USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampton Falls > History of the town of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire : from the time of the first settlement within its borders, 1640 until 1900 > Part 48
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All newspapers conveyed by mail must be under cover, open at one end, and charged one cent each for any distance not exceeding 100 miles, and one cent and a half for any greater distance; not more than one cent within the state where it is printed. Postage on newspapers must be paid one quarter in advance if required. Printers may ex- change newspapers free of postage. All letters to be conveyed by mail must be lodged in the postoffice half an hour previous to the stated time for the departure of the mails, exeept at the postoffices in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, where they must be lodged one hour previous to the time of the departure of the mail. Otherwise they must lie over until the next mail.
All letters and packets to and from the President and Vice Presi- dent of the United States, Secretary of State, Seeretary of the Treas- ury, Secretary of War, Attorney-General, Treasurer, Comptroller, Auditor, Register, Commissioner of the Revenue, Purveyor, Aecount- ant of the War Office, and Secretary and Accountant of the Navy are free of postage. All letters to and from John Adams and Thomas Jef- ferson, the Postmaster-General, Assistant Postmaster-General, and Deputy Postmaster are free of postage (provided the Deputy Post- master's letters do not exceed half an ounee in weight), and they may all receive their newspapers free of postage.
And also all letters not exceeding two ounees in weight to and from any member of Congress, the Secretary of the Senate, and elerk of the House of Representatives during any session of Congress and twenty days after it, and also their newspapers during the said term, but no publick officer can frank any letter except his own, and no public
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officer is entitled to the privilege of frankage unless he previously furnish the Postmaster where he deposits his letters or packets a specimen of his signature.
A regular communication has been established between the post- offices of the United States and Canada and Nova Scotia, and those persons who have occasion to send letters or newspapers through these channels must pay the United States postage at the postoffices where such letters or newspapers are first deposited; otherwise they will not be forwarded.
A postoffice is established at Schoodie in the District of Maine, being the most easterly postoffice in the United States on the route to Nova Scotia, of which John Brown is postmaster. A postoffice is also estab- lished at Burlington in Vermont, being the most northerly postoffice on the route to Canada.
As there are several towns of the same name in the United States, merchants and others should be very partieular in the direction of their letters. One principal cause of the non-arrival of letters in due season is not distinguishing the state to which a letter is destined. Even the name of the county, if it can be obtained, ought to be men- tioned in the direction of a letter, as well as the nearest postoffice, in order to insure its conveyance. The postoffice does not insure money or anything conveyed in the mail.
Whenever the postage of any letter or packet is over or under charged the postmasters are empowered and directed to correct the error if the letter is opened in their presence.
For many years the prepaying of postage on letters and news- papers was not compulsory, and was the exception rather than the rule. Accounts were kept with the patrons of the office on papers and transient matter, and the bills presented each quarter. Letters were generally paid for when delivered. This system made a great deal of extra work for the postmaster, and was unavoidably attended with considerable loss. Stamps were at that time unknown. They did not come into general use until after 1850. Envelopes for let- ters were not much in use until about the same time. and were some time in coming into general use. Letters were folded and directed upon the back and sealed with wafers or sealing wax ; letters without envelopes containing more than one piece of paper could easily be detected.
Local papers were not generally sent through the mails for short distances. The Exeter "News-Letter" was sent to this town in neighborhood bundles. Some one who was in Exeter on Monday afternoons, when it was published, would call for his neighborhood bundle. In some cases some one would go on purpose. As this was in many cases the only newspaper taken, it assumed more import-
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ance than it would at present. It was generally in town ready for distribution on the day it was published. The "News-Letter" was distributed from the house of Samuel Brown for many years for that neighborhood and the one below. Those living above the river had their papers distributed from some house there. This method was in use in all the towns which adjoined Exeter, and was in com- mon use by all the local papers in the state to avoid the expense of postage. When the law was passed allowing newspapers to be car- ried free in the county of publication this practice ceased and all papers were received through the postoffice. People generally con- sidered it a great advantage when the publishers prepaid the post- age and they were relieved from the expense and trouble of paying.
There were no boxes in the smaller offices. The letters were gen- erally put up on a rack before a window where the address could be read from the outside and could be called for from the delivery window. This system was objectionable, as the curious often scanned the window. reading the postmarks, and forming opinions from the handwriting; thus, with the aid of an inventive genius, a vivid imagination, and a voluble tongue, stories often became cur- rent which caused trouble. Love matters received more attention than others. Later the government wisely prohibited the exposure of mail matter to the public. In the larger offices a list was pre- pared and posted outside, and mail matter called for when indicated on the list.
