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. III, Part 125

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: 876

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. III > Part 125

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(II) James (2). third and youngest son of James ( I) and Hannah ( Proctor ) Tait. was born in Mason (now Greenville). He learned how to transact mercantile and other business under the watchful care of his father. and after the death of the latter, he succeeded him in the store. He was an accurate and careful business man, and was much liked and respected. For the most of his life he filled local offices, including those of deputy sheriff, justice of the peace and town clerk, 1872; selectman, 1875-77-78-85; and he was post- master during the administration of President Pierce and the first administration of President Cleveland. During his whole life he gave unwaver- ing allegiance to the Democratic party. He was an honored member of the Masons, and for a long time was secretary of Souhegan Lodge. He married January 29, 1859, Mary W. King, who was born in Wilton, February 4, 1838, daughter of Colonel Samuel and Lydia ( Livermore) King, of Wilton (see King. IV). Five children were born of this union : Herbert J., Josephine M .. Florence, Wini- fred Livermore and Beatrice King. Ilerbert J. is the subject of the next paragraph. Josephine M. lives with her mother. Winifred L. is the wife of Eugene Crawford. of Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Beatrice K. lives in Chicago.

(III) Herbert James, eldest child and only son of James (2) and Mary (King) Taft, was born in that part of Mason which is now Green- ville, September 1, 1860, and received his literary education in the public schools and at Ipswich Academy. In 1878 he entered the office of Wadley & Wallace of Milford, where he pursued the study of law until 1881, when he was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession. For two years after his admission he was associated in practice with Judge Wallace, at Mif rd. In

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1884 he opened an office in Greenville, where he has since attended to such legal business as came to him, and has also been engaged in various other employments. He is vice-president of the Mason Village Savings Bank, president of the Greenville Chair Company, principal stockholder and president of the Greenville Electric Light Company, carries on a large coal business, owns a large farm on which he raises fine stock, and is engaged in the lumber and saw mill business: for fifteen years he has frequently operated several mills at one time. He also represents the most of the fire insurance companies doing business in the vicinity. He is a very busy man, and much of the life and business of the village is due to him. He has been successful in his undertakings, and has filled various offices of honor and trust. In politics he is a Republican. For twelve years he has been a member of the school board, and has been judge of the local court. In 1890 and again in 1900 he was elected to the state legislature, and served with fidelity to his constituents and credit to himself. In 1904 he was elected to the New Hampshire senate, and filled that office with equal acceptability. He is a member of the Souhegan Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Greenville, King Solomon Chapter of Milford, Israel Hunt Council, No. 8, St. George Commandery, of Nashua, Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. Dunster Hill Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and the Patrons of Husbandry, of Greenville. He attends the Congregational Church, and has for years sung in its choir. He married, in Green- ville, October 21, 1885, Ida F. Chamberlain, who was born in Greenville, 1860, daughter of James L. and Mary ( Prescott) Chamberlain ( see Chamber- lain, 11). They have one child. James Chamber- lain Taft, born February 15. 1891.

(I) Asa Taft was undoubtedly descended from Robert Taft, who came from Scotland by the way of the north of Ireland during the last half of the seventeenth century, and settled in Mendon, Massa- chusetts. Robert had several sons whose descend- ants are now scattered through Worcester county. Massachusetts, other parts of New England, and also the western states, but the available records fail to give the connecting generations between the immigrant and Asa. The latter resided in Nel- son, New Hampshire, and was a prominent citizen of his day. On September 5, 1828, he married Nancy Burnap, of Nelson, and was the father of six children : Asa C., Nancy M., William H., Charles C., James Scollay and Emmoretta Maria.

( Il) James Scollay, fourth son and fifth child of Asa and Nancy ( Burnap) Taft, was born in Nel- son, July 16, 1844. lle attended the public schools of his native town, and the marked ability he has since displayed in business and civil life empha- sizes the fact that he made excellent use of his limited educational opportunities. When seventeen years old he began the activities of life as an operative in a mill at Harrisville, this state, where he remained some three year, and going to Keene about the year 1864 he accepted employment in the Osborne and Hale Chair Manufactory. A year later he engaged in the grocery business at Springfield, Massachusetts, as a member of the firm of Miller & Taft, but returned to Keene in 1866 and be- came a member of the dry-goods firm of M. N. Taft & Company, with which he was connected some five years. Early in the seventies his attention was directed to the production of pottery, and per- ceiving the possibility of a remunerative business 11~15

enterprise in that industry he established the firm of J. S. Taft & Company, manufacturers of Hamp shire Pottery. Ile has ever since continued in that industry and from a small beginning the plant has de- veloped into large proportions, employing a large number of skilled artisans and producing large quantities of superior pottery annually, which has a high reputation in the various centers of trade.

