USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Andover > History of the town of Andover, New Hampshire, 1751-1906, Part I > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75
JEREMY YOUNG BRYANT.
Jeremy Y. Bryant was four years old at the death of his fa- ther, a merchant, in Newmarket. Mr. Bryant settled in An- dover in 1818, where he remained during life. He continued his work as a clothier, dyer and finisher, until the foreign Kersey- meres and the American factory satinets superseded the home- woven and clothing mill finished goods of rural New England.
415
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Mr. Bryant held several public offices and was a noted jus- tice of the peace. Although he was without the knowledge ac- quired by legal studies, he possessed an unusual knowledge of the spirit of the law and he was often consulted by those who felt that something less than expert advice was sufficient for their needs.
He was not a member of any church but he was generally con- sidered a Christian, in all essential points, by his neighbors and townsmen. His "heart was ever on the side of justice and free- dom and against oppression and wrong."
ROBERT COCHRAN CARR.
Mr. Carr began his active life in Enfield and resided there till 1863. With Mr. Joseph Baker he founded the Concord hame business in 1860. In 1863 the business was moved to An- dover and continued by Mr. Baker, Mr. Carr and J. P. Carr un- til 1877, when R. C. Carr retired. For several years after 1883 he held the contract for sawing all the wood used for engine fuel for the northern division of the Boston & Lowell R. R. and for the Boston & Maine, when in control of that division. In 1888 he purchased an interest in the firm of J. R. Hill & Co. of Con- cord in the harness business.
Mr. Carr was the representative from Andover in the legis- lature in 1883, and was the senator from the 4th district in 1887. In politics he was a Democrat and enjoyed the sympathy and confidence of his party associates and the personal regard of his political opponents. He was a good neighbor and a public-spir- ited citizen.
WALTER S. CARR.
Mr. Carr was born in Enfield Center and attended the dis- trict schools and for some time was a student at the academy at New London. He came to Andover with his father (see family) in 1863, and began his active business life as an employee in the Baker and Carr Hame Co. He became familiar with all the prin- cipal branches of the shop work and became an owner of a part of the business in 1869. In 1888 he became a joint owner of the business. In the many changes which have taken place in the
416
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
methods and business of the Hame Company Mr. Carr has prob- ably been the principal factor in the transactions. In addition to his responsibilities with this company, he has been interested in many other business enterprises, with almost unvarying suc- cess. He represented the town in the legislature in 1888-89 and he has been a leading citizen in all that pertains to the progress and welfare of the town.
CLARENCE EDGAR CARR.
Mr. Carr was born at Enfield Center January 31, 1855, and came with his father to Andover in 1863. He attended the dis- trict schools and later was a student at the academies at Andover, New London and Meriden. He graduated in the Scientific De- partment of Dartmouth College in 1875. He studied law in the office of John M. Shirley and became a partner of Mr. Shirley in 1877, the year before he was admitted to the bar. He repre- sented Andover in the legislature in 1878 and 1879. Later he entered the office of his brother, George J., in Lynn, Mass., to study the course of practice in Massachusetts, with a view to establishing an attorney's office in Boston. The climate near the sea proving uncongenial he returned to Andover, and, on ac- count of his health, abandoned the practice of his chosen profes- sion. He entered the hame business with his brothers, and in 1883 became a member of the firm of Baker, Carr and Company. He has remained in that business and is now the manager of the Andover branch of the U. S. Hame Co. He has been actively interested in the politics of the town and the state; in the work of the Unitarian Society and Proctor Academy; and in all the matters that make for the betterment of the community. After Hon. Geo. H. Bingham had declined the unanimous Democratic nomination for governor in 1908, the executive committee, under their special authority to fill vacancies, unanimously nominated Mr. Carr. He accepted the nomination and made the most vig- orous campaign that has been waged in this state for many years. His work and his influence was of so high a quality that thou- sands of the opposing party east their votes for him, and his op- ponent won by only a small majority.
417
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
AARON CILLEY.
Aaron Cilley came from New Boston to East Andover about 1780, but he soon settled in the locality sinee known as Cilley- ville, where he lived and died. He built the first sawmill at that place and for many years was the leading citizen in that end of the town. Mr. Cilley was a farmer as well as mill owner and his son and grandson of the same name continued the two oc- cupations during their lives. Both descendants maintained the reputation of their ancestor in good citizenship, and the younger held many important offices in the service of the town.
