History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 74

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 74
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 74

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).

This good Samaritan "builded better than he knew." He could not explain what impelled him to go to the depot that morning and fix his attention upon the young stranger, nor did he live long enough

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

to know that his kindly act had saved to the Chris- tian pulpit one of its brightest lights.

Our young hero remained but a few weeks in Ohio, as his broken health compelled him to return to his . native hills. As his health returned he began anew his struggle for an education, which was finally com- pleted at Waterville College, Maine, and at the Bib- ; orated health, and in 1880, at the unanimous invita- lical Institute in Concord, N. H. He left the latter tion of the church, was reappointed to the pastorate of St. Paul's, New York. Dr. Chapman received the degree of Master of Arts from his Alma Mater, and in 187- the Wesleyan University conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. institution in the fall of 1853, having been licensed to preach in the previous year. He joined the Provi- dence Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1854, at its session in Edgartown, Mass., and re- ceived his first appointment at North Fair Haven in the same State.

On the 15th of October, 1853, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma J. G. Knox, daughter of Nehe- miah Knox, Esq., of Pembroke, N. H., and sister of Col. Thomas W. Knox, the distinguished writer and traveler. In his marriage he found indeed a helpincet. for him through all the vicissitudes of his itinerant life. Their surviving children are Mattie Ethol, born March 28, 1866, and Alfred Knight, born June 5, 1868.

After remaining a year at his first appointment he was stationed at Millville, Mass., and the year follow- ing at New Bedford, where he preached with great success for two years. He then spent a year in Tann- ton, and the two following in Providence, R. L., and was then stationed at Fall River, Mass., where for two years he labored with extraordinary success, great numbers being converted and added to the church. After these exhausting labors he took a much needed rest of a few months, but a vacancy oc- curring in Hanover Street Church, Boston, he was induced to become the pastor of that church, and the same year, 1863, was transferred to the New England Conference. The following spring he was regularly appointed there, where he remained two years longer, the constitutional term having been extended to three years by the General Conference of 1864. In 1866 he was appointed to the pastorate of the Tre- mont Street Church, and after three years of success- ful labor went to Grace Church, in Temple Street, and in 1871 was transferred to the New York East REV. EDWIN HOLT. Conference and stationed at St. John's Church, ! Rev. Edwin Holt was born in New London, Conn., April 17, 1805. When he was about three years old his parents removed to New York City, where he spent his early years, and entered Columbia College in October, 1818, at the age of thirteen and a half; Brooklyn. His eight years in Boston had been a period of toil and triumph seldom paralleled. His power in the pulpit and on the platform was univer- sally acknowledged. His services were sought for in every direction. The war of the Rebellion enlisted | he graduated in August, 1821, and in September of all his power of sympathy and eloquence. He was chaplain of the State Legislature, and his physical endurance was the only limit of his victorious zeal.

It was with great reluctance that his Boston friends gave him up to New York. But his health seemed to demand the change, and, after three years of suc- cessful work in St. John's Church, he was stationed at St. Paul's Church, New York, only to be returned, at their earnest request, when his term closed at the

latter place. But before the second year of his second term at St. John's had closed he was obliged to ask for a period of rest, which his intense study and un- remitting toil demanded. He retired to his old home in Greenland, N. H., and in 1879 traveled extensively in Europe with his family. He returned with invig-

Dr. Chapman's success has not been the result of a happy accident nor the wise triumph of genius, but is the legitimate fruit of a laudable ambition and a "genius for hard work." When his education was " finished," as common parlance has it, he regarded himself as having merely finished his preparatory studies, and has ever since been a student. Believing that the profession of the Christian ministry is the very highest to which man can be called, his motto has ever been "This one thing I do," and no temptation to secular occupations and no call to honorable offi- cial place have ever moved him from his purpose to give himself entirely to the regular work of the min- istry. With superior natural endowments of mind and body, and a heart alive to the needs of human- ity, such ambition, devotion, and industry could have but one result. He has never had to seek for place, but is frequently embarrassed by the numerous calls from the best churches in the denomination to which he belongs. His sermons are models,-brief and logical, concise almost to severity, and yet ornate and eloquent,-so that the artist is gratified and the stern logician seldom finds a word that he can call superfluous. With such rare qualifications for the work of his profession, it is not surprising that men well qualified to judge should pronounce him, for all in all, without a superior in the pulpit of Methodism, or even of Protestantism.

the same year commenced the study of medicine with Dr. A. H. Stevens, one of the most eminent physi- cians of the city, and had nearly completed his medi- cal course when he experienced religion, and joined Dr. Spring's church in April, 1823, and was soon in- duced, by the advice of his pastor and his own con- victions of duty, to turn his attention to theology. He entered Auburn Theological Seminary in 1824, and was licensed to preach in October, 1826, and was

Edwin Hold

Seo. M Davis

George Merk

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ordained pastor of the Presbyterian Church at West- field, N. J., in November, 1827.

