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 24

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 24

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(IV) Moses, third son of Edward and Mary (Clark) Gilman, was baptized at Hingham, Eng- land, March II, 1630. He was in Exeter, New Hampshire, with his father as early as May 10, 1652, and land was granted him in that part of the town which was afterward incorporated as New Market. He figured prominently in public affairs, frequently serving as a selectman, and in 1697 was succeeded in that office by his son, Moses, Jr. His death occurred prior to August 6, 1702, on which date his will was probated, and his de- scendants are known as the New Market branch of the family, some of whom settled in Sanbornton. He married, in Hingham, Massachusetts, Elizabeth Hersie, daughter of William Hersie, Sr., of that town, and his children were: Jeremiah, Elizabeth, James, John, David, Joshua, Caleb, Moses, Mary and Judith. From the establishment of New Hampshire as a royal province to the present day this family has been identified with civic affairs. John Gil- man was one of the original councillors in Presi- dent Cutt's commission. Colonel Peter Gilman was one of the royal councillors in 1772, while Nicholas Gilman was a councillor in 1777, and again in 1788 under the state government. Hon, John Taylor Gilman was chosen chief magistrate of New Hamp- shire eleven times in succession, and served as governor in all fourteen years. The latter's brother Nicholas served in both the national house of repre- sentatives and the senate. Rev. Nicholas and Rev. Tristram Gilman were graduated from Harvard in 1724 and 1757 respectively.

(V) Captain Jeremialı, eldest child of Moses and Elizabeth (Hersie) Gilman, was born Au- gust 31, 1660. He married Mary Wiggin, daughter of Andrew, and granddaughter of Governor Thomas Wiggin. Her mother was Hannah, daughter of Governor Simon Bradstreet, and great-granddaugh- ter of Governor Thomas Dudley. Mrs. Gilman was admitted a member of the church at Hampton, April 4, 1697, as there was no minister at Exeter. Their children were : Jeremiah, Andrew, Simon,

Frank& Gilman Frank 6

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Israel, Thomas, Benjamin, Ezekiel, Hannah and Jo- seph. (Benjamin and descendants are noticed in this article.)

(VI) Andrew, second son and child of Captain Jeremiah and Mary (Wiggin) Gilman, was born in 1690, in that part of Exeter now called Newmarket. When nineteen years old, May 8, 1709, Andrew Gil- man, his elder brother Jeremiah, William Moody and Samuel Stevens were captured by the Indians at Pickpocket Mill in Exeter, and taken to the shores of Lake Winnepiseogee. Moody, one of the men, escaped, was recaptured, roasted to death, and eaten by the cannibals. The brothers were separated. Andrew was told that Jeremiah had been killed and eaten, and as he never returned to Exeter the story was for a while believed. It is now asserted that after a tedious captivity he escaped to the Connecticut river, and settled near its mouth. An- drew, after remaining some time in captivity, re- turned to his friends and lived in Brentwood. After his son Winthrop settled in Gilmanton he made him a visit, and went to the lake to see the place where the Indians had camped. Everything, even these, looked familiar to the liberated captive. He died some twenty years after the death of his second wife. His property seemed to have been considerable, being inventoried at six thousand nine hundred and eighty-five pounds and sixteen shil- lings. He married (first), January 27, 1715, Joanna Thing, of Exeter, and (second) Bridget Hilton, daughter of Colonel Winthrop Hilton of New Market. She died November 10, 1736. The chil- dren of the first wife were: Abigail, Jeremiah, Joanna, Deborah and Mary. By the second wife : Winthrop, Elizabeth, Anna and Andrew.

(VII) Captain Jeremiah (2), eldest child and second son of Andrew and Joanna (Thing) Gil- man, was born in Brentwood, June 3, . 1719, and died May I, 1791. He was an officer in the colonial wars prior to the Revolution, and during that war captain of a militia company in Colonel Stickney's regiment, of General Stark's brigade, and with his company took part in the battle of Bennington. At this time he was fifty-eight years old. After two hours desperate fighting the British intrenchments were carried, and Captain Gilman was said by his soldiers to have been one of the foremost over the breastworks, where after a fierce hand to hand conflict the struggle was terminated by the rout of the enemy. As early perhaps as 1776 he re- moved with his family to Wakefield, and built his house just opposite "the Old Maids' Tavern," and resided there until his death. He married Sarah Kimball, daughter of Caleb and Sarah Kimball. Their children were: Andrew, Mehitable, Joanna, Bridget, Sarah, Jeremiah, Lydia, Anne and Abi- gail.

