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 145
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 145
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207
Abont twelve years after the Hiltons settled at Dover Point a number of families found their way up a branch of the Piseataqua, and settled on what is now called Durham Point, at the mouth of Oyster River. They were included in the limit of Dover, and were called Oyster River Settlement. There are now several farms that have remained in the same family and name since their first occupation by white people for six or seven generations, during a period of more than two hundred years. Such is the Wood- man place, owned by Prof. Woodman, of Dartmouth College; also the Smith place, owned by Joseph Smith, who bears in full the name of the original set- tler. Likewise lands owned by men bearing the names of Burnham, Bunker, Smith, Mathe's, and others have come down in the same succession. The names Math- ews, Williams, Goddard, Smart, and Canny are also mentioned among the first settlers.
In 1649, Valentine Smith, a merchant from Boston, and Thomas Beard obtained a grant of the falls on Oyster River (now the site of Durham village) and erected a saw-mill. In a few years " the falls" had monopolized the business of the vicinity. Durham, being one of the frontier settlements, suffered much from the inroads of savages. But they were not mo- lested to any considerable extent till 1694, during the "French and Indian war," when the settlement at the falls was surprised by about two hundred In-
dians from the Norridgwog tribe, of Maine, and the Penacooks, of Amoskeag Falls and vicinity. Twelve garrison-houses defended the settlement, but for years the people had grown careless, and many spent the nights in their unprotected dwellings, and those in the garrison-houses had but a small supply of ammu- nition.
Thursday evening, July 17th, the peaceful inhabit- ants sought their couches, thanking their Creator for their many blessings, the old man to dream of his children, the maid of her lover, little thinking of the relentless foe that only awaited the rising sun to com- mence their work of destruction and death.
The following morning, the signal-gun being fired, the Indians rushed from their hiding-places and com- menced a general attack on the houses. Of the twelve garrison-houses, five were destroyed, viz. : Adams', Drew's, Edgerly's, Meader's, and Beard's. In Adams' they killed fourteen persons. Drew surrendered his on the promise of security, but was afterwards killed ; the other three were abandoned, and the ocenpants escaped to the woods. The other garrisons, viz .: Woodman's (which has been an inhabited dwelling all the time since, and is now in good condition), Smith's, Davis', Jones', Bunker's, and Bickford's, were preserved by the vigorous efforts of the inmates. Biekford's house being situated by the river, he sent his family off in a boat before it was attacked, and retiring to his house, defended it by keeping up a continual fire at the enemy, changing some portion of his garments every time, and giving orders in a loud voice, as if a number of men were there. The de- fenseless houses were all set on fire ; some of the oecu- pants escaped to the woods, others were shot in the attempt. The French priest went to their little house of worship, and spent the time in defacing the pulpit. The wife and child of John Drew were captured and taken two miles up the river and left in care of an Indian. The Indian feeling sick, asked Mrs. Drew what was good for him. She replied, " occapee" (rum). Not disliking the remedy, he drew forth a bottle which he had stolen, took a large dose, and soon fell asleep, and Mrs. Drew and child escaped. Thomas Drew and wife, a recently-wedded couple, were taken prisoners. He was carried to Canada, she to the In- dian village of Norridgwog, in Maine. Four years after they returned, and lived together until she was eighty-nine and he ninety years of age. After her captivity she was the mother of fourteen children.
An interesting story comes down to us from those old colonial times, which we will relate. It was cus- tomary in those days for those living back from the settlement to collect on the Sabbath and, for protec- tion, proceed in a body to the settlement to worship. Thomas Chesley, a young man, was betrothed to a Miss Randall, residing in what is now Lee. As the people were returning from church one Sabbath, the old people on horseback, the younger ones afoot, 1 Chesley and the young lady loitered behind. As they
I This was undoubtedly written by Rev. Hugh Adams, of Durham. See Prov. Pap , vols. iv. and v., " Adams."-ED.
