out about $500.00 worth of manufactured lumber per annum.

Stillman Merrill caries on the business of carpenter, builder and wheel- wright, near Dorchester town-house.

The settlement of the town was commenced by Benjamin Rice and Stephen Murch, from Hanover, formerly from Connecticut, about the time the last

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charter was issued, in 1772. The settlement was slow, however, and attended with many troubles and privations, as is attested by the town and State records. No meeting for the choice of officers and the proper organization of the town was held until the year 1780, owing to the troubles we have referred to. The first record of a town meeting on the town clerk's book is partly gone, but what is preserved shows that it was held previous to 1800. There were thirty-one articles voted upon, the eighteenth of which was "voted, to raise $66.64 for the benefit of schools the ensuing year: The Twentieth article-" the sense of the town being taken by a vote, it appears that the town are for the revision of the Constitution of this Sate." The twenty-first-"voted not to raise any money for the support of preaching the year ensuing and $16.86 was voted to pay town charges the ensuing year. John Woodworth was town clerk. The first part of the record being gone, the list of town officers chosen cannot be given.

As an illustration of the tribulations of the early settlers of Dorchester, we quote the following petition relative to taxes, sent by them to the general court in 1786.

"We, your Honor's Petitioners, conceive ourselves to be over Taxed in a just proportion with Other Towns in the State, and, whereas, there is considerable sums in back rearages which we are now called upon for ; which at present ap- pears impracticable For us to pay and Support our Families in this uncultivated Wilderness. In the Year 1777 we were called upon for £13, 18s., od., at which time we had only six Ratable Polis, Little or no Ratable improvement in Town, and but very few Cattle or Horses, and them supported at a great expense. In the year 1778, for £19, 17s., od., at which time we had only seven ratable polls and a Small addition of improvement. In the year 1779 we were called on for £41, 14s., od., at which time we had only Eleven Polls, and our income No ways adequate to our Support, but a Great part of our provisions we purchased and Brought from a considerable Distance, which much retarded our Settlement : and never till the Year 1780 had any Town officers, so as to be in a capacity to Collect any Tax we wish here to observe that altho' there was a valuation taken by the Sellectmen of Cockermouth, December, 1779, we conceive, by reason of our unacquaintance with them things, that our improvements were Set Much too high, and we have been rated until the year 1784 on that valuation. We would here observe that the Dispute in these parts about Jurisdiction rose so high in the year 1781 That we acted no way, and thereby lost our meeting, which was not revived until ye Year 1784, by which means no Taxes were assessed (which neglect we readily acknowl- edge). We, Sensibly Feeling the Before innumerated Difficulties, together with our Arduous Struggles in Beginning and Settling this Rugged Wilderness, Our Lands being Something Broken and not so fertile as most Towns round about us ; Therefore, we pray your Honors to take our Difficult Situation into your Wise Consideration, and grant us such relief in the premises as in your Wisdom You may think fit, that thereby our heavy burthen May be lightened and we incouraged to exert ourselves in every Possible way to discharge what may be found to be our Just proportion, and we, Your Honor's Hum- ble petitioners, as in duty bound, Shall Ever pray.

" Dorchester, January 21, A. D. 1786."

By an act passed December 21, 1791, a special tax-of two pence per acre was authorized, for the purpose of repairing highways, and the town was

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authorized to assess a tax of three cents per acre for the same purpose. The charter of 1772, printed on parchment, an interesting relic, is now in the po- session of Henry H. Woodward, town clerk.

Benjamin R. Norris was born at Corinth, Vt., in 1810, from whence he removed to Hanover, and, fifty years ago, to this town, settling on what is known as Norris hill, where he carried on farming during his life. He died in November, 1882. He married Pamelia Stark, of Hanover, and they had a family of seven, three sons and four daughters, of whom John A. married, first, Phebe Jessaman, and second, Mrs. Hannah Ellenwood. He carries on a steam mill for the manufacture of all kinds of lumber, shingles, etc., at Dorchester Town House. He is one of the selectmen of the town. Ira B. resides on road 15. He has been a selectman of the town for the past ten years. In 1875 and 1876 he represented Dorchester in the State legislature, has been collector a number of years, and for a long time was postmaster, resigning that office when elected representative. He married Carrie Leavitt, of this town, who was elected postmistress on the resignation of her husband, and now holds the office. Hattie M. married Edward Colburn, who died of fever at Newport News, while a soldier in the Eleventh N. H. Vols., in the late Rebellion. Mrs. Colburn now resides in this town, with her widowed mother. Jennie M. married L. W. Aldrich, of Westmoreland, N. H. David P. is overseer of the Pacific Corporation, at Lawrence, Mass. He married Emma Wood, of Hartland, Vt. Elvina married Henry H. Woodard, of Duxbury, Mass., now a resident of this town and its town clerk. Abbie married Henry H. Bailey, of Glover, Vt.

Charles C. Merrill was born in the town of Hill, and removed with his parents to this town when eight years of age, where he resided till about 1861, when he enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment for the war of the Rebellion. He died of disease in Tennessee, in 1863. He married Elmira A. Copp, of Sanborn, N. H., who survives him.

