Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 85

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 85

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).

Arnold S. Drake's saw-mill, on Mad river, road 3, was build by the pres- ent proprietor in 1860, who cuts about 40,000 feet of lumber per annum.

The settlement of the town was commenced by Moses Foss, one of the original proprietors, who, about 1819, located upon the farm now occupied by W. C. Oaks. Mr. Foss remained here until 1848, when he removed to Thorn- ton, where he died. The central part of the town, where the Elliott House now is, was first settled by Nathaniel Greeley, William Snow, Parker Sar- gent and John Kennison. Mr. Greeley felled the first tree and put up the first house, in 1829. Kennison remained only a short time, but Snow staid until his death. There was then nothing but a foot-path, and the nearest house was four miles distant. The wagon road was cut through here in 1831.

W ENTWORTH lies in the central part of the county, in lat. 43º 52', and long. 71° 55', bounded north by Warren, east by Rumney, south by Dorchester and west by Orford. The township was granted by Governor Benning Wentworth, for whom it was named, to John Page and

637

TOWN OF WENTWORTH.

fifty-nine others, in sixty-six shares, November 1, 1766. Forty-two of these grantees, however, failed to comply with the conditions of the grant, and thus their shares were declared forfeited, and were granted to other parties by a document dated March 13, 1772. Only one or two minor changes have been made in the area of the township since it was originally surveyed, viz .: By an act passed Jannary 15, 1787, Thomas Clark, Daniel Clark, Jonathan Herbert and Asa Boynton, with their estates, were severed from Piermont and annexed to this town, and on June 28, 1837, a small tract of land belonging to John Dana, Jr., was severed from Orford and annexed to Wentworth.

The surface of the 23,040 acres included within the boundary lines of Went- worth is, as compared with that of neighboring towns, moderately level, though sufficiently diversified to form some very attractive and beautiful scen- ery. A large amount of its territory lies in the valley of Baker's river, of which territory one writer speaks as follows: "This river, in its ceaseless meandering ; the beautiful meadows on its banks; the uplands, gracefully sloping from the borders of the interval to the mountain sides; the un- broken mountain chain on either side; the great variety of mountain tops, now higher, now lower, now covered with a luxuriant growth of forest trees, now a barren ledge; the well-cultivated farms all along the river bottoms and on the hill and mountain sides, having good, and, in numerous instances, neat and tasteful dwellings, the fields, now yielding their generous burdens to the scythe and cradle, or promising a rich autumnal harvest to repay the toils of the husbandman,-all present to the eye of the traveler a view delightful and exhilarating." The stream rises in the mountains of Warren and Benton, enters this town at about the center of its northern line, and leaves it south of the center of its eastern line, falling into the Pemigewasset in Plymouth. It has a fall of considerable height here, and affords some good mill privileges. The southern part of the town is watered by the south branch of Baker's river, which joins the main branch near Rumney line. Baker's pond, lying partly in Orford and partly in this town, is the largest body of water, though Line and Rocky ponds, small bodies of water, lie in the southern part. Pond brook, the outlet of the first mentioned, affords a number of good mill-sites in its short course to Baker's river. A part of Carr's mountain, having an altitude of 3,522 feet, is situated in the eastern portion of the town, and Mount Cuba, with an altitude of 2,927 feet, rises in part from the western portion. The latter contains an inexhaustible supply of good limestone. Its name was given by one of the early settlers in memory of his dog, "Cuba," which died while accompanying its master on an excursion to the mountain. Some late writers insist upon incorrectly calling it Cube mountain, however. Granite of a fine quality is found at the base of Carr's mountain, and iron ore is found in vari- ous parts of the town. On the 6th of August, 1856, a destructive freshet oc- curred here, causing damage to the amout of $20,000.00. It was very violent in its operations, destroying not only the buildings in its course, but under- mining their very foundations to the depth of twelve to twenty feet. The

638

TOWN OF WENTWORTH.

