History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 119

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

USA > New Hampshire > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, New Hampshire > Part 119

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).

979

TOWN OF CHATHAM.

and quieted by the Proprietors in possession of one hundred acres of land, including their respective improvements," etc. The same year Thomas McDonough, Esq., was fully quieted in the location laid out to him in Chatham, provided he settles two families upon it within three years. The mill privileges " now improved by Nathan Ames " were voted to Captain John Glover; to include the stream with the pond, and all the land it flows or may flow, also fifty acres of land on each side of said mill, together with £45 to enable him to complete the mills upon the condition that he shall cause in three years a good gristmill and sawmill to be erected, and kept in good repair, and occupy the same in sawing and grinding for the inhabitants of Chatham. (A mill has been in continuous service here ever since.) A committee was chosen to look and spot out a road through the town from Conway line to the north line of the township. In October Nathaniel Hutchins, William Abbott, and David Chandler were "quieted " in the possession of one hundred acres as settlers. The mill privilege and fifty acres of land on each side of the mill stream is ceded to Nathan Ames, who is in possession.1 John Costelloe, of Effingham, had secured the Glover interest, relinquished his right for lots still known as Costelloe's grant. In 1799 a committee was in action to cut and clear roads and make them passable for teams.2 September 20, 1804, the proprietors voted to request the selectmen to examine the ground between the end of Conway road at the Green Hills, and the end of a road laid out or " bushed " by the inhabitants of Bartlett so as to determine the most eligible place for a road and the probable expense of making the same. (This road was made and used until 1821; then discontinued, and since abandoned. Its opening is again under discussion.) Rev. Dr Samuel Langdon, president of Harvard College, had a grant of 3,500 aeres from Governor Wentworth, which was confirmed to him by the proprietors. He advertised for settlers and secured Phipps and Robinson from Cam- bridge. Later came Cox. To avoid military service, he sold his property and brought the proceeds, $2,000 Spanish milled dollars, for investment here. Phipps has but one descendant here, Mrs Amanda Twombly.

A petition to the General Court in 1797 was signed by Richard Walker, Stilson Hutchins, Jonas Wyman, Jonathan Hardey, Jeremiah Hutchins, Samuel Hazletine, Isaac Robbins, Samuel Bradley, Jr, Jonathan Hazletine, William Abbott, Nathaniel Hutchins, Joshua Hazeltine, John Robbins, John Robbin, Asa Eastman, John Hazletine, Abiel Chandler, Jonathan Shirley, Abraham Hazeltine, Isaac Cox, Paul Chandler.

In 1799 ten of the principal inhabitants made request of Asa Eastman, Esq., to eall a town-meeting, stating that "a town meeting had not been held

1 The same voted to Captain John Glover, as previously noted.

2 In this year a petition states that there were but 3%2 miles of roads in town.

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

since the town was granted." The meeting was called for March 4, and from that year the civil list is complete. In 1801 it was voted that every man shall have a good sufficient gate to swing across wherever he fences across the road. A "great wind" did much damage in December, 1801. The house of the father of Abiel Chandler (who established the Chandler Scientifie School at Hanover) was blown down, and Mrs Chandler and her little boy Abiel passed the night in the cellar. One hundred and ten dollars were raised in 1810 to finish off the schoolhouse in the "South district, No. 1." Moses Fife was licensed to sell liquors and to keep a tavern in 1813. In 1820 the town had one meeting-house, three school districts, one sawmill, three grainmills, one clothmill, and one carding-machine.

In 1862 the town voted $100 to aid the families of volunteers, and $200 bounty to any who should volunteer. April 4, 1863, voted to raise $650 for paying bounty orders, and selectmen authorized, "if absolutely necessary," to hire money to pay soldiers' bounties. December 8, 1863, voted to pay $300 bounty to soldiers. June 25, 1864, voted $300 to all volunteers, and drafted men or their substitutes, and to pay $150 to men who have paid $300 as soon as it can be done legally. August 8, voted $100 to one-year men, $200 to two- year men, and $300 to three-year men ; and authorized the selectmen to hire $3,000 to furnish the quota of soldiers. September 3, voted to pay $300 to any volunteer, whether one, two, or three year men. This was later increased to $500 to each volunteer. Chatham sent sixty-three men to the northern army of the Civil War, almost one third of its male population.