Those who have seen the postoffice work at the present time have little idea of the steady progress and improvement which has been made during the past fifty years in everything connected with this department, when now it is in its workings nearer perfection than any other branch of the government.
SOME PECULIAR CHARACTERS.
ONE hundred years ago there were quite a number of persons in the community who were eccentric and had a peculiar individuality. Some of them were mildly insane or bordered on idiocy: others had been brought to their condition by the excessive use of strong drink, or by other canses. Some of these people felt it to be their duty to have a general oversight of the community, and made it their business to call on the families of their acquaintance often enough to keep well posted in their affairs. These visits were not always enjoyed by the recipients, but were tolerated as an evil which must be endured. This class of individuals are now unknown to the general public, and if they exist are confined in the charitable institutions. Some mention of a few of these persons may not be out of place, to acquaint the reader with what now seems to be a lost race.
Enoch Gove, called "Coodle," was the son of Eleazer Gove and Mary Holt. Eleazer Gove was rated in this town from 1765 until 1168, when he became a resident of Seabrook. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and died from wounds received in the service. Enoch took a strong dislike to his mother, and by the death of his father was left in early life to his own way. He was of a rambling disposition, taking long journeys upon foot, and had a great record for pedestrian achievements. At one time he shipped to Labrador on a fishing vessel and, not finding things to his liking, went ashore and walked home. He walked to New Orleans and from there into Mexico. On one of his journeys in New York state he was arrested as a vagrant, but was soon released. He usually carried some cooking utensils with him and prepared his own food while on his journeys. He collected bayberries and made bayberry tallow : he also made birch brooms, and had quite a stock of each on hand at the time of his death in 1855. He had a strong dislike for copper in any form, and would not use a copper kettle in which to render his tallow, or one which had any copper
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in its construction. He often came to this town to borrow a brass kettle in which to make tallow. He was an expert with a sickle, and did much reaping when that work was done by hand, often being employed by the farmers in this town. He was generally known by the name of "Old Coodle." a name he much disliked. Those who addressed him by that name preferred to do it at a safe distance, as it was not safe to call him so at short range. While walking on the levee at New Orleans some sailors on a passing ves- sol from Newburyport called, "Hello, Coodle." He said, "Has that - name got here?" With all his peculiarities he was a
harmless man, and never made trouble when well used.
John Sanborn, commonly called "John Sanborn, the thief," lived during the latter part of the eighteenth century. He was born in Kensington, but lived at one time in this town, making his home with Benjamin Hilliard, who lived in a house a little south of the cemetery on the cross road. He had a mania for stealing, and often gratified this desire by appropriating things for which he had no use. He would rob clothes lines and secrete the clothes under the barn floor, where they would remain until spoiled. Some one who had left a fine linen shirt upon the line over night found in the morning that it had been exchanged for a dirty one which was exceedingly ragged. At one time he stole some flax and spent a whole day in the woods swingling it. At night he took it to Salisbury, carrying it to the house of a friend named Turfs, who was a noted thief. Turfs took in the situation and quietly got a neighbor to drive rapidly up to the front door on horseback and inquire in a loud voice if John Sanborn, the thief, was there. This had the desired effect, as Sanborn made a hasty exit from the rear of the house, leaving the flax behind, which he never saw again. Turfs soon put it where it would do the most good. Many were the stories told by the old people fifty years ago of the adventures of this man. His presence in the community was not considered desirable, and his death, about 1490, was not much regretted.
Abner Blaisdell, son of William, was another anomaly. He lived nearly all his life in this town, being employed by many of our farmers as a laborer. He was a great talker; in his latter days he had much to say about wisdom. He was very fond of cider, and when it was given him would set the mug down and walk around it for some time, being very sociable while doing so. He appeared to take as much pleasure in the anticipation as he afterward did in drinking it. He was persuaded to contribute a dollar toward the
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bell which was upon the Academy. under the penalty of not hear- ing it ring if he did not give anything. A number of times after- ward he quitelaimed his right and title to any part of the bell for cider, tobacco, etc. In his later years he was a constant attendant, on the Sabbath, of the meeting at the Baptist church, where he had the appearance of a devout worshiper. In his old age he was supported by the town. He died about 1853.
