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 60
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(VIII) John Henry, third of the seven children of Jonathan Harvey and Emily Eliza (Snow) Kezar, was born in North Sutton, February 14, IS51. He was educated in the common schools of Sutton. He went at once into the lumber business, and for fourteen years was associated with Milton E. Wad- Jeigli under the firm name of Wadleigh & Keyser. He is also interested in farming. He owns the Twin Pine House, where he entertains summer boarders. He is serving his fifth term as chairman of the board of selectmen, is also serving in the capacity of supervisor, and represented his town in the New Hampshire legislature of 1896-97. Ile at- tends the Baptist Church. He is a Republican in politics. He married Clara E. Comey, daughter of
Otis William and Rebecca Comey, of Wilmot. New Hampshire. They have one child, Alice Clara, born February 26, 1883, was educated in New London. Mrs. Clara E. (Comey) Keyser is a King's Daugh- ter.
(VIII) Fred Harvey, sixth child and the younger of the two sons of Jonathan Harvey and Emily Eliza (Snow) Kezar, was born in North Sutton, May 18, 1860. He was educated in the common schools of Sutton. He first worked in a saw mill, and then for nine years was successful as a farmer. In 1897 he started a general store, and was appointed post- master the same year. In politics he is a Republican. He attends the Baptist Church, is also chorister and has played the organ for thirty-two years. He married, August 25, 1882, Mary Grace Shattuck, daughter of Martin Van Buren and Elizabeth (Moody) Shattuck, of North Sutton. They have two children : Herbert Fred, born June, 1883; David Moody, born August 5, 1891. Mrs. Mary Grace (Shattuck) Keyser is active in church work.
KEASAR This family appears in early colonial records. George Keyser of Keasur settled in Lynn, Massachusetts, was a tanner and was admitted freeman March 14, 1639. Thomas Keyser, of Lynn, was perhaps a brother of George. Ebenezer Kezar, born in Haverhill in 1720, came into New Hampshire from Rowley and settled in Sutton about 1772. His son Simon and his family accompanied him.
(I) John Keasar married Abigail Ladd and re- sided in Belmont. New Hampshire. Among their children were: Edmund, see forward; and John Langdon.
(II) Edmund, eldest child of John and Abigail (Ladd) Keasar, was born in Belmont, February I, 1820. He died in Sanbornton, New Hampshire, March 10, 1885. He was educated in the common schools of his district, and for a time was a clerk in various stores in Lakeport, but spent the greater part of his life on a farm on Ladd's Hill, and subse- quently removed to Salmonton, where he resided until his death. He was a Democrat in politics, and his religious affiliations were with the Universalist denomination. He was a man of sterling character and represented the town of Salmonton in the legis- lature during the session of 1876-7. Hc married in Gilford, New Hampshire, September 25. 1853, Laura Gilman. horn in that town August 26, 1828, and they had children: 1. Marie G., born October 17, 1854; resides in Tilton, New Hampshire. 2. Dora, born in Belmont, December II, 1859; now resides in La- conia, New Hampshire, as does her mother. Mrs. Kcasar was the daughter of Jeremiah and Betsey (Hodgeden) Gilman, and granddaughter of Samuel Gilman, who was born April 2. 1789, ( ?) and mar- ried Polly Pickering, June 16, 1816 (?). Jeremiah Gilman was born April 2, 1789, died October 6, 1859. He married in 1816, Betsey Hodgeden, born November 24, 1792, died April 27, 1871. They had children: 1. Hannah S .. born March 11. 1817; married George W. Munsey ; died March 24, 1859. 2. Daniel G., born August 29, 18IS; died October 24, ISO1. Eliza M., born January 22, 1825; died December 5. 188.4. 4. Laura, mentioned above.
"The great ancestor of all of this
HILDRETH name in Massachusetts was Rich- ard Hildreth. It is uncertain in what year he emigrated from England, but his name is found amongst a company of twenty men from the
Leitbilduta.
