Coos County
NHGenWeb
By William E. Cone
This township was granted December 1, 1770, to the same men to whom the grant of Colebrook was made, and called Cockburne Town, in honor of Sir James Cockburne, one of the grantees. It was incorporated by an act of the legislature approved December 16, 1797, and named Cockburne in response to a petition to the legislature signed by Abel Larned, Philip Jordan, Julius Terry, Nathaniel Wales, Ebenezer Larned, Jacob Terry, Jacob Terry, Jr., Abner Osgood, Abel Hobart, Ahaz French, William Wallace, Abijah Learnard. By an act approved November 30, 1804, Wales's Location was annexed to the town. This tract, said to contain 5,822 acres, was granted May 4, 1773, to Seth Wales and seventeen others. The name of the town was changed, by an act approved June 19, 1811, to Columbia. Population in 1775, 14; 1790, 26; 1800, 109; 1810, 142; 1820, 219.
Columbia is bounded on the north by Colebrook, east by Dixville and Millsfield, south by Stratford and Odell, and west by Vermont.
From the mountains descend a number of streams into the Connecticut river, affording many excellent water-privileges. There are several ponds; the most noted is Lime pond, the bottom of which is covered with white calcareous marl. This marl deposit has been used somewhat for the manufacture of quicklime, and is fully equal to the best imported variety. The pond is nearly a hundred rods long and fifty wide. Farming and hi inhering are the principal avocations of the people, and there is some manufacturing done.
Abel Larnard was authorized to call the first "town meeting which was held at the house of Widow Anna Larnard on the first Tuesday of March, A. D., 1798." At this meeting the record shows the following list of officers chosen and business done: —
"Voted Mr. Jacob Terry, moderator; voted Mr. Abel Larnard, town clerk, sworn; voted Mr. Jacob Terry, Jr., selectman, sworn; voted Mr. Noab Buffington, 2d selectman, sworn; voted Mr. Abel Hobart to be a 3d selectman, sworn; voted Mr. Chauncey Curtis, constable, sworn; voted Mr. Chauncey Curtis, collector of taxes, sworn; voted Mr. Philip Jordan, highway surveyor, sworn; voted Mr. Cummins Buffington, highway surveyor, sworn; voted Mr. William Wallace be a fence viewer, sworn; voted Mr. Chauncey Curtis, hog reeve, sworn; voted Mr. Julius Terry, hog reeve, sworn: voted Mr. Abel Larnard, hog reeve, sworn; voted to Raise twelve Dollars to Defray the expenditures of the Town; voted that Mr. Philip Jordan's Barn yard be Considered a Pound for the purpose of Impounding Horses or Hogs taken Feasant the present year; voted Mr. Philip Jordan, Pound keeper, sworn."
Abel Larnard, town clerk, "after being duly cautioned," took the oath of office before Mills Deforrest, justice of the peace of Lemington, Vt., from which we infer that the town had no "Esquire." The new board of selectmen, careful alike of the spiritual and physical welfare of the citizens of the new-born town, transacted their first official business on March 15th, by promulgating the following: —
"We the Selectmen of the Township of Cockburn Conceive it for the
benefit of the Public that a house of Entertainment should be kept in this Town,
and we, Conceiving Chauncey Curtis of said Cockburn, a suitable Person to keep a
house of Entertainment and to sell any kind of spiritous Liquors in his house at
all seasonable times until the Next Annual Meeting in March, and we Do by these
presents give him our Entire Approbation for that purpose.
Abel Hobart,
Jacob Terry, Noah Buffington, Selectmen."
The first tax list was made out May 28, 1798, and from it we learn who were tax payers of the town, as well as what it cost to be a citizen of the new town.
"Non-resident — Being for the whole Town excepting 1,300 acres Lying on Connecticut River 20,550 Acres. State Tax 9 dollars & 11 cts.; County Tax $4.69; Residents State Tax $4.89; Residents County Tax $9.39."
No town tax appears to have been assessed on the "non-residents," but the "residents" paid $13.43 in all. Of the twenty-eight "residents" Howard Blodgett got off the cheapest, being called on for only ten cents; while his neighbor, Noah Buffington, was called on for two dollars seventy cents and five mills. We copy the record of "resident tax payers," with the amount of each one's tax, town, county and state. Many of the descendants of these early tax payers may be inclined to envy them their small taxes, yet we doubt not these apparently insignificant sums were raised with as much difficulty and paid with as much reluctance as the larger taxes are met by the tax payer of to-day: —
Jacob Terry $2.038
Bradford Hammond .311
William Wallace 2.143
Philip Jordan 2.125
Abner Curtis .311
Jarvis
Lounsbury .98
Nath'l Wales 1.65
Victory Jennison .311
Noah Buffington
2.705
Andrew G. Huntington .601
Howard Blodgett .10
Rial Larnard .34
Perly Wallace 485
Julius Terry 2.581
Jabez Parsons .136
Sylvanus
Larnard 1.25
Abel Hobart 1.56
Orland Wales .311
Ebenezer Brown 2.002
Abijer Laniard .555
Cummins Buffington .311
Chauncey Curtis 1.492
Danforth Wallace .738
William Jordan .311
Isaac Stephens .311
Abel
Laniard 1.288
Hezekiah Parsons, Jr .828
Linden Hibart .38
The 6th of June, 1798, at a "legal meeting,'" $63.33 was voted for making and repairing high ways; and, in September of the same year, the highway from Colebrook to Wales's Location, was surveyed by Christopher S. Bailey, who made the distance six miles, thirty-six chains, and thirty-six links. At a meeting held April 29, 1799, "voted to allow residents one dollar a day for work on the highway, finding his own tools and victuals"; and this, for many years, was the pay voted for work on the highway. Often the word " diet" was substituted for "victuals," but the price remained the same, and was undoubtedly considered very liberal pay. But we know that very many days' work were done without pay by these public-spirited settlers.
