USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 14
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155
No. 15 .- Emily A., daughter of Stephen and Lou- isa Chase, died Dec. 15, 1867, aged 37.
" Asleep in Jesus."
No. 16 .- Alba Chase, born July 13, 1812, died Nov. 18, 1874.
" With us thy name shall live Through succeeding years,
Embalmed with all our hearts can give, Our praises and our tears."
No. 17 .- Charles Chase, born July 17, 1803, died Ing. 4, 1866.
" He hath gone home."
No. 18 .- Charles D. Chase, born Sept. 24, 1840, died at Jackson, Miss., July 20, 1863 ; member of 9th Reg. N. H. V.
No. 19 .- Lucia M., daughter of Charles and Han- nah Chase, died Oct. 3, 1859, aged 15 years, 2 months and 17 days.
"We miss our dear Lucia."
No. 20 .- Charles E., son of Charles and Hannah Chase, died Sept. 15, 1839, aged 1 year, 11 months and 28 days.
No. 21 .- George M., son of Charles and Hannah Chase, died Dec. 20, 1842, aged 5 months.
No. 22 .- Ziba Chase, died July 7, 1850, aged 50.
No. 23 .- In memory of Stephen, son of Lt. Stephen Chase and Mrs. Betsey, his wife. He died June 8, 1797, in the 7th year of his age ; whose death was oc- casioned by the fall of a tree.
" How short the span, Short from the cradle to the grave !"
No. 24 .- Hosea B., son of Hosea and Hannah D. Chase, died Sept. 26, 1839, aged 5 weeks.
No. 25 .- William H., son of Hosea and Hannah D. Chase, died Sept. 23, 1860, aged 16 years, 11 months and 23 days.
" One less to love on earth, One more to meet in Heaven."
No. 26 .- Bela Chase, born Dec. 2, 1795, died Jan. 31, 1868, aged 72.
No. 27 .- Charlotte J., daughter of Albert and El- len M. Church, died Sept. 9, 1850, aged 2 years and 9 months.
No. 28 .- William D., son of Albert and Ellen M. Church, died Aug. 6, 1850, aged 3 years and 10 months.
No. 29 .- Nancy, widow of Elihu Dort, wife of George Allen, died July 13, 1875, aged 76.
No. 30 .-- David B. Dort, died Jan. 29, 1859, aged 44.
No. 31 .- Charles F., died March 24, 1855, aged 2 years, 7 months and 28 days ; an infant son, died Oct.
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KEENE.
10, 1849, aged 6 days ; children of David B. and Frances A. Dort.
" Bud for time, Blooming in eternity."
No. 32 .- Edward C., son of David B. and Frances A. Dort, died Feb. 10, 1861, aged 5 years and 5 months.
" Too beautiful for earth, He soared to Heaven."
No. 33 .- Annie Durkee, wife of Almon Durkce, died July 20, 1875, aged 66.
No. 34 .- Betsey, wife of John Day, died May, 1805, aged 52.
No. 35 .- In memory of Mr. Ebenezer Day, who died Jan. 12, 1776, in the 60th year of his age.
" Death conquers all."
No. 36 .- In memory of Mrs. Bathsheba Day, relict of Mr. Ebenezer Day, died Sept. the 5th, 1798, in the 73d year of her age.
" Death is a debt to nature due,
Which I have paid and so must you."
No. 37 .- Sabra Day, died Sept. 2, 1840, aged 74.
No. 38 .- Benjamin Dwinell, died July 29, 1805, aged 76.
No. 39 .- Mary, wife of Benjamin Dwinell, died March 5, 1820, aged 92.
No. 40 .- Henry Ellis,1 died Aug. 3, 1838, aged 90 years.
" His mind was tranquil and serene, No terrors in his looks were seen,
His Saviour's smile dispelled the gloom, And smoothed his passage to the tomb."
No. 41 .- Millitiah, relict of Henry Ellis, died April 30, 1850, aged 98.
"She's traveled her appointed years, And her Deliverer's come, And wiped away his servant's tears, And took his exile home."
No. 42 .- Samuel Ellis, died Dec. 26, 1861, aged 81.
No. 43 .- Sally, wife of Samuel Ellis, died Nov. 14, 1865, aged 79.
No. 44 .- Milla Ellis, died Nov. 22, 1870, aged 87.