Lydia Blaisdell, daughter of William and sister of Abner, was bern in 1728. After she grew up she occupied a small house which stood upon the Toppan pasture at the turnpike. The door of her house opened out: when she went away she fastened the door securely by putting a piece of shingle over the latch outside. While living here, before the turnpike was built, she used to pilot travel- ers over the road across the marsh when it was overflowed at high tide. Her clothing was often wet, but she made no effort to dry it. Possessing a strong constitution she rarely took cold. In her old age she claimed to have seen the devil flying away with Gen. Jonathan Moulton's soul at the time of his death. As she was very young at that time the idea was probably an afterthought with her. She liked to dress in a manner which would attract attention, often wearing a man's old straw hat with heavy shoes. She attended meeting at the little Christian chapel and usually came in after the service was begun, walking heavily and sitting down upon the loose seats so as to make as much noise as possible. When the opportunity offered she would make remarks which were not complimentary about ministers in their hearing. While living at the turnpike she became much attached to the family of Capt. Caleb Towle, and when they moved away she went with them and made her home until her death, about 1853. During much of her life she received assistance from the town toward her support. She was probably mildly insane, which with other peculiarities in her make up made her what she was, a strange and unaccountable person.
Mrs. Irene JJanvrin lived in Seabrook, but was a native of New- market. Her original name was Pease. She was known by the name of "Old Reene." She was very disagreeable and repulsive, having few redeeming qualities, and was by far the worst of the nondescripts ever in this community. She visited this town fre- quently. and was always an unwelcome visitor. The women and children stood in fear of her, as she had a reputation for being ugly and vicious. When she was seen coming the doors were fastened
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SOME PECULIAR CHARACTERS.
and no one appeared to answer her call. She used to attend the musters, where she was followed by a crowd of men and boys who rudely jostled and pushed her about. In return she showered bil- lingsgate upon them. She fell from the high bridge over the rail- road track below Hampton, which put an end to her wanderings, much to the relief of the community. This was about 1855. She died some time after.
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HOMESTEADS.
THE FIVE FARMS.
IN 1640, the town of Hampton granted to each family settled there a few acres for a house lot, but made grants of only five farms, all of which were south of Taylor's river. One of three hundred acres was made to Rev. Stephen Bachiler, which was bounded on the south by the Rocks road, in Seabrook, and was the land now owned by John W. Lock, George A. Philbrick, and others. One, of three hundred acres, was given to Rev. Timothy Dalton, the teacher, at Sagamore hill, comprising lands now owned by John T. Batchelder, Fred P. Sanborn, and Warren Brown. One, of two hundred and fifty acres, was granted to Christopher Hussey south of the Falls river, which was afterward known as the "Worth farm," and now owned by the heirs of Jefferson Janvrin, George L. Brown, and others. One was granted to John Crosse, which was afterward owned by Joseph Shaw, and later known as the Governor Weare place; one to John Brown at the lower end of the Rocks road, which is the place that was afterward owned and occupied by the Jan- Trins.
HOMESTEADS IN HAMPTON FALLS.
Beginning at Exeter line, the first is that of Joshna Pike, born in 1779, son of Benjamin Pike and Hannah Hook. His wife was Hannah, daughter of Enoch Worthen of Kensington. His farm was a part of the homestead of Lieut. Abraham Sanborn, who lived just over the line in Exeter. Mr. Pike's land probably had no buildings upon it at the time he purchased it. He erected his buildings about 1825, and lived here the remainder of his life. He was a carpenter and builder and did a great deal of work in and around Exeter. He was a man of judgment and a good workman. At the time of his death his buildings were conveniently arranged and in excellent repair. He died in 1872, aged ninety-three years.
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He had seven sons and two daughters, all deceased. Ezekiel, Andrew, Daniel, and George S. were contractors and builders and lived in Boston. Daniel was killed while moving a building at New- ton, Mass., in 1846. John T. G. and Elvin J. were doctors and practiced in California for many years. Matthew was a farmer and lived upon the homestead. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Nehemiah Sanborn of Hampton. He died in 1873; his wife in 1887. Joshua's daughter Sarah A. married True M. Prescott of Hampton Falls. Linda married Phineas Chase of Stratham. Matthew had a son, Matthew S., who succeeded to the homestead. IIe married Helen Dow of Exeter and had two sons, Harry and Roger. He died in 1889. His wife married, second, William Stone of Exeter. No one by the name of Pike has lived here for a number of years.
