History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 30

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

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JASON H. DUDLEY .-- Genealogical history is necessary in England to show the titles to honor and estate; in this country, where wealth and dis- tinction depend mostly upon one's own exertions and merits, it is satisfac- tory to trace our ancestry to brave and honorable men. The Dudley family is a prominent one in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and other states, and in England it ranks high among the nobility. The Dudleys descend from an ancestor by the name of Sutton. The surname Dudley was taken from the Castle of Dudley, in Staffordshire, (built by Dudo, an English Saxon, about the year 700,) and assumed, according to ancient custom in England, by the younger children of the Barons of that place. The first of the name in America was Thomas, who came to Massachusetts in 1630. He was the son of Capt. Roger Dudley, who was "slain in the wars" in England about 1586. He became governor of the Massachusetts Colony,

Hour.

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and died July 31, 1653, at Roxbury, Mass. His son Joseph was a popu- lar governor of New Hampshire.

Jason Henry Dudley, son of Jonathan and Minerva (Armstrong) Dudley, was born at Hanover. N. H., November 24. 1842. He is a lineal descendant in the eighth generation from Gov. Dudley, the line being Gov. Thomas 1, Samuel, Stephen 3. Stephen 4, Samuel P.5. Jacob6, Jona- than', Jason H.8. He is also connected with the Allen family, so noted in Vermont annals; a maternal grandmother bearing that name was a cousin of Ethan and Ira Allen. Jonathan Dudley was a native of An- dover, N. H .; he died February 5, 1872, aged seventy-two years. Mrs. Dudley has resided in Colebrook since 1873.

Jason H. Dudley's early education was acquired at Hanover common schools; this was supplemented by private tutors. In the fall of 1858 he entered Chandler Scientific school, and, in 1859, became a member of the freshman class at Dartmouth college and was graduated in the class of 1862. During his collegiate course, he taught a select school at Cornish Flats in the fall of 1861. After graduation. he came to Colebrook as prin- cipal of Colebrook academy, which he did not find in a very prosperous condition. For three years he threw into the development of this school all the forces of his energetic nature, and brought up the attendance from forty to nearly one hundred pupils, by his fidelity, enthusiasm, and thorough fitness for his work. During this time he became a student of law under Hon. William S. Ladd. In the fall of 1865 he went to Danville, Vt., and had charge of Phillips academy for a year, continuing his legal studies with Hon. Bliss N. Davis. In the fall of 1866 he conducted the academy at West Randolph, Vt., pursuing the study of law with Hon. Edmund Weston while there. In December, 1867, he was admitted to the bar at Chelsea, Vt. He then came to Colebrook, and entered into partnership with James I. Parsons in the practice of law under the firm name of "Dudley & Parsons," taking the business of Judge Ladd, who had re- moved to Lancaster. This partnership continued two years, when Mr. Parsons disposed of his interest to Mr. Dudley. Since then he has prac- ticed alone, successfully, with the exception of four years, from April, 1878, to May, 1882, when D. C. Remich was associated with him as " Dudley & Remich." Mr. Dudley was superintendent of schools in Cole- brook for several years; has been a member of the board of trustees of Colebrook academy since 1872, and its chairman for many years: has served as town clerk three years; he was elected county solicitor in 1878, re-elected in 1880-82-84-86, holding this important office longer than any man in the state under the elective system. He is a member of the Graf- ton and Coos Bar Association, and of the Dartmouth Alumni Association, and belongs to Excelsior Lodge, No. 73, I. O. of O. F., Colebrook. Believ- ing fully in the principles of the Democratic party, he has been and is

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energetic, fearless, and zealous in maintaining its integrity and influence, stands in the front rank of its active workers in the "Northern District," and is a prominent factor in the politics of "Upper Coös."

He married, September 22, 1869, Lucy A., daughter of Dr. Austin and Aurelia (Bissell) Bradford, of Vergennes, Vt. [Mrs. Dudley also descends from a colonial governor, William Bradford, the able governor of Plymouth Colony for more than thirty years. He joined the church of the Pilgrims at Scrooby (England) when seventeen years of age. While in Holland he not only became master of the language of the country, but added a knowledge of French, Latin, Greek, and even Hebrew, which he studied, as he said, " that he might see with his own eyes the ancient oracles of God in all their native beauty." This youth displayed qualities of mind and heart, which, when fully matured, were, for many years in later life, the staff and support of the Plymouth Colony. The line of descent is Gov. William Bradford'. William, Jr.2, John3, William4, John®, (of Kingston, Mass.,) John, Jr.6, Dr. Austin', (of Vergennes, Vt., ) Lucy A."] They have had two children, Allen B., born June 18, 1871, and William H., born April 13, 1873, died July 2, 1876.