No. 45 .- John Farrar, died Oct. 23, 1856, aged 69.
No. 46 .- Martha E. Farrar, died March 30, 1852, aged 22 years.
No. 47 .- Sarah C., wife of Warren Foster, died March 15, 1841, aged 25.
No. 48 .- George Goodnow, died Sept. 4, 1866, aged 67.
No. 49 .- Marinda, wife of George Goodnow, died Jan. 28, 1865, aged 66.
No. 50 .- Hannah, daughter of George and Marinda Goodnow, died Aug. 23, 1858, aged 20.
1 Henry Ellis belonged to the foot company of Keene in 1773.
No. 51 .- Emina S., daughter of George and Marin- da Goodnow, died Aug. 6, 1866, aged 26.
No. 52 .- Mary F., daughter of George and Marinda Goodnow, died Oct. 17, 1872, aged 30.
No. 53 .- William Goodnow, died Feb. 4, 1867, aged 78.
No. 54 .- Sarah B., wife of William Goodnow, died July 12, 1843, aged 45.
"Friends and physicians could not save My mortal body from the grave,
Nor can the grave confine me here
When Christ my Saviour shall appear."
No. 55 .- William K., son of William and Sarah B. Goodnow, died May 15, 1849, aged 22.
No. 56 .- Charles E., son of William and Sarah B. Goodnow, died March 14, 1855, aged 26.
No. 57 .- Emily Baker, daughter of Mr. William and Mrs. Sarah Goodnow, died Sept. 22, 1832, aged 5 months.
No. 58 .- Daniel, son of Mr. William and Mrs. Sa- rah Goodnow, died March 16, 1832, aged 9 years.
No. 59 .- Mrs. Mary, wife of Mr. William Goodnow, died Dec. 10, 1831, aged 69.
No. 60 .- Henry Goodnow, died Jan. 25, 1844, aged 60.
" He's gone and left this world of sin, The dark and dismal shore ;
We only part to meet again,
And meet to part no more."
No. 61 .- William Goodnow, died March 22, 1809, aged 58.
No. 62 .- Charlotte Goodnow, died July 3, 1823, aged 21.
No. 63 .- Nancy Goodnow, died May 4, 1823, aged 27. No. 64 .- Mary Goodnow, died April 26, 1818, aged 31.
No. 65 .- Sally Goodnow, died Jan. 28, 1872, aged 79. No. 66 .- Hepsibah Goodnow, died Jan. 18, 1858, aged 73. No. 67 .- Mary B. Goodnow, died Oct. 3, 1846, aged 28.
No. 68 .- Frances R., wife of Willard Gay, died March 30, 1842, aged 24.
No. 69 .- Nancy Graves, died Sept. 7, 1846, aged 80.
No. 70 .- Capt. John Houghton, died Ang. 15, 1818, aged 72.
No. 71 .- Relief Houghton, died June 14, 1841, aged 90.
No. 72 .- My husband. Wheelock Houghton died July 14, 1864, aged 86.
No. 73 .- Adin Holbrook, died Aug., 1843, aged 91. No. 74 .- Mrs. Mary, wife of Adin Holbrook, died July 29, 1824, aged 66.
No. 75 .- Enos Holbrook, born Sept. 17, 1789, died Aug. 8, 1876.
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
No. 76 .- Mary K., wife of Enos Holbrook, born Sept. 19, 1790, died May 24, 1867.
No. 77 .- Sarah E. Holbrook, daughter of Enos and Mary K. Holbrook, born June 13, 1823, died Nov. 6, 1870.
No. 78 .- Clarinda A., daughter of Enos and Mary K. Holbrook, born Aug. 15, 1831, died Oct. 5, 1853.
No. 79 .- Nathaniel Kingsbury, died Jan. 26, 1803, in the 64th year of his age.
No. 80 .- In memory of Mrs. Hannah, wife of Mr. Nathaniel Kingsbury, who died Sept. 25, 1785, in her 47th year.
No. 81 .- Rebecca, wife of Nathaniel Kingsbury, died March 16, 1824, in the 64th year of her age.
No. 82 .- Capt. Samuel Kingsbury, died Oct. 10, 1863, aged 69.
No. 83 .- Sarah, wife of Capt. Samuel Kingsbury, died Oct. 18, 1863, aged 71.
