History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 100

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714

USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 100
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 100

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frequently spoken and written on agricultural and other subjects; has never identified himself so closely with political parties as to desire or seek office ; has been selectman two years, and was appointed a mem- ber of the State Board of Agriculture for Rocking- ham County, but declined serving on account of pressing home duties.

In politics he was formerly a Whig, and belonged to the school of which Webster and Clay were leaders, and he elings to men of their stamp and their princi- ples still. He hates sectionalism in whatever form it appears. He is not a believer in universal suffrage. He considers the fear of voting (or intimidating) on the one hand and the purchase of votes on the other the most dangerous elements in our government at present, and says emphatically that a person who sells his own vote or purchases another is not fit to exer- cise the rights of suffrage in a free government like this, and ought if proved guilty to be disfranchised for life. Mr. French believes in universal education for all classes and colors, and his sympathies are always with the toiling millions rather than with the pampered few. He votes independently in local affairs, and usually with the Democrats on national questions.

From his youth he was extremely fond of agricul- ture in all its branches. That his farming has been of the progressive type, his homestead and surround- ings will fully verify. He is a firm advocate and be- liever in tile drainage, and has laid over two miles on Mr. French has been a member of the Congrega- tional Church for nearly fifty years, and treasurer of the Congregational Society nearly twenty. He likes its democratic form of church government, but takes exception to some of its tenets. As in politics he cares little for names, so in religion he believes in character rather than in creeds, and places no confi- dence in professions unless backed up by strict up- rightness in character and life. He calls the Bible his ereed, and Christ's example his pattern, and would fellowship with all those who sought to obey the one and imitate the other, judging them by their fruits as he expects to be judged himself. He is now his own place. He approves the consumption of hay and other forage crops on one's own place, and thus he always manufactures his own fertilizers. He believes in good buildings, good stock, good implements of husbandry, and a variety of good crops, but has de- rived his income largely from milk, fruit, and vege- tables. He was one of the first to contract for the sale of milk by the can for the Boston market. He has sold milk for thirty years, and now makes it his leading business. During the past five years, in con- nection with his two sons, who now reside in Boston, he has run a milk-car between North Hampton and . East Boston daily. The business has developed rapidly | in the decline of life, but retains much of vigor and

geremiale to Rolig

Charles . 6 Burlon

NORTH HAMPTON.

423

energy still, and was never disabled by sickness. He | little ones to the tender mercies of a cold and not combines strength of purpose with a resolute will, always friendly world when Charles C. was only six and believes strict honesty the best one quality any man possesses. years of age. About this time he was taken siek, and it was at one time thought that he too would die ; but, recovering, he was put ont to work on the farm, work- JEREMIAH H. ROBY. ing at different places during the summer, and attend- ing the district school a few weeks during the winters, unless the man where he happened to be had some work to do, which was more than likely to be the case.

Jeremiah H. Roby, son of Thomas Roby and Bet- sey Elkins, was born in the town of North Hampton, N. H., on the old Roby homestead, which has been in the family for five generations, July 15, 1828. He is a lineal descendant of Thomas Roby, who settled in North Hampton at an early day, and became one of the substantial citizens of the town. One of his descendants was John Roby, grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch. He married Mary Garland, and had a family of five children, viz. : Thomas, Bashaba, Betsey, Mary, and Simon, all of whom were born in North Hampton. John was a farmer by ocenpation, and a man esteemed for his many virtues. He was a member of the Congregational Church. He died in 1842, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife died previous to 1842.

Thomas Roby, son of John and Mary (Garland) place in North Hampton, N. H., April 4, 1872. He married Betsey, daughter of Jeremiah Elkins, of Hamilton, Dec. 11, 1826. Of this union three chil- dren were born, viz. : John H., who died in infancy ; Jeremiah H., and Mary E. A. (Mrs. Washington Parker). She was born Jan. 5, 1830, and died Dec. 16, 1865. Thomas Roby was one of North Hamp- ton's good farmers. He served in the war of 1812. In politics he was a Democrat. His son, Jeremialı H., received such an education as the common schools afforded, supplemented with a few terms at Hampton Academy. He has followed in the footsteps of his fathers, and has been a farmer. He also deals more or less in grain. He is a Republican in politics.

He married Hannah P., daughter. of Ephraim and Betsey Seavey, May 20, 1852. She was born June 24, 1831. . Her father descended from the old. Seavey family, one of the earliest and most substantial families in Rye, N. H.

CHARLES C. BARTON.