origin of the freshet was in two ponds in Orford, one of which emptied into Baker's river in this town, and whose outlets had been dammed so as to raise their waters over an extensive surface to the depth of eight feet. It rained two days, during which water fell to the depth of nine and one-twelfth inches, swelling the waters of these ponds so that the dams were swept away, when the waters poured, for three miles, with fury down a steep rocky channel, coming in their destructive course within half a mile of the village, where they met with an obstruction in a saw-mill, the entire granite foundations of which were swept away. Again let free, the waters continued their devastating course, destroying part of the highway from Orford to Wentworth, sweeping away dwelling-houses, mills, their machinery and dams, barns, and sheds- dashing every thing to pieces "like crushed egg-shells" and hurrying them down the channel of the river, made new for quite a distance by the violence of the waters. The river was widened nearly ninety feet by the course of the current, and a spring of water which supplied the village was entirely swept away, leaving not even a trace to mark its site. Where was the most active part of the village, nothing was left but a deep excavation, with no trace of the numerous buildings which had stood thereon, while the vast amount of earth carried away by the flood was conveyed onto the fine interval below, overspreading the surface and destroying the value of the extensive grounds it covered. The Boston & Lowell railroad passes through the town, following the course of Baker's river.

In 1880 Wentworth had a population of 939 souls. In 1885 the town had eleven school districts and twelve common schools. Its twelve school-houses were valued, including furniture, etc., at $2.470.00. There were 191 children attending school, twenty-two of whom were pursuing the higher grades, taught during the year by two male and sixteen female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $29.00 for males and $20.00 for females. The entire amount raised for school purposes was $1,402.92, while the expenditures were $1,272.50, with John B. Foster superintendent.

WENTWORTH is a thriving, industrious post village and a station on the Boston & Lowell railroad, located in the northern part of the town near the falls on Baker's river. It has one church (Methodist), one hotel, three stores, a fine hall, owned by Jonathan Stanyan, Esq., a tin shop, wheelwright and blacksmith shop, bobbin factory, etc., and about three hundred inhabitants. The village has a number of fine residences, with handsome grounds surround- ing them, is nicely laid out, well shaded, and all in all presents a wholesome and attractive appearance.

Knight & Crosby's bobbin factory, located at the village, was built by them in 1883. It is operated by steam power, gives employment to ten hands and turns out about 2,000,000 bobbins per year.

James M. Colburn & Co.'s saw and grist-mill and bobbin and chair-stock factory, located on road 27, was originally built about one hundred years ago, and came into the hands of the present senior proprietor's father in 1844. The

639

TOWN OF WENTWORTH.

factory turns out 75,000 feet of lumber, and ten car-loads of bobbins and chair-stock per year, while the grist-mill has two runs of stones and does cus- tom work.

E. M. Blodgett's grist-mill, off road 13, has one run of stones and grinds about 8,000 bushels of grain per year.

E. S. Chandler's saw-mill, on road 35, was built in 1864, and came into the present proprietor's hands in 1876, who turns out about 150,000 feet of lumber per year.

O. Q. Cole's carriage shop, located at the village, was built by him about fifteen years ago. He manufactures about twenty new wagons and sleighs per year, and does a general repair business.

The settlement of the town was begun in 1776 by a Mr. Smith, and it was incorporated November Ist of the same year. The first child was born in 1771, and the first frame house built in 1772. Many of the early settlers came from Massachusetts. The first town meeting was held at the house of Capt. John Aiken, July 29, 1779, when the following officers were elected : Maj. Enoch Page, moderator ; John Aiken, town clerk ; Ephriam Day and Joseph Smith, Selectmen ; Maj. Enoch Page, constable; and Richard Pillsbury and Hugh McLellen, surveyors of highways.

Ebenezer Gove came to Wentworth, from Hampton, N. H., about 1774 or 1775. He came in company with Enoch Page, one of the original grantees of the town, and was one of the first settlers here. In 1787 he located upon the farm where his grandson David now resides, and lived there until his death in 1840. He married twice and reared a family of seven children. His sons, Enoch, Winthrop, Edward and William, all occupied the old home- stead until their death. Mr. Gove took an active part in town affairs, was selectman, &c. His son Winthrop was selectman many years, and William represented the town in the legislature. The former reared a family of five children, three of whom are living, as follows : Mrs. Dolly Marden, of Ply- mouth, and David and Ebenezer, both of this town.