No. 84 .- Delilah H., wife of Josiah Kingsbury, died Dec. 11, 1870, aged 49.
No. 85 .- In memory of Mrs. Zilpah Kilburn, wife of Mr. Jehiel Kilburn, who died Dec. 27, 1804, in the 22d year of her age.
(Made by Moses Wright, of Rockingham,-price, six dollars.)
No. 86 .- George Mansfield, died Feb. 25, 1873, aged 52 years and 8 months.
No. 87 .- Susannah T., wife of George Mansfield, died March 18, 1864, aged 41.
" Not lost, but gone before."
No. 88 .- Moses Moody, died Dec. 13, 1845, aged 42.
" Man of the world, as you pass by, Look here beneath this elod I lie,
And born of frail mortality,
What your lot must surely be, And when ambition fills your breast, Think of my lonely place of rest."
No. 89 .- Frederic Metcalf, died Sept. 16, 1849, aged 81.
No. 90 .- Esther D., wife of Frederick Metcalf, died Feb. 27, 1847, aged 74.
No. 91 .- Betsey G. Metcalf, died Jnly, 1741, aged 44.
No. 92 .- William F., son of William and Amanda Metcalf, born Dec. 9, 1839, died April 25, 1872.
No. 93 .- Our dear little Eddie. Died April 17, 1860, aged 5 years 1 month and 26 days.
" Not lost but gone before."
No. 94 .- Infant son, aged 2 weeks.
No. 95 .- Harriet Mary, daughter of William and Amanda Metcalf, died Aug. 12, 1839, aged 1 year and 6 months.
No. 96 .- Harriet Mary, daughter of William and Amanda Metcalf, died Dec. 13, 1837, aged 2 years and 2 months.
No. 97 .- Edward G., son of William and Amanda
Metcalf, died April 25, 1853, aged 9 years and 10 months.
" Affectionate in life, lovely in death."
No. 98 .- Levi Pond, died Oct. 8, 1870, aged 77.
"We have kissed the pale lips forever closed, And laid him gently to rest."
No. 99 .- Our Mabel. Mabel E., daughter of A. and E. Pond, died March 24, 1868, aged 8 years and 7 months.
" Mabel dear, how we miss Her gentle footsteps now,
The low soft tones-the pleasant smile, The sweet and sunny brow.
No. 100 .- In memory of Jonathan Pond,1 who died March 5, 1817, aged 77.
No. 101 .- In memory of Mrs. Thankful Pond, who died Sept. 16, 1821, aged 77.
No. 102 .- Phinehas Pond, died June 12, 1837, aged 70.
No. 103 .- Louis Pond, died Oct. 12, 1842, aged 71.
No. 104 .- Filister Pond, died Nov. 16, 1842, aged 61 years.
No. 105 .- Philinda Pond, died Oct. 22, 1862, aged 59.
"My glass is run."
No. 106 .- Edmund J. Perham, member of the 9th Reg. N. H. V., died at Knoxville, Md., Oct. 26, 1862, aged 37.
" Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."
No. 107 .- Martha S., wife of E. J. Perham, born Nov. 10, 1836, died Feb. 13, 1860.
" Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
An infant of E. J. and M. S. Perham, born Feb. 7, died Feb. 9, 1860.
No. 108 .- Silas Perry,2 born April 14, 1763, died June 3, 1852, aged 89 years 1 month and 20 days.
No. 109 .- Catherine, wife of Silas Perry, died Jan. 4, 1830, aged 66.
No. 110 .- (Marble monument). Perry.
Joseph Perry,3 born March 30, 1788, died June 17, 1865. Lydia Perry, his wife, born Feb. 23, 1787, died July 25, 1871.
No. 111 .- Aaron Reed, born April 30, 1791, died July 21, 1859.
1 Jonathan Pond's name is on the muster-roll as belong- ing to the foot company in Keene in 1773.
2 Silas Perry came to Keene about the year 1792, having enlisted in the war from Westminster, Mass. He was one of the guard at the execution of Major Andre.
3 Joseph Perry was a great mathematician besides a life- long Democrat. A short time before he died I asked him to explain to me the difference between a Republican and a Democrat. llis reply was the ins and the outs.
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KEENE.
No. 112 .- Diantha P., born Feb. 10, 1824, died Aug. 7, 1852; Henry W., born April 25, 1827, died March 19, 1832; Charles J., born April 15, 1832, died March 31, 1833, children of Aaron and Mary Reed.