Naturally Mr. Taft's business ability and well- known integrity has made him eligible to public office, and whenever called upon to serve in a civic capacity he has, at considerable sacrifice, generously responded to the desires of his fellow-citizens. He has on more than one occasion diligently safe- guarded the interests of the municipality as a mem- ber of the common council and was at one time president of that body. He was subsequently elected to the board of aldermen, was chosen mayor in 1903, and re-elected the succeeding two years, 1904- 05, represented Keene in the lower branch of the state legislature in 1895 and served as a delegate to the state Constitutional convention in 1903. As mayor of the city and as its representative at Concord, he distinguished himself as a firm adherent to the principles of sound government, and his efforts in behalf of that commendable object were productive of far-reaching results. Politically he acts with the Republican party. He is vice-presi- dent of the Keene Savings Bank, a director of the Citizens' National Bank, and takes an earnest inter- est in all other local institutions. He is a Master Mason and affiliates with the local Blue Lodge. In his religious belief he is an Episcopalian and is prominently identified with St. James Church, of which he has been vestryman and warden for twen- ty-eight years.

On January 9, 1874, Mr. Taft married Helen A. Ball, who was born in Keene, October 23, 1846, daughter of George W. and Mary A. ( Stearns) Ball.

This name is found in the early records DAME under various spellings, including Dam, Dame and Damme. The most usual early spelling seems to have been the first of these. There are numerous descendants scattered throughout New Hampshire, and in fact in many other sections identified with the very early settle- ments of the southeastern section of this state. The name was borne by a family of freeholders in Cheshire, England, from the time of Edward IV. (I) John Dam, of Dover, was born in Eng- land, and came to America with Captain Wiggins, . and settled in Dover in 1633. He was one of the first deacons of the first church there in 1675. He had the first grant of land at the confluence of the Cocheco river and Fresh creek, which was called Dame Point. He and Nicholas Dam, who was probably his brother, were signers of the peti- tion in 1679. lle died January 21, 1690, at an advanced age. Ile married Elizabeth, daughter of Lieutenant William Pomfret, and had children : John, Elizabeth, Mary, William, Susanna and Ju- dith.

(II) John (2), eldest son of John (1) and Elizabeth ( Pomfret) Dam, was born in 1637, in Dover, and died in Newington, January 8, 1706. He was one of the first settlers of Newington. His first wife was a daughter of Sergeant John Ha !. butt her christian name is not preserved. ITe was married ( second). November 9, 1004, to Elizab th. daughter of William Furber.

(III) George and Joseph Dame settled in N. :- ington. New Hampshire, and it is pre-umable thett

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they were sons of John (2) and Elizabeth ( Furber) Dame. No record can be discovered to show more than one of the children of John (2). Joseph Dame was the father of three sons and four daughters. The sons were: Abner, "Zebuland" and Joseph. The last two named removed from Newington to Rochester, New Hampshire, and were among the early settlers of that town. The eldest settled in or near Wakefield. One of his daughters became the wife of a man named Hodgdon, and was killed by the Indians in Rochester; they sprang from con- cealment behind a log, and struck her down before the eyes of her husband.

(IV) Zebulon, son of Joseph Dame, resided in Newington. The church records of that town contain this item, "1716: August 16: Zebulon Damm & Abigail Bickford both of Newington were marryed." The same records note the baptism of three children from 1718 to 1734, namely : Sarah, Abner and a daughter, name not given. It is ap- parent from the long interval that there were others who did not get on the records.

(V) Abner, son of Zebulon and Abigail ( Bick- ford) Dame, was baptized August 17, 1723, in Newington. He resided in Rochester, New Hamp- shire. before 1749. The church records of Roches- ter show that Abner Dame and his wife renewed their covenant July 30, 1740, and that at the same time their child was baptized. November, 1757, Abner Dame was baptized. March o. 1764, Mercy, daughter of Abner Dame and wife was baptized. February 12, 1776, Paul and Silas, sons of Abner Dame, were baptized by Rev. Mr. Haven. June 19, 1775, Abner Dame was made one of the com- mittee of safety, consisting of thirteen men. Oc- tober 16, 1776, hie signed the "Association Test."

