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 23

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 23

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

(IV) General Solomon, elder son of Lieuten- ant John and Lucy ( Andrews) McNeil, was born January 15, 1782. His home was in Hillsboro, New Hampshire. He married Nancy M. Pierce, eldest daughter and second child of Governor Benjamin and his second wife, Anna (Kendrick) Pierce. She was the eldest sister of President Franklin Pierce, and a half sister of the wife of Solomon McNeil's brother, General John. She died April 27, 1837. aged forty-four years and five months.

(V) Colonel John, son of General Solomon and Nancy M. ( Pierce) McNeil, was born in Hills- boro, New Hampshire. November 6, 1822. During his life in Hillsboro he lived in the homestead which had been owned by the McNeils for several generations, and which adjoined that where his uncle. President Franklin Pierce, was born and reared. Colonel McNeil was an inspector in the Boston Custom House, and was the only relative of President Pierce, who held office during the admin- istration of the latter. He remained in this position 11ntil 1861. In 1864-65 Colonel McNeil was repre- sentative from the town of Hillsboro, which office he filled with ability and uprightness. In 1868 he removed to Concord New Hampshire, and was the adviser and close friend of the former president till the close of Pierce's life. Later he removed to Chelmsford, and then to Winchester, Massachusetts. At one time he was connected with the Boston & Lowell Railroad, and for several years was the agent of Dartmouth College in the care of a large property which had been given to the college by Colonel McNeil's brother-in-law, Hon. Tappan Wentworth, of Lowell. At one time he read law with Mr. Wentworth. Colonel McNeil was a gen- tleman of social and genial disposition, which en- deared him to his family and a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Colonel John McNeil married Cynthia Morse, daughter of Amos and Sarah ( Sawyer) Morse, who was born at Methuen, Massachusetts, November 17, 1820. They had two children: Annie, mentioned below ; and Frances.

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who married General John M. Corse, for many years postmaster of Boston. Colonel John McNeil died April 7, 1885, at Winchester, Massachusetts.

(VI) Annie, elder daughter of Colonel John and Cynthia ( Morse ) McNeil, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. She was educated at a convent in Montreal, Canada. On February 26, 1878, she mar- ried Charles F. M. Stark, of Dunbarton. New Hampshire. (See Stark, VI).

This family was early found in New LAKE England, and has become very widely scattered throughout the United States. It has representatives in every state and most of them have proven worthy citizens.

(I) Henry Lake was born about 1660, and mar- ried, May 9, 1681. Priscilla Wildes. He lived in Topsfield, Massachusetts, where three of his chil- dren were born.

(II) Elcazer, only son of Henry and Priscilla (Wildes) Lake, was born July 9, 1686, in Topsfield, and lived in that town where he probably died April 9, 1771. He married, December 7, 170S, Lydia Ford, who died May 29, 1743; he married ( second), Jan- uary 12. 1744, Mary Bixby, who died in 1775. His children, all born of the first wife, were: Lydia, Priscilla, Abigail. Eleazer and Daniel.

(III) Daniel, youngest child of Eleazer and Lydia (Ford) Lake, was born June 22, 1726, in Topsfield, and lived in that town until 1767, when he removed to Rindge, New Hampshire. He was an honored and prominent man in the affairs of that town, and served as town clerk and justice of the peace. In the Revolution he was an active and earnest patriot. He served through two enlist- ments, and four of his sons were also in the service. Late in life. about 1805, he removed to Rockingham, Vermont, where some of his children were residing, and there died September 26, 1810. He married, November 30, 1740. Sarah Bixby, who was born 1726, daughter of Deacon George and Mary (Por- ter) Bixby. She died February 19, 1815. Their children were: George, Daniel, Enos, Henry, Jon- athan, Nathan, Sarah and Mary.

