USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 35
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222. JONATHAN TWINING removed from Townsend, Mass., to Gilsum in 1819, and lived for a time on the Grimes place, and after that in various tenements. About 1826, he concluded to build his house, and went to work framing the timber in Dea. Pease's mill-yard. When asked where he was going to put it, he answered " out doors." Owning no land, he set it on this unoccupicd spot near the road, the owner making no objections. Here he remained till 1832, when he removed to Shrewsbury, Vt. Very few men have so remarkable personal appearance as he, having very short legs with unusual length of body. He was " a character " not easily described. His business was teaming, taking produce to Boston, and bringing back merchandise in return. Being always in necdy circumstances his team was noted for the harnesses mended with withes and strings. From this circumstance he acquired the sobriquet of "Twisty Twin- ing " or " Twiney " as it was usually pronounced. He was a member of the Christian Church, and though of limited education had a remarkable gift of language, and preached a good deal, especially in Brookfield, Sherburne, and vicinity, in Vermont. His mind became so impaired in his old age, that it was necessary to remove him to the asylum at Brattleboro', Vt., where he died at the age of 74.
223. S. W. Dart's Mill. (Page 137.)
372. Abbot's Blacksmith's Shop. (Page 142.)
224. Rice and Rawson's Tannery. (Page 140.)
225. George W. Newman built this house in 1877, and his son, C. DUDLEY NEWMAN, has occupied it till the present time. He learned the trade of blacksmith and carried on the business of carriage-making a year or two. He is extensively engaged in raising fowls, rabbits, and other pets. Paul Langlois lives in the house with Mr. Newman.
347. Newman's Wheelwright and Blacksmith's Shop. (Page 142.) The heliotype opposite represents the buildings on numbers 206, 225, and 347.
226. CHARLES W. BINGHAM, after living in various tenements, built this house in 1869. (Page 151.) In digging the cellar he found a vein of very fine sand, valuable for polishing purposes. He is a mechanic, turning his hand readily to almost any kind of work with tools ; has tanght singing schools, and is Justice of the Peace. He is also a frequent correspondent of several newspapers.
349. C. W. Bingham's work-shop.
227. FRANCIS ASHLEY HOWARD, after living in various places, built this house in 1865. He is a carpenter, and was for some years in thic lumber business. He was also in trade with N. O. Hayward for six years. He is Justice of the Peace, and was Postmaster for twelve years. Hc has served the town as Moderator, Selectman, and Superintending School Committee, and was Representative to the Legislature one year. He was a successful school teacher for many years, and is one of the strong supporters of the Temperance cause.
I. B. NEWMAN.
STORE AND BUILDINGS OF GEORGE W. NEWMAN.
1
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235
RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.
228. GEORGE W. NEWMAN built and settled here in 1845, and remained till 1849.
Roswell W. Silsby, a woolen manufacturer from Acworth, lived here for a time. In 1852, he left Gilsum, and is now engaged in the carpenters' trade at Claremont.
Wesley Austin came here from Marlow and was overseer in the tannery several years. In 1878, he removed to Keene.
Adolphe C. F. Laurent of French descent came from Canada to Gilsum in 1865. He is an overseer in the tannery, and resides here. He was educated for a priest, and can write the English language more correctly than many of our native born citizens.
Other residents : - George B. Rawson about twenty years, Alden Green, Henry Morse, Magloire Loiselle, and Gustave Polzer.
229. A. J. HOWARD built here in 1874. He came to Gilsum from Marlow when a young man, and has lived in various places. In early life he was converted under preaching of Elder Rollins. Having a natural gift for public speaking, and being zealous in the cause of religion, he was encouraged by his brethren to enter the ministry. He was ordained by Elders Abner Hall, O. J. Waite, and Jonathan Farnham Oct. 23, 1851, and joined the Merrimack Christian Conference. He preached in this and the neighboring towns some six or seven years. He has always been a strong friend of Total Abstinence. Having joined the Congregational Church, he was chosen Deacon in 1876. He was a successful school teacher for some years, and has served the town two years as Superintending School Committee.