(VI) Paul, son of Abner Dame, was born February 5, -1772, and baptized February 12, 1776. The name of Paul Dame is among those who as- sembled at the home of Colonel John Goodwin, of Rochester, March 12, 1792, and formed a library association. October 2, 1796, he married Phebe Mathews. Both were of Rochester. About 1800 he removed to Tuftonborough, Carroll county, where he and his brother Joseph were pioneers, and erected buildings which are still standing. He was among the founders of the Methodist Church at Tufton- boro Corner, which was dedicated August 7, 1805. He was a successful farmer, and died February 24. 1822. He married (second ), December, 1800, Mrs. Betsey ( White) Canney, of Tamworth, a widow, who was of Scotch descent. Ilis children were : Betsey, Nancy, Eunice, Isaac, Pluma and John Wesley.

(VII) Isaac, fourth child and eldest son of Paul and Betsey ( White) Dame, was born in Tuf- tonborough, January 25, 1807. and died there Janu- ary 14, 1870. He was prominent in civil affairs, served as selectman in 1846-47, and was representa- tive to the general court in 1849-50. Ile was a loyal supporter of the Whig party, and a Republican from the origin of that organization. His father died when he was but fifteen years of age, and left a farm of three hundred and fifty acres to the care of his widow and children. Isaac being the eldest son was naturally the most active in aiding his mother in the management of the farm. When he was twenty-nine years old he purchased for forty- five hundred dollars the interests of the other heirs in the farm, which became his, and he cared for his widowed mother until the end of her life. She died of paralysis, October 25. 1854. Mr. Dame was a man of most simple and democratic ways, and one whose influence in the community was al-

ways felt on the side of justice, morality and re- ligion. As a citizen, neighbor and friend, no man in his generation stood higher in the regard of the communty than he. He died January 14, 1870, of paralysis, in the house where he had always lived. Early in life, with his wife, he joined the Methodist Church. and for several of the last years of his life was deacon of that organization. He was married, August 12, 1826, to Polly Coffin, who was his faithful helpmate through life and survived him seven years, dying of pneumonia, April 2, 1877. Their children included five sons and a daughter, namely :

I. William Franklin, born January 10, 1828, married Betsey Caney, of Tuftonboro, New Hamp- shire, and had six children, two sons and four daughters, viz. : Adrian, Josephine, Dana Paul, Ida, Della, Frank Herbert Dame. William Franklin Dame was a soldier of the civil war, serving in Company K, Twelfth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers. He had previously served as captain in the militia, which rendered him one of the best drill officers in the regiment, and he was mustered into the United States service as first lieutenant, September 10, 1862. At the battle of Fredericks- burg, December 12, 1862, he was severely wounded in the side by a shell, and never recovered fully from the effects of his injury. Ile was a great student of the Bible, always seeking for truth. He died of paralysis, February 26, 1906, in Dover, New Hampshire, where he had resided for about forty years. 2. Isaac Paul, born September 12, 1831, died of disease of hip joint, December 15, 1850. 3. Charles Wesley, born June 26, 1837, enlisted in the navy of of the Civil war, September 9, 1861, was assigned to duty on the gunboat "Ethan Allen," and served fifteen months on the southern coast of Florida. He enlisted again in Company L, First New Hampshire Regiment Heavy Artillery, September 30, 1864, serving to the close of the war in the defences about Washington. He died of disease of the hip joint, September 27, 1869. He married Elizabeth Bickford, of Ossipee, had three children: Elvira, Fanney, Charles Roswell, now a grocer at Concord, New Hampshire. 4. Thomas Cotton, born April 16, 1840, enlisted August 18, 1862, in the same company and regiment as his elder brother, and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Fred- ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, the siege of Petersburg and the capture of Richmond. For valiant service he re- ceived a lieutenant's commission, and was mustered out June 21, 1865. He married Georgianna Froth- ingham, of Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1867. They resided in Somerville, Massachusetts, where he is a member of the Willard C. Kinsly Post, No. 139, Grand Army of the Republic. They have one daughter, Pearl Frothingham Dame. 5. Augusta Marilla, born April 28, 1845, died December 13, 1868, she became the wife of David O. Allen, of Ossipee, New Hampshire, and one child was born to them. Charles Cowley Allen. 6. Levi Albert, mentioned below.

