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 8

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 8

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(II) Elmer Frederick Brown, M. D., youngest son and child of Moses and Abigail (Stevens) Brown, was born in Colebrook, July 16, 1868. His early education was acquired in the public schools and at the Colebrook Academy, and after the completion of his studies he taught school, tilled the soil and was otherwise employed for some time. His professional preparations were pursued at the Baltimore (Maryland) Medical College, from which he was graduated in April, 1897, and in the follow- ing June he located in Groveton, where he has ever since been engaged in the general practice of medicine.

Although not active in politics, Dr. Brown is interested in civic affairs, especially in all matters relative to public education, and has served with ability for three years upon the school board of Colebrook. He is a member of the New Hampshire State and the Coos County Medical societies, the American Medical Association, the Independent

Order of Odd Fellows, and the Independent Order of Foresters. He united with the Methodist Episco- pal Church at East Colebrook, in 1894.

PHILLIPS The name is spelled in a variety of forms, and is of ancient and classical origin, being derived from the Greek Philos-hippos, or horse lover. In Wales and other parts of Great Britain its use as a surname has continued for a long period, evidently for five hun- dred years, and perhaps much longer.

Families and individuals of this name began to emigrate from the Old World at a very early date in the history of this country, as early as 1630, and some a little earlier, and located at different points near the seacoast, but more especially in New Eng- land. From that time to the present they have continued to multiply and spread, by natural causes and by emigration, until now they are to be found in every state from Maine to California. A recent writer has said : "A Phillips crossed the water with John Winthrop, and from him descended a long line of ministers, judges, governors, and councilors-a sterling race, temperate, just, and high-minded." The Phillips here referred to is Rev. George Phillips, of Watertown, Massachu- setts, from whom are descended five divisions of this family, so marked by long continued residence in

particular localities, that they might designated as distinctive branches. From this well be "earliest advocate of the Congregational order and discipline," have sprung men who have stood at the head of great financial institutions, honored each of the learned professions, and taken front rank as patriots, leaders and benefactors of mankind. As promoters of learning they stand in the front rank of the earlier New England history. Hon. Samuel Phillips, Hon. John Phillips and . Judge Samuel Phillips founded Phillips Academy at An- dover, which was incorporated by an act of the legislature in 1780, being the first academy so incorporated in .America. Six months later Dr. John Phillips, of Exeter, secured the incorporation of Phillips Exeter Academy. "In Brechin Hall at Andover, the library of the theological school, in the great halls of the academies at Andover and Exeter, and in Memorial Hall at Harvard College, one may see hanging upon the wall portraits of one and another man and woman of this family, which belongs among the untitled nobility of New Eng- land, representing the best element of life there- not that which always dwells in the brightest glare of publicity, but that which directs and shapes the current of public opinion."

(I) Rev. George Phillips, the first minister of Watertown, Massachusetts, son of Christopher Phillips, of Rainham, was born about 1593, at Rain- ham, St. Martins, near Rougham, in the hundred (or district) of Gallow, county of Norfolk, Eng- land. He graduated as B. A. from Gonville and Cains College, Cambridge, 1613, and received the degree of M. A., 1617. "He gave early indications of deep piety, uncommon talents, and love of learn- ing, and at the university distinguished himself by his remarkable progress in learning, especially in theological studies for which he manifested an early partiality." He was settled for a time in the ministry in Suffolk county, but suffering from the storm of persecution which then threatened the non-conformists of England, he determined to leave the mother country and take his lot with the Puri- tans. He embarked for America on April 12, 1630, in the "Arabella," with his wife and two children, as fellow-passengers with Governor Winthrop and

