History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 62

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 62

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

* The pine has long since been cut into lumber.

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

tricts, in both of which there are convenient and well-finished school- houses. They have also two saw and grist-mills in town, and a fulling- mill. One of the saw and grist-mills stands on the Connecticut river near the head of the falls. A pond at the southeast corner of Dalton, and the only one in town, bears the name of Blake's pond. Moses Blake was a famous hunter, and the moose, which in the early days frequented this pond in the summer, often fell by his accurate shots. He often related this anecdote: He and Capt., afterward Brigadier-General, Bucknam, of Lancaster, on a small bet fired at a mark on one of their hunting excur- sions. Bucknam fired first and made an excellent shot, cutting near the center of a mark not bigger than a dollar at the distance of twenty rods. Blake fired, and on going to the tree no mark of his ball could be seen. On this, Bucknam exulted excessively. . Cut out your ball,' says Blake, 'and you'll find mine o' top of't.' The operation being done, the feat turned out as Blake had predicted. Both were men of truth, and I have heard the feat verified by both."

Early Inn-keepers .- Among the first tavern-keepers after Blake was Edward Reid, licensed November 12, 1808, "to keep a tavern and Execute the duties of a tavern keeper within the Town of Dalton one year from and after this date." and " to sell spiritous liquors of all kinds, " according to an act for the regulation of licensed houses. Joshua Whitney was also an inn-holder the same year, and the town meetings were often held at his house. Capt. Paul Cushman kept a house for the entertainment of trav- ellers in 1810. In 1819 and 1820 Capt. Benjamin Brooks was licensed and permitted to keep a tavern, and to sell and dispose of spirituous liquors according to law, he being a person of sober life and conversation suitably qualified for a tavern-keeper. In 1841 the " Brooks Inn " had passed into non-resident ownership. In 1845 Willard G. Cushman is licensed as a tavener.

It was not until hard years of self-denial, industry, deprivations, and economical existence had after long struggles and contentions, and legis- lative aid, carved out rude high ways, and bridged the streams, that luxur- ious civilization came into the wilderness to cover the rough floors with carpets, the houses and barns with coats of paint. or break the springs of its carriages upon the stumpy and irregular surface of the roads. The people were shut out from communication with the outside world, except by taking long journeys on foot, through hill forests and swamps, or on horseback along almost impassable bridle paths. The road from the mouth of John's river to Whitefield was not laid out until January 6, 1816, when it was located by the selectmen in pursuance of a petition signed by Robert Hare, Edward Reid, Joel Crandal, and Jacob Barrows. In 1832 James B. Sumner erected a bridge across the Connecticut river on nearly the same

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TOWN OF DALTON.

spot where the railroad bridge now crosses the river. This was used many years.

Not until 1836 does the inventory of the town mention any carriages for taxation; then James B. Sumner and Benjamin Fay are owners each of two carriages; Aaron Fisk of one "Jig"; O. P. Brooks, Benjamin Brooks, W. G. Cushman of one chaise each. The era of luxury appears by this time to be fully established.

Nahum Blake says the only mills in town at his earliest recollection were Cushman's saw and grist-mill, and Nathan Wilder's fulling-mill a little below Cushman's. An old saw and grist-mill was standing at the head of the Fifteen-mile falls. The dam had been carried away. This was built by Hare and Murray. The Sumner Co. repaired these mills, built a stone dam, which caused baek water and occasioned much litiga- tion, and these mills were destroyed and a new saw-mill put up which was in operation in 1859. (This mill was burned and never rebuilt.) Joel Fay had a saw-mill on the Wallace brook, afterwards owned by Lorenzo Fisher. Two saw-mills were on John's river near Whitefield, one erected by a Rev. Mr. Chase, the other probably by a Mr. Brown. A saw mill was built on Sabbattis brook by one Richardson, which was afterwards owned by Jonathan Scott.

RESIDENTS' NAMES, 1849.

Atherton, Samuel

Bacon, Henry

Ewen, Wm., Jr.

Atherton, William

Brewster. Benjamin

Ewen, Oliver D.

