USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Lyman > Historical sketches of Lyman, New Hampshire > Part 4
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
66
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
born in 1810; Nathan D., born in 1814; Ruby, bonr in 1816; Isaac Eastman, born in 1821; Lydia, born in 1826; and Austin, born in 1829. Mr. Barber died March 3, 1858, at the age of seventy-three years, two months and one day. John married Betsy Tainter and had two children, namely: Milo, and Hattie. He died in 1862, at the age of fifty-one years. Isaac married Augusta, daughter of Searle Eastman, and lived for many years on the old homestead. He died in Lisbon, in 1893.
HODGES :- David, Nathan, Janson, Lemuel-were among the first settlers. They held public positions in town, and were active in the early history of Lyman. Nathan Hodges signed the first invoice of the town. Their homes were near the woods in the pasture of Osman P. Titus, opposite the Kent place, where the cellars can now be seen; also some apple trees which were set out by them. They were the first settlers in that locality, and cleared the land. The public road at that time was laid out past their houses, coming out near the Webster place. The Hodges were relatives of the Knapps, and came to town about the same time.
FRANCIS BURT married Betsy Wright, and came to town from the southern part of the state, before 1800. Mrs. Burt said the bears were so numerous when they first came, that they were obliged to keep their sheep in a pen under their window, and when they heard a
67
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
noise, they would go out and drive bruin off. Mr. Burt reared a family of nine children, namely: John a child of a previous marriage; Barnard ; Francis Jr. Joseph; Abigail; Maranda; Caroline; Jerome; and Jonathan. Mr. Burt died Sept. 22, 1857, at the age of eighty-eight years, and six months. John married Margarett Gibson, and lived on the place since owned by Leonard Parker, which he kept open as a tavern. This and the tavern kept by Lemuel Parker were the only ones ever in town. There, was a good hall in the ell, where entertainments, dances, etc., were held. Later, he moved to the West, where he died.
FRANCIS BURT JR., married Malinda Quint, and lived on the Moses Walker farm. He died July 10, 1866, at the age of fifty-seven years and four months.
JONATHAN BURT married Corris Ann Dyke, and lived for a time on the old homestead.
DAVID DODGE was born in New Boston, N. H., in 1760. He married Letty Tallent, and moved to Dodge's Falls, when a young man. He became a citizen of Lyman before 1800, locating on Moulton Hill, a little south of the place now owned by Williard Chase; later he moved to Dodge's pond, where he died March 25, 1848. His children were: James, David, Samuel, John, and Mary. Mary married Isaac Foster.
DAVID DODGE JR., married Mariah Foster, and re- mained on the old homestead, where he reared a large family of children. He died September 18, 1869, aged seventy years.
68
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES DODGE married Nancy Foster, and located near Dodge's pond. His children were: Richard, and Isaac. He died in 1851, aged forty-nine years.
JOHN DODGE married Mary Tallent, and reared a family of five children, namely: Moody, Rinaldo, Edwin, Darwin, and Cordelia.
TIMOTHY STEVENS came to Bath at a very early date and lived in the Pettyborough district. His son, Timothy Jr., came to Lyman before 1800, married Martha Sanborn April 2, 1801, and lived on the Stevens place under the mountain. He died March 7, 1837 at the age of sixty years. His wife died in 1872, at the age of ninety-five years. They reared a family of ten children, namely: Jehial, Austin W., Herod, Joshua, Loren, Ethan S., Seth C., Michael M., Mary Jane; and Ebenezer C.
EBENEZER C. STEVENS was born Dec. 11, 1814, and remained on the old homestead for many years. He took an active part in public matters, represented the town in the state legislature, and held various other positions of trust. He was a man of superior intelligence, a fine conversationalist, and remarkably well informed on political, historical, and religious topics. He was identified with the Methodist church, and excelled as a Bible teacher. He married, first, Martha Miner, and had two children, namely: Seth C., and Sophia. Seth C. resides in Newton, Mass. Sophia died when a young lady. He married, second,
69
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Mrs. Priscilla Hibbard, and moved to Lisbon. While in Lisbon he was engaged in mining business to some extent. He died Sept. 1, 1881.
