History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 145

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

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In 1792, Ninian Clark, Matthew Fairfield, Solomon Dodge, James Caldwell and John Cochran were ap- pointed a committee to re-district the town, which they proceeded to do, making eleven districts.

After a time other changes took place; new dis- tricts were formed until there were eighteen. No further changes were made until 1856, when two dis- tricts near the centre of the town, including the two villages, united in building a spacious and substantial house in the Lower village, and adopted the graded system. Since that time other districts have built new houses and, with but few exceptions, none of the old ones remain to disgrace the town. The school system should undergo a radical change. The aver- age number of scholars in each district is five and two-tenths, and at the present rate of decrease in the population in a few years some of the outside schools will be devoid of scholars.

It is evident that the town, in order to expend the money raised for the support of the schools judi- ciously and profitably, should either reduce the num- ber of districts one-half or adopt the town system, which would be preferable.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ELBRIDGE WASON.

There is a tradition that years and years ago some old Vikings came from Norway to the north of Scot- land, and conquering in battle, gave the name of Wason Field to the place where the battle was fought, which name it retains to this day. Later on, history tells of Wasons among the Scotch Covenanters, driven from their homes into the north of Ireland. The first authentic history of this particular branch is that James Wason, who was born in the parish of Ballymanus, County of Antrim, Ireland, in the year 1711, came to this country with his brother Thomas in 1736, and was married the same year, at Portsmouth, N. H., to Hannah Caldwell, from the same place.

To them were born sons and daughters, grand- children and great-grandchildren, till the name was known in many places in New England.

In 1781, Robert Wason, grandson of James, was born at Nottingham West (now Hudson), N. H., and went in 1803 to live in New Boston, N. H. (on lot No. 30, near Joe English Hill), with his uncle, Robert Boyd. He was married, in 1808, to Nancy Bachelder, of Mont Vernon, and they had a family of nine children.

Elbridge Wason was the oldest of them, and faith- fully served both as son and elder brother. His ad-

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

vantages of school were about the average of the New England farmer-boy, supplemented by a few ternis at an academy, and afterwards as a teacher.

He came to Boston March 8, 1832, and entered as clerk in the employ of Pierce & Goodnow, whole- sale grocers, 29 South Market Street.

September 1, 1837, he entered into business in Boston with Henry Peirce, of Lowell, under the firm- name of Wason & Peirce, wholesale grocers; a few years later the firm-name was changed to Wason, Peirce & Co., and has thus remained until the present time, and is one of the oldest firms in the city. The present partners are Elbridge Wason, Henry Peirce and Robert Boyd Wason, a brother of Elbridge. Their success in business has been due to strict integ- rity and promptness in all business relations.

Mr. Wason has been twice married,-his first wife, Mary Stickney, daughter of Samuel Stickney, of Lyndeborough, N. H., and his second wife, Mary Isabella, daughter of Hon. Leonard Chase, of Milford, N. H. They have two children,-Mary Isabell Wason and Leonard Chase Wason.

Their home is in Brookline, Mass., and here they obey the Scripture injunction, “ Much given to hos- pitality."

Throughout his busy life Mr. Wason has ever re- tained a fondness for his old home among the hills, and very often has he gone there for a change and rest from business. He is always interested in the prosperity of the place. A few years ago he gave to the town of New Boston a lot of land adjoining the ceme- tery, to enlarge the burial-ground, as a memorial to his father and mother. It has since been embellished by art; but nature has done her utmost to render it one of the most beautiful places where "He giveth His beloved sleep."

REV. EPHRAIM P. BRADFORD.1

Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford, son of Captain John B. Bradford, of Milford, afterwards of Hancock, N. H., was born December 27, 1776. He graduated at Harvard College at the age of twenty-seven ; studied theology with the honored and celebrated Dr. Lathrop, of West Springfield, Mass .; was licensed to preach at the same place in 1804. At this date the Presbyterian Church of New Boston, N. H., was without a pastor, its former and only pastor, Rev. Solomon Moor, having died May 28, 1803, at the age of sixty-seven, after a ministry of over thirty-four years. They were seeking for some one to become their pastor. By some means, which do not now appear, they had heard of Mr. Bradford, and sent for him to come and supply their pulpit as a candidate for settlement. After preaching for them for four or five months, and making a very favorable impression

on the minds of the people, by a vote of the town, he was cordially invited to become their settled pastor, at a salary of four hundred dollars per annum, with an additional sum of four hundred dollars as a "set- tlement benefit."

