USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Northwood > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 44
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Nottingham > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 44
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Deerfield > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 44
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I have not time to refer to all the loved attractions of your town. One other must suffice. The view both far and near from a point at or near where Mr. Jonathan Clark's family resided, is both command- ing and beautiful. The road in both directions from this point, for two miles or more, has the appearance of a thickly-settled street. On the east, the whole country between this point and the ocean can be seen, and even the ocean itself, with its regular and unbroken horizon, while on the west and north-west the sky-line is entirely different; it is irregular and broken by the mountains and high lands which appear in this direction. The scenery viewed from this point by itself in any direction is pleasant ; but, when viewed and considered as a whole, it presents a beautifully variegated picture.
The last time I visited New Hampshire was four years ago, on an occasion not unlike the one proposed by the people of Northwood. It was to attend the centennial celebration of the establishment of Dartmouth College. The delight which I experienced on that occa- sion makes me anxious to be present at your celebration. I have thought all along that the Northwood celebratiou would afford me greater satisfaction than did that of the college, and that it would be the day of all others that I should mark and write down as the holiday of my life. But this pleasure is forbidden me. "Sic voluere Parcae." Say to those who knew and now recollect me as a Northwood boy, that I shall never forget nor forsake old Northwood, not for all the rest of the world beside.
Yours truly,
S. B. PIPER.
THE NARROWS .
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
THE NARROWS.
Here was the second settlement made in the town, and immediately after that in the east part. Solomon Bickford was the hero of this region. He loved adventure ; had a passion for hunting the fox and bear ; was strong and tall, a sort of giant, yet mild and gentle, full of mirth, and running over with wonderful stories of things and events, delight- ing in making others amazed at what he told them. He passed his life herc in usefulness ; never harming, but always blessing, he was a favorite of all around him. His kindred and descendants were much like him, and marvel- ous were the stories they could recount and great the feats they could perform.
The Johnsons camc next, and, like the Bickfords, were social and fond of fun and merriment, so that the neighbor- hood was characterized by these traits. The " Narrows" are so named from the circumstance that here the two streams from Harvey and Long Ponds approach each other, but have their directions changed by a high ridge, so that they unite at some distance below. Over this they passed to reach the place where Mr. Bickford pitched his tent, and over it now is the road leading to Pittsfield and other towns. Here was built a saw-mill, which in process of time was followed by several others in its neighborhood, which greatly facilitated settlements in this part of Northwood by supplying new comers with building materials ready for use.
Here Samuel Johnson built the first grist-mill, where, afterwards, Mr. Lancaster had his carding and fulling mill, in which he did quite an extensive business, greatly to the advantage of his customers. The stream on which his mill was built is quite small, as, indeed, are all within the limits of the town. Northwood is the source of streams, while it affords no channels for streams flowing from other sources. The only one of any considerable importance is the outlet of Suncook Lake, which soon passes into the limits of Ep-
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
som. The outlets of Jenness, Harvey, and Long Ponds are the next in size, but dwindle into insignificance in dry seasons. On the latter, Mr. Lancaster's mill stood, and, close by where that stood, is now Durgin's, built by Miles Durgin and William S. Ring, in which the latter was killed by being caught by a shaft. Higher up is another mill, owned by the Jameses ; not far from it, on the outlet of Jenness Pond, is another, owned by Mr. Bartlett ; and still another, a short distance from the Narrows, towards Epsom, owned by Messrs. Holmes and Noyes. Here, at the Narrows, may be found the best school-house in town, in which, in two departments, about one hundred children are taught. Here are two stores, kept by J. S. Trickey, and J. P. Lancaster and Sherman. For many years, a post-office has been here. Mr. Frost long traded here, succeeded by the late Eben Coe, Esq., and many others have here done business, either on a small scale, or for short periods.
The manufacturing of shoes centered early at the Nar- rows, and made it a thriving village for a time ; while Dow's tan-yard was near by.
In speaking of mills, it should be remarked that North- wood has had many of them, not a few over streams now too small for such a purpose, and in neighborhoods from which timber has been removed, the sites of these mills being here and there seen.
It is said that the ruins of one of the first saw-mills, until recently, might be seen on the chief inlet to Harvey Lake, formerly known as Bunker's Brook, about half-way between where the brook crosses the turnpike, and Wig- gins's meadow, then so called. Here a grist-mill was erect- ed, which, in a few years, became useless for want of water. This stream was called Bunker's Brook, because a hunter of that name was killed upon it. The place where he was killed is about half a mile from the turnpike, where it crosses the brook, a few rods north of the residence of the late Rev. Josiah Prentice. The hunter was killed by the
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Heliotype Printing Co,
Boston.
