USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Henniker > History of the town of Henniker, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, from the date of the Canada grant by the province of Massachusetts, in 1735, to 1880 with a genealogical register of the families of Henniker > Part 18
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SERGEANT GEORGE W. ELLIOTT,
son of John and Mary D. Elliott, was born in Manchester, N. H., September 6, 1842. He followed the occupation of a farmer until he was mustered as a private in Company E, Seventh Regiment, November 7, 1861, for three years. He was promoted to corporal January 9, 1864, and afterwards to a sergeant. Hereënlisted February 28, 1864, and was with his regiment in all their skirmishes, battles, and marches, until June 16, 1864, when, in the fight at Deep Bottom, Va., he was severely wounded in the right knee, from the effects of which wound he died July 13, 1864, in the hospital at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. His body was brought home and buried in the new cemetery, amid the sorrowing hearts of a large and loving circle, to whom the brave boy and faithful soldier was greatly endeared by his manly and up- right conduct. His age was 21 years, 9 months, and 10 days.
SERGEANT JAMES H. CALDWELL,
son of Alexander and Mehitable Caldwell, was born in Hen- niker, November 4, 1839. He was by occupation a farmer, residing at home most of the time until he was mustered as a private into Co. D, Seventh Regiment, November 6, 1861, for three years. He was promoted to corporal the same day, and to sergeant December 28, 1863. He followed the varying fortunes of his regiment, ever ready for duty, and prompt and faithful in the discharge of the same. He par- ticipated in the battles of the campaign of 1864. During the autumn he was taken ill, was carried to the hospital at Fortress Monroe, where he died November 21, 1864. His three years' faithful service was out just before he died, but he was too ill to reach his home again. His body lies buried in the national cemetery at Fortress Monroe, and a neat little tablet marks the spot of his burial. His age was 25 years and 17 days. His father was a soldier of the War of 1812.
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CORPORAL ROBERT D. RICE,
son of Willard and Grizzy Rice, was born in Henniker, July 24, 1828. He followed the occupation of a farmer, teaching in the winter, until he was mustered as a private in Co. D, Eleventh Regiment, August 29, 1862, for three years. He was immediately promoted to corporal. He was taken ill shortly after the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac, in consequence of the severe exposure to which he was sub- jected, in common with the regiment. He was removed to the hospital, and for several months he was unfit for duty. As soon as sufficiently recovered, he rejoined his regiment, and at the terrible battle of Spottsylvania Court-House, Va., May 12, 1864, his left leg was broken above the knee, ren- dering him a cripple for life. He went to the hospital, was soon carried to Washington, where he was discharged Octo- ber 20, 1864.
The next season he purchased a farm in the west part of the town, and married Miss Lovilla B. Swett, of Henniker. He passed his time upon his farm, teaching more or less near- ly every winter. He was often honored with the confidence of his fellow-citizens, being chosen one of the selectmen in 1870, chairman of the board in 1871, and again a member in 1875. His army disease, together with his wound, hastened his death, which took place January 13, 1876, aged 47 years, 5 months, and 19 days. A widow and two children survived him.
CORPORAL HAMILTON F. GREEN,
son of Alva and Nancy T. Green, was a farmer by occupa- tion, and married Harriet N., daughter of Stephen and Bet- sey Pingree, of this town. He was mustered as a private in Co. D, Eleventh Regiment, August 29, 1862, for three years, and was immediately promoted to a corporal. He participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862, at which time he received a severe wound, from 16
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which he never recovered. He did duty as promptly and faithfully as he was able, until April 1, 1865, when he was discharged from the hospital at Concord, and died after reaching home. He left a widow, but no children.
PRIVATES.
Thomas B. Adams, son of Thomas B. and Mary P. Adams, was born in Henniker, March 6, 1842. He was a farmer by occupation, and was mustered into Company E, Eighth Regiment, December 20, 1861, and died of disease at Fort Independence, Boston harbor, July 15, 1862, having never been able to do duty in the field. His age was 19 years, II months, and 9 days. His body lies buried near the fort.
Charles H. Andrews, son of Benjamin C. and Abigail Ann Andrews, was born in North Chelmsford, Mass., November 23, 1847, and was mustered into Company A, Eighteenth Regiment, September 13, 1864, being at the time a clerk in one of the stores of this town, where he had resided most of his days. He died in Washington, D. C., November 16, 1854, from disease contracted by exposure while en route to Washington. His age was 16 years, II months, and 28 days. He was the youngest volunteer of the town, and not very hardy; but the same zeal that inspired an older brother to lay down his life at Port Hudson, La., June 14, 1863, caused him to enlist. He was a very worthy young man, and was greatly beloved by all who knew him.
