USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 38
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 38
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George C. Ritchie, Sixteenth Regiment, Company I. Abram Robins.
William B. Robbins, Ninth Regiment, Company G. Alfred Robbins, Fourteenth Regiment, Company G. William H. Wolf, Fourteenth Regiment, Company G. Benjamin Sanford, Sixth Regiment, Company D.
Charles A. Sargent, Eleventh Regiment, Company C. Grenville Shedd, Fourteenth Regiment, Company G.
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JAFFREY.
Leonard E. Spaulding, Fourteenth Regiment, Com- pany G.
Austin A. Spaulding, Fourteenth Regiment, Com- pany G.
Leander Spaulding. Alfred Spaulding.
Daniel W. Stevens, Sixth Regiment, Company F.
Henry A. Smith, Fourteenth Regiment, Company G; died.
Charles M. Smith, Fourteenth Regiment, Company G. Samuel A. Stratton, Sixth Regiment, Company F.
Ira Smith, Sixteenth Regiment, Company I.
Aaron Smith, Eighth Regiment.
Henry Stevens, Sixth Regiment, Company C.
Josiah Stebbins, Sixteenth Regiment, Company F. George Steele, Sixth Regiment, Company F.
Philip Stedman, Sixth Regiment, Company D. Levi E. Stedman, Eleventh Regiment, Company D. Elbridge G. Tarbox, Fourth Regiment, Company I. Jackson Taggart, died in prison.
Martin Tehu, Troop C.
Henry A. Thompson, wounded.
Joseph S. Thompson, Fifth Regiment, Company K. Francis Thompson, Sixth Regiment, Company F.
Henry A. Turner, Fourteenth Regiment, Company G. Albert S. Verder, Sixth Regiment, Company E. Charles W. Verder, Fourteenth Regiment. Sylvanus W. Waters, Sixth Regiment, Company K. Charles Wilson, Seventh Regiment, Company D. John Wilson, Eleventh Regiment, Company C. Frank Wetherbee, sharpshooters.
George F. Wilbur, Troop B.
Edwin F. Wheeler, Sixteenth Regiment, Company F. John F. Wheeler, Sixteenth Regiment, Company F.
SOLDIERS IN SERVICE FOR OTHER STATES.
Clarence S. Bailey, captain Massachusetts Cavalry. Henry H. Cragin, Ohio Volunteers.
William L. Cutter, Iowa Cavalry.
Benjamin F. Lawrence, Massachusetts Battery.
Lucius Upton, Massachusetts Battery ; died.
John R. Verder, Connecticut Volunteers.
Whole number of soldiers in service, one hundred and fifty-one.
SOLDIERS KILLED IN BATTLE.
Luther W. Fassett, Second Regiment, at Evansport, Va., April 2, 1862.
Sylvanus C. Waters, Sixth Regiment, at Antietam, September 17, 1864.
Frank Weatherbee, sharpshooters, at Antietam, Sep- tember 17, 1864.
Henry Ritchie, Second Regiment, at Pegram House, Va., September 30, 1864.
Charles Carter, Fourteenth Regiment, at Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864.
Whole number killed in battle, five.
SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE.
Joseph Caldwell, Eighth Regiment, at Thibodeaux, La., 1862.
Joel E. Fassett, Second Regiment, at Jaffrey.
Edmund Ritchie, Second Regiment, at Philadelphia, October 2, 1862.
Charles D. Emery, Fourteenth Regiment, at Wash- ington, November 14, 1863.
Henry A. Smith, Fourteenth Regiment, at Poolsville, Md., January 7, 1863.
Charles M. Smith, Fourteenth Regiment, at Pools- ville, Md., January 12, 1863.
Almond W. Bailey, Sixteenth Regiment, at New Or- leaus, June 7, 1863.
John C. Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, at Mound City, October 23, 1863.
John W. Darling, Sixteenth Regiment, at Butte la Rose, La., May 17, 1863.
Jacob Newell, Jr .. Sixteenth Regiment, at Baton Rouge, La., April 15. 1863.
Hiram Bennet, cavalry, at Point Lookout, Md., Sep- tember 11, 1864.
Daniel M. Colburn, Ninth Regiment, Virginia, No- vember 29, 1864.
Charles A. Sargent, Ninth Regiment, at Salisbury, N. C., October 23, 1864.
Leonard Rand, Fourteenth Regiment, at Camp Para- pet, May 28, 1864.
Henry H. Cragin, 1864; an Ohio volunteer.
