History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 63

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

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Physicians. - The first doctor was probably some woman skilled in admin- istering herbs. Dr Howe, of Rochester, used sometimes to come to Wakefield. Whether the early physicians were wholly supported by their fees, we do not know ; in most places they combined the art of healing with cultivating the soil or other business.

Dr John Manning (if in practice) had, I judge, other business, and was likely a man of means, and associated somewhat with his neighbor and friend, Captain Copp. He was of Chester, 1781 to 1785, and probably at Wakefield from 1790 to 1800. John Manning, Harvard, 1813, M.D., may have been his son.

Dr Thomas Lindsay must have come early, as he married, in 1787, Polly Nudd, and for his second wife, in 1821, Elizabeth Clark, both of Wakefield. He moved to Lincoln, Maine, in 1832, and died at Chester, Maine, December 10, 1840, at eighty. He was collector of the minister's tax in 1795-96, which was over one half the town tax. He was a member of the Strafford Medical Society in 1810. He had a long and successful practice. His two sons were in the factory at Union.

Dr John MeCrillis was one of the original members of the Strafford Med- ical Society and fifth president in 1832. He practised for many years with one or two absences.

Dr Richard Russell, a medical graduate of Dartmouth, 1813, came to

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Wakefield soon after, was surgeon on privateer "Polly "; was captured and confined in Dartmoor prison ; when released, he came back to Wakefield, and near Christmas, 1815, married Sarah, daughter of Captain David Copp, and practised, with the exception of four years at Concord, from 1815 until 1833. The last twenty years was at Great Falls, where he died in 1855 at seventy. These men made lasting reputations.

Dr Thomas Lindsay, Jr, Strafford Medical Society, 1825; secretary, 1828- 30; began practice at Wakefield about 1827, at twenty-five. Ile moved to Lincoln, Maine, with his wife, the daughter of William Sawyer, Esq., and practised at Lincoln until he died, March 3, 1864.

Dr Nathaniel Grant and Dr Jones (here in 1836), natives and neighbors of Lebanon, Maine, both came and went between 1830 and 1840, the former to Centre Ossipee, the latter to his native town.

Dr Sumner Gilman practised some years at Union and Wakefield Corner, and married a Wakefield daughter - Miss Susan Wentworth. He was of Dartmouth Medical School, 1833, and died at Wakefield in 1841, aged thirty-six.

Dr Charles L. Swasey came from Limerick about 1840, and went from his practice here to New Bedford, and died the past year.

Dr S. B. Twitchell came about 1849, married Miss Sarah E. Swasey, and removed to Rushville, N. Y., but returned to Wakefield to practise until October, 1854, and died the following year at thirty-nine.

Dr Samuel Woodbury Roberts, a native of Alton, in 1825, a graduate (the first from his native town) of Dartmouth, 1850, of the Medical School in 1823, soon came to Wakefield. His five-and-thirty years have given him the longest circuit over these hills in time of any physician except the first. For many years he has been a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society, and its last president, 1887-88.

Dr William B. Reynolds, of Acton, Maine, came to Union in 1855, and went into the army. After the war he went from Union to Lynn, Mass., the place of his death.

Dr John Langdon Swinerton was born at Newfield, Maine, 1805; graduated from medical school of Bowdoin, 1841 ; a member of Strafford Medical Society in 1845; practised the medical profession during nearly fifty years at Brook- field, Wolfeborough, Milton Mills, and Union, where he died in the fall of 1882, November 2, at the age of seventy-nine, regretted by all who knew him as a kind friend, a safe counselor, a good physician to the sick and suffering.

Dr John E. Scruton, born in New Durham, November 23, 1846, had the educational advantages of Farmington high school, West Lebanon, Maine, academy, and Milton Classical Institute ; commenced the study of medicine with the noted Dr D. T. Parker at Farmington, and attended the medical school at Portland, and was graduated from the Medical School of Maine,

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(Bowdoin College) in June, 1870, and began practice at Union, January 1, 1871. He has been a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society since 1870, and has been very active in connection with the Carroll County Medical Society, of which he has been, first, vice-president, and president since June 26, 1889. He has an extensive practice in Wakefield, Milton, Middleton, Farming- ton, Brookfield, etc., and is frequently called into consultation in a much wider area. Dr Seruton is an earnest student in his special field, keeps himself well up with the latest discoveries and approved methods of treatment, and is a sympathetic and kind-hearted physician of more than ordinary ability and success, and enjoys a deserved popularity.

