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 5
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55
EARLY SETTLERS.
John, James, Sarah, Lydia, and Jonathan who was born in 1807. The three last were, in 1880, living on the farm of their father, who owned it in 1779. Mr. Johnson, in his latter days, was remark- ably spry and active for a man of his size and age, being a large man. The Johnsons were noted for longevity. Jonathan Johnson died in 1844, aged 90; Joseph Johnson died at the age of 98.
Caleb Kimball came here from Goffstown. He settled on the hill which from him was called Kin- ball hill-the same locality which the Eatons, who are his descendants and heirs, now term Eaton Grange. Mr. Kimball was a man of great industry and energy, and a prominent business man. He kept tavern quite early, soon after the public roads were opened. The first one was a much travelled road, from Newbury on by Mr. John Nelson's over Dodge hill to the south village, and so on by Mr. Littlehale's and the Roby place to Kimball hill, and on to Warner. There was also another main road, passing from Croydon, Springfield, and New London to Dea. Harvey's, where was a tavern, and so on to Mr. Hazen's at the foot of Gile hill, thence southerly and intersected with the other road at the foot of Kimball hill. The house erected for a tavern is yet standing, and has been fitted up by the Eaton brothers and sisters for their summer residence. It is surrounded by about 1100 acres of land owned by the same parties, most of it being covered with a thrifty second growth of wood and timber. Mr. Kimball was better edu- cated than most men of the town, and his family excelled in personal accomplishments as well as
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
intelligence, and were deemed models in this respect. Mrs. Kimball was well adapted to the rearing and training of such a family. The names of their children were Mary, Lucretia, Caleb, Sarah, Betsey, Jacob, Phebe, Lavinia, Abigail, Ruth, and Sukey.
Nathan Andrew settled near his father in Sut- ton; had a large family; was a worthy, industrious farmer-in fact, was one of the most substantial men of the town, being always much esteemed and respected by all who knew him; lived to a good old age, and died in town, leaving a wife and a worthy and useful family. His wife long survived him, . and died at the age of 95. Her maiden name was Hannah Gregg, she being of the famous London- derry Scotch-Irish stock.
John Andrew lived in town but little after be- coming of age. Went to Boston-a merchant.
Israel Andrew has owned farms in different parts of this town. During the last fifty years of his life he lived where his son Israel afterwards resided. He had one daughter, who married Cyrus French, the father of Cyrus French now living in town. Israel Andrew was a man whose word was as good as his bond. He was of untiring industry, prudent and sagacious; never sought or would accept offi- cial positions; acquired a large estate; died at the age of 82 years, respected and beloved by his townsmen.
Samuel Andrew in his latter days lived east of John Merrill's: the place is sometimes called the Cotton place. He was a good, substantial farmer and devout Christian; married a daughter of Sam-
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EARLY SETTLERS.
uel Peaslee, she being the first female child born in Perrystown. Date of her birth 1771. They had a large and useful family. He died at the age of 70, and his wife died soon after. They have numer- ous descendants.
Perley Andrew, the youngest son of Samuel Andrew, Sen., lived near his brother Nathan, at the head of Long pond. He was an honest, pru- dent farmer. Died at the age of about 80, leaving a wife and family, a number of whom live in town. Of the daughters of Samuel Andrew, Sen., one mar- ried Dr. William Martin; one married Israel Put- nam, Esq .; and one married the late Hon. Samuel Jones of Bradford, and her death preceded that of her husband several years. She left a very intelli- gent and useful family. The offspring of Samuel Andrew are numerous, many of them possessing su- perior intelligence, enterprise, and business capac- ity, some occupying high positions in the nation, among whom, on the maternal side, are General John Eaton, for a long period U. S. commissioner of education, and at present president of a college in Marietta, Ohio; his brother, Colonel Lucian Eaton, U. S. marshal of Tennessee; and Honorable George Jones, of Concord, formerly state senator; also Horace E. Andrew, Memphis, Tennessee, clerk U. S. court of that state.
