USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 28
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
Joel Kilburn, the second son of Josiah, owned the lot west of his father's, the first Lot in the first Range. He probably had a house there, though it is not certain. He sold the place to his brother Ebenezer in 1772. He also received from his father the Taylor lot in Hammond Hollow, and sold it to Moses Belding of Swanzey in 1774. He was a millwright by trade, and removed to Royalton, Vt., before the Revolution, as it is known his family resided there while he was in the army. He afterwards returned to Surry, had several children born there, and went back to Vt. about 1793.
Iddo Kilburn, third son of Ebenezer, received the farm of his father. He enlarged the old house, building on what is now the ell part towards the east. In 1839, he sold the place and removed to Hartland, Vt., where he died, leaving two sons, one of whom has since died. The other, Francis A., is said to be a wealthy merchant in Iowa.
George W. Sturtevant, when a young man, lived at Dea. Kilburn's and married the daughter of his brother Jehiel. He settled in Keene where " for nearly fifty years he practiced surveying and performed the offices of a civil engineer," having " no equal in this section of the State." " His sound judgment, unswerving integrity and valuable experience in matters pertaining to the interests of the Town, served as passports to many important public positions, even when his political friends were largely in the minority." He served five years as Town Clerk, and was chairman of the Board of Selectmen for many years. He was also Register of Probate five years. " An entire generation must pass away before the community will cease to deplore the loss of his valuable services, his genial companionship, and his kindly sympathy for those in affliction and distress. (Keene paper.)
Edward E. Sturtevant, a great-grandson of Capt. Kilburn, had the honor of being the first in N. H. to volunteer for service in the war of the rebellion. He was commissioned as Captain of Co. I in the First N. H. Regiment. In 1862. he was commissioned as Major in the Fifth Regiment and was killed at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13, 1862.
Elijah Gunn came here from Winchester in 1839. In 1852, he took away the old house,
Elijah Geen
The Hel otvor Print Il Premier US Baster.
189
RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER THREE.
(page 188,) and built the one in which he still lives with his son. Both himself and wife have been for a long lifetime carnest and devoted members of the Methodist Church.
Elisha W. Gunn lives with his father on this place, and manages the farm, which is one of the best in town, with great success. He has a large orchard, and raises much excellent fruit. One tree set there about 1764, still survives and yields a good amount of apples. He and his family are among the most constant attendants and liberal supporters of the Methodist Church in Keene.
E. Nelson Gunn resided here with his brother for about eight years. He then removed to Illinois where he remained five years. In 1870, he returned to Keene.
Both Mr. Kilburn and Mr. Gunn sometimes had tenants in part of the house.
Antipas Maynard, Jr., lived here from 1822 to 1826, when he removed to Keene, and soon after to Ashburnham, Mass., where he has " held many important offices, and is very prominent in the work of the Methodist Church."
Hiram Hefflon came here from Vt. in 1835. He lived here about two years, and went from place to place in town till 1846, when he removed to Chesterfield. He afterwards went West.
Other residents : - George W. Willis now of Keene, Daniel Fairbanks, Jr., a mechanic; and Addison Bancroft.
4. This is one half of the original Kilburn house, which Mr. Gunn moved from number 3, and made into a sugar house. The frame of huge oak timbers can here be seen in its original form, showing the shape of the rooms, and the immense size of the chimney.
5. BENAJAH TAYLOR settled on this place about 1763, and built a log house. He was probably from Hebron, Conn., and left town in 1768. The place is still called " the Taylor lot," and is not known to have been inhabited since his removal.
6. This place is a few rods over the line, in Surry. Who first settled it, is not now known. James McCurdy bought it in 1787. In 1806, William Thompson lived there, and the house had the name of being haunted. It was, however, discovered to be only through the tricks of some of his roguish boys. It has long been known as the Austin place, from Thomas Austin who lived there many years.
7. PETER RICE built a house on this spot, about 1800. He was the son of Peter and Phebe Rice of Keene and lived in various places in the south part of the town. Hc was a Methodist and has become somewhat noted in Gilsum traditions by the cow story. (Page 99.)
8. This spot is a few rods west of the ancient burying place marked in the picture by a white flag in the background. Ebenezer Dewey of Hebron, Conn., bought this lot of Thomas Sumner in December, 1764. EBENEZER DEWEY, JR., came up and settled here the next Spring. The father did not come before 1767. It was at this house the Congregational Church was organized in 1772. (Page 100.) Mr. Dewey is supposed to have been Deacon of the church in Hebron, Conn., as he is called Deacon before the organization of the Gilsum church. He was Selectman in 1773, and Delegate to the Vermont Assembly at Windsor, Vt., and Charlestown, in 1781. Ebenezer Dewey, Jr., was also a prominent citizen, and served the town as Selectman in 1776-7. In May, 1786, he sold to Daniel Newcomb, Esq., of Keene, for £300, and removed to Royalton, Vt., and afterwards to Genesee Co., N. Y.
