USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 34
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By industry and prudent management he acquired a comfortable competence. " Diligent in business " he was also "fervent in spirit," and none who were acquainted with him doubted that the main purpose of his life was attained in "serving the Lord." He was a'man of firm principles and sound judgment and his advice was often sought in business affairs. He served the town one year as Selectman. He was an earnest friend of Temperance, and was the first in town to raise a building without liquor. (Page 91.) He was also a decided anti-slavery man. He had considerable taste for public speaking and was active in Lyceums and the like. He was a natural musi- cian, and played the bass-viol and led the choir most of the time for nearly fifty years. He was Deacon in the Congregational Church for over twenty years. No man in Gilsum has ever given so much for religious purposes both at home and abroad, as he. A short time before he died he said it was hard parting with the Church, and one of his last acts was to give them $500 towards buying a parsonage. "During his last sickness his faith never wavered. The promises were bright and sure. His hope was built upon a sure foundation, even the rock of ages. His end was peace."
Emily Graham Hayward, daughter of Amherst, received an Academic cducation at Meriden and New Ipswich. Being naturally of a kind and benevolent disposition, she was decply inter- estcd in temperance and all enterprises to help the poor and suffering, and hence became a leader in the Soldiers' Aid Society. (Page 45.) A neighbor says, "She had a heart as large as Surry Mountain." "In the latter part of her life she abounded in labors for the spirit- ual welfare of others, and her latest breath was spent in entreating her friends to prepare to meet her in Heaven." She had a natural taste for music and drawing, and wrote many verses, some of which were published. (Appendix J.)
Horace Howard, son of Silvanus Hayward, early changed his name to correspond to the pronunciation then in almost universal use. He was a carpenter and joiner and learned the trade of millwright. After his marriage in . 1812. he removed to Winchester where he resided about six years. He went to Ohio in 1818, where after a year of farming he worked at his trade and also in the manufacture of woolens. He was overseer in Cotton Mills at Cincinnati in 1832, at the time of the cholera visitation, with which he was attacked and barely escaped with his life. He kept Hotels in various places, and finally settled at Wooster, and was proprietor of the American House there for ten years. At 75 he retired from business, and died at Wooster, Ohio, at the advanced age of 82 years.
He was a man of great mechanical ingenuity and skill. As a landlord he was very popular. He had a remarkable memory, and could recite a large part of Burns's poems, as well as hymns and songs almost without number. He was very social and fond of story telling, and would entertain a company for hours, by reciting verses and telling stories. He was one of the earlier settlers of that region, and his memory was relied on to establish dates. His son, Harvey Howard, is a wealthy apothecary, and a leading citizen of Wooster.
George C. Hayward, son of Silvanus, left Gilsum in 1823 to learn the trade of shoemaking. In 1829 he removed to Honeoye Falls, N. Y., where he resided 16 years. He then removed to Dansville, N. Y., where he remained ten years. In 1857 he went to Landgrove, Vt., and remained two years. In 1860 he went to Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he remained till 1876, when he went to live with his daughter at Sherman, Mich. He has been a good musician, teaching singing schools for many years with good success. He is a spiritualist in belief, and has practised in later years as a healing medium.
George B. Rawson removed from Alstead to Gilsum, in 1850, and established the business of tanning, in which he is still engaged. He lived for some years in the house just east of the Tan- nery, but in 1870, bought the original Hayward place, and built a large house in which he still resides. He has been very successful in the accumulation of property. He has served the town as Selectman two ycars, and is at present one of the Supervisors of the Check List.
Monroe Brown, brother-in-law of George B. Rawson, came here from Canterbury in 1863, and remained four years, when he removed to Keene, and now resides in Winchester, Mass., - is a tanner by trade. He enlisted from Canterbury in the 15th N. H. Reg't, Co. G, - served nine months holding the office of Corporal, and was at the siege of Port Hudson under Gen. Banks. His brother, Cyrus Brown, resided here two years, and was employed in the tannery.
