Coos County
NHGenWeb
In the extreme western part of Massachusetts, in Berkshire county, at the foot of
Saddle mountain, rises the Housatonic river. The Indian name, "Potatuck,"
signified "the river with many falls." This river runs nearly south to Dover and
New Milford, Conn., then, turning sharply to the southeast, flows to the sound
through Litchfield and Fairfield counties. In nearly the central part of
Connecticut, measuring north and south, and about twenty miles east of the
Housatonic, rises the Naugatuck, a smaller river, which makes its way to the
sound in almost a southern course. Midway between these rivers, and about thirty
miles from the sound, is situated the township of Woodbury, while on the shore
of the sound, at the confluence of these streams, is the ancient territory
called "Old Stratford." From these townships in the "land of steady habits" came
the first inhabitants of what is now Stratford, N. H.
This town was
first incorporated as Woodbury, and at least forty of the sixty-three
proprietors were residents of Woodbury, Conn.; while, of the seventy-two
proprietors of the later town of Stratford, thirty-two, at least, were residents
of "Old Stratford." "Old Stratford" was settled in 1639 by a company formed by
Rev. Adam Blakeman, at Wethersfield, and was the seventh plantation in the
Connecticut colony within the limits of the present state. In a fence-list,
published as early as 1651, the names of Wells, Judson, Curtis, and Beardsley
appear; beyond question they were the progenitors of the settlers of those names
in Stratford.
Woodbury was chartered June 30, 1762, by Gov. Benning
Wentworth. It contained 23,040 acres, allowance of 1,040 acres being made for
highways and unimprovable lands. It was bounded thus: —
"Beginning at a
Tree, marked, standing on the Easterly Side of Connecticut river at a place
called the Upper Coos, and at the North-westerly corner Bound of Stonington,
thence Running up North-easterly as the said river trends, till the contents of
Six Miles upon a straight line be accomplished, thence carrying that breadth of
six miles back south-easterly so far as that a Parallel line with the Straight
Line aforesaid will make the contents of Six miles square."
Name of
Grantees. — Those marked W are from Woodbury, Conn. John Prindle, Israel
Beardsley, Matt Mallett, Joseph Trowbridge, w, Benjamin Bunnell, Sam Brownson,
w, Ebenezer Strong, w, Ebenezer Doun, w, Ebenezer Hinman, w, William Rowland, w,
Ebenezer Brownson, w, Sam Wheeler, Gideon Johnson, w, Isaac Stiles, Jr.. w,
Gideon Porter, w, Gideon Hinman, w, Abijah Tambling, w, Thaddeus Curtis, John
Johnson, w, Justice Doyle, Elijah Hinman, w, Agur Tomlinson, Amos Hickok, w,
Francis Hinman, w, Daniel Smith, w, Aaron Doun, w, Jacob Glaser, w, Gideon
Tuttle, w, John Garritt, w, Ichabod Tuttle, w, David Johnson, w, Jacob Meek, w,
Huthuit Tuttle, w, Gideon Bristol, w, Seth Curtis, Peter Nichols, Timothy
Osborn, w, Moses Johnson, w, Hezekiah Porter, w, Eldad King, w, John Skeel, w,
Bushnel Benedict, w, David Munn, w, Eleazer Knowles, w, Stephen Brownson, w,
Abijah Hinman, w, Caleb Baldwin, Esq., Caleb Baldwin, 2d, Arthur Wooster, John
Leavenworth, w, John Peck, Ant. Cole, w, Asa Johnson, w, Israel Curtis, w, Sam.
Jenner, Jr., Justice Hickok, Eli Demming, Ezra Demmine;. Samuel Averill, Lt.
Joseph Wright, Capt. Jonathan Carlton, Hon. Joseph Newinarch, James Newton,
Esq., William Temple.
None of these became identified with the
settlement of Stratford. The Elijah Hinman who came to Stratford was probably
not the innkeeper at old Woodbury who was a grantee of the new town. We cannot
determine whether Ebenezer Strong, the Johnsons, the Curtisses, the Baldwins,
and Nicholses were related to those who became settlers here, but it is probable
that they were.
The Woodbury charter was renewed; and, as early as 1772,
settlements, or rather "pitches," had been established, and people had come
here. We extract from the "Proprietors' Records" their action in reference to
the difficulty concerning the boundaries, caused by the "shoving-up" of
Lancaster (see History of Lancaster for full account and particulars), and also
concerning the chartering of Stratford. The first meeting of the proprietors of
Woodbury was called by Samuel Averill at the house of Elijah Hinman in Woodbury,
Conn., August 11, 1762. At the second meeting "Gideon Tuttle, John Garrett, and
Eleazer Knowles were chosen as a committee to view and survey the township of
Woodbury lately granted in the Province of New Hampshire, and to lay out said
town, if they shall think it best for the interest of the proprietors, and to
bring back a true account of the soil and situation of the land, and deliver it
to the proprietors' clerk by the first Monday of December next ensuing," and it
was voted "that the said committee be paid by the proprietors, Thirteen
shillings and six pence per day to each man while they are gone on said
business, if performed." No record of their report, nor of any other meeting can
be found until 1773. Nothing permanent towards settling the new town had been
done. Visits of prospecting were made, some "pitches" established, and confusion
had arisen about the south boundary; Northumberland, claiming over one mile of
the present territory of Stratford, and up the river above the present homestead
of Guy Burnside. These difficulties and contentions led to the re-chartering of
the territory embracing Woodbury as Stratford. Forty-two or more transfers of
land in the new settlement are found in the records of the Connecticut Woodbury;
so, much had been done in allotting, if no real improvement had been made. No
less than twenty-three of these deeds are given by Samuel Averill, while quite a
number of transfers to him are recorded. He operated largely in Woodbury lands
as early as 1767, twenty deeds from him being dated in that year. One of these
is to Gov. John Wentworth, another to John Wendell, Esq., of Portsmouth. Many
were given to residents of Stratford, Conn., and this probably accounts for the
change of the name to Stratford.
Recorded Transfers prior to 1772. —
Beach Tomlinson, of Stratford, Conn., to Thomas Blodgett as a settler; Hezekiah
Burritt of same place to Isaac Johnson as a settler; Agur Tomlinson of the same
place to Archippus Blodgett as a settler; Joseph Moss to Joseph Barlow; Joshua
Lamkin to Oliver Lamkin; Judson Burton to Timothy DeForest as a settler; Asa
Johnson, of Woodbury, Conn., to Joseph Holbrook; Thomas Olcott to Stephen Curtis
(father of James, Aaron, and William Curtis), all of Stratford; Ebenezer Doun,
of Woodbury, Conn., to Elijah Hinman, consideration, two pounds: Samuel Wheeler
to Elijah Hinman, consideration fine pounds; Samuel Averill to Jabez Baldwin.
Samuel Averill deeds to Isaiah Brown, father of James Brown, in 1767.
This establishes the fact that several had become settlers, in anticipation if
not yet in reality, before the issuing of the charter of Stratford, and were
residents here later. Timothy DeForest, who was conveyed a lot by Judson Burton
"as a settler," abandoned the field, and did not perform the duty which was the
consideration, and the sum of $10 in lawful money was paid to Mr. Burton by the
proprietors to make him whole. The earliest deed preserved is dated in 1763. It
is from Hezekiah Porter to Samuel Averill, showing that the latter had commenced
his purchases immediately after the obtaining of the charter.
1773. The
next meeting of which we have record was held March 31, 1773, at Stratford,
Conn.
The proprietors voted Agur Tonilinson, Esq., and Mr. Joseph
Holbrook "a Committee, and fully Impowered to proceed forthwith to Portsmouth,
and in connection with John Wendell to act in the settlement and compromise of
all matters and things relating to a controversy subsisting between the
proprietors of Woodbury and Northumberland, to be determined and decided by his
Excellency the Governor of New Hampshire, and to surrender and give up the old
charter of said Township, and the renewed charter of extension, if necessary;
also, that a tax of forty shillings on each right be laid and immediately
collected of the Proprietors that they may be enabled to pursue the settlement
proposed to with the proprietors of Northumberland, and to survey the township.
That when his Excellency, Gov. Wentworth shall have determined the controversy
and fixed the bounds between the two townships of Woodbury and Northumberland,
Messrs. Holbrook and Tomlinson, or either of them, are to proceed to survey said
township of Woodbury, and, after that is done, and the first Division allotted,
either shall return to Portsmouth for the new charter." It was also voted "that
Lieut. Elijah Hinman be, and is appointed, a committee to proceed to said
township and assist in allotting the first Division, and second Division if they
think proper, and that the proprietors and settlers who fust proceeded last
year, and had their choice of pitch for allottment, do take their first choice
this year, and the rest of the settlers who get their next by succession, have
their next successive choice of settlement; also that the committee, Messrs.
Holbrook, Tomlinson and Hinman, or either two of them, do layout a Town Plot in
said Township; and that the same be laid upon the hill, if they think proper,
and the Place most convenient, and that they draw lots for each Proprietor's
Right or situation, leaving first a Suitable quantity of Land in the most
convenient Place for public use."
This was the last meeting of
proprietors in Connecticut, the next being held at Portsmouth, and made legal by
this request and warning, the request being dated at Woodbury, N. H.: —
"To the Worshipful Samuel Penhallow, Esq'r, one of his Majesty's Justices of the
Peace for the County of Rockingham, etc. We, the Subscribers, being owners of
more than one-sixth Part of the Township of Woodbury, desire that you would call
a meeting of the Proprietors of said Township at the House of Capt. Jacob
Tilton, Innholder in Portsmouth on the Seventh Day of May next, at two o'clock,
p. m., then and there to act upon the following matters and things:
"1. To
choose a Moderator for s'd meeting.
"2. To choose a Proprietors' Clerk, pro
tempore.
"3. To choose a Proprietors' Treasurer, or any Collector or
Collectors that may be found necessary.
"4. To agree upon some method to
call all future meetings.
"5. To adopt, confirm, and establish all such
votes and transactions at any former meetings held at Stratford, Conn., or
elsewhere out of said Province of New Hampshire, agreable to the Records of such
meetings as they now stand Recorded in the Proprietors' Book.
"6. To choose
a Committee of one or more Proprietors to defend any of the Proprietors, or
others acting under them, in any suit or suits for supposed Trespasses committed
in the Bounds of Woodbury brought by the Proprietors of Northumberland as
supposed to have been done within the Bounds [of] Northumberland, and to impower
the said Committee to com[promise] Disputes by a reference of the whole to one
or [more persons] for the better ascertaining and establishing the true Limits
and bounds of both Townships, and to impower said Committee to join in a mutual
agreement of any Committee that may be appointed by the Proprietors of
Northumberland to submit the settlement of the dividing Lines of both Townships
to any such person or persons that may be mutually chosen as the Arbitrator of
said Limits, and further, if need be to make a surrender of said Charter and its
renewal for the better and more final adjustment of all controversies about said
Limits or Boundaries.
"7. To determine at what place to hold Proprietors'
meetings in future.
"William Samuel Johnson, Joseph Holbrook, Samuel Beers,
Samuel Averill, William Thompson, Stephen Curtis, John Wendell, Agur Tomhnson,
Isaiah Brown, Elijah Hinman, Daniel Judson, Joseph Tomlinson, Issekiah Wetmore."
Call for Meeting. — "In. pursuance of above request I do herein' notify and
warn a Meeting of said Proprietors of Woodbury, at the time and place above
requested, then and there to act upon the several matters therein requested.
"Portsmouth, April 21, 1773. Samuel Penhallow, J. P."
Notices of the
meeting were published in the New Hampshire Gazette, and the proprietors met in
due form. At this meeting "Agur Tomlinson. John Wendell, with Joseph Holbrook,
or any two of them were appointed a committee to defend all suits brought for
trespass on land claimed in Woobury as belonging to Northumberland at the
expense of the proprietors." They were also empowered to refer the whole matters
at issue between the townships "to the judgment and wisdom of His Excellency
John Wentworth, Esq., (if he will be pleased to condescend to take so much
trouble upon him) to decide and determine where the boundary line between the
townships shall be," etc., etc. Legal proceedings had been commenced, for the
joint committees of the towns, in their petition to the governor requesting his
decision, deprecate the contest, and fear that the progress and settlement of
both townships may be retarded, and offer to waive the appeal to law and to
abide by his decision.
Gov. Wentwort's Decision. — "First, That all
parties interested, do, from this day, obliterate all former transactions that
have happened, and that they be and remain in perfect amity: rendering to each
other all kind offices as fellow citizens embarked in one common cause of mutual
benevolence and prosperity — Northumberland to quit-claim and release to
Woodbury all the lands in their Township from the Elm Tree, being their
Northerly corner on the River, down by the said river as it runs unto the
Southerly line of Lot No. 15, and to extend from the end thereof in the same
course as said line, until it meets the boundary line of Northumberland which
runs from a certain Elm Tree on Connecticut River South, 55° East, four miles,
two hundred seventy-five rods to a certain spruce tree marked 'S. S. D.C.70,'
all the lands within these described lines including Lot No. 15, as marked and
delineated upon a plan returned by Edmond Morse, to be quit-claimed to Woodbury
— That there be granted to Woodbury a certain gore of land lying and being
between Northumberland and 'Whiting's Woodbury' (so called), surveyed by Edwards
Bucknam, containing Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Fourteen and one Half acres, as
by his plan returned appears — That a new Patent be granted to Woodbury to
include Whiting's Woodbury, The Gore, and the Quit-claimed lands out of
Northumberland, allowing five years to complete the settlement, and free from
Governor's fees — That Woodbury shall quit-claim to Northumberland all claims or
pretentions to every other part of that town — That Woodbury pay the cost of the
survey (if the Gore they obtain — That there be granted to Northumberland such a
Tract of ungranted or vacant land adjoining to the south Seven degrees East,
line of Northumberland as the Governor shall direct, free of his fees;
Northumberland to pay the cost of survey — That each town shall pay their own
cost inclined hitherto — That if any useful labor has been done on the land on
either side, it shall be valued on oath by one man, chosen by each party, and a
third by those two, which three, or any two of them, shall award how much shall
be paid by the possessor for labor done on his land — That all parties forthwith
carry this judgment into execution as far as in them lies."
