History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 94

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 94
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 94

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).

In 1652 one H. Nutter makes a deposition that in the year 1636 the land about Lamprill River was in possession of the inhabitants of Dover, on both sides the river, both for fishing and planting and fell- ing timber. One William Furber also testifies to the same. John Baker testifies that he was one of a committee to fix the bounds between Exeter and Dover, and that Lamprey River was the bounds. Here we find the name of this river spelled Lamprey for the first time.

In 1719 a committee was appointed to renew the line of a tract of land granted by Massachusetts to Portsmouth, and that two miles were added to the six miles before granted ; which two miles to be appro- priated to the encouragement of the iron-works build-

ing at Lamprill River, for cole, wood, etc., and for settling people thereon, to be imported for that ser- vice, and settled in such order as a committee ap- pointed for that purpose shall direct, and that Mark Hunking, Geo. Jaffry, and Richard Waldron, Esqs., and Col. James Davis, Capt. Timothy Gerrish, and Capt. Samuel Tibbetts be the committee for laying out and building said land, and that Samuel Pen- hallow, Esq., be added for directing the settlement.

The next mention we find of this river and settle- ment is also in connection with the line between Dover and Exeter, in the same year. It is therein provided that those holding the eldest grants of land shall be good to them that have them, always except- ing highways and such land sufficient to mills or works set up on Lamprile River.

The next mention found of this place is that a pe- tition was presented to the Legislature, praying for the erection or establishment of a parish in the north part of Exeter. Upon this petition the following action was had :

titioners have leave to bring in a bill accordingly, In the House of Representatives the same day, " Read and concurred."

In the proceedings of the Provincial Legislature, Aug. 18, 1737, it was voted that Newmarket have liberty to bring in a bill, and to have the privilege of choosing their town officers as other towns have. Newmarket, then, seems to have been formed into a parish in 1727, and in 1737, ten years later, given town privileges, or incorporated as a town.

Prior to June 27, 1849, what is now the town of South Newmarket constituted a part of Newmarket. At that time South Newmarket was set off and in- corporated into a separate town. Before this the vil- lage here was called " Lamprey River." and the vil- lage now in South Newmarket was called " Newfields." the Concord and Portsmouth Railroad at Newmarket Junction being at that point, on or near the line of separation. Newmarket remained as then constituted till June, 1870, when a portion of Durham was an- nexed to and became a part of this town. By this annexation the population of Newmarket was in- creased to about 2300, being, by the census of 1870, 1987. In 1880 the census gives us a population of 2369, which has since increased, so that at this date (1882) we have a population of rising 2500.

At one time Newmarket was the sixth town in the State in population, and is now the third in Rocking- ham County; but by the settlement and growth of such places as Manchester, Peterborough, Keene, Rochester, Somersworth, Milford, Nashua, and others, and the cutting off of South Newmarket, notwith- standing the annexation of a portion of Durham, it has proportionally fallen behind, so that it now ranks as about the fifteenth in the State.

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NEWMARKET.

Manufactures .- As before stated, the principal business of the town in its early days was fishing, lumbering, and ship-building. In 1822 the New- market Manufacturing Company was incorporated, and the building of No. 1 mill was commenced the next year, and completed in 1824. This mill had 2560 spindles. No. 2 was built in 1825, and had 4096 spindles. No. 3 was built in 1827, and the machinery put in two years afterwards. This mill had 1034 spindles. In 1832 the company ran 13,824 spindles in the whole. No. 2 was destroyed by fire the 1st of September, 1857, and rebuilt the next year. No. 4 was completed in 1869. After the erection of this mill the company ran 39,000 spindles, 906 looms, employed 500 operatives, and turned out about 160,000 yards of different kinds of cotton cloth per week. Their pay-roll then amounted to about $11,000 per month. These mills are all built of stone, the three first of large blocks of granite, and the fourth of a kind of trap-rock or slate. In 1881 a fifth mill was built. This is built of brick, is 363 feet long, 94 feet wide, and two stories high, with a tower and basement. This mill is used for weaving. The com- pany now run 55,000 spindles, turn out 300,000 yards of cloth per week, employ 700 operatives, and their monthly pay-roll amounts, on an average, to about $17,000. The amount of invested capital is about $1,500,000.