Jackson Taggart, cavalry, at Andersonville, Ga., Sep- tember 21, 1864; grave No. 9460.
John Q. Adams, at the Marine Hospital, 186 -.
Lucius Upton, August 7, 1864 ; Massachusetts Bat- tery.
Albert N. Joslin, Fifth Regiment.
John F. Kidder, Sixth Regiment, at Alexandria, Va., November 11, 1862; grave No. 425.
Harvey N. Bailey, cavalry, at Westford, Mass., March 8, 1865.
Joseph S. Lacy, Fifth Regiment, at Yorktown, Va., May 11, 1862.
Oscar Eugene Carter, died.
Whole number died of disease, twenty-three.
POST-OFFICE .- Peter Lawrence was the first postmaster. The office was probably established during the winter of 1801.
April 1, 1846, the name of the office was
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
changed to Factory village, and located in that place.
On the 8th of December, Factory village was changed to East Jaffrey.
The office at Jaffrey was re-established No- vember 6, 1846.
BANKS .-- The Monadnock State Bank was in- corporated in 1850; capital, $50,000. John Conant was chosen president and Peter Upton cashier. Directors, John Conant, Benjamin Cutter, Jonas M. Mellville, James Scott, Rufus Haywood, Samuel Ryan, Jr., Solomon Allen. In 1855, John Fox was chesen president, and in 1857, James Scott, of Peterborough. In 1865 the Monadnock National Bank was incorpo- rated ; capital, $100,000. James Scott was chosen president ; Peter Upton, cashier. Ben- jamin Cutter was chosen president in 1870; cashier, Peter Upton. Peter Upton is the present president, and H. D. Upton, cashier.
The present directors are Peter Upton,
A. S. Coffin, B. D. Whitney, O. H. Bradley, Benjamin Pierce, Julius Cutter and John H. Cutter.
MONADNOCK SAVINGS-BANK was incorpo- rated in 1869. President, Oscar H. Bradley ; treasurer, Peter Upton ; the present trustees are O. H. Bradley (president), Benjamin Pierce, James S. Long, George A. Underwood, J. B. Stedd, J. T. Bigelow, Dexter Derby, C. B. Perry, John H. Fox, A. Sawyer, D. P. Emory, Julius Cutter and R. H. Kitredge.
POPULATION .- In 1775, at the beginning of the war, the number of inhabitants was 351. In 1783, 1033; in 1790, 1235; 1800, 1341; 1810, 1336; 1820, 1339 ; 1830, 1354; 1840, 1411; 1850, 1497; 1860, 1452; 1870, 1256; 1873, 1288 ; 1880, 1267.
THE MONADNOCK RAILROAD was completed and opened in June, 1871. The first trip, from Winchendon to Jaffrey, was made November 22, 1870.
HISTORY OF MARLBOROUGH.
BY REV. S. H. MCCOLLESTER.
CHAPTER I.
THE early history of Marlborough, like that of the surrounding towns, is somewhat obscure and traditional. However, it is known that in the reign of King James I. Europeans came to this country and explored along the Merri- mack River, and that, as early as 1623, a settle- ment was made at Strawberry Bank (now Portsmouth). The settlers were few and mostly fishermen. Though the waters and lands in this region were inviting, immigration was slow because of the wildness of the country and the opposition of the Indians. In 1635 the Plym- outh Company, in order to promote settlements, divided up their property in New England among themselves before they surrendered their charter to the King, and the whole of what now constitutes New Hampshire fell to the lot of Captain John Mason, who was one of their number. He at once took steps to forward settlements and opened the way for them into different parts of the State. At his death, No- vember 16, 1635, his grandson, Robert Tufton, assuming the name Mason, carried on the work and was permitted to witness many new settle- ments along the streams and on the hills. At his departure he left his estate to his two sons, John and Thomas, who became of age about 1738. The entire State had now been surveyed and divided into townships. They at length ef- fected a sale of the unsettled parts to a company in the eastern division of the State, who be- came known as the "Masonian Proprietors." They soon directed their attention to lands about the Monadnock Mountain. No doubt, the
ease with which these could be cleared, on ac- count of their elevation and the richness of the soil, attracted their attention, and so the way was opened for the settlement of eight townships around this grand old mountain. They were known as Monadnock No. 1, No. 2, etc. Marl- borough was Monadnock No. 5, and afterwards its name was changed to Marlborough by set- tlers who came from Marlborough, Mass.
