HISTORY OF TEMPLE, 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. TEMPLE, NH CHAPTER I p. 672 The town of Temple lies on the southwestern part of the county and is bounded as follows: North, by Peterborough, Greenfield and Lyndeborough; east by Lyndeborough and Wilton; south, by Mason and New Ipswich; west, by Sharon and Peterborough. This township embraced several tracts of land granted to individuals by the government of Massachusetts prior to 1740. The territory was granted by the Masonian proprietors in November, 1750, with the usual reservations. For some years it was called Peterborough Slip, and included the present town of Sharon. The town was incorporated August 26, 1768, and include one tier of lots on the west side of Wilton and the easterly portion of what was formerly known as Peterborough Slip or Sliptown, and was named for Hon. John Temple. EPHRAIM HEALD was authorized to call the first town-meeting, which duty he performed, and the meeting was held at the house of ZEDEKIAH DRURY, October 10, 1768. A dispute concerning a strip of land between this town and New Ipswich resulted in favor of Temple. By an act passed January 12, 1781, a tract of land containing about four hundred acres, lying north of this town, called Borland's farm, was annexed to Temple. January 29, 1789, some territory was severed from the southeast corner of Peterborough, and annexed to this town. By an act of approved June 11, 1796, a considerable tract of land was severed from Lyndeborough and annexed to Temple. PETITION FOR INCORPORATION--The following is a copy of the petition for the incorporation of the town: "We, the Inhabitants of a place Called Peterborougth Slip, in Sd province Humbly petetion your Excellency and Honours That where as The Monadnucks Mountains Runs a Cross our Township, which is Impractable For Roads, So That we Cannot Settle The public Worship of God on one side of the Mountains so as to aComodate the other side of the Mountains, where fore we Humbley pray That we May Be in Vested with Town prevelidges To The following Bounds: To wit,--Be Ginning att peterborough, Southeast Corner, Running west on sd peterborough Line Til it Comes to a Beech Tree marked, Being the Northwest Corner of the Lott, No. Eleven, in the Eighth Range of Lots in Sd peterboroughslip, Then Running South Between the Eleventh & Twelveth Lots, on a Line marked on the pinnacle of The Mountains til it Comes to the North west Corner of the Lot Eleven, in the Sixth Range, Still Running on the pinnacle of the Mountain, Through the Lots Twelve in the Sixth and fifth Ranges, on a Line marked to a Spruce Tree, Being the North west Corner of the Lot Twelve in the Fourth Range, Still Running on the pinnacle of the Mountain, Through the Lots Twelve in the Sixth and fifth Ranges, on a Line marked to a Spruce Tree, Being the North west Corner of the Lot Twelve in the Fourth Range, Still Runing on the pinnacle of the Mountain, Through the lots in the fourth Range and fourteen & Fifteen in the Third Range, on a line marked on the pinnacle of the Mountains to a white maple att the foot of the Mountain Called and Known By the Name of Moffetts Treet, Then Runing west about fifteen Rods to the west Line to New Ipswich North Line, Then Running a bout East on New Ipswich North Line To the Southeast Corner of Sd petersboroughSlip, Still Runing East on wilton South Line the Length of Two Lots, Then Runing North Between the Eighth & Nineth Ranges of Lots in Sd wilton, inCludeing Two Teer of Lots to Linds Borough South Line, Then Runing West on wilton North line and peterborough Slip North Line To peterborough East Line, Then Runing South on peterborough East Line to the South East Corner first mentioned--all So we Humbley pray your Excellency & Honours That the Loss of Wilton may be maid up To Them By your annexing a Tract of Land to Them on the East side of wilton Called and known By The Name of the Mild Slip, and we in Duty Bound Ever pray: & : C peterboroughslip: 11: April, 1768 "Francis Blood, John Marshall, Ephraim Heald, Committee." This petition (above), however, was not granted, and on the 10th of the following June a second petition was presented, as follows: "To His Excellency Governor Wentworth and His Majesty's COuncil in the Province of New Hampshire: "Where as the Monadnock Mountains Runs a Crost our Township of peterboroughslip which is Impracticable