USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Chester > History of Chester, New Hampshire, including Auburn : a supplement to the History of old Chester, published in 1869 > Part 51
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Auburn > History of Chester, New Hampshire, including Auburn : a supplement to the History of old Chester, published in 1869 > Part 51
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"There were lots of Captains in those days, men who won their laurels on the bloodless fields in the old militia. There was Capt. Bill Underhill, Capt. Bill Whittemore, Capt. Ben. Davis and Capt. Richard Morse, the last-named being selected to drill the very raw recruits, in fact any who wished, ranging in age from seventeen to seventy, equipped with broom-handles or flint-locks, and he did it with a pompousness and precision that commanded the attention of all. To add to the excitement of the day old man George Woods from 'Bunker Hill,' Auburn, was there and played the snare drum, and he could make a drum talk, George W. Wilcomb played the fife and John W. West the base drum, and no wonder we all wanted to enlist, no matter of what age. We will go a long way before a fife and drum are sur-
437
LONGEVITY
passed for martial music, so well represented in that famous picture, 'The Spirit of '76.' Oh yes, there was something doing in those days if we did not have flivers and air-ships.
I could write about scores of as fine men and women as God ever made, whose daily task was to work hard, live honorably and die re- spected. I congratulate myself that it was my privilege to be born and live for so many years amidst that class of men and women."
CHAPTER XXII.
LONGEVITY.
Natives or residents of Chester who have reached advanced years since 1868.
I869. Apr. 28, Hazelton, Mary W., wid. of John 83
Sept. 4, Seavey, Hannah, wid of Andrew 89
Sept. 25, Jenness, Joseph . 83
1870. Feb. 5, Hazelton, Sarah E., wid. of Josiah
83
Mar. 29, Morse, Lydia T., wid. of Josiah Apr. 22, Wason, James
90
July 18, Ball, Aaron
90
Aug. 22, Wason, Mrs. Dolly
87
1871.
Apr. 30, Lane, Dea. John
80
1872. Apr. 15, Hall, Henry
84
July 9, Orcutt Ephraim
81
1873. Jan. 21, Lane, John
83
Mar. II, Tenney, Rebecca B., wid. of Silas
99 y. 10 m.
Mar. 20, Weeks, Noah
82
1874. June 18, Morse, Phebe D., wid. of Joseph
86
Nov. II, Spofford, Benaiah,
88
1875. Mar. 28, Brown, Eliphalet
84
Apr. 7, Shirley, Miss Margaret
86
Nov. 16, Moore, Abigail T., wid. of John
80
Dec. 29, Morse, Edna D., wid of Dea. Walter
88
1876. Mar. 8, Lane, Isaac L.
77
Nov. II, Sanborn, Rufus
75
1877. Apr. 26, Ela, Mary .
&7
Apr. 18, Noyes, Mary, wid. of Asa
84
Dec. 16, Fogg, Lydia P.
81
1878. Mar. 31, Haselton, Sarah A., wid. of Capt. Moses May 12, Shaw, David
90
Dec. 18, French, Sarah W., wid. of Hon. Daniel
961/2
1879. Feb. 21, Smith, Mary F., w. of Joseph
75
1880. Apr. 15, Hills, Benjamin
77
May 8, Bell, Lucy, wid. of Hon. Samuel
85
May 30, Spofford, Mary, wid. of Benaiah
88
June 4, Robinson, John
77
Oct. 4, Wilson, Benjamin
78
I88I. Jan. 15, Cowdry, Mary S., wid. of Samuel
80
Apr. I, Basford, Triphena H., wid of Hiram
77
Dec. 3, Messer, Nathaniel
79
Dec. 16, Smith, Annie
80
1882. Feb. 28, Wason, Frederick
79
Mar. 23, Wentworth, Abbie
81
76
94
438
IIISTORY OF CHESTER
Apr. 6, Morse, Betsey G., wid. of Jonathan D.
