USA > Vermont > Orange County > Bradford > A history of Bradford, Vermont : containing some account of the place of its first settlement in 1765, and the principal improvements made, and events which have occurred down to 1874--a period of one hundred and nine years. With various genealogical records, and biographical sketches of families and individuals, some deceased, and others still living > Part 27
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1. . Andrew Pettingill Flanders, born in Warner, N. H., September 19, 1796, came to Bradford with his parents. As he grew up he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and, when of age, married Sally Crane, of Bradford, Sep- tember 11, 1825. They remained in this town and had a family of three sons and three daughters, all now de- ceased but one.
Amos married, and died here but a few years since.
Benjamin married Miss Mary E. Chamberlin, of this town, built a nice residence at Bradford Center, and died young. His widow married Cyrus Curtis, and with her husband has for several years been keeping a fine millin- ery establishment in this village. One of the daughters, Julia A., married Edwin Rodgers, of Newbury, but has deceased, and her sisters, Rebecca, Ruth, and Sarah, died young,
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Mr. John Flanders, now the only surviving member of this family, graduated at the Vermont University ; stud- ied law ; married Miss Jenney Hutchinson, of Canaan, N. H., and has for years been engaged, it is understood, ex- tensively and profitably in the practice of his profession in the city of New York,
2. Sarah was born in Bradford, January 15, 1798, died September 30, 1864.
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3. Moses Flanders, born June 19; 1801, married Abi- gail Cass, December 6, 1827.
- 4. Elias S. Flanders, born January 17, 1807, married Matilda Heath, and continues at this date to reside in Brad- ford. They have two sons and a daughter. Their eldest son, Edmund G., a carpenter and joiner by occupation, married Miss Clemantine Richardson, of Orford, N. H., where they reside. Mary Abbie, his sister, married Jesse A. Warren, a dealer in boots, shoes, etc., in this village. They have two children. Thomas Jefferson Flanders spent several years of his youth as a clerk in different stores in this village. In June, 1865, he was appointed Postmaster, in which office he continued till his death, which occurred February 14, 1870, in the thirty-third year of his age. In this office, as in all others which he was called to occupy, he gave high satisfaction. While holding the office of Postmaster he was also, for the last year or two of his life, in partnership with Mr. Charles H. Harding, in a jeweler's and fancy goods establishment, in which they did a profitable businese. Mr. T. J. Flanders married Miss Kate P. Fabyan, a very estimable young la- dy, then of this village, who died of consumption but a few months before him, leaving an only son Albert, a- promising boy, who on the death of his father was adopt- ed by his uncle, Edmund G., and his wife, as their own. Mr. T. J. Flanders and wife were members of the Con- gregational church here, as are also Mr. and Mrs. Warren. The wife of Mr. Elias S. Flanders died July 12, 1862.
5. Mariam, born February 8, 1810, married Seneca Dickey, removed with her husband into the Western country, and has there lately deceased.
6. Peter Flanders, born January 14, 1813, by occupa- tion a farmer, married Miss Mary Cass ; resided for sev- eral years in Bradford; and finally settled in Haverhill, N. H. They have one son, Nelson Flanders, who was graduated at Dartmouth College, and at Andover Theo-
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logical Seminary, and is a highly esteemed young minis- ter of the Gospel of the Congregational order.
7. Abigail Flanders, born March 20, 1815.
Of this first Flanders family in Bradford only two mem- bers at this date survive, namely : Elias S. Flanders, of Bradford, and his brother, Peter Flanders, of Haverhill. All the rest, with many of their children, years since fin- ished their course and passed away.
DAVID MANSON.
Though Mr. Manson had for some years immediately preceding his decease lived in Newmarket, N. H., more than one half of his long life was spent in Bradford, where one son still remains, and by some at least this worthy father will be long and respectfully remembered.
David Manson was a native of Kittery, Maine, near Portsmouth, N. H., born there May 30, 1782. In his youthful days he had some experience of the sailor's life ; but his principal occupation during early manhood was that of a ship carpenter. At the age of twenty-eight years he emigrated with his family to Bradford, and set- tled down on a farm in a rather retired locality, industri- ously devoting himself there to agricultural pursuits. He came in the Spring of 1810, and continued a resident of the town for forty-six years. Several of the last years of this period were spent, not on his farm, but in Bradford village.
