HISTORY OF HANCOCK, 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. 350 HANCOCK CHAPTER I Hancock is situated in 42 degrees 59' and was incorporated November 5, 1779, agreeably to the petition of Robert Duncan and twenty-five others. It was bounded north by Antrim, east by Contoocook River, south by Peterborough and Dublin and west by Packersfield. January 16, 1794, that part of the estate of Joseph Putnam, of Society Land, which lay to the east of the river in Great Lot No. 9, was annexed to Hancock, and January 1, 1849, that part of the farm of John Flint which was situated in Antrim was annexed to Hancock. In 1842 Hancock Factory village (formerly Putnam's Mills), with a few farms to the west of this village, became incorporated as a part of Bennington, Hancock Factory village having its centre. The west part of the town is quite hilly, the highest elevation in the town, Mount Ska-tu-tah-kee, two thousand feet high, being situated in this part. Miller Mountain is also quite an elevation in its northern section, while Nahors Hill, near the northeast corner, and Norway Hill, near its centre, are considerable elevations. The town is generally agreeably diversified with plains, hills and valleys, and since its recent fine railroad accomodations is becoming a popular summer resort. Excellent tracts of intervale land are located on the Contoocook and its tributary streams. It is properly regarded as a good farming town. Lake Nubanusit, situated partly in Hancock, and partly in Nelson, is the largest body of water in the town. Hunt's Pond, a little to the southeast of this, Half-Moon Pond, near its southern border, and Norway Pond, at its centre, as also fine bodies of water. The first settlement in the limits of the town was begun by John Grimes, near the shore of Half-Moon Pond, in 1764, although he returned to Peterborough to winter in 1764-65. Shortly after this, George McCloury, Moses Morrison and William Lakin settled near him, and a few years later a few families located near Great Pond (now Lake Nubanusit) and elsewhere; but the breaking out of the Revolutionary War greatly retarded its settlement, until about the time of its incorporation. Hancock was named in honor of Governor John Hancock, of Boston, who was a large owner in Great Lot No. 2 (the centre of Hancock) at the time of its incorporation, and was the second incorporated place to take the name of that great man, who, as president of the Continental Congress, was the first to affix his name to our country's Declaration of Independence, Hancock, Mass., beings its senior by three years. The town commenced its corporate existence under some peculiar hardships, on account of the war and the depreciation of the Continental money. They also labored under disadvantages in having no place set apart for a centre and burying-ground, these, together with a ministerial lot, being generally given to the towns previously incorporated. Deacon James Hosley, of New Ipswich, gave the town a place for a centre and burying-place a few years later, and the town bought a farm for its first minister of the heirs of Governor Hancock. Hancock is justly regarded as a healthy town, the only "unusual sickness" having been the dystentery scourge of 1800. *** MILLS AND MANUFACTURES *** The streams of Hancock as now constituted are small and its mills but few. During its early years these streams were more valuable, as the forests were in part remaining, and the swamps and meadows largely undrained. There was also a larger local demand for lumber for building, and more grain (especially rye) to be ground than in later years. The following abandoned millsites are to be found in Hancock at the present time: 1st, Solomon Wood's saw-mill; 2d, Henry Prentiss' clothing-mill; 3d, Edmund Davis' saw-mill; 4th, Richard Rand's clothing-mill; 5th, James M. Johnson's sash and blind shop; 6th, Volney H. Johnson's turning-mill. The above were on the Davis Brook. 7th, Samuel Ames, saw and grist-mill, on Ferguson Brook; 8th, Thomas Spaulding's grist-mill; 9th, Henry Spaulding's grist-mill; 10th, the Fox Tannery. These were on the Hosley Brook. 11th, Nicholas Lawrence, saw-mill; 12th, Jesse Rodgers' saw-mill; 13th, Kent & Hunt's (afterwards Hall's mills) grist-mill; 14th, Amos Ball's bobbin-shop; 15th, Milton Mill's cabinet-shop; 16th French & Symond's saw and grist-mill. The five last being on Moose Brook. We have given the original builders' names to each of these abandoned sites. The dams of two other mills spanned the river, but the mills themselves were in Greenfield. There were manufactories of potash at the Centre, first by Andrew Seaton and later by David Low. Samual Bullard also carried on a lively business at the Centre as a hatter for several years. The mills now located in the corporate limits of Hancock are Edward Danforth's saw-mill, on Ferguson Brook, and John Newell's mill on Hosley Brook, which is a saw and grist-mill, and also contains a full set of machinery for the manufacture of pails, also a fine shingle-mill and iron turning lathe with much other machinery, and is operated by an extra miller. The sash, door and blind-shop of the late James M. Johnson, a little to the east of the mill last-named, and on the same stream. The Willey Mills, so called, on Moose Brook, now owned and operated by Rev. J.W. Coolidge; this mill, in addition to the usual advantages of a well-appointed saw and grist-mill enjoys the advantage of a side-track on the Manchester and Keene Railroad, which gives it great advantage in the matter of handling grain and other freights, especially since this railroad has become a shipping-point. The steam tannery of A.G. Foster, in the south part of the town, is also a well-appointed establishment. Having noted the mills and manufactures of what is now Hancock, it seems proper that we should briefly mention a section which, for threescore years, was identified with the interests and included in the limits of Hancock, first as Putnam's Mills and later as Hancock Factory, but now the centre of the thriving town of Bennington. At the time of the incorporation of Hancock, Joseph Putnam, a native of Wilton, and of the same lineage as General Putnam, was a resident of and a miller in Temple; but finding his water-power insufficient, he soon after began to look for a better location, and October 14, 1782, purchsaed a lot of land at the Great Falls of the Contoocook, described in the deed as follows: "A certain lot or tract of land lyding in the Royial Society, so called, viz: in lot Number 31, in the North range, as they are laid out and marked, said lot laid out on the original right of Jotham Odion, Esq. of Portsmouth, deceased." This lot covered and included all the east side of the now used water-power of Bennington village, and was annexed to Hancock on his petition, January 17, 1794. He soon commenced a clearing here and built a house where the present hotel stands, and was here with his family early in 1783, erected his saw and grist-mill soon after, where the present one stands. November 16, 1789, he added by purchase one hundred and seven acres on the opposite side of the stream, and owned most of what is now Bennington village for years. Mr. Putnam carried on an extensive business, both as a miller and a farmer here, for over a score of years, but was unwilling to part with any of the water-power he did not himself use, as it would injure his farm. He sold his property here to John Dustin in 1804, and removed to Alstead, and subsequently to Marshfield, Vt., with his son Jacob, where he died February 12, 1826. He left a numerous and honored line of descendants. We are indebted to his grandson, Judge E.D. Putnam, of Montpelier, Vt. for facts as to his residence here. Of John Dustin, the second owner of these mills, little is known at this writing by the writer. John D. Butler, a wealthy citizen of Bennington, is his grandson. HANCOCK FACTORY was built in this village, in 1810, by Amos Whittemore, Sr., Benjamin Whittemore and Paul Cragin. They, with help, cut and hewed the timber and had the frame raised in one week. Benjamin Whittemore was the first agent. They manufactured at first cotton yarn and put it out to be woven by hand, but soon put in a few looms. In 1825, Amos Whittemore Jr., became the agent, and the next year built an addition to the first mill of thirty feet to the west, three stories high, and added some twenty-five or thirty looms, employing about fifty hands. It is said that for a time after this nearly one-half of the cotton goods made in New Hampshire were manufactured here. The next agent (who was also one of the owners) was Benjamin A. Peavey, who ran it for a few years, after which it was idle for a time. This is now Kimball's cutlery establishment. CHAPIN KIDDER put in a fulling-mill in the west end of the Putnam Mill (then Burt's) in 1815, and Merick Wentworth built a mill for carding and cloth-dressing, where D.H. Goodell & Co.'s works now stand, in 1820. This spot was occupied as a paper-mill and manufactory of writing and blank-books for some years by John W. Flagg, Esq. while it was in Hancock. In 1835, Lewis Fletcher built and started a paper-mill where Barker & Co.'s now stands, which was subsequently operated by Gilbert Hall and others.' About 1820, Jeptha Wright commenced the manufacture of rifles and excellent fowling-pieces here. He manufactured the fine rifles carried by the rifle companies of Greenfield, Henniker and Amherst in the palmy days of these fine military organizations. Mr. Wright subsequently removed to Hillsborough and died there. It will be seen by this sketch that mills were standing ON EVERY SPOT where mills are now operated in Hancock Factory when it parted company with the mother-town. *** HIGHWAYS, RAILROADS and TELEGRAPH *** The first important thoroughfare in Hancock appears to have been what is now known as the old Stoddard road. This road was an extension of the Windy Row road in Peterborough, north through Hancock and corner of Antrim and Parkersfield to Stoddard, and was a great traveled road to Boston from the towns to the north and northwest of Hancock during the last few years of the past century. About the commencement of the present century, the old County road, as it was called, became the leading thoroughfare for the same class of travel as had been earlier accomodated by the road first-mentioned. Hancock turnpike was chartered from Milford to Marlow early in this century; but, after several meetings of the corporation, it failed to be built, except on paper, the Forest road, so called, later taking its place as a road for teams and a stage and express route through the town. A good business was done for many years on this road from Hancock and the towns above to Nashua, and later to Wilton depot. The building of the Peterborough Railroad, from Wilton to Greenfield (it never got to Peterborough) and the Monadnock Railroad, from Winchendon, Mass., to Peterborough, subsequently gave depots within some six or seven