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 2 > Part 26
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III. Stephen N. Putney m., about 1845, Lavina H. Spaulding, of Warner, dau. of Benjamin and Olive (Peaslee) Spaulding. Their child, Charles Putney, was b. in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Putney d. May 8, 1873, in Manchester, and Stephen N. Putney lived in War- ner, Sutton, and Cambridgeport. He went West, and was, when last heard from, employed as carpenter and finisher on steamboats on the lower Mississippi river.
IV. Benjamin T. Putney m. Dec. 3, 1851, Mary E. G. Williams, of Sutton, dau. of John and Molly P. Q. (Fellows) Williams. Child,-
1. Frank Albert, b. in Sutton, Jan. 27, 1861.
Benjamin True Putney, commonly called by his middle name, True Putney, resided for many years at Sutton Mills, where he carried on the business of stone-cutting, being a finished workman. He was much respected while here, and was elected to fill impor- tant town offices. He was town-clerk several years. A better business chance opening for him at Concord, he removed thither May 1, 1869. He is engaged at the Concord granite works.
V. Lydia P. Putney m. Sept. 30, 1847, I. Peaslee Sanborn, of Sutton, who d. July 20, 1849. Child,-
918
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
1. Adelaide Estella, b. May 5, 1849, in Sutton.
Mrs. Lydia P. Sanborn m., 2d, March 28, 1852, Asa Gee. Chil- dren,-
2. Ida Frances, b. April 26, 1854.
3. Emma Capitola, b. March 3, 1859; d. April 15, 1882.
Asa Gee d. Jan. 24, 1879, in Manchester. Mrs. Gee resides at Manchester, where she has for many years successfully operated a large dressmaking establishment, thus obtaining the means to sup- port her family, and give to her daughters the best education the city affords. At an early age Emma Gee commenced teaching, and in her vocation obtained a high rank.
2. Ida Frances Gee m. May 14, 1874, Oliver H. Abbott, of Manches- ter. Child,-
(1) Mattie Moore, b. Dec. 27, 1874.
1. Adelaide Estella Sanborn m. Oct. 4, 1872, Charles Y. Foss, of Biddeford, Me. Children, b. in Biddeford,-
(1) Aolie Estella, b. Sept. 10, 1873.
(2) Ida Bell, b. April 16, 1880.
VI. Susan P. Putney m. Sept. 14, 1850, Jacob B. Nelson. Chil- dren, b. in Sutton, ---
1. Loretta A., b. April 22, 1852.
2. Leroy T., b. Nov. 26, 1853 ; d. Sept. 14, 1880.
3. Etta E., b. Nov. 27, 1857.
Three of the sons of Benjamin T. Putney enlisted and served in the late war, viz., Joseph J., in a Western regiment, and Henry and Ira A. in the 11th N. H. Joseph served during the war, and was honorably discharged at its close. Henry was mortally wounded at Williamsburg, and Ira A. died in consequence of sufferings at Andersonville.
Joseph J. Putney m. March, 1870, Denia Ghen, of Clinton, Ill. Children,-twin boys, George Henry and Frederic Arthur, b. 1870, d. 1872, and the mother became insane in consequence of her loss. Mr. Putney has lived in many different localities in the Western country, and followed many different kinds of employment,-farm- ing, teaming, policeman, soldier, camping agent, carpenter, and miner.
Moses Putney many years ago came to Sutton from Hopkinton, and took the tannery of Dea. Benjamin Farrar at the North village, where he carried on business for several years, and built the house
919
GENEALOGY.
afterwards owned by Dea. Benjamin P. Sargent. Mr. Putney afterwards returned to Hopkinton.
Daniel Putney, a wheelwright, came from Hopkinton, and lived for several years at the North village, where he owned an estate. He was b. in Newbury, Oct. 30, 1815, being son of Daniel and Lois (Foster) Putney. He m. May 6, 1839, Susie A. Dow, of West Concord, who d. Jan. 10, 1861. Children,-
I. Edward, b. in Antrim, Dec. 9, 1841.
II. Charles G., b. in Sutton, July 22, 1846.
III. Lucian W., b. in Sutton, June 29, 1852.
IV. Emma S., b. in Sutton, Aug. 13, 1860.
Charles G. Putney, at the age of 16, enlisted in the cavalry, and served till the close of the war.
