Coos County
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NORTHUMBERLAND is, in England, land north of the Humber. "The Humber was a Cimbric river; and Northumberland was called of old, North Cumriland, where the Cymri were driven from the plains before they settled in Wales."
The township was first granted, October 20, 1761, by the name of Stonington, to John Hogg and others. Settlements were made in June, 1767, by Thomas Burnside, with his wife and three children, and Daniel Spaulding, with his wife and son Edward. It was regranted January 25, 1771, by its present name, and incorporated by the legislature November 16, 1779, with full town privileges.
The land on the Connecticut in this town was originally covered with a growth of butternut wood. The soil is free from stone and gravel, and is easily cultivated. A large portion of the upland is good for pasturing and tillage. There are several good farms, producing excellent corn, oats and barley. The Connecticut river washes the western border, and it is watered by the Upper Ammonoosuc river, which passes through the town in a southwesterly direction. Near the center of the town is an abrupt and rugged elevation called Cape Horn, of an altitude of nearly 1,000 feet. The scenery around the mountain is wild and picturesque. Its north base is separated by a narrow plain from the Connecticut river, and its eastern side is washed by the Upper Ammonoosuc. The spring freshets sometimes overflow the meadows at this point, and give them the appearance of a large lake.
Northumberland is bounded on the north by Stratford, east by Stark, south by Lancaster, and west by Vermont. At Groveton village on the Grand Trunk railway there is a vein of hematic iron ore. Although agriculture is the principal employment of the people, manufacturing is an important factor in the business interests of the town. In 1872 there were, at Northumberland Falls, starch, straw-board and shoe-peg mills; at Groveton there were manufactories producing leather, clapboards, shingles, timber, etc. The population in 1775 was fifty-seven; in 1700, 117; 1800, 205; 1810, 281; 1820, 205; 1880, 1063. In 1820 the town had one church, three school-houses, one saw-mill, two grist-mills, one cloth-mill.
Charter of Northumberland: —
"Province of New Hampshire } George the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France & Ireland, King Defender of the Faith &c
"Know Ye, that we, of our Special grace certain knowledge & mere motion, for the due encouragement of Settling a new plantation within our said Province, by & with the advice of our trusty & well beloved John Wentworth, Esquire, Our Governor & Commander in Chief in & over our said Province of New-Hampshire, & of our Council of the said Province, Have upon the considerations & reservations herein-after made, given & granted, & by these presents for us, our heirs & successors, do give & grant unto our Loving Subjects, Inhabitants of our said Province of New Hampshire & our other Dominions who have petitioned us for the same setting forth their readiness to make immediate settlement; & to their heirs & assigns, forever, whose names are entered on this Grant to be divided to & amongst them into Seventy two equal shares, all that tract or parcel of Land Situate, lying, & being within, our said Province of New Hampshire called & known by the name of Stonington, being about six miles Square, & containing by admeasurement tpriviledges & appurtenances to them, the said Grantees & to their respective heirs 6c assigns, forever, by the name of Northumberland, & upon the following conditions, viz:
"First, that the Grantees, at their own cost, shall cut & clear, Bridge & make passable for carriages of all kinds, a Road of eight rods wide through the said tract hereby granted, & this to be completed within two years from the date of this Grant; in failure of which the premises & every part thereof shall be forfeited 6c revert to us, our heirs & Successors, to be by us & them reentered upon & re-granted to any of our Loving Subjects.
"Second, That the said Grantees shall settle, or cause to be settled, twelve families by the twentieth day of March, 1772, who shall be actually cultivating some of the land, & Resident thereon, & continue to make further & additional improvement cultivation & Settlement of the premises so that there shall be actual resident & settled thereon Sixty families by the first day of March 1776, on penalty of the forfeiture of any & every delinquent's share, & of such shares reverting to us, our heirs & Successors, to be by us or them entered upon & regranted to such of our subjects as shall effectually settle & cultivate the same.
"Third, That all White & other Fine Trees within the said Township fit for Masting our Royal Navy, be carefully preserved for that use, and that none be cut or felled without our Special License for so doing first had & obtained, upon the penalty of the forfeiture of the Right of such Grantee, his heirs & assigns to us, our heirs and successors, as well as being subject to the penalty of any act or acts of Parliament that now are or shall be hereafter enacted.
"Fourthly, that before any division of the Land lie made to & among the Grantees, a tract of Land, as near the center of the said Township as the Land will admit of, shall be reserved and marked out for Town Lots; one of which shall be allotted to each Grantee of the contents of one acre.
"Fifth, Yielding & paying therefor to us, our heirs & successors, on or before the first day of January 1772, the Rent of One Ear of Indian Corn only, if Lawfully demanded.
"Sixth, that every Proprietor, Settler, or Inhabitant, shall yield and pay to us, our heirs & successors, yearly, & every year forever, from & after the expiration of one year from the first day of January (which will be in the year of our Lord, 1774), One Shilling Proclamation Money, for every one hundred acres he so owns, settles, or possesses, & so in proportion for a greater or less tract of the said Land, which money shall be paid by the respective persons aforesaid, their heirs & assigns, in our Council Chamber in Portsmouth, or to such Officers as shall be appointed to receive the same, & these to be in Lieu of all other Rents & Services whatsoever. In testimony whereof, we have caused the Seal of our Said Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness our aforesaid Governor & Commander in Chief, the 25th day of January, in the Eleventh year of our Reign, A. D. 1771.
"By his Excellency's Command with advice of Council.} Theodore Atkinson, Secretary.
"Names of Grantees. — David Warner, Esqr., John Penhallow, James Burnside, Thomas Burnside, Samuel Burnside, Daniel Spaulding, Wm. Moulton, Benj. Sawyer, Edward Ayres, George Gains, Daniel Fowle, Joseph Peverly, John Noble, Jacob Treadwell, Joseph Shillabear, John Shillabear, jr., Mark Seavy, Nehemiah Wheeler, Daniel Lunt, Jacob Tilton, Jon'a Shillabear, Nath Treadwell, Ammi R. Cutter, Daniel R. Rodgers, Tho. Martin, Leverett Hubbard, Sam'l Lean, Will Stanwood, Isaac Williams, Will'm Brewster, Peter Porter, Mark Rogers, Daniel Brewster, Capt. John Parker, Daniel Davis, John Redin, Will'm Simpson, Richard Miles, Jacob Sheaffe, Jun., Nathaniel Stanly Parker, Clement March, of Portsmouth, Math'w Treadwell, Jr., Moses Bartlett, Eben'r Noise, Sam'l White, Peter Morse, Benj. Currier, Will'm Marshall, Caleb Marshall, Edmond Morse, Jeremiah Eames, Benj'n Kimball, John Cannadey, Reuben Harriman, Caleb Johnson, John Webster, Esqr, Joseph Webster, Enoch Moulton, Joseph Moulton, Jr.. of Newburyport, Mass., Caleb Tappen, Edmund Moulton, Joseph Moulton, Jr., of Newburyport, Jesse Johnson, James Jewet, James Pease, James Flanders, Phineas Sargant, Jon'n Dustan, James Paul. 69 Rights above.
"One Right for the benefit of a School in said Town.
"One Right for incorporated Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign Parts.
"One Right for the first Settled Minister in said town."Province of New Hampshire, March 4th 1771
"Recorded in the Book of Charters, Lib. 4, Fol. 555657.
"Theodore Atkinson, Secretary.
"J. Wentworth, [P. S.]"
Difficulty with Woodbury. — Woodbury was chartered June 26, 1762, and Stonington, now Northumberland, was chartered March 4, 1771, and by the change of boundaries (see Lancaster) covered some of the land granted to Woodbury. At a meeting of the proprietors of Northumberland holden at Jacob Tilton's inn, in Portsmouth, N. H., the following votes were passed: —
"That Messrs. Jacob Treadwell, William Moulton, William Marshall & Joseph Peverly be a committee to enquire of Woodbury Proprietors, or any other persons, their design in attempting a Settlement in the township of Northumberland, & to warn them in due course of Law to depart.
