History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 51

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 51
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 51

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).

James Knowlton had no other opportunities for obtaining an education than the common schools of his native town, but such time as could be given to that purpose was faithfully improved. He followed the trade of his father, that of stone-masonry, working for him until he had attained his majority, when he com- menced business life for himself. He was em- ployed on the work of the Burlington and Rut- land Railroad, and for three years superin- tended different gangs of workmen. He had a natural taste for mechanics, an ambition to im- prove his prospects and also add to his " stock in trade" of acquirements. He became a ma- chinist, and was engaged by J. A. Fay & Co. in setting up machinery, etc., remaining in their employ seven years.

In 1862, Mr. Knowlton purchased of G. H. & S. W. Stone their manufactory of clothes- pins in Marlborough, and carried on this manu- facturing for six years. In 1868 he com- menced making wooden pails, which he has continued until the present time, taking his brother Luke into partnership in 1865, under the firm-name of J. & L. Knowlton. The busi- ness has largely increased, the number of pails manufactured in 1884 being one hundred and ninety-four thousand.

Mr. Knowlton is also a contractor and builder, and has been actively engaged in the erection of many of the houses in Marlborough of the present time. He superintended the building of the dam at the reservoir at Marl- borough Glen, which is one of the largest and best constructed in this section and is one of the best water privileges in Cheshire County. The whole length of the dam is 255 feet ; length of roll-way, 94 feet ; extreme height, 35 feet ; height of roll-way, 32 feet. Material used, 3500 tons of granite and other stone, 57,000 feet of lumber, with 3000 pounds of iron ; costing about $3000.

He superintended the building of the reser- voir dam at Bemisville in 1868, and in 1881 he built the dam for the so-called Dublin reservoir, on the Mount Monadnock Brook. This was the last reservoir constructed by the Breed Pond Company. It was built on a solid ledge, wholly of stone, is one-half mile at its widest point and flows back a mile and a half. The length of the dam is 125 feet, height, 23 feet, and width on the bottom, 40 feet.

Mr. Knowlton was a charter member of the Odd-Fellows' lodge in Marlborough, and has held the office of Noble Grand. Politically, his affiliations are with the Republican party, but he has never sought or filled any office in its gift, being entirely devoted to his business. In his religious preferences he is a Universalist, and was among the principal movers and pro- moters of the church of "faith and love " in Marlborough, and is a liberal contributor to its support. From childhood he has been strictly

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temperate, and has never bought a glass of liquor. He is a strong, enterprising, progressive man, such an one as is needed in every community, and whose energy and influence are potent for action and advance. As a manufacturer and business man,. he is a persistent, industrious, practical worker, careful in the details of his business, and his efforts have been rewarded with financial success. As a friend and neigh- bor, he is kind-hearted and social ; as an employ- er, considerate of the interests of his workmen ; as a citizen, he enjoys universal confidence and esteem, and is one of the representative men of Marlborough.

SOLON STONE WILKINSON.

Solon Stone Wilkinson, was born in Marl- borough, March 22, 1828. It was his good fortune to come into this world in a very pleas- ant home. His father was kind and judicious ; his mother was affectionate and decidedly gifted in heart and mind. His childhood was passed on a farm, where the air was invigorating and the scenery strikingly beautiful. In the dis- trict school he was quite a favorite among his mates, being large-hearted and full of good nature. The boys used to enjoy hearing Solon laugh. In his studies he aimed to be faithful and did rank well as a scholar, excelling in declamation. He early learned the harness and saddler's trade of his father, who was emi- nently successful in this business for more than three-score years. Reaching his majority, he still continued working for his father, and

going in company with him for several years, being highly esteemed as a citizen and a Chris- tain. At length he left Marlborough and settled in Keene, that he might have a larger field in which to work and trade. Here, for twenty years and more, he was at the head of an extensive business in manufacturing and selling harnesses, saddles, trunks, etc. Though closely confined to his calling, still he has found time to work in church, Sunday-school, the temperance cause and social ways, so as to make his influence felt for good, proving that he is living to render the world wiser and better. He was a popular adjutant-general on ex-Governor Hale's staff. He is naturally very social and genial ; accordingly, he makes hosts of friends.

Not long ago he found it necessary to leave his store and trade, that he might not be so closely confined in-doors, and since the change he has been engaged with his brother, Warren S. Wilkinson, of Springfield, Mass., who has become a successful and wealthy gentleman, in manufacturing woolen goods in Marlborough. So he has come back to his native place to do business, but still resides in Keene, where he has a pleasant home within and without. His wife was the daughter of Charles and Polly Holman, who delights in ' making her home most inviting. They have one, son who has advanced into manhood and is proving himself a blessing to his parents and the world. Mr. Wilkinson is large and well-proportioned in body, mind and heart. He is a worthy son of his native town.