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Sir Richard Saltonstall, and arrived at Salem on June 12. Here his wife soon died, and was buried by the side of Lady Arabella Johnson, both evi- dently being unable to endure the hardships and exposure incident to a tedious ocean voyage. He soon located at Watertown, and without delay set- tled over the church in that place, which was called together in July. At the court of assistants, August 23, 1630, it was "ordered that Mr. Phillips shall have allowed him 3 hogsheads of meale, I hogshead of malte, 4 bushells of Indian corn, I bushell of oat-meale, halfe an hundred of salte fish." Another statement from the same source says 'Mr. Phillips hath 30 ac of land grannted him vpp Charles Ryver on the South side." His first residence was burned before the close of the year. There is a tradition that his later residence is still standing "opposite the ancient burial ground, back from the road." He continued to be the pastor of this church, greatly respected and beloved, till his death fourteen years after his arrival. He died at the age of fifty-one years, July I, and was buried July 2, 1644. "He was the earliest advocate of the Congregational order and discipline. His views were for a time regarded as novel, suspicions and extreme, and he, with his ruling elder, Mr. Richard Brown, stood almost unaided and alone, until the arrival of Mr. John Cotton, maintaining what was and still is the Congregationalism of New England. It is not now easy to estimate the ex- tent and importance of the influence of Mr. Phillips in giving form and character to the civil and ecclesiastical institutions of New England." His name appears on the list of those who were ad- mitted freemen, May 18, 1631, which is the earliest date of any such admission. His inventory amounted to five hundred fifty pounds, two shillings and nine pence, a sum, allowing for the difference in commercial value between that time and the present, equivalent at least to seven or eight thou- sand dollars. His library was valued at seventy-one pounds, nine shillings and nine pence. He married (first) a daughter of Richard Sargent, and (sec- ond) Elizabeth, probably the widow of Captain Robert Welden. She died in Watertown, June 27, 1681. The children (by the first marriage) were : Samuel and Elizabeth; by the second marriage; Zerobabel, Jonathan, Theophilus, Annabel, Ephraim, Obadiah and Abigail.

(II) Rev. Samuel (2), oldest child and only son of Rev. George Phillips, was born in England, 1625, probably at Boxstead, in the county of Suf- folk, graduated at Harvard College, 1650. settled in Rowley in 1651. as colleague of Rev. Ezekiel Rogers. "He was highly esteemed for his piety and talents, which were of no common order, and he was emi- nently useful both at home and abroad." He married, in October, 1651, Sarah Appleton, born in Reydon, England, 1629, daughter of Samuel Apple- ton. He died April 22, 1696, "greatly beloved and lamented," and his widow died July 15, 1714. Her funeral sermon was preached by her grandson, Rev. Samuel Phillips, of South Andover, in which he said. "She was an early seeker of God, and spent much of her time daily in reading the word and in prayer. She took care of her children's souls. She was always humble and penitent, and as she lived, so she died, depending on Christ for righteousness and salvation." Their remains repose in the ancient burying ground at Rowley. Some of their de- scendants have been among the most distinguished of New England people for their intellectual talents, piety, benevolence, and public services. Their

eleven children were: Samuel, died young; Sarah, Samuel, George, Elizabeth, died young; Ezekiel, George, Elizabeth, Dorcas, Mary and John.

(III) Samuel (2), third child and second son of Samuel (I) and Sarah (Appleton) Phillips, was born in Rowley, March 23, 1658, and removed to Salem where he followed the occupation of gold- smith, and died October 13, 1722, aged sixty-five. He married (first) May 26, 1687, Mary Emerson, daughter of Rev. John and Ruth (Symonds) Emer- son, of Gloucester, and granddaughter of Deputy Governor Samuel Symonds of Ipswich. She died October 4, 1703, aged forty-two. He married (sec- ond) 1704, Mrs. Sarah ( Pickman) Mayfield. Chil- dren all by the first wife, except the eighth: Pati- ence, died very young; Samuel, Sarah, Mary, Ruth, Elizabeth, John and Patience.

