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 88

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 88

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(VIII) Albert, youngest son of Jesse and Abi- gail (Sherburne) Stevens, was born January 24. 1833. on the paternal homestead in Canterbury, and received most of his education in the local public school. After a term of private instruction by Rev. Fifield, he abandoned the school room at the age of fifteen years. His father had planned that he should receive an education, but the illness and death of the parent prevented the fruition of this plan, and the son was obliged to begin early the task of caring for his mother and the farm. He remained on the paternal farm until 1861, when he purchased one hundred acres of land on East Pen- acook street, Concord, not far from Sewall's Falls, on which he settled. This was the property of Reuben Goodwin, and the house in which Major Stevens first resided in Concord is still standing, a very old landmark. Because of some sturdy youth- ful achievement. Mr. Stevens was dubbed "Major" by a neighbor, and the title has clung to him through life: it is by no means an inappropriate one. To his holdings in Concord he has added until his farm now embraces two hundred and fifty acres, and he is also the possessor of four hundred acres of tim- ber lands in Canaan and Hanover, this state. a property that is steadily increasing in value. On his home farm he erected a fine set of buildings. which were destroyed by fire December 17. 1878, inflicting a loss of more than ten thousand dollars. In 1879 he purchased the Samuel Carter tavern, an ancient landmark, which he tore down, and on its foundation he erected the substantial residence which he now occupies, with barns and other nec- essary or desirable farm buildings. From boyhood Maior Stevens was very active and fond of horses. and successful in their management and training.

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Beside his farming interests, he has handled cat- tle and horses, and was for some time engaged in the meat business. He had an interest in the Northwood and Newmarket stage line, and also in the Pittsfield and Dover line, and spent five years at the beaches. In these enterprises he was a part- ner of C. B. Leavitt, of Pittsfield. During the last quarter of a century Major Stevens has kept from ten to thirty cows, and for many years he made butter at the farm. During the last six years a milk route in Penacook has been maintained. The active management of the farm is in the hands of his son, and he is released from many of the cares and la- bors which were his wont in earlier life. Major Stevens has been somewhat active in the conduct of local affairs, and served many years as assessor. In 1870 and 1872 he was elected representative of ward two in the legislature. He is rather inde- pendent in political matters, with a leaning to the Democratic party, and in religious faith is a Uni- versalist.

He was married in 1860 to Susan Ellen Good- win, who was born July 7. 1839, in the house still standing on the home farm, a daughter of Reuben and Judith (Burpee) Goodwin, and died Septem- ber 30. 1873. Reuben was a son of Reuben Good- win. and was born in Concord, his wife being a native of Boscawen. Albert and Susan E. Stevens had two children. Lillie Mabel, born February 24, 1868, died when one year and four days old. Jesse Goodwin, born June 24, 1870. resides opposite his father and conducts the farm. He married Sarah O'Regan, born February 20, 1873. and they have four children, born as follows: Ernest Edwin, No- vember 3. 1897; Georgie Alice, March 30. 1900; Susie Lucy, November 1. 1901; and Mary Lillian, December 1, 1903.

(Second Family.)

The Stevens family, whose first rep-

STEVENS resentative Massachusetts Bay Colony when that colony was but little more than a decade of years old, has grown in numbers and in the strength and influence of its individual members from the early days of New England to the present time.

(I) John Stevens, the first of this one of many lines of that name in the same neighborhood, set- tled in Newbury, Massachusetts, as early as 1638. Seven years later he removed to Andover in the same colony, where he died April 11. 1662. While but little appears in the records concerning him. it can be safely judged that he was possessed of that fortitude and determination which characterized the first generations of the Massachusetts Bay Col- ony. They were content to suffer many hardships in the midst of primeval forests. surrounded by savage tribes, for the sake of their religion. He was accompanied in his immigration hither by his wife Elizabeth, who survived him more than twenty- nine years. and died in May, 1691, at the age of eighty years. Their children were: John, Timothy, Nathan, Elizabeth, Ephraim, Mary, Joseph and Ben- jamin.

(II) John (2), eldest child of John (1) and Elizabeth Stevens, was born June 20, 1630. in New- bury, Massachusetts, and lived in Andover. where appears the record of birth of liis thirteen children. He was lieutenant in the militia in defense of the Massachusetts Colony, and died in that service at Casco Bay, March 4. 1689. He was married June 13. 1662, to Hannah Barnard, daughter of Robert and Joan (Harvey) Barnard, of Andover. She

died March 13. 1675. and he was married (second) August 10, 1676, to Esther Barker, daughter of Richard and Joanna Barker of Andover. She sur- vived him and was the mother of seven of his children. His offspring included: John, Nathan, Timothy, Joshua, Ephraim. Jonathan, Samuel. Aaron. Abial, Ebenezer, Benjamin, David and Hannah.

