Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 81

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 81

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).

"Thirdly. No Settlement is made with the Rev'd Mr. Niles the minister of said town for four years past.

"Fourthly. The intervale is not equally divided.

"Fifthly. The publick rights are not laid out.

"Sixthly. The said Brainard hath not built the mills according to his agreem't altho he hath received your petitioners mony for that purpose & no Committee can be obtained to Call him to an account.

"Seventhly. The said Brainard against the will of your Petitioners hath voted away two whole shares of land in said town to his friends.

"Wherefore your Petitioners pray the advisement of your Excellency & Hon- ours on the premises & that they may be relieved as shall seem meet :

"And your petitioners as in Duty bound shall pray &ca-

"Rumney, May 4th 1770

"Thomas Niles

Richard Smart John Clifford

Caleb Kimball

Hugh Ramsey

Jonathan hall

Barnabas Niles Elihu Johnson William Webber

Pelatiah Watson

Charles Clark William Presson

Isaiah Bachelder Isaac Clifford Thomas Ramsey

Isaac clifford Jr Matt Ramsey

Nathaniel Hall"

Three years later, in 1773, the selectmen's returns show the population to have increased to 192 souls, while the first general census, taken in 1790, gives the town a population of 411 souls.

The first proprietors' meeting held in the township met at the house of Dan- iel Brainard, June 1, 1767, when that gentleman was chosen moderator and clerk, and also to serve, with Pelatia Watson and Alexander Craig as assessor. The first grist-mill was built by Daniel Craig, on Stinson brook, near where W. H. Keniston's mill is now located. The first saw-mill, located on the outlet of the pond near the present site of William Fales's mill, was built by Gideon Blake. The first justice of the peace was Alexander Craig.

That the little township took an early and decided stand for liberty in the great struggle for independence is attested by the following vote, passed at a meeting held on June 20, 1776, viz .: "Whereas, we are alarmed by the news that the enemy is likely to make incursions on our frontiers, be it voted that Maj. Alexander Craig and Michael Dwyer be appointed to procure arms and ammunition, in order to be in readiness to defend our lives, liberty and property." During the late civil war the town furnished seventy men, ten of

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TOWN OF RUMNEY.

whom were killed in action or died from the effects of wounds or disease con- tracted while in the service.

Nathaniel Abbott came to Rumney about 1765, and had born to him two sons and four daughters. His son Joseph married Affie, daughter of Daniel Brainard, and reared two sons and three daughters. Moses, son of Joseph, was born October 19, 1805, and married Sarah Bliss. His children were as follows : Caroline S. (Mrs. Ira Avery), of this town ; Harriet, who died young ; Joseph, born in 1831, now a merchant in Rumney ; Daniel, born in 1834; Sylvester D., born in 1838 ; Thomas, who died in infancy. Daniel married Caroline M. Phillips in 1859, and has had born to him two sons and two daughters, viz. : Charles W., born in 1860; George B., in 1863; Caroline E., a school teacher, in 1868; and Elizabeth, in 1874. Mr. Abbott manufac- tures truss-pads, making about 20,000 annually, and in 1881 began, with his sons, the manufacture of crutches, making yearly about 100 dozen pairs. Mr. Abbott resides in the village, on Mill street.

Jonathan Hall, of Chester, N. H., married Desire Butterfield, who was then seventeen years of age, in 1877, and started for Rumney in 1878. They had two horses. Mr. Hall, with some necessary housekeeping articles, rode one horse, and Mrs. Hall and her ten-months old baby rode the other. They were several days on this journey, following the banks of the Merrimac, Pem- igewasset and Baker's rivers, and located about a mile north of Rumney Depot, on the place now owned by Henry Noyes. The little baby, Sarah, who they brought with them, became the wife of Ebenezer Bradley, and died at Haverhill a few years since, aged ninety-four years. Jonathan Hall reared five sons and seven daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Hall died August 3, 1829, leaving eleven children, seventy-two grandchildren and fifty great-grandchildren. She had kept house on the same farm about sixty-one years, and her death was the first which had occurred on the place. Her granddaughter, Phebe Josephine Hall, wife of Abiel M. Buzzell, is now re- siding on a part of the homestead. Jacob G., son of Jonathan, was born on the place where he now lives, in 1797, married Hannah Randlett in 1818, and has had born to him two sons and one daughter, viz .: Dr. A. C., of this town, Ruth A., who died at the age of eighteen years, and O. S. Mr. Hall is the oldest native resident of this town.

