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 25
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(V) Eastman, seventh son and child of Jolin and Mary (Eastman) Hoit, was living in South Hampton in 1765. His name is on the Poplin tax list for 1766-67 and 69; but the records of Hop- kinton state that his oldest child was born at South Hampton, February, 1767, and the second one at Hopkinton, January, 1769. He was probably still living at Hopkinton ill 1791, but removed with his family to Windsor, Vermont, and died in West- moreland, New Hampshire. He married Martha Clough, daughter of Sarah and sister of Theophilus. their children were: Hannah, Sarah, John, Martha. Theophilus, Molly, Richard, Jonathan and Joseph. (VI) Richard, third son and seventh child of Eastman and Martha (Clough) Hoit, was born July 23, 1779, and died September 4, 1852. He was a farmer and moved to Candia, where he built a large house which is still standing. It is said that the frame of this house was made and erected by a neighbor, who received as payment for his work a colt valued at twenty dollars. Mr. Hoit was a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics a Democrat; was prominent in town affairs, and is said to have filled nearly all the town offices. He married (first) Rhoda Merrill, June 16, 1803; and (second), 1812, Margaret Wilson, daughter of Colonel Wilson, one of the pioneer settlers of Candia. His children, all by the second wife, were: Rhoda, Mercy. Margaret W., William, Sarah J .. Lorenzo and Ariann.
(VII) Lorenzo, second son and sixth child of
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Richard and Margaret (Wilson) Hoit, born in Candia, March 30, 1824, was educated in the com- mon schools, and engaged in farming with his father. In early life he bought a house in Sun- cook, where he died January, 1896. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. He was a Republican, took an interest in public affairs and filled town offices. He married, 1850, Mary Ann Maria Bartlett, born in Epsom, died in Bedford, April, 1903, and they had four children: Mason R., John Dayton, Abbie, and Henry W., whose sketcli follows.
(VIII) Henry Wilson, youngest child of Lor- enzo and Mary A. M. (Bartlett) Hoit, was born in Candia, June 8, 1868, and educated in the dis- trict schools and the Candia high school. He sulc- ceeded his father on the homestead, which he car- ried on several years and then sold; he removed to Bedford in 1898 and bought a farm where he now lives. He is a farmer and a dealer in horses and cattle, and keeps a herd of milch cows. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of auditor two terms. He is also a member of the Methodist Church, and is a member of Oak Hill Lodge, No. 97, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has been an officer. He married (first), May 27, 1892, Myrtle Colby, born in Boston, Massachu- setts, daugliter of George and Anne (Wilson) Colby, of Candia. She died May 8, 1901, and he married ( second), August 2, 1903, Emma McGibbon, dauglı- ter of William and Katherine (Burns) McGibbon, of northern New York. There is one child by the first wife, Elsie Vilena, born June 20, 1895.
BICKFORD This is one of the oldest New Eng- land families which has been lo- cated from the beginning within the limits of New Hampshire, and has been honor- ably identified with the progress of the state in its material and moral development from shortly after the first settlement to the present time.
(I) John Bickford, born in England, was liv- ing at Oyster River, in Dover, New Hampshire, as early as July 17, 1645, on which day "Darbey Field of Oyster River, in the River of Piscataquay, county of Norfolk, planter," sold Jolin Bickford his dwelling house at Oyster River, then "in the tenure of the said Bickford," with a lot of five or six acres adjoining on the land towards the creek on the side towards Little Bay, except the strip on said creek in possession of Thomas Willey. On June 23, 1684, John Bickford, with the consent of
his "wife Temperance," conveyed to his son, Thomas, "all his house lands lying at ye poynt of Oyster River." After selling or rather presenting this land to his son, John Bickford went to New- ington Shore, where he owned several tracts of land, one near Bloody Point, one at Fox Point and the third one along the point where he established himself. His children and grandchildren intermar- ried with the chief families of Newington, Harri- sons, Dowings, Knights, Pickerins, Coes, Furbers and others. His wife's name of Temperance was perpetuated by her descendants through many gen- erations. They were probably the parents of John Bickford, who is mentioned at length this article.
(II) Captain Thomas, son of John and Tem- perance Bickford, was born 1656, in Dover, and lived and died in that town.
(III) Joseph Bickford was born 1696, in Dover, and lived and died in that town, where he was a farmer. He married Alice Edgerly.