618
HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
were talking of their future prospects in life, an arrow from the bow of some lurking Indian pierced the neck of the girl, and she fell back a corpse into the arms of her lover. A shout from Chesley brought the others back, and they bore the dead girl to the nearest house. As they entered some blood fell to the door-stone, and to this day the stone is pointed out, with the blood-marks of two hundred years ago still visible. From that time young Chesley swore vengeance against the Indians, and ended his days fighting them. It is asserted that at one time, meet- ing twelve skinning a heifer, he killed eleven of them.
In 1704 another Indian war broke out, in which the Oyster River settlement suffered more than any of the neighboring colonies. More than fifty persons were killed, and as many more were taken prisoners. Na- thaniel Meader, Edward Taylor, William Tasker, John Wheeler, his wife and two children, and Capt. Chesley were among the killed.
The 15th of May, 1732, Oyster River settlement, including Lee, was taken from Dover, and incorpor- ated as the town of Durham, from a town by that name in England. Lee was taken from Durham and incorporated Jan. 17, 1766, and a part of Madbury in 1768.
From the close of the Indian war till the breaking out of the Revolution, we look back and see the set- tlement growing in importance and strength ; we see old men, who have lived through trial and affliction, pass away to join their fathers; we see the young lawyer, Sullivan, appear on the scene, and by his many noble qualities win his way into the confidence of the people and to places of trust. The scene changes. A black cloud approaches from the east, a storm that is to shake the whole New World, from east to west, from north to south, gathers over the land. A cry of "To arms!" awakes the people from their peaceful- oceupations. We see the mothers of Durham, with tears in their eyes, bid their sons go and defend their liberties. At the council-board we see the forms of | istry.
Ebenezer Thompson and 'Judge Frost, while in the field are Maj .- Gen. Sullivan and Col. Adams, with over fifty of their brave townsmen, twenty of whom found a grave on the battle-field. Years after we see the town of Durham losing its commercial impor- tance, and gradually pushing forward until it stands a leading agricultural town of the county.
Of the many distinguished men who have had their homes in Durham, perhaps none are held in more grateful remembrance than Maj .- Gen. Sullivan, of Revolutionary notoriety.
children would gather on the Sabbath, and through the crooked, intricate paths find their way to the banks of the Bellamy River, and crossing in canoes, climb to the little meeting-house on the hill.
The first minister that preached in Durham. Rev. Mr. Fletcher, was procured in 1655, but he left the following year. In 1662 or 1663, Rev. Mr. Hall was there, but only remained a short time. Dissensions in ecclesiastical affairs occurred until the establish- ment of the Oyster River parish in Dover by the Gen- eral Court of Massachusetts in 1675, From near that date John Buss, a physician, was the preacher for more than thirty years. He had his valuable library burned by the Indians in July, 1694. He is said to have died in 1736, aged one hundred and eight years.
The Congregational Church was organized Mareh 26, 1718, under the ministry of Rev. Hugh Adams, which continued till 1739.
Rev. Nicholas Gilman, from Exeter, was the second pastor, from 1741 till his death in 1748. He was greatly beloved by the people.
The third pastor was Rev. John Adams, a nephew of the first. His ministry continued nearly thirty years, and ended in 1778. He had a lively imagi- nation, was a writer of ability, and at times, it is said, was very eloquent.
Rev. Curtis Coe was ordained pastor in 1780, and dismissed in 1806, a good man, but not greatly suc- cessful.
Till this time the pastor of the Congregational Church was the minister of the town, and supported by tax. But this continued no longer.
The next pastor, after an interval of eleven years, was Rev. Federal Burt, ordained June 18, 1817. The church was very small and weak, but was much in- creased during his ministry of nearly eleven years. He died Feb. 9, 1828.
Rev. Robert Page was the pastor from Dec. 3, 1828, to March 31, 1831, a short, useful, but not quiet min-
Rev. Alvan Tobey began to preach here on the first Sabbath in October, 1831, and was ordained pastor Nov. 20, 1833. 1Ie died Sept. 20, 1874. The present neat and commodious house of worship was dedicated Sept. 13, 1849.