Hon. Daniel M. Durell was the first president of the company. The agents have been, first, Stephen Hanson ; he was succeeded by Stephen A. Chase, and he by Benjamin Wheatland; after him came John Webster, who was succeeded by George W. Frost. Mr. Frost held the office of agent about thirty years, and down to July 1, 1879, when he died very sud- denly while bathing. He was succeeded by Ambrose J. Nichols, who still fills that position. The company is in a flourishing condition of prosperity, and under his prudent and careful management is paying the stockholders fair dividends.

In 1862, Lafayette Hall erected a machine-shop nearly a mile out of the village, on the Packer's Falls road. The water of the Piscussic River furnishes most of the motive-power for the machinery in this shop. When the water falls short he has steam- power to supply the demand. The first mill or shop was built in 1862. In 1876 this shop and machinery was destroyed by fire. This was immediately rebuilt, and again burned to the ground in 1877. With char- acteristic energy, Mr. Hall again rebuilt, and is now doing a successful business. He uses here from six hundred to eight hundred tons of iron in a year. This is manufactured into bolts, nuts, washers, screws, railroad furnishings, etc. He employs on an av- erage about fifteeu men, and pays out for help some five thousand dollars annually. Quite a little village has grown up here, which has taken the name of Hallsville.

Churches and Religious History .- Prior to 1730 |

a meeting-house had been erected a few rods north of where the hotel now stands at the "Junction." The minister was supported by public taxation. The first preacher settled here was Rev. John Moody in 1730, who died in 1778, having supplied the pulpit forty- eight years, the last five years of which he seems to have been assisted by Rev. Nathaniel Ervin, who was settled in 1773. and dismissed in 1797, and who died in 1806. Rev. Samuel Tombs, as colleague of Mr. Ervin, was settled in 1792, and dismissed in 1797. Rev. S. M. Natell was employed to supply the pulpit six months in 1798.

In 1799, Rev. James Thurston was settled over this church, and dismissed about the year 1808. He was the last minister settled by the town and church. This was then called the Established Church, but was classed as Congregational.

There seems here to have been a kind of religious interregnum or hiatus of about twenty years, during which the church must probably have employed a preacher without the aid of the town or public sup- port. For some little time prior to 1828 the Congre- gationalists held their meetings in the Newmarket Manufacturing Company's wooden warehouse, the same building that now stands on or near the wharf in their yards. The first sermon was preached there by the Rev. John P. Cleaveland, and the first Sab- bath-school in town was organized there.

May 22, 1828, Rev. David Sanford was installed pastor of this church. Immediately thereafter the society took measures to build a meeting-house, which was dedicated December 20th the same year. Rev. Mr. Cleaveland, who had preached the first sermon in the old warehouse, preached the dedicatory sermon here from the text (Neh. ii. 18), "So they strength- ened their hands for the good work." This is the same house where the society now worships.

Mr. Sanford continued their pastor till June 22, 1830, a period of a little over two years, when he was dismissed. He was succeeded by Rev. Ossimus Tin- ker, who was ordained and installed Dec. 8, 1830, and dismissed Oct. 29, 1833, remaining with the church a little less than three years. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Constantine Blodgett, who was installed Dec. 2, 1834, and dismissed June 15, 1836.

Following him was the Rev. J. Gunnison, who was installed Feb. 22, 1837, and preached till October 9th the same year, a period of about eight months. Rev. T. T. Richmond was acting pastor of said church from 1838 to 1842, a period of about four years.