Fonas Bacon, son of Jonas and Louisa Bacon, was born in Henniker, February 7, 1843. He was a farmer by occu- pation, living at home most of the time with his father until he was mustered as a private in Company K, Thirty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteers, July 22, 1862, being at that time a resident of Woburn, Mass. He was captured at the tak- ing of the Weldon Railroad, near the "yellow tavern" below Petersburg, Va., August 19, 1864. He was carried to the
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prison at Salisbury, N. C., where he died from starvation, December 30, 1864. His body is supposed to be buried near the place of confinement. His age was 21 years, 10 months, and 23 days. He was a youthful martyr for his country.
Tompkins Baker, son of James P. and Azubah Baker, was born in Henniker, December 13, 1834. He followed the occupations of a farmer and a carpenter until mustered into Company D, Eleventh Regiment, September 2, 1862, for three years. The exposure of the long march through Vir- ginia, which his regiment performed soon after it joined the Army of the Potomac, was too severe for him, and, being too ill to participate in the battle of Fredericksburg, he was detailed as one of the camp guard. Every attention was bestowed upon him. He was afterwards sent to the hospital at Aquia Creek, Va., where he died, February 7, 1863. His body was buried near the hospital, and was never brought home. His parents mourned the loss of a dutiful son, upon whom they were depending in their declining years, and his immediate relatives a kind brother and a faithful friend. His age was 28 years, I month, and 24 days.
Charles C. Carr, son of Thomas W. and Caroline C. Carr, was born in Hopkinton, July 8, 1844. He worked with his father most of the time upon the farm until the call for more men in 1862. Having several brothers already in the ser- vice, he determined to join them, and he was mustered into Company D, Fourteenth Regiment, September 23, 1862, for three years. He did provost duty with his regiment at Washington until February, 1864, when it joined the South- ern army, with which it remained until the July following. The regiment was subsequently attached to the Army of the Potomac, and was in the Shenandoah valley under Sheridan. Young Carr participated in the famous battle of Winches- ter, Va., October 19, 1864, where he was severely wounded. He died November 24, 1864, aged 20 years, 4 months, and 16 days. He was a very promising young man, and left a large circle of friends to mourn his early death. His body
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was buried in the new cemetery in this town, his parents residing here at the time of his death.
George L. Chase, son of Stephen and Nancy Chase, was born in Sherbrooke, Can., August 23, 1841. He was a farmer by occupation. He had been a resident of this town for several years previous to his being mustered into Com- pany H, Second Regiment, June 5, 1861, for three years. He followed the fortunes of his regiment, participating in several battles, doing his duty faithfully until stricken down by disease. He was honorably discharged, June 21, 1864, and died at his home, June 13, 1865, at the age of 23 years and 10 months.
Warren Farren, son of Warren and Keziah Farren, was born in Boscawen, June 10, 1823. He followed the sea ten years (in the whaling service), and afterwards followed the occupation of a miller. He resided in this town several years previous to his being mustered into Company D, Elev- enth Regiment, August 29, 1862, for three years. He was detailed for duty in the Pioneer Corps, and did duty most faithfully with the regiment in all its hardships until after the Mississippi campaign in 1863. During this time he contracted the malarial fever, so prevalent in the South, and was placed in the hospital at Camp Nelson, Ky., where he died, February 25, 1864, at the age of 40 years, 8 months, and 15 days. He left a wife and one child.
Orlando E. Flanders, son of Alonzo R. and Nancy Flan- ders, was born in Henniker, May 23, 1845. He remained at home until mustered into Company F, Ninth Regiment, August 16, 1862, for three years. He participated in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, and others in which the regiment was engaged, doing his duty heroically. Dur- ing a charge made at Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864, he was captured and carried to Andersonville, Ga., where he died from starvation, August 24, 1864. His body lies buried in the National cemetery at that place. A little tablet stands at the head of his grave, upon which are the
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figures 6,678. His age was 19 years, 3 months, and I day.