Atherton, Jonathan

Buswell, Francis

Ewen, Edward

Aldrich, Elisha

Brownson, Jonathan, Jr.

Ewen, Daniel

Blakslee, Jol

Brock, James

Ewen, James H.

Blakslee, John, Jr.

Cushman, Paul

Ewen, Moses II.

Blakslee, Linus

Cushman, Elisha

Edmands, Aaron

Bede, William

Cushman, Willard G.

Edmands, Charles W.

Beede, William

Cushman, Horace

Elliot, Warren

Bede, David

Carpenter, G. W.

Elliot, Foster

Ballou, Aaron

Carter, Jeremiah M.

Fuller, Thomas

Buck, Moses

Carter, John

Farr, Lorenzo

Bond, John

Crane, Ono

Fisher, Lorenzo D.

Bond, Lucius

Crane. Wm. B.

Fay, Benjamin

Bond, Julius

Crane, Nahum

Fay, Ezra

Blake, Dalton

Crane, Ebenezer

Fisk, Charles

Bunnel, Horatio N.

Colby, Asa

Gaskell, Samuel

Brooks, Benjamin

Colby, Moses

Griswald, Elam

Brooks, Oliver P.

Cram, John

Gordon, Charles C.

Brooks, Oliver M.

Carson, Marvin

George, William

Brooks, Alvin

Crouch, John

ITunter, John

Baker, Elijah

Clark, George P.

Hurlbutt, Chester

Brown, John

Dodge, Elijah

Hurlbutt, Samuel

Bolls, Obed

Dunsmore, Fred W.

Hurlbutt, Edmund

Bolls, Arnold

Dunsmore, Charles

HIurlbutt, Joseph, Jr.

Bolls, Lewis

Dean, Wm. P.

Harriman, Moses

Bolls, James

Ewen, William

Hurlbutt, Chester, Jr.

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

Harriman, Moses, Jr.

Philips, Nathan

Taylor, Amos

Harriman, Ira C.

Quimby, Joshua

Titus, Asher

Harriman, William

Quimby, Obed

Underwood, Jesse

Holmes, Edmund

Rix, Ilale, Jr.

Wallace, Asahel

Howland, Washington W.

Ruggles, Samuel

Wallace, George

How, Eben

Rounsvell, Elle, Jr.

White, Nelson

How, Michael

Rounsvell, Joseph

Wilder, Nathan

Johnson, Arasmus

Rounsvell, Holmes

Wilder, Nathan H.

Leighton, Liberty

Rix, Hale

Woodward, Isiah 1.

Ladd, Hiram

Rix, Jona C.

Whitney, Charles

Ladd, Hanibal E.

Rix, Moses H.

Weare Daniel C.

Loud, Benjamin

Russell, Oliver

Wilson, William

Lowd, George

Steavens, Jerimiab M.

Young, Samuel

Lewis, Civilian

Sartwell, Roswell

Tenney, John

Lang, Andrew

Scott, Jonathan

Quimby, Ira

Locke, Elbridge G.

Scott, Nathaniel P.

Parker. Charles

Moore, John C.

Smith, Thomas

Farr, Alba

Moore, John

Somers, John

Brown, George

Miller, Roswell

Somers, Edwin B.

Wormwood, John

Miller, Willard

Sumner, James B.

Blake, Paschal

Noble, Alanson

Straw, Willis

Baly, James

Newton, Dexter

Savage, Roswell

Farr, Norman

Parker, Amos

Savage, Sylvester

Parker, Daniel

Parker, Reuben J.

Sumner, Alex W.

Walker, Caleb

Palmer, Isaac

Taylor, Asa

Montgomery, John C.

Palmer, Thomas

Taylor, Robert

Burnham,

Perkins, Jubesh L.

Action of the Town in the Civil War. Extracts from Records .- " April 11, 1862. At a special meeting called for the purpose, the town voted to authorize the selectmen to hire a sum of money not to exceed $12 per month for all the persons in each family of the volunteers who have, or may enlist, from Dalton into the military service of the United States.

