HISTORY OF GILFORD, BELKNAP 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 Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885, 1108 pgs. Page 731 On August 10, 1622 [Captain John] Mason and [Sir Ferdinando] Gorges jointly made a purchase of land, supposed to be directly and contiguously on the north of "Mariana," or Mason's first purchase, and extending back from the Merrimack to the Sagadehock, and back to the "Great Lakes and the River of Canada" (i.e. Winnipesaukee, Champlain and the St. Lawrence). This was termed LACONIA, and this was the first conveyance of the territory of GILFORD. In 1632 the lake and its shores were visited by explorers from Portsmouth, but no settlements were made or marks left. Mason died in 1638 and willed his claims and property to various heirs. There was a land and boundary dispute by the Massachusetts Bay Company who were sent to the area to establish bounds agreeable to their construction of the charter. A commission was created to include Captains Simon Willard and Edward Johnson who procured surveor services of Jonathan Ince (a student of Cambridge) and John Sherman (sergeant of Watertown), who following the guide of certain Indians, ascended the river to Aquadocton, the outlet of the lake, which was declared to be the head of the river (now the Weirs) and there they took astronomial observations, and determine the latitude thereof to 43 degrees 40' 12". This point was indicated by inscriptions on a large boulder in the middle of the outlet. This inscription, made by drills, consisting of the date, the initials of Governor Endicott, and those of the surveying part, may be seen at the present time [1885], though the action of the elements for two hundred and thirty-three years has rendered them somewhat illegible. This bound was unknown, or unidentified, for many years and till 1846. [more about this subject, not included here]. In 1722 the Province Council and Assembly caused a fort or block-house to be built and garrisoned on the shore of the lake, and was to be fifty feet square, constructed with timbers eight inches square, having two wings, or flankers, and capable of giving accomodation to a garrsion of one hundred and fifty men, and was to be provisioned duly. It was to be located near the bank of the lake, where there is an opening into the lake, and on the southeast side [this appears to refer to Alton Bay, probably the eastern side]. The purpose of the building and arming this block-house was declared to be to "annoy and check the Indians of this region," and so secure quiet to the settlers. Hence the grantees and actual settlers of Gilmanton had thus a defense in their rear... and, therefore, the fear of molestation was measurably removed. The proprietors were not all from Exeter, but some of Portsmouth; many of the settlers first sat down temporarily in the southern part of the grant, and afterwards re-located in the northern section, or Gilford. The territory was divied into two hundred and fifteen shares, and equally apportioned to one hundred and ninety-two shareholders, besides the Masonian heirs; and the public and governmental reservations were five shares. The proprietors were not, to a great extent, actual settlers, yet their names very largely correspond to those known in the history of the plantation. Ninety different names appear in the origina list of proprietors, among which that of Gilman leaders with twenty-four, viz: Andrew, Caleb, Daniel, Edward (1st and Jr.), Jeremiah, John (Sr., Jr. 3d and Captain), Jonathan, Joseph, Nathaniel (Sr. and Jr.), Nehemiah, Nicholas (Sr. Jr. and 3d), Peter, Robert, Samuel (1st and 3d), Thomas and Trueworthy. Hence the name GILMANTON was the most natural. The charter bears the date of May 20, 1727, and in the thirteenth year of the sovereign, George I, and had three conditions, viz: 1st the settlement of seventy families within three years each in a separate house, and each having cleared three acres fit for rillage, and having paid all assessments; 2d, a meeting-house shall be built within four years; 3d, three shares shall be apopinted for public use, viz: One for the ministerial support, one for minister's residence and one for support of schools; providing, however, that no Indian war prevent the settlement, and in such event granting three years from the close of such war. The consideration of this deed or title was the quit-rent of one pound of flax annually forever, if demanded, and due the second Tuesday of March. Also all pine-trees, twenty-four inches in diameter, were reserved, under the act of Parliament, for the construction of ships in the royal navy, which trees had been marked and registered by a surveyor, appointed first in the time of William, and agreeable to the provincial stature of 1708, by the approval of Queen Anne. The line of boundary, as defined by the charter, was a straight northwest course, or, more accurately, north 47 degrees west, and from the southwest corner of Barnstead till the Merrimack water were reached, about twelve and three-eighths miles, which terminal point was on the shore of the bay, a little south of the outlet of Great Brook and one and a half miles southwest of Burley's bridge, at East Tilton. The other lien ran six miles on the Barnstead line, or, more accurately, six miles and one hundred and twenty-two rods, passing one mile, ninety-five rods beyond Barnstead northeast corner, as now established. The course was east, 43 degrees north (said to be northeast) and thence the line was to run northwest (north, 47 degrees west) two miles (two miles, sixty-five rods), and thence north (north, 1 degree west) seven miles to the lake, -- i.e., seven miles, forty-eight rods. Thence the shore of the lake and the river, or series of bays, was to be the terminal margin, not including the islands off shore in the whole course. This tract contained about eighty-five thousand acres of land, about one third of which constitutes the original town of Gilford as set off. At the expiration of the three years, in 1730, the settlement of the seventy families had not been effected, and the proprietors petitioned for extension of time. It is not alleged that the condition of outbreaking Indian warms formed the basis of this neglect and needed prolongation of time; but the country was far from being tranquil during this perio. The charter, still unpaid for, was held up by the clerk of the Council; yet they made provision for its redemption, and for laying out the plant and making is accessible by a chosen and cut or cleared-out pathway or road; but this work was delayed for another year. The principal names connected with the survey and much of the early doings of the proprietors were those of Edward Gilman, who seems to be the accepted surveyor, and Jethro Parsons and Oliver Smith. These with five other men as assistants, began the bounding of the town June 14, 1731, and simply ran the easterly line, as defined by the words of the charter. This took twelve days, as the line was about sixteen miles long, and lay over the mountains. Beginning at a beech-tree, they ran six miles to a birch, then two miles to another beech, and finally reached a hemlock at the pond. With these four trees, only one in Gilford, the domain is located. [The location of these original trees are now unknown]. The next year a plan of the town and the laying out of lots were ordered, and these lots were to equal or exceed the number of proprietors. Five ranges of home lots were laid out in tiers, resting on the southwest base line, containing about forty acres each, and extending to the base of the mountains, and nearly to the extend of the present town of Gilmanton. These lots were drawn by the proprietors for actual settling or for disposition to whosoever they could induce to take up the land and improve it for themselves. October 18, 1732 these lots were drawn and each one began to take measures to have the conditions of the charter carried out. In 1733 it was decided to lay out a second division of lots, and to build block-houses at the extreme southern part, and also at the extreme northwest, or Aquadocton, which is said to be "fishing grounds," and also to examine the soil there, and see if it be good and fit for a settlement. In 1736 the committee performed their assigned work, and in eleven days from the 14th of June, cleared a pathway from Epson to Gilmanton and built two block-houses, one at the southeast corner of the first division of lots, and the other at the Weirs. These were the first houses built on the grant. As they were simultaneously constructed, one in the present Gilmanton and the other in Gilford, the two towns may be said to be of equal age. The former was eighteen feet square and the latter fourteen feet; and these, with the other and larger one at the eastern part of the lake, constituted a triangulation of the region for fortification and protection, and for aggression. The land on the lake-shore and river border were pronounced to be of good quality and suitable for settlement; and, therefore its laying out was recommended and urged by the committee and demanded by others. Two families came in 1761, eight were added in 1762, with forty-five families found there in 1767, comprising two hundred and fifty individuals, all took their choice of lots in the lower part of the grant, though some of them subsequently moved into the upper section, or Upper Parish. It was not until 1777 and 1778 that families made permanent location in the northern part. The laying out of the first parish, in 1761, in the southeast corner of town, six miles by six and a half, almost identical, in position and extent, to the present town of Gilmanton, and the providing for preaching there, and the building of a saw mill and grist-mill, respectively, in this and the following year. In 1770 the building of the Province road, extending from Portsmouth NH to Canada, cutting diagonally across Gilmanton, facilitated the settling of new towns, and also Gilmanton. In 1777-1778, Samuel Jewett Captain S.F. Gilman and James Ames chose their lots here and pitched. Samuel Jewett settled above the Falls, at the terminus of the Province road about 1777. James Ames settled near the house built and occupied by Ebenezer Smith, Esq., and Captain S.F. Gilman at the head of the spur of the valley or meadow land, near the heads of Black Brook and the Meadow Brook. About this time Levi Lovit made a temporary residence near the outlet of the Lily Pond, and opposite the house later occupied by Increase W. Davis. Abraham Folsom began improvements at the Lower Weirs, and though his residence was in that part which belonged to Meredith, and later Laconia, his mill (grist-mill) was the one neceesary accomodation for the first settlers. Daniel Stevens located on the Gilford side of the river, and his house, still standing [1885] was for many years the old house at that place on the Gilford side. Soon after these came Malachi Davis, Samuel Blaisdell and Lowell Sanborn, the first two of whom settled near the residence of Captain Gilman, and the last at the extreme end of the range, on the lake-shore. Esquire Benjamin Weeks, who came in the lower part of the town in 1768, led a party into the upper section and located at the western base of Mount Major, in 1787, where there afterwards dwelt a large community of that name. He was a large landholder, and successful in business. The town population increased rapidly after the first few years. By the census of 1810 we find that the whole town then contained 4338 inhabitants; and by the census of 1820 it had then 3752 remaining in the old town, and Gilford had 1816 -- so that it is probable that about 1500 inhabitants were set off to form the new town. The little band of 250 in 1767, of 775 in 1775, had a remarkable growth. Captain James Follet was the first collector, and had been several years before for the Fourth Collector's [Tax] District of Gilmanton, or the Second Division. The first Board of Selectmen were John Smith, Thomas Saltmarsh and John Gilman. EARLY SETTLERS ...DANIEL AVERY appears to be among the number as early as 1790, and he commenced trade here at that time, at the bridge, the terminus of the Province road. He afterwards enlarged his business and built a factory and ran it many years, and he was one of the heaviest tax payers of the first year of the town's separate and independent management, and even before that date. His family remained there for many years, but are not represented in the place now by that name. JAMES AND DAVID AMES are among the ealiest on the the ground. James settled at the foot of the hill in the road, now discontinued, near Esquire Ebenezer Smith's, and David located where Richard Dame lived, now owned [1885] by William W. Watson. They appear to have made a good beginning, but long since the families have been reduced, and scarcely represented among us. The family is not, however, extinct, but have mostly removed elsewhere. JEREMIAH BARTLET came early to Gilford and took up land, about 1790, at the west base of Gunstock Mountain, and was a successful farmer and an upright, respected man. He lived to an honorable and ripe old age on the lot he first occupied, and in his later years was afflicted with deafness and a troublesom wen on the neck, which increased in size as his years advanced. He had two sons and several daughters. One married John Jewett. His sons were dealers in stock and for a time drovers. The line of descent is not traced by numerous posterity, but the homestead is still occupied by lineal descendants [1885], some of another name. Samuel Bartlett was a