(IV) Ephraim, son of Joseph and Alice
(Edgerly) Bickford, was born 1743, in Dover, and was a farmer in that town, where he died May 31, 1783. He was married, March 22, 1772. to Sarah Bickford. He lived at Durham Point and maintained a garrison there, which was success- fully defended against an attack of the Indians in 1694, at the time when so many other garrisons were destroyed. Ile was alone at the time accord- ing to the provincial papers, and later soldiers were quartered there by the provincial government. Dur- ing the attack in 1794 he had sent his family off by water, and remamed to defend the place or die in the attempt. He shouted forth his commands as though he had a squad of soldiers, and presented himself every few moments in a change of uniform to appear like another man, and blazed away at the enemy, wounding some of their number. This ruse so effectually deceived them, that they speedily gave up the attempt to destroy the garrison, apparently so well manned. The children of Ephraim and Sarah Bickford were: Aaron, Deborah, Joseph, Ephraim, Susanna and Thomas.
(V) Thomas, son of Ephraim and Saralı ( Bick- ford) Bickford, was born August 8, 1791, in Dover, and lived in that town. He was a farmer by oc- cupation, and died October 9, 1865. He was one of the reputable citizens of Dover. He was married, 1816, to Olive Ann Estes.
(VI) Dr. Alphonsus Bickford, son of Thomas and Ann (Estes) Bickford, was born in IS17, in Dover, and continued to reside in that town through his life, dying December 31, 1869. He was educated in the common schools of the town and Franklin Academy, and read medicine with Dr. George Kittredge, of Dover. He graduated in 1837 from Bowdoin Medical College, and began practice at once in Durham. In 1848 he moved to Dover, and very soon entered upon an extensive practice which continued until his death from consumption. He was very skillful and successful, and stood at the head of his profession in Dover, being at the same time popular with all classes. In 1860 he was elected mayor of Dover, and entered upon his duties the following January. By re-election he served a second term. During his incumbency in that office the great civil war began, and on April 15, 1861, Mayor Bickford called a public meeting of the citizens to see what should be done. The meeting was held in the court room in the city building, and was crowded to overflowing. The leading men of both parties were present, and Mayor Bickford made a patriotic address, urging im- mediate action in aid of the president in his pur- poses to suppress rebellion. Ten vice-presidents were elected from among the leaders of both the Republican and Democratic parties, and patriotic resolutions were unanimously adopted, pledging sup port to President Lincoln. A committee was ap- pointed to raise volunteers, and George W. Col- bath, who enlisted at this time, was the first volun- teer from the state of New Hampshire. In a very short time a company of one hundred men was ready to march to Concord to be mustered into the service. Within three days Mayor Bickford had a meeting of the city council called to ratify the plans made, and at its suggestion an appropriation of ten thousand dollars was made to aid the families of any volunteers who might be in need while their heads were at the front in defense of their country. In less than a week the committee had enough names for a second company of volun- teers. The mayor continued in vigorous support of any war measures that were necessary through- out his term of office. When the difficult matter of
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city finances were to be handled after the war, Dr. Bickford was elected alderman and served in 1866-67, aiding very much by his experience and judgment in solving these matters. He was popular with his fellow physicians as well as with the general public. He was a fellow of the New Hamp- shire Medical Society and a member of the Straf- ford District Medical Society, of which he was presi- dent at the time of his death. He was married, May 29, 1839, to Mary Johanna Smith, and their children were: Mary Ellen, Elizabeth and Frances.
(VII) Frances, youngest daughter of Dr. Al- phonsus and Mary J. (Smith) Bickford, born February 14, 1850, was married October IS, 1870, to Elisha Rhodes Brown (see Brown, VIII).
BICKFORD Among the proprietors of Roches- ter, 1722, was John Bickford, who was a whole-share proprietor; and Jethro Bickford, who was a half-share proprietor ; and another John Bickford, a half-share proprietor. These Johns were probably father and son.
(II) John (2) and Elizabeth Bickford were living in Dover, New Hampshire, and were the parents of the following children, born from 1692 to 1705: Martha, Thomas, John, Henry and Jo- seplı.
(III) John (3) Bickford was born March 10, 1698, and was a prominent citizen of Rochester. Jolın Bickford was proprietors' selectman in 1732-42- 50, town selectman, 1737-38-43-45-50-52-53-55-59, and clerk 1738-43-46-47. October
1751 "pro prietors appointed Walter Bryant, John Bickford, and John Leighton "to lay out all the lands above the second division." He was also prominent in church matters as early as 1734.
