USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 174
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 174
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Such, in brief, are some of the more salient fea- tures of the past and present life of the town of Belmont. No attempt has been made to give a de- tailed biographical history. The narrow limits of this article have precluded such an attempt, and, even with a broader opportunity, the task would be neither easy nor grateful. The story of the simple daily life of a small country town is of little interest to the great, bustling outer world. Its local celebrities, its personal achievements, its struggles, its hopes, its disappointments, the thousand nameless factors in its existence,-these must therefore be found in home traditions and fireside legends, not in the printed page.
The local Warwicks, that have played upon this lesser stage the self-same dramas of political strategy and intrigue, which, cast in larger parts, have shaken nations ; the village Hampdens, who were wont, on a summer eve, to discuss the great questions of the day, with a fire, vigor and rugged eloquence that might well be transferred to a wider forum ; the mute, inglorious Miltons, who have thought the poems they could not put in words, as they followed the plow in its rocky course through the autumn fields ; the hoary Nestors, that, on winter nights, stirred the young blood to quicker throbs, as they told of thrilling deeds in the olden time,-who shall write the history of these? And there is that other and still more sacred history, common to every town, but all the more pathetic because so common : those never-to-he-forgotten summer days, when nameless heroes, soon, alas! to sleep in nameless graves, rushed, heedless of the whitening fields, to fill the "quota" of the town; and those weary months that followed, when the lonely and heart-sick wives and mothers, sisters and daughters, waited and ever waited, longing for the tidings they might better never hear, -who may write such history as this, or who would write it if he might ?
Loyal, honest, faithful, earnest people, patiently filling up the measure of their uneventful lives, nei- ther squandering nor wanting, sparing in the midst of plenty, but having abundance in their rigid econ- omy, bound together in that unspeakably close fra- ternity which characterizes every rural community, rejoicing in each other's joys and grieving in each other's griefs, mutually helpful and sympathetic, alike ready to attend the marriage-feast or to go forth under the cold winter stars to perform for the dead those last offices which here are never left to stranger hands,-their history, like that of the people of every other New England country town, lives in the hearts of those who know their worth.
HISTORY OF CENTRE HARBOR.
CHAPTER I.
THE town of Centre Harbor lies in the northern part of the county, and is bounded as follows :
On the North west and North, by Grafton County; Northeast, by Carroll County ; South, by Meredith and New Hampton.
This town was incorporated December 17, 1797, having been set off from New Hampton.
For several years previous to the incorporation of the town the locality of the present village was known as "Centre-harbour." Moultonborough harbor being east and Meredith harbor west, made this the centre harbor, and from this source the town de- rived its name.
The village of Centre Harbor is located on Lake Winnipiseogee, and commands a charming view of the lake and neighboring hills. It is somewhat cel- ebrated as a watering-place. There are two churches in this town-Congregational and Free Baptist.
The first petition for the incorporation of this town was made in June, 1788, and signed by Benning Moulton and fifty others. This petition, however, was not granted, and, in 1797, a second petition was presented to the General Court, which was granted, and the town incorporated, as mentioned above, De- cember 7, 1797. The signers of this petition were,- Ezekiel Morse, C. Sturtevant, John Pain, John Hawkins, Chase Robinson, Jesse Sturtevant, John Sturtevant, Hosea Sturtevant, Amos Pain, Jr., Stephen Hawkins, John Knowles, A. B. Glines, Nehemiah Lee, Benning Moulton, Daniel Page, Moses Morse, Hugh Kelsea, Joseph Kenney, Daniel Norris, Robert Kelsea, James Tebbets, Caleb Towle, Perez Sturtevant, James Little, W. Robinson, W. Pain, William Berry, Jona- than Robinson, Joshua Pain, Jeremiah Towle, Pelham Sturtevant, Joseph Moulton, J. M. Pain, Abel Morse, Moses Kelsea, Smith Cram, Joshua Norris, Benjamin Sturtevant, John Pain, Jr., Isaac Morse, James Towle, Wadleigh Cram, Jos. Senter, E. Chamberlain, C. Hawkins, Stephen Kenney, Amos Pain.