Henry Hall came to this town, from Chichester, with his family, in 1773 located on the place just west of the depot, and died here in 1829. He reared three sons and two daughters, one of whom, John, was born in 1763, married twice, first, Ruth Prescott, who bore him six sons and three daugh- ters, and second, Ruth Fletcher, in 1818, and had born to him three sons. D. Fletcher, son of John, was born February 21, 1820, and married Betsey, daughter of Jefferson Doe, in 1842. Of his children, Charles D. was born in 1843 and gave his life for his country in front of Petersburg, July 2, 1864. Chester W. was born in 1844 and lives at Boston ; Mary G. was born in 1846 and died in 1850 ; Betsey J. married F. W. Fellows and resides in town;

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George J. lives in town, and Fayette A. lives at Manchester. In 1866 Mr. Hall bought the N. Shaw farm, on road 12.

Henry Hall, of Andover, came to Rumney about 1798, and located on the place where his grandson Burgess A. Hall now lives. He had born to him two sons and one daughter. His son Joshua H. was born in 1792, came to Rumney with his father and married Mary, daughter of David and Betsey Mills, in 1822. Of his two sons and three daughters David was born in 1823 ; Sarah died young ; Hannah became Mrs. William C. Morse ; Caro- line M. married B. W. Clough ; and Burgess A. was born August 2, 1838. The last mentioned married Annette M., daughter of David and Sarah Hardy, in 1867, and has had born to him one son and three daughters, viz .: Lurlyn H., who died young ; Gertrude E., born in 1870 ; Marinette, born De- cember 25, 1872 ; and Alice E., born May 12, 1879. Mr. Hall has been se- lectman five years, and resides on the homestead, on road 25.

Oliver Spaulding, son of Lieut. Joseph Spaulding, a Revolutionary soldier who was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, came to Rumney, about 1787, married Sarah Greenough, in 1793, and had born to him two sons and three daughters. "His son Oliver was born in town in 1816, on the place where Alpheus Reed now lives, married Sarah Ann, daughter of Amasa and Sarah (Merrill) Hawkins, in 1840, and reared two sons and one daughter-Edgar His O., Phebe A. and Charles A. Mr. Spaulding died August 10, 1877. widow, with her son Charles and one daughter, reside on road 11. Mrs. Spaulding has in her possession a sword once carried by her late husband's grandfather, Lieut. Joseph Spaulding, at the time of his death at Bunker Hill. This sword was once owned by Major Rogers, a British officer in the old French war. Major Rogers accidentally dropped it into a lake, but it was afterwards recovered by Lieut. Spaulding, who used it at the battle of Bunker Hill. It is related that he voluntarily took a position of danger in place of Colonel Prescott, and was killed, his last words being, "Fight on, brave boys, they fall like pigeons." This sword was taken from his dead body. It is slender and dagger-pointed, of English make, and is treasured by the family as the "Sword of Bunker Hill."

Abraham Burnham was born in New Ipswich, Mass., and married Susan Perkins. Of this family, Jonathan, born at Hampton Falls, came to Rum- ney about 1790, and married Susan, daughter of Jonathan Hall. His chil- dren were as follows: Charlotte, Lucy, Mary, Betsey, Nancy, Jabez W., Susan P., Jonathan P., Lydia and Sarah H. Jonathan P. was born in 1808 and at the age of ten years went to live with his grandfather, Jonathan Hall. He married Hortense Burnham, in 1834, and has had born to him three sons -Joseph W., Samuel P., and Willie J .- and two daughters who died young. He held all the offices in the New Hampshire militia from lieutenant to brig- adier-general, being appointed to the latter office June 30, 1849. His wife died in 188t. General Burnham lives at West Rumney.

