HISTORY OF DEERING, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- 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 Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885, 878 pgs. p. 866 DEERING Chapter I Deering is one of the border towns in the county, being bounded on the north by Henniker, which is in Merrimack County, and also by Hillsborough, the most northerly town in Hillsborough County. It is separated from Antrim, on the west, by Contoocook River, while Weare and Francestown bound it on the east and south, respectively. The surface, which is broken and hilly, is divided, topographically, into three sections--the westerly, central and easterly portions. The three post offices--West Deering, Deering and East Deering--also mark these distinctions. Each section is separated from the other by high ranges of hills, extending north and south quite through the town, the only break in them being utilized by the main road leading from one section to the other. About one-third of the surface of the town, including the entire westerly portion, is drained by the Contoocook River, the remainder forming the water-shed of the north branch of the Piscataquog River, which rises in this town. Its sources are Dudley Pond, in the northerly, and Gregg Pond, in the southerly part of the town. The Dudley Brook, flowing from the first-mentioned pond, unites with the one flowing from the latter near the easterly part of the town. These two ponds have a surface area of forty and one hundred acres respectively. Mud Pond, situated about one mile west of Dudley Pond, flows into Smith Brook, which, after receiving Patten Brook, forms the Stearns Brook, the latter uniting with the Dudley Brook above mentioned. The Piscataquog Water-Power Company have lately come into possession by purchase of the mill at the outlet of Gregg Pond and the adjacent flowage to the extent of three hundred acres, and have built a dam one thousand feet long and twenty feet high, at a cost, including the land damage, of more than twelve thousand dollars. It is intended to supply water to the mills located on the Piscataquog River between North Weare and Manchester when the supply from the natural resources fails or run short. The water-shed of the reservoir, including the drainage of the Lyon and Wilkins Brooks, embraces an area of more than four square miles. Fulton Pond, located one-half mile south-west from Gregg Pond, is the highest elevation of water in Deering, being nearly one thousand feet above sea-level. Its overflow runs south into Francestown. The old New Hampshire turnpike passed through the westerly section of the town, and is still the main traveled road. The old hotel of that period still dispenses hospitalities to the traveler that passes that way, through its venerable landlord, James M. Appleton. The extension of the Northern Railroad from Hillsborough Bridge to Hancock Junction passes directly through the old Cork muster-field. Here, for many years, during the palmy days of the old New Hampshire militia, were mustered, in the month of September, the troops belonging to the Twenty-sixth Regiment, comprising those able-bodied citizens, between the ages of eighteen and forty, from the towns of Hillsborough, Windsor, Antrim, Hancock, Francestown and Deering, for inspection and review. From early dawn until late in the afternoon the air resounded with the strains of martial music mingled with the shouts of the peddlers and hawkers crying their wares. Here also might be seen the "razor-strop man," known from Boston to New Orleans, always happy in his numerous sales and in the consolation of still having a "few more left of the same sort." The speeches and addresses of the reviewing officers were calculated to inspire the troops with the impression that is was not a burden, but a privilege and right, to bear arms; but, somehow, after years of successful application, the old militia law did become a burden, and, together with Cork muster has become a matter of history. GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION--The principal rock formation is gneiss. No granite ledges fit for building purposes are known to exist within the limits of the town. A few granite boulders have been found evidently deposited on the Grimes place, now owned by Wm. McNeil, is worthy of special mention, since it furnished the building stone for several of the early constructed farm-houses in the town. These old houses are all of [page 36] similiar construction, as, for example, that one on the Grimes place; on the farm of Robert P. Cressey; on the farm of Bartlett S. Brown; on the farm of Josiah H. Loveren, etc. A quartz ledge is developed on the farm of Rodney Gove, and on land of Russell Tubbs, Esq., near the center of the town, from which many fine specimens of crystallized quartz have been taken. A mine of plumbago on the farm of S.S. Clement, Esq. was worked for several seasons; but the vein or lode running constantly deeper into the hill, the engineering difficulties in working the mine became so great as to lead to its abandonment. The ore was of excellent quality, and would have paid liberally for the working, had it not been for the above conditions. The whole surface of the town bears marks of the glacial drift, the general direction of which was from north to south. The ridges of land extend in the same direction, the southerly slopes of which are smoother and better adapted to cultivation than the northerly portions of the same. The outlets or overflow of all the ponds is in the same direction--from north to south. Clay-beds exist in the west part of the town, near the river; also on the farms of George C. Patten, Bartlett S. Brown and Horace B. Cressey, from which brick were made to supply the wants of the earlier settlers. PROPRIETARY RECORDS--Deering originally formed a portion of Society Land. This territory became the property of the Masonian proprietors in 1746, by the purchase of the Masonian patent. Previous to this purchase the land titles in New Hampshire had been subjected to much litigation and dispute. John Tufton Mason, the original grantee of all the lands within the Province, died without entering into possession of them. After his death the dispute was still carried on between New Hampshire and Massachusetts which claimed jurisdiction over the territory of the former, until finally settled by the arbitration of the crown in favor of the former province. The heirs of Mason then revived their claim and sold to a company of individuals, mostly wealthy residents of Portsmouth and vicinity, all the right and title of John Tufton Mason to the lands within the province of New Hampshire. The individuals or shareholders of this company were styled the "Proprietors." They commenced business in 1748 by quit-claiming to actual settlers all those grants of land made by New Hampshire and Massachusetts during the period of dispute, and making new grants in their own right. This policy secured to them the possession of the vacant lands with little or no opposition. A large territory bounded on the south by Salem-Canada (now Lyndeborough), Peterborough and Monadnock No. 3 (now Dublin); on the north by Nos. 6 and 7 in the line of towns so called (now Henniker and Hillsborough); on the west by Monadnock Nos. 6 and 7 (now Nelson and Stoddard); on the east by Weare's Town and New Boston, was vacant land, -- that is, not covered by any previous grant. It therefore became the property of this company, as above stated. From the circumstances of its being owned in common, it gradually became known as Society Land, and the name of Cumberland, which had been previously applied to it, fell into disuse. The proprietors caused a survey to be made of the whole territory in 1753, under the direction of Colonel Joseph Blanchard, and at a meeting of the proprietors held at Portsmouth, October 17, 1753, Robert Fletcher, the surveyor who executed the work, made a report and presented a plan of the survey. The whole tract was divided into fifteen equal shares, corresponding with a number of shares in the company. There were also fifteen river or intervale shares of five hundred acres, laid out between the great falls, so called (now Bennington village), and Keyes Farm (a small reservation of five hundred acres laid out on the Contoocook River, joining on the line of towns). The large shares contained on an average four thousand acres; but where the land was not so good, more land was taken to make each share equal in value. The report and plan of the surveyor were accepted and a drawing of the lots took place. No. 1 was drawn by Mark H. Wentworth; No. 2, by Samuel Solly and Clement March; No. 3 by Colonel Joseph Blanchard, Nathaniel Meserve, Joseph Green and Paul March; No. 4 by John Wentworth, Esq.; No. 5 by Daniel Pierce and Mary Moore; No. 6 by George Jaffery, Esq; No. 7 by John Moffat, Esq.; No. 8 by Thomas Wallingford, Esq.; No. 9 to the right of Jotham Odiorne, Esq. deceased; No. 10 by Joshua Pierce; No. 11. by John Thomlinson and John Tufton Mason; No. 12 by Thomas Packer, Esq.; No. 13, by John Rindge, Esq; No. 14 by Theodore Atkinson, Esq.; No. 15 by Richard Wibird Esq. Nos. 1 to 7 were on the west side of the Contoocook River, while the remaining eight shares-- that is, from 8 to 15--were on the east side of the river. The river or intervale shares were numbered with the same number as the large shares, from 1 to 15, and drawn with the same number, so that each shareholder held a large lot and a river lot numbered with the same number. From this date the land comprising those shares became the private property of the individuals to whom they were drawn. Big lots Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, together with the portions of the intervale lots lying east of the river, opposite the former, became the territory of Deering in 1774. The westerly portions of 8 and 9, together with additions from Lyndeborough and Peterborough became Greenfield in 1791. Easterly portions of 8, 9 and 10 became Francestown in 1772; 1, 2 and 3 became Hancock in 1779; 4, 5, 6 and 7 became Antrim in 1777. A small territory still remained around the great falls, bearing the name Society Land until 1842, when it was incorporated into a town under the name of Bennington, receiving additions of territory from Deering, Francestown, and Hancock. These six towns, it will be seen, bear a closer relation to one another than any other towns in the State, with the exception, perhaps, of those that grew out of the ancient towns of Chester and Londonderry. FIRST SETTLEMENT of GREAT LOTS NOS. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15--For more than ten years subsequent to the survey of Society Land this portion of the same remained an unbroken wilderness, undisturbed save by the hunter and explorer. Great Britain, with her New England colonies, were gathering their strength for the final struggle which terminated in the capture of Quebec, in 1759, forever ending the Indian depredations which had devastated and retarded the border settlements. In 1761 those families who had commenced a settlement in Hillsborough in 1744, and fled on the approach of Indian hostilities, began to return and rebuild their ruined habitations. Weare, granted by the proprietors in 1749 to Ichabod Robie and others, was being settled, and in 1765, John Tufton Mason sold to Samuel Robie, John Webster, Robert Graham, Matthew Forsaith, John Shackford, William White, Robert Mills, all of Chester, and Robert Moore, of Londonderry, all his right and title to one undivided half of big lot No. 11, in Society Land, being two thousand acres, more or less, for the consideration of one hundred pounds. The same year, John Thomlinson, a merchant of London, gave Theodore Atkinson and Mark H. Wentworth, of Portsmouth, power of attorney to set off or divide his share of the same lot from that of Mason. The parties in Chester, together with Robert Moore, of Londonderry, quit-claimed the northerly half of the said lot to John Thomlinson, through his attorneys, the said Atkinson and Wentworth; while the latter, for the said Thomlinson, quit-claimed the southerly half or moiety to the said Robie, and others. The lot was surveyed by Daniel Nichols, afterwards a settler and citizen of Antrim. The northerly half, as well as the southerly, was divided into twenty lots, No. 1 joining the intervale lot on the west, and the numbers increasing in their order to 20, which joined on Weare. The year 1765 is memorable in the history of the town as marking the date of the first settlement made by ALEXANDER ROBINSON, on the farm now owned by William T. Smith, about two miles south of Hillsborough bridge. At this period bears and wolves were numerous, and the hill beneath which Mr. Robinson selected a building spot for his home, and where he lived for many years, was the favorite haunt of the latter animal, and still bears the name of Wolf Hill. Tradition relates that a bear came down out of the forest one day and began a raid on Mr. Robinson's hogs. His wife, hearing the outcry, (Mr. Robinson being away from home), seized an axe and made such a vigorous onslaught on bruin as to cause him to beat a hasty retreat, leaving his prize to the weaker but lawful owner. WILLIAM FORSAITH came from Chester soon after Mr. Robinson commenced his settlement. He was the son of Matthew Forsaith, one of the purchasers of Mason's half of big lot No. 11. Mr. Forsaith settled the David Carter place, west of the David Wilson farm. There is good authority for the assertion that there were only three settlers within the limits of the town in 1767. Alexander Robinson and William Forsaith were two of that number. ROBERT MILLS, the son of Robert Mills, of Chester, who was also one of the grantees of the Mason moiety in No. 11, assisted the surveyor in subdividing the same into settler's lots, marking the trees designated for the corners, and for many years afterwards was considered as authority in settling any dispute or doubt that arose in relation to them. He settled on the Gawn Mills place, so-called, now owned by William Colburn. WILLIAM AIKEN, and THOMAS AIKEN, his brother, from Londonderry, settled on farms or lots adjoining the former, recognized as the Levi White place, and the latter as the Luther Aiken place. These lots are all in great lot No. 11, the three latter in the southern or Mason division. SAMUEL PATTEN, in 1767, commenced clearing up a lot in great lot No. 14, Atkinson's right or share, and, having erected his humble dwelling, came up from Marblehead, in 1768, with his wife and son, six years old, and made a permanent settlement, which lasted without change during his life, he dying in 1819. His son, whose name was JONATHAN, grew up and served a term of enlistment in the Continental army during the Revolution. He died in 1832. His widow survived him nearly thirty years, drawing a pension from the government. JOHN SHEARER settled a lot adjoining Samuel Patten's lot on the east, while ALEXANDER HOGG settled a lot just south of Patten's lot, in the south range of Atkinson's right, and in 1771, ELIAS HASSELL received of Anthony Wibird and John Penhallow, heirs of Richard Wibird, who drew big lot No. 15, a settler's deed of one hundred acres of land in said lot 15, for the consideration of five shillings and settling the lot. This lot was No. 3 in the subdivision, and is identified as the farm where Alvah Gould now lives. At length, in 1774, so many settlers had come as to justify them in petitioning the General Court for an act of incorporation, and James Betton, Esq. was chosen as their agent to present their petition. Their application was successful, and, in honor of Governor John Wentworth's wife, whose maiden-name was Frances Deering, the new town received the name of Deering. The act of incorporation, is given below with some slight changes in orthography. "Province of New Hampshire > George the third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith &c. To all People to whom these presents shall come greeting: Whereas our loyal Inhabitants of a Tract of Land within our Province of New Hampshire aforesaid, commonly called and known by the name of Society Land, containing by estimation about six miles square, have humbly petitioned and Requested us