History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 53

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

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TOWN OF TUFTONBOROUGH.

camping purposes. Of the two hundred and sixty-seven islands, two hundred and fifty are state lands. It is greatly to be regretted that the state takes no measures to properly protect them. They form in a great degree the chief beauty of the lake, and yet people are allowed to ent the wood and timber without leave or license and thus despoil them of their beauty. It is to be hoped that the people will wake up to the fact that the state's property in her grand mountain and lake attractions is no inconsiderable portion of the state's wealth, and shape their laws accordingly.

From Governor William Plumer's manuscript biographies in possession of the State Historical Society we take this : -

Peter Livius was a gentleman of foreign descent and of handsome property, who came to America for the purpose of investing his money in lands. At what period he arrived does not appear, but in 1764 he was living in Portsmouth. May 23. 1765, he took his seat as a member at the council board. Before the province was divided into counties he was for a number of years a judge of the court of common pleas, but in 1771, when the law dividing the province into counties took effect, his commission as judge was not renewed. This omission irritated and inflamed him against the governor and council, and in 1772 he went to England and exhibited articles of complaint against them to the lords of trade, who reported that the charges were verified; but on the appeal to the king in council, the governor and eouneil were acquitted and the complaint dismissed. In 1773 the king consented to appoint him chief justice of the superior court in New Hampshire, but upon more mature consideration that it would occasion discord in the province, afterwards appointed him to a more luerative office, that of chief justice of Canada, which he accepted and performed its duties with ability. June 2, 1777, he wrote from Montreal to General Sullivan urging him to abandon the Revolutionary cause and support the royal government, promising him a pardon and reward. Livius was a man of talents, shrewd, cunning, and possessed great decision of character. He died in 1795, in Brighthelmstone, England.

Livius married Anne E., daughter of John Tufton Mason, became pos- sessed of a large tract of land in this town, and built a country-house on the Kimball place near Livius's, now Lang's, pond (tradition says before the governor's house was built), and resided here some time. It was situated upon the Pond road (then the main traveled road) about fifty rods from the mouth of the outlet of the pond. He at one time tried to drain the pond to make meadows on the bottom, but the scheme failed, as only clean white sand was found.

Hon. Woodbury Langdon, of Portsmouth, judge of the supreme court, was a prominent owner of Tuftonborough. He too had a country-seat here. From some of the documents of the old time one might draw a very erroneous opin- ion of Mr Langdon. He was noted for his commercial success, firm patriotism, and great benevolence. His Portsmouth home, destroyed in the great fire of 1781, was on the present site of the Rockingham House.

Some resident families. - Phineas Graves felled the first tree on what is now the White- house place, a short distance from Tuftonborough. Ile was married twice, and his children were Abram, James, Samuel, John, Phylenia, Lois, Cynthia, Polly, Hannah, Sally, Joanna,

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

Olive. Abram was the first male child born in town. He married a Dennett, and finally set- tled in Canaan, a beautiful valley under the southern slope of the Ossipees. His family num- bered twelve. Frances, Hannah B., Eunice D., Belinda A., Mark M. (married Mary A. Bowers. He was a skilled workman in wood and a pattern-maker. After a time he went to Northfield, Vt, as manager of the carshops, and left that position on account of ill-health; subsequently he went to Montreal, and from there to Chicago, Ill., where he remained until 1888. He now resides at Wolfeborough at the age of seventy-five years. His mind was quick in the matter of inventions, and he has produced many that are useful and novel ; among them a water-heater, a safety railroad switch, outside window shutters for fireproof buildings), Oliver N., Phineas H., Joanna S., Angeline P., Phebe J. (married George W. Abbott. Her son, Sewall W. Abbott, Esq., resides in Wolfeborough), and Lydia P.

James Graves had his name changed to Gilman; he lived near Melvin village, and built "Graves' mills." His sons were Charles W. Gilman, James M., William H., John W., Edward V., Lyford J. (engineer; killed at Vicksburg in 1863), George F., and Phineas G.

Samnel Graves had four sons and three daughters; Sarah, married Jesse Drew ; Laura, married James M. Gilman; Janvrin, Calvin, Lyford, Carrie, and Herbert. The other children of Phineas Graves married with the families of Fox, Wentworth, Philbrick, Fernald, and other prominent ones in the county.