The Dewey family was one of more refinement and culture than was usual in those times and their removal was a great loss to the town. They were workers in wooden ware ; - " turned wooden dishes, bowls, plates, bedsteads, and such."
Charles Rice who was a Revolutionary pensioner from Surry, (page 36,) lived here a few years after the Deweys left. The house was burned and Mr. Rice being helpless, was rescued with great difficulty.
Timothy Dewey was probably a son of Dea. Dewey, and married Jemima Griswold. He settled west of Sullivan Center in 1778. He signed the petition for the incorporation of Sullivan, and was Town Clerk of Gilsum in 1787. He sold his place to Abel Allen of Lancaster, Mass., the same year, and probably followed his relatives to Vermont.
190
GILSUM.
9. MRS. JEAN BOND built a small house here abont 1825, where she lived alone for more than twenty years. She was a very energetic, resolute woman. When she came to this house, young people thought to frighten her, but never succeeded.
10. SAMUEL CRANDALL lived here, and was probably the first settler. Afterwards Mrs. Eunice Hall, widow of Benjamin of Keene, resided here for some years.
11. DAVID SUMNER built this house about 1846. He removed to Keene in 1855, and after- wards to Manchester. He was a tall man of powerful voice, and fond of military service, in which he had been appointed Captain. While at work on his farm, he could sometimes be heard for a mile or more, rehearsing military orders.
Other residents : - William Bates, William Eastman, George W. Willis, and Theodore Bolio .. After the death of Capt. Benjamin Ware, his widow came here to live. In 1863, she married Stephen C. Sweetzer, who remained here about two years. She now resides in Surry.
Benjamin H. Britton came here from Marlboro', Mass., in 1869. He served during the last ten months of the War of the Rebellion, in the 2d Mass. Regiment of Heavy Artillery, Co. C. Was in the battles of Kingston and Greensboro', remaining at the latter place on provost duty till July, 1865.
12. This was part of the original Pease place, and was given by Pelatiah Pease to his son Pelatiah, who built a barn in the orchard south of the road but never resided here. About 1812, he removed to Canada.
JOHN SUMNER first settled here about 1824, in a plastered house. His father lived here with him for some years. After his father's death, he removed to Keene in 1839.
Ephraim P. Everdon came here from Winchester in 1839. In 1852, he went back to Win- chester for about five years, when he returned. In 1865, he removed to the Capt. Chapin place in Alstead, (142,) where he died. He was a mechanic, and introduced to this town the process of slicing shingles from blocks softened by steam.' (Page 147.)
Cyrus W. Stanley was here in 1855. In 1856, he removed to Swanzey, where he still resides. He served three years as Corporal in the 6th N. H. Reg't, Co. F, - was severely wounded July 24, 1864, and draws a full invalid pension. He is a member of the Baptist Church in Swanzey.
Calvin Wright, formerly of Keene, bought this place and has resided here since 1867. Other residents : - Daniel Allen, William Bates and Franeis C. Howe. 388. School House. (Page 130.)
13. NABBY ANN SMITH bought the old School House in 1849, and set it on this spot. She lived here about two years and then went West, where she died. She was well known in all this vicinity as an experienced nurse. After she went away, E. P. Everdon moved her house which is now the front part of Calvin Wright's dwelling.
14. EBENEZER BILL bought this place of his father, Samuel Bill of Hebron, Conn., in Feb- ruary, 1772, and probably settled here that year. He is said to have been " a very neat farmer." He was Major in the militia, and served the town nine years as Selectman. He was one of the earliest opposers of the support of preaching by town tax. (Pages 52, 99.) He and his wife belonged to the Congregational Church, but having adopted " Restorationist " views, removed their membership to the church in Surry, which was less striet in doctrine. His wife, Rachel Root, was a woman of clear intellect and marked ability. She was very fond of argument, especially on religious subjects, expressing her ideas with great force and clearness. Few min- isters could sustain an argument with her on Scriptural doctrines. Probably no woman has ever exerted so great an influence in Gilsum, as she, and the impress of her religious views has not yet passed away.
ـع
Samuel Nouedward
The Heliotype Puinting Co. 211 Tremont St Boston
191
RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER THREE.
15. EBENEZER BILL, only son of the preceding, succeeded to his father's homestead, and built the house now standing south of the road, in 1802. He was a careful, prudent man, diligent in business, and quiet in his tastes. He served as Captain in the militia.