The First Town-Meeting was held March 12, 1798, and the following officers were elected: Win- throp Robinson, Captain Jesse Sturtevant and Hugh Kelsea, selectmen ; Winthrop Robinson, clerk.
The following is a list of clerks, selectmen and representatives to 1886:
1799 .- Hugh Kelsea, James M. Greenleaf, Pelham. Sturtevant, selectmen ; Hugh Kelsea, clerk.
1800 .- Hugh Kelsea, Pelham Sturtevant, Daniel Norris, selectmen ; Hugh Kelsea, clerk.
1801 .- Moses Morse, Charles Little, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk.
1802 .- Hugh Kelsea, Benning Moulton, Daniel Norris, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk.
1803 .- Benning Moulton, David Norris, John Clement, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk.
1804 .- Benning Moulton, Hugh Kelsea, Daniel Norris, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk.
1805 .- David Norris, Charles Little, Moses Morse, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk.
1806 .- David Norris, Charles Little, Moses Morse,. selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk.
1807 .- David Norris, Charles Little, Moses Morse, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk.
1808 .- Hugh Kelsea, Charles Little, Joshua Norris, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk.
1809 .- Hugh Kelsea, Jonathan S. Moulton, Joshua Norris, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk.
1810 .- Hugh Kelsea, Jonathan S. Monlton, Jona- than M. Pain, selectmen ; Moses Morse, clerk.
1811 .- J. S. Moulton, Jonathan M. Pain, Hugh Kelsea, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk.
1812 .- Hugh Kelsea, J. S. Moulton, Richard C. Wiggin, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk.
1813 .- J. S. Moulton, John Knowles, James Hunt- ress, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk.
1814 .- J. S. Moulton, Jonathan M. Pain, William Clark, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk.
1815 .- J. S. Moulton, Jonathan M. Pain, William. Clark, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk.
1816 .- J. S. Moulton, Jonathan M. Pain, William Clark, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk.
1817 .- J. S. Moulton, Jonathan M. Pain, William Clark, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk.
1818 .- J. S. Moulton, Daniel Norris, William Clark, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk.
1819 .- J. S. Moulton, Daniel Norris, John H. Moul- ton, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk.
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HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1820 .- J. S. Moulton, William Clark, Daniel Norris, selectmen ; J. S. Moulton, clerk.
1821 .- Hngh Kelsea, William Clark, John Coe, selectmen ; John Coe, clerk.
1822 .- Hugh Kelsea, William Clark, John Coe, selectmen ; John Coe, clerk.
1823 .- Hugh Kelsea, John Coe, William Clark, selectmen; John Coe, clerk ; Hugh Kelsea chosen first representative.
1824 .- Hugh Kelsea, John Coe, William Clark, selectmen ; John Coe, clerk ; Hugh Kelsea, repre- sentative.
1825 .- John Coe, Hugh Kelsea, John H. Moulton, selectmen ; John Coe, clerk ; Jonathan S. Moulton, representative.
1826 .-- John Coe, Daniel Norris, John H. Moulton, selectmen ; John Coe, clerk; John Coe, representa- tive.
1827 .- John H. Monlton, Timothy Perkins, Gil- man Fox, selectmen; Gilman Fox, clerk ; J. S. Moul- ton, representative.
1828 .- John H. Monlton, Gilman Fox, Timothy Perkins, selectmen ; Gilman Fox, clerk ; J. S. Moul- ton, representative.
1829 .- Gilman Fox, Josiah C. Sturtevant, William Clark, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk ; J. S. Moul- ton, representative.
1830 .- John H. Moulton, Simon Drake, William Clark, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk; Josiah C. Sturtevant, representative.
1831 .- Gilman Fox, Timothy Perkins, J. C. Stur- vant, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk ; J. C. Sturte- vant, representative.
1832 .- John H. Moulton, J. C. Sturtevant, Timothy Perkins, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk; Simon Drake, representative.
1833 .- John H. Moulton, J. C. Sturtevant, Timothy Perkins, selectmen ; Gilman Fox, clerk ; Simon Drake, representative.
1834 .- Gilman Fox, James M. Pain, Timothy Per- kins, selectmen ; Gilman Fox, clerk ; Gilman Fox, representative.
