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 7

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 7

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tained till death "the Scotch dialect and the sturdy virtues of their Scotch lineage."

(II) George. third child and first-born son of William and Christina (Ross) Robertson, was born in Hartford. Connecticut, April 19, 1822, and died in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, May 24, 1882, aged sixty. He was about two years old when his parents re- moved to Putney, Vermont, and there he passed his youth and obtained his education in the public schools. While yet a lad he began work in his father's mill, and before he was twenty-one he knew the secrets of paper making and was qualified to operate a mill. William Robertson sold his mill in Putney before his older sons had attained their ma- jority, and engaged in the same business in Cohoes. New York, where he operated a leased plant. He was not satisfied with the prospect there, and soon moved back to Putney, where he bought back the mill he had sold, and established his sons, George and Jolin, in business before either of them was of age, under the firm name of George & John Robert- son. Their business was well conducted and profit- able, and until 1849 the two brothers lived at Put- ney, and operated the mill together. In that year George Robertson went to Hinsdale, New Hamp- shire, and engaged in the same business. retaining his interest in the Putney mill. and having his brother for a partner in the Hinsdale establishment. George sold his interest in Putney in 1856. On lo- cating in Hinsdale he and others bought a paper mill which Thomas & Cutting had built four years before. There he carried on the manufacture of paper until the mill was destroyed by fire in 1851. This loss necessitated a suspension of business until a new mill could be built, which was done immed- iately. In 1863 fire again consumed the mill and machinery. In 1865 a new establishment had been erected, and in that the business was carried on until ISSI. In that year the bursting of what is called a rotary bleach laid the mill and a large portion of the machinery in ruins. In spite of what would have been disheartening misfortunes to most other men, Mr. Robertson began to rebuild at once and the next spring he had a better mill and more expensive ma- chinery than he had ever had before; so that instead of eight hundred and fifty pounds of paper he had formerly been able to turn out, he now, 1882. could turn out five thousand pounds in a day, and an era of prosperity seemed to await him. At this time two of his sons. Frank W. and Edwin C., were erect- ing a paper mill on the Ashuelot river, in the town of Winchester, three miles above Hinsdale. On the afternoon of May 24, 1882, while observing the con- struction of this mill and talking with his son, he was struck on the head by a falling derrick which fractured his skull and caused his death in a short time. Thus was removed from that community a man of most excellent business qualifications, of sterling integrity, and indomitable perseverance and energy, who in spite of repeated losses of large proportions, had risen after each disaster, stronger and more successful than before, until the final blow swept his life away. He was a public spirited. gen- erous. kind-hearted and helpful man and citizen. In politics he was originally a Whig, but became a Democrat on the organization of the Know-Nothing party. His fellow citizens availed themselves of his business talents and elected him to office where he served there as selectman. He was an active mem- her of the Congregational Church, and society, and for five years the superintendent of the Sunday school of that church, which under his administra-

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t " was very successful. He was a member of Gi Men Rule Lodge. No. 77. Free and Accepted Ma- sins. of Hinsdale: Royal Arch Chapter, No. 4; the Royal and Select Masters; and Hugh Depayen Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Keene.

