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 82

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 82

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1835

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

teach school during the winter months, and he re- tained his interest in educational matters through- ottt his life, frequently holding the office of super- intending committeeman. He was an influential citizen, and was active in the civic affairs of the town in which he resided. In his seventeenth year he removed with his family to Bedford, New Hampshire, and although in feeble health he kept in touch with all the important movements of the times. His death occurred during the winter of 1848-49, he being the last survivor of the large fam- ily of his father. He married (first) Polly Dean. and had six children. He married (second), in 1816, Jane Orr, daughter of George Orr, of Bed- ford, New Hampshire, and their children were: George Orr, born December 30, 1817, died August, 1845; Mary Jane, born August 10, 1820, married, February 5, 1850, Ebenezer Tolman Conant.

(III) Mary Jane, daughter of Ebenezer (2) and Jane (Orr) Fisher, was a very young child when deprived by death of her mother. She was reared by her aunt, Ann Orr, a noted teacher of Bedford and its vicinity for the long period of fifty years, and who was a woman of great strength of mind and character. Her influence was potent in molding the character and habits of the young girl, and this stern teaching enabled her to bear with fortitude the trials of her later life. Miss Fisher began teaching at an early age, and at the age of twenty-eight years went to Greensboro, Vermont. where she taught in the family of the Congregational minister, and later was for a short time a teacher in the public schools. She taught one term when she had reached the advanced age of sixty years. She was married February 5, 1850, to Ebenezer T. Conant, (see Conant, IX) who died in April. 1858. Being early left a widow, with eight children to sup- port and a farm to manage, she faced her troubles with dauntless courage and took up her tasks he- roically and cheerfully. She rose above circum- stances, and was the home maker for her aged father-in-law, while her children were given a train- ing whose influence was felt throughout their lives. She died at the home of her daughter in Hardwick, Vermont, in May, 1903.

NUTTER The Nutters were among the earliest settlers of New Hampshire, and have spread from its southeastern borders over the state and through the United States. "They have been husbandmen, sailors, fishermen; with notable examples in the trades and employments of southeastern New Hampshire. Of good judg- ment in woodcraft, as well as lands, and of lasting, enduring qualities as seamen, they have been thrifty. Contented in their abundance, unpretentious for affluence or station, they have constituted a numer- ous class of the sturdy citizens whese firmness, con- stancy and reliability have given character to New Hampshire men. One looks in vain for their names on college catalogues or state prison rolls, and they are seldom found in professional or official life. Their active pursuits have been in the open air, and their gray hairs have found rest in quiet graves."

(I) Hatevil Nutter was born 1603 in England, and came with wife, Annie, and son, Anthony, to Dover, New Hampshire, in 1633. He received sev- eral grants of land, and became a large holder of real estate. He was a ruling elder in the first church at Dover, and sometimes filled its pulpit. In April, 1669, he gave lands to his son Anthony, and February 13, 1670, gave land on Dover Neck

to his son-in-law, John Winget. He filled various offices in church and state, and was highly res- pectable and possessed of a good share of this world's goods. His will was dated December 28, 1674, and was proved June 29 of the year follow- ing, which approximates the time of his death, at the age of seventy-one years. Four of his chil- dren are on record, namely : Anthony, Mary, Eliza- beth and Abigail.

(II) Anthony, son of Hatevil and Annie Nutter, was born 1630, in England, and died February 19, 1686, of small pox. His wife, Sarah, was a daugh- ter of Henry Langstaff. They lived for a time at Dover Neck, but moved to Welshman's cove, in what is now Newington, New Hampshire. Mr. Nutter was a prominent man in the colony and exer- cised a wide influence. He was admitted freeman in 1662, was "Corporall" in 1667, and "leftenant" in 1683, being thereafter known by that title. He was selectman, a member of the general court when under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, and later of the general assembly of New Hampshire; and in 1681-82 a member of the provincial council. He had three sons, John, Hatevil and Henry, and one daugh- ter, Sarah. (Mention of Hatevil and descendants appears in this article.)