(IV) Henry (2), fourth son and child of Daniel and Mary (Bixby) Lake, was born Septem- ber 19, 1759, in Topsfield, Massachusetts, and was but a child when his parents removed to Rindge. New Hampshire. He remained in that town until 1792, when he removed to Rockingham, Vermont, and was a farmer there. He was a soldier of the Revolution, participating in the battle of Benning- ton, and the capture of General Burgoyne's army. He was the representative of Rockingham in the Vermont legislature in 1812 and 1814. His wife's name was Prudence Lovejoy. They had five chil- dren born in Rindge, New Hampshire, and six in Rockingham. Vermont, namely: Silvanus, Sarah, Henry, Leonard, Luther, Calvin, Esther, Nathan, Riel. Daniel Bixby and Maria.

(V) Henry (3), second son and third child of Henry (2) and Prudence (Lovejoy) Lake, was born April 27, 1786, in Rindge, New Hampshire,

and died at Saxtons River, in the town of Rocking- Iam, Vermont. He was representative from that town in 1820-21. He married Abigail Stevens.

( VI) Clark Sylvanus, son of Henry and Abi- gail (Stevens) Lake, was born in Saxtons River, November 19, 1826. His active years were devoted to farming in his native town, and he is still resid- ing there, having retired from active business pur- suits some fifteen years ago. He married Mary Campbell and reared a family of four children, namely: Henry E., Edwin R .. Colin C. and Clara A.

(VII) Henry Edward, eldest son and child of Clark S. and Mary ( Campbell) Lake, was born in Saxtons River, December II, 1852. From the pub- lic schools of his native town he went to the Kim- ball Union Academy at Meriden, New Hampshire. and he later attended the Black River Academy in Ludlow, Vermont. After devoting some two or three years to teaching in the public schools of Rockingham and Londonderry, Vermont, he de- termined to cultivate his talent for music, and re- linquishing educational pursuits he went to Boston. where he spent considerable time in voice culture, initially at the New England Conservatory of Music, and subsequently under private instruction. His permanent settlement in Keene resulted from his having been secured by the Second Congrega- tional Church as its tenor singer and chorister in 1882, and for nearly a quarter of a century he has retained that position, laboring assiduously to pre- serve a high standard of excellence in the musical portion of the service, and occupying a prominent place in the musical circles of the city. In 1883 he established himself as a dealer in pianos, organs and other musical instruments, and has built up a large and profitable business in that line of trade. As a thoroughly conscientious artist, an excellent teacher and an expert in the selection of an instru- ment, he is widely and favorably known through- out his field of operation, which embraces a broad section of New Hampshire and Vermont, and he is a recognized authority in all matters relative to his profession. Mr. Lake's high standing in the com- munity is not alone the result of his professional ability. but is in no small measure the outcome of his sterling integrity as a business man.

He served as a selectman for three years, and for the years 1892, '93 and '94 was a member of the city council. For nine years he was vice-president of the New Hampshire State Music Teachers' As- sociation: was first president and one of the musical directors of the Keene Choral Union, and chairman of the executive commitce of the Cheshire County Musical Association. Mr. Lake was actively identified with the founding of the Keene Chorus Club, a musical organization that has won for the city a reputation second to none in the state for the high order of talent and general excellence of the concerts given under the auspices of the Society. Mr. Lake is president of this club, Mr. Lake was for thirteen years identified with the board of di- rectors of the Kecne Young Men's Christian As- sociation, and was serving in that capacity during

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the period in which their present handsome building was erected. His society affiliations also include the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Order of the Golden Cross, and Patrons of Hus- bandry.

On September 14, 1876, Mr. Lake married Vir- ginia I. Wilkins, daughter of Mathew and Lucy

( Johnson ) Wilkins, of Londonderry, Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Lake have three children: Henry C., born February 20, 1883: Clarence R., born July 20, 1886: and Christine M., born January 15, 1895. Messrs. Henry C. and Clarence R. Lake are asso- ciated with their father in business.