James Herbert came to Rumney with his family at an early day, locating

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TOWN OF RUMNEY.

at what is now Rumney Depot. Samuel, son of John and grandson of James, married Maria L, daughter of Benjamin Darling, in 1831, who bore him seven children, viz. : Ellen M., Charles W .. Caroline, Henry, H. W., Mary and John. Samuel studied law with Josiah Quincy and is now in practice here.

Daniel Smart, of Canterbury, came here with his brother Moses, in 1795, and located on the place where Charles C. Smart now lives. He reared two sons and three daughters, one of whom, Richard, was born in town October 14, 1795, and married Asenath Clark, in 1818. Of his children, Harriet N. was born in 1819, became Mrs. Francis Cushman, and died in 1884 ; Daniel R. was born in 1821, and died in 1844 ; Mary E. was born in 1826, became Mrs. Jeremiah Chapman, and died August 18, 1856; Caroline A. was born in 1828, and married Jonathan Greenough, of Canterbury, N. H .; Sarah died at the age of twelve years ; Lydia M. was born in 1832, and died in 1849 ; Charles C. was born October 17, 1834; Mark C. was born in 1836; and William H. was born in 1840 Charles C. married Jennie M., daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Ann (George) Merrill, in 1860, and became the father of three daughters, viz .: Achsah, who was born in 1861, married Ira M. Ab- bott ; Mary A. is a school-teacher ; and Hattie B. was born in 1865. Mr. Smart is a farmer, is also engaged in the manufacture of brick, and resides on the homestead where he was born. This place has never been owned out of the family.

Josiah French and his wife, Judith Marston, settled in Rumney, on the place where John French now lives, about 1800. His children were as follows : Betsey, who married Daniel Hardy ; Amos, Clinton, Pamelia, who married Israel Hardy, and died in 1874; Samuel, born in 1813 ; Emeline, who mar- ried George Merrill, and died in 1879; John, born in 1820 ; and Charles N., born in 1829. Clinton, born in 1809, married Mary Ann Wilbur, in 1835, and has had born to him one son and two daughters, namely, Lorenzo H., Nancy G. and Hattie A. He is a farmer, and resides on road 22. Samuel married Hannah P., daughter of William L. Stevens, in 1848, and has had born to him three sons and three daughters, viz .: Orlando B., Ella M., Martha, who died at the age of ten years, William L., Charles F. and Anna, who died in infancy. He is a stone-cutter by trade, and worked at that busi- ness many years. His wife died April 15, 1884. He resides on what was formerly the Judge Webber homestead, on road 18. Orlando B. was born in town in 1850, married Eva. L. Wyatt, in 1879, and is now a dealer in stoves and tinware at Bristol. John, son of Josiah, married Lucy Ann, daughter of Seth Glover, in 1845, and engaged in the lumber business at Groton, for about thirty years. He returned to this town in 1875, locating on the home- stead, on road 21. Charles N., son of Josiah, married Hannah M., daughter of William B. and Louis? (Dickinson) Ellis, of Thetford, Vt., in 1857, and has three sons, viz .: John C., born in 1860, resides at home; Henry E., born in 1865, is a clerk ; and Walter, born in 1879. Mr. French is a far-

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TOWN OF RUMNEY.

mer, and resides on part of the homestead. George P., son of Amos and Abiah (Wells) French, was born here in 1840, taught school eight terms, and is a teacher of vocal music. He learned glove-making, and is engaged in that business. He married Ellen W., daughter of George W. Fletcher, March 10, 1841, and has two children, Alice E., born in 1878, and Joseph Garfield, born in 1881. Mr. French's cottage is a popular place for summer boarders.

