History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 168

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 168
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 168

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).

1869 .- David A. Macurdy, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; Sher- man Little, William W. Austio, Atherton Sweatt, selectmen ; David A. Macurdy, representative.

1870 .- David A. Macurdy, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; Charles E. Kimball, Joseph L. Couch, Atherton Sweatt, selectmen.

1871 .- David 8. Corser, moderator ; Athertoo Sweatt, clerk ; Charles E. Kimball, P. F. S. Clark, Alba C. Sweatt, selectmeo ; Joho C. Pearson, representative.

1872 .- David S. Corser, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; Albe C. Sweatt, P. F. S. Clark, W. W. Bnrhank, selectmeo ; John C. Pearson, representative.

1873 .- Sherman Little, moderator; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; Atherton Sweatt, P. F. S. Clark, W. W. Burbank, selectmeo ; Albe C. Sweatt, representative.

1874 .- Sherman Little, moderator; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; W. W. Burbank, Charles C. Kimball, George Little, selectoreo ; Albe C. Sweatt, representative.

1875 .- Sherman Little, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; Charles C. Kimball, Hiram G. Stone, James L. Gerrish, selectmen ; Sherman Little, representative.

1876 .- Sherman Little, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; Charles C. Kimball, James L. Gerrish, James M. Snyder, selectmen ; Sherman Little, representative.

1877 .- Sherman Little, moderator; Atherton Swaatt, clerk ; James L. Gerrish, James M. Snyder, William W. Austin, selectmen ; Charles C. Kimball, representative.

1878 .- Sherman Little, moderator; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; James M. Soyder, William W. Anstio, Moody A. Pillsbury, selectmen ; Charles C. Kimball, representative.,

1879. - Sherman Little, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; William W. Austin, M. A. Pillsbury, James H. Trumball, selectmen ; Jobo B. Chase, representative.

1880 .- Sherman Little, moderator; Atherton Sweatt, clerk; M. A. Pillsbury, James H. Trumball, Sherman Little, selectmen.

1881 .- Sherman Little, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; James H. Trumball, Sherman Little, George Sanboro, selectmen ; William W. Burbank, representative.

1882 .- Sherman Little, moderator; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; Sherman Little, George Sauboro, Daniel G. Holmes, selectmen.

1883 .- Shermao Little, moderator ; Athertoo Sweatt, clerk ; George Saoboro, Daniel G. Holmes, W. W. Burbank, selectmen ; James L. Ger- rich, representative.

1884 .- Thomas J. Corser, moderator ; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; Daniel G. Holmes, W. W. Burbank, Joseph B. Thurber, selectmen.

1885 .- W. W. Burbank, moderator; Atherton Sweatt, clerk ; W. W. Burbank, Joseph B. Thurber, Moody A. Pillsbury, selectmen ; W. W. Anstin, representative.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

ENOCH COUCH.

Enoch Couch was born in Boscawen (now Web- ster), N. H., April 12, 1793, on the old place where two generations had preceded him. He received his education at the district school, and, like all farmers' boys, assisted in required duties at home. Upon the death of his father, in 1821, the responsibility of the farm devolved entirely upon him. He was a man of strong physique and very active, adding largely to the home-farm by industry and hard work. He was shrewd and far-seeing in business affairs, yet strictly honest and upright in his dealings. He was firm in his convictions, conscientious in his adherence to principles, and willing to give the credit of like hon- esty where it belonged. He was greatly respected in the community, and was regarded by those who knew him as a Christian, although he never con- nected himself with any church. He died April 23, 1867.

He married, first, Nancy Eastman , who died without children; second, Jane O. Stickney, of Brownfield, Me., who died July 30, 1877. By this union he had three children,-Nancy E., born February 12, 1835, who occupies the old homestead ; Joseph, born March 22, 1837 ; Mary S., born June 12, 1844. She married Orlando Whituey, and died April 17, 1876, leaving one son, Herbert C.

Joseph, the son of Enoch Couch, was also a man highly respected in his native town. In early matt- hood he was a successful teacher, and, after the death of his father, assumed entire charge of the farm. He died of quick consumption March 14, 1872.

Miss Nancy Couch, the only surviving member of his family, furnishes this portrait as a tribute to her father's memory.

1 After many ballots for representative, without a choice, the town voted not to send.

Enoch Couch

HISTORY OF WILMOT.

BY W. W. FLANDERS.

CHAPTER I.