Daniel Putney m., 2d, Minerva C. Watson, dau. of Saf- ford Watson, of Sutton. Child,-
V. Carrie A., b. in Sutton, July 10, 1864.
Chase Putney came from Andover to Sutton about 1854. He m. for his 2d wife, Aug. 17, 1854, Mary Jane Bean, dau. of Daniel Bean. Two of his sons by his 1st wife, John and Nelson, enlisted and served in last war. [For children by 2d wife, see Daniel Bean record.]
Ebenezer S. Putney, of New London, m. June 3, 1851, Ruth W. Nichols. [See Nichols record.]
Capt. John Putney, among the early settlers of Sutton, was empowered to call the first town-meeting before incor- poration.
920
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
QUIMBY.
Moses Quimby came to Perrystown from Hawke in 1773. He located on what has since been known as the Tappan Sanborn place, in the Mill village. He built the first saw and grist-mill on the stream, and cut the first tree in the hollow above the village. He carried on his mills till his death, and then his son-in-law, Daniel Andrew, continued the business, with the addition by him of a carding-mill, till about 1825. Then Nathaniel A. Davis took the mill privilege and built a new mill. Mrs. Quimby was quite skilful and efficient as a physician, or became so by prac- tice, as there was no other in town except Mrs. Cornelius Bean, for twenty years after they came. She d. in 1817, aged 85. Mr. Quimby d. in 1797, aged 84. They had daughters whose records may be found in the Bean geneal- ogy. Their daughter Elizabeth dropped dead in the road when a young woman. Mr. Quimby and his family were much respected by the people of Sutton.
REDDINGTON.
John Reddington, for some years previous to the opening of the railroad from Concord to Bradford, kept a public house, which he built on the road about midway between North Sutton village and Warner. He did a good business till the opening of the railroad diverted the travel from the road, which, at the time he located there, was the main stage road. He died in this town. He was the father of Oliver P. Reddington, for many years an esteemed citizen of Sutton.
RICHARDS.
Albert P. Richards, b. 1810 ; m. March 1, 1838, Marilla King, dau. of Elbridge Gerry and Mary (Williams) King, of Sutton. Children,-
921
GENEALOGY.
I. Rosina V., b. Aug. 22, 1839; m. Jan. 22, 1857, George C. Chadwick. [See same.]
II. Clarinda V., b. Jan. 18, 1842.
III. James B., b. Sept. 29, 1845.
IV. Frank.
II. Clarinda V. Richards m. Oct. 23, 1864, Rudolph Bates. Mr. Bates died, and she m., 2d, Dec. 13, 1877, Alvah D. Colcord (his 2d wife).
III. James B. Richards m. - Sawtelle. Child,-
1. Evaline.
He m., 2d, - - McAlpine. Child,-
2. Lena Maud.
He m., 3d, Flora B. Morgan.
Albert P. Richards d. about 1850, and his widow m., 2d, Benjamin Kimball. Child,-George Kimball.
Lewis Richards, brother to Albert P. Richards, m. Nov. 30, 1841, Mary Rowell, of Goffstown. Children,-
Sarah Josaphine, b. May 7, 1847.
Edwin Chestellar, b. Oct. 12, 1849.
Mary J., b. Nov. 9, 1851.
Lewis C., b. July 6, 1854.
Loren G., b, Jan. 11, 1857.
Lewis Richards died in 1870.