George Simpson came to Rumney with his family, about 1801. His youngest son, Daniel L., born in 1807, graduated from Dartmouth college in 1827, be- came a physician, and began practice in Rumney in 1838. He married Angeline L., daughter of Edward and Charity B. Kneeland, February 5, 1829, and reared five sons and eight daughters, viz .: Henry C., a lieutenant who died in the late war; Edwird A., who lost a leg in the Rebellion ; Minerva J., who became Mrs. J. M. Douglass and resided west ; Helen M., who became Mrs. A. G. Hobbs ; Charles D., of Nashua, N. H .; Mary S , who became Mrs J. R. Fessenden, of Massachusetts ; Evelyn L., who married Henry Clark ; Oliver E., postmaster ; Hattie F., who married D. C. Smalley ; Susan C., who lives at home; Alice O., who married A. M. Hamblet ; Lizzie (Mrs. W. F. Flynn), who lives in Boston, and Frank E., who also resides in Boston. Mr. Simpson died July 16, 1879.

Samuel Simpson and his wife Sarah came to Runney from Greenland, about 1812, and located on the place where Blaisdel Merrill now lives. He reared six sons, Hugh B., Benjamin, Samuel, David, James M. and Albert. Samuel lives in Rumney and Benjamin lives in Groton. Samuel's daughter married A. Downing, and their daughter Nettie became the wife of Orlando Stevens. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens also have a daughter, Nora May, whom the aged great- great-grandmother held in her arms, thus living to see her granddaughter be- come a grandmother, and dying in February, 1880, aged ninety nine years. Hugh B. came to Rumney in 1809. married Sarah A Edmonds, in 1836, and reared two sons and one daughter, as follows: Clinton B., born July 10, 1840, Charles E., born in 1845, and Mary C., born in 1849, died in 1872. Clinton B. married twice, first Elvira, daughter of Timothy P. Smith, in 1862, who bore him three sons and one daughter, namely, Edward H., Charles A., Carrie M , and Arthur E. His first wife died in June, 1880, aged thirty-nine years, and he married for his second wife, Augusta L. Valentine, in 1882, who has borne him one daughter, Edith Mabel. Mr. Simpson has been select- man five years, county treasurer two years, and is now a merchant at West Rumney. His father, Hugh B., was also a merchant, and died in 1879.

Daniel Darling, M. D., son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Leavitt) Darling, was born in Plymouth, N. H., December 31, 1816. His mother was a relative of Dudley Leavitt, the famous school teacher, mathematician and almanac maker. His grandfather, Daniel Darling, was a farmer and resided in San- bornton. The Darling family was among the first settlers of Sanbornton, and prominent in church and town affairs. Daniel 2d was born in that town, a few years prior to the Revolutionary war. He was an agriculturist, and set-

4.1 S. PHILA.

Daniel Darling

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TOWN OF RUMNEY.

tled first in New Hampton, then in Plymouth on the Lower Interval, on the site now (1886) occupied by Manson Brown. He died May 29, 1841, in Rumney. He was a pioneer of Universalism in this section. Straitforward and honest in his dealings with all, his life was a reflex of "the faith of love to God and man."

Dr. Darling was the youngest child of the family, and his parents' circum- stances enabled him to have the advantages of an academic education. At the age of sixteen he entered Norwich (Vt.) university, and afterwards passed two years at Hopkinton academy. Having made his choice of medicine as a profession, he commenced his studies with Dr. Woodbury, in Rumney, and continued them with Dr. Alonzo A. Whipple, in Wentworth, for two years. He attended medical lectures at Bowdoin college, where he was gradua- ted from the medical department in 1839. His first field of labor was at Concord, Vt., where he remained two years and a half ; he next located at Wells River, Vt., and in 1850 came to Rumney, where he has since been engaged in the constant practice of his profession. He married, August 2, 1839, Sarah C., daughter of Tristram and Sally (Buck) Pillsbury. Mrs. Dar- ling is an estimable lady, a congenial companion, and has been a fitting help- meet. Their children were Elizabeth, who married Elisha A. Webster, and resides in Plymouth ; Lydia married David B. Mears, and lives in Lowell ; Susan married Henry W. Herbert, of Rumney ; Sarah, who makes her home with her father, and Daniel. Daniel, their only son, was born at Wells River , Vt. He was of an active temperament and powerful physique, and excelled in athletic sports. He received a good practical education at the common schools, learned the trade of a carpenter, and followed that avocation in Man- chester. He was a social and genial companion, and enjoyed the friendship and esteem of a large circle. His death occurred at Rumney, April 16, 1879. He married Cynthia Southworth, of Hill, and their son Daniel is the only representative of the family to bear the name in coming time, and is the fifth Daniel Darling in direct descent.

