USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 69
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STATE SERVICE.
Amsden, Eugene H. Milford volunteers; b. Nashua ; age 19; res. Milford ; enl. Apr. 22, '61, as priv .; disch. July 12, '61, as of Capt. George H. Gillis's Co. See 8 N. H. V.
Beadley, Michael. b. Ireland; age 21; res. Nashua ; enl. May 6, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv .; paid to June 17, '6I.
Buckley, Michael. b. Ireland; age 27; res. Nashua ; enl. May 8, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv .; paid to June 12, '61. Supposed identical with Michael Buckley, Co. B, I0 N. H. V.
Burnett, James. b. Lowell, Mass .; age 28; res. Nashua; en1. May 7, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv .; paid to June 17, '61. P. O. ad., Hudson. See 8 N. H. V.
Butler, Augustus. b. "Mosco," C. W .; age 24; res. Nashua; enl. May 6, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further record. See 4 N. H. V.
Butler, Michael M. b. "Mosco," C. E .; age 35; res. Nashua; enl. May 7, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further record. Supposed identical with Mitchell M. Butler, Co. B, 4 N. H. V.
Carey, James. b. Ireland; age 25; res. Nashua ; enl. May 4, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further record. Carr, George D. b. Nashua; age 24; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 22, '61, by Richard O. Greenleaf, as priv .; disch. May 20, '61; re-enl. May 20, '61, for 3 yrs .; paid to June 17, '61.
Chamberlin, George W. b. Peachnm, Vt .; age 43; res. Nashua; enl, May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further record.
Cutter, James R. b. Hubbardston, Mass .; age 20; res. Nashua; enl. May 2, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv .; paid to June 17, '61. See 3 N. H. V.
Clifford, Frederick G. b. Lowell, Mass .; age 18; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 19, '61, by Richard O. Greenleaf, as priv .; served 7 days. See 4 N. H. V.
Dempsey, John. b. Ireland; age 25; res. Nashua; enl. May 2, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv .; paid to June 17, '61.
Duples, Edgar. b. Sciota, N. Y .; age 19; res. Nashua; en1. Apr. 22, '61, by Richard O. Greenleaf, as priv .; served 3 days. See 3 N. H. V.
Drew, George H. Milford volunteers; b. Methuen, Mass .; res. Milford ; en1. Apr. 25, '61, as priv .; elected sergt. of Capt. George H. Gillis's Co. on or about June 12, '61; disch. July 12, '61. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 9 N. H. V.
Emerson, William D. b. Johnson, Vt .; age 21; res. Nashua; en1. Apr. 29, '61, by William F. Greeley, as priv .; paid to June 13, '61.
Gardner, James. b. at sea; age 22; res. Nashua ; enl. May 20, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv .; disch. June 13, '61.
Gillis, George H. Milford volunteers; b. Nashua; age 25; res. Milford ; enl. Apr. 22, '61, as capt .; elected capt. of Capt. George H. Gillis's Co., June II, or 12, '61 ; paid to July 12, '61 ; paid as - 1t. of Capt. James Davidson's Co. Aug. 19 to Oct. 21, '61 ; app. 2 lt. in same company by governor, Oct. 22, '61 ; paid as 1 lt. to Nov. 21, '61; as - It. to Mar. 31, '62; disch. Apr. I, '62, as 2 1t. P. O. ad., Boston, Mass. See 13 N. H. V.
Grandam, Christopher. b. "Scotland;" age 23; res. Nashua; enl. May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv .; re-en1. May 9, '61, for 3 yrs .; assigned to Capt. Joshua Chapman's Co .; paid to June 17, '61. See miscel. organizations.
Hennessey, Peter. b. Kerry, Ire .; age 20; res. Nashua ; enl. Apr. 20, '61, by Richard O. Greenleaf, as priv .; assigned to Capt. Joshua Chapman's Co .; paid to June 17, '61.
Hustus, George C. b. Rutland, Mass .; age 18; res. Nashua; enl. May 8, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No furthur record.
