USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Richmond > History of the town of Richmond, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, from its first settlement, to 1882 > Part 33
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Aaron Whipple -Dan -Nathaniel - m., July 8, 1801, Keziah, dr. of John Cass, jr. Hed. Aug. 1801, and she 2d m. Benjamin Newell, Esq.
Benjamin H. Whipple m., 1802, Parma, dr. of Benjamin Kingman, of Winchester ; lived on Pudding hill, in Winchester.
Nathaniel Whipple-Dan .- Nathaniel-m., May 27, 1810, Sarah, dr. of Esek Buffum. He lived at various places in town, and, lastly, at the Richard Weeks place, at the middle of the town, he d .; she d. Oct. 14, 1868. Had Esek B., b. Nov. 5, 1810, removed to Detroit, Mich., where he d .; Lucretia, b. Jan. 26, 1813, m. Holman Barrus; Dan., b. June 14, 1815, removed to Detroit.
Enoch Whipple-Dan. - Nathaniel-m., Sept. 12, 1819, Anna, dr. of Ichabod Whipple. He lived with his father on the old homestead, and d. May 21, 1837 ; she d. Aug. 12, 1841. Had no children.
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Dan. T. Whipple- Dan. - Nathaniel- was never married. He lived with his brother Enoch, and with the widow Anne. He d. 1842.
In mother wit he did abound, But little more in him was found.
Ichabod Whipple -- Ichabod-Ichabod-Nathaniel -m. Arvilla, dr. of Silas Ballou, jr. ; lived in War- wick. Had Orlan O., b. 1836; Vibbert.
Orlan O. Whipple, son of Ichabod, m. Mary Ann, dr. of Perley Amadon ; lives near the Four corners, on the George Buffum place ; owns and drives a daily mail passenger coach to Keene. Had Oretta M., b. May 16, 1868; Nettie M., b. May 19, 1872 ; Grace B., b. Aug. 8, 1875 ; Fred. O., b. Sept. 1, 1881.
Henry Whipple, son of Henry, m., Nov. 18, 1863, Sarah F., dr. of Lewis Fisher ; lives on the John W. Herrick place. No children.
Preserved Whipple, son of Daniel Whipple, re- moved from Cumberland to Richmond, 1794; m. Olive, dr. of James Ballou, sr. He first lived on the place settled by Royal Aldrich, on part of L. 15, R. 4; afterwards lived near Tully Brook, on the farm now owned by Henry Curtis. Had ten children, all b. before he came, viz. : Otis, b. Dec. 28, 1767 ; Pre- served, b. March 27, 1770; Stephen, b. Nov. 27, 1772; Phila, b. April 25, 1776; Silas, b. Sept. 8, 1778 ; Comfort, b. Jan. 7, 1781 ; Nancy, b. Sept. 18, 1783, d. April 23, 1855, aged 71 ; Olive, b. July 2, I786; Russell, b. Aug. 11, 1789; James, b. April 10, 1792, and Tamma, who d. in infancy. He d. May 25, 1813, age 68; she d. April 14, 1845, age 94- Children all b. in Cumberland.
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Otis Whipple - Preserved -m., March 15, 1798, Lydia, dr. of Capt. Amos Boorn. He removed to Fitzwilliam. He d. Aug. 22, 1852 ; she d. Dec. 15, 1861. Had seven children, viz. : Otis, b. July 28, 1799; Lydia, b. Nov. 17, 1802; Nathan, b. March 12, 1804 ; Olive, b. Oct. 27, 1806, d. Aug. 13, 1810 ; Alpha, b. Dec. 2, 1808, m. Nathan Bowen ; Silas, b. April 16, 1811 ; Elvira, b. April 1, 1815, m. M. Ansel Allen.