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towns of Woburn and Concord who petitioned the general court of Massachusetts Bay, in the year 1652, 'for a tract of land lying on the west side of Con- cord, or Mus-ke-ta-quid river,' where the petitioners say 'they do find a very comfortable place to accom- modate a company of God's people upon.' The peti- tion was granted and a settlement founded which proved to be very prosperous. From the date on an old gravestone standing a few years since (previous to 1849) in the burying ground, it is ascertained that Richard was born in the year 1612." Richard was a freeman May 10, 1643, and died at Chelmsford in 1688. His first wife, Sarah, died June 15, 1644; and he married (second), Elizabeth, who died at Malden, August 3, 1693, aged sixty-eight years. His children by the first wife were Jane and James ; and by the second wife, Ephraim, Abigail, Joseph, Perisis, Thomas and Isaac. Samuel Prescott Hil- dreth, born in Massachusetts in 1783, who settled in Ohio in 1806, and wrote a "Pioneer History of the Ohio Valley," and "Biographical and Historical Memorials of the Early Settlers of Ohio," was of the sixth generation from Richard the progenitor; and Richard Hildreth, born in Massachusetts in 1807, the distinguished journalist, anti-slavery writer, and author of a "History of the United States of Amer- ica," in six volumes, was also a descendant of the settler. A. F. Hildreth was postmaster of Lowell in 1856, Dr. Israel Hildreth lived in Dracut, and Dr. Benjamin Hildreth in Methuen. A brother of Dr. Benjamin Hildreth settled in Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, and was the first of the name in the state. The men of this race have ever borne the reputation of peace-loving citizens, yet fifty of them fought for American Independence, and many have been engaged in the later wars of the country. The New Hampshire branch of the family is a worthy offshoot of the parent stock and its members are noted for their high character, energy, thrift and patriotism.
(I) Samuel Hildreth, a descendant of Richard the immigrant, was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, and at an early age removed to Cornish, in Sullivan county, New Hampshire, where his name appears on a petition to the governor for the appointment of William Deming as justice of the peace for Cornish, September 9, 1786. Ile took up three hundred acres of heavily timbered land, and at once set about the laborious task of clearing it; and being an industri- ous and skillful axman, he soon had a generous clearing ready for cultivation. His first buildings were of logs, after the fashion of the times, but in later life, after fortune had rewarded his energies and industry, he erected a fine set of buildings, one of his barns being one hundred feet long, the sills and the ridge-pole made of single trees. This barn is still standing as the best representative of pioneer carpentry, in that region. Being a millwright and carpenter he did considerable in those lines for his neighbors and those further away, in addition to the work on his own farm. His character and success were such that he became a leading man in the com- munity of his residence, his ability for working and making money and accumulating property being fully recognized. His energy and perseverance knew no insurmountable obstacle, and whatever he set out to do he was sure to accomplish. He was an ardent admirer of Thomas Jefferson, and a Dem- ocrat to the end of his life. He was the popular captain of a company of militia, took his command into the War of 1812, and was stationed at Ports- mouth. He died in 1840 at the age of seventy-six. He married Zyeplina Gilbert, who had passed the
age of four score when the summons to the beyond reached her. Seven children were born to them : two died young; the five who grew up were : Betsy, Salmon, James, Chloe and Manning.
(II) Salmon, son of Samuel and Zycplina (Gil- bert) Hildreth, was born in Cornish, in 1794, and re- mained under the ancestral roof until he attained manhood, and then went to Plainfield, where he carried on a small foundry for a time, subsequently engaging in the manufacture of small woodwork in which he was engaged until about the time of his death. He died of a tumor in his side, at the age of sixty-six. He was a public-spirited man, much respected by his neighbors, and by the suf- frages of his fellow Democrats he was elected to some of the town offices. In religious faith he was a Uni- versalist. He married Lois Robinson, daughter of James and Judith (Reed) Robinson, of Reading, Vermont, who died at the age of eighty-five. Her father was a native of Lexington, Massachusetts, and a soldier of the War of 1812. Of this union were born the following children: James Henry, Samuel, Rosella, Charles Manning, Oscar D. and Eliza A. (III) Charles Manning, third son and fourth child of Salmon and Lois (Robinson) Hildreth, was born in Plainfield, April 12, 1831, and received his education in the public schools of Plainfield and at the academy in Claremont. After leaving school he went to Windsor, Vermont, where he was for a short time a gunmaker in the armory; then leaving that place he took service in Colt's Arms Factory at Hartford, Connecticut, where he was employed till 1856. At that time Mr. Ingham and James H. Hildreth were conducting a hardware and farm im- plement store at Lebanon, New Hampshire, under the firm name of Ingham & Hildreth. Charles MI. Hildreth bought the interest of