Benjamin Critchett lived on the place where Deacon Nicholas Rowell and son have for many years had ownership and occupancy. Mr. Critch- ett was here early, soon following Matthew Har- vey, whose sister, Miriam Harvey, of Nottingham (daughter of Jonathan Harvey, of Nottingham),
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
was Critchett's wife. They had a family, but after some years removed to New York. Critchett was in service in the Revolutionary War.
Thomas Wadleigh, one of the nine brothers be- fore referred to, settled in Sutton about 1779, on leaving the Revolutionary War; located near where Converse Gage now lives. His family were,- Ruth, who married Hon. Jonathan Harvey; Eliz- abeth married Deacon Asa Nelson; Miriam mar- ried Joseph Pillsbury, Esq., and was mother of Thomas W. Pillsbury, Esq., of Concord; Daniel, father of Philip S. Harvey Wadleigh, of Warner. Polly married Edward Dodge, Esq .; died, leaving one son. Sarah married Moses S. Harvey, and was mother of Hon. Thomas W. Harvey, late commis- sioner of common schools of Ohio. Martha married Sumner Fowler, of Hopkinton. Thomas married Hannah Roby, and died, aged about 45 years, leav- two sons and one daughter. Mehitabel married Thomas Cheney; died, leaving one son. Susan married John Burnham, of Hopkinton, and died, leaving three sons,-Edward D. Burnham, J. M. Burnham, John Burnham. The first of these three, Edward D., a prominent man, member of the state council, etc., died March, 1887. His brother, J. M., died young, leaving no issue. Upon the incorporation of the town in 1784, Thomas Wad- leigh became a leading man in town, being chosen town-clerk nearly twenty years, and selectman and representative many years. He also took an active part in military affairs, and was captain of the militia of the town. It happened that, on one occasion, at a general muster, he was not assigned
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EARLY SETTLERS.
his proper rank, and his soldiers refused to take the place assigned them; but he went upon the ground himself. The commander of the regiment sent a force to bring the men into line. They resisted, and finally did no duty through the day.
James King was a tax-payer here in 1779; came from Hampstead. He had been pressed into the English service at the time of the French War, but found opportunity to desert, and came here with the settlers. Was born in England. His sons, John and Nathaniel, were by his first wife, and born previous to coming here. Settled where J. M. Pressey now lives; died there in 1808. Was a prominent man in town-constable and collector.
Nathaniel Cheney came here about 1779. Born 1754; died 1847, in his ninety-fourth year. Was son of Daniel Cheney, of Plaistow, whose father was Dustin Cheney, a descendant of Hannah Dustin who killed the Indians at Dustin's island when she was captured and carried there-near Penacook. Nathaniel Cheney had ten children- eight sons, two daughters. 1, Wait; went to New York; had seven children; died 1828. 2, David; served in the War of 1812; died in 1823, leaving four children. 3, Mary; married Asa King; died about 1817, leaving two sons, three daughters. 4, Nathaniel; married Sarah Pills- bury in 1811; died about 1872, aged 83, leaving two sons, three daughters. 5, Sally; born 1788; married Israel Morrill 1807; died 1823, leaving two sons, three daughters. 6, Isaac; born 1790; died 1855; had eight sons, one daughter. 7, Timothy; born 1793; moved to New York; married; died,
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
leaving seven children. 8, Thomas; served in the War of 1812; married a daughter of the late Thomas Wadleigh, Esq., who died, leaving a son, Nathaniel W. Cheney, present (1880) register of deeds for Grafton county. Thomas died 1875, in his 80th year. 9, Silas, born 1798; died 1828, leaving five sons. 10, Caleb; born 1800; died 1826, without issue. Nathaniel Cheney, senior, lived near Joseph Johnson's; was in the Revolutionary War; was an honest, upright man and a good citizen. He was a moderate farmer.
We have now hastily and cursorily alluded to most of the settlers in Perrystown up to 1780, and also to some of their descendants individually. Among those noted for piety were Dea. Asa Nel- son and wife, Dea. Matthew Harvey and wife, Jacob Davis, Ephraim Gile, Daniel Messer and wife, Jonathan Roby, James King, Caleb Kimball and wife, Mrs. Jonathan Davis, Mrs. Benjamin Wadleigh, Mrs. William Pressey, and some others. There was no church or preacher during those first ten years, but they met and held religious services weekly in private dwellings.