miles, respectively, of Hancock Centre before the town had railroad facilities of its own. Prior to 1870 a survey of a route for a railroad from Manchester to Keene had been made through the north part of Peterborough, and, soon after this, a preliminary survey was made to determine the feasibility of locating this road through the south part of Hancock. On the 25th of January, 1875, at a legal town-meeting, the citizens of Hancock voted a five percent gratuity to the Manchester and Keene Railroad if it would build a road through the town within one-half a mile of its town hall. Subsequent surveys proving this route feasible, the road-bed was located here rather than in Peterborough, as had been earlier proposed. The first earth was moved on the line of this railroad on land of Lewis Symonds, in Hancock, in the spring of the following year, and the road was completed for business (from Greenfield to Keene) in 1879. The building of the Manchester and Keene Railroad through Hancock seemed to render it necessary "that both the Monadnock and Contoocook Valley roads should connect with it, and the Peterborough and Hillsborough road was soon commenced, crossing the first-named road at Hancock Junction. Hancock now has two railroads through its territory, with depots at Hancock Centre, on the Manchester and Keene Railroad, and Cavender's, on the Peterborough and Hillsborough Railroad, where there is also a union depot at the junction. There is also a much-used side-track at Coolidge's mill. It is worthy of remark here that Bennington, Hancock's daughter, is the only other town that carries the rails of both these roads. A post-office, by the name of Elmwood, has recently been established at Hancock Junction, of which Henry F. Robinson, is the postmaster. The junction, at the house of three P.M. would remind a stranger of some smart, young Western city, on account of its numerous trains of cars. Telegraph lines have been extended along both these roads, with operating stations at Hancock Centre and Hancock Junction. **** SCHOOLS **** The first appropriation for schools in Hancock, of which we have any record, was made on the first Tuesday of December, 1787, when the town voted to raise ten pounds for schools, and a committee was chosen by the town for its proper distribution; but we have no record of any school-house for four years thereafter. Soon after the settlement of its first minister, Rev. Reede Paige, the town, under his lead, took a very advanced position for those days in relation to its school advantages, and the Centre District was authorized to build a two-story school building, the upper story to be used as a High School room. It was in this upper room that Rev. Brown Emerson, for nearly seventy years the pastor of the South Congregational Church of Salem, Mass., and his brother, Rev. Reuben, of Reding, in the same State, obtained most of the higher education which fitted them for college and their future usefulness. In later years we find as students here Hon. George W. Nesmith, of Antrim, a man who for many years adorned the bench of his native State, and is now, in his green old age, the president of the Orphans' Home in Franklin, and, a little later, Franklin Pierce, of Hillsborough, who subsequently became President of the United States. This building was burned about the close of the first quarter of the present century. On the 14th of June, 1836, the Hancock Literary and Scientific Institution was incorporated, Dr. Jonas Hutchinson and seventeen others, with their associates and successors, being authorized to build a school building and maintain a High School here. This building was mainly under the control of the Milford and the Dublin Baptist Associations, and was for several years in a very flourishing condition. Among its eminent instructors we will name Professors Jones, Colcord, Burnell, Ephraim Knight and True. About the same time Hancock Academy was instituted, and a fine brick building erected, and for several years two large High Schools were in succesful operation here at the same time. This was under the control of the Congregationalists. Among its eminent instructors we might name Messrs. Rice, Scott, Gilbert and others. Among the eminent men who were pupils in these schools we will name ex-Governor William B. Washburn, of Massachusetts, who held successively the offices of Representative in Congress, Governor and Senator of that State, and is now the honored president of the American Missionary Association, his father having been a native and his grandfather an early settler here; Francis Jewett, of Nelson, for several years the popular mayor of Lowe;; Professor Ephraim Knight, a native of the town; Rev. Daniel Goodhue, who responded to the sentiment of "The Schools of Hancock" at its late centennial; Joseph Davis, Esq.; Hon. George Stevens, of Lowell; Judge Aaron W. Sawyer, of Nashua; and we might mention many more. The present distribution of the school fund is equalized as much as it can well be among its scholars. The town was constituted a High School District in 1873. One or more terms (usually two) of this school yearly have been employed by all its scholars who choose to attend and can pass the necessary examination. About the commencement of the present century an association was formed in Hancock which, for nearly thirty years, sustained a circulating library of some three hundred volumes here. In 1860 a town library was commenced with some two hundred and fifty volumes, which has now been many times increased. This institution has now a fine library building, a gift to the town by one of its sons, Adolphus Whitcomb, and a moderate trust fund from legacies of Ebenezer Hubbard and Abijah Hadley, the income of which is used in the purchase of additional volumes. **** LAWYERS **** Only three persons have been known to the writer as having a law-office in this town, Andrew Wallace, from Milford, who appears to have been an excellent man and a good lawyer, being the first. He was the town's representative in 1822, 1823 and 1824. Mr. Wallace returned to Milford and died there. Hon. Luke Woodbury succeeded him, beginning his practice of law here, but moved his office to Antrim in 1826. Mr. Woodbury was long a judge of Probate for this county, and at the time of his death, a candidate for Governor, with almost a certainty of election. The last lawyer to open an office in Hancock was Hon. Timothy P. Fuller, who had been a lawyer of note and a judge of the courts of Caledonia County, Vt. Mr. Fuller and his wife both died here in 1854. Several of the natives of Hancock have won distinction in the bar elsewhere, among whom we will note Charles Wheeler, son of Noah and grandson of Jonas Wheeler, of this town (and an uncle of Charles James Fox, named below), who won high honors in the courts of Missouri. Charles James Fox, son of Jedediah and Sarah (Wheeler) Fox, was born in Hancock, October 28, 1811, as appears from abundant written testimony (although his birth-place has been claimed elsewhere). Mr. Fox fitted for college at Francestown Academy, under the private tuition of Rev. Archibald Burgess, of Hancock, and was graduated from Dartmouth College with high honors in the class of 1831. He studied law with Hon. Isaac O. Barnes of Francestown, and completed his law course at the New Haven Law School. He then entered the law office of Judge Daniel Abbot of Nashua, whose partner-at-law he soon became. He soon after became treasurer of the Nashua and Lowell Railroad, and was for eight or nine years county solicitor of this county. He also held the office of commissioner in bankruptcy. He was a member of the Legislature from Nashua in 1837, and was appointed one of the committee to revise the Statutes of New Hampshire with Judges Bell and Parker, in 1841-42, a rare compliment to one so young, and published his valuable "Town Officer" soon after this date. On account of declining health, he traveled in Egypt and the West Indies in 1844-45, of which he published interesting sketches. He died, after a long sickness, at Nashua, February 17, 1846, aged thirty-four years. Industrious to the last, the hours when such exertions were possible were devoted to the revision of the "History of Dunstable," which was published soon after his death, and to poetical compositions, chiefly on religious subjects. With all his honors he was a Christian and few men so young have left so glorious a record. Mr. Fox married Catharine Pinkman Abbot, a daughter of his law-partner, who, as the widow of ex-Governor Samuel Dinsmore, of Keene, now survives him; also one son, Dr. Charles W. Fox. The Whitcomb brothers--Charles and Adolphus--sons of John Whitcomb, for so long the postmaster of Hancock, went to California, where Charles soon died. Alophus won distinction and wealth there. He now resides in Europe. It is to his munificence that Hancock is indebeted for its fine library building. Algernon B. Baldwin has won a high rank in his profession in Chicago, as has Charles A. Wood also, in Salmon City, Idaho. Edward B. Knight (a brother of Professor Ephraim Knight) has become eminent as a laywer also in Charlestown, W.V. [West Virginia]. ***** PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ****** JOHN GRIMES was the first person to locate in Hancock with the view of making the place his home. Mr. Grimes was of Scotch-Irish descent and came to Hancock by the way of Peterborough in 1764, locating at a spot near the south shore of Half-Moon Pond. The spot of the settlement of this pioneer is marked by its citizens with an appropriate monument in 1884. He remained but a few years in Hancock, and returned to the "old hive" in Londonderry, where he died. His widow resided in Hancock with her son, WILLIAM GRIMES, within the memory of some now living. WILLIAM MORRISON was also of Scotch descent, SAMUEL-1 GRIMES was driven under the walls of Londonderry in the famous seige of 1688. All his children emigrated to America. JOHN-2 GRIMES was one of the first settlers of Londonderry, N.H., his son JONATHAN-3 being the FIRST male child born in that town. MOSES-3 GRIMES was the youngest of eight children of this JOHN-2, and was born in Londonderry [NH] June 7, 1732. He married Rachel Todd, and located near Half-Moon Pond, in Hancock, prior to the birth of his son ANDREW-4 GRIMES who was born here January 21, 1770. He was a great story-teller, and has been called the "Gulliver" and "Arabian Knight" of Hancock; but we do not indorse the statement of the historian of a neighboring town that "it is for this only that his memory has survived him." The early records of Hancock prove him to have been a man of ability and usefulness in the town where he spent his latest years and died. A grandson of his, SAMUEL-5 MORRISON, of Alstead, has been for many years a man of usefulness and honor there, and has recently celebrated his golden wedding. He, with his brother, BENJAMIN F. MORRISON of the same town, have greatly aided in the preparation of facts for the "History