For about seventy years past there has been a Baptist Church of the class called Christians, under the ministry of Elder William Demeritt and others since his death in 1841. It is now called "The Church of the Disciples."
Hon. Ebenezer Thompson was a native of this town, and for many years one of the most prominent
missioner to New Haven in 1777, a member of the Committee of Safety, justice of Superior Court, dele- gate to Congress, etc. He died in August, 1802, aged sixty-five.
Ecclesiastical History .- The people of Oyster River, after a severe struggle with those of Dover, | of her citizens. He was representative, clerk of the obtained a meeting-house of their own in 1651, and | House and Senate, Secretary of State, councilor, com- agreed to pay a minister fifty pounds. Previously, through mud and snow, over hill and stream, unless prevented by sickness, they had been obliged to at- tend meeting at Dover Neck. Men, women, and
-
619
DURIIAM.
SOLDIERS OF DURHAM IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Thomas Lees, Co. B, 2d Regt .; col. June 1, IS61 ; pro. 1st sergt. ; pro. 2d lieut. July 10, 1863; disch. June 21, 1804.
Enoch G. Adams, Co. D, 2d Regt .; enl. June 1, 18G1 ; pro. sergt. ; pro. 2d lient. Ang. 1, 1862; pro. capt. Ist U. S. Vols., April 30, 1804.
John A. Roberts, Co. A, 2d Regt .; enl. Dec. 16, 1863; trans. Co. E, 2d
Regt., June 21, 1865; absent, sick, Dec. 19, 1865; no disch. fur- nished.
John Shepard, Co. E, 2d Regt .; enl. Aug. 30, 1802.
Ilarry Burns, Co. A, 2d Regt .; enl. Dec. 5, 18G4.
Sammel Berry, - 2d Regt. ; enl. Aug. 15, 1864 ; not officially accounted for.
George P. Doag, Co. D, 3d Regt. ; en1. Aug. 23, 1861 ; discb. for disability, Nov. 7, 1863.
James W. Willey, Co. K, 3d Regt .; enl. Aug. 24, 1861 ; re-enl. Feb. 25, 1864.
Joshua Pinkbam, Co. K, 3d Regt .; enl. Aug. 24, 1861 ; disch. Ang. 23, 1864.
Luke R. Vibbert, Co. K, 3d Regt .; eal. Aug. 24, 18G1; re-enl. Feb. 26, 1864.
Charles Gammon, Co. K, 3d Regt .; enl. Ang. 24, 18G1 ; pro. to corp. ; re- cul. Feb. 13, 1864; pro. to Bergt. Ang. 20, 18G4: disch. July 20, 1865. Henry E. Willey, Co. K, 3d Regt .; enl. Aug. 24, 1861 ; pro. corp .; killed June 16, 1864.
John Carroll, Co. C, 3d Regt. ; enl. Dec. 23, 1864.
Jolan Gleason, Co. F, 3d Regt. ; en]. Dec. IG, 1864; pro. to corp. March 1, 1865; disch. July 20, 1865.
Joseph Edgerly, Co. D, 3d Regt .; eul. Aug. 23, 1861 ; dischi. for disability Oct. 10, 1862.
Perry Long, Co. D, 3d Regt .; enl. Aug. 23, 1861; pro. to corp. April 1, 1863; resigned Oct. 1, 1863.
Joseph Palmer, Jr., Co. K, 3d Regt .; en]. Ang. 24, 18GI; died June 28, 18G2.
James Clark, Co. 1, 4th Regt .; enl. Dec. 28, 1864.
James Armstrong, Co. E, Itlı Regt .; enl. Jan 7, 1865.
Edward Scoles, Co. 1, 4th Regt .; col. Dec. 21, 1864.
Charles R. Dexter, Co. C, 5th Regt .; eul. Dec. 4, 1863; disch. June 28, 1865.
