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 23

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 23

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(VIII) Harriet Newell, fifth child and fourth daughter of Benjamin and Mehitable (Babson) Hoitt, born in Barnstead, March 22, 1825, married Deacon Hiram Rand, of Barnstead. (See Rand VIII).

(VIII) Thomas Lewis, second son and sixth child of Benjamin and Mehitable (Babson) Hoitt, was born in Barnstead, near the parade ground, April 1. 1827. He remained on the home farm do- ing such work as was suited to his strength, and attending school until 1842. Then, being fifteen years old, he entered the employ of Baily Parker, a merchant of Pembroke. where he worked several years, and was carefully instructed in the practical features of mercantile business. He left this em- ployment to take a place in a woolen factory con- ducted by J. B. Merrill, the husband of his sister Ellen. He also became associated with Mr. Merrill in the ownership of a general store in Barnstead. In 1855 he went to Salmon Falls, where for several years he conducted a brisk and prosperous business in the dry goods trade, from which ill health com- pelled him to retire. At the outbreak of the Re- bellion in 1861; impelled by the same spirit which has put the Hoitts in the front in every war this country has had since they settled in it, hie promptly supported the war measures of President Lincoln, and by voice and example encouraged enlistments for the Union army, ,although he was not in sym- pathy with the new administration, having been a decided and active Democrat. He joined the band of the "Fighting Fifth" Regiment. New Hampshire Volunteers, and followed the fortunes of his com- mand till the close of Mcclellan's peninsula cam- paign, when he was discharged for disabilities re- ceived in that famous retreat, for which he has since received a pension. After leaving the army he engaged in trade for a time at North Berwick, Maine. He next took charge of a business which required him to travel much of the time, and in the transaction of which he traversed a large part of the United States, taking ample time and pains to examine and inform himself as to subjects and places of interest. It was his fortune to be present (n many remarkable occasions, and to witness many

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striking and peculiar occurrences. One of these events he witnessed while traveling on business be- tween the city of Washington and the army. He arrived in the vicinity of Fortress Monroe just in time to be a witness of the destruction of the frigates "Cumberland" and "Congress" by the iron- clad "Merrimac." and the conflict of the following day between the "Merrimac" and the "Monitor.' Mr. Hoitt was the first postal agent between Boston and Portland, Maine. and when others were ap- pointed he was 'made chief. For several years he owned and managed a shoe factory in Lynn, Massachusetts. After passing through many changes, reverses and successes, in 1880, he did what he had long desired to do. returned to his native town, and with two widowed sisters estab- lished a pleasant home at the Parade, on the bank of the Suncook river, where for years he has enjoyed a life of ease and the society of his neighbors amidst the scenes and associations of his boyhood. Mr. Hoitt has been a very active man, and by travel, ob- servation, and study has become a very intelligent and well-informed citizen. Soon after attaining his twenty-first year he became a member of Mount Lebanon Lodge, No. 32, Free and Accepted Masons, of Laconia, New Hampshire, and subsequently joined the Chapter, and St. Paul Commandery of Knights Templars, at Dover, New Hampshire, being one of the early members of St. Paul Commandery, joining in 1858, and is now a Knight Templar de- gree member of that great fraternal organization, in which he has always taken a just pride, and of which he has now been an honored member for fifty-nine years. He is a skillful vocalist and in- strumental musician, and has freely used his talent for the entertainment of his friends, and for the promotion of benevolent objects. For over fifty years he has been a chorister ; he led a well trained choir at Salmon Falls, and until comparatively recent years enjoyed taking a part in the Barn- stead brass band, of which he became a member nearly sixty years ago. In addition to the great amount of travel he performed in his younger years, he has made more extended journeys in recent years, and has visited Cuba and seen and studied the beauties and the prospects of the "pearl of the Antilles." Although now ( 1906) seventy-nine years old. Mr. Hoitt is not an ancient man, but is active and alert, and represented his town in the lower house of the state legislature in 1901-03. The old Congregational Church near his home has always been an object of peculiar regard with Mr. Hoitt and other members of his family, and once it was saved from destruction by his efforts. Extensive improvements have been paid for by him and his sisters. Among these adornments and embellish- ments are windows to the memory of Charlotte (Hoitt) Sanborn, to John S. Hoitt, to Henrietta, to Harriet N. and her husband Deacon Hiram Rand, to Sarah, and to Samuel Freeman, the son of Ellen Hoitt, and her husband, J. B. Merrill. and to Fannie E. Johnson. Thomas L. Hiott married, in Lynn, Massachusetts, April 10, 1871, Martha Seavey, born June 25, 1833. daughter of Rufus Emerson and Eleanor Stacey (Edgecomb) Seavey, of Saco, Maine. Rufus E. Seavey was born in Saco, Maine, December 23, 1795, and died there, Decem- ber 29, 1886, aged ninety-one years. His father was Job Seavey. of Scarboro, who died in 1839. Job married Jennie Burnham, of Marblehead, Massachu- setts. Eleanor Stacey Edgecomb was born in Saco, Maine, September 18, 1797, and died January I, 1882, aged eighty-five. Her father, Elias Edge- comb. of Saco, Maine, died February, 1826. His

