USA > New Hampshire > Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. I > Part 110
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For many years Mr. Albin owned a farm in IIen- niker, which he often visited to recuperate from the fatigues incidental to an arduous professional life, by engaging in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Albin entered the profession of law equipped with a first class literary and legal education, a strong, well balanced mind, good habits and good morals. He has always been an active and industrious student,
a keen observer, a person of quick action and good judgment, whom years of close application to the various features of his business have placed in the front rank of his profession in the state of New Hampshire. His breadth of comprehension and trained executive ability have made his success in matters relating to railroads equal to that which has attended his legal practice. In fraternal affairs the conjunction of circumstances and ability have given him opportunities to render great and lasting ser- vices to a great and constantly growing body of men, banded together for good, and his faithful discharge of his duties has brought him well merited official positions and honors. His professional ability and standing, genial disposition and magnetic person- ality make him a favorite wherever he is known.
Mr. Albin married, September 5, 1872, Georgia A. Modica, born in Henniker, August 5, 1847, died July 31, 1902, daughter of Joseph and Achsa (Far- rar) Modica. of Henniker. She died at the age of fifty-five years, after a useful and beautiful life, leaving two children: Henry A., born February 5. 1875; and Edith G., August 5, 1878, both single. The son took a four years course at the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology, and at its completion became superintendent of the Concord Street Rail- way. When this became the property of the Boston and Maine Railroad he was made assistant superin- tendent of the Concord division of that system, which position he still holds.
The name of Morris is an ancient and MORRIS honorable one in America. The seven- teenth century settlers of this family located chiefly in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. where their descendants are numerous to this day. The present branch which contains the most famous members of all, is not related to any of these early immigrants, so far as can be ascertained. The founder of this line, whose renown sheds such lustre upon the name, and whose service to his country during the Revolution should be held in grateful rememberance by every American, came directly from England.
(I) Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the financier of the Revolu- tion, was born in Liverpool, England, January 20. 1734. In 1747 he came to America with his father, and entered the counting-house of Charles Willing, of Philadelphia. The progress of young Morris was rapid, and in time he became a leading merchant of that city. He early espoused the patriot cause. IIe opposed the Stamp Act, and in 1775 was a delegate to the Continental congress. He was one of the signers of the Declaration. His great service was the financial aid that he offered the struggling re- public. In 1780 he raised one million, four hundred thousand dollars, an enormous sum for those times, to aid General Washington. He organized the Bank of North America in 1781, in 1787 was a member of the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States, and was elected to the first United States senate. On March 2, 1769, Robert Morris married Mary White, only daughter of Thomas
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White and his second wife formerly Mrs. Newman. Thomas White came to this country from London, and settled on the eastern shore of Maryland. His only son, William White, the younger brother of Mary (White) Morris, became the second bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America. Mary (White) Morris was a woman of beautiful character as well as of great personal charm and loveliness. When her husband's personal affairs became embarrassed during his later years, and he had reason to mourn the ingratitude of republics, she showed herself a most devoted wife, and her strength of character and good judgment did much to repair their fallen fortunes. Robert and Mary (White) Morris had seven children: Robert (2). born in December, 1769; Thomas, whose sketch follows; William, August, 1772; Hetty, July, 1774; Charles, July, 1777; Maria, April, 1779; and Henry, July, 1784. Hetty Morris was the first of the children to marry. In 1795 she became the wife of James Marshall, of Virginia, younger brother of Chief Justice Marshall, of Virginia. Robert Morris at one time owned more ships and more land than any other man in the United States, but his lavish hospitality, which made his home the social capital of the country, and a too sanguine belief in the rapid development of wild lands, led him into fin- ancial difficulties, and he died in comparative poverty. His history is one of the most romantic of our early days, and the lessons to be drawn from it are impressive. Robert Morris died at Phila- delphia, May 8, 1806. His widow outlived him many years, and was one of the people especially honored by Lafayette when he visited this country in 1825.
