History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 173

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

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He was a constant attendant and supporter of the old Unitarian Society of the town, and in former days his house was always open to the gatherings of the clergy, which were frequent in those times ; and if he did not fully endorse the creed or belief of that denomination at that time, it must be confessed that the gulf was not widened as time went on with the development of more liberal ideas.

When the railroad from Nashua was extended to Wilton, it completely changed the old town, and all the business forsook the old haunts of trade for the terminus of the railroad on the river bank in the eastern part of the town.

The subject of our sketch was not long in determin- ing the only course left for him to take. He at once erected a store and house and afterwards other build- ings and removed his business to this more thriving situation, where he continued to take an interest in the many enterprises of the town until 1857, when his wife died, and he then commenced to close up his business.

While the old town was fast going to decay on account of its new rival, till it might have almost reminded one of Goldsmith's Deserted Village, yet, notwithstanding the forlorn and forsaken look which everywhere presented itself from abandonment and neglect, he could never entertain the thought of part- ing with his old home, surrounded as it is with charming scenery of woods and streams and with a bold outlook of the grand old Temple Hills which he

so much enjoyed to look upon in after life. Add to this the old homestead, built in 1800, where his four children were born and the best and happiest days of his life were spent.

With these feelings he was prompted to offer the old store and adjoining buildings to his younger son, C. H. Newell, who immediately altered it into a spa- cions summer residence. The old homestead he gave to his eldest son, George A. Newell, who made exten- sive repairs and alterations, and also occupies it dur- ing the summer months. This, together with other improvements, made the place an attractive home during the last days of the old gentleman's life, and one which he never failed to enjoy.

Joseph Newell in any position in life would have been called a character. He was, as has been said, a positive man. His nature was not of a frivolous kind -deception, he had none-but with a strong deter- mination and decided opinions, strongly tinctured with a true sense of justice. He might be regarded among men like a bowlder on the landscape, firm and immovable.

An extract from the Telegraph at the time of his death may not be inappropriate in closing this briet sketch :

DEATII OF HON. JOSEPH NEWELL, FEBRUARY 17, 1881.

"IIon. Joseph Newell died at his house in Wilton at 3:30 this (Thurs- day) morning at the advanced age of more than 90 years. The deceased was a native of Charlestown, Mass. He came to Wilton at an early age and was a progressive citizen and prominent merchant for more than fifty years. His popularity was such that he could have held almost any office in the gift of his town or district, but he steadily refused until following the war, when he was prevailed upon to accept the nomination of State Senator for the old seventh district, which included Nashna. He was triumphantly elected and his course was such as to give him a second nomination and election. Mr. Newell was the founder and one of the heaviest owners in the Newell Woolen Mill, and at different times was concerned in other enterprises which he believed to be for the advan- tage of his town. A few years ago he met with a railroad accident at Lowell, while attending an agricultural fair, by which he lost an arm. lle did much to beantify and adorn his town and to encourage those who have struggled to build homes for themselves. Mr. Newell was an old school gentleman, a man whose 'word was as good as his bond ;' a man who made friends and kept theut to the very end of his life. Ilonest, industrious, cheerful, ready to bear his part in all the burdens of his townsmen, seeking to be useful and encourage and foster a reciprocal feeling in those whose paths in life were parallel, he was a good citizen whose influence will be felt in years to come-for his example was wor- thy of emulation. He leaves a son and daughter."

DAVID WHITING.1

David Whiting is the son of Oliver and Fany (Stiles) Whiting, and was born at the old Whiting homestead, now the county farm in Wilton, New Hampshire, August 26, 1810. Oliver Whiting was a native of Temple, N. H., and a successful farmer. He was a strong, sensible, resolute man, and acquired a compe- tence. He had four children, of whom David was the only son. He located upon a large farm in Wil- ton and carried it on until declining years prevented his giving active attention to it, when David took con- trol and ultimately succeeded to its ownership.

1 By C. H. Burns.

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

David Whiting is therefore a native of Wilton, and, with the exception of a few years, has always lived there. His life has been one of great usefulness. He received the ordinary instructions of the district school in his neighborhood,-but the school was seldom, if ever, over two months in length, and in winter. In summer he did not attend but worked on his father's farm. He began to work almost as soon as he com- menced to walk, and he has never been idle since. At the age of eight he did the chores and took care of the cattle. Although his school days and the hours spent in reading and studying books were few, he has, through his keen observing powers, acquired a large store of practical information, and has become a busi- ness man of unusual intelligence.

