USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Mason > History of the town of Mason, N. H. from the first grant in 1749, to the year 1858 > Part 24
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DEA. AMOS DAKIN, was the son of Capt. Samuel Dakin, who was born in Concord. He was a descendant of Thomas Dakin, who was resident in Concord before 1650, and died October 21, 1708. His son, Dea. Joseph, was the father of Capt. Samuel Dakin. Amos Dakin, his son, was born January 29, 1732. His mother died when he was an infant, for his father married his second wife, Mercy Minot, December 13, 1732. His father, Capt. Samuel Dakin, lived in Sudbury, He was a Captain in the French war, and was slain in battle with the French and Indians, at Halfway Brook, near lake George, July 20, 1758. His wife was Sarah Thankful Minot, daughter of Dea. Samuel Minot, of Concord. She was born March 4, 1737. Her mother, Sarah Prescott, of Westford, died March 22, 1737, when she was less than three weeks old. They were married before they removed to Mason, and lived, it is said, in Lincoln. The date of the birth of their first
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child, is June 9, 1756. Thomas Barrett, Jr., married one sister, and his brother Charles Barrett married another sister of Dea. Dakin's wife, and it seems that it was in some con- nection in business and ownership with them, that he came to Mason to live, and became a part owner with them at first, and finally sole owner, of the mills and water power and farm, at the village. It was, at least, as early as 1768, that he began there, for in a warrant for a town meeting in Septem- ber of that year, Thomas Barrett and Amos Dakin's mills are mentioned. See Municipal History, p. 59, also tax list p. 60.
He was one of the most useful and enterprising citizens of the town, as will appear by referring to the Municipal His- tory, in which it will be found, that he was constantly called on by his fellow citizens to act for them in all important concerns of the town, as delegate to the Provincial Congress, to Con- ventions, as representative in the legislature, and on import- ant committees during the time of the revolutionary war, and in all matters of importance in affairs of the town, church, and state. He was one of the original members of the church when it was first gathered, and was chosen one of the two deacons at the first election of those officers, and in this office served till his decease, which was April 21, 1789, in the midst of life and usefulness, at the age of 57 years.
DEA. TIMOTHY DAKIN, son of Dea. Amos Dakin, was born in Lincoln, Mass., March 17, 1764. He succeeded his father as owner of the mills and farm at the village. He was elected deacon by the church in place of his father, deceased. He was a man of action, always full of business, in which he engaged as a farmer, a merchant, mill owner, manufacturer of and dealer in lumber, manufacturer of potash, and contractor for building roads, bridges, school houses, meeting houses, &c. He built the house in which the widow of Samuel Hill lives, in which he lived many years. It was adjoining his father's, which stood where Mr. Richardson's house is. He also built the house in which Dea. Cragin lives. About 1821, having
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disposed of his mills and real estate, he removed to western New York, and there engaged extensively in the lumber business and other enterprises, in which he was not successful. Having lost his property, he returned to Mason, and a few years after died, in October, 1845, aged 81 years.
SAMUEL DAKIN, son of Dea. Amos Dakin, was born in Mason, November 17, 1770. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1797, was an attorney and counsellor at law many years in Jaffrey. He married a daughter of the Rev. Stephen Farrar, of New Ipswich. While residing at Jaffrey, he engaged in the manufacture of crockery ware, using for this purpose a clay found in that town, which, it was thought, would make a good article, but the enterprise was not suc- cessful. He removed to western New York, and died at Hartford, N. Y., about the year 1843-'44.
DR. MOSES DAKIN, son of Amos Dakin, Jr., was born in Mason, May 20, 1794. He adopted the medical profession, and settled in Hope, Me. His wife was Sarah W. Whiting, of Mason. They were married May 17, 1821.
GEORGE ELLIOT, was descended, by both his parents, from early settlers in the town. His father was Dea. Andrew Eliot, a son of John Eliot, and brother of Eld. William Eliot. His mother, Hannah Dakin, was a daughter of Dea. Amos Dakin. He was born in Mason, April 24, 1797. He was but fourteen years old when his father died; after which he labored several years at farm work, a part of the time on the homestead, for his elder brother, Andrew, and, at other times, for farmers in the neighboring towns. His education was obtained in the short terms of the district schools of his own neighborhood.