No. 113 .- Paschal R., died Dec. 3, 1812, aged 15 years; George L., died Aug. 12, 1833, aged 8 years; Lydia Ann, died May 26, 1833, aged 9 months, chil- dren of Obadiah and Mary Reed.
No. 114 .- Cornelius Sturtevant,1 died March 8, 1826, aged 91.
No. 115 .- Sarah, wife of Cornelius Sturtevant, died April 25, 1826, aged 88.
No. 116 .- In memory of Mrs. Elizabeth, widow of Mr. Cornelius Sturtevant, of Plympton, Mass., died May 16, 1790, in the 89th year of her age.
No. 117 .- This monument is erected to the memory of Mr. Luke Sturtevant, who was instantly killed by the fall of a tree June 22, 1811, aged 43.
" Reader, behold as you pass by, As you are now so once was I ; As I am now so you must be,
Prepare for death and follow me."
No. 118 .- Abigail, wife of Luke Sturtevant, died Sept. 19, 1839, aged 64.
No. 119 .- John A. Sturtevant, died July 11, 1832, aged 27.
No. 120 .- Abigail F., wife of Warner C. Sturtevant, died June 13, 1843, aged 32.
No. 121 .- Luther Sturtevant, died Dec. 31, 1863, aged 89.
No. 122 .- Azubah, wife of Luther Sturtevant, died Dec. 15, 1849, aged 76.
No. 123 .- In memory of Maj. Isaac Sturtevant, who died July 5, 1816, aged 39 years.
" Beneath the sacred honors of the tomb, In awful silence and majestic gloom ;
The man of mercy conceals his head Amidst the silent mansions of the dead.
No more his liberal hand shall help the poor, Relieve distress and soften joy no more."
1 The Sturtevant family have been identified with the town of Keene almost from its first settlement to the pres- ent day. Cornelius Sturtevant was born in 1735, only three years after the first settlement of the town (1732). Coming from Massachusetts to Keene when it was but a wilderness, he first settled just across the line in Gilsum, and lived in a log house ; his descendants are still living here, even to the fifth generation. Cornelius was a school- teacher as well as a farmer. He raised a large family. We of the present generation remember many of his grandchildren. George W., Isaac, Charles, Fanny, Luther, Linda, Warner and many more of them, all good, substan- tial citizen. Genl. John W. Sturtevant, a great-great-grand- son of Cornelius, is one of our leading citizens, a member of the firm of G. H. Tilden & Co. IIe is a member of the present Board of Education, and is also a representative from Keene in the Legislature.
No. 124 .- In memory of Jemima Tiffany, who de- parted this life Feb. 7, 1789, in the 78th year of her age.
No. 125 .- Erected to the memory of Mr. Joseph Turner, who died April 5, 1818, in the 75th year of his age.
" My glass is run.
Stop, traveller, don't heedless pass me by,
But stop and shed a tear and heave a sigh,
Here lies a man whose heart was kind and free,
Who was ever loved with godlike charity."
No. 126 .- Isaiah Wilder, died in Gilsum Oct. 11, 1867, aged 85 years and 7 months.
No. 127 .- Saloma, wife of Isaiah Wilder, died Jan. 28, 1849, aged 60.
No. 128 .- Juliette Augusta, daughter of David and Betsey Wood, died April 6, 1863, aged 12 years and 6 months.
No. 129 .- Ella Mariah, daughter of David and Betsey Wood, died March 11, 1863, aged 10 years and 6 months.
No. 130 .- Abijah Willson, died May 28, 1854, aged 86.
No. 131 .- Phebe, wife of Abijah Willson, died June 20, 1840, aged 73 years.
No. 132 .- Rebecca, wife of Abijah Willson, died Oct. 22, 1852, aged 74.
No. 133 .- Phebe, died Aug. 27, 1803, aged 2 years and 6 months. Uriah, died Sept, 8, 1803, aged 14 years and 8 months. Avery, died at Mobile, Ala., March 12, 1837, aged 29.
No. 134 .- George Willson, died Feb. 22, 1873, aged 63 years, 3 months and 3 days.
" Gone but not forgotten."
No. 135 .- In memory of Relief, daughter of Mr. Joshua Washburn and Hepsibah, his wife, who died Dec. 20, 1791, aged 2 years, 4 months and 20 days.
