History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 119

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

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Dr. Joseph Barnes, who died October 29, 1781, at the age of fifty-five years and ten months, came from

Lincoln, England. For about twenty years he prac- ticed medicine in Litchfield, and, as had already been stated, was surgeon in Colonel David Gilman's regiment during the Revolutionary War. He was elected delegate to the County Congress, which as- sembled at Amherst.

Among his descendants is Royal D. Barnes, son of Warren M. Barnes, of Litchfield.

Royal D. was born in Litchfield June 18, 1854. After fitting for college he commenced the study of law, in the winter of 1874, at Nashua, N. H. He was admitted to the Hillsborough County bar in January, 1878. Since his admission he has been located at Nashua, and has been three times elected city sol- icitor.

Lawyers who have practiced in Litchfield : Wyze- man Clagett, Clifton Clagett, James Underwood, JamesU. Parker.

The following physicians 'have practiced in Litch- field : Jonathan Parker, Joseph Barnes, Nathan Ken- dall, David Campbell, Samuel Dodge. For many years the people have been dependent for medical aid upon the physicians located in Nashua, Man- chester and Merrimack.

Dr. Arthur G. Griffin, port physician of Boston, is a native of Litchfield.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

GEORGE GRIFFIN.

George Griffin was the son of Ebenezer and Betsy (Carter) Griffin, and grandson of James and Phebe (Abbot) Griffin of Wilmington, Mass.

The ancestry of Phebe Abbot may be traced to George Abbot, who came from Yorkshire, England, and settled in Andover, Mass., in 1643. In common with others who left their native isle and kindred for the enjoyment of religious freedom in the wilderness of America, he realized that with enlarged liberties came increased responsibilities, which could be wisely met only by the exercise of cultured intellectual faculties. The trio of noted educational institutions at Andover, which have and will continue to bless a nation, is but one grand ultimatum of this idea, and with their history the name of Abbot is associ- ated either as a beneficent founder or distinguished educator.

Ebenezer, the eldest son of James and Phebe (Abbot) Griffin, married Betsey Carter, of Leominster, Mass., August 11, 1792. She was the third of eighteen children born to Josiah Carter, Jr., each of two wives being the mother of an equal number of offspring. The family of which Betsy Carter was a member, descended from Rev. Thomas Carter, whose early home was in Hertfordshire, England. He sailed for the New World in 1635, and eight years later was pastor of a church in Woburn, Mass.

HISTORY OF HILLSMOROLGM COUNTY,NEW HAMPSHIRE.

wi emigrated to A gy. hy setu id ar doc

barrett) MoQues

** Wisam copor-

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Lincoln, England. For bout twenty years he pric- tieed moli inc in Lichfield, and, as had already bern stated, was suryon in Colonel David Gilman' regiment during the Revolution ry War, He was clected delegate to the County Congres, which is- sen ble lat Amherst.

Among his descendants i Royal D. Barnes. 01 of Warren M. Baracs, of FineLfell.

Poval D. wis born in En field Time 18, 1554. Affer tining of color 'he coupefeel the study of 1.in I_ winter 01 1-74, a Naboa N. H. He was o mote to the Hillsborough County In im Januar rosice las admission he has been located at Video soft has been three times elected city sol- muito1.

J. Ayer wioch-overe ived in Litchfidel: Wire- man Cage, Clinton Omgit. Matic Underwood T. < C Parker.

The following physicians barry raniced in fit ! beld Jouat an P ker, Le oh Lois, Tatlia . K.

y ars the people have loen decadent for at mel aid upon the physique located is Nashua, BET hor and Vier hacks

Dr Arthur (. Griffi . pont physician of Bustin,

BICEPAITHICAL SKETCH

SEMME TRENIN.

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In the ver World in It's and ght vous

497

LITCHFIELD.

The parents of the subject of this sketch resided in Leominster for a time, but previous to the birth of George, which occurred July 28, 1811, had removed to Chelmsford, Mass. He was the tenth of a family of twelve children. A few years later circumstances favored a residence in Litchfield, and here George spent his life. His early educational advantages were such as were afforded by the district school of that time in a small country town. These limited privi- leges were greatly abridged for George, when twelve years of age, by a serious illness occasioned by bathing in the Merrimack when heated, which resulted in a disfigured limb. Had this physical infirmity been tenfold more afflictive, it would not have modified his determination to make his way in the world. As a means to that end, he earned money boating wood to Lowell, which was then an incipient manufacturing place, to defray the expense of a term or two at Derry and one at Bradford Academy, the latter then under the principalship of Benjamin Greenleaf. This com- pleted his school education, terminating in his eigh- teenth year, and he returned to his former occupation on the Merrimack.