1835 .- James M. Pain, Simon Drake, David Blake, selectmen ; Gilman Fox, clerk ; Gilman Fox, repre- sentative.
1836 .- T. Perkins, John H. Kelsea, Ebenezer L. Sturtevant, selectmen ; Gilman Fox, clerk ; Gilman Fox, representative.
1837 .- T. Perkins, John H. Kelsea, Ebenezer L. Sturtevant, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk ; Timothy Perkins, representative.
1838 .- John H. Kelsea, T. Perkins, E. L. Sturte- vant, selectmen ; Simon Drake, clerk ; Timothy Per- kins, representative.
1839 .- Timothy Perkins, E. L. Sturtevant, John W. Clark, selectmen ; James M. Pain, clerk ; Tim- othy Perkins, representative.
1840 .- Levi Bean, Enoch True, Jas. M. Pain, select- men ; Jas. M. Pain, clerk ; Jacob Libby, representative.
1841 .- Timothy Perkins, E. L. Sturtevant, Benjamin Perkins, selectmen ; Isaac Knowles, clerk; James M. Pain, representative.
1842 .- Timothy Perkins, Benjamin Perkins, J. C. Sturtevant, selectmen ; Isaac Knowles, clerk; James M. Pain, representative.
1843 .- Timothy Perkins, John Smith, Daniel S. Follett, selectmen; John Canney, clerk ; Timothy Perkins, representative.
1844 .- James M. Pain, John Smith, D. W. Follett, selectmen ; James Jackson, clerk; Timothy Perkins, representative.
1845 .- Timothy Perkins, J. M. Pain, Ira Davis, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk; David Blake, repre- sentative.
1846 .- T. Perkins, J. M. Pain, Ira Davis, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; David Blake, representative.
1847 .- James M. Pain, T. Perkins, William P. Sturtevant, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk; John H. Moulton, representative.
1848 .- James Jackson, T. Perkins, Wm. P. Sturte- vant, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; John H. Mon]- ton, representative.
1849 .- James M. Pain, Thomas Webber, Jonathan P. Norris, selectmen; John Canney, clerk ; James M. Pain, representative.
1850 .- James M. Pain, Thomas Webber, Jonathan P. Norris, selectmen; James Jackson, clerk ; John B. Dow, representative.
1851 .- J. M. Pain, Harrison C. Smith, J. H. Moul- ton, selectmen ; James Jackson, clerk ; John B. Dow, representative.
1852 .- T. Perkins, J. H. Moulton, Harrison C. Smith, selectmen; John Canney, clerk ; John H. Moulton, representative.
1853 .- J. M. Pain, J. C. Sturtevant, Samuel S. Plaisted, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; James H. Clark, representative.
1854 .-- J. M. Pain, Samuel S. Plaisted, J. C. Stur- tevant, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk; James H. Clark, representative.
1855 .- J. M. Pain, Rufus Sayward, J. C. Sturtevant, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; James M. Pain, representatative.
1856 .- J. M. Pain, Rufus Sayward, J. C. Sturte- vant, selectmen; John Canney, clerk ; John H. Moul- ton, representative.
1857 .- James M. Pain, Noah Smith, Wm. P. Stur- tevant, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; Rufus Say- ward, representative.
1858 .- J. M. Pain, Noah Smith, W. P. Sturte- vant, selectmen; John Canney, clerk; Rufus Say- ward, representative.
1859 .- J. M. Pain, Samuel S. Plaisted, James H. Clark, selectmen ; J. Canney, clerk ; William P. Stur- tevant, representative.
1860 .- J. M. Pain, S. S. Plaisted, James H. Clark, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk ; Wm. P. Sturtevant, representative.
John Hillouillon
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CENTRE HARBOR.
1861 .- J. M. Pain, Noah Smith, Amos S. Davis, selectmen ; John Canney, clerk; there is no record of auy representatives being elected in 1861, although there was an article in the warrant to elect one.
1862 .- J. M. Pain, N. Smith, A. S. Davis, select- men ; J. Canney, clerk ; S. S. Plaisted, representative.
1863 .- John H. Moulton, Jonathan P. Norris, George Fogg, selectmen; Jolin Canney, clerk ; Jacob D. Reynolds, representative.