AT the commencement of the present century the territory which now constitutes the town of Wilmot belonged to and was a part of New London, Kearsarge and New Chester. New London bordered on Spring- field, Danbury, New Chester, Kearsarge, Sutton, Fishersfield and Wendell.

The most thickly-settled parts of New London at that time were in the extreme southerly part of said town, on Colby Hill, Burpee Hill, Morgan Hill and Leper Hill. There town-meetings were held and town affairs were managed.

In the northerly part, near Danbury line, in the vicinity of what is now known as the Hobbs neigh- borhood, was the most considerable settlement of that part of the town-a region, also, of hills and elevated land. There were settlements on Prescott Hill, and along down the slopes toward the swamps, valleys and water-courses. Between these settlements in the north and in the south there was an extensive forest-land situated in the valley of the outlet of Pleasant Pond, aud its water-shed on either side, tenanted by a few in log cabins and humble residences, scattered and isolated in small openings, many of them spending much of their time in fishing and hunting.

The most direct and shortest way of communicating between these settlements at the north and south ends was over foot-paths, private cart-ways and other private ways, meandering from settlement to settlement, a distance of about twelve miles. But to reach one of these settlements from the other by a continuous open public highway, the travel must have been north through Springfield to Colby Hill, or south through Andover, Kearsarge and Sutton to Colby Hill and a distance of about twenty miles.

The two ends had no occasion to meet except for town purposes, and to vote for State and county officers. In politics, Federalism prevailed at the south, and ever controlled the town by a large and reliable majority, while Republicanism was the pre- vailing and almost unanimous political sentiment at the north.

Were it not for voting the State and county ticket, and for electors, a general meeting of the citizens

would never have occurred, or of any considerable portion of those in the north with those in the south, except casually and by accident.

Between these sections there was no business con- nection to call them together. Agriculture was then the vocation of all. Whatever was done by way of manufacturing lumber was for local use in building residences and stables; none for transportation or for- eign market. The mercantile business consisted wholly in exchanging farm products for groceries and other necessaries. This was accomplished by the farmer himself, who, in early winter, transported with their own teams, generally horses, but sometimes oxen, "below," as it was generally termed, their pro- ducts, and brought back in exchange a yearly stock of goods for family use and a little cash. From a common knowledge of the varying energy and en- terprise of individuals in all communities, it is easy to perceive how readily the business of teaming and of a country merchant spring into a regular and con- stant business.

Whatever progress may have been made in produc- ing the teamster and merchant at this time, one thing is certain : the surplus products of the north went down through Andover to Salisbury, from whence came their groceries in return, while those of the south went. . down through Warner to Hopkinton, and onward. Thus the business relations of our section extended down the east side of Kearsarge Mountain, and that of the other down the east side, making the two sec- tions isolated and independent, in respect to each other, so far as the business of gaining a livelihood was concerned.

The history of civilized communities shows that a community of business interests, though varied and branching out in different kinds and channels, when co-operating, so as to build up and encourage each other by creating and extending a market for the various products, enhancing the value and increasing the demand for each kind of labor, thus promoting the wealth of the community, has an element of power to maintain and perpetuate itself, through local attach- ment and aspiration for gain it would foster and gratify.

Yet, from the same source it appears, in distinct and emphatic lines, that, while an important and nec-

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

essary ligament in holding and perpetuating com- munities in prosperity and union, it is of itself and alone, the weakest of the necessary bonds for that great end. The sentiment of reverence for a Supreme Being and of worship for such Being, is as universal in man as his selfishness, and stronger than all other senti- ment. Honest, sincere devotions of a religious faith and worship, common to them all, are bound to- gether by ties that can be severed only by death. To maintain and enjoy the inestimable privilege of com- munion and worship, they will sacrifice comfort, con- venience and property ; will break the fires of perse- cution and wade through seas of blood to the fagot, the stake and to martyrdom.

This strength of conviction and purpose applied to the great leading doctrines of the Bible, in which all religious denominations agree, has brought inestima- hle blessings to man. Whenever the differences which distinguish religious denominations enter and become an element of this conviction and purpose, exerting equal power and influence over the believer's conduct, it brings mischief only. Unfortunately, there was not a common religious sentiment and wor- ship at the north and the south ; unfortunately their differences became the leading and foremost thought in the presence of each other ; unfortn- nately, there was apparently greater zeal manifested and greater sacrifices made to promulgate a partisan and sectarian religion than in promulgating those great and all-important truths in which all agreed. It is conceived that this zeal and effort was not so much on account of the importance given to the point of difference between the sects as from a sense of wrong done to each from a misconception and statement of their views and reasoning.