He married, May 13, 1844. Abigail Wyman, who was born May 31, 1823, in Jamaica, Vermont. and died in Hinsdale. September 12, 1889, daughter of Nathan and Patty T. Wyman, of Jamaica, Vermont. Six children were born of this union: George and Andrew died in children: four are living: Frank 1. George A., Edwin C., and Orren C., all of wh m are married and engaged in the manufacture of paper. Frank W. is mentioned below. George .A. is engaged in business in Hinsdale. a member of the firm of G. A. Robertson & Company. He is a member of the Congregational Church, superintend- ent of its Sunday school, and a member of Amity Lodge. No. 40. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. of Hinsdale, of which he is a past grand. Edwin C. is the subject of a paragraph below. Orren C. is in business in Hinsdale, is a progressive citizen, and a. members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. ( III) Frank William, eldest of the living sons of George and Abigail (Wyman) Robertson, was born in Putney, Vermont, September 6. 1848. He obtained his education in the common schools of Hinsdale, at Oleutt's Seminary. Brattleboro, Ver- mont. and Powers' Institute, Barnardston, Massa- chusetts. In IS70 he went into the business of pa- For manufacturing with his father at Hinsdale, the firm assuming the style of Robertson & Son. In ISSo he sold his interest in the Hinsdale plant to his brother George A. He removed to Holyoke, Massa- chusetts, and bought a mill there which in company with his brother Edwin C. they operated two years. In 1882 he returned to Hinsdale and formed a partnership with his brother. Edwin C., under the. firm name of Robertson Brothers, and they built a paper mill at Ashuelot Village, in Winchester, which they have since operated, employing twenty hands and turning out daily about five thousand pounds of Manilla grade of tissue paper. Mr. Robertson is a successful man, and possesses the good qualities that shrewd and honorable ancestry have transmitted to him. He is a Democrat, and has served as a member of the board of selectmen. He is a mem- ber of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 77. Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Hinsdale; Cheshire Royal Arch Chapter, No. 4: the Royal and Select Masters : Hugh Depayen Commandery, Knights Templar, of Keene : and Edward A. Raymond Consistory, thirty-second degree. Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, of Nashua; and also the Order of the Eastern Star of Hinsdale. JFc married, in Hinsdale, March 14, 1871. Susan G. Martin, who was born March 5, 1848, in Jlinsdale, daughter of Oscar J. and Caroline E. ( Stoddard) Martin. Her father was born in Guil- ford. Vermont, and her mother in Chesterfield. New Hampshire. They have one daughter, Eva Caro- line. Both mother and daughter are members of Naomi Chapter, No. 36, Order of the Eastern Star. ( 111) Edwin Clarence, fifth son and child of George and Abigail (Wyman) Robertson, was born in Flinsdale. March 6, 1856. He attended the com- mon and high schools of Hinsdale. Kimball Union Academy, and Leland and Gray Seminary, Town- send Vermont, Powers Institute, Bernardston, Mas- sachusetts, and Wells Business College at New Haven, Connecticut, to obtain his education. After spending four years in the paper manufacturing in- dustry in the employ of his father in Hinsdale, he

was admitted to a partnership in the same line of business with his uncle. John Robertson, at Holyoke, Massachusetts. Two years later, in ISSo, with his brother. Frank, the interest of the uncle named was purchased and the plant operated by them under the name of the Robertson Brothers. This partnership continued three years and was concluded in 1883 by the withdrawal of the brothers from Holyoke and their establishment of a paper mill at Ashuelot, New Hampshire, which they have ever since continued to operate. They employ twenty persons, and turn out from two to three tons of tissue paper daily. In 1003 Edwin C. Robertson and his son Winfred formed a partnership as E. C. Robertson & Son, and built another paper mill at Ashuelot. where they employ twenty operators and turn out from three to four tons of tissue paper a day. Mr. Robertson is a Democrat, and has had considerable experience in political affairs. For years he has served as town moderator and as moderator at the annual school meeting. In 1885 he represented Hinsdale in the state legislature. serving on the committee on manu- factories : he was at that time the youngest member of the Assembly. He is the present President of Hinsdale's Board of Trade.

In circles connected with the paper manufacture he has attained considerable prominence, and is now serving his second year as vice-president of the tissue division of the National Pulp and Paper Associa- tion, and his third year as president of the National Association of tissue paper manufacturers. He is a member of Golden Rule Lodge. No. 77, Free and Accepted Masons, of Hinsdale; Fort Dummer Royal Arch Chapter: of Brattleboro, and Beauseant Commandery. Knights Templar, of Brattleboro. Ver- mont. He is also a member of Riverside Colony of Pilgrim Fathers, No. 148, of Hinsdale, of which he has been governor about eight years in all.

He married, in IFinsdale, May 1, 1878, Rose E. Richmond. daughter of Gilbert and Catherine (Law- ton) Richmond. Mr. Richmond was born in Guil- ford, Vermont, and his wife at Dummerston, Ver- mont. He died in January. 1907, and she is still living. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson: Winfred F., who was born July 24. 1880, prepared for college at the high schools of Hinsdale and Keene, New Hampshire, and took the course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which he graduated in the class of 1903; and Christina, who is now (1907) a student at Mac- Duffies Boarding School at Springfield. Massa- chusetts.

JIOPKINSON From the pioneer days of Massa- chusetts, when the first Hopkin- son settled in Boston, down to the present, the men of this race have been men of energy, always producers, and contributors to the wealth of three states in which they have been pioneer settlers. They have been patriotic, withal, and have helped to preserve liberties their Revolu- tionary ancestors fought for.

(I) Michael Hopkinson, "the settler," came to New England about 1635, and lived a short time in Boston whence he moved to Rowley and settled in 1630. He was admitted to the First Church in Bos- ton, February 6, 1638 and dismissed to "ye gathering of a church at Rowley." November 24, 1639. May 13. 1640. he was made a freeman. He married his wife Ann, whose surname is unknown, before set- tling in Rowley. He died in 1649. and she married (second) John Trumble; (third), 1659, Richard

Frank Dr. Roberton-

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Swan; and died in 1678. The sons of Michael and Ann Hopkinson were: Jonathan, Jeremiah. John and Caleb.