that they may be erected and incorporated into a TOwnship, and enfranchised with the same powers and privileges which other Towns within our said Provide by law Have and Enjoy, and it appearing to us to be conclusive to the general Good of our said Province, as well as of the said Inhabitants in particular, by maintaining good order and encouraging the Culture of the Land that the same should be done. "Know ye that we, of our special grace, certain knowledge and for the encouragement and promotion of the good purposes and ends aforesaid, by and with the advice of our trust and well loved John Wentworth, Esqr., our Governor and Commander-in-chief of our said Province, and of our Council of the same, have erected and ordained, and by these presents for us and our Heirs and Successors, do will and order that the Inhabitants of said Tract of Land and others who shall improve and inhabit thereon hereinafter, the same being butted and bounded as follows, viz: Beginning at the Northwest Corner of Francestown, from thence East to the easterly side of the Society Land so called; from thence North to the Corner of the said Society Land; from thence by the said Society Land westerly to Contoocook River bounding partly on the Towns of Henniker and Hillsborough; from thence, as said Contoocook River runs, so far as that an East line shall strike the Northwest corner of Francestown; from thence by said East line to the Bounds first mentioned.." [more in original document not included here]. Signed 17th day of January, 1774 by J. Wentworth and recorded by Theodore Atkinson in the Book of Charters No. 4, Folios 183, 184 and 185. Complying with the above conditions of the charter, the first town-meeting was called by the said William Clark, and held at the house of Alexander Robinson, inn-holder (A list of town officers is given in another column to which the reader is referred. It extends from the first town meeting in 1774 to 1885). It was voted at this town-meeting that "the Selectmen be a committee to settle with Esquire Betton for obtaining the charter of said town." It is also worthy of note that from this town-meeting up to 1819, which marks the date of the Toleration Act by the Legislature, money was raised at every town-meeting for preaching... The laying out of highways through the new settlements within the limits of the town received the first attention of the selectmen. As a specimen of the description and form of recording the laying out of those primitive roads, the following transcript is copied from the town records, and is the earliest on record: "Deering, April 5, 1774. A Transcript of a Highway laid out three Rods wide. Beginning at Weare line, west of Enoch Brown's House; thence running west Bearing south until it comes to John Shearer's land; thence west as near as the ground will allow of a Road past the south of said Shearer's House; thence west until it comes to Samuel Patten's East line; and so still west, or as near that point as good ground will allow, until it comes to said Patten's Emprovements, a few rods south of his house, and so on still west, or as Near that point as good ground will allow, until it comes over a brook which Empties out of a meadow at an old Beaver Dam about forty rods west of Samuel Patten's west line. [Signed by Elias Hassell, Nenian Aiken, and John Shearer, Selectmen; also by Nenian Aiken, Town Clerk]. A road, the record of the laying of which bears the same date as that of the above, was laid by William McKeen's to Hillsborough ferry, located nearly opposite the residence of the late Reuben Loveren, Hillsborough Bridge. At length a bridge was constructed across the river above the ferry, where the stone bridge now stands, and September 6, 1779, the town voted,"That there be a Road opened to meet ye Road leading from ye Bridge in Hillsborough in Exchange for ye one leading to ye Ferry during the Continuance of said Bridge." This structure was called by the people who used it, "the Bridge," and was as much used or utilized by the inhabitants of Deerfing as by those of Hillsborough. The name bridge soon became associated with the place or locality, which was, therefore, known as "Hillsborough Bridge." This growing manufacturing village, which property begins at Hillsborough line, on the south, about one-third of a mile from the stone bridge, is the principal market for produce and lumber of a large portion of Deering at the present time. page 369 THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION The war-cloud of the Revolution was gathering over the New England colonies, culminating in the battle of Lexington, on April 19, 1775. Deering, it will be seen in another place, was represented there by one of her settlers, and, when called upon the next year to join the Association Test, which was virtually an act of Independence several months earlier than the act or Declaration assumed by Congress, responded with the following signers: Benjamin Little, Ephraim Abbott, Benjamin Bradford, John Waleys, William McKeen, Elias Hassell, Francis Grimes, Samuel Patten, John Shearer, Abram Gove, Bray Wilkins, Timothy Wyman, Jonathan Wyman, Timothy Wyman Jr., James Grimes, Samuel Chandler, Nenian Aiken, John Bailes, John Wakefield, William Robertson, Ebenezer Blood, Alexander Hogg, William Aiken, William Forsyth, Thomas AIken, David Wilson, John Lyon, Joseph Crillis, Robert Mills, Ephraim Clark, Alexander Robinson, Joseph Robinson, and William Bradford. Thirty-three, comprising the names of all the citizens of the town at that time not lunatics or paupers, with the exception of the names of two, who were reported as refusing to sign, viz: John Bartlett, Jonathan Straw. It is not to be inferred that these two men were TOries because they did not sign with the rest of their townsmen. THey might have held conscientious scruples against bearing arms or withheld their names from motives of policy or timidity, although friendly to the American cause. The next year, 1777, on the [page 370] news of the advance of Burgoyne, Nenian Aiken with eighteen men from Deering, marched to the relief or defense of Ticonderoga; but, hearing that the fort had been evacuated, he returned with his men, being absent and in the service three days. In this campaign against Burgoyne, Benjamin Bradford, of Deering, served under General Stark at the Battle of Bennington as second lieutenant. The next year, 1778, we find Nenian Aiken serving as lieutenant under General Sullivan in the defense of the New England coast against the British fleet. The records of the town throughout the war show that the inhabitants contributed their full share towards keeping the Continental army supplied with men either form their own borders or by hiring subsitutes from other places--paying their war taxes in specie or supplying beef and grain. The depreciation in the paper currency may be seen in a vote of the town at the annual meeting in 1781, at the house of Alexander Robinson, when it was "voted that five thousand pounds be raised to marke and repair highways" -- in New Hampshire currency, $16,666.66-2/3, a pound being $3.33-1/3. It was also voted, at the same time, to allow twenty pounds per day for men and oxen. The next year the price per day for men and oxen for work on highways was fixed at four shillings per day for men and oxen, which indicates the return of confidence by the people in the financial condition of the country, or under the pressure of the law which was enacted at this time to regulate the currency. So great was the distress for money to pay war taxes that an effort was made to tax corn raised on burnt ground; but the town, at their annual meeting, failed to sanction the scheme, and it was abandoned. We are not able at this time of writing to give a complete list of the names of those who served in the Continental army; some of them will be found in the general genealogical list, -- while many were hired-- not citizens of Deering, by the agents of the town to fill their quota, as in the late Civil War. CAPTAIN NENIAN AIKEN, one of the most prominent citizens of the town from its earlier settlement, removed West about the year 1790, selling his homestead to Abraham Gove. A return of the ratable polls to the General Court of New Hampshire, for the year 1783, by the selectmen Evan Dow and Abram Gove, numbers them at eighty-six. The return is indorsed as follows: "Deering, December ye 16, 1783 Gentlemen, N.B.-- Not having time to go before A Justice Opeace, as the is not one within Eight Mills, we must pray to be Excused, as this Return we are Able to make Oath too." In 1785 a dispute between the town of Weare and the "Proprietors" in relation to the westerly line of said town, was settled by the court in favor of Weare. The territory in dispute was about two hundred and fifty rods wide on the south end, and three hundred at the north, extending the whole width of Deering, adjoining Weare. By the decision of the court, this lawsuit Deering lost from her territory about two thousand eight hundred acres, as will be seen by the following petition and certificate:-- "To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in and for the State of New Hampshire, Your Petitioners Humbly Sheweth. "Whereas the Proprietors of the town of Deering, in the County of Hillsborough, have given up To the Town of Weare a Certain Tract of Non-Improved Land, and said Proprietors of Deering have Denied paying taxes on said Land for the year 1786, And said Laid Being Inventoried and Returned To the Honorable General Court as Belonging to the Town of Deering, as it may Appear hereafter, Therefore, we humbly pray your Honours would be pleased to Abate the taxes for the years 1786, 1787, on said Land, or any part thereof, as your Petitioners are in Duty Ever Bound to Pray." [Signed by Evan Dow, Alexander Wilson, Thomas Merrill, Selectman of Deering. Dated June 4, 1787." In 1797 a library association was incorporated by an act of the General Court, on the petition of Robert Alcock, Thomas Merrill, Thomas Aiken, Wm. Aiken, Wm. Forsaith, James Shearer and their associates. For many years the members kept up their organization; but it long ago became extinct, although some of the books are still extant,--useful only to the antiquary and book-collector. No school-houses were erected until 1806, or about the time the present school-distict system was adopted. Previous to this period the schools were carried on, like the religious meetings prior to 1790, in private dwellings and barns. Money was voted sparingly from 1782 every subsequent year for schools; but with the proviso that, if not used, it should be turned into the town treasury. In the year 1790 the town voted "No more draw-backs on school money." To the influence of the ministers associated with the church formed in 1789 must be credited this change of feeling in the people in regard to education. The town never receded from the vote of 1790, but have kept increasing their appropriations for the support of schools to the present time. The prescribed limits of this paper have already been exceeded. The indulgence of the publishers only permits us to add the following memoranda of the weather, etc.: The history may property be said to close with the year 1800. The year 1800 was noted as a period of heat and drought. Much sickness prevailed. October 7, 1804, snow fell to the depth of a foot. Potatoes, apples, together with some patches of corn, were covered by the snow. Many parties picked their best, or winter fruit on the Sabbath, in order to save enough for winter supply. January 19, 1810, is noted as the cold Friday. No snow was on the ground; but the intense cold and high wind rendered it a day long to be remembered. The mother of the writer has often related that she started for school on the morning of that day, residing at that time in Weare, but was soon forced to seek the shelter of a neighboring habitation to prevent herself from perishing in the cold, her kind neighbors accompanying her back to the home of her parents. No snow fell, it is said, until the last of Feburary. [page 371] The winter of 1811-12 is on record as very severe. During the winter the spotted fever appeared, but was said not to be so prevalent in Deering as in Antrim,--the Contoocook River seeming to form a barrier in checking the ravages of the disease. September 15, 1815, is the date of the great gale which swept over a portion of New England. Many of the old-growth forests, on the hills and other localities, exposed to the wind and rain, which were from the southwest, were prostrated, compelling or accelerating the clearin gup of many hill-tops and slopes, which would otherwise have remained in forest-growth. The year 1816 was long remembered as the cold season. Hardly sound corn enough was raised to supply the wants of the farmers, for seed to plant the ensuing year. The spots on the sun, it is related, could be seen with the naked eye. The year 1826 is known as the grasshopper year. A long protacted drought favored their growth and increase, so as to cause the destruciton of the grass and grain crops, leaving very little for the farmer to harvest. August 28th a heavy rain occurred which washed the grasshoppers into the small streams in such quantities that bushels of them could be gathered on the banks of the same after the subsidence of the flood. 1852, 1853 and 1854 were very dry years, the latter noted for bush and forest-fires. A great freshet in the spring of 1852 caused great damage to the mills, highways and bridges. The murder of Keeland Chase, in 1860, caused a degree of excitement hitherto unknown to the inhabitants of Deering. He was found in his barn with his skull fractured. An inquest was held over his body, but no verdict was ever rendered nor anyone arrested for the crime. July 25, 1881, thunderstorms passed over the northerly portion of Hillsborough County, causing the destruction of many buildings by lightning. During the night following the barn of Carleton Clement, Esq., was struck by lightning and consumed, his house and other buildings only being saved by the sertions of the neighbors, who came to the rescue by dipping up buckets of water in the door-yard adjoining the blazing barn, supplied by the torrents of rain which fell at the same time. The lights of other fires in adjoining towns, which were visible during the lulls of the storm, together with the circumstances above described, rendered it a night never to be forgotten. The murder or assassination of Edmund Wood, on the 18th of August, 1883, within a mile of his home, while returning from Hillsborough Bridge, caused much feeling and excitement, which extended to the adjoining towns. Suspicion at once fastened on Nathan Brown, the neighbor of the murdered man, as the perpetrator of the foul deed, and he was arrested and tried at Manchester before a jury selected for this special case. The jury failed to agree, seven it is said, voting to acquittal and five for conviction. The able counsel for the prisoner, Hon. Charles Burns, very pointedly remarked in his plea before the jury, "The prisoner was soon to appear before a higher tribunal from which there is no appeal." This remark has been verified. Nathan Brown expired June 9, 1885, from a stroke of paralysis, making no confession or implicating himself in any way with connection in the crime. In conclusion we may say Deering has been and always will remain an agricultural town; but it can be said to her credit that she had paid liabilities, including those of the late civil war, to the amount of more than thirty thousand dollars, raised by taxation, and is now substantially out of debt. CHURCH HISTORY--The history of the church in Deering is so thoroughly identified and interwoven with that of the town, especially in the earlier portion of the same, that it is difficult to draw the line between them. Deering, like many of her sister-towns, drew her first settlers from the earlier Scotch-Irish settlements of Chester and Londonderry. Not a few of them were born in Ireland, emigrating to the latter towns, and then, after a short stay, removing to settle in Deering. They carried with them the religious beliefs and tendencies peculiar to those people, and no sooner had they established themselves in their humble homes than they made provision according to their means for having public worship. These meetings were held in private dwellings and barns. From three to six days' preaching were all the town was able to pay for during the first decade in the history of the town. The town voted in 1779 "to settle a minister at a convenient season." No minister, however, was presented with a call for ten years afterwards. A movement was made in 1780 to erect a meeting-house. Nothing came about, however, until 1786, when the town voted to built a house fifty-five feet long, forty-five feet wide, two stories high, with a convenient porch at each end. Two years previous to this vote a dispute arose in relation to the location of the meeting-house, the centre of the town being found, by a committee chosen for this purpose, after an actual survey, to be near where the buildings of Albert Gregg are now located. The inhabitants of the town not being able to agree upon this locality to set the meeting-house, it became necessary to petition, through the selectmen, Evan Dow and James Whitaker, the General Court for a committee to locate the same. Captain Joseph Simonds, John Duncan, and Robert Wallace were appointed June 12, 1784. This committee attended to their duties, and July 5, 1784, reported as follows: "The Committee appointed to settle the place to build a meeting-house in said Town meet, and Upon viewing the Premises and Considering Arguments, Report that the place agreed on is East of the center; about 15 Rods South-East of James Shearer's house, on Elifelet Merrill's lote, and about five Rods South of the Road through the Centor of Range's Right, said place being Marked, which is submitted by the Committee." [signed by Joseph Symonds, John Duncan, and Robert Wallace, "Commetey."]