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 30
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J. Sawyer. At the end of two years Francis A. Sawyer, another brother, took the place of Zenas, and the name of the firm became F. A. & J. Sawyer. Until 1858 the flannel manufacture was carried on in a woolen mill erected in 1832, but in that year a structure near the old one, known as the Moses mill, was bought, and in 1860 enlarged to a four-set mill, in 1863 eight sets, and in 1882 sixteen sets. The old mill was used until 1872, and then a new build- ing for forty sets of cards was erected. In 1866 the company began to sell its own goods.
Jonathan Sawyer, with his enterprise, skill and executive ability, was the principal factor in success- fully establishing the Sawyer Mills and carrying them through the trying experiences encountered by the textile manufacturers.in his time. He was far- sighted, prudent, provident, cautious, untiring in his activity, and withal a man of sterling integrity whose personality lent stability to any enterprise with which he was connected. His relations with his employes were such as a sense of justice and fair dealing demanded. He fully understood and acted on the principle that the laborer is worthy of his hire ; and at the same time lie demanded competency, faith- fulness, and a fair day's work from every one in his employ. He exemplified in an eminent degree the theory of a square deal. In the accumulation of money he was successful, and in the disposal of it he was not only just, but charitable. He regarded his prosperity as a means for helping others, and gave to the needy and distressed with a generous hand. In all that concerned the public welfare he was an interested partaker, but he had no time for and no interest in politics beyond a care for the per- petuity of our free institutions in their purity. Offices and honor were offered him, but always de- clined. He did no believe in human bondage, was an early supporter of the antislavery movement, and at a later date was one of the founders of the Free Soil party. After the organization of the Republican party he was one of its strongest supporters. He loved books, and his conversation showed an unusual breadth of reading in science, history and politics.
Jonathan Sawyer married. in Barnard. Vermont, June 25, 1839, Martha Perkins, daughter of Cyrus and Martha (Childs) Perkins, of Barnard, Ver- mont. The children of this union are: Charles H., Mary Elizabeth, Francis Asbury, Roswell Douglas, Martha Frances, Alice May and Frederick Jonathan. Charles H., is the subject of the next section of this article. Mary E., died unmarried, in 1899. Francis A., married Emma K. Smith, daughter of Hon. Perry Smith, of Chicago, and died in 1889. Roswell D., artist, married Edwina Dean Lowe, of St. Louis, Missouri, and died in Rome, 1894. Martha F., mar- ried W. S. Bradley, of Fairfield, Vermont, now at Dover. Alice M., married Dr. Frederick W. Payne, of Boston. Frederick J., married Isabella Dootsen, and died in 1902, at New Bedford. Massachusetts.
(VII) Hon. Charles Henry Sawyer, eldest child of Jonathan and Martha (Perkins) Sawyer, was born in Watertown, New York, March 30, 1840. He was educated in the public schools of Watertown, New York, and Dover, New Hampshire, the removal of his father and family to the latter place having been made in 1849, when Charles H. was about nine years old. When seventeen years of age he entered the Sawyer Mills as an ordinary operative to learn the business of flannel making in its different branches, acquiring a thoroughi knowledge of all the processes through which the material passes from the raw state to the finished product. At twenty- six he was made superintendent of the mills, at the time when the company was extending its sphere of
operations and adapting its machinery to the manu- facture of a high grade of woolens for men's wear, and upon the incorporation in 1873 was made agent. and from 1881 to 1898 was president of the company.
At an early age Mr. Sawyer's ability and posi- tion made him conspicuous and an available party leader. He was offered, accepted and was elected to seats in both branches of the city council of Dover, and in 1869-70, and again in 1876-77, he was elected to the lower house of the New Hampshire legisla- ture, where he served his constituency in such a manner as to secure their hearty approval and at- tract the attention of the state. He was appointed on the staff of Governor Charles H. Bell, in 18SI, and was a delegate to the National Republican Con- vention held in Chicago, 1884, when James G. Blaine was nominated for the presidency. Though a polit- ical career was not the course Mr. Sawyer had started out in life to pursue, circumstances had made opportunities for him, and his service in public life had been such as to make him conspicuous among the Republicans of the state as an available and sagacious leader, and in 1886 he was nominated for governor by nearly a three-fourths vote of the delegates to the gubernatorial convention. There was no choice by the people and the legislature elected him. During his term of office various cen- tennial celebrations were held which he, as the ex- ecutive head of the state, attended. Notably among these was the centennial celebration of the promul- gation of the Constitution of the United States, held at Philadelphia ; the centennial celebration of the inauguration of President Washington in New York. and the laying of the corner stone of the Bennington Monument at Bennington, Vermont.