June 6, Chase, Mehitable, wid. of Capt. Joseph
June 24, Locke, James 81
June 26, Cunningham, John
July 28, Currier, Betsey
Nov. 6, Hills, Francis
1 883. Jan. 16, Wilcomb, Elenezer
Apr. 13, Mills, Hazen
May 30, Marsters, Lucy
June 29, Clement, Joshua
July 6, Wilson, Sally, w. of Asa
1884. Jan. I, Cochrane, Gerry Whiting
Feb. 23, Chase, Adaline A., wid. of Josiah
July 5, Thompson, Betsey, w. of Charles O. Dec. 10, Green, Margaret
Dec. 18, Sargent, Sarah, wid. of Abraham
Dec. 25, Thompson, Charles O.
1885. Jan. 8, Cheswell, Elizabeth H.
Feb. 4, Currier, Abigail, w. of John
Feb. 5, Dickey, Sarah W., wid. of Jonathan
Mar. 5, Wilson, Mehitable P., wid. of Daniel
Apr. 9, True, Osgood
Aug. 30, Sanborn, Fanny F., wid. of John
1886.
Jan. 23, Lane, Caroline M., wid. of Issac
Feb. 17, Sanborn, Almira, w. of Daniel
Mar. 8, Moore, Sarah D.
Mar. 22, Hall, Moses
Apr. 20, Davis, Caroline L., wid. of Capt Benjamin
May 9, Morse, Frederick A.,
May 18, Emery, Susan B., w. of John S.
June 14, Wright, Ezva L.
July 23, Pease, Shubael B.
Sept. 6, Pease, Mary T., wid. of Shubael B.
Sept. 20, Brown, Joseph, Jewell
1887. Mar. 18, Emery, John S.
81
Apr. 27, Basford, Betsy, wid. of Josiah
94
Aug. 6, Pressey, Hannah
75
Nov. 15, Hook, George W.
79 79 80
June 5, Seavey, Thomas
83
June 22, Underhill, Jonathan T.,
80
Sept. 15, Dunaven, Lydia K., wid. of James
83
Nov. 8, Lane, Ruth P., wid. of Dea. John
85
1889. Jan. 28, Robinson, Sarah B.,
nearly 91
Mar. 16, Morse, Richard B.
May 10, Robie, Asa
77 77 88 87
Aug. 31, Bean, Asa
84
1890. Feb. 8, Sanborn, Daniel
87
Mar. II, Shey, John
88
Mar. 27, Hook, Betsey
81
Apr. 27, Sanborn, Levi
81
May 3, West, Rosanna, wid. of Nathaniel
79
May 24, Southwick, Amos
85
July II, Swain, Martha, wid. of Dudley C.,
nearly 87
81 88
75 77 78 86 78 91 80 78 75 83 83
79 94 81
87 78 86 84 85 87 77 82 78 93 26 76 75 79 77 76 89
1888. Mar. 10, Crawford, Almira S., wid. of Rev. Luther June I, Lane, David
June 16, Ellis, Sarah
Aug. 29, Pressey, Jonathan
LONGEVITY
439
July 16, Currier, David
82
Sept. 25, Prescott, Mrs. Hannah
83
Oct. 25, Hooke, Lavinia S., wid. of James
78
Dec. 21, Sanborn, Amelia P.,
78
1891. Feb. 3, Dale, Susanna
85
Mar. 23, Pressey, Abigail S., wid. of Jonathan
81
Apr. 23, Bell, Jane A., wid. of Daniel
87
Apr. 28, Morse, Mary M., wid. of Richard B.
78
May 14, Dearborn, Benjamin
80 87
May 29, Tenney, William
83
Aug. 6, Robinson, Hannah T., wid. of John
76
Nov. 12, Hazelton, Simon
82
Nov. 18, Kendall, James T.
83
1892. Mar. 21, Long, Mary W., wid of Enoch C.
87
June 15, Noyes, Walter H.