Lapham, James. b. New Brunswick ; age 30; res. Nashua ; enl. May 2, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further record. Supposed identical with James Lap- pan, Co. C, 9 N. H. V.
Lay, Charles. b. "North Adams, -; " age 26 ; res. Nashua; en1. Apr. 22, '61, by Richard O. Greenleaf, as priv .; served 3 days. See 3 N. H. V.
Leach, Lyman. b. Bangor, Me .; age 26; res. Nashua; enl. May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, priv. No further record.
Mahoney, Timothy. b. Ireland; age 25; res. Nashua; en1. May 6, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further record.
Mann, Charles W. b. Upton, Mass; age 25; res. Nashua; enl. May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further record. See 3 N. H. V.
McComb, James. b. Ireland; age 29; res. Nashua; enl. May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further record. See 3 N. H. V.
McGilvray, Charles H. Milford volunteers; b. Nashua ; res. Merrimack; enl. Apr. 25, '61, as priv .; disch. July 13, '61, as of Capt. George H. Gillis's Co. P. O. ad., Newark, N. J. See I N. H. L. battery.
McGowen, John. b. Ireland; age "35;" res. Nashua ; enl. May 2, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv .; paid to June 12, '61. P. O. ad., Worcester, Mass. See 3 N. H. V.
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. II.
Millet, William F. b. South Andover, Mass,; age 24; res. Nashua ; enl. May 7, '61, by Joel II. Rhoades, as priv .; paid to June 17, '61. See 3 N. H. V.
Mooar, Alfred I. Milford volunteers; b. Amherst; res. Amherst; enl. Apr. 25, '61, as priv .; disch. July 13, '61, as of Capt. George H. Gillis's Co. P. O. ad., Nashua. See National guards.
Parker, Joseph C. b. Morristown, Vt .; age 34; res. Nashua ; enl. May 3, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv. No further record.
Reid, William H. R. b. Scotland ; age 27; res. Nashua; enl. May 2, '61, by Joel H. Rhodes, as priv .; paid to June 10, '61.
Rhoades, Joel H. b. Hopkinton, Mass .; age 39; res. Nashua; enl. Apr. 27, '61, by William F. Greeley, as priv .; assigned to Capt. Joshua Chapman's Co .; paid to June 17, '61. See 3 N. H. V. and V. R. C.
Stark, George. b. Manchester; age 38; res. Nashua ; brig .- gen., 3 brig., 2 div. N. H. vol. militia; paid as brig .- gen. for services in commanding troops at Ports- mouth and It. Constitution, May-2 to June 21, '61. Died Apr. 13, '92, Nashua.
Taggart, William. Milford volunteers; b. New Boston ; age 20; res. New Boston ; enl. Apr. 23, '61, as priv .; disch. by order of governor, June 10, '6r. P. O. ad., Nashua.
Tuttle, Eben. b. Nashua; age 20; res. Nashua ; en1. Apr. 20, '61, by Richard O. Greenleaf, as priv .; paid June 13, '61, for I day's service.
Walker, George. b. Bangor, Me .; age 39; res. Nashua; en1. May 25, '61, by Joel H. Rhoades, as priv .; disch. June II, '61.
Wood, Nelson. Milford volunteers ; b. Burlington, -; en1. Apr. 25, '61, as priv .; disch. July 12, '61, as of Capt. George H. Gillis's Co., Ft. Constitution. P. O. ad., Nashua. See 8 N. H. V.
Albert Wheeler
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
DANIEL ABBOT.
Hon. Daniel Abbot was born at Andover, Mass., Feb. 25, 1777, died at Nashua, Dec. 3, 1853. He was of the sixth generation in descent from George and Hannah (Chandler) Abbot, who emigrated from England about 1640 and were among the early settlers of Andover. The Chandler's were an equally old and distinguished Massa- chusetts family. His father and mother were cousins.
it has since been known, and which historic fact was rec- ognized in 1833 by introducing him to President Andrew Jackson, when a guest of the people of the town, as the father of Nashua, Mrs. Abbot being introduced at the same time as the mother. Mr. Abbot was one of the projectors of the Nashua Manufacturing company and president of the corporation ; his influence was also felt in building the Nashua & Lowell and the Wilton rail- roads, and he was president of the first named company fourteen years. Besides this and many minor enterprises, he was president at one time of the Nashua State bank and the Hillsboro' Bar association.