Charles C. Barton is a lineal descendant from Eben- Politically he has always been a Democrat, and as such was selectman from 1876 to 1879. What he Jacked in learning he made up in good common sense, and discharged the duties of his office with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He has also held other minor offices, both in his district and his town. His only sister, the widow of Daniel East- ezer Barton and Margaret Ilunt, who emigrated from England and settled at Pittsfield, N. H., at a very early day. He is the son of William and Mary A. C. (Frost) Barton, and was born in the town of Stratham, Rockingham Co., N. H., Jan. 9, 1821. His parents were very poor, and he was the second child in a family of three children, viz., William (de- . man, resides in Lowell, Mass., and carries on a thriving ceased), Charles C., and Mary A. C. | business. She has a daughter, Betsey Ann.

His mother died when he was but three years of age, and the family had no place they could call their own. The father, discouraged and homeless, soon fell a victim to the strong hand of disease, leaving his

At the age of fourteen he commenced working for one Joseph S. Marston, of North Hampton, and con- tinued to live with him until he was twenty-one years of age, receiving one hundred dollars. He continued to work for Mr. Marston four or five years, receiv- ing seven dollars per month for seven months during the summer, and his board for the remainder of the year. Out of this small sum be clothed him- self and saved a pittance. He then worked for Squire Batchelder eighteen months at nine and a half dollars per month, and then went to Lowell, Mass., and began working for a boot and shoe corporation, where he remained some nine years, receiving ninety-six cents cents towards the close of his term of service. Out of this amount he had to board himself.

During this time, June 9, 1850, he married Dorcas, daughter of James Libbey, of Ossipee, N. H., and to them were born three sons, Charles L., James W., and George E., the first two in Lowell, Mass., and the last in North Hampton, N. H., where they now reside.

In 1855 or 1856, Mr. and Mrs. Barton settled on the farm where he now (1882) resides. At first he had but forty acres, on which he owed several hundred. dollars, but by energy and economy they were soon out of debt, and then he wanted more land, which he bought adjoining his. Mr. Barton has now some three hundred acres of well-improved land, on which are some of the best farm buildings in the town.

Mr. Barton is a man of good executive ability, of indomitable energy, and of quick perception. He has always been very prudent, yet charitable to the church and hospitable to the poor.

Mr. and Mrs. Barton are members of the Congre- gational Church at North Hampton, N. H.

Roby, was born Sept. 6, 1783, and died at his native i a day when he commenced, and one dollar and twelve

424

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

PEPPERELL FROST.

Pepperell Frost, son of William Frost and Sally Johnson, was born in Parsonfield, Me., Dec. 8, 1815. 1878, by whom he had a son, deceased, named Levi His grandfather, Simon Frost, was a native of Maine, married Eunice -, and had one son, William, and Mrs. George E. Frost was born in Lawrence, Mass. Her ancestors were originally from Chester, N. H. several daughters. Simon was a farmer in Maine; he died in the prime of life, but his widow survived him till 1837, when she died at about eighty years of age. William Frost, only son of Simon and Eunice LEVI BROWN. Frost, was born in Kittery, Me., May 3, 1788, and Levi Brown, son of David Brown, was born in the town of Hampton, N. H., Sept. 26, 1777, and died at his home in North Hampton, N. H., July 28, 1861, aged eighty-four years. settled at Parsonfield, Me., with his parents when nine years of age. He was twice married,-first to Sally, daughter of David Johnson, and had eight children, viz. : David, Lydia, Pepperell, Jonathan J., Simon, Sarah J. (deceased), Mary A., and Anna (de- ceased).

Mrs. Frost was born Dec. 6, 1791, and died July ' 22, 1830. Mr. Frost married for his second wife a Mrs. Oliver Murfey, by whom he had three children, viz. : Betsey F., Olive T., and Ann M.

Mr. Frost was a farmer at Parsonfield, Me. He was a Democrat in politics. He died March 11, 1875, aged eighty-six years and ten months. Pepperell Frost worked on his father's farm summers and at- tended the district school winters till he was twenty years of age. In 1835 he left the old home and went out to seek his own fortune. He spent the following three years in the woods on the Penobscot River in Maine, and many and exciting are the scenes through which he passed. In 1838 he went to Massachusetts and worked on a farm till March 29, 1843, when he came to North Hampton, N. H., and settled on the farm where he has since resided.