SUNCOOK LAKE.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
accidental discharge of his gun while he lay down to drink from the stream.
SAMUEL G. DRAKE, THE HISTORIAN AND ANTIQUARIAN.
Samuel G. Drake's father removed from Pittsfield into Northwood in 1805, when Samuel was but a child, and set- tled at the Narrows, where he lived for many years. Sam- uel here grew up with those of his age, and was taught with them in the common school, where he received his en- tire school education. Here he early displayed a taste for the study of antiquarian subjects, and obtained much valu- able information respecting the Indian tribes that occupied these parts of the country in former years. He took great pleasure in conversing with the aged men in Northwood, especially with the soldiers in the Revolutionary army, such as William Willey, Samuel Johnson, John Bickford, John Harvey, Stephen Hoitt, Simon Batchelder, and others. At the same time, he became personally acquainted with the men that served in the last war against Canada ; Thomas Langley, who was killed while lying in his berth in the hospital, by a cannon ball ; Theophilus Griffin, who died of sickness during the service; John Willey, son of William of the Revolutionary army ; Eleazar Watson ; Gideon Moore ; John Starboard ; and Solomon Langley.
Much under the influence of such men during his early years, it is not strange that he resolved to devote much of his life to antiquarian and historical research. Hence we find him to be the first to establish an antiquarian book- store in Boston, in 1828. He became one of the founders of the New England and Historical Genealogical Society, of which he became president in 1858. He began the pub- lication of its quarterly register in 1847, and continued it many years, as editor and publisher.
One of his earliest works was entitled, " Sketches of the History of Northwood," published in the New-Hampshire Historical Collections, Volume 3, making some twenty-five
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
or thirty pages, containing some mistakes, but showing his interest in the town in which so much of his youth was passed. Mr. Drake devoted much time to Indian history, and published the results of his researches. He was the author of the " History and Antiquities of Boston," pub- lished when Mr. Drake was fifty-six years old, after " many years of delving into the musty chronicles of the past."
To a letter inviting him to be present at the centennial celebration in Northwood, Mr. Drake replied : -
BOSTON, September 2, 1873.
REV. E. C. COGSWELL.
Dear Sir, - Your kind letter of August 30 has just come to hand, informing me of the proposed centenuial celebration of the incorpo- ration of Northwood, and inviting me to be present on the sixth in- stant. Having been, from almost my earliest recollections, interested in matters of antiquity, it gave me much pleasure to learn that there were gentlemen residing there who took sufficient interest in historical periods to notice its centennial. I would not wish to be thought iu_ vidious, but I was rather surprised that Pittsfield should let its ceuten_ nial pass unnoticed, thus making the iuference to be drawn, that its people are behind its ueighbors in intelligence.
I write only to say, that I thank you for your kind invitation, and that it will not be in my power to be present at the celebration, though it would give me much pleasure to do so. I will mention, that, in 1830, I wrote a crude sketch of Northwood, for the New-Hampshire Historical Collections. And, as the real name of the author was with. held, possibly it may be of interest to you to know who was the writer. Very respectfully and truly yours,
SAMUEL G. DRAKE.
Mr. Drake was born in Pittsfield, October 11, 1798, and died at his residence in Boston, June 14, 1875, of pneumo- nia, aged nearly seventy-seven years.
BLAKE'S HILL.
This lies between the turnpike and Harvey Lake, and Deerfield, being a beautiful swell of land, from which is gained an extended view of the street on the turnpike, and of the lakes, Harvey and Suncook, that lie sparkling at
771H BLAKE'S
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
its base ; farther in the west may be seen Kearsarge, and in the north the snow-capped peaks of the White Moun- tains ; Saddleback extends east and west, on the south of it, and the Blue Hills form the background of the picture, in a northerly direction. The road to Deerfield passes over this elevation, descending a steep declivity into a deep ravine, across a small inlet to Suncook Lake and near its head. This ravine, known as " The Gulf," is a wild, pictur- esque spot, which, together with a tract of land on the cor- responding height on the opposite side of the " Gulf," has been called Griffin Town, because here dwelt a number of families of the name of Griffin, whose peculiarities of char- acter were quite marked. This " Gulf " is a favorite resort in the summer season for those fond of grand and roman- tic scenery, and well repays the lover of nature in her wild freaks.