(II) Thomas, second son and child of Robert and Mary (White) Morris, was born February 26, 1771, probably in Philadelphia. With his elder brother Robert he was educated in Europe, being sent thither in October, 1781, with letters to all the distinguished men of the day. His father was de- sirous of giving his sons the best advantages, be- cause he had always keenly felt his own early lack, particularly in legal knowledge. Robert and Thomas both became lawyers, and were a source of great help to their father in handling his vast interests. He seems to have placed special reliance upon Thomas. The latter made a successful negotiation with the Indians in western New York, where Robert Morris owned great tracts of territory. This transaction brought Thomas into prominence before the whole country. Thomas Morris was a member of the bar in New York City, and at one time was United States marshal for the southern district of the state of New York. Thomas Morris married Sarah Kane, of New York, and they had eight children : Mary, Robert, Henry W., Harriet, Emily, Charles, Sally and Caroline Julia. Henry W. Mor- ris, the third child, entered the navy in 1819, and became a commodore during the Civil war. He commanded the "Pensacola," which joined the blockading squadron in the Gulf of Mexico, and played a brilliant part in the attack upon Forts
Jackson and Saint Philip. Commodore Henry W. Morris died in New York City, August 14, 1863.
(III) Caroline Julia, fifth daughter and youngest child of Thomas and Sarah ( Kane) Morris, was born in Canandaigua, New York, in 1814. In 1837 she married John Stark, born Samuel Newell (2), who was adopted and reared by his maternal grand- father, Major Caleb Stark, of Dunbarton. (See Stark V). She died in Winchester, Massachusetts, in 1889.
New Hampshire owes much of the high GREGG moral character as well as the energy and industry of her citizens to the Scotch-Irish blood, which became identified with the state in 1719 and thereafter. The descendants of the hardy pioneers of Londonderry and vicinity have been and are identified with every leading line of industry since that time.
(I) Captain James Gregg was one of the first sixteen settlers in Londonderry, New Hampshire. He was born about 1670, in Ayrshire, Scotland, and was twenty years old when his parents removed to northern Ireland. The family settled in the county of Antrim and in the parish of Mulasky. Young Gregg had been apprenticed at the age of fourteen years to learn the tailor's trade, and had just com- pleted his engagement when he removed to Ireland. There he immediately commenced business and was very actively employed. At that time most of the best apparel worn by ladies was made by tailors. One day Miss Janette Cargill came to his shop and ordered her wedding dress. In speaking of this incident, the Nashua Gasette of more than fifty years ago says: "When she came into the shop he recognized her as a person he had seen, but had 110 particular acquaintance with her; he saw at once that she was a very beautiful and interesting person, and had a most captivating smile on her countenance, and at the same time discovered that there was a shade of melancholy which plainly told that some unseen affliction was preying upon her mind."
"After taking her measure and receiving her in- structions, she very politely bade him adieu, and turned to go out of the door when he spoke to her in a tremulous tone of voice, and said, 'My dear friend, I am almost tempted to envy Mr. Lindsey his happiness."
"This unexpected salutation came upon her like a shock of electricity, and suddenly an effusion of tears burst from her eyes, while the tumult in her bosom choked her utterance, and she was silent a few moments until hier emotion had somewhat subsided."
"At length she mustered fortitude enough to reply, and said, 'My dear friend, if I could have my wishes realized. Mr. Lindsey would be the envious man, and you would be the person envied.' This mod- est reply was too plain to be misunderstood, and it broke the ice at once and opened the way for a full cxplanation."
"Then they conversed freely on the subject, when she told him her story very candidly, and said to
avia a. Grigg
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him, 'I am now published to Mr. Lindsey, an old gentleman who is said to be respectable; he is three score and ten and I am only eighteen. My father, Mr. Cargill, is under pecuniary embarrassment, and is indebted to Mr. Lindsey to a large amount, and he has taken advantage of this circumstance to induce me to accept his hand. My parents are in- timidated, and see no way to extricate themselves from this situation but by consenting to an un- hallowed connection.'"
"'Consequently they had been worried with their pressed circumstances, I have, with painful reluc- tance, given my consent. And now, my dear friend, if you feel willing to relieve me from my deplorable situation, with honor both to yourself and me, I will cheerfully consent to any measures which you may think proper.'
"The result of this interview was the firm agree- ment to elope under cover of evening shadows, and have the marriage performed by a curate in a neighboring parish, which was done to their mutual joy and satisfaction."
"Mr. Gregg and his young wife settled in the parish of Mausky, where he pursued his business to good advantage; went extensively into the business of bleaching linen cloth, and in the course of a few years accumulated a handsome property."
"In the year 1718 Mr. Gregg, in company with fifteen families from the same place, embarked on board a vessel commanded by Captain Crowning- shield, of Salem, bound for America. They landed late in the season at Casco Bay, where they tarried the win- ter, and in the month of April came to Nutfield. now Derry, where they made a permanent settlement.