Uriah Colborn came here, from Massachusetts, at an early day, and settled in the southern part of the town, where he cleared a farm. He reared a family of five children, four of whom are now living. Joseph, Uriah and Mehitable live in this town, and Joshua A. resides in Rumney. James F., son of Uriah, Sr., died in 1880. His two sons, James M. and Joseph A., live in this town.

Jeremiah Smart, son of Samuel, was born in Wentworth in 1788, and died in 1860. Three of his sons are now living in town. His grandfather was one of the first settlers of Rumney.

Isaac Clifford, one of the early settlers of Wentworth, located in the north- eastern part of the town some time previous to the Revolution. He reared a large family of children and died in 1823, aged seventy-seven years.

Smith came to Wentworth some time previous to the Revolution, and settled in the northwestern part of the town, where he cleared a farm.

640

TOWN OF WENTWORTH.

He reared a large family of children, but none of his descendants of the same name reside in town. His daughter Mary became the wife of Zachariah Clifford, one of the early residents of this town.

Samuel Currier came to Wentworth, from Hampstead, N. H., at an early day, and located on road 7. He was a Baptist minister, and was thought to be the first minister in town. He died here about 1802. He had four sons, Aaron, David, Samuel and Daniel. His son Aaron came here with his father, but removed to Corinth, Vt., where he lived twelve years and then re- turned to Wentworth. He engaged in the tanning business, which was es- tablished by his uncle. He also engaged in manufacturing, owned a grist- mill, a saw-mill and a cloth-dressing mill. He took an active part in town affairs, was selectman, town representative, &c. He reared a family of twelve children, only four of whom are living, namely, Mrs. Parney Haines, Mrs. Sally Currier, and Ezra B., of this town, and David D., of Lawrence, Mass. His son Samuel also carried on the tanning business for a number of years, and also engaged ir. farming. Of his three children, Samuel G., Lorenzo W. and Eunice, the first two are living and are engaged in farming. Lorenzo W. is a surveyor, and has represented the town in the legislature.

William Moore was born in Sanbornton in 1780, removed to Dorchester at an early day, engaged in the mercantile business at Dorchester Corners about two years, and then moved to Wentworth. He was a school teacher, and was for many years engaged in trade. He was town representative for Went- worth and Rumney in 1813, and represented the town of Wentworth in 1836 -37. He was selectman, and was town clerk sixteen years in succession. He married Mary Thomas, of Sanbornton, and reared a family of seven children, only one of whom, William H., is living. He died October 3, 1862. William H. was born in Wentworth, in 1818, lived for a time in Massachusetts and in Concord, N. H., and in 1849 went to California, where he remained seven years. He then returned to this town, and has been engaged in farming. He represented the town in the legislature in 1866-67, was town clerk six years, selectman seven years, superintendent of school committee, etc.

John Foster came here from Rumney about 1814, locating upon the farm where his grandson Noah B. lately lived, and resided there until his death. His son John came to the town with him, and lived here until he died. in 1884, aged seventy-three years. One son, John B.,lives in town, and Noah A. died in June, 1885.

Moses Knight moved to Landaff from Connecticut at an early day, and located in the eastern part of the town, where he died. His son Moses was born in Landaff, where he lived most of his life, was a farmer and died in Lisbon in 1878. Three of his four children are living, namely, Mrs. Caroline Bartlett, of Lisbon ; Mrs. Fanny Morse, of Iowa, and Ezra C., of this town. Moses, Jr., represented the town of Landaff in 1861-62, was selectman, etc.

641

TOWN OF WOODSTOCK.