"That Daniel Rogers, Esqr, & Mr. A. R. Cutter be a committee to get extracts of the Stonington & Woodbury Charters with their several extensions, & to advise with some Learned Gentleman in the Law how to conduct respecting any trespasses, or what steps should be taken properly to warn them off."
A trespass suit was commenced against the proprietors of Woodbury, but while this was pending, on the 5th day of May, 1773, at a proprietors' meeting holden at Jacob Tilton's, in Portsmouth, N. H., it was "Voted, that Messrs. John Penhallow, A. R. Cutter, Thomas Martin, Jacob Treadwell, and John Herd, or the major part of them, be a committee to settle all disputes now pending between the Proprietors of Woodbury, and the Proprietors of Northumberland, also with full power to refer the same to any person or persons in order to a final adjustment of the same." The aforesaid committee, with Agur Tomlinson, John Wendell, and Joseph Holbrook, committee of Woodbury, agreed to withdraw their actions from the courts of law, and submit all disputes to the sole judgment and determination of John Wentworth, Esq., Governor. This submission was signed by both committees on the 13th day of May, 1773, and on the 15th day of May, 1773, Gov. John Wentworth made his decision. [See Stratford.]
First Settlers. — The sun was shining brightly, one lovely June afternoon in 1767, on the rippling waters of the Connecticut and the emerald foliage of the tangled forests and luxuriant bits of meadow of what is now Northumberland, then Stonington. A strange sight met the eyes of the feathered warblers and scared away the prowling beasts of prey. Two stalwart men, clad in buckskin, with rifles in hand, were penetrating the wilderness to create a home for themselves and families, who accompanied them. They came here to stay, and that night Thomas Burnside and Daniel Spaulding made and occupied — the first permanent settlers — a rude camp which their axes hastily cut, and they as hastily constructed. Passing up the Connecticut until they reached the great bow below the "Falls," they there made their "pitches" and settled.
Thomas Burnside, an original grantee, "pitched on the bank of the Connecticut, on the farm now owned by W. W. Hendrick. The stones he brought from the higher ground for a fireplace in his rude cabin now mark the site of its location. This spot was so low that the first freshet covered the floor of the cabin, and tradition says that, as becomes a thrifty "Yankee," he "swapped" his "improvements" for an overcoat and a barrel of New England rum, and, moving up the river, pitched on lot 35 and made his home there during his life of many years. (This lot constituted part of the farm lately owned by Charles H. Rich.) His pitch was confirmed to him, March 5, 1771, at the first proprietors' meeting, held at Portsmouth; and, at the same meeting, he was exempted from paying his proportion of the tax of £90 assessed upon the "propriety" for the purpose of paying for a new charter and making a re-survey of the out-lines of the town. Mr. Burnside came from Londonderry. His wife, Susan, was a daughter of Rev. James McGregor, the celebrated spiritual leader of the Londonderry colony. They had a number of children. "His oldest son, James, settled on the farm next south of Spaulding's, where he passed his life. Two other sons were educated, one, Samuel, became a lawyer in Worchester, Mass.; Alexander, after studying medicine, settled in Toronto, Canada, where he died, unmarried, leaving a large fortune to the Church of England; a daughter married Chauncey Curtis, a member of Gen. Washington's body-guard." Mr. Burnside was no ordinary character, coming of the strong Scotch-Irish stock, he showed their characteristics plainly. He was one of Rogers's famous "Rangers" in the French and Indian war, and was highly esteemed and trusted by his commander. He had little fear in his composition, and little veneration or resmeself living in the town, and he is no more fit for a justice of the peace than a chestnut burr is for an eye-stone" "Then I think I shall have to appoint you," laughingly said the governor, and drew up a commission for him. "Esquire" Burnside was duly qualified; and, putting the commission in his pocket, he said, "Governor, when I get home to me folks, what shall I tell 'em that the governor gave me that was good to drink?" "Some brandy," answered the governer, bringing a decanter from a sideboard. 'Squire Burnside drank his health, and returned in official dignity to his home.
The descendants of Mr. Burnside possessed the stern, unflinching natures of their forefathers, and several were noted for their acquisition of wealth.
Daniel Spaukling, a descendant of
Edward Spaulding, an early settler of Chelmsford, Mass., came from
Londonderry to Northumberland. He, like Burnside, was one of the
grantees of the town. He settled on lot 66, and his "pitch" was
confirmed at the same proprietors' meeting, and his taxes exempted.
(This farm is now owned by J. A. Smith.) His log house was built on the
first ridge back from the river, and the site is now shown by the cellar
and stone chimney. He was a bold and resolute man, and his wife, Phebe,
was even more energetic and fearless. Tradition has handed down
differing versions of her almost solitary journey from her down-country
home through a trackless wilderness, guided by "blazed" trees, bearing
her baby, Edward, in her arms along the perilous way. This she
accomplished, while brave men would have shrunk from the fearful task.
But she came of brave ancestry, and carried the blood of the celebrated
Hannah Dustan in her veins. Northumberland lay on the war trail of the
Indians, and frequently demonstrations o
Captain Jeremiah Eames was
one of the early settlers and an original grantee. He was of an
impetuous mold, and a prompt and decided actor in all important matters.
He "pitched" upon lot 53, which was confirmed to him at the first
proprietors' meeting. He held numerous offices of civil and military
trust, and the town meetings were often held at his house. Jeremiah
Eames, Jr., was a surveyor, and was employed to survey and make plans of
several towns to be recorded in the office of the secretary of state.
The homestead was transmitted to another son, Seth Eames, Esq., who held
important offices — selectman, treasurer, and clerk; — the town
clerkship he held for thirty years. His son, John Eames, now owns and
lives in the home of his ancestors. He has enjoyed largely the
confidence of his townsmen as selectmen, and in other offices. His
family is the only one in this town living upon the same homestead from
the first settlement until the present time. The following anecdote is
related of Thomas Eames: On one of Col. Carrigain's explorations and
surveys he was belated, and night overtook him in the woods, where he
discovered two apparently deserted tents. He took possession of one of
them. Hearing voices not long after in the other, he listened and found
the sounds proceeded from two persons, evidently a white man and an
Indian, arguing very warmly the question as to the superiority of the
Indians or the whites in the matter of hunting, fishing, and trapping.
The Indian adduced, in support of his position, many admitted instances
of adroitness and skill. The white man in his argument referred mainly
to one individual, — the well-known Thomas Eames, of Northumberland. He
thought this would be a poser for the Indian. It was, so far as any
argument was concerned; but he at once got over his difficulty by the
prompt reply: "Tom Eame! Tom Eame! why he Indian, and more too."
The original grantees or proprietors nearly all lived in Portsmouth, where their "propriety meetings" were held. But few of them ever made any improvement or settled upon their lands. The long distance (nearly 200 miles), over bad roads, in a wilderness beset with savage Indians, without mills to grind their grain, or anything to shelter them and their families from the storms and the winter's cold, save the logs and bark of the trees of the forest, deterred them from the undertaking. It is not surprising that so few of the original owners came here to settle, but a wonder that any should have courage to brave and bear the sufferings of the new settlement.
At the first proprietors' meeting in Portsmouth, March 5, 1771, Jonathan Dustan engaged to build a saw and grist-mill. Before the mills were completed they were burned, and, at the proprietors' meeting, December 4, 1771, they voted to pay him £41-5 shillings Lawful Money," for his mill (as per agreement), and confirm to him lots 60 and 61 in consideration of his loss by fire.
The "first Division" of seventy-five acre lots lies upon the Connecticut river, and was surveyed by Edmond Morse, who was one of the original grantees and pitched upon lot 16. He returned a plan of the survey to the proprietors at their meeting at Portsmouth, December 4, 1771 — " fifty-eight lots, No. 16 to No. 73, inclusive." At one meeting of the proprietors it was voted "to give fifty acres of land and twenty dollars as an encouragement to a good blacksmith to settle in town," and John Herd, Ammi R. Cutter and Jacob Treadwell were chosen a committee to agree with the blacksmith.
