USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > Stratford > History of the town of Stratford, New Hampshire, 1773-1925 > Part 38
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Mrs. Willard was a woman of strong intelligence, the possessor of a clear, well-balanced mind, a worthy help meet to Mr. Willard in all his undertakings. She died November 15, 1895. Mr. Willard died July 15, 1905.
2. ALONZO FREEMAN, b. 13 June 1852; m. Marie Jolbert. HATTIE BLANCHE, b. 3 Aug. 1855; d. 3 Feb. 1904.
CAROLINE LYDIA ELLA, b. Sept. 1859; m. Edmund Rowell, M.D., I ch .: Edward.
2. Alonzo Freeman Willard (Jeremiah 1) was born in Newton, Mass., June 13, 1852; died in Stratford June 25, 1913; married, in Bloomfield, Vt., December 17, 1874, Marie Louise Jolbert, who was born in Swanton, Vt., April 25, 1851, and died August 25, 1910.
Mr. Willard was a man of much originality and ability. He spent several years in the West where he was engaged in rail- roading. After his return to the East he carried on the Willard farm in Brunswick; retiring to North Stratford, he purchased the house now owned by Herbert F. Watts.
ALBERTA M., b. 15 Sept. 1875, in Brunswick; m. J. Howard Wight.
ALBERT L., b. 7 Mar. 1877, in Brunswick; d. Saranac Lake, 27 Nov. 1911.
VERNE, b. 24 July 1880; d. 25 Sept. 1910, Portland, Me. JERRY A., b. 9 June 1894, Brunswick.
APPENDIX
FIRST THINGS
All things in time have an end-a beginning and an end. In all series there is a first. We give here a chapter of first things and events.
The first name of this town was Woodbury.
It is said that the first trees were cut by Isaac Johnson and Archippus Blodgett, that they each made an effort to get his tree down first, and that Mr. Johnson was successful. They were probably the first to pitch here. They, however, returned to Connecticut.
The following is a list of the first persons to settle in town: Joshua Lamkin, Archippus Blodgett, 1772, James Brown, James Curtis, Isaac Johnson, Timothy Deforest, Benajeh Blackman and John Smith. (See Proprietors Records for Woodbury.)
The first woman to settle here with her family was Mrs. Joseph Barlow, and the Proprietors voted her ten dollars for this reason.
The first road commissioners to see that a road be cut through the township were James Brown, Joshua Lamkin and James Cur- tis. These men were also made selectmen for the year 1772-73 (being chosen by the Proprietor).
The first board of assessors were: 1786, Andrew Beers, Elijah Hinman, Jabez Baldwin.
The first town meeting after the town was incorporated was held 1780, "Apr. ye 5" day at the home of James Curtis.
First moderator, James Brown.
First town clerk, James Curtis.
First board of selectmen elected by the town, A. Blodgett, J. Holbrook, J. Brown.
First collector, J. Brown.
First constable, J. Curtis.
First money raised for schools, 1784, £4. 0. 0. ($20) and Elijah Blodgett the first school officer, was chosen to collect the school rate.
First inventory 1777, "April ye 28" was taken by A. Blodgett, J. Brown and J. Holbrook.
462
463
HISTORY OF STRATFORD
The first marriage in town was James Brown to Hannah Lam- kin, November, 1775.
The first child born was Annie Brown, 1776 (married Noah Hatch).
The first death, Betsey Lamkin, aged sixteen.
The first framed house was built by Jabez Baldwin.
The first framed barn was owned by W. R. Brown and S. A. French.
The first jurors from Coos county, 1805, petit: Isaac Johnson and Isaac Stevens; grand: Nathan Barlow and Benjamin Strong.
The first justice of the peace appointed in Stratford, according to the records in the secretary of state office, in Concord, Elijah Hinman, March 19, 1791, for the county of Grafton, Coös county not having been formed.
First mention of election to Legislature, 1809, James Lucas.
First Stratford man elected, Nathan Baldwin in 1810.
First school teacher remembered, Master Bradley. His widow became the second wife of James Curtis.
First mention of auditors, 1810. They were, J. Brown, N. Hatch and George Gamsby.
First dispensed with tything men, 18II.
First grand juror, Joshua Lamkin, elected at town meeting, 1783.
Samuel F. Brown and D. Platt had the first stoves. These things now so common were great wonders in those days, the neighbors from afar came in to see them. The older persons who read these lines will remember the tin bakers, and potatoes roasted in the ashes.
Noah Hatch possessed the first wagon and he let it for 8 cents per mile. It was not a buggy of modern times, piano box or top buggy, the body sat on the axle tree, and was as easy to ride in as any lumber wagon.
