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. IV, Part 126

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: 878

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. IV > Part 126

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(V) Abijah (1), second son and child of Jo- seph (2) and Abigail (Savil) Allen. born August 22, 1704, married, June 3, 1725, Joanna Balter, and they had: Abijah, Abigail, Jacob and Thomas (twins ), Joanna, Elizabeth, Josiah and Joseph.

(VI) Abijah (2), eldest child of Abijah (I) and Joanna (Balter) Allen, was born December 28, 1725, died November 10,, 1795, married, July II, 1749, Ruth Penniman, born November II, 1730, died November 14, 1802, daughter of William and Ruth (Thayer) Penniman. Their children were: Ruth, Jacob. Abigail, Joanna and Lemuel.

(VII) Jacob, eldest son and second child of Abijah (2) and Ruth (Thayer) Allen, born De- cember 23, 1754, died October 23, 1821, married, March 27, 1777, Hepsibah Vinton, born September 20, 1758, died June 23, 1886, daughter of John and Hepsibah (French) Vinton, and had by her : Abi- gail, Jacob, died young ; Jacob, Abijah, died young ; John and Abijah, the subject of the next para- graph.

(VIII) Abijah (3), youngest child of Jacob and Hepsibah (Vinton) Allen, born April 21, 1787 died March 17, 1824, married, December 21, 1809, Sarah Allen, born January 2, 1781, died July 5, 1861, daughter of William and Deborah (Clark ) Allen. and they had six children : Deborah Clark, Hep- sibah Vinton, John Brooks, Sarah Thompson, Abi- gail Paster and Abijah.

(IX) Deborah Clark, eldest child of Abijah (3) and Sarah (Allen) Allen, born September 15, 1810, became the wife of Thomas (4) Hollis ( see Hol- lis, VI).

Owing to the lack of records it has not ALLEN been feasible to trace this family through many generations; hence it is impossible to tell whether it is related to the Allens whose history has previously been written.

(I) Ira B. Allen was born in Chelsea, Vermont, in 1816, the famous cold year when there was a frost every month and no corn ripened. His school- ing was very limited, being confined to the oppor- tunities afforded by the districts of his native town; but he was a great reader and had a faculty for re- taining what he saw in books; and in due time,

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through his own efforts, he became a well informed man. About 1835 he began driving a stage for a Mr. Morton between Chelsea, Vermont, and Han- over, New Hampshire. This brought him into con- tact with the outer world and with educated peo- ple. He carried mail as well as passengers, and for seven years continued on this route. In 1844 he purchased an interest in the line from Montpelier, Vermont, to Hanover, and was identified with staging interests until the railroad succeeded the coach. In 1846 he moved to Hanover, and in com- pany with his brother Samuel conducted a livery business till about 1850. Ira B. Allen opened the street bearing his name from School to Main streets in Hanover. From Hanover he went to Chili, South America, where he established a stage route, remaining three years. Returning to Han- over he re-purchased his old livery business and continued to live there till his death. He acquired a handsome property, and was one of the popular men of the college town. He was a great favorite with the college students, and always had a good story to tell. His varied experiences and sense of humor had supplied hin with a fund of anecdotes. He was universally esteemed by his fellowmen, both in Hanover and in his native village of Chel- sea. He lived to see the country grow from wood- lands to modern farming communities, and he helped to make the change. Ira B. Allen married Harriet E. Avery. She died July, 1848. They had one son, George H., whose sketch follows. He then married Jane Carpenter, who died 1889. They had one son Frank C., who died in infancy. Ira B. Allen died May, 1890, and at his death Hanover lost one of its most substantial citizens, and the family a loving father.

(II) George H., only son of Ira B. and Harriet E. (Avery) Allen, was born August 12, 1848, at Hanover, New Hampshire. He was educated in the public schools of Hanover and under private tutors. He was graduated from the Chandler scien- tific department of Dartmouth College in 1867. He chose the profession of civil engineering. His first work after leaving college was with the United States government survey on the shore line of Lake Superior. The route lay along the northern shore from Pigeon river ninety miles. He then surveyed from Derby Line, Vermont, to Sherbrooke, Quebec. for the Massawippi Valley railroad. Mr. Allen then came to Manchester, New Hampshire, which city he has made his permanent home. He was first employed by James A. Weston, at one time governor of the state. After a time he purchased Mr. Weston's office business, and started a private engineering establishment of his own. He did all the surveying and engineering work for Manches- ter prior to the constituting of the office of city en- gineer. Mr. Allen afterwards went to Boston, and had charge of the grade department of the Rox- bury branch of the city surveyor's office. After staying there five years he came back to Manches- ter and re-purchased his old office, which he con- ducted for two years. From 1881 to 1885, inclusive, he held the office of city engineer for Manchester. In his private engineering office he has had under his charge numbers of students, who are now hold- ing responsible positions in different parts of the country. He has been preceptor for most of the engineers who have been employed by the city gov- ernment. Having had a thorough training and hav- ing . seen considerable of the country, he has a wide knowledge of surveying and engineering. He has assisted in laying out the greater part of the su- burbs of Manchester, and is now carrying on a pri- vate office at No. 924 Elm street. He does all kinds

