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 113
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 113
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George IToward.
1749 .- Daniel Peaslee, William Sanders, Peter Merrill.
J. K. Sexton.
Daniel Wilson.
T. B. Middleton.
George Sumner.
Harry Kickins.
1750 .- Salem incorporated. Nathaniel Dow, Seth Pattea, Joun Ober, Jonathan Wheeler, Richard Dow.
1751 .- Ebenezer Ayer, Benjamin Wheeler, Edward Clark.
1752 .- Obadiah Eastman, Peter Merrill, Ebenezer Woodbury.
9
Horses on town farm
Acres on town farm
100
Rate per cent. of tax on $1000.
$16.10
Benjamin Wheeler.
War. F. Mansfield.
James T. Wallace.
George H. Pattee.
Sylvester O, Woodbury.
Benjamin F. Hall (capt. ).
George W. Taylor.
Milton F. Austin.
Charles HI. Thompson.
Charles H. Hall.
Charles HI. Kelly.
Leverett (". ('luff.
Benja. R. Wheeler (lieut.).
Jerome Kelly.
Gilman E. Sleeper (lient .- col.).
Michael Haley.
Orlow Austin.
Wm. H. F. Chasa.
Charles O. Kelly.
John B. Pattee.
J. H. Langley, navy.
George M. Whidden.
Charles T'. Maxwell.
!
Davial Sloan.
S H. Wilson.
George 1 .. Kelly.
Calvin Cookson.
Edward B. Mosher.
Edward M. Cooper.
CIVIL HISTORY.
As setting forth the degree of influence and promi- nence certain citizens of the township have reached, as well as estimating publie worth, as usually ex- pressed by the inhabitants of rural towns, there fol- lows a complete record of the selectmen of Salem,
A. M Canfield.
Thomas II. Holland.
John Jameson.
- year by year, from the earliest period to the present time, those from 1743 to 1749 being for the old dis- trict of Methuen :
Charles Newell.
1744 .- Nathaniel Dow, Daniel Cresy, Ileory Sanders.
1745 .- Heary Saoders, Nathaniel Dow, William Richardson.
John H. George.
Jeremiah D. Drew (col.).
Ogilvia Connor.
Value of town farm.
$2,500.00
Value of town house. $1,00.00
Cows on town farm
Value stock in trade. $12,534.00
Total valuation .. $578,658.00
I'olls .. 483
Value mills, machinery, etc ..... $11,450.00
Benjamin W. Cluff.
George L. Hout.
Ilogs
J. Whayland. Charles Shamboo. Wm. Sherry.
481
SALEM.
1753 .- Daniel Peaslee, Timothy Johnson, Joseph Wright. 1754 .- Joseph Wright, Edward Carleton, William Sanders. 1755 .- Richard Dow. Peter Merrill, Benjamin Wheeler. 1756 .- Peter Merrill, John Hall, Jr., Joseph Wright. 1757 .- Obediah Eastman, Joseph Wright, Andrew Balch. 1758 -John Hall, Jr., Joseph Wright, Obediah Eastman. 1759 .- Daniel Massey, Edward Clark, Nathaniel Woodman. 1760 .- Daniel Massey, Daniel Peaslee, Edward Clark. 1761 .- John Dall, Jr., Obediah Eastman, Thomas Douglass. 1762 .- John Hall, Jr., Obediah Eastman, Richard Dow. 1763 .- John Hall, Jr., Benjamin Wheeler, John Currier. 1764 .- Simon Bradford, Timethy Bedel, Jonatban Wheeler, Jr. 1765 .- Joseph Wright, Obediah Eastmas, John Giles. 1766,-Joseph Wright, Obediah Eastman, John Giles. 1767 .- John Hall, Moody Morse, Caleb Duston. 1768 .- John Hall, Abraham Dow, John Kelly. 1769 .- John Hall, Caleb Dnston, John Kelly. 1770 .- Jehn Hall, John Kelly, Caleb Duston. 1771 .- John Hall, Jebn Kelly, Jeremiah Dow. 1772 .