History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 47

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

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! By Miss Lydla F. Remick.

Samuel Huggins.

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TOWN OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

he went through the towns of Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough. One of the strongest characteristics of Mr Huggins was his tenderness of heart. Not only the children, but every animal on the farm, knew this ; even the old gray horse took a peculiar, leisurely jog as he took the reins. Always careful and exact in his dealings, he was a thoroughly honest man.

Mrs Huggins seemed in every way the counterpart of her husband: an energetic, breezy, thrifty farmer's wife. Up with the sun, she looked " well to the ways of her household," and under ber guidance work was never allowed to lag. A home of perfect method and neatness was the result, in which there always seemed the leisure that comes from prompt accomplish- ment of one's work. A family of ten children, work-hands, spinning, weav- ing, and the many duties of farm life during those times of early settlement of the country never brought confusion into the home. While being thoroughly womanly, she had the most remarkable generalship; in its best sense she was a " Mother Superior." Three of their sons, Nathaniel, John P., and Samuel J., have been successful hotel-keepers. The Cosmopolitan Hotel in New York city is owned by them. John P. retired from active business some years ago. By a judicious investment of his funds he has become rich, notwithstanding his generosity. At one time, having been asked the secret of getting rich, he answered, "Close attention to details and never allowing one's expenses to equal the income; the tug comes in saving the first thousand." The accompanying engraving is a tribute from him to the memory of his father.

The two sons of Nathaniel Huggins were educated at Lafayette College.

Of the children of Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Samuel Huggins, but one survives, Miss Lydia F. Remick, a teacher of the Brewster Free Academy, at Wolfeborough. Everett Remick, the youngest son, was graduated at Bates College, class of 1883. He entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, the same year. He died of consumption July 30, 1885. He was a young man of great promise.

Of the grandchildren of Samuel Huggins only one other survives, Almon W. Eaton, of Wolfeborough.

There are only three great-grandchildren - Grace E. Douglass, of Ames- bury, Mass., and the two children of George L. Huggins, of New York city.

GENEALOGY. - John Huggins, born May 19, 1753, at Greenland, N. H., died June 1, 1838, at Wolfeborough, N. H .; married (date not known) Anna Mordough, born in 1757 at Wakefield, N. H., died September 3, 1800, at Wakefield. Their son, Samuel Huggins, was born September 23, 1788, at Wakefield, and died July 21, 1880, at Wolfeborough. He married Sally L. Wyatt, at Wenham, Mass., July 3, 1817, where she was born May 8, 1795, and died December 11, 1871, at Wolfeborough. Their children were: 1. Elizabeth Gardner Huggins, born May 31, 1818, at Wolfeborough, N. H., died December

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

27, 1886, at Wolfeborough. She married, May 12, 1839, Charles Remick at Wolfeborough. 2. Nathaniel Huggins, born January 11, 1820, at Wolfe- borough, married Ruth P. Nudd, June 12, 1849, at Wolfeborough. Their children were George L., born in Boston, Mass., and Everett N., born March 20, 1855, in New York city. 3. John Huggins, born July 2, 1823, at Wolfe- borough ; died August 25, 1825, at Wolfeborough. 4. John P. Huggins, born May 3, 1826, at Wolfeborough, married Lydia S. Moore, of Sanbornton, July 18, 1857, at New York city, who died there July 5, 1886. 5. Samuel J. Huggins, born June 2, 1828, at Wolfeborough. 6. Mehitable Huggins, born May 31, 1830, at Wolfeborough. 7. Sally Ann Huggins, born January 7, 1834, at Wolfeborough, married first Alvin S. Cotton, December 25, 1859, who died January 25, 1866. She married second Abiel C. Eaton, who also died. 8. Almon Wyatt Huggins, born January 16, 1837, at Wolfeborough, died May 6, 1837, at Wolfeborough. 9. Everett Newell Huggins, born January 16, 1837, at Wolfeborough, died August 10, 1847. at Wolfeborough (drowned in Lake Winnipiseogee). 10. Mary R. Huggins, born December 20, 1839, at Wolfe- borough, married James H. Martin, January 1, 1867, at Wolfeborough.