Woodbury
continued from June 30, 1762, until its charter was given up May 26, 1773. Few
of the people of the county to day are aware of the existence of such a township.
The township of Stratford, containing seventy-one shares and 48,603 acres of land,
more than double the size of Woodbury, was chartered May 26, 1773, by John
Wentworth, with these boundaries: —
"Beginning at a Hemlock Tree
standing on the bank of the Connecticut river which was marked B. W. by Benj.
Whiting for the north-west corner of Woodbury, thence North, 88° east, Six Miles
to a Fir tree marked by said Whiting for the North-east corner of Woodbury,
thence on the same course One mile and a half, thence south, 2° east, Eleven
Miles and Two Hundred and Twenty rods, thence North, 45° west, Four miles and
Two Hundred and Thirty Eight rods to a Spruce tree at the North-east corner of
Northumberland, thence Two Hundred and Eighty Eight rods on Northumberland line,
thence West, Two Miles and One Hundred and Fifty two rods to Connecticut River,
thence by said river as that trends to the Bound began at."
Conditions
of Charter. — Among the conditions exacted of the grantees by the charter were
these: —
"That the Grantees shall, at their cost, cut, clear, bridge,
and make passable for Carriages of all kinds, a Road of four rods wide through
the said Tract, to be completed in two years — That the Grantees shall settle or
cause to be settled Twelve Families by the First of June 1774, who shall be
actually cultivating some part of the land and resident thereon and to continue,
etc. — Before any division of the Land be made a tract of land as near the
center of said Township as the land will admit of, shall be reserved and marked
out for Town Lots, one of which shall be allotted, of the contents of one acre,
to each Grantee."
Grantees of Stratford with Number of Lot allotted by
Survey of 1788. — Perry Averill, 58; Capt. Moses Averill, 63; Samuel Averill,
53; Samuel Averill, Jr., 59; Heth Baldwin, 47; Jabez Baldwin, 18; William
Barker, 64; Joseph Barlow, 20; Joseph Bass, 16; Samuel Beard, 26; Capt. Isaiah
Brown, 13; Samuel Beers, 7; Nathan Booth, 27; George Boyd, Esq., 37; Nehemiah
Curtis, 23; Samuel Curtis, 44; Stephen Curtis, 10; Stephen Curtis, Jr., 68;
George Crague, 36; Daniel Fowle, Esq., 51; William Gardiner, — ; Richard Hart,
52; Aaron Hinman, 15; Capt. Benjamin Hinman, 28; Elijah Hinman, 14; Freeman
Hinnian, 21; John Holbrook, Jr., 39; Joseph Holbrook, 17; Joseph Holbrook, Jr.,
50; William Samuel Johnson, 43; Abner Judson, 8; Capt. Agar Judson, 5; Agur
Judson, Jr., 6; Capt. Daniel Judson, 22; Daniel Judson, Jr., 9; David Judson,
42: Stiles Judson, 32; Judah Kellogg, 61; William King, 48; George Lewis, 51;
Capt. Moses Little, 56; George Marshall, Jr., 66; Renold Marvin, Esq., 34;
Elisha Mills, — ; David Munn, 19; Morgan Noble, 2; Benj. Parker, 49; Joseph
Seward, — ; Jacob Sheafe, Jr., 12; Stephen Sherman, 45; Samuel Sherburn, 36;
Agur Tomlinson, 4;
Beach Tomlinson, 30; Hezekiah Tomlinson, 24; Capt.
Joseph Tomlinson, 62; Stephen Tomlinson, 35; William Agur Tomlinson, 25; William
Tomlinson, 9; Thomas Tousey, 55; Moses Welkston, 33; Joseph Wells, 31; Nathan
Wells, 60; John Wendell, Esq., 67; Joshua Wentworth, — ; Col. Josiah Willard,
11; Rev. Ezeriah Wetmore, 29; Arthur Wooster, 46; Ebenezer Wooster, 65; Joseph
Wooster, 2d, 41; Thomas Wooster, Jr., 57; Thomas Wooster, 3d, 40.
Thirty
of these were residents of "Old Stratford," and only five were grantees of
Woodbury, viz.: Agur Tomlinson, Elijah Hinman, David Munn, Arthur Wooster, and
Samuel Averill. The Baldwins were from Newtown; William Barker from Norwich; the
Hinmans and Holbrooks from Southbury; David Munn from Woodbury; Morgan Noble
from New Milford; Ebenezer and Thomas Wooster, Jr., from Derby. Jabez Baldwin,
his son Heth, Joseph Barlow, Elijah Hinman, Joseph and John Holbrook, were the
only grantees who became settlers of the new township. Capt. Isaiah Brown sent
his son James, and Isaac Johnson was perhaps son of William S. Johnson. James,
Aaron, and William Curtis were sons of Stephen Curtis, the grantee.
First Settlers. — At a proprietors' meeting held in December, 1772, it was
voted: —
"To pay those persons that did ye last summer proceed to settle
and improve, and shall for the future so continue their settlements and
improvements, viz.: Joshua Lamkin, Archippus Blodgett, James Brown, James
Curtis, Isaac Johnson, Timothy DeForest, Benajah Blackman, and John Smith, be
paid, and do receive the sum of Three Pounds lawful money each, for some reward
for their extraordinary trouble and expense in proceeding to settle and make
improvements the said last summer."
First Woman Settler. — June 1, 1773,
it was voted ''that the sum of Ten Dollars be paid by the Proprietors to Mrs.
Barlow, wife of Joseph Barlow, on account for the reason only that she hath
proceeded with her husband and family of children to Coos, our Township of
Stratford, and is the first woman that hath settled upon said Township."
Contest of Skill. — Tradition states that Isaac Johnson and Archippus
Blodgett felled the first trees; each selecting a tree and trying to cut his
tree down first. Mr. Johnson succeeded in getting his cut before Mr. Blodgett
and thus won the victory. The grandson of this Isaac Johnson, also named Isaac,
now living in town, says that his grandfather first "pitched" in Northumberland;
so this contest may have occurred there.
June 21, 1773, the proprietors
voted to add James Curtis to the committee for clearing the road.
Of
these first settlers, all excepting two did good service in the development of
the town, and have descendants, doing credit to their daring ancestors, resident
here to-day. Mr. DeForest is said in the records "to have deserted the
cause,"and Blackman is heard of no more. [Benajah Blackmail was a soldier from
Colebrook in Capt. Young's company in the Revolution.] Joseph Barlow had several
children, Abner, Nathan, and Ephraim, and two daughters, one of whom, Sarah,
married James Curtis, one of the first party of settlers; Eunice, another
daughter, married Josiah Blodgett. Both have numerous descendants. Isaac Johnson
came here several times, but did not bring his family to their new home until
after the Revolution. Joshua Lamkin had four sons and four daughters, perhaps
more. His daughter Hannah married James Brown; another, Tryphena, married
Hezekiah Fuller; another, Polly, married Elijah Blodgett. Mr. Lamkin lived on
the Guy Burnside place, and when his daughter Betsey died (the first death among
the settlers) she was buried near her home on the same lot. Archippus Blodgett
had a large family. And we might continue the list. Enough has been given,
however, to show that civilized occupation of the new township was to be
henceforth a permanent one, and prolific in strong sons and handsome daughters
to perpetuate the traditions of the trials endured in transforming the forest
wilderness into beautiful and productive fields, and to honor the memory of
those who so grandly wrought this almost magical change. Joshua Lamkin lived to
an old age. While at his son's residence in Brunswick, Vt., at the time of a
freshet, he rose in the night, went out of the door, fell into the water and was
drowned. Archippus Blodgett filled many important offices. James Curtis was much
in public life, discharging all conferred trusts with conceded ability. James
Brown was another strong man; appointed to call the first town meeting, a
military officer, and commissary of the Stratford fort during the Revolution, he
always was prominent in town. Isaac Johnson also was an useful and able citizen,
and a leader in religious movements.
Stratford extends along the
Connecticut river for a distance of ten miles. The interval varies from eighty
rods to one mile in width; and is very fertile, producing fine crops of corn,
oats, hay, etc. The soil on the uplands is rocky, and more suitable for
pasturage than tillage. The valley of the Connecticut is narrower here than in
most places, the hills crowding more closely to the stream, and consequently
making the location one of strategic importance in the Indian warfare of the
early days. It is quite picturesque in its scenery, and from the southeastern
part of the town rise two peculiar mountains, conical in shape, which attract
attention a long way off in coining from the south, being distinctly seen at
Dalton, thirty miles away. They are called "Stratford or Percy peaks." The town
is watered by the Connecticut river on its western boundary; Nash's stream,
which, running through the southeastern part, empties into the Ammonoosuc; and
Bog brook, a small tributary of the Connecticut, in the western part. It is a
pleasant town to day, with its productive valley farms and pleasant homes; its
railroads, and its business interests conducted by enterprising and energetic
men; but it was far different 1 15 years ago when the little band of pioneers
came from their homes and all the comforts and luxuries of civilization to
encounter hardships of which their descendants have but the faintest conception.
It must have been a strange contrast to the lovely scenery along the
Sound and the highly-cultivated hillsides of Connecticut, where all was staid,
and well provided with educational and religious advantages, where the spacious
colonial houses with their broad rooms, often supplied with furniture and plate
from "Merrie England," when they beheld the pathless forests, the wild streams
unspanned by bridges, and the dark verdure of the fir-clad hills of the Upper
Coos. "Trees might every where be seen breaking from their root in the marshy
soil or threatening to fall with the first rude gust. Somber forests shed a
melancholy grandeur over the useless magnificence of Nature, and hid in their
deep shade the rich soil which the sun had never warmed." The journey was long
and tedious, requiring as much time as to cross the continent to-day. Many
hardships await them; many obstacles are in their way; but the brave adventurers
press on in obedience to the great law of the Anglo-Saxon race which forces them
to carry civilization to barbarous regions and clear the way for a Christian
occupation. The beautiful homes of the lower Connecticut have been left behind.
As they come northward, gradually the cleared fields become fewer, the
improvements less; while closer and closer comes the environing forests, until
not even a bridle-path presents itself to their view, and all signs of
civilization are gone, except the "spots" or "blazes" on the trees by which
their course is guided; and these might have been made by the tomahawk of the
Indian as well as by the axe of the pioneer. In Indian file they came along the
solitary way with pack on back, axe in hand, and gun on shoulder
The
first settlements were made on the meadows. A few log houses, the perfection of
simplicity, were soon constructed, and the nucleus for a town was established.
For some reason the settlers afterward preferred the high lands along the river.
Joshua Lamkin settled on Guy Burnside's meadow; next to him ArchippusBlodgett;
then James, Aaron and William Curtis, Capt. John Holbrook and James Brown. So
the first permanent settlement in town was located on the ground from Guy
Burnside's home to that of W. E. Brown. The first road was constructed along the
meadow, but followed the settlement to the high land. One hundred and thirty
miles from the seaboard, with only a few settlements scattered along the greater
part of the way, their salt, their iron, and other necessary articles of
merchandise must be brought upon the back of men and horses. For quite a length
of time the nearest grist-mill was at Haverhill, sixty-five miles off.
Pitches Allotted. — In December, 1773, the proprietors appointed three
disinterested men as a committee to decide who, by doing their duty as settlers,
were entitled to their pitches. They report the following as legally made: —
"Capt. Agur Judson, No. 5; William Thompson, No. 3; Capt. Samuel Beers, No.
1; Ezeriah Wetmore, No. 29; Capt. Agur Tomlinson, No. 4; David Judson, No. 7;
Capt. Agur Judson, No. 8; Agur Judson, Jr., No. 42; Ebenezer Wooster, No. 17;
James Curtis, No. 9; Stephen Curtis, No. 10; Joseph Welkston. No. 31; Arthur
Wooster and Jabish Baldwin, Nos. 18-47-48-49; Thomas Wooster, No. 6; Thomas and
Joseph Wooster, 2d, Nos. 40 and 41; Joseph Holbrook, No. 12; Isaiah Brown, No
13; Samuel Curtis, No. 11; Samuel Munn, No. 19; Sam William Johnson, Esq., No.
43; Capt. Daniel Judson, Nos. 22-25; Judson Burton, No. 30; Elijah Hinman, Nos.
14-15; Hezekiah Tomlinson, No. 24; Stiles Judson, No. 24.
Extracts from
Proprietors' Records. — To shed a few rays of light upon the progress of events
in the little colony we have no better recourse than to give the action of the
proprietors as from time to time we are enabled to glean them from the quite
broken and imperfect documents. These we shall supplement by some petitions to
the General Court, which, in quaint language, throw out a strong picture of the
deprivations, struggles and hardihood of those brave men who builded wiser and
better than it was given them to know.
Concerning Hills. — March 15,
1775, it was voted "that any proprietor or other person that will undertake to
build a saw and grist-mill within two years from this time in this town shall
have granted him and his heirs the stream or brook, called Bog Brook, three
miles from Connecticut River in a straight line, together with One Hundred acres
adjoining to said mill, to be in two fifty acre lots on each side of the brook
in a square piece. Any person who will be secure to the clerk in the sum of Two
Hundred Pounds, lawful money, for building the saw-mill shall be entitled to the
privileges."
May 5, 1776. Voted "whereas it has been found inconvenient
to build a Grist and Saw Mill in the manner [proposed] it is now voted and
agreed that the Proprietors will at their own expense erect a grist and saw mill
in said town, and that one hundred acres be requested [as a site] ; and John
Holbrook, Moses Welkston, James Brown and James Curtis survey and lay out said
one hundred acres, and to agree with some proper and able workman to erect and
finish said mills with all possible despatch." A tax of forty shillings on each
right in the township is laid to defray expenses.
