History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 86

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

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SYMONDS FAMILY .- Joseph Symonds' was born in Shirley, Mass., January 30, 1746, and married Mittie Cummings, a native of Holllis.

Mr. and Mrs. Symonds came to Hancock from New Ipswich about the time of the incorporation of the town, locating on Norway Hill, and they and their descendants have been, and are to-day, among the most useful and honored of its citizens.

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HANCOCK.

Mr. Symonds was a member of the first Board of Selectmen chosen at an annual town-meeting. He was often in town business, and for several years its town clerk, and was a useful and respected citizen. He and his wife, Mittie, were among the original mem- bers of its church. Their children were,-Joseph2, known as "Captain Jo," who married Hannah, daughter of Lieutenant Joseph Dodge, of this town, and lived and died here.

Captain Joseph 2 Symonds was a man of great busi- ness capacity, and was honored by the town with most of the positions of trust within its gift. Their children were,-Nancy3, who became the wife of James Bowers. Hon. S. L. Bowers, of Newport, is her son. Hannah3, who became the wife of Rev. Sylvester Cochrane, of Antrim. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cochrane died in Michigan. Judge Lyman Cochrane, of that State, was their son. Amelia3 became the wife of Captain Gardner Nay, and died in California. Joseph3, who died in infancy. Joseph3, married Annais Cavender, and died in Manchester in 1849. Rebecca3, who was married to James Davis, and lived and died much respected in Hancock. Lewis3, mar- ried Persis Robinson, of Hancock, and has always lived in the town.

Lewis3 is a man much respected, and has repre- sented Hancock in the Legislature. William F.+, the oldest child of Lewis3 and Persis (Robinson) Symonds, is, perhaps, to-day the most popular man in the town. He has been seven years a selectman, and is at this writing its representative to the Legislature. He married Abbie M., daughter of Elijah and Mary (Hills) Washburn, of this town, who is a first cousin of ex-Governor W. B. Washburn, of Massachusetts. They have three children-Henry A.5, Annie L.5 and Her- bert W5. Thus it will be seen that the Symonds family has been prominent in Hancock for over a century.

Almon3 was a blacksmith, and resided in Benning- ton. Mittie2 became the wife of Peter Fox, and re- moved to Marlow, where their descendants are now living. Asa 2 was long a deacon of the church in Hancock, and a useful Christian man. His son Asa3 is now an honored citizen of the town.

Mellia 2 became the wife of Captain Jacob Ames, and left highly respectable descendants. Henry Ames Blood, of Temple, the historian of that town, was her grandson.

Charles 2 was married to Sallie, daughter of Moses Dennis, Sr., December 26, 1809. They had several children, among whom, John3 is perhaps the most esteemed in Hancock, as it was through his efforts that the annual Symonds reunions (which have grown into town picnics) were established in Han- cock. The recent death of Hon. John Symonds is sincerely lamented here. We learn that, by a provi- sion of his will, the city of Keene, which was his adopted home, is to receive a large legacy for the benefit of its public library. Lucy2 married, but had no children.

JAMES HOSLEY .- Savage says "Horsley James1, of Newton, married Martha, daughter of John Parker; had James." This Martha was born May 1, 1649, in Cambridge. Their son, James?, married Maria -, and came to Billerica, Mass, in 1699. Their son, Jamesª, born May 19, 1704, settled in Townsend, Mass. He married Exercise -, and died in that place when his son, James4, was quite young. . James', or Deacon James, as he was called here, was a re- markable man and one of the greatest benefactors Hancock ever had. He was born in Townsend Jan- uary 19, 1734. At the age of thirty-two we find his name as one of the selectmen of the place, and he was chosen a deacon of the church there at about the same date. From 1770 to 1781 he was either moder- ator, town clerk, one of its selectmen or on a war committee every year. In 1775, Mr. Hosley held the offices of moderator, town clerk and chairman of the Board of Selectmen. He was also captain of the Townsend Minute-Men and led them to Lexington at the alarm of April 19th of that year. Being the " best-balanced man in all respects " (see History of Townsend) in the town, and needed in its civil affairs, and having a large family, his only other service in the field was in 1777, when a company of men (most of them veterans with families) was raised in Pepperell, Townsend and Ashby to assist in the campaign against Burgoyne. Colonel William Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill, and two majors were in the ranks of this company, which unanimously chose James Hosley its captain,-a rare tribute to his popu- larity and military capacity. This company partici- pated in the battles preceding and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Deacon Hosley sold his farm in Townsend at about the time of the incorpo- ration of Hancock, and a little later removed to New Ipswich, in this State, where he also held the offices both of selectman and town clerk. While a citizen of New Ipswich he gave, by deed, to the town of Hancock the common on which its public buildings and Pine Ridge Cemetery are situated, and soon after removed to Hancock with his family. After becom- ing a resident of the town he held the office of town clerk for years. No one who may have occasion to examine the records of Townsend, Mass., New Ips- wich or Hancock can fail to admire his legible chirog- raphy. He also held the office of justice of the peace, and was much employed as a conveyancer here. He was one of the original members of the Church of Christ here, and the first person chosen as its deacon. Deacon ITosley died April 19, 1809, exactly thirty-four years from the day when he led his Minute-Men towards the point where "the em- battled farmers stood, and fired the shots heard round the world." The Amherst Cabinet of May 23, 1809, gives a short but graphic account of him and the imposing ceremonies attending his interment, and closed the article with this adage of Pope: " An honest man is the noblest work of God."

