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 94

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 94

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Reconstruction Act of congress. Colonel Grimes served in that capacity for several months. From October. 1867, to April following the Colonel was in command of the post at Nacogdoches, in north- eastern Texas, and was subsequently in command of a post at Ringgold Barracks, on the Rio Grande River. The long and arduous service in that torrid region had somewhat impaired his health, and upon the advice of a physician hie proceeded north on a leave of absence and returned to his duties in the fall of 1868, much improved in condition. He was then stationed at Brownsville, Texas, but the cli- mate was soon found to be deleterious to his health and he was again granted a leave of absence. He reached home August 1, 1870, and in consequence of his impaired health he resigned from the ser- vice on the first of the following January, after nearly ten years of military activity. In September, 1866, upon the reorganization of the army, Colonel Grimes was transferred to the Twenty-sixth United States Infantry, and in May, 1869, to the Tenth lle was commissioned major by brevet, to rank front August 1, 1864, "for gallant services at the Battle of Spottsylvania and during the present campaign before Richmond, Virginia." From March 13, 1865, he ranked as lieutenant-colonel by brevet for gallant and meritorious services during the war. Thus was a faithful and deserving soldier rewarded. Hle now took up his residence in Hillsboro, and has since resided there in the enjoyment of that peace and prosperity which came upon the nation in a measure through his own efforts. Having a com- petency, he is able to give of his time to the promotion of every interest of the community in which he lives, and he is an honored and respected citizen of his native town. While at home on a leave of absence Colonel Grimes married, September 8, 1804, Sarah Aun Jones, of Ilillsboro, daughter of Eben and Mary ( Carr) Jones, of that town. She was his companion in the military life of Texas and con-

James J. Guins,

James A. Times.

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tinned by his side as helpmeet and companion until March 15, 1906, when she passed away at her home in Hillsboro Bridge. A brief mention of their children follows: James Wilson, born November 21. 1865, is engaged in the practice of law in Boston. John Harvey, born March 25, 1867, now resides in Hillsboro, and is engaged in the operation of a saw mill. Warren Parker, born October 12, 1868, is a practicing physician in Hillsboro Bridge. Mary Carr, born August 27, 1871, resides at home. Henry Clitz, born October 21. 1872, died at the age of sixteen years. Clara Forsaith, born January 27, 1875, resides at home. Cecil P., born June 29, 1878. resides in Penacook, New Hampshire.

(VII) James Wilson Grimes, eldest child of Colonel James F. and Sarah 'Ann (Jones) Grimes, was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, No- vember 21, 1865, and obtained his literary education in the common schools of Weymouth, Massachu- setts. and at Phillip's Academy, Andover, Massa- chusetts. In 1890 he graduated from the Boston University Law School, and soon after went to the state of Iowa, where he was admitted to the bar. Finding that the west did not meet his expectations, he staid but a short time, and then returned to Boston and was admitted to the Suffolk county bar in 1891, and immediately entered upon the practice of law in Boston. His course in business has been successful, as has also his course in politics. He is a Republican, and on settling in Reading, where he resides, he at once took a part in political affairs and soon became a local leader. In 1897 he was elected from Woburn and Reading to the legislature, and reelected in the years 1898 and 1809. In 1906 he was nominated for senator from the seventh Middlesex district, and elected in November of that year, and served as chairman of the committee on street railways, and also a member of the committee on legal affairs and print- ing, and special recess committee on insurance. At the end of his term he was re-elected in 1907 to serve in the senate during the years 1908-09. In finance as well as law and politics he has found favor. and he is vice-president and a director of the First National Bank of Reading. and a trustee of the Blackstone Savings Bank of Boston. He is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, and has served one term as president of the Young Men's Christian Association in Reading. He is a member of Gen- eral Reynolds Camp. Sons of Veterans, and of the Loyal Legion. IJe is also a member of the follow- ing divisions of the Masonic order: Good Samari- tan Lodge, of Reading; Order of the Eastern Star. of which he is a past worthy patron. He is a member of Security Lodge, No. 8, Independent Order of Odd Fellows: New Hampshire, Home Market, Middlesex and Republican clubs : Meadow Brook Golf Club, and the Suffolk and Middlesex Bar Associations.

This old American name is now

SLEEPER widely distributed throughout New England and the entire United States, and is borne by many honorable and worthy citizens. It is of English origin, and was early transplanted to American shores.

