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 19

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 858

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 19

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The state debt was reduced over four hundred thousand dollars during Governor Jordan's adminis- tration, and when he left the office, the treasury had reached a plentitude never before attained- there being over six hundred thousand dollars in its vaults. There had been no pleasure tours of the governor and his council at the state's ex- pense ; and at the close of his term over fifty dol- lars of the governor's contingent fund of five hun- dred dollars was returned to the treasury. Many of the old fish hatcheries were sold, and the three remaining ones enlarged. and made better and more productive-the one at Colebrook having about four thousand dollars expended on it. The prison was put in better condition, painted and whitewashed. and new bathtubs and safe boilers put in. Proper insurance was put upon the state house, state library and state prison. There was improvement in con- ditions at the Industrial School, and Dartmouth

College received a larger gratuity from the state than ever before. President Tucker introduced the governor to the alumni at the Webster celebration banquet as "the first governor of the state to fairly state" the true relations between the college and state. The governor received many letters com- mending his message, his state papers, especially his thanksgiving proclamation, his letter to Mrs. Mc- Kinley, the proclamation on President Mckinley's death, and his public addresses during his term of office.

In politics Governor Jordan has been clear- acterized as "a close canvasser, a good organizer, and a natural leader;" as the chief executive of the state it can be said that he was sound, con- servative, practical, highly successful, and almost without exception on the right side of public ques- tions.

Although the incumbent of many official po- sitions, Governor Jordan has not always sten fit to accept every office that has been tendered him. He was once offered the postmastership of Lancaster, also the position of special agent of the United. States treasury department, but declined them. He has been urged to accept an appointment to the supreme bench of the state; in 1867 he was tendered, but was compelled to decline, a position on the staff of Governor Harriman; but the honor was again proffered in 1872 by Governor Straw, and Mr. Jordan's acceptance and service justified his title to colonel.

Governor Jordan has assisted many to official positions, and he has kept in touch with men and affairs all over the country. He has a large library, especially versed in town, county and state history. is found of searching out the records and history of the past, and has much interest in and respect. for the pioneers: It is a fact worthy of notice that he has missed only one town meeting and no state, congressional or presidential election in his forty - six years as an elector. In Colebrook, before con- ing to Lancaster, he was pitted against the late. Honorable Hazen Bedel for the moderatorship, as. that was deemed the test vote of the day; and in Lancaster against Honorable Henry O. Kent, for a like position, sometimes winning over, Colonel Kent being the only man who ever did beat him for the place.

Governor Jordan's ability in business affairs has been recognized from his youth. He has been the guardian of many private trusts, the administrator of various estates and prominent in local banking circles, holding the offices of vice-president in and director in Lancaster Trust Company, and director in Lancaster National Bank and the Siwooganock Guaranty Savings Bank. Popular among the men- bers of his profession, he was for years first vice- president and then president of the Grafton and Coos Bar Association, and an officer of the State Bar Association. He is a Mason, a member ot Evening Star Lodge, No. 37, at Colebrook, where he took his degrees and was secretary more than forty years ago; he took the Royal Arch degrees in North Star Chapter, of Lancaster, thirty-eight years ago, and the consistory degrees in Edward A. Raymond Consistory in Nashua, 1dl 1902.

llc belongs to no church. He was brought up in the Congregational faith and attends that church now, yet sees good and evil in all, and outside of all. He has always been benificent and charitable, helped to found the Orphans' Home, and has con- tributed to it nearly every year since its foundation : has given to other institutions as their circumstances seemed to appeal to him, and has helped generously

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in the erection of soldiers' monuments. In short, he has tried to do his part in church enterprises and for benevolent objects and for education in town and state. He is an honorary member of the Veterans' Association, and of several regimental organizations.

Governor Jordan married, in Lancaster, July 19, 1879, Ida Rose Nutter, born in Lancaster, March 31, 1860, daughter of Oliver and Roxana ( Wentworth) Nutter, of Lancaster. Mr. Nutter was born in Wakefield, and was a merchant, post- master, and farmer. His father, Alpheus Nutter, was born in Newington. Roxanna Wentworth was born in Jackson, and was a descendant of Governor Wentworth, a relative of the famous "Long John" Wentworth, of Chicago, and a cousin of General M. C. Wentworth. As "the first lady of the state," Mrs. Jordan won much praise in all her work and functions for her whole-heartedness, vivacity and simplicity. She was instrumental in organizing the Unity Club in Lancaster, and was its first president. She is also active in the work of her church (the Congregationalist). She

domestic refined in her tastes, possesses rare musical talent, is a faithful and devoted wife, and an indulgent and inuch-loved mother. Four children have been born of this union: Roxannah Minerva, born in Lan- caster, January 9, 1882; Hugo, May 26. 1884, died May 2, 1886; Gladstone, May 15, 1888; and Chester Bradley, February 15, 1892. Roxanna MI. received her literary education at Lancaster, New Hampshire, and Northampton, Massachusetts, and her musical education in Boston. Gladstone, six feet, two and one-half inches in height in his stocking feet, and weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, is a student at Dartmouth, class of 1911. Bradley, fifteen years old, six feet high and weighing two hundred and twenty pounds, is a student at Lancaster.