HISTORY OF MARLOW.

CHAPTER I.

THE town of Marlow lies in the northern part of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the north, by Sullivan County ; on the east, by Sullivan County and the town of Stoddard ; on the south, by Gilsum, and on the west, by Alstead.

The township was granted October 7, 1761, to William Noyes and sixty-three others, at which time it received its present name. The reservation of five hundred acres for Governor Wentworth was located in the south- west corner. The conditions of this grant were not wholly complied with, and the in- habitants, on the 30th of December, 1771, petitioned for an extension of the charter, which was granted January 24, 1772, for a term of three years. In the petition they stated that twenty-eight families were resident in town, and that five more were to settle the following spring.

The grantees were residents of Connecticut, principally in the vicinity of the towns of Lyme and Colchester. Among the first settlers were Thomas and Samuel Gustin, Elisha and Solomon Mack, Jasper and Nathan Huntley and Joseph Tubbs.

By an act passed June 21, 1797, all that portion of the town, as originally granted, lying east of the curve-line of Mason's patent, containing some four thousand acres, was de- clared to be under the jurisdiction and a part of the town of Stoddard.

An academy flourished here for some years, which was largely patronized by the inhab-

itants of the county and did a good work in the cause of education.

The first town-meeting was held March 2, 1766, at the house of Samuel Gustin. Joseph Tubbs was chosen moderator and Samuel Gus- tin, clerk.

The first selectmen were chosen March 16, 1766, viz. : Joseph Tubbs, Samuel Gustin and Martin Lord.

The earliest buildings were erected near Baker's Corners, by John Gustin. Nathan Huntley settled near Marlow Hill and Joseph Tubbs in the south part of the town.

The first meeting-house was erected in 1798, on Marlow Hill. It was taken down in 1845 and removed to the village and used as a Union Church. The Methodist Church also originally stood on Marlow Hill, and Rev. Peter Jacobs was the first minister.

The Universalist Church here was organized in 1847, and the first pastor was Rev. N. R. Wright. There are now three churches in town,-Christian, Methodist and Universalist.

In the early days the people of the town were generally Baptist. A Congregational Church, with nine members, was formed here in 1823, but was long since discontinued.

.The first physician in the town was, proba- bly, Dr. Isaac Baker. Others have been Thomas J. Stevens, Lyman Brooks, Reuben Hatch, Dr. Richardson, R. G. Mather and Marshall Perkins.

In olden times, Baker's Corners was the cen- tre of business in the town, containing a store, potash manufactory and hotel. The first store was opened by a Mr. Lamphere on the " Hill,"

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and the hotel of most note was kept by Almon Smith, familarly known as " Peg Smith." The first hotel in the town was located at Baker's Corners, and Samuel Richardson was pro- prietor.

The first store in South Marlow was opened by Joel Tenney. The first tannery in the town was built by Ward Ware. The first tannery at Marlow village was built by L. Huntly in 1835. This has been succeeded by the present large tanning establishment of Hon. James Burnap.

DOCUMENTARY HISTORY. Inventory of 1773.

" A True Inventory of all the Poles and Ratable Estate in the Township of Marlow Taken this twenty Sixth day of April 1773 by us the Subscribers Select- men of Said Marlow

" Thirty four poles-twenty Eight oxen-forty two Cows-fifteen three years old-Eight two year old-thirteen year old-two Horses-one hundred and forty four acers of Mowing Land-Seventy Nine acers of arable Land-Sixty four acers of paster Land-

" A True List attest

" NICODEMES MILLER ) Selectmen of "SAM" CANFIELD Marlow

" province of New hampshire April ye 26th 1773

" County of Cheshire ss parsonally appeared Nico- dems Miller and Samuell Canfield Selectmen of Mar- low and made Soloom oath to the above Inventory by them Taken & Signed by them as above Is Just and True as there set down taken

" Before me

" B BELLOWS Justice Peace" Relative to the Election of Representative, 1776.

"To the Honerabel Counsel & assembeley of the Colony of New hampshire to be Conveaned & as- sembled at Exeter on the third wensday of De- cember Instant.

