History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 104

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124

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wealth, was prominent in affairs, and candidate for important positions on the Whig (minority) ticket. He sold his store to John Smith in 1836 and moved to Portland.

Jeremiah Farrington, the third son of Stephen and Apphia (Bradley) Farrington, was born at Concord. He removed to Conway at an early day, and was a farmer on the Saco river. He married Molly Swan, and had children : Hannah, Polly, Stephen, Elijah, James (M.D.), Nancy, and Jeremiah. He was a member of the Congregational church, and died at a ripe old age, some eighty-four years. Elijah Farrington was born at Conway in 1784, and died June 3, 1863. He married March 5, 1814. His children were: Albert E .; Mary H. (deceased), married Samuel Hazelton; 'and James, a physician in Rochester. Elijah Farrington was an industrious, thrifty farmer, prudent and economical, and respected by all. He held some minor offices with credit.

Joseph W. Hale, from Barrington, a relative of the Hale to whom Hale's location was granted, came early, and lived for years on a farm in that tract. He later purchased and removed to the Hale farm in Conway, near Allen's siding on the Boston & Maine railroad. His son, Lorenzo T., is the represen- tative of the family in town.

Eliphalet Cloutman, from Wakefield, descended from a Scotchman who settled in that town at Horn's Mills at an early day, came to Conway in 1811, when but nineteen, to learn the blacksmith trade of Captain Pratt. He mar- ried Hannah Bean, lived in a house which was just back of the Conway House, and succeeded Captain Pratt in the business. He was a tall, muscular man, of great strength and mental ability. He was a Whig and Republican, and served as selectman many years. He was a colonel of the militia, a strict disciplinarian, but a very popular officer. He died in 1862, aged seventy. His son, Joseph A., now the "village blacksmith " of Conway, was a soldier in the Eighteenth Regiment in the Civil War.

Colonel John Webster was one of the earliest settlers of this section, with his family. Although quite young, he was lieutenant of Captain James Osgood's company, which marched early in the spring of 1776 to the aid of General Montgomery's shattered army, then retreating from Canada. He was captured at the Cedars, and suffered terribly before his return. He was one of the early selectmen. Colonel David Webster, son of John, lived at the "fag end " of Conway street, where is now the corn-packing establishment of T. L. Eastman. His sons were: David, James, and Samuel. Colonel David was one of the leaders in the great eastern land speculation, and a man of much ability. William E. Webster, son of James, resides on Con- way street and is a representative of this old family.

William Thom, originally from Derry, settled in the lower part of the town adjoining Fryeburg line. He was a blacksmith. Of his children, James and Samuel became residents of Conway. James succeeded to the parental

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home, was a successful lumberman and farmer, and died within a few days of Joel Eastman. His son, John W., lives on the ancestral acres, and is a much respected citizen. Frank and Frederick, sons of John W., are extensively engaged in lumbering. Samuel Thom early became a leading man in business circles, and, marrying Ann, daughter of Richard and Anne Buswell, located at Conway Corner, building and occupying the house now occupied by his son Richard. He was a merchant for many years, and was the senior member of the wealthy firm, Thom, Abbott & Co. This company owned large lines of stages, and erected the Conway House, of which Mr. Thom had one-half interest. Mr. Thom was successful in business, and died in 1858, aged fifty- two. He was a tall, spare man, of great activity and social manners, and very methodical and accurate in all matters. He was a Whig and Republican in politics, and town clerk for many years, and his records are noticeable for good penmanship and fulness of detail. Richard, Alpha, George, and Winfield are his sons.

Samuel Sparhawk, formerly of Portsmouth, and Secretary of State at one time, moved to Conway and passed the rest of his life on the farm where Matthew Hale now lives. Dr Thomas Sparhawk, a graduate of Dartmouth, was resident here a few years about 1833, but did not practise. George Sparhawk located here about 1810, residing where Mr. Hayes now lives. Among his children were George, Andrew, David, and Charles.

Major Samuel B. Shackford was an important man of the last generation. He was born in Canaan, and when he came to Conway located on the place where Frederick Hayes lives, on the west side of the Saco. In 1870 he moved to Conway village to become vice-president of Conway . Savings Bank, of which he was an incorporator. He was treasurer and president of the bank later. By his first wife, a Hale, he had three children: Onslow, Charles B., Martha S. (Mrs. Richard Thom). His second wife was Lydia Pendexter. Of their children, Lucy (Mrs. F. W. Davis) is the only one living. His title of major was won in the state militia. He was a man of fine presence and address, large and symmetrical. He died in 1881 at midnight in Chelsea, Mass., and his son Charles at six o'clock the next morning in Dover.

