USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Washington > History of Washington, New Hampshire, from the first settlement to the present time, 1768-1886 > Part 10
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
As we observe how many of those whose lives we record were cut down in manhood's prime we are reminded that death is not of those
"That wait the ripened bloom to seize their prey."
Dr. Mather left a widow who died in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1853, and two sons, who have honored in their lives them- selves and their native town.
Henry B. Mather, born in 1809, was in mercantile bus- iness in Boston, Massachusetts and was considered a man of strict integrity.
Samuel H. Mather, second son of Dr. Mather, was born in 1813. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1834. He studied law at Geneva, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar at Cleveland in 1836. His home has been in Cleveland since that time. He was a member of the Board of Education for several years, an elder in the Presbyterian church since 1844, and Clerk of the sessions for thirty-nine years, when he resigned the office. He has been for some years Secretary and Treasurer of the Society for Savings, and since 1883, has also been President of that institution, which is one of the largest of its kind in the country. He is now seventy-two years of age; full of years and honors, and still of active and vigorous intellect .*
* Dr. Nathan Wright was the son of Col. Jacob Wright, who was one of the early settlers in Washington. Nathan Wright was born in 1786. Ilis wife was Betsey Lovell, daughter of Simon Lovell, whose descendants still reside here. Dr. Wright, at one time, owned the Pen- niman farm situated on the road leading to Lempster. He suffered from ill health for some time and was finally benefited by the Thompsonian treatment, and became a firm believer in that mode of practice. He acquired a thorough knowledge of that system, and com- menced practice in 1817. He lived for a short time after leaving Washington in Walpole and Langdon, and in 1835, he became perma- nently located in Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, where he practiced as a physician during the remainder of his life.
Ezra L. Wright, the eldest son of Dr. Nathan Wright, was born in
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
The following sketch of Dr. McQuesten was written by his son-in-law, Wm. F. Newton, Esq., of Newport, New Hampshire.
" DAVID McQUESTEN, M. D., son of David McQuesten, born at Litchfield, New Hampshire, Sept. 13, 1793. He was a descendant in the fourth generation of William Mc- Questen, who came from the north of Ireland in 1730, to Medford, Massachusetts, from which place he removed to Litchfield, New Hampshire, where with his family he lived until his decease. Dr. McQuesten, in his boyhood, worked upon his father's farm, and after a preparatory course of study, entered Dartmouth College, where he pursued his collegiate studies for about two years, which he was com- pelled to abandon by reason of a partial failure of eye- sight. After leaving college he entered upon the study of medicine at Dr. Robert Bartley's office in Londonderry, New Hampshire, attending several courses of Medical Lectures at Boston, Massachusetts, until he received his degree, when he commenced the practice of medicine in Washington, in the year 1821. He purchased the old homestead of Reuben Farnsworth in 1822, where he re- mained during his life; and which continued in the pos- session of the family for many years after his death. He was married to Pamelia Richardson of Stoddard, New Hampshire, in 1823, who, on leaving Washington, after the death of her husband, lived with her daughter in Hack- ettsburg, New Jersey.
"Dr. McQuesten was an energetic, outspoken, fearless man ; he had a widely extended practice in Washington, and adjoining towns for nearly thirty years, and he is still
Washington in 1807. He was both farmer and physician, having studied medicine with his father.
Nathan R. Wright was educated for a physician of the Old School, but soon left the practice of that profession and became a clergyman. A more extended account of his life is given in the Church History of the town.
A
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
remembered by grateful friends who remain alive, for his kind and successful ministrations in the sick room, as well as for his active cooperation in all matters pertaining to the highest public prosperity of his fellow townsmen. He died in May, 1850, aged fifty-seven years."
