History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 42

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 42

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The Siwooganock Guaranty Savings Bank was organized in 1887 with the following officers: William S. Ladd, president: F. D. Hutchins, treas- urer. Trustees: George R. Eaton, William S. Ladd, William Clough, C. B. Jordan, Everett Fletcher, Charles A. Bailey, F. D. Hutchins. Incor-

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

porators: William S. Ladd, Chester B. Jordan, Irving W Drew, George VanDyke, William Clough, Frank P. Brown, Charles T. McNally. Jason H. Dudley, Ossian Ray, William R. Danforth, George M. Stevens, Charles A. Cleaveland, Benjamin C. Garland, William F. Dodge, Bert A. Taylor, D. H. Beattie, George R. Eaton, Frank D. Hutchins, Everett Fletcher, Burleigh Roberts. Charles A. Bailey, Alexander M. Beattie, James I. Par- sons, Alfred R. Evans, Fred N. Day, John C. Pattee, E. W. Scribner, Robert McCarten, Sylvester Cole, L. T Hazen, Samuel E. Paine.

The New Cemetery. - At the annual town meeting, March, 1868. there was considered to be a pressing and immediate demand for a new place of interment. "The old yard was declared to be full," and it was understood that subsequent burial therein (except in family lots) would be inter- dicted; and haste was urged in preparing new grounds for occupancy. The subject was referred to a committee of three, who were authorized to re- ceive proposals, and report at the November election. This committee re- ported a site on the Holton farm, and the selectmen were instructed to appoint a committee of five "to examine relative to a cemetery plot." This last committee made their report at a special meeting July 17, 1869, on which was based a warrant calling another meeting September 18, . 1869, " to see if the town will vote to purchase a new cemetery, and raise money for the payment of the same, and, also, appoint a committee to select a suitable place for a cemetery, purchase, and take a deed of it in the name of the Town, and be authorized to prepare the same in a suitable manner." At this meeting the committee, consisting of B. F. Whidden, H. O. Kent, W. F. Smith. E. D. Stockwell, submitted, through their chair- man, Mr. Whidden, a report recommending the purchase of nineteen acres east of Summer street, of B. F. Hunking and Sallie E. Burnside. The report was unanimously adopted. It was then voted that a committee of three be appointed by the selectmen to purchase this land, and to properly fence the same, and that the committee be entrusted with the laying out of lots. avenues, and foot-paths, planting of trees and shrubbery, etc., etc .: also, that they be authorized to manage and control the cemetery. The selectmen appointed as this committee B. F. Whidden, H. O. Kent, and K. B. Fletcher. In the spring and summer of 1870, they surrounded the whole cemetery lot with a picket fence, erected gateways, made the roads, graded and laid out the level portion of the ground for immediate use. In 1870 and 1871 the grounds were well graded, stumps and stones removed, roads and avenues constructed, lots laid out and numbered, fences, gateways and approaches completed. Mr. Fletcher declined to act soon after his appointment, and Mr. Whidden and Col. Kent, for twelve years conducted the affairs of the cemetery, resigning their position March 8, 1881. To their faithful services Lancaster is much indebted for the beau- tiful and artistic appearance of this "city of the dead."

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TOWN OF LANCASTER.

W. E. Bullard. J. I. Williams, and George U. Kent were appointed a cemetery committee March 19, 1881. The present committee is C. E. MeIntire and C. A. Howe.

Masonry .- (See " Masonry in Coos." page 139.) We are indebted for this valuable chapter to the enterprise of Brother I. W. Quimby, of the Lancaster Gazette, for which journal he personally prepared the his- tories of the Masonic bodies of this town. and seenred those of the lodges of Gorham and Whitefield. and the early history of that at Colebrook. Herewith we acknowledge the many other courtesies received from him.

Olive Branch Chapter, order of the Eastern Star. Adoptive Masonry, was instituted in Lancaster March 16, 1870. with these members: Ann I. Savage, Ruth A. Hovey, Helen Cherry, Martha A. Rowell, Richard Hovey. Abner Thompson, Philo S. Cherry, Ellen E. Cobleigh. Sarah B. Cleaveland. Mar- tha J. Thompson, Edward Savage. Erastus V. Cobleigh, Charles A. Cleave- land. William L. Rowell; and these officers: Edward Savage. W. P .; Ann I. Savage, W. M. ; Ellen E. Cobleigh, A. M. : Martha J. Thompson, Treas. ; Helen Cherry, Sec'y: Sarah B. Cleaveland, C .: Ruth A. Hovey. A. C. The first public installation of officers was January 26, 1877. The degrees have been conferred on one hundred and thirty-seven, and there are now seventy-five resident members. The Worthy Patrons have been Edward Savage. H. H. Porter. Frank Peabody, Dan Lee Jones, Edward R. Kent, Eugene Leavitt. The Worthy Matrons have been Ann I. Savage, Ellen E. Cobleigh, Eliza M. Spaulding, Emma F. M. Jones, Martha A. Corning, Grace Whitcomb. Hattie Smith.