Dr Charles F. Roberts was born in Lebanon, Maine, August 5, 1860, and moved to Brookfield in 1866; took a four years' course at Great Falls high school and graduated in 1879; studied medicine with Dr James Farrington, at Rochester; attended lectures at Dartmouth and Columbia colleges, and was graduated second in a class of one hundred and twenty-five at the latter college, participating in the "Hansen Prize." This honor also brought him an appointment, without competitive examination, to the staff of Bellevue Hospital, where he served the regular term, and then came to Wolfboro Junc- tion in January, 1885, where he is now in practice.

Longevity. - Whether the air of Wakefield has some virtue above common air or not, certain it is that a considerable number have been "with long life satisfied," and have reached the ninetieth milestone. The oldest person who ever lived in Wakefield was Robert Macklin, who, born in Scotland in 1672, lived in Portsmouth for several years as a baker, and died here in 1787 at the great age of one hundred and fifteen. He was a noted walker in his day, frequently going on foot from Portsmouth to Boston, sixty-six miles, in one day and returning the next or third day. This journey he made when he was eighty. The next oldest was known by many of us, and admired in his placid old age. He fell asleep on the twenty-ninth of September, 1882, at the age of one hundred and four years. David Evans was a native of Madbury, May, 1778, two years before the Dark Day, of which he spoke in my presence on that Yellow Day, September, 1881, when he wrote in a plain hand his auto- graph, long to be prized. He had that mildness characteristic of the Friends, or Quakers, with whom he was reckoned, until, as he jocularly remarked, " I transgressed, in marrying one of the world's people." But he was buried with the simple ceremony of his early Society. Mrs Mary Jones was born in Ports- month in 1743, and died here in 1844. Her daughter was the wife of Deacon Piper. Mrs Mehitable Kimball Wiggin reached ninety-three years, nine months, three days, June 26, 1859. Her son's wife, Elizabeth Gerrish Wiggin, lived to almost ninety-two years. Mrs Elizabeth Wiggin died May 15, 1826, at ninety-three years, seven months, twenty-three days, leaving eight children, forty-six grandchildren, sixty-eight great-grandchildren. John Horn in 1830

John HyLandbou

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attained ninety-two. Colonel Joseph Palmer, at his death near 1840, was not far from ninety ; Mrs David Copp, his sister, died 1839, at ninety. Colonel Benjamin Cook was nearly ninety at his death in 1867. Mrs Rebecca Maria Dow (wife of Josiah) was ninety-two. Within ten years no fewer than thirteen of natives or residents have reached ninety. Mrs Bickford died at North Wake- field at one hundred and four. Daniel Quimby was reputed ninety. Joseph Maleham died March, 1885, at Great Falls, at ninety-four years, three months. John Paul, October 11, 1887, at ninety-three years, two months. Mrs Matilda Haines (fall 1882) was ninety-one. The twin-brothers, Isaac B. and Jacob A. Chesley, died March 23 and February 26, 1879, at ninety. Mrs Lucy B., wife of Isaac B. Chesley, died April 13, 1884, at ninety. Mrs Abigail W. Drew died April, 1884, nearly ninety-one. Deacon Edward Cutts Piper died Feb- ruary, 1881, at ninety. Mrs Charlotte Hill died July, 1887, at ninety. Widow Patience Weeks died September 4, 1885, at ninety.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HON. JOIIN W. SANBORN.

FROM the earliest days of New Hampshire the name of Sanborn has been more or less connected with its matters of public and private interests. The first of the family in America were Lieutenant John Sanborn and his brothers Stephen and William, born in England, who came to Hampton in 1640. Their mother was the daughter of the celebrated Rev. Stephen Bachiler. From the first they were active and influential citizens, and often chosen to places of trust and responsibility. They were most strenuous opponents of Mason's claim to New Hampshire, and of Cranfield's administra- tion. They had numerous descendants, and were the paternal stock of the widely extended family bearing the name in the United States. Every one of Hampton's historic events shows a Sanborn as a prominent actor. Six were signers of the Association Test in 1776, and in the official records many are credited with long and brilliant service. Richard, Josiah, John, and Joseph, sons of Lieutenant John, were signers to Weare's petition.

