Coos County
NHGenWeb
By John B. Lovejoy.
DUMMER lies in the easterly part of Coos county, is bounded on the north by Millsfield and Errol, east by Cambridge, south by Milan, west by Stark and Odell, and has an area of 23,040 acres. This town was granted March 8, 1773, to Mark H. Wentworth, Nathaniel A. Haven and others, but was unoccupied for many years. The principal rivers are the Androscoggin and the little Ammonoosuc; in the latter are the Dummer or Pontook Falls.
The town takes its name from William Dummer, lieut.-governor, and acting governor of the province of Massachusetts Bay from 1716 to 1730. He was the founder of the oldest academy in Massachusetts, and many educated there were prominent actors in the War of the Revolution.
Lumber has been extensively produced from the heavily-wooded lands, and down to this day lumbering is the chief avocation. In 1886 there was manufactured and shipped 3,655,000 feet of dimension lumber, 306,000 clap boards. 544,000 shingles, 1,690.000 laths, 108,000 feet of hard-wood. During the same year there was landed on the different streams 1,771,000 feet of spruce, which was not manufactured here.
The town of Dummer, surveyed by A. Baker in 1806, is laid out in square form, each outline measuring 2,100 rods, running nearly north and south, east and west. After the survey, three lots were marked on the plan as "glebe lots," three lots for the "first settlers," three for the "first ministers," and three for the benefit of schools. Having finished the survey the proprietors decided to open a settlement, and for this purpose employed Beltare Daniels, who commenced operations shortly after, by building a log-house on the height of land between the Ammonoosuc and Androscoggin rivers two miles from each stream; clearing twenty acres of land, and building a barn forty by sixty feet which still stands, and although the pine boards which cover the walls are worn quite thin, the wrought-iron door hinges made in Portsmouth, each weighing three and one-half pounds, remain in good order. Later a saw and grist-mill was built on the Androscoggin. This was built on the bank of the stream, had a canal cut more than 100 rods up the river to supply water; yet, after $6,000 had been spent, owing to an undiscovered ledge below the mill which prevented the water from running away from the wheel, the whole was abandoned, and Daniels and his laborers returned to Portsmouth.
The census of 1810 shows only seven inhabitants. In the spring of 1812, William Leighton, a workman of Daniels, a native of Farmington, decided to settle in Dummer. Leaving two daughters, Sarah and Phebe, with relatives, he, with Mary his wife, two daughters, Mercy and Betsey, three sons, Joseph, Thomas, and William a babe six months old, started for Dummer in the winter of 1811-12, and arrived early in March, 1812. Much might be said of the hardships that followed; how, during the next long year, they slept with doors securely barred, and guns within easy reach, fearful of the roving bands of Indians, and howling wolves, and how they sheltered and fed a lone squaw one dark night, to learn afterwards that they had entertained a disguised English spy.
During the next three years several other families moved in. Capt. Charles Bickford, from Barnstead, his wife Betsey Durgin: two boys, John and Nathan, and four daughters, Rebecca, Betsey, Polly, and Sophia, arriving March 1, 1814. Two other daughters, Esther and " Tempie," came a year later. James H. Horn, his wife and two boys, William and Ezra, came from Farmington. Dr. Cummins, George Cook. Curtis Cove, Parker, and others from different places. Hezekiah Cloutman, of Rochester, was the first man that bought land on which to settle. He bought one of the glebe lots, which was conveyed by James Sheafe, John Pierce, and Jeremiah Mason, Esquires, agents for St. John's church, of Portsmouth, by deed dated December 10, 1810. Cloutman's wife refusing to leave Rochester, he built a camp on his land, and lived alone several years, spending most of his time in hunting and fishing. In 1833 he conveyed his land to William Lovejoy, with whom he lived when not in the woods. On the 8th day of July, 1837, while returning from a hunting-tour to the head-waters of the Androscoggin, and when but a short distance below the settlements in Errol, he was drowned.