Nehemiah Heath had a house near where Mr. Pike lived. IIe was a sea captain, born in Haverhill, Mass. He married, October 11, 1705, a daughter of John Gove; second, in 1717, Johanna Dow of Salisbury, Mass. He died January 14, 1718. His daughter Elizabeth married Jonathan Cram, son of John, who was the father of Nehemiah Cram.
The Melchers came from Wales. When they came to this coun- try we are unable to say. They were located at Portsmouth, and later came to the garrison house in Seabrook. They took up their farm from the wilderness, and while clearing it returned to the gar- rison house at night. Mrs. Melcher, being desirous of seeing the farm, walked up alone through the woods to gratify her curiosity. At that time the Indians were much to be feared. One day while Mr. Melcher was at the farm he left his shoes and stockings with his gun in a cabin, and went out to hoe his peas. He saw three Indians go into the cabin. He lay down among the pea vines. After a while they went away. Either they did not see his things or from some cause did not search for him. After coming here to live, Mrs. Melcher was alone in the house when three Indians came to the door, which was fastened. She threw a bucket of boiling soap down upon them from the chamber window, when they ran away howling. Samuel Melcher, 1st, married Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin Cram, May 16, 1700. He died in 1754, aged eighty- seven. His wife died in 1765, aged eighty-six. Samuel, 2d, son of Samuel, married in 1735 Esther, daughter of Benjamin Green. HIe died in 1802, aged ninety-four. His wife died in 1797, aged eighty-seven. Samuel, 3d, son of Samuel, 2d, married Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan Hilliard. He died in 1823, aged eighty-six
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and one half years. His wife died in 1826, aged eighty-four and one half years. Samuel, 3d, had two sons, Levi and Joseph. Levi married Hannah, daughter of Caleb Tilton. He was a merchant in Boston. He died in 1847, aged seventy-one. Joseph lived upon the homestead and married Polly Rowell. He was a dealer in cattle and was usually spoken of as "Judge" Melcher. He died in 1858, aged eighty-nine. Hannah, daughter of Samuel, 3d, married Thomas Leavitt, Esq., of Hampton Falls. Joseph Melcher had two sons, Joseph H. and Samuel. Joseph H. lived at Stoughton, Mass. Samuel, unmarried, lived upon the homestead and died in 1861, aged fifty years. With his death the name of Melcher became extinct in this town and in this branch of the family. Each of the four Melchers who occupied this farm lived with one wife more than fifty years, and three of them more than sixty years. Almira, daughter of Joseph, 1st, married Robert S. Prescott of this town. Polly married Caleb Sanborn of Kensington; Betsey married Jewett Sanborn, Jr., of Kensington; Hannah married Thomas Capen of Stoughton, Mass .; Sally married James Sanborn of Seabrook. The farm is now owned and occupied by David C. Hawes, a native of New Bedford, Mass. His wife was a daughter of Caleb Sanborn and a granddaughter of Joseph Melcher, 1st. The original Melcher house was removed in 1852, and a new one built. This house, together with the barn, was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire July 21, 1898. The buildings were rebuilt the same year. The Melcher land originally extended across the cove to the Ken- sington road. Edward Melcher and others of the family lived upon that end of the farm.
Just below the Melcher place, near the site of the late Nathan Moulton's barn, lived Redman Moulton, son of Richard and grand- son of Benjamin, who married Hannah Wall. He was baptized July 13, 1746. He was a soldier from this town in the Revolution- ary War. His name does not appear upon the record after 1:95. We can find nothing of his family, or whether he left any descend- ants. Afterward Benjamin Pike, son of Benjamin, lived and died here. The house was removed soon after 1800.
Upon the north side of the road east of the cemetery was the homestead of Capt. Nathan Moulton, son of Thomas Moulton and Elizabeth Brown. He was a captain in that branch of the militia called the troop. He built his house in 1816. He married, first, Charlotte Prescott of Kensington; second, Sarah, daughter of Josiah Brown of Stratham. He died in 1863. He had a large family of
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children. Samuel, the eldest, married Betsey J. Brown of Epping. He died in Salisbury, Mass., in 1895. Nathan A. was a teacher in Newburyport and Salem, Mass. He was postmaster of New- buryport during Lincoln's administration, and died in 1887. Char- lotte A. married Thomas C. Shaw of Kensington, and died in 1868. Sarah married Thomas C. Shaw and died soon after. Mary J. married Elder Joseph Graves and lived upon the homestead. George lives in New Berne, N. C. Hattie married, first, Silas Little of Newbury, Mass .; second, Samuel A. Hatch of Greenland. She died soon after. Emma died unmarried. Several other children died young.