of surveying and engineering, and his work extends from north of the White Mountains into Massachu- setts territory. Mr. Allen is a Republican in poli- tics, and is at present ( 1907) treasurer of ward four, Manchester.

In Masonic circles he is a member of Washing- ton Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter, Adorinam Council, and Trinity Commandery, Knights Templar, of Man- chester. Past high priest of Mt. Horeb, Royal Arch Chapter, and past thrice illustrious master of Adoni- ram Council. He still owns the old Allen farin in Hanover. He is a member of the Good Samaritan Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Golden Rule Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca, and was formerly a member of the Grange in Hanover. On December 15, 1872, George H. Allen married Ella A. Simons, daughter of Alfred G. and Mary Eliza- betli (Davis) Simons. (See Simons Family ). Mrs. Allen was born in Warner, New Hampshire, De- cember 15, 1850, and was educated in the schools of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Allen never had any children, but it is a source of pleasure to this couple to place on record the life of a boy named Israel Aubey, who was taken at the age of eight into the homme of Ira B. Allen, and there reared as a son. When the senior Mr. Allen died, this charge was given to George H. Allen and his wife. Israel Aubey was born December 28, 1875. His prelimin- ary education was obtained at the public schools in Hanover. He was graduated with honors from the Manchester high school in the class of 1893. He took a post-graduate course in 1894, and was grad- uated from the scientific department of Dartmouth College in 1898. He then entered the office of Mr. George H. Allen and remained under his instruc- tion for a time. His first position was with the Boston Elevated Railroad. He began as a rodman, and was promoted step by step to inspector of steel work. Having been a competent man he was given charge of inspection by that great corporation. La- ter he was engaged as inspector of a great steel construction in New York City. His present posi- tion is in the engineering department of the Mas- sachusetts water and sewer commission. Israel Aubey married, September 4, 1904, M. Jennie Rines, a native of Massachusetts. They reside in Fram- ingham, Massachusetts.

Symonds, which seems to have been SIMONS the earliest form of this name. later written Simonds and Simons, is fre- quently found among the immigrants of the seven- teenth century.

(I) John Simons was born at Lebanon, New Hampshire, August 1, 1789. He married Mary Den- nison Taylor, of Woodstock, Vermont, who was born August 15, 1796. They had six children : Mary A., whose sketch follows: Alfred F., Rachel B., John D., Hiram D. and John T.

(II) Alfred G., eldest son and second child of John and Mary D. (Taylor) Simons, was born at Lebanon, New Hampshire, April 5, 1825. In 1849 he married Mary Elizabeth Davis. They had one child. Ella A., born in Warner, New Hampshire, December 15, 1850. She married George II. Allen. (Sec Allen, II above).

ALLEN George Washington .Allen was born January 27, 1863, in Sheffield, Vermont. He was educated in the common schools and at the Lyndonville Institute. When about twenty-three years of age he came to La- conia, New Hampshire, and worked in the shoe shop for a few months. He then spent four years

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with E. J. Dinsmore, learning the trade of harness making. About 1891 he moved to Lakeport, New Hampshire, and went into the harness-making business for himself, in which he still continties. His business is in Lakeport, but his home is in La- conia. In politics he is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic blue lodge, and of Chocorne Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is president of the Building Association of Laconia, and belongs to the New England Order of Protec- tion. He is a member of the Lowell Free Baptist Church. He married Emina Bennett, who was born in Gilford, New Hampshire.

TORR - GREENFIELD

Tor or Torr as the name is now spelled, is a Celtic word and sig-

nifies a tower-like rock. In Devonshire, England, are found the names Yes Tor, Fur Tor, Hare Tor, Lynx Tor, and other tors. The first man named Torr probably took his name from his residence near a tor, and was designated Arthur attetor, or Geoffrey atto tor, or otherwise, as his baptismal name required.

(I) Vincent Torr, a native of England, came to America previous to 1733, and settled in Dover on a farm still owned by his descendants. He was a trained soldier in Dover in 1740. (New Hampshire State Papers). He died February 24, 1774. He married Lois Pinkham, who was born March 2, 1721. Their children were: Mary, Andrew, Eu- nice, Simon, Vincent and Lois.

