USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Washington > History of Washington, New Hampshire, from the first settlement to the present time, 1768-1886 > Part 19
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Mr. A. P. Howe made a speech of acceptance for the town, of which the following is an extract: "To our worthy friend, Mr. Luman T. Jefts, who by this munifi- cent gift has made himself the benefactor of this people, I am permitted to say that it is with feelings of the deepest gratitude that we accept this gift, and assume with a realizing sense of their magnitude the obligations under which it places us. We realize that by no future act of ours can we absolve ourselves from the debt of obligation under which, by this act of acceptance, we have voluntarily placed ourselves. We accept this gift not only for our-
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selves but to hold in trust for the generations that are to come after us."
Col. Carroll D. Wright of Reading, Massachusetts, closed the ceremonies with an eloquent and able address, in which he payed a fitting tribute to the memory of Sarah Shedd. The story of her life is best told in the following extracts from Colonel Wright's address :
"Born and reared in humble life, but possessed of a mind far beyond the average, she early saw that the op- portunities she wished could never be hers. Maturity found her with a fair education, which had been greatly aided by her tuition under Mary Lyon, at South Hadley. Want as well as inclination soon compelled her to become independent of all aid and to rely on herself. By teaching in the summer, and working in the cotton mills of Maine and Massachusetts the balance of the year, she was enabled not only to enjoy comparative independence but to gratify to some extent her taste for reading. During her early womanhood .she contributed means for the education of a brother, and later in life was called upon to support her mother ; this she did for many years, taking upon herself the whole expense of Mrs. Shedd's support. With all these drafts upon her resources she was enabled, solely from the accumulations of her own labor in the school- room and factories, to leave a handsome sum-twenty- five hundred dollars - for the foundation of a free library, that the youth of this town might have the very advantages she so much craved. How sweet is her memory ! Her genial smile won the hearts of the child- ren and always won them so long as reason held its sway with her. Always a toiler, because she was a child of toil, she sought to make all around her happy. Her genial disposition lighted the pathway of many a boy and girl and gave them glimpses of a mind and soul, which in themselves, make her memory as fragrant as spring flowers. In the factory she was as sincere as in the school room.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
She was an operative at Lowell when the mill girls were the bright, intelligent daughters of New England. She wrote for the Lowell Offering, a magazine conducted en- tirely by the young women of the mills,-they were 'the sole contributors. The Lowell Offering, with its factory- girl thought, had a wide-spread influence in New England. Schooled under such experience and with such associates, trained by adversity and toil, sanctified by sacrifices for others,-the purest discipline for heaven,-Sarah Shedd needs no monument by the generation which knew and loved her. Her memory is lasting and more tangible to such than could be any material memorial. But to those she did not bless by her presence she has left two indica- tions of the soul within her :- one, silent and dignified as her own nature, in the few writings she has left-some of these are to be found in the Offering, others in the treas- ure boxes of friends; the second monument she has erected echoes the want of her youth, does honor to her attainments, and honors you in dedicating to your use and to the wants of those coming after, the entire accumula- tions and savings of a lifetime of toil."
LUMAN T. JEFTS.