AUSTIN NEWTON, M. D. Dr. Newton was born in New- port, New Hampshire, Aug. 23, 1814. He studied his profession with David McQuesten, M. D., of Washington, and Prof. Dixi Crosby of Hanover, New Hampshire, and was graduated from the Dartmouth Medical College in 1840, and commenced the practice of medicine in Wash- ington the same year. He was married in Dec., 1841, to Miss Julia, daughter of Dr. David McQuesten. She afterwards married William F. Newton, Esq., of Newport, and died Sept. 21, 1883. Dr. Newton died of scarlet- fever Nov. 17, 1853. He was a good physician, an up- right citizen, and was cut down in the prime of life.
DR. ALVAH R. CUMMINGS settled in Washington about the year 1852, and continued in practice here two or three years. He was born in Acworth, Aug. 27, 1826, gradu- ated at the Medical Department of Dartmouth College in 1852. He has been for many years a leading physician in Claremont, his present place of residence.
JOHN Q. A. FRENCH, M. D. Dr. French, son of Nathan- iel French, born at Salisbury, New Hampshire, Feb. 5, 1828. Educated at Salisbury Academy, Tubbs Union Academy, and Sheffield School, at New Haven, Connec- ticut. Studied medicine under the instruction of A. H. Robinson, M. D., of Salisbury. Attended the Yale Medi- cal School, and Vermont Medical College at Woodstock, Vermont. Commenced the practice of medicine at Wash- ington in 1855. Was married to Miss Cordelia J. Jones, Jan. 2, 1856. Removed from Washington to Hillsborough, Jan. 4, 1860, where he still resides. While a resident of Washington he held the office of town clerk; and since living in Hillsborough he has served as Superintending
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School Committee. Dr. French is regarded with respect by his townsmen, and is a physician of extensive and suc cessful practice.
ROCKWOOD G. MATHER, M. D. Dr. Mather was born Jan., 1840, at Goshen, New Hampshire. He studied med- icine with Thomas Sanborn, M. D., of Newport. Was graduated from the Harvard Medical School in 1861, and located in Washington the same year. He remained here but two years ; he then removed to Marlow, and soon after entered the army as surgeon. At the close of the war he studied dentistry and followed that profession until his death, which took place in Hancock, New Hampshire, April, 1874. His wife, who was Miss Anna Whittemore, of Bennington, New Hampshire, died in 1875.
W. D. OTTERSON, M. D. Dr. Otterson was born Oct. 15, 1857, at Lawrence, Kansas. He was educated in the public schools of Nashua, New Hampshire. Studied med- icine with N. J. Moore, M. D., of Nashua. His diploma was granted by the Harvard University Medical School, after the four years course. He came to Washington in Dec., 1884, practiced medicine here one year, and then removed to Hillsborough Bridge, New Hampshire, April 11, 1885. He was married to Miss Jennie E. Millen of Washington.
DR. FRANK P. NEWMAN. Dr. Newman is a native of Washington, born in 1852. He was educated in the dis- trict schools and academy of this town, and the New Hampshire Conference Seminary at Tilton. Commenced the study of dentistry with Bowers & Carey at Hills- borough Bridge in the summer of 1875. The following year he purchased of Dr. Bowers his interest in the business and subsequently that of Dr. Carey. Remained there until 1879, when he disposed of his dental practice and accepted the position of principal of Valley Academy for one year. In 1880 he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and again engaged in the practice of dentistry. Leaving Oma-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
ha on account of ill health, he removed to Dunlap, Iowa, where he was engaged in teaching for six months. While in that place he was married to Miss Mary Burtt of Hillsborough Bridge, New Hampshire. Dr. Newman re- turned to Washington in the summer of 1881, and has since then taught the annual term of Tubbs Union Acad- emy for four years. He is equally at home in the school- room and the dental office, being a successful teacher, and doing the best of work as a dentist.
DR. SYLVESTER WOOD, a practitioner of the eclectic school, came to Washington in 1860, and lived here until 1883, when he removed to Hillsborough, where he now resides. Dr. Wood has not received a medical education, but has acquired an extensive knowledge of the medicinal properties of herbs, and he has many friends who believe in his peculiar mode of practice.
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CHAPTER XX.
PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE LOCATED IN EAST WASHINGTON.
HE first physician residing in East Washington of which we have an account was Dr. Kelley, who lived on what is now known as the Newton Gage place. He was also a hatter by trade. He sold that farm to David Lincoln in 1802, and soon after left the place. But little is known of him ; it is not thought, however, that he ever attained any great eminence in his profession. Of his subsequent life after leaving Wash- ington nothing is known.
For a period of forty-one years no physician was lo- cated in East Washington,-the residents of this place depending on those living at the center of the town or in the adjoining towns for medical attendance. Dr. Elisha Hatch of Hillsborough, for many years resident there, was probably the one usually called to this section of the town, and he was familiarly known in almost every household. The first physician who located in the village of East Washington was
GEORGE HARRIS HUBBARD, M. D. Dr. Hubbard was born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, in 1823. He attended the school taught by old "Master Ballard" of his native town, and also at New London, New Hampshire. He studied medicine under the guidance of Dr. Diamond Da- vis of Sutton, New Hampshire, and attended a course of lectures at the Vermont Medical College in Woodstock.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
Not being of age when he finished the course of study, he did not receive his diploma at that time, but in 1845 it was given him by that institution. He commenced prac- tice at East Washington in 1843, removed to Bradford in 1844, and was married that year to Miss Sally M. Jones of Bradford. He was appointed postmaster at South Bradford while living there. In 1849 he removed to An- trim, and from there returned to East Washington in 1852. He represented the town of Washington for two years in the state legislature. In 1855 he was appointed school commissioner for Sullivan county. He was editor of the New Hampshire Journal of Medicine from 1853 to 1859. He removed to Manchester in 1855, and was chosen alderman and a member of the school committee in 186c. On the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he commenced his brilliant career in the army as surgeon in the 2d New Hampshire Regiment Volunteers, receiv- ing his appointment in May, 1861. He was promoted to brigade surgeon, Burnside's division, Army of the Poto- mac, in September, 1861. He afterwards received the following promotions : Was medical director, district North Missouri ; surgeon in charge at general hospital at Tip- ton, Missouri; surgeon in charge of hospital steamer Louisiana, on the Mississippi river ; chief surgeon, third district, West Tennessee ; chief surgeon of the 2d and 6th divisions of the army of the Tennessee ; medical director, Army of the Frontier, district south-west Missouri, and district of the Frontier, Arkansas, and Army of Arkan- sas ; and finally surgeon commanding U. S. A., general hospital at Troy, New York.
Dr. Hubbard participated in the following battles : First Bull Run, Pittsburg Landing, Prairie Grove, Arkan- sas, Moscow, Arkansas, Prairie D'Ann, Arkansas, and Jenkin's Ferry, Arkansas. He was commissioned brevet- colonel of United States Volunteers, Oct. 6, 1865, and mustered out of service Oct. 13, the same year. He set-
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tled at Lansingburg, New York, immediately after leav- ing the army, where he continued in practice until his death in 1876 from pyaemia, caused by injuries received in stepping from the horse-cars.
It was said of Dr. Hubbard that he "picked up his edu- cation unaided," a comment that expresses the resourceful character of the man. From the time when but a boy he commenced the practice of medicine in East Washington, on through the remaining years of his life, he was carried forward through a series of successes by his own capa- bility and energy. Naturally of quick perceptions and ready tact, he seized the opportunities that presented themselves, and worked his way upward from one promo- tion to another, solely by his own efforts.
He passed through the perils of the camp and battle unscathed, endured the hardships of successive campaigns without harm, and died from the effects of what at first seemed but a slight accident ; which fact exemplifies the lesson so often repeated, that man may command fortune and win success, but the measure of his days he cannot number.