TEWKSBURY The family of Tewksbury, Tewxberry, Tuksbery or Tux- bury. as the name has been spelled, might trace their ancestry, if the records were complete, back to the borough of Tewk or Tuck in England. Henry Tuxbury or Tewksbury, weaver, of Newbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts, removed to Boston, where he married. November IO. 1659, Martha Cobb, widow of William Harvey. He took the oath of fidelity at Newbury in 1669. In the same year he sold his place there and re- moved to Amesbury, where he took the oath of allegiance in 1677. He was one of the petitioners of 1680. a freeman in 1690, tithingman in 1693, and was living in 1697. His children were: Elizabeth. Hannah, Henry, Naomi, Ruth, Mary, Martha and John.

(I) Lieutenant Henry Tewksbury removed (probably from Hampstead) to Weare about 1772. He was a soldier in the Revolution. He enlisted July 8. 1775. in Captain John Parker's company. where he served as a private until his discharge De- cember 16, a term of five months and seven days. He was described as a husbandman and credited to Weare. September 28, he was reported with his company at St. Johns, Canada, which was besieged about that time. Corporal Henry Tuexbury's name appears on the roll of soldiers in Captain Timothy Clement's company, Colonel David Gilman's regi- ment, into which he was mustered April 15. 1776; also in the same company in Colonel Pierce Long's regiment at New Castle, where he was mustered out August 7, as ensign after sixty-three days' service. He was in the same company and regiment in the Continental service from December 17, 1776, to January 7. 1777, at New Castle, and is named sec- ond lieutenant. He married Sarah Calfe, of Hamp- stead. He died November 28, 1806: and his wife died January 1I, 1832. Their ten children were: Mary, Judith, Sarah, Hannah, David, Naomi, John, Dolly. Henry and Nancy.

(II) David. son of Lieutenant Henry and Hannah (Calfe) Tewksbury, of Weare, was born in Weare. September 12, 1776, and died in New Bo-ton, March 22, 1855. aged seventy-nine years. In 1800 he settled in New Boston, where he was a lifelong farmer. He married (first), April 20, 1798. Betsey, daughter of Moses Lull, of Weare. She

died May 30, 1809, and he married (second), Octo- ber 27. 1811, Sarah F. Hogg, who was born July 26, 1785, and died December 17, 1842, daughter of Ab- ner and Rosamond (Ferson) Hogg, of New Bos- ton (see Hogg II). He married (third), Novem- ber 5. 1844, widow Abigail George, daughter of James and Mary McMillen. His children by his first wife were: Amos Wood, Nancy, James, Bet- sey, David, who died young ; and Dorothy. By the second wife he had: Eliza, Rozeanna, Mary An- drews, Hannah Bennett, Jane Andrews. Harriet Newell. and David A. Dorothy, born January 28, 188, married, March 1I, 1830, Daniel Jones, of Merrimack (see Jones VII), and died 1836.

This does not appear to be a very an-

SLOANE cient family in New England. In the early records the name is spelled without the final letter now used by this family. There are meager traces of the family at various points in Massachusetts, and it is impossible to de- termine whether records of the same name pertain to the same person in all cases.

(I) It appears that there was a David Sloan re- siding in Shirley, Massachusetts, previous to the Revolution. He was among the patriots who re- sponded to the Lexington alarm of April 19, 1775, and was subsequently in the Revolutionary service with his son and namesake among the eight months' recruits. It also appears that David Sloan (probably the son) enlisted December 2, 1777, for three years' service in Captain Sylvester Smith's company, of Shirley.

(II) The records of Shirley show that the mar- riage intention of David (2) Sloan was published October 17, 1774, the prospective bride being Rachael Gould, of Shirley. The vital records of Pelham, Massachusetts, show marriage of David Sloan to Elizabeth Scott, on June 2, 1774, and the following children of this couple appear on the town records : James, Garner, Jonathan, Andrew and David.