In early life Mr. Jefts toiled with odds against him. At the age of sixteen he hired out for six months on a farm. It was here that he keenly felt the need of an education in order to do much in the world. When he went home he hoped he might see some opportunity to attend school. During the following year, which he spent at home, he often urged his father to let him go to school. He was finally told he could have his time and go to school all he could. He accepted this offer and from that time forth paid his own expenses. His efforts to gain an education taught him the needs of young men. The impulses of his boyhood met with no dazzling encouragement, nor were they completely checked, for from the government of
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
Tubbs Union Academy and from Professor Sanborn he received encouragement to fit himself for teaching, and with the benefit of their advice which they gave him, he won the respect of all teachers, class-mates and citizens. He has made his name honorable in the highest in the home of his adoption, where he has been recently elected to the office of state senator. After leaving school he spent five years in a country store, part of the time as salesman and a part as proprietor. During this time he succeeded in acquiring a little money. In 1858, he en- gaged in the business of manufacturing shoes with Mr. A. K. Graves; they remained together two years, since which time he has been in the business most of the time with no partner, finding that he succeeded better than when in company with any one. Mr. Jefts, through his own exertions, has amassed a handsome fortune and has been enabled to gratify his desire for travelling, having made two trips to Europe and there visited all the places of interest. He has not neglected to acquire a knowledge of his own country, having made two trips to California and visited all the states in the Union except two. He has ever been noted for his benevolence, giving freely for charitable purposes. He has aided two young men and one young lady through college, one of the men now being a Baptist minister in New Haven, Connecticut, and the other a lawyer in New York ; the lady is a preceptress in an academy in New Jersey. He has done more : he has made for himself a warm place in the hearts of the men he employs, and counts himself more fortunate in winning the esteem and love of his fellows than in winning the golden prize of wealth.
LIBRARIANS.
John Weston, the first librarian, was succeeded by his daughter, Mrs. Julia Brockway, who served faithfully for several years. Afterwards Mrs. O. T. Crane performed
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the same duty satisfactorily for a number of years. Since the occupation of the new building, Mrs Clara M. Hurd has filled the office of librarian in a manner acceptable to all parties concerned.
Since the opening of the library in 1869 the number of volumes has increased from two hundred and ninety-two to one thousand seven hundred and fifty-eight.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Secret Societies. Soldiers' Monument. Cemeteries.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
MASONRY.
URING the present century numberless secret so- cieties have sprung into existence, and for good or evil, as the case may be, are becoming an im- portant power among the factors that constitute our civil government. One hundred years ago comparatively few secret societies were known. Probably among the differ- ent secret organizations in the country to-day the Masons have been the longest known. Early in the present cen- tury we find that an organization existed in this town known as Mount Vernon Lodge F. and A. M. They were accustomed, at a certain change of the moon, to hold secret conclave in a room at the hotel, now known as the Lovell House, and much wonder was excited among our good and staid townspeople as to the object of these mysterious meetings ; but when it became known that some of the wisest and most influential men of the town were at its head, such men as Hon. Joseph Healy, Thomas Penni- man, Esq., and Dea. Samuel P. Bailey, less anxiety was felt, and the lodge was left undisturbed. We know not the exact number of years that the lodge existed here, but there is little doubt that a strong interest was taken in the work of the order. In the house of Thomas Penni-
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man the walls were adorned with masonic emblems. The lodge was finally removed to Newport, where it is still known as Mount Vernon Lodge No. 15. The last sur- viving member residing in this town was Dea. Samuel P. . Bailey, who was for many years secretary of the lodge. On his one hundredth birthday, Feb. 27, 1880, he was given a grand celebration by his brother Masons and the citizens of the town. The following is an extract from a centennial ode written for the occasion by Past Master Matthew Harvey :
We celebrate the patriarch's bath, Our brother, friend and sage,- A thousand virtues tell his worth, A hundred years his age. Those silver locks, that furrowed brow, All speak his length of days;
They mark his steps and tell us how, In Fortune's devious ways, He's struggled through a hundred years- A hundred years to-day !
To him great length of days were given, To Work upon the Square ; An Ashler for the Arch of Heaven Awaits for transport there ; A Jewel cast in ancient mold, An Ornament of yore, In Beauty rare may soon unfold, To hear the Craft encore. "We welcome home our Brother, old, A hundred years and more !"
In the summer following his one hundredth birthday he was called from labor here below to the Celestial Lodge above, there to partake of the Divine refreshments spread by the Supreme Grand Master for the great brotherhood of mankind.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Lovell Grange No. 5 of this order was organized and re- ceived a charter Oct. 3, 1873. The Grange started with
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thirteen charter members, and held their meetings in a hall prepared for the purpose near the residence of John Woods in the "New Boston" district, about one mile from the village of East Washington. The Grange prospered for a time, but for some cause remained dormant for sev- eral years. It was reorganized Dec. 4, 1883, and now holds its meetings at the town hall. It now has a mem- bership of sixteen, and is in a prosperous condition.