List of Polls and Ratable Estate in the Town of Cockburn for 1810. — Charles Thompson, poll, horse five years old, three cows, one neat stock two years old, one acre of mowing land, ninety-six acres of unimproved land, and a grist-mill, on which the tax was $5. The whole amount of his tax was highway $1.75, money $16.01. James Lewis, poll, a five-year-old horse, two cows, one two-year-old neat stock, and $2 on "Tan Works"; highway tax $.94, money $8.36. Austin Bissel, poll, and one acre of tillage land; highway tax $.74, money $6.88. James Dewey, for Bellows & Carlisle, stock in Trade, $1,500; highway tax $1.58, money $14.41. Jonathan Carr had only a poll tax; highway tax $.27, money $2.42. Samuel Bundy, poll, a three-year-old horse, two cows, two neat stock two years old, three acres of tillage, twelve acres of mowing, twelve acres of pasture, twenty acres of unimproved land; highway tax $1.29, money $11.90. William Wallace, Jr., paid two polls, two old horses, two four-year-old oxen, a couple of cows, a two-year-old and a three-year-old neat stock, four acres tillage, twenty acres mowing, twelve acres pasturing, seventy-four acres unimproved; highway tax $2.63, money $21.36. Sylvanus Larnard — the selectmen could only find one cow to add to his poll tax, and a highway tax of $.32, and a money tax of $2.89. Samuel Harvey, poll, one horse five years old, one horse three years old, two cows, one two-year-old and four three-year-olds neat stock, one acre of tillage land, nine acres of mowing land, five acres of pasture land, and the most unimproved land of any man in town, being taxed with 1.474 acres; but that class of land was cheap in those days, and his whole tax was, highway $2.63, money $24.20. We presume these unimproved "lands" pay more tax now than the tax of the whole town was in 1810. Philip Jordan, poll, two cows, three acres of tillage, fifteen acres of mowing, the same of pasturage, and fifty-seven acres of unimproved land; highway tax $1.33, money $12.19. Bsnajah Jordan, poll, two old horses, one yoke of oxen five years old, three cows, two three-year-olds neat stock, one two-year-old neat stock. How he kept so much stock is a little mysterious, as he does not appear to have been the owner of an acre of land. Highway tax $.91, money $7.35. Timothy Lockwood, poll, old horse, two cows, one three-year-old, two two-year-olds neat stock, and fifty acres of unimproved land. We supposed he "browsed" his cattle in the winter, and let them run in the "long pasture" summers. Highway tax $.60, money $5.46. Robert Parkinson, poll, his only earthly possessions being one old horse; highway tax $.42, money $3.84. Abel Hobart, poll, two old horses, two oxen five years old, six cows, one three-year-old, and three two-year-olds neat stock, three acres of tillage, fifteen acres of mowing, twenty acres of pasture, and 102 acres of unimproved land; highway tax $2.11, money $19.30. Jacob Terry, Jr., poll, one horse, three oxen five years old, five cows, one two-year-old, two acres of tillage, fifteen acres of mowing, twenty acres of pasturage, and 143 acres of unimproved land; highway tax $1.90, money $17.39. Levi Bailey, poll, two two-year-olds, one acre of tillage, one acre of pasturage, and forty-eight acres of unimproved land; highway tax $.41, money $3.57. Deacon Jonathan Bancroft, two polls, one horse, two oxen five years old, one cow, one three-year-old neat stock, one acre of tillage, six acres of mowing, six acres oi pasturing, and eighty-seven acres of unimproved land; highway tax $1.37, money $13.13. Jared Cone, two polls, two horses, one two-year-old colt, two oxen five years old, two oxen four years old, five cows, two three-year-olds, one two-year-old neat stock, four acres of tillage, twenty acres of mowing, twenty-five acres of pasturage, and eighty-one acres of unimproved land; highway tax $2.77, money $25.24. Isaac Bundy, poll, one old horse, two oxen five years old, three cows, four two-year-olds, and two two-year-old in at stock, four acres of tillage, twenty acres of mowing, fifteen acres of pasturage, and 115 acres of unimproved land; highway tax $2.07, money $18.83. Elisha Bennett, poll, one old horse, and two cows; highway tax $.52, money $4.62. Victory Jennison, poll, three old horses, two oxen, three cows, two three-year-olds, and two two-year-old neat stock, three acres of tillage, eighteen acres of mowing, and sixteen acres of pasturage; highway tax $2.12, money 19.49. Samuel G. Bishop, one cow, one acre of tillage, one of mowing, and one of pasturage; highway tax $.14, money $1.25. Charles Redpath, poll, one five-year-old horse, one cow, three acres of mowing, and six acres of pasturage; highway tax $.65, money $5.94. Jesse Everet, poll, one horse five years old; highway tax $.55. money $5.64. Christopher Morey, poll, highway tax $.27, money $2.55.
Valuation of Buildings in 1824. — Thomas Atherton. $100; Samuel G. Bishop, $10; Ward Bailey, $25; David Bundy, $90; Amos Bancroft, $40; Jonathan Bancroft, $10; Marcena Blodgett, $75; Abraham Boynton, $100; Jared Cone, $60; Sylvester Cone, $100; Jared Cone, Jr., $20; Caleb Cleaveland, $10; John Cilly, $10; James L. Chase, $10; Asa Dustin, $10; Joseph Eastman, $12; Benjamin Frizzle, $50; Samuel Harvey. $250; Philip Hadley, $12; William Holkins, $25; Abel Hobart, $275; Roswell Hobart, $75; Asa Jordan, $250; Charles Jordan, $10; Lyman Jordan, $10; Noah Lyman, $20; James Lewis, $50; Ephraim H. Mahurin, $325; John Marshall, $12; Joshua S. Mathers, $10; Abner Norcott, $100; Charles Sperry, $10; Samuel Smith, $50; Augustus Spencer, $10; John Thomas, $10; William Wallace, $200; Calvin Willard, $50; Noah Lyman, mills on Lyman brook. $12; William Holkins, Charles Thompson mill, $36.
Schools. — The early times were the days of many children, and their training and education were of the greatest moment to the intelligent pioneers of this town. At the annual meeting in 1801 it was "voted that the selectmen be a school committee." Probably their duties were to see what could be done about establishing schools, as no money appears to have been voted for this purpose until April, 1804, when the town voted $200 for the use of schools. In 1805 the town was divided into three school districts, and $100 voted for school purposes. In 1807, $450 was voted with which to build school-houses, and $80 for the use of schools. The school-house for district No. 1 was built about one-half mile south of the site of the present one, that of No. 2 not far from Samuel Harvey's residence, and the one in No. 3 on the hill-side nearly opposite Nathan Schoff's barn. These school buildings would compare favorably with those of the present day in farming towns. In March, 1809, a school committee was chosen, consisting of William Wallace, Jr., Timothy Lock wood and Sylvester Cone. For the next ten or fifteen years, about $200 was raised each year for educational purposes. In 1830 the town was re-districted, and No. 4 created on the river, and as East Columbia then contained twenty-four families, it was made into No. 5, and a school-house erected by the direction of the selectmen on the site of the present one. In 1831 No. 5 was divided and two more districts established. There are now ten school districts, and about $1,000 a year is expended for their use by the town.
Town Officers' Fees. — The financial affairs of Columbia have generally been conducted with prudence, and economy has been the rule; the tax payers scanning with the closest scrutiny the receipts and expenditures of its officials. No mention of pay or salaries is made by the records until 1807, when it was "voted to pay town clerks $1.50 a year, and selectmen $2 a year for services." From that time Columbia's town officers have been as poorly paid as the average Methodist minister. In 1814, "voted that town clerk have $5 for his services." In 1818 the town charges were $10.
Politics. — In March, 1808, "fourteen votes were cast for Governor,
all for John Langdon, Esq." The 29th of August, of the same year, at a meeting
to vote for five representatives for Congress, fifteen votes were cast for the
Democratic ticket, and ten for the Whig. This marks the first party division of
the voters of the town. But since that peaceful day, party strife has been
active here, and the town is usually equally divided in political sentiment.
Cemeteries. — At a special meeting in April, 1799, the town "voted to raise
$10 of the inhabitants of Cockburn for the purpose of purchasing a burying yard,
and the selectmen were directed to purchase and lay out a burying-yard as they
may think proper." In accordance with this vote "one acre was purchased of Abel
Larnard," and the "Columbia burying-ground" established. Since that time very
many dear and precious ones have been laid beneath its sacred soil. Little has
been done by man to beautify and adorn this last resting place of his; but it is
beautifully located, and commands one of the most charming bits of scenery to be
found in the valley of the Connecticut. Later in the history of the town a plot
of land was secured in the east part of the town for the purpose of burial; but
it was little used, a more desirable location having been selected by the
people, while those in the south part of the town have still another burial
place. While no massive monument nor costly memorial adorns our "homes of the
dead," our little cemeteries are better cared for than the average
"burying-place" of the rural districts.