(IV) Rev. Samuel (3), second child and eld- est son of Samuel (2) and Mary (Emerson) Phil- lips, was born in Salem, February 17, 1690, gradu- ated from Harvard College 1708, and died in Andover, June 5, 1771. He was the minister of the church at the south parish, the present "Old South Church," Andover, for sixty years, where he com- menced to preach in 1710, and was ordained Oc- tober 17, 17II, the same day the church was or- ganized, and continued till his death. "In his in- dividuality, simplicity, decision, energy, strength, and pristine hardiness of character, he abated nothing from the spirit of his worthy ancestors. He was, like them, also a model of industry, and frugality, and resolute self-restraint, and order in all that he did. His portrait bespeaks a man of authority, born to command, and knowing his birthright; and such was he in an eminent degree, a conscious and acknowledged leader wherever he was known." He married, January 17, 1712, Hannah White, daughter of John White, Esq., of Haverhill, deacon of the church and captain of the company of the town. It was her practice to accompany her husband on his parishional calls, at which time he rode on horseback, with his wife seated on a pillion behind him. She died January 7, 1773. Their five children were: Mary, Samuel, Lydia, John and William, the subject of the following sketch.

(V) Hon. William (I), third son and youngest child of Samuel (3) and Hannah ( White) Phillips, was born in Andover, July 6, 1722, and died January 15, 1804, aged eighty-one. At the age of fifteen years he went to Boston and became an apprentice to Edward Bromfield, Esq., a highly respectable merchant of that town, son of Hon. Edward Brom- field, for many years one of His Majesty's council in the province of Massachusetts Bay, and a great- grandson of Rev. John Wilson, the first minister of Boston. At the termination of his apprenticeship he married, June 13, 1744 (old style), Abigail Brom- field, eldest daughter of his late master, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he was very suc- cessful. By this marriage a great-grandson of the first minister of Watertown was united with a great-granddaughter of the first minister of Bos- ton. He was for many years a deacon of the Old South Church, and was repeatedly clected representative and state senator. "He took a de- cided and active part in the proceedings which pre- ceded and attended the Revolution; was on many of the committees appointed by the town of Boston in those trying times, and often contributed liberally of his estate to promote the measures which issued in the establishment of our independence. He was one of the committee sent to demand of Governor Hutchinson that the tea should be sent back to

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England : was rejected as a councillor by Governor Gage, was a member of the convention for framing the constitution of the commonwealth, and that of adopting the constitution of the United States. Upon the outbreak of the Revolution he moved his family to Norwich, Connecticut, where they re- mained while the British had possession of Boston, occupying the Arnold mansion, the same house in which the traitor Benedict Arnold was born." He gave by his last will five thousand dollars to Phil- lips Academy, Andover. The children of William and Abigail (Bromfield ) Phillips were : Abigail, William, died young: William, Sarah, died young ; Hannah, died young : Hannah, Sarah and Mary.

(VI) Lieutenant Governor William (2), third child and second son of William (I) and Abigail ( Bromfield) Phillips, born in Boston, March 30, 1750, died in Boston, May 26, 1827. He was deacon of the Old South Church, representative, and from 1812 to 1823 lieutenant-governor ; from 1804 until his death in 1827 president of the Massachusetts Bank; presidential elector at large in 1820, when the vote of the state was cast for Mr. Monroe. To the already very liberal endowments of Phillips Academy, Andover, he added the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, and gave ten thousand dollars to Andover Theological Seminary. His generous gifts distributed among about a dozen worthy objects, amounted to sixty-two thousand dollars. "He came into possession of an ample fortune, to the manage- ment of which, and to the duties of his family and of friendship, to the service of the public, and to deeds of benevolence, he was thenceforth chiefly devoted. He was eminently a domestic man, fond of retirement. and of the society of his family and intimate friends. Yet he was not averse to the calls of public duty." The Rev. Dr. Wisner in preach- ing his funeral sermon said, "Scarcely a measure has been adopted or an association formed in this vicinity for the improvement of the physical, the intellectual, the moral or the spiritual condition of men, which has not received his co-operation and liberal support." He married, September 13, 1774, Miriam Mason, born June 16, 1754. third daughter of Hon. Jonathan Mason of Boston. She died May 7, 1823, "greatly lamented." He died May 26, 1827. Their children were: William Wilson, died young ; Jonathan, died young; Jonathan, Miriam, Edward, Abigail Bromfield and William.

