History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 54

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 54
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 54

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).

Mr. Durrell was an enthusiastic laborer in his favorite and chosen field, agriculture; worked with all theardent energy of the Durrell nature to excel, made a specialty of raising fine stock, added aere after acre to his orig- inal small possessions, until, in a very short period of time, he had acquired much real estate, and owned and gave his name to Durrell's Mountains. He had at one time in his possession as many as seventy- three blooded cattle, was noted for having one of the best stock farms in the State, and had many fine horses, whose reputation for speed and quality stood in high favor among Boston horsemen, who highly valned the "Durrell breed." In all his operations, so successfully conducted as to make him wealthy when only in the prime of life (for when his death occurred,

NOTE .- [Some branches of the Durrell family spell the name with one "r" while others use two, but it is generally spelled with two .- EDITOR.]

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

September 15, 1854, at the age of forty-seven years, his property inventoried about twenty-four thousand dollars), he was not an idle spectator of public af- fairs. The same qualities shown in his private busi- ness were called by the citizens to administration of town matters ; he was school committeeman, select- man and filled other offices for various and continued terms, and was one of the ablest and strongest men in Bradford, whose advice and counsel was sought and gladly received, and he was often selected as an ad- ministrator, guardian and for other weighty trusts. His operations were large; he employed many men, and the oversight of them in the various departments of his labor made him the busiest mau in town. Mr. Durrell was social, warm-hearted, tender and kind in family and neighborhood relations, generous to all deserving charities, but so quiet in his benefactions that many of them were unknown to all save the giver and the recipient. A load of hay would be sent in the long winter to the poor man whose fodder had failed; a cow would be driven to the house where "many children played around the door," and its use given for the season. In these and similar ways was his liberality scattered, like sunbeams, bringing glad- ness and light to many destitute homes, and when he was called away by death the hearts of many were shrouded in gloom.

The vigorous constitution of Mrs. Durrell, in spite of her active labors of many years, has preserved her intellect unimpaired, and her sallies of wit and ap- preciation of humor would do credit to a much younger person. Her appearance does not indicate that she has attained her age of seventy-four years, and, blessed with the care and sympathy of three generations of worthy descendants, she is passing down towards the "twilight" of life reverenced and beloved.

'There has been no stronger type of character showu among the settlers of Bradford than that exhibited by Nicholas and David Durrell, and none of its inhabit- ants have done better service in the develop- ment of the town, or left more substantial tokeus of their existence, or whose memory is, to-day, more sincerely cherished.

REV. HIRAM HOLMES.

Rev. Hiram Holmes, for many years a useful and faithful minister of the gospel, was born in Rochester, N. H., October 3, 1806. He was the son of Joshua and Polly (Cater) Holmes, and the circumstances of his birth only afforded him the benefit of the edu- cation that could be acquired at the common schools of his native town. At a very early age he was deeply impressed with the importance of religious interests, and at the age of twenty-one he became the servant of Christ, and August 3, 1828, was baptized at Strafford (Crown Point) by Rev. E. Place, and joined the Free- Will Baptist Church. Soon after he was convinced

that he should become a religious teacher, and, with a few others, established a prayer-meeting, which in a short time bore good fruit and much awakening of the spirit. He now felt that preaching was the vocation to which he was called, and henceforward his life- work was that of a preacher of the Word. In 1829 he commenced holding meetings, and, in January, 1830, the New Durham Quarterly Meeting " gave him approbation to improve as a licentiate," and Feb- ruary 8, 1831, his ordination took place in Strafford, Rev. B. S. Manson preaching the sermon. Previous to this, and afterwards, he traveled in various towns, holding meetings and going from house to house, and his heart was made glad in that many turned to the Lord. He made Wolfborough his home at this time, and in that place did much of his work. He was clerk of the Wolfborough Quarterly Meeting from its organization, August 6, 1831, to 1835, when he re- moved from the town. He perceived a change and a quickening in religious interests while a resident there, and baptized thirty-seven in Wolfborough and the neighboring towns. He then went to Hopkinton, remaining there from June, 1835, until the following February. His next field of labor was Weare, in 1836, afterwards supplying the church iu Epsom for a year. In October, 1837, Mr. Holmes married Su- sanna, daughter of Josiah and Lydia Brown, of Weare, the marriage ceremony being performed by the Rev. David Moody, the well-known Baptist clergyman. His next pastorate was in Raymond, where he con- tinued for a year or more. His final settlement was in Bradford, which lasted from 1839 until his death, which occurred suddenly May 1, 1863,-a period of twenty-four years. On coming to Bradford, Mr. Holmes purchased the "French farm," and made it his home during his life here, and his widow still re- sides there. In all these years he supplied Sunapee, Newbury, Wilmot Flat, and did much pastoral work in many places, and was also appointed by the Weare Quarterly Meeting an " itinerant " to visit the desti- tute churches. His health, however, was feeble, and he was unable to preach constantly ; but whenever or wherever an opportunity occurred he "fought the good fight " and labored zealously for Zion's cause. His activity, zeal and persevering endeavor caused him to be respected and esteemed by the people of Bradford, and, in 1860, the Congregational Church being without a pastor, he was invited to fill the pul- pit, which he did alternate Sabbaths, " to good con- gregations and to much acceptance." He was a dele- gate to the Sixth General Conference, held at Mere- dith, N. H., 1832; the Seventh, at Strafford, Vt., 1833 ; and the Eighteenth, at Hillsdale, Mich., 1862.

