History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 41

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 41
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 41


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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In politics Mr. Elkins was a Republican. Ile took a leading part in political matters, was representative to the Legislature, selectman, and town clerk for a ) number of years. At various times he held all the offices within the gift of the town. He was a reso-


The territory embraced within the bounds of the Inte, industrious man, displaying energy in everything present town of Deerfield originally comprised a por-


he undertook. He was one of the best farmers of the town. With no conservative ideas on any subject, he kept pace with the rapid strides made in architecture and farming, built a fine residence, and kept himselt supplied with every implement that could be made useful in successfully tilling the soil. His integrity was never doubted. Frank, open-hearted, and gen- erous, he made many friends. He was a kind father, a loving husband, a good neighbor, and his death, which occurred Aug. 3, 1879, was a sad blow to all who knew him.


The first known maternal ancestor of Mrs. Elkins was her great-great-grandfather, Jeremiah, who mar- ried and had children,-Jacob, Moses, Aaron (her great-grandfather), and Jeremiah. Aaron married second wife, Mary Towle, and had Ziporah, Rebecca, Elisha (her grandfather), Joanna, Lucy, Mary, and Aaron. Elisha married Hannah Badger, and had Nicholas, Aaron, Stephen, and Sarah (her mother), who married Josiah Philbrick, and had Almon Q., Luella B. (Mrs. John Philbrick), Almira, and Madi- son. Col. Aaron Quimby, her mother's brother, was born in Danville, June 6, 1799, was reared on the farm, has held all the important town offices, was rep-


resentative to Legislature three years, was selectman nine years, has had ten commissions, five years each, for justice of peace, and now has in his possession six commissions in Seventh Regiment New Hampshire Militia, of every grade from ensign to colonel. He always had a great delight in military matters. For many years he taught school in winter, and devoted his time to coopering, surveying, and acting as ad- ministrator. In 188I, being then eighty-two, he sur- veyed a piece of land and made out the deed. IIe attends the Congregational Church, to which his wife, formerly Mary A. Blake, belonged. In acting as ad- ministrator, he has had large sums of money intrusted to his care, and never did malice or suspicion whisper aught against his integrity. He is now living with his niece, Mrs. Elkins, and, having passed through a long and useful life, is prepared to be called away to his fathers.


CHAPTER XXIV.


DEERFIELD.1


Geographical-Topographical-Petition for Parish Incorporation-First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected-The Revolution-Ecclesiastical- Congregational Church- Baptist Church-The Deerfield Academy- Attorneys-Physicians-Early Families-Delegates to Provincial Con- gress-Representatives and Town Clerks from 1789 to 1882.


DEERFIELD lies in the northwestern part of the county, and is bounded as follows: On the north by Northwood, on the east by Nottingham, on the south by Raymond and Candia, and on the west by Mer- rimac County.


tion of Nottingham. The first petition for the organ- ization of a separate parish was presented in 1756, but was not granted. In 1765 the inhabitants again petitioned for separation from the parent town and the prayer was granted, and the new parish took the name of Deerfield.


Incorporation .- The act of incorporation bears the date Jan. 8, 1766, and is signed by Governor Benning Wentworth. The petition was signed by the follow- ing persons : "Sam" Leavitt, Obadiah Marston, Thos Simpson, Eliphelet Griffeen, Abraham True, Isaac Shepard, Samuel Tilton, Peter Batchelder, Robert Cram, Patten Simpson, Nathaniel Batchelder, Jr., Thomas Brown, John Batchelder, Moses Thomson, Sam" Hoyt, Peter Leavitt, Ephraim Pettingell, Eliph- elet Marston, Theº Griffin, Reuben Marston, Ben- jamin Cotton, Josiah Smith, Samuel Elkins, Jude Allen, John cram, Samnel Kelley, Wadleigh eram, Sam" Leavit, Jun', Samuel Marston, Reuben Brown, Nathan Griffeen, Reuben Marston, Theophilns Griffin, Jun', Samuel Winslow, Nathaniel Meloon, Benjamin


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


165


DEERFIELD.


