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. II, Part 135

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: 874

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. II > Part 135

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On this place John Tasker passed the remain- ing years of his life. The other lands bought by him were sold in the course of time and yielded a comfortable fortune. He was one of the wealthiest men in the town, and frequently held the office of justice of the peace, selectman and moderator. The date of his marriage and the name of his wife are not known, and if he had daughters the fact is not mentioned by compilers of his family history. It is known, however, that he had three sons, Joseph, Paul and Nathaniel. Joseph, the eldest son, mar- ried and had five sons : William, John, Joseph 2nd, Paul and Ira. Paul, second son of John, had no descendants so far as the records tend to show.

(III) Nathaniel, youngest son of "Squire" John (2) Tasker, married Sally Hill, a descendant of Samuel Hill, of Durham, and by whom he had six (one account mentions only three) children : Gilbert, Seth, Paul, Nathaniel, Mary Walker and Vienna.

(IV) Gilbert Tasker. eldest son and child of Nathaniel and Sally (Hill) Tasker, was born in Barrington, New Hampshire, February 23, 1805, and died September 23. 1876. He married, December 29, 1833. Eliza Durgan, born March 5, 1805, died March 26, 1895. They had children: Mary S., mar- ried Dudley Marshall. John, married Sarah C. Johnson. Alvira, married Dr. N. C. Twombly. Gilbert, Jr., died in infancy.

(V) John Tasker, second child and elder son of Gilbert and Eliza (Durgan) Tasker, was born in Barnstead, April 29, 1838, on the farm on which he

now lives and which has been in the Tasker family for three generations preceding his own. His life has been one of quiet toil on the farm and has not been without material profit to himself and his family, while in the town his example has been worthy of emulation and has gained for him the respect of his fellowmen. For many years both he and his wife have been devout members of the Con- gregational Church of South Barnstead, he having been one of its deacons for a long time. The church edifice was erected through the generosity of Squire John Tasker in 1822. Deacon Tasker married, 1865, Sarah C. Johnson, of Pittsfield, New Hampshire, daughter of James and Eleanor (Prescott) Johnson, of Brentwood, New Hampshire, and granddaughter of Obadiah and Betsey (Underwood) Johnson, also of Brentwood. Mrs. Tasker's father died, aged fifty-eight years, and her mother died in 1866, aged sixty-three years. Two children have been born to Deacon John and Sarah C. (Johnson) Tasker : Charles G., and Anna M., married Walker S. Worthy, now deceased.

(II) William, youngest of the four sons of John Tasker, was born in Madbury, New Hamp- shire, May 28, 1721. He married Elizabeth and they had thirteen children: Abigail, born Oc- tober 27, 1750, died February 13, 1823. Samuel, born April 26, 1752, died September 11, 1811. Will- iam, born November 14, 1753, died September II, 1828. Daniel, born August 14, 1755. James, born February 6, 1757, settled in Cornish, New Hamp-

shire, and many of his descendants are still living in that part of the state. Hannah, born July 22, 1758. Elizabeth, born March 19. 1760. John, born March 9, 1762. Louis, born September 24, 1764. Rebecca, born May 29, 1766. Andrew, born April 30, 1768. Israel. born December 16, 1769. Miles, born October 19, 1771.

(III) William (2), second son and third child of William and Elizabeth Tasker, was born in Mad- bury, New Hampshire. November 14, 1753. He mar- ried Hannah Pinkham, born October 12, 1750. They settled on a farm in Strafford, New Hampshire. They had five children, four sons and one daughter : Nicholas, born March 3, 1777, died March 30, 1838. Jonathan, whose sketch follows. Nathaniel, born September 7, 1784, died August 27, 1868. Elisha, born September 16, 1787, died February 2, 1863. Betsy, born March 27, 1794, married William T. Caswell. William Tasker died September 19. 1828, and his wife died sixteen years previously, August 15, 1812.