MICHAEL M. STEVENS was born July 21, 1817, and was a leading man in town for many years. He re- ceived his early education in the common schools of his native town, and, later, studied in the academy at Concord Vt., and Lyme, N. H. In early life, he was engaged for several years in teaching school in the winter, and in farm work the remainder of the time. He was a representative of Lyman two years in the state legislature; was moderator, selectman, and town clerk for seven years. As an auctioneer he was noted for nearly fifty years. He lived on the Thorn- ton, Dyke and Underwood farms, and later engaged in mercantile business, and moved to Lisbon. He married Hannah Thornton, who died August 16, 1900, at the age of seventy-five years.
HEROD STEVENS was born in 1805, and remained a few years in town after his majority. He married Annie Moulton, and they had four children. He held the office of sheriff for several years, and was often honored by his townsmen with political preferment. He subsequently lived in Lisbon and Littleton, where he died.
SETH C. STEVENS went South, and at one time owned a large plantation and many slaves in Georgia. He died during the early part of the Rebellion, and his property was confiscated.
70
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DEACON DAVID GORDON was born in Connecticut, married Hannah Hurd from the same state, and came to Lyman before 1800, locating on the farm after- wards occupied by David G. Eastman. Mrs. Gordon was twenty years her husband's senior, and being a woman of education and refinement, taught him the rudiments of an education after their marriage. He had only one child, Roxanna. Dea. Gordon was a man of great physical power, and a prominent citizen of the town in his day. He married, second, Roxanna Sampson from Landaff, and died Dec. 5, 1862, at the age of ninety-four years and five months. His wife Hannah Hurd, died Dec. 3, 1829, at the age of seventy-nine years. Mr. Gordon had a brother, Jona- than, who lived in Bath; also three sisters, Mrs. Isaac Miner, Mrs. Oliver Corey and Mrs. Samuel Millen who resided in town.
ABIAL KNAPP came to Lyman from Norton, Mass., in 1781, and was the first settler upon the farm now owned by Capt. Richards. This farm was given him by one of the proprietors on condition that he would settle thereon, and was in possession of the family for one hundred and three years. He married Kezia Cheney June 9, 1766, and had two daughters, and one son, namely : Betsy, Mehitable, and Elijah. He was a small man, but very athletic. He went into Lemuel Parker's store one evening and found several men sitting around a blazing open fire, and as he entered
71
BIOGRAPAICAL SKETCHES.
the circle, one of the party in a playful mood, snatched his old hat from his head and threw it into the fire. Mr. Knapp quickly siezed the joker, flung him onto the burning logs and placed his foot upon him. He was rescued, however, before serious injury was done, and added to his stock of knowledge the fact that it was a wise policy to allow Abial's hat to remain in its proper place. Mr. Knapp died May 25, 1832, at the age of ninety-nine years.
ELIJAH KNAPP, son of Abial, married Sally Elliott, and lived on the old Knapp farm. He had seven sons and five daughters. Among his children were, namely: Amasa, Daniel, Abial Jehial, Ariel, Hiram, Stella, Letty, Mariah, Emily, and Hittie. He died in 1860, at the age of ninety-one years. His wife died in 1868, at the age of ninety-two years.
HIRAM KNAPP, son of Elijah, married Hepsey Hall, and lived on the old homestead. He died January 22, 1878, at the age of seventy-six years, one month and one day.
ABIAL KNAPP, son of Elijah, married Abigail Fowler, first, and married Millissa Whitcomb, second. He was born May 14, 1805, and died August 16, 1886.
JEHIAL KNAPP, son of Elijah, married Daphne Bartlett, first, and his children were: Ira O., Arial and Salome. He married, second, Emily Kelsea, and died in 1864 at the age of fifty-seven years.