With a body aglow with health, knit together with muscles as strong as steel, and which has never been hurt by intemperance or abuse, and with a mind as clear and bright as sunlight, it is not strange that we find him, at the age of seventy-five, full of vigor and enterprise, pushing along with all the enthusiasm of youth. It is useful to record the life of such a man. It affords an instance of what perseverance, enterprise, courage and fidelity will do. Mr. Whiting possesses all these traits, hence his success.

Before he was twenty years old he kept a store in Temple for awhile, belonging to his father; subse- quently he went to Fitchburg, Mass., and there erected a building in which he carried on trade for some three years, and in the meantime built and sold three dwel- ling-houses. He then sold out at Fitchburg and re- turned to Wilton, and to his father's farm. He bought the farm and carried it on for many years.

Mr. Whiting, October 5, 1830, married Emma, daughter of Isaac Spalding, of Wilton. He was more than fortunate in his marriage. In all of his years since, and in every undertaking, he has been aided by the intelligent assistance of his wife, who is a lady of rare beauty of character and whose domestic life has been the chief charm of Mr. Whiting's beau- tiful home.

About two years after his purchase of the old home- stead, the barn with one hundred and fifty tons of hay was burned. This was a severe loss. He had from fifty to seventy-five head of cattle and winter was ap- proaching. There was no time to be lost. In this emergency Mr. Whiting's grit and courage were mani- fest. Storms test ships ; so difficulties and trials test men. He secured a company of men, went into the woods and cut the trees and turned them into lumber, and in about one month completed a barn one hun- dred and twenty by forty, which still stands, a monu- ment to his courage and perseverance in the most try- ing circumstances.

Mr. Whiting in time, made his farm one of the most valuable in the State. It was one of the largest, and possibly the largest dairy farm in the State, but it did not satisfy him. He wanted more business.

When the railroad was built to Wilton, he, with

others, engaged a special car, and began to purchase milk of farmers and carry it, with the product of his own farm, to Boston. Previous to this time there had been no outlet for milk in this section of the State. It had to be made by the producer into butter and cheese. The milk car was first started by parties in Boston, but largely through Mr. Whiting's influence and assistance. He was for a time employed on the car, but finally purchased the business, at the same time turning the management of the farm over to his son Harvey, and from that time henceforward has been engaged in this enterprise.

The farm was finally sold to the county of Hills- borough and is now used for the county poor. In due time Mr. Whiting's two sons, H. A. and G. O. Whit- ing, joined him in business, and for many years the firm of D. Whiting & Sons has been one of the most enterprising in southern New Hampshire. They are engaged not only in the milk trade, but in lumber and grain. Very soon after entering the milk busi- ness, Mr. Whiting began the manufacture of butter and cheese in Wilton. He now has a first-class fac- tory full of modern machinery, and consumes two thousand gallons of milk daily, making about eight hundred pounds of butter and sixteen hundred pounds of cheese.

The visitor to the thrifty town of Wilton can sce on every hand the evidences of the enterprise of David Whiting & Sons. It is fair to say that to the indom- itable enterprise of David Whiting the town owes more than to any other person. His force and indus- try have, for a full half century, been a source of en- couragement to all with whom he has associated.

In 1866 Mr. Whiting erected a large hotel in Wil- ton. For years he was its landlord. He was a model one. Under his management the "Whiting House " became a famous summer resort. In 1874, in a dis- astrous conflagration which visited the town, it was burned and was never rebuilt. The site was subse- quently presented to Wilton by Mr. Whiting, and is now occupied by the new town house. He has twice represented the town of Wilton in the State Legis- lature.

Mr. Whiting has five children, seventeen grand- children and two great-grandchildren. His children are Harvey A. and George O. Whiting; Mrs. Frances E. Spencer, of Lexington, Mass .; Mrs. Maria A. Van Alstine, of Louisville, Ky. ; and Mrs. Lizzie M. Brad- ley, of Chicago, Ill.

October 5, 1880, Mr. and Mrs. Whiting celebrated their golden wedding. He was seventy, she was sixty- seven years old. It was a memorable occasion. Chil- dren, grandchildren and friends from far and near, gathered in the charming home of the worthy couple in Wilton, and all were received with genuine hospi- tality for which Mr. and Mrs. Whiting are so well known. More than three hundred people were pres- ent and entertained. The day and evening were spent in pleasant reminiscences, in merry-making, song

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Damil Bragin

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WILTON.

and dance. Many were the tokens of love and re- spect that were left with them ; and these, with the earnest words spoken, indicated the esteem in which they are held by their kinsmen and townsmen and friends. David Whiting is a strong, earnest man. The world needs such men.