230. GEORGE W. NEWMAN built this house in 1849, and resided here till 1863.
George S. G. Porter having resided for a time in Harrisville and Wilmot, returned to Gilsum in 1863, and lived in this house three years. He then removed to Lempster and died there.
Josiah G. Rowell, an overseer in the Tannery, was here a year or two, and removed to Clare- mont. He is now living on a farm in Cornish.
Alden Green was from Stoddard, worked in the Tannery, and lived here about five years. He is a very earnest worker in the Temperance cause, and a devoted Seventh Day Adventist. He now resides in Norfolk, Conn.
This house was designed for two families and has had many occupants, among whom were Stephen L. Parker, boss-finisher for the Silsbys, and James S. Carpenter who worked in Collins's Factory.
In 1866, it was purchased by the Congregational Church, and has since been occupied as a parsonage, by Revs. Horace Wood and Silvanus Hayward.
231. This house was built in 1868, by F. A. Howard and Allen Hayward. It now belongs to the Tannery Company.
PETER LAPHAM was the first resident here. He is of French descent and came from Canada in 1855. After living eleven years in Shrewsbury, Mass., he came to Gilsum, and was employed in the Tannery. In 1872 he set up business in Keene in company with Hervey E. Rawson. After two or three years the business was abandoned, and he still resides in Keene.
Valire Langlois of French descent came to Gilsum from Canada in 1869. Since 1872 he lias occupied this house, and is employed in the Tannery.
232. This house was built by C. B. Hayward in 1868.
Albert R. Corey, the present occupant, is a shoemaker by trade, now employed in the Tannery. He came from Lempster to Gilsum in 1866, and has lived in various places. He served two years in the war, in the 1st N. H. Heavy Artillery, Co. B.
Other residents :- Francis C. Minor ; William HI. Coy; John Coy; George A. Stevens, a blacksmith from Surry: Julius A. Pletzner, now of Stoddard; J. Q. Pickering; Byron Alexander ; and David Y. Kenion.
233. The ell and wood-shed from Amherst Hayward's house was moved here by N. O. Hayward, and fitted up for a dwelling, in 1870. George N. Hayward lived here six years. In 1877 Mrs. Hattie D. Pierce bought it and built on a kitchen. In 1878 she removed to Lawrence, Mass., and the place has since been occupied by the widow Stevens. Other residents : - Franklin W. Roundy and Gustave Polzer.
236
GILSUM.
234. MRS. SARAH F. HAYWARD had this house built for her in 1869, and still resides here with her daughter and sister. Few persons have so familiar acquaintance with the Bible as she. 235. GEORGE N. HAYWARD built this house in 1876.
Tenants in the chambers : - Frederic Bowker, and Charles Hubbard.
236. GEORGE BARRETT built here in 1872. Seven years later he removed to Keene. The place is now owned by Solomon Mack.
Other residents : - A. C. F. Laurent, Louis Bourrett, Willard S. Tinker, Hervey E. Rawson, and Robert Polzer.
237. This house was built by N. O. Hayward in 1872. Tenants have been Frank L. Webster, Mrs. E. F. Downing, Eugenc P. Nash, Joseph S. Bingham, Lawrence A. Gravlin, James A. Nichols, Herbert C. Gates, John M. Ilill, and Frederic Bowker.
238. EUGENE CARPENTER, a blacksmith, eame to Gilsum from Surry in 1877. In 1879 he built this house, where he resides.
346. Blacksmith's Shop. (Page 142.)
CHAPTER XXXVII.
RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN.
239. LEVI BARRETT built this house in 1867, and still resides here.
Tenants :- Rev. James Fitch, Mrs. Mary Mark, Eugene Carpenter, and Thomas Charmbury.
240. WILLIAM CAMPBELL came to Gilsum about 1831, and engaged in the awl business. He built this house in 1837. In 1847 he removed to Peterboro'. Having been converted to Mormonism, he started with his family for Salt Lake. He and his wife died of cholera at St. Louis, Mo., and his children were taken in charge and edueated by the Free Masons, to which order he belonged.
