USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampton Falls > History of Hampton Falls, N.H., Volume II > Part 25
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At that time the housefly was supposed to have been created for a wise purpose and really a blessing as they were useful in disposing of dead animals and other foul matter which, by its decay, polluted the atmosphere and generated disease. When there was no means of disposing of sewage and refuse about the buildings, flies were generated in great numbers and were very troublesome in and about the house, their presence being in every respect disagreeable. Doors and windows were not at that time screened, nor was there anything to prevent their free entrance into the house. Various methods were used to destroy them. One was to hang up two shingles fastened together at the butts which caused them to open, the insides being smeared with molasses which attracted the flies; by pressing the shingles together great numbers were destroyed. Now the fly is regarded in an altogether different light. Their presence is regarded as dangerous; they are active in carrying the germs of disease and every effort should be made to destroy them. Houses are care- fully screened to prevent their entrance. The housewife is nervous if she knows that a single fly has gained an entrance. Their breeding places are eliminated and destroyed, and this has done much to reduce their numbers, and removes a fruitful source of disease.
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS
Many cattle were driven up country to be pastured every spring. It was thought to be a desirable asset to have a pasture in some back town where cattle could be taken for the season, from May 20 to October 20. Maj. Jonathan Nason took a drove of nearly one hundred head each year to Gilmanton, to the Wilson farm which is the farm now owned by Mr. Wilson's grandson and used as an experimental farm by Prof. Jeremiah W. San- born. It was a long and hard drive for cattle which had been fed during the winter on salt and meadow hay, and often spring poor, some of them would fall by the way and have to be con- veyed. The journey to and from often did much to neutralize the gain made during the summer. For many years later the business of driving was continued by Gen. Charles A. Nason and Charles Hardy. It is only a few years since the business was discontinued. Cattle were pastured in Nottingham and Pitts- field, and, in one instance, were driven to Wilmot, a two days' drive each way. At the present time cattle find pasture nearer home. It would be a serious loss in time to take cattle up country and back every year.
Taxes were low but there was fully as much fault finding and growling as at the present time when taxes have been increased many times over. It is true we get much more for our tax money, but the benefits have not increased in the same ratio as has the increased amount of taxation.
Mark Roberts of Stratham drove a tin peddler's cart over the town during the entire decade, and was the only one doing that kind of business. He sold tin ware and other things usually carried by that class of peddlers. He took rags in exchange for his goods. When in this town he made his headquarters at Captain Towle's. A man named Stevens drove a baker's cart from Newburyport to Exeter, over the main road, and had a good patronage.
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SHORT NOTES OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THE TOWN BETWEEN 1840 AND 1850.
Joshua Pike, who lived near the Exeter line, was a joiner, as carpenters were called in those days. He framed and put to- gether Colonel Lane's windmill, a tall, eight-sided building which required a great deal of skill. He was a good workman. He went to Portsmouth in 1814 with the military company which was ordered there for defence when it was thought that the British might attempt to land.
Joseph Melcher and his son, Samuel, occupied the Melcher farm. Joseph Melcher was the fourth generation to occupy the farm after the family took it up from the wilderness. He was called Judge Melcher from his knowledge of cattle. They did some business in handling and dealing in cattle. The droves from the north often remained here over night. Judge Melcher, with Fred Brown, followed fishing in the Taylor River through life. Joseph Melcher was selectman in 1817; Samuel, in 1842.
Nathan Moulton was a farmer. He built a vessel at Exeter in 1816, and took cargoes of potatoes to Philadelphia and hops to Canada. He bought poultry and took it to market in Massa- chusetts; from this cause he was often spoken of as "Turkey Moulton." He had been a captain in that branch of the militia called the "troop." He was a selectman in 1828. Governor Bell, in his history of Exeter, says a great many vessels were built at Exeter from or a little before the War of the Revolution until 1812. They were small vessels adapted to the coast wise trade and were from fifty to one hundred tons burden. The last one built there was a schooner of from one to two hundred tons and was built through the enterprise of Nathan Moulton of Hampton Falls.
Fred, Levi and Sewell Brown were grandchildren of Abraham Brown and Judith Runnels. Judith was an Indian woman. These men all had a strong resemblance to the aborigines. Noah Brown, son of Judith, was vicious, having the bad qualities of both races; he was supported by the town during his last days. Levi Brown was father of Alice Brown, the authoress. Sewell
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS
Brown was a cobbler and shoemaker; he went to Portsmouth in 1814.