(VII) William Phillips was born October 13. 1791, in Boston. He married Betsey Granger and resided in Lynn, Massachusetts, where she died No- vember 17, 1878.

(VIII) Harriet Phillips, daughter of William and Betsey (Granger) Phillips, was born April 12. 1815, in Lynn, and became the wife of Ira Gove ( see Gove, VII).

COLBY This is a name intimately associated with the early history of New Hamp- shire, being found in many localities in the pioneer periods, and is still prominent in busi- ness, social and professional affairs throughout the state.

(I) The founder of the family in America was Anthony Colby, who came with Rev. John Win- throp's colony in 1630, his name being the ninety- third on the list of church members. He came from the eastern coast of England, and was one of the many driven by persecution to seek a home in the New World. He is found of record in 1632, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he married Su- sannah, supposed to have been a daughter of William Sargent. He removed to Salisbury in 1634, and in

1647 he sold his house and two-acre lot to William Sargent, and settled on the west side of the Powow river, in what is now Amesbury. He was recorded as a "planter," and received land in the "first di- vision," in 1640 and 1643; was one of the first com- moners of Amesbury, where he received land in 1654 and 1658, and his widow in his right in 1662 and 1664. He died in Salisbury, February 1I, 1661. His widow Susannah, married (second) William Whitridge (or Whitred) in 1663, and was again a widow in 1669. She died July 8, 1689, "or there- about." The children of Anthony and Susannah were: John, Sarah, a child died young, Samuel, Isaac, Rebecca, Mary, and Thomas. (Isaac and Thomas, with descendants receive extended notice in this article.)

(II) John, eldest child of Anthony and Su- sannah Colby, was baptized at Boston, September 8, 1663. He was a "planter" of Amesbury, where he was an original commoner in 1654, and received land in 1658-59-62-66-68. He married at South Salem, January 14, 1656, Frances Hoyt, and died February II, 1674. His widow married December 27, 1676, John Barnard. Their children were: John, Sarah, Elizabeth, Frances, Anthony, Susannah, Thomas, Mary and Hannah.

(III) John (2), eldest child of John (1) and Frances ( Hoyt) Colby, was born in Salisbury. No- vember 19, 1656, and died in Amesbury, April 6, 1719. He received "children's land" in 1659, and a "township" in 1660. He was a soldier in King Philip's war, was in the Falls fight under Captain Turner, May 18, 1676, was in the "training band" in 1680, and was known as "Sergeant." He took the oath of allegiance and fidelity, December, 1677. He married (first). December 27. 1675. Sarah El- dridge: (second), before 1700, Sarah Osgood. and (third), February 8, 1715, in Amesbury, . Ruth, widow of Robert Ring. Her children were: John, Joseph, Sarah, three children unnamed, died in in- fancy, Judith and Hannah.

(IV) Joseph, the second son and child of John and Sarah (Eldridge) Colby, was born in Ames- bury. He lived in Amesbury, East Parish, and Hampstead, New Hampshire. "Mr. Joseph Colby" owned the covenant and was baptized June 27, 1731, at the first Amesbury Church. "He was adminis- trator of his father's estate, and of the gift to him- self and brother of certain land in Amesbury." In 1718 he sold to his brother's widow his right and title to said land, bought land in Hampstead, New Hampshire, where he soon after settled and lived the remainder of his life. Mary, wife of Joseph Colby, with others, was dismissed from the First Haverhill Church, to form a church at Hampstead, May 31, 1752. Joseph Colby married (first) in Amesbury, November 22, 1704. Anne Bartlett, who died October 24. 1721: (second) in Amesbury, Au- gust I. 1722, widow Mary Johnson, of Haverhill. Joseph Colby died in 1753 or 1754, and the inven- tory of his estate was made May 23. 1754. His children, eighteen in number, were: Benaiah, Jo- seph, Nathan, Judith, Hannah, Martha, Ann, John, Mary, Sarah, Theophilus, Lydia. Dorothy, John, Philbrook, Susanna, Edmund and Mary.

