History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 155

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520

USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 155
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 155

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).

Centenarians of Sutton .- Francis Como (a native of Canada), supposed to be aged 100; Mrs. Mary Bean, wife of Samuel, died in 1811, aged 100; Mrs. Sally Philbrook, mother of Benjamin, Sr., died in 1813, aged 100; Jacob Davis, died in 1819, aged 105; Thomas Walker, died in 1822, aged 103; Nathaniel Eaton, died in 1875, aged 100; Cesar Lewis, died in 1862, aged 100; Anthony Clark, aged 107; Benjamin Philbrook, Sr., aged 99; Mrs. Jacob Davis, died in 1819, aged 99; Sally, wife of Thomas Burpee, died in

1 Most of the details of this freehet were furnished by the recollections of Jacob Mastin (2d).

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

1859, aged 99; Joseph Johnson, aged 98; Mrs. Jesse Fellows, aged 97; Samuel Dresser, Sr., aged 97; Mrs. Thomas Peaslee, aged 96; wife of Samuel Dresser, Sr., aged 95; Joseph Wells, aged 95; Nathaniel Cheney, aged 93; Edmund Richardson, 92; widow of Henry Dearborn, aged 91; Jane, wife of Jonathan Eaton, aged 91; Sarah, widow of Daniel Messer, aged 91; Mrs. Nathan Andrew, aged 91; widow of Joseph Wells, aged 91; Sarah, widow of Reuben Gile, aged 90; David Davis, aged 90; Martha, wife of Abraham Peaslee, aged 90; Cornelius Bean, son of Samuel and Mary,-the centenarian,-aged 90; wife of Cornelius Bean aged 95; Jonathan Stevens and wife died within a few days of each other about 1840, aged one 96, the other 97. Their daughter, wife of Jacob Osgood, of Warner, was aged about 100. Jonathan Johnson, died in 1844, aged 90; Ephraim Gile, aged 90; widow of Daniel Dane, aged 90; widow of Jona- than Davis, aged 90; Mrs. Lovejoy, sister to Mrs. Philbrook, above-named, aged over 90; the wife of Thomas Walker, was a Philbrook of the same long- lived family. She died at a very great age, supposed by some to be 100 years. Phineas Stevens, aged 90.

Some of the Earliest Physicians .- Dr. William Martin came to Sutton to practice his profession about 1793, being the first regular physician in Sutton. Mar- ried Sally Andrews. Lived in town till he died.

The four following practiced in town about 1800: Dr. Ezra Marsh, who married Sally, sister to Daniel Page. Dr. Thomas Wells, who came to Sutton from Hanover. Dr. Arnold Ellis, who came from Newport. Dr. Crosman, who was preacher as well as physician.

Dr. Lyman practiced some in town in the early years of this century ; was among the best of his time. Dr. Benjamin Lovering came about 1816; resided here till his death, in 1824. Dr. John A. Clark suc- ceeded him ; was popular as citizen and physician; was chosen town clerk. (For Dr. Robert Lane see biographical sketches.)

The following is a list of some of the earliest mag- istrates, with date at which they received their com- missions :

Benjamin Wadleigh, Sr., 1786; Matthew Harvey, 1798; Moses Hills, 1804; Thomas Wadleigh, 1805; Jon- athan Harvey, 1809; Joseph Pillsbury, 1820 ; Benja- min Wadleigh, Jr., 1823; Enoch Page, Sr., many years, date of first commission not known.

The Samuel Peaslee Lawsuit .- In 1804 the town votes to assist Samuel Peaslee in an action commenced by Dr. Haven against him for the recovery of certain lands sold by him, as collector for the town, for non- payment of taxes. This affair takes us back to 1777, at which time several of the non-resident proprietors being delinquent of paying their taxes, Samuel Peas- lee, by right of his office as collector, sold these delin- quent rights, and gave titles defending the same against the claims of the former owners. The lots were sold entire to the highest bidder at public ven- due. The buyers afterwards sold off parcels of these

lands to accommodate settlers, who made settlements and improvements, and, of course, greatly increased their value.

About 1803 the original proprietors commenced action for the recovery of these lands, claiming that the sale was illegal ; that due notice thereof was not given, and, in fact, that it was not legally advertised. The town chose a committee-Benjamin Wadleigh, Sr., and others-to assist Peaslee in defending the claims of those to whom he had sold the lands. The settlers meantime were suffering the greatest alarm lest they should lose, not only their original purchase, but all their buildings and improvements thereon.

The case was not decided until 1808,-a long time to be in suspense about one's homestead.

