History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 66

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

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The first mill for carding wool, cloth dressing and dyeing was built by William Milliken in 1825, and the business was carried on by him until 1832; from 1832 to 1837 by Jeremiah Milliken ; from 1837 to 1840 by William Par- sons. About this time these mills became the property of Josiah Dearborn, Esq., who enlarged them and commenced the manfacturing of blankets and other woolen goods. This manufacturing was carried on from 1840 to 1844 by Miles and Joseph Mayall ; from 1844 to 1854 by Robert Fulton. This factory was taken down in 1855 and a new one erected on the same site, and the busi- ness carried on until 1860 by Robert Fulton and Jacob Manson ; from 1860 to 1864 by Simpson & Bennett; from 1864 to 1868 by Aaron Clark. In 1870 the

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

factory was burned, but immediately rebuilt by Samuel Q. Dearborn, and used for wool-carding until 1873. From 1873 to 1876 it was used by J. H. T. Newell for manufacturing shoe-pegs; from 1876 to 1880 for wool-carding ; from 1880 to the present by Julian D'Este for the manufacture of excelsior.

South Effingham. - The first settlements in the southern part of the town were made by John Colley, who settled on what has since been known as the Colley place, and by Nicholas Glidden, who settled near where Charles F. Taylor now lives. From him this place was first known as Glidden's Corner. It afterward received the name of "The City," which name still clings to it. It is said it received this from one " Bob" Holland, a roving character, who, in a drunken frolic, said the place should be called the "City of Want." In 1809 Jesse Stevens, who lived on the farm afterward occupied by his son Samuel D. F. Stevens, and another son, Emery, afterward cleared the farm now occu- pied by his son, Charles H. Stevens, on the shore of Province pond. But the first house built in this vicinity is said to have been a log one on what is called Scotland point, on the Bailey farm.

Only one person is known to have been drowned in Province pond, John Parker, a pedlar, who some sixty years ago was crossing the pond on the ice in the night and broke through. He was a Mason and was buried with masonic honors. This was probably the first masonic funeral in this vicinity.

Huntress Neighborhood. - The first settlement in the Huntress neighbor- hood was made by Robert C. Huntress in 1829, when he commenced clearing the farm and built the house now occupied by Samuel Allen, who married his daughter. In 1836, in company with Benjamin P. Russell, he built the saw- mill which has since been known as the Huntress mill.

Mills. - The following is taken from the records kept by J. Dearborn Leavitt: " The first mills in Effingham were built by the Leavitts, near where the mills now stand owned by Charles E. Moore. The second were built by Weare Drake where Charles G. Wilkinson's mills now stand. The third mills were built by Nathaniel Hobbs where Frank Colcord's mills now stand. The fourth mills were built by Joseph Meloon near where John V. Granville now lives. The fifth mills were built by John Drake and sons where the Drake mills now stand. The sixth mills were built by Joseph Huckins at the 'Iron Works Falls,' so called."

There seems to be several conflicting stories in regard to the location and builder of the first sawmill, some saying that it was built by Thomas Parsons, Esq., where, or near where, the Colcord mill now stands, and that the first lumber sawed was for his house in Parsonsfield. Others claim that this mill stood about halfway between the Colcord mill and the Moore mill, and that it was washed away (a son of Mr Parsons was drowned at the time), and that the first mills built where the Moore mill stands were built by William Knapp as a sawmill and a carding and cloth-dressing mill. These stories do not

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TOWN OF EFFINGHAM.

agree with the record of Mr Dearborn Leavitt, which perhaps is the nearest to the truth. In 1816 Silas M. Morse and John Sanders bought the carding and eloth-dressing mill. In 1818 Jonathan Wedgwood bought out Sanders, and it became the Morse & Wedgwood mills. The sawmill was then owned by several who used the mill so many days per month in proportion to the amount they owned. In 1841 Morse & Wedgwood dissolved partnership, Morse taking the woolen, and Wedgwood the saw, mill. In 1842 Silas M. Morse, Jr, lost his right arm in the wool-pieker. In 1845 these mills were burned and rebuilt. In 1853 the wool machinery was moved to Effingham Falls, and for a few years nothing was done at these mills. In 1857 Silas M. Morse, Jr, bought the mills and used them for the manufacturing of boards, clapboard, shingles, ete. In 1863 Morse sold to Hill & Meserve. In 1864 Mr Hill was caught in the machinery and killed. The mills were then sold to different parties. Charles E. Moore later bought out the several owners, and the mills are still in his possession.

