USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Meredith > Old Meredith and vicinity > Part 10
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Phineas Weeks was born in 1777. He bought land on the road leading from the Weirs to Meredith and lived in a house just over the Meredith-Laconia line. He married Mary Page, daughter of Benjamin, and lived there until 1815, when he moved with his family to Weeks Corner, Up-in-Town, Laconia. He died August 26, 1843.
John S. Weeks, the fourth son of Phineas and Mary (Page) Weeks, was born January 21, 1808. When fourteen years of age he left his home, and with his sole possessions in a handkerchief walked to Boston to work for his uncle Eben. He then worked in a brick yard and as a carpenter. After some years he bought out a fish and lobster company with a wharf at East Boston. He remained in this business all his active life, coming every summer to the old home in Laconia.
John Frank Weeks, the son of John S. and Lydia A. Flanders of New Hampton, was born in Boston, but spent most of his boyhood in Laconia with his aunt, his mother having died. His father's second wife was Phoebe A. Sanborn, daughter of Nathaniel Sanborn of Meredith. The first wife of John Frank Weeks was the daughter of Esquire Charles Smith and his wife Annis. Mrs. Charles P. Hook (Mary Isabel) and John Herbert Weeks were their children. Mrs. Grace E. Blaisdell is the daughter of his second wife, Mary R. Strate of Enfield. The old homestead is now occupied by Mrs. Blaisdell and her son. No other descendants are now living here.
ON THE DANIEL WEBSTER HIGHWAY
Nathaniel Chase, the Revolutionary soldier, lived near Lake Winnepesaukee opposite the "Roller Coaster" road. He came from Brentwood. His widow, Betsy, stated that he "was a soldier in the 2d N. H. R., and was killed in 1781." He had also served in 1775 and 1777. His widow sold all that they had collected together to pay his debts, and was left penniless.
Samuel Torrey had settled on the lot south of that on which Nathaniel Chase had settled, and was living there with his wife and children as early as 1766. He too was a Revolutionary soldier.
Lieutenant Chase Wiggin had once owned the land which Abraham Tilton bought later at the corner of the "Roller Coaster" road. The house farther north where Phineas Weeks settled is known as the Joshua Wiggin place, and there were two other Wiggin houses before reaching the old Smith house, which stands beyond the brook.
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THE TILTON FAMILY A LETTER FROM MR. G. H. TILTON
Dear Mrs. Hibbard:
About the Tiltons of Meredith, I am sorry I cannot give you full information concerning all of them. I have nothing to show that any of them were in the town prior to the year 1800. Joseph C. Tilton was living on a farm at the head of "Little Bay" in 1806, and Major Abraham was on his farm between Weirs and Meredith in 1808. I have no reliable information as to their families.
In December, 1819, my grandfather, Stephen Tilton, bought of Samuel Cram a part of Cass Hill on the old Meredith and Center Harbor Road. My father was one year old when his parents moved to Meredith. Grandfather lived there until 1835, when he moved to the village. There he lived for a time on the lake shore, until he built in 1835 what is now known as the Piper house on the main road going north. He remained in the village (managing the hotel) until 1842, when he moved to Manchester. There were twelve children born to them in Meredith.
Timothy Tilton. grandfather's oldest brother, bought his house in Meredith in 1818. I do not know the date of his moving away. There were four children in his family.
Another brother, Newell Tilton, settled in Meredith in 1827. He also moved to Manchester at a later date than my grandfather. There were eight children in his family.
Another brother, David Tilton, settled in Meredith in 1828 and resided there during his life. There were eight children in his family.
In these four families there were thirty-two children born in Meredith. All have passed away and not one descendant is left in Meredith. They scattered to all parts of our country and their descendants are to be found today in many states of the West and South, but not many in New Hampshire.
I think there were families of Tiltons near the Center very early, but I am not sure whether they were of Joseph C.'s or Major Abraham's family.
G. H. TILTON.
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THE BELL OF THE OLD BRICK MILL
It is well known that the bell in the "Old Brick Mill" was cast by the Holbrooks. The question is often asked, "Is the bell now hanging in the belfry of this mill the original bell?" The letter that follows is the answer given to this question by
G. H. Tilton
I find that Mr. Holbrook who had served his apprenticeship with Paul Revere in the clock and bell business, moved from Meredith Bridge to Medway, Mass., in 1816.