" As I am now so you must be, Therefore prepare to follow me."
No. 136 .- George P. Wetherbee, died July 17, 1836, aged 20.
No. 137 .- Mr. Phinehas Wright, died May 6, 1812, aged 60.
No. 138 .- Mrs. Zilpah Wright, died Sept. 30, 1841, aged 85.
Cornelius Sturtevant, Jr., published a newspaper in Keene called the Rising Sun, before the New Hampshire Sentinel was started by Mr. John Prentiss. He left Keene, went into the army, and died in Piketon, Ohio, August 2, 1821, at. the age of fifty. The late George W. Sturtevant was a small boy when his Uncle Luke was killed by the fall of a tree. He was told to get out of the way, as the tree might fall on him; but, instead, his uncle was instantly killed. The present generation know but little of the trials and hardships of their ancestors ; their real life was, many times, stranger than fiction.
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
No. 139. - In memory of Fanny, daughter of Mr. Phinehas Wright and Zilpah, his wife, who died Aug. 5, 1803, in the 8th year of her age. In memory of Roxana, daughter of Mr. Phinehas Wright and Zilpah, his wife, who died Aug. 5, 1803, in the 12th year of her age.
No. 140 .- In memory of Miss Rebecca Wright, daughter of Mr. Phinehas Wright and Zilpah, his wife, who died March 2, 1804, in the 25th year of her age.
No. 141 .- Caleb Wright, died Nov. 21, 1869, aged 75 years and 9 months.
No. 142 .- Sarah, wife of Caleb Wright, died Nov. 16, 1838, aged 42.
No. 143 .- Betsey P., wife of Charles Wright, died Dec. 20, 1858, aged 39.
THE OLD GRAVEYARD ON WEST HILL .- This graveyard is just off the road that leads to Westmoreland, near Mr. Benjamin F. Foster's farm. Probably nine-tenths of the people in town are not aware that there is such a graveyard in Keene ; but those of us who have always lived here and have seen fifty winters or more, will,. as we read the inscriptions on these monuments, have many of the old faces brought before us again. The most ancient monument in this yard is dated 1798; the latest, 1868. There are thirty-eight monuments in good condition ; there are two others whose in- scriptions are illegible, and quite a number of graves are marked with a granite head- stone with no inscription. On the thirty- eight monuments I find only five died under the age of five years ; two between twenty and forty ; four between forty and fifty ; thirteen between fifty and seventy ; seven between sev- enty and ninety ; and one lived to the great age of ninety-two, showing conclusively that the west side of the Ashuelot River is the healthiest part of Keene. The following is a list of the inscriptions upon the tombstones :
No. 1 .- IIoratio S. Black, died Nov. 14, 1841, aged 3 years and 2 days. Charles H., died July 6, 1841, aged 6 weeks. Sebrina J., died June 1, 1840 ; chil- dren of S. and M. L. Black.
No. 2 .- Emma A., daughter of S. and M. L. Black, died Sept. 27, 1863, aged 2 years 10 months and 10 days.
" Our little prattling Emma, Our loved and cherished one, Went home to dwell with Jesus At the setting of the sun."
No. 3 .- In memory of John Balch, who died March 15, 1824, aged 66. A Revolutionary soldier.
No. 4 .- Lucy, wife of John Balch, died June 5, 1831, aged 69.
No. 5 .- Andrew Balch, died May 26, 1845, aged 58.
No. 6 .- Olive A. F., died July 23, 1822, aged 11 months. Philinda, died Sept. 3, 1826, aged 15 months ; daughters of Andrew and Louisa Balch.
No. 7 .- In memory of Roslinda Balch, who died Aug. 23, 1824, aged 23.
" That once loved form now cold and dead, Each mournful thought employ."
No. 8 .- Balcarras Craig, died May 6, 1850, aged 63.
No. 9 .- Betsy, wife of Balcarras Craig, died Nov. 16, 1863, aged 80 years and 6 months.
No. 10 .- Lizzianna, daughter of Thomas and Eliz- abeth Craige, died July 23, 1856, aged 17 months and 2 days.
" Sleep on, sweet babe, and take thy rest ;
God called thee home when He thought best."
No. 11 .- William Dickinson, died Jan. 20, 1847, aged 62.
No. 12 .- Roxsalana, wife of William Dickinson, died Feb. 6, 1833, aged 44 years.
