History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 82

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 82

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Samuel G. Stearns, died August 11, 1863. Sewal P. Stearns, killed in action June 1, 186-1.

Ambrose W. Stearns, died at Richmond, Va., May 28, 1865.

John E. Spaulding, wounded slightly June 1, 1864 ; discharged by Special Order No. 239, Ex. 50, War Department, July 16, 1864. John Clark, killed in action September 29, 1864, at Virginia. Jacob Gannet, died at Greenfield1, N. IL., May, 1864.

John W. Herrick, died August 21, 1863.

Herbert Lee, died August 31, 1863.

William H. Powers, promoted corporal ; discharged March 1, 1861.

Thomas & Stuart, promoted corporal ; discharged November 15, 183. Nathaniel Eaton, discharged by order March 1, 1804.

George E. Messer, promoted to second lieutenant March >, 1-63.

George E. Messer, Jr., re-enlisted January 4, 186.J. Noah Paro.

John Cain.

W. O. Woodbridge.

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT.

Oscar C. Stiles, mustered out August 20, 1863.

Dennis Hurlahey, mustered out August 20, 1863.

John Gage, mustered out August 20, 1863.

Recreations .- Most of the early settlers were large- hearted people, ready and willing to assist their neighbors. They were accustomed to combine utility with recreation, and heartily enjoyed helping a new- comer tend his burning " slash " and a townsman pile his blackened logs.

Trainings and musters, town-meetings, Fourth of July celebrations and election-day gatherings were highly prized. Wrestling and other athletic sports were popular pastimes on such occasions. Aged, middle- aged, young men and boys attended raisings. The old men made the wooden pins to fasten the timbers together. The boys distributed them and carried the pail of toddy round. Strong men raised the frame, a broadside at a time, stimulated by the stentorian ery of " Heave her up! heave her up!" by the master- workman. When the raising was completed the older people went home, but the younger ones remained for an evening frolic. There were huskings in the fall, spelling-schools, school exhibitions and evening parties in the winter, and sweet "sugaring off" gatherings in the spring. They loved, wooed and wed, and the brides expected to bear their shares of life's burdens. There was a spirit of rivalry among the women to see who could make the handsomest flowered coverlets, plaid blankets and table linen. Girls were taught common sewing, hem-stitching. embroidering and marking samples at school. Even- ing neighborhood parties were very enjoyable. Some- times a tincture of credulity and superstition was apparent in their love for marvelous stories, and a disposition to find out the incomprehensible was manifested in their warm debates about God's fore- knowledge and decrees. Informal calls to see how stock was thriving and how crops were turning out were common, and served to increase neighborly in- terest and diminish envious tendencies. Thankgiving was the day that was anticipated the longest and en- joyed the most heartily. It was both a secular and a religious feast. Some of the settlers prolonged it to two days.

Two or more families would take the first dinner at one house, and the next day at another.

Samples of everything that had been raised on the farm were cooked, and placed on the table together, as a thanks offering for the bounties of the year. A boiled dish, with all its accompaniments, baked meats and fowls, pudding> and pies, were temptingly

338

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

displayed, and after a longer grace than usual had been said, good appetites did ample justice to the most imposing meal of the year.

They were early taught to obey their parents, say " Yes, sir," and " No, sir," treat their superiors with Jeference and all others with courtesy. They were re- quired to rise early and wait upon themselves, and to do their allotted work before they stopped to play.

After supper the father read a portion of God's word, extinguished the candle and all the family rose and stood while he implored forgiveness for the sins of the day, both of commission and omission, and be- sought his heavenly Father to watch over them during the defenseless hours of sleep.

Many of them kept Saturday evening as a prepara- tion for the Sabbath, and Sabbath eve as holy time. They were striet in the observance of the Lord's day,- no walking nor riding, except to go to meeting; no gathering berries, nor cracking nuts, nor amusements of any kind were allowed.

They rose carly, worked hard and were prudent in all their expenses, but generally they were cheerful, hopeful and contented.

Road Breaking. - When the highways needed breaking out, all the men and boys in the neighbor- hood met with their teams and shovels and worked until the roads were passable, when they agreed to meet at the house of one of the party after the even- ing home-work was done.

Proceeding to their homes, they did their chores, covered their fires with ashes, put a scalding tub on an ox-sled and laid bundles of straw around it.

The tub was filled with small children, while the larger ones, with their mothers, sat on the straw bun- dles, and the men stood up by the sledstakes, and the larger boys gleefully ran ahead. If there was no moon, one or two tin lanterns with tallow candles illuminated the merry party on pleasure bent.

