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 47

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 47

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( Third Family.) This family seems to be distinct from

PAGE those previously treated, but is probably related in some way. It is often impos- sible to establish the relationship of the pioneers in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, though it is evi- dent that in some cases such relationship exists. (I) John Page was born 1586, in Dedham, England, and came to New England with the Gov- ernor Winthrop Company in 1030. He settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, and died in that town December 18, 1876, at the age of ninety years. He was the first constable of Watertown. being ap- pointed in September, 1630, by the general court. He was admitted a freeman of that town May 18, 1631. His house was burned April 21 of that year. His wife Phoebe, who accompanied him from England, survived him and died September 25. 1677, aged eighty-seven years. Their children were: William, Phoebe, Daniel, John and Samuel. (11) John (2), third son and fourth child of John (1) and Phoebe Page, was born in 1639, and took the oath of fidelity in 1652. About 1662 he removed to Groton, Massachusetts, and in that year sold land in Watertown, which he had bought of his father. The next year, when he sold forty acres of land in Watertown, he was described as of Groton. Between 1700 and 1703 he sold eight lots of land in Groton to his son Jonathan, and in 1708 he sold land in that town. He did not con- tinue to live in Groton, but returned to Watertown. and he was probably the John Page who represented Watertown in the legislature in 1700. He died soon after March 14, ITH. He was married in Giroton, May 12, 1664, to Faith Dunster. She died April 3, 1699, and a marriage contract is on record which he signed with Widow Emery Lamb, of Boston, agreeing to be married that day, September 5. 1699. This marriage evidently took place, as they jointly

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signed papers June 0, 1,02. The children of John (2) Page were: John (3), Samuel, Mary, Jonathan and Joseph.

(JI]) Samuel, second son and child of John (2) and Faith ( Dunster) Page, was born June 4, 1672, in Groton, Massachusetts, and was the first settler in Lunenburg, that state. For several years he and his family constituted the only inhabitants of that town, and because of this sole occupancy and presumed control of the territory, he received the title of governor. Among his grandchildren were Nathaniel and Joseph, who settled in Rindge, New Hampshire.

( V) Lieutenant Nathaniel, son of "Governor" Samuel and Martha Page, was a pioneer settler in Rindge, New Hampshire. He was one of the origi- nal proprietors under the Masonian charter of the town. In the distribution of the lots he drew num- bers twenty-one and twenty-two in the tenth range, and number eleven in the eighth. About 1760 he settled upon the two lots first named, which are in the extreme northwest corner of that town. Ile was a man of character and influence, and was frequently named upon important committees in the town. His will was dated August 26, 1779, and was probated within a short time. showing that he died in that year. December 25, 1773, he married in Lunenburg, Mercy Gould. daughter of Thomas and Mercy (Sumner) Gould, who was born January 17, 1712. in Topsfield, Massachusetts. She outlived him, but the date of her death is not recorded. Their chil- dren were: Nathaniel ( died young), John, Moses, Aaron, Samuel, Sibyl. Rachael, Prudence, Reuben and Caleb.

(VI) Reuben, eighth son and twelfth child of Lieutenant Nathaniel and Mercy (Gould) Page, was born February 3, 1754, in Lunenburg, Massa- chusetts, and was a child when his parents removed to Rindge, New Hampshire. He served through five enlistments in the Revolutionary army. His first service was in Captain Nathaniel Hale's com- pany that went out on the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775. He was in Captain Philip Thomas's com- pany in Colonel Reed's regiment, enlisting April 23, 1775, and serving to August 1 of that year. In common with others of the company he received for this service seven pounds, two shillings and ten pence. During this time he was given a nine days' furlough, during which he just missed the bat- tle of Bunker Hill. He made the journey to his home, and arrived there in such a state of desti- tution that the women were obliged to make him clothes before he could return. In July, 1776, he joined Colonel Isaac Wyman's regiment of the New Hampshire militia, under Captain Joseph Parker, which joined the Northern army under General Gates. He served in Captain Salmon Stone's com- pany in Colonel Nicholas's regiment in General Starke's brigade, during July, 1877, joining the Con- tinental army at Bennington and Stillwater. In his last service he was one of the thirty-three men from Rindge in Captain Cunningham's company of Colonel Enoch Hale's regiment, which joined the Continental army in Rhode Island in August, 1878. After the close of the Revolution he married and settled in Corinth, Vermont, where his descendants are still numerous. Like all early settlers he en- dured great hardships. He moved his goods into the wilderness on an ox-sled. The Indians were numerous, and often surrounded the cabin. After the region became populated he used to go to Boston every fall with his ox-sled. He carried to the city

dressed hogs, raised by himself and his neighbors, and he brought back rum and provisions. He mar- ried, January 29, 1784, Betsey Stevens, of Haverhill, New Hampshire, who was born January 16, 1769, and was consequently but fifteen years of age when she moved across the river to make her new home in the wilderness. They raised one of the good old-fashioned families of twelve children : John, Betsey, Daniel, Abigail, Lewis, Polly, William, Reu- ben, Charles, Ephraim, Orange and Betty. Reuben Page died August 2, 1843, and his wife died April 2, 1849.

