USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Bristol > History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 48
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Dated at New Chester 19th Janry 1782
Robert Murrey
New Chester Janry. 19th. 1872 Grafton ss. )
Then the above named Robert Murry personally appearing and Made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above written Evidence which he had Subscribed with his own hand that it was the truth the whole truth and nothing But the truth Before Me Carr Huse Jus.t Peace.
' The body was found on Kimball hill.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
State of New Hamshire
Grafton ss.)
The evidence of us whose names are under written where as wee whose names are under written was Informd By Robert Murry of Alexan- dria that he had seen the Dead Body of a man Lying upon the snow on the Road that Leads from New Chester Main Road to william Murrys in Alexandria wee whose names are underwritten went with the S.d Robert Murry out to the Dead Body and found it to be the Body of John feavor of Alexandria and wee Being all nine Personally Present Took up S.d Dead Body and Brought the S.d Dead Body after wee had examined his Tracks and found no other Tracks within Some Rods of S.d Dead Body only a Dogs 'track as we suppos which went with the S.d John Feavor from his fathers house in New Chester on tuesday which was the fifteenth Day of this Instant Jany. and this Being the 18th Day of the Same month when wee took up S.d Dead Body and wee carr.d S.d dead Body to his fathers house in New Chester and wee in the presence of several others Stript and Examind S.d Dead when we laid it out and found no Marks or wounds that the S.d Man Came By his End. But our Judgment is that the S.d John Feavor Perished with the Severity of the weather as his friends informed us that he went from there well and hearty on tuesday towards night on S.d Day.
New Chester, Janry. 19th 1782.
Nason Cass thomas Wells Ebenezer Wells his william X Bennet Mark Reuben Wells
his Tilton X Bennett Mark
Joseph Sanborn his
Samuel X Gurdy Mark
Carr Huse New Chester, 19 Jany. 1782.
Grafton ss)
Then the above named nason Cass Thomas Wells, Reuben Wells Ebenezer Wells william Bennet Tilton Bennet Joseph Sanborn and Samuel Gurdy. Personally appearing and Made solemn oath to the truth of the above Evidence which they have Subscribed with their own hands to Be the truth the whole truth & nothing But the truth Before Carr Huse Just. Peace.
I792. Aug. 31, Sherburn Sleeper, residing on the Zerah E. Tilton place, was drowned in a spring of water near his house, his head only being in the water. He was supposed to have fallen in a fit.
1802. July 6, Alexander Craige and a Mr. Marsh, who resided in Bristol on the Alexandria hill, went to Bristol village and while intoxicated got into the river near the potash and both were drowned in the presence of spectators.
1806. Nov. 13, Samuel Emmons, the first white child born in Bristol, was killed while logging on Hoyt hill.
1807. Apr. 20, Sherburn Sanborn and a companion were running logs down the Newfound river. A jam was broken at the bend below the bridge on Willow street and Sanborn was drowned. Search was made for the body without avail. On the night of the seventh day after the drowning, his brother- in-law, Jonathan Worthen, dreamed that he saw the body under
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the projecting roots of a tree on the bank of the river nearly opposite where the pulp-mill now is. The next day search was made and the body was found as seen in the dream.
1808. Mar. 31, Mary, daughter of Aaron Favor, was killed by the rolling of a log at Major Theophilous Sanborn's. Her age was about seven years.
18II. March 23, William F. Sanborn was drowned while rafting lumber down the Pemigewasset.
18II. July 17, Carleton, aged four years, son of Samuel C. Brown, was drowned.
1812. Daniel Kelley, of New Hampton, attended a muster in Bristol, became intoxicated, and while fording the river on his return, fell from his horse and was drowned.
1814. When the Methodist chapel was being erected, and the plastering on the walls was green, one of the workmen, a Mr. Cheney, lay in the building all night, and died of exposure.
1820. Dec. 20, six children of William Follansbee were burned to death with his dwelling in the west part of Hill.
1820. In the winter 1820-'21, Dr. Walter I. Wardrobe, of Bristol village, while riding down a hill was thrown from his sleigh. His head struck a rock and he was killed.
1824. Onesiphorus J., son of Onesiphorus Page, met his death, Dec. II, at the Fisk house by falling into a tub of hot water made ready to scald a hog.
1826. From 1826 till 1830, Robert Rogers lived on what is now John F. Merrow's farm. Two of his children were at play on a dump-cart that was tipped against the wall. The weight of the children caused the cart to tip over and one child was killed, the other injured.