JOHN P. HUGGINS.1

John P. Huggins is a worthy example of the self-made men of Carroll county. He was born at Wolfeborough, May 3, 1826. He came of indus- trious ancestors, and was a worker from very early years, assisting his father on the farm. He attended the district school winters, and had the advantages of Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy for three terms." The common school of a few months in each year for the practical business life of New England in that period did its work well. At the age of eighteen Mr Hug- gins went to Boston, where he remained one year as clerk at the Bromfield House, and returning to Wolfeborough was a pupil of the academy for six months. He was then at Dartmouth Hotel, Hanover, as clerk for one year. From there he went to Lowell, Mass., where he was with Henry Emery at the Merrimac House for two years as bookkeeper. In 1852 Mr Huggins removed to New York city, where he has since been a resident and a prominent man in many directions. He was at first employed as clerk at Lovejoy's Hotel on Park Row, but the following year he purchased the interest of the proprietors, Libby & Whitney, and continued the hotel business there for twenty years satisfactorily and successfully. He then, with his brothers, Nathaniel and Samuel J., bought the property of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, corner of Cham- bers street and West Broadway, and they have conducted it since that time.

Mr Huggins, however, has had other outlets for the exercise of his business acumen and financial ability, and many enterprises and undertakings have been promoted by his interest in them. He was at one time president of the Metro-

1 By the EDITOR.

John P. Muggins

Thomas L. WhyNow

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TOWN OF WOLFEBOROUGH.

politan Gas Light Company, and for many years a director; is now a director of the Consolidated Gas Light Company, also of several banks and savings institutions of New York city ; of the Citizens' Gas Light Company of Roch- ester. N. Y., and a director of the Lake National Bank of Wolfeborough, and at one time its vice-president. He has been on the board of education of New York city for more than thirty years and is still a member. In all these manifold activities Mr Huggins has shown a thorough adaptability and a remarkable discernment, and has proved himself a natural financier. Politi- cally he has always been a Republican.

But there are other phases of Mr Huggins's character worthy of record. The liberal and yet unostentatious manner in which he has used his wealth ; the warm interest he has ever manifested in his birthplace : the patient industry that characterized his early manhood ; the persevering energy which he evinced when he entered upon active business life ; his kindness and affection in all his family relations, and the genial spirit of his social life have made him warm friends in the city of his adoption and the town of his nativity. One of the leading citizens of Wolfeborough says of him: "By honesty, industry, sobriety, and ability, backed by perseverance, he won his way step by step. He always manifested a great interest in adding to the comforts of the family, making large additions to the old homestead farm in the lifetime of his parents, and never counting dollars or cents in improving and caring for the welfare of his sisters. He has marked financial ability and honesty, always despising trickery and fraud ; is a social, genial friend, plain and honest spoken, and an honor to his native town."

HON. THOMAS LUPTON WHITTON.

Hon. Thomas Lupton Whitton, son of George and Esther (Copp) Whitton, was born in Wakefield, August 8, 1811. On his paternal side he deseends from a noted family in Yorkshire, England, his father emigrating to this country when he was entering man's estate, about 1800. His sister Mar- garet was the wife of Daniel Raynard, Esq., who became owner of the Wentworth mansion and surrounding farm. George Whitton visited this farm and purchased one hundred acres of land near by, but did not occupy it, as he had become acquainted with the family of Captain David Copp, of Wakefield, and, marrying his daughter Esther, he settled in that town as an innkeeper and farmer. Hon. Joshua G. Hall says this of Captain Copp: "Coming to Wakefield early from Rochester, he seems for many years to have been the central figure in the management of public affairs. In wealth, social standing, and in influence, he was the first man in the town. There was no office in the gift of the people he did not enjoy, and there was no call of his country that he was not

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among the foremost to obey. He was in command of a company at the battle of Bunker Hill, and was perhaps continuously in service to the close of the Revolution." About 1826 Mr Whitton removed to Wolfeborongh and made his home on that part of the governor's farm he had pur- chased so long before. Here he passed the remainder of his life, dying December 17, 1852. His wife survived him, dying September 5, 1857. George Whitton was a man of fine proportions, six feet in height, ener- getic, and possessed of rare good judgment in practical matters, but a lack of education kept him back from public positions and offices. He was an " old-line " Democrat. His wife possessed a large amount of that energy, capability, and attractiveness so characteristic of the best New England women of that period, and her home was a model one. They had three children, George Washington, Thomas L., and David Copp.

