USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Sutton > The history of Sutton, New Hampshire : consisting of the historical collections of Erastus Wadleigh, Esq., and A. H. Worthen, part 1 > Part 37
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1797, Abner Watkins, Samuel Priest, and Nathan Cross, selectmen.
1798, officers same as last year, except Thomas Wells in place of Abner Watkins, selectman.
1799, two new selectmien, Benj. Cass on north side, and Foster Goodwin on the south side of the mountain.
1800, officers same as last year. Voted to raise $60 for schools.
1801, Benj. Cass, moderator. In 1802 Ebenezer Fisk appears to be chosen selectman, and is supposed to live on the north side. He was father of John Fisk, accidentally killed in Warner, Mrs. Chas. Thompson, formerly of Wilmot, and Dea. Fisk, of Wilmot. John Fisk was father of ex-Gov. Pillsbury's wife.
584
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
In 1804 Benj. Cass, James Palmer (south side), and E. Fisk, selectmen. There were two school-houses, one on the south side and one on the north side of the mountain.
In 1805 Jeremiah Brown, moderator.
In 1806 the meeting was held at Thomas Cross's on the north side. Samuel Thompson was moderator, S. Thompson, Noah Lit- tle, and Insley Greeley, selectmen.
1807. Nothing of worth is recorded of this year. Wilmot is now incorporated, and the Gore severed.
The south of the mountain remained the Gore till 1819, when annexed to Warner. In 1810 Capt. Watkins, of Warner Gore, with his company, met the Wilmot company for drill on the top of the mountain, where they had a spirited " sham fight." Harriman says this battle was 2,000 feet higher than Hooker's fight above the clouds on Lookout mountain. Wilmot and the Gore were classed for choice of a representative. In 1811 Eliphalet Gay, of Wilmot, was chosen.
In 1813 Warner Gore "stole the march" on Wilmot, and chose Jason Watkins representative. The meeting was on the Gore side. Gen. Eliphalet Gay, a wealthy man and tavern-keeper, soon after arrived with Wilmot voters, and Gay was elected, and served to the exclusion of Watkins.
In 1814 Jason Watkins was chosen representative without oppo- sition. In 1815 Jabez Youngman was chosen representative.
In 1829 the writer was employed by Deacon Insley Greeley to teach school on Cass hill. This year was remarkable for the quan- tity of snow which fell. The school was kept in the dwelling-house of Benjamin Cass, before referred to (the school-house having been burned). In the same house a singing-school was kept evenings by Mr. Claggett, of Newport, who is now a physician in Northfield, Vt.
Among the residents of the district at this time were Joseph Brown and his son Joseph, Henry Saunders, Insley Greeley, Benj. Cass and his son Gershom B. Cass, Samuel and Noyes Cass, broth- ers and industrious farmers, William Morey and his sons John, Jonathan, and Levi, Samuel Kimball, Esq., Widow Dudley Brown and family, and others. Joseph Brown was a substantial farmer, and his son was associated with him in cultivating the farm. Henry Saunders lived at the base of the hill, was an energetic farmer, and had a wife and several children.
Dea. Insley Greeley lived where Freeman Fellows now lives, and
.
585
KEARSARGE GORE AND CASS HILL.
had a respectable family of several sons and daughters, Simon Gree- ley. Esq., being the oldest son. Dea. Greeley was a much respected citizen. Benjamin Cass, from whom the hill takes its name, was uncle of Lewis Cass, an eminent politician, and once a candidate for president. Lieut. Gershom B. Cass had a wife and two sprightly girls, was a man in his meridian, an excellent citizen, and had often been town officer. He died before 36 years of age. William Morey was a Revolutionary soldier, and the father of a large family. He was much respected, and by way of compliment was called Col- onel. His sons, before-named. lived with him. Samuel Kimball, Esq., had a family of fifteen children, was a prominent man of the town, and had been frequently representative and selectman of the town. He subsequently moved to the West, where he died.
None of the men here referred to are now living, and most of their homes have been alienated from their heirs. John Cass, only son of the late Col. Joseph B. Cass, and maternal grandson of Benj. Cass, is the only man now living here who "holds the fort " and retains and holds the homestead of his forefathers. Mr. Cass is among the prominent farmers of the county, and is still making additions to his large landed estate, and is yet in the prime of life.