The following, prepared by Carlos G. Pressey, Esq., in 1888, gives some account of the stores for general mer- chandise which have in times past been kept at the Mill village, including those of the brothers, Albert P. and Lewis Richards, and their relative, Alfred Richards :
" The first store that I remember in Sutton Mill village was kept by Nathaniel A. Davis. He was succeeded by Otis J. Story, who sold out to Pressey & Harvey. Mr. Harvey sold his interest to Truman Putney, and then the firm was Pressey & Putney. Later Mr. Pressey sold his interest to Truman Putney, who took his son, Fred Putney, into business, and the firm was T. Putney & Son, and so remained till the death of the elder member of the firm left the entire business to the son. Jacob S. Harvey, a native of Hopkin-
922
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
ton, came to Sutton as clerk in the store of Moses Carr, in South Sutton, and subsequently went into trade in the same village in company with Moses Johnson. A few years later he went into company with Carlos G. Pressey, in the Mill village. He was a man of superior ability, was universally respected, and held many important offices. He went to Texas, where he was in business for a few years, but losing his health, he returned to his father's home in Hopkinton, and there died. Some time after Nathaniel A. Davis opened his store, another store was opened in the village by Albert P. Richards. Later it was Albert P. and Lewis Richards, then it was L. & A. Richards, being Lewis and Alfred Richards, and after- wards Lewis Richards. Subsequently it was sold to Truman Put- ney, and both stores merged into one. Several years after the above named stores were in operation, Joseph P. Nelson built a new one, which was occupied several years by Richards & Burpee, being Alfred Richards and Benjamin P. Burpee. This store was after- wards occupied by some other parties that I do not remember, but it is now kept by J. B. and F. Richards, sons of the former Albert P. Richards."
The Richards brothers originated in New Boston. They were much respected by the people of Sutton, and did a good business while they were in trade here. [See record of town-officers.]
Alfred Richards came to Sutton in 1839, and for twenty- six years was one of our leading merchants. He com- menced business at the North village in company with his brother William, under the firm name of W. & A. Richards. In 1845 he bought his brother's interest, and continued the business in his own name till 1849, when he removed to the Mill village, and bought one half of the goods of A. P. Richards & Co., and continued the business with Lewis Richards, one of the former proprietors, under the firm name of L. & A. Richards. In 1858 he removed to the South village, and bought a stock of goods of Frank Rob- bins. He soon returned to the Mill village and entered into a copartnership with Benjamin P. Burpee, under the firm name of Richards & Burpee, and continued in trade till 1865, when he removed to Andover to engage in the
923
GENEALOGY.
wood and lumber business. Here he also engaged in trade for one year, being connected with the firm of Melendy & Babbitt. In 1869 he removed to Manchester, where he now resides.
Alfred Richards was born in Goffstown, Oct. 20, 1816 ; m. Dolly A. Simons, of Weare, May 23, 1843. They had one child, Henry A., b. in Sutton, Jan. 23, 1848 ; d. Dec. 18, 1882 : m. Josie S. Rumrill, of Manchester.
While resident in Sutton Mr. Richards was two years a member of the board of selectmen, and with Asa Page, Reuben Porter, Johnson Colby, Jacob S. Harvey, and Albert Richards, organized the Sutton Mutual Fire Insur- ance Co.
He took great interest in agricultural pursuits. The orchard on the southern slope of Pigeon hill is the product of his labor. He was very fond of hunting, and was a cap- ital story-teller. His memory of the old folks, the people of his day, is remarkable.
GEORGE W. RICHARDS
was b. in Walden, Vt., Feb. 11, 1805 ; d. 1879, in Goshen : m. 1835, Martha B. Peaslee, dau. of Abraham, Jr., and Sally (Scribner) Peaslee, of Sutton, b. June 3, 1815; d. July, 1876, in Sutton. They moved to this town in 1839, and here resided till the death of Mrs. Richards, when Mr. Richards removed to Goshen. He was a shoemaker by trade. Children,-
I. Diana W., b. Nov., 1836 ; d. July 1, 1852.
II. Cyrena O., b. March, 1838 ; m. 1855, Samuel Bagley. Children,-
1. Willie O., d. 1867.
2. Arlie A.
3. Hattie.
Mr. Bagley died, and his wife m., 2d, Thomas Fish, and resides at Vergennes, Vt.