for Roads so that we Cannot be accomodated to settle the publick worship of God so as to be Conveanant for the Inhabetents on both sides of the Mountain we the Inhabitants on the East side of the Mountains Humbry pray your Excellency and Honours that we may Have part of wilton annxed to us or that we may be annexed to wilton from the penicle of the mountains a Greable to the Bounds set forth in the petition laid before your Excellency and Honours by our Commitee the fourth of may Last and we in duty Bound shall Every Pray &C-- "Peterborough Slip June 10, 1768 "Zedekiah drury, Thomas marshall, Seth Cobb, Jonathan Blood Jur., Joseph Health, Jonathan Drury, Albe Serverance, John Cutler, John Cutler Junr., Benja Cutler, Jonathan Drury, Juner, Joseph richard sen., John marshall, Ebenezer Drury< Francis Blood, Zacheus Richardson, Oliver Heald, Josiah Robins, Artemas Maynard, John Maynard, Stephen Cobb, Eldad Spafford, Petter Heald, Zedekiah Drury Juner, Nathan Drury, Garshom Drury, thomas Drury, Stephen parlin, John Heald, Zechariah Emery, Daniel Drury, William Brewer, Joshua Todd, Abijah Gould, Joshua Foster, Ezekiel Goodale, James Foster, Amos Emery, Ebenezer Drury Junr., Eleazer Taylor, Aaron Felit [Fellt], Peter Fellt, John Brown, Joseph Brooks, William Drury, Silas Anger, Jonathan Avery, Benja Cragin, Joseph Reed, Ephraim Heald." This petition was granted, and the town was incorporated, as mentioned above, August 26, 1768. DOCUMENTARY HISTORY RELATIVE TO SOME NEW YORK TORIES: Addressed to the Assembly, or Committee of Safety, 1776 "Having providentially met with some Suspicious Circumstances in the Appearance and Behaviour of four men passing thro' this Town-- We pursued and apprehended them--On examining them separately and together it Appeared plain from their own Account that they had been sent from some part of New York, by Committees in that Quarter, to Exeter on suspicion at least of unfriendliness to ye Cause of America--and that they had been allow'd a large Liberty of Yard at Exeter, which they improved in attempting an escape--their Names by their own Account are Stephen Hunt, Asa Brown, Jacob Motts, Elisha Rose--they do not pretend any of them to have done anything for America, but only as expresdy Called upon; tho' they would excuse themselves from any direct Opposition--We have sent 'em down to be disposed of as the Hond Court shall think proper-- "The expences of Apprehending and Conveying them to this Town we have expressed--in its particulars on a paper by itself--amounting to L2:19:6 "Temple, Decemr 30, 17767 "Saml Howard, David Spafford, John Cram Ju, Samll Webster, Ephraim Heald, Committee for the Town of Temple" "Received of the Town of Temple by the Committee the sum of Ninety Two Dollars in full for enlisting into the Continental service as a soldier in part of the Quota of the Town aforesaid of the three Battallions raising in the State of Newhampshire "John Hillsgrove "Temple, March 28, 1777. "Saml Webster "Testis" "Rec'd of the Town of Temple by the Committee the sum of Ninety Two Dollars in full for enlisting into the Continental service as a soldier in part of the Quota of the Town abovesaid, of the three Battallions raising in the State of New Hampshire "Temple, March 28, 1777 "John Milley" "Rec'd of John Cragin, Oliver Heald and Samuel Howard, Treasre and Receivers for the Town of Temple of the soldier Rate--The several sums affix'd to our Names for enlistment in ye Continental services-- we say Rec'd by us "James [his mark] Hutchinson, L10, 0, 0, 5--Aaron Oliver 30,0,0,6 "Elijah Mansfield 30,0,0, 7 -- John Drury 30, 0, 0, 8 "James [his mark] Hutchinson 20,0,0, "Temple, April the 7th 1777 "Test Saml Webster" April 9, 1777 Josiah Stone signed a similiar receipt for thirty pounds, and Benjamin Smith did the same April 7th of the same year. RECEIPTS FROM SOLDIERS' WIVES "Rec'd of the Selectmen of Temple tew bushels of Rye at 4-8 per bushel, my Husband Elijah Mansfield being a soldier in Col Scammils Regiment--I say Rec'd by me "Rebekah Mansfield "Temple, Janr 4: 1778" "Then Received Ten dollars of Archelaus Cummings one of the Committee to provide for the families of the Continental soldiers, my Husband, Elijah Mansfield being a soldier in Corl Scamils Regiment--I say Rec'd by me "Rebekah Mansfield "Temple, June 29 day 1778 "Received of Benja Tinney Jr. of Temple one of ye Committee for