No. 13 .- Francis, son of Abraham and Mary Diek- inson, died March 28, 1847, aged 18 years and 8 months.
" Beloved in life, lamented in death."
No. 14 .- Emery Dickinson, died Sept. 25, 1868, aged 57 years and 9 months.
No. 15 .- In memory of widow Sarah Eaton, who died Feb. 6, 1812, in the 24th year of her age.
No. 16 .- Thomas Gurler, died Oct. 9, 1858, aged 83.
"The slumberer shall awake; the unscaled eye see its Redeemer, and although the worm destroy this body, yet the dead shall rise to immortality."
No. 17 .- Susannah, wife of Thomas Gurler, died Sept. 14, 1835, aged 57.
" Blessed are they who die in the Lord."
No. 18 .- Granite (stone), 1798.
No. 19 .- Sarah, wife of John T. Harvy, died March 16, 1853, aged 48.
No. 20 .- Nabby, wife of Isaac Miller, died Ang. 17, 1830, aged 46.
No. 21 .- Joseph, son of Alonzo and Crissana May- nard, died May 8, 1838, aged 3 years and 6 months.
No. 22 .- Rufus Henry, son of Liberty and Clarrisa Page, died Dec. 26, 1856, aged 17 years 7 months and 11 days.
No. 23 .- Martha J., daughter of Liberty and Clar- risa Page, died Oct. 12, 1852, aged 1 year and 21 days. No. 24 .- Simeon, son of Liberty and Clarrisa Page, died March 11, 1838, aged 6 months and 13 days.
No. 25 .- In memory of George, son of Mr. Levi and Mrs. Lucy Pattridge, who died January, 1803, aged 22 months.
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KEENE.
No. 26 .- In memory of Mrs. Lydia Pattridge, who died November, 1798, aged 51.
" Virtue now receive a reward, And every grace with sweet accord Shall now unite to praise the Lord, In hallelujahs to our God."
No. 27 .- Joseph Sylvester, died Feb. 16, 1824, aged 80 years.
No. 28 .- Mahitable, wife of Joseph Sylvester, died March 9, 1824, aged 70 years.
No. 29 .- Dea. Daniel Snow, died May 15, 1806, aged 80 years.
No. 30 .- Abigail, wife of Dea. Daniel Snow, died March 29, 1805, aged 75.
No. 31 .- Esther, wife of Dea. John Snow, died Feb. 20, 1820, aged 51.
No. 32 .- Silas Williams, died Oct. 21, 1829, aged 88 years. Erected by their daughter Elizabeth.
" Gone but not forgotten."
No. 33 .- Charity, wife of Silas Williams, died March 26, 1859, aged 92 years.
" Absent but dear."
No. 34 .- Esther P., daughter of Jason and Sally Williams, died Sept. 17, 1830, aged + years.
No. 35 .- Charles E., son of Jason and Sally Wil- liams, died March 16, 1836, aged 4 months and 16 days.
No. 36 .- Cynthia Jane, daughter of Jason and Sally Williams, died June 24, 1852, aged 18 years 11 months and 15 days.
" Dear Cynthia, we loved thee."
No. 37 .- Eliphalet Wilber, died June 29, 1841, aged 57 years.
" My children dear, as you draw near, Your father's grave you'll see, Not long ago I was with you, But soon you'll be with me."
No. 38 .- James Wilson, died May 14, 1837, aged 63 years. Rebecca, wife of James Wilson, died June 26, 1835, aged 46 years.
THE OLD GRAVEYARD AT ASH SWAMP .- At a meeting of the proprietors held February 23, 1762, it was voted that the neck of land where Isaac Clark and Amos Foster were buried be appropriated and set apart for a burying-place for the town. This land had been used for a burying-place for some years before 1762, but at this time it was set apart from the common land, by the original proprietors, to be forever kept as a burying-place. Here I find a monu- ment erected to the memory of Amos Foster, who died in March, 1761, so I am sure this neck of land is the one meant in the old records, 6
thus conclusively proving this to be the oldest place of burial in town. There are indica- tions to show that there have been buried in this old burying-place about one hundred ; but to-day there are but eleven monuments to be found, and on some of these the inscriptions cannot be made out, and in a few short years no monument will be left in this, the first bury- ing-place of the fathers of Keene, to mark the spot where their bones lie.