Captain Gregg and wife were among those who passed the winter of 1718 and 19 at Cape Elizabeth, where they endured much of privation and distress: As he was possessed of means, he was able and very efficient in aiding and encouraging his fellow emi- grants. He subsequently received a captain's com- mission, and commanded the first company of sol- diers raised in Londonderry. The children of Cap- tain James 'and Janette (Cargill) Gregg were: Wil- liam, John, Samuel, Thomas and Elizabeth. As each of the first two of these had a son Hugh, it is im- possible to determine positively which was the father of the one completing this line beginning with the next generation.
(III) Hugh, son of John and Agnes (Rankin) Gregg. was born in Londonderry, and died in New Boston, where his life was spent on a farm. He mar- ried Sarah Leslie, a sister of the wife of Deacon James Ferson. They had sons: James, Alexander, Lesley. Reuben and Samuel, and five daughters.
(IV) James, eldest son of Hugh and Sarah (Leslie) Gregg, was born on the paternal homestead in New Boston. He was a farmer and a leading citi- zen in the town. He married Janet Collins, and they had seven children.
(V) Joseph, son of James and Janet (Collins ) Gregg. was born in New Boston, December II, 1777, died September 9, 1854, aged seventy-six years, eight months and twenty-eight days. His wife died aged seventy-six years, eight months and twenty-
three days. He built the mills at New Boston, and operated them until his death, doing an extensive business in lumbering. He married Jane M. Moore, of New Boston, and they were the parents of Jen- nett, David, John. James, Daniel, Jane, Leticia, Mar- garet. (Mention of Daniel and descendants forms a part of this article).
(VI) David Gregg, son of Joseph and Jane M. (Moore) Gregg, was born in New Boston, June IS, 1816, and died January 31, 1880. His education was received in the common and high schools. He was a merchant, lumberman, and manufacturer. His suc- cess in business made him a leading citizen. and he was elected to various town offices, was a captain in the militia and served four terms in the legislature. In politics he was a Democrat. He was not a church member, but attended the Presbyterian Church. He married Harriet Atwood Todd, who was born in New Boston, September 14, 1818. She was a de- scendant in the fifth generation from the immigrant, James Todd, one of the original proprietors of Lon- donderry. Her ancestry was all Scotch. Their children were: David A., born March 22, 1841; Margaret R., February 3. 1844; Mary Caroline, May 6, 1845; Harriet Jane, August 10, 1846; all born in New Boston.
(VII) David Almus, first son of David and Har- riet Atwood (Todd) Gregg, was born in New Bos- ton, March 22, 1841, and educated in the public schools and at the academy at New London. In September. 1859, he became a partner with his father in the grain and grocery business at Wilton, New Hampshire, under the firm name of D. Gregg & Company. This relation continued until 1872. In the year 1870 David -Gregg decided that Nashua was the best shipping point in New Hampshire, and bought land below Crown Hill at the Junction, and there the father and son and W. W. Hoyt, under the firm name of Gregg, Hoyt & Company, built the present main building of their establishinent in 1871, and engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash, and blinds. The following year Mr. Hoyt retired, and David Gregg and David A. Gregg, under the firm name of Gregg & Son, continued the business. David Gregg died in 18So, and then his son-in-law, George S. Neville, became a partner. In 1882 W. A. Gregg, son of David A. Gregg, was admitted to the firm. In 1883 Mr. Neville died. and the Greggs, father and son, continued the business under the old firm of Gregg & Son. In 1894 O. S. Hussey and L. G. Neville, the latter a son of George S. Neville, de- ceased, became members of the company. Under able management this firm has become the leading es- tablishment of the kind in New England. The build- ings are of brick, three-story and basement, 150 feet by 50 feet, with engine house, dryhouses, etc .. outside. In 1886 a large store house with rooms for glazing, painting, and marbleizing was added to the plant, and in 1891 the mill proper was extended by an ad- dition of twenty-feet on its south side. The com- pany now employs about one hundred and fifty hands has a pay roll of $55.000 annually, consumes annually 5,000,000 feet of lumber, and turns out products of the value of $250,000.