Jonathan Flanders, Fr., son of Jonathan and Anna Flan- ders, was born in Weare, January 10, 1838. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a resident of this town for several years previous to being mustered into Company D, Sixteenth Regiment, November 5, 1862, for nine months. He did duty with his regiment in Louisiana, where he con- tracted a disease from which he never recovered. He was mustered out with his regiment, August 20, 1863 ; returned home, and died November 10, 1864, at the age of 26 years- and 10 months, leaving a wife and two children to mourn his loss.
Ezra T. Folsom, son of Samuel and Sophronia Folsom, was born in Henniker, September 20, 1837. He was a farmer by occupation, and remained most of his time in this town until he was mustered into the Second Battalion of Massachusetts Artillery, in June, 1864. He went to Louisiana with his battalion, where he contracted the dis- ease which was the cause of the death of so many brave boys from the North. He died in New Orleans, June 20, 1865, aged 27 years and 9 months. He was a descendant, on his mother's side, of Ezra Tucker, one of the first settlers of this town, and who was a soldier in the French and Indian War in 1756.
William W. Hurd, son of Nelson G. and Mary Hurd, was born in He was mustered into Company I, Sixth Regiment, January 1, 1864, for three years. He was captured during the campaign of 1864, and was carried to Andersonville, Ga., where he died from starvation, August 26, 1864. He was buried in the National cemetery at that place. The tablet at the head of his grave is numbered 6,875.
Joshua Ordway, son of John C. and Lydia Ordway, was born in Hopkinton, November 10, 1822. He moved to this town several years before the war broke out, and was a farmer by occupation. He was mustered into Company D,
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Eleventh Regiment, August 29, 1862, for three years. He was severely wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862, and died January 8, 1863. His body was brought home and buried, February 15, 1863. He left a wife and two children. His age was 40 years, I month, and 28 days. The short time he was in the service was suf- ficient for him to win the esteem of all with whom he be- came acquainted. He was truly a most faithful soldier : his family lost a kind husband and an indulgent father.
Fohn H. Ordway, son of John C. and Lydia Ordway, was born in Hopkinton, July 12, 1839. He resided in this town some time before the war, following the occupation of a farmer ; and he was mustered into Company D, Eleventh Regiment, August 29, 1862, for three years. He was faith- ful in his duty with his regiment. During the Mississippi campaign, in 1863, he contracted a disease from which he was never to recover. After the regiment returned to Ken- tucky, in August, 1864, becoming seriously ill, he was placed in the hospital at Camp Nelson, where he died, Febru- ary 24, 1864. His body was brought home and buried. He was 24 years, 6 months, and 12 days old. He was an excel- lent young man, always ready for duty ; and by his death the regiment lost one of its best men.
George O. Ordway, son of Joshua and Martha K. Ordway, was born in Northfield, May 14, 1848. He attended school most of the time until he was mustered into Company A, Eighteenth Regiment, September 13, 1864, for one year. He served with his regiment until the close of the war, and was mustered out with it, June 3, 1865. He contracted a disease while in the service, which his youthful constitution could not withstand. For several years he was unable to perform any hard labor, owing to the disease, from which he died, August 7, 1871, aged 23 years, 2 months, and 19 days.
William H. Rice, son of Willard and Grizzy Rice, was born in Henniker, April 19, 1837. He was a farmer by oc- cupation, remaining at home most of the time until he was
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mustered into Company D, Eleventh Regiment, August 29, 1862, for three years. He was continually on duty with the regiment, participating in all its marches, skirmishes, and battles, until June, 1864, when his strong constitution gave way under the terrible exposures to which it had been sub- jected. He remained with his regiment as long as he could possibly perform a day's duty, anxious to be in at the close of the struggle, for which he was giving his best days; but he was reluctantly obliged to go to the hospital, at Alex- andria, Va., where he died, July 9, 1864. His body was brought home and buried at the same time with that of Sergeant Charles E. Wood. The services were held in the Congregational church, and were conducted by Rev. J. M. R. Eaton. The church was filled with sympathizing friends. But few tearless eyes were seen as these brave, heroic boys were laid away to rest, their immortal spirits having already answered to the "roll-call" upon "the other side of the river." His age was 27 years, 2 months, and 20 days.
Fames Warren Ripley, son of Hugh N. and Lydia S. Rip- ley, was born in Litchfield, February, 27, 1842. He was a farmer by occupation ; was mustered into Company D, Elev- enth Regiment, August 29, 1862, for three years. He par- ticipated in all the battles of the regiment, and was with it during the Mississippi campaign, in 1863, where he con- tracted a disease which became so serious, that, on the arri- val of the regiment from Mississippi, he was placed in the hospital, at Camp Nelson, Ky., where he died, February 2, 1864, aged 21 years, II months, and 10 days. His body was buried near the hospital. He was always ready when called for duty, and faithful in every duty required of him.