of Hancock." These brothers are also the grandson of Deacon James Hosley, of Hancock. The historian of Hancock, Rev. W.W. Hayward is a lineal descendant of MOSES MORRISON. Mr. Morrison and his descendants have occupied the soil of Hancock for over one hundred and fifteen years. ROBERT DUNCAN was of Scotch descent. GEORGE-1 DUNCAN was a native of Scotland, who emigrated to Ireland. GEORGE-2 DUNCAN was born, lived and died in Ireland. GEORGE-3 DUNCAN with all his children came to America. GEORGE-4 DUNCAN, his oldest son by his second wife, Margaret Cross, was grown to manhood when he arrived in Londonderry [NH]. He married Letitia Bell and left seven children. ROBERT-5 DUNCAN, his second son, married Sarah, daughter of Colonel Andrew Todd of Londonderry, and was an early settler of Hancock. Hon. John Duncan, of Antrim, who was the representative for years of Hancock and Antrim, was his brother. Mr. Duncan was undoubtedly the most influential man in the town at the time of its incorporation. He drew up, headed and circulated the petition for the act of incorporation, and was chairman of the first Board of Selectmen chosen at an annual town-meeting, and chosen at the same time its town clerk, which office he afterwards held for a time. Mr. Duncan was also chosen one of the first deacons of the church in Hancock, and held the office at the time of his death. He was also much employed in the settlement of estates of deceased early settlers. He died in the midst of his usefulness, January 25, 1793, at the age of forty-nine years. SAMUEL-6 DUNCAN married Sarah Miller, of Peterborough, and settled on the homestead, but died in the prime of life, April 20, 1807, aged thirty-nine. HIRAM-7 DUNCAN, who was only two years old at the time of his father's death, was the only child of Samuel and Sarah (Miller) Duncan who arrived at man's estate. He settled in Jaffrey in trade, and was a man of great business capacity, but died young, leaving one daughter, SARAH-8 Miller DUNCAN, now the wife of Hon. Peter Upton, of the Governor's Council, who is a leading business man of that town, and, with their son, Hiram Duncan Upton, has charge of the banking interests of that place, Hiram D. being also president of the Northwestern Trust Company of Dakota. Mrs. Sarah M.-8 (Duncan) Upton is the last survivor of Deacon Robert Duncan who ever bore the family name. DEACON JOSIAH-6 DUNCAN of Antrim, son of Deacon Robert-5 of Hancock, was a thoroughly good man and an elder of the Presbyterian Church there, who is said to have been a "living example of Romans xiii, 11." He left no sons. Deacon Robert-6 also went to Antrim, married his cousin, Mrs. Naomi (Duncan) Newton, daughter of Hon. John-5, and was said to have been one of the most efficient elders this ancient church ever had. They had no children. JAMES-5 DUNCAN was a brother to Robert, named above, and seven years his junior. He came to Hancock from Society Land a little later than his brother Robert, and settled on Norway Hill. James was chosen a deacon of the church at the same time as his brother, and continued in the office until his death. He was also much in town affairs. He married Jane Christie, who was said to have been one of the smartest girls of her day. It is related of her that on one occasion she won a wager of forty dollars by reaping more grain in a day than the smartest male reaper of Londonderry. They had eight children. I. Sarah-6 DUNCAN, who became the wife of Samuel Fox, and died in early married life, leaving two children. II. Letitia-6 DUNCAN, became the wife of Martin Fuller and had four children: [FULLER] (1) Thomas James Duncan who was a lawyer of note and Representative in Congress form the East District of Maine for eight years, and was second auditor of the treasury under Buchanan; (2) Lydia J. who became the wife of Rev. L.H. Stone, of Cabot, Vt.; (3) Mary, who was the wife of Stearns Foster of Keene; (4) Hiram, who is a prominent citizen of Hancock. III. George-6 DUNCAN who settled in Antrim, where he was a prominent citizen IV. Susan-6 DUNCAN who became the wife of John Brooks of Hancock. No children. V. James-6 DUNCAN who died in early manhood. VI. Christy-6 DUNCAN settled on the homestead, and was a prominent citizen of the town and a noted land surveyor for many years. He married Lois Dow, and they had seven children: (1) Lydia A.-7 who was for years a teacher, and became the wife of Rev. Mr. Stone of Cabot, Vt. (2) Sarah-7 is the wife of Rev. Daniel Rice, formerly the principal of the academy here, now located in Minnesota; (3) James-7 studied medicine, but died young (4) Stephen D-7 a teacher at Wilmington, Del. (5) John-7 settled in Hancock, and married Mrs. Almira P. Wilkins, and has two sons--George C.-8 a dentist and druggist at East Jaffrey, and Christy H.-8 an esteemed citizen of Hancock; (6) Nathaniel-7 who resides in North Chemlsford, Mass; (7) Elizabeth G.-7 a teacher at the time of her death. VII and VIII. Rebecca-6 and Isaac-6 DUNCAN (twins). Rebecca-5 became the wife of Hon. T.P. Fuller of Hardwick, Vt., who late in life located here. Isaac-6 DUNCAN located in Stoddard and died there leaving honored descendants. SYMONDS FAMILY--Joseph Symonds-1 was born in Shirley, Mass, January 30, 1746, and married Mittie Cummings, a native of Hollis. Mr. and Mrs. Symonds came to Hancock from New Ipswich about the time of the incorporation of the town, locating on Norway Hill, and they and their descendants have been, and are to-day, among the most useful and honored of its citizens. Mr. Symonds was a member of the first Board of Selectmen chosen at an annual town-meeting. He was often in town business, and for several years its town clerk, and was a useful and respected citizen. He and his wife, Mittie, were among the original members of its church. Their children were, -- (SYMONDS)-- Joseph-2 known as "Captain Jo," who married Hannah, daughter of Lieutenant Joseph Dodge, of this town, and lived and died here. Captain Joseph-2 Symonds was a man of great business capacity, and was honored by the town with most of the positions of trust within its gift. Their children were--Nancy3, who became the wife of James Bowers. Hon. S.L. Bowers, of Newport, is her son. Hannah-3, who became the wife of Rev. Sylvester Cochrane, of Antrim. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cochrane died in Michigan. Judge Lyman Cochrane, of that State, was their son. Amelia-3 became the wife of Captain Gardner Nay and died in California. Joseph-3 who died in infancy. Joseph-3 (2d) married Annais Cavender, and died in Manchester in 1849. Rebecca-3 who was married to James Davis, and lived and died much respected in Hancock. Lewis-3 married Persis Robinson of Hancock, and has always lived in the town. LEWIS-3 SYMONDS is a man much respected and has represented Hancock in the Legislature. William F.-4 the oldest child of Lewis-3 and Persis (Robinson) Symonds, is, perhaps, to-day the most popular man in the town. He has been seven years a selectman, and is at this writing its representative to the Legislature. He married Abbie M., daughter of Elijah and Mary (Hills) Washburn, of this town, who is a first cousin of ex-Governor W.B. Washburn of Massachusetts. They have three children--Henry A.-5, Annie L.-5 and Herbert W.-5. Thus it will be seen that the Symonds family has been prominent in Hancock for over a century. ALMON-3 SYMONDS was a blacksmith, and resided in Bennington. MITTIE-2 became the wife of Peter Fox, and removed to Marlow, where their descendants are now living. ASA-2 was long a deacon of the church in Hancock and a useful Christian man. His son, ASA-3 SYMONDS is now an honored citizen of the town. MELLIA-2 SYMONDS became the wife of Captain Jacob Ames and left highly respectable descendants. Henry Ames Blood, of Temple, the historian of that town, was her grandson. CHARLES-2 SYMONDS was married to Sallie, daughter of Moses Dennis Sr. December 26, 1809. THey had several children, among whom, JOHN-3 is perhaps the most esteemed in Hancock as it was through his efforts that the annual SYMONDS reunions (which have grown into town picnics) were established in Hancock. The recent death of Hon. John Symonds is sincerely lamented. We learn that, by a provision of his will, the city of Keene, which was his adopted home, is to receive a large legacy for the benefit of its public library. LUCY-2 married, but had no children. JAMES HOSLEY--Savage says "Horsley, James-1, of Newton, married Martha, daughter of John Parker; had James." This Martha was born May 1, 1649, in Cambridge. Their son, James-2 HOSLEY married Maria --, and came to Billerica, Mass, in 1699. Their son, JAMES-3 HOSLEY, born May 19, 1704, settled in Towsend, Mass. He married Exercise --, and died in that place when his son, JAMES-4 was quite young. JAMES-4 HOSLEY, or Deacon James, as he was called here, was a remarkable man and one of the greatest benefactors Hancock ever had. He was born in Townsend, Mass, January 19, 1734. At the age of thirty-two we find his name as one of the selectmen of the place, and he was chosen a deacon of the church there at about the same date. From 1770 to 1781 he was either moderator, town clerk, one of the selectmen or on a war committee every year. In 1775, Mr. Hosley held the offices of moderator, town clerk and chairman of the Board of Selectmen. He was also captain of the Townsend Minute-Men and led them to Lexington at the alarm of April 19th of that year. Being the "best-balanced man in all respects" (see History of Townsend) in the town, and needed in its civic affairs, and having a large family, his only other service in the field was in 1777, when a company of men (most of them veterans with families) were raised in Pepperell, Townsend and Ashby to assist in the campaign against Burgoyne. Colonel William Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill, and two majors were in the ranks of this company, which unanimously chose James Hosley its captain--a rare tribute to his popularity and military capacity. This company particiated in the battles preceding and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Deacon Hosley sold his farm in Towsend at about the time of the incorporation of Hancock, and a little later removed to New Ipswich, in this State, where he also held the offices of both selectman and town clerk. While a citizen of New Ipswich, he gave, by deed, to the town of Hancock the common on which its public buildings and Pine Ridge Cemetery are situated, and soon after removed to Hancock with his family. After becoming a resident of the town he held the office of town clerk for years. No one who may have occasion to examine the records of Townsend, Mass, New Ipswich or Hancock can fail to admire his legible chirography. He also held the office of justice of the peace, and he was much employed as a conveyancer here. He was one of the original members of the Church of Christ here, and the first person chosen as its deacon. Deacon Hosley died April 19, 1809, exactly