81
Oct. 17, Richards, Osgood
79
1893. Jan. 24, Stevens, Roxanna, wid. of Hills,
nearly 85 82
Apr. 18, West, Nathaniel
79
May 25, Morse, Judith
91
June 2, Moore, Charlotte
93
June 19, Wilson, Asa
91
Dec. 5, Smith, Abigail B., wid. of Page R.
80
1894.
Jan. 24, Towle, Lucinda T., wid of James
81
Mar. 12, Chamberlain, Ann M., w. of Sylvester S.
76
Apr. 7, True, Mary, wid. of William S.
76
Apr. 17, Chamberlain, Sylvester S.
75
May 23, Hall, Sarah G., wid. of Josiah I. Dec. 15, Morse, Parker
86
1895. Jan. 16, Edwards, Sarah, w. of Samuel W. Jan. 18, Salter, Mary Ann
77
Mar. 14, Dennis, Green
75 89
Mar. 19, West, Betsey R., wid. of John W.,
nearly 84
Mar. 27, Rand, John B.
83
Mar. 30, Weeks, Noah Hayes
75
Apr. 22, Lawrence, Richard C.
78 80
Aug. 4, Shackford, Jonathan
85
Oct. 17, Dearborn, Matilda A., wid. of Dr. John
90
Oct. 21, Currier, Nathaniel H.
81
Nov. 6, West, John
78
Dec. 20, Jones, Dolly C.
77 88
1896. Mar. 8, Smith, Adaline M.
76
Mar. 10, Freeman, Mary J., wid. of Oliver
85
Apr. 13, Heald, Sarah M.
87
May 5, Underhill, Mary E., wid. of Jay T.
81
June 3, Smith, Joseph
86
Aug. 23, Smith, William Day
79
Nov. 5, Burton, Clarissa M.
79
1897. Feb. 2, Kelley, Sarah A.
75
Mar. 24, Brown, Hannah P.
78
May 16, Ingalls, Susan P., wid of Perley C.
83
June 15, Currier, Clarissa
86
June 16, Freeman, George M.
85
81
Mar. 16, Messer, Hannah G., wid. of David
Apr. 29, Hills, Martha L., wid of Francis
Dec. 24, Webster, Joseph
88
Jan. 31, West, John W.
May 26, Smith, Mary K.
440
HISTORY OF CHESTER
June 28, Spofford, Jason
ยท Aug. 3, Lane, Ann C.
Sept. II, Currier, Hannah L. 82
Oct. 26, Norton, Nathan 83
Oct. 26, Norton, Caroline
83
Nov. 26, Hazelton, Lydia
90
Dec. 16, Sleeper, Edmund
nearly 82
1898. Mar. 13, Knowles, Jane C., wid. of Dearborn
nearly 87
Apr. 3, Marden, James
77
Apr. II, Rhodes, Maria H.
87
Aug. 25, Young, Eleazer
84
Sept. 4, Greenough, Harriett M., wid. of William
88
Oct. 28, Worthen, Betsey, wid. of Josiah
82
Jan. 24, Morse, Mary F., wid. of Frederick A., nearly 90
80
Feb. 13, Hall, Catherine, wid. of Thomas O.
85
Apr. 13, Morse, Amos
80
Apr. 15, Clay, Eliza Jane, wid. of Daniel
81
Apr. 16, Kimball, Eleanor E., wid. of Lewis
75
June 8, Knight, Henry
80
Aug. 2, Robie, Barnard P.
78
Aug. 3, Richards, Lydia S., wid. of Osgood
93 76
Sept. 27, Head, Charles
86
Oct. 12, Pecker, William
83
Oct. 18, Brown, William A.
75
Dec. 1, Hoyt, Emily
94
1900. Jan. 25, Sawyer, Thomas
76 79
Mar. 17, Mitchell, Lucinda A.
83
Mar. 23, Cook, William
76 82 76
Oct. 5, Murray, Laura T.
89
Feb. 12, Wells, George
76
May 10, Bell, James D.
83
July 2, Woodbury, Cynthia
77
Oct. 4, West, George M.