It is probable that the proprietors felt confident that at that late day-nearly thirty years after the sale-there was not in existence a copy of the news- paper containing the advertisement of the vendue, and they were even suspected of having bought up and destroyed all the copies thereof themselves. But the committee spared no pains to find the necessary proof. They rode day and night and searched the whole State through. They even offered fifty dollars for a copy of the paper. At last, when they had al- most abandoned hope, they succeeded in finding one paper containing the advertisement, in the possession of a former Governor of the State. This was enough. The whole case turned on that one point, of evidence of the sale being legally advertised. The court im- mediately decided in favor of Peaslee .. The great joy of the settlers may well be imagined.

Natural Features of Sutton .- SURFACE .- Sutton is a rocky, uneven township, on the height of land between the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers. Along Mill Brook, from New London to Kezar's Pond, except where there are falls, are valuable meadow lands. From Kezar's Pond to the falls above Mill village is a large body of meadow and plain land of even sur- face, and free from stone. From Mill village to the falls below the South village are valuable meadow lands and also near Roby's Corner. On Stevens' Brook are meadows and other natural mowing lands, valuable for the hay they produce. On Fowler's Brook and its tributaries are productive intervale and meadow lands.

STREAMS .- On the east side of the town is Stevens'. Brook, running southerly nearly half the length of the town, entering Warner River a little below War- ner village. The main branch of Warner River from Sutton rises in the northwest part of New London, near Sunapee Lake, passing through Harvey's and Minot's or Messer's Ponds and Kezar's mill-ponds to Kezar's Pond or Lake; thence by Mill village and South village to Roby's Corner, where it joins War- ner River. Most of the mills in town are on this stream. Jones' mill, the first made in town, was be- low the South village. Quimby's mill was next made at Mill village. Fowler's Brook, a branch of

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the Blackwater, is in the northeast part of the town, where were formerly Fowler's and Roby's saw-mills. A stream passes from Long Pond to Warner River, where have been mills.

PONDS .- Kezar's Pond, a beautiful body of water, containing about two hundred acres, is in North Sutton. Early settlers in the vicinity of this pond were Ebenezer Kezar and his sou Simon, David Eaton, Matthew Harvey, Samuel Bean, Benjamin Wadleigh, Esq.

Gile's Pond is on a level with Kezar's Pond, about half its size, and not far distant from it. Appearances indicate that they both at some time formed one body of water. Ephraim Gile, Jonathan Davis aud Daniel Messer early settled near Gile's Pond.

Billings' Pond is in the southwest part of Sutton ; also Russell's Pond, and Peasley's or Long Pond, the latter being about one and one-half miles long. Isaac Peasley, Hezekiah Blaisdell and Jonathan John- son settled near it previous to this ceutury. Russell's Pond, near Captain Aaron Russell's, contains but a few acres. There are other smaller ponds in town.

HILLS .- King's Hill is about two thousand feet high, being the highest land in town, the very top- most point of Sutton. A part of Kearsarge Mountain lies within the limits of the town, but not its highest point, the town line crossing the mountain at an alti- tude lower than two thousand feet. Kezar Lake, or Pond, as it is usually termed, is noted for the beauti- ful scenery around it. This lake lies west of North Sutton village. Approaching King's Hill from North Sutton, the excursionist passes Kezarville, on the north end of the lake. Here is one of the most lovely and picturesque places in Central New Hampshire, its natural beauties increased, its attractions added to manifold, through the artistic eye and liberal hand of Jonathan Harvey Kezar, aided by his sons. These men are descendants, in the fourth and fifth genera- tions, of Ebenezar Kezar, who early settled here, and from whom the lake takes its name. From Kezarville the base of King's Hill is soon reached by a good car- riage road; thence by the Samuel Kezar and Benjamin Wells farms (anciently known as such) to the old school-house of District No. 5; thence by Kezar's road to the granite ledge near the top of the hill. To accommodate the workers on the ledge, Mr. Kezar has here built a temporary house, which is on a level with the Winslow House on Kearsarge Mountain.

On the top of King's Hill is a large rock of forty or fifty tons' weight resting on the ledge, but not a part of it, so evenly balanced as to be readily moved by hand. From the top of this balance-rock, as it is termed, the rain that falls there may be conveyed to either the Merrimack or the Connecticut, it being on the height of land between the two rivers. From the top of the hill is an enchanting view of Kezar Lake, and Gile Pond and the pleasant village of North Sut- ton on the east, of Sunapee Lake ou the west, and the Sunapee Mountain range near by, with Ascutney and

the Green Mountains in Vermont farther on in the west. On the north are the Grantham, Croydon and Cardigan Mountains, and also on the north and north- east are Bald, Rugged and Kearsarge Mountains. On the south are the Mink Hills, in Warner, Lovewell Mountain, in Washington, Monadnock and other mountains and hills.