(VII) Colonel Reuben, fifth son and ninth child of Reuben (1) and Betsey ( Stevens) Page, was born March 6, 1803, at Cormith, Vermont. He was educated in the district schools. He spent all his days in his native town where he carried on a large farm. He held most of the town offices, and served in the state legislature. He was active in the state inilitia, which gave him his title. On September 25, 1825, he married Viola Tillotson, who was born January 8, 1808. They had five children : John, Sophronia, Mary Adelaide, Arabella and Den- nis. The two youngest daughters were the only ones to live and raise families. Colonel Reuben Page died March 25, 1883, at Corinth. Vermont ; and his widow outlived him more than a quarter of a century, dying March 11, 1889, at Manchester, New Hampshire.

(VIII) Mary Adelaide, second daughter and third child of Colonel Reuben and Viola ( Tillotson ) Page, was born at Corinth, Vermont, October 7, 1832. She was married October 19, 1852, at Man- chester, New Hampshire, to Arad Stebbins Corliss. He was the son of Alfred and Mary ( Stebbins) Corliss, and was born in Bradford, Vermont, Febru- ary 12, 1823. He was a lineal descendant of George Corliss, who was born at Devonshire, England, in 1617. Arad S. and Mary A. ( Page) Corliss had one daughter, Addie B. Corliss, who was born at Bradford, Vermont, October 20, 1847. She was married, October 19, 1871, to George F. Way, a traveling salesman. They have one son, Dr. George F. Way (2), of Lincoln, Maine. Dr. Way married, October 19, 1898, Florence Libbey Hackett, of Wake- field, Massachusetts, and they have one son, George F. Way (3).

(VIII) Arabella, third daughter and fourth child of Colonel Reuben and Viola (Tillotson ) Page, was born August 24, 1839, at Corinth, Ver- mont. She was married, June 21, 1859, to Dr. George Wentworth Downes, who was born July 14, 1830. He practiced in Madison, Wisconsin, and after marriage practiced in East Corinth, Vermont, where he died. For more than twenty years ( 1907) Mrs. Downes has been the manager of a large boarding house on Market street, Manchester, New Hampshire, rented from the Amoskeag Corporation. This establishment, which is noted for its cleanli- ness and home cooking, is conducted in the best manner, and has entertained many prominent peo- ple as guests. The large dining room accommodates about two hundred guests at each meal. Transients as well as regular boarders are received. Dr. George W. and Arabella ( Page) Downes had one child, Georgia Downes, born February 25, 1862. She married, November 26, 1801, Fred Parnell, of Manchester. Mr. Parnell is a member of Parnell Brothers, leading grocers in that city. Mrs. Georgia (Downes) Parnell died April 17, 1900, leaving five children : Carroll Abbott, George Downes, Arabella Nelson, Thomas, and Frederick, who died in infancy.

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FULLERTON (1) James Fullerton was born in Scotland, and was a soldier ; he is buried on the Fullerton estate at Lunlash. He was a member of the Pres- byterian Church, married, and the father of: Flora, Christena, James Alexander, see forward; Mary and Neal.

(II) James Alexander, eldest son and third child of James Fullerton, was born in Scotland, 1798, and was a blacksmith all his life. He emi- grated to Canada in 1829 and took up one hundred acres of land in New Brunswick. which had been granted him by the government. He was a Liberal in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. His death occurred in 1870. IJe married in Scotland, 1821, Janet Murcha, also a native of that country, and there their elder children were born. The children were named: James, see for- ward; Archibald, Alexander, Neal. Peter, Charles, John, Mary, Jane, Janet and Christena.