In 1820 the number of inhabitants was twenty-seven. Peter Leavitt and Daniel Forbush settled on the Ammonoosuc, reared large families, and died of old age. Francis Lang erected a grist-mill on Phillip's river, which he owned and run several years. Joseph Leighton built a saw-mill on the same stream. In 1826 Charles Newell settled on the Androscoggin three miles above the old Daniels' mill, conveying his wife and children up the river in a boat (made by hollowing out a pine log) when the ice was so strong that his boy was obliged to sit in the bow and break the ice. After suffering for food and clothing nearly two years, they removed to Piercy. In the meantime emigration had advanced up the Androscoggin into Dummer. Jotham S. Lary was one of the first to locate. Aaron Wight settled near the east side of the town. William Sessions took Newell's place; and by 1840 settlements had been made in each section of the town.
Peter Leavitt and his wife, Mehitable Marden, were among the first settlers, locating on the Ammonoosuc, near the southwest corner of the town, about 1816. His family of four boys and seven girls (except two who died young) remained in Coos county and became useful members of society. In the winter of 1822, Edmund, then in his seventeenth year, was found frozen to death on the Androscoggin, opposite the mouth of the stream which bears his name. He and William Horn started one cold winter day, quite thinly clad, to visit a lumber camp on Mollocket brook. After reaching the Androscoggin they wandered down to the Thompson "rips" on the ice, without seeing any road which would lead to the camp. They had already suffered much from cold. Their wet feet had begun to freeze, and they turned to retrace their steps. Leavitt became exhausted and could go no further. Horn pressed on, reached a house on Milan hill with feet frozen badly, and just able to give the information which started a relief party for his comrade, who was found dead as above stated.
William Lovejoy was born in Conway October 13, 1796. When a young man he located in Dummer; cleared a small farm adjoining Capt. Charles Bickford's. one mile from the Androscoggin river. He married, January 29, 1822, Rebeckah, widow of Russel Hodgdon, and third daughter of Capt. Bickford. In 1833 Hezekiah Cloutman conveyed his place to Mr. Lovejoy, and he lived there until his death, June 22, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Lovejoy were the first persons married in Dummer, and the next four couples were married by him. Although a man who labored hard, he found time to read, keeping well posted in the affairs of the country and state; and he was deeply interested in education and general improvement. He held many town offices, was selectman and justice of the peace. Mis. Rebeckah Lovejoy, the oldest person now living in Dummer, was born in Barnstead, January 17, 1798. When she was fourteen, her father moved to Dummer, where she became used to hardships and privations; but there were many things connected with her new home calculated to make it romantic and pleasant. She took delight in watching the Indians who often came down the river in birch canoes on their way to market to dispose of their furs; to catch the speckled trout; and to ride her father's horse to the store at Northumberland, sixteen miles distant, through an almost unsettled country; although these might not have been enjoyed by others less fearless and strong.
Possessed of strong constitutions, these pioneers endured privations and performed feats, the recital of which would sound like fiction. While the men made salts and maple-sugar, the women and children caught fish and gathered bark from the slippery-elm trees. On one occasion Mrs. Horn and Mrs. Leighton drove a team loaded with this bark to Portsmouth, where they exchanged it for goods. For several years the nearest store was at Northumberland, and it was common for women to ride there on horseback and bring large loads back. Of all the early settlers none, probably, fared worse than Charles Newell. At one time he lived five miles from neighbors. One day his son, aged five years, was taken suddenly ill. After giving such remedies as they had, Mr. Newell started for help. On reaching the Ammonoosuc he found the bridge had been carried away, and the darkness was so intense he could not see across the stream. After calling repeatedly, he succeeded in making his neighbor hear, who, after the storm had abated sufficiently to make it possible to follow the path, sent his boy a distance of four miles after Mrs. Horn. On learning the situation, Mr. Horn and his wife started on snow-shoes. Crossing the river on a raft, they reached Mr. Newell's the following day to find the boy dead, and that the mother with her own hands had prepared him for burial.
Daniel Furbush, born in Chelsea, Mass., in 1791, settled in Dummer when many of the best farms of to-day were an unbroken forest. He was twice married, his first wife was Nancy Grapes, the second, Betsey, daughter of William and Mary Leighton. Mr. Furbush had eight boys and four girls, six of whom and twenty grandchildren, now live in Dummer. Since 1840 the name has been changed to Forbush. John M. Bickford, who has always lived in town, was born in Dummer July 12, 1818; married, October 13, 1839, Catharine, oldest daughter of Daniel and Nancy Furbush. Daniel Forbush, Jr., was born in Stark, March 6, 1826, he married Lydia, second daughter of William Lovejoy, and, except a few temporary absences, has always lived in Dummer. His industrious habits and peaceable disposition when a boy earned him the sobriquet of "deacon." His wife devotes a large share of her time in ministering to the sick and afflicted. Jotham S. Lary, Ransom Twitchell, Jonathan Leavit, Jonathan Nichols, George W. Forbush, Clayton Twitchell, and many others with their estimable wives will long be remembered as industrious and respectable citizens of Dummer.