thirty-four years from the day when he led his Minute-men towards the point where "the embattled farmers stood, and fired the shots heard round the world." The AMHERST CABINET [newspaper] of May 23, 1809, gives a short but graphic account of him and the imposing ceremonies attending his interment, and closed the article with the adage of Pope: "An honest man is the noblest work of God." His descendants (none bearing the family-name residing here now) are numerous and highly respectable. Ex-Mayor John Hosley, of Manchester, who is a native of Hancock, is his great-grandson; James-4, Samuel-5, Samuel-6, John-7. EBENEZER WARE--It is a tradition of the Ware family that it is of Welsh descent. Ebenezer-1 Ware and Esther (Hunting), his wife, were residents of Needham, Mass, where their son, EBENEZER-2 WARE was born, and spent their last years with their son, who was an early settler here. EBENEZER-2 WARE married Alice Eaton. Their only child EBENEZER-3 WARE, has long been a prominent citizen of Handock. He early learned the trade of carpenter. The Literary and Scientific Institution, with the boarding-house connected therewith, and the late residence of Jedediah Fox, in ths village, will remain as monuments of his skill. Mr. Ware has held nearly every office within the gift of his townsmen. He is a great reader, and the owner, probably, of the largest private library in the town. He married Martha E. Lakin. They have had ten children, eight of whom are living. **** PHYSICIANS **** DR. THOMAS PEABODY, who had been a surgeon in the Revolutionary War, was a resident of Hancock for a short time in its earlier history. DR. ROBERT TAGGART came here from Hillsborough in August, 1790, and DR. WILLIAM BROWN, from Sullivan, in March 1791, but their stay was probably of short duration. The first physician who practiced his profession here was DR. STEPHEN KITTRIDGE. He came to this place from Francestown the 6th of October 1790. He was a successful physician and a good man. He was deacon of the church, and so had double title, being sometimes called deacon and sometimes doctor. He died about 1806, leaving his practice with his successor, DR. PETER TUTTLE, who was born in Princeton, Mass, April 15, 1781. Dr. Tuttle began his work in Hancock in October 1806, and proved himself to be a skillful physician. He married a daughter of his predecessor in 1808, and brought up a large family of children. He held the office of justice of the peace, and was respected as a magistrate and a citizen. At the time of his death, Dr. Tuttle was vice-president of the Southern District of the New Hampshire Medical Society. He was Master of the Altemont Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and was buried with Masonic honors. He died March 13, 1828. He was a genial man, always ready with a joke, and decidedly popular in his profession. He died mourned and lamented. DR. JONAS HUTCHINSON was born in Milford, NH June 2, 1792. He commenced the practice of medicine in Hancock at the age of twenty-three. He was a man of fine powers and great energy. He was for several years town clerk, and representative to the Legislature in the years 1833, 1834 and 1835. He connected himself with the Baptist Church, and was largely instrumental in founding the Literary Scientific Institution, which for a few years was so prosperous. He remained in town until November, 1841, when he removed to Milford, continuing the practice of medicine until a few months before his decease. He died in September 1857. He was an influential citizen, and his removal from town was a cause of regret. Contemporaneous with Dr. Hutchinson we find DRS. RAND and WOOD. DR. NEHEMIAH RAND came here from Francestown, and removed to Nelson after a few years. He was considered a good physician. DR. JACOB A. WOOD was born in this town May 14, 1810. He spent his boyhood working on the farm during the summer and attending school in the winter. At the age of sixteen he went to Francestown to learn the saddler's trade; his health not being very firm, he remained but a short time. Some years later he began the study of medicine with Dr. Combie, of Francestown, whose daughter he afterwards married. Subsequently he was pupil of the celebrated Dr. Twitchell, of Keene, and attended medical lectures in Boston and at the Vermont Medical College at Woodstock receiving his degree in the latter place in 1836. He commenced practice at once in his native town. He soon had an extensive practice, and was highly esteemed; but after some years he deemed it best to seek a wider field, and about the year 1851 he removed to Boston, remaining there some six years. During his stay in Boston he became so celebrated in the treatment of spinal diseases that his friends in New York urged him to establish himself in that city. He finally did so, and there remained until his death, March 21, 1879. Dr. Wood was a member of Dr. Booth's Church, of University Place, New York. He was a good friend and a devoted husband. As a man, dignified, firm and decided, yet gentle, genial and generous, gladdening the hearts of those with whom he came in contact. He lived a noble and self-sacrificing life, and died trusting firmly in the Master he had served so faithfully. In the year 1842 DR. JAMES M. STICKNEY came to Hancock, He was a son of Dr. Jeremiah Stickney, of Antrim. He was a very pleasant man to meet, and was esteemed both as a physician and a citizen. After remaining here six or seven years, he removed to Pepperell, Mass., where he was very successful in his profession. DR. LEVI W. WILKINS spent a short time in Hancock after Dr. Wood and Dr. Stickney left. He bought out the former. Although he made a favorable impression and proved himself to be a good physician, he did not remain long, moving to Antrim. DR. DE WITT CLINTON HANDLEY was born in Hancock, June 12, 1823. He was educated at New Hampton and Meriden, NH and was graudated in medicine at Woodstock, Vt. in 1849. He practice medicine eight years in his native town, and died February 11, 1859. Dr. Hadley was a promising physician, and was just beginning his life-work when disease laid a heavy hand upon him. His death was a sad blow to his numerous friends. DR. I. CRAIGUE was born in Troy, Vt., in 1832. He was graduated in medicine from the Harvard Medical College in 1857. He was for a short time assistant physician at the Insane Retreat at Hartford, Conn. From Hartford he came to Hancock, where he remained until 1863. He then went to Chester, Vt., remaining there till 1875. Finding country practice too severe for him, he removed to Lawrence, Mass., where he resided until his death in 1877. His removal from Hancock was a cause of general regret. He was a true Christian, always found on the side of truth and right. Such men are always missed. DR. R.G. MATHER, who had previously been a surgeon in the army, practiced medicine in town for a short time; he afterwards gave up general practice and gave his attention to dentistry, in which profession he gained quite a reputation. He was a native of Newport and died in Hancock. DR. ALBERT H. TAFT came to Hancock from Nelson in 1867, and remained there until 1872, when he removed to Winchester, NH, where he has been successful as a physician. Dr. Taft had a great many friends in Hancock, especially among the young people. DR. HORATIO McINTIRE, also from Nelson, was the physician of the place during the building of the Manchester and Keene Railroad. Dr. McIntire had seen service in the army, which gave him an advantage above many in the treatment of cases of injury to the workmen. He removed from Hancock to Milford, and is now in government employ in New York City. Dr. H.H. De Beck [DeBeck], a native of Maine, succeeded Dr. McIntire, but returned to his native State after a short practice here. Dr. A.A. HAIG, a native of St. Lawrence County, NY, commenced the practice of medicine in Hancock in the early part of 1883. He has a good practice in Hancock and Harrisville, and is also often called to the neighboring towns. *PHYSICIANS and DENTISTS who were NATIVES OF HANCOCK, BUT HAVE PRACTICED IN OTHER PLACES* There have been several physicians and dentists, who were either natives of Hancock or were brought up there, whose active lives have been spent elsewhere. The list we give is necessarily an imperfect one. DR. JABEZ B. PRIEST was the son of Levi Priest, of this town, and from 1816 to the time of his death, in 1826, was a very successful physician in Peterborough, where he died of epidemic dysentery, at the age of thirty-six. DR. JOHN BOUTELLE was the second son of Deacon William Boutelle. He was born in Leominster, Mass., April 1, 1783. At the age of five years his parents removed to Hancock. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1808 (the first college graduate from Hancock). After his graduation he was for a time tutor in the same college, and was for some ten years engaged in teaching, when he began the practice of medicine at Edgecomb, Me., where he continued to the close of his life. He died April 30, 1853. He was a sincere Christian, an affectionate husband, and a good citizen. DR. DAVID KNIGHT BOUTELLE was the oldest son of Thomas Boutelle, who was the fourth son of Deacon William Boutelle. He was born at Landgrove, Vt., October 6, 1811. At the age of fourteen years, with his parents, he removed to their native town (Hancock), which was his home until he was twenty-one years of age. He had a common-school education, and at the age of eighteen attended a term at a select school in Hancock, taught by Mr. B.Y. Wallace. After attaining his majority he took a course of study at the Teachers' Seminary at Andover, Mass. He then taught for several years in the grammar schools of Warren, R.I. and New Bedford, Mass. He subsequently studied dentistry at Providence, R.I. which profession he has successfully practiced in Newport, R.I., Manchester and Peterborough, N.H. and Worcester, Mass. In 1869, with the hope of improving his impaired health, he removed to Lake City, Minn., where he now (1885) resides. DR. JONATHAN LEE, son of Jonathan Lee, studied medicine with Dr. Peter Tuttle. He practiced his profession many years at Syracuse, NY. DR. ADAMS KNIGHT, son of Deacon Aaron Knight, was for many years a successful physician in Springfield, Vt. DR. WILLIAM H. WESTON, oldest son of Captain Ephraim Weston was born August 8, 1849, in Hancock. He was graduated at the Medical Department of Columbia College, in New York City, in 1878. After his graduation he associated himself for a time with Dr. Hoyt, in Grafton NH. From this place he went to New York, and was associated with Dr. J.H. Wood. After the death of Dr. Wood he continued the treatment of spinal diseases at the old office at Cooper's Institute until the spring of 1881. Preferring general to special practice, he removed to 406 West Twenty-second Street. DR. GEORGE BOWERS, oldest son of Mark Bowers, was born in Hancock, October 10, 1831. He was graduated at the Philadelphia Dental College and practiced