(IV) John (4), son of John (3) Bickford, born March 10, 1048, was town clerk of Rochester 1745-52-55.
(V) Jethro was the son of John (4) Bick- ford.
(VI) Jethro (2), a son of Jethro (1) Bick- ford, was born and died in Rochester, where he was a farmer. He had two children : John and Isaac.
(VII) John (5), son of Jethro (2) Bickford, was. born January 4, 1702, and died November 15, 1827. He was a life-long farmer. His wife's name is not known. He had nine children: James and Isaac (twins), Ezra, Hannah and Elizabeth (twins), Patience, Mary, John and Abigail.
(VIII) John (6), eighth child and fourth son of Jolın (5) Bickford, was born in Rochester, De- cember 22, 1814, and died February 10, 1901, aged eighty-seven. The place of his birth was the farm settled by his father in 1798, on the road whichi from its width was called the ten-rod road. There he resided during his entire life. In politics he was a Democrat, and served as selectman for several years. He married Hannah M. Demeritt, born January 19, 1820, died December 2, 1892, daughter of Mark and Abigail (Leighton) Demeritt. Of this marriage were born five children : Charles W., Daniel C., John H .. Herbert F., and Edwin R.
(IX) Charles Woodbury, eldest child of John (4) and Hannah M. (Demeritt) Bickford, was born in Rochester, January 20, 1843. He was edu- cated in the public schools, Lebanon Academy, wolf- boro Academy, and Eastmans Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York, teaching during vaca- tions. In 1866 he took the position of night clerk in the Morton House. corner of Fourteenth street and Broadway, New York, where he was employed two years. Returning to Rochester he became a partner in the firm of W. B. K. Hodgdon & Com-
pany, and remained there until IS71, when the estab- lishment was burned. From there he went to Bos- ton and was steward of the Evans House seven and one-half years; and subsequently of the United States Hotel of Boston one year. He then managed the Ottawa House in Portland, Maine, one year, and the Narragansett Hotel, Providence, Rhode Island, three years. He was then successively stew- ard of Willard's Hotel, Washington, D. C., five years; the Ocean View House, Block Island; and the Boston Tavern, two years. In 1890 he opened the Hotel Champlain, at Plattsburg, on Lake Cham- plain, for O. D. Seavey, and was steward for both the following four years, and at the Ponce De Leon, Florida, winters. In May, 1894, he gave up this position to become postmaster of Rochester under the second Cleveland administration. In 1898 his term as postmaster expired and he returned to the employ of Mr. Seavey, and was employed as stew- ard of the Magnolia Springs Hotel, Florida, where he remained three seasons, and then went to Au- sable Chasin, where he remained five years as general manager of the Hotel Ausable. In the summer of 1907 he was manager of the Masconomo Hotel at Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.
In 1903, at the earnest request of his friends, he returned to Rochester a second time and was nominated for mayor, and at the election following received all the votes cast but one. He was sub- sequently twice elected to that office. While he was mayor the public library and central fire sta- tion were built, and the plans were made and the contract let for the construction of the new city hall. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party until the nomination of Bryan in 1896. Since that time he has been identified with the Republican party. He was town clerk of Rochester 1870-71, member of the common council of Rochester 1896- 97-98, and chairman of the board of supervisors six years. In 1869-70-71 he was chief engineer of the Rochester fire department, and in his honor the new chemical engine was named the C. W. Bickford. He was initiated into the mysteries of Free Masonry by Charter Oak Lodge, Effingham, New Hampshire, at the age of twenty-one, in 1864. Since that time he has been accepted into the fol- lowing bodies of the order: Temple Royal Arch Chapter ; Orient Council, Royal and Select Masters ; Palestine Commandery, Knights Templar ; and Aleppo Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston, Massachu- setts.
He married (first), May 28, 1868, in Rochester, Mary Louise Henderson, who was born in Roches- ter, May 3, 1842, and died December 1I, 1903, dauglı- ter of Charles and Mary (Tibbetts) Henderson, of Rochester ; second, July 9, 1906, Frances Hussey, born July 14, 1862, daughter of George D. and Mary (Foss) Hussey, of Rochester.
(V) Wilmot Bickford was born in Dover, Att- gust 24, 1771, and settled in Wolfboro, New Hamp- shire, where he died. His children were: William; Farzina; John Wilmot, see forward; Sarah ; Han- nah; Alva and Horace.
