HISTORY OF GILMANTON, 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 785 GILMANTON was incorporated in 1727. It was named and originally spelled GILMANTOWN, from the fact that among the grantees of a charter, issued by His Majesty, King George, there were twenty-four persons by the name of GILMAN. The boundaries of this grant stated, "From the head of Barnstead, next to the town of Chichester; thence on the N.W. line to Winipissiokee Pond, or the river that runs out of said Pond, and from the first place where it began, to run N.E. Six miles; then N.W. two miles; then due N. to Winipissiokee Pond; thence on said Pond and river to meet the first line; provided it do not entrench on any former legall grante." The charter was signed on the 20th of May by His Majesty's Colonial Governor, John Wentworth. During the French War several frontier towns had been greatly tried by the raids of hostile Indians...and the settlement of Gilmanton was delayed for a series of years. In fact, there was not permanent settlement until the close of 1761. From 1727, the year the charter was granted, until 1766, a period of nearly forty years, the town-meetings were held in Exeter. On the evening of December 26, 1761, Benjamin Mudgett and his wife, from the town of Brentwood, arrived in Gilmanton, having come that day from Epson, a distance of not less than twelve miles, on foot. Mrs. Mudgett was the first white woman who set foot on the soil of Gilmanton, and she passed the first night in town with no other woman nearer than Epsom. On the next day, December 27th, John Mudgett and wife, with great weariness, reached town. About fifteen days later, January 10th, Orlando Weed and wife joined him, and here these three families remained through a winter of terrible severity (1762). "Snows were so frequent and so deep as to prevent passing in any direction for two months, being nearly six feet on the level." So writes Mr. Benjamin Kimball, of Concord, in his journal. Mrs. Mudgett (of the first family) was the daughter of Joshua Bean, who, by two marriages, had twenty-one children. THey all came at length from the home in Brentwood about 1780, and settled at Gilmanton--a valuable accession to the population. Mrs. Mudgett lived in Gilmanton until the inhabitants had increased in number to more than five thousand. This was before Gilford was disannexed. She died in Meredith July 9, 1834, aged ninety-five years. She was the mother of the first male child born in town--Samuel Mudgett, born February 15, 1764. The first child born in the town was Dorothy, daughter of Orlando Weed and wife, October 13, 1762. The early families were generally large, embracing, most of them, from ten to twelve, and sometimes even fifteen children. In the course of the next season, 1762, seven families moved in. Many prospectors prepared to move their families the following season. Jeremiah Connor had cleared land and built a camp, and Captain Joseph Badger and his two sons, William and Joseph, had put in some seed and built a log house. Captain Joseph Badger was one of the original proprietors, and from his first entrance into Gilmanton in person, seems to have won the respect and confidence of the settlers... Although here in the spring, in consequence of the sickness and death of his son, in the month of May, he did not remove his family from their home in Haverill, Mass. until July. His was the eighteenth family and at the raising of his barn that season, he had, as he often afterwards related, every man, woman and child to take supper with him. On August 1, 1763 the first minister moved his family into town, for a permament residence--the Rev. William Parsons. He became a proprietor of Gilmanton and was employed by the corporation to preach to the settlers, and for the first ten years was preacher and schoolmaster. Before any school-houses were furnished he taught in private houses. He was a very useful citizen, and a minister earnest and faithful, and did much to give a right direction to the early movements in regard to religious institutions. In March, 1773, the Rev. Isaac Smith came into town, the second minister, and entered upon a pastorate of forty years. This year came also William Sibley, the first merchant, together with Lieutenant Peter Folsom, Simeon Copp, Colonel Samuel Greeley, Lieutenant Ebenezer Eastman, Samuel and Nicholas Gilman and twenty others. The next year, 1774, was memorable for the erection of two houses of worship--one by the town for the use of Congregationalists, and one by individuals for the use of the Baptists. A Congregational Church was organized, and the Rev. Isaac Smith was ordained over it. This year the town voted to build a school-house at Peaked Hill (Centre village). At the opening of 1775 the Revolutionary War commenced, in which struggle Gilmanton bore an honorable part. She not only sent her representative, Colonel Antipas Gilman, to the deliverative convention called at Exeter, but these earnest men