Mr. Dudley's success as a lawyer is due not only to his natural and acquired ability, but to his vigorous and efficient action in the understand- ing of his causes. He is a peace-maker, instead of a promoter of strife, and believes that a suit is best won when justice is attained and every person has his rights firmly secured to him. He is generous to take his full share of all necessary burdens, and public spirited in that he does everything in his power to advance all public improvements. His official life has tended to strengthen his naturally fine intellectual powers, and his standing is assured among the members of the Coös county bar. In every work committed to his hands in public or private life, Mr. Dudley has labored with diligence, perseverance and efficiency, and wholesome practical results testify to the value of his services.

EDGAR ALDRICH was the son of Ephraim C. and Adaline B. (Haynes) Aldrich, of Pittsburg, N. H., where he was born February 5, 1848. He was educated in the schools of his native town and at Colebrook academy. At about fourteen years of age he started from home to make a place for himself in the world. He commenced as a farmer, but soon went into other occupations, particularly positions in some of the summer resorts of the White Mountains and the stores of Colebrook: meanwhile he attended school at Colebrook academy, as he had cash and opportunity. Finally, in 1866, he commenced the study of law with Ira A. Ramsay, at Colebrook. When Mr. Ramsay left, in January, 1867, Mr. Aldrich took his business and kept it (alone as far as was possible). He was graduated from the law school at Ann Arbor, Mich., in March, 1868, and was admitted to the bar at the next term. He opened an office at once in Colebrook. In 1870

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he formed a partnership with W. H. Shurtleff, as Aldrich & Shurtleff. This continued for five years. On the return of J. I. Parsons to Colebrook immediately after the expiration of this partnership, he formed a partner- ship with him as Aldrich & Parsons. After the dissolution of this part- nership in 1879, he was alone until he entered the firm of Bingham & Al- drich at Littleton in January, 1881, where he is still in practice. He mar- ried Louise M., daughter of the late Samuel K. and Sophia (Cushman) Remick, October 5, 1872. He has two children-Florence M., born July 1, 1874, and Fred, born June 9, 1878, in Colebrook. He was solicitor of Coos county from 1872 to 1875, and again, when the Republicans carried · the state, from 1876 to 1879. Since he went to Littleton he was elected a member and then the speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representa- tives that met in June, 1885. "Mr. Aldrich did not in his school days con- template a professional career, and his training, in school and out, was in- tended rather to fit him for a mercantile business: but he soon supplied the omissions, while his infallible good judgment, force, and determination brought him early success at the bar." He soon came into the front rank of the young lawyers, speakers and writers of the state, as well on general occasions, as at the bar. He is now recognized asamong the best advocates and trial lawyers of the New Hampshire bar, and seems to be still improv- ing. He succeeds by force and persistence rather than by persuasion.

THOMAS FRANKLIN JOHNSON was born July 3, 1848, at Pittsburg, N. H. His parents were unfortunately located for the education of children of mental temperament and considerable ambition, but were able to partly make good at home the lack of school privileges.

Mr. Johnson in early youth developed a very exceptional ability and ambition as a student; was soon fitted for a teacher in district schools, and earned means to attend Colebrook academy, where he fitted for college, and acquired reputation as a man of unusual promise. A protracted ill- ness at this time, which threatened permanently to impair his health, pre- vented his commencing a college course. He was elected representative from Pittsburg in March, 1871, but in June was prostrated with one of the long and dangerous illnesses with which he was afflicted in early man- hood; and, as his vote would change the complexion of the legislature, he was for some days the center of interest of politicians and the reporters. After considerable excitement on account of the dilatory motions of the Republicans, it was learned that he had been for days unconscious, and unable to vote, even if brought to Concord, and his party allowed the organization of the House to be secured by the Democrats, and James A. Weston was elected Governor, and the state went into Democratic control.

The next spring, 1872, Mr. Johnson went to Iowa, and was for several years engaged in teaching and reading law. He read law in the office of Hon. L. L. Ainsworth. of West Union, was admitted to the bar of that

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state in 1875, and for a time practiced at Postville. He married Miss Abbie Loverin, oldest child of Alfred Loverin, of Colebrook, in March, 1877, and was pursuaded to establish himself there. He immediately built up a very promising practice, and identified himself with the interests of the locality. March, 1880. he entered into a partnership for three years with James I. Parsons, as Parsons & Johnson. After the termination of this partnership he resumed business alone, and has been in active and success- ful practice since, attending also to insurance and western mortgage loan business.

