Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 80

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 80

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).

Corpus Sargeant

595

TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.

has always deprecated what seems to him, too much bondage to party, and true to his convictions of duty voted solid for Mr. Cleveland in 1884.

Nathan H. Weeks, son of Benjamin and Betsey (Hoit) Weeks, born at Guilford, N. H., March 19, 1825, was educated at New Hampton, and at the age of twenty-one years went to Thornton and engaged in farming. He was a member of the legislature from that town in 1855 '56 '62 and '63. In 1864 he went to Woodstock, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits and lum- bering eight years, and was a member of Governor Stevens's council in 1869- 70, and of the legislature for 1865 '66, '67, '68, '71, and '72. In 1872 he came to Plymouth, was high-sheriff in '74 and '75, and in 1873 built a paper-mill at Bristol, in company with Mason & Perkins, where they manufactured 1,000 tons of paper per annum. In 1876 he engaged in mercantile pursuits with John Mason, at Plymouth, and built the Mason & Weeks block in 1878. The extensive business is now conducted under the firm name of Mason, Weeks & Co., R. E. Symth having been admitted to the partnership. Mr. Weeks was a member of the legislature in 1879, '80 and '8r, is an extensive land owner, and is president of the Pemigewasset National bank. In 1845 he married Harriet A. Hacket, who bore him one son and two daughters-Emerette L. (Mrs. Thomas J. Gillman), Edwin S., and Clara J. (Mrs. Frank P. Field). His wife died in 1859, and in 1860 he married Martha G. Philbrick, who has borne him two sons and three daughters, viz. : Anna M., a graduate of Til . ton seminary, class of '80 ; Fred P., a student at Dartmouth, class of'86 ; Lelia G., a graduate of Tilton seminary, class of '82 ; and Scott N. and Martha F., at home.

Edgar Merrill, son of Winthrop and Martha (Noyes) Merrill, a prosperous farmer on road 4, was born in Campton in 1841. He married Abbie San- born in 1871, who bore him one son and a daughter, Herbert M. and Mar- tha E. Mrs. Merrill died in 1876, and in 1882 Mr. Merrill married Dora A. Brown.

Ezekiel E. Merrill, son of Giles and Mehitable (Elliot) Merrill, was born in Rumney in 1819 and came to Plymouth in 1861. Here he built a saw-mill and continued in the lumber business seventeen years, when he located on the Whidden farm of 115 acres, on road 4. He married Mary Cook, of Campton, in 1848, and has one son, John E., who resides on the farm with his parents.

Alexander G. Smyth, son of Joshua Smyth, was born in Holderness, July 18, 1817, and died at Plymouth, November 17, 1884. In early life he en- gaged in trade at Holderness for a time, then entered the employ of Webster & Russell, as a clerk, where he remained ten years, when he engaged with Bond, Moody & Mason four years, and then began business for himself, con- tinuing eighteen years. In 1847 he married Caroline Flanders, of Plymouth, who bore him a son and a daughter, Rodney E., of the firm of Mason, Weeks & Co., and Cora H. Mr. Smyth was a gentleman highly esteemed, was county treasurer two years and selectman five years.

596

TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.

Kimball Whitney, son of Otis and Sarah (Taylor) Whitney, was born in Campton in 1810, and now resides in Plymouth, on road 22. He married Eliza Elliott, and of their children Anna P. became the wife of Hon. Manson S. Brown, Sarah T. resides at Glove Hollow, and Emma J. died in town at the age of thirty five years.

Hon. Manson S. Brown, who occupies the Judge Blair farm, about two miles south of the village, on road 22, was born in Bridgewater in 1834, and married Anna T., daughter of Kimball and Sarah (Taylor) Whitney, in 1859. In 1868 he was made sheriff, and in 1884 elected to the Senate.