In referring to Gov. Harriman's "History of Warner," we find the early proprietors had much trouble with one Jonathan Palmer, who claimed a lot of land under the Rye or Jennestown grant, so called. It seems he came from Chester, and that he had two sons, John and James, in the Revolution. John, James, and Jeremiah settled early on a lord proprietor's lot, No. 8, drawn to the original right of John Muffat, one of the Masonian proprietors. It is in the eastern part of Sutton. This locality is known as Palmertown or Palmer Gore, adjoining Warner Gore, where the three brothers lived to a great age, and reared large families. It is now largely occupied by the descendants of these three brothers. Some ten years ago seventeen of the 330 voters of Sutton were Palmers and descend- ants of Jonathan Palmer, of Warner. The Palmners have not been noted as farmers. Some of them have possessed much mechanical skill. David and Moses. sons of John Palmer, made and run about the first clap-board and shingle mills in Merrimack county. nearly sixty years ago. David was also a cooper, shoemaker, and joiner. He died at Sutton Mills a few years since. The Palmers have claimed to be entitled to much hereditary wealth from England, but have failed to obtain it.
SKETCH OF KEZAR'S LAKE,
AND THE EARLY SETTLERS IN ITS VICINITY.
North of Kezar's lake, on an eminence, is the former residence of Matthew Harvey, Esq., from which is a splendid view of the lake and surrounding scenery. The house was built about 1784, is. still in good condition, and has ever been and is still occupied by him and his descendants. On the south of the lake is an ever- green forest and plain, beyond which, on a hill, is the former resi- dence of Benjamin Wadleigh. West of the lake is Porter's hill, and on the east is North Sutton village, beyond which in the dis- tance is Kearsarge mountain.
In the centre of the lake is an island about fifty rods long covered with a thrifty growth of wood. This island was once frequented by loons, and here they used to rear their young, coming from afar to this their favorite location, at which time their peculiar cry could · occasionally be heard, and was always noticed with some interest, as they were not constant residents but only periodical visitors, who finished the work they came for, and then went away. They were seldom molested by the old inhabitants of the neighborhood, but new comers to town tried their skill upon them till at last they abandoned their favorite resort.
The island is much resorted to on festive occasions by summer residents and native inhabitants in this vicinity, and has many times been the scene of remarkable displays of patriotism on Fourth of July celebrations.
In the neighborhood of this lake Samuel Bean, Ephraim Gile, and Jacob Davis settled in 1770, Benjamin Wadleigh and Jonathan Davis in 1771, Matthew Harvey and Ebenezer Kezar in 1772, David Eaton in 1773, and Daniel Messer in 1776. Samuel Bean was one of the six children (all of whom settled here early) of Mrs. Mary Bean, who died here, at the age of 100 years, in 1811, and who has more descendants living here than any person who ever lived in Sutton. Her son Samuel lived south of the lake. He
587
KEZAR'S LAKE.
had a family of nine sons and three daughters. All of the sons had families. Three of them moved to Hatley, P. Q., about the year 1800. Many of the descendants of Samuel Bean live in this town.
Ephraim Gile settled near Benjamin Wadleigh. From him Gile's pond took its name. This pond is situated about one half mile south-east of Kezar's lake, and is about half its size. The low land between these two ponds indicates that at a remote period they together formed one body of water. Mr. Gile had a family : he was married three times. He was a tanner by trade, and among other skins tanned those of wild animals. For several years he was chosen town-clerk, and kept the town records previous to incorporation.
Jacob Davis was over fifty years of age when he settled here. He was a man of untiring industry, and, in addition to the labor of his farm, made wooden ware, which was extensively used in this region, occupying the place of the crockery ware of the present day. His descendants were many of them unfortunate in being afflicted with insanity. His daughter Betty was said to be bewitched, and acted strangely, used to run away and remain hidden in the woods for several days, and finally died from exposure of this kind late in autumn. Few of Jacob Davis's posterity are living.
Near Ephraim Gile lived Jonathan Davis, Jacob Davis being not far from them. Jonathan's farm adjoined Gile's pond. His pos- terity are numerous, and are noted for longevity. He died in 1800, at about 60 years of age. His wife lived to the age of 93, and his sons David and Philip were over 90.