The old brick mill and store burned on the 13th of February, 1823, so Mr. Holbrook could not have been here doing business at that time. Would it not be possible for him to have cast the original bell, which was broken up in the fire when the mill burned? I have always understood that he recast the bell in which there were used fifty silver dollars to give it a tone.
This was told me by old people who lived here at the time the mill burned and who knew about the silver money having been raised to be used in the recasting, which was undoubtedly done in Medway, Mass., as the bell itself shows.
A LEGEND OF INDIAN HILL
Mary E. Neal Hanaford
The legend runs that in the cold sunless year of 1816 Reuben Whitten of Indian Hill in Holderness succeeded in raising forty bushels of wheat, when the crops of his neighbors, who lived on lower ground, were all drowned out, and many families were starving, as no vegetables were raised. Mr. Whitten gathered his wheat, so as not to lose a kernel, and dried it around the fireplace, and each week he gave some of his neighbors a little, so that, with fish and game, they managed to live through the cold rainy summer. In early fall a hard blizzard came and froze many cattle in the pastures, and later the flesh was gathered, they were so short of food.
Reuben Whitten was the son of a Revolutionary soldier and pioneer. Indian Hill in Ashland, now called Christian Hill, overlooks beautiful Squam Lake. Here he and his wife were laid to rest, and here the children of the families that Reuben Whitten had helped save from starvation, erected a monument with the dates, 1771-1849.
John Sawyer Roberts, the grandson of John Roberts, one of the first settlers of Meredith Neck, is one of Meredith's respected citizens, who has attained four score years and more. His wife is Sarah Whitten, the daughter of Reuben Whitten of Indian Hill.
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2
ORIGINAL MILLS as built between 80 and 90 years ago
MEREDITH CENTER
Maud Weymouth Rollins
Seven miles north of Round Bay Colony in Meredith Capt. Noah Lawrence secured water privileges near the center of the town, at the outlet of Wicwas Pond, where he built a saw and grist mill: these settlements were made about 1790. Captain Lawrence's grant included practically all the area included in the district later called Meredith Center.
Some few pioneers settling within a radius of three miles, were there before him and had already opened a trail to New Hampton, another to Plymouth by way of the "Straights" and a more passable road to Sanbornton by Chemung woods. Samuel Dolloff on the New Hampton border came from Exeter or Poplin in 1777. Two of his descendants are known to the writer-Mrs. Emma Dolloff Edgerly, a great-granddaughter who lives on the homestead today; one other a great-great- granddaughter, Mrs. Abbie Pierce Boynton, lives at Meredith Center. Near the Dolloff home lived John Harper; between the New Hampton trail and Sanbornton line on Meredith Hill lived Samuel Leavitt, father of Broadstreet and Thomas, and grandfather of Thomas, Jr., to whom we are indebted for one of our city play- grounds, "Leavitt Park." In 1794 Thomas Dolloff of Raymond, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, came with his wife, Alice Leavitt Dolloff, and established a home on the road leading through the Straights past the house of Samuel Dolloff, above mentioned. A large family, twelve children, came to them and many of these were citizens of Meredith. One mile from Thomas Dolloff's another Sam- uel lives, called little Samuel, to distinguish him from our New Hampton neighbor. The grandson of little Samuel still lives upon the homestead.
This neighborhood was known for many years as the Dolloff district. At one
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time seventeen families of this name were living between Meredith Center district and New Hampton line.
In 1821 Joseph Smith from Corinth, Vermont, with his wife, Betsey Bean Smith, settled on the "Trail" to New Hampton about three miles from Lawrence Mills. Thomas Dolloff's family and the Smith family intermarried, and today a grandson, four generations removed, owns some of the lands granted both an- cestors.
Joseph Kimball was another early settler. Joseph was famed as a pedestrian. It is said that starting for Boston one morning to look for work as a stone cutter, he left Concord with the stage, and was able to reach Boston just a little ahead of it that night; returning the following night, not much behind it.
At the foot of Meredith Hill, Jesse Plummer of Londonderry built his home in the year 1780 or 1782. His family was large and descendants are scattered through the country holding places of more or less prominence. We shall speak of his sons Lane and Gilman later. A grandnephew, known to all Meredith natives, was the eccentric "Hermit Plummer." He refused all company of his kind and lived and died alone in a shack-like house a few miles from the old homestead in the "Hermit Woods." Mabel Plummer Connor of Laconia is a great-grand- daughter.