We find no reference to schools during this time, yet most .of the children of that day learned, per- haps from their parents, to read and write, and were subsequently able to transact business cor- rectly.
Finding and clearing roads was the great busi- ness of this time. Loads were carried on sleds or drags with oxen through the year. Travelling on foot in winter, whether hunting or otherwise, was done on snow-shoes.
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EARLY SETTLERS.
Trapping and hunting were sources of income. The deer, moose, and bear furnished food and clothing. The beaver, sable, otter, mink, and other fur animals were plenty.
The men cleared the land of the forests, and converted the wood into ashes, and, carrying it to the " potash," the lye was there leached from it and boiled down into " salts."
The currency of the country had become nearly worthless. The war of the Revolution was going on, the colonies struggling for their independence. Men and means had to be furnished, or they must submit to the tyranny of the British government. There was no time for indolence. Every man had to help himself and his neighbors to the best of his ability. There was mutual dependence, and every man was a brother, and treated as such, and those ties of friendship and brotherhood never ceased till death.
Ebenezer Kezar, and his son Simon Kezar, were the first blacksmiths, and made agricultural imple- ments and steel traps, some of which are still in use.
Benjamin Wadleigh was the first shoe-maker, including snow-shoes. He was the first justice of the peace in town.
Samuel Andrew was the first tailor.
Ephraim Gile was the first tanner. He tanned mostly the skins of wild animals and sheep-skins.
Capt. William Pressey was the first carpenter, and was also the first captain of militia.
Jacob Davis and his sons made wooden ware, such as plates, trays, bowls, noggins, piggins,
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
platters, skimmers, ladles, and other wares. Wooden ware was then much used in place of crockery and earthen ware.
Mr. Eri Colby informed the writer that his grand- mother, Mrs. Jonathan Davis, who lived near Jacob Davis, used to carry this wooden ware sometimes out of town on horseback and sell it; and that some people thought the ware was worth more than the horse that carried it.
Jeremiah Davis, Samuel Peaslee, and Jonathan Davis were brick-makers. Ensign Phineas Stevens was a cooper. Jacob Masten made weavers' looms and fixtures.
Matthew Harvey was first deacon and first tav- ern-keeper, and was the first representative of the town after incorporation, 1785. At that date, however, Sutton had not enough ratable polls to be entitled to a representative, but was classed with other adjoining towns for that purpose. Warner, Sutton, and Fishersfield (now Newbury) elected Mr. Harvey this year.
TAX-PAYERS IN 1779.
Samuel Andrews. Died in Newbury, aged 55.
Samuel Bean. Died in Sutton, aged 77.
French War. Cornelius Bean, brother to Samuel. Died in Sutton, aged 90.
Leonard Coburn. Died in Sutton.
Rev. War. Nathaniel Cheney. Died in Sutton, aged 93.
Rev. War. Francis Como. Died in Sutton, aged 100.
Rev. War. Benjamin Critchett. Removed to New York with his family.
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EARLY SETTLERS.
Jeremiah Davis. Died in Grantham about 1875.
Jonathan Davis. Died in Sutton.
Jacob Davis. Died in Sutton, aged 105.
John Davis, son of Jacob. Died in Sutton (insane). Lieut. David Eaton. Died in Sutton, aged 66.
Ephraim Gile. Died in Sutton, age 90.
Benjamin Heath. Unknown.
Robert Heatlı. Unknown.
Matthew Harvey. Died in Sutton, aged 49.
Ezra Jones. Died in Sutton.
Joseph Johnson. Died in Sutton, aged 94.
Jonathan Johnson, brother to Joseph. Died in Sutton, aged 98.
James King. Died in Sutton, aged 79.
Ebenezer Kezar. Died in Sutton, aged 73.
George Marsden. Unknown.
Rev. War. Jacob Mastin. Died in Sutton, aged 78.
Daniel Messer. Died in Sutton, aged 84.