William Canney and his wife, Rose Allen, Quakers, from Somersworth, had eight sons and four daughters. Of these children Edmond, Joseph, and Benjamin settled on one side, and Ebenezer, John, and William on the other side of the road leading from the centre of the town to Tuftonborough Corner. James located in another part of the town on a farm lately owned by Jeremiah Horn. They were good farmers, industrious and intelligent men, and, excepting William, lived to old age. One daughter, Abigail, married Joseph Peavey, and lived at Tuftonborough Corner. The father, William Canney, lived to be ninety-six, and his wife attained the age of ninety-five. Both are buried in town.

Joseph Peavey was one of the early settlers of Tuftonborough. He was son of Edward Peavey, who served and died in the Revolution. He was a farmer at Tuftonborough Corner, and an active man physically and mentally. He had children : William, Edmund, Joseph L., James, John, and Abigail (Mrs Trustram Leighton). Of these the most settled in Tufton- borough. John Peavey, Esq., is now living at Battle Creek, Mich., vigorous and energetic, at the age of eighty-five, and was for years a merchant and leading business man here.

Adjutant JJohn Piper enlisted in the Revolutionary army from Wolfeborough in 1776 at the age of sixteen years, and served to the elose of the war. He afterwards resided in Wolfe- borough until 1806, when he bought an immense tract of wild land in Tuftonborough, where he hewed himself a home and resided until his death, April 30, 1830. Of his twenty-one chil- dren (eight sons and thirteen daughters), all of whom lived to be men and women, six survive : Mrs Joseph Ayer, of Barnstead, Mrs Abel Haley, Mrs Nathaniel Mason, and Mrs Levi Hersey of Wolfeborough, Mrs Lyman Allen, of Nottingham, and Benjamin Y. Piper, of Lee. Many of his descendants are among the best families of this and adjoining towns.

John Lamprey was an early settler of Gilford, where he built a small sawmill near the Alton line. He was a man of great strength. The original residence of this family was Hampton, later Exeter, Stratham, and Newmarket. Probably no one family has been so identified with the navigation of Lake Winnipiseogee as this. Some time in the " fifties" Ansel Lamprey built the " Gazelle," a steamer for lake transportation, and from that time some of the finest craft on the lake have been built, conducted, and commanded by the Lam- preys. Robert Lamprey, a citizen of this town, and one of its most energetic, go-ahead business men, is a descendant from one of the oldest families, and is one of seven children, six of whom are now living and in active business in this part of the state. He. with his brothers, has been engaged in steamboating on Lake Winnipiseogee, and they have built sev- eral boats, and carry on a large lumber business in this section and on the Ossipee mountains. When their grandfather first came here he settled on Long Island, and the old home place is still in the family. Robert Lamprey has always been connected with the interests of the town, and is widely known and respected, and is deservedly popular.

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TOWN OF TUFTONBOROUGH.

The Wiggin family is an old one of this and adjacent towns. It appears early and in frequency. The two members now most known are Rev. Daniel A. Wiggin and Captain A. Wiggin, so long the popular commander of the " Mount Washington."

The Hersey family is another of the old and prolific families of the town. General George W. Hersey was a prominent member. He was son of James Hersey, an early settler who was very active in town, and acquired wealth. In the old militia days he was a captain, and noted for the excellence of his drill. Samuel, son of Jonathan, was an early settler, and now has many descendants here.

Dr Renald Fernald was a prominent English surgeon. From him those bearing the name in Tuftonborough and adjacent towns are descended. He was sent out to New Ilamp- shire in 1631, and was the first physician and surgeon among the New Hampshire settlers. He died in 1656.

Abel Haley was for years from 1825 a man of great influence in business and political circles. He later removed to Wolfeborough, where he engaged in banking.

The French family is another familiar one to older and later residents. It was at the house of Thomas French in Centre Tuftonborough that the first Christian church was organ- ized, and he was the first signer of the articles of union. The two most widely known of the family of to-day are Thomas French, Esq., of this town, and Hon. James E. French, of Moultonborough.

Among other families connected with the history of the town from the first, and factors in the progress of business, education, and religion, are the Richardson, Bean, Hodgdon, Graves, and divers others whose descendants have kept the good ways of their sturdy ancestors.