PERRY The Perry name is an old English one and is exceedingly numerous in this country, and boasts many distinguished representatives. There were no less than ten im- migrants bearing this surname who had come to this country by 1652 or earlier. These were Arthur, of Boston, a tailor and town drummer in 1638; Francis, a wheelwright in 1631; Isaac, who was at Boston in1 1631; John, of Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1632; John, of Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1643; and Richard, of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1640. Others of the name who settled in Massachusetts at an early date were William, of Scituate, in 1638; Thomas, of Scituate, in 1643; Thomas, of Ipswich, in 1648; and Ezra, of Sandwich, who married Eliza- beth Barge, on February 12, 1652. From these dif- ferent ancestors a numerous progeny has descended. Without doubt the most distinguished American member of the family is Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, whose famous message at the battle of Lake Erie, "We have met the enemy and they are ours," is familiar to every school boy. Other members of note are: Commodore Matthew C. Perry, brother of the hero of Lake Erie, Bishop William S. Perry, Governor Edward Perry, of Florida, Governor Ben- jamin F. Perry, of South Carolina, Bliss Perry, editor of the Atlantic Monthly, and Nora Perry, the author. In our own state Dr. William Perry, of Exeter, and his sons Have filled honorable positions. Horatio J. Perry, born in Keene, was for many years secretary of the legation at Madrid. He mar- ried the Spanish poetess laureate, Carolina Cor- onado.

(1) John Perry, the first of the family in this country, was born 1613, in London, England, and

is the progenitor of one of three prominent families of the name in New England. He came to America about 1605 and settled at Watertown, Massachu- setts. His wife, whom he married in England, was Joanna, daughter of Joseph Holland.

(II) John (2), son of John (1) and Joanna (Holland) Perry, was a native of England and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts. He was mar- ried there December 13, 1607, to Sarah Clary, who was born October 4, 1647, daughter of John and Mary (Cassell) Clary, of Watertown. Of their nine children three died young. The survivers were : John, Joanna, Sarah, Elizabeth, Josiah and Joseph.

(111) John (3), eldest son of John (2) and Sarahı (Clary) Perry, was born March 3, 1670, in Watertown, and resided there through life. He was married July 19, 1093, to Sarah Price, who was born September 27, 1667, daughter of William and Mary ( Marblehead) Price, of Watertown. She died October II, 1730.

(IV) James, son of John (3) and Sarah (Price) Perry, was born January 27, 1712, and baptized Sep- tember 1, 1717. He was a chair maker of Charles- town, Massachusetts, and later lived in West Cam- bridge (now Arlington), Massachusetts. He was a precinct collector there in 1770. He was married in Charlestown, October 14, 1742, to Lydia Tuft, who was born 1724, daughter of James and Lydia ( Hall) Tuft. He died May 30, 1771, and she was married (second), November 29, 1773, to Josiah Mixer, who was born November 17, 1716, a son of Deacon Josiah and Anna (Jones) Mixer. He was a prominent citizen of Walton. The children of James and Lydia Perry were: Lydia, Ruth (died young), Mercy, James, Ruth, John, Jonathan, Eliza- beth, Joseph and Benjamin. The younger of these had their home with their step-father.

(V) Jolin (4), second son and sixth child of James and Lydia (Tuft) Perry, was born Decem- ber 9, 1754, and died August 7, 1834, in Rindge, New Hampshire. He resided in Lincoln, Massachu- setts, until he removed to Rindge in 1789. He settled in the northeast part of the town, removing a few years later to the farm familiarly called the "Perry Farm" and now occupied by his grandson. He was a man of superior intelligence and char- acter, who commanded the willing confidence and respect of his fellowmen. He was married in Wal- ton, Massachusetts, February 28, 1775, to Persis Mixer, who was born November 6, 1756, a daughter of Josiah and Sarah (Mead) Mixer. She died in 1780. He was married (second), November 21, 1781, to Abigail Bigelow, daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Whit) Bigelow, of Marlboro, Massachu- setts. She died in Rindge, New Hampshirep- tember 11, 1818. He was married ( third), February 17, 1820, to Lucy Weston, who was born March 31, 1759, in Wilmington, Massachusetts, daughter of Isaac Weston, who died in the army during the Revo- lution. She died January 15, 1857, surviving her husband more than twenty-two years. His children were: Lydia (died young), Percis, John, Betsy, Lydia, Benjamin, Chauncey, Abigail, Sarah, Selinda and Jason B. Among his descendants are sturdy men who have honored their name in business, in letters, at the bar and on the bench.