Chase W. Calley, son of David and Martha (Masten) Calley, was born in Holderness in 1823, worked at glove-making a number of years, and is now engaged in that manufacture here. He married Mary E., daughter of Lewis Keyes, in 1856, and had born to him one daughter, who married Charles A. Jewell, and died in 1882, and two sons, Frank C. and Epes J., both residing in this town, the latter a law student with C. A. Jewell, and secretary of the Pemigewasset Relief Association.

George H. Colby, son of Leonard and Sarah B (Rand) Colby, now station agent at Plymouth, was born at Pembroke, N. H., in 1841, and graduated from the Manchester high school in 1859. He married Helen M. Hadley, of Milford, N. H., in 1860, and has two sons and a daughter-Leonard T. P., Sadie G. and Clarence G.

Dr. Enos Huckins, son of Enos and Betsey (Ingalls) Huckins, was born in Warren in 1845, and educated in the eclectic school of medicine, graduating in 1876. He began practice in Warren, where he remained four years, was then in Ashland four years, and came to Plymouth in 1884. He married Martha G. Merrill in 1868.

Harmon L. Sargent, son of Sylvanus and Emeline (Crockett) Sargent, was born in New London, Conn., in 1833. and now resides in this town, on road 18. He married Almira, daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Carter) Randall, of Canterbury, N. H., in 1866, and has two sons and four daughters-Her- bert E., Fannie E., Mary T., Ellie M., Grace O. and Alice P.

Walter H. Sargent, son of Isaac and Rebecca Sargent, was born in Bos- cawen in 1825, and now resides in the northern part of Plymouth village. Mr. Sargent married Miss S. L. Farrington in 1852, who bore him three sons and three daughters-Ellen, Arthur 'W., Anna J., Flora, Mary, and Walter H. In 1862 Mr. Sargent enlisted in Co. H, 14th N. H. Vols., served through the war, was wounded and injured several times, taken prisoner, and was mustered out of service in command of a company. Mrs. Sargent died July 25, 1883.

Smith Rowe, who owns and occupies a farm on road 5, was born in An- dover, N. H., in 1814. He married Elvira Wheat, of Canaan, December 20, 1835, who bore him one daughter, Eliza, now Mrs. Stephen B. Kendrick, of Madison, lowa. For his second wife Mr. Rowe married Caroline A. San- born, of Andover, December 20, 1838, who has borne him children as fol-

597

TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.

lows : Joseph B., in the lumber business in Olympia, W. T .; Caroline E., wife of John Bullard, of Boston ; George D., a physician in Boone, Iowa ; Abbie E., wife of W. L. Horner, of Thornton ; Frank L., of Cheney, W. T .; Asa M, of Olympia, W. T .; Fred S., of this town ; and Ralph B., of Boone, Iowa.

Roland A. Avery, who resides in the southern part of the village, is a son of Jasper E. and Mary R. (Willey) Avery. 'He married Rosa J. Dow and has three daughters.

Imogene Field, daughter of L. B. and Amanda (Cross) Thomas, was born in Pulaski, N. Y., and married S. L. Field in 1860. Mr. Fleld came to Ply- mouth in 1876 and died here. Mrs. Field does ornamental hair work. Her daughter Florence E. married George D. Spaulding, of Rumney.

Jesse A. Sanborn, son of Dr. John and Susan (Hubbard) Sanborn, was born in Meredith, in 1820, where his father was a physician for fifty years. Mr. Sanborn graduated from the medical department of Dartmouth college in in 1841, began the practice of his profession at Gardner, Mass., in 1842, where he remained one year, was then at Wolfsboro three years, Campton twenty-four years, and came to Plymouth in 1872. He married Sarah San- born, daughter of Dr. Nathan Sanborn, of Henniker, N. H., in 1842, who bore him two sons and a daughter, Sarah E., John A. and Fred M., and died in 1879.

WV. R. Park, son of William and Lydia Park, who with his son is exten- sively engaged in the lumber business here, was born in Townsend, Mass., in 1828, and came to New Hampshire at the age of eighteen years. He mar- ried Lucy M., daughter of Walter H. and Nancy Ayer, and has one son and two daughters. The son, W. R. Park, Jr., born August 22, 1856, married Elizabeth A., daughter of Col. Joseph A. and Sally (Tewksbury) Dodge, and is in business with his father. The daughters are Jennie S, (Mrs. Charles R. Gilson, of Woodville, N. H.,) and Cora L., at home with her parents.