(III) Samuel, seventh son and child of John (2) Stevens and eldest child of his second wife. Esther Barker, was born May 20, 1677, in Andover. Massachusetts. He resided in Amesbury and served in the Indian wars from that town and was a snow-shoe man in 1708. Soon after 1710 he removed to Haverhill and resided in the northern part of that town. By the adjustment of the Province line in 1741, his homestead fell within the limits of New Hampshire. The thus became a citizen of Hampstead, and died in that town. His will was dated August 20, 1748, and was proven June 18. 1751. This would indicate that he was a prudent man and made provision for his possible death a considerable time before it occurred. He was mar- ried November 16. 1704, to Rachael Heath, who was born July 23. 1682, in Haverhill, daughter of John and Sarah (Partridge) Heath. She survived him some years. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, namely: Sarah. John, Rachael, Samuel, Nehe- miah, William, Jonathan, Joseph, Benjamin. David and Abigail.

(IV) William, fourth son and sixth child of Samitel and Rachael (ITeath) Stevens, was born November 21. 1714, in Haverhill, and lived in that town until the homestead became a part of Hamp- stead. New Hampshire. He lived north of Island Pond in that town, and there died April 14. 1783. He was married (first) November 24 1744. to Mary Tucker , who was born February II. 1725, in Kings- ton, daughter of William and Mary (Archer) Tucker. She died June 18, 1748, and he was mar- ried (second) February 20. Elizabeth Dodge. She died March 31, 1750, and he was mar- ried (third) January 19, 1769. to Lydia Gile. She was probably the widow of Jonathan Gile, of Hav- erhill, and a daughter of Joseph and Anna ( Bart- lett) Colby, of Hampstead. There were two chil- dren by the first marriage, one by the second and two by the third. namely : Parker S., Molly, George, Lydia and William.

(V) Parker, son of William and Mary (Tuck- er) Stevens. was born in Hampstead. New Hamp- shire, November 26, 1745. He married in that vil- lage. February 10, 1,66, Jemima Eastman, eldest child of Edmund and Hannah (Hill) Eastman. born in Hampstead. March I, 1750. She was of the fifth generation in deseent from Roger Eastman. the ancestor of the very numerous Ea-tman family. (See Eastman IV). Here we find joined in wed- lock a woman and a man born in the same town and descended from ancestors who came from Eng- Innd to America at the same time and in the same ship. in 1638, one hundred and twenty-eight years earlier. Mr. Stevens married (secondo) widow Ma- rian Tilton, by whom he had no children. He died October 15. 1818, from drinking oil of tansy through mistake. He lived in Hampstead, where all his children were born. In 1787 he removed to Pier- mont, New Hampshire, where he purchased a tract of land consisting of five hundred acres, which he afterward divided among his five sons. Soon after his settlement in Piermont, he petitioned the gen- cral court to be allowed to run a ferry across the

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Connecticut river from his farm. He was an en- terprising man, and of great force of character. His first wife died February 29, 1784; his second March 10. 1821. aged seventy-five years. The names of the children are: Parker, born October 6, 1767 : Polly, November 13, 1769; Edmund, February II, 1772: Hannah. February 24. 1775: John, Septem- ber 25, 1777: Joseph. February 19, 1780; and Caleb, November 27, 1782.

(VI) Caleb, who was the fifth son and young- est child of Parker and Jemima ( Eastman) Stevens, was born at Hampstead, November 27. 1782, and married, April 21, 1811, Sally Dewey, daughter of Nathan and Sally (Chandler) Dewey, born January 2. 1793, at Piermont. She was a relative of Admiral George Dewey, being a descendant from the same ancestors. Thomas (1) "the settler." and Josiah (2) his son, her line continuing through Nathan (3), Samuel (4), Nathan (5), and Nathan (6). The admiral's genealogist has said "Admiral Dew- ev's ancestors all along the line from Thomas Dewey the settler, who landed in Massachusetts Bay with Rev. John Warham's little band of persecuted Christians in the summer of 1630, down through the Revolutionary war and the War of 1812, had been men who have taken a prominent part in the affairs of State and Nation." The same can be said of Sally Dewey. and the Dewey character is promi- nent in her descendants.