John Brown and John Brown, Jr. John died in 1845, aged ninety-five years. John, Jr., was a farmer and shoemaker. He had a large family, ten children; his four sons lived in Exeter and were influential citizens. They were carpenters and builders. John, Jr., was selectman in 1823.
Thomas and Joseph Moulton. Thomas died soon after 1840 at an advanced age. Joseph was one of the principal supporters of the Baptist church in Exeter where he went to meeting. He had a valuable lot to pine timber. Many of the masts and bow- sprits used by the shipbuilders in Newburyport were taken from this lot. Some of the masts were a hundred feet long. Joseph Moulton appears never to have held office of any kind.
Nathaniel Dearborn, a native of Raymond, lived in the neigh- borhood; he was a farmer and married a daughter of John Brown, Jr.
Nehemiah Porter Cram, farmer, was at one time county treas- urer and was prominent in the management of the Rockingham Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. He was representative in 1837.
Rufus C. Sanborn was a good farmer; he had fine cattle and succeeded in raising good crops. He usually succeeded in what he undertook in the line of farming, but perhaps not always at a profit. He had quite a reputation as a hunter; was selectman in 1844.
Peter and Dean R. Tilton, farmers. Peter died soon after 1840. He was selectman in 1839. Peter G., son of Peter, was a shoe- maker, and was an expert with a gun.
Caleb Knight and his sons, Stephen and Levi, were farmers. Caleb was clerk of the company which went to Portsmouth in 1814. He died early in the decade.
At that time the four farmers, Cram, Sanborn, Tilton and Knight, made butter which was taken to Newburyport every week, each going to market in turn. This butter must have been considered good as it was sold to Mr. Blumpey who catered to the best trade in the city. At that time there were about seventy persons living in the over-river district, with about twenty of them school children. The number of houses was about the same as at the present time.
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PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN TOWN FROM 1840 TO 1850
Joseph Cram was a carpenter, farmer and shoemaker. He made most of the ox yokes used in the town at that time, which was a great many. He was a strong advocate of a world peace and a firm believer in spiritualism. He was selectman in 1837. Mr. Cram was a man of kind feeling and ever ready to lend a helping hand. He was father of Rev. William Cram.
Capt. Eben Tilton, an old man past labor, lived with his two daughters near by.
Weare D. Tilton, a good and industrious farmer, raised good crops. He often helped his neighbors kill animals which were butchered on the farm and rendered assistance in other ways when needed. He was selectman in 1840.
Sally Healey and Polly Dow, maiden ladies. Miss Dow was a daughter of Maj. Joseph Dow and a granddaughter of Meshech Weare.
Dea. Stephen and Silas Green were diligent and industrious farmers who seemed to enjoy work, as they took little recreation. Deacon Green was a tailor by trade and did some work at that time.
Maj. Jeremiah Godfrey was one of the best farmers in the town. He kept Devon cattle in which he took great pride. He raised good crops, including some vegetables and was the first to use Peruvian Guano, and introduced the use of superphosphate. He bought poultry at Thanksgiving and Christmas, which he took to Salem, Mass. He was selectman in 1830, and representative in 1848. He went with the company to Portsmouth in 1814.
Nancy Sanborn, maiden lady, occupied a house and lived alone. She was daughter of John Sanborn who died many years before.
Zephaniah and Samuel Brown were well to do farmers who took life easier than many others in the town. From the present stand- point they were wise in avoiding some of the heavy work, such as some of our farmers were doing at that time.
Josiah Brown was a farmer who kept things neat and trim. He kept a good team, and he and Mrs. Brown drove about a great deal. They were well dressed and, with the handsome lap robe knit by Mrs. Brown, they made a stylish appearance. He was representative in 1833, and went to Portsmouth in 1814.
There were between forty and fifty persons living in this neigh- borhood. Six houses have been removed and never rebuilt. There were ten children who attended school.
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS
Mrs. Sarah Perkins and daughter, Nancy. Mrs. Perkins had two sons, Joseph and Lewis, who lived in Exeter, and a son, Enoch, who lived in Boston. Nancy was librarian of the Ladies' Library for many years.
Jeremiah Brown, commonly known as "Neighbor Brown," lived in the Burnham house and had a large family. He was a native of Londonderry and came here many years before to work in the stable of the Eastern Stage Company; he removed from town in 1848.