wife was Abigail Woodsum, of Buxton, Maine. She was born in 1772 and died in July, 1856, aged eiglity-four. Mr. and Mrs. Hoitt are the parents of one child, a daughter, Henrietta Babson Hoitt, born November 26, 1876. He is a skilled musician both in vocal and instrumental music. and is the organist of the Congregational Church at Barnstead Parade. and a competent teacher of both vocal and instru- mental music.

(IV) Daniel, fifth child and fourth son of Ben- jamin (I) and Hannah ( Pillsbury) Hoitt, was born March 25, 1715, was baptized June 5, 1715, and "owned ye covenant," November 6, 1737. He and his wife were taken into the Salisbury Church, August 26, 1744, and "dismissed to ye Chh. of & at Epping," August 30, 1752. In January, 1743, he bought of his brother Moses ( both then living in Salisbury ) land in Epping, and soon went thither to reside. He and his wife were both members of the church in Epping in . 1755, and Daniel Hoitt is mentioned as a member of the church in 1757. Administration was granted on his estate the same year. He mar- ried, June 24, 1736, Judith Carr (of Carr's Island, in the Merrimack river ). Their children were: Judith, Richard, Benjamin, Daniel, Stephen, Moses and Joshua. (The last named and descendants receive extended mention in this article).

(V) Stephen, fifth child and fourth son of Daniel and Judith ( Carr) Hoitt, was baptized at Epping by Mr. Cutler. He lived in Northwood, New Hamp- shire most of his life, but died in Canada. He served in the revolution. He married ( first), Lydia Bos- well; (second), January 10, 1795, Rachel Piper, of Pembroke, and (third), December 7, 1809, Widow Hannah Clapham, of Lee. The children of Stephen and Lydia (Boswell) Hoitt were: Samuel, Richard Carr, John, Sally, Lydia and Nancy.

( VI) Samuel, eldest child of Stephen and Lydia (Boswell) Hoitt, died May 3, 1819. He moved from Northwood probably to Portsmouth in 1809, to Madbury in 1814, and to Lee in April, 1816. He married Betsey Piper, who outlived him and became the wife of Abraham Batchelder in 1829. The chil- dren of Samuel and Betsey Hoitt were: Gorham W., Alfred, Joseph R. W., Mary E. and William K. A. Captain Gorham W. was sheriff of Strafford county. General Alfred was prominent in legis- lative and military circles in New Hampshire.

(VII) William King Atkinson, fifth child and fourth son of Samuel and Betsey ( Piper ) Hoitt, was born in Madbury, November 7, 1815, and re- sided in Dover. He married, March 30, 1843, Sarah C. Swain.