PIONEERS.— Abel Larnard was the first settler to make a home in the valley of the Connecticut above Lancaster. He came from Windham, Conn., where he had married Mary Ann Webb, a niece of Col. Webb, a Revolutionary soldier. He pushed his way far beyond all traces of civilization, and took up his squatter's claim, and built his log cabin on the hill about one-fourth of a mile below where is now the Columbia burying-ground. After clearing a small piece of land, he settled down to a pioneer's life. From the river near by he obtained an abundance of salmon and trout, from the surrounding forest, venison, fowl, and an occasional "bar steak," and from his small clearing a few vegetables and a little corn. Two sons were born to him; but when the oldest was nine years of age the father died of fever, and his heart-broken widow, with her little boys, led a lonely life after this sad event. About the close of the Revolutionary war, as the boys were making sugar near the bank of the river, they were taken prisoners by the Indians and carried to Quebec. The anxious mother in some way sent word of her affliction to her uncle, Col. Webb, then on Gen. Washington's staff; he at once proceeded to Quebec, secured the release of the boys, and they were returned to their mother under an escort of soldiers. Some years after, one of a party of Indians passing through here told Mrs. Larnard that he was one of the band that stole her boys, and that the sugar kettle could be found at the mouth of Sims stream. It was thus found and kept in active use many years after. Many dangers and privations were endured by this courageous woman. The Indians passing up and down the river usually camped on the bank opposite her cabin. Often the "fire-water" was too plenty, when their orgies would be kept up far into the night. Mrs. Larnard was in constant fear of their savagery, yet she never was molested but once, when, grasping the fire-poker, she laid the miscreant out, and, dragging him to the door, pitched him into the snow; she then kept watch, expecting the whole pack down upon her; but, in the morning, as sheepish as an Indian can be, he came and said to her, "Me very bad Indian, you done just right." She never had any farther trouble from them. The wolves often prowled round her little cabin, and with fierce, vicious eyes glared through the little window. The pangs of hunger were felt many times in that far-away home. For nine years Mrs. Larnard lived here without seeing a white woman, when, hearing that a family from near her old home had moved to Northumberland, she told her boys that she "must see that woman or die." When winter came and the river was frozen, the boys took their bundle of furs and a bag of corn, and started for the mill at Haverhill, while their mother went to make her visit. The boys had their corn ground, exchanged their furs for powder, tea and other necessaries, and were joined by their once more cheerful mother on their return. After Columbia became settled to some extent the family moved to Canada, where Mrs. Larnard died at an advanced age. The sons never married.
In the spring of 1786 Abel Hobart, then in his seventeenth year, left the home of his childhood in Holland, Mass., and, on foot, made his way to these wilds of Northern New Hampshire. "The clothes on his back, a sable skin and a tow shirt in his bundle; an axe on his shoulder, and two-and-sixpence in his pocket" constituted his available means. But he had in addition what is better than gold and silver (especially to a pioneer), strong hands, good judgment and faith in himself and his God. He found but two settlers in the town, Abel Larnard's widow, living just above where Samuel M. Harvey now lives, who had been here some years, and Major Jennison, living just below where the "Columbia Hotel'' now stands. Mrs. Larnard was the happy owner of one cow, while the Major "could his steed bestride'' (from which fact we infer him to have been a major of cavalry). At any rate a horse and a cow constituted the live stock of the town. Several others had been here and made small clearings preparatory to bringing their families later. Among them were William Wallace, (whose clearing was where Anson Wallace, his grandson, resides,) and the Terrvs, who established themselves where Asa Lang now lives. In Lemington, Vt., Colonel Bailey was dealing the big meadow; Luther was on the place now owned by Ed Capen in Canaan, Vt.; while at Colebrook, Jim Hugh had rolled up a log-house just back of where George Gleason's house is now located; and Luther Chandler had a home where is now Crawford's residence. Hobart selected as the site of his future home the place now owned by ex-Sheriff Samuel I. Bailey. He at once commenced a clearing, and, in a few years, large fields had taken the place of the dense forest, and a comfortable house had been built, to which, in the summer of 1794, he took his young wife, Betsey Wallace. For sixty-five years they walked the path of life together, ever contented with their lot and happy in each other's love. Honored and revered and full of years, they passed to the hereafter mourned by all who knew them, while "their children to the third and fourth generation rise up and call them blessed." "And they builded a city!" One of their sons, Horace, and three of their daughters with their husbands, were pioneers and prominent in founding the city of Beloit, Wis. Another son, Anson L., is a successful and highly esteemed physician in Worcester, Mass. Their other children were respected citizens of their native town; two of the sons, Roswell and Harvey, having received all the offices and honor their townsmen could confer. Abel Hobart and his wife were consistent Christians, members of the Congregational church, almost puritanical in strict observance of the Sabbath, church duties and family worship. Mr. Hobart was an excellent neighbor, hospitable and strictly temperate, with an endless fund of stories for the children, and one of the most companionable of men, in whose society all received pleasure and profit. Five sons and five daughters were reared in habits of temperance and industry, and bore evidence of the wisdom and excellence of their parental training.
The Wallaces moved here in the spring of 1787, William, then a small boy, having driven the first team that came up from Brunswick, Vt. He sat on the sled, and "tended" the oxen, while his brother Danforth went ahead and trimmed out the road which had only been travelled by people on foot and by pack-horses. Two years before three of the Wallace boys came here on horseback, made a clearing, raised some potatoes and other vegetables, and built a cabin. Soon after they had harvested their crop their cabin was burned while they were chopping in the woods, and with it their saddles, clothing and provision. William, the youngest, went on horseback to Holland, Mass., where he procured supplies, while the other two boys remained to build another cabin, enlarge the clearing, and make ready for the next year's work. Disaster only added zest to their enterprise and spirit to their energy, and, though obliged to live on the roasted potatoes from the cabin cellar with no salt to give them flavor, they kept up their strength so that when William returned he found a new and better cabin all completed. The two older boys moved away, but William remained and became one of the largest farmers and most successful business men of the town. For many years he was the principal cattle-drover of this section. A man of integrity, respected by all who knew him, and lived to a good old age.
Noah Buffington was one of the early settlers of Columbia, coming here about 1797. With his brother, Cummins Buffington, he commenced a clearing on the farm now owned by Chauncey H. Fitts, and built the first frame-house in the town. His title to the land not proving good, he left in a few years. Noah Buffington was a Methodist minister, and undoubtedly the first one in this part of the county.
Philip Jordan [By Hon. C. B. Jordan] — Among the earliest settlers of Columbia was Philip Jordan. The Learneds were here before him. "Uncle Phil," as he was called to the day of his death, came about the same time the Wallaces and Hobarts made their advent.
Mr. Jordan was born in Rehoboth, Mass., in 1748, and went to Rhode Island, where he married Miss Martha Hill and for a time resided. In 1780 he and his brother Benjamin, leaving their families behind, came to Plainfield, N. H., and took up the lot of land now known as the "Old Town Farm." On this they pitched their tent, felled several acres of trees, burned and cleared them off, built a log house, planted a partial crop, and then went down and brought their families to their primitive home. The brothers lived together until 1790, when, their household fast increasing, Philip, who had been first married and having the largest family, "swarmed," as it is termed, and with his wife and children started for Columbia. In this town he located on the lot on the river now occupied by David Cook as his homestead. There was only a bridle-path from Guildhall Falls to his new home. Thither, by boat or by pack-horse, he had to carry his corn and grain for several years to be ground. His children wore numerous and growing, and it was with no little difficulty that he could always find enough to fill their hungry mouths. One season the larder ran so low that he had to dig up the potato seed already planted to keep starvation from the door; soon berries came, and these, with the milk from their cow, helped to keep the family alive. "Uncle Phil," however, denying himself so long for the sake of his children, had grown weak for want of food, and a good deal discouraged, and had taken his couch one day fully convinced that he would never again be able to rise from it. This feeling had not long possessed him before one of the children, who had been down on the meadow berrying, came dashing in with the news that a bear was also among them picking berries. The old gentleman at once arose, took his cane, and grasping his trusty rifle, hobbled along in the direction pointed out by the child until he caught sight of old bruin, and then, nerved and sustained by the desperation of hunger and prospective starvation, he drew a head upon the animal and laid him low. The bear proved to be a monster; well fattened by his summer explorations and incursions, and made glad the household until the earlier crops came to their relief. Mr. Jordan was a great hunter and trapper, and spent most of his winters (until old age and decrepitude prevented), indulging his favorite pursuit. (Moose were plenty anywhere in his locality, and itis said that in one winter he killed seventeen within four miles of Columbia Valley. The best of the meat was kept and eaten fresh through the winter or dried for the summer. The skins were useful for chair-bottoms, snow shoe "filling," floor mats, and, when tanned, served to cover the children in their beds, while the moose's "shanks" were worn in place of boots and shoes.)