First Bridges. — The first bridge across Mill brook was built in 1789, and the first bridge across the Ammonoosuc was built in 1790 and 1791, at a cost of £130 "lawful money." Jeremiah Eames and Joseph Peverly, Esquires, and Mr. Thomas Peverly were chosen a committee to build the bridges.
Two five hundred acre lots were surveyed by Edwards Bucknam, Esq., and returned at the proprietors' meeting held at Portsmouth July 29, 1783. They were called "John Herd's Location." A plan of the second and third division of lots, surveyed by Jeremiah Eames, Jr., was returned and accepted at a proprietors' meeting, held in Portsmouth, March 7, 1793.
The English currency — pounds, shillings, pence and farthings — was used till 1799.
"In 1783, the number of
Male Poles from twenty one years of Age & upwards, in the Town of
Northumberland, paying A Pole Tax, sd number being Seventeen, as sworn
to by Jo's Peverly and Jer'h Eames } Select Men."
The last meeting of
the proprietors was held at the house of Joseph Peverly, Esq., in
Northumberland, October 10, 1810, when the following vote was passed: —
"To sett off & assign to the Original Right or Share of the Society
for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign Parts the following parcels
of Land, now lying in common & undivided, in full of the Right or Share
of said Society in the Propriety; viz. 100 acre lot 28, lying upon
Jonathan Pond Brook, so called, being the sixth lot South from Stratford
line in the Third Range. Also 100 acre lot 108, in the fourth Range.
Also a piece of land on Percy line, commencing at the north east corner
of lot 126, Thence on the line of said lot & lot 125 to the north west
corner of the same, Thence on the line of lot 119 & 118 to the north
east corner of lot 118, Thence by the line of lot 117 & extending to
Percy line & to the first mentioned corner."
Papers of Early Date Bearing upon Improvements, etc. — We extract from "Hammond's Town Papers" the following documents, which tell in the quaint language of the early inhabitants themselves, some of the difficulties with which they had to contend.
Petition of Inhabitants relative to a Road from Conway: addressed to the General Court 1780. —
"Humbly Sheweth — that whereas their is a Road cut and Partly Cleared and Bridged Leading from uper Coos to Conway So to Wolfborough and Portsmouth which is through Considerable unapropriated Lands unlikely Soon to be Seteled at or near the white hills where if Some Expence was Properly Laid out would Shorten the travel from Connecticut River to the Seaports and Prevent the People at uper Coos being under Necessety of taking the tedious Rout of Lower Coos of at Least forty or fifty miles farther And wheras it is now a time of war and the People at uper Coos being the frontier of this State or the Continaut in this Northern Quarter Exposed to alarms and attacks by the Enemy from Canada and having no Resorce for help or way of Retreat but by the way of Lower Coos, (which think themselves Equaly Exposed) wherefore your Petitioners beg the Interposition of the Hon'bl Court that they would order the above Said Roadway imeadiatly be made Passable with horses or Carriages through Said unapropriated Lands at the Cost of the State and through the apropriated Lands at the Cost of owner that So Releif may soner be had from the Interior to the Exterior Part of the State which will be of great importance to your Petitioners and of advantage to this State and the Publick in general and Your Petitioners as in Duty hound will Ever Pray
"Northumberland May 25th 1780
"Thomas Burnside, Nathan Barlow, John Sawyer, John Holbrook, Archippus Bloggatt, Dill Sawyer, John Gamsby, Joseph Barlow, George Wheeler, James Blake, James Brown, Sam'l Nash, Joshua Lamkin, Benj'a Byron, David Hopkinson, James Curtiss, Ward Bailey, David Page, David Larned, Abner Osgood, Moses Page, Elijah Blogget, Benj'a Sawyer, Jonas Wilder, Luther Richardson, Tim'o Nash."
Report of Committee relative to building a Road. —
"State of New Hamp's In the House of Representatives June 14th 1780.
"The Committee on the Petition from Northumberland Reported their Opinion that they Recommend the passing an Act appointing & authorizing some person or persons to sell at public Vendue One Thousand Acres of the Confiscated Land of William Stark adjoining to Conway & lay out the money arising by said Sale in making a good & passable Road through the Unappropriated Lands Mentioned by the Petitioners & make Return of such doing to the General Court as soon as may be which is Submitted in behalf & of the Committee, by E. Thompson, — Which Report being Read & Considered, Voted that it be Received and Accepted —
"John Langdon, Speaker
"Sent up for Concurrence
"In Council June 15th 1780, read & concurred
"E. Thompson Secy."
Petition of Enoch Bartlett. —
"To the Hon'ble the Council and Representatives of the State of New Hampshire, in General Court Assembled.
"The Petition Memorial and Address of Enoch Bartlett of Haverhill Humbly Shews. —
"That your petitioner has lately Suffered Much injury by a Banditti who in Contempt of all laws did at Northumberland in the County of Grafton in Said State in September last without Any color or right Commit a most horrid revenge, by entering upon his Your petitioners GRIST MILL And SAW MILL, in said Northumberland (lately erected or repaired at a great expence) And cut and destroyed the Wheels Shafts &C. And took Away all the Iron Works of said Mills, Mill Stones and other Gear and a Quantity of Boards and Carried them a Cross Connecticut River into the State Called Vermont And improved them for other Mills — And have Since when demanded refused pay for the Damage done And further Says that he cannot Suppose that his affairs (tho not the most trivial) will alone put you Upon Action on the affair; But that a due consideration of the many Instances of Fraud, Injustice and oppression that prevails in that County Since the laws were suppressed — will influence You to make the Necessary Provisions Pray'd for And he As in duty Shall ever pray.
"Enoch Bartlet.
"June 22, 1780."
Petition for a Ferry. —
"To the Honourble the Seneate & House of Representatives humbly Sheweth.
"That ever since the first Setelment of this Town and Others adjacent in Upper Coos the Inhabitants and Travelers have been Great Sufferers for want of a boat, Suitable to Carry People horses and Teams over Connecticute River and a branch thereof Called amminoosuck River which Runs in to Connecticute River in Northumberland and whereas Thomas Burnside Esq'r hath Proposed building a Suitable boat or boats if he Might have a Charter of a ferry in Such manner that the ferry to Cross Connecticut River might take in Amminnu-Suck which your Petitioners Supose might be without Inconveniance with the Same boat Therefore Pray the Sole Priveledge of Keeping a boat or boats in Northumberland for the above Purposes may be Granted to the sd Burnside he being Subject to Such Regulations and Restrictions as your Hon'rs in your wisdom Shall See meet and your Petetioners will ever Pray
"Northumberland May 14th 1785
"Thomas Peverly, Archippas Blogget, Hith Balden
"Thomas Peverly jr, Josiah Blogget, Barnard Cole
"Jer'h Eames, James Brown, James Blake
"Daniel Spaldin, Newcomb Blogget, Joshua Lamkin
"David Learned, John Holbrook, Oliver Lambln
"James Learned, James Curtiss, Thomas Lamkin "Abel Learned, William Curtiss, James Burnside
"Elijah Blogget, Stephen Curtiss, Phinehas Hodgdon
"James Luther, John Smith, Nathan Caswell "
The privilege of keeping a ferry was granted to Thomas Burnside in 1786.
Petition of the Selectmen of Northumberland and Guildhall, Vt., for Authority to raise Money by Lottery: addressed to the Senate and House of Representatives. —
"Humbly Sheweth —
"That Whereas Connecticut River Divides the Towns of Northumberland and Guildhall and there being a very convenient advantageous place for the purpose of erecting a Bridge over what is called the little Falls on said River which would be very advantagious to the Public in general as well as to the Inhabitance of sd Towns as that is near the Centre of the Inhabitance of the Upper Coos — We therefore for our Selves and in behalf of All who are travilers in and thro' this Country Humbly Beseech your Honours to grant us Liberty to raise by Lottery the Sum of One thousand Dollars which we conceive to be sufficient together with what Subscriptions we can procure to erect a good and perminent Bridge over sd Place and we your petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray —
"Dated at Northumberland this 25th Day of May 1791
"Benoni Cutter, Eben W. Judd, Joseph Peverly, Antipas Marshal } Select Men"
Petition for a new County, 1791. —
"To the Honourable the General Court of the State of New Hampshire
"The Potision of the Inhabitants of Northumberland In the County of Grafton —
"Humbly Sheweth —
"That your Potisioners live at The distance of neer Sixty miles from the neerest Shier Town In this County —
"That a very considerable part of the Inhabitants of this part of the County live above us and are under Similar disadvantages with us —
"That the Road to Haverhill our neerest Shier Town Are Exceedingly bad and at Some Seasons of the year Unpassable —
"Therefore we your Potisioners pray that we may Be Seperated from the Said County of Grafton And be made A new County by a Line drawn from Connecticut River between the Towns of Concord Alias Gunthwait and Littleton and on Eastward Taking in the Towns of Conway Eaton & — C— to the Provinc line So Call'd — And we as in duty bound Shall ever Pray.