. page 372 The next year, 1785, the town voted to petition the General Court to grant a tax on the non-resident lands within the limits of their territory (many of the proprietors or heirs still holding large tracts which were constantly increasing in value). This was done through the selectmen, Nenian Aiken, Alexander Gregg and Samuel Anderson. An act was passed November 4, 1785, granting a tax of one penny per acre on all lands, except those owned by Quakers. The town voted in 1787 to clear the lot selected for the meeting-house, identified as the place where the town-house now stands, including the common above. At the annual meeting in March 1788, the town voted to lay out the certificates in the hands of the committee for underpinning the meeting-house for lumber, etc. "Voted, also that each Surveyor of highways come with all his hands in his District, and work one Day fixing and laying out the stone for Underpining the Meeting-house, and that the Select Men appoint the day for each Surveyor to work in his warrant. "Voted, to Raise 40 Dollars, or twelve pounds, to be paid in Grain, Rye at four shillings per bush., and Indian corn at three shillings per bush., to buy Nails--the Committee for preparing for Raising the Meeting-house to purchase the same. At an adjourned meeting, held March 18th, the same year, the town voted to purchase four barrels of rum for raising the meeting-house, and the committee provide one meal of victuals for spectators on the town's cost. "Voted, to pay sixty Dollars worth for the Grain for Raising the Meeting-house by the first day of May next, and the other hundred dollars voated to be paid in Grain at or before the fifteenth of August next. "Voted, that each person leave said Grain at Lt. Alexr Gregg's, Mr. Thomas Merrill's or Capt. Robert Alcock's" There not being considered a sufficient number of men competent to assist in the raising of the meeting-house frame within the limits of the town, invitations were extended to the adjoining towns for help. The call was responded to, and on the day appointed the people of the town assembled, together with those invited from outside, and the body of the house frame was raised the first day without accident, leaving the roof to be raised on the following day. Those from out of town were quartered for the night among the inhabitants, each one taking one or more of the strangers, according to their means of accomodation, and on the following day the raising of the frame was completed. It was not until two years afterwards, however, 1790, that the house was closed in, and the pews put in, and the whole structure placed in a suitable condition for religious worship. Rev. Solomon More, of New Boston, and Rev. Jonathan Barnes, of Hillsborough, organized the first church in the year 1789. The Congregational form of government was adopted. It was, as is alleged, constituted of nine persons, all male--five by letters from other churches and four by profession. The town voted to extend a call about the same time to Rev. Mr. Gillet to settle with them at ninety pounds, as a settlement, and sixty-five pounds as an annual salary. The call was not accepted, and after a lapse of two years the form of church government was changed to Presbyterian. The town also voted at this time to give Rev. Daniel Merrill a call by a majority of two. The church did not acquiesce in this call; but Mr. Merrill was employed for a season to preach, and under his labors fifty persons were added to the church, the most of whom were heads of families. After five years under the Presbyterian the church returned to their original Congregational form of government. In 1798 the church extended a call to Rev. Christopher Page to settle as a minister. The town acquiesced and voted Mr. Page seventy pounds salary and twenty-five cords of wood, or eighty pounds exclusive of the wood. Although Mr. page did not accept the call, he preached here for a time. For two years after Mr. Page removed, the town voted, respectively, one hundred and one hundred and fifty dollars to hire preaching; but it is uncertain whether these sums were expended for that purpose. No steady supply of the pulpit was secured after Mr. Page's departure until 1800, when Mr. David Long received a call, which he did not accept, although he preached a few months. In 1801, Rev. Mr. Sleigh was invited by the town to become their settled minister. The church was opposed to his settlement, while the majority of the town strongly favored him. Through the agency of certain ministers, it is said, another church was formed, over which Mr. Sleigh was installed. He continued his labors with this church until 1807, when he was dismissed at his own request, and his church soon became extinct. In the mean time the old orthodox church had kept up its organization by having occasional preaching and the administration of the Lord's Supper. The town, from this time up to 1819, as has been stated elsewhere, raised annually small sums of money to hire preaching. The year 1819 marks the date of the passage of the Toleration Act. The men who labored here after the removal of Mr. Sleigh were Rev. James Richards, afterwards a foreign missionary. Rev. Jabez Fisher supplied the pulpit for about five years. During his labors fifteen were admitted to the church by profession. After his removal there were only occasional and interrupted supplies until 1829, when Rev. Eber Childs became pastor of the church, until dismissed, by his own request, in 1834. Rev. Peter Holt succeeded Mr. Childs in 1835, continuing his connection with the church as pastor until 1840. After a period of three years Rev. William Richardson was installed. He was dismissed, at his own request, in 1847 in consequence of an affection of his eyes. He removed to Manchester, N.H., and became interested in real estate, thereby acquiring a large property. Both he and hiw wife, an estimable lady, are deceased, leaving no issue. Rev. Edmund Burt labored here two years after Mr. Richardson's departure. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Gale, who remained three years, during which period he succeeded in organizing an academy, which has been at various times quite an effective means of education to the youth of the town. Rev. James W. Perkins, to whose article in the "New Hampshire Churches" we are indebted for some portions of this sketch, began his ministry with this church in 1854. After Mr. Perkin's ministry, which was closed on account of his feeble health, Rev. Mr. Nutting supplied the pulpit for one year, followed by Rev. Samuel Gerould in 1859, succeeded by Rev. E.F. Abbot. Rev. Morris Holman preached to this church for several years, and in 1877, Rev. A.B. Palmer was the stated supply; in 1878, C.H. Taintor; no meeting in 1880; in 1881, H.C. Cowell, also in 1882; in 1883, Rodney C. Cochran; in 1884, George A. Dickey. The organization of this old church has become extinct or nearly so. In 1829 the old meeting-house was abandoned as a place of worship, the orthodox society building a new one a few rods farther to the north, within the limits of the common. At this time there existed quite a numerous class of people at the easterly part of the town-- Methodists, Free-Will Baptists, etc.--who had no place of worship. They made a proposition to the town, at a special meeting called for above purpose, to finish up the old house and occupy it for public worship. The town voted to relinquish their right to the old house and give the new society three hundred dollars toward the expense of building a new town-house, provided the latter incurred the remaining expenditure. This proposition would probably have been accepted, but a new and unexpected opposition now arose. Many of the pew-owners in the old house refused to give up their right and title, although no longer occupied by them. The meeting broke up with much ill-feeling on the part of both parties, and a society was immediately formed at East Deering, under the name and title of the Free Salvation Society, and in December 1829, a plat of land was purchased of James or Amos Peaslee for a church site and the next year Mr. Reuben Loveren built, by contract, the church now standing at East Deering, as he had the one at the Centre the year before. For many years the Methodists and Free-will Baptists held, alternately, meetings, and also the Universalists, who owned a share in the house. The Baptist and Universalist societies have become extinct, while the Methodist society holds regular meetings every Sabbath, A.B. Russell being the present pastor. BURYING-GROUNDS-- On the easterly slope of Wolf Hill, in full view from the little village of the Centre, which it overlooks, is located the old burying-ground which marks the last resting-place of many of the first settlers of Deering. Tradition points out a spot in the southeast corner of the grounds where the skeleton of a man was discovered lying beneath a fallen tree. An axe near by and several felled trees, including the one which rested on the body, indicated that he had commenced a clearing, interrupted by the accident through which he lost his life. The deer-skin breeches he had worn were recognizable, but no trace of his identity was ever found, and his remains were interred near the place where they were found. He was supposed to be some fugitive from justice or a deserter from the army. It soon after occurred to the settlers to use this locality as a burying-place for their dead, and on September 15, 1783, the town voted "to give Bray Wilkins seven dollars for Clearing and fencing the graveyard according to law." This old burying-ground is full of graves, but with few headstones, and the names of most of those interred there must be forever unknown. A burying-ground was laid out in the eastern part of the town on the south end of lot No. 13, Ringe's right. At the annual meeting in 1785 the town voted "that Natl Gove have four dollars and three-quarters for clearing and fencing the same." In 1811, John Hogdon, of Ware, gave to the town of Deering one-half acre of land, located in the west part of the town, by the side of the old turnpike, for to be used as a burying-ground, Ebenezer Gay, David Ellingwood, Samuel Morrill, the committee chosen by the town, giving bonds to fence and keep in repair the same forever. These conditions have been complied with up to the present time and the area of the original grounds enlarged. In 1851 a new burying-ground was laid out near the church at East Deering, and which has lately been enlarged. In 1825 the town purchased of Isaac Wilkins about one acre for a burying-ground. It is located on the farm of Andrew Wilkins, No. 7, in the south range, Packer's right. These grounds were enlarged a few years ago to meet the necessities of the population in that part of the town. Robert Alcock, about the year 1809 or 1810, laid out a family burying-ground near the residence of the late Luke Otis, giving at the same time a plot of land adjoining the same as a public burying-place, provided the town would assume the expense of fencing, etc. The proposition was accepted, and large additions ahve been made to it by private enterprise, the latter additions being utilized by the population of Hillsborough Bridge, one-third of a mile distant. Page 374+ NOTICES AND GENEALOGIES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS OF DEERING-- ALEXANDER ROBINSON, the first settlers of Deering, settled on the farm now owned and occupied by William T. Smith. This farm is in the south range of Ringe's right, or No. 13. We can find no trace of his family, but we learn from the town records that he offered the town his property, provided the latter would take care of himself and wife. The proposition was not accepted. WILLIAM FORSAITH, said to be the second settler in Deering, came from Chester. He settled on the lot west of that of the David Wilson farm, which is in the north range of the great lot or right No. 11. He married Jane WILSON, sister of David Wilson, who settled on the lot east of the above-described lot. His children were: [FORSAITH] Mathew, who married Jennie McClure William, who married -- ROSE from Lyndeborough Mary, who married Hugh MORE of Francestown Dr. James Forsaith, who married Nancy Forsaith, of Chester Jonathan Forsaith married Naomi Butterfield, of Goffstown Thomas married a lady in Portland, Me. Jennie married Jonathan Butterfield, of Goffstown Esther married Reuben Wilson, of New Boston Robert married Nancy Caulwell of Henniker Josiah married a lady in Boston, Mass. Sarah married Reuben Page, of Weare CHILDREN OF JONATHAN AND NAOMTI FORSAITH: William Forsaith, twice married,--first to Lydia Downing; second to Relephe George. Children by first marriage,--Marilla married first, Charles Codman; second, James Richards, of Goffstown; Ursula married S. Dow Wyman, of Hillsborough. Mr. Forsaith has resided in Deering during the whole of his active and useful life, and, although nearly ninety years old, still retains his faculties so as to relate many incidents which took place in his early life, and consequently in the earlier history of the town. He related that his grandfather, William Forsaith, carried a bushel of seed-corn on his back from Chester to his farm in Deering, a task that not many young men would like to undertake even on a wager. John married Sarah Carter Rodney married Eliza Curtis Alfred married in Maine and died there. Naomi married David Carter Jane married William McFerson. Woldend married in Maine Emiline married Jeremiah Bennet. Josiah married in Maine and removed to Pennsylvania. CHILDREN OF MATHEW AND JENNIE FORSAITH William Forsaith married Catherine ROSE of Lyndeborough, settled in Alexandria, N.H. Mary married Hugh More, of Francestown. David married Nancy Mills, daughter of Robert Mills. James married Betsy Wilson, daughter of Alexander Wilson, who settled the farm now occupied by William Forsaith. Margaret married Samuel Bell. Lucinda married John Wilkins. Ziba removed to New York. Cyrus moved West. CHILDREN OF DAVID AND NANCY FORSAITH: Alonzo died unmarried. David settled in Stoughton, Mass. Sally married Horace Grove, of Deering. Mathew married Elzira Wilkins. John settled in Lowell, Mass. Robert married Mary A. Ellsworth; died in the war. George settled in California. James, unmarried; resides in Deering. Squire married Colby; resides in Antrim. Warren lives in the West. Horace married a daughter of John Gage; resides in Manchester NH ---- SAMUEL PATTEN settled the farm now occupied