Thomas L. Whitton had common school and academic education, was a bright and earnest student, married Sally, daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Page) Morse, of Kingston, where she was born June 29, 1812, and settled as a farmer near his father, and finally purchased the home- stead. He and his good wife occupy to-day the same house where they began housekeeping. He has done much in raising, buying, and selling cattle, and his business has been purely agricultural through life, except that in early life he was for some terms a successful school-teacher. Mr Whitton inherited many qualities from his mother, and has for long years been a most valuable citizen, popular with the people, and one of Wolfe- borough's representative men. He has been moderator ten times, select- man nine times, representative four times, member of the governor's council twice, and twice delegate to constitutional conventions. Originally a Democrat, he was one of the earliest Free-soil men, and has been a Repub- lican from the organization of the party, and one of its most faithful and successful workers. He has been a member of the Congregational church from early manhood, and a Freemason for many years. Having a winning magnetism, a soft, melodious voice, and an attractive appear- ance, combined with sound reasoning powers, he has been a good public speaker; his services have been in demand as chairman of public occa- sions, and in many and varying ways he has been one of the leading men of the town and county. Genial, social, kindhearted, and a favorite of all, he has wielded a large influence among the people, which has ever been exercised in the interests of peace and harmony. He has especially been noted as a peacemaker; often and often has he successfully changed the clang of discord into forbearance and forgiveness. His public duties were ever discharged with conscientiousness, and his private life has been marked by warm social feelings, quiet unobtrusiveness, and those gentle virtues which throw a halo around their possessor, and win many

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friends. Mr and Mrs Whitton have four surviving children, Charles A., Oscar F., David E., William M. These are all occupying enviable posi- tions in society, showing by their life and aspirations the effect of careful youthful training. Charles A. married Annie E. Prescott. She died April 6, 1889. Their children are Anietta Lilian, Abbie Anna, Ellie B. Oscar F. married Clarissa Blake; children are Sarah M., Esther C., Clara L. David E. married Annetta A. Tibbetts; they have one son, Thomas Edwin. William M. married Susan Haines.

JOHN L. PEAVEY.

John L. Peavey, son of John and Hannah (Thing) Peavey, was born in Tuftonborough, July 15, 1835. Attending the academies of Northfield, Laconia, and Lancaster, he supplemented the education he there acquired with a practical education in mercantile and lumbering, under the personal tuition of his father, one of the ablest business men of that day, and when nineteen years of age commenced lumbering on his own account. From that time to the present he has given special attention to this and has become the leading operator of the county, his operations extending from the Saco river to Lake Winnipiseogee. He owns an immense tract of heavy timbered land in Albany, where he has two mills that produce from two to three million feet annually. He has portable mills in operation in various other towns, a corps of men engaged in getting out oak piling through the oak region of this section, and others securing hemlock bark and timber. Since 1885 his son, Forrest W., has been connected with him, and during the winter of 1888-89 they employed seventy horses and a corresponding number of men, and kept two hundred freight-cars in use.

Mr Peavey has not limited his attention to lumbering. He carried on merchandising in Wolfeborough for four years (from 1867 to 1871), and was the one most concerned in the building of the Glendon House, which he conducted in person as landlord for seven years, from July 1, 1873. Mr Peavey has been an active Republican from the organization of the party, and his opinion is of weight in its deliberations and counsels. Generous in responding to all calls for aid whether private or public, public spirited and progressive in all matters of enterprise and the welfare of the commu- nity, he is very popular with all classes and considered one of Carroll county's leading citizens, who has fulfilled onerous official and individual trusts with conceded ability.

Mr Peavey married Mary F., daughter of Aaron Wiggin, of Tuftonbor- ough. They have three children, Forrest W. (postmaster of Wolfeborough), Herman L., and Harry B.

MOULTONBOROUGH.

BY W. H. H. MASON, M.D.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Location and Surveys -Grant - Names of Grantees - Bounties to Settlers - Bounties to Mill Builders - Petition of Proprietors - Incorporation - Name.

L OCATION AND SURVEYS. - About 1760 a few men living in Hamp- ton and vicinity united for the purpose of "taking up a township" in some part of New Hampshire. Many vague and unreliable reports had been in circulation concerning a locality rich in mountain ores, ponds, and streams abounding in fish and valuable fur-bearing animals. This locality was near the central portion of that part of New Hampshire then called " Laconia."