W OODSTOCK lies in the central part of the county, in lat. 44° and long, 71° 45', bounded north by Easton and Lincoln, east by Thornton, south by Thornton, Ellsworth and Warren, and west by Warren. Benton and Easton, containing an area of 33,359 acres. It was granted to Eli Demeritt and others, September 23, 1763, under the name of Peeling. This name was subsequently changed to Fairfield, then back to Peeling, and Finally, in 1840, it was given the name of Woodstock.

The surface of the town is rough and uneven, diversified by hills, mountains and valleys. Along the several streams the soil is good and produces fair crops of grains and grasses. A large portion of the territory, however, is still covered by a dense forest, and lumbering is largely carried on. The Pemi- gewasset river passes through the eastern section, and receives large branches in its passage, which furnish good water-power. The principal elevations are Blue Ridge, in the western part, attaining an altitude of 4,370 feet, Mt. Cushman and Mt. Waternome, in the southwestern part, the former attaining an altitude of 3,326 feet and the latter 3,022 feet above tide water. Mt. Russell, another high elevation. lies in the northwestern part. Among these mountains, branches of the Wild Ammonoosuc and Baker's river and Moosi- lauke brook have their sources. On the last stream is a beautiful cascade, where the waters glide smoothly over a glassy surface of rocks or tumble in a foaming cataract a distance of 200 feet. On this brook also, about a mile and a half from North Woodstock, is located "Agassiz basin." This is a deep pool in the solid ledge, into which the waters pour from between the walls which they have worn in the solid rock. Just above the basin a giant bowlder has been gripped between the massive walls, and beneath it the waters pour, seeming at a distance to have actually worn for themselves a tunnel through the rock. At one spot these precipitious walls nearly meet, being only five and a half feet apart, so that one with a cool head and steady nerve may leap from one overhanging cliff to the other. This spot is known as "Indian's leap." The pool and vicinity was a favorite resort for the renowned natur. alist, Agassiz, for whom it was named. There are also several natural ponds or lakelets. the largest of which is Elbow pond, in the central part of the town. Gordon pond lies in the northwestern part, Russell pond in the northeastern part and Hubbard pond in the southeastern part of the town- ship. All in all, the scenery of Woodstock is excelled by few, if any, of the mountain towns.

In 1880 Woodstock had a population of 367 souls. In 1885 the town had five school districts and five common schools. Its four school-houses were valued, including furniture, etc., at $405.00. There were 114 children attend- ing school, twelve of whom were pursuing the higher grades, taught during the year by one male and six female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $22.00 for the former and $22.33 for the latter. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year was $372.90, while the expenditures were $360 62, with W. L. E. Hunt superintendent.

42*

642

TOWN OF WOODSTOCK.

NORTH WOODSTOCK, a small post village, lies in the northeastern part of the town, and is the northern terminus of the Pemigewasset Valley railroad, which extends from Plymouth. It is nestled cosily in the midst of some beautiful scenery, at the head of the Pemigewasset valley, and has one church (Free Will Baptist), a store and about half a dozen dwellings.

WOODSTOCK is a post village and station on the Pemigewasset Valley rail- road, located in the eastern part of the town. It has one church (Free Will Baptist), a store and about a dozen dwellings.

J. M. & W. N. Moulton's saw and shingle-mill, on road 18, was built by Wilson Hill, in 1865, and was purchased by the firm in 1870. It has the capacity for manufacturing 1,000,000 feet of lumber and 250,000 shingles per annum.

Joseph W. Campbell's tannery, on road 18, was originally established by Warren White and R. & A. H. Danforth, in 1852. Mr. Cambell has been connected with the business since 1854, and has operated it alone since 1870. He employs twelve men and turns out about 10,000 sides of finished leather per year.

Curtis L. Parker's saw and shingle-mill, on road 5, was built by Gray & Merrill, about 1854, and was purchased by the present proprietor in 1869. It has the capacity for turning out 500,000 feet of lumber per annum.

Enoch M. Gordon's saw and shingle-mill, on road 3, built in 1866, cuts about 50,000 feet of lumber per year.