The prevailing religion and only organized church at the south was that of the Calvinistic Baptists, who were close communionists and believed in the doctrine of election and fore-ordination.

In the north there were Free-Will Baptists, with some Congregationalists. The burden of their ser- mons, exhortations and sacred songs was the free moral agency of man ; his power, privilege and duty to flee from the wrath to come and escape eternal misery, denouncing bitterly the doctrine of election and fore-ordination as wholly irreconcilable with that of the free moral agency of mau. They charged the Calvinistic Baptists with preaching and pro- claiming from the pulpit infant damnation, and that the spirits of eternal misery were suffering by the predetermined will of Jehovah. And thus the very excellent, moral, religious, patriotic and enterprising people of the south were regarded by the equally worthy people of the north as Federalists favoring an aristocratic and monarchical form of government ; as religious exclusionists, who claimed to believe in the saved, to be such by election. Such were some of the diverse and inharmonious relations in the year 1800.

Kearsarge Gore at this time embraced a large tract of land lying on the north and south sides of Kear- sarge Mountain. It was an unincorporated place, paid a public tax and had town privileges. Its pop- ulation was one hundred and seventy-nine. In poli- tics and religion they agreed. Their town-meetings were held on the north and south sides of said moun- tain alternately.

Nothing existed among them in the way of con- tention, except it might be in the selection of local officers and matter of highways. Whichever side of the mountain election was held, they were sure to carry the day. This was accounted for by the incon- venience in getting over the mountain.

At this time the construction of a road leading from Concord to Vermont, at the White River Junc- tion, leading through what is now the town of Wil- mot, and then the northern part of New London and Kearsarge, became an important, if not the leading, enterprise with the people of New Hampshire along the line of the proposed route.

The settlements in New Hampshire and Vermont had become numerous and extensive enough to re- quire more direct and feasible roads to accommodate the increasing demands of an increasing interest in Northern New Hampshire and Vermont. The old rough and hilly roads winding high up mountain- sides and over hill-tops, in diverse ways, to accommo- date hill settlements, could no longer serve the long travel and freight seeking the sea-board for the nec- essaries and luxuries desired for home comfort.

Tramways had been made to accommodate through travel and freight, but only so far as they would accommodate the local settlements, which were uni- versally upon the hills and elevated lands, as such were more easily reduced to cultivation, all such local improvements still left the ways for any and all travel unnecessarily steep, tedions and dangerous.

At that time local means were too limited to open up and put in safe condition roads on the most feasi- ble route for through travel by taxation. The business enterprise of traffic and travel sought accommodation and relief through its own resources, and in 1800 applied to the New Hampshire Legislature for an act of incorporation, authorizing certain persons to build the Fourth New Hampshire turnpike road, on the most feasible route, leading from Concord, N. H., to Connecticut River, at White River Junction, iu Lebanon, N. H., which enterprise resulted in making the Fourth New Hampshire turnpike and putting it in running order, in the year 1806. This enterprise opened a new channel of business, new and better ways of communication, new business relations and better outlook to those living and located along this Fourth New Hampshire turnpike. This change in- duced the inhabitants 'in North New London and Kearsarge to apply to the Legislature for an act to incorporate the northerly part of New London and that part of Kearsarge Gore north of Kearsarge

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WILMOT.

Mountain into a town by the name of Wilmot. This act was obtained in 1807. This act authorized Sam- uel Messer, Jr., and Benjamin Cass to call a meeting of the inhabitants for the purpose of choosing all necessary town officers. Agreeably to said act, Samuel Messer warned a town-ineeting for the inhabitants to meet at the dwelling of James Philbrick on the second Tuesday in March, 1808.

At this meeting they elected Samuel Messer, Jr., moderator ; William Johnson, town clerk; Insley Greeley, Eliphalet Gay and Jabez Morill, selectmen. In the vote for State and county officers at this meet- ing, it appears that John Langdon had twenty-nine votes for Governor and John T. Gilman two votes ; Benjamin Pearce thirty votes for councilor ; James Flanders twenty-two for Senator, Benjamin Phil- brick had one vote for Senator, John Moody one vote, Samuel Prescott one vote; for register, Isaac Brooks, twenty-two; for treasurer, Joseph Town, twen-

ty-one. There were votes taken also for other minor officers.