Page, Daniel Page, Samuel Perkins, Josiah Chase, Moses Chase, John Gile, nemiah cram, Joseph Graves, Jedediah Prescutt, David Batchelder, Josiah Prescutt, Samuel pulsfer, Josiah Sanbon, Thomas Robie, Wil- liam Sanbon, Joseph Mason, John mason, Jeremiah Easman, Owen Runnels, Daniel West, Benjamin hil- yard, Benjamin Beachelder, israel ('lifford, John Ro- binson, Joseph Roberd, Joshua Young, Jeremiah Glidden, Joseph pidkins, Richard Gliden, Andrew Glidden, John Young, Jonathan Glidden, Jonathan Hill, Daniel Lad, John Lad, Nathaniel Smith, Ben- jamin Folsom, Moss Thirston, Jeremiah Foslom, Moses Clough, Inerese Batcheler, Benjamin Batchelder, nathan Batcheler, Josiah Sawyer, Samuel marston.


The First Town-Meeting .- The first legal meet- ing was held at the house of Samuel Leavitt on Thurs- day, the 30th day of Jannary, 1766; Wadleigh Cram was chosen moderator ; Thomas Simpson, Esq., parish clerk ; Samuel Leavitt, John Robinson, Eliphalet Griffin, selectmen ; Benjamin Batchelder, constable ; John Gile, Jacob Longfellow. Daniel Ladd, Obediah Marston, and Nathaniel Maloon, surveyors of high- ways; Jonathan Glidden and Samuel Tilton, asses- sors; Abram True and Jeremiah Eastman, auditors ; Jedediah Prescott, Jeremiah Eastman, Samuel Tilton, Benjamin Folsom, Thomas Burleigh, Capt. Samuel Leavitt, Thomas Simpson were chosen "a Committee to look out for a Suitable Place to Sett a meeting- house upon and a Return att the next annal Meeting from under the major part of their hands and the Same to be received or Rejected by the Parish as they Shall think proper."


Fifteen pounds lawful money were voted to be " assessed to defray parish charges."


The first annual meeting was held "at the house of Wadleigh Crams," March 18, 1766, when John Robinson was chosen moderator; Thomas Simpson, parish elerk ; and the same men for selectmen as last year ; Dr. Jonathan Hill and Jeremiah Eastman were chosen auditors.


A new committee was raised for locating the mect- ing-house. "Voted Jn° Robinson, Abram True, Eliph- alet Eastman, Samuel Winslow. Nehemiah Cram be a Committee to Look out a Suitable place for to Sett a meeting-house on and Look out where the Roads will best accommodate to Come to Said Meet- ing-house."


The first money voted to be raised for preaching the gospel was fifteen pounds, on the 15th day of December, 1766. At the same time it was voted, " That Capt. John Dudley be the Person to Look out for Some Suitable to supply the Parish of Deerfield with Preaching So far as the money above voted shall Extend."


The Revolution .- Deerfield was active in its op- position to British oppression, contributed liberally in men and money. It appears that men from Deer- field gallantly fought at Lexington and in Rhode Island, and wherever New England men were found


struggling for liberty. The names of eighteen per- sons from this town who died in the Revolution are preserved.1 It is believed that Maj. John Simpson fired the first gun upon the British with fatal result in that immortal battle at Bunker Hill. It was a premature discharge of his musket, but one that was immediately followed by a general engagement. Maj. Simpson died Oct. 28, 1825. Joseph Mills, an officer in Col. Cilley's regiment during the Revolution, was afterwards an efficient magistrate and a worthy repre- sentative. He died in June, 1809, aged sixty years. Hon. Richard Jenness, who acted so important a part in the early history of this town, died July 4, 1819, aged seventy-three years, greatly respected as a mag- istrate, representative, senator, and judge of the Common Pleas Court.


One hundred and thirty-nine of the inhabitants subscribed to the following declaration and fourteen refused : "We, the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage and promise that we will to the utmost of our power, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, with arms oppose the hostile proceedings of the British Fleets and Armies against the United American Colonies."


Ecclesiastical .- The first religious services in the town were held by the Congregationalists, and the first settled pastor was Rev. Timothy Upham, who officiated in that office from 1772 until his death in 1811. His successors have been as follows: Rev. Nathaniel Wells, 1812-41; Rev. Ephraim Nelson, 1841-49; Rev. William A. Patten, 1850-52; (for three years the pulpit was supplied by Rev. W. A. Forbes and E. F. Abbott); Rev. U. W. Condit, 1855 -64; Rev. Lyman White succeeded the second min- istry of Mr. Patten, commencing his labors in 1874. Rev. Mr. White graduated from Dartmouth in 1846; at Andover in 1849 ; preached at Epping five years, at Easton (Mass.) seven years, at Phillipston (Mass.) eight years, at Pembroke (N. H.) four years and a half.