Dr. Darling for nearly fifty years has been a medical man. He has never been ambitious to extend his practice, and his professional labors have been confined mostly to & radius of about twenty miles, but his reputation for good judgment and skill has extended much farther, and caused him often to be called in consultation at a greater distance. He is one of the old-fashioned school of physicians, but, broad and liberal in his views, he does not conform to the exclusive and iron-clad rules of medical societies, which do not allow their members to consult with any but regular practitioners. He believes that the advantages and superiorities of his system of practice can no where be bet- ter demonstrated than in direct comparison with other methods at the bedside of the sick, consequently he is ready to give his counsel and assistance when- ever called into consultation. He was in his early life a member of the Moose Hillock Medical Association. During the Rebellion, by request of the sur- geon-general, he passed a few months in Washington as contract physician for 39*

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TOWN OF RUMNEY.

the United States government. Inheriting the democratic principles of his forefathers, his political affiliations have been to "secure the greatest good to the greatest number," and while, during the war, he, as a war Democrat, sup- ported Republican nominees. Since the Rebellion he has again identified himself with the Democrats. Dr. Darling possesses a large, generous and sympathetic nature, and his tenderness of feeling has led him to avoid capital operations in surgery. He is never rash or inconsiderate in his practice, and is especially noted for his power in diagnosis. He is positive and firm in his- judgment, and is not readily swayed by those holding different opinions. Through his long and arduous career of service in his noble and humane pro- fession it is not too much to say that, by untiring devotion to medical duty, by the constant care, patience, fidelity and skill in the daily exercise of a pursuit so important to humanity, he illustrates the best qualities of a physi- cian, and has won the respect and gratitude of the community ; while in the sphere of social and neighborhood relations, none are held in higher esteem.

Daniel Elliott, born in 1806, came to this town in 1822. He engaged in the lumber business, built two saw-mills in 1840, and floated large quantities of logs to market. He married twice, first, Dorcas Baker, in 1828, and became the father of nine sons and nine daughters. One daughter, Selestie (widow Pease), married Dr. A. Stephen Russell, in 1885. Mr. Elliott's first wife died in 1853, and he married for his second wife Sarah Buzzell. His son Edmund H. married Ellen, daughter of Ezekiel and Orissa (Blanchard) Cheever, of Massachusetts, in 1860, and has had born to him four sons and one daughter, viz .: Willie H., born in 1861 ; Lizzie D., born in 1863, died in 1873 ; Henry A., born in 1867 ; Freddie, born in 1876, and one son who died in infancy. Mr. Elliott is extensively engaged in the manu- facture of ladders, and is located on road 1 2.

Joseph C. Keyes, son of Lewis and Henrietta (Ramsey) Keyes, was born in Rumney, in 1826, and learned the carpenter's trade. He married twice, first, Sarah H. George, who bore him two sons and one daughter, viz .: Frank, born in 1852, lives in Boston ; Fred C. born in 1854, lives at home ; and Ellen M., who died in 1873, aged fifteen years. His first wife died in 1863, and he married for his second wife Almira E., daughter of S. K. and Dorothy Willoughby, in 1865, who has borne him one daughter, Grace, born in 1872. Mr. Keyes resides on road 9.

Unite K. Hutchins, son of Benjamin C. and Philena (Heith) Hutchins, was born at Bradford, Vt., in 1820, and came to Rumney in 1839, locating in the northern part of the town. He married Emeline, daughter of Gideon and Johanna (Sanborn) Blake. Of his five sons and one daughter, Benjamin F., Joseph and Unite S. live in town, Charles R. was born in 1854, Pascal died at the age of seven years, and Flora M. married Joseph O. Sanborn, and lives in town. Charles R. married Miss P. M. Brown, and has one son, Lesta C., born in 1881. Mr. Hutchins has a pleasant farm, located on the west side of Stinson pond.