The western view from King's Hill is better than from Kearsarge, while in another direction may be seen in the distance the White Hills. On the north are Harvey's Pond and Messer's Pond and the vil- lages of Scytheville, Low Plains and Wilmot Flat.

King's Hill contains an inexhaustible quarry of excellent granite, easily wrought and extensively used in this part of the country. Formerly, near the top, bricks were made extensively, and here are numerous living springs of good water.

King's Hill was early settled by John King, Wil- liam Bean, Amos Pressey, Moses Hills, Esq., Joseph and David Chadwick and Hugh Jameson.

In the vicinity of the entrance of the stream into Kezar's Pond and along the western shore were found many Indian relics, among which were hearths or fire-places, skillfully made, arrows, gun-barrels, toma- hawks, pestles and mortars, etc. There was also an Indian burial-ground where the original forest had been cleared.

On the road passing over the southeastern portion of King's Hill is a beautiful rivulet and cascade, run- ning over solid rock, through a gorge or ravine and a primeval grove.

It will perhaps be a convenience to the reader if the following table of altitudes above meau tide- water at Boston be inserted here :

Ascutney Mountain

. 3186 feet

Kearsarge

2942 4

Croydon

2789 44

Sunapee =

.2683 "

King's Hill

. 2000 **

Sunapee Lake is eleven hundred and three feet above mean tide-water at Boston, and by a survey made in 1816 it was found to be more than eight hundred and twenty feet above Merrimack and Con- necticut Rivers.

Fellow's Hill is a little south of King's Hill, ad- joining Newbury line. First settled by Jesse Fellows and Ensign Jacob Bean. Burnt or Chellis Hill is in the westerly part of the town, south of Mill village and east of South village. The early settlers in its vicinity were Lieutenant Joseph Wadleigh, Samuel Andrew, Thomas Wadleigh, Esq., Samuel Peaslee and Leonard Colburn.

Kimball Hill is in the southeast part of the town and was early settled by Caleb Kimball. The locality is now known as Eaton Grange, being owned by the Eaton descendants of Caleb Kimball, one of the most remarkably honorable and justly successful families Sutton has ever produced.

Birch Hill is west of Kimball Hill and was the

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

former residence of Ichabod Roby, James Roby, Jon- athan Roby and other early settlers.

Meeting-House Hill, northeast of the South Meet- ing-House, is noted for the large quantity of plumbago found there. The surface of this hill is remarkably rough, steep and uneven, which is a great hindrance to the obtaining of the plumbago.

Easterly of this last hill is Peaslee or Dresser Hill. The early settlers here were John Peaslee, Ezra Jones and son, Ezra and Samuel Dresser. Mr. Dresser and wife both died at great age, ninety-seven and ninety- five years, being, with one exception, the oldest couple who have died in town.

Nelson Hill, on Newbury line, was early settled by Philip and Moses Nelson.

Pound or Hildreth Hill is in the centre of the town. Ephraim Hildreth and Jeremiah Davis were early settlers there.

Davis or Wadleigh Hill is where Milton B. Wad- leigh lives and was early settled by Benjamin Wad- leigh, Esq., Rev. Samuel Ambrose, Jacob and John Davis.

Kearsarge Hill extends more than half the length of the town, adjoining and embracing a part of Kearsarge Mountain. The early settlers here were Hezekiah Parker, Jacob Mastin, George Walker, Jonathan Phelps, Nathan Phelps, Aquilla Wilkins.

Gile's Hill was formerly owned by Captain Levi Gile. It was once a great impediment to teamsters.

Porter Hill, for many years owned by Reuben Por- ter, Esq., is on the west side of Kezar's Pond, and from it may be obtained a beautiful view of North Sutton and surrounding scenery.

Oak Hill, east of the North Meeting-House, is a noble eminence, almost a mountain, and the views to be obtained by ascending it more than repay the dif- ficulty of the steep ascent.

Many more lofty elevations merit especial mention, but enough have been named to convince the reader that Sutton not only is located in, but forms a part of the Central Ridge of New Hampshire.

KEARSARGE MOUNTAIN .-- Nosketch of Sutton would be complete without some description of Kearsarge, since a large portion of the body and foot of this no- ble eminence lies within the town limits, though not its head and crown, King's Hill, the highest land in town (two thousand feet), whose regal title chances to be so appropriate, being the only representative of royalty in which Sutton claims absolute proprietor- ship. No municipal limitations, however, hold with regard to the landscape view of Kearsarge. From most of our hills, from many points in the lowlands, can be obtained an unobstructed view of its whole magnificent proportions. No point of observation in Sutton, perhaps, is better than Harvey's Hill, in the north part of the town.