Mr. Abbot was graduated at Harvard university in the class of 1797. He read law in the office of Parker Noyes at Salis- bury, Daniel Web- ster being his fel- low - student, and commenced prac- tice at London- derry in 1802. The same year he moved to Nashua and here he re- mained until his death. Mr. Abbot was a man of schol- arly attainments, learned in the law and an eloquent advocate and ora- tor, several of his addresses on secu- lar themes being published at the time of their de- livery and attract- ing wide atten- tion. Benjamin French, who after- wards became dis- tinguished in Massachusetts, was at one time his law partner, as was also his son- in-law, Charles J. Fox.
Mr. Abbot was a Whig in politics and one of the leaders of that party in the state. He served the town of Nashua as moderator of an- nual meetings twenty-one years in succession, and Nashville, (after the town was di- vided), in the same capacity a third as many more. Mr. Abbot was a mem- ber of the legisla- ture from 1816 to 1824, and again in 1838, and repre- sented Nashville in the same body in 1848 and in the constitutional con- vention in 1850. In 1831 and 1832 he represented the district in the sen- ate. He served several years as chairman of the judiciary commit- tee, and as a mem- ber of other com- mittees, and was a wise and pru- dent lawmaker who looked well to the interests of the people. Mr. Abbot, from whom Abbot square and Abbot street took their names, owned and occupied the house at the corner of Abbot and Nashville streets, owned and occupied at the present time (1895) by Mrs. Geo. W. Perham.
DANIEL ABBOT.
Mr. Abbot, how- ever, was a gocd deal more to Nashua in its early history than a resident and dis- inguished attor- ney. He was a citizen in the fullest sense of the word. Whatever interested the public interested him. What- ever was incepted for the advancement of the industrial pursuits, and the benefit of the people at large, had his hearty co-operation. He was something more than a looker-on. He was a veritable pioneer in the wilderness and was determined that it should blossom and bear fruit for posterity. The Middlesex canal had his indorsement, and on the Fourth of July, 1803, when the first boat was launched upon it at this place he delivered an oration, in which he christened the settlement "Nashua," by which
Mr. Abbot was united in marriage Nov. 18, 1805 with Elizabeth Pickman, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Leavitt Pickman) of Salem, Mass. Mrs. Abbot was in the fifth generation in descent from Benjamin and Eliza- beth (Hardy) Pickman, who emigrated from Bristol, Eng., to Salem as early as 1667. The children of their
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
marriage were William Pickman, born in Nashua in 1811, died in Keene in 1881; Charles Dudley, born in Nashua in 1813, died in Nashua in 1848; Catherine Pickman, born in Nashua in 1819, married Charles J. Fox, died in Phila- delphia in 1891.
CHARLES GORDON ATHERTON.
Ilon. Charles G. Atherton was born at Amherst, July 4, 1804, died at Manchester, Nov. 15, 1853. He was a de- scendant of dis- tinguished ances- tors, among whom was Joshua Ath- erton, (his grand- father), an early settler in Amherst, a noted lawyer, member of the convention that ratified the Con- stitution of the United States, and subsequently sen- ator and attorney- general of the state. His father, Charles H. Ather- ton, was a thor- oughly read and accomplished law- yer, a pleasing orator, who was several times a member of the legislature, and represented his district in the fourteenth con- gress. On the ma- ternal side he was a descendant in line with the Spal- dings, (See sketch of Edward Spal- ding.)
Senator Ather- ton obtained his primary education in the schools of his native town and was fitted for college by private tutors. He en- tered Harvard university at the age of 14 years; was graduated in the class of 1822; read law in the office of his father, was admitted to the bar at the age of 21 years, and immediately thereafter commenced the practice of his profession at Nashua. "In his profession," says a writer of a sketch of his career for History of Hills- borough county, "his success was decided and his rise rapid. His mind was clear, logical and strong with a ballast of excellent common sense, while his adornment of a quick fancy and cultivated taste were admirably adapted to the study and labor of the laws."