Charles Davis, Co. K, 5th Regt .; eul. Dec. 7, 1863 ; trans. to U. S. navy April 21, 1864.
Edward Gulliez, -, 5th Regt .; eol. Aug. 14, 1863.
James Maccaboy, Co. E, 5th Regt .; eal. Dec. 4, 1863; traus. to U. S. onvy April 26, 1864.
Charles Morton, Co. G, 5th Regt .; enl. Aug. 14, 1863; killed June 2, 1864.
Austin Scott, Co. G, 5th Regt .; eol. Dec. 4, 18G3; disch. July 20, 1865.
Adams Urnback, Co. E, 5th Regt .: enl. Dec. 4, 1863; absent, sick eince June 3, 1864; no disch. furnished.
George Williams, Co. E, 5th Regt .; enl. Dec. 4, 1863 ; trans. to U. S. navy April 26, 1864.
Charles II. Bickford, Co. B, 5th Regt .; enl. Oct. 23, 1861 ; died Ang. 10, 1862.
Michael Kennedy, Co. K, 5th Regt .; enl. Dec. 7, 1863; traos. to U. S. navy April 21, 1864.
James F. Walker, 2d lieut. Co B, 6th Regt. ; enl. June 1, 1865; disch. for disability as sergt. Sept. 22, 1865.
John R. Sanders, capt. Co. HI, 6th Regt .; enl. Nov. 30, 1861; resigned Ang. 2, 1862.
John F. Langley, corp. Co. H, 6th Regt .; enl. Nov. 28, 1861 ; died March 8, 1802.
Alfonso Pinkham, corp. Co. II, 6th Regt .; enl. Nov. 28, 1861; pro. to sergt. Sept. 1, 1862 ; died Aug. 28, 1863.
Samuel J. Jones, corp. Co. II, 6th Regt. ; enl. Nov. 28, 1861; pro. to 1st . sergt. April 1, 1865; disch. July 17, 1865.
George W. Hanson, musiclan, Co. II, 6th Regt .; eal. Nov. 28, 18GI ; disch. Nov. 27, 18G4.
Samuel Stevens, wagoner, Co. H, 6th Regt .; enl. Nov. 28, 1861 ; disch. Nov. 27, 1864.
Alfred E. Davis, Co. K, 6th Regt .; enl. Nov. 28, 1861; re-enl. Dec. 24, 18G3.
Asa D. Palmer, Co. 11, 6th Regt. ; enl. Dec. 7, 18G1 ; re-enl. Dec. 28, 1863; died Dec. 27, 1864.
John II. Piakham, Co. H, 6th Regt .; enl. Nov. 28, 1861 ; re-enl. Dec. 24, 1863 ; pro. sergt .; pro. to Ist lieut. March 5, 1865 ; pro. to capt. June 1, 1865, Co. F; disch. July 17, 1865.
James M. Willey, Co. II, 6th Regt .; en1. Nov. 28, 1861; disch. Oct. 13, 18G2.
James W. Starbild, Co. II, 6th Regt. ; enl. Nov. 28, 1861; dischi. Nov. 27, 1862.
Charles W. H. Ilayes, Co. H, 6th Regt .; eal. Nov. 28, 18GI ; disch. for disability March 5, 1862.
Samuel E. Smith, wagoner, Co. II, Gth Regt. ; enl. Nov. 28, 1861 ; re-enl. Jan. 2, 1864; died April 15, 1865.
John C. Dority, Co. F, 6th Regt .; enl. Dec. 29, 1863.
Andrew J. Stevens, corp. Co. 1, 6th Regt .; enl. Dec. 19, 1863; pro. Ist sergt. ; died Feb. 4, 1863.
Patrick Kelley, Co. F, 7th Regt .; enl. March 18, 1864.
James R. Small, Co. G, 7th Regt. ; enl. Feb. 27, 1864 ; pro. corp. Feb. 15, 1865; disch. July 20, 1865.