The beloved wife of his youth and mother of his child- ren, Sally Tarlton, died in 1835. He subsequently mar- ried a very estimable lady, Miss Sarah Tarlton, a niece of his first wife, who proved to be to him a great comfort and blessing during his declining years. With her he removed, 1856, to, Newmarket, the place of her former residence ; and finally died there as above stated, at the good old age of eighty-nine years, six months and fitteen days.
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Though during the days of his youth and early man- hood, Mr. Manson, like too many others, lived in neglect of the great salvation, he became at length deeply im- pressed by religious considerations, obtained a comforta- ble hope of Divine forgiveness, and heartily consecrated himself to the Redeemer's service. He first united with the so called Christian church, but on coming to live in the village became a member of the Methodist church, and so remained.
During most of the last two or three years of his life there was a sad failure of his intellectual powers ; his memory was almost gone; his mind was weak and wan- dering ; but he was to the last made as comfortable as conjugal and filial loving kindness, the most devoted, could possibly render him. What a satisfaction, too, it is to be assured that in such a state, or when still more de- plorably berett of reason, the life of the real christian is still secure, being " hid with Christ, in God."
Before this calamity occurred Mr. Manson had present- iments of its coming, and did what he could to be in read- iness for it. He set his secular affairs in due order, and aimed to be habitually prepared to meet his God.
In his last will and testament he, like Joseph of old, " gave commandment concerning his bones," that they should be conveyed to the place of his former abode, and laid to rest with their kindred dead, until called forth to life by the voice of the Son of God, in the morning of . the general resurrection. He even gave directions in re- ยท gard to the religious exercises at his funeral, so far at least as that " the aged Congregational minister in Brad- ford, Rev. Dr. McKeen, if living and able," should be re- quested to preach his funeral sermon. With him he had been long and pleasantly acquainted, while of any other minister who might be officiating in the place, he of course could have no knowledge. To all of which re- quests his widow and sons paid the most respectful attention.
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Mr. Manson died at Newmarket, N. H., December 15, 1871, in the ninetieth year of his age.
His funeral was attended in the Congregational church on Wednesday, the 20th day of December, by a respect- ful gathering of old friends; and in the religious exer- cises the officiating pastors of the Methodist and Congre- gational churches rendered fraternal assistance. The precious remains, tastefully prepared for the occasion, and still remarkably retaining their natural and life-like appear- ance, were gently laid down to their long repose by venera- ble men, former neighbors and friends of the deceased.
Beside his widow, Mr. Manson left two sons and a daugh- ter; Mr. George Manson, of Bradford, Mr. John T. Man- son, of Boston, and Mrs. Ira Hiland, also of Boston ; who have families of their own.
1. George Manson was born at South Newmarket, N. H., September 22, 1828. He was brought here by his parents on their removal to this place in the Spring of 1830, and has here remained a worthy inhabitant for some- what over forty-four years; being chiefly engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits. On the 4th of July, 18-, he was mar- ried by Rev. S. McKeen with Miss Betsey Wilson, of this town. These parents had one daughter, Sarah Ann, who married John M. Warren, of Swanville, Maine, and had two sons.
After the decease of his first wife Mr. G. Manson married Miss Mary Taplin, of Corinth, who lived but a few months after their marriage.
He then married Miss Rebecca Heaton, of Hanover, N. H., who deceased, leaving two daughters and one son. The eldest daughter married Gardner Gaffield, of Brad- ford. They have two sons and two daughters. Charles A. Manson married Evelyn Lund, of Piermont, N. H. They have one son and one daughter. His sister, Abbie F., married Frank Chamberlin, of this town. They have one daughter.
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Mr. G. Manson married for his fourth wife the widow Bean, a worthy lady, then of Bradford, whose maiden name was Amanda Tibbets.
2. Martha, daughter of David Manson, a native of Bradford, married Ira Hiland, of this town, formerly ; but subsequently of Boston. They have one daughter.
3. John T. Manson, born in Bradford, married Mary Sawyer, of Litchfield, Maine. He is engaged in the mar- ket business in Boston. They have two daughters.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
Hon. J. W. Batchelder-Roswell Farnham, Esq .- Adams Preston- William B. Stevens-C. P. Clark-B. Hay-A. Osborne-J. K. Davis-Dea. Israel Cummings-and Families.
HON. JOHN W. BATCHELDER, AND FAMILY.
Mr. Batchelder was a native of Bradford, a lawyer by profession, and for years filled various offices of trust and importance in this community, with credit to himself and public satisfaction.