(IV) Jonathan, second son and child of Will- iam and Hannah (Pinkham) Tasker, was born in Strafford, New Hampshire, November 13, 1779. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to Daniel French, of Northwood. New Hampshire, to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade. After completing his seven years' apprenticeship he received, accord- ing to the custom of the time, his freedom suit, and then began business for himself. He married, May 18, 1803, Mary, daughter of Joshua Hoitt, of North- wood, born September 1, 1781; she was sometimes

988

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

called Polly. They soon after settled in Pittsfield, near Jenness Pond. After living there several years they moved to Northwood, near the Narrows, where Jonathan Tasker closed a long and useful life, March 12. 1873, at the advanced age of ninety- three years. His wife died October 11, 1854, aged seventy-three. They had seven children: Jewett, born October 6, 1803, is mentioned below. Eliza G., born September 18, 1805, married Philbrick Cram. Joshua G., born March 30, 1808, died in in- fancy. John C., born October 17, 1809, married (first) Charlotte A. Battles, of Raymond, New Hampshire, who died in 1851, and he then married Marietta Smith, of Manchester, New Hampshire. Mary H., born November 7, 1811, married Rev. Collins L. Foss, December 6, 1849, and lived in Man- chester, New Hampshire. Cynthia Jane, born August 25, 1815, died September 28, 1830. Ezra, born September II, ISIS, was thrice married; his first wife was Catherine J., daughter of William Bartlett, of Northwood, whom he married, June 26, 1844: his second wife was Susan Hill, of Strafford, New Hampshire, and his third. Eunice Hilliard.

(V) Jewett, eldest son and child of Jonathan and Mary (Hoitt) Tasker, was born at Pittsfield, New Hampshire, October 6, 1803. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade. Later he settled in Newmarket, New Hampshire, where he became a builder and contractor. He was twice married. His first wife was Lonisa H. Haskell. of Beverly, Massachusetts, and they had three children : Charles E., whose sketch follows; Helen L., born July 29, 1836; and Frances A., born June 30, 1839. Frances married James Chesley, of Durham, New Hamp- shire. and settled in Minnesota. Mrs. Louisa (Has- kell) Tasker died February 25, 1840. Jewett Tasker married for his second wife Lydia Lefavour, also of Beverly, Massachusetts. They had five children : Joseph J., born January 11, 1843, died March 31, 1905. William A., born August 28, 1846. George II., died in infancy. Georgianna, born January 18, 1856, died May 10, 1872. Mary Abbe, died in in- fancy. Jewett Tasker died in Newmarket, New Hampshire, February 25. 1872.

(VI) Charles E., eldest son and child of Jewett and Louisa H. (Haskell) Tasker, was born in New- market, New Hampshire, November 29, 1833. He was a contractor and builder for several years, but in the early seventies he engaged in the undertak- ing business at Newmarket, which he has followed ever since. In politics he is a Democrat. He was town treasurer and an efficient member of the school board many years. has been selectman ser- eral terms, and represented his town in the state legislature in 1870. August 15, 1861, Charles F. Tasker married his second cousin, Georgianna J. Tasker, born in Northwood, August 13, 1838, died February 28. 1904, daughter of Rev. Levi B. and Hannah P. (Caswell) Tasker. Rev. Levi B. Tasker was a son of Elisha Tasker, and a grandson of William (III). He was an influential minister of the Free Will Baptist denomination, and held pas- torates at Newmarket and Sandwich, New Hamp-

shire. He died at the latter place, August 29, 1875. The children of Charles E. and Georgianna J. (Tasker) Tasker were four in number: Louisa J., born May 29, 1862, in Placerville. California, mar- ried, August 13, 1882, William T. Folsom. Edward M., born August 14, 1865, married Sarah E. Lane. Charles H., died in infancy. Harry B., whose sketch follows. All were born in Newmarket except the first born.

(VII) Harry B., youngest child and son of Charles E. and Georgianna J. (Tasker) Tasker, was born in Newmarket, New Hampshire, June 17, 1870. He was associated with his father in the un- dertaking business until July 1, 1897. He then moved to Dover, New Hampshire, and in partner- ship with T. J. Chesley purchased the undertaking business of A. N. Ward. The business since then has been conducted under the firm name of Tasker & Chesley. Harry B. Tasker is a member and past master of Rising Star Lodge, No. 47, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, a past high priest of Belknap Chapter, No. 8. a member of Orphans' Council, No. 1. Royal and Select Masters, a Knight Templar of Saint Paul's Commandery, a Thirty-second degree Mason of the Consistory of New Hampshire, and a member of Bektash Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In addition to his Ma- sonic affiliations Mr. Tasker is prominent in other fraternal organizations. He is a member of Weco- hanmet Lodge, No. 3. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Pioneer Lodge, No. 1, Knights of Pythias, also the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Dover. Harry B. Tasker married, August 5, 1905, Nora E. Lee, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Lee, of Lee, New Hampshire.

