History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 156

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 156
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 156

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Edwin D. Jaques, M.D., was born in Machias, Me., March 9, 1841, received his education at Wesleyan Seminary, Kent's Hill, Me., and graduated from Bowdoin Medical College June 8, 1869. He com- meneed the practice of medicine in Norway, Me., and continned there one year ; came to the village of Salmon Falls, in this town, in June, 1869, and prac- ticed here until June, 1872, when he went to Boston, and for two years was connected with hospitals in that city. In the fall of 1874 he settled in South Berwick, Me., where he now is.

George O. Robbins, M.D., was born in Lee, Mass., April 18, 1855, prepared for college at Thomaston Academy, in the State of Connecticut, entered Yale in 1872, and graduated in the class of 1876. Very soon after his graduation he entered Yale Medieal College, and received his degree of M.D. from that institution in 1879. He first begun the practice of medicine in Alstead, in this State, some time in Octo- ber, 1879, remaining in that place until August, 1880, when he removed to Salmon Falls, where he is now located.

William B. Mach, M.D., son of W. F. Mach, was born at Bellows Falls, Vt., Jan. 26, 1852, studied medieine with S. HI. Currier, of Norwich, Vt., and Prof. C. P. Frost, of Hanover. He graduated from the Dartmouth Medical College in 1877, and settled in practice in Dover in 1878. He left Dover Aug. 5, 1880, and settled in practice in the village of Sal- mon Falls, in this town, where he now is.

Besides the above-mentioned physicians were a few others who remained for a short time. They were Dr. Blake, 1856-57 ; Dr. Rowell, 1857-59; Dr. Mer- row, 1859-60.

CHAPTER CI.

ROLLINSFORD .- ( Continued.)

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

JOSEPH TATE, known as " Master Tate," was a schoolmaster in Somersworth (that part now Rollins- ford). lIe had a peculiar trait of recording both public and private events, even to the disagreements and family jars of his neighbors or acquaintances. It is said that some of his records were lost by the burning of a dwelling-house, where they were de- posited. The volume extant is probably his first. It is headed " Names of Families, Children's Names, and time of birth in the Town of Somersworth, March ye 26th, 1767." It gives prior dates of births of children in the families then resident there, and continues until 1778, and in the space given to his own family in this volume dates of births are continued to 1786.

The volume contains also " Memorandums of Sun- dry things, viz. : Deaths, Marriages, Disasters, etc." There are interspersed extraets from periodicals, sta- tisties, receipts, notices of current events, etc. The

ROLLINSFORD.

book is very curious and valuable, and is now owned by Mrs. George F. Rollins, of Dover. A copy of the same is kept and carefully preserved by the town of Rollinsford. This volume has been the means of giv- ing valuable information on subjects that could not have been obtained from any other source.

" Master Tate" lived by the Sahnon Falls River, about fifty rods below the lower mill. When he was born or when he died is not now definitely known.

Dr. Moses Carr was born in Newbury, Mass., Nov. 25, 1715. He came to reside in this town when quite a young man ; practiced medicine here for sixty years, and for that time was the only resident physician. He is spoken of as having been a careful, prudent, and skill- ful practitioner. Ile was judge of the court of Com- mon Pleas from 1776 to 1784, and died March 30, 1800.

James Carr, better known as "Col. Carr," son of Moses Carr, was born in Somersworth, now Rollins- ford, April 22, 1748. In 1777 he served his country as captain of a company in the Second New Hamp- shire Regiment, commanded by Col. Nathan Hale, of Rindge. On the retreat from Ticonderoga, in July, Col. Hale's regiment was ordered to cover the rear of the invalids, and fell some six or seven miles in the rear of the army. On the morning of July 7th it was attacked by an advanced party of the enemy at Hub- bardton, and suffered great · loss. At this place the colonel, Capt. Carr, two other officers, and one bun- dred men were taken prisoners. After the war was over he was appointed high sheriff for his county, which office he held for many years. He died in Somersworth (now Rollinsford), March 11, 1829.