This brings us to the first settlement in town, which was by William Barker, a native of Westborough, Mass. He was one of the " original proprietors," and had drawn several lots in this division. Perhaps because of his financial interest, he was first led to explore the region in 1761, and select a lot on West Hill, on what is now a part of Troy. The next year he returned to the same place, with tools and provisions, to make a clearing for a future home. It is supposed he felled the first trees and con- structed the first camp in this then wild land. This must have been a lonely experience, by day and night. Still, he was ready to endure and persevere because of hope and promise. As his supply of provision was consumed, he turned his steps homeward, having made the beginning of a permanent settlement. In the spring of 1764 he returned and resumed his work of clearing, and built a log house, and so prepared the way for the removal of his family. Early in the ensuing fall, with his wife and three small children, they bid adieu to many kind friends and neighbors, and started on the long and trying journey to their new home. Their means of conveyance was an ox-team. This was a first-class mode of traveling at that
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
time. They found a passable road from West- borough to Winchendon, Mass., but from the latter place they were obliged to select their own way and get on as best they could through the extended forests. Just how long it took them to make this distance of less than twenty miles, without any beaten track, no record shows. We can but surmise they must have been thankful when their destiny was reached, 17th of September, with no disposition to re- trace their steps for the present. Now, see them in their rude home, really the first home in Marlborough. Their neighbors now are the bear and the bison, the wolf and the panther, the hawk and the partridge. Still it was home. Fancy could have but pictured to them better days and fairer scenes. They could have but felt they were sowing for others to reap. Noble adventurers they were, building better than they knew !
Isaac McAllister, not long after this first set- tlement, came hither to seek a spot for another home. His wife was a sister of Mrs. Barker, and so there were kindred attractions to draw these families near together. Mr. McAllister chose the lot which is known as the Deacon Farrar place. Here he made a log house, and before the winter set in it was occupied by his family, consisting of a wife and four children. This was the first settlement within the present limits of the town, and some four miles distant from Mr. Barker's. So, no doubt, during the winter of 1764-65 these two families comprised all the inhabitants of Monadnock No. 5. How little we ean know of the hardships and strange experiences of these early pioneers! There must have been some other motives than those of the mere adventurer prompting them in their risks and severe undertakings. It would seem they desired to do so that others might enter into their labors and become greatly blest. It was even thus. From that feeble beginning what an outcome ! Generations have come and gone, but that simple, sweet home-life in the wild forest has been preserved and multiplied.
The two homes have been supplanted by the many. Thus it is,-the log hut first, the cottage afterwards ; the rude first, the cultured last.
The first-born in town was Dolly, the daugh- ter of Isaac and Hannah (Goddard) McAllister, during the first winter they passed in Marlbor- ough. Their family continued to increase till it numbered five girls and six boys. We can little guess how and where these children played, when and how much they went to school, or how they spent their Sundays. But this we know: that, in spite of wilderness and unfavoring fortune, they blossomed out into noble manhood and womanhood. How true it is, that " necessity is the mother of invention " and character as well!
1765 .- If no Horace Greeley, as yet, had said, "Young man, go West," still it was "westward, ho!" with the young men even at this early date of our country's history. So one Silas Fife, a young man, in this year hav- ing heard of Monadnock No. 5, with gun in hand and a well-filled knapsack on his back, bade adieu to his old home in Bolton, Mass., and alone set out for what seemed an Eldorado to him. No doubt, he had experienced fairest visions in sleep and wakefulness of an enchanted land, whither his adventurous spirit was bound to lead him. At length he pitched his camp at the foot of the Monadnock Mountain, on what was afterwards known as the Deacon Baker place. Here he began at onee to make for him- self a future home, having obtained a title of this section of land. The fish of the brooks and the game of the woods furnished him mostly with food. In the course of a few sum- mers he had converted a portion of the wilder- ness into a farm, where he was raising corn and potatoes ; and, more than this, he had built a good log house, which was too large for himself to occupy alone. The cage and the food were ready for some fairy bird. Accordingly, he re- turned to his native town, -probably to his first love, whose wooing had captured his heart long
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ago,-and took for his bride Abigail Houghton. They were married in Boston, and then made their wedding tour to their new home under the shadows of the Old Monadnock. Just how they traveled and how long it took them to reach their destination no record states. It is certain they were not drawn by any iron steed with lungs of fire and breath of steam, nor whirled over a macadamized road in a coach- and-four at the rate of two-forty. But " where there is a will, there is a way," and so in due time they found themselves settlers in the new town, united in hand and heart, to serve the race and forward civilization.