(1) Thomas Sleeper was born about 1616, and was a resident of Hampton, New Hampshire, soon after the settlement of that town in 1638. Land was granted to him as early as 1646. In the latter part of his life he lived on what is now known as Shaw's Hill. Ilis was then a frontier house, no

other family living so remote from the main set- tlement. From him and his descendants that part of the town was called "Sleepertown," since cor- rupted into "Sleepytown." He died July 30, 1696, and his family afterwards removed to the newly incorporated town of Kingston. His wife Joanna died there February 5, 1703, at the age of eighty years. She was buried in Hampton. Their chil- dren were: Elizabeth, Mary, Ruth, John, Moses, Aaron and Luther.

(II) Aaron, third son and sixth child of Thomas and Joanna Sleeper, was born February 20, 1661, in Hampton, and died in Kingston, May 9, 1732, aged seventy-one years. He was married May 23, 1682, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Partridge) Shaw, and granddaughter of Roger Shaw (see Shaw. I), and had a second wife, Sarah, who bore him two children. The first wife was the mother of seventeen children. They in- cluded Moses, Thomas, Aaron, Joseph and John (twins), Samuel, Elisha, Hezekiah, Ebenezer, Jonathan and Abigail.

(III) Moses, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Shaw) Sleeper, was born January 2, 1684, in Hampton, and resided in Kingston, where he died January 13, 1754. He was married January 9, 1714, to Mary, daughter of Captain Jonathan San- born. She was born March 20, 1698. They had fifteen children.

(IV) David, son of Moses and Margaret (Sanborn) Sleeper, was born November 16, 1721, in Kingston, and settled immediately after his marriage in Sandown, New Hampshire. He cleared and improved a good farm in Sandown, and through industry and thrift accumulated what was considered at that carly day a handsome for- tune, which he distributed among his children as they began life for themselves. He was prominently identified with the early civic affairs of Sandown, and also with the Baptist Church of which he was one of the leading supporters. As commander of the local militia company he hastily assembled his command on hearing the news of the battle of Lexington, and marching to Boston reported for duty in defense of national independence. He was untiring in his efforts to perfect the moral training of his children, all of whom inherited his honesty, integrity and other commendable virtues, and in addition to providing them with a goodly share of the goods of this world, he left them the honorable record of having lived an upright and conscientious life. He died in Sandown, October 18, 1780. His first wife, whom he married November 24, 1743, was Margaret Scribner, and his second wife was Ruth Jenness, who was born March 29, 1735, and died July 6, 1823. Of his first union there were four children, and his second wife bore him six- teen children. Six of his sons and two of his daugh- ters settled in Bristol, New Hampshire, namely : Gideon, Peter, Moses, John, Daniel, Samuel, Mary (who married Theophilus Sanborn), and Ruth (who married James Ingalls). Some of his children settled in Vermont, others went to Maine and Canada and one located in Plymouth, this state. ( Mention of his sons David and Benjamin and descendants forms a part of this article.)

(V) Peter, third son of David and Margaret (Scribner) Sleeper, was born in Sandown, May 27, 1746. Going to Bristol in 1769 as a pioneer, he erected a log house on the west side of what is now High street, and two years later brought his wife and infant son to reside in his new home.

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A few years later he erected the first frame house On the east side of the road, which is still standing, and is now or was recently occupied by Gidcon Boardman. He subsequently opened a tavern, which he carried on for many years. He was the first constable and tax collector in Bristol, served as a selectman in. 1764, entered the Continental army during the Revolutionary war as sergeant in Cap- tain Walker's company, and during this exciting period town meetings were held in his house. He was afterwards actively identified with the state militia, serving as major of the Second Battalion, Eighth Regiment, and lieutenant-colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment. It is said of him that on one occasion he roasted an ox for the purpose of sup- plying his command with a bountiful repast. Colonel Sleeper died in Bristol, September 11, 1826. He married Mary Sanborn, daughter of Daniel Sanborn, of Kensington. New Hampshire, and her death occurred October 27, 1834, at the age of eighty-three years. She became the mother of eleven children, all of whom were natives of Bristol, except Peter, the first born.

(\'I) Peter (2), eldest son and child of Peter (1) and Mary (Sanborn) Sleeper, was born in Sandown. He went to Bristol from Oxford, Maine. where he married and had a family of ten children, namely : Peter A., who settled in Bristol. Daniel, who went to Vermont. Nathan, who married Fanny Jones, of Portsmouth, and died in that city, July 22, 1855 (N. B. Dr. Thomas P. Shaw, of Lowell, Massachusetts, is one of his descendants). Captain Moses West, who served in the War of 1812, was afterwards an officer in the state militia, and re- sided near Danforth Brook; he married Ruth

Worthen. Sherburn T., who died in Louisiana. Sanborn, who married twice and was the father of three children. Anna, who became the wife of Ichabod C. Bartlett, and had seven children. David, who settled in Canada, married Susan Harriman, who bore him six children. Abraham, who married a Miss Tolford and located in New York state. Jonathan E., who is referred to in the succeeding paragraph.

