USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Bedford > History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737 : being statistics compiled on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, May 15, 1900 > Part 115
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V. Sarah Bartlett, dau. of Milton W.4, b. 1858, Oct. 16; m. 1878, Oct. 31, Rollin H. Allen of Boston, Mass. (see French). They have two ch .: Herbert Spencer6, b. in Boston, 1881, April 19, and Ruth6, b. in Boston, 1885.
V. George Oville, son of Milton W.4, b. 1864, March 24. Came to Bed- ford from Manchester when three years of age, and still lives in town, where he is engaged in lumbering and farming. He has served several terms as selectman of the town, and is a member of the Bedford grange.
V. Gardner Ward, son of Milton W.4, b. 1866, May 1; lived in Bedford twenty years, later going to Boston, where he settled. He m. 1895, Jan. 16, Harriet H. Geldert of Dedham, Mass. They have three ch .: Helen Ward6, b. in Dedham, 1895, Nov. 4; Miriam Dunbar6, b. in Boston, 1897, July 13; and Elise Hathaway6, b. in Boston, 1899, Aug. 22.
1077
GENEALOGIES .- SPOFFORD.
SPOFFORD.
I. John Spofford came from Yorkshire, England (where the name and family have been traced back to 1265), with the Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, and settled in Rowley, Mass., where he was one of the first settlers of that ancient town. He m. in this country, Eliza- beth, family name unknown. Their ch. were: Elizabeth2, b. 1646, Dec .; John2, b. 1648, Oct. 24; Thomas2, b. 1650, Nov. 4; Samuel2, b. 1652, Jan. 31 (ancestor of the Andover Spoffords); Hannah2, b. 1654, April 1: Mary2, b. 1656, Sept. 1; Sarah2, b. 1658, Jan. 15, d. 1660, Feb. 16; Sarah2, b. 1662, March 24; Francis2, b. 1665, Sept. 24.
II. John, son of John1, b. 1648, Oct. 24; m. Sarah Wheeler, by whom he had ch .: John3, b. 1678, June 12; Mary3, b. 1680, May 4; David3, b. 1681, Nov. 23; Jonathan3, b. 1684, May 28; Martha3, b. 1686, May 16; Ebenezer3, b. 1690, June 15; Nathaniel3, b. 1691, Sept. 10; Sarah3, b. 1693, Dec. 20.
III. John, son of John2, b. 1678, June 12; m. Dorcas Hopkinson and had ch .: Francis4, b. 1702, Feb. 19, went to Connecticut, had many connections; John4, b. 1704, March 19, went to Charlestown, N. H .; Abner4, b. 1705, Aug. 21; Sarah4, b. 1707, Feb. 21; Daniel4, b. 1721, April, deacon in Second church, Rowley, Mass., and col- onel in militia; Dorcas4; Eliphalet4, b. 1725.
IV. Abner, son of John3, b. 1705, Aug. 21; was deacon in the Second church, Rowley, Mass. He m. Sarah Coleman; d. 1777. Had ch .: Rachel5, b. 1735, Sept. 23; Eliza5, b. 1739, Aug. 12, settled in Jaf- frey; Sarah5, b. 1741, March 4; John5, b. 1742, Feb. 20; Huldah5, b. 1744, Nov. 11; Abraham5, b. 1748, Feb. 3; Phebe, b. 1751, Jan. 6; Isaac5, b. 1752, April 10, physician in Beverly, Mass .; Jacob5, b. 1754, Feb. 26.
V. Jacob, son of Abner4, b. 1754, Feb. 26; m. Mary Tenney and had ch .: Mary6, b. 1778, Feb. 18, m. Jeremiah Kimball of Ipswich; Han- nah6, b. 1779, Oct. 27; Sarah6, b. 1781, Aug. 18; Huldah6, b. 1783, July 30, d. 1810; Elizabeth6, b. 1785, June 3, d. 1786; Chandler6, b. 1788, May 28; Elizabeth6, b. 1789, Feb. 13, d. 1832; Austin6, b. 1791, Jan. 23, d. 1796; Sophia6, b. 1793, Nov. 12, d. 1832; John6, b. 1795, Sept. 18; Austin6, b. 1798, Dec. 23, d. 1837; Uriah6, b. 1800, Dec. 13.