- Zachariah Woodbury, Caleb Duston, Daniel Corlise. 1773 .- Peter Merrill, Jonathan Tenny, Daniel Gordon. 1774 .- Caleb Duston, Jesse Merrill, Jeremialı Dow. 1775 .- John Hall, John Kelly, Caleh Dusten. 1776 .- William Hall, Amos Dow, Richard Messer. 1777 .- William Hall, Amos Dow, Richard Messer. 1778 .- Meody Morse, John Allen, Zachariah Woodbury. 1779 .- Caleb Duston, Jeremiah Dow, Asa Dow. 1780 .- Benjamin Bixby, William Thom, Abbot Pettingill. 1781 .- Abbot Pettingill, William Thom, Thomas Runnels. 1782 .- Abbot Pettingill, William Thom, Thomas Runnele. 1783 .- Abbet Pettingill, William Thom, Thomas Runnele. 1784 .- William Thom, Amos Dow, Benjamin Woodbury. 1785,-Jeremiah Dow, Benjamin Woodbury, Nathaniel Gorrill. 1786 .- James Webster, William Thom, Richard Kimball. 1787 .- William Them, Henry Little, Richard Kimball, 1788 .- Caleb Duston, James Webster, Elijah Hall. 1789 .- William Thom, James Webster, Elijah Hall. 1790 .- William Thom, James Webster, Elijah Hall. 1791 .- William Thom, James Webster, Elijah IIall. 1792 .- Jeremiah Dow, Richard Kimball, Samuel Webster. 1793 .- James Webster, Oliver Kimball, Thomas Smith. 1794 .- William Thom, Elijah Hall, Thomas Smith. 1795 .- Jesse Webster, Elijah Hall, David Allen. 1796,- Jesse Webster, Nathaniel Belknap, Silas Betton. 1797 .- Jamies Webster, Silas Betten, Thomas Dow.
1798 .- James Webster, Jesse Webster, Joseph Wardwell.
1799 .- Jesse Webster, Thomas Dow, Elijalı Hall. 1800 .- Elijah Hall, Joshua Merrill, David Allen. 1801 .- Nathaniel Gorrill, Joshua Merrill, David Allen. 1802 .- Elijah Hall, Israel Woodbury, Silas Betton. 1803 .- Silae Betton, Israel Woodbury, Hezekiah Jenes. 1804 .- Israel Woodbury, David Allen, William S. Kelly. 1805 .- Joshua Merrill, Jesse Webster, John Clendenin. 1806-Joshua Merrill, Israel Woodbury, John Clendenin. 1807 .- Joshua Merrill, Israel Woodbury, John Clendenin. 1808 .- Joshua Merrill, Edmund Brickett, Jedediah Carleten. 1809 .- John Clendenin, Benjamin Gordon, Richard Pattee. 1810,-John Clendenin, Israel Woodbury, John Allen. 1811 .- John Clendenin, Israel Weedbury, John Allen. 1812 .- Joshua Merrill, Israel Woodbury, Jonathan Merrill. 1813 .- Silas Betton, Joshua Merrill, Jonathan Merrill. 1814 .- Israel Woodbury, Jonathan Merrill, Richard Pattee, .1815 .- Joshua Merrill, Richard Pattee, John Allen. 1816 .- Richard Pattee, John Allen, Pearson Titcomb. 1817 .- John Woodbury, John Allen, David Dusten. 1818 .- John Woodbury (2), David Duston, John J. Clendenin. 1819 .- John Clendenin, Francia Smith, Jonathan Kimball. 1820 .- Joshua Merrill, John Woodbury (2), David Dueton. 1821 .- Joshua Merrill, John Woodbury (2), Silas Betton. 1822 .- John Woodbury (2), Jehn H. Clendenin, John Allen. 1823 .- John H. Clendeniu, John Allen, Jeseph Kimball. 1824 .- John Allen, John Woodbury (2), Pearson Titcomb. 1825 .- Thornton Betton, John Clendenin, John C. Ewins. 1826 .- Thornton Betten, John Clendenin, Jehn C. Ewins. 1827 .- Thornton Betton, John C. Ewine, John Clendenin. 1828 .- Joshua Merrill, John Merrill, Thornton Betton. 1829 .- John Clendenin, Jehn Merrill, David Messer.