(II) Simon Torr, fourth child and second son of Vincent and Lois (Pinkham) Torr, was born November 5, 1749, and died March 14, 1821 .. He settled in Rochester in 1775, on the farm still owned by his great-grandsons. A part of the house then built is yet standing, and the same old clock which he brought from England is still in use there. Simon Torr was a private in Captain Caleb Hodgdon's Company at Seavey's Island, at Portsmouth Har- bor, Nov. 5, 1775. (Revolutionary Rolls, volume I, page 236). Simon Torr was Sergeant-Major of Col. John Waldron's Regiment, in 1776. (Revolu- tionary Rolls. Volume I, page 476). Colonel John Waldron's regiment was stationed at Temple farm, in Brigadier-General John Sullivan's Brigade in the Continental army, March 6, 1776. No roll of the men has been found. After being drilled at Seavey's Island, in November, 1775, the company in which was Simon Torr, probably went to Winter Hill, Boston, and they were "six weeks men." After- wards Waldron's regiment was raised out of these various "six weeks men-companies" to remain until April 1, 1776, and Simon Torr became the ser- geant-major of this regiment. He married Saralı Ham, and had four daughters and three sons: Bet- sey. Mary, Abigail, Sarah, John, Simon and Jon- athan. (Mention of Simon and descendants forms part of this article).

(III) John (Torr) Greenfield, fifth child and eldest son of Simon and Sarah (Ham) Torr, was born October 5, 1787, on the old Torr farm in Roch- ester, and died January 13, 1863. He was reared a tanner, shoemaker, and farmer, and very early showed signs of great foresight. About 1812 or 1813 he commenced trading in Rochester, and for nearly or quite fifty years was one of the most suc- cessful business men in town. He was full of energy, and possessing a sound judgment was always able to make good investments. Soon after he en- gaged in mercantile business in Rochester, his brother, Jonathan Torr, opened a store in the same place, and the goods consigned to the two brothers (being marked "J. Torr") were so often delivered to

the wrong Torr, that John Torr had his name changed to John Greenfield. At his death in 1863 Mr. Greenfield left an ample fortune and an un- sullied reputation. He married Phebe Wentworth, who was born November 22, 1798, daughter of Ste- phen and Sallie (Cottle) Wentworth. She was of the sixth generation from Elder William Went- worth, "the settler." Four children were born of this marriage: Charles, Sarah E. (see Wallace, II), Ella G. and George. (The last named and de- scendants are noticed in this article).

(IV) Charles, eldest child of John and Phebe (Wentworth) Greenfield, was born in Rochester, February 18, 1826, and died December 19, 1898. He attended school until fourteen years of age, and then began farming which was his principal employment in life. After the death of his father, in 1863, he received his portion of the estate to which he made constant addition until he owned several hundred acres of land in Rochester. Though nominally a farmer, he made much money in other ways than farming. He was a director of the Rochester National Bank, president and trustee of the Norway Plains Savings Bank, and a stockholder in various railroad and manufacturing enterprises, and at his death was one of the wealthy men of the town. He was a man of quick perception, clear judgment, and sound reason, and seldom if ever made a financial mistake. He was a man of sterl- ing integrity, and in farming and financial circles was a leading citizen, intelligent, prudent and highly esteemed. In politics he was a Whig until that party passed away, and afterwards a Republican. He married, July 5, 1846, Aroline B. Downs, of Rochester, who was born May 17, 1826, and still lives in Rochester, daughter of Gershom and Sally P. (Richardson) Downs. Their children were : Millie A., John, Ella S., Sarah E., Hattie A., Frank, and a son who died in infancy.

(V) Millie A., daughter of Charles Greenfield, born June 27, 1847, married, June 27, 1872, Horace L. Worcester, of Lebanon, Maine. She is prominent in social circles and a member of the leading social organizations. In 1901 she was an honorary mem- ber of the board of women managers of the Pan- American Exposition at Buffalo, where she per- formed efficient service. In 1906 she organized Mary Torr Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she was the first regent. This chapter was named for Mary, the wife of Judge Thompson, of Durham, daughter of the immigrant, Vincent Torr. She was born September 1, 1740, and died November 14, 1807. Mrs. Worcester is a past department president of the Woman's Relief Corps of New Hampshire. She is a member of James Farrington Chapter, No. 7, of the order of the Eastern Star, of Rochester, of which she was the first secretary, and afterward assistant matron and matron. She was the first president of the Rochester Woman's Club, and was historian and one of the managers of Margery Sullivan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution of Dover. John Greenfield is mentioned below. Ella S. was born November 23, 1851, and married, November 23, 1875, Justin M. Levitt, of Buxton, Maine. Sarah E., was born April 1, 1854, and married, June 16, 1885. George W. Young, of Lowell, Massachusetts. Hattie A. was born July 18, 1856, and married, June 8, 1904, Capt. Harry L. Wentworth, of Boston, Mass- achusetts. Frank, born February 13, 1859, resides in Rochester. He married, September 3, 1902, Cora A. Fogg. of Rochester.

