History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 45

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

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James Brackett Weeks, born in Greenland June 14, 1754, came to Lan- caster in the fall of 1787. His education was such as the times and place afforded. He married, January 1, 1810, Elizabeth, daughter of Lieut. Dennis Stanley, settled upon what is now Prospect farm, which he occu- pied until his death, March 19, 1858; Mrs. Weeks died in 1854. She was an excellent woman of rare energy and sterling worth. Their children were James Wingate, Mary Nye, Sarah Stanley, William Dennis. John. Martha Eliza and Persis Fayette. Mr. Weeks was a successful farmer, and took pride in the fine cattle that he raised. He inherited a love of hunting, and was so cool and collected when in pursuit of game, that his gun seldom failed him. He was remarkable for his clear head and sound judgment. Simple and unpretending, he neither sought nor wished for public office, preferring the quiet of his home life. However, he had pronounced and

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decided opinions and expressed them strongly. A gentlemen in all his in- stincts, he dispensed his hospitality with a generous hand. He belonged to a class now, unfortunately, passing away,-the pleasant, social, unpre- tentious and well-informed New England farmer of the last generation.

Mary Nye Weeks, born at Lancaster August 14, 1813, married Richard H. Eastman, and died in 1857. Their daughter, Mary, married James W. Weeks. Jr., in 1886.

Surah Stanley Weeks, born at Lancaster November 16, 1815, married Edmund C. Wilder, of Colebrook. She died May 22, 1842.

JAMES WINGATE WEEKS was born in Lancaster, July 15, 1811. He is the oldest child of James B. and Elizabeth (Stanley) Weeks, and inherited the strong individuality of his parents. He received such education as the common schools of his day afforded, supplemented by a few terms at Lan- caster academy. He is a close student, a constant reader of valuable books, and a keen and correct observer of human and animal nature. During his boyhood he was engaged in assisting in the necessary farm labor. He taught school five winters, and was a successful teacher in some of the largest and most difficult schools. When about eighteen years of age he learned the trade of house joiner, but did not follow it to any extent. In 1834 he entered the employ of E. & T. Fairbanks & Co., of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and continued with them, as agent, for six years; two years of the time he passed in Michigan and adjoining states. In the fall of 1840 Mr. Weeks returned to Lancaster where he has since resided. His mechanical taste, and love of nature, led him early into land survey- ing, and he has a wide reputation as a surveyor. In 1844 he was engaged in the survey of the Pittsburg lands. In 1845 he assisted in the survey of the boundary between the United States and Canada, from the mouth of Hall's stream to St. Regis, on the St. Lawrence (about 160 miles), his asso- ciates being Capt. Warner and Lieut. Pope, U. S. topographical engineers. His duty was to survey and make a sketch of the country half a mile each side of the boundary, and connect his work with the main line. On reach- ing St. Regis he was given the field notes taken by Warner and Pope, and, on his return to Lancaster he made a topographical map of the summer's work, which was sent to Washington, and highly complimented. Mr. Weeks has been extensively employed in preparing and illustrating land cases for the courts of his own and other counties. His exactness and wide knowledge, with his promptness in attending to the work, made him a most valuable man in this business, and his services have been in great requisition.

In 1844 he was elected road commissioner, which office he held two years. In the spring of 1848 he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of railroad commissioner, occasioned by the death of Titus O. Brown, and two years later he was appointed to fill a full term in that office, thus

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holding that position five years in the most active period of railroad build ing in New Hampshire. In 1834 he succeeded Gov. J. W. Williams as judge of probate, which office he held about two years, when the " Know- nothings " came into power, and he, not choosing to take the oath of the order. was removed with all others not members. From about 1847 few men have been more employed in probate business than Mr. Weeks; although not a lawyer, he was an excellent judge of probate law, and thoroughly conversant with all its forms. His good judgment, sagacity and keen insight into the characters of men, were of great advantage to him, and he has acquitted himself with credit, and to the approval of interested parties. In 1870 he was elected one of the county commis- sioners with Amos W. Drew, of Colebrook. They found an enormous county debt drawing the highest rate of interest, and interest not paid on some of the notes "afloat," with large arrearages due from some of the towns. They succeeded in re-arranging, satisfactorily, the financial affairs of the county.