Rev. S. S. N. Greeley was installed as pastor Dec. 15, 1842, and dismissed Feb. 23, 1847. Rev. C. Chamberlin was acting pastor one year, from 1847 to 1848. He was succeeded by Rev. E. C. Coggswell, who acted as pastor from 1848 to 1854, about six years. After him the Rev. James Palmer acted as pastor from 1855 to 1858. Rev. Elias Chapman fol- lowed him as acting pastor from 1859 to 1862, about three years. In 1862, May 21st, Rev. George D.

398

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Blodgett was installed pastor of this church, and was dismissed October 1st the same year. Then Rev. S. D. Bowker was acting pastor from 1863 to 1864, a period of about one year.

The next year, 1865, Rev. Isaac C. White became acting pastor of said church, and has ever since to the present time acceptably filled that position, a pe- riod now of about seventeen years, about three times as long as any one of his predecessors. Under his ministrations the church has prospered, increased in numbers, and heen strengthened. He is an able, pru- dent, and discreet man, much beloved and respected, and has filled his position with honor to himself and benefit to the church and to the community.

A Methodist Episcopal Church .- was organized in this town in 1827, and a meeting-house built the same year. The Rev. Samuel Kelly was their first preacher, and ministered to this church during the years 1828 and 1829. He was succeeded by Rev. Ezra Sprague, who remained only one year, 1830. Rev. Ezekiel Stickney followed him and remained two years, 1832 and 1833. Rev. William Hatch was their preacher one year, 1834. Ile was succeeded by Rev. James M. Fuller, who remained during the years 1835 and 1836. Rev. James M. Marey ministered to this church for the years 1837 and 1838; Rev. Elisha Scott for the year 1839, and Rev. Silas Greene for the year 1840. After him came Rev. William Hatch for the second time, who remained during the years 1841 and 1842. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Kelley, who also came for the second time, and remained during the years 1843 and 1844. He was followed by Rev. Lo- renzo D. Burrows, who remained during the years 1845 and 1846. Then came Rev. James Pike, who labored with the church during the years 1847 and 1848. Rev. James Thurston succeeded him, and ministered to the church only one year, 1849.

Rev. Henry H. Hartwell preached here in the years 1850 and 1851. Then came Rev. Newell Culscer, who officiated in the years 1852 and 1853. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Charles R. Harding for the years 1854 and 1855. He was succeeded by Rev. Cadford M. Dinsmore, who officiated for the years 1856. 1857, and 1858. Next came Rev. Samuel Beedle, who remained only one year, 1859. In 1860 and 1861 the church was presided over by Rev. William H. Jones. He was followed by Rev. Robert Stubbs, who remained only one year, 1862. Then followed Rev. John L. Trefren, who preached two years, 1863 and 1864.

Next came Rev. George W. H. Clarke, who re- mained one year, 1865. After him came Rev. Henry P. Copp, who was here two years, 1866 and 1867. In 1868 and 1869 the church was presided over by Rev. O. H. Call. In 1870, Rev. Thomas L. Flood came here as pastor, and remained two years. Under his administration the old meeting-house was abandoned and sold, and the new one now occupied by the society on Main Street was built at an expense of about twenty-five thousand dollars.

Mr. Flood was succeeded by Rev. Elijah R. Wil- kins, wbo remained only one year, 1872. Then fol- lowed Rev. Orange W. Scott, who remained two years, 1873 and 1874. He was succeeded by Rev. George J. Judkins, who remained two years, 1875 and 1876.

He was followed by Rev. Henry Dorr in the years 1877 and 1878.

Next after him came Messrs. T. Cilley, who min- istered to the church in the years 1879 and 1880.

Then followed Rev. Charles B. Pitblado, who came here in 1881, and is still preaching in this church in his second year, 1882.

And, what is a remarkable fact, these preachers, a short time since, were all still living with two excep- tions, and these have quite recently died. These ex- ceptions were the Revs. Greene and Stickney.