citizen also at the same time. Rev. Robert Bartlett moved into town in later times, with a large family, occupying the Osgood place, on Libery Hill, and supplying the Universalist pulpit for a time, and dying only a few years ago [from 1885] at an advanced age. He was a man of good ability... The name of BEAN, so common in Gilmanton, was also well represented here in the persons of ELIJAH, JAMES, SOLOMON and JOHN, and later by HENRY, JOEL, CHASE and TRUE. The first of these settled in the southern part of the town and the others in the northern. Their families are still represented [in 1885], though not by great numbers of the same name, but by changed names. The family of BENNETT was among the first of the assessed, and the names of JOHN, JOHN JR., JOHN (4) and WINTHROP appear on the first year. They settled in Chattleborough and near Liberty Hill. Some of the name in after-years, as HARRISON, was of honorable mention in public affairs and educational departments. The family is still [1885] represented by a few. The BLAISDELL family was a prominent one from the very first years. SAMUEL BLAISDELL settled north of and near to Captain Gilman, at the Lily Pond. He worked at blacksmith work, and several of his sons afterwards carried on the same business. His sons were WILLIAM, JOHN, DANIEL, ENOCH, AARON, PHILIP and SAMUEL, all men of intellectual and executive abilities. He exercised his talents as a lay preacher, holding meetings at his own house before a regular service was established or meeting-house built. Perhaps there was some lack of agreement of his doctrinal sentiments and those current or entertained by many in the vicinity. WILLIAM, the oldest son, was later representative of and pracher to the Order of Christians, or as they are sometimes called, Christian Baptists.... Mrs. Samuel Blaisdell was efficient as a nurse and doctress to her sex before the regular physician was settled or could be easily called. The family were largely natural and apt mechanices. SAMUEL, of another branch of the family, was the framing carpenter of those and later days. The family is now numerously represented [in 1885]. ELIPHLET and JACOB were also early settlers, ELIPHLET (2) deacon a long time of the Baptist Church at Lake village, and some of the branches, were by affiliation, Baptists... Other branches of the family were Free-Will Baptists.... DR. ZADOCK BOWMAN was practiciing physician at the beginning of the century (1800) and located at Meredith Bridge. DAVID BOWMAN was the successor in the estate, which was and has been one of prominence. Mrs. Daniel Tilton now represents the family. JOHN BOYD is sole representative of that name in the tax list of 1806, and was possessed of an estate near the homestead. ABEL and EPHRAIM BROWN, with EPHRAIM Jr. are the representatives of that name, the former living at the lakeside, at what was afterwards the Almshouse farm, and the others in Miles Valley. They were men of means, except Ephraim Jr., and Nehemiah and Daniel were the children in possession successively. CAPTAIN DANIEL and NEHEMIAH were of honorable standing in town affairs. The name BUZZELL (or BUSWELL) is early mentioned, and the names of ISAAC, EBENEZER, ICHABOD, ICHABOD Jr., STEPHEN, GEORGE and JAMES are enrolled. The family settled in the east part of the town, on both sides of the mountain. The family of manufacturing men at Laconia bearing that name came later to town, and first operated the fulling and carding-mill on Gunstock River, and also did business in the woolen line at Lake village, and since have prosecuted an extensive and successful enterprise at Laconia, first in the old Parker warp-mill and later in Morrison's carding and fulling-mill and the Belknap Mill and later enlargements. The names of BOYNTON, BURBANK, BRADBURY, BADGER, BURLEIGH, BLAKE, BEEDE, BURNS and BICKFORD are found in the list; but some are non-resident, and of others but little is known. Tradition locates BICKFORD at Richard Dame's or Joseph P. Smith's. CAPTAIN CHARLES BEEDE came later and did blacksmithing at Gilford village and later at Laconia, and enlisted in the Union Army at an advanced age. The name of ROBERT CARR is associated with the Quaker faith, and he is known as ELDER CARR. He early settled on a excellent glade of land at the mouth of the Miles Brook, and was one of the frugal and forehanded farmers, living in a stately and neatly-kept house-- a semi-inn of honorable repute. The teaming of products to Portsmouth and freighting back of groceries was a considerable branch of business in those days, and way-places for halting and accomondation were in demand. The sons of Robert Carr (JOHN and RICHARD) located one at the homestead and the others at Alton. The family still remains in town. The CLOUGH family, represented by DAVID, AARON, MOSES and CALEB, were here early, one at the east base of the mountains and the other at the Hoyt's neighborhood; and these families have gone. JOHN C. CLOUGH lived at Laconia and kept store on the Meredith side. The family remains in the place, but the business is closed. The CLARK name is more common, and applies to more than one lineage. SAMUEL CLARK settled a little north of Folsom's Mills, and the family is of honorable mention, and from it came the HON. JOSEPH CLARK, of Manchester, ESQ. SAMUEL CLARK of Lake village and others. WILLIAM CLARK settled farther north, on the Plains. JACOB and MAYHEW were of Meredith Bridge, the former a shoemaker and musician. Others of the same name dwelt at Jewett's Corner and Laconia. EZEKIEL COLLINS settled here about 1807, in the neighborhood of Chattleborough Pond and the family in later generations, preserved its compact condition in its own neighborhood and in large numbers. Seven sons settled near, and daughters settled here and elswhere. The mill in their plant has long been operated by some one of the name for sawing and threshing. They were an industrious and quiet people and mainly successful. JOHN COTTON settled near the hill bearing his name, in the south part of the town and a little off the Province road, and the family still has its representatives there. SIMON COTTON was of the same line. The CHASE family is represented as early as 1806, and by the individual names of MARK, GREEN, JAMES JR. and WIDOW NANCY. Their location is uncertain. Later, ALBERT and HAZELTINE CHASE came from Loudon and were connected with the business and firm of Jewett, Chase & Thing, store-keepers at Gilford village; ALBERT, also, as clerk in the store of Charles Stark here, or Stark & Goodhue. SAMUEL CONNOR is among the inhabitants as early as 1810, and JOSEPH CONNOR lived near Captain Gilman's and Lieutenant Rand's. The house has gone and the family name is not preserved at present. They were connected with the McCOY's. The name of CRAM is associated with inhabitants at Meredith Bridge. JONATHAN and WIDOW CRAM are the only names that appear in the lists. Taxes were assessed on property of DR. CALL and JAMES CROCKETT, residing in Meredith. A little later the CHESLEY family settled in the east part of the town, near Alton; but the family is no longer known among the people of that section. The COLES came later from Conway to Lake Village and engaged in the furnace and foundry business. There were several of the second generation, and they at one time comprised a large portion of the active business men of Lake village. BENJAMIN COLE ESQ., has been prominent in public affairs for many years. The iron and hardware trade and works were largely in their hands, and it was successfully conducted and associated with general trade. The CROSBYs have been of honorable mention. JOSIAH and DIXI have practiced medicine here with skill and ability. The former was also connected with the Avery Factory awhile. They were first from Sandwich and later lived at Gilmanton Corner. The father, ASA CROSBY, had an extensive practice in all the region. SANBORN CROSBY was long an inhabitant near Meredith Bridge--another family. RICHARD DAME settled near the Intervale and was a laborious and successful farmer; wore his uncut hair in a queue after the manner of the Quakers, and raise a large family, which has almost lost the name and representation in the place; yet, by marriage, the line is preserved under other names. BENJAMIN DAME pursued the blacksmith business and lived in different places in town. The family is largely gone but few remain. The DAVIS family was prominent in early years. MALACHI DAVIS settled in 1790, near the Lily Pond and held a good estate. His house was for many years the place of holding the Democratic caucus, as well as the social religious meetings. His life was prolonged by means of a difficult surgical operation. His family was not large in the line of sons, but several daughters of good ability became well connected in married life, and still some are alive in advanced age. Several families of the name, and related, settled in his immediate neighborhood, and also on the east side of the mountain. A family of the name resided at Meredith Bridge, and one at Lake village, known as Neighbor John. NATHANIEL, called also ISLAND DAVIS, occupied Governor's Island. He was a stalwart and commanding personage, and exercised his gifts as a leader in matters of free church order in preaching and public discussion. He raised a family of four sons and about the same number of daughters, who became well connected. The sons and himself were leaders in the political and other public affairs. One, JOHN, was a prominent teacher and afterwards agent of the factory company at Lake village. They have gone from the island, but are represented elsewhere. The family largely embraced Miller's doctrine, though at first following one Osgood, of anti-church government. William Miller, in person, held a camp meeting on the island in 1840. ABRAHAM DEARBORN lived awhile near the head of the gully and elsehwere. JEREMIAH DOW, JOSIAH DOW, SAMUEL DICEY, WILLIAM DREW and JOSEPH DREW were among the voters of 1813. They were connected with Meredith Bridge, except Drew, who was in the central part of the town. They are now largely gone from the place as families. The name of EAGER was formerly known, but is now not current. LIEUTENANT WINTHROP EAGER is mentioned in 1813. ASA EAGER and JOHN EAGER were citizens of Meredith Bridge (ASA EAGER was sheriff and otherwise a public man; he kept hotel in early years) and known as connected with the county affairs and the court. EAGER'S TAVERN was situated nearly opposite the court-house. The name is not at present met here. The EATON family settled in the eastern part of the town. The same name is associated with the settlement at the Weirs, as occupying on the Meredith side. We have, in 1806 and 1813, JOSEPH, JOSHUA, BENJAMIN and ELIAS. Later, ELISHA, JONATHAN and SHERBURN are on the records. DANIEL ESQ. was recently a successful teacher. JOHN and MARTIN have been in trade here and in Salem, Mass. The ELKINS family are formerly quite large. DANIEL, RICHARD, JONATHAN, JAMES, JOHN and EZEKIEL are among those early here, and for the most part lived near the Suncook Mountains (west of them), and one family on the Lake road. JOHN EVANS, ESQ. was a leading man, living on the east part of the Lake Shore road. SAMUEL and GEORGE were members of the family, and the former a teacher. The name is now not found in the town. The EDGERLY name at Meredith Bridge, as NATHANIEL, the register of deeds, if of later date. The EDWARDS family was here early, and NATHANIEL is the second generation, was a long while a proprietor and conductor of the shoe business at Meredith Bridge. The FOSTER family first located in the center of the Intervale, occupied the D.Y. Smith place, and also, later on, Miles River, near the Morrill neighborhood. THOMAS was here first before 1806, and THOMAS JR., JOHN and DANIEL continued the family to recent years; but now the name is but little known. SAMUEL FOSS was early living near Mount Minor. EZEKIEL FLANDERS occupied land on the east side of Mount Prospect and belongs to the large family of that name in Alton. The line is still continued here. JAMES FOLLET came to Gilford about 1792, and wrought at blacksmith work. He was brother-in-law to REV. RICHARD MARTIN, and settled near him, on Meeting-House Hill. He was efficient in public affairs, being repeatedly the collector of taxes, constable and captain in the militia. He carried on the tanning business, and engaged to some extent in trade, which his sons also took up and conducted at different places. He raised a large family of sons and daughters...They have been scattered and reduced in numbers in later years, and the original house, so intimately associated with the early town-meetings and the Sabbath meetings, and the first store, Pearley's, has been burnt. SAMUEL FOLLET is once found on the tax-list and that in 1810. The FOLSOM name appears very early and in frequency. JONATHAN FOLSOM signed the Text Paper (political) in 1776, as an inhabitant of Gilmanton, probably located not within the limits of the present Gilford, as it is conceded that there were no families then settled on its territory. He is, however, a taxpayer in 1813. ABRAHAM FOLSOM is said to have settled in town in 1781 and to have built his mill at that date, for the town gave the five acres for a mill privilege and built the bridge at the mills, or the Weirs (Lower Weirs) the year before, i.e. 1780, and the bridge was located above the mills in 1782. He subsequently built his house on the Meredith side and was a citizen of that town, and the estate and property was included therein till that section was set off to Gilford recently. Two lots in the eighth