First Merchants. - Thomas Parsons, Esq., was probably the first person who brought anything into town to sell. It is related that in the earliest days of the town he hauled some of the necessaries of life from the towns below and exchanged them for labor with his poorer neighbors. But Isaae Lord estab- lished the first store. It was in a small building that stood near where John C. Leavitt, 2d, now lives. He afterward built a large store on the corner opposite. It is said that Mr Lord brought his first stock of dry, or English, goods into town on his back, carrying his boots in his hands that he might not wear them out. He commeneed in town near Effingham Falls, on what has since been known as the Cato hill. (It was so called from a negro named Cato who was in Mr Lord's employ and who afterward lived there.) Mrs Lord, in after years, was accustomed to relate this story of their first Thanksgiving day in the little house on Cato hill: "Mr Lord brought home, late in the afternoon of the day before, some brick to build an oven, and she held a light while he hastily constructed a rude one out-of- doors in which was baked the dinner for the next day. And a sweeter one they never had !" They soon moved to the hill called Lord's hill. Here he built the house now occupied by John C. Leavitt as the Green Mountain House. Mr Lord was a man of unusual business capacity, and soon amassed what was, for the times, a large fortune. He became an extensive landowner and carried on great farming operations and built large houses and barns, the barn on his home place being two hundred feet in length. In 1836 his inven- tory was 1,554 aeres of land, 10 horses, 12 oxen, 15 cows, 60 other cattle, and 26 sheep. He died in 1838, and was succeeded in business by his sons George W., Isaac, and Samuel.

Later Merchants. - In 1840 John C. Leavitt, 2d, bought the Isaac Lord store and commenced business. This store was burned in 1858 but at once

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

rebuilt by Mr Leavitt. It was again burned and rebuilt in 1871. In 1876 Mr Leavitt sold to Albert B. Lamper. who continued in trade until 1885, when he sold to Silas E. Stevens. This store was burned in 1887, and has not been rebuilt.

The first store at Drake's Corner was opened by Thomas P. Drake probably as early as 1816. Mr Drake was a [son of Joseph Drake, Esq., a son of Weare Drake, one of the first settlers of the town. Thomas P. Drake became prominent in town affairs, and held the office of town clerk and selectman for a number of years. He also represented the town in the legislature. He died in 1861, and was succeeded in business by his sons Cyrus K. and Josephus L., who have been prominent in town affairs: Cyrus K. Drake having served as selectman, representative, and county commissioner. Josephus L. Drake served for many years as school committeeman. In 1864 Cyrus K. Drake built a store and engaged in trade and the manufacture of sale work. He afterward associated his son, A. Milton Drake, with him.

Near 1872 Silas M. Morse built the store near the schoolhouse, and with his son. Milton C. Morse, engaged in the manufacture of sale work and in general merchandising. They were wideawake business men, and took an active part in social and political affairs. S. M. Morse served the town as representative, and Milton C. Morse as town clerk for several years. They sold their stock in 1885 and moved to Haverhill, Mass., leasing their store to Charles M. Leavitt, who continues the business. About 1820 James Taylor opened a store near where Plummer H. Chesley now lives, and continued in business there for a number of years.

The first store at South Effingham was kept by Chase Taylor as early as 1815. He was followed by Jeremiah Taylor, Ephraim Downs, Frederick Waterhouse, Alpheus S. Rogers. In June, 1840, Benjamin F. Taylor commenced business there. He had, previous to this time, been in the grocery business in Boston, Mass., for eight years. W. W. Taylor was an active and successful business man. He took a prominent part in public affairs, and served the town for several years as selectman and also as representative. He died in 1887, and was succeeded in business by his son, Charles F. Taylor, who in 1887 sold to Plummer H. Chesley, who is still in trade.