Other Sketches. - Jonathan Drew, who died in Moultonborough, February 6, 1866, aged ninety-six, was among the early settlers of 'Tuftonborough. He retained his physical and mental powers to his latest years, conversing fluently of carly times. He was the last survivor of thirteen children, all of them living to advanced ages, a brother dying at ninety-seven.

In 1827, among the students of Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy were Mary and Clarissa, daughters of Thomas Hoit, of Tuftonborough. Clarissa married Deacon Samuel Brown, who moved to Milwaukee, Wis. Their son, Thomas H. Brown, was the first mayor of that his native city. Buck's "History of Milwaukee " says: -

" At the head of the noble women who came here to stay, the purity of whose lives and examples has had so powerful an influence in softening the manners of those early times, stands Mrs Clarissa (Hoit) Brown, who came here in 1833, being the second American woman to settle in Milwaukee. Her life and example have been noble."

Benjamin Bean, a native of Brentwood and a soldier in the Revolution, a Federalist and a Methodist, was one of the early settlers, coming here from Moultonborough not far from 1780. He took up a settler's lot. His sons, Jonathan, James, and Josiah, born in Moultonborough, became residents of Tuftonborough; Jonathan succeeding to his father's place, James settling about half a mile back from the road, and Josiah on the road from Water village to Wolfeborough.

Nathaniel Bickford was born in Dover, December S, 1774, and was son of Jonathan and Sarah (Wilmot) Bickford. Nathaniel settled on the lot now occupied by his son, Isaac C., cutting his first trees in 1796, when there was no clearing within a mile and a half of him. He married Mary, daughter of Benjamin Bean, born in Moultonborough, March 29, 1780. He was a Federalist and Whig in politics, Congregationalist in religion, and the deacon and clerk of the church. He died December 1, 1854. Isaae C. Bickford, born May 8, 1821, has always lived on the place where he was born, has been a teacher and farmer, and selectman for four years. He married Deborah C., daughter of James Bean. He is an intelligent citizen and keeps abreast of the current of public affairs.

Orlando Richardson was born in Moultonborough, September 18, 1843. His father, Lucian, was born in 1813, and his grandfather, Eliphalet, born in 1785, both natives of that

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

town. The great-grandfather, Colonel Bradbury Richardson, of Bradford, who died at Moultonborough, October. 1814, was one of the early settlers of that town. Orlando Rich- ardson moved to Tuftonborough in 1866; he received most of his education at the common schools and Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy, and worked at farming, and also learned the cooper's trade, and taught school in winter at Melvin village, where he now resides. He kept a general store nineteen years and was postmaster fourteen, town clerk and town treasurer for several years. In politics a Republican, in religion a Freewill Baptist, and has been deacon of his church for twenty-three years. He is a type of the successful man in whom every one has implicit confidence.

Daniel Fernald, Jr, one of the old residents and well-to-do citizens, lives at Melvin village, where he has been, in trade for many years. He is a native of Tuftonborough, and a descendant of an old family. His place of business is as well known as the propri- etor, who has gone in and out for long years. He is a man of strong character, honesty, and industry, and has succeeded in life by his own efforts, and is honored and respected by his townsmen.

Oliver G. Fernald, of Boston, Mass., is one of Tuftonborough's sons who has achieved success in another state. The citizens of his adopted city have ofttimes honored him by their suffrage; he has been alderman, councilman, representative, and state senator. lle has a summer home at Melvin village, "close beside the Melvin stream."

Thomas French, a native of Tuftonborough, resides at the Centre, where he has a farm and entertains his numerous friends. His hospitality and general good-fellowship are pro- verbial, and as a gentleman fisherman he is "a great success." A Democrat always, he has served his town in the legislature, and is recognized as a party leader. He is one of the wealthiest and best-known citizens, and a representative man.

James A. Bennett was born in Tuftonborough, September 3, 1847. His father, John E. Bennett, was a native of Wolfeborough, but moved to town at the age of four years. His mother, Hannah (Welch) Bennett, was a native of the town; both are now living on the site of the old "log-cabin house " into which they first moved.

