Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 69

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 69

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).

In Mr. Barrett were combined that sturdy independence, dislike of osten- tation and plainness of dress and manners, which proclaim descent from the

Sauf SurMo

505

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

old New England stock ; that ability to read character and motive which come of travel, keen observation and wide dealings with men, and formed a potent factor in achieving his business success ; and a taste for reading and research which found both food and expression in the well selected library, and choice collection of curiosites, which adorn the home, telling of his life and acquire- ments more clearly than words of ours.

John C. Morrison was born in Bethlehem in 1824. and resided there until 1840, when he removed to Gilmanton. There he worked at his trade in iron works three years. Afterward he took charge of Fairbanks's forge shop, at St. Johnsbury, Vt., until 1854. From there he went to Vergennes, Vt., and superintended the Sanıpson scale works until 1857, thence to the Amos- keag mills, Manchester, in charge of their forge. In 1863 he removed to Yonkers, N. Y., where he was superintendent of the Clipper Mower and Reaper Co.'s works until 1873, when he came to this town and has since that date carried on the manufacture of carriages. His wife was Mary P. Ed- wards, of Laconia. They have two children. a daughter, who married Daniel W Ranlet, of Bethlehem, and a son, J. F., at Springfield, Mass.

Milo C. Pollard was born in Ryegate, Vt., in 1842, and lived there until he was fifteen years of age, when he removed with his father to Barnet, Vt., and after two years they removed to Bath. He married Climena Blakeslee, of this town. In 1873 he removed to road 4. They have two daughters. In 1862 he enlisted in the 15th N. H. Vol. Infantry, and served nine months. He was afterwards in the service of the United States, at Brattleboro, eight months.

Clark W. Powers was born in Newfane, Vt., June 3, 1824. From Caledo- nia, Vt., he enlisted in the 4th Vermont regiment and served nearly three years in the civil war. At the battle of the Wilderness he was taken prisoner and confined at Andersonville, Florence, S. C., and other points for about ten months. In the same battle in which he was taken prisoner he was wounded in his right hand and also in his hip. He married Clarissa E. Allen, of Burke, Vt., and they have had thirteen children, four of whom died in childhood. Of the living, Scott W. is a house builder, resident in this town. Allen resides in California ; Clark W., Jr., a journalist ; Survillan is foreman of a foundry at Waterbury, Conn. ; William A. is a marble-cutter at Hardwick, Vt. ; Abel R. is a farmer with his father; Henry is a student ; Flora married John Thompson ; and Rosette is unmarried and'resides with her parents. Mr. Powers removed to this town eight years ago and settled on road 6, where he now resides.

Zelotes Stevens was born in Orford. Learning the marble worker's busi- ness at Rochester, he removed to Pennsylvania, and from thence to Rutland, Vt. In 1879 he came to Littleton and established marble works in the rear of C. A. Farr's store, on Main street, where he carries on the trade in all its branches. He married Susan M., daughter of Silas Morse.

Dr. George W. McGregor was born in Bethlehem June 15, 1853. He

506

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

was educated at Tilton and New Hampton, and graduated from Dartmouth Medical college in 1878. In 1880 he located in this town to practice his profession, having previously practiced a year and a half at Lunenburg, Vt. He married Augusta, daughter of Stephen Eaton, of Franconia. During the present season he has built a fine residence on School street, which is in- tended for his future home.

Rev. Francis H. Lyford, pastor of the Free Will Baptist church, was born in Pittsfield, September 19, 1820, where his boyhood days were passed to the age of fifteen years, when he removed to Missouri and remained in that state until twenty-two years of age. Returning to Pittsfield he remained there until 1846. when he removed to Barnstead, and in 1853 to Manchester. His first marriage was to Eunice T. Pickering, of Barnstead, in 1843, who died in 1851, leaving two children, one of whom died at the age of nine years, while the other, Ardenia, married George E. Gay, of Malden, Mass. In 1852 his second marriage took place, to Catherine S. Cox, of Holderness, by whom he has had three children, two of whom died in childhood, and one, Kate Idell, resides with her parents. He settled in Littleton as pastor of the Free Will Baptist church in 1880.

Gilman K. Morrison is a native of Bethlehem, where he resided on a farm until his house was burned, in 1881. In 1882 he purchased a farm in the suburbs of Littleton village, where he now resides. He married Mary J. Ladd, a native of Holderness, and they have had two children, a son who died in infancy, and a daughter, Emma J., who married Burton Minard, formerly a minister, of Boston. She died while her husband was pastor of the Free Will Baptist church, in Littleton, November 13, 1879, in the thirtieth year of her age, leaving a son and a daughter.