(VIII) Levi Albert, youngest child of Isaac and Polly (Coffin) Dame, was born December 13, 1846, in Tuftonboro. His early years were spent in al- ternate labor upon the home farm and attendance at the public schools. Ile was also a student of the academy at Effingham, New Hampshire. In 1870 he went to Boston, where he was employed as clerk in a store. For the succeeding twelve years he was employed in a box factory, and during the last six years of this period he filled the place of foreman. He was industrious and thrifty, and accumulated some capital, with which he was enabled to engage

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in business. June 1, 1882, he resigned his position to engage in the real estate and insurance business. For many years he has been in the real estate and insurance business, in Boston. By strict attention to his chosen line of industry he has achieved success, and is in the enjoyment of the fruits of his industri- ous life. Since 1872 his residence has been in Somer- ville. He has always been an ardent Republican, but has steadfastly refused to accept official stations. Ile is a member of the Somerville Board of Trade, of Ward Three Republican Club, and of the Somer- ville Sons. and Daughters of New Hampshire. He was married, June 12, 1870, to Hattie A. Jenness. of East Wolfboro, New Hampshire. She graduated from the academy at Wolfboro, commenced teaching in the public school and taught many terms. She was much sought after, and gained the reputation of being among the best teachers in Carroll county. She is a member of the Somerville Sons and Daugh- ters of New Hampshire, of the society of New Hampshire's Daughters of Boston, and the Heptor- ian Club of Somerville. She is a daughter of John- son and Elizabeth P. (Clark) Jenness, of East Wolfboro. Her father was a prosperous farmer, and her parents were active and influencial members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Jenness died in 1888, of paralysis, on the farm where he had always lived.

DAME For several generations the name of Dame has been prominent in Rochester and neighboring towns. Judge Richard Dame was born in Rochester in 1756, and died Sep- tember 19. 1828. He was highly esteemed in the community. He was state senator from 1807 to 1809, and was a member of the Governor's council from 1800 to 1811. Although the christian name of Richard occurs in several generations of the Damne family, both in Newington and Rochester, it has been impossible to trace the antecedents of this branch farther than the third generation.

(I) Richard Dame was born in Gilford, New Hampshire, September 24, 1772. He was a farmer all his life. . On December 2, 1797, he married Han- nah Bickford, daughter of Prescott Bickford. They had nine children: Mary, born December 17, 1798; Sophia. July 23, 1802; Richard, March 16, 1805; Patty, February 25, 1807; John, June 23, 1809; Han- nah, December 18, 1811; Sally, January 18, 1814; Elizabeth, April 1, 1817; Timothy, August 25, 1819. (II) John, son of Richard and Hannah ( Biek- ford) Dame, was born June 25, 1800, in Gilford, New Hampshire. Ile was educated in the common schools there. and learned the stonecutter's trade. The last of his life he was a farmer in Moultonboro, New Hampshire. He was a Democrat in politics. He married (first). a Miss Bickford, and they had one child. Sarah Elizabeth. He married (second), Dorothy Hanson, daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Traftan ) Hanson. She was born in Wolfborough and died in Laconia, in July, 1902. Their children were: George F. and John H.

(III) George Franklin, elder son and child of John and Dorothy (Hanson) Dame, was born in Moultonboro, New Hampshire, March 5, 1853. IIe was educated in the adjoining town of Sandwich. He then went into the hardware store of H. E. Brawn. of Lakeport, New Hampshire, where he re- mained four years. After an interval of four years he returned and worked for Mr. Brawn fifteen more years. He then started for himself in the tin, plumb- ing. and hardware business in Lakeport, and his son is now managing this business. He is a Democrat in politics, and attends the Methodist Church. He

married Judith Miles, daughter of and Laura J. Miles, who was born in Lyndon, Vermont. They have six children: Frank G., born July 8, 1877, married Gertrude Wood and they live at Rum- ford Falls, Maine. Fred E., November 4, 1878, married Bernice Toof, and they have one child, Norman, born November, 1903. Claude C., January 12, 1882, is now managing his father's business in Lakeport. William D., August 12, 1884. Ilarry, December 28, 1887. Etta N., the youngest and the only girl, December 11, 1891.

(I) Joseph Dame was born in Maine.

DAME Ile resided some time at North Berwick.

Maine, and later removed to Acton, Maine, where he was a farmer and cooper and be- sides attending to the care of a small farm made barrels and shingles. About 1860 he went to Dover, New Hampshire and died there. He was the father of children: Charles, Joseph, William, Daniel P., Susan, Sarah and Elizabeth.

