USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 26
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 26
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By building his cabin so far in advance of his neighbors, Mr. Cook has given a name to the eminence north of the place where it stood,-Cook's hill.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
CORSER, JOHN.
Tradition has it, that this settler came from Scotland to New- bury about 1690, at the age of fourteen. It is more probable, how- ever, that he came to Newbury from Boston or vicinity. He married in Newbury. The records of Newbury have the following :
" John Corser & Tabitha Kenny of Newbury were married March ye Sth 1716|17."
In 1735, he moved to Contoocook with his family of seven chil- dren. His eldest son, John, Jr., had then settled in Kingston, N. H. He resided for several years on King street, and, with others, erected the first saw-mill. While tending it he met with an accident which deprived him of his sight. His death is sup- posed to have occurred in 1776.
His son John came from Kingston to Boscawen about 1764, and settled on Corser hill, on the farm now owned by Mr. Tilton. Other facts concerning the first settler, John, will be found in the gene- alogy of the Corser family.
DAGADON, WILLIAM.
He was a settler of 1733, and located his farm between Queen street and Contoocook river, west of Fisherville, near Concord line. His name appears in the proprietors' records as Dagadon, Digodon, Dagodon, and Dogodan. The small brook which emp- ties into the Contoocook west of Fisherville bears his name. It is not known that he took any active part in the affairs of the town.
DANFORTH, WILLIAM.
He was probably a son, possibly grandson, of William, who was born in London in 1653, and who came to Newbury about 1667. He took an active part in all matters pertaining to the good of the settlement. He married - Flood, a sister of Richard Flood, one of the first settlers. He aided in the erection of the first saw-mill.
DANFORTH, NATHANIEL.
Whether he was a brother or cousin to William is not quite clear. He came to Contoocook in 1733. Probably he was then
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
married. His daughter Abigail, born Jan. 7, 1735, was the first child born in the town, who married Thomas Foss, and resided on Fish street. Nathaniel Danforth's son Alkanner served as a soldier during the Revolution.
William and Nathaniel Danforth were men of decision and firmness, characteristics that have been transmitted to their de- scendants.
EASMAN, JOSEPH.
In the proprietors' records, the name now spelled as Eastman is given as above. Rev. Mr. Price has recorded the name of Joseph Eastman as one of the first settlers. Later inquiries indi- cate that he did not come as a permanent settler till a year or two later, though it is possible he began his improvements in 1733.
He was grandson of Roger Eastman, the first of the name in America, and who came from Wales to Salisbury in 1640. He was a prominent citizen. His son Joseph was captain of a com- pany of rangers in the French and Indian wars.
EMERY, EDWARD.
The ancestor of Edward Emery probably was John Emery, who came from Hants, England, to Newbury in 1635. He died in November, 1683. He had sons,-John, born in England about 1629 ;- a daughter, who was named Ebenezer, Sept. 16, 1648. The Newbury records have this concerning her birth: "Born Monday morning, two hours before day." He had a son, Jona- than, born May 13, 1652. John married Mary Webster, of Ips- wich, widow of John Webster, and reared a large family.
Jonathan married Mary Woodman, and had children,-Mary C., Sept. 25, 1677 ; Jonathan, Feb. 2, 1679; David, Sept. 28, 1682; Anthony, Nov. 13, 1684; Stephen, June 13, 1687, died 1688; Sara, Dec. 18, 1688; Stephen, again, June 24, 1692; Ed- ward, Nov. 10, 1694.
The youngest son removed to Contoocook in 1733. He was an active, influential citizen, and took a prominent part in all the affairs of the plantation.
During the peace which followed the first outbreak of hostili- ties with the Indians, Mr. Emery, thinking to obtain his veni-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
son near at hand, on the favorite haunts of the deer, erected a house on land now owned by Miss Nancy Couch, at the foot of Corser hill. It stood on the south side of the road, near the brook running to Couch pond. It was, after Thomas Cook's cabin, the first house erected in what is now the town of Webster. Mr. Em- ery was occupying it at the time of the second Indian outbreak, but moved his family to the fort the day before the Indians made their appearance in the vicinity [see Civil History]. It was rifled by the Indians. There is no evidence that Mr. Emery ever reoccupied it.
He was one of the most influential citizens, and his name fre- quently appears in the records as one often selected to transact publie business. In 1756 he accompanied Ezekiel Flanders to Newfound lake to hunt beaver, where both were killed by the Ind- ians.
FITZGERALD, EDWARD.