Mr. Johnson is a man of scholarly tastes, a student rather than an ora- tor: a man of pen and books by preference, instead of a man of affairs. Few lawyers are as diligent students of legal works, and few professional men as extensive readers of historical and general literature.

DANIEL CLARK REMICH, son of Samuel K. Remick, was born at Hard- wick. Vt., September 15, 1852. He attended common and high schools and Colebrook academy. He studied law at Colebrook, commencing in 1875, in the office of Aldrich & Parsons, and then going into that of J. H. Dudley. He graduated at the law school at Ann Arbor, Mich., in March, and was admitted to the bar of this county in April, 1878. and formed a partnership with Mr. Dudley, as Dudley & Remich, in Colebrook, and re- mained there until he moved to Littleton, in May, 1882.

In February, 1879, he married Belle, daughter of Alfred Loverin, of Colebrook, who died in 1885. In May. 1886, he married Mrs. Lizzie M. Jackson, daughter of Benjamin W. Kilburn, of Littleton.

Mr. Remich, while in his "teens," went to Lawrence, Mass., where he remained four or five years at work before he commenced his professional studies. He has paid little attention to general reading, has been a dili- gent student of the law, and has become a well read, exact (rather tech- nical) case lawyer, who enjoys and is brilliant in the examination of the law of a case, and its presentation to the court.

Mr. Remich has always, unless recently, devoted his time, thought and unusual mental powers to his law books and law business, exclusively, and his profession (said to be a " jealous mistress ") has had no occasion for complaint.

JAMES WALDRON REMICK, also a son of Samuel K. Remick, was born at Hardwick, Vt., October 30, 1860. He was educated in the schools and academy of Colebrook, and early showed considerable ability and taste as a writer and public speaker. He commenced the study of law with Mr. Parsons, in Colebrook, in 1879, was in the office of B. F. Chapman, Clock- ville, N. Y., for a time, and, later, with Bingham & Aldrich, at Littleton. He graduated from the law school at Ann Arbor, Mich., in March, 1882, soon after was admitted to the New Hampshire bar, and opened an office in Mrs. Gamsby's block, in Colebrook. In November, 1885, he removed to

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Littleton, and soon formed a partnership and opened an office there. He is a successful office lawyer. modest and well prepared in court, and is rapidly winning a reputation by the thoroughness and ability with which he presents his cases to the full bench. He is a fine speaker, but has proven it by occasional lectures and orations, and considerable speaking in political campaigns, rather than at the bar in the trial of litigated cases.

GEORGE W. HARTSHORN, son of Colburn and Elizabeth (Fay) Harts- horn, was born in Lunenburgh, Vt., September 5, 1827, (being the tenth of their twelve sons), educated at the Guildhall and Lancaster academies, studied law with Amos Bateman, of Camden, N. J., where he was con- nected with a newspaper, was admitted to the bar in September. 1849, and removed to Irasburg, Vt .. in 1850, where he was county clerk, and edited the Orleans County Gazette. He removed to Canaan, Vt., in 1857, from which town Ossian Ray had shortly before removed to Lancaster, and has since been well-known in Northern New Hampshire and Vermont as an attorney, and was, until 1873. collector of customs for the upper section of both states. He had a considerable practice in New Hampshire until about 1880, when he became substantially incapacitated for work. Before that time he held some of the most prominent of the public offices of his section continuously.

HENRY WILLARD LUND, son of Hezekiah and Mary (Shores) Lund, was born at Granby. Vt., October 11, 1854, educated at the St. Johnsbury, Vt., academy, studied law with Henry C. Bates, of St. Johnsbury, was admit- ted to the bar in March, 1881, and settled at Canaan, Vt. He has since practiced in Canaan and Stewartstown, doing most of the local business of that section, and is one of the regular practitioners of this district, though a non-resident.

COOS COUNTY,

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

HISTORY OF TOWNS.

CONNECTICUT VALLEY, -- LOWER DIVISION.

LANCASTER, JEFFERSON, KILKENNY, CARROLL, WHITEFIELD, DALTON, NORTHUMBER- LAND, STARK.

LANCASTER.

CHAPTER XXI.

Origin of Name-Charter-Names of Grantees-Situation-Scenery, Etc .- Climate; Reason of Its Pleasantness-Change of Boundaries and Location.