Mr. Holmes was a public-spirited citizen, interested in reform movements of the day, and in all enter- prises tending to further and promote the welfare of the community. The most appropriate and fitting tribute to this good man is that of his friend and Christian brother, Joseph Fullonton : "In all his

HP Halina

Curtis Davis

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BRADFORD.

ministry he answered well the qualifications Paul sets forth as requisite in a minister of Christ : ' A lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate.' He was firm in his convictions of right, conscientious in all his duties and of strict integrity in all his business concerns. His heart was in the benevolent enterprises of the age, and in all proper ways he labored to promote them. Coming forward without the benefits of the schools, as many have since enjoyed, he developed preaching talents of good quality. He labored by sound doctrine to convince gainsayers and to persuade the sinful to turn to God. He presented the great truths with such clearness that all could understand; and in all his work he gave the impression that love to God and love to men con- strained him to make earnest efforts to win the way- ward and perishing to Christ, and with such earnest- ness, deep feeling and evident sincerity that good results followed. God's people were instructed and comforted, the desponding encouraged and the sin- ful directed to the Lamb of God. His ministry was successful, and he has entered upon a glorious in- heritance in heaven. 'The memory of the just is blessed.' "

JOHN BROWN.

John Brown was born in Henniker, N. H., in the year 1777, and, when a child, removed to Bradford, where he ever afterwards resided. He married Sarah Gregg, of New Boston, N. H. ; was a farmer, and died March 27, 1856. His wife died October 14, 1849. They had six children, viz. : Hannah, Jerusha, Livonia, Joel H., Jeremiah aud Nancy. Hannah married Erastus F. Brockway, lived in Bradford for many years, and afterwards removed to Boston and died there in Feb- ruary, 1869, at the age of sixty-two. Her husband is still living. She never had any children.

Jerusha died, unmarried, May 8, 1838, at the age of twenty-nine.

Livonia married Francis T. Simpson, lived many years in Manchester, N. H., but afterwards returned to Bradford and died there May 18, 1854, at the age of forty-two. She had no children. Her husband died before her.

Joel H. graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1841, and became a physician and settled in Newton, Mass., where he died March 18, 1865, aged fifty-three. He married Sarah R. P. Richmond, of Boston, who survives. They had one child, a daugh- ter, who died in childhood.

Jeremiah graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1842, was a lawyer, and practiced for many years in Boston, where he died December 26, 1881, aged sixty-seven. He married Mary H. Talbot, who died before him. They had no children.

Nancy married Ambrose S. Brackett, and resided in Bradford, where she died May 14, 1862, aged forty- five. Her husband died in Bradford July 23, 1878, aged sixty-three.

J. Q. A. Brackett is their only child, and the only living descendant of his grandfather, John Brown. He was born in Bradford June 8, 1842; graduated from Harvard University in the class of 1865, and from the Harvard Law School in 1868; was admitted to the bar in Boston the same year and has been en- gaged in the practice of his profession in that city ever since. He married Angeline M. Peck, of Ar- lington, Mass., June 20, 1878, and has one son, John Gaylord Brackett, born April 12, 1879. He was a member of the City Council of Boston four years, and president of that body in 1876 ; has been a mem- ber of the House of Representatives seven years, and at present is its Speaker.

CURTIS DAVIS.