Dr. Haven Palmer, son of Lewis and Susan (Somers) Palmer, was born at Jefferson, N. H., in 1843, studied medicine, graduated in 1861, practiced at Wentworth, Haverhill and Meredith, and came to Plymouth in 1883. He married Lucy G. Ellis, of Lancaster, in 1875, and has one son and a daugh- ter, Bessie F. and Harold H.

George A. Brown, son of Abram Brown, was born in Bristol in 1844, and now resides on Mill street in this village. He married Augusta S., daughter of Thomas and Mary (Emerson) Shute, in 1869, and has three daughters, Dora E. and Flora E., twins, and Milzano.

Henry Cummings, son of Daniel and Lois (Kidder) Cummings, was born at Groton in 1833 and came to Plymouth in 1874. He married Hannah, daughter of Abel and Alfreda (Foster) Bailey, in 1857.

George W. Garland, son of Jonathan and Deborah Garland, was born in Holderness in 1832. He married Eliza A., daughter of Increase and Susan (Hart) Batchelder, in 1863, and has one son, Willie R., born in 1865, who graduated from the Dartmouth Medical college in the class of 1885.

598

TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.

William H. Welch, son of William, was born in Canada in 1852. He mar- ried Marietta, daughter of David H. and Emeline L. Fogg, in 1875, and has two sons, Henry W. and Harry W., twins.

Lewis P. Grant, son of Willard, born at Groton, in 1859, married Marian F., daughter of Benjamin H. and Sally M. (Smith) Smith, and resides on Cooper street.

Robinson LeBarron, son of Ira, was born at Hardwick, Vt., in 1822, and now occupies the Cummings homestead of two hundred acres on Cummings' hill. For his first wife Mr. LeBarron married Julia Barrett, who bore him one son and seven daughters, of whom the son and five of the daughters are now residents of Vermont. Mrs. LeBarron died in 1869, and he married for his second wife Jane G., widow of William H. Shepard, who had one daugh- ter, Sarah B., who became the wife of James A. Baker, and died in 1879. In 1861 Mr. LeBarron enlisted in Co. E, 8th Vt. Vols., and served till the close of the war.

Alonzo F. Morse, son of William, born in Campton in 1856, now reisdes on North Main street in Plymouth village. He married Mary E., daughter of Levi F. and Maria (Copp) Jewell, of Warren, in 1882, and has one son, Lenwood O.

John C. Berry, son of Otis and Esther Berry, was born in Campton in 1845, and now resides on Langdon street. He married D. Jennie, daughter of Will- iam P. and Louisa (Avery) Garland, in 1868, and has three sons and a daughter-Albert L., Hubert E., Arthur G. and Ethel L.

George P. Cook, son of William G. and Judith ( Merrill) Cook, was born in Rumney in 1845, and now occupies the Dr. R. Burnham farm, on road 3. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Moody and Emily (Hobart) Paige in 1871, and has two sons and two daughters, Emily E., Hettie E., William G. and Jason O.

The Congregational church of Plymouth .- This church was gathered, not on the ground, but in Hollis, and went into the wilderness beneath the banner of Christ as their avowed leader and king. The same year, 1765, after the organiza- tion of the church, Rev. Nathan Ward was ordained as their pastor This, too, was done at Newburyport, Mass., July 10, 1765. The pastor inducted into office at one place, the church constituted at another, thereby bringing upon them the united and fervent prayers of many hearts, to meet the few people scattered over the hills of Plymouth, and receive their welcome and their blessing. Mr. Ward labored here till January 4, 1798, when he was dismissed. He died in June, 1804. aged eighty-three years. He was minister about twenty-nine years. He was converted under Whitefield, and imbibed much of his spirit. He pressed the doctrines of the gospel upon the heart.