0 RIGIN of Name .*-- Before gathering the deeds, recounting the ex- ploits, reciting the sufferings and hardships of the early and later settlers which go to make up the history of this town, let us look at its name, and see from whence it is derived, what it means, how it hap- pened, and the various changes it has undergone.

In tracing it to its derivation, we find it of Roman origin, and as old as Julius Caesar and Julius Agricola. The Romans were an ambitious, aggressive, cruel, and conquering people. Their great object was aggran- dizement, wealth, and empire. They carried war into the East, they car- ried war into Africa, and at length Julius Cæsar with an immense army under his command marched west, bringing nations and people under trib- ute to Rome. At length he was the conqueror of Gaul. He had an im- mense army. They must have something to do. England lay just across the channel, and from Calais to Dover, the narrowest part of the channel (twenty-nine miles), the chalk-hills could be seen in clear weather. Hence this country was called Albion-meaning white. Western England was distinguished for metal called tin. The merchants of the Mediterranean, from a period not exactly known, had trafficked with the Britons for this article. Cæsar had learned the value of trade with the Britons from the mariners, and resolved to cross the channel with his army and reduce this country to Roman sway. This was fifty-five years before Christ. From Julius Cæsar to Julius Agricola the contest went on. At length Roman dis- cipline prevailed. Soon the Roman Legions left Gaul, sailed around " Land's End," up St. George's Channel on the west side of Briton, and up the

* By Hon. B. F. Whidden.

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River Luna in Northwestern England. On the southerly side of this river they landed and pitched their tents or camps. At this landing, being one of the most important in this part of Britannia, a town was founded, and called after the river and the camps pitched upon its southern bank- Lune Castra. Lune, the name of a river, and Castra, the Latin for camp or tent. In process of time this name has changed with the conquering tongues of the country. When the Normans came over into England, they changed this name, adapting it to the genius of their tongue, from Lune Castra to Lon Custre. When the Saxons came with their all con- quering tongue, they made still other changes in the spelling, and con- tracted it into one word. They changed the Lon into Lan, and the final tre into ter; thus the name became Lancaster, and is of Roman origin, hav- ing undergone the several changes in the languages through which it has come. It was imported by the early settlers to Massachusetts, and given to this township by the grantees.

Charter of Lancaster .-

" PROVINCE OF NEWHAMPSHIRE.

" GEORGE, the Third:

" By the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King Defender of the Faith, &c.

" To all persons to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting: Know Ye, that WE of our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, for the dne encouragement of settling a new plantation within our said Province by & with the advise of our trusty & well beloved Benning Wentworth, Esq'r, our Governor and Commander-in-Chief of our said Province of Newhampshire, in New England, and of our council of the said Province, have upon the conditions & reserva- tions herein after made, given & granted, & by these presents, for us, our heirs & successors do give and grant in equal shares, unto our loving subjects. Inhabitants of our said province of Newhampshire, and our other Governments, and to their heirs and assigns forever, whose names are entered on this Grant, to be divided to and amongst them into Seventy six eqnal shares, all that tract or parcel of land situate lying & being within our said Province of Newhampshire, contain- ing by admeasurement, Twenty three thousand & forty acres, which tract is to contain six miles square & no more, out of which an allowance is to be made for highways & unimprovable lands by rocks, ponds, mountains, & rivers one thousand & forty acres free, according to a plan and survey thereof, made by our said Governors order, and returned into the Secretary's office, and hereunto annexed, butted & bounded as follows, viz, beginning at a stake and stones, standing on the Bank of the Easterly side of Connecticut river, which is the South Westerly corner bounds of Stonington, thence running south fifty five degrees east, seven miles by Stonington to the south- easterly coruer thereof then turning off & running south sixty nine degrees west ten miles, then turning off again & running north twenty six degrees West to Connecticut River, thence up the river as that tends to the Stake & stones first above mentioned the bounds begun at. And that the same be & hereby is incorporated into a Township by the name of LANCASTER, And the inhabitants that do or shall hereafter inhabit the said Township, are hereby declared to be enfranchised with & entitled to all & every the privileges & immunities that other towns within our Province by law exercise & enjoy. And further that the said town, as soon as there shall be fifty families resident & settled thereon, shall have the liberty of holding two Fairs, one of which shall be held on the

and the other on the annually, which Fairs are not to continue longer than the

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respective . . . .. . following the said And that as soon as the said town shall consist of fifty families, a market may be opened & kept one or more days in each Week, as may be thought most advantageous to the Inhabitants. Also that the first meeting for the choice of Town officers, agreeable to the laws of our said province shall be held on the first tuesday in August next, which said meeting shall be notified by David Page who is hereby also appointed the Moderator of the said first meeting, which he is to notify & govern agreeable to the laws & customs of our said Prov- ince And that the annual meeting forever hereafter for the choice of such officers for the said town, shall be on the SECOND TUESDAY of March annually. To Have & to Hold the said tract of land as above expressed, together with all privileges & appurtenances, to them & their respect- ive heirs & assigns forever, upon the following conditions, VIZ.