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

His descendants (none bearing the family-name residing here now) are numerous and highly respecta- ble. Ex-Mayor John Hosley, of Manchester, who is a native of Hancock, is his great-grandson ; James4, Samuel, Samuels, John ?.

EBENEZER WARE .- It is a tradition of the Ware family that it is of Welsh descent. Ebenezer1 and Esther (Hunting), his wife, were residents of Need- ham, Mass,, where their son, Ebenezer2, was born, and spent their last years with their son, who was an early settler here. Ebenezer" married Alice Eaton. Their only child, Ebenezer3, has long been a promi- nent citizen of Hancock. He early learned the trade of carpenter. The Literary and Scientific Institution, with the boarding-house connected therewith, and the late residence of Jedediah Fox, in the village, will remain as monuments of his skill. Mr. Ware has held nearly every oflice within the gift of his townsmen. He is a great reader, and the owner, probably, of the largest private library in the town. He married Martha E. Lakin. They have had ten children, eight of whom are living.

Physicians .- Dr. Thomas Peabody, who had been a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, was a resident of Hancock for a short time in its earlier history. Dr. Robert Taggart came here from Hillsborough in August, 1790, and Dr. William Brown, from Sullivan, in March, 1791, but their stay was probably of short duration.

The first physician who practiced his profession here was Dr. Stephen Kittridge. He came to this place from Francestown the 6th of October, 1790. He was a successful physician and a good man. He was a deacon of the church, and so had double title, being sometimes called deacon and sometimes doctor. He died about 1806, leaving his practice with his successor, Dr. Peter Tuttle, who was born in Prinee- ton, Mass., April 15, 1781. Dr. Tuttle began his work in Hancock in October, 1806, and proved him- self to be a skillful physician. He married a daughter of his predecessor in 1808, and brought up a large tamily of children. He held the office of justice of the peace, and was respected both as a magistrate and a citizen. At the time of his death Dr. Tuttle was vice-president of the Southern District of the New Hampshire Medical Society. He was Master of the Atemont Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and was buried with Masonic honors. He died March 13, 152%. He was a genial man, always ready with a joke, and decidedly popular in his profession. He died mourned and lamented.

Dr. Jonas Hutchinson was born in Milford, N. H., June 2, 1792. He commenced the practice of medi- eine in Hancock at the age of twenty-three. He was a man of fine powers and great energy. He was for several years town clerk, and representative to the Legislature in the years 1833, 1834 and 1835. He connected himself with the Baptist Church, and was

largely instrumental in founding the Literary and Scientifie Institution, which for a few years was so prosperous.

He remained in town until November, 1841, when he removed to Milford, continuing the practice of medicine until a few months before his decease. He died in September, 1857.

He was an influential citizen, and his removal from town was a cause of regret.

Contemporaneous with Dr. Hutchinson we find Drs. Rand and Wood. Dr. Nehemiah Rand eame here from Francestown, and removed to Nelson after a few years. He was considered a good physician.

Dr. Jacob A. Wood was born in this town May 14, 1810. He spent his boyhood working on the farm during the summer and attending school in the winter. At the age of sixteen he went to Frances- town to learn the saddler's trade ; his health not being very firm, he remained but a short time. Some years later he began the study of medicine with Dr. Crom- bie, of Francestown, whose daughter he afterwards married. Subsequently he was a pupil of the cele- brated Dr. Twitchell, of Keene, and attended medical lectures in Boston and at the Vermont Medical Col- lege, at Woodstock, receiving his degree in the latter place in 1836. He commeneed praetiee at onee in his native town.