The history of the early days was taken down by Ithiel E. Clay, Esq., in 1861, from Samuel Phipps, Jr, who came with his parents to the town in 1783 :-

The first settlement was at South Chatham, Nathan Ames living in a log house with his family and building saw and grist mills for the benefit of Fryeburg. There was then no house nearer than David Webster's in Conway. The next clearing was that of Thomas McDonough, Esq., on his location just north of MeDonough's brook, on the east and west side of the highway, where Moses Leavitt's now stands. He cleared twelve acres in 1773. Ilis grant of 1,829 acres was made July 2, 1772, by Governor JJohn Wentworth, to whom he was private secretary. McDonough was loyal to the British government and left his land and fled to Canada. During the war several settlements had been made on his grant (among them Hazeltine and Harriman) and his land was confiscated.1 After the war MeDonough was sent as British consul for the New England states, and gained favor with the United States officials, and it was finally arranged that he might again have his grant by satisfying the settlers resident thereon. This he did by giving them the lots on which they had settled. He then had a manager, a young nephew named Hagan. He built one house just north of McDonough's brook and one northwest of where Samuel Leavitt now lives. He was smart and managed MeDonough's crew of Irishmen with much judgment. He finally left and became rich in Boston. When MeDonongh last came to Chatham, he was in a two-wheeled carriage and had an Irishman at each wheel to steady it over the logs and rocks. Burgin, a

1 Said to be the first confiscation by New Hampshire.

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TOWN OF CHATHAM.

British drummer, deserted from the British army in the Revolution, married a wife in the north part of this state, came to Chatham and commenced a farm on the southeast side of "old Sloop," where his wife died. She was buried on the Meader farm. He lived alone for several years, and was found dead at his door. His body had lain so long that it was buried in a grave dug on the spot, without coffin or shroud. He was a man of education, with hands as delicate as a girl's .. The two first families who became permanent settlers were Increase Robinson 1 and Isaac Cox.2 They came in 1776 and moved into a log house near McDonough's brook on the road to Samuel Knox. The families did not agree, and Robinson moved into a log house, the roof covered with birch-bark. Isaac Cox built the first frame-house in 1781 and also built the first mill (excepting the Ames mill at South Chatham). It stood on Lang- don's brook on the Robinson farm, but was carried away in a few years by a freshet. Dunlap began to build a mill on Langdon brook near the bridge on the road at South Chatham and hauled the irons from South Berwick, Maine, with an ox-team, but never finished the mill. He went to Boston, was a distiller, and became rich. He was also Irish, but, unlike McDonough, who was a gentleman, was ignorant and vulgar. My father came from Woburn, bringing his family in 1783.3 Polly Robinson was the first white child born in Chatham. She married a Bell, and lived on the Ezra Hanscom farm. Elijah Phipps was the first male child of the town. Isaac Cox and Susannah Walker were the first couple married. They were married by Rev. Mr Fessenden on the farm of B. W. McKeen.4 Jacob Danforth was the first white person to die. He died on the east side of Badger's orchard, where the foundations and cellar of the house can be seen. It is now owned by Wiley. The barn stood on land now owned by James Clay. The highway then passed by the Danforth house and intersected with the other road near the house of James Irish in Stow. Polly Phipps was the first white person buried here. Isaac Cox was the second. They were buried on the hill on the Robinson farm.

Congregational Church.5 - A preliminary meeting for the organization of a Congregational church was held September 26, 1861, at the house of Jonathan F. Fifield, in Stow, Maine, which resulted in the organization of the Chatham and Stow church, October 22, 1861, with these eight members : Jonathan F. Fifield, Lydia F. Fifield, Cyrus Binford, Peter Hardy, Samuel A. B. Farring- ton, Sarah B. Farrington, Lucy Irish, Sarah I. Abbott. Jonathan F. Fifield and Cyrus Binford were the first deacons. Fourteen additions were made in 1863 by profession, and one by letter. A neat church with a seating capacity of two hundred was begun in 1870 and dedicated in May, 1871. This was pro- vided with a bell. the whole costing $3,600. Jonah Hill, Jr, Micah Abbott, James Morrison, were the first trustees. In 1883 three elm-trees were set on the east side of the church lot ; the south one by Mrs Lucinda Leavitt, the middle one by Ithiel E. Clay, Esq., the one in the northeast corner by Mrs Caroline E. Clay. Rev. E. B. Pike was pastor from organization to 1873. The pulpit was supplied by several for short periods (J. Henry Leavitt, as lay preacher for two years among them) until March 26, 1878, when Rev. Isaac H. Libbey was installed pastor and remained two years. Rev. Henry Farrar, the present pastor, began his labors July 1, 1882. A Sunday-school

1 ()n lots 6 and 7. 2 On lots 1 and 8. 3 lle lived on lot 10 in Langdon's location. 4 Mrs Cox was a woman of energy, endurance, and education. She understood surveying and ran many of the lines.