May 14, 1776. "Whereas
the appointed [committee] have not taken any steps toward building the mills —
and Mr. Ebenezer Perry of Derby now proposing to erect such mills at his own
expense upon the terms of tin- Proprietors — voted that the said Perry have the
said privilege if he will within eighteen months build a good Grist and Saw
Mill, provided he commence within six months."
Town Plot. — At the same
meeting voted "that James Brown, James Curtis, John Holbrook, Joseph Barlow,
Abel Hull, Josiah Walker, Archippus Blodgett, be a committee to survey and lay
out a Town Plot upon the hill called 'Meeting-House Hill' in proper and
convenient lots to each Proprietor, with necessary highways, reserving a
convenient and spacious parade not less than six acres in extent." This work was
done and a report made, November 20, 1780, by Archippus Blodgett and James
Curtis for the committee. The plan contained 184 acres, and was one mile in
length. The end lines ran north, 67° west, and south, 67° east, 100 rods. Broad
street ran through the middle, and was eight rods wide. The other streets were
four rods in width. Each lot contained two acres and forty rods. The parade was
laid out on the hill back of the present residence of James Curtis, and was the
site of the first meeting-house. The parade and streets occupied thirty-six
acres. After such elaborate preparations, nothing was ever done to create or
build a village.
Lots and Roads. — ''November 11, 1783, James Curtis,
Joshua Lamkin, John Holbrook, Archippus Blodgett, and Joseph Barlow were
appointed a committee to lay out the Third Division of lots. Another committee,
composed of Joshua Lamkin, Capt. Benoni Cutler, Lieut. John Holbrook, Capt.
Benajah Strong, and James Brown, was chosen to lay out a road from the southerly
to the north side of the town; also, to erect bounds for the town, and for the
rear of the First or river Division; also, to lay out a Second Division to each
Proprietor: Shares of Fifty acres of land."
The road alluded to is
doubtless the one made on the high banks of the river as it now runs, as the
earlier road ran on the meadows.
The same committee were empowered "to
lay out three lots of Three Hundred acres each, for public uses; one for the
first settled minister of the Gospel in town, one for a Parsonage for the
benefit of the Ministry, and one for the benefit of a school in the town, as
near the Town Plot as the quality of the land will admit. September 29, 1784.
"The Committee on Roads make oath before Jeremiah Eames, J. P., that they have
faithfully performed their trust."
A meeting of the proprietors, duly
called, met at the house of James Brown, March 15, 1786. Among other action, it
was voted that the tract of land known as the " Governor's farm " be equal to
two rights; that the treasurer pay out to those persons who have advanced money
in defending this state in the late war, out of the first money that he receives
of the collector, and to those next, who have any demands on said town for
scouting, guarding and forting; that all "pitches" established in 1773 shall be
recorded in proprietors book; that a certain tract of pine timber lying east of
Jonathan pond, so-called, and south on Northumberland line, shall be reserved
for the benefit of the proprietors, and that a committee lay it out, giving to
each proprietor his equal share; that Elijah Hinman, Mr. Jabez Baldwin, Mr.
Andrew Beers be a committee to see Mr. John Gamsby and talk with him respecting
his mill, and also to view said mill and make report; that a tax of $300 be laid
upon each original right, toward defraying the expense of cleaning and bridging
a road through the town; that Andrew Beers, Elijah Hinman, and Jabez Baldwin be
assessors, Archippus Blodgett collector, and Elijah Hinman be surveyor of roads;
that each man have four shillings and six pence per day, he providing for
himself.
Trouble Concerning First Grist-Mill. — June 17, 1788, the
proprietors vote "to defend James Brown, James Curtis, and their heirs, and the
hers of the late John Holbrook against any suit at law which may be commenced by
John Gamsby for giving a certain Bond respecting a Gristmill." August 16, voted
"that we will not accept of the grist-mill as built by John Gamsby, as he has
not built the same on the land appropriated for that purpose, neither has he
built the said mill sufficient to meet any of the inducements heretofore voted."
First Settlers to Have First Pitches. — At the same meeting it was voted
''that David Judson (by his settlers), Joshua Lamkin, Archippus Blodgett, John
Smith, James Brown, and James Curtis, were the first, which, with their
families, made settlement in this town and have continued, shall have the
privilege of pitching the first five lots in the Second Division; and that Jabez
Baldwin and Eunice Holbrook be permitted to make the two next pitches."
November 19, 1792, it was voted to provide by tax for looking out, clearing, and
bridging a road through Stratford from the main road to Percy. Joshua Lamkin,
selectman, J. Brown, town clerk. In 1794, Benjamin Strong petitioned the General
Court that Governor's Island, so called, "containing about forty acres, in the
Connecticut river, and a little north of the Mineral Bow, may be annexed to
Stratford, and granted to him and his heirs."
The Revolution. — Only seven families remained here
during the Revolutionary war. This settlement was the farthest outpost or
"picket" of the country in the Connecticut valley. All families left the upper
valley, leaving this frontier exposed to all the fierce attacks of the cruel,
crafty Indians, whose chief trail to the lower settlements came down the
Nulhegan river to Stratford, joining there the trail of the upper Connecticut,
and passed down through the town before it deflected in different ways, up the
Ammonoosuc, and down the Connecticut. And they did not escape. Six of the men
were enlisted soldiers in the Revolution, viz.: Elijah Hinman, Josiah Blodgett,
Thomas Blodgett, David and Richard Holbrook. and William Curtis. Elias and David
Chamberlin, and David Rich, of Stratford, were also private soldiers in Capt.
Ebenezer Green's company of Col. Bedel's regiment in 1776. Nathan Caswell, also
of Stratford, was in Capt. Samuel Young's company in the same regiment. James
Lucas is credited to Stratford on the same roll. Isaac Stevens, of Stratford,
has this history in the original muster roll of the same regiment, which we have
had the privilege of examining through the courtesy of Col. Hazen Bedel: —
"1775. Served from June 23 to Dec. 31 — 6 mos. 9 days in Captain and Col.
Bedel's Rangers — 1775, Dec. 31 to last of May, 1776, 5 mos. in Capt. Charles
Nelson's Co. in first place, and afterwards in Capt D. Wilkin's Company of Col.
Bedel's Reg't. 1778, from Dec. 15, 1777, to last March, 1778 — one month or more
as Corporal in Capt. Sam'l Young's Co., Col. Bedel's Regiment."
Aside
from these, who probably had not made any permanent establishment in the town,
we know of no others. Every resident of the settlement was, however, in active
service and constantly on duty. A fort was constructed, Capt. John Holbrook
commanding the forces, and a system of signals arranged whereby the Guildhall
and Northumberland settlers could be warned and called to assist in repelling
attack, or in conducting the women and children to less exposed positions. James
Brown was commissary for the troops, and it is told that one day when a
detachment of soldiers came for food with empty haversacks, Mrs. Brown was
puzzled what to give them. But her woman's wit was equal to the emergency.
Swinging the four-pail kettle onto the crane she soon had an ample supply of
"hasty pudding." This sufficed for supper, and the next morning, by daylight,
Mr. Brown was collecting cattle for beef. His live stock was called upon,
however, until it had disappeared; as one of his children expresses it, "at the
close of the war my father did not have as much as a live hen."
Among
the papers of Elisha Baldwin in possession of his daughter, Mrs. R. R. Thompson,
are the following documents which we copy from the originals: —
"State
of New Hampshire, Stratford, July 1775.} An account of Joshua Lamkin Services
don and Damage sustained by living in Stratford frontteer Town through the whole
of the Unhappy war with Great Bredon
"To moving my famely by orders of Gen.
Bailey with expense of moving my famely to Haverhill and supporting them 10 0 U
"To loss of time three months
"Damage that I suffered by moving
and
expense moving back
£38 0 0
"Archippus Bloggett
"James Curtis,
Selectmen
"State New Hampshire Stratford by James Curtis}
An account
of services don and Damage sustained by Living in Stratford a fronteer town
thro' the whole of the unhappy War
"To moving my family by order of Gen'l
Bailey to Northumberland Expence moving &c
"To supporting my famely loss time
&c
"To damage sustained moving
"To 12 days scouting to Um a magog at 6s
pr d
"To Cash paid to Capt. Learned for going after powder Ball &c
"To
pair snow shoes for to go to Canaday Scout
"To work done by Win Curtis at
North'd fort 10 days at 4s per Day 2 0 0
"Los of time Damage &c
£47 16 0"
"Stratford State of New Hampshire}
An account of Damage and Loss that
I Joseph Barlow hath sustained by living in the town of Stratford by the Enemy
in living in the fronteer Town through the whole war
"June 1776 To moving my
family by order from Gen'l Bailey Expences in moving my family and supporting
them loss crops &c
"June 1780 To moving my family to the fort Scouting
Garding loss of time &c
"James Curtis, Joshua Lamkin, Archippus Blodgett}
Selectmen
"Stratford State of New Hampshire }
An account of Damage & loss
time I Nathan Barlow hath Sustained by living in the Town of Stratford by the
Enemy in the fronteer Town through the hull war
"June 1776 To moving by
orders from Gen'l Bailey Expense in moving loss of time and cropses 10 0 0
"June 1780 to moving into fort Scouting garding Loss of time & crops
Soldier's Order. — " To the Treasurer of the State of Newhampshire:
"Please
to Pay the Whole of the wages Due to me as a Soldier in Major Benjamin Whitcomb
Choir of Bangers with the Deprecition to Major Benjamin Whitcomb and his Receipt
Shall be a full Discharge for the same.
" Stratford 9th Jan'r— . per me
Josiah Blogget."
Relative to Two Redeemed Captives. — " July the 19th
1781 oure friend Indions brought in Prisoners of our men which Desarted from
Canady which S'd Indians found in the woods and brought in which S'd Prisoners
Promised to Pay S'd Indians 30 Dollors a Pece which Prisoners was not able to
Pay and one Elijah Blogget Paid the S'd Sum to S'd Indians for the Redemtion of
Gilbert Borged & Josiah Blogget which was 60 Dollors [Sixty dollars.]
"Stratford January ye 17th 1785, Partisienor Elijah Blogget
"Joshua Lamkin,
Archippus Blogget, Selectmen"
Soldier's Order. — "To the Hon'ble
Treasurer of the State of New-hampshire
"Please to Pay the whole wages and
Depreciation Due to Thomas Blodget late a soldier in Major Benjamin Whitcomb's
Choir of Rangers to the Said Whitcomb who is hereby authorized to give a full
Discharge for the Same
"Josiah Blodget, Levi Blodget, Elijah Blodget, Henry
Blodget, Mary Cole, Nucomb Blodget, Howard Blodget
"Stratford 13 of July
1792
"This May Certify that the above named are all the hairs of the above
named Thomas Blodget
Certifyed by us "Isaac Johnson, James Brown, Selectmen
Statement of the Condition of Matters, Taxes, Etc., Addressed to the
General Court in 1778. — "The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of
Stratford humbly shews: That your petitioners, now and ever willing to do our
just part toward the Common defence of our Country as far as we are able beg
leave to show our inability to pay the State tax we are now called upon, lor &
pray that we may be heard and Considered under our present circumstances of
distress & which we have laboured under ever Since we came into this wilderness
— We began to Settle in the Year 1773 & there are now but Seven families in the
town — We have lived destitute of any Assistance from the rest of the Propriety
who were to make equal and imediate Settlement with us and to build Mills which
they have Neglected to do — by which we have Suffered greatly — Our Grain has
cost one half its value to get it ground into Meal ever Since we have been here
— the Cost of getting Salt and other Necessaries owing to the distance and
badness of the Roads have been equally distressing — our proprietary Meeting was
Adjourned to Connecticut & held there So that we have not the priviledge of
Acting as a propriety and we are not incorporated as other towns are — We are
destitute of every previledge -our money is spent, our Families are naked —
provisions are very Scarce by reason of the Inhabitants moving off feu- fear dl'
the Enemy leaving all our Crops & we were obliged to part with our Oxen & Cows
to get back again We area frontier town — exposed to the enemy .t without the
Means of defence — We then fore pray that we may be considered in our Taxes &
that we may be admitted to the preveledges of incorporation — And your
petitioners will ever pray — &c.
"Archippus Blodget, John Smith, Joshua
Lambkin, Joseph Barlow, James Curtis, John Holbrook, James Brown."
Petition for an Abatement mid for Incorporation: Addressed to the. General
Court. 1778. — " We your humbel proticeners do pleade for an abatement of taxes
Praying that the Court would consider us under our present distressed
Curcumstances and wich we have laboured under Ever since we came into this
howling wilderness we Shall now proceed to Show forth what we have Indured Ever
Since we began to Settel this town which in the yeare A D 1773 and now there is
but Seven families in the town only and we have Lived destitute of aney
asistance from the rest of the Propity which ware to make emediate Settlement
and bould miles which is all neglected by which means we have Suffered very much
on wheat has Cost us the one half of it get it ground ever since we have lived
heare oure proprity meting was Adjurned to Connecticut andi held thare So that
we have not had the privelige of acting as a proprity in the town When the town
was last Chartered out the Publect rites ware taking away so that we Live
destitute of aney privelige both Sivel or Sacred dure money is Spent our famelys
are naked and provision is very scars by reson of the pepol moving of for feire
the Enemy We lost all our Crops and was Obliged to part with our oxan and cows
to get bak agane.and we are exposed to the Enemy without aney protection and are
in a poore sitawation to defend oure Selves we are the frunteer as the Pepol is
all with drew from above us we desire that the Court would incorporate us and
give us Proper athority
"Stratford May ye 15 1778
"Archippus Blogget,
John, Joshua Lamkin, Joseph Barlow, James Curtiss, John Holbrooks, James Brown."