His grandfather, Isaiah Batchelder, and family, removed from Warren, N. H., to this town, some time near the close of the last century, and settled on a farm on the west side of Wright's Mountain. After a residence there of twenty years or more he removed to Springfield, Erie County, Penn. His son, Samuel Batchelder, remained in this town, and in 1809 married Jane Wilson, a native of Windham, N. H., daughter of Thomas Wilson, who had for several years been a resident of Bradford. These were the parents of John W. Batchelder, and at the time of his birth were dwelling in a house with Mr. John Flan- ders, on the farm in the western part of the town, which Mr. David Norcross now occupies. He was born Decem- ber 9, 1812, and when he was six months of age his pa- rents removed to Topsham, and settled on a farm about one mile and a half north of the East village. There in his youthful days John was accustomed to work "during the summer seasons on the farm, and in the winters to attend the district school at the village. At length, anx- ious to avail himself of better advantages, he attended Bradford Academy for a term, and that at Norwich for a while, which he was obliged to leave sooner than he in- tended, on account of a visitation of sickness. Having recovered from this prostration, he pursued his studies
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with Dr. Hinckley, of Topsham, for a while, and after that for a year with Rev. James Milligan, the talented Presby- terian minister of Ryegate.
In 1840 he commenced the study of law with P. H. Baker, Esq., of Topsham, who died in about a year after Mr. Batchelder entered his office. - Then, by advice of two of the neighboring lawyers, who knew the circum- stances of the young man, and were disposed to assist him, he opened a law office in Topsham, and so, in a small way, uniting practice with study, persevered till duly admitted to the bar of Orange County Court, at their December term, in 1843.
January 15, 1844, J. W. Batchelder, Esq., was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Clark, an estimable young lady of Newbury, and thence onward continued in business at Topsham, till November, 1854, when he moved to New- bury and opened an office there. While in Topsham, he not only did a fair amount of business as a lawyer, but enjoyed in such measure the favor of his townsmen that they annually elected him Town Clerk and Town Treas- urer for seven years ; Town Agent, seven years ; Justice of the Peace, ten years; Representative to the Legisla- ture, two years ; and a member of the Constitutional Convention for its one term. During his residence there, he also held the office of Register of Probate two years, and that of a Judge of the Court of Orange County for two years. So that he had no lack of honorable and profitable employment. At Newbury he remained till March, 1856, when he moved to Bradford, and became established as an attorney here, doing a fair business in the way of collecting debts, settling estates, and acting as Town Agent for several years. In 1863 he was ap- pointed one of the Directors of Bradford Bank, and from January 1, 1865, was Cashier of the same, till its corpo- rate existence was honorably terminated.
In October, 1867, Esquire Batchelder left Bradford, and
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with his family resided for the four subsequent years at Almont, Lapeer County, Michigan. He was there chiefly engaged in buying and selling real estate, especially pine lands, in which business he had fair success. In October, 1871, he returned to Bradford, found his old friends still cordial, and business in the line of his profession much as. formerly ; but after a residence this time of two years, he was induced to remove again to Michigan, and at this date (May, 1874,) is a citizen of Detroit.
In his family Esq. Batchelder has been highly blest. The wife of his youth, an estimable Christian lady, and while here a member of the Congregational church, and their only daughter and son, worthy young people, still live to comfort him and each other. The son and daugh- ter were both natives of Topsham.
The daughter, Mattie J., born October 19, 1846, grew up an amiable young lady, having taste and talent for music, but being specially fond of penciling and painting, in which she was quite proficient, and competent to give instruction. She was married August 13, 1873, at Brad- ford, with Mr. Charles B. Kidder, of Almont, Michigan, and at this date is residing with her husband, at Armada, Macomb county, in the same State, where he, as Princi- pal of the Union School in that place, and a man of intel- lectual and moral worth, is highly esteemed.
John C. Batchelder, born June 20, 1850, became a young man of decided genius for instrumental music, and skill as a player, especially of the piano and organ. He availed himself of the best advantages for improvement within his reach, and after years of practice commenced giving private instructions to learners in this and some of the neighboring towns, and was also employed as organ- ist here in the choir of the Congregational church. Asa teacher and performer of instrumental music he early gained a desirable reputation.
