History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 58

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 58
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 58

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).

Immediately upon graduation he opened an office at Lawrence, Mass., and entered into the general practice of medicine. Ilis stay here was short, and in the fall of 1854 he removed to Epping, where he has ever since been engaged in the active practice of his profession. His whole time has been given to the demands of this practice, and he has been very suc- cessful, acquiring a high standing among the medical men of this section of the State, and is quite noted as a surgeon, having performed successfully many of the difficult operations in surgery. He has always been a diligent student, and has kept in the front rank of the progressive physicians of the day. Ile has been county physician since 1871, and has had entire medical charge of the Rockingham County Institution, and the insane asylum connected there- with. He is a member of the New Hampshire Med- ical Society, American Medical Association, and of the Rockingham Medical Society, of which he is president. He was appointed examining surgeon in the United States Pension Department, Nov. 15, 1872, and still retains the office.

Dr. Burnham has not remained an idle spectator of . events, but has largely interested himself in matters appertaining to the improvement, development, and education of the community, and has been superin- tendent of school committee thirteen years. He has never swerved from the Democratic principles of his ancestors, but has held aloof from politics, having no desire or craving for political preferment; but has i his fifth commission as justice of the peace, his first one being dated in 1855. He is a member and Past Master of Sullivan Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M., of Epping, and is a member of St. Alban Chapter, No. 15, of Exeter. Dr. Burnham is a man of fine phys- ique, of culture and refinement, and is possessed of more than ordinary social qualities that endear him

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

to a large circle. As a business man he takes high rank, and has been financially very successful. He was first treasurer of Epping Savings-Bank, and is now one of its trustees. Broad and liberal in all things, he freely concedes to all the right to differ from him in opinion, but holds with firmness to his own, which is only adopted after a careful examina- tion of the subject. He is Unitarian in religious belief.

SHERBURNE FOGG.

The Fogg family is closely identified with the early history of Epping. The first of the name moved here from Hampton, and settled near the centre of the town, upon the place now owned by Daniel W. Ladd, and a field opposite the Methodist Episcopal Church is still called the "Fogg field." This was Col. Seth Fogg, a tanner, shoemaker, and farmer. His first wife was a Philbrick. This family numbered seven children,-Sally, born March 7, 1758; David, born Aug. 16, 1759; Caleb, born March 17, 1761; Jonathan, born Oct. 4, 1764; Sherburne, born Oct. 17, 1768; Polly, born June 23, 1770; Seth, born Nov. 30, 1771.

The second marriage of Col. Seth Fogg was with a Mrs. Smith, and this union was blessed with one daughter, Eleanor, born Oct. 29, 1777. Eleanor married Dr. George Kittredge, of Newmarket, and was the mother of Dr. George Kittredge, 2d, who re- cently died at Newmarket. Of the birth of Col. Seth Fogg we find no record, but we learn from the family Bible of Sherburne Fogg that he died Nov. 20, 1806, and his first wife's death occurred June 1, 1774. He was a colonel in the militia; in religion a Congregationalist, but not a church-member. He was constant in his attendance upon church services, and remarkably strict in his observance of the Sab- bath. He remembered the church in his will and left one hundred dollars, the interest to be paid an- nually to "a learned minister of the gospel." Also a like sum, the interest to be paid annually to a "grammar-school master." The ministry and schools still have the benefit of this gift, known as "Fogg's donation."

We find the name of both wives of Col. Fogg upon the records of the Congregational Church in Epping, showing that they were fully identified with that body. Their children were baptized by Rev. Josiah Stearns, pastor of the church at that time, grand- father of the present pastor. At the baptism of each it is recorded, " on the mother's account."

Sherburne Fogg was the fifth child of Col. Seth Fogg. He was twice married,-first to Mehitable Maloon, of Epping, July 15, 1792, when about twenty- four years of age. Her family came from Meredith to this place. She was born May 10, 1769, and died Oct. 3, 1835. Their children numbered seven, viz. : their first was a son, born Jan. 18, 1793, and died

without a name, Feb. 27, 1793. Seth was born Dec. 18, 1793; Maria, born June 27, 1796 ; Jonathan, born Oct. 18, 1798; Franklin, born July 4, 1801 ; Jesse, born Feb. 21, 1805; Ruth, born Nov. 7, 1808. Ruth married David Fogg, and was the mother of Martin V. B. Fogg.

His second wife was Mrs. Hannah Sargent, of Brentwood, to whom he was married Nov. 14, 1839. Her maiden name was Hannah Hubbard. She died March 19, 1855, aged seventy years.