(VI) Jason Bigelow, youngest child of John (4) and Abigail (Bigelow) Perry, was born Septem- ber 27, 1801, in Rindge. He was a thrifty farmer, tilling the acres of the paternal homestead. In the New Hampshire militia he was honored with suc- cessive promotion and declined a commission as brigadier-general. He retired with the rank of col-

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onel of the Twelfth Regiment. In later life, in the speech of his fellowmen, he was Colonel Perry and except on a ballot or an autograph he had no other name. He was representative in 1852-53 and select- man twenty years, a service unequalled in the num- ber of years, and unexcelled in efficiency in the town. Colonel Perry was an able, reliable and faithful man. His character and service was conspicuous in the annals of the town. He died February, 1883. He was married, November 11, 1828, to Sally Wil- son, who was born September 22, 1804. in New Ips- wich, New Hampshire, daughter of Major Supply ( Scripture) Wilson, and granddaughter of Supply and Susanna (Cutter) Wilson, of Woburn, Massa- chusetts, and New Ipswich. ( See Wilson, VI). She died November 14, 1875. They were the parents of a large family of children, namely: Mary, Eliza, Susan, John Wilson, James Bigelow, Harriet, Sarah, Jason Stanley and Jane Sophronia.

(\'TE) Jason Stanley, third and youngest son and eighth child of Colonel Jason B. and Sally ( Wilson) Perry, was born January 8, 1847, in Rindge, New Hampshire, and owns the ancestral farm on which he lived until 1902, when he removed to the village of East Rindge, but now resides in Rindge Center. He was educated in the schools of his native town and at Appleton Academy, New Ipswich. Mr. Perry is a prominent citizen of Rindge. He is a thoughtful student of literature and is well informed in public affairs. In the social circles he is a genial companion, and in public assemblies a ready and convincing speaker. He is a charter mem- her and past master of Marshal P. Wilder Grange. He is a justice of the peace, and has been repeatedly elected moderator of schools and town meetings. He is an efficient member of the board of edu- cation, was three years a selectman, and was repre- sentative in the legislatures of 1889-1907. In 1886 he was appointed by Governor Currier a member of the state board of agriculture and was still in this service until, at the completion of nine years, he declined a reappointment. He is a steadfast Re- publican in political sentiment, and entertains strict views in matters of religion. Mr. Perry was mar- ried November S, 1871, to Elsie Augusta Page, who was born November 20, 1851, daughter of Joel and Sarah (Pierce) Page, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. She died September 3, 1899. He was married (second), January I, 1902, to Martha (Hale) Rice, widow of George G. Rice, and daughter of John F. and Rebecca (Bailey) Hale. She was born Sep- tember 4, 1849, in Rindge. Following is a brief account of his children: Mary Cushing, born Au- gust 8, 1872, married Frank A. Tuttle; four chil- dren; their home is in Temple, New Hampshire. Belle Lelia, born August, 1875, married Arthur Z. Norcross, three children; resides in Pomfret, Con- necticut. John Wilson, born May 26, 1879, resides in Clinton, Massachusetts, unmarried. James Bigc- low, born March 21, 1884, graduate of the Highland Military Academy, unmarried, in business in New York City. Stanley Jay, born September 6, 1887. drowned while skating at the age of nine. Susan Pauline, born August 12, 1890, a student at Apple- ton Academy.

Although the Perry family is so numerous, it is impossible to trace the present line farther than three generations.

(I) Hosea Perry lived in Woodstock, Vermont. He was a farmer and stone mason. He also did carpentry work, and was noted for his skill in moving buildings. His children were: William, John F., Horace A., Charles F., Lucy and Eveline, and George and Frank by the second marriage. Wil-

liam Perry, judge of probate, lived at Woodstock in 1790, and was one of the founders of the Uni- versalist Church in that place. It is not known whether he was related to Hosea.