On their arrival they were ushered into the large, long kitchen, where the flames from the great open fire-place diffused a ruddy light through the room.

On a beam overhead, in front of the fire, a cord with three iron hooks was suspended, and a rib, or some other delicious roast, filled the room with savory odors.

The men discussed the interesting topics of the day, often growing excited over political or religious subjects.

The women, clad in their warm domestic flannels, and with fingers deftly plying knitting-needles, talked of domestic concerns, while the children chased the grotesque shadows on the walls.

At an early hour the sled was reloaded, and all re- turued to their homes with increased interest in their neighbor's prosperity, those who lived on the same road occupying the same sled.

CHAPTER IV.

GREENFIELD-(Continued).

Manufactures-Post-Offices-Physicians-Lawyers, Etc.

THE earliest articles manufactured for market were boat oars and pine shingles. Timber suitable for oars grew near the South Mountain. Two or more neighbors would go into the woods together and split and shave oars. They likewise split and shaved pine shingles, performing the work in the forest where the trees stood. These articles, thus manufactured, were carried to Salem, Mass., with ox-teams. They carried bags of hay for their oxen and buckets of provision for themselves. At night they put up at a tavern, where they often found teamsters from Vermont, who went loaded with pork, venison and potash, and usually returned with salt, rum and dry fish. After caring for their teams they would buy a mug of flip, open their buckets and partake of a hearty supper, and then, seated in the bar-room before the landlord's cheerful fire, or lounging on the high-backed settle, they would spend the evening telling stories and hearing news. The genial landlords of those days got the earliest news. It took about three days for news to travel a hundred miles. They were ready to start homeward bound with the earliest gleams of morning light, and the first evening after their return the neighbors called to hear a description of their journey, and all the news they had collected.

Post-Offices and Postmasters .- A post-office was established in 1808, and James Miller appointed post- master. He was followed by William Whittemore, who was appointed in 1823 (no record of having been commissioned) ; Ezra Prescott, July 9, 1823; Lewis Wilson, September 3, 1828; William H. Whittemore, June 13, 1832; Jacob Stephenson, March 1,. 1841 ; William H. Whittemore, October 7, 1842; John J. Duneklee, September 21, 1848; Jacob Stephenson, December 29, 1853; Rufus Hardy, April 16, 1867 ; Horace Cudworth, January 13, 1870 ; Frank R. Patch, January 27, 1874; Samuel HI. Partridge, April 15, 1884; Warren Lewis, June 12, 1884.

POST-OFFICE AT SOUTH GREENFIELD .- This office was opened May 28, 1878, and John R. Russell ap- pointed postmaster, who continues to hold the ap- pointment.

Captain Joseph Reynolds, of this town, carried the mails several years, on the County road, from Green- field to Amherst, on horseback, over Lyndeborough Mountain. After a few years the Forest road was built, and we then had a mail every other day from Boston, by way of stage-coach. At present it is carried by the Boston and Lowell Railroad.

Physicians .- Dr. Samuel Fitch came to Greenfield in 1800. He was born in Acton, Mass., and studied medicine with Dr. Wyeth, of Sherborn, Mass. He married Miss Eunice Perry, of that place. He prac- ticed medicine in Greenfield until age and feeble

339

GREENFIELD.

health compelled him to retire to a more quiet life. He died November 1, 1857.

About this period doctors used to visit their patients on horseback, carrying their lancet, calomel, ipecac and rhubarb in their saddle-bags, and in cases of typhoid fever they often left medicine for four successive days, vigorously forbidding the use of water.

When they were called out in the night they carried a tin lantern with a tallow candle in it to guide them through the forests, over corduroy bridges and through słoughs.

Dr. John Ramsey was a native of town and one of the pioneers of the practice of medicine. He gradu- ated from the Medical Department of Dartmouth Col- lege in 1816. He died July 10, 1864, aged seventy- five years. Dr. Ramsey was extensively known as a good practitioner of medicine, as a man of good judg- ment and sound common sense. He had seen nearly fifty years of practice, and it can be said to his credit that he never grew rusty in his profession. He was the oldest physician in this section of the country, and had been extensively called in consultation with his professional brethren. It was always a pleasure to meet him ; he was true, reliable and cheerful, a man of honor and integrity. He was everywhere highly respected by his medical brethren. He was ever fear- ful of the powerful and dangerous effects of medicine on the human system. The subject of this notice pursued the even tenor of his way in his own town for nearly half a century, without the people being aware of the great blessing and comfort he was to the community or, perhaps, rightly appreciating his true character. His memory will long be cherished by many a grateful patient, as well as by all his medical brethren.