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Mr. Gregg was elected director of the Indian Head National Bank in 1887, and has been its presi- dent since 1892. At different times he has been di- rector in various corporations, both in Nashua and elsewhere. The members of the Gregg family of this article have been connected with the manufac- ture of lumber and lumber products for several gen- erations, and almost invariably have been men of considerable property. Mr. Gregg has the distinguish- ing traits of his ancestors: fearlessness, honesty, modesty, untiring industry, shrewdness, foresighted- ness. and great executive ability. To the town of Wilton, where he spent his early manhood, he re- cently presented a beautiful library building; and also gave to the Masonic Lodge, of which he is a member, in the same town, a handsome and finely equipped temple. Mr. Gregg has always been a great lover of rod and gun, and when not engaged in business pursuits spends much time following his favorite sport. In politics he is a Democrat, and at the age of twenty-one was elected town clerk of Wilton. As a young man he was active in political affairs. Up to the time of his election as clerk the town had been strongly Republican, but the town has since became Democratic. and has so remained ever since. In 1874 he was elected representative to the legislature from Wilton. and in 1889 was elected to the senate from Nashua. He is a member of Clin- ton Lodge, No. 52, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons, at Wilton.
Mr. Gregg married (first), in New Boston, Har- riet Jane Wheeler, who was born at Bradford, New Hampshire. January 2, 1840, daughter of Elisha and Lydia W. (Cheeney) Wheeler, of Francistown. She died February 15. 1881. He married (second), May 8, 1881, Ella Cora Fox, who was born in New Bos- ton, August 22, 1861, daughter of George G. and Mary L. (Wheeler) Fox, of New Boston. By the first wife there were two children: Margaret Lula and William A. The children by the second wife are: Harry A., Eva A., Lucile, and baby ; the latter died in infancy.
(V1) Daniel, youngest son of Joseph and Jane M. (Moore) Gregg, was born in New Boston, July 15. 1823. and died in New Boston, April 2, 1893, near the close of his seventieth year. His education was acquired in the public schools, and he spent con- siderable time in early life as a teacher. He re- sided on the ancestral homestead, and was a pros- perous farmer and lumberer. He was a Democrat in politics, a Congregationalist in religion, and a highly moral and respected citizen. He held several town offices, and was the representative of New Boston in the general court one term. He was married Sep- tember 20, 1849, at Deerfield, New Hampshire. to H. Augusta Young, who was born in Deerfield, May 25. 1829. and died in New Boston, January 30, 1867, in her thirty-eighth year. She was the daughter of James and Hannah (Winslow) Young, of Deerfield, of Scotch and English descent. The children of this marriage were: Flora, who married William H. Philbrick ; and Harlan, whose sketch follows.
( VII) Harlan. only son of Daniel and H. Augusta (Young) Gregg. was born on the old home-
stead, in New Boston, March 2, 1855. He was edu- cated in the common schools, and in 1876 entered the employ of Gregg & Son, manufacturers of Nashua, where he took the position of bookkeeper. He remained there until the fall of 1879. After spending the following winter in New Boston, he returned to Nashua in the spring, and became book- keeper, and later superintendent for Cross & Tolles, and remained with them until 1891. He then en- gaged in the lumber and mill business on his own account. continuing with success until 1900, and then resumed the position of superintendent for Cross & Tolles (now J. H. Tolles & Company), and at the same time having interests in some other lumber and mill business. Mr. Gregg still continues as the effic- ient superintendent for J. H. Tolles & Company. In politics he is an Independent, voting for the candi- date whom he believes will best discharge the duties of the office. He wishes no position in politics for himself, and seldom fills one, or takes any part in public affairs. He was a member of the old Nashua City Guard; and is now a member of Pennichuck Lodge, No. 44, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of Wattahonack Lodge of the New England Order of Protection, and Merrimack River Commandery, United Order of the Golden Cross. He married, No- vember S. 1878, in Hudson, Carrie A. Batchelder, who was born in Hudson, October 22, 1858, daughter of Mark and Lydia ( Steele) Batchelder, of Hudson. She died July 9, 1906. (See Batchelder X).
This name is found in Plymouth. SHURTLEFF Massachusetts, fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims, and is prominently identified with the management of affairs there for a long period. In the records of Plymouth the name has various spellings, such as Shirtleff, Shirtley, Shurtlif, etc. It first appears in England as Chiercliffe, then Chyrccliffe, Shiercliffe, and finally Shirtleff. A grandson of the American progenitor adopted the present form, which is gen- erally in use by the family.
