USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 32
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136. DAVID BLISS, JR., after living with his brother Samucl B., for two years, built this house in 1810. He died herc, unmarried, at the age of 29.
Bethuel Beckwith from Lempster lived here 1823-4, and removed to Alstead.
Stephen Foster, 3d, eame here from Sullivan in 1837, and remained till his death in 1844.
David Porter came from Keene to the Church place in 1842. The next year he lived on the Pickering place, and in 1844 bought this farm, where he lived twenty-three years.
Dennis Keefe emigrated from Ireland to New York in 1856. In 1875 he came to Gilsum and bought this place the next year.
Other residents : - Jonas Brown and George Wright.
137. BELDING DART, son of Jesse, built a house here about 1810. Twenty years after, he took it down. and lived in his father's old house. (138.) Mr. Dart was a man of great endur- ance, and did more hard work than almost any other man who ever lived in Gilsum. He recently died in Keene, in his 91st year.
138. JESSE DART built a house on this spot about 1785, and resided here till his death. His son, Belding Dart, lived here eight or ten years. James Pickering, son-in-law of Belding Dart, lived here for a time.
139. JAMES PICKERING, a carpenter, came from Lowell, Mass., in 1834. About 1855 he built this house, where he still resides. John Quincy Pickering, also a carpenter, lived here several years with his father, and now resides in Holyoke, Mass.
140. MATTHEW DWOLF or DOLPH was the first scttler here. Almost nothing is known of the family. "Dilly Wolf" (page 50,) was probably his daughter. His name appears on the Revolu- tionary rolls. (Page 36.) His wife's name was Sibyl, and they went from here to Walpole.
Jesse Dart bought this place for £50, in 1780. When he came, he had nothing but an ax and a hoe, but by diligent labor, soon had a comfortable home. The family cooking was done in an oven on the large rock in the dooryard near this spot. He wrote his name Darte.
Ariel Carpenter lived here a year or two, and after residing in several other places returned to Surry in 1862.
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Other residents : - Marvin Gates, Charles Billings now of Salem, Mass., Simon Whitney, David Porter, John N. Hodgkins, and Walter Scripture of Surry.
141. TIMOTHY DORT came from Bolton, Conn., and settled in Surry. He was probably consin to old Thomas Dart, but it is not certain. He bought the north half of the 15th Lot, 3d Range, for £36, in January, 1785, and probably settled here that year. He built the house now standing, and being a blacksmith made the nails, door-latches, and hinges still in use. His shop stood near number 362.
Timothy Dort, Jr , succeeded his father on this farm. He also was a blacksmith, and about 1828, resided for a time in the village and worked at his trade. He, however, soon returned to the farm. In 1840, he bought the Day tavern-stand, and removed to the village, where he kept tavern, carried on a farm, and worked at his trade. In 1854, he removed to Butler, Ill. He served as Captain in the militia.
Levi Mansfield, son-in-law of the preceding, came here from Alstead in 1841, and still occu- pies the place. His son Clement lives with him, and has secured the view of the place.
Other residents : - Joshua D. Crane and George W. F. Temple.
363. Dart's Saw Mill. (Page 137.) 142. Capt. Chapin place in Alstead. (Page 220.)
143. David Isham from Bolton, Conn., built a log house here, about 1794. After a few years he removed to Vermont, and sold the place to his brother, Samuel Isham, who built the house now standing very near the same spot, about 1800.
Samuel Isham, Jr., lived here with his father. In 1867, he removed to the lower village. Besides carrying on his farm, he worked at the trade of a brick-mason. He served the town seven years as Selectman, was four years in the Legislature, and was appointed Justice of the Peace. In less than three years before his own death, he buried a son and two daughters. An obituary notice says : " He was a kind husband, father, and neighbor ;" and referring to the children : " They leave a large circle of friends and relatives who will long feel the void their presence alone could fill."
" They have gone to Heaven before us, But they turn and wave their hands, Pointing to the glories o'er us In that happy spirit-land."
Joseph W. Caldwell came from Walpole to this place in 1871, and has resided in different places. In 1879 he was on the Bond farm with Charles W. Rawson. In the Spring of 1880 he returned to Daniel W. Bill's. He enlisted in the 14th N. H. Regiment, Co. B, in 1862, and served till Ap. 4, 1864, when he was " discharged for disability."
Moses E. Wright from Reading, Vt., was here in 1873, and removed to Walpole.
144. JOHN DAVIS is supposed to have built a log house here about 1780. In 1787, he moved to Keene, but returned in about a year and settled on number 155, where he died about 1796, and the family were scattered.
