Information located at http://www.nh.searchroots.com On a web site about GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE and its counties TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN Please see the web site for my email contact. ---------------------------------- The original source of this information is in the public domain, however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is restricted without written permission from the transcriber (who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same). ======================================================== ====================== SOURCE: History of Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885, 1108 pgs. ------------------- CHAPTER I - BENCH AND BAR by John N. McClinktock A.M. page 191 The record of the early lawyers in many cases is lost--a name only being handed down by tradition. In 1794 Eben Smith was practicing law in Meredith. In 1814 John Mooney and Jonathan C. Everett were in practice there. In 1820 John Thompson was in practice at Centre Harbor. In 1832 W.G. Webster was at New Hampton. S.W. Rollins, of Meredith village, has been county solicitor, and later judge of Probate for many years. WILLIAM HARPER, the first lawyer of Sanbornton, came from Deerfield before 1785, was a member of the convention which framed the State Constitution, was representative from 1791 to 1800, was frequently moderator at town meetings, and was a land-owner. He died December 31, 1809. JOHN A. HARPER, son of William and Mary (Lane) Harper of Sanbornton, was born in Deerfield November 2, 1779, was the first postmaster of Sanbornton, was colonel in the militia, member of the Eleventh Congress (1811), settled at Meredith Bridge and died June 18, 1816. DANIEL C. ATKINSON, son of Simeon and Phebe (Clark) Atkinson, was born in Boscawen September 8, 1784-85, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1806, studied law with Parker Noyes and Daniel Webster, settled at Sanbornton Bridge in 1810. He was Senator, councilor and judge of Probate (1824) and moderator of town meetings. He married, first, Mahala Tilton; second, Mehetable Tilton (sisters). He died April 5, 1842. page 702 MATTHEW PERKINS, born in Sanbornton June 17, 1788, married Jane Little, was a lawyer of decided talent, and an orator. Settled at Sanbornton Square, and died August 17, 1826. CHARLES J. STUART, born in Peterborough September 20, 1788, of Scotch-Irish parentage; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1809, and commenced practice at Sanbornton Square. He was a famous singer and of large size. He married Eliza Austin and finally moved to Lancaster, where he died May 17, 1836. CHARLES GILMAN studied law with Matthew Perkins, and succeeded to his practice at Sanbornton, where he remained from 1826 to 1833. He is said to have died in Baltimore in 1878. BENJAMIN BOARDMAN, born in South Reading, Mass., February 15, 1798; studied law with Samuel Fletcher, of Concord; was admitted to the bar in 1825; married Anne Stickney, of Concord; practiced law in Sanbornton from 1833 to 1836, when he removed to Meredith Bridge; in 1847 he moved to Lawrence, Mass., where he remained until 1867; he died in Concord April 3, 1871; his house in Laconia was the pleasant home of the judges during the sessions of the court; he was the last lawyer settled at Sanbornton Square. ASA P. CATE, born in Northfield June 1, 1813; read law with Judge Nesmith; married Clara Proctor, and commenced to practice about 1843. Although his residence was in Northfield, his office was on the Sanbornton side of the river; he was several times representative, president of the State Bank, candidate for Governor, president of a national bank, and judge of Probate of Merrimack County; he died December 12, 1874. BENJAMIN A ROGERS, a native of Northfield, practiced law at Sanbornton Bridge from about 1840 to 1858; he married, first, Viola E. Rundlet; second, Adeliza S. Rundlet (sisters); he afterwards studied for the Episcopal ministry and is settled in Texas. CHARLES C. ROGERS, born in Bloomfield, Vt., August 19, 1834; read law with Benjamin A. Rogers and succeeded to his practice in Tilton in 1858; he married Sophia T. Curry, and is still in practice. FRANCIS R. CHASE, born in Gilmanton April 5, 1818; studied law with Judge Dana, of Fryeburg, Me.; married Huldah P. Fessenden; settled in Conway; was representative in 1852; Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1855; settled in Northfield in 1866, and practiced in Tilton; represented the town in 1871-72; was a prominent Episcopalian and died March 12, 1876. JAMES O. LYFORD, born June 28, 1853, in Boston; moved to Canterbury in 1866; read law in Concord; opened a law-office in Tilton in 1880; he holds a clerkship in the War Department at Washington. STEPHEN MOODY, born in West Newbury, Mass., January 21, 1767, graduated at Harvard College in 1790; was admitted to the bar in 1793, and settled the same year in Lower Gilmanton; he was the first lawyer of Belknap