Dr. James S. Burtt was born in Andover, Mass., 1791. He studied medicine with Dr. Luther Smith, of Hillsborough Bridge. He attended a course of medical lectures in Vermont. In 1842 he became a resident in the northwest part of the town and prac- ticed his profession for several years. He died in 1873, aged eighty-two years.

Dr. Isaac N. Danforth was born in 1835, at Barnard, N. Y. He is the son of Hon. Albert H. Danforth, who was a member of the New Hampshire Legisla- ture and a prominent man of that State. He was ed- ucated at the common schools of that New England town. At the age of twenty-three he entered the of- fice of Dr. Samuel P. Danforth, his uncle, making such rapid progress in his studies that he shortly en- tered the Medical Department of Dartmouth College, and graduated from that institution three years later. He was, soon after graduation, elected resident physi- cian of the Hartford Retreat for the Insane. On ac- count of his health, he resigned this position and removed to Greenfield, N. H., where he practiced his profession for four years. In 1866 he removed to Chi- cago. His public and private life are alike an honor

to his name and his profession. He married, in 1868, Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. John Skelton, a well- known Methodist clergyman of Chicago for many. years. Dr. Danforth was succeeded, for a short time, by Dr. Williard D. Chase, of Claremont, N. H., who is now located at Peterborough, and highly respected by the medical profession.

Samuel H. Partridge was the only resident physi- cian of the town from 1869, until his death, in 1884. He was an amiable man and an amiable physician.

Dr. Nathaniel F. Cheever, our present physician, came from the practice of his profession in Nashua, N. H., the 1st of June, 1884. Dr. Cheever studied for his profession at the Universities of Michigan and Vermont, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Md. He bought the place known as the " Old Parsonage," and settled down to the enjoy- ment of domestic life with the only daughter of W. T. Spear, of Nashna.

The air is salubrious and invigorating, and the water pure and generally sufficient.

The inhabitants are usually quite healthy, many of them having lived to an advanced age.

The town does not afford a competent support for one physician without his earnings being supplemented by practice in adjoining towns.

Lawyers .- General James Miller was the first lawyer established in Greenfield. He married Patty Ferguson, and resided in the house now owned and occupied by Zebediah Peavey from 1804 until 1808. His infant son James died there July 28, 1804; also his wife, May 12, 1805, in the twenty-third year of her age. General Miller's office was on Main Street, nearly opposite the hotel. He represented the town in the Legislature in 1807. "It was doubtless owing to the circumstance of his having learned the manual exer- cise while yet a school-boy that he became a general rather than a politician or a man of letters."

Early in the nineteenth century he was chosen captain of the Hancock Artillery, and in 1808 he re- ceived a major's commission in the United States army, it being the highest commission at that time issued to any one in the State of New Hampshire.

He was born in Peterborough, N. H., April 25, 1776, and died in Temple, N. H., July 7, 1851.

Hon. Alson B. Abbott was born in Greenfiekl, N. H., on the 3rd of November, 1844. He was the son of William and Sarah J. Abbott, of that place, both of whom are now deceased. In childhood he removed to Andover, Mass., where he pursued his preparatory course and was fitted for college. During his student- life, moved by the same patriotic impulses that ani- mated so many hundred youthful spirits at the North when the tocsin of rebellion rent with rude blast the sky of our nation's safety, he enlisted and served his time in the Fifth Massachusetts Infantry, seeing active service at various places, including Fort Mc- Henry, Federal Hill, Monocacy Junction and Har- per's Ferry. In 1866, shortly after graduating at

340

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Dartmouth with honors, he was chosen principal of the Warrensburg Academy, and the following year, a vacancy having occurred in the academy at Glens Falls, he was selected to take charge of it as principal. In this relation he continued for five years, serving with great acceptance and satisfaction to the patrons of the school. The academy was never more pros- perons and flourishing than it was during this entire period. He received from his alma mater the degree of Master of Arts in 1869, and while teaching, having at the same time pursued the study of law, he was ad- mitted to the bar in 1872. In 1873 he was married to Sarah, oldest daughter of the late James Morgan. In 1874 he traveled through the Southern States, and the following year made the tour of continental Europe and the English isles. Soon after his return from abroad his superior administrative abilities as "a man of affairs" came to a gradual recognition by au appreciative public by his being chosen, in 1878, a director in the First National Bank of Glens Falls, and a director in the Glens Falls Insurance Company, both of which positions he has continued to hold to the present time (1885). The ensuing fall he was elected to the New York Assembly, where he was dis- tinguished not only by his readiness in debate and his attention to his duties, but also by his courteous, atfable demeanor. The following season he was elected an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Abbott is yet in the early prime of an active man- hood, and his fine intellectual training, his scholarly attainments and superior culture, his aptitude at bus- iness affairs, and gentlemanly address give promise of a future replete with usefulness, and an old age hon- ored and respected.