Joseph W. Dame, sergt. Co. G, Sth Regt .; enl. Jan. 4, 1864; trans. to Co. B, Vet. Bat., Jan. 1, 1865; died May 18, 18G5.
John McDonnel, Co. 11, 8th Regt .; eul. Aug. 14, 1863.
Jolını Il. Doeg, Co. A, 9th Regt. ; enl. July 3, 1862; disch. for disability Nov. 13, 18G2.
Riley II. Parker, Co. A, 9th Regt. ;. enl. July 3, 1862; disch. for disability Jan. 10, 1863.
Otis W. Ilewins, Co. 0, 10th Regt .; eul. Sept. 4, 1862; disch. Nov. 11, 1863,
James L. Goodwin, Co. A, Ilthi Regt .; enl. Aug 28, 1862; disch. for dis- ability Sept. 30, 18G3.
George B. Demeritt, sergt. Co. K, 11th Regt .; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; pro. 2d lient. July 25, 1864; disch. June 4, 1865.
William Il. Allen, Co. K, 11th Regt .; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; disch. June 4, 1865.
James II. Long, Co. K, 11th Regt .; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; disch. Juao 4, 1865.
Andrew D. Moring, Co. K, IIth Regt .; enl. Sept. 2, 1862.
George B. Young, Co. K, 11th Regt .; eul. Sept. 2, 1862; died Nov. 27, 1862.
James T. Young, Co. K, 11th Regt. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; trung. to V. R. C. Jan. 15, 1864.
Charles O. Jones, Co. K, 11th Regt .; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; died Sept. 20, 1864.
William E. Paul, Co. K, 11th Regt .; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; pro. to corp .; trans. to V. R. C. Sept. 1, 1863.
Amos N. Smart, Co. K, 11th Regt ; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; died April 6, 1863.
John A. Ilansoo, Co, K, 11th Regt. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1862; dischi. June 4, 18G5.
John Jackson, Co. K, IIth Regt. ; enl. Dec. 17, 1863 ; supposed to have deserted en route to regiment.
William Lacony, Co. B, 11th Regt. ; enl. Dec. 17, 1863 ; supposed to have deserted en route to regimeut.
Isaac Strunk, Co. A, 12th Regt .; enl. Dec. 16, 1863; died June 2G, 1864. Friedrich Yungblet, Co. E, 12th Regt .; enl. Dec. 16, 18G3; died Oct. . 20, 1864.
Charles E. Edgerly, Co. D, 12th Regt .; enl. Sept. 5, 1862; disch. Oct. 26, 1863.
Joseph HI. Chapman, Co. E, 13th Regt .; enl. Sept. 19, 1862.
George M. Dowe, Co. E, 13th Regt .; enl. Sept. 19, 1862; disch. March 21, 1865.
Robert W. Francis, Co. E, 13th Regt .; enl. Sept, 19, 1862; pro. to corp. Feb. 13, 1863; pro. to sorgt. Nov. 10, 1864 ; reduced to ranks March 1, 1865; disch. June 10, 1865.
John Goodrick, Co. E, 13th Regt .; enl. Sept. 19, 1862; disch. June 21, 1865.
George O. Keniston, Co. E, 13th Regt .; enl. Sept. 19, 18G2.
George W. Long, Co. E, 13th Regt .; enl. Sept. 19, 1862; disch. June 21, 18G5.
Andrew J. S. Tuttle, Co. E, 13th Regt .; eal. Sept. 19, 1862.
Charles A. Kent, Co. E, 13th Regt .; eul. Sept. 19, 1862; trans. V. R. C. July 1, 1864.
Horatio P. Abbott, Co. E, 13th Regt .; enl. Sept. 19, 1862; disch. June 21, 18G5.
John T. Young, Co. E, 13th Regt .; enl. Sept. 19, 1862; disch. Oct 27, 1863.