range were sold to build the bridge, and the five acres given to him. The other families of this name were those of NATHANIEL, BENJAMIN, JOHN, DUDLEY and others, who have held high places in public affairs and several have been distinguished. The GILMANS are both conspicuous and numerous. They came early and later. Foremost is CAPTAIN JOHN F. GILMAN who settled near Lily Pond in the same year that ABRAHAM FOLSOM came in 1781. He was a principal citizen and landholder, and by his captaincy was always a marked character. His family, was by adoption, including JAMES McCOY and GILMAN THING. EZEKIEL GILMAN came the same year and settled near BENJAMIN JEWETT's place. LIEUTENANT JOHN GILMAN settled on the south of CAPT JOHN F., and DUDLEY still further to the southwest, coming in 1789; and ANDREW possesed a large estate at the foot of the mountains, west side, and near by Samuel and Joshua. LEVI and SAMUEL settled near Gunstock or Meeting-House Hill. ROBINSON GILMAN located at Meredith Bridge and ANTIPAS on Liberty Hill. These all have held lineal connections with the great GILMAN fraternity, and they are also, by one branch or other, connected by intermarriages with most of the families of the town at large. Most of them had large families. ABEL (elder) and MANOAH GLIDDEN settled near ALton line and the mountains. The latter came in 1796. They were leading men in that seciton, and their descendants are still in possession of the estates. ABEL (2d) is also a minister. The father was a man of native talent. LEVI, JOHN and JETHRO GOSS settled on the north part of Gunstock Hill, and from that place the large families of sons and daughters settled in different parts of the town and elsewhere. The homesteads have passed out of the name, but not all of them from the lineal heirs. ELIJAH GOVE settled on the west side of Gunstock Hill, and his son DANIEL was a successor to the estate, and a mechanic and constructor of various farming implements. The estate is in the same name. DAVID GOULD settled land to the southeast of Gilford village and had one son and one daughter. They all lived to a good old age and the family became extinct. They were engaged in cooperage and were in comfortable circumstances. JONATHAN GRANT was an early inhabitant, and several families of the name, as PAUL, DANIEL and LEVI have been good citizens. They have been located in the south and in the north extremes of the eastern part of the town, and their families are but little represented now. The names GODFREY, GREENE, GILBERT and GILFORD were known at Meredith Bridge. JACOB HACKET and JOHN HACKET settled in Chattleborough and their families have become extinct, or nearly so, and the remnant has removed. DAVID HALE settled on the Oaks road and was a prominent citizen and of good property, but died about the time the town was incorporated. The name has disappeared. The HIBBARD and PLUMMER families succeeeded to the estate, and they, in turn have become extinct in that neighborhood. NATHAN HATCH settled in the lower Gunstock Valley and carried on the cooper's business, and had a fmily, who are still in Gilford, though not occupying the homestead or pursuing the trade. The HOYT family was one of prominence and large nubmers and rank. SIMEON, DANIEL and ENOCH HOYT settled in Chattleborough and held large estates and excellent lands. They had large families, who settled in different parts of the town and many emigrated to other places. SIMEON HOYT built, with EBENEZER SMITH, ESQ, the Gunstock Mills in 1789, six years after his settling in Gilford. EBENEZER HOYT went to Hampstead, and SAMUEL, JAMeS, and JAMES JR. were citizens in 1806. JAMES HOYT (3rd) is also in the list of 1813 and 1808. One of this name lived near Lieutenant J. GIlman's and one settled near the Upper Weirs and had two sons, who were well educated and held positions of importance in educational affairs, and a daughter who was married to Captain Winborn Sanborn, so long in command of steamers on the lake and lately deceased. COLONEL PEASLEE HOYT settled at the base of Mount Major; NATHANIEL on Liberty Hill; SIMEON Jr., ENOCH JR. and THOMAS near Chattleborough Pond. These families were in good social standing and were active citizens. The name of HUNT is also of prominence. ABEL HUNT came in 1783 and settled near the Intervale. He raised a large family and carried on the carpenter's and cabinet-maker's business. He had the only turning-lathe in the place, and made chairs and other furniture. He was employed to do the inside work and construct the pews in the first church. ENOCH HUNT settled, in 1794 near Captain I.F. Gilman's and was a prominent citizen, and his sons--WILLIAM, SAMUEL, JOSEPH, EBENEZER S, JOHN S, and ENOCH--were persons of standing and figured largely in public affairs; his successors carried on mechanical enterprises and have settled elsewhere. The names of HORN, HADLEY, HILL, and HUTCHINSON also are found among the early inhabitants; the two last named lived at the foot of Gunstock Mountain, and the name has ceased to exist there. AARON JACKSON settled near Jacob Jewett's and was related to RICHARD MARTYN by marriage. His son STANFORD built near him and committed suicide in his building. The name has disappeared. MAJOR JABEZ JAMES came into town in 1784 and settled near Cotton's Hill, on the north incline, on some excellent land. He was one of the largest taxpayers in the first years. His estate still remains in the name and the family holds its rank. He was a Revolutionary soldier and had sons, JOHN and JONATHAN who settled near. JONATHAN and JOHN JAMES settled near each other in the same neighborhood and their families are still represented in the place, though some have removed to other places. The families were not large, but of good standing and worthy in example. The JEWETT families, already alluded to, are of honorable mention and have been important as connected with the business affairs and pursuits of the people. SAMUEL JEWETT is said to have settled in 1777 (though another statement makes him to have been first mentioned in the records in 1789) and lived a half mile from the Bridge, or Falls, and above them. He sold land for a mill privilege in 1780. BENJAMIN and JACOB settled, successively, to the north of him, and their estates extended in a line two miles to the northeast. Their families have continued distinct and prominent until the present time. In 1806, BENJAMIN JR. is found on the list. He succeeded, about 1816, JOSEPH SLEEPER in trade and other business at Gilford village and did the chief business there for many years. As postmaster, justice, town treasurer and in other positions...His brothers were JOHN and MOSES. Other families of the name were JOHN, SMITH, WOODMAN, SAMUEL Jr., and REV. DANIEL... JOSEPH JONES was a citizen in 1813, but does not appear in earlier lists. ABEL, SAMUEL and DANIEL KIMBAL and GEORGE KENISTON were assesed, by the time and place of their settlement is not certain. Later, Mr. KIMBAL lived north of Samuel F. Gilman. ELDER JOHN KNOWLES settled on the south part of Liberty Hill and became the minister of a church organized in that part of town. He also preached at Gilford village and other places. He was a farmer at the same time and a man of high standing. His sons, JOHN D. and ELBRIDGE, became ministers also. The former preached at various places and embraced Second Adventism. The latter was settled at the Province Road Church, a Free-Will Baptist. WILLIAM, another son, lived at different places, and was a while the miller at the Hoyt (then Morrill's) Mill. Another son became a Shaker at Canterbury. The family and name is but limitedly known at the present time. COLONEL SAMUEL LADD came to Meredith Bridge and bought of STEPHEN GALE his mill and mill privilege. This mill was built about 1775 on the Meredith side and was carried away by a freshet in 1779. In 1780 Colonel Ladd rebuilt the mill on the Gilford side, and also built a dwelling-house, which was the first one at that place, and has ever since been known as the Mill-House. The dam built here proved insufficient to withstand the pressure of so great a volume of water. It was carried away three times (in three successive years) after Colonel Ladd built it and once before. The mill was burnt in 1788 and rebuilt and enlarged, with machinery for sawing added to that for grinding. With heroic courage, he established the milling business at this place. DUDLEY LADD continued the enterprise, and JONATHAN appears taxed in 1813. JOHN LAMPREY settled near the Alton line and built a saw-mill on a small stream near his house. His was the only family of that name in Gilford at that time, but at a later date a family of the name located at Meredith Bridge. He was a man of great strength and endurance. His sons were JOHN, RICHARD, SAMUEL and REUBEN, who settled in different places. The family is but limitedly represented at the present time here. WINTHROP, MOSES and VOWELL LANGLEY appear in the lists, and their location was in the northwest part of the town, and the name is now not common. The LEAVITT family is reckoned as among the early newcomers into town. STEPHEN is said to have come in 1785 and JONATHAN in 1793. The particular families that have located in town, besides Jonathan's and Stephen's were those of REUBEN, JONATHAN JR., LIEUTENANT SAMUEL and MILES, all on the Lake Shore Road; and BENJAMIN, STEPHEN JR., and JACOB all on the Intervale. MILES JR., in the Miles River Valley; NEHEMIAH, SAMUEL JR. and JONATHAN (the Little) and LEVI, elsewhere in town. The family grant was a large one, and the descendants are widely disperse and variously connected. FREDERICK LEWIS is on the list, but his location is uncertain. JOSEPH and BENJAMIN LIBBY, settled on the the Oaks Road, and later ELIAS occupied the place. The family was of good repute, and is still there. LEVI LOVIT was one of the earliest settlers, first locating near Black Brook, then near Governor's Island, after a short residence in Meredith; his trade was that of basket-making, and the sons followed the same business. EPHRAIM MALLARD settled early at Meredith Bridge, and carried on the cabinet and furniture business; and he was for many years moderator at town meetings, and was a man of distinction, and trustworthy. Was representative, and held several other offices in the gift of the people. The only other family of the name was that of HENRY, a brother, who lived in the centre and eastern part of the town, in different houses. JAMES McCOY was brought to town by Captain S.F. Gilman, by whom he was brought up, and near whom he lived. He had the care of the burying-ground in taht part of the townand was thought to have magical power, or art, to cure the toothache. His family and name have not been known in town for some years. ELDER RICHARD MARTIN came to Gilford in tye year 1796. Four years previous, in 1792, two meeting-houses were begun in what was then called, as a whole, the Upper Parish, viz: the Province Road and the Gunstock meeting houses. The one was intended as a Second Parish Congregational Church; and, as the Baptist interests and cause was pushed in the Lower Parish, to a separation the Upper Parish Church (being built by common taxation, or town aid) was to be for the free use of Baptists also, and even of any other dissenting parties or bodies. The Baptists were conceded the use of the church a portion of the time, and to the occupancy of the church for that part of the time Elder Martin was invited by the Baptist party, as he had been ordained the year previous, at Lee, as a Baptist minister. He settled on the lot next to the church. It is not stated that this lot was the one regularly reserved as a parsonage lot. It partly abutted on the lot set apart, in 1780, for the material support, viz. No. 10, in the thirteenth range, and the one on which the village is mostly situated. A forty-acre lot, on the south end of the second division of such lots, was in 1771, assigned, apparently, for each of the two Upper Parish ministerial supports, and another one hundred acre lot in Tioga, No. 13 of the seventh range, so that the two North Parish enterprises seemed to have their provisions made for support. Perhaps the Baptists did not claim exclusive right to this; hence Mr. Martin did not settle on it. He built his house conveniently near to the church as it were, forty rods. When measures were taken to install him by the Baptists he dissented from the Calvinist feature of their articles of faith, being an Immersionist, but not a Calvinist. He therefore became a preacher of that party, which also rejected the Calvinist sentiments and which was organized into an Anti-Calvinistic Baptist Church... He exercised his ministry..until his death in 1824. He cultivated his farm, and, with his sons, carried on some business in the line of tanning, as did his brother-in-law JAMES FOLLET, who was settled by his side. His family included two sons--RICHARD Jr. and JOHN L., and a daughter who married GEORGE SAUNDERS. Richard was a lay preacher, and John L a propagator of doctrines differing from those held by his father, and more coincident with the Universalit faith. He was prominent in public civic affairs while he remained a citizen of Gilford, from which he emigrated after the death of his father. RICHARD JR. lived at Lake village, or near there, for many years, and left a daughter. AARON MARTIN, of another lineage, was a manufacturer of paper at Meredith Bridge, in the days of its beginning. His paper-mill, located on the Gilford side, was burnt, and ceased operations many yearas ago, and the manufactory has not been rebuilt or the work resumed by