"The Petiteion of the Inhabetitants of the Towns of marlow Alsted and Surrey Humbeley Sheweth that where as it is the advice & Deriction of the Conte- nantel Congrace Reletve to the asumeing Civel Gov- erment in this Coloney have advised and Dericted the Provenshal Congras of this Colony Preveus to their asuiming a forme of Ceviel Government that they at their Convenshon Do Grant worants for a full and free Election of Representetves in this Coloney & where as veeres Cuppleing of veraes Towns toGether

in the wesetern Parts of Coloney and allowing but one Representetve to a Cuppling and we being Defer- antly Treted from the Mager Parts of this Coloney who are allowed a Representetive to Each Town and where as the Towns of marlow Alsted & Surrey are Towns InCorprated with all the Inverabel Privelig- eses & Emunities that any other Town or Towns Do or may In Joy In this Coloney & being thus Cuppled together as aforeSaid are abriged or Curtailed of the Privelig of Each EndeviDial Town Eleccting a Rep- resentetive which we Humbely Conceve Can not be Constred to be a full & free Election or Representa- tion of the Said Coloney agreabel to the advice of the Contenantal Congress above Resited we there fore your Humbel Petiteshers would be such the Honera- bel Counsel & House of Representetives that Preves to the further Preserving the Plan of Civel Govern- ment that there may worants be Granted for a full and free Election or Representation of Each of the Endvedial Towns above menchened Presewent to the advice of the Contenantal Congrace aforesaid thus Shall your Humbel Petisonors as In Deuty Bound Ever Pray.

"Dated Coloney of Newhamsher Marlow Decem- ber 11tb A : D 1776

"SAM" GUSTIN

" ABSALOM KINGSBERY

"WOOLSTON BROCKWAY ( Alsted & " JONATHAN SMITH

Comett for marlow Surrey "

Relative to the East Line of the Town, 1777.

" Marlow Feby ye 20th 1777-

" As there is a Report prevails in the Town of Mar- low that one oliver Parker a Reputed mover of sedi- tion in the Town of Stoddard hath got a petition Signd by a party to have some part of the East side of the Town of marlow (by the general Cort) set to Stoddard.

" We the Select men of marlow in the State of Newhampshire. Beg Leve to Say Some thing in the Ears of the General Cort on this matter if ye above Said petition is prefared-viz-that the incorporation of ye Town of marlow is older than ye incorporation of any Town adjoining to the said marlow-and we in ye Name of ye inhabitants of ye Town of marlow humbly Pray that the General Cort would not by any incorporation infringeon the Town of marlow withont Giving Notice to the Inhabitants of the said marlow some time before hand-

" If the above sd petition be for paying Taxes only -the General assembly did on the 12th Day of June 1776 pass a resolve that all those Rateable persons who live within the original east Line of marlow and their Estates thir. pay there Taxes to marlow untill

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HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

the Title of the Lands Disputable between the said Towns of marlow and Stoddard be Decided by Law or or by agreement between the said two Towns.

" The Cause being So plain we shall not Trouble the Cort any Longer-Resting assured they will not act Contrary to this petition without first Notifying the Town of marlow and giving us a Day to Defend our Selves

" Dated at marlow this 4th of march AD 1777-

" pr us " NICODEMUS MILLER ) Select men

" ABISHA TUBS S of marlow "

Relative to the Settlement of the East Line of the Town, 1778.

"State of Newhamshere Chesher County Marlow Feberay 3rd 1778

"as there is Still Remaining a Deficalty about the Colecting of Taxes in our town on aCount of the Clames of woshenton and Stoder by their Corpora- tions-Laping on our Town and the Charter and Corperation there of and as the Easter most Line of Said marlow is Desputed by Said Washenton & Stodderd and that it may be Setteled with out Defi- calty in a Legal Methard

"we the Subscribers Select men of Said Marlow Do Bring our Requst and Potition to the Honorabel Counsel and assembly of this State that they would Deriet to Sum method whereby those unhapey Defi- caltys may be Removed and if your Honours Should Think it Proper : we Should be Glad that Sum So- veyor & Chainmen that are Dis Entrested and In- habtents of this County be apointed to Run the Loyns of Said marlow aCording to the Charter of Said Town and Esabilish the Lines and Bounds of Said Town that Such Desputes may be Removed for which we your Potishenors as In Deuty Bound would Humbely Pray

" EBER LEWIS 2 Selectmen " WILLIAM NUD ) of marlow

" N : B as marlow is the oldest Charter of any Town that Joins on it we think it very improper that other Towns Should InCroach on our Rights & Priv- eliges &C

" the within riten petetion is Excepted and by the town Voted to be Sent to the Honourable Counsil and Asemby

" JONATH ROYCE town Clark "

Relative to Taxes, 1784.