DANIEL CRAGIN.

Daniel Cragin, fourth child of Augustus and Almira (Boynton) Cragin, was born in the town of Merri- mack, Hillsborough County, N. H., December 31, 1836.

He is seventh in line of descent, from John Cragon (as the name was then spelled), who was a Scot by birth, and whose life was rather an adventurous one. The tradition is that at the age of sixteen he was forced to join the army of the "Pretender," and at the disastrous battle of Dunbar he, with numerous others, was made prisoner by the English troops, and in 1652 he, with over two hundred and seventy others, were sent by the British Government to America in the ship " John and Sarah," to be sold into slavery as a penalty for their political offenses. We have not been able to learn whether Cragon was sold in obedience to this decree ; if so, it was certainly a very mild form of slavery, and he soon obtained his liberty. At any rate, on the voyage he was stricken with small-pox, and his life being despaired of, he was about to be thrown overboard, from which fate he was happily saved by the intercession of a young English lady named Sarah Dawes, whom he afterwards married in Woburn, Mass., in which town they resided till their death. They had eight children, of whom John was sixth (born September 19, 1677, died January 26, 1703.) He married Deborah Skelton ; they had three children ; the eldest also named John, was born March 24, 1701, married Judith Barker, of Concord, and settled in that part of the town now called Acton, from which place he afterward removed to Temple, N. H. He had nine children. Francis, the seventh child, was born in Acton, and came with his parents to Temple where he grew to manhood and married Elizabeth Law. They had a numerous family ; Francis, the third child, was born October 24, 1773 ; he married Sarah Cummings. Their son, Augustus, was born July 19, 1802; married December 14, 1830, Almira Boynton ; they had ten children, of whom Daniel, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was fourth.

When Daniel was but six months of age, his father, who was a farmer and mechanie, removed from Mer- rimack to Temple. Young Cragin was carly taught to labor, his boyhood being spent on his father's farm till the age of seventeen, when he engaged with John Newell, of Lyndeborough, to learn cabinet-work. After three years spent with him, he went to Wilton where for a year he was employed in a furniture-shop. Then returning to Lyndeborough he, in company with a partner, purchased the shop and business of

Mr. Newell, his first employer. Continuing here with varying success something more than a year, Mr. Cragin disposed of his interest in the business, and came to what was known at that time as the " Putnam Corporation," in the north part of the town of Wilton.

This was in 1858. Mr. Cragin had just attained his majority, and while, as before stated, he had had some business experience, yet fortune had not favored him with financial success, and he began business in Wil- ton as a manufacturer of knife trays and toys, on a cash capital of ten dollars.

He rented one room in the Putnam Bobbin Factory, in which to carry on his manufacturing. Continuing here two years and meeting with fair success, he pur- chased a small building on the site of his present factory, and removed his manufacturing there. Soon after this he built an addition to his shop, and from that time to the present as the exigencies of his in- creasing business have demanded, he has made addi- tions to the space and facilities with which he started. In addition to the water-power which at the begin- ning was sufficient to operate his machinery, he has since found it necessary to add steam-power, and now both are in use.

About the autumn of 1876, Mr. Cragin began the manufacture of dry measures, which has since grown to be the leading feature of his business. At the time when he undertook this line of manufacturing, the machinery in use for the purpose was very crude, in- deed ; in fact, the measures were bended and made almost entirely by hand. And just here comes a practical illustration of the genius or faculty, which more than all others has made New England the centre of capital and cradle of progress in America, the faculty of invention, that predominant and dis- tinguishing characteristic of the Yankee character, which seeing a nced proceeds at once to devise a way of supplying it. With a singleness of purpose and de- termination to succeed, coupled with an analytical and practical turn of mind, Mr. Cragin began at once to devise simple and labor-saving machines to do what had hitherto been done only by hand. One con- trivance after another was made, experimented with, improved and perfected, until now, by the aid of various ingenious, curiously contrived, yet simple machines, the lumber is carried through the manifold processes necessary to convert it into measures of various sizes and capacities, in an amazingly rapid and skillful manner, until the vessels are completed, the whole work practically done by machinery. And what is more, every piece of machinery in Mr. Cragin's factory except a few of the simpler contrivances, is the product of his own inventive genius. The im- proved facilities which he has thus created for him- self, have enabled him to produce first-class work at prices which have practically driven from the field all competitors, so that in the area which he attempts to cover, he has almost a monopoly in this specialty. In addition to manufacturing he has dealt more or

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

less in lumber, real estate, etc., and made other in- vestments. He has been selectman of the town of Wilton five years, and chairman of the board for three years. He represented his town in the Legislature two years, 1875-76, and in 1884 was nominated candidate for Senator on the Democratic ticket, but with no chance of election as the district is strongly Republican. Mr. Cragin is a stanch yet tolerant Democrat, broad and liberal in both political and religious views. He is one of the directors of the Wilton Savings-bank.