Odd Fellowship-About 1850 a number of lovers and members of this order, among them several civil engineers on the line of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence R. R., organized the old White Mountain Lodge, which did a good work for some years, but finally died out. But few of its members are now alive, among them are William Heywood and John Lindsey.

Coös Lodge, No. 25, has been in existence for some years, but we have vainly endeavored to obtain its history.

Col. E. E. Cross Post, G. A. R., No. 16 .- A charter for the post was received from the State Encampment. January 16, 1869, and an organization perfected: but for some reason, after a few years the charter was returned, and the organization ceased to exist, and as the records are lost it is impos- sible to give its history for the time it had a being. November 1. 1575, the present post was organized under a new charter (with the same name and number as the old post). The charter members were: William G. Ellis, Solon L. Simonds. H. D. F. Young, E. W. Wyman, B. T. Olcott, Parker J. Noyes. H. S. Hilliard, Thomas S. Ellis, H. O. Kent, L. H. Parker, Ira E. Woodward, Thomas Sweetser, A. A. Dow. Charles E. McIntire. Richard Fletcher. J. I. Williams. H. Richardson, G. E. Chandler, E. A.

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

Rhodes, Zeb Twitchell, G. H. Emerson, F. H. Perkins, J. M. Morse, J. G. Sutton, R. M. J. Grant and George W. Morgan.

The first officers elected and installed under this charter were Thomas S. Ellis, Commander; P. J. Noyes, S. V. Com .; B. T. Olcott, J. V. Com .; E. A. Rhodes, Adjutant: Ira E. Woodward, Quarter Master; R. M. J. Grant, Chaplain: William G. Ellis, Officer of Day; F. H. Perkins, Officer of Guard; S. L. Simonds, Sergt .- Major; George E. Chandler, Q. M. Sergt. No Surgeon appointed or installed.

The post very soon mustered into its ranks a good many veterans of the war, and its success was assured. A special feature of the principles of the order has been developed in the fact that the post has done a great deal to help needy and destitute comrades and their families

Memorial Day has been observed in a fitting manner on its occurrence each year, the occasion calling out not only the members of the post, and old soldiers not connected with the order, but people of the town and towns surrounding in very large numbers. Some of the best known men in the country and participants in the conflicts of the war, have given their experiences, and still spoken words of cheer and hope for an undivided country, and good will to all. The Commanders of the post since its organ- ization have been: Thomas S. Ellis, from November 1, 1878, to January 1881; Henry O. Kent, from January 1881 to January 1882. (Re-elected but declined second term.) Levi H. Parker, from January 1882 to Janu- ary 1883; Jared I. Williams, from January 1883 to January 1884; Parker J. Noyes, from January 1884 to January 1885; Thomas Sweetser, from January 1885 to January 1886; Samuel L. Wellington, from January 1886 to January 1887. The officers for 1887 are: S. L. Wellington, Commander; I. E. Woodward. S. V. Com .: W. W. Hendrick, J. V. Com .; J. S. Brackett, Adjutant: J. I. Williams, Quarter Master; Oscar Worthley, M. D., Sur- geon: George R. Bush, Chaplain; L. H. Parker, Officer of Day; George W. Morgan, Officer of Guard; Joseph B. Cloudman, Sergeant Major; David Legro, Q. M. Sergeant.

The post is entitled to four delegates to the State Encampment. It has a relief committee of great efficiency, which looks after the wants of deserv- ing comrades and their families. It now ranks with the best Post in this department of the G. A. R., has a membership of one hundred and three in good standing; the whole number of mustered members having been one hundred and twenty-nine, twenty-six having died, been demitted, or dropped from the rolls. It is a matter of pride with our people that the veterans of the war are so earnest and enthusiastic in the great work of Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty.

