History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 101

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire > Part 101

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Books were purchased and a catalogue made out and printed, the library-room fitted up for use and Willis G. Buxton appointed librarian. The Fuller Town Library was duly launched, and went into operation as a circulating library.

The town, at every annual meeting, has added one hundred dollars each year for the purchase of books, in addition to the income of the fund. Mrs. Mark Fuller, at her death, left in her will a large addi- tional sum for the use of the library.

The Fuller Public Library is open every Satur- day from 9 to 12 A.M., and from 6.15 to 9 o'clock P.M., and is free to all residents of the town over twelve years of age.

Valley Bank .- From a written report of the cash- ier, John C. Campbell, Esq., to the publisher of this history we learn the following facts: "1st, Valley Bank (State) was chartered July, 1860, and organized October 1, 1860. 2d, Directors, John G. Fuller, Ammi Smith, John G. Dickey, James F. Briggs, Joshua Marcy, S. D. Wyman, F. N. Blood. 3d, President, John G. Fuller ; Cashier, John C. Camp- bell. 4th, Stephen Kenrick was chosen president June 24, 1861, to succeed John G. Fuller, deceased. In December, 1868, the First National Bank of Hillsborough was chartered, and subsequently organ- ized by the choice of Stephen Kenrick, Stephen D. Wyman, James F. Briggs, George Noyes, Jonas Wallace, James Chase and E. P. Howard, directors. Capital, fifty thousand dollars. President, Stephen Kenrick ; Cashier, John C. Campbell. At the death of Mr. Kenrick, in August, 1884, James F. Briggs was chosen to succeed him. Present officers,-Presi- dent, James F. Briggs ; Cashier, John C. Campbell : present Board of Directors, James F. Briggs, Abel C. Burnham, George D. Ward, Charles W. Conn and John F. Jones. Surplus and undivided profits, $11,074.14."

The Press .- The first newspaper issued at Hills- borough Bridge was called The Weekly News, and sent ont in the fall of 1859 by John K. Flanders, assisted financially by J. H. T. Newell. Through failures and other discouragements the paper passed through other hands in rapid succession, Mr. Newell all the time keeping his eye and hand on it to see that its money value did not escape him. In process of time it passed into Joe H. Potter's hands, who was a practical printer and did job-work. Mr. Boylston said the " late," but he is selling furniture now at Hillsborough Bridge. The editor was mistaken. The following I quote verbatim from Mr. Boylston's excellent "His- tory of the Press : "

" The Hillsborough Messenger was commenced in December, 1867, by William H. Sargent, who continued its publication until June, 1875, when it passed into the hands of James P. Chase & Co. The senior of the firm was Dr. J. P. Chase, who in early life had been a practical printer, and whose advice was of great advantage to his son, the junior partner. In their hands the paper prospered and betokened success, which was clouded by the sudden decease of the junior partner, who was a great favorite with the community. Dr. Chase continued the paper, aided by Prof. Ilarry L. Brickett, until Feb. 1, 1877, when, by sale, it passed into the hands of Edwin C. Holton and Edward J. Thompson. Mr. llolton assumed the editorship, -aided also by Prof. Brickett, -and Mr. Thomp- son, a practical printer, the direction of the office. In July, 1879, Mr. Thompson retired, and Messrs. Holton and Ferry assumed the conduct of the paper."

Soon after Mr. Holton sold ont his interest to Mr.

421

HILLSBOROUGH.

Ferry, who then assumed sole control. In 1882, Mr. Charles W. Hutehins, foreman of the office, bought out Mr. Ferry, and now successfully manages the paper. It takes a high rank among the local papers of the State. Colonel L. W. Cogswell, of Henniker. who well knows how to wield the editorial pen, is local editor of Henniker, and has added by his work to the circulation and interest of the paper. Dr. Chase struck the right key in excluding from the paper, when under his control, everything not suited for a family paper. Those who have since him wielded the editorial pen and scissors have imitated his example. Mr. Hutchins spares no pains or ex- pense in raising the character of The Hillsborough Messenger. Every one who has lived in the town on going away to live, takes with him the paper. He feels that it is a necessity, something he must have. Mr. Hutchins has won many true friends.

