USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Surry > History of the town of Surry, Cheshire County, New Hampshire : from date of severance from Gilsum and Westmoreland, 1769-1922, with a genealogical register and map of the town > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106
Another man in descending the same hills about that time met with an acci- dent when his harness broke pitching his load of tub butter over the bank, some of which rolled down into the gulch.
One day about 1838 as Edmund Woodward was driving a colt to the village he stopped at No. 30. Mr. Cooper came out placing his hand on the horse which took fright, and jumped over the bank east of the road. The team and driver all rolled over to the foot of the hill, when the colt ran up to Otis Dag- getts blacksmith shop in the village. Mr. W. received slight bruises, but the wagon was a wreck.
During the great freshet of Oct. 1869 Thomson's brook overflowed its banks above Shaw's Corner and ran down the highway for about 800 feet, and ruined the road, after which it was built farther to the east.
Mar. 7, 1831 a child of Leonard A. Bowker died by falling into a kettle of hot water; aged about three years.
Millie, a daughter of Henry T. Ellis nearly lost her life in the South mill pond when about two years of age.
257
CASUALTIES, FIRES, CRIMES, ETC.
"EIGHTEEN FROZEN TO DEATH"
The year of 1816 is considered in history as the coldest summer experienced in New England, and is frequently mentioned as above noted. There was a frost every month in the year and but few crops were raised.
HIGH WIND
Aug. 9, 1813. About noon a thunder cloud and hailstorm passed over parts of Walpole, Surry, Gilsum, Sullivan and other places, doing much damage. The hailstones were of various sizes, from that of a bullet to that of a hen's egg; a large part of them were of the latter size and rebounded four or five feet from the ground. In Surry there was but little rain, but the ground was literally covered with hailstones. Great damage was done to many houses and but few panes of glass left entire on the exposed sides. Eighty panes were broken in one house in town and about 90 in the meeting house (now, our Town Hall). The crops in some places were nearly all destroyed.
THE TORNADO
Between three and four o'clock Sunday afternoon, Aug. 4, 1822 occurred the most powerful and destructive wind storm ever known in town. "Two threat- ening clouds, from different points of the compass, appeared to meet over the highland in the east part of Walpole. Soon after, a tornado commenced, the cloud taking a north-easterly course, through the north part of Surry, simi- lar, though not so extensive nor so destructive in its effects, as that which occurred at Warwick, Mass., last season. Some orchards and barns were in- jured near the old turnpike gate, where its ravages commenced. Mr. George Cochran on the hill (in Walpole) had two barns completely demolished and his house somewhat injured. Next, a barn on the estate of the late John Mar- vin (in Surry), was also demolished. Its effects were next felt at Mr. Francis Holbrook's, inn-keeper, in Surry who had two barns thrown down, and a large shed, under which at the time were some loaded teams. At the tan-yard of Samuel Hills, Esq., two sheds were demolished and the roof entirely taken off from a large granary. Some other buildings, including the old dwelling-house, were injured by sticks of timber and limbs of trees, which were carried in the air. The roof of a 40 foot building adjoining Mr. Hills house (?), some 80 rods north east was blown off. Mr. Hills had 160 panes of glass broken by the flying boards, shingles, &c. Farther east, a barn was blown down on the farm occupied by Mr. David Reed; the dwelling-house was also injured, and the orchard half destroyed. In its course, for nearly half a mile in width, the orchards and forest trees show its destructive effects. Mr. Holbrook had an ox killed, but no person was injured, so far as our information extends." --- From Keene Sentinel, Aug. 10, 1822. The following appeared, Aug. 31st:
"The late tornado, or whirlwind, commenced as we before stated, in the hollow, near the old turnpike gate in Walpole. The clouds, a few minutes before, presented a singular appearance, which gave warning of something uncommon to be apprehended. They suddenly shot by each other, in various directions, and sometimes almost perpendicularly upwards. In a few moments
NOTE-The tornado at Warwick, Northfield and Orange, Mass., occurred Sept. 9, 1821.
17
258
HISTORY OF SURRY
the effects were seen in a pasture belonging to Mr. Adams Whipple. The shade trees were twisted entirely off, and the stone wall, in several places, laid level with the ground. The tops of chimneys were here taken off; a barn belonging to Richard Clark, and a barn belonging to Mr. William Robinson, were instantly swept away. It next encountered a woodlot of 27 or 28 acres, and our informant thinks that not more than five acres remain. Almost every tree was torn up and level with the earth .-- Next a wood-house and barn, be- longing to Mr. Nathan Nye blown down, and his orchard nearly destroyed,- A wood lot of 20 acres, belonging to Mr. Cochran, (who also lost two barns and his orchard destroyed) almost ruined. The cornfields look as if a heavy log of wood had been rolled over them." Tradition says the wind caught up an ox-cart in Capt. Holbrook's yard carried it over the road, brook and drove the neap into the bank with such force that it required a pair of oxen to ex- tract it.