(III) John, eldest son af Anthony and Sarah (Langstaff) Nutter, was born December 27, 1663, in Dover, New Hampshire. No record of his wife has been found but his children were: John, Mat- thias, James, Hatevil. Sarah, Thomas and Rosimond.

(IV) James (2), son of John Nutter, married Abigail Thurber, of Newington, where they resided. Their sons, James and Anthony, were baptized Sep- tember 29, 1736, in Newington (the former receives further mention, with descendants, in this article).

(V) Anthony (2), son of James Nutter, born 1736, was married June 1, 1756, to Sarah Nutter, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. They had sons, William and Anthony, baptized May 8, 1757.

(VI) William, son of Anthony (2) and Sarah Nutter, was born December 13, 1756, served in the United States navy during the Revolution, was mar- ried November 7, 1781. to Anna, daughter of John and Ann (Simes) Nutter, who was born March 6, 1760. He died February 15, 18II, and his wife survived him two and one-half years, passing away August 17, 1813, both in Barnstead, New Hamp- shire. Their children were: Dorothy, Anna S., Abigail and William. The second daughter became the wife of Samuel Perkins, and the third of Charles Foster. The son married Eleanor Peavey and all resided in Barnstead, New Hampshire.

(VII) Dorothy, the eldest child of William and Anna (Nutter) Nutter, became the wife of Nathaniel Nutter, of Barnstead, hereinafter mentioned (see Nutter, VI).

(III) Hatevil (2), second son of Anthony and Sarah (Langstaff) Nutter, was among the inhabit- ants of Bloody Point in 1713 who petitioned the general court that they, "By maintaining the minister, school and poor among themselves, may be exempted from all other charges, save only the province tax." This resulted in the establishment of the town of Newington, so named by Governor Dudley, May 12, 1714. By his first wife, whose name does not appear, Mr. Nutter had four children. He was married May 16, 1716, to Leah Furber, who survived him, and was the mother of five of his children. He died in 1745, and left to his widow in his will, dated November 12, 1745, all of his movables, in- cluding his "Negro Caesar." They were admitted to the church in 1630. His children were: Hatevil,

1836

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Anthony, Eleanor, Sarah, John. Elizabeth, Joshua, Abigail and Olive.

(IV) Hatevil (3), eldest child of Hatevil (2) Nutter, was a cordwainer (shoemaker), and lived in Newington. He was married in 1741 to Hannah Decker, and was admitted to the church in 1756. His children were: Sarah, Hannah, Joseph, Mary, John, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Hatevil and Lois.

(V) Benjamin, third son of Hatevil (3) and Hannah (Decker) Nutter, was born November 25, 1744, at Newington. He moved to Barnstead, New Hampshire, and the first deed of land in that town was to him, 1777. He was the first town clerk, 1775 to 1781, and was one of the committee of safety, April 12, 1776. He was for many years one of the selectmen of the town, and for several years the town meetings were held at his house. He married (first), in 1778, Mercy Tasker, by whom he had two children : John and Abigail; (second), in 1781, Mary Walker, by whom he had five chil- dren : Nathaniel, Lois, Hannah, Mary and James. He died at Barnstead in 1832.

(VI) Nathaniel, son of Benjamin and Mary (Walker) Nutter, was born at Barnstead, June 12, 1781, and was a farmer. He died at Barnstead, January 3, 1871. He married Dorothy Nutter, daughter of William and Anna Nutter (see Wil- liam, VI, ante). Their children were: George Langdon, William, Nancy, John Simes and Na- thaniel Simes.

(VII) George Langdon, eldest child of Na- thaniel and Dorothy ( Nutter) Nutter, was born in Barnstead, New Hampshire, November 10, 1806, and died at Concord. September 8, 1879. He mar- ried, May 13, 1830. Fanny Wilson Proctor, daughter of Thomas Proctor, born in Barnstead, April 16, 1812, died at Newton Centre, Massachusetts, Janu- ary 4, 1900.