MARCOU The name of Marcon is of consider- able antiquity in France, and the family now in hand is not far re- moved from its original source. Much interesting matter relative to its genealogy and carly history might be gathered in the old country, but unfortun- ately the desired information cannot be obtained on this side of the ocean.

(I) Joseph Marcou died in France, and his widow, accompanied by a son. emigrated to Canada, settling in St. Francis, Province of Quehec.

(II) Joseph (2), son of Joseph Marcou, was born in France in 1833, and came to Canada with his mother when three years old. He was reared and educated in St. Francis, whence he came to the United States in 1850, and settled in Benton, Maine. a town located on the banks of the Kennebec river above the city of Augusta. There he applied him- self diligently to the activities of life, was actively interested in public affairs and for many years served with ability as town clerk. He married Mary Roderick, and had a family of nine children, name- ly : Ida, Cora, David Henry, Louis Benjamin. Ger- trude F., Agnes E., Bertha B., Arthur William, and ancther child who did not live to maturity. Ida is the wife of H. E. Chandler, and now resides in Worcester. Massachusetts. Cora became the wife of Sidney E. Bailey, and is residing in New Bed-

989

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

ford, Massachusetts. David Henry resides at Island Falls, Maine. Louis B. will be again referred to. Gertrude E., Agnes E., and Bertha B. are residing in Berlin, this state. Arthur W. resides in Provi- dence, Rhode Island.

(III) Louis Benjamin Marcou. M. D., second son and fourth child of Joseph and Mary (Roder- ick) Marcou, was born in Benton, Maine, March 13, 1874. He studied in the Benton public schools, the Coburn Institute, Waterville, Maine, at the Mass- achusetts College of Pharmacy, graduating from the latter in 1895; and was a student in medicine at the University of Vermont, receiving his degree in 1899. His professional career was inaugurated in Berlin, where he remained until going abroad for further study, and having concluded a post-grad- uate course in Vienna, Austria, in 1903, he resumed his practice in Berlin. Dr. Marcou gives his special attention to surgery, for which he is unusually well equipped, and is rapidly acquiring a high reputation in that field of usefulness. He is a member of the Coos County, the Oxford County ( Maine), and the Maine State Medical societies, the American Med- ical Association, the New York Academy of Physi- cians and Surgeons, and the Knights of Pythias. He is the author of several interesting articles pub- lished in the medical journals, and has contributed some valuable papers upon timely topics to the trans- actions of the various bodies to which he belongs. For a period of six years he was chairman of the Berlin board of health, and is now rendering ex- cellent service in behalf of public education as a member of the school board.

This surname is derived from LITCHFIELD Lich field. probably the Litchfield in Hampshire county, England, which was so called from its being built on the site of an ancient battlefield, where now are seven bar- rows marking the last resting place of those slaugh- tered in the combat.

(I) Lawrence Litchfield came from England in 1634 or 1635 (probably from Kent), located at Scituate and was in Barnstable, Massachusetts, where he bore arms in 1643. He subsequently re- turned to Scituate, where he died in 1649. His chil- dren were: Experience, Remembrance, Josiah and Dependence, the last being the only birth of the family in the records of Scituate. It is conjectured that others were born in Barnstable.

(II) Josiah, son of Lawrence Litchfield, was born in Scituate, April 4, 1648. He married Sarah. the daughter of Rev. Nicholas Baker, of the First Church in Scituate, in 1671. Their children were: Hannah, Sarah, Josiah, Nicholas, Experience. Judith and Samuel.

(III) Nicholas, fourth child and second son of Josiah and Sarah (Baker) Litchfield, was born in Scituate, in 1680. He married, in 1704. Bathsheba Clark, and they had children: Experience, Josiah, Nicholas, Bathsheba, James, John. Israel, Eleazer, Susanna, Isaac and Thomas.