(V) John, second child and eldest son of Charles and Aroline B. (Downs) Greenfield, was born in Rochester, March 28, 1849. After attending the

Charles Greenfield

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COMnon schools and preparing for college in Phillips-Exeter Academy, he entered Dartmouth College in 1868, but ill health compelled him to give up his studies. He began to give his atten- tion to farming in early life, and has always been interested in that calling. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and has been the recipient of many honors at the hands of his party, which he has always faithfully served. In 1876 he was elected member of the board of selectmen, and was re- elected four times. He has also served the town as tax collector, and as chief engineer of the fire department. In1 1879 he was elected high sheriff of Strafford county, being the first man ever elected to that office. He was twice re-clected. He was a member of the city council seven years, and was postmaster of Rochester during Harrison's admin- istration. He was one of the prime movers in or- ganizing and starting the Rochester Water Works. was its first superintendent and served in that ca- pacity for three years. He is a trustee of the Nor- way Plains Savings Bank, and has often served as administrator of estates. Like his father (Charles Greenfield) he is a man of the strictest integrity, his word being considered as good as his bond. He married Mary A. Smith, of Rochester, September 22, 1890.

(IV) George, fourth child and second son of John and Phebe (Wentworth) Greenfield, was born in Rochester, March 22, 1837, and died September 10, 1871. He followed the sea for a few years, when a young man, and then returning to Roch- ester, devoted the remainder of his life to farming. He married, in 1863, Mary Frances Parshley, daugh- ter of Stephen and Jane (Fogg) Parshley. They had five children: Henry, George E., Herbert E., Emma J. and Mary E.

(V) George E., second son and child of George and Mary Frances ( Parshley) Greenfield, was born in Rochester, May 3, 1866, and was educated in the common schools. For some years he was employed by the Boston & Maine Railroad Company in its construction department. In 1896 Mr. Greenfield and J. A. Morrill bought the wood and coal business of Samuel Stringer, which under the firm name of Morrill & Greenfield, they carried on for nine years. Mr. Greenfield then bought his partner's interest and has since conducted the business alone. He is a member of Humane Lodge, No. 21, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Temple Royal Arch Chapter, No. 20; Orient Council, Royal and Select Masters ; and Palestine Commandery, Knights Templar; Bektash Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a Republican He married, in Rochester, December 31, 1884, Delia A. Morrill, who was born in Rochester, August, 1865, daughter of Jedediah A. and Lucy A. (Tibbetts) Morrill. They have two children : Lucie May, born May 24, 1891; and Sarah Ella, born February 13, 1893. Members, with their mother, of the Congregational Church.

(III) Simon (2), sixth child and second son of Simon (1) and Sarah (Ham) Torr, was born on the home farm at Rochester, October 5, 1789, and died there February 17, 1858. He was a farmer and a tanner, politically a Whig, and was an adherant of the Congregational Church. He married Betsey P. Davis, who was born September 18, 1794, mar- ried, May 22, 1821, and died November 26, 1854. The children of Simon and Betsey P. (Davis) Torr were: Charles, born April 2, 1822. died May 21, 1838. Simon A., born July 28, 1825, died December 6, 1834. John F., see later on. Sarah E., born Au- gust 28, 1836, married Lewis Hanson, and died without issue.

(IV) John F., third son and child of Simon (2) and Betsey P. (Davis) Torr, was born on the home- stead farm, April 28, 1829. He was a farmer all his life, died June 16, 1889. He was a Repub- lican, and a member of the Congregational Church. He married, March 17, 1868, Mary C. Downs, born January 14, 1840, dicd February 1, 1904. Their children were: Charles C., born September 29, 1869. He was educated in the public schools, and is a farmer living on the Torr farm owned by him and his brother, George H. He is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, councilman of Rochester, and unmarried. Simon A., born Decem- ber 13, 1871, died April 4, 1897.