To become the successor of the venerable and popular Rev. Mr. Moor was, in the mind of Mr. Bradford, no small undertaking. But the cordiality and unanimity of the call made such a favorable im- pression on his mind that, after two or three weeks of earnest and prayerful consideration, he decided to accept. His ordination and installation occurred on February 26, 1806. This was an event which, at that early period, awakened a widespread interest. It was attended with most solemn and imposing ceremonies. Besides the regular council of Presbyterian ministers, it was decided to invite six Congregational clergymen from the adjacent towns to join the Presbytery as council; and the town, by a kind of independent action, and with a pleasing magnanimity, voted to invite all the neighboring ministers to be present. The Rev. Jesse Appleton, of Hampton, N. H., after- wards president of Bowdoin College, was invited to preach the ordination sermon. His text was 1 Cor. i. 20 : " Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment." The assembly on this occasion was very large; the services were deeply impressive, and worthy of the men and of the event. Nothing was wanting on the part of the town to render the ordination of their chosen pastor profitable and imposing. They planned liberally and executed magnanimously. The 26th of February was cherished by that generation as the most delightful event of their lives.

Rev. Mr. Coggswell, the historian of the town, says of Mr. Bradford as follows: "To prepare himself more effectually to labor for the good of his people, he purchased a small farm upon one of the loftiest hills of New Boston, now known as the ‘Bradford Hill,' whence he could survey vast regions of country, and witness such glorious risings and settings of the sun as are seen from but few localities. Here he provided a home, and, on September 1, 1806, was married to Miss Mary Manning, daughter of Deacon Ephraim Barker, of Amherst, N. H., with whom he lived for nearly forty years, greatly given to hospi- tality, with a growing family, loving his people and loved by them in return."

His ministerial labors were highly appreciated and were profitable to his parishioners. The church, from time to time, received large accessions to its member- ship. In 1815 forty were added, and in 1826 thirty more were received. During 1831 and onward, for three or four years in succession, a very widespread revival interest prevailed, when nearly one hundred were added to the church. It was during Mr. Brad- ford's efficient ministry, and largely through his zeal

1 Most of this sketch has been gleaned from Rev. E. C. Coggswell's " History of the Town of New Boston, " published in 1864.

HISTORY DT FINEST RONIGHI COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

on the u ids of the people, by a vole of the town, h. is cordially invited to become their settled pastor, Ha salary of four hundred dollars per annum, with o additional sum of four hundred dollars as a ",e - Mamneat benefit "

To became the successor of the venerable and popular Rev. Mr. Moer was, in the mind of Mr. Bradford. ho small findertaking. But The For liality and unanimity or the call made such & favorable im- am I to Wan, pression on his mind that, after two or three ve ks hedid) th 14 it of eri est and prayerful consideration, he decided to austin The accep. His ordination an l'installation occur lou Med Hipis Pode ' Fob ry 26, 1200. This was an event which, at that Ell ridge. carly period. awakened a widespread interest. It was n dose malet inte - attended with most solemn and imposing per moti .. Hermes We regular council of Presbyterian mini-vers, wwdai -- las best wifi, They, of www. Mary it was descho de inte six Congregati mal elergangen from the adjacent Bons to join the Presbytery as Council ; and the town, by a kind of independent .6 Milfor 1, action, and with a pleasing magnanunity, voted to Isabell Wason invite all the neigh wring ministers to be present. The Rev. Jesse Appleton, of Hampton, N. H. after. wards pre ident of Bowdoin College, was invited L par ante go tyen in hos- preach the ordination sermon. His text was 1 for. i. 20: "Now I b seeth you, brethren, by the wann -det- de Ve ser les ever re- "of our Lord Jesus Chrot, that ye all speak the sind

thing, and that ye be perfectly joined together it the saine mind and the same judgn ent. ' The asseu bly

Hodinthe on the occasion was very large; the service, were 1. cartagangerin de deeply impressive, and worthy of the men and of the event Nothing was wanting on the part of the towns omeno, tomato to render the ordination of their chosen pasto protable and imposing. They planned Mil rally am Cx- uted magnanimously The 20th of February was Le Sher "He gareth en rished by that generation as the most delightfo event of their lives.