Physicians. - The first resident physician was Dr William Chadbourne. He became enamored of the bright eyes of Patty McMillan, married her Novem- ber 22, 1788, and was in practice before 1790. He was a man of fine presence, social, and much respected. His black horse and saddle-bags were objects of wonder to the children of many miles distance for long years.

Dr Alexander Ramsey, an eccentric professor of McGill College in Montreal, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, came here about 1800. A bachelor, he made his home at various times with different families, for a long time occupying a room in Richard Eastman's house. He had a medical school here, his students numbering from ten to twenty. He had the largest

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and best collection of charts and anatomical preparations in the United States, it is said, excepting only that of the Medical College of Philadelphia. His school was where the "Sunset Pavilion " now stands. In the winter the doctor would visit Canada for the purpose of delivering anatomical lectures. Mr Seth Chase, of East Conway, usually accompanied him with a team of two good horses, sleigh, and an abundance of equipage - blankets, buffalo-robes, cases of specimens for illustrations, etc.

His lectures were highly appreciated in Quebec and Montreal, as may appear by their paying him three hundred dollars for each evening lecture, and extending him invitations again and again to return from winter to winter. Mr Chase acted for him not only as groom, but waiter and doorkeeper, and by conforming in all things to the caprice of his master for the time being, he won not only the esteem and confidence of his master, but a very liberal compensation. The doctor's lectures in Conway were mostly private, but occasionally he would deliver a public evening lecture on anatomy, physiology, or to propagate his peculiar methods of living. On all of these subjects he was able and instructive. He was very clear and distinct in utterance, with a most eloquent brogue, which with his appropriate gestures constituted him a most eloquent and magnetic speaker. He left the country during the War of 1812, but soon after the proclamation of peace returned and rode through the neighborhood upbraiding many most severely for their departure from the mode of living which he had been so successful in establishing on his previous stay, which was the substitution for food of chickens, milk, and eggs instead of what he called "hog meat," which he contended was the emphatic deposit of scrofula. He had on his previous residence, mainly at his own expense, established hen-houses and the raising of poultry and eggs. On his return he found most of these institutions abandoned, and the people gone back to their old habit of eating swine's flesh. His wrath was great, his anathemas severe if not profane. He accomplished much good, dying at Fryeburg at an advanced age.

Dr Jeremiah Chandler came, a young man, from Fryeburg to begin his practice, and located at North Conway. This was in 1818 or 1820. He lived where N. W. Pease now resides. He was a medium-sized man, of sandy com- plexion, was social and generous, and always went to the relief of the very poor with the same alacrity as to the call of the wealthy. He has descendants living in town.

Dr Isaac Chandler was in practice here in 1845. He lived at North Conway, but only for a short time, when he moved to Lovell, Maine.

Dr Jonathan Thompson was a native of Conway, and taught school in North Conway about 1834. He was at that time pursuing his medical studies, and soon after began to practise, locating at Conway. He was in successful practice many years. He was a stout man, with a Germanic appearance, rather

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unsocial and dignified, and is said to have been a good man and a good physician.

Dr William H. Bragdon was born July 26, 1837, at Shapleigh, Maine. He was a successful teacher in early life ; he was graduated from the medical department of Bowdoin College in 1869, and in 1870 came to North Conway and began practice. He was ambitious, public-spirited, and ready to aid every- thing tending to the betterment of the community. He became very popular, worked in season and out of season in his profession, in educational and society fields, and was on the state board of health in 1887 and 1888. His steady application undermined his health; nervous prostration followed in a serious form, and he died September 6, 1889.

Joseph H. Pitman, M.D., was born July 30, 1857, in Bartlett. He fitted for college at North Conway and Fryeburg academies, but on account of failing health did not enter college. He became a successful teacher, studied medi- cine, attended medical lectures at Bowdoin and Dartmouth, and was graduated from the latter institution as M.D. in November, 1883. The succeeding winter he passed in New York city, taking a post-graduate course. He began practice in North Conway in the spring of 1884. He is a member of Carroll County Medical Association, of New Hampshire Medical Society, and has been presi- dent of the town board of health since 1884. Dr Pitman was president of his class in Dartmouth, and seems to be popular as a presiding officer, as he was elected master of Mt Washington Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons before he was twenty-four, and served several terms. He has been presiding officer (two terms) of Saco Valley Lodge of Odd Fellows, and district deputy of that order. He is winning in his manners, strong in his friendships, and devoted to his profession.