"Northumberland Nov'r 22nd — 1791
"Abel Bennet, Antipas Marshal, Anthony Clifford
"Caleb Marshall, Abner Barlow, Thomas Peverly
"Abel Bennet Jr, Jacob Shuff, Thomas Peverly
"Isaac Meriam, Daniel Rowell
"Eliphalet Day, Thomas Burnside
Petition for Authority to assess a Tax to build a Bridge: addressed to the Senate and House of Representatives, 1799. —
"Humbly sheweth,
"That the Bridge over Amonnoosock river was destroyed by an extraordinary Freshet in June last, — which Bridge being on the main road from Haverhill to the upper settlements on Connecticut river makes it highly necessary as well for the public, as for the individual use of the inhabitants that another should be built. —
"That the Inhabitants being few in number, and having numerous other expensive bridges to maintain, besides being at present involved in other public expences by lately erecting a meeting house in said town, find themselves unable to rebuild said bridge without some assistance.
"Your Petitioners therefore pray that a Tax of Four Cents pr Acre on all the lands in said Northumberland public rights excepted may be granted, for the purpose of rebuilding said Bridge, and that the overplus if any there should be, may be laid out on the public roads in Northumberland, in such manner and under such restrictions as in your wisdom you shall see fit. — And your Petitioners shall ever pray. —
"Northumberland 7th November 1799
"Caleb Marshall, James Burnside, Antipas Marshal, "Abel Bennet, Jonathan Crawford, Joseph Daniels, Daniel Spaulding Jur, Wm Bothwell, Eliphalet Day, Zadock Samson, John Moore, Thomas Bickford, Joseph Peverly, Hez'h Smith, Benj'a Marshall, Jer'h Eames, David Burnside, Joel Owen, Thomas Peverly, Isaac Meriam, Daniel Spaulding, James Lewis"
This petition was granted by an act approved December 27, 1799, and Jeremiah Eames, Joseph Peverly and John Moore made a committee to assess the tax.
The town of Northumberland was incorporated in November, 1779. The act of incorporation was signed by John Langdon, speaker of the House of Representatives, and M. Weare, president of the Council.
Joseph Peverly, Esq., was authorized to call the first meeting of the inhabitants of said town to choose all necessary and customary town officers, and he was required "to give fourteen days notice and call the meeting on the second Tuesday of March, and said annual meeting shall be on the second Tuesday of March forever."
Civil List and Acts of Freeholders at Town Meetings. — 1780. The annual town meeting was held at the dwelling house of Capt. Jeremiah Eames. Capt. Jeremiah Eames, Joseph Peverly and Thomas Burnside were chosen selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk.
1781. Chose Thomas Burnside, Jeremiah Eames and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted to raise five pounds lawful money to be laid out in preaching.
1782. Jeremiah Eames, Capt. Marshall and Joseph Peverly, selectmen; Jeremiah Eames, town clerk. Raised five pounds lawful money for preaching.
1783. Chose Jeremiah Eames, Thomas Burnside and Joseph
Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted, Thomas Burnside's
log barn to be a pound. Voted, Jeremiah Eames, Thomas Burnside and
Joseph Peverly be a committee to make a good cart road through the town.
1784 Chose James Blake, Daniel Spaulding and Jeremiah Eames
selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted to raise four pounds for
preaching.
1785. Chose Joseph Peverly, Thomas Burnside and Jeremiah Eames selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk.
1786. Chose Jeremiah Eames, Thomas Burnside and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk.
1787. Chose Joseph Peverly, Thomas Burnside and Jeremiah Eames selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk.
1788. Chose Thomas Burnside, Jeremiah Eames and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted to raise seven pounds and four shillings, to be paid in wheat at cash price, to hire preaching for the ensuing year.
1789. Chose Jeremiah Eames, Thomas Burnside and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk.
1790. Chose Joseph Peverly, Jeremiah Eames and Thomas Burnside selectmen; Joseph Peverly' town clerk. Voted to raise twenty-four bushels of wheat for preaching.
1791. Chose William Cargill, Antipas Marshall and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted to raise thirty bushels of wheat to be laid out in preaching the ensuing year.
1792. Chose Jeremiah Eames, Nath'l Herrick and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted to raise forty bushels of wheat to hire preaching, and Jeremiah Eames, Thomas Peverly and Antipas Marshall be a committee to lay out the wheat.
1793. Chose Jeremah Eames, Thomas Peverly, Jr., and Nath'l Herrick selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted to raise nine pounds for preaching. Voted to release Caleb Marshall and Eliphalet Day from paying any part of the nine pounds.
1794 Chose Jeremiah Eames, Thomas Peverly, Jr., and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted twelve pounds for preaching; 17 votes were cast for governor.
1795. Chose Joseph Peverly, William Cargill and Thomas Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted to raise eighteen pounds for preaching.
1796. Chose Thomas Eames, John Moore and Zadock Samson selectmen; Joseph Peverly, treasurer (The duties of town treasurer till this date had been performed by the selectmen.) Chose Joseph Peverly town clerk; 16 votes were cast for state officers. The committee to measure the road through the town, Jeremiah Eames, Antipas Marshall and Joseph Peverly. report the road to be nine miles and seventy rods. Voted to build a meeting-house, 48 feet in length by 36 feet in breadth.
1797. Chose Rev. Selden Church, Jeremiah Eames, Esq., and Antipas Marshall selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted, that the committee, Joseph Peverly, Jeremiah Eames and Antipas Marshall, proceed to build the meeting-house; 15 votes were cast for governor.
1798. Chose Joseph Peverly, Jeremiah Eames and Hezekiah Smith, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; 23 votes were cast for governor.
1799. Chose Hezekiah Smith, Jeremiah Eames and Joseph Peverly, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; 12 votes were east for governor.
1800. Chose Jeremiah Eames, Joseph Peverly and Hezekiah Smith, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; Jeremiah Eames, representative to the General Court; 14 votes were cast for governor.
1801. Chose Joseph Peverly, Jeremiah Eames and Hezekiah Smith, selectmen; Hezekiah Smith, town clerk. Voted to raise thirty dollars to procure preaching; 14 votes were cast for governor.
1802. Chose John Moore, Hezekiah Smith and Antipas Marshall, selectmen; Hezekiah Smith, town clerk; 15 votes were cast for John Langdon for governor and 8 votes for John Taylor Gilman.
1803. Chose Antipas Marshall, Joseph Peverly and Hezekiah Smith, selectmen; James Lucas, town treasurer; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; 15 votes were cast for governor. Nathan Barlow was chosen representative.
1804. Chose John M. Tillotson, James Lucas and James Burnside, selectmen; Jeremiah Eames, town treasurer; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; 24 votes were cast for governor; voted to raise $60 for preaching.
1805 Chose John M. Tillotson, James Lucas and James Burnside, selectmen; Jeremiah Eames, town treasurer; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; 20 votes were cast for governor.
1806. Chose James Lucas, Jeremiah Eames and Thomas Peverly, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; Jeremiah Eames, town treasurer; 20 votes were cast for governor. Voted to raise $52 for preaching. Chose Ebenezer Clark to represent Northumberland, Stratford and Piercy in the legislature.
1807. Chose Jonathan Crawford, Jeremiah Eames and Francis Wilson, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; 21 votes were cast for governor.