Silas Whipple -Preserved - m., Feb. 25, 1812, Prusia, dr. of Stephen Boyce. Lived on the place now owned by Jesse Bolles; removed to the Capt. Amos Boorn farm, and lived, lastly, in the house where Calvin Martin now resides. He d. May 28, 1862, aged 84 ; she d. April 2, 1870, aged 79. Had Olive, b. June 22, 1812, m. Danvers Martin ; Stephen, b. Jan. 1, 1815, d. March 2, 1835 ; Tamma, b. Sept. II, 1817 ; Silas, b. April 12, 1827 ; Nancy, b. March 18, 1829, m. Stephen L. Randall, of Keene.
Russell Whipple-Preserved -lived with his mother and his sister Nancy, most of the time, on the old homestead, near Tully Brook. After their decease he resided with his nephew, Silas Whipple, jr. His is a name which should not be passed over in silence. His long life was spent almost wholly in town. He was a student, naturally so; he attained superior scholarship unaided by the schools, by a long course of reading and study. He was well versed in his- tory, mental and moral philosophy, and in the cur- rent literature of the day. He mingled but little in public assemblies, and seemed instinctively to dread close contact with the noisy business world. In pri- vate discourse his conversational powers were remark-
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able, his command of language was great, and the bold figures of speech he occasionally used were masterly and impressive. He enjoyed largely the confidence of his fellow-citizens, was repeatedly honored with the higher offices in their gift, which, from a sense of duty rather than from choice, he ac- cepted. He passed away, Oct. 25, 1877, aged 88 years, honored and respected by all that knew him. He was never married.
Nancy Whipple, daughter of Preserved, was a re- markable woman, and if the testimony of those who went to consult her may be relied upon, she had powers quite as wonderful in some respects as are re- lated of spiritual mediums of the present time. She seemed to have inherited the marvellous gifts pos- sessed by her uncle James Ballou, and was equally successful with him in satisfying many of her ability to tell past and future events. The concurrent testi- mony of those by whom she was best known is that she was an honest and virtuous woman, and possessed at least large powers of penetration and discernment. She was never married; lived with her mother and brother Russell ; d. April 23, 1855, aged 71 years.
Otis Whipple - Otis - Preserved - m., Oct. 3, 1819, Amy, dr. of John Harkness. He lived some years on the old homestead, near Tully ; removed to Fitzwilliam, 1838. He d. Oct. 3, 1865. Had Rus- sell, b. Jan. 22, 1820; Olive, b. April 7, 1821 ; Otis M., b. Sept. 30, 1822, d. ; Nancy, b. March 31, 1825 ; Otis, b. Jan. 7, 1827 ; Lydia A., b. June 25, 1828 ; Nathan, b. Nov. 28, 1829; Philinda A., b. May 15, 1831 ; Moulton, b. July 29, 1832 ; James E., b. April 3, 1834 ; Stephen, b. Dec. 30, 1835 ; Alfred P., b.
34
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July 28, 1837 ; Eunice M., b. July 20, 1839 ; William, b. March 20, 1841; Joseph L., b. July 4, 1843. Russell was killed at siege of Port Hudson, 1863.
Nathan Whipple - Otis - Preserved - m., May 18, 1828, Julia, dr. of Hendrick Martin ; lived on his father's place in Fitzwilliam until recently ; now re- sides in Winchester.
Silas Whipple-Otis-Preserved-m. Diancy, dr. of Nathaniel Naromore ; lived at the old Dr. Park- hurst house, at Four corners. Had Julius M., b. May 8, 1832; Roselma A., m. Gilbert Armstrong ; Stephen M .; Jenette, b. 1843, m. Frank Amadon ; Diancy d. Sept. 8, 1867. He now lives in Brookfield.
Silas Whipple -Silas-Preserved-m., Feb. 25, 1858, Melinda C. Bowman of Fitchburg, Mass. He lived first with his father where Calvin Martin now resides ; thence removed to the old Whipple home- stead near Tully brook, and lastly to the Luther Ballou farm in Royalston. Had Arthur L., b. May 4, 1861 ; Helen M., b. Oct. II, 1863 ; Edward H., b. Dec. 16, 1866; Ernest U., b. Mar. 30, 1870 ; Addie G., b. Oct. 18, 1872.