JOHN HAYNES, M. D. Dr. Haynes, who was the suc- cessor of Dr. Hubbard, was born in Newbury, New Hamp- shire, in December, 1830. His early life was passed in Newbury and in attending school at New London, New Hampshire. In 1852 he commenced the study of medi- cine, and he received his diploma from the Vermont Med- ical school, Woodstock, Vermont, in 1855. The same year he was married to Miss Mary M. Morse of Newbury, who died in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Dr. Haynes located in East Washington in 1855, received the appoint- ment of postmaster the same year, and retained the office while he remained in the place.
In 1861 he removed to Londonderry, New Hampshire. He was for a year in the army' as assistant surgeon with which exception he passed the remainder of his life
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
in that town. He married for his second wife, Miss Al- mira Anderson, in 1871 ; his death occurred in London- derry, May 3, 1874.
H. HARVEY MONROE, M. D. Hiram Harvey Monroe was a native of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, born in 1832. Prepared for college at Francestown Academy, and was graduated at Dartmouth College in the class of 1858. He studied medicine with Joseph Parsons, M. D., at Hillsborough Bridge, attended a course of medical lec- tures at Harvard Medical College, and received his diplo- ma at Dartmouth Medical College in November, 1859. He began practice at Contoocookville, shortly after re- moved to Warner, being in practice with Dr. Fitz a short time, and finally located at East Washington in the spring of 1860. He was appointed postmaster at East Wash- ington, and also superintending school committee for the town. He was married in August, 1860, to Miss Anna Griffin of Gloucester, Massachusetts.
During the spring of 1863 diphtheria prevailed to a great extent in East Washington and vicinity, and many deaths occurred from that dreaded scourge, and Dr. Mon- roe was unremitting in his efforts to ameliorate the condi- tion of the sick,-riding some miles from home after he was himself attacked with the same disease, from which he died May 2, 1863. Dr. Monroe was a man of sterling worth, and gave promise of a life of usefulness in his profession. His little daughter, Lizzie, died the following month of diphtheria, and an infant child died soon afterwards. Mrs. Anna Monroe, thus bereaved of husband and children, within the short space of three months, soon after left East Washington and commenced the study of medicine, desiring to take up the work that he laid down. She was graduated from the Massachusetts Female Medical Col- lege and located in Boston, where she gained a large and successful practice, but she was not destined to many years of useful labor in her profession, as she died of con-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
sumption in November, 1878. Mrs. Monroe was of a cheerful, courageous temperament, and passed through the dark hours of her life with Christian fortitude and patience.
S. M. DINSMOOR, M. D. Silas Murray Dinsmoor was born in Antrim, New Hampshire, in 1836. Much of his early life was spent upon the farm. He attended Tubb's Union Academy at Washington, afterwards Marlow Acad- emy and Westminster Seminary, Vermont, each several terms, teaching district schools in the winter during the most of those years, until 1857, when he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. D. W. Hazelton of Cavendish, Ver- mont. Attended medical lectures at Burlington, Vermont, in 1858, entered the medical department of Columbian University of Washington, D. C., in 1859, from this insti- tution receiving the degree of M. D., diploma bearing date March 1, 1860. In the autumn of the same year he began the practice of medicine in his native town. He was married to Miss Georgiana Carey of Lempster in 1862. In July, 1863, removed to East Washington, as the successor of Dr. H. H. Monroe. While a resident of Washington he was superintending school committee four years, and moderator of the annual town meeting in 1873. In 1869 he became a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society, and was its orator in 1875. Dr. Dins- moor remained at East Washington until 1874, when he removed to Francestown, New Hampshire. In August, 1880, he sold his practice there, and spent the subsequent autumn and winter in the further study of his profession at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was under the special training of some of the greatest minds of the American medical profession. In the spring of 1881 he located in the city of Keene, New Hampshire, where he still remains in successful practice.