(VIII ) Judge Charles W., son of William K. A. and Sarah C. (Swain) Hoitt, was born in New Market, New Hampshire, October 26, 1847. He at- tended the public schools of Dover, was fitted for college at Franklin Academy in that city, and by a private tutor, and entered Dartmouth College in 1867, graduating with the class of 1871. Entering the law office of Samuel M. Wheeler, Esq., of Dover. in February, 1872, he read law there until the latter part of the next August, and then went to Nashua as principal of Mt. Pleasant school. There his record as an instructor and a disciplinarian was an enviable one, and he brought an unruly and dilatory school up to the standard in all that was essential to ample success. In 1874 he resigned his position there, and became usher in the Lincoln grammar school in Boston, where he served until October, 1875. He then returned to Nashua and entered upon the study of law in the office of Stevens & Parker. In 1877, at the September term of the supreme court sitting at Nashua, he was admitted t>

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the Hillsboro bar. July 18 of the preceding year hie had been appointed clerk of the Nashua police court, and he continued to hold that position until Oc- tober 1, 1881, when he resigned. In 1885 he was elected city solicitor and re-elected the three follow- ing years. April 25, 1889, he was appointed justice of the Nashua police court, and held that position continuously until he resigned to accept the position of United States district attorney. Judge Hoitt is a well read and successful lawyer, and as a judicial officer his course has been such as to make him a favorite for the position he holds for the past eight- een years. In addition to the positions mentioned which Judge Hoitt has held is that of engrossing clerk of the legislature, which he filled in 1872 and 1873, and clerk of the board of education of Nashua, in which place he served eight years. In the halls of the fraternal and beneficial societies he is well known, and is a member of numerous orders. Ile is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 39, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Meridian Sun Royal Arch Chapter, No. 9; Council No. 8, Royal and Select Masters ; St. George Commandery, Knights Templar; and Edward A. Raymond Consistory, thirty-second de- gree, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, also of Pennichuck Lodge, No. 44, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Indian Head Encampment, No. 20, WVatananock Tribe No. 14, Improved Order of Red Men, in which he has held the office of great sachem of the state; governor of Wentworth Colony, No. 76, of Pilgrim Fathers; Lowell Lodge, No. 87, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Lowell, Massachusetts ; and the City Guard's Veterans Asso- ciation. In religious affiliation he is an Episcopal- ian. He married, January 14, 1875, Harriette Louisa Gilman, who was born in Nashua, October 21, 1853. daughter of Virgil C. and Sarah L. (Newcomb) Gilman, of Nashua. Two children were born of this marriage: Richard Gilman, born November 1, 1875, died October 1, 1880; and Robert Virgil, born November 19, 1882, died August 22, 1889.

(IV) Joseph Hoit, fifth son and sixth child of Benjamin (I) and Hannah ( Pillsbury) Hoyt, was born September 20, 1717, baptized March 19, 1727, died 1718. He was taken into the first Salisbury Church June 27, 1742. Tradition says that he studied medicine a while, but, the physician dying with whom he read, he did not continue his studies further. He afterwards taught school, and also went to sea. He was a stout, heavy man, though not very tall, and was much noted for his strengthi. It is said he carried a barrel of water from the river to his house (in Boscawen) about thirty rods, when he was over sixty years old. He was a soldier in the Indian war, and many stories are still told of his strength and courage. His descendants say, . that while stationed at Saco he was once on a scout below, when his party discovered an Indian. The captain, sergeant, and Joseph immediately started in pursuit, but the latter soon distanced the others, and overtook the Indian. At another time he and his captain were out alone after the cows, when their dog began to bark, and they became aware that a number of Indians were lurking behind the log "where (Major) Sorrel's grave was." The captain, however, frightened them by stouting: "If you see an inch of their heads, put a bullet in!" and the two retreated with their faces to the log, and their guns ready to fire, till it was safe to turn and run towards their encampment. One of the Indians afterwards said to the captain, "Me might kill you and yaller- headed man," meaning Joseph who had light hair. "You out after cows, little ellamoose (dog) say 'ya!