One of the most active and influential of the settlers of '33 was Edward Fitzgerald, who was born in Ireland, but who emigrated to America at an early age, and lived in Newbury, where he married Mehitable Uran. He settled on Queen street, where his wife died May 16, 1808, aged 90. They had a family of two sons and eight daughters. The family name has undergone many changes, it appearing in the records as Fitz Gerald and Fitz Ger- auld. About the year 1775 the prefix was dropped, and the name appears as Gerald, Gerould, Gerauld, Jareld, Jerald, Jerril, Jeril, and Geruld.
FLOOD, RICHARD.
In 1680, Philip Flood, of Guernsey, England, came to America, and settled in Newbury, where his son Richard was born Feb. 25, 1696. His name appears frequently in the proprietor's records. He came to Contoocook in 1734. He was active in the defence of the town against the Indians in 1744, when he went out on a scouting party. His son Richard married - Farnum, of Con- cord, and became a citizen of that town, serving as a soldier dur- ing the Revolution. His sister married William Danforth.
FLANDERS, JACOB.
He was grandson of Stephen Flanders, the first and only emi- grant of that name, who came from England to Salisbury, with
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
his wife Jane, between 1640-1646, and was one of the first settlers of that town. The grandson was born Aug. 5, 1689, in Salisbury, and consequently was forty-five years of age when he came from South Hampton to Contoocook, with his wife Mercy Clough. He was one of the first settlers, and it is not strange that he was looked up to as a leading spirit. He was one of the committee to build the first meeting-house, and his son Jesse was elected the second deacon of the church. His son Ezekiel was killed by the Indians while hunting beaver at Newfound lake, 1756. His son Philip served in several campaigns against the French and Indians, and was killed at Crown Point the same year. The eldest daughter, Tabitha, married Andrew Bohonnon [see above ], and lived to an advanced age.
His sons, Dea. Jesse and John, enlisted in Capt. Henry Dear- born's company in Arnold's expedition to Quebec, 1776, and endured all the hardships of that terrible campaign.
Rev. Dr. Bouton, in the History of Concord, alludes to the Flanders family of Boscawen as men of great muscular strength and endurance.
The descendants of Jacob Flanders and Mary Clough may be reckoned by hundreds, if not by thousands.
FOWLER, JOHN,
Came from Newbury, and lived on Queen street. He prob- ably was married at the time of his settlement in Contoocook. His second wife was Mrs. Anna Bamford, whose maiden name was Anna Ellison, whose brother was grandfather of Hon. Benjamin F. Butler, of Lowell. His name frequently appears in the records as an active citizen.
GERRISHI, STEPHEN.
One of the leading men among the first settlers was Captain Stephen Gerrish. It is probable that none of them had a larger estate to begin with than he, for they were begin- ning life, with little more than their own strong hands and reso- lute wills. He was born in Newbury, June 3, O. S. 1712, and was but twenty-two years of age when he came to Contoocook, with his ox team and plow,-the first in the town.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
He was a leading spirit, took an active part in all matters per- taining to the welfare of the community, and was often appointed on committees by his fellow proprietors. He established the first ferry, was thrifty, and accumulated a large estate. Rev. Mr. Price says of him, --
" He was particularly prepared to advance the settlement of a new country, being young, robust, acquainted with husbandry, enterprising, industrious, economical. Though his education was small and his manners unpolished, yet his strength of mind, his frankness, and sympathetic feelings, rendered him useful and agreeable. He well knew the discouragements and wants of a new settlement, and to him many resorted for succor. Possessing both the means and the disposition, he was liberal and hospitable, -a friend and father to multitudes. He died 1788, having lived to see his children settled and prosperous, and useful members of both civil and religious societies."
Mr. Gerrish resided at the lower end of King street, and for a time, near the close of his life, he lived upon one of his farms in Canterbury, on the intervale below " Muchyedo."
He married, first, Elizabeth Chase, probably of Newbury, who died some time between 1734 and 1740, leaving no children. His second wife was Joanna Hale, of Newbury, to whom he was mar- ried in 1741, who became the mother of five sons and one daughter, -Henry, Samuel, Enoch, Joseph, Stephen, and Jane,-from whom has descended a numerous posterity [see Genealogy ].
Although a citizen of sterling worth, and a supporter of civil and religious institutions, it appears that he was habitually pro- fane. One of his descendants, Rev. Jacob Little, in a biographi- cal notice of his mother, Mrs. Martha Gerrish Little, while quot- ing the eulogium pronounced by Rev. Mr. Price, says,-" The only words of his which have come down are a profane oath sworn on a public occasion."