supplying ye families of ye soldiers in the Continental Army Five Bushils of Indian Corn at 3-s per bushil L0-18-4. Also one bushil of Rie at 4-8 pr bushil 0-4-8 -- My Husband Ebenezer Drury being a soldier in Colo Scammils Regmt Recvd by me "Miriam Drury "Temple, May 27--1779" Mrs. Drury also signed receipts as follows: "June 10, 1779, 1 bushel Corn "July 26, 1779, 2-1/2 bushel Rye, 1-1/2 of Corn, 6 qts Salt "Nov. 29, 1779, 4 bushel Rye, 2 of Corn of Ephraim Brown." "Received of Benja Cutter, one of the Committee for Temple, two bushils of Corn at 3-8-- and Nine pound of Cash "My husband being a Soldier in the Continental Army "Mary Hillsgrove "Temple April 1, 1779" Mrs. Hillsgrove also gave receipts as follows: "May 1779, bushel of Corn of John Patten "July 26, 1779, 1/2 bushel of Corn, 1/2 bushel of Rye and eight dollars in cash, of Capt. Gershom Drury "Nov. 25, 1779, 72 lbs of beef at 18 shillings, of Oliver Helad "Oct. 1, 1779, L3, 6, 0 cash "Dec. 7, 1779, L15,6, continental money, 2-1/4 bushels of Corn at 3-8 per bushel, 1-3/4 bushels of Rye at 4-8 pr bushel,--of Oliver Heald." PETITION OF WILLIAM DRURY, 1778: Addressed to the General Assemby, or Committee of Safety "William Drury of Temple in Colo Enoch Hale Rigm & Capt Gershom Drury's Company sheweth that he was Called upon to go to the Relief of Ticonderoga on the alarm in June Last that his hors went on request to carry packs and that at Charlestown No. 4 the Horse was taken out or brook out of Jotham Whites pasture and it was three weeks before I found him, and that I paid for Advertising sd horse and for a man and hors to Go afeter him and for straying and Keeping-- L2-6-0 "Wherefore your petitioner Humbly prays your Honours that He may be Repaid said sum of two pounds six shillings as he was Called upon to Go with his horse for the fence of that post and your petitioner as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray &:c "William Drury "Temple Febr 2th 1778" Sworn to before Francis Blood, justice of the peace. CAPT. ROBERT FLETCHER'S PETITION: Addressed to the Council and Assembly, 1779 "The petition of Capt Robert Fletcher of Temple in the County of Hillsborough and State aforesaid--Humbly sheweth that your petitioner COmmanded a Company in the voentear in Colo Enoc Hales Rigement on the Island of Road Island in the Month of August last--that Henry Spaulding of Stodard [sic Stoddard] was in my Company the whole time a soldier that your petitioner carried a list of the Company to the Committee on Claims and they maid out a Muster Roll and Gave me an Abstract that I did not compair the Roll Nor Abstract with my list Given in till I came home--that said Henry Spalding was not in the Roll Nor Abstract and that I did pay his waiges out of My own pocket at His Request as by his order May appear--Therefore your petetioner Humbly prays that the wages of sd Henry may be Repaid to Me which was twelve pounds two shillings and your petetioner as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pay &c-- "Robert Fletcher "Temple, March ye 2d 1779" LIEUT. GOODALE'S PETITION, 1780 "The Humble Petition of Ezekiel Goodale of Temple sheweth that your Petitioner was Appointed a Lieutenant in Capt Frys Compt in Colo Scammels Ridgt the 11th of Febr 1777 that he marched with the first Devision the first of April to Ticonderoga--& Discharged the duty of a Lieut to acceptance; was in the several Disputes with Genr Burgoyne and then marched to Penselvana; & Continued there til Apr 30 1778 when by reason of the Continued applycations from my Family of their Distressed Circumstances I procnered a Discharge & Come home-- your petitioner Lost at the vacuation of Tycondroga as by the account L28-4-0 "That your petetioner Never received a farthing for it Nor for Depreshasion of mony for his waiages--therefore your petetioner prays that your Honours will take this Case into your wise serious and Marcyful Consideration and make him such reward for sd loss and waiges as your Honors think Just and your petetioner as in Duty Shall Ever pray-- "Temple Febr 14--1780 "Ezekiel Goodale, Leut" The committee reported in favor of allowing him the depreciation of his pay. PETITION FOR LOTTERY "Exeter Jennry 27th 1781 "A Petition of Robt Hewes of Boston to the Honorable Councel and House of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire for the Further Incouragement of Glass Manufactory