In 1765, Benjamin Tucker and wife, with five sons and two daughters, came from Leices- ter, Mass., and settled not far south of the spot where the old meeting-house stood. They were well suited to pioneering service. They seemed to be abundantly supplied with good common sense. Though deprived of school advantages, they made the most possible out of present op- portunities. It is impossible to decide whether fate or fortune led Mr. Tucker to select the spot for his home ; however, it turned out to be very fortuitous, for the great highway from Boston to Keene passed directly by it ; so the log house of small quarters was supplanted at length by a more imposing structure, which was used as a tavern. Its proprietor, by tact, integrity and congeniality, became popular as a public enter- tainer. This house was the "place where the " Proprietors " delighted to meet for the trans- action of their business. No doubt, they were wont to have jolly experiences in their gather- ings, as well as discouraging adventures and almost insurmountable obstacles. It is fortunate they could laugh and weep, hope and fear, trust- ing all the while in an overruling Providence and willing for the right. Mr. Tucker acted an important part in the early public meetings, being often chosen as clerk, assessor or treasurer.
This same year Daniel Goodnow, of noble stock, came from Marlborough, Mass., and took up his abode here. Just where he first resided
is not known, but probably in that part of the town which was afterwards set off to Troy. He brought with him a wife and several chil- dren. If their history is somewhat deficient, we know they bequeathed good blood to after generations.
During this year Abel Woodward and his family settled in town on what has been known as the Joslin place in later times. For some reason he thus early sought the valley for his home, while other settlers had pitched their camps or built their log huts on high grounds. It is difficult for us to guess the motives that prompted these early adventurers. Great dis- parity of tastes and desires have always existed among men. Our forefathers could have been no exception to this law; accordingly, they sought the hill and the vale; they loved the mountain and the valley; they delighted in having homes on highland and lowland ; they were fond of the novel, the picturesque and the sublime ; so they were ready to dare and do for rising generations. We now can dimly sur- mise the trials they experienced and the hard- ships they endured for the sake of those who should come after them. But they nobly wrought, and their names should be forever blessed.
In 1766 the first town-meeting was held by the proprietors now settled in Monadnock No. 5. It convened at the house of Isaac McAllis- ter. The object was to take steps towards lay- ing out roads through the township from Keene to Dublin, from Keene to Rindge and from Swanzey to Fitzwilliam. They evidently were conscious of the fact that public roads are a necessity for civilization and progress. Indian trails and spotted trees may answer the turn of wild men, but they can never satisfy the wants of advanced humanity. Roads must be built before the school- house or the church can exist. As soon as highways were made to the feudal castles, or to pass near them, they gave place to Gothic cathedrals. The Orients built pyramids for the dead ; the Occidents built roads for the
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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
living. As our forefathers opened up the first highways the straggling wigwams disappeared, and smiling cottages soon fringed the roads, thereby giving free course to commerce and the trains of wisdom and spiritual activity. How cheering it is that God works with men and crowds into their hearts vaster purposes and broader truths than, in their childish thoughts, they are wont to understand or appreciate !
In 1767 the first saw-mill was erected. We can hardly tell by whom or just when, but tra- dition says it was built at the confluence of the brooks near the school-house in District No. 4, and that Daniel Harrington controlled it. Dur- ing this year, it is said, Jedediah Maynard put up a frame house on what is known as the Artis Collins place, and which, in fact, con- stitutes a part of the house owned by his de- scendants at the present time. Another was built on the site of the Congregational Church by Abijah Tucker. These houses must have been quite a wonder in those days of log cabins, with their rude chimneys, thatched roofs and glassless windows. During this year the immi- grations to this town were much larger than they had been heretofore in the same period. Near the close of this year the Provincial Legislature required a census to be taken of the town, and the returns show that the population consisted of
Unmarried men from 16 to 60 years of age 9 Married men from 16 to 60 years of age .... 16 Boys of 16 years and under 25
Men 60 years and above 1 Females unmarried 26
Females married. 16
Total. 93
This, we see, is quite a settlement to have been made in some three years in the wilds and woods of New England. During this or the following year a grist-mill and another saw-mill were built in the north part of the township, on what was afterwards known as the Richardson Brook. This was the first grain-mill in this region. Previously, the settlers had been obliged to go six and more miles to get their
grain ground, following trails and roughest tracks. They must have learned what it was to earn their bread by the sweat of the brow. Stone relics of this old mill are to be seen at the present day. Its rudeness would bear a strik- ing contrast to the little machine which thumps away day and night in pumping and throwing water from the brook near where the old mill must have stood to buildings high on the hill. The last is better than the first ; the new than the old ; the cultivated garden than the wild morass.