by Joseph N. Gove and George C. Patten. He bought three adjacent lots of land--viz, Nos. 20, 21, and 22--in the south range of the Atkinson right, the last- numbered, lot 22, being his first purchase, and is worthy of notice as being the earliest deed to actual settlers found on record of land within the limits of the town. The date of the deed is April 10, 1770. It is the only deed of land in Deering recorded in Rockingham County. He married Priscilla More in Ireland; came to Marblehead, Mass., in 1765, his wife joining him in 1768 with a child six years old, and removed the same year to settle on the above described lot. CHILDREN OF SAMUEL PATTEN. Jonathan, born in Ireland, married Abigal Blood. John died unmarried. Samuel Patten married Hannah Booes, or Bois, of Londonderry. Betsy married Aaron Travis. Polly died unmarried. Jesse married Polly Gove; settled in Henniker, N.H. CHILDREN OF JONATHAN AND ABIGAIL PATTEN: Esther married Hiram Hurd; settled in Neport [sic Newport] N.H. David married Alice Tubbs; settled in Hancock N.H. Johnathan married Phila Hurd. Mary married Edward Chase. Abigail married David Wilkins Eliza married Rev. Ebenezer Chase. CHILDREN OF SAMUEL AND HANNAH PATTEN: John married Mary Kimball. Samuel married Lydia Whitaker. Sophronia married Henry Codman. Hannah died unmarried. Eliza died unmarried. Alonzo married Rhoda Ladd. Melissa married Benjamin F. Gove. CHILDREN OF AARON AND BETSEY TRAVIS Priscilla married Daniel Hook. Jesse married Sarah Lacy. Samuel married Hannah Lacy. Mary married Caleb Philbrook. Gilman married Lucretia Brown. Reuben married Eunice Stearns. CHILDREN OF JONATHAN AND PHILA PATTEN. Nyrhe married Joseph Stearns Jr. Phila married David Chase; settled in Henniker, N.H. Abigail married Benjamin Martin, deceased. Edward married Mary Conant; removed West. Sarah married Mark Peaslee, deceased. John removed West and married there. CHILDREN OF JOHN AND MARY PATTEN George C. married Lucy A. Roper of Francestown, N.H. Nancy S. married John N. Currier; settled in Manchester, N.H. CHILDREN OF ALONZO PATTEN: Edwin settled in California. Joseph is a physician and resides in Bethlehem, N.H. CHILDREN OF GEORGE C. and LUCY A. PATTEN William H. Patten married Velona E. Dodge. Helen L. Susie H. married Arthur S. Hood, Manchester, N.H. NOTE:--The family of George C. Patten are all that remains of the Pattens in Deering --- WILLIAM McKEEN, one of the first settlers of Deering, was the son of Samuel McKeen, who settled in Amherst, N.H. His father was a brother of James McKeen, of Londonderry, known as Justice McKeen. The ancestor of the McKeens was James McKeen, who lived in Ireland. He was a zealous Protestant and took part in the defense of Londonderry. He had three sons,--James, John and William. The wife of John, whose name was Janet, had by him four children,--James, Robert, Samuel, and Mary. He intended to emigrate with his brother James, but died before the embarkation. His widow, however, with her four children, came over with the other emigrants. Her son, Samuel, as above stated, had by his wife, whose name was Agnes, a numerous family. William was the sixth son, and married Ann Graham or Grimes, a sister of Francis Grimes, one of the earlier settlers of Deering. They had six sons and four daughters,-- John married Ann Ramsy, Greenfield N.H. David married Nancy Ferson, Deering, N.H. Robert married Sally Barnes, Deering, N.H. William Jr., married Lydia Hadlock, Deering N.H. Moses never married. Samuel never married. Rose married -- Clough, Whitefield, N.H. Mary married -- Withington. Betsey married William McNeil, Rockingham, Vt. Jane never married. Agnes never married. CHILDREN OF WILLIAM Jr. and LYDIA McKEEN: Walter married Leonora Gould, Hillsborough, N.H. Albert married Vienna Paine, Bellingham, Mass. Nathan married Susan Hubbard, Candia, N.H. Levi married Carrie Massey, Nashua, N.H. J.C. Dodge died young. Sarah married A.W. Dickey, Deering, N.H. CHILDREN OF ALBERT AND VIENNA McKEEN: Frank A. married Clara Bowers Susie A. married George H. Andrews Mary E. married J.N. Andrews CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND SALLY McKEEN: Leonard married Angeline Dickey, Deering N.H. Elbridge married first, Jane Colby; second -- Colby. Adaline married Galusha Smith, Boston, Mass. NOTE:--The name of McKeen has become extinct in Deering ----- WILLIAM and THOMAS AIKEN were two of the first settlers of Deering. They were grandsons of Edward Aiken, who emigrated, like the McKeens, from the north of Ireland about the year 1722, and settled in Londonderry. He had three sons, Nathaniel, James and William. Nathaniel settled on his father's farm, and had five sons,--Edward, John, James, Thomas and William. The two latter settled, as above stated, in Deering. William settled the farm occupied by the late Levi White, and Thomas settled the lot just west of William's. William died when about fifty-three years of age. Thomas died in 1831, aged eighty-two years. He was a good mechanic; he made wheels for spinning linen, reeds, spools, etc. His old shop is still standing, and many of his wheels are still extant. William and Thomas each had a son John. William's son had LIGHT hair, while Thomas' son had DARK hair. To distinguish them, therefore, they were known respectively, as RED John and BLACK John. Red John had a large family, only two of whom are now living,--Electa, widow of the late David Wilson, of Deering, and Joseph, who lives in Cambridge, Mass. The names of those deceased were Calvin, William, Martha, Relief, Luther, Harriett, Rebecca, Jane. The children of Black Johng were Elmira, Cyrus, Caroline, Hermon, Fanny, James, Hannah, a daughter of William Aiken, married John Gillis, of Deering--his farm adjoined Thomas Aiken's on the west. The children of John and Hannah Gillis were William Aiken Gillis, Thomas, Worcester, John, David, Horace, Hannah, who married Reuben Boutwell, is now a widow and lives in Hillsborough, N.H. Mark, James M. and Charles are not living. The name of Aiken as well as Gillis is now extinct in Deering. --- DAVID WILSON settled the farm known for more than a century as the "David Wilson place." The house now standing on the farm was built by him in 1786. His children were,-- James married Mary McNeil. Betsy married John Grimes. Jenny married Josiah Morse. Nancy married Hugh Bell. Hannah married, first, Robert Gibson; second, James Cochran. Sally married first, -- Hill; second, -- Dustin. Susan married Nathan Murdough. David Jr. married first, Jenny Dickey; second, Margaret Dinsmore. CHILDREN OF DAVID AND JENNY WILSON: Eliza, who died at the age of nineteen, unmarried. Sally, who died at the age of three. Hannah married James Forsaith. Sarah M. married Luther Aiken. David F. married Electa Aiken. Susan married George Smart. Mary, who died at the age of seventeen, unmarried. James, who died at the age of forty-one, unmarried. William D. married Sarah F. Chase. The only child of David and Margaret Wilson was Eliza D., married George A. Ramsdell, of Nashua, N.H. ----- REUBEN LOVEREN settled the farm now occupied by Robert P. Cressey. His father, Ebenezer Loveren, of Kensington, purchased, in 1773 and 1774, several lots of land in Atkinson's right, in Deering, notably lot 25, in the north range, identified as the lot on which the farm buildings now stand. Also, part of lot 27--twenty acres in the south range, identified as the lot on which the farm buildings stand on the Josiah Loveren place. Reuben Loveren came and settled on lot 25 about the year 1777, being seventeen years of age. He laid his camp by the side of a large boulder still recognizable, east of the highway leading by the buildings half-way between the highway and Dudley Brook. Although he died in 1815, at the early age of fifty-five, the large house on the premises, and the massive stone fences or walls which cover this large and noble old homestead bear witness to his industry and energy. He married Sarah Hilliard, and had a numerous family,-- Dolly married David Rowell, of Deering. Sally married Daniel Gove, of Weare. Ebenezer married Annie Rowell; removed to Medford, Mass. Elizabeth married Robert Goodale; died the present year (1885). Mary married Joab Patterson, of Hopkinton, N.H. Reuben married Abigail Bartlett. Anna married Daniel Bartlett, Jr. Hilliard married Hannah Goodale. Huldah married Daniel Simons. Nancy married Samuel Folsom. CHILDREN OF REUBEN and ABIGAIL LOVEREN Daniel married first, Elsie Eastman of Weare; removed to New Boston where married again, Mrs. Nancy Dodge. Reuben married Martha Whittle, of Deering; settled at Hillsborough Bridge, N.H.; deceased. Joseph H. married Elizabeth Whittle; resides at Hillsborough Bridge, N.H. CHILDREN OF EBENEZEr AND ANNIE LOVEREN: Gilbert married Celenda Cram of Weare Alvah married Matilda Smith Reuben married Rhene Codman of Hillsborough David married; settled in Medford, Mass. Nancy married -- Richardson. ---- ABRAM GOVE, of Kensington, settled on the farm of Benjamin L. Barlett in 1774. This farm is identified as lot 26, in the north range of the Atkinson right or lot 14; he purchased the lot settled by John Shearer, known as the farm on which Charles F. Gove now lives, removing there the same year. He was a man of great energy and industry, and soon had his farm fenced with a stone wall. He became a large landholder; built a large house similiar to the one on the Loveren farm adjoining. He had a numerous family, and married Mary Nudd, of Kensington. CHILDREN OF ABRAM and MARY GOVE: Sarah married Nathaniel Chase. Nanna married -- Jones; removed West. Jonathan married Polly Goodale. Abram Jr. married Nancy Jones. Samuel married Abigail Newman. Mary died unmarried. Betty married Moody Lakin. Polly married Jesse Patten. Lydia never married. Ebenezer married Nancy Rowell. Benjamin married Mary Wallace. Jemima married Gardner Brooks. CHILDREN OF JONATHAN and POLLY GOVE: Polly married Richard Manahan. Almira married Thompson Manahan. Jemima married Joseph Gerry. Horace married Sarah Forsaith. Jennie married Giles Alcock. CHILDREN OF SAMUEL AND ABIGAIL GOVE: Rodney married Nancy Smith. John married Caroline Alcock. Joseph married Aurilla Cram. Samuel married Harriet Newman. Two died in infancy. Eliza married, first, William Whittle; second, Stephen Downing. Sarah Ann married first, Greely Bartlett; second John Hoyet. Benjamin died unmarried. CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN AND MARY GOVE: Mary Ann married Enoch Hadley. Caroline married Thomas Butterfield; settled in the West. Maria married -- Page; settled in the West. Benjamin F. married Meliss Patten; settled in the West. Hannah Jane. Elizabeth. Charles F. married Aurelia Wordsworth; settled on the old homestead. One died in infancy. ------ JOHN SHEARER settled on the farm now owned by Charles F. Gove, soon after Samuel Patten settled 22, which bounds it on the west. These two lots are in the north range of Atkinson's right, while the Alexander Hogg farm (now owned by Scott Bailey, of Weare) is in the south range of the same right, and is lot 27. It is worthy of mention that these three lots were measured out and sold to Samuel Patten, John Shearer and Alexander Hogg, respectively, before the survey of Atkinson's right had been completed and the lots numbered. John Shearer sold his lot in 1774, as above mentioned receiving in exchange lot No. 26, of Abram Gove. A few years afterwards he sold the latter lot to Samuel Shearer, his brother. The latter built the grist-mill owned by the late Jonathan Runnals. Samuel Dunlap operated this mill for Samuel Shearer for several years. Ebenezer Loveren, the brother of Reuben Loveren, settled on the Josiah Loveren place about the same time his brother came to Deering in 1777. He built the large house on the premises, still standing, and the lot on which it is built is identified as lot No. 27 (twenty acres) in the south range of Atkinson's right, No. 14. The land south of the buildings and the highway which separates Atkinson's and Ringe's great rights, or lots Nos. 13 and 14, and which belongs to this old homestead, is recognized as lot No. 15 in the north range of Ringe's right, while the land belonging to the same homestead, lying west of the lot 27 (twenty acres) is identified as lots 26 and 25 in the south range of Atkinson's right. Ebenezer married Eunice Hadlock. His children were,-- Ebenezer Jr. born April 25, 1792; died young. John married Clarissa Richardson; settled on the old homestead. Betty, died young. Sarah married Joshua Downing; settled in Deering. Benjamin married Esther Bartlett; settled in Hopkinton, N.H. CHILDREN OF JOHN AND CLARISSA LOVEREN: Josiah married, first Asenath Gregg; second, Nancy Peabody, now settled in Antrim, N.H. Eunice married Jacob Gordon of Henniker; settled in Maine. Hannah married Humphry Nichols; settled in Maine. Clarissa married Hiram G. Patten; settled in Warner, N.H. Ebenezer married Susan Crowe; settled in the West. Emeline lost her life through an accident when about ten years of age. ------ ALEXANDER GREGG, the son of Hugh Gregg, who emigrated from Ireland, settled the farm now occupied by John Wallace. His buildings were located near the great reservoir dam; the old well and the remains of the cellar excavations are still recognizable. He built the mill at the outlet of the pond. The old mill has long since disappeared, but the old mill-dam still remained until removed to make place for the reservoir dam. Alexander Gregg married Mary Christie, who was born in Ireland. Their children were,-- Jane died single. Hugh died single. Peter C. married Mary Mills; settled in Goshen, N.H. Alexander died single. James married Judith Hadlock. Samuel married Lydia Dodge; settled on the old homestead. Anna married Enos Merrill; settled in Weare, N.H. Reuben removed West, married; died in Montana, Iowa in 1870. CHILDREN OF SAMUEL and LYDIA GREGG: Eunice married James Fulton. James died single. Asenith married Josiah Loveren; settled in Deering N.H. Samuel married Abby Wyman. Lydia Ann married Almos Fairfield; settled in Antrim, N.H. Rebecca died single. CHILDREN OF JAMES AND JUDITH GREGG Christie married Mary Merrill. Lydia married -- STone. The children of Peter C. and Mary Gregg were David, Nancy, Mary Ann, Jane, Reuben (who married Catharine Gregg of Deering), Robert, Samuel, Emily, Christie. The brother of Alexander Gregg, REUBEN GREGG, settled on lots No. 15 and 16, in the north range of big lot No. 11, the former recognizable as the Reuben Gregg place and the latter as the Hugh Gregg Place. He built the saw-mill and grist-mill, which supplied the wants and needs of that part of the town for many years. Those mills since disappeared. Reuben Gregg married first, a sister of Alexander Wilson. Their children were:-- Hugh married Margaret Dodge; settled the farm of B.F. Cleveland (lot No. 16) Thomas married Mary Currier; settled on the ELijah Clough farm. Mary married -- Page. Sally and Betsy died single. REUBEN, for second wife, married a Miss Houston. Their children were:-- Nancy married Jonathan Nesmith; settled in Antrim NH Alexander married Rebecca Wheeler Harriet. Houston. James married Hannah Whitaker; went West. John married Betsy Dodge; died from exposure in the open air. Milton married -- Peasley; settled in Henniker NH ------ ROBERT FULTON, of Francestown, married Sarah Brown. He, in 1786, bought lot No. 10, south range, Mason's big lot No. 11, of James Graham, and in 1797 lot No. 11, in the same. CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND SARAH FULTON. Alexander. Samuel never married; he opened the second store in Deering, in the vicinity of the Dr. James Forsaith place; died at the residence of his brother James, on the old homestead, in 1849. James married Hannah Faulkner; settled on the old homestead. John. Jonathan. Robert married Sally Wilkins; settled in Bradford NH CHILDREN OF JAMeS AND HANNAH FULTON: Betsy died single. James married Eunice Gregg; settled on the old homestead. Lyman died single; settled in Baltimore, Md. Jennie married John Gillis. Robert married Mary Richardson Curtis married Elizabeth Glover Abiel died in infancy Mary died single Charles died single. Hannah married John Reed, Nashua NH CHILDREN OF JAMES AND EUNICE FULTON: Lydia A. Joseph W. married first, Laura A. Harndon; second, Lucy