John B. Lovejoy, son of William and Rebeckah Lovejoy, was born in Dummer December 5, 1839. He has always lived here except while in the army from August 15, 1862, to October 6, 1864. Occupations, farming, lumbering and book agent. [Mr. Lovejoy has often been called to fill responsible positions in his native town, and has performed the duties of the several offices with scholarly nicety, and to the satisfaction of his townsmen. He is a gentleman in all his instincts; and, in the language of a friend, "He is truly one of nature's noblemen." — Editor.]
Thomas Wentworth, of Conway, came to Dummer in 1847, married Melissa Sessions. He was one of the first selectmen of the town. About 1849 his three brothers, Isaiah F., Richard O. and Ephraim F., located here, settling at Newell bay. The "veteran pioneer," William Sessions, settled in Dummer in 1843, and cleared two farms; one, at Newell bay, the other, on Bay hill, where he carried boards on his back a mile and a half to build his house.
John R. Briggs, a native of Paris, Me., emigrated from Woodstock, Me., to Milan in the spring of 1843, and, in October of the same year, moved to Dummer. He represented the town in the legislature of 1851, and was its first representative. Four of his sons and two grandsons served in the great civil war. Alfred H. and Luther (sons of John R. Briggs) enlisted September 10, 1861, in the 10th Maine Infantry, served nearly two years, were discharged May 8, 1863, enlisted the second time in the 7th Maine Battery, December 22, 1863, and were discharged June, 1865.
Horace Chandler went during the Rebellion as a substitute from Dummer. He served three months lacking three days. He was in the action at Chapin's Farm, Va., where there were but two others surviving of his company when the action was over. He resides in Berlin.
Leonard E. Dunn came here about 1866. He was the trusted agent of Coe & Pingree (lumber dealers) for many years, and paid out large sums of money in the lumbering business, which gave employment to many, and added to the material wealth of the town. He was an impulsive, energetic man, liberal to all objects he deemed worthy. His wife, whose maiden name was Ellen Chandler, daughter of John Chandler an early settler, is much interested in the Sunday school, giving both time and money to it. Mr. Dunn died September, 1884.
Inventory of Polls and Personal Property, 1849. — Joseph Leighton, one poll, 400 acres of land, mills, value $300, stock in trade $700, twenty neat cattle over eighteen months old, twenty-seven sheep. Barker Burbank, $500 in stock in trade. William Leighton, 300 acres of land, eleven neat cattle, twenty-one sheep. William Leighton, Jr., one poll, fifty acres of land, five neat cattle, six sheep. Ezra Horn, one poll, 100 acres of land, three horses, six neat cattle, seventeen sheep. John Hodgdon, one poll, twenty-five acres of land, one horse, two neat cattle, three sheep. Lorenzo Wentworth, one poll, two neat cattle. Jonathan Leavitt, one poll, seventy-five acres of land, one neat cattle, nine sheep. Hepzibar Leavitt, 100 acres of land, nineteen sheep. Jonathan Nichols, one poll, one horse, five neat cattle, fifteen sheep. John M. Bickford, one poll, 102 acres of land, five neat cattle, thirteen sheep. George Forbush, one poll, fifty acres of land, three neat cattle, five sheep. Daniel Forbush, one poll, forty acres of land, one horse, five neat cattle, eighteen sheep. John L. Bickford, one poll, ten acres of land, two neat cattle. Levi Forbush, one poll. Sullivan Leavitt, one poll. William Lovejoy, one poll, 100 acres of land, one horse, eight neat cattle, eighteen sheep. Marinda Leighton, two neat cattle. Daniel Forbush, Jr., one poll, fifty acres of land, two neat cattle, six sheep. Jacob Newell, one poll, four neat cattle. Daniel Coffin, one poll, 100 acres of land, four neat cattle, five sheep. Charles Burk, one poll, 200 acres of land, five neat cattle, twenty sheep. Jotham S. Lary, one poll, 200 acres of land, seven neat cattle, twelve sheep. Elijah Griffin, one poll, 100 acres of land, one neat cattle. Levi York, one poll, 100 acres of land, one neat cattle, eight sheep. Aaron Wight, one poll, 200 acres of land, four neat cattle. Thomas Wentworth, one poll, 200 acres of land, three neat cattle. Ephraim Wentworth, one poll, two neat cattle. William Sessions, one poll, 100 acres of land, one neat cattle. George W. Phelps, one poll, 100 acres of land, one neat cattle. Lowell Coffin, seventy-five acres of land.