Mr. Jordan was always calm and self-possessed, let what would happen, and it was related of him by the late James Cogswell, another old hunter, that while "Uncle Phil" was out hunting one winter, after he had become old, heavy and clumsy, with his pack upon his back (into which was strapped his axe) and snow shoes on his feet, he undertook to pass over what appeared to be a knoll, but which really was a spruce top covered with deep snow. As the old fellow got about midway of the mound his snow shoes canted to one side, and down he went into the snow and brush clear to his arms, and had not sounded bottom then. His situation was perilous as well as ludicrous. He could neither get down nor up. His arms were so bound by the limbs of the tree that he could not get at his axe, and he vainly struggled to extricate himself. Mr. Cogswell happened to come that way, and, hearing some one talking, he supposed he was near a party of hunters. Looking for them he discovered "Uncle Phil's" head bobbing up and down in the snow, while the old man (as was his habit) kept up an incessant conversation with himself. At last, despairing of relief, he ceased his efforts and settled down to his apparent fate, saying, "Well, I swear, I guess dog-days will fetch old Phil out of this" Mr. Coggswell then made known his presence and helped the old hunter out. This was "Uncle Phil's" last trip into the woods unattended.
He and his good wife reared a large family of large children, John, Cynthia J., William, Benajah, Asa, Huldah, Nancy and Caleb. They were hardy and strong, and almost a race of giants. John early removed to Canada where he embarked in the business of buying and selling cattle and real estate, and rapidly grew rich. He died leaving a large family, and a competency for each. He was the ancestor of all the Jordans now in Eaton, Cookshire, Coaticook, and the adjoining towns in Canada. Asa died in Jefferson; Caleb in Colebrook; Nancy married a Mr. Frizzell, of Colebrook, and there lived and died. He left a large family, the youngest of whom is Mrs. Joseph Robinson, to whom the writer is indebted for dates, etc., for this sketch. Philip Jordan's wife died April 18, 1827, and he died July 6, 1836 Both were sincerely mourned as pioneers of the town and section; as good people, kind parents and friends who had seen much of the history of their country, passing through the birth, the infancy and wonderful growth of the Republic. The Revolutionary war and that of 1812 were matters of their observation, and now, having seen their country established on an enduring basis, this old couple laid themselves down among their friends and quietly fell into the "sleep that knows no waking."
Benjamin Jordan was born in Rehoboth, Mass., and when only a stripling enlisted in the Revolutionary war, and was one of the forty capturing Gen. Prescott, commander of the British forces on Rhode Island. May 18, 1780, he married Mary Walker, who was born in Coventry, R. I., and five months later they came to Plainfield, N. H., where they cleared up the Old Town Farm. "Aunt Molly" made annual horseback pilgrimages to her Rhode Island home for wool and things to keep the children warm. In 1816 they came to Jordan hill, in Columbia, which received its name from him. They had fourteen children. Benjamin and Molly made them a good farm. The government he had so faithfully served remembered him with a pension, and together they lived for sixty-six years, when the husband passed on to the final reward of all toilers, patriots and Christians. The good wife remained until she lacked but five months of 100 full years, when she lay down at night to take her usual rest, and fell into a sleep from which the morning sun failed to awake. It was pleasant to talk with the old lady of the stirring times of the Revolution, the men she knew who took part in that war, of the War of 1812, the Dark Day, the cold season, and the thousand things and events of our early history which she kept vividly in mind.
MILLS, Etc. — In 1801 Charles Thompson built a grist and saw-mill on Sims's stream at the Valley, on the site now owned by Hazen Bedel. This was the commencement of the boom in business at that place, which, at one time, bade fair to make this town the center of business for this section, and warranted the proposition to make Columbia the county seat when Coos county was formed. Previous to the completion of Thompson's mill, the settlers had to go to Lancaster for their milling, and we can well conceive that the completion of this mill, with its "two rims of stones and a bolt," was an event to stir the placid flow of affairs into unwonted activity. This grist-mill retained a monopoly of business for some time. In 1819 Roswell Hobart, one of Columbia's favorite boys, built a small mill on Roaring brook, where the grist-mill of William W. Keach now stands. This mill was constructed to both grind grain and saw lumber, and was what would now be called "a cheap affair." The stones were quarried from a ledge in Brunswick, Vt. It was only a provender-mill, while the saw mill had an upright saw driven by a "flutter" wheel, with the carriage propelled by a "ray" wheel and carried back by a friction "gig" wheel. This style of mill was simple and unique, but, with all its complicated simplicity is rapidly becoming obsolete. These mills were common along all the small streams, and we stumble upon their remains on every considerable trout stream. There are the ruins of three mills built by the Osgoods for sawing lumber, further up Roaring brook; one on Cone brook back of John F. Locke's buildings, built by E. H. Mahurin about 1830, or even earlier, which both sawed lumber and made provender. A number of these mills on Sims's stream furnished lumber for the settlers of the east part of the town to build their large and convenient farm-buildings and their long lines of fences. One of these, built by Merrill at the outlet of Fish pond, is still in use in a small way, although remodelled and furnished with a board-machine. One on Sims's stream, owned and operated by William Cleaveland. is now furnished with a board-machine, clapboard-mill, shingle-mill and other machinery, and has a provender-mill attached. The ruins of the first saw-mill built in East Columbia still remain, and are further up the stream than the Cleaveland mill. This mill was built by George and Samuel Marshall, and was known as the "Marshall mill." At the present time Col. Hazen Bedel owns a large saw and grist-mill, doing a considerable business, on the site of the old Thompson mill. Eaton & Sawyer have a large steam saw-mill on Roaring brook, capable of manufacturing over 30,000 feet of lumber a day. This mill was built by Edward H. Kingsley in 1868 as a water mill, but it was purchased in 1883 or '84 by its present owners, and steam power added.
In 1850 William Gilkey built a small, old-style saw-mill on Cone brook, which still does custom work for the neighborhood, although the old "up-and-down" saw has given place to a circular. The same year S. G. Bishop built a mill on Roaring brook, and put in a clapboard machine, one run of stones, and a bolt. This was the first clapboard machine in operation around here, and was quite an acquisition as well as a curiosity. The gristmill, though a rude affair, was a great convenience to the community: but has since been supplanted by a more modern one, while the old one has fallen to decay. In 1851 Richard Hammond built a clapboard-mill in East Columbia, but it was abandoned long since.
Pearlashes and Potash. — Reference was made in a road-survey of 1802 to "Larnard's pearlash," which was situated on the little brook at the north line of S. M. Harvey's farm. One of these establishments was indispensable in those days to the prosperity of every neighborhood, and Columbia had several, the largest and most important one being in operation as late as 1854. This stood on the west side of the highway close to the little stream that runs down the steep hill just above the hotel, and was last operated by Jotham Sawyer, who brought ashes down from all the north country, where he paid from six to ten cents a bushel for them. Here they were put into great tubs, leached, and the lye placed in large potash kettles set in arches, and the water evaporated, which left in the bottom of the kettles a great cake of dirty-brown matter, called "potash." These lumps were broken up, re leached, evaporated, and dried in brick ovens, producing a whiter, purer grade of potash called "pearlash." In this concentrated form the great forests of these valleys were, with much labor, turned into money by the hardy settlers, who, in the winter, conveyed the pearlash to Portland in their long-runnered, square, red boxed sleds, and came back laden with the necessaries of life, "rum," and some money. Almost the only products having a cash value even as late as 1830 or 1840 were potash and grass-seed.
Tanning and Shoe-making. — The first tannery in northern Coos was built by James Lewis at the Valley sometime previous to 1810, as we their find him taxed "two dollars for tan works." This was a small affair of four vats, located on the north bank of Sims's stream just west of the highway. Here the farmers from far and near brought their "hides " and had them tanned "on shares." Those were slow-going times; and a whole year was considered none too long for the hides to lie in the vat. Then the farmer took his half to the local shoe-maker, and had it worked up into serviceable, if not ornamental, foot gear for himself and family; or, what was the earlier mode, waited until some itinerant shoe-maker made his annual round with bench and kit of tools, then put him at work in one corner of the big kitchen, where he "pegged away" until the whole family was shod. The local shoe-maker of Columbia for some years was this same James Lewis, who worked up in the winter his share of the leather he tanned in summer; while Sam Carr went from house to house to protect the "understandings" of the more prosperous and independent families.