his profession in Springfield, Vt., fifteen years, removing to Nashua, N.H. in 1877, where he now (1885) resides, a successful practitioner. His brother, Dr. Samuel O. Bowers, is also a successful dentist at Hillsborough Bridge. DR. CYRUS H. HAYWARD, oldest son of Calvin Hayward, was born in Hancock, November 7, 1840. He was graduated at the Boston Dental College in March 1870. He soon became a member of the New Hampshire Dental Society; was elected in 1880 delegate to the American Dental Association, and in June, 1884, he was chosen one of the Board of Censors for the State. He began the practice of his profession in Peterborough, NH, soon after his graduation, where he has remained until the present time. His standing in the profession is one of the first class. DR. ALBERT E. WARE is in the successful practice of dentistry in this, his native town, and DR. CHARLES COOLIDGE is doing a good business in Bristol, NH. DR. GEORGE C. DUNCAN is also in successful practice in East Jaffrey. ******** MILITARY HISTORY ******** The compiler of this record makes no claims to accuracy in detail. It has been almost impossible to obtain any data, especially in regard to the militia of the town. As yet no records have been found, although dilligently inquired for. In 1718 it was enacted by the Legislature that all able-bodied men between ages sixteen and sixty, with a few exceptions, be held liable for military duty. Later, this law was so modified that the military age was between eighteen and forty-five. When the first company was organized it is impossible to determine. In 1789 there was an article in the town warrant to have the town divided into two military districts, that the two companies might be organized, but at the town-meeting the article was passed over. There was for a brief period a company of cavalry. Hancock Artillery was organized early in the nineteenth century. Its first captain-- General Miller--was then a young lawyer at Greenfield. Of General Miller, Hawthorne said, "He was New England's most distinguished solider." His motto at Lundy's lane, "I'll try, sir," was for a long time printed on the knapsacks of the company. In 1849 the militia was disbanded. After the close of the War of the Rebellion [Civil war], the old Hancock Artillery, with a new name, was organized, but it is now disbanded. Among the early settlers, WILLIAM LARKIN and his brother OLIVER had served in the French War. AMERICAN REVOLUTION There were but few inhabitants in the town until towards the close of the Revolutionary War; therefore but few men were actually sent from Hancock. The few settlers that were here were not indifferent, as the town records will show. They furnished their quota of Continental beef as best they could, and taxed themselves to pay bounties to those who were in the field. William Lakin Jr., Thomas Williams and Lemuel Lakin were in the service. WILLIAM LAKIN JR. was a member of the First New Hampshire Regiment. He was discharged November 3, 1782, wounded in the hand and hip; examined April 1 1789; received a pension of two dollars a month. A large proportion of the early settlers served in the army before they became residents of Hancock, some of them with distinction. The following list, made up from various sources, may be incomplete, but it, without doubt, correct as far as it goes. We only give their names, without regard to rank or term of service,-- Samuel Ames, Ebenezer Barker, David Barker, John Bowers, William Boutelle, John Bradford, Salmon Blodgett, John Brooks, John Cummings, Abraham Davis, Isaac Davis, Oliver Davis, Moses Dennis, Joseph Dodge, Jeremiah Eaton, Lemuel Eaton, Samuel Eaton, Thomas English, Peter Fletcher, Jeremiah Fogg, John Gay, John Gibson, Abijah Hadley, James Hosley, Nathaniel Hazelton, Daniel Kimball, Simeon Lakin, Josiah Lakin, Oliver Lawrence, Thomas May, Jonathan Margery, Robert Matthews, Abraham Moors, Timothy Moors, Ebenezer Pratt, Abner Preston, Levi Priest, Thomas Peabody, Peter Putnam, Joel Russell, David Sloan, Joseph Simonds, Samuel Tyrrell, Elijah Washburn, Joseph Washburn, Salmon Wood, William Williams Jr., Abel Winship. WAR OF 1812 In the War of 1812-14 quite a number of Hancock men served for a short time, and a few during most of the war. The records do not, in every instance, give the towns from which the soldiers went, so that it is impossible to give a correct list. Simeon Lakin was sergeant in Capt Benjamin Bradford's company, First Regiment; pay-roll from April 1, to May 1, 1813. Samuel Dennis was corporal in the same company. Abraham Davis and Robert Matthews Jr. were privates in same company. Moses M. Lakin enlisted during the war in Captain Benjamin Bradford's company, Forty-fifth Regiment United States Infantry, Denny McCobb, colonel, March 9, 1814; promoted to sergeant June 18, 1814. John Y. Lakin, corporal, enlisted at the same time Plummer Wheeler, sergeant, enlisted December 15, 1813. Thatcher Bradford, third lieutenant in Captain Hugh Moore's company, detatched militia, sent to Portsmouth in an emergency, enlisted for three months, September 18, 1813. With him went Isaac Brooks, Benjamin Ball, Abraham Davis, John Gilson, William Gray, Jesse Hall, Mark Pierce and Peter Rumrill, privates. Charles Boutelle was fifer in Captain S. Trivett's company, Second Regiment, detatched militia; enlisted for sixty days, September 27, 1814. Abijah Hadley, Amasa Reed, Benjamin Stone, Joseph Washburn, Watson Washburn, Asa Washburn and Eli Washburn, privates, enlisted in Captain William Gregg's company, of Antrim, September 27, 1814, for sixty days. Samuel Matthews, Daniel Lakin and Benjamin Tuttle serves as privates from September 11 to September 28, 1814 in Captain Afred Smith's company, Fourth Regiment, detached militia. Whitcomb Way enlisted for sixty days September 26, 1814, in Captain Josiah Bellows' company, of the First Battalion, detached militia. John Robinson, ditto. Ebenezer Hubbard served in Captain McNeil's company, Eleventh United States Infantry, for two months, from July 1, 1813. Otis Wheeler and Timothy Paige were educated at West Point. Mr. Wheeler held the rank of captain in the regular United States army and served in the Florida War. He was also long in service in Louisiana and Arkansas, and died recently in Missouri, leaving one son a judge, and one a United States marshal. Mr. Paige served under General Harrison in the Indian wars. He was stationed at one time at New Orleans, and for a time had command at Key West. He held the rank of lieutenant in the regular army. CIVIL WAR In the late Civil War, Hancock bore a fair share of the burden SECOND REGIMENT Captain Ephraim Weston commanded Company G, Second Regiment; died December 9, 1861. Sylvester C. Duncklee was a private in the same company; mustered June 5, 1861; severely wounded July 2, 1863; mustered out June 21, 1864. His father, Sylvester J. Duncklee, subsequently enlisted as a recruit in the same company; was wounded at Gettysburg, and discharged for disability. John A. Cummings enlisted at Peterborough; but he was a son of Hancock; first lieutenant November 30, 1861; captain April 23, 1862; discharged to accept promotion (major of cavalry) April 5, 1864; is now ex-mayor of Sommerville, Mass. Frank L. Gray enlisted November 28, 1861; second lieutenant April 20, 1863; severely wounded May 12, 1864. Charles E. Barker enlisted corporal November 28, 1861; drowned in the Potomac August 13, 1862. Henry A. Barker enlisted November 28, 1861; discharged for disability January 19, 1863. Myron J. Duncklee enlisted December 10, 1861; died January 20, 1862. Albert L. Murphy enlisted November 28, 1861; re-enlisted December 27, 1863; was wounded in service. Willis A. Nuthing [sic Nutting] enlisted November 28, 1861; mustered out November 27, 1864. Charles M. Shelden enlisted November 28, 1861; mustered out November 27, 1864. Harlen P. Knight enlisted as a recruit in August 1862; killed at Fredericksburg December 21, 1862. Gardner, his brother, enlisted at the same time from Nelson. This regiment was in twenty-five regular battles, or forty engagements in all. SEVENTH REGIMENT Heber J. Davis, second lieutenant Company I, July 19, 1863; first lieutenant Company A., February 6, 1864; was on the staff of General Hawley; was severely wounded at Fredericksburg. Alden S. Johnson, Company K -- Regiment; enlisted October 12, 1861; discharged February 12, 1863. EIGHTH REGIMENT Jesse Wilson, enlisted December 23, 1861; discharged for disability April 10, 1862. THIRTEENTH REGIMENT William H. Clark, enlisted September 19, 1862; wounded September 22, 1864. Samuel Hadley, enlisted September 19, 1862. G.W. Matthews, enlisted September 19, 1862; discharged November 30, 1863. Myren R. Todd, enlisted September 19, 1862; died May 18, 1863. Porter B. Weston, enlisted September 19, 1862. Edwin Ware, corporal, promoted to first sergeant and to lieutenant, enlisted September 19, 1862; wounded four times. Charles W. Washburn, musician, enlisted September 19, 1862. This regiment was in about fifteen regular battles, among which were Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Fort Harrison, etc., and was the first to enter Richmond after Lee's retreat. SIXTEENTH REGIMENT, COMPANY G Alden S. Wood, enlisted October 24, 1862; first sergeant, November 13, 1862; mustered out August 20, 1863. Albert A. Buxten, enlisted November 13, 1862; mustered out August 20, 1863. Elverton G.W. Duncklee, enlisted October 13, 1862; mustered out August 20, 1863 Horace Farrer, enlisted October 24, 1862; died at Baton Rouge, La, June 23, 1863. James H. Johnson, enlisted October 24, 1862; drowned at Springfield Landing, July 2, 1863. Edward P. Kimball, enlisted October 24, 1862; mustered out August 20, 1863. Hartwell H. Shepherd, enlisted November 24, 1862; died on his way home. David L. Wood, enlisted October 24, 1862; died at Baton Rouge, La., July 12, 1863. The service of this regiment was short, but it suffered severely from the climate and hard marches. Coryden D. Keyes and his son, Owen B., were in the Sixteenth Regiment, They enlisted from Wilton, but they had always lived in Hancock, and their monuments are here. The father died at Baton Rouge, La., June 28, 1863, and the son at Cairo, ILL, August 20, 1863. Franklin Due, served three years in Company C., Fourth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers. Horace Bowers was a member of Company H., Twenty-third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. James H. Bugbee enlisted in an Indiana regiment, but was counted from this town. He was killed at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. Albert Bugbee was in the Twelfth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers; mustered in September 17, 1861, and served nearly four years. He was twice wounded, being in nineteen engagements. John C. Wilkins was a member of the Thirteenth Massachusetts Battery. John A. Bullard, enlisted from Peterborough in the Thirteenth Regiment but he was many years a citizen of Hancock, and was