VI. Chandler, son of Jacob5, b. 1788, May 28; m. Betsey Walker Cobb of Derry, a descendant by her mother from Elder Brewster of the Mayflower. They came to Bedford in 1820. Had ch .: Jerusha Cobb7, b. 1813, May 29, m. Rodney Mclaughlin (see Mclaughlin); Susan Cobb7, b. 1814, Aug. 9; Lemuel Chandler7, b. 1816, May 31; John Tenney7, b. 1821, April 29; William Henry7, b. 1828, April 2, d. 1863, Feb. 8.
VII. Susan Cobb, dau. of Chandler6, b. 1814, Aug. 9; m. 1845, May 4, Rufus Merrill; she d. 1853, Nov. 3. Had ch .: Charles Ervin8, b. 1847, Oct. 18, m. Annie Chapman of Texas, their location 110W unknown; Mary Elizabeth8, b. 1849, Oct. 3, d. 1876, Nov. 25; John Spofford8, b. 1851, Oct. 27.
VIII. John Spofford (Merrill), son of Susan Cobb7, b. 1851, Oct. 27; m. 1872, Dec. 25, Susan W. Eaton of Auburn, and now res. in Arlington, Mass. They have one ch., Gertrude Mabel9, b. 1888, July 30.
VII. Rev. Lemuel Chandler, son of Chandler6, b. 1816, May 31; was grad- uated from Dartmouth college, 1843; m. 1849, July 9, Esther Par- sons Deane, b. in Bangor, Me., 1827, July 9, and d. in Brookline, Mass., 1901, Feb. 14. He d. 1869, April 12. (See biographical sketch.) They had ch .: Henry Chandler8, b. in De Pere, Wis., 1853, April 20, d. 1859, June 10; John Frederic8, b. 1856, Oct. 6, m. in 1880, Harriet Andrews of Fall River, Mass., and res. in Brookline, Mass., no children.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
VII. John Tenney, son of Chandler6, b. in Londonderry, 1821, April 29; was employed in the Manchester post-office 32 years, and in that time filled every position, including that of postmaster. He served as assistant postmaster 24 years. He m., 1st, 1846, Oct. 1, Sarah Godfrey French, dau. of Josiah French, probably of Candia. She d. in Manchester, 1849, Sept. 2. He m., 2d, 1850, Nov. 28, Caro- line, dau. of Henry and Hannah Eaton of Candia; she d. 1861, Nov. 28. He m., 3d, 1862, Sept. 9, Martha, dau, of Henry and Hannah Eaton of Candia. He d. in Manchester, 1897, Jan. 23. Ch. by first mar. were: John Greenleaf8, b. Manchester, 1849, March 22, d. 1849, Sept. 20; Herman Chandler8, b. 1847, July 18, d. 1848, July 11. Ch. by second mar .: Mary8, b. 1854, Feb. 20, pianist, organist, and teacher of music; Arthur8, b. 1856, Aug. 1. d. 1857, Oct. 29; Carrie8, b. 1857, Oct. 24, d. 1859, Dec. 8.
REV. LEMUEL CHANDLER SPOFFORD.
Rev. Lemuel Chandler Spofford was born at Ipswich, Mass., 1816, May 31. He was, through his mother, a descendant of Elder Lemuel Brews- ter of the Mayflower. In his early boyhood his parents moved to Bedford, where he received his earliest schooling. While fitting for college, he enjoyed the teaching of Miss Aun Orr of Bedford, whose name is treas- ured in many hearts, as she was for half a century a most enthusiastic instructor of youth.
He graduated with honors at Dartmouth college in 1839, and subse- quently pursued and completed in 1846 his theological studies at the semi- mary at Bangor, Me. He might have secured a rich charge in the East, but fired with a holy missionary zeal he sought his sphere of labor in the great, but at that time thinly-settled and rude, Northwest. He began his active career at Fond du Lac, Wis., then a frontier port of three hundred people, where he organized the first church in the place, and here wrought. for some six years in the Master's vineyard, a pure shining light in a dark, wicked place, building up his little flock of seven into a strong and flour- ishing congregation, and aiding mightily in bringing the settlement under civilizing influences. Leaving this field, where his work had been so sig- nally blessed, he took charge of the church at De Pere in the same state, where he served his brethren most acceptably for fourteen years. In De Pere, as also in Fond du Lac, he preached regularly at different points in the region round his central charge, and often spoke to a congregation largely composed of Indians from the tribes in that portion of Wisconsin, who held him in high esteem, rarely visiting the town without leaving some fruits of their hunting or fishing expeditions as a token of their friendship. Feeling the necessity of a milder climate, he accepted a call to the church of Laporte, Ind., in 1866, where his brief, devoted ministry, his godly, loving walk, has left a deep impression on the minds and hearts of his people.