"State of Newhampshire

" The Petition of the Town of Marlow humbly Sheweth That in the Proportion taken in 1777 the Town of Marlow Sent in their Inventory according

to the best of their Knowledge Includeing all within the Original Limitts of Said Town-after which the General Court by their Special order Resolvª that a certain part of the Land aforesaid with the Inhabit- ants thereon so far as the Masonian grant Extended Should pay their proportion another way whereby your Petitioners where Deprived of a Considerable part of their Strength which they Expected in pay- ing the Quotas of Taxes Laid on them in conse- quence of their Proportion and also was Doomd their Suposeª proportion in 1780 Including the Land aforesaid Therefore your Petitioner humbly Prays that So much of their Taxes As hath been So Laid on them may be abated that they may only pay their Just proportion of Taxes in Said State which they Ever Desire to do and no more and your Petitioners as in Duty bound will Ever pray

NATI" S PRENTICE in behalf of Said Town"

Relative to East Line of the Town, 1798.

"To the honarble Senate and hous of Representatives in Jeneral cort Convened at Concord on the thurd Wedingsday of this Instant November

" your pertisherners humbley Shweth that whereas an act has Ben past Giving Juresdiction of a part of marlow to Stodderd to the grate deterament of said marlow and must unavoidable Ruen said town if Said act is not Reconsedered tharefore your portish- erners humbley prayeth that your honers will make thare Case your Case and then Consider wheather you would Be willing to have your towns Cut to peaces without the Concent of the inhabetents then your portisheners thinks they Shall be Abel By thare agent to Shew the unreasonable ness of that act which your portishoners thinks neaver would Ben past if the honcrable Cort at that Time had farly un- derstod the situation of Both towns that Stoddard is Biger without that Strip than marlow is with it by Reason of washington Exersising Juresdiction over a Considerable part of said marlow and your portish- eners humbley prayeth that they may not Be tore to peases to Set up thare nabering towns thow they are willing to suffer with other Towns But not to be tore to peaces to set them up tharefore your portisheners humbley Requestes that act may Be Reconsidered and your portisheners as in duty Bound Shall Ever Pray

" Marlow November 16th 1798

" ELISHA HUNTLEY ) Select

" ABIJAH MACK Men of " WELLS WAY marlow"

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MARLOW.

Remonstrance to the Establishment of the East Line as by the Act of 1797.

" To the Honourable senate & house of Representa- tives to be convened at Concord on the third wed- nesday of November-

" The Petition of the Proprietors of the town of Marlow humbley shews that the General court at their sessions in June 1797 sett off the southeast part of Marlow containing About four thousand acres of sª Marlow under the Jurisdiction of the town of stod- dard haveing About twenty famylies on the same which we concieve was obtained by A Very wrong Representation of the Matters of fact And we your Petioner not thinking it necessary at that time to send in A written remonstrance against the town of stod- dard petition fully believing that the honourable court would never take off from the lesser towns and to put to the Greater where the town taken off from the Inhabitants to be taken off had not Requested it but to their great Disappointment it was done. and we your Petioners being fully sensible that sd Act being carried into effect according to the liberty the town of Stoddard have taken and mean to take by taxing our

Lands under the Lay out of the Proprietors of sd stoddard which your Honours will be sensible lays a foundation for A continered multicipticity of Law- suits to the Great damage of the publick and to the total Destruction of Many of Your Petitioners Interest on both sides and whereas the Proprietors of sª stoddard as well as the town have taken the most unwearied paines to Defraud us and Arrest our Lands from us by every strategem that Depraved human nature could Invent and we are fully persuaded your honours when fully possest of the facts will not uphold them nor strengthen them in their inthusiasm but will Repeal sd Act and let us peaceably enjoy our Land as other Citizens do which is the humble prayer of your petitioners as in duty bound shall pray

" Marlow June 4th 1798

"ELIJAH FRINK In Behalf of the Petitioners "

All that portion of Marlow lying east of the curve-line of Mason's patent was decreed to belong to Stoddard by an act passed June 21, 1797.

HISTORY OF NELSON.

CHAPTER I.

THE town of Nelson is located in the eastern part of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Stoddard ; east by Hillsborough County ; south by Harrisville, and west by Sullivan and Roxbury.

The township was granted by the Masonian proprietors, and went by the name of Monad- noek No. 6 until February 22, 1774, when it was incorporated and named Packersfield, in honor of Thomas Paeker, of Portsmouth, one of the largest proprietors.

In 1777 an attempt was made to have the nanie changed to Sullivan, which was unsue- cessful.