During Governor Sawyer's term of office arose the memorable struggle over the "Hazen Bill," a measure designed to facilitate the leasing of certain railroads. One powerful railroad corporation cham- pioned the bill, another opposed it, and arrayed on one or the other of the sides were all the politi- cians in the state, and much feeling was displayed. It was proved by testimony given before a legis- lative committee that questionable methods had been used both for and against the measure. In view of these facts when the bill reached the governor he vetoed it, not basing his action upon any objections to its intrinsic merits. but upon the unfair methods ntsed in support of it, and active on the principle which prompts courts of justice to refuse to help either of the parties to an illegal proceeding; the court refused "not for the sake of the defendant, but because they will not lend their aid to such a plaintiff." The governor in summing up his objec- tions to justify his refusal and express his dis- approval of the methods of the parties said in his veto message: "The most effectual way to check such practices is to have it understood that no bill attempted to be passed by such means can become a law. When the promotors of a measure see fit to offer bribes to members, they cannot be allowed to excuse themselves on the ground that their offers were not accepted. If it comes to be under- stood that successful attempts of this nature will not imperil the passage of a bill, such offers will become much more frequent. If the offer is ac- cepted, neither party will be likely to disclose the fact. If it is rejected, it is, in this view, to be con- sidered of no consequence, and hence no harm could be done to the prospects of the bill. The bare statement of such a doctrine is its best answer." This courageous, wise and patriotic stand in favor of legislative purity taken by the governor was worthy of the commendation of every fair-minded
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person in the state; but instead of approbation it drew a storm of denunciation from certain sources, especially from newspapers retained to advocate the passage of the bill.
Governor Sawyer has been connected with many business enterprises, both in Dover and in other places, and in most of them he has been a leading member: He is an attendant of the First Church in Dover (Congregational). and is a prompt and generous giver whenever it needs financial support. Since 1865 he has been a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, has been twice master of Strafford Lodge, No. 29, Free and Accepted Masons, of Dover, and is also a member of Belknap Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, No. 8, of Orphan Council, No. I, Royal and Select Masters, and of St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he was for inany years eminent commander.
Mr. Sawyer married, in Dover, February S, 1865, Susan Ellen Cowan, daughter of Dr. James WV. and Elizabeth (Hodgdon) Cowan, of Dover. Their chil- dren are: William Davis, Charles Francis, James Cowan, Edward and Elizabeth Coffin.
(VIII) William Davis, eldest son of Charles H. and Susan Ellen (Cowan) Sawyer, was born No- vember 22, 1866. He was educated at Phillips Academy, Andover, and was graduated from Vale College, class of 1889. He was connected with the Sawyer Mills until 1899, when they were acquired by the American Woolen Company. He was a mem- ber of the Republican State Committee of New Hampshire, 1890-99, and delegate to Republican National Convention at St. Louis in 1896. Re- ceived degree LL. B. from New York Law School and admitted to New York bar, 1901. Corpora- tion counsel, City of New Rochelle, New York, 1903. In general practice of law at 26 Liberty street, New York City. Member of New Hampshire Society, of the Cincinnati, Colonial Wars, secretary of New Hampshire Society of New York. Member Uni- versity, Republican and Yale Clubs of New York City and Republican Club of New Rochelle, of which latter he has been president.
He married, November 12, 1890, Susan Gertrude Hall, daughter of Hon. Joshua G. Hall, of Dover (see Hall), and has children: Jonathan. born Au- gust 21, 1891; Elizabeth Bigelow, born January 24, 1898.
(VIII) Charles Francis, second son and child of Hon. Charles H. and Susan E. (Cowan) Sawyer, was born in Dover, January 16, 1869. He obtained his education in the public schools of Dover, at Phillips Academy, Andover, and in Vale College, where he took a course in the Sheffield Scientific School. Immediately after leaving college he en- tered the Sawyer Woolen Mills, where he was em- ployed in subordinate positions until 1895, when he was appointed general superintendent, which po- sition he held until 1899. The mills were then sold to the American Woolen Company, and Mr. Sawyer was appointed resident agent, and he has ever since filled that place. He is a staunch Republican, and as a member of that party has served in both branches of the city government. In 1899 he became a member of the state militia, was lieutenant and later captain on the First Brigade staff, holding the latter office until 1895, when he resigned. He was made a Mason in 1890, and is now a member of Moses Paul Lodge, No. 96, Belknap Royal Arch Chapter, No. 8, Orphan Council, No. 1. Royal and Select Masters, St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templar, all of Dover, and is a thirty-second degree Mason, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Con- sistory of New Hampshire.