On the brow of Rollinsford Hill, overlooking the Salmon Falls River and the bridge to South Berwick, Me., is the old Lord estate. The family mansion is an interesting structure, ample and roomy, of that old-fashioned type suggestive of "free-hearted hospi- tality" and "ye goode olde times." It is nearly square, and is surmounted by a single huge chimney rising from its centre. Overhanging the house, which is more than a hundred years old, is a statcly elm, one of the oldest and largest in the country. The land of the estate sweeps down the hill to the river, whose shore it follows for a considerable distance. The man- sion faces eastward, and looks over the valley of the Salmon Falls upon the opposite town, South Berwick, Me., on the east bank of the river, and upon the famous Berwick Academy, a noted seat of learning, and an important factor in the advancement of its own and the neighboring towns.

The dwelling is at present occupied by Mrs. Maria Lord, a lady of eighty-six years of age, widow of the late Edwin Parks Stanhope Lord. With her are two daughters and a granddaughter. Mr. Lord was born in 1794, and died in 1880. He was the son of Capt. Nathan Lord, of whom is told a story illustra- tive of Yankee pluck, which is sacredly handed down from generation to generation, and of which the family is justly proud.

The following is a brief sketch of Nathan Lord's career, serving merely to introduce the story :

Capt. Nathan Lord, son of Gen. Lord, was born in the old Gen. Lord house, South Berwick, Me., in 1760. He died in 1808. At sixteen years of age he entered the army. He went in a company from Ber- wick, under Gen. Sullivan, to Ticonderoga. While a lientenant he and one of his comrades were taken prisoners by the Indians, tied to a tree, and about to be shot, when an English officer came along, paid their ransom, and thus saved their lives. This officer's name was James Edward Parks Stanhope, for whom, in grateful remembrance, Lord afterwards named his son, the late E. P. S. Lord.

Nathan Lord afterwards sailed from Portsmouth, N. H., on the " Ranger," under Paul Jones, and was in several naval engagements, being finally taken prisoner by the English. He was a prisoner on an English war-vessel on which was George the Fourth, then a young man. The young prince being very smart at boxing, challenged any one on board to box with him.

He found no one who had the courage to face him until he approached the American prisoners, and here he met his match. Young Lord stepped from the group of prisoners out upon the deck, accepted the challenge, and whipped the young prince soundly till he cried "enough." The English prince was so well pleased with his skill and daring that he after- wards paid him great attetinon, and on their arrival in port gave him his liberty, and soon sent him home, passage free.

John Pike, son of the Rev. James, was born at Somersworth (now Rollinsford), March 11, 1747. IIe inherited his father's homestead, and there passed his life. Ile was town clerk thirteen years; was one of the selectmen many times. He was a practical surveyor of land, and there were but few farms for many miles around whose area he had not calculated. He was employed at one time by the selectmen of the town of Somersworth to make an accurate survey of that town and a complete map of the same. These duties he performed to the satisfaction of all con- cerned.

Capt. Ebenezer Richer was born in that part of Somersworth which subsequently became Rollins- ford ; was master of a ship for many years, and made many successful voyages to the East Indies, by which he acquired considerable wealth. Ile built and lived in the residence now occupied by Judge Doe. After retiring from the sea he passed the remainder of his days in overseeing and managing his farm and per- forming the duties of trust which were frequently con- ferred upon him. He died Nov. 3, 1815, aged seventy- four years.

Amos Wallingford, son of Ebenezer Wallingford, was born in this town March 6, 1762, and during life made it his place of residence.

He was a distinguished school-teacher, and was

666

HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

known for years as "Master Wallingford." Many offices of trust were conferred upon him.

He was town elerk of Somersworth for twenty-one years ; was often one of the selectmen of the town. He died Jan. 10, 1837.

Joseph Doe, the father of Charles Doe, the present chief justice of the State of New Hampshire, was born at Newmarket, Nov. 15, 1776. He took up his resi- dence in this town when a young man, and married a daughter of Capt. Ebenezer Richie. After residing here several years he removed to Derry, in this State, but remained there only a short time, when he again returned to this town, and made it his place of resi- dence till his death, Feb. 28, 1860. He lived in the house now owned and occupied by Judge Doe, was a large land-owner and a successful farmer. Though not a professional lawyer, he wrote many legal docu- ments, and was often consulted by his fellow-towns- men and others on matters of importance, and gave such advice as often prevented much trouble and liti- gation. He filled many offices of trust, represented the town in the New Hampshire Legislature several times, was a man of powerful intellect, aud one who exerted a coutrolling influence on the surrounding community.