(V) Philbrook, fifteenth child of Joseph and third son and eighth child of Joseph and Mary Colby, was born in Amesbury, March 16, 1735, was a "blacksmith," and lived in Haverhill, Massachu- setts, and Weare, New Hampshire. He was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and is also credited with serving two or three enlistments in the Revo- lutionary war, after which he removed to Weare, New Hampshire. He married (first) at Haverhill,

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July 13, 1758, Susanna Bradley, who was ad- mitted to the First Haverhill Church, August 2, 1778; and (second) Ruth Lufkin. His thirteen chil- dren were : William, Samuel, Susanna, Mary, Daniel, Jeremiah, John Bradley, Benjamin, Jona- than, Joseph, Polly, Sally, and Rhoda, the last six children being by the second wife.

(VI) Benjamin, eldest child of Philbrook and Ruth (Lufkin) Colby, removed to Weare probably with his father's family. He married Priscilla Hogg, and they were the parents of six children : Lydia, Sally, John, Hiram, David and Anna.

(VII) John (3), eldest son and third child of Benjamin and Priscilla (Hogg) Colby, was born in Weare, in 1813, and died at the house of his son-in-law, Levi C. Woods, in Concord, July 31, 1886, aged seventy-three years. He was a farmer in Weare and Henniker. He married Orpha Metcalf, born in Croydon, who died at the residence of her daughter Helen P., in Somerville, Massachusetts, March 28, 1892, aged eighty-one years. The children of this union were: Robert, Samuel, Belinda D., Matilda A., Helen P., George P., Nancy and James B.

(VIII) Belinda D., third child and eldest daugh- ter of John and Orpha (Metcalf) Colby, born in Deering, July 7, 1839, married Levi Cobb Woods (see Woods, II).

(II) Isaac, third son of Anthony and Susannah Colby, was born July 6, 1640, in Salisbury, in which town he was a "planter," and died in Amesbury, 1684, between March 29 and April 15. His estate was divided in 1725. He had a meeting-house seat in Amesbury in 1667. He married Martha Jewett (sister of Deacon Ezekiel Jewett), who survived him forty-six years and died July 13, 1730, in Ames- bury. Their children were: Anthony, Elizabeth, Martha, Sarah, Rebecca, Dorothy, Isaac and Abra- ham.

(III) Anthony, of Haverhill, eldest child of Isaac and Martha (Jewett) Colby, was born January 24, 1670, married (first), October 23, 1701, Mary Cur- rier, who died April 8, 1719. He married (second), December 4, 1721, Elizabeth West, who died June 25, 1738, a daughter of Thomas West of Bradford. The Haverhill records bear mention of the follow- ing named children: Anthony, Elijah, Richard and Isaac, whose sketch follows.

(IV) Isaac (2), fourth son and child of An- thony and Mary (Currier ) Colby, was born in Haverhill, March 23, 1712, and married, April 25, 1733, Sarah Davis, both being according to the record "of Haverhill ;" she died June 3, 1755. He married (second), April, 1757, Hannah Colby, of Amesbury. The children, born in Haverhill, of the first wife, were: William and Anthony, twins, died young; Elizabeth, Sarah, William Davis, An- thony, Isaac, Benjamin, Mary and Martha, twins, and Abigail.