Rev. Mr. Cogswell, the historian of the town, say 1 of Mr. Bradford & Blows: "To prepare birre more eformally to labor for the good of his props be purchased e shiel farm upon one of the hotel bill of New Boston, now known as the Bradley Till cheats be guld survey vast regions of country god wines sich vorics risings and setting of th -Yosod | 210 is aff san fran but toy lefties. Here } pros lol a home, and on september 1. 150; w

Therain Barker of Amherst. \ H with whom he Wir Bel Or pearly try your greatly che, 15 hogy play, with a growing family Living his people

Teseinenal labors were highly appreciated : constable to his parishioners The church. One til resiv ] lage accesibles in its member 1519 forty were a ley land in 1.6 things Po tens in succession a very widespread Atom presale i, when peaks one hundred Hello th Plach. It vos lucios Me. br words of ministry, and largely theway he he

Extrain P. Bradfordo

607

NEW BOSTON.

and untiring efforts, that, in 1823, the old, incon- venient and dilapidated meeting-house was abandoned, and a new one was erected, which still stands (1885) as the majestic monument of the skill and liberality of the New Boston people who lived sixty years ago. It was dedicated on Christmas day, 1823. The con- gregation filled the house to its utmost capacity, and listened to an appropriate and talented discourse, delivered by their own pastor, whom the proprietors had selected for the occasion. His text was 2 Chron. vi. 41: "Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into Thy resting-place, Thou and the Ark of Thy strength ; let Thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with Salvation and let Thy saints rejoice in goodness."

For elegance of style and finish, and for expensive- ness, this house was equal to any structure of a similar kind in the State. It is even to-day, after standing for more than sixty years without essential repairs, one of the grandest and most imposing public build- ings of the county.

It is a little singular that, after suffering very much from the cold in the old house, they should not have provided for warming this new and beautiful one. Yet they continued to worship, winter after winter, without any fire in the church, except what was brought iu the old-style foot-stoves, until 1835, twelve years after the house was dedicated.

From this new pulpit Mr. Bradford proclaimed the gospel truth unto the people for almost twenty-two years, making an aggregate ministry in both houses of worship of nearly forty years.

During all this period, so uniform and robust was his health that his public services were not inter- rupted for more than four or five Sabbaths.

In the early part of 1845, however, he suffered a severe illness, from which he only partially recovered, when, taking a severe cold, he suddenly died of croup, on December 14, 1845, aged sixty-nine, greatly la- mented by old and young throughout the whole town.

Rev. Dr. Whitton, in speaking of Mr. Bradford, says,-"After his settlement in the ministry he rapidly rose into distinction. Few men in the State were equally acceptable in the desk. In the contro- versy relative to Dartmouth College, from 1815 to 1819, he was one of a committee of three appointed by the Legislature to investigate its condition. A vacancy occurring in the presidency of the college, bis was among the names before the public as candi- dates for the office."

In the town history, Mr. Coggswell says of Mr. Bradford,-"He had a commanding person, a rich voice, combined with a high order of intellect and great suavity of manners. He had the faculty of making people feel well and to believe that he highly esteemed them. And his love for them begat love toward himself. Every crumb of bread was sweet, wherever among his people it might be eaten, and every home and every locality was pleasant and at- tractive. Thus he was welcomed at every door by

gladdened hearts. Mr. Bradford was a fine classical scholar, and had read much, so that in conversation he was able to draw from rich and abundant stores, which a retentive memory always commanded. His fund of wit and anecdotes, of classic and historical allusions, seemed never exhausted. Able readily to read character and motives, he seemed always pre- pared for all occasions and to meet all persons, knowing how to order his conversation aright."

Rev. Mr. Aiken, late of Park Street Church, Boston, remarks,-" Mr. Bradford was literally one of nature's noblemen; of princely person, with a sonorous, commanding voice, exceedingly fluent and accurate in speech, modeled somewhat after Johnson's style, so richly gifted in mind and heart that. with little preparation for his Sabbath services, he stood among the first preachers of the State."

It is not strange the people of New Boston became proud of their minister, since he gave character to them and distinction to the town.