About 1825 Frederick Waterhouse opened a store near the mills, now owned by Charles E. Moore, and continued in trade for a few years. In 1830 Silas M. Morse and Daniel Morse went into business in the same store. This store, like all others in those days, sold New England rum in abundance. Near this store was a straight piece of road, on which a mile was measured, extending from the Maine line to a certain stump, and this was used as a racecourse over which to ran horses, paying the bets at the store in rum.

In 1889 the town voted to buy a road-machine: to raise $10 to decorate

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TOWN OF EFFINGHAM.

soldiers' graves ; to raise $1,200 to pay town expenses ; $600 to repair highways and bridges; $400 for schools, above what is required by law : $2,000 to pay for breaking roads if needed.

House on Green Mountain. - In 1857 a house was built on the top of Green mountain by John Stitson and Jeremiah Hobbs. It was occupied by Mr Stitson as a summer hotel for three years, when it was burned. The view from the top is very fine, Portland and the Atlantic ocean being distinctly seen. It is related that one of the carpenters engaged in the building of the house stated that one clear morning he saw a vessel coming into Portland harbor and could distinctly see that it was loaded with West India rum. This was probably an optical delusion, the result of looking so often through a glass in common use in those days.

Ice Care. - On the northwestern slope of Green mountain is a natural ice cave, where ice remains during nearly the entire year. Before ice-houses became common it was often resorted to, to obtain ice for the sick. It is situated at the head of a rocky valley, and is reached by going above and clambering down between the huge rocks here piled up in great numbers. The entrance, large enough to admit a person easily, is under an overhanging rock. The depth is about twenty-five feet, and the length of the main cavern about twenty, although it extends much farther, but is not of sufficient height to allow a person to stand upright. It is said that it was once followed to an exit at some distance down the mountain. It was first discovered by Parsons Keniston. It is on the land of John T. Hodgdon, who has opened a path and provided ladders for any one wishing to visit it.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

Preaching - Churches - Schools - Higher Schools - Physicians - Sheriff - F. W. Barker.

P REACHING. - The Charter required that the proprietors " build a meeting-house fit for the worship of God and maintain preaching con- stantly ;" and that one proprietor's share "be for the support of the Gospel Ministry forever." This share was set aside for that purpose, and at a town-meeting held March 21, 1806, it was voted to raise forty dollars annually forever for the support of preaching, for these lots, which were after- wards sold by the town. This sum is annually assessed by the selectmen,

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

and is known in town as the "ministerial money." It is divided among the several religious denominations according to the individual preferences of the legal voters. The early records show that a preaching tax was assessed each year until 1805, when by a vote a greater part of it was "discounted," and after that it was not assessed. This tax amounted in 1790 to £4 1s. 9gd .; in 1795, to $52.52: in 1800, to $95.80; in 1804, to $300, of which $200 was abated ; in 1805, to $500, but this was all abated. At a town-meeting- held September 25, 1780, it was "Voted, Mr. John Adams to preach twelve sab- baths at six bushels of corn per sabbath, meeting to be held at Weare Drake's house, and said Drake to board him." These items are taken from the town treasurer's accounts : 1794, paid Rev. Jonathan Ames, preaching, year 1794, $20. 1796, paid Rev. Ebenezer Price, preaching, $35. 1799, paid Rev. Benja- min Rolfe, preaching one Fast day, $4.