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RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.
203. JEHIEL DAY came here from Keene and built the ell part of this house in 1829. In 1832 he built on the front part with the Hall, which was dedicated July 4, 1833. (Page 144.) He was a leading man in all public enterprises, was Colonel in the militia, served two years in the Legislature, and was Justice of the Peace. In 1837 he removed to Daysville, Ill.
Daniel Day, brother of the preceding, came here with him, and they were in company in business here for eight years. He lived in the house now occupied by Fanny Mark. (208.) He went with his brother to the place named from them, Daysville, Ill.
After the Days left, William Hayward resided here a year or two. In 1840, Capt. Dort (page 144,) came here, and remained till 1854.
Calvin Chandler of Alstead then bought the place. (Page 144.) He is known as Capt. Chandler, having served in that office in his native town. In 1864, he was appointed Town Clerk to fill out the unexpired term of Ezra Webster deceased. He has also served the town as Treasurer several years.
William Parker, a tailor by trade, came from England, and was here from 1834 to 1837. He removed to Stoddard and afterwards to Nashua, where he died at the age of 89. Hon. Wm. T. Parker of Merrimack is liis son.
Byron James Mullins is a blacksmith who came to Gilsum in 1874, and resides here. He served the country in a N. Y. Regiment from Junc, 1864, to the end of the war. He was in the battle of Fort Fisher, and was slightly wounded in the shoulder.
Other residents : - George K. Smith; Porter Cowee ; Cyrus Brown; Albert H. Wright from Londonderry, Vt .; and Timothy O'Leary a dyer in Collins's Factory.
204. This store and tenement above was built by Chilion Mack in 1828. He lived a while in the chambers, but sold out the next year to Jebiel and Daniel Day. The front chamber was used afterwards as a tailor's shop by Parker and Huntress, (page 143,) and still later by Loren Loveland as a shoemaker's shop. Other residents : - Rev. H. C. Henries, Dr. K. D. Webster, F. A. Howard, and George N. Hayward.
205. THERON HAYWARD built this house in 1876. He was the junior member of the firm of N. O. Hayward and Son. (Page 144.) In 1879 he sold to Daniel Smith, and removed to Keene, where he is clerk in the Citizens' Bank.
206. This house and store was built by George W. Newman in 1870. (Page 144.) I. B. Newman, his son, lived here a year or two, and removed to Langdon. Daniel W. Newman, another son, lived here about two years, and went into trade at Keene. Another son, George Elmore Newman, still resides here. He is a well-known trader in cattle, horses, lumber, and farm produce. Other tenants have been Lawrence A. Gravlin and Franklin W. Roundy.
207. JOHN HENDEE bought this place in 1833 for $175, and built the " brick house " the next year. He is a carpenter by trade, and removed to Claremont in 1836. The number of families residing in this house has been large.
Harrison G. Howe, a woolen manufacturer, came to Gilsum in 1832, was in company with Dea. Brigham, and was the first tenant here.
Luke Taylor came from Sullivan about the same time, and lived here two years. He worked at awl-making with Solon Eaton, and removed to Springfield, Vt., where his widow still resides.
Charles T. Wetherby removed from Fitchburg, Mass., and settled in Walpole in 1831. In 1837 he went to Drewsville, in the north part of Walpole, where he remained five years. He was a woolen manufacturer by trade, and came to Gilsum in 1842, and carried on his business with Gerould and Nichols. In 1849 he removed to South Acworth where he was employed in the same business for two years. After residing a short time in Gilsum he removed to Lowell, Ohio, in 1852, where he remained till his death, nineteen years later. He was a man of firm principles and straight-forward character. His widow resides in Minnesota.
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Solomon Dean lived here three years, while in the manufacturing business. (Page 139.) He removed to Newport where his widow still resides.