1864 .- John H. Moulton, Jonathan P. Norris, George Fogg, selectmen ; Charles H. Canney, clerk ; Jacob D. Reynolds, representative.
1865 .- J. H. Moulton, J. M. Pain, Jesse Eaton, selectmen ; Charles H. Canney, clerk ; J. C. Sturte- vant, representative.
1866 .- J. H. Moulton, J. M. Pain, Jesse Eaton, selectmen ; C. H. Canney, clerk ; J. C. Sturtevant, representative.
1867 .- J. H. Moultou, J. M. Paiu, Otis F. Haw- kins, selectmen ; C. H. Canney, clerk ; Levi W. Wat- son, representative.
1868 .- Arthur L. True, William J. Perkins, James Bartlett, selectmen ; William C. Clifton, clerk ; Har- rison C. Smith, representative.
1869 .- Arthur L. True, James Bartlett, Curtis S. Coe, selectmen ; William C. Clifton, clerk ; Harrison C. Smith, representative.
1870 .- Curtis S. Coe, George M. Pain, Jacob L. Merrill, selectmen; W. C. Clifton, clerk ; John R. Buzzell, representative.
1871 .- Curtis S. Coe, George M. Pain, Jacob L. Merrill, selectmen ; William C. Clifton, clerk; John R. Buzzell, representative.
1872 .- Ira Davis, Jonathan P. Norris, Hiram S. McCrillis, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk; Abner C. True, representative.
1873 .- Jonathan P. Norris, H. S. McCrillis, Smith F. Emery, selectmen; W. C. Clifton, clerk ; A. C. True, representative.
1874 .- Smith F. Emery, Arthur L. True, Alonzo W. Canney, selectmen ; William C. Clifton, clerk ; Almon Benson, representative.
1875 .- J. M. Pain, Daniel B. Smith, Simeon Batch- elder, selectmen ; Charles H. Canney, clerk ; Almon Benson, representative.
1876 .- J. M. Pain, Benjamin F. Wentworth, Amos D. Webster, selectmen; David W. Cram, clerk; Charles H. Canney, representative.
1877 .- J. M. Pain, B. F. Wentworth, A. D. Web- ster, selectmen ; David W. Cram, clerk ; C. H. Canney, representative.
1878 .- Charles H. Canney, J. C. Sturtevant, Perkins F. McIntire, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk ; Ran- dall S. Kenerson, representative.
1879 .- Charles H. Canney, J. C. Sturtevant, Perkins F. McIntire, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk.
1880 .- C. H. Canney, James H. Clark, Frederick T. Hawkins, selectmeu; W. C. Clifton, clerk; George Fogg, representative.
1881 .- C. H. Cauney, Frederick T. Hawkins, James H. Clark, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk.
1882 .- J. C. Sturtevant, Charles C. Cook, Lester Plaisted, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk.
1883 .- J. C. Sturtevant, Charles C. Cook, Lester Plaisted, selectmen ; W. C. Clifton, clerk; George Fogg, representative.
1884 .- J. C. Sturtevant, Alonzo Perkins, Meltheno C. Clark, selectmen ; George H. Piper, clerk.
1885 .- J. C. Sturtevant, Alonzo Perkins, Meltheno C. Clark, selectmen ; George H. Piper, clerk ; George L. Mason, representative.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
COL. JOHN HALE MOULTON.
History is the résumé of the lives and events which are to-day among the things of the present, to-mor- row those of the past, and in history mention should he made of those whose personal qualities, business enterprise and moral worth have contributed in some way to the wealth, knowledge and welfare of the community in which they lived, and to this number belongs Colonel John Hale Moulton, who was born at Centre Harbor, N. H., June 24, 1795, and died at his residence, Moulton House, June 3, 1885, aged ninety years.