In August, 1867, while riding, he was afflicted with sunstroke, fell from his carriage and was seriously injured. From this time his life was one of physical decline and suffering, yet he continued to perform, as far as possible, his pastoral duties to the latest week of his life. Sinking away slowly, calmly, and fearlessly, he went to rest 1869, April 12. He is spoken of in a local paper as " the joy of his flock, beloved by all; his life was calm and beautiful; he fought the good fight."
A brother minister writes of him in the Presbyterian, as follows: "Few men have had more devoted friends, or have won them more heartily, than this deceased Christian brother, and the tidings of his death will send a wave of sorrow through inany hearts. He was eminently a fol- lower of the Master, and one who largely imbibed, and practically illus- trated, the Spirit of Christ. His brethren, his churches, and the world. with which he came in contact, saw that he had sat at Jesus' feet and learned of Him. Of course the end of such a man was peaceful. He died as those trusting in Christ only can die."
1079
GENEALOGIES .- SPRAGUE.
SPRAGUE (SPRAKE.)
Among the first settlers of our town were Benjamin and David Sprague of Billerica, Mass. These brothers settled near each other, in the west part of the town, Benjamin occupying the farm which contains the natural curiosity widely known as the " Devil's Pulpit." Their grandfather,
I. Nicholas Sprake, was a noted physician, who came from Hing- ham, Norfolk county, England, to Billerica, Mass., in 1636. He had a son, Nicholas.2
II. Nicholas, son of Nicholas1, m. Sarah, the dau. of Benjamin Walker, and settled in Billerica. Their ch. were: Benjamin3, b. 1752, Dec. 28; Sarah3, b. 1755, Jan. 15, m. John Shed; John3, b. 1759, April 26; David3, b. 1763, May 5; and, probably, Timothy.3 Nicholas and his wife seem to have joined their sons, Benjamin and David, in this town, as they occupy a place in the family lot at Joppa Hill cemetery. Nicholas d. 1800, Feb. 10, in his 78th year, and Sarah, his wife, d. 1796, Nov. 23, in her 70th year.
III. Benjamin, son of Nicholas2, b. Billerica, Mass., 1752, Dec. 28; m. Hannah Barnes, b. in Merrimack, 1758, dau. of Thomas and Su- sanna (Cummings) Barnes of Hingham, Mass. (see "Aunt Sprague " sketch), and settled in Bedford, where their ch. were all b., viz .: Benjamin4, b. 1779, m. Lucy Harradon, and had ch .; Joseph4, b. 1781 (a Joseph Sprague m. 1805, Sept. 5, Polly Mc- Quaid); Rhoda4, b. 1784, m. a Dennis, d. 1845, Wayne county, N. Y .; Sally4, b. 1786; John4, b. 1789, d. 1789, June 9, aged 12 hours, his was the first grave opened in Joppa cemetery; Susanna C.4, b. 1791, m. Isaac Gilmore (see Gilmore); Hannah4, b. 1794; Armanda4, b. 1797, July 12; Alden4, b. 1800, Feb. 6; Lowell4, b. 1803; it is sup- posed that another son was named John4, who lived to maturity.
IV. Hannah, dau. of Benjamin3, b. 1794; m. 1816, June 19, James Hills of Antrim. She d. in Bedford, 1824, April. Had ch .: Ursula5, m. and had two daughters, who d. young, and one son; Sabra5, unm .; Alden5, probably lost at sea; Charles Gates.5
V. Charles Gates (Hills), son of Hannah4, proved to be an interesting, though somewhat eccentric, character. With little education, he became a great reader, a ready writer, and somewhat poetical. His parents died when he was a young boy, and he lived with dif- ferent families in town until a young man, when a roaming spirit asserted itself, and he went to sea. He landed on the Tahiti islands in 1837, and m. an English or American girl there in 1848. He came back to California in 1849, and was later engaged in car- rying on a large ranch. Had eight ch., nearly all of whom had d. before his own death occurred in San Bernardino, Cal., about 1898 or 1899, aged nearly 80 years.