Both Kearsarge and Sunapee Mountains show evi- dence of glacial action of the ice period, though in different ways. Sunapee, with its broad base and

blunted cone, owns up to having lost its crown by the scraping of icebergs over it, while Kearsarge, which yet holds its bare head nearly three hundred feet higher in the air than the Sunapee of this age, escaped with many scratches, its top being much scarred and striated.

The highest part of Kearsarge is now bare rock, though it was once covered with soil which supported a rather stunted growth of forest-trees. In the early part of the present century a fire ran over it, burning not only the woods, but the soil itself. Since that time its granite top, forever wind-swept, has been as bare of soil and vegetation as are the sea-shore rocks washed by daily tides.

Slowly, slowly, in the long ages to come, by imper- ceptible accumulations, soil will gather again, and the forests that now cover the mountain-sides will creep timorously upward till the top of Kearsarge shall be again a mass of waving woods. So much will the far- remote future accomplish ; but that, in past ages, the mountain has been sending down more of value than it has carried up needs no better evidence than the fact that the Lord Proprietors, when they granted the char- ter of Perrystown, selected for their own eighteen re- served shares the lands lying where they get the wash of the mountain. These lands have not yet lost their richness. They were often termed the Lord Proprietors' Lots, and were all laid out one mile long and one hun- dred and thirty-five rods wide, containing two hun- dred and seventy acres.

As to the question of priority of right to the name of Kearsarge, the question that caused some discussion between those who favor the Conway Kearsarge and those who favor the Merrimack County Kearsarge, it would seem to be settled by the fact that, in the char- ter of Perrystown, the date of which was 1749, the tract of land is described as lying to the west of Kear- sarge Hill, while the claim of the Conway Kearsarge is of a recent date.

GEOLOGY OF SUTTON .- For the convenience of those readers who may not always have at hand Hitchcock's " Geology of New Hampshire," the fol- lowing, descriptive of Sutton's geological character- istics, is here copied from that noble work :

"Sutton is nearly all underlaid by porphyritic gneiss. Near the north lina, by C. A. Fowler's, the dip ie 75º N., 75° W. The main road through the hamlets of North Sutton, Sutton Mille and South Sutton abounds with porphyritic ledges. At the Mille the descent is considerable. Be- tween Kezar and Gile poude there is an extensive meadow, and also below Sutton Mille.

" About South Sutton are steep, conical hills,-steepest on their South side-as seen from the Northeest. At the head of Long pond is a mass of compact, flinty rock, dipping 80º N., 25° E., girt hy the por- phyritic rock on both sides. On Stevens' brook this rock bagins at the towo line, and for two miles the ledges are continuous.

"Sand obscures the ledges in the northern half of the town, on the road to Wilmot Flat, from Stevens' brook. It was surprising to us to find such a level road between Warner and Potter Place, through the Stevons' brook valley, in this mountainous region."

DAVIS' MINERAL SPRINGS .- Ezekiel Davis was for several years the owner of the meadow wherein these springs are found ; whence their name. They

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are not far from the base of Kearsarge Mountain, be- tween which and the springs the possibility of a secret understanding has been suggested. Were we able to interpret the hints which these springs are continu- ally throwing out they might perhaps give us some valuable information respecting the structure, nature and disposition of the inner-man of the mountain. Not far from the base of Mt. Monadnock, issues a spring of similar character to these in Sutton. Here is a fact for the geologist to inquire into.

It appeared that Davis' Springs were not discov- ered, at least by white people, till soon after tlie be- ginning of the present century, as is shown by the following notice copied from The Farmer's Cabinet, printed at Amherst, N. H., October 21, 1806 :

" A mineral spring has lately been discovered in Sutton, which, from its medicinal qualities, promises to be of great utility. Many persons of respectability have drank of the water and have uniformly experienced very sensible effects. Its taste is slightly alkaline, and appears to con- tain a large quantity of Sulphuric Acid and Fixed Air. Gentlemen who have visited Stafford springs the present season are decidedly of opinion that the use of this will be attended with similar success. It is situated in a pleasant, shady vale, the property of Lieutenant Hutchins, which migbt he made an elegant place of retreat."

Cooking-stoves began to be introduced soon after 1830. Friction matches began to be introduced soon after 1834. Metal pens began to be introduced soon after 1834. At first these pens were not well re- ceived, the paper, as it was then finished, not being well adapted to their use. This defect was perceived and remedied by a different finish, and then the steel and copper pens found universal favor and their use became general.