sett by him in the town of Temple in this State-- "Your humble Petitioner Prayeth, that as he has been at, so Great Expence and got the Manufactory so Nigh to Perfection and being Unable to Procede further without Publick Incouragement a Lottery may seet on foot, for the Raiseing a Sum of Money to bring it to Perfection, as Speedily as Possible, for if no Incouragement--Can be GIven Your huml Petitioner will be Oblidged Drop the Enterprize and Lett his Work men go to COnnecticut, which Stands Ready to Receive and Imploye them, but that the Honourable Court may do something to Inable Your humbl Petitioner to keep them here and Imploye them in the Sincere Prayer of Your humbl Petitioner. "Robert Hewes." Authority was granted by an act passed March 1781 STATEMENT OF THE MANAGERS OF THE LOTTERY: Addressed to the General Court, 1782 "The petition of the subscribers humbly sheweth that in consequence of the petition of Mr. R: Hewes of Boston in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, an Act pass'd the General Court of said State of New Hampshire in March A:D: 1781, granting a Lottery for the benefit of said Hewes in setting up and carrying on the Manufactory of Glass in the Town of Temple in said State, and appointing your petitioners, Managers of said Lottery, That your petitioners, in pursuance of their trust, immediately proceeded to advertise the Scheme of said lottery, and print the Tickets, and began the sale thereof in Bills of the new-Emission agreable to said Act. Soon after which your Petitioners were obliged to take back the Tickets, by reason of the failure of the paper Currency, and to give over the thoughts of drawing the same. And as your petitioners were appointed by the General Court without their previous Solicitation or knowledge; and having expended a considerable sum of money in printing said Tickets &c--Therefore your petitioners humbly pray the Honble Court to order the Treasurer to refund to your petitioners such sums of money as they have been necessitated to expend on account of said lottery; and, for that purpose, that they may have leave to exhibit an Account to this Court for Allowance, and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c "March 22d 1782 "T. Farrar, I. Abbot, Francis Blood" RETURN OF RATABLE POLLS, 1783 "State of New Hampshire Hillsborough ss "Temple Decr 10th 1783 "There is in ye Town of Temple one Hundred and fourteen persons of Twenty one years of Age paying for them selves a pole Tax Taken by us. "Saml Howard, Francis Blood, Benja Cutter, Selectmen of Temple" Sworn to before Francis Blood, justice of the peace. *** INHABITANTS in 1784 *** The following were citizens in 1784: Joshua Todd, Caleb Bancroft, Samuel Howard, Moses Sticknee [sic Stickney], William Manswer, Benja Cutter, Willm Drury, Abraham Shelden, Benja Cragin, Samson Walker, Ephraim Brown, Ebenezer Drury, Ezekil [sic Ezekiel] Jewet [Jewett], Levi Peirce [Pierce], Silas Brown, Isaac Butterfield, Gideon powers, Jacob Foster, Abner Felt, Ezekiel Goodale, Elias Colburn, John Patten, Francis Cragin, Asa Severance, Eldad Spafford, John Stowell, Josiah Fisk, Wililam Searle Jur, Aaron Felt, Joseph Head, Abraham Dinsmore, John Cragin Jr., Peter Brown, Moses Lowel [Lowell], Jacob Lowel, Andrew Lane, Jones Brown, Isaac Barron French, Daniel Heald, Oliver Heald, Ephraim Conant, Josiah STone, Abiel Holt, Joseph Kidder, John McAllaster, James Milligen, Samll Milliken, Wm. Millkien, Josiah Sawyer, James McNee, Joseph Barnes, Gilbert McCay, John swan, Joseph Miller, Nathan Boynton, John Marshel [Marshall], Reuben Law, Robt Potter, John Taggart, Benjamin Bacon, Reuben Cumings, Andw Conn, David Moor, James Moor, Jeremiah Andrews, John Taggart, Gershom Drury, David Searl, John Kendall, Nathan Wheeler, John Burnap, Saml Holt, Ezekiel Jewett, Francis Blood, Samuel Field, Aaron Colman. SOLDIER'S CERTIFICATE 1784 "These may Certifie that Jeremiah Andrews is Father & heir to --- Andrews a Minor late of Temple Deceas'd -- who was a Soldier in the Continental army--Hired by Sd Town of Temple-- "Dated Temple Decr 1, 1784 " Saml Howard, Ephm Brown, F. Blood, Selectmen of Temple RELATIVE TO MILITIA, Addressed to the General Court, 1785 "Humbly Sheweth the Selectmen of Temple in the County of Hillsborough and Inhabitants of Sd Town--That at the last Session of the General Court, a vote past by which the 12th Rigt of Militia