GRAND ARMY REPUBLIC.
Marston Post No. 20, G. A. R., department of New Hampshire, was first organized here Dec. 23, 1867, with eleven charter members. The following is the first board of officers chosen: Commander, Hiram I. Hoyt ; Senior Vice Commander, Freeman S. Stowell ; Junior Vice Com- mander, John H. Frazer; Adjutant, William W. Hall ; Quartermaster, Daniel S. Millet ; Officer of the Day, Arthur H. Jaquith ; Officer of the Guard, William H. Cha- pin. The other charter members were Thomas P. Millen, Ashbury P. Howe, Alonzo Knight and Orlando T. Crane. The name of the Post was changed, Feb. 16, 1871, to Hamilton Post No. 20, after Hamilton Wilkins, a soldier of company A, 8th New Hampshire volunteers, of whom mention is made in the military part of this history.
January 22, 1876, the Post then numbering twenty-three members, severed itself from the State department by rea- son of an unjust tax levied on them by the state de .art- ment. The Post continued as an independent organ- ization until May 28, 1884, when it was reorganized as Hamilton Post No. 20, G. A. R., department of New Hampshire, by Dept. Commander John C. Linehan, who installed the following board of officers : Commander, Arthur H. Jaquith ; Senior Vice Commander, Orlando T. Crane ; Junior Vice Commander, William H. Chapin ; Ad- jutant, Ashbury P. Howe; Officer of the Day, Hiram I. Hoyt; Quartermaster, John C. Millen. The other char-
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ter members were Judson Wilkins, George C. Crane, Amos : B. Thompson, Charles Carly, Alonzo Knight and Clinton D. Fowler. The list of commanders is,-Hiram I. Hoyt, Freeman S. Stowell, John H. Frazer, Judson Wilkins, Daniel S. Millet, Arthur H. Jaquith, and the present com- mander, William H. Chapin. The Post now numbers fif- teen members.
It is with feelings of sadness that we observe the grad- ual narrowing of the circle around the camp fires of our Grand Army Posts. Their numbers are slowly but surely diminishing. One by one their camp fires are extin- guished, and soon only a record of their noble deeds will remain.
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
The smoke of battle had scarcely cleared away from the valleys of the South and the surviving veterans of the war returned to their homes before the good citizens of Washington conceived the idea of erecting a monument upon their beautiful village common, in memory of the noble men who had given their lives in the war of the Re- bellion from '61 to '65. The thought simply preceded the act, and our citizens vied with each other to devise ways and means for the consummation of their plans. Their first festival was held in the early winter of '65-'66, from which they netted two hundred dollars or more, and from this time until the completion and dedication, Sept. 13, 1867, all political parties and all religious denominations worked with that harmony and unity of purpose which always insures success. A pleasant autumn day which seemed to have been made expressly for the occasion was duly observed for its dedication. Martin Chase, one of the first if not the originator of the project, was president of the day. Ex-Gov. Fred Smith delivered the dedication address, in which he complimented the citizens of Wash- ington for their patriotism, in being the first town in the
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state of New Hampshire to erect and dedicate a monu- ment to the memory of their fallen soldiers. A festival was held in the evening, at which both Ex-Gov. Smith and Gov. Harriman were present. It was one of the red-letter days of the town which no citizen has ever had cause to regret. By voluntary contributions and the generous as- sistance of former residents and natives of the town, all bills were paid, and the monument was dedicated a free- will offering of a grateful people. It bears the names of James L. Millen, Henry L. Jones, Samuel D. Monroe, Lewis A. Powers, Henry J. Millen, Hamilton Wilkins, David Ritter, Samuel T. Farnsworth, Moses D. Proctor, William F. Severance, Henry Crane and Gilman Beckwith.