(II) John Frederick, son of Hosea Perry, was born at Woodstock, Vermont, in 1822. He attended the public schools of that town. He then became a stage driver, being one of the last of that section. He first drove between Walpole and Claremont, New Hampshire, then between Walpole and Keene, and after the Cheshire Railroad was built he drove for a year between Walpole and Brattleboro, Ver- mont. In 1850, he was made ticket agent for the old Vermont Valley Railroad Company, subsequently absorbed by the Connecticut & Passumpsic Rail- road, at Westminster, Vermont. On taking this position he moved from Walpole, New Hampshire, which had previously been his home, to Westminster, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a Republican in polities. He married Clarissa Jane, daughter of Joshua Whitney, of Bridgewater, Ver- mont. They had three children: Horace A., whose sketch follows; Elmira and Edward, both of whom died young; John F. Perry died at Westminster, Vermont, September 25, IS78. His wife died Sep- tember 28, 1889.

(III) Horace Augustus, eldest child of John Frederick and Clarissa J. (Whitney) Perry, was born at Bethel, Vermont, February 15, 1841. In early life he attended the public schools of Walpole, New Hampshire, where his father lived. When the family moved to Westminster, Vermont, he studied for two years at Professor Ward's college pre- paratory school in that town. He then engaged in the silver-plating business with E. H. Cook at West- minster. He was employed in this work for six or seven years, plating all work on harnesses and car- riages. He then moved back to Walpole and for ten years was in the hotel and express business. In 1883, in company with Warren W. Porter, he formed the firm of Perry & Porter. They carried on a general mercantile business till November I, 1906. During this time they were agents for the American Express Company, which business they still con- tinue. Mr. Perry has been in the express business since 1864; he began as agent for the old United States and Canada Express Company, and when that was merged with the American Express, he continued with them. He is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of deputy sheriff or high sheriff since 1880, for fourteen years of which period he was high sheriff. He has always declined to hold other offices, although frequently urged so to do. He has, however, been delegated to the state convention. He is a trustee of the Walpole Savings Bank, also of the Unitarian Church, of which he is a member. He is custodian of various trust funds, amounting to fifteen thousand dollars, which belong to that church. For more than a quarter of a century he has been treasurer of the Walpole Horse Thief Society, a very strong organization, one of the strong- est of the kind in New England. Its funds now (1907) on hand approximate one thousand seven hundred dollars. Mr. Perry is a Mason, and be- longed to Columbian Lodge of Walpole till it dis- banded, of which he was secretary for a period of fifteen years.

Horace A. Perry married Sarah Jane, daughter of Captain Edward Bridgeman, of Northampton, Massachusetts. She was born at Williamsburg, Massachusetts, January IS, 1844, and was married February 22, 1863. They have two children: Carrie A., born December 9, 1864; and Fred J., April 8, 1872. Carrie A., married Warren W. Porter, of

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Walpole. (See Porter Genealogy, IV). Fred J. is a paper manufacturer at Bellows Falls, Vermont .. He married Anna B. Williams, and they have one daughter, Delia Coy Perry.

BALDWIN Baldwin is a very old name, and was in use a long time before men had surnames. It was in England, as appears by the records, as early as the year 672, and quite common in that country in the days of the Conquest. It appears in the roll of Battle Abbey. The five Baldwins, earls of Flanders, were men of distinction, the fifth marrying the daughter of Robert of France. His daughter Matilda married William the Conqueror. The name was common in Flanders, Normandy and Italy. It is of Saxon ori- gin, and signifies "Bold Winner." The general pre- valence of the name dates from the crusades, when it was taken as a title of honor. Baldwins were earls of Devonshire. The family of this sketch is one of several which came to New England in pioneer days, and from those early settlers have sprung numerous noted citizens.

(1) Nathaniel, probably second son of Richard and Isabell Baldwin, of the parish of Cholesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, is supposed to have been a great-grandson of Richard of Dundridge, of the parish of Aston-Clinton, Buckinghamshire, Eng- land. The date of the will of Richard of Dundridge is January, VI Edward, that is, 1552, and that of Richard of Colesbury is May 23, 1630. Nathaniel Baldwin was a brother of Timothy and Joseph, and came to Milford, Connecticut, in 1639, in the New Haven Company. His name appears in the Milford records as a "Free Planter." He was a cooper by trade, and in 1641 a resident of Fairfield, where he died in 1650, and where the probate of his estate appears. He married (first), Abigail Camp, who joined the church at Milford on June 9, 1644, and died there March 22, 1648. The children of this union were : John, Daniel, Nathaniel and Abigail. He married (second), Joanna Westcoat, widow of Richard, of Fairfield, Connecticut, and moved there perhaps the second time. By her he had: Sarah, Deborah and Samuel. After the death of Nathaniel his widow married, third, George Abbott, of Fair- field, and died in 1682. She is mentioned in records as "Goodwife Baldwin," and was a witness in a trial for witchcraft in 1654. An unusual number of the descendants of Nathaniel have been eminent, and the family generally has been of high respectability.