DANIEL KNAPP, son of Elijah, married Sarah Hall, and settled near Clough Hill. His children were,
72
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
namely: Horace, Uri, Uriah, Mary, Julia Ann, Annette, and Angeline. He died in 1861, at the age of sixty- four years.
IRA OSCAR KNAPP, C. S. D., son of Jehial, was born in Lyman, June 7, 1839. He received an academic education at Newbury and Peacham, Vt .; and in early life taught winter terms of school in Lyman and ad- joining towns. He married Flavia Stickney May 1, 1866, and lived for many years in various parts of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp commenced the study of Christian Science in 1884; and in December of that year began to take class instruction from Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, at the Metaphysical College in Boston. In 1888 they left Lyman and located in Boston. Mrs. Knapp was a member of the "Board of Missionaries" and "Board of Education;" and also a teacher of Christian Science. Mr. Knapp is one of the four members of the "Christian Science Bible Lesson Com- mittee;" and was chosen the first president of the board of directors of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, which position he still retains. He is a man of culture, a person of influence, and has held many positions of trust and honor in Lyman.
JONATHAN KNAPP, brother of Abial, came to Lyman about 1783, and it is quite probable that he had a large family of children. He died at the ad- vanced age of over one hundred years. He and his brother Abial were both very prominent in the early
IRA OSCAR KNAPP, C. S. D.
73
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
history of the town. The Knapps of Lyman were men of capacity, sound judgment, and unquestioned honor.
THOMAS MINER moved to Littleton from Connect- icut, about 1785 with a large family of children. He soon came to Lyman, locating on the place now oc- cupied by Hiram Ingerson. He died in 1810, at the age of seventy-six years.
WILLIAM MINER, a son of the above, served in the war of the Revolution, and stood guard over Major Andre the night before he was hung. He came to Lyman about 1786, married Hepsibah, daughter of Solomon Parker Sen., and located on the farm since owned by J. Denison Miner. His children were : Solomon P., born in 1786; Isaac, born in 1787; Eph- raim, born in 1789; Hepsibah, born in 1792; William, born in 1795, and Anna, born in 1798. He died Sept. 10, 1829, at the age of seventy years. Hepsi- bah, his wife, died in 1856 at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.
SOLOMON MINER, son of William, who was a son of Thomas, married Matilda, daughter of Job Moulton, and lived where his son John P. now resides. His children were, namely : Annie, Martha, Ephraim, Alden M., John P., William W., and Isaac. He died February 1, 1869, at the age of eighty-three years.
JOHN P. MINER, son of the above, married Caroline Underwood, and remained on the homestead of his
74
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
father. He is an esteemed citizen, and has held posi- tions of trust and responsibility in the town. He was born in 1823.
ALDEN M. MINER, brother of the above, married Persis Hoskins, and settled on the farm once owned by Samuel Cass, where he died in 1893, at the age of seventy-nine years. He represented the town in the legislature, and was a social and genial friend and companion.
ISAAC MINER, son of William, married Esther, a sister of Dea. David Gordon, and remained on the homestead of his father. His children were, namely : Isaac Denison, Mary Ann, Rebecca, Hepsibah, Ade- line, and Thankful. He died in 1850, at the age of sixty-three years. His sister, Annie, married Frank Belden and lived in Burke, Vt.
ISAAC DENISON MINER, son of the above, married Lucy Kenney, and remained on the homestead of his father. He was an active man in town affairs, and a prominent member of the Methodist church. He met with severe financial losses late in life and moved from his farm. He was born August 4, 1828, and died in Littleton, N. H., September 28, 1883.
