USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Derry > Willey's book of Nutfield; a history of that part of New Hampshire comprised within the limits of the old township of Londonberry, from its settlement in 1719 to the present time > Part 37
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REV. AMEDEE LESSARD.
R' EV. AMÉDÉE LESSARD, the first French priest ordained by Rt. Rev. Bishop Bradley for the diocese of Manchester, was born in St. Johns, Iberville, Richelieu Valley, Quebec, March 10, 1865. When he was three years of age his parents came to Manchester, and his home has
been here ever since. After attending the public schools for five years, and just as he was about to graduate from the Lincoln-street grammar school he was sent to the College of Ste. Therese, Quebec, where he successfully completed the full eight years' course. Having thus prepared himself to study for the priesthood, he entered the Grand Seminary of St. Sulpice at Montreal and finished his theological studies in 1889. Dec. 22 of that year he was ordained in the old chapel at Mc- Gregorville. This chapel was destroyed by fire in the follow- ing October. Jan. 1, 1890, Father Lessard was appointed assist- ant to Rev. E. M. O'Callaghan of Portsmouth, and in the following May was transferred to St. Mary's church, West Manchester, where he remained until his appointment as assistant pastor of St. George's church, in May, 1891. Here he rendered valuable assistance in the erec- tion of this beautiful church edifice, and otherwise demon- strated his efficiency and zeal. Jan. 3. 1895, he was transferred to St. Augustin's church as assistant to the pastor, Rev. J. A. Chevalier, and Oct. 21, 1895, within less than six years after his ordination, was appointed by the bishop as pastor of Gonic, N. H. Father Lessard has shown good executive abilities, is popular with all classes of the community, and it is expected that his pastorate will be highly successful. (For Diocese of Manchester and sketch of Rt. Rev. Bishop Bradley, see page 109.)
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F
FRANCIS BROWN EATON, son of Peter for a year an assistant editor's desk in the office
and Hannah Hale (Kelly) Eaton, was born in Candia Feb. 26, 1825. He received a common school and academic education, and in 1850 removed with his parents to Manchester. In 1852 he published the " History of Candia, Once Known as Charmingfare, with Notiecs of some of the Early Families." At this time there were but few town histories in the
state. Soon after removing to Man- chester Mr. Eaton became assistant editor of the Daily American, and dur- ing the session of congress after Presi- dent Franklin Pierce's inauguration (1853) was its Wash- ington correspond- cnt. Soon after returning from Washington, Mr. Eaton was offered the position of libra- rian in the new city library, and at the solicitation of Hon. Samuel N. Bell he accepted the place, and retaincd it for ncarly ten years, dur- ing which time hc was a frequent con- tributor to the Daily Mirror, writing book notices and a series of articles under the title of "Grapes from the Vines of Piscataquog."
FRANCIS B. EATON.
He was likewise correspondent of the Boston Traveller. From December, 1861, to January, 1863, he was editor and proprictor of the New Hampshire Journal of Agriculture, until it was sold and merged in the Mirror and Farmer. In 1864, the Boston Daily Advertiser having sent one of its staff to the front, Mr. Eaton took his place in the office until the end of the war, when he occupied Candia.
of the Boston Journal, occasionally doing repor- ter's duty. At the expiration of the year he was offered the position of night editor, then held by the veteran John Callaghan Moore, well known among the newspaper fraternity of that day. For- bidden by a troublesome weakness of the eyes to accept this place, he received, through the good offices of William E. Chandler, an ap- pointment as in- spector in the cus- toms department and was stationed at Montreal and later at Portland, Me. Re- turning to Manches- ter in 1869, he began business as a book- scller, conducting with it also a circu- lating library, and continuing thus for eleven years. During this time he com- piled and edited sketches of the life and public services of Hon. Frederick Smyth, which were printed for private circulation in 1885. Mr. Eaton was for some years a director of the Franklin- Street Congrega- tional Society, super- intendent of the Sunday school, and clerk of the church, in which he now holds the office of deacon. He is author of the semi-centennial history of that church published in 1894. For some years after disposing of his bookstorc, he was a clerk in the First National bank, of which he is now a director, and also trustee and vice president of the Merri- mack River Savings bank. In 1854 Mr. Eaton married Lucretia, daughter of John Lanc of