(11) John, third son of Michael and Ann Hop- kinson, was born in Rowley, February 7, 1047, and died May 29. 1704. He married, June 8, 1070, Eliza- beth Pearson, who was born in Rowley, October 17. 1046, daughter of Deacon John Pearson. Their sons were: John and Jeremiah.

(III) John (2), elder of the two sons of John (I) and Elizabeth ( Pearson) Hopkinson, was born in Rowley, May 30, as stated by the town records, but according to the church records he was baptized April 3, 1692. He lived in Byfield Parish, Rowley. He married, February 12, 1713. Mary Wheeler, who was born February 9, 1695, daughter of Jonathan and Mary Wheeler.

(IV) Jonathan, son of John (2) and Mary (Wheeler) Hopkinson, was born in Rowley, Massa- chusetts, February 10, 1717, and removed to Brad- ford, where he married (date not given in the rec- ord) Margaret Burbank, of Bradford. He lived in Pelham from 1752 to 1761, and removed to Rindge about 1761 or 1762. There and in the adjoining town of Jaffrey he lived ten years. The Rindge records represent that he was a serviceable man, and frequently named on committees. He owned two hundred acres of land in the southeast corner of Jaffrey, adjoining Rindge, and there he erected a mansion house and two mills, which he sold in 1768 to Ephraim Hunt. These mills were on the site of the mill and box factory of the Annett Manu- facturing Company. In 1769 and 1770 he sold his remaining land in Rindge and in Jaffery. In the autumn of 1772, or early spring of 1773. he went to Littleton and settled at the village of North Little- ton. His advent there was a substantial addition to the young settlement. He and his family were staunch patriots, and he and his four sons were in the army nearly a year at the same time, and all in the same company. He served eleven montlis and twenty-four days from April 7, 1778, in Captain Luther Richardson's company, of Colonel Bedel's regiment. About 1784 he removed to Upper Cohas. The children of Jonathan and Margaret ( Burbank ) Hopkinson were: Jonathan, Mary, David, John, Martha and Caleb.

(V) David, third child and second son of Jona- than and Margaret (Burbank) Hopkinson, was born September 1, 1751. He lived in various places with his parents, and afterwards in Littleton, from 1773 to 1780. He served one month and twenty days in 1770 in Captain Josiah Russell's company of rangers; from January 26, to March 1, 1778, in Cap- tain Nehemiah Lovewell's company, and from April 7, 1778, eleven months and twenty-four days, in Cap- tain Luther Richardson's company, Colonel Bedel's regiment. "In 1780," says the History of Littleton, New Hampshire, "he settled in Guildham, Vermont, near the line of Lunenburg." It was supposed for a time that his farm was in Lunenburg, and lie at- tended town meetings, and was elected to office in that town. After the adjustment of the boundaries of these two towns in 1785, he found himself a citizen of Guildhall. He was town clerk and lister of Lunenburg in 1781, chief justice of Essex county, 1812 and 1815, and at all times a prominent factor in the public affairs of Guildhall. He died in 1830. Another account of the family says: "Judge David Hopkinson was a native of 'Molbury' (Marl- borough), Massachusetts. He married, before 1773, Sarah Kennedy, who was born in Haverhill, Massa-

chusetts. In April, 1776, they went from Haverhill, New Hampshire, to Guildhall, Vermont, drawing their two children, Joshua, who was then three years old, and David, who was ten months old, on a moose sled. On their arrival there he immediately set to work to build a home in the wilderness, in which labor he was largely assisted by his young and ambitious wife. He felled trees, and soon had the logs ready for a cabin, which his strong-armed and warm-hearted neighbors helped him erect. He then began to fell the forest to make a clearing in which to raise a crop, and within a year felt quite well established in the frontier home. There his children were born and reared, and there they nearly all grew up. Like their neighbors they were hardy, but generous and hospitable, and from their door no deserving needy one was ever turned away. Judge David was a man of strong mind and good capacity, very prominent in public affairs, and held the office of chief judge of the Essex county court for the years 1812-15. Mrs. Hopkinson died March 18, 1836. Their ten children were: Joshua, David, Henry, John, Sally, Isaac, Noyes, Polly (died young), Polly, Francis. In 1886 but one who bore or had ever borne the name remained in Guildhall, and that was Mary, who married William Hopkins, and lived on the place. where the two eldest children were taken off the moose sled."