1808. Chose James Burnside,
James Lucas and John M. Tillotson, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town
treasurer; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; 24 votes were cast for governor.
1809. Chose William Heath, John M. Tillotson and Joshua Marshall,
selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; Jeremiah Eames, town treasurer;
33 votes were cast for governor. Chose John M. Tillotson to represent
Northumberland, Stratford and Piercy in the legislature.
1810. Chose Thomas Peverly, William Heath and James Lucas, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; Jeremiah Eames, town treasurer; 29 votes were cast for governor.
1811. Chose William Heath, Thomas Peverly and Joshua Marshall, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; Joseph Peverly, town treasurer; 25 votes were cast for governor.
1812. Chose Thomas Peverly, William Heath and James Lucas, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; Joseph Peverly town treasurer; 26 votes were cast for governor. Chose Joshua Marshall representative for the towns of Northumberland, Stratford and Piercy.
1813. Chose Benjamin Peverly, William Heath and James Lucas, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; 27 votes were cast for governor.
1514. Chose Thomas Peverly, Seth Eames and James Lucas, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; Joseph Peverly, town treasurer; 43 votes were cast for governor.
1815 Chose Benjamin Peverly, Seth Eames and James Lucas, selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk; Joseph Peverly, town treasurer; 40 votes were cast for governor. Chose James Lucas representative for the classed towns.
1816. Chose John M. Tillotson, Seth Eames and Antipas Marshall, selectmen; Joseph Peverly. town clerk; Joseph Peverly, town treasurer; 42 votes were cast for governor.
1817. Chose John M. Tillotson, Charles Church and Timothy Lucas, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer; 40 votes were cast for governor. Voted $30 for preaching.
1818. Chose Stephen Wilson, Thomas Eames and Timothy Lucas, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, Town treasurer.
1819. Chose Benjamin Peverly, Caleb Marshall and Timothy Lucas, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seih Eames, town treasurer.
1820. Chose Stephen Wilson, Seth Eames and Antipas Marshall, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer.
1821. Chose Thomas Peverly, Leonard Johnson and John Lucas, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk. Seth Eames, town treasurer. Chose Joshua Marshall representative.
1822. Chose Benjamin Peverly, Silas Marshall and John Lucas, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer; 54 votes were cast for governor.
1823. Chose Benjamin Peverly, Silas Marshall and John Lucas, selectmen; Seth Eames, clerk; Joseph Peverly, Jr., town treasurer; 45 votes were cast for governor.
1824. Chose Benjamin Peverly, Silas Marshall and John Lucas, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Joseph Peverly, Jr., town treasurer; 47 votes were cast for governor; chose Joshua Marshall, representative.
1825. Chose William
Brooks, Caleb Marshall and John Lucas, selectmen; Seth Eames, town
clerk; William Brooks, town treasurer; 42 votes were cast for governor.
1826. Chose Seth Eames, Thomas L. Tillotson and Lovel Spaulding,
selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Silas Marshall, town treasurer; 47
votes were cast for governor.
1827. Chose William Sampson, Silas Marshall and John Lucas, selectman; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer; 47 votes were cast for governor; Thomas Peverly, Jr., representative.
1828. Chose Thomas Peverly, Jr., Seth Eames and James Lucas, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer; 61 votes were cast for governor; chose Thomas Peverly representative, classed towns Northumberland, Stratford, Piercy and Milan.
1829 Chose Stephen Ames, Seth Eames and Timothy L. Marshall, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer; 55 votes were cast for governor.
1830. Chose William Brooks, Seth Eames and Timothy L. Marshall, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer; 61 votes were cast for governor. Chose Joshua Marshall representative, classed towns Northumberland and Stratford.
1831. Chose William Sampson, Silas Marshall and Timothy L. Marshall, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer; 67 votes were cast for governor.
1832. Chose Stephen Ames, Silas Marshall and Leonard Johnson, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer; 63 votes were cast for governor. Chose Nathan Baldwin, representative.
1833. Chose Seth Eames, Silas Marshall and Leonard
Johnson, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer.
1834. Chose Charles Bellows, Seth Eames and Timothy Lucas,
selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer. Chose
Timothy L. Marshall, representative, Northumberland and Stratford
classed together; Northumberland has 80 names on the check list, and
Stratford 86.
1835. Chose Charles Bellows, Seth Eames and Timothy L.
Marshall, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer.
1836. Chose Seth Eames, Hiram Lucas and Daniel Wormwood, selectmen;
Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer. Chose Samuel F.
Brown, representative.
1837. Chose Seth Eames, Hiram Lucas and Joel C. Howe, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; treasurer no choice.
1838. Chose Roswell M. Richardson, Joel W. Forbes and Timothy L. Marshall, selectmen; Charles Bellows, town clerk; John Dean, town treasurer. Chose Hiram Lucas representative.
1839. Chose Roswell M. Richardson, Joel W. Forbes and Timothy L. Marshall, selectmen; Charles Bellows, town clerk; Roswell M. Richardson, town treasurer.
1840. Chose Roswell M. Richardson, Seth Eames and Nahum D. Day, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Roswell M. Richardson, town treasurer. Chose Abijah S. French, representative.
1841. Chose Nahum D. Day, Joel C. Howe and John Dean, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer.
1842. Chose Seth Eames, Joel C. Howe and Timothy L. Marshall, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk: Seth Eames, town treasurer. Chose Nahum D. Day, representative.
1843. Chose Seth Eames, Henry Hall and Dexter Lucy, selectmen, Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer.
1844. Chose James B. Brown, Joel W. Forbes and John W. Bennett, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer. Chose David Ross representative.
1845. Chose James B. Brown, Seth Eames and John W. Bennett, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer.
1846. Chose H. N Schoff, Hiram Lucas and James W. Abbott, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames, town treasurer; James B. Brown, representative.
1847. Chose Hiram Lucas, James W. Abbott and Seth Eames, selectmen; Seth Eames town clerk; Seth Eames, treasurer.
1848. Chose James B. Brown, Timothy L.
Marshall and John Eames, selectmen; Seth Eames, town clerk; Seth Eames,
treasurer; Russel Gamsby representative Northumberland and Stratford.
1849. Chose Hiram Lucas, Horatio N. Schoff and Daniel Rich,
selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Seth Eames, treasurer.
1850 Chose Horatio N. Schoff, Joel W. Forbes and James B. Brown, selectmen. James B. Brown, town clerk; Horatio N. Schoff, treasurer; James B. Brown, representative.
1851. Chose Horatio N. Schoff, Joel W. Forbes and William H. Poole, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Horatio N. Schoff, treasurer.
1852. Chose William Mclntire, John Eames and Edward F. Bucknam, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk: Horatio N. Schoff, treasurer; Roberson S. Marshall, representative.
1853. Chose Horatio N. Schoff, Joel W. Forbes and William H. Poole, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Horatio N. Schoff, treasurer.
1854. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, William Mclntire and William H. Poole, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Horatio N. Schoff, treasurer.
1855. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, George W. McKellips and Asa Hatch, selectmen; William K. Richey, town clerk; Horatio N. Schoff, treasurer. May 12th, 1855, William K. Rickey removed from town and Edward F. Bucknam was appointed town clerk.
1856. Chose Joel W. Forbes, George W. McKellips and Asa Hatch, selectmen: John Wilson, town clerk; Leonard Johnson, treasurer.
1857. Chose James B. Brown, Horace H. Richey and William Mclntire, selectmen; John Wilson, town clerk; John Wilson, treasurer.
1858. Chose Joel W. Forbes, Noah B. Hatch and Josiah Morse, selectmen; John Wilson, town clerk; Leonard Johnson, treasurer; John Wilson, representative.
1859. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, James W. Abbott and Horace H. Richey, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Leonard Johnson, treasurer; James H. Curtis, representative.
1860. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, Stephen McKellips and Patrick Connary, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Edward F. Bucknam, treasurer; James H. Curtis, representative.
1861. Chose John Wilson, Stephen McKellips and Patrick Connary, selectmen: James B. Brown, town clerk; George B. Cummings, treasurer; James W. Abbott, representative.