was Divided and the west part Calld No. 12 and the East part Calld No 23, The Real situation & All the Surcumstances of the Towns that Now Compse the East Rigiment we Suppose was not then laid before the Honble Court for we belive if they had it would Not have pased--wherefore we beg leave to Say That the East Regt (viz) New Ipswich, Mason, Wilton, Temple, Peterborough, Lyndsborough, Society, Hancock & Peterboroughslip was all formerly of the fifth Regiment--That they pay L49-15s-10d to every thousand of the State Taxes as will Appear by the last proportion Act--and that the west or 12th as by Sd vote (viz) Ringe, Fitzwilliam, Jaffrey, Marlborough, Dublin & Packersfield pays but L32-2s 10d more to every L1000 than they which is more than half they pay--That we are Nine Towns to their Six--that more then 1100 poles was return'd in the last Inventory in the Nine & but little more than 600 in the west Rigt And that most of the Towns in the East Regt was Settled (viz) New Ipswich, Wilton, Mason, Peterboroug & lyndsborough a Number of Years before there was one Inhabitant in the Six towns which now Takes away our Number--And that there is now four Field officers whithin this Regt (to wit) Heald, WIllson, Abbot & Clark-- (which Cannot--by the Militia Rules which is only Honour, renew their Commition in the 2d regimt--That in every point of view we consider our Selves Agreav'd by Said vote--werefore we humbly pray your Excellency & Honnours that the East Regt (to wit New Ipswich &c which is Now call'd the 23d regimt--may be restored to their former Number, or that The Division of sd 12 Regiment may be Made Nul & Void--And be put to Gether as but one regiment & as In Duty bound Shall pray "Jany 27--1785 "Moses Sticknee, Abm Shelden, Robt Howrd, Benoni Venton, Jonathan Stevens, Gershom Drury, Ezra Drury, Abraham Dinsmor, John Stowel, Caleb maynard, George Conn, David Emes, Joshua Todd, John Todd, Joshua Todd Junr, Thomas Marshall, Jonathan Marshall, Amos Dinsmor, Caleb Bancroft, JohN Ball, Jonathan Lovejoy, Benjamin Tenney jur, Nathl Ball, Nathll Ball Jr., Abiel parker, Moses Lowell, moses Lowell Jr, Jacob Lowell, Joseph Heald Jr., Benj. Cragin, Eldad Spafford, Ezekiel Jewet Nathaniel Jewet, William Jewet, Oliver Whiting, Nathan Wheeler, Silus Brown, Daniel Lamson, John Andrews, Thos Dinsmore, Thos Sewell Ferington (his X mark), Samson Walker, Levi Peirce, David Drury, Wm Fletcher, Josiah Fisk, Amos Heald, Benja Cutter, peter Felt, Zebadiah Dinsmore, John Woodward, Nathaniel Griffin, Jonathan Avery, John Avery, Isaac Buterfield, Thomas Richardson, Daniel forster, Samual Burnip, Bengmon Severns, Abbe Severens, Asa Sevens, Royal Blood, Francis Blood Jr. "Voted to answer the Request of Joseph Richardsen and others Inhabitants of Lyndeborough Relative to their being annexed to Temple Provided they will obligate themselves & heirs Not thereby to involve Sd Town in any unecessary Charges on account of their Being annxed or on acct of Moving the Meeting house &c. "Attest "Saml Howard, T. Clerk "Temple May 5th 1794. COLUMBIA LIBRARY "For an incorporation of a Library: addressed to the General Court 1797 "Humbly Shews "Noah Miles, Benjamin Cragin and Ebenr Edwards inhabitants of Temple in Sd State and others their associates that they have Been at Great expence in Collecting a Considerable Number of Valuble Books for the purpose of establishing a Library in Sd Temple. But without the aid and Patronage of the Honble Legislature they find themsleves under Great Disadvtage & Their endeavors to promote usefull Knowledge almost in Vain--they therefore pay that they may be incorporated into a Body Politic for the Purpose of establishing Sd Library with Such Powers and Privileges as are usually Granted to incorporations of a Similiar Nature-- "and your Petitioners as in Duty Bound will ever pray Temple octr 24 1797 "Noah Miles, Benja Cragin, Ebnr Edwards, Committee. Columbian Library was incorporated in 1785. The following were RESIDENTS in 1790: "Joshua Foster, Peter Powers, John Kimball, Jona Kimball, Aaron Barns, Joseph Stone, Thomas Richardson, George Kimball, Benja Cutter, Joseph Searl, Royal Blood, Abraham Shelden, Stephen Manser, Samson Walker, John Cragin, Nathl Jewet, Stephen Cragin, Samuel Burnap Ju., Francis Cragin Jr., Francis Blood Jr., Joseph Hosley, Jacob Jewet, Moses Perkins, Charles Kirk, Stephen Austin, Jona Spaulding, Seth