S. Millett Thompson, Ist sergt. Co. E, 13th Regt .; onl. Sept. 19, 1862; pro. 2d lient. June 10, 1863 ; disch. Oct. 4, 1864.
Fernando Gerrish, 1st sergt. Co. E, 13th Regt .; enl. Sept. 19, 1862; killed April 8, 18G3.
Charles Adams, 14th Regt. ; en1. Dec. 30, 1863 ; not officially necounted for. James Conly, Co. F, 14th Regt. ; en1. Jan. 4, 1864; disch. July 8, 1865.
William J. Moore, 14th Regt .; enl. Dec. 30, 1863; not officially accounted fur.
620
HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
John W. Kingman, col. 15th Regt .; enl. Oct. 7, 1862; disch. Aug. 13, 1863.
Robert Goodwin, Co. D, 15th Regt .; enl. Oct. 21, 1862.
James Sunth, Co. D, 15th Regt. ; enl. Oct. 21, 1862.
William Stevens, Co. D, 15th Regt .; enl. Oct. 25, 1862.
William B. Chadwick, corp. Co. D, 15th Regt .; enl. Oct. 24, 1862; disch. Ang. 13, 1863.
James Britton, Co. B, 17th Regt .; enl. Nov. 13, 1862; con, with Co. K, 2d Regt., April 16, 1863 ; disch. Ang. 14, 1863.
Charles S. Davis, Co. M, Ist Cav .; enl. Dec. 24, 1861 ; disch. for disability June 27, 1862; pro. to corp.
Patrick Ryan, Co. HI, Ist Cav .; enl. Aug. 11, 1864 ; pro. to corp. June 30, 1865; di-ch. July 15, 1865.
George E. Langley, Co. K, Ist Cav .; enl. Jan. 2, 1864; pro. to corp. July 1, 1865; disch. July 15, 1865.
Anthony Bondy, Ist Cav .; enl. Dec. 23, 1864; supposed to have deserted en route to regiment.
Moses B. Langley, Co. B, IT. Art .; enl. Ang. 19, 1863; disch. Sept. 11, 1865.
Fred. S. Chidsy, V. R. C .; enl. Jan. 2, 1864 ; date of discharge nuknowo. Nathaniel Hancock, U. S. C. T .; enl. Dec. 10, 1864; date of discharge unknown.
Lysander Richardson, Diarine ; enl. Dec. 3, 1864; date of discharge un- known.
Cephas Hepworth, navy; end. Aug. 9, 1862; date of discharge un- known.
John Drew, navy ; enl. Oct. 23, 1863 ; date of discharge unknown.
James L. Goodwin, navy; enl. Oct. 22, 1864; date of discharge vo- known.
John Denney, navy ; enl. Sept. 15, 1SG3; date of discharge unknown
William Tuttle, Jr., navy; enl. Ang. 6, 1864; date of discharge tu- known.
James Britton, navy; enl. Oct. 29, 1864 ; date of discharge unknown. Charles S. Davis, navy ; enl. Oct. 29, 1864; date of discharge unknown. George W. Bunker, navy ; enl. Nov. 8, 1864 ; date of discharge unknowo. Charles II. Reynolds, enl. Aug. 19, 1864 ; date of discharge unknown. George E. Edgeily. enl. Dec. 23, 1864; date of discharge unknown. Charles II. Bunker, enl. Nov. 7, 1864; date of discharge unknown. Dudley P. Bickford, Jr., enl. Aug. 1, 1863; date of discharge unknown. David O. Davis, enl. Sept. 28, 1863; date of discharge unknown. Charles Young, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknowo. James Whi e, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknown. Charles Ainsworth, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknown. Charles M. Ham, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknown. F. C. MeDer mott, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknown. Milton H. Clayton, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; dnte of discharge unknown. Horace M. Stewart, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknown. John Maitton, eul. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknown. George Saunders, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknown. Peter Haughny, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of, discharge unknown. Dennis Muloy, enl. Sept. 17, 1863 ; date of discharge unknown. William Jones, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknown. Thomas Franklin, end. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge nuknown. John Rogers, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknown.