IV. Armanda, son of Benjamin3, b. 1797, July 12; m. 1829, May 14, Mary Gardner of Bedford. They rem. to the West, and settled in Min- neapolis, Minn., where he d. 1881, July 30. Mary, his wife, d. -.
IV. Alden (M. D.), son of Benjamin3, b. in Bedford, 1800, Feb. 6; was a physician located at Charlestown, Mass., where it is said he served for a time as surgeon in the hospital. He afterward rem. to Little Rock, Ark., where he became well-known as a physician through- out the state. He was P. G. M., F. and A. M. of Arkansas at the time of his death. He m. in 1827, Sophronia Stores Eldridge, b. at or near Lebanon, N. H., 1806, Jan. 13. He d. at Little Rock, Ark., 1847, April 26. His wife d. at Carrollton, La., 1853, Dec. 5. They had four ch., b. at Little Rock: Alden Horace Pease5, b. 1833, Dec. 31, d. at Carrollton, La., 1853, Sept. 10, unm .; Alfred Wright5, b. 1838, Sept. 10; George Eldridge5, b. 1840, Jan. 5; Charles Leslie5, b. 1842, Feb. 6, the two last named were both in the Confederate service, and have not been heard from since the Civil war.
1080
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
V. Alfred Wright, son of Alden (M. D.)4, b. at Little Rock, Ark., 1838, Sept. 10; is now attorney-at-law and insurance agent, located at Owensville, Ind .; was elected justice of the peace for Montgomery township, Gibson county, Ind., in April, 1862, served until Oct., 1874; has been W. M. of Owensville lodge, No. 364, F. and A. M .; is now serving his fourteenth year as secretary of same lodge; is a member of Stewart lodge, No. 179, I. O. O. F .; served as N. G. two terms; is a P. G. Rep. to the G. L .; is now serving his twen- ty-fourth year as secretary of the same lodge; was appointed real estate appraiser and assessor of above township in April, 1875; served two years, was elected to same office in April, 1877, and served four years; has been notary public since 1881. He m. in Owensville, 1861, Feb. 8, Parmelia Simpson, b. in Owenville, 1841, July 22, dau. of James and Celia Simpson. Their eight ch. were all b. in Owensville, viz .: Sophronia Stores6, b. 1861, Dec. 22, m. 1880, Feb. 12, Hiram A. Leister, res. in Owensville; James Alden6, b. 1864, Feb. 17, m. 1883, Sept. 20, Mary L. Smith, res. in Roslin, Tenn .; Cecilia6, b. 1865, Dec. 12, d. at Owensville, 1870, Sept. 20; Charles Lewis6, b. 1868, Aug. 2, d. at Owensville, 1891, Oct. 18; Armanda Jackson6, b. 1870, Sept. 13, d. at Owensville, 1870, Sept. 22; John Dexter6, b. 1872, Sept. 10, res. in David City, Neb .; Cal- lie Celia6, b. 1874, Dec. 6, d. at Owensville, 1895, Jan. 17; Ada Helen6, b. 1877, Aug. 14, m. 1898, Sept. 4, William D. Clark, res. in Independence, Ore .; Horace Alfred6, b. 1882, July 15, res. in Owensville.
IV. Lowell, son of Benjamin3, b. in Bedford, 1803; m. Hepzibah, b. 1806, June 1, dau. of Nathaniel and Abigail (Allen) Flint of Bed- ford. They res. for a time in Bedford, then moved to Arcadia, Wayne Co., N. Y., where he d. 1849, April 3; Hepzibah, his wife, d. in Lansing, Minn., 1864, Feb. 22. Their ch. were: Benjamin Dexterb, b. Bedford, 1827, Dec. 6; Sophronia Alden5, b. Arcadia, N. Y., 1830, Feb. 5, d. 1851, July 7, in Arcadia; Mary Armanda5, b. in Remsen, N. Y., 1833, May 15; Harriet Eliza5, b. Wayne Co., N. Y., 1835, d. 1835; Lowell Henry5, b. Wayne Co., 1838, d. in Nevada, 1880; Milton Allen,5, b. in Arcadia, 1843, Oct. 29.