III. Mary Anne, b. April 22, 1840 ; d. June 6, 1861 : m. 1858, Orson Burpee.
924
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
IV. Francis M., b. April 15, 1842 ; m. Oct. 6, 1861, Mary E. Morgan. Children,-
1. Elma E., b. June 17, 1862 ; d. July 26, 1864.
2. Alice M., b. July 1, 1867. She is a successful school-teacher in Warner.
3. Dura M., b. Jan. 11, 1872. She is now a clerk with Barney Bros., of Canaan.
Francis M. Richards enlisted in Co. F, 11th Regiment N. H. Vols., Aug. 22, 1862. He was promoted to corporal May 4, 1864, wounded in right arm and left thigh May 12, at Spottsylvania Court House. He was discharged April 28, 1865, by reason of above wounds. He was elected collector of taxes in 1866-'69, selectman in 1871 and 1872, and town-clerk in 1876. He removed to War- ner March 15, 1884, where he now resides. For the past five years he has been a commercial traveller for boots and shoes, at present for Parker, Holm & Co. He was elected supervisor of Warner in 1888.
V. Abraham P., b. Aug. 28, 1844. Enlisted in Co. F, 11th Regiment N. H. Vols., Aug. 22, 1862, mustered out with the regi- ment, June, 1865, as corporal. He m. Dorrilla Peaslee, 1867, and had one child, who was accidentally scalded to death at four years of age. He d. in Concord, 1884.
VI. Ai P., b. March 10, 1848; m. 1875, Anna Weeks, and has one child,-Edna. Resides in Boston, in the employ of the B. & A. R. R.
Martha B. (Peaslee) Richards, mother of the above named six children, was in the 3d generation from David Peaslee, the first settler in Perrystown.
RICHARDSON.
Edmund Richardson and wife, Betsey Gile, originated in Haverhill. They came to Sutton at an early period and settled near the mountains, where they resided till death, both at advanced age. They lived in comfort and inde- pendence. They had no children. Mr. Richardson was a very respectable man. A sketch of Mrs. Richardson fol- lows. Edmund Richardson d. Jan. 14, 1868, aged 92. His. wife d. Nov. 4, 1863. [For her ancestry, see Gile.]
925
GENEALOGY.
Daniel Richardson, brother to Edmund, lived near him. His wife was Bathsheba Flint. They had four children. He became blind in consequence of an accident, and after- wards supported himself by basket-making and chair- bottoming. He used to go all over town to people's houses, and do their chair and basket work. He died in this town, past 60 years of age, and his family removed to Amherst.
Sally Richardson (probably dau. of Daniel), b. June 27, 1808; m. Oct. 26, 1826, David Colby, b. June 1, 1801. Child,-Clarissa, b. Aug. 31, 1827. [From Sutton Rec- ords.]
AUNT RICHARDSON.
BY THERESA HARVEY.
Ever pleasant for us in our intercourse with humanity is it to meet with those possessed of what we commonly term originality of character, those in whose make-up there exists the principle of individuality in so positive a degree that false education and falser social habits and customs cannot despoil nature of her maternal character, or obliterate her likeness from her offspring.
Aunt Richardson, as she was known to the people of Sut- ton (the soubriquet of aunt being accorded her on account of her kindly and motherly nature), claimed relationship to all because of her affection for all.
She was a native of the old town of Haverhill, Mass., where, to use her own expression, she early became a " bound girl " in the family of a highly respectable deacon, who thought that in giving her food and shelter he fully compensated the little drudge for her faithful service in his household. Not a day was she permitted to go to school, nor ever allowed to enter the parlor except on duty and on the occasions of family devotions, when the deacon became so far democratic as to call his whole household together to listen to prayers and the reading of the Scriptures. Such was the eagerness of the little Betsey to know something
926
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
of the mysteries of books and letters, that while the deacon was slowly droning through the chapter, she would adroitly slip behind his chair, and noting with her eye the figures which marked the chapter, then taking position by a stand whereon lay another Bible, by intense observation and care- ful comparison of word with word, was soon able to follow him understandingly while he read. In this way she learned to read words before she learned the letters whose combinations make words. This benefit the deacon con- ferred on her gratuitously, though unwittingly on his own part.