1830 .- David Messer, John H. Clendenin, Joseph Taylor. 1831 .- Asa Woodbury, Caleb Prince, Asa Gage.
1832 .- Caleb Prince, Jobin Kelly, Nathan Currier. 1833 .- Aquila Dow, John H. Thompson, Joseph Thom. 1834 .- John Il. Thompson, John F. Tenny (but two this year).
1835 .- John H Thompsen, John F. Tenny, Richard Woodbury.
1836 .- David Messer, John Kelly, John H. Clendenin. 1837 .- Richard Woodbury, Joseph Taylor, Abner Gage. 1838 .- John Kelly, Thomae Webster, Beniali B. Gordon.
1839 .- John Kelley, Thomas Webster, Nathaniel Woodbury.
1840 .- John F. Tenny, Nathaniel Woodbury, Thomas Duston,
1841 .- John F. Tenny, John Emerson, Nathaniel Woodbury.
1842 .- John Emerson, John Kelly, Mooree Bailey.
1843 .- David Messer, Meoree Bailey, Obadiah Duston. 1844 .- Meores Bailey, John F. Tenny, Obadiah Dueten.
1845 .- David Messer, Obadiah Dustou, John Emerson. 1846 .- Moores Bailey, John A. Messer, John Marsten.
1847 .- Moeres Bailey, John A. Messer, Richard Weedbury.
1848 .- John II. Dunlap, David Messer, Obadiah Dueton. 1849 .- Moores Bailey, Charles Day, Enoch Taylor. 1850 .- Moores Bailey, Enoch Taylor, Charles Day. 1851 .- John R. Wheeler, Aaron G. Wilson, Samuel Kelly. 1852 .- David Messer, Ierael Woodbury, Jr., Obadiah Dusten.
1853 .- Israel Woodbury, Jr., Levi Emery, Jr., David D. Bailey. 1854 .- John R. Wheeler, John Taylor, Jr., Isaac Woodbury. 1855 .- Isaac Woodbury, Amos Dow, Willard G. Smith. 1856 .- Isaac Woodybur, Joseph Webster, Charles Anstin.
1857 .- Joseph Webster, Charlee Austin, William G. Crewell. 1858 .- William G. Crewell, James Taylor, Josiah Cluff. 1859 .- Charles Kimball, Albertne Coburn, George W. Merrill. 1860 .- George W. Merrill, James Taylor, Edward Griffin. 1861 .- George W. Merrill, James Taylor, Edward Griffin. 1862 .- William G. Crowell, George N. Austin, John Clark.
1863 .- Charles Austin, John W. Wheeler, John Clark.
1864 .- William G. Crowell, John W. Wheeler, Daniel N. Ruse.
1865 .- George N. Austin, Matthew H. Taylor, George C. Gordon. 1866 .- Matthew H. Taylor, George C. Gordon, Joel C. Carey.
1867 .- George C. Gordon, Levi Cluff, Joel C. Carey.
1868 .- George C. Gordon, Levi Cluff, Silas Hall.
1869,-Levi Cluff, Silas Hall, William B. Kimball.
1870 .- George N. Austin, William B. Kimball, Gilman D. Kelly.
1871 .- George N. Austin, William B. Kimball, Gilman D. Kelly.
1872 .- Richard Taylor, William B. Bartlett, William G. Crowell.
1873 .- George H. Tayler, Levi W. Taylor, Levi Cluff.
1874 .- Daniel Merrill, Rawsen Coburn, Charles Kimball.
1875 .- Levi Clufi, William B. Kimball, Willard W. Merrill.
1876 .- William B. Kimball, Willard W. Merrill, Charlee I. Bewker.
1877 .- Willard W. Merrill, Charles T. Maxwell, Nathaniel H. Paul. 1878 .- Matthew H. Taylor, Charles T. Maxwell, Gilman D. Kelly. 1879 .- Matthew H. Taylor, Charles T. Maxwell, Gilman D. Kelly. 1880 .- Charles T. Maxwell, Jeel C. Carey, Richard Taylor.