On the removal of his parents to Detroit, in the autumn
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of 1873, he went with them, and though a stranger in the city, with no influential musical friend to introduce him, he soon obtained one scholar, and that in a little while prepared the way for another, and yet another, until with- in the course of a few months he had as many as he could possibly attend to, and was also employed as organist in St. Paul's (Episcopal) Church, his services in all cases be- ing highly appreciated and handsomely compensated. Mr. Batchelder has made no attempt to play showy music, or anything of the flashy kind, but his aim has been to play, and to teach his scholars to play, truly good music, with scientific correctness, appropriate spirit, and due effect. And as a correct, tasteful performer he has ac- quired among his scholars and their friends, and the church choirs who have become acquainted with him, an honorable reputation.
ROSWELL FARNHAM, EsQ., AND FAMILY. .
In the first place, a brief sketch of his ancestry. And here it seems appropriate to remark that there has been a change in the spelling of this family name, from Farnum to Farnham, by general consent, as will hereafter be seen.
The Farnums are of English descent. The first of the name in this country came from England, settled in An- dover, Mass., where he was married in 1658, only fifteen years after the first settlement of that township. His name was Ralph Farnum. Roswell Farnum, a descend- ant of the sixth generation from that early emigrant, was born in Plymouth, N. H., in 1792. He married first, Ruth Bixby, of Piermont, by whom he had one son, Cyrus Co- nant Farnham, born at Haverhill, N. H., June 27, 1818. This son died at Memphis, Tennessee, February 26, 1863, while in the employment of the United States Govern- ment, in the Military Telegraphic Department.
After the decease of his first wife Mr. Roswell Farnum 25
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married Nancy Bixby, a sister of the deceased, April 29, 1822, by whom he had a son, Roswell Farnham, born in Boston, Mass., July 23, 1827, and a daughter, Laura Ann Farnham, born in Haverhill, Mass., who now resides in Boston.
In 1830 Mr. Farnum removed with his family from Bos- ton to Haverhill, in that State, where they resided about ten years, and in 1840 became residents of Bradford, Vt., where the parents spent their remaining days. Mrs. Nancy B. Farnum, a pious lady and worthy member of the Congregational church, died here January 30, 1860, in the sixty-sixth year of her age. The sermon preached at her funeral by her pastor was published. Mr. Farnum, her husband, a worthy citizen, died December 20, of the same year, at the age of sixty-eight.
About this time, or not long after, by mutual under- standing and agreement among the younger members of the Farnum family, through nearly all of its branches, what they believed to be the original and correct spelling of their name was resumed ; that is, Farnham, instead of Farnum; and this spelling has since been followed.
Mr. Roswell Farnham, Jr., fitted for college at Brad- ford Academy, and in 1847 entered the junior class of the Vermont University, where he graduated in 1849.
On leaving the University he went immediately to Dunham, in the Province of Quebec, and taught the Academy there for a little over a year. While in Dun- ham, he was married to Miss Mary E. Johnson, eldest daughter of Ezekiel Johnson, of Bradford, Vt. From Dunham they were called to Franklin, in this State, where they taught the Academy for more than three years, hav- ing a very prosperous school. In 1854 they were called to take charge of Bradford Academy, which they taught for somewhat over two years.
In 1857, Mr. Farnham was admitted to the practice of law, at the bar of Orange County.
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In 1859, he was elected State Attorney for Orange County, and held that office for three years.
At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, in 1861, Mr. Farnham was a Corporal in the company of Bradford Guards, but when the company was re-organized, to go into the field, he was elected and commissioned second Lieutenant, and served as such, during a term of three months, at Fortress Monroe and Newport News, Virginia, in the First Vermont Regiment, of which the Bradford Guards formed a part. He was present at the battle of Big Bethel, and acted as Provost Marshal of all the forces at Newport News, all the time he was there.
On his return to Vermont, in August, 1861, he resumed the practice of law ; but in 1862 he resigned his position as State Attorney, was elected Captain of the Bradford Guards, and recruited that company to the full number required by Government. Upon the organization of the Twelfth Regiment, the Guards enlisted into that Regi- ment, and were styled Company H, of Regiment Twelfth. Captain Farnham was then appointed by Governor Hol- brook, of Vermont, Lieutenant Colonel ; and, there being some question raised whether the Governor had the right to appoint the field officers of a Militia Regiment, an elec- tion was held, and Captain Farnham was duly elected to the same position, and in that capacity acted during the service of this Regiment. Mrs. Farnham, influenced alike by patriotism and concern for her husband's com- fort, spent several months with him amid the exciting scenes of active warfare. At the close of this, his second term of service, he returned to the practice of law in Bradford, where he has ever since resided. He was elected to the State Senate in 1868 and 1869.