The first store was kept by John Green near where C. G. Platt's house was burned. He kept a few things brought from Portsmouth, and the Indians came to exchange their furs for other commodities, some of which it is said was rum.
John Gamsby built the first gristmill where the Ockington Mills now are. This mill was built about 1788.
The first post office was established in 1810 and Jared W. Daniels was appointed postmaster. He lived at the Abijah French place.
464
HISTORY OF STRATFORD
Benjamin Strong was the first mail carrier, and he rode on horseback, sounding his approach with his horn.
The first person to go forward in baptism was Isaac Brown, son of the first married couple, James Brown and Hannah Lamkin.
Smallpox first made its appearance among the white settlers, 1803. Jabez Baldwin died with this dread scourge. Steps were taken by the town for a pest house.
Settlements were first made on the Meadows, and here the first road was built.
Charlotte Hatch married L. R. Waters, had the first English print dress; it cost $1.00 per yard. The neighbors even from Northumberland came to see it, so much of a wonder was a print dress.
How wonderful the discoveries for comfort! When Ezra Barnes with his family came into town they called at Mr. Blake's, and they borrowed fire in a skillet. He (Barnes) settled where Michael Dowd lives. Mr. Blake was just over the line in North- umberland.
Mark Webb and Nahum D. Day kept the first store at the Hollow.
The first hotel at North Stratford was opened by Harvey Hin- man. The first store by Bedel & Holmes.
The first building erected here (North Stratford) was later a part of the Willard House barn.
The first house erected was the one lately occupied by the Gamsby family. (These buildings were destroyed in the fires of November '94 and November '95.)
The first recorded action in reference to a meetinghouse was in 1800. A special meeting was called at the house of Henry Schoff.
The first house of worship was built about 1808-09. It stood a little north of James Curtis' and back from the road.
The first house at the Hollow was of logs, and at the Ockington Mills. The highway passed by here and over the hill to where the meetinghouse stood back of James Curtis' place.
In 1804 the town meeting was for the first time called to meet at Steven's Tavern, and at the meetinghouse, now the town house, for the first time in 1830.
David Platt first commenced on a lot east of the Branch Brown place and boarded at David Gaskill's in Maidstone.
The first preacher remembered is Antipas Marshall.
465
HISTORY OF STRATFORD
The first traveling Methodist preachers remembered are Branch and Sabin. These names are preserved in the names of Branch Brown and Sabin Marshall.
The first Baptist preacher, Elias McGregor.
The first Stratford man in the Union army was Andrew J. Ock- ington, he being in the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment in its passage through Baltimore, April 19, 1861.
The first man to enlist in Stratford for the suppression of the Great Rebellion was Daniel Anderson.
The first bridge across the Connecticut River in Stratford was built by E. A. and W. L. Baldwin in 1852 ; opened for travel in 1853.
The first of any village at North Stratford was the building of this bridge and mills, where the Nulhegan lumber mills were, by the same firm.
The first train to come into Stratford was a construction train in the fall of 1852. It brought freight and some passengers.
The first transportation to Portsmouth and other markets was by horseback.
The first carriages were made of poles, one end answered for thills, the other, the larger one dragged on the ground and carried the load.
The first legal contest was with David Wales Holbrook in regard to the support of his mother.
The first sap buckets were half logs hewed out, hollowing about two feet in length.
The first one hundred pounds maple sugar was made in a tea kettle, skillet and spider.
The first year's business of C. P. True at North Stratford, after the railroad came there, was 3,000 bushels grass seed, 30 tons cheese.
The first mowing machine was owned by J. M. Baldwin, in the '50's.
The first automobile was a red Oldsmobile owned by Albert Morse, in the earliest years of motor cars.
The first tractor in town was owned by James Stone.
