USA > New Hampshire > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, New Hampshire > Part 37
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James Lucas, of Irish ancestry, was the head of a numerous family of that name, many members of which still reside here. Mr Lucas was moderator of the first town-meeting held in town. His house-lot is now occupied by I. B. Manning.
James Lucas, Jr, for several years held the offices of town clerk and select- man ; he owned a farm on which now stands a part of Wolfeborough village.
Andrew Lucas was also son of James Lucas.
Thomas Lucas was probably a brother of James Lucas. He was on the first board of selectmen, and held the same office several times afterwards. He frequently presided at town-meetings.
Jacob Sceggel was elected selectman at the organization of the town, and reelected the following year.
John Flagg came from Portsmouth. He was a man of property and influence. He purchased four hundred acres of land in the westerly part of the town. He held the office of town clerk in 1771-72, and soon after left town.
John Sinclair was town clerk in 1773. He several times acted as modera- tor at town-meetings, and was a selectman two years. He kept the first tavern in town.
Thomas Taylor came from Gilmanton during the first year of settlement. He was one of the board of selectmen in 1773, and soon after returned to Gilmanton. His son, Wiggins Taylor, was probably the first male child born in town.
Aaron Frost received his land of George Meserve for settling. He was distinguished as a hunter. Taking a small quantity of meal and salt, his traps, gun, and ammunition, he would for weeks together hunt game in the mountains. He was a large-sized, stout, athletic man. He was once nearly matched in strength and agility in a desperate encounter with a large-sized she-bear, just robbed of her cubs. He espied her swimming in Smith's pond, and, seizing a wooden lever, met her before she reached the shore. She seemed no ways inclined to avoid the combat, and for awhile " the battle hung in even scale." At length brute force was obliged to yield to human sagacity, and the intrepid hunter secured his prize. He took a load of clapboards on
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a hand-sled to Dover, exchanged them for a grindstone, which he brought home, performing the distance of seventy miles in two days. He was the ancestor of Curtis J. Frost.
Captain Henry Rust, afterward colonel, was the only original proprietor to make a permanent home. His lot of six hundred aeres included a portion of Rust's pond and South Wolfeborough village. He began improvements in 1768, and for some years passed his summers here with his two sons Henry and Richard, preparing a home and clearing land. He built a log house, which was burned, destroying their elothes, provisions, guns, and ammunition. One winter the boys, one fourteen, the other twelve years, remained here to take care of stock, and for nine weeks saw no white person. Colonel Rust was appointed judge of probate for Strafford county in 1773, and was for many years a kind, obliging, and leading citizen. He was a firm man, fixed in his opinion, but eonseientious and just. When sworn in judge of probate he took the oath of allegiance to the crown, and after the state government was established, considered that oath so binding as to refuse to take one of allegiance to the state. He had three sons and four daughters.
Colonel Rust served eight years as selectman. His son Henry served as town clerk five years and as representative to the state legislature four years. His son Richard served as town clerk four years and as selectman nine years. His son-in-law, Matthew S. Parker, served as town clerk nine years and as selectman six years ; and his son-in-law Isaiah Horne served as town clerk four years, as selectman four years, and as representative six years. His grandson, Henry Rust Parker, served as seleetman seven years ; his grandsons Isaiah Greene Orne and Charles Barker Orne, served as selectmen each one year. His grandson, Thomas Rust, served as town elerk two years and as seleetman three years, and as county justice. His grandson, Henry Bloomfield Rust, served as selectman one year and as representative six years. He was a member of the state senate, couneillor, and a judge of common pleas. His great-grandson, Samuel S. Parker, served as town clerk two years and as selectman one year. His great-grandson, George Rust, served as seleetman two years ; and his great- grandson, Alphonzo H. Rust, has served as representative twice and councillor twice. John H. Rust, a great-great-grandson, has been seleetman twice. The colonel and his descendants have held the office of town clerk twenty-six times, of selectman forty-five times, of representative eighteen times, since the organi- zation of the town.
Ithiel Clifford was an early settler.
