History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 105

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 105
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 105


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).


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It may be interesting to put down here the names of the Dudleys and the time they filled the office of representative.


Honorable John Dudley, Raymond, 8 years.


Moses Dudley, Esq.,


66


6


Joseph Dudley,


Gilman Dudley,


2


2


66


Alvin D. Dudley,


2


~


Nathaniel Dudley, Maine, estimated 5


37 years.


In 1766, John Dudley came to Raymond, having bought the farm now owned by his great-grandson, James T. Dudley, Esq. Gaining the confidence of the citizens, he soon became the leading man of the town. Two years after coming here he was appointed justice of the peace. He was an active patriot during the Revolution, and prominent in the councils of the State.


Maj. Josiah Fogg was a native of Bride Hill, in Hampton. He came to this town in 1752, and settled


2


J. Tucker Dudley, =


Samnel Dudley, Candia, 2


John Dudley,


Maine, 8


Daniel Jorden (Gordon). John Cram.


Benjamin Smith.


Jonathan Dearborn.


John Prescott Downs.


Timothy Clough.


446


HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.


on what was afterwards known as the Fogg farm, in Epping in 1762; came to town and lived here till which was kept in the name more than one hundred . after 1795. years.


Robert Page. The name Page is found in the early records of Hampton, and David Page, the father of Robert, was born there, but moved to North Hamp- ton, where Robert was born. He married Sarah Dear- born, sister of Gen. Henry Dearborn, and came to this place in 1755.


-


Lieut. Benjamin Bean was born in Kingston, and came to this town in 1752.


Jonathan Swain, Esq., was a native of Ilampton Falls. He was married three times, and some of his children were born before he came to town. He took up his residence here in 1765.


Levi Swain was son of the above, and was a native of Hampton Falls. He came here when about twelve years of age. He proved a worthy son of a faithful father in the service of the town.


James Moore was a native of Ireland, and brought, | ing in town is the Bean house. In this lived Lieut. to this country when about three years of age. Not long after he came to Chester. At the age of forty he moved to this town.


Robert Moore, son of the above, was born in Ches- ter, came to this town with his parents when quite young, and after arriving at a suitable age, attending Exeter Academy one year, then engaged in teaching in Maine, also in this town. Ile was moderator of the town-meeting two years, and one of the selectmen six. lle died, Jan. 5, 1804, aged thirty-nine. The late Capt. John Moore was his son.


Capt. Samuel Nay. The Nays of this town descended from John Nay, called a Jerseyman because he lived on the Isle of Jersey, east of England. John came to Hampton, and died in 1750, aged ninety. Capt. Samuel was born in Hampton. His father was John, son of the above. He was in the war with the French and Indians between 1755-60. He was deputy sheriff in Hampton, and a captain in the war of the Revolu- tion. He moved to Epping about 1780, and long after to this town.


Deacon Ebenezer Prescott's birthplace was Hamp- ton Falls. He came here about 1776. His wife was Phebe Eastman. He served as selectman two years, and was appointed a deacon in the Congregational Church in 1791.


Deacon Ebenezer Cram was born in Hampton Falls; came to town in 1768; was selectman two years ; and chosen deacon of the Congregational Church in 1791. He died Feb. 7, 1819, aged seventy-three years.


Benjamin Cram, brother to the above, a native of Hampton Falls, came here in 1768, and was selectman one year.


Ebenezer Osgood, Esq., brother of the above, was born in Epping in 1757; served in the army of the Revolution ; married Mary Fogg; settled in this town about 1782; was a justice of the peace, selectman two years, and representative one.


John Osgood, also a brother of the above, was born


Gen. Henry Tucker was one of the most active and enterprising men of the town.


The first of the largest family of Browns in Ray- mond was Jedediah. He came from Seabrook and settled towards the south end of the Page road.


The Blakes of Raymond descended from Jasper Blake. We have the authority of the late John Farmer, of Concord, for saying he was the first of the name to come over from England. He came to Ilamp- ton in 1650. Ile was married four times, his last wife being Deborah Dalton, sister of Rev. T. Dalton, min- ister, of Ilampton. He had ten children, viz., De- borah (who married Eleazer Elkins), Timothy, Israel, Jasper, John, Sarah, Joshua, Samuel, Dorothy, and Philemon. Ile lived in Hampton twenty-three years, and died June 5, 1673.