(III) James, eldest child of James and Janet ( Murcha) Fullerton, was born in Scotland, April 2, 1822. In that country he went to school in his early childhood. He came to America with his parents, and for seven years cut timber in the forests of St. Johns, New Brunswick. He removed to Bedford, New Hampshire, in 1848, and resided there until his death, November 5, 1906. When go- ing to Bedford, he walked all the way from Ver- ness, Canada, to Concord. For three years he was engaged in farming, attending school during the winter months. Mr. Fullerton owned one hundred acres in Bedford, acquiring the Adams homestead. on which his family now live, and he made a num- ber of valuable improvements to this property. For thirty years he carried on a dairy business in con- nection with his farm, and personally superintended the delivery of milk. He was a Republican in poli- tics, and like his ancestors, was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; Hillsborough Lodge, No. 2, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Manchester ; Social Lodge, No. 10, Daughters of Rebekah, and he and his wife were charter mem- bers of Mistletoe Lodge of West Manchester. He married (first), January 8, 1849, Mary McMillan. a member of the Presbyterian Church, daughter of Neal McMillan, of Verness, Province of Quebec. They had children: James Hadley, resides in Woodville, New Hampshire; Janet; Margaret. de- ceased; three who died in infancy; and Neal E. Mrs. Fullerton died in Goffstown, 1868. Mr. Ful- lerton married (second), llarriet F. Adams, daugh- ter of Samuel and Sally ( Worthley) Adams, of Bedford, on whose homestead the Fullertons now live. Mrs. Fullerton was educated in the schools of Bedford and Manchester, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. She is also a member of the Grange and Daughters of Rebekah. After the death of her husband, she undertook the manage- ment of the farm, employing a number of men to do the work, and has been very successful in this enterprise. The farm was settled originally by the Voses but was purchased from them by Mrs. Ful- lerton's father in 1825, and he located upon it in the following year. He was a cooper by trade and had followed this occupation until his coming to the farm, where he died in 1866. He and his wife had seven children, one of them, Rosina, married John Fullerton, of Manchester. Mrs. Adams died at the age of sixty-nine years. The entire family were members of the Presbyterian Church.

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FELCH Like many other patronymics this name, which is in all probability of Welsh origin, has passed through several forms of spelling, such as Felcks, Falch, McFalch, Feltch and Felch. There is strong evidence to prove that the Felches are descended from David, Prince of North Wales, and his princess, Mary, granddaugh- ter of King Henry the First of England, daughter of Geoffrey Fulk. Count of Anjou, and therefore a sister of Henry the Second. It is claimed that the name Plantagenet, borne by sovereigns of England for more than three hundred years, originated with this Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, who wore in his bon- net a sprig of broom ( Plantagenista).

(I) Henry Felch, the first of the name in New England, came from Wales, and first appeared in the records of Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1641. It is thought that he had two wives, and that the first one accompanied him to America, as there is a record of the death of Margaret, wife of Henry Felch, June 23, 1655. The Christian name of his second wife was Elizabeth, and she survived him some twelve years. His will was probated Sep- tember 27, 1670, and he probably died in August of that year. He was the father of at least two daugh- ters and one son.

(Il) Henry (2), Jr., son of Henry (1) and Mar- garet Felch, undoubtedly accompanied his parents from Wales, and settled in Reading. Massachusetts, where he served as a selectman in 1647-48-50-51, and was called sergeant. He died in Reading, No- vember 11, 1699. The Christian name of his wife whom he probably married in Wales, was Hannah, and she died December 15, 1717. aged nearly one hundred years. His children were: John, Joseph, Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth. Daniel and Ruth.

(fl) Dr. Daniel, third son and sixth child of Henry and Hannah Felch, was born in Reading about the year 1669. He settled in Seabrook, New Hampshire, and was the progenitor of the Felches of this state. He died October 5, 1752. According to tradition he was first married May 6, 1702, to Deborah Dean, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, who died January 7, 1715. His second wife, who was christened Sarah, died prior to 1730, and the Chris- tian name of his third wife was Hepzibah. She survived him. Of the first union there was one son. Daniel, who died in childhood. His second wife bore him another Daniel, born in 1718, and Deborah, born January 13, 1720. His third wife bore hun: Curtis, Joseph, Sarah and Samuel.

(IV) Joseph, second child of Dr. Daniel and Hepzibah Felch, was probably born in Seabrook, from whence he went to Weare, where about the year 1779 he purchased of Stephen Rowell two hundred acres of land lying about one and a half miles north of the present village of East Weare, and this he improved into a good farm, which has since that time remained in the possession of his descendants, and is now owned by Hiram M. Felch, (see for- ward). His death occurred in Weare in 1803. In 1756 he married Mary Hoyt, of English descent, who died in 1804. Their children were: Annie, Jabez, Curtis, Molly, Jonathan, John and Benjamin.