By an aet passed September 27, 1787, a por- tion of the northwest part of the town, about two miles square, was combined with portions of Keene, Gilsum and Stoddard, and incorpor- ated into the town of Sullivan.

The formation of the town of Roxbury, De- cember 9, 1812, took off the southwest corner of this town, and a portion of Keene and Marl- borough.

The name of the town was changed to Nel- son, October 1, 1814, in accordance with a vote of the Legislature in June previous.

The boundary line between this town and Roxbury was changed June 15, 1820, a small tract of land being severed from the former and annexed to the latter town.

June 25, 1835, the farm of Ebenezer Tarbox was severed from Stoddard, and annexed to Nelson.

Breed Batchelder, a Tory during the Revolu- tionary War, and Dr. Nathaniel Breed, com- menced settling the town in 1767-68.

PETITION FOR AN INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN, 1773.

" Province of New Hampshire.

"To his Excellency John wentworth Esq" Captain General-Govoner and Commander in Chief in and over Said Province and the Honourable his majes- tys Council for Said Province.

" Humbly Shewes Breed Batcheller of monadnock, Number Six in the County of Cheshire and Province afore Said Gentleman, as agent for the Proprietors of Said monadnock, that the Said Proprietors & the Public Labour under many Disadvantages for want of the Said Proprietors being Incorperated into a Town, & Invested with Town Priviledges The Pro- prietors of Said monadnock this year are ordered to pay a Certain Sum, towards the Province Tax, which Cannot be assessed upon the Inhabitants of Said monadnock for want of Town officers to assess the Same

"your Petitioner Conceives that an Incorporation of Said manadnoek, would Greatly Encourage and faceletate the Settlement, & tend to the Good order thereof .--

"Whereof he in there behalf, prays your Excellency & Honours, would incorporate Said Proprietors into a Town by the name of Packersfield and invest them with Town Privilidges, and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound will Ever pray

" November 1th 1773-

" BREED BATCHELLER agent"

The town was incorporated by the Governor and Council, and named Packersfield, February 22, 1774.

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NELSON.

PETITION FOR CHANGE OF THE NAME OF THE TOWN, 1777.

"State of New-Hampshire.

"To the Honourable Council & House of Represen- titives in General Court assembled.

" The Petition of the Inhabitants of Packersfield Humbly Sheweth Whereas your Petitioners are by Charter obliged to hold their annual meeting in august which is a busy time of the year we desire your honours would order our annual meeting for the future to be in March. also that the name of our town may be altered to the name of SULIVAN- Likewise as our town is Liable to be Divided at the Governours pleasure we pray that we may not be Divided without the Consent of the Major part of the town.

"and your Petitioners as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray

"Packerfield December 22nd 1777 " NATH" BREED in the Name and behalf of the Town"

The House of Representatives granted leave to " bring in a bill," but it was finally ordered " to lay for consideration."

GEORGE BRINTNALL'S ORDER TO MARCH, 1778. " m" george Brintnall Sir

"you are hereby ordered to march immedately to the Hon1 Committee of Safty or muster master genral at Exeter there to Receive your Billiten and Expence money as one Engaged in the Continental Servise for nine months according to the orders 1 Recievd from Co1 Enoch Hale

"Packerfield may ye 5th 1778.

" JAMES BANCROFT, Capt

RELATIVE TO TAXES, TOWN RECORDS, ETC., 1778. " To the Honorable the Counsil and assembly of the Estate of Newhamshire-

" We the Subscribers Select Men of the Town of Packerfield in the Countie of Cheshire Humbly Re- quest Your Honours that You Would be Pleased to Grant them Some farther Time for Paying in the State tax for the Reasons following Viz-

"first because We Received the act for Making the tax but about a Week Past & the time is too Short to Sell the Lands Seacondly because Maj' Breed Batchel- lor who is Proprietors Clerk has absconded and Joyned the Enemy (tho we have searched) we can- not find the Plan or Records of the Proprietors Rights or the Publick Lotts therefore as the Greater Part of the Township is Owned by Persons Living

Out of Town and Unknown to us We Cannot Make the Rates according to Law Without a Plan of the Town We Shall Endeavour to Git One from the Lord Proprietors Records-

"Likewise We Would Request Your Honours to aquaint Us Whether the Late adition to an Act En- titled an act to assess Real aud Personal Estates Viz all Other Real Estate Either Lands or Buildings Not Included in the first act is Likewise to be Rated in all Other Town and Parish Rates as Apprehend Was the Intent of the act but by a Clause in the act Seems Doubtful to Some what was Intended and Your Pe- titioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray

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History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 51

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1200

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200