(III) David (3) Sloane, youngest child of David (2) and Elizabeth (Scott) Sloan, was born January 9, 1790, in Pelham, Massachusetts. He worked his way through college and graduated from Dartmouth in 1806. Among his classmates were Governor and Judge Matthew Harvey, of New Hampshire, and Governor and Judge Albion K. Parris, of Maine. Mr. Sloane studied law with Judge W. H. Wood- ward, of Hanover and George Woodward, of Haverhill, New Hampshire, and began practicing in the latter place where he continued till his death. He is said to have been an astute lawyer and a shrewd and successful business man. David Sloane married Anna Johnson, daughter of Captain Thomas Johnson of Newbury, Vermont, and they had six children : Thomas C., Edward, David Scott, William H., Henry and Elizabeth A. David Scott Sloane graduated from Dartmouth in 1836, became a teacher, and died at the age of forty-one. Wil- liam H. Sloane graduated from Dartmouth in 1841,

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became a lawyer, and died at the age of thirty-five. David Sloane died at Haverhill, New Hampshire, June 7, 1860.

(1\ ) Thomas Carlton, eldest child of David and Anna (Johnson) Sloane, was born at Haverhill, New Hampshire, and was educated in Haverhill and at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden. He was in the furniture business in New York City for many years. lle was a Democrat in politics. He married Mary Williams.

(\) Scott, son of Thomas Carlton and Mary ( Williams) Sloane, was born in Montreal, Quebec, June 16, 1853, where his parents were residing tem- porarily, and received his early education at Haver- hill, New Hampshire. Leaving home at the age of thirteen, he went to school in Montpelier, Ver- mont, attended the high school in Newport, Rhode Island, and for four years was a pupil at a private school in Newport. He worked his way through school, and began studying law in Boston in 1879. While studying law he worked as an assistant book- keeper in a wholesale house in Boston. In 1880 he went to Haverhill, New Hampshire, and studied law with George F. Putnam for two years, finishing his studies in the office of E. W. Smith, with whom he formed a co-partnership, having offices at Wells River, Vermont, and Woodsville, New Hampshire. This partnership continued till 1899, after which Mr. Sloan remained alone in the practice of law at Woodville, until October, 1905, when he came to Lebanon, New Hampshire, and opened offices, where he is still in practice. Mr. Sloane attends the Con- gregational Church. He is a Republican in politics, and was a delegate to the constitutional convention in 1902. He belongs to the Order of Elks. Scott Sloane was married June 16, 1885, to Annabel M. Nelson, daughter of W. H, and Margaret M. Nel- son, of Haverhill, New Hampshire. There are no children.

GURNSEY This name has undergone so many changes in its orthography that it is now quite impossible to deter- mine its original spelling. In the early records of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, the names of the progen- itors of the Gurnseys now in hand are spelled Garn- sey,

(I) John Garnsey, of Rehoboth, married Judith Ormsby, October 14, 1714.

(II) John, son of John and Judith Garnsey, was born in Rehoboth, January 4, 1720. On May 13, 1742, he was married by the Rev. John Green- wood to "Lidia" Healey.

(III) Deacon Amos, eldest child of John and Lidia (Healey) Garnsey, was born in Rehoboth, March 31, 1743. About the year 1766 he migrated to Richmond, New Hampshire, where he acquired possession of lot No. 13, range II, and the farm which he cleared and improved was afterwards oc- cupied by John Scott and others. Ilis death oc- curred in Richmond, February 12. 1813. He was married in Rehoboth or vicinity to Merriam Pike, who died December 12, 1814. Their children were : ii :- IS

Cyril, Amos. Cyrus, Lucy, who married Nehemiah Bennett ; Darius and Moses.