Three sisters, Mrs. Hathhorn, Mrs. Miller, and Deborah Kidder, lived here about two years, worked in the Factory, and took boarders.
Stephen Collins, a woolen manufacturer, emigrated from Dublin, Ireland, in 1830, and settled in Woreester Co., Mass. In 1867, he began business here with his sons. (Page 140.) By industry and skill he has been sueeessful in aequiring considerable property, and in 1872 left the business to his sons.
John S. Collins, son of Stephen, resides here and manages the Factory with much success. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy Deeember, 1863, and served nine months on board the war steamer Neptune. He is fond of reading, and has served the town two years in the Legislature.
Michael Collins, brother of the preceding, was in business here seven years, and is now engaged in extensive manufacturing at Draeut, Mass. He served four months under Col. Devens in the 3d Battalion Mass. Rifles.
Other residents : - Solon W. Eaton; Rufus Guillow; Kimball Metcalf; Kendall Nichols; Ebenezer Jones; Edwin Birkenshaw, an Englishman, who went to Ashuelot; and Michael Wall.
241. SOLOMON MACK built this house about 1835, and took factory boarders for a year or two.
John Thurston removed from Fitchburg, Mass., to Walpole, where he engaged in farming.
Sten Jones
THE HELIOTYPE PRINTING CO. 126 PEARL ST. BOSTON
237
RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN.
In 1836, he came to Gilsum and entered into company with his brother-in-law, Lyman Gerould, in the woolen manufacture, and died here in 1838.
William Harnden was here five years. He was an Englishman employed in the Factory.
John C. Guillow came here in 1847, and, with the exception of three or four years, has lived here till the present. He has served the town three years as Selectman.
Other residents : - David M. Smith, Calvin C. Bingham, Stephen L. Parker, and Henry Morse.
242. SOLON W. EATON built this house about 1833. He came here from Sullivan in 1831, lived in several places and carried on the awl business. (Page 144.) He sold this house with his mill, and it has belonged to the Factory Company ever since.
Lyman Gerould came to Gilsum from Williamsburg, Mass., in 1835, and was in company with his brother-in-law, John Thurston, in the manufacture of woolens. He continued in the same business, either as partner or employe till 1850, when he removed to Cavendish, Vt. He is now engaged in mercantile business in Kasson, Minn. His two sons are Superintendents of Gas Works, one in Newton, Mass. ; the other in Cairo, Ill.
Among the tenants here have been the following : - Kendall Nichols, George H. Temple, Alfred Hoyle, John Bahan, John Brennan, John Collins, Michael Dynan, Frank L. Webster, B. H. Horton, Thomas McEvoy, and Michael McCaffery.
243. This house, which is the Factory Boarding House, was the original mill put up by Solon Eaton. It was moved here and made over by Gerould and Wetherby in 1845, and has had many tenants.
Harvey Towne came from Stoddard in the Spring of 1855 and kept the Boarding House a year and a half, when he returned to Stoddard. He now resides in Marlow village.
In 1852, Butler A. Whittemore came here from Hancock and resided a little over two years. He then went to Dublin and afterwards to Marlow where he died. His widow and his mother returned to Gilsum in 1863. His widow afterwards married J. S. Partridge and resides in Alstead. His mother, after living in several places in Gilsum, removed to Claremont, where she lives with a daughter.