(V) Jonathan, fourth son and sixth child of Joseph and Mary (Hoyt) Felch, was born in Weare in 1768, and died there in 1852. He was a tanner and shoemaker, and an excellent farmer, as well. Politically he was a Democrat, and his religious affiliations were with the Universalist Church. He married Abigail Favor, a descendant of an immi- grant from the Island of Jersey, who was probably

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of French origin. She died in 1862, aged eighty- four years, having been the mother of six children : John, Betscy, Olive, Leonard, Nancy and Abigail. The latter attained an age of over ninety-six years. (VI) Leonard, fourth child and youngest son of Jonathan and Abigail (Favor) Felch, was born in Weare. May 21, 1801. He succeeded to the pos- session of the homestead, which he cultivated until 1857, when he sold the property to his son Hiram M., and removing to Hopkinton. New Hampshire, died there February 17, 1878. In politics he was a Democrat, and in his religious belief a Free Will Baptist. His first wife was Katherine Blodgett, of Plymouth, New Hampshire, daughter of Ebenez r Blodgett, a Methodist minister, and of Scotch-Irish ancestry. She died in 1851, and he married ( second ), Mrs. Sarah ( Danforth) Palmer, who survived him. By his first wife he had children: 1. Lydia An, who died at the age of two and a half years, 2. John H., born July 24, 1834, who resides in Han- cock. New Hampshire, has served as a selectman and representative to the legislature. He married Abigail Tuttle and has had children : Lucinda Kath- erine, died in 1890; Edgar B. and Arthur T. 3. Iliram Moody.

(VII) Hiram Moody, second son and third and youngest child of Leonard and Katherine ( Blod- gett ) Felch, was born in Weare, July 31, 1836. His educational opportunities were limited, but he made excellent use of the small amount of time allotted him for his school attendance, and supplemented this by earnest home effort. Upon attaining his ma- jority he purchased the homestead farm, paying for it as circumstances would permit, and has since made large additions to his real estate hollings. IIe now owns one thousand acres of land and four houses in the village of East Weare, acquiring the means for the purchase by his industry and frugal- ity. He established himself in the meat business at Weare in 1866 and built up a profitable trade, later admitting his son, Asa E .. into partnership. He collected and drove fortnightly to Lowell, Mas- sachusetts, from 1868 to 1876, large numbers of cattle and sheep for sale in that city. On his farm in East Weare he keeps from thirty to forty head of cattle, from one hundred to one hundred and fifty sheep, and has had on hand at one time as many as five hundred new milch cows. His average crop of hay amounts to about one hundred and fifty tons. His farm buildings were destroyed by fire May 20, 1895, and he removed to the village, pur- chasing of A. B. Johnson the residence in which Judge Cross, of Manchester, was born. ( See Cross Family). A portion of his land is devoted to the growing of valuable timber. During the early days of the Civil war he was drafted, but not feeling strong enough to withstand the hardships and ex- posure of army life, he furnished a substitute, the expense of which proved a serious drawback to him, as at that time he was struggling to pay for his farm. Up to the present time the purchase of this substitute has cost him over five thousand dollars. His ability and perseverance. however, enabled him to clear his property from debt prior to the close of the war, and his remarkable energy is one of the most prominent features of his character. Politi- cally Mr. Felch was a Democrat up to the time of the assassination of President Lincoln, since which time he has been a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He has served with credit as a select- man. He is a member of Aurora Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Henniker ; Woods Chapter,

Royal Arch Masons: Mount William Lodge No. 37, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and is a charter member and formerly steward of the local Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, which was organized in 1873. lle married (first), in 1860, Maria E. Simonds of Ilancock. daughter of Asa Simonds. She died in 1895. He married (second ). Achsa N. Buswell, widow of Hiram Buswell, who died September 23. 1803. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but came to Weare as a child and has always lived in that city. Her father, William Matthews, was born in Germany, went to California and was engaged in gold mining, and later lived in Lowell, Massachu- setts, where he died at the age of fifty-two years. Her mother. Olive ( Philbrick ) Matthews, born in Weare was the daughter of Ephraim and Achsa ( Nicholds) Philbrick. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews had four children, of whom the only ones living are : Achsa and Olive: Olive married Mr. Canfield, and resides in California, Hiram M. and Achsa ( Bus- well) Felch had children: 1. Emma Katie, born August 16, 1862; died February 3, 1864. 2. Asa E .. born December 2. 1865. He was educated in the common school, and Hancock Academy. He as- sisted his father on the homestead farm and on the meat business, and later purchased a steam mill, and extensively engaged in farming and the lumber industry and employs some fifteen men. He married Jennie Black, and has children: Hazel M., mar- ried Charles Stafford, of Weare, and has one daugh- ter. Genevra: and Harold W., now twelve years of age. 3. Willis S .. born May 7. 1871; died February 0. 1883. 4 Jennie M .. born August 28, 1879: died January 28, 1905.