Aside from this one blemish, Captain Gerrish seems to have been in every other respect worthy of honor. He was residing in Canterbury in 1774, where he made his will, which is as follows :
" Canterbury October ye 13th 1774
" This may certify whom it may concern that I Stephen Gerrish of Canterbury in the county of Rockingham and Province of New Hamp- shire, Having the Day of the above Date, Settled my Estate by Deeds
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
among my Children & cepting my Stock Household furniture & Uten- tials for Husbandry, of which I hear leave as my Request & Desire and it is my will that they may be Disposed of in the following manner:
"first that my Beloved wife Joanna have out of my stock one horse saddle & bridle & one Cow and five Sheep and also the one half of my household furniture to be her own forever.
" Secondly it is my will that the Remainder of my stock & my uten- tials for Husbandry be equally Divided between my two sons Joseph and Stephen.
" thirdly it is my will that the remaining half of my Household fur- niture be Equally Divided between my five sons, Henry, Samuel, Enoch, Joseph & Stephen.
" furthermore it is my will and Desire that my Debts be paid & my Dues Recieved of what name or Nature Soever Equally by and amongst my five sons, Henry, Samuel, Enoch, Joseph, and Stephen.
Stephen Gerrish Witness by
George Jackman Joanna Gerrish
Jeremiah Clough."
GERRISH, JOANNA HALE, MRS.
Mrs. Joanna Hale Gerrish, a supposed descendant of Sir Mat- thew Hale's family, granddaughter of Rev. Joseph Hale, of Bev- erly, and daughter of Samuel and Apphia (Moody) Hale, was born in Newbury, June, 1715, and was married to Capt. Stephen Gerrish in 1741. She was a woman of strong character, and deeply religious,-in this respect differing widely from her husband, who was habitually profane, but who in all other respects was a kind and agreeable companion. Rev. Jacob Little says of her,-
" She was eminently pious, left the Episcopal and joined the Congre- gational church to find Spirituality, & brought her branch of the Ger- rish family within the covenant. The only words of hers which have come down, are an expression which in extreme old age daily were uttered in her secret devotion. They were reported by an old lady who in childhood slept with her. This was the expression, 'Bless my children to the latest generation.' She was instrumental in turning the current in the family, & her children, early pious, and her hundreds of descend- ants have generally embraced religion in youth & united with the church of her choice."
Mrs. Gerrish died in 1792 at the age of 77, beloved and re- spected by all in the community.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
JACKMAN, GEORGE.
He was born in Newbury, 1706-7. It is doubtful if he became a permanent settler in 1734, though it is probable that he began the improvements on his farm at that time. He married Hannah Bishop in 1728, and lived on the premises now owned by Prof. John Jackman. Upon the organization of the church he was elected deacon. He was an intelligent and influential citizen, greatly respected. His son George was first town-clerk and justice of the peace [see Biography ].
JACKMAN, RICHARD.
He was brother of George, born in Newbury, Oct. 17, 1709. He married Martha Call, daughter of Philip Call, who was a vigi- lant citizen during the war with the Indians. Mrs. Jackman's mother was killed by the Indians at South Franklin [see History ].
MANUEL, JOEL.
Little is known in regard to this settler. Diligent search has failed to discover anything concerning his nativity. He came to Contoocook in 1734, and his name appears in several places as member of committees. His son John resided on High street, near the residence of Gen. E. G. Wood. The family is nearly if not quite extinct.
MELOON, NATHANIEL.
Patient research has not thrown much light upon the origin of this name, and nothing whatever is known of the nativity of this settler. It is supposed that he was of French or Flemish origin. The name is sometimes written Malon, Maloon, and Melloon. From the frequent appearance of his name upon the records, it is evident that he was an influential citizen. He served as a soldier in scouting parties during the Indian troubles.
In 1754, he moved to West Salisbury, to avail himself of the ex- tensive meadow lands in that vicinity. His nearest neighbor was Edward Emery, near Couch pond, four to five miles distant. There he was surprised, and with his family captured-all except one son-by the Indians [see History-year 1756].
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Upon his return from captivity he reoccupied his premises, and became one of the active citizens of Salisbury, being frequently elected to town offices; was selectman in 1791, when he was well advanced in life. His name is appended to the following paper :
" VANDUE.
" To be set up at public Vandue on Monday the 21 Day of Nov next at three Oeloek P M. one Sarah Veza for Boarding, to be struck off to the lowest bider at the house of Stephen Webster
" Nov ye 10, 1791
Nath1 Meloon Joel Eastman Selectmen of Salisbury."
PETERS, WILLIAM.