Silvanus Hayward resided here one year, while building his log house near number 202.
145. SAMUEL MARK built this house in 1792. About 1810, he hired Abram C. Wyman to paint it white, for which he paid him " a nice horse and a yoke of steers." Mrs. Hathhorn says this was the first house painted in Gilsum. In 1826, he removed to New York.
Calvin Maek next settled here, and remained ten years, when he went to Illinois. He served as Selectman, and was Captain in the militia.
Stephen Foster, Jr., from Sullivan settled here in 1838. He was one of the early abolition- ists, and served the town as Selectman one year.
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RESIDENCE OF LEVI MANSFIELD. Timothy Dort Place.)
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RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR.
George W. Foster, his son, resides in Kcene, and has distinguished himself as a composer and instructor in music. He served the town two years as Superintending School Committee.
Allen H. Giffin came here from Marlow in 1875, and two years after removed to the West. Charles Eveleth bought the place in 1878, and resides here with his mother.
Other residents : - Albert Kingman of Roxbury and Moses E. Wright.
146. LEVI BLISS, then of Surry, received this place by gift from his father, Jonathan Bliss, in 1769. In 1787, he sold to Jolin Mark for £100, and went to Bethel, Vt. Mr. Mark gave the farm to his son, Samuel Mark, who settled here about that time.
147. OBADIAH SMITH was the first settler on this farm, and probably built a log house on this spot. The family has not been traced.
148. BERZELEEL MACK came from Hebron, Conn., with his brother Abner, and settled in what is now Sullivan. In 1788, he bought this lot for £150. He afterwards built the house standing on this spot, and resided here till he married the widow Smith in 1827.
Calvin May came from Charlestown, Mass., and first lived on the Hurd place, but soon after settled here, where he spent most of his life, removing to Swanzcy in his old age. He served the town seven years as Selectman.
Harvey B. May, son of Calvin, like the rest of the family, was naturally a scholar. He taught school many terms, and served the town as Superintending School Committec three years. He was for some time engaged in a school-book agency, and is now in the poultry business in Massachusetts.
Elbridge Smith came here from Keene in 1874. He formerly owned the Mills near the Towne place in Marlow. In 1862, he enlisted in the 14th Regiment, N. H. Volunteers, and was Corporal in Co. A. He served two years, and having contracted disease, was " discharged for disability, Oct. 10, 1864." He was chosen Deacon of the Congregational Church, and is at present Superintendent of the Sabbath School. He fitted for College at Meriden, but his health failing, he turned his attention to farming.
149. In 1843 AMASA MAY (page 186,) employed Calvin C. Bingham to build a house for him on this spot. After Mr. May left Gilsum, this house was occupied for a time by Isaiah Davis, who removed to Walpole.
Other residents : - James Chapman, Charles A. Britton of Surry, George Wright, and Joseph W. Caldwell. It is now used as a sugar-house.
365. May's Saw Mill. (Page 144.)
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CHAPTER XXXVI.
RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.
150. STEPHEN BOND of Hebron, Conn., bought two lots here, the eleventh Lots in the fifth and sixth Ranges, in 1768-9, and settled here the next year. In 1798 he built a two-story house on this spot. He was known as Dea. Bond. (Page 106.) He was a soldier in the Revolution, and was a Lieutenant in the militia. (Page 37.) His wife was a very active Christian. In her old age, she became specially interested for the conversion of the Jews, and in her last sickness, remarked to Mr. Rieh that she didn't feel satisfied with any prayer that left out the Jews. As he prayed with her in almost her last moments, he forgot to mention them, and when he ended, she exelaimed, " O, those blessed Jews !"
Elisha Y. Bond followed his father on this place, and remained herc till his death in 1824.
Asa Bond, adopted son of the preceding, continucd here about six years, and removed to Nashua, and afterwards to Antrim. He was a machinist by trade. At Antrim he was Deaeon in the Presbyterian Church, and was " a pure and devoted man."
Nathan Ellis, Jr., came here from Sullivan about 1823, and resided on the place fifteen years. His father lived with him. He afterwards removed to the village.
151. On this spot DEA. BOND built a log house in 1770, and lived here 28 years.
152. NATHAN ELLIS, JR., built this house about 1835, and remained here three years.
Otis Ammidon eame here in 1838, and returned to Westmoreland in 1851. He was for a time an ardent Millerite. He lived a part of the time, at least, in the old house.