(VIII) Bridget, daughter of Captain Jeremiah and Sarah (Kimball) Gilman, was born Novem- ber 4, 1748, and married, August 26, 1773, Samuel Hall (see Hall, IV).

(VI) Benjamin, sixth son of Jeremiah and Mary (Wiggin) Gilman, resided in Exeter, and married Elizabeth Thing, daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Gilman) Thing, and granddaughter of Councillor John Gilman, an illustrious son of Ed- ward (3).

(VII) Jonathan, son of Benjamin and Eliza- beth (Thing) Gilman, was born December 25. 1720, in that part of ancient Exeter which is now Brent- wood. In 1767 he became the first settler, and was the most prominent citizen of Wakefield, New Hamp- shire, where he was a selectman and filled other positions of responsibility. He is probably the

Jonathan . who died at Sandwich, March 28, 1801. He married, December 1, 1746, Mehitabel Kimball, daughter of Caleb and Mehitabel ( Porter) Kimball, of Exeter. Their children were: John, Caleb, Samuel, Jonathan, Benjamin, Mchitabel and Por- ter.

(VIII) Porter, youngest child of Jonathan Gil- man, was born June 6, 1762, in Brentwood, and settled in Brookfield, New Hampshire. He mar- ried, April 3, 1786, Hannah Hall, and their children, born in Brookfield, were: Polly Pike, Avery Hall, Abigail Hall, Asaf, Alvah, Sally, Caleb and Han- nalı.

(IX) Avery Hall, eldest son and second child of Porter and Hannah (Hall) Gilman, was born April 26, 1790, in Brookfield, and resided in that town, which he represented in the legislature. He was a farmer. He was married, May 7, 1816, in Brookfield, by the Rev. Asa Piper, to Sally Savage, of that town.

(X) Asaph, son of Avery Hall and Sally ( Sav- age) Gilman, was born in Wakefield, New Hamp- shire, September 20, 1818. In 1864 he moved to Dover, New Hampshire, and bought the farm where his son now lives. He followed farming until his Gilman, died December 25, 1898, aged sixty-nine, daughter of Theophilus and Sarah L. Gilman, of Wakefield. Of this marriage one child was born, Joseph L., whose sketch follows.

(XI) Joseph L., only child of Asaph and Sarah M. (Gilman) Gilman, was born in Wakefield, New Hampshire, December 20, 1862. He was educated in the common schools and at Franklin Academy. He always remained on the farm with his father, and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits; he has also been engaged in driving cattle, and has dealt quite extensively in horses. Mr. Gilman is a Republican in politics. He married, June 20, 1889, Sarah M. Hussey, daughter of Moses and Sarah (Hadford) Hussey, of Dover. She was born February 20, 1856, and died January 9, 1906.

(VIII) Stephen Gilman, a descendant probably in the fifth generation of Edward of Caston, the emigrant, through the latter's son Moses, was born in Kingston, New Hampshire, but the date of his birth has not yet come to light. He served as a cavalry officer in the Revolutionary war, and after leaving the service he engaged in farming at East Unity, New Hampshire, where he died about the year 1830. His first wife was before marriage Annie Huntoon, and September 5, 1793, he was mar- ried a second time to Dorothy Clough, who died about 1850. He was the father of twenty-one chil- dren, nine of whom were of his first union, and the others were of his second marriage. The ma- jority of them settled in the Unities, East and West, and a lake in that locality takes its name from the family. (Benjamin and descendants receive men- tion in this article.)

(IX) Emerson, born July 25, 1794, eldest son of Stephen and Dorothy (Clough) Gilman, was a native of East Unity, and resided there until 1837, when he went to Lowell, Massachusetts. He was a clothier and operated hand-looms prior to the application of machinery to that industry. He sub- sequently moved to Milford, New Hampshire, whence he removed to Nashua in 1844, and in 1854 he went to reside in Groton Centre, Massachusetts, where his death occurred in October of the latter year. His wife was before marriage Delia Way, born August 11, 1801, and he had a family of eight children, namely: Mary A., born October 24, 1819; Hannah F., December 18, 1823; Virgil C., May 5, 1827 ; Dorothy A., June 23, 1831; Horace W.,

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December 6, 1833; Emerson, Jr., February 6, 1837; Abby F., May 19, 1842; Osman B., June, 1831. Only five of these grew to years of maturity. (Mention of Horace W. and descendants appears in this article. )