Robert Proctor settled at Concord, Massachu- setts, where he was made a freeman in 1641. (2) James, his son, born at Chelmsford, Massachu- setts, 1658, died there January II, 1709. (3) James, born at Woburn, Massachusetts, April 2, 1696. (4) James, his son, was born at Woburn, June 18, 1722, and died May 3, 1812. (5) Thomas, his son, was born at Woburn, July 28, 1748, and died at Loudon, New Hampshire, June 1, 1830. (6) Thomas, his son, was born at Loudon, New Hampshire, June 12, 1781, and died at Barnstead, New Hamp- shire, June 25, 1856. He married three times. By his first wife, Martha (Drew) Proctor, he had eight children: John Drew, Thomas Kimball, Fanny Wilson, Joseph Drew, Jane Drew, Mary, Samuel B. and William. George Langdon and Fanny Wilson ( Proctor ) Nutter had five children : Thomas William, John Proctor, Annie Martha, Isa- bel Frances and Malvina Drew.

(VIII) John Proctor, son of George Langdon and Fanny Wilson ( Proctor ) Nutter, was born at Barnstead, New Hampshire, January 26, 1833, and was educated in the public schools of his native place and of Pittsfield and at Pittsfield Academy. He was a clerk in his father's store and later in the store of Reuben L. French until 1850. He was in the furniture business from the latter date until 1854. and from 1858 to 1865 was in the clothing business, all at Pittsfield. In 1867 and 1868 he was a clerk in the Traders' and Mechanics' Insurance Company at Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1869 he engaged in the hardware business at Pittsfield. continuing until 1876. July 25 of that year he was appointed by Gov- ernor Person C. Cheney, register of probate for Merrimack county. By a change in the constitution of

New Hampshire this office became elective in 1878. since which time Mr. Nutter has been elected annu- ally and biennially at each succeeding election for that office. His political affiliations have ever been with the Republican party, and he was elected repre- sentative in the New Hampshire legislature in 1873. from Pittsfield. He attends the South Congrega- tional Church at Concord. He joined the Odd Fellows, and is now a member of Suncook Lodge. No. 10, Pittsfield, New Hampshire.

April 15, 1856, he married Elizabeth Hogan Berry, daughter of John and Marianna Berry, of Pittsfield, New Hampshire, born February 18, 1833. died at Concord, June 19, 1896 (see Berry, VI). She was educated in the public schools at Pitts- field and Pittsfield Academy, and Bradford Academy, Bradford, Massachusetts. The children of John P. and Elizabeth Hogan (Berry) Nutter are : Mary Fanny, born at Pittsfield, July 8, 1857. educated in the public schools, Pittsfield Academy, and the Concord high school, from which she gradu- ated in the class of 1876. Charles Carroll, born at Pittsfield, August 22, 1859, died there November 20, 1869. William Albert, born at Pittsfield, Janu- ary 20, 1862, was educated in the public schools of Pittsfield and the high school at Concord. He is chief clerk in the Concord postoffice, having been employed in that office continuously since 1880. Alice Berry, born at Concord, April 15, 1879, attended the schools and graduated from the high school of Concord in the class of 1897, and spent three years at Radcliffe College, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

(V) James (3), son of James (2) and Abigail (Thurber) Nutter, was born in Newington, and baptized there September 29, 1736. He married Esther Dame, and died in Newington. Children born to them were: Ebenezer, Nathaniel, Abigail, Jethro and Dorothy. The three sons moved to Barnstead and were among the early settlers of that town. (Mention of Nathaniel and descendants forms part of this article.)