Mr. Bradford was greatly aided in his ministry by his very estimable wife, whose good sense and holy influence never failed in the family circle. She relieved him of all care for the interior of the house and also of much anxiety for that which was without. She manifestly excelled in her calm and dignified deportment, in her patient endurance of hardship, in her carefulness of her household, and of the happi- ness of her husband and his success as a minister of Christ. With such a helpmeet, Mr. Bradford could not fail to be happy in his home; and it was here, as well as among his people, that he found incentives to piety and consecration to his Master's service. Of Mr. Bradford's children,-eight sons and four daughters,- all lived to grow up except two,-one son and one daughter. The family now (1885) are all gone down to the grave except three,-a son and daughter residing in Milwaukee, Wis., and one daughter, seventy-two years of age, living still in New Boston, the wife of Waterman Burr, Esq., who for many years was a successful and popular merchant of the town.

LUKE SMITH.

The perpetuity of American institutions and a re- publican form of government depend not upon the strength of armies, mighty corporations or the wealth of millionaires, but upon the unpretending individ- uals who, with steady persistency and industrious labor, have commenced life in humble circumstances, with all the disadvantages of limited education, and by perseverance, economy and long years of toil, both of brain and hands, have conquered all obstacles, and as a reward of their honest exertions, temperate hab- its and'a devotion to law and order, have acquired a competency of wealth and an honorable position in the community. Nowhere in America is this class more numerous than in New England, and no people understand better the deep meaning of the couplet :

608

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

" Honor and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honor lies."

The farmer on his few sterile acres, the artisan and manufacturer in their work-shops, the great masters of finance and railroad kings, and the legislators in the halls of Congress, all stand on the plane of equality, and the life of one, as well as the other, may point a moral or teach a valuable lesson to coming genera- tions.

A little more than sixty years ago, in the spring of 1824, Luke, son of David and Ellen (Giddings) Smith, at that time twenty years old, having been born December 29, 1804, at Acworth, N. H., left his father's home, carrying a small bundle con- taining all his worldly possessions, to go to Boston, there to find employment. His father was a farmer, and Luke's school advantages were limited; but by his many years' work on the farm he had acquired vigor of health, habits of diligence and frugality that were of practical use to him in after-life. He found work at brick-making for the summer, then returned home and was employed in a saw-mill for the winter, re- ceiving eight dollars per month. The next spring he went to Utica, N. Y., then a small village, for the summer, but again passed his winter in the hard la- bor of the saw-mill. Returning to Boston, he learned the trade of a nailer, and worked diligently for four years, and with his strictly temperate and fru- gal habits was enabled to save some money. In June, 1831, Mr. Smith removed to Hillsborough, where his father was at that time residing, purchased a farm, became a resident of Hillsborough, where he lived two years. Here he married, June 16, 1831, Wealthy, daughter of Deacon James and Susan (Senter) Eyres. Mr. Smith interested himself in affairs of the town, and being strong, vigorons, of fine presence and mili- tary bearing, he was made lieutenant of the militia, which position he resigned when leaving Hillsbor- ough for New Boston. On coming to New Boston, in 1835, he purchased a saw, grist, shingle and clapboard- mill, which he conducted for eighteen years successfully and was one of the prominent manufacturers and business men of the town, besides owning considerable real estate. After so many long years of patient, dili- gent and efficient labor, he disposed of his mill and farm, and devoted a season to recreation, and traveled through Ohio, Michigan and other Western States, gaining much enjoyment as well as information from his journey. After his return to New Hampshire, on account of his wife's delicate health, in 1854, he purchased the place in Milford where he now resides.

Mrs. Smith died July 5, 1859. Their children were Wealthy (died aged six years), George L., Mark J., and Charles H. V. Mr. Smith married, January +, 1860, his second wife, Mrs. Sarah G. Sargent, daugh- ter of Issachar and Mindwell (Sillsby) Mayo, of Lempster.