The farm and home of Sherburne Fogg was on " Red Oak Hill," three-fourths of a mile north from the centre of the town. It contains about one hun- dred acres, and was originally two farms, owned re- spectively by Benjamin Sanborn and Capt. John Chandler, father of Gen. John Chandler, of Maine. There was a garrison on this farin, the cellar of which can now be pointed out. Here all his children were ' born. He was a farmer of average intelligence, in- dustrious habits, and accumulated a good property. In politics he was a Democrat. He subscribed to no particular religious belief, but the family attended the Methodist Church after it> organization, and here he contributed for the support of preaching. It was his enstom to give the early preachers stationed at Epping a tree standing in the forest, which, after being converted into cord-wood by them, he would draw to the parsonage. His last days were quietly passed in the family of his grandson, Martin V. B., whom he made his heir, and here, upon the farm where he had lived and labored so many years, he passed away, Oct. 10, 1857, at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years. The engraving accompanying this sketch is from a picture taken two years before his death.

M. V. B. FOGG.

Martin Van Buren Fogg was born in Epping, April 6, 1834. His father was David Fogg, born in Enfield, July 29, 1809, and died in Epping, April 18, 1862. His mother was Ruth Fogg, daughter of Sherburne Fogg (whose engraving and biographical sketch ap- pear in this work). She died July 31, 1835. Their children numbered three, viz .: Lucy Maria, born Jan. 11, 1830. She married Davenport Morrison, of Fair- lee, Vt., where she died June 16, 1868, leaving nine children. Andrew Jackson, born Dec. 19, 1831. He married Mary Emma Willis, of Exeter, and resides there. They have one son. David Fogg's second mar- riage was with Irene Burnham, daughter of Jacob Burnham, of Nottingham. She was born June 23, 1809, and died in Epping, Aug. 4, 1874. They had two children,-Lewis Everett, born Oct. 6, 1843. He married Ellen Pitkin Newhall, daughter of Rev. Matthew Newhall, of Greenland, June 23, 1872. They reside in Epping, and have one son. Mary Adelaide, born Oct. 14, 1852. April 16, 1874, she united in marriage with Harold W. Windram, of Lynn, Mass., where she died Feb. 20, 1876. David

SHERBURNE FOGG.

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EPPING.

Fogg's father was Jesse J. Fogg, born in Enfield in 1785. He died there Sept. 5, 1820. His mother was Lucy Pierce. She died in Kensington, Dec. 31, 1827. His grandfather was David, son of Col. Seth Fogg (see sketch of Sherburne Fogg). He was twice mar- ried. His first wife was Catharine Barber; his second, Ruth Dustin. David Fogg was for some years a land- Jord at Epping Corner, so was his grandson David in years after. The old hotel is still standing, and is known as the " Fogg stand."

Martin from early boyhood was a favorite grand- child of Sherburne Fogg. When fifteen years of age he went to live with his grandfather. Here he labored upon the farm, attending school in the winter. His education was limited to the instruction received in the district schools of those days. When he became of age arrangements were made for his permanent stay with his grandparents. On the 26th of March, 1855, he was united in marriage with Ruth Jane, daughter of Sherburne Rollings, of Epping. She died April 30, 1874. Her mother was Nancy Sanborn, of Epping. Two children were born to them,-Edson, born July 30, 1856. He married Georgianna, daughter of Dr. Sanborn, of Kingston. He died April 16, 1874. Emma Jane was born Sept. 7, 1860. The second wife of Mr. Fogg was Annie Martha Swain, daughter of Richard and Sarah Sherburne Swain, of Barrington. She was born Oct. 1, 1839. Mr. Fogg partook largely of his grandfather's characteristics. He was a practical, ca- pable farmer, a man of excellent judgment. For over twenty years he was more or less engaged in dealing in cattle and wood and lumber. In politics he was a Democrat; has served the town as selectman, collector of taxes, etc. He died of apoplexy, March 14, 1882. His funeral was largely attended at the Methodist Church, the pastor, Rev. James Thurston, officiating. We quote from his address: "He was a descendant of an ancient and honorable family, among the early settlers of the town. It is something to say that Martin Fogg brought no reproach on the name. He was a man of fair intelligence, of industrious and thrifty habits, of honesty in all his dealings, of decided con- victions, self-respectful, affectionately attached to his own, a true husband, a loving father, a faithful brother, a good neighbor, a respectable and useful citizen. And now he is gathered to his fathers, hav- ing fallen in the prime of middle life."