(VI) Deacon Ebenezer, son of James (3) and Esther (Dame) Nutter, was born October 10, 1756, in Newington, and spent all of his adult life in Barn- stead, New Hampshire, where he died April 17, 1843, in his eighty-sixth year. He married Temper- ance Colebath, of Portsmouth, and they removed from Newington to Barnstead on horseback, in 1783. bringing a babe in arms. There was no road, and they made their way by the aid of spotted trees. Their first habitation was a log cabin, four miles from any other human being; it was located on a pleasant site, commanding a view of the surround- ing country. Mr. Nutter had served as a soldier in the Revolution under John Sullivan, and in his old age he drew a pension for that service. He was an upright and industrious man and was prosperous. For more than fifty years he was a deacon of the church in Barnstead. He had seven sons and four daughters. They included: George. Betsy. Dolly, John, Nathaniel and William. ( The last named and descendants are mentioned farther in this article.) The estate is still in the hands of one of his de- scendants, Deacon Ebenezer Nutter, of Lynn, Mas- sachusetts. The first death in the town of Barn- stead was that of his elder daughter, who was nineteen years old. Before her death, she desired that her body be buried beneath a favorite birch tree on the farm. The trunk of this tree is still standing, and is now nine feet in circumference; it is the only one of original growth remaining on the homestead.

(VII) Nathaniel, son of Deacon Ebenezer and

1837

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Temperance (Colebath) Nutter, was born 1796, in Barnstead, and died January 13, 1875, in Pittsfield, in his seventy-ninth year. He was a carpenter and followed that occupation and erected many build- ings in Boston and vicinity. The autumn of his life was passed in Pittsfield, where he owned and operated for a number of years a planing mill, and mann- factured sashes, blinds and doors. In religion he was a Congregationalist, and in politics a Demo- crat. He represented Pittsfield in the legislature. His wife, Eliza B. (Rickford) Nutter, was born ISO7, in Boston, Massachusetts, and died in Pitts- field, December 1, 1891, at the age of eighty-four years. Their children were: Ann Eliza, who be- came the wife of Andrew Bunker; Mary Jane, who married R. L. French, and resided in Pittsfield ; Franklin C., who receives mention in the succeeding paragraph; and Horatio G., who died in 1902, in Winthrop, Massachusetts.

(VIII) Franklin C., eldest son and third child of Nathaniel and Eliza B. (Rickford) Nutter, was born September 10, 1833, in North Barnstead, and died April 23, 1896, in Pittsfield. He received his education in public schools, and learned the business of making sashes, doors and blinds in Concord, and subsequently carried on this business in connection with his father until the death of the latter. He assumed its control and carried it on for a number of years. After disposing of this he continued to work at his trade until his death, which occurred April 23, 1896. He was a member of the Congre- gational Church, in which his wife still retains mem- bership. In politics he was a Republican. He was married January 1, 1855, to Susan E. Emerson, who was born June 27, 1837, in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, daughter of Jeremiah and Judith P. Emerson, and is still living and residing in Pitts- field. Their children were: Edward F., Deacon Matthew Harvey and Helen P. The last named died at the age of seven years.

(IX) Matthew Harvey, second son and child of Franklin C. and Susan E. (Emerson) Nutter, was born July 6, 1858, in Pittsfield. He was edu- cated in the public schools and an academy of that town, and left school at the age of sixteen years to learn the trade of tinsmith. He subsequently entered · the Concord high school and remained about two years, returning to Pittsfield at the end of that time. . He resumed work at his trade, as a journeyman. and so continued until April 1, 1887. Since that date he has been engaged in business for himself in Pittsfield, and the business is now conducted , under the name and style of Nutter & Foss, the junior partner being Mr. W. E. Foss. With the years, and the energy and industry of its founder, the business has grown and prospered. The firm carries a stock of stoves and kindred articles, be- sides general hardware, paints and oils, and deals in farming machinery. It makes a specialty of all kinds of sheet metal work and the installation of heating appliances. Mr. Nutter is one of the sub- stantial and highly-respected citizens of Pittsfield, and exercises a strong influence upon its affairs. The trade of the firm is drawn from a large region of the country, and he is known for his upright principles and kind heart. Deacon Nutter has been chairman of the Pittsfield school board for the past three years. He has been a member of the Congre- gational Church for twenty-six years, and during all of that time except one year has' been both deacon and church clerk. He has also served as superintendent of the Sunday school and warden of the church, and is a trustee of the Pittsfield