Carleton Sawyer, M.D., was born in Cumberland, Maine, November 1, 1856. He was graduated from Bowdoin College in 1881, and received his medical degree at Burlington (Vt) University in 1883. He commenced practice in 1884, at Freeport, Maine, then went to Alfred, and in February, 1888, le came to North Conway, where he is now established.

Samuel Newell Greenlaw, M.D., was born in Brownfield, Maine, February 22, 1833. He studied medicine with Dr J. L. Allen, of Saco, attended medical lectures at Harvard and Dartmouth, and was graduated from Dartmouth in 1862. He commenced practice at once in Waterboro', Maine, and was there five years. He was assistant surgeon in the army hospital at Augusta, Maine, for two years, and in 1868 removed to this state, and located at Conway, where he is still in practice. He is a physician from love of its duties, and the success of his practice of over a quarter of a century shows that he did not choose wrongly.

David Watson, M.D., was born in Limerick, Maine, November 6, 1836. He studied medicine with Professor E. K. Peaslee, of Bowdoin College ; in the

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spring of 1859 was professor of surgery at that institution ; in the fall was demonstrator of anatomy at Dartmouth College, and was graduated in 1860 from University Medical College, New York city. He began medical practice at East Parsonsfield, Maine. In the spring of 1860 Dr Moulton removed from Sanford, Maine, to Wolfeborough, and Dr Watson succeeded him, and was in practice until 1861. His patriotism induced him to enter the service of his country, and he became an assistant surgeon in the United States navy. He tendered his resignation, after a busy service of four years, June 29, 1865, and it was accepted July 3, 1865. He came to Conway in September, 1865, and was in practice for three years, then went to New York city and practised four years. On account of poor health, removed to Bryant's Pond and practised two years. In 1874 he returned to Conway and has been in active professional duties since.

Simeon Adams Evans, M.D., oldest son of Deacon John and Mary (Adams) Evans, was born in Fryeburg, April 14, 1837. He was fitted for college at Fryeburg Academy ; he studied medicine one year (1855) with Dr Reuel Barrows; entered Bowdoin College in 1856, and was graduated A.B. in 1860. He then went on the Williams College scientifie expedition to Labrador and Greenland. On his return he continued his medical studies at the Portland School for Medical Instruction, and attended medical lectures at the Maine Medical School at Brunswick. Subsequently he entered the United States Army (Thirteenth Regiment Maine Volunteers) as hospital steward, was promoted to assistant surgeon (Fourteenth Regiment Maine Vol- unteers), and served until near the close of the war. He soon after 'received his medical diploma at Brunswick, Maine, and commenced practice at Hop- kinton. Three years afterwards he settled in Conway. Dr Evans married, first, January 1, 1866, Louisa H. Illsley, of Fryeburg. They had two children. He married, second, June, 1871, Susan A. Hill, of Conway. They have three children. He has been diligent in practice, has gained success by industry and a knowledge of his professional duties, and has the respect and esteem of the community.

SCHOOLS. - The first schoolhouses in Conway were built of logs. One was in what was called the Page neighborhood, in the east part of the town, the other in North Conway, near the spot now occupied by the Protestant Episcopal church. Small sums were raised by the town to support the schools, while individuals built and furnished places, and additional funds for their support. The last-named log schoolhouse was used but a short time, but while used it was for all of North Conway on both sides of the Saco, and also for some families on the McMillan grant, now lower Bartlett. The first framed schoolhouses built in North Conway were located, one near where Thomas C. Eastman now lives, and the other on the left of the road between the pine woods and the Bigelow farm, and afterwards used for many years as the

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dwelling-house of Joseph Foster, who had a pottery establishment on the oppo- site side of the road. The next move with regard to district schools was to unite all in the north part into one district for winter schools, and a house was built to accommodate one hundred scholars, near where William F. Thomp- son now resides. That house has passed away, and the territory then embraced in that district now constitutes four- three on the cast and one on the west side of the Saco river. All of the schools have comfortable schoolrooms, and the schools are in successful operation some four to six months every year. A fine graded school is well patronized at Conway village, and under the town system the schools are prospering in all parts of the town.

