USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Andover > History of the town of Andover, New Hampshire, 1751-1906, Part I > Part 33
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The broad ridge spreading away to the northward from Artist Hill was, early in the 19th century and later, called Wicopy Hill, from the seattering growth of Wicopy (Dirca palustris) bushes found there. The inner bark of this shrub is very pliable and tough, and the neighboring farmers were accustomed to send their boys to this locality for bark to be used as bag string and for other purposes, for which we now use hemp or cotton twine. The writer has used this bark in tying together the stalks of tobacco plants in the process of curing.
The height in the northeast section of the town, over which runs the eastern road to Hill, has long been known as Cilley Hill, from Dea. Sam Cilley. an early settler on the hill. The view
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
to the east and south from the summit will well pay for the hard climb.
The excellent farm of Capt. Caleb Marston marked the habit- able summit of a notable hill at the eastern end of the town, known as Marston Hill, from the family that for many years oeenpied the farm. From this outlook is obtained the best view in this vicinity of Webster Lake. the upper Merrimack valley. the Winnipesaukee Lake region and the hill country to the east- ward.
RIVERS AND BROOKS.
The Blackwater River, which at different times has been called. but not locally. Contoocook Branch or Contoocook North Branch. is formed at Cilleyville by the junction of the streams flowing from Pleasant pond in New London and Eagle pond in Wilmot and by Quickwater brook, flowing easterly through the village of Wilmot Centre.
The volume of water is materially increased by the stream which flows through the Bachelder or Fellows meadow and enters the river below the Cilleyville dam; by the outlet from Bradley ยท pond, which enters the river a little above the Seavey bridge at Andover Centre : by the waste from Horseshoe pond, and by the great brook from Elbow pond.
The general course of the river in Andover is easterly until it reaches a point near the farm of C. J. White. whence it follows a southerly direction through Salisbury and Webster. joining the Contoocook abont two and a half miles northeast of Contoocook village in Hopkinton.
The river water is elear, but when viewed in the direction of the bottom it is apparently quite dark colored. This appearance is evidently caused by the dark sediment brought down from the muddy bottoms of Eagle pond. Cilleyville bogs and the quiet pools about Wilmot Flat and deposited on the river bed.
Kearsarge brook, increased by the small stream from Morey pond. flows from the Baehelder or Fellows meadow, northward into the Blackwater river below the Cilleyville dam.
The inlet of Cole or Mompey pond. now the property of the Ragged Mountain Fish and Game Club, has long been known as Trout brook. The outlet of this pond flowing south into the Blackwater river, is known as Thompson brook.
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LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY.
The Tirrill brook rises from the springs and ravines of Mom- pey hill, north of Vivian S. Quimby's residence, and flowing southerly crosses the road at the foot of Tirrill hill, and empties into Blackwater river. This stream furnished the power for the small repair shop of Stephen Scales.
The inlet of Bradley pond rises in the eastern slopes of Kear- sarge, flows east, then due north into the pond, and is known as Bradley brook. The outlet of the pond known as Eastman brook carries the water power for the hame shop and enters the Blackwater river a few rods above the Seavey bridge.
The Mitchell brook rises on the southeastern slopes of Ragged Mountain and flows south, crossing the road east of the town house, and passes through the Quimby meadow to the river.
Mountain brook rises high in the foothills of Ragged Moun- tain, near the southern boundary of Hill. flows south through picturesque gorges and deep woods, and forms the inlet to Elbow pond or Echo lake. On this brook, far up toward the town line, is found the charming Mountain cascade, the finest in the moun- tain district.
The outlet of Elbow pond is known as Great brook, which in a winding. leisurely way finds its way across the great plains to the river.
The Severance brook flows westerly through the valley between Boston and Raccoon hills, and finds its way to the river.
Morey brook formerly flowed from the northeast base of Bos- ton hill towards Highland Lake, but in later years it seems to be lost in the stagnant waters of a swamp.
Bailey brook rises at Robie spring, on the southeast part of Boston hill, flows through the Bailey farm and the Brown meadow and loses itself in Morey brook and the swamp.
Tilton brook rises in the valley northeast of Taunton hill, and flows into Highland Lake. This stream is noted for its num- erous small cascades and waterfalls. The most prominent of these is known as Silver Falls, a most attractice feature in the fern-decked, wooded dell. The remains of the first dam on this stream, built by Jonathan Tilton, are still to be seen just above Silver Falls.