Baptist Church .- This church was organized in 1770 with fourteen members. The first pastor was Elifelet Smith. It was disbanded in 1787. A branch of the Brentwood Church was organized soon after, which subsequently became extinct, and in 1816 (September 12th) the "First Baptist Church of Deer- field" was organized.


The first house of worship occupied by the Baptists was built 1770, and located about one mile and a half southeast of the centre of the town. In 1822 it was removed to the centre and occupied in connection with the Free-Will Baptists, and was called the " Union Meeting-House." The Baptists completed and dedicated their present sanctuary in October, 1834.


Among those who have occupied the pastoral office are mentioned Revs. James Barnaby, Isaac Merring,


1 For list see history of Nottingham elsewhere in this work.


166


HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.


Bela Wilcox, Isaac Sanger, O. O. Stearns, Noah Hooper, James N. Chase, L. C. Stevens, Edward T. Lyford, Oliver Ayer, Ilenry O. Walker, etc.


Free-Will Baptist Church .- This church was or- ganized in 1799. They worshiped many years in the Union meeting-house, which was burned in 1839, and rebuilt in 1840 by the Free-Will Baptist people alone, and is occupied by them now. This house is pleas- antly located at the centre of the town, midway between the Congregational and Calvin Baptist Churches.


Among those who have labored as pastors of this church are John Kimball, S. B. Dyer, I. S. Davis, G. D. Garland, P. S. Burbank, C. S. Smith, Aaron Ayer, , 1774 to 1788, inclusive : Ezra Turtle, G. S. Hill, and Ira Emery. Mr. Emery came bere in 1871. He studied theology at Bangor Seminary, and was ordained at Industry, Me., Sept. 9, 1868. He was dismissed from Deerfield in 1876, and was followed by E. Blake, the present pastor.


The Deerfield Academy .- The families that set- tled here and on lands contignons were to an unusual degree possessed of wealth and intellectual culture; and besides caring for the district school, they sup- ported a high school, which for many years was known as the academy, founded about 1798 by Jo- seph Mills, Esq., Col. Joseph Hilton, Gen. Benjamin Butler, Maj. Isaac Shepard, and Andrew Freeze, Esq. It was a flourishing school in its day. Phineas Howe, a young lawyer at the Parade, was its first preceptor, and continued at its head until about 1812. Mr. Jewett, Nathan T. Hilton, and " Master James Hu- sey" were the most prominent successors of Mr. Howe.


This academy building was ultimately sold to the Parade school district, and destroyed by fire about 1842.


Attorneys .- Among the attorneys who have prac- ticed here were David Frank, Edmund Toppem, Phineas Howe, Moody Kent, Josiah Butler, Jason Merrill, N. P. Hoar, D. Steele, Jr., F. H. Davis, Jo- siah Houghton, Ira St. Clair, Nathaniel Dearborn, and H. G. Cilley.


In addition to the above, Francis D. Randall, of Deerfield, was register of deeds from 1834 to 1840.


Richard Jenness was judge of Court of Common Pleas from 1809 to 1813.


-


Dudley Freese was judge of Court of Common Pleas from 1832 to 1842.


Benjamin Jenness was sheriff from 1830 to 1835. He was son of Judge Richard Jenness.


Peter Chadwick was clerk of the Court of Common Pleas from 1817 to 1834, and clerk of the Superior Court from 1829 to 1837.


Peter Sanborn was for several years State treas- urer.


Physicians .- The physicians of Deerfield have been Edmund Chadwick, Thomas Brown, Stephen Brown, John Hidden, Dr. Young, and Dr. G. H. Towle. Dr. Towle is a native of Deerfield, and has an extensive practice.


Early Families .- Among the early families are mentioned those of Batchelder, Bean, Brown, Butler, Cate, Chadwick, Chase, Churchill, Cilley, Collins, Cram, Currier, Dearborn, Eastman, Freese, French, Furnald, Gerrish, Gilman, Griffin, Haines, Hilton, Hoag, James, Jenness, Maloon, Marston, Mills, Moore, Page, Prescott, Rand, Sanborn, Sawyer, Simpson, Smith, Stevens, G. H. Towle, Thomp- son, Tilton, True, Veasey, Weare, Whittier, White, and Woodman.