The farm of Benjamin Wadleigh, the 7th settler, adjoined that of Samuel Bean. They lived side by side more than forty years. and it is said that no record of indebtedness against each other was ever made, each thinking or feeling as if he were indebted to the other, and when the one died the other soon followed.
The farms of Benjamin Wadleigh and Matthew Harvey were separated by that of Mr. Kezar and the lake. Both of the first named men came from Rockingham county, and both were born in 1749. Mr. Harvey was a shrewd and far-seeing financial manager, and was the largest land-owner in town when he died, in 1799. Mr. Wadleigh was cautious, and possessed of great physical strength and power of endurance, with an untiring will to carry him through whatever he engaged in. These three men were co-workers with
588
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
the other early settlers for the advancement and interest of the town.
Ebenezar Kezar, from whom the lake takes its name, settled near the entrance of the stream into the lake, and where had been an Indian burying-ground, and where many of their relics were found. Mr. Kezar came from Rowley, Mass., where he had been black- smith, shoemaker, and inn-holder. He was fond of hunting, trap- ping, and fishing. He made steel traps, some of which are still in use. He took an active part in the early settlement of the town, and called the first meeting after incorporation, in 1784, at which meeting he presided. The first municipal meeting held in town was in 1777. At this meeting Mr. Kezar was moderator, Benjamin Wadleigh clerk, Benjamin Wadleigh, David Eaton, and Samuel Peaslee selectmen, and David Peaslee constable. There were then about thirty-five legal voters in town.
Simon, son of Ebenezer Kezar, came here soon after his father, was selectman in 1790, lived with his father, was married in 1770, and in 1790 had fifteen living children, five having died, one pair of twins among those who died. All the children were by the same wife. She died in 1801. Three of his sons and as many of his daughters emigrated to Hatley, P. Q., where they had large families, and where their descendants remain. The first settlers of Hatley were from Sutton. Two sons of Simon (Samuel and John) lived and died in town, leaving families. Jonathan H. Kezar, son of John, resided on the northerly shore of the lake, where they have erected and repaired several dwellings, and own mills above the lake. The wife of John G. Huntoon, now residing on the northerly side of the pond, is granddanghter of Simon Kezar, and Joseph Greeley, a storekeeper and for many years post-master at the North Village, is great grandson.
This locality has lately been known as Kezarville. Most of the lake, and all the land between the lake and the falls, including more than 1,000 acres, is owned by the posterity of Ebenezer Kezar. The only daughter, Hannah Kezar, married Benjamin Wadleigh, and they reared three sons, namely, Jesse, John, and Benjamin. The last-named was born, lived, and died on the home- stead of his father. For many years he was county judge. He died in 1864, aged 80. Jesse and John settled early in Hatley. P. Q., where they died leaving families. The farm originally settled by Benjamin Wadleigh, senior, is now owned by his great grandson,
589
KEZAR'S LAKE.
Milton B. Wadleigh. It is believed that this is the only instance in town in which an entire one hundred acre lot of land has passed in direct male line from an early proprietor to the great grandson.
Susan, youngest daughter of Benjamin Wadleigh, senior, married Capt. John Pillsbury, and was mother of George A. Pillsbury and Gov. John S. Pillsbury, of Minnesota, and of B. F. Pillsbury, a resident of this town till 1878, and since resident in Minnesota. She had also one daughter, Dolly, who married, and died leaving one son, Charles E. Cummings, of Nashua.
Matthew Harvey was a leading man of the town. He had five sons and three daughters. About 1820 his two oldest sons, Jona- than and Matthew, were among the prominent politicians of the state. Both have been members of the house of representatives, senate, and council, and members of congress. In 1818 Matthew was speaker of the house, and Jonathan president of the senate. In 1830 Matthew was elected governor of the state, and before the close of his term was appointed U. S. District judge of New Hamp- shire, which office he held till his death in 1866. Their brothers, Col. Philip S. Harvey and Col. John Harvey, were prominent in town. The latter was father of Matthew Harvey, of Newport, for forty years connected with the New Hampshire Argus and Specta- tor as printer, editor, and proprietor.