Benjamin and Aaron Sanborn. Benjamin died in 1846, aged eighty-five. Aaron was a successful fruit raiser. He raised and kept fine cattle; was an expert in training steers; had raised the largest pair of cattle ever seen in the town. He had considerable mechanical ingenuity and seldom called in anyone to assist in re- pairs. He made his children's shoes which had the merit of being shaped somewhat like the foot, being wider at the toe. He went to Portsmouth in 1814.
Rev. Jacob Caldwell, with his sister and son, occupied the par- sonage. They removed from the town in 1848.
Wells W. Healey built a house on the site of the meeting house which was torn down in 1842.
Captain Healey was the largest and most progressive farmer in the town, and kept well up with the times. He introduced new implements as soon as they were perfected enough to be of practical use. By good management he accumulated a large property. He was selectman in 1822, and was captain in the militia.
Thomas Brown was a farmer and fruit raiser. He made a great deal of cider vinegar; he was never known to be in a hurry, but wanted to know the "why and because" of things as he went along; was selectman in 1832.
At this time there were about forty people living in this neigh- borhood, with ten school children.
Luke Averill lived in a house on parsonage hill, near Grapevine run. He moved to Brentwood soon after 1840.
Dearborn Lane, a tailor by trade, lived on a small farm, but had ceased to do much at his trade. He went to Portsmouth with the company in 1814.
Mrs. Cram and son, Benjamin F., a farmer, lived near the Christian chapel. He later moved to Kingston. Mrs. Cram
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PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN TOWN FROM 1840 TO 1850
was a cousin of Grace Fletcher, first wife of Hon. Daniel Webster. Mr. Webster used to call here when in this part of the state.
Nathan Pike, with his sons, James and Edward, who were shoe- makers. Nathan was often called to treat sick animals. When he was a tithingman at the little meeting house the boys stood much in awe of him as he gave them heroic treatment when he got hold of them. Richard Marsh married Mr. Pike's daughter; he was a blacksmith and worked in the shop near Kenny brook. He moved to Amesbury in 1846. He was succeeded by his brother, Alfred, until 1855, when he went to Minnesota. He was a giant, weighing more than four hundred pounds.
Capt. Caleb Towle was a shoemaker; this gave him constant employment. Two of his sons, Oliver and Elbridge, were con- ductors, for many years, on the Eastern and Boston and Maine railroad.
Jacob and John B. Brown were farmers and money lenders. John B. was guardian of Benjamin Cram and had command of an estate of many thousands, which was let on note and mortgage. Money was often let on short time to farmers in this and adjoining towns to buy cattle and other needed things. This was a great accommodation to the community. John B. had been a captain in the militia.
Moses Batchelder lived on the ancestral Batchelder farm, the . best farm in the town. He had a sawmill and made the small amount of water running in Grapevine run do a great deal of work. He firmly believed that the orthodox plan of salvation was the only one which would safely land one on the other shore. He was rep- resentative in 1834. His son, Samuel, handled a great deal of heavy timber for the shipbuilders in Newburyport. He was a red-hot abolitionist. Another son, Aaron, died in 1848, from in- juries received in the sawmill.
William and Nathan Brown, by industry and good manage- ment, accumulated a good estate. William, as a lay preacher, had great influence in religious matters. They often had wealthy people from Cuba, who boarded with them in summer. William was representative in 1820. Nathan went to Portsmouth in 1814.
Sarah Marston, a single woman, occupied a small house which she had built from the accumulation of her earnings. She was a native of North Hampton.
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS
Emery Batchelder, a farmer, was a man liked by everyone. He had been an officer in the militia. He was selectman in 1842.
Reuben and John Batchelder, farmers, were firm in the support of the Line Church. Reuben was selectman in 1812; John was selectman in 1846.
The Weare farm was owned and occupied by John Porter and Zebulun Dow, a native of Seabrook. Mr. Porter married Hannah, a daughter of Meshech Weare. She died in 1849, aged ninety-four years. John Porter went to Portsmouth in 1814. Mr. Dow was a farmer who took his recreation in doing a great deal of hard work.
All the persons we have mentioned lived on the roads between the Weare farm and Exeter line.
Chase Akerman built his house and buildings a little east of the Baptist meeting house, late in the decade, where he and his brother, Charles, prospered as shoemakers. Charles E. later studied medicine and became successful as a practitioner.
Robert Marshall lived in the last house on the turnpike toward Hampton. He was a Revolutionary soldier from this town. Gideon Marshall, brother of Robert, was also a soldier in the Revolution. His widow, Mrs. Abigail Marshall, died in 1849, aged one hundred years. Her maiden name was Randall. She was a native of Rye. John Marshall, son of Robert, was a farmer and was selectman in 1829.