Mr. Weeks is a Democrat in politics, consequently, after 1854, he belonged to the minority party. In all matters pertaining to the town as selectman, etc., he has taken a lively interest, and his duties have been performed disinterestedly, and he has liberally contributed for public pur- poses. In 1847 he purchased the "Hemenway farm," two miles east of Lancaster village, upon which he has lived forty years. He conducted his farm like all business which he undertook, and was financially successful.

In 1842, May 30, Mr. Weeks married Martha W., daughter of Solomon and Clarissa Hemenway, a lady of great merit and high social standing. They had four children, Sarah (Mrs. Oxnard), who died July, 1871, aged twenty-five years: George, James W., Jr., and Clara H. who died May 5, 1881, aged twenty-nine years. These daughters were cultured and refined ladies. Mrs Weeks died September 5, 1853. Mr. Weeks married, in 1859, Mary E., daughter of Dr. Robert Burns, of Plymouth, and sister of Hon. William Burns. Socially and intellectually she ranked among the first ladies of Northern New Hampshire. She died February 2, 1878. The loss of these beloved members of his family was a great grief to Mr. Weeks, a sorrow that neither time nor the attention of friends can lessen.

He inherited a love of hunting from his ancestors, especially large game. Bears were his favorite sport. and he has trapped and killed a great number. When over seventy-five years old he heard of one eight miles away that had evidently not been disturbed. He set a trap and watched it. On finding the trap gone, he, after a chase of two hours. came up with "Bruin" and shot him as he would have done in the prime of life. The man who was with Mr. Weeks said " Mr. Weeks forgot that he was over thirty years old; he forgot his cane; his long deer gun was no incumbrance; and when we came in sight of the game, he seemed in no

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need of glasses to shoot it, which was done in the most approved style." Bruin's skin dressed by Mr. Weeks makes a very nice robe.

In his religious belief Mr. Weeks is a Unitarian. He dislikes theologi- cal controversy, and believes that a good man of any religious denomina- tion is a good Christian; and that a villian is a villian, no matter to what church he belongs. Kind-hearted and sympathetic, the poor and needy always find in him a friend; the stranger and wanderer are never turned cold or hungry from his door. He is an ardent lover of history, his mem- ory is retentive and accurate, he has a keen sense of humor, and his unstudied descriptions of men, scenes, and events are very vivid.

Mr. Weeks is an able man, strong in mind, strong in self control, strong in will, and strong in sympathy. True to all, without deceit or hypocrisy, he is appreciated most by those who know him best, and is known throughout Coos county as a foremost man in intelligence and ability.

William Dennis Weeks, born in Lancaster February 28, 1818, died Feb- ruary 27, 1885, was the second son of James B. and Elizabeth (Stanley) Weeks. As a boy he lived upon his father's farm, tilled the soil and care- fully improved the educational advantages afforded him, and became a suc- cessful teacher. For some years he was in the employ of E. & T. Fair- banks, St. Johnsbury, Vt. In 1848 he married Mary Helen Fowler, a niece of Gov. J. W. Williams, a lady of worth, a true helpmate, and congenial companion. Their three children are Emma F. (Mrs. Burleigh Roberts), John W. and William C. Mr. Weeks was a farmer on the old homestead farm, but for more than forty years was identified with the public interests of his town and county. In 1841 he represented Lancaster in the legisla- ture, for many years was selectman, and held other positions of trust.

In 1863 he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue, which office he held till it was abolished. At one time he was proposed by his friends as a candidate for governor, and quite a complimentary vote was secured in the convention, but he modestly declined the candidacy. In the summer of 1876 he was appointed judge of probate. Though not bred to the law he discharged the duties of probate judge justly, honestly and satisfactorily until his death. He was of the Unitarian faith, and a strong supporter and practicer of the tenets of that church. A man more honest, or with purer motives is rarely found. There was much of grace, courtli- ness, frankness and quiet dignity of character in all his intercourse with his fellow-men. He gained without pretension or ostentation by the noble- ness of his character the confidence of the people; by his daily walk and the example of a pure life whose morality never taught him to be morose or austere; by the enduring fidelity of the husband. the deep and constant affection of the father, he won an abiding place in the hearts of his towns- men. His example and influence were beneficent in all the relations of life and his memory is gratefully cherished.

Housea Gray

TOWN OF LANCASTER.