In 1767 the town voted to build a meeting-house. Until this was done, Mr. Ward must have preached from house to house, or very probably at Colonel Webster's, whose dwelling was already a public house, a prophecy, however humble, of the stately Pemigewasset, which has been built on the

599

TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.

same grounds. After much discussion it was decided that the new house should stand at the foot of Ward hill. The road then ran southeast from that point, and came into the present river road, near the carriage-shop, below the village. The meeting-house faced south on this road, standing a few rods south of Mr. Harris's house. Behind it stood "the whipping-post and stocks, designed for those who were disorderly on the Sabbath, and who were guilty of other crimes ; but they proved such a terror to evil-doers, that they were seldom, if ever used." This house was rude in architecture, though, doubt- less, superior to the dwellings of those who builtit. It was of logs of uniform size, and hewed in the best manner, fastened at the ends, neatly matched, and the cracks were stopped with clay. It was about 40x50 feet, and two stories high, with glazed windows. It had galleries on three sides. There was a square pew in each corner, and an elder's seat. The rest of the floor was occupied with long seats on each side of a central aisle, the right side and gallery were occupied by the women, the left by the men. This house was first used in 1768, though not finished until 1770. It stood till Novem- ber, 1787, when it was burned. The town had been talking and voting for three years, about a new church, and the fire was supposed to indicate some person's unregulated zeal to hasten the building thereof. After this old meet- ing-house was burned, worship was held in "King George's" barn, and at Colonel Webster's. The second house, located on Ward hill, was voted into being in 1783, the frame being raised in October, 1787, though the building was not completed until several years after. The present building at the vil- lage was first occupied January 1, 1837, having been dedicated the week previous. It will comfortably accommodate 500 persons, cost $6,000.00, and is now valued, including grounds, etc., at $10,000.00.

Rev. Drury Fairbanks, who succeeded Mr. Ward, was installed January 8, 1800, and was dismissed March 18, 1818. The same year Rev. Jonathan Ward, son of Rev. Nathan, was engaged and continued until September, 1829. Rev. George Punchard was installed March 11, 1830, and dismissed in 1844. Rev. William R. Jewett was installed June 25, 1845, Rev. J. W. Parsons having been briefly employed previously, and his ministry here con- tinued seventeen years. Rev. Henry A. Hazen became its pastor January 21, 1863, and remained until July 15, 1868. On September 30, 1869, Rev. Cyrus Richardson was ordained, and dismissed May 1, 1873. Rev. George H. Scott was ordained September 3, 1873, and Rev. Henry P. Peck is the present pastor. the church having about 100 members. Colonel F. W. A. Robie, the present town clerk, has acted as sexton of the church forty years, and as clerk twenty-one years, while Dea. W. W. Russell served in the latter capacity twenty years.

600

TOWN OF PLYMOUTH.

Methodist church .- The first Methodist meeting-house was built in :826, the old brick church in the western part of the town which was taken down in the spring of 1865. In 1833 a church was erected in the village, which was twice enlarged and finally superseded, in 1872, by the present fine structure. Until 1839 these churches were supplied with circuit preachers ; since that time preachers have been stationed in the town, and the church has been prospered. Rev. James Crowley is the present pastor.

(M. E. CHURCH, PLYMOUTH.)

The Baptist church .- The Bap- tists, in 1780, secured by vote of the town exemption from paying minis- ter's rates. In 1796 the town gave them the use of the meeting-house one-third of the time, but they did not long use it. A small church was organized in 1837, and for five years or more had some preaching in the school-houses ; but it soon became

extinct.