Isaac Clark was buried in this burying-place, but no monument marks the spot. His home stood near where Mr. Leonard Wright now lives. Possibly there is not a soul now living in Keene to-day that cares a straw whether Isaac Clark ever lived or died ; but let us see what the original proprietors of the town thought of him, some one hundred and forty-six years ago (January 7, 1740). They voted to make such grant of land to such persons as they shall think desire the same, for hazarding their lives and estate by living here to bring forward the settling of the place. Under this vote Isaac Clark was granted ten acres of up- land. He was chosen at the first meeting of the proprietors, held on the first Wednesday of May, 1753, to survey the lands and run the bounds. (This was when the charter of the town was first adopted.) Isaac Clark died about 1761. His estate was settled by Ephraim Dorman, the man that called the first legal town-meeting Keene ever held. Isaac Clark once owned four hundred acres of land in Ash Swamp. The old records tell us that he was baptized in Boxford, Mass., February 1, 1713; lived in Ashuelot and Keene, N. H. His will was proved March 25, 1761. He married Mary Dorman, daughter of Ephraim Dorman, December 22, 1751. She died before 1761. He left no issue.
In 1746, when Isaac Clark's wife was a girl, about one hundred Indians appeared in the town and killed a number of the inhabitants (this was the time they surrounded Nathan Blake's barn, making him prisoner and taking him to Canada). Mrs. Clark was at a barn some fifty rods distant ; leaving it, she espied an Indian near her, who threw away his gun and advanced to make her his prisoner, thinking it an easy
82
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
task to catch a white squaw. She gathered up her clothes around her waist and started for the fort (near the Dr. Adams place, where Mr. Lemuel Hayward now lives). She, animated by cheers from her friends, outran her pursuer, who skulked back for his gun. Isaae Clark and wife were buried in this old burying-place, but in what grave no man can tell, as the marble that marked the spot has entirely disappeared. The following is a list of the inscriptions on all the monuments now standing :
No. 1 .- In memory of Mrs. Hannah, wife of Mr. Royal Blake, who Dec'd Nov. ye 21st, 1779, aged 19 years.
No. 2 .- In memory of Joseph, son of Mr. Royal Blake1 & Mrs. Hannah, his wife, he Dec'd Nov. ye 7th, aged 12 weeks.
No. 3 .-- In memory of Mrs. Zipporah Blake, wife of Doct. Obadiah Blake, who Dec'd Feb. 25, 1785, aged 57 years.2
I Royal Blake was a member of the foot company, 1773. He died October 9, 1827, aged seventy-one, and was buried in the old yard rear the Sawyer place.
2 Clement Sumner was the first settled gospel minister of the town (April 27, 1761). Dr. Obadiah Blake was one of the committee to make the settlement. This committee was voted twelve pounds, lawful money of the Massachu- setts Bay, for the trouble and charge in providing for the counsel at Mr. Sumner's ordination ; also five pounds for paying Mr. Sumner for five weeks' preaching before his settlement. It was voted by the town this year that " the Rev. Mr. Sumner's salary be stated on commodities as they be now, and so from year to year. Commodities as they be now : wheat at 3s. 2}d. sterling per bushel ; pork at 3d. per pound ; beef at 2d. per pound ; Indian corn at 1s. 8d. per bushel ; rye at 2s. 6d. per bushel ; labour in the summer at 2s. per day." This was afterwards recorded upon the suggestion of Mr. Sumner that the article of beef was stated above the market price. Dr. Blake was one of the selectmen in 1762; he also belonged to the alarm-list in 1773. Ile has one grandson still living,-Mr. Cyrus Blake, now living in Newton, Mass., an old man. Justin D. Blake, of Ash Swamp, Oscar and Orman Colony, of the Cheshire Republican, and Joshua D. Blake, of Surry, are great- grandsons. The Blake family was noted for their great strength. Joshua D. Colony told me that on one occasion his father, with his horse and wagon loaded with one thousand brick, got stuck in the mud near where Deacon Binney used to live, and was about unloading, when Royal Blake came along and told him to hold on a minute. Ile crawled under the wagon and, putting his shoulder under the axle-tree, told Colony when he heard the old wagon crack to put on the lick. The load was lifted and he drove along. He was also known to take a barrel of cider out of his cart alone and carry it into the cellar.
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