BLood, Sam Webster Felt, John Ballard, Artemas Wheeler, Samuel Howard, Ezekiel Jewet, William Jewet, Asa Howard, Benjamin Tenny, Benja Killam, Elias Colburn, Levi Peirce, Nathan Wheeler, John Patten, Peter Felt, Caleb Maynard, Daniel Heald, Levi Adams, Daniel Searle, Nathl Barrett, Benjamin Parks, Benja Cutter, William Searle, James Walton, Elias BOynton, Josiah Fisk, Elish Child, Samll Killam, Aaron Felt, Eliot Powers, Timothy Austen, Silas Stickney, Phinehas Carlton, Oliver Whiting, John Brown, Zechariah Emery, Joseph Jewet, David Patterson, Gideon Powers, Ebenr Stiles, William Drury, Joseph Towne, Thomas Towns Ju, David Towne, Aaron Avery, Peter Avery, John Avery, Thomas Towne, Joseph Health, Theoder Baker, John Rider, Joseph Killam, Samuel Burnap, Joseph Heald Jr., James Heald, Ephraim Heald, Richard Palmer, Simon Farrar, Joel Avery, Eli Towne, Jonas Brown, Eldad Spafford, Ezra Mansur, James Crombie, Oliver Whiting Jr., Edward Pratt, Joseph Kidder, Benja Cragin, Francis Cragin, Archelaus Cummings, Gershom Druy, Isaac Kimball, David Fuller, John Winship, Edward Willson, John Stuart, andrew Parkhurst, Silas Durkee, William Mansur, Jacob Foster. *********** CHAPTER II War of the Revolution--Soldier's Names--General Francis Blood-- War of the Rebellion--Ecclesiastical History--Congregational Church-- Baptist Church-- Universalist Church-- College Graduates-- Glass-Factory-- Families-- Physicians-- Civil History. WAR OF THE REVOLUTION In the War of the Revolution Temple responded promptly with men and means, and the record of the little town during that struggle is one in which her citizens ma justly feel patriotic pride. GENERAL FRANCIS BLOOD was a prominent man in the town during the Revolution. He was a member of the House of Representatives in 1777, and on September 27th of that year was appointed commisary to attend a guard sent to conduct prisoners of war to Portsmouth. He was appointed January 27, 1781 one of the two "collector general of beef" for the army; member of the Council in 1784, and one of the Senate, 1784-85; judge of the Court of COmmon Pleas, and held numerous offices in town. He was born in Concord, Mass., March 18, 1735 (O.S.) and died in 1814 As early as January 12, 1775, the town sent "about 40 bushes of rye" to "the Poor of ye town of Boston." The following marched to Cambridge on the alarm of April 19, 1775: Jeremiah Andrews, Francis Blood, Ephraim Brown, Benjamin Byam, Peter Brown, Samuel Bredeen, Seth Cobb, John Cragin, Benjamin Cragin, Gershom Drury, William Drury, Daniel Drury, Z. Drury, Z. Drury Jr., Ebenezer Drury, Abraham Dinsmore Jr., Zebediah Dinsmore, Zechariah Emery, John Everett, Robert Fletcher, Joshua Foster, Ezekiel Goodale, Samuel Griffin, Samuel Howard, Ephraim Heald, Peter Heald, Oliver Heald, Joseph Heald, E. Jewett, Joseph Kidder, Benjamin Killam, Andrew Law, Farrar Miller, Aaron Marshall, William Mansur, John Matthews, Aaron Oliver, Eliot Powers, Stephen Parlin, Joseph Richards, John Stiles, David Spafford, Nathaniel Shattuck, S.R. Stickney, E. Severance, Benjamin Smith, Benjamin Tenney, David Townsend, Samuel Webster, Peter Wheeler, A. Wilson, John Hillsgrove, Josiah Stone, E. Cobb, Enos Goodale. The following were at the battle of Bunker Hill: Jeremiah Andrews, Timothy Avery, Samuel Bredeen, Peter Brown, Abraham Dinsmore, Z. Emery, Samuel Griffin, John Hillsgrove, Samuel Hutchins, Wilder Kidder, John Matthews, Aaron Oliver, Benjamin Smith, E. Severance, John Temple, Arthur Kirkwood, F. Miller, Josiah Stone, Thomas Patterson. The following belonged to the two months' militia in 1775: Jonathan Avery, Seth Cobb, S. Cobb, Daniel Drury, Peter Davis, Z. Emery, Joshua Foster, E. Goodale, Joseph Kidder, Eliot Powers, Gideon Powers, Joseph Richardson, Sile Rich Stickney, Benjamin Smith, John Todd, Peter Wheeler, David Townsend, Z. Densmore. The following were in Captain Ezra Towne's company: Samuel Avery, Jonathan Avery, Samuel Bredeen, Zedekiah Drury, John Hillsgrove, Thomas Patterson, James Hutchinson, Wilder Kidder, William Mansur, John Matthews, Benjamin Smith, F. Miller, Samuel Wheeler, Peter Felt, William Holt, E. Taylor. In July 1777, the following marched to Bennington: Benjamin Byam, Caleb Bancroft, James Foster, Nathaniel Shattuck, Joseph Head, John Everett, Paul Powers, Benjamin Severance, E. Brown, S.R. Sticknee [Stickney], E. Severance, Peter Wheeler, Samuel Wheeler, Needham