JONATHAN CILLEY, SR.
Jonathan Cilley came from Nottingham to Andover about 1770. He lived, for most of the time, and died on the farm now occupied by the widow of his grandson, Jonathan Cilley, on Bos- ton hill. For a long time he retained his citizenship in Notting- ham. Mr. Cilley was a Revolutionary soldier; a private in Stark's Regiment in 1777 and a lieutenant in 1780. He was a cheerful, genial man, made many friends; and was an honest, good citizen and neighbor.
HORACE S. CLAY.
Mr. Clay was born in Salisbury and moved to Andover in the spring of 1843. He became the owner of the parsonage built by the town for the first minister, Mr. Badcock, and now occu- pied by F. H. Flanders, the son-in-law of Mr. Clay. Mr. Clay was an active, industrious farmer, and always interested in the social, political and military affairs of the town. He held at various times most of the town offices and was very active in 1863 in raising the number of soldiers to fill the quota of the town. He was a kind neighbor and a good, efficient citizen.
WATSON DICKERSON.
Mr. Dickerson was born in Hill, where he lived until about 1826, when he moved to Andover. He became the owner of a farm since known as the Dickerson farm on the Emery road, 27
418
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
and he continued a farmer for most of his life. During the first years of his life in town he taught school in the winter and man- aged to care for his farm and stock at the same time. He also taught vocal music and was chorister in the Free Will Baptist Church. He was economical and very industrious and for an Andover farmer his financial success was very unusual. Among his final bequests were $1,000 to the Lakeside cemetery and $500 to the Proctor Academy. In all town affairs he was a man of considerable influence and he held most of the important town offices. He was a director of the savings bank in Franklin. In politics he was a life-long Democrat and a regular subscriber to the N. H. Patriot for more than forty years. During the later years of his life he resided in the village at East Andover, where he died in 1875.
1.
GERSHOM DURGIN.
Gershom Durgin came from Hanover to Andover in 1790 and settled where Rev. Howard Moody afterwards lived. He was the first cloekmaker in town and his mechanical skill and per- ception were remarkable at that period. He was a soldier at Bennington.
EPHRAIM EASTMAN.
Ephraim Eastman came to Andover from Deerfield soon af- ter 1790 and began clearing the farm on Beech hill, a part of which, with the buildings, was afterwards owned by his son, Royal F., and later by a grandson, John R. He was a school- master, a music teacher and a land surveyor. His teaching was confined to the period between 1792 and 1798. when he built his house, which is now standing. He continued the business of land surveyor until after seventy years of age, and most of the bound- ary lines in the western section of the town were surveyed by him. He cared little for public office and never was a candidate by any effort of his own. He often said. "I never vote for any man unless I believe him to be honest and fit for the place." His father, Jeremiah Eastman and his wife's grandfather, Henry Robie, were members and at various times officers of the board of proprietors who controlled the township of New Breton. He was highly respected by his townsmen and neighbors, by whom
KEARSARGE MOUNTAIN FROM EASTMAN FARM
419
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
he was frequently consulted, but he was chiefly busy with his own affairs. He was not a member of any church but he knew the Bible as most men know the multiplication table.
ROYAL F. EASTMAN.
Royal F., son of Ephraim Eastman, was born and lived and died on the farm which his father cleared from the wilderness on Beech hill. He was a public-spirited citizen, hospitable, genial and generous, ever ready to aid as far as he was able all public utilities and he was always anxious to maintain the best class of schools throughout the town. He was interested in the military affairs of the state and was very influential in raising and drilling the noted company known as the Andover Light Infantry. He held many town offices; was once county commissioner and was nominated for county treasurer but declined the candidacy. He was never an active candidate for any office, but he had in a large degree the confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen.
JOHN ROBIE EASTMAN.
[The following is copied mainly from "Who's Who in America."]