(IV) Josiah (2) Litchfield, second child and

eldest son of Nicholas and Bathsheba (Clark) Litchfield, was born in Scituate, December 20, 1706. died August 1, 1787. He married, July 4. 1734, Susannah Morey. Their children were : Lot, Josiah, James, Jonah, Nicholas, Susanna, Daniel, Sarah, Penelope, Bathsheba, Jacob. Israel, Lot, Josiah Litchfield and his son Daniel were soldiers in the war of the Revolution.

(V) Jacob Litchfield, son of Josiah Litchfield (2), was born in Scituate, March 12, 1750. He moved to Chesterfield, Massachusetts, where some or all of his children were born. His children were: Lot. died young : Israel Clark. Joel, Lot, Susanna, Penelope and Agnes.

(VI) Lot, son of Jacob Litchfield, was born in Chesterfield, 1782, died June 19, 1821. He married Susan Keith; their children were: Edward Keith, Harris, Lyman. Amon, Cordelia, Fanny, Theodosia and Susan.

(VII) Amon, son of Lot Litchfield, was born in Chesterfield, Massachusetts, November 30, 1818, and died March 20, 1890. He owned and cultivated a high class farm of one hundred acres. situated a mile north of the center of Chesterfield. from the more elevated portions of which can be seen Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire, seventy-five miles away. In connection with farming he was also em- ployed as wheelwright and general mechanic. He gave up active work some fifteen years before his death on account of ill health. He was an ingen- ious mechanic and a useful citizen. He married Rosena Pittsinger, born at West Hampton, Massa- chusetts, October 29, 1815; daughter of Jonathan and Mary ( Stephenson) Pittsinger, of Chester- field. She died January 10. 1873. Their children were: Edward H., George A., Arthur, Susan J., Mary E. and Nellie R.

(VIII) George Albert, second son and child of Amon and Rosena (Pittsinger) Litchfield, was born in Chesterfield. Massachusetts, July 13. 1846. He was educated in the primary and grammar schools of Chesterfield, and in the high school of North- ampton. At the age of sixteen he had qualified himself, and hegan teaching school, completing three terms before he finished his high school course. In March, 1866, he went to Keene, New Hampshire, and entered the employ of Spencer & Company. hardware dealers, as a clerk. Three years later he was admitted as a member of the firm, and retained his interest therein until 1887, when he disposed of the same. He subsequently purchased an interest in the Spencer Hardware Company, successor of the original company. The Keene Five Cent Say- ings Bank moved into the store of Spencer & Com- pany in October. 1875, and Mr. Litchfield was elected treasurer of it. In 1883 the bank was re- moved to more commodious quarters, and there- after Mr. Litchfield devoted his attention solely to the bank, retaining his position as treasurer until the bank went into liquidation in 1895. when he was appointed assignee. About 1890 he became a stockholder and director in the Keene National Bank, and in January, 1903, was elected president of

990

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

that institution, and still (1906) retains that posi- tion. Mr. Litchfield's financial ability and exten- sive knowledge of business methods, combined with an agreeable manner and pleasing personality, has inade him a strong and popular man in financial circles. He was elected treasurer of Cheshire county, was re-elected, and served in all four years in that position. He attends the Congregational Church, but is not a member. He is a Republican in politics, and has been somewhat active in the councils of his party, where his influence has been exerted in the direction of better government.

He married, in Keene, April 20, 1871. Ellen L. Woodward, of Keene, born December 12, 1849, daughter of Cyrus and Mary (Gone) Woodward. They have three children: Louis G., born July 6. 1873; Walter H., April 12, 1875, and Florence, March 8, 1879.

BEVERSTOCK This name of a family of limi- ted numbers in New England is probably of English origin, and is derived from bever, beaver, and stock, for- merly stoke, and place stockaded, surrounded with stocks or piles. From the hamlet or town that suc- ceeded the first stockade, some immigrant citizen took his surname, which has been transmitted to his posterity.

(I) Edward Beverstock settled in Needham, Massachusetts, where he married, April 9, 1736, Susanna Coller, who died June 13, 1754. He mar- ried (second), November 24, 1756, Margaret Scott. There were five children by the first and seven by the second marriage : Daniel, John, Elizabeth, Sus- annah, Edward, Margaret, John, Daniel, Rhoda, Lucy, Samuel and Mary.