The first of the family to locate in Wakefield was Joseph (born in Hamp- ton about 1735), who came in middle life as one of its early settlers. He was accompanied by his two sons: John, son of his first wife, and Elisha, son of his second wife. He was one of the solid farmers of the town, and had sons Samuel, Joseph, Reuben, and John, born in Hampton or Brentwood. Samuel and Joseph settled in Acton, Maine, where they became leading citizens. Samuel was a deacon for many years.

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John Sanborn, youngest son of Joseph and Sarah (Lane) Sanborn, was born in Brentwood, November 21, 1767, married, in 1792, Hannah, daughter of Daniel and Patience Hall, and made his home near the centre of Wake- field on a farm, later removing to that of his father-in-law, with whom they lived. Their children attaining majority were Daniel H., Joseph W., Sarah L., Susan, Ann, and John G. Mr Sanborn was an industrious, substantial farmer, a good citizen, and attained old age, dying January 29, 1854. His wife was born May 24, 1772, and died in May, 1841. It was said of Mr Sanborn that "he had not an enemy in the world."

Daniel Hall Sanborn, son of John and Hannah (Hall) Sanborn, was born May 31, 1796, in Wakefield, married Lydia, daughter of Joseph Dorr, of Acton, Maine, December 25, 1821. She was born in Acton, June 16, 1796, and was a descendant of that Brackett family prominent in early New Hamp- shire history. Mr Sanborn was a farmer, and died September 25, 1872. His wife died March 2, 1854. Their children were John W., Joshua H., Enoch E., Daniel H., and Lydia S. (Mrs F. N. Dixon).

Hon. John W. Sanborn was born in Wakefield, January 16, 1822. From an early age he was a member of his grandfather Sanborn's family, receiving the educational advantages of the town schools and its noted academy. In these he had the power to gain the best of the knowledge, while in the fields and at other labor incident to a farmer's life he acquired a robust constitution, and a practical education of great value to himself and others in subsequent years. When eighteen he became a teacher of winter terms of school, gave satisfaction both as an instructor and disciplinarian, and taught twenty terms with success. This sphere was not broad nor active enough for him. He had the confidence in his powers born of possession, and the strength and genius to rise above the circumstances of life, to obtain knowledge however opposed by difficulties, to advance his own station beyond the one inherited, and to secure for himself commanding positions of affluence, integrity, and eminent usefulness in the town and state of his nativity. His career has not been a sudden elevation brought about by extraneous circumstances, but a gradual upward progress through the successful application of inherent capability, fidelity, and honest endeavors to do thoroughly the labors incumbent upon him. Very soon after attaining his majority he purchased a farm and indus- triously engaged in its cultivation ; when twenty-four years of age he began buying, selling, and shipping cattle, and gradually connected with these the manufacture of lumber, which from 1864 to 1870 attained very large propor- tions for this region. He carly became interested in probate business, and for many years conducted causes in its court, and at one time did more of this work than any other in the county.

Distinct from these varied interests Mr Sanborn found other and weighty matters were demanding his time and attention. ITis ability was appreciated

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by his townsmen, who chose him selectman in 1856 and 1857, and representa- tive in 1861 and 1862. This was at that critical juncture in our national history when the country first felt the misery of civil war. Mr Sanborn was an active and untiring Union man, and gave his energies to the momentous questions to be settled. His clear, dispassionate judgment and comprehension of the situation gave influence to his words and action, and his services were demanded in the counsels of the highest circle of the state's officials. He was elected a member of the executive council in 1863, and was one of the valued advisers of the state administration. Party feeling ran high in those days, and, although a candidate for councillor in 1864, and running far ahead of his ticket, he failed of an election by a few votes. He was, however, of too much importance to be put one side, and he was appointed by the governor one of a committee to adjust the unfinished business of the old council, and also one of a committee to arrange and adjust the state aid to soldiers. It is conceded that, although a Democrat, no other man in the state possessed more influence with the Republican officials, and no man rendered the state more valuable service through the entire war period. He enlisted a company of soldiers in 1862, had much to do in raising men under every call for troops, and expended much time and money in this and other fields of patriotic activity.