In 1848 a petition was presented to the legislature asking for incorporation, also a remonstrance. The first was favorably considered and the town was incorporated, the act being approved December 19, 1848. William Lovejoy, John Hodgdon and Jotham S. Lary were authorized by said act to call the first meeting, which was held on the 20th day of February, 1849, at the dwelling house of Jonathan Leavitt. Whole number of inhabitants February 20, 1819, 151; number of voters, twenty-eight.
Civil List.
1849. John Hodgdon, clerk; John Hodgdon, treasurer; Joseph Leighton, Thomas Wentworth, Aaron Wight, selectmen; William Lovejoy, superintendent.
1850. John Hodgdon, clerk; John Hodgdon, treasurer; Joseph Leighton, William Lovejoy, Elijah Griffin, selectmen.
1851. William Lovejoy, clerk; William Lovejoy, treasurer; Joseph Leighton, Ephraim Forbush, George H. Leavitt, selectmen.
1852. John Hodgdon, clerk; John R. Briggs, William Lovejoy, Isaac C Wight, selectman.
1853. William A. Willis, clerk; William Lovejoy, treasurer; William Lovejoy, Clayton Twitchell, Joseph Leighton, selectmen.
1854. William Lovejoy, clerk; William Lovejoy, treasurer; Clayton Twitchell, Joseph Leighton, Jacob Ellingwood, selectmen.
1855. Clayton Twitchell, clerk; Clayton Twitchell, treasurer; Clayton Twitchell, John M. Bickford, Isaac C. Wight, selectmen.
1856. Gilman Twitchell. clerk; Gilman Twitchell, treasurer; John M. Bickford, Thomas J. Lary, Abial Walker, selectmen.
1857. William A. Willis, clerk; Elijah Griffin, treasurer; Joseph Leighton, John L. Bickford, William A. Willis, selectmen.
1858. William A. Willis, clerk; William A. Willis, treasurer; John Chandler, Ransom Twitchell, John S. Bickford, selectmen.
1859. William A. Willis, clerk; William A. Willis, treasurer; Gilman Twitchell, John S. Bickford, Lorenzo Jewett, selectmen.
1860. William A. Willis, clerk; John M. Bickford, treasurer; Isaac C. Wight, Alfred N. Twitchell, John M. Bickford, selectmen.
1861. John B. Lovejoy, clerk; William A. Willis, treasurer; John M. Bickford, Joel Emery, Clayton Twitchell. selectmen.
1862. Isaac C. Wight, clerk; William A. Willis, treasurer; Clayton Twitchell, Joel Emery, George H. Leavitt, selectmen.
1863. Gilman Twitchell, clerk; John H. Chandler, treasurer; Clayton Twitchell, Alfred N. Twitchell, Thomas J. Nichols, selectmen.
1864. Ransom Twitchell, clerk; Gilman Twitchell, treasurer; Isaac C. Wight, John H. Chandler, Henry Abbott, selectmen.
1865. Ransom Twitchell, clerk; Carlton W. Muzzy, treasurer; Clayton Twitchell, John M. Bickford, Ransom F. Twitchell, selectmen.
1866. Ransom Twitchell, clerk; Carlton W. Muzzy, treasurer; Clayton Twitchell, John M. Bickford John B. Lovejoy, selectmen.
1867. Ransom Twitchell, clerk; Carlton W. Muzzy, treasurer; John M. Bickford, Lorenzo Jewett, Clayton Twitchell, selectmen.
1868. Ransom Twitchell, clerk; Carlton W. Muzzy, treasurer; William A. Willis, Cyrus E. Bickford, Clayton Twitchell, selectmen.
1869. Ransom Twitchell, clerk; John H. Chandler, treasurer; William A. Willis, Cyrus E. Bickford, Isaac ('. Wight, selectmen.