Julius M. Whipple - Silas -Otis-Preserved - m., Nov. 22, 1866, Marian, dr. of Edson Starkey. Lives on the Richard Weeks place. Had Silence M., b. Mar. 4, 1869 ; Geneva D., b. Jan. 14, 1871 ; Carl C., b. Sept. 14, 1872 ; Julius C., b. Nov. 25, 1873, d. 1874; Sarah L., b. Jan. 24, 1875 ; Essie M., b. July 7, 1876.
Stephen M. Whipple - Silas - Otis - Preserved - Ist m. Julia, dr. of Elisha Bolles ; 2d m. Emma
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Andrews of Royalston, Aug. 19, 1882. No children ; lives at middle of the town.
Otis Whipple-Otis-Otis-Preserved -m. widow Margaret Lucas, April 5, 1855 ; she was b. Feb. 9, 1827. He lives with Noah Perry. Had Amie, b. May 20, 1861, m. Willie J. Ballou.
WHITCOMB.
Jacob Whitcomb, son of Oliver Whitcomb, of Fitz- william, m. widow Phillis Grant, dr. of Anthony Sweet. Lived on the Anthony Sweet farm, now owned by Sidney B. Bowen. Had six children, viz : Jacob, b. April 23, 1813 ; Hannah, b. June 26, 1815, m. Bowman Howe; Daniel, b. Oct. 1, 1817 ; Anthony S., b. Aug. 2, 1820; Isaac, b. April 16, 1823, d. young ; Cynthia, b. Sept. 21, 1825, m. Bowman Howe. He d. Feb. 13, 1870, aged 77 ; she d. Nov. 23, 1866, aged 83.
Jacob Whitcomb, jr .- Jacob -m. Samantha, dr. of William Chase. Built a new house opposite his father's, and there lived until about 1850, when he removed to the place now owned by F. Osgood Bowen, where he had built a saw-mill, house, etc. He d. Nov. 29, 1855, aged 42. Had Sarah E., b. June 10, 1837 ; Jane E., b. Aug. 29, 1839 ; John A., b. Jan. 9, 1843, d. April 8, 1844 ; Judith A., b. Mar. 25, 1845 ; Olive P., b. Nov. 10, 1847 ; after his death the family removed to Fitzwilliam.
Daniel Whitcomb-Jacob-m. Mary, dr. of Dea. Elijah Lyon of Fitzwilliam. Resides now in Fitz- william.
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Anthony S. Whitcomb-Jacob-m., Oct. 23, 1870, Abbie E., dr. of Nathaniel B. Fisher. Lived on his father's place until 1877, when he removed to Swan- sey, and now lives on the Major Parsons' place. Had Cora A., b. Feb. 27, 1871 ; Minnie B., b. Sept. 15, 1872; Arthur A., b. Sept. 5, 1874; Grace E., b. Mar. 7, 1876; Susie M., b. Nov. 1, 1878.
Joseph Whitcomb, b. in Harvard, Mass., Dec. 6, 1806, m. Nancy Gay of Hubbardston, and by her had : Maroe, b. March 30, 1836, m. Stephen W. Williams; Mary S., b. Mar. 6, 1840; Nancy M., b. Oct., 1841. His wife Nancy d. Jan. 30, 1842. He 2d m. Mersylvia, dr. of Richard Weeks ; she d. Nov. 20, 1865, aged 62 ; 3d m. Mary Moulton of Wayland, Dec. 25, 1866, she d. Dec. 3, 1872 ; 4th m. Sarah Bolles, widow of Elisha, May 13, 1874. He now lives on the Jonathan Sweet place.
Sylvester Whitcomb, from Swansey, lived on the Esq. Aldrich farm ; was insane, and d. in hospital at Brattleboro', Oct. 15, 1856, aged 48. No record.
WHITTAKER.