Conway Academic School. - This institution, located at North Conway, was organized and incorporated in 1828; the building was built by subscription. For some years the school was kept by female teachers. In 1836 or 1837 a movement was made and carried to success to bring the academy up to a high grade of merit. Professor Goodman, a college graduate, was secured as prin- cipal, two departments established, and for many years it ranked as a most valuable factor in the educational life of the state. Students were thoroughly fitted for college, and the faculty and character of the school were considered second to none of like grade. The legislature applied the proceeds of some of the state lands to its benefit, and everything moved prosperously. The attend- ance ranged from forty to eighty scholars. In 1874 it had ceased its career as an academy, and the old building stood on ground desired by the proprietors of the Kearsarge House as a lawn. The Eastern Railroad Corporation, in consid- eration of the laying out of the park in front of their station at North Conway, agreed to move the academy building to any lot provided for the purpose ; but, as the stockholders of the academy never agreed to have it removed, it was never moved, and it was torn down in the night, without the knowledge of Mr Thompson, the principal owner of the Kearsarge House.

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CHAPTER LXXIV.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

First Preaching - What Rev. Timothy Walker Wrote - Mr. Moses Adamns - Rev. Mr Porter's Letter -Church Organization -Covenant -Signers - First Minister - Other Pastors - Second Church - Meeting-houses - Baptist Church - Protests - Organization - Petition for Incorporation - Pastors - Reorganization - Other Pastors - Conway Freewill Baptist Church - Methodism in Conway - Episcopal Church.

F IRST PREACHING. - A century and more ago the country clerical life of New Hampshire was very different from the present. The ministerial work was the great work of the clergyman. His religious duties were not confined to his own parish. In some of the new settlements religious privileges were few, and often some worthy minister would journey one hun- dred miles or more through the wilderness to preach and baptize. A few extracts from the diary of Rev. Timothy Walker, "a learned orthodox min- ister of the Plantation of Pennycook, now Concord," some of whose parish- ioners had emigrated to "Pigwacket, upon the Saco," where he often visited them, making the long journey on horseback, will be of interest.

1764. September. Wed. 19. Set out for Pigwacket, comitante Capt McMillen. Went through Epsom. Lodged at Capt. Cates', Thurs. 20. Breakfasted at Major Titcomb's. Dined at Mr. Stanyan's ; lodged at Kennebunk. Frid. 21. Travelled and lodged at a meadow above the great Falls on Saco River. Sat. 22. Arrived at Pigwacket; about forty-five persons present. Mon. 24. Viewed the interval and the great meadows. Tues. 25. Viewed Lovell's Pond. Wed. 26. Dined at Mr. Spring's. Thurs. 27. Visited up at ye mills. Dined at Nathaniel Merrill's. Sun. 30. Preached. Baptized Elizabeth - of Jedediah Spring. Mon. (Oct.) 1. Set out homeward with a large company. 1766. Sun. Sept. 28. Preached at Mr. Swan's in Pigwacket. Arr'd 25th. Lodged at Capt. W's. Mon. 29. Visited and Lodged at Mr. Day's. Bap. Judith, his daughter. Oct. 5. Preached at Pigwacket. Bap. Susanna, daughter of - Holt ; Barnard, son of Timothy Walker, Jr. ; Susannah, daughter of Saml. Osgood; Ann, daughter of Leonard Harriman; Robert, son of David Page; William, son of Jno. Evans; Sarah, daughter of David Evans; Wm., son of William Eaton; Moses, son of James Osgood ; Wm., son of Ben. Osgood. 11 Bap. at Pigwacket.

From this time there were religious services whenever they could be obtained. In 1771 a Mr Kelly preached part of the year, and received twelve pounds for his services, and there was occasional preaching in 1773. During the two years from 1771 to 1774 the number of settlers had increased, and the major part of them were persons of good family and education, and it was not long before earnest measures were taken to have regular religious worship in their new home in the shadow of the solemn, reverence-inspiring mountains.