Senator Atherton commenced his public career in 1830, when he was elected to the legislature. He was re-elected several times, and in 1833 was chosen speaker. In 1837 he was elected to the 25th congress. He was re-elected to the 26th congress and again to the 27th, and proved him- self an able debator. In 1843 he was elected to the United States senate to succeed Leonard Wilcox, and was retired in 1849 by reason of the election of Moses Norris, Jr. In 1853, he was again elected to the senate, to succeed John P. Hale, for a term of six years. Senator Atherton was a member of the Baltimore conven- tion that nomi- nated Franklin Pierce for the presidency, and to him more than any other man General Pierce owed his prefer- ment. During all these years of use- fulness Senator Atherton found time to participate in local affairs and to do his part to advance the inter- ests of the state and his town. He was the projector and builder of the three miles of corduroy road on Amherst street, which includes "the willows, " and many other prominent im- provements of his day were due to his advocacy and judgment. He served the people of Nashville as moderator more than half the years that town had an existence, and rep- resented it in the constitutional con- vention of 1850, Daniel Abbot be- ing his colleague. Senator Atherton's speeches and addresses on secular themes are evidence that he was a man of learning and classic diction.
CHARLES GORDON ATHERTON.
Senator Atherton had barely entered upon the term for which he was elected in 1853, when, while arguing a cause in the supreme court, sitting at Manchester, he was stricken down with apoplexy. He was carried to a hotel where he died three days later. The funeral ser- vices at the Unitarian church in this city were attended by United States officers and members of congress, the governor of the state, judges of the court, mayor, city
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
council and many distinguished men and friends from near and remote places. The body was buried in the Nash- ua cemetery. Senator Norris, his colleague, announced his death in the United States senate and made a fitting eulogy in memoriam, while remarks were made by Senator Hunter of Virginia and Senator Williams his successor, the latter saying : "In manner Mr. Atherton was naturally reserved, quiet and unobstrusive, but affable and cour- teous, gentlemanly and polished. He was incapable of deceiving by false or hypocritical profession; and by keeping his faith with all, gave a beautiful exempli- fication of the in- corrupta fidis in life devoted to fi- delity, justice and truth, which left among the living not a single re- sentment or un- kind feeling to be buried in the grave."
Senator Ather- ton was united in marriage June 10, 1828, at Princeton, Mass., with Anne Barnard Clark, Rev. Samuel Clark being the offici- ating clergyman. Mrs. Atherton's father, Hugh Hamilton Clark, was a native of New Boston and a merchant in Boston, Mass. He married Nancy Barnard, daughter of Rev. Jeremiah Barnard of Am- herst. Mrs. Ath- erton died in Rox- bury, Mass., May 9, 1889. There were no children by their marriage. Their local resi- dence was on Man- chester street.
AARON WORCESTER SAWYER.
AARON WORCESTER SAWYER.
Hon. Aaron W. Sawyer was born at Mont Vernon, Oct. II, 1818, died at Nashua Aug. 23, 1882. His father, Aaron F. Sawyer, was one of the distinguished men of New Hamp- shire in the early days of this century, being a graduate of Dartmouth college, a wise law-maker, a learned coun- sellor, a prominent Congregationalist, and an old school gentleman. His mother, Hannah (Locke) Sawyer, was a granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Locke, D. D., president of Harvard college from 1770 till 1773, and a woman of
marked character and strong moral and intellectual quali- ties. The family moved to Nashua in 1829.