Ebenezer Jones, having received a common school education, served an apprenticeship of three years with Amasa Whitney, a Clothier at Winchendon, Mass. In 1825 he went into company with Henry Gray, and bought a Clothing Mill at Acworth. After seven years he went to South Antrim for one year. He then bought a Mill in Wilton, where he was quite successful, but lost all through the failure of his partner in 1836. He then went back to Acworth, where with the assistance of " six good farmers" he started business again. In the great financial crash of 1842, he was again reduced to poverty, but after a hard struggle succeeded in paying off the farmers and had the Mill in his own hands. He sold out in 1847, and the next year came to Gilsum, and was connected with Gerould and Wetherby in the woolen manufacture. In 1849 he went into company with K. D. Webster in the village store, which they managed for seven years, with good success. In 1850 he bought the Factory where he continued the woolen busi- ness, at the same time furnishing stock for the Silsbys. During this seven years he probably carried on a larger business than any other resident of Gilsum, before or since. In 1857 he sold to the Wards, and after traveling for a year, established business in the " Brick Store " at Harrisville. After two years he opened also a Clothing Store at Peterboro' to which place he removed. In 1865, he retired to " a small Village Farm," where he died at the age of 75. While at Winchendon, he united with the Congregational Church during an extensive revival. At South Acworth he joined the Methodists, and was steward and class-leader both there and at Gilsum. He represented Gilsum in the Legislature of 1855, and was appointed Justice of the Peace. In his later years was a Director of the Savings Bank at Peterboro'.
238
GILSUM.
Charles Stearns Faulkner, son of Franeis, of the firm " Faulkner and Colony," Keene, came to Gilsum in 1841, and rented the mill of Gerould and Nichols. He carried on the manufacture of flannels for about a year and a half, and had 15 to 20 thousand dollars of annual business. He was then a single man. In 1843 he returned to Keene where he settled in business with his father, and died in 1879. " He received an academic edneation in the schools of Keene and Walpole. In 1871 he visited Europe, where he spent two years. At the time of his death he was a director of the Cheshire National Bank, and a trustee of the Cheshire Provident Institution. He was for two terms a Representative in the Legislature of the State. He was a prominent and liberal member of the Uni- tarian Society in Keene, and a leader in business circles."
Other residents : - Francis Phillips, Kendall Nichols, John Carpenter, JJohn R. Willard, Michael Bowen, Wil- liam Barr, George B. Fiske, Mrs. Eugene Nash, and Silvanus Guillow.
244. In 1846, Jolm C. Guillow removed a small hammer shop built by George S. Howard between the road and the canal, to this spot, fitted it up for a house and occupied it one year. Various factory hands have since lived here. In 1873, a small shanty temporarily occupied by George Barrett, near number 236, was moved here and fitted up for the west part of this house. Daniel Hickey lived here till 1879, when he removed to Connecticut, and George B. Fiske now occupies it.
245. Collins's Mill. (Page 140.)
345. LUCIUS R. GUILLOW built this house in 1865. In 1878, he built the shop on the other side of the road. He is a carpenter by trade, and is now serving his third year as Seleetman.
374. School House. (Page 131.)
246. ROSWELL NASH moved the wheelwright shop from A. W. Kingsbury's garden, (382,) and made it into a house on this spot. After three years he sold to Henry Grant who lived here a year or two. A Frenehman named Edward Cote was here a short time. Franklin W. Roundy hired the place one year. In 1870 James Chapman bought it and remained three years, when he sold to Martin Bates the present occupant.
247. SOLOMON M. HOWARD about 1856 removed the house from " Kansas " (173,) and rebuilt on this spot. After ten years, he sold to Varnum Polley, the present resident.
248. JOHN DORT from Surry settled here about 1787. In 1820, he went to Bainbridge, Penn. Obadiah Pease lived here several years. He was a noted sehool-master, and was appointed Justiee of the Peaee. Hc served the town as Moderator, and eight years as Clerk.
Daniel Winehester came here from Westmoreland in 1836, and remained about five years, when he removed to Pomfret, Vt., and afterwards to Springfield, Vt. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. He was an elder in the Christian Church and preached here and in Vermont for many years. His daughter says, " A grander man in the noble simplieity of truth and good- ness never lived."
Alfred Beekwith, a machinist, lived here a year or two, and removed to Stoddard.
Chilion Maek eame to this place in 1840. He spent several years in the mines of California, where he had a varied experienee. He is a wheelwright by trade, but has spent most of his life at farming. He was the first Postmaster in Gilsum, and held the offiec fourteen years.