When funds were accumulated, Mr. Griffin engaged in the lumber business for a while, and then opened a general store in Litchfield. February 24, 1844, the store, dwelling-house and other buildings connected, of which Mr. Griffin was proprietor, were burned. Trade was continued near the old stand, until build- ings were erected on the former site. But mercan- tile life had so told upon Mr. Griffin's health that he felt compelled to relinquish trade and engage in some occupation that necessitated an out-of-door life to some extent, and he accepted the office of deputy sheriff, entering upon its duties in 1848. This work proved disappointing in its recuperative effects, and he soon resigned the office and gave his atten- tion to the lumber business and the supervision of his farm. The characteristics prominent in the busi- ness operations of Mr. Griffin were sagacity, energy, and fidelity,-the foundation stones of a successful career.

Politically, he affiliated with the Democrats, and by the suffrages of his townsmen he held the office of town clerk in 1839, selectman in 1839 and 1840 and representative in 1848 and 1849. While in the Legis- lature he served on the judiciary committee. He received the appointment of justice of the peace July 7, 1849, and the same year and the following served in the position of superintending school committee.

While George Griffin's generous nature gladly aided all movements that promised a public benefit,

the cause of education enlisted his deepest sympa- thies and heartiest support. The exercise of keen powers of observation strengthened the opinion that the path to honorable success, especially to the boy or girl dependent upon the labor of hand or brain for advancement, was over the stepping-stones of knowledge, and better than all accumulation of riches for children was the discipline of good schools. The exemplification of that deep-seated conviction accon- plished a good work.

In private life Mr. Griffin was the genial, courteous gentleman ; a kind husband, indulgent father, help- ful son and brother and generous friend. Children delighted in his presence, and those now in middle life who met him in childhood, recall with pleasure that "George Griffin always shook hands with them."

When twenty-six years of age he married Clarissa, the eldest daughter of John and Susannah (Diekey) White of Litchfield, who inherited from her English and Scotch-Irish parentage those strong traits of char- acter that mark the efficient, self-sacrificing woman. Eight children were the fruit of that union,-Jose- phine, Mary White, Susan Grace, George Byron, John White, Norris Clement, Orville Carter and Arthur George. Orville died in infancy, and John passed away at Leavenworth, Kan., in 1878, aged thirty-two years.

With a large family growing up which needed his protecting arm, a devoted wife in whom he found a helpmeet, prosperous in financial matters, a popular citizen, there seemed much to make life sweet, not- withstanding physical suffering; but the all-wise Father had better things beyond, and, December 13, 1853, the spirit left the feeble frame through which it had bravely met life's trials for forty-two years. The aged Christian mother survived her dear son several months, but was an invalid after his decease. His father died five years previous, at the age of seventy-eight.

The wishes of Mr. Griffin in regard to the educa- tion of his children were faithfully observed by his widow. Each child that reached the period of youth received academical advantages to a greater or less extent. Mary W. was graduated at the Salem, Mass. Normal School; John W. at Dartmouth College, and was a member of the Legislature his last college year. Arthur G., who was but six weeks old when left an orphan, was educated at New London Literary Insti- tution, Brown University and Harvard Medical Col- lege, and is now port physician at Boston Harbor. The quiet, beautiful town of Litchfield is still the home of Mrs. Griffin.

HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH.

BY DAVID C. GRANT.

CHAPTER I.

LYNDEBOROUGH is bounded on the north by Fran- cestown, east by New Boston and Mont Vernon, south by Milford and Wilton, west by Temple and Greenfield. A part of all the surrounding towns ex- cept New Boston has been severed from Lynde- borough. The mountain range nearly divides it from east to west, rendering it very inconvenient for a just central place for the accommodation of all ; hence came the divisions. The soil for the most part is rough, but fertile beyond the most of the neighbor- ing towns, affording the best grazing lands in the State. Situated upon the first range of highlands as the traveler passes from Massachusetts to New Hamp- shire, about midway between the Merrimack and Con- necticut Rivers, the view from the mountain is rarely surpassed by any mountain view in New Hampshire, and is of easy access from the railroad station at Lyndeborough or Greenfield. The Pinnacle Moun- tain is about fourteen hundred feet above the level of the sea. In the eastern part of the town is a remarkable gulf called Purgatory ; over the smooth rock-bed from above, the waters of a considerable stream rush down a rough narrow chasm with the force of a miniature Niagara to the great basin below.