Ephraim Howe came to this place in 1841, and resided three years. He then returned to Acworth, where he died at the age of 73
" He was a man of good sound judgment, of plain common sense, and unflinching integrity. His organ of mirthfulness was well developed. No man loved a joke better than he. . He was a man of calm temper, respected and beloved by all who knew him, more perhaps for his goodness than his greatness. People in speak- ing of him almost invariably called him ' Uncle Ephraim.' He was an earnest and devoted Christian and a con- sistent member of the Baptist Church. He died in the full exercise of Christian faith, and was gathered to his fathers, like a shock of corn fully ripe for the harvest."
James Rawson removed from Sullivan to the Joel Wilson place (32.) in 1851, and came here four years later. Charles W. Rawson, his son, still occupies the place, and has secured the accompanying heliotype of the premises.
Other tenants, some of which were in the old house : - Marvin Gates, Walker Gassett, Austin P. Howe, Charles E. Baker, Alonzo B. Cook, and Joseph W. Caldwell.
153. DAVID BILL owned the twelfth Lot in the fifth Range, and settled in a log house near this spot.
154. Tradition loeates David Bill on this spot. But as he did not own this lot, but the next one on the east, the tradition is almost certainly incorreet. Who did live here is uneertain. The first settler on the lot was Obadiah Smith, and it is not unlikely that he had a house herc.
155. THEODORE PRESTON was the first blacksmith in what is now Gilsum, and settled here about 1776. It has been said that this lot was given him by the proprietors, for the purpose of having a blacksmith here. As the inventory of his property after his death ineludes no Real Estate, it is probable that they only gave the use of the land. He served as Selectman in 1782. After his death in 1788, the place was occupied by John Davis for about nine years. A black- smith named Boynton also worked here for a time. No other tenants are now known.
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES W. RAWSON.
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RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.
156. BENJAMIN HOSMER, M. D., built a house here in 1794. (Page 181.) After his death William Banks lived here till 1841. The place has since been vacant.
157. On this spot a house was erected about 1800, by whom is uncertain. It was bought by Dudley Smith and formed part of the tavern so long occupied by him. (79.) Tradition says that there is a charge of powder in a rock, somewhere near this place, which was put there before 1800.
158. JONATHAN BLISS, JR., bought this lot of his father in 1786, for £12. He is supposed to have been the first settler herc. He died in 1799, and the family went to New Keene, N. Y. Joseph Taylor lived here with his father-in-law, and received the place from him.
159. JOSEPH TAYLOR built a two-story house here about 1817. In the second story was a sort of hall, used for a ball-room. Joseph M. Chapin has a ticket dated Dec. 5, 1817, signed by J. E. Davis, D. Bliss, and J. Taylor, inviting Justus Chapin and Lady to a Christmas Ball at that place, at one o'clock Friday P. M. This is supposed to have been a sort of dedication of the new house. Mr. Taylor was Captain in the militia, and lived here till 1829, when he removed to Java Village, N. Y. He lived there for about twenty years, and then went with his oldest son to Warrenville, Ill., where he died at the advanced age of 94.
Alonzo Taylor, the fourth son of Joseph, started West on foot at the age of 18, accompanied by Selden Borden. He reached Wyoming Co., N. Y., as he writes, with but a sixpence in his pocket, and " went to work for a man to pay for an ax, (the first picce of property I ever owned,) and went to chopping." In 1850, he removed to Cook Co., Ill., and two years after to Carrol Co., of the same State, where he still resides. He remembers studying geography in " the old Clark School House," when the Mississippi River, which runs by his present farm, was the western boundary of the United States. He is a successful farmer on a large scale, raising 150 acres of wheat, and 100 acres of corn each year.
Joseph Whitney lived here about three years with his father-in-law.
Benjamin Thompson, Jr., settled herc about 1830. He was a hard working, prudent man, and liad by his industry paid for his farm and was in comfortable circumstances. By his con- nection with the Factory, (page 138,) he lost more than the whole value of his farm. . " Having a good constitution, he succeeded by persevering efforts, and the blessing of God, in paying for his farm a second time." By exposure and overwork his system became broken, so that " a severe cold terminated in a confirmed consumption." During his long sickness of more than two years, "he was brought to feel his need of salvation and found peace in believing. ' It is this religion,' he often repeated, 'which disarms death of its terror, and enables me to rejoice in the hope of a glorious immortality.' Thus he continued to the last ; and to human view, calmly fell asleep in Jesus."