Mr. Ingham and became the partner of his brother in the business. This partnership continued until 1862, doing both wholesale and retail business. In the last mentioned year James became a lieutenant in a company of sharpshooters, and went to the war between the states, and later became a member of General Gib- bons' staff ; and Charles M. became sole owner and proprietor of the business, which he carried on with success until 1878; and then took his son Charles E. into partnership, the firm name became C. M. Hil- dreth & Son. The son proved a very capable busi- ness man, and the firm built a very large and profit- able business second to none in that county. Mr. Hildreth has been in trade more than fifty years, and no merchant in Lebanon has been so long at the head of one commercial enterprise as he has been. During that time the business has been re- moved but twice, once on account of fire which destroyed the building in which it was carried on, and once to gain larger accommodations. The present business is one of the most extensive in Grafton county, and covers not only Lebanon but most of the adjoining towns, and is conducted within one hundred feet of the original location. Mr. Hil- dreth is well known in business circles in New Hampshire and across the border of Vermont, and is a man whose word is as good as gold, and who has never been known to repudiate an obligation. January 8, 1887, he was elected director of the Na- tional Bank of Lebanon, and later, on January 14, 1890, he was made president, a position he still holds. He is also vice-president of the Mascoma Savings Bank, which was organized in 1899, and now has a capital of nearly $300,000. He can always be relied upon to assist in the promotion of any movement for the good of the people or the improve-
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ment of the town of Lebanon. In 1874-5, he repre- sented his town in the legislature, and proved him- self a man of ability in that place, and his associates have relied on his good judgment in matters relating to the commonwealth. He has always been a Re- publican, and during the war between the north and south, he was a staunch supporter of President Lin- coln's policy. He is a liberal supporter of the Con- gregational Church of which Mrs. Hildreth was a devoted member. Charles M. Hildreth married in Hartford, Connecticut, Dorcas White, who was born in Williamstown, daughter of Josiah and Zuriah (Townsend) White of Williamstown, Vermont. Four children were born to them: Charles Edward, Amie Belle, Carrie Frances and Harry M. Charles E., a partner with his father in the hardware busi- ness, married Carrie Ml. Spencer, and they have had two children: Helen M., who died, and Flor- ence B. Amie Belle resides with her parents. Harry was born in 1858, and died in 1879. Carrie Frances has made a special study of music.
CHEVALIER The Chevalier family is one that was closely identified with the interests of the church in their mother country, France, and when some of its mem- bers made their home in the new world they never lost their allegiance to the church of their fore- fathers.
Jean Baptiste Chevalier, who was the first of the family to come to America, settled in the prov- ince of Quebec. He attained the advanced age of ninety-six and one half years, and married Rosalie Beaudry, of the same province, who died at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of six sons and seven daughters, of whom five sons and four daughters are now (1907) living. Among the former is: Rev. Joseph A., see forward; and a son who is a prominent physician in Montreal.
Rev. Joseph A., son of Jean Baptiste and Ro- salie ( Beaudry) Chevalier. was born in the old his- toric parish of L'Assomption, province of Quebec, September 19, 1843. His education was acquired in his native province, where he became a student at the College L'Assomption, from which he was graduated in the class of 1863. He taught for a period of four years in the college, and was ordained to the priesthood in St. James Cathedral, August 1I, 1867, Rt. Rev. Bishop Bourget officiating at this ceremony. Bishop Bourget held his office for more than half a century in Montreal. Rev. Father Chev- alier was then inade assistant at Chambley, in the diocese of Montreal, until 1869, being engaged prin- cipally in missionary work. In March, 1869, he was sent to Ogdensburg, New York, and from there in 1871 came to take charge of his present parish. He is a most courteous gentleman, and a man of ex- ceedingly methodical habits and executive ability. He is of commanding appearance, and his ever ready sympathy and help have endeared him to the hearts of his parishioners. He is a forceful speaker, his language being simple, but well and carefully chosen, and lie is a fine scholar. His zeal in the cause of religion, and the untiring devotion to the duties which his charge of the parish entail, have been the subject of much flattering comment. Ilis parish is the first Canadian parish in Manchester, New Hampshire, and he was appointed to take charge in May, 1871. There were two thousand souls in the parish at that time, and now there are five thousand. He gathered his people together for the first time on May 21, 1871, and clebrated mass in Smyth's Hall. Later services were held in