James Williams was born at North Littleton, and opened the hotel at Hav- erhill known as the Grafton Coffee House. He married Candice Billings, of Waterford, Vt. Their son, Franklin B., married Ellen Artler, a native of Liv- erpool, England, and lives on road 36.

James Richardson, was born in Lisbon, March 27, 1814, where he lived on a farm until the age of seventeen, when he fitted himself to enter Kimball union academy, at Meriden, N. H. In 1836 he entered Dartmouth college and graduated in 1841. Having spent one year in teaching after his gradua- tion, he was then principal of Hebron academy, Canaan union academy and the academy at Lyme, for a period of four years, when failing health obliged him to give up teaching as a profession. Since that time he has been occu- pied as a lumberman and farmer. He married Jane Morse, of Lisbon, and they have had five children, four of whom are living.

CHURCHES.

In an article on the church in Littleton, contributed to " The History of New Hampshire churches," Rev. E. Irvin Carpenter says that "the first settlers were neither generally religious men, nor religiously inclined." The men

507

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

of 1800-1810 may not have taken much interest in theological matters, but a considerable number of those who came prior to 1795 and were pioneers of the town, were devout christians and improved every opportunity to hold reli- gious services. Captain Caswell, Thomas Miner and family, 'and Robert Charlton were of this number. It was their custom to meet every Sunday at the house of one of them and hold a service which usually consisted of prayer, singing, reading the Scriptures, and frequently a sermon would be read. James Rankin, who, with his wife and children was a strict Presbyterian, gener- ally conducted these services after he settled here. He is described as a person gifted in prayer. The sermon was usually read by his son-in-law, Nathaniel Webster.

The first preacher to come into the settlement to remain for any length of time was Rev. Mr. Atkinson, of Portsmouth, who was in the service of a Home Missionary society. He remained about six months, in 1790, accomplishing a good work and laying a foundation for those who were to follow. It is said that he was a talented and eloquent minister. In 1791 a vote was passed at the annual meeting " to hire preaching for two months." It was also " voted that Captain Nathan Caswell and Mr. John Wheeler be a committee to hire a minister." It does not appear that any action was taken under authority of this vote. The following year it was "voted that nine pounds be raised to hire preaching ;" also, " that James Rankin and Isaac Miner be a committee to hire said preaching." From the next record in regard to preaching, it would appear that Mr. Rankin went to Hanover and employed Rev. Mr. Atkinson to return, for the town voted in 1796 to allow Mr. Rankin one pound, thirteen shillings and eight pence for his expenses, with one shilling, four pence additional for horse hire. How long Mr. Atkinson remained at this time is not known. The records are silent in this respect until 1799, when Solomon Mann, Paul Cushman and Robert Charlton were chosen "a committee to find a centre for holding meetings, said committee to hire a minister to preach out the money that shall be subscribed for preaching." The question of fixing upon a place or centre for holding meetings was often agitated but never settled until 1811, when Moses Little gave the town two acres of land to build a church upon. This lot was about equally distant from the three principal settlements in the town. The Rev. John Lord was employed by the town to preach for a time in 1802 and the bills due Captain James Williams and Asa Lewis therefor were paid in accordance with a vote of the annual meeting in 1803.

In 1811 the gift of Mr. Little was accepted, and the sum of $200.00 voted by the town for a church, with the condition that it was to be used for town meetings. The church was dedicated in 1815. It was built with the under- standing that it should be used by the several denominations. There were Methodists and Baptists in town, but the Congregationalists were the most numerous. A church of this denomination was organized in 1803, by the Rev. David Goodall, before mentioned. It had ten members, but no settled

