USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hudson > History of Hudson, N.H., formerly a part of Dunstable, Mass., 1673-1733, Nottingham, Mass., 1733-1741, District of Nottingham, 1741-1746, Nottingham West, N.H., 1746-1830, Hudson, N.H., 1830-1912 > Part 41
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VOTES FOR GOVERNOR FROM 1793 TO 1912, INCLUSIVE
1793, Josiah Bartlett, 55; all cast. -
1794, John Taylor Gilman, 50; all cast.
1795, John Taylor Gilman, 67; all cast. 1796, John Taylor Gilman, 56; all cast.
1797, John Taylor Gilman, 57; all cast. 1798, John Taylor Gilman, 74; all cast. 1799, John Taylor Gilman, 49; all cast.
1800, John Taylor Gilman, 49; Timothy Walker, 3.
1801, John Taylor Gilman, 51; all cast.
1802. John Taylor Gilman, 40; John Langdon, 19. 1803, John Taylor Gilman, 31; John Langdon, 28. 1804, John Langdon, 73; John Taylor Gilman, 34. 1805, John Langdon, 72; John Taylor Gilman, 54. 1806, John Langdon, 90; Timothy Farrow, 1. 1807, John Langdon, 96; Justus Dakin, 1.
1808, John Langdon, 69; Thomas Senter, 6.
1809, Jeremiah Smith, 111; John Langdon, 50.
1810, Jeremiah Smith, 113; John Langdon, 44. 1811, Jeremiah Smith, 111; John Langdon, 68.
1812, John Taylor Gilman, 112; William Plummer, 65. 1813, John Taylor Gilman, 116; William Plummer, 80. 1814, John Taylor Gilman, 136; William Plummer, 83. 1815, John Taylor Gilman, 121; William Plummer, 86. 1816, James Sheafe, 114; William Plummer, 97. 1817, James Sheafe, 106; William Plummer, 103. 1818, William Plummer, 97; Jeremiah Smith, 93.
1819, William Hale, 74; Samuel Bell, 82.
1820, Samuel Bell, 95; Jeremiah Mason, 70. 1821, Samuel Bell, 103; all cast.
1822, Samuel Bell, 131; John Foster, 1.
1823, Levi Woodbury, 106; Samuel Dinsmore, 65.
1824, David L. Morrill, 152; all cast.
1825, David L. Morrill, 158; all cast.
1826, David L. Morrill, 152; Benjamin Pierce, 7.
1827, Benjamin Pierce, 81; David L. Morrill, 19; Jonathan Nye, 11.
563
OFFICIAL ROSTER
1828, John Bell, 103; Benjamin Pierce, 76.
1829, John Bell, 95; Benjamin Pierce, 84.
1830, Matthew Harvey, 115; Timothy Upton, 97.
1831, Samuel Dinsmore, 108; Ichabod Bartlett, 103.
1832, Samuel Dinsmore, 114; Ichabod Bartlett, 98.
1833, Samuel Dinsmore, 135; all cast.
1834, William Badger, 132; all cast.
1835, William Badger, 116; Joseph Healey, 54.
1836, Isaac Hill, 126; all cast.
1837, Isaac Hill, 77; Jeremiah Smith, 1.
1838, Isaac Hill, 139; James Wilson, Jr., 94.
1839, John Page, 142; James Wilson, Jr., 89.
1840, John Page, 138; Enos Stevens, 78.
1841, John Page, 137; Enos Stevens, 79.
1842, Henry Hubbard, 139; Enos Stevens, 59.
1843, Henry Hubbard, 132; Anthony Colby, 57.
1844, John H. Steele, 91; Anthony Colby, 57; Daniel Hoyt, 13.
1845, John H. Steele, 91; Anthony Colby, 44.
1846, Jared W. Williams, 125; Anthony Colby, 61; Nathaniel S. Berry, 20.
1847, Jared W. Williams, 141; Anthony Colby, 75; Nathaniel S. Berry, 17.