Mr. Smith has been a man of unwearied industry. He was trained to work when a boy, and has never

been too proud to work, even during his days of prosperity. Through many long years he has been a worker, a producer, and not a mere consumer. And he has taught his children to walk in the same steps. He holds the old-school principles, such doctrines as were established and current in the periods of his early manhood, for men rarely change their views after they pass the boundary of middle life. So- cially, he is plain and unpretending, a kind hus- band and father, a good neighbor and a worthy citizen. Politically, Mr. Smith has ever re- mained true to those old Democratic ideas of Jeffer- son and Jackson. Religiously, he holds to the Bible and rests his hopes on it. His theological views are best expressed by his life,-in deeds, not words. He has been a member of the Baptist Church at New Boston for many years, having never removed his membership to Milford; but he has given generously to the churches of his chosen faith of both places, es- pecially to the latter, which has received fifteen hundred dollars.

HON. GEORGE L. SMITH.

Hon. George Luke Smith, a worthy son of his estimable parents, Luke and Wealthy (Eyres) Smith, was born in New Boston, N. H., December 11, 1837. He gave early tokens that he was possessed of an active, keen and inquiring mind. He had a ready and retentive memory, a fondness for books, and, his father's means justifying it, he had the advantage of a liberal education. He was fitted for college at San- bornton, and entered Union College, N. Y., then in charge of that veteran teacher, Dr. Eliphalet Nott, and from which he was graduated. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, in 1861, he went South, having engaged to furnish forage for the cavalry.

George L. Smith was a young man of energetic business characteristics, and genial, social disposition, which made him many friends among the officers and other leading men. His venture was a financial suc- cess, and when, at the close of the war, having a large amount of supplies on his hands, he opened a store at New Orleans, and largely increased his business asso- ciations, he was further prospered, and afterwards had a large commercial establishment at Hot Springs, Ark., where his death occurred July 9, 1884, in the prime of business life and an important political career, in which he had already won high honors. Cool, clear-headed, wide-awake, positive, energetic and straightforward, he was elected to represent his district in the Lower House of Congress in 1875, where he served with marked ability, and was re- elected by a very complimentary vote, but under the programme of the Hayes administration was deprived of his seat. In acknowledgment of his popularity and executive powers, President Hayes appointed him collector of the port at New Orleans. That office, under his administration, was conducted on business principles and for the best interests of the country.

Luke Smith

A.b. Genombin

609

NEW BOSTON.

Mah : mily those who knew him home"

fundno hrogian. mein

W TV H.

609

NEW BOSTON.

Faithful in duty, untiring in effort, earnest and loyal in his political convictions and attachments, of a generous, kindly and courteous disposition, he leaves a record of a fine character and of work well done, and had his life been spared, he would have made a strong impress on his country's history, both in a political and financial sphere. His body was brought to New Hampshire, and lies beside his mother, in the cemetery at Milford.

A leading Southwestern journal gave him this notice at the time of his death.

" Hon. George L. Smith was at one time prominent in political affairs in Louisiana, being a member of the Legislature in 1868, and afterwards twice elected to Congress from that State, and in 1879 was ap- pointed collector of the port of New Orleans. He was also offered a foreign mission by President Hayes. He was a man of wealth and shrewdness, and held in high esteem by those who knew him best." .

NINIAN CLARK CROMBIE.

The subject of this sketch was born in New Boston, N. H., January 20, 1801. The family was of Scotch origin, having all the marks of vigor, strength and activity peculiar to that race. This side the water the record is as follows :

1. John Crombie. He came from the Scotch coun- ties in the north of Ireland and settled in London- derry, N. H., in 1720. He married Joan Rankin, November 17, 1721, and had a large family. Was one of the few honored with a notice in the "Genea- logical Sketches" by the early historian of London- derry, N. H.

2. James Crombie, son of John and Joan (Rankin) Crombie. He married Jane, daughter of Robert Clark, of Londonderry, and lived in that town till 1783, when he moved to New Boston and settled on one of the best farms in that town. Was shoemaker, currier, tanner, farmer and mechanic, and was a man of great activity, generous, high-minded and of great wit and cheerfulness and Christian zeal. Died Janu- ary 7, 1814.

3. John Crombie, son of James and Jane (Clark) Crombie. He was born in Londonderry, July 30, 1770. He married his cousin, Lydia Clark, daughter of Ninian Clark, Esq., of note in the early history of New Boston. John Crombie lived with his father on the homestead, and died there April 4, 1839. Was a master mechanic and builder. He built many of the best churches erected in Southern New Hampshire in

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 145

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