Mill brook, the outlet of Highland Lake, has played an impor- tant role in the development of the town. It furnished the
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
water power for the first sawmill and the first gristmill. and has turned the wheels of several other mills on its way to the lower levels. The name is applied to that section of the stream be- tween the lake and Aiken's mill. Between Aiken's mill and Webster Lake, into which it flows, it is known as Sucker brook. The outlet of Webster Lake flows easterly. past several mills, into the Pemigewasset River.
PONDS.
Morey or Runaway Pond. This small body of water is sit- uated on the east side of the north shoulder of Kearsarge Moun- tain, in the first range, very near the Wilmot line. It has no appreciable inlet and at present the outlet is quite small and joins the Bachelder or Fellows meadow. a small brook flowing northward from the Brown valley to form the Mountain brook.
Nether or Bradley Pond or Eastman Lake. This pond, sit- uated at the northeast base of Kearsarge Mountain and mainly on lots 25 and 27 W., in the first range, was known on the early maps as Nether pond, but locally and for more than sey- enty-five years as Bradley pond. More than 125 years ago. at a point near the present site of the dam erected by the hame company, there remained some traces of a beaver dam, which must have flooded a wide area. On the desertion or destruction of the beaver dam the northern section of the pond, opposite the present residence of James Fitzgerald, was drained and the rich bottom land was soon covered with a vigorous growth of white pine. ash, red maple and spruce. From 1845 to 1860 a heavy growth of white pine lumber was taken off. Many of the trees measured three feet or more at the butt and reached a height of nearly 100 feet, affording in many instances excellent spars and masts for use in New England shipyards. When the pres- ent dam was built the deforested timber land was again sub- merged and the pond now covers about the same area as in the days of the skillful beaver.
Bog Pond or Cilleyville Bog. This body of water occupies, under ordinary conditions, a considerable area of the lowland between Cilleyville and West Andover. The water from Eagle pond flows slowly through this shallow and muddy pond, which at a very low stage of water is little more than a narrow, slug- gish channel.
KEARSARGE FROM THE GROUNDS OF THE FISH AND GAME CLUB ON THE SOUTH SLOPE OF RAGGED MOUNTAIN
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LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY.
Cole Pond. This small body of water, which has sometimes been called Mountain and Mompey pond, lies about half a mile north of the turnpike and a little west of north from the resi- denee of John Sanborn. It was formerly noted as a trout pond and is now owned by the Ragged Mountain Fish and Game Club. This pond was named for John Cole, a hard-working man who raised a large family very near its shores.
Horseshoe Pond. This pond lies between the residence of Frank Pettingill and Blackwater River, and has sometimes been known as Blackwater or Mitchell's pond. It has no apparent inlet and the waste at high water finds its way to the nearby river. The railroad divides the pond by means of an embank- ment into nearly equal parts.
Mud Pond. This small pond lies at the foot of Ragged Moun- tain, nearly a mile northwest of the center village. The name of Mooseauket (moose place) was suggested for this pond by George E. Emery about thirty years ago.
Attuck, Adder or Seavey Pond. There is a tradition that the most used name, Adder, is a corruption of Attuck, the Indian name for deer. This pond is situated about a mile and a quar- ter north northeast from the center village. The bottom is muddy and the western shore is marshy. It has no important inlet and the small outlet stream finds its way easterly into the same water course that drains Elbow pond.
Elbow Pond. This sheet of water lies nearly easterly from the former residence of Samnel Swett, and was probably named from the peculiar configuration of the shore lines. At a point near the south shore an echo may be plainly heard, and from this circumstance many visitors have called the pond Echo lake, but the local preference is apparently still for the original name. The inlet of this pond is known as Mountain brook and flows southerly down through the foothills of Ragged Mountain. The outlet flows southerly and finds its way across the Plains to Blackwater River.
The falls on Mountain brook were found by the selectmen in 1864 to be about nine rods south of the northern line of Andover.
Loon Pond or Highland Lake. This beautiful body of water lies immediately west of the village of East Andover and is an important element of the charming seenery of that locality. It
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
was originally called Loon pond, because it was a favorite haunt and nesting place of that peculiar water fowl. These birds frequently passed to and from this pond to Bradley pond. and for many years the old residents. when they heard the startling ery of the loon in its rapid flight between these ponds, felt that a rain storm was certainly coming. For nearly half a century this pond has been known as Highland Lake. The outlet stream of this pond flows easterly into Webster Lake.