He married March 22, 1859, Jane L., daughter of John and Lucette Dolliver, of Lyndeborough. They have no children.

Mrs. Cragin's ancestors came originally from Eng- land ; the name was then spelled " Dolebier." Her grandfather was a master mariner and sailed for many years in the China trade. Prior to the United States treaty with China, Captain Dolliver was at one time immured in a Chinese prison for quite a while for some technical violation of some of their customs or laws. Mrs. Cragiu's father was a native of Marble- head, Mass., from which place he removed to Lynde- borough, N. H., where he is still living at an advanced age.

HENRY NEWTON GRAY.

H. N. Gray was born January 4, 1826, at what is known as "Gray's Corners," in the town of Wilton, N. H. He is descended from Joseph Gray, who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and partici- pated in the battle of Ticonderoga. Joseph Gray was, by occupation, a farmer, and was a man of great energy and force of character. He retained his in- terest in military affairs, and after the Revolutionary War was over he became adjutant of militia, which position he held for many years. He was a man of robust constitution, full of energy, an early riser, and noted for his push and vigor. He lived to be more than eighty years of age. His wife was Chloe Ab- bott. Calcin Gray was his son, and was brought up on his father's farm. When about eighteen years of age, he learned blacksmithing with James Means, of Wilton, and followed that occupation as long as he lived. He was a genial, pleasant man, and fond of the jollities of life. He inherited his father's love for military affairs, and rose to the rank of adjutant of militia, the same rank his father had formerly held. He married Clarissa King. They had three children, who survived him: H. Newton ; Harriet

N. (married Henry K. French, of Peterborough, N. H., and died, leaving one child); Charles D. (married Kate Spaulding, of Mason, and died leav- ing no issue). Calvin Gray was born 1800, and died 1856.

H. N. Gray was brought up on the farm and in the blacksmith-shop of his father, with whom he re- mained until he attained his majority. He then hired the shop of his father, and conducted business for himself. Upon his father's decease, he purchased of the other heirs their interest in the estate, and has successfully prosecuted the business, to which he has added carriage-building, to the present time. He is the originator of what is known as the Wilton Wagon, and has made a specialty of their manufacture for several years. He has the reputation of doing thor- oughly first-class work, and has that grandest of all tributes paid him by his neighbors-that of being, in all respects, an upright, reliable, truthful man. He is a Republican in politics, and a Unitarian in re- ligion.

He married, January 3, 1853, Mary Ann Heath, of Barre, Mass., an estimable lady. They have three children : Ella H. (married William H. Putnam, of Wilton, and has five children), Charles N. (married Mina O. Jones, of Wilton, daughter of Dr. Jones), and William H. (married Minnie Follansbee, of Wilton).

Mr. Gray is an industrious, pushing man, and has made for himself and family a beautiful home. His venerable mother, who is still living at the advanced age of eighty-one, is, in many respects, a remarkable woman, possessing a strong mind in a strong body. She has been a woman of remarkable activity and industry, of clear judgment and sound common sense, full of life and energy. She has, perhaps, done more labor, and successfully carried through greater re- sponsibilities, than any other woman of the commu- nity. She has been a model New England house- wife, neat, frugal, industrious and self-reliant. Such mothers have given to the world the successful men of the world. She has, all her life, prided herself on promptitude, never failing to perform to the letter whatever she promised; and this trait, inherited by her son, has been the key-note of his success in busi- ness, and his standing as a reliable man among his fellow-townsmen.

It is a pleasure to be able to preserve on the pages of history some record of the virtues of such wives and mothers. All honor to their memory, and may their descendants revere their name, and emulate the example of their unselfish, noble lives.

He N Gray

HISTORY OF WINDSOR.

BY JOHN G. DODGE.

CHAPTER I.