Drury, William Upton, Benjamin Cragin, Daniel Foster. The following marched to Saratoga, in Captain Drury's company, in September, 1777: Francis Cragin, John Cragin, Peter Felt, William Drury, Z. Drury, Joseph Kidder, Silas Angier, Joseph Richardson, Abiel Holt, Samuel Burnap, Caleb Maynard, Enos Goodale, Stephen Parlin, Jeremiah Andrews, John Todd, Samuel Howard, Peter Wheeler, Z. Dinsmore, Captain G. Drury. The following went to Rhode Island in 1778; absent twenty-three days: Gershom Drury, Robert Fletcher, Joseph Kidder, Daniel Heald, Gideon Powers, Paul Powers, Joshua Foster, Joshua Richardson, S.R. Sticknee, Samuel Felt, David Townsend, Jonathan Marshall, Benjamin Severance, Samuel Wheeler, James Perry, Nathaniel Jewett, Josiah Stone. Sixteen men, as follows, "marched on the alarm at Coos, at ye time Royalston was burnt:" Gershom Drury, William Drury, Abiel Holt, Samuel Holt, Paul Sticknee, Nathaniel Jewett, Francis Cragin, S.R. Sticknee, S. Parlin, D. Heald, Simeon Cragin, B. Cragin, John Burnap, Z. Emery, S. Walker, A. Cumings. [These were absend for four days]. **** WAR OF THE REBELLION ***** During the War of the Rebellion Temple responded prompty to the various calls for men, and the record of the town through that conflict was an honorable one; men and money were promptly furnished. **** ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY **** It is probable that preaching was commenced in this town prior to its incorporation. The first minister was Rev. Samuel Webster, ordained October, 1771. He died August 4, 1777. After the death of Mr. Webster, various persons filled the pulpit until October, 1782, when Rev. Noah Miles was ordained "in ye new meeting-house not yet finished." He died November 20, 1831. His successors were as follows: Revs. Leonard Jewett, Walter Follett, George Goodyear, George Williams, Isaiah P. Smith, Royal Parkinson, S.D. Clark, W.L.S. Clark, J.S. Bassett, John W. Haley, John Mellish. An UNIVERSALIST CHURCH was formed here in 1832, under the name of the Union Society, and the distinguished Hosea Ballou was the first pastor. A church edifice was erected soon after. GLASS FACTORY Mr. Blood, in his "History of Temple," says: "Strange as it may seem to us, there is little doubt that the first American manufactory of glass was erected in the town of Temple." The builder and owner was Robert Hawes, who was born in Boston in 1751. He was a "celebrated bone-setter and fencing-master." The factory was sixty-five feet square. It was started in 1780. FAMILIES--The following family names, identified with the history of the town, are taken from Blood's "History of Temple." Ball, Barker, Blood, Boynton (Captain Elias Boynton was in the Battle of Bunker Hill), Brown, Burnap, Child, Colburn, Cragin, Crombie, Cummings, Edwards (Captain Ebenezer Edwards was with the company of the Acton Minute-Men at "the Bridge," when they met the British), Farrar, Felt, Fisk, Foster, Gardner, Heald (numerous family; Peter Heald of the Deacon Peter Heald family, was the first male child born in Temple), Howard, Hawkins, Jewett, Keyes, Kidder, Kingsbury, Laws, Mansur, Mason, Miles, Miller, Patten, Pierce, Patterson, Piper, Powers, Pratt, Searle, Shattuck, Sherwin, Spalding, Spofford, Walton, Wheeler, Whytynge, and Whiting. PHYSICIANS--The earliest physicians in Temple were Drs. Silas Durkee, Brown and Taylor. Dr. James Crombie located here in 1798, and remained until 1820. Other physicians have been Drs. S. Fobes, S. Cumings, Nathan Jones, A.H. Wilder, Raymond, Nathaniel Kingsbury, D.S. Prescott, G. A. Phelps, Henry J. Young and J.M. Blood. There is no resident physician in the town at the present time. SCHOOLS--The first reference to education matters is under date of March 4, 1771, when it was "Voted to have schooling and voted to raise L8 L.M. for schooling." From that early day to the present time Temple has kept abreast with the rapid stride of educational progress. The last appropriation for support of schools was seven hundred dollars. The present Board of Education is as follows: Charles P. Wheeler, Charles E. Rockwood, A.B. Davidson, J.O. Whitcomb, Thomas Derbyshire. *** CIVIL HISTORY *** The following is a list of representatives, from 1776 to the present time: Francis Blood, 1776 to 1783 Francis Cragin, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1790, 1792 Benjamin Cragin, 1788 Abijah Wheeler, 1794 