A. Sargent. Hannah J. married Henry Gove. Charles married Mary A. Wilson Mary E. married Urvin G. Rowell. NOTE:--The family name of Fulton is now extinct in Deering. ------ EBENEZER LOCK, son of Ebenezer Lock and Elizabeth, his wife, of Woburn, Mass., was born 1734; married Lucy Wood. He had three sons,--Ebenezer, Jonathan and Benjamin,-- all of whom settled in Deering and died there. Ebenezer, the father, discharged the first gun at Lexington, Mass, upon the British troops, April 19, 1775, working away some ten minutes before a shot was fired elsewhere by the Americans. He served through the was as a private, and some years later joined his sons in Deering with his youngest son, Benjamin, and died 1816. CHILDREN OF EBENEZER AND LUCY LOCK Jonathan married Lucy Brooks, of Woburn, Mass. During the Revolution he served the Continental cause as a mariner. When he came to Deering he settled on the farm now owned by Albert Hadlock. His only daughter, Lucy Lock, married Hezekiah Hadlock. Ebenezer married Mollie Eastman of Weare. Their children were Frederic (died young), Reuben and Charles. The father served in the Continental army and was wounded in the knee. He died from the effects of the wound after some years of suffering, a pension helping him support his family. After his decease his widow removed with her two sons, Reuben and Charles, to Pennsylvania. BENJAMIN LOCK, third son of EBENEZER, was born 1765. He married Anna Eastman of Weare. He enlisted in the Continental service in 1780, at the age of fifteen, and served until the close of the war. The farm finally settled upon by him is recognized as the one on which Wm. Whitaker now lives. CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN and ANNA LOCK: Ebenezer married Sarah Bartlett; settled in Lempster. Benjamin died in childhood. Jonathan died in childhood. Benjamin married Betsy Bartlett, of Weare. Luther married Lydia Johnson, of Weare. Anna died in infancy. Roswell died single. Anna married Colonel John Bartlett, still living. Lucy married Solomon Bartlett. CHILDREN OF EBNEZER AND SARAH BARTLETT Eleanor married Jonathan Page of Weare. Marvin married Abigail Wilkins, whose only surviving child is James F. Lock, of Deering, married Martha E. Chase. ----- STEPHEN LOCKE settled the farm now occupied by Gillman Whitaker in 1784. He married Sally Hopkins, of Charlestown, Mass. CHILDREN OF STEPHEN AND SALLY LOCKE Sarah died single Stephen died young. Susan married Moody Chase, settled in Deering Nancy married Christopher Simons, of Weare NH Lucy married Jonathan Goodale (2d) of Deering Stephen married Sarah Peaslee; settled on the old homestead James married Keziah D. Peaslee CHILDREN OF STEPHEN AND SARAH LOCKE Stephen died in infancy Irena married James Priest, Weare NH Sabra married Gilbert Small, Weare NH Lewis N. married Harriet C. Kendall Ira D. married Asceneth Moshier Nancy E. married Gillman Clough Lorinda died young Lavina died in infancy CHILDREN OF JAMES AND KEZIAH D. LOCKE Levi J. still living with his guardian, J.G. Morrill. Oliver married Mary E. Porter, settled in Weston, Mass. Andrew J. married Lizzie H. George Lucinda died young. Lucina married James F. Hinkley Elbridge G. H. died in infancy Alfred married Mary E. Muzzey. Irene R. died young. Keziah M. died in infancy CHILDREN OF ANDREW J. and LIZZIE H. LOCKE Harry D. Hattie B. CHILDREN OF ALFRED and MARY E. LOCKE Fred E. Arthur W. ------ JAMES WHITAKER, one of the first settlers of Deering, left a large family with his wife Susannah Simons, of Haverhill, Mass. Isaac settled in Maine. Sarah died single. Jeams [as written in book] married Mary Chase Susannah married Jesse Whitaker, of Weare Joseph settled in Maine Mary married Samuel McAlister. Peter married Sarah Alcock. John married three wives--first, Lydia Chase; second, Anah Bickford; third Ruth Killom. Bettie died single. Nehemiah married Phebe Bryant. Jonathan married and settled in New York. CHILDREN OF JAMES AND MARY WHITAKER William C. married Sarah J. Collins James S. married Abigail Collins Charles. Lydia died in infancy. Gilman married Lydia Neal. CHILDREN OF NEHEMIAH AND PHEBE WHITAKER Hiram married, first, Ellen Monroe; second, Harriet Tuttle. David settled in Lowell, Mass. Susannah married Samuel Osborne, Weare NH Abbie married Daniel Buxton, Henniker NH Aurelia, still living with her brother, Hiram on the old homestead. Ophelia married Monroe Blood CHILDREN OF WILLIAM AND SARAH J. WHITAKER Francis. John J. died young. The only child of James and Abigail Whitaker living is Mary E. Whitaker. ------ WILLIAM CHASE from Seabrook, N.H. settled the farm south of the old burying-ground, near East Deering, being lot 14 in the south range of Ringe's right. Through his industry and frugality he accumulated a large property. Besides his farming interests, he carried on the business of a banker, loaning money to all who gave good security. He subsequently settled on the farm now owned by James F. Lock, and lived there until his death. CHILDREN OF WILLIAM AND LYDIA CHASE: Mary married James Whitaker Sally married John Downing Lydia married John Whitaker Nancy married Isaac Wilkins Abigail married James Wilkins Betsy, single. ------ ROBERT McFERSON, of Chester, settled the farm now owned by Augustus Wilson, recognized as No. 15 in the north range of Atkinson's right. The date of his deed is June 25, 1773 fixing approximately the time of his settlement. He married Mary Cristie, of Londonderry. CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND MARY McFERSON: Sarah never married. Katherine married Thomas Murdough, Acworth NH Robert died young. Thomas lost at sea. Nancy married David McKeen, settled in Antrim NH James Christie married Mary Bennet, settled in Billerica, Mass. William married and removed West. NOTE:--the family name is now extinct. WILLIAM McFERSON, brother of Robert McFerson, settled in the south part of the town on the farm known as the Witter Wilson place; removed to Cork (West Deering) at the foot of the Falls, so called, and lived on the farm known as the Joe Ellingwood place. He married Mary Blair, and they had eight children,-- Anna married Robert Mills. Hannah never married. Mary never married. Hugh married Hannah Butterfield, settled in New York. Robert married, first, Sally Wilkins; second, Sally Gregg; settled in New York. Sally settled in Chaulmont, New York. Rosanna never married. William married Jane Forsaith; settled in Chaulmont, N.Y. The two brothers, William and Robert, fathers of the above families, served in the campaign against Burgoyne; were at the battles of Lake George and Saratoga. William was left in the woods on the march as too sick to go on; but his brother Robert found and cared for him until he recovered. ------ JOHN BARTLETT settled on the farm now owned by George Bartlett. He married Hepzibath Stevens, in Chester, and removed to Deering in 1773. CHILDREN OF JOHN AND HEPZIBATH BARTLETT: Solomon married Anna Stevens. John Jr. married Mary Simons; settled in Weare NH Daniel married first, Abigail Stevens; second Elinor Stevens; third, Hope White. Lydia married John Simons. Hepzibath died young. CHILDREN OF SOLOMON AND ANNA BARTLETT Hepzibath married Jonathan Straw Nancy married -- Putney. Abigail married -- Putney. Sarah married Ebenezer Lock. Mary married Jesse Brown. John married Sarah Sanborn, settled in Sunapee NH; His fourth son was Hon. Charles H. Bartlett, of Manchester NH Solomon married, first Hannah Hadlock; second, Lucy Lock. Esther married Benjamin Loveren. Rebecca married Jesse Collins. George married Polly Simons; settled on the old homestead. Irena married Stephen Rowell. Greeley married Sarah Ann Gove. CHILDREN OF DANIEL BARTLETT Solomon died young. John married Anna Lock. Daniel married Anna Loveren. Abigail married Reuben Loveren. Dorothy never married. Josiah married Mary Gove. Kerenhappuch married Stephen Rowell Erastus Harvey married Sarah Chase Elinor married Parker Bartlett CHILDREN OF GEORGE AND POLLY BARTLETT Enoch H. Bartlett married Huldah Sleeper Solomon, unmarried Ira, unmarried CHILDREN OF JOHN AND ANNA BARTLETT Abigail, unmarried Benjamin L. unmarried NOTE:--George Barlett and family, residing on the old homestead; Eratus H. Bartlett, living on the old homestead; Benjamin L. and Abigail Bartlett, with their mother Anna Bartlett; Mrs. Josiah Bartlett, living on the Josiah Bartlett farm, are the only survivors of the family name in Deering ------- JOHN SIMONS settled the farm owned by Bartlett Simons, lot 18 in the north range of Thomlinson's and Mason's great lot No. 11. He married Lydia Bartlett. Their children were:-- Daniel married Huldah Loveren. Hannah married Stephen Brown. Bartlett married Almira Stuart, of Henniker. Garvin died single, killed by lightning. Eliza married Eaton Sleeper, Francestown. CHILDREN OF DANIEL AND HULDAH SIMONS Daniel died single. Lovilla married -- Davis. Nancy Jane married Matthew Forsaith. CHILDREN OF BARTLETT AND ALMIRA SIMONS Garvin died single. Ellen married Samuel Sprague. Lydia married Bartlett S. Brown --------- SAMUEL CHASE, of Kensington, settled on the farm of Alexander Wilson (deceased) in 1818. He married Esther Manahan, of Francestown. Their children were,-- Mary married David Bailey. Jonathan married Clarissa Kimball. Ezra married Mary Eastman. Samuel married Lydia Holbrook. Wells married Maria Bailey. Sarah married Erastus H. Bartlett. Ira M. married Josephine Leland. Betsy Jane married Theophilus H. Kimball. EZRA CHASE has one son, Ezra Allen, and Samuel one, Samuel David. Wells has two children living,-- Samuel Warren, married Virginia Hulth, and Charles. Ira has five children living,--Frederick, Edwin, Roscoe, Harry and Laura. CHILDREN OF JONATHAN AND CLARISSA CHASE Charles M. married Charlotte Turner. Sarah F. married William Wilson. Cleora J. married Henry Wallace. Stephen K. married Martha --. Clara Anna married John Barnard. Minnie Bell. --------- JONATHAN GOODALE and STEPHEN GOODALE settled in Deering, the former on the farm owned by J.G. Morril, and the latter on the farm of Lewis Goodale, Esq. Their father, Robert Goodale, removed from Salem, Mass., and settled in Weare, N.H. He married, second, Mary Fowler. CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND MARY GOODALE: Stephen married Mary Greenleaf. Jonathan married Sarah Hadlock Mehitable married first, -- Young; second, -- Corlis, Weare NH Esther. CHILDREN OF STEPHEN AND MARY GOODALE: Polly married Jonathan Gove; settled in Deering. Jonathan married Lucy Locke; settled in Deering. Robert married Elizabeth Loveren; settled on the old homestead. Stephen married Judith Rowell; settled in Vermont. Mehitable married Stephen Chase; settled in Maine Nancy married John Corlis; settled in Weare NH Hannah maried Hilliard Loveren; settled in Deering. Clarisy died single. CHILDREN OF JONATHAN AND SARAH GOODALE: Levi married Mary Howlett; settled in Hillsborough N.H. Isaac died single. Lydia married Jabez Morrill. Clara married Robert Carr; settled in Hillsborough, N.H. Betsy married Mark Sterrett. John H. married Celestia Mooney; resides in Nashua NH JOHN HARRISON GOODALE, youngest son of Jonathan and Sarah Goodale, was born October 2, 1816. He worked on the farm till seventeen years old; prepared for college at Newbury, Vt; graduated at Middletown, Conn. in 1840, taught school at Columbus, Ga., five years; was editor at Manchester from August 1848 to November 1860; went to California in 1864; traveled in Alaska and British Columbia in 1867; returned to New Hampshire in 1869; was Secretary of State in 1871-72; was superintendant of the public schools of Nashua from 1875 to 1878, and is author of "History of Nashua," in this volume. He has a valuable collection of minerals and Indian stone relics. In 1848 he married Celestia S. Mooney, of Northfield, N.H., who died in October 1863. In 1871 he married Josephine B. Atkinson, of Tilton, N.H. THey have one child, Charlotte A. Goodale, who was born May, 1875. Mr. Goodale resides at Nashua, passing the midsummer, with his family, on a farm overlooking Asquam Lake, in Holderness. CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND ELIZABETH GOODALE Fanny married Peter Y. Frye; settled in New York. Lewis married Emma J. Whittle; settled on the old homestead. Eliza Ann married Albert Hadlock; settled on the Jonathan Lock farm, in Deering. Harriet died in infancy. Frank P. settled in Holyoke, Mass. CHILDREN OF JONATHAN AND LUCY GOODALE: Lucy married JOhn D. Muzzy. George W. married Martha L. Newton. Elbert married, first, Celestia T. Smith; second, Laura A. Chandler. Hilliard L. married Sarah E. Tead. Levi W. married Francis E. Kidney James L. died single. Elizabeth H. married Robert D. Carr CHILDREN OF STEPHEN AND JUDITH GOODALE Mary married Calvin Metcalf David married Ella E. Batchelder Stephen married Abbie L. Myreck. Mercy H. married A.E. Austin Clara married P.F. Stowell Caroline died in infancy Justin M. married Ellen Hebert Walter F., died in infancy ----------------------- JOSHUA DOWNING, from Henniker, settled on the farm previously owned by the Qimby's--lot 17, in the north range of the Ringe right. It had been owned by Nathaniel Chase before the Quimby brothers purchased it, and still earlier by Nathaniel Gove. Joshua Downing married Patience Chase, of Weare. Their children were,-- John Downing married Sally Chase Joshua Jr. married Sarah Loveren Lydia married William Forsaith David died in childhood Judith died in childhood Mary married Samuel Dunlap Stephen married Mrs. ELiza P. Whittle Daniel died in childhood Nathan married Martha Clark; removed West. Abial married David Gregg. Peter married Mary A. Gutterson; settled in Wakefield, Mass. ------------- THOMAS MERRILL settled the farm now occupied by Elbert Goodale, near the centre of the town. While clearing and preparing his land for settlement he boarded with Levi Hadlock, who lived at the east part of the town, at a distance of more than two miles. He married Lydia Abbott, of Andover, Mass. CHILDREN OF THOMAS AND LYDIA MERRILL: Thomas A., D.D. married Eliza Allen; settled in Middlebury, Vt. Nathaniel married Anna Wilkins; settled in Deering NH Enos married Anna Gregg; settled in Weare NH John married Nancy Barnard; settled in Weare NH Charlotte Lucretia married Jonathan Clement; settled in Deering CHILDREN OF NATHANIEL AND ANNA MERRILL Thomas Azro died at sea, single. Lydia married Levi H. Sleeper, Manchester NH John W. married Maria A. Holt; settled in Cambridgeport, Mass. William D. married Lavinia Wilson. Martha and Mary, twins. Martha married Eben Sumner, settled in Nashua NH; Mary married Cristy Gregg, settled in Deering NH CHILDREN OF ENOS AND ANNA MERRILL: Anna died single. Charlotte Lucretia died single. Hannah died single. Thomas A. married Lucinda Wilkins; settled in Deering NH Mary Jane died single. Lydia A. died single. Eliza Judith died single. ---------------- BENJAMIN BROWN married Deborah Hadlock, who was a sister of Joseph Hadlock, who at one time lived in Deering. The former settled Lot No. 7, in the north of Ringe's right. He was killed by the falling of a tree, in the prime of life, leaving a large family of young children, viz: Stephen, married first, Abigail Travis; second, Hannah Simons. By first marriage he had Lucretia who married Gilman Travis. His children by second marriage were John, married Priscilla Atwood; settled in Concord, N.H. Lydia married Simon Green. Lewis settled in Danvers, Mass; married there. Benjamin settled in Danvers, Mass; married there. Frank died single. Eliza married George Buswell, Concord NH Mercy Ann married George Young, Concord NH Bartlett S. Brown married Lydia Brown Almira died single. Phebe, only daughter of Benjamin Brown, married Jonathan Clark. Benjamin died young. Levi married Hannah Dow. Jesse married, first, Mary Bartlett; second, Annie Colby. Nathan married Sarah Arlin. David married, Hannah Morrill. CHILDREN OF LEVI and HANNAH BROWN Sylvia Ann married Harrison Philbrook Almedia C. married Duane Brainerd, Concord NH Mary died single Levi Orrin died single. Annie died in infancy. Sewell B. Hannah Avis died in childhood. Elvira died single. Melissa D. married Charles Dunkely, Concord NH The children of JESSE AND MARY BROWN were: Hiram married Martha Gove. Albert died single. George settled in Manchester NH; married