The first mention of Lyndeborough as a township is found in the records of the General Court of Massa- chusetts. It is dated June 19, 1735, and is a vote upon a petition of Captain King and fifty-nine others, who were in an expedition to Canada in the year 1690, and the descendants of such of them as are dead, praying for a grant of land for a township in consideration of their and their ances- tors' sufferings in the said expedition. Massachusetts at the time of the date of this petition included within her territorial limits the present State of New Hampshire.

In accordance with the prayer of the petitioners, the General Court of Massachusetts ordered a com- mittee to be appointed to lay out a town, six miles square, under the name of Salem-Canada, and to di- vide it into sixty-three shares, reserving one share for the first settled minister, one for the ministry and one for schools. The grantees were required to set- the a learned orthodox minister and build and finish a convenient meeting-house for the public worship of

God, and that on each of the other sixty shares the petitioners do, within three years from the confirma- tion of the plan, have settled one good family, who shall have a house built on his home-lot of eighteen feet square and seven feet studs at the least, and finished. That each right or grant have six aeres of land brought to and plowed, or brought to Eng- lish grass and fitted for mowing ; provided, that in case any of the lots or rights are not duly settled in all regards, as aforesaid, then such lots, with the rights thereof, to revert to and be at the dis- position of the province. The committee, accord- ing to instructions, laid out the township west of the Narragansett town (No. 3).

How faithfully, with what energy, with what zeal and determination the grantees entered upon their part of the contract can now only be seen by the imperfect record. The early landmarks have disap- peared, and it is not possible to reproduce the scenes in which they planted their habitations. To men employed in subjugating the forest, clearing lots, making roads and rearing log houses there was no leisure and little disposition to make careful records.

At a meeting held on the 3d day of February, 1736,-

"Chose Daniel Epps moderator, Daniel Epps, Jr., clerk and Benjamin Lynde, Treasurer.

"Voted to assess each Right four pounds to defray expenses of sur- veying.

"Voted to Pay Capt. John Stephens 88 pounds 13 shillings.

"Also voted to pay Daniel Epps, Jr., £60 2s. ; Major Blaney, £13 48. 3d. ; Cornelius Tarbell, £13 2s. ; Roger Derby, €13 5s. 11d. ; John Gar- dener, £13 13s. 9d.

"Voted to have two more lots to each proprietor of 130 acres each.

"Voted to pay John Gardner one hundred and fifty pounds to lay out one hundred and twenty-six lots of 130 acres each ; also 100 acres for a mill lot.

"Voted that it be done before the first day of June next.

"l'oted that notifications of future meetings to be posted two in Salem, two in Marblehead and one in Woburn."

From the above votes it appears that they pro- ceeded with all the dispatch that was possible in a new country so far separated from them. The first division of lots was drawn February 3, 1737, at the house of Margaret Pratt, inn-holder, in Salem, Mass., where all the early proprietors' meetings were held. The second division lots were drawn June 2, 1737. On the 28th day of November, 1737, Cornelius Tar- bell and Joseph Richardson were authorized to clear

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LYNDEBOROUGH.

a road from Narragansett (No. 3) to near the centre of the town, for which they be paid fifty-eight pounds. At a meeting held on the 26th day of December, 1738, "Voted, that Mr. John Cram have twenty pounds in bills of credit and the lot No. 39 in the second division of lots if he build and keep in repair a good and sufficient saw-mill for fifteen years, to be finished before the last day of August next." At the same meeting, "Voted, to give ten pounds towards building a bridge over the Nashua River." On the 7th day of March, 1739, Cornelius Tarbell, John Fowl and Joseph Richardson were chosen a committee to locate a spot for the meet- ing-house and clear a road to it. On the 28th day of May the committee reported. They voted to build a house forty-five feet long, thirty-five feet wide and twenty feet posts. These dimensions would seem quite large for a new town. It appeared to be much easier to vote to do than to do. As the com- mittee reported at the next meeting that they could not find any person that would undertake to build the meeting-house, in 1740, June 9th, they voted to alter the dimensions. On the 24th day of September, 1741, the committee were ordered to raise the house, and Lieutenant Cornelius Tarbell, to furnish the necessary articles for the raising. Among the arti- cles furnished were twenty-one gallons of rum, two hundred pounds of fish, two bushels of meal and bread, twenty pounds of butter.