(11) Daniel second son and child of Nathaniel and Abigail (Camp) Baldwin, was baptized in Mil- ford, Connecticut, in June, 1644, and continued to reside there. He is said to have died in 1711. He married, June 27, 1665, Elizabeth Botsford, daughter of Henry, one of the original settlers of Milford. He and his wife joined the church June 27, 1669. Their children were: Daniel (died young), Daniel, Elizabeth, Mary, Samuel (died young), Nathaniel, John and Samuel.

(1]I) Sergeant Daniel (2), second son of Daniel (1) and Elizabeth (Botsford) Baldwin, was born in Milford, Connecticut, March 3, 1668. He was a member of the local military organization, and his name appears often on the records, where he is referred to as Sergeant Daniel. His will was dated March 8, 1719, and probated May 2, 1725. His death probably occurred not long before the latter date. His wife's christian name was Sarah, but her surname is not known. She joined the church, June 28, 1691, and died December 18, 1710. Her name may have been Sarah Camp, as in 1708 Samuel Camp conveys to his brother, Daniel Baldwin, and

Joseph Camp. Their children were: Daniel, Na- than, John, Gideon, James, Enos, Sarah, Caleb and Jeremiah.

(IV) Nathan, second son and child of Daniel (2) and Sarah Baldwin, was baptized November 23, 1691, in Milford. May 2, 1720, he is executor of the estate of his father, with his brothers John and James. In 1756 he was executor of the estate of his brother James, of Newtown, where he had set- tled. By legislative enactment in 1739 he was made captain of the "2nd Company or Train-band, in the town of Newtown." His will is dated July 19, 1761, and was proved July 4, 1769, between which dates he died. His wife's name was Elizabeth. They had four children: Nathan, Sarah, Elizabeth and Jabez, whose sketch follows.

(V) Jabez, youngest child of Nathan and Eliza- beth Baldwin, was born in Newtown, Connecticut April 8, 1733, and died March 31, 1803. He took in Newtown, with his brother Nathan, land given them by their father. Jabez Baldwin was a man of wealth but the great depreciation in Continental money and the loss of a ship of which he was part owner materially reduced his fortunes, although he still owned a residence on Newtown street. As he could not live in the manner to which he had been accustomed, he determined to join those who were forming new homes in the "Upper Cohos," as it was termed, of which such glowing accounts were given, and where his eldest son had taken up a claim as early as 1785. He was one of the grantees of Stratford, New Hampshire, and before going there selected from the plan of the town the lot now included in the interval of the Granite State Stock Farm; but, on arriving there he found that the num- ber he had selected designated the lot next below the one he had chosen, but eventually the desired land came into the possession of his children. March 13, 1788, with his wife and children Nathan, John, Lucinda, Lucia and Marcia, he left Newtown and made his way up the Connecticut river to Strat- ford. In January, 1790, he located upon the place now known as the Baldwin Homestead, still in pos- session of his descendants, where he erected a frame house with lumber brought up the river from Guildhall, Vermont. This was the first frame house in that section of country. He was a man of much energy, and cleared the forest away and made a farm where he and his family were comfortable without the luxuries of the older settlements. Of the privations of pioneer life none were so keenly felt as the lack of schools. Mr. Baldwin at last secured the services of a young student who taught in his family for several months. This eagerly coveted opportunity was rudely interrupted by the advent of smallpox. In 1803, during Mr. Baldwin's absence in Connecticut, his family was attacked by this disease. When he reached Lancaster hie re- ceived a message from his wife to remain there, but he went home, took the disease and died. Mr. Baldwin married (first), in Connecticut, in 1755. Mary Peck, of Newtown. The children of this marriage were: Heth, born 1756; Mary, 1757; Saralı, 1760: Bete, 1762; and Anna, 1766. He mar- ried (second), in August, 1770, Judith Brace, of Newtown. She was a woman of strong character. of great capacity, resource and cheerfulness. Their children were: Lucinda, born September 28, 1771, died October, 1774; Nathan, born September 28, 1773, died in Ohio, aged over ninety years; Emmiel, born January, 1775, died February, 1775; John, born January, 1776, died September 14, 1810; Ltt- cinda, born November 9, 1779, died January 31. 1863; Lucia, born January 12, 1782, died September

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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 19

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 858

Author: Stearns, Ezra S; Whitcher, William F. (William Frederick), 1845-1918; Parker, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1842-1923
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 858