508

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

minister, until 1820. In the mean time Rev. Mr. Goodall preached occa- sionally, and the Rev. N. R. Hardy was sent here by the missionary society, and preached some three years. He died in a log cabin on the Isaac Parker place. The Rev. Drury Fairbanks was the first settled minister. He was called to the church in 1820, and served it faithfully until 1835, when failing health compelled him to relinquish his pastoral charge. He was succeeded by Rev. Evarts Worcester, a native of Peacham, Vt., a young man of fine talent and great promise, who was cut down by consumption early the fol- lowing year. His successor was his brother, Rev. Isaac R. Worcester, who was ordained pastor of the church, September 27, 1837. After three years of faithful service the condition of his health compelled him to rest, and he sought to restore his wasting strength by a visit to the South. After a year's absence he resumed his pastorate, but was forced to relinquish it in 1842. In December, 1842, Rev. E. Irvin Carpenter was settled, and remained with the church until Jannary, 1857. His pastorate was a successful one. Rev. Charles E. Milliken succeeded him in September, 1860, and continued its- pastor until 1878, the longest term of service in the history of the town. The pulpit was supplied by Rev. W. A. Hadley, the Rev. Mr. McGowan and others, until January 25, 1881, when George W. Osgood was installed. He resigned, and was dismissed in October, 1884, and in February, 1886, Rev. E. C. Holman became pastor. The church has a present membership of 230.

The Methodist itinerent did not neglect this field, and from 1800 to 1848, when the church was organized, there was no year in which a minister of that denomination did not visit the town and hold service. Josiah Newhall, who lived on what is now a part of the C. W. Bedel farm, was the leading Metho- dist among the early settlers. His house was for many years the resting place of the itinerants who rode this circuit. James Rankin, Jr., became a convert to Methodism in 1801, and was a local preacher of considerable power and influence for several years. The town was included in the Landaff circuit from 1800 to 1843. During this period, besides James Rankin, Jr., Father Berkley, and Joseph Robins, Jr., held meetings in different neighborhoods. The citizens who were of this denomination were most numerous in the western part of the town, in the vicinity of Partridge pond, and on Mann's hill. The Rev. Daniel Wise, A. M., D. D., one of the most distinguished preachers and writers of the church in this country, began his ministerial labors in this town in 1833. He was from Portsmouth, England, and came to this country via Canada, when about twenty years old. He started on foot for a journey through New England, without any objective point, and in the autumn of 1833, found himself in the Briggs neighborhood, at West Lit- tleton. While there he attended a service conducted by Father Berkley, by whom he was invited to offer prayer. From that hour dates his active work in the ministry. He was soon licensed, and preached in this section, divid- ing his time between Littleton and Lyman. The following year Bath was added to his parish, and he gave each locality a third of his time. In 1837

509

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

he went to Massachusetts, where he preached in the larger towns and cities until 1850, when he was assigned to editorial duty.

In 1843 Littleton was classed with Whitefield, Rev. J. S. Loveland, pastor. This relation was continued until 1845 when the town was joined to Bethle- hem, Rev. J. G. Johnson, pastor. The relation thus established was con- tinued until 1848, when it was thought that the society could stand alone, and Rev. Charles Cowing was sent here by the conference. The next year Whitefield was added to Elder Cowing's charge. The society had become quite strong and active, and in 1850 Rev. Sullivan Holman became pastor. Under his energetic supervision the church prospered and a beautiful edifice was erected on the site of the " old red store." Mr. Holman has been suc- ceeded by the following preachers : Dudley P. Leavitt, 1352-53; L. L. East- man, 1854-55; J. P. Stinchfield, 1856; Geo. N. Bryant, 1857-58; L. P. Cush- man, 1859-60 ; Geo. S. Barnes, 1861-62 ; S. E. Quimby, 1863 ; H. L. Kel- sey, 1864 ; Freeman Carter, 1865-66 ; A. E. Drew, 1867-68 ; James M. Bean, 1869 ; John Currier, 1870-71; Geo. Beebe, 1872-73 ; Geo. W. Ruland, 1874- 75-76 ; N. M. D. Granger, 1877-78 ; Geo. A. Mclaughlin, 1879-80-81; G. M. Curl, 1882-83-84 ; M. V. B. Knox, 1885-86.

The membership of the church is at present 230.

It is a singular coincidence that the church membership of the two princi- pal denominations in town should be the same (230) in 1886, while ten years earlier each had a membership of 150.

The Baptist church never gained much of a foothold in Littleton. Rev. Mr. Churchill came from Lancaster in 1799, and under his labors quite a re- vival occurred. He was located near Rankin's mills, but remained only two or three years. As late as 1822 there were nine members in town who wor- shipped with the church at West Waterford. The society was revived in 1840. Rev. Nicholas Bray was pastor and Anson Alexander, deacon. After two years Mr. Bray was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Lovejoy, who served as pastor until the autumn of 1844, at which time the removal of its more active members brought about the disorganization of the society.