(X) Virgil Chase, third child and eldest son of Emerson and Delia (Way) Gilman, was born in East Unity, May 5, 1827. He was educated in the public schools including the high school, and ac- quired his early business training in Nashua. In 1851 he engaged in the manufacture of paper as a member of the firm of Gage, Murray & Company, who made a specialty of printer's cards, also em- bossed and marble papers, and from this concern, which enjoyed a most successful career, both in- dustrially and financially, developed the present Na- tional Card and Glazed Paper Company. After severing his connection with the paper-manufactur- ing industry he engaged in agricultural pursuits with a view of recovering his health, which had become somewhat impaired owing to his close ap- plication to business. Being an expert penman, as well as one of the most accurate bookkeepers and accountants in southern New Hampshire, he was secured by the Nashua Savings Bank at its organ- ization to open its first set of books, and for some time he acted as cashier's substitute at the Pen- nichuck's Bank. For nearly twenty years dating from 1876 he was treasurer of the Savings Bank, and he was long a director of the Indian Head National Bank. His business interests were both various and important, and in all probability covered more ground than did those of any of his contem- poraries, and he not only invested freely in home and nearby enterprises but used his influence in the building up of Nashua as an industrial center and contributed many convincing articles on the subject to the press, which served to give capital- ists a most favorable impression of the outlook. He was president of the Peterboro railroad, and of the Nashua Saddlery Hardware Company, and a director of the Underhill Edge Tool Company, the Amoskeag Axe Company, the Nashua Iron and Steel Company and other successful enterprises, each of which profited in no small measure from his business sagacity and sound judgment in financial matters. His interest in farming was never per- mitted to grow lukewarm, and his successful achievements in almost every branch of agriculture acted as an incentive in the neighboring tillers of the soil. He was especially interested in the rais- ing of poultry, being among the first to develop the far-famed Plymouth Rock fowl, and was awarded a bronze medal at the Centennial Exposition in 1876 for an unusual fine exhibit. For many years he was a trustee of the New Hampshire Agricultural So- ciety and frequently did yeoman duty at agricul- tural and horticultural exhibits, local, state and national.

During a long period Mr. Gilman served upon the board of education; was for upward of twenty- five years secretary and treasurer of the board of trustees of the Public Library, the establishment of which he zealously promoted ; was mayor of Nashua in 1865; was a member of the lower house of the state legislature in 1879, serving as chairman of the committee on banks and strongly opposing the taxation of church property; was elected to the state senate for the year 1881, being honored with the chairmanship of the judiciary committee, which at that time enjoyed the somewhat unique distinc- tion of not having in its makeup a single member of the legal profession, and in spite of this fact it discharged its duties in a most able and judicious

manner. In marked contrast to the majority of pub- lic officials his elections invariably were the direct outcome of the office seeking the man. One of his favorite pastimes was his active connection with the Governor's Horse Guards, and he was an honorary member of the Foster Rifles. He was a leading member of the First Congregational Church and its society, participating actively in its work, serving as a director, treasurer and president of its Sunday school, and contributing liberally toward the building fund of the present church edifice. In 1893 Dartmouth College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts in recognition of his generosity in founding a scholarship fund there for the use of indigent students. The record of his life work was in every way an honorable one, and on April 28, 1903, he was called hence, re- spected and esteemed by the entire community, by whom his passing away was sincerely regretted. In 1850 Mr. Gilman married Miss Sarah Louisa Newcomb, daughter of Gideon and Sarah (Abbott) Newcomb, of Roxbury, New Hampshire. Of this union there were two children: Harriette Louisa, born October 21, 1853, married January 14, 1875, Charles W. Hoitt, judge of the Nashua municipal court (see Hoyt, VIII) ; and Alfred Emerson, born February 16, 1857, died September 29, same year. (X) Horace Way, son of Emerson and Delia (Way) Gilman, was born in East Unity, December 6, 1833. In early boyhood he went to Lowell and attended school there, and in early manhood moved to Nashua, New Hampshire, and attended Crosley's school. He began the activities of life as a school teacher in Nashua, and later removed to Boston and served in the capacity of clerk in a drug store. He then returned to Nashua and become as- sociated with the Gilman Brothers Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of cardboard. The busi- ness this firm conducted was one of the first of its kind in the country. He sold out his interests and went to Albany and organized the Albany Card & Paper Company, of Albany, New York, with Mr. John Dobler, and in the sixties sold out to Mr. Dobler and then returned to Nashua. The Albany Card and Paper Company is still in exist- ence and very prosperous. When he returned to Nashua he purchased an interest in the firm of Gage, Murray & Company, cardboard manufacturers, the Nashua Card & Glazed Paper Company. He was its treasurer from its inception up to the time of his retirement, a period of thirty years, during which time the company was most successful, never losing the semi-annual dividend, which at one time reached as high as sixty per cent. per annum.