others. The MARTIN name has not been on the lists in later years. LIEUTENANT SAMUEL B. MASON and EPHRAIM MASON are in the lists. MASON located near the lake, east of Governor's Island. The family, once of some standing has not remained to the present. CALEB MARSTEN came to town in 1793, and settled east of the Intervale, on the Mountain road. He was a man of leading ability, a leader in meetings, and improved his gifts as lay preacher, and was deacon of the first church. He had but one son, CAPTAIN CALEB O. MARSTEN, who was a promiennt citizen, and several daughters; and though the name has disappeared, the lineal descendnants are many. JAMES MERRILL settled in the Intervale and from this family was MAJOR J.Q. MERRILL descended. The family had but few members. Another brother settled south of Folsom's Mills, and was a farmer. JOHN MELOON was an early settler and miller at the Morrill grist-mill. A son, WALDO, emigrated to Bear Island, and the name is no longer known here. JOHN MOONEY came from New Durham, and settled near Alton, on the Mountain road. He was a man of standing and property. He had a large family: his sons were BENJAMIN, BURNHAM, JOSEPH, STEPHEN (who was a preacher among Adventists) and CHARLES. The estate is still held in the name, and many of the descendants live in the vicinity. The MORRILL families are prominent among the inhabitants. These are not from the same stock, and are located in different parts. BARNARD MORRILL came early from Brentwood; worked with JEREMIAH THING and learned the tanning business. Mr. Thing's residence and business was on Liberty Hill. Afterwards Mr. Morrill located at Hoyt & Smith's mill, on the ministry lot, and carried on the tanning and shoe business. Subsequently he purchased the mill and the grist-mill and the ministry lot, and carried on the large part of the business of the lpace. He was esquire and captain and a leading man in his times. He had but one son, GENERAL J. J. MORRILL, who continued his business, enlarged it and, in company with other men at different times (in the tanning department only) prosecuted it for many years by steam-power. The lumbering interests have all the time engaged their special attention. The property held by them has been large, and located in different parts of town and elsewhere. Farming, and on an improved plan has been successfully conducted. JONATHAN MORRILL settled in the upper part of the Miles River Valley, at the natural pond included in the Foster's Pond flowage. The descendants, a large family of sons, settled in the immediate vicinity, called the Morrill Neighborhood. They have gained wealth by industry and economy, and still hold their numbers and standing. JAMES MORRILL settled near the mountains; ZEBEDEE near the Jewetts; SAMUEL and JOHN D. at the foot of Mount Major, and afterwards elswhere. AMOS MORRILL carried on the wool-carding business at Hoyt's Mills at one time, which business was transferred to the fulling-mill below, on the same stream and carried on by other parties. BENJAMIN and HENRY and URIAH MORRISON were citizens at early times, the latter being minister of the Baptist Church when it worshipped in the Gunstock meetinghouse, or in the school-house. He came from Somersworth to supply the Baptists in the Upper Parish, then organized into the Second Church, and placed under his care in 1811. He lived near the Locklin, in the house aftewards occupied by Dr. Josiah Sawyer. He died in 1817, after a pastorate of about six years, and his wife died soon after this in 1819, and the family did not remain in town afterwards. Other MORRISON families wer not long continued in town, save that of JAMES and ABRAM. BENJAMIN is said to be of Deerfield. The MORRISON family located on Liberty Hill, of whom MRS. BARnARD MORRILL, ESQ. was decended (viz., JONATHAN MORRISON who was a Revolutionary solider) emigrated elswhere and was succeeded by JOHN STEVENS (He lived awhile, after leaving Gilford, in Tuftonborough NH). JAMES MORRISON succeeded to his father's estate at Meredith Bridge and was a teacher at times, and afterwards carried on the wool-carding business at Meredith Bridge, in the old Parker warp-mill, and added fulling and dressing of cloth to this business, and was succeeeded in business by the BUZZELL's--father and sons. He left no family. ABRAM MORRISON, his brother, has long been a businesman at the same place. He kept the EAGER HOTEL from 1846 to 1857, the WILLARD from 1857 to 1868, and since then a livery-stable and succeeds to the homestead and brother's residence. CAPTAIN JOHN MOODY was assessed but not definitely located. The Moody family and name was known to the Lower Parish, but not, save as land-holder, here. JACOB MORSE settled on the border of Alton, near two sons--ABNER and DAVID--whose families still remain. They were industrious farmers. DR. GEORGE W. MUNSEY, in boyhood, lived with SAMUEL BLAISDELL. In youth he studied at Dummer's Academy, in Newbury, Mass., and was a teacher; when a young man, married HANNAH BARTON, of Epson, and afterwards practiced medicine in Moultonborough, Center Harbor, and Gilford, living in several places in town, as at David Hale's on the Oaks road, near the Alton line, on the Pond road, and at two places in the Centre village. He had a large family. He had good powers of oratory. He lived past his four-score, and his wife to her one hundredth year. Of his sons. BARTON is a physician of the eclectic practice and the homoeopathic principal. He early worked in the jewler's business. His travel has been extensive both in this and in other countries. The other sons were GEORGE W., BENJAMIN, WILLIAM, AMOS PRESCOTT, and DAVID HALL. Of these GEORGE W., first and afterward Amos Prescot and David Hall worked at the trade of shoe-making; and William and Benjamin, who emigrated to Cape Ann, were in trade and business there. Of the six daughters, four remain living and are active in their spheres. One of these is the wife of REV. JOSIAH GILMAN, of Lynn, Mass. JOSIAH and ROBERT MOULTON are early tax-payers, but tradition fixes not their habitat; and JOHN C. of Meredith Bridge, was of prominence as postmaster, trader and later as a manufacturer. He began business at Lake Village, where he was burnt out. CAPTAIN JONATHAN NELSON was tax-payer, but his habitat uncertain. CAPTAIN JOHN S. OSGOOD settled near Samuel Jewett's and SAMUEL located on Liberty Hill. PRESCOT at Meredith Bridge. The name and family was of some standing. In later years ENOCH OSGOOD (wheelwright) lived at Gilford village and DR. OSGOOD (dentist) practiced his profession at Laconia. Of MICAJAH OSBORNE, only his assessment is mentioned. JOHN and JOSEPH ODLIN have been citizens and tradesmen in recent times. A PAGE family, that of a solider in the War of the Revoltuion, was settled near Daniel Hoyt's. The house and family soon disappeared, but HENRY PAGE, of Sanbornton, was a tax payer for many years, and then ceases that name altogether. CAPTAIN RUFUS PARISH is a tax payer for CYNTHIA PARISH. WILLIAM PEASLEY is also a tax payer, though probably non-resident. STEPHEN PEARLY was settled at Meredith Bridge where he was in trade, and stocked a store at JAMES FOLLET's, and by clerks carried on a business some years. He was a tax-payer in the early years of the town; a man of distinction and enterprise at the village where he lived. The family included DR. JOHN L. PEARLY, of some note as a practitioner, and as a citizen of Meredith and Laconia. The PIPER family was settled first in the southeastern part of the town, and the names of NATHANIEL and THOMAS are the only ones in the early tax lists. ALFRED lost an arm and lived many years at Meredith Bridge. HENRY PLUMMER came early to Gilmanton. HENRY JR. settled at the base of Mount Minor, or the Piper Mountain; he was a mason by trade. WILLIAM or BILLY PLUMMER is in the list, and JESSE PLUMMER also lived near the mountain. The heirs of HANNAH PLUMMER are also in the list of the assessed. THOMAS and MOSES are found dwelling on the Oaks road on the homestead, and THOMAS later at the Plains and in Lake village. He was a wheelright and worked at that trade many years, and died at an advanced age and left no family. MOSES left two sons, THOMAS and JAMES who were active business men, but lived at different places. JAMES was hotel landlord and tradesman. JOSEPH and ISRAEL POTTER settled early in the vicinity of Gilford village. They were brothers, held good lots and their families remain to this day. They came directly from the Lower Parish, where SAMUEL POTTER settled in 1783. Their families were not large and they both worked at shoe-making. In the second generation these families were large, though JOSEPH JR. of one, and THOMAS of the other. The late Adjutant JOHN M. and THOMAS D. of Boston, being of considerable note as traders and manufacturers, represent these families respectively. JONATHAN PRESCOT came to Gilmanton in 1793, and died in 1809. JONATHAN, of the third generation, son of TIMOTHY, was tax payer in 1813. HORATIO G. was also a citizen at the same time, and did business at Meredith Bridge, and was the first postmaster there, in 1824. The office was simply named Gilford, though sometimes kept on the Meredith side. RICHARD PALMER is assessed in 1808, but his habitat is uncertain. JACOB QUIMBY was a resident at one time near the Invervale. LIEUTENANT PHILBROOK RAND settled near ABEL HUNT's in 1790, and north of Gunstock Hill, and improved some excellent land. The family still occupy the old homestead, and Simon, his son, has been a prominent citizen. JOSEPH RAND lived awhile at the village, and removed from the town in its first years. The RAND family was not large. GEORGE RAND was once a resident, but emigrated early, and SAMUEL also. BENJAMIN RICHARDSON appears to be an inhabitant in 1813. Habitat uncertain. JOSEPH ROBBERTS, from New Durham, settled in the Mooney neighborhood, and was, by trade, a tailor. He carried on also farming, and had a large family, of whom CHARLES and JOSEPH are successful businesss men in Boston--dealers in iron and machinery. They wrought at blacksmithing before leaving Gilford. The family has gone from the homestead, and settled in various places. The ROLLINS name, so common in Alton, had one representative in Gilford in JOHN ROLLINS, who is taxed for property near the Alton line. ELDER JOHN ROLLINS, from Moultonborough, preached a while, succeeding RICHARD MARTIN. The ROWE family is quite extensive and was early settled in the place. EZEKIEL and JACOB came in 1796. JEREMIAH appears soon after, and RICHARD and SAMUEL; also JEREMIAH (2d and 3d), and JOSEPH. They settled in the south aprt of the town, near Liberty and Cotton's Hills. KELLEY ROWE was afterwards a Baptist preacher, though never ordained. BENJAMIN ROWE came from Brentwood in 1816, and worked at the wool-carding business, at the Upper Mill, near Hoyt's saw-mill, and also at the Lower Mill, whither the machinery was improved. He also carried on farming, brick-making and the making of farming implements, as wheels, plows, rakes, etc. He lived to be nearly one hundred years old; was a teacher of vocal music and a drummer in early life. His oldest son, HON. JOHN M., was long engaged in the quarry business, at Frankfort, Me., and resides still there. Another son, BENJAMIN F., was professor of elocution, teaching that department at Bowdoin College and elsewhere, and died young. The members of this family were all excellent singers and musicians. MOSES ROWELL settled on the Oaks road, between the Weirs and Upper Weris, and had two sons JACOB and PHILIP. These three families are nearly extinct; the name is not left. JACOB RUNDLET (sometimes spelled RANLET) settled near Governor's Island, and was a man of influence, and held the office of deacon. The family name is lost, though a lineal descent represents the family. THEOPHILUS RANLET is the only other one of the name on the tax-list. ISAAC RUNNELLS settled on the Intervale at the THOMAS FOSTER place. The name and the family have not had a representative in later years. THOMAS SALTMARSH, selectman the first year of the town's corporate state, had settled at the Pond, sometimes called the Saltmarsh Pond, and sometimes Chattleborough Pond, after the name of one THOMAS CHATTLE, who had lived awhile and squatted on the opposite (south) shore of it; and he (Saltmarsh) had a good farm and good social standing. The family continued, represented by three sons, THOMAS, WILLIAM and SETH, but has now disappeared. The SANDBORN, or SANBORN family, is extensive and of several distinct divisions. The numerous inhabitants of Sanbornton are allied. DEACON JONATHAN settled at the foot of Liberty Hill, and had a good estate. He was a man of piety and influence, and his sons were JONATHAN, JACOB and JOSEPH. The latter was a trader at Gilford village, and carried on extensively the cooperage business, making barrels for the Portsmouth market. ISRAEL settled south of Liberty Hill, and his son was DEACON LEVI, of Meredith Bridge, and daughter MARY, the school-mistress of those early years. BENJAMIN SANBORN, of another lineage, settled in the Jewett neighborhood; and his sons were BENJAMIN Jr., ESQ, and ABIAL. LOWELL SANBORN, of still another lineage, whose sons were LOWELL, RICHARD and ELISHA, settled near the lake, off Governor's Island, and SAMUEL GILMAN SANBORN, father of CAPTAIN WINBORN and JOHN G. (also a son of LOWELL SR.) was located in the same neighborhood, and was a man of uncommon ability and honorable influence. RICHARD settled near Captain S.F. and Lieutenant John Gilman. He was a carpenter, as was Lowell and his sons, and also by his own three sons--LOWELL JR., RICHARD