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TOWN OF RUMNEY.

Joseph O. Sanborn, son of Samuel and Caroline Sanborn, was born at Ellsworth, in 1863, married Flora, daughter of Unite K. and Emeline (Blake) Hutchinson, in 1884, and owns a farm west of Stinson pond, on road 6.

George W. Rogers, son of Dr. John Rogers who was a lineal descendant in the ninth generation from John Rogers the martyr, was born in Plymouth in 1796, married Sarah, daughter of John Allen, of Salem, N. H., in 1833, and located in Rumney in 1844. Of his two sons and one daughter, George S. was born in 1835 and died in 1881 ; Hamilton K. was born February 28, 1837; and Annie L. was born March 27, 1844. The latter married Henry Noyes, December 31, 1871, and has one son, Allen R., born April 9, 1875. Mr. Noyes owns and occupies a part of the Jonathan Hall homestead, on road 23. Hamilton K. married Addie E. Fales, in 1876, and has had born to him two sons, Willie H., born in 1877, and Walter M., born in 1879. He owns the Captain Greenough place, on road II.

J. L. Dearborn, son of John and Abigail (Nelson) Dearborn, was born in Sandwich, in 1804, married Huldah Avery, of Franklin, in 1833. He en- gaged in mercantile business in Groton, in 1841, where he continued four years, and then came to Rumney, where he continued the business until 1877. He served as town representative in 1877-78. His daughter Ellen B. died at the age of nine years. His other daughter, Abigail N., married Lyman Merrill, in 1856, and has had one daughter, Nellie, who was born in 1863 and died in 1884. Mr. Merrill became engaged in the mercantile business in 1856, and continues the same on Main street.

Milton Holden, son of David and Bridget (Atwell) Holden, was born in Groton, in 1804, and in 1823 went to Boston, where he worked at camphor refining for many years. He came to Rumney and established refining works here, in 1851. He still carries on the business in company with his son Charles A. and George C. Spaulding, refining 700 pounds of camphor daily. Mr. Holden married Jane Walker, in 1828. His daughter Annette became Mrs. George C. Spaulding. Mr. Holden, aged eighty-one years, resides at Rumney Depot. His son Charles A. married Lucy A., daughter of William and Mehitable (Hills) Greenough, in 1864, and has had born to him one son and three daughters, as follows: Georgiana, Sarah A., Carrie, who died in infancy, and William M., who died at the age of three years. Charles A. is one of the firm of Milton Holden & Sons.

James R. Swain, son of William, was born in 1826, and became station agent at West Rumney in 1851. He married Ruth W., daughter of Joshua and Ruth (White) Morse, in 1851, and had born to him one son and two daughters, as follows: Hattie N. (Mrs. Eugene G. Doe). Ellen M., and Charles H., who died young. Mr. Swain died January 14, 1885.

Charles Spalding, son of Daniel, was born Feburary 10, 1827, went to Texas in 1851, to California in 1852 and 1853, and came to Rumney in 1854, He engaged in the lumber and coal business, and built a saw-mill. He mar- ried Eliza S. Hall, widow of W. J. Greenough, in 1862, and has had born to

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him five sons and four daughters, viz .: Charles D., born in 1863; Edward P., born in 1864, died in 1865 ; Mary S., born in 1868; George P., born in 1870, died in infancy ; James C., born in 1872 ; Warren A., born in 1873, died in 1878 ; and Sarah E, born in 1880. Mr. Spalding served as town representa- tive in 1866-67, is a farmer and is extensively engaged in the manufacture of brick and lumber. He has about 1,000 acres of land, and resides on road 23.

George D. Spalding, son of Benjamin D , was born in 1858, married twice first, Sarah M. Pillsbury, April 25, 1880, who bore him one daughter, Lilian S., and died March 27, 1881. He married for his second wife Florence E., daughter of Lawrence and Imogene Field, in 1882. Mr. Spalding owns and occupies a farmi of 150 acres, formerly the William Webber place, located on road 23.

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Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 81

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