Mr. Gilman was not only a prominent figure in the business circles of Nashua, but evinced an earn- est interest in the moral and religious aspect of the city as well, having for years devoted much time to the welfare and advancement of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he served as treasurer, trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school; he also represented the laity in the conference and attended the centennial celebration of that denomina- tion at Baltimore, Maryland. His desire for the propogation of church work was only equalled by his interest in the general welfare of his fellowmen, and his death, which occurred March 24, 1894, re- moved from the business and religious circles of Nashua an upright, conscientious man, a zealous christian worker and one of its most successful business men. In politics he took no active part, except he was elected a member of the State Consti- tutional Convention in the year -. .He was prominently identified with the Masonic Order, in

Virgil & Silvaw

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which he had advanced to the thirty-second de- gree.

Mr. Gilman married, in 1854, Miss Adeline W. Marsh, of Hudson, New Hampshire. She bore him four children, two of whom are living, namely : Colonel E. M., see forward; and William V., who manages the wholesale business in New York City of the Reversible Collar Company of Boston.

(XI) Colonel E. M. Gilman, treasurer and manager of the Reversible Collar Company of Bos- ton, Massachusetts, was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, September 26, 1862. He went to local schools and graduated from the high school in Nashua. Later he graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Boston, Massachusetts. In 1884 he went to Wichita, Kansas, and engaged in the banking business. He served as bookkeeper of the Citizens' Bank, and after nine months service in that capacity returned east as general manager of their loan department, and in about four years he sent back nine million dollars to invest in farm mortages in Kansas. He severed his connection with this concern in 1891, and then returned to Nashua, New Hampshire, and re-entered his father's business. April 1, 189-, he went to Spring- field, Massachusetts, and took the vice-presidency and general managership of the Springfield Glazed Paper Manufacturing Company, which position he held for about six years. He was then induced to accept a position as general manager of the Reversi- ble Collar Company of Boston, in 1897, which po- sition he now holds. He was elected treasureer January, 1905. This company was organized in 1862, incorporated 1866, capital three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and employs about two hun- dred hands. He is a Republican in politics. In 1889 he was elected to civic government in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was appointed aide-de-camp on the staff of Governor Goodall, with rank of colonel. He was also elected to civic government while in Springfield. He is a member of the Bos- ton Yachting Club, is fond of automobiling and other sports. He resides in Brookline, Massachu- setts. Colonel Gilman married Mary F. Wallis, of Nashua, New Hampshire, daughter of James F. Wallis. They have one son, Francis D., now (1907) seventeen years of age, in sophomore class at Har- vard University, having entered college at the age of sixteen. Mrs. Gilman is a member of the Daugh- ters of the Revolution and several other noted clubs and societies.

(IX) Benjamin Gilman, probably a son of Stephen and Dorothy (Clough) Gilman, is supposed to have been born in Unity.

(X) Stephen, son of Benjamin Gilman, was born in Unity, and followed the calling of a farmer. He married Diantha, daughter of David Harding, and among their children was a son, Stephen W., mentioned below.

(XI) Stephen W., son of Stephen and Diantha (Harding) Gilman, was born in Croydon, August 19, 1858, and was brought up by his maternal grand- parents. He was educated in the Croydon district school with the exception of one term at the Kim- ball Union Academy. He states that, in his youth, he considered himself an expense to his ancestors, and that he decided to remain on his uncle's farm until the age of twenty-one, giving his labor in re- turn for his board and clothing. Upon attaining his majority he left the farm with a capital of twenty- five dollars, and for a time worked in a pistol factory in Springfield, Massachusetts, becoming an efficient mechanic. For twelve years he was em- ployed by the government in the Springfield armory,

and during the latter six years established himself in business, conducting a variety store in that city and becoming the owner of a comfortable home. In 1899, on account of his uncle's failing health, he disposed of all his interests in Springfield and returned to the homestead. Shortly after his re- turn his uncle died, and Mr. Gilman is now the owner of the farm which consists of about two hundred acres. On his return to Croydon he opened the general store which he now owns, and which had been closed about seventy-five years. The busi- ness is now flourishing. In 1900-01 he represented his town in the legislature, and since 1900 has held the office of town clerk. He has also served as librarian, justice of the peace and notary public. He is a member of Hampden Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Springfield, Massachusetts, and serves as superintendent of the Sunday school of the Congregational Church of Croydon. married, in 1880, in Springfield, Massachusetts, Car- He rie I. Allen Stearns, who died in 1888, leaving no issue. Three of her brothers were professional men, one a prominent attorney of Boston, Massachu- setts. Mr. Gilman married, in 1901, Mary C .. daughter of William Pernett, of Ansley, Have Ferry, Lunenburg, county, Nova Scotia.