First Universalist church .- Previous to July 1, 1881, no regular services were held by the Universalists of Plymouth, except for a few months during the summer of 1879, by Rev. R. S. Ralph, and during the summer of 1880 by Rev. T. E. St. John ; but on July 1, 1881, Rev. Q. H. Shinn began his labors with the parish, and soon after began the work of raising money for a church. The re- sult was that after over three years of incessant labor by Mr. Shinn, on October 28, 1884. the present beautiful brick church was dedicated. It stands on Main street overlook- ing the Pemigewasset river. Mr. Shinn severed his connec- (UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, PLYMOUTH.) tion with the parish January 1, 1885. The church was without a pastor until July 1, 1885, when Rev. F. W. Betts was settled and is now preaching for the society.

601

TOWN OF RUMNEY.

R UMNEY lies in the central part of the county, in lat. 43° 49', and long. 71° 50', bounded north by Ellsworth, east by Campton and Ply- mouth, south by Groton and Plymouth, and west by Wentworth. The township was originally granted to Samuel Olmstead and others, October 4, 1761. But these grantees, it seems, failed to comply with the terms of the char- ter, so the territory was re-granted to Daniel Brainard and others, March 18, 1767, with the same boundaries as the first grant. A controversy subsequently arose, however, relative to the boundary lines of several of the townships in this vicinity, which was settled by a committee appointed by the General Court for the purpose, in 1780. In their report the official bounds of Rumney were fixed as follows :-

" Beginning at a b_ech tree, the northeast bound of Dorchester, thence north 45° east six miles to a bass tree ; thence south 59° east five miles and three quarters of a mile to a spruce tree ; thence south 28° west five miles and half a mile to a hemlock tree, the northeast corner bound of Cockermouth [Groton]; and thence by said Cockermouth north 61º west seven miles and fifty-one rods, to the bounds began at."

The surface of the town is in many parts very rough and mountainous, though there is much fine arable land, while the soil is generally fertile. Stinson and Weber mountains lie in the eastern part of the town. The former is the principal elevation, and its summit, at an elevation of 2,707 feet, affords a fine view of the surrounding country. Carr mountain extends over the west- ern part of the town, taking here the name of Rattlesnake mountain. Baker's river flows an easterly course through the southern part of the territory, afford- ing some good mill-sites and draining a charming valley. From the north, through the center of the town, flows Stinson brook, falling into Baker's river near Rumney village. In the northern part lies Stinson pond, about 400 rods long and 280 wide. Loon pond, a small body of water, lies in the eastern por- tion, partly in Campton. The rock formation is principally gray sandrock. mica schist and slate. Several fine beds of clay are found, from one of which Mr. C. C. Smart manufactures large quantities of excellent brick. One of the natural curiosities of the township is a cave in a deep gorge on the southern side of Rattlesnake mountain. It is called "The Devil's Den," receiving its name, it is said, from the fact that some of the early settlers who were more avaricious than religious, made it a hiding-place to avoid the collector of the "minister's tax." Taken all in all, Rumney is a beautifully diversified, pic- turesque township, has a healthful climate and attracts hundreds of summer residents each season. The White mountain branch of the Boston & Lowell railroad passes through the southern part of the town, following the course of Baker's river.

In 1880 Rumney had a population of 1,050 souls. In 1885 the town had nine school districts, ten common schools, and one graded school. Its ten school-houses were valued, including furniture, etc., at $5,050.00. There were 230 children attending school, thirty-seven of whom were pursuing the higher grades, taught during the year by seven male and fourteen female

602

TOWN OF RUMNEY.

teachers, at an average monthly salary of $28.00 for males and $20.00 for females. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year was $1,041.96, while the expenditures were $1, 102.25, with Mary E. Baker, super- intendent.

RUMNEY is a beautifully located post village in the southern part of the town, on the north bank of Baker's river near the mouth of Stinson brook. It has three churches (two Baptist and one Methodist), a large hotel, a skating- rink, two stores, a grist-mill, saw-mill, three blacksmith shops, two granite works, harness shop. extensive ladder manufactory, crutch and truss factory, etc., and about seventy-five dwellings. The streets are beautifully shaded, and near the center of the village is a handsome park decorated by a fine foun- tain.

RUMNEY DEPOT (p. o.). just south of Rumney village, is a station on the B. & L. R. R. It has a general store, box factory, factory for refining cam- phor, and about twenty-five dwellings.