On the 24th of July, 1828, he was married to Miss Emily Titcomb, of Newburyport, Mass.

After several other changes he accepted the call of the North Congregational Church, in Portsmonth, N. H., where he labored for nearly seven years, and was blessed of God with one of the most powerful revivals of religion that churel has ever enjoyed. After a time it became his duty to accept the call of the West Presbyterian Church, in Carmine Street, New York, where, after four years of faithful labor, his health again failed, and he was dismissed from his people April 2, 1846. He was unable to preach for a year or two, but such was his love for his chosen work that as soon as he found his voice returning lie accepted the call of the Congregational Church in Greenland; but soon-his health becoming feeble, and finding the climate too severe -- leaving Greenland, he settled over the Second Church, in Madison, Ind. Here he soon found himself unable to continue his labors in the ministry, and, leaving his people, re- moved to Evansville, Ind., where he was ever ready to assist his brethren as his strength admitted.

His last sermon was preached in the old church at Evansville, with more than his usual impressive earnestness. Immediately after service he was seized with a severe attack of Asiatic cholera, which finally terminated in his old complaint of the throat, and after an illness of two weeks, which he bore with great patience, he expired on Sabbath morning, July 2, 1854, in his forty-ninth year.

In the words of one of his devoted friends, " he brought to his profession a well-trained intellect and a devoted heart." His ministry extended over a period of twenty-eight years .. The great head of the church owned his labors in several powerful revivals of religion.

His remains rest in the cemetery of Evansville, beside those of his oldest son, whom he laid in the grave with the deepest sorrow just eight months before his own death.

GEORGE WEEKS.

George Weeks was born and lived at the Bay Side, Greenland, N. H., where his brother, J. Clement Weeks, resides. He married Caroline, daughter of Maj. John Avery, of Greenland, Dec. 24, 1856. He died Aug. 2, 1869.

He was a good citizen, holding various offices in the town, representing it in the Legislature at the time of the Rebellion, where, by his influence and vote, he did all in his power to sustain the govern- ment. Few men have passed through life with a higher character for usefulness, integrity, and fidelity in all the relations of public and private life.

Weeks is a Devonshire name. It has been variously written, as Wick, Wyke, Week, Weekes, and Weeks,

etc. An old record says, " The Weeks family in Eng- land did not spring from obscurity," and describes their coat of arms.

Leonard Weeks, the emigrant, came to Portsmouth previons to 1660, located in Greenland, and married | Mary, daughter of Deacon Samuel Haines, of Ports- mouth. He was an influential man, holding positions of responsibility and trust in the colony. He is spoken of as " one of the men who stood rather for Massa- chusetts than the crown, as in Mass. Col. Rec. iv., pt. 2, 270." His name became a prominent one in all publie movements of the time. A descendant of one of his daughters was Capt. Tobias Lear, who resided in Gen. Washington's family as his private secretary, married a niece of his, and after the general's death was appointed ambassador to some part of Europe. A descendant of another daughter was Governor John Langdon, of Portsmouth.

Joshua Weeks, a descendant of the emigrant, was the first of the name to make his residence at that part of the town called the Bay Side. To this branch of the family Mr. George Weeks, the subject of this sketch, belonged. He married in 1690 Comfort Hub- bard, of Boston, whose father was the ancestor of Thomas Hubbard, treasurer of Harvard College twenty-one years, until his death, when he was suc- ceeded in that office by John Hancock. His portrait by Copley hangs on the walls there, with the por- traits of other benefactors of the college.

Maj. William Weeks, son of Joshua, married Elea- nor March, daughter of Dr. Clement March, Sr., of Greenland, March 10, 1748. He was one of the lead- ing men in town, a large landholder at the Bay Side, and did much to advance the best interests of the town. In his family Dr. Belknapp, the historian, for a time resided as private instructor to his children. Afterwards the daughters were sent to school in Bos- ton. Two sons graduated at Harvard and one of his sons was in the Revolutionary army, holding the rank of major.