Webster Lake. This attractive element of New Hampshire scenery was the largest pond within the borders of the original town of Andover. On the early maps it was known as Great pond or Chance pond. It lies in that portion of the original town of Andover that was taken to form a part of the town of Franklin. In a speech made by Daniel Webster at a meeting in the oak grove near Aiken Park. by the lakeside, in 1851, the great expounder of the constitution said: "Mueh has been written and said of the beauties of Lake Como. but that sheet of water is no more beautiful than the one on whose shores I now stand."
Since that period it has been generally known as Webster Lake. The outflow of this lake creates a valuable water power in the western part of the city of Franklin and finally empties into the Pemigewasset River.
Call's or Flaghole Pond. This small pond is gradually grow- ing less and the decreasing amount of water and the steady progress of filling up from the bottom promises in the not dis- tant future to remove this feature of the landscape.
Near the boundary line between Andover and Hill. and nearly north of the former residence of Samuel Swett, lie two small ponds, generally known as Lone and Weeks' ponds. From the various reports on the location of this boundary line, it would seem that for many years it has been uncertain whether these ponds were in Hill or in Andover.
PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE SETTLED IN ANDOVER.
The first resident physician in Andover was Jonathan Rob- bins. IIe was here in 1788 and lived at East Andover, near the fork of the road afterwards known as Barnard's Corner, above Walter B. Durgin's house.
Dr. Benjamin Rowe also lived here in 1788 and resided in the western part of the town.
Between 1790 and 1800 a negro known as "Jumbo," who claimed to have lived among the Indians in Maine, came to Flag- hole and earned his living for several years by treating the minor ills of his neighbors and of some people in the neighbor- ing towns, with decoctions of roots and herbs.
Dr. Silas Barnard came to Andover about 1790, perhaps in 1789. and remained until his death, June 25, 1795. He came here from Bolton, Mass., and settled on the place at East Andover near the fork of the road, owned in 1880 by Elbridge G. Chase. This locality has since been known as Barnard's Corner. He owned a good one-story house, which was taken down in 1831 and a part of the timber was used in building the house owned for a long time by Caleb Cross. Doctor Barnard was a skilful phy- sician and highly esteemed as a citizen. He died suddenly at the house of Captain Sargent in New Chester (now Hill), where he had called to see a patient.
Dr. Jacob Bailey Moore began the practice of medicine in Andover in 1796. He was a successful physician and a very popular citizen. He held several town offices and was active in all matters affecting the welfare of the town. He was especially interested in music and his children inherited a strong tendency in that direction. In 1812 he was appointed a surgeon's mate in the 11th Regiment. U. S. Infantry. The life in the army was too severe for his health and he resigned in the latter part of the year. He lived but a short time after reaching his home here, dying Jannary 10. 1813.
Dr. Silas Merrill came to Andover soon after the death of Doc- tor Moore and resided on Taunton Hill. IIe married Eliza-
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
beth Haseltine of Epsom. He moved to Illinois in 1837, where he died, leaving one son and two daughters. His eldest daughter married Caius Jenkins, who was killed in Kansas by Senator "Jim" Lane. Doctor Merrill built the house on Taunton Hill where William L. Bennett now lives. After Doctor Merrill left town the house was owned and occupied successively by Doctor Hanson and by Doctor Weymouth.
Doctor Tilton Elkins studied medicine with Dr. J. B. Moore and began the practice of his profession at West Andover in 1816. He enjoyed a wide practice for many years and was an active and respected citizen. He retired from active professional work in 1858 or 1859 and went to reside with his daughter in Des Moines, Iowa, where he died April 23. 1873.
Doctor Kittredge practised a short time in Andover. He died February 26, 1819.
James Harvey McClary Haseltine was the son of Rev. Eben- ezer Haseltine and was born in Epsom, N. H., September 18, 1800. His mother was Margaret. the daughter of Maj. Andrew McClary of Epsom, who was killed at the close of the fight at Bunker Hill. Soon after the death of his father in 1814, young Hasel- tine came to Andover to live with his eldest sister, who married Dr. Silas Merrill. After attending the military school at Nor- wich, Vt., Haseltine studied medicine with Doctor Merrill and began the practice of his profession in this town. He was at the medical school of Dartmouth College in 1825. He was very snc- cessful in his work and remained here until 1829, when he moved to Henrietta, N. Y .. where he practised for forty-two years. While in Andover he married Cyrena, daughter of Capt. James Tucker. He had one son and one daughter, who lived in Roches- ter. N. Y. Doctor Haseltine died in Rochester, N. Y., January 6, 1874.