TODD The annals of New Hampshire abound in accounts of the early pioneers who set- tled the state. The early settlers seem to have possessed all the requisites necessary to the conquest of the wilderness and the founding of a great nation. The history of this state without an account of the Scotch-Irish would be very incom- plete. They came before much of the state had been improved, and contributed largely to its growth and prosperity. They were industrious toilers, honest citizens, and when it became necessary, hard fighters. To those hardy pioneers belong the family of Todd. (1) The first known ancestors of the Todd fami- lies of Peterboro, Antrim, Francestown and New Boston. New Hampshire, were James Todd and his wife. Rachel ( Nelson) Todd, natives of Scotland. ( II) Andrew, son of James and Rachel ( Nel- son) Todd, was born in Ireland. 1697. He there married Beatrix Moore, whose father, John Moore, was murdered in the massacre of Glencoe, Scotland, 1692. Andrew Todd came to Londonderry in 1720, and soon became a leading man in that town. He was often chosen moderator of public meetings, was selectman fourteen years, and representative of the town in the provincial legislature. He was an officer in the French war of 1741, also in the war of 1755, during which he rose to the rank of col- onel. The last year of his life he spent with his daughter Jane, in Peterboro, where he died Septem- ber 15, 1777. lle was the father of the following named children: James, born in Londonderry, An- gust 1. 1720. Samuel, born June 3. 1726. Mary, born July 31. 1728. Alexander, born June 2, 1730, captain in the French war. Rachel, born April 14, 1733. John, born April 18. 1735. Jean. horn March 9, 1736. Andrew, born January 11, 1738.

(Il1) Samuel, second son of Colonel Andrew

Hiram M. Falch.

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and Beatrix (Moore) Todd, was born June 3, 1720. He went from Londonderry to Peterboro in 1740, built a camp in the forest, and commenced to clear Jand for a farm. He carried his grain to Townsend, Massachusetts. to be ground. On one occasion when he was there "to mill," some Indians stole all his provisions except what he had concealed by bury- ing. He was a hardy, fearless young man, and when he was about to reach a competence was killed by a falling tree, March 30, 1765. He married (fir-1), Hannah, daughter of John and Margaret ( Wallace) Morrison, who died November, 1760, leaving two children: Betty, born 1754, ched August 24, 1820, and John, born April 0, 1757, died October 27, 1810, at Peterboro, who was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war. Ile married (second), in 1792, Aun C chi- ran, by whom he had two children: Jane, born 1703. married John Morrison, and died in 1820; James, born in Peterboro, about 1704.

(IV) James, youngest child of Samuel and Ann (Cochran) Todd, was born in Peterboro, prob- ably about the close of the year 1704, and died in Francestown, December 8, 184t. He settled on what is known as the Todd place, about the year 1785. He married (first), Unity Paige, of Goffstown. Married ( second), Sarah ( Miller ) Duncan, cousin of General James Miller, of Peterboro. Ilis second wife died in Francestown. October 3. 1849. All of his children except the eldest were born in Peter- boro. They were: Nabby, married Nathaniel Coch- rane. Samuel, born November 14, 1787. William, born March 12, 1789. Anna, born July 13, 1701, married John Sargent. Nathaniel, born March 23, 1793. Mary P., born May 6. 1795. married Daniel Bixby. Jane, born November 28, 1796, married Ben- jamin Deanc. Robert, born October 20, 1800. James, born July 8, 1802. Eli, born July 19, 1804. Roxana, born September 8, 1806. John, born in 1812. Sarah, born in 1812.

(\') Samuel, second child and eldest son of James and Unity ( Paige) Todd, was born October 14. 1787. Ile married, June 7. 1814, Betsey Starrett, of New Boston, born March 20, 1793, and settled in that town upon the farm now owned by Deacon James Paige Todd, where he raised a large family and where he died October 6. 1880. She died June 23, 1880. Their children were: Infant, born October 27, 1815, died December 17, 1815. Mary Starrett, born September 28, 1816, died August 22, 1841. Harriet Atwood. born September 14, 1818, died Au- gust 19, 1900. Mark, born September 16, 1820, died August 8, 1860. James Paige, born November 24. 1822. David Starrett, born October 25, 1824, died August 19, 1899. Caroline Starrett, born September 20, 1827, died November 1, 1855. John Miller, born November 29, 1829. died September 6, 1832. Sarah Elizabeth, born August 9, 1833. Jolin Miller, born September 6, 1835.

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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 47

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