(VII) Jonathan E., youngest son and tenth child of Peter Sleeper (2). was born August 6, 1780. He went to Belleville, Canada West. but eventually returned to New Hampshire and died in Concord. January 24, 1873. He married Adelia Sweep, and had a family of cleven children.

(VIII ) Charles Wellington, son of Jonathan E. and Adelia Sleeper, was born in Bristol, Febru- ary 25, 1847. He was a harness maker by trade and for many years conducted a thriving business at Concord with James R. Hill. Some years ago he retired from active business pursuits and is now living in retirement at Franklin. He affiliates with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Episcopal Church. He married Clementine Thompson, of Franklin, New Hamp- shire, daughter of Asa P. Thompson. She became the mother of two sons, both born at Franklin, New Hampshire: Alvah G., who will be mentioned at greater length presently ; and Fred A., born May 14. 1876, a tool and die maker in Boston.

(IX) Alvah Guy, son of Charles W. and Clem- entine ( Thompson) Sleeper, was born in Franklin, October 23. 1872. His early education was acquired in the public schools, from whence he entered the New Hampshire Conference Seminary at Tilton, and was graduated from Dartmouth College in

1899. While at Dartmouth he officiated as organist in the college chapel and church. Deciding to enter the legal profession he took the regular course at the Boston University law school, graduating with honors in 1902, and since his admission to the Suffolk bar, which took place in January. 1903, he lias been engaged in general practice both in Massa- chusetts and New Hampshire, having an office in Boston. Mr. Sleeper for the past seven years has been the organist at the Bromfield Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Boston. He is quite well ad- vanced in the Masonic Order, and is a member of D. K. E. in Dartmouth College.

(V) David (2), son of David (1) and Mary (Scribner) Sleeper, was born 1748, and first settled on the homestead at Sandown and removed thence to Vershire, Vermont, and returned to Sandown, where he finished his days. The vital records of the state are singularly silent about this family.

(VI) Joseph, supposed to have been a son of David (2) Sleeper, was born September 10, 1782, but the records do not indicate the place of his birth (presumably Sandown: recorded in Gilford). He married Susanna, daughter of Simeon and Miriam ( Morrill) Hoyt (see Hoyt, VI). They had children : Lucinda, Henry and Susanna.

(VII) Henry H., only son and second child of Joseph and Susanna (Hoyt) Sleeper, was born December 6. 1812, in Gilford. New Hampshire, where he resided. He married Caroline Robie, who was a descendant of an old Maine family of that name, and had three children: Charles H., Joseph Franklin, and a daughter who died young.

(VIII) Charles H., son of Henry H. and Caroline ( Robie) Sleeper, was born August, 1836, in Gilford, and was a farmer in that town during the earlier part of his business life. He married Angenette Truc, of Lincoln, Maine. They have one son, Charles E.

(IX) Charles E., son of Charles H. and Angenette (True) Sleeper, was born in Gilford, November 29, 1862, and has spent his life in that town and Laconia, engaged in agricultural pur- suits. For many years Charles H. Sleeper has taken an active part in public affairs, and served several years as selectman in Gilford, and also represented that town in the state legislature. His present residence is in Lakeport, one of the suburbs and a ward of the city of Laconia, and his son occu- pies the old homestead in Gilford. Mr. Sleeper is an Odd Fellow, a Republican in politics, and a Unitarian in religious preference. Charles E. mar- ried Ida A., daughter of John and llannah (Sher- wood) Goodwin, of Warren, New Hampshire, and has four children: Mand F., born May 8, 1891 ; Hannah D., born July 19. 1893; Frank D., born May 7, 1898; Charles H., born August 15, 1904. (V) Benjamin, fifteenth child of David (1) and Margaret (Scribner) Sleeper, was born Janu- ary 17, 1771, in Sandown, and died at Compton, Province of Quebec. He was married in 1796, to Betty Hills, but no record of their children ap- pears.

(VI) Josiah, son of Benjamin and Betty (Ilills) Sleeper, was born April 3, 1798, in San- down, and lived for many years in Londonderry, New Hampshire. He died December 10, 1881, in Sunapee, New Hampshire.