buried here. Charles L. Symonds was a member of Company I., One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Regiment, and died in the service. Albert H. Taft, of Nelson, but for several years afterward a citizen and physician of Hancock, was mustered into Company E., Ninth Regiment, as corporal, August 6, 1862; discharged for disability September, 1863. William W. Hayward was mustered into the Thirteenth Regiment Maine Volunteers, September 26 1864, as chaplain; mustered out on account of expiration of regimental organization, January 6, 1865; was offered a commission as chaplain of Second Maine Cavalry in March 1865, but declined to serve. James Emory Boutelle, enlisted in the Second Company, Massachusetts Cavalry, in 1862. He was severely wounded at Fredericksburg. Charles A. Wood was the first volunteer enrolled in Wisconsin, his adopted State, in April 1861; made orderly-sergeant of Company H, First Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers; elected captain August 1, 1861; made lieutenant-colonel Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers November 2, 1861; resigned on surgeon's certificate June 28, 1863. The parents of Major-General John Gray Foster were natives of Hancock. It is not necessary to give a sketch of his eminent services here, as there is a notice of him in the history of Nashua, which was for many years his home and where he was buried. Several patriotic citizens of Hancock put in substitutes. Some of these "subs" served faithfully, but more deserted. **** ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY [CHURCH] **** At a town-meeting held April 24, 1780, it was voted that the meeting-house and burying-place be on Norway Plain. This was a little more than five months after the town was incorporated. On the 8th of June, the same year, it was voted that money be raised to hire preaching. The sum of money raised each year to sustain preaching was small, only enough for four or six Sundays. Most of the meetings were held at the house, or rather the barn, of Mr. Joseph Symonds. The Congregational Church was organized in August 1788. It consisted of seven female and ten male members--John Cummings, Sarah Cummings, William Williams, Mary Williams, James Hosley, Joseph Symonds, Mile Symonds, Joseph Dodge, Molly Dodge, James Duncan, Salmon Wood, Sybel Wood, John Bowers, Elizabeth Bowers, Samuel Turrell, Abner Whitcomb, and Susanna Gates. The first pastor of the church, Rev. Reed Paige, A.M. was ordained September 20, 1791. Mr. Paige was born in Hardwick, Mass., August 30, 1764. He was the son of Colonel Timothy Paige (a gentleman of ability, who filled a number of important stations, both civil and military, with fidelity and honor). He was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1786, studied divinity with Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, Mass, was a Hopkinsian of the straightest sect and, what was then very unusual among the orthodox clergy, was an ardent Democrat in politics. He published two ordination sermons, an election sermon, 1805, and several others on different occasions. He is described in the "Gazeteer" of New Hampshire "as a learned, pious, able and faithful minister, a good citizen, an honest and upright man, a firm patriot, and zealous and able advocate of his country's rights, which very much endeared him to the people of his charge, who frequently elected him to represent his town in the State Legislature, of which he was a member at the time of his death." Mr. Paige died, much lamented, July 22, 1816. During the six years after the death of Mr. Paige, the pulpit was supplied by different ministers. An attempt was amde to settle some of them, but no one seemed able to unite all the elements in the town until December 25, 1822, when Rev. Archibald Burgess was ordained. Until about the year 1817 or 1818 the town was the parish. At that time the town ceased to act, and a society was organized to act in conjunction with the church. Mr. Burgess was the son of Asa Burgess, and was born in Canterbury, Conn. [CT] February 2, 1790. He was a graduate of Yale College in the class of 1814. He was a strong man, and was decidedly of the opinion that it would be for the best elements within his own church. When he was aroused few men were his superiors, or were more active than he. No one could sympathize more tenderly with the sorrowing and the afflicted. He died February 7, 1850. His successor, Rev. Asahel Bigelow, was installed May 15, 1850. Mr. Bigelow was born in Boylston, Mass., May 14, 1797. He was the son of Andrew Bigelow. He graduated at Harvard College in 1823. Soon after he went to the seminary at Andover, where he graduated. He was ordained at Walpole, Mass, in 1828. He had there a pastorate of twenty-one years. His work in Hancock was eminently successful. Reared in the severe school of adversity, and coming to Hancock in the mature years of his manhood, with an earnest Christian spirit, he endeared himself to all who became acquainted with him. August 16, 1877 at the ripe age of fourscore, he passed on to the higher life. Rev. Hervey Gulick, the present pastor of the church was born March 27, 1846. His ancestors for generations have resided in Northampton County, PA. He graduated from Pennsylvania College in 1868. He studied and began the practice of law; but finding his profession uncongenial, he abandoned it and entered Union Theological Seminary, from which he was called to preach at Hancock. He was ordained and installed pastor of the church November 5, 1879, the hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town. He has proved himself to be a Christian gentleman, and it is to be desired that his term of office will be as long as that of his predecessors. BAPTIST CHURCH As early as 1792, John Cummings asked to be relieved from his ministerial tax, presenting as a reason therefore a certificate from a Baptist minister in Hollis. In 1798, there was a town warrant the following article:-- "To see if the town will exempt those who profess to belong to a Baptist society in this town from paying toward Mr. Paige's salary this present year, or a longer term if they shall think best." Nine men were exmpted. A Baptist Church was organized May 6, 1850. It was an offshoot from the church then known as the Baptist Church of Hancock and Society Land. Services were sustained until 1852, when the church ceased to be active. Several pastors served the church; but as no records have come to hand, the compiler will give from memory the names of Revs. Mr. Pierce, Frederick Paige, Lorenzo Tandy and Mr. Guilford. UNIVERSALIST CHURCH In 1822, Rev. Lemuel Willis, then a young man, was instrumental in forming a Universalist society, that sustained preaching at intervals for nearly forty years. METHODIST CHURCH About the same date, Rev. Zenas Adams, from Marlow, organized a Methodist Church, which has also ceased to exist. UNITARIAN CHURCH In the interval between the pastorates of Mr. Paige and Mr. Burgess, several Unitarian clergymen occupied the pulpit of the church at different times. There was also growing out of the anti-slavery movement some trouble in the church; fifteen or more became what were then known as "Come-outers." The Miller excitement in 1843 had its share of attention, but the steady hand of Mr. Burgess guided his church safely through it all. LATTER DAY SAINTS An apostle of what was known as the "Latter-Day Saints" visited the town, and once, at least, occupied the church, but it is not recorded that he made any converts. ****** MEETING-HOUSES ****** The first meeting house, as has already been recorded, was built after a long struggle in 1790. It was a plain structure, without steeple and without bell. In 1819 it burned to the ground. In 1820 a new church more commodious than the first, was erected, with comparatively little effort. In one day the pews were sold for seven thousand dollars. In 1851 this church was removed from nearly the centre of the common to a position deemed more suitable, and repaired, and modernized, having an attractive audience-room in the upper story and a commodious town hall below. There was a small Methodist meeting-house built in the western part of the town some years ago, but not a vestige of it remains. In 1836 the Congregational Society erected a two-story brick building, the upper story of which is used for a school and the lower story for a chapel. The chapel has within a few years been remodeled, and is at the present time one of the most attractive rooms for the purpose for which it is used that can be found anywhere. MINISTERS The sons and descendants of Hancock who have entered the ministry can be counted by scores, among whom we will mention Rev. BROWN EMERSON, who, after a course of study with his pastor, Rev. Mr. Page, [sic Paige] was a pastor sixty-eight years, most, if not all, the time in Salem, Mass. Two of his brothers, Noah and Reuben, were also ministers of the gospel. REV. WILLIAM CLARK, D.D. (son of John Clark of Hancock, and grandson of William Clark, of New Boston) was born September 28, 1798. He fitted for college at Bradford Academy, and was graudated at Dartmouth in 1822, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1827. He was employed as an agent for the A.B.C.F. missions in Massachusetts and Connecticut until he settled over the Congregational Church in Wells, Me., in 1829. After a pleasant and profitable pastorate of six years, he was again called into the general service of the Congregational Church of New England. During forty consecutive years he acted successfully as agent of the American Tract Society at the West District, secretary for the Northern New England of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and secretary of New Hampshire Home Missionary Society. Dartmouth College conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity on Mr. Clark in 1875. On retiring from official labor, in 1876, he became a permanent resident of Amherst, N.H. Mr. Clark responded to the sentiment "The Clergy of Hancock," at the centennial of the town, as did another descendant of Hancock, Rev. Josiah L. Seward, of Lowell, Mass, a prominent representative of the Unitarian denomination. We would also mention REV. HORACE W. WARTHEN, who is now a leading preacher and worker in the Methodist denomination in the State of Vermont; Rev. Ared S., son of Jonas Lakin, presiding elder of the Marion District, Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church and Rev. F.M. Chapin, now a missionary of the American Board at Kalgan, North China, who unites in his veins the blood of the families of Wheeler, Knight and Goodhue, all belonging to Hancock. ORLAND EATON, ESQ.