Amos Mills. Unknown.
Lieut. Asa Nelson. Died in Sutton, aged 83.
Jonathan Nelson. Died in Sutton, age 77.
Rev. War. Philip Nelson. Died in Sutton, aged 86.
David Peaslee. Died in Sutton.
Jonathan Page. Unknown.
Benjamin Philbrick. Died in Warner, aged 99.
Rev. War. Abraham Peaslee. Died in Sutton.
Peter Peaslee. Died in Bridgewater, N. H.
Hezekiah Parker. Died in Sutton.
Samuel Peaslee. Died in Sutton, aged 77.
Jacob Peaslee. Unknown. Rev. War. David Peaslee, Jr. Died in Sutton.
Capt. William Pressey. Died in Sutton, aged 72.
Moses Quimby. Died in Sutton, aged 84.
Rev. War. Jonathan Roby. Died in Sutton, aged 60. Silas Russell. Died in Sutton, aged 82.
Phineas Stevens. Died in Sutton, aged 90. Jonathan Stevens. Died in Warner, aged 96. Joseph Youring. Died in Sutton.
Benjamin Wadleigh, Sen. Died in Sutton, 68.
Jonathan Wadleigh. Died in Gilmanton, aged 82.
Rev. War. Thomas Wadleigh. Died in Sutton, aged 72.
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Joseph Wadleigh. Went to New York about 1800. Rev. War. Thomas Walker. Died in Sutton. aged 103.
NEW TAX-PAYERS BETWEEN 1780 AND 1790.
John Adams.
Samuel Ambrose.
William Bean.
David Chadwick.
Joseph Chadwick.
Jonathan Coburn.
David Coburn.
Leonard Coburn.
Joseph Clough.
Peter Cheney.
Ebenezer Crosby.
Abner Chase.
Jonathan Eaton.
Jesse Fellows.
Reuben Gile.
David Gile.
Philemon Hastings.
Capt. Ephraim Hildreth.
Ezra Jones, Jr.
Hugh Jameson.
John Kimball.
John King.
Dudley Kendrick.
Lot Little.
Ezra Littlehale.
Isaac Messer.
Isaac Masten.
Thomas Messer.
Joseph Pearson.
John Peasley.
Daniel Robertson.
Jonathan Rowell.
Thomas Rowell.
Ichabod Roby.
James Roby.
Philip Sargent.
Ephraim Wadleigh.
Moses Wadleigh.
Stephen Woodward.
Eliphalet Woodward.
Plummer Wheeler.
George Walker.
Francis Whittier.
Daniel Whittier.
Aaron Davis.
Jacob Davis. Jr.
Ezekiel Flanders.
Benjamin Fowler.
Moses Hills.
John Harvey.
65
EARLY SETTLERS.
SECOND DECADE, FROM 1780 to 1790.
NEW SETTLERS AND SONS OF EARLY SETTLERS WHO HAVE BECOME OF AGE.
John Adams1 settled near Joseph and Jonathan Johnson. He died about 1830, aged 80. His sons John, Joseph, and Henry lived and died here. John Adams? was for many years a leading and influential man in this town. He died at an advanced age, leaving a respectable family.
William Bean, brother of Samuel Bean, lived on what is sometimes called Bean's hill. Had a large family, among whom were Joseph, Samuel, Israel, William, and several daughters. He left town before his death. Quite a number of his descend- ants live in town. Mr. Bean was a man of re- markable physical strength.
Elder Samuel Ambrose came to Sutton and gathered a church soon after 1782, but of this church there exists no written record, either of its formation or of its dissolution. We only know that it existed, maintained public worship on Sun- days, administered the sacraments, and that Matthew Harvey was its first deacon. It does not appear that Mr. Ambrose was by formal vote of the town accepted as the town's minister till April 1, 1793. He received from the town the gift of the lot of land which, by charter, the town was to give to the first settled minister. He settled near Samuel Bean and Benjamin Wadleigh, where M. B. Wadleigh now lives. He had a large family, among whom were Polly, Abigail, Sarah, Samuel, Nathaniel,
5
.