When near twenty one years of age, he and his brother Amos, carrying their bundles, traveled on foot in search of employment, to Troy, N. Y. After driving coach a short time,
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S.E.BROKU
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE ELLIOT.
he engaged in school teaching at Castleton, Vt., at which place and in Greenbush, N. Y., he spent two or three years teaching schools, returning home once or twice in the meantime, walk- ing both ways.
In the fall of 1820, he came home, and taught a term of the district school. Early in the following year, he bought a stock of goods of Dea. T. Dakin, and commenced trade in the village. On the 19th of April, 1821, he married Sally Farnsworth, of Sharon. She died August 17, 1827. By this marriage, he had two children. One died in infancy. The other, Lucius Alva, born October 25, 1825, is now a merchant in Boston. On the 2d of September, 1828, he married Eliza Cumings, of New Ipswich, who survived him a few years, and died August 9, 1855. By this marriage, he had several chil- dren, all of whom died in infancy.
Mr. Elliot was a large sufferer by fire. In 1823, his store, with all its contents, was burned. It was rebuilt, and the second story occupied as a dwelling. This shared the same fate about two years after. Nothing was saved. His wife, with an infant child in her arms, followed by the nurse, barely
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escaped over the burning stairs. Absent at the time, Mr. Elliot returned only to find his property in ashes, and his little family without shelter, food, or clothing, except as fur- nished by neighbors. Yet his heart failed not. He was lib- erally aided by his fellow citizens, and the present building was erected on the old site, and he was soon again in successful business. He afterwards lost two or three other buildings by fire, on none of which was there any insurance. Insurance against losses by fire had not then become common. He continued trade at the old stand, till his death, nearly thirty years. His son was associated with him in business for a year or two before he died, and afterwards he sold the stock of goods to William Claggett, who still occupies the store.
Mr. Elliot was remarkable for his industry, frugality and perseverence. He not only prosecuted his own business with energy and success, but took an active part in the affairs of the village and town. He was public spirited and liberal, the friend of morality, good order, and general education. In private life, he displayed many excellencies of character. His sympathies were quick and active, and his manners bland and deferential. He was a regular attendant on public worship, and contributed generously for the support of the Baptist society, to which his ancestors and relatives generally belonged.
When the Peterborough and Shirley Railroad was pro- jected, lie engaged heartily in the enterprise, and subscribed liberally to its stock. He was chosen one of its directors, and also one of the executive committee for superintending the building of the road. The financial difficulties in which the road became involved, induced him, and others of the board, to pledge their private securities to carry on the undertaking. In the midst of such labors and perplexities, he was seized with the typhoid fever, which terminated fatally on the 15th of November, 1850. His age was 53 years. His memory is cherished by his numerous friends, as that of one by whom the duties of life were faithfully fulfilled.
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REV. WILLIAM ELIOT, was the son of John and Sarah Eliot. He was born in Bradford, Mass., December 1, 1748, O. S. About the year 1766, his father purchased a lot of land in the northwesterly part of Mason. William was his second son. He then being but eighteen years old, with the assist- ance of his younger brothers, David and Andrew, commenced the preparation for a farm and residence upon the lot, being then an unbroken wilderness, and built a house and made arrangements for the comfort of the family, before his father removed from Bradford. His father is rated in the first tax assessed in the town, in the year 1769, and was probably then a resident. William continued to live in town, and on the same farm, with his father. His first wife was Dorothy, the daughter of the Rev. Mr. Merrill, of Nottinghamwest, now Hudson. They were married in September, 1772. They had six children, two sons and four daughters. His wife Dorothy died June 14, 1785. His second wife was Rebecca Hildreth, daughter of Mr. Oliver Hildreth, of Townsend. They were married by the Rev. Mr. Dix, of Townsend, March 20, 1787. Their children were twelve, eight sons and four daughters. She died October 18, 1828, aged 65 years. He died June 4, 1830, aged 81 years, and nearly six months.