Blake's Hill is named from families that early settled here, by the name of Blake. Here was born the late Rev. John Lauris Blake, author of several school and literary works, who died in Orange, N. J., July 6, 1857. He was born December 21, 1788, and graduated from Brown Uni- versity in 1812.
These Blakes were valuable citizens, and much respected for moral integrity and knowledge of business. It was upon this hill that the Hon. Edson Hill of Manchester, and others who have gained position and wealth, were born.
Here was born Chace C. Hill, or " Master Hill," son of Samuel, and he lived through a long life. In boyhood, he was fond of mathematics, and studied when others slept or played. The pitcli-knot was his lamp, for by day he toiled, except for a few short weeks in winter. He borrowed Mur- ray's Grammar, found, somewhere, Morse's Geography, and aimed to be a " school-master." He was soon singled out as the best scholar in his neighborhood, and, when a more boy, was employed to take charge of a district school. He was, in stature, short, with broad shoulders and strong
37
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
arms, his cheek-bones somewhat high, his eyes deep-set and half concealed by long, black eye-brows, his step firm and quick ; in short, his whole personal appearance seemed to assure his pupils that it was the better part of valor to offer no resistance. Boys could see where strength was con- cealed and thunder was " bottled." And, when some fool- hardy fellow thought experience would be the better teacher, and challenged him to contest, he at once found himself in the condition of Virgil's Dares in the tiger-grasp of Old Entellus. He bowed as beneath a bolt from heaven, or the dust of his jacket blinded his eyes when subjected to the elastic and not very modest rod. If boys played tricks be- hind his back, the keen eye of the master would detect the culprits, who soon indicated where the smart was by the position and frantic movements of their hands. Young men in those days attended school, strong and robust, yet ignorant and rough in manners, who took great pleasure in putting the master out of the school-house, and several would often combine to accomplish this ; but none ever attempted to play the trick a second time on " Master Hill," for, by one contest, " horse and rider " became as powerless as the troops of Pharaoh when they wrestled with the angry sea. Hence the services of Mr. Hill were sought for in "hard " districts, and where others failed he suc- ceeded. Yet Mr. Hill carried, beneath this stern exterior, a heart tender and loving. If his shaggy eye brows carried terror to the culprit, there was a pledge in his face of kind- ness in his heart, in which any one could share who had a regard for what was right. After the labors of the day in the school-room, he spent the long hours of the evening in aiding his pupils in solving problems in arithmetic, or in understanding whatever might occupy them in school- hours. The range of his education was circumscribed, yet Mr. Hill was a practical man, of sound judgment, and he trained his pupils to think, and fitted them for the practical duties of life. He was, himself, awkward, yet taught, by
Chancetill
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
rules, ease of manners; himself unrefined, he sought to refine his pupils ; himself not eloquent in speech, he taught elocution ; himself poorly taught in grammar, he succeeded in teaching his pupils to read, spell, and write, with not a little correctness. Thus, during more than fifty years, and in nearly a hundred schools, he made his influence felt, and hundreds remember him with lively interest as a faithful and laborious teacher.
Reader, would you like to see Master Hill ? You can see him, just as he appeared to the writer in nearly the last school he taught, being about seventy years old. There is the artist's portrait ; here is the poet's word-picture : -
" A man severe he was, and stern to view ; I knew him well, and every truant knew ; Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace The day's disasters in his morning face ; Full well they laughed with counterfeited glee At all his jokes, for many a joke had he ; Full well the busy whisper, circling round, Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned. Yet he was kind, or, if severe in aught, The love he bore to learning was in fault. The village all declared how much he knew; 'Twas certain he could write, and cipher too, Lands he could measure, terms and tides presage, And even the story ran that he could gauge. In arguing, too, the parson owned his skill, For even though vanquished, he could argue still; While words of learned length and thundering sound Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around; And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew That one small head could carry all he knew."
In politics, Mr. Hill affiliated with the Democratic party until the Republican was formed. To the former party, he was the expounder of law, and his opinion was readily ac- cepted. He was much in office, and served the town faitlı- fully, and transacted the business correctly, for he had
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
thoroughly studied the statutes of the state, and knew whereof he affirmed.
When Mr. Hill transferred his relations to the Republi- can party, he was in like manner accepted as authority in all doubtful questions. Honest in his convictions, and those convictions being on the side of humanity, Mr. Hill became zealous in the cause of universal frecdom and une- quivocally opposed to oppression.