there. Giles E. married first, Elizabeth Travis; second, Ellen Flint. His only child by first marrige was Jesse R., who married Leona Collins. --------------- SAMUEL BROWN settled on the easterly half of lot No. 9 in Ringe's right, now known as the farm of James F. Lock. We have no record of his family. --------------- HEZEKIAH HADLOCK from Weare, N.H. settled the westerly half of lot No. 9, in Ringe's right, in 1776. This farm may be known as the Dana Hadlock place. He married a Miss Fogg, of Seabrook. His children were: Hezekiah married Lucy Lock Judith married James Gregg. CHILDREN OF HEZEKIAH AND LUCY HADLOCK Hannah married Solomon Bartlett Belinda married David Rowell Phebe married Jonathan Peaslee of Weare NH Lucy J. died single Judith Ann married David P. Wilkins Albert married Eliza Ann Goodale. Dana B. never married. ----------- LEVI HADLOCK settled on lot No. 11 in Ringe's right,--the farm now owned by Horace B. Cressey. He came from Amesbury, Mass. He married a Miss Currier, and their children were,-- Lydia married William McKeen. Sarah married Jonathan Goodale. Eunice married Ebenezer Loveren. Polly married Ephraim Codman, Hillsborough NH Hannah married Peter Codman. Levi Jr., removed West; died single. Nathan married Ann Call; settled in Bangor, Me. Albert and Eliza Hadlock had one child,-- Lucy Jane, who married Alvin Tubbs. ----------------- ROBERT GOVE, of Weare, purchased from Joseph Hadlock, in 1778, lot No. 10, in Ringe's right, fixing approximately the date of his advent into Deering. He married Sarah Huntington and settled on the above-named lot, adding, by purchase, other lands to his homestead. His children were,-- Hannah who married Herod Chase; settled on the old homestead. John married first, Sarah Dunsack; second, Mrs. Relief Dickey. Huldah B. married James B. Estee Annie married Amos Breed. ------------------- HEROD CHASE was the son of Mood Chase, who married Sarah Locke. The latter left a large family, viz: Stephen married first, Nancy Kelley; second, Mehitable Goodale. Rhoda married Samuel Palmer. Herod (above) thrice married,--first Hannah Gove (above); second, Mrs. Caroline Gove; third Mrs. Hannah E. Varney. Hiram married Hannah Wood. Cyrus married Delia Wood Sarah married George Day. Louisa married twice,--first a Mr. Nelson; second, a Dunham Lovinia married a Nelson. Judith married Moses Harrington. David married a Miss Call, of Weare. Dexter married a Miss Smith. Two died in infancy--fourteen in all. ------------ JOSHUA FOLSOM, from Epping NH, settled on the farm occupied by the Danforth brothers, in the north-east part of the town. He married Mary Brackenbury. CHILDREN OF JOSHUA AND MARY FOLSOM: Betty died at the age of fifteen years. John married Patience Richardson; settled in Sandwich NH Anna S. married John Johnson; settled in Henniker NH Joshua married Catherine Hoffman; settled in Zanesville, Ohio Samuel married Nancy Loveren; settled in Lowell, Mass. Abigail married Moses Brown; settled in Henniker NH Sarah and Mary, twins. Sarah married William Wallace, of Henniker, NH; Mary married Thomas Whittle of Weare NH. Lydia married Samuel Tutherly; settled eventually in Claremont NH Hannah married Rufus Tutherly; settled in Weare NH David died at the age of twelve years. Rachel married Daniel Alley; settled in Henniker NH ------------- THOMAS WHITTLE eventually settled on the old homestead with Mary, his wife. CHILDREN OF THOMAS AND MARY WHITTLE: William married Eliza P. Gove; settled in Weare NH Thomas Parker married Mrs. Almira Lock; settled in Henniker NH Joshua F. married first, Amanda Roby; second, Mrs. Sarah C. Wallace; settled as a physician in Nashua NH David F. married Charlotte Nichols; settled in Hillsborough NH Hannah married Charles Farnsworth. Martha A. married Reuben Loveren; settled at Hillsborough Bridge, NH Mary E. married Joseph Loveren; settled at Hillsborough Bridge NH Emma J. married Lewis Goodale; settled in Deering NH NOTE:--The name of Folsom, as well as Whittle, has become extinct in Deering. ------------ AMOS CHASE, from Seabrook, settled on the farm now occupied by Henry Ashby. He married Elizabeth Kimball, of Hopkinton. By this issue he had seven children,-- John married Sarah Hanson, of Weare; settled the farm now occupied by John Crough. Mary married Nathaniel Whitcher, of Maine Edward married Mary Patten; settled on the old homestead. Rhoda married Samuel Straw, of Hopkinton. Dolly married Abram Dow, Seabrook. Rachel married Enoch Gove, of Weare. Lizzie married Elisha Frye, Sandwich. CHILDREN OF JOHN AND SARAH CHASE Otis married Phebe Willard Amos married Mary Hanson, Weare. Edward married Sarah Chase. Winslow married Hannah Dow. James and Moses were twins. James married Maria Thomson. Moses married Martha Blood. Charles married Eunice Thompson David married Lydia A. Chase. David was drowned when eight years of age. Rodney died in infancy. CHILDREN OF EDWARD AND MARY CHASE. Eliza married first, Daniel G. Dow; second, William B. Walker. Edward died in infancy. Ann B., married Samuel II Jones. David P. married Phila Patten. Mary, single. CHILDREN OF DANIEL G. and ELIZA DOW Harriet married Lawrence Keiley Amos C married Sarah J. Nichols Daniel G. married Jennie Raymond Edward C. married first, Roanna Chase; second Emily A Webber. Ann C. Dow married Gilbert P. Hill Eliza was the only child of William B. and Eliza Walker. ------------------- HUMPHREY PEASLEY settled the farm now occupied by Rodney Gove. He came from Amesbury, Mass, in 1782, and bought lot No. 15 in the south range of the great Wibird lot No. 15. This lot is identical with the one on which the buildings of Rodney Gove now stand. Two years afterwards he purchased lot No. 16, just east of the above- described lot. These two lots, of one hundred acres each, comprised the old Peasley homestead. He married Phebe Dow, of Weare, built a large house on the premises, which has been remodeled to the form of the one now standing, as mentioned above. He subsequently, with his son Jonathan, built a saw-mill, located on Patten's Brook, running through lot No. 15, about one hundred rods below the mill of William H. Patten, as it now stands. It has long since disappeared. CHILDREN OF HUMPHREY AND PHEBE PEASLEY: Jonathan married Sallie Hook. Kesiah married Abram Chase. Nancy died single. Stephen died single. Abraham married Eliza Alcock; settled in Manchester NH Eliza died single. Humphrey married first, Abigail Atwood; second, Betsy Brown. Mary married Dudley Chase. Phebe married Nathan Bailey. Humphrey is still living in Deering, and Phebe, who resides in Manchester, NH ---------- BRAY WILKINS settled on the Timothy Matthews farm, on the south side of Wolf Hill, near the old burying-ground. He married a Mrs. Blanchard. CHILDREN OF BRAY AND LUCY WILKINS: Lucy died unmarried. Sally married Robert Fulton. Anna married, first, Nathaniel Merrill; second Stephen Carr. Betty married Joseph Kimball. Rebecca married Alexander Gregg. David married Abigail Patten. Isaac married Nancy Chase. James married first, Abigail Chase; second -- John married Lucinda Forsaith. TIMOTHY MATTHEWS, who married Betsey Huntington, lived on this old Wilkin's homestead for many years after the death of Bray Wilkins, and the removal of the latter's son James to Henniker. In his old age he removed with his wife, leaving no issue, to Henniker, and the buildings on this old homestead have long since disappeared. ----------- ADAM MANAHAN settled on lot No. 14, in the south range of Thomlinson and Mason's great lot No. 11,--the Ephraim Fuller place. He married twice. BY HIS FIRST MARRIAGE HE HAD: John. Richard married Polly Gove. William married Mary Bowers. Joseph BY HIS SECOND MARRIAGE Mary married -- Bailey Elvira married Solomon Bailey Stephen married Nancy Bailey (above). Thompson married Almira Gove. Mark Valentine, by a profession a physician, removed West. ---------- ANDREW AIKEN settled on the farm occupied by Carlton Clement. CHILDREN OF ANDREW AIKEN AND MARGARET AIKEN: Elizabeth. Mary. Margaret. James. Margaret Aiken was born in 1783, and was widely known as "Peggy" throughout Hillsborough County. She died at an advanced age at the Wilton County farm a few years ago. -------------- SAMUEL AND WILLIAM ANDERSON settled on farms adjoining. They acquired their title to their land in 1794. Samuel bought, at the vendue sale of the land of Thomas Packer, Esq., deceased, lot No. 3 in the north range of Packer's right, and the same year sold to William Anderson the same lot No. 3 which was was bounded on the east by land of Jonathan Locke, identified as the farm on which Albert Hadlock now lives. WILLIAM ANDERSON married Margaret Clark. His children were,-- Margaret married Craig Muzzey, of Ware, who settled on the old Anderson homestead. Eliza married Reuben Loveren as a second wife. CHILDREN OF CRAIG AND MARGARET MUZZEY. Mary Eliza married Alfred Locke. William married Mary Griffin; settled in Somerville, Mass. Martha married Horace Cressey. Sarah. Dimond died young. Ervin. -------------- WILLIAM CODMAN settled on lot 12 in Wibird's right, No 15, in 1778. He was the first physician in town to practice his profession, which he did for many years. He died in 1811. His children with his wife Mary were,-- Henry married Sophronia Patten. Peter married -- -- Charles married Mahala Atwood. Abbie ----------------- ALEXANDER HOGG settled the farm owned by Scott Bailey, of Ware. The date of his deed is 1771 -- lot 27, south range of Atkinson's right. He married ----. Their children were,-- William Hogg married Anna Follansbee. Samuel Hogg. A daughter married a Pettingill. CHILDREN OF WILLIAM AND ANNA HOGG Jonathan married Rebecca Hogg. Priscilla married Benjamin Colby William died single. Mary married Jonathan Kelley. Sarah died single. Benjamin married Catherine Blood. Follansbee married Susan McCoy Lucy married Moses Chase as a second wife. John removed to Haverhill, Mass. Thomas Hogg, George Hogg and Robert Hogg, brothers of Alexander Hogg lived in Deering at one time, but owned no real estate as we can learn. Thomas had one son, Samuel Dana, and a daughter. George Hogg enlisted in the Continental army, but soon deserted and came back to Deering, where he managed in some way to avoid the officers sent for his arrest. He, together with his family, lay upon Dudley Pond, for many nights in succession to elude the officers, thereby so impairing the health of his daughter Molly, then an infant, as to cripple her for life. The records of the town show that his family were a public charge for many years. William Hogg, the son of Alexander Hogg, enlisted in the war, and the records show that the town voted to give Alexander Hogg, his father, one hundred and thirty-six dollars in consideration of his son's going to war. The latter drew a pension during the later period of his life. He taught many of the first schools in Deering and adjoining towns. ----------- PARKER NOIS lived at one time on No. 8, south range of Ringe's right. He was thrice married, the last time to Dorcas McCoy. He had a large family. Among the rest was Russell T. Nois, who married first, Mary Currier; second, Sarah J. Forsaith. Parker Nois removed to Haverhill, his former place of residence. -------------- ROBERT ALCOCK settled on lot No. 9 in the south range of Wibird's great share or right, No. 15. The date of his deed is June 7, 1776. He was engaged in mercantile business in London, where he was born; afterwards in Marblehead or Salem, Mass; from thence he removed to Weare NH, where, remaining only a short time, he removed to Deering. He opened the first store, located on his farm, as above described. This farm may be identified as the Nathaniel Colby place. He served as town clerk and selectman for many years, and was chosen representative by the town from 1794 to 1805,--eleven consecutive years. He was then chosen Senator from his district (No. 8) for a term of years; afterwards appointed to the office of judge of the court for the county of Hillsborough, which office he held until disqualified by age. As a member of the church and a citizen of the town, in a private and public capacity, no man ever more drew the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. He married, first, Elizabeth Marong; second, Elizabeth Currier; third, Mary Currier. Children were,-- Mansil married first, Lucy Bradford, second, unknown. Robert married first, a sister of Peter Codman; second a Miss Blainer; third, a Miss Grant. Elizabeth. John married Mattie Shearer. James married first, Polly Stuart; second a Mrs. Tyler. Benjamin married first, a Miss Page; second, unknown. Joseph married Lucy Hobson. Samuel married Betsy Chadwick. William married first, Ruth Gerry; second Judith Colby; third, Theresa Howe. Betsy married a Tennant. Nancy married Samuel Kimball. Sally married a Goodwin. Ann. Two died in infancy. CHILDREN OF MANSIL AND LUCY ALCOCK Mansil married Lucy Bacon. Cyrus died single. Clara married John Tandy. Timothy and Robert, twins. Timothy married Kate Howe; Robet died single. Luke married Mahala White. John and Lucy twins. John married Hannah Baldwin; Lucy married Jonathan Ellsworth. Sally married Peter Whitaker. Baxter married --. Alver died single. Frederick married Eliza Putney CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND FIRST WIFE William. Betsy married Jonathan Danforth. Ruth married Peter Codman Grace died single. BY SEcOND WIFE: Robert married first Clarissa Flanders; second, Mary Tarleton. Stephen married first, Sally Wilson; second, a Miss Pope. Christopher married a Miss Flanders. CHILDREN OF JAMES AND POLLY ALCOCK Nancy married Daniel Brown Henry married Charlotte McCoy James M. married Caroline McCoy Mary married Freeman Dow. Aura married William French. Clarissa married Joel Bullard. Charles married Nancy J. Parker. Joseph's children were Elbridge, Harriet, Joseph. Samuel's children were,-- Marony, Marony, -- both died in childhood. Elizabeth married Milton McCoy. Ira A. married Josette (Alcock) Appleton. William's children were,-- William H. married Almira A. Smiley By second wife: Two died in infancy. Ora married John Ellingwood. Harriet married Gideon Page. Jane married Wilson Campbell. By third wife: Irene, unmarried. Cyrus H. married a Miss Brown NOTE:--The descendants of Robert Alcock, under various names, are still the most numerous in Deering of any of the first settlers of the town. ----------- CALEB WHITAKER, the son of William Whitaker, of Weare, settled with his father on lot No. 20, in Ringe's right, identified as the farm of Russel Tubbs and that of the late Wheeler Barnes. He married Mrs. Nancy White. His children were,-- Hannah married James Gregg. Lydia married Samuel Patten. Roxiana married George Smart. Daniel married Hannah Blodgett. Joseph Wheeler died in childhood. Charlotte married --. WILLIAM WHITE married Nancy Mathis, who married, second, Caleb Whitaker above. Children of William and Nancy White were,-- Nancy married Levi Brown Aaron married Louisa Cram. William married Mary Wilson. James married Lovina Clough. Judith married Enos Bailey Mahala married Luke Otis. ----------- JOHN MORRILL served in the Continental army as a private soldier. It is not known from what town or precinct he enlisted; but after the close of the war or the expiration of his term of service, he married Abigail Knight, of Atkinson, and after a short term of residence in Hillsborough removed to Deering, where he spent the remainder of his life, dwelling in various localities, finally with his son, Joseph on the farm known as the Frank Gould place. The writer, when a boy, often heard him speak of the experiences in the war, especially of being in the battle of White Plains, so bloody and disastrous to the American army, alleging that his "right and left-hand men" were killed during the engagement. He also spoke of seeing George Washington, for whom he was detailed at one time as a servant or waiter, being at that time less than seventeen years of age. He had seven children,-- Joseph married Catherine Smith. Samuel married Rachel Sprague. He enlisted in the War of 1812 as a soldier, and died from disease. Mary married Joel Heath. Sarah married William Heath. Abigail married Elijah Thurson Hannah married David BRown. John married -- ; settled in Deerfield NH ------------ ISAAC SMITH, the son of Ichabod