1889 History - Biography - John M. Stevenson

For more than a century the Stevenson family has been resident in Tamworth; industrious, careful agriculturists; not mere consumers, but bread-producers, adding to the material wealth, progress, and prosperity of the town. Its members have been characterized by good judgment, active temperament, broad and liberal views; have performed their share of the public matters of the town, and generously contributed to the needs of its social, political, and religious life.

Thomas Stevenson, aged forty-five, removed from Durham prior to 1785, and purchased three hundred acres of land, on an elevated ridge six hundred feet above the level of Bear Camp river, near the Sandwich line, now called Stevenson Hill. Here he made his home and a fine farm, which at his death, in 1807, became the property of his two sons, John and James; the latter having the homestead. They married sisters, daughters of William Remick; John married Abigail. He was a man of shrewd, keen practicality, and a deacon of the Congregational church. In March, 1793, Rev. Samuel Hidden married James Stevenson and Polly Remick They had four children: David; Lucinda, married Dr. James Norris, of Sandwich; John M.; Dolly (Mrs. J. B. Smith). Mrs. Stevenson was an intelligent lady, and her children were well-educated and "taught school." David was a farmer; had he devoted himself to the law, he would have attained prominence, as he had a ready flow of language, logical reasoning powers, and a sharp scintillating wit and sarcasm; any subject he advocated in town-meeting was generally carried. He died October 22, 1865. James Stevenson was a great worker and active business man, traded in land and stock all over the state; he held the commission of justice of the peace for many years and was an influential citizen. He died in 1842, aged seventy-seven years.

John Milton Stevenson was born March 11, 1801, at Stevenson Hill, in the room where he died December 3, 1880, aged seventy-nine years. He was educated at the town schools, but this education was supplemented by instruction from "Parson Hidden," who was well versed in scholastic lore. He married in June, 1824, Martha, daughter of Dr. Joseph Boyden, a cultured Christian lady of superior qualities. Their children were: Elizabeth W. (married David F. Miller, of Manchester); Julia M. H. (Mrs. Benjamin F. Colby), (dec.); and Augusta A., who inherits traits largely from her father and grandfather; she is a thorough practical worker, and carries on the farm with conceded ability, and is the capable, intelligent hostess to many people who make in Tamworth their summer sojourn.

Mr. Stevenson succeeded his father in the homestead farm, which he conducted and occupied during his life; he was also largely engaged in raising and dealing in live-stock; his business required much traveling, and his jovial, companionable ways, combined with his unusual intelligence and literary taste, made many friends and he formed an extensive acquaintance with prominent men throughout the state. He was a Whig and Republican in politics, strong in the counsels of his party, but never sought office; he represented Tamworth in the legislature of 1875 and 1876. His religious faith was Congregational, and both he and his wife became members of the church more than fifty years ago. He was a fine tenor singer and rendered good service in the choir; he was a constant attendant upon church worship. His kindness of heart, unbounded hospitality and liberality were proverbial. The friendless, homeless, and unfortunate received aid and encouragement from him. From time to time, as many as thirty young persons found a home under his roof, where they received instruction, and were taught to know the dignity of labor, and how to become useful citizens.

Mr. Stevenson was a man of fine presence, vigorous in mind and body; full of the lore and poetry of his native state, public-spirited, generous, and carefully surveyed and secured the present as well as the prospective interests of Tamworth. His death was a great loss to the community, and, in the language of a townsman, "No man in the town since the death of Rev. Samuel Hidden left so large a circle to say, 'I, too, have lost a friend.' "

Contributed 2022 Jul 12 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Carroll County, New Hampshire by Georgia Drew Merrill, published in 1889, pages 777-779.