He married, in Honolulu. January 26, 1895, Ger- trude Child Severance, daughter of Hon. Henry W. and Hannah (Child) Severance, of San Francisco.
(VIII) James Cowan, third son of Hou. Charles H. and Susan E. (Cowan) Sawyer, was born March 30, 1872. Educated at Phillips Academy, Andover, and graduated from Yale in 1894. Is treasurer of Phillips Academy, at Andover, Massachusetts, and is a director of the Andover National Bank and the Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
He married, June 10, 1897, Mary Pepperrell Frost, daughter of George S. Frost. Their children are: George Frost, born June 25, 1902, and Charles Henry, born October 20, 1906.
(VIII) Edward, fourth son of Hou. Charles H. and Susan E. (Cowan) Sawyer, was born July 24, 1874, educated at Andover and graduated from Yale in 1898. Is president and treasurer of the Atlantic Insulated Wire & Cable Company, operating a large plant at Stamford, Connecticut. Member of Uni- versity and Yale Clubs of New York City, and Su- burban and Stamford Yacht Clubs of Stamford. Connecticut.
He married, April 28, 1906, Leslie, daughter of the late Phineas Sprague Tobey, of Boston.
(VIII) Elizabeth Coffin Sawyer, born March S. 1880, lives at home. She was educated at Mrs. Stearns' School, Amherst, Massachusetts, and is corresponding secretary of the Colonial Dames of New Hampshire.
(V) William, probably son of Caleb (2) and Betsey (Townsend) Sawyer, born in Boxborough, Massachusetts, in 1772, was a farmer and cooper by occupation. He moved to Bethlehem, New Hamp- shire, where he lived till his death which occurred in 1859, when he was eighty-seven years old. He married Dolly Burt, daughter of Simeon and Mary (Clark) Burt, born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, December 14, 1781. died in Bethlehem, New Hamp- shire, April 17, 1844. They were the parents of eight children.
(VI) Eli Davis, son of William and Dolly (Burt) Sawyer, was born in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, June 4, 1815, and died November 29, 1905. In I854 he went to live at Littleton, New Hampshire, and was a hotel keeper there for many years. He was a Democrat and took a prominent part in political affairs. August 9, 1845, he was appointed pay- master of the Thirty-second Regiment. New Hamp- shire militia. He was elected selectman in 1863 and re-elected the three years next following. He mar- ried, December 19, 1848, Sarah Oakes Pierce, daugh- ter of John and Rebecca (Cushman) Pierce, born in Bethlehem, February 22,, -1830. She was a descend- ant of the famous Robert Cushman, who preached the first sermon in Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1620. There were six children of this marriage: Elmah G., born November, 1849, died October 12, 1850; John Pierce, October 12, 1851 ; Frank Pierce, June 28, 1854, died in Littleton, February 6, 1855: Hat- tie Grace, October 30, 1857; Charles Martin Tuttle ; and William Henry. The three older children were born in Bethlehem and the others in Littleton.
(VII) Charles Martin Tuttle, son of Eli Davis and Sarah Oakes ( Pierce) Sawyer, was born Feh- ruary 18, 1865, was educated in the public schools of Littleton, studied law with W. W. Haralson and Luke Moore, was admitted to practice law in De- kalb county. Alabama, February 9, 1896, and has since that date been practicing his profession at Fort Payne, Alabama, where he has been a member of the city council for two years. He is fraternally a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and in politics a Demo- crat. Ile married. September 30, 1888, Annie Frances
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Harper, and they have two children : Sarahı Pierce and Hattie Grace.
