History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 112

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 112

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VIRGIL V. TWITCHELL.

Virgil V. Twitchell, the popular editor and proprietor of that breezy newspaper, the Mountaineer, son of Joseph A. and Orinda L. (Mason) Twitchell, was born in Bethel, Me., June 27, 1542. He received the edu- cational advantages of Gould's academy, of which he made good use. From sixteen to nineteen he was engaged in photography in Bethel, Port- land, and Boston. His patriotism induced him to enlist as a private soldier in the Fifth Maine Infantry in 1863, but he was not accepted on account of his delicate physical organization. Through the influence of Gov. Perham, then member of Congress from Maine, he was appointed to a position in the U. S. Sanitary Commission, with headquarters at City Point, Va. After the battle of Petersburgh he was placed in charge of the sanitary post in Richmond, where he remained until after the close of the war. Here he contracted a disease which came near terminating fatally; but, by sheer force of will, he was enabled to reach Portland: in so enfeebled a condition, however, as to necessitate his being carried on a stretcher. Regaining a degree of health in the northern air, he entered the Star and Advertiser office in Portland, and rapidly acquired the essen- tials of a true "newspaper-man." After six years of hard but pleasing labor, he took a short rest on account of impaired health; then engaged in trade for two years in Portland; he followed this by three years' service as clerk of the Waumbek House in Jefferson. He removed to Gorham in October, 1876; and the next April founded the Mountaineer, which has attained much more than a local circulation and reputation, and is appre- ciated for its keen humor and pure literature. Mr. Twitchell is at home in the editorial chair, writes an occasional poem, and wields a clear, cutting, and ready pen on practical subjects. He has a refined and cultured taste; a penchant for valuable and antique books: a veneration for relics of a by- gone generation, and a desire to aid heartily in every good work going on

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY,

in the community. His sanctum is a veritable museum, with its library of nearly two thousand volumes, and its collections of minerals, coins, rare and historical works, Revolutionary and other souvenirs of past days. He is an active and influential Mason and Odd Fellow, and a modest and un- assuming gentleman.

Mr. Twitchell married, September 18, 1566, Georgie E., daughter of Benjamin W. Cary, of Portland, Me., a lineal descendant of the John Cary who was one of the pioneer proprietors and settlers of Bridgewater, Mass. They have had three children, Helen May, Ora Lee (deceased), Willie C. Mr. Twitchell has a pleasant home, where he and his agreeably wife enter- tain their friends with true hospitality.

NATHANIEL T. TRUE, A. M., M. D.

This eminent educator and popular local historian was born in Pownal. Me., March 15, 1812. He entered Bowdoin college when twenty-one. In 1535 he opened the first high school in Bethel, Me. In 1840 he was grad- uated as physician from Maine Medical school, but soon took charge of Monmouth academy. He was made A. M. by Waterville college in 1842, and by Bowdoin in 1868. In 1847 he assumed the principalship of Gould academy at Bethel, and held the position thirteen years with conceded skill. In 1863 and 1864 he was in charge of Oswego (N. Y.) State Normal school. He then returned to Maine, and four years was agricultural editor of the Maine Farmer. and a regular contributor to the leading journals of Maine. In 1879 and 1880 he taught a high school in Gorham, and, later, one at Milan Corner. Four years before his death (which occurred in May, 1887.) he was stricken with paralysis.

Dr. True was well versed in the classics, and in French, Spanish, Ger- man, Italian, and a recognized authority in the dialect of the Abenaquis Indians. He was also a popular lecturer on geology and mineralogy, and possessed a valuable cabinet of stones and minerals. He was much interested in local history, and wrote for the newspapers of those towns quite extended histories of Bethel and Gorham: that of Gorham in the Mountaineer forms the basis of the history of the town in this work.

RANDOLPH.

BY CHARLES E. LOWE.

CHAPTER CXVI.

First Grant-Location-Scenery-Hotels-Lots, Ranges, Improvements-Early Settlers.

R ANDOLPH was granted to John Durand, and others from London, under the name of "Durand." August 20, 1772, and incorporated as Randolph, June 16, 1824. It is situated at the northern base of the White Mountains; is bounded on the north by Berlin, east by Gorham, south by the White Mountains, and west by Kilkenny. The surface is uneven and broken with hills, and, of its area of over 36,000 acres, only a small number are under improvement. Farming, lumbering, and keep- ing summer boarders are the principal employments of the people. The lumber business is an important branch of resource. Tributaries of Moose and Israel's rivers are the principal streams and afford some water-power. In 1820 the population was seventy-three, in 1886, 360.