The prosperity of New England is largely indebted to its self-made men, who have continually added to the wholesome wealth of the community by their persistent and unwearied efforts, have been workers, producers, and not mere consumers, obeying the an- cient law of our race,-" By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou gain thy bread." Conspicuous among these, and worthy of mention, is Curtis Davis, the son of Daniel and Mary (Brown) Davis. He was born in the beautiful farming town of Bradford, N. H., Feb- ruary 11, 1814, and was the grandson of Isaac Davis, whose eight children were Betsey, born December 29, 1760; Mollie, born May 31, 1762; James, born February 24, 1764; Daniel, born February 4, 1766; John, born December 24, 1768 (died young) ; Susan, born January 7, 1770; Sally, born April 17, 1772; and John, born August 14, 1774. Daniel married Mary Brown and had eleven children,-Samuel, born March 19, 1790; Enoch, born August 27, 1791 (died young) ; Enoch, born January 6, 1793 ; Dorcas, born January 25, 1795; Eliphalet, born December 16, 1796; Lydia, born January 4, 1799; Diamond, born April 25, 1802; Hiram, born February 24, 1807; Lyman, born October 11, 1809; Isaac, born January 18, 1811 ; and Curtis.

Curtis Davis was the youngest of eleven children, and although his father was a well-to-do farmer, yet with such a large family to support, frugality, ecor .- omy and industry were essential characteristics for the development of the resources of the farm, and the children were well grounded in the principles which lead to success, and formed those habits of perseverance and diligence that have ever been thicir prominent traits. In 1832, Curtis left his pleasant home, a poor boy and unacquainted with the ways of the world, his education being that afforded by the common schools of the period; but his courage and determination were strong, and his ambition was to engage in some business and follow it. He went to Cambridgeport, Mass., then comparatively a small place, and engaged for a very moderate compensation with a firm in the soap business, of which his brother

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Eliphalet was a partner. He continued in their em- ploy for a short time, and then returned to Bradford, where he remained for a year, and in the fall of 1833 he removed to Cambridgeport and resumed his for- mer position, where he worked faithfully and devoted himself to acquiring the details of the manufacture, with a view to establishing himself on his own ac- count, which he carried into effect in 1834 by pur- chasing the business of Hiram Davis. This estab- lishment he sold in 1835, when he bought another factory of greater capacity, and, in 1837, took into partnership Alexander Dickinson, with whom he was connected until 1851. Mr. Davis then bought and enlarged the buildings he now occupies, and at pres- ent (1885) the entire plant covers about one acre of ground, and is the most noted factory in Cambridge, and, also, the largest one of the kind in New Eng- land. In the main building are sixteen kettles or boilers, twelve of which are for the stocking and fin- ishing of soap, and have a holding capacity of over two hundred and fifty tons, and still the increasing demand for their manufacture calls for more space, and an enlargement of the works is in contemplation. The soap manufactured by Mr. Davis is a pure article, and the Peerless, Welcome, Extra and Gold Dust brands are used throughout the country, and their quality and superiority are too well known to need further mention. In 1864, Mr. Davis received into his business, as partner, his son-in-law, James Mellen, who has the superintendence of the sales-rooms in Boston. They avail themselves of all the new ideas, are progressive, and their manufactory is provided with the best and most improved machinery. They honestly aim to make a good article, and conse- quently, are successful.

Mr. Davis married, November 29, 1835, Martha Kemp, a native of Pomfret, Vt. She was born April 1, 1818. Their five children were Christina Van Ness, born April 15, 1840, married James Mellen, Jr .; Ermina Frances, died December 25, 1854, aged twelve years; Curtis Rockwell, died February 24, 1876, aged thirty-one years; Mary Lizzie, born December 7, 1846, married Samnel Noyes, Jr .; Edwin Alberto, died July 8, 1851, aged twenty-two months.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis have passed nearly fifty years

together, and have experienced many joys and many sorrows; yet amidst them all each has been cheered and encouraged by the sympathy of the other, and now, at the twilight of life, they can look back to duties well performed and forward to the bright beyond.

With all his devotion to business, Mr. Davis has not neglected his civil relations towards the place which has been his home from boyhood. He has kept pace with the growth of Cambridgeport, hav- ing been identified with its manufacturing interests for half a century, and is one of the solid men of that city. High-minded and honorable, he possesses the respect and esteem of the citizens. Unassuming and retiring in his manners, he has never sought office, but the office has sought him. His integrity and honesty of purpose have been shown in his meth- ods of business, and as director in the Citizens' Insur- ance Company, and also in one of the Cambridge banks for several years, he has proved himself qual- ified for important trusts.