Down the "Hill" on the Sanbornton side came Robinsons and Edgerlys. The Chase Robinson descendants have been teachers, professors, ministers and stu- dents of a high order. I think Prof. George Robinson today holds some of the original farm and homestead. Mrs. Helen W. Robinson Swain of Mary Butler Chapter is a granddaughter.
William and David Edgerly were brothers and left many of their line to keep in remembrance pioneer ancestors. William was a carpenter and during the settling period was in demand as a framer of buildings. The neighborhood was known in the early '40's as the Edgerly district. Samuel was the head of the line and his great-grandson John Edgerly of New Hampton is still living to speak most entertainingly of family history. We shall mention this line later in con- nection with the Fogg name.
Coming towards the Center nearing Lawrence Mills we find more Leavitts and a Clough family : the latter being ancestors of our venerable and respected friend, Aaron Clough of Meredith Village.
Looking forward a few years several families settled along the line from the Edgerly school house to the top of Marston Hill near the Laconia line.
The Sanborn family was one, whose progenitor Ashel came from Epping as an early settler, and lived to see grandchildren upon the ancestral lands. His son Hibbard was the father of seven daughters and one son. The mother was a daughter of Daniel Mead of another old pioneer family. At the time of his mar- riage religious and political sects and factions were sharply drawn and as Miss Eliza Mead was a Methodist and Abolitionist much discussion was caused among neighbors, Hibbard's friends, as to the outcome of this marriage. The Sanborn line intermarried with some of New Hampshire's old families and the traditions live in the names of Smith, Mathews, Felker and others.
There also lived in this section a Mrs. T., known as a "Witch." She was far
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from popular because of her habit of borrowing and never returning. Years after her death a most excellent woman confided to her daughter-in-law that she sup- posed she was the cause of Mrs. T's death. The following story was told the writ- er by the good woman's grandson. We shall call her Mrs. E. Mrs. T. came to borrow butter of Mrs. E. and being refused in these words "I have no butter," she went away muttering, "You better had! You better had!" The family churning began soon after with a long period of pounding the old dash up and down and "no butter coming." Mrs. E. said, "If Mrs. T. is in that churn I will get her out." Stepping quickly to the fire she took a hook from the crane and threw it in the fire, when it was hot she put it in the churn. The butter soon formed. Later that day one of Mrs. T.'s numerous family came rushing to Mrs. E. saying, "Mother is awful sick and wants some medicine." She soon died and rumor says when one of the neighbors laid her out a terrible burn was found on the back of her neck in the shape of a crane hook.
Nearing the head of Sanbornton Bay, now Winnisquam, we find Stantons, Per- kinses, and Swains-all prosperous farmers. The two latter families have been identified always with the interests of Meredith and Laconia.
It was about 1830 that Captain Lawrence sold his mill property to parties named Lee and soon after to Captain Bickford. The last named added much to the business and life of the town. His two-story house stood near the place where Nathan Plummer resided, on the hill overlooking his mill. It was one of the best places in town. His store on the opposite side of the road was favored with large patronage; braided hats, butter, eggs, and cheese were exchanged for West India molasses, rum and salt fish. His mills were large and noted for good work.
We digress here to speak of Captain Lawrence. After the sale of the mill his full time was given to his farm on the Chemung Road and we should find him there about one mile from the Center. Captain Lawrence has two great-grand- children living in Laconia descended from a daughter, Mrs. Jennie True Gingras and Dr. Walter H. True.
MAIN STREET WITH MEETING HOUSE
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Below the Lawrence farm lived Samuel Glidden. We should have stopped here as every one did to see the children, six in number, I think, noted miles around for their beauty. One daughter became the wife of John Richardson of Meredith, another of Thomas Robinson of Laconia. Both were well remembered by the writer as handsome old ladies.
At the corner of the road leading to New Hampton stood the first schoolhouse. Here the children from the settlement, now Bickford's Mills, came to begin and some to end their education. Next the schoolhouse, with green fields between, stood Capt. Joseph Tilton's house, and in the same yard his cooper shop. His opinions are decided, his thoughts expressed with forceful originality, yet his heart is kind and generous. His wife was a sister of Thomas and Langdon Robinson. Next the Tilton shop stood the church, built near 1820. Below the church was the home and store of Lane Plummer. His large two-story house is imposing for the times and connected with the store. Shall we stop and speak? Lane is reading or exchanging news with his customers who after trading stop to get posted as to the latest affairs near and abroad. He "kept store " some sixty years.