FIRES
The fiery elements have done quite serious damage for the size of the town and been detriment to its prosperity in many cases. The following is a com- plete list so far as discovered :
1798-99, Asa Wilcox, Sr. lost a building in which ham and bacon was being smoked. Several of his neighbors suffered the loss of their "ham & eggs" by this fire. The building stood near No. 127, in Wilcoxville.
Friday, June 21, 1805, a fire destroyed the house of John Brockway in Surry during this night, "with the principal part of its contents"-taken from K. S. This was No. 34 where George A. Hall now lives. Nov. 6, 1806 the farm was adv. for sale-80 rods south of the meeting house; a good barn and "a new house partly finished."
One Sunday about 1845 a barn was burned at the "Cones" (No. 27) by a small boy playing with matches.
. All the barns on the George Joslin place (No. 172) were destroyed by a fire in Oct. 1869. He not only lost his buildings but about 100 tons of hay and grain. The fire was supposed to have been set by a neighbor, who soon after notified Mr. Joslin that his "barns were all a fire." Apr. 13, 1903, the old house and barns on this place were also destroyed by a chimney fire.
Oct. 22, 1870, George H. Rand's house and barn at No. 173 were wiped out by a fire, said to have started when his horse fell over his lantern.
During the summer of 1870, John Johnson's house at No. 80 was destroyed by a fire supposed to have started by placing hot ashes in a barrel in the shed.
Aug. 9, 1872, Lightning struck the barn of Amos H. Carter (at No. 24) and it was destroyed. The present large barn was built on the same site.
Dec. 28, 1887, Jackson Reed lost his house by a chimney fire, and on the same spot the present one was built the next year. Mrs. Reed was the only one at home and she ran to Shaw's corner to summon help.
May 31, 1878, George B. Britton's house was destroyed by a chimney fire. He built on the same site the present dwelling at No. 30.
June 6, 1888, Stephen H. Clement lost all his buildings by a fire from light- ning. He built the same year the present buildings on the same spot.
259
CASUALTIES, FIRES, CRIMES, ETC.
Aug. 21, 1900, Sidney J. Wilder while living at No. 102 lost all the buildings on this farm by fire which started in the night from an arch in the shed.
Nov. 9, 1902, The large house and barn at "Shaw's Corner" were all de- stroyed by a fire which started from a chimney.
Apr. 15, 1905, a grass fire destroyed the barns at the Jonathan R. Field place (No. 16) now owned by the Keller family.
In 1906-7 the barn on the Capt. Holbrook farm (No. 126) owned by Chas. H. Hodgkins was destroyed by the Blake-Fitzgerald boy.
Feb. 4, 1907 the same lad applied a match to F. F. Field's barn, No. 39 during the early evening, but help arrived and the fire was put out. Having failed in this attempt, he set the Warren Carpenter barn (No. 54) on fire during the same evening which was destroyed along with all the buildings on the village hotel property-No. 55.
On or about Mar. 16, 1888 a barn on No. 54, owned by the Carpenters was destroyed, and on the site the present one was soon after built.
Everett E. Wilbur lost a barn at No. 184, Aug. 1910 (?). The fire was caused by his grandson playing with matches.
Dec. 23, 1909, Edward J. Guillow lost his buildings through a defective chimney and but little of the contents was saved. He built the present house the next year on same spot-No. 188.
Apr. 14, 1915, Leon A. Hodgkins' buildings were all destroyed at No. 125 from a fire which started from an unknown cause in the barn during the evening.
Sunday afternoon, June 6, 1915 the most spectacular and disastrous fire to visit this town took place when all the buildings at No. 23 were destroyed. Jasper N. Keller owned the property. There was a two story house, the old Dr. Peter Monroe house (used as a store house), a creamery, a large horse barn north of the dwelling house, and three large barns. The main barn was a model of its kind, having basement floor for cattle, above this, the floor on which the hay was driven in over a raised platform, then came the loft or "high beams." There was a chimney for heating the "root cellar" in the basement, and above all was a well placed cupola surmounted by a weather- cock. They were the largest and most expensive set of buildings in town, painted and in prime condition at the time of the fire. The cause was attri- buted to farm-help smoking in the horse-barn where the fire started.