James A. was educated in the common school and at the Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy. He follows the calling of a farmer, but finds much time for other business, and is a successful teacher. Always a Democrat, and fully trusted by his townsmen, he has been auditor two years, supervisor three years, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1889. He has been town clerk for the last ten years, member of the school board twelve years, and was recently reelected for a term of three years. He is a member of no church or reli- gious society, but prefers the Advent faith. This record tells of the man, and speaks for him better than any one or anything else. Large-hearted, genial, always a gentleman, he well deserves popularity. He belongs to the great Christian army of the world, doing the good found close by, looking for no future reward, practising the golden rule. Such men are of the true nobility.

Charles H. Bennett is one of the town's promising young men ; he is married and resides at Melvin village, and is postmaster. He is Republican in politics, of Advent preference in religion, and a pushing, energetic man, who makes his influence tell strongly for the right.

George W. Copp, son of Charles H., was born in Tuftonborough, November 3, 1854. Ilis grandfather, Moses Copp, and three brothers came to town in 1791, which brings Mr Copp in the line of descent from the oldest settled families on both sides, as his mother was the daughter of Daniel Fernald, another old settler. Ile received his education in the common schools and follows the calling of a farmer. He is a Democrat in politics, Adventist in religion, and one of the solid men of the town; has been supervisor four years, collector two years, and selectman five years; chairman of the board four of the five, which position he now holds. He resides on the " old place " where his father and grandfather lived.

Dr Levi Merrill was in practice in Tuftonborough as early as 1819; left in 1838 and moved to Dover, where he practised seven years; then moved to Boston, Mass., where he practised for six years; returned to Dover in 1851 ; he finally moved back to Tuftonborough and died

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TOWN OF TUFTONBOROUGHI.

there. While in Dover he was an assistant editor of the Dover Gazette, and was also a mem- ber of the Dover school committee.

T. Avans Haley, M.D., son of John Smith and Mary (Neal) Haley, is one of a family of six children, nearly all of whom have been eminently successful. Dr Haley was educated at the Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy, Andover Christian Institute, and was grad- uated from the Dartmouth Medical College class of 1867. He also studied with Dr Luther Pattee, of Manchester, and Dr William HI. H. Mason, of Moultonborough. He began to prac- tise his profession in Tuftonborough in 1867, where he has since resided and built up an exten- sive and lucrative practice. He enlisted in the United States service August 18, 1862, and served through the war. He has been medical examiner for the Hartford and Annuity Insur- ance companies, was a member of the United States pension examining board, and superin- tendent of schools for several terms. He believes in the Christian religion, has always been a Republican, and has obtained a strong hold on the affections of neighbors and townsmen. He has probably the finest collection of stuffed birds and of birds' eggs to be found in the state. Ile has in his house 1,500 specimens of American and foreign birds, many of which are very rare and beautiful. His collection of birds' eggs is very large, and contains the eggs of almost every kind of bird that is obtainable, both foreign and American. He also has a fine and extensive collection of the minor precious stones. He takes much pride in showing his treasures, and is an enthusiast on the subject of birds, their eggs, and the like.

Marshall W., son of Thatcher W. and Nancy M. Piper, was born in Tuftonborough, and descends from " old settlers." His education was acquired at the common schools except one term at high school. He was a furniture dealer and undertaker for several years ; he has been one of the Melvin Eumber Company. Hle votes the Republican ticket, is a strong temperance man, and believes in the Advent faith. He has a pleasant home at Melvin village.

William Thompson was born in 1813, five years after his parents moved into town. Ile was one of a family of twelve children. He was in early manhood a stonemason, in later years a farmer. He married Eliza, daughter of Joseph Jones, an old settler, and owns and carries on a good farm near Tuftonborough Corner. In religion he is a Freewill Baptist, in politics a Democrat, in everything a good citizen.

John H. Piper was born in Tuftonborough, December 27, 1815; his father, John Piper, Jr, was one of the first settlers, and was several times honored with the highest official posi- tion in the gift of the town, representing it at the general court in 1819, 1821, and 1822. John II. has held the office of town clerk several years, and has been representative; the only instance in the history of the town, it is believed, where father and son have held this office. And now, during life's waning afternoon, Mr. Piper lives in happy contentment on the old home place.