The Bean House .- The oldest dwelling now stand-


Benjamin Bean, followed by his son Thomas, whose son, Capt. Benjamin Bean, was next; and then the late John Bean, son of the captain. It was in early years a tavern. The first town-meetings were held there, and also meetings for preaching before a house of worship was erected.


This house was standing in 1752, and was built by David Bean, a brother of Lieut. Bean. Probably it was built about 1750, and is therefore one hundred and twenty-five years old. It has been kept in good repair, and looks as if it would do service one hun- dred years longer. It is now owned by G. R. West, who is of the fourth generation from Lieut. Bean, the first proprietor.


Bean family. The earliest and largest family of this name in town was the one south of Freetown Mills. It has been about one hundred and twenty- three years since the first member came here.


The first was David, who was born in 1725, in Kingston; where at the age of twenty-three he mar- ried Mary Judkins. He settled in Epping, then came to this town, near Freetown Mills, 1752. He was not here many years, but went to the island in Candia. llis descendants are there now. Rev. Moses Bean, of Candia village, was also a descendant.


Currier family. We have no record of any of this name before 1668. Thomas Currier, of Amesbury, Mass., died Sept. 27, 1712. In the line of one of his children, Benjamin, descended the progenitor of the family that came to Raymond. He was born March 27, 1668, probably in Amesbury.


Jonathan Cram, son of John, lived in Hampton Falls. He was born April 22, 1706, and died May 3, 1760. His wife was Elizabeth Heath. She died in 1773. Children :


1. John. He came to Raymond and lived here a while, then moved to Pittsfield.


2. Nehemiah.


3. Jonathan.


447


RAYMOND.


4. Ebenezer, born Dec. 5, 1745, married Mary Phil- brick, of Seabrook, who was born May 15, 1745. He settled in Raymond and lived at the place just north of the school-house in district No. 3. He was a deacon of the Congregational Church, and died Feb. 7,1819.


5. Benjamin came to Raymond, married Mary Bean, and lived where Josiah B. Cram now does.


6. Joel.


7. Joseph.


8. Molly.


Deacon Ebenezer and Mary Cram had children, probably, as follows, but we do not vouch for the ac- curacy as to dates in every case.


Jonathan Dearborn lived in Chester. His ances- tors came from Hampton. His children were Rich- ard, Mehitable, Peter, Benjamin, and Thomas. This last had a son Thomas, who was killed by a cannon- ball in the war of the Revolution, in 1778. His wife was Mary Morrison. They were the parents of Maj. Thomas Dearborn, of this town. There were four children, all sons. They were born in Candia.


In the northeast part of this town, in the line of another branch of the same great family, was the late Deacon Jolin Dearborn and the present Benjamin Dearborn. Members of this branch lived in Stratham. We begin back only at the year 1715, at which date one Jonathan Dearborn married Hannah Tuck. They might have lived in Stratham ; at any rate their im- mediate descendants did. This Jonathan was a son of John. Children of Jonathan and Hannah Dear- born :


1. John, born April 2, 17IS.


2. Bethia, born Nov. 2, 1719.


3. Benjamin, born Oct. 2, 1721, died young.


4. Hannah, born March 14, 1725.


Other pioneer families were the Emersons, Tuckers, Poors, Prescotts, Robies, Fullontons, Foggs, Folsoms, Giles, Gilmans, Healeys, Harrimans, Lanes, Lover- ings, Moodys, Moores, McClures, Moultons, Nays, Norrises, Osgoods, Pages, Scribners, Stevens, Swains, Tiltons, Wallaces, Wasons, Woodmans, Abbotts, An- dersons, Bishops, Bagleys, Burbanks, Bachelders, Bennetts, Dolloffs, Davises, Dodges, Dows, Elliots, Foxes, Floods, Gordons, Goves, Griffins, Heaths, Holmans, Kimballs, Leavitts, Lockes, Mandens, Mag- sons, Nortons, Peckers, Pollards, Runnells, Richard- sons, Roberts, Sanborns, Shannons, Smiths, Smarts, Sweatts, Stickneys, Shaws, Spinneys, Thrashers, Towles, Titcombs, Varnums, Whittiers, Wendells, and Yorks.