Since 1840 there have been a considerable number of Roman Catholics here, but no stated service was held until 1854, when Littleton was placed under the charge of the priest stationed at Lancaster as a mission. In 1874 it was attached as a mission to the church at Lebanon. Since 1882 it has been independent. The first priest to officiate was Rev. J. H. Noiseux, of Lancaster, in 1854. Since then the church has been in charge of the follow- ing priests : Rev. Y. X. Trudell, 1876-78; Rev. J. P. Finnegan, 1876 ; Rev. L. M. Lapalante, 1881-82. Rev. Father Noiseux returned in 1882 and is still in charge of the parish, which consists of 125 families.

In the summer of 1859 Rev. James H. Eames, rector of the Protestant Ep scopal church at Concord held an occasional service here. His preach- ing awoke an interest which gradually extended and resulted in the formation of a society in 1871-72. Aid was furnished by Bishop Niles, and Rev. J. B.

510

TOWN OF LITTLETON.

Goodrich officiated alternately here and at Lancaster for two years. Rev. A. R. Graves was rector from 1876 to 1880, and Rev. Geo. C. Jones until May, 1881. He was succeeded by Rev. H. M. Andrews, who, after two years service, was followed by Rev. J. S. Kent, who also served two years. The present rector is Rev. H. H. Haynes. The church has a membership of 35.

It does not appear that the Free Will Baptists established themselves in Lit- tleton until 1869. Members of that church doubtless resided in town as early as 1820. The report of that church for 1822, showed that there were six members here at that time. Rev. John Colby, of Sutton, Vt., preached here one Sunday in 1810, when on his way from Waterford to Lisbon, but his re- ception was such that ever after he went around, not through the town. A church of this denomination was built at Bethlehem, and such members as re- sided in Littleton were connected with it. In 1869 the church at Bethlehem was transferred to this town, where it was reorganized and Rev. Elijah Gif- ford served as pastor from May, 1869, until his death December 27, 1873. Rev. Burton Minard served as pastor until July 2, 1874 ; Rev. E. P. Moulton until May, 1876; Rev. Ira Emery until May, 1878. Rev. Burton Minard then served again for fifteen months, when Rev. F. H. Lyford was installed. He resigned in the autumn of 1885 and the pulpit has since been vacant. The membership is 127.

The Advent Christian church .- The Second Advents made their first ef- fort to establish a society in the summer of 1884. A tent was pitched on the fair ground near the scythe factory and services conducted by Elder Miles Grant, Elder Crouch and others. Subsequently the society rented Grange Hall where they now hold meetings. The society has at present twenty-five members, with Rev. John A. Magoon, pastor.

The Unitarians and Univerisalists each numbered a few familes for many years and ineffectual attempts have at different times been made to or- ganize societies. In 1884 Rev. J. B. Morrison, of Lancaster, began to preach here, and as a result of his labois the liberal Christians have united and a church is to be erected during the present year.

The first church was, as has been stated, built near the center of the town and dedicated in 1815. This was a large and nearly square structure, with- out architectural ornament. It had two entrances opening into a hallway from which two flights of stairs led to a gallery. The body of the church was filled with pews constucted in the style prevalent at the time, while on each side, raised some eight inches from the floor, was a row of square pews with seats around three sides. Similar pews filled the gallery, which was quite an extensive affair, occupying both sides and one end of the building. The pul- pit was a lofty structure, from which the preacher commanded a full view of every part of the interior. The business of the town gradually centered at the village and its increasing population demanded a church at that point. The Congregationalists decided to change their location and the first village church was erected and dedicated in 1832. This edifice, which cost $2,000.00, was

5II

TOWN OF LIVERMORE.

remodelled and enlarged in 1852 and again in 1874, and is now a beautiful and commodious structure, and is valued, including other property, at $Io,- 000.00. A fine chapel was built in 1883 on a lot just 'west of the church. The old church was used as a town house until 1866, and a few years later it was sold at auction and demolished.

The First Methodist church was organized in 1849. The first church building was built in 1850, of wood, on the site of the "old red store," at the corner of Main and Pleasant streets. Rev. Charles Cowing was the first pastor. It was considered a fine piece of architecture, but when it was remodelled in 1881 a portion of its beauty was destroyed. It is still a fine structure. how- ever, will seat 360 persons, and is valued, including grounds, at $8,000.00. The society has also a chapel and a parsonage. The present pastor is Rev. M. V. B. Knox.