John, a son of Maj. William, and father of George Weeks, also lived at the Bay Side. He was deacon of the Congregational Church many years. Benevo- lence, soundness of judgment and intellect, a strong interest in the cause of education, and of whatever would promote the best interests of the town were among his many good traits. He married Mary Coffin, a descendant of the emigrant, Tristram Coffin, and also of Hon. Nath. Weare, father of Meshec Weare, who, with the title of " President," was the first Governor of the State, holding various important offices in the public service forty-five years.

GEORGE W. DAVIS.

George W. Davis was born in Greenland, N. H., Sept. 17, 1806, and is the son of Amos Davis, who was born in Amesbury, Mass., Dec. 4, 1761, and set- tled in Stratham, N. H., when a young man. He

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

was for nine years in the employ of Judge Wingate of that place, but from there moved to Greenland, N. H., where he died in 1848, at the age of eighty- seven years. He was a farmer and married Olive Veasey, daughter of Simeon Veasey, of Stratham, N. H. To them were born nine children, two dying in childhood, and seven grew to man and woman- hood, but at this time (1882) George W. is the only surviving member of this large family.

He served his town as selectman, and in many ways became identified with the growth and prosperity of Greenland. He was an attendant upon and a sup- porter of the Methodist Church, of which his wife was a member. She died in 1848, aged eighty-one years. This family was of English origin, their ancestors being among the early settlers of Massachusetts.

George W. Davis received a common-school and academic education, and tanght school several terms. His life's work has been that of a farmer, and for a number of years he has spent his winters in Florida, where he is engaged in the cultivation of an orange grove. In politics he is a Republican, and as such represented his town in the Legislature of 1857. He has been several times selectman, and held various other offices of trust in the interests of Greenland.

He married, June 26, 1850, Catherine M., daughter of William and Julia ( English) Henry, of Balston, N. Y. Mrs. Davis was born April 23, 1814. Of this union there was born but one child, a son, George H. Davis, who died in 1865, aged nine years.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis are attendants upon the Con- gregational Church, of which Mrs. Davis is a member, and he a liberal supporter.

WILLIAM WEEKS.

Leonard Weeks came from England in company brothers settled at Falmouth, now Portland, Me., one in Rhode Island, and Leonard in Greenland, N. II., where the brick house now stands. He had four sons-John, Samuel, Jonathan, and Joshua- and three daughters,-Mary, Margaret, and Sarah. Joshua settled at Bay Side. His son William (1st) was born in 1723, and married Eleanor Marsh in 1748, by whom he had nine sons and seven daughters.

with two brothers previous to 1660. One of the | the far West. He is the son of Samuel S. and Mary

William (2d) was born April 23, 1755. He was twice married,-first to Nabby Rogers, Oct. 5, 1780, and to them were born two children,-William and George. His wife died Dec. 8, 1783, aged twenty-three years. His second wife was Sarah Cotton Weeks, by whom he had twelve children.

William (3d), son of William (2d) and Nabby ( Rog- ers) Weeks, was born Ang. 21, 1781. He married, May 26, 1835, Louisa Porter, daughter of Rev. Hunt- ington Porter, of Rye, N. H. They had five chil- dren,-Ann Louisa, born March 22, 1836; Ellen Ma- ria, born Jan. 23, 1838; Sarah Porter, born Oct. 27, 1839; George William, born Sept. 8, 1841, married

Sarah L. Robinson, of Exeter, May 26, 1878. They had a son born May 1, 1880, named William.

John P. Weeks, born Jan. 24, 1844, married Ellen R. Hatch, April 26, 1870. She died Jan. 3, 1874. He married for his second wife Laura A. Foss, Sept. 26, 1876. They have two children,-Mabel Porter, born July 11, 1878, and Carrie F., born March 26, 1881.

William Weeks was a representative man of Green- land, filling all the more important offices of his town. He and his estimable wife were worthy members of the Congregational Church in Greenland for many years, and he was one of its most active deacons. He was closely identified with the Sunday-school inter- est of his church, and for many years was an accept- able superintendent of the same. He died Feb. 20, 1864. From the pen of a personal friend we quote the following :

"Seldom has the Christian profession shone with a brighter and more steady light than it did in the life of this excellent man. Humble and retiring, he was nevertheless efficient and influential. He was dis- tinguished by a sincerity and kindness of heart which won for him the respect and love of all who knew him. His temper and daily walk betokened 'an Is- raelite indeed in whom is no guile.' The church of which he was long a good and faithful officer and servant, and the community in whose welfare he felt a tender interest, will ever cherish his memory as that of one whose life was eminently valuable and useful, and whose example will still remain for their imitation and encouragement.