(VI) David (2), second son and child of David (I) and Sarah (Kennedy) Hopkinson, was born Jitly 8, 1775, and landed in Guildhall in April, 1776, and lived there until he removed to Derby, where he died November 8, 1837. He was an influential citizen, a man of first class ability, and was always able to accomplish what was required of him. In whatever position he was placed by the vote of his fellow citizens or the appointment of the officials of the government, he discharged his duties con- scientiously and well, and the name of David Hop- kinson is one that his descendants may look back upon with pride and veneration. While he lived in town he owned and occupied the lot known as the "Governors Right," which was a part of the land taken by his father when he settled in Guildhall in 1776, and where his widow resided at the time of her death. He married Dorcas Ilugh, who was born in 1780, and died November 18, 1863, aged eighty-three years. They had nine children : Rus- sell, Portia H., Guy, Isaac, John Il., Ann, Sarah, Dorcas and Portus.

(VII) John Hugh, fourth son and fifth child of David (2) and Dorcas (Hugh) Hopkinson, was born in Salem, a part of Derby, Vermont, 1813, and died in Lancaster, New Hampshire, April 30, 1886. When five years of age his father moved to Guildhall. He was a farmer and resided in Guild- hall until 1853, when he settled in Lancaster where the remainder of his life was passed. He pur- chased the stone house on Main street where his children were born and where his son, I. W., now lives. He was a member of the Democratic party, and took an active part in politics and held various town offices which he administered with credit to himself. He was elected trustee of Lancaster Sav- ings Bank in 1876, and was a member of the board of fire wardens, 1860-71, both inclusive. He mar- ried, 1850, Susan Johnson, Wetherbee, who was born in Concord, 1826, and died July 30, 1892, only child of James and Henrietta Wetherbee, of Con- cord, Vermont. Three children were born of this union : Clementine Burns, John David and Isaac W. Celmentine B., married, November, 1883, E. F.

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Rogers, of Santa Barbara, California, died June, 1884.

(VIII) John David, son of John Hugh and Susan J. (Wetherbee) Hopkinson, was born in Lancaster, November, 1854. Educated in the Lan- caster Academy, and early began work on the farm. In the fall of 1879 he went to Hartford, Kansas, and engaged in sheep raising and now owns a large farm where he is extensively engaged in raising live stock. He married Frances Lagro, daughter of James Lagro, of Lancaster; by this union one son was born, who died in infancy, in 1894.

(VIII) Isaac Wetherbee, third child of John H. and Susan J. (Wetherbee) Hopkinson, was born in Lancaster, December 18, 1856. He spent his youth with his father, attending school in winter and assisting in the farm work the remainder of the year. He now owns and cultivates the farm his father owned, and also does something in the way of getting out lumber. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and as a Democrat was elected selectman in ISSo, and fireward in 1888. He was one of the last board of directors of the Lancaster Bridge Company, one of the organizers of the Rid- ing Park Association, of Coos county, January 22, 1884, and was one of the charter members of the Mount Prospect Grange, No. 241, of Lancaster, organized March 13, 1896. He attends St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He takes a lively interest in Free Masonry, and is a respected member of that order. He is a member of North Star Lodge. No. 8, Free and Accepted Masons; North Star Royal Arch Chapter, No. 16; and North Star Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Lancaster. He mar- ried, December 8, 1881, in Lancaster, Mary John- stone, who, was born January 29, 1859, in Mobile, Alabama, daughter of Alexander and Sarah Bugbee Johnstone. Alexander Johnstone was born in Glas- gow, Scotland, 1823, and at the age of eighteen years came to America and entered the employ of A. T. Stewart, the great merchant of New York, where he was employed many years, and later engaged in business in Mobile, Alabama.

This name came into England with

MOORE William the Conqueror, in 1066. Thomas de More was among the sur- vivors of the battle of Hastings, October 11, of that year, and was a recipent of many favors at the hands of the triumphant invader. All the anti- quarians of Scotland and the authorities on genea- logy are agreed that the name Dennis-toun of Den- nis-toun, ranks with the most eminent and ancient in the realms of the United Kingdom. It certainly dates back to 1016, and probably earlier, and Joanna or Janet, daughter of Sir Hugh de Dangieltown, married Sir Adam More, of Rowallan, and became the mother of Elizabeth More, who, in 1347, married King Robert Il, of Scotland, from whom sprang the long line of Stuart monarchs. Another Janet, about 1400, married her cousin, Sir Adam More, of Row- allan. This motto has been preserved by the Den- nis-touns: "Kings come of us; not we of kings." The name of Moore has been numerously borne in England, Scotland, and later, in Ireland, represen- tatives of this family having filled distinguished po- sitions in the United Kingdom, and several of them occupied seats as members of Parliament. They have also been eminent in military affairs. Rich- ard Moore came in the Mayflower to Scituate, Mas- sachusetts, and the name is common in the records of Plymouth. Newbury and Salem, the carliest set- tlements in the state.