(IV) Benjamin (2). son of Josiah Sleeper. was born August 13. 1810, in Compton, Province of Quebec. He married Eliza Ann Nevers, born

2. Frank SEaway

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January 20, 18II, and died October 12, 1848. They were the parents of four children, namely: Ben- jamin R., Walter H., Henry and George T.

(V) Benjamin R. Sleeper was born September 24, 1836, in Sunapee. He is a farmer and manu- facturer of rakes. He was married to Mary Batchelder, only daughter and second child of Nathaniel and Sarah ( Trask) Batchelder, of Suna- pee (see Batchelder, VIII). They reside on the farm belonging to Mrs. Sleeper, which was in- herited from her grandfather, a pioneer settler there.

There are several families of this

SEAVEY name in New Hampshire, descended from different sons of the pioneer ancestor. They have been energetic and industrious business men, artisans and agriculturists, and have borne their share in the clearing away of the forests and the development of American civiliza- tion.

(I) The first of this name who settled in the region of Portsmouth, which in pioneer times was for years an attractive fishing station, was William Seavey, who was sent from England in 1631 to the Piscataqua by Captain John Mason. He was a inan of activity and good judgment, and was promi- nent in the community, and one of its prudential managers. He was a selectman and otherwise of confidence in the settlement, and in 1660 was an elder in the church. He died about 1688. The name of his wife is not on record. His children were: William, John, Stephen and Elizabeth. From Wil- liam and John Seavey have sprung a large number of descendants, many of whom live at Portsmouth and the not far distant' towns, but not all of the descendants of the immigrant can be traced. It is fair to presume, however, that all the Seaveys of ancient lineage in Portsmouth, Rye, and other neighboring towns are of the same stock.

(I) Thomas Seavey, probably a relative of William Seavey, with his wife Tamsen lived on the north side of Seavey creek while William lived on the south side. Thomas was called "cousin" in an affidavit made by John and Elizabeth, the chil- dren of William.

(II) Samuel, son of Thomas and Tamsen Seavey, was rated in Portsmouth in 1717. In 1731 he deeded all his land and personal property to his son Samuel, who was, possibly, the only living child at that time. No record of his marriage is found. He probably died very soon after the deed of 1731.

(III) Samuel (2), son of Samuel (1) Seavey, was born about 1685, and with his wife Abigail lived in Rye. They were married, probably, in I7II. He died in 1761 and his will, dated April I, 1760, was proven September 30 of the following year. He had nine children born between 1712 and 1735, namely : Ithamar, Samuel, Sarah, Henry, Mary, Abigail, Mehitabel, Jonathan and Moses. (Mention of Samuel and descendants appears itt this article.)

(IV) Ithamar, eldest child of Samuel and Abi- gail Seavey, was born January 27, 1712. He re- moved from Rye to Rochester before 1746, in July of which year he was one of the petitioners of Rochester to Governor Wentworth, requesting that soldiers be stationed at the garrison house there to guard the inhabitants. He married Mary Fuller, and they had seven children : Comfort, Mary, Elizabeth, Mehitable, Abigail, Jane, and Samuel,

whose sketch follows. They are buried on the home farm now owned by Charles H. Seavey.

(V) Samuel (2), youngest child of lthamar and Mary (Fuller) Seavey, was born in Rochester in 1747, and died in 1826, aged seventy-nine. He was a Revolutionary soldier. May 29, 1775, he enlisted and his name appears on the pay roll of Captain Henry Elkin's company, of Colonel Enoch Poor's regiment, August 1, 1775. In North Hamp- ton, January 5, 1776, he and others authorized Captain Moses Leavitt "to draw all our billeting money due from the Province of New Hampshire." September 23, 1776, at Portsmouth, he acknowledged receipt of six pounds bounty, and two pounds and ten shillings lawful money for billeting allowed by the general court to the soldiers raised to reinforce the army in New York. September 8, 1777, he acknowledged as an "enlisted soldier" in Captain Joseph Pierson's company, twenty-five shillings lawful money for travel or billeting money to Rhode Island. He is on the muster roll of Captain Pierson's company, as engaged from June 25, 1777, to December 18, 1777, "six months and five days'; and the record also states that he "enlisted July II, on duty." He married, in 1801, Rebecca Tasker, who was born in 1769, and died in 1852, aged eighty- three. They had three children: Samuel F., Jona- than T. and Mary Ann.