Col. E. E. Cross Women's Relief Corps, No. 39, was organized September 21. 1886, with a membership of twenty-one. The organization was effected by the choice and installation of the following named officers, viz .: presi-

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TOWN OF LANCASTER.

dent, Mrs. Persis F. Chase; first vice-president, Mrs. Clara 1. Noyes: second vice president, Mrs. Sarah W. Brown: secretary, Miss May M. Wyman; treasurer, Mrs. Emma Sweetser: chaplain, Mrs. Bernice Kent; conductor, Miss Carrie Smith; assistant conductor, Mrs. Josephine A. Bailey: assist- ant secretary, Mrs. Ella Carter: assistant treasurer, Mrs. E. J. Cram; Mrs. Addie M. Hughes, of Ashland, inspector of the department, acting as in- stalling officer. The membership at the time, all being charter members, was twenty-one. At the meeting requiring the election of officers of the Corps for the full term of one year from the Sth day of January, 187, the officers were re elected with the exception of the treasurer, Mrs. Sweetser. and the chaplain, Mrs. Kent, who declined re-election. Those officers were succeeded by Mrs. Clara J. Tuell, as treasurer. and Mrs. A. M. Wyman, as chaplain, and on the 8th of January, 1st, they were installed by Mrs. Hughes. the Corps showing then a membership of thirty five.

Fire Department .- LaFayette Engine Co .. No. 1, meetings last Saturday of each month. ÆEtna Engine Co., No. 2. meetings first Saturday evening in the month. E. R. Kent Hose Co., No. 1, meetings first Monday of each month.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Brief Personal Sketches - Miscellaneous.

APTAIN Emmons Stockwell, was a man of remarkable courage. and it seems the Indians who were his neighbors both feared and loved him. But what is most remarkable in the history of this couple is their numerous progeny. Emmons and Ruth Stockwell lived together fifty-five years. At the time of her decease their descendants were known to be about two hundred, one hundred and eighty of whom are supposed to be living. Their children were fifteen in number, and no death occurred in the family until the youngest was more than twenty years of age. Their grandchildren numbered ninety-two, and great-grandchildren ninety. Captain Stockwell died November, 1819, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Mrs. Stockwell died March 21. 1828.

Edwards Bucknam, born at Athol, Mass., June 21, 1741, was a resident of Lancaster in 1764, and became a prominent and leading man. He mar- ried Susannah Page, and settled at the mouth of Beaver brook. Their daughter Eunice was the first white female child born in Lancaster. "Mr. Bucknam was a man of unbounded hospitality and usefulness, was a dead

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

shot with his ' smooth bore.'could draw teeth, 'let blood,' perform the duties of priest in marrying, was one of the most skillful and accurate surveyors in the state, was proprietors' and town clerk (his house and records were destroyed by fire in 1772). He became general of the militia: surveyed for towns and people in all quarters; wrote deeds, tried causes, drafted agreements, etc .. etc." He died March 9, 1813.

Lieut. Dennis Stanley came, with Col. Whipple, from Kittery, Me., to Dartmouth (Jefferson). He was a tanner by trade and commenced busi- ness there, but moved to Lancaster, prior to 1776, where he married Sarah Bishop, from Boscawen, N. H They had a large family of children, whose descendants are most respectable people. He followed his vocation till his death, which occurred in 1813. He owned the best farm north of Haver- hill. It contained 630 acres, and now belongs to Capt. A. M. Beattie. The house still retains its shape and size as when he occupied it, and was the resort, and almost the home, of the halt, the lame, and the blind. As can be seen to-day, the house could almost quarter a regiment. Like all others, when in want of fresh meat, Lieut. Stanley hunted the moose, whose nearest feeding ground was Cherry pond. Many of the skins of the moose killed in this section found their way into his tan-vats, and made valuable material for clothing. He was a man of fair educa- tion, of strong mental power, prominent in town affairs and liberal in his views. His house was a place where the early Methodists-Rosebrook, Crawford, Reeves and others-held their meetings, although neither he nor his family were of that denomination. Mrs. Stanley died January 11, 1849, aged eighty-seven years. She had resided in Lancaster more than seventy years.

Major Jonas Wilder came here about 1778, from Templeton, Massa- chusetts. He purchased a square mile of land extending from the "Hol- ton House " to Israel's river. He built the house in Lancaster now (1887) occupied by Horace Holton, and also erected the first grist and saw-mill here. He was on a committee to select a public burial ground, in March, 1779, and presented the mound known as the "old grave-yard " to be used for that purpose. Mr. Wilder was enterprising and public-spirited, enter- ing with his whole heart into any movement tending to the good of the community. He died in 1810, at the age of seventy eight. In the "old grave-yard " is a handsome white granite monument, erected to his mem- ory in 1885.