She grew up, married a poor man, and with him came to Sutton and settled on an uncleared farm. Here they toiled, she sharing all the rough labors with unflinching courage and hope that never faltered. Being childless, her great motherly heart sought expression for its sympathies exter- nally in acts of kindness towards all who were suffering through sickness or misfortune, and, in fact, to everything that had life.
One striking peculiarity of her character was the wonder- ful influence she exercised over animals. There was no creature so vicious or unruly that she could not bring it into order and subjection, from the strong horse or bovine to the little sensitive bee : her potent magnetism could subdue them all. She ever maintained that through kind- ness and love even the animal's nature is reached, and made subject to moral suasion. Who shall say that her theory was not correct ? Modern science seems pointing in the same direction, and demonstrating the mighty truth that love is the all-potent force of the universe.
Whenever we remember and think of Aunt Richardson, we sometimes compare her to a wild vine clambering over rough rocks, yet loaded with lucious fruitage; sometimes to a stately palm-tree in the desert, which yields both shel- ter and food to the travel-worn traveller; but most of all, she seems like the mountain-spring bursting through cleft granite, whose waters taste sweeter than those quaffed from
927
GENEALOGY.
crystal vase or marble fountain. Many had cause to bless her kindness while living, and many mourned, though few of her kin remained, when her form, unbent by the burdens of more than eighty years, was given back to earth.
An amusing anecdote is related of Aunt Richardson and her bees. In her house was a passage-way between two of her rooms, at one end of which was the chimney, and in this warmest end during the cold weather she kept her bee- hive. On one occasion, when a religious meeting was appointed at her house, both of her rooms were warmed up, and the minister took his station in the passage-way be- tween them. He had not proceeded far in his discourse when a bee flew out of the hive; another and another fol- lowed, buzzing about his ears, he brushing them away and resolutely continuing his sermon, till, at last, the whole swarm appeared to take offence at his doctrine, and attack- ed him, front, flank, and rear. Aunt Richardson had sat quite still till things reached this desperate pass, but she now arose, approached the bees, addressed them in gentle accents, telling them it was not time for them to leave their hive, that they must be good and go right back, wav- ing them along with her outstretched hands as she spoke. In a few minutes she had them all back in their hive, they moving along with as much docility as if they had full, in- telligent comprehension of all she said. The religious ser- vices went on as before, and the bees made no further attempt to interrupt them.
In becoming acquainted with the peculiar power which this kind lady evidently possessed and exercised over the lower animals, we are reminded of what is related of the great St. Francis, that he esteemed all living creatures his brethren, and would do them service. He would have them listen to his preaching, and they listened. He was mighty in love, he was a man overflowing with sympathy for man and beast: not only was every man his brother, but every animal,-the sheep in the fields, the birds in the branches, the brother-donkey on which he rode, the sister-bees who
928
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
took refuge in his kind protection. He was the friend of everything that suffered or rejoiced ; no emotion went be- yond his sympathy ; his heart rose to see the gladness of nature, and melted over the distresses of the smallest and meanest creature on the face of the earth. And by this divine right of nature everything trusted in him. The magnetism of the heart, that power which nobody can define, but which it is impossible to ignore, surrounded him like a special atmosphere, and there cannot be any doubt that he must have possessed, in an almost unexampled degree, the power of attracting all creatures to him.
The author of the life of the great St. Francis goes on to say,-"And, every now and then, God still sends among us a man or a woman with a peculiar, if a limited, gift of recon- cilement between mankind and the inferior animals, of restoring, at least in exceptional cases, that harmony which once obtained between man and nature, and which is still prophesied in unmistakable terms as sometime again to be- come universal, by these select souls sent among us, whose; mission and its accomplishment are its pledge and token."