1881 .- Joseph Webster, Jeel C. Carey, Willianı R. Wheeler. 1882 .- Joseph Webster, William R. Wheeler, Eben B. Wells.
LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES OF SALEM IN GENERAL COURT OR LEGISLATURE.1
1744. Daniel Peaslee. John Ober.
1777. Jonathan Wheeler.
1778. Jeremiah Dow.
1745. Henry Sandere.
1779-81. Timothy Ladd.
1746. John Ober. 1782. Caleb Duston.
1747. Daniel Peaslee.
1783-84. Jobn Alleu.
Ebenezer Ayer.
1785. Caleb Duston.
1748. Ebenezer Ayer. John Ober.
1793. James Webster.
1749. Daniel Peaslee.
1794-96. Joseph Wardwell.
1752. Henry Sanders.
1800. Thomas Dow.
1758. William Richardson.
1801-4. Jesse Webster.
1762. Joseph Wright.
1805-9. David Allen.
1810-11. Silas Betton.
1765. Joseph Wright. 1768. Joseph Wright.
1812-15. John Clendenin.
1771. Joseph Wright.
1816. Joshua Merrill.
1774. Joseph Wright.
1817-19. Israel Woodbury.
1775. Jacob Butler, Jr.
1820-27. John Clendenin,
1776. Caleb Dueten.
1828-30. Thornton Betton.
1 Where any year is omitted no representative was chosen.
31
1787-88-89-92. Thomas Dew.
1750. John Ober.
1797-99. Silae Betton.
482
HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1831. Christopher Morrison.
1866. George N. Austin.
1833-35. John Woodbury.
1867. Matthew H. Taylor.
1836-37. John F. Tenny.
George N. Austin.
1838-39. David Messer.
1868. John W. Wheeler.
Matthew H. Taylor.
1842. John F. Tenny. 1844-45. Nathaniel Woodbury.
1869. John W. Wheeler. Joel C. Carey.
1870. Levi Cluff.
1846. Daniel Messer. 1847. John Woodbury.
.Joel C. Carey.
1849-50. Richard Woodbury.
1871. Levi Cluff.
Silas Hall.
1853-1854. Enoch Taylor.
Benjamin R. Wheeler.
1873. Richard Taylor.
Benjamin R. Wheeler.
1859. John F. Tenny.
John H. Lancaster.
1874. Stephen Bailey. Levi W. Taylor.
1860. Joseph Webster.
William G. Crowell.
1875. Richard Taylor.
1861. Joseph Webster.
John W. Wheeler.
William G. Crowell.
1376. George C. Gordon.
.
1862. Henry S. Beckford.
John W. Wheeler.
Lowell Reed.
1877. William B. Kimball. George C. Gordon.
1863. Heury S. Beckford. Lowell Reed.
1878. William B. Kimball.
1864. Charles Austin.
Willard W. Merrill.
Isaac Woodbury.
1879. Matthew H. Taylor.
1865. Charles Austin. Isaac Woodbury.
1880. (Biennial session of Legisla- ture.)
1866. Edward S. Woodbury.
1881-82. Gilman D. Kelly.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
J. W. WHEELER.
J. W. Wheeler is the son of John A. Wheeler and May Stevens, his wife, who was a daughter of Rev. William Stevens, a Methodist minister of Massachu- setts. He is the fourth in line from Jonathan Wheeler, of whom little is known. Richard was the second, and John A. the third, who was married April 22, 1822. Two children were born, both of whom are now living, Abraham M., who is a Metho- dist minister, living in Vermont, and the subject of this sketch, who was born in the town of Salem, N. H., Aug. 19, 1826. He was educated at the New Hampshire Conference Seminary, at Tilton, N. H. He left school at the age of twenty-one, and assisted in the management of his father's farm, which was one of the largest in that part of the State. Two years after leaving school, when in his twenty-third year, he was united in marriage to Phobe, daughter of Richard Dow, of Windham, N. H., a descendant of one of the earliest families who inhabited New England.