81
Oct. 9, Fitz, Elizabeth F., wid. of Luther,
nearly 84
Oct. 10, Cammett, George
80
Oct. 29, Webster, Martha W., wid. of Moses
78
Nov. 15, Dane, Joseph
82 77
Dec. 15, Hall, William A.
Dec. 25, Jones, Miriam B.
75 88 84 78
Feb. 6, Jones, Edwin
75 92
May 9, Noyes, Hon. John W.
May 10, Wells, Sarah A., wid. of George
84
July 3, Kendall, Caroline W.
84
July 5, Wells, Louisa C.
81
July 6, Cole, Erasmus
75
July 25, Sanford. Jennie E.
79
Aug. 18, Stevens, Rebecca H., wid. of Franklin
94
Sept. II, Stevens, Samuel S.
92
190I.
Mar. 16, Kendall, Thomas E.
80
Nov. 25, Wilcomb, George W.
1902. Jan. 21, Orcutt, Susan D., wid. of Ephraim
Jan. 30, Cochrane, Helen A., wid. of Gerry W.
75 76
1899.
Jan. 31, Dow, John Edward
Oct. 12, Webster, Betsey D., wid. of Joseph
Mar. 9, Hill, Benjamin M.
Mar. 29, Raymond, Lavina
June 25, Green, Sarah A., wid. of Amos
William Nivilcome Charlesst, Hilcounty
LONGEVITY
441
Oct. Io, Goldsmith, Nathan B.
84
Nov. 3, Goldsmith, Harriet N., wid. of Nathan B.
76
Nov. 28, Carr, Lydia H., wid. of Samuel
81
Dec. 18, Green, Moses H.
75
Dec. 30, Robertson, Eliza M.
I903. Jan. 6, Parker, Elizabeth A., w. of Abel B.
Feb. 18, Hazelton, Hannah
83
Feb. 21, Parker, Abel B.
79 84
Mar. II, Mills, Henry
May 26, Marden, Abigail B., w. of Ebenezer
85
May 29, Green, Mary J.
83
June 7, Butterfield, David
84
June 17, Marston, Betsey M., wid. of Samuel
83
July 15, Ray, John
92 80
Aug. 20, Weeks, George. W.
80
Dec. 10, Rand, Wilham
80
1904. Jan. 3, Shackford, Harriette N., wid. of Jonathan
Jan. 8, Allen, Amanda B.
Jan. 31, Noyes, William M.
Feb. 10, Berry, Louisa A., w. of John W.
Mar. 19, Merrill, Mary A., wid. of George W.
87 85
Aug. 31, Morse, Ebenezer
81
Sept. 22, Pingree, Moses S.
Dec. I, Haseltine, John Newton
1905. Jan. 3, Bell, Eliza F., wid. of James D.
Jan. 27, Underhill, Nancy T., wid. of George S.
Feb. 24, Dane, Nancy B., wid. of Joseph
Mar. 15, Pressey, Maria, wid. of Charles
Mar. 18, Cheswell, Plummer
Mar. 29, Whittemore, William P. W.
May 7, Wilcomb, Charles S.
Dec. 4, Williams, George C.
1906. Mar. - , Hooper, Amos
May 26, Dolber, Elizabeth E., wid. of George W.
June 14, Stevens, Lydia G., w. of George W.
June 30, Chase, Benjamin Hall
Aug. 27, Gerah, James
Sept. 23, Shirley, Clarissa A., wid. of William
Dec. 17, Currier, Mary
Dec. 31, Wilcomb, Harriet A., wid. of Charles S.
1907.
Feb. 2, Hall, Jesse G.
Mar. 6, Corey, Chapman
Mar. 29, Dustin, Charles
May 4, Sanborn, David
I908. Jan. 2, Abbott, Rufus
Jan. 12, Stevens, George W.
Jan. 28, Horne, Ann C.
Feb. 6, Nichols, Elizabeth A., wid. of Andrew S.
Mar. I, Jones, Mary Ann, wid. of Edwin
Mar. 27, True, Sarah A., wid. of Levi.