Cloth-Dressing. — In 1810 came here one Marsena Blodgett, a cloth-dresser by trade. He bought the land where his grandson, Byron A. Lovering, now lives, and built a small cloth-dressing mill on the small brook, on the south side of his farm, called Beaver brook. He merely "dressed" the cloth woven in the families of the industrious settlers, and the business was abandoned when the "factory" was built at Colebrook.
Potatoes, Distilleries, and Starch-mills. — The potato has always been a favorite product of the Columbia farmer, and its manufacture into potato-whiskey and potato-starch has involved more capital and enterprise than anything else. One of the road-surveys of 1830 speaks of the "old distillery," which stood on the little brook above George L. Bailey's house. The first of these distilleries was erected at the Valley and operated by Hezekiah Parsons, Esq. Capt. Abel Hobart built one later on the little brook crossing the road just above the house of Samuel I. Bailey. Another that helped to supply the appetite of this people for spirit stood on the little brook that crosses the road near the north line of S. M. Harvey's farm. At these our convivial ancestors were supplied with a spirituous beverage of purity, if not great excellence. These distilleries were abandoned from 1820 to 1830; one at least because the owner, Capt. Hobart, came to think the business a wrong one; others because they "did not pay"; the rest, perhaps, because the revenue tax took all the profit. From this time until 1842 the potato appears to have led a pretty secure life. The writer has been told by his uncle that he secured his stock of potatoes that year by digging from a neighbor's field without charge, and, that, another year he left a large crop that he had harvested to rot in the holes where they were buried the fall before.
In 1842 Huse Lull built a small starch-mill on Sims's stream just above the pond of Bedel's mills, and made starch for two or three years, but high water carried away the dam; and, as it was not profitable, he abandoned the enterprise. Nothing more was done in starch-making until 1860, when Hazen Bedel built a mill at the Valley. In 1867 Alba Holmes moved his mill from the Nulhegan river, in Vermont, to Roaring brook. The large profits of the business at that time excited the entire community, and a company was formed in 1868, and a large mill built on Sims's stream in "No. 10." In 1869 Rogers, Libby & Co. erected a large one in "No. 6," and, in 1874, S. M. Harvey built near his residence one of the largest and best equipped factories in the county.
Ferry and Toll-Bridge. — The first settlers of Columbia and of Minehead (Bloomfield) and Lemington, Vt., were in close business and social relations, which necessitated frequent crossings of the Connecticut. This was easily done during the long months of winter upon the ice, but it was difficult and hazardous for the rest of the year. Foot-bridges were readily made by felling the large pine trees that lined the river's bank; but teams had to resort to the treacherous fords. Somewhere about 1820 a toll-bridge was constructed across the river on the farm now owned by W. E. Cone. This was the principal means of communication between the people on the opposite sides until 1840, when it was swept away by an ice-freshet, and they again resorted to the fords and "Uncle" Elihu DeForest's ferry; an old-established and venerable institution, which slowly and unhurriedly crossed the river just above the toll-bridge, and was the only ferry on the Connecticut for over forty miles. Christopher Bailey and Luther Hibbard tried to secure the charter, but the legislature deemed Esquire DeForest the more suitable person, and he was granted the privilege December 21, 1799. The toll-bridge was built in 1814 by the Columbia Union Toll-Bridge Company, — a stock company consisting of those to be benefitted and willing to pay $15 a share.
Merchants. — July 20, 1807, the selectmen gave Bellows & Carlisle their "entire approbation to sell all kinds of spirituous liquors by small measure at all seasonable hours at their store." This was the first reference made by the records to stores or merchants, and probably marks the commencement of mercantile operations in Columbia, as the sale of "rum and molasses" would be the first thing provided for by a merchant in those days, before the "cause of temperance" had come to trouble men's consciences.
Bellows & Carlisle traded in the building now occupied by Albert P. Titus as a dwelling-house, and, for those days, carried a respectable stock of goods, being taxed in 1810 for "stock in trade" $1,500. In 1813 James Dewey, who had for some time been clerk for Bellows & Carlisle, succeeded them in trade, and offered his customers a stock of $750, while his competitor in trade, Sam Carr, divided the business with him on a stock of $150. In 1816 William Cargill succeeded James Dewey, and traded at the old store. About 1830 or '31 Ephraim H. Mahurin built a store in the south part of the town, opposite his hotel, and commenced trade with a stock of goods valued at $150. In 1832 his son John succeeded him, but died the same year, and Daniel B. Schoff took the store for the next year. The same year R. G. Atherton and Mr. Jay built and carried on the store opposite the present residence of Jonathan Lang. In 1835 Samuel G. Bishop and Dr. Lewis Snow commenced trade in the Mahurin store, and carried on business in a small way for four or five years. The same year Huse Lull got off his peddler's cart, and commenced trade in the small store formerly occupied by Atherton & Jay. The next year he associated Rodolphus D. Atherton with him, and increased the stock of goods from $75 to $400. In 1839 Atherton withdrew from the firm, and Lull continued in trade for another year or two, when he returned to his cart, which he drove through this region for over forty years, and. for far and near, Huse Lull's peddler cart was one of the institutions of this section for two generations.
Trade never drifted readily to Columbia; and while those who engaged in merchandising here never made very heavy failures, neither did they secure great profits, and the abandonment of business by Lull may be said to be the end of merchandising in this town, though a number have traded in a small way for the accommodation of their neighborhoods. Among these we find Gould Messer, Harvey Hobart, Alonzo Eastman, Erastus Hutchinson, Lorrin Bundy, and Hiram Hammond at "The Valley"; Dr. Lewis Snow, Fred T. Stevens, and Joseph Barnett, in South Columbia; Orson Stevens and Jotham Sawyer, in the old Mahurin store; and Enoch R. Kelsea, who is now doing a small business for the convenience of the people of the east part of the town.
LIST of representatives from the district consisting of Cockburn (1811 Columbia), Colebrook, Stewartstown, Wales's Location and Shelburn:—
1799. Lieut.
Abel Larnard, Cockburn.
1800. Daniel Brainard, Stewartstown.
1801. Henry
Sullingbam, Stewartstown.
1802.
1803. Joseph Loomis, Esq., Colebrook.
1804. Joseph Loomis, Esq., Colebrook.
1805.
1806.
1807. Hezekiah
Parsons, Cockburn.
1808.
1809.
1810. Jeremiah Eames, Esq.,
Stewartstown.
1811.
1812.
1813. Jeremiah Eames, Esq., Stewartstown.
1814. Edmund Keysar, Stewartstown.
1815.
1816. Maj. Jared Cone.
Columbia.
1817. Hezekiah Parsons, Columbia.
1818.
1819. Samuel
Pratt. Colebrook,
1820. Samuel Pratt, Colebrook.
1821.
1822. Lewis
Loomis.
1823.
1824.
1825. Jeremiah Eames.
1826. Hezekiab
Parsons, Columbia.
1827. Hezekiah Parsons, Columbia. Maj.
1828. Roswell
Hobart, Columbia.
1829.
1930. William Holkins, Columbia.
1831.
1832. Abraham Boynton, Columbia, (Colebrook and Collumbia.)
1833.
1834.
1835.
1836. Roswell Hobart, Columbia.
1837. John P. Daniels, (Columbia
sends its own representative.)
1838.
1839. Moody Dustin.
1840. Moody
Dustin.
1841. Thomas J. Emerton.
1842. Thomas J. Emerton.
1843.
Samuel G. Bishop.
1844. Samuel G. Bishop.
1845. Samuel Marshall.
1846. Harvey Hobart.
1847. Harvey Hobart.
1848. Joshua S. Mathers.
1849. Abner Norcott.
1850. Abner Norcott.
1851. Aaron C. Whipple.
1852. Aaron C. Whipple.
1853. James Lewis.
1854. James Lewis.
1855.
Joseph W. Emerton.
1856. John Marshall.
1857. John Marshall.
1858.
Samuel I. Bailey.