Mr. Eastman was the son of Royal F. Eastman and was born July 29, 1836, on the farm now owned by him on Beech hill in Andover. He lived on the farm in boyhood and attended the dis- trict school on Beech hill and the academies at Andover and New London. Entered Dartmouth College in 1860 and graduated in 1862. On reaching the age of 17 he began teaching school and continued, when not attending school or college, until 1862; was appointed an assistant in the U. S. Naval Observatory at Wash- ington November 7, 1862; and promoted to professor of mathe- matics in U. S. Navy, with the rank of lieutenant-commander, February 17, 1865; continued in the service as an astronomer, engaged as an observer and investigator, until October 12, 1898. Most of his observations and researches are published in the an- nual volumes of the government observatory, where he was in charge of the Meridian Circle work from 1874 to 1891. He observed total solar eclipses at Des Moines, Iowa, August 7, 1869 ; at Syracuse, Sicily, December 22, 1870; at West Las Ani-
420
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
mas, Colorado, July 29, 1878, and at Barnesville, Ga., May 28, 1900; was in charge of the government expedition to observe the transit of Venus at Cedar Keys, Fla., December 6, 1882; pre- pared and edited the "Second Washington Star Catalogue," which contains the results of nearly 80,000 observations made at the U. S. Naval Observatory from 1866 to 1891. Since retire- ment he has revised, recomputed and corrected the results of the observations of the sun, moon, planets and comets made at the Naval Observatory from 1866 to 1891 and the work has been pub- lished by the Naval Observatory. He is a member of several scientific organizations and was the first president of the Wash- ington Academy of Sciences; has been the president and is now a member of the Cosmos Club of Washington, D. C. He was retired from active service in the navy July 29, 1898, with the rank of captain, but by special order continued on duty until October 12, 1898. On June 29, 1906, he was promoted to the rank of rear admiral U. S. navy. Before retirement he pur- chased the farm which his grandfather cleared out of the wilder- ness and where he was born, and most of his time in summer is spent on that farm.
SAMUEL ELKINS.
Capt. Samuel Elkins was a native of Epping. He came to Andover from West Salisbury, where he built the first gristmill and sawmill in that locality, about 1790. IIe set out his first apple trees in 1793, and built the first mill on the site where the hame factory now stands. He was an active business man and a noted mechanic. He settled on the place on Beech hill now owned by his great-grandson, Rev. Wendell P. Elkins.
WILLARD EMERY.
Mr. Emery, the son of Anthony, was born on the farm known as the Joseph B. Emery farm on the Emery road. With the exception of the year 1839, which he spent in Franklin, he re- mained in Andover till 1859, when he changed his residence to Lynn, Mass. For many years he lived in the village at East Andover and most of his time was absorbed in caring for his farming interests. He was interested in all things that per-
421
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
tained to the welfare of the church and schools in his village and was especially hospitable to ministers of the Christian denomina- tion. Late in life, but before he moved to Lynn, he was afflicted with physical and mental derangements that in his unclouded in- tervals made his life a sad, unhappy existence. For some time he remained in an asylum until finally full relief came on July 21, 1871.
JOHN FELLOWS.
John Fellows was the grandson of Joseph Fellows, the first settler in New Breton, and, like most of the leading men of the town, was a farmer for most of his life. He lived first on the place where Henry W. Kilburn now lives and for several years was engaged in extensive lumbering among the big pines on the "Plains." He afterwards moved to the Bachelder place in the southwestern part of the town, now owned by Mr. Dawes, where for many years he was a successful farmer and raised many cattle for the markets. He then moved to the Center vil- lage, to the house now occupied by Miss M. A. Brown, where he died in 1868. Mr. Fellows was active in business, interested in all town affairs, zealous and well informed in the political policies and discussions of his period and an influential man in town and county. He held many town offices and was deputy sheriff from 1851 to 1855.
His wife, POLLY HILTON, was one of the most notable women in the town. With good judgment, quick perception, active sym- pathy and a lively interest in the political, moral and religious movements of her day she was generally the central figure in the social gatherings of her friends, and a source of inspiration to many young people who were striving to be and to do.
EPHRAIM GILE GRAVES.
Mr. Graves was born in Andover and passed his boyhood at his father's farm on Taunton hill. He was a good scholar and easily mastered the studies he found in the schools. He did most of the preparatory work at Tyler's school in Franklin and fin- ished his studies in Captain Partridge's military school at Nor- wich, Vt., and at the military institute at Bristol, Pa. He was
422
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
a popular and successful teacher in the schools of the neighbor- ing towns. He was in business for a time in New Orleans, La., Boston, Mass., and for several years was employed in the store at Potter Place.