John M. Fitts was born here in 1843, his father having been a native of South Hampton, and for a long time a resident of this town. His mother was Thankful Moore, a native of Dorchester. John M. for the last sixteen years has carried on the business of a general merchant in the northeast corner of the town, where, in October, 1883, he was instrumental in establishing a postoffice, called Fittsville, and of which he is postmaster. He married Emmn M. Carr, of Orford. They have one son, John B.

Walter R. Hall, now ninety years of age and the oldest inhabitant of the town, was born here in 1796. His parents came here from Rumney at an early date. Walter R. was one of a family of fourteen, and is the only sur- viver. He married Lucinda Cummins, of Groton, in January, 1826, and the same year moved on to a farm on road 17, built a house, and has lived in it ever since. Mrs. Hall died January 3, 1885, at the age of eighty-two. They had two children, J. C., who enlisted in 1864, in the late war, afterward settled in Groton, where he died, in December, 1884, and Mary Ann, who married

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TOWN OF DORCHESTER.

Stillman Merrill, a resident of this town. She died just one week previous to her mother's death. Mr. Hall is in good health, and his memory excellent for one in his advanced years.

Pettingill Blaisdell was born in this town, in 1824. His parents were also natives of the town. His father was Sanborn Blaisdell and his mother Mehitable Sanborn. Pettingill married Lorette Lillis, also a native of Dorchester. They had three children-two sons and one daughter. The children all developed a remarkable musical talent when quite young, and, with their father, traveled fourteen years, giving concerts and playing for various societies throughout the New England States, the Western States and the Canadas. Mr. Blaisdell played the clarionet, Henri G., first violin, Ella Mable, violin soloist, and Pettengill S., double bass. They were long considered second to none in New England, until the death of the daughter, Ella M., April 19, 1882. Since that time the father has retired. Henri G. has now an orchestra at Concord, and is called for from far and near. Pettingill S. is at home with his father.

CHURCHES.

Previous to 1827 there was a small Methodist meeting-house, without a steeple, in the west part of the town. In November of that year Rev. I. S. Davis visited Dorchester, and, without any request or prospect of compen- sation, spent four weeks here visiting from house to house, preaching evenings. The first Sabbath he preached in the Methodist meeting-house, and many were converted. From this a Congregational church was organized, May 20, 1828, with three males and six females. About this time Mr. Davis offered to raise $400.00 toward building a meeting-house. His offer was accepted and a church was built, costing $1,500.00. Of this, Rev. Dr. Codman, of Dor- chester, Mass., paid $100.00. The mother of Rev. Mr. Davis, of Newton, contributed another $100.00, and probably contributed the remainder. Mr. Davis was ordained pastor of the church the same day the meeting-house was dedicated, October 9, 1828. On account of dissatisfaction relative to the location of the house, another was built, in the south part of the town, which was occupied mostly by the Baptists, no one demomination owning it. Rev. Mr. Davis served the people faithfully as their pastor for five years. The meeting-house on the site of the present town-house was burned January 23, 1842. The old church in the south part of the town stood tenantless and unused for many years, and, in 1883, was taken down and the present church edifice built, near the town hall, at Dorchester Center.

The Free Will Baptist church, located at Dorchester Center. was organ- ized by its present pastor, Rev. J. D. Cross, with twenty members, in 1882. The church building, a wooden structure erected in 1844, will seat 200 per- sons and is valued, including grounds, at $2,000.00.

.240

TOWN OF EASTON.

E ASTON lies in the northern-central part of the county, in lat. 44 8', and long. 71º 47', north by Lisbon and Franconia, east by Lincoln and a small part of Woodstock, south by a small part of Woodstock and Benton, and west by Landaff. It was set off from Landaff and incor- oprated into a separate township by an act passed July 20, 1876.

The surface of the township is rough, mountainous and picturesque, a great deal of its territory being covered by valuable forests. Notwithstanding this, however, the town has not a little of good farming land which gives fair returns to the labor of the husbandman. Mt. Kinsman, with an altitude of 4,200 feet, lies upon its eastern border, while Cooley and Cole hills rise from the western part. Between them lies a fair valley, drained by a stream called Ham branch, which, with its numerous tributaries, flows north into Franconia. The Wild Ammonoosuc flows across the southern part of the town, receiving Clay and Black brooks from the north, and Tunnell brook from the south. Among the natural curiosities the township presents to the observer is "How- land's Flume." This natural flume is located about a mile from the residence of H. B. Oaks, on road 2. It is about eight feet in width and one hundred feet long, while the waters from it are precipitated to the level below forming a beautiful fall 142 feet in height. From Howland's mountain, near the flume, an extensive view of the surrounding scenery may be obtained. Another curiosity is a large rock opposite the residence of Charles O. Whitcher, which is supposed to be petrified wood, and closely resembles a hemlock stump. It was found near Bartlett's blacksmith shop.

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Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 35

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