Martha Eliza Weeks, born October 10, 1824, was a woman of much ability, and somewhat of a religious enthusiast. She was ever working for the good of others, and striving to relieve the unfortunate. During the Civil war (1861) she went to Alexandria, Va., and was head nurse in the hospital there until her health failed, and only at the urgent advice of her physician left her post. After regaining health and strength she went to the Soldier's Home in Boston and occupied the same position for two years. In 1865 she became the assistant of Rev. Mr. Cheney, of Hollis Street church, Boston, acting as city missionary until her death. which oc- curred June 1, 1872. (This was occasioned by caring for a poor and desti- tute woman who was ill with a contagious disease.)

Persis Fayette Weeks, born February 3, 1831, was the youngest child of James B. Weeks. For clear good sense and womanly virtues she has few equals. January 2, 1855. she married Rev. George M. Rice, who died September 22. 1882. Their four children are Laura W. (Mrs. H. H. Piper), George B., Mary Nye and William, all true children of such a mother. Mrs. Rice's home is in Dublin. N. H., where her husband was a pastor for fifteen years.

HOSEA GRAY.

Among the men of Coös who have been prominent in business circles, and whose activity caused his to be a familiar form in every part of this large county, must be especially mentioned Hosea Gray. For nearly half a century his name was a synonym for commercial integrity and honor; and, so extensive were his dealings, that nearly every man of any conse- quence in the county had personal transactions with him. And it is well in making up the record of the men who have impressed themselves upon the progress of this section to preserve something of the personality of one who contributed so much as he to the advancement of its material inter- ests. The Gray family of New Hampshire has ever been noted for sturdy independence, for "push " and persistency, and other sterling qualities. Joseph Gray, in the Revolutionary war, was a participant in the battle of Ticonderoga, and especially marked for his energy and vigor.

Hosea Gray, son of James and Sarah (Elkins) Gray, was born at Jack- son, N. H .. April 11. 1818. He inherited a strong vitality and vigorous health from his parents, and aided his physical development by industri- ously laboring on his father's farm until he attained manhood. His advantages for the education of schools were meager, but he had a disci- pline, and acquired a practical knowledge, which was of great value to him in after life. His work was honestly and thoroughly done, and we can infer that it was not from any dissatisfaction with agriculture, except that it was not remunerative enough for his ambition, that when he be-

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came of age he came to Lancaster, abandoning the avocation of his father. He did not do this in search of an easier business. for we soon find him owning a team, and drawing produce from Lancaster to Portland and re- turning with merchandise. On one of his return trips, while unloading his goods, he met with quite a serious accident which incapacitated him for labor of this nature. Accustomed to hardships, vigilance. and labori- ous exertions, he had developed a strong, vigorous and thoughtful man- hood, and it appeared to him that he could conduct merchandising successfully; and he engaged in trade in a small way in the Reuben Steph- enson house, on the corner of Main and Middle streets. Here he demon- strated that his ideas were right: his business increased, and to provide adequate quarters for the rapid enlargement of his trade, he removed to the "Cargill store," where he remained until 1857, when he retired from merchandising. He carried his operations into all the upper towns of the county and through the Androscoggin valley, bought and sold cattle, horses, wool, flour. any thing and all things that had a merchantable value, and personally supervised a large farm with financial success. He was prospered in his undertakings, and enjoyed the confidence, esteem, and friendship of the best people. His shrewd, practical advice was often solicited, and as a member of the board of directors of the bank with which he was connected, his judgment and common-sense views were highly valued. His success was due to his far-reaching sagacity, his energy, his promptitude, and the confidence reposed in him as an honest and reliable man. He possessed strong convictions, had a terse and incisive manner of expressing them, was interested in all matters for the improvement of the town and county, and also in the political movements of these organ- izations, but never aspired to official position. Long years of unceasing toil at last undermined his splendid constitution, and he died, August 27, 1882, after an illness of nearly two years. By his death Lancaster lost one of its best citizens, and Coös county one of its ablest business men, for by his great activity and indomitable energy, and the success of his varied business enterprises, he largely benefitted the town, and was an important factor in the development of the county. His friendships were strong and tenacious: he was kind in his relations as neighbor and townsman: liberal in his charities; a most estimable and useful citizen whose integrity and worth endeared him to all; and loving and indulgent as a husband and father.