(VII) William Henry, youngest child of Eli Davis and Sarah Oakes (Pierce) Sawyer, was born in Littleton, August 18, 1867. His literary edu- cation was obtained in the public schools of Little- ton. He studied law in the office of Bingham, Mitchell & Batchellor. Graduated from the law department of Boston University in 1890, and was admitted to the bar of New Hampshire July 25th of the same year. He opened an office in Concord soon after and has since practiced there. From 1898 to 1905 he was associated in business with Joseph S. Matthews. Mr. Sawyer's attention takes a broader range than that which comes within the mere practice of the law. He looks to general principles and the results of litigation. Along these lines was the address he delivered in 1895 before the Grafton and Coos Bar Association, entitled "Historical Review of the Legislation of New Hamp- shire, regulating the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors," which attracted considerable attention among the lawyers at that time. Mr. Sawyer is a Democrat, and a member of Capital Grange, No. 113, Patrons of Husbandry. He has been a member of the South Congregational Church of Concord many years, and has been superintendent of its Sunday school. He married, November 18, 1891, Carrie Blanche Lane, daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Julia (Farr) Lane, born in Littleton, April 6, 1867. They have four children: Howard Pierce, born August 13, 1892; Helen Lane, March 13, 1895; Marion Farr, July 22, 1896; Robert Cushman, March 13, 1899.
SAWYER The branch of the large family of Sawyer mentioned in this article is descended from an early settler in western New Hampshire, but the defective records of the towns where the family lived in Revolutionary times have not furnished data to connect it with other branches.
(I) Ephraim Sawyer was a non-commissioned officer in the Revolutionary war. He appears as sergeant on the pay roll of the second company in Colonel Ashley's regiment of militia, which company marched from Westmoreland, Chesterfield and Hins- dale to Ticonderoga on the alarm of May 8, 1777, Waitstill Scott, captain; time of service one month and ten days. He was an ensign in Captain John Cole's company in Colonel Ashley's regiment of militia, which company marched from Westmore- land (on the alarm, June 28, 1777), and according . to the pay roll served thirteen days. He was a sergeant in Captain Kimball Carlton's company, in Colonel Moses Nichols regiment and General Starks brigade of New Hampshire militia, which company marched from Chesterfield and towns adjacent, July 22, 1777, and served two months and two days; all of which appears on the pay roll. His name is also on the list of soldiers raised by the state of New Hampshire to fill up the Continental army in 1779. He enlisted July 6, 1779, for one year ; was engaged from the town of Westmoreland; and served in the Sixth Regiment of militia. The muster and pay roll of officers and men belonging to Colonel Samuel Ashley's regiment of militia in the state of New Hampshire, who marched from the county of Ches- shire on the requisition of Major-General Gates to re-inforce the army at Ticonderoga, contains his name; it gives him the title of corporal, and states that he was engaged October 21, and returned No- vember 16, 1776, service twenty-six days.
(II) Rev. Ephraim (2), son of Ephraim (1) Sawyer, was a minister of the gospel of the Metho-
dist denomination. He moved to Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, where he spent the latter part of his life.
(III) John, son of Rev. Ephraim Sawyer, was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, 1815, and died 1865. He was a millwright by trade, and re- sided in Washington, in Wyoming county. He was- a stirring energetic man, and held several town offi- ces. He married Amy Lypham, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, 1827, daughter of Peter and Catherine Lypham, of Washington, natives of Bavaria, Germany. Peter Lypham was witli Napoleon on his fateful march to Moscow and other campaigns, and saw much service. He was a cavalry man, and in one battle all but twelve of the company to whicht he belonged were killed or captured. He was one of those who escaped. His face was much scarred by sword cuts received in battle. He was a farmer, and settled with his wife in Washington, Pennsyl- vania, about 1815. He died in 1870. aged about seventy. At the death of her husband Mrs. Sawyer was left with a family of eight children, the eldest eighteen years of age and the youngest an infant. Their names are: Frances E., married Clark B. Hall, of Manchester, New Hampshire. Catherine, married Will C. Brenton. Hattie E., married Albert P. Smith. Stephen D., lives in New York state. John W., resides in Davenport, Washington. An- drew J., mentioned below. Margaret Isabel, mar- ried Dr. O. H. Johnson, of Manchester. Dora. married Walter Seymour. of Newark, New Jersey. One child died young. Mrs. Sawyer, realizing that her children would be better off and better able to assist in supporting themselves on a farm than they were in town, prchased, in 1865, a place near Dimock, and there her younger children grew up. Being a woman of superior ability and a good manager, she succeeded in raising her children well. giving each a good education and seeing them all well settled in life. She is still living and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Brenton.