JR., and OSGOOD. By these six or seven men much of the building of those days was done. Samuel and David are reckoned in the same connection. Benjamin, of Laconia, the carpenter, was of the family of Lowell; and Benjamin, the shoe-dealer, first at Lake village and later of Laconia, was of another family. MESCHECK SANBORN came later to Gilford village from Brentwood, to conduct the wool-carding and fulling business. He bought and ran the Chapman (or Mingo) Mill; was afterwards postmaster and store-keeper, alone and in company; was town clerk and in various places of responsibility. He had no sons, but five daughters, who are well connected, one of them being the wife of General J.J. Morrill, and another married Dr. A.G. Weeks. LOWELL SANBORN, popularly termed Deacon Lowell, a millwright and mechanic at large, was from Gilmanton, and returned thither and was miller at Morrill's grist-mill awhile. JOSEPH SANBORN, the tailor, lived and worked at his trade ner Gunstock Hill. JOHN SARGENT settled very near and to the southwest of Captain Gilman's. He had no son, so his estate was inherited by his son-in-law John S. Hunt. WILLIAM SARGENT, drover and later a hotel-keeper at Lake village, first settled on that part of Meredith, and later of Laconia, which has been lately annexed to Gilford. He was a man of business, and had suffered the loss of an arm and an eye. GEORGE SANDERS settled near the lake, by the Sanborns, and was a leading citizen. He married the daughter of RICHARD MARTIN, had a superior farm, and a son of his GEORGE W. still lives in town, though not on the homestead, but near by on the Intervale at Captain I.P. Smith's place. S.W. SANDERS, dealer in hardware at Laconia, is of another family. JOSIAH SAWYER early settled on the height of land west of the Miles River Valley, and cultivated a large plant there and adjacent. His sons were ISRAEL, DR. JOSIAH, JOHN and JOSEPH, and of these, ISRAEL had the homestead, JOHN settled in West Alton, JOSEPH in Gilmanton, and DR. JOSIAH practiced medicine in Gilford. He was a practitioner of some medical skill, though not read in the regular course. The Sawyer name is still kept, though there are few males in the line. SETH SAWYER afterwards preached a while in the Gilford village church. THOMAS, WILLIAM, MATHIAS and JOHN SEWELL are the individuals bearing this surname. THOMAS first lived in the south part of the town, near Liberty Hill; subsequently he moved to the plains near Black Brook and married the widow of SAMUEL BARTLETT; he was a drove at one time. MATHIAS lived near him there and also at other places, and worked at the tanning business, as also did THOMAS. He lived at Gilford village at different times and worked at Thing's and Morrill's tanneries. WILLIAM and JOHN are supposed to have remained at the south part of town. The family name has disappeared, though a lineal descent remains. LEVI SHAW settled first near Israel Potter's on the Sanborn place, then at or near Saltmarsh Pond, and afterwards to the south of the pond. He was a man of great physical strength and endurance. The family name has become extinct, but the line is kept by other names. WILLIAM SIBLEY early settled near Gunstock Mountain. His father was the first merchant at Gilmanton. His half-brother GEORGE LITTLEFIELD SIBLEY had no male children, and Mrs. John Elkins succeeded to the paternal estate. The family name is now extinct. The name of SLEEPER is represented by ESQUIRE NEHEMIAH, HENRY, JOSEPH and JONAS. NEHEMIAH ESQ. settled on the lake-shore, near Esquire Evans', and was possessed of a good estate, to which GEORGE, now of Laconia, succeeeded. JOSEPH and HENRY were settled near Wm. Sibley's at the west base of Gunstock Mountain, and HENRY did business at Gilford village and emigrated thence. JOSEPH was the accredited surveyor of this times, and had defined for conveyance most of the lands of the town. He subsequently moved to the farm in the Jewett neighborhood. HENRY JR. lives at Lake village, and has held important offices in the town government. JONAS SLEEPER was trader at Gilford village and died of spotted fever in the epidemic of the winter of 1814-1815. His sons DR. FRANCIS, of Laconia; JONAS, lawyer of Haverhill, N.H.; and SARAH, lately Mrs. SMITH of Bankok, Siam. It was an intellectual family. The mother was the daughter of FARMER BEAN of Gilmanton. The daughter was preceptress at New Hampton, and one of the first missionaries of the Baptist Society to India, and she has lived there for a period of some fifty years. FRANCIS was maimed in childhood by the fracture of his skull from a fragment of a blast, and though he sustained the loss of some portion of the brain, yet skillful surgery restored health, and there seemed no detriment of intellectual ability resultant. The mother married BENJAMIN JEWETT, Jr. ESQ, and died soon after. The SMITH family is of special importance in Gilford history. JUDGE EBENEZER SMITH, of Meredith, was a man suprioer in the affairs of the State about the time of the Revolutionary War. His connection with the early surveys of the territory enable him to know the location of the best lands. He chose considerable tracts on and near the Intervale, and between bogs in Meredith. His sons, EBENEZER, ESQ. and JOHN, ESQ., improved the land thus selected here--Esquire Ebenezer at the head and Esquire John at the foot of the Intervale. One OLIVER SMITH, also connected with the survey, had a place and rude building on the east margin of the Intervale. The sons of ESQUIRE EBENEZER were JOHN, ISAAC, DANIEL, JOSEPH P., and EBENEZER JR. John occupied the homestead after the sudden and accidental death of the father, and had no sons. Ebenezer Jr. located a little distance north of the homstead, and had one son, JEREMIAH. Joseph P. settled at different places, elsewhere and at the village, and finally on the flank of the Intervale, near Caleb Marston's place--a place bought of Joseph Fifield, and improved by True Bean, and he had no sons. DANIEL was of an inventive nature and engaged in manufacturing at Meredith village, and afterwards, on a reverse in business, lived at his father-in-law's Richard Dame's and engaged in farming, and still later lived at Gilford village, where he died, and left no son. Isaac settled on the Lake-Shore road, beyond the limits of Gilford, and he had no son. The family held social distinction from first to last. The other son of Judge Smith, JOHN ESQ, lived awhile here and latterly at the homestead in Meredith, and his son CAPTAIN JOHN (or DEACON JOHN), called JOHN P., occupied the spacious house in Gilford. The property of father and son, as well as that of the grandfather, was great, and was increased by inheritance from another son of Judge Smith, DANIEL, of Meredith. The religious character of Esquire John and Deacon John P. was well marked and of a high order, and generous gifts to the needy were of no infrequent occurrence. Here was an asylum for the distressed. John P. had two sons and one daughters--DANIEL K. a proficient scholar, a surveyor of precision and repute, who died in middle age, after holding a major's commission and being married, but having no issue; JOHN P. JR., who lives in Gilford; and the wife of RICHARD GOVE of Laconia, many years ago deceased wtihout issue. A son of WASHINGTON SMITH, of Meredith (the remaining son of Judge Smith) by the name of JOSHUA, lived in that part of Laconia lately annexed to Gilford, JOHN RICE SMITH, of Meredith, has been a tax-payer in Gilford on accord of land occupied by sons-in-law, Stanford Jackson and Dudley Gilman and Moses Dockman. The Smith name was not, as elsewhere proverbially common here. The STEVENS family was early in Gilford. PAUL STEVENS who worked at shoe-making, first lived in the south part of town, and then near Israel Potter's in the house built by Samuel Potter. He had a large family, of which was COLONEL EBENEZER STEVENS, who worked at the blacksmith trade at Gilford village, and since living at Meredith village--a man of high social standing and rare ability. Also WILLIAM, who also worked at blacksmithing at Gilford village and after emigrated to the West, having one daughter, the wife of BENJAMIN WADLEIGH, ESQ. Also PAUL JR. who was a mason by trade; and SMITH, and JOHN and MOSES, and several daughters who were residents, and conducted business in the line of millinery at several places. JOHN STEVENS settled on Liberty Hill and had a large estate there, bought of Jonathan Morrill. He had sons SHERBURN, HUBBAND and SICKUM. The estate was later occupied by his daughters, but has since passed into other hands. The sons, except SHERBURN, moved to other places, and the other members of the family also removed. SHERBURN lived south of Liberty Hill, and, at last, near Laconia. He had two sons, FRANK and JOHN, who were dentists, and the former was also physician. DANIEL STEVENS was an early settler and located at the south part of town. BENJAMIN STEVENS lived near Lieutenant John Gilman and afterwards moved to the town of Hill. ENSIGN STEVENS (so called) once lived on Gunstock Hill where Jeremiah Gillman afterwards lived, and later lived at Lake village and elsewhere. NATHANIEL STEVENS, a tailor, came to Meredith Bridge about 1840, and pursued his vocation there many years, with good success. NATHAN SWAIN and JOSEPH SWAIN were citizens; the latter located near the Locklin, and has sons, MOSES and SILVESTER, who live elsewhere. He was a man of religious activity. His wife died from burns, when his house was consumed. The estate has gone out of the name, but to direct heirs. CHASE SWAIN lived at different times, and a son CHARLES, was a blacksmith at Gilford village and other places. HENRY SWASEY lived in the west part of the town, and his son Henry served his time at Henry Whittier's and has since been in trade at Lake village. LITTLEFIELD TAYLOR was in the tax list of 1813 and his residence was not indicated. BADGER TAYLOR was a machinist at Meredith Bridge for many years. He had one son, who became a minister and a daughter who was well connected. GENERAL TAY (so called) lived at Meredith Bridge, and was a builder there. The THING family is an old one, and includes JEREMIAH, JESSE, JOSEPH, JEREMIAH Jr., and MORRILL, and some of later generations though not numerous. JEREMIAH settled on Liberty Hill before the beginning of this [1800's] century and carried on the tanning business and had BERNARD MORRILL as apprentice, and others. He came from Brentwood, and had two sons, JEREMIAH JR. and MORRILL, who also were tanners. The former lived at the homestead till, in later years, he went into trade with Jewett & Chase at the village, and still later, at New Hampton. He was in his younger years a school-teacher and a severe disciplinarian. MORRILL THING carried on the tanning business at Guilford village for several years and afterwards at the homestead, and after the death of his parents remained there till death. He was repeatedly in office as selectman and representative, and in other positions. He was a well versed man in town affairs and, in the Legislature, a man of ability and trust. His family were mostly short lived, and but few of them remain. His wife was from the line of Esquire Benjamin Weeks, and an executive woman. Associated is JESSE THING of whom less is known now. JOSEPH THING lived near the mountain, by William Sibley's. His son JOSEPH lived at Lake village, and a grandson is an artist in Ohio. He afterwards moved to Lake village, and was a man of ability. He was a carpenter by trade; built the Goodhue house, and kept a small store. GILMAN THING succeeded to the Captain Gilman estate, and had no son. The THOMPSON family was one of the early ones, and quite large. DAVID THOMPSON settled near the Miles River in its middle course. His sons were JONATHAN Jr. and LEVI B., the latter being the youngest of the family, and inheriting the homestead. After the death of the parents he removed to Topsham, Me., and was in trade in Brunswich, Me., for some years, where his son, DR. A. J. THOMPSON, graduated. He afterwards was in trade at Gilford village with his older son, JOHN, and still later, moved to Sanbornton. DR. A.J. THOMPSON was in practice at Meredith Bridge; went into the army, and, after practicing in Salem, Mass. awhile, died there. SAMUEL THOMPSON settled on the Lake-Shore road, near the Intervale, and had three sons, who lived elswhere in the State. JONATHAN THOMPSON lived on the road near Governor's Island. JACOB THOMPSON lived at various places. THOMAS and CHARLES are also named. Most of the members of these three Thompson famlies were stature [physicially], and one was called "Long John." The THURSTON FAMILY was early on the ground as settlers. BENJAMIN THURSTON came soon after SAMUEL, who is recorded as settling in 1791. SAMUEL located in the south part of the town, and BENJAMIN near the Intervale. MILES L. and BENJAMIN L. succeeded him in the order of descent and on the homestead. THey held a large landed estate, and were in good circumstances. The widow of BENJAMIN (1st) lived to be in her one hundredth year, and left one son and several daughters. DANIEL, BENJAMIN JR., and SAMUEL JR. were of the other original family, and settled in various places, some on the Lake-Shore road and in Alton. DANIEL TORSEY settled near the mountain, and for long years lived at the almshouse, and died aged. HENRY AND ALVA TUCKER are in the list. The latter was a mechanic at Meredith Bridge. HENRY WADLEIGH came to town with Esquire BENJAMIN WEEKS in 1787. He was son-in-law to Esquire Weeks, and settled near him, and worked at blacksmithing. He had sons, WILLIAM and BENJAMIN< who also worked