Physicians .- Dr. Francis Hodgkins was a native of Ipswich, Mass., and came about 1770. He died Oct. 8, 1812, aged sixty-one.


Dr. Benjamin Page was here a few years previous to 1800. His native place was Kensington.


Dr. John Pillsbury was born in Rowley, Mass., was in practice here from 1798 to 1804. He was full of hilarity and mirth. After leaving here he was in


Candia, then in Pembroke, where he died some years ago at an advanced age.


Dr. Phineas Trull, a native of Tuxbury, Mass., was here from 1805 to 1819.


Dr. Thomas II. Merrill, a native of Brownfield, Me., practiced in Gilmantown ; was here from 1820 to 1823. He moved to Boothbay, Me.


Dr. Edmund R. Rowell, a native of Salem, N. H., came in 1822, left in 1825.


Dr. Stephen Gale, a native of East Kingston, was here from 1824 to 1846, excepting an interval of one year at East Kingston, and about the same length at Gloncester, Mass.


Dr. John Gale, a native of East Kingston, studied with his brother, Dr. S. Gale, of this place; practiced at Epsom, and died at his brother's, in this town, Aug. 1, 1833, aged twenty-seven.


Dr. Stephen Brown, a native of Andover, N. II., was here in 1829, filling Dr. Gale's place, then in another town.


Dr. Theodore Wells, a native of Deerfield, prac- ticed in the town in 1836, Dr. Gale being absent again. Afterwards he became a minister, was settled over the Congregational Church in Barrington, and died in Sanford, Me., in 1864, aged fifty-six.


Dr. Thomas J. Dudley was born in this town, son of Thomas Dudley, who lived where John Seribner now does. Ile was a successful school-teacher, studied medicine with Dr. Gale, attended one course of lec- tures at Brunswick, Me. Failing health did not allow of his going farther. He died here of consumption, Jan. 19, 1831, aged thirty-one.


Dr. Peter Y. Frye. His native place was Deer- field. He succeeded Dr. Gale in 1846; left in 1855 ; went to Oyster Bay, Long Island, N. Y., where he still resides. His second wife was Miss Carrie Cur- rier, of this town. .


Dr. Harrison J. Copp, a native of Georgetown, Mass., was here a few months in 1852. His practice was eclectic. 'Afterwards he resided in Suncook and Manchester. In the late war he was with the Third New Hampshire Regiment as hospital nurse, and died at Port Royal, S. C., April, 1862, aged forty-two.


Dr. John O. Haines, a native of Deerfield, eclectic physician, was here, living up towards Langford's, from 1848 to 1857, when he went to Deerfield.


Dr. George A. Blake, a native of the town, son of the late Hon. Joseph Blake, is a physician. His wife was Miss Margaret Harrington, of Cambridge, Mass.


Dr. Trne Morrill Gould, a native of Newton, and son of Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Molly Gould. The family name has been in that town about one hun- dred years.


He passed his early years on the farm with the privi- leges of the district school, then at the high school, and later at the academy in Kingston. Choosing the medical profession, two years were spent under the in- struction of Thomas Bassett, M.D., of Kingston, then one year under Prof. Edmund R. Peaslee, M.D., of


448


HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.


Hanover. He attended a full course of lectures in the Medical Department of Dartmouth College, and graduated with the degree of M.D. in 1854; com- menced practice here in 1855. His business has been extensive and embraced surgery, not only in this but in other towns .. He is a member of the New Hamp- shire Medical Society and the American Medical As- sociation. He has held various offices. His wife was Miss Mary A. True, of this town, daughter of Mr. Elias and Mrs. Mercy True.


Dr. David Brown, born here, was a botanic physi- cian in llingham, Mass., and died there suddenly, Feb. 6, 1865, aged seventy-one.