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H. C. ABBOTT was born in Sunapee in 1852. a lot of land directly opposite the passenger station, and erccted upon it the large and com- modious manufacturing plant which is today one of the chief industries of Derry. The buildings consist of a carriage repository 93 x 36 feet, threc stories high, on the first floor of which is the stable; on the second floor the sale and store rooms for baled hay, straw, and moss, and on the third floor a carriage storage room and a hall for public use; a car- riage elevator 18 x 36 feet is attached to this building ; the factory 72 X 28 feet, the first floor of which is used for office and sale room, and the second floor for painting rooms ; the wheelwright shop 28 x 35 feet, three stories high, in which the wheel- wright work, carriage trimming, and harness making are done; the blacksmith shop 30 x 60 feet, and a second stable 50 x 40 feet. Mr. Ab- bott also occupies the Hotel Bradford stable. He has recently pur- chased of Col. Pillsbury the building known as Smith's block. All these buildings, with his beau- tiful residence, and the stock in trade, represent H. C. ABBOTT. an investment of about $40,000, making the most important industry in town next to the shoe business. Since the retire- ment of Mr. Davis from the firm in 1891, Mr. Abbott has been sole proprietor of this large business, which was founded by their united efforts. His carriages are rapidly attaining an enviable reputation throughout New England. The hose wagon and the hook and ladder truck of the Derry Depot fire department were built by Mr. Abbott He was educated in the common schools and at Colby Academy, New London. At the age of sixteen he started out in life for himself, going first to New Brunswick, N. J., and remain- ing there a year, when he was called home by a death in his family. The quiet town of New Lon- don had few opportunities to offer to an ambitious young man, and accord- ingly Mr. Abbott went West in 1872, and worked a year in Michi- gan. Returning to New Hampshire, he was mar- ried to Miss Emma A. Davis, daughter of W. W. Davis of Warner. To her counsels and faithful assistance Mr. Abbott ascribes much of the success that has attended his business ventures. He went to Derry in 1874 and filled various positions in Col. Pillsbury's shoe factory until 1880, when, poor health necessitating a change of occupation, he opened the Derry exchange and sale stable on Birch street, his stock consisting of one horse and carriage. The fol- lowing year his father- in-law became associated with him, and the busi- ness was enlarged by the addition of a carriage commission trade, which soon proved most successful. Increase of business from year to year and the need of larger accom- modations led to the purchase, in 1887, by Abbott & Davis, of the livery stock of the Hotel Bradford. S. G. Clifford was admitted to the firm at the same time, and remained about a year. Mr. Abbott decided to add the manufacture of carriages and wagons to his already large and flourishing busi- ness, and for this purpose bought of Col. Pillsbury in 1891, according to plans made by him. The
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following year he was chosen on the board of engineers of the fire department and served for two years in that position. The sale and livery braneh of Mr. Abbott's business is under the supervision of his son, William Wallaee Abbott. Mrs. Abbott has charge of the book- keeping. In poli- ties Mr. Abbott is a Republican, hav- ing voted for every WILLIAM W. ABBOTT. presidential eandi- date of that party sinee 1872. He is a prominent member of Passa- eonnaway Tribe, I. O. R. M., of Manchester, also of the A. O. U. W., a Knight, and a Sir Knight. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Abbott are : William Wallaee, born June 4, 1876 ; Ethel Emeline, born June 14, 1878; Harry Hampton, born June 24, 1891, died Aug. 9, 1892 ; James Hamilton, born July 15, 1895.
IT cost $12 Is. rod., or more than $60, to - ordain Rev. William Morrison, Feb. 12, 1783, and set him apart "to the work of the gospel ministry, to take charge of the second parish in Londonderry." This is the itemized bill of ex- penses, as found in an old aeeount book : "Four gallen of Rum, {1 16s. ; half a pound of allspice, 5$ .; 19 pounds Chise, 195; 3 pounds raisons, 45. ; I quarter pepper, 2s. ; Cinnamon, Is. 6d. ; Nutmeg, IS. 6d. ; Wine 2 gallons, {1 4S. ; 1 pound tea, 12S .; 12 pound shugar, 12S. ; 2 quarts molasses, 2s. 6d. ; Brandy, 5s. 4d. ; 62 pounds butter, {I IOS. ; jour- ney to Newbury, LI IS. ; 2 bushels and a half of wheat, {I IOS. ; Souse, Syder, Bread, salt, pork, trouble of house and Woman's labor, {1 16s." With all that allspiee, pepper, einnamon, and nut- meg, and with the brandy, rum, eider, and wine, that ordination must have been both spicy and spirited.
T THE FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE in Nutfield was built in 1723. It was of logs, and was only sixteen feet by twelve. Robert Morrison was one of the first, if not the first teacher. The building was situated on the common, near the meeting-house.