The separation of New Hampshire, in 1741, from Massachusetts caused much anxiety and did much to retard the settlements on the lands granted by Mas- sachusetts. That the proprietors of Salem-Canada were not exempt is evident by their vote on the 2d day of October, 1741: "Voted, that a humble petition be presented to his most excellent majesty on account of the difficulties that may arise on the settlement of the northern boundary of this province; that Benjamin Lynde, Joseph Blaney and Daniel Epps be a committee to draft the same." Yet, with all these discouraging events, they made some progress, and in the space of five years no less than two saw-mills had been built and many set- tlements made. The proprietors worked with a will and determination known only to the first settlers of New England. The nearest grist-mill was at Dunstable, Mass., to which the first grain that was raised was carried on horseback or by hand-sleds in winter. The roads were little more than foot-paths marked by "spotted " trees. For a long time there were apprehensions of danger from Indians. Lynde- borough seems never to have been a fixed residence for them, but merely a hunting-ground. They lived along the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers, and in times of hostility, or when hostility was feared, the first settlers went into garrison. This continued for ten or twelve years. They built a garrison near where the first meeting-house was built, not far from where E. H. Putnam now lives.

Yet so slow were the settlements that the pro- prietors, at their meeting on the 20th day of May, 1741, voted, as a further encouragement to settlement according to the conditions of the grant, that they would give them out of the treasury ten pounds. This will explain the delay in executing the carlier votes,-the way was not prepared; openings must be made in the forest, the soil broken and erops raised before many families could safely enter this vast unbroken wilderness. The meeting-house, which it had been voted to build in 1739, dimensions altered in 1740, raised in 1741, remained unfinished in 1743. At a meeting held on the 23d day of August, 1743, "Voted, to finish the meeting-house; chose a com- mittee to do the same; chose Deacon Putnam, Corne- lius Tarbell, Daniel Eps, committee ; also chose John Cram, Jacob Putnam and John Deale to hire a min- ister to preach ; and that there be allowed three pounds per day, old tenor, for as many days as they shall have preaching for the next six months," -being the first provisions for preaching. This must have been a day long anticipated by these devoted men. We can raise no question as to the genuine- ness of their faith and of the sincerity of their love. A people moving into the forests to clear for them- selves homesteads in the solitudes of the wilderness do not take upon themselves the burdens of building meeting-houses and sustaining ministers without deep convictions of the value of the gospel. It would gratify our curiosity to know more exactly how these men felt, what operated to cheer and depress them, what books they read, what tunes they sung, how they passed their Sabbath days without the regular service. But the records are very scanty. Their public aets are recorded but of their own toils, their prayers, their self-denials and their achievements they say nothing. The strength of their devotion may be inferred from their sacrifices to maintain worship, and their belief of the truth from their unfaltering purpose to train up their children under the instructions of a learned orthodox ministry.

" Among this noble-hearted band Had gentle woman come."

She came to cheer and refine the rude settlers. She bravely dares the terrors of the wilderness to share a home in the log cabin. She forded rivers and pene- trated forests to come hither. She came to dwell under the shades of the vast, savage woods. Her employ- ments were humble, but her aims lofty,-"She looked well to the ways of her household, and ate not the bread of idleness." Through long days and sleepless nights she watched over her tender children; and when distant labor or, what was still worse, the trumpet of war summoned her husband away from her side, she steadily plied her lonely task, watching his return, or learned dreadful news of his return no more forever. We have often read of the horrors of the wars of that period. It would be unjust to I forget that those who stayed at home often endured

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

far more than those who braved the flaming lines of battle,-more in heart-sickness, hope deferred, hope destroyed and all the nameless haunting terrors of the deep woods, where the wild beasts and the wilder Indians were their only neighbors for miles and miles away.