ya! ya!'" "You cowardly dog, you didn't dare to," answered the captain; to which the Indian only re- plied, "Me no orders kill captain." According to the statement of the Indians there were fourteen others with him behind the log. Amos Hoit states that Joseph was one of the rangers under Captain Brad- ford, at Saco, in the French and Indian war, and thinks he was a clerk or orderly sergeant. He was once out with the captain's son, and fell in with a party of Indians, yet they were not harmed, as the captain's son had previously done the Indians a kind- ness. Joseph removed to Boscawen, New Hamp- shire, about September, 1761, and was a deacon of the Congregational Church there. His name heads the "Association Test" from that town, 1776. He married (1) Naomi Smith of Exeter, the intentions of marriage being filled October 17, 1741; and (second), Susanna French, who survived him some eight or ten years. There was one child by the first wife, which died young. Those by the second wife were: Oliver, Susanna, James, Jedediah and Jo- seph. (The last named is mentioned at length, with descendants in this article).

(V) Oliver, oldest child of Joseph and Susanna (French) Hoit, was born November, 1747, baptized November 22, 1747, died in Concord, September 11, 1827, aged eighty. He moved with his father to Boscawen when about thirteen. He married, when eighteen years old, his wife being still younger. In 1772, he removed to "Horse Hill," in the northwest part of Concord, being the first settler in that part of the town. March 7, 1775, the parish of Concord voted to lease him for nine hundred years the eighty acre school lot, he paying six dollars annually ; but this vote was reconsidered March 4, 1777, and the selectmen were "directed to receive of him fioo in full consideration for said lot," the money to be laid out for a town stock of ammunition. In 1785 a part of this powder was used in firing a grand salute in honor of the new-born Dauphin of France. He subscribed to the Test Oath in 1776. He was one of the earliest members of the Baptist Church at Concord. His daughter Rebecca was the first per- son buried in the burying ground at Horse Hill, in 1819. He married (first), Rebecca Gerald, who died in 1808, aged fifty-eight; and ( second), Rhoda Hoit, of Newton, widow of Whittier. The children of Oliver and Rebecca (Gerald) Hoit were: Sus- anna, Moses, Anna, Polly, Phebe, Hannah, James, Joseph, Enoch, Sally, Mehitabel, Ezra and Rebecca.

(VI) Ezra, fifth son and twelfth child of Oliver and Rebecca (Gerald) Hoit, was born in Concord, July 15, 1789, and resided on Horse Hill, West Concord, until his death. He married (first) Abi- gail Ferrin, and (second) Fanny Call. His chil- dren by the first wife were: Betsy, Albert and Isaac F .; and by the second wife: Cyrus G. died young ; Francis F. and Cyrus.

(VII) Francis F., second son and child of Ezra and Fanny (Call) Hoit, was born in Concord, Ile was educated in the common schools, and at different times was farmer, butcher and proprietor of a livery business in Penacook. He was an active and success- ful man. He was a Democrat in politics, and liberal in his religious views. He married Mandy l_ Swain, and they had five children: Elizabeth ( died young), Amanda Livona, residing in Penacook, Mrs. Michael Glenn of Penacook, Jeanette Dimond, Lizzie Jane, wife of Arthur Wilson of Woodsville and Jud son Frank, whose sketch follows.

(VIII) Judson Frank Hoit, youngest child of Francis F. and Mandy L. (Swain) Hoit, was born in Meredith, September 25, 1864, and educated in the schools of Concerd, Webster, and the Lacon.x