He was representative for two years and was elected to most of the town offices, all of which he filled with credit to himself and the town. He was an active, zealous member of the demo- cratic party, always ready to work for its success.
For the last few years of his life he withdrew himself from society, except in the case of a very few near neighbors.
SAMUEL MCGOWAN.
Samuel McGowan, or "Gwin," as his Andover neighbors in- terpreted his pronunciation, was born in Wicke, Caithness County, in the north of Scotland. He was the son of James McGowan and Elizabeth Southerland. His father was a farmer and weaver.
In his fortieth year he was aboard a small fishing vessel off the Scottish coast. This vessel was overhauled by a British war vessel. He was impressed into the service, put aboard the Arabel of Greenock in Scotland, and, with several other victims of the "press gang," was shipped to America in 1775. The Arabel was captured by a "Yankee privateer" and taken to Boston. After several months McGowan enlisted and served for some time with the American army and against the govern- ment that had dragged him from his home. Under the provis- ions of the pension act of 1818, he received a pension of $8 per month. He married (1) the sister of the first Aaron Cilley in town; (2) Dolly Manuel, who, after McGowan's death, lived and died at the town farm.
The writer remembers seeing frequently, when about eight years old, this noted veteran, then commonly called "Old Gwin," walking around the center of the village with the help of a cane; once saw him in the meeting-house, seemingly an interested lis- tener. After he had well passed his hundredth year, he held a "breaking up" plow for several turns about a fairly rough field. About that time he was asked about his religious belief, to which he replied, "I am not a Christian now but hope to be by and by."
423
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
He then lived with Stephen Cilley in the Jeremiah Roberts house, now owned by Everand C. Perkins.
At one time, when first married, he owned a place just west of the present Cilleyville schoolhouse, where he lived for several years. The town finally arranged to take this place with his an- nual pension and guarantee his support for the remainder of his life. He died in Andover February 1, 1845, aged 110 years, 2 months and 15 days. No stone marks the grave of the sturdy veteran.
PAUL SMITH MARSTON.
Paul Smith Marston was a notable man in the group of those Andover citizens who had served their country well in the war of the Revolution. He was energetic and persevering in his own business and in town affairs, and was a good example of the frontier citizen. After many years of fruitless controversy in the town over a site for the new church, he saw that the old church was the principal obstacle to a settlement of the vexed question and in the dim moonlight of an early spring evening the ernde structure was torn down. He held many offices in the town and was one of the leading men in the town affairs. He settled in the Flaghole distriet on the farm afterwards occu- pied for many years by Stephen Fellows, Sr. In his declining years he lived with his son, Caleb, on Marston hill. He was buried in the cemetery at the North Church.
CALEB MARSTON.
Caleb Marston, Sr .. was a farmer and had considerable mechan- ical skill. As a farmer he was noted for his industry and good management and his farm became one of the most profitable in town. He was noted for many years as a successful road builder. His integrity was incorruptible and when he had decided upon any line of action his opinions were as inflexible as the hills. During a great scareity of hay in the spring the price rose quickly to $20 per ton, remarkable for that period. Mr. Mars- ton had a large quantity on hand but he would not accept more than $15 per ton, saying "That is enough for it. I can't take advantage of the necessities of others." His last years were spent in East Andover village.
424
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
For Dr. JACOB BAILEY MOORE, see Physicians.
HENRY EATON, son of Dr. Jacob Bailey MOORE, was born in Andover July 21, 1803. He learned the printer's trade in Con- eord, N. H., under the direction of his brother, Jacob B., Jr., and at the age of twenty-two began the publication of the Graf- ton Journal at Plymouth, N. H. He became greatly interested in music and was a composer and teacher for several years. Much of his time was employed in editing various musical pub- lieations. (See authors and books.)
JACOB BAILEY, son of Dr. Jacob Bailey MOORE, was born in An- dover October 1, 1797. He learned the printer's trade in the of- fiee of the N. H. Patriot, then controlled by Isaac Hill, and af- terwards married the sister of Mr. Hill; published a topograph- ical and historical sketch of Andover in his "Collections": was editor of N. H. Journal 1826 to 1829, when the paper changed hands and united with the New Hampshire Statesman; member of the legislature in 1828; sheriff of Merrimack County in 1829; clerk in postoffice department in Washington, D. C. 1841-45; librarian N. Y. Historical Society 1845: postmaster San Fran- cisco, Cal., 1849. (See authors and books.)