His advantages for education were limited, having no other means to that end, than the ordinary country schools of that day, which furnished very poor and indifferent means for the acquisition of learning. But he possessed naturally a very strong and vigorous mind and a sound judgment, which are of more value in the conduct of life than all the teachings of all the schools, where these are wanting. But he was by no means deficient in education, according to the standard of that day, in his state in life. This is evidenced by the fact, that he was for many years employed as a school teacher, and took a very active and important part in the management of the affairs of the town, especially through nearly the whole period of the revolutionary war, often serving during that period, on important committees, in town business. He
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served as town clerk and first selectman in the years 1780, 1782-'85-'86 ; was moderator of the annual meeting in 1785, and town treasurer in 1783 and 1784. His records remain- ing in the town books are well made up, and his handwriting, although possessing no claims to elegance, is perfectly plain and legible. In those days of trouble and disturbance with the people of this town, both in church and state, town meet- ings were very frequent. A great number and great variety of taxes were raised and assessed, the whole labor, probably, of assessing, certainly of recording which, fell to him. Of course, the records made by him occupy more space than those of many more times the same number of peaceful years.
He became a member of Mr. Farrar's church in New Ips- wich in 1772, and afterwards, on the formation of the Con- gregational church in Mason, October 13, 1772, he was one of the original members. His father and mother became mem- bers of that church at the same time, and his wife Dorothy in the year 1776. In the unhappy contentions between the Rev. Jonathan Searle, their first minister, and the church and people, he was, with few exceptions, upon all the committees on behalf of the town, for conducting their cause. The records of the church, during this time, contain no allusion to the controversy, but he was, undoubtedly, as active in his sphere in the affairs of the church, as of the town.
But the most important view of his life, is his character and services as a preacher of the gospel. It has been stated, that, carly in life, he became a member of the Congregational church. It was the church of his fathers. No other denom- ination was then known, especially in the country places in New England. All serious minded persons united with the church in their towns. The clergy and the church then pos- sessed a power and authority little dreamed of in these days of license and misrule. But all was peace and harmony. No one thought of or inquired for any other or better way. But, with the war of the revolution, and with the establishment of independent governments in the former colonies, came juster
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notions of civil rights, and, as a necessary concomitant, more freedom of inquiry and of religious opinion. The Baptist denomination, soon after the close of the war, began to make itself felt in New England, as an element of religious life. The subject became, with Mr. Eliot, a matter of the most serious consideration and the gravest examination, which ulti- mately resulted in a settled conviction, in his mind, that the Baptist views of the ordinance of baptism, were the only scriptural views. He accordingly adopted them, fully and heartily, and devoted the remainder of his life to a zealous and unwavering support of the principles and practices of that order. It is stated, in the sketch of the history of the Baptist church, that he made these views known, by a protest against a vote to raise money to pay for preaching, in town meeting, in 1782. He was one of the three original male members of the church "imbodyed" September 28, 1786. He seems to have devoted himself from that time, to the work of preaching and exhortation, with such acceptance on the part of the church, that in August, 1788, the church, at a meeting, voted unanimously, that he be set apart as an evan- gelist ; and arrangements were made for a council to meet to ordain him. At a subsequent meeting, the church voted to give him "a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry, and to continue so long as it shall appear it is for the glory of God and our mutual advantage." He accepted the invitation, and was ordained on the third Wednesday of October, 1788, and continued to be the minister of the church till his death, June 4, 1830, a period of 41 years and 8 months.
The bible was his book, almost his only book. With its contents, he was thoroughly and intimately acquainted. With its spirit, his temper and heart were imbued. From the time he began to preach, he gave up all active participation in the affairs of public, political, and municipal life, and seldom, if ever, attended a town meeting, or cast a vote for any officer, of town, state, or nation. Indeed, his labors were abundant. He not only had charge of the interests of his denomination
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in his own town, but, for many years, in all the neighboring towns and a large region around. The Baptist churches in New Ipswich, Wilton, Jaffrey, Milford, Hollis and Townsend, owe their origin and early growth, in a great measure, to his self-sacrificing and almost, in an earthly sense, unrewarded toils.