(V) Benjamin, eighth child and sixth son of Isaac and Sarah ( Davis) Colby, was born in Haver- hill, July 14, 1750, and died in Sanbornton, New Hampshire, November 9, 1816, aged sixty-six. He was the "first of his name" in Sanbornton, though he probably did not settle earlier than his brother Isaac, or till after his marriage, 1773. He bought the farm, lot No. 10, second division, on the north slope of Colby Hill, and there built his original house, and kept it many years as one of the first taverns. He also built another house which was occupied by his son Benjamin. He was a prominent man in the town, was a captain in the militia, and in 1782 was selectman. He married (first), in Haver- hill, October 19, 1773, Elizabeth Hunkins, probably

a daughter of John Hunkins. She died November 22, 1806, aged sixty-six. He married (second) widow Sarah (Eastman) Carter, of Concord. The children, all by the first wife, were: Sarah, died young; William, died young; Benjamin and Wil- liam.

(VI) Benjamin, third child and second son of Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Hunkins) Colby, was born in Sanbornton, July 5, 1778, and died Febru ary 6, 1856, aged seventy-seven. He was a school teacher for thirty-four consecutive years, mostly in Sanbornton, after 1800, and was favorably known as "Master Colby." He married, January 1I, 1804, Polly Woodman, who was born in Sanbornton, April 23, 1784, daughter of Rev. Joseph and Esther ( Whittemore) (Hall) Woodman. Her father was for thirty-five years pastor of the Congregational Church of Sanbornton. She died June 14, 1861. aged seventy-seven. The children of this union were : Eliza Esther, Sally Chase, Albert, Ethan, Jonathan Wilkins, Hannah Taylor, Benjamin Marion, Jeremiah Hall Woodman, Charles Wood- man, Aaron Whittemore, died young; and Aaron Woodman.

(VII) Ethan, fourth child and second son of Benjamin and Polly ( Woodman) Colby, was born in Sanbornton, August 29, 1810, and died in Cole- brook, March 28, 1895, aged eighty-five. He went to St. Johnsbury, Vermont, in 1829. as a clerk for Moses Kittredge, and afterwards was in company with Mr. Kittredge till 1836, when he went to Littleton and into trade with Cyrus Eastman, as Colby & Eastman. In 1838 Mr. Colby sold out and went to Colebrook and commenced the mercan- tile business in company with his old partner, Moses Kittredge, but at the end of five years purchased the entire business and remained in trade at the same place till 1856, when he sold out to George W. Brackett and retired. He bought the Chamberlin farm on which stood the Chamberlin Tavern, and was engaged in agriculture until his death. The most of the farm is now in blocks and streets and constitutes a part of Colebrook, and one of the streets is called Colby in honor of Mr. Colby. He was a positive man in his ideas, and a liberal sup- porter of the church. In politics he was first an old-line Whig, and after the dissolution of his party a Republican. He was postmaster for several years. He represented Colebrook in the legislature in 1861, and the next year was a member of the governor's council from district No. 5. He de- clined several offices on account of his health, in- cluding that of sheriff of Coos county "upon unani- mous recommendation," in 1856, and that of com- missioner on the board of enrollment, from llon. E. M. Stanton, secretary of war, 1863. He married, March 29, 1843, Mary Chamberlin, who was born April 6, 1819, and died November 18, 1900, daughter of Edmund and Polly Chamberlin, of Colebrook. They had three children : Edward Chamberlin, Charles and Sarah. Sarah Colby, born May 10, 1852, married Melrose V. Knight (see Knight ) of Colebrook, and resides 011 the old home- stead.

(11) Thomas, youngest child of Anthony and Susannah Colby, was born in Salisbury, March 8. 1651, and died before March 30, 1691. Ile took the oath of allegiance and fidelity in December, 1677. He married, September 16, 1674, Hannah, daughter of Valentine and Joanna (Pindor) Rowell (see Rowell, II), born in Salisbury, January, 1653, and they had five children: Thomas, Hannah, Isaac, Abraham and Jacob. After the death of her hus- band Hannah Colby married (second), probably

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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 8

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