The first cardiug-machine in the United States was set up by Arthur Scolfield, from England, in Pittsfield, Mass., iu 1801. These machines found their way into Central New Hampshire soon after 1810.

The first stage making regular trips through Sutton was about 1830. On its appearance the post-rider disappeared.

Biographical .- DEACON MATTHEW HARVEY was born in 1750 in Amesbury, Mass., where his ances- tors had resided since they came first to this country from England, a century before. He was son of Jonathan, who removed to Nottingham, N. H., where lie died about the year 1760. From thence, in 1772, Matthew removed to Sutton, where he purchased a farm, he being then in his twenty-third year. Like all the early settlers, his wealth consisted in his men- tal and physical powers. He remained unmarried till 1779, when he married Hannah Sargent, of Weare. Soon purchased more land and employed help, and took the lead in farming. He was a man of sound judgment, industrious and sagacious in his financial affairs, and died at the age of forty-nine, the wealthiest man in town. He was a man of piety, and upon the formation of a church in town was its first deacon; was active and prominent in all town and public business; was a wise and influential

magistrate, and was the first representative of Sut- ton under our State Constitution of 1793, and held this office by annual re-election till his death, in 1799. He left five sons-Jonathan, Matthew, Philip S., John, Benjamiu-and two daughters-Susan, who married Joseph Emerson, of Hopkinton, and Han- nah, who married Dr. Dinsmore, of Henniker.

HON. MATTHEW HARVEY, second son of Deacon Matthew Harvey, was born in Sutton June 21, 1781, in the log house which Deacon Harvey did not ex- change for a frame house till 1787.

Matthew fitted for college under the instruction of Rev. Dr. Wood, of Boscawen; graduated at Dart- mouth College in 1806 and immediately commenced the study of the law in the office of Judge Harris at Hopkinton. Having assiduously pursued his studies during the required period of three years, he was ad- mitted to the bar in 1809 and opened an office in Hopkinton, where he successfully conducted the busi- ness of his profession till the year 1830, when his election to the chief magistracy removed him from the scenes and duties of professional life. His pro- fessional course was marked by that honesty and up- rightness which many men have been led to suppose is incompatible with success at the bar. It is too often considered that a person cannot be a good lawyer, in a worldly sense, and at the same time a good man, in a Christian sense-an error which such an example as Judge Harvey gave to the community ought to have dispelled ; for, while clients found him always true to their cause, and learned that they might safely rely upon his industry, judgment and discretion, they also learned that they might never hope for success through the suggestion, or sufferance by him, of any compromise with justice and truth. A trick, a quibble, a subterfuge or an evasion he scorned. Whatever was unmanly or dishonorable was intolerable to him ; and, observing the undiverg- ing path of his rectitude, people were insensibly led to respect the honest lawyer and to confide in the discreet and faithful counselor. In the later years . of his life especially he was often the guardian by choice or appointment, the administrator, the execu- tor by testamentary creation, the adviser of those who sought counsel with regard to the disposition of their worldly estates, and the depositary of their wills, many of which were found among his papers after his death.

Judge Harvey was chosen to represent the town of Hopkinton in the Legislature of 1814, and was an- nually re-elected to the same office seven successive years, during the last three of which he was Speaker of the House.

He was then elected a member of Congress, where he served four years, or until 1825, when he was suc- ceeded in the same office by his elder brother, Jona- than, who represented the same constituency six years successively.

Retiring from Congress, Judge Harvey was imme-

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

diately chosen a State Senator, in which office he continued three years, being during all that time president of the Senate.

In 1828 and 1829 he was a member of the Execu- tive Council, and in 1830 he was elected Governor. Before the expiration of his term of office he was appointed by President Jackson United States judge for the district of New Hampshire, which position he held for more than thirty-five years, and until the day of his death, which occurred April 7, 1866.

It will thus be seen that for more than fifty-two consecutive years Judge Harvey occupied official position in the State. Probably no other person in New Hampshire ever received so many, such contin- ued and so well-merited tokens of public confidence. Judge Clifford said of him, on the reception of reso- lutions of respect for his memory, presented by the bar of the Circuit Court: "Few men of this State have enjoyed greater honors, and none have gone to the grave with a more general acknowledgment of their integrity and purity of life." This sentence contains the key and explanation of Judge Harvey's worldly success,-his integrity and purity of life. It was known and observed of all men, and it was adorned and made attractive by its combination with an unvarying demeanor of kind and gentle courtesy.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 155

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1520

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520