(II) Daniel Plummer, son of Joseph Dame, was born in North Berwick, Maine, in 1807. He resided with his father for some time after attaining his majority ; The learned the carpenter's trade when about thirty years of age, and afterward settled in Dover, New Hampshire, where he worked at his trade the remainder of his life, except three years while at Portsmouth. He died of injuries re- sulting from an accident, August 19, 1877, aged seventy. He married Mrs. Mehitable Towne, who was born in Newfield, Maine, and died in Rochester, aged eighty-five years. She was the daughter of Joseph Plummer. Three children were born to them: Olive Jane, July 5, 1837, married John H. Mugridge, of Portsmouth; one child, died young; John W., next mentioned.

(III) John Woodbury, son of Daniel P. and Mehitable ( Plummer) Dame, was born at West Newfield. Maine, July 2, 1842, and was educated in the public schools of Dover, New Hampshire, whither his parents moved when he was a child. He worked at the carpenter's trade with his father for a time and at seventeen years of age became proprietor of a grocery store which he oper- ated three years. He then worked at his trade in Portsmouth and Boston until 1868, when he removed to Rochester, New Hampshire, where he has since been a carpenter contractor, and has erected more buildings than any other contractor or firm of con- tractors in the city. Ile was a Democrat until 1896, and then on account of his belief in the righteous- ness of the protective tariff and the gold standard, he became a Republican and a supporter of Mc- Kinley. The same year and two years following he was elected to the Rochester council from ward four, on the Republican ticket. He married, in Dover, September 17, 1864, Mary A. Gildden, daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary Gildden, of Dover. They have three children: John Harry, born January 25. 1867, a carpenter with his father. Amy G., wife of Albert S. Rockwell. Herbert, January 7, 1877, who studied architecture with Wilson & Weber, of Boston, and is now an architect in that city. Mr. Dame is a member of True Memorial (Free Baptist) Church, of Rochester.

This family has been long identified with

CARR the history of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and has borne its part in the pioneer development of numerous sections which were all at one time a part of Massachusetts. It is today identified with an important manufacturing

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industry of New Hampshire, and contributes not only to the material but to the moral and social standing of the commonwealth.

(1) George Carr, the immigrant ancestor, was honored with the title Mister which meant much in that early day. He was a shipwright by occupation, and received land in the first division in Salisbury, Massachusetts. and again in 1640-41-41. His name appears on most of the early lists of that town. In 1640 the town granted him Carr's Island, and the next year he established a ferry there. In 1662 he was to have a common right in Amesbury when any of his sons came to live there, and he received land in that town in 1668. It was agreed in 1670 that he was to keep a ferry at Goodwin's landing in Amesbury. He appears to have been in Ipswich as early as 1633, and had a houselot there in 1635. He died April 4, 1682, in Salisbury. He married Eliza- beth Oliver, of Boston, who is supposed to have been a daughter of Elder Thomas Oliver of that town. His son. James Oliver, was spoken of as brother- in-law of George Carr, in 1682. The latter was sur- vived by his widow, who was a member of the Salisbury church in 1687, and died May 6, 1601. Her will, made in :684, was proved June 30, following her death. Their children were: Elizabeth, George, Richard, William, James, Mary, Sarah and John.

(II) James, fourth son and fifth child of George and Elizabeth ( Oliver) Carr, was born April 28. 1650, in Salis' ury, and resided in that town and Newbury. He subscribed to the oath of allegiance and fidelity at Salisbury, in 1678, and was a free- man there in 1690. He was living at the Car Ferry in 1696. and died August 5, 1726. He was a ship- wright and husbandman, and served as a soldier in King Philip's war. He was married November 14. 1677, in Newbury, to Mary Sears, who was admitted to the Newbury church in 1682. Their children were Mary, Hannah, Sarah, James ( died young ), Kath- erine, James, Hepzibah and Elizabeth.

(IH) James (2), second son and sixth child of James (1) and Mary ( Scars) Carr, was born April 13, 1689 (recorded in Newbury ), and was a cord weaver of that town. He bought a house and land in York, Massachusetts (now Maine), in 1717, and had children born there between that year and 1721. He was married April 25. 1712, to Ruth Moody, of Newbury, and their children, born before leaving Newbury, were: Bradbury and Jane.

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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. III, Part 125

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: 876

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: 876