" A Methodist society has existed for many years at South Chatham.

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

of thirty-five scholars is connected with the church. David A. Leavitt is superintendent. A great interest is manifested and the school is interesting and flourishing.

Education. - While no higher school than the district schools has ever been kept, in the days of thirty and more years ago these were of a high character and sent out many young men well equipped for the battle of life who gave good account of themselves. Not only did the three R's have a place in the course of study, but natural philosophy and algebra were taught. To-day there are not nearly so many scholars, and the curriculum not so advanced, but good work is being done.

CIVIL LIST. - 1799, Asa Eastman, elerk; Increase Robinson, Nathaniel Walker, Amos Hutchins, selectmen. 1800, William Cox, jr, clerk; Nathan Ames, Asa Eastman, Paul Chandler, selectmen.

1801, Asa Eastman, elerk; Inerease Robinson, Asa Eastman, Benjamin Walker, selectmen.

1802, Asa Eastman, clerk; Asa Eastman, Increase Robinson, Nathaniel Walker, selectmen. 1803, William Cox, clerk; Asa Eastman, Increase Robinson, Nathaniel Walker, selectmen. 1804, Ichabod Canny, clerk; Inerease Robinson, Asa Eastman, Ichabod Canny, selectmen. 1805, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Benjamin Walker, Jeremiah B. Walker, Asa Eastman, selectmen.

1806, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Benjamin Walker, Jeremiah Walker, Samuel Phipps, jr, selectmen.

1807, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Asa Eastman, David Badger, JJeremiah B. Walker, selectmen.

1808, Samuel Phipps, jr, cterk; Asa Eastman, Jeremiah B. Walker, Benjamin Walker, selectmen. 1809, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Asa Eastman, Jeremiah B. Walker, Benjamin Walker, selectmen. · 1810, Samuel Phipps, jr, elerk ; David Page, Samuel Phipps, jr, Nathaniel Whitaker, selectmen. 1811, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Benjamin Walker, Samuel Phipps, jr, Nathaniel Whitaker, selectmen.

1812, Jeremiah B. Walker, clerk; Benjamin Walker, Samuel Phipps, jr, Asa Eastman, selectmen. Also, April 10, 1812, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Benjamin Walker, Elijah Phipps, Asa Eastman, seleetmen.

1813, Samuel Phipps, jr, elerk ; Asa Eastman, Benjamin Walker, Elijah Phipps, selectmen. David Badger representative for Bartlett, Adams, and Chatham,

IS14, Samnel Phipps, jr, clerk; Benjamin Walker, Elijah Phipps, Asa Eastman, selectmen.

1815, Silvanus Davis, clerk; James Hobbs, Samuel Phipps, jr, Nathaniel Whittier, seleetmen.

1816, Silvanus Davis, clerk; James Hobbs, Silvanus Davis, Nathaniel Whittier, selectmen. 1817, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Samuel Phipps, jr, James Hobbs, Moses Fife, selectmen.

1818, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Peter Walker, David Badger, Asa Eastman, selectmen.

1819, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; James Hobbs, Samuel Phipps, jr, Luther Richardson, selectmen. IS20, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Samuel Phipps, jr, James Hobbs, Charles Harriman, seleetmen.

1821, Silvanus Davis, clerk; Jonathan K. Eastman, Samuel Phipps, jr, Peter Walker, selectmen. 1822, Silvanus Davis, clerk; Samuel Phipps, jr, Jonathan K. Eastman, Peter Walker, selectmen.

1823, Silvanus Davis, clerk ; Samuel Phipps, jr, Luther Richardson, James Hobbs, selectmen.

1824, Silvanus Davis, clerk ; Charles Harriman, Silvanus Davis, Peter Walker, selectmen. Luther Richard- son, representative.