V. Benjamin Dexter, son of Lowell4, b. in Bedford, 1827, Dec. 6; was a man of strict integrity. He res. for a time in Newark, N. Y., later in Lansing, Minn., then Rushford, and finally Minneapolis. He was one of the original inventors and manufacturers of "Patent flour " in Minn., and was several times chosen a mem- ber of the legislature in the early days of that state. He m. 1858, May 17, Lucy A. McCall, who still res. in Minneapolis, Minn. He d. there in July, 1893. Their ch. were: Mary L.6, b. Newark, N. Y., 1859, Sept. 18, d. 1862, March 7; Kate S.6, b. 1861, March 25; Gertrude S.6, b. in Lansing, Minn., 1864, May 17, m. 1899, Aug., Edward A. Hartman; Will M.6, b. Rushford, 1869, June 4, d. 1870, Sept. 23; Loui D.6, b., Rushford, 1871, Sept. 20, d. 1901, June 1; Milton M.6, b. in Rushford, Sept. 25, d. 1901, July 6; Elizabeth A.6, b. in Rushford, 1877, Feb. 22.
VI. Kate S., dau. of Benjamin Dexter5, b. 1861, March 25; m. - , March 26, Ambrose B. Everts of Rushford, Minn. They res. in Minne- apolis, where their ch. were born: Thomas Dexter7, b. 1887, April 17; Carolyn Lucile7, b. 1888, Dec. 23; Gertrude Sprague7, b. - , March 20.
V. Mary Armanda, dau. of Lowell4, b. 1833, May 15; m. at Arcadia, N. Y., 1854, Jan. 22, Peter G. Lamoreaux, b. 1831, Feb. 4. His father, Andrew O. Lamoreaux, was b. in New York city, 1810, and his grandfather, Thomas W., in Nova Scotia about 1790. They now res. in Ogden, Utah, having previously lived in Arcadia, N. Y., Lansing, Minn., and Minneapolis. Ch .: Sprague Dexter,6
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GENEALOGIES .- SPRAGUE.
b. at Arcadia, 1856, April 6, d. 1861, Feb. 15; Ossian Armanda6, b. Arcadia, 1859, July 27; the others were b. at Lansing, Minn., viz .: Lowell Andrew6, b. -; Milton Sprague6, b. 1864, Feb. 20, m. 1890, Sept., Antoinette J. Abernathy; Mary Irene6, b. 1870, Nov. 11; Loula Sophronia6, b. 1872, Nov. 29, m. in Ogden, Utah, 1901, May 15, William M. Rogers of Minneapolis; Jessamine Dell6, b. 1875, March 31, d. 1901, Sept. 9; Grace Virginia6, b. 1880, April 7. VI. Ossian A. (Lamoreaux), son of Mary Armanda5, b. 1859, July 27; m., 1st, in Minneapolis, 1883, Florence Steadman, who d. 1891, May 9, leaving a dau., Eva Gertrude7, b. 1884, Dec. 31. He m., 2d, in Chi- cago, Ill., 1894, Marie Stewart. They have Dwight E.7, b. 1901.
VI. Lowell A. (Lamoreaux), son of Mary Armanda5, m. in Minneapolis, March, 1888, Mary Covell; res. in Minneapolis. They have Covell Lamoreaux7, b. 1889, March, d. 1891; Leigh Covell7, b. 1891, March; Lowell7, b. 1895, Sept.
VI. Mary Irene (Lamoreaux), dau. of Mary Armanda5, b. 1870, Nov. 11; m. in Chicago, George Edwin Burnell of Minneapolis. They have Genevieve Mary7, b. at Lake Geneva, Wis., 1895, Oct. 23.
V. Milton A., son of Lowell4, b. in Arcadia, Wayne Co., N. Y., 1843, Oct. 29; is engaged in lumber and banking business in Washburn, Bayfield Co., Wis., cutting about 30,000,000 feet of lumber annu- ally, and being president of the Northern State bank. He m. in 1875, Dec. 1, Hattie How Graves, in Osage, Mitchell Co., Ia. Their ch. are: Monroe How6, b. in Osage, 1876, Nov. 7, and grad- uated from the law course at the Minnesota State university in class of 1900, now engaged in lumber business in Washburn, unm .; Mary Alice6, b. in Sprague, Wis,, in 1886, July 19, is now attend- ing Pillsbury academy at Owatonna, Minn.