" September 11, 1862. Voted to raise $100 for each man who volunteers from Dalton, under the last call of the President, for three years, to be paid when mustered into United States service; also, to pay each volunteer for nine months $75, and the selectmen were empowered to raise $2,500 for this purpose.

" August 25, 1863. Voted, on motion of E. P. Brooks, to raise $300 to pay each man who is drafted and goes to war, or to his substitute if he procures one, and to authorize the selectmen to hire the money at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent.

" December 12, 1863. Voted that the town raise money to cash the Government and State bounties, and pay the same to each volunteer or person who may enlist to help make up the quota of the town under the call of October 17. 1863, at the proper time: also, to raise not to exceed $300 in addition to the Government and State bounties to pay to each of such volunteers or en- listed men.

" May 31, 1864. Voted, on motion of Nathaniel P. Scott, to raise $300 to pay to each drafted man or his substitute; also, on motion of Arnold Bolles to pay such volunteers as may have en- listed to help make up the quota of the town under the last call prior to the draft, $300 each

" August 10, 1864. Voted to raise the whole amount of money authorized by the State to pay as bounty to volunteers, drafted men, or their substitutes, for one, two, three or more years; Ben- jamin B. Brooks and John Blakslee were chosen a committee or agents to fill the quota of the town, with authority to bind the town by note for money sufficient to fill the quota from insurgent States if expedient, and to advance the same and pay the same upon credit of the town whether for volunteers, draftel men, or their substitutes, and to receive all papers of assignment, or other- wise relating to the business, in the name of the town.

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TOWN OF DALTON.

"September 3, 1864. Voted, on motion of Nathaniel P. Scott, that the town raise $800 to pay as bounty to resident volunteers to fill the quota under the present call; also, oa motion of Lorenzo Farr, voted to pay drafted men or their substitutes, and other volunteers, who may enlist as afore- said, as much as the law allows. The committee chosen previously was continued in office.

"January 14, 1865. Voted to raise $300 to pay each volunteer other than resident volunteers, and assume the State bounty andl cash the same for three years; also, to raise money and pay resi- dent volunteers $500 each for one year: also, to pay each drafted man or his substitute $200. The selectmen were chosen agents with authority to hire money upon the credit of the town for these purposes."

Mines .- Several attempts have been made to mine the copper which is found in several parts of the town. On the hill above Scott's still are the buildings covering a shaft which was sunk seventy or eigty feet deep but a few years ago. Nothing remunerative has followed the labor, and prob- ably neither the copper. gold, silver or lead that may exist in the hills will ever be one-tenth as profitable as the growth of the productive farms.

Some of the best farms in the county are to be found on Dulton hills. It would be impossible to name all in a work of this character, but we should not fail to mention Lucius Bond, who has not only a fine farm, but has been for long years one of the leading, solid men of this section: the Aldrich Brothers who are developing a farm that would be a credit to any town in this state: Preston J. Raggles, the veteran hop-raiser, who shows the skill of the true farmer. The Blakslee farm is also an old and noted one in a picturesque location. N. P. Scott, with his productive farm at the railroad station bearing his name, must not be forgotten.

In 1849 and 1850 a large amount of labor was given by a gang of men in blasting a channel of proper depth in the Connecticut along the Fifteen- mile falls for the running of lumber.

Murder .- In March, 1877. J. G. Kimball murdered his wife, for which crime he was sentenced to thirty years imprisonment at hard labor in the State's prison.

The following sons of Dalton became physicians: Dr. N. H. Scott. Dr. James B. Sumner, Jr., Dr. Edward Farr. Dr. William Gordon (dec.). Dr. Harry Hildrethi.

Brief Personal Sketches .- John Blakslee, Sr., came to Dalton from North Haven, Conn., in 1797, and deeded, in 1801, the farm where his son John Blakeslee now lives, and resided there ever after-sixty-four years. This is truly a pleasant place and a sightly. Mr. Blakslee married, first, Sally Blake, second, Bathsheba Blake. Both were daughters of Moses Blake, the pioneer. Mr. Blakslee died in 1572. in his ninety-fifth year. The present owner, John Blakeslee, Jr., is now in his seventy-sixth year, the oldest male resident born in Dalton.