Academy. He was married May 8, 1882, to Minerva Jane Merrill, daughter of Stephen B. and Luthera ( Norcross ) Merrill. She was born June 28, 1862, in Deerfield, New Hampshire, and they have the following children: Carl Nathaniel, born May 29, 1883, a graduate of the Pittsfield schools and of Brown University ; Lewis Harvey,

July 6,

1884, is now a student at Brown University;

Helen Ruth, December 14, 1885, attend-

is ing Mt. Holyoke College; Mabel Frances, Oc- tober 15, 1888, dicd in her ninth year; Lucy Hayes, February 5, 1893, Ralph Edward, Septem- ber 29, 1894, and Franklin Harris, October 29, 1896, are at home with their parents.

(VII) William, son of Ebenezer and Temper- ance ( Colbath ) Nutter, was born in Barnstead, about 1795, and died in Concord, about 1854.

(VI). Nathaniel, son of James (3) and Esther (Dame) Nutter, married Dorothy Marshall, whose father a sea captain, died of yellow fever. Their children were: Abigail, Betsey ( died in infancy), Nancy, Betsey, Alice, Eleanor, John M., Jethro, Hannah, Martha, Ann and Lucy.

(VII) Eleanor, daughter of Nathaniel and Dor- othy ( Marshall ) Nutter, married, in 1819, her cousin, William Nutter, who was born about 1792 or 93. She was born in Barnstead in 1797, and died in 1879.

(VIII) William S., son of William and Eleanor (Nutter) Nutter, was born in Barnstead, New Hampshire, December 18, 1820, and died April 25, 1898. He was an influential farmer, who varied the monotony of agriculture in the colder season of the year by lumbering. His character and business qual- ifications commanded the respect and confidence of his fellowtownsmen, who called him to fill the office of selectman and lieutenant of militia under the old military system of the state. In politics he was a Democrat. He married, November 1, 1842, Mary E. Collins, who was born October 14. 1826, daughter of John H. and Phebe (Hanson ) Collins, of Barnstead. She died January 1, 1892. Five children were born to them: John D., born March 30, 1848, now living in Barnstead. Charles C., born November 30, 1850, died July 16, 1904. James Al- bert, born September 21, 1852, died May 31. 1891. Frank S., born October 18, 1855. George W., born June 21, 1858.

(IX) George William Nutter, M. D., youngest child of William S. and Mary E. ( Collins) Nutter, was born in Barnstead, June 21, 1858. He was edu- cated in the common schools and at Pittsfield Acad- emy, and read medicine for three years in the office of A. H. Crosby, of Concord. In 1882 he entered Dartmouth College, medical department, from which he graduated with the class of 1883. He opened an office and practiced in Manchester eight years, and then removed to Salmon Falls and purchased the store and stock of Ezra H. Wheeler, and has since devoted himself to trade rather than to the practice of medicine. Since he started in the drug business he has established a drug store at Somersworth and one at Concord, and now operates the three. In politics he is a Democrat, and he has been elected on that ticket to various offices. He was a repre- sentative from ward eight, Manchester, in the legis- lature in 1889; has been selectman of Rollinsford several times ; was a delegate to the last constitu- tional convention, and now (1907) is tax collector of Rollinsford. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of Ridge- ley Lodge, No. 74, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of Manchester, and Dover Lodge, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He married (first), De-

1838

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

cember 3, 1896, May Lord, who was born December 3, 1870, daughter of William E. and Josie (Alley) Lord, and who died February 10, 1900. March 25, 1903, Dr. Nutter married (second), Bertha A. John- son, who was born October 7, 1878, daughter of Charles A. and Eva E. Johnson, of Bangor, Maine. They have one child, Ruth, born September 3, 1904.