1870. Ransom Twitchell, clerk; John H. Chandler, treasurer; William A. Willis, Isaac C. Wight, Cyrus E. Bickford, selectmen.
1871. Ransom Twitchell, clerk; J. H. Chandler, treasurer; Clayton Twitchell, Charles H. Gates, Ransom Smith, selectmen.
1872. R. Twitchell, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; I. C. Wight, J. H. Chandler, John B. Lovejoy, selectmen.
1873. Carlton W. Muzzey, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; I. C. Wight, J. B. Lovejoy, Nelson W. Bean, selectmen.
1874. C.W. Muzzey, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; I. C. Wight, George W. Blanchard, T. J. Lary selectmen.
1875. T. A. Twitchell, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; J. B. Lovejoy, N. W. Bean, C. W. Muzzey, selectmen.
1876. T. A. Twitchell, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; J. B. Lovejoy, F. J. Lacy, P. L. Goud, selectmen.
1877. T. A. Twitchell, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; I. C. Wight, J. D. Carlton, P. L. Goud, selectmen.
1878. T. A. Twitchell, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; I. C. Wight, C. N. Bickford, C. W. Muzzey, selectmen.
1879. T. A. Twitchell, clerk; S. B. Coffin, treasurer; C. N. Bickford, C. W. Muzzey, N. W. Bean, selectmen.
1880. T. A. Twitchell, clerk; J. B. Lovejoy, treasurer; C. N. Bickford. G. M. Forbush, N. W. Bean, selectmen.
1881. T. A. Twitchell, clerk; J. B. Lovejoy, treasurer; C. N. Bickford. N. W. Bean, G. S. Gould, selectmen.
1882. T. A. Twitchell, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; J. B. Lovejoy, C. W. Muzzey, C. N. Bickford. selectmen.
1883 T. A. Twitchell, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; J. B. Lovejoy, C. W. Muzzey, Lorenzo Jewett, selectmen.
1884. T. A. Twitchell, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; J. B. Lovejoy, Walter Philbrook, L. C. Jewett, selectmen.
1885. T. A. Twitched, clerk; W. A. Willis, treasurer; J. B. Lovejoy, C. W. Muzzey, N. E. Burnet, selectmen.
1886. T. A. Twitchell, clerk; W. A.
Willis, treasurer; J. B. Lovejoy, C. W. Muzzey, N. E. Burnet, selectmen.
1887. George S. Twitchell, clerk; John B. Lovejoy. treasurer; Charles Emery,
Nelson W. Bean, Frank I. Twitchell. selectmen.
List of Names of
Representatives from Dummer while Classed with Stark. — 1851, John E. Briggs;
1853, Ezra Horn; 1855, John R. Briggs; 1857-59, Rev. Elijah Griffin; 1861 63,
Gilman Twitchell; 1865-67, John M. Bickford; 1869-71, Cyrus E. Bickford.
Dummer was classed with Stark for the election of representatives till 1873.
The district meeting having been holden in Stark the preceding year, the duties
of warning the meeting devolved upon the selectmen of Dummer. On reaching the
place where a copy of the warrant was usually posted in Stark, they found a copy
of the warrant for the annual town-meeting already posted, containing an article
to elect a representative; after a brief consultation they returned, and
inserted an article in the warrant for the town-meeting in Dummer to choose a
representative. The result was very singular; while it was the first time either
town had elected a representative independently, it was the first time that a
Republican had been chosen in either town to fill the office; in this case both
were earnest Republicans.
Representatives. — List of Representatives sent by the town of Dummer alone. — 1873-74, John B. Lovejoy; 1875, Charles H. Gates; 1876-78, Isaac C. Wight; 1879-80, William A. Willis. Classed Dummer, Errol, Cambridge, Wentworth's Location, &c., &c. 1882, C. N. Bickford; 1886, Nelson W. Bean.
Schools. — It was nearly twenty years after the first settlement in Dummer that the first school was organized. Daniel Furbush's barn served for a school-house, and here Miss Sophy Bickford diligently performed the duties of a school-teacher six weeks for thirty-seven and one-half cents per week and board. All parties were so well pleased with this school that another term of six weeks was taught by the same teacher the following summer, and her wages raised to fifty cents per week. Another term, two years later, was taught by Miss Miranda Hildreth, and from that time to 1850 there was generally one short term each year. The first male teacher was Harwood Pike. Length of school eight weeks, wages of teacher $10 per month and board. While a majority were in favor of education, there were some opposed to raising money to pay the teachers, which led to a petition to the legislature for incorporation.