(IV) Andrew Jackson, seventh child of John and Amy (Lypham) Sawyer, was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1859, and was educated in the common schools of Dimock, the high schools at Montrose and the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, graduating from the latter with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in the class of 1882. Immediately after taking his degree he opened an office at White Haven, Pennsylvania, where he prac- ticed his profession one year. He then practiced in Newmarket, New Hampshire, six years. In 18So he settled in Manchester. and now (1907) has been a successful practitioner there for eighteen years, and numbers among liis patrons many of the prin- cipal citizens of the town and surrounding region. For three years past, he has been secretary of the State Board of Registration in Dentistry. He is a member of the New Hampshire Dental Socicty, of which he has been vice-president and president, and has been chairman of its executive committee : also a member of the North Eastern Dental Association. and the Vermont State Dental Association. He was brought up a Baptist, but now attends the Con- gregational Church, and is a contributing member of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is a member of Washington Lodge. No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons; Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter, No. 11; Adoniram Council, No. 3. Royal and Se- lect Masters: Trinity Commandery, Knights Tem- plar. and Bektash Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine. Dr. Sawyer was one of a company of sixty persons constituting a club organization by the members of De Molay Com-
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mandery. Knights Templar, of Boston, which visited points of interest in England, France, Belguim, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, in the fall of 1906.
He married, in Newmarket, September, 1900, Elizabeth Small. born July 2, 1861, daughter of the late Congressman William and Ellen M. (Burt) Small. They have one daughter, Marion. Mrs. Sawyer is a member of the Congregational Church, and also of the Current Events Club.
SAWYER This is an adopted name taken by one born Peacock. It is claimed that the Peacock family is of French de- scent. and that it dates its origin in England from the Norman Conquest, 1066. In all probability it profited through favor of the Conqueror and attained considerable prominence. In 1444 Reginald Pea- cock was appointed bishop of St. Asaph, and five years later was transferred to the see of Chichester, but during the decline of transubstantialism he suf- fered official degradation, was subjected to banish- ment in 1457 and his books were publicly burned. He died in 1486.
The first of the name in America, of whom there is any record. was John Peacock, who settled at New Haven, Connecticut, in 1638 or '39. William Pea- cock, probably of Nazing or some nearby parish in the neighborhood of Stanstead on the border of Hertfordshire, came in the ship "Hopewell," Cap- tain Bindock, from London in 1635. in company with the Eliots. the Ruggleses and other Roxbury. Massachusetts, settlers. A Richard Peacock, glazier. who was made a freeman in Roxbury, May 22, 1659. was not, as far as can be ascertained, a relative of William. The latter was twelve years old when he arrived in Roxbury. He married, April 12, 1653. Mary Willis, and was the father of William, died young : another William, and Samuel. William Peacock (2), son of William and Mary (Willis) Peacock, was born in Roxbury, July 6. 1657. He married. August 3, 1681, Sarah Edsall, and had Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth, William and Samuel. The third William Peacock was born in Roxbury in I688.
Thomas Peacock said to have been descended from the same family as that of Bishop Peacock, previously mentioned. was born in Ireland, of Eng- lish parents, about the year 1730. Emigrating to New York he settled first on Long Island and later in Newburg. In the war for national independence he sided with the Americans and served under Gen- eral Washington. He lived to be ninety-eight years old, and his death occurred in Maryville, New York, July 3, 1828. In October, 1777. he married Margaret Anderson, a native of Scotland. Although the writer is unable to identify with certainty the early ancestors of the Amherst Peacocks, about to he considered. it is quite probable that they are the posterity of William Peacock. of Roxbury.
(I) William Peacock settled in Amherst, New Hampshire, prior to the Revolutionary war, and he died in that town. Octoher 20. 1824, aged seventy- five years. The christian name of his wife was Abi- gail, and he reared a family of five children, namely : Abigail, born in 1771: William, who will be again referred to: Daniel, born in 1776; Betsey. born in 1778: and Sally, born in 1783.
(II) William (2). second child and eldest son of William and Abigail Peacock, was born in Am- herst, October 21, 1773. He was a prosperous farmer, residing in the southerly part of the town of Amherst, near the Hollis line, and his death oc- curred June 5. 1846. On November 2, 1795, he mar- ried Huldah Hood, born in Topsfield, Massachu-
setts, November 28, 1775, and died September 17, 1861. She became the mother of ten children. name- ly: William, see succeeding paragraph; Kendall. born in 1798; Henry and Huldah, twins, born in 1800; Freeman, born in April, 182; John born in 1801; Rufus, born in 1807; Nancy, born in 1809; Julia Ann, horn in 1815; and Ezra Wilmarth, born in 1818.
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