A fire destroyed one or two buildings of the Granite State Gold and Silver Mining Co. about 1882. They were near the shaft on the Gilsum side.
Sunday, Apr. 1, 1923, a chimney fire, starting about noon, destroyed the house and barns on the Edmund Woodward place, No. 11, owned by William S. Morine. The stock, most of farming tools and a portion of household goods were saved. Insurance, $2000.
Several other fires have been discovered in season without doing great dam- age:
About 1848 a chimney fire started a blaze on the roof of the Capt. Thomas Humphrey tavern (No. 68) but by timely aid the house was saved.
260
HISTORY OF SURRY
About July 1, 1880, Ephraim B. Newton while living in the old Peter Hay- ward house discovered a fire, but it was put out without doing much damage.
During the time Royal Watkins was living at the Frank E. B. Mason place the lightning struck just north of his barn (now standing) and killed several sheep and started a fire in the barn, but held from a stage-coach which had hauled up nearby came and the fire was put out without serious damage.
FOREST FIRES
In former times several forest fires have raged on Surry Mountain destroy- ing much valuable wood and timber.
The last fire was started July 4, 1911 by a flash of lightning during a slight shower. It burned over from 200 to 300 acres and was under a constant watch for some two weeks. It was near the top of the Mountain, northeast of the village.
CRIME
This town has been unusually free from crime having but few cases to come before a Court, and so far as known, only one capital crime and that committed by a transient foreigner. A partial list follows.
William Griswold was arrested and served time in Keene jail about 1845 for obtaining money from Elijah Holbrook under constraint.
1906-7, Charles C. (Blake) Fitzgerald when about 16 years of age fired a building in edge of Alstead, then the Capt. Holbrook barns and lastly the vil- lage hotel barns and Francis F. Field's barn. A detective was employed, he was arrested and finally confessed after which he was sent to Concord but was released after a few months. There is a feeling, at least on the part of some, that the lad was forced by another party to commit the acts.
Sept. 30, 1921, Warren P. Fisk, a wood-chopper boarding at F. E. Pomroy's at No. 227, assaulted William LeFluer an innocent young man working in the neighborhood. He was struck three blows on the head with a hammer by Fisk who left the state; subsequently was arrested in Vermont and is now serving a sentence in the prison at Concord.
At the time of building the railroad 1846-47, a large gang of Irishmen were employed in cutting through the "summit" and numerous assaults as well as crime were committed among the men, but we have no details, nor do we know that they took place within our township. The state militia was finally called out and for one winter were stationed in barracks near the east end of the "cut." Several deaths and two or three murders took place-most of the burials were in the cemetery near the Town Farm, in Surry.
THE SAMUEL MESERVEY CASE
Probably nothing in the whole history of the town has created more gossip, suspicion and excitement than the McCurdy-Meservey controversy which was at its height in 1803-04, and is mentioned to this day by old residents. It was the means not only of driving McCurdy out of business, but out of town.
261
CASUALTIES, FIRES, CRIMES, ETC.
Lieut. John McCurdy, a farmer, merchant and inn-keeper was living at No. 12 and doing a prosperous business; the stage coach-passenger and freight- passed and put up at his tavern daily. During the fall of 1802 a Mr. Samuel Meservey, a seaman, reputed to have had considerable money came along and began work shaving shingles for Mr. McCurdy with whom he worked until the night of Dec. 24, 1802 when he suddenly disappeared, and soon after Mc- Curdy was accused of murdering him for his money. Tradition says he was buried in the cellar, in the South mill-pond, and even in the Lily pond on top of Surry Mountain. Two articles in his defense appeared in Keene Sentinel during 1803, from which Mr. MeCurdy proves Meservey was seen after the above date in Lempster, N. H., and also in Concord, Mass. From what can now be learned, "suspicion" ran high and many believed a crime had been committed, yet no one was ever arrested, and we are inclined to give the accused the "benefit of the doubt."
CHAPTER XIV
REMINISCENCES OF SURRY AND KEENE
The following letter written by Freeman Carpenter Watkins; born in Surry Mar. 29, 1811 who removed to Michigan with his father's family in April, 1835, was printed in Keene Sentinel in 1874, and covered a period of about forty years prior to that time:
"Dear Sentinel :- Born and reared within sound of your church going bells, and having been a constant reader of the Sentinel for fifty years, my heart still turns with an irresistable impulse to that natal spot where it was ushered into existence. Forty years ago Surry was noted for its many hostelries. On the highland in the West part of the town was the Pollard Tavern (where Alonzo F. Wilbur now-1920-lives), famous for its New England rum and gin, where the Walpole Artillery and Rangers took the parting glass as they left the Walpole hills for their muster grounds in the beautiful valley of the Ashuelot.