were ready also to take to the field. Accordingly, a few days after the battle of Lexington, twelve of the inhabitants of Gilmanton, Lieutenant Ebenezer Eastman at their head, volunteered and marched forth to the rescue. This officer, in the absence of the captain, commanded a company at the battle of Bunker Hill, on the 17th of June. There is an interesting story current in this connection, out of which the poet, B.F. Taylor, wove his popular effusion known as "Mary Butler's Ride." She was the young wife of Lieutenant Eastman. When he hastened to war she was left alone with a young child. Report soon reached her of the battle of Bunker Hill, and that her husband was among the killed. She determined to know if it was but flying rumor or serious fact for her. There were no roads, no guides but spotted trees; no carriage to convey her; but, mounting her horse, with her infant child on the saddle before her, she struck out for her father's house at Brentwood, a distance at least of forty miles. When she reached her father's house, the news of the battle was confirmed, but no list of the killed, or wounded. Leaving her infant child, she mounted again, and on reaching Charlestown found her husband alive and well. "Then up rose Mary Butler, and set her wheel at rest; She swept the puncheon floor, she washed the cottage pride-- The cottage pride of three weeks old--and dress'd him in his best. She wound the clock that told the time his mother was a bridge, And porringer and spoon she deftly laid aside; She strung a clean white apron across the window panes And swung the kettle from the crane for fear of rusting rains, Then towe'd the saddle on the bay, and donn'd her linen gown. Full seventy miles to Cambridge town! Bring out your civic crown! I think 'twill fit that brow of hers, who sadly smiled and said,-- 'We'll know about your father, boy, and who is hurt or dead." The ancient cellar over which stood the cottage of Lieutenant Eastman is a frequented spot by summer visitors, and, till lately, scattered rose bushes opened their fragrant annual tributes to the memory of the brave. At a late festival of the Centre Congregational Church, a granddaughter of Mary Butler, Mrs. W.C.H. Hutchinson, came upon the platform before the audience, and spun upon that identical "wheel." AFterwards a small skein was sent to the poet (Milwaukee, Wis.) bringing from him a pleasant note of thanks... On the 1st of December of this year (1775) the town was divided by the selectmen and a Committee of Safety into two militia companies. By order of the Provincial Congress, a second census was taken September 25, 1775, with the following showing for Gilmanton: Males under sixteen years of age, 283; males from sixteen to fifty, 151; males above fifty, 16; males absent in the army, 12; the whole number of females, 357, negroes and slaves, 4--total population 778. In the month of May, 1776, a very worthy citizen died who was a lieutenant in the militia, by the name of Joseph Philbrook, leaving a widow and two children. He had been one of the selectmen; was at the time of his death one of the building committee of the meeting-house. His was the silent form laid in the cemetery near the First Congregational Meeting-House (known in these later times as the "Old Smith Meeting-House"). There is a full notice in "Lancaster's History," but for a long time period it did not seem to be known who it was that "lay like a warrior taking his rest" in a quiet nook in the ancient burying-place. But now, after more than a hundred years, his grave is decorated with the sweet flowers of the spring-time, as comrades adorn with loving hands the graves of modern heroes who for their country died. In July of this year sixteen soldiers were enlisted under the command of Joseph Badger, Jr., in aid of the northern army. Captain John Moody enlisted twenty men and marched to New York under Washington. At a union town-meeting of Gilmanton and Barnstead, November 22d, Joseph Badger, Esq. was chosen a representative to the Assembly to meetin in Exeter in December. In 1782, Great Britain having acknowledged the independence of the United States, there was no longer need of providing men for battle-fields. THere had been enlisted in all eighty-one men. On the 11th of March, at the annual town-meeting, the article in the warrant to bring in votes for President and representatives under the Constitution the State had now adopted, seems for the first time to have been acted upon. March 10, 1785 a committe was chosen to divide the town into school districts. In March meeting, 1778, it was "Voted, that ten dollars bounty be given for full-grown wolves, five dollars for whelps' heads, and 9 pounds pr. head for catamounts, if killed within two months, and 6 pounds if killed after that time." Colonel Joseph Badger Jr., Colonel Joseph Greeley and Joseph Shepard, Esqs., were appointed to ascertain the line on the northeast side of the school lot, and to lay out the broad