John Tenney came from Alstead, N. H., in March, 1820, with his wife, Sophia, and two daughters. He settled on the next farm to Mr. Blakslee, (now a beautiful and productive place, and owned by the Aldrich brothers, )

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

and died there aged seventy-six. His daughter, Lucy Ann, married John Blakeslee, Jr. His son, Hon. Asa W. Tenney, is a leading lawyer of New York city, has been United States attorney, and is a prominent Republican politician and speaker.

William Wallace was an early settler, coming to Dalton in 1798, and rolled up his log-cabin on what was afterward known as the "Old Wallace Place." His two sons were Ira and Asahel, who were residents of Dalton until their death. They were useful, industrious men. Ira married Keziah Southwick, a native of Massachusetts. Mr. Wallace was a Christian, and an earnest worker in the church. His wife was a thoroughly good woman and a practical housewife. She died in 1875. Of their children only one is now in Dalton-Deacon George Wallace. He lives on the farm where his parents commenced their married life; he inherits the sterling virtues of his sturdy ancestors, and is much esteemed by his townsmen.

John Crane came to Dalton from Richmond in 1798, and was a school teacher for many years. Nahum Crane built a saw-mill on the Valley brook, and later a wood-working shop. William Crane came in 1800 and was a cooper. Ebenezer Crane was an early settler, coming to Dalton in 1818. He resided here nearly fifty years, dying in 1867. He cleared land, laid foundations for houses, barns, bridges, and was an energetic worker. He owned and carried on three farms for years. He married, January 19, 1822, Rebecca G. Russel, of Dublin, N. H., who survives him. and with her daughter, Miss M. E. Crane, resides on the " Crane farm."

Rev. Samuel Hudson Partridge, born in Dalton, was a faithful minister of the gospel. He labored in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and the Provinces. He died in Greenfield, May, 1884, aged fifty six years.

Andrew Lang, a native of Barnet, Vt .. came to Dalton in 1836. His wife was Eliza Scott, of Richmond. They have been residents here for over half a century. and celebrated his golden wedding in 1885. He is now the station agent, is active for his years, and has been a valuable citizen. His son. J. M. Lang, has been quite prominent in town affairs, has held numerous official positions, and has been county treasurer. His daughter, Mrs. M. E Britton, resides in town.

Jonathan Scott, a native of Richmond, came here in 1835. His wife was a daughter of Rev. Nathaniel Bowles. His only son, Nathaniel, married Margaret Harriman and resides on the old homestead at Scott's station. He is an enterprising farmer and a survival of the quaint honest Yankee of a generation ago. He has a son, who is a physician.

Jacob Barrows came in 1806 from Hanover, it is said, and built a pot- tery quite early. This was located near where Bert A. Taylor's store and the church now stand. He cleared up a farm, drew a pension for services in the Revolution, but had not the faculty of acquiring worldly wealth. In the better riches of religious faith and enjoyment he was opulent, and

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TOWN OF DALTON.

his was one of the earliest houses opened for religious exercises in town. (See Methodism in another chapter of this town's history.) In later life he moved to Vermont.

Urial Barrows, son of Jacob, came with his father, and was an ener- getic clearer of land for many years-an untiring worker.

Jonathan Fisher, probably a native of Alstead or Unity, came, in 1800, and purchased a lot on which some clearing had been done, and developed a fine farm It is said that he brought to bearing the first orchard in a large area. Thomas, a son of Jonathan, was here in 1809. He was a stone-cutter, and combined his trade with developing his farm (a part of his father's). Jonathan, Jr., occupied another part of this farm after his father's death.