Colonel Farnham and wife have for years been active members of the Congregational church in this place, and persevering advocates and promoters of the best inter- ests of society generally. In 1868 the Colonel built for
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his family residence one of the best houses in this village. These parents have at this date three children, namely : Charles Cyrus, born May 9, 1864; Florence Mary, born October 30, 1866 ; and William Mills, born July 5, 1869.
PRESTON.
Adams Preston, Esq., was a native of Romney, N. H., born June 16, 1801. His father, William Preston, became a resident of that town when but fourteen years of age, and rendered faithful service to his country during the war of the Revolution. He was with Montgomery in Canada, and was there, with others, taken captive; but was exchanged, and again joined the army. He subse- quently fell into the hands of hostile Indians; but had the good fortune to escape, and lived to see the war suc- cessfully closed, and the independence of his country firmly established. His office in the army was that of a Sergeant.
Mr. Adams Preston married, February 15, 1827, Miss Jane Parkinson, of Canterbury, N. H., and came to this town to reside in the year 1830. He first served as a clerk in the store of Mr. Asa Low for about ten years. He then traded in partnership with Mr. John B. Peckett & Son for ten years longer, after which he prosecuted mercantile business here by himself till 1860, when he retired, to spend the remainder of his days in the frugal use of the competency which he had honestly acquired.
That Mr. Preston enjoyed in a good degree the confi- . dence and respect of his townsmen, as a man of intelli- gence, good judgment, and honesty, is evident from the facts that for seven years he was annually chosen and acted as Town Clerk ; and for fifteen years was called to officiate as Justice of the Peace. Surrounded by kind friends, he still remains at this writing a citizen of Brad- ford.
Mrs. Preston, having lived with her husband in love,
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quietude and comfort for over forty-seven years, and hav- ing by her neighborly kindness secured the good will of all around her, was, on Sabbath morning, March 1, 1874, stricken down by apoplexy, and remained in a state of speechless insensibility till she expired on the subsequent Tuesday afternoon, in the seventy-seventh year of her age. She had never made a public profession of religion, but is understood to have been a very diligent reader of the Holy Scriptures, evangelical in her faith, and for years preceding her death trusting that she had secured the pearl of great price.
WILLIAM B. STEVENS AND FAMILY.
Mr. W. B. Stevens was a native of Newbury, Vt., where his father, Caleb Stevens, resided for more than half a century, and died in 1868, at the age of seventy-seven years, leaving his widow, whose maiden name was Mary Matthews, with three sons. George, born in 1820, has for many years resided in this village, in various ways usefully employed, and is a member of the Congregational church. William B., born in 1822, after arriving at the age of fifteen, spent his minority as a clerk in mercantile business in Newbury. In the year 1851, in partnership with his brother Charles, he opened a store in Bradford, and after the lapse of some twenty-three years is still here, engaged in commercial transactions, favored with a due share of patronage and success. In 1856 he married Miss Harriet E. Ladd, a daughter of Mr. Austin Ladd, of Haverhill, N. H., born there in 1833. They have at this writing three daughters living ; namely, Carrie B., born in 1858; Annie E., born 1860; and Mary L., born in 1863. Helen Luella died in 1872, aged four months. The first two of the above named, with several other young per- sons, on profession of their faith and hope, were, on the first Sabbath of July, 1874, received as members of the Congregational church in this place, of which Mrs. S. had
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for years been a beloved member. Mr. Stevens, in the year 1857 built, and has since occupied, the nice house next north of the Congregational meeting house in this village.
Mr. Charles Stevens, in 1856, married Miss Harriet Brown, of Boston. He subsequently built a good house on Pleasant street, in which his wife, son, and daughter subsequently died. He married for his second wife Miss Martha Brown, from Canada East; had two daughters, and died in the same house in November, 1872. His widow disposed of her homestead in Bradford, and re- moved in the Autumn of 1873, with her children and worthy parents, Deacon Alba Brown and wife, to a desir- able river farm which she had purchased in Piermont, N. H.
About two years before the death of Mr. Charles Stev- ens, Mr. Victor W. Bagley was taken into partnership in this firm, and, with the surviving brother, so continues actively engaged. He purchased, and at this date, with his family, occupies the pleasant homestead formerly owned by the deceased.
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