The scenery is lovely and there are many attractions. The mountains are lined with ravines, cascades, and beautiful primeval forests; the streams of clear sparkling water are inhabited by speckled-trout; pleasant walks to Ripple falls, and along Lowe's paths to the cascades on Israel's river; mountain climbing to Mt. Adams,* and other peaks of the Presi- dential range; the King's Ravine, the grandest the mountains afford: Cold Brook falls, a favorite spot. The Ravine House is three-fourths of a mile from the latter falls, and from it many points of interest can be easily

*It has been a custom of visitors to Mt. Washington by the way of Mt. Adams to leave a record of their journey "bottled up" for the benefit of the tourists of the next year. The ascent of Mt. Adams had never been made in mid-winter until February 17, 1887, when Charles Lowe, of Randolph, accomplished this peril- ous feat, dug up the bottle, and on his return forwarded its contents to Boston. His mode of climbing was by the aid of a strong staff with a pick, which he could stab into the ice and in this way step by step he made progress slowly but surely and finally gained the top of the ice-covered mountain .- EDITOR.

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

reached. The Mount Crescent House possesses attractive features for tourists, and the best place for a drive is along Randolph hill.

Improvements and Settlers .- Lot 17, range 2. Commenced by Ben- jamin Ockington, and a saw mill built in 1827 by him was owned by Joseph Holmes. Augustus Stephens built a clapboard mill near the saw- mill in 1835. Anson Stillings bought the property and sold to Robert Blair, who sold to the Canton Steam Mill Company. This mill was burned in 1884, and rebuilt by Libbey Brothers, the present owners, in 1885. Joseph L. Kelsey owns a part, and M. V. B. Watson a piece of the same lot.

Lot 18, range 2. Commenced by Jesse Bumpus, and a log house and barn built on it. It was occupied by Samuel Rogers a few years, deserted, and went to the owners of lot 17, range 2.

Lot 16, range 2. Commenced by Silas Bumpus about 1800, and bought by Levi Lowe in 1818. He died there, and his son Justus took it, and lived on the homestead fifty years. At his death, Perly, his son, became owner, and is now the occupant. On this lot there is a large beaver- meadow, and the remains of the old dam can now be plainly seen.

Lot 15, range 2. Occupied by James Hill early in 1800, but it was sold and added to the Bowman place, and remained in that tract until 1859, when it was sold to Ezekiel Sheldon of Rhode Island. He sold to A. J. and Pembrook Watson. who disposed of it to M. V. B. Watson. Thomas Suiter bought and sold to Richard Hadley, the present owner of the west half, Gilman C. Bradbury owning the east half. There is a nice school- house and grounds on this lot.

Lot 14, range 2. Opened up and cleared by John Bowman. He was one of the earliest settlers, and came before 1800, built a log tavern and barn. He, with his son Hiram, kept a tavern on the place for a number of years. Hiram died about 1827. John Bowman figured in town affairs considerably in its early growth. At the time of the Willey slide there was a slide came down Israel's river, covering the Bowman place with trees, rocks and dirt. It completely surrounded the house, but Bowman and his wife slept through it all, and knew nothing of it until the next morning. The large wood-covered mountain at the foot of Mt. Jefferson was named for Mr. Bowman. Since 1845 the place has been occupied by a number, but not permanently. Residents since Bowman have been John Kimball, Frank Morrison, Frank Wilson, Henry Wallace, Frank Hayes, C. S. Lowe, Charles E. Lowe, E. A. Crawford. Lowe, Evans & Andrews are the present owners.

Lot 13, range 2. Commenced by a man named Higgins; no one knew from whence he came nor whither he went. The next occupant was Hub- bard Hunt, the present owner and resident.

Lot 12, range 2. Robert Ingalls, of Shelburne, cleared fifteen acres

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TOWN OF RANDOLPH.

about 1828. In 1856 Charles and Clovis Lowe bought it, and also lot 12. range 3. There are three families on these lots: Mrs. Clovis Lowe, and her grandson Charles E. Hunt, Charles E. Lowe, and F. F. Reed. Clovis Lowe had a nice set of buildings destroyed by fire here, and, although he was nearly eighty years of age, he rebuilt them, determined to die in a home of his own, which he did in 1882. two years later.

Lot 11, range 3. Partially cleared by Caleb Wilson, of Lancaster, and occupied by his son-in-law until Obediah Mann bought it about 1830.

Lot 10, range 3. Commenced by Stephen Gilson prior to 1800. Obe- diah Mann, Sr., bought of Gilson. Mann was an old Revolutionist, and brought considerable property here. He died, and was buried beside a stone wall in the field, and no stone marks his resting-place. He was once the glory of his country, but is now nearly forgotten. Obediah, Jr., occu- pied the place until about 1858. It then became the property of A. G. Messenger. A few years later the buildings were burned; since then there have been several owners; the present ones are William Watson and T. S. Lowe. A new house has been put up on the place.