In 1821 Alvin and Asa Taylor, David Sumner. James B. Sumner and three others purchased all the then unsold land from Messrs. Clark, Hare, Murray & Co., and James B. Sumner and Asa Taylor became residents and exerted for years a powerful influence upon the town. Mr. Sumner engaged extensively in lumbering, purchased large tracts of pine and spruce land, did business on a grand scale, built mills, stores. the large Sumner House, a summer hotel, a toll-bridge across the Connecticut on the location of the present railroad bridge, controlled largely the policy and politics of the town, and. when he died, his estate was found to be hopelessly insolvent, and many were seriously injured financially by their connection with him. The high taxes paid in Dalton are a constant re- minder of his sway, and a legacy of his financial policy. The first Sum- ner House was burned, and soon rebuilt more expensively, and is now rapidly going to decay, only inhabited by strolling impecunious people who take temporary lodgment there. He. at one time, constructed a small steamer to run to Lancaster on the Connecticut, which only made one trip.

Lorenzo Farr was a resident of Dalton from his youth, lived for the most of the time on the farm where he died November 25, 1884. He was a highly esteemed and much respected citizen, and held many offices within the gift of his townsmen.

The Brook's family was a prominent and useful one in town for many years. Capt. Benjamin Brooks and his son Benjamin were often in official positions. They were inn-keepers, proprietors of stage routes, and Benjamin Brooks, Jr., served many years consecutively as town clerk, treasurer. grand and petit juror, etc., etc. Oliver P. Brooks also held numerous positions of honor and trust, which were faithfully discharged. He was a candidate for state senator in 1832.

Horace Cushman, son of Parker Cushman who was born in Charles- town, N. H., January 3, 1773, and died at North Littleton, in 1873, aged 100 years and five months, was born in 1802, spent his early life in Little-

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

ton. He married, first, Abigail Oakes; second, Phebe Williams. He re- sided a few years in the south part of Lancaster near " Scotts." Nearly fifty years ago he removed to Dalton and settled upon what was their home until his death in 1886. Mr. Cushman was a good citizen, a man of mark, extensively known and respected. Of his children were Edward F .; Eliza A. (Mrs. Brooks), matron of the Home of the Young Women's Christian Association, Boston. Mass .; Charles M. (deceased): Mary M., wife of James D. Harriman, M. D., of Hudson, Mass .; and Cornelius J., of Dalton.

John Ladd, first selectman of Unity, N. H .. was father of Hiram Ladd, who was born in Unity. August 19. 1800. and married Aurelia Palmer, of Castleton, Vt., (born February 1, 1804,) February 1, 1527, and in the sum- mer they moved to Dalton, where Mr. Ladd built the house near the Whitefield depot, occupied now by Thomas Ruggles. The whole region between the house and the mountain was a wilderness. Mr. Ladd had a farm of 300 acres, and also engaged in merchandising. After a few years he exchanged his place for one covering the site where the decaying "Sumner Mansion " now stands. His children were Hannibal E .. William S., Mary, Lucy, and Kate G. Mrs. Ladd was a very domestic woman, always at home, and a hard worker, spinning and weaving the cloth for her whole family's winter outfit; yet she found time for reading all that came in her way, kept ahead of her children in astronomy, geology, natural philosophy and chemistry, and was a most agreeable and intelligent conver- sationalist. She died in 1858. Mrs. Ladd's mother was a Bowling, of Scotch descent, a woman of extended information in history and literature. Her brother. Dr. Palmer, a celebrated chemist, was the founder of Castle- ton (Vt.) Medical college.

Mr. Ladd was a Methodist in religious belief, Democrat in politics: served as justice of peace and selectman in Dalton, was social. a good neighbor. and stood high in the esteem of the people for his good strong judgment. He died in 1871. His three daughters all take a prominent position in society. Mary (Mrs. George N. Abbott, of Newbury, Vt .. ) is a lady of culture, artistic tastes, and a ready writer. Lucy (Mrs. George W. Stratton) has the advantages of many years' residence in Europe, where she is now. Her husband, an importer of musical instruments, went to Europe in 1571 in the interest of his business, and she accompanied him, visiting America but once since. She has had exceptional opportunities, and possesses the ability to profit by them. She has written the librettos for several operettas. "Laila." "Genevieve." and " The Fairy Grotto " have been published and are well known. While in London she did some missionary work among the London poor-not without success. She is an easy, fluent writer. Kate (Mrs. William Barry Smith, of Erie, Pa., ) is one of the most active missionary women, and is corresponding secretary

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TOWN OF DALTON.

for forty churches. Hannibal E. is an extensive farmer, resides near Erie, Pa. William S. is a lawyer. [See Bench and Bar. ]

Bert A. Taylor, the present member of the legislature, is one of Coos county's live men. He is a merchant, and for so young a man (forty-five years) has been much in town office, as school superintendent. clerk, treas- urer, postmaster, selectman, representative, and member of Constitutional convention of 1876. He has filled each position with wise judgment and creditably.