First Settlers, Improvements and Stock. — From an inventory taken April
28, 1777. by Archippus Blodgett, James Brown and John Holbrook, we find that
there were ten polls, three of them credited to Archippus Blodgett; he also had
two oxen, three cows, one two-year-old, two yearlings, one horse, seven acres of
tillage land and four acres of mowing; John Holbrook has one poll, one cow, one
two-year-old, and two acres of tillage land; James Brown has one poll, two oxen,
one horse, six acres tillage land, two acres mowing land; James Curtis, one
poll, two oxen, one two-year-old, one horse, six acres tillage, and two acres of
mowing land; John Smith, one poll, one cow, one horse, and eight acres of
tillage land; Joshua Lamkin, one poll, four cows, one horse, five acres tillage,
and five acres mowing land; Joseph Barlow has two polls, two oxen, two cows,
three three-year-olds, one two-year old, two horses, eight acres tillage and two
acres mowing land. There were eight oxen, eleven cows, nine young cattle and
seven horses in all, with forty acres of tilling land and fifteen acres of
mowing.
Petition for a Guard, 1780. — " The Pettition of us the
Subscribers humbly Sheweth That our Exposed Situation to the Enemy in Canada and
having the Last Summer Suffered from that Quarter by having our houses Plundered
and Sum of our men Captivated by the Indians and hearing of their threatening to
Come to this River this winter Give us apprehension of imeadeate Danger then
fore we Pray your Hon'rs to take our Case into your wise Consideration and
Relieve our Present fears by Sending of us help Either by Sending a Draught of
the millitia or that your Hon's would wright to some General oficer for a
Detachement of Continental Soldeirs we Supose about 100 men might be a Suficent
Number at Present and your Petitioners Shall Ever Pray
"Stratford Jan'r 21st
1780
"James Brown, Joseph Barlow, Archippus Blogget, John Gamsby, John
Smith, Nathan Barlow, Joshua Lamkin, David Hix"
"State Newhamp'r
"A
True and Exact Number of Poles in Stratford twenty-one years and upward Paying a
Pole Tax are thirteen taken this 2d Dec'r 1783 "Joshua Lamkin, John Holbrook
"Sworn to before Jeremiah Karnes justice of the peace."
Certificate
Relative to Burnside's Ferry, 1786. — " We, Jeremiah Eames & Joseph Peverly
Selectmen of Northumberland & Joshua Lamkin Selectman & James Brown Town Clerk
of Stratford, Certify that we have been notified that a Petition was presented
or about to be presented to the General Court for a Ferry to be granted to
Thomas Burnside to begin at the Ferry bounds of Edwards Bucknam One mile above
the Great falls at Northumberland to extend Six Miles up from Said Bounds, on
the Kiver Connecticut taking in the Mouth of the Ammonoosook Kiver & one Mile up
the Same. And that We know the inhabitants of Said Towns & every one travelling
that way will be greatly reliev'd by a ferry being kept there— And we further
Certify that We are of Opinian No person in either of those Towns or in the
State would Object thereto as no one would be injured thereby but every person
in that quarter & all travellers there greatly benefited
"February 1786 —
"Jo's Peverly, James Brown, Jer'h Eames, Joshua Lamkin"
Petition for a
New County: Addressed to the General Court, 1791. — "The Petition of the
Inhabitants of Stratford Humbly Sheweth —
"Thet your Petitioners Live at the
Distance of Near Seventy Miles from the Nearest Shire Town in the County —
"That A very Considerable Part of the inhabitants of this Capital part of the
County Live Above us and Are under Simmerler Circumstances with us That the
Roads at Some Seasons of the year unpassable — Wherefore We your Peticioners
Pray that we may be Set of from the County of Grafton and be made a New County
by A Lyne Drawn from Connecticut River between the towns of Concord alias
Gunthwait and Littleton and an Eastward takeing in the towns of Conway Eaton &c
to the Province Line So Called and Yours in Deuty Bound will Ever Pray
"Stratford Nov'r 21st 1791 "John Gamsby, Joseph Holbrook Jun'r, W'm Curtiss,
Nathan Barlow, Elijah Blogget, Jabez Baldwin, David Holdbrook, Thomas Lamkin,
James Brown, Elijah Hinman, James Curtiss, Howard Bloggett, Andrew Strong, John
Smith, Ezra Lamkin, Hezekiah Fuller, George Gamsby, Joseph Barlow, Henry
Bloggett, Benj'a Strong, Heth Baldwin, Joshua Lamkin, Elisha Webster, Stephen
Curtis, John Gamsby Ju'r, Aran Curtiss, Charles Strong, Ephraim Barlow, Josiah
Blogget, Isaac Johnson, Richard Holdbrook, Abnor Barlow"
Petitions for an
Abatement of Taxes. Etc.: Addressed to the General Court. — "Humbly Shews The
Subscribers Inhabitants of the Town of Stratford in the County of Grafton, that
prior to the commencement of the Late war your Petitioners had began Settlements
in Said town of Stratford — which ware then the frontier Settlement in this
State and consequently in the time of the war was most exposed to the
depredations and ravages of the Enemy, and that at the repeated solicitations of
the Inhabitants and the Commanding officer further down Connecticut River they
continued at their settlements though in continual jeopardy for several years
and untill the Enemy came upon them, took some of the Inhabitants captive, &
plundered others, which compelled your petitioners to remove to places where
their families might not be exposed to continual danger— That your petitioners;
though verry great sufferers during the continuance of the war have since the
conclucion thereof exerted themselves (though in indigent circumstances) and
have returned to their former Settlements, where they wish to continue and make
such improvements as may be beneficial to themselves and the Public; — But find
themselves under new embarrassments occasioned by their poverty and the distance
they Live from Inhabitants of wealth and fortune, which, togather with the
expense they have necessarily Inn obliged to be at in building Bridges and a
Road through the town — Renders them quite unable to discharge the Taxes laid on
them by Government though well disposed and desireous of doing what is in their
power to the support thereof; your Petitioners are therefore reduced to the
disagreeable necessity of Petitioning your Honours to take their unfortunate
case under your wise consideration and abate so much of the taxes required of
said Town as the present Inhabitants are by Law subjected to pay Or in any other
way releave them as you in your Great Wisdom my see meet — as your petitioners
in duty Bound Shall ever pray.
"W'm Cargill In behalf of the Petitioners."
Development, Growth and
Population. — The long war ended, and the labors of peace resumed activity. Now
came a period of development and growth. Up to this time there was no road to
Haverhill as we call roads to-day. An eight foot road with "corduroy" or
"causeys " (very much out of order) along the miry and swampy places, afforded
an opportunity to carry grain to the mill from Dalton down (fifty miles it was
then called), but the way above was even worse. A small stock of goods, with
West India and New England rum, was on sale in Lancaster, and for years that was
the nearest trading-point. The currency of the pioneer was the skins of the wild
beasts he shot, the various kinds of peltry, or the "black salts" made from the
ashes of the trees they felled. "Many a horse's back and sides have been made
sore while conveying these 'salts' in bags across its back to market." The
population numbered forty-one in September, 1775; in 1790, 146; in 1800, 281; in
1810, 339; in 1820, 335; in 1880, 1,016.
Early Officers. — There were
selectmen, and other officers incident to a town, chosen long before the
incorporation of the town. The records are scanty, and the names can be
ascertained only from documents to which their names were officially attached.
Archippus Blodgett and James Curtis were selectmen in 1775, Isaac Johnson and
James Brown in 1774.
First Marriage. — The first marriage in town was
that of James Brown and Hannah Lamkin, which was solemnized in 1775, by Seth
Wales, justice of the peace. This worthy pair had nine children, whose births
are duly recorded, their oldest child, Anne, being born March 17, 1776.
The Town of Stratford was incorporated November 16, 1779. By an act approved
June 21, 1832, the territory embraced in ranges, 17. 18, 19 and 20, in the
southeast part of the town, was set off and annexed to Percy. The town is
bounded north by Columbia, east by Odell, south by Stark and Northumberland, and
west by Vermont. In 1823 there was one meeting-house, five school districts with
five school-houses, and two taverns.
Call for First Town Meeting. —
"State of New Hampshire. Whereas I the subscriber am authorized and Impowered By
the General Court of this State as Expresst in the Incorporation of Stratford to
notify an Town Meeting agreeable to said order I do hereby Notify all the
Inhabitants and Freeholders of the Town of Stratford to meet at the dwelling
house of Mr. James Curtis on Tuesday the Eleventh Day of this Instant at one of
the clock In the afternoon to act upon the following articles firstly to chuse
an moderator to govern said meeting 2d to chuse all Necessary Town officers.
Stratford April ye 5 day 1780. James Brown."
Action of First Town
Meeting. — "At an Legal Town Meeting held at the House of James Curtis on the
18th Day of April 1780 1st voted James Brown Moderator an 2d voted James Curtis
Town Clerk 3d voted Archippus Blogget and John Holbrook & James Brown Selectmen
for ye ensuing year 4th voted James Curtis to be Constable."
1781. Town
meeting was held at the dwelling house of James Brown. Joseph Barlow was chosen
moderator; James Brown, town clerk; Archippus Blogget, Joshua Lamkin, and Joseph
Barlow, selectmen; John Holbrook, constable; John Smith and Archippus Blogget,
surveyors of highways.
1782. Annual meeting held at James Curtis's. John
Smith was chosen moderator; James Brown, town clerk; John Holbrook, Joseph
Barlow, James Curtis, selectmen; Elijah Blogget, constable.
1783. Met at
James Curtis's and elected Joseph Barlow, moderator; James Brown, town clerk;
Joseph Barlow. Joshua Lamkin, and John Holbrook, selectmen; Gideon Smith,
constable; Joshua Lamkin, grand juror: James Curtis surveyor of roads. Thirteen
polls were returned this year.
1784. Met at James Curtis's. Elected
Joshua Lamkin, moderator; James Brown, town clerk; Archippus Blogget, James
Brown, and Joshua Lamkin, selectmen; James Brown, constable; James Curtis and
Archippus Blogget, surveyors. It was also voted to raise four (4) pounds for a
school for the present year.
1786. Isaac Johnson and James Brown
selectmen.
A survey of the town was made in 1788 by E. W. Judd, whose
journal is still in existence and from which we make extracts: —
"September 3, 1778, began to survey Stratford. Began at an Ash bush marked 'No.
5 — 1788.' Run north 75° east about a mile to Gamsby's mill pond, house, etc.
Sept. 8, Trained our utensils for Minehead, set out for the same at Two o'clock
P. M. Gur company mess: Shadrich Osborn, Mr. Mitchell, Eben Strong, Jere Eames,
Ben Strong, John Garnsby. Carried out of my own provisions 1 lb chocolate, 4 lbs
Sugar, 11 oz Tea. Camped at the mouth of Nulhegan river. Sept. 29, Rainy this
morning, we run over Goback mountain. [One of the prominent mountains of the
town, taking its name, it is said, from its great steepness on one side, where
all climbers had to "go back."] Oct. 4, Came to Nash's stream. In camp. Rainy
all the afternoon and night. Snow fell on the hills as to look white. Oct. 5,
Eat dinner in an old dead swamp. Tone went home after gun and sugar. Oct 9, Run
up part of the great Mountain. Climbed a tall tree and viewed the Land in
Stratford, and judged that about one-forth of the land of the town will admit of
cultivation. Oct. 14, Breakfast at Wait's, one-half pint Rum drawn. Survey. Oct.
16 & 17 Survey. 18, Eat supper at Capt. Lamkin s, Lodged at Curtis's."
Many of the localities of the town are mentioned by the same names they bear
today. Mineral Bow, Bog brook, Great and Little Nash streams, Gamsby's
mill-pond, Judson's mill, Jonathan pond, etc., etc. "Wait's" was frequently
mentioned, and was headquarters, probably, for the surveying party. There is
rarely a failure to mention the three daily meals, nor where they were taken.
Rum is mentioned frequently, but in small quantities. All accounts are kept with
scrupulous exactness. The journal also registers the weather. Snow storms began
early in October; often disagreeably mixed with rain. Heavy winds were frequent.
Trees were blown down, and thunder storms swept through the valley, and
thundered on the hills. The journal gives but one entry of attending public
worship on Sunday, and this was held in a barn at Col. Bailey's in Vermont. In
the same connection we make this quotation. Does it refer to the celebrated Rev.
George Whitefield, who visited America about this time, and of whom it is said
that he could, at his pleasure, make a congregation laugh or weep by his varied
pronunciations of the word "Mesopotamia"? "One Mr. Whitefield, a Priest, was
very extraordinary for Thundering out with a loud voice so as to made those of a
Week mind become a pray to his lamentations, etc., particularly one 'Pomp,' a
Negro, who always used to fall down." Warm and pleasant Indian-summer weather is
mentioned in November. The record ends about November 4, when they camped all
night on Goback mountain in a rain storm.
The town records from 1785 to
1800 are not preserved, but the selectmen of 1799 were Joseph Holbrook, William
Johnson, and David Holbrook.
Extracts from Town Records. — At a special
meeting held at the house of Henry Schoff, June 27, 1800, one article acted upon
was "to see if they will vote to built a meeting house, and appoint a committee
to pitch upon a spot to set it on." The vote on revision of State constitution
stood, "Yeas Is. Nays 4."' Amasiah Chase, Jabez Baldwin, and Nathan Barlow
licensed as "taverners."
1801. "Voted to raise a tax of fifty dollars to
be paid in labor on the highway at fifty cents per day. To raise eighteen
dollars for town expenses and to build a pound. John T. Gilman had twenty eight
votes for governor, and Timothy Walker, eight. Joseph and David M. Holbrook
licensed taverners "
1803. An article in the warrant was "to see if the
Town will pass a vote to build a pest-house, or see what measures shall be taken
to prevent said disorder (small-pox) from spreading." Meeting was held at Isaac
Johnson's.
1804. The annual meeting this year is called for the first
time "to meet at the house of Isaac Stevens."
1805. A petition to Nathan
Barlow, J. P., to call a town meeting is signed by quite a number of new
settlers. The signers are Benjamin Strong, Agur Platt, Charles Strong, David M.
Holbrook, Jonah Graves, Richard Holbrook, James Curtis, James Brown, Joseph
Barlow, David Holbrook, Abner Barlow, Ephraim Mahurin. Peletiah Nichols and
Isaac Stevens, licensed as taverners. John Langdon receives thirty-five votes
for governor to John T. Gilman eleven. Voted to raise $100 to buy weights and
measures, and to survey the outlines of the town agreeable to an act of the
legislature.