Lot 9, range 3. Clearing was commenced here by a Mr. Noble. A number of old cellars mark the spots where other settlers lived who are now unknown. About 1850 J. W. Watson built a block house, and lived in it nearly twenty years, and then sold to Henry Rich, his son-in-law, who sold to William Smith, the present owner.

Lots 8, ranges 3 and 4. Improvements were begun here by Gilson. He built the first mill in Durand. It was built on Cold brook just below the falls, and went out with the first freshet. He erected a second mill, for making lumber and grinding grain, about 1800. John Morse bought out Gilson and kept the mill in operation for a number of years. There were three dwellings on those lots at one time, all occupied by the Morse fami- lies. The traces of the old mills are all gone, not as much as the end of a dam remaining. New buildings were erected on the lots but are unoccu- pied.

Lots 7, ranges 3 and 4. A man by the name of Stuart began improv- ing here about 1810. Elaska Jackson built a log house there in 1816. His wife was insane; and she was kept in a "cage" in the house for a num- ber of years. Stephen P. Watson bought of Jackson. He was drowned crossing the stream near the house. Abel N. Watson, his son, took the place, reared a large family, and occupies it with his son. Laban M. They built the first house for summer visitors in town. This accommodates about forty guests who are well entertained.

Lot 6, range 4, known as the Eliot place, was cleared before 1800 by Eliot. William Watson built a house and lived there a few years. Jerome Leavitt purchased the place, and built the first circular saw-mill in Ran- dolph here in 1856. The mill was owned by several parties, and finally

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

came into A. G. Messenger's possession, who put in the first engine ever used here. He partly sold to J. G. Lary, of Gilead, Me. The mill was burned and never rebuilt. A few rods from the house, there is one of the best, if not the best. springs that can be found in the state. Mr. Messen- ger at his own expense has put a granite watering-trough, for the accom- modation of the public, by the roadside, where man and beast can refresh themselves.

Lot 5, range 4. About 1795 a Mr. Wilcox put up a log house and cleared some of the land. The brook that runs through this place was named for him. The next occupant was Anthony Vincent, who took possession in 1826, and built the frame house now on the place. He sold to Alfred Carlton, who occupied it until 1860, since which time a starch- factory has been built on the brook. It is now used for threshing grain and sawing wood, and is owned by L. M. Watson. Fred Messenger lives in the old house and owns the part of the lot east of the brook.

Lot 4, range 4. Clearing was commenced on this lot about 1794 or '95 by Joseph Wilder. He erected a two-story gable-roof frame house, a novelty in those days. Misfortune overtook him. He signed bonds for his brother, could not pay, was sent to jail, and, being too proud to take the "debtor's oath, " he remained there a number of years. He had the "liberty of the yard," or a circuit of a mile to roam in. James Gray bought the property, and sold half to Asa Stephens, who disposed of his share to Pool. The east half was first occupied by a man by the name of Lisher, then by John Bowman for several years. James Douty also lived there; his son was the first person buried in the new graveyard.

Lot 3, range 4. Douty rolled up a log hut on this lot, and commenced clearing, but soon left. James Gray was the next owner; he built the house now standing on the lot, but it has been remodelled, and former owners would not recognize it. Samuel Evans bought of Gray, and Robert Wood, who came here about 1852, was the next in possession: the property has been in the Wood family since. George Wood, the present proprietor, has the largest stock and dairy farm in town.

Lot 3, range 3. Silas Bumpus cut the first tree on this lot. He sold to Clark Fellows. Bumpus brook runs through this lot.

Lot 2. range 3, was improved first in 1830, by Jonas Green, of Shel- burne. He cleared the land for a pasture, and built a small frame house and barn. Stephen Gray was the next occupant, hiring it of Green. John Parker was the next owner and sold to William Hawker. He built large and convenient buildings; and is now, with his stepson, the owner and occupant.

Lot 2, range 4. Here work was commenced by Titus O. Brown, for his son, Titus O., about 1795. He made "salts " here at one time. Brown went away and Asa Stetson moved on the place. Brown built a block

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TOWN OF RANDOLPH.

house which stood till about 1860. Elizur Evans bought of Brown, and Timothy Hodgdon of him, and he let William Boswell have it. Robert B. Hodgdon was the next owner. He kept the postoffice a number of years, and a hotel about thirty years. George R. Hodgdon built the house now on the place. It is owned and occupied by Hodgdon's brother-in-law, Ithiel Scates.