CHAPTER LI.

BY REV. JAMES P. STONE.

Ecclesiastical. Organization of Congregational Church-Original Members-Additional Mem- bers-Action in Relation to a Church Building-Erection of Church-Deacons-Ministers-Meet- ing House-Parsonage-Methodist Church.

T THE Congregational Church. - From the imperfectly-kept records from which much that should appear, if ever recorded, has been lost, it is impossible to prepare a history by any means full, or accurate: but from what appears upon the records I gather the following :-

" April 25, 1816. Agreeable to previous agreement, a number of persons met for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of forming a church. A few expressed their desire to be united with others in church relation. The time was spent in inquiry, conversation, and exhor- tation, and the meeting was adjourned for two days.

" April 27, 1816. According to previous adjournment, a number of the inhabitants of the town met at the dwelling house of Capt. Benjamin Brooks, for further action as to the organiza- tion of a Congregational church. They having invited Rev. Samuel Goddard, of Concord, Vt., to meet with them; in compliance with their request he was present. Several persons presented themselves, expressing a desire to enter into Church relation and covenant. Mr. Goddard inquired as to their motives, their manner of life, doctrinal views, and experimental knowledge of the Christian religion, and gained a comfortable hope that the persons here mentioned were Children of God, viz., Abel Moore, Benjamin Brooks, Oliver P. Brooks, John Putnam, Polly Brooks, Anna Moore, Mercy Wilder, Lydia Brooks, and Vina Moore. A confession of Faith, and Covenant was then presented for their consideration (substantially the same as that of other Evangelical Congre- gational Churches) and the meeting was adjourned to the same place the next day.

" Sabbath, April 28, 1816. The above named candidates for church membership, met ac- cording to adjournment. Rev. Samuel Goddard conducted devotional services. The articles of faith were read, and assented to by all the candidates, and Mr. Oliver P. Brooks and Mrs. Mercy Wilder were baptized (The others had all previously received the ordinance.) The Covenant was then read, to which all heartily assented, upon which Mr. Goddard declared them to be a Congre- gational Church of Christ and in fellowship with all other Evangelical Congregational churches, Then the communion service was observed, -the Lord's supper being administered by Rev. Samuel Goddard.

"The above is a true record of the establishment of a Congregational Church of Christ in Dalton, New Hampshire. "'Attest, Oliver P. Brooks, Clerk."

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

To this little church, consisting at first of nine members, viz .: Benjamin Brooks, Oliver P. Brooks, Abel Moore, John Putnam, Vina Moore, Mercy Wilder, Anna Moore, Polly Brooks and Lydia Brooks, there were soon oc- casionally small additions. The first added was Dalton Blake and his wife, Deborah Blake, Lucy B., widow of Moses Blake, and Dan. Clark. That was in February, 1818. In May, 1820, were received four more, viz .: Joel Fay, Betsey Fay, Maria Moore and Louisa Moore. In July, 1821. were re- ceived Rhoda Crane, Persis Brooks, Rachel Crandel and Mary Wallace; in March. 1822, Willard Harding. Polly Harding and Joel Crandel; in April, 1824, Mary D. Brooks, Philemon Ruggles and Eliza Ruggles. After this no more were received before May 10, 1829. Then on the church catalogue appear the names of Mary Fay, Lewis Partridge and Ezra Fay; in 1830, Sophia Tenney. Up to this date, if the records are correct, all the names that have ever been recorded upon the church catalogue amounted to but thirty.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 62

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