He was one of the settlers of 1733, but it is not known whence he came. He was sergeant in Capt. John Goffe's company in 1748, employed in scouting,-enlisting May 28, discharged Oct. 5, his wages being £13 16s. 5d. Caleb Emery, Joseph Eastman, and William Courser, citizens of Contoocook, were in the same company.
RIX, NATHANIEL.
He appears to have been a settler in Contoocook, but it is prob- able that he soon removed to Concord, as the name of Nathaniel Rix appears upon the records of that town, and does not appear in the records of Boscawen. Nothing is known of him.
ROLF, DANIEL.
The name is sometimes written Rolfe. It is probable he was related to the citizen of Concord of the same name, and to Benja- min Rolfe, not a first settler; but nothing definite is known in regard to him.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
GENERAL BIOGRAPHY.
ALDRICH, JOHN.
John Aldrich was born in Smithfield, R. I., Jan. 20, 1785. He married Harriet, daughter of Samuel Smith, Jan. 18, 1810, and moved to Mendon, Mass., where he resided till 1830, when he made Boseawen his home, purchasing a farm on High street, near Salisbury line. He was a member of the Society of Friends. Through life, Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich manifested the frank, honest, sincere traits of character which are inculcated by the Friends. They were progressive in their religious views, earnest in their efforts to do good, ever ready to help the poor, guided by a simple faith and trust which ever led them to a higher spiritual life. They were industrious and frugal, simple in all their tastes, and patterns of neatness. They lived quietly and unostentatiously, beloved and respected by their friends and neighbors. Mr. Aldrich passed to the better life, March 19, 1865, and Mrs. Al- drich, May 13, 1872. Their children were,-Armenia Smith, born Nov. 1, 1817, married Nathaniel White, of Concord, Nov. 1, 1836; John, born Nov. 9, 1825, married Olive French, of Pembroke, and who resides in Framingham, Mass.
AREY, ISAIAH H.
Isaiah Hatch Arey was born on Cape Cod, 1827. His father moved to Boscawen when he was a lad, and settled on the farm south of the Woodbury plain. The son, after his father's death, built the residence now standing south of the cemetery. He married Miss Terry, of Boscawen, was elected town-clerk from 1861 to 1864, and was holding that official position at the time of his death, Oct. 16, 1870.
Mr. Arey possessed a sympathetic nature, and was endowed with fine feelings, which he well knew how to express by word and act. He was also an ingenious and skilful mechanie, and for the last fifteen years of his life devoted much time to the man- ufacture of violins and guitars. Of the former he is known to
John Aldrich
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
have made eighty-six, and of the latter thirty-seven. These instru- ments are now highly prized. For purity of tone and elegant workmanship, perhaps they are not excelled by any made in this country.
Ole Bull, the eminent Norwegian violinist, recognized Mr. Arey's talents, and assisted him with original drawings and valu- able information. From a letter written by Ole Bull to Mr. Arey in 1857, the following extract is given :
" Allow me to congratulate you on the achievement of your violin, an instrument that no artist or amateur would hesitate to take to his bosom, and electrify by the breath of his inspiration. I sincerely. wish that those further results of my experience, which I have commu- nicated to you, will prove a benefit to yourself, and a blessing to those who take your children to their hearts.
" Your success will always be sincerely felt and appreciated by your friend,
OLE BULL."
ATKINSON, SAMUEL,
Was the son of Dea. Joseph Atkinson, of Newbury. He took an active part in town affairs, and during the Revolution was lieutenant in Stark's regiment, at the battle of Bunker hill, and was employed by the committee of safety for the state on several important occasions.
Upon the records of the committee of safety, Jan. 30, 1776, is this entry :
" Ordered the Reciever General to pay Samuel Atkinson for his time & Expenses in going after Col Bedell £1-11s."
Col. Bedel was in command of a regiment doing duty on the Connecticut river.
" April 9, 1776.
" Ordered the Reciever General to pay Lient Samuel Atkinson Four- teen pounds Thirteen Shills & Eleven pence for expense of Transport- ing the Indians sent from Exeter from Boscawen to Plymouth."
No contemporary record throws any light upon this service. For what purpose the Indians were sent to Plymouth is unknown.
During the summer of 1776, upon the advance of Gen. Carleton and Gen. Burgoyne to Lake Champlain, there was great conster- nation in all the upper towns of New Hampshire and Vermont, on the Connecticut. It was rumored that a large body of Indians was
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
to invade that section. Lieut. Atkinson started as a volunteer for the defence of the frontier. The condition of affairs is set forth in a letter from Col. John Hurd, found in Provincial Papers (Vol. 8, p. 306).