In 1850 the town bought this farm, and Hartley Thurston was put in charge of it for one year. (Page 51.) Jesse Dart came here soon after and built the present house in 1858. In 1874 he removed to Keene.
George C. Hubbard came to this place from Marlow in 1874. He had previously lived in Sullivan and Surry, in both of which he served as Selectman, and represented Sullivan in the Legislature. He has served this town as Selectman and Superintending School Committee, has been County Commissioner for three years, and holds the office of Justice of the Peace and Quorum for the State.
Amos Huntley, Esq., the father-in-law of Mr. Hubbard, came here to live with his daughter. He came from New York to Marlow in 1805, at the age of 15, with only 42 cents in his pocket. He said he " wouldn't have given five cents for the whole town." By his diligence and 'upright character he gained property, and won a high position among his townsmen. He was a trusted business man, extensively employed to settle estates, and for County affairs. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church, and she was sister of the well-known Bishop Baker.
Other tenants : - Lewis A. Knight, Abram C. Wyman, and David Sawyer.
366. Original School House. (Page 130.)
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160. JEMIEL HOLDRIDGE was probably from Connectient. He is called of Gilsum in 1778, when he bonghi this Lot for $40. After living in a log house about two years, he built a plank honse near this spot, where he lived till 1807, and removed to New York. He was Captain in the militia, and served the town as Moderator and Selectman. In 1806 he put up the frame for the present house, but sold before it was finished.
Benjamin Sawyer from Atkinson bought the place and finished off the house in 1807. Three years after, he swapped farms with his brother-in-law, and removed to Alstead.
True Webster came from Atkinson to Francestown, whence he removed to Alstead about 1796. In 1810, he came to this place, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a man of strong will, not given to change. Many remember him as the last man in Gilsmm who retained the old custom of wearing a queue. He was a member of the Congregational Church in Alstead.
Eliphalet K. Webster, son of the preceding, remained on this place till 1856, when he removed to Alstead, and afterwards to Walpole. He was one of the "Twelve Apostles." (Page 138.) He was Colonel in the militia, was Selectman three years, twice represented the town in the Legislature, and was commissioned Justice of the Peace.
An obituary notice says, " In his death the temperance cause lost a friend, the community a respected member, his children an affectionate father, and his wife a kind husband."
Henry M. Webster, a grandson of True, enlisted from Walpole and served three years in the 1st N. H. Cavalry, Troop I. He was in many battles, and was a prisoner five weeks at Belle Isle.
Kendall Nichols came from Stoddard to Gilsum about 1836, and worked in the Factory for Gerould and Thurston. He afterwards went into company with Gerould and Wetherby. He lived first at I. B. Loveland's, and then in various places till 1856, when he bought this farm, and has resided here ever since. George K. Nichols, his son, is a music teacher at Fort Edward, N. Y.
161. When Capt. Holdridge bought in 1778, there was a log house on this spot, where he lived about two years. It was built by a wood-chopper whose name has been forgotten.
162. House of Benjamin B. Beckwith in Alstead.
393. This house in the edge of Alstead was formerly occupied by David Holt, and at present by George Henry Temple.
163. JUSTUS CHAPIN came from Surry and built a log house on this spot in 1778, where he lived twenty-three years. He had a small still and made essences. His wife was somewhat noted as a skilful nurse and midwife.
164. JUSTUS CHAPIN built the house now standing here, in 1801.
Justus Chapin, Jr., lived here with his father till 1822, when he removed to Alstead (142,) where he died in 1869. He was Captain in the militia, and a Deacon in the Christian Church.
Joseph M. Chapin, brother of the preceding, has lived on this place since his birth. He is a man of literary tastes, and has been one of the most efficient supporters of Lyceums and Debating Societies. He was the last Adjutant of the 20th Regiment in the militia. He has served the town as Selectman, and has been three years in the Legislature. Allen Hayward lived here with Mr. Chapin several years.
165. ELISHA MACK built a log house here, about 1775. Old Mr. Plumley lived here a year or two and perhaps others.
166. SAMUEL WHITNEY came from Worcester, Mass., about 1780, and built a log house on this spot, where he lived about sixteen years.
167. SAMUEL WHITNEY built the house now standing here about 1796, and resided here till his death in 1831. He was one of the most respected citizens of the town. He served as Mod- erator four years, as Selectman fourteen, represented Gilsum and Surry in the Legislature three
Claudius B Hayward
The Heliotype Printing Go.211 Tremont St Boston.