He soon had an extensive practice, and was highly esteemed ; but after some years he deemed it best to seek a wider field, and about the year 1851 he re- moved to Boston, remaining there some six years. During his stay in Boston he became so celebrated in the treatment of spinal diseases that his friends in New York urged him to establish himself in that city. He finally did so, and there remained until his death, March 21. 1879. Dr. Wood was a member of Dr. Booth's Church, of University Place, New York. He was a good friend and a devoted husband. As a man, dignified, firm and decided, yet gentle, genial and generous, gladdening the hearts of those with whom he came in contact. Ile lived a noble and self-sacri- ficing life, and died trusting firmly in the Master he had served so faithfully.

In the year 1842, Dr. James M. Stickney came to Hancock. He was a son of Dr. Jeremiah Stickney, of Antrim. He was a very pleasant man to meet, and was esteemed both as a physician and a citizen. After remaining here six or seven years he removed to Pepperell, Mass., where he was very successful in his profession.

Dr. Levi W. Wilkins spent a short time in Han- cock after Dr. Wood and Dr. Stickney left. He bought out the former. Although he made a favora- ble impression and proved himself to be a good physi- cian, he did not remain long, removing to Antrim.

Dr. De Witt Clinton Hadley was born in Hancock, June 12, 1823, He was educated at New Hampton and Meriden, N. H., and was graduated in medicine

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at Woodstock, Vt., in 1849. He practiced medicine eight years in his native town, and died February 11, 1859.

Dr. Hadley was a promising physician, and was just beginning his life-work when disease laid a heavy hand upon him. His death was a sad blow to his numerous friends.

Dr. I. Craigne was born in Troy, Vt., in 1832. le was graduated in medicine from the Harvard Medi- cal College in 1857. He was for a short time assistant physician at the Insane Retreat at Hartford, Conn. From Hartford he came to Hancock, where he re- mained until 1863. He then went to Chester, Vt., remaining there till 1875. Finding country practice too severe for him, he removed to Lawrence, Mass., where he resided until his death, in 1877. His removal from Hancock was a cause of general regret. He was a true Christian, always found on the side of truth and the right. Such men are always missed.

Dr. R. G. Mather, who had previously been a sur- geon in the army, practiced medicine in town for a short time; he afterwards gave up general practice and gave his attention to dentistry, in which profes- sion he gained quite a reputation. He was a native of Newport and died in Hancock.

Dr. Albert H. Taft came to Hancock from Nelson in 1867, and remained there until 1872, when he re- moved to Winchester, N. H., where he has been sue- cessful as a physician. Dr. Taft had a great many friends in Hancock, especially among the young people.

Dr. Horatio MeIntire, also from Nelson, was the physician of the place during the building of the Man- chester and Keene Railroad. Dr. McIntire had seen service in the army, which gave him an advantage above many in the treatment of cases of injury to the work- men. He removed from Hancock to Milford, and is now in government employ in New York City.

Dr. H. H. De Beck, a native of Maine, succeeded Dr. MeIntire, but returned to his native State after a short practice liere.

Dr. A. A. Haig, a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y., commenced the practice of medicine in Han- cock in the early part of 1883. He has a good prac- tice in Hancock and Harrisville, and is also often called to the neighboring towns.

PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS WHO WERE NATIVES OF HANCOCK, BUT HAVE PRATICED IN OTHER PLACES .- There have been several physicians and dentists, who were either natives of Hancock or were brought up there, whose active lives have been spent elsewhere. The list we give is necessarily an imper- fect one.

Dr. Jabez B. Priest was the son of Levi Priest, of this town, and from 1816 to the time of his death, in 1826, was a very successful physician in Peterborough, where he died of epidemie dysentery, at the age of thirty-six.

Dr. John Boutelle was the second son of Deacon

William Boutelle. He was born in Leominster, Mass., April 1, 1783. At the age of five years his parents removed to Hancock. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1808 (the first college graduate from Hancock). After his gradua- tion he was for a time tutor in the same college, and was for some ten years engaged in teaching, when he began the practice of medicine at Edgecomb, Me., where he continued to the close of his life. He died April 30, 1853. He was a sincere Christian, an atl'ex- tionate husband and a good citizen.

Dr. David Knight Boutelle was the oldest son of Thomas Boutelle, who was the fourth son of Deacon William Boutelle. He was born at Landgrove, Vt., October 6, 1811. At the age of fourteen years, with his parents, he removed to their native town (Han- cock), which was his home until he was twenty-one years of age. He had a common-school education, and at the age of eighteen attended a term at a select school in Hancock, taught by Mr. B. Y. Wallace.