Lieut. Joseph Akerman lived in the only other house on "Mur- ray's Row." He was selectman in 1817. He went to Ports- mouth in 1814. In 1850 William A. Hopkins and John L. Perkins each built a house on the row.
Rev. Otis Wing, pastor of the Baptist church, and Woodbury and John Masters, sons of Mrs. Wing by a former marriage. Woodbury went round the Horn to California in 1849. Later he and his mother moved to Chester. John Masters graduated from Harvard College and later became a Unitarian clergyman.
Thayer Sanborn, a farmer, was a strong supporter of the Line Church. He was an influential citizen. He shipped farm prod- uce to the Boston market. Selectman in 1826; representative in 1842.
Mrs. Hannah Wells was owner of the former Wells Tavern houses and stables. She could manage successfully without out- side help.
283
PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN TOWN FROM 1840 TO 1850
The house near the bridge, over Falls River, was usually occu- pied by tenants. Capt. Nathaniel Perkins lived here early in the decade; he was selectman in 1808. Later a family by the name of Fairbanks, who were shoemakers, lived here.
Charles Chase and son, Charles, were blacksmiths. Charles, Jr., was said to have been an ingenious worker in iron and steel. He removed early in the decade to Lawrence, Mass.
Lawyer Brown, farmer, was interested in the fishing business at Labrador and elsewhere. His son, Moses, went to California in 1849.
Stacy Nudd, a native of Hampton, was selectman in 1843. He built the Ocean House at Hampton beach, which he managed until the time of his death.
Isaiah Page was a Quaker and farmer. He was greatly in- censed when the Line meeting house was built. It deprived him of sunshine on winter afternoons.
Rev. Sereno T. Abbott built a house on Threshers Lane in 1848, where he continued to live until his death in 1855.
James Bremner, a Scotchman, who had been engaged in the construction of the Eastern railroad, owned and occupied the Worth farm. He made extensive alterations and improvements. Later he moved to Iowa.
Charles Gove was a carpenter and did a great deal of work in this town. He was selectman in 1849.
Benjamin Brown, commonly called "Barber Brown," occupied the brick house. He died soon after 1840. His sons were Lowell and Cyrus. Lowell was a recluse, a shoemaker, and did some work on watches. He was postmaster for a number of years. Cyrus kept a store and was at one time engaged in making bricks.
Samuel Brown, a relative of the above, came from Seabrook and lived in a small building on the premises. He was an old man and a laborer. He was nicknamed and generally called " Old Balsam." He suffered a great deal of annoyance from roguish boys.
Stephen Dodge and his two sons, James and Stephen, lived on the corner. The father died soon after 1840. James was a farmer; Stephen was a soldier in the Mexican War.
Aaron Gove was a blacksmith and had a shop on what is now the Godfrey lawn. He did not do a great deal of work at this time. He was selectman in 1828, and went to Portsmouth 1814.
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS
Caleb Tilton had charge of the horses of the stage company as long as stages were run. There was a line of sheds for storage, extending nearly all the way from his house to Aaron Gove's shop. He was the last to keep a tavern in the town. There was a sign post with a sign which swung to and fro in the wind, with a creaking sound, standing before his house after 1840.
Warren Dockham built a house but did not live long in the town. He moved to North Berwick, Me.
Hon. George H. Dodge was a man who believed that good calculation would accomplish as much as hard work. He put this idea into practice and was reasonably successful in his under- takings. He operated a cotton batting mill, and was interested in railroads; was active in the management of the Baptist church and Rockingham Academy. He was representative in 1839; state senator, 1846.
Simon Winslow came here from Newmarket. He was a good citizen and was representative in 1850.
Rev. James W. Poland built the house where Mrs. Merrill now lives. He preached as a supply at the Baptist church. He was a correspondent to the agricultural paper. He moved to Goffs- town early in the decade.
Richard Dodge owned and operated the saw and gristmills at the Falls, and was engaged in trading and fishing at Labrador. He was selectman in 1826. He went to Portsmouth in 1814.
Capt. John W. Dodge, son of the above, a graduate of Brown University, was engaged in trading and fishing at Labrador. He often carried passengers. He was selectman in 1848; representa- tive in 1846.
The heater between the two roads was occupied by David and Joshua Janvrin, brothers, who were farmers. David was select- man in 1840; he went to Portsmouth in 1814. Joshua was select- man in 1844; he went to Portsmouth in 1814. His barn was burned in 1845.