John Whittaker, of Petersham, m., Oct. 4, 1789, Sarah, dr. of John Scott, sr. He lived on the road east of the Scott place, where Ebenezer Taylor after- terwards lived.
Silas Whittaker, of New Salem, m., Nov. 22, 1812, Mary Hale. He lived west of the Dea. Amos Garn- sey place ; had a son, Joseph.
One thing I've heard of this son Jo, The truth of which I do not know; Too strange it is for one to utter, That he was choked in eating butter.
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WHITTEMORE.
William Whittemore, from Fitzwilliam, m. a dr. . of Erastus Butterfield, Esq. He came to town about 1844; lived where Mrs. Robert Aldrich now resides. He removed to Iowa about 1850.
WHITMAN.
Winthrop Whitman lived on the Nason place ; came to town, 1841.
WHITMORE.
Isaac Whitmore, from Royalston, came to town, 1839 ; lived on the Sam'l Gaskill place a few years, and then returned from whence he came.
WHITNEY.
Austin A. Whitney m. a dr. of Rufus Foster of Fitzwilliam, and lived a few years, about 1840, on or near the place where William Green had lived.
WING.
Joseph Wing, b. June 23, 1747, from Smithfield, was f. s. on L. IO, R. 2, known as the Col. Silas Jill- son place. His house stood a few rods north of the house now on the premises, built by Col. Jillson. He removed to Allentown, N. Y., about 1800. Had Hannah, Savory, Anna, Joseph, Hatzel, and Jabez.
John Wing, brother of Joseph, came from Smith- field, 1774. Was f. s. on L. II, R. 2, known as the Ben. Buffum farm. He sold, 1796, and removed from town. Had by Margaret, his wife, John, Wil- liam, and others. No record of family.
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Savory Wing-Joseph -m. Lydia Gorton, Feb.
14, 1792. Had Job, b. March 18, 1793.
Joseph Wing, jr. - Joseph -m., Oct. 23, 1796, Martha Clark, of Fitzwilliam.
Hatzel Wing - Joseph - m., Aug. 25, 1801, Lil- lis, dr. of Paul Handy. He removed to Allentown, N. Y.
WILLIAMS.
Benjamin O. Williams lived on the Uriah Thayer place about 1840. Operated the mills near by.
John Williams m., Jan. 10, 1810, Anna Barrus, probably a daughter of John, sr. He lived next south of Deacon Amos Garnsey, about 1818.
David W. Williams Ist m. Almina, dr. of Benja- min Aldrich, Sept. 17, 1846; she d. Aug. 16, 1847. 2d m. Waitstill, dr. of Nahum Aldrich, Oct. 18, 1849. Moved on the Ananias Aldrich place, 1870. Had by Almina : Emily E., b. Aug. 8, 1847, d. in infancy. By Waitstill had : Boardman A., b. Sept. 6, 1850, d. Sept. 1, 1861 ; William H., b. Dec. 28, 1853 ; David W., b. Oct. 1, 1856 ; Almina A., b. Oct. 31, 1858, d. Oct. 17, 1881 ; Benjamin H., b. Sept. 18, 1860 ; Hub- bard M., b. Oct. 22, 1862 ; Mary E., b. June 5, 1865 ; Esther M., b. Feb. 18, 1868; John F., b. May 9, 187I.
Joseph Williams, of Warwick, m., Sept. 15, 1822, Hannah J., dr. of Daniel Man. Lived in Warwick. Had Stephen W.
Stephen W. Williams - Joseph - of Warwick, m., Oct. 8, 1856, Maroa L., dr. of Joseph Whitcomb. Lived with David Buffum, and now owns the Buffum
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farm. Resides in Keene. Had Elsie H., b. Aug. 17, 1857, m. Fred. C. Foster, of Keene; Charles B., b. Dec. 24, 1858, d. Feb. 1, 1859.
WILLOBY.
Andrew J. Willoby came from Hollis, N. H. ; bought the Dennis Harkness mills, and there manu- factured lumber, pail, and chair stuff until about 1875 .. He was promoted to the office of selectman, and was also representative to the General Court one year. Is now living in Winchenden.