The writer remembers the man and recalls her experience not once but many times with him as postmaster. As a little girl she often "went for the mail." Sometimes an uncle, who was away, would send a postal regarding the time of his home-coming. Mr. Plummer would take the card from the box, adjust his spec- tacles with precision, read the card, then say: "Now you hurry right home, your Uncle Joe is coming on that 4 o'clock train, and wants your father to meet him." After his admonition I received the card with the added injunction not to lose it. Would that life's sweets were one half as honeyed as his old striped candy we bought for one cent a stick.
Opposite Lane Plummer's place were the two houses of John and Smith Glidden, both most exemplary citizens, sons of Elias Glidden whose tavern just below on the same side of the road was famous as a hospitable well-kept inn during the days of stage travel. It was three stories high with a broad piazza, with cov- ered balcony. Many stories linger round its history ; we shall tell one. A certain Captain B., who was of the militia, was proud of his horsemanship and after two days of "training" at the "Parade " he was in a much exhilarated state of mind, in fact, quite reckless. It was usually his custom before leaving for his home in another part of the town to run his horse up the hill to the church door, swing the horse round quickly and dash boldly back up the tavern steps at one end of the piazza, cross the piazza between the house and front pillars and down the steps at the opposite side, all to the wild-eyed enjoyment of his admiring friends.
Near the river on the west bank was Elder Pitman's store; he lived on the road to Meredith Bridge. Elder Stephen Pitman was a versatile man; farmer six days of the week, preacher on the seventh, storekeeper in spare minutes and town clerk when business demanded. Being "all things to all men" he was able to make a comfortable living.
On the east bank of the river below the Pitman store lived the family of David Fogg. Mrs. Fogg was Captain Bickford's sister. The Fogg name was destined to give greater fame to the little hamlet than any other before or since. The son
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George during boyhood was a typical country lad with rather larger ambition perhaps than the average. He became a Dartmouth College graduate, later associated with John P. Hale in newspaper work; a congressman and minister to Switzerland under Lincoln. He was the first man to suggest the name of Abra- ham Lincoln for President. His last days were many of them passed in visiting Meredith. He died at the home of his nephew, John Edgerly, in Concord. The Fogg family moved to the Chemung Road when young Fogg was small and the home was later occupied by Edward Chase. Mr. Chase was the owner of the mill property, purchasing from Captain Bickford. The business was increased by adding the finishing of linen, also pressing home-made garments.
Opposite the Chase place stood three blacksmith shops; two did horseshoeing largely. These were owned and managed by Woodbury Corliss and Oliver Batchelder. The third was Smith Glidden's and made a specialty of iron work.
SMITH GLIDDEN'S BLACKSMITH SHOP, one of the first buildings in the Center. Back of this building in the field shown was the birthplace of Hon. George G. Fogg.
The Smith Glidden shop still stands in part and is now the site for blacksmith work.
On the hill near the Bickford store in the early '60's, stood John Sanborn's shop. Mr. Sanborn was a wizard with tools and any child who was so fortunate as to get inside was fascinated by his work. His son, Fred W. Sanborn, is famed as a journalist. He has been the owner and publisher of the Norway Advertiser, Norway, Me., for many years. Original, and possessed of a versatile thought, brightened by subtle wit, he is much enjoyed as a writer of reportorial articles.
Nearing the center of the village the parsonage is on the west of the road. After Elder Pitman's day a home was provided for the minister. Among those laboring in this field were Elder Swain, Elder Stevens, and in the late '50's or early '60's, Elder Oliver Butler. He was of a line of fine old New England stock, a typical Yankee, keen and alive. He was paid the munificent salary of three hun- dred per year with one "pound party " and an annual donation, yet he was able to "lay up treasure upon earth" and teach his people to "lay up treasure in
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heaven." It was the privilege at these donation parties to bring as you wished. One devoted parishioner, Mrs. Henry Swain, familiarly known as "Aeseneth" was noted as a fine cheesemaker, her yearly gift was mouldy cheese, as Rev. Oliver was possessed of epicurean taste in cheese. It was one of the good elder's weak- nesses to have a fine horse; also to trade it now and then to sharpen his wit. He used to say, "It is hard to be honest trading horses." Mrs. Butler was a most unusual student for her time, being versed both in Greek and Latin. She was the daughter of Elder Watson; if necessity compelled she could preach, some thought, better than the elder. A grandson, R. E. Butler of Laconia, is the nearest re- maining in line to bear the name.