Caleb Stevens grew up on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-one the delicate condition of his health induced him to go to school instead of attend- ing to the more arduous labor incident to farm life. He attended Haverhill Academy, where he acquired an education above that of the average man of the period. He taught school for a number of years and his standing as a teacher, his ability to calculate eclipses and do other things incident to good scholarship, caused him to be regarded by his neighbors as a superior man in education. As a young man he was diffident, as a farmer he was not enterprising. It he was a member of the Congre- gational Church, a good man of steady habits, who loved his home and spent his time there. He loved his children and did what he could for them, and in return enjoyed their, respect and esteem. He died March 30. 1870, then being eighty-eight years old. Mrs. Stevens died January 9. 1880. aged eighty- seven years. For some years they had lived in the home of their son Lyman, at Concord. There were two children born to them: Cynthia Dewey. the eller. March 2. 1813. married Isaac IT. Healey, and died August 14, 1840. Lyman D. is mentioned below.

(VH) Lyman Dewey, only son of Caleb and Sally (Dewey) Stevens, was born in Piermont. September 20. 1821. At the age of seven he met with an accident that influenced his entire life. While assisting another boy he received an injury to his right shoulder from which he never recovered and which rendered the arm substantially useless. As he could never perform the the labor of the farm to advantage his father determined to educate him. Ilis primary education was obtained in the district school. his preparatory education at Hav- erhill ( New Hampshire ) Academy. Subsequently he matriculated at Dartmouth, from which he grad- uated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1843. He was one of the one-third of the class who, on account of their class standing. were elected mem- bers of Phi Beta Kappa. At the close of his college cour-e Mr. Stevens found himself in debt.

His father, in order to send him through college. had been obliged to borrow some hundreds of dollars which must now be paid. In order to se- cure the means to do this he accepted the . first good opportunity that presented itself, and became principal of Stanstead Academy, in the Province of Quebec. where he taught two years. While there he studied law one year in the office of E. C. Johnson of Derby, Vermont. He subsequently assisted Jon- athan Tenney for a short time, as principal of the academy at Pembroke, New Hampshire. During this time, by the practice of economy, he had paid his college debts, and saved five hundred and forty dollars besides. With this capital he continued the study of law in the office of Hon. Ira Perley in Concord, New Hampshire. He was admitted in Oc- tober, 1847. and at once opened an office there, though at first intending to locate elsewhere. With the small balance of his savings he bought the nec- essary furniture and a few books and started on what time has proved to be a successful practice of law.

Ar. Stevens advanced rapidly in his profession and soon had a lucrative practice. In 1855 and 1856 he was elected city solicitor. In 1860-61-66-67. he was a member of the house of representatives, presi- dential elector in 1872, member of the governor's council in 188t, and of the state senate in 1885. As mayor of the city of Concord he was best able to show his ability and exercise his influence for good. Ile was elected to this office in 1868, and re-elected in 1869. During his mayoralty he instituted va- rious reforms and improvements, the most notable being the adoption of the present system of sew- age. This was almost the first real and substantial improvement that the people had been called upon to make and it is not surprising that he met with the most determined opposition in this movement. But he proceeded fearlessly to carry on the improve- ments which the health and beauty of the city de- manded, and in after years received the credit which his action deserved, his most strenuous opponents finally admitting the wisdom of his course. He was also president of the board of trade while the board existed. He was president of the Concord Shoe Company, and is president of the Concord Gas and Light Company. He was a director in the Page Belting Company, and since 1865 has been a direc- tor in the National State Capital Bank, of which he was president from May 30, 1865. until his resig- nation. May 30. 1005. He has been president of the Merrimack County Savings Bank from its organi- zation in 1870. Governor Gilmore appointed MIr. Stevens commissioner to adjust the suspended war claims of New Hampshire against the United States. and he was a commissioner of the state of New Hampshire to attend the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. November 10, 1863.

Mr. Stevens is a lifelong Republican. He has been a Congregationalist since 1847, and a member of the South Church during that period, and in that organization he has always been a staunch and en- ergetic supporter of what he believed to be right. His interest in educational and philanthropic work has ever been unflagging and efficient. Among the places he has filled are those of president and treas- urer of the New Hampshire Home Missionary So- ciety, and trustec of Kimball Union Academy, of Roscawen Academy, member of the board of edu- cation of Concord, and trustee and president of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and Me- chanic Arts. On account of failing health he re-

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signed at the beginning of 1905 from the presidency of the National State Capital Bank, and is now liv- ing in retirement at the age of four score and four, physically infirm, but mentally as sound as ever. Few men have had as great influence on the finan- cial institutions and public policy of Concord as Lyman D. Stevens.