These men held a meeting in Hampton October 16, 1761, at the house of Jeremiah Leavitt, and organized by choosing Captain Ephraim Moulton chair- man ; John Moulton, clerk ; John Moulton, treasurer. They also voted that " each member of the association shall pay a tax of six Pounds old tenor for the purpose of defraying whatever expenses might acerue in the proper exam- ination and survey of the anticipated Township." Walter Bryant, Jr, was chosen to "go up," with Benjamin Batchelder as principal and Jeremiah Moulton assistant, to " run ont " lots and examine the surface and soil suffi- ciently to enable them to confirm or deny the glowing reports in circulation. Three hundred and fifty-four pounds lawful money was raised at this time to defray the expenses of the survey.

This survey included the territory of the present town of Moultonborough, and contained thirty-six square miles. It did not justify the committee in comfirming the accounts that had come to their ears, and their report was made at a meeting held November 9, 1761. A negotiation was then commenced between this association and the Masonian Proprietors for the purpose of changing the locality or adding more territory, on account (as they said) of

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the " badness " of the territory which they had looked over. The Masonian Proprietors then gave additional territory, " commencing on the southerly side of the original survey, at the northeast corner of New Salem, thirty rods north of the big pond (Lake Winnipiseogee), and running southwesterly to the Pemigewasset river, including New Hampton and a portion of New Salem (Centre Harbor and a part of Meredith)."

A meeting was held at Hampton April 12, 1762, and Captain John Moul- ton and Jesse Towle were chosen to " go up" and complete the survey, with the liberal wages of five pounds per day. They were empowered to take a surveyor and two assistants with them on the best terms made, and report at a subsequent meeting. "Twelve pounds was assessed upon each member, whichi was to be paid by the 12 of Aug Prox : or their right for forfeited ; the forfeiture to be announced by posting the names two sabbaths upon the meeting-house door." The forfeited claims were to go to any who would pay the assessments. In consequence of the inability of several to meet this tax, changes took place among their number, which seemed to require a new survey, and a surveying committee consisting of Captain John Moulton, Jesse Towle, Josiah Dearborn, and Philip Towle, Jr, was chosen, and a sum of fifty pounds was voted to each to be accounted for at a final settlement.

Grant. - A grant was made November 17, 1763, for the purpose of " pro- moting the settlement of the Country," by the Masonian Proprietors to Jona- than Moulton, Esq., Ephraim Marston, Jeremiah Marston, Benjamin Page, Benjamin Bachelder, John Lamprey, Jeremiah Towle, Philip Towle, Steven Page, Simon Dow, Jr, Christopher Tappan, Esq., Jonathan Leavitt, Nathan Moulton, Jr, Thomas Rand, John Tuck, Thomas Brown, John Moulton, John Moulton, 3d, Amos Coffin, Anthony Emery, Esq., Joshua Lane, Jr, James Philbrick, Edward Shaw, Jr, Joseph Johnson, Joshua James, Joshua Towle, Joseph Palmer, Jonathan Shaw, Jr, William Simpson, Joseph Sanborn, Nathaniel Towle, Josiah Dearborn, Ebenezer Lane, Samuel Brown, Jonathan Elkins, William Lane, John Taylor, Samuel Towle, Bradley Richardson, Nathaniel Ambrose, Josiah Moulton, 3d, Jonathan Moulton, 3d, Benjamin Sanborn, Benning Moulton, William Vittum, Jr, Samuel Robinson, Elisha Towle, Wirthington Moulton, John Garland, Joseph Garland, William Vittum, Richard Mason, Esq., Benjamin Mason, Shubel Dearborn, Thomas White, John Neal, Richard Cutts Shannon, Eben Blake, Simon Nudd, Jonathan Garland, all of Hampton ; George Place, of Rochester, and Philip Nooker, of Portsmouth. The additional grant was to the same proprietors and on the same conditions as the first.

By the original grant the township was to be laid out in eighty-two shares, each share divided into two equal lots, twenty of the shares being reserved to the grantors. This reservation was their only recompense for the remaining fifty-two shares. They anticipated a substantial value in this reservation after

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

the township should be fairly settled ; but their expectations were never realized - in fact, through misunderstandings and disputes, it became of but little value, and they finally took their shares in one contiguous section con- taining only three fourths of the amount of land in the original reservation. This was located in the northeast part of the town, largely upon Ossipee mountain, and brought them little or nothing. This tract has since been known as the "Masonian claim."