Lot 1, range 5. Henry Goodenough built a log house and begun a clearing about 1500. Abraham Wilson was the next occupant, living in this log house. The next occupant was Jonathan Goodin, who married Henry Goodenough's daughter. She had a law-suit with Obediah Mann and lost the place. Timothy Hodgdon bought it of Mann, and built a frame house, living in it a short time. Hodgdon sold to John B. Kelsey, who remodelled the house, built a barn, and for a number of years kept summer boarders. He was burned out and went to Massachusetts. The first church erected in town is on this lot. A man named Alnaud Wallace built a log house here in which he died.

Lot 2. range 3. John Wilson cleared land and put up a log house and framed barn as early as 1803. The barn was never fully boarded, and the bears used to crawl in and catch his sheep. After Wilson's occupancy the lot became a part of the Brown property. John Wilson's son, Samuel, also built a log house here in which he lived for a number of years.

Lot 1, range 6, was cleared by a man named Wheeler about 1793. The next occupant was Deacon Evans Wilson. Robert Ingalls bought it for a pasture, afterwards selling to John Parker, who sold to Henry Evans, and he to J. R. Hitchcock.

Lot 2, range 6. Here Amos Peabody had built a log house and barn before 1800 on the east half of the lot. The barn was never fully boarded and it soon blew down. Nat Ordway moved to this lot about 1826, and built a log house and hovel. James Gordon married one of his daughters, and resided here until about 1850. when Benjamin Kelsey became the owner, rebuilt the buildings and is now the occupant.

Lot 3, range 5. Settled by Cornelius Bass. He built a log house and a hovel, and lived here until he committed suicide in 1820. He was buried on the place near his cabin. Caleb Cushman later built a log house where the old orchard is now, and occupied it fifteen years. Since then it has been pasture land.

Lot 4, range 5. Elizur Evans commenced improvements on this lot by building a log house and frame barn. Before him some squatter had put up a log house, but probably was a brief inhabitant. Robert Leighton built a block house and frame barn here sometime in the "thirties."

Lot 5, range 5. Settled by Garmands, or the clearing was begun by him. Joshua Holmes took possession about 1820, erected a frame house and barn. and lived there about twenty-five years. Abel Jackson bought

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

it, built a frame house, and sold out to C. C. Leighton; he to R. I. Leigh- ton, and he to L. M. Watson.

Lot 3, range 6. Settled by Robert Leighton in 1806. He put up a log house, and cleared the land. John Wilson bought the east half, and built a log house and barn there. He also built the frame house now on it. He exchanged places with Ithiel Scates, since which time this has been in the possession of the Scates family and is now occupied by Frank Scates. John C. Leighton built a frame house and barn, on the west half about 1841, which he and his son Joel now occupy.

Lot 4, range 6. Settled by Samuel Emery about 1800. He put up a log house and barn. Isaac Carter bought his claim, and became the next occupant. Robert Leighton was the next owner and resided here a short time. He let his son Robert have the east half of the lot, and he built a house and barn on it. Here he made his home for life, raising his family here, and in course of time built new buildings. He left it at his death to his son Robert I., who built the house and barn now standing. Jesse Bumpus raised a log house on the west half of this lot, and lived there from eight to ten years, then sold to Jacob Morse, who added a log barn to the buildings, and brought up a large family on the place. Stephen Wren has lately purchased this place and built a fine house.

Lot 5, range 6. Settled by Mark Pitman, who built a log house about 1800. The next occupant was Elaska Jackson, whose house was burned. Silas Bumpus then purchased the lot and sold it to Spofford Stevens, he to Thomas Boothman. He and his sons built fine buildings, but time, that levels all things, has levelled them or nearly done so. The east half is owned and occupied by Robert I. Leighton, and a pleasant and commo- dious mountain-house under his management, here opens its doors each summer for guests.

Lot 6. range 6. Settled by William Felker in 1826. He built a frame house, lived in it a few years, and committed suicide by hanging. Darius Green then moved thither, remained a short time, and sold to Jacob Stevens, who in turn sold to James and William Warburton, who made an addition to the house, and built a new barn. They sold to William Frank. His stay was short. The buildings have gone to decay, and the land is open common.

Lot 7, range 6. Settled by Jacob Morse about 1826. He built a log house and barn, lived there fifteen or twenty years in true pioneer manner. The bears used to trouble him, and he often sat up nights and pounded on logs to scare them away.

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TOWN OF RANDOLPH.

CHAPTER CXVII.

Act of Incorporation-First Town Meeting Called-Representatives-Town Clerks -Selectmen -Town Treasurers.