Samuel Woodward, Jr., came from Westmoreland about 1826, and " kept store " in a room of Dudley Smith's tavern for a year. He afterwards lived with his father-in-law on this place from 1834 to 1852, when he removed to Kecne, where he died in 1876.
In early life he acquired a good academic education, which with many natural qualifications enabled him to attain a high position as a teacher - a calling which he loved and followed many years.
He was eminently a man of progress. As a farmer he was enterprising and successful. He was specially interested in education, and it is largely due to his influence that this School District has won and maintained the reputation of having the " banner school " in Gilsum.
Few men have more decided opinions or are more earnest in their maintenance than he. He was a man of great zeal and energy in all matters of reform, - an ardent leader in Anti-Slavery and Temperance, "at a time when it required firmness and resolution to take a decided stand in favor of these movements." When he went to Keene, he took charge of a paper called the " American News," in which he boldly advocated the doctrines of free soil and liquor prohibition, in the face of a bitter opposition little realized at the present time. In 1855 this paper was merged in the " Sentinel " of which Mr. Woodward continued editor four years.
His ability and character were such that he necessarily occupied a conspicuous place in any society, where he happened to be. He served this town three years as Superintending School Committee, and six years as Selectman. In Keene he served as Selectman several times before the adoption of the City charter, and afterwards as Assessor in Ward 3. He was elected to the Legislature in 1872 and again in 1873. He was also President of the Keene Five Cent Savings Bank.
" His interest in religion, temperance, education, and the general welfare of the community, never flagged, and to the end of his days, he was a public-spirited, liberal, useful citizen. Beneath a rough exterior he concealed a heart as warm, tender, and sympathizing as a woman's, and no person in distress ever vainly applied to him for aid."
He became a member of the Baptist Church in early life, and was one of the most liberal contributors towards building the Baptist Meeting House in Keene. His widow still resides in Keene, and is a member of the First Congregational Church.
Warren Foster from Hillsboro' came here in 1854 and carried on the farm five years. In 1859 he removed to Sullivan, and afterwards to Keene.
David Wood formerly of Keene bought this place in 1859 and resided here fifteen years. His family is now living in the house of Willard Bill at the lower village.
Other tenants : - David Sumner ; Joseph Paquin, known as Joe Palmer; Wm. A. Wilder ; Abram C. Guyatt ; and Alfred Bernard.
16. EDMUND WILCOX built here in 1816. His widow continued here nearly forty years after his death, when she removed to Swanzey. In 1870, Moses Fish bought the house and removed it to his place for a shop.
Other residents : - Hiram Hefflon ; Edward R. Winchester ; Wm. W. Powers; Wm. Eastman ; John H. Sparhawk from Walpole, now at West Swanzey; and Charles Titraux,
17. OBADIAH WILCOX bought this place in October, 1765, and is called in the deed " of Guil- ford, Conn." He built a log house on this spot 1765-6. He was a tanner by trade, and probably an employe of the Kilburns and Fords in Connecticut. (Page 140.)
He was called " an odd man," - was a great hunter, and very fond of telling stories, acting them out, to the amusement of the young people. He owned considerable land, settling his oldest son on a farm near by, and leaving the homestead to his second son, Eleazer.
18. Mr. Wilcox built a house on this spot in 1772, and it was inhabited with but little altera- tion for 105 years, when it was unroofed by a tornado. (Page 154.)
ELEAZER WILCOX and his sister Lydia came from Connecticut with their father. After building the log house and getting them somewhat settled, their father returned home, leaving them to clear the farm and carry it on for a year, as best they could. During this time Eleazer broke his leg, and his sister brought him to the house, and laid him on the bed, though he was a full-grown man of six feet in height. The rest of the family came the next year. Like his
192
GILSUM.
father, he was a man of marked peculiarities, and often delighted children by rehearsing his great bear fight. (Page 156.) He was an active supporter of religion though he never joined the church on account of the opposition of one of his neighbors. He had unusual self-control. At one time a neighbor getting angry struck him on the side of his face. Mr. Wilcox remem- bering the Scriptural injunction, turned to him the other cheek. The man instantly apologized, saying, " I was wrong."
Mrs. Wilcox was a devoted and intelligent Christian, exerting a powerful influence over her family. Her youngest son Lminnnd (page 178,) aseribed his conversion to his mother's " godly life."