Stage-Routes and Stage-Drivers .- In former years Hillsborough Bridge was noted for the number and excellence of the stage-routes starting from it and centering there. The completion of the railroad to Winchendon and to Keene has made a change. As it is, three, and sometimes four, lines start out from the Bridge,-one through the Centre to East Wash- ington and Bradford; one through the Lower and Upper villages to Washington (some of the time to Deering) ; and one, from time immemorial under the care of Hateh Burnham, formerly through to Keene, but now only to Stoddard. In the olden time famous drivers cracked the whip and held the ribbons ; among others, the fearless Jackson, and Smith, with the stiff knee, but level head.

Stores and Shops .- Whatever is wanted for home consumption can be obtained at Hillsborough "at cost and more, too," and whatever is offered for sale and finds purchasers can be found in all the stores, and when one is ont of a given article, by some means, in a very short time the rest are "out of it," too. It is a good place for trade, and there is a wide country from which to draw custom. There is one thing to be noted,-the same firms continue year after year for a series of years. The oldest firms are Dut- ton & Morse, I. S. Butler, Horace Marcy and Mor- rill & Merrell. There are some smaller stores. Miss Sara Farrar has kept a millinery-shop for years, and Mrs. Robert C. Dickey has kept one for the last four years. Henry C. Colby keeps, in the Newman Block, the best assortment of stoves and tin-ware. The Kimballs and Pickering wield the cleaver and deal in meats, and a shop for almost anything can be found in Hillsborough.

Hillsborough has been noted for many years for having a good assortment of drugs and medicines. Horace Marey keeps a drug-store in connection with dry-goods. Robert C. Diekey is known far and wide as one who is master of the pestle and mortar, the alembic, retort, and crucible. Mr. Dickey's predeces- sor, Mr. Goodale, was a skillful druggist. The late

Wm. B. Whittemore once dealt in medicines in the drug-store. Hillsborough has its silversmith ; W. H. Story keeps an assortment of silverware, and does re- pairing neatly at short notice. Fancy stores of var- ious kinds are kept at the Bridge village. A five and ten-cent counter is the attraction at William J. Marsh's store, in Butler's Block.

Valley Hotel .- Hillsborough Bridge has been noted for good hostelry for at least the last quarter of a century. Oliver Greenleaf was among the most noted as an inn-keeper. He had the faculty of pleas- ing the traveling public in a wonderful degree. He was succeeded by others for short terms. The Childs Brothers kept the Valley Hotel with great acceptance to the public for several years. The present proprie- tor is Charles G. Putney. His rooms and tables are well filled. Hillsborough waited a long time, some- times impatiently, for the "New Mill." It is begin- ning to wonder when the promised new hotel will take the place of the old one, with ample accommo- dations for the crowd that will certainly fill it to its utmost capacity. When that takes place, the new "History of Hillsborough," about to be forthcoming under the auspices of the town, will devote a para- graph in mention of it.

"To fulfill all righteousness " to make the history complete, a list of the town officers is subjoined. The curious may read, the indifferent pass it over unread. It will be interesting, at least, to those whose ances- tors served the town in its early days. One can but notice that, as a rule, the early settlers were men of character and general intelligence. Men who were lacking in noble, yea, in great qualities, rarely under- take so perilons a work as founding a new State or town. Very often it is the very best portion of the community that embark in such an enterprise. The "Mayflower " and its consorts of the deep brought over some of the best blood in England to settle in the wilds of the New World. Some of the noblest men in Massachusetts followed, or led, rather, in the work of building the new town of Hillsborough from 1741 to 1767.

TOWN OFFICERS.

TOWN CLERKS.

Years.