The history of Mary McFarland, the wife of John Badger, who died in Salem-Canada in the winter of 1740, is a good illustration of the courage, the devo- tion, the patience and perseverance of the women of that day. Following her lover across the ocean and joining him here, they were married, and after a few years moved into Salem-Canada. He died suddenly. The night in midwinter she lett him in her cabin with her little children, and went on snow-shoes three or four miles to her nearest neighbors, the return, the rude coffin, the burial of that dear one-who can de- seribe the impulses of that devoted heart? Our limits will not admit of further remarks. There does not appear from the records that there was much to disturb the prosperity of the town until 1749, when the heirs of Mason, by their agent, Joseph Blanchard, Esq., to form a town called No. 2 (afterwards named Wilton), took away nearly one-fourth of the land and annexed another piece on the north equal thereto. By this movement it changed the centre, and the first meeting-house was never finished. On December 5 1753, the township was granted to Benjamin Lynde and thirty others, as it was after the Wilton lands had been taken away, and named Lyndeborough.

The town was incorporated April 23, 1764. In 1791 the northwest part of the town was set off to form a part of Greenfield, and all that was added in the north in 1753, to Francestown. In June, 1796, the town lost another piece, which was annexed to Temple. In 1853 the town was divided and annexed to Mont Vernon, and again, in 1873, a small piece annexed to Milford; and we now stand like a plucked goose, picked of our most valuable part, yet alive and not discouraged, performing our part in the great family of towns, and supporting two churches and ten district schools.

From 1753 to 1768 the vexed question of the right place for the meeting-house (as in many other towns) was the most difficult one to be settled. After many attempts had been made, the town could not agree. But at a special meeting, held on the 15th day of April, 1768, John Goff, of Bedford, Samuel Barr, of Londonderry, and John Hale, of Hollis, were chosen a committee to locate the meeting-house. The com- mittee reported on the 27th of April, 1768, that the most suitable spot was near where our present town- house now stands. Here ended a difficulty that had existed about fifteen years. From the records but little can be learned of great interest to the present generation. The building of the church, the settling of the minister, Rev. Sewell Goodridge, the opening of roads, improving their lands, building school- houses and the education of their children appears to

have been sufficient employment until 1774. October 17th a warrant was issued by the selectmen for a meeting on the 31st instant, to choose delegates to meet with delegates of other towns in this county, to consider the best method for the county to come into on account of the difficulties the country labored under. " Chose David Badger and Joseph Herrick delegate .. " "Voted to purchase 1 barrel of powder, 100 lbs. of lead, 5 dozen flints; chose Ephraim Putnam committee to purchase the same." January 20th, "Chose Dr. Ben- jamin Jones delegate to meet with other delegates at Exeter." On the 3d day of May, 1775, " Voted to raise ten minute-men to be ready at a minute's warn- ing to meet their enemies." " Toted, the selectmen to take care of their farms if suddenly called away." " Toted, to purchase 40 hhd. of salt, 5 hhd. molasses, 1 of rum for the use of the town." We have been unable to find a list of the names of the men that were enlisted. By the census taken on the 19th day of December, 1775, there were twenty-seven men in the army. Our population was seven hundred and thirteen at that time. A special meeting was warned after services on Sunday, the 27th of October, 1775. to convene the next day, at which it was " Voted to pur- chase a barrel of powder." On the 6th day of May, 1777, " Voted to pay a bounty of 100 dollars to each of 16 men called for at that time. Also voted to give 20 shillings per month to every man that had served in the army to that time." On the 9th day of Feb- ruary, 1778, the articles of confederation and per- petual union were read and unanimously passed.

On the 27th of September, 1779, a committee was chosen to set a value upon the necessaries of life and the various products of the farm. " Voted, the Rev. Sewell Goodridge, his salary, 66 pounds, 13 shillings, and + pence in Corn, Rye, Wool, Flax, Beef, Pork or Labor, at prices such articles sold for before the war, in 1774." March 14, 1780, " Voted to allow Nehemiah Rand, on Account, as Delegate to Exeter and Concord to form a plan of government, 22 bushels, 3 pecks, of Indian Corn, or money enough to buy that amount." On the 10th day of July, 1781, " Voted to receive no more Continental money after the 12th instant." In 1784 three hundred and fifty Continental dollars were burned up by the committee chosen to settle with the treasurer.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 119

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