-1 The Eatons of this country trace back their ancestry to five early emigrants,-- I. Francis Eaton, who, with his wife Sarah, came over in the "Mayflower," in 1620. II. John and Abigail Eaton who came in 1635, and settled in Dedham, Mass, where members of the family continue to reside. JOHN-7 EATON occupies the ancient homestead of his ancestors. Hon. Dorman B. Beaton, now the head of the Civil Service Commission, is of this branch. III. William and Martha Eaton settled in Reading, Mass., about 1636. Ex-United States Senator Eaton, of Connecticut, represents this branch. IV. Jonas and Grace Eaton came to Reading, Mass. about 1640. The wife of Rev. Mr. Gulick, of Hancock, is descended from that family. V. John and Ann Eaton settled in Haverhill, Mass., about 1644. Among their descendants we notice General John Eaton, United States commissioner of education. The Eatons of Hancock are descended from John and Abigail Eaton, who settled in Dedham, Mass. in 1635. John-1, John-2 and William-3 lived and died in Dedham. WILLIAM-3 EATON married Mary Starr, a grand-daughter of George Bunker, of Charlestown, Mass., who was the owner of the top of "that hill of glory" (see "History of the Star Family"). His son, JEREMIAH-4 EATON married Elizabeth Woodcock in 1751, and settled in Needham, Mass., dying there about 1800. He had four sons and four daughters. Three of the daughters died young. The youngest, Alice-5 married Ebenezer Ware of Hancock. All the sons removed to Hancock. JEREMIAH-5 EATON remained unmarried; MOSES-5, LEMUEL-5 and SAMUEL-5 married and had families; many of their descendants are now living in Hancock and neighboring towns. LEMUEL-5 EATON was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; he was present when Washington took command of the army at Cambridge. He was disabled from doing military duty in the later years of the war by the bursting of a gun, which tore off his left thumb. He married Sarah, daughter of Ebenezer and Esther (Hunting) Ware, of Needham, February 16, 1792 and removed to Hancock the same year, where he was a useful citizen. His oldest son, LEMUEL-6 EATON was born October 17, 1794. Lemuel-6 was a man respected by his townsmen. He served several years on the Board of Selectmen, being a member of the board when the separation took place between the town and the new town of Bennington (the other members being John I. Whittemore and Samuel Knight). He married Eunice, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Chandler) Jewett, of Nelson, June 2, 1831. Their only child, ORLAND-7 EATON, was born July 11, 1836. He is one of the few men in the town who retain the old homestead of the first settlers of the name. His advantages for education were such as were afforded by the common schools and the academy of his native town. He early developed a taste for historical and genealogical research. He was the prime mover for the celebration of the centennial of the incorporation of his native town in 1879, and as chairman of the town history committee, and as its agent, he has been indefatigable. Without his persistent and earnest efforts the undertaking would have been a distastrous failure. Letter have been sent all over the country, and a rich harvest of facts have thereby been garnered, which, in due time, will be given to the world. Mr. Eaton served four years as one of the selectmen of the town, and one year as its representative to the Legislature. He has held a commission as justice of the peace over fifteen years. Desiring railroad facilities for the town, he drew up, signed and circulated a petition to the selectmen for the call of the town-meeting at which Hancock voted its gratituity to the Manchester and Keene Railroad, which voted decided the question in regard to the locality of the road, not only bringing it through Hancock, instead of Peterborough, but also making necessary the Peterborough and Hillsborough Railroad with the junction in Hancock. At the age of twenty-two Mr. Eaton united with the Congregational Church, and has been either a teacher in, or the superintendent of, its Sabbath-school nearly every year since that time. He was chosen deacon of the church in October 1874, and has been re-elected by a unanimous ballot for the same position, holding it at the present time. He married Almeda E., daughter of Sherburn and Hannah (Poddleford) Barker, of Hancock, November 2, 1861. Mrs. Eaton is the seventh from Richard Barker, of Andover, Mass.,-- Richard-1, Ebenezer-2, Philemon-3, Ebenezer-4, Jessie-5, Sherburn-6, Almeda-7. They have no children; an adopted child of much promise, Albert Orland, died June 19, 1883. REV. WILLIAM WILLIS HAYWARD, B.D. the subject of this sketch was born in Hancock, NH October 17, 1834. His ancestors were identified with the earlier colonial and Revolutionary history of Concord, Mass. JOSEPH HAYWARD, the fifth in regular descent from George Hayward, of Concord (1635-71) emigrated with his wife Rebecca, daughter of Colonel Charles Prescott, to Dublin, NH and settled on the shores of that most beautiful of all the small inland lakes of that picturesque region. At the age of twenty, Charles Prescott Hayward, born in Concord, son of the above, settled in Hancock, where he soon after married Sarah Mason, of Dublin. Charles Hayward, the seventh from George, of Concord, born February 22, 1806; married Ann Lakin, November 15, 1833. Miss Lakin, we find in the record, was the great-granddaughter of William Lakin, the third man who settled in Hancock; also the great-granddaughter of Moses Morrison, the second settler in Hancock. We find, also, that both the father and grandfather of Miss Lakin--the mother of the subject of our sketch--were closely identified with the interests of the town for a period covering half a century. William Willis Hayward, born October 17, 1834, is, therefore, the eighth in descent from George Hayward, who settled in Concord in A.D. 1635. Before proceeding, let us go back to the earlier period in history of William Willis-8 Hayward. We find that George-1 Hayward's estate yielded an income of five hundred and six pounds,--a large amount in those early days. In the direct line we find the name of Joseph-2, the third child and second son, who married Hannah Hosmer in 1665, who died, when he married Elizabeth Treadwell, in 1667. The youngest child of this marriage was Simeon H.-3, born in 1683, who married Rebecca Hartwell, in 1705. The wife of Simeon lived to be the great age of ninety-four. She died in 1776, Simeon having died in 1719 at a comparatively early age. In the wife of Simeon-3 we have a connecting link between the colonial and Revolutionary periods of American history, in which Joseph-4 Hayward, the fifth son by the marriage of Simeon Hayward and Rebecca Hartwell, became a conspicuous character. He married Abigail Hosmer. His son Joseph married Rebecca Prescott, a daughter of Colonel Charles Prescott, who was a leading man in Concord during the entire Revolutionary War. [Colonel Prescott was the son of Dr. Jonathan Prescott, of Concord, and was descended from Sir James Prescott, of Standish, Hull, England]. The social positions of Colonel Prescott were such in those times as to greatly enhance the value of a family relation possessed of so much military tact and dash as Joseph Hayward displayed upon many trying occasions. In the French War he became noted for his courage and skill. Soon after, when the storm of the Revolution burst upon Lexington and Concord, Lieutenant Hayward, by his undaunted bravery, captured a British soldier after having slain his two comrades with his own hand, actually seizing from one of them a gun as it was pointed at his own person from the window of the room where they were concealed. He then seized upon two chaises in Cambridge, slaying a hostile occupant in each, and brought the chaises to Concord. [One of the guns captured was still owned by his son in 1835 (See Shattuck's Concord)] NOTE--"Advertisement in the Essex Gazette of the 10th of May, 1775-- "Lieut. Joseph Hayward, of Concord, gives notice that on the nineteenth of April last, in the Fight, he took from the Regulars in Monotomy, a Horse and Chaise. The Chaise was owned by Mr. Reuben Brown, of Concord. What remains in his hands is a mouse-colored Horse near 13 hands high, -- old, poor and dull, a good Bed Quilt, Tawnny on both sides; a good Camlet Riding hood, brown color; one Pillow and a piece of Bed-Tick. The owner may have them by telling the mark and paying the charge of this advertisement." Thus is will be seen that the subject of this sketch can boast an ancestry of which any New Englander can be proud. His early educational advantages were such as were at the time offered in the country towns of New England, supplemented by some two years at the academies in Hancock, Peterborough and Francestown, and one season at the New England Normal Institute, in Lancaster, Mass. He taught in the country schools nine winters, and subsequently three terms in a private school. His success as a teacher was marked. At the age of twenty-one he was chosen as a member of the superintending committee of schools in Hancock, and at later periods served one year as superintendent of schools, in Newfane, Vt.; three years on the School Board in Keene, NH; and one year as superintendent of schools in that city. He spent about two years in private study with Rev. Lemuel Willis, of Warner, NH; was ordained as a Universalist minister June, 1859. Subsequently he spent two years at Tuft's Divinity School, and took the degree of B.D. in 1871. He has had settlements in Newfane, Vt.; Fairfield, Me; in Wakefield, Acton, Methuen, Plymouth and South Framingham, Mass., and Keene, NH, besides several short engagements elswhere. His present residence is South Framingham. On September 7, 1859, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ellen Chase, of Keene, NH, a daughter of Mr. Hosea Chase, a near relative of Hon. Salmon P. Chase, who for over twenty-five years, has ever proved an efficient helpmeet to him, beloved by all. He served a few months as chaplain of the Thirteenth Maine Volunteers during the late war, and proved himself as one willing to share with the soldiers in the perils of the field, as well as in the comparative safety of the camp and hospital. It was during the brief experiences of Mr. Hayward with the army in Virginia (now West Virginia) that he was joined by his wife at Martinsburg, then Sheridan's base of supplies, who was winning great and constant victories in the valley of the Shenandoah. The little army at Martinsburg, therefore, was the object of repeated and untiring attacks on the part of the Confederates, led chiefly by Mosby, the noted guerrilla. Mrs. Hayward reached Martinsburg, to the surprise of her husband, by a night ride from Baltimore at a time when firing upon the night-trains over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was a constant occurrence; and her whole sojourn with the army was marked by this same spirit that always captivates the soldier. She was a splendid horsewoman--so rare an accomplishment--and even appeared on the field. Nor did she fail to improve her opportunity to minister in a Christian, womanly way to the welfare of those with whom she met in the hospital,--writing letters for the sick and wounded and taking care of money for their families, which she concealed in times of danger about her person. God cared for her in the midst of many dangers. The length of this sketch only leaves room to add a few words as to the literary ability of the subject of this article as a preacher and lecturer, whose genial soul shows itself in all he does. With all his ability, --of no ordinary cast,--his heart is ever orthodox, in the truest sense, as a preacher, and as a lecturer he is always welcome. His centennial address will be remembered by all the citizens of Hancock, and also the beautiful lecture on Longfellow by all who heard it. ******** TOWN OFFICERS ******** Prior to 1795, Hancock was classed with Antrim and other towns, and represented by Hon. John Duncan of Antrim, most of the time. Rev. Reed Paige, the representative for 1816, died during the year, and David Hanor was chosen to fill the vacancy. 