at the blacksmith trade, and the latter also at stone-cutting, and had important official positions, and is a skilled workman. The family is still represented (here) in the third and fourth generations. DAVID WATSON, of Meredith, cleared land in Gilford, near the Gunstock River and the present village, and began building in 1798. His sons, JONATHAN and JOB, lived on the place. JONATHAN also subsequently lived near the Locklin, in the Swain house, and at length movede back to Meredith. His son, DAVID, of Boston, was born in Gilford, and has been long in business in Boston. JOB occupied the estate in 1811, and had a large family. Two sons: JOHN and CHARLES, graduated at Bowdoin College and at Union Seminary, and have labored in various places. DAVID became a carpenter, learned his trade in Lowell, and worked there some years, and, later, at Laconia, where he lives now. The daughters are settled in different places, Others bearing the name have at times resided in the town. JOHN WEBSTER, in 1806, and DUDLEY WEBSTER, in 1813 are taxed; supposed to dwell near Malachi Davis, and at a time near Jackson's meadow. The WEEKS FAMILIES are large and of special importance in the history of the town, both in its earlier stages and in its more recent course. BENJAMIN WEEKS ESQ., as has been said, came to this part of the town in 1787. He had lost a barn and stock of hay in the Lower Parish a little before by fire. His father died about the same time in Greenwood, N.H. and left not much property. He moved to Burton for two or three weeks, and returned without success in 1792. He bought land largely, and sold many pieces, and had four hundred or five hundred acres. His older brother, JOHN, came with him and lived nearby, towards Jonathan Sanborn's and died in 1816, aged about eighty-four years. DEACON NOAH WEEKS, another brother, came about the same time and settled to the southwest of him, on Liberty Hill, or its vicinity. Esquire Weeks had six sons and one daughter, all born in the last quarter of the last century (late 1700's). He aided them in education and to commence trade. DANIEL, the oldest, began trade in 1801 at the home place; ELISHA, the second son, studied law, and ran the tan-yard awhile; and WILLIAM attended the academy at Gilmanton, fitted for college and graduated, and, being feeble in health, went South, and taught a few years, and died in 1810, probably the first one from this town, or its territory, who graduated at college, which was in 1806. BENJAMIN and LEVI R. also engaged in trade in their early life. SALLY married Henry Wadleigh, and was inclined to literary life, but died early. From these were a large community of active, enterprising citizens. ELISHA settled in Strafford; LEVI R. moved to other places; and from BENJAMIN'S and DANIEL's families, each large, came a number of tradesmen, and a good share of the business in this part of town has been done by them. The family of DEACON NOAH--viz., NOAH, IRA and MATHIAS--have also been of honorable career.... THE WHITTIER FAMILY are also of honorable mention and important. DEACON ANDREW WHITTIER came and settled early near Daniel Hoyt's. He was a man of influence, and raised a family... TIMOTHY succeeded to the homestead. JONATHAN settled nearly on the north, and was a wheelwright and framer. [note: FRAMER, not farmer]. He afterwards built and operated a mill, including grist-mill, thresher and carriage shop. ANDREW wrought at shoemaking nearer the village, and at later times lived, and died at this father-in-law's, Abel Hunt's. MOSES and HENRY settled at the Oaks road, near the Upper Weirs. MOSES was a mechanic, but HENRY was a farmer, and had no family. JOHN WEYMOUTH is taxed in 1813; and CHARLES WILLEY, who lived near Governor's Island; and JACOB at Lake Village; and JOB WILSON and BENNING WILKINSON, concerning who little is known; also JEREMIAH YOUNG, of uncertain location and history. DR. I.K. YOUNG preached only a short time in the church at Meredith Bridge while it stood on the Gilford side. SAMUEL YORK lived on the Intervale and had sons and daughters. [The original source included the Topography of the Town, a section about ROADS, and one about the INDUSTRIES of the towm which are not included here except brief excerpts as follows]. LILY POND - a small circular pond on the west side of the town which abounds in lilies. SALTMARSH POND - located near the center of town, was the residence of Thomas Saltmarsh, a prominent citizen of Gilmanton, and afterwards one of the first Board of Selectmen of Gilford. It is larger than the other 3 ponds in town, and dischages its water through Jewett's Brook into the river above the falls in Laconia. Some of the first wrought iron artisans [of the town] were Antipas Gilman, in the south part of the town, and his two sons--Winthrop and Josiah--the latter of whom worked also afterwards at the village and subsequently became preacher to the Universalist Society there and finally settled in Lynn, Mass., following his profession there; and Henry Wadleigh, in Chattleborough; and Samuel Blaisdell, at his place in the northwest part of town; succeeded by some four of his sons, especially, Philip O., who worked at the village and elswhere, and finally on Gunstock Hill; and Daniel, at the Lakeside road (the Captain Locke) place and afterwards at the Plains, his president residence; also James Follett, on Gunstock Hill; and at the village also William and Ebenezer Stevens; successively; and Josiah Gilman, already mentioned; and William H. Wadleight, who wrought in several shops and for many years; and in later times Charles Beede, Benjamin Dame, Jacob Blaisdell, Charles Swain, a Mr. Cross and others temporary. There have been six shops at the village...John Blaisdell made hoes and edge-tools. His shop stood near the present site of the church and town hall. Beede (alone and with D. Leavitt) made axes and pitchforks and chains, and he built, on the new road, the present Wadleigh shop. Gilman Leavitt and Wadleight, and to some extent, others, ironed wagons, carriages and sleighs, and were tire-setters, and all did shoeing. Smith-work was done at Lake Village by Rabie and Hiram GIlman, and later, for carriages, by Rublee, who puts up the wood-work also. The same business, on a large scale, was done at Meredith Bridge by Thomas Babb, on the Gilford side. The most of the smith-work there was done on the Meredith side by Daniel Tucker and others. The machinist business was carried on in connection with the factory and afterwards in separate buildings. Badger Taylor and Alva Tucker were early workmen at this trade. Later, a large building has been devoted to the business, located on the side of the old Ladd's mill. The tanning and shoe-making and peg-making industries have been important. The old-style tanyard and the bark-mill was quite common in different parts of the town. Benjamin Weeks, Esq. built one in 1792, and he did some businessin the line and in connection with his son Matthias. Jeremiah Thing, nearly as early, pursued the business on Libery Hill. Captain James Follett and also Richard Martin had yards on Gunstock Hill. The latter was run by John L. Martin afterwards and bought by Joseph & S.S. Gilman. These all have ceased to be operated (by 1888). Bernard Morrill carried on an extensive business at the village, which was enlarged and continued by I.I. Morrill and by I.I. and J.D. Morrill, and by I.I. Morrill and Samuel Wright. About forty years ago [from 1888] the old yard was abandoned and a new mill was built with steam works and water-power, for grinding bark. This has been in operation within a short time for tanning, but the currying ceased some years ago. Another yard was many years in use at the village, run by Matthias Sewell and also Morrill Thing, but ceased to be used thirty years since. Matthias Sewell had a yard and business at the Plains before and after doing business in the village. James Crocket did a large tanning business at Meredith Bridge, near the Eager tavern and court-house. This was abandoned nearly fifty years ago. The main business in this line was done on the Meredith side by Worcester Boynton, on the site of the Buzzell mill and at the Morrison's livery stable. The craft of the shoemaker was a special one. William Clark was the itinerant shoemaker, going from house to house to do the yearly shoe and boot-making for the families in turn. Joseph Potter, Sr. was a permanently-located shoemaker at his homestead. Samuel Gilman (1st), a deformed or crippled man, practiced cobblery on Gunstock Hill. His son Jeremiah and grandson David continued the business at the village (at B. Morrill's) and on Gunstock Hill. ... Paul Stevens pursued the trade first in the south part of the town and afterwards near the village. Israel Potter, and, lately, his grandson, T.O. Potter, worked at the business at the old homestead nearby. Leavit Sleeper very early was a shoemaker at Gilford village. George W. Munsey early learned the business at Meredith, with one Mugget... David Hale Munsey and Amos Prescot Munsey also carried on the business. Thos. Perkins Ayer carried on the business at three different places, and finally at the Plains. David Gilman and T.P. Ayer worked also at harness-making. George Crosby, at Gunstock Hill, worked also at harness-making and shoemaking. Andrew Whittier pursued the trade in the east part of the village; John Potter, son of Joseph Jr. was his apprentice. John Avery was apprentice of Daniel Gilman, and Jonathan Leavitt of Thos. P. Ayer. Warren Thompson worked at the business at the village, and at Laconia afterwards. [this chapter continues on for several pages describing more businesses and their owners, that are not included here]... Hotel-keeping, a branch of trade was conducted in the area. The Lawrence tavern, on the Gilford side, was rival of the Robinson's tavern, on the other side. It was kept by Ebenezer Lawrence, and afterwards by John Tilton, and then became the Willard Hotel, and was considered "beautiful for situation," and a favorite resort to the best class of the traveling public and for boarders. It was afterwards kept by Young, Morrison and Everet. The Eager tavern was nearer the courthouse, but "the court" usually made his abode at the Willard, and the litigant more generally at the Eager and Robinson's. The Eager has often changed landlord and name. It has been kept by Asa Eager, Frank Chapman, Charles Beede, Hiram Verrill, Mr. Tuck, A. Morrison, John Blaisdell and others, at different times and known as the Belknap House and by other names, and been enlarged and rebuilt. The building of another house at Winnesquam, "The Bay View," and now still another, "Vue De L'Van," has been in response to summer travel and required boarding, which has greatly increased; and other houses for boarding, such as the Maplewood, etc., have been opened. At Lake village, Sargent's tavern was opened some thirty years ago [from 1888] and beofre that there was no public-house and not much travel to require one. The travel by stage was mainly through Meredith. Robert Carr kept a semi-hotel or entertained teamsters and travelers, as a halting-place between Emerson's at West Alton, and Meredith Bridge. Captain James Follet furnished meals and entertained at town-meetings and on other public occasions at the Meeting-House Hill. These, with many other places recently, furnished board in the summer season, constituted the hotel provisions in the town and vicinity. About 1845 travel by rail began. The Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad was first opened to Meredith Bridge, and afterwards to Plymouth, and finally to Wells River. Before this, in 1832, the first steamboat, the "Belknap" was built at Lake village, and got up into the lake by being buoyed up, to pass the shallows at the Weirs. She was a heavy clumsy boat, and ran only a few years till she ran aground near Long Island, and was finally broken up and disposed of. Captain Winborn Sanborn was the commander of her, and he was, in after-years, also of the "Lady of the Lake." Since that time the "Lady of the Lake," the "White Mountain," the "Long Island," the "Winnipesaukee," the "Minneola," the "James Bell" and many other smaller steamers have been put upon routeson the lake, and communicate with the Weirs and Lake village. Much transportation has been made also by the horse-power toll-boats and in gondolas (so-called popularly), and by rafts and smaller boats. The corporations located in the town, or doing business therein, have been the Iron-Mining and Foundry Company, the Ticking-Mill Company, the steamboat companies, the Academy Corporation, the Horse Railroad Company (formed in 1883, and running street cars from Laconia and Lake village), the Savings-Bank, National Bank and some smaller concerns that do business. There have been two newspapers published [1888] in town--one more recently at Lake Village, and one formerly at Meredith Bridge--but papers published in Boston and New York have larger circulation. The "Gazette (Winnipesaukee)" at Meredith Bridge, was edited and published sometimes in Gilford and sometimes in Meredith, and under changed names. Among its editors and managers have been CHarles Lane, J.C. Moulton, A.C. Wright, Mr. -- Baldwin (of unhappy and premature death) and several others. The "Laconia Democrat" may be considered the successor of the "Gazette." The "Lake Village Times" is under the management of the Hon. Mr. Haynes, member of Congress. Those in the medical practice in town have included Dr. William Smith from 1768 to 1830; Jonathan Hill, 1788 and onward; Obadiah Parish, 1790-94; Abraham Silver, 1790- 