Apr. 18, Clark, George W.
May II, Marden, Ebenezer
90
Oct. 20, French, Abby
92
Oct. 29, Cairnes, Elizabeth D.
95
Nov. 14, Morse, Caroline E.
79
80 89 75 80
Apr. 9, Morse, Mary A., wid. of Thomas
82 82 81
83
84 77 80 85 82 76 86
75 90 81 76 84 96 79 77 77 85 79 84
90 80 77 77 88 84
Oct. 12, Dolber, George W.
83
77
442
HISTORY OF CHESTER
Nov. 20, Hazelton, Emeline M., dau. of Samuel 82
Nov. 24, Bogue, Mary A. 77
1909. Jan. 21, Hazelton, Emily J., dau. of Thomas 86
Jan. 31, Porter, Catherine M., wid of George W.
86
May 8, Raymond, James A.
81
June 14, Stockwell, Elijah
86
1910. Feb. 24, Moore, Laura A., wid. of Henry
90
Sept. 21, Dearborn, Charles A.
75
Nov. 21, Hazelton, John W.
85
Dec. 5, Pickett, John
83
Dec. 16, Lane, Seth D.
79 77
I9II. Mar. II, Hall, Clark B.
Mar. 18, Pearson, Mary E.
79
Mar. 21, Holman, Louisa A.
82
June 7, Moore, Susan L., wid. of Ambrose June II, Dunaven, Elizabeth A.
84
1912. Jan. 23, Hazelton, John Adams
911/2
Apr. 24, Jones, Francis B.
79
1913.
Jan. 3, McAlman, Samuel E.
76
Feb. 4, Crawford, Eliza R., wid. of William
76
Feb. 18, Fiske, John
90
Aug. 19, Hall, Luther W.
90
Sept. 27, Hills, Sarah Jane
79
Oct. 7, Parker, Samuel S.
77
Nov. 25, Merrill, Lydia M., wid. of Rev. Joseph H. Dec. 4, Dale, David T.
78
1914. Jan. 15, Anderson, Mary A.
82
Feb. 9, Wilcomb, Mary Jane, wid. of George W.
76
Mar. 5, Fitz, Susan Jane, wid. of Josiah
85
Mar. 9, West, Catherine D., w. of John W. 2d.
82
Aug. 3, Brown, Cynthia J., wid. of George L.
75
Sept. 3, Wells, Lydia M., wid. of Timothy
87
Sept. II, Chatfield, Sarah A.
80
Nov. 8, Learnard, Clara B., wid. of Silas F. Dec. 11, Rand, Elizabeth
97
Apr. 1, Owen, Ruth T., w. of James
85
Apr. 5, Stevens, Charles
84
July 8, Hall, Caroline M., wid. of Henry A.
80
July 13, Buchannan, James
87
Aug. 29, Lane, Sarah U.
92
Aug. 31, Osgood, Daniel W.
83
Nov. 1, Morse, Daty Ann, dau. of Parker,
nearly 80
Nov. 21, Healey, Melissa A., w. of Samuel G.
76
Dec. 23, Coolidge, Elizabeth B., dau. of Charles
76
1916. Feb. 5, Cammett, Martha
97
Feb. 20, West, John W. 2d.
83
July 14, Morse, Luther W.
77
1917. Jan. II, Hazelton, Susan E., wid. of Edwin
82
Jan. 19, Cole, William H. H.
76
May 31, Dale, Mary Jane, wid. of David T.
79
June 24, Robinson, Sarah Elizabeth
80
Sept. 24, Morse, Emeline R., wid. of Josiah D.
94
1918. Feb. 15, Knowles, Lucy A., wid. of William I. May 9, Owen, James
77
88
June 12, Nye, David B. 75
84
Oct. 4, Church, Celia T.
90
Mar. 18, Bailey, Mary A., w. of Ryland F.
90
1915.
87
81
LONGEVITY
443
Sept. 12, Knowles, Charles H.