Mr. Gray married March 28, 1858, Mary A., daughter of William and Mary (Perkins) Sampson, a lady eminently fitted to make the home life pleasant, and who survives him. Their only child, Jannett, married, and has given to her only child, a son, his grandfather's name.

John H. Spaulding

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JOHN HUBBARD SPAULDING. *

Edward Spaulding, the ancestor of the Spaulding family in America, settled in Braintree, Mass., between 1630 and 1633. Edward?, born 1635 at Chelmsford, Mass., died 1708. Edwards, was born August is, 1674 at Chelmsford. Phineas', born in Chelmsford in 1706, died in 1745. Daniel, born November 5, 1737, in Hudson, N. H .. died in Lancaster, N. H. His wife was Phebe Dustin. They came to Northumberland, from London- derry, with their son, Edwards, who married Martha Weeks. He died in Lancaster, January 6, 1845. Their son, John Wilson Spaulding, was the father of John Hubbard Spaulding, who was born in Lancaster, August 17, 1821. His grandfather, Edward Spaulding, was one of the early settlers of the town. His father, John Wilson Spaulding, and his mother, Electa Stebbens Spaulding, died when he was about three years old. His uncle and aunt (William Dustin Spaulding and Sarah Ann Spaulding) adopted and cared for him affectionately as for an own child. From boyhood he worked on his uncle's farm, and in good time acquired a common school and academic education, and for faithful service received as a gift one year of his minority. He began life as a man by teaching a district school in the winter for several years, and working on a farm the remainder of the year, except when it was convenient he practiced land-surveying. One year he assisted in surveying and lotting the township of Pittsburg. He was employed in 1845, the next year after the famous " Webster and Ashburton Treaty" under Lieut. W. H. Warner and Lieut. John Pope

(now General); and, as a surveyor, assisted in establishing the United States and Canada line from the " Highlands" in Maine westward past New Hampshire, Vermont, and along the northern boundary of New York to St. Regis on the St. Lawrence river. In 1847-48 he purchased, mostly on credit, several hundred acres of timber land in Lancaster and Northumberland; and, after building two saw-mills, successfully manu- factured lumber for several years. In 1848 he married Miss Emeline Corser, of Guildhall, Vt. They have two children; the oldest, John H. Jr., is married and lives in Whitefield; the second, Debby Ann, married and lives in Lancaster.

In 1853 he assisted in building the "Tip-Top " House on the summit of Mt. Washington, and the next year became half owner of that and the "Summit House " (so-called). For nine seasons he was chief manager of both houses, becoming favorably well known to the thousands of distin- guished visitors to that renowned resort. February 10, 1862, with two invited companions, he accomplished the dangerous enterprise he had planned the summer before, and visited the top of Mt. Washington in mid-

*By B. F. Whidden, Esq.

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winter. For two days and nights this party was storm-bound, and fully realized the terrors of that place in a hurricane of drifting snow. In one place, while making the fearful ascent, he was obliged to cut steps for a long distance past an icy cliff, the waste ice from which rushed down two thousand feet into the woods below. In 1862 two rival claimants to the real estate title of Mt. Washington instituted thorough surveys by which to prove ownership, and during two different seasons he assisted each of these parties in making their surveys, and, though protected by a special charter from the state in his right to hold the hotel improvements on Mt. Washington, he sold his interests and bade farewell to mountain life. By invitation from an old business associate, he went to Rosendale, Ulster county, N. Y., March 9, 1865, and, from that date, he has very success- fully superintended the manufacture of hydraulic cement for the Law- renceville Cement Company, with only a short vacation each year.

Mr. Spaulding, graduating from the schools and academy of his native town, entered early the school of experience, and has had a busy, active, and useful life. The quality of his mind is determined and strong, and, without being rash or boastful, he is very decided in his action. He has always possessed good health, and his large vital power has enabled him to endure more hardship than most men. Without any inclination to selfishly desire favor, he has a remarkable faculty to manage men well; and under all circumstances he manifests a generous inclination to assist those who are poor and dependent on charity. Though shrewd in business manage- ment he will not stoop to a mean advantage, and his associates have great confidence in his integrity. Though not over-zealous in religious matters he has large veneration and a profound regard for practical piety; and while cherishing extreme contempt for hypocritical pretence, he never fails to array the force of his character on the side of morality and justice. Having often endured hardships for adventure's sake, and from his experi- ence as a successful mountaineer and hardy woodsman, very many inter- esting reminiscences of his eventful life might be recited.