During this period Mr Sanborn's private enterprises had increased. He was interested in providing better means of transportation and travel, and active in procuring the extension of the Portsmouth, Great Falls, and Conway railroad, and the construction of the Wolfeborough railroad. In 1874 he was appointed superintendent of the Conway division of the Eastern railroad, and is now superintendent of the Northern Division of the Boston & Maine. The thriving village of Wolfboro Junction owes its existence to him. He laid out the wild land into lots, built the Sanborn House and other buildings, secured the erection of the railroad shops, and gave inducements to business men to locate there. All of this time of activity he was also carrying on farming and lumbering and giving employment to many men.

In 1874 and 1875 he was elected state senator, and in 1875 his abilities as a leader and executive officer were recognized in his election as president of the senate. He was eminently fitted for the onerous duties of this office, and won many friends by his graceful and dignified performance of them. He was a member of the constitutional conventions of 1876 and 1889, and was the Democratic candidate for member of congress in opposition to his kinsman, Hon. Joshua G. Hall, of Dover. Although receiving a gratifying vote, he was not elected, as the district was largely Republican. He has held other official stations : trustee of New Hampshire Insane Asylum, New Hampshire Agri- cultural College, Wolfeborough Savings Bank, director of the Portsmouth, Great Falls, and Conway railroad, of the Manchester and Lawrence railroad,

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

and of the Wolfeborough railroad, a director of the Portsmouth Fire Association, and a director and the vice-president of the Granite State Fire Insurance Company. Originally a Whig and an ardent admirer of Daniel Webster, he became a Democrat on the dissolution of the Whig organization, and has ever been one of the leading spirits of his party; has been a member of its state committee for over thirty years, and of its state executive committee for about the same time, and has represented the party at all important conventions. He is popular with his townsmen, as is shown by his having been chosen moderator of the annual town-meeting of Wakefield nearly every year since 1860.

Mr Sanborn married, February 22, 1849, Almira J., daughter of Thomas and Almira (Robinson) Chapman, of Wakefield. They had two children : Charles W., born December 19, 1849, who was graduated from Dartmouth, and died, in the commencement of a brilliant legal career, January 17, 1886, and Lillian, who married Herbert E. Rogers, and has one child, Herbert Sanborn Rogers. Mr Sanborn is descended from John Hall, of Dover, 1650, deacon of the First Church, and is connected with Hon. J. G. Hall and Colonel Daniel Hall. He is Episcopalian in his religious affiliations, and contributes generously to the church of that faith and to other worthy objects.

Mr Sanborn was fully equipped for success. In him a vigorous vitality inherited and cultivated, a mind of judicial cast, keenness, and fairness, and an indomitable will are united with a tireless industry, persistent energy, a rare knowledge of men, a uniform affability, strong common-sense, and that faithfulness to principles, duties, and associates that rounds out a noble character. At the same time he is positive and aggressive, and rarely fails to accomplish his object. Starting when a mere lad to conquer fortune, his success has been well won, and he is an acknowledged leader in the field of business enterprise, and in the management of financial and political affairs.

CAPTAIN EBENEZER GARVIN.1

THE first ancestor in this country of Ebenezer Garvin was the common ancestor of the Garvins - James Garvin, of Ireland, who came to Rollinsford, then Somersworth, probably before 1740, a sea-captain ; who built a store, and became a trader in West India goods at the lower landing. He married Sarah Hobbs, and the names of their children were James, Sarah, Elizabeth, Rachel, John, Thomas, and Paul. He lived till, perhaps, 1787, and was a man of influence. His sons also had a taste for salt water and the seafaring instinct ran in the family. His youngest son, Captain Paul, while on a mer- chantman in the time of the Revolution, was overtaken by the English. Ile

1 By Rev. A. H. Thompson.

三

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fired his vessel, then escaped to land ; was captured, confined in prison in London, released, came back to America, and, years after, died in Shapleigh (Acton), Maine, the home of some of his descendants. His eldest son, Captain James, was born September 8, 1747. At twenty-two he was master of the brig " Grey Hound." He married, December 19, 1770, Dorothy Wentworth. He visited East Town, of which his father had become one of the proprietors and the second of the petitioners for the town charter. His father may have planned to settle him here had he not gone on a voyage to sea, which proved to be his last, as he was shipwrecked in 1772 off the coast of France, and having cast himself into the sea, lost his life within two years of his marriage day.