The grantees entered early and earnestly upon the settlement, and taxed themselves heavily for bounties to bona fide settlers. One hundred pounds old tenor was offered to the first six settlers. These offers continued from time to time, sometimes one hundred and sometimes fifty pounds, with some- times each a cow in addition ; and to families who would stay five years, as high as £2,800 was offered : each settler to have his choice of lots free. At a meeting held at Hampton, September 18, 1764, it was voted to pay any one £1,000 who would build a sawmill and keep " her " in repair so as to supply the first twenty settlers with lumber for building purpose, the mill builder to have one half the lumber sawed. December 2, 1765, ninety pounds was voted to Jonathan Moulton to build a saw and grist mill upon Red Hill river, and a lot was assigned " to the first minister who may be settled in town."

In the meantime individuals and families strolled away to the new town- ship with what cattle they could procure and such farming utensils as they could convey through the forest. Their route was to Alton bay by a road little better than a bridle-path. From Alton some continued their journey by land, others by water in " dug-outs." Friends accompanied them to the bay, where, with tears, they parted, taking a final farewell as of friends going to a foreign land. It took more time and labor to travel these sixty miles then than now to go across the continent. What a change in a little more than a century !

In 1773 this petition, signed by Jonathan Moulton, was addressed " To his Excellency John Wentworth Esquire captain-general, governor and commander in chief in & over said province of Newhampshire &ca. &ca. And to the honrable his majestys councill for the same province."

The humble petition of Jonathan Moulton Esq for himself & other proprietors of two certain traets of land granted by the proprietors of Masons patent so called the first Tract was granted on the 17th day of November A D 1763 commonly called Moultonborough. The other tract was granted the 24th of January A D 1765 commonly called the gore, or moultonborough addition Most Humbly sheweth That great progress is made & still making towards the complete settlement of said two tracts of land and that the inhabitants & Proprietors thereof have been at great charge in making public roads through said two tracts of land for the benefit of his majestys service. Your petitioner therefore prays that the inhabitants of the said two tracts of land may be respectively incorporated into townships with such privileges as other towns enjoy within this province by the bounds & limits contained in the respective grants, and the petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray &ca.

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TOWN OF MOULTONBOROUGH.

This petition was not granted, and June 13, 1777, this petition for an incorporation of the territory into two towns was sent to the General Assembly : -

Jonathan Moulton, Joseph Senter, and Bradbury Richardson, Esqrs, in behalf of the Inhabitants of that Tract of Land called Moultonborough situate in the County of Straf- ford in the said state -

That the said Inhabitants labour under many Inconveniences, Disadvantages & Difli- culties by Reason of their unincorporated State. That the Situation and Extent of said Tract render it most convenient for said Inhabitants that it be divided and erected into Two distinct Townships. Wherefore Ye Petitioners in behalf of said Inhabitants humbly pray that the said Tract may be erected into two distinct Townships, One, within the following bounds - vizt beginning at the South Easterly corner of Meredith at Winne- pissiokee Pond then running northwesterly by said Meredith to the North Easterly Corner thereof thence on a strait Line with the North Line of Meredith, to Holderness thence Northeasterly by said Holderness to Sandwich thence Easterly by Sandwich and Tamworth to the South Easterly Corner of Tamworth thence Southwesterly to the Northwesterly Corner of Tuftonborough thence Southwesterly by said Tuftonborough to Winnepissiokee Pond thence Westerly by the Shore of said Pond, as that lays, to the Bound first mentioned, and that it be incorporated by the Name of Moulton. And the other within the bounds following vizt beginning at the Northeasterly Corner of Meredith thirty rods from Winnepisseokee Pond thence running South fifty five Degrees West by Meredith and Sanborntown to Pemigewasset River Thence running northerly up said River by the Middle thereof to the Southwesterly corner of Holderness till it comes to the Westerly line of that Part of said Tract above bounded thence South- easterly by said Line to the said Northeasterly corner of Meredith, and that the same be incorporated by the Name of Watertown. And that each of said Towns may be invested with all the Powers and enfranchised with all the Rights Privileges and Immunities which any Towns in this State hold and enjoy.

The town of Moultonborough was incorporated . November 24, 1777, and received its name in honor of Colonel Jonathan Moulton. From this date the legal and civil proceedings of the town commenced, although for several years much of its business was transacted at the proprietors' meetings in Hampton. (May 31, 1815, all the common land owned by the proprietors was sold at vendue to Ezekiel Hoit for one hundred dollars.)

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 47

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