Franklin A. Rawson, son-in-law of Mr. Dean, lived here a short time and assisted his brother in the Tannery. In 1863, he removed to Newport where he still resides. He is engaged in the grocery business. He has served as Selectman and held other town offices, and is prominently active among the Odd Fellows. .
Allen Hayward came from Acworth, when a young man, and worked for the Silsbys. He is a carpenter by trade. He lived many years with Joseph M. Chapin, but about 1868 came to this place. He has served the town four years as Selectman, and two years in the Legislature, and is one of the Supervisors of the Check List, under the revised Constitution.
Other residents : - Jehiel P. Hendee, (page 122 ;) Marvin Bigelow; Abijah Wetherbee; Rev. Henry White, (page 112 ;) Lemuel Bingham; Calvin C. Bingham ; Franklin Bingham; Charles Parker; John Scribner now residing at Newport; Joshua Wedgewood a woolen manufacturer from Bethel, Vt., and his overseer. Stephen Rus- sell, who returned to Bethel and was killed by falling from the roof of a building ; John Carpenter ; Henry Page ; Mrs. Whittemore; Willard B. Tinker from Acworth ; Lowell H. Stearns; Thomas Charmbury; and Thomas Charmbury, Jr.
208. DUDLEY SMITH built this house in 1833. He let it to various tenants for many years. In his old age he removed liere from his farm, and remained till his death. Dea. Mark bought the place, and spent his last years here, leaving it to his daugliter, Fanny Mark, who still resides here with her sister, Mrs. Nancy Hubbard.
The following sketch was received too late for insertion in its proper place. Rev. Aaron Rus- sell Livermore was for a time in Amherst College ; one year in Lane Seminary ; graduated from the Theological Seminary at East Windsor, Conn., in 1839; was ordained and installed over the church at North Mansfield, Conn., Aug. 30, 1843, where he remained fifteen years ; was installed pastor of the church in Goshen, Conn., Feb. 22, 1860, and remained eight years ; was stated supply at Bozraliville, Conn., from 1870 to 1873, when he retired from the ministry on account of poor health, and is now residing at Fair Haven, Conn.
Rev. George Langdon resided here while in Gilsum. (Page 112.) The following items were received too late for insertion in their proper place. Mr. Langdon received his education in part at Yale College, but was obliged to leave on account of ill health. He graduated at East Windsor Theological Seminary in 1839. After preaching in Gilsum, he remained three . years in Connecticut, and was ordained and installed as pastor at Downer's Grove, Ill., Feb- ruary, 1846, where he continued five years. He was next pastor at Crystal Lake, Ill., three years, and afterwards at Cincinnatus, N. Y. In 1854 his health became so feeble that he was " obliged to desist from preaching altogether." He is now residing at Lakewood, N. J., and is able to preachi occasionally.
Rev. James Tisdale lived here several years. (Page 113.)
James Tisdale, Jr., fitted for College in the Academy at New Salem, Mass., graduating there, at the head of his class, in 1854. Owing to a throat trouble he was forced to give up his studies. He afterwards engaged in mercantile pursuits at Tonica and Minonk, Ill., till the war broke out, when he enlisted in the 47th Illinois Regiment. He was commissioned First Lieutenant of Co. I. He served mainly in Missouri, was at the taking of Island No. 10, and suffered severely from exposure and hardships, so that he was obliged to resign on account of sickness in 1862. In the Spring of 1863, he resumed business in Minonk, but not succeeding to his mind, in the Fall of 1875, he took up a quarter of a section of government land in Austin, Kansas, where he still resides, unmarried. His mother is with him.
Eugene Tisdale, brother of the preceding, left Gilsum for Boston, Mass., and attended Chauncy Hall School for a time. In 1850 he became a clerk in the store of Kendall, Whitwell and Co., and remained there till the beginning of the war. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Co. B, 4th Battalion Mass. Volunteers. The same year he raised and recruited a Company for the 13th Regiment Conn. Volunteers at Hartford, and was commissioned Captain of Co. E, in which capacity he served till May 1, 1864, when he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel of the 1st Regiment, and was honorably discharged June 1, 1866. In May, 1867, he was appointed by Pres. Johnson
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Orra Webster
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RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.