The children of Jonathan Harvey were four daughters, and a son who died in infancy. Two of the daughters continued to re- side on the homestead after his decease, namely. Mrs. Hiram Wat- son and Mrs. Susan Knowlton, the former of whom died during the past autumn. J. Harvey Watson, in common with Mrs. Knowlton, now own the homestead. Mrs. Augusta Harvey Worthen, daugh- ter of Col. John Harvey, and sister to the junior editor of the Argus, has been for several years engaged in the preparation of this History of Sutton. In early life she resided for several years in the family of her uncle, the late Gov. Matthew Harvey, then of Hopkinton. None of the posterity of Col. John Harvey are per- manent residents in this town, but most of them spend some por- tion of every summer here, and still retain the village homestead. His grandson, the child of his daughter Hannah (Harvey) Kohl- rausch, by name Charles Harvey Kohlrausch, is the present owner of the estate on King's Hill, which was first owned by Matthew Harvey, senior, and became the property of his son, Col. John Har- vey, on the division of his estate.
590
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
David Eaton lived north-west of Kezar's lake; was an active public man. None of his progeny now live in town. Daniel Mes- ser settled south-east of the lake; he had a family of five sons and six daughters, eight being born before coming here. He was a man of great physical endurance. It was said of him that he would carry a load of grain on his back to mill at Contoocook and home, and do a day's work for Deacon Harvey the same day. This sketch refers to the settlers around Kezar's lake in 1777, all of whom held prominent positions in town, and all except David Eaton have descendants living in town. They all died on the farms where they first settled, except Ephraim Gile. They all came here penniless, or nearly so, and all gained a competency. The follow- ing is a table of their longevity :
Ebenezer Kezar died in 1793, aged 73.
Simon Kezar died in 1871, aged 71. His wife died in 1801, aged 54.
Samuel Bean died in 1819, aged 77. His wife died in 1825, aged 77. His mother died in 1811, aged 100.
Ephraim Gile died in 1821, aged 90.
David Eaton died in 1804, aged 66.
Benjamin Wadleigh died in 1817, aged 68. His wife died in 1836, aged 86.
Matthew Harvey died in 1799, aged 49. His wife died in 1827, aged 66.
Daniel Messer died in 1815, aged 80. His wife died in 1828, aged 91.
Jonathan Davis died in 1800, aged 60. His wife died in 1838,
aged 93.
Jacob Davis died in 1819, aged 105. His wife died in 1819, aged 99.
David Eaton died in 1804. aged 66.
SUNAPEE LAKE,
AND FORMER RESIDENTS IN ITS NEIGHBORHOOD.
On the west side of the lake, near Chandlerville, lived Zephaniah Clark, the first settler of the town (1762). He was a land-owner and justice of the peace. A little south of the lake is the site of the old meeting-house. Near by resided Deacon Gunnison, a de- vout man, who was the father of twenty-one children. It is said that his eldest son once inquired of him why he had so large a fam- ily. The deacon replied that we are commanded "to multiply and replenish the earth." The son's reply was, " God does not com- mand you to do the whole of it."
North of Deacon Gunnison, near the lake, lived Mr. Emery with a large family. East of Mr. Emery, on a high eminence, resided Eleazer Wells, where Col. Giles Bartlett has since lived. Col. Bartlett married Mr. Wells's daughter for his first wife. In a northerly direction, near the east shore of the lake, resided Capt. John Farmer, where his son, Col. John Farmer, has since lived. Capt. Farmer lived, when young, with Gen. Stark at Derryfield several years, and accompanied the general to Bennington, and fought in the battle of Bennington Aug. 16, 1777. He soon after settled in Newbury, where he died at an advanced age, leaving a numerous family. The farm of Levi Hastings was on Hastings's hill, west of Capt. Farmer's and adjoining.
Near Blodgett's Landing resided Joshua Blodgett and John Blodgett, father of George Blodgett.
Baker's hill lies east of Blodgett's, and was the former place of resi- dence of Jesse, Nathan, and Benjamin Baker, Benjamin Cilley, and Richard Collins. This was the best cultivated portion of Newbury. They were all thrifty farmers. The farm of Nathan Baker, at his decease at an advanced age, was supposed to be the best farm in town. Dr. William Leach lived south-east of Baker hill.