He has been twice married, -first to Lydia, daugh- ter of Levi and Lydia (Lovering) Brown (see Mr. Brown's biography), July 4, 1843. She was born March 14, 1811, and died Nov. 28, 1878. Their chil- dren are Thomas B., died at twenty-two; Lydia A. (Mrs. William J. Breed, of Lynn, Mass.) ; Levi W., died at eight; and George E., born Oct. 31, 1856. Mrs. Frost was a member of the Baptist Church. She was a fine Christian lady of noble parentage. She was universally esteemed for her many virtues. She died suddenly, but left the fragrance of a good name as a precious legacy to her children. Mr. Frost married for his second wife Hannah L., widow of P. White, and daughter of James Libbey, July 3, 1880.

Mrs. Frost had by her first husband two children, one of whom, George G. White, is living in the town of Rye, N. H.

Mr. Frost's life-work has been that of an unosten- tatious farmer in North Hampton, N. H. He com- menced life a poor boy, and by his own hands has dug from "mother earth" his daily bread. He has been prudent with his earnings, and now (1882) has a competency. Politically, he follows in the footsteps of his father and is a Democrat. He has never sought political honors, although he has held some town

offices. His only surviving son, George E., mar- ried Maria G., daughter of Ephraim Hall, Nov. 13, W., after his two great-grandfathers.

llis father was a practical farmer and miller by occupation in Hampton, reared a large and intelli- gent family of children to industry and economy. His children were as follows: Levi, Samuel, Simon, John, and Mary, who married Jacob Dearborn, all of whom were born in Hampton, married, and had children.

Levi Brown, being the eldest of the family, was early put at the blacksmith trade, and soon became a good workman. Later in life he united farming with his trade. He early settled in North Hampton, where he carried on his business until his death.

He married Lydia, daughter of Thomas Lovering, Nov. 15, 1803. Their children were Hannah L. (Mrs. John P. Gronard), born Jan. 13, 1807, and died April 10, 1871; Lydia, born March 14, 1811, married Pep- perell Frost, of North Hampton ; 1 Thomas L., who died March 21, 1829, aged twenty-four years.

Mrs. Levi Brown died Feb. 7, 1852, aged seventy.

Politically Mr. Brown was a Democrat of the old school, and held some town offices. He was very firm in his opinions, always intended to weigh matters well before he came to a conclusion, but when he had once made up his mind it was difficult to per- suade him differently. He was a man of great energy and very fond of athletic sports; a man of large, powerful frame, hence a hard man to handle.

The above biography and its accompanying portrait is inserted by his only surviving grandson, George E. Frost, an enterprising young farmer of North Hamp- ton, in memory of his venerable grandfather.

THIE MARSTON FAMILY.

The first of the name of which we have any knowl- edge was Thomas Marston, born in 1728, and died April 4, 1807, aged seventy-eight years, seven months, and twenty-nine days. He married Elizabeth Page, who died Sept. 21, 1796, aged sixty-one years, one month, and one day. Their children were Jeremiah, Thomas, Abraham, Deborah (who lived to be ninety- eight years of age), and Elizabeth, who died at twenty- three.

Thomas Marston, son of Thomas and Elizabeth

1 See Mr. Frost's biography.

Pepperell Frost

LEVI BROWN.

425

NORTHWOOD.

Marston, was born Nov. 10, 1756, married Hannah, daughter of David Knowles, Dec. 9, 1783. She died Feb. 28, 1820, aged fifty-nine years, six months, and twenty-five days. Their children were as follows, viz., Elizabeth, who married Levi Jewell for his sec- ond wife; Hannah, who married Levi Jewell for his first wife, and had the following children : Emiline," John L., Mary E., Hannah M.,d Sarah F.,e De Witt C.,fand Orinda A.,8 all born in Stratham, N. H .; Mary, who died June 20, 1871, aged 81; Thomas, who mar- ried Mary Leavitt, and has one living daughter, Sophia; he died Dec. 16, 1870, aged seventy-seven years ; David K., married Mary Tasker and had six children, viz., Mary E.a (deceased), David T.b (de- ceased), Almira, Charles,ª Lucy A. (deceased), Cyrus L.' (deceased ) ; Deborah and Sally, twins; Deborah married Edward Lang ; she died April 10, 1871, aged seventy-one ; the other twin, Sally, is still living, and was born Dec. 15, 1799; Fanny, born Nov. 10, 1802, has spent more than thirty years of her life with the family of Amos Lawrence, of Boston; Almira, died Sept. 13, 1870, aged sixty-six ; Benjamin, born March 15, 1807. All of this large family were born in North Hampton. Thomas and Abraham Marston were sol- diers in the Revolutionary war. Abraham settled in Effingham, where he died. Thomas was a selectman in North Hampton nine years; he and his wife were members of the Congregational Church, of North Hampton, N. H. Benjamin Marston was a farmer in North Ilampton, and a Democrat in politics. He held various offices in the town, such as selectman, etc. He married Sarah D. Nutter, and had two children, of whom Thomas E. is the only surviving one. Mr. Marston was a member of the Baptist Church, and a plain, unostentatious man. He died Aug. 5, 1862, aged fifty-five years, four months, and twenty-one days. His son, Thomas E., married Margaret Dow, and has one son, Edward Everett.