1825, Silvanus Davis, clerk; Luther Richardson, Silvanus Davis, James lobb, selectmen.

1826, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk ; Samuel Phipps, jr, Reuben Wyman, David Chandler, selectmen.

1827, Samnel Phipps, jr, clerk; Jonathan K. Eastman, Renben Wyman, David Chandler, selectmen.

1828, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Luther Richardson, James Hobbs, jr, Joseph Gordon, selectmen. 1829, Silvanus Davis, elerk; Luther Richardson, Silvanus Davis, Abraham Webb, selectmen. 1830, Silvanus Davis, clerk ; Silvanus Davis, Isaac Chandler, Abraham Webb, selectmen.

1831, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Luther Richardson, Thomas Haley, Russell Charles, selectmen.

1832, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Luther Richardson, Thomas laley, Russell Charles, seleetmen.

1833, Samuel Phipps, jr, clerk; Thomas Haley, Russell Charles, Joseph Gordon, selectmen.

1831, Samuel Phipps, clerk ; Isaac Chandler, Samuel Phipps, George Gordon, selectmen. 1835, Silvanus Davis, clerk; Isaac Chandler, Samuel Phipps, George Gordon, selectmen. Chandler moved out of town and Jonathan K. Eastman was chosen.

1836, Henry Palmer, clerk ; Thomas laley, Jonathan K. Eastman, William W. Walker, selectmen.

1837, Frederick S. McDonald, clerk; Thomas ftaley, Jonas Wyman, Renben Wyman, selectmen; Reuben Wyman, representative.

1838, Frederick S. MeDonald, clerk; F. S. MeDonald, Russell Charles, Jeremiah Eaton, selectmen.

1839, F. S. MeDonald, clerk; F. S. MeDonald, Russell Charles, Jeremiah Eaton, selectmen.

1×40, F. S. McDonald, clerk; Samuel Phipps, George Gordon, Asa P. Eastman, selectmen.

1811, F. S. McDonald, clerk; Asa P. Eastman, Thomas Ilaley, George Gordon, selectmen.

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TOWN OF CHATHAM.

1842, F. S. McDonald, clerk; Thomas Haley, Jonah Hill, jr, Bliss Charles, selectmen.

1843, Samuel Phipps, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, Bliss Charles, Samuel Knox, jr, selectmen.

1844, F. S. McDonald, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, Jeremiah Eaton, Bliss Charles, seleetmen; Asa P. Eastman, representative.

1845, F. S. McDonald, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, Jeremiah Eaton, Bliss Charles, selectmen; Asa P. Eastman, representative.

1846, F. S. MeDonald, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, Rice W. Guptill, Bliss Charles, seleetmen; Asa P. Eastman, representative.

1847, Rice W. Guptill, clerk; Jeremiah Eaton, Jonah llill, jr, Asa Chandler, selectmen; Bliss Charles, representative.

1848, Rice W. Guptill, clerk; Humphrey McKenney, Philip Hunt, Asa Chandler, selectmen; Bliss Charles, representative.

1849, Rice W. Guptill, clerk; Russell Charles, Jeremiah Eaton, Eliphalet Weeks, selectmen; Rice W. Guptill, representative.

1850, R. W. Guptill, clerk; Humphrey MeKenney, Moses Fife, Eliphalet Weeks, selectmen; R. W. Guptill, representative.

1851, R. W. Guptill, clerk; Jonah Hill, Moses Fife, Jeremiah Eaton, selectmen.

1852, R. W. Guptill, clerk; Jeremiah Eaton, Nathaniel W. Shirley, Seth Wymau, selectmen.

1853, R. W. Guptill, clerk; Seth Wymau, William Fife, Albert Harriman, selectmen; Jeremiah Eaton, representative.

1854, R. W. Guptill, clerk; William Fife, Daniel Chandler, 2d, Daniel B. Baker, selectmen; William C. Phipps, representative.

1855, R. W. Guptill, clerk; Daniel Chandler, Daniel B. Baker, Jonah Hill, jr, selectmen ; William C. Phipps,

representative.

1856, R. W. Guptill, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, William C. Phipps, Albert Harriman, selectmen; William Fife, representative.

1857, R. W. Guptill, clerk; Albert Harriman, Jeremiah Eaton, Isaac Charles, selectmen; William Fife, representative.