The first board of selectmen, William Lovejoy, John Hodgdon and Jonathan Leavitt, divided the town into four districts to be known as Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. At the first annual meeting March 13, 1849, it was voted to raise $70 for the support of schools, which was equal to ninety-three and one-third cents for each scholar between the ages of four and twenty-one years. During the year the districts organized by choosing the necessary officers, but failed to expend the school money; and, in 1850, only $28 were assessed. At the annual school meeting in 1850, of district No. 1, it was voted to raise $130 for the purpose of building a school-house. Ezra Horn contracted to build the school-house, and the location being made by the voters of the district, and the grounds for the yard prepared, it surprised a majority of the district to learn that Horn was erecting the house nearly half a mile from the location agreed upon. This so enraged a portion of the inhabitants that they petitioned the selectmen to divide the district. At a town meeting called for this purpose the district was divided, each part to have the tax assessed on that part. By this movement two school-houses were built where there should only have been one, and two schools maintained where one would have been much better for the scholars.
At the annual town meeting, March, 1851, the town voted to raise $50 for the support of schools; in 1852, $75 were raised, which, by individuals contributing board and fuel, enabled each district to maintain a school. It was the common practice for each family to board the teacher in proportion to the number of scholars sent to school, and furnish fuel the same number of days. William A. Willis had now become a permanent settler. Being a gifted teacher, and deeply interested in the advancement of education, his influence had a beneficial effect on the schools. In 1853 he was elected chairman of the school committee. New settlements, remote from school-houses, made it necessary to re-district the town, and, at a meeting called for this purpose, held on the 6th day of May, 1854, a committee of seven persons was chosen, who proceeded to divide the town into eight districts. The amount raised for the support of schools was gradually increased till it reached $200 in 1868. At the annual meeting, March, 1869, on the motion of Leonard E. Dunn, it was voted to raise $1,000, being about $10 to each scholar.
The old feud that grew out of the change of location of the school-house in district No. 1 having died out, the original lines were restored in 1866, one school-house sold, and the other enlarged. School-houses had been built in four other districts, Nos. 4, 6, 7 and 8; and, in 1870, there being an unexpended balance of school-money, $100 was deemed a sufficient sum to raise. From 1870 to 1887 there have not been more than $600 nor less than $500 raised yearly by tax. The literary fund, railroad tax and interest on a fund derived from the sale of school lands amount to about $100 more.
In 1879 a movement was started by Isaac C. Wight, Timothy A. Twitchell, Carlton W. Muzzey, and others to have the town re-districted with a view of uniting two or more districts; believing that fewer schools and longer terms would more than offset the increased distance of travel; consequently, the selectmen and school committee again changed the district lines, uniting district No. 9 with No. 7, and forming two districts from Nos. 1, 6 and 8. During the next three years commodious houses were built in each of the three districts thus formed, and usually two terms of school a year have been maintained in each of the seven districts. Under the new law, the school board has built one new school-house and maintained six schools. For the year 1886 the entire amount of school revenue was $628.44; number of schools, six; average length, sixteen weeks; whole number of different scholars attending school not less than two weeks, 122 — boys seventy-five, girls forty-seven: not attending any school, five; number of scholars attending academies and not registered in town, three; amount paid teachers, $540.35; amount paid for building, repairing, and furnishing school-houses, including rent of school-room. $688.81; amount paid school board for services for schools, $33; for buildings, $24.85.
Ministers. — Francis Lang, one of the early settlers in Dummer, was a Free-Will Baptist, and preached in his own and adjoining towns. Elijah Griffin settled on one of the first ministers' lots before the town was incorporated, and moved to the state of Maine in 1863 or 1864. He was an ordained Free-Will Baptist minister, and highly respected. Although there is as yet no church edifice in Dummer, the inhabitants are a Sabbath-loving people, and religious services are held in school-houses and other suitable places for public worship. During the winter of 1880-81, a Sunday school was organized, and attended by seventy to one hundred pupils. Isaac C. Wight was superintendent.
ISAAC CARLTON WIGHT.