His political affiliations from boyhood have been with the Democratic party, and the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian principles and methods as indorsed and carried out by President Cleveland find in him hearty support. He has been a member of the Common Council, served as alderman for two years and for three terms represented Cambridge in the State Leg- islature.

Mr. Davis embodies and exemplifies those qualities which distinguish what we call our self-made men. He commenced life with no vices ; he was prudent, economical and temperate; business success he pre- ferred to pleasure, and to his work he carried enter- prise, energy and will. He was essentially a moving force in his work, and this review of his life is of valne to our young men, who can see from what Mr. Davis has achieved what can be accomplished by in- dustry, fidelity and an honest purpose.

Iu all these years his heart has held a firm grasp of his native town, and the home of his parents has ever been tenderly cherished. He has a pride in its scen- ery, its associations and in the noticeable men it has produced, and Bradford has never had a native who more loyally prized its worth, or who, in the far-reach- ing realm of business, has done her greater honor.

HISTORY OF CANTERBURY.

CHAPTER I.

Geographical-Original Grant-Town Privileges-First Settlements- Names of Pioneers - Indian Incursions-Capture of Jackman and Dorset-The Fort-The Volunteers-Indian Trading Post-War of the Revolution-Captain Jeremiab Clough's Company-Captain James Shepherd's Company - Canterbury "Train-Band" - "Train-Band " and "Alarm List "-Various Enlistments.

THE town of Canterbury lies in the eastern part of the county, and is bounded as follows :

North, by Northfield; east, hy Belknap County and Loudon; south, by Loudon and Concord; west, by Boscawen.

This town was granted, May 20, 1727, to Richard Waldron and a large number of associates, and em- braced, in addition to its present territory, the present towns of London and Northfield.

March 19, 1741, an act was passed granting the inhabitants town privileges. The original area of the town was increased, by an addition on the south- west side, June 13. 1765. It retained this area until January 23, 1773, when Loudon was set off, and June 19, 1780, it was still further decreased by the incor- poration of the northwesterly part of the town as Northfield, Rockingham County. A small portion of the town was annexed to Concord, June 2, 1784, and a small portion was also annexed to Loudon, January 7, 1853.

Settlements were made here soon after the granting of the town, in 1727; but in consequence of its ex- posed condition on the frontier, it was slowly settled. Among the early settlers were James Scales, Thomas Clough, Thomas Young, James Gibson, William Glines, Ezekiel Morrill, Samnel Ames, Joseph Sy- monds, John Moor, Richard Blanchard, Jeremiah ('lough, Josiah Miles, Ephraim Clough, Samuel Shep- herd and Samuel Sias.

Indian Incursions .- The early settlers of Canter- bury were not exempt from Indian depredations. For a long series of years the country was in a con- stant state of alarm, and various towns, or settlements, and Canterbury among the number, erected garrison- houses, where the whole settlement would gather in time of danger. In 1757 five Indians appeared near the house of Thomas Clough, which they entered, and took from it a small quantity of meal; but their

object being to take captives, they concealed them- selves behind a log fence. They soon perceived a young lad, named Moses Jackman, a neighbor of Mr. Clough, and Dorset, Mr. Clough's negro man. They gave chase and captured them. They were taken to Canada. After a tedious captivity, Jackman was released in 1761, and returned. The colored man was redeemed for a sum of money paid by Mr. Clough. While returning from captivity he lost both his feet, but was comfortably supported by Mr. Clough till his death, which occurred at an advanced age.

At the time of the capture of these young men Mrs. Clough, also, came near falling into the hands of the Indians. On that same day she went from the garrison to her house to bake and prepare for the return of the family. Going directly to her meal- chest, she discovered traces of Indians. She stepped to the door and called loudly for the boys. She fled to the garrison, screaming as she ran, and gave the alarm. All exertions to recover the captives, how- ever, were in vain.

During another incursion Shepherd and Blanchard, two of the settlers, were surprised a short distance from the garrison-house by a party of seven Indians who rose from behind a Jog within a few feet of the whites. Both parties fired. Shepherd escaped, but Blanchard was mortally wounded. During the hostilities this garrison-house, or fort, was garrisoned by a company of volunteers and was the headquarters for the various scouting- parties who ranged in search of the enemy be- yond the line of settlements. This company was commanded by Captain Jeremiah Clough. There was a trading-post in this town in the early days for traffic with the Indians, and the following, concern- ing this traffic, was voted by the General Court, in 1743:

" In the House of Representatives Xr the 224 1743

" Voted That Mr Jotham Odiorn Jr & Mr Hlunking Wentworth be a Committee to Purchase thirty pounds worth of Goods to Send up to Can- terbury for a Supply to Trade with the Indians which Shall be laid out in the following Manner viz!