1801; Simon Foster 1793-1824; Daniel Jacobs 1796-1815; Benjamin Kelley, 1801- 39; Asa Crosby 1816-32; Thomas H. Merrill, 1814-22; William Prescott 1815-33; Dixie Crosby 1824-38; and at Gilford 1835-38; Otis French 1828 and onward; Jacob Williams 1816-28; Nathan C. Tebbetts, 1825 and onward; John C. Page who practiced at Gilford village in 1826 and Gilmanton 1832-36, and was afterwards a minister; Joseph Gould 1820 and onward; Edward G. Morrill, 1834 and afterwards, and others for a short time. Those who have located and practiced in this town more exclusively were Zadock Bowman at Meredith Bridge in early times; J.C. Prescot; Dixie Crosby about 2835, and who became distinguished as surgeon and professor at Dartmouth Medical College; Josiah Crosby, succeeding Dixie, Andrew McFarland, 1838 and onward, J.L. Peasley, who soon retired from practice, Dr. Garland about 1845-60; Dr. Ayer 1850 and onward; Dr. Francis Sleeper, native-born and pracaticing till about 1860; Warren Sleeper and Warren Leach, homeopathists, or of the Botanic School; Dr. Knowles, a few years, about 1845; Dr. Prescot, succeeding Knowles; Dr. Wilson, about 1875 and again at present; Dr. Weeks, homoepathist; Dr. Foster to the present time; Dr. B. Munsey, eclectic to the present time at Gilford village and also Laconia; Dr. Josiah Sawyer, at the village for many years prior to 1845; Dr. George W. Munsey, at the village for some forty years prior to 1856; Dr. Charles Tebbets at the village and later at Laconia; Dr. Dearborn, at the village a short time; Dr. Devan, at the village and Lake village; Dr. Moore and Dr. Goss, homeopathists at Lake village; Dr. Frank Russell and Dr. I.S. French, native-born and graduating as residents; Drs. Frank Stevens and Hosea Smith and others studied medicine with Drs. Garland and Ayer and practiced elsewhere. There was also in early times a calss who practiced limitedly without professional education, as Mrs. Samuel Blaisdell and Mrs. Frohock, and others; also Nathaniel Davis, Sr., D.Y. Smith, and I.S. Gilman, by patent preparation. Mrs. A.F. Wiley is sole represenative of female practice, under a regular diploma, and after a full course of medical education. Her location was first at Gilford village, and afterwards at Laconia. The spotted fever epidemic was in 1815, and Dr. Asa Crosby discovered an effectual remedy for it. [the source goes on to describe members of the legal profession, and the church history, that are not included here]. MILITARY HISTORY--The Revolutionary War began, but was not ended, before there were any settlers occupying seats on the soil of the present town of Gilford, and hence we may not expect to find men from this place in the Revolutionary army. Yet there were men there who afterwards were some of our own citizens, as for example, Thomas Frohock, one of the men in the battle of Bunker Hill (one of the three-months' men, serving from April 23d to August 1, 1775). He knew no fatigue, and would accept no relief while the redbout on Breed's Hill was being constructed in the night of preparation before that eventful day, June 17, 1775. He was one of one hundred and fifty-one men in Gilmanton between the ages of sixteen and fifty, according to the military census taken in that year, twelve of whom went to the front at the first call of the American cause. He also re-enlisted in 1776 and served three months and eight days under Washington at New York, and was one of the thirty-six men enlisted in that year; and the family name was originally SparHawk, or Sparrow-Hawk, but to escape British apprehension and execution for deserting the British cause before this, the changed name Frohock was taken and has been ever since retained. Before the close of the war Gilmanton had furnished one hundred and twenty-five enlisted men, among whom are other names of Gilford inhabitants, as Major Jabez James, John Cotton, Benjamin Libbie, Lieutenant Samuel Ladd, David Clough, Abel Hunt, Enoch Hunt, Mr. page, Ichabod Buzzell, Jacob Jewett, Jeremiah Bartlett and others. A part of the militia was called into service in 1781 and ten men went. The afterwards-organized militia called for two companies of infantry from Gilford proper; also a rifle company and light infantry company and some artillermen and cavalrymen. As the territory was first settled at the time of the Revolutionary War, so it was set off and incorporated into a township in the time of the War of 1812. Into this war she sent her honorable quota. There were three drafts made for the army and many watchers went to the Canada line to stand as sentinels and watchers on our borders. The men were Joseph York, Stephen Langley (who had settled near the Benjamin Libbey place, by Long Bay), Frank Bowman, who lived near the Weirs and who died in the army. He was an Indian doctor and said to be a Prussian. He was one while located at the Stone-Dam Island, then previously at or near the Weirs; Daniel Foster, Joseph Libbey going to the line; Ira Seabury to go to Portsmouth; and from Captain Bradford's company--Lieutenant Henry Mallard, who was a carpenter; and Mark Chase, who went as a substitute. Captain Mason led his company to the line. Lieutenant Samuel Leavitt was officer in Mason's company. The men of 1812 were mainly sent to Portsmouth. The spirit of resistance ran high and yet there were opposers. The organization of the militia and its annual muster were continued till about 1855, when the old organization was abolished and muster was no longer required, and so this gala season was lost sight of, to a great relief. Under the old regime, the Tenth Regiment was raised in the original towns of Gilmanton and Barnstead, or, later, of Gilford, Gilmanton and Barnstead. The muster-field, in earlier years, was at Lower Gilmanton; but in later years it was by circuit, held, in turn, at Gilford and Barnstead also. The law required a company parade and drill in the month of May annually, and for preparation for the regimental parade a company drill was practiced, at the option of the officers and company, in September, a short time previous to the annual muster. The men of Gilford who held regimental and higher official rank were Peasley Hoit, Ebenezer Stevens, Benjamin F. Weeks, and George W. Weeks, successively, colonels; and John M. Potter, J.Q. Merrill, and Daniel K. Smith, majors; Nathan Weeks, regimental staff-officer; J.J. Morrill, general; Major Robie, drum-major; J.M. Potter, Adjutant. The independent companies, Riflemen and Light Infantry, received their arms and equipment from the State, and they were usually uniformed. The Rifle Company was of later organization and enlisted form the north part of the town. The Light Infantry company was enlisted mainly from Meredith Bridge. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES [excerpts only] page 773 HON. B.J. COLE Hon. Benjamin James Cole, son of Isaac and Hannah (Atwood) Cole, was born in Franconia, N.H. September 28, 1814. James Cole, the first of the name in America, came to the Plymouth Colony in 1633, and was granted lands on Leyden Street, Plymouth in 1637. His descendants scattered to various points in New England with one line ending up in Rowley Mass. Solomon Cole, the grandfather of Benjamin James Cole, was born in 1742....Solomon and his brothers performed twenty-seven years of service in the colonial army of the Revolution...Solomon participated in the battle of Bunker Hill and in .. other engagements, and was wounded at Chippewa Plains... Solomon married a Baker, and had eight sons--Timothy, John, Isaac, Benjamin, Solomon, Kimball, Samuel and Asa. He lived in Rowley and Methuen MA until 1796 and was a tailor by trade. From 1796 until his death he lived in Landaff and Lisbon NH with his sons Isaac and Rev. Samuel a minister of the gospel. He died in 1835 at the age of ninety-three. Isaac Cole was born in Rowley, Mass; became first a cooper then a carpenter; married Hannah Atwood .. and settled in Chester, N.H. (Mrs. cole was a native of Atkinson, N.H.). Isaac lived in Chester for a few years, when, purchasing new lands in Landaff, he removed thither and gave his name to "Cole's Hill." His nature did not incline to agriculture, and about 1813, he went to Fraconia to assume the superintendence of the wood-working department of the New Hamphire Iron Manufacturing Company located there, and stayed for 8 years. In 1821 he moved to Salisbury (now Franklin village) where he constructed one of the first foundries built in New Hampshire. This he conducted for six years, when in 1827, the very advantage afforded at "Batchelder's Mills [now Lake village], in Gilford, induced his removal to that place. Here he established a small foundry, and the beginning of the Cole Manufacturing Company. Benjamin James Cole was seven years old when his father removed to Salisbury and had the advantages of education afforded by the public schools of that town and Noyes Academy until he was thirteen, afterwards attending Sanbornton Academy. At age 19 he was unable to school or work due ot ill health. In December 1836, with his brothers Isaac and John A, he purchased the foundry of his father at Lake Village and continued in this business under the firm title of "Cole & Cole." In 1846 it became "Cole, Davis & Co." until 1873 when it changed once again to "B.J. Cole & Co.". In 1848 Mr. Cole was an incorporator of the Winnipesaukee Steam Boat Company, and was elected its first president. In 1849, with Capt. William Walker, he built the steamer, "Lady of the Lake" for this company. He built several mills and bridges on contract, was one of the incorporators of Lake Village Savings Bank, and for ten years its president; also one of the incorporators of the Laconia National Bank, of which he was director ten years; and an incorporator and present president of the Wardwell Needle Company of Lake Village. He married, June 17, 1838, Mehitable A., daughter of Nathan and Peace (Clifford) Batchelder, of Lake village. She is a descendant, on the one side, from the celebrated colonial minister, Rev. Stephen Bachelder; on the other, from the honorable old English family of Clifford. Their children are Ellen A., and Octavia M., who married Colonel Henry B. Quimby, and has two children, Harry Cole and Candace E. Mr. Cole was a Democrat until the breakout out of the Rebellion in 1861; since then he has been a Republican. He represented Gilford in the State Legislature, was a candidate for State Senator; was elected a member of the Governor's COuncil, was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1868; was a delegate to the National Republican Convention which renominated Lincoln at Baltimore in 1864. He was a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church and a trustee of the New Hampton Institution. --------------- CAPTAIN WINBORN A. SANBORN was born December 13, 1810 in Gilford NH, being the eldest of the four sons of Samuel Gilman and Sally (Mason) Sanborn. The Sanborn family was of English origin, the emigrant, John, came to American in 1632, and to Hampton, N.H. in 1640. One of his descendants in the seventh generation was Samuel Gilman Sanborn, who was born March 20, 1787 on the Sanborn homestead, in Gilford, which was the first land cleared in the Weirs district, and the home of his ancestors from the first settlement. He was known as "Squire" Sanborn, and was a successful teacher, also serving as selectman and representative, and justice of the peace in the town. Samuel died upon the farm where he and his wife had lived for nearly sixty years. Sally (Mason) Sanborn, his wife, was the daughter of Captain Lemuel B. and Molly (Chamberlain) Mason, of Durham, N.H. Capt. Mason was among the early settlers of Gilford. He was a Revolutionary soldier, having joined the Continental army at Portsmouth when only sixteen years of age, and remained in constant service until the close of the war. He also enlisted and took part in the War of 1812. When the division of Gilmanton tok place, according to the family tradition, corroborated by the testimony of the old inhabitants, he was invited to name the new town, which he called Guilford, from the battle of Guilford Court-House, S.C. in which he was an active participant. Winborn Adams Sanborn (8) received his name in remembrance of the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Winborn Adams, who bravely fought and lost his life during the Revolution, at Stillwater. His early life was passed on the farm aiding his father in his labors. His opportunities for learning were extremely limited, and his only chance for an education, beyond a few weeks at the district school each year, was one term at "Master" Leavitt's select school at Meredith and two terms at Gilford Academy. Books and newspapers were scarce; but the few that fell into his hands were eagerly perused. When only seventeen, he began teaching and for several winters taught at Gilford and adjoining towns. He went to Massachusetts and engaged as a common sailor for a twelve month's voyage on an East India trading vessel, bound from Salem to Bombay, India. His neatly-written log book is still preserved. In 1833 he became the first commander of the "Belknap" the first steamboat on Lake Winnipesaukee. At the end of two seasons he gave up his position, and started west. His travels included stops in Wheeling, VA, and St. Louis, MO--returning due to ill health. On arriving in NH he resumed command of the "Belknap," but left again after a few seaons to establish himself as a country trader at Alton Bay. He was unsuccessful in this business, and became the book-keeper for "Isaac & Seth Adams" iron founders of South Boston, Mass. He began