August 21, 1850, Mr. Stevens married Achsah Pollard French, daughter of Captain Theodore and Lydia (Pollard) French, born in Concord, Sep- temiber 26, 1822. Two children were born to them : Margaret French and Henry Webster. Mrs. Stev- ens died July 2, 1863: and Mr. Stevens married ( second ) January 20, 1875, Franees Childs Brow- nell, daughter of William and Rebecca ( Childs) Brownell, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, born -August 21, 1839, in New Bedford, her maternal grandfather being Judge Joseph Childs, of Ports- mouth, Rhode Island. They have two children : Fanny Browneh, at home, and William Lyman, who graduated from Dartmouth College in 1903, and from Harvard Law School in 1906.

(VII) Henry Webster, son of Lyman D. and Achsah Pollard (French) Stevens, was born in Concord, March 5, 1853. After passing through the public schools of Concord he was fitted for college at Phillips Andover Academy and was graduated from Dartmouth College with the degree of Bach- clor of Arts, in the class of 1875. He matriculated at the Boston University Law School, and took the degree of Bachelor of Law there in 1877. lle was admitted to the bar in 1878, and immediately formed a partnership with his father, with who he had studied, and entered the practice. This partnership continued until June, 1879, when he became a part- ner with Edward G. Leach, which relation still con- tinues, and the firm of Stevens & Leach has enjoyed a growing and lucrative practice. Mr. Stevens is a Republican, and as such was elected city solicitor of Concord in 1885 and re-elected in 1886. In the session of 1887-88 he was a member of the New Hampshire house of representatives, and later was alderman of the city of Concord and also trustee of the City Library. He is a trustee of the Margaret Pillsbury General Hospital, vice-president of the Mechanics' National Bank, trustee of the Merrimack County Saving Bank, treasurer of the Fireman's Re- Hief Association, and of St. Mary's School. Mr. Stevens married Ellen T. Nelson, daughter of and Abbie ( Tuck) Nelson.

(Third Family.)

This branch of the Stevens family STEVENS traces its line through seven genera- tions to an English ancestor, Colonel Thomas, of London. There is apparently no con- nection between this family and the family that is descended from William Stevens, another early American ancestor. It is interesting to note that in the present line, nearly every generation is de- scended from the youngest son.

(I) Colonel Thomas Stevens, of London, came originally from Devonshire, England. He was a member of the company chartered for the settlement of Massachusetts Bay, which in 1628 sent out John Endieott and others to plant a colony at Salem, Massachusetts. Colonel Thomas Stevens was an armorer, and he furnished the colony with a sup- ply of arms. He did not emigrate himself but he contributed fifty pounds sterling to the stock of the company, and "sent three sons and his daugh- ter Mary as his adventure to our cause."

(II) Cyprian, the first American ancestor of this

branch, the youngest son of Colonel Thomas Ster- ens, came from London about 1660, being then a Jad of fourteen years. He settled at Lancaster. Massachusetts, where he married, January 22, 1672, Mary, daughter of Major Simeon Willard, of that town. There were five children.

(111) Joseph, youngest child of Cyprian and Mary (Willard ) Stevens, was born about 1682. He lived at Sudbury, Framingham, and Lancaster, Mas- sachusetts. In 1720 he removed to Rutland, Massa- chusetts, where he died in 1745. He was one of the first settlers at Rutland, and a leading man of the town. He was captain of the militia, and a deacon of the church. He married Patience, daughter of John Rice, Sudbury, Massachusetts. There were ten children, five sons and five daughters. This family had a thrilling experience with the Indians, August 14, 1723. Captain Joseph Stevens went from his house to the meeting house meadows to make hay. Four of his sons followed him. The eldest was Phineas, a lad of sixteen, and the youngest was Isaac, a child of four. While at work the family were attacked by the Indians. Two of the boys. Samuel and Joseph, were slain. The father escaped to the bushes, and Phineas and Isaac were taken captive. The Indians were about to kill Isaac, but his elder brother made them understand by signs that he would carry him on his back all the way to Canada if they would spare his life. Phineas and Isaac remained in captivity a year, but they were finally redeemed after much expense and trouble. Their father made two long and wearisome jour- neys to Canada for this purpose. The elder son be- came the famous Captain Stevens, of Charlestown, New Hampshire, who rendered most important service in protecting the frontier from the French and Indians. It was he who commanded the fort when Old Number Four (Charlestown) was at- tacked.