Collector of Internal Revenue for the Third District of Louisiana, having his office at Monroe. He held this position till the close of Johnson's Administration, when he removed to New Orleans, La., where he still resides. He has held high offices in various Masonic bodies, and has received the 32d Degree, A. A. S. R.
Henry E. Hubbard, son of Ellsworth, lived here a year or two with his mother. Hc is a brick-mason by trade, and now resides in Keene. He enlisted in the 9th N. H. Regiment for three years, received a commission as First Lieutenant in Co. B, Jan. 1, 1864, and served till the close of the war. He was in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and The Wilderness.
Other residents : - Daniel Day; Rev. William Hutchinson ; Dr. K. D. Webster; John Livermore ; Hervey E. Rawson ; George Wardwell ; Calvin W. Spooner; Henry Beckwith ; John Laing; Henry Grant ; Franklin W. Roundy ; John M. Hill ; and David Kenion.
350. Congregational Meeting House, built 1834. (Page 111.) The basement was used as a tenement for about fifteen years. Moses Fish and his sisters occupied it for a time. Abijah Wetherbee, now of Springfield, Vt., was the next tenant, and after him Jesse Temple lived here for several years.
209. BENJAMIN HOSMER, JR., bought this lot in 1832 for $80, and built the house in 1833-4. He died here in 1837. He was Major in the 20th Regiment of militia. The house was designed . as a Factory Boarding House. Mrs. William Thomson kept boarders here several years. Mrs. Lucy Howes, sister of Rev. William Hutchinson, bought the place, and lived here three years.
In 1848, Ezra Webster bought and opened a tavern here. (Page 144.) He served the town as Clerk five years, as Representative two years, and was Justice of the Peace. He was Postmaster nearly sixteen years. His daughter is an accomplished teacher of Music, and resides with her mother in Keene.
After the death of Mr. Webster in 1864, Hervey E. Rawson bought the place, and remained here for nearly seven years.
Albert Hubbard, who had formerly kept tavern in Marlboro', came here from Alstead in 1871, and still resides here. In January, 1880, he let the place to L. Shaffner of Keene.
Other residents : - William Townsend, Dr. K. D. Webster, Luther Abbot, Henry W. Wakefield, Calvin C. Bingham, and John Little.
210. SOLON W. EATON built this house in 1832, lived in it a short time, and sold to Luther Abbot, who resided here several years.
George Learoyd bought the place in 1846, and still occupies it. He is a woolen manufacturer by trade. (Page 139.)
Other residents : - Samuel White; Harrison G. Howe; Joseph Clark ; and Charles T. Townsend, better known as Thomas Townsend.
211. DAVIS H. WILSON and his son-in-law, EZRA WEBSTER, built this house and store in 1860. After Mr. Wilson's death, Mr. Webster removed to a farm in Alstead.
Luther W. F. Mark bought the place in 1864, and moved into it the next year, F. A. Howard having been a tenant here meanwhile. Mr. Mark was a photographer for some years previous. He has since kept a general country store herc, and has been appointed Justice of the Peace. The Post Office was kept here during Mr. Howard's terin of office.
212. DAVID BRIGHAM came from Alstead when a young man, about 1819, and learned the clothier's trade of Luther Whitney at the old shop on the brook near C. B. Hayward's. After the mill was moved he continued to work for Mr. Whitney, and afterwards bought the establish- ment in company with Thaddeus H. Flint. (Page 138.) He lived in the house that stood where N. O. Hayward now lives, till 1834, when he built on this spot, where he continued to reside till 1843, and then removed to Manchester. About 1862 he went to a farm in Auburn, where he died in 1867.