Ezra Prescott, Esq., read law with Hon. Titus Brown, of Francestown, and commenced practice in that town, when, in 1824, he removed to Greenfield, and occupied the same office that General Miller did.

In 1828 he was elected register of deeds for Hills- borough County, and removed to Amherst in the fall of that year.

The following are some of the persons born in Greenfield or have spent their early lives there who have graduated at different colleges; Moses Ordway, Rev. John Daneklee, Joshua Holt, Jr., Francis W. C'ragin, Rev. AAmzi Jones, Rev. R. C. Stanley, David B. Ramsey, Alson B. Abbott, Charles D. Fitch.

Among others who have studied professions may be mentioned Jacob Holt, M.D., Philadelphia; William H. Ramsey, comptroller of currency in Wisconsin eight years; Amon Robinson, a good historian, How in New York; Francis W. Cragin, M.D., Norwood, Mas -. ; Francis P. Fitch.

George W. Putnam keeps a livery stable.

Forest and Other Roads. As Greenfield is on the direct line of travel from the north portion of this State and Vermont, it was felt absolutely necessary to have a road built from Hancock, through Greenfield, to Lyndeborough, suitable for travel with heavily-loaded

teams, likewise for a regular line of stage-coaches. After a long struggle between enthusiastic effort and determined opposition, in 1831 a road was laid to complete a direct connection between Charlestown and Nashua.

In 1832 the road was built through Greenfield, and several hundred dollars were expended in leveling hills, which rendered the numerous teamsters jubi- lant over the improvements on their route. Willian Whittemore and Zebediah Peavey purchased the first stage-coach. It was built by Abbott & Downing, of Concord, N. H. Michael A. Whitemore went to Concord with a pair of horses, which he attached to the new vehicle and drove to Greenfield, and entered the village during a heavy shower. The next day a team was improvised, and the owners, with other gratified townsmen, took a ride to Hancock, and returned in the most exultant mood. When on its first regular trip, its driver, Noah L. Jackson, cracked his whip and drove up to the tavern on an airy gal- lop, where it was received with enthusiastic cheers by the villagers and many other inhabitants, who were standing in the street to witness the important event. The upper end of the route was owned by Morrison & Jackson, and the lower end by Dean & Tarbell.

In 1837, Colonel Hiram T. Morrill bought Tarbell's interest in three teams from Nashna to Hancock, the company being Morrill & Dean. In about two years Dean sold his interest to Hall, and the firm was changed to Morrill & Hall. Colonel Morrill drove the stage-coach twelve years in succession, and owned an interest in staging until about the time of the completion of the railroad to Greenfield, in 1874.

The various other roads in town are in a respectable condition. Money for keeping them in repair is raised by a highway tax, and road surveyors are appointed in each highway district, who allow the inhabitants to work out their taxes under their supervision.

January 1, 1874, the railroad was opened for travel from Wilton to Greenfield, and a long train of cars brought some twelve hundred stockholders and others, who entered the cars along the line, and likewise many individuals from Boston, who were en- tertained in the town hall with a free dinner.

Peterborough Railroad from East Wilton, through Lyndeborough to Greenfield, eleven miles, is operated by the Boston and Lowell Railroad.

There is a telegraph connection from Boston and Keene, and telephone from Francestown. Large quantities of soap-stone from the quarry there are shipped from our depot.

As a point for shipping freight on the Boston and Lowell road, Greenfield is of considerable importance.

Stores and Traders .- The first trader in town was Ambrose Gould ; he came previous to 1802. The store he occupied is now used as a dwelling-house on the corner of Main Street and Ship road. A few years later Joseph Bachelder opened a store in the south

341

GREENFIELD.

part of the town, on the farm now known as the Isaac Foster place. In 1816, Butler & Patterson traded in the west end of Mr. Samuel Gould's building, Mr. Gould occupying the east end as a harness-shop.

Whittemore Brothers traded in the Long Block and did an extensive business. They were followed by Peavey & Gould.