In 1827 the Free-Will Baptists built a meeting- house a little west of the village, near where the dwelling-house of George K. Leavitt now stands. In this the Rev. John Osborne preached for a short time. He was not a Free-Will Baptist, but belonged to the Christian Baptist order. He was followed by Rev. Daniel P. Cilley, the first Free-Will Baptist minister settled here. The present Free-Will Baptist meeting- house in the village was erected in 1836. In this Cilley also preached a number of years. He was succeeded by Rev. Elias Hutchins. Their next min- ister was Rev. Sidney Frost.

After him came Rev. Maxy W. Burlingame, and he was succeeded by Rev. Allen Eastman, who was followed by Rev. Levi B. Tasker, and he by Rev. Willet Vary, and after him came Rev. A. J. Davis. Then they employed Rev. Edwin Marison, who was succeeded by Sullivan Cicero Kimball. After him Rev. John A. Lowell ministered to this church. He was succeeded by Rev. DeWitt C. Durgin, who was followed by Rev. J. H. Durkee.

Then followed Rev. John Malvern, and after him came Rev. David A. Adams, and next Rev. B. F. Jefferson, who is still preaching for this church.

A few years since the Roman Catholics organized a society here, and at first purchased and occupied a building previously used as a carpenter's shop, near the depot, the same now occupied by Thomas and John Griffin as a dwelling-house. The Rev. Father Walsh was their first pastor. During his ministra- tion the stone house on " Zion's Hill," formerly occupied by the Universalists, and later by the Uni- tarians under the ministration of the Rev. Mr. Damon, was purchased and is now occupied by them. Father Walsh was succeeded by Rev. Father Charles Egan, and he by Rev. Father Lewis. Then Rev. Father McDonald ministered to this church, and he was succeeded by Rev. Father C. W. Calligan, and he by the present pastor, Rev. Father Dennis Ryan.

These churches are now all in a healthy, flourish- ing condition.

Banks .- Newmarket Bank was first incorporated

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NEWMARKET.

A.D. 1855, capital eighty thousand dollars. In A.D. 1865 it was changed to Newmarket National Bank, with the same capital, and still continues as such. The presidents of the bank have been Z. Dow Creigh- ton, Joseph S. Lawrence, William B. Small, and Joseph C. Burley, who now holds that office. At its first organization Samuel A. Haley was elected cash- ier, and has held the position continuously to the present time.

Newmarket Savings-Bank was incorporated A.D. 1832. Henry C. Weatherby was its first treasurer. Then James M. Chapman held that office. He was succeeded by David Murray, who held the office till his failing health and advanced age compelled him to resign, and Samuel A. Haley was chosen to the position, which he now holds.

The first president was George W. Kittridge, who held the office till his health was so impaired he had to resign its duties, and William B. Small was elected to fill the place, which position he held to the time of his death. After his decease Napoleon B. Tread- well was chosen to the position, and now holds the office. The deposits now amount to rising one hun- dred thousand dollars.

Both of these banks are in a sound, healthy, and flourishing condition, and doing a profitable business.

Biographical .- Among those who have been prom- inent business men in this town and held important public positions are the following :

George W. Kittridge was born in Epping, N. H., Jan. 31, 1805. He fitted for college at Phillips' Exeter Academy, and entered the medical class at Cambridge, Mass. In 1825 he settled in Newmarket as a phy- sician, and continued in active practice till about two years before his death, when his failing health com- pelled him to retire from business. He represented this town in the Legislature in 1835, 1847, 1848, and 1852. In the last year he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. He represented this dis- trict in the Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth Congresses. For over twenty years he was a director of the Boston and Maine Railroad, and was president of the New- market Savings-Bank for over forty years. His father, Dr. Kittridge, of Epping, had eight sons, all of whom became physicians. He (George W.) died in New- market, March 5, 1880, aged seventy-five years. The doctor never was married. He left an estate valued at about forty thousand dollars.