Delegates to Provincial Congress .- The follow- ing is a list of delegates to Provincial Congress from


1774, Jan. 25 .- Capt. Daniel Moore, Moses Marshal, deputies to meet at Exeter to choose delegates to represent the province at Phila- delphia.


1775, May 8 .- Simon Marston, Timothy Upham, delegates to Provincial Congress at Exeter.


1775, Dec. 12 .- Jeremiah Eastman, representative for parislies of Deer- field and Northwood to a Congress to be held at Exeter, Dec. 21, 1775.


1776, Dec. 2 .- Jeremiah Eastman, representative for Deerfield and North- wood, at Exeter, third Wednesday, December.


1777, Dec. 11 .- Jeremiah Eastman, representative for Deerfield and Northwood, at Exeter.


1778, May 28 .- Simon Merston, Richard Jeuness, delegates at conveu- tion to be holden at Concord, June 10th next, to frame and lay a permanent form of government.


1778, Dec. 1 .- Jeremiah Eastman. representative to Congress at Exeter, for one year.


1779, Nov. 30 .- Jeremiah Eastmen, representative to Congress at Exeter, fur one year.


1780, Dec. 5 .- Simon Marston, representative to Congress at Exeter, for one year.


1781, Dec. 4 .- Jeremiah Eastman, representative for Deerfield and North- woud.


1782, May 13 .- Joseph -, Dr. Edmund Chadwick, delegates to Con- vention at Concord on the first Wednesday in June to frame a con- stitution.


1783, Dec. 1 .- Jeremiah Eastman, representative to General Assembly, Concord, first Wednesday in December next.


1784 .- Jeremiah Easton, representative to General Assembly, Concord, third Wednesday in June.


1785 .- Moses Baruard, representative to General Assembly, Concord. 1786 .- Moses Barnard, representative to General Assembly, Concord. 1787 .- Voted not to send.


1788, Jan. 14 .- Dr. Edmund Chadwick, delegate to Exeter, Feb. 13th, agreeably to request of General Assembly.


1788, March 18 .- Richard Jenuess, representative General Assembly &t Concord.


REPRESENTATIVES AND TOWN CLERKS FROM 1789 to 1878.


1789,-Richard Jenness, representative ; Jeremiah Eastman, clerk. 1790 .~ Joseph March, representative ; Jeremiah Esstman, clerk. 1791 .- Joseph March, representative; Jeremiah Eastman, clerk. 1792 .- Joseph March, representative; Jeremiah Eastman, clerk. 1793. - Joseph March, representative; Jeremiah Eastman, clerk. 1794 .- Joseph March, representative; Jeremiah Eastman, clerk. 1795 .- Joseph March, representative ; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1796 .- Joseph Mills, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1797 .- Dr. Edmund Chadwick, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1798 .- Richard Jenness, representative ; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1799 .- Joseph Mille, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1800,-Richard Jenness, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1801 .- Richard Jenness, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1802 .- Richard Jenness, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1803 .- Capt. Peter Sanborn, representative; Nathaniel Weare, cler,. 1804 .- Richard Jenness, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1805 .- Col. Moses Barnard, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1806 .- Col. Moses Barnard, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk, 1807 .- Col. Thomas Jenness, representative ; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1808 .- Isaac Shephard, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


J. J. Dearborn


167


DEERFIELD.


1809 .- Isaac Shephard, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1810 .- Isaac Shephard, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1811 .- Col. Thomas Jenness, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1812 .- Isaac Shephard, representative; Nathaniel Freese, clerk. 1813 .- Benjamin Butler, representative: Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1814 .- Josiah Butler, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk. 1815 .- Josiah Butler, representative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1816 .- Josiah Butler and Thomas Robinson, representatives ; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1817 .- Thomas Robinson and Jacob Freese, representatives; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1818 .- Thomas Robinson and Jacob Freese, representatives; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1819 .- Thomas Robinson and Jacob Freese, representatives ; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1820 .- Thomas Robinson and Jacob Freese, representatives; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1821 .- Andrew Page, first representative; no choice for second repre- sentative; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1822 .- Andrew Page and John S. Jenness, representatives ; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1823 .- Jacob Freese and John S. Jenness, representatives ; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1824 .- Jacob Freese and Daniel laines, representatives; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1825 .- Daniel Haines and Gilbert Chadwick, representatives; Nathaniel Weare, clerk.