His son and second child, Ebenezer James, was born in Somersworth, March 17, 1773, and was cared for by his Wentworth and Garvin grand- parents. When of age he became possessed (by serving his time with his father's brother Thomas for it) of a tract of woodland of one hundred and twenty-five acres in lot 67, Wakefield, which his father or grandfather had owned. His first visit to the place was not inspiring. There was, indeed, a dense growth of wood and timber on " Oak Hill," his future home ; yet the outlook was dismal - plenty of timber, but neighbors scarce, the nearest one a mile away ; his only companion and only weapon of defence his trusty axe. But he put in his best with that, with all the courage his young heart pos- sessed, to clear the land for tillage. For weeks and months he kept at it - by day felling the great trees of the forest, and by night burning the trees to keep away the wild beasts from his camp. That camp was not aristocratic, nor overluxurious - a great log, under which he slept many nights as sweetly as upon a bed of down. He later built a log house, the foundation of which is still to be seen. Attractions at home were stronger, and he returned, intend- ing not to go back; but marrying at twenty-one Lydia Wentworth, of the numerous tribe descended from William Wentworth the elder, he found his wife's mother a spur to his courage. She urged him, " You take Lydia and go up there," and, like a dutiful son, he obeyed, and became a pioneer. Her folks were well-to-do people, and they gave her the necessary household furnishings, with a barrel of pork and other provisions, also a cow, hens, a hog, and other farm stock.

Thus equipped they started for Wakefield, and settled on the spot which became their comfortable and happy home for many years, at first occupying the log hut, then vacating it for a more commodious one, built further east, which they abandoned later for the present structure on the site of the second one. Here they both passed many hard days in work, and both reached ripe old age, the wife dying first, April 30, 1856; he, in 1858, May 15. She was born August 20, 1772.

To their home came four sons and four daughters: James, Wentworth,

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John, Ebenezer, Betsy, Sarah, Lois, and Mary. Three of the girls died in 1816, within twelve days, of spotted fever ; and one son, John, died of con- sumption at eighteen. Of the remaining four, Wentworth, who married Sarah Wentworth, March 23, 1823, and Mary, who married Peter Young, of Acton, December 2, 1832, died long since, and left children. The eldest of the family was Colonel James, who was born September 29, 1794, and was married July 16, 1818, to Nancy Philbrook, daughter of Eliphalet, and (2) to Mary Guptil, January 11, 1827. He died in Wakefield February 7, 1875, leaving one son, John W. Garvin, who died leaving one son, Charles Parker Garvin, and two daughters, Florence Jones and Hattie Caroline Garvin.

Captain Ebenezer Garvin, Jr, the youngest of the family, was born August 5, 1815, and is still living. Like boys of those days, his advantages for educa- tion were limited, but he improved every opportunity, and by perseverance overcame the obstacles. Both in school and out, when he could catch an hour, he would use it in study. He has said that many a night when the other members of the household were comfortably in bed and asleep, he was poring over his books in the chimney corner, with no better light than the flickering blaze which the never overdry logs in the open fireplace gave out. There he passed solid hours in mental work. In the winter season for several terms he attended the old " Academy " at the " Corner," under the tutorship of the ven- erable Parson Barker. At the age of eighteen he began his first school; and he followed teaching for twenty years in the fall and winter two, and some- times three, terms, " farming " the balance of the year. At seventeen he had almost the entire management of the farm, his father having given it over to him. He had the name of being a good teacher, and always " very stern." He was the " master." It is said that "order is heaven's first law." It surely was his. He was " cut out " for a commander, and although he never walked the quarterdeck, as did some of the Garvin line, yet he commanded on land - in the schoolroom, and on the bloodless "muster-field " as "captain " - the title which now elings to him. At the end of five years' service in the militia, he was offered the commission of major, but declined, because of the expense of the outfit. His brother attained the rank of colonel.

Captain Garvin did not serve in the Mexican war, nor in " sixty-one "; but in a civil capacity he served his town for a long period in the chief offices. As early as 1843, when he was twenty-seven, his townsmen made him their third selectman, for three years their second, and for ten the chairman of the board. For eight years from 1851 he was moderator, and two years of that time representative, as his son James now is. He was for three years county commissioner ; also, town constable, ete., and superintending school committee for three years and town treasurer eleven. During the war he was agent to fill the town's quota for troops, and town's agent to pay state aid to dependent wives and children of soldiers. He was a faithful, accurate, and efficient

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 63

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