County; he married Frances Coffin; was repeatedly moderator of town-meetings, and died April 12, 1842. JOHN HAM, born in Dover December 30, 1774; graduated at Dartmouth College 1797; was admitted to the bar in 1800, and a year later settled in Lower Gilmanton; he was frequently chosen selectman and representative; he married Wealthy C. Brigham, and died March 7, 1837. BENJAMIN EMERSON, born in Alfred, Me., March 20, 1792, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1816; married Rebecca S. Porter and settled in Gilmanton, where he was admitted to the bar in 1822; he was repeatedly moderator and representative. NATHANIEL COGSWELL, born January 19, 1773; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1794; commenced to practice in Gilmanton in 1805; he was afterwards a general in the Mexican army and died August, 1813. NATHAN CROSBY, born February 12, 1798; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1820; read law with Stephen Moody; was admitted to the bar in 1824, practiced a short time in Gilmanton, and finally settled in Lowell, where he died in 1884. JAMES BELL, son of Governor Samuel Bell; graduated at Bowdoin College in 1822; was admitted to the bar in 1825; married Judith Upham, and opened an office at Gilmanton Iron-Works; he afterwards removed to Exeter. GEORGE MINOR, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1828; was admitted to practice in 1831; he opened an office at Gilmanton Iron-Works, but soon removed to Concord. ARTHUR LIVERMORE, a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1829; was admitted to practice in 1833; opened an office in Gilmanton and after wards moved to Bath. IRA A. EASTMAN. [See Merrimack County Bench and Bar History] EDWARD ST. LOE LIVERMORE practiced law for a short time in Gilmanton. WILLIAM BUTTERFIELD graduated at Dartmouth College in 1836; admitted to the bar in 1840; married Rosamond Robinson and practiced for a few years at Gilmanton Centre; he afterwards moved to Concord and for many years was the editor of the "Patriot." GEORGE G. FOGG, a native of Meredith; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1839, was admitted to the bar in 1842, and settled at Gilmanton Iron-Works; he afterwards was an editor, minister to Switzerland and United States Senator. GENERAL JOSEPH BADGER, for many years judge of Probate of Strafford County, was born in Haverhill, Mass, January 11, 1722; married Hannah Pearson and moved to Gilmanton in 1763. He was a prominent citizen; a member of the Provincial Congress and the first Constitutional Convention. He was several times a member of the Governor's Council. He died April 4, 1803. THOMAS COGSWELL, from 1784 to 1810 chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas, was born in Haverhill, Mass, August 14, 1746; married Ruth, daughter of General Badger; served in the army during the whole Revolutionary War; won the rank of colonel; settled in Gilmanton on return of peace. He died September 3, 1810. THOMAS COGSWELL, son of William and Judith (Badger) Cogswell, a nephew of Thomas Cogswell, was born December 7, 1798, in Atkinson; lived in Gilmanton. He was judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Belknap County from 1841 to 1855; was justice of the peace for over forty years and a councilor in 1856; married Mary Noyes and died August 3, 1868. His son, Thomas Cogswell, is a prominent lawyer of Gilmanton. WILLIAM BADGER, a grandson of General Joseph Badger, was born in Gilmanton January 3, 1779; married Martha Smith; was representative, Senator, president of the Senate, Governor of New Hampshire two years. From 1816 to 1821 he was associate justice of the Court of Common Pleas. LYMAN B. Walker was an attorney at Gilford for many years. For five years he was Attorney General of the State. He was a brilliant man, and a man of much influence. He frequently encountered Franklin Pierce in the court-room. STEPHEN C. LYFORD, at Laconia for many years, he was a lawyer of a large practice; esteemed to be a good lawyer and stood well in the profession. He went South late in life and died there. WARREN LOVELL, from Vermont, settled at Wentworth, in 1830. He soon after came to Meredith, where he built up an extensive practice and accumulated a large property. He was appointed judge of Probate and moved to Laconia, where he died shortly before 1876. GEORGE W. STEVENS, a native of Salisbury; was educated at Meriden Academy; read law with John P. Hale and settled in Laconia, where he married; represented the town several years; a smart lawyer and a good advocate; did a large business. He died at Concord. BENJAMIN MORGAN and E.S. MOULTON were practicing lawyers at Laconia in 1854. WM. N. BLAIR, a cousin of H.W. Blair, was a native of Campton; was practicing law in Laconia in 1861; was a county solicitor for five years. He returned to Campton, where he died. B.M. COLBY, a native of Colebrook, was in practice at Tilton from 1854 to 1861. L.F. FOLSOM was in practice at Meredith Bridge in 1854. O.A.J. VAUGHAN, a