A little east from Nathan Moulton's house stood an old house fifty years ago which was the home of Abraham Brown, commonly called "King Brown." He was son of Abraham Brown and Argen- tine Cram. He was a large land owner and was rated from 1765 to 1809. His wife was Judith Runnells of this town. His chil- dren, Noah and Mary, never married and in their old age were sup- ported by the town. Joseph married, first, Susan Holman; second, Mercy West. He had two daughters. One married Harvey D. Parker, founder of the Parker house in Boston. The other daugh- ter is Mrs. Bickford, now living in Exeter at an advanced age. Levi, son of Abraham, married a daughter of Robert Drake of Hampton. Their children were Frederick and Polly, who never married, Levi and Sewell. Levi built a small house in 1843 near his father's. His wife's name was Robinson, and came from North Hampton. He died in 1869. He had a son, George H., who was a stone mason and lived in Exeter, where he died in 1899. His daughter Alice is connected with the "Youth's Com- panion" in Boston, and is the author of several books. The house built by Levi Brown in 1843 was moved to Highland avenue in Hampton in 1898.
Where Charles Johnson lives was the homestead of Daniel Brown, . son of John Brown and Ruth Kelley. He married Mehitabel, daughter of Jacob Brown, in 1749. He was succeeded by his son John, who married Hannah, daughter of Lieut. Abraham Sanborn, in 1778. He died in 1846, aged ninety-two years. His son San- born died in Savannah, Ga. Daniel and Horatio lived in Ports- mouth. One daughter married Capt. Benjamin Moulton of Ken- sington. Hannah was never married. John, commonly known as "Esquire John," lived upon the homestead, and was a shoemaker. His wife was named Greely and came from Salisbury, Mass. They had four sons and six daughters. The four sons, Isaiah Sanborn,
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
Sebastian A., William S., and John HI., were carpenters and lived in Exeter and were prominent in political matters. All are deceased. Jane married Nathaniel Dearborn, who came from Raymond. He lived here until his death. Mr. Dearborn was first rated here in 1834. Frances married Charles E. Warren, who was a partner with her brother, John H., under the name of Brown & Warren, build- Sarah C. married Joseph W. Ryecroft and lives in Cambridge, ers.
Mass. The other daughters were unmarried. "Esquire John" died in 1854. Mr. Dearborn died in 1874. James and Theodore Warren, who are buried in the cemetery near by, and Joseph War- ren, who was a soldier from this town, were nephews of Mrs. John Brown, and came to this town with their sister Sarah after the death of their parents. About 1874, the place was purchased by Charles Johnson, who came from Haverhill, Mass. He built the house in 1876. He has two sons, Charles H., who lives in Exeter, and Henry, who lives upon the homestead. He married Mary Gove of Seabrook.
East of Mr. Johnson's, in a small house standing in a field, lived Sewell Brown, son of Levi and Sarah Drake. He was a shoemaker. He married a Robinson from North Hampton, and died in 1867. His sons were ship carpenters and lived in Newburyport. His daughter, Mary E., and her two sons are the present occupants of the house.
On the south side of the road back of the big elm was the home- stead of James Wall, who married a daughter of Thomas Philbrick. He died in 1659. His daughter Hannah, born in 1658, married Benjamin Moulton. He had a son Benjamin, who married Eliza- beth Sanborn. Benjamin, 3d, married Sarah Rowell. Thomas, son of Benjamin, 3d, married Elizabeth, daughter of Nathan Brown. Thomas Moulton died in 1841, aged eighty-six. His wife died in 1849, aged eighty-seven. Their children were Nathan, already mentioned, Benjamin, who was drowned in Hampton river in 1820, Ann H., who died in 1844, Sarah, who died in 1871, aged eighty, and Joseph, who married Mary, daughter of William Brown, and lived upon the homestead. He died in 1888, aged ninety-two. His daughter, Mary E., married Dea. Daniel Smith of Brentwood. His son, Thomas G., succeeded his father; married Emily Stearns of Paris, Me., and had one daughter, Jennette, who is a graduate of Wellesley College, and has been a teacher in the high schools of Somersworth, Kingston, and Melrose, Mass. Thomas G. died in 1898. Joseph Moulton built the house in 1843.
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