1830. Filinda, a daughter of Jeremiah Carleton, aged two years, met her death in the Borough by falling into a tub of scalding water.
1830. Rufus Hastings, about three years old, son of John Hastings, fell into a tub of scalding water at Profile Falls, and died soon after.
1830. In the thirties, William Murray was drowned near the mouth of Smith's river by breaking through the ice. His body was not recovered for several months.
1836. Samuel Tirrell was drowned in the Pemigewasset. He fell from a raft and a stick of timber thrown to him to aid him to keep afloat, disabled him.
1837. Seth Greenleaf started from New Hampton for Ply- mouth one dark night driving six horses attached to the stage-coach. There were nine passengers. One tradition says that Greenleaf was persuaded against his judgment to place a lantern on the coach where the light blinded him, but another account says he had imbibed too much. However this may be, when he reached a point just above the Pemigewasset bridge in
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Bristol, he drove off the steep embankment. The stage was overturned ; all the passengers were more or less injured and a child was killed.
1838. A man from Franklin, hunting near Moore's mills, was killed by his gun being discharged while taking it from the wagon.
1839. Chase Fuller, of Bristol, a Revolutionary soldier, while at work in New Hampton moving a building, was struck on the head by a lever and killed.
1840. In the late thirties or early forties, Joseph Kendall was killed by lightning while standing at the door of a barn nearly opposite the cemetery. This man, with several others, took refuge in the barn from a severe thunder shower that came up suddenly while they were at work in the hayfield near by. Kendall picked up a hatchet and commenced striking it into the door post, when one of the others remarked that that was not the proper thing to play with during a shower. Ken- dall replied in a light manner that God Almighty had not yet made the thunderbolt that would kill him. Hardly were the words uttered when a bolt of lightning killed him. This story is well authenticated.
1840. About this date, a child of Squires C. Brown was killed in Bristol village by falling down stairs.
1847. May I, Orrison, son of Calvin Swett, was drowned in the Pemigewasset, while bathing at Moore's Mills. His age was about six years.
1848. While the railroad was being built, a charge of gun- powder was placed in the marl bank just below the freight station. The fuse did not work promptly and the workmen returned to the spot and commenced to investigate when there was a terrific explosion. Three men were blown into the air. One, an Irish- man, was killed, the others terribly injured.
1850. Aug. 2, Simeon C. Bean was killed by lightning at the house of Jeremiah Bean.
1853. In May, Henry Kidder, while at work in the stable of the old Prescott Inn, was kicked in the temple by a horse and died from its effects a few days later.
1854. June 14, Benjamin Follansbee was killed while coupling cars at the Bristol station. His age was fifty-six years. 1856. Aug. 6, William W. Wooster, a boy aged ten years, was thrown from a hand-car on the railroad and killed.
1860. About this date, a son of Rev. William Spaulding was caught on a revolving shaft in the basement of what is now Blake's block, and carried round the shaft many times, his feet and lower limbs being fearfully mangled. He died some days later.
1862. June 20, Sanborn Gale was watching workmen con- struct the road near the Sugar Loaf. A blast was made and a
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piece of flying stone struck him, killing him almost instantly. 1867. While returning from the state encampment, Jack Sullivan, a private of the Head Rifles of Bristol, fell between the cars and a portion of the train passed over him, killing him.
1870. Mar. 20, Charles H., son of William Todd, while sliding from Summer street into Central square, slid into a team and received injuries from which he died.
1874. In the summer of this year, George A. Draper laid the foundation for the Post-office block. While watching the workmen dig the trench for the foundation, the earth under his feet gave way and he fell into the trench head first and a large rock rolled onto his head, forcing it into the earth. An excited crowd worked for some time before he was liberated. He died from his injuries and incidental complications a short time 'later.
1875. In March, the buildings on Third street, owned and occupied by Orrin B. Ray, were consumed by fire. The fire was set in the barn by his four-year-old son, Everett, while playing with matches. The boy perished in the flames.
1875. Daniel Emery, a night-workman at the Mason-Per- kins Paper company's mill, was found dead on the morning of Nov. 12, with his body cut in two. He had evidently fallen into revolving gearing while oiling the machinery.
1875. In August, two young men of Franklin undertook a canoe trip from Campton to Franklin on the Pemigewasset river. When within a few rods of the foot of Bristol rapids the canoe struck a rock and was overturned. One of the young men, named Cummings, was drowned.