Dr. John D. Lovering, born here, son of Gilman Lovering, studied the medical profession with J. R. Akers, M.D., of Bethel, Ill., graduated at the Medical Department of Union University, at Albany, N. Y., commenced practice in Essex, Mass., in 1861.


Dr. John P. Brown, born here, finished his medical studies in March, 1865, and at once became assistant physician in the asylum for the insane in Concord, N. H.


Dr. Moses L. Magoon, born here, dentist, in Maine. Dr. Phineas H. Wheeler, a native of Barnstead, came here in 1867, practiced a few months, and then went to Alton.


CHAPTER LXVI.


RAYMOND .- ( Continued.)


ECCLESIASTICAL AND EDUCATIONAL.


The Congregational Church-Free-Will Baptist Church-Methodist Episcopal Church-Universalists-Schools.


Congregational Church .- It was customary in the early history of the towns in New England, as soon as convenient, to establish meetings for the wor- ship of God. The first account here is in 1764, the year of the incorporation. At a town-meeting, held June 11th, voted to raise three hundred pounds, old tenor, for the support of the gospel. This was but a small sum in dollars. In 1765 voted to raise the same sum. A few who had come into town from Chester (the part now Auburn) belonged to the Presbyterian Church. They objected to paying a ministerial tax here, and it was voted that they "be eased of their rates." That year the first minister of whom mention is made came. His name was Gilman. Many did not like him, and at a town-meeting held March 3, 1766, voted that if Mr. Gilman preached he should not be paid by the town.


In 1767, Samuel Webster was paid six pounds for preaching, Solomon Moore six, Tristram Gilman seven pounds four shillings. In 1768, Mr. Gilman and Jonathan Searle preached.


The meetings in these years were held at Lieut. Benjamin Bean's tavern, the old house now standing


opposite the late John Bean house. The town voted to pay him three pounds for the use of his house up to March, 1769, and seventeen shillings for dinners for the ministers.


In 1770 voted to raise twenty pounds for preaching. Of this Mr. Searle received ten pounds sixteen shill- ings, and ten shillings were paid to Lieut. Bean for the use of his house.


In 1771 the meetings were held a part of the time at David Bacheldor's, west of York's Corner. The divided state of the people as to the location of a meeting-house for some half a dozen years, and then the war of the Revolution for eight years, tended to prevent the raising of much money for preaching.


In 1785, two years after the war, a meeting-house was built, and was so far completed that meetings could be held in it. The house stood in an immense woodland, with but few openings or cleared places for considerable distance around.


At the dedication of the meeting-house Rev. Josiah Stearns, of Epping, preached from a text singularly appropriate. It was from Psalm cxxxii. 6, "Lo, we heard of it at Ephrata ; we found it in the fields of the wood."


The location of the house was not liked by some, and not far from the time some waggish person posted up an advertisement headed " Found," and then went on to describe "a stray meeting-house found in the woods."


In 1787 voted fifteen pounds for preaching ; also that if any who did not wish to pay the minister tax- enter their names with the town clerk within ten days they be not taxed. Also that the minister tax may be paid in pine boards, eorn, or grain. Oetober 15th, voted to give Mr. Stephen Williams a call to settle in the ministry. He did not accept. In 1790, voted to give Mr. Thomas Moore a call on terms similar to the above. He did not accept.


No church had as yet been formed. The organiza- tion took place in 1791. The original members were twenty-one, as follows :


John Bacheldor, Robert Page, Stephen Prescott, Matthias Haines, Daniel Lane, David Lane, Benja- min Cram, Ebenezer Prescott, Ebenezer Cram, Sam- uel Nay, Samuel Nay, Jr., Sarah Page, Phehe Pres- cott, Mary Nay, Mary Cram, Sarah Haines, Abigail Lane, Hannah Lane, Mary Tilton, Abigail Bacheldor. Very soon after Jonathan Swain and Mary Swain united by letter.