Joseph Brackett was a lieutenant in the minute-men in the time of the Revolution, and was called to the defense of Portsmouth when an attack was apprehended from the royal troops. In 1787 he purchased two rights of land in Lancaster, about 640 acres. In March, 1788, he mounted his horse and started from Lee, N. H., for Lancaster. Arriving at Bart- lett, he learned that the road through the Notch was impassable for his

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horse. The next morning, finding a snow-shoe track which led to Dart- mouth (Jefferson), he shouldered his saddle-bags and proceeded on foot. and alone. through the Notch to Col. Whipple's, a distance of thirty-one miles: from there, where he had comfortable accommodations for the night, he easily reached Capt. Weeks's house, the distance being twelve miles. At that time there was only one house between Obed Hall's in Bartlett, and Col. Whipple's in Jefferson; that occupied the site now known as the Fabyan House. During the summer Mr. Brackett cleared a few acres, built a log house and returned in the fall to Lee. On the 20th of January, 1789, he set out on his upward journey of 130 miles, with his family, one ox-team, a few cows and sheep: after eleven days of travel they reached their home in the then wilderness of Lancaster. Joseph Brackett was a man of genial humor and vivacity, which endeared him to many friends. He was for many years a deacon in the church. He died April 5, 1813.

Adino Nye Brackett, son of Lieut. Joseph and Mary (Weeks) Brackett, was born in Lee, N. H., in 1777, came to Lancaster in 1789, and married Mary W. Weeks in 1807. They had six children, of whom two are now living, Adino Nye and James Spaulding. In 1800 he was elected hog reeve, highway surveyor and tything-man. In 1803. chosen selectman, which office he held for seven years; representative in 1814 and at various subse- quent dates; was clerk of the superior court, and one of the most valuable and useful citizens. He possessed an open and frank disposition, was ac- curate and prompt in the discharge of all duties. Professional men sought his society for his extensive and varied knowlege, gathered largely by long years of steady and continuous reading, and close and scientific observation of nature. He was a great lover of history. He was an accurate and re- liable surveyor, and became thoroughly conversant with the White Moun- tains and vicinity. and established by actual survey the altitudes of the various mountain heights.

Mr. Brackett was a man of commanding appearance and a gentleman by nature, and was held in the very highest estimation by all who had the honor of his acquaintance. Whatever tended to elevate and improve so- ciety and enlighten the people, found in Adino N. Brackett an ardent, con- sistent and faithful friend. He was a graphic writer and speaker, and contributed much of value to the literature of the day. He died in 1847. Adino Nye is a physician in Virginia. James Spaulding Brackett inherited many traits from his father and is a ready writer, and interested in his- torical research.

Tilus Olcott Brown, born in Tolland, Conn., August 25. 1764, after his marriage settled in Lancaster. He engaged in the hotel and transportation business. and was the first person to carry the produce of Upper Coos through the Notch of the White Mountains to Portland. He afterwards

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

moved to Bartlett, and was an inn-keeper at Gray Corner. In 1833 he went to Norway, Me., and kept a hotel until 1842. He resided in Norway until his death, in 1855. His son, J. B. Brown, born in Lancaster, was for many years a leading business man in Portland, one of the principal movers in establishing and constructing the Atlantic & Pacific R. R., and in creating the Berlin Mills Company.

Col. Stephen Wilson had a clearing and a log hut on the interval near the present village, as early as 1786. He kept hotel in many towns of Coös county; he was also a veteran stage proprietor, and even after he was seventy years of age acted as a mail carrier, and for many years did the freighting for Lancaster, via the White Mountain Notch, with Carlos Page for wagon master. Mr. Wilson was an active, kindly and genial man. He died in Northumberland, N. H., May 6, 1869.

James Perkins came before 1800, married Lucy, daughter of Major Jonas Wilder. and lived in the first house built on the "common," near the old meeting-house. He traded this place to his brother Daniel, who moved from Wakefield to Lancaster in 1805, and returned to Dover. Daniel Perkins was a native of Dover, and was a tailor here for many years. His daughter Adeline married Allen Smith, who was a drummer in the War of 1812. After the war Mr. Smith started a saddler's and harnessmaker's shop in Lancaster, which, with his house, was located on the lot where the Hopkinson stone house stands. In 1836 he bought the place where, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, his venerable widow, graceful and interesting, now resides. 'His shop was where George W. Lane's clothing store is now, and here, for over thirty years, he carried on a constant business. He was a native of Hanover, N. H., a valued member of North Star Lodge of Masons, a steward, and class-leader of the Methodist church, to which both he and his wife belonged for many years. He died in 1873, aged eighty-two. Among their ten children were William and James A., so long business men of Lancaster. The latter is probably the oldest merchant now in actual trade in the county. (See merchants.)