Judge Sawyer was educated in the public schools of Nashua, at Crosby's Literary institution, and at the acade- mies in Hancock and Derry. He read law in the office of his father and was admitted to the Hillsborough bar at the October term, 1841. He then formed a co-partnership with his father, and after his death and in 1849, with Charles G. Atherton, which partnership continued until Senator Atherton gave up practice in 1853. His next and last partner was Gen. Aaron F. Stevens, 1858, and that partnership lasted till Mr. Sawyer gave up practice in 1874. Mr. Sawyer rep- resented Ward four in the legis- lature in 1865 and 1866, and was one year in the state senate from the old seventh New Hampshire dis- trict. He was president of the Pennichuck bank during its entire existence and was mayor of Nashua in 1860 and city solicitor in 1867-71. He was appointed associate judge of the supreme court of the state Aug. 17, 1876, and held the commission about one year, when failing health from dia- betes caused his resignation. He was also United States register of bankruptcy. Mr. Sawyer was a dili- gent student and successful lawyer. He worked hard and faitnfully for his clients, and when he could not see a case clear to the end he had a wonderful faculty of bringing about a settlement. The warmest friendship ever existed between him and his partners and clients, and those who survive him are sincere mourners.
Judge Sawyer was a successful and effective advocate and a most entertaining and instructive speaker on gen- eral topics. During his long years of practice he rarely made an enemy, and those who were his clients would not and did not, relinquish their claims upon him till he no longer had the strength to advise them. About ten
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
years before his death Dartmouth college conferred upon him the honorable degree of A. M. Early in his career Judge Sawyer became identified with the Congregational- ists, and during the last ten years of his life was a zealous member of that denomination. In 1874 the Hollis asso- ciation licensed him to preach, and from time to time he supplied in the city churches of that and other denomi- nations, and preached and lectured in the greater number of churches in the county. He wrote several able dis- courses, and was listened to with marked attention and to the instruction of his hearers. He was also an earnest advocate of the cause of temperance, and often ad- dressed his fellow-citizens on that subject at the City hall, and the people of the state wherever his services were requested.
General Stevens in announcing his death at a meeting of the Hillsborough bar said of him: "If to have won for himself a proud position in the ranks of his profession, the suffrages and approbation of his fellow-citizens to the full measure of his opportunities and aspirations; to have utilized superior intellectual power and endowments to the constant and wise solution of the abstruse problems and varied affairs of his profession ; to have gained with- out pretention or ostentation by the strength and force of character, the abiding confidence of his clients, and to have held that confidence through all tests and trials to the end; to have become the favorite adviser of his younger and trustful brethren of the bar; to have con- stantly clothed his daily walk with the example of a pure life, whose morality, though firm and constant, never taught him to be morose or austere; to have elevated that life of undeviating morality to its twinship with a Christian faith; if to have adorned his domestic life with the enduring fidelity of the husband, the deep and con- stant affection of the father; to have so cherished indus- try, frugality and temperance, that those virtues won for him, and for those who were his by the sweet and holy ties of nature and kindred, the boon of independence and fortune, and then to have met death without fear, and in the calm triumphant hope of a glory beyond-if these, and such as these, are the true and justly coveted fruits of human life and human exertion, we have their illustra- tration and example in the life and death of Aaron W. Sawyer."
Judge Sawyer was twice married; his first wife was Mary Francis Ingalls of New York city, who died in a few months after their marriage; second, Sept. 12, 1855, Fanny Winch, daughter of Dea. Francis and Almira (Stetson) Winch of Nashua. Her ancestors came to this country in the seventeenth century and their descendants have been conspicuous in the professions, in mercantile life and in the various callings and occupations of men, her father being one of the first citizens of Nashua, regis- ter of deeds several years and a man of a high sense of honor and strict integrity. Mrs. Sawyer inherits their traits of character. She has labored long and earnestly in the cause of temperance, being a member and past president of the Woman's Christian Temperance union, a promoter of the Young Woman's reading-room, and a generous contributor for the support of these worthy objects and other causes for the advancement of the moral and spiritual welfare of the people. Their children were Fanny Ingalls, deceased ; Fanny Locke, married George A. Bowers, D. D. S., Oct. 4, 1893 ; Aaron Frank, deceased, and William Merriam.
GEORGE YEATON SAWYER.