GEORGE N. GAGE, M. D. The present resident physi- cian at East Washington is Dr. George N. Gage, a native
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
of this place, born in 1851. He obtained his education in attending the village school and a brief term of Tubbs Union Academy, and at the State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, located at Orono, Maine. He taught school during the winter season, and was an efficient and successful teacher. He pursued his medical studies for a time under the direction of Galen Allen, M. D., of Red Wing, Minnesota, and entered the medical department of Boston University, from which institution he received his degree in 1877. Since that time, with the exception of a few months at Red Wing, he has been in the practice of medicine at East Washington. His wife was formerly Miss Ella F. Brockway of Hillsborough ; they were married Nov. 29, 1883. He is a careful and conscientious physi- cian, and is steadily winning his way into the confidence of the community.
CHAPTER XXI.
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POLITICAL.
LIST of town officers from the year 1775 to the year 1885, inclusive, as copied from the town records :
1775. The classed towns of Washington, Nelson, Stod- dard, and Gilsum were represented by Robert Pol- lock of Washington, at Exeter, Dec. 21, 1775.
1776. The classed towns of Washington, Nelson, Stod- dard, and Gilsum were represented by Joseph Roun- sevel of Washington, at the second adjournment at Exeter, June 5, 1776.
1777. Feb. 10. Joseph Rounsevel, moderator ; John Saf- ord, clerk ; John Safford, Ephraim Severance, Arch- ibald White, selectmen. Joseph Rounsevel of Wash- ington represented the classed towns at Exeter, June 4, Sept. 17, and Dec. 17, 1777. March 17. Ephraim Severance, moderator ; John Safford, clerk ; John Safford, Ephraim Severance, James Maxwell, selectmen.
1778. Benjamin Babcock, moderator ; Lemuel Tabor, clerk ; Lemuel Tabor, James Maxwell, Archibald White, selectmen. Joseph Rounsevel of Washing- ton represented the same classed towns at the session of Feb. II, 1778. Nathaniel Breed of Nelson repre- sented the classed towns at the session, Dec. 16, 1778. '
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
1779. Joseph Rounsevel, moderator ; Benjamin Babcock, clerk ; Benjamin Babcock, Ebenezer Jaquith, Jacob Burbank, selectmen. Nathaniel Breed of Nelson represented the classed towns.
17So. Jonathan Brockway, moderator ; Joseph Rounse- vel, clerk; Lemuel Tabor, William Proctor, Archi- bald White, selectmen. Joseph Rounsevel of Wash- ington represented the classed towns.
1781. Samuel Guild, moderator; Samuel Guild, clerk ; Lemuel Tabor, William Proctor, Samuel Guild, se- lectmen. Jonathan Adams represented the classed towns.
1782. Joseph Rounsevel, moderator ; Joseph Rounsevel, clerk ; John Safford, Lemuel Tabor, Jonathan Brock- way, selectmen. Jacob Copeland of Stoddard repre- sented the classed towns.
1783. John Safford, moderator ; Joseph Rounsevel, clerk ; Joseph Rounsevel, Lemuel Tabor, John Vose, select- men. Jacob Copeland of Stoddard represented the classed towns.
1784. Samuel Guild, moderator ; Joseph Rounsevel, clerk ; Lemuel Tabor, Jeremiah Bacon, David Dan- forth, selectmen. Jacob Copeland of Stoddard rep- resented the classed towns.
1785. Joseph Rounsevel, moderator ; David Harris, clerk ; David Danforth, John Safford, Ebenezer Wood, selectmen. Jacob Copeland of Stoddard rep- resented the classed towns.
1786. Thomas Penniman, moderator; David Harris, clerk ; David Danforth, Ebenezer Wood, Josiah Gil- bert, selectmen. Jacob Copeland represented the classed towns.
1787. Joseph Rounsevel, moderator ; David Harris, clerk ; David Danforth, Josiah Gilbert, Ephraim Davis, se- lectmen. Jacob Copeland of Stoddard represented the classed towns.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
1788. Joseph Rounsevel, moderator ; David Harris, clerk ; Thomas Penniman, Jonathan Brockway, Jer- emiah Bacon, selectmen. Jacob Copeland of Stod- dard represented the classed towns. April 13, 1788, voted to excuse Esq. Penniman and Capt. Brockway from serving as selectmen, and chose David Harris and Thomas Farewell to serve in their places.