(IX) Frank S., fourth son and child of William S. and Mary E. (Collins) Nutter, was born in Barn- stead, October 18, 1855, and received his education in district schools. He was brought up on a farm, and when old enough to learn the trade of a shoe- maker ; his principal occupation in business life has been farming and shoemaking, and upon the death of his father he succeeded to the ownership of the old place, which now has been in the family fifty- two years. He is known among his fellow towns- men as an industrious and provident man, with a capacity for hard work and of sound judgment in business matters. For five years he held the office of supervisor, and for about the same length of time was selectman, and was representative in 1893 and 1894. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Nutter has been twice married. He married (first), in 1876, Sarah E. Caswell, of Stratford, New Hampshire. She was born in 1854, and died March 10, 1882, leaving two children. On October 10, 1886, Mr. Nutter married Ida Kimball, born August 12, 1861, daughter of James and Nancy (Locke) Kimball. James Kimball, born in 1825, died February 25, 1903, was a son of Jeremiah Kimball, born about 1799, died in 1876, and whose wife was Tomason (Hayes) Kimball, of Farmington, New Hampshire. Nancy Locke, who married James Kimball, was a daughter of Sampson B. and Esther (Nutter) Locke, his wife, and Esther (Nutter) Locke is a daughter of Jethro and Polly (Elliott) Nutter, granddaughter of James and Esther (Dame) Nutter. The children of Frank S. Nutter by first marriage are as follows :

(X) Forest L., son of Frank S. and Sarah E. (Caswell) Nutter, was born in Barnstead, July 19. 1879. He was educated at the Stafford public school and Coe's Academy at Northwood, New Hampshire, where he graduated. He has served three terms as tax collector of Rollinsford, New Hampshire. He married Margaret Sears, and has one child, Agnes W. Nutter. He resides at Salmon Falls, New Hampshire.

(X) Frank C., son of Frank S. and Sarah E. (Caswell) Nutter, born on the old homestead farm in Barnstead, June 28, 1881, educated in public school and graduated at Coe's Academy, Northwood, New Hampshire, then taught school for a few years, and afterwards devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. He is now serving his second term as town clerk of Barnstead. He married, December 10, 1904, Iva P. Berry, daughter of Stephen J. and Emma Berry, have one child, Sarah E., born November 18, 1905. They reside in Barnstead Centre, New Hampshire.

This name. which was formerly MCCURDY spelled Mackirdy, originated in Lan- arkshire, Scotland, and the Mac- kirdys where the ancient possessors of the Island of Bute, a prominent landmark on the western coast. During the exodus from Scotland to Ireland in the latter part of the seventeenth century, five brothers named Mackirdy, accompanied by their families, crossed the Irish sea and found a safe abiding place at Ballymony in the county of Antrim, where they could enjoy unmolested the benefits of religious freedom. In Ireland the spelling of the name was changed to McCurdy. At least one of these broth-

ers, James, and perhaps more, assisted in defending the city of Londonderry during the siege of 1688. It is quite probable that the family now being con- sidered is descended from the above-mentioned James, but the fact has not been, as yet, fully veri- fied.

(I) Archibald McCurdy of Ballymony, who was born in Scotland about the year 1684. emigrated to America in 1737, bringing with him his second wife and several children. He settled in New Hampshire and resided there until his death, which occurred February 8, 1776. His first wife, whose maiden name does not appear in the records, bore him three sons, namely: Robert, Daniel and John, all of whom were pressed into the British navy after their arrival in New England, and Robert died of yellow fever in Jamaica. Daniel (born in 1715) died in Dunbarton of hemorrhage of the lungs March 28, 1791, and John will be again referred to in this article. Archibald's second wife, whose maiden name is also unknown, became the mother of sev- eral children, but two of whom lived to maturity, James and Sarah, and one died at sea during the passage from Ireland. Part of the descendants now spell the name Macurdy.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 82

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