(II) Daniel, third child and second son of Ed- ward and Margaret (Scott) Beverstock, was born in Needham, February 5, 1762, and died in 1837, aged seventy-five. He lived in Needham and Keene, and Alstead, New Hampshire. In 1806 he became one of the owners of the grist mill at Swanzey on the Ashuelot river. He was a useful and upright citizen, and a help to the community in which he lived. He married, January 26, 1804, Lucinda Bing- ham, horn in Montague, Massachusetts, July 10, 1772, daughter of John and Sybel (Wright) Bing- ham. She died in Sullivan, New Hampshire, April 24, 18544. aged eighty-two. They were the parents of five children : Lucinda, Olive, Sophia, Sybel B., and Daniel W., whose sketch follows.

(III) Daniel Wright, youngest child of Daniel and Lucinda (Bingham) Beverstock, was born in Alstcad, October 6, 1815, and died in Marlow, April 26, 1842, aged twenty-seven. He was a farmer in Marlow. He married, April 5, 1836, Louisa Munn Guillow, born December 1, 1816, daughter of John and Betsey (Stevens) Guillow. She married (second), May 9, 1848, James Parker Nelson, of Harrisville. The children of Daniel W. and Louisa M. Beverstock were: Alma Augusta, Oscar Page, died young; and Oscar Danicl, the subject of the next paragraph.

(IV) Oscar Daniel, third and youngest child of Daniel W. and Louisa M. (Guillow) Beverstock, was born in Marlow, June 27, 1842. He was edu- cated in the common schools of Munsonville and Nelson. He grew up on a farm and worked at agricultural employment in Nelson and Sullivan until twenty years of age. He enlisted in October, 1862, in Company G, Sixteenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, and served about one year in that portion of the forces known as the Nineteenth Army Corps, stationed in the Department of the Gulf. After being discharged on account of sick- ness, he returned to Nelson, and remained about a year, when, having regained his health, he enlisted in Company F, Eighteenth Regiment, New Hamp- shire Volunteer Infantry, which constituted a part of the Sixth Army Corps, in which he served as ser- geant. He saw service at City Point on the James river, Virginia, and afterward took part in the tre- mendous fighting in the vicinity of Petersburg. He served until the end of the war, and was discharged June 10, 1865, his last service being rendered while his regiment guarded for a short time the old prison at Washington, D. C., the place of incarceration of those charged with the assassination of President Lincoln. After his return to Nelson he was engaged in farm- ing and sawing lumber until 1887, when he removed to the city of Keene. While a resident of Nelson Mr. Beverstock's services were sought and secured for numerous offices, the duties of which he dis- charged efficiently. In Keene he has manufactured sieve and riddle runs, and other bent work to the present time (1907). Mr. Beverstock is a just and conscientious man, has lived a useful and industri- ous life, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. He is a member of the Congregational Church, and a Republican, who votes as he shot in the days of the Rebellion. He has been representa- tive in the state legislature, selectman of the town, and councilman and alderman of the city. He is a member of John Sedgwick Post, No. 4, Grand Army of the Republic, and of Monadnock Colony, No. 107, Pilgrim Fathers.

He married, May 16, 1866, Sarah Nims, born March 15, 1846, daughter of Gilman and Charlotte (Stone) Nims, of Roxbury, New Hampshire, and they have five children: Oscar A., born October 20, 1874, married Carrie Buffum, who died. He mar- ried (second), July 11, 1906, Elizabeth Montgomery, of Washington, Pennsylvania. Herbert L., born De- cember 1, 1875, married, June 5, 1901, Nina F. Greene, of Keene. They have two children: Ruth Christine, born April 23, 1902; Edward Gale, born December 9, 1905. Charles W., born September 10, ISSO. Carl G. and Clare D., twins, born June 6, 1884. Clare D. Beverstock married October 3, 1906, Ruth M. Taggart, of Petersboro, New Hampshire.

Nearly all persons in the United

FAIRBANKS States bearing the name of Fair- banks or Fairbank, except by marriage, are related by direct descent from Jona- than, the first, while there are many who take a

991

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

justifiable pride in tracing their lineage back to mothers born to the inheritance. The immigrant often wrote his name Fayerbanke, and occasionally ffayerbanke. In his will and the inventory of his property there appears the variations ffarbanke, ffarebanke, ffarebanks. Fairbancke. Among the members of this ancient family are many who have distinguished themselves in professional and busi- ness career, or in the arts and industries, and not a few have made enviable records in the wars of the country.