Some three or four years passed with occasional supplies of preaching, and then Rev. Nehemiah Ord- way moved into town, and was a stated supply till 1797, when the matter of moving the meeting-house was agitated. A strong party wished it moved to what is now the village. Mr. Ordway, in one sermon, opposed the removal. But some thought that was not preach- ing the gospel. Not long after he elosed his supply here.


Those for the removal were in a small majority in


449


RAYMOND.


1797, at three different town-meetings, and in the autumn of that year it was removed.


The house was soon put in order for worship, but there was much division of feeling in the church that had grown out of the contention concerning the re- moval. Not long after Rev. James Thurston, of Exeter, was obtained for a supply in the years 1798 and 1799.


"The Lord rideth upon the whirlwind and directeth the storm," and at the proper time brings all to calm- ness and repose. The discordant elements finally became harmonized, and in 1800, Mr. Jonathan Stick- ney, of Newburyport, was ordained pastor.


Mr. Stickney continued seven years, and in June, 1807, was dismissed.


Ten years passed before another pastor was settled. In 1808 the town voted that the Free Baptists occupy the meeting house half of the time.


The church had some preaching by neighboring ministers till 1813, after which a missionary society in Massachusetts furnished supplies about half of the time till 1817. Revs. Homer, Cressy, and Wright were here most. About ninety united with the church. Rev. S. Bailey was installed pastor Oct. 1, 1817. He was dismissed in 1822.


Revs. James Thurston, M. Dutton, and others sup- plied till the next pastorate.


Rev. Seth Farnsworth, a native of Charleston, N. H., was ordained Nov. 3, 1824. Mr. Farnsworth was dismissed in 1834.


A new meeting-house was erected in 1834, and dedicated November 12th, and the next day Rev. Andrew H. Reed was installed pastor. Mr. Reed was dismissed Oct. 26, 1836.


Rev. Anson Sheldon succeeded. He was a native of Summers, Conn. He was installed June 28, 1837, and dismissed Oct. 15, 1839.


Rev. John C. Page, a native of Sandwich, was or- dained Oct. 6, 1841, and dismissed May 7, 1851.


Rev. David Burt, a native of Monson, Mass., was ordained Nov. 5, 1851, and dismissed Feb. 22, 1855.


Rev. Dana B. Bradford, a native of Hillsborough, was installed Dec. 5, 1855. Mr. Bradford was dis- missed in the summer of 1858.


Rev. George W. Sargent, a native of Dover, was ordained Dec. 21, 1859, and was dismissed early in 1865. Then nearly two years passed without a pas- tor, but there was a supply by different ministers.


Dec. 6, 1866, Edward D. Chapman, a native of East Haddam, Conn., was installed.


The ministry of Mr. Chapman here commenced some months before his installation, and at the end of three years was terminated by his death, Sept. 17, 1869.


The next pastor was Rev. Samuel Bowker, installed Nov. 30, 1870. This pastorate continued two and a half years, and terminated May, 1873.


In August following, Rev. D. B. Dodge began, and supplied six months. In June, 1874, Rev. W. A. 29


Patten became acting pastor. The present pastor is Rev. E. O. Dyer.


The deacons have been Ebenezer Prescott, Eben- ezer Cram, Samuel Nay, Daniel Norris, Thomas Wason, Daniel Tilton, John Dearborn, Daniel N. Lane, Horace Gordon, Jonathan F. Page, Hayden Higley, and W. S. Abbott.


Fanny McClure, who died in 1814, left a legacy of two hundred dollars to the church ; Joseph Richard- son, who died in 1852, left five hundred dollars, the income to help sustain singing; Mary Patten, who died in 1853, left one hundred dollars ; Hon. Joseph Blake died in 1864, and left five hundred dollars ; Martha MeClure died in 1870, and left one thousand dollars ; Ezekiel Lane died in 1873, and left a bequest, but it is not known as yet what the amount will be.


Free-Will Baptist Church .- The origin of this church was a religious interest near the mountains in Nottingham, under the preaching of Rev. Jeremiah Ballard, of Unity, in 1799. The interest extended into Candia, Deerfield, and Raymond, and in 1802 a church was formed, the members living in the four towns. Mr. Ballard preached in this town a few times, once at a tavern and once in a grove. In 1805, Rev. Il. D. Buzzell, of Gilmanton, preached here some, and Joseph Dudley was appointed ruling elder. His duty was to lead in meetings when there was no minister, and to preside in meetings of busi- ness. In [8]0, Rev. H. D. Buzzell was here part of the time; also Rev. Moses Bean, of Candia.