Oct. 6, Wason, John
78
Oct. 28, Lane, Mary B., wid. of Seth D.
90
1919.
Apr. 16, Wason, Lavina J., wid. of John
78
May 19, Kent, Elizabeth I., wid. of Lucien
87
July 29, Silver, Harriet A. (Chase,) wid. of John W.
86
Sept. 22, Robinson, Mary E.
88
1920. Feb. 9, Chase, Joseph Warren
89
May 13, Walton, Abbie C.
82
July 20, Hazelton, John Franklin
85
Oct. 5, Chase, Betsey, Ames
95
Sept. 29, Hazelton, Hon. Gerry Whiting
911/2
Nov. 21, Noyes, Harriette S., wid. of Hon. John W.
88
Dec. 21, Shattuck, Andrew J.
81
1921. Jan. 5, De Leskey, Olivia J., wid. of James D.
77
Feb. 5, Berry, John W.
84
1922. Mar. 5, Gordon, James W.
82
Sept. 4, Hazelton, Hon. George Cochrane
901/2
Nov. 8, Kent, Clara M., wid. of Charles H.
801/2
Nov. 14, Gilson, Sarah (Bell), wid. of Harris L.
88
1923. Jan. 20, Head, Addison
83
Feb. 4, Sanborn, Elijah
IO4
Feb. 6, Bartley, Mary A., wid. of Joseph D.
85
Apr. 7, Williams, Hannah (Wilcomb,'
82
Apr. 10, Sanborn, Mark
84
Aug. 25, Clifford, Mrs. Isabelle N.
77
Aug. 29, Hall, Rev. Albert E.
86
Sept. 18, Follansbee, Buzzell A.
83
Sept. 22, Currier, Mrs. Sophronia W.
80
Nov. 21, Coolidge, Edward
87
1924.
Feb. 28, Aaron, Samuel Gale
82
Apr. 16, Newell, Mrs. Lydia Ann
84
Sept. 9, Morse, John C.
83
Dec. 28, Griffin, Lyman W.
81
1925. Feb. 24, Ramsay, Lydia J., wid. of John T.
81
April 27, Goldsmith, Celestia S.
79
Apr. 27, Robie, Edward J.
81
May 9, Dane, George
76
Aug. 23, Roberts, George Newell
79
Nov. 10, Harrison H. Hills 85
AGED PERSONS, NATIVES OR PRESENT RESIDENTS.
The oldest native, although not the senior in age, is believed to be Cyrus W. Hills who was born 7 April, 1835. The oldest resident is James M. Heath, who was born in 1830, and the names and ages of others follow :
Samuel A. Blackstone 90 Carlos W. Noyes 90
Mrs. Susan J. Webster 90 Mrs. Emily J. Morse 85
Eliza J. Currier
84 Samuel S. Morse 84
Cyrus F. Marston 83 Mrs. Francis E. Robie 82
Albert F. B. Edwards
81 Mrs. A. F. B. Edwards 81
Mrs. William S. Greenough 81 Charles F. True 81
Edward West 81 Mrs. Albert E. Hall 80
Mrs. J. Albert Hook
80 George Hook 80
While great care has been exercised in preparing the foregoing lists it is quite likely that some names have been overlooked.
80
444
HISTORY OF CHESTER
CHAPTER XXIII.
ADDENDA AND MISCELLANY. ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHIES
DANIEL FRENCH
Edward French came to America with his son Joseph in 1636, and became one of the founders of Ipswich, Mass. He afterwards was one of the original settlers of Salisbury, where he was a promin- ent member of the community for many years, paying the third larg- est tax, and serving as one of the "Prudential Men" in 1646 and again in 1648. He died December 28, 1674, and his will, filed for record April 13, 1675, is still to be seen at the Court House in Salem, Mass., where a photograph of it was made for F. O. French in 1892.