CEMETERIES.
For twenty years after the settlement of Washington was commenced there was no place provided by the town for the burial of the dead. It is believed that burials were generally made on private grounds belonging to the homes of the deceased. There is said to be a small group of graves on the north western slope of Lovewell's Mountain, some forty rods south of the Wheeler place, so called, which was probably the common place of burial for that district, which was once one of the most thickly settled farming districts in town. In 1788, the town voted to buy one acre of ground for a burying place, and the same year ac- cepted a piece of land belonging to Rev. George Leslie and Maj. Ephraim Davis. The selectmen were instructed to lay it out, take deeds and pay for it. This was the be- ginning of the old cemetery at the center of the town. In 1836, Hon. Joseph Healy deeded an additional piece of land to the town for an extension to this cemetery. In this cemetery lie the remains of many of the earliest set- tlers of Washington.
"There, in their narrow cells forever laid,
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
1
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
In 1870, the town laid out the new cemetery at the cen- ter of the town, where most of the interments in that part of the town are now made. In 1842, the widow of Timo- thy Barney donated a site for the Christian meeting house and the adjoining church yard, which yard has since been used as a place of burial by people living in that part of the town. The precise date of the laying out of the old church yard at East Washington is not known, but it was without doubt, not far from the beginning of the present century. The grounds were not enlarged until 1860, when the new portion, situated near the church, was purchased by the town. In 1883, the East Washington Cemetery Association was formed for the purpose of improving the cemetery and beautifying its grounds. Generous dona- tions have been made to the association by its friends in and out of town, which have enabled it not only to greatly improve the appearance of the grounds, but to purchase a valuable addition on the north side of the grounds. George W. Carr has been president of the association since its organization. In 1817, it was voted not to pro- cure a hearse for the use of the town, but in 1828 the town voted to procure one. The same year (1828) the matter of pasturing sheep in the burying ground was left to the discretion of the selectmen; whether it was done or not is not known. Evidently the object was to destroy the bushes which are so prone to overrun neglected grounds.
During the last century the public mind has greatly changed its views concerning the grave and its surround- ings. The emblems of gloom have given place to those of a more cheering nature, and the last resting-place of the dust of one's friends, instead of being places to be shunned and dreaded, are taking their place among the dearest and pleasantest spots of earth.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
GENEALOGIES.
ABBREVIATIONS .- W. for Washington; res. for resides or resi- dence; b. for born; m. for married ; d. for died; (?) for doubt.
ABBOTT.
HILIP ABBOTT, son of Reuben Abbott, was born in Ashford, Conn., Apr. 6, 1799. He mar- ried Rebecca -, and for a time resided in Littleton, N. H. His wife died in 1839, and he married Harriet N. Knowlton of Shrewsbury, Mass., in 1840. They came to Washington in 1850, and resided at the south part of the town until his death, which occurred July 7, 1883. His wife died in Boston, Oct. 6, 1883. He had seven children, three by his first and four by his sec- ond wife. Three of the children are living, viz .:
(1st wife) I.
Jennie, b. Littleton, in 1833 ; m. Archibald J. Neiley, and res. in Boston.
II
Charles W., b. Littleton, about 1837; res. in Boston. (2nd wife) III.
Albert F., b. W., about 1847; m. in 1885, and res. in Leadville, Col.
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HISTORY OF WASHIINGTON.
ADAMS.
The Adams family of Washington are descendants of Henry Adams, who emigrated from Devonshire, England, in 1636, and settled at Mount Wollaston (Quincy), Mass. Among his descendants are the families of John and Sam- uel Adams-the former remembered as president of the United States, the latter for his active participation in the struggle for independence during the Revolution.