KING PHILIP'S DEED
The following is a true copy of the original deed of a large por- tion of Coös county from King Philip, an Indian, who once con- trolled the northern lands, to Thomas Eames of Northumberland,
466
HISTORY OF STRATFORD
John Bradley and Jonathan Eastman of Concord and Nathan Hoit of Moultonboro and it must be of interest to many of our readers. The Ammonoosuck River referred to is probably the one now known as the Upper Ammonoosuc which joins the Connecticut at Northumberland :
To all persons to whom these presents shall come, greeting Know ye that I, Philip, an Indian, a native of America, now resident in Upper Coos and chief thereof, for and in considera- tion of the sum hereafter named, for which I have received security to my full satisfaction of Thomas Eames of North- umberland in the county of Grafton and state of New Hamp- shire and his associates, namely, John Bradley and Jonathan Eastman of Concord, county of Rockingham, and Nathan Hoit of Moultonboro in the county of Straford, all in the state of New Hampshire, esquires, all my peculiar friends. I have this day given, bargained, sold, released, conveyed and con- firmed and by these presents do give, bargain and sell, release, convey and confirm to them the said Thomas, John, Jonathan and Nathan, their heirs and assigns forever all that tract or parcel of land and water, situated within the following bound- aries, viz .: Beginning on the east side of Connecteecock, now called Connecticut river, at the mouth of the Ammonoo- suck river, then up said Ammonoosuck river to head pond to the carrying place, then across the carrying place to a small pond on the head of Plumpetussuck, or Dead river, then down said river to Andrewscoggin river, then up the Andrewscoggin river to lake Umbagog, including all the waters of said lake and island; from said lake up Andrewscoggin river to Moley- chunyomuck, then along the easterly side of said lake to the outlet of Mosseluckmegantick, then up said river to said lake Mosseluckmegantick, including all the waters and islands thereof : then across the carrying place Qwasuktemick, thence down said river till it empties into Awsisegowassuck river, then up said river to Palmachinanabagogg lake, including all the waters and islands thereof, thence up Awsisegowassuck river to the carrying place into the Awsiemtecook river, a St. Francis river, thence down said river till it falls into the branch which empties from lake Mamfloobagogg, then up said river to Skessawennock lake, thence up said river to Mamfloobagogg, including all the waters and islands thereof, from thence up Massheecoowanggawnall river to the head thereof; then across the carrying place to the head of Walheo- gawmuck, then down said river, including all the islands thereof to the mouth of Ammonoosuc river, the place begun at, agreeably. to a plan I have this day given to them, their heirs and assigns forever, with the following conditions and reservations, viz .- that I reserve free liberty to hunt all sorts
467
HISTORY OF STRATFORD
of wild game on any of the foregoing territories, and taking fish in any of the waters thereof for myself, my heirs and suc- cessors and all Indian tribes forever. Also liberty of planting four bushels of corn and beans. And this, my trusty friend Thomas, having given me security to furnish me and my squaw with provision and suitable clothing which I have ac- cepted in full. I have for myself and in behalf of all Indians, who hunted on or inhabited any of the foregoing lands or waters forever quit, claimed and sold as aforesaid to them, the said Thomas, John, Jonathan and Nathan as a good es- tate in fee simple, and do covenant with them that myself and my ancient fathers forever and at all times have been in pos- session of the above described premises, and that I have a good right to and will warrant and defend the same to them, the said Thomas, John, Jonathan and Nathan, their heirs and assigns forever against the claims of all or any persons what- ever.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal and signature this twenty-eighth day of June, 1796.
his PHILIP, x Indian Chief. mark her
MOLLY, x Messel. mark his MOOSEKIT, x Sussop. mark
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
JERE. EAMES. ELY BUCK.
STATE PAPERS
An Important Letter to Col. Bailey and Col. Wood (?)
LANCASTER (N. H.), June ye 9, 1775.
Two scouts had been sent out for the men left at Umbagog lake. They saw at the lake several Indians a hunting, one of which was Black Lena by name, who is very well known among our people in general to be the most trusty and fathful to his word of any In- dian that ever came in among us. He tells our scouts that he set out to pilot the Regular officers into Lower Coös last winter, and two other Indians with them. But he was the chief pilot in order to find out a road from Canada to Coös. But after they had set
468
HISTORY OF STRATFORD
out on their journey the regular officers told the Indians they in- tended to come through that way with an army to take and De- stroy the People in those towns on this River and when Lena found out their Dissire he went Back and Left them they made him Promis and sware he would not come into us and mak known their Dissire. He says there is near 2000 Regulars now in Canada and they are making all Preparations Possible can for war. De- termined to come against us Late this fall and Bring Snow shoes with them, and are now employing the Indians to make them. Lena says they are continually inviting the Indians to join with them and fight against us and they will Put them in officers and offer them money to take up arms against us. But they utterly Refuse it. Lena says the Indians and French waits for nothing but an invitation from us to join with us, which would do it imme- diately. Wants to have us send an Army to take Quebeck and let them know when our Army will meet them at Quebeck to take it. All Canada will rise to help take it. This letter proceeds to state that the Head man of the Indians, John Stacey, is at Chanawage and friendly to New England. Lena offers to go to Canada on pay in the interests of the colonies and Col. Bailey is desired to see them or send to them and is signed by
EDWARD BUCKNAM. SETH WALES.