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Jonathan, Lydia, Esther, David, Susan. Polly married David Davis, and was mother of the late Col. N. A. Davis. Abigail, a most estimable woman, married Thomas Pearson, and was mother of John H. Pearson, of Concord. Sarah married Nathan Leach; had a family, and died in Massa- chusetts at an advanced age. Samuel left town early, resided in Newburyport, and died there. Nathaniel moved West, where he died, leaving a family. Jonathan went to Maine. Lydia married Elisha Parker of Sutton, and they had a large family. They afterwards removed West. Esther died in Sutton at the age of about 40, unmarried. Susan married a Mr. Carey, and went to New York. David, a very worthy man, remained on the home- stead. Was twice married, his second wife, who was the mother of his surviving children, being Lydia Merrill. Their children, four in number, were born in Sutton, their names being Samuel, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Anne Sophia, most of them, if not all, resident in Maryland. No descendants of Elder S. Ambrose live in town.
David Chadwick settled on the north side of Bean's or King's hill. Had a family of nine sons and four daughters. Was in moderate circum- stances, industrious, cheerful, and humorous. He was esteemed as a neighbor and citizen, and died at an advanced age.
Joseph Chadwick, an elder brother of David, settled near him. Was in the Revolutionary War, and died about 1829, leaving a family, most of his children being then settled in life.
Leonard Coburn lived near the Burpee place,
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EARLY SETTLERS.
recently called the Shattuck place. Had a large family, and left town before his decease.
Jonathan and David Coburn, sons of Leonard Coburn. David left town in the early part of this century. Jonathan was never married. Was a conscientious, inoffensive man, and died aged.
Joseph Clough lived near the Blaisdells at one time. Lived in other localities in town. None of his progeny are known to be living in this town.
Peter Cheney, whose father died when he was young, lived in early life with Capt. Thomas Wad- leigh. Married a daughter of Jonathan Davis, and settled near Kearsarge mountain. Was an indus- trious, neat, tidy farmer. Died at an advanced age, leaving three sons.
Ebenezer Crosby lived near the Johnsons. Had a large family. Not noted for enterprise, but was an industrious and useful citizen. None of his descendants live here.
Abner Chase lived on what is called the Watson farm, near John Gross. Was a farmer, and once served as constable. Frank Chase, now living at South Village, is his grandson.
Aaron Davis, son of Jacob Davis, lived on the homestead, and never married. Was rather eccen- tric, but withal much attached to home, which he seldom left. Died about 1847, aged 80.
Jacob Davis, son of Jacob Davis, had a family; became insane. His youngest daughter, Jane, died here in 1873, without issue.
Jonathan Davis was a cautious and careful farmer. Had a large family, and left a moderate estate.
Jonathan Eaton lived where Gideon D. Felch
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
now lives. Was a man of industry and prop- erty. Lived here many years, but left town with wife and family some sixty years ago.
Jesse Fellows settled where the late Harrison Fellows lived. Was a man of great physical strength and endurance. Had a large family of sons and daughters. His wife long survived him, and died at the age of 97 years.
Ezekiel Flanders lived near Daniel Masten's; removed from town early. Had a large family. Little is known here of his posterity; some of them live in Hopkinton.
Dea. Benjamin Fowler settled on the Hazen farm. In early life was a school-master. Came from Hopkinton to Sutton. Was a deacon of the church, and a pious, exemplary man. He had great industry and economy, and acquired a good estate. Had a large family, well educated for the times, several of his children being teachers. One daughter married Nathaniel Curtis, a trader in Hopkinton; one married the late Samuel Andrews, Esq., of Orange. His son, Levi Fowler, spent most of his life in Sutton and died here in 1860, aged 67. Being captain of militia, was commonly spoken of as Capt. Fowler. He reared a family in Sutton, of whom one son, Charles A. Fowler, lives on his father's homestead,-a school-teacher, an enterprising farmer, and prominent in town affairs. Dea. Fowler left town soon after the great tornado of 1821, which was so disastrous and destructive to his buildings and orchards. He spent the remainder of his life in Orange.