The first settlers of this town were mostly Congregationalists. The town was incorporated in 1778, and at the annual meeting in March, 1779, the inhabitants voted to raise twenty dollars for preaching. In September, 1780, they voted to unite with some of the adjoining towns in the support of Rev. John Adams. "Meetings to be held at Weare Drake's house, and said Drake to board him." In 1783, " ITired Rev. Mr. Balch to preach twelve Sabbaths at four dollars per Sabbath, to be paid in corn or grain at four shillings per bushel." Until 1793 they annually raised a small sum for preaching ; this year they offered Rev. Jacob Kimball the ministerial land and fifty pounds to settle as minister. This appears not to have been done, as Messrs Wyeth and Ames preached in 1794. In 1800 one hundred dollars were raised, and the town voted that Baptists presenting a certificate that they belonged to a Bap- tist society and attended the services of that denomination should be exempted from ministerial tax ; in 1798 a Congregational church was organized by Rev. Samuel Hidden, of Tamworth. In 1802 Mr Whipple was employed. In 1803 it was voted " to divide the ministerial land between the Baptists and the Con- gregationalists." This vote, however, was not carried into effect. The same year Rev. Gideon Burt was invited to settle at a salary of three hundred dollars ; he accepted, and in 1805 was dismissed.

From 1805 until 1836 there is no record, and the church, being for a time destitute of the stated means of grace and deprived of the regular adminis- tration of the ordinances, had nearly become extinct, but was revived and reorganized under the ministry of Rev. John H. Mordough.

On May 17, 1836, the Congregational church was reorganized, consisting of five members, namely, Moris Hobbs, Comfort Hobbs, Abigail Hobbs, John Lamper, and John Drake.

May 20th. Church examined for admission, Josiah Dearborn and wife, Robbert Clark and wife, Emeline Dearborn, Betsey Lamper, and Theodate Ilobbs. Voted, that their religious experience is satisfactory, and that they be propounded for admission to the Church at the next Communion. Sept. 2Ist. In regular church meeting

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TOWN OF EFFINGHAM.

the Church voted, to adopt the Principle Rules, Articles of Faith, and Church Covenant favrd in the preceeding pages. Examined for admission to the Church, Isaac Hobbs and wife, Hannah Frost and Maria Clark - Voted, that their religious experience is satisfactory and that they be propounded for admission to the Church at the next Communion. Voted also, that Robbert Clark be appointed to officiate as Deacon of the Church. May 26th, 1837. In regular church meeting, Jeremiah G. Leavitt and wife, Ruth Atkinson, Sally Buzzell and Mary Dear- born offered themselves to the Church and related their experience-Church voted, that it is satisfactory and that they be propounded for admission to the church at the next communion. Sept. 25th. In regular church meeting, Daniel S. Wentworth and wife, Nancy Palmer, Theodate M. Brown, Mary Lamper appeared them- selves to the Church, and related their religious experience - Church voted to receive them and that they be propounded for admission at the next communion. Church also voted to adopt the following rule, viz., The Church Conference shall be held monthly - the object of which shall be to obey that Command of God, " Con- fess your fault one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." James 5: 16. Every member of the church shall be expected to attend and if inquired of, to give, a reason of the hope that is within them with meekness and fear-and in case of absence of any, it shall be the duty of the pastor, and in his absence of the Deacon, to visit them immediately and inquire into their spiritual state. J. II. Mordough, clerk.

Rev. Mr Mordough was ordained an evangelist in 1836, and served three years as pastor of this church. He died in 1869, at Gorham, Maine. In 1842 Rev. James Doldt preached here. April, 1849, Rev. Elias Chapman commenced preaching, and continued until October, 1850, "preaching one half of the time." From March, 1854, to March, 1855, Rev. Leander S. Tripp, a Baptist, supplied one fourth of the time. October 25, 1856, Rev. William H. Kings- bury commenced his labors with this church.

From June 12, 1836, to October 26, 1856, the following were added to the membership, namely, Josiah Dearborn, Belinda R. Dearborn, Asahel Dearborn, Louisa Dearborn, Robert Clark, Polly Clark, Betsey Lamper, Emeline Dearborn, Theodate Hobbs, Isaac Hobbs, Mrs Susan Hobbs, Hannah Frost, Maria I. Clark, in 1836; Jeremiah G. Leavitt, Catherine H. Leavitt, Ruth Atkinson, Sally Buzzell, Mary Dearborn, Daniel S. Wentworth, Rebecca Wentworth, Nancy Palmer, Theodate M. Brown, Mary Lamper, Samuel Lord, Comfort Hobbs, John S. Dearborn, Esther Gilman, Eunice F. Sayward, in 1837; Hannah M. Hobbs, in 1838; James Champion, Betsey Champion, Levi Champion, Nancy Champion, Abigail Drake, Sophia P. Leavitt, George Lord, Sarah F. Lord, Frances Lord, Joseph Philbrick, James W. Leavitt, Abram B. Lord, Mrs Susan Lord, Elizabeth Leavitt, Elizabeth Lamper, in 1839; Jane Hobbs and Lucy Hobbs, in 1840; Elizabeth L. Hobbs, in 1849; Harriet Keoy, in 1855; Ellen Dearborn, in 1856.