Marquis D. L. MeDuffee was born in Alton, November 24, 1833; his father was a native of that town and his grandfather was one of the early pioneers of Alton, and is said to have owned the first wagon ever brought to town. Mr MeDuffee received his education in the common schools and at Gilmanton Academy. He moved to Tuftonborough in 1856. IIc enlisted in Company H, Twelfth New Hampshire Volunteers, and served his country honor- ably and well; was wounded severely at Fredericksburg and at Chancellorsville. The last wound compelled him to close his career as a soldier. He was a member of the constitutional convention in 1876, was representative in 1883 and 1885, and has been tax collector for years. In politics he is a Democrat, in religion a Unitarian, in daily life a good citizen, neighbor, and friend.

Daniel W. Ilorner, born in Granby, P. Q., October 22, 1829, moved to Tuftonborough in 1856, received his education in the common schools and Wolfeborough and Tuftonborough Academy. He is a farmer and millman, owning the old mill built on Melvin stream by Cap- tain James Gilman on land formerly owned by James Graves, son of Phineas Graves. The old mill; standing there in its quaint, picturesque construction, is an object of curiosity and historical interest to the town. What tales its singing wheel might tell, if gifted with the

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

power of speech, of those who came and went, and went and came, during the many years it turned in rain and shine! It is but little nsed now. Mr Horner is a veteran of the late war, having served three years in the Twelfth New Hampshire Volunteers, during which service he was quite severely wounded. He is a Republican in political belief, and Freewill Baptist in religious preference.

Captain Augustus Wiggin was born in 1826, and received only a common school education, being a farmer's boy. At the age of twenty-six he began work on the lake boats, and so rapidly did he rise in the esteem of his employers that in five years he was made captain of the Boston and Maine steamer, which position he holds to-day. Always obliging. genial, and a thoroughly good officer, he is loved and respected by every one with whom he comes in contact, and is held in the memory of the many thousands who yearly go about this beautiful lake. At the close of the season he usually retires to his comfortable, cozy home on Tufton- borough Neck for the winter. He is a native of the town, his grandfather being among the first settlers and the first selectman of the town in 1796. In polities he is a Republican. He is looked up to as a man of sterling honor and morality.

Andrew L. Hersey, now numbering fourscore years at least, is a link connecting the far- away past with the present time. Born in town. he has always resided here, and here he will doubtless see the sun of his last day sink behind the western horizon. For forty-eight years he has been engaged in trade at Centre Tuftonborough, and still may be found at the old stand. The happy possessor of a good memory, he can for hours tell tales of the early settlers. Successful in business, he can enjoy his last days without fear of the shadows of financial troubles crossing his path. In politics a Democrat, in past years he has been often elected to places of trust; was town clerk several years and moderator a great many. In religion he is a Freewill Baptist and a pillar of his church.

Frank A. Ilersey is one of the sterling young men of Tuftonborough who has cast in his lot with his native place instead of leaving the old home to carve a fortune. His father, Andrew L. Hersey, was one of those who early wrestled with the wilderness and cleared it for settlement. In politics Frank is a Democrat, in religion a Freewill Baptist. He is a young man of high morals, great industry, and one on whom in years to come the people will most likely look as well fitted for any position of trust.

John Neal, son of James II. Neal, is a successful business man and farmer. Although only about thirty years of age, he has made his mark as a lumberman, and was one of the seleetmen during the years 1886-SS, and was only exeused then on his positive refusal to serve again. A Democrat in polities, he may yet be found holding the highest offices in the gift of his townsmen. He now prefers to look after his constantly increasing business.

Andrew K. Roberts was born in this town November 10, 1853, and is a type of the young men of active, energetic force. He was educated at the common school, is married, and bids fair to be one of the leading citizens of the town. In politics a Democrat, he now represents his town in the legislature. His father, William N. Roberts, one of the early pioneers, represented the town just thirty years ago.

Herbert F. Hodgdon was born in 1859, and, with his parents, moved to town when from twelve to fifteen years of age. His business for some years has been trader and postmaster at Tuftonborough (corner), where he is very successful. Of good education and fine natural abilities he has been early called by his townsmen to places of honor and trust. For several years he has been a member of the school board, and for two years selectman. In polities he is a Democrat.

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 53

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