1862. Chose James H. Curtis, John M. Cummings and Patrick Connary, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; James W. Abbott, representative.
1863. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, Portus H. Smith and Edward Fox, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Edward F. Bucknam, treasurer; William Mclntire, representative.
1864. Chose Hiram Lucas, James W. Abbott and Samuel Moore, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; William Mclntire, representative.
1865. Chose James H. Curtis, Joel W. Forbes and James B. Brown, selectmen; James B. Brown, town clerk; Edward F. Bucknam, treasurer; James B. Spaulding, representative.
1866. Chose James H. Curtis, Horace H. Richey and Robert Jaques, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James B. Brown, representative.
1867. Chose James H Curtis, William Mclntire and Robert Jaques, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; James B. Brown, representative.
1868. Chose James H. Curtis, William Mclntire and Horace H. Richey, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; Wayne Cobleigh, representative.
1869. Chose James W. Abbott, Robert Jaques and Horace H. Richey. selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; Wayne Cobleigh, representative.
1870. Chose James H. Curtis, Abel D. Benjamin and Patrick Connary, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; Louis H. Massure, representative.
1871. Chose James H. Curtis, Abel D. Benjamin and Robert Jaques, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; William H. Merriam, representative
1872. Chose Franklin E. Wood, Winfield S. Robinson and Josiah Shattuck, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; William H. Merriam, representative.
1873. Chose James H. Curtis, Patrick Connary and Abel D. Benjamin, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James II. Curtis, treasurer; Robert Jaques, representative.
1874. Chose James B. Brown, John H. Sargeant and Horace H. Richey, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; George W. McKellips, representative.
1875. Chose James B. Brown, Charles Cobleigh and Patrick Connary, selectmen; Charles Cobleigh, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; Roswell C. Chessman, representative.
1876. Chose James B. Brown, John Eames and Michael Moffett, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; Robert Jaques, representative.
1877. Chose James B. Spaulding, Frank E. Wood and John Eames, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; George Hinman, representative.
1878. Chose James B. Spaulding, John Eames and Franklin E. Wood, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; James H. Curtis, treasurer; George Hinman, representative.
1879. Chose Roswell C. Chessman, Franklin E Wood and Addison H. Frizzell, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; Frank G. McKellips, treasurer; Irving A. Watson, representative for two years.
1880. Chose Roswell C. Chessman, Addison H. Frizzell and Horace H. Richey, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey town clerk; Frank G. McKellips, treasurer.
1881. Chose Roswell C. Chessman, Horace H. Richey and Robert Scott, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; Frank G. McKellips, treasurer; Irving A. Watson, representative for two years.
1882. Chose James H. Curtis, Robert Scott and Simon T. Connary, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; Frank G. McKellips, treasurer.
1883. Chose Roswell C. Chessman, David S. Moore and Simon T. Connary, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; Frank G. McKellips, treasurer; Napoleon B. Perkins, representative.
1884. Chose David S. Moore, James H. Curtis and Simon T. Connary, selectmen; Henry B. Gilkey, town clerk; Frank G. McKellips, treasurer.
1885. Chose James H. Curtis, John D. Cummings and Robert Jaques, Jr., selectmen; Henry E. Bellows, town clerk; Frank G. McKellips, treasurer; Thomas Keating, representative.
1886. Chose Edward F. Bucknam, David S. Moore and Charles Forbes, selectmen; William I. Doty, town clerk; Frank G. McKellips, treasurer; William Hayes, representative.
1887. Chose James H. Curtis, John F. Larfue and Orrison L. Cole, selectmen; Henry E. Bellows, town clerk; James H. Curtis, moderator. Voted to raise $2,000 to defray town charges, debts and existing expenses. Voted to raise $300 in money for highways and bridges for the ensuing year. Voted to raise $1,200 in labor for repairing highways and bridges for the ensuing year.
Ecclesiastical. — At the meetings of the proprietors of Northumberland after the first settlement of the town, bushels of wheat and sums of money were raised by direct taxation for the ministrations of the gospel. A committee was chosen to hire a minister, and the money raised was expended for preaching, and services were held generally from two to three months in each year, and in 1799 a town meeting-house was completed. After the proprietors ceased their efforts in this direction, there was occasional preaching by transient ministers, but no church organization formed until June, 1867, when the Methodist Episcopal church was established here, and the same year the society commenced the present church edifice which was finished in 1868, at a cost of $2,700. On the 21st day of August, 1868, this house was dedicated to the service of God. Warren Applebee was the first pastor and remained until 1869. He was succeeded by D. J. Smith from 1869 to 1871; Thomas W. Tyre from 1871 to 1872; George C. Noyes from 1872 to 1874; Thomas Mason a part of 1874; C. C. Lovejoy from July, 1874, to September, 1*74; L. L. Eastman from September, 1874, to 1876; Eben C. Berry from 1876 to 1876; George H. Hardy from 1878 to 1879; Charles E. Rodgers from 1879 to 1881; James Crowley from 1881 to 1884; Leslie R. Danforth from 1884 to 1887; John C. Langford commenced his pastorate April, 1887. The church now numbers forty-six members. The value of the church property is about $3,500. The Sabbath-school connected with this church has an attendance of about sixty.
During the pastorate of George C. Noyes the camp meeting grounds of about five acres were purchased. Improvements have been made and buildings erected on them at a cost of between three and four thousand dollars. The location is pleasant, upon the bank of the Connecticut river, a little southerly of the old Fort Wentworth, with the highway and Boston, Concord & Montreal railroad upon its southeasterly border.
The Episcopal church has a mission here, monthly evening services being conducted by the rector of St. Paul's church, Lancaster, in the Methodist church.
Members of the M. E. Church, November 5, 1887. — Sada Astelle, Ada E. Brown, Chauncy L. Brown, Sarah A. Chessman, Stephen A. Cole, Emma Cole, Lester M. Cole, Hugh H. Cole, Lizzie Duran, Lucy Ellingwood, Ellen M. Frizzed, William Fisk, Jenette Fisk, Charles Forbes, Ann Forbes, Henry F. Forbes, Ada P. Forbes, Nellie M. Forbes, Helen M. Forbes, William H. Forbes, Willie W. Forbes, Ellen M. Hayes, Charles M. Hayes. Susan Henson, Moses Henson. Harriet B. Henson, Susan E. Henson, Helen M. Harris. Moses W. Jackson. Florence Jackman, Asbury F. Jackman, Manettie Jackman, Harry F. Turkman, Frank H. Jackman, Fred M. Jackman, Lizzie A. Langford, Jared D. McFavland, Chester McFarland, Lorinda McFarland, Nettie McKellips, Harriet W. McKellips, Lucy Moody, Jennie M. Montgomery, Jennie Main, John Q. Main, Sadie Miles. Etta McHary, Jennie E. Potter, Cora D. Potter, Betsey Richey, Martha Richey, Emma J. Smith, Mary Smith, Charles Smith, Joel E. Smith, Lucy A. Smith, Mamie L. Smith, Ella Smith, William II. Veasie, Lucinda M. Veasie, Lucy A. Whipple.
Officers. — Charles Forbes, Willard J. Whipple, Stephen A. Cole, F. A. Jackman, G. W. McKellips, William Veasie, F. G. Kellips, W. W. Jackman. trustees; Charles Forbes, district steward: M. W. Jackman, recording steward; Harriet McKellips, Lucy Moody, Nettie M. Hayes, stewards; M. W. Jackman, superintendent of Sabbath-school; S. A. Cole, assistant superintendent; Mary L. Smith, secretary and treasurer.
The Catholics have held mission services here for a number of years.
Ammonoosuc Lodge I. O. O. F. was organized on the 28th day of September, 1877, with these charter members: —
Irving A. Watson, Henry B. Gilkey, Fred Scott, Frank F. Richardson, James W. McKeen, Charles N. Martin, Alexander Williamson, Napoleon B. Perkins.