1848, Jared W. Williams, 153; Nathaniel S. Berry, 93.
1849, Samuel Dinsmore, 157; Levi Chamberlain, 67; Nathaniel S. Berry, 12.
1850, Samuel Dinsmore, 144; Levi Chamberlain, 62; Nathaniel S. Berry, 7.
1851, Samuel Dinsmore, 105; John Atwood, 104; Thomas E. Saw- yer, 31.
1852, Noah Martin, 135; John Atwood, 64; Thomas E. Sawyer, 37. 1853, Noah Martin, 135; James Bell, 42; John H. White, 36.
1854, Nathaniel B. Baker, 135; Jared Perkins, 53; James Bell, 34.
1855, Ralph Metcalf, 145; Nathaniel B. Baker, 119; Asa Fowler, 5. 1856, Ralph Metcalf, 147; John S. Wells, 138; Austin F. Pike, 2.
1857, William Haile, 152; John S. Wells, 129.
1858, William Haile, 150; Asa P. Cate, 124.
1859, Ichabod Goodwin, 133; Asa P. Cate, 125.
1860, Asa P. Cate, 152; Ichabod Goodwin, 150.
1861, George Stark, 152; Nathaniel S. Berry, 151; Levi Bartlett, 1.
1862, George Stark, 135 ; Nathaniel S. Berry, 131; Paul J. Wheeler, 10.
1863, Ira A. Eastman, 130; Joseph A. Gilmore, 97; Walter Harri- man, 53.
1864, Joseph A. Gilmore, 149; Edward W. Harrington, 121.
1865, Frederick Smyth, 134; Edward W. Harrington, 96.
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HISTORY OF HUDSON
1866, Frederick Smyth, 130; John G. Sinclair, 118.
1867, Walter Harriman, 144; John G. Sinclair, 132.
1868, Walter Harriman, 158; John G. Sinclair, 146.
1869, Onslow Stearns, 139; John Bedel, 114.
1870, Onslow Stearns, 133; John Bedel, 93; Samuel Flint, 31; Lo- renzo D. Barrows, 3.
1871, James Pike, 147; James A. Weston, 112; Lemuel P. Cooper, 7.
1872, Ezekiel A. Straw, 139; James A. Weston, 123; Lemuel P. Cooper, 14; John Blackmer, 6.
1873, Ezekiel A. Straw, 125; James A. Weston, 103; John Black- mer, 4.
1874, James A. Weston, 148; Luther McCutchins, 128; John Black- mer, 4.
1875, Hiram R. Roberts, 149; Person C. Cheney, 128; Nathaniel White, 2.
1876, Person C. Cheney, 148; Daniel Marcy, 142.
1877, Daniel Marcy, 144; Benjamin F. Prescott, 130.
1878, Frank A. Mckean, 146; Benjamin F. Prescott, 137.
Under the amended constitution the election of Gov- ernor and other state and county officers, was changed from March to November, and made biennial.
The first election under the revised constitution took place November 5, 1878.
1878, November, Natt Head, 150; Frank A. Mckean, 130; Warren G. Brown, 10.
1880, Charles H. Bell, 161; Frank Jones, 140.
1882, Samuel W. Hale, 129; Martin V. B. Edgerly, 121.
1884, Moody Currier, 161; John M. Hill, 135; George Carpenter, 11; Larkin D. Mason, 3.
1886, Charles H. Sawyer, 131; Thomas Cogswell, 95; Joseph Went- worth, 2.
1888, David H. Goodell, 179; Charles H. Amsden, 142; Edgar L. Carr, 5.
1890, Charles H. Amsden, 160; Hiram A. Tuttle, 136; Josiah M. Fletcher, 2.
1892, Luther F. Mckinney, 148; John B. Smith 146; Edgar L. Carr, 6; William O. Noyes, 1.