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Previous to July, 1774, Mr Moses Adams had preached on probation; and July 20 of that year, at a special town-meeting held at the house of Enoch Webster, it was voted "not to have Mr Adams any farther on probation ; voted to give Mr Moses Adams a call to Settle in the ministry in Sd town." The terms of settlement, salary, arrangement for building a parsonage, etc., were very liberal ; but Mr Adams's answer to the call is not on record. This letter, under date of September 20, 1774, throws some light upon its contents.

Sr the town have taken your answer into there Consideration and are much obliged to you for your faverable oppinion of us and our offer to you Regarding your Settelment with us wee Can Esure you wee are Very Sory there is Such a Difficulty in your mind as to bid us farewell Except the meeting house Can be moved [at this time the meeting-house was only boarded in] over the River wee have to inform you that the Place for the house was Provided by the Propriators and agreed to by the town upon meture Deliberation and they Judge it Canot be moved without hurting it therefore are not Disposd to move it as you may See by the Vote inclosd and by another Vote you may be aquanted with they Desire that you may take the matter of there call into your further Consideration and Except it and be asured that thay ar disposed to do every thing in there Power to make you Comfertable so far as thay Can Conveinnent with the good of the town there is no doubt but there will be a good Carege Rode & Prober boots and Sheds and a proper honse by the meeting house if So Perhaps it would move your Dificulty if not you may be acomodated with Land on the Same Side with the meeting house and have Several nabours very near if you Should be Disposª to Settle among us you may Depend on the Exeenge you mention if another Dont Sute you Better if you abide your former Resolution we Joyn you in Saying farewell and wish you may be hapy in whatever Situation Providence has Desird for you if you Should See your way clear to Except our call wee Desire you would Come up as Soon as you can and Preach three or four Sabbaths at Preasent wee are inelind to think your ordination will be Put off untill the spring we are Sr in be half of the town your frends and humble Servents

Timothy Walker ( Abiał Lovejoy Committee

This fervent letter had no effect upon Mr Adams. He did not reconsider, and June 5, 1775, the town voted to hire Rev. William Fessenden, the minister at Fryeburg, to preach the third part of the summer. Mr Fessenden received four pounds, fourteen shillings for his services. March, 1777, it was " voted to raise twenty pounds for preaching the present year." January 12, 1778, at a meeting held at the house of Captain Joshua Heath, it was "voted to give the Revd Nathaniel Porter a call to Settle in the gosple ministry in Said Conway. Andrew McMillan. Esqr, Capt. Timothy Walker and Abial Lovejoy, Esq. to be a committee to present the call to Rev. Nathaniel Porter and receive his answer and lay it before the town as soon as may be."

Rev. Mr Porter's Answer.

To the Inhabitants of Conway.

Gentlemen, Having received by your Committee a Copy of your Proceedings at a legal meeting held on the 12th of January last, & taken the same into deliberate Consideration do by the same Committee return you the following Answer. That the Call appears to be unanimous, the Settlement & annual Salary, sufficient to afford a comfortable maintainance with the Interest reserved in sd Town for the first settled minister, I therefore hereby testify my

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acceptance of said Call on this further Condition that you convey to me my Heirs & Assigns the Original Right of David Hix in sd Conway in Lieu of the sd reserved Interest. Desiring your Prayers for me that I may ever discharge the Duties of my station with Fidelity to my Lord & Master & to the Souls of men by rightly dividing to all a seasonable Portion of the Word of Truth, & wishing you Grace & Peace from God & the Lord Jesus with every temporal Good.

Conway May 21st 1778.

I subscribe your friend and Servant Nathaniel Porter.

August 18, 1778, voted The Last Wednesday in Octr next to be the Day to Install Mr Porter. His salary was to be £55 the first year.

First Church of Conway. - The words of the covenant subscribed by those who were gathered into a church in Conway by the Rev. Mr Fessenden on the eighteenth of August, 1778: -

We who have set our names to the following & look upon ourselves to be called of God into the church state of the Gospel. would acknowledge our utter unworthiness of such a blessing & adore the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ which hath so abounded to sinners. We would with all humbleness of mind depend on the Grace of God for assistance in all things & do humbly rely on that Grace which is promised in the Gospel to all, who, from a sense of their own inability to perform any good action, are led to wait on God for all things. We do now, with heart felt gratitude lay hold on the everlasting convenant, & chuse God as our chief good & portion forever.

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 104

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co. Number of Pages: 1124

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124