Members, November 5, 1887. — I. A. Watson, H. B. Gilkey, Fred Scott, N. B. Perkins, George W. McKellips, F. G. McKellips, George Hinman, D. S. Moore, William Hayes, C. N. Martin, S. W. Thompson, James McHarg, A. Wooster, W. W. Pike, Ezra Merrill, Horace Hendrick, Stephen P. Cook, Thomas G. Rowan, William Duran, George W. Montgomery, F. G. Bellows, F. F. Richardson, Albert Thompson, C. P. Stevens, John F. Thompson, Thomas Kating, George S. Blake, R. C. Chessman, Charles T. Hayes, Horace P. Moody, Samuel W. Connary, W. I. Doty, Allen H. Perkins, Joseph C. Astelle, Henry H. Hayes, John M. Astelle, Stephen A. Cole. Frank N. Piper, Alvin L. Wheeler, Edward S. Hickey, Solomon Leavitt; Joseph M. Amey, E. B. Soule, C. R. Beecher, Charles J. Salomon, I. G. Richey, B. B. Ockington, L. R. Danforth, H. B. Hinman, P. G. Abbott, S. F. Gallagher, Edward Brooks, Marcell Thirris, John Gough, Alva I. Warren, Frank Harris, Eli Fuller, Frank F. Warren, Charles H. Witham, William H. Veasie, C. C. O'Brion, Robert Scott, Charles Isrealson, O. P. Cummings, G. W. Clough, Willard D. Stinson, Lee F. Schoff, Addison S. Ellingwood, J. W. Wilson.
The lodge has purchased a pleasantly-located and desirable lot on the corner of Main and Church streets, Groveton, upon which it is intended to erect an "Odd Fellows Hall" and provide better accommodations for the increasing membership.
The Lodge of Good Templars was organized November 16, 1882, with these officers and charter members: —
Officers. — Edward F. Bucknam, W. G. T.; Julia M. Leavitt, W. V. T.; Rev. James Crowley, W. C; Frank N. Piper. W. S.; Jennie M. Norcutt, W. A. S.; Solomon Leavitt, W. F. S.; John M. Wilson, W. T; Austin Astelle, W. M.; Clara B. Dresser, W. D. M.; Edward A. Astelle, W. I. G.; Jesse Wilson, W. O. G.; Lucy Cole, W. R. H. S.; Alma McFarland, W. L. H. S.; Bell McFarland, P. W. G. T.
Charter Members. — Edward F. Bucknam, Frank N. Piper, Jennie M. Norcutt, Soloman Leavitt, John M. Wilson, James Crowley, Austin Astelle, Belle A. Piper, Edward A. Steele, Bell McFarland, James B. McFarland, Melvin J. Hayes, Frank Warren, Lucy Cole, Alma McFarland, Ella Harvey, Julia M. Leavitt, Clara B. Dresser, Ada M. Benton, Jesse Wilson, Amanda J. Frost, Mary E. Frost, Hannah O. McKeen.
Members, November, 1887. — Flora Wilkinson, Flora Soule, Archie Soule, Frank Warren. Fanny McKeen, Hannah O. McKeen, Willie McKeen, George Jones, Jack Rines, David Dorhity, Daniel Ellingwood, Cyrus Messer, Clayton Henson, William Kittle, Fred Jones, Emma Wooster, Ella Smith. Helena Scott, Charles Wilds, Randal Miller, Fred Kent, James Pike, Frank Keene, Calvin Stoddard, Thomas Gorman, Charles McKeen, John Downer, J. E. Doile, Henry Moffett, John C. Langford, John Dorhity.
Officers, November 3, 1887. — John H. Langford, C. T.; Hannah O. McKeen, V. T.; Helena Scott, Secretary; Ella Smith, Financial Secretary; Fanny McKeen, Treasurer; Solomon Leavitt, Chaplain; Willie McKeen, Marshal; Thomas Gorman, Dept. Marshal; William Kittle and David Dorhity, Sentinels and Guards.
Fort Wentworth and the Revolution. — The old fort at the mouth of the Ammonoosuc stood on the south side of the river, at its junction with the Connecticut. It has long since gone to decay. The excavation and site are still visible on the high bank near the Connecticut, on the farm of Aaron and Charles Potter. It is called the "old fort" merely; but, according to the attorney-general's report, it was erected by Capt. Robert Rogers, in 1755, and named "Fort Wentworth," in honor of the royal Governor. It was evidently used by the very early settlers as a refuge from the Indians; and the next mention we have of it after its erection, is as a place of rendezvous for Rogers's expedition after the destruction of St. Francis. During the Revolution the "old fort" was a lively place. After Col. Bedell's regiment was ordered to join the Continental army, in the winter of 1775 and 1776, several companies were kept on the western frontiers of the Upper Coos. Capt. Jeremiah Eames, to accommodate these with headquarters, built or repaired the garrison at Northumberland in the spring of 1770. It was iSergt. James Blake.
Soldiers of the War of 1812. — Our sources for accurate information in regard to these are extremely meager. The adjutant-general's report gives only the names of the men, date of enlistment, length of service, and "remarks"; without specifying towns of which they were residents or from which they enlisted. We have ascertained, however, that George W. Lucas enlisted from Northumberland February 16, 1813, for eighteen months; William Merriam enlisted February 15, 1813, ''during the war"; John Bickford enlisted February 13, 1813, for two years.
In the Mexican war we find that Michael G. Lawton enlisted April 13, 1847, as a drummer in Captain Daniel Batchelder's company
These are all of the honored sons of our old town in our earlier wars whose memories we can thus crown with laurel. Would that we were able to preserve green the memory of all.
Francis Willson was a physician of considerable note, and was of great value to the people of Northumberland and the surrounding towns. He was an early settler of Lancaster, locating upon the farm occupied by Moses Hibbard, but subsequently removed to the place now occupied by Edward Addin, in Northumberland. He was the first judge of probate for the county of Coos, was appointed in 1805 and held the office till about the time of his death, which occurred in 1811.
John M. Tillotson was an active business man and extensively known throughout Coos and Essex counties. He was selectman for some years, represented Northumberland, Stratford and Piercy in the legislature of 1809. He was the first register of probate for Coos county, and held the office for thirteen years. He died in 1822.
Schools. — -There were ten school districts in town when the district system was abrogated in 1885. They are conducted in the same manner now by the town board of education. Groveton village school has an attendance of about 100 scholars, with a commodious school house, costing about $2,000, arranged for three teachers. In 1800 a school-house was erected in district No. 5, which is still used.
Physicians. — Charles C. O'Brion, M. D., came from Maine and located at Groveton about 1881, purchasing the practice and residence of Irving A. Watson, M. D., who had been in practice here for ten years, and who went to Concord to take the position of secretary of the State Board of Health. Henry W. Sleeper, M. D., came to Groveton about 1883, and practiced here until his death, which occurred in December, 1887.
Manufacturing has been conducted at Northumberland Falls from early days. Edwards Bucknam constructed mills here; later, Enoch Bartlett shortly after the Revolution constructed both grist and saw-mills. (See his petition to General Court in another chapter.) The vast supplies of pine and spruce have made the water privileges on the Ammonoosuc at Groveton profitable investments for the manufacture of lumber, and various firms from first to last have been engaged in this. In 1872 there were at Northumberland Falls, starch, straw-board, and shoe-peg mills; at Groveton, manufactories of leather, clapboards, shingles, etc.
Hon. A. C. Denison, a merchant of Norway, Me., was largely engaged in supplying contractors on the line of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence R. R., and established stores in connection with Clark P. True, J. H. Danforth and the Gilkeys at South Paris and Bethel, Me., and at Gorham, Northumberland and Stratford. The largest of these was at Northumberland. Here, from 1850, for some years, the firm transacted an annual business of nearly a hundred thousand dollars and contributed much to the prosperity of this section.
Business Interests, 1887. — Gilbert M. Soule, administrator of estate of Gilbert Soule, Groveton, manufactures 4,500,000 feet of long and short lumber per annum. Wholesale and retail trade in 1886 was over $68,000. He employs from twenty to forty men, and operates a grist and saw-mill by waterpower. The latter contains a rotary board saw, clapboard, lath, shingle, matching, and planing machines. Fisk & Myers (Payson Fisk, William Myers), Groveton, have a steam mill employing from ten to twelve men. They produce about 300,000 feet of lumber yearly. Their mill contains clapboard, shingle and planing machines.