CAPT. G. T. BALL.1

George T. Ball was of English ancestry, three brothers having come from England, and settled, · one in New Hampshire, one in Virginia, and one in (Muchmore) Ball, born in the seaport town of Ports- mouth, N. 11., Oct. 27, 1809. He is one of a family of eight children, the names of several of whom are not unknown in some of our larger cities. .

Mr. Ball's early educational advantages were some- what limited, yet possessing a penetrating mind he acquired much information by reading and observa- tion. He commenced his struggle with Dame For- tune at a very early age. When about fifteen or six- teen years of age the intense desire that he had always felt for a life on the " rolling deep" overcame all obstacles, and he shipped in the capacity of a cabin-boy under Capt. Howe. After one or two voy- ages he commenced the study of navigation with Mr. William Harris, of his native place. Later he sailed as the employé of Messrs. Coues & Goodwin, in the South American trade; of Messrs. Rice, Sise & Sims, in the European trade; Mr. Eben Wheelwright, in trade with St. Domingo, and others. Mr. Ball fol-

1 By M. Effie Furber.

fe. J. Ball

Nathan Berry

Edwin et. Bickering

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lowed the sea for about twenty years, during ten of land. They journeyed down the path of life together, which he stood in the position of captain. At no living to a good old age. He died in December, 1867, aged seventy-four years and eight months; she lived to the age of sixty-eight years. time in his sea-life did he suffer from ill health or shipwreck, although several times he was fortunate enough to be able to effectively assist others in the Nathan Berry was born in Greenland, N. H., Oct. 23, 1818; received a common-school and academic education ; was elected by the Democratic party a member of the State Legislature in 1875-76. He is a successful farmer, and one of the largest milk pro- ducers in the town. He married Sallie J., danghter of Nathaniel Chapman, of Greenland, March 4, 1841, who was born Dec. 27, 1818, and to them was born one son, George W. Berry, May 8, 1844, who married Annie M. L. S. De Rochemont, and to them were born five children,-Alice M., Martha C., Albert L., Ed- ward A., and Percy D. latter plight. In April, 1844, the Philadelphia and Liverpool packet, " William and James Brown," he- came crushed in the ice off the coast of Newfound- land and sank, carrying down thirty-seven persons; with much exertion the remaining twenty-six were saved from an icy grave. Capt. Ball cherishes with much care the beautiful souvenir (engraved with the date, latitude, and longitude of the disaster) presented him by the rescued passengers. When about thirty- seven years of age he retired from the sea and pur- chased a farm, containing about one hundred acres, : in the town of Greenland. Twenty years later he retired from active life and settled where he now re- sides, at Greenland Parade. Capt. Ball has been twice married, his first wife being Laurinda Mason, daughter of Samuel Mason, of Rye. They had four children, of whom the only surviving one, Arthur P., now re- sides in California. His second wife was Sarah A. Furber, of Newington, still living.

Capt. and Mrs. Ball are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and able supporters of the cause. Capt. Ball is a Republican in politics, but has preferred to accept no positions of trust. Much of his knowledge of life was obtained from contact with foreign nations, having crossed the ocean many times, and visited many places of interest on our own continent and mingled with many races ; he has ac- quired a good understanding of various dialects of years of age, and still active, hale, and hearty.

foreign countries. He is now (1882) seventy-two : born in the town of Newington, N. H. He was twice

NATHAN BERRY.

Nathan Berry is of English origin, and a lineal descendant of Thomas Berry, who was born Feb. 27, 1731, and Abigail Berry, born Nov. 23, 1734. They settled on the farm now (1882) owned by Nathan Berry, in the town of Greenland, N. H. There were ten children born to them. Isaiah Berry was their fourth son, born April 6, 1761, and married Bethsheba Shaw, and to them were born ten children, the fourth being Levi, born March 26, 1792, and married Patience Marsden, of Portsmouth, about 1815. To them were born four children, to wit : Abigail, Martha, Olive, and Francis A. (deceased ).

Isaiah Berry was a representative to the State Leg- islature, and was a representative man of his day, taking a lively interest in matters of state as well as in the educational and industrial affairs of his native town.