He was a man of agrecable qualities, which made him many friends. His pecuniary diffi-
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eulties here turned some of his warmest friends into enemies for a time. But his reverses served in the end to show his Christian character; as in striking contrast to most men of the world, he reduced himself to absolute poverty, in the effort to meet the claims of his creditors. In 1829, he was chosen Deacon of the Congregational Church, and after removing to Manches- ter, was elected to the same office there. He served the town as Clerk and Selectman, and was ten years Justice of the Peacc.
Rev. William Hutchinson lived here a year or two after Dea. Brigham left. (Page 112.) Joseph Hutchinson, son of Rev. William, served three years in the 1st Regiment of Ver- mont Cavalry, and suffered much as a prisoner at Belle Isle. He is a farmer at Moretown, Vt.
Milton Silsby came from Acworth in 1844. He is a woolen manufacturer, and lived in this house five years. (Page 139.) He was one of the most liberal supporters of the Methodist Church, both in building their Meeting House, and in sustaining preaching. In 1852 he left Gilsum, and at present resides in Philadelphia. Joseph Huntoon, his father-in-law, lived here with him.
Rev: Ezra Adams bought this house in 1851, and resided here till his death in 1864. (Page 114.) The Adams family still own the house, and have occupied it till 1876. It has frequently been tenanted by two families.
John Little came here from Antrim in 1866 and remained three years. He was an overseer in the Tannery. He now resides in Waltham, Mass.
Other residents : -- K. D. Webster, Rev. E. B. Bassett, Alden Green, Robert Cuthbert, Jr., Rev. Horace Wood, Thomas Charmbury, Jr., and Cyrus Judson Kingsbury.
213. HERBERT E. ADAMS fitted for college at Meriden, but was obliged to leave his studies on account of the death of his father. He was in the office of Dr. Brown at Hartford, Conn., a short time, after whichi he went into the business of tanning at Bondville, Vt., a year or two, and then returned to Gilsum. He built this house in 1876. He is now serving as Superintend- ing School Committee for the third time.
Tenants : -- Rev. Horace Wood, Gustave Polzer and John Laing.
214. Luther Abbot built a store adjoining the south side of his house in 1839. Mr. Learoyd had it moved to this spot and fitted up for a tenement. Since 1852, it has been occupied by Mrs. Jennett Hathhorn.
215. This house was built by Calvin C. Bingham about 1850. Before it was finished he sold it to ROSWELL W. SILSBY, who lived here till he left town in 1852.
Hervey E. Rawson who was connected with his brother in the Tannery business then lived here for several years. George W. Tubbs followed him for a year or two, when Mr. Rawson returned and remained here till 1865 when he bought the hotel, which he occupied till 1871. He has since lived in various places. He has served the town three years as Clerk, and twice as Representative to the Legislature.
After Mr. Rawson, Charles Nash, Jr., resided here till about 1867, when it was sold to the firm of Gould, Cuthbert and Minor. John Gould is a woolen manufacturer especially skilled in buying wool. He came to Gilsum from Northfield, Vt., in 1867, and resided in this house. He carried on the manufacture of Flannels in company with Cuthbert and Minor for five years. In 1872, they dissolved partnership and he removed to Amesbury, Mass., where he still resides. He was Town Clerk for one year.
Francis C. Minor removed to Gilsum from Northfield, Vt., and carries on the flannel business in the firm of Cuthbert and Minor. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the 15th Vt. Regiment, Co. C, and served nine months. In November, 1878, he was chosen to represent Gilsum and Sullivan for two years in the Legislature.
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RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.
Frank L. Minor, son of Francis C., died in early manhood. An obituary notice says : " It is with grief we chronicle the death of one of our model young men, beloved by all who knew him."
216. This house was originally a blacksmith's shop built by Chilion Mack. (Page 141.) Capt. Dort first moved it, and used it a short time for a shop, near where Capt. Chandler's shop now stands. About 1843, Mrs. Sarah G. Sumner had it moved to this spot and fitted up for a house, where she lived till 1875. After her death Frances A. Beckwith bought the place, where she lives with her mother.