Original Members. - Weare Drake, Nathan Brown, Simon Philbrick, Josiah Dearborn, John Drake, Joseph Palmer, Morris Hobbs, John Lamper, Comfort Lamper, Huldah Drake, Anna Drake, Abigail Hobbs, Sally Lamper, Theodate Brown, Polly Doe. Weare Drake was chosen deacon at the organization.

For many years past the church had no regular pastor. Some years since Rev. Henry F. Snow, Freewill Baptist, preached here and at Effingham Falls on the same day for several years. The church is feeble in numbers, but holds its visibility.

First Freewill Baptist Church. -- The organization of this church was the

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

result of a religious reformation which took place in 1824. On July 1 of that year Mr Joseph Davis was ordained, the ordination council consisting of Elders John Buzzell, Samuel Burbank, Mayhew Clark, David Elkins, James Sawyer, and Elias Libby. February 9, 1825, a church was organized by Elders John Buzzell and Elias Libbey : Elder Joseph Davis was chosen pastor; John G. Tuttle, church clerk ; Samuel Greenlief, deacon. Members at organization were : Frederick Cate, Samuel Tuttle, Wentworth M. Burleigh, Henry Bickford, John G. Tuttle, Thomas Frost, James B. Gile, Jacob Tuttle, John L. Davis, John E. Buzzell, Betsey Demeritt, Lydia Cate, Sally Burleigh, Sally Tuttle, Julia Taylor, Betsey Small, Mary Brackett, Mary Jane Gile, Elanor Gile, Olive Davis, Olive White, Sarah Frost, Judith Dearborn, Abigail Greenlief, Nancy Bickford, Hannah Champion, Mary Davis.

A house of worship was built in 1833, which has always been known as the Davis meeting-house.

The pastors have been : Joseph Davis, A. W. Hobbs, Nahum Foss, Moses Hanson, J. W. Nichols, John Chick, Cumins Paris, John P. Stinchfield, Moses Folsom, E. K. Amazeen, J. L. De Mott, Henry F. Snow.

Second Freewill Baptist Church is at Lord's hill. This was organized in 1838 by Elders John Buzzell and Hosea Quimby. The members when organized were : Abraham Marston, Abram F. Marston, Mary L. Marston, Abigail Marston, Mrs Polly Marston, John Leavitt and wife, Jeremiah Leavitt and wife, Andrew Wetherby and wife, Moris Brown and wife, Jeremiah Hobbs, Hannah Hobbs, Abigail Hobbs, Betsey Hobbs, Susan White.

The meetings were held in the academy until 1846, when a church was built. The builders were Samuel Lord, Frederick Lord, John L. Marston, John C. Leavitt, 2d, and Jonathan Hobbs. The pastors have been Moses M. Smart, Hosea Quimby, Porter S. Burbank, Orren B. Cheney, Nahum Foss, Levi Brackett, J. M. L. Babcock, Henry F. Snow, A. D. Fairbanks, Lewis W. Gowen, Thomas F. Millit, Uriah Chase, John P. Stinchfield, Levi H. Winslow, William H. Trafton.

The Third Freewill Baptist Church was at Effingham Falls, and was organ- ized in 1842 by Elders Oliver Butler and Moses M. Smart. Members at organization were : Benjamin Leavitt, Samuel Lord, James M. Leavitt, Thomas J. Leavitt, John Demeritt, William T. Howard, Betsey Hodgdon, M. S. Butler, Hannah Leavitt, Betsey Demeritt, Meriam Lord, Mary Howard, Susan Leavitt, Eunice Huckins, Abigail Witherell.