1772. Isaac Andrews 3 1794. Calvin Stevens 11

1775. Joseph Simonds 1 1805. Elijah Beard .

1776. Samuel Bradford 1

1808. Andrew Sargent

1777. William Pope 1

1816. James Wilson 7

1778. Timothy Bradford 1

1823. Andrew Sargent 7

1779. Samuel Bradford, Jr . 1 1830. Thomas Wilson

1780. William Pope

1832. Jonathan Beard

1781. Isaac Andrews

1835. Amos Flint G

1786. Jolin Dutton

1841. Jotham Moore -

1793. Enos Towne?

1 Captain Bradford died in August, 1776, and William Pope was elected his successor as first selectman and town clerk for the remainder of the year.

2 Enos Towne died'in 1795 and John McColley succeeded him for the residue of that year.

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

MODERATORS OF THE ANNUAL TOWN-MEETINGS.

Years.

1774. Timothy Wilkins. 1 I&II. Benjamin Pierce . 3

1775. Joseph Symonds

1 1×14. Nehemiah Jones 1

1776. Daniel MeNeil 1 1815. John Burnam

1777. Andrew Bixby I 1823. Luther Smith

1778. Joseph Symonds

1821. John Burnam 1

1783. Joseph Symonds

1828. Franklin Pierce

1792. Benjamin Pierce

1834. Amos Flint

1801. Otis Howe

1835. Thomas Wilson

1802. Benjamin Pierce 1

1836. Nahum Foster

1803. John Dutton 2 1837. Hiram Monroe

1805. Benjamin Pierce 5

ISHI. Albert Baker.

1810. David Starret 1

SELECTMEN.

Year -.

Years.

1772. Isaac Andrews 3

1795. Samnel Bradford 2

Jolin MeColley

1797. George Dascomb . 2

Daniel MeNeil . 3 1799. Elijah Beard . . 9

Isaac Baldwin 3 1800. Jacob Spaulding 6 William Pope 3 1805. Andrew Sargent 11

1775. Joseph Symonds 1

1806. Silas Dutton . 2

Samuel Bradford, Sr 1

IsOS. David Starret 1

John MeClintock

Joseph Curtis Barnes 2

1776. Asa Dorson 1

Archibald Taggart 1

William Pope 2

1812. Samuel Barnes 1

Moses Steel 1

1813. Luther Smith ? -

1778. Timothy Bradford . 1

1814. Samuel Gibson

1816. Joel Stow

Jonathan Tilton 21 1⑆ 01 21 1

James MeColley 1

1820. William MleClintock

1780. William Pope 1

1821. Alexander McCoy

Jacob Flint

1822. Joel Stow

1751. Isaac Andrews 1

1823. Andrew Sargent

Reuben llatch I

Archibald Taggart 2

Solomon Me Neil

John McClary . 1

1824. Joel Stow

Thomas Wilson

1826. Benjamin Tuttle 2

1828. Hiram Monroe t

1×30. Peter Codman 1

Isaac Jones Cooledge 1

17×5. William Taggart 1

1831. Jonathan Beard

1786. John Bradford

1×32. Levi Goodale. .

William Symonds J

Samuel C. Dutton

1787. William Taggart 1

1833. Joseph Phipps

1788. Isaac Andrews, Jr. I

1834. Amos Flint

Paul Cooledge . -

1835. Levi Goodale.

1789. John MeColley

1836. Ransom Bixby ~1

1790. John McClary

1838. James Currier I

1791. Isaac Andrews

1839. Daniel Brown 1

1792. John MeColley 3 Jotham Moore

1793. Enos Towne !

1840. Hiram Monroe

Solomon Andrews 1 1794. Calvin Stevens 11

1841. Sandy Smith

James Eaton

The list given brings it down to the recollection of living men and women. If any are curious to know more, the writer will refer them to the forthcoming his- tory of the town, for the writing of which the town has made the most ample provisions, parceling out the

work to men of ability, who will have ample time to do their work, and no doubt ample compensation for the work they do. They will not have to do it under the blazing sun of the longest days of the year, it is to be hoped, as the present writer is under the neces- sity of doing. He has given in the above enumera- tion a touch of the good things the people have to expect,-interminable columns of names, dates and sums of money in the form of bounties, taxes and value of real estate.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

FRANCIS GRIMES.