(IV) Cyril, eldest child of Deacon Amos and Merriam ( Pike) Garnsey, was born in Rehoboth, April 30, 1764. He grew to manhood in Richmond, where he resided for the major part of his life, but about 1823 he moved to Whitefield, this state, and in company with his son Darius acquired four hun- dred acres of government land, which he cleared for agricultural purposes. He died at Whitefield, in 1836 or 37. He married, November 14, 1784, Salome Garfield, of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, born in Richmond, May 31, 1769, died about 1840, and he was the father of John, who died young; Merriam, who married Solomon Gage; John, Aaron, who also died young; Darius, who will be again referred to; Mary, who married John Scott; Rachel, who married Lemuel Scott; Anna, who became the wife of Jedediah B. Howe; Naomi, who married Thomas Eastman; Phebe, who became Mrs. Baker ; Ruth, who died young; and another Aaron, who did not live to maturity.

(V) Dr. Darius, third son and fifth child of Cyril and Salome (Garfield) Garnsey, was born in Richmond, August 28, 1795. He studied medicine under the direction of John Parkhurst, M. D., and in 1823 located for the practice of his profession in Whitefield. He possessed the knowledge, intui- tion and enthusiasm necessary for the making of an able physician, but was prevented by his untimely death, which occurred in IS30, from realizing his cherished ambition in his chosen field of usefulness. His marriage took place February 8, 1818, to Abi- gail, daughter of Lemuel Scott. She survived her husband nearly fifty years, her death having oc- curred in 1877. The children of this union were: Norris, born in 1819, died in 1822; Sanford, born June 23, 1820; and Norris G., the date of whose birth is recorded in the next paragraph.

(VI) Norris Greenleaf, youngest son of Dr. Darius and Abigail (Scott) Gurnsey, was born in Whitefield, March IS, 1826. He attended school in Richmond and on account of his father's death was thrown upon his own resources at an early age. Prior to his majority he went to Charlemont, Massachusetts, and worked at the cooper's trade some three years. He then turned his attention to farming in Richmond, first alone and then with his brother Sanford. From Richmond he went to Win- chester, where for a time he acted as general over- seer of the farm and other interests of S. W. Buf- fum, and he next purchased a gristmill, which he operated successfully for about five years. Disposing of that property he became proprietor of the stage line from Brattleboro, Vermont, to Winchester and Richmond, and upon relinquishing that business some two years later he took charge, for one year, of the highways and bridges for the town of Win- chester. In 1859 he purchased the restaurant privi- lege in the railway station in Keene, and has ever since resided there. During the succeeding fifteen years he carried on the restaurant business with profitable results, operating no less than three places

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of refreshment at one time during the war period. In 1874 he succeeded Peter B. Hayward in the cracker manufacturing business. Ile was for some years engaged in a large way as a reliable dealer in horses; was at one time engaged in the coal trade; for a time Mr. Gurnscy was associated with his sons in the cracker manufactory, and subsc- quently a grandson, but the younger men are now deceased and the business is still being conducted by the elder gentleman, who also conducts a hotel, restaurant and wholesale and retail tobacco establish- ment at Main and Railroad streets. Mr. Gurnsey has contributed in a material way to the development of Keene by the erection of two of the most sab- tan- tial business blocks of the city and of a number of dwelling houses. Mr. Gurnsey was one of the orig- mal stockholders and director of the Citizens' Na- tional Bank, of Keene, and is one of the board of trustees of the Cheshire County Savings Bank. He was one of the public spirited cit zens who early came to the front in securing the establishment of the local trolley lines. In numer muis ways Mr. Gurnsey has manifested his interest in the develop- ment of the business interests of his home city, contributing to the establishment of a number of the manufacturing plants.

In politics Mr. Gurnsey was in early life a Whig, but with the majority of that clemenit he joined the Republican party at its formation. lle has served with ability in the common council one year, the ha;rl of aldermen two years, and also as water commissioner twenty-six years. At the present time he is chairman of the building committee connected with the local lodge of Odd Fellows, which he joined thirty-five years ago, and for twenty year- he has been a member of the local tribe, Improved Order of Red Men. His religions affiliations are with the Unitarians.