Other residents : - James Kingsbury, Antipas Maynard, Merit Winter, Joseph Thompson, Solomon Mack, and Walker Gassett.
249. ELISHA CLARK bought the south half of the 14th Lot, 6th Range, of Stephen Bond in January, 1781. He came from Woreester, Mass., at the same time with Squire Whitney who bought the north half of the same lot. He probably built a log house near this spot and resided here about three years when he sold to Samuel Clark of Woreester, Mass. This Samuel Clark removed to Gilsum in 1784 and lived on this place, which he sold in 1786 to Jonathan and Joseph Clark who were probably his sons.
Jonathan Clark built the present house in 1791, and remained here till his death in 1830. I is remembered that Rev. Levi Lankton of Alstead preached at his funeral from Job 5: 26.
Joseph Clark, a earpenter, lived here after his father's death. About 1837, he removed to Vermont, and afterwards to Raymondsville, N. Y. He was Captain in the " Troopers."
Hartley Thurston removed from Alstead to this place in Mareh, 1840. In June, 1854, he
Chilion Mack
The Heliotype Printing Co.2Il Tremont St Boston
239
RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN.
went to Manchester, Wis., where he engaged in farming. In May, 1868, he again removed, finding a home in Berlin, Wis. While on a visit at his brother's in Alstead, Feb. 13, 1880, he died instantly of heart disease.'
He was a man of scholarly tastes and more than ordinary natural ability. With a common school and Academy education obtained in his native town, he became noted as a successful teacher, having begun at the early age of sixteen, and followed the profession for more than thirty years. His services were in such demand, that terms of schools were frequently fixed early or late as might be necessary for his accommodation. He taught forty-six terms of school about equally divided between Alstead and Gilsum. His wife was also an accomplished teacher, and first cousin to the celebrated Horace Greeley. He has been always an active, enterprising eitizen, especially prominent in educational matters. He served as Superintending School Com- mittee for ten years in Alstead, and three years in Gilsum. In Manchester he served in the same office, and also as Town Clerk several years.
His only son, Andrew Jackson Thurston, died in the U. S. army at Nashville, Tenn., at the age of 29. " He was an excellent young man, and his death cast a deep gloom over his family, and a large circle of friends."
Arnold B. Hutchinson, brother of Rev. William, resided here about two years. He is now living at Portsmouth.
A. J. Howard bought this place which he still owns, and lived here about fifteen years.
Other residents : - Asa Cole, Lyman Petts, Simon Wheeler, George A. Stevens, John Pletzner, William Chapin, Joseph Herrmann, and Silvanus Guillow.
380. Here Hartley Thurston built a small house about the year 1849 for John H. A. Young who married Edna Beckwith and lived here two years. They went to join the Mormons and died on the way to Utah. This house was moved to the village by James L. Wilson and is the north ell of Jacob Nash's house. (189.)
367. Second School House in District number Two. (Page 130.)
250. POLLY CLARK had this house built in 1829. About three years after she married John U. Weeks, an Englishman, who remained here six years, and removed to Vermont. (Page 153.)
There have been many residents here, among whom are the following : - Isaac Wallis ; James Bolster ; John Cole; George K. Smith; John Graham an Englishman, who removed to Harrisville; Jacob D. Nash; George S. Howard; Alonzo B. Cook; Rev. Henry Archibald, (Page 120;) Horace Howard; George H. Temple; William H. Coy; James W. Russell; James Chapman; and Mrs. Charlotte Cram.
251. CHARLES NASH moved a house to this spot, from 255, about 1826, and lived here fifteen years. He then lived a year or two at Newman's mill, (277,) and in 1844 removed to Sullivan, where John Locke now lives. He died at Niagara, N. Y., in 1878.
William Banks, a shoemaker, (page 142,) came from Marlboro' to Gilsum in 1820. He lived first at the lower village, and in 1828 went to the Dr. Hosmer place for ten years. In 1841, he came here, and has a shop across the road. He was brought up by his uncle William Banks who died here. He has served the town as Selectman.