Francis Grimes is the second son (fourth child) of John and Betsy (Wilson) Grimes, of Deering, N. H., and was born in that town October 19, 1805. He was reared upon the farm, receiving the advan- tages of the common district school and a few terms at the Hillsborough Academy, under the instruction of Simeon I. Bard. He entered the store of James Butler, at Hillsborough Bridge, as clerk, where he spent a few years, but mercantile business not being to his taste, he went, in 1832, to Windsor, N. H., and engaged in farming on a large scale, in which pur- suit he was eminently successful, and in which he continued until 1856, when he removed to Hills- borough Bridge, where he has since resided.

Mr. Grimes was endowed with a sound judgment and business sagacity, which he has carried into the every-day practical affairs of life. He has always done his own thinking; has decision of character and entire integrity ; his word is as good as his bond. He has never sought and seldom accepted office; was one of the selectmen of Windsor two years ; has been justice of the peace, and was, for a few years, United States internal revenue collector of his district. He was made a Master-Mason in Harmony Lodge, No. 38, A. F. A. Masons, in 1857, since which time he has taken a deep interest not only in the growth and welfare of his own lodge, but in that of the institu- tion everywhere.

He married, first, Mary, daughter of Judge Henry B. and Dorothy (Bean) Chase, of Warner, N. H., February 9, 1837. Children,-

Sarah F., born July 9, 1838, married Alfred John- son May 1, 1860, and has children,-Edwin Francis (Johnson), born January 20, 1861, and Alfred Grimes (Johnson), born July 7, 1867.

John Henry, born May 4, 1840. He enlisted in the United States marine service upon the breaking out of the Rebellion, and was appointed second lieu- tenant ; participated in the first battle of Bull Run, where he was wounded by a Minie-ball; was on board the transport "Governor" at the time she sunk, November 2, 1861, and was the last man to

1 Enos Towne died in the year 1793, and John MeColley was chosen to serve in the office of town clerk and first selectinan for the rest of the year.

2 Dr. Luther Smith resigned the otlice of selectman on account of its interfering with his professional business, and Samuel Gibson was elected in his stead for the remainder of the year.

1809. Timothy Wyman

1810. James Wilson 13

1×11. Joel Stow . -

1777. John McColley 1

Sammel Bradford, Jr Daniel McNeil . 1

1779. Ammi Andrews 1

1818. George Little

Calvin Stevens 2

Peter Codman

John Dutton 12

1782. The first three of the five elected in 17s1 constitu- ted the board in 1782.

17×3. Isaac Andrews, Jr 1

17~4. James McColley 1

1 1825. Reuben Hatch

1782. James McColley

. of paines, dows

rm of leantics, have-

PISA PIRON SKETCHES.

oss sarei than tile Som. roe iving the ears

Đó ty that of the tu

free oughter of Judge In One of Wine

An namyl Alfred

sunk, November 2, 1861, and was the last man to

in his stead for the remainder of the year.

Francis Grimes

Jannes F. Gemmes.

HILLSBOROUGH.

122

Je O bem March +, UM, OTO

423

HILLSBOROUGH.

leave the ship, being rescued by United States frigate "Sabine," and was promoted to first lieutenant for gallant conduct on that occasion. He remained in the service until the close of the Rebellion.

Mary Chase, born March 28, 1842; died, unmar- ried, October 17, 1875.

Helen D., born March 4, 1844; married George R. Whittemore, of Antrim, N. H., November 24, 1870. Children,-Francis Grimes (Whittemore), born Feb- ruary 6, 1872, died July 8, 1872; Henry Ernest (Whittemore), born February 1, 1872, resides in Bos- ton, Mass.

Lissia A., born December 7, 1851.

Mrs. Grimes died December 30, 1851, and he mar- ried, second, Mrs. Lucinda Egleston, July 4, 1853. One son by this marriage,-

Frank C., born August 9, 1857 ; married Abbie J. Davis, of Hillsborough, April 7, 1880. One child,- Francis Grimes, born January 10, 1881; resides in Deering, N. H.