1877. Oct. 4, Andrew F. Burpee died from the effect of a gunshot wound received a few days previous while hunting with a son. The gun in the hands of the son was discharged by the hammer getting caught in the bushes. The discharge made a great wound in the father's back penetrating the lungs.
1879. A man by the name of Beede fell from his carriage while intoxicated and broke his neck.
1880. Sept. 23, Addie G., daughter of George C. Breck, aged nearly four years, was drowned.
1881. May 23, Helen Kate, the infant daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles W. Coolidge, was killed by a cupboard falling over and striking her as she lay in a chair.
188 [. Orville Haynes was killed by the accidental dis- charge of a pistol, Nov. 16, at North Bristol.
1883. March 17, Gilman Sanborn, aged sixty-eight years, while snow-blind, walked onto a circular board saw in Drake's mill. His right leg was nearly severed from his body. He died three days later.
1883. Apr. 13, John Simonds was thrown from a hand car on the railroad by his clothing catching on the crank. He was
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thrown to the track ahead of the car and that car and a small car attached loaded with rails passed over him, killing him instantly.
1883. July 1, Howard J. Donley was drowned in the Pemi- gewasset, near Moore's Mills, while bathing. He became ex- hausted by swimming to the east shore, and before resting attempted to swim back; his strength failed and he sank.
1888. Aug. 2, Stephen Rowe was giving a sail on the lake in his yacht to his brother, Edward Rowe, wife, and child two years old, of Boston. When about half way between Whitte- more's point and the mouth of Fowler's river, the yacht was struck by a high wind and capsized. Joseph, Philip, and Nicholas Adams, who were near by in another yacht, rescued all except the child, who was drowned. The body was not recovered.
1888. Dec. 13, Frank E. Brown, aged thirty-five years, while driving a heavily loaded team, was thrown from his seat and the wheels passed over his neck, breaking it.
1889. Mar. 30, Hiram S. Clifford was engaged in taking hard wood plank from a pile when a portion of the pile fell over, burying him beneath it. He died the next day from his injuries.
1889. Oct. 16, Wilson W. Hazelton took a cider barrel to the pulp-mill of Train, Smith & Co. to clean it. He placed one end of a steam pipe into the bung hole, leaving no means of escape for the steam, thinking the barrel would hold it as the pressure was low. The barrel soon exploded with great force, killing Mr. Hazelton.
1893. April 2, James T. Ballou died from the effects of a gunshot wound received while gunning two days before.
1896. July 1, occurred an unusually distressing drowning accident. Harlie Kirk, son of Frank S. Kirk, thirteen years old, with a companion, went to the Pemigewasset river, near Worthen rock, to bathe. Harlie ventured to the edge of a sand bar when the sand gave way and he sank. His companion attempted to assist him but neither could swim, and the attempt was soon given up, and Harlie was left to his fate. His com- panion was so dazed at what had happened that he gave no alarm to men at work in a field near by, but dressed himself, walked to the village, passed many persons on the way without speaking, and informed Mr. Kirk of what had happened. The body must have been in the water nearly an hour and so the most persistent efforts at resuscitation were of no avail. Young Harlie was one of the brightest pupils in the public school and his death was a great shock to the community.
1901. George Ballou, of Bristol, and Arthur W. Kelley, of Hill, were killed on the railroad at a crossing in Franklin, Jan. 19.
CHAPTER XLI
CEMETERIES
Sweet spot, by Nature's primal consecration, Sacred to peace and thought and calm repose, Well in thy breast that elder generation Their place of burial chose.
-Butler.