In 1818 the members in Candia and Raymond were constituted a church by themselves. In 1823 there was a revival. The ministers who officiated here were Revs. M. Bean and David Harriman, both of Candia.


In 1824, Candia and Raymond divided, and the members in this town became a separate church. The same year Rev. J. B. Prescott, of Monmouth, Me., preached here several months.


In 1826, Rev. Arthur Caverno, of Epsom, preached a portion of the time. The same year a house of worship was erected and dedicated. In the autumn of 1831, T. Robie was ordained. In 1832 there was a revival, in which Rev. John Knowles labored. In 1834, Rev. C. Small lived in town six months, and preached.


In the autumn of 1837, Rev. Hiram Holmes took charge of the church, and remained until 1839.


Not far from this an unhappy division on church polity took place. The result was the forming of a second church of the same name on the ground where there were not members enough for one effi- cient church. The second church occupied the meet- ing-house half of the Sabbaths, having, in 1842, a licensed preacher, H. B. Brock, a native of Bar- rington. In 1843 it had J. O. D. Bartlett, a native of Centre Harbor, who was ordained here that year.


This church numbered forty, but it fell into divis- ion, waned, and lost its visibility. The members who desired it were received back into the other church.


450


HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.


Rev. Asa Merrill, of Stratham, supplied some for years, till 1844. In the spring of 1845, Rev. B. H. McMurphey, a native of Alexandria, came and took charge. He continued two years, leaving in 1847.


Rev. Tobias Foss, a native of Strafford, succeeded in 1848, and continued five and a half years. Mr. Foss left in September, 1853. Rev. Joseph Fullonton succeeded as stated supply, and continued nineteen years. In 1858 a good revival brought an addition of twelve. Rev. John Fullonton, T. Robie, and Rev. Mr. Fullenten became ministers while members of this church, and, later, J. Woodbury Scribner.


The deacons have been Jeremiah Fullonton, Amos Bacheldor, Jeremiah Fullonton, Jr., Jefferson Healey. Clerks, Jeremiah Fullonton, Rev. H. Holmes, Jere- miah Fullonton, Jr., M. V. B. Gile.


Rev. Joseph Fullonton attended an academy part of three terms. Engaged in teaching ; poorly quali- fied; studied and taught, taught and studied, carry- ing books on the road, into fields, and to bed to study. Talked with the learned for improvement, studied the trees, plants, flowers, winds, clouds, and stars. Con- tinued thus, teaching and studying much, for twenty- five years. Engaged in the ministry ; no chance for theological training in the denomination of our choice then, so studied as best he could. Ordained at Danville, Feb. 16, 1837 ; continued there six years, then held a pastorate in Acton, Me., four years. Lost all voice for public speaking, and came here in Janu- ary, 1847 ; now deceased.


Methodist Episcopal Church .- Persons of Meth- odist sentiments have lived in town for more than fifty years. The greater part of these lived in the Branch District, and attended meetings in Poplin and Chester. Mr. J. F. Lane attended at Epping.


In 1840, Rev. A. Plumer, of Poplin, held meetings here, with some good results. Rev. L. H. Gordon moved into town in 1841, and supplied for several months. The interest declined, and Mr. Gordon moved to Epping. Rev. William French, of San- down, supplied some, but after a while the meetings were given up.


The present church began in 1848. At the town meeting in March it was voted to give all the right and title the town had to the meeting-house as a house of worship to the Methodist Society the ensu- ing year. Meetings commenced early in the summer. The Conference appointed a Mr. Hoyt, but after a short time he left, and the presiding eller obtained, for the remainder of the year, Rev. J. S. Loveland, a native of Stoddard. Near the close of the year it was decided to erect a house of worship. November 7th, the town voted to sell the society land for the purpose where the pound then stood. Soon there was much




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