WISWALL.
Daniel Wiswall lived in town from 1814 to 1818, probably on L. I, R. 10, recently occupied by John Boyce.
WOODBURY.
Nathan G. Woodbury m., Dec. 31, 1849, Angela, dr. of Calvin Bryant. He came from Rindge, 1847 ; bought the Enos Holbrook trip-hammer shop ; built a saw-mill and pail factory ; did an extensive business there until Sept., 1870, when he removed to Keene, where he now resides, engaged in the furniture and pail business. Had Edward C., b. Jan. 29, 1854, d. Jan. 24, 1865.
WOODWARD.
Josiah Woodward was f. s. on L. 14, R. I, now owned by Mrs. Nahum Putney. He sold to William Hills, and removed to Swansey. Had Susanna, Jo- seph, Josiah, d., Luther, Betty, Polly, and Josiah.
William Woodward, son of Isaac Woodward, m., June 26, 1820, Betsey, dr. of Joseph Starkey, sr. Lived on the place before owned by Artemas Bassett,
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and more recently occupied by Zadoc Taft. Removed to Swansey. Had Eliza, m. Sylvander Whitcomb, and Dennison.
Solomon Woodward, son of Isaac, m., Jan. 28, 1821, Waitstill Davenport, dr. of Joseph Clark Daven- port. Removed to Wallingford, Vt. He lived a while in town on the Moses Wheaton place.
WOOLEY.
Thomas Wooley was from Reading, Mass. ; was f. s. on L. 5, R. 10, the place now occupied by Andrew Amadon. The house stood north-west of the build- ings now on the premises, and was the first two-story house built in town. He was a large land owner ; at first he bought of Col. Josiah Willard, 1763, Lots 10, II, 12, in R. 6, and L. 13, R. 7, L. 3, R. Io, and L. 5 and 6, R. 10. Had Asa, Jonathan, John, Nathan, David, and Sarah, who m. Reuben Parker ; Mary, m. Oliver Barrus ; Esther, m. John Cass ; and probably had some others. The front of Curtis Par- ker's house was a part of the old Wooley house. He d. March, 1793. The name disappeared from the town previous to 1800. Some of the family removed to Winchester and Hinsdale.
John Wooley -Thomas -was f. s. on L. 12, R. 6, known as the Crooker place, and now owned by Almon Twitchell. He sold to Richard Peters about 1781, and removed from town soon after. Had one child, Samuel, b. May 21, 1767.
Nathan Wooley-Thomas - was f. s. on L. 3, R. IO ; the building long since disappeared. He is sup- posed to have erected the first saw-mill in town, situ-
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ated west of the Sprague mills, so-called, and above the bridge on the road to Whipple hill. Removed from town about 1780. Had Samuel, b. Aug. 24, 1773; William, b. Sept. 5, 1777.
Asa Wooley m., Aug. 26, 1784, Betsey Knap, of Winchester.
Jonathan Wooley m., Oct. 2, 1780, Lucinda Bald- ing, of Swansey.
WORK.
Robert Work early bought Martin's mills, and lived in an old house which stood where the present resi- dence of Leason Martin is located ; was a large land owner. No record of family. Had a son, Robert, who lived near his father ; also a son, James.
James Work, a son of Robert, m., March 6, 1 800, Rachel, dr. of Joseph Cass, the son of Deacon John.
Isaac Work, a nephew of Robert Work, a hatter, lived at Work's house, at the Mills, and at various places in town; lived with Esther, dr. of Thomas Bowen. He served apprenticeship with Robert Buf- fum. He d. June 26, 1852, aged 76.
WRIGHT.