In 1826, Carkin & Cragin opened a store in the ell part of a large building situated on the site of the present hotel. The main building was destroyed by fire, but the ell was saved and the goods returned in a dam- aged condition. Subsequently, a hotel was erected on the site of the burnt building.

Amasa Farrier kept a store from 1832 to 1837. He was followed by Grant & Dane, William Abbott, Duneklee & Jones, H. H. Duneklee, Rufus Anderson, G. P. Fletcher and L. P. Wilson.

At an early date Mark Bailey built the store now occupied by Patch & Lewis.

He was succeeded by Robert Bradford, Albert Hardy, Horace Cudworth, C. H. Hopkins, Bradford & Co.

In 1873, C. H. Hopkins erected a large and modern building on the west side of Slip road, near Main Street. The upper part contains two commodious tenements.

The first floor is occupied by the owner, who is an extensive dealer in flour and grain, as well as most other articles usually found in a country store.

C. F. & G. S. Peavey are extensive dealers in cattle, sheep and meat. They send their meat to Manchester, Nashua, Lowell and Boston markets. Their slaughter- ing establishment is fitted up with modern con- veniences and labor-saving devices.

Brooks & Spaulding are the only blacksmiths in town. They are skillful workmen, and give strict at- tention to their business.

George D. Pollard is a builder, and also celebrated for his judgment and success in moving buildings. A. H. Hopkins, D. W. Burnham and George F. Russell are experienced carpenters.

Earle Searle, formerly a blacksmith and tinman, is now a manufacturer of wooden measures, whose excel- lence is not surpassed by any other workman.

Taverns .- Tradition says that one of the earliest taverns was kept by John Savage, his honse being finely located on the brow of a hill about three miles from the centre of the town, on the County road that leads over Lyndeborough Mountain.

We find recorded the name of Samuel Weeks, licensed to keep tavern in 1794.

In 1824, John Carkin opened a tavern in the Centre village. Among his successors have been Elbridge Hardy, Mark Bailey, Horace Whittemore, S. S. Ten- ney, William H. Gowing, Luther Gray, Geo. J. Whittemore, H. H. Duncklee and John D. Emerson.

In 1881 the hotel formerly owned by H. H. Dunek- lee was purchased by J. D. Emerson, and thoroughly remodeled inside and out. He introduced modern

convenienees into his pleasant apartments, which are appreciated by his numerous guests, particularly by his summer boarders from the cities. Mr. Emerson is a popular conductor on the railroad from Greenfield to Boston.

The Records .- The records of the town are written in a bold and legible hand, and are generally well preserved. Church records are continuous and full, and the records of the various local societies are min- ute and accurate. The Sabbath-school owns a full library. There is also a small circulating library in town. Many newspapers are taken, and people are generally well informed on the popular subjects of the day.

The town is Democratic by a large majority.

The number of ratable polls in Greenfield in 1885, one hundred and seventy six.

Valuation of the town in 1884, two hundred and seventy-four thousand five hundred and fifty-four dollars. Population in 1884, six hundred and fifty- two.

The tax-payers in 1784 were Captain John Abbott, Major Abiel Abbott, Captain John Holt, William Blunt, Abijah Clark, Joseph Batchelder, Joshua Holt. In 1790 the following additional names are found : Timothy Holt, Joseph Severance, John Fletcher, Nathan Lovejoy, Daniel Holt, Isaac Foster.

Oak Park Association .- At the first meeting of this association, April 22, 1875, the following officers were chosen : President, D. H. Goodell, Antrim ; Secretary, Joseph Farnum, Peterborough ; Treasurer, David Starret, Greenfield. Executive Committee : Greenfield, John Fletcher, Albert H. Hopkins, George S. Peavey, Leonard Bailey and Benjamin Hardy ; Lyndeborough, Luther Cram, Andrew Holt, David Putnam, George Spaulding and John Richardson ; Hancock, Orland Eaton, W. A. Washburn, A. B. Stone, J. S. Spaulding, C. P. Bugbee; Francestown, H. Y. Simpson, Henry Richardson, William H. Farnum, George A. Duncklee, John Morse; Ben- nington, John F. Dodge, W. D. Woods, John C. Dodge, Hartwell Lakin, Heber Presby; Antrim, D. H. Goodell, George A. Cochran, Morris Christie, Eben Bass, John M. Duncan; Peterborough, George H. Longley, S. I. Vose, E. W. McIntosh, John Q. Adams and Charles Wilder.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 82

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