They were married Dec. 27, 1849. There were born to them three children, two of whom are living. Minnie A., their first child, was born Oct. 16, 1852, and died July 1, 1863; William R. was born Jan. 20, 1854; Ethel May was born Dec. 3, 1871.
Mr. Wheeler continued in the management of his father's farm until he was thirty-three years old, when he entered into copartnership with James W. Bailey in the purchase of the woolen-factory that occupied the site of the extensive buildings now owned by
himself. At the end of the first year Mr. Wheeler sold his interest to Charles Austin. After a lapse of two years he again hought the concern with George Austin. In 1864 he purchased Mr. Austin's inter- est, and has since carried on the business alone. In 1879 the factory was burned to the ground. The fire broke out in the daytime, and the building and con- tents were consumed.
With characteristic energy Mr. Wheeler set about the erection of a new mill, which was completed in a short time. The structure is of brick, located on a never-failing water-power, and contains the latest improved machinery. The goods manufactured are frockings and flannels. In 1861 he was elected selectman, which position he occupied for two years. He was then elected representative, in which capacity he served four years. He was then elected senator, serving two years. In 1881 he was elected a member of the Governor's Council, which position he now fills. Mr. Wheeler never sought political pre- ferment, his attention being devoted to his extensive business. But " his qualifications aud peculiar fit- ness to fill positions of public trust," to quote the language of another, are such as to attract the atten- tion of the public, whose confidence he retains to the fullest extent.
In private life, Mr. Wheeler is especially character- ized by modest and unassuming manners, strong social feeling, and warm friendship for a large circle of admiring friends. In public life he is ever the courteous gentleman to all, and a faithful and de- voted servant to public interests.
OBADIAH DUSTON
is a direct descendant of the Dustons, who figured so conspicuously in the early history of Haverhill, Mass. He is the fourth in line of descent from Thomas Duston, who was the husband of Hannah Duston, to whose memory a life-size statue holding a tomahawk in its right hand in an attitude of defense is standing in the park in Haverhill. (See history of Haverhill.)
Thomas Duston, the founder of the New Hamp- shire branch of the family, purchased a tract of three hundred acres of land in North Salem, N. H., on which he settled his three sons,-Thomas, Obadiah, and Caleb. David, the son of Obadiah, and father of the subject of this sketch, married his cousin, Abiah Duston, and to them seven children were born, as follows : Ruth, Abial, Thomas, David, Obadiah, Mary, and Ebenezer.
Obadiah is the sole survivor of this large family. He was born Dec. 5, 1806. He lived at home until he was twenty-five years old, assisting his father on the farm. He attended the academy at Atkinson, where he was a schoolmate of Rev. Jesse Page and Dr. Coggswell, both of whom are now living. Mr. Duston was married in 1831 to Anne Whittaker, of Haverhill, Mass. The result of this union was six
1852. Moores Bailey.
1872. Silae Hall.
1855-56. John R. Wheeler.
1858. Edward S. Woodbury.
1840-41. John H. Thompson.
SALEM.