Doctor James M. Buzzell was a physician residing on Taun- ton Hill in 1833. He afterwards, probably in 1836, moved to Lewiston, Me., where, in 1883, he was the dean of the Eclectic Medical College. He was a brother of Rev. Alvah Buzzell, once a resident of Andover. Doctor Buzzell was a graduate of Dart- mouth College Medical School in 1837. He died in Portland, Me .. September 2. 1891.
Dr. Jacob Clements Hanson graduated at Dartmouth Medical
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PHYSICIANS.
School in 1839. He was a physician in Andover until 1843, residing on Taunton Hill in the house afterwards occupied by his successor, Dr. H. A. Weymouth. Doctor Hanson died at Great Falls, N. H., July, 1875.
Dr. J. Allen Tibbetts resided on Taunton Hill and practised medicine in this and neighboring towns for at least three years. The exact length of his residence is not now known, but he was taxed here in 1843 and 1844. Later he was the owner of a drug store in Manchester, where he died in 1866.
A Doctor Simpson practised in town a short time during the residence of Doctor Tibbetts, living at the east end of the town.
Austin S. Durkee was for several years a resident of Ohio, where he was a postmaster under the administration of Van Buren. He lived a short time in Vermont. After coming to New Hampshire he practised medicine as a botanic physician, residing in Andover, Bristol, New Hampton, Manchester, Ply- mouth and Franklin. He settled at East Andover about 1846 and resided there about fourteen years. About 1870 he went to Franklin, where he died February 24, 1881.
The following is a brief tribute from one of the most noted physicians and surgeons in New Hampshire :
Henry Augustus Weymouth was born October 14, 1820, in that portion of Gilmanton now known as Belmont. He had a com- mon school education before he entered on the study of medicine with Dr. Nahum Wight of Gilmanton. He attended lectures at the Vermont Medical School at Woodstock and graduated in 1843. He came immediately to Andover and established himself at Taunton Hill, where many of the former physicians had lived, taking the place of Dr. J. C. Hanson.
No man has known the town and its people for two generations so intimately as he. He has been a part of its life-social, indus- trial, educational, political and religious-during all that period. The list of infants whom he has welcomed to the world numbers about 2,000. Many of these he has watched over through child- hood and youth. He has seen them marry and has cared for their own litle ones, and has finally stood beside their deathbeds.
Doctor Weymouth has been the typical family doctor. His first and absorbing interest has been in the practice of his pro- fession. In summer's heat and winter's cold, by day and by 24
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
night. he has been ready to answer calls, and at eighty-seven years of age he is still ready. It is only a few years since that he got out of bed one winters' night and rode several miles to a hill farm to see a child with croup. Approaching the place, the deep snow became impassable for horse and sleigh. The doctor left the horse in a barn nearby and plodded ahead on foot. His fur coat becoming burdensome, he dropped it and pushed on. Reaching the house he cared for the patient, and in the morning returned to another day's work.
Doctor Weymouth stands for much that is best in the medical profession. In figure, tall and massive, with a strong face; in speech. deliberate, direct and plain to bluntness, he makes an impression of sincerity which wins confidence. His thinking is without evasions, dealing with the substance of things in com- mon sense fashion. He arrives at conclusions without haste and holds them with tenacity. His cheerful spirit and keen sense of humor have enabled him to appreciate all the vicissitudes of an active life in the country. and have carried the balm of hope and the stimulus of a good story to many a weary. suffering patient in this community.
His fellow-townsmen recognize and value his ripe judgment. They have always counted on his help and leadership in every good movement, whether for temperance, or clean politics, or social or religious betterment. He was moderator of the town meeting for thirty-two years, town clerk five years, represent- ative in the legislature for three terms and trustee of Proctor Academy. He received an honorary M. D. from Dartmouth Col- lege in 1870.
With robust health enabling him to make light of hardships; with a length of consecutive service such as is granted to very few; with absolute devotion to the work of his calling, the value of his contribution, during these sixty-four years, to the life of Andover can not be estimated.
A Doctor Clark practised for a short time at West Andover about 1847. His subsequent career is not known.
Harry E. Mygatt, a graduate of the Darmouth Medical School in 1896, was a practitioner in Andover for a few years and after- wards in Franklin and Nashua.
William Pierce Crosby, a graduate of Dartmouth Medical
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PHYSICIANS.
School in 1898, settled in East Andover. where he practised for several years. He subsequently moved to Hanover.
Walter C. Rowe. a graduate of Dartmouth Medical School in 1899, settled at the Center Village in Andover, where by his skill he has established a successful practice.