E. B. MOORE, M.D.

Edward Bucknam Moore, M.D., was born in Lan- caster, N. H., June 12, 1801; died suddenly of an- gina pectoris, in Chelsea, Mass., Sept. 16, 1874. His ancestors on the paternal side trace their descent from Col, Jonathan Moore, a British officer, who is believed to be of Scotch origin. His sword is pre- served as an heirloom in the family of C. K. Moore, of Parsonfield, Me. The colonel had two sons, Jonathan and William (Ist). William had four

sons,-William (2d), Coffin, Harvey, and Peter. These four came to America long before the Revo- lution (at what precise date is not known), and set- tled in New England. Their descendants are now scattered throughout the United States. William (2d) married a sister of Col. Peter Gilman, of Strat- ham, N. H., by whom he had five sons, among whom was William (3d), who was taken by the In- dians in one of their incursions, and he resided or was detained among them for many years ; Coffin (2d ), Peter, Henry, and John. Coffin (2d) was grand- father of Dr. Moore, and was born at Stratham, Feb. 25, 1739. He studied medicine, and practiced with success to a good old age. He married Comfort Weeks, of Greenland, March 3, 1760. They bad four sons and three daughters. Their third child was Coffin (3d), father of Edward B., born at George- town, Mass., April 30, 1768, and died at Lancaster, N. H., Aug. 22, 1842. He was at Lancaster about 1787, with Gen. Edward Bucknam, who was for many years the principal surveyor in Coos County, and whose daughter Mary he married in 1789. They had eight sons and three daughters.

Dr. Moore was the fourth child. Ilis father was a respectable farmer, who spent the inclement days of winter in making and mending shoes for his family and for his neighbors. His labor and industry sup- ported his family aud gave them the best common- school advantages that his means and the facilities of the town afforded. The mother of the doctor was second daughter of Gen. Bucknam, and was born in Lancaster, N. H., July 22, 1769, dying there May 4, 1837. The general was born at Athol, Mass., June 21, 1741, and died at Lancaster, N. H., March 9, 1813. Ile married Susannah, daughter of David Page, one of the first settlers of Lancaster. They had two sons, Edward and George, and five daughters.

As an indication of the strong will and unconquer- able desire of Dr. Moore to obtain an education, it is worthy of mention that up to his nineteenth year he worked upon his father's farm except the three winter months, when he was permitted to attend school. The two last winters he taught school. In the spring of 1821 he left Lancaster with twenty dollars as an outfit, and this sum saved from his labor as teacher. He went to Pembroke. N. H., where he fitted for col- lege. Having resolved to study medicine, and meet- ing encouragement, he became a pupil (without a complete college course, which he never ceased to regret) in the office of Dr. Thomas Brown, of Deer- field (formerly of Manchester, with whom he passed four years), except the three winter months of each year, which he gave to teaching, to obtain the requi- site means to pursue his professional studies and at- tend lectures. He attended one session at Dartmouth and another at Bowdoin, and was graduated as M.D. in 1828. He then went to Concord, N. 11., where he opened an office and procured such books for his library as he could afford with his slender means; but

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

after six months he removed to Epping, where he en- gaged in practice with good success.

He married, April 10, 1830, Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. Samuel Lawrence, of Epping. (See biography.) His business beeame large and remunerative, and he prosecuted it assiduously until the spring of 1847, when he removed to Boston, Mass. He took the of- fice that had been occupied by Dr. Lane, a prominent physician, who had just died of cholera. His repu- tation had preceded him, and he soon found himself fully engaged in practice. He promptly identified himself with the interests of the profession and the city, and was chosen to fill various public offices. He was a member of the Boston school committee in 1849-50, of the Boston primary school committee from 1851 to 1854, of the Massachusetts Medical So- ciety, of the American Medical Association from 1855, of the New England Historical and Genealog- ical Society from 1858, and an honorary member of California State Medical Society. He was appointed coroner for Suffolk County in 1858, a position which

James L. worked on the farm with his father, and acquired all the knowledge obtainable at the common schools of his youth; married, before reaching his he held at his death. IIe was also one of the dis- 1 majority, Elsie, daughter of Samuel Plumer (brother tributors of the Howard Benevolent Society for the last twenty years of his life. From an early period of his professional career he was a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd-Fellows. He was also a devoted Freemason, and had received the thirty- third degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish rite. He gave but few contributions to medical liter- ature, but he was by no means an idle man, nor want- ing in literary ability. Dec. 10, 1873, he published his thirteenth annual report of the proceedings and workings of the Great Council of Masons of the sev- eral States.