The settlement of the town was begun about 1773, by John Riant and others, the family names of Lindsey, Osgood, Barron, Russell and Bickford appearing among the early settlers. The settlement grew very slowly, how- ever, for the census returns of 1800 only show a population of eighty-three souls.

Benjamin Barron, born February 22, 1755, came here about 1786, and was one of the first settlers, locating in a log house built the year before by John Riant, on road 17. He married Abigail Varnum, of Dracut, Mass., December 29, 1784, and reared seven children, as follows : Benjamin M., born November 5, 1785; John V., born May 2, 1787 ; Abigail, born Janu- ary 19, 1789 : Oliver, born July 17, 1791 ; DeLafayette, born August 10, 1793; Hannah, born May 1, 1795; and Martha, born September 2, 1797. Benjamin M. lived on the ho ne farm, married Laura Walker, and raised seven children, viz. : Lovina, born September 15, 1820; Benjamin M., born August 5, 1822 ; Betsey, born June 29, 1824; Hiram, born February 15, 1827 ; Abigail, born June 15, 1830 ; Lula A., born May 18, 1835 ; and Rachel, born January 15, 1837. Lula A. married Josiah Tourtillotte, and remained on the homestead.

Thomas Pinkham, a native of Durham, Mass., and one of the original pro- prietors of the town, was born July 29, 1780, married Margaret Vincent, of Durham, and reared eight children, viz .: Pamelia, born January 7, 1805; Suchey, born January 28, 1807 ; Delilah, born November 20, 1808; Sally,

643

TOWN OF WOODSTOCK.

born April 20, 1811 ; Thomas I., born March 24, 1814 ; Mary, born Feb- ruary 17, 1817 ; Roger, born March 13, 1819; and Erasmus H., born April 20, 1822. Mr. Pinkham was one of the largest proprietors here, but never made this town his permanent home. He located for a time where James Barney now lives, on road 6. He gave the lot for the Woodstock cemetery, and, while in town on a visit, was taken sick and died, and was the first per- son buried in the cemetery.

Jacob D. Demeritt, son of Eli, came to this town, from Madbury, about 1816, settled on road 6, cleared a farm, and built the house now standing upon the place. He married Martha V. Barron, and reared a family of four children, namely : James Y., Elizabeth L., Hiram B. and Alaric B. In 1835 he moved to the place where his son A. B. now resides, on road 3, where he died, February 2, 1873.

Symmes Sawyer came to this town in 1819, and located upon the place where B. F. Smith now lives. He was born in Newburyport, Mass., and prac- ticed medicine there for a number of years. He was the only doctor who has ever settled in town. He reared nine children, namely : Sylvestrus, Symmes Mary, Eliza, Barnard, Lois, Walter H., Moses and John.

Moses Boynton, of Ware, N. H., came to Thornton, about 1805, settling on road 10, where he cleared a farm and built a log house. He bought a half lot of fifty acres, and cleared six acres the first year. He had born to him ten children, namely : Hazen, William, Betsy, Moses, Samuel, Nancy, Nathan- iel, Clarissa, Eleazer and Newton. Nathaniel lived on the homestead till 1872, and came to the place where he now lives in 1873.

The Baptist church of Woodstock, located at the Center, was organized by Rev. Thomas Baker, with 20 members, July 1, 1812. A church building was erected in 1834, which was burned, and the present building was put up in 1836, at a cost $1,000.00.

CENSUS TABLE .- POPULATION OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS IN GRAFTON COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AT EACH CENSUS SINCE 1767, SHOWING THE LOSS AND GAIN IN EACH TOWN.

TOWNS.

1767

1773

1775

1783

1786

1790

1800

1810 | 1820

1830

1840

1850

1860

1870 |

1880

Alexandria, incorporated Nov. 23, 1782

137

291

298

303

109

707

1,083

1,284

1,273

1,253

876

828

Ashland, incorporated July 1, 1868

885

960

*Bath, incorporated Sept. 10 1761

150

144

335

493

825

1,316

1,498

1,626

1,595

1,574

1,366

1,168

1,032

Benton, incorporated as Coventry, Jan. 31, 1764.