Letter from General Washington to Committee of Safety
CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE, Aug. 4 (?), 1775.
Gentlemen: Your publick Capacity and the hope that you will be both able and willing to give us some assistance has led me to make this application. The situation of the army as to Amuni- tion is by no means what it ought to be. We have great reason to suspect the enemy very soon intend to bombard our Lines and our Stock of Powder is so small as in a great Degree to make our heavy Artillery useless.
I must therefore request you will exert yourselves to forward whatever can be spared from your province as soon as possible. The necessity is great, the cause is of the last importance. I am therefore persuaded I need use no arguments to quicken your zeal. The smallest Quantities are not beneath notice, as a considerable stock may be formed from various collections. Lead and Flints
469
HISTORY OF STRATFORD
are also very scarce, you will therefore furnish all you can spare. Next to making the Provision, its being seasonable is of great im- portance; every hour in our present situation is critical.
Should there be any arrivals in any part of your Province, with the necessary article I must request your forwarding all that can be possible spared out of it.
I am gentlemen very respectfully your most obedient and very humble servant,
GEO. WASHINGTON.
To the Hon. The Committee of Safety of New Hampshire.
The original letter has Washington's own signature as above.
Order of Committee of Safety to Captain Bedel
Sr .: You are directed to proceed immediately to Northumber- land or Lancaster with your company, or such part thereof as you think proper, and there, in conjunction with the inhabitants, erect a garrison in such place as you with their advice shall judge most suitable. Sufficient for defence against small arms. And when that is completed to assist in building garrisons in such other places on the frontiers as you with the advice of the inhabitants shall judge most necessary, sending out such scouts from time to time for intelligence as you shall find expedient. And also to take the charge of all such provisions as may be sent you and cause the same properly to be delivered to yours and other companies that may be posted by the congress on this committee on Connecticut river and purchase beef, bread, etc., as may be requisite, and re- turn your accounts to this committee for their allowance and pay- ment. And also to use your utmost endeavors to gain and keep the friendship of the Indians by small donations, etc., and if any- thing of importance should occur to send information thereof to this committee by immediate expresses, and to take up and ex- amine any person you may suspect of attempting to cross the country to Canada with a design to hurt the cause of America, and, if after examination, you are satisfied of such design, that you secure him, or them, and send them down here for trial, and to use your discretion with regard to any other who evidently appear to be enemical to the liberties of America. In case of any
470
HISTORY OF STRATFORD
attack upon any of the inhabitants in those parts to whom you can possibly afford assistance you are to do so without delay.
By order of the committee,
W. WHIPPLE, Chairman, P. T. July 7, 1775.
Treason in the North County
PORTSMOUTH, April 26, 1775.
To the people of the county of Grafton from a real friend who wishes their well-being :
For God's sake pay the closest attention to the sowing and planting of your lands and do as much of it as possible, not only for your own family's subsistence, but to supply the wants of your fellow men down country, for you may be assured that every kind of distress in the proprietary is coming upon them. Let nothing induce you to quit your farming business-mind no reports- there are enough without you. Therefore your diligence in farm- ing will much more serve your country than coming to assist us. Much depends upon the back settlements raising plenty of grain. I am informed that if the people of the back settlements take up arms a number of Indians and Canadians will fall upon them, but that if they remain quiet they will not. This I inform you of for the love I bear you and give it to you as a sincere friend should.
JOHN FENTON.
Colonel Fenton was one of only three representatives of Grafton county, which then included the territory of the whole northern region. It is addressed to the citizens of Grafton county. He was asked to appear before the Provincial Congress and explain his letter. He was voted dangerous to the province and was sent to gaol to be supported as a gentlemen, afterwards to headquarters of the forces and finally to New York and permitted to go to Eng- land or Ireland on condition that he give his parole not to take up arms against the Colonies. His purpose seems to have been to keep the men from enlisting or assisting in resisting the British by inducing them to remain on their farms and by intimating that if they came to help, the Indians and French would retaliate on them, and all this as a true friend and with an appeal to God.
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HISTORY OF STRATFORD
Revolutionary War Accounts
This account was found in the papers of the Baldwin family and furnished by Mrs. Lucia A. Thompson. This paper has the signa- tures of A. Blodgett, Joshua Lambkin and James Curtis.
State of New Hampshire, Stratford, July, 1775. An account of Josiah Lambkin service done and damage sustained by living in Stratford a frontier town through the whole of the unhappy war with Great Britain:
£
S.
d.