483
Obadiah Boston
children,-Hannah, Ruth, Harriet, Thomas, Eliza- second wife he married Fidelia Cook, widow of Ed- ward Cook; she died Aug. 24, 1876. The picture from which the accompanying portrait was made was taken about fourteen years ago. Time has dealt gently with him, and he bids fair to be left in posses- beth, and Lorin. But three are now living, as fol- lows: Hannah, who married John Hallowell, of California, no issue; Harriett, who married John N. Hunt, of Bradford, Mass., to whom four children were born; Thomas married Augusta Griffin, of sion of his remarkable vigor for a number of years. Hampstead, N. H., they have no children living. Mr. Politically he is a member of the Democratic party, and is an earnest exponent of its principles. Though not a member of any church or denomination, he has been liberal in his patronage, always assisting when needed in the building of church edifices in his town. Duston's first business venture was keeping the town poor, teaching school in the mean time. He then took up the farm on which he now resides, and en- gaged in the manufacture of Inmber, which he fol- lowed a number of years. He held the office of selectman of the town five years, and has been justice of the peace forty years, which position he still occu- pies. In 1825 he was promoted to be'captain of artil- LUTHER EMERSON, M.D. lery in the militia from sergeant, being then but nine- Prominent among the citizens in the earlier history and growth of Salem, N. H., as a town after its sep- aration from the North Parish of Methuen, Mass., was Dr. Luther Emerson, who lived and practiced during his whole professional life of more than thirty- five years in this place. teen years old. He possesses in a remarkable degree the traits of his hardy ancestors, is now in the seventy- sixth year of his age, enjoys vigorous health, and possesses a perfectly sound set of teeth. He was never addicted to the use of tobacco in any form, and always devoted his energies to the prosecution of his business, the result of which is a competency to lean upon in his declining years. His only son, Thomas, is engaged in the manufacture of knit goods, the fac- tory being located on the home farm.
Mr. Duston's first wife died Feb. 10, 1870. For his
Born in Chelmsford, Mass., April 18, 1785, the son of Deacon Owen Emerson, a farmer and mechanic of that place. Inheriting from childhood a slender con- stitution and subject to the asthma, which unfitted him for the toils of the farm, he inclined to school and study, and after trying in vain to learn the
484
HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
cabinet-maker's trade, while endeavoring in his leisure hours to improve his mind by books, till at last, under the direction of Dr. Wiman, he began the study of medicine. After attending the full course of lectures at Dartmonth, N. H., and receiving his medical diploma, he began the practice of his profession in Salem, N. H., in the fall of 1807, and boarded at Mrs. N. Bodwell's, in what is now the old village near the common, making his first visit in the place on what was then called " The Cold Friday," to the house of Mr. B. Kimball.
For the first twelve years, in which he served as dentist in part, he rode horseback, feeling too poor to purchase a carriage, while the horse caused him to run in debt seventy-five dollars. Increasing practice and the strictest economy enabled him soon to secure a little home, on the site of which now stands the res- idence of Mrs. William Kelley. He married, in 1811, Patience Wood, of Dracut, Mass., who bore him thirteen childrer, nine of whom were living at his death.
He was the first physician that lived and practiced in the place, and his lifelong work there gives proof of his continned success. His reputation and success had occasioned him to be known in an extended circle of practice, which embraced in part the towns of Windham, Pelham, Derry, Hudson, Atkinson, and Methuen, in Massachusetts. He served for many years as agent for the insane asylum at Somerville, Mass., in receiving patients for the same. He took a deep interest in the common-school education of his own children and in the school welfare of the town, and served seventeen successive years on its board of school committee.
" He was marked, says one of the oldest and reliable citizens of the village, for his skill and success as a doctor, for his originality of mind, uprightness of character and dealing, strength of will, and independ- ence of thought and expression."
Failing health, after a long professional life, in- clined him to give his practice into the hands of younger men, though much to the regret of many older families who had known no other physician.
A few weeks before his deathı he stated that he should live just one year from the death of his wife, which, he said, would be the 26th of July, 1844, and on that very day he died, in the sixtieth year of his age.
Six children now survive him,-Luther, the oldest, who has been a teacher for many years, now resides in Haverhill, Mass .; Julia A., the wife of O. T. Emerson, Esq., of Haverhill, Mass .; Joseph W., who has always lived on the old homestead; Rufus, a graduate of Amherst and Andover, is a Congrega- tional minister; John, a carpenter and house-bnilder in Boston; and Charles B., a druggist for many years in Haverhill, Mass.
CHAPTER LXXIII.
SANDOWN.
Geographical -Topographical-Early Settledients-Petition for Town Privileges-Incorporation of Town-Names of Early Settlers-First Ministers-Churches-Railroad
THIS town lies southwest of the centre of the county, and is bounded as follows : on the north by Chester and Fremont, on the east by Danville, on the south by Hampstead, and on the west by Derry and Chester.
The surface of the town is uneven but generally fertile.