IF89. Thomas Penniman, moderator; Thomas Lord Brown, clerk ; David Danforth, Jeremiah Bacon, John McMillin, selectmen. Jacob Copeland of Stod- dard represented the classed towns.
1790. Thomas Penniman, moderator ; David Harris, clerk ; Jeremiah Bacon, John McMillin, Ephraim Farewell, selectmen. Thomas Penniman of Wash- ington represented the classed towns.
1791. Thomas Penniman, moderator ; David Harris, clerk ; Jeremiah Bacon, John McMillin, Ephraim Farewell, selectmen. Thomas Penniman of Wash- ington represented the classed towns.
1792. Thomas Penniman, moderator ; David Harris, clerk ; Thomas Penniman, Thomas Farewell, John Safford, selectmen. Thomas Penniman of Wash- ington represented the classed towns.
I793. Thomas Farewell, moderator ; David Harris, clerk ; Thomas Penniman, Thomas Farewell, John Safford, selectmen. Azariah Faxon was chosen to represent Washington alone. April 8, Thomas Penniman declined ; chose David Danforth in his place.
I794. Thomas Penniman, moderator ; David Harris, clerk ; Azariah Faxon, John McMillin, Thomas Fare- well, Jr., selectmen. Azariah Faxon was chosen to ' represent Washington alone.
1795. Joseph Rounsevel, moderator ; David Harris, clerk ; Azariah Faxon, John McMillin, Thomas Farewell, selectmen ; Azariah Faxon, representative.
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I 796. Thomas Penniman, moderator; James Faxon, clerk ; Jeremiah Bacon, David Danforth, Ephraim Farewell, selectmen; Azariah Faxon, representative. 1797. Thomas Penniman, moderator ; James Faxon, clerk; Jeremiah Bacon, Azariah Faxon, Ephraim" Farewell, selectmen; Azariah Faxon, representative. 1798. Thomas Penniman, moderator ; James Faxon, clerk; Jeremiah Bacon, Azariah Faxon, Ephraim Farewell, selectmen; Azariah Faxon representative. 1799. Thomas Penniman, moderator ; James Faxon, clerk ; Jeremiah Bacon, David Danforth, Jonathan Clark, se- lectmen ; Thomas Penniman, representative.
1800. Thomas Penniman, moderator ; James Faxon, clerk ; Jeremiah Bacon, David Danforth, Jonathan Clark, selectmen ; Thomas Penniman, representative.
1801. Joseph Healy, moderator ; Ward Sampson, clerk ; Ephraim Farewell, Ephraim Davis, Joseph Healy, selectmen ; Thomas Penniman, representative.
1802. Nehemiah Jones, moderator ; Ward Sampson, clerk; Ephraim Farewell, Ephraim Davis, Joseph Healy, selectmen ; David Heald, representative. 1803. Nehemiah Jones, moderator ; Ward Sampson, clerk ; Ephraim Farewell, Ephraim Davis, William Graves, selectmen ; David Heald, representative. 1804. David Harris, moderator ; Ward Sampson, clerk ; Ephraim Farewell, William Graves, Joseph Healy, selectmen ; David Heald, representative.
1805. Abraham B. Story, moderator ; Ward Sampson, clerk ; Ephraim Davis, Ephraim Farewell, William Graves, selectmen ; David Heald, representative.
1806. Abraham B. Story, moderator ; Ward Sampson, clerk ; David Heald, Joseph Healy, William Graves, selectmen ; David Heald, representative.
1807. Abraham B. Story, moderator ; Peyton Richards, clerk; Ephraim Farewell, Reuben Farnsworth, Wm. Graves, selectmen ; Alden Rounsevel, representative.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
I SOS. Abraham B. Story, moderator ; Peyton Richards, clerk ; Ephraim Farewell, Reuben Farnsworth, Wil- liam Graves, selectmen ; Alden Rounsevel, repre- sentative.
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