WILLIAM EASTMAN, who was born April 8, 1743, married Abbie Lyle, and settled in Henniker, N. H. Among their children was Stephen, who married Lydia Ford of Dracot, Mass., and came to Lyman as carly as 1793, settling near Young's pond on the farm
75
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
since owned by Jesse W. Richardson. Their children were, namely: Parmelia, born in 1796; Clarinda, born in 1798; Eber, born in 1800; Elon, born in 1802; Stephen A., born in 1803; Abigail L., born in 1805; Saphronia, born in 1808; Irrial, born in 1810; Dan, born in 1811; and Salenda, born in 1814. Mr. East- · man owned a saw-mill in connection with his farm, but late in life moved to the farm now owned by Mr. Langway, where he died in 1844, aged seventy-six years.
EBER EASTMAN, son of Stephen, married, first, Sally Gibson and lived on the first farm west of Tink- erville. Their children were : Richard, Dan, Salathiel, Adam, Ruth, and Laurette. Mr. Eastman was a man of excellent ability, good judgment, and sound sense. He took an interest in public matters, and held various positions of trust and town office. Mrs. Eastman was a woman of superior mental ability. She was also the possessor of a contralto voice of fine quality and great power, and with the vocal training of today, she would have been placed in the front rank of solo singers. Mr. Eastman married, second, Mrs. Wheeler, and moved to St. Johnsbury, Vt., where he died Septem- ber 10, 1871, at the age of seventy-one years.
DAN EASTMAN, son of Stephen, married Matilda Stickney, lived in town several years, and moved to Lancaster, where he died.
ADAM GIBSON EASTMAN, son of Eber, received his education at the common schools and the academy in
.
76
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Bradford, Vt. In early life he was a school teacher ; he also spent some time in the West. He was after- wards employed in the railroad shops at St. Johnsbury and Lyndonville, Vt., and was an engineer on the Passumpsic railroad. He was subsequently engaged in railroad building in Canada, and is at present en- gaged in mercantile business in Sutton, Que.
RICHARD SPOFFORD EASTMAN, son of Eber, was born in Lyman January 16, 1826, and died in 1903 at his home in the city of Manchester, N. H. Mr. East- man attended the common schools of his native town, and was afterwards employed in Littleton, N. H., St. Johnsbury and Bradford, Vt .; and South Weymouth and Lawrence, Mass. He married Miss Helen J. Bailey of Benton, N. H., who died in 1897. Four daughters were born to them, none of whom lived to reach adult life. Mr. Eastman was a pattern maker by trade, and became a citizen of Manchester about 1857, where he was employed on the Amoskeag Cor- poration, as foreman of a department for many years. He was one of the best general mechanics in New England, and invented many valuable improvements in machinery. He was a member of the Universalist church, also of the Odd Fellows and Masonic frater- nities. He retired from active labor at the age of seventy, afterwards devoting his attention to the care of his private interests.
JOHN McMILLEN, son of Daniel, was born in New Boston in 1741. He moved to Littleton, and came to
77
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Lyman with his family before 1800, locating on the George Foster place, which he purchased of Solomon Parker. He died June 11, 1835.
SAMUEL McMILLEN, son of the above, married Nabby, a sister of Dea. David Gordon, and remained on the homestead. He had three sons and two daughters, namely : Albert, Phineas, Henry, Rachael, and Abigail.
ALBERT McMILLEN, son of Samuel, married Harriet Eastman, and lived nearly all his life in town, but died in Littleton. His children were: George, John, and Cordelia. John died in the war of the Rebellion, and Cordelia married John Bergin.
ANNIS MERRILL was a soldier of the Revolution, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill. He settled on the first farm north of Timothy Hastings', and among his children were, namely : Samuel, Polly, Lydia, Susannah, Sally, Moses, Jacob and Priscilla. He died in 1847, at the age of ninety-five years.
SAMUEL MERRILL, son of Annis, remained on the homestead of his father. The line between Bath and Lyman ran directly through his house, and at one time there was some question as to where he should be taxed, but he promptly moved his bed across the line into the north part of the house, and claimed his resi- dence in Lyman, although his barn and cattle were taxed in Bath. He died in 1849, at the age of sixty- one years.