1808. The first election for President recorded in town was
called by "command" of Gov. Langdon. E. H. Mahurin was moderator, and the
electoral ticket, headed by Jeremiah Smith, received seventeen votes; the one
headed by John Langdon received fifteen.
1811. Value of non-resident
land $5,143.75. Ezra Barnes licensed as a taverner in 1811 and 1812.
1813. The district meeting was held here, and Jeremiah Eames elected moderator
and Thomas Eames representative for the towns of Stratford, Northumberland and
Percy. The tax list falls this year from sixty-two to fifty. James Brown, a most
prominent citizen died. Agur Platt, town clerk for several years, moved to
Indiana. Francis Wilson keeps a tavern in 1809, and the town meetings of 1819
and 1820 are called at "Wilson's tavern." In 1817 the town meeting met at
Faulkner's tavern. With these three exceptions the meetings were held
continuously at Isaac Stevens's tavern from 1804 to 1820.
War of 1812. —
Stratford gave of her sons in this war as freely as in Revolutionary times.
Among those going as soldiers were Luther Fuller; his sons Samuel and Calvin;
Jerry, son of Hezekiah Fuller; William, son of Isaac Merriam; and Haines French
and his three sons. Samuel Fuller died of measles; Calvin Fuller of "spotted
fever;" Jerry Fuller had his head taken off by a cannon ball; William Merriam
was killed at the battle of Chippewa; Haines French died at Plattsburg; and his
son Homer was killed in battle. Probably no town in the state lost so large a
percentage of the soldiers sent in this war as did Stratford.
Capt.
James Powers went to the Mexican war from this town.
Great Civil War. —
The selectmen report to the adjutant-general in 1866 seven installments of
soldiers. 1st, Twenty-eight men, no bounty. 2d, Twenty-two men with $100 each as
bounty, $2,200. 3d, Seven men with $300 bounty to each, $2,100. 4th, Twelve men
with $200 bounty, $2,400. 5th, Seven men with $300 bounty, $2,100. 6th, Fourteen
men and bounties of $9,400. 7th, Eight men whose bounties were $2,658.34. Total:
Ninety-eight men, with bounties, etc., of $20,858.34. The necessary incidental
expenses on the fourth call were $73.85, of which Lucius Hartshorn contributed
$23.00. J. H. Danforth was agent on the fifth call. He went to Washington to
fill quota; expenses, $119.73. F. Fisk was agent on the sixth and seventh calls.
Expenses on the sixth, $314.52; on the seventh, $254.85; total $739.05. Andrew
J. Ockington was a soldier of the Sixth Mass. Vols, which made the historic
march through Baltimore in April, 1861. Harvey Merriam served six months in
Forty-first Iowa Cavalry, then re-enlisted and was killed in the Red River (La.)
campaign. Albert Curtis served in the U. S. navy.
Stratford Hollow. — In
the early history of the town and until the railroad days this was the business
center. The lumber-mills give some business to the railroad and some enterprises
flourish in the little village. Fred N. Day is station agent and a stirring
business man in various directions.
Fred L. Kenney has a bobbin-factory,
a rotary saw-mill and a clapboard machine, employing eighteen men, with a
capacity of 15,000 of lumber per day. These are run by steam and water-power.
L. B. Blodgett, the worthy postmaster of "Stratford Hollow" post-office,
deals in dry -goods, groceries, etc., and belongs to one of the oldest families
in town.
Noah Waters has been in trade for many years. He is also a
general merchant, and of an old family.
Library Hall (two stories high,
65x36 feet,) was erected in 1885. It furnishes a well-appointed place for
meetings, entertainments, and the like. A subscription library is connected;
Helen M. French, librarian.
Brookside Cottage is a neat little country
inn. Johnson & Merriam, proprietors. It has a grocery store connected with it.
Coos Lodge, I. O. G. T., was organized October 20, 1882, with
thirty-three members. It has now forty-four members.
Ecclesiastical. —
In 1780 the village plat was under consideration, and was located on
"Meeting-House Hill." In 1800, in a call for a special town meeting, one article
was "to see if the town will vote to build a meetinghouse, and appoint a
committee for to pitch upon a spot." The early settlers have left no evidence of
their religious preferences except in a few instances. James Brown was the son
of a Congregational deacon, and brought religious books in his saddle-bags. His
house became the home of the pioneer preachers, and the place where religious
services were held. Jabez Baldwin and his family, according to tradition, had
been reared in the Church of England. The wife of Isaac Johnson was Phoebe
Grant, whose father was a Congregational clergyman. Record evidence concerning
any religious organization cannot be obtained until at least fifty years of
settlement had passed.
Methodist Episcopal Church. — This was the
pioneer in religious movements. James Brown, alluded to above, not only welcomed
the itinerants, who travelled the rough ways on horseback, to the hospitality of
his home, but became a member of this church, and a strong tower of the faith.
The "quarterly meetings" brought the people sometimes thirty or forty miles, and
were marked periods of social intercourse and religious manifestations. The
strong sermons of the often unlettered preachers were full of practical
admonitions, warnings, and good advice; and the doctrines of "glad tidings"
which they brought were received by eager listeners and brought forth good
fruit. Sometimes the preacher was of more than ordinary power. Jason Lee,
Lorenzo Dow, and other kindred souls, brought their eloquence and gifts to the
service of God in the wilderness, and Methodism became a living force in the
community.
A Methodist society was formed in the first of this century.
The first church was erected about 1808 on "Meeting-House Hill," on the road
that led from Bog brook mills to Stratford Hollow. It was never finished; the
seats were formed by placing sections of logs on the floor and laying rough
boards across them. It was raised quite a distance from the ground, and
furnished a refuge from the heat of the sun for the sheep which ranged at will
through the unfenced wilds. Their noise often interfered with the services, and
Elder Marshall once called to them in the middle of his sermon, "Bleat away, we
can make as much noise as you." The house was evidently not well taken care of;
the door was left open, and the sheep found entrance, causing such disorder that
Elder Lord vehemently declaimed against making or allowing the house of God to
be made a "sheep-pen." The location was not a central one, and Elder Lord
labored earnestly to have the house taken down and rebuilt in a better location.
Much opposition was shown to this movement, but he carried his point, and the
material was used in the construction of the church now used as a town-house,
which is thirty-six feet square, and was erected about 1820 on the river road,
about midway between North Stratford and Stratford Hollow. The trustees in 1829
were Antipas Marshall, Benjamin Brown, Elisha Johnson, Joshua Marshall, Rufus
Lamkin. Rev. Antipas Marshall was the first preacher of whom we learn any
tiling. He was born in Ipswich, Mass., about 1754, and came to Northumberland as
a settlor in 1796. He was a local preacher, deacon, and elder; preached for many
years, and attended many funerals. He was one of the old-fashioned preachers,
proclaiming the Law as well as the Gospel. He lived to be eighty-four, and was
active to the last. Being invited to ride to church the Sabbath before his
death, he declined, saying, "Let old folks ride, and young ones go on foot."
Rev. Benjamin Brown, a travelling Methodist preacher, a native of Wellfleet,
Mass., who in early life had been a sailor, and had risen to the command of a
merchantman trading in foreign countries, settled in Brunswick, Vt., where he
purchased the Cargill farm and mills. Here he lived until 1854, preaching very
frequently in the neighboring towns. Elders Branch, Sabin, Plumley, Alden,
Latham, Putnam, and Cowing were also here. Elder Plumley's services were blessed
with a great revival; the converts were baptized by Elder McGregor, who came
from Northumberland for this purpose. Isaac Brown, son of James, was the first
one baptized.
List of Members in 1843. — Class No. 1. J. W. Johnson,
leader; Mary Johnson, Elisha Johnson, Lydia Johnson, Marcus D. Johnson. Maria
Johnson, Jonathan Bolfe, Lydia Rolfe, Victory Gamsby, Elmira Gamsby, Joshua
Marshall, Betsey Marshall, George Kimball, Polly Kimball, Alfred Martin, Cynthia
Martin, Sarah Stephens. Emeline Gamsby, Sarah J. Johnson, Polly Gamsby, Susanna
Day, Lucinda Baldwin, Mary Gamsbyj Priscilla Johnson, Mary A. Johnson, Emily J.
Johnson, Albino Kimball, Susan Schorl', Mary Ross, Susan Gamsby, Nathaniel
Biker, John MoCollister, Edward V. Kimball, Bernice Kimball, Ann Curtis, Delpha
A. Gamsby, Betsey A. Mahurin. Lucretia A. Johnson.
A second class of
thirty-six members, comprising the Waters, Merriam, Byron, and Marshall
families, included some residents of Northumberland.
There was quite a
revival in 1853, and a new church was determined upon at the "Hollow." William
Mclntyre, Marcus D. Johnson, and Noah B. Waters were the building committee.
Hon. N. D. Day was one of the active promoters of its erection. This church has
a seating capacity of 200, and cost $1,000. It was completed and dedicated in
the fall of 1854, and in 1866 a bell costing about $175 was purchased by
subscription.
The early clergy had a hard life; meager salaries (often
unpaid), large circuits, many sermons was the rule; and only those who looked
above earthly rewards and emoluments were fitted to undergo the privations and
hardships encountered. Sometimes the circuit reached from Northumberland to
Pittsburg; again from Stratford to Milan; again a smaller field would be given —
Stratford and Columbia, or Stratford and Northumberland— as civilization
advanced and settlers multiplied. The saddle-bags and saddle-horse have gone.
The "circuit riders" have, in many cases, passed over the last river whose
bridgeless stream they had to cross; and comfortable homes and fewer privations
fall to the lot of their successors. For several years Northumberland has been
united with Stratford, the pastor residing in the parsonage at Groveton, with
afternoon and alternate Sunday evening services at Stratford. We cannot give a
list of pastors. They remain but a short time, and are not permanently connected
with the town. Rev. L. W. Prescott, a former pastor, is perhaps the most so of
any on the long list. He is now preparing what is intended to be a full and
comprehensive history of Stratford and its old families. Rev. Leslie R. Danforth
closed a three-years' pastorate of great usefulness in 1887. The church record
has borne about eighty-two names during the last thirty-five years.
Civil List. — 1800. Joseph Holbrook, clerk: Benjamin Strong, Richard
Holbrook. Joseph Dyer (till June 27), William Johnson (from June 27), selectmen;
Joseph Eolbrook, treasurer.
1801. Joseph Holbrook, clerk; Isaac Johnson,
Benjamin Strong, Richard Holbrook, selectmen; Joseph Holbrook, treasurer.
1802. Isaac Johnson. Benjamin Strong, Richard Holbrook, selectmen.
1803. E. H. Mahurin, Benjamin Strong, Nathan Baldwin, selectman.
1804.
Isaac Johnson, clerk; Benjamin Strong, E. H. Mahurin, Nathan Baldwin, selectmen.
1805. Nathan Barlow, clerk; Thomas G. French, James Brown, Agur Platt,
selectmen; James Brown, treasurer.
1806. Nathan Baldwin, clerk; Nathan
Carr, Thomas G. French, Agur Platt, selectmen.
1807. Benjamin Strong,
clerk; Isaac Stevens, Thomas G. French, Asa Hall, selectmen; James Brown,
treasurer.
1808. Benjamin Strong, clerk; Agur Platt, Joseph Daniels, Asa
Hall, selectmen; James Brown, treasurer.
1809. Asa Hall, clerk; E. H.
Mahurin, Peletiah Nichols, Isaac Johnson, Jr., selectmen; Nathan Baldwin,
treasurer; James Lucas, representative.
1810. Asa Hall, clerk; E. H.
Mahurin, Peletiah Nichols, Thomas G. French, selectmen; Joseph Daniels,
treasurer.
1811. Agur Platt, clerk; E. H. Mahurin, Peletiah Nichols,
Thomas G. French, selectmen.
1812. Agur Platt, clerk; E. H. Mahurin,
Peletiah Nichols, Noah Hatch, selectmen.
1813. Agur Platt (until
September 13), E. H. Mahurin (after September 13), clerk; Nathan Baldwin, Elisha
Johnson, Aaron Curtis, selectmen.
1814. Joshua Marshall, clerk; David
Platt, Nathan Baldwin, Noah Hatch, selectmen.
1815. Joshua Marshall,
clerk; Nathan Baldwin, David Platt, Noah Hatch, selectmen.
1816. Joshua
Marshall, clerk; Nathan Baldwin, E. H. Mahurin, Joseph Daniels, selectmen;
Nathan Baldwin, representative.
1817. Joshua Marshall, clerk: Nathan
Baldwin, Elisha Johnson, David Platt, selectmen.
1818. Joshua Marshall,
clerk; Nathan Baldwin, John French. Samuel F. Brown, selectmen.
1819.
Joshua Marshall, clerk; Nathan Baldwin, John French, Samuel F. Brown, selectmen;
Nathan Baldwin, representative.
1820. Joshua Marshall, clerk; Nathan
Baldwin, Elisha A. Barlow, Abner Day, selectmen; Nathan Baldwin, treasurer.
[We have been unable to procure the town officers from 1820 to 1835.]
1831. Joshua Marshall, representative.
1832. Nathan Baldwin.
1835. Roberson S. Marshall, clerk; Joshua Marshall. Samuel F. Brown, Robert
Bond, selectmen; Joshua Marshall, treasurer; Samuel F. Brown, representative.
The town classed with Northumberland.
1836. Leonard Hatch, clerk; Nathan
Baldwin, Marcus D. Johnson, Abijah S. French, selectmen; Asa B. Porter,
treasurer.
1837. George F. Barlow, clerk; David Ross, Abijah S. French,
Branch Brown, selectmen; David Ross, treasurer; Hiram Lucas, representative.
1838. George F. Barlow, clerk; Abijah S. French, Marcus D. Johnson, Branch
Brown, selectmen; Joshua Marshall, treasurer.