(V) George H., youngest son and child of John F. and Mary C. (Downs) Torr, was born on the homestead, March 20, 1876. He grew up on the farm, and attended the public school and also took a course in the Dover Business College. He has always been a farmer, but now resides in Rochester. He is a member of Humane Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and a Republican. He married, Oc- tober 5, 1904, Lillian M. Gerrish (see Gerrish, III) and they have a son,

(VI) Franklin G., born July 19, 1905.

FOGG The State of New Hampshire is largely indebted for its development-industrial, social and moral-to those bcaring this name, who were among the first in the colony and are still numerous in many sections of the state.

(I) The first of the name in this country was Samuel Fogg, who was among the early settlers of Hampton, one of the first settlements in New Hampshire. He was a native of England, and re- ceived grants of land in Hampton at a very early period, which cannot now be exactly determined. In the second review of old grants made in 1658. he is found to have previously received separate grants of land aggregating eight and three-fourths acres, and it is presumed that he was among the original proprietors. He purchased the home of Christopher Hussey, who was one of the original proprietors, and who removed to what is now Hampton Falls upon selling his estate to Mr. Fogg. In 1669 the latter drew lot 60, comprising one hun- dred acres, which indicates that he was the owner of two or more shares in the common rights. This farm has never been conveyed by deed, and is still in the possession of his descendants, having passed successively from father to son. He was married (first), December 12, 1652, to Ann, daughter of Richard Shaw (see Shaw). She was the sixth child of her parents, and died December 9. 1663. Mr. Fogg was married (second), December 28, 1665, to Mary, daughter of Richard Page (see Page). She was born about 1644, and died March 8, 1700. Mr. Fogg died April 16, 1672. Five of his children were born of his first wife and three of the second, namely: Samuel, Joseph, John, Daniel, Henry. Seth, James and Ann. (Mention of Seth and descendants appears in this article).

(II) Daniel, son of Samuel and Anne (Shaw) Fogg, was born April 16, 1660, in Hampton, and set- tled first in Scarborough. Maine, whence he re- moved to Portsmouth. New Hampshire, in 1690. About 1700 he settled in that part of Kittery which is now Elliot, Maine. He died June 9, 1755. He was married about 1684 to Hannah, daughter of John Libby. of Scarborough. She died between

1730 and 1735. Their children were : Hannah, Captain Daniel, Mary, Rebecca, Samuel, Sarah, John, Joseph, Seth and James.

(III) James, youngest child of Daniel and Han- nah (Libby) Fogg, was born March 17, 1704, in

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Kittery. and lived on the paternal homestead, en- gaged in farming. He was married, October 23, 1728. to Elizabeth, daughter of Deacon James and Mary Fernald. She was born September 8, 1706, and died in 1766. He died September 24, 1787. Their children were: James, Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, Hannah, Eunice, Joseph, Abigail, John and Daniel.

(IV) Joseph, second son and seventh child of James and Elizabeth (Fernald) Fogg, was born February 12, 1745, in Kittery, and died in Ber- wick, September 30, 1807, in his sixty-third year. He was married in 1771 to Mercy Littlefield, of Wells, who survived him. Their children were : Joseph. Daniel, Jane, James and Isaac.

(\') Jane, only daughter and third child of Joseph and Mercy ( Littlefield) Fogg, was born May 10, 1776, in Kittery, and became the wife of David Hodsdon of Berwick ( see Hodsdon, VI).

(II) Seth, fifth son of Samuel Fogg, and eld- est child of his second wife, Mary (Page) Fogg, was born November 28, 1666, and died September 6, 1755. Ile married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Shaw, who was born 1641. He married (second), May 25, 1663, Esther Richardson, and resided on the homestead of his father in Hampton. His sec- ond wife died May 16. 1736, aged ninety-one years. His children were: Benoni, Hannah, Seth, Sarah, Esther, Samuel. Simon, Abner, Abigail, Daniel, Jer- emialı and Ebenezer.

(III) Samuel, third son and sixth child of Seth Fogg, was born February 13, 1700, and resided in Hampton until 1735, when he was dismissed from the church there to the church at Eexter, New Hampshire. His wife's name was Mary, and their children were: Samuel, Steven, Mary, Josiah, Ephraim, David, Theodate. Phineas and Hulda. (IV) Phineas, sixth child and eighth son of Samuel and Mary Fogg, was born July 11, 1738, in Exeter, and resided in Epping, New Hampshire, where he was a farmer. He married his cousin, Lydia Fogg, daughter of Simon Fogg, of Seabrook. She was born August 9, 1745. and died April 27. 1820. Their children were: Samuel, Simon, Na- than, Asahel, Mesach, Noah, Newell, Dearborn, Levi and David. (The last named and descendants receive mention in this article).

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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. IV, Part 126

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: 878

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: 878