COLONEL JAMES FORSAITH GRIMES. 1

The portrait accompanying this sketch places the subject in a good light before the reader. As a per- sonal likeness of Colonel Grimes it is good, and as a likeness portraying the general features of the Grimes family it is also good. Any one who has seen Senator James W. Grimes (the colonel's uncle) or Commo- dore John G. Walker (his cousin) will see that the likeness strongly suggests each of them. There are indications of decision and strong will in the portrait.

The ancestors of Colonel Grimes were Scotch-Irish, an ancestry of whom any man may be justly proud. The orthography of the name has changed from time to time from Græme to Graham and Grimes.

The first ancestor of whom we have record was Francis1 Graham, who came to America about the year 1719, and settled at or near Boston, Mass., and in 1741 moved to Hillsborough as one of the pioneer settlers, where he remained until driven off by the Indians, in 1746. While living in Hillsborough, in 1743, a daughter, Ann, was born into the family. She was married to Deacon William MeKean, and settled in Deering, N. H., where she died July 12, 1825, aged eighty-two years.

His son, Francis2, Jr. (whose name was later changed to Grimes), was born in 1747, on Noddle's Island (now East Boston), and later moved to Lon- donderry, N. H., and thence to Deering, N. H., as one of the early settlers of that town, in 1765. He married Elizabeth Wilson, of Londonderry, N. H.

His son, John3, was born August 11, 1772, in Deer- ing, and lived on what is now known as the McNeil place, and removed to Hillsborough in March, 1836, with his family, and there remained until his death, October 17, 1851. He married Elizabeth Wilson, of Deering, and from this union there were eight chil-

dren, the youngest of whom was James+ Wilson, who was a graduate of Dartmouth College, a classmate of Hon. Samuel C. Bartlett, the present president of that in- stitution, and Hon. John Wentworth, of Illinois. He was also Governor of the State of Iowa in 1854-58, and was a member of the Senate of the United States from 1859 to 1869. He was born October 20, 1816, and died February 7, 1872.

The other children of John3 were Hiram4, Janet, Susan4, Francis4, David W.4 and Sarah C.+ Of these children, Susan+ became the wife of Alden Walker and mother of John Grimes Walker, who has been pro- moted through the various grades of the United States navy to that of commodore.

Hiram4, the eldest of this family, was born in Deer- ing, N. H., September 17, 1798. He married Clarissa, daughter of James and Naney Forsaith, of Deering, December 9, 1823, and settled in Hillsborough, where he now resides. He is a farmer, and being a man of frugal habits, has, by industry and intelligence, won from the soil a competence for his evening of life. A lover of home and warmly attached to his family, he enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him. His wife, Clarissa, who died March 9, 1873, was a superior woman, rearing her children with great care, beloved by them and greatly respected by all.

They had six children, five of whom are living,- John5, born February 14, 1828; Nancy5 Jane, born June 28, 1830; Elvira5 Elizabeth, born February, 8, 1833; James5 Forsaith, born May 19, 1835; Clarissa A., born December 17, 1838.

James Forsaith (the subject of this sketch) passed his boyhood on the farm of his father in Hills- borough. His educational advantages were those afforded by the district schools of the time, supple- mented by attendance at the academies of Gilmanton, Hopkinton and Washington. His summers were spent in farm-work, where he gained experience and vigorous health. At the close of his school-boy days he spent his winters in teaching in the district schools of his own and the adjoining towns, commencing at the early age of sixteen. As a teacher he was success- ful, and gained a wide reputation as a disciplinarian, and his services were much sought in localities where something like insubordination had at times been partially established. In connection with his school duties, at Hillsborough Lower village, in 1859, Colonel Grimes commenced the study of law with Francis N. Blood, Esq., which he continued until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, in 1861. When it became known that Sumter had been fired upon, he was one of the first from his native town to volun- teer in defense of the Union. Just at this time, hearing that his uncle, Senator Grimes, had presented his name to the Senate of the United States for con- firmation as a captain in the regular army, he placed himself under a private instructor to be fitted for the proper discharge of those responsible duties. Colonel Grimes received his commission as captain in the

' By Rev. Harry Brickett, M. A.