E. Richards, 1796-98, 1800-1810 Daniel Searle 1811-1814 David Patterson 1815 James Crombie 1816-1817 A. Cummings 1818-1820, 1824 Jesse Spofford 1822-23 David Stiles, 1825-1827 Simon Farrar, 1829-1832 Nathan Wheeler Jr. 1833-36 John Cragin Jr., 1837-1838 Nathan Wheeler 1839-1840 Nathan Kingsbury 1841-42 Thomas W. Smith, 1843-1845 Isaac Kimball 1846-48 Herman Buss 1849-51 George Whiting 1852-53 E.G. Cutter 1854-57 Daniel Felt 1855 (no choice in 1858) James Killam 1859, 1861 Elbridge Cutter 1860, 1866 Francis Whiting 162-63 Warren Keyes 1864-65 Rev. George Goodyear 1867-68 Moses M. Balch 1869 Isaiah Wheeler 1870-1872 Freeman J. Holt 1873-74 George E. Colburn 1875-76 Supply W. Edwards 1877-78 Charles N. Colburn 1879-80 Brooks M. Heald 1883-84 TOWN CLERKS 1768 to 1886 Captain Francis Blood, 1768, 1769, 1770 Samuel Howard, 1771-99 Ebenezer Edwards 1799-1802 Daniel Searle 1802-20 Nathan Wheeler, 1820-22, 1825-27 David Stiles, 1823-24 Jonas Davis, 1829-37 Nathan Colburn Jr. 1838-42, 1858-59 Martin Heald, 1843-57 Josiah M. Blood 1860 Charles P. Hayward 1862 to present time ********* BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ********* MAJOR SUPPLY W. EDWARDS Major Supply W. Edwards is the fifth child of Nathaniel and Sarah (Wilson) Edwards and was born in the town of Temple, N.H. April 9, 1817. His grandfather, Captain Ebenezer Edwards was born in Acton, Mass., March 23, 1757. He was a member of the Acton Company of Minute-men under command of Captain Davis, and did service during the War of the Revolution. He was on Dorchester Heights at the siege of Boston, and after the evacuation of that city, worked as a carpenter on the fortification of the harbor, at the same time doing military duty. He removed to what is now Sharon, in 1777, and to Temple in 1780. About 1786 he built what is now known as the "General Miller House," and resided there until about 1819. He was a man of character and importance in the town, and the records show that he held all the principal offices in its gift. He was twice married, first to Lucy Wheeler of Lincoln, Mass. They had eleven children; she died November 20, 1800. His second wife was Mary Flint, also of Lincoln, Mass. She bore him four children,--Captain Edwards died March 21, 1826. Nathaniel, his fourth child, was born May 26, 1785. He married June 16, 1808, Sarah Wilson, of New Ipswich. Their children were Sarah, Mary, Abby, Susan W., Supply W., Elizabeth, Nathaniel P. and Charles W. MAJOR SUPPLY W. EDWARDS had no advantages for education in his youth; beyond what the public school of his native town could furnish, and his attendance to this was limited to the winter terms. Being one of a somewhat numerous family, in moderate circumstances in life, he was taught to labor as soon as his growing strength could make his services of any value. As soon as he was of sufficient age he learned the trade of stone-masonry, and this he has made the principal occupation of his life. He made it a rule at the beginning to do whatever he undertook conscientiously and well, and to that rule he has adhered through life; and to this may be attributed the success he has attained. His work may be seen in his own and all the surrounding towns and villages. In addition to his work at masonry, he purchased a farm near his grandfather's old homestead, and has carried on farming quite extensively and with marked success. His farm buildings are among the best in the county. He married, December 10, 1840, Elizabeth Winn. She was born August 2, 1820. Their children are John Wheeler, born Mary 28, 1844; Charles Warren, born January 12, 1847; George Walter, born February 14, 1849; Edwin Brooks, born May 3, 1851; Emma Josephine, born January 8, 1853; Alma Jane, born January 13, 1856. Mrs. Edwards died September 11, 1883. Major Edwards has practically retired from active business. His son-in-law, who resides with him, conducts his farm for him. In 1876-77 he represented this town in the State Legislature, and has, at different times, held various minor offices. In 1840 he was chosen major of militia under Colonel Little, and served in that capacity four years. Among the prominent traits of Major Edwards' character may be mentioned perserverance and punctuality. He is prompt in performing whatever he promises or undertakes to do, and is a man much respected by his neighbors, among whom his life has been spent. (end)