1839. George F. Barlow,
clerk; Marcus D. Johnson, James B. Brown, Roberson S. Marshall, selectmen;
Elisha Baldwin, treasurer; Abijah S. French, representative.
1840.
George F. Barlow, clerk: James B. Brown. Marcus D. Johnson, Seneca A. Shoff,
selectmen; David Ross, treasurer.
1841. Samuel W. Johnson, clerk; Marcus
D. Johnson, Levi Colby, Roberson S. Marshall, selectmen; David Ross, treasurer;
Nahum D. Day, representative.
1842. Samuel W. Johnson, clerk; Marcus I).
Johnson, Jabez Baldwin, Elisha A. Barlow, selectmen; Elisha Baldwin, treasurer.
1843. Edward Spraigue, clerk; Marcus D. Johnson; Joseph Johnson, George
F. Barlow, selectmen; David Ross, representative.
1844. Edward Spraigue,
clerk; Abijah S. French, Joseph Johnson, Seneca A. Shoff, selectmen; Joshua
Marshall, treasurer.
1845. Edward Spraigue, clerk; Joseph Johnson, David
Ross, Marcus D. Johnson, selectmen; Joshua Marshall, treasurer; James B. Brown,
representative.
1846. Joseph Johnson, clerk; Nathan Baldwin, Branch
Brown, Charles H. Lucas, selectmen; Joshua Marshall, treasurer.
1847.
Joseph Johnson, clerk; Nathan Baldwin, Elisha Baldwin, Jr., John B. Crown,
selectmen: Joshua Marshall, treasurer; Russell Gamsby, representative.
1848. Joseph Johnson, clerk; John B. Crown, Elisha Johnson, Jr., Elbridge G.
Gaskill, selectmen; Joseph Johnson, treasurer.
1849. Joseph Johnson,
clerk; Marcus D. Johnson, Roberson S. Marshall, Branch Brown, selectmen -r
Joseph Johnson, treasurer; Charles Bellows, representative.
1850. Joseph
Johnson, clerk; Marcus D. Johnson, Roberson S. Marshall, Abijah S. French,
selectmen ; Joseph Johnson, treasurer.
1851. Joseph Johnson, clerk;
Marcus D. Johnson, Abijah S. French, Branch Brown, selectmen; Joseph Johnson,
treasurer; Roberson S. Marshall, representative.
1852. Joseph Johnson,
clerk; Hiram Lucas, Joshua Marshall, William G. Fuller, selectmen; Joseph
Johnson, treasurer.
1853. Joseph Johnson, clerk; Marcus D. Johnson, John
M. Lucas, Thomas Connary, selectmen; Joseph Johnson, treasurer; Branch Brown,
representative.
1854. Joseph Johnson, clerk; Seneca A. Shoff, Abijah S.
French, John M. Lucas, selectmen ; Joseph Johnson, treasurer; Branch Brown,
representative.
1855. William G. Fuller, clerk; Roberson S. Marshall,
Samuel C. Brown, Charles Mahurin, selectmen: Roberson S. Marshall, treasurer;
John B. Crown, representative.
1856. William G. Fuller, clerk; Abijah S.
French, Henry Baldwin, Henry O. White, selectmen; John F. Lock, treasurer; John
B. Crown, representative.
1857. William G. Fuller, clerk; Thomas
Connary, William K. Riehey, Darius W. Blodgett, selectmen; Thomas Connary,
treasurer; Albe Holmes, representative.
1858. William G. Fuller, clerk;
Marcus D. Johnson, Irenus K. Waters, Dennis R. Mclntire, selectmen: Marcus D.
Johnson, treasurer; Albe Holmes, representative.
1859. William G.
Fuller, clerk: Thomas Connary, Samuel C. Brown, Nathan B. Shoff, selectmen;
Thomas Connary, treasurer; Harvey Hinman. representative.
1860. William
G. Fuller, clerk; Albe Holmes, Charles Mahurin, Darius W. Blodgett, selectmen;
Albe Holmes, treasurer; Harvey Hinman, representative.
1861. William G.
Fuller, clerk; Thomas Connary, Abner Norcott, Branch Brown, selectmen; Thomas
Connary, treasurer; Ephraim M. Swett, representative.
1862. William G.
Fuller, clerk; Albe Holmes, Melvin Marshall, Abner Norcott, selectmen; William
G. Fuller, representative.
1863. William G. Fuller, clerk; Thomas
Connary, Melvin Marshall, Richard S. Ockington, selectmen; Thomas Connary,
treasurer; William G. Fuller, representative.
1864. William G. Fuller,
clerk; Melvin Marshall, Charles H. Lucas, Moses B. Clough, selectmen; Melvin
Marshall, treasurer; Melvin Marshall, representative.
1865. William G.
Fuller, clerk; Thomas Connary, Joseph H. Danforth, Lowell Simonds, selectmen;
Thomas Connary, treasurer; Melvin Marshall, representative.
1866.
William G. Fuller, clerk; Charles Mahurin, Lowell Simonds, John I. Crown,
selectmen; Lowell Simonds, treasurer; Jefferson V. Wright, representative.
1867. William G. Fuller, clerk; Marcus D. Johnson, Melvin Marshall, Samuel
Brown, selectmen; Melvin Marshall, treasurer: Jefferson V. Wright,
representative.
1868. William G. Fuller, clerk; Melvin Marshall, Lowell
Simonds, George C. Kimball, selectmen; Melvin Marshall, treasurer; Samuel C.
Brown, representative.
1869. William G. Fuller, clerk; Marcus D.
Johnson, Charles P. Shoff, William C. Fisk, selectmen; Isaac Johnson, treasurer;
Samuel C. Brown, representative.
1870. William G. Fuller, clerk;
Roberson S. Marshall, Frederick A. Blodgett, John C. Stone, selectmen; Johnson,
treasurer; Samuel Brown, representative.
1871. William G. Fuller, clerk;
Lowell Simonds, Seth R. Chase, Arthur H. Carpenter, selectmen; Isaac Johnson,
treasurer; Samuel Brown, representative.
1872. William G. Fuller, clerk;
Roberson S. Marshall, Brooks B. Ockington, Hiram H. Wright, selectmen; Isaac
Johnson, treasurer; Abner Norcott, representative.
1873. William G.
Fuller, clerk; Melvin Marshall, William B. Brown, Samuel W. Johnson, selectmen;
Abner Norcott, representative.
1874. William G. Fuller, clerk; Melvin
Marshall, William R. Brown, Havilah B. Hinman, selectmen; Isaac Johnson,
treasurer: Fred N. Day. representative.
1875. William G. Fuller, clerk;
William R. Brown, Havilah B. Hinman, Guy W. Johnson, selectmen; Isaac Johnson,
treasurer: George C. Kimball, representative.
1870. William G. Fuller,
clerk; Havilah B. Hinman, Henry Saunders, William B, Danforth. selectmen; Isaac
Johnson, treasurer; George C. Kimball, representative.
1877. William G.
Fuller, clerk; George B. Eaton, Fred N. Day, William H. Kimball, selectmen; B.
Brooks Ockington, treasurer: William B. Brown, representative.
1878.
William G. Fuller, clerk; Fred N. Day, William H. Kimball, William K. Danforth,
selectmen; B. Brooks Ockington, treasurer: William B. Brown, representative.
1879. William G. Fuller, clerk; William B. Danforth, Guy W. Johnson, William
R. Brown, selectmen; B. Brooks Ockington, treasurer.
1880. William G.
Fuller, clerk; William B. Brown, Guy W. Johnson, Havilah B. Hinman, selectmen;
B. Brooks Ockington, treasurer; John C. Pattee, representative.
1881.
William G. Fuller, clerk; William B. Brown, Guy W. Johnson, Havilah B. Hinman,
selectmen; Benjamin B. Ockington, treasurer.
1882. William G. Fuller,
clerk; William R. Brown, Clark Stevens, Joseph T. Connary, selectmen; Benjamin
B. Ockington, treasurer; Hiram H. Wright, representative.
1883. William
G. Fuller, clerk; Clark Stevens, Joseph T. Connary, Fred N. Day, selectmen:
William R. Danforth. treasurer.
1884. William G. Fuller, clerk; Clark
Stevens, Joseph T. Connary. William H. Kimball, selectmen; William R. Danforth,
treasurer; Clark Stevens, representative.
1885. William G. Fuller,
clerk; Joseph T. Connary, William H. Kimball, Charles E. Clark, selectmen;
William R. Danforth, treasurer.
1886. William G. Fuller, clerk; William
H. Kimball, William R. Brown, Guy W. Johnson, selectmen; William B. Danforth,
treasurer; John I. Crown, representative.
1887. William G. Fuller,
clerk; Charles E.Clark, W. E. Brown, Fred L. Kinney, selectmen; William R.
Danforth, treasurer.
North Stratford. — Very little had been done in
improvement or business in this now lively and important business center prior
to the advent of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence (now Grand Trunk) R. R., in 1852.
The "Baldwin Brothers" had built mills in Bloomfield, Vt., on the Nulhegan river
where now stand those of the "Nulhegan Lumber Co." These gave employment to
numerous persons, and caused various business enterprises to be established. The
"Baldwin Bridge Co." incorporated in July, 1850, composed of E. A., William L.
and J. M. Baldwin, afforded means of ready communication between Vermont and New
Hampshire, by constructing the bridge across the river which was opened for
travel in June, 1852. The railroad was the direct cause of the growth of the
village. It was the nearest shipping-point of the upper Connecticut valley, and
soon became a great center of trade. Hotel accommodations were demanded; livery
teams were called for; freighting to the towns above assumed large proportions;
starch came in great quantities from the numerous factories up north, and
buildings were constructed with great rapidity to meet the demand.
Col.
Hazen Bedel, of Colebrook, in company with Alba Holmes in 1852, put up the first
store, known now as the Marshall building, and put in a stock of goods. This
they conducted as "Bedel & Holmes," until 1862, when they relinquished trade. E.
H. Folsom and Melvin Marshall formed a partnership as general merchants as
"Folsom & Marshall" in 1864 and occupied this building. Two years later Mr.
Folsom retired, and, after some time, Mr. Marshall admitted E. B. Merriam as a
partner, the firm becoming Marshall & Merriam. This house was succeeded three
years later by M. Marshall & Co., Mr. Merriam retiring. The new firm was in
trade some years. In 1882 Carpenter Brothers, (who established the first drug
and jewelry store at this point, in 1877, in the Barrett building south of the
railroad.) removed to the Marshall store. They sold their goods to J. C.
Hutchins in 1886. Mr. Hutchins added a furniture department, and is now in trade
as a pharmacist, jeweler, and dealer in stationery, wall paper, and furniture.
Clark P. True built the store now occupied by Danforth, Pattee & Clark in 1852,
and in the fall of that year opened the first stock of goods for sale in the
place. In 1853 William R. and Joseph H. Danforth became his partners under the
name of True, Danforth & Co. Mr. True, in connection with A. C. Denison, of
Norway, Me., the Danforths and the Gilkeys, was largely engaged in supplying
contractors on the Atlantic & St. Lawrence R. R., and, as the railroad was
completed, established stores at South Paris and Bethel, Me., and Gorham,
Northumberland Falls, and North Stratford, which was the last of the chain and
closed Mr. True's merchandising here. In two years the firm became W. R. & F. A.
Danforth, the latter selling in one year to J. H. Danforth. W. R. & J. H.
Danforth did business until 1871, when J. H. Danforth became the owner, and
conducted trade alone until 1881. He then formed the firm of Danforth & Pattee
by taking J. C. Pattee as a partner. The same year W. R. Danforth took the place
of his brother in the firm. In 1884 Danforth, Pattee & Clark succeeded to the
business, Charles E. Clark receiving an interest. This house is the largest
mercantile establishment of this section, and carries a diversified stock of
merchandise and clothing, and does an annual business of $40,000 or $45,000.
There was a small building put up early on the site of the store of E. B.
Merriam & Co., and some small trading adventures were here conducted. It was
burned about 1863. E. H. Folsom put up the present building shortly after, and
used it as a wholesale flour and feed store for some years. It was then
purchased by J. H. Danforth, who leased it to William L. Baldwin and Carlton
Fuller. They, as Baldwin & Fuller, carried on merchandising for some years. Mr.
Danforth then sold the store to the Holyoke Lumber Co., which traded there for
one year, when, in 1872, George R. Eaton bought their stock. He, after ten years
of successful trade, admitted E. B. Merriam as partner in 1882, the firm title
becoming E. B. Merriam & Co. This house is now in trade, doing an annual
business of from $35,000 to $40,000.
James Ogle came here in 1868 as a
blacksmith, and located near the bridge on the south side of the railroad. In
1884, forming a partnership with C. W. Clough, they built a large two-story
building on the same site, which they fitted up with a steam-engine and the
necessary machinery for a well-equipped wagon, carriage, and blacksmith shop.
This furnishes employment to from four to six men.
James Twohey put up
Twohey's building (30x60), three stories and a basement,) in 1884. The upper
story is a hall for society meetings, the second is a skating-rink, and the
first was occupied as a clothing-store by Jacobs & Kugleman in 1885. Levi Jacobs
is now the proprietor. Mr. Kugleman established another clothing store in 1887
near the bridge.
Clark Stevens and W. H. Lovejoy keep meat-markets; H.
B. Hinman deals in groceries. There are also millinery stores, harness-shops, a
bowling-alley, a billiard-saloon, and other minor establishments.
J. H.
Danforth began the manufacture of last blocks shortly after the close of the
great civil war. This has been carried on ever since, Danforth, Pattee & Clark
making about 100,000 during the winter of 1886-87.
The Atlantic & St.
Lawrence R. R. was, shortly after its arrival at North Stratford, leased to the
Grand Trunk railway, which now conducts it. The business done at this station
has increased rapidly. The first year there were 500 passengers purchasing
tickets, and about $9,000 of freights. In 1886 there were 8,721 passengers, the
freight amounted to $81,267.35, and the earnings of the road at this point
$9,460. The money handled at this station during the first year did not exceed
$4,000, while in 1886 it reached about $70,000. James Twohey, the present
courteous and efficient agent, has been stationed here since 1871. The first
station agent was a quaint old sea-captain from Yarmouth, Me., Captain Porter.