Lemuel Clifford, his son, married Betsey, a daughter of William Fullerton. This marriage took place at Governor Wentworth's mansion. The governor, attired in scarlet, and his lady, dressed in blue, honored the occasion with their presence and provided the nuptial feast. One day while Lemuel was absent, a deer came into the little inclosure where their house stood. His wife Betsey
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thinking such an opportunity for obtaining venison too good to be let slip, seized her husband's gun and brought down the intruder at the first shot. On examination it proved to be one that escaped from the governor's park, as was shown by a marked strap about its neck. Knowing "Lem's " partiality for the governor, and fearing his displeasure, she removed the strap and kept her husband in ignorance of the rightful ownership of the game. She is said to have been a woman of great strength.
Matthew S. Parker was a brother of John Parker, proprietor of Wolfe- borough Neck. This traet, with the exception of the settler's lot given to Reuben Libbey, came into his possession. Here he erected a house and resided for awhile. He was a well-educated man and far better qualified for the trans- action of legal business than any other person then living in town. He was for some years the only justice of the peace, an office then regarded as quite important. He died suddenly in 1788 at the age of thirty-nine years. At the time of his death he held the offices of town clerk and selectman, as he had done almost continuously while he resided in town. He married Anna, daughter of Colonel Henry Rust. His son, Henry Rust Parker, resided in town, was a merchant and farmer and prominent in town affairs. Many of his descendants occupy responsible positions. Deacon Charles F. Parker, cashier of the Lake National Bank, is a representative of the family here.
Ebenezer Mcader came to town a young man, and was the first blacksmith. In 1770 he purchased the farm now in possession of his descendants. Tradi- tion says that he took with him to his new home a cow and a pig; also, that when he was drafted in the Revolution the people, who needed his services, sent a substitute in his place. A small dwelling yet standing on the Varney road was built with nails made by him on his anvil. He was several times selectman. His great-grandson, Samuel A., occupies the homestead.
Samuel Fox came to Wolfeborough early ; settled in Pleasant Valley, and afterwards changed farms with Elder Isaac Townsend. Here he passed most of his life. It is the John L. Wiggin farm, lying north of the Maine-road cemetery. He was quite active in town affairs. His son John studied for the ministry at Gilmanton, but, not preaching long, became connected with insurance, and conducted this for many years.
Isaac Martin came from Massachusetts with his father in 1780, being then six years old. The father died soon after, in March, and was buried in a grave the locality of which was lost. When twenty-one years old he commenced felling trees on the Banfield farm, but finding the growth very heavy he gave up the attempt, and took up a portion of the Governor Wentworth farm, where he lived until his death, at the age of eighty-nine. The elevated plateau where he made his home has borne the name of Martin's Hill. His son Daniel was selectman and representative. The same offices have been held by his grandson, James H. Martin, who resides in Wolfeborough village.
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Ebenezer Horne came from Dover in 1775, having exchanged property in that town with John Flagg for his lot of four hundred acres. His son William left town carly. Stephen, Isaiah, John, and Benjamin settled near their father on portions of his estate, now for the most part in the possession of their descendants. John had seventeen children, and Benjamin fourteen. Isaiah became one of the leading men in the town ; married a daughter of Henry Rust. He dropped the H from his name. His family have since written it Orne. He had two sons, Henry H. and Woodbury L. Henry H. practised law a few years. He married Caroline Chaplin, a lady who acquired some celebrity as an authoress. Ebenezer, the patriarch of this family, was very vigorous. He married a second wife when he was eighty years old, and could walk several miles with ease when ninety-five. He died aged ninety-nine years and six months. George F. Horne is one of his descendants.
Jacob Horne removed from Somersworth about 1800. He was a blacksmith as well as a farmer. He was the first owner of a wagon in town. His wife was a Twombly, and lived to be nearly one hundred years old. They had ten children.
Jesse Whitten was born in Brentwood. In 1779 he removed to Wolfe- borough, being then fourteen years of age. Three years after he sailed on board a privateer. He remained at sea about one year, when the war closed. He afterwards purchased a piece of wild land, and cleared a farm on what is now known as Whitten's Neck. He was one of the original members of the first church organized in town, and was known as a very zealous religionist. He was small of stature, but remarkably agile. He had some reputation as a root and herb doctor. He had a family of twelve children. Mr Whitten died at the age of ninety-three years. Joseph W. Whitten is his grandson.
Enoch Thomas served in the Revolutionary war. His descendants now reside in Tuftonborough.
Robert Calder settled in the easterly part. His farm became a portion of the Cabot estate. Ile served as selectman several times. He afterwards removed to Brookfield, and held the office of deputy sheriff.