592
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Northerly of Baker hill and near Pike's shore resided Lieut. Thomas Pike, in New London. Mr. Pike was a remarkably tall and athletic man. In his younger days he frequently crossed the lake alone in a canoe. He had several daughters. One married Col. Samuel Rogers, one married Samuel Knowlton, and one mar- ried Joseph Chase. Mrs. Knowlton lived to past 90 years of age. At a time when Lieut. Pike was very aged he crossed the lake alone, and in returning when in the middle of the lake, a sudden squall came up and capsized the canoe. His son, Capt. John Pike, fearing his father might be in danger, hastened to the lake, and when it cleared away so that he could see, he discovered the canoe. John took his own canoe and plied the oars with all his might. Capt. Pike was not to be beaten in or on the lake, as was the father in his early days. He soon reached the canoe of his father, and found the old man resting quietly on the middle of the boat, which was bottom upward, with his face downwards, chewing his quid of tobacco, seeing which the son felt assured that all was right with him.
The farms of Capt. Robert and Ezekiel Knowlton were near by. Capt. Amos Currier lived near Lieut. Pike, where his grandson, Amos Currier, has since lived. He enlisted a company of soldiers, and commanded it in the War of 1812.
Near Captain Currier lived Captain John Morgan, the ancestor of the Morgans of New London. In the same vicinity lived Deacon Peter Sargent, who was of a numerous family, remarkable for industry and long life. Most of the eight Sargent brothers lived to be more than eighty years of age. Amasa, who lived in Hanover, was 98 years old at his death. He was uncle of Hon. J. E. Sargent.
Near Peter Sargent lived Capt. James Minot, whose father was a large land-owner in this vicinity. Capt. Minot subsequently lived in Sutton, was an officer in the War of 1812, and lived in different parts of the state, and has been a member of the senate, and several of his sons have been prominent citizens of Concord.
Near Herrick's Cove, on the east side of the lake, resided Jona- than Herrick. He lived here at the time of the great tornado, Sept. 9, 1821, from which he suffered much. His buildings were nearly destroyed, fences blown down, and crops ruined, as well as those of his neighbors. Mr. Herrick and most of his neighbors soon afterwards left town and went to Corinth, Me., where their posterity now live.
593
SUNAPEE LAKE. .
Burpee hill lies north-east of Herrick's Cove, and was the resi- dence of Thomas Burpee and several of his brothers. This hill was early noted as a neighborhood of good farmers. Their descend- ants are numerous.
Northerly of Burpee hill is Goose Harbor, or Otterville. Here is a small village situated on a stream leading from Little Sunapee lake to Otter pond. Here is a water-power that rarely fails in a drought. This part of New London was taken from Sunapee (Wen- dell) in 1804. Near here were the farms of Zebulon Getchell, Ephraim Gile, or Guile, Henry, Achilles, and Winthrop Clough.
Easterly of Baker hill in Newbury is King's or Bean's hill, the highest land in town. Near the summit of this hill resided John King and William Bean, both of them being men of great physical 'strength and power of endurance. Near them resided Capt. Amos Pressey, for many years deputy sheriff, collector, and constable, who was a man of wit and humor. Many anecdotes are told of him. He died in 1839, aged 72.
Moses Hills lived near the eastern base of this hill, for many years selectman of the town and representative. Near by lived Joseph and David Chadwick, the latter a Revolutionary soldier.
At George's Mills, in Sunapee, resided Ichabod Hearsee, who owned the mills which subsequently were purchased by Daniel George. These mills are near the northern extremity of the lake, on a stream passing from Otter pond to Lake Sunapee.
At the date we refer to, Wendell, now Sunapee, had about 75 ratable polls, and 300 inhabitants, mostly farmers, who were land- owners.
On the road from George's Mills to Sunapee Harbor, on an eminence commanding a view of the lake, resided Col. Samuel Rogers, many years a prominent citizen of the town. Near by hin lived Christopher Gardner, Philbrick Huntoon, Nathan Rogers, and Isaac Currier. At Sunapee Harbor, at the outlet of the lake, resided John Chase, John Chase, Jr., and Jonathan Wooster. John Chase, Jr., was a large tax-payer in 1800, and owned mills here. He could adapt himself to most trades and professions, had a great memory, and was a capital story-teller.