162

315

441

413

478

459

375

378

+Bethlehem, incorporated Dec. 25, 1799

....

281

664

1,104

727

783

747

667

560

453

384

*Bristol, incorporated June 24, 1819

139

190

306

307

395

635

873

1,047

1,113

1,516

1,439

1,320

1,226 1.163

+Canaan, incorporated July 9, 1761

253

483

835

1,094

1,226

1,466

1,620

1,682

1.762

1,877

1,762

*Dorchester, incorporated May 1, 1772

121

116

175

349

537

584

702

769

711

691

689

585

Easton, incorporated July 20, 1876

461

484

724

1,121

1,291

1,370

1,492

1,514

1,742

1,876

1,662

1,680

Franconia, incorporated Feb. 14, 1764

354

403

682

931

1,094!

1,207

1,201

1,150

907

934

Groton, incorporated Dec. 7, 1796

107

178

281

373

391

549

688

689

870

778

583

566

Hanover, incorporated July 4, 1761 ..

342

434

701

870

1,380

1,912|

2,135

2,222

2,361

2,613

2,350

2,308

2,085

2,147

Haverhill, incorporated May 18, 1763

172

387

363

458

552

805

1,105|

1,609

2,153

2,784

2,405

2,291

2,271

2.455

*Holderness, incorporated Oct. 24, 1761.

147

172

267

531

835

1,160

1,429

1,528

1,744

1,765

793

703

*Landaff, incorporated Jan. 31, 1764

162

295

347

843

1,180|

1,574

1,808

1,710

1,868

1,754

2,136 2,322

3,094

3,354

Lisbon, incorporated Oct. 20,1768, as Concord.

152

313

663

1.126

1,126

1,472

1,679

1,881

1,886

1,884

1,807

Littleton, incorporated Nov. 4, 1784

381

873

1,096

1,435

1,769

2,008

2,292

2,446

2,936

Livermore, incorporated in 1876

252

116

202

533

948|

1,270

1,321

1,473

1,442

743

658

654

*Lyme, incorporated July 8, 1761

241

502

816,

1,318

1,670;

1,824

1,804

1.785

1,617

1,572

1,358

1,313

Monroe, incorporated July 13, 1854

619

532

504

Orange, incorporated June 18, 1790

131

203

229

298

405

463

451

382

340

335

*Orford, incorporated Sept. 25, 1761 .

228

222

376

540

988

1,265

1,568

1,829

1,707

1,406

1,255

1,119

1,050

Piermont, incorporated Nov. 6, 1764.

345

531

532

625

743

937

983

1,175

1,291

1,290

1,407

1,409

1,719

*Rumney, incorporated March 18, 1767

192

237

319

359

411

624

765

864

993

1,110

1,109

1,103

1,165

1,050

Thornton, incorporated Nov. 24, 1781

280

302

385

535

794

857

1,049

1,045| 1,011

872

1,152

960

786

Waterville, incorporated July 1, 1829

Wentworth, incorporated Nov. 1, 1766

128

168

241

488

645

807

924

1,119

1,197

1,055

971

939

*Woodstock, incorporated Sept. 23, 1763,as Peeling.

203

224

291

471

418

476

105

367

142

213

234

300

320

302

193

209

*Enfield, incorporated July 4, 1761

129

358

373

443

523

584

708

549

550

281

563

572

538

508

565

475

382

329

292

461

650

769

951

957

948

1,012

882

506

Lincoln, incorporated Jan. 31, 1764

100

*Plymouth, incorporated July 15, 1763

227

168

356

426

670

877

1,016

1,042

1,063

948

949

792

752

Warren, incorporated July 14, 1763

206

336

506

544

702

938

TOTAL, .

747

2,922|

3,296

2,993 7,802 11,912 19,101 27,242 31,536 36,786 41,080 40,455 40,395 38,647 38,788

644

CENSUS TABLE.

....

171

422

467

665

759

950

896

998

1,400

*Bridgewater, incorporated Feb. 12, 1788

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Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886, Part 85

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