1894, Charles Busiel, 179; Henry O, Kent, 96; David C. Knowles, 5; George D. Epps, 3.
1896, George A. Ramsdell, 180; Henry O. Kent, 79; John C. Berry, 4; Gardner J. Greenleaf, 1.
565
OFFICIAL ROSTER
1898, Frank W. Rollins, 141; Charles F. Stone, 121; Augustus G. Stevens, 4.
1900, Chester B. Jordan, 193; Frederick E. Potter, 107; Josiah M. Fletcher, 5; Sumner F. Claflin, 4.
1902, Nahum J. Bachelder, 168; Henry F. Hollis, 97; Michael O'Neil, 6; John C. Berry, 4.
1904, John McLane, 201; Henry F. Hollis, 97; Sumner F. Claflin, 7, David Heald, 5.
1906, Charles M. Floyd, 135; Nathan C. Jameson, 99; Edmund B. Tetley, 19; William H. McFall, 3.
1908, Henry B. Quinby, 200; Clarence E. Carr, 104; Edmund B. Tetley, 5 ; Walter H. Lewis, 4; Sumner F. Claflin, 2.
1910, Robert P. Bass, 208; Clarence E. Carr, 88; Asa Warren Drew, 3.
1912, Franklin Worcester, 130; Winston Churchill, 97; Samuel D. Felker, 75; William H. Wilkins, 6; Alvah H. Morrill, 1.
POST-OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS
Prior to 1818 there was no post-office in town, and mail matter for Nottingham West people went to the post- office at Litchfield, which had been in operation since 1804.
A post-office by the name of Nottingham West was established at the Center, July 12, 1818, and Reuben Greeley was appointed postmaster. The name was changed from Nottingham West to Hudson, June 9, 1831. It was discontinued March 3, 1835, and re-established April 25, 1835.
After considerable contention between the citizens resident at the Center and those of the small village de- veloping near Taylor's Falls bridge, the office was removed to the latter place, September, 1853.
It was discontinued a second time, April 13, 1868, and re-established September 21, 1868. Hudson post-office remains at the Bridge at the present time. Two mails are received daily-one from the Nashua post-office and one from the Boston & Maine railroad at the Union Station in Nashua.
The rural sections of the town are well provided for by the rural mail service. Two routes-Nos. One and
566
HISTORY OF HUDSON
Two-have been established from this office, while No. Three from Nashua passes through the town. About twenty families in the north-east section of the town are well accommodated by No. One from Derry.
The following list of postmasters exhibits the names of all who have been appointed to that office in this town, from 1818 to 1913, with the dates of their appointments and the length of their terms of service.
Reuben Greeley, served from July 12, 1818, to April 17, 1829.
James Tenney, served from April 17, 1829, to March 3, 1835.
Elbridge Dow, served from April 25, 1835, to Novem- ber 13, 1849.
Reuben Greeley, served from November 13, 1849, to September 15, 1853.
Thomas H. Ewins, served from September 15, 1853, to December 3, 1855.
George W. Hills, served from December 3, 1855, to April 13, 1868.
Willard H. Webster, served from September 21, 1868, to November 15, 1869.
Nathan P. Webster, served from November 15, 1869, to July 24, 1878.
Waldo P. Walton, served from July 24, 1878, to April 14, 1879.
Nathan P. Webster, served from April 14, 1879, to July 23, 1892.
George G. Andrews, served from July 23, 1892, to Oc- tober 6, 1893.
John J. Baker, served from October 6, 1893, to Octo- ber 18, 1897.
George G. Andrews, served from October 18, 1897, to September 6, 1903.
Charles A. Daniels, served from October 1, 1903, to the present, 1913.
Paul Colburn was appointed postmaster, October 27, 1863, but failed to qualify and enter upon the duties of
567
OFFICIAL ROSTER
this office, and George W. Hills was continued in office until 1868, when he was succeeded by Willard H. Webster.