H. C. ABBOTT'S RESIDENCE,
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JAMES BALDWIN, son of James and Pris- in this city, serving as deacon for many years. cilla (Keyes) Baldwin, was born in Westford, Very positive in his views, he would not waver in Mass., May 31, 1812, being a direct descendant of any case when he considered he was right. He Henry Baldwin, who won distinction as a citizen was unostentatious in the performance of every duty, retaining to the last of his long and busy life a genial and lovable disposition. of Woburn, Mass., as early as 1640. He made good use of such time as he had in the public schools, and very early in life began work for an older brother, making bobbins and shuttles for looms. Remaining with his brother until 1857, he came in that year to Manchester and founded a business of his own on somewhat more advanced plans, which he conducted successfully until his death, May 22, 1893. He began with crude machinery in a small way in Mechanics' Row, on the site of the present Jefferson Mill, in 1859, and built the bobbin factory in West Manchester in 1876. Mr. Baldwin gradually expanded his plant until at the time of his death the company of which he was the head employed nearly three hundred hands, and the facilities were still more enlarged by greatly improved machinery, so that the com- pany was always up to the times when not leading as producers of bobbins, shuttles, spools, and various other wood attachments for machinery. Mr. Baldwin wisely provided for the perpetuation of his business by forming a stock company before his retirement, taking in his sons and naming the corporation the James Baldwin Company. At the present time John C. Littlefield is president, J. F. Baldwin treasurer, and Luther C. Baldwin secre- tary. The business sagacity and ingenuity of the founder is strongly inherited by the sons, who con- trol the stock of the company and conduct the business. In 1840, Mr. Baldwin married Mary Buttrick of Concord, Mass. Six children were born to them, and three of these are still living in Manchester : James Frank, Mary E. (wife of John C. Littlefield), and Luther Chase Baldwin. Their mother died in 1857, and in 1858 Mr. Baldwin married Julia A. Hunton. One son by this marriage, Charles Fred Baldwin, was several years principal of the Ash-street school, Manches- ter, and is now principal of the Forster Grammar School, Somerville, Mass. In 1880 Mr. Baldwin married Mrs. Eliza W. Brown, who is now living. Early in youth he became a member of the Bap- tist church in Nashua, and after his removal to Manchester united with the First Baptist church
IT CA' NO' SP'AK THE WORDS .- Among current traditions of controversies in the reli- gious societies of Londonderry is one concerning the introduction of instrumental music in the West Parish church. For economical as well as political reasons, the Presbyterian societies were very aus- tere and rigid in their adherence to certain customs of worship, and bitterly opposed to the ornamenta- tion of religious houses, or the use of pleasing accessories, or comforting conveniences, such as bells, organs, fiddles, stained glass, cushions, and stoves. These were all abominations and hin- drances to the pure ideal worship. But a change came after long years of singing in the West Parish led by some man who carried in his pocket a pitch pipe, or tuning fork made of steel, and after the announcement of the psalm, or hymn, struck the keynotc, holding the instrument to his ear, and with his voice sounding out the intervals to make the necessary transposition, and starting the tune. The progressive younger generation heard of the bass viol being used in the churches at Portsmouth, Haverhill, and Boston, and desired to have one purchased for Londonderry. To bring about the desired feeling in reference to the purchase of the bass viol, it was deemed expedient to canvass the community and take account of opinions and carry a subscription paper for those to sign who were in favor of buying the bass viol. When the subscription list arrived at the house of Deacon David Brewster, who lived near Scobey's Pond, where Major John Pinker- ton's first store was erected, the deacon glanced at the list and handed it back, saying : " I ha' objec- tion to 't." When asked for it he replied : " It ca' no' sp'ak the words in kirk." Some of the congregation were pleased to say they thought the bass viol could speak the words almost as plainly as the deacon.