There are several ponds in the town, the largest of which is Philips, lying in the southern part. It is about 340 rods long and 200 wide. Angle Pond in the southeast part, lying partly in the town and partly in Hampstead, is abont 200 rods in length and 100 in width. The principal stream is Sqnamscot River.
Sandown was settled in about the year 1736, and. among the pioneers were Moses Tucker, Israel and James IInse, James Graves, Thomas Wells. (See list below ).
Sandown was originally a part of Kingston, and was incorporated April 6, 1756. The first vote of the town of Kingston on this subject of which we have any record is under date of Sept. 24, 1764, as follows :
Province of At a Legall meeting of the Inhabitants & free holders
New Haoipshire of Kingstown held the Twenty-fourth of Septem- ber 1746, firstly Leint John Sweat was Chosen Mod -. erator for that meeting
2dly Voted that we do hereby as far as in us lyeth set off
Moses Tucker Israel Hose
Jobu Straw James Huse
Jonathan Colbee Jamies Graves
Daniel Hibard John Bond
Daniel Kid Jacob Wells
Jacob Gurdey
Meshech Gurdey
David Straw John Straw Jr
Reuben Clough
William Straw
Israel Huse Jr
Phillips Walls
John Pressey
Jacob Tucker
Benjamin Tucker
Joseph Dow
John Hogg & Orlando Colhy
Of Kingstown abovesaid with a Certain Tract of Land in said Town for a distinct Parish or precinct, bounded as followeth Vizt Beginning at the Beech Tree which is the Dividing boundary between Londonderry & Chester said Tres standing on the West Line of said Kingston and running Southerly on said Kingston said line as heretofora settled be- tween said Londonderry & said Kingston to the Island Pond (so called) Then running Easterly South Three miles then Northerly till a North & by West Course will Strike said Kingston Line (where it crosses the mill brook so called) as beretofore setled between sd Kingston & said Chester and from thence Viz. where snid line crosses ad mill brook to run Sontherly ou said line to the Beech tree first mentioned.
This is a true Copy taken out of Kingstoo Book of records
Attest Jedb Philbrick, town Clark.
Among the first settlers were
Moses Tucker John Hoog
James Huse John Bond
Israel Huse Joseph Dow
James Graves Philip Wells
Thomas Wells Daniel Hebberd
Israel Huse, Jr Jonathan Colby
485
SEABROOK.
William Straw
Rolen Clough
Daniell Kid
John Straw
Orlando Colby
Jacob Wells
Paul Chase
Jacob Gordy
Benjamin Tncker
Mesheck Gordy
Jacob Tucker
Daved Straw
John Pressey
John Straw Jr.
The first minister (Congregational) was Rev. Jo- seph Cotton, who was ordained in 1759, and died in 1780. Rev. Samuel Collins settled in 1781, and left in 1788. Rev. John Webber settled in 1795, and re- moved in 1800.
The Worcester and Nashna Railroad passes through the town.
The Congregational Society was organized in 1759, and the meeting-house was built by the town in 1774. The edifice is forty-four by fifty feet. The inside has a quaint appearance, with its tall pulpit, the top of which is eleven feet above the floor, and above which is the sounding-board seven and one-half feet square, and nineteen feet above the floor. Directly in front of the pulpit were the deacons' seats, made of two- inch plank, where the good fathers sat and shouted their fervent "amens." There are sixteen pews in the centre of the house, and twenty-one wall pews, the former being six and one-half feet square, and the latter half a foot shorter. The sunlight comes through seven-by-nine glass, twenty-eight lights to each win- dow. There are three ten-paneled double doors, and wrought-iron hand-made nails were used in building the structure, both outside and inside. Six marble columns support the gallery, in which are twenty pews, six feet square, and in front of which are four' seats made of three-inch plank. The panels in front of the gallery are twenty inches wide by four feet long. The frame is all of white-oak; the braces in the frame are three by ten inches ; the beams are ten by twelve inches; the rafters are eight by ten inches, doubled, one foot apart, with a post between, and the corner posts are twenty-eight feet high and twelve inches square.
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