(I) William Shurtleff, in his youth, came to Plymouth before 1635, from Ecclesfield. a village of Yorkshire, about five miles from Sheffield. England, and twenty miles from Scrooby the early gathering place of the Pilgrims before they went to Holland. In this village, at a seat called Whitley Hall, resided the only family of the name that can be found before its appearance in America. By occupation William Shurtleff was a carpenter, and he appears in the Plymouth records as "surveyor of highwaies" and constabie. In 1643 he was enrolled among those re- quired to give military service to the colony. He was killed by a stroke of lightning at Marshfield, June 23, 1666. He was married October 18, 1655, to Elizabeth Lettice, who was born about 1636. in Eng- land, a daughter of Thomas and Ann Lettice. She survived her husband over twenty-seven years, and died October 31, 1693, in Swansea, Massachusetts. They had three sons, William, Thomas and Abiel. the last born within a few days after the death of his father.
(II) William (2). eldest son of William (1)
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and Elizabeth (Lettice) Shurtleff, was born 1657, in Plymouth, was a prominent citizen of the town and died there February 4, 1730. He was enrolled as a freeman, May 27, 1681, and was surveyor of high- ways in 1684. He was chosen August 30, 1686, to serve at the court of assistants. and was constable in 1689. He was selectman in 1692-93-94-95, 1698-99 and 1700-01. He was representative at the general court in 1694, was assessor in the same year, and town treasurer in 1695-96-97 and 1700. At various town meetings in 1695 he was appointed on important committees, among them one for making the province rate and one of six men to draw agreements "as may be of use to defend the Towns Right on the North sid of the Towne." On December 16 of that year he was granted, with Ephraim Coole, "30 foott of land square" by the waterside, on which to build a "wharfe." In March, 1697, he was one of a com- mittee to settle the ranges. and in September follow- ing he was chosen as one of a committee "to treat with Middlebery agents Respecting the Rainge be- tween the towne" and certain purchasers of land. In 1698 he was on a committee to call a minister, and in 1699 to care for and defend the commons. In 1700 he was made a surveyor of bounds, and from that time on the land records bear his name on every page, in establishing the location of real estate. In 1701 he was called "leftenant," and in October of that year received a grant of "Meadow or Meadoish Ground." The Shurtleff House, built by him in Plymouth before 1698 at the corner of Leyden and Market streets, was removed in 1883 to the lot ad- joining the Drew Block on Market street. His head- stone in the first burying ground of the Pilgrims on Cole's Hill bears this inscription: "Here lyes ye body of Captn William Shurtleff who Decd Febry the 4th 1729-30 In the 72d year of his age." His wife, Susannah, was a daughter of Barnabas Loth- rop, son of Rev. John Lothrop, of Barnstable, and Susannah (Clark) Lothrop, granddaughter of Thomas Clark, of Plymouth. She was born Febru- ary 28, 1664. in Barnstable, and died August 9, 1726, in Plympton. Their children were: Jabez, Thomas, William, John, Susannah, Barnabas, Ichabod, Eliza- beth, Mary, Sarah, Samuel. Abigail, born in Plym- outh; and Nathaniel, born 1707 in Plympton.
(III) John, fourth son and child of William (2) and Susannah (Lothrop) Shurtleff, was born June 6, 1693, in Plymouth, and was a farmer in Plympton. He was married March 23. 1727, in Plympton, to Sarah (Lucas) Carver, widow of Jolin Carver and daughter of Benoni and Repentance Lucas. His children were: Susannah, William and Benoni (twins), Mary and Lothrop. He removed in 1740 to Hebron, Connecticut, whence he went in 1748 to Bolton, same colony, and died in East Haddam, Con- necticut, about 1783. His son William was the father of Rev. Roswell Shurtleff. D. D., a distin- guished divine and professor of Dartmouth College. He died in Connecticut, about 1783.
(IV) Lothrop, youngest child of John and Saralı (Lucas) (Carver) Shurtleff, was born De- cember 21. 1735. in Plympton, lived many years in Tolland. Connecticut, and died April 1, 1810. in 11-2
Compton, Canada, whither he went in old age with his son. He was married November 15. 1764, to Submit Terry, who was born January 18, 1740. in Enfield, Connecticut, a descendant of one of the oldest families of that town, and died December IS, 1815, in Compton. Their children, were: Submit, Mary, Asaph, Asenatlı, Amos and Hannah.
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