Moses Ham held the office of selectman several years, and was delegate to the Colonial Congress. He occupied other posts of honor and trust, and while he remained in town was an influential citizen.
Thomas Triggs settled on the farm now occupied by David Chamberlain.
Joseph Keniston settled on the farm now owned by Stephen Nute, situated in the addition.
Thomas Piper came from Suncook. He had seen service in the French and Indian war. He was the first miller in town. His sons, Thomas, David, and John, enlisted in the Revolutionary war. John had twenty-one children, twenty of whom married, and nineteen were present at his burial. Timothy, another son, had thirteen children. Twelve of these married. They would
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average in weight about two hundred pounds. John and "Timothy were for many years citizens of Tuftonborough. David spent his life in Wolfeborough. Charles F. Piper, the popular merchant at the "bridge," is a grandson of John. He has been mail agent, town clerk, postmaster, and representative, serving with marked ability in all relations.
Thomas Stevenson removed from Dover to Wolfeborough in 1806. He was employed somewhat as a school-teacher. He served as a town clerk five years, and as selectman thirteen years. He had a family of ten children that reached adult age. His son Samuel has served as selectman in town. A grandson, Henry Stevenson, a successful builder in Boston, has been a member of the Massachusetts legislature.
John Chamberlin was a resident of Brookfield, where he was selectman for many years, and several times representative to the legislature. He married, in 1774, Mary Jackson ; in 1794, Joanna Banfield. He came to Wolfeborough in 1822 and purchased of William Triggs the farm now occupied by Mrs David Chamberlin. He had a large family of children, and many of his descendants are now living in Wolfeborough. David, his eleventh child, was a farmer, tanner, and shoemaker, and lived on the place until his death. His son, George E. Chamberlain, is a farmer, tanner, and shoemaker, and resides on the old homestead. Ira, tenth child of John Chamberlin, was a farmer, which avoca- tion his son, John A. Chamberlain, follows. John A. has been supervisor several years. Jason Chamberlain, a former resident of this town, removed to Marblehead, Mass .; at his death he bequeathed $500 for the poor of Wolfe- borough and $500 for those of Tuftonborough. Dudley Chamberlain, son of John, came to Wolfeborough about 1800, settled on a farm near Frost's Corner. His son Daniel became a prominent hotel proprietor in Boston.
Dr Reynold Fernald came from England to Portsmouth. His grandson, Deacon James Fernald, was an early resident of Wolfeborough. Betsey, daughter of the deacon, married Rev. Ebenezer Allen. John, a son of Dr Fernald, settled in Brookfield ; his son John came to Wolfeborough with Governor Wentworth; one of John Jr's daughters married Captain James Nute.
James Hersey, of Newmarket, had ten children, of whom Jonathan, born 1746, and Jemima (Mrs John Piper), born 1750, settled here. Jonathan received a deed of one hundred acres from Daniel Pierce in November, 1777, for which he agreed to pay five shillings (one dollar) and build a house equal to eighteen feet square within the year, and for ten consecutive years to clear annually three acres of land. (This land was part of the Great Lot.) He eventually became a large landowner. His son James settled in Tufton- borough, had the title of captain, and became wealthy. His grandson, George W., was prominent in military affairs and became brigadier-general of the New Hampshire militia. Charles H., son of General Hersey, is a graduate of
I
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Dartmouth, and was for a time preceptor of Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough academy; but most of his life has been passed in mercantile business in Boston and Wolfeborough. Samuel, son of Jonathan, the first of the family here, settled in Tuftonborough, where he has many descendants, good and useful citizens.
Daniel and George Brewster, descendants of Elder William Brewster, of Mayflower fame, came early to this town with their father. They were farmers. George Flagg, son of Daniel, lived on the farm until his death. A son of his, Eli V., for many years a shoe-dealer in Dover, has been mayor of that city. Another son, George F., now represents this branch of the family here.
George Brewster had several children, one of whom, Daniel, succeeded him on the home farm. He had three sons, Nathaniel T., John L., and Jonathan M. The younger two received a collegiate education. Nathaniel T. occupies the old homestead and now owns twelve hundred acres of land and seventy neat cattle. John L. has been a teacher, a banker, and superintendent of schools of Lawrence, Mass., where he resides. He is a trustee of the estate of his uncle, John Brewster, and a trustee and treasurer of the Brewster Free Acad- emy. Jonathan M. became a Freewill Baptist minister, and died some years since in Providence, R. I.