Honorable Daniel French, of Chester, the seventh in descent from Edward French, of Salisbury, counting Edward's generation as the first in America, was born at Epping, N. H., on February 22, 1769, the son of Gould and Dorothy (Whittier) French. Gould French was a "Warrior Bold," according to his granddaughter Helen, and fought in the Revolutionary War, thus helping her into the "Daughters of the American Revolution." The son Daniel was educated at Phillips' Exeter Academy under Dr. Abbott, and also under the instruction of Rev. Robert Gray at Dover. He studied law in the office of Hon. William K. Atkinson, of Dover, and was admitted to the Bar in 1796. He practised law at Deerfield Parade two years when, a favorable opening presenting itself at Chester, New Hampshire, he removed to that place and succeeded to the practise of Hon. Arthur Livermore, appointed Judge of the Superior Court. The first land that Daniel French acquired in Chester, February I, 1798, is now owned by his great-grandson, A. T. French (1903). On this land was his law office, across the street from his house. On September 15, 1799, he married Mercy, daughter of Benjamin Brown, and sister of Rev. Francis Brown, President of Dartmouth College from 1815 to his death in 1820. She gave birth to a son, Benjamin Brown French, on September 4, 1800, and died at the early age of twenty-three on March 8, 1802. A lock of her hair and a letter, written to her sister Prudence June 8, 1800, are now in the possession of her great-grandson. Her grave is in the old churchyard at Chester.
Daniel French was appointed County Solicitor in 1808, and in 1809 was admitted to practise in the United States Court. On Febru- ary 12, 1812, he was appointed Attorney-General of the State of New Hampshire, which office he held until he resigned in 1815. His prac- tise was evidently lucrative, for in 1820 he paid the highest tax but one in Chester out of 187 persons taxed. (History of Chester, p. 329.) Hon. John Bell (Governor of New Hampshire in 1828) paid the highest. Mr. French was commissioned Postmaster of Chester in April, 1807, and retained the office, through all the changes of ad- ministration at Washington, until 1839, when he resigned in favor of his son, Henry F. French.
Hon. Charles H. Bell, United States Senator and Governor of New Hampshire, 1881-1883, in his "Bench and Bar of New Hamp- shire" (Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1894), gives the following descrip- tion in a sketch of Daniel French (p. 383) ; "Mr. French is described
445
ADDENDA AND MISCELLANY
as a lawyer of considerable skill and talent in the management of busi- ness, and faithful to his clients. It was charged that he was rather sharp in his practise, a thing not uncommon in his time; but one who encountered him many times in trials and hearings declares that he always found him fair. He was undoubtedly a lawyer of more than ordinary ability and attainments. He owned lands and was interested in cultivating them, but continued to practise his profession and to attend the courts with regularity till within a few years of his death."
Daniel French was married a second time on June 30, 1805, to Betsey Van Mater Flagg, grand-daughter of Rev. Ebenezer Flagg, of Chester, and had four children. After her death he married her sister, Sarah Flagg Bell, the widow of Jonathan Bell ,whose two brothers were both Governors of New Hampshire; Samuel Bell, 1819-1823, and John Bell ,1828. This lady bore him six children, the eldest being Henry F. French, born August 14, 1813, the author of the sketch of Chester printed herewith, and father of Daniel Chester French, the sculptor.
In 1800 Daniel French built his house on Chester Street (History of Chester, p. 445), which was occupied by his family until it was destroyed by fire one night in January, 1902. The shock of this event caused the death of his last surviving daughter Helen, who was living in the house at that time. The elm trees in front of the house were planted by Henry F. French in 1829 (History of Chester, p. 447). On the opposite side of Chester Street the land was also owned by Daniel French, and there his office stood and a flower garden blossomed in summer. A row of flagstones led across the broad street from his house to a gate in the fence opposite, which gave access to a straight walk down "the dingle," as it was called, old-fashioned flowers border- ing the path on both sides. The French homestead was one of the most substantial in Chester ,as may be seen from a photograph taken a few years before the fire. It was three stories in height. The drawing-room, with its mahogany base board, has been reproduced in Daniel Chester French's house at Glendale, near Stockbridge, Mass. The history of Chester records the fact that the first cooking stove in the town was introduced by Daniel French, Esq., in 1824.