(I) Jonathan Fairbanks came from Sowerby in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, to Boston, Massachusetts, in the year 1633, and in 1636 settled in Dedham, where he first built the noted "Old Fairbanks House," which is still standing as an ancient landmark, the oldest dwelling in New Eng- land which for the same period of time has been continuously owned and occupied by the builder and his lineal descendants. He was one of the earliest settlers of Dedham, which was established 1636, and signed the covenant March 23, 1637. Bc- fore 1637 Jonathan Fairbanks had been granted at least one of the twelve-acre lots into which the first allotment was divided, with four acres of swamp land, for the same year he received as his proportion of a further allotment four acres of "Swamp" land, this additional grant being inade on account of the swampy condition of a portion of the first grant. In 1638 he was appointed with others "to measure out those polls of meadow which adjoin to men's lots. And to mete out so much meadow in several parcels as is alloted unto every man according to the grant made unto them." In 1638 he was allowed six acres more, which was later exchanged for other land; and at other times following he re- ceived various small grants. He was admitted towns- man and signed the covenant in 1654. He died, in Dedham. December 5, 1668. His wife's name was Grace Lee. She died "28th 10 Mo. 1673." Their children were all born in England, as follows : John, George, Mary, Susan, Jonas and Jonathan.

(II) John, eldest son of Jonathan and Grace (Lee) Fairbanks, was born in England and came with his parents to America and settled in Dedham, where he signed the covenant and was admitted townsman as early as 1642. He lived on the Ded- ham homestead which was devised to him by his father. He died November 13, 1684. In 1638 John ' Fairhanks and John Rogers were appointed to sur- vey the Charles river. He married, "the 16 of I mo." 1641, Sarah Fiske, who died "26; 9; 1683." Their children were: Joshua, John, Sarah, Jona- than. Mary, Martha, Joseph, Hannah and Benjamin. (III) Deacon Joseph, seventh child and fourth son of John and Sarah (Fiske) Fairbanks, was born in Dedham, "the 10 of the 3 mo. 1656;" was made freeman in May, 1678, and died June 14, 1734, aged seventy-eight years. He came into pos- session of a part of the Dedham homestead under the will of his father and an agreement between his brother Benjamin and himself. The original of this agreement is still preserved in the old house. He married, in 1683, Dorcas -, who died Jan- uary 9, 1738. They had two children: Dorcas and Joseph.

(IV) Joseph (2), only son of Deacon Joseph (1) and Dorcas Fairbanks, was born on the ances- tral acres in Dedham, April 26, 1687. and died prob- ably between 1752 and 1755. He inherited and re- sided upon a part of the original homestead. March

9. 1752, he sold the homestead and eight other tracts of land in Dedham and Walpole to his son Joseph, Jr., being probably all the real estate he owned. He married, May 3, 1716, Abigail Deane, born in Ded- ham, June 12, 1694, and died December 31, 1750, daughter of John and Sarah Deane. Both were admitted to the church October 31. 1725. They had eight children: Joseph, John, Abigail, Israel, Sarah, Samuel, Ebenezer and Benjamin.

(\') Israel, fourth child and third son of Joseph (2) and Abigail (Deane) Fairbanks, was born in the "Old Dedham House," March 28, 1723, and died February 25, 1809. He lived in Dedham all his life. His brother Joseph sold to him and his brothers, John and Samuel, the old homestead, which was aft- erwards conveyed to Ebenezer. by deed February 15, 1764. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving as corporal in Cantain George Gould's Com- pany of Minute Men, on the Lexington Alarm, April 19, 1775, and was in the service at other times dur- ing the war. He married, May 30, 1751, Elizabeth Whiting, who died December 13, 1788. Their chil- dren were: Mary, Israel, Sarah, Elias, Elizabeth, Catherine and Gerry.

(VI) Deacon Elias, fourth child and second son of Israel and Elizabeth (Whiting) Fairbanks, was born in Dedham, August 7, 1760, and died in Francestown, New Hampshire, April 17, 1818. When only eleven years old he went to live with his uncle, Zachariah Whiting, in Francestown, New Hampshire. After a few years he returned to Ded- ham, but subsequently made for himself a home in Francestown. While very young he became a sol- dier, and at the age of seventeen witnessed the sur- render of Burgoyne at Saratoga. Contemporaneous authority says "he was a useful and excellent man." He was a member of the Congregational Church, and from 1799 to 1813 a deacon, and was town clerk for several years and many times selectman. He married Elizabeth Billings, of Canton. Massachu- setts, born February 8, 1786, and died in Frances- town, New Hampshire, December 10, 1816. Their children were: Jabez, Elizabeth, Sally, Joel, Susan and Polly.