(IV) Isaac, the youngest son of Captain Joseph and Patience ( Rice) Stevens, was born in 1719. Ile moved from Rutland. Massachusetts, to Carlisle, Massachusetts, where he died. He was twice mar- ried. His first wife was Mercy Hubbard, of Rut- land, Massachusetts, who died in 1746, leaving one son and one daughter. In 1748 he married Abigail Parling. There were four children by the second marriage, three sons and one daughter.

(V) Calvin, the youngest son of Isaac and Abi- gail ( Parling) Stevens, was born in Rutland. Mas- sachusetts, January 27. 1753, and removed in in- fancy to Carlisle, Massachusetts. He was the first of the family to come to New Hampshire. In 1776 he removed to Hillsborough, that state, where he lived forty-five years. In 1821 he decided to spend his latter days at Mont Vernon, New llampshire, where four of his children had settled. He died there in 1834. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and fought at Bunker Hill. While in Hillsborough he was a magistrate, and held all the town offices. Ile was an upright and intelligent man. and a most useful citizen. In 1773 he married Esther Wilkins. There were thirteen children, three of whom died before himself. One of his descendants in the fourth degree was George A. Marden, of the Lowell Courier (see Marden Genealogy ).

(VI) Asa, fifth son and seventh child of Cal- vin Stevens, was born at Hillsborough, New Hamp- shire, February 5, 1787. He settled at Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, where he died in 1863. He mar- ried Mary Ann, youngest daughter of Rev. Joseph Appleton, of Brookfield. Massachusetts, and sister

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of Hon. William Appleton, of Boston. She died in November, 1867. There were seven children, six of whom survived their parents. They were: Cal- vin. David, Mary Ann, Harriett, William, Asa and Frances.

(VII) William, third son of Asa and Mary Ann (Appleton) Stevens, was born at Mont Vernon. New Hampshire, July 28, 1816. Till the age of twenty he remained at home, engaged in farming and attending the village school. In 1836-37 he had the benefit of two terms at the institute in Han- cock. New Hampshire. His father was a prosperous man, but he held that his sons should make their own way. so in 1838 William went west, going as far as Illinois. Not caring for the country, he came back, and in 1839 was employed at the Stark Mills in Manchester. New Hampshire. then managed by his cousin, John A. Burnham, of Boston. After a few weeks in the mills William went to Boston. where he became a salesman in a clothing store under Faneuil Hall. In 1841 his elder brother Cal- vin, who was a dealer in smoked provisions at 13 Front street. New York City, invited him to come there. William Stevens remained in this business for eighteen months, and then purchased a stock of ship stores at 116 Wall street, where he con- tinued till 1844. or the next twenty-one years he was a dealer in smoked provisions, first at Ludlow street, where he remained two years. and the re- mainder of the time at 76 and 78 Worcester street. He took his younger brother Asa as partner, and firm became W. and A. Stevens. In June, 1865. Mr. Stevens having amassed a handsome property, and being still in the prime of life, decided to retire to Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, there to enjoy a well earned leisure amid the scenes of his boyhood. He bought the old homestead and other lands, fitted up the buildings, and made a fine estate. He took a lively interest in the affairs of the town, and was always ready to help promote the welfare of those around him. In politics he was a Republican and repeatedly received a handsome vote for the leg- islature. though living in an extensively Democratic community. He was liberal in his religious views, and belonged to no church, but strove to help his fellowmen. He was a member of the Masonie fra- ternities. William Stevens was twice married. His first wife was Louisa W. Dye, of Newark, New Jersey. who left four daughters: Mary Ann, mar- ried Charles F. Wilkins, of Omaha, Nebraska: Ella L .: Catherine, married C. Henry Hobbie, also of Omaha ; Frances E. William Stevens married for his second wife. January 4. 1876, Mrs. Helen L. (Ober) Whipple, of New Boston. New Hampshire, widow of John Whipple, of that place. They had one daughter, Helen Willette Stevens, born Sep- tember 3. 1880. Mrs. Helen ( Ober) Stevens was the daughter of Gary W. and Saloma (Mills) Ober, of Francestown. New Hampshire. Her father was a farmer and stonecutter at Milford. New Hamp- shire. and died in 1868, leaving seven children-six daughters and one son. Of this family the only ones living in 1907 were Mrs. Hannah Hunt of Helena, Montana. Mrs. White, of Mont Vernon. New Hampshire, and Mrs. Helen (Ober) Stevens. Mrs. Steven's grandfather Mills served in the Rev- olution. He was a minute man from Walpole, New Hampshire, and died of fever at Fort Ticonderoga. Mrs. Stevens's first husband, John Whipple, of New Boston, was the son and grandson of John Whipple, of that place. He enlisted in the Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers. fought at Fredericksburg,

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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 88

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