Elmer D. Banks lives here with his father, and is now serving for the second time as Select- man.
252. Here Daniel Converse built a log house in 1795, and lived here fifteen years.
253. Here Daniel Converse had a temporary hut or shanty while building his log house.
254. DANIEL CONVERSE of Swanzey bought 60 acres here in December, 1794, for £40. The next Spring he came bringing a cow, a yoke of oxen and a pig, and found shelter in a sort of hut built against a large rock. (253.) The first night the dog barked constantly, and in the morning they found a path trod where a bear had walked back and forth trying to get the pig. Mr. Converse went to work clearing and built a log house near the present bar-way. (252.) In 1810, he built a house on this spot, where he resided till his death in 1852. He was for some years Deacon in the Baptist Church at Sullivan.
240
GILSUM.
Daniel Converse, Jr., lived with his father till 1826, when he removed to Sherburne, Vt.
David Converse lived with his father a few years, and in 1844 removed to Alstead. He was Captain in the militia.
Abram Converse, the youngest son, continued to reside here till his death, which occurred just eight days before his father's. The widow soon moved away, and now resides with her sister in Surry.
Henry Howard lived here a year or two and the place has not been occupied since.
255. SAMUEL NASH built a house on this spot about 1816. He sold it to his brother Charles, who moved it to 251.
256. On this place, in Alstead, lived Barney Hill, half-brother to Dea. Converse.
257. JAMES BALLARD built the house now standing here, not far from 1800. He was Select- man in 1794. Luther Ballard, adopted son of James, lived here till about 1824, when he removed to Nashua.
Marvin Gates lived here five years after his marriage in 1831. He then went to the Bond place four years, and after that lived in various places, till he removed to Alstead in 1849.
Heman Gates came here from Putney, Vt., in 1855, remained about two years, and removed to Alstead. He was well-known as a very zealous Mormon
Other residents : - Antipas Maynard, Merit Winter, Solomon Mack, Wm. F. Cummings, Luke Parkhurst, Joseph N. Taft of Richmond, Francois Bellisle, and Joseph W. Pierce now of Keene.
258. JAMES BALLARD built a log house here, probably about 1792. In 1804, it was used as a school house, and Polly Whitney taught there that year. Capt. Solomon Mack lived in it the next year, while building his house. David Clark and perhaps some others, also lived here.
259. DAVID THOMPSON from Alstead built a log house here about 1789, and lived here nearly fifteen years.
Joseph Razor came here about 1803, and remained a few years. He was a shoemaker, and returned to Walpole.
260. JOSEPH PLUMLEY built a log house here, probably about 1788, having lived before that on number 165, and also in Alstead. He afterwards moved to the place now occupied by John Hammond.
Solomon Mack, Jr., came here in 1796, and built the house now standing in 1805. His father lived here with him for some years. He was Captain in the militia, and served the town as Selectman.
Solomon Mack, 3d, lived here for a time with his father, and still occupies the old homestead. He was the last of the Captains under the militia law, and now, although far past the prime of life, he is exceedingly fond of the martial sound of fife and drum, aud still retains the spirit and witty geniality of his youthful days. He has been for many years an ardent and indefatigable worker in the Total Abstinence cause.
Merrill E. Mack, son of Solomon, Jr., removed to Pecatonic, Ill., in 1839, and died there in 1844. The local paper says of him :-
" In his death we lose one of our best citizens. As a christian, he was sincere ; as a husband and father, all that we would seek in that sacred relation ; as a citizen, honorable and upright in all his acts and dealings ; as a neighbor, just and obliging ; as a friend, steadfast and true. If indeed 'the memory of the just is blessed,' long and fondly will the remembrance of him be cherished. If ' the just should live,' then is he in the full enjoyment of that immortal reward, the anticipation of which soothed him on a bed of sickness and death, and sweetened the last moments of his existence."
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