John Brewster, another son of George, left home in early life and not long after began trading in a small way in Boston. He was subsequently a banker, and, meeting with success, became wealthy. In his last will, after making ample provision for his only son and other relatives and friends, he devised the annual income of the residue of his estate, which exceeded one million dollars, chiefly for the benefit of his native town, Wolfeborough, and the neighboring town, Tuftonborough. He bequeathed to the Wolfeborough and Tufton- borough Academy $10,000 annually with these conditions: that its name should be changed to that of the Brewster Free School or Academy, and that there should be no restriction on its pupils in relation to age, sex, or color, but that all should be required to possess a "good moral character." He also made provision for erecting a town hall for Wolfeborough at a cost of $35,000, and for furnishing a free library. The balance of the income was to be applied "one half for the use of the academy, the other to be used equally for the support of the . worthy poor' and the common schools in Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough."
The Huggins family is of English origin. Samuel, third in descent from the emigrant, passed his youth in Wakefield, and from there went to Massachu- setts. In 1818 he purchased the Deacon Wormwood farm, where he resided until his death. His sons, Nathaniel, Samuel, and John P., have all been successful and prominent in hotel business in New York city. John P. is now the owner of the Cosmopolitan Hotel in that city.
Jonathan Chase was one of the early settlers, locating on the lot Thomas
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Taylor occupied for a short time ; and here in 1784 his daughter, Nancy, Mrs Edgerly, was born. Mrs Edgerly died January 26, 1889, aged 104 years, 5 months, and 28 days, and for about ninety years had been a Christian. She was an energetic, industrious woman, doing whatever she had to do with all her strength. Thomas Chase, her brother, settled near New Durham line. He was also a worker, and built on his farm two thousand rods of good stone wall. HIis son, Charles F. Chase, has served as selectman, and occupies the farm. HIenry H. Chase is a grandson of Thomas.
Jacob Folsom came from Newmarket about 1790, and purchased a farm of Jonathan Chase, since known as the Folsom farm. His son, John Folsom, married Hannah, daughter of Jonathan Blake. He was deacon of the First Christian Church. Deacon Folsom remained on the farm until his death. His widow occupies the homestead and is ninety-two years old. John G. Folsom has charge of the estate. Blake Folsom, son of Deacon John and Folsom, is a leading business man of the town, which he has represented, and has been president of the Lake National Bank.
James Connor, from Henniker, was an early settler, and occupied the lot now owned by Samuel W. Tetherly. He had little education, but with good natural abilities served several years acceptably as selectman. He built the first cider-mill in town. There was considerable rivalry between him and his brother-in-law, Benjamin Blake, concerning their farmwork. On visiting Blake one day Connor discovered that he was intending to finish haying on the morrow, his grass being all cut. Connor still had grass standing, but, determined not to be outdone, he cut his grass that night, put it in the barn, and early the next morning called on Blake and informed him that he was " done haying."
Colonel William Cotton, a trader of Portsmouth, came to Wolfeborough in 1781, being then forty-three years old, and opened a store and a tavern. He brought with him eight children, the oldest eighteen years of age. The most of them settled in the same neighborhood, and in 1870 their descendants pos- sessed sixteen hundred acres of land in moderate-sized farms, many of them adjoining, and the name "Cottonborough " has been given to the locality. Colonel Cotton and his children were of large stature. The colonel's height was six feet four inches. He was prominent in the councils of the town in its early days, and his descendants have often represented Wolfeborough in the legislature. Colonel Cotton had fifty-nine grandchildren, all but five of whom reached mature age; forty-six married and had issue. A great-grandson, Dudley P. Cotton, acquired wealth in trade in the West Indies. Timothy Y. Cotton, another great-grandson, is a resident here and is a farmer.
Robert Hardy came from Exeter to Wakefield in 1772. His son Dudley came to Wolfeborough in 1788, and purchased the lot of land on which Ezra Hardy now lives of James Sheafe, of Portsmouth, for $360. Mr Hardy was a major in the militia.