THE MOUNTAIN.
We do not mean Saddleback, nor any other literal moun- tain by this caption, but a high slope of land extending from the southern extremity of Saddleback towards the sun's rising, abounding in rocks and deep soil, rich in fields and pastures, orchards and comfortable dwellings. Over this tract, passes the road leading to Deerfield from Hoitt's Corner, descending near that locality, precipitously, into a deep ravine, much like that of the Gulf, where many a cas- ualty has made many a man feel that there was but a step between him and death. Horse and rider involuntarily shrink from the perilous descent, and look with alarm at the opposite acclivity. Yet, over this, parties of pleasure, men of business, and beasts of burden, have almost daily passed, and braved the danger and toil for a hundred years. Upon this eminence, settlements were early made, and large families have been raised and sent forth, tall, robust men, and vigorous women, able to cope with obstacles any- where, without fear of taller forms, stronger frames, or more elastic muscles. The range of vision in most direc- tions is extensive, and the air invigorating. Knowlton's Lake sparkles as a gem of beauty in the very bosom of this tract of land, a favorite resort once for the red man, when tall pines and majestic oaks shadowed the land. Here Col. John Morrison lived when he served his country so well in the days of the Revolution ; and here his son, the Hon. Robert Morrison, resides, passing his age amid the
SADDLE BACK MOUNTAIN.
DUFFORD'S LITH. HOSTON.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
pleasant cares and the comforts of rural life; finding pleasure in rock and rill, in flower and trce; never tired of life, nor sighing for its end.
BENNETT'S HILL.
This eminence lies between the turnpike and Bow Lake in Strafford. The view from it in several directions is ex- tended and rich, and full of interest to the stranger. A suitable establishment here for summer residents would receive a liberal patronage. An enterprising man might soon realize a fortune on this, or Blake's Hill, who would invite the dwellers in cities to revel in luxuries of scenery like this. The Hills, Knowleses, and Bennetts early settled in this region and reared large families that have scattered themselves over no small part of the country. The soil here is rich and capable of sustaining a large population. At the foot of this eminence in one direction, on the road leading to the upper part of Bow Lakc, is the saw-mill owned by William and G. T. Sherburn, near which is a large quantity of pine, hemlock, and oak timber. Near by, close by the line between Northwood and Strafford, was perpetrated the revolting murder of Georgianna Lovering by Franklin B. Evans, in October, 1872.
RICHARDSON'S HILL.
This picturesque locality is about a mile nortli of the Narrows, the views from which are delightful. At its base are nestled Jenness, Little Bow, Long, and Durgin Lakes, while the hill is crowned with a delightful grove of oak. In this neighborhood are the valuable cranberry meadows of S. S. James, Esq. Here werc located some of the earliest settlers of the town. The lover of nature cannot fail to find here much to attract his attention, whether he lingers long or performs the circuit of Jenness Lake, not failing to ride beneath the overhanging branches of the remarkable elm near the house of the late J. Elliott Brown,
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
nor declining to climb Fogg's Hill, from which he may ob- tain a view of eight lakes sparkling in the sunlight, of the Blue Hills in Strafford, and Saddleback, between Deer- field and Northwood, while other attractive points will present themselves.
All these places are easy of access, and will well repay the labor of visiting them. A generation will yet arise that will prize these as the rich inheritance of their attract- ive location.
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
CHAPTER IV.
PROFESSIONAL AND MUNICIPAL.
Attorneys. - Physicians. - Town Officers. - Fragmentary Records of Selectmen.
ATTORNEYS.
A BRAHAM B. STORY graduated at Brown, 1799, began practice in 1803 at Northwood, but soon re- moved to Washington.
John Kelly, son of Rev. William Kelly, born March 7, 1786, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1804, read law with J. H. Woodman, admitted attorney at Henniker in 1808; removed to Northwood soon after where he prac- ticed until 1831; was clerk of the House of Representatives in 1828 ; was representative from Northwood, and also from Exeter, and was councilor in 1846. Mr. Kelly was register of probate from 1831 to 1842.
Nathaniel Dearborn (see attorneys of Deerfield) married Abigail, daughter of Capt. Newman. Their daughter be- came the wife of William T. Willey. Mr. Dearborn died September 12, 1860, aged seventy-nine.
Ira B. Hoitt, native of Northwood, was clerk of the court of common pleas for many years ; also of the superior court. He has been practicing several years as attorney. (See Hoitt family.)