Their house of worship was erected in 1842. Pastors : Oliver Butler, Enoch T. Prescott, Moses Hanson, Nahum Foss, John Chick, Lemuel A. Jones, J. L. De Mott, E. K. Amazeen, Henry F. Snow.

Calvinist Baptist Church. Drake's Corner. - This church was organized, August 22, 1807, by Rev. Wentworth Lord, of Parsonsfield, Maine, and Rev. Stephen Webber, of Limington, Maine, at the house of Jacob Mills. The

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TOWN OF EFFINGHAM.

members at its organization were : Jacob Mills and wife, John Seavey and wife, Nicholas Blaisdell, Libbeus Blossom and wife, Elizabeth Burns, Betsey Cushing, Nancy Mills, Mehitable Mills, Abigail Moulton, Thomas Lord, Ester Lord, John Mills, Sally Mills, Sukey Mills, Samuel Lovering, Susannah Lovering, John Drake, Polly Drake, Sally Champion, Jane Gentleman, Ester Meloon, Hannah Bryant, Joseph Drake, Lucy Drake, Abram Drake, Susannah Drake, Mary Dearborn, Lydia Davis, and Sarah Wedgwood. The first house of worship was built in 1822. This house was built in the style common in those days with square pews and galleries on three sides. It was torn down and a new house built in 1844. This house was rebuilt and remodeled in 1880. Pastors : Levi Chadborn, 1810-17; Samuel Cook, 1821-27; Gideon Cook, 1828-32; Eaton Mason, 1834; Eleazar Robbins, 1835-38 ; J. M. Coburn. 1839-44; William Slason, 1845-47; Titus Merriman, 1848-49; Noah Hooper, 1851-52 ; L. S. Tripp, 1853-54; Charles W. Broadbent, 1855-56 ; Samuel L. White, 1859-61; Elbridge Pepper, 1861-63; Charles D. Sweat, 1864; Horace Perkins, 1865-66 : Nathaniel Melcher, 1867-68 ; J. M. Coburn, 1870; William M. Hathorn, 1880; William H. Trafton, 1887-88.

Schools. - The early settlers of Effingham belonged to that class of people who realized that if they successfully founded a town they must cultivate the mind as well as the soil. And from the very first, money was appropriated for the support of the church and the school. In the early days of this town's existence, a large per cent. of the money raised by taxation was for these purposes, as shown by the town treasurer's accounts, namely : -

1790. Lieutenant Joseph Drake, Collector, Dr.

To tax on inhabitants

1 1

on non-residents 5

18 23

for schooling

17 4

for preaching

1797. Abraham Drake, Collector, Dr. 1 1 9.4

To tax on non-residents

$3.50

on Inhabitants for town and county 33.24

" for preaching the Gospel 55.50

" for schooling 66.13

The charter specified that one share, or one one-hundredth part of the town, should be used for the support of schools. This share was set apart for that purpose. At a town-meeting held March 11, 1803, the town voted to raise the sum of forty dollars annually, forever, for these school lots, and since then the selectmen have added each year that sum to the assessment for the support of schools. May 12, 1786, the following vote was passed : -

" To build a school house 18 ft. x 24 ft., to stand on the southeasterly corner of Josiah Wedgwood's land, it being Lot No. 93, in the most convenient

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

place on the road leading from Weare Drake's house to the Mills." This was the first schoolhouse built in town, and probably stood near where the school- house at Drake's Corner now stands. The next was at Lord's Corner, and stood in the corner of the road nearly in front of Samuel Q. Dearborn's. It was probably built not many years after that at Drake's Corner, for in 1816 1 it was abandoned and a new one built near where James Bean Leavitt now lives. The third schoolhouse stood near where John Bryant now lives, but was after- ward moved to near Joseph S. Smith's,1 but the date of its erection is not known.

As early as 1795 there were as many as five school districts in town.

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 66

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