On the river road, first was the Inn of Peter Hayward, a lineal de- scendant of the first settler. Next, near the Center, was the house of Capt. Jonathan Robinson, Postmaster, a representative of one of the old reliable families.
Next came the hotel of Capt. Thomas Humphrey, a burly salt-water sailor. At the North, almost within rifle shot of the Alstead line, Capt. Francis Holbrook entertained man and beast. He was a man of fine address and reputed to be the wealthiest man in the township.
Isaiah Robbins was landlord of the old Harvey House. Robbins was a hearty fellow; drove a six-horse team between Boston and Bellows Falls; set a good table and was fortunate in having a wife of some ac- quirements. Here on Saturdays a set of roistering fellows were wont to congregate. John Tufts, George Baxter, Mason Watkins, Belding Dart and other kindred spirits, met to drink flip and toddy, and amuse themselves in pulling sticks, fisticuffs and other muscular exercises. Here also was the head-quarters of Abijah Benton, who taught dancing and etiquette to the rising generation. Where is the native of Surry who does not remember "Bige Benton's" dancing school?
In stepping Durang's Hornpipe and beating the kettle drum, Benton was without a rival; in drinking and swearing, (sad to relate) he had no superior.
At this period, Esq. David Shaw and Royal Watkins were the two lit- erary men of the township. Belonging to different political parties, they were the only ones that could draft a set of pertinent resolutions, and discharge the duties of secretary of a caucus or convention with propriety. They were both veteran school-masters.
Reared in adjoining towns they sought and found their wives in the old pioneer families of Surry. Esq. Shaw gave to his country a large family of stalwart sons, and lovely daughters. He deceased a few years since at the advanced age of 84 years. The soil of New Hampshire rests lightly on his bosom.
263
REMINISCENCES
The other, with his family, sought their fortunes in the West. He is still living in Jackson Co., Michigan in his 86th year, with faculties unimpaired; he can solve a problem in mathematics or dance the High- land reel with the same ease and grace as he did 50 years ago.
Rev. Perley Howe was the settled and resident minister; he was a graduate of Dartmouth college-a man of spotless life and liberal views; charitable to all, he won and retained the love and respect of his fellow townsmen.
Norvell, Mich. January 1874.
F. C. W."
Inspired by the preceding letter, the following appeared in the Sentinel of March 5th, 1874, and was written by Mrs. Betsey (Monroe) Cadis of Charles- town, Mass. She was born in Surry July 21, 1800:
REMINISCENCES OF SURRY AND KEENE.
New Hampshire Sentinel, Keene, N. H., March 5, 1874.
"Mr. Editor :- Some kind friend sent us a recent number of the SENTINEL containing a letter written by a former resident of Surry,* in which he gives interesting reminiscences of events that occurred in Surry and Keene forty years ago. Being a native of Surry myself, and a resident of the place at that and an earlier period, my recollection ex- tends back more than sixty-five years; and those jottings or records by your correspondent served to open the store-house of my memory, from which issued many old, familiar faces and forgotten incidents of the past. From the mass of material thus presented it will be my endeavor to select such as will be of some interest to the general reader as well as to those of Surry, and her sons, daughters and descendants everywhere.
THE PUBLIC CONVEYANCE
"From Boston to Surry, some fifty years ago and earlier, was by stage-coach-entering Keene at the southern extremity and passing through the entire length (nearly a mile) of the splendid avenue, or Main street. Keene being the birth-place of my beloved mother, filial love and respect suggests at least a passing notice of her kindred there, though distant. Deacon Fisher of "Ash Swamp," so-called, Mr. Colony (Josiah, I think) the clothier, and the Messrs. Briggs, cabinet makers, were all first cousins of my mother. Descendants are probably still liv- ing there. Among the prominent merchant firms of that period with whom we traded were the Messrs. Hall Brothers, Appleton & Elliot, and Samuel Gerould on the West side of the street, and Messrs. Lamson and Perry on the East side. There were others not so well remembered. Good "Uncle Bijah" (Abijah) Kingsbury, shoe dealer, was too well known to be forgotten-many pleasant incidents concerning him are re- membered. Miss Fisk, the beloved and highly respected principal of the Young Ladies' Seminary is particularly remembered; also Doctors Twitchell and Douseman. There were many other gentlemen, as well as
*See the preceding letter by F. C. W.