1-6

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Academy. He has always been a farmer and owns a fine farm of two hundred acres in East Concord, which he cultivates with profit, and on which he keeps twenty cows to supply a milk route in Con- cord. He attends the Congregational Church, is a Democrat, active in political circles, and has been a member of the school board since 1903; road over- seer since 1900; and police officer since May 17, 1901. August 27, 1889, he married Annie MI. Hoit, daughter of George A. and Addie MI. Hoit of Con- cord. They have three children: Howard Frank, born July 6, 1890; Ethel George, September 25, 1892 ; and Luella Addie, July 2, 1894. One Lewis Judson, died in infancy. Mrs. Hoit is a woman of liberal education, an active worker in the Congregational Church and its societies, and possesses an excellent collections of stamps, coins, ancient crockery and many antiques of various kinds. ( See Hoit. VIII). (V) Joseph (2), fifth child and fourth son of Joseph (I) and Susanna (French) Hoyt. was born July 19, 1761, and died April 17, 1839, aged sixty- eight years. He removed from Boscawen after 1,88 to Horse Hill, Concord, where his son Amos subse- quently lived. He served in the latter part of the Revolution, and was with the traitor, Arnold. The name Joseph Hoit appears on various military rolls of New Hampshire. Joseph Hoit enlisted on or before September 9, 1777, in the militia. "Now rais- ing to joyn General Starke at Bennington," in Cap- tam Sanborn's company, of Colonel McClary's reg- iment, and was discharged November 30, his time of service being two months and twenty-three days. and his wages and travel money amounting to £17 2s 9d. Among the state papers of this period is also found one of which the following is a copy: "State of New Hampshire to the Town of Boscawen, Dr.

· To paying the Travel money of Joseph Hoit, Jere- miah Carter, Nathan Carter, and Dan. Shepard from Boscawen to Springfield, in September, 1781 a 3d per mile, £6 10." He married. April, 1786, Polly Elliot, of Concord, who died December 17, 1839, aged seventy-four. Their children were: Hannah, James, Polly, Benjamin, Martha, Joseph, Amos and Ruth (Amos and descendants are noticed in this article ).

(VI) James, second child and eldest son of Joseph and Polly ( Elliot) Hoit. was born Septem- ber 17, 1788. He owned and operated a blacksmith shop in Concord. He married, March 30, 1818, Nancy Abbott. Their children were: Mary M., Rhoda Ann, James Franklin and Amanda P.

(VII) Mary M., eldest child of James and Nancy ( Abbott) Hoit, was born in December, 1818. and married Gilbert Bullock in 1842. (See Bul- lock. VIII).

(VII ) Rhoda Ann, second daughter and child of James and Nancy ( Abbott ) Hoit, was born in Con- cord, September, 1821, and married, 1841. Stephen Sewall. (See Sewall, 1I).

(VI) Amos, fourth son and seventh child of Joseph and Polly ( Elliot) Hoit, was born February 20, 1800, and lived on his father's homstead at Horse Hill, where he was a prosperous farmer. He mar- ried, April 9, 1822, Betsy Abbott, daughter of Ezra Abbott of Concord. They had a family of nine children: Martha Jane ( wife of Timothy Dow), Rose Anna, Polly Elizabeth (MIrs. John Sawyer), IIarriet Emeline (died in infancy), Sylvester Goin, Sarah Eveline, George Abbott, Ruth Ann Semira ( wife of Daniel Tenney) and Joseph Sullivan.

( VII) George Abbott, second son and seventh child of Amos and Betsy ( Abbott) Hoit, was born on his father's farm in Concord, April 14, 1834, was educated in the public schools, and learned the

trade of stone mason. After working at his trade for a time he carried on the business of butcher, and subsequently bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres in East Concord, where he was profitably engaged in supplying milk to Concord. He is the owner of land at West Yard. In 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Regiment New Hampshire Infantry, and participated in twenty battles; was wounded at New Market Road, Vir- ginia, October 7, 1864. He was promoted from private to first sergeant. He is a member of Wil- liam I. Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Penacook; is a Democrat; has held the office of alderman and member of the council; was six years selectman of ward two, and in 1899 represented his ward in the state legislature. He was married, April 29, 1858, to Adeline Mahala Holmes, who was born January 8, 1840. at Boscawen, daughter of Ezra and Mahala E. (Colby) Holmes. She died March 1, 1892, in East Concord and was buried at Penacook. They had two children-Willis Henry, the elder, born May 1, 1860, resides in East Con- cord. He married Hannah Letitia Horne, and his six children living, namely: Jerome Wilson, Mil- dred Addie, Georgia Alma, Ruth Annie and George Willis (twins) and Leon Wilbarth Sawyer. The sixth, Sarah, died before two years old.