1779-Jonathan Bennet, town clerk 1780, 1781, 1783, Robert Duncan, town clerk 1782, 1788, Joseph Symonds, town clerk 1784, 1789 James Duncan, town clerk 1785, 1786, John Dodge, town clerk 1787, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1796-1804 James Hosley, town clerk 1788, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1810-1812 Joseph Symonds town clerk 1795-1797 Samuel Gordon, representative 1798-1808 William Brooks, representative 1805 David Wood, town clerk 1808, 1809-Samuel Gates, town clerk 1810-1814, Reed Paige, representative 1813-1827 John Whitcomb, town clerk 1815, 1817 David Nahor representative 1816 Reed Paige, representative 1818-1821, 1829, 1836 Thatcher Bradford, representative 1822-1824 Andrew Wallace, representative 1825, 1826, 1828, 1830 Joseph Symonds, representative 1827, Henry Whitcomb, representative 1828-1830 Jonas Hutchinson, town clerk 1831, 1832 Amos Whitemore, representative 1832-1840, John Whitcomb, town clerk 1833-1835 Jonas Hutchinson, representative 1837-1839 Kendall Gray, representative 1840-1841, David Patten representative 1841-1842, Goodyear Bassett, town Clerk 1842 Goodyear Bassett, representative 1843-1846, 1848-1849 Joseph Davis, town clerk 1843-1844 Ebenezer Ware, representative 1845-1847 Abijah Hadley, representative 1847, Rodney S. Lakin, town clerk 1848-1849 Clark C. Boutwell, representative 1851-1865 Ambrose C. Blood, town clerk [other town clerks and representatives found in the original document, not included here] ******** BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ******** JOSEPH DAVIS Oliver, David and Jonas Davis, three brothers, came from Leominster, Mass., and settled in Hancock, NH in 1794 or 1795, being the third generation in this country. Eleazer Davis, their grandfather, emigrated from England about the year 1730. He served in the French and Indian War. When peace was declared, the body of troops with which he was connected was discharged far away from white settlement, and on their way home many died for want of food and clothing, subsisting for many days on bark, nut and berries. ELEAZER DAVIS made his way home successfully, after enduring hardships and privations for many days, nearly famished. Oliver Davis, son of Eleazer, was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War, being one of the Minute-Men of those days. When the intelligence came that the British were marching to Concord, he shouldered his old musket, and was present at the battle of Bunker Hill, where, for lack of ammunition, they fought the red-coats with the butts of their guns. OLIVER DAVIS, grandson of Eleazer Davis and son of Oliver Davis Sr., was born in Harvard, Mass., May 12, 1767; married Sally Pollard, by whom he had six daughters and one son. After the death of his first wife he married Relief Heath, by whom he had seven more children,-- five sons and two daughters. Having only a small farm and a large family to support, he found it advisable to sell and buy one where he could farm more extensively by giving employment to his boys and maintain his family easier. He was successful in selling his place in Hancock, where he first settled, and moved to Acworth, NH, in 1822, where he lived until his decease in 1851. The older boys were hired out, while the younger ones were kept at home to help do the work on the home place. He exacted all the wages for labor of his boys till they became of age, when he would say, "Now, boys, I have nothing to give you; go and do the best you can and be good boys," which was one of the best legacies ever bequeathed to children, for they all know how to work, and succeeded in getting a good living. JOSEPH DAVIS, the subject this biographical sketch, was the fourth son and fifth child of the second marriage, born in Hancock, Hillsborough County, January 14, 1813; lived at home till he was sixteen, when he was let out to work for Dr. Stephen Carlton, of Acworth, a man of high attainments, sound judgement and good abilities, one who stood high in his profession. He represented his town in the Legislature the two years he lived with him. It was during these two years that he obtained much useful information from those who had received a liberal education by being in their society, observing their manners and listening to their discussion. These influences made a strong impression on his mind, and he determined he would some day teach a district school, if nothing more. The doctor had a large library, to which Joseph had access, and which he read every opportunity that presented, from which he received much knowledge and useful information. The next three years of his minority, Joseph was hired out to Hon. Amos Perkins, of Unity, NH one of the most influential men of the town, of strong mind, good abilities, and sound common sense. From him he derived much knowledge in respect to transacting business, which information he was ever ready to give, as he was well posted, both in regard to men and parties of that time. He was a gentleman of the old school, whom every one loved and respected. Therefore, being in the society and under the advice and good influence of such men of business talent and learning, it only stimulated him to greater exertions to procure an education as soon as he could obtain means to do it. His father, being humble in circumstances, was not able to educate his children beyond what learning they could obtain from the common district schools, which were only open six or eight weeks in the summer and usually the same in winter. The next season after he was twenty-one, he worked out, and earned money enough to pay his expenses to attend the academy at Cavendish, Vt., which was a very flourishing instition at the time. Among the students who attended that term was Dr. A.A. Miner, now of Boston. At the close of the term, he received from the preceptor a certificate of recommendations as well qualified to teach, which was a great help to him in obtaining a school. He engaged a school that winter ten dollars per month, for fifteen weeks, and boarded around with the parents of the scholars, which was usual in those times. Being successful in his first school, he was greatly encouraged and continued to teach, working summers and teaching winters, earning money sufficient to pay his expenses of books, clothes and to go to school spring and fall terms. After the first term at Cavendish he attended the literary and scientific institution at Hancock, where he went three years at fall and spring terms. After closing his studies at that institution he devoted his early life to teaching, which was his delight, and the height of his ambition was to be in a school-room giving instruction to the young. He followed teaching for over thirty years, from six to eight months each year. Being successful in his employment, his wages increased from ten to fifty dollars per month, including board. He taught the graded school in Milford, Wilton and Greenfield, also a select school at Hillsborough Bridge. He was employed to take charge of the select school in South Orange, Mass., two years, and the graded school in Lincoln, Mass., one year. During the thirty years as a teacher he had from fifteen to two thousand different scholars, who went forth to different parts of the world to play their part in the great drama of life. In 1840 he married Mrs. Eliza B. Wallace, widow of Dr. John Wallace of Milford, N.H. She was young and accomplished, endowed with a strong and active mind and of high moral and intellectual qualities. She was social, pleasant and dignified in every position she was called to fill. The sick and distressed were objects of her care and sympathy, never hesitating to go, when duty called, to watch with the sick or assist in helping to relieve the sorrows of those whose friends had died. Her maiden-name was Eliza Burns. She was of Scotch descent, being the third generation in this country. At the time Davis married her she had one son, by Dr. Wallace, by the name of John J. Wallace, who is now living in Peoria, IL. By the second marriage she had two children,--Charles J. and Emma C. Davis. Emma C. died when two years old. Charles J. married Sarah Twiss, by whom he had three children when she died. He married afterwards; went to Palatka, Fla, where he died July 2, 1883. Soon after Joseph Davis married he settled in Hancock, NH, his native town, opened a store, where he continued in the mercantile business some ten years, and at the same time continued to teach winters, while his clerk carried on the trade of the store. In 1850 he sold out his stock of goods and purchased a small farm, devoting his time to agricultural pursuits, still continuing his school-teaching each year. He was elected town clerk, to which office he was elected eleven years at different times; was chairman of the Board of Selectmen three years, town treasurer and superintending school committee fifteen years, and, in 1850 and 1851, was chosen representative to the General Court. Such testimony to his fidelity and ability by his friends and fellow-citizens was highly appreciated. He endeavored to discharge the duties of the offices to which he was chosen faithfully and acceptably. He was employed doing business at the Probate Courts for many years in settling and helping others to settle estates. He was appointed justice of the peace in 1851, and now holds a commission of justice of the peace and quorum throughout the State. Thus, by his own exertions, industry, perseverance and economy, he secured his own education, earned his own money, paid for his own schooling, and, in fact, he is what we call a self-made man, ever social, pleasant and jovial with his friends and neighbors, and one for whom they show much kindness and respect. By strict adherence to the discharge of his duty when business called he has been able to accumulate sufficient means to enable him to pass the remainder of his life with ease and comfort at his old homestead at Hancock, his native town, with his friends and fellow-citizens, passing quietly down the stream of life till he sleeps with his fathers. (end)