We must not forget the two old doctors who at different times made their home among this people. Dr. Roberts was the one coming first and staying longest. He went far and near on horseback with two saddle bags filled largely with roots and herbs of his own gathering. He was much loved and respected and consid- ered most skillful. Dr. Doe was less popular and lived only a short time in the town.
On the west side of the road at the end of a lane lived Mahala Bickford Smith, widow of Gilman Smith. She spent a long life here; the last years with her daugh- ter, Mary Smith Cate, and son, Eben, who joined her at the old homestead.
At the corner of Old Plymouth and Parade Roads lived Ebenezer Robinson. In later years his son, Sullivan, occupied the house. "Uncle Sullivan" was a kindly neighbor and accommodating friend.
On the Parade Road lived a family by the name of Caverly and Ham, also the before-mentioned John Sanborn. On the Laconia road two families of Pitmans, Elder Pitman and Freeman Pitman. At the top of the long hill to Laconia, Uncle Hazen Marston, for whom the hill is named. The old homestead is famed for hospitality.
On the opposite hill toward Plymouth lived Deacon Benjamin Batchelder. This hill also bears the first resident's name. Grandchildren and great-grand- children have come to live in these old homesteads so full of precious memories, to sow and reap in the green fields of their forefathers.
Bennett Swain was one of the moneyed men of the early days. His fine old farm was at the foot of Marston Hill. Sheriff Hill below on the "Flats" gave an air of authority when needed.
On the New Hampton Road was the home of Daniel P. Smith, one mile from the Center. It was indeed home to every saint and sinner who crossed its threshold and needed one. "Uncle Daniel" was one of nature's noblemen. He lived to the grand old age of ninety-two, and, to the last, delighted his hearers with interesting stories of the early settlers and growth of the town. He leaves numer- ous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who hold him in loving memory, among whom is Miss Blanche Weymouth of Mary Butler Chapter. We take pleasure in recording three of his favorite stories as told the writer in her child- hood. All are true and refer to natives of the town.
In the Dolloff district lived two neighbors fond of the cheering glass. One a modest, quiet, inoffensive man with small appetite, Mr. J. The other bold, noisy and of monstrous capacity, Mr. H. One day Mr. J. walked to town for a few
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necessities and according to custom, the frugal pint of rum. He had refreshed himself by a few swallows from the choice brand when he met Mr. H. Feeling of liberal mind he gave him the bottle. Mr. H. seized it with delight, drank deeply, pronounced it good but continued to drink. At each pause Mr. J. reached an anxious hand toward the bottle but it was not returned until empty. Mr. J. saw the bottle emptied, took it, then looking at Mr. H. said, "Did you have enough, Mr. H .? " "Just enough, Mr. J., just enough!"
Another story we called for, was Uncle Daniel's real childhood experience at the Meredith home. His mother, Betsey Bean Smith, one fine fall day mounted the family horse with her infant in her arms to ride to church, while his father cared for others at home. During her absence a bear came into the clearing near the barn. Daniel was told to watch it while his father secured the "flint lock." The bear was shot and dressed ready to eat. When the time for mother's home-coming arrived and the eager children were waiting to tell mother the news, cries of distress and "help" came from the trail. The watchers next spied the familiar horse plunging and snorting and their mother vainly trying to guide her to the house. Old Dolly smelled "bear" long before her mistress saw it and knew better than to take any chances with her enemy.
This last tale was made possible because of the free use of the common beverage, rum. A well-to-do citizen was in the habit of yoking his oxen to the cart and going to town to exchange produce for merchandise. It being an all-day job he was often quite beyond walking by the time he was ready to go home, he was so full of "good spirits." The oxen headed towards home needed no driving so he rode on the cart. One day some boys of his acquaintance found him asleep on the load while the oxen fed by the roadside. Urged by mischief they unhooked the cattle, started them for home, and waited results. After a time Mr. M. awoke and, according to the boys, communed audibly as follows : "Am I J. M. or am I not J. M .? If I am J. M., I have lost a good pair of oxen. If I am not J. M., I have found a d-d good cart."
We choose to close our reminiscences as we began, at the first and last place of business, the "Mill." Gilman Plummer, brother of Lane, was for more than fifty years owner of the saw and grist mills after the Chases. He was the last man to grind corn or card wool in that section.
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