£ *.

"for Rum

3 15

for Blankets. 10 0

for Cloth Suitable for Indian Stockings 3 13

for Linen for Shirts 5 0

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

for Powder Shet Bullets & flints . 5 0

Knives Pipes and Tebacke .

2 10

£30 0

" And that the Treasurer pay the Said Sum ef thirty ponnds to the Said Comittee for the Ends aforesaid out of the Money that Shall be in the Treasury fer Contingencies after the first day of february Next, And when said Cemittee have purchased sd goods they Shall Convey the Same to the Town of Canterbury & Deliver them to Mr James Scales, who is hereby impowered to Sell the Same to the Indians, and receive the Pay in furs &c at Such Prices as shall be Set by Said Comittee, aud that the Comittee be Governed in Rating the Goods & Furs by the Prices that are Set by the Massachusetts Government and that Said James Scales Render an accompt of the Sale of all Such Sales of the Said Goeds as he shall Dispose of to the Iodians as aforesaid to the General assembly Some'time within Six Months of the Date hereof, aud all the Produce ef Said Goods Shall be hy him paid & Delivered to the Treasurer, and to lye there for the use of the Gevernmit as Shall be Ordered by the Gent assm And that Said Scales be under oath for the faithful discharge of his Trust, and to have Such allowance made him for his service as Shall be Thet reasonable by the Gent assm at the Time of his rendering his acct of the Sales & Returns of Such Goods-

" JAMES JEFFREY Cler assm "

War of the Revolution .- The town of Canterbury responded promptly to the colonial cause, and the record of its soldiery during that arduous struggle is an honorable one. In the first two years of the war there were thirty-one from this town in the service. The officers were Captain Jeremiah Clough, Captain James Shepherd, Lieutenant Joseph Soper, Lieuten- ant Laban Morrill and Dr. Josiah Chase. Most of those from this town were under command of Captain Clough, who "first dared to face the English troops in the vicinity of Boston." Captain Shepherd and his command were in the battles of Bennington and Saratoga.

The whole number of soldiers from this town was about seventy. Of these, one was killed and six died.

The following is the roster of Captain Clough's company, August 1, 1775 :

"Jeremiah Clongh, Capt. ; Aaron Sanborn, Lient. ; Themas Lyford, 24 Lient. ; Josiah Chase, Serjent ; Samuel Chamberlain, Serjent ; Jonathan Heath, Serjent ; Charles Glidden, Serjent ; Jonathan Themas, Corp !. ; Joseph Clough, Corp !. ; Samuel Haynes, Corp1. ; Nathan Taylor, Corp !. ; Simeon Robinson, Drum'. ; Thomas Warren, Fifer ; David Blanchard, Obadiah Clough, Elisha Cate, Jehn Curry, Ebenezer Chandler, Humph- rey Celby, Joseph Chandler, Winthrop Clough, Andrew Cummings, Thomas Drake, Shubael Dearborn, Nathan Dearborn, John Dearborn, Elkanah Danford, Ebenezer Eastman, Jacob Eaton, Benjamin Eaton, William Forrest, Jonathan Felsom, Robert Forrest, Jonathan Foster, Jeremiah Gibson, Jacob Garland, William Glines, Jno. Moudy Gilman James Gibson, Enoch Gibson, John Glines, Daniel Gale, Levi Hunt, Phillip Hunt, William Hayes, John Lary, Marston Merrill, Levi Marston, John Peterson, John Robinson, Aaron Rawlins, Daniel Randall, Pearson Smith, Simon Sanborn, James Sherburne, Stephen Riggs, Joseph Smith, George Sheppard, Phinehas Steevens, Eli Simoods, Jonathan Smith, William Thompson, William Taylor, Jacob Tilton, Joshna Weeks, Daniel Ward, Tone Beston, Privates."

Captain Clough was of Canterbury, Lieutenant Sanborn of Sanbornton and Lieutenant Lyford of Northfield.

Among other soldiers from this town were Edmund and David Colby, Samuel Danford, Phineas Fletcher, Nathaniel and William Glines, William Rhines, Michael Sutten, Merrill Sheppard and William Walker.

The following is the roll of Captain James Shep- hard's company :

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 54

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