The record of our branch of the family begins with John Adams, a native of Quincy, Mass., who settled in Lincoln, Mass., and had two sons and several daughters. John Adams, Jr., settled in Mason, N. H., when a young man ; married Mary, daughter of John Adams of New Ipswich, and reared a large family of children, consisting of five sons and five daughters. Two of these sons, John 3d, and Seth, found their way to Washington.
John Adams, 3d, son of John and Mary Adams, settled in Milford and married Hannah Leavitt of Mont Vernon, Feb. 26, 1805. In 1806 the family removed to Washing- ton, and settled near the shore of Ashuelot Pond, where Ellis Copeland now resides. They continued to reside in Washington seventeen years. In 1823 they removed to Hillsboro' where they resided eight years, and then went to Milford, which was afterward their home. John Adams died in Stoddard, while absent from home on a journey, not far from the year 1831, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife resided in Milford until her death, which oc- curred Mar. 16, 1846, at the age of sixty-six. She is de- scribed as a person of poetic mind and religious habits, and was a gifted singer. The children of John and Han- nah Adams are :-
I.
John P., b. Milford, Nov. 26, 1805; was engaged in insurance business in Boston, Mass .; his health failed, and he settled in Milford, N. H., where he now resides.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
He m. Lucy J. Roach of Hampstead, May 14, 1846; Children :
(1) Annah E., b. Milford, Dec. 22, 1848 ; teacher ; res. Milford.
(2) Edward T., b. Milford, Sep. 27, 1850; clerk ; res. Boston, Mass.
(3) Phebe C., b. Milford, April 19, 1853; d. March 16, 1854.
II.
Andrew H., b. Washington, ; studied for the ministry but did not finish his education on account of failing health; m. in Dracut, Mass., and d. there ; no children,
III.
Hannah, b. W., June, 1810; res. Boston ; unmarried. IV.
Elliot W., b. W., -; m. in Troy, N. Y .; entered the U. S. Army and went to Texas when he was last heard of; Child :-
(1) George A., b. -; m. Sophia W. Newkirk Nov. 13, 1867 ; d. in Santa Barbara, Cal., Sept. 19, 1876. V.
Noah W., b. W., Feb. 25, 1815; m. Clara W. Adams of Mason, Nov. 8, 1855; res. Townsend, Mass., where he d. Apr. 9, 1876. Children :-
(1) Nellie W., b. Townsend, Mass., Dec. 10, 1857 ; d. Townsend, Mass., Sept. 24, 1879.
(2) Mary E., b. Townsend, Mass., Nov. 13, 1859.
(3) Ransom B., b. Townsend, Mass., May 28, 1862.
VI.
Hiram, b. W., ---; m. - - Hill, a native of Ports- mouth. He was a printer, and d. in Boston soon after his marriage.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
VII.
Adoniram J., b. W., Oct. 3, 1820 ; remained with his parents until ten years of age ; at the age of thirteen he went to Boston, where he has since resided ; he has al- ways been engaged in the wholesale grocery trade, in which he has been very successful, being at the present time, the head of the firm of Martin L. Hall & Co ; he m. Harriet Lincoln, Apr. 9, 1845, who d. Mar. 23, 1869, and he again m. Lucy H. Shepardson, Dec.25, 1870. Children :-
(1) Edward D., b. Boston, Apr. 9, 1846.
(2) Frank B., b. Boston, Jan. 26, 1848 ; d. Sept. 27, 1848.
(3) Charles A., b. Boston, July 9, 1849.
(4) Walter B., b.
Sept. 10, 1851.
(5) George L., b. Dec. 5, 1853.
(6) Franklin A., b. May 10, 1855.
(7) William K., b. Dec. 22, 1856.
(8) Marshall P., b. 66 Mar. 16, 1858; d. in Guay- mas, Mexico, Sept. 22, 1883.
(9) Harriet J., b. Boston, Jan. 5, 1861.
(10) Ernest H., b. Boston, Apr. 25, 1862 ; d. Aug. 17, 1 864.