Thomas Mc Williams, enl. Sept. 17, 1863; date of discharge unknown.
CHAPTER XCIV.
FARMINGTON.
Geographical-Topographical-First Settlements-Prominent Citizens -Early Merchants-Farmington Dock-Civil History-The First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-Documentary History-Ear-Marks -Ecclesiastical History-Congregational Church-Free Baptist Church -- Farmington Villnge-The Farmington News-Lodges und Societies-Fire Department-Physicians-The Shoe Interest-Far- mington National Bank-Farmington Saving -- Bank-Incorporation of Town-Representatives from 1799 to 1882-Military Record.
THE town of Farmington lies. north of the centre of the county, and is bounded as follows: on the north by New Durham, Milton, and Middleton ; on
the east by Milton and Rochester; on the south by Rochester and Strafford, and on the west by Strafford and New Durham.
The surface of the town is broken and hilly.
The early history of Farmington will be found principally in the history of Rochester, of which this town originally formed a part. The early record his- tory, Revolutionary, names of early settlers, etc., are incorporated in the history of the mother-town.
The surface is uneven and hilly, in some instances arriving at the dignity of mountains. Blue Job Mountain, one of the range of the Blue Hills, is situ- ated in the southwestern part of the town. Its sun- mit affords a very extensive view. Ships can be seen off Portsmouth Harbor with the naked eye, while to the north and west the White Mountains and the Monadnocks, with many smaller mountains, meet the eye. The town is well supplied with streams and rivers, among which are the Cocheco, Mad, Ela, and Waldron. These afford manufacturing facilities which are a never-failing source of profit to the inhabitants.
The names of its mountains are from parties who owned them at an early date. Job Allard owned the mountains now called Blue Job, which belongs to the Blue Ilills range, hence the name Blue Job. Mad River derives its name from its freshets or floods, to which the country along its banks is subject. It has been known to rise after a heavy storm of one or two hours' duration a number of feet, flooding the country along its border, sweeping property and everything before it ; rocks weighing tons have been moved from their resting-places by its impetuosity and carried quite a distance down the stream. One of the floods occurred in 1869, causing great destruction of property, and endangering the lives of the people. In some instances they were rescued from their houses in boats.
Among the first who settled in this section were Benjamin, Samuel, and Richard Furber, Samuel Jones, Benjamin Chesley, and Paul Demeritt, who located near Merrill's Corners from 1770 to 1783. On the Ten-Rod road Joseph and Levi Leighton were located; on Chestnut Hill, Moses Horne, Caleb Var- ney, Judge Wingate, and others in various parts of the town, which, owing to the difficulty in getting name and dates, we are obliged to omit. Among the men from this town who have held public positions in the State and United States legislative halls, now deceased, are Nehemiah Eastman, Esq., who held a distinguished position at the bar for many years. He was elected to the State Senate, and also a member of the Nineteenth Congress, He died Jan. 19, 1856. Dr. Joseph Hammond was a member of the State Legis- lature, and also of the Twenty-first and Twenty-second Congresses. He died March 28, 1836.1 Among those now living is George L. Whitehouse, who was a deputy sheriff six years, a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Strafford for fourteen years,
1 Sce biography elsewhere.
621
FARMINGTON.
also a member of the House of Representatives three years. Judge Whitehouse has also been extensively engaged in railroad surveys in this and other counties. Jeremiah Dame, John D. Lyman, George M. Her- ring, and Alonzo Nute were members of the State Senate; Thomas T. Edgerly and Josiah B. Edgerly were registers of deeds.
Jeremiah Jones was the first man born in the town that was elected to the State Legislature. He was elected for six successive terms and nominated for the seventh, but refused to run. His majority at his first election was one, at the last one hundred and fifty- eight. The late Hon. Henry Wilson, United States senator from Massachusetts, was born on a farm about two miles south of Farmington village.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.