For many years after the settlement of the town, it was to some extent the custom here, as elsewhere throughout the state, for people to bury their dead on their own farms. The placing of a lettered slate or marble slab at the head of a grave was rarely done, a flat stone alone marking the resting-place of loved ones. It therefore frequently happened that when farms changed hands the graves were neglected and all traces of inter- ments soon disappeared. Human remains were plowed up a few years ago on what was once the farm of Meshach Gurdy north of Smith's river near the railroad, which were without doubt the remains of members of his family, three of whom died of diphthe- ria and were buried on his farm previous to 1790. Several of the family of Tom Locke were buried on the farm now owned and occupied by Solon Dolloff, and two children of Josiah Fuller were buried on his farm; but to-day the present owners of the land do not know the location of the graves. On the farm of Manson B. Patten was what was known as the Truel burying- ground, where from fifteen to twenty interments were made, but the plowshare has leveled all traces of the resting-places of the dead. The Quimby burying-ground was on the west side of the highway from Bristol to Hill village, just south of what is now the farmhouse of B. Smith Stevens. There were perhaps twenty interments here; but not a grave was marked except by a rude stone, and all traces of interments long since disappeared. Cutting Favor buried his dead on his farm on the west bank of the Pemigewasset, while some of his sons had a private burying- ground on the east bank. Later, those on the west side were removed to the cemetery on the east side where they now rest. The Sanborn private burying-ground, one of the few now left, may be seen a little distance south of Smith's river, between the highway and the railroad. The Peaslee burying-ground, in the same vicinity, was a neighborhood cemetery.
The cemetery at Hill village is said to have been laid out by Carr Huse in 1773. The Worthen burying-ground, about
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one mile east of Central square, was without doubt the first opened within the limits of Bristol. Other early cemeteries in town are the one on New Chester mountain, known as the Sleeper yard ; one in District No. 9, west of the lake, on the Samuel T. W. Sleeper farm, which was conveyed to Mr. Sleeper by the town, in 1860, in trust ; the graveyard at Moore's Mills ; that in the Locke neighborhood, and the Heath yard, three miles east of this village on the New Hampton road. The Burns graveyard, just over the line in Alexandria, contains the remains of several who once resided on the summit of Gale's hill, in Bristol. The first cemetery at North Bristol was west of Newfound river; the present cemetery was opened about 1849, and the remains of those in the old removed to the new. There was also a cemetery on North Main street in Bristol village con- taining a half acre of ground on the lot now occupied by Thomas T. Drake's tenement house. This was the chief place of inter- ment in this village for many years previous to 1854, and its crowded condition led to the opening of the new cemetery on Pleasant street. Then the remains of many of those in this cemetery were removed to the new. About 1869, the town com- pleted the work of removal and disposed of the land.
In 1854, the people of Bristol village moved in the matter of securing a more suitable place for the burial of the dead. Dr. Jacob S. Eaton was one of the leaders in the movement and, to help the cause, gave an address in the Methodist church on Spring street, on the burial of the dead.
The result was that Aug. 19, of that year, fifty-one persons organized themselves into a voluntary corporation under the name of The Bristol Cemetery association. Five directors, a treasurer, and clerk were elected. Four acres of land on Pleasant street were purchased which constitute a part of the present grounds. The price of the lots was fixed at $10 each, and this continued till November, 1882, when the price was increased to $15 and $20 according to location. After an addition made to the grounds in 1889, the value of the best lots was placed at $25 and $30. The owners of lots are members of the association, with one vote for each lot owned.
Yearly meetings of the association were held for five years. and then lapsed, and not another meeting was held for twenty- one years. During the interim, Frederick Bartlett, as secre- tary and treasurer, was the manager of its affairs. He sold lots as needed, and when the four acres became too limited he used adjoining lands belonging to himself.
In the early months of 1880, Henry A. Randolph interested himself to have the association reorganized, and, at his request, the clerk called a meeting of the shareholders, which was held at the town hall, June 26. At this meeting Richard S. Dan- forth, Robert S. Hastings, George M. Cavis, Samuel D. Farrar,
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and Richard W. Musgrove were elected directors. The direc- tors organized with the choice of Mr. Danforth, president ; Mr. Musgrove, secretary ; Mr. Cavis, treasurer, and Mr. Hastings, superintendent of the grounds.
The directors made a settlement with Mr. Bartlett, the for- mer clerk, and purchased of him nine additional acres of land, a part of which had already been used for burial purposes. The directors also purchased about an acre of land of David San- born to straighten the line on the east side.
In 1884, water was supplied for a fountain and a portion of the grounds by a hydraulic ram placed at the tannery on Lake street. Since 1887, the grounds have been supplied by the Bristol Aqueduct company.
In 1889, the association added fifteen acres of land by pur- chase from Frederick Bartlett, which carried its line across a ravine on the north to the land of Zerah E. Tilton, and extended its frontage on Pleasant street 276 feet. This purchase cost $1,225. In 1901, about nineteen acres of land on the west were purchased of Zerah E. Tilton, having a frontage on Pleasant street of fifty-three rods, and costing $1,916. The number of acres now owned by the association is about forty-five.