(I) The New Hampshire representatives of this name are descended from Jonathan Moore, who is found of record at Stratham (then a part of Ex- eter), New Hampshire, in 1650, and who was with- out doubt a resident there some years prior to that date. He was of Scotch origin, and had been a col- onel in the British army. He had two sons, Jona- than and William.

(II) William (1), son of Jonathan Moore, was one of the petitioners, January 4, 1715, for the es- tablishment of the town of Stratham, and was elec- red a selectman at the first town meeting of that town, April 16, 1716. At a town meeting of August 5, of the same year, he was chosen the first represen- tative to the general court. He married Sarah Wig- gin, daughter of Andrew Wiggin, and granddaugh- ter of Thomas Wiggin, the emigrant ancestor of the Wiggin family, and they had children: William, see forward; and Mary.

(III) William (2), son of William (r) and Sarah (Wiggin) Moore, was in the Provincial and Ranging service in 1755. While on duty he was captured by the Indians. After his escape from captivity he was one of the signers of a petition to the general assembly, dated Stratham, June 8. 1762. He married Abigail Gilman, born prior to 1670, daughter of Major John Gilman, of Stratham, and had children: William. Abigail. Peter. Betsey. Agnes. Mary. Harvey, born July 12, 174-, in Strat- ham, removed to Parsonsfield in 1791, where he died in 1801. Ile was a soldier during the war of the Revolution, and was commissioned captain by the secretary of war. He enlisted May 30. 1775; was second lieutenant in Colonel Enoch Poore's regiment ; and lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel Drake, in 1777. He married, November 18. 1762, Mary Wiggin, of Stratham, and they had children : Susanna, Abigail, Betsey, Simon, John, Harvey and Sally Moore. Coffin (see forward). John. Eliza- beth.

(IV) Coffin, fourth son and eighth child of William (2) and Abigail (Gilman) Moore, was born in Stratham, New Hampshire, February 25, 1739. He was the first physician to practice in the town of Candia, in that state and he died there, Oc- tober 30, 1784, and buried in the old meeting-house graveyard on Candia Hill. He practiced in New- market, Brentwood, Georgetown, Pownaldsborough and Candia, and was surgeon on board a naval ves- sel during the war of the Revolution. Both he and his wife were people of marked intelligence and fine education, and spoke several languages. He married. March 3, 1760. Comfort Weeks, born in Greenland, New Hampshire, in 1740, daughter of Dr. John Weeks, and they had children: Martha, William, John Weeks, Coffin, Comfort, Jacob Bai- ley, see forward; and Mary. After remaining a widow for about sixteen years, Mrs. Moore married Simcon French, of Candia, and died in that town, November 1, 1814.

(V) Dr. Jacob Bailey, fourth son and sixth child of Dr. Coffin (4) and Comfort (Weeks) Moore, was born in Georgetown, Maine, September 5. 1772. Dr. Moore was named for Rev. Jacob Bailey, who was born in Rowley, Massachusetts, in 1731, died July 26, 1808; he went to England and there after suitable study was admitted to Holy Orders, Jan- uary 19, 1760. He was ordained deacon by the bishop of Rochester, and priest by the bishop of Peterborough, and was appointed missionary to Georgetown. now Bath, Maine. In 1701 he married Sarah, the fourth daughter of Dr. John Weeks, of Hampton, New Hampshire, for whom Dr. Moore

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named his youngest son, John Weeks Moore,

author of "The Enclycopedia of Music." He studied medical lore with his father, but qualified himself for his profession principally through his own efforts. After practicing for a time in asso- ciation with his father, he settled in Andover, New Hampshire, in 1796. There he met with marked success, and in 1812 was appointed surgeon's mate in the Eleventh Regiment of United States Infantry. On September 17, of the same year, he wrote home from Plattsburg, New York, "I am just disembarked from on board the United States Sloop Eliza; the chief surgeon is drowned and I supply his place. I have the care of four thousand troops." Septem- ber 27 he wrote "On board the Little Belt, Lake Champlain. I am ordered to Burlington. I have

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Genealogical and family history of the state of New Hampshire : a record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Vol. II, Part 7

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