He secured for three of his sons advantages of education very much superior to what he had himself enjoyed, and had the happiness to see them all walking in his footsteps in the service of his and their Lord and Master. Israel graduated at the University of Vermont in 1813. He was drowned in Boston harbor, August 29, 1815. Joseph was ordained at Hinsdale, in June, 1809, at which place and afterwards, in many other important churches of the Baptist denomination, he ministered with much acceptance and success, until recently, he has removed to Elliota, Minnesota, the residence of his son, Mr. J. W. Elliot. His son Jesse graduated at the Liter- ary and Theological Seminary, at Hamilton, N. Y., in 1826, was ordained the same year, and is now the pastor of the Baptist church in Mayville, N. Y.
Notwithstanding the irreconcilable differences of opinion upon many subjects of doctrine, ordinances and discipline, the two pastors of the Congregational and Baptist churches, Mr. Hill and Mr. Eliot lived in great peace and harmony with each other, mutually entertaining a high esteem and regard, each for the other, manifested by many instances of christian sym- pathy and brotherly kindness, in seasons of affliction, with which both were severely visited; and in view of this fact, perhaps no more appropriate close can be made of this sketch of the life of Mr. Eliot, than the following extract from a sermon preached by Rev. Mr. Hill, in his own pulpit, on the Sunday, while the remains of his departed friend lay unburied, awaiting the last sad and solemn ceremony of committing "earth to carth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust."
The text of this discourse was these words: "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
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Christ." 1 Cor., 15:57. After opening and explaining the subject, he proceeds to say :
I have been led to call your attention to this subject more particu- larly at this time, on account of the death of the aged and Rev. William Eliot, whose corpse now lies unburied. Mr. Eliot, we believe to have been a sincere christian, a true believer on the Son of God. And we have as full and satisfactory evidence, as we can have, perhaps, in any case, that to him is given the victory over death and the grave, and that he possessed this victory for a long time before his departure.
Mr. Eliot was not favored, in early life, with more than ordinary means of education. Had his strong mind and sound judgment been cultivated in early life, no doubt he would have been distinguished above many. His constitutional temperament was rather grave and serious than otherwise, and inclined to serious contemplation, and from his habits of contemplation and a disposition to embrace oppor- tunities for improving his mind, he acquired what was, in those days, called a good education. He was, for many years, employed in the public business of this town. It was not, however, till after he had lived some years in this town in a family state, as I have learned from his own mouth, that he was made the subject, as he trusted, of experi- mental religion. I speak now merely from recollection of conversa- tions in times past. He was, for a time, a subject of some serious impressions, and became very careful of his walk, and attentive to the duties of religion, and indulged the hope that he was a christian. But he was at length led to see that he was resting on his own righte- ousness - his foundation was sand - Christ, in him, was not his hope of glory. What were the leading steps that brought him to the dis- covery of his self-deception and groundless hopes, I do not now recol- lect, but for a time he was under deep and pungent conviction of sin, until, at length, he was brought to discover, in the once crucified but now exalted Jesus, all that he needed for salvation; and, as he trusted, and we also trust, he was brought to bow to Him as the Lord our salvation, and to be willing to be in His hands, and be saved by his merits alone. The gospel scheme of salvation by grace through faith, and not by works of righteousness which we have done, appeared glorious to him, and so continued to the last. His own particular experience greatly qualified him to deal with self-exalted or deeply wounded spirits. He at length was persuaded in his own mind, that he was called to preach the gospel to his fellow dying men, and was ordained a minister over the Baptist church, and, for more than forty years, continued to preach Christ as the only name whereby we must be saved, and faith in Him as the only way, the necessity of regener- ation by the spirit of God, and the fruit of repentance, as the only evidence of grace in the heart. His general system of doctrine was what is called evangelical, and was drawn from the bible. This book he studied much, and, being favored with a retentive memory, he could quote it with much readiness. And, we have reason to hope,
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that he has been an instrument, in the hands of God, of good to many souls. In his numerous family, he was a kind husband and a tender father, and very exemplary in his walk before his house, and among his fellow men. Although his particular views of gospel order did not permit him to hold visible fellowship in some parts of the christian walk with other denominations of christians, yet he loved and enjoyed the society of all those, of whom he had evidence, that they loved the Lord Jesus Christ.