David Murray was born Oct. 5, 1796. His educa- tional advantages in his school-boy days were quite limited, yet by reading and study in later life he came to be a well-informed business man, and held many positions of public trust. Commencing in 1829, Mr. Murray probably had charge of the settlement of more estates and other business in the Probate Court up to the time of his decease than any other man in the county. He was three years a member of the Legislature, eleven years selectman, six years town treasurer, and three years register of deeds for Rock-

ingham County, and a justice of the peace from 1827 to the time of his death. For fifty years he held some one or more minor offices. He was notary public thirty-three years and treasurer of the New- market Savings-Bank about twenty years. For about thirty-five years he prosecuted claims against the gov- ernment for soldiers' bounties, land warrants, and pensions, and was for many years an agent for sev- eral reliable leading fire insurance companies, among which were the Etna, Home, People, Howard, and Rockingham Companies. He died Jan. 16, 1879, aged eighty-two years,-that " noblest work of God," an " honest man."

Abner P. Stinson some years ago kept a hotel near the "Junction," which was a noted resort for poli- ticians in those days. He was a man of considerable influence in the old (Jeffersonian) Republican party, and was at one time warden of the New Hampshire State prison. He afterwards emigrated to some place in the West, where he died, an old man, in 1871. This hotel was afterwards kept for many years by Joseph Langley, Esq.

Prior to the incorporation of the Newmarket Bank in 1855, Samuel A. Haley and his brother Benjamin F. were engaged here in trade and the manufacture of clothing quite extensively, under the firm-name of S. A. & B. F. Haley. Some years after, S. A. Haley was employed as cashier of the bank. They dissolved the partnership, and Benjamin F. carried on the busi- ness alone, greatly increasing the business, employing about five hundred hands, male and female. He has quite recently made another change, selling out most of his retail trade, and gone extensively into the manu- facture of clothing, not only for the Boston and New York wholesale traders and jobbers, but sells many goods West and South. Besides his large manufac- tory here, he has also another at Dover. In addition to these he also has a custom clothing department, and has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of military and band uniforms.

John S. Bennett commenced the tin and hardware business in Newmarket in 1843. In 1850 his brother Edwin entered into partnership with him, under the firm-name of J. S. & E. Bennett. The business was enlarged, and included coal, wood, and lumber, in which they dealt quite extensively. They employed from forty to fifty men at one period, and did an an- nual business of about one hundred thousand dollars. In 1873 they sold out here, and bought a two-thirds interest in the Merrimac Foundry in Lawrence, Mass. John S. died in Lawrence in 1876. He was an active, energetic business man, and the town was enlivened and made progressive by his business asso- ciations. Edwin still lives in Newmarket, but is not in business at present.

Hon. William B. Small was born in Lewiston, Me., May 17, 1817. He was educated at Phillips' Exeter Academy, and taught school in Exeter. He read law in the office of Bell & Tuck, in Exeter. He came to

400

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Newmarket in 1846 or 1847, and commenced prac- tice here. By studious application and faithfulness in all his duties he soon took a front rank in the pro- fession, and had a large and successful practice. He represented the town in the Legislature, and was chosen State Senator from this district. He was a member of Congress in 1874-75. He died April 7, 1878, aged sixty-one years, honored, respected, and mourned by a large circle of friends.

"God works a wonder now and then- He was a lawyer and an honest man."

James B. Creighton commenced business in New- market with Gardner Towle, under the firm-name of Towle & Creighton, and afterwards in company with his son, Z. Dow Creighton, as J. B. Creighton & Son. He represented the town in the lower branch of the Legislature several years, and was a member of the State Senate in 1836. He afterwards retired to his farm, and is still living at the advanced age of ninety- two years, highly respected.

James M. Chapman was a lawyer of some local repute, was two years treasurer of the savings-bank. He was an active politician, represented the town in the State Legislature, and filled at some time almost all the town offices. Under Pierce's administration he was postmaster here in the village.

Arthur Branscombe was engaged in privateering in 1812; after the war closed came to Newmarket, and for many years was engaged in trade here. He was a man widely known and much respected. He repre- sented the town in the Legislature many years. He died some twenty-seven years ago.