native of Hanover; read law with Judge Jonathan Kittredge, of Canaan; admitted to the bar about 1846; first settled at Gilmanton Iron-Works, succeeeding G.G. Fogg in practice. He soon settled in Laconia where he married and died. JEREMIAH ELKINS was a well-educaetd lawyer; born at Andover, N.H., August 31, 1795; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1817; died at Meredith February 24, 1854; settled in Meredith in 1847; was clerk of New Hampshire House of Representatives; register of Probate of Strafford and solicitor of Belknap County; married, first, Sarah G. Emerson; second, Mary A. Bunker. GEORGE T. SAWYER, afterwards of Nashua, practiced law a number of years at Laconia. HORACE L. HAZELTON was practicing law in Gilford in 1844. He was a lawyer and advocate of good reputation, and moved to Boston, where he became distinguished. JOSEPH ELA was a statue lawyer at Meredith; a sharp, shrewd practitioner, who had considerable success. HENRY T. SIMPSON, of New Hampton, was an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas; noted for his corpulence and good sense. HON. ELLERY A. HIBBARD, born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., July 31, 1826; was educated at Derby Academy; read law with Nathan B. Felton, of Haverhill, Charles R. Morrison, of Manchester, and Henry F. French, assistant secretary United States Treasury; was admitted to the bar in 1849 and settled in Plymouth; he came to Laconia in 1853. He has served one term in the United States House of Representatives, and has been a member of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire. He is a strong, level-headed, evenly-balanced and safe lawyer. COL. THOMAS JEFFERSON WHIPPLE was born January 30, 1816, in Wentworth, N.H.; educated at New Hampton, Bradford, Vt., and at Norwich University; read law with Josiah Quincy and Salmon Wires, of Johnson, Vt.; admitted to the bar in 1840, at Plymouth, and settled in Wentworth. He raised an independent company--the Wentworth Phalanx-- before 1840, and was aide-de-campe of General Cook when seventeen years of age; commissioned first lieutenant in Ninth New England Regiment; adjutant of Colonel Pierce's (afterwards Colonel Ransom's Regiment of Norwich, Vt.) in the spring of 1846, at Fort Adams, R.I. He was in the Mexican War and was taken prisoner at Vera Cruz, and exchanged at Jalapa; was adjutant-general of General Lewis' staff. He returned and settled in Laconia. During the War of the Rebellion he served as lieutenant-colonel of the First New Hampshire Regiment, colonel of the Fourth, and was chosen colonel of the Twelfth. Col. Whipple has been assistant clerk and clerk of House; secretary of 1850 Constitutional Convention; member of 1876 Constitutional Convention, and has been attorney for Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad, since 1870. He has also been attorney for the Lake Company since the death of Senator J.D. Bell. Col. Whipple is an able, eccentric lawyer and a powerful advocate. JOTHAM PATTEN HUTCHINSON, born February 29, 1824, at Sidney, Me; studied law with Colonel Thomas J. Whipple, of Laconia; was admitted February term, 1853; settled in Laconia; in 1862 settled in Nashua. In April, 1872, he was agent of the Lake Company, and in 1873 settled in Lake village. He resigned March, 1883. He married, in June 1851, Abigail Elizabeth Hadley, of Rumney. One son, Frederick J. Hutchinson born November 27, 1853; graduated from Dartmouth College, 1878, and Boston Law School, 1882; married and settled in the practice of his profession in Boston. page 704 SAMUEL C. CLARK, ESQ., born in Lake village January 9, 1832; was educated at Gilford and New Hampton Academy and fitted for sophomore class in college; read law with Hon. Stephen C. Lyford, of Laconia, and Hon. Asa Fowler, of Concord; was admitted to the bar in 1857, when he was admitted clerk of the courts for Belknap County until 1874, since which date he has followed the profession in Lake village. He was a member of the Legislature in 1867-68 and again in 1878. For two years he was assistant clerk of the House of Representatives, 1870 and 1872, and for two years he was clerk, 1873 and 1875. During the war he was deputy-provost marshal, and a director of the Laconia National Bank and the Lake Village Savings-Bank since their organization. He was a promoter and director of the Laconia and Lake Village Horse Railroad. He is a Royal Arch Mason and attends the Baptist Church. He married Clara E., daughter of Captain Josiah Hale, of Dover, and has two children, Samuel C. Clark, Jr., and Clara Belle Clark. ERASTUS P. JEWELL, forty-eight years of age, is a native of Sandwich; studied at New Hampton; read law with Colonel Thos. J. Whipple; was admitted to the bar in 1859, and has since practiced in Laconia. CHARLES F. STONE, forty-two years of age; was born in Cabot, Vt. He graduated at Middleton College in 1869; and read law with Governor Stuart and Judge Hibbard; He was admitted to the bar in 1872 and in practice in Laconia.