WINDSOR is situated twenty-seven miles west from Concord and has an area of five thousand three hundred and thirty-five acres. It is bounded on the northeast and east by Hillsborough, on the south by Antrim, on the west and northwest by Stoddard, Cheshire County, and Washington, Sullivan County.

The shape of the town is like that of a flat-iron. This was caused by the old State survey and laying out of the towns. They began at the east side, on the Maine line, and ran west to the west side of Hillsborough, stopped there, and began again on the west side of the Connecticut River, running east to the east side of Stod- dard and Washington, thus leaving this heater-piece, as described, the same being granted to one Mr. Camp- bell, and for many years prior to incorporation it went by the name of "Campbell's Gore." December 27, 1798, it was incorporated a town under its present name, Windsor.

Its present population (1885) isaboutsixty-five. The soil is naturally very fertile, and there is but little of what would be termed waste land ; yet, at present, there is but a small portion of it properly cared for and under a respectable state of cultivation, quite a portion being owned by a few whose attention is turned to grazing.

There are three natural ponds. Black Pond is the principal body of water. White and Bagley Ponds are smaller. Fish abound in each.

The writer is unable to get much of the early his- tory of the town, as in the year 1850 Mr. Samuel Chapman was town clerk, and in June his house was burned, and all the town minutes and records, except one book, were destroyed. This book dates back to July 1809, except by chance the incorporation of the town in 1798 had been recorded in it.

A Mr. Joshua Lovejoy, who once made potash here, was authorized to call the first town-meeting.

John T. Gibson was Governor, and the first meeting we have record of was March 14, 1809, at which there were thirty-four votes cast. The present number of polls is twenty-four.

An alphabetical list of all the representatives on record is as follows :

REPRESENTATIVES.

Horace Atwood, 1 year ; Charles A. Blanchard, 2 years; Joseph Chap- man, 4 years ; David Curtis, 4 years ; Sanmel Chapman, 2 years; Mark Chapman, 2 years ; Silas Chapman, 2 years ; Joseph C. Chapman, 2 years ; Francis G. Dresser, 1 year ; J. B. Emerson, 2 years; John G. Flint, 2 years ; Nehemiah Jones, 2 years ; Gideon Knowlton, 2 years ; James Per- kins, 2 years ; Hy. B. Sweatt, 3 years ; John Sweatt, 2 years; Mark Sy- monds, 2 years ; Maximilian J. Webber, 2 years ; Jason Q. Wheeler, 2 years.

Nehemiah Jones was the first representative, in 1817, and Francis G. Dresser was the last, in 1878.

TOWN CLERKS.

Samuel Chapman, 26 years ; David Curtis, 3 years ; John M. Curtis, 3 years; John G. Flint, 5 years ; Nehemiah Jones, 7 years; Archibald McClintoek, 14 years ; J. Warren Perkins, 2 years; George M. Russell, 8 years; Hy. B. Sweatt, 7 years.

Archibald MeClintock was the first town clerk on record, in 1809, and George M. Russell the last and present one.

SELECTMEN.

S. Wells Atwood, 2 years ; Horace Atwood, 3 years : Simeon Buck, 1 year ; Charles A. Blanchard, 2 years ; Joseph Chapman, 22 years ; David Curtis, 6 years ; John Curtis, 1 year ; Philbrick Curtis, 1 year ; Samuel Chapman, 31 years ; Silas Chapman, 6 years ; Mark Chapman, 1 year ; John M. Curtis, 3 years; John G. Dodge, 1 year ; Francis G. Dresser, 3 years ; J. B. Emerson, 2 years ; John G. Flint, 5 years ; Ira L. Folson, 1 year; Francis Grimes, 2 years ; Nehemiah Joues, 7 years; Gideon Knowlton, 6 years ; Archibald MeClintock, 16 years ; James Mcclintock, 2 years ; Theron MeClintock, 1 year; Hiel Mcclintock, 1 year ; James Perkins, 12 years ; Samuel Preston, I year ; J. Warren Perkins, 6 years ; Reuben Preston, 4 years ; Sylvester Preston, 1 year ; Suel Preston, 5 years; Freeman l'elsey, I year; John L. Pitman, 1 year ; Harrison E. Russell, 1 year ; George M. Russell, 6 years ; John Sweatt, 3 years ; Henry B. Sweatt, 16 years ; Langdon Sweatt, 5 years; Daniel Sweatt, 1 year ; Oliver Sweatt, 3 years ; Mark Symonds, 6 years; Jason D. Wheeler, 18 years.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 173

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