Smith, married Nancy Codman, and eventually settled on the southerly half of No. 12, in Wibird's right, No. 15. His children were,-- Isaac married Amelia Stevens. Catherine married Joseph Morrill. Rene married a Jones. Agnes married William Campbell. Henry married Mary Tuton. Turner removed West. Loraine married Samuel Gibson. Jail Smith died in childhood. Princess married a Fletcher; settled in Troy, NY Achasa married a Spaulding; settled in Troy, NY Larnard married a Vermont lady; settled in St. Clair, Mich. The CHILDREN OF ISAAC AND AMELIA SMITH WERE,-- Matilda married Alvah Loveren. Nancy S. married Robert Tuton. William T. married Mary Ann Morgan. Calvin S. married Maria --. Isaac married Josephine Whittle. Esther married Adam Dickey. Francis G. married Mary A. Peasley. Theresa married first William Dickey; second, Deacon Christie, of New Boston; third, John McCollom, Mont Vernon Ellen M. died in childhood George D. married Margaret -- ----------------- NATHANIEL COLBY bought the farm settled by Robert Alcock, removing there from Hopkinton. He married first, Patty Muzzey; second, Mary mcKeen. CHILDREN BY FIRST MARRIAGE WERE,-- John died unmarried. Elizabeth married Frank Russell; live West. Nancy married Elbridge McKeen BY SECOND WIFE: Eben married Ella Gove. Elbridge. Lucy. DANIEL, brother of Nathaniel, married first a Miss Emery; second, Lucy Cowen. CHILDREN BY FIRST WIFE WERE,-- Belinda married Richard Clement Pamelia died single Charles died in the Civil War. Two girls died in infancy Squiers. Samuel removed West. Diana. -------------- JOSEPH KIMBALL of Weare, first settled on lot No. 23, south range of Atkinson's right. He afterwards purchased the reservation given to the first settled minister, when Mr. Sleigh, the incumbent, removed to New York. This reservation is located in the northerly part of No. 6, north range of Packer's right, and is the farm now occupied by Mr. Fulton. He married Betsy Wilkins. Their only child was Eliza, married Francis Mitchell. The children of Francis and Eliza Mitchell were Charles (married Mahala Coburn), Sarah (married first, Augustus Wilkins; second, Francis F. Fulton), James (married Almira Twist), Joseph (married Alice Barnes), George (died in the Civil War as a soldier), Albert B. (died single). Francis Mitchell, for second wife, married Mrs. Charlotte Jaqueth. ------------- SILAS PARKER BARNES (or BARRON, as it was once called) was the father of the Barnes families or races described below. He emigrated from England. His children were,-- Benjamin settled on Alexander Robinson's farm, after the latter deceased. Samuel Barnes married Sally Lund. Sally married Robert McKeen. Alice, single. Wheeler and Hannah, twins. Wheeler married Nancy Gay; Hannah married Charles Craft. Silas married Oliver Chatman Rodney died single. Mary E. married Samuel Cutler. John married Clarissa Cutler. Harriet married Charles Martin. CHILDREN OF WHEELER AND NANCY BARNES Climenia died single George married Carrie Spencer. Sarah married George King. Charles married Nelly A. Collins. Mary married Peter Rumrill. Edward died in the Civil War from disease contracted while a soldier. Frank married uknown. John married Ann Wilson CHILDREN OF JOHN AND CLARISSA BARNES Alice M. married Joseph Mitchell. King F. died in childhood. Willie and Hattie were twins,-- the former is single; the latter married John Glosson. Horace married Mary Nelson. --------------- MOSES CODMAN married first, Jennie Wallace; second Betsy Bennet; third Jane Ross. He settled on lot 13, Wibird's right, No. 15, afterwards removed to West Deering. His children by his first wife were,-- William W. married Dorcas Millen. John married Hannah Codman BY SECOND WIFE HAD: Lucy married Horace Ferson. Nathan married Hannah Crees. WILLIAM AND DORCAS' CHILDREN WERE,-- Mendall M. married Margaret Forsaith. Charles H. married Addie C. Mills ------------ EVAN DOW and his brother, STEPHEN DOW, settled near the centre of the town, in Ringe's right. Their father, Captain Reuben Dow, of Hollis, after the Battle of Lexington, raised a company of soldiers from Hollis and Pepperill, marked to Bunker Hill and brought away from the field on that eventful day a bullet in his ankle. The bullet, which was extracted, is still preserved; but the effects of the wound are said to have eventually caused or hastened his demise. He had three sons, Daniel, Stephen and Evan. CHILDREN OF STEPHEN, who married ABIGAIL JEWETT, of Hollis-- Lois married Cristie Duncan, of Hancock NH Stephen married -- Hall of Groton, Mass; settled in Weston Vt. Hannah married -- Spaulding; settled in Weston Vt. Nathaniel married -- Aimes; settled in Hancock. Jeremiah married Sally Eastman, and settled on the old homestead in Hollis. Abigail married Timothy Wyman Jr. of Hillsborough NH CHILDREN OF EVAN DOW, who MARRIED SARAH PHILBROOK, of Weare NH Sarah married Natham Cram. Reuben never married. Hannah married Jonathan Cram. Lydia married Loiel Cram. Evan Jr. married Nancy Balch, of New Boston NH ---------------- ELIAS HASSEL settled on No. 3, north range of great lot No. 15, Richard Wibird's right. This lot is a settler's lot, and given to Hassel for the sum of five shillings and the consideration of his settling on the lot. The date of the deed is June 17, 1771. It is identified as the Gould farm. Hannah, who married Samuel Morrill, and settled on the old homestead after Hassel removed to Hillsborough, is the only child of Elias and Mary Hassel. ------------------ JAMES WHITE, of Framingham, Mass, settled on the farm now occupied by Henry Holton,about the year 1807. He married Susannah Flint. Their childen were,-- Sophona died single. Rhoda married Moses Roach. James married Abigail Coburn. Artemas married first Sarah Case; second Charlotte Burley. Susan married Joel Bixby. Cyntha married Hiram Smith. Eliza A. married William Brown. Jason married Mary Case. NATHAN WHITE, brother of James White, above metioned, was the son of John White, who settled on the farm now occupied by David McAlister about the year 1787. He married Susannah Eaton. His son Nathan lived on the same farm with his father and married first, Dorcas Wilson; second Hannah Ordway. HIS CHILDREN BY FIRST MARRIAGE WERE,-- Ann married John Sterrett Dorcas married Samuel Kimball. Nathan married Jane Smith. Mary married William Matten. HIS CHILDREN bY SECOND MARRIAGE WERE,-- Harrison married first, Esther Burley; second, Amelia Morrison. Nancy died in childhood. Harriet married David McAlister. Lovina died in childhood. Nancy died in childhood. ---------------------- LUTHER TRAVIS married Nancy Shearer, and settled near the residence of John Barnes. His children were,-- John died insane. James married a lady from Reading, Mass. Levi married Amra Hall. William married Eliza Heath. The CHILDREN OF ELIZA and WILLIAM TRAVIS were,-- Lucinda married Albert Heath Dexter died in the Civil War. Giles died insane. ------------------- ADAM DICKEY, from Londonderry, settled on lot 30, south range of Ringe's right, about the year 1785. He married Betsy Furgurson. Their children were,-- William married Mary Wilson. Jennie married David Wilson. The CHILDREN OF WILLIAM AND MARY WILSON WERE,-- Betsy Jane died in childhood. Alexander married Sarah McKeen. Angeline married Leonard McKeen. Mary married James S. Allen. Eliza Jane died single. Caroline died in childhood. Clara W. married Gawn W. Mills. Adam married Esther Smith. Caroline died in childhood. William married Theresa Smith. Mandana. Perkins. Three died in infancy. --------------- ROLANDSON ELLINWOOD, of Amherst, settled on lot 12, south range, next to the intervale lot, Packer's right, in 1793. He also purchased lot 11 in the same range, and the southerly half of lot 12 in north range of the same right. He married Abigail Hildreth. The children of Rolandson and Abigail Ellinwood were,-- David married Alice Aiken. John married Ruth Baker. Abigail married Phineas Wilkins. HE MARRIED for his 2nd wife, Eunice Nichols. Their children were,-- Charles died single. Mary Jane married Benjamin Nickerson. Eliza married Joseph Nickerson. David married a Miss Stetson. Harriet L. married Rodney Wilkins JOHN AND RUTH ELLINSWOOD'S CHILDREN WERE,-- John B. married first, Lenora Alcock; second, Evatine Page. James S. married Rachel G. Turner. Mary died in childhood. Abigail died in childhood. Ruth S. married Luther Cheney. CHILDREN OF JAMES S. and RACHEL G. ELLINWOOD: Frank P. married Maria P. Bartlett. Mary S. Flora J. Clara E. married Myron E. JOhnson Sarah Lyzzie Clark S. Scott L. NOTE:--The latter family are all of the name that reside in Deering. JOSEPH ELLINWOOD, son of Rolandson and Abigail Ellinwood, settled on or near No. 1, Thomlinson's moeity in big lot No. 11. His children were,-- Nancy married a Mr. Long Hattie married John Burbank. Joseph settled in Grafton. Phineas settled in California. Eunice removed West. Abbie married a Mr. Wallace. Horace died a soldier in the Civil War. Mary Ann married Charles Joy. --------------------- JOSEPH DOW, from Goffstown, settled on or near the intervale lot in Ringe's right. He married Mary Wells, and their children were,-- Joseph died in childhood. Benjamin died single. Daniel died in childhood. Roxanna died in childhood. David married Lucretia Alcock. Sarah married James Ross. Freeman married Mary Alcock. Lyman married first, Eliza Wood; second, Esther Hadley Hiram died single. -------------- PARKER MORSE settled on the farm just north of THomas Merrill's, known as the John Wilkins place, No. 13, in Thomlinson's moiety of big lot No. 11. Parker Morse had the following children by Love, his wife: Parker, Lovy, Joseph, Josiah, Samuel, Deliverance, Mary, and Sarah. ----------------- FRANCIS GRAHAM, or GRIMES, from Londonderry, settled lot 5, Wibird's right, No. 15. He married Sarah Cochran. CHILDREN OF FRANCIS and SARAH GRIMES: John married Betsey Wilson James married Jane Giffin CHILDREN OF JOHN AND BETSY GRIMES: Hiram married Clarissa Forsaith. Jane married James Butler. Susan married Alden Walker Francis married first, Mary Chase; second Lucinda Egleston. David W. married first, Harriet Tuttle; second, Elizabeth Jones. Sarah C. never married. James W. married ELizabeth Neally. He gradated at college; studied law; removed to Iowa; became Governor of the State; afterwards United State Senator; died a few years ago, leaving a large property. ------------------- TIMOTHY WYMAN married Elizabeth Shattuck, and settled in Hollis, but removed to Deering about the year 1777 or 1778. His children with Elizabeth, his wife, were,-- Timothy married Abigail Dow (see Stephen Dow) Nathan settled in Vermont; was thrice married,--first to a Miss Stuart; second unknown; third, Patty Howard. Elizabeth married Jesse Emery. Ebenezer married first, Mehitable Clement; second, Betsy Stanly. Sybil married Jonathan Sargent. Reuben married Rhoda Hartwell. Abel died young. Sally married Josiah Killom. Polly, twin with Sally, married Issac Merrill. Hannah married John Smith. Daniel married Louisa Moore. CHILDREN OF TIMOTHY AND AbIGAIL WYMAN: Lot died young. Stephen Dow married Ursula Forsaith. The children of Ebenezer and Betsy Wyman were Elizabeth, Mehitable, John S., Charles, Daniel (died young), Abigail Dow, Daniel, Almira, Almena, and Moses. The children of Daniel and Louisa Wyman were Squiers Clement, Louisa Maria, Ann Sophia, Laura Fidelia, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, and Loella Matilda. ------------------ CHARLES BUTTRICK, from Concord, Mass, settled on the Robert Mills place at the head of the falls so called. He married first, Betsy Blake. Their children were,-- Charles married Lucinda Whitcomb. Olvin married Loisa Sweetser. Elias B. died young. Samuel married first, a Miss Sweetser; second, a Miss Fuller. Otis married Julia A. Blood Edward married Lenora J. Bryant. John B. married first, Maria Bixby; second a Miss Barker; third, Martha Barker. HE MARRIED FOR HIS SECOND WIFE, ACHSA WAUGH; their children were:-- Betsy died single Robert W. Uriah H. died in childhood. Danbridge married Martha Bumford. ----------------- WILLIAM WAUGH from Londonderry, married Sunnah Walker. Their children were,-- Nancy married Benjamin Masterman. Rebecca married Joseph Stevens Susannah married --- Joseph married first, Sally Kendall; second Fanny Down. Achsa married Charles Buttrick. Robert died single. ------------ EZRA FISHER settled the farm now occupied by Luther Cheney. He married a Miss Bixby, of Francestown; their children were,-- Giles married a Miss Campbell William died young. Ezra died single. --------------------- The brother of John Bartlett, JACOB BARLETT, settled lot 20 in Thomlinson's right. Jacob Bartlett married a Miss Sargent, and had the following children,-- Sarah married Benjamin Gillingham Stephen married Phebe Whitaker Abigal married Samuel Balch Joshua married Patty Chase. Jacob married Catherine Hall. Martha married Jonathan Gove. Hannah died single. Alice died single. Betsy married Manly Peasley. Fanny married Gilliman George CHILDREN OF STEPHEN AND PHEBE BARTLETT Phebe died single. Relief married Willard Cory. Almira married Elijah Mason Hannah Parker Barlett married Eleanor Bartlett Fanny married Hugh Craig Stephen married Edna Craig Oliver H.P. married Loisa Morse CHILDREN OF PARKER AND ELEANOR BARTLETT Rotheous E. married Emma J. Merrill Rosilla A married Parker Craig Erastus H. married Jennie Orne Ai married Allie Jones Sarah married Edwin Rice. ----------------- HEZEKIAH WILKINS settled on lot No. 7, south of Packer's right, No. 12, about the year 1800. He married Margaret Armor. Children were,-- Gawn died single. Polly married Benjamin Huntington. Sally married Robert McFerson. Isaac married Roxanna Eaton Rodney married Harriet Ellingwood. Andrew removed West. ----------------- PHINEAS WILKINS settled on No. 8, just west of No. 7 above described. He married Abigail Ellinwood. Children were,-- Louisa married BEnjamin Roberts. Nathan. ------------- JAMES EATON settled lot 9, just west o 8, above. He married first, a Miss McClure; second, unknown. The children by first wife were John, David, Samuel, James, Isaac, William; one son lost his life by the accidental discharge of a gun, Polly (married David Bass), Roxanna (married Isaac Wilkins). ChILDREN OF ISAAC AND ROXANnA WILKINS were,-- Gawn died in childhood. Lucinda married Sewell Packhard. Malvina married William Forsaith. Elzira married Mathew Forsaith. Andrew A. married Calista Goodhue. Augustus married Sarah Mitchell. Frances married Charles J. Taft. ------------------ CARLETON CLEMENT settled on lot No. 11, Wibird's right, after Andrew Aiken. He married Kesiah Dow. Their children were,-- Jonathan D. married first, Charlotte L. Merrill; second, Cynthia J. Hanson. Squiers S. married Hannah Gage. Richard married first, Nancy Hutchins; second Belinda Colby. Kesiah D. married Adam Dickey. The brothers of Carleton Clement were Samuel who married Sarah Buntin, and Richard, who married Mrs. Carleton Clement. The children of Jonathan and Charlotte were,-- Charlotte married Horace Gould. Jonathan Dow married Vienna Dickey. By second marriage, he had one chld,--Moses H., who married first, Ora Dow; second Eliza Dow. Children of Squiers and Hannah were,-- Carleton married Mary G. Comstock Charles H. married Anna Preston. --------- BENJAMIN BULLARD from Oakham, Mass, settled on the Newman farm (now in Bennington) in 1816. He married Ruth Woodice. Their children were,-- Benjamin died in childhood. Cyntha married JOhn Parker Ruth married Amos Whitamore Polly married Samuel Abbott Sally married John Whitamore Eliza married first, Elbridge Wilson; second James Wilson. Calvin married first, Mary Dunlap; second, Jane Dresser; third, Laura A. Wilson. Martha married George Eaton. Benjamin married Rosanna Whitcomb. Joel married Clara Alcock. ---------- GEORGE SUMNER settled the farm known as the Farrington place. He twice married. By first marriage his children were George, Charles, William, Eben, Thomas, Lucy, Sybil, Mary, John, Eben (married Martha Merrill). ------------ ASA GOODNOW, from Sudbury, Mass., settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Wilson. He married Orril Burnap. His children were,-- Ansa married Elizabeth Eaton Persis married first Daniel W. Carpenter; second, Dr. Josiah R. Parington; third, Samuel Wilson. Dexter died young. Orril died in childhood Fidelia married George W. Colby. ------------ RUSSELL TUBBS, from Alstead, settled on lot 22, Ringe's right. He was a successful merchant, and held many places of honor and trust in the gift of the town. He married Desire Healy, of Washington, but left no family. DR. MICAL TUBBS, brother of Russell Tubbs, above mentioned, settled on lot 24, south range, of Atkinson's right. His family with his wife Esther, were,-- Hiram. Alice married David Patten. Mical married a Miss Stewart. Eben L. died single. Russell married Mary Gordon. Desire married Richard Cilley. RUSSELL TUBBS by this marriage had one son, Alvin, who married Lucy J. Hadlock. --------------- NATHANIEL GOVE, brother of Abram Gove, settled on lot 17, Ringe's right. His children with Elizabeth, his wife, were Daniel, Nathaniel Jr., Peter and Enos. He removed to Vermont about 1790. ------------ ISAAC CURRIER married Elizabeth Hadlock, and settled in Deering, removing from Amesbury, Mass. He occupied the farm known as the "Currier Farm" for more than a century. CHILDREN OF ISAAC AND ELIZABETH HADLOCK: Polly died single. John settled in Sebec, Me. Isaac married Lydia J. Head. James married Mary A. Howlet. Sarah married Daniel Cram. The only one of Isaac and Lydia Currier's children now living is John N., who married Nancy Patten; resides in Manchester, N.H. The family name is extinct in Deering. --------- ROBERT MILLS, son of one of the first settlers in Deering, is spoken of in another column. He married twice. His second wife was Margaret Dinsmore. Children by SECOND wife were,-- James died insane. Adam married. Isaac married Hepsibath Whitten. John, William and David moved West. Nancy married David Forsaith. ADAM AND LYDIA'S CHILDREN, were,-- Gawn W. married Clara Dickey Robert married Fanny Coburn. Five died in infancy. ******* LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1774 to 1885 ******* 1774- Ninian Aiken, town clerk; Elias Hassel, Ninian Aiken, John Shearer, selectmen. 