A post-office, called Hudson Center, was established at the railroad station at that place, November 1, 1876, and Eli Hamblet appointed postmaster at the same time. Mr. Hamblet held the office to the date of his death, August 5, 1896-nearly twenty years.
September 1, 1896, Henry C. Brown was appointed to fill the vacancy and continued as postmaster until the Hud- son Center office was discontinued, March 15, 1910.
POPULATION
By the provincial census taken in 1767, Nottingham West contained a population of five hundred and eighty- three, with two slaves.
By order of His Excellency, John Wentworth, Gov- ernor, a census of the town was taken in October, 1773, in which the population of Nottingham West was returned as follows:
Unmarried men, from sixteen to sixty years,
41.
Married men, from sixteen to sixty years,
88.
Boys, sixteen years and under, 150.
Men, sixty years and upwards,
14.
Females, unmarried,
179.
Females, married.
100.
Widows,
16.
Male slaves,
2.
Female slaves,
2.
Total population,
592.
In September, 1775, a census was taken by order of the New Hampshire Convention, when the town was cred- ited with six hundred and forty-nine inhabitants. There were twenty-two men in the army and four slaves.
The first census taken by the United States was in 1790, since when an enumeration has been made every de-
568
HISTORY OF HUDSON
cennial. In these reports the population has been given out as follows :
1st census, 1790, 1,064.
7th census, 1850, 1,312.
2d census, 1800, 1,267.
8th census, 1860, 1,222.
3d census, 1810, 1,376. 9th census, 1870, 1,066.
4th census, 1820, 1,227. 10th census, 1880, 1,045.
5th census, 1830, 1,282. 11th census, 1890, 1,092.
6th census, 1840, 1,144. 12th census, 1900, 1,261.
13th census, 1910, 1,344.
i
GEORGE G. ANDREWS
CHAPTER XLI
PERSONAL SKETCHES
GEORGE G. ANDREWS
Levi Andrews settled in Nottingham West, now Hud- son, with his wife, Bridget, in 1778. They had at least six children: Letitia, Joel, Levi, James, Thomas and Hannah. All, with the exception of Hannah, were born previous to their settlement in this town.
Thomas, the fourth son and fifth child, was born May 2, 1771. He married, first, Hannah -. They had six children: Lucinda, Nathan, Levi, Allen, Dustin and Dan- iel. His wife, Hannah, died March 17, 1800. He married, second, Prisia Hutchinson. They had four children: Rob- ert, Gilman, Hannah and Fanny.
Gilman Andrews was born in Hudson, December 26, 1806. He married in Derry, N. H., September 9, 1834, Sophia J. Senter, daughter of Charles and Harriet (Greeley) Senter, born in Hillsboro, N. H., May 14, 1816, a grand- daughter of Dea. Moses and Hannah Greeley. They had three children : Charles T., born May 18, 1837; Mary J. born April 25, 1839; and George Gilman, born April 29, 1847. Sophia J., wife of Gilman, died June 20, 1860. He married, second, Hannah Goodspeed-Cross, born in Lit ch- field, January 14, 1810. She died July 28, 1865. Gilman Andrews died May 25, 1886.
George Gilman Andrews was a native, and life-long resident of Hudson. He was born on the Andrews home- stead on "Hills Row," so called. The first forty years of his life were passed there. In 1887, he built a house on Derry road in Hudson, near Taylor's Falls bridge, and re- sided there until his death, September 6, 1908, though his places of business for some years were in Boston and Nashua.
569
570
HISTORY OF HUDSON
In 1892, he purchased of Nathan P. Webster the gen- eral store on Postoffice square in Hudson, remaining in that business until the time of his death. He was also postmaster, had held all the offices in the gift of his town, filled them faithfully, and was always keenly alive to any- thing which concerned Hudson. He was a man of decided opinions, fearless in their expression, and a man of sterling integrity. He married, November 9, 1870, Anabel C. Fol- lansbee, daughter of Franklin G. and Ardelle (Morse) Fol- lansbee, born in Manchester, May 28, 1849. They had one child, Maude Sophia, born in Hudson, August 28, 1871.