At said town-meeting they voted to raise two hun- dred dollars for schooling and voted the town be divided into three school districts-North, Centre and South Districts ; also voted to raise twenty dollars for defraying town charges. In the year 1808 there were forty-six resident tax-payers; twenty-four of these resided in that part known as Kearsarge Gore, and twenty-two in the part formerly New London.

The Kearsarge Gore and the northerly part of New London constituted the town of Wilmot till the year 1832, at which time, by an act of the Legislature, a certain tract of land then a part of New Chester, on the northerly side of Ragged Mountain (so called), and separated from the main part of New Chester by Ragged Mountain, was severed from New Chester and annexed to Wilmot, and at the present writing (1885) constitutes the town of Wilmot.

HISTORY

BELKNAP COUNTY,

NEW HAMPSHIRE.

HISTORY

BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

CHAPTER I. ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY-BENCH AND BAR.

BY JOHN N. MCCLINTOCK A. M.

BELKNAP COUNTY, named in honor of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Belknap, the earliest historian and annalist of New Hampshire, occupies the geographical centre of the State, and, with the adjoining county of Mer- rimack, is entirely surrounded by other counties. It does not come in contact with any territory outside of New Hampshire. Its surface is considerably above the level of the ocean, five hundred feet at the shore- line of Lake Winnipiseogee, and is diversified by mountain, hill and valley, rivers and lakes. Gilman- ton Mountain is the highest elevation. Its area of about one hundred and fifty-five thousand acres of improved land is very fertile, and the soil produces good crops of wheat, corn, potatoes, hay and other products of a temperate climate.

Politically, it came into existence December 20, 1840; before that it had formed a part of Strafford County. It is divided into ten townships, one of which was incorporated during the reign of George I., two in the reign of George III. and seven since the organization of the State government. It began to be settled at the close of the French and Indian War. Laconia is the shire-town.

Its chief sources of wealth now are the manufac- turing industries mostly located along the Winni- piseogee River, which, in its course through the county, falls about two hundred and fifty feet.

The scenery is very pleasing and annually attracts a large number of visitors during the summer.

The Bench and Bar .- The legal fraternity of the towns comprised within the limits of Belknap County have always held a high social position iu the com-

munity, and would compare favorably with the same class in any other county in the State. They have been called upon to occupy the highest offices within the gift of the people, and have honored the confi- dence reposed in them. At no time in the history of the State have they stood higher in the esteem of the people than at present.

The record of the early lawyers in many cases is lost-a name only being handed down by tradition. In 1794 Eben Smith was practicing law in Meredith. In 1814 John Mooney and Jonathan C. Everett were in practice there. In 1820 John Thompson was in practice at Centre Harbor. In 1832 W. G. Webster was at New Hampton. S. W. Rollins, of Meredith village, has been county solicitor, and later judge of Probate for many years.

WILLIAM HARPER, the first lawyer of Sanbornton, came from Deerfield hefore 1785, was a member of the convention which framed the State Constitution, was representative from 1791 to 1800, was frequently mod- erator at town-meetings, and was a land-owner. He died December 31, 1809.

JOHN A. HARPER, son of William and Mary (Lane) Harper, of Sanbornton, was born in Deerfield Novem- ber 2, 1779, was the first postmaster of Sanborntou, was colonel in the militia, member of the Eleventh Congress (1811), settled at Meredith Bridge and died June 18, 1816.

DANIEL C. ATKINSON, son of Simeon and Phebe (Clark) Atkinson, was born in Boscawen September 8, 1784-85, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1806, studied law with Parker Noyes and Daniel Webster, settled at Sanbornton Bridge in 1810. He was Sena- tor, councilor and judge of Probate (1824) and mod- erator of town meetings. He married, first, Mahala Tilton; second, Mehetable Tilton (sisters). He died April 5, 1842.

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HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

MATTHEW PERKINS, born in Sanbornton June 17, 1788, married Jane Little, was a lawyer of decided talent, and an orator. Settled at Sanbornton Square, and died August 17, 1826.

CHARLES J. STUART, born in Peterborough Septem- ber 20, 1788, of Scotch-Irisb parentage; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1809, and commenced practice at Sanbornton Square. He was a famous singer and of large size. He married Eliza Austin and finally moved to Lancaster, where he died May 17, 1836.

CHARLES GILMAN studied law with Matthew Per- kins, and succeeded to his practice at Sanbornton, where he remained from 1826 to 1833. He is said to have died in Baltimore in 1878.