Jonathan Wooster also owned the celebrated clothing mills here. The writer remembers when a boy to have carried a load of cloth with a team for a clothier in Sutton to these mills to be fulled.
Northerly and westerly of the road leading from George's Mills 38
594
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
to Newport were the farms of Elijah George, Daniel George Sam- uel George, Whittier Perkins, Moses Sargent, Esek Young, Francis Pingrey, Barnabas Conant. Isaac Eastman, Abijah Emerson, Ben- jamin Perkins, Francis Smith, Josiah Trow, and Squire Woodward. Most of these farms are seen from the lake.
Whittier Perkins was a remarkable mechanical genius and pen- man. In 1800 he was one of the selectmen. Abiathar Young lived on Young's hill, east of Sunapee depot, was a large land-owner, and had a saw-mill at the lower end of Edes's meadow, below Sunapee Centre. He was father of the late Lieut. John Young, Andrew Young, and Capt. William Young. Near Abiathar Young's were the farms of Eben Angell, David Hobson, David Moores, Stephen Scranton, James Scales, Job Williams, and Robert Young.
William Gage lived on the east side of Young hill. John Clapp lived near Newbury and Goshen line. James Lamb lived on Winn hill ; was noted for longevity. It is said that he died at the age of 104 years. His son Alexander at the age of 88 years was living, and possessed of the cheerfulness and vivacity of youth to a remark- able degree, a living example of the uncertainty of medical rules of health and dietetic hygiene.
Near James Lamb lived Joshua Gage, Nathaniel Perkins, Esq. (who was many years town-clerk), Noel Angell, Cornelius Young, and James Young. Samuel Sischo, Giles Bartlett, and Stephen Young lived near Goshen. Gideon Angell, the largest tax-payer in town, David Angell, the owner of Angell's tavern near the South meeting-house, Amos Eastman, Ezra Eastman, and Joshua Whitney lived in the west or south-west part of the town, near Goshen, New- bury, and Newport. These pioneers were worthy the remembrance of their posterity, many of whom are scattered throughout the coun try.
In 1773 there resided in Perrystown, now Sutton, David Peasley and family near the foot of Kimball's hill, David and Jonathan Davis and families where S. N. Little and A. Cummings now live, Cornelius Bean living near David Peasley, Samuel Bean living where John Pressey now resides, Benjamin Wadleigh living where M. B. Wad- leigh lives, Jonathan Stevens where S. Littlehale lives, Matthew Harvey residing where Mrs. Watson and Mrs. Knowlton reside, and Benjamin Philbrick near Mr. Gage's, all living in log-houses six- teen feet square, with stone chimneys. Their neighbors were Zeph- eniah Clark, Esq., of Newbury, living near Chandlerville, Dea.
595
SUNAPEE LAKE.
William Presby, of Bradford, who resided west of Bradford Cor- ner, David Annis and his son-in-law, Reuben Kimball, of Warner, Philip Call, Nathaniel Maloon, Benjamin Pettengill, John and Eben- ezer Webster, of Salisbury.
In 1753 Mr. Maloon, wife, and three children, were captured by the Indians. He and his wife were sold to the French. He re- turned to his farm after four and one half years. One of the chil- dren returned after nine years' captivity.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
In the fall of 1826, soon after the great August freshet, the writer from Sutton attended a select school at Manning Seamans's, New London, kept by Enoch Hale, of Keene. Among the students were two daughters of Hon. Jonathan and one daughter of Col. John Harvey, from Sutton, Benjamin Woodbury, Jeremiah Shep- ard, Augustus Seamans and his sister Caroline, Susan Greeley, a young, beautiful, and accomplished lady, several daughters of Dea. David Everett, Hannah, daughter of Green French, Esq., if we mistake not a young son and daughter of then Col. Anthony Colby, and others, in all about thirty. The daughter of Gov. Colby, Susan E. Colby, subsequently became the principal of the female depart- ment of the New Hampton Institution, when under the control of the Baptist denomination. After the removal of the institute to New London she took charge of the female department for several years. Soon after, she married James Colgate, Esq., a wealthy banker of New York city. Mr. Colgate probably has done more, personally and financially, for the support of the Baptist denomina- tion in this state than any other person living. Her brother, Gen. Daniel E. Colby, graduated at Dartmouth college, was long a mer- chant at Scytheville (then an obscure part of the town), has often been town officer, and succeeded his father as adjutant-general, and also as resident on the old homestead of his father and grandfather in New London.