Colonel John Hale Moulton was of the sixth gen- eration in descent from the emigrant John and grand- son of General Jonathan and son of Benning and Sally (Leavitt) Moulton. (See biography of Hon. John C. Moulton.) After a common-school educa- tion, he entered his brother's store in his native town and continued with him until 1812, when he was employed as a clerk in Hampton for three years. Returning to Centre Harbor, he resumed his old po- sition in his brother's employ, and also had the op- portunity of adding to his education by receiving instruction from that able teacher, " Master " Dudley Leavitt, and of that period of school-time he ever retained pleasant memories. Three years after, 1818, he established himself in trade and continued mer- chandising for ten years. Naturally energetic and enterprising, he sought other channels of business, and, in 1828, purchased a mill privilege in an adjoin- ing town, erected a saw, grist and shingle-mill, and also owned and conducted a freighting-boat on Lake Winnipesaukee, with which he conveyed his lumber to market. In 1836, Colonel Moulton again estab- lished himself in Centre Harbor as a merchant, and, in 1848, he purchased the hotel which has for so many years horne his name. Assuming the duties of its landlord, for many years he was known to the community and elsewhere as an active and popular host, possessing the courteousness and affability of
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HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
the inn-keeper of the old school. As an evidence of his active and enterprising spirit, when he was over seventy years old, he rebuilt the hotel in a style com- mensurate with the increasing demands of summer travel. He continued in business, managing his store and farm in connection with other labors, until 1880, when he retired from active life.
In 1832, Colonel Moulton married Susan Sargent, daughter of Rev. Huntington Porter, of Rye, N. H. Mrs. Moulton is a descendant of two old colonial families of consequence, Huntington and Porter, and is a lady of winning personal presence and amiable character. Her father, Rev. Mr. Porter, was an able and noted minister of the gospel, and one whose counsel was often called upon in important affairs Colonel and Mrs. Moulton had three children-Frank- lin Hale (died aged two years), Oliver Porter (died. in infancy) and Susan Huntington, who married Smith F. Emery. They have two children-Caroline Porter Emery and Alice Huntington Emery. The family reside at the Moulton House, which Mr. Emery has conducted for some years.
Before he attained his majority, in 1815, Colonel Moulton enlisted in the New Hampshire Light In- fantry. He was much interested in the service, and, with his directness and ambition to excel, attracted the attention of his superior officers, and he was pro- moted, successively, as captain, major and, in 1832, received his commission as colonel, and was con- sidered an able officer.
In politics he was an uncompromising Democrat, and always manifested a lively interest in party affairs, and he performed the duties of the many public offices to which he was called with credit to himself and honor to his constituents. He repre- sented Centre Harbor in the General Court in 1847 and 1848, and again from 1852 to 1856, and was connty commissioner from 1858 to 1861. In 1819, when comparatively a young man, he was chosen selectman, and was often re-elected, until 1862, when he was made chairman of the board and retained the position until 1868. He was moderator for years, and repeatedly served as town treasurer, and for over half a century, from 1824 to 1881, he held a commis- sion as justice of the peace. He also held the office of deputy-sheriff of Strafford County for five years.
In early life Colonel Moulton was a believer in Universalism, but, later, changed his views and sub- scribed to the "Articles of Faith" adopted by the Congregationalists, although he never became a com- municant with the church in Centre Harbor. A prayer written by him was found among some of his papers in his store in 1864, which breathes the true spirit of Christianity.
Colonel Moulton possessed a strong and vigorous mind, a very retentive memory and great firmness of character. His intellect remained clear and his facul- ties almost unimpaired, so that he took an active interest in public affairs until within a few days of
his death. He was fond of reminiscences, and his vivid portraitures of the manners of other days gave enjoyment and profit to many. He had a kind greet- ing and pleasant word for every one, and in the deeper and holier relations of the home circle he exempli- fied the highest elements of a Christian nature, and he left an impress by his strong character on his na- tive town that shall not speedily be effaced.
JOHN COE.