The record of a successful and useful life is always instructive. The processes and influences by which the character was formed and strengthened, the efforts put forth for the results reached, the obstacles met and overcome, are valuable lessons to the young.
Isaac Carlton Wight, son of Aaron and Rebecca (Carlton) Wight, was born in Milan, December 8, 1830. His father, Aaron Wight, was a native of Dublin, N. H., born 1795, son of Daniel Wight, of Needham, Mass., who emigrated to New Hampshire, and, in 1798, became a resident of Bethel, Me. At the age of seventeen Aaron enlisted for one year in the War of 1812, serving at Lake Champlain. Having been honorably discharged, he enlisted again for forty days at Portland. In 1822 he came to Paulsburg, and commenced a farm in the wilderness. On this farm he raised one year 500 bushels of wheat. He assisted in organizing the town of Milan, and was chosen one of the early selectmen. In 1844 he moved to Dummer, and again commenced a farm. This was four miles from any highway. He aided in organizing this town, and was on the first board of selectmen. He was for many years deacon of the Free-Will Baptist church in Milan and Dummer. He lived a consistent Christian life, and died at the age of eighty-one years, whispering with his last breath "God is good." His wife, Rebecca (Carlton) Wight, whom he married in 1827, the first marriage in Milan on the river, was the daughter of Isaac Carlton, a native of Boxford, Mass., who emigrated to Shelburne about 1795, married Sarah Messer, and was one of the first settlers upon the Conner place, where Rebecca, the oldest of eight children, was born in 1801. In her young days she supported her father through eleven years of illness, and during the time acquired sufficient education to teach school, receiving her first certificate from Barker Burbank. She taught first in Shelburne (Col. R. I. Burbank being among her pupils); afterwards in Shelburne Addition and Milan. To Aaron Wight and wife Rebecca were born seven children, of whom Isaac and Sarah are now living. Mrs. Wight's death occurred in Dummer, December 10, 1880, at the age of seventy-nine. She was a devoted daughter, a faithful, loving wife and mother, and a Christian woman.
Isaac was the second child in the family, and the only boy. He was fourteen years old when his father moved to Dummer, and there were no schools in the town. Prior to this he had attended the local schools in Milan; afterwards he was obliged to go to Berlin or Milan to attend school, which he did for three terms, and here, working for his board, he obtained his last school education; but in the school of experience, trial, adversity, and discouragement he labored long years, and deserves great praise that by his own exertions he so manfully overcome the obstacles, hardships, and deprivations, and stands to-day among the representative, self-made men of Coos county. At the age of seventeen, owing to ill-health in the family, the burden of its care and support came upon him. Two of his sisters, who were ill away from home, returned, and died after a lingering sickness of a year. At the age of eighteen he commenced working at lumbering, receiving $10 per month. When nineteen he worked, in company with Jotham S. Lary, hauling pine. He cut, "fitted," and helped load about 75,000 feet, — thus earning his first $50. While in his minority he "cleared up" a farm from the primeval forest; built a frame barn, 40x40 feet, doing the work himself; buying the lumber and nails, and working out in the winter to pay for them, and nailing on all the boards and shingles without assistance. This laborious work was accomplished by the young man, who was known as "Little Ike Wight," from the fact that before he was twenty-one he never weighed over 135 pounds, although to-day his weight is 150, and his height "five feet ten." For two haying seasons he worked at Westbrook, Me., where he first received $1 per day. He walked the distance (about 100 miles) in three days, his expenses being less than fifty cents a day. After haying at Westbrook, he walked home and cut his own grass. In this way his haying season was from six to eight weeks in length. At the age of twenty-one he bought the place on which his father had lived as a squatter for over seven years without even a permit. Besides purchasing the farm, he paid all his father's debts; and, at the age of twenty-two, he owned the farm, some stock, and owed "no man anything."