III. David, son of Nicholas2, came with his brother Benjamin from Bil- lerica, Mass., and settled in Bedford. He m. Martha Patterson; they had seven ch. b. in Bedford, viz .: Fannie4, b. 1794, d. 1801; Sarah Burns4, b. 1797; Martha Means4, b. 1800, d. 1864; Mary Pat- terson4, b. 1803, d. 1820; David4, b. 1805, Oct .; William B.4, b. 1808, d. 1838; Nancy4.
IV. Sarah Burns, dau. of David3, b. 1797; m. Samuel Caldwell, b. in New Boston in 1793. He was captain of the old Artillery compa- ny there and a prominent man of the town, his father being one of the first settlers. Mr. Caldwell d. when but 36 years old, while his wife lived 92 years, 6 months. She d. 1889, May 20. They had four ch .: Martha M.5; John Quincy Adams5; Sarah E.5; Samuel B.5, d. in California 1851.
V. Martha M. (Caldwell), dau. of Sarah Burns4; m. Daniel Butterfield; she d. in Bedford, aged 68, and her husband lived but a few years after her death. They had four ch .: George6; Sarah6; Harriet6; and Walter6.
V. John Q. A. (Caldwell), son of Sarah Burns4, was b. New Boston, 1824, Nov. 9; res. on the farm which has been in the family since the early settlement of that town. He m. 1856, Oct. 2, Mercie J. Hall of Chester, dau. of Moses and Mary (Cochrane) Hall. She was educated at Atkinson academy and Meredith Bridge. Had four ch. b. in New Boston: George Quincy6, b. 1857, June 29; Lizzie Rebecca6, b. 1859, June 30; Mary Alice6, b. 1861, July 24; Helen Marion6, b. 1865, June 16.
VI. George Quincy (Caldwell), son of John Q. A.5, b. 1857, June 29; m. 1880, June 9, Mary A., dau. of Peter W. and Almira (Doloff) Whittemore of Chester. They have four ch .: Charles Burns7, b. New Boston, 1881, March 3, graduated from Epping high school 1898; John Quincy7, b. Bedford, 1883, March 11, educated in Man- chester schools and business college; Mabel Alice7, b. New Boston 1892, Feb. 23; Willie Butterfield7, b. New Boston, 1894, June 1.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
VI. Lizzie Rebecca, dau. of John Q. A.5, b. 1859, June 30; m. Fred S. Pillsbury of Derry and had three ch .: Hobert B.7; Lillian M.7, who d. aged 5; Helen Evelyn7.
VI. Mary Alice, dau. of John Q. A.5, b. 1861, July 24; m. George L. Hall of Pennsylvania. They res. in Pittsfield and have three ch: Quincy Randall7; Everett Atwood7; and Ruth7.
VI. Helen Marion, dau. of John Q. A.5, b. 1865, June 16; m. Edward Davis and res. in Derry. Ch: Helen Beatrice7.
V. Sarah E. (Caldwell), dau. of Sarah Burns4, b. 1827, Jan. 30; m. 1856, Dec. 17, George W. Butterfield of Lincoln, Vt., b. 1832, Oct. 28. He was driver of the Amoskeag No. 1, fire engine, in Man- chester, for nineteen years. His health failing he purchased a farm on Plummer hill in Bedford, where he res. fifteen years. He d. 1899, Feb. 15, and his wife d. 1899, Jan. 30. Their son, Will A.6, was b. in Manchester, 1858, April 23; m. a Miss Holt and d. 1883, May 12, leaving no ch.
IV. David, son of David3, b. 1805, Oct .; m. Mary Carly of Peterborough, who d. in Bedford, 1880, Sept. 11, aged 73 years. He d. 1887, March 31. No ch.
IV. Nancy, dau. of David3, b. in Bedford; m. Peter Butterfield of Dun- barton, where she d. 1892. Had ch: Nancy J.5, b. 1837, May, and d. 1845, April 11; David5.
AUNT SPRAGUE.