1859. Samuel M. Harvey.
1860. Samuel M. Harvey.
1861. John R. Annis.
1862. John R. Annis.
1863. Horatio N. Cone.
1864. Horatio N. Cone.
1865. Enoch George Rogers.
1866. Enoch George
Rogers.
1867. Horace M. Hobart.
1868. Horace M. Hobart.
1869.
Willard Spencer.
1870. Rev. Moses C. Pattee, (afterwards declined to serve
and town unrepresented.]
1871. William B. Luey.
1872. William B. Luey.
1873. Moody Dustin.
1874. Moody Dustin.
1875. Albert P. Titus.
1876. Albert P. Titus.
1877. Almon M. Grout.
1878. Almon M. Grout.
1879. At November election, 1878, voted not to send representative.
1880.
David H. Cook.
1881.
1882. Eben E. Noyes.
1883.
1884. Samuel M.
Harvey.
1885.
1886. Asa P. Lang.
1887.
Town Clerks — 1798, Abel Larnard; 1799, Chauncey Curtis; 1800-06, Abel Larnard; 1807-12, Jared Cone. Columbia. — 1813-14, James Dewey; 1815, Sylvester W. Cone; 1816-18, Jared Cone; 1819, Sylvester W. Cone; 1820-22, Jared Cone; 1823-25, William Holkins; 1826-36, Roswell Hobart; 1837-38, Pickens Boynton (resigned October, 1838); Roswell Hobart (appointed October, 1838, resigned November. 1843); Harvey Hobart (appointed November, 1843); 1844, to May, 1845, Charles Willard; from May, 1845, Samuel Harvey; 1846-48, Harvey Hobart; 1849-53, Alonzo Eastman; 1854, Harvey Hobart; 1855, Samuel M. Harvey; 1856-58, Samuel I. Bailey; 1859-61, Samuel M. Harvey; 1862-81, William C. Buffington; 1882-83, George C. Harvey; 1884, Hazen Bedel, Jr.; 1885, George C. Harvey; 1886-87, Hazen Bedel, Jr.
Selectmen. — 1798, Jacob Terry, Noah Buffington, Abel Hobart; 1799, Lyndon Hibbard, Noah Buffington, Ebenezer Brown; 1800, Noah Buffington, Jacob Terry, Jr., Abel Larnard; 1801-02, Ebenezer Brown, Abel Larnard, Philip Jordan; 1803, Ebenezer Brown, Abel Larnard, Chauncey Curtis; 1804, Ebenezer Brown, Abel Larnard, Jacob Terry, Jr.; 1805, Abel Larnard, Jacob Terry, Jr., Chauncey Curtis; 1806, Abel Larnard, Jacob Terry, Jr., ___ Jenison; 1807, Jared Cone, Jacob Terry, Jr., Abel Larnard; 1808-11, Maj. Jared Cone, Capt. Abel Hobart, Samuel Harvey, Esq. Columbia. — 1812, Jared Cone, Jacob Terry, Jr., Abel Hobart; 1813, Jared Cone, Abel Hobart, Marsena Blodgett; 1814-15, Jared Cone, Samuel Harvey, Abel Hobart; 1816, Marsena Blodgett, David Bundy, Simeon Alden; 1817, Samuel Harvey, Marsena Blodgett, Robert Parkinson; 1818, Marsena Blodgett, Abel Hobart, William Wallace; 1819, Sylvester W. Cone, Ebenezer Snow, James Lewis; 1820-22, Sylvester W. Cone, Joshua Mathers, Benjamin Frizzle; 1823, William Holkins, Abraham Boynton, John Annis; 1824, Abraham Boynton, Ephraim H. Mahurin, John Annis; 1825, Marsena Blodgett, Daniel Herrick, Benjamin Frizzle; 1826, Samuel Harvey, Daniel Herrick, William Wallace; 1827, Samuel Harvey, Daniel Rogers, William Wallace; 1828, Samuel Harvey, Samuel Marshall, Samuel Thomas; 1829-30, Sylvester W. Cone, Abel Hobart, Samuel Titus; 1831, Abraham Boynton, John P. Daniels, Roswell Hobart; 1832, Abraham Boynton, John P. Daniels, John Thomas; 1833-34, Samuel Harvey, John P. Daniels, John Thomas; 1835, John P. Daniels, Willard Spencer, John Marshall; 1836, John P. Daniels, Samuel G. Bishop, Samuel Harvey; 1837, Joshua S. Mathers, Abraham Boynton, Samuel Thomas; 1838, Joshua S. Mathers, John Bailey, Moody Dustin; 1839, Moody Dustin, Harvey Hobart, William Gilkey; 1840, Harvey Hobart, Samuel G. Bishop, John Annis; 1841, Samuel Marshall, Samuel Harvey, Boswell Hobart; 1842, Samuel Marshall, John P. Daniels, Samuel Thomas; 1843, Samuel Thomas, Roswell Hobart, Abner Norcott; 1844, Moody Dustin, Thomas J. Emerton, James Lewis; 1845, John P. Daniels, James Lewis, Abner Norcott; 1846, John P. Daniels, Abner Norcott, William Gilkey; 1847, Roswell Hobart, Joseph W. Emerton, John S. Lyman; 1848, Samuel G. Marshall, John S. Lyman, George Parsons; 1849, John S. Lyman, Joseph W. Emerton, George Parsons; 1850, Enoch Rogers, Josiah Atherton, John Mathers; 1851, John S. Lyman, John Mathers, Willard Spencer; 1852, Daniel Rogers, Rodolphus D. Atherton, Edward Dimick; 1853, Harvey Hobart, John S. Lyman, Hezekiah Colby; 1854, Harvey Hobart, Willard Spencer, Aaron C. Whipple; 1855, Charles S. Osgood, John R. Annis, John S. Lyman; 1856, John Mathers, David Legroe, John Cilley; 1857, John Mathers, Samuel I. Bailey, Orson Stevens; 1858, John Mathers, Samuel Marshall, John Cilley; 1859, William Wallace, Hiram H. Kenny, Jonathan Gilman; 1860, Jonathan Gilman, William Wallace, Charles S. Osgood; 1861, Charles S. Osgood, Eben E. Noyes, Horatio N. Cone; 1862, John S. Lyman, Eben E. Noyes, Horace M. Hobart; 1863, Russell Darling, Albert P. Titus, Horace M. Hobart; 1864, Horace M. Hobart, Almon M. Grout, William G. Lyman; 1865, Horace M. Hobart, William G. Lyman, John R. Annis; 1866, John R. Annis, Willard H. Keach, Seth Eames; 1867, Seth Eames, Willard H. Keach, Willard Spencer; 1868, John S. Lyman, Willard Spencer,Alfred H. Bundy; 1869, Alfred H. Bundy, Stephen Richardson, William E. Cone; 1870, Samuel I. Bailey, John H. Libby, William E. Cone; 1871, Samuel I. Bailey, John H. Libby, Jonathan Gilman; 1872, Samuel I. Bailey, John H. Libbey, Jonathan Gilman; 1873, Samuel I. Bailey, Daniel Q. Cole, Albert H. Barnett; 1874, David H. Cook, Horatio N. Cone, Stephen Richardson; 1875, David H. Cook, Horatio N. Cone, Almon M. Grout; 1876, Samuel M. Harvey, Charles C. Titus, Almon M. Grout; 1877, Samuel M. Harvey, Charles C. Titus, John F. Locke; 1878, David H. Cook, Chauncey H. Fitts, Charles E. Howe; 1879, David H. Cook, George A. Currier, William C. Lyman; 1880, David H. Cook, Charles E. Howe, Freeman G. Marshall; 1881, David H. Cook, Frank P. Lang, Coleman P. Tibbetts; 1882, Frank P. Lang, Edwin J. Belville, John F. Locke; 1883, Edwin J. Belville, Ethan A. Titus, John Cook; 1884; John Cook, Chauncey H. Fitts, Freeman G. Marshall; 1885, David H. Cook, Frank P. Lang, Edwin J. Belville; 1886, Chauncey H. Fitts, John A. Bailey, James B. Colby; 1887, David H. Cook, Holman J. Tibbets, Fay Whipple.