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W ALTER GREENLAND AFRICA, son scope of his business activities. He is treasurer of of J. Simpson and Dorothea Corbin the Manchester Electric Light Company ; treasurer (Greenland) Africa, was born in Huntingdon, Penn., April 11, 1863. His education was obtained at the public and private schools of that town and at Juniata College. After his graduation he
of the Brodie Electric Company, which is engaged in the manufacture of electric specialties ; treasurer of the Ben Franklin Electric Light Company; director of the Merchants' National bank, and of entered the service of the First National bank of the board of trade. During the time that Mr. Huntingdon, where he remained about a year and Africa has been connected with the companies the a half, devoting his gas business has in- creased fifty per cent, and the electric light company now fur- nishes 680 arc and 7,000 incandescent lights, in place of 37 of the former and 240 of the latter in 1887. Since coming to Manchester he has associated himself with the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Wash- ington Lodge, Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter, Adoniram Council Royal and Select Masters, and Trinity Command- ery, Knights Tem- plar, and wearing the insignia of the thirty- second degree by virtue of his mem- bership in Edward A. Raymond Con- sistory of Nashua, WALTER G. AFRICA Ancient and Ac- cepted Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Derryfield Club and of the Franklin-Street Congre- gational chureh. Mr. Africa is an active member of the New England Association of Gas Engineers, of the American Gaslight Association, and of the Guild of Gas Managers. Nov. 17, 1887, he mar- ried Miss Maud Eva Cunningham of Huntingdon, and they have three children : Dorothea Cunning- ham, born Nov. 18, 1888; Esther Bessie, born Jan. 21, 1890; and Walter Murray, born April 22, 1892. leisure time to the study of civil en- gincering. Leaving the bank, he beeame connected with the firm of Elkins & Widener, widely known as successful promoters of gas, electric and water- works enterprises, where he formed an intimate acquaint- ance with that im- portant class of prop- erties. In 1885 he leased the Hunting- don gas works, which he successfully oper- ated until 1887, when he came to Manches- ter, at the time of the organization of the People's Gas- light Company, which soon acquired control of the Man- ehester Gaslight Company. At first Mr. Africa was superintendent of the new con- cern, but two years later he was chosen treasurer, and since then has acceptably filled both positions. Before leaving Pennsylvania, his abilities and technical knowledge had been recognized by the state authorities, and he was designated to inves- tigate the glass sand mining industry of that state, publishing an illustrated report upon it in 1886. His present responsible position with the People's Gaslight Company by no means fills the
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WILLEY'S BOOK OF NUTFIELD.
D ANIEL GOODWIN, son of Josiah and he ran to the nearest tree and began to elimb for Esther (Jones) Goodwin, was born in Lon- dear life. The bear paused a moment to smell the donderry Sept. 9, 1832. He married Abby C. hat and then followed Dodge to the tree. He Austin Oct. 19, 1853, and they had three children : Ira F., born Oct. 13, 1856 ; John H. S., born Sept. was about six feet from the ground, and the bear, rising upon her hind legs, gave one stroke with her fore paw, the nails just eatehing in the sole of Dodge's shoe. In a moment he was out of her reach and shouting vigorously for help, making, if possible, more noise than the eow. The other men soon reseued him, shot the bear and took the eubs alive. This story is given on the authority of Jonathan MeAllister of Londonderry, who heard it from his father, Isaae MeAllister, who shot the bear.
DANIEL GOODWIN.
21, 1859, and A. Adella, born Nov. 27, 1861. Mr. Goodwin enlisted in Co. K, Fourth New Hampshire Volunteers, Sept. 18, 1861, and re- enlisted Feb. 28, 1864. He was killed while on pieket duty in front of Petersburg, June 27, 1864.
ISAAC DODGE AND THE BEAR .- Bears made frequent attaeks upon the cattle in the early days of the Nutfield colony. It is related that one Sunday afternoon the settlers around Bear Hill, hearing the prolonged bellowing of a cow as if in distress, immediately rallied to learn the cause. The animal was found under a thick hemlock tree endeavoring to evadc the attacks of a she bear and her cubs. The ferocious beast was biting and tearing the eow's flesh, occasionally securing a piece for her cubs. At the approach of the men the bear hastily withdrew with her offspring, and was met by Isaac Dodge, who was hurrying to the seene. Throwing his hat at her,
JOSEPH WHITE, the son of John and Han- J nah (Bradstreet) White, was born in Rowley, Mass., in 1824 and moved to Derry in 1846. In April, 1851, he married Miss Sarah A. Stickney of Derry, and by her had four children : Hannah M.,
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JOSEPH WHITE.
Ella A., Joseph W., and John F., the last named dying in 1863. In January of the following year Mrs. White died, and in April, 1866, Mr. White was again married, this time to Miss Melinda Noyes.