78
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOSEPH PORTER was the progenitor of the Porters in Lyman. He was born in England, came to town from Randolph, Mass., as early as 1804, and married Emma, daughter of Samuel Parker, in 1805. He settled on the farm lately owned by E. F. Hoskins, and reared a family of three sons and four daughters, namely : Irad, Harrison, Osman, Sarah, Thursey, Can- dis, and Lucia Kent. He died July 14, 1856, at the age of seventy-six years.
HARRISON PORTER, son of Joseph, married, first, Emily, daughter of Elijah Knapp, and the children were : Henry, and Emily. He married, second, Mary, daughter of Daniel Knapp, and her children were : Moretta, Horace, and Lucia. Harrison Porter was one of the foremost citizens of Lyman in point of character, ability, and influence. He represented the town in the state legislature and took a leading part in all the affairs of the town. He was born Sept. 15, 1812, and died in Lancaster, N. H., Sept. 10, 1868.
OSMAN PORTER, brother of the above, married Lucy Bailey and lived on Parker Hill. He moved to Can- aan, N. H., where he died Feb. 27, 1878. He was born Jan. 23, 1816.
CAPT. EBENEZER SANBORN, father of Mrs. Timothy Stevens Jr., came to Bath about 1769, married Lydia Way, and settled on the Minot farm. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and the records of the town of Haverhill show that in the year 1798 they paid a
MRS. IRA OSCAR KNAPP, C. S. D.
79
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
debt of long standing. In that year the town voted to pay Capt. Ebenezer Sanborn $10.00 for "fetching two hundred pounds of balls, fifty pounds of powder, and a quantity of flint from Exiter." He died in Ly- man February 13, 1829, at the age of eighty-three years and five months. John Sanborn, son of Eben- ezer, died in town in 1864, at the age of eighty-three years.
DR. LOCKART WRIGHT. Among the children of Dr. Wright, of whom mention is made in another part of these sketches, were, namely: Neziah, born in 1805; Ellis, born in 1807; Hubbard, born in 1809; and Abigail, born in 1803. Dr. Wright was born October 22, 1771, and died January 31, 1851.
SAMUEL DRAKE came to town at a very early date. He owned four acres of land in the corner of the Knapp farm, opposite the town house, where he built a house and lived with his family. Some of the apple trees which he set out are yet remaining, and the spot where the house stood can still be found. At that time bears being quite numerous, a great bear hunt was organized one fall. They drove several of them on to the mountain and surrounded the locality where they were in hiding,-Drake being among the hunters. He had shown great interest in the hunt, and had told his neighbors how much bear meat he was going to bring home. As they drew near to the game the ex- citement became intense, and in some way unknown
80
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
at the time, Capt. Solomon Miner's gun accidentally discharged, the ball entering Drake's body, killing him instantly. This was a great shock to the community in general, and to the family of Capt. Miner in partic- ular.
BENJAMIN BAILEY married Letty Little, mother of Theodore Dyke, and came from Manchester, N. H., to Lyman about 1795. Mrs. Bailey made the journey on the back of a four years old colt and brought her baby, Moses, in her arms. He located on the old Bailey farm, on the road under the mountain, where he died December 5, 1848, at the age of seventy-eight years. His children were, namely: Capt. Moses, Elias, · Benjamin, John, Joseph, Edmond, Milly, Jesse, Nancy, and Lydia.
CAPT. MOSES BAILEY, son of Benjamin, married Ruth Chase and remained on the old homestead. His children were, namely: Diantha, Langdon, Benjamin, Harriet, Ruth, Austin, Ethalinda, and George. He died in Bath August 3, 1866, at the age of seventy- one years.
LIEUT. COL. JOHN LITTLE was born in London- derry, Ireland, and married Lydia Caldwell from the same country. He located in Derry, N. H., served in the French and Indian war, and came to Lyman about the time of the Revolution. He settled down at the four corners, between Parker Hill and Moulton Hill, where he owned a large tract of land. Lieut. Col.
.
81
BIOGRAPAICAL SKETCHES.