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RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.
years, and was Justice of the Peace. When he came to Gilsum, all he had was a jack-knife and twenty-five cents in his jacket pocket. He hung his jacket on a bough, while he was at work clearing, and it got on fire and burned up. He paid for his place mainly by catching pigeons and raising fowls.
Daniel Whitney, son of Samuel, removed from Gilsum in the year 1819, and established himself in mercantile business near Camp Smith, two and a half miles from Green Bay, Wis. All this region was then a wilderness inhabited only by Indians, and he became one of the most efficient pioneers of civilization, exploring the Fox River to its source, and the Wisconsin from its rapids to the Mississippi. Many incidents might be related showing his intrepidity and indomitable perseverance. In the winter of 1822, he went on foot from Fort Snelling, on the St. Peter's River in Minnesota, (where he had been sutler for the U. S. troops, ) to Detroit, with only an Indian for a companion, taking their provisions and bedding on a hand-sled. During the whole 1,000 miles they saw but one white man, and only two cabins. In crossing one of the many rivers, the ice was so poor as to alarm the Indian guide, and he refused to go on. Mr. Whitney crossed over and drew the sled. He then took a cudgel and com- pelled the Indian to lie down on the ice, when by the aid of a strong rope he drew him over in safety. Having established several trading posts on the Mississippi. his extensive business led him to traverse large unexplored sections of country on foot, in company with the many employes who transported his goods. Between 1825 and 1830, he built mills at Plover Portage, which was the first lumbering establishment on the Wisconsin river, and ' probably the first on any tributary of the Mississippi." He also built a shot tower at Helena and inaugurated an extensive business at that place.
In 1828 or 1829, he laid out the town of Navarino since incorporated as Green Bay, and commenced building a city. By 1830, he had completed a wharf and spacious warehouse, a portion of a large Hotel, a School house and dwelling houses for his laborers. He afterwards continued to build, till he had erected eight or ten stores and a large number of dwelling houses. He also gave away many lots to laborers desiring to build homes for themselves. He contributed very largely towards the Episcopal Church edifice, which was " the first Protestant house of worship in the State."
Honest and upright in his dealings, he possessed the confidence of all who transacted business with him. The Stockbridge Indians, for whom he kept a supply store, had entire confidence in him, " as a strictly honest man, and a fair and liberal dealer," and to the time of his death regarded him as their " father and friend " " The poor, the unfortunate, and the afflicted, in his death lost a friend who never forgot them. Many is the time that such in their greatest want have found the needed supply in their door-way without ever knowing the hand that befriended them. Calmly he waited the approach of death, and spoke of it, as if he were expecting a friend to accompany him on a pleasant journey." - (Condensed from Green Bay Advocate.)
. William Eveleth came here from Alstead about 1829 and remained seven years.
James Bolster removed here from Sullivan in 1836. In 1849 he went to the place now occupied by Mrs. Cram, (250,) and let out this farm. Jonathan Petts from Stoddard was here for a time, and some others.
Claudius B. Hayward learned the machinist's trade, and worked at the same for a couple of years at Lawrence, Mass. In 1851 he hired the Foster place in Sullivan, where he lived one year. He then lived on the old David Bill place west of the Village for two years. In 1854 he came to this place where he still resides.
387. Luther Whitney's Clothing Mill. (Page 138.)
168. Here Philip R. Howard had a Blacksmith's shop for a few years before his death.
169. Tenants here :- Philip R. Howard and Leonard J. Davis.
170. Orsamus Nash lived here for a time.
171. AMOS FRANKLIN KNIGHT came here from Alstead about 1855, and built all the houses in this settlement. He lived two or three years in this house, and then removed to Kecne. He made persistent efforts to have a road built through this valley to Alstead. Special town meet- ings were held for this purpose, but without success. It being about the time of the Kansas troubles, this settlement acquired the nickname of " bleeding Kansas," which it retains to this day.
Harvey B. Miller after residing in various places settled here about 1864. He is somewhat noted for skill in hunting and trapping.
Other tenants : - George S. Howard, and John Howard.
172. Tenants here : - Horace H. Nash and John Howard ; afterwards used for a shop.
173. Mr. Knight first lived here. Other tenants : - Philip Howard and his son Solomon, who moved it to 247. 174. James Hudson began putting up a house on this place in 1822, but before he had done much, sold it to MRS. SALLY (CLARK) CARPENTER for $70. She had her brother, Joseph Clark,
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finish off the house the next year. After about three years, she sold to Aaron Brigham for $200. She married Dea. John Burditt of Clinton, Mass., where she died.
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