We do not feel that it is at all out of place to apply the words spoken of the saint of old to Aunt Richardson,, suiting her case so entirely as they do. It is curious that both the saint and herself are chiefly remembered for the same thing. Sincere and constant as were her pity and kindness to her fellow human beings, her fame rests on the fact of her great love and pity for and influence over ani- mals. And of him the same is true: St. Francis is known and remembered the world over for his practical recogni- tion of the fact that the inferior animals are simply man's poor relations, and of their consequent claim on his loving- kindness, while very few save the most learned in the Catholic Church know that he was the founder of the immensely powerful order of the Franciscan brotherhood. Herein lies a hint for seekers after earthly immortality.
929
GENEALOGY.
ANOTHER SKETCH, BY MRS. THOMAS ROBY.
Mrs. Edmund Richardson, or, as she was familiarly called, "Aunt Richie," was married at sixteen, and moved with her husband from Haverhill, Mass., their native place, to Sutton, first locating near Gile pond. After a few years they moved to the east part of the town, or "under the mountain," into a log-house, where by dint of energy and strict economy they secured a comfortable home. A frame house succeeded the log-cabin, it being the third frame house in their district.
Mrs. Richardson's knowledge of roots and herbs enabled her to be very useful. Far and near has she ministered to the wants of suffering humanity, and many a dollar has she saved for the farmer's pocket by her care and cure of his sick or wounded animals. She had great love and pity for animals, and always had many pets around her. Even after she became old in years her sympathetic heart was always young. She was the lady-factotum in those days, managing funerals and weddings, no gathering being con- sidered complete without her presence, officially as well as socially.
She ever maintained an upright Christian character, being a strict Calvinist Baptist. She was a frequent visitor at the house of the father and mother of the writer of this sketch, and, as they were Freewill Baptists in belief and profession, discussions sometimes arose on the great points of free agency and foreordination. On one occasion she illustrated her favorite and oft-expressed assertion of "once in grace, always in grace," by the following pretty word- picture :
" Now, darter," she said, turning to my mother with her peculiar smile, " suppose a living spring to be found in the woods ; in course of time that spring will get choked with leaves and rubbish : now get down and clear out the leaves and rubbish, and the spring will still be there."
Prayer-meetings were maintained at her house every
59
930
HISTORY OF SUTTON.
Sabbath evening for twenty years. She will long be re- membered for the good she has done. She died Nov. 4, 1863, aged eighty-four. She originated the idea of mud- shoes for horses in wet places.
ROBBINS.
Francis Robbins, of Mason, b. July 9, 1815, son of Abra- ham and Hannah (Elliot) Robbins, settled in Sutton South village in 1842. He first came to this region as a peddler, and became known over a large territory, and, as he carefully saved his money for judicious reinvestment, was soon able to enlarge his stock in trade. Soon after coming to Sutton he opened the first tin-shop at the South village, in the old red shop that used to occupy the site of the pres- ent tin and hardware building. He soon added some gro- ceries to his stock, then stoves and ironware, and built up a good business.
He engaged in various lumbering and farming specula- tions, and, with the exception of two years spent in Boston, continued to be one of the leading business men of Sutton till 1873, when he sold out and removed to Warner. His departure was much regretted by the people, for not only was he, as one who knew his career said of him, "one of the most active spirits that ever operated in this town," but he was a kind-hearted, sympathetic man, and made many friends. While here he built two houses, the one now owned by Mrs. Israel Andrew, and the Asa Withee house. He owned the store at the South village some years, and employed James B. McAllister to attend it, while he did the buying and outside business himself.
In Warner he bought the John Robertson house, and later erected the fine buildings on Kearsarge street, where he spent the remainder of his days, and where his widow and daughter still reside. He m. June, 1839, Abigail Gage, of Enfield, b. Dec. 10, 1814, dau. of Phineas and Phebe (Eaton) Gage. Children,-
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