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Cornelius Jenness came from Rochester to Ossipee; in 1791 removed to Wolfeborough, and settled on the farm now occupied by his great-grandson, Cyrus Jenness. His son John had twelve children, and his son Joseph eleven. There are several representatives living in the northeast part of the town. Sarah A. Jenness. a descendant of Cornelius, enjoys the honor of being the first daughter of the county to graduate as a physician.
Elisha Goodwin came from New Durham. He was a miller at Mill Village. He had twelve children. One son, Elisha, built the Goodwin block in 1871. J. W. Goodwin, another son, has held numerous positions of trust, and was appointed postmaster under Cleveland's administration.
Abram Prebble had a settler's lot of one hundred acres on the Packer right, being number six of the Lords' Quarter. He soon sold it to the Haines family and removed to Ossipee. His grandson, Valentine B. Willey, is a resident here.
Samuel Tibbetts settled on the lot now occupied by Blake Folsom as a milk farm. He was a framer of buildings, and was the first pound-keeper. The family remained on this lot many years.
Jotham, Stephen, and Nicholas Nute, brothers, came from Milton in 1798, and settled on what is now known as Nute's Ridge. Their descendants still reside there. Tristram, Paul, and James Nute, brothers, came from Madbury about 1800, and settled in the Lords' Quarter. George W. Nute represents one branch of this family.
John Bickford was the pioneer of the family in America. He left England to avoid conscription, came to Wolfeborough early, and was a weaver. His son Jonathan was a millwright and farmer ; he settled on land now occupied by his grandson, Joseph H., son of James Bickford. The family have served the town as selectmen and representatives. Wilmot Bickford settled on the farm where Thomas J. Bickford now resides.
Benning Brackett, brother of Dr Brackett, proprietor of lot number eleven, had seventeen children ; John, the eldest, born in 1768, came here when a young man, married Betsey Folsom, and settled near Brackett's Corner. John M. Brackett, their son, was born in 1807, always resided in Wolfeborough, and died December, 1887. In earlier life he was an extensive farmer, but for many years was officially connected with banking and other corporations. He was long president of Lake Bank, and treasurer of Carroll County Five Cents Savings Bank. He was treasurer of the latter at the time of its failure. For many years he was one of the most prominent Republicans in the state, and was frequently mentioned as candidate for governor. He was a representative to the legislature in 1855 and 1857, a messenger (1858) to carry the electoral vote for Fremont and Dayton to Washington, a member of the council of Governor Gilmore in 1864, and a member of the council of Governor Smythe in 1865. No member of the council during these two important years rendered more faithful service.
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Colonel Mark Wiggin was born in Stratham, October 25, 1746. He mar- ried Betsey Brackett, born November 26, 1748. He was appointed captain in the Continental Establishment in 1776; September 25, 1777, a major in Colonel Drake's regiment; February 13, 1778, then a major in Colonel Whipple's regiment, was appointed a recruiting officer; November 24, 1781, commissioned lieutenant-colonel in the First Regiment of New Hamp- shire militia ; December, 1779, he was sent with £20,000 to the commanding officer of the New Hampshire line to be used for recruiting purposes. The trunk in which he carried this money is now in the possession of George C. Avery, his great-grandson. In 1778 he was appointed justice of the peace for Rockingham county, and represented Stratham four years in the legisla- ture. He came to Wolfeborough prior to 1797, became a farmer and also taught school, and served the town in its official affairs.
William Rogers, accompanied by his aged father, Charles Rogers, came from Alton in 1779, and purchased of Judge Sewall one hundred acres of land for four pounds of beaver fur. He was a man of considerable business ability. His son Nathaniel was one of the most enterprising men of the town, a success- ful farmer, and also interested in trade and manufactures. He was one of the first judges of common pleas in Carroll county. He was very liberal in his religious and political opinions, and an carly advocate of temperance.
Moses Thompson came from Deerfield and was a thriving farmer. Three of his sons, Benjamin F., William, and Moses, have occupied official positions. Several members of the family still reside in Wolfeborough. William C. Thompson is of this family.
About 1796 Samuel, William, and Benjamin Nudd came here from Green- land and settled in the north part of the town. George Nudd's daughter Mary was a graduate of State Normal School, Salem, Mass .; was class poet. In 1863 she wrote a poem for the "Triennial Convention of the Alumni." In 1872 she married Thomas Robinson, a professor in Howard University, Washington, D. C.
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