Eleazer Wileox, Jr., received this place at his father's death in 1823. He was always ready to do his part in sustaining the Gospel, and whatever expenditures were needed. When the new . Meeting House was built he took hold heartily, although it was removed a mile and a half fur- ther from his residenee. Living at a greater distanee than any other member, he was yet very constant at meeting, especially in stormy weather. In the worst storms, when others failed, he was sure to be out. In 1842, he built the house now oeeupied by Lansing Wilder, to which he soon after removed with his family. 'He died very suddenly, as he sat in his chair.
Joseph Addison Wilder bought this place of Eleazer Wilcox, and removed here from Sullivan in the year 1842. He was an industrious, npright man - a thrifty farmer, a good neighbor, and respected as a eitizen. He died at the age of 46, leaving the homestead to his oldest son.
19. WILLIAM ADDISON WILDER built the house on this spot in 1878, the tornado of 1877 having nearly demolished the old house. This is one of the most productive farms in town, and the new road of 1880 (page 58,) will add largely to its value.
20. ELEAZER WILCOX built here in 1842. After his death, the place was occupied by his oldest son, Moses Field Wileox, for nine years. In 1865, Lansing William Wilder bought the place, where he still resides. The place suffered much from the tornado. (Page 154.)
Other residents : - Robert Alexander a Frenchiman from Burlington, Vt .; Charles Titraux; William Wilbur; William Eastman ; and Sumner Wellington now of Keene.
21. LEWIS BRIDGE formerly of Keene came to Gilsum in 1860, and lived on the Capt. Ware plaee (22,) fifteen years. He built the house on this spot in 1875. His widow still resides here with her sons Ora and John.
Reuben H. Newcomb, son-in-law of Mr. Bridge, enlisted from Keene, Feb. 1864, in 1st Reg't of N. II. Cavalry, Troop K. He was taken prisoner at Cedar Creek, Va., Nov. 13, 1864, and was confined in Libby and Salisbury prisons for about five months. His exposure and suffering while in prison were the cause of his death in 1875.
22. OBADIAH WILCOX, JR., built a house on this spot about 1773, and died here 1776. After his death, his widow married Thomas Redding, who lived here till her death in 1791. The next year, he married Pamela Rice of Keene, to which plaee he removed. He was the son of Thomas and Luey Redding of Surry, and his father married in his old age the widow Phiebe Rice, mother of Pamela. There is considerable confusion about the name Thomas Redding, but I think the above is correet.
Benjamin Ware having married Mrs. Redding's daughter Huldah Wileox, who had inherited the place from her father, eame here, in 1794, and remained till his death in 1858. He had 17 children, 13 of whom lived to adult age. He was a tall man, of strong voice, and served several years as Captain in the militia.
Three sons-in-law of Capt. Ware lived here with him at different times, -John C. Kendrick, Davis . Car- penter, and Hiram Baldwin. Zenas D. Metcalf was here in 1851.
Obadiah Ware, son of Benjamin, removed in 1821 to a farm near St. Louis, Mo. After two years he settled with his brother Benjamin, in Butler, Montgomery Co., Ill., taking up a tract of U. S. land now called Ware's Grove, and was " one of the earliest pioneers of civilization " in that County.
RESIDENCE OF LANSING W. WILDER. ( Built by Eleazer Wilcox. 1842.)
193
RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER THREE.
Mr. Ware was a leading and influential member of the Lutheran Church for many years, and gave liberally of his means for the dissemination of gospel truths and for the upbuilding of houses dedicated to worship. He was ever active and generous in his assistance to every project looking to the advancement of educational facilities.
He was one of the substantial, solid men of Montgomery County and one who did as much in a humble and unpretentious way to advance its material interests as any man within its borders.
23. JAMES SAWYER built a log house on this spot and had several children born here. He removed to Keene before 1783. It is not known that any other family lived here.
24. DAVID ADAMS built here about 1785, and remained seventeen years, when he went to live with his father. After his father's death he lived with liis son-in-law, Calvin May. He was a soldier in the Revolution. (Page 37.) He served the town as Moderator, and was Selectman three years.
Thomas Powell came from Sullivan about 1801, and lived in various places, till he settled here about 1815. In 1825, he removed to Mount Tabor, Vt., where he died leaving a large family.
Abiah Ellis lived here several years, and was the last occupant of the house. She was some- what insane and kept several dozen cats. She was very deaf, and at one time, when sitting in her door, knitting, she dropped asleep. When she awoke, she found a large snake coiled up on her shoulder.
Other residents : - James Kingsbury, Samuel Crandall, David Thompson, Obadiah Root, John Bingham, Jr., and Antipas Maynard.
25. JOHN CHAPMAN built a log house here probably about 1767. His father-in-law, Jolin Dimmock, deeded him the place " for love and good-will " in 1770.