424

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Seventeenth Regiment of the United States Infantry August 5, 1861, and immediately joined his regiment at Fort Preble, Maine, and was detailed as recruiting officer, first, at Hillsborough, N. H., and afterwards at Ogdensburg, N. Y. It was while thus engaged that he sought the influence of Senator Grimes to secure orders to join his regiment in the field. In answer, he received a letter from the Senator, from which the following is an extract : " A good soldier obeys orders, but seeks none ; I cannot agree with many of our public men that this war will be brought to a speedy close. I think we shall have a long and bloody war, and you will see all the fighting you desire before it is over. Wait patiently ; your time will come." Colonel Grimes soon joined his regiment in the Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac, and participated with it in some of the hardest-fought battles of the war. He was in command of his regiment most of the time during the latter part of the war, and led it in what will ever be known as the "Memorable Battles of the Wilderness." He was wounded near Spottsyl- vania, Va., and carried from the field and ordered back to Washington, where he was tendered leave of absence to return home, which he declined, and made application to be returned to duty, and he was " returned to duty at his own request," the surgeon declining to take any responsibility in the matter. He joined his regiment at Cold Harbor, Va:, as they marched " on to Petersburg." May 18, 1864, Senator Grimes wrote to his wife, among other items concern- ing the war, as follows: "J. Grimes commanded the Seventeenth Regiment of Infantry until he was knocked over by a shell." The Seventeenth United States Infantry suffered heavy losses in the campaign of 1863 and 1864, especially in the battles of Gettys- burg, Pa., July 2 and 3, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 5, 6 and 7, 1864 ; Laurel Hill, Va., May 8, 10 and 13; Spottsylvania, Va., May 14; Bethesda Church, Va., June 1 and 2; Cold Harbor, Va., June 2 and 3 ; Petersburg, Va., June 18 and 20; Weldon Railroad, Va., August 18 and 21 ; and Chapel House, Va., October 1, 1864. At the close of the latter engagement the regiment could muster only twenty-six men able to bear arms, and in consequence of these severe losses the regiment was detailed by the officer commanding the corps for duty as guard at headquarters, and soon after were ordered out of the field for the purpose of recruiting, and arrived in New York about November 1, 1864. Colonel Grimes was in command of battal- ion Seventeenth United States Infantry, at Fort La- fayette, New York Harbor, guarding noted prisoners of war and performing garrison duty from November, 1864, to October, 1865, and after that was stationed at Hart's Island, New York Harbor, organizing com- panies and drilling them until the regiment was ordered to the Department of Texas, in the summer of 1866, which point the last battalion reached about the 1st of October. From Galveston Colonel Grimes took his command of eight companies by rail to Brenham,

and thence marched across the country, a distance of over one hundred miles, to Austin, Texas, arriving about November 1st.

In the spring of 1867, Colonel Grimes was appointed judge advocate of a military commission, of which Major-General Alexander McD. McCook was presi- dent, and convened at Austin, Texas, by order of General Philip H. Sheridan, for the purpose of trying criminal cases under the Reconstruction Act of Con- gress, and served in that capacity several months.

Colonel Grimes was in command of the post of Nacogdoches, in Northeastern Texas, from October 1867, to April, 1868 ; thence proceeded to, and took command of, the post at Ringgold Barracks, situated on the Rio Grande River.

In the mean time his health had become impaired, and his physicians advised him to go North, which he did, remaining during the summer, and returned to his duties in the fall much improved.

Upon his return he was stationed at Brownsville, Texas. Here it soon became apparent that the cli- mate did not agree with him, and that, in order to prevent permanent disability, he must have a change, and he was again granted a leave of absence upon a surgeon's certificate of disability. He reached home about the 1st of August, 1870, and in conse- quence of ill health resigned from the service, to take effect January 1, 1871, having served nearly ten years.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 101

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168