217. LUTHER ABBOT came to Gilsum in 1828, and built the house on this spot that summer. He lived here till 1835, and then was three years in " the burnt house." In 1838, he went to the house now owned by George Learoyd, and remained seven years. He lived one year in the Hotel and then removed to Stoddard. He first established the Starch Factory, and afterwards did custom carding. (Pages 140, 144.) He was also in the mercantile business about seven years. (Page 144.) He served the town seven years as Moderator, and as Clerk and Select- man two years each.
John Fletcher, a woolen manufacturer, came to Gilsum in 1833, and lived about a year in this house. He afterwards lived in the Boarding House, and in 1836 removed to Massachusetts. Charles T. Townsend (best known as Thomas Townsend,) was here several years. He is a woolen manufacturer and was in company with George Learoyd. (Page 139.) He removed to Peterboro' and afterwards to Milton Mills.
Other residents :- John Townsend, Robert Cuthbert, F. C. Minor, Harvey B. Miller, Mrs. Wheelock, and Horace H. Nash. The house is now used as a store room.
218. This house was built but not finished at 220, by Wright, Cornell, and Lyman in 1866.
ROBERT CUTHBERT lived in it two years, on the old spot ; but the falling of earth and stone from the bank above, sometimes with force enough to break the windows, led him to move the house to this place in 1869. Mr. Cuthbert emigrated from Scotland, landing in New York, Sept. 3. 1852. He is a woolen manufacturer and resided in Andover and Lawrence, Mass., and Quechee, Vt., before coming to Gilsum in 1867.
219. Granite Mill. (Page 139.)
220. On this spot the Cuthbert house first stood. (See 218.) It is now occupied by a waste house.
221. JOSEPH UPTON came from Dunstable, Mass., about 1832, and was the first resident in the house just built here by Luther Abbot. Mr. Upton hired Mr. Abbot's mill, and with John Fletcher as a partner engaged in the manufacture of colored flannels. Owing to poor sales, the company failed in 1835, and Mr. Upton removed to Watertown, N. Y. He afterwards went to Munsonville, N. Y., and thence to Clarksburg, Canada, where he still resides, and continues in the woolen manufacture. His younger brother, Peter Upton, then about 16 years of age, came to Gilsum to work for him, and left a little before he did. In 1836, he entered a store at New Ipswich as clerk, and the next year was employed in the same capacity in the store of Hiram Duncan at East Jaffrey, whose daughter he afterwards marricd. He became an equal partner in the business in 1840. Soon after this, Mr. Duncan died, and he continued the mercantile business with good success, till on the starting of a bank in that village he was chosen cashier which position he still holds. He is highly esteemed and trusted by his fellow citizens. having represented the town for three successive years in the Legislature.
Mr. Abbot, the owner of the house, lived here about three years, a part of the time with Mr. Upton and Mr. Townsend.
Joseph Townsend emigrated from England in 1824. He was a woolen manufacturer,
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and worked in several places in Massachusetts till November, 1835, when he came to Gilsum, and hired the Flannel Mill for five years. He lived here till 1839, when he returned to Massachusetts.
James Townsend, son of Joseph, sailed from Southampton, England, and arrived at Philadelphia in September, 1820. He is a woolen mannfacturer by trade, and resided at Framinghanı, Mass., till 1826. In 1827 he put in operation the Troy Woolen Manufactory at Troy, N. Y. Two years later he started a Woolen Mill at North Brookfield, Mass. Afterwards was dyer and finisher in Flannel Mills at Lowell, Andover, and North Dighton, Mass. In 1836, he followed his father to Gilsum, and the next year removed to Marlboro' where he has carried on the woolen mannfacture ever since. He is a member of the Congregational Church there. This house was burned in 1841. (Page 47.)
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