Levi Berry was a captain in the State militia and served in the war of 1812. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was thoroughly identified with the growth and prosperity of Green-

Nathaniel Chapman was a descendant of one Ed- ward Chapman, of Ipswich, Mass., who settled at Windsor, Vt., as early as 1662. Nathaniel was a farmer and had seven children,-Sally J., Joseph W., Nathaniel, Martha J., Lucy R., and John A. M., D.D., who became an eminent divine, and did efficient work in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now (1882) pastor of a church in New York City.

George W., another son, died at fourteen years of age.

Nathaniel Chapman died in 1867, aged seventy- three years, ten months, and twenty-eight days. His wife, Martha Meserve, died abont 1871, aged seventy- nine years.

EDWIN A. PICKERING.

Nicholas Pickering, son of Thomas Pickering, was married, his second wife being a Langdon, of Ports- mouth, and a relative of Governor Langdon. By his second wife he had four children, one of whom was Thomas, who married Martha P., daughter of Joshua Brackett, of Greenland, and to them were born six children, viz .: Edwin A., James A., Joshua B., Frank T., Martha P., deceased, and John B., all horn in Newington, where their father always resided, and was a farmer by occupation. He died at forty-five years in 1825, and his wife at seventy-six nearly in 1856.

Edwin A. was born Oct. 21, 1808, and at two years of age commenced living with his maternal grand- parents, Joshua Pickering and wife, in Greenland, on the same farm where he now resides, and where he has continued to live, except some three years spent with his mother at home in Newington, succeeding the death of his father. His brother, John B., com- menced living with his maternal grandparents, also, at six months of age, and he has continued to reside there ever since. Their present farm was given to them by their grandparents, said farm never having been out of the Brackett name until the present time, and the present owners are relatives. Edwin A. re- ceived a common-school and academic education, and

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

taught several terms. His business through a long and successful life has been that of a farmer. In poli- ties he is a Democrat, as his fathers were for genera- tions. He has been selectman of Greenland and member of the Legislature in 1871-72, serving on several important committees. Since 1871 he has been magistrate of his town, and was at one time captain of the State militia. He is unmarried. James A. married Susan Mathes, and has three children, viz. : Frederick, Alice B., and Sarah. Joshua B. mar- ried Jane Pickering, and has two children, Deborah B. and Joshua B., Jr. Frank T. married Sophia De Witt, and has four children, viz. : Thomas, James B., Mary S., and Adelia. John B. was born March 7, 1821 ; married May 28, 1868, Sarah J. Hodgdon, and has two children, viz. : Edwin C. and John B.

RUFUS W. WEEKS.

tled in Greenland, then a part of Portsmouth. 11is grandfather, Dr. Ichabod Weeks, born 1738, died 1807, was a practicing physician for many years in Hampton, N. H., and in Greenland. His first wife ton, of Hampton. His second wife was Comfort Johnson, of Greenland. His third wife was Abigail March, daughter of Col. Clement March, of Green- land. By his third wife he left one son and two daughters. His son, Stephen March Weeks, married Mary Shackford Gookin, and were the parents of six children, viz .: Charles M., Stephen M., Caroline, Na- thaniel Gookin, Ichabod, and Rufus W.

The subject of this biography is descended on the maternal side from Daniel Gookin, who was born in England, 1612. At the age of nine he accompanied his father, a colonist, to Virginia, and in 1664 re- moved to Cambridge, Mass. In 1655 he was made superintendent of Indian affairs, a position which he maintained during life. In military rank he rose to major-general. He wrote " Historical Collections of the Indians in Massachusetts down to 1674." HIe died in 1687. His son, Rev. Daniel Gookin, minister of the church in Cambridge, Mass., married Hannah Savage. Their son, Rev. Nathaniel Gookin, of Hamp- ton, N. H., graduated at Harvard, 1703; ordained pas- tor of the church in Hampton, 1710; died 1734. His wife was Dorothy Cotton, great-granddaughter of Rev. John Cotton, who was born in 1585, educated at Trin- ity College, Cambridge, and in 1612 vicar of St. Bo- tolph's Church, in Boston, England, where he remained twenty years. Came to America in 1633. There he became pastor of the First Church. Their son was Rev. Nathaniel Gookin, of North Hampton, N. 1I., born in 1713, graduated at Harvard in 1731, ordained pastor in 1739, died in 1766; his ministry continued nearly twenty-seven years. He married Ann Fitch. Their son was Nathaniel Gookin, of Portsmouth,

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 74

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