William Wright, Esq., from Swansey, b. Nov. 23, 1813, m., Nov. 29, 1838, Larina, dr. of Dan. Buf- fum. After living a few years on the Deacon Amos Garnsey farm, he removed to the Enoch Whipple place, and from thence to the Naromore place, now owned by Andrew Dodge, where his wife d., May 30, 1872. Is a justice of the peace ; has frequently been on the board of selectmen and has represented
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the town in the General Court. Had two children : L. Warren, b. Jan. 27, 1842 ; Lucy J., b. April 7, 1840, m. Preston L. Freeman.
L. Warren Wright-William -m., April 13, 1869, Addalette, dr. of Abner Twitchell. He resides in Keene. Was in the service during the late war ; was promoted to first lieutenant of Co. A., 14th N. H. Vols., and promoted again to adjutant, Jan. 4, 1865.
YOUNG.
John S. Young, from Newport, R. I., bought of Edwin N. Bowen his farm and Mills on Tully brook, known as the Bowman Howe place, 1882 ; m. Mina Anderson. Had Mary S., b. Sept. 19, 1876; John P., b. June, 1879.
YATES.
James Yates m., Aug. 30, 1818, Naomi, dr. of Zacheus Estes ; removed to Monroe, Mass. Had five or six children. He and his wife d. in Monroe.
OLDER CITIZENS.
Robert Swan.
Dan. Buffum.
Harvey Martin.
John Scott.
Jacob Boyce.
Jeremiah Barrus Jr.
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CHAPTER VIII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Nathaniel Aldrich - Sylvester Aldrich - Orrin Munroe Allen - Jonathan Atherton - Lemuel Atherton - James Ballou, jr. - Rev. Robert Bartlett - Job Bisbee - Phebe Bowen - Jedediah Buffum - Capt. Oliver Capron - Daniel Cass - Nahum Cass - Kendall Fisher - Eliza Ballou Garfield - John Martin - Wilderness Martin - Jo- seph and Benjamin Newell - Loren Pickering - Timothy Pickering - Jonathan Rawson - Alonzo Rawson - Col. Henry Starkey - Moses Tyler - Jarvis Weeks - Hon. Joseph Weeks - James Harrison Cass :- Daniel, the Nig - Nancy Linty - Hannah Man - Ruth Ormsby - Penelope Phillips- Rachel Jillson - Aldis Boyce.
Nathaniel Aldrich, Esq., was recognized, in his time, as one of the leading men of the town. He was chosen on the board of selectmen in 1788, and served almost continuously until 1813. He was early placed on the board on account of the discovery of his ability in ciphering out the rate of taxation for the selectmen of the previous year, who were unable to solve so difficult a problem. He did a considerable amount of justice business for one located so far away from the centre of the town. His marriage certificates were quite numerous, as appears upon the records. He was honored with the office of representative to the General Court. His last days were spent with his daughter, Mrs. Wilbur, in Danby, Vt., where he died.
Sylvester Aldrich, for forty years or more a resi- dent of the town, became the largest land-owner in Richmond, possessing seemingly nearly all the land that joined him; he was ambitious in the pursuit of
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wealth ; he engaged in the manufacture of pails, etc., at North Richmond, a business with which he was un- acquainted by any former experience ; he quit the business in season to save a sufficiency for all his worldly needs.
Orrin Munroe Allen was among the more promis- ing young men of his time. He was studious, moral, and discreet; he obtained a respectable education, mainly by his perseverance and exertion as scholar in the old brick school-house. He completed his studies at the Royalston high-school, and afterwards taught the village school at Athol for two or three terms with marked success. It is probable that about this time he entertained some idea of preparing for the Unitarian ministry, but for some unknown reason he abandoned the project, and devoted his life, so far as is known, to agricultural pursuits. He removed to Pennsylvania with his father's family, and after re- maining there some years it is reported that he en- gaged in farming in Canada for a while, and again that he went to some of the Southern states ; his where- abouts at the present time, if he is living, are un- known. The other members of the family are now supposed to be dead. His sister Lamira was in- sane many years, and was a great trial and care to the family while she lived. It is not known that Orrin M. was ever married.