JOHN JULIAN BAKER
John Julian Baker, son of John H. and Lovisa U. (Webster) Baker, was born in Pembroke, N. H., August 21, 1856. His parents moved to Hudson when he was a child and he was educated in the public schools here, Nashua Literary Institute, and Pembroke Academy.
In 1876, he entered the employ of Nathan P. Webster as clerk, continuing until 1885, when he was appointed to the United States railway mail service running between Boston and Keene, N. H., and was in this service four years. In 1890, he, with his brother, William W. Baker, established a grocery and general store at Hudson Bridge.
He served as postmaster from October 6, 1893, to October 18, 1897. At present he is Hudson's town clerk, having been elected thirteen years, and for twelve years he has been town treasurer. He represented the town in the legislature in 1899. Mr. Baker is an Odd Fellow and be- longs to Granite Lodge, No. 1, of Nashua.
WILLIAM WALLACE BAKER
William W. Baker, the younger son of John Henry and Lovisa U. Baker, was born in Hudson, September 21, 1865. He received his education at the public schools in his native town and at McGaw Institute at Reed's Ferry.
WILLIAM W. BAKER
571
PERSONAL SKETCHES
In 1885, when twenty years of age, he entered the em- ploy of his late uncle, Nathan P. Webster, as clerk in his store at the Bridge, and was soon after appointed assistant postmaster, which position he held for five years, or until October 15, 1890, when he and his elder brother, John J. Baker, entered into a copartnership in the grocery, meat and grain business at Hudson Bridge.
This business he has pursued constantly except few and short intervals, to the present time. He was elected to the state Legislature as a Representative from Hudson in November, 1890. He belongs to no secret or fraternal orders. In politics he has always been a clean-cut Demo- crat, ever true to his convictions.
On December 16, 1899, he was united in marriage with Sarah L. Oldall, daughter of Sidney F. Oldall and Eliza- beth Brownlee Oldall, born in Montreal, Que.
There have been born to them three children, all boys, and all living at this writing, 1913: John E., born Febru- ary 25, 1901; Sidney F., born May 25, 1905 ; Wallace G., born February 8, 1907.
HENRY C. BROWN
Henry C. Brown, son of Darwin and Rhoda M. Wood- ward, was born in Delton, Sauk County, Wis., February 25, 1859. His father was county surveyor of Sauk County at the time of his death, September 3, 1862. Henry was adopted by John D. and Eliza W. Brown, of Nashua, N. H., a little later.
He left Nashua with his father and mother in 1867, first going to Berea, O., and two years later they settled on a farm in Raisinville, Michigan. In 1882, the elder Mr. Brown disposed of his farm in Michigan and returned with his family to Nashua.
Mr. Brown acquired his education at the public schools at Nashua, and at Raisinville. He soon after entered the service of the Worcester and Nashua railroad.
572
HISTORY OF HUDSON
He married, October 9, 1883, Clara J. Bryant, of Iras- burg, Vt. She is a descendant of Captain Jonas and Hul- dah (Putnam) Kidder. Captain Kidder was born in Hud- son, November 16, 1743, and died November 1, 1837, aged 94, and was buried in the Hills Farms cemetery.
By reason of ill health, in 1884, Mr. Brown left the employ of the railroad and spent several months in Michi- gan. After his return he entered the employ of the Nashua Manufacturing Company for a time, but settled at Hudson Center with his father in April, 1886. His father died September 29, 1900, aged 73 years and 7 months. His mother died April 7, 1910, aged 94 years and 9 months. Both were born in Bridgewater, N. H.
Mr. Brown had a son, Freddie L., born in Nashua, February 20, 1886, and died in Irasburg, Vt., September 28, 1888, and one daughter, Ina L., born October 6, 1889. She married, May 12, 1908, Howard A., son of Arthur S. and Linnie (Butler) Andrews, born in Hudson, February 8, 1883.