JOHN WEEKS. son of Dr. Jacob Bailey MOORE, was born in An- dover April 11, 1807. He was trained as a printer by his brother. Jacob B .. Jr .. and became editor of the Bellows Falls Gazette. Mr. Moore was an indefatigable worker and devoted most of his life to editing and publishing works on music and on the his- tory of printing and compiled and published the biographies of printers and publishers. (See authors and books.)
JOSEPH PHILBRICK.
Mr. Philbrick came from Hawke, now Danville, to Andover in 1777 and settled on the site of the present "Philbrick place" on Taunton hill. He built a log house and barn and stored all his personal effects, some provisions and nearly all of his money in the house. While he was away to Kingston to get his family the house with its contents was burned. The state paid him for the amount of the burned provincial "Bills of Credit." but the Continental Serip and the coin tied up in a stout linen pillow ease were a total loss. He was told that his neighbors would be
425
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
glad to assist him in building another house if he would circulate a subscription paper. to which he replied, "Oh, no! I don't want it. I ean dig but I cannot beg." And he did dig. He lived in one corner of his barn until he built another house. When his boys were married he furnished each with a well stocked. farm.
He afterwards built the large and handsomely finished house now standing on the Philbrick homestead on Taunton hill. His house was always the center of hospitality and the ministers of at least two denominations were accustomed to eall his house the "Pilgrim Tavern," as his bountiful board was always free. Mr. Philbriek held many town offices and offices of trust, and was the representative for eight successive years after the town was entitled to a separate representation.
RICHARD POTTER.
Richard Potter, the ventriloquist and sleight-of-hand per- former, was perhaps one of the most noted men in town during his residence.
In his professional work on the platform, in most of the states of the Union, he had no superior in this eountry. To the people of the town his early life was a mystery. When definitely ques- tioned he deelined talking or tactfully changed the subjeet. When rumor decided that he was an East Indian, he took no pains to deny it and that finally became the popular belief.
His real history, as known in Massachusetts, is of romantic interest. His father was Sir Charles Henry Frankland, an Eng- lish baronet, who, though of English parentage, was born in Ben- gal, India. Hle came to this country in the English consular service at Boston and finally settled in Hopkinton, Mass., where in a "magnificent country residence" which he had built, he lived a strange and somewhat dissolute life for a number of years. It is said that Frankland claimed descent from Oliver Cromwell. Potter's mother was "Dinah," a negress, probably a slave, attached to Frankland's household in Hopkinton.
Potter was well educated and by his father's provision was en- abled to travel extensively in Europe. At the death of his fa- ther, who had lived with and finally married the beautiful and
426
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
somewhat famous Agnes Serriage of Marblehead, young Potter was thrown upon his own resources. He returned to this coun- try and became for a time a servant in the family of the father of Gen. Henry K. Oliver, when Henry K. was a child.
About the large fireplace in the kitchen of the Oliver home Potter first exhibited his skill as a ventriloquist and prestidigi- tator in this country. He probably had learned something of the art in his travels. He soon left the Oliver family and lived his own life, the details of which, beyond the few years spent in this town, are unknown. He came to Andover on one of his exhibi- tion trips and gave his first performance in the tavern of Ben- jamin Thompson, where he made his home when in town. One of Thompson's sons accompanied Potter in one of his southern trips. Potter was pleased with the scenery and with the people of that section of the town, and bought the farm, where he built his house in 1814-15. Potter made the plans and "Esq. Graves" built the house, which was on the site now occupied by the house of Daniel Downes. Rev. E. B. Rollins, then a young man, just returned from the war of 1812-15, worked for Potter and carried the mortar for the house.
Potter was married but his wife's maiden name is not known. A son, Richard, grew to manhood and followed the profession of his father. (See family.) One child, Henry M .. was killed October 5, 1816. by falling under the wheels of a eart loaded with corn. He was seven years old and was buried in the old cemetery at the Center. It is said that a daughter was born, but lived only a short time. Richard Potter and his wife. Sally, were buried in the grounds now owned by Daniel Downes and almost oppo- site the railroad station at Potter Place. The headstones have the following inscriptions :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.