(VIII) Annie M., daughter of George A. and Addie M. ( Holmes) Hoit, was born April 2, 1866, in West Concord, and married Judson F. Hoit (see Hoit. VIII).

(V) Joshua Hoitt, sixth son and seventh and youngest child of Daniel and Judith (Carr) Hoitt, was born in Salisbury. Massachusetts, August 15, 1,50, and baptized in Epping, New Hampshire, by Rev. Mr. Cutler. Joshua followed his two older brothers, Lieutenant Daniel and Stephen, from Salisbury, and settled in Northwood, New Hamp- shire. He purchased the land and mill privilege near the Narrows, upon which he cleared up a farm, erected mills, and operated a grist mill, to the last of his days. He was a man of means and respected by his townsmen. Being a successful mill owner and operator, he was well known, and was called into the public service, and served as select- man from 1792 to 1800. He married Betsy Ger- rish, and they were the parents of three sons and three daughters : Daniel, Paul Gerrish, Polly, Betsy, Judith and Benjamin.

(VI) Daniel, eldest child of Joshua and Betsy (Gerrish) Hoitt, was born in Northwood, October 7, 1783. and died in Rochester. December 23, 1759, aged seventy-six. He was a farmer and lived the most of his life in Northwood, but resided a while in East Rochester before his death. He married (first). December 9, 1809, Rhoda Rawlings; (sec- ond) Nancy Shorey. He died December 23, 1859, aged seventy-six years. His children, all by the first wife, were: Betsey Judith, Joshua, Paul G., Phineas D., Mary R., Dolly A. and Fanny J.

(VII) Joshua (2), third child and eldest son of Daniel and Rhoda ( Rawlings) Hoitt, was born in Northwood, March 30, 1812, and died in North- wood in March, 1901, aged ninety years. He was a cabinet maker by trade, and was known as Joshua Hoitt, Jr., of East Northwood. In August, 1862, he enlisted at the age of fifty, in Company G, Tenth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers, under the command of Captain G. W. Towle, was wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg, December, 1862, con- tinued in the hospital for a time, came home on a furlough, and June 20 following was discharged, and was afterward pensioned. In political faith he was a Democrat. He married, November 16,

George A He vil-

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1836, Theodatha B. Pillsbury, daughter of James Pillsbury. They had eight children : Frances Jane, Betsy Ann, Charles Henry, James William, Mary Elizabeth, Augustus Joshua, Lewis Alfred and John Parker.

(VIII) Charles Henry, son of Joshua (2) and Theodatha B. ( Pillsbury ) Hoitt, was born March 11, 1841, in Nottingham. He enlisted in the navy in 1861, and served on board of the "Brooklyn" at the mouth of the Mississippi. After being dis- charged from that vessel, he returned home, and August 14, 1862, enlisted as a private in Company G, Tenth New Hampshire Volunteers, He was mustered in September 4. 1862, appointed sergeant October 18, 1863, was made first sergeant May 14, 1864, and took part in the battle of Drury's Bluff, Virginia, where he was wounded. He was carried to Point Lookout, Maryland, where he died June 29, 1864. For gallantry in action he was appointed second lieutenant, July 13, 1864, and notice of his death was officially received at the war department, July 20, 1864.

(VIII) James W., son of Joshua (2) and Theodatha B. ( Pillsbury) Hoitt, was born in Not- tingham, October 23, 1842, and enlisted in Company B, Second New Hampshire Volunteers, May 25. 1861, as a private, and was discharged on account of disability July 3, 1861, at Washington, D. C.

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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 23

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