War of the Rebellion. — Columbia promptly responded to all calls of the general government for soldiers throughout the war of the Rebellion, and, giving freely of both men and money, showed that the same patriotism and love of country that burned in the breasts of the ancestors of her children, needed but the breath of danger to their country to fan their slumbering embers to flames as bright, and deeds as brave as theirs. Men past the years of military service, boys, striplings in strength, and men in the flush of power, alike offered their services to guard the nation's life; while those who staid behind gave time and money to care for their families at home and the brave soldiers in the field. The women gathered in societies to prepare such articles as go to lessen the hardships of a soldier's life; and while, with brave hearts, they had parted with those who were dearer than life itself, they felt that no sacrifice was too great to make for their country, and no one can tell the sadness, the prayers and tears with which the bundles of bandages, the rolls of lint, and "the boxes," were prepared and sent to their "Boys in Blue."
The first action of the town was taken January 16, 1862, in voting to "raise $100 to expend for the benefit of soldiers' families." August 18, 1862, it was voted to pay each man that volunteered for three years $125.
Following this was the largest enlistment made at one time in the town, fifteen in number. [Their names will be found in the article by Col. H. O. Kent, "Coos in the Rebellion," in County History.— Editor.] October 4, 1862, it was voted to pay $125 to men who enlisted for nine months. From this time until the first of 1864, few enlistments were made, but during that year the number of enlistments were very large. The following votes were taken by the town September 1, 1864, and under them a large enlistment was made: —
"To pay to enrolled men who enlisted for one year to fill quota $1,000; if drafted, $200; if hiring a substitute $100." February 8, 1865, the town voted as follows: "To pay $900 to each enrolled man who enlists for one year, and $1,500 to each enrolled man who enlists for three years."
Soldiers enlisted from Columbia not credited elsewhere: G. A. Bedel, Thomas Kinnery, Charles Rogers, Wesley Noyes, Aaron Simpson, Richard Dunn, Valentine McSherry, Enoch Whipple, Ruel D. Colby, David Coats, John S. Lyman, Bushrod Smith, Orrin Lombard, Wesley Chase, William Cooper, Scivillian M. Gilkey, Julius Mahurin, Charles Jordan. Of Columbia's boys in the army, a few were killed in battle; some died in hospitals; but a larger per cent, than the average returned at the end of their service in health; none, as we learn, in disgrace, but many with credit for great bravery.
Statistics of 1886. — There were 174 polls, 312 horses, 98 oxen, 528 cows, 395 neat stock, 948 sheep, 10 hogs, 11 carriages, 3 starch-mills, 3 grist-mills, 4 saw-mills. Land valuation $187,440. Total valuation $269,622. Total tax for the year $4,526, 10. Population 752.
The settlers of Columbia
were a moral, God-fearing people, accustomed to the observance of the Sabbath,
and the enjoyment of religious worship. They sorely felt the want of the
opportunities to which they had been used, and we find that at a special town
meeting, held January 13, 1803, the following article was inserted in the
warning: "To see if they will accept the request of their committee in order for
to obtain preaching of the gospel," and it was "voted to agree upon some measure
for to obtain meeting." But this agreement shared the fate of many other
promises, and for many years the people had no regular religious services in
town, but depended upon the irregular services of itinerants, upon "deacon's
meetings," and attendance at the churches of Colebrook and Stewartstown. It was
a common thing in those days of strong men and hardy women for them to go some
ten or fifteen miles to Stewartstown to attend meeting, often riding on
horseback, the man in the saddle and the woman on the pillion behind him, and so
"riding double." The itinerants were more noted for strength of lungs and fervor
of spirit than for depth of erudition or grace of diction; and many of their
utterances as handed down by tradition, were decidedly unique. One preacher
called on the Lord to "come down the bank, pass over the river, and up through
the bushes, and bless brother Bishop"; evidently laboring under much the same
error as to the residence of the Lord that the little girl did who wound up her
evening prayer by bidding the Lord "good-bye, as she was going to New Jersey in
the morning." We recall the appeal of another of these men, who asked the Lord
to send a "ram-shackling, devil killing, hell-destroying, rim-racking time."
When other means of worship failed, what was known as "deacon's meetings"
were held at some convenient school-house. These, for many years, were conducted
by Deacon Bancroft, who offered the usual prayer and reading from the
Scriptures, and then read one of Baxter's stirring sermons, and "deaconed off"
the hymn. Many efforts were made to build a church, but they could only agree to
disagree, though they once got as far in the matter as to hew the timber for the
frame; dissentions, however, arose as to the location of the house, resulting,
finally, in the indefinite postponement of tin; enterprise, and the rotting of
the timber on the ground where it was hewed. Finally, in 1850, the Methodist
conference took the town in charge, and sent Mr. Watkins here as a minister. He
was a stirring, not-easily- discouraged man: and, by the assistance of Pickens
Boynton, a young preacher not yet connected with the conference, the people were
stirred up, and taking the matter in hand, two meetinghouses were erected — one,
in East Columbia, in 1850, and one on the river the following year. Until about
1870 the two churches supported only one minister, who occupied the pulpits of
either church on alternate Sundays. Now both societies maintain a minister
throughout the year.
Columbia Church. — In the years of the early settlement of Columbia there was no priest nor prophet in the town, and every man did that which was right in his own eyes. About the year 1820 a Congregationalist minister by the name of Rankin came and preached, and labored among the people for a time. The people were also spiritually instructed by Mr. Hale, Mr. Saunders, and Mr. Holmes. The latter lived on the hill in the brick house now owned and occupied by Mr. George Hammond. Mr. Holmes divided his time and services between the people of Columbia and Colebrook. Mr. Samuel Holt labored here as a missionary. In process of time Mr. Bradford was settled over this people, and lived on the farm now occupied by Mr. Charles Russ. 'There were no churches in those days, and religious services were held in dwelling-houses, school-houses, and barns. On one occasion, when a service was being held in the barn of Major Cone, a certain man, whose hearing was defective, climbed up and sat on one of the cross timbers of the barn close to the speaker The day being warm and the sermon somewhat lengthy, Eutychus, Jr., sank into a deep sleep and fell from his high loft.
Sometime previous to 1835 the Methodist circuit
riders made their appearance with their Bibles, tracts and saddle-bags. They
were rough and ready, uncultured, unpolished and often un welcomed, but their
burning zeal, earnest piety and enthusiasm gave them a hearing, and, afterwards,
followers. Among those circuit riders we have the names of Manning, Goddard, B.
Fales, W. M. Mann, C. Olin, Woodard, Adams, Robertson, Beard, S. Wiggins, W.
Johnson and E. Pettengill. They encountered a certain amount of opposition, but,
in spite of all hindrances, they achieved a fair degree of success; and the
cause of religion gradually increased in numbers and strength until 1850. Mr.
Warner was minister in charge at that time, and the church was blessed with an
extensive revival of religion. They now felt the need of a building in which to
assemble to worship God, and Pickens Boynton secured subscriptions sufficient to
warrant the success of the enterprise. Horatio N. Cone gave a lot of land for a
building site, and the services of J. F. Luke were secured to erect the church,
which was finished in 1851, and dedicated by Henry H. Hartwell, Pickens Boynton
and Mr. Warner being in attendance. Regular services were now held. The
following is a partial list of the ministers who were sent by the New Hampshire
conference to serve the people: J. W. Spencer, __ Watkins, D. W. Barber, __
Tabor, __ Bryant, __ Barnes, N. Martin, D. J. Smith, __ Kendall. After Mr.
Kendall's term of service expired there was no regular preaching for some years.
The pulpit was supplied a portion of the time by transient laborers, among them
Mr. Evans, a theological student, Miss Fickett and Elder Pattee. In 1875 or '76
A. B. Russell became pastor in charge of the society and held this connection
three years. He was followed by W. H. H Collins, who remained one year, and was
followed by J. T. Davis, who labored with the people two years, during which
time a parsonage was built on a lot of land given by Mr. William E. Cone. Joseph
Hayes followed Mr. Davis and remained three years. Mr. Hayes was succeeded by
Mr. John Olin, who was here three years, closing his appointment in 1887.