Hon. Ichabod Rollins resided in that part of Som- ersworth which was subsequently incorporated and named in honor of him,-Rollinsford. He was a member of the Revolutionary conventions at Exeter, April, May, and December, 1775; one of the com- mittee to prepare and bring into the convention a plan of ways and means for furnishing troops; was also a committee on supplies. On the 20th of June, 1775, he was sent in company with Hon. Timothy Walker, of Concord, a member of the committee of supplies, to ascertain the losses sustained at the battle of Bunker 11ill by each of the officers and soldiers of the New Hampshire forces, and in behalf of the colony to make them compensation; also to secure to them supplies, and advance a month's pay to such as had enlisted or might enlist in the Continental service. The action of the Provincial Congress upon the report subsequently made of their doings affords evidence that their doings were performed to their acceptance. Mr. Rollins was a member of the eon- vention when it resolved itself, Jan. 5, 1776, into an independent State government, a delegate to the Legislature October, 1776, and the first judge of pro- bate under the new government, which office he held from 1776 to 1784. He was also a member of the executive council of New Hampshire in 1789. Judge Rollius, as well as his great-grandfather, was a slave- holder, but treated his slaves with the utmost kind- ness. He died Jan. 31, 1800.

Nieliolas Pike, son of the Rev. James, was also born in this town, Oet. 6, 1743. He graduated at Harvard in 1766, after which he taught school many years in York, Me. Having finished his labors there, as a teacher he took up a residence in Newburyport,

Mass., where he remained till his death. It was there, in 1778, that he completed and published that won- derful work known as Pike's Arithmetic, which for many years was extensively used as a text-book in our schools and colleges, and which at the present time is highly prized by every mathematical scholar of study and research. Copies of this work may now be found carefully preserved in most of the older colleges of the United States. He died Dec. 9, 1819.

James Pike, grandson of Rev. James and son of John Pike, was born at Somersworth, now Rollins- ford, in the old home of his ancestors, March 26, 1777. For many years of his life he was a successful school- teacher, and at one time was assistant teacher to the sainted Payson. Ife was author of two spelling- books and a reader, all of which were well received by an impartial public, and were useful in their day. For many years of the latter part of his life he was blind. lle died where he was born Sept. 19, 1842, aged sixty-five years.

Andrew Rollins, a resident of the town, was born Oct. 29, 1770. He was wealthy, owning largely in real estate. He was a practical farmer; was chosen to many offices of trust, representing his town in the State Legislature in 1816 and 1820. IFe won the con- ficence and esteem of all who knew him, and died March 13, 1832.

Capt. Ichabod was the brother of Andrew. In the early part of his life he followed the sea; was cap- tain of a merchant ship, and was very successful in that capacity, but for many years before his death he quit the sea and retired to the home of his childhood, where he passed the remainder of his days. Ile was never married. He died November, 1843, aged sixty- one years.

Paul Wentworth, known as "Col. Paul," lived in this town, at Salmon Falls, and built the dwelling- house now occupied by the family of the late John B. Wentworth. 1fe was one of the wealthy men of the time, and the leading man in both church and State. He was a merchant and an extensive dealer in lum- ber, of which his mills at Salmon Falls sawed as much as those in any other portion of the country. The lumber was rafted down the river to Portsmouth, N. H., and thence shipped to all parts of the world. His will, made in 1747 and now preserved, is considered one of the most valuable relics of the early Dover and Somersworth Wentworth families. He died June 24, 1748.

Hon. William W. Rollins, son of Daniel Rollins, was born at the old homestead of Judge Ichabod Rol- lins, Feb. 15, 1794. He was a large landholder, and one of the most thrifty, energetic, and practical far- mers of the town. He was often elected to various town offices. He several times represented the town in the State Legislature, and was a member in the New Hampshire Senate in 1846. In 1870 he was elected a member of the New Hampshire Historical Society. He died at his residence in Rollinsford, Dee. 3, 1879.

667

ROLLINSFORD.

John B. Wentworth, son of Andrew Wentworth, was born Feb. 27, 1794. He lived in the old house built by his father's father,-Col. Paul Wentworth. He was a member of the New Hampshire Legislature from 1833 to 1837, from 1846 to 1849, and in 1856, and in other years. He was a member of the convention called to revise the Constitution of New Hampshire. Ile died Nov. 3, 1869.