Mr. Brown was elected a member of the board of selectmen for the years 1887 and 1893. He was also elected to the board of education in 1892. In all, he has served more than ten years in that capacity. In 1913, he was elected as chairman of the board of selectmen by the joint ballots of the two principal parties. In 1908, he was chairman of a committee to build the new school building at Hudson Center. He was elected to the state constitutional convention at Concord in 1912, and he has always been a Republican. He received the appointment of deputy sheriff for Hillsboro County in 1904, and still retains the office. He has performed the duties of moderator of town meetings for several years. He has been station agent for the Boston
& Maine railroad at Hudson Center since 1896. He was postmaster at Hudson Center from June, 1896, until the discontinuance of the office in 1910. He has always taken a deep interest in the affairs of the town, and also in the welfare of the schools.
WILLIS P. CUMMINGS
573
PERSONAL SKETCHES
Mr. Brown is a descendant of Deliverance and Abigail Woodward, who were among the first settlers of Hanover, N. H., and one of the grantees. He has been a member of Granite Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F., since 1895.
WILLIS P. CUMMINGS
Willis P. Cummings, the eldest son and child of Hiram and Abby (Clark) Cummings, was born in Lowell, Mass., January 27, 1850, his parents moving to Hudson when he was six years of age.
His education was acquired at the public schools in Lowell and Hudson, and at the Nashua Literary Institute. When nearly twenty years of age, in November, 1869, soon after the railroad was completed to the Pacific coast, he went to California, at the earnest solicitation of his uncle, John B. Clark, formerly of Lyndeboro, N. H., who at that time was heavily interested in the business of sheep-raising in the San Joaquin Valley, Mercedes County, Cal. Mr. Clark then herded, on an average, 10,000 sheep in that valley, and desired the assistance of young Mr. Cummings, to aid him in the supervision of the difficult and compli- cated business. He remained in the employ of Mr. Clark about two years, at the end of which time he returned home. After his return, Mr. Cummings established the carpenter and building business at North Chelmsford, Mass.
He married, March, 1873, Hattie D., daughter of Hart- well and Sarah (Blood) Lawrence, born in Merrimack, N. H., March 21, 1851. Their daughter, Bertha Ella, was born in North Chelmsford, March 12, 1875.
He removed to Hudson, January 1, 1876. His uncle, John B. Clark, having died in 1876, at the request of his executor, Mr. Cummings went to California a second time, in February, 1877, to assist in the settlement of the estate, at which he was employed about three months, when he returned to Hudson.
574
HISTORY OF HUDSON
His wife, Hattie D., died February 2, 1885, and he married, second, November 11, 1885, Frances M., daughter of David and Hannah M. (Hall) Clement, born in Hudson, November 14, 1857.
Mr. Cummings continued in the business of building, with success, until September, 1880, when he established the wheelwright and carriage business near the bridge in Hudson. A year later, in 1881, he and his brother, Charles E. Cummings, entered into a copartnership, under the firm name of Cummings Brothers, since which time they have constantly done a large carriage business.
Mr. Cummings was naturally a musician. He com- menced playing in the band in 1861, and was connected with the band as a musician for more than forty-five years, nine years of which he was drum major of the Regimental Band.
He is a charter member of Hudson Lodge, No. 94, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and he has filled all the offices in the lodge. He is also a prominent. member of Hudson Grange, No. 11, Patrons of Husbandry.
CHARLES E. CUMMINGS
Charles E. Cummings, the youngest son of Hiram and Abby (Clark) Cummings, was born in Hudson, November 19, 1862. He received his education at the public schools of his native town, and at the Nashua Literary Institute and at McGaw Institute at Reed's Ferry, in Merrimack, N. H.
Before he attained his majority, in 1881, he entered into a partnership with his brother, Willis P. Cummings, in the wheelwright and carriage business, which they have steadily pursued for thirty-one years.