Jonathan Atherton, Esq., son of the first settler of that name, was one of the more substantial men of the town; was of that class that gives dignity and character to any community. In his general mien he . was dignified and commanding, in bodily stature he was among the largest in town, his voice was round
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and sonorous ; this combination of qualities well fitted him for moderator of town meetings, which position he satisfactorily filled for many years in succes- sion, until he removed to Winchester, much to the re- gret of his fellow-citizens, in 1835. His political af- finities were with the Whigs, and his religious con- nections were with the Congregationalists of Win- chester.
Lemuel Atherton, son of Solomon, is remembered as one of the tall men of the town, a six footer, sure. His aspirations, in his younger days, led him to a study of the law ; he may have been a student of Fos- ter Alexander, of Winchester. It is probable that he never practiced the profession to any considerable extent. Was somewhat eccentric, and was possessed of fair abilities. He married Bliss, of Royalston, and lived some years in that town. He died 1851, aged 73.
James Ballou, jr., whose genealogical record covers most of the changes in his life, is entitled to some further notice on account of the celebrity he ac- quired as an astrologer. He was for years consulted by persons who had lost their domestic animals, or other property, which may have strayed away or been stolen ; he was believed by many to have been clair- voyant, and able, under favorable conditions, to dis- cover the whereabouts of such property ; his power, however, seems not to have been confined to this alone ; he could, apparently, at times, penetrate the tangled web of life, and trace the life lines in their courses ; how he arrived at his conclusions is not known ; he went to work with slate and pencil mak- ing circles, triangles, and other geometrical figures, but what relation these bore to the end sought is un-
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known; he certainly acquired great notoriety, and was visited quite often by persons from a distance. Tradition says that he foretold the day of his death, but of this there appears no conclusive evidence. He was evidently a man of quick perceptions, with large mental resources. He died in the prime of his man- hood, at the age of 47.
Rev. Robert Bartlett, whose mother was the wife of Jesse Martin, was probably born in Warwick, but lived most of the time during his boyhood in Rich- mond, with his parents, on Whipple hill, on the place recently owned by John Barrus. His early oppor- tunities for acquiring an education were limited to the district school ; he manifested an aptness to learn not common among his fellows, and a readiness in speech betokening a public speaker. When quite young he began to preach in school-houses and other places ; he was so low in stature at that time that he stood fre- quently on a stool, that he might be visible to the audience ; he became a Universalist, preached in Vermont and New Hampshire for some years, and on one occasion was invited to deliver the election ser- mon before the Vermont legislature. At nearly the close of his ministry, about 1876, he supplied the Universalist pulpit in Richmond, and finally removed to Boston, where he died, Jan., 1882. The Rev. Dr. Miner preached the funeral discourse, and his remains were taken to Laconia, N. H., for burial.
Fob Bisbee, Esq., who for more than fifty years was a resident of the town, and was quite well known in the county of Cheshire, deserves a passing notice. It may be safely affirmed that his natural endowments were more than average. He was always greatly
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interested in politics ; he kept well posted in the do- ings of each of the political parties ; was an attentive reader of the Congressional Globe for several years ; he was unwavering in his devotion to the Whig party, and was persistent and unyielding in his advocacy of its principles ; was a great admirer of Daniel Web- ster, and defended, with great zeal, his famous seventh-of-March speech. He was of the old Pilgrim stock of old Plymouth, and in many respects was a representative type of those early fathers of New England. He was never popular with the peo- ple ; he lacked that suavity and grace which wins the multitude, and consequently received no official pro- motion at the hands of his townsmen.
Phebe Bowen, daughter of Zephaniah, was a teacher whose intellectual range was above the aver- age. She was in the academy with S. W. Buffum, at Patterson, N. J., for some years ; she taught and travelled in various states from Maine to Texas ; she had a keen perception of passing events, and the gift of concise, clear, and forcible expression in speaking and writing. She married late in life, while in New Orleans, Nahum Sisson, of Texas, a widower with two children. She survived him some years, having charge of the children.
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