1858, R. W. Guptill, clerk; Albert Harriman, Isaac Charles, Edward Anderson, selectmen; Nathaniel Whitaker, jr, representative.

1859, William C. Phipps, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, Ithiel E. Clay, Jonas Wyman, selectmen; Ithiel E. Clay, representative.

1860, William C. Phipps, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, Jouas Wyman, Orisou Watson, selectmen; Ithiel E. Clay, representative.

1861, William C. Phipps, clerk; 1 Ithiel E. Clay, Seth Wyman, Charles Walker, selectmen; Moses Fife, representative.

1862, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Seth Wyman, William Fife, Angustus V. Stevens, selectmen; Moses Fife, representative.

1863, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, Augustus V. Stevens, Eliphalet McKeen, selectmen ; Jouah Hill, jr, representative.

1864, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, Eliphalet McKeen, James H. Weeks, selectmeu; Jonah Hill, jr, representative.

1865, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Ithiel E. Clay, James H. Weeks, Moses Fife, selectmen ; Seth Wyman, representa- tive. 1866, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Ithiel E. Clay, Moses Fife, John H. Gordon, selectmen; Seth Wyman, representative.

1867, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Jouah Hill, jr, Johu H. Gordon, Simeon P. Knox, selectmen; Augustus V. Stevens, representative.

1868, Rice W. Guptill, clerk; William Fife, John S. Bryant, jr, Asa Chandler, selectmen.

1869, Rice W. Guptill, clerk; William Fife, John S. Bryant, jr, Asa Chandler, selectmen; Daniel Chandler, representative.

1870, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, Josiah W. Walker, Lorenzo D. Harriman, selectmen; Cyrus Binford, representative.

1871, 1thiel E. Clay, clerk ; Jonah Hill, jr, Stephen P. Mcintire, Micajalı N. Fife, selectmen ; Cyrus Binford, representative.

1872, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; JJonah Hill, jr, Stephen P. MeIntire, selectmen ; Charles Walker, representative.

1873, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Seth Wyman, Paul Chandler, Samuel Knox, selectmen; Charles Walker, repre- sentative.

1874, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Paul Chandler, Ephraim Bryant, Dexter Charles, selectmen; Merritt E. Clay, representative.

1875, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, Osborn Anderson, Lorenzo D. Harriman, selectmen; Paul Chandler, representative.

1876, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Jonah Hill, jr, James M. Weeks, Micajah N. Fife, selectmen; Paul Chandler, representative.

1 Moved away. Ithiel E. Clay appointed.

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

1877, Charles Binford, clerk; Paul Chandler, Osborn Anderson, James E. Hutchins, selectmen; Josiah W. Walker, representative.

1878, Jacob C. Eastman, clerk; Paul Chandler, Stephen Twombly, Calvin S. Osgood, selectmen; Josiah W. Walker, representative.

1879, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; Paul Chandler, Stephen Twombly, Calvin S. Osgood, selectmen.

1880, Jacob C. Eastman, clerk ; Calvin S. Osgood, Russell Charles, William D. Jewell, selectmen; Ithiel E. Clay, representative.

1881, Ithiel E. Clay, clerk; James M. Weeks, Micajah N. Fife, Charles H. Binford, selectmen.

1882, Willis Brackett, clerk; William Fife, Osborn Anderson, David H. Chandler, selectmen; Ithiel E. Clay, representative.

1883, Charles H. Binford, clerk; William Fife, Edwin S. Lang, Richard F. Chandler, selectmen.

1884, Charles H. Binford, clerk; Edwin S. Lang, Micajah N. Fife, Jacob C. Eastman, selectmen.

1885, William Spencer, clerk; Dana Hill, Charles H. Binford, Charles S. Chandler, selectmen.

1886, William Spencer, clerk; Dana Ilill, Charles S. Chandler, Seth Webb, selectmen; Horace Chandler, representative.

1887, William Spencer, clerk; Dana Hill, Charles S. Chandler, Seth Webb, selectmen.

1888, William Spencer, clerk; Dana Hill, Seth Webb, Daniel Chandler, selectmen; James M. Weeks, representative.

1889, William Spencer, clerk; Dana Hill, William Spencer, Daniel Chandler, selectmen.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ASA EASTMAN.