He married, September 30, 1896, Laura Belle, daugh- ter of Augustus and Lucy E. (Chase) Blodgett, born in Hudson, October 10, 1861.
He is a member of Hudson Lodge, No. 94, I. O. O. F., of Hudson, and has filled all the offices in the lodge.
575
PERSONAL SKETCHES
DEACON MOSES GREELEY
Deacon Moses Greeley, (Joseph, Benjamin, Joseph, Andrew, the emigrant, 1635) was born in Haverhill, Mass., November 29, 1764, and died in Hudson, N. H., August 15, 1848. He was married, first, in Hudson, to his cousin, Hannah Greeley, daughter of Ezekiel, (Benjamin, Joseph, Andrew, the emigrant, 1635.) She was born October 1, 1768, and died in Hudson, February 17, 1793, leaving two daughters, Harriet and Sophia.
He married, second, Mary Derby, born in Acton, Mass., January 27, 1773, and died in Hudson, N. H., Sep- tember 25, 1856. She was the daughter of Corporal Thomas Derby, (John, Richard, Roger, the emigrant), and Lucy (Brewer) Derby, daughter of Captain Daniel Brewer (French and Indian War), Lieutenant John (Colonial Wars) and John the emigrant, 1642.
Mary's mother, Lucy (Brewer) Derby, was the woman who sheared her sheep, spun the wool, wove the cloth, colored it with butternut bark, made the uniform and car- ried it to her husband, then in temporary camp, and told him to go and fight for his country. He went, and was wounded at the battle of White Plains, October 28, 1776, and died the next day.
Mary was the mother of ten children, five boys and five girls. She was a woman of strong character, a faithful wife and a highly regarded member of the Baptist church in Hudson.
Deacon Moses Greeley was a blacksmith and farmer, and was well to do for those days, being a large land owner and a man of great integrity. He was highway surveyor in 1800, and selectman, 1811-1816. He was deacon of the Baptist church, and gave it the first bell hung in the town of Hudson. His will, made December 13, 1843, was pro- bated September 5, 1848. (Nashua Probate Vol. LVII, Page 32).
576
HISTORY OF HUDSON
REUBEN GREELEY
Reuben Greeley, eldest child of Deacon Moses and Mary (Derby) Greeley, was born in Nottingham West, now Hudson, July 8, 1794, and was educated in the public schools of his native town. He married, November 27, 1817, Joanna C. Merrill, daughter of Rev. Daniel and Su- sanna (Gale) Merrill, born in Sedgwick, Maine, September, 1795. They had twelve children, four of whom died young. Those that reached manhood and womanhood were: Ado- niram Judson, born September 10, 1818; Susan M., born December 21, 1819; Daniel Merrill, born October 12, 1821; Moses R., born August 13, 1826; Henry Clay, born Octo- ber 15, 1830; Mary Hannah, born October 31, 1832; Ann E., born January 23, 1836, died July 18, 1857; Frances Victoria, born February 4, 1839.
Mr. Greeley was a member of the board of selectmen for 1824-'26-'28 and 1835-'37, and was chairman of the board for five of the seven years. He was town clerk for 1827 to 1837, eleven years, and he represented the town of Not- tingham West in the Legislature for 1829. He was one of the prime movers in having its name changed to Hudson, in 1830.
Appointed postmaster of Nottingham West, when the office was first established at the Center, July 12, 1818, he filled the office until April 17, 1829, and again became postmaster from November 13, 1849, to September 15, 1853. His first commission, as a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hillsborough, was issued January 19, 1819, and continued until his decease. Mr. Greeley performed quite a large amount of justice business in this town. He drew and executed numerous deeds, wills, mortgages, agree- ments and other legal papers. He was careful in the tran- saction of all affairs, and his written documents were always drawn with great precision. He also did a large amount of probate business. He owned a large farm at the Center
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