Christian Church, East Columbia. — The Christian church was first organized
December 3. 1831. Previous to this time, as there were here a few members of
this church, they were occasionally visited and some meetings were held in the
school-house by preachers from different parts of the state and Massachusetts;
among whom Mark Fernald, Joseph Banfield, John T. G. Colby, O. P. Tuckerman,
Simeon Sweatt, Daniel P. Pike and Elijah Shaw were grand representatives.
When on December 3, 1831, a church was formed by Elder John T. G. Colby, it
was composed of the following named members: William Holkins, Daniel Rogers,
John Annis, Abel Marshall, Samuel Marshall, John P. Daniels, Stephen Smith,
Augustus Spencer, Joshua S. Mathes, Elijah Mathes and Phebe Rogers, with this
Profession of Faith. — "We, whose names are herein recorded, agree to consider ourselves a church; to acknowledge Christ our Head, Master, Lord, and Lawgiver, to whom we are to hear in all things. The New Testament our Rule by which to walk, instruct, and admonish each other, without the addition of any Discipline invented by men; and to be know o by the name of Christians according to Acts XI., 26. We also agree to strive to love all Christians of any denomination, and to continue in the doctrine of Christ according to Hebrew VI., 12."
The church then chose Bro. Samuel Marshall, clerk; and agreed to hold a regular monthly conference every first Saturday in each month. There being no preacher of this faith in the then sparsely-settled town of Columbia, the pastorate was given to Elder Samuel Drown, a Free Will Baptist clergyman from Colebrook. The church struggled along, being occasionally visited by Elder Colby and others. Their meetings were held in schoolhouses and barns, where the whole country around would gather and exhibit such a spirit of living Christianity as would put to shame some of our more modern assemblages. In the fall of 1842 Elder Samuel Durgin, of Maine, came to Columbia, and commenced a series of meetings in schoolhouses and private dwellings. A large number of persons professed to be converted, were baptized, and joined the Christian church; of this number the majority were young people. There were now about thirty-five members. Agreeably to previous notice, the church met December 10, 1842, and voted to reorganize. Elder Samuel Durgin was chosen moderator to preside in said meeting. Samuel Marshall was chosen clerk, and Elder Samuel Durgin to take the pastoral charge of the church. Bro. John Annis and Bro. Asa Noyes were elected deacons. The church also voted "that the monthly conference be held on the Saturday before the third Sabbath in each month at Bro. Augustus Spencer's, and that the old members remain at present." Samuel Marshall, John Annis and Asa Noyes were chosen a committee to attend to the prudential affairs of the church.
During all this time everything had moved along harmoniously, but now discord and dissension had their sway for awhile; and, but for their strong faith and trust in God and his wisdom, these Christians would hardly have held their church together. A good number kept up their meetings, however, although after a year and a half they were virtually without a pastor. They continued in this way, with occasional and spasmodic efforts by visiting ministers, until about 1850, when Elder William S. Morrill came, and finally, settling in Stewartstown, took the pastoral charge of this church, preaching alternate Sabbaths. In the summer of 1850 a Union church edifice, with a seating capacity of 250, was erected at East Columbia, in connection with the Methodist church; each society to have its exclusive use alternate Sabbaths, and when not occupied by one society, the other could have the use of it for that Sabbath also. The following named brethren were elected as trustees to take the deed of one-half of the church building and land on which it was located: John Annis, J. W. Emerton, John Marshall, William Pilbro, and Asa Noyes. It now seemed as if the church was well established, and everything moved along apparently prosperously. In the winter of 1854 and 1855, Elder W. H. Nason came here to assist Elder Morrill in a series of meetings which resulted in the greatest reformation that was ever known in all this part of the state, and a large accession was made to the church membership. The spring following, Elder Nason accepted a call to be the pastor, and in connection with that young Christian (Methodist) minister, D. J. Smith, the church experienced its brightest days. They were assisted by a most excellent choir, a most valuable auxiliary in church worship. At this time Rev. Joseph B. Hill, of Colebrook, said '="East Columbia is the only green spot in Northern New Hampshire."
At the
expiration of two years Elder Nason was succeeded by Elder Seth Ross from
Franklin. Elder Ross was a good mail, sound in the faith, scholarly, and quite
logical in his preaching, but altogether different from Elder Nason. His style
was not so well adapted to interest the class of minds belonging to his
audience, consequently, what is termed "falling-awa " ensued. In the fall of
1858 his wife died; and, as a result of this, he moved away the following
spring. From this time until 1863 the pulpit was supplied by Willard McDaniels,
William S. Morgan, and other visiting ministers. January, 1863, Calvin S.
Shattuck came from Vermont to assist in union meetings, which resulted in such
an awakening as was only second to that already described under the labors of
Elder Nason. The cause of Christ continued to advance for a while, when a
controversy arose between the ministers on the subject of baptism, annihilation,
and other kindred topics, which led to a division between churches, and between
brothers and sisters of the same society; some of the best members removed from
the place, and after four years this religious body was virtually a nullity.
In August, 1865, Bro. Rufus F. Marshall was chosen deacon, and Bro. Warren
R. Marshall clerk. In the summer of 1867 Elder Shattuck closed his labors with
the Christian church, and Stephen Andrews, a young man from Massachusetts,
preached a few months. He was succeeded by Elder R. B. Eldrich, an educated and
experienced preacher, and a devoted Christian gentleman. He labored for two
years; but with all of his eloquence and religious example there was but little
accomplished in Zion's cause. The church remained without a pastor for a year
after. Then W. S. Morrill, a former pastor, preached a part of two years; he was
followed by A. H. Francis, who labored for a few months, and during this time
the church edifice was repaired. In the winter of 1875 Elder W. H. Nason came
back to his old society to find the members in a very unsettled and
unsatisfactory condition. He had faith in the revival of the religious spirit,
and thought best to stay with the church. After a year and a half, on account of
illness, he was unable to perform his ministerial labors, and returned to
Springfield, where his earthly life was finished and he entered upon his
inheritance in Heaven. He had served his Lord and Master long and zealously,
aided by his good and faithful Christian wife. Although they were not successful
in restoring the church to its former life, still they were worthy of the
encomium "well done, good and faithful servants," and its accompanying reward.
Elder Nason's successor was a young man, E. R. Amazeen, who preached three
years. Since that time this society has been without a settled pastor, and the
Methodists have held all the services until the present writing.
In this connection mention should be made of Dea. John Annis, who was born in Goffstown. N. H., October 11, 1797. He is, probably, now (March 1887) the only living member of the original Christian church of East Columbia. His house was, and always has been, the home for all the visiting preachers, not only of his own denomination, but those of other sects have been made welcome to his generous hospitality. His barn was often used for holding religious meetings in earlier years. By his consistent Christianity, which controlled all his acts, he was universally known, and was esteemed by a large number of ministers and Christians. He is now nearly ninety years of age, and until three years ago, when he was enfeebled by a stroke of paralysis, his memory of the early history of religious societies was quite marked and vivid. By him and such as he, the church was sustained through all its vicissitudes; he was never faltering in his efforts to maintain the church service; and, even now, under the burden of his four-score years and ten, his love for the church and all good people seems stronger, if possible, than in the strength of his early manhood. Dea. Annis is now quite infirm; his hearing is imperfect, and his eyesight impaired so that he is unable to read. In the beautiful words of the hymn he is
"Only
waiting till the shadows
Are a little longer grown;
Only waiting till the
glimmer
Of the day's last beam is flown;
Till the light of earth has
faded
From the heart once full of day;
Till the stars of Heaven are
breaking
Thro' the twilight soft and gray."
Contributed 2025 Jul 01 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Coos County, New Hampshire by Georgia D. Merrill, published in 1888, pages 721-744.
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This page was last updated
07/01/2025