(VI) John Wilmot, second son and third child of Wilmot Bickford, was born in Wolfboro. New Hampshire, April 4, 1803, and died July, 1891. He was a farmer by occupation, and by hard work and good management secured a competency and spent the last years of his life in comfortable retirement. He married Abra Lord, born in 1801, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Lord, of Lebanon, Maine. She died in 1880. They had three children: Wilmot J., Mary and John Calvin.
(VII) Jolin Calvin, second son and third and
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Janus D'Bickford
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youngest child of John Wilmot and Abra (Lord) Bickford, was born in Wolfboro, New Hampshire, December 18, 1842. He grew up on the farm of his father and was educated in the common schools and at the academy of his native town. At the age of twenty years he accepted a clerkship in the business of his brother, Wilmot J., who carried on a store in Ossipee. Shortly afterward, 1862, Wilmot J. dicd, and John Calvin assumed sole control of the business, which be carried on until 1868. He was ap- pointed postmaster of Ossipee, and filled that office from 1862 until 1864. He engaged in business as a solicitor for the Massachusetts Life Insurance Company, in Dover in 1868, and continued in the life insurance business until September, 1871, when he removed to Manchester and took charge of a crew of men engaged in the construction of asphalt roofs. While thus employed, in June, 1872, he fell and was seriously injured, and as a result of this accident resigned his position. He was ap- pointed a gauger in the United States Internal Revenue service in 1874, and held that office for two years, when it was abolished. While still en- gaged in the last named office he commenced the study of law which he completed in the office of Sulloway & Topliff, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1877. The following month he was ap- pointed a clerk of the police court of Manchester, and retains the place at the present (1907) time. He is a Republican and has taken an active part in political matters. For a time he filled the office of moderator in the Fourth ward; was elected to the house of representatives in 1881, and was a member of the committee on the revision of statutes; in 1900 he was chairman of the house committee ; was re-elected in 1900; was elected to the state senate in 1903 and was chairman of the judiciary committee; for six years was chairman of the board of health of Manchester. Mr. Bickford was made a Mason in 1864, in Charter Oak Lodge, No. 58, Free and Accepted Masons of Eppingham, and was later its worshipful master; one year later he be- came a charter member of Ossipee Valley Lodge, No. 74, and served as worshipful master for a period of five years. After settling in Manchester he be- came a member of Washington Lodge, No. 61. He is also a member of Mount Horeb Royal Arch Chap- ter, No. II; and of Adoniram Council, No. 3. He joined the Ancient Order of United Workmen in 1883, has filled all the chairs of the subordinate lodge and was a delegate to the grand lodge in Helena, Montana, in 1892. He served as councilman in the supreme lodge until 1887, when, at the ses- sion in Milwaukee, he was elected supreme over- seer; the following year, supreme freeman; the next year, supreme master workman; since retiring from this office he has served continuously as a member of the committee of arbitration. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Golden Cross Society, The Royal Arcanum and the Derry- field Club. Mr. Bickford married (first), Janu- ary 20, 1863, Pamelia S. Thurston, died 1878, daugh- ter of Isaac and Maria (Dodge) Thurston, of Os- sipee. They had one son, Charles Wilmot, see forward. He married (second), 1880. Emma S. Fitts, daughter of Benjamin and Clymena (Green) Fitts, of Manchester. The former died in 1854, a victim of cholera, wltile engaged in nursing those stricken with that disease. Mrs. Bickford is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, the Audubon Society, the Woman's Federation, and other organ- izations for the promotion of human welfare. She is also a member of the Degree of Honor, and for a period of ten years was treasurer of the largest branch of this order.
(VIII) Charles Wilmot, only child of John Calvin and Pamelia (Thurston) Bickford, was born in Ossipee, December 20, 1865. His early education was received in the common schools, and he was prepared for college at the Manchester high school. He entered Dartmouth College in IS83, and was graduated from that institution in the class of 1887. Immediately following his gradu- ation he entered upon the profession of teaching and was successfully engaged in this at Meredith and Raymond. ' He went to Manchester in 1800 and continued in his calling in the schools of that city until 1900, when he was elected superintendent of schools, in which office he has since that time served. Through his efforts the efficiency of the schools has been greatly increased from year to year. He is widely known in this and adjoining states as an educator, and as such has responded to many invitations for papers and lectures on edu- cational subjects in various parts of the United States, as far west as Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Bick- ford is a member of the National Educational As- sociation, the American Institute of Instruction, and various local educational bodies. He is an attend- ant at the Congregational Church and has been a teacher of the Sunday-school connected with that institution. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of the following orders: Mount Washington Lodge, No. 61, in which he has passed all the chairs and is now past master ; Mount Horeb Royal Arch Chapter, No. 11; Adoniram Council, No. 3, also passed all the chairs and is now an officer of the Grand Council; Royal and Select Masters; Trinity Commandery, Knights Templar ; Edward A. Raymond Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret; Golden Cross Society; and the Deerfield Club. He married, July 19, 1893, Anna Maude Sleeper, daughter of Levi H. and Susan S. (Sampson) Sleeper, of Manchester.