Winford L. Ripley, son of Hugh N. and Lydia S. Ripley, was born in Litchfield, October 3, 1843. He resided (as did his brother, who died in the Eleventh Regiment) seve- ral years in this town prior to his being mustered into Com- pany E, Seventh Regiment, November 7, 1861, for three years. He was promoted to corporal, November 28, 1863 ;
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to sergeant, December 27, 1864; and to orderly sergeant, May 19, 1865. He reënlisted, and was mustered the second time, February 28, 1864. At the close of the war the Sev- enth Regiment, save the reënlisted men, was mustered out of the service. Serg't Ripley was transferred to the Sixth Regiment, and remained with it until it was mustered out, in June, 1865. During the last year's campaign, he con- tracted a disease from which he never recovered. On his return home, he was able to perform only some light labor, and died, June 23, 1870, at the age of 26 years, 7 months, and 22 days. He won the confidence of his superior officers by his promptness and fidelity to duty.
William G. Wadsworth, son of Carleton and Mary Wads- worth, was born in Henniker, January 14, 1839. He re- mained at home, following the occupation of a farmer, until he was mustered into Company D, Eleventh Regiment, Aug. 29, 1862, for three years. He fought bravely at Fredericks- burg, Va., December 13, 1862, but was shortly afterwards taken ill, and died in the regimental hospital at Falmouth, Va., January 12, 1863, at the age of 23 years, II months, and 28 days. His body was embalmed, brought home, and was buried by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
CHAPTER XVI.
MILLS AND MILL-OWNERS-BRIDGES AND BRIDGE-BUILD- ERS-POST-OFFICES AND POST-RIDERS-RAILROADS- COMMON-ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES-FIRES.
A S has been already stated, Jonathan Temple, who came to town from Marlboro', Mass., erected and set in operation the first saw-mill in the town in 1768. In 1766, Silas Barnes commenced a temporary dam across the river at what is now known as the lower mills, which was not com- pleted until 1773, and erected a saw-mill in 1774. At a legal meeting of the town, held September 12th of that year, he asked the town to recognize his mill, and to give him the "mill right" of land to be granted the first builder of a mill within the township, which, for some reason, had not been given to Mr. Temple, although he received a certificate from the selectmen that his was the first saw-mill operated in town. The town did not see fit to grant Mr. Barnes's re- quest. Leaving town before the war closed, he sold his mill to Capt. Timothy Gibson, who built a larger and better one, and put in a permanent dam across the river.
At the raising of this mill, there were present a large number of the citizens of the town. After the body of the building was raised, John Campbell, a son of Annas, a large, powerful man, missed his footing on one of the plates, and fell headlong to the ground ; but otherwise than severely bruising him, no serious injury was inflicted.
At the building of the dam, James Rice, son of Elijah, a
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lad of some six years, fell into the water, and would have been drowned but for the timely efforts of William Kimball, by whom he was rescued.
Mr. Gibson put in operation a grist-mill in connection with his saw-mill. Eben Howe, son of Peter, a saddler by trade, was the first miller in town. He lived in the house now occupied by Mrs. Nathaniel J. Noyes. Although this mill has often changed its ownership, it has almost constant- ly been kept running since the time of its completion. The chief owners have been, beside Barnes and Gibson, Daniel Kimball, Thomas M. Davis, Lieut. Joel Howe, Capt. James Yaulding, Micah Howe, Oliver Jacobs, Adams & Silver, and John Gutterson, who purchased the property in 1863, and erected the fine mill and dwelling-house, which he has since occupied, making for it a reputation not excelled by any in this part of the state.
About 1778, Uriah Amsden built a saw-mill at West Hen- niker, which stood where the paper-mill now is. At the close of the Revolution he added a grist-mill, which was the first of the kind in the township, and was largely patron- ized by the people of this and the neighboring towns.
The main road from Bradford at that time came down past Ephraim Goss's, thence straight to Amsden's mill, thence on out of the town over the hill near the present residence of Nathan Sawyer. This mill was afterwards owned by the brothers William L. and Imri Woods, who soon became owners of the clothing-mill of Mr. Sprague. These mills were in successful operation for upwards of three fourths of a century, Ammi Smith, of Hillsborough, being the last owner.