Rev. John Broadhead resided in that part of the town which now forms South Newmarket. He was a man of much ability, and contributed in a marked degree to make the Methodists the leading religious society in this section. He was at one time a member of Congress from this district.

The first newspaper printed here was in 1841, by J. L. Beckett, called the Granite State Democrat. It was moved from Exeter here, and continued but a short time. In 1842, Brackett Palmer, Esq., started a paper here called the Argus, which also soon died out. In 1873, J. D. P. Wingate started the New- market Advertiser here. It has changed hands two or three times, and is now owned, printed, and pub- lished by Frank H. Pinkham, an enterprising young man of this village, who, in connection with a good "job office," has made it a success.

Representatives .- The representatives from this town in the State Legislature from 1784, which is the earliest date of which we have any official record, have been as follows:

1784-85. James Hill. 1797-98. James Smith.

1786. Voted not to send.

1799-1802. James Hill,

1787. Samuel Brooke.

1803-4. Jeremiah Mead.

1788-91. Nathaniel Rogers.

1805. James Hill.

1806-8. Jeremiah Mead.

1809-10. David Chapman, Jr.

1811. Dudley Watson.

1812-13. David Chapman, Jr. - 1853. Joha S. Beanett.

1814. Dudley Watsoa. 1815. John M. Smith.

1816-20. Jeremiah Meade. 1821. George Hilton. 1822-25. Arthar Branscomb. 1826-27. Abaer P. Stinsoa. 1828. Arthur Brauscomb. 1829. James B. Creighton. 1830. Arthur Branscomb.

1831-33. David Murray. 1834. James B. Creighton.

1835. George W. Kittredge.

1836. James B. Creighton.1

1837. Nathaniel E. Burleigh. Oliver Lamprey.

1838. Oliver Laaiprey. George O. Hilton.

1839-40. George O. Hilton. William W. Stickaey.

1841. William W. Stickney.2

1842. John M. Towle. Nathaniel E. Burleigh.

1843. John M. Towle.3

1865. William B. Small. William W. Stackpole.5

1844-45. Joseph R. Doe. Benjamin Brooks.

1866-67. Henry H. Smith. George A. Beanett.

1846-47. Joseph D. Pinder. George W. Dearborn.4

1868-69. William A. Shackford.

1848. George W. Kittredge.

Nathaniel Stevens.

1870-71. Charles F. Davis. Charles E. Tasker.

1850. George W. Kittredge.

1872-73. Harrison G. Burleigh. Charles H. Smith.

Jonathan Garlaad.

1874-75. Aaron L. Mellowe. Charles P. Stackpole.

1851. Jonathan Garland. Benjamin Muthes.

1876-77. Lafayette Hall.

1852. Benjamin Muthes. James M. Chapman.

Reuben M. Burleigh.

1853. James M. Chapman.

1878 (For years 1879-80). John F. Ham, Jr.

Charles E. Winkley.

1880 (For years 1881-82). Nathan H. Leavitt. James Munroe.

Physicians .- The physicians who have lived and practiced in this town are as follows : Nathaniel Kid- der, George W. Gale, Perly Blodgett, George W. Kitt- redge, John R. Sanborn, William Folsom, - Bug- bee, Henry Hayes, Nathaniel B. Chace, Reuben M. Gray, - Holmes, Benjamin N. Towle, Isaac N. Perley, James Bassett, H. B. Haskell, Clinton A. Ricker, Lafayette Chesley, - Horr, Chace Moul- ton, Samuel H. Greene, Joseph L. Elkins, Charles A. Morse. Of these, Bugbee, Perley, Bassett, Holmes, Haskell, Ricker, Chesley, and Horr, each remained but a short time. Kittredge, Kidder, Sanborn, and Folsom were all long residents and practitioners, and all died here. Drs. Green and Elkins have long been, and are now in successful practice here. Dr. Morse

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 94

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