(1) Thomas Bickford settled on Putney Hill in Hopkinton, and later served as a soldier under Colonel John Stark in the expedition against Ti- conderoga. He had four sons, Samuel, John, Jo- seph and Thomas.
(Il) Joseph, third son of Thomas Bickford, served a seven year apprenticeship at the carpen- ter's trade in Salem, Massachusetts. He was very skillful, and was the first man to use an edgetool in the construction of the New Hampshire state capitol building, at Concord. Some time after the completion of the capitol he removed to Hillsboro and settled in the north part of the town, where lic continued to work at his trade, and built sev- eral houses, and the church at Francestown. The last year of his life he spent working as a wheel- wright. He married Sallie Doak, of Marblehead, Massachusetts, the daughter of a naval officer. They had three children barn on Putney Hill in Hopkin- ton, two of whom were twins and survived their infancy. They were James D. and Eliza Fosdick.
(III) James Doak, son of Joseph and Sallie (Doak) Bickford, was born in Hopkinton, Febru- ary 15, 1811, and died near Hillsboro Upper Vil- lage, April 1, 1905. He first lived at Hillsboro Upper Village, and later bought what is known as the old David Goodell farm, a pleasantly situated place near the Upper Village, where he resided until his death. He was a gifted musician, both instrumental and vocal, and taught singing school for years. He played in his church and led the choir for thirty years. April 26, 1828, he became a member of the Hillsboro Instrumental Music Band, which was incorporated by act of the legis- lature under this name in 1825. He married, Oc-
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tober 1, 1835, Elizabeth Ann Conn, who was born in Hillsboro, October 16, 1816, daughter of William and Sally ( Priest) Conn. They had three children : I. Sarah Fuller, born June 25, 1838. She grew up on the farm and was educated in the town schools, Tubbs Union Academy, Washington, New Hamp- shire, Francestown Academy, Francestown and David Crosby's Academy, Nashua, New Hampshire. Later graduating from Worthington and Warner's Commercial College, of Concord, New Hampshire. She taught penmanship in a number of the leading select schools in the vicinity of Boston for some years, and was located in the city of Boston for ten years, where she conducted her own' school (Madam Hafey's Writing Academy). She married, February 25, 1879, Charles M. Hafey, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and educated at Chickering Academy, Cincinnati ; Groton, Massachusetts, White Plains, New York, and graduated at Columbia Law School New York City. They had one child, Frank B., who died young. 2. John Willard, born December 10, 1841. He grew up on his father's farm, attended the common schools and the Henniker and Francestown acade- mies. He taught school for a number of years, and read law in the office of F. M. Blood, of Hills- borough. He entered the law department of Har- vard, and while a student there was drowned, June 26, 1866. Th law class was suspended to assist in searching for the body. 3. Frank James, next men- tioned.
(IV) Frank James, youngest child of James D. and Elizabeth A. (Conn) Bickford, was born in Hillsboro, January 27, 1849. He grew up a farmer boy, and attended the public schools of Hillsboro, where he acquired primary education which he sup- plemented with higher instruction at the academies of Henniker and Francestown. Ile taught school about Hillsboro for several winters, and assisted his father on the farm the remainder of the year. Since giving up teaching he has devoted all his attentions to farming, living on the place which his father formerly owned. This is one of the largest farms in Hillsborough county, and contains one hundred and thirty-five acres of land which Mr. Bickford cultivates with skill and profit. There is also about five hundred acres of pasture land. In addition to the usual routine work of farming he deals in cattle, and not infrequently has from forty to sixty head of neat stock on his place. Mr. Bick- ford is an intelligent, energetic and prosperous farmer, who is widely known and highly respected. He is a Democrat, but confined his efforts in politics to voting and occasionally working to elect the best man to office. He has served on the school board for eleven years.
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