There is a plain, unpretending headstone in the burying-ground on Joppa hill, in the west part of this town, which marks the resting- place of Mrs. Hannah Sprague, wife of Benjamin Sprague. She was the daughter of Thomas Barnes, and granddaughter of John Barnes of Hing- ham, Mass., one of the original grantees of Bedford. She was born in Merrimack, but came to this town with her husband, who was a native of Billerica, Mass. They were among the first settlers here.
They lived for a great many years upon the farm now owned by Leonard C. French, Esq .; indeed, Mr. Sprague first cleared the woods from off this lot. All his numerous family were born here. Their child- ren have all removed from amongst us. Many of them are, with their respected parents, numbered with the dead. One son, Dr. Alden Sprague, died 1847, at Little Rock, Ark., where he had resided for a long time, and was highly respected as an able and excellent physician, and an honest and honorable man. The mother was a superior and extraordin- ary woman. Nobody who lived in the "West Parish," or near " Chest- nut hills," forty years ago, can have forgotten her.
The writer of this notice, wliose memory of events extends over some- thing more than half a century, and whose lot it has been to have known personally as many men and women as perhaps almost any individual of his age, cannot now call to mind so rare a specimen of active benevolence, of devotion to the welfare of others, of self-sacrificing and unremitting efforts in the cause of humanity, as was daily exhibited in the life of that amiable and excellent woman and relative, whom everybody delighted to call Aunt Sprague.
It is all but impossible to present to the mind of one of this generation the actual condition of those who dwelt in the neighborhood of this woman fifty or sixty years since. The settlers were then in the midst of a forest. There were no roads, no bridges, no carriages. Families lived miles apart. And yet sickness and death often came among them. In the event of any sudden illness or serious accident, even within the mem- ory of him who pens these lines, it was exceedingly difficult to procure the aid of a physician. We could, indeed, get Dr. Goodrich of Merrimack or Dr. McMullen of New Boston, or even Dr. Gove of Goffstown, if a horse and a rider who knew the way to their respective residences could be found
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GENEALOGIES .- SPRAGUE .- STEVENS.
to send for one of these worthy gentlemen. But what was to become of the suffering party while the messenger was riding from ten to a dozen miles, through the woods and hunting first for the doctor, and then for the doc- tor's horse, and while the doctor himself was returning through this long and devious track? With ordinary good luck, in the most favorable times, when the streams were not so much swollen as to prevent the ford- ing, when no trees had been blown across the paths to hinder us, when we found the doctor and caught his horse readily, it required more time and more personal labor and exposure to get these services than it would now, by the aid of the magnetic telegraph and steam power, to procure the best skill of the profession from the city of Boston, a distance of fifty miles or more.
But what became of the patient during these dreadful delays? Why, they sent for Aunt Sprague. And she always came. No matter what was the weather or what the time, wet or dry, hot or cold, winter or summer, in snow or rain, in sunshine or storm, early or late, night or day, she came. Everybody sent for her, and she always came. She has crossed the dark forest, between her residence and Chestnut hills, hundreds of times on foot, upon such errands of mercy. Once she went at great peril, after a very heavy fall of snow. It was in the night when she heard of the distress and suffering of a neighboring woman. Nothing could restrain her from making an effort to afford the aid so much and so speedily required. Taking a lantern, and putting on her snowshoes she was enabled, with the aid of her husband, to reach the bedside of her friend, and probably to be the means of saving her life. Her manner was so bland, so soft, so quiet, that one felt her soothing influence the moment she entered the door of the sick room. She knew so well what to say and when and how to say it, that she at once gained your confidence, and you submitted to all she prescribed. Nobody could reconcile you to your con- dition, as a patient, half so well as she could. From the hand of no other would you so readily receive the nauseating and sickening, though urgently necessary, apothecary's draught. And she would remain with you after the doctor had left you. She would raise your aching head, cool your excited and feverish brow, and watching over you with the vigilance of a mother, she would minister to every want, never leaving you until she could perceive undoubted symptoms of returning health. And this service she rendered, and these duties she performed, over and over again, for everybody in the vicinity where her lot was cast, for no other earthly compensation or reward, except the gratification of relieving the suffering of her friends and of doing good in her day and generation. She died at a very advanced age, over eighty, very suddenly, having suf- fered herself very little from ill health.
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