Dr. Moore was a man of great probity of character, strong and stable in his friendships, devoted and un- tiring in doing good. As a physician he was success- ful and popular, because he sought to deserve honor by the noblest means, that of rendering zealous and intelligent service to those who sought his professional aid. He was a constant reader of the best books. He attended the meetings of the medical societies, and thus kept himself abreast of the latest and best means of relieving human suffering. He was not only well informed, but self-reliant and assuring in the sick-roon, and was conscientious and faithful in the discharge of all professional duties. For twenty- four years prior to 1868, he was hardly ever without | one, and had often several students in his office, and was recognized by all who knew him as the friend and patron of the young physician. He had three children, two sons and a daughter, the only one now living being Samuel Lawrence Moore, M.D., a grad- uate of Harvard, and a practicing physician of ability in Boston, who successfully continues the fame of an honored ancestry.

JAMES L. RUNDLET.

James L. Rundlet, son of Abraham and Hannah (Lawrence) Rundlet, was born Aug. 8, 1805, on the Rundlet homestead, in Epping, where his father and grandfather were also born. His grandfather, James Rundlet, was born Jan. 23, 1735; was one of the thrifty yeomen of his period ; married Sarah Rowell, born Jan. 31, 1742. Their children were James, John, Mercy, Sarah, Abraham (born April 19, 1769), Anna, Molly, Rhoda, Dorothy, Jemima, Honor. Abraham was a farmer, always was resident in Epping, was diligent in his business, successful and much esteemed. Ile was noted for his skill in framing buildings, for which his services were much sought. Ile married, Nov. 20, 1793, Hannah, daughter of Edward Law- renee. She was born Nov. 30, 1770. Their children were two,-John, born June 11, 1795, died June 18, 1857, and James L.

of Governor William Plumer). She was born Sept. 26, 1804, and died Sept. 8, 1839. Their only child, Elizabeth P., married Rufus Sanborn, and now re- sides in Sonth Newmarket. Mr. Rundlet began farming on a part of the old homestead (two hundred acres), which his father divided between his two sons, and continued successfully in that until 1838, when he moved to Epping Corners and engaged in general merchandising, which he conducted with ' ability and manifested the needed requisites of a suc- cesstul merchant, -- integrity, fair dealing, and shrewd caution. He followed this and dealing in real estate until 1861, and was extensively engaged in the latter braneh, owning at one time twelve houses and lots in Epping, and two hundred and fifty acres of land.

He married Olive B., daughter of John S. Rundlet, March 6, 1840. She died Sept. 18, 1860. By this marriage he had one son, Albert S., who died at the age of three years, and one daughter, Clara H., who married Alvin R. Thompson, a grocer in Epping. Mr. Rundlet also kept a hotel at Epping for several years, was always a farmer, and probably few have been identified with a greater range of business en- deavor than he. He bas a wide range of acquaint- ance and a strong circle of attached friends. He married Mrs. Harriet Winslow, widow of George Winslow, and daughter of Zebulon Sanborn, Mareh 20, 1861. They have no children. About 1862, Mr. Rundlet went out of active business, and removed to the pleasant home now occupied by him, and which he built, and is now, at the age of seventy-seven years, blessed with a handsome competency, largely the result of his foresight, industry, and prudence; and in his declining years can look back on a very active life, with the consolation of having borne a man's part in the battle of existence, and winning success therein.

James & Rundles

- 1

Samuel Laurence

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EXETER.

lle has been ever true to the grand principles of Democraey, never yielding to any pressure, but be- lieving in the truth of the teaching of Thomas Jeffer- son and the other fathers of the party. His allegiance has been unswerving. He has been honored with the trusts of several responsible positions, was selectman several years, and represented Epping one year in the State Legislature. His careful and prudent management has been evinced in many ways, and he was 'always a wise counselor to those who asked his advice. He has settled numerous estates; is trustee of Epping Savings-Bank ; was selected as one of the trustees by Daniel Watson Ladd in the management of the munificent bequest left by him to found an academy in Epping. He was appointed postmaster of Epping by Franklin Pieree, and held that office nearly nine years. His religious belief is Univer- salism.

All in all, Mr. Rundlet is a good type of the best class of our citizens, of worth and merit, but slow to place himself forward, but one of the strongest de- fenders of what he knows to be right, and may safely be elassed as one of the representative conservative men of Epping.

SAMUEL LAWRENCE.