After attaining his majority he took a course of study at the Teachers' Seminary at Andover, Mass. He then taught for several years in the grammar schools of Warren, R. I., and New Bedford, Mass. He subsequently studied dentistry at Providence, R. I., which profession he has successfully practiced in Newport, R. I., Manchester and Peterborough, N. H., and Worcester, Mass. In 1869, with the hope of improving his impaired health, he removed to Lake City, Minn., where he now (1885) resides.

Dr. Jonathan Lee, son of Jonathan Lee, studied medicine with Dr. Peter Tuttle. He practiced his profession many years at Syracuse, N. Y.

Dr. Adams Knight, son of Deacon Aaron Knight, was for many years a successful physician in Spring- field, Vt.

Dr. William H. Weston, oldest son of Captain Ephraim Weston, was born August 8, 1849, in llan- cock. He was graduated at the Medical Department of Columbia College, in New York City, in 1878. After his graduation he associated himself for a time with Dr. Hoyt, in Grafton, N. II. From this place he went to New York, and was associated with Dr. J. H. Wood. After the death of Dr. Wood he con- tinued the treatment of spinal diseases at the old office at Cooper's Institute until the spring of 1881. Preferring general to special practice, he removed to 406 West Twenty-second Street.

Dr. George Bowers, oldest son of Mark Bowers, was born in Hancock, October 10, 1831. He was graduated at the Philadelphia Dental College, and practiced his profession in Springfield, Vt., fifteen years, removing to Nashua, N. H., in 1877, where he now (1885) resides, a successful practitioner. His brother, Dr. Samuel O. Bowers, is also a successful dentist at Hillsborough Bridge.

Dr. Cyrus H. Hayward, oldest son of Calvin Hay- ward, was born in Hancock, November 7, 1840. Ile was graduated at the Boston Dental College in

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

March, 1870. He soon became a member of the New Hampshire Dental Society ; was elected in 1550 delegate to the American Dental Association, and in June, 1884, he was chosen one of the Board of Censors for the State. He began the practice of his profession in Peterborough, N. II., soon after his graduation, where he has remained until the present time. His standing in the profession is of the first class.

Dr. Albert E. Ware is in the successful practice of dentistry in this, his native town, and Dr. Charles Coolidge is doing a good business in Bristol, N. H. Dr. George C. Duncan is also in successful practice in East Jaffrey.

Military History. The compiler of this record makes no claims to accuracy in detail. It has been almost impossible to obtain any data, especially in regard to the militia of the town.

As yet no records have been found, although dili- gently inquired for. In 1718 it was enacted by the Legislature that all able-bodied men between the ages of sixteen and sixty, with a few exceptions, be held liable for military duty. Later, this law was so modified that the military age was between eighteen and forty-five. When the first company was organ- ized it is impossible to determine. In 1789 there was an article in the town warrant to have the town divided into two military districts, that two companies might be organized, but at the town-meeting the article was passed over.

There was for a brief period a company of cavalry. Hancock Artillery was organized early in the nine- teenth century. Its first captain-afterwards General Miller-was then a young lawyer in Greenfield.

Of General Miller, Hawthorne said, " He was New England's most distinguished soldier."

His motto at Lundy's Lane, " I'll try, sir," was for a long time printed on the knapsacks of the company. In 1849 the militia was disbanded. After the close of the War of the Rebellion the old Hancock Artil- lery, with a new name, was organized, but it is now disbanded.

Among the early settlers, William Lakin and his brother Oliver had served in the French war.

There were but few inhabitants in the town until towards the close of the Revolutionary War ; there- fore bot few men were actually sent from Hancock. The few settlers that were here were not indifferent, as the town records will show. They furnished their quota of Continental beef as best they could, and taxed themselves to pay bounties to those who were in the field.

William Lakin, Jr., Thomas Williams and Lemnel Lakin were in the service.

William Lakin, Jr., was a member of the First New Hampshire Regiment. He was discharged No- vember 3, 1782, wounded in the hand and hip; ex- amined April 1, 1789; received a pension of two dollars a month.

A large proportion of the early settlers served in the army before they became residents of Hancock, some of them with distinction. The following list, made up from various sources, may be incomplete, but is, without doubt, correct as far as it goes. We only give their names, without regard to rank or term of service,-

Samuel Ames, Ebenezer Barker, David Barker, John Bowers, William Boutelle, John Bradford, Salmon Blodgett, John Brooks, John Cum- mings, Abraham Davis, Isaac Davis, Oliver Davis, Moses Dennis, Joseph Dodge, Jeremiah Eaton, Lemuel Eaton, Samuel Eaton, Thomas English, Peter Fletcher, Jeremialı Fogg, John Gay, John Gilson, Abijah Hadley, James llosley, Nathaniel Hazelton, Daniel Kimball, Simeon Lakin, Josiah Lakin, Oliver Lawrence, Thomas May, Jonathan Margery, Rob- ert Matthews, Abraham Moors, Timothy Moors, Ebenezer Pratt, Abner l'reston, Levi Priest, Thomas Peabody, Peter Putnam, Joel Russell, David Sloan, Joseph Simonds, Samuel Tyrrell, Elijah Washburn, Joseph Washburn, Salmon Wood, William Williams, Jr .. Abel Winship.