Stoddard & Welch (P. T. Stoddard, C. C. Welch), Groveton, purchased the old Howley water-mill in 1886, and constructed a foundry and machine shop at a total cost of $30,000. The freshet of June, 1887, undermined the mill, rendering it useless. They employ from six to ten men, and are doing a business of about $10,000 a year.
Robert Chase, Northumberland, came
from Pelham to Guildhall, Vt., in 1865, and at once erected a mill for
the manufacture of straw-board, which is still conducted, the firm being
Robert Chase & Company (Charles D. Chase). They also manufacture fine
tissue paper. Mr. Chase erected, in Northumberland, in 1869, a peg-mill
where he manufactures 40,000 bushels of shoe pegs annually, and gives
employment to fifteen or twenty persons. They also keep a general store.
Groveton Merchants. —James W. McKeen, general store, retail trade
about $15,000 yearly.
Roswell C. Chessman, dry goods, coffins, caskets, and undertaker's goods, does an annual business of $10,000. He is also postmaster of "Groveton" postoffice.
Charles J. Salomon, dry goods and clothing, does the largest mercantile business in town, sells both at wholesale and retail, sends out many peddlers, and has a branch store at West Stewartstown.
Charles H. Rich, successor to Dewer Rich, carries on a general store; does a business of about $10,000 yearly.
Hotels. — Melcher House, C. T. McNally and Edward Tibbetts, proprietors; Union House, Everett F. Bean, proprietor.
Railroads. — The Boston, Concord & Montreal railroad forms a junction with the Grand Trunk at Groveton Junction. There are three stations in the town, which gives it a great advantage as a shipping point. Groveton station does a freight business of 1,000 tons a month, and gives the Grand Trunk about 500 passengers in the same time. W. H. Fowler, station agent. Groveton Junction, Stephen M. Mathews, station agent, has a freight business of 6,000 tons per month, passengers about 2,000 in the same time. We can give no figures for Northumberland or Guildhall station.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CAPTAIN GILBERT SOULE.
The name Soule was formerly spelled Sole, Soal, Soul, and is an ancient English name. In 1591 the Soles of London were granted armorial bearings. The advent of the Soule family in New England dates back to the arrival of the "Mayflower" in 1620, when George Soule, one of the "Pilgrim Band," emigrated to America, and helped to plant the Plymouth Colony, and maintain the principles in defence of which those self-reliant pioneers left their native for an unknown land. George Sonle was one of the forty-one signers of the first compact drawn up in the nature of a government. In 1624 he received one acre of land in Plymouth, between Sandwich street and the harbor. In 1633 his name appears on the first list of freemen in the records of Plymouth. About 1638 he removed to Duxbury and settled there. He married Mary Becket, had many descendants, who served the town in its civil, military and maritime service. Mr. Soule was of essential value to Duxbury, which he represented several years in the court of deputies, and held many other offices which showed him to be a man of integrity and probity. In 1645 he was one of the proprietors of Bridgewater, and. with Capt. Miles Standish, John Alden, and three others, was appointed to lay out and divide the land among the inhabitants. He died in 1680, "very aged"; willing his property to his son John, viz.: "And for as much as my eldest son, John Soule, and his family hath in my extreme old age and weakness bin tender and careful of mee and very healpfull to mee; and is likely to be while it shall please God to continew my life heer, therefore I give and bequeath unto my said son John Soule all the remainder of my housings and lands whatever." John Soule died in 1707, aged seventy-five.
Joshua, son of John, married Joanna Studley. He died in 1767. His son, Ezekiel, born in 1711, married Hannah Delano. He was chosen deacon of the church in 1749, and was an important adviser in its affairs. He removed to Woolwich, Me., in 1766. John, born in 1735, was the father of Samuel, who was born January 18, 1769. David F. married Elizabeth, widow of Cyrus Dole, and daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Holbrook) McMurchie. Their children were Gilbert, Hannah, Sarah (Mrs. James Bailey), Lewis, Augusta (Mrs. Alden P. Goudy), Lemuel. David was a native of Woolwich. He followed the sea for many years, was captain, and at one time captured by the British. The latter part of his life he passed on land. He died about 1862 at Woolwich, where he is buried.
Captain Gilbert Soule, son of David F. and Elizabeth (McMurchie) Soule, born in Woolwich, Me., December 6, 1820, was eighth in descent from the emigrant. He was educated at the local schools. When quite young he accompanied his father in his sea voyages, and for a number of years was a ''seafarer." He then, in connection with his brother-in-law, James Bailey, conducted the ferry at Bath, Me., for several years. Afterwards he was at St. Anthony, Minnesota, for some years. In 1852 he returned to his native state, and, with a half-brother, Charles E. Dole, began lumbering on the Penobscot, and thereafter this was his principal business. He married, August 24, 1853, Eliza A., daughter of John and Mercy (Adams) Mills. (Mrs. Mills's mother was Anne Hutchinson.) Mrs. Soule was born in Detroit, Me., March 6, 1829. They commenced housekeeping in Brewer, Me., and had a pleasant home there for seventeen years, and there their children were born; Gilbert Mills, Annie Laurie, (married Augustus S. Thayer, M. D., of Portland,) Edward Beecher, and James Bailey.
In 1869 Captain Soule came to Groveton, and, with Robert Holyoke, George Edward Holyoke, and John Eames, purchased the mill property now owned by the heirs of Gilbert Soule. This mill had a cutting capacity of 25,000 per day, and contained a rotary saw, edger, trimmer, clapboard, shingle, and lath machines, and a planer. The enterprise and energy of Capt. Soule gave a new impetus to the business in Groveton, and greatly enhanced its progress. In 1870 the "Nash Stream Improvement Company" was incorporated to provide transportation for logs. This company expended $30,000 in blasting rocks, etc.; four or five dams were also constructed. Capt. Soule was the first president; Gilbert M. Soule is the present one. In the fall of 1871, Capt. Soule moved his family to Groveton, and was actively engaged in lumber manufacturing until his death, January 20, 1884.
In 1883 a new "four-foot" wheel was put in to use the water going over the dam. One wheel of the original mill ran a grist-mill and clapboard planer, but in October, 1885, a new grist mill was completed. The main mill is one hundred and seventy feet in length by thirty-six in width, an addition of thirty feet being made in the spring of 1884, and a large "Wood's" planer added. The firm name at Northumberland was at first Gilbert Soule & Co., while at Portland it was Holyoke, Benson & Co. This continued until 1874, when it became Gilbert Soule in both places. Since Captain Soule's death the business has been carried on by the heirs as "Gilbert M. Soule. " The production of the mill during 1887 was about 4,500,000 feet. At 418 Commercial street, Portland, they have a wharf, office, and planing-mill.
Capt. Soule was of vigorous physique, strong, influential and energetic, an industrious and valued citizen, a reader of sterling literature, and a man of independent thought and reflection. His height was five feet, eleven inches, and average weight about 230 pounds. His light blue eyes were accompanied by dark brown hair. He was of a pleasant, social and genial nature, looking rather upon the bright than the dark side, and in all the relations of life he made sunshine by his cheery presence. Congregational in his religious belief, he yet gave liberally to all Christian work. Republican in his politics, ever an ardent partisan, yet he was not an aspirant for office.
He was an early member of Ammonoosuc Lodge, I. O. O. F., Groveton, and an active worker for its interests. As an employer he was never dictatorial, but the considerate kindness which ever actuated him and was shown in his intercourse with his workmen gained for him their good will and esteem. He was much interested in historical and genealogical works, was a generous contributor to the Pilgrims' monument erected at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and was justly proud of being a descendant of the "Mayflower" band. He inherited their sterling qualities, and many traits of the Soule family have descended through him to his children. That kindly, filial spirit of John Soule which led him to honor, respect and cherish his father in his old age, is also shown in the veneration and love of the present generation for the memory of their father.
Contributed 2025 Aug 09 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Coos County, New Hampshire by Georgia D. Merrill, published in 1888, pages 539-561.
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