CT of Incorporation .- "Section 1st. Be it enacted by the Senate and house of representatives in Gen- eral Court convened, that the tract of land Granted and known by the name of Durand, situate in the county of Coos, shall hereafter be called and known by the name of Randolph, and shall be a Town by that name.

"Seetion 2d. And be it further enacted that the inhabitants of said Township be and they hereby are made a body corporate and politic with all and the same rights powers privileges immunities and liabilities of simalar corporations in this state, and that said Town of Randolph shall remain classed as at the present time electing a Representative until otherwise ordered by the Legislature.

"Section 3d. And be it further enacted that for the purpose of duly organizing said Town a meeting of the Inhabitants thereof legally qualified to vote in Town affairs shall be holden in said Town on the first Tuesday of September next. at which meeting selectmen and other necessary officers may be elected to con- tinue in office until others are chosen agreeably to the standing laws of the state and that Joseph Morse, Levi Lowe and Titus O. Brown, jr., or any two of them, be authorized to call the first meeting of said inhabitants by giving such notice as is required for annual Town meetings.

"In the House of Representatives Jan. 12th, 1824 the foregoing bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted sent up for concurrence.

"Andrew Pierce, Speaker."

"In Senate June 15th 1824 the foregoing bill was read a third time and passed to be enacted.

"Joseph Bartlett, President." "Approved June 16th 1824. " Daniel Lawrence Morrill. "Secretary's office, Concord, June 16th 1824.

"A true copy of the original on file in this office. "S. A. Kimball, Dept. Secretary."

"A true copy of record.

" Silas Bumpus, Town Clerk."

Call for first Town Meeting .-

[L. s.] State of New Hampshire, Coos S. S.

"Greeting: Agreable to an act to incorporate this place recently ealled Durand to a Town by the name of Randolph, and whereas Joseph Morse, Levi Lowe and Titus O. Brown, Jr., or any two of them being authorized to call the first meeting of said inhabitants by giving such notice as is required for annual town meetings, we, the undersigned, in compliance with the above requirement, do, therefore, in the name of the State of New Hampshire, notify and warn all the inhabitants of the Town of Randolph duly qualified to vote in Town meetings to appear at the house of Mr. Joseph Morze in said Town of Randolph on the first Tues- day of September next at ten o'clock in the forenoon, to act on the following articles, viz. first, to choose a moderator to govern said meeting. Second, to choose a town elerk. Third, to choose selectmen and other necessary officers for said town.

" Given under our hands and scal at Randolph this 13th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four

"i Joseph Morse ** Levi Lowe Committee." " Titus O. Brown, jr. ) " A true eoppy of Record "Silas Bumpus, Town Clerk."

Town Officers .- 1824. Levi Lowe, clerk; Clovis Lowe, John Morse, Joseph Morse, selectmen.

1825. Silas Bumpus, clerk; Hiram Bowman, Caleb Cushman, John Bowman, selectmen.

1826. Obediah Mann, clerk; John Morse, Titus O. Brown, Obediah Mann, selectmen: John Bowman, treasurer; also voted John Bowman, Caleb Cushman and Silas Bumpus a committee to find a place to inter the dead. and the place now occupied is the place they chose.

1827. Justus Lowe, clerk: Titus O. Brown, Jr., Hiram Bowman, Silas Bumpus, selectmen: John Bow- man, treasurer. The first record of a postoffice was this year, and Hiram Bowman was postmaster. He died in September, and Justus Lowe was chosen selectman September 24, 1827, to fill the vacancy.

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

1828. Justus Lowe, elerk; John Morse, Anthony Vincent, Obediah Mann, selectmen; John Bowman, treasurer. There were at this time twenty-seven voters in the town.

1829. Justus Lowe, clerk: Anthony Vincent, John Morse, Justus Lowe, selectmen; no treasurer.

1830. Justus Lowe, clerk; Anthony Vincent, John Morse, James Gray, select men; Justus Lowe. treasurer.

1831. Justus Lowe, clerk; John Morse, James Gray, Evans Wilson, selcetmen; Justus Lowe, treasurer. March 9, 1831. Clovis Lowe was chosen to represent this district, consisting of Randolph, Jefferson, Kilkenny. Bretton Woods, Nash and Sawyer's Location.

1832. Anthony Vineent, clerk; Joseph Holmes, John C. Holmes, John Kimball, selectmen; no treasurer. Thursday. December 13, 1832, a meeting was called to fill the vacancy caused by the removal from the town of John C. Holmes and John Kimball. Anthony Vineent and Obediah Mann were chosen.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 112

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194