John Griggs of Keene bought the place in 1777. He was at that time Captain in Col. Scammel's Regiment, but resigned " on account of sickness." Capt. Griggs lived here five or six years and returned to Keene. He was one of the Selectmen in 1779. (Page 37.) The name " Capt. John Grigg " appears on a petition from sundry inhabitants of Fairfield Co., Conn., for a grant of land at " Little Cowass " in 1763.
26. SOLOMON WOODS removed from Woburn, Mass., to Sullivan, and came to Gilsum about 1805. He was a blacksmith, and first settled where Mason Guillow lives. About 1810, he removed to the Pease place and soon after built on this spot east of the road. In 1817 he removed to Keene.
James Phillips came here from Keene and remained about three years. He served as Captain in the Keene militia.
Charles Sumner bought the place in 1820, and remained about ten years. His son-in-law, Hezekiah Webster, continued to occupy the place for twenty-five years, and the widow Webster remained till 1865, when she removed to Keene.
Other residents : - Abraham Stiles who removed to Keene ; Calvin Wright ; a Frenchman named Lapierre ; and Mrs. Thomas Wheelock.
27. PELATIAH PEASE came from Hebron, Conn., and settled here in 1764. He was prominent among the first settlers of the town, and served as Selectman three years.
Jonathan Pease, son of the preceding, lived here till 1808, when he bought the mills at the Stone Bridge, and removed to the house now occupied by John J. Islam. In April, 1828, he sold out to Aaron Day, and died the next January at the house of John Livermore.
He was much respected and trusted, as an upright, conscientious man. He was Selectman for ten years, and represented Gilsum and Surry in the State Legislature in 1817. He was one of the pillars of the Congregational Church in its days of weakness, and in 1814 was chosen Deacon. In many respects he supplied the place of a pastor, being gifted in prayer and conference meetings, and a judicious counselor to religious inquirers. His sudden death at the age of fifty-four was a sad bereavement to the church, causing them great discouragement.
Oliver Pease, son of Dea. Jonathan, devoted himself to Music. He was an ingenious man,
13
194
GILSUM.
and invented a new system of musical notation said to be a great improvement on the old methods.
28. OSMAN McCOY built here in 1837, where he resided till about 1850, when he went to the village for two years. He then lived on the Crocker place till 1869, when he bought the Taylor house, now oeeupied by his widow, and where he died instantly of heart disease, in October, 1875. He was a carpenter by trade, was a member of the Methodist Church, and during his last years an active and faithful member of the Sons of Temperance.
In 1864, Larkin Welch came to Gilsum from Sullivan, and resided with his father-in-law, Lewis Bridge, for a year and a half, and then went to the Dea. Mark place, (40,) where lie remained two years and a half. In the Fall of 1868, he came to this place where he still resides
Other residents : - Elder Charles E. Baker; Alonzo B. Cook ; Harvey B. Mansfield who died here in 1857; . and James Chapman for about ten years.
29. JONATHAN ADAMS from Hebron, Conn., came here soon after the Kilburns. He built the house now standing, before the Revolution. He was a great singer, and is remembered as having " lined out the hymn " at communion seasons. He served the town both as Moderator and Selectman, and was the Representative from Gilsum and Packersfield in 1781-2. His son David lived here about eight years.
Stephen Mansfield removed from Stoddard to Charlestown, and after a few years came to Gilsum. He lived on the Hurd place one season, and settled here in 1821. His father, Willian Mansfield, came to live with him. Mr. Mansfield was a carpenter by trade. His son George lived here with him for some years. In 1870, they removed to the Crocker place.
Edward H. Bates, a tin-peddler, resided with the Mansfields a year or two about 1843.
30. JUSTUS HURD came to Gilsum from East Haddam, Conn., and settled on this spot, in 1769. He resided here till his death in 1804. He and his wife were among the original mem- bers of the Congregational Church, and he was its first Clerk. He was one of the most valuable and respected citizens of the town, though somewhat noted for his violent temper. At one time before the settlement of the first minister, a black man came and offered himself to preach. He was sent to Mr. Hurd who was at work in the field. Whether thinking the proposal an insult to the people, or a saerilege to the ministerial office, is not known, but in indignation at his pre- sumption, he drove him out of the field with his cane. After Rev. Mr. Fish's death, David Thompson referred to this circumstance, and said he thought the eliurch never would be pros- pered in their ministers on account of it. Mr. Hurd served the town as Selectman in 1781-2, and as Moderator in 1789 and 1793. Besides carrying on his farm, he was employed as a builder of "Stone Chimbleys." He had ten children, and the family was for many years among the most active and efficient in all public affairs. His descendants at the present time are very numerous.
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.