1826 .- Gilbert Chadwick and Dudley Freese, representatives; Nathaniel Weare and Benjamin Stevens, clerks.


1827 .- Dudley Freese and Benning W. Sanborn, representatives; Ben- jamin Stevens, clerk.


1828 .- Dudley Freese sod Benjamin Jenness, representatives ; Benjamin Stevens, clerk.


1829 .- Benjamin Jenness and Winthrop Hilton, representatives ; Benja- min Stevens, clerk.


1830 .- Benjamin JenDess, Andrew Freese, representatives; Benjamin Stevens, clerk.


1831 .- Andrew Freese and Samnel Collins, representatives; Benjamin Stevens, clerk.


1832 .- Andrew Freese and Samnel Collins, representatives; Benjamin Stevens, clerk.


1833 .- B. W. Sanborn and Joseph Merrill, representatives; Benjamin Stevens, clerk.


1834 .- B. W. Sanborn and Joseph Merrill, representatives; Benjamin Stevens, clerk.


1835 .- Peter Jenness and John James, representatives; Benjamin Ste- vens, clerk.


1836 .- Peter Jenness and John James, representatives; Benjamin Ste- vens, clerk.


1837 .- Stephen Cram and J. W. James, representatives; Edmund Chad- wick, clerk.


1838,-Stephen Cram and J. W. James, representatives; Edmund Chad- wick, clerk.


1839 .- Ira St. Clair and Benjamin Jenness, representatives; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1840 .- Ira St. Clair and Benjamin James, representatives ; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1841 .- Peter Sanborn and Thomas D. Robinson, representatives; Ed- mund Chadwick, clerk.


1842 .- Peter Sanborn and Thomas D. Robinson, representatives; Ed- mund Chadwick, clerk.


1843 .- Stephen Prescott and Samuel S. Melloon, representatives; Ed- mund Chadwick, clerk.


1844 .- Stepben Prescott and Samuel S. Melloon, representatives; Ed- mund Chadwick, clerk.


1845 .- Samuel B. Page and Elbridge Tilton, representatives; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1846 .- John James and George W. Prescott, representatives; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1847 .- Elbridge Tilton and John Page, Jr., representatives ; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1848 .- George W. Prescott and John Dearborn, representatives; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1849 .- Samnel Woodman, Jr., John Dearborn, representatives ; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1850 .- Jeremiah Batchelder and S. G. Carswell, representatives; Ed- mund Chadwick, clerk.


1851 .- William Whittier and H. G. Cilley, representatives; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1852 .- William Whittier and H. G. Cilley, representatives; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1853 .- A. L. Jenness and Thomas Veasey, representatives; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1854 .- A. L. Jeuness and Thomas Veasey, representatives; Edmund Chadwick, clerk.


1855 .- John Robinson, Jr., first representative; no choice for second representative ; Joseph J. Mills, clerk.


1856 .- John S. Hidden and Jeremiah Fellows, representatives; Edmund Rand, clerk.


1857 .- John &. Robinson, Jeremiah Follows, representatives; Joseph J. Mills, clerk.


1858 .- Eben Marston and Joseph C. Cram, representatives; Joseph J. Mills, clerk.


1859 .- Eben Marston and Joseph C. Cram, representatives; Joseph J. Mills, clerk.


1860 .- Joseph J. Dearborn, first representative; voted not to send second representative; Joseph J. Mills, clerk.


1861 .- Joseph J. Dearborn and Sewell Gondhue, representatives; Isasc H. Morrison, clerk.


1862 .- John M. Freese and Benjamin S. Brown, representatives; Isaac H. Morrison, clerk.


1863 .- John M. Freese and John S. Robinson, representatives; John S. French, clerk.


1864 .- Benjamin S. Brown, Ezra A. J. Sawyer, representatives; John A. Law, clerk.


1865,-Ezra A. J. Sawyer and Isaac H. Morrison, representatives ; John · R. Law, clerk.


1866 .- Isaac H. Morrison, James Bean, representatives ; John R. Law, clerk.