Faneuil Hall, and the congregation worshipped there until April 1, 1872. At that time a church became vacant at the corner of Chestnut and Merrimack streets, and this was secured as a temporary place of worship. In the meantime a parcel of land had been purchased at the corner of Beech and Spruce streets, and the cornerstone of the present Church of St. Augustine was laid with appropriate cere- monies, May 26, 1872. It was completed the fol- lowing year, and the dedicatory services, under Bishop Bacon, were held November 27, 1873. Five years later the pastor secured a lot of land for ceme- tery purposes, which was consecrated by Bishop Healy in 1879. Since then he has purchased more ground for similar purposes about one-quarter of a mile further away. Rev. Father Chevalier had a building designed for a convent erected in Au- gust, 1881, and he brought the Sisters of Jesus- Marie to take this in charge. They opened the parish school in 1882. Six years later he leased the public school building diagonally across the street from the church, and opened it as a school for boys. This is now occupied by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. This building became the church property in 1892. A basement and a sacristy were added to the church in 1890, and in the following year the rectory was enlarged and completely remodeled. Rev. Father Chevalier purchased property at the corner of Beech and Lake avenues, and organized the Asylum of St. Vincent de Paul, placing this institution in the care of the Sisters of Providence from Montreal. The schools connected with the Church of St. Augustine are very largely attended, affording instruction at the present time to five hundred and twenty girls and four hundred and fifty boys. The orphanage, a part of which is reserved for hospital purposes, gives shelter to one hundred homeless children. The beautiful Notre Dame Academy, a four-story brick building, was completed in 1902, and the Sisters of Jesus-Marie took charge the following year. It is a fine structure, located next to the church, and was erected at a cost of forty-five thousand dollars. The equipment throughout is thoroughly modern in every respect, and it has metal ceilings. The girl pupils are under the direct supervision of Sister Superior St. Honore, and fourteen other sisters.
The church proper is a brick building, with a granite basement and trimmings, and the spire is one of the most beautiful in the city, being one hun- dred and forty-five feet to the top of the cross, and attracts the attention of every stranger. The style of architecture is Gothic. It has recently been en- tirely remodeled and enlarged at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. The exterior dimensions are one hundred and thirty-five by sixty-five feet, exclusive of the transepts, and it has a seating capacity of twelve hundred. It has three altars, the large one in the center, the one on the right being dedicated to St. Joseph, that on the left to the blessed Virgin Mary. These altars are magnificent works of art, being entirely decorated in white and gold, and wherever it has been found advantageous to do so electric light bulbs have been placed to heighten the brilliant effect. The spacious auditorium is sup- plied with electric and gas illumination, and the coverings of the walls and the carpets harmonize with the general scheme of decoration. Many beau- tiful statues adorn the niches. The altar rail, pulpit, choir and organ lofts are also in harmony. The building is practically and wisely provided with muinerous exits in case of fire. The vestry room is a large and commodious one, where it is possible to seat two hundred people. It contains four confes-
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sionals of artistic design. There is also in this room a receptacle with long drawers, in which the priestly vestments are stored. At the extreme end of the room, at the left, is a small room in which are kept the altar flowers and coverings, and im- mediately opposite to this is a fireproof vault in which the sacred vessels are placed. In the base- ment of the church is a well arranged room for the use of the altar boys, and to the right of this is another large room, in which early mass is said during the winter months. To the left of the altar boys' room is another set apart for choir rehearsals. This has exceptionally lofty ceilings and is sup- plied with a piano. The residence opposite to the church is of modern construction and was erected in 1873.
This branch of the Burrows BURROUGHS family seems to be descended from Rev. George Burrows, of Salem, Massachusetts, who by his wife Sarah, daugh- ter of John Ruck, widow of William Hathorn, Jr., had Charles, who married Rebecca Townsen, at Marl- boro, March II, 1712, and had a son Josiah, who married Hannah Lewis, September 16, 1736, and had Josiah, Hannah, Mary, Rebecca, and probably other children.
(1) George Burroughs, says family tradition, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The Revo- lutionary Rolls of Massachusetts show that George Burroughs was a private in Captain John Hinkley's company of Lieutenant-Colonel Symmes's detach- ment of guards; date of enlistment February 13. 1778; date of discharge May 13, 1778; length of service three months, under Major-General Heath, at Boston. George Burroughs was an early settler in Hudson. A petition by the inhabitants praying for annexation to Nottingham West, dated Feb- ruary 3, 1778, bears among others the names of Josiah and George Burroughs. George Burroughs married Mary Melvin, and had a son William and two daughters, Rhoda and Polly, both of whom died unmarried when about eighteen or twenty years old.