(VII) Jabez, eldest child of Deacon Elias and Elizabethı (Billings) Fairbanks, was born in Francestown, February 24, 1788. and died in New- port, May 10, 1874, aged eighty-six. He was a farmer and carpenter, and built many houses in the town, and was interested in a grist and saw mill for twenty years. In 1840 he removed to Newport and bought one of the best farms in Sullivan county, pleasantly located just ont- side of and overlooking the beautiful shaded village. He was a member of the Congre- gational Church, a very industrious and enter- prising man, and a respected and honored citizen whose counsel was often sought. He married (first), June 2, 1814, Sally Bixby, of Francestown, born January 29. 1780, and died December 2, 1839, daughter of Asa and Elizabeth (Dane) Bixby. Mar- ried (second), November 17, 1840, Polly Bixby, sister of his first wife, who was born August 27, 1793, and died in Newport, January 26, 1863. The children all by the first wife, were: Almira, Sarah Ann, Eliza Jane, Mary Elizabeth, and George Henry, whose sketch follows.

(VIII) George Henry, youngest child of Jabez and Sally (Bixby) Fairbanks. was born in Frances- town, New Hampshire, June 4, 1830, and died De- cember 3, 1906. At ten years of age he removed

992

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

with his parents to Newport, New Hampshire, and remained with his father on the farm, and later engaged in mercantile business. He was an in- fluential and prominent citizen, and took an active interest in public affairs. In politics he was a Re- publican, and was a member of the house of repre- sentatives in 1877, and state senator in 1881 and 1882. In 1893 he was elected to the board of county com- missioners of Sullivan county, and served in that capacity six years. For many years he was an ac- tive member in the Methodist Church and one of its stewards. He was a member of Sugar River Lodge, No. 55, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married (first), Eunice E. Chapin. daughter of Deacon Henry Chapin, and (second), November 19, 1855, Helen M. Nourse, born in Ackworth, New Hampshire, August IS, 1829, daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Wilson) Nourse. The children by the second wife were: Charles Henry, Mary Helen. George Arlington and Burton Elias. Charles H. is mentioned below. Mary H. died young. George A. is a manufacturer of woolen goods at Newport. Burton E. died at the age of nineteen.

(IX) Charles Henry, eldest child of George H. and Helen M. (Nourse) Fairbanks, was born in Newport, November 28, 1856. He was educated in the common and high schools of Newport, and then took a position as clerk in his father's store. In 1883 he became an cqual partner in the business

which was carried on under the style of Fairbanks & Son. Two years later he became sole proprietor, and carried on the business until 1896, when he disposed of his store by sale and in 1897 removed to Rochester, and forming a partnership with his brother George A., under the firm name of Fair- banks Brothers, they purchased the grocery business of the Stanley estate, which they carried in until 1899, when George A. sold his interest to S. J.

Rawson. In 1903, Charles H. Fairbanks bought the Rawson interest and has since successfully con- ducted the business under his own name. Mr. Fair- banks takes a lively interest in public questions. In politics he is a Republican. and in 1891 was a member of the New Hampshire house of represen- tatives, from Newport. He is a member of Sugar River Lodge, No. 55, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Newport, of which he is a past grand: and of the Stony Brook Encampment, No. 27, of which he is past chief patriarch.

He married, in Newport. New Hampshire. Feb- ruary I, 1881, Emma L. Howe, born in Lebanon, New Hampshire, May 5. 1855, daughter of Richard and Emeline (Dustine) Howe. To them have been born three children: Mary Gertrude, born October 26, 1882, a graduate of Rochester high school, now bookkeeper in her father's store and assistant librar- ian in Rochester Library; Arthur R., born March 5. 1885, a traveling salesman from Boston, Massa- chusetts ; Alice E., born July 21, 1893.

N 929.1 $79 v. 2

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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. II, Part 135

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: 874

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: 874