George W. Roberts, son of Thomas Roberts, was born in this town, at the homestead of his father, September, 1798. When he was but twelve years old his father died, leaving a large farm, which he, with what little assistance his mother could render, man- aged with prudence and skill. After this age he was through necessity denied the privilege of attending school, but through his eager desire to learn and his industry he acquired a sound practical education. Ile was chosen town clerk at an early age, and held that office twelve years, and was elected and served as one of the selectmen of the town as many more years. He was for some time town treasurer, was elected to represent the town in the State Legislature several times.

After the death of Hiram R. Roberts he was chosen president of the Salmon Falls Bank, and also of the Rollinsford Savings-Bank. He retained the former of these offices until 1881, and the latter he now holds.

"Riverside," the estate of the late Hon. Samuel Hale, is a farm of many acres, pleasantly situated in the southeastern part of the town of Rollinsford.

For a long distance the land sweeps along the cur- ving, picturesque shore of the Salmon Falls, The family mansion is nestled in a valley, surrounded on three sides by hills, and on the fourth and east side by the river fiowing at the foot of the land, across which are seen the wooded shores of Maine.

On the wharf and overhanging the river is a giant old building, black with age, known as the "Store- House." The building is very strong, having been made in days when lumber was to be had in plenty, and the timber it contains would more than suffice to build a whole block of modern houses. It is square, four stories high, and fitted with a windlass and hatchways, by means of which merchandise was transferred to and from the packets lying below. The proprietor was a large ship-owner, living for merly at Portsmouth, and had a line of vessels sail- ing to and from the Indies. The Indian goods brought to Portsmouth were then transferred to pack- ets, brought up the river, and stored in this great building, which served as a centre of distribution. The packets going down river carried return cargoes of cattle, hay, wool, and various other agricultural products.

The late Hon. Samuel Hale was born at Barring- | State, which office he still holds, thus having occupied ton, in this county, and died at the old homestead in Rollinsford, December, 1869. He was a son of Judge Hale, of Barrington, and a grandson of Portsmouth's 1 See biography elsewhere.

famous schoolmaster, Mayor Hale (Samuel). Those who knew him most intimately feel most deeply his loss. From his father and grandfather he inherited untiring energy and a love of letters. To these traits he added a tenderness almost womanly, an unfailing flow of spirits, and a temper of unbroken serenity. Entering Exeter Academy at the age of twelve years, among his companions there was the lamented Presi- dent Sparks, of Cambridge, with whom his friendship ceased but with his life. Nor did his interest in Ex- eter Academy ever decline, lie having been a trustee of that institution for more than forty years.

In 1817 he graduated from Bowdoin College with highi honor, and immediately entered the Divinity School at Cambridge, where he pursued those studies in which he delighted through his entire life. His health, however, was such as not to allow him to enter the ministry, aml through the advice of his physician he was constrained to enter upon the more active pursuits of life.

Hon. Hiram R. Roberts.1

Hall Roberts was born in this town Nov. 7, 1813. He graduated at Waterville College, now Colby Uni- versity. Taught the academy at Kennebunk, Me., for some years successfully. At one time he was a professor in an institution of learning in this State for many years. After this he went to Concord, N. H., to live; was there made president of the State Capital Bank, of that city. He died in Concord, Oct. 13, 1862.

Hon. Edward H. Rollins 1 was born in this town Oct. 3, 1824, and when a young man took up his residence in Concord, N. H.

For several years past he has had a summer resi- denee in this town, which was burned a year ago, but another house has been erected to take its place, which Mr. Rollins will probably make his permanent abid- ing-place when his public duties will allow.1

He was chosen United States senator in 1876.

Hon. Samuel W. Rollins.I

Col. Augustus W. Rollins.1

Charles Doe, son of Joseph Doe, was born in Derry, of this State, April 11, 1830; entered college at the early age of fifteen, graduating from Dartmouth in the class of 1849. He studied law with Daniel M. Christie, of Dover, and soon after he was admitted to practice formed a law partnership with Charles W. Woodman, of that city, with whom he remained until the fall of 1859, when he was appointed associate jus- tice of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire. He remained a member of that court for fifteen years, and until the law establishing the court was repealed in 1874. In 1876, upon the reorganization of the judi- ciary system of the State of New Hampshire, he was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court of this the bench of the highest court of the State for twenty-

669

HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

two years, with the exception of two years, from 1874- 76. During his long experience upon the bench he has discharged the duties of judge with rare fidelity and to the entire satisfaction of the State. Upon a vacancy occurring in the Supreme Court of the United States his name was strongly urged as the fittest man in this section of the country to fill the vacancy. He lives in the house in which his father lived, built by Capt. Ebenezer Ricker, where his large and valuable law library is kept. And here, away from the noise and bustle of the busy city, and among quiet scenes, in which his nature so much delights, he can investi- gate the unsettled and knotty points of law, for which his profound and logical mind is so well adapted.