He remained but a few months. L. W. Alger succeeded him for three years. Since
then have been here Charles D. Waterhouse, Thomas Waterhouse, Hiram Berry, Henry
Adams, James Twohey.
"North Stratford" postoffice was established in
1850 with a tri-weekly mail; William L. Baldwin, postmaster. It was kept at the
store of Mr. Baldwin on the Elisha Baldwin homestead. In 1853 Alba Holmes was
made postmaster, and moved the office to the store of Bedel & Holmes. It
remained there until 1861, the name during this time being changed to "Coos."
Joseph H. Danforth was appointed postmaster in July, 1861, and held the office
for twenty-four years. He removed it to its present location, where it has since
remained. John C. Pattee has been postmaster since 1885. The receipts of the
office have increased commensurately with the advance of business. In 1861 the
office paid about $100; in 1886 about $800.
Hinman's Island in the
Connecticut was the first unsurveyed island in that stream, all below being
surveyed. It was purchased by Harvey Hinman in April, 1854, of J. S. Lyman for
$30, and consisted of about six acres, covered with a fine growth of butternut
trees. No natural growth of this wood was ever found above this island, most of
such trees being from slips from this island. Only about three acres more
remain.
Baptist Church. — The oldest Baptist church in America is in
Providence, R. I., and was formed in 1639 by Roger Williams. The stern old
Puritan, Rev. Cotton Mather, of the Massachusetts Colony, says "that many of the
earliest European settlers of that colony were Baptists, and they were as holy,
watchful, and fruithful, and heavenly people, as, perhaps, any in the whole
world.'' The few earnest adherents of this faith in Stratford were mostly
located in the north of the town, and were not of sufficient numbers to form a
church until 1843, when they deemed the proper time for organization had come,
and, June 27, 1843, a society was formed with thirteen members, viz. : Elisha
Baldwin, Huldah Baldwin, E. A. Baldwin, Jedediah M. Baldwin, Ann Thomas,
Lucretia Beach, Samuel Thomas, William L. Baldwin, Edmund Baldwin, Mary R.
Blake, J. M. Forbes, Phoebe Forbes, Sarah Marshall. There is now a membership of
thirty-three.
It was not until 1854 that any movement was made for a
church edifice. This was done by the Baldwin Brothers, and a church was erected
in 1855-56, they bearing the principal part of the expense. The building
committee was E. A., William L., and Elisha Baldwin. This house cost $3,500, and
was a well-arranged and artistic structure, with a vestry and a kitchen in the
basement. (The vestry was used as a school-room for some years.) In March, 1868,
it was destroyed by fire. The present church was built in 1868 and 1869. The
pastor, Rev. Abram Bedell, was untiring in his efforts to replace the burned
church, and his labors were successful. The building committee was composed of
three leading business men, — J. H. Danforth, E. A. Baldwin, and E. B. Merriam.
Under their skillful management the church was completed at a cost of only
$3,000. It was dedicated in 1870. In 1872 it was furnished with a bell weighing
450 pounds. This became broken, and another was bought in 1875. A parsonage was
built in 1882. The church seats 200, has a fine auditorium, and possesses
excellent acoustic proportion.
Pastors. — In 1843 Rev. A. Bedell
supplied the pulpit about six months. Rev. Daniel Rowley, the first settled
minister, was here two years. Rev. George W. Butler was here from 1845 to 1851.
He lived in the house at the mill, and preached in the town-house and Baldwin
school-house. From his pastorate there were but occasional "supplies" until
1857. Since then have officiated C. W. Bailey, Amos Boardman, E. P. Borden, C.
W. Walker, George A. Glines, S. D. Ashby, A. Bedell, J. L. Sanborn, S. A. Reed,
William Beavins, William McGregor, L. A. Cornwall, C. H. Sisson. E. C. Goodwin
came in December, 1886.
Deacons. — Samuel Thomas, J. W. Forbes, Elisha
Baldwin, E. A. Baldwin.
Sunday-School. — An interesting Sunday-school of
about eighty scholars is held in connection with the church. The superintendents
from organization have been E. A. Baldwin, G. W. Butler, N. W. Alger, Silas W.
Curtis, Rollin A. Baldwin. The superintendent in 1887 was Deacon E. A. Baldwin;
the teachers Rev. E. C. Goodwin, Silas W. Curtis, N. W. Baldwin, Mary Baldwin,
Edith Thompson.
In 1887 a Catholic church was erected. This is an
ornament to the place.
Education. — Prior to 1884 only a common district
school furnished instruction. The vestry of the church was used for some years
as a schoolroom. In 1884 the beautiful two-story school-house now occupied was
erected at a cost of $3,000, two of the three rooms seated to accommodate 108
pupils, and the school properly graded and supplied with apparatus. The average
attendance is eighty. Miss Mary A. Danforth is principal; Miss Mary A. Parker,
assistant. The board of education is Guy W. Johnson, John C. Pattee, Charles D.
Platt.
Hotels. — The first place opened for travellers was a shanty
built about 1851, on land leased of William Fuller, by one Gaskell. It stood on
the ground now occupied by the Hinman House. Gaskell with various partners
conducted it some months, and was succeeded by W. H. Crawford and Harvey Hinman
who purchased the property in September, 1853. The main building of the Hinman
House was put up about the same time. Crawford would not sell to Mr. Hinman, and
C. P. True purchased his interest, August 1, 1854, and deeded it to Mr. Hinman
the same day. During the few weeks it was afterward occupied by Crawford, it is
said he did considerable damage to the property. When Mr. Hinman took possession
he repaired and refitted it, and opened it the same season as the Hinman House.
From that time it has been kept as a hotel by Mr. Hinman and his son, H. B.
Hinman. who leased the property in 1869 and became its proprietor in 1874. For
some years it was the chief hotel of the place; the small number of rooms,
however, were not equal to the requirements of travel, and the Willard House
took that place. No more enjoyable meal can be obtained, however, than here, and
the moderate charges cause much patronage.
In 1852 the dwelling now
occupied by Mrs. Elmina Gamsby was built by Clark P. True and opened as a tavern
by Andrew Fitts. In a short time the place was purchased by Mrs. Gamsby, who
kept travellers until other accommodations were provided.
The Willard
House was opened by Jerry Willard in November, 1858. He kept it until the next
May, when E. F. Bailey took it and conducted it for two years and a half. Mr.
Willard then was its landlord until 1865, when he sold it to Jennison & Crane,
who carried it on until 1868, when Mr. Willard again became proprietor for one
year. He leased it then to Clark Trask for two years, and then again ran it for
one year. He closed his connection with the house by selling it to C. S. Bailey
and E. H. Folsom. Mr. Folsom soon bought out Mr. Bailey and remained seven
years. He sold to Rowan & Gould. C. E. Moses purchased Rowan's interest February
18, 1879, and Gould's interest December 6, 1879, and ran it until November 19,
1883, when George Hilliard leased the hotel. Mr. Moses bought Mr. Hilliard's
lease January 7, 1886, and closed and repaired the house, which he re-opened
March 27, 1886, with J. W. Tibbetts as partner, to whom he leased one-half
interest for three years. Mr. Tibbetts sold his lease to W. H. Bishop, December
22, 1886. This house has rooms for fifty guests, and has a large public hall
connected. Under the management of Mr. Moses this hotel possesses attractions
for the traveller and has a fine patronage. The table is one of the best in
Northern New Hampshire; the rooms are kept scrupulously neat, and the whole
service of the house is excellent.
The Percy House was built about 1869
by V. R. Davis, who carried it on for some years. Since he left it the house has
been open part of the time, with various proprietors. Those who were the longest
here were Mr. Smith from 1879 to 1882, and J. W. Tibbetts from 1883 to 1886.
H. B. Hinman began the livery business in 1869 with one horse. He purchased
the livery attached to the Willard House in 1886, and employs from twenty to
thirty horses.
Knights of Honor. — Coos Lodge, No. 2,533, was organized
August 26, 1881, with twenty-two members, namely: H. B. Hinman, J. C. Pattee, E.
B. Merriam, Clark Stevens, A. D. Norcott, C. E. Thompson, Ayers Trufant, George
C. Kimball, G. J. Schoff, E. S. McCoy, H. S. Goodwin, W. C. Carpenter, R. A.
Baldwin, H. A. Beecher. J. H. Danforth, Lewis Titus, E. L. Parlin, James Ogle,
E. C. Tibbetts, G. W. Dalley, Burton Beecher, J. M. Baldwin. First officers:
Dictator, H. B. Hinman; Reporter, W. C. Carpenter; Financial Reporter, E. B.
Merriam; Treasurer, J. H. Danforth. The present membership is thirty-nine. The
lodge owns a three-story building, thirty by sixty feet in size, which cost
$2,600. The upper story contains a well-appointed hall for Lodge meetings; the
two lower ones are leased for business purposes. The officers for 1887 are:
Dictator, W. R. Wilson; Reporter, C. W. Clough; Financial Reporter, C. E. Moses;
Treasurer, H A. Beecher; Trustees, Clark Stevens, A. D. Norcott, William H.
Danforth.
Good Templars. — Victory Lodge, No. 70, was instituted
February 15, 1883, with thirty-four members: E. A. Baldwin, Harvey Hinman, Mr.
and Mrs. Leonard Williams, F. A. Roby, Jennie Thompson. Ira Day, Mr. and Mrs. J.
B. Alger, Mary Whitcomb, Charles Day, Charles Blodgett, Willis Alger, E. S.
Greenleaf, Daniel Phillips, Burt Stevens, Lena Perkins, Mr. and Mrs. B. A.
Bowker, Fred A. Hinman, Milton Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Blodgett, Dr. Moses
Whitcomb, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Pattee, Allie Bundy, Leonard Titus, Willie Beecher,
Alex. Ogle, Edith Wilson, Henry Burbank, Harry Bowker. First officers: Cyrus
Blodgett, W. C. T.; Mrs. B. A. Bowker, W. V. T.; B. A. Bowker, Sect.; Milton
Cook, Treas.; E. S. Greenleaf, Chaplain. This lodge has about fifty members now,
and holds its meetings Tuesday evenings at Twohey's hall. The present officers
(April, 1887,) are: James Twohey, Chief Templar; Allie Trufant, Vice Templar;
Maud Amey, Sect.; Ola Thrasher, Treas.; E. A. Baldwin, Chaplain.
G. A.
R. — R. R. Thompson Post, No. 77, [Robert Richardson Thompson, born in Rumford,
Me., December 17, 1822, was a descendant of John Thompson, an early emigrant of
the Plymouth Colony. Robert was a graduate of Bowdoin college, and a civil
engineer of marked ability. He enlisted in the Thirteenth New Hampshire (Co. H),
in August, 1862, as a private. He was in all the battles in which the regiment
was engaged until August, 1863, and received a second lieutenant's commission
July, 1863. May 16, 1864, he was wounded at Fort Darling, and July 15 he was
commissioned first lieutenant of Co. D, and was acting adjutant of the regiment.
He was instantly killed at the battle of Chapin's Bluff, September 29, 1864,
falling almost at the moment of victory, as he was about entering the fort with
his company. He was a brave soldier, and a true man in every relation of life.]
was formed April 16, 1884, under a charter granted April 6, 1884, C. P. Schoff,
W. H. Lovejoy, and Clark Stevens being the chief promoters. The first officers
were C. P. Schoff, Commander; W. H. Lovejoy, S. V. C.; H. B. Gilkey, J. V. C;
Clark Stevens, Q. M.; F. A. Roby, Adjutant. Charter members: Clark Stevens, C.
P. Schoff, N. M. Johnson, Myron C. Fuller, Frank C. Roby, Fred A. Roby, Edwin
Beach, Simon Grover, Erastus A. Atherton, Isaac M. Wood, George W. Rowell, Silas
W. Curtis, H. B. Gilkey, Edwin Holbrook, Michael Lynch, W. F. Severy, William W.
Russ, W. E. Crown. Present officers: W. H. Lovejoy, Commander; Edwin Holbrook,
S. V. C; Isaac N. Wood, J. V. C; Clark Stevens, Q. M.; F. A. Roby, Adjutant. The
post has a membership of thirty-five, and holds its meetings semimonthly in
Twohey's hall.
Knights of Labor. — T. V. Powderly Lodge, No. 8,161, was
organized July 10, 1886, with fifty-seven members. The number is now about 350.
Place of meeting, Twohey's hall.
Granite Stale Stock-Farm. — In 1884 Dr.
D. O. Rowell purchased the farm of 350 acres, known as the ''Nathan Baldwin"
farm, of which ninety-seven acres are rich interval land, and is developing a
fine stock-farm. He makes a specialty of standard-bred horses and Jersey and
Polled-Angus cattle, and now has thirty-one horses, and twenty-five
thorough-bred cattle, about two-thirds of which are Jerseys. He is paying most
attention to horses and has a fine stud; at the head is "Pilotone," No. 4,204,
two years old. Another fine animal is "King Arthur," by "Constellation,"
half-brother of the noted "Glenharm," five years old, with a record of 2:23-3/4.
Mills. — The Turner's Falls Lumber Company purchased, in 1887, the mill
of Ezra F. Merrill, on Bog brook, in the east part of the town. This mill has
been conducted by Mr. Merrill for forty years. It is now run by steam, and
consists of a rotary saw-mill, shingle and clapboard machines, with a capacity
of manufacturing 25,000 feet a day.
David Stone, on the same stream a
short distance below, has a rotary saw and shingle, clapboard, and lath
machines, run by water-power.
Frank N. Piper manufactures flour and
meal.
Physicians. — Dr. Cyrus C. Carpenter, so well-known and esteemed
for long years as the trusted family physician of a large circle, was son of Dr.