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C OL. GEORGE WASHINGTON LANE had in hand. After learning his trade he went was born in Candia Sept. 27, 1819, his into business for himself, and so intent was he parents being Thomas B. and Polly (Worthen) Lanc. Like many others who have won marked success in life and attained high distinction among their fellow men, he was nurtured at the rugged breast of poverty. When he was only six years of age his father died, and being the eldest of five children, it fell to his lot to do what little he could
COL. GEORGE W. LANE.
to help his mother bear her heavy burdens. So at that early age he went to work in a mill, his pay being $6.25 a month, $6 of which he gave to his mother. After the first six months his wages were raised to $11, so that until he was fourteen he was enabled to save considerable of his earn- ings. Going to Boston, he served a seven years' apprenticeship at the carriage builder's trade, which he learned thoroughly. Indeed, it was one of his chief characteristics to do well whatever he
upon achieving success that for a time he worked 365 days a year. Prosperity attended his efforts, and having accumulated considerable property he purchased the American Hotel in Baltimore and was its landlord for twenty years. While here he had frequent opportunity of visiting the National Congress and hearing the oratory of Webster, Adams, Clay, and other famous statesmen. His early lack of educational advantages was thus supplemented in the very best of schools. During his residence in Baltimore his interests were by no means confined to the hotel business, for he visited Europe several times and secured contracts with the Russian government to raise sunken vessels in the Baltic and Black seas and elsewhere. In this as in everything else his efforts were crowned with success. He also introduced an American car coupler into Germany, and was interested in various other enterprises, all of which prospered under his hands. On the outbreak of the Rebellion in 1861 he offered his services to the government and was appointed by President Lincoln to a position of trust in the Army of the James. He was with Gen. Butler in New Orleans, and a strong friendship grew up between the two men. After the close of the war he obtained from
the United States government a license to raise the ironelad Keokuk, sunk at Charleston, and also to raise other sunken vessels. When this work had been accomplished he settled in Boston; where he was superintendent of a water and alarm gauge company until 1869, when he purchased the General Derby place in East Derry. From his earliest youth it had been the dream of his life to own this historie estate, and now at the age of fifty his dream was realized. He expended nearly $60,000 in improving the farm and in making it the best in New Hampshire. It contains three hundred acres, half of which is under cultivation. Col. Lane put in nearly four miles of underground drainage, built extensive barns and stables, and began farming in a scientific, systematic way and with the thoroughness which characterized every- thing he undertook. The house (a cut of which is given on page 21), built in old English style in 1765, is 50 feet front, 45 feet deep, three-story,
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with observatory on top, two-story ell, 22 x 84. The cattle barn is 45 x 117 ; horse barn, 50 x 40 ; the work or repair shop, 20 X 30, contains horse- power to saw wood and thresh grain; the swine department is 20 x 40 ; the creamery is 18 x 20 with ell, with pony-power for making butter. The house was owned by General Derby in 1825, who was visited by Lafayette and his aides. Judge Prentice once lived there, as did also Judge Wood-
MRS. EMMA C. (KENT) LANE.
bury, and Judge Doe was born there. Although the farm is on high land, there is a pond, fcd by springs, back of the buildings which supplies them with running water. This pond, which is ninc hundred feet long and one hundred and fifty feet wide, is 239} feet higher than the railroad track at Derry Depot.
ernor's Horse Guards of Concord while they were in existence. In 1876 a company of infantry was organized in Candia, his native town, and attached to the first regiment of the brigadc. It was named the Lane Rifles in honor of the colonel. The company was disbanded in 1887, and the equip- ments were taken to Derry for the use of a company organized there. Col. Lane was a member of St. Mark's Lodge, No. 44, A. F. and A. M., and of Gen. Stark Colony, Pilgrim Fathers, of Pelham. He was married three times, his last wife being Miss Emma C. Kent of Pelham, to whom he was united March 24, 1884. His death, which occurred Jan. 15, 1894, was mourned by hosts of personal friends and acquaintances, for although a man of iron will and at times a seem- ingly rough exterior, he had a tender heart, and there are many who can testify to his quiet deeds of charity. Giving employment to a great num- ber of men, he was a public benefactor and con- tributed much toward the material prosperity of Derry. The history of New England, rich though it is in examples of distinguished success attained under difficulties, shows very few instances of distinction won by men so heavily handicapped as was Col. Lane in his youth. All that is mortal of the colonel rests in Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry.
BOUT LIBRARIES .- It was in 1793 that A the historian of New Hampshire, Dr. Bel- knap, recommended the establishment of social libraries in towns, and it was two years later that an association of gentlemen, among whom were Amos Weston, father of ex-Gov. Weston, Isaac Huse, Elijah A. Nutt, Samuel Jackson, Ben- jamin F. Stark, John Stark, Jr., Samuel P. Kidder. forty-seven in all, founded the Social Library of Derryfield. For about thirty years it seems to have supplied the needs of the town, and at the last recorded meeting of the shareholders Ephraim Stevens, Jr., Lieut. Job Rowell, and James Griffin were chosen directors, and Samuel Jackson librarian.
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