The Protestant Episcopal church is of brick. It was erected in 1875, the corner stone being laid by Bishop Niles, July 22. It is situated on School street.

The Free Will Baptists built an edifice in 1869, of wood, on Union street, which was remodelled in 1881, and is now valued, including grounds and other property, at $ 10,000.00. It contains a vestry and lecture room and will seat 450 persons. They also own a parsonage. Rev. Elijah Guilford is the present pastor.

In 1876, '77, the Catholics erected a church at the corner of Clay and High streets, which is now hardly large enough for the accommodation of its increasing membership.

L IVERMORE is a large wilderness township located in the northeastern part of the county, in lat. 443 5' and long. 71º 30,' bounded north by Bethlehem and a part of the county line, east by the county line, south by Waterville, and west by Thornton, Lincoln and Franconia. It was incor- porated in 1876.

The surface of the township is rough, wild and picturesque, many of its solitudes even approaching the sublime. Among its mountain valleys spring the headwaters of the East and Hancock branches of the. Pemigewasset river, flowing a westerly course through the township, Mad river, flowing south, and Sawyer river, flowing east. Upon this latter stream is located the lumber mills of the Saunders Brothers, of Massachusetts, the only industry carried on in the township, and who own the larger part of its territory. At present Livermore's only value is derived from its forests, the land being un- cleared, and even if it was it would doubtless prove too rough for purposes of cultivation.

In 1880 Livermore had a population of 153 souls. In 1885 the town had one school district, and one common school. Its school-house was valued,

512

TOWN OF LYMAN.

including furniture, etc, at $151.00. There were twenty-eight children at- tending school, taught during the year by two female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $26.00. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year was $145.12, while the expenditures were $130.00, with W. G. Hull and O. P. Gilman, committee.

LIVERMORE (p. o.) is the name given the little village clustered about the lumber mills on the Sawyer river. In 1877 a track was laid from about four miles beyond this point to the Portland & Ogdensburg road, for the pur- pose of transporting lumber and timber. It is known as the Sawyer River railroad. The village has about twenty dwellings. William G. Hull is the postmaster and manager of the company's store.

The Grafton County Lumber Co .- The first mill was built by the Saun- ders Brothers in 1876, and was destroyed by fire the same year. In 1877 they put up the present structure, which is operated by a 150 horse-power engine, for which steam is generated in five boilers. It cuts from 3,000,000 to 11,000,000 feet of lumber per annum. C. W. Saunders is the company's agent here.

L YMAN lies in the northwestern part of the county, in lat. 44°15', and long. 71° 55' bounded north by Littleton, east by Lisbon, south by Bath and west by Monroe. It was granted to Daniel Lyman and sixty-three others, November 10, 1761, its name being derived from the fact that eleven of the grantees bore the name of Lyman. The grantees failed to comply with the requirements of their charter, and thus forfeited their grant, but an extension of time was granted them July 20, 1769, in answer to a petition from Abra- ham Thompson, of Connecticut, agent of the original grantees. As origin- ally granted the town was much larger than it now is, but extending north and south through its center was the high elevation known as Gardner's mountain. This rendered travel from either the eastern or western parts to the opposite side of the town exceedingly difficult and troublesome, and thus inconvenient for all to attend town meetings, etc. For this reason, by an act of the legislature approved July 13, 1854, all that portion of the town lying west of Gardner's mountain was incorporated into a separate township, by the name of Monroe.

The surface of the town, though uneven and largely diversified by hill, mountain and valley, is still not so rough but there is a large amount of fine arable land left. The soil is generaly good, producing fair crops of grains and grasses. Mill Branch, a stream flowing into the Ammonoosuc, waters, with its tributaries, the northern part of the town, while in the southern part the same may be said of Smith brook, a similar stream. Gold, copper and lead have been found in the town, and mined to some extent.

In 1880 Lyman had a population of 655 souls. In 1885 the town had

513

TOWN OF LYMAN.

seven school districts and seven common schools. Its seven school-houses were valued, including furniture, etc., at $2,480.00. There were 141 children attending school, four of whom were pursuing the higher grades, taught during the year by two male and nine female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $25.00 for males and $18.19 for females. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year was $926.39, while the expenditures were $1.079.16, with Rev. A. Twitchell, superintendent.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 69

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