In 1847 he married Miranda A. Pickett, richter of Hosea Pickett, of Winchester. She became the 1r ther of ix children. namely: Everett, Grace, Hlward J., Charles F .. Frank N., and a child who Malin mian v. Of these the only survivor is Grace, who married L. J. Ellis, of Waverley, Mas achu- itts. After a period of fifty-eight years of 0511- mal happiness Mrs. Gurnsey passed away . uly I, 1995, and was laid to rest beside her children.

Tie ancestor of this line of the Beat- Do. ... de manily was of Secch crain, and To LAperica and became the

: u-ilul and influential citi-

Von in Edinburgh, Sect- 118, New York, where he ti: father ficar chil- dren: J. m . J .. d Su-an. ein of John Beattie, with born in Colentina, ves York, September 2, ISTI an I died in Ryrate, Vom 11, March 12, 1884. le maan ed from Chon ( de, and studied for the ministry in Scotland, taking luis degree from Molimour h University. Returning to New York he

was a private tutor several years ; again went to Edinburgh, where he took a post-graduate course. and returning to America, was ordained pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Old School of Ryegate. Vermont, in 1844. He sustained a suc- cessful ministry there forty years, was an efficient promoter of schools, and was president of the trus- tees of Peacham Academy. He married, in 1856, Margaret Sophia Nulson, daughter of John and Mary ( Finlay) Nelson, of Ryegate. She was born April 15, 1830, and died August 18, 197, aged s. vonty-seven years. The children of this marriage were: Elizabeth, John. William Johnston, Joseph, James and Mary.

(III) William Johnston Beattie, M. D .. third child of Rev. James M. and Margaret S. ( Nelson) Beattie, was born in Ryegate, Vermont, September 6. IS( 5. He took his early education in the schools of Ryegate, and at Peacham and St. Johnsbury academies, end then took a four years' medical course at Fellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, from which he gralnated in 1838. The fol- Irwing year hy spent at Bellevue Hospital as sur- rent, and in ISon ettled in Littleton, Now Hamp- chire, where he has since gained a handsome prac- tice. lie in medical referer of Grafton county, sur- gen in the Boston & Maine Railroad, and founder { f th . Littl t . Hospit: 1, and is pre ident of its board of trustees. He is a member of the New Hampshire State Medical Society, the Grafton Cirmy Medical Soci dy, and the New York and New England Association of Railway Surgeons. In political faith he is a s'aunch Repridie' n, and is How ( 1007) choirnon of the Littleton Republican committee. In 19 o he ir resened the town in the registare. He was sur con-seceral on the staff vi Governor Chester B. Jordan. He is a member Horn, Lodg . No. 6. Free and Accepted Masons, mi n' Chestik L. 1e. Knights of Pyth'a. He miirrid, My 20, 1se, Elizabeth Arhold Tuttle, who was born in Little on, July 27, 1866, daughter of Charles M. and Luther Moulon Taille, of Little- ton. She gradunt.i ir m the Littlet n high school in ISSE and the following year attended St. Johns- loiry Academy She 's a mer ber of the Unitarian Church. They have four chillren: Margaret, born January 18. INDI: Tarbara, December 28, 1807; Elizabeth, February 5, 1001; and Catherine Gray. Augu-1 7, 1995.

The name of Starrett is not

STARRETT numerous in this country, but it stands for the strong qualities of Scotch-Irish, who have contributed so many val- able citizens to America.

(I) William Starrett was born in the High- lands of Stand. April 15, 1604. When he was two years of age his parents fled from the country ;nd tork refuge in the north of Ireland to escape fer vention on account of their religious belief. He, with his parents, is said to have been concealed in a cave for three months previous to the'r escape to Ireland. Hle married Mary Gamble, who was

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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 23

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