WEST RUMNEY, a post village and railroad station, located in the south- western part of the town, has one church (Universalist), a general store, and about twenty dwellings.

QUINCY is a small post village and railroad station in the southeastern part of the town, bearing the name of the late eminent jurist and criminal lawyer, Josiah Quincy, whose widow still occupies the Quincy homestead at this place.

(QUINCY HOMESTEAD-QUINCY.)

B. P. Hardy's mill, on Clark brook, was built by him in 1865, where he manufactures ice-hook and hoe handles, framing pins, etc., turning out about 1,000 dozens per year.

603

TOWN OF RUMNEY.

E. H. Elliot's saw mill, on Stinson brook just north of the village, was built by E. H. & J. B. Elliott, in 1873. In 1883 the present proprietor be- came sole owner and began the manufacture of ladders on an extensive scale, making about 100,000 feet per annum.

Charles Spalding built a saw-mill on Hall's brook in 1866, which was burned and rebuilt in 1867, and again in 1868. It is a steam mill and turns out about 700,000 feet of lumber per year, while he has another mill on Clark's brook in Groton, which turns out 1,000,000 feet of lumber per year.

Gardner Avery's saw and planing-mill, on Stinson brook, manufactures about 100,000 feet of lumber annually.

William W. Fales's saw and shingle-mill, on the outlet of Stinson pond, manufactures large quantities of hard and soft wood lumber and building timber.

Milton Holden & Son's camphor refinery, about half a mile east of Rumney Depot, was established in 1881. The firm turns out about 700 pounds of refined goods per day.

The White Mountain box and tray works, located at Rumney Depot, was established in 1876. It is operated by steam-power, gives employment to twenty hands and turns out about 5,000.000 pieces of manufactured goods per annum.

J. W. Peppard's ladder manufactory, on Stinson brook, at Rumney village, was established in 1854. It is operated by both steam and water-power and turns out about 2,000,000 feet of ladders per year.

Charles H. Elliot's saw, shingle and planing-mill, on Stinson brook at Rumney village, was built by him in 1871. He manufactures all kinds of build er's timber and hard and soft wood lumber, turning out 1,000,000 feet per year. He also manufactures shingles.

The first visit of whites to the territory now bearing the name of Rumney was made on the 28th of April, 1752, when General Stark, in company with his brother William, Amos Eastman, of Concord, and David Stinson, of Lon- donderry, came here on a hunting excursion ; or at least while on a hunting excursion they were attacked here by a party of ten Indians, under the cele- brated chief Francis Titigaw. The General and Eastman were taken prison- ers, Stinson was killed and scalped, and William Stark made his escape. Thus early was the pleasant territory which now forms the township visited by a sanguinary event, and the name of him who was the unhappy victim on this occasion was perpetuated in Stinson brook, pond and mountain, each of which we have already described. The settlement of the town was begun in 1765, by Captain Jotham Cummings, Moses Smart, Daniel Brainard, James Heath and Alexander Craig. That the settlement increased quite rapidly, and that Daniel Brainard, Esq., had made himself owner of most of the land in the township, is proven by the following statement of grievances addressed to the Assembly in 1770 :-

"The humble petition of us the subscribers being proprietors & inhabitants

604

TOWN OF RUMNEY.

of the town of Rumney in said province most humbly sheweth that Daniel Brainard of Rumney aforesaid Esq claims & votes upon the major part of said Township in all proprietary meetings and as the law of this province allows every person to vote according to the quantity of his interest the said Brain- ard makes use of his power to oppress & injure your Petitioners in the follow- ing instances. viz't

"First they cannot obtain a Committee to examine what mony has been raised by said propriety & how the same hath been collected & how expended : and the petitioners suggest that a large ballance is in the hands of said Brainard.

"Secondly. The province road is neglected to be sufficiently repaired altlio sufficient mony has been voted for that purpose & your petitioners have paid their part in labour.

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Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 80

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