PRAY The original spelling of this name in

England was Pre, which is indicative of a French origin. A natural love for the sea, which seems to have prevailed among the American branch of the family, caused many of them to become mariners, and some of them won distinction in the Colonial service.

(I) Quintin Pray, founder of the family in America, was born probably in South of Scotland about the year 1595, and emigrated in 1640 (per- haps previous to that date), first settling in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was an iron-worker. From Lynn he removed to Braintree, Massachusetts, and his death occurred in the last-named town June 17. 1667. The christian name of his wife, who sur- vived him, was Joan, and his children were: Rich- ard, born in 1650, died in 1693. Jolin, see succeed- ing paragraph. Hannah, the date of whose birth does not appear in the records (was living in 1691). Dorothy, born in 1644, died December II, 1705.

(II) John, elder son of Quintin and Joan Pray, was born about the year 1635. He resided in Braintree and died there in 1676. May 7, 1657, he married Joanna Dowman, who was appointed ad- ministratrix of his estate October 31, 1676, and she subsequently married Daniel Livingstone, with whom she went to live in York, Maine, taking her three youngest children with her. Her second huis- band was killed by the Indians August 20, 1694. Her second account as administratrix was rendered July 7, 1699, and signed Joanna Livingstone, late Pray. As the wife of John Pray she became the mother of nine children, namely: John, born July II, 1659, died young. Ephraim, born about 1661. married Elizabeth, daughter of John Hayden, and resided in Braintree. Hannah, born March 4, 1663, died December 12, 1664. Hannah, born March 16, 1665, became the wife of James Bell, of Taunton, Richard. born May 3, 1667, died Massachusetts.

prior to 1699. Samuel, the date of whose birth will be given presently. Joseph, born about 1671, married Mary Grant. John, born February 10, 1673, died prior to 1699. Dorothy, born about

1675, became the wife of Daniel Forbush.

(III) Samuel, fifth son and seventh child of Jolın and Joanna (Dowman) Pray, was born in Braintree, May 16, 1669. He began to follow the

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sea at an early age and became a master-mariner. He was captain of the brigantine "William and Andrew," owned by Colonel Pepperell and named for his two sons. He resided on Gunnison's Neck, Kittery, Maine, and land was conveyed to him in 1700 and 1703. He married Mary Fernald, daugh- ter of Thomas and Temperance Fernald, of Kit- tery, and died in 1708, as, according to the records, his wife Mary was granted power to settle his estate October 9 of that year. It is quite probable that her death occurred in or prior to 1722, as on May 10 of that year her son Samuel was ordered by the court to act as administrator of the estate of his father. Their children were: Samuel, who will be again referred to. Mary, who became the wife of Samuel Stacy, November 2, 1721. Hannah, who was married to Thomas Rand, of Newcastle, May 24. 1722. John, who was married in Ports- moutlı, June 2, 1709, to Joanna Jose. A daughter who became the wife of Robert Mendum.

(IV) Samuel (2), eldest son and child of Samuel and Mary (Fernald) Pray, was born in Kittery or the immediate vicinity, but the date of his birth cannot be found. As a member of Captain Samuel Newmarch's company, he participated in some of the important Colonial military operations under Sir William Pepperell, and his son Ebenezer and cousin, William Pray, were enrolled in the same company. He resided in Kittery, and on Novem- ber 17, 1726, married for his first wife Alice Men- dum, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (Downing) Mendum, of York county, Maine. She died April 20, 1757. His children were: Ebenezer, born Oc- tober 24, 1728, married Elizabeth Gunnison. Sam- 11el, born April 19, 1731, married Susanna Dunn. Joshua, born February 14, 1733, married Ruth Gun- nison. John, who is referred to in the next para- graph. William, born March 16, 1740. Joseph, born August 6. 1742. Nathaniel, born March 29, 1747. Samuel Pray (2) died in January, 1762.

(V) John, fourth son of Samuel and Alice (Mendum) Pray, sea captain, was born in Kittery, February 14, 1736. He married Mary Orr, daugh- ter of John and Eleanor (Dennett) Orr, and of this union there was but one child. John Orr was an officer of the frigate "Alliance."

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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 24

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