Among the leading men in this vicinity who are favorably re- membered were James Colby, an early settler of the town, father of Gov. Colby, and once representative from Sutton and New Lon- don when classed together, who was early a prominent magistrate and business man in town ; Daniel Woodbury, Esq., who had a large and respectable family ; Jonathan Greeley, Esq., noted for piety, prudence, and wealth ; Green French, Esq., once a promi- nent man in Sutton, where he had served as selectman and held other offices, was an extensive farmer and noted Free Mason ; Col.
597
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
Perley Burpee, who married a daughter of Joseph Colby, was an extensive business man and farmer ; his wife survives him, and is much respected and beloved, as was her mother, who was a lady of superior ability.
In the winters of 1833-'34 the writer was engaged in teaching school on the Low Plains, so called, in New London. Among the students at this time were Robert Stinson, with a brother and two sisters, Sylvan Hunting and brothers, James Woodbury, a number of children of John Fisk, several sons and daughters of Capt. Otis Everett, three sons and one daughter of John Hayes, one son and daughter of James Hayes, two daughters of Eliphalet Gay, a son and daughter of David Gay (the daughter is now the wife of E. T. Sibley, scythe manufacturer and a prominent man of Newport), sev- eral sons of Daniel Potter (who was deputy sheriff), two sons and one daughter of Joseph Kimball (where we boarded), several of the family of Samuel Shepard, James and Thomas, sons of Ebenezer Shepard, two or three sons of Abel Wheeler, and others,-in all about forty-five.
Robert Stinson and Sylvan Hunting became clergymen ; Archi- bald Hayes was an attorney-at-law, went west, and died there; his brothers, John M., and Orrin T., Hayes, have been prominent busi- ness and political men. In this school there was more than the usual amount of talent and scholarship. On Low Plain at this time resided William, Eliphalet, David, and Asa Gay, Ebenezer and Samuel Shepard, John and James Hayes, Capt. Otis Everett, James Stinson, Daniel Potter, Daniel Woodbury, Esq., John Fisk, Jared Hunting, Mr. Morrill, Mr. Heath, Ira Smith, Joseph Trus- sell, and his brother, John Trussell, Esq., and others. Perhaps the two last named are the only survivors of the above named, and they are childless.
Among other men of the town at this time were Capt. Amos Currier, Capt. John Pike, and his father Lieut. Thomas Pike, Capt. John Morgan, an early settler and the progenitor of the Morgans of New London. There were several families of Davises, Knowl- tons, Sargents, and Burpees living in the westerly part of the . town ; John Sargent lived near Pleasant pond. The eight Sargent brothers, and several sisters, were noted for longevity, industry, and economy. The mother of Hon. Jonathan Harvey and Gov. Mat- thew Harvey, of Sutton, was a Sargent from Weare, and connected with the Sargents of New London.
598
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Capt. Moses S. Harvey, once of Sutton, was a man of marked ability and scholarly attainments. In his last days he was judge of probate for Lake county, Ohio. His son, Thomas W. Harvey, has been many years commissioner of common schools for the state of Ohio. We might refer to many others, but perhaps this article is already too lengthy.
TOWN OFFICERS ELECTED MARCH, 1890.
Moderator-John Pressey.
Town-Clerk-Daniel L. Powers.
Selectmen-George C. Pillsbury, John S. Andrews, George Rob- ertson.
Treasurer-James B. Richards.
School Board-John Pressey, S. N. Welch, M. D., Levi W. Clough, M. D.
Auditors-Moses L. Pillsbury, Milton B. Wadleigh.
Appropriations.
Schools, .
$1,200
Text-books,
200
School-house, .
300
Town charges, ·
· 400
.
00
000
00p
0
O
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