DRAKE GENEALOGY.

Robert1, born in Devon County, England, in the year 1580; settled in Exeter about the year 1643; re- moved to Hampton in 1651. Ilis house stood ou the spot now occupied by the old Baptist meeting-house. Children : Nathaniel, Susannah, and Abraham2 (set- tled at Drakeside about the year 1651).

Abraham 2 by his wife Jane had children as follows: Susannah, Abraham3 (born Dec. 29, 1654; married Sarah -; died in 1714), Sarah (born Aug. 20, 1656), Mary (born March 25, 1658), Elizabeth (born July 11, 1660), Hannah (born Oct. 14, 1662), and Robert (born Sept. 27, 1664).

Abraham3 by his wife Sarah had children as fol- lows: Sarah (born Nov. 7, 1686), Abraham+ (born March, 1689; married Theodate Roby; died, aged seventy-eight), Jane (born 1691; married John Shur- borne), Mary (born 1692; married Shubar Sanborn),

and Nathaniel (born 1695; married Jane Lunt; died 1763).

Abraham+ by his wife Theodate had children as follows: Elizabeth (born Feb. 28, 1712 ; married Jerc- miah Page), Theodate (born Nov. 7, 1713; married Josiah Sanborn), Abraham (born Dec. 4, 1715; mar- ried Abigail Weare), Samuel5 (born Dec. 15, 1717; married Esther Hobbs, April 14, 1743; died 1786), Sarah (born April, 1720; married Samuel Batchelder), Mary (born Sept. 23, 1722; married Elisha Marston), Abigail (born Nov. 28, 1724; married John Taylor), John (born Jan. 2, 1728; died Jan. 29, 1731), Simon (born Oct. 4, 1730; married Judith Perkins), and Thomas (born July 8, 1733; married Patience Towle).

Samuel5 by his wife Esther had children as follows: Theodate (born Jan. 8, 1744; married Samuel Page), Elizabeth (born Nov. 26, 1745; married John Fogg), Mary (born Nov. 26, 1747 ; married Stephen Coffin), Esther (born Nov. 29, 1749 ; died in infancy ), Samuel ® (born Aug. 3, 1751; married Mary Jenness; died Sept. 10, 1812), John (born Oct. 4, 1753; married Huldah Lane; died 1842), Esther (born Jan. 20, 1756; married Benjamin Dearborn ; died 1831), Sarah (born July 25, 1759; married James Hobbs ; died 1842), and Abigail (born Aug. 3, 1761; married John Jenness).

Samuel 6 by his wife Mary had the following chil- dren : Abraham (born March 29, 1783; died June 25, 1861), Abigail (born Sept. 24, 1784; married Moses Batchelder; died Jan. 17, 1872), Theodate (born Oct. 31, 1786; married Joseph Jenness; died March 27, 1836), Mary (born Sept. 20, 1788 ; died Feb. 10, 1859), Samuel (born Sept. 24, 1790; married Elizabeth Berry ; died Jan. 16, 1864), Ebenezer T. (born Sept. 2, 1792; married Abigail Berry; died Aug. 25, 1839), Elizabeth (born Jan. 12, 1795; married Thomas Brown; died May 9, 1868), and Sarah (born Jan. 31, 1798; died April 11, 1882).

CHAPTER LXI.

NORTHWOOD.1

Geographical-Topographical-Early Settlements-Names of Pioneers- Incorporation- First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-The Revolu- tion-The Association Test-Ecclesiastical-Calvin Baptist Church- Congregational Church-Free-Will Baptist Church-Coe's Northwood Academy-Villages and Hamlets-Physicians-Early Families.

THE town of Northwood lies in the extreme north- ern part of the county, and is bounded as follows: ou the north and east by Strafford County, on the south by Deerfield, and on the west by Merrimac County.

"Early Settlements .- The century preceding that in which the history of this town is involved was one of comparatively small beginnings throughout New England. In the territory now known as New Hamp- shire small settlements, independent of each other,

1 Condensed, by permission, from Rev. E. C. Cogswell's excellent " His- tory of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood."