Major Moses White was a man of more than ordinary gifts and culture, and a model business man. During the Revolution he was actively a par- ticipant, and for quite a period served on the staff of Gen. Moses Hazen. His business abilities rendered him of use to his uncle in his extensive operations, and his counsel and active interference were often required in untangling complications. The Lancaster lands of Gen. Hazen became the property of Major White under the will of the General; but in such an involved condition as to require years of time. much expense and litiga- tion before they were cleared. Major White became a resident of Lancas- ter in 1815. He was from Rutland, Mass., a merchant, and in the lan- guage of those who remember him, "a most courtly, and aristocratic gen- tleman."

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TOWN OF LANCASTER.

John H. White, son of Moses White, was register of deeds for several years, sheriff ten successive years, an influential member of Gov. Page's Council: at one time a candidate for governor. He was for years a trus- tee of the State Lunatic Asylum. Honorable and true in all relations. He filled all local town offices with marked ability and was one of the foremost in every public enterprise.

Royal Joystin came to Lancaster from Bath in June, 1825, and was in trade from that time, alone, and with partners, until 1867, when he sold his store building to Porter Brothers, and closed out his goods by auction. He was a typical old-style country merchant, and was the leading business man for many years, and quite successful: but he could not adapt himself to the changes of business methods in later years, and he gradually lost his customers, and when he died had little property. He always held the confidence and esteem of the people as a thoroughly honest man. He died July 16. 1880. in his eighty-fifth year.

Col. Ephraim Cross was, during a long life, a prominent man in North- ern New Hampshire, holding offices of honor and trust-town, county, state and national. He was always a leader in society, a kind neighbor, a genial companion and warm friend. He died in 1876.

Seth Savage, born in Lancaster, January 27, 1807, died August 4, 1853. He married Martha Spaulding. Of their children, nine attained maturity: Edward, Hubbard, Sarah (Mrs. Alden Lewis), Lucy (Mrs. James Bain), Henry, John, Charlotte, Mattie, and Cyrus, who was a soldier in the civil war, and died while at the front from the hardships and exposures of the military service. When a young man Mr. Savage became well known as an excellent school teacher, and he taught in Lancaster, Jefferson, White- field and adjoining towns. Before 1840 probably no person in this vicinity was more noted as a teacher of our common schools. In his younger days he was also quite successful in teaching singing schools. He was a good singer, and for many years sang in the Congregational church choir of Lancaster. He was a selectman for twelve or fifteen years. He was rep- resentative to the General Court of New Hampshire in 1559 and 1860. Originally a Whig in politics, he joined the Republican party at its organ- ization, and remained a sturdy Republican to the end of his life. Mr. Sav- age was an affectionate husband and father, a kind friend and neighbor, a generous and public-spirited citizen. In all his dealings with his fellow- men he was just, faithful and capable.

Early Marriages .- William Johnson to Polly Stockwell. November 13, 1756: George Brown to Polly Bucknam, September 3, 1759: Nathan Love- well to Charlotte Stockwell, December 27, 1792; John Mcintyre to Sally Stockwell, March 19, 1792; Richard C. Everett to Persis Wilder, December 17, 1793; John Sanborn to Sally Crawford, of Guildhall, November 12, 1795.

In 1750 a small tribe of Indians near Litchfield, Conn., removed to the

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mouth of White river, Vermont, to find a peaceful home, and became farmers and mechanics. John, a son of Annawanski, their chief, often came in hunting expeditions to the Upper Cohos, and moved, in 1806, with his white wife, to Lancaster, where he built his camp in Indian style, on Beaver brook, near Israel's river. Of his thirteen children, eight married whites.

Zadoc Cady, in the early days of Lancaster, was a character. He was a mason by trade, and always had a "puttering job." At one time he was messenger to the court. The old court-house was warmed by the first stove I ever saw. This stove was a brick structure about five feet square, and two and a half feet high, surmounted by a potash-kettle turned bottom up, with a hole through the bottom, over which the smoke-pipe was riveted. It was capable of heating half an acre. On one occasion Judge Liver- more, who was to hold the court, came up at night, and walking out in the morning saw the court-house door open, walked in, and saw Cady (who did not know the Judge) stuffing wood into the stove. " You are getting up a pretty good heat here," said the Judge. "Yes," says Uncle Zadoc, "I understand Livermore is a frozen old cuss, and I'll see if I can't get it warm enough for him once." The Judge went out, and in due time the court was opened in great state. Mr. Sheriff, with cockade on his hat, sword at a "carry," and as straight as half a dozen ramrods, escorting Judge Livermore. Cady saw he was caught and was in a pickle. Asthere was nothing else for him to do, he kept cramming wood into the stove till it was almost at a red heat. The old Judge stopped and said: "M.r. Messenger, you need not put any more wood in the stove, the old cuss ' is warm enough."

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 42

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