1775- Ninian Aiken, town clerk; Thomas Aiken, Robert Mills, William Aiken, selectmen 1776- William Forsaith, town clerk; Benjamin Bradford, William Aiken, Robert Mills, selectmen. 1777- William Forsaith, town clerk; James Grimes, Bond Little, William Bradford, selectmen. 1778- Robert Alcock, town clerk; Robert Alcock, Joseph Robinson, Samuel Preston, selectmen. 1779- Robert Alcock, town clerk, Robert Alcock, Robert McFerson, Thomas Aiken, selectmen. 1780- Robert Alcock, town clerk; Ebenezer Blood, Levi Hadlock, Bray Wilkins, selectmen. 1781- Ninian Aiken, town clerk; Andrew Aiken, Nathaniel Sweetser, Benjamin Rolfe, selectmen. 1782- William Forsaith, town clerk; William Forsaith, William McKeen, David Wilson, selectmen. 1783- William Forsaith, town clerk; Evan Dow, James Whitaker, Abram Gove, selectman; John Duncan, of Antrim, representative. 1784- Evan Dow, town clerk; Evan Dow, James Whitaker, Alexander Gregg, selectmen; John Duncan, of Antrim, representative. 1785- Evan Dow, town clerk; Alexander Gregg, Ninian Aiken, Samuel Anderson, selectmen. 1786- Evan Dow, town clerk; Robert Alcock, Alexander Gregg, James Whitaker, selectmen. 1787- Evan Dow, town clerk; Evan Dow, Thomas Merril, Alexander Gregg, selectmen. 1788- Evan Dow, town clerk; Evan Dow, Robert Fulton, Reuben Loveren, selectmen. 1789- William Forsaith, town clerk; William Forsaith, Andrew Aiken, Thomas Bailey, selectmen. 1790- William Forsaith, town clerk; Joshua Folsom, Thomas Bailey, Alexander Wilson, selectmen. 1791- William Forsaith, town clerk; Joshua Folsom, Evan Dow, Parker Morse, selectmen. 1792- Evan Dow, town clerk; Evan Dow, Joshua Folsom, ALexander Gregg, selectmen. 1793- Alexander Wilson, town clerk; James Whitaker, ALexander Gregg (Alexander Wilson in place of Alexander Gregg, deceased), Ebenezer Locke, selectmen; Joshua Folsom, representative. 1794- James Shearer, town clerk; Levi Hadlock, James Whitaker, Parker Morse, selectmen; Robert Alcock, representative. 1795- James Shearer, town clerk; Adam Dickey, Parker Morse, James Whitaker, Selectmen. Robert Alcock, representative. 1796- James Shearer, town clerk; James Shearer, James Whitaker, Robert Alcock, selectmen; Robert Alcock, representative. 1797- Samuel Graves, town clerk; William Forsaith, Robert Alcock, James Shearer, selectmen; Robert Alcock, representative. 1798- James Shearer, town clerk; Alexander Wilson, Samuel Morril, James Whitaker, selectmen; Robert Alcock, representative. 1799- Mathew Forsaith, town clerk; Alexander Wilson, Samuel Morril, James Whitaker, selectmen; Robert Alcock, representative. 1800- John Graves, town clerk; Nathaniel Sweetser, Samuel Morril, Adam Dickey, selectmen; Robert Alcock, representative. 1802- Mathew Forsaith, town clerk; Benjamin Rolfe, James Shearer, James Whitaker, selectmen; Robert Alcock, representative. [page 388] 1803- Mathew Forsaith, town clerk; Benjamin Rolfe, Ebenezer Loveren, Samuel Morril, selectmen; Robert Alcock, representative 1804- Samuel Fulton, town clerk; Benjamin Rolfe, Samuel Morril, Ebenezer Loveren, selectmen; Robert Alcock, representative 1805- John Alcock, town clerk; Samuel Morril, William McKeen, Jr., Isaac Currier, selectmen; Benjamin Rolfe, representative 1806- John Alcock, town clerk; Robert Alcock, Mathew Forsaith, James Whitaker, selectmen; Benjamin Rolfe, representative. 1807- John Alcock, town clerk; Mathew Forsaith, James Shearer, William McKeen, selectmen; Benjamin Rolfe, representative. 1808- John Alcock, town clerk; Mathew Forsaith, William McKeen Jr., John Alcock, selectmen. 1809- John Alcock, town clerk; William McKeen, John Alcock, James Whitaker, selectmen; Benjamin Rolfe, representative. 1810- John Alcock, town clerk; William McKeen, John Alcock, Samuel Folsom, selectmen; Benjamin Rolfe, representative. 1811- John Alcock, town clerk; William McKeen, John Alcock, Samuel Folsom, selectmen; Benjamin Rolfe, representative. 1812- John Alcock, town clerk; William McKeen, John Alcock, Samuel Folsom, selectmen; Benjamin Rolfe, representative 1813- John Alcock, town clerk; John Alcock, Thomas Bailey, Alexander Dunlap, selectman; Benjamin Rolfe, representative 1814- John Alcock, town clerk; John Alcock, Thomas Bailey, Alexander Dunlap, selectman; Benjamin Rolfe, representative 1815- John Alcock, town clerk; Thomas Bailey, Mathew Forsaith, Ebenezer Fay, selectmen; John Alcock, representative 1816- John Alcock, town clerk; Mathew Forsaith, Ebenezer Gay, William McKeen, selectmen; John Alcock, representative. 1817- John Alcock, town clerk; William McKeen, Mathew Forsaith, Samuel Folsom, slectmen; John Alcock representative. 1818- William McKeen, Jr., town clerk; Mathew Forsaith, William McKeen, James Fulton, selectmen; Mathew Forsaith, representative. 1819- Russell Tubbs, town clerk; Ebenezer Loveren, Thomas Bailey, Robert Gove, selectmen; Mathew Forsaith, representative. 1820- William McKeen, town clerk; William McKeen Jr., Thomas Bailey, Robert Gove Jr., selectmen; William McKeen representative. 1821- Russell Tubbs, town clerk; William McKeen Jr., Thomas Bailey, Robert Gove Jr. selectmen; Russell Tubbs, representative. 1822- Russell Tubbs town clerk; Thomas Bailey, Robert Gove Jr., Benjamin Bullard, selectmen; Russell Tubbs, representative. 1823- Russell Tubbs, town clerk; Thomas Bailey, Benjamin Bullard, Robert Goodale, selectmen; Russell Tubbs, representative. 1824- Enos Bailey, town clerk; Robert Goodale, William McKeen, John Grimes, selectmen; William McKeen, representative. 1825- Enos Bailey, town clerk; William McKeen, John Grimes, Robert Goodale, selectmen; William McKeen representative. 1826- Enos Bailey, town clerk; William McKeen, John Grimes, Robert Goodale, selectmen; William McKeen, representative. 1827- William McKeen, town clerk; William McKeen, John Grimes, Robert Goodale, selectmen; William McKeen, representative. 1828- William Manahan, town clerk; Robert Goodale, Samuel Gregg, William Dickey, selectmen; William McKeen, representative. 1829- Russell Tubbs, town clerk; Samuel Gregg, William Dickey, James Alcock, selectmen; Robert Goodale, representative. 1830- Russell Tubbs, town clerk; Samuel Gregg, William Dickey, John Wilkins, selectmen; Robert Goodale, representative. 1831- Valentine Manahan, town clerk; Robert Goodale, John Wilkins, Seth Gay, selectmen; Robert Goodale, representative. 1832- Robert Goodale, William Manahan, town clerks; John Wilkins, Seth Gay, Samuel Gregg, selectmen; William Manahan, representative. 1833- William Manahan, town clerk; Robert Goodale, William McKeen, Ebenezer Lovern, selectmen; William Manahan, representative. [years 1844-1885 in original document not included here] **** BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES **** JAMES GREGG The first name of this family of which we have record is HUGH-1 GREGG, a Scotchman, who had a son, ALEXANDER-2 GREGG, who was born November 22 (old style) 1746, and died, date unknown. He married Mary Christie-2 who was born June 14 (old style) 1749, and died September 13, 1817. The children from this union were JANE-3 born November 29, 1774, and died September 11, 1822; HUGH-3, born October 14, 1776, and died April 12, 1859; PETER C.-3 born August 26, 1778 and died in 1869; ALEXANDER-3, born November 27, 1780 and died January 1835; JAMES-3 born March 29, 1784 and died July 5, 1811; SAMUEL-3, born April 26, 1786 and died July 13, 1849; ANNA-3 born August 21, 1789, and died February 4, 1834; REUBEN-3 born May 19, 1793, and died July 7, 1871. SAMUEL-3 who died in Deering NH, married first, Lydia Dodge. She was born July 15, 1784, and died November 8, 1826. She had six children-- Eunice-4, born January 21, 1812 and married Mr. James Fulton, of Deering, whose portrait is to be found in this volume; James-4, the subject of this sketch, who was born August 18, 1814, and died, unmarried, February 9, 1871; Asenath-4, born September 13, 1816, and died September 12, 1855; Samuel-4 born March 18, 1819 and died February 3, 1879; Lydia A-4 born March 6, 1822; Rebecca-4, born April 5, 1825 and died August 23, 1850. The second wife was Mary Currier who died December 11, 1865. Another very important branch of the Gregg family is that of Anna-3 who was married, in 1810 to Enos Merrill, of Deering, and had seven children,-- Anna A-4, born December 5, 1811 and died August 27, 1837; Charlotte L.-4 born January 20, 1813 and died April 29, 1861; Hannah-4 born April 20, 1815, and died July 10, 1834; Thomas A.-4 born March 17, 1817, is living; Mary J.C.-4, born February 27, 1819, and died December 6, 1837; Lydia A.-4 born November 17, 1825 and died December 30, 1864; Eliza J.-4 born August 30, 1827 and died September 2, 1854. Mr. Gregg was born in Deering NH. His boyhood was passed on his father's farm. The common school disstricts of the town were attended by him, and he early showed a fondness for books, and, desiring better education advantages, went to Hopkinton Academy for a time, and, later, finished at Hancock Academy. He learned the mason's trade, and worked at it in the summer months for several years, and in the winter taught school in Deering and in the adjoining towns, and was successful. Never of a robust constitution, his health failed; and on this account, with a desire for out-door work, he took up book-canvassing, and, for several years, followed it in many parts of the country, but chiefly through the West. He was careful and prudent in his money matters, and in the western country found it greatly to his advantage to make loans on real estate, by which means he became rich. Mr. Gregg was a member of the Free-Soil party, entertained broad views on religious subjects, and was liberal in his contributions to the cause of religion. It was during his travels through the country, and from his intimate contact with the people, that he discovered the need of Bibles among the poorer classes, which need he most nobly met by a gift to the American Bible Society of twenty-three thousand dolalrs. Mr. Gregg died at the residence of Joseph H. Vaught, at Shopiere, Wis., where he had made his home for many years, beloved by all who knew him, and, through the American Bible Society, his influence will be felt for many years. The beautiful steel portrait of Mr. Gregg was donated by his eldest sister, Mrs. Fulton, of Methuen, Mass. ------------- JAMES FULTON The ancestors of James Fulton were Scotch-Irish, and came to America at an early date. The first definite record is of ROBERT-1 FULTON of Francestown, N.H. who was born in June 1752. He married Sarah Brown, who was born in July 1750. Her mother came from Scotland and settled in Derry, NH. Robert-1 had six children, all boys, who were born as follows: Alexander-2 born May 17, 1773; Samuel-2 born June 4, 1775; James-2 born October 18, 1777; John-2 born February 6, 1780; Jonathan-2 born June 25, 1782; Robert-2 born October 12, 1785. JAMES-2 FULTON married Hannah Faulkner, April 6, 1803. She was born July 24, 1779, and died December 30, 1833. There were ten children from this union, as follows: Betsy-3, born December 30, 1803, died November 8, 1828; James-3 (the subject of this sketch), born April 3, 1806; Lyman-3 born December 6, 1807, died December 30, 1879; Jenny-3 born February 27, 1810, died March 28, 1880; Robert-3 born July 2, 1812, is living; Curtis-3 born July 31, 1814, died May 29, 1850; Abiel-3 born September 18, 1816, died in infancy; Mary-3 born November 19, 1818, died May 16, 1852; Charles-3 born January 13, 1821, died December 30, 1847; Hannah-3 born August 25, 1823, is living. Mr. Fulton was born in Deering NH. His father, James-2, who first saw the light of day in stirring times of the Revolution, was a farmer, and young Fulton, with his brothers, assisted in the farm-work, and, being the oldest boy, was a leader in the work as well as the sports incident to the times. His educational advantages were limited to such as were obtainable in the common schools of the town, and his attendance there was limited to a few months in the winter season, as the summer months were given to the usual round of farm duties. The farm of the Fultons was one of the best to be found in this rugged section. At the age of twenty-two he left the old home and went into the machine-shop of John Smith & Co., at Andover, Mass., where he remained three and a half years, doing general work for a stipulated sum of money. Owing to the failing health of his parents, Mr. Fulton returned to the farm, and his father gave him a half- interest in it, and he cared for them as long as they lived. Mr. Fulton was successful as a farmer, and, December 1, 1835, married Eunice, daughter of Captain Samuel and Lydia (Dodge) Gregg, of Deering, by which union there were born five children-- Lydia A.-4, born September 28, 1836; Joseph W.-4, born September 7, 1839; Hannah J.,-4 born August 3, 1842, died October 30, 1881; Charles J., born December 25, 1848; Mary E-4 born July 7, 1853. These children were born in Deering. JOSEPH W-4 FULTON married first, Laura A. Harnden, who bore him two sons,--James Arthur-5 and Warren Gregg-5 -- and she died February 10, 1871. His second wife was Lucy A. Sargent. Charles J-4 married Mary A. Wilson, who bore him two children--John W-5 and Charles Warren-5, who died August 12, 1879. Mary E.-4 was married to Irving G. Rowell, of Weare NH, and has two children,--Alice M.-5 born in Manchester NH and Charles W.-5 born in Sunapee NH. Mr. Fulton was a Whig, and when the Republican party was formed, he joined it, and up to the present time has maintained its principles and exercised his right of franchise in support of its candidates to public office. In religious belief, Mr. Fulton-3 is a Congregationalist, and has always been a liberal contributor to the support of, and a constant attendant upon, public worship, and his daily life has ever been consistent and devoted. Mr. Fulton-3 held a commission from Governor Hill as captain in the New Hampshire militia. In 1873 his parents having passed away, Mr. Fulton-3 sold the farm in Deering and removed to Methuen, Mass., where his two sons had established themselves in a successful mercantile business, and there, in a pretty cottage in the suburbs of that lovely village, he is passing his declining years, in company with his beloved wife, surrounded by comforts befitting the closing years of a successful life. (end)