Edward Chase Durgin, son of Walter B., graduated from the medical school of Tufts College June. 1901, and began the prac- tice of his profession at East Andover, November, 1904.
ANDOVER MEN WHO HAVE BEEN PHYSICIANS ELSEWHERE.
Joseph Emery. son of Dr. Anthony and Abigail (Leavitt) Emery, born 1744 in Hampton (see fam.) practised medicine in Concord, N. H .. and in Fryeburg. Me. Doctor Emery died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Stephen Fellows, in Andover.
John Pike Elkins, son of Jeremiah and Lydia (Jenness) Elkins, born in Andover January 20, 1784. Graduated Dart- mouth Medical School 1821, finally settled in Barnstead, where he had a large practice. He died in Barnstead July 25, 1848.
Benjamin Thompson, son of Benjamin and Miriam (Brown) Thompson, born in Andover. (See fam.) For several years he maintained in Boston an "Infirmary," which was conducted ac- cording to the Thompsonian system of medicine, with financial success. He also maintained a similar establishment in Concord, N. H., where he was associated with his brothers, Charles and Jesse, in the management until 1837. He left New England soon after 1837 and his subsequent life and the date of his death are unknown.
Daniel, son of Robert Mowe, born February 7, 1790. Grad- uated Dartmouth Medical School 1819; practised in Sanbornton 1825-31 and in Lowell 1831-60. He died in Salisbury, N. H., November 3, 1860.
Thomas, son of Lieut. Moses Brown, born August 1, 1792, stud- ied medicine with Dr. Jacob B. Moore. He practised his pro- fession in Deerfield, N. H., for several years and then moved to Manchester. where he had a large business. He died in Man- chester, August 15, 1849, from an attack of cholera.
Stephen, son of Lieut. Moses Brown, born April 12, 1803. He studied medicine with his brother, Thomas. He attended one course of lectures at Bowdoin Medical School and graduated
.
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Dartmouth Medical School, 1830. He began practice in Notting- ham, went from there to Raymond and finally settled at Deer- field "Parade" in 1831. In addition to his successful work as a physician, he owned and managed a popular tavern. He died in Deerfield April 11, 1877.
Daniel, son of Gershom and Miriam (Rowe) Durgin, born December 3, 1804. He studied medicine with Dr. Silas Merrill and began the practice of his profession at Canandaigua, N. Y., where he continued until his death in 1862 or 1863. He mar- ried Frances Crandall of Canandaigua and left several children.
James L., son of Capt. John and Lydia (Laha) Mayo, born in Brewster, Mass., came to Andover with his father's family; attended one course of lectures at Dartmouth Medical School and graduated at the Medical School of Bowdoin College. He prac- tised in Syracuse, N. Y., where he died. (See family.)
John Langdon, son of Peter Fifield, born August 7, 1805, stud- ied medicine with Dr. Job Wilson of Salisbury and in 1836 began practice in Sutton. He remained there two years and then went to Rochester, Peoria Co., Ill. After ten years he moved to Vic- toria, Ill., where he resided, practising his profession until his death, December 16, 1890. He married, in Sutton, N. H., Laura C. Cushman and had eleven children. (See family.)
Isaac White, son of Capt. Josiah and Mary A . (White) Farmer Scribner, born 1808; graduated Dartmouth Medical School 1834; settled in Lowell, Mass., where he practised his profession until his death in 1864.
Reuben F., son of Rev. Reuben Dearborn, born May 16, 1850, graduated in medicine at University of New York 1873; settled in Lynn, Mass.
George Weare Weymouth graduated at Dartmouth College 1878; Dartmouth Medical School in 1882; is now a very success- ful practitioner at Lyme, N. HI.
Milan Graves, son of Susan and grandson of Simon Graves, was born in Andover, July 17, 1830; studied medicine with Dr. H. A. Weymouth and graduated from Dartmouth Medical School in 1856. He practised in Gardiner, Sabbatis, Lewiston and Bath, Me. He was appointed surgeon of the 109th Regi- ment U. S. Colored Troops, and served till his health failed. He married, November 19, 1865, Sarah P., daughter of Aaron
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and Hannah Winslow, born in Fayette, Me., December 15, 1842. Doctor Graves died in Bath, Me., September 5, 1873, leaving a widow and one son, Milan J. Graves.
Charles, son of Silas C. Fifield, born in Andover July 12, 1857 ; studied medicine and attended lectures at Dartmouth Medical School but did not practise. He resided at Buda, Ill., where he died January 14, 1906.
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