. The Coe family came to this country from Suffolk- shire, England, where they had resided for many generations. The earliest notice of them which can now be found is in Fox's "Book of Martyrs," which states that "Roger Coo," of Milford, Suffolkshire, was burned by Queen Mary, September, 1855, at Texford, in that shire. Little is known of the family till the removal of Robert Coe to this country. In the authentic family record he belongs to the first gener- ation. In the records of the custom-house, preserved in the State Papers Office, Westminster Hall, Lon- don, the name is written "Cooe." The oldest origi- nal signature found in America is in the town rec- ords of Jamaica, L. I., and was written February 14, 1663, "Robart Coe." Robert Coe was born in Suf- folkshire, England, in 1596. With his wife, Anna, and their three sons, he sailed from Ipswich, Suffolk- shire, April 10, 1634. They reached Boston the fol- lowing June, only six years from the date of the first settlement in the Massachusetts colony. Robert Coe settled in Watertown, near Boston, and in 1635 he moved to Wethersfield, Conn. On the 30th of Octo- ber, 1640, Mr. Andrew Ward and Mr. Robert Coe, with about twenty other planters, commenced a set- tlement in Stamford, Conn. In 1644, Robert Coe and several others formed the first settlement at. Hampstead, L. I. In 1652 he made a settlement at Middlebury, (now Newton), L. I. In 1656 he, with others, commenced a settlement in Jamaica, L. I. He continued to be one of the most active and prom- inent men in public affairs till about 1672, at which time he was seventy-six years old. The time of his death is not known.
John Coe, of the seventh generation from the above-named Robert Coe, was the son of Rev. Cur- tis Coe and Annie Thompson, and was born at Dur- ham, N. H., January 15, 1797. His father moved to Newmarket, N. H., with his family when John was about nine or ten years old. A few years thereafter John engaged as clerk in a store kept by his brother Ebenezer, at Northwood, N. H. After faithful ser- vice for several years, gaining the confidence of all who knew him, he became acquainted with a gentle- man who owned an unoccupied store at Centre Har- bor, N. H. Mr. Coe visited the place, then very thinly settled, leased the store and, returning, bought at Portsmouth, N. H., a stock of general merchandise, ordering it shipped to Dover, thence to Alton Bay
John bass.
Randall Y. Keneson
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CENTRE HARBOR.
by teams, thence to Centre Harbor by boat propelled by oars and sails. On his arrival at Centre Harbor, soon after, he found his goods at his store. He at once began to take an interest in public affairs of the town, holding in succession nearly all the offices of trust. Being town clerk at the time of his marriage, he was, according to the law at that time, obliged to rise in church and declare his own intentions of mar- riage. He married Lavinia T. Senter, eldest daugh- ter of Samuel M. Senter, one of the first settlers in the town which afterward took his name.
After about eight years of active, successful busi- ness as a country merchant, he removed to Durham, N. H., where he engaged extensively in ship-build- ing. During his stay at Centre Harbor he became convinced of the need of a temperance reform, and banished from his table and places of business all in- toxicants. Upon entering his new business of ship- building at Durham, he found that it was a long es- tablished custom for the men employed in the ship- yards to have liquor dealt out to them at regular hours of each day. True to his convictions, he de- termined to break up that custom in his yard, and gave notice that no more "grog" would be furnished or allowed on the premises. His men all refused to work without it, knowing that he had a large amount of work that must be finished at a given time or he would lose heavily. Not heeding the advice of his friends, he stood firm on the side of temperance, go- ing in the night to Dover and engaging a new crew of men, who came to his yard at sunrise the next morning. His work went on and no more intoxica- ting liquor was ever allowed on his premises.
About 1832 he moved to Dover, there residing till 1835, when he came back to Centre Harbor, where he still owned much real estate, and bought the "Senter House" of its first proprietor, Samuel M. Senter, and began a very successful career as a hotel proprietor, and, with his estimable wife, enjoyed a reputation as landlord and landlady second to none in the State. As the business increased, he made ad- ditions to the hotel until, instead of forty feet front- age, he had a house with one hundred and twenty feet front, and comparatively large additions in the rear. In 1846, leaving his son Curtis S. in charge of the " Senter House," he removed to Boston and leased the Marlboro Hotel, on Washington Street, which he kept four years. Returning to Centre Harbor, he sold the "Senter House" to his son, C. S. Coe, and repaired and modernized the house he built when he first came to Centre Harbor, thinking to retire from active business ; but, being largely interested in real estate at Jamaica Plain and Newton, for several years he spent most of his time in Boston, returning to his family and country home to spend the Sabbath, which he always, during his whole busy life, regarded as a day of worship. In early manhood he made a public profession of religion and united with the Congregational Church at Centre Harbor, bearing
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