The first of the name of Lawrence who settled in Epping was David, who came from Stratham, then Exeter, and settled on the Exeter road, near " Boston Bridge." He was a farmer, married Annie Gordon, reared a large family, among them David (2d), Ed- ward, Gordon, perhaps a Samuel, and Annie, who married a Morrill, and whose son, David Lawrence Morrill, was Governor of New Hampshire in 1825- 26. Her other child, Samuel Morrill, became a phy- sician and apotheeary in Exeter. She afterwards married a Johnson, passed all her days in Epping, and 1 born Sept. 27, 1868.

died there not far advaneed in life. David (2d), born in Stratham, or Epping, purchased the place now occu- pied by his grandchildren, of about forty acres at first, for a horse, saddle, and bridle; was a successful farmer, quite a large land-owner for those days, add- ing to his estate steadily year by year, owning at last one hundred and forty acres. He was positive in character, yet uniformly courteous and polite. Of striet honesty and integrity, his word was always to be depended upon. His townsmen held him in great esteem, and he filled various important offices, among them town elerk and justice of the peace. During the Revolution there was so much travel on the road passing his place that he was induced to make his house a hotel, which he did, entertaining many per- sons now nationally noted, Gen. Sullivan often making it his headquarters. He had a vigorous constitution, and lived to see several years past fourscore. He married, in 1765, Lydia, daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Mathes) Sias, born in Durham, Sept. 4, 1745. They had six children,-Sarah, married Joseph Clough,

of Canterbury; Joseph Sias Ruth, married, first, a Clough ; second, Enoch Gerrish, of Boseawen ; David (3d) ; Jotham (his son, Alex. H., became a prominent lawyer in Washington, D. C.) ; Samuel.

Samuel Lawrence, born Dee. 26, 1779, in Epping, in the house built by his father, and used as an inn, as before mentioned, and now occupied by his chil- dren, had common-school education, became a farmer and a successful and representative one. He repre- sented Epping in the Legislatures of 1825-26. He was of erect carriage, quick in his movements, like his father, courteous and agreeable in his intercourse with others, social, quite humorous, enjoying company. He always attended church, although not a member, and was anxious for every one else to do so, and had a very large circle of friends. He was a careful and me- thodical man of business, and of rare good judgment, and was often appealed to for counsel in knotty cases requiring a wise and cool head to properly solve. IIe married Betsey, daughter of Dudley and Aphia Thyng. Their two children are Elizabeth, born May 15, 1810; married Dr. Edward B. Moore (see biog- raphy), and Rufus King, born April 28, 1815. Mrs. Moore was educated at Pembrook Academy, and married, April 29, 1830, Dr. Edward B. Moore, and now, a widow, resides with her brother on the home of her childhood. Rufus King received his educa- tion at Hopkinton, Hampton, and Greenland Acad- emies, in younger years taught district school, became a farmer on the farm he inherited. About 1840 en- gaged in trade as general merchant at Epping Cor- ners, continued here four years, then returned to his farm, where he has since been engaged in agriculture. Ile married, April 19, 1864, Laura P., daughter of Jacob and Anna Davis, of Nottingham. She died April 19, 1869, leaving two children,-Samuel L., born Jan. 16, 1865, died Sept. 2, 1881, and Annie E.,

CHAPTER XXXIII.

EXETER.1

Geographical-Topographical-The First Settlement-John Wheel- wright and Others-Names of Pioneers-The Exeter "Combination" of 1634-Wheelwright's Residence-Exposure of Exeter to Indian Hostilities-Edward Cranfield's Despotism-Exeter's Resistance to Government Taxation-The " Mast-Head" Troubles.

THE town of Exeter lies in the eastern part of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by South Newmarket, on the 'east by Stratham, on the south by Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, East Kingston, and Kingston, and on the west by Brent- wood. The surface of the town is generally level and the soil fertile.

1 We are indebted to Governor Charles H. Bell for the greater portion of the following " History of Exeter." Governor Bell has ever manifested a praiseworthy interest in historical matters, and has contributed many valuable additions to the historic literature of the State.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The earliest permanent settlement of New IIamp- shire by Europeans was made at Little Harbor, now within the limits of Rye, and at Dover Point, in 1623. Ilow soon afterwards the more adventurous of the " fishermen and traders," who constituted the early population there, explored the river as far upward as the Falls of Squamscott we have no record. There is a distinct tradition, however, that there were resi- dents in Exeter before the arrival of Wheelwright and his followers from Massachusetts in 1638. Whether they were occupying under the deed of the Indian sagamores of 1629 to Wheelwright, or whether the alleged deed of that date is spurious, are questions which need not be discussed here.

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 58

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