The manufacture of shoe-pegs, by George Arnold and by David Houston, was carried on extensively and successfully for quite a number of years, and until the timber from which they were manufactured became scarce, when the machinery was removed elsewhere.
Close by, Col. Imri Woods and his son, Imri N., erected
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a mill for the manufacture of woollen cloths, about the year 1840. Quite an extensive business was done for several years, and the mill was in operation most of the time until it was burned. In the year 1850 the Messrs. Woods manu- factured goods to the value of many thousands of dollars.
In 1863 Moses Cheney purchased the water-power, and upon the site of the woollen mill erected a large building, in which paper was manufactured by himself and his son most of the time until it was burned. The property was pur- chased in 1871 by the Contoocook Valley Paper Company, and the fine large mill owned by them was erected in that year.
The first mill for dressing cloth was built at West Henni- ker by the Amsden Brothers, shortly after the grist-mill was erected. Timothy Sprague soon became its owner, and op- erated it for several years. In this mill, in 1805, George Little, of Hillsborough, put in operation the first carding- machine: this was soon disposed of, with the mill, to the Woods Brothers. Abel Baker was a partner of the Woods Brothers in 1819, '20. After disposing of his property at West Henniker, Mr. Sprague erected a clothing and carding mill near the lower mills, and on the present site of the kitt works. After operating the same for a while, he sold out the property to Samuel Morrison and Elisha Wood, who had been apprentices of the Woods Brothers. Several be- came owners in this and other clothing mills afterwards, among whom were Luther Harthorn, Shuthaleh Little, Silas Barnes, Sylvanus Sumner, Hiram M. Davis, Jacob Lancas- ter, and John Hill. Mr. Davis was the last owner, and con- verted his mill into a manufactory of powder-kegs about 1852, which business he prosecuted for several years, dis- posing of his property to Horace Gibson, who, with his partners, George S. W. Dow and William Abbott, manufac- tured a large amount of mackerel kitts yearly, which busi- ness is now carried on by Mr. Dow alone.
In the summer of 1818, the first dam was built across the
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river, at the Centre, by Captain Robert M. Wallace. The same season he erected a grist-mill at the east end of the dam, which was completed in September. The mill was finished, and about half a bushel of grain had been taken for toll, when a burning brand was thrown into the mill, upon some shavings, and the building was quickly con- sumed. Mr. Wallace immediately erected another one, which was carried away by the great rise in the river Feb. 12, 1824. Mr. Wallace erected still another, which remained until it gave way for the fine mill now standing upon the site. Thomas Barnes was for a large number of years the obliging and excellent miller at this establishment. James Gibson and Jonathan Pressy were also faithful men in the mill. It has since been owned by Charles Courser, who greatly improved the property by his excellent mechanical skill ; by Albin & Towle ; by Judge Ira A. Eastman & Son ; by Dillingham & Co., and the present owners.
Shortly after the grist-mill was erected, Captain Wallace built a saw-mill at the west end of the dam, which was kept in operation by different owners until it was burned. Moses Cheney & Son then purchased the property, and erected a small paper-mill upon it, and operated the same until disposed of to Dillingham & Co. Additions were made to the mill from time to time, and a large amount of paper was yearly manufactured, until it, too, was burned.
Early in the settlement of the town Oliver Edwards came from Weare and built a saw-mill, easterly from the present residence of George E. Barnes, and northerly from the foundation that was laid for the first saw-mill within the township. Mr. Edwards's mill was the prominent one of the town for several years, the planking for the first bridge across the Contoocook having been sawed at this mill.
Joseph Amsden built a little mill on the Ammi brook, a few rods north-westerly from the present residence of the Mirick sisters. Joseph Eager afterwards owned it, and put
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in a stone to grind corn. Capt. James Connor was after. wards the owner of this and the Edwards mill, for a large number of years.
About the commencement of the present century, Bela Butler erected a saw-mill in the south-western part of the town, near the last bend in the river before reaching the covered bridge upon the Hillsborough road. The road passes over where was once the canal in which the water was conveyed to operate his mill. Mr. Butler did quite an extensive business here for several years.
About the close of the Revolution, Capt. Aaron Adams erected a small saw-mill on the brook in a north-easterly direction from the present residence of Robert J. Clark. Wm. Eastman was at one time owner of this mill. He car- ried on the business of currier and tanner of leather far- ther below.
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