Cyrus Carpenter, and born at Whiting, Vt., May 29, 1819. After his medical
studies at Castleton and New York, he passed some years in the west, and was
then in practice in Vermont until 1851, when he came to Stratford. From this
time he was in active practice until his death, November 13, 1886.
Dr.
Moses Whitcomb, homeopathist, located here in 1861, and is now in practice. C.
E. Thompson, M. D., a graduate of Burlington, (Vt.), Medical college, came in
1880. He died in 1887. H. W. Blanchard, M. D., son of David Blanchard, of
Pittsburg, a graduate of Burlington Medical college, began practice here in
1886. Of pleasing address, winning manners, high moral principles, and devoted
to his profession, he gave promise of much usefulness, but died suddenly in
December, 1887.
Lawyers. — Joseph W. Merriam, son of David and Joanna
(Smith) Merriman, born in Stratford, June 14, 1828, studied law with Burns &
Fletcher, and was admitted to the bar in Lancaster in 1854. He was of literary
tastes; became first assistant editor of the Coos Democrat, and afterwards was
connected with, and did able work for, the New Hampshire Patriot, Boston Post,
and Memphis (Tenn.) Avalanche. The civil war drove him north, and after
practicing law in Grinnell, Iowa, a short time, he established himself in
Chicago, Ill., where he has built up a large and lucrative business.
Charles D. Johnson, son of Marcus D. and Maria (Marshall) Johnson, was born in
Stratford, June 13, 1835. He studied la w with Gov. Williams, and was admitted
to the bar in November, 1858. He at once commenced practice in North Stratford,
but soon died. (See Press of Coos county in General History.)
Moses
Holbrook, son of Oren Holbrook, born in Stratford, November 17, 1844, studied
law with Hon. B. F. Whidden, and at the University of Michigan. He was admitted
to practice in Massachusetts, and is now in practice in Boston.
Brief
Personal Sketches. — Captain Ephraim Mahurin was born in Westmoreland, March 1,
1780. He married Rebecca Bundy, of Walpole, and came to Stratford in 1801. He
was a man of much more than ordinary abilities, and superior in education to
most of his associates, entering Middlebury college before he was seventeen. Of
strong frame, tireless energy, and dauntless nature, he was peculiarly well
adapted to make himself felt in the exigent circumstances of the times. He early
taught school; he was U. S. customs officers on the frontier during the War of
1812, and fearlessly and faithfully performed the arduous duties contingent upon
the position; he was captain of a company of regular soldiers enlisted from
Grafton and Coos counties to serve on the border; he was sent repeatedly to the
legislature, serving his last term in 1825; he was sheriff from 1825 to 1830,
and deputy sheriff for twenty-five years; he did much in surveying, in which he
was an acknowledged expert, and was employed in 1836 by the Boundary Commission
to make explorations and surveys along the border in Indian Stream Territory; he
was one of the party that rescued Blanchard from the "King's-men"; in company
with Samuel White he was for a time in trade in Lancaster; educated as a lawyer,
he did much legal business, and in his last years was noted for his skill in
drafting documents, particularly conveyances; he was road commissioner in
1850-51; he was a member of the first Masonic lodge formed in Coos county.
During a long, extremely active and useful life, honor and integrity marked all
his actions. He died in Stratford, March 4, 1859, aged seventy-nine years and
three days.
Joshua Marshall came with his father, Antipas, from
Gloucester, Mass., in 1796, when sixteen. He married Betsey, daughter of
Eliphalet and Tirzah (French) Day, and settled in Stratford. He was chosen town
clerk in 1814, and for years thereafter was in public office; he represented
this district numerous terms in the legislature; was a justice of the Court of
Common Pleas from 1833 to 1850; was for over half a century a consistent and
prominent member of the Methodist church, holding the office of steward for
twenty years. "Judge" Marshall, as he was universally called, died May 14, 1861.
Nahum Daniels Day was born in Northumberland February 24, 1807, and was
early in life a teacher; afterwards he became a merchant at Stratford Hollow in
company with Mark Webb; later still he was a farmer. He was prominent and of
value in public matters and office. He filled many town offices wisely; was a
member of the legislature; succeeded Joshua Marshall in 1850 as justice of Court
of Common Pleas, and held this position until 1855; from 1861 to 1863 he was
county treasurer. A gentleman of strong convictions, urbane manners and
wide-sweeping charity, he acquired a large circle of personal friends, which
came from all shades of politics and religion. He was quite well educated, and
was a close, reflective reader and a man of deep and logical reason. He died
August 15, 1872.
Marcus D. Johnson, "the old surveyor," is a survival of
the plain, unassuming, yet solid men of another generation. He has been for long
years an active and useful citizen, and a worthy member of the Methodist church.
He is an authority on lines and angles; can reproduce from memory a plot of
nearly every lot in a wide radius, and is as vigorous as many men now in the
prime of life; with an accurate memory, reaching through a long line of years,
he is a treasure-house of information to the historian.
In a work of
this character it is impossible to give extended sketches of many over whom our
pen would gladly linger. The old families, nearly without exception, have
descendants doing credit to their name in many fields of distinction and honor;
the live men of to-day who are maintaining the standard of the town by their
financial, business and official ability are worthy of more than a mere mention,
and we could write much of the Danforths, the Hinmans, the Stevenses, and other
enterprising and prominent men, but space forbids; and we leave a full account
of all these to appear in the town history now in preparation by Rev. L. W.
Prescott, as being more in accordance with such a work.
BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES.
THE BALDWIN FAMILY.
The Baldwin family for nearly a
century has been connected with the improvement and progress of Stratford in its
civil, business and ecclesiastical interests, and deserves especial mention in
its history. They were among the early settlers, people of education and
culture, and of Episcopalian faith. Jabez Baldwin, born April 8, 1733, married
Judith Brace in August, 1770; and March 13, 1788, they, with their children,
Nathan, John, Lucinda, Lucia and Marcia, left their home in Newtown, Conn., and
emigrated to the wilderness town of Stratford. Mr. Baldwin located, January,
1790, upon the place known as the Baldwin farm (still in the possession of his
descendants), where he had erected a framed house with lumber brought up the
river from Guildhall, Vt. This was the first framed house in the section. Mr.
Baldwin was one of the grantees of Stratford, and. before coming, selected from
the plan of the town the lot now forming the interval of the Granite State
Stock-Farm; but, on arriving here, his number called for the lot below, yet
eventually this lot came into the possession of his children. He was a man of
wealth in Connecticut, but the greater part of his property was lost during the
Revolution. In the spirit of true manhood he left his old home to create a new
one in the "woods,'' and his family bravely bore the deprivations and hardships
of the life in the new settlement. September 19, 1788, Elisha was born, and
Charlotte (Mrs. Enos Alger), October 8, 1792. Several years passed, and although
they missed the luxuries of the old home, yet they were contented. In 1803 Mr.
Baldwin went to Connecticut to attend to some unsettled business. During his
absence his family was attacked by small-pox, and when he reached Lancaster he
received a message from his wife to remain there, but he came home, took the
disease, and died.
Upon his eldest son, Nathan, devolved the care of
this large family. He possessed great intellectual ability, became prominent in
town affairs, and was several times elected to the legislature. He was appointed
judge of the Court of Sessions in 1821. He married, first, Kate Schoff; second,
Susan Bundy. His last years were passed in Ohio, where he died in 1867.
Elisha Baldwin, born in Stratford, September 19, 1788, became a farmer on the
old homestead; received his education at home under a private teacher, and at
the schools of that early period; was a Federalist in politics, and filled the
several duties to which he was called with fidelity, and was prominent in the
organization of the Baptist church. He married Huldah, daughter of Edmund and
Huldah (Lothrop) Alger, of West Bridgewater, Mass. [See biography of L. W.
Alger, Stewartstown.] Their children were Elisha Alger, born December 30, 1818;
William Lothrop; John Brace, born November 12, 1822; Edmund Willis, born March
24, 1825; Jedediah Miller, born March 9, 1827; Lucinda Annette (Mrs. Jabez B.
Alger), born November 14, 1829; and Lucia Annette (Mrs. Robert R. Thompson),
born February 27, 1833. Mrs. Huldah (Alger) Baldwin would have been a prominent
woman in any place and at any time. Coming in early girlhood from Massachusetts,
she took an active interest in education, the means of obtaining which were,
alas! extremely slender in the forest wilderness where her lot was cast. Of
great and courageous heart, indomitable energy and executive ability, she
mastered more than the rudiments of a good English education, and her letters
wore models of penmanship and correct spelling. She had a wonderful skill in
nursing; never forgot a "prescription " for any disease, and in mature life was
the "beloved physician" of a wide extent of country. Her family was well brought
up. She instilled her habits of neatness, force, and system thoroughly into
their natures, and did a noble woman's work nobly through a long course of
years. Her charity was more than charity. She was the "Lady Bountiful" of the
community, and her whole life was sustained by an unfaltering and reverent trust
in God, her Heavenly Father.
William Lothrop Baldwin was born on the
Baldwin homestead in Stratford, May 18, 1820. He obtained a good education at
the local schools and Lancaster academy. While a youth he had quite a taste for
agriculture, was active as a farmer, and developed great capacity as a judge of
cattle; but his health was impaired by overwork before he was twenty-one, and he
was forced to change his avocation. He followed teaching successfully for
several years in this state, Rhode Island, and Quebec. He also taught vocal
music. About 1848 he returned to Stratford, and, in connection with his brother,
Elisha A. (a natural and trained mechanic), he engaged in building mills. This
was a great undertaking, as it was previous to the advent of the railroad, and
the machinery had to be hauled from Portland. They put up a small saw and
grist-mill on Mill brook, added a turning lathe, shingle and clapboard machines,
and manufactured machinery. This was the first mill of modern make in this
section, and a great number of the mills erected for along time in Upper Coos
were built by E. A. Baldwin.
In 1849 the Baldwin Brothers erected a mill
on the Vermont side of the Connecticut, at the mouth of the Nulhegan river.
(This mill was burned February 20, 1885, and the site is now occupied by the
immense mills of the Nulhegan Lumber Company.) William L. Baldwin changed his
residence to Bloomfield, and made that town his home for fourteen years. The
first lumber sawn was rafted in May, 1851, and was the first sent to
Massachusetts through the canal at Fifteen-mile falls, and, also, the first
lumber rafted for transportation down the Upper Connecticut. Employment was
given to numerous people, and the flourishing village of North Stratford formed
from an old blackberry jungle. Under a charter granted July, 1850, the Baldwin
Bridge Company erected the toll-bridge across the Connecticut, which was opened
for travel in June, 1852. Thus in many and highly important ways Mr. Baldwin was
identified with the development and business interests of Stratford, and one of
its most valued component parts. His business occupied him closely, yet he
served as selectman and as justice in Bloomfield; and, always a strong
Republican, was the first postmaster of "North Stratford" postoffice. From 1865
his business life was in Stratford, and comprised lumbering, merchandising, and
farming, until his sudden death December 27, 1878.
Mr. Baldwin was five
feet, eight inches in height; remarkably erect. His disposition was sanguine,
and he was generous to a fault. During the hard times, when to run his mill was
a loss, he carried it on for two years in order to give his workmen employment,
sacrificing his own interests to promote that of others. That he was sagacious
and far-seeing was evinced by his large purchases of wild lands; the value of
which was apparent to him before scarcely any had dreamed of it. As a religious
man he was especially marked. He was one of the thirteen original members of the
Baptist church in Stratford, and was a consistent, devoted Christian. His
business affairs did not detain him from the church meetings. There his voice
was raised in song and prayer, and his fervent spirit would often encourage the
disheartened. He manifested his Christianity in his daily life, and in his home,
where he was ever the kind husband and affectionate father, never speaking an
angry word. Public-spirited, trusted by all, the world was the better for his
having lived.
Mr. Baldwin married, February 8, 1850, Maria Jane,
daughter of John and Sarah (Towne) Holmes, a native of Colebrook.* She was born
December 17, 1822. She is a lady of strong individuality and great executive
ability. Her energy and capability were powerful factors in the household, and
to her husband she was an efficient helpmeet, a wise counsellor, and intelligent
companion. Their children were Edmund William; John Holmes; Mary Annette; Mira
Agnes (these daughters died in infancy, January, 1862, of diphtheria — John H.
in September of the same year); Isabella Sarah, who early showed remarkable
facility for any pursuit and had a wonderful memory. She spent only one year at
the Ursuline academy in Quebec, and received first prizes with young lady
graduates in English literature, poetry and composition; she could also speak
French with ease. "Her personal appearance was beautiful, and in disposition she
was angelic." She died July, 1881, aged fifteen; Janie Maria, the youngest,
equally gifted intellectually, possessed a taste and eye for all that was
beautiful. She died June, 1884, aged sixteen. Edmund William resides with his
mother in Stratford. He married Flora Madison, and has two children — Bertie
Edith and Janie Holmes.
*The Holmes family were early settlers of
Colebrook, coming from Hanover in 1815. John Holmes was a native of Woodstock,
Conn.; his wife of Oxford, Mass. Their family of twelve children attained
maturity; some of them were distinguished by the intellectual traits that have
made the descendants of the name from Woodstock famous. The eldest son, Rev.
John Holmes. Jr., studied at Dartmouth college and completed his studies at
Montreal, Canada, where he was closely identified with educational matters. In
1836 he was commissioned by the Provincial government to inquire into the system
of Normal schools in Europe, and returned in 1837 with professors, apparatus,
etc., for the schools which were then opened in Montreal and other parts of
Canada. He was renowned as a religious orator; was the author of several books,
one of which, a manual of modern geography, has reached its sixth edition. Susan
Towne Holmes, the seventh child, called in religion Mother St. Croix, has ranked
high as a teacher, writer of histories and school-books. She is at present
(1887), at the age of seventy, assistant superior of the Ursuline Convent at
Quebec.
Contributed 2025 Sep 17 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Coos County, New Hampshire by Georgia D. Merrill, published in 1888, pages744-779.
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This page was last updated
09/17/2025