426

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

had been made at Dover, Portsmouth, Exeter, Hamp- ton, and elsewhere. As they suffered from the mis- rule of men claiming proprietorship of territory, and from the unfriendliness of some of the Indian tribes, they sought protection from the State of Massachu- setts. This State had claimed that the territories of New Hampshire and Maine were included within the limits of their original charter, and willingly took these settlements under their care, which proved not a little beneficial. Immigrants from England came in greater numbers, not only increasing settlements already existing, but pushing farther from the sea- coast into the interior, making settlements at Epping, Lee, and Nottingham. Nottingham was incorporated as early as 1722, including what may now be known as Deerfield and Northwood, in addition to its present limits. Deerfield was incorporated as a town in 1766. But the eyes of the energetic and restless settlers of the lower towns did not fail to observe the high slope of land lying on a line between Portsmouth and Con- cord. Hunters found this region abounding in game, and gave on their return to settlements nearer the coast glowing descriptions of the excellence of the soil and the richness of the forests. A few had from time to time constructed temporary huts and pur- posed permanent settlements ; but they were not the men to fell the trees and rear a population so remote from any considerable settlement as was this tract of country long known as North Woods.

" In 1762 there arrived in the east part of the town, and halted there for the night, four wearied, weather- beaten, determined men. The day was one of those warm, sunny days in spring, when the south winds blow, and the heart leaps with joy at the sight of fresh soil and green leaves, and at the sound of the blue jay and the cunning raven, as well as at the plaintive strains of the thrush. These men each bore upon their shoulders an axe and a gun, with provisions to last them a few days. No wife, no child acconi- panied them. They build their booth of pine boughs, kindle their fire, and, partaking of their rude fare, lay them down for rest. Wearied as they were, they could not sleep without interruption from the howlings of the wolves in their vicinity. On the morrow they survey the tract of land around their camp-fire, and find it to be a beautiful swell, sloping towards the rising sun, in the neighborhood of meadows abounding in forage and adequate water-power for mills. Three of these men-Moses Godfrey, John and Increase Batchelder-resolved here to make for themselves permanent homes, while the fourth-Solomon Biek- ford-resolved to look further. Accompanied by God- frey, he spotted his way over the height, where the eye may detect the blue waters of the Atlantic, and reached the north western part of the town, now known as 'The Narrows.' And here, too, were meadows abounding in forage and water-power; and in sight of these, and near the gem of lakes, the Suncook, he erected his pillar and resolved to build and abide.

"One of the great obstacles to the taking of new lands remote from other settlements is the want of forage for cattle, so essential to success. It requires several years to clear the land and bring it into grass sufficient to sustain any number of cattle both summer and winter. Hence these sensible men resolved to obviate this by making their settlements near where a supply was already provided in meadows, of which they took possession, with none to dispute their right. And, more than this, they were both farmers and mill- wrights, and they knew if they would gather around them other families they must be able to furnish build- ing materials, and so they sought the water-fall, and planned at once the rude mill that should meet this urgent want.

"Godfrey and the Batchelders naturally affiliated, being from the same neighborhood and of the same religious tendencies, and expected many others of like sympathies to follow them; while Bickford saw that it would be better for him to seize a point around which he could gather his friends and those in sym- pathy with him; while both parties ever afterwards sustained the friendliest relations.

"Bickford aud Godfrey returned to the camp, around which the Batchelders had effected a clear- ing, and all aided in erecting a log house for Godfrey, in a field now owned by Nicholas D. Hill, west of the turnpike, for Godfrey was a married man, while the Batchelders were not. Having made rude beginnings, these four friends returned, Biekford to Lee, Godfrey and the Batchelders to Hampton, now North Hamp- ton, and on the 25th day of the following March (1763), Godfrey, with his family, and John and In- crease Batchelder returned to occupy the land they i had chosen, the Batchelders boarding with Godfrey until they might build near him, where now stands the house of Francis J. Hanson. Theirs was the first frame honse built in Northwood.

" In December following, Bickford, with his family and his brother John, returned to possess the land at the Narrows, building where stood the dwelling-house of the late Deacon Asa Bickford, where was born to him a son, named Solomon, June 25, 1764, the first child born within the present limits of Northwood.

"The next man that came was Samuel Johnson, from Hampton. . He spent the first night following the day of his arrival hetween two rocks that had been rent one from the other, spreading over them a covering of boughs. This was near where now stands the house of Charles O. Brown, and close by the base of these roeks lie the ashes of the good man and of many of his descendants. Johnson's arrival was in November. 1765, when there were only twelve per- sons within the present limits of the town, -- five men, Godfrey, John, and Increase Batchelder, Solomon and John Biekford, and two women, the wives of Godfrey and Solomon Bickford, and five children.

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 100

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1714

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714