He visited Exeter, to report in person the state of affairs, and received an order to forward two small cannon, which belonged to the state, and which were in Canterbury, to Haverhill.
He was captain of a company enlisted to join Gen. Sullivan at Ticonderoga.
In May, 1777, Capt. Atkinson was employed by the town to obtain fire-arms and equipments ; and the committee of safety for the state conferred authority upon him to raise men to serve under Gen. Stark, after the battle of Bennington.
In 1779-80, he was employed by the committee of safety to procure supplies, and rendered efficient aid to the government during the war.
He was honored and trusted by his fellow-citizens, and was an ardent patriot.
ATKINSON, HALE,
Whose likeness is here presented, was born March 3, 1799, on the homestead which he inherited from his father, situated on the river road, where his grandfather settled when he moved from Newbury, Mass., in 1767. He was an obliging and kind neighbor, a lover of books, sustaining schools and the institu- tions of religion with cheerfulness, and always fulfilling the du- ties of a good citizen. In early life he had a fondness for military parade, and at one time was captain of the cavalry company in the 21st Regiment. His political views did not accord with those of the majority in town, but he was often chosen to office, the duties of which he performed faithfully and impartially. He was selectman in 1847, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1853, and 1857. He was unmarried ;- died April 15, 1874.
ATKINSON, HARVEY,
Son of Joseph Atkinson, was born in Boscawen, July 19, 1806 [see Gen. ]. He attended the district school, receiving instruction from Mrs. Sally Kimball Martin, one of the renowned female
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
teachers of the town, Susan Pearson, Abigail Dix (sister of Gen. Dix), Martha Holt, Francis Danforth, Joseph Morrill, Samuel Chamberlain, Erastus Torrey, and Peabody Atkinson. He was a student at the opening of the male department of Boscawen Acad- emy, under the tuition of Jarvis Gregg, and also a student at Franklin Academy. He became an instructor, teaching in his own distriet-the Gulf-in 1828-29, also in 1829-30 and in 1830-31 at Horse hill in Concord.
In November, 1831, he moved to Ohio, where he taught four years, returning to Boscawen in 1835. During the following winters he taught on Little hill, at High street, and at the Gulf.
Mr. Atkinson's father had the power of great concentration of thought in mathematical calculation, and possessed a retentive memory. He once calculated mentally the number of barleycorns required to encircle the globe, allowing three to an inch, and put the answer down upon his slate. To verify his calculation he went through the problem by writing the figures, and arrived at the same result.
Mr. Harvey Atkinson, since 1837, has resided on his farm, giv- ing his attention to agriculture.
BAKER, HENRY W., LT.
At the breaking out of the war in 1861, Henry W. Baker was at work making household furniture, in the "Hollow," in Bos- cawen. He was a young man of ardent temperament, a lover of liberty, a true citizen, and an earnest patriot. He offered his services to his country, and was commissioned Second Lieuten- ant, Co. E, 7th Regiment, Nov. 12, 1861.
The rendezvous of the regiment was at Manchester. On Jan. 14, 1862, it broke camp, and was ordered to New York, where it remained till Feb. 13, when it embarked on sailing vessels for the Dry Tortugas, where it remained till June 16th, when it was or- dered to Port Royal, and from thence to St. Augustine, subse- quently to Fernandina, and again to Hilton Head.
On June 18, 1863, it joined the forces under Gen. Gilmore, and was employed during the month in arduous duties. On the morn- ing of July 18, the troops designed to make an assault upon Fort Wagner were drawn up on the beach. During the night the 7th Regiment had been under arms doing fatigue duty. A terrific
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thunder-storm had raged, and the soldiers were drenched with rain. The regiment had been so reduced by sickness, that but four hundred and eighty were in the ranks.
Through the entire day a terrible cannonade was kept up by the Union batteries and ironclads, which was responded to from time to time by the guns of Fort Wagner. All through the weary hours, the soldiers of the 7th lay behind their entrenchments be- neath the blazing sun.
The command had been entrusted to Gen. Trueman H. Seymour, who determined to make an assault. He knew nothing of the construction of Fort Wagner. No information of the impedi- ments to be overcome had reached him. Col. Putnam, of the 7th, commanding the second brigade, opposed the contemplated move- ment.
" I do not think that we can take the fort," he said ;- and when Gen. Seymour reiterated his determination to make the attempt, Col. Putnam said, "We shall go like a flock of sheep."
The sun set, and the twilight faded. The soldiers were ordered to remove the caps from the nipples of their rifles, and were told that they must depend upon the bayonet alone. In the 100th N. Y., which formed behind the 7th, this order was neglected.
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