BENJAMIN BOARDMAN, born in South Reading, Mass., February 15, 1798; studied law with Samuel Fletcher, of Concord ; was admitted to the bar in 1825; married Anne Stickney, of Concord; practiced law in Sanbornton from 1833 to 1836, when he removed to Meredith Bridge; in 1847 he moved to Lawrence, Mass., where he remained until 1867; he died in Concord April 3, 1871; his house in Laconia was the pleasant home of the judges during the sessions of the court; he was the last lawyer settled at San- bornton Square.

ASA P. CATE, born in Northfield June 1, 1813; read law with Judge Nesmith ; married Clara Proc- tor, and commenced to practice about 1843. Although his residence was in Northfield, his office was on the Sanbornton side of the river; he was several times representative, president of the State Bank, candidate for Governor, president of a national bank, and judge of Probate of Merrimack County ; he died December 12, 1874.

BENJAMIN A. ROGERS, a native of Northfield; practiced law at Sanbornton Bridge from about 1840 to 1858 ; he married, first, Viola E. Rundlet ; second, Adeliza S. Rundlet (sisters) ; he afterwards studied for the Episcopal ministry and is settled in Texas.

CHARLES C. ROGERS, born in Bloomfield, Vt., August 19, 1834; read law with Benjamin A. Rogers and succeeded to his practice in Tilton in 1858 ; he married Sophia T. Curry, and is still in practice.

FRANCIS R. CHASE, born in Gilmanton April 5, 1818; studied law with Judge Dana, of Fryeburg, Me .; married Huldah P. Fessenden; settled in Conway; was representative in 1852; Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1855; settled in Northfield in 1866, and practiced in Tilton ; repre- sented the town in 1871-72; was a prominent Episco- palian and died March 12, 1876.

JAMES O. LYFORD, born June 28, 1853, in Boston ; moved to Canterbury in 1866; read law in Concord ; opened a law-office in Tilton in 1880; he holds a clerkship in the War Department, at Washing- ton.

STEPHEN MOODY, born in West Newbury, Mass., January 21, 1767 ; graduated at Harvard College in 1790; was admitted to the bar in 1793, and settled

the same year in Lower Gilmanton; he was the first lawyer of Belknap County ; he married Frances Cof- fin ; was repeatedly moderator of town-meetings, and died April 21, 1842.

JOHN HAM, born in Dover December 30, 1774; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1797; was admitted to the bar in 1800, and a year later settled in Lower Gilmanton ; he was frequently chosen selectman and representative; he married Wealthy C. Brigham, and died March 7, 1837.

BENJAMIN EMERSON, born in Alfred, Me., March 20, 1792; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1816; married Rebecca S. Porter and settled in Gilmanton, where he was admitted to the bar in 1822; he was repeatedly moderator and representative.

NATHANIEL COGSWELL, born January 19, 1773; gradnated at Dartmouth College, 1794; commenced to practice in Gilmanton in 1805 ; he was afterwards a general in the Mexican army and died August, 1813.

NATHAN CROSBY, born February 12, 1798; gradu- ated at Dartmouth College in 1820 ; read law with Stephen Moody; was admitted to the bar in 1824, practiced a short time in Gilmanton. and finally set- tled in Lowell, where he died in 1884.

JAMES BELL, son of Governor Samuel Bell ; gradu- ated at Bowdoin College in 1822; was admitted to the bar in 1825; married Judith Upham, and opened an office at Gilmanton Iron-Works; he afterwards re- moved to Exeter.

GEORGE MINOR, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1828; was admitted to practice in 1831 ; he opened an office at Gilmanton Iron-Works, but soon removed to Concord.

ARTHUR LIVERMORE, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1829; was admitted to practice in 1833 ; opened an office in Gilmanton and afterwards moved to Bath.

IRA A. EASTMAN. (See Merrimack County Bench and Bar History).

EDWARD ST. LOE LIVERMORE practiced law for a short time at Gilmanton.

WILLIAM BUTTERFIELD graduated at Dartmouth College in 1836 ; admitted to the bar in 1840; mar- ried Rosamond Robinson and practiced a few years at Gilmanton Centre; he afterwards moved to Concord and for many years was editor of the Patriot.

GEORGE G. FOGG, a native of Meredith ; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1839; was admitted to the bar in 1842, and settled at Gilmanton Iron-Works; he was afterwards an editor, minister to Switzerland and United States Senator.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 168

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