Reuben Gile was son of Ephraim Gile; lived in
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EARLY SETTLERS.
his last days where Daniel Masten lived. His wife was Sarah, daughter of Daniel Messer, and their children were Levi, Sarah, Roxanna, and Jenny. Reuben Gile was an honest, industrious farmer and worthy citizen; died in 1829. His wife survived him many years, dying at the age of 88.
David Gile, brother of Reuben, married Phebe Masten, and lived in town some years after his marriage; in his latter days lived in New London, where he died in middle life, leaving a wife and family.
Philamon Hastings lived where Moses Peaslee now (1880) lives. Was constable and collector in 1796. He died aged. None of his posterity live here.
Capt. Ephraim Hildreth was a prominent man in town for some years. Lived near the pound. Had quite a family. One son died by reason of a fall on the ice on Russell's pond. Capt. Hildreth died in his meridian, and his family separated.
John Harvey was from Amesbury; was a cousin to Dea. Harvey; was a carpenter, and framed the north meeting-house, near which he lived. Was also engaged in farming. His son, Jacob, died in the War of 1812. His son, Joseph, remained on the homestead, and has been a prominent man in town, and served as selectman and representative. Born in 1800; died in 1887. John Harvey drop- ped dead suddenly in the road close to his own house in 1825. His first wife, Hannah Kezar, died young. His second wife, Hannah Hoyt, lived to a great age, and was never obliged to wear glasses. As not unfrequently happens to the near-sighted, her eyesight did not fail with old age.
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HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Moses Hills, Esq .. was for a long time a very prominent man in this town; was a magistrate many years: was selectman and representative. He had a large family, none of them supposed to be living here at this time, nor any of their descend- ants, as he sold his property and removed from town previous to his death.
Ezra Jones owned and occupied the mills of his father, Ezra Jones. Left town many years since. Probably none of his progeny live in town.
Hugh Jameson lived on the north side of King's hill. Left town many years since. Little is known of him or his family.
Dudley Kendrick owned a Masonian proprietors' lot. Was in the Revolutionary War. Several sons settled near him,-Benjamin. Samuel, and William. He also had several daughters. He was a substan- tial farmer. Died here at the age of about 80 years.
John King, son of James King, was born in Hampstead; settled on King's hill. Was an hon- est, industrious man: acquired a good estate; had a large and respectable family. Died here about 1835. Most of his family left town. His son, Elbridge G. King, lived at the North Village, and died there at about 70 years of age. leaving a wife and two daughters, of whom Marilla married Albert P. Richards, merchant at Mill Village, and for sec- ond husband a Mr. Kimball; and Mary Jane mar- ried Perley Sargent. and is mother of three daugh- ters and two sons-Albert and Walter Sargent- the latter resident in North Village on the estate of his grandfather. She married for second husband Philip Little, who died in 1887.
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EARLY SETTLERS.
Ezra Littlehale came here about 1780; settled where his grandson, W. Scott Littlehale, has since lived, which was previously the residence of Jonathan Stevens. Had a large family. His son, Isaac, was in the War of 1812, as orderly of Gen. McNeal; subsequently lived on the home- stead of his father, where he died in 1871, leaving a wife, several sons, and one daughter. The late Langdon Littlehale, formerly hotel keeper at Con- cord and Bradford, was his eldest son. His sons, Henry and W. Scott, are now residents of this town.
Lot Little lived in the south-west part of the town. Was partly of the African race. Had a family. Was not of great mental ability, but in- dustrious and energetic. None of his offspring live in town.
William Lowell lived near Mr. Williams's; was a man of great physical strength. But little is known of him.
Isaac Messer, son of Daniel Messer, was a land- owner here in 1792; afterwards moved to Sunapee or Goshen, where some of his descendants live.
Isaac Masten, son of Benjamin and brother of Jacob, married a daughter of Daniel Messer. Lived near Benjamin Fowler. Was a man of great industry and a thrifty farmer. Accumulated a good estate, and died at the age of 84 years, his wife having died many years previous. He had a large family, which left home prior to his decease.
John Kimball lived on the Isaac Masten place; left town early.
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