(II) William, only son of George and Mary (Melvin) Burroughs, was born in Hudson, and died in Litchfield, about 1829. William Burroughs (William Burroughs, Jr., in the records) and Rachel Searles, both of Nottingham West, were married at Pelham, December 17, 1807, by Rev. John H. Church, of Pelham. Rachel Searles, daughter of Nathan Searles, of Hudson, died in Hudson, about 1819. They had five children: Josiah Coburn, Lydia. Jane, Alfred and Melinda. Josiah C. was a farmer and resided in Belvidere, Vermont, where he died at the age of eighty-two. Lydia married John York, and left one daughter, Eliza Jane, who married -- Dickey, and now lives in Manchester. Jane married Gilman Melvin, and lived in London- derry, where she died aged seventy-eight. Their children were: Parker, Alfred, Monroe and Jennie. Alfred is mentioned below. Melinda became the second wife of John York, after the death of her sister Lydia. They lived in St. Croix, Londonderry and Nashua. Their children were: Lydia, Ann, Mary, Hattie, Wesley and Alfred.
(III) Alfred, fourth child and second son of William and Rachel (Searles) Burroughs, was born in Nottingham West, now Hudson, New Hampshire, October II, 1815, and is now (May, 1907) living in Bow, New Hampshire, with his son, John H. Bur- roughs. His mother died when he was four years old, and his father died when he was fourteen. At
the age of six years he went to live with his uncle, Reuben Melvin, in Peterboro, where he resided until he was seventeen years old. The following three years he worked in the lumber woods of Maine. Returning to New Hampshire, he married and set- tled in Londonderry, where he lived until 1848. In that year he removed to Bow, where he resided until 1895, when he removed to Farrington Corner, Hopkinton, New Hampshire. There he resided until the death of his wife in December, 1905, when he came to live with his son, John H., in Bow. He has been a farmer all his life. In politics he is a Democrat of the old school. He has never used tobacco or liquor in any form. Physically and men- tally his powers are preserved to a remarkable de- gree, and up to nearly ninety years of age he was strong and able to do any kind of farm work. He has been an industrious and much respected citizen and throughout his life an independent thinker. He married in Londonderry, December 30, 1840, Mariah Corning, who was born in Londonderry, April 15, 1819, daughter of John and Sally (Crowell) Corn- ing, of Londonderry. John Corning was born Au- gust 22, 1757, and died July 18, 1837. Sally Crowell was born December 13, 1773, and died August 18, 1840. Their twelve children were: Judith (died young), John, Peter, Judith, Polly, Samuel, Hiram, Sally, Lovica, Seth E., Susan and Mariah. Mrs. Burroughs died December 5, 1905. She was a mem- ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and a woman of strong native ability and force of char- acter.
Nine children were born to Alfred and Mariah (Corning) Burroughs; Alfred D., Henry U., John H., Lydia M., Mary E., Melinda J., Sarah E., James Edwin P. and Frank E. Alfred D., born in London- derry, October 16, 1841, married Marietta Hammond, of Bow, and is a farmer in Bow. Henry U., died young. John H., is mentioned below. Lydia M., born January 27, 1847, married Enoch Morgan, and lives in Concord. Mary E., born April 26, 1849, married Nelson Farley of Concord, and died April 23, 1889. Melinda J., February 18, 1852, married Henry H. Crowell, of Hopkinton. Sarah E., Sep- tember 27, 1856, married George E. Maxfield, and resides in Londonderry. James Edwin, P., Sep- tember 20, 1859, married Harriett Greene, of Hop- kinton, and lived on the old home place in Bow up to 1906 when he moved to Concord, New Hamp- shire, where he now resides. Frank E., December 4, 1862, married Flora Fellows, and lives in Concord.
(IV) John Hamilton, third child of Alfred and Mariah (Corning) Burroughs, was born in London- derry, June 13, 1845. When three years old he ac- companied his parents on their removal to Bow. Here he has since resided with the exception of about sixteen years (1868-1884) when he lived in the adjoining town of Dunbarton. He was edu- cated in the common schools, Foster's private school at Pittsfield, and the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Concord. He has always been a farmer, and now owns a large farm in the northwest part of the town near the old family homestead. In con- nection with his occupation as a farmer he operated the Stark saw mill at Dunbarton for several years. In politics he is a Republican. He was selectman of Dunbarton for two or three years when residing in that town, and for many years served his native town of Bow as selectman and member of the board of education. In 1893-4 he represented Bow in the state legislature. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and of White Mountain Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Concord. He
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