Hon. George Y. Sawyer was born at Wakefield, Dec. 5, 1805, died at Nashua, June 15, 1882. He was a son of Wil- liam Sawyer, one of the most distinguished New Hamp- shire men of his day. His primary education was obtained in the district schools of his native town, advanced under the tuition of his father, who was a learned man and able lawyer, and continued in the Phillips academy, Exeter, till at the age of seventeen years when he entered Bow- doin college, where he became a classmate of the late William Pitt Fessenden of Maine, Henry W. Longfellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Franklin Pierce, Jonathan Cilley, who was a brilliant man and was killed in Kentucky in a duel, the late Chief Justice Boyd of Mississippi, S. S. Prentiss, the famous western journalist and wit, and John P. Hale, all of whom graduated within two years of each other-Judge Sawyer in 1826.
Judge Sawyer then read law in the office of his father. and at the August term of the court in 1830, at Meredith Bridge, now Laconia, which was then in Strafford county, was admitted to the bar. He practiced his profession in the town mentioned till October, 1834, when he removed to Nashua, where he became a partner with the late Aaron F. Sawyer. In 1839-40 and 1841 he represented the town of Nashua in the legislature, and in one of the . exciting political campaigns of that decade he was the whig candidate for member of congress, falling short a few votes of election. He also represented Ward four of the city of Nashua in the same body in 1866, when he was chairman of the committee on judiciary and a leader in the debates on all important measures which were con- sidered that year. He was appointed justice of the court of common pleas July 7, 1851, and resigned Sept. 15, 1854. The next year the courts were remodeled by the legisla- ture and he was appointed a justice of the supreme judicial court on July 20, 1855. Judge Sawyer held this commis- sion till Nov. 1, 1859, when, owing to the fact that his practice was more lucrative and entailed less of wandering about the state, he resigned. Although an ardent and uncompromising whig, his great ability was recognized by his college mate, President Pierce, and he was offered the governorship of one of the territories, which honor he declined on the ground that he was not in political sym- pathy with the administration. In 1862-63 and in 1864 he was city solicitor of Nashua and acting solicitor of the county of Hillsborough. He was again solicitor of the city in 1873 and 1874. In 1865 he was appointed one of three commissioners, Samuel D. Bell and Asa Fowler being his associates, to revise, codify and amend the statute laws of the state, with marginal notes and cita- tions similar to the laws of Massachusetts, and in 1875 he was chairman of a commission to recommend a system of taxation or modification of the tax laws of the state. His law partners were, first, Aaron F. Sawyer; second, Peter Clark; third, Aaron F. Stevens; fourth, and at the time of his death, George Y. Sawyer, Jr.
Judge Sawyer was an intellectual giant in all that ap- pertained to the law; had the best legal mind in the state; was direct and forcible, and his quotations and citations, made without a moment's reflection, were often the wonder of the bench and the bar. His decisions in important cases, as reported in the New Hampshire reports, are among the most clear and lucid. "They often rose to literary merit, and were I to criticise them,"
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time." Judge Sawyer arose in his place, and as he ad- vanced a little to face the court squarely, the silence of death came over the multitude of spectators. His words were slow and impressive: "Save time, your honor. Time ! Does the court realize with this respondent this issue is time or eternity?" It had its desired effect. There was no further attempt at unseemly haste. The deceased had many good traits of character. If a man or woman had a poor case and was likely to lose he told them so frankly and advised a settlement. He was par- ticularly obliging to the younger members of the bar, and many a middle aged mem- ber of the New Hampshire bar of to-day recalls his words of encour- agement to them in their early struggle. He en- couraged all who desired his encour- agement, and he often gave them points of law and advice, never tak- ing a fee from them. In early life he was a com- municant in the Episcopal church. Upon his removal to Nashua, there being no church of that creed here that time, he identified himself with the First Congrega- tional church, and for a number of years was a teach- er in its Sunday school and a tower of strength in all that appertained to the temporal and spiritual ad- vancement of the community. He gradually with - drew, however, and for many years was not identified with any society or denomination.
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