Little was a cultivated man and a gentleman, and he took pains to impart his information to his children,- this being all the education they received. His wife lived to be over one hundred years of age, and they are both buried on Parker Hill. Among his children were : James, Joseph, and several daughters.
JAMES LITTLE, son of Lieut. Col. John, married Abigail Amy, and was the first settler on the farm north of Charles Woolson's present residence. Among his children were, namely: David, Abraham, Col. John, Thomas, Joseph, and Lydia.
COL. JOHN LITTLE, son of James, was born Febru- ary 4, 1795. He married Catharine Cobleigh, always lived in town, and reared a large family of children. He served in the war of 1812, and was on board the flag-ship Saratoga, commanded by Capt. Downie, in the battle of Lake Champlain. During his last years he was chiefly noted for his skill in framing buildings. He died Dec. 24, 1880, at the age of eighty-five years.
JOSEPH LITTLE, brother of the above, married and settled in town. He died August 7, 1888, aged ninety years. Among his children was Ludo B. Little, Capt. of Co. A 9th Regt., in the war of the Rebellion, who subsequently studied law and had a brilliant career in New York. He died in 1892.
JOSEPH LITTLE, son of Lieut. Col. John, married Jennett Moore, and was the first settler on the farm now occupied by Wesley Miner. Their children were,
82
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
namely: Betsy, who married Lyman Bemis; Letty, who married Caleb Gardner of Litchfield, Ill .; Lydia, who married Jeffery Clough; Caldwell, who married Lydia Steere; William, who married Maria Stevens; and Sabin, who married Lodisa Smith. Joseph Little died in 1854, at the age of seventy-nine years.
WILLIAM LITTLE, son of Joseph, remained on the old homestead, and reared a large family of children. Mrs. Little was a woman of superior mental ability, and the children were marked by energy and intelli- gence. Most of them went West and have achieved success in various walks of life. Mr. Little was born April 22, 1810, and died September 1, 1887.
DEACON RUSSEL UNDERWOOD came to Lyman about 1800. He married Irena Barkley Nov. 13, 1812, and located on Parker Hill, on the farm since owned by Sidney Thornton. He built the house still standing on the premises, and did some carpenter work and painting in connection with his farming. His children were, namely: Jane, Betsy, Caroline, Laura, Hannah, Edmond, and Russel. He was born in Bradford, Vt., a member of a large family, and one of his brothers was a lawyer in Wells River, Vt. Mr. Underwood was a man of great piety. He died in St. Johnsbury, Vt., in 1871, at the age of eighty-three years.
ROBERT BARKLEY was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to Lyman when a young man. He married Rhoda Way, a daughter of one of the first settlers in
-
83
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Haverhill, and located on Clough Hill,-being the first settler on the farm since occupied by James Clough Jr. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and during the settlement of the town was one of the leading men of affairs. He was accidentally killed while build- ing a bridge at Lisbon village, Sept. 29, 1804, at the age of forty-eight years. His wife died in 1841, at the age of eighty-three years. Their children were, namely: William, Cyrus, Robert, Irena, Mrs. Willard Hoyt, Mrs. McDaniel, and Mrs. James Richardson.
THE REV. WILLIAM *BARKLEY, son of the above, was born in Lyman, and married, first, Sarah Morrill, and located on the farm since owned by Luther Hos- kins. Among their children were, namely : William, Mrs. William Palmer, John, Horace, Mrs. John Bis- hop, Mrs. Sarah Brown, Samuel, and Mrs. Benjamin Page. Mr. Berkley moved to Littleton about 1817, but returned to Lyman and resided for several years on the Underwood place. His wife, Sarah, died in 1857, at the age of sixty-eight years. He married, second, Elvira Bidwell who died in 1866, aged fifty- six years. Mr. Berkley was a deeply religious man and respected by all who knew him. He died in Lisbon Feb. 21, 1869, at the age of eighty-six years.
SAMUEL WAY was one of the early settlers of the town, and lived on Moulton Hill. He died April 18,
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.