to study machinery, and became an engineer of one of the harbor steamers. He soon procured a better situation as engineer of the steamer "Decatur" running between Boston and Newburyport, and later as engineer of the steamer "Ohio" on the same route. Illness returned, requiring him to return to Gilford. In the winter and spring of 1851 he superintended the construction of the "Dover" at Alton Bay and on its completion became its captain. In 1852 he spent a few months in CIenfuegos, Cuba superintending machinery erection. In 1863 he became a large stockholder in, and captain of "Lady of the Lake." In 1835 Captain Sanborn married Lavinia Peaslee Hoyt, a very fine-looking and intelligent woman, only daughter of James Hoyt Jr. and his wife Ruth (Ayer) Gordon. Mrs. Sanborn was born in Gilford, and died on the home farm April 20, 1877. Of their two children, the son died in infancy; the daughter, Ellen E., married Captain John S. Wadleigh, the present [1888] commander of the "Lady." Captain Sanborn died at Fernandia, FL, February 21, 1882. His remains were brought to Gilford, and deposited, with Masonic rites, in the family burial place March 3, 1882. Capt. Sanborn was one of the "Old Guard" Abolitionists, and represented the town two years in the legislature. He was a member of the Mount Horeb Commandery of Knights Templar, F. and A. M. --------------- REV. K.S. SMALL Rev. King Solomon Hall was born in Groton, N.H. October 22, 1819, the offspring of Josiah and Sarah White Hall. His father died when he was three years old, leaving a family of six children in circumstances of indigence, mainly dependent for support on their widowed mother. At the age of seven he went to reside in a farmer's family, where he remained about seven years. The facilities offered him in childhood for acquiring an education were extremely limited. From the age of six to fourteen he attended the district school about six weeks each year in winter, none being held in summer. These were kept in private h houses, no schoolhouse having been built until after he left the district. At the age of fifteen he found employment in a factory in Lowell, where he remained about four years. In the spring of 1839 he attended a select school, taught by Miss Spaulding at Rumney, where at the age of nineteen he commenced the study of English grammar. In the autumn of the same year he entered the Academical Department of the New Hampton Institution and graduated from the theological department of the same school in 1945. In November 1839 he was baptized and received into the Baptist Church in Rumney, and by the same licensed to preach in September 1840. He was ordained a pastor of the Baptist Church in Hopkinton, NH April 22, 1846. On the 30th of July 1847, at Warner, he was married to Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Caleb and Eliza Follansbee Buswell. settled with the church at Lake village October 1, 1851; at the Merrimack Street Church, Manchester, March 30, 1859; with the church at Methuen, Mass Oct 1, 1862; with the church at Lake village May 1, 1867; with the church at Rumney April 17, 1881. The honorary degree of A.M. was conferred on him by Dartmouth College in 1860, that of D.D. by Central University, Iowa in 1882. He was a member of the NH Board of Education for Belknap County for four years; a trustee of New Hampton Academical and Theological Institute, trustee of the NH State Normal School, secretary and treasurer of the NH Baptist Pastoral Assocation, and other positions. ---------------------- MARTIN ALONZO HAYNES Martin Alonzo Hayes descended from Samuel Hayes who came from England in 1635, in the ship "Angel Gabriel;" was wrecked at Pemaquid (now Bristo) Me in the great hurricane of 15th of August of the same year; finally settled at Portsmouth NH, in the parish of Greenland in 1650. The subject of this sketch was born at Springfield NH July 30, 1842 and four years later his parents removed to Manchester NH. His father was Elbridge G. Haynes, who enrolled at the outbreak of the Civil War into the "Abbott Guard," the first company to enter the camp of the First Regiment at Concord. He was transferred to the Second Regiment and re-enlisted for three years. He stated that he was 3 times wounded. Upon his return he resumed newspaper work as editorial staff for the "Daily Mirror" and "Daily Union" leaving to take a position as clerk and paymaster of the Rockingham Mills at Portsmouth NH. In January 1868, in company with Benjamin F. Stanton, he founded the "Lake Village Times" newspaper. He represented the town of Gilford in the NH House of Representatives, was an aide- de-camp on the staff of Governor Prescott, with the rank of colonel; appointed clerk of the circuit court and superior court of judicature for Belknap Co., president of the NH Veteran Association, and commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of NH. He was married, in 1863 to Miss Cornelia T. Lane, of Manchester, and two daughters survive to bless their pleasant home..situated in Lake village..and looking down upon the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. ---------------- JOHN S. CRANE John Summerfield Crane, of Lake Village, was born in Springfield, Mass., February 3, 1834, and was the son of Luther and Rebecca (Manter) Crane. The Crane family arrived early in New England. Jasper Crayne was one of the founders of the New Haven colony, signed its "fundamental agreement" June 4, 1639 and became one of its leading members. Another branch of the same family settled in Berkley, Mass. at its first settlement... Henry Crane settled in Dorchester early. His descendants are numerous. One of them, John, was a pioneer of Taunton, and he is the progenitor of the numerous families of that name in Norton and Canton. Luther Crane was a native of the latter town, but owing to the incompleteness of the records, we find it impossible to give the exact line from Henry. John S. Crane not only descends from good paternal stock, but his mother, a native of Plymouth, Mass., was a lineal descendeant of the famous Governor and writer of "Plymouth Colony," William Bradford. Luther Crane was a hatter, of an ingenious and mechanical nature, and was employed by the Hamilton Cotton Manufacturing Company as a spinner in the first cotton-mill in Lowell. He them moved to Ohio, and when John was nine years old came to Salmon Falls, NH and resided there. John attended the district school and South Berkwick Academy. His skill in drawing was so great that a gentleman voluntarily offered to educate him as an artist, but with the impulsiveness of youth, he did not avail himself of this offer, and at fifteen years of age shipped as a boy before the mast on a clipper ship bound for India. The voyage lasted twenty-two months, and the vessel circumnavigated the globe. On the return from the Sandwich Islands, Mr. Crane was the ship-carpenter. The hard actualities of a sailor's life dispelled his romantic dreams, and during the long hours in which there was nothing to do but think, he decided to "make a man of himself" by honest industry and patient application. So, returning to Salmon Falls, he entered a shop to learn the trade of machinist, which was his choice from his aptitude for mechanics. Remaining here one year, he went to Lawrence for six months labor, then to Lowell Machine-Shop, in Lowell, conducted by Lucius Cutter. By this time he had attained proficiency in his calling, and after six month's service here, was engaged by Lucius Waite to fit up and take charge of a sewing-machine manufactory for one year...Mr. Crane worked for a short time in Manchester, concluded to visit the West. He returned to Lowell and became the superintendent of a pattern and model-shop for one year. In 1855 he moved to Franklin NH to complete and place in running order some knitting machines for a Lowell house. [The book goes on to describe many more other jobs that he held.. the rest is a very brief abstract of that]. He designed, in connection with John Pepper, what was called the "Pepper Knitting-Machine" and formed the firm of Crane & Pepper. He helped to form the Winnipesaukee Hosiery Company (along with Benjamin F. Peaslee of Lake Village, and Thomas Joyce of Boston), purchasing the Pulsifer mill and in 1864 began the manufacting of hosiery. He eventually sold his part in the venture. In 1872 he formed the firm Crane & Peaslee (after buying out Charles H. Young's interest in the firm of Young & Peaslee) and engaged in manufacturing circular knitting-machines. In 1873, Mr. Crane designed and perfected a machine for making shirts and underwear on the same principle, which he secured by patents. About 1883 Mr. Crane became interested, with R.F.M. Chase, in a patent knit fabric--the "stockinet," upon which he invented and improved inventions, patented improvements, and contstructed machines for making Jersey cloth and stockinet. Mr. Crane married, in 1856 Clara J. Smith of Nashua. Their only child is Mazellah L. In politics Mr. Crane is a Rebpulican. He represented Laconia in the State Legislature of 1875, and Gilford in 1878. The was one of the incorporators and is now a director of Lake Village Savings-Bank, and belongs to various Masonic bodies to the commandery. ------------------------ MOSES SARGENT Moses Sargent, son of Moses and Nancy (Morrill) Sargent, was born in the old town of Amesbury, Mass, December 16, 1803. His father was a ship-carpenter wholly dependent on his daily labor, and when Moses was but a few years old Mr. Sargent met with an accident, which seriously crippled him for life, and incapacitated him from working; so, at the age of nine years, the young lad was obliged to go out in the work and strugge for a living, not only for himself, but for his parents. He commenced work in a factory in Amesbury, which was the first broadcloth-factory erected in the United States. The agent of the factory gave him one term's schooling, when he was about thirteen, and he also wrote off the multiplication table for him to learn while at work. This school was kept on Sunday, by a Quaker gentleman and philanthropist, for the pupose of giving the factory operatives an opportunity to obtain some education. When he was sixteen, this teacher offered to pay the expenses of Moses' tuition at a good school, but as his parents were dependent on him, he was forced to refuse this kind offer. He remained for eight years in the broadcloth-factory, when Amos Lawrence and his brother, with others, under the firm-title of "A & A Lawrence & Co" started a flannel-factory, where Moses engaged work and was employed for twelve years. About 1830 this firm purchased a broad-cloth factory...and Mr. Sargent, who had grown to manhood in the factories, was given the superintendence of putting in of the machinery and getting it in running order. He held this position for 3 years when he went ot Byfield, leased a water privilege, and with one set of cards he started the manufacture of yarn in a small way on his own account. He continued in business for two years, when his health failed and he was advised by his physician to leave the proximity of the salt water, and in December 1835, he went to Batchelder's Mills, NH (now Lake village) and leased a yarn-mill of the Lake Company, and fitted it up to make woolen yarn for domestic knitting purposes. Mr. Sargent was the pioneer manufacturer of this yarn in New Hampshire [the book goes on to describe the process]. After the Civil War Mr. Sargent bought a cotton-mill, making cotton stockings. During his residence in Upper Gilmanton he took interest in the town, and it was through his influence that the name was changed to BELMONT. Politically he was a Whig, and is now a Republican, and represented Belmont in the State Legislature in 1872. After the sale of his business interests, he returned to Lake Village. Mr. Sargent married, first, October 27, 1824, Judith, daughter of Stephen and Esther (Reynolds) Hoyt. Their two children were Mary (married H.O. Heywood, has two surviving children, and resides in Lake village); Stephen H, who now lives in Salem, Mass; Moses, who is agent of the Gilmanton Mills, Belmont; John, deceased; David, deceased; and Frank S., now an overseer under Moses. Mrs. Judith Sargent died July 26, 1849; and Mr. Sargent married, second, Mrs. Mary Huntington (born Seavey) in February, 1850. She died December 2, 1854, and he then married Sarah, daughter of Gilman and Sally Thyng. [more info about Mr. Sargent, not included here]. ------------------------------- JOSEPH CLIFFORD MOORE Hon. Joseph Clifford Moore, editor of the "Manchester Union" and the financial head of the Union Publishing Company, is the second son of Dr. D.F. and Frances S. Moore, and was born in Loudon, N.H. August 22, 1845. His early education was limited to common school. Later in life he pursued medical training at New York Medical College, then returned to Lake Village (which had been his home at age 10). He entered practice of medicine with his father, Dr. D.F. Moore in 1866. In November 1879 he became connected with the newspaper enterprise at Manchester NH as an editorial writer. At the State election of 1880 he was elected a member of the State Senate from the Six Senatorial District. He introduced and was chiefly instrumental in securing the passage of the measure which created the present State Board of Health. In January 1885 he was chosen (unanimously) the president of the New Hampshire Club. Dartmouth College, at the June commencement 1884, conferred upon him the degree of A.M. Mr. Moore retains his residence at Lake Village with his aged parents. He is married, but has no children [1888].