But in his long continued and grievous sickness, the evidence and the fruits of religion shone, perhaps, with the greatest brightness. In all this time, his mind was clear, and though his sufferings were frequently severe, and pain excrutiating, he bore them with patience, not a word escaped from him as if God dealt hardly with him, but his language was that of praise to God, for unmerited mercies and light afflictions. Almost uniformly his evidence was bright, his faith strong, and when frequently brought, as he thought, to the very close of his trials, and just ready to launch forth beyond the reign of sin and suffering, he seemed quietly to submit to be borne back upon the troubled ocean, and to wait and suffer what more his Heavenly Father saw fit. And when, at last, the hour had come for his dis- missal from trial, his mind was clear, as I am informed, and he could view the king of terrors approaching without the least dismay. As far as is possible for man to judge, he had a glorious victory over death and the grave-his end was peace.
This example is invaluable for the interesting lesson it affords. What strong proof of the truth of God's word! How should it ani- mate the believer to run the race set before him. How should it excite all professors to see whether they are indeed following the Lamb of God. Happy, happy soul is he who is as a servant waiting for the coming of his Lord, prepared to receive him. Then though he go down through the valley of the shadow of death, he need fear no evil, for Christ will be with him and his rod and staff shall support him.
ISRAEL ELLIOT, son of the Rev. William Eliot, was born in Mason, January 1, 1788, graduated at the University of Ver- mont in 1813. After graduating, he taught school at Caven- dish and Chester, Vt. He was drowned in Boston harbor, in 1815.
REV. JOSEPH ELLIOT, son of the Rev. William Eliot, born in Mason, April 12, 1789, was an eminent Baptist minister. He was ordained at Hinsdale in 1809, at which place and in many other important churches of his denomination in New England and in the west, he ministered with much acceptance
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and success, until recently, when, suffering under the infirmi- ties of age, he has removed to Elliota, M. T., the residence of his son, Mr. J. W. Elliot.
JESSE ELLIOT, son of the Rev. William Elliot, was born in Mason, December 24, 1799. He graduated at the Literary and Theological Seminary, at Hamilton, N. Y., in 1826, and was ordained a minister of the Baptist church the same year, and is now pastor of the Baptist church at Mayville, Cha- tauque county, N. Y.
JONAS FAY, Jr., Son of Jonas and Dolly Fay, was born in Mason, July 6, 1775. He was a member of Harvard College, but died when an undergraduate, June 23, 1800, aged 25 years.
DR. JOSEPH GRAY, was a physician. He came into town in 1790, and settled on the farm now owned by Vearon Eaton, and removed from town about 1806.
Dr. HENRY GRAY, son of Dr. Joseph Gray, surgeon and physician, was born in Mason. He practiced in Mason a short time, and then removed to Cavendish, Vt.
DEA. NATHAN HALL, was born in Bradford, Mass., Decem- ber 25, 1715. Mary, his wife, was born in Boxford, March 29, 1723. He removed to Mason, then called No. 1, about 1751. He bore his full share in the labors, trials and priva- tions attending the settlement of the new town. He began upon the farm on which Capt. Joseph Saunders now resides. In 1752, in the report made by the committee, at the propri- etors' meeting, of "what each man has done in No. 1," he is entered as follows : "Nathan Hall, a house and seven acres of land, six of it broke up, and dwells there." See Proprietary History, p. 41. He was frequently appointed on committees in the business of the Proprietary, and after the incorporation of the town, he was elected town treasurer, which office he
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held eight years in succession. He was one of the original members of the Congregational church, and elected a deacon at the first election of those officers, and held the offiec till his death. He died May 7, 1807, aged 91 years, leaving behind him a reputation for spotless integrity and a useful and blameless life, which his posterity may cherish as the best legacy he could leave for them.
RESIDENCE OF REV. EBENEZER HILL.
REV. EBENEZER HILL, was born in Cambridge, Mass., Jan- ury 31, 1766, graduated at Harvard College in 1786, and was ordained pastor of the church and minister of the town of Mason, November 3, 1790. He died May 20, 1854, in the 89th year of his age, and the 64th of his ministry. For a more extended account of his life and labors, see the Memoir published at the same time with this volume.
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