1867 .- James Bean and Richard J. Sanborn, representatives; Jonathan H. Bachelder, clerk.


1868 .- Abraham G. Ladd, Joseph R. Gerrish, representatives ; J. F. Pres- cott, clerk.


1869 .- Joseph R. Gerrish and Richard J. Sanborn, representatives ; J. F. Prescott, clerk.


1870 .- Joseph H. Veasey, Abraham G. Ladd, representatives; J. Frank Prescott, clerk.


1871 .- Jonathan D. Cate, Jeremy Rawlins, Jr., representatives; J. F. Prescott, clerk.


1872 .- Jonathan D. Cate and Jeremy Rawlins, Jr., representatives; J. F. Prescott, clerk.


1873 .- Stephen Prescott, Jr., George P. Prescott, representatives; J. F. Prescott, clerk.


1874 .- Stephen Prescott, Jr., George P. Prescott, representatives ; J. F. Prescott, clerk.


1875,-John B. Legro, Martin W. Childs, representatives : J.F. Prescott, clerk.


1876 .- John C. Brown, Martin W. Childs, representatives ; J. F. Prescott, clerk.


1877 .- John C. Brown, George J. French, representatives; J. F. Prescott, clerk.


1878 .- Joseph H. Veasey, Samuel Woodman, representatives; Charles E. P. Hoyt, clerk.


For " Military Record" 1861-65, see history of Not- tingham elsewhere in this work.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


HON. J. J. DEARBORN.


The pioneers of the Dearborn family in Upper Rockingham were two young men, cousins-german, who, abont 1772, established themselves, the one, Henry (afterwards major-general, Secretary of War, etc.), at Nottingham as a physician, and the other, Edward, at Deerfield as a farmer. Edward died snd- denly in the prime of life, and his eldest son, Sewall,


I68


HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.


succeeded to the homestead, where he passed a long and useful life.


Hon. Joseph J. Dearborn, whose portrait herewith appears, was the son of Sewall and Sarah Dow Dear- born, and was born March 8, 1818. He had the usual advantages of schooling then common to most coun- try boys, and at an early age obtained employment in a country store. On attaining his majority he began business for himself at the old "Jenness : one a hotel-keeper, the other engaged in lumber busi- store," at Deerfield South Road. When about twenty- five years of age he removed to Bangor, Me., where for a term of years he was engaged in the hardware trade, until on account of broken health he was com- pelled to retire from all active business. He finally returned to his native town, and soon after estab- lished a shoe-factory, and for more than twenty years CHAPTER XXV. pursued that business at South Deerfield, where he still resides. Mr. Dearborn is a man of positive con- DERRY.I victions, active temperament, and great earnestness of purpose, and through many years of active life has borne among his neighbors a prominent part in all those questions that an eventful period has suc- cessively brought forward. Ile has from time to time held most of the offices within the gift of his towns- men, and in 1860 and 1861 represented his town in the General Court, and in 1865 and 1866 his district in the New Hampshire State Senate. .


Mr. Joseph Henry Dearborn, of Pembroke, is his only surviving child.


EZRA A. J. SAWYER.


Ezra A. J. Sawyer was born in Deerfield, N. H., Nov. 3, 1828. His great-grandfather, Josiah Sawyer, was one of the original proprietors of Nottingham. His wife was a sister of Jeremiah Eastman, who sur- veyed the town of Deerfield. E. A. J. Sawyer is a son of John and Clarissa (Chesley) Sawyer, and grandson of David, third son of Josiah. He was reared a farmer, and received a common-school and academical education, and in early manhood taught school. May 24, 1853, he married Sarah Collins, daughter of Joseph Bean and Lydia H. Collins, who was a daughter of Col. Samuel Collins ; she was born April 8, 1830. Their children are Fred. B., born April 16, 1854; John F., born March 2, 1856; and Mabel J., born April 11, 1861. Mr. Sawyer was ap- pointed collector of taxes as soon as he was old enough to hold the position, and in 1855 was appointed deputy sheriff, which office he has held uninterruptedly (with the exception of two years) to the present time. He was representative to the State Legislature in 1865-66, and has been justice of the peace and quorum through- out the State for many years. He was appointed postmaster in 1874, and still holds the appointment. In politics, Mr. Sawyer is a Republican, stanch yet liberal.




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