The people of Northwood have never been litigious ; Mr. Coe at the Narrows, Judge Harvey at the Center, the Clarks on Clark's Hill, and Mr. Virgin and others at East Northwood, always counseled peace, and Mr. Kelly, a man of blessed memory, was a Christian peace-maker.
Woodbury M. Durgin was appointed register of probate in 1877.
Hon. Edson Hill was for some years state treasurer.
584
HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
PHYSICIANS.
John Starr, a graduate of Harvard, early came to North- wood, and established himself in the east part of the town, extending his practice into Nottingham, Barrington, and Strafford. He died about 1850. He married Sarah Virgin of Concord, sister of Joel Virgin, Esq., merchant in East Northwood. Dr. Starr was elected a. fellow of the New- Hampshire Medical Society.
Benjamin Kelly, born in Salem, April 29, 1763, studied with Dr. Haseltine of Haverhill, Mass., and began practice in Northwood in 1785. He married Mary Gile of Notting- ham in 1787, removed to Loudon about 1797, and to Gil- manton in 1801, where he died March 23, 1839. His son, Charles G., married Abigail G. Sherburne, daughter of the late Capt. John Sherburne of Northwood.
William Smith of Salem, born September 18, 1769, died August 11, 1833, aged sixty-four. Mr. Smith studied with Dr. B. Kelly of Northwood, and succeeded him in practice. He married, March 10, 1805, Elizabeth, daughter of Jona- than Clark. (See Smith family.)
Moses Hill, a native of Warner, succeeded Dr. Smith ; he married Eliza Burnham, daugliter of David Clark of North- wood, removed to Manchester, 1844, thence to Burlington, Ia., in 1857, where he died, January 27, 1875, leaving two daughters, one of whom, Margaret E., is the wife of Jo- seph B. Nealley, of Burlington, Ia. (See Hill family, Dr. Moses. )
Claudius Buchanan Webster, son of the late Rev. Mr. Webster of Hampton, succeeded Dr. Hill in 1844. He read with Dr. Chadbourne of Concord, and graduated at the Med- ical College at Hanover, having graduated at Dartmouth in 1836. He married Mary E. Webster of Pembroke in 1844, and, in 1846, removed to Norwich, Conn., where he and his wife tauglit a ladies' scliool until the Rebellion broke out, when he devoted himself to caring for the soldiers, chiefly in Washington, D. C., and President Grant, unsolicited,
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HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD.
sent him consul to Sheffield, Eng., which office he still re- tains. Dr. Webster is a gentleman of great purity of character and of ripe scholarship.
Thomas Tuttle settled in East Northwood ; he was born in Barrington, February 23, 1817, and died May 28, 1873. (See Tuttle family.)
Caleb W. Hanson came to Northwood, April, 1858, and resides on Clark's Hill. Mr. Hanson was born in Barn- stead, October 14, 1832, and married Emma A. Knowles, daughter of Morris Knowles, Esq., of Lawrence, Mass., De- cember 21, 1859. (See Knowles family.) He studied medicine at Brunswick, Hanover, and New York City ; graduated in 1858.
· SELECTMEN.
1773. Benjamin Hill, Joseph Demerit, Samuel Johnson.
1774. Benjamin Hill, John Sherburn, John Batchelder.
1775. Samuel Johnson, William Wallace, Sherburn Blake.
1776. Benjamin Johnson, Solomon Bickford, William Prescott.
1777. Solomon Bickford, Thomas Piper, Daniel Hoitt.
1778. Joshua Furber, Robert Hill, Samuel Sherburn.
1779. Joshua Furber, Samuel Sherburn, Samuel Johnson.
1780. Samuel Johnson, Joshua Furber, Samuel Sherburn.
1781. Samuel Johnson, Joshua Furber, Samuel Sherburn.
Jonathan Jenness, Samuel Johnson, Henry Batchelder.
1782. 1783. Henry Batchelder, John Batchelder, Samuel Johnson. 1784. John Batchelder, Henry Batchelder, Samuel Johnson. 1785. 1786. Samuel Johnson, John Batchelder, Henry Batchelder. Henry Batchelder, Samuel Johnson, Sherburn Blake. John Harvey, Samuel Johnson, Jonathan Jenness. Henry Batchelder, Robert Morrison, Henry Batchelder. Sherburn Blake, Robert Morrison, Henry Batchelder.
1787. 1788. 1789. 1790. Henry Batchelder, Sherburn Blake, Robert Morrison. Samuel Johnson, Sherburn Blake, Henry Batchelder.
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