CHAPTER CII.

ROLLINSFORD .- (Continued.)

Ecclesiastical History-Congregational Church-Episcopal Church- Congregational Church, Salmon Falls-The Methodist Society-Ro- man Catholic Church-Educational-Civil List-Town Clerk-Rep- resentatives-Masonic-Odd-Fellows-Banks-G. A. R.

THIS town, which originally consisted of but one parish, had, up to the year 1780, three houses of wor- ship, the first of which was erected in the year 1730, and was located a few rods sontheast of the cemetery in this place, near the site where the school-house now stands. As the inhabitants of the town in- creased in numbers this house was found insufficient to accommodate them, and the parish concluded to erect a larger and more commodious building, which was completed about the year 1777, and at that time the old church edifice was torn down. This new building had but just been completed when, in the year 1779, the history of the town records that a vio- lent thunder-storm arose, during which this new house was struck by lightning and consumed by fire ; its bell melted, and fell in a state of fusion. This calamity left the people without a house of worship. But not discouraged, they at once called a meeting of the parish, which unanimously voted to erect another house to the " worship of Almighty God," which was immediately commenced, and fully completed in the year 1780. This house was also consumed by fire, at the hands of an incendiary, May I, 1848. For the last twenty years which it stood it was only occasion- ally used for a place of public worship.

Rev. James Pike, the first minister of this parish, was born at Newbury, Mass., March 1, 1703. He graduated at Harvard College in 1725, in the same class with Dr. Mather Byles and Rev. Timothy Walker, first minister of Concord, N. H. He died the 19th of March, 1792, aged eighty-nine years, and in the sixty- fifth year of his ministry to the people. Immediately after his graduation from Harvard he taught the first grammar school which was ever taught in Berwick, Me. He preached his first sermon Oct. 23, 1726. He

began to preach to the people of that part of Dover now known as Rollinsford Ang. 27, 1727, and was or- dained Oct. 28, 1730. He preached his last sermon Oct. 31, 1790.

We find in the Congregational Journal, published in Concord, N. Il., the 10th of January, 1850, the fol- lowing : " Near the junction of the Maine and Great Falls Railroad stands an ancient but well-preserved house, with three venerable elms in front. In that house lived and died the first minister of Somers- worth (now Rollinsford), and these elms were borne from the forests on his shoulder, and planted where they now stand by his hand."

His parish was very large, extending throughout what is now Rollinsford and Somersworth, and it was his custom yearly to visit every home in the whole town, of whatever denomination or belief, and to tarry all night with the one at whose doorstep even- ing found him. The Quakers, so generally hated at that time, welcomed him with delight, and when the rising sun bade him journey on, the Quaker friend would say, " Friend Pike, I thank thee for this visit, and am happier for having seen thee."

The interests of the people were so interwoven with his life and heart that at the time of the Revolution- ary war, when want and starvation stared so many in the face, he cut his then meagre salary down to the purse of his people, which amounted to about the value of eight bushels of corn per year, and during the most trying period he would receive nothing from his parishioners, living from the income of his own farm, and ministering more, if possible, to the wants of his people. Hardly a legal document at that time was made out in any other handwriting than his own.

When Whitefield came to this country he was the guest of this venerable divine, tarrying with him while he remained in the vicinity.

A ludicrous instauree of his settling disputes is handed down. He and a brother minister were out walking, and came upon two men who were fighting. The two divines conferred together as to the best way to part them and preserve the peace. They finally agreed that each should take one of the combatants and bear him away. The Rev. James unclinched his man and carried him off upon his shoulder, struggling and kicking, and his brother minister did the same with the other disturber of the peace. Thus they broke up the fight. The Rev. James Pike was a very strong, athletic person, and in his full manhood ven- erable and imposing. Imbued with deep piety and a truly Christian spirit, his unselfish nature spent itself in working for the welfare of others. Nor did he cease his Christian work till age had laid its blight- ing hand upon his brow and the stately form was soon to be laid in its final resting place. Without a thought of fame, he worked in this locality for more than half a century, conscious that the talent of success is no- thing more than doing what you can do well, and

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 156

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