Daniel French died at Chester October 14, 1840.
COL. WILLIAM H. PAINE
Among the natives of the town who achieved distinction in later years is found the name of Col. William Henry Paine. He was born in Chester, 17 May, 1828, son of William B. and Susan P. (Emery) Paine. His early education was such as could be gained in the public schools supplemented by an academic course. At first he made choice of the profession of a clergyman, but having given much attention to mathematical studies he decided to become a civil engineer.
At the age of twenty-two he commenced in northern Wisconsin by locating roads and surveying lands for the early settlers. In 1852 he went overland to California and was employed by Col. John Plumbe to assist in mining, hydraulic and topographical engineering. In 1853 he made a survey of the "Johnson route" across the Nevada Mountains from Sacramento to Utah. During this period he brought into use the flat steel tape line in place of the link chain.
In 1856 he returned to Wisconsin and became City Engineer of Sheboygan, County Surveyor, and Engineer of the Sheboygan & Fond Du Lac Railroad.
At the beginning of the Civil War he enlisted in the Fourth Wisconsin and served in the engineering department. He was appoint-
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HISTORY OF CHESTER
ed Captain of Engineers on the staff of the ranking major-general of the army under Gen. Irvin McDowell, commander of the Army of the Patomac and served through the war as topographical engineer.
At the close of the war he located in Broklyn, N. Y. and was ap- pointed Chief Engineer of the Flushing & Northern Railroad on Long Island, during its construction. His great work was as constructing engineer of the East River Bridge-a work requiring eighteen years of unremitting and successful service.
He was an inventor of a measure for ascertaining the change of length of metals under strain; the steel tape line; the rollor grip and many other devices used in connection with cable traction on the New York and Brooklyn Bridge and other cable transmissionary stems. He also determined the safety of the cables and anchorage of the Suspen- sion Bridge over Niagara Falls, applying the most thorough tests to all parts of the structure with devices of his own invention. He was connected with many other engineering works as a constructing and consulting engineer, notable among them being the cable railway sys- tems of San Francisco, Omaha, Denver, and New York City, and the tunnels under the Hudson and Detroit Rivers. His last work was as consulting and constructing engineer of the cable road in Cleveland, Ohio, which his death, 21 Dec., 1890, prevented him from completing.
He married 10 Aug., 1865, Catherine Jones and there were two daughters, Hattie Lawrence Paine and Kathreen Lyman Paine ..
From an acquaintance extending over many years the author can testify to his high character as a man and, while exceedingly genial with his associates, he was so modest in his bearing that none had little chance of getting from him any idea of his genius and bravery. His acquaintance with general science was wide and thorough and his familiarity with literature was that of a man of culture.
ADDITIONAL SCHOOL TEACHERS.
McCULLY.
ELLA ARLINE McCULLY, (m. Allen), daughter of Perl P. and Bertha E. McCully, attended West Virginia grammar schools, graduated at Pinkerton Academy and attended a summer course at Plymouth Normal School. Taught six years in Auburn and Candia.
STEELE.
MILDRED DOROTHEA STEELE, (m. Robie), daughter of Stephen A. and Esther (Berney) Steele, attended the public schools and graduated at Pinkerton Academy. Taught two years in Lee and San- down.
WEBSTER.
ELLA E. WEBSTER, (m. Miner), daughter of Moses and Martha Wier (Gibson) Webster, was educated in the public schools and Chester Academy. Taught twenty years in Atkinson. Auburn, Chester, Kingston, Stratham, South Acworth and Putney, Vt.
MARY DEARBORN WEBSTER, daughter of Joseph and Bet- sey (Dearborn) Webster, was educated at Chester Academy and Sa- lem, Mass. Normal School. Taught twenty years in Chester and neighboring towns.
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ADDENDA AND MISCELLANY
COLLEGE GRADUATES NOT PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED.
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