To moving my family by order of Gen. Bailey with expense of moving my family to Haver- hill and supporting them,
16
0
O
To loss of time three months,
6
O
0
Damage that I suffered by moving,
IO
0
0
And expense moving back,
6
O
O
1
38
O
O
ARCHIPPUS BLODGETT, JAMES CURTIS, Selectmen.
State of New Hampshire, by James Curtis. An account of service done and damage sustained by living in Stratford, a fron- tier town, through the whole of the unhappy war:
To moving my family by orders of Gen. Bailey to Northumberland, expense of moving, etc., To supporting my family, loss of time, etc., To damage sustained moving,
IO
0
O
I2
O
O
To 12 days scouting to Umbagog, at 6s per day,
3
I2
O
To cash paid Capt. Learnard for going after powder, ball, etc.,
O
6
O
To pair of snow shoes to go to Canada scouting,
O
18
0
To work done by William Curtis at Northum- berland fort 10 days at 4s per day,
2
O
O
Loss of time, damage, etc.,
3
O
0
.
-
47
I6
0
.
Stratford, State of New Hampshire, June, 1775. An account of damage and loss that I, Joseph Barlow, hath sustained by living in
-
£ S.
d.
16
O
0
472
HISTORY OF STRATFORD
the town of Stratford by the enemy, in living in the frontier town through the whole war:
To moving my family by order from Gen. Bailey, expenses in moving my family and supporting them loss of crops, etc.,
35
0
0
June 1780. To moving my family to the fort, scouting, guarding, loss of time, etc.,
10
0
0
45
O
O
JAMES CURTIS, JOSHUA LAMBKIN, ARCHIPPUS BLODGETT,
Selectmen.
Stratford, State of New Hampshire, June, 1776. An account of damage and loss of time, I, Nathan Barlow, hath sustained by liv- ing in the town of Stratford by the enemy in the frontier town through the whole war:
£.
S.
d.
To moving by order from Gen. Bailey, expense in moving, loss of time and crops,
IO
O
O
June, 1780. To moving into fort, scouting, guarding, loss of time and crops,
5
O
O
-
15
O
O
PETITIONS
For an Abatement and for Incorporation
We your humbel proticeners do pleade for an abatement of taxes Praying that the Court would consider us under our present distressed Curcumstances and wich we have laboured under Ever since we came into this howling wilderness we Shall now proceed to Show forth what we have Indured Ever Since we began to Set- tel this town which in the yeare A D 1773 and now there is but Seven families in the town only and we have lived destitute of aney asistance from the rest of the Propity wich ware to make emediate Settlement and build mils which is all neglected by which means we have Suffered very much our wheat has Cost us the one half of it to get it ground ever Sence we have lived heare oure propity meting was Ajurned to Connecticut and held thare So that we have not had the privelige of acting as a propity in the town When the town was last Chartered out the Publect rites
£
S.
d.
-
473
HISTORY OF STRATFORD
ware taken away so that we live destitute of aney privelige both Sivel or Sacred oure money is Spent our famelys are naked and provision is very scars by reson of the pepol moving of for feire the Enemy We lost all our Crops and was Obliged to part with our oxan and cows to get bak agane and we are exposed to the Enemy without aney protection and are in a poore sitawation to defend oure Selves we are frunteer as the Pepol is all with drew from above us we desire that the Court would incorporate us and give us Proper athority
Stratford May ys 15 1778
ARCHIPPUS BLOGGET JOHN SMITH
JOSHUA LAMKIN JOSEPH BARLOW
JAMES CURTISS JOHN HOLBROOKS
JAMES BROWN
For Protection
The memorial of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the towns of Lancaster, Northumberland and Stratford humbly sheweth that on Thursday the 24th inst June, a party of Indians about 15 in number, commanded by a French man, came into Stratford, took two Prisoners Plundered 2 Families of everything valuable which they had, we humbly pray that your Honors would take the mat- ter into your serious Consideration and provide such assistance for our future Security from those Barbarous Savages, as your wis- dom shall Direct and your Memoralists as in duty Bound shall ever Pray.
Lancaster, 27th June, 1779.
JOSEPH PEVERLY, WARD BAILEY,
THOMAS PEVERLY, CALEB MARSHALL,
DANIEL SPALDING, EMMONS STOCKWELL,
NATHAN CASWELL, MOSES PAGE,
DILL SAWYER, JAMES WILDER,
ENOCH HALL,
ED. BUCKMAN.
For a Road
Petition relating to a Road from Conway addressed to the Gen. Court, 1790 humbly sheweth that whereas their is a Road cut and partly cleared and bridges leading from upper Coös to Conway so to Wolfborough and Portsmouth which is through considerable
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