In the War of 1812-14 quite a number of Han- cock men served for a short time, and a few during most of the war. The records do not, in every in- stance, give the towns from which the soldiers went, so that it is impossible to give a correct list.

Simeon Lakin was sergeant in Captain Benjamin Bradford's company, First Regiment ; pay-roll from April 1 to May 1, 1813.

Samuel Dennis was corporal in same company.

Abraham Davis and Robert Matthews, Jr., were privates in same com- pany.

Moses M. Lakin enlisted during the war in Captain Benjamin Bradford's company, Forty-fifth Regiment United States Infantry, Denny McCobb, colonel, March 9, 1814 ; promoted to sergeant June 18, 1814.

John Y. Lakin, corporal, enlisted at the same time.

Plummer Wheeler, sergeant, enlisted December 15, 1813.

Thatcher Bradford, third lieutenant in Captain Hugh Moore's company, detached militia, sent to Portsmouth in an emergency, enlisted for three months, September 18, 1813. With him went Isaac Brooks, Benjamin Ball, Abraham Davis, John Gilson, William Gray, Jesse Hall, Mark Pierce and Peter Rumrill, privates.

Charles Bontelle was fifer in Captain S. Trivett's company, Second Regi- ment, detached militia ; enlisted for sixty days, September 27, 1814. Abijah Hadley, Amasa Reed, Benjamin Stone, Joseph Washburn, Wat- son Washburn, Asa Washburn and Eli Washburn, privates, enlisted in Captain William Gregg's company, of Antrim, September 27, 1814, for sixty days.

Samuel Matthews, Daniel Lakin and Benjamin Tuttle served as privates from September 11 to September 28, 1814, in Captain Alfred Smith's company, Fourth Regiment, detached militia.

Whitcomb Way enlisted for sixty days September 26, 1814, in Captain Josiah Bellows' company, of the First Battalion, detached militia. Jolin Robinson, ditto.

Ebenezer Hubbard served in Captain McNeil's company, Eleventh United States Infantry, for two months, from July 1, 1813.

Otis Wheeler and Timothy Paige were educated at West Point. Mr. Wheeler held the rank of captain in the regular United States army and served in the Florida War. Ile was also long in service in Louis- iana and Arkansas, and died recently in Missouri, leaving one son a judge and one a United States marshal. Mr. Paige served under General Harrison in the Indian wars. Ile was stationed at one time at New Orleans, and for a time had command at Key West. He held the rank of lieutenant in the regular army.

In the late Civil War Hancock bore a fair share of the burden.

SECOND REGIMENT.

Captain Ephraim Weston commanded Company G, Second Regiment ; died December 9, 1861.

Sylvester (. Duneklee was a private in same company ; mustered June 5, 1861 ; severely wounded July 2, 1863 ; mustered ont June 21, 1864. llis father, Sylvester J. Duncklee, subsequently enlisted as a recruit in the same company ; was wounded at Gettysburg, and discharged for disability.

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HANCOCK.

SIXTH REGIMENT, COMPANY E.

John A. Cummings enlisted at Peterborough, but he was a son of llan- cock ; first lieutenant November 30, 1861 ; captain April 23, 1862 ; dis- charged to accept promotion (major of cavalry) April 5, 1864 ; is now ex-mayor of Summerville, Mass.

Frank L. Gray enlisted November 28, 1861 ; second lieutenant April 20, 1863 ; severely wouwled May 12, 1864.

Charles E. Barker enlisted corporal November 28, 1861 ; drowned in the Potomac August 13, 1862.

lIenry A. Barker enlisted November 28, 1861 ; discharged for disability January 19, 1863.

Myron J. Duncklee enlisted December 10, 1861 ; died January 20, 1862. Albert L. Murphy enlisted November 28, 1861 ; re-enlisted December 27, 1863 ; was wounded in service.

Willis A. Nuthing enlisted November 28, 1861 ; mustered ont November 27, 1864.

Charles M. Shelden enlisted November 28, 1861 ; mustered out Novem- ber 27, 1864.

Ilarlen l'. Knight enlisted as a recruit in Angust, 1862; killed at Fred- ericksburg December 21, 1862.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 86

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