No man has been more identified with the early history of Chatham than Asa Eastman. He was its first justice of the peace. He called its first town-meeting. He did more in the development of its resources than any other man of his generation, and a mighty mountain 3,000 feet in height perpetuates his name, and stands an everlasting monument to his memory. He was unquestionably the ablest and best educated man who in that day made a permanent home in the town, and the impress made by him will not soon be effaced. He brought up and educated a family of children that did credit to their ancestry and the town of their birth. He was a descendant in the sixth generation of Roger Eastman, the emigrant (Salisbury, Mass., 1640), great-grandson of Captain Ebenezer Eastman, a grantee and prominent man of Pennacook, now Concord, and son of Jonathan and Molly (Chandler) Eastman, of Concord, where he was born December 5, 1770. (He died August 16, 1818.) As a young man he hunted and trapped around the White Hills, and became charmed with the beauty of the valley of Cold river, and after his marriage to Molly Kimball, they came here, in 1796, to make a home for life where the mountains cast an evening shadow. The journey from Concord was

Thiel & Play

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TOWN OF CHATHAM.

made on horseback, along rough and miry roads, and their lodgings were in the camps hastily prepared by the side of streams. The little log house they made their home in the forest silences was a great contrast to the civilization she had left, but in after years she often said that here she passed some of the happiest days of her life. Eight children came to gladden the home : Jonathan K., Philip,1 Susan, Mary C., Eliza, Robert K., Asa P., Esther J.

Jonathan Kimball Eastman, oldest son of Asa and Molly (Kimball) Eastman, was born September 28, 1796. He married Phobe W., daughter of Jacob and Phoebe (Coffin) Clements, of Gorham, Maine. She was born January 24, 1803, and died December 29, 1887. They had six children : Asa, born January 7, 1825, died September 25, 1855; Jacob C., born November 13, 1827; Jonathan, born May 12, 1830; Caroline C. (Mrs Ithiel E. Clay), born June 14, 1833; Mary A. C., born December 17, 1835, died June 16, 1866; Kimball, born March 21, 1839. Mr Eastman possessed great energy and the needed qualifications for success, and accomplished much in the short period of his active life. He died March 10, 1840. With motherly devotion, Mrs Eastman cared for her children, managed the farm successfully, gave them good "educational advantages, lived to see them useful and valuable citizens, and attained the age of eighty-five years. The last fifteen years were passed with her daughter, Mrs Clay.

ITHIEL E. CLAY.

Ithiel Elwell Clay, son of James and Olive (Elwell) Clay, was born in Chatham, August 26, 1819. His grandfather, Jonathan Clay, was one of the first proprietors of Buxton, Maine, and a Freewill Baptist minister. James Clay was born in Buxton, August 6, 1789, and came in the cold season of 1816 to Chatham to make the first clearing for his future home. He located on lot 21 in Langdon's Location, a mile from any clearing, cutting the first tree felled on the lot. He soon rolled up a log house and barn, and was taxed that year " on two oxen, one cow, one hundred and seventy-seven acres of wild land, and buildings valued at twelve dollars-$4.11." He built a frame- house the next year, married in Buxton, January 11, 1818, Olive Elwell,2 and July 1, 1818, received a deed of his Chatham home from his father, and hence- forth was an element of prosperity to his adopted town. He was a farmer

1 IIon. Philip Eastman was born in 1799, and died in 1869 at Saco, Maine. He was a graduate of Bowdoin, became a prominent Democrat, and a leader of his party. He possessed great dignity of character, had a line personal appearance, was a member of the State Historical Society of Maine, and compiled a valuable digest of the first twenty-six volumes of the " Maine Reports." He was a trustee of Bowdoin College for many years.

2 Benjamin Elwell, her grandfather, lived on Richmond island in Portland harbor when the Revolution began, and was a soldier in that war. Her eldest brother, Ithiel, was in the War of 1812.

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

and lumberman, labored hard, and developed wealth. In 1833 he moved to the present home of his son Ithiel, built the house and dwelt there until his death, December 29, 1865. Mrs Clay died September 27, 1862. A beautiful monument erected in 1883 marks their burial-place. Their children are : Ithiel E .; John C., born September 4, 1821, married Mary Bonzie, and lives in New Jersey ; Mehitable E. (Mrs Alfred Eaton), born September 7, 1823, resides in Stow ; Mason H., born March 14, 1826, married Maria Carlton, lives in Chatham ; Abby A. (Mrs Francis Smith), born October 16, 1828, resides in Hollis, Maine ; Merritt E., born July 20, 1831, married Maria Abbott, resides in Stow.