In 1890, the association commenced the creation of two funds for the future care of the grounds. One-half of the income from the sale of lots was to be set aside and allowed to accumulate till the principal and interest should amount to $3,000; after which the interest only was to be used for the care and improvement of the grounds. This was called the reserve fund. In May, 1901, this fund amounted to $2,000. At that time the land included in the last purchase came into the market, and it was decided that the future needs of the association demanded its purchase. The land was accordingly bought, most of the reserve fund being used for that purpose. A new fund was at once com- menced, which, in January, 1903, amounted to over $500.
The other fund was called the trust fund. The directors were authorized to receive sums of money from $50 upwards, as a trust fund, the income as far as needed to be expended for the care of specified lots; the balance, if any, to be expended in the care of the grounds. This fund, Jan. 1, 1903, amounted to $4,634. David Mason left for this fund $1,000; Samuel Blake- ly, $150, and George W. Miller, $200. Mr. Blakely also left the association $500 for a stone arch; but as this amount was inadequate for the work, it was paid to the association by the heirs without conditions, and is reserved under the name of the Blakely fund until it can be used for some specific work where full credit can be given.
This cemetery is beautifully located on a plain of sandy soil a half mile from Central square. It has a fringe of forest on the east and several acres of forest on the north. In the forest is a
E
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.
ravine through which flows a never-failing stream of water. The lots, walks, and driveways are of generous proportions and laid out symmetrically. One-half of the money derived from the sale of lots, the interest on the trust fund, and one dollar per year paid by many of the lot owners for the care of their lots, constitute a sum sufficient to employ one or two men on the grounds much of the time during the summer and to make improvements from time to time. No more land will need be purchased for a hundred years and the sale of lots will create a fund which will ensure this cemetery proper care and make it one of the most beautiful places for the burial of the dead in the state. This has become practically the cemetery for the whole town and very few interments are made now in any other. Indeed, people residing in all the surrounding towns have pur- chased lots and buried their dead here. The number of inter- ments made, during the little less than half a century the grounds have been used, is nearly 1,300.
Col. O. F. Fowler was president of the directors from 1854 till 1860. Frederick Bartlett, clerk and treasurer, 1854-1880. On the reorganization of the association in 1880, R. S. Danforth was chosen president and served two years; H. A. Randolph . and Hon. L. W. Fling each served one year; Hon. B. F. Per- kins served ten years. Marshall W. White was elected in 1894 and has served till now. George M. Cavis was treasurer till 1891. R. W. Musgrove has been clerk since 1880 and treasurer since 1891. R. S. Hastings has been superintendent of the grounds since 1880. The present board of directors are: M. W. White, R. S. Hastings, R. W. Musgrove, F. P. Fields, and Franklin Fogg.
CHAPTER XLII
SOLDIERS' MONUMENTS
And they who for their country die, Shall fill an honored grave ; For glory lights the soldier's tomb, And beauty weeps the brave. -Drake.
In 1872, an effort was made to secure the erection of a sol- diers' monument. Five hundred dollars was appropriated by the town for this purpose, and Henry A. Randolph, Milo Fel- lows, George M. Wooster, Lieut. Timothy Tilton, and Henry A. Taylor were appointed a committee on the subject. This sum was found to be insufficient and the next year the town supplemented this sum with $500 more. An effort was made at this time to postpone action till the town could afford to erect a more suitable monument than it could at that time, but to no avail. A marble shaft, sixteen and one-half feet high, including base, was erected in the village cemetery. It was designed to contain the names of all those who fell in the service while serv- ing on the quota of Bristol during the Civil War; but the record is so incomplete and erroneous that it is omitted here.
In 1896, congress appropriated a piece of ordinance to Nel- son Post, No. 40, G. A. R., for monumental purposes. A mor- tar at the Charlestown navy yard, that had seen service, was selected, brought to Bristol in November, 1897, and placed in Central square. A foundation of stone and cement, which extended below the frost, was laid. This was capped with a massive base of hammered granite, twelve feet long, five feet four inches wide, and one foot thick. On the sides of this in raised letters is the following inscription : "Nelson Post, No. 40, G. A. R., 1897." On this base the mortar was placed, mak- ing a very imposing appearance. The mortar stands five feet, nine inches high; is four feet, four inches long; measures three feet, seven inches across its face, and has a bore of thirteen inches.
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