VIII.
Ransom B., b. Hillsborough, Oct. 23, 1822; m. Ellen Calderwood; is a printer and resides in Boston. No children.
Seth Adams, son of John and Mary Adams, and brother of John, whose record has just been given, was born in Mason (now Greenville), New Hampshire, Jan. 21, 1791. When a youth he came to Washington and resided with his brother at the south part of the town. He learned to card wool and dress cloth, which was his occupation the greater part of his life. He married Comfort Barney, dau. of John Barney of Washington, Nov. 1I, 1813. In 1843, in company with his sons, Nathan and Calvin, he began the manufacture of cloth on Water street, where the Cres-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
ent mill now stands, his establishment being the first of the kind on that spot. He was a man of sterling qualities and was highly respected by his townspeople. He was connected with the Baptist church in East Washington and held the office of deacon. He died in Acworth, with his son, Mar. 22, 1882. His wife died in W., May 13, 1867. Their children were :-
I.
Nathan, b. W., Apr. 17, 1815 ; m. Minerva, dau. of Jo- seph Newman of W., Sept. 1, 1839; res. some years in W., where he was engaged in the manufacture of woolens, but finally removed to Acworth, where he was engaged in the same business. Children :-
(I) Minerva J., b. W., Feb. 2, 1844.
(2) Washington I., b. W., Apr. 7, 1852.
II.
Calvin, b. W., Feb. 23, 1818 ; m. Loraine, dau. of Benj. Newman of W., Feb. 8, 1843. He worked with his father a few years in the manufacture of woolen goods, but in 1848 they removed to Hillsborough, where he spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming. He d. Jan. 13, 1882. Children :-
(I) Freeman C., b. W., Jan. 1, 1844; res. in Hills- borough.
(2) Francelia L., b. W., Nov. 17, 1847 ; d. Aug. 14, 1849.
(3) Ella M., b. Hillsborough, Nov. 9, 1850; res. in . Hillsborough.
(4) Frank E., b. Hillsborough, Nov. 24, 1854; d. Dec. 30, 1854.
(5) Emma B., b. Hillsborough, May 20, 1857; res. in Hillsborough.
(6) Emmons C., b. Hillsborough, Mar. 4, 1862; d. Jan. 26, 1864.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.
III.
Mary A., b. W., May 3, 1820; m. Horace Gee of Mar- low, Oct. 26, 1847 ; d. May 25, 1880.
IV.
Almira J., b. W., June 13, 1826; m. Lewis A. Knight, Nov. 25, 1869; res. in Marlow.
V.
Sullivan, b. W., Nov. 6, 1828 ; m. Martha J. Tucker, July 31, 1855. He studied theology at the Baptist Theological Seminary at New Hampton, New Hampshire, graduating in 1856. They have resided in Shaftsbury and Grafton, Vermont ; Fort Howard, Wisconsin; Litchfield, Illinois ; Granite Falls, Hastings, Litchfield and Minneapolis, Min- nesota. During the Rebellion he was for a time in the South, in the service of the Christian Commission. At this time he is an invalid, and resides at Quincy, Illinois. No children.
AMES.
Nathan Ames was born in New Boston, Nov. 25, 1785. He married Margaret Sweet, Aug. 11, 1805, and resided for a time in Newburyport, Massachusetts, where he was employed as a shoemaker. At the age of twenty-four or twenty-five he became deeply interested in religion and united with the First Baptist church in Newburyport. About the year IS11 he was licensed to preach, and soon after was called to preach for a newly formed church in Newbury, Massachusetts, where he remained about three years. In 1816, owing to the inability of the church to give him a comfortable support, he retired from the min- istry and resumed work at his trade. He was never sat- isfied with the change, but was continually under the con- viction that it was his duty to preach the gospel. In 1819 he was invited to become pastor of the Baptist church in Sutton, New Hampshire, and was ordained May 31, 1820.
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