264
HISTORY OF SURRY
ladies, favorably known and pleasantly remembered as friends of our family, then residents of Keene. But we must hasten on to our destina- tion-Surry. Before introducing any of its inhabitants, let us take A Topographical View of the Town Itself.
"Probably there are few towns in or out of New England, of similar dimensions, (five miles in length, and less in breadth), that surpass or even rival Surry in romantic location and picturesque scenery of hill and vale-comparing favorably with the wildest scenery of the Old World.
BOUNDED
"The entire length on the East by "Surry Mountain," on the North by the famed "Alstead Hills," on the West by a range and pile of hills,
SURRY MOUNTAIN
South by the thrifty and beautiful town of Keene, the peculiar form of the arable portion suggests that of a "trough with one end knocked cut," as a wag facetiously remarked.
THE RIVER
"At the base of the mountain, and running the whole length of it and through Keene, is the well-known, picturesque, serpentine little river, Ashuelot-lively here, placid there, and beautiful everywhere in sum- mer; but in Spring-time, when the sun gives the mountain a sweat, the melting snow sometimes suddenly causes a freshet. The river then be- came grand in its proportions and erratic in its movements, undermin- ing trees, flooding the lowlands and strewing them with blocks of ice, drift-wood, gravel and sand, to the dismay and discomfiture of the farmers and to the injury of acres of grass land.
265
REMINISCENCES
AN INCIDENT
"Of one of these Spring floods (over sixty years since) was so deeply impressed on my mind that it comes to me at this time with wonderful vividness. A party of lads and lasses, invited to a "sugaring-off" in the maple grove, had assembled at the timber-bridge crossing; a portion of the party had passed over in safety; five others, more timid, (three lads and two girls), and linked together in single file, had stepped upon the end plank, when a small dog, running to meet them, was sportively seized by the fore-man and thrown into the river. The action caused a movement of the plank, and all were dropped into the river. Four read- ily escaped, more wet than hurt, while the fifth (the dog-seizer) was carried down stream by the swift current, and being no swimmer. would have drowned had he not caught hold of a friendly shrub that hung over and into the water, to which he clung until rescued.
THE MOUNTAIN LILY. POND
"As described by an explorer, 'was the result of remarkable freaks of nature,' and is singularly beautiful, in its surroundings and its lo- cation. During portions of the year it furnishes water for a series of zig-zag cascades, reaching from the top of the mountain to the river at
LILY POND
its base. The growth of trees around (and seemingly nourished by it) was very dense. Several years ago a whirlwind drove through and up- rooted a large number of them, thus adding another interesting and in- structive feature to the place. A person standing by the church or the old Robinson (now Warren Carpenter's) tavern and looking due East at the summit of the lofty mountain, would never suppose the topmost
266
HISTORY OF SURRY
or highest trees* surrounded an acre, more or less, of deep water. Yet, such a pond is there, and the urchins of the town believed it fathomless. Many a weird story have the juveniles heard of day and night adven- tures on and about this strange, hermit-like pond. Some have heard of the
MINE ON THE MOUNTAIN SIDE
"Between the pond and the river, which is hardly worth mentioning. It has the merit of not having cost much. A fall to the bottom of it would be no serious matter,ยง for it is almost as shallow as some of the mines on paper, where the stock-holders (not the mines) have been blasted.
THE MOUNTAIN FIRES
Always exciting, have sometimes been awfully grand; especially so at one time when hundreds of acres were burning over on the loftiest Eastern range. At night the burning of the tall pines and hemlocks, scattered among other trees along the sides or upon the summit, in bold relief against the sky, resembled church spires burning and falling- some of them shooting down the granite ledges and making an impres- sion of sublimity never to be forgotten by those who saw it. Less than two miles North of the pond, on the same mountain range, stands
"BALD MOUNTAIN"
"A high, precipitous, rocky formation, situated back of the "Baxter homestead," (more recently Esq. Shaw's) on the Gilsum road. Though seemingly perpendicular as seen from the "turnpike," yet on the East- ern side it is comparatively of easy ascent. With the exception of a few stinted shrubs, the summit was (over sixty years ago) almost des- titute of soil and vegetation. Here this "Sentinel Rock" (like its pro- totype of that name in California) has stood for ages, watching as it were, the mutual approaching of the Eastern mountain and Western hills, till at the Northern lines, or a short distance beyond, (if I mistake not) they meet and lovingly greet each other. Doubtless there are other lesser freaks of nature observable on the Western hills, of which I am not so well informed, so we will hasten Southerly to within a half mile of the town line, and rest awhile on
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.