" 1. That every Grantee, his heirs or assigns, shall plant & cultivate five acres of land, within the term of five years for every fifty acres contained in his or their share or proportion of land in said Township, & continue to improve & Settle the same by additional cultivations, on penalty of the forfeiture of his Grant or share in the said Township, & of its reverting to us our heirs & succes- sors, to be by us, or them regranted to such of our subjects as shall effectually settle & cultivate the same.

"2. That all white and other pine trees within the said Township, fit for masting our Royal navy, be carefully preserved for that use, & none to be cut or felled without our special licence for so doing first had and obtained, upon the penalty of the forfeiture of the right of such Grantce. his heirs & assigns, to us, our heirs and successors, as well as being subject to the penalty of any act or acts of parliament that now are, or hereafter shall be enacted.

"3. That before any division of the land be made to &among the Grantees, a tract of land as near the centre of the said Township as the land will admit of, shall be reserved & marked out for Town lots, one of which shall be allotted to each Grantee of the Contents of one acre.

"4. Yielding & paying there for to us, our heirs & successors for the space of ten years, to be computed from the date hereof, the rent of one ear of Indian Corn only on the 25th day of Decem- ber annually, if lawfully demanded, the first payment to be made on the 25th day of December, 1763.

"5. Every Proprietor, settler or inhabitant, shall yield & pay unto us, our heirs & successors yearly, & every year forever, from & after the expiration of ten years from the above said 25th day of December namely, on the 25th day of December which will be in the year of our Lord 1773, one shilling proclamation money for every hundred acres he so owns, settles, or possesses, and so in proportion for a greater or lesser tract of the said land; which money shall be paid by the re- spective persons above said, their heirs or assigns, in Our Concil Chamber in Portsmouth to such otlicer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same, & this to be in lieu of all other rents & services whatsoever.

" In Testimony Whereof, we have caused the seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed, Witness

" Benning Wentworth Esq, our Governor & Commander in Chief of our said Province, the fifth day of July in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three, and in the third year of our reign.

B. WENTWORTH.

"By His Excellency's Command, with advice of Council. " T. ATKINSON, Sec'y.

" Province of Newhampshire, July 6th, 1763. Recorded according to the original under the province seal.

" Pr. T. ATKINSON, JUN'R, Sec'y."

" Names of the Grantees .- David Page, David Page, Jun'r, Abraham Byam, Ruben Stone, John Grout, John Grout, Jun'r, Jonathan Grout, Solomon Willson, Joseph Stowell, Joseph Page, William Page, Nath'I Page, John Warden, Silas Bennit, Thomas Shattock, Ephraim Shattock, Silas Shattock, Benj'a Mann, Daniel Miles, Thomas Rogers, John Duncan, Nath'l Smith, Charles How, Israel Hale, Israel Hale, Jun'r, Daniel Hale, William Dagget, Isaac Ball, Solomon Fay,

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

Jotham Death, John Sanders, Elisha Crossby, Luke Lincoln, David Lawson, Silas Rice, Thomas Carter, Ephraim Sterns, James Read, Timothy Whitney, Thomas Rice, Daniel Searles, Isaac Wood, Nath'l Richardson, Ebenezer Blunt, John Harriman, Ephraim Noyce, Benj'n Sawyer, John Saw- yer, John Wait, Samuel Marble, Joseph Marble, Jonathan Houghton John Rogers, Abner Holden, Stanton Prentice, Benj'n Willson, Stephen Emes, John Phelps, William Read, Benj'n Baxter, Mat- thew Thornton, Esq'r, And'w Wiggin, Esq'r, Meshech Weare, Esq'r, Maj'r John Tolford, Hon'l Jos'h Newmarsh, Esq'r, Nath'l Barrel, Esq'r, Dan'l Warner, Esq'r, James Nevins, Esq'r, Rev'd Mr. Joshua Wingate Weeks, and Benj'n Stevens.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 30

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