In 1769 the proprietors felt the time had come to direct their hands and hearts towards building a meeting-house. They made it bind- ing on every owner of land to bear his share of the expense in accomplishing this noble work. It appears that there was general interest felt in this enterprise. Their experience and self-sac- rifices tended to excite their religious natures, and make them feel dependent on God and de- sirous to obey his commandments. We imag- ine when they came together for worship, it was in sincerity and truth. So their united hearts must have stimulated each individual soul in those trying times, causing them to feel " how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."
THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN .-- From 1770 to 1774 there was a large in- crease to the population ; so much so, that it was felt an application should be made to the Pro- vincial Congress for the right of incorporating the township into a town. A committee accordingly was chosen to this end, and in 1775 a charter, or grant, was obtained. Henceforth they chose town offices and raised means ac- cording to the laws of the State to meet the de- mands of the town. Now they were soon en- abled to complete their meeting-house, provide for preaching and support one or more schools.
In naming the town, some desired it to be called Oxford, others Salisbury, others Worces- ter and still others Marlborough. But, no doubt, the last name was decided upon because
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so many had emigrated to it from Marlborough, Mass , and that old town was dear to their hearts, and for this reason they delighted to honor and commemorate it.
The records show the new town was presided over from its inception with a good show of dignity and honesty. The majority seemed bound to have things about right. They were forced to have some officers for their protection which have become obsolete, and we nowadays cannot see why there was ever a demand for them, such as tithingmen, deer-reeves and hog- reeves. The office of tithingmen was brought from England here. Even in parts of Great Britain the office is still kept up. Its design is to preserve the Lord's day holy. So the duty of the tithingmen was to keep order in the house of worship, to prevent all unnecessary labor and travel on Sunday. They were honored with a badge of the office, and occupied a conspicuons place in the church, that they might discover any improprieties during the service. It was their privilege to speak out in meeting if they saw any laughing, swearing or roguery. They frequently thought they had sufficient cause to exercise their authority, or, at least, it was no uncommon thing for them to rebuke and chastise right in sermon-time. Only think of men, women and children sitting on hard boards for two or three hours during the forenoon service, and as long in the afternoon, listening oftentimes to prosy preaching and harsh singing ! Who could blame the old folks for nodding and the children for playing ? If such were the order of Sunday service at the present day, we judge tithingmen would still be a necessity. Possibly, we are going to the other extreme, often preferring fifteen-minute essays for sermons which hit nowhere, and operatic music which pleases the head, but touches not the heart. Perhaps, in our haste, we give the French, even, a chance to say of us, " How the Americans rush out of their churches and their cars !"
The duty of the deer-reeves was to protect
the deer so that they should not be destroyed at unseasonable periods, or be cruelly treated at any time. Would it not be well if we could have officers appointed in this age to protect the harmless birds and quadrupeds ? Certainly, there is a demand for leagues to be formed to guard land and water, preventing cruelty to animals.
The hog-reeves were of special importance when our town was new, for the swine were allowed to run at large, and were as much given to rooting then as now. However, the law was that they should be yoked and their noses wrung. This was frequently neglected ; so much damage would be done by their roving and root- ing. The duty of the hog-reeve was to see that these creatures were properly equipped for their liberty. For some reason it became the custom to elect the recently married to this office. If it were not esteemed very honorable, at times it was very onerous. This office was regarded as most essential for many years, and still stands on our statute books. But public opinion, if it does not always create the laws, does execute them, if they are executed at all. For this rea- son we want public sentiment right, and then we will have good laws that can be put in force.
The more we study and learn the facts of the first inhabitants of our town, the more we must be convinced that they were men of heroism and moral strength. They laid a good founda- tion ; they wrought grandly ; their example is worthy of imitation. As they felled the forest and dug up the soil, they sowed good seed, which is still yielding manifold. Their lives, as from some pure spring bursting from Mo- nadnock's lofty brow, have floated down to us on the currents of time, like the little boats, adorned with flowers and lighted with starry flames, which the South Sea Islanders set afloat on the seas to be borne to their descendants dwelling in fairer realms. So the flowers and lights of our ancestral past have filled our gar- dens with countless charms, and gilded our ways with brightest hopes.
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