(VI) Samuel F., eldest child of Samuel (2) and Rebecca (Tasker) Seavey, was born Septem- ber 28, 1806, and died December 26. 1877, aged seventy-one years. He always resided on the old homestead in Rochester, and was engaged in farm- ing. He married, January 1, 1837, Eliza K. Ham, who was born January 28, 1815, and died February 10, 1894, aged seventy-nine. They had eight chil- dren : James Frank, Mary J., Elizabeth A., Albert F., Charles S., Joseph W., Charles H., and one which died in infancy. James F., Albert F. and Charles H. are mentioned later on. Joseph W. born April 4, 1849, married (first), February, 1874. Nellie R. Newlin. She died August 22, 1879, and he married (second) Jessie Scott McCulloch. There was one child by the first wife, Fred. Fuller, born August 16, 1879. He married, September 8, 1903, Faye Woodruff.

(VII) James Frank. eldest son and child of Samuel F. and Eliza K. (Ham) Seavey. was born in Rochester, August 14, 1838. He received his education in the public schools of his native town, and at Franklin Academy, Dover. At the age of nineteen years he began work in Dover as a clerk in the store of A. H. Tash & Company. After eight years service in that position he started in business with his brother. Albert F., under the firm name of J. Frank Seavey & Company, and carried on a clothing business on the corner of Second street and Central avenue, which continued until 1902, when they sold out. He then engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of The J. Frank Seavey Lumber Company. This com- pany has done an extensive business, being one of the firms most largely engaged in cutting lumber in eastern New Hampshire. Mr. Seavey also con- ducted a livery stable for many years, and has been connected with other business institutions in vari- ous capacities. He is president of the Dover Navigation Company, a position he has held for many years; is president of the Dover Co- operative Bank, and trustee of the Wentworth Home for aged people.

He is a lifelong and staunch Republican, and

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has been a counselor in his party and an incumbent of various offices of honor and trust for many years. He has been a member of the Dover com- mon council, was treasurer of Strafford county three years, 1869-1872, representative from ward two in the legislature, 1878-1881, was elected senator in 1881, and again in 1883, and member of the governor's council in 1902. Mr. Seavey is a courteous man, positive but not brusque in the expression of his views, a deep thinker and a correct reasoner, and a pleasing and sensible talker. His sound judgment in financial affairs, and his activity in business have made him one of the leading citi- zens of Dover in business and social circles. His experience and influence in these spheres have made the necessity of his presence to be felt in the councils of his party, and he has been a member of the Republican state committee thirty years. In fraternal circles he is no less popular and influential than in the others mentioned, and his membership in secret societies is comprehensive. He is a thirty-second degree Mason of the Scottish Rite degrees, and a member of the following named Masonic bodies: Strafford Lodge, No. 29, Belknap Royal Arch Chapter, No. S, Orphan Council, No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, St. Paul Commandery, Knights Templar, and New Hampshire Con- sistory, Scottish Rite. He is a member of Weco- hamet Lodge, No. 3, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Cocheco Encampment .. He is a Pythian and a member of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 6, and has been grand chancellor of the order in the state. He is also a member of Wonalancet Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men. He be- lives in the value and indispensability of the church and church influences, and is an attendant and liberal supporter of St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church in Dover, in which his wife was a worker and a member for more than forty years.

He married, April 20, 1863, Sarah F. Webster, who died March 26, 1900, aged sixty-two years. She was a daughter of Daniel K. and Hannah (Ham) Webster, of Dover. Two children were horn of this union: Grace Webster, now the wife of Montgomery Rollins, son of ex-Senator E. H. Rollins. Walter Ham, who is a member of the firm of E. H. Rollins & Sons, bankers, of Boston.

(VII) Albert F. Seavey, fourth child and sec- oud son of Samuel F. and Eliza K. (Ham) Seavey, was born on the old homestead near Rochester, December 29, 1843. He was educated in the com- mon schools, and at the age of eighteen began work as an operative in a shoe factory in Dover, where he was employed four years. May 10, 1866, he entered into a partnership with his brother, J. Frank Seavey, in the retail clothing business. They opened a store in Dover, and were together under the firm name of J. Frank Seavey & Company for thirty-five years. Mr. Seavey was also a partner with his brother in the lumber business, and since 1902 in lumber business alone. As a business man Mr. Seavey is one of the oldest and best known in Dover. Ilis word has always been as good as his bond, and either was as safe as cash in the hand. Besides doing a lively business in his mercantile and lumbering lines, Mr. Seavey has taken an active part in politics. Ile has always been a Demo- crat, sound to the core, and a believer in the prin- ciples enunciated by the fathers at the foundation of the party. Ile has been called to fill offices, and served as a member of the legislature in 1874-75,

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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 94

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