No one in the White Mountain region is better known than Ithiel E. Clay. In pushing local and agricultural improvements, in large lumbering opera- tions, as a surveyor of merit, and as an active worker in political circles, he has won extended acquaintance. He has always been a resident of Chatham, and his education was acquired at the district school, supplemented by attend- ance at North Bridgton Academy for two terms. From boyhood he was a worker. He worked on the farm, in the " woods," and at school. His ablest teachers have been observation and experience. He taught school when twenty, and later several winter terms in Chatham, Bridgton, Limington, and elsewhere. Three of these winters he had a crew of men and teams engaged in logging operations in Chatham, and in the spring scaled his logs and personally settled the winter's business. He was clerk two years in a store at Lovell, and worked one season in a granite quarry at Cape Ann. He was always busy. As a teacher he was popular and successful.

In 1851 he relinquished teaching and devoted his time to his lumbering operations, which soon became extensive, and alone and with partners for thirty years he was one of the most important lumbermen in a wide area, and amassed wealth. He is now owner of many farms and large tracts of timber- land in New Hampshire and Maine. In his business he has often employed over a hundred workmen, and has carried a stock of merchandise to meet their wants and those of the community. He planned and personally conducted all his varied operations, and from a frail constitution in youth, by careful training, strict temperance habits, abstinence from tobacco, and exercise in all kinds of weather, he has developed the strength and vigor of health. He has done much surveying, and none know the lines or timber lands of Chatham better. He has had heavy losses. The hurricane of 1883 prostrated $30,000 worth of his timber in Chatham, and by three failures he lost $30,000 more. Since 1885 he has partially relinquished lumbering, paying more attention to the cultivation of his large and fertile " Winnecunnett 1 Farm." Originally a Whig, but made strongly anti-slavery by his mother's teachings, his first vote for President was for William Henry Harrison, and his last as a Republican

1 An Indian name, said to mean, " Beautiful place of pines."

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TOWN OF CHATHAM.

for Benjamin Harrison. He has been postmaster of Chatham sixteen years, justice of the peace over thirty years, selectman and town clerk many years. Hle was representative in 1859-60, 1881-84, and served on important commit- tees ; introduced the passage of several important bills, and the charter of the North Conway and Kearsarge railroad. He was pronounced in opposition to monopoly, consolidation of corporations, or any measure tending to infringe upon or abridge the rights of the people. He became known as a man of independent thought and action, force of character, and ability to maintain his positions, coupled with that humor which interests and clinches facts. (When the Colby bill was in consideration, Mr Clay said, "Give me money enough and I will secure the passage of a bill to compel every man, woman, and child in the state to have typhoid fever.") The people believed in him. His earnest- ness and positive dealing with matters requiring rough treatment pleased them, and he was mentioned as a candidate for governor. At this time the People and Patriot, an opposition journal, contained this paragraph : -

A writer in The Concord Tribune suggests Ithiel E. Clay for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. It will be a long time before the Republican party will nominate any such man as Mr Clay for governor. He is too good a man in the first place -too thoroughly a man of the people. In the next place, he does not want the nomination enough to pay down "spot cash " $25,000 or more.

Mr Clay was general recruiting officer in the Civil War, and strenuously sustained the government with his influence, time, and money. In 1881 he was appointed a member of the " Forestry Commission " of the state. He takes an active interest in the progress of events, and is conversant with the industrial, reform, and political matters of the day. In public life he is marked for his fearless advocacy of principles, tenacious adherence to what he deems right, and unvarying honesty and integrity. In business he is keen, sagacious, and farseeing, generally accomplishing his object; but his kindness in aiding others has frequently been used to his disadvantage, as he has been too ready to accept a stranger's estimate of himself. He has taken great interest in the history of Chatham, and preserved much of value that otherwise would have been lost. In social life he is a strong friend, an obliging neighbor, a genial and hospitable host, and an active, public-spirited, and generous citizen. Mr Clay married, October 26, 1862, Caroline C., daughter of Jonathan K. and Phobe (Clements) Eastman, a lady of intelligence, energy, and executive ability, who is at home in all departments of her husband's business. She is much interested in the Congregational church, of which she is a member, and the erection of its house of worship is due in a great measure to herself and husband.

History

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 119

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