Thus much is due to be said in regard to the subject of this sketch, whose life has been so strikingly representative of New England charac- ter. He is a man of cultivation and literary taste, and a very ready, racy writer.

GEORGE ROSCOE EATON.

The Eaton family is one of the earliest in America. Among the one hundred and two passengers of the "Mayflower," who arrived in Cape Cod harbor two hundred and sixty-seven years ago, were Francis Eaton, his wife, and Samuel Eaton. Francis Eaton was one of the signers of the first compact in the nature of a constitution of government in the Plym-

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outh Colony. Samuel Eaton was one of the twenty-six men who purchased what became the First Precinct in Middleborough, Massachusetts, where he died in 1684, leaving descendants. About sixteen years after the ar- rival of the "Pilgrim Band " (1636), John and Anna Eaton came from England to Boston. and, in 1640, were living in Salisbury, Mass. They had two sons. Thomas and John ?. Thomas removed with his father to Haverhill, Mass. : John2 remained in Salisbury, married, had John3, who, in due time also married, and became the father of Joseph', to whom a son. John5, was born. The birth of Wyman® occurred in Salisbury, July, 1725; he married Ruth Merrill, December 17, 1745, and settled in that part of Hampton. N. H., now Seabrook. [Five generations of the family settled within a radius of five or six miles of the old homestead in Salisbury, which has ever been, and is now, occupied by their decendants. ] In 1765, Wyman Eaton's name appears on the petition to Gov. Wentworth for a Presbyterian society in Hampton Falls, which shows that he was a free- holder and inhabitant of the town. His son, John', bought land in Bux- ton, Maine, in 1774, from James Gray, of Salisbury, Mass., and moved thither. He married Jemima Green. Tristram", fourth of their nine children, was born December 16, 1781. His son, Stephen W., was born in Buxton, Me., educated at the common schools, studied civil engineering, and was a member of the first surveying party engaged in running out the Atlantic & St. Lawrence railroad. He married Miranda B. Knox, of Portland. (a descendant of Gen. Henry Knox,) and became a resident of that city. They had eight children; Stephen M., Samuel K., George R., Minnie, (Mrs. Myron Hovey, of Boston, ) Charles P., Woodman S .. Howard B., and Edward.

George Roscoe Eaton, third son of Stephen W. and Miranda B. (Knox) Eaton, was born in Portland, Me .. November 16. 1837. He received his school education at the high schools at Portland & Yarmouth, Me. At the age of fifteen he entered the office of S. T. Corser, superintendent of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence (Grand Trunk) railroad, as elerk, where he re- mained two years and a half, evineing an aptitude, intelligence, and readi- ness for business. He passed the next two years and a half in the Grand Trunk freight forwarding office at Portland. He was now twenty years old, and left his home, came to Berlin, and engaged in the employ of H. Winslow & Co .. as general agent of their mill and store. Although the firm changed several times in the course of his stay, Mr. Eaton was con- nected with its management for fourteen years. During this long period, however, Mr. Eaton's business keenness foreseeing the future possibilities of the broad timber lands in Coos county, he invested largely in them, and his investments brought solid financial results. In 1872, purchasing a stock of goods and store at North Stratford. he changed his residence to that place, and continued in trade alone until 1552, when he admitted E. B.

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Merriam as a partner, and the firm became E. B. Merriam & Co. By this- time Mr. Eaton's lumber interests and ownership of lands had become ex- tensive, and his financial ability known and appreciated. Upon the for- mation of the Lancaster National Bank. in 1882, Mr. Eaton was elected its president, and, yielding to the solicitations of his friends, accepted the office. and removed to Lancaster, where he has since resided. Democratic in politics, as such, Mr. Eaton has often been called to positions of honor and trust. He represented Berlin in the legislature of 1872 and 1873; was selectman for several years in Berlin and Stratford; a member of the con- stitutional convention, in 1876. from Stratford; he was elected county treasurer in 18$4, and re-elected in 18$6. He is a member of the firm of Eaton & Sawyer, lumber manufacturers of Columbia. also of Marshall & Eaton. carriage manufacturers, of Lancaster, and for many years has loaned money, and conducted a private banking business.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 45

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