Charles Johnson came from Durham and lived in the mill house. He operated a clothing or fulling mill connected with the Dodge mills.
Samuel Fogg and Richard Fogg were brothers; the former was a carpenter, the latter a shoemaker. Both were good and in- genious workmen.
John G. Chase came from Lynn, Mass. He was a shoemaker
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PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN TOWN FROM 1840 TO 1850
and a noted pugilist. He got busy with the latter when occasion offered.
The last of the Fifield family moved away during the decade and the farm was sold to Samuel Batchelder. It had been owned and occupied by the Fifield family since the early settlement of the town.
Andrew J. Chase, shoemaker, went to California in 1849.
John Smith and Edward Bennett lived near where the Falls River crosses the South road. Both disappeared soon after 1840. The bridge is called Bennett's bridge. Bennett went to Ports- mouth in 1814.
Green Hoag and his sister, Ellis, lived in a small house at the foot of the hill. The boys annoyed them by rolling stones off the hill, which would come into contact with the house. Green Hoag went to Portsmouth in 1814.
Bradbury, Charles, Green and Reuben Hardy were brothers and each had a little farm on which he lived. They were in- dustrious citizens. Green Hardy went to Portsmouth in 1814.
Josiah Smith, a native of Seabrook, had a small farm. His house was well protected from the northwest wind.
Charles F. Chase was a farmer. He was the first depot master and was appointed in 1849, continuing until 1875.
John Chase had a good farm. He paid $100 for a horse, which was thought at that time a very high price, and it excited some comment. He was selectman in 1844.
Joseph and Samuel Pervear, brothers, occupied small farms. Joseph had a little bull which he worked in harness and which, he said, could haul a ton of light stuff anywhere.
Maj. Jonathan Nason was selectman in 1823. He went to Portsmouth in 1814. He died, as did his son, George, soon after 1840. Charles A., son of Jonathan, was much interested in mili- tary matters and was at one time next in military rank to the governor. He and his brother, George, were musicians. Charles was selectman in 1850.
Richard Morrill and son, Jonathan, were farmers. Jonathan invented a machine for ditching the salt marsh, which was later improved and perfected and was used extensively in Massachu- setts and New Jersey. They later moved back to Salisbury, their native place.
Levi Jenness had located on the north side of Great Hill. He
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS
was a native of Rye. Mrs. Jenness often boarded and took care of the town poor.
John Gove lived near Mr. Jenness. He was a shoemaker and horse trader, and had some reputation as a horse doctor.
Ezekiel Gove, laborer, was reported to have done wonderful stunts and to have seen remarkable sights. He had cut nine cords of wood one day in June and would have cut ten but for a severe snowstorm in the afternoon. He had seen a log pump taken out of a well and the stone work damaged by a wind.
Daniel Pervear, fish peddlar and stone workman, moved to Vineland, N. J., late in life.
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John Weare, owner of the mills of that name, was an expert in making good Indian meal. This is the only sawmill in the vicin- ity which still retains the up and down saw. He was representa- tive in 1837.
A family named Gove lived near John Weare's.
Aaron Merrill, a careful and economical farmer, was selectman in 1824. In a house near lived his two sisters, Sally and Betty Merrill, maiden ladies. Moses Wells, a currier by trade, married a sister of Mr. Merrill, and lived near.
Nathan and Henry Robie. Nathan died soon after 1840. Two unmarried sisters, who were very old, died about the same time. Henry was a farmer and went to Portsmouth in 1814.
William Towle occupied the Brown farm, but moved to South Hampton. Soon after he was an officer in the militia.
Levi Lane had been active in town matters. He was select- man in 1818; representative in 1826. For many years he had administered the oath of office to the town officers when elected, and the town presented him a cane in recognition of his service for so doing. He was the most active member of the Unitarian church, doing all in his power to forward its interests. Col. Jeremiah Lane, son of Levi, seemed to have a mania for handling rocks and building heavy stone walls. He built a windmill for grinding corn. He later moved to Candia. He was selectman in 1828.
Levi Sanborn was a farmer, cattle dealer and feeder. He was a man of positive convictions and when he made a statement it was in language not to be misunderstood. He went to Ports- mouth in 1814.
Squire Leavitt was one of the pioneers of the Democratic party
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PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN TOWN FROM 1840 TO 1850
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and was influential in its early management. He was a great reader. In 1825 he was representative.
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