At this time he seemed on the road to prosperity. Little did he dream of the misfortune he was to meet. He entered into company with three others and run in debt to the amount of $3,000 for wild land in Dummer. Mr. Wight managed to pay his part, one-fourth, but was held for the payment of the other three-fourths, his partners being insolvent. He was sued, all his property attached, sold at auction, and the little he had accumulated seemed liable to be lost. At this critical point he was not discouraged, but with diligence and economy provided for his family, and by the timely assistance of Adam Willis, father of William A. Willis, of Dummer, and D. A. Burnside, of Lancaster, he was enabled to pay for the remainder of the land, and received a deed of it. The earnest endeavor, patient industry, and perseverance, of Mr. Wight had brought him good friends and help in his hour of need. At the age of twenty-nine he married Melissa, daughter of Amos R. Cross, of Stark, by whom he had two children. During the diphtheria scourge which prevailed a few years later, he was bereaved of his beloved little family by that disease, and came near losing his own life, being sick nearly six months. Sorrow now seemed to almost overwhelm him; with two sisters ill, father and mother out of health, dependent upon hired help, doctors' bills to pay. badly in debt, and, in addition, just at this time, when leaving home was an impossibility, he was drafted into the United States service, and had a large sum to pay for a substitute. Can we wonder that Mr. Wight was discouraged now, and almost ready to lay down his burden in despair? But "the darkest hour is just before dawn," and with the war came inflated prices; timber brought large sums of money, and from one winter's lumbering he was able to pay his workmen and his debts, and have a surplus in hand. Since then he has not been financially troubled.
January 1, 1865, Mr. Wight married Philantha L., second daughter of Joseph Howard, of Hanover, Me. They have eight children: Joseph Howard, Aaron Carlton, Rebecca Carlton, Adam Willis, Isaac Henry, Daniel Roberts, Mary Philantha and Alice Iantha. J. Howard and A. Carlton are graduates of Maine Wesleyan seminary, the former in the classical, the latter in the commercial course.
[Mrs. Wight is a descendant in the fourth generation of William Howard, who lived in Temple, N. H. His sons were Phineas, Asa, James, Nathaniel and William. Phineas, born in Temple in 1765, married Leonia Powers, and died at the age of eighty-four. His son Joseph, born in 1809, married Zeruiah Roberts (born in 1812 died in 1881), and died aged seventy-four. The first American ancestor of this line was doubtless Nathaniel, who emigrated from Suffolk, England, to Dorchester, Mass., in 1641. He had sons, Nathaniel and William, who settled in Chelmsford, and were prominent citizens there for many years. Members of this family removed to Hillsborough county, and had many descendants. Howard is the family name of the illustrious House of Norfolk, (England,) and derives in the male line from William Howard, a learned and reverend judge of the reign of Edward I.]
Mr. Wight was quite a hunter in his youth, and killed many deer, bears, and other wild and fur-bearing animals. He often camped out alone in the wilderness many miles from home, and gained a knowledge of the woods that has since been of much value to himself and others, and his services are frequently desired by lumbermen in locating lots. He has lumbered forty winters. In the winter of 1863-64 he had in his employ a faithful, energetic, and honest boy of about eighteen, George Van Dyke, who then worked for $20 per month, and is now president of the Connecticut River Lumber Company. Mr. Wight was originally a Democrat, but cast, with three others in Dummer, his first Republican vote for Freemont. He has always identified himself with town affairs. When but twenty-two years old he was the first resident of the town to assess the taxes. He has held the offices of selectmen, collector, town clerk, and agent to fill the quota of the town; has been a representative to the legislature three years successively; and was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention of 1876. He has administered upon and settled many estates; among them that of Ira Mason and Reuben H. Wheeler, of Berlin; and is well-known for his judgment and integrity. In religion he is not a sectarian, and believes that man will be in the next existence what he is best fitted for — the Infinite Judge to decide. He is a supporter of all that appears just in the churches, and a giver to all ministers whom he deems worthy.
Mr. Wight lives on the place where his father first settled in Dummer, but everything is changed. Then the only building was a log house with a few loose boards for a door, a board chimney plastered with mortar, and a stone fire-place in which "six-foot" wood was burned. In this log-cabin the family lived for years. Now we find a farm, well stocked, yielding from sixty-five to seventy tons of hay yearly, and a large, well-constructed set of farm-buildings, surrounded by extensive and valuable apple and plum orchards.
Mr. Wight is now in the advanced prime of life, in good health, beloved and respected by all for his honesty and uprightness; and, surrounded by a faithful, trusting, and loving family, his last years are very promising of quiet, rest and enjoyment. He can have the satisfaction of knowing that he has fought the battle of life bravely and successfully, and his descendants may justly take pride in this record.
Contributed 2024 Dec 30 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Coos County, New Hampshire by Georgia D. Merrill, published in 1888, pages 854-866.
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