highway near the meeting-house into house-lots, with a view to build up a village. On November 29, 1790, the freemen of the town for the first time carried their votes for representatives to Congress, and for electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The vote stood: For Representative to Congress, Thomas Cogswell, fifty nine; for Elector, Hon. Joseph Badger, seventy-two; and they were chosen. The town also met on the 13th of AUgust, and appointed Thomas Cogswell, Esq., and Colonel Samuel Greeley and Colonel Joseph Badger Jr., a committee to devise a plan to detect thieves, in case there should be anything stolen. [more information on state conventions not included here]. In 1794, March 13th, the votes were for State and county as well as for town officers. From citizens of Gilmanton the voice of the town was for Hon. Joseph Badger, on the Governor's Council, and for representatives to the General Court, Joseph Badger, Jr., and Colonel Samuel Greeley. It was by the zealous interest and efforts of these representatives that, on the 20th of June, the charter of the Academy was issued by the Legislature. At the town meeting in 1792 the Upper Parish (Gunstock) presented a petition to be set off into another town. Referred to a committee of twelve. [In 1808, at the annual meeting, March 8th, a petition was presented ot have the Upper Parish set off, to be united with part of Meredith. The town voted that it was not expedient to set off the Upper Parish as a town to be annexed to a part of Meredith]. In 1811, a disinterested committee was appointed to describe the boundary lines of Gunstock (so called) to be set off as a new town. The committee reported boundaries on the 31st of May. March 12th, on the petition to have the town consent by vote to set off Gunstock Parish into a separate town, the petition failed of being carried. But, on the article to see whether the town would oppose in the Legislature the application to be made by citizens of Gunstock Parish for an act of incorporation, it was voted in the negative. The application, therefore was successful, and on June 16th, that part of Gilmanton known as Gunstock, was disannexed, and, by act of the Legislature, erected into a separate town called Gilford. By an act of the Legislature, approved by his Excellency Ichabod Goodwin, Governor, June 28, 1859, the town of Gilmanton parted company with amny valuable and esteemed fellow-citizens, and with the "Upper Village" or "Factory Village," one of the three grand points of interest in the original towns. They parted with regrets on both sides. The historian of what is now "Belmont" can tell the story... The result has proved advantageous to "Upper Gilmanton" (afterwards named "Belmont"), while the ancient and honorable Centre village, or "The Corner," finds itself on the corner quite too literally. In the bill enacting the division it was stated that the first town-meeting in Gilmanton (diminished) should be called by a committee consisting of Moses Price, Cyrus Gilman and Isaac E. Smith, who, on the 13th of July 1859 were duly sworn before Levi H. Mudgett, Esq., justice of the peace. On the 14th of July, this committee issued their "warrant" calling the first town-meeting of Gilmanton at Academy Hall, on Saturday the 6th day of August, prox. at nine of the clock in the forenoon. Agreeably to the call, the legal voters of Gilmanton (diminished) assembled in town-meeting and chose John L. Kelley moderator, Levi W. Sanborn town clerk, and proceeded to fill all the required offices and appointments until the regular town-meeting in the following March. Up to the time of the constitutional reconstruction, the town had sent two representatives to the General Court; since the change, diminishing the House and enlarging the Senate, the town is allowed by one representative. [Then follows a list of representatives since the division of the town in 1860, to incorporate Belmont, to 1886, not included here]. GILMANTON IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION (Civil War)... At a legal town meeting, by special warrant convened on the 11th of May 1861 (John L. Kelley moderator), David Hatch, Jonathan P. Hill, Thomas Cogswell, John K. Woodman, George W. Sanborn, Stephen Gale, Stephen L. Greeley, Samuel Parsons and Nahum Wright, were appointed a committee to consider a resolution submitted to the meeting by Jonathan P. Hill as follows: 'Resolved, That the selectmen be authorized to hire for an in behalf of the town such sum or sums of money as they may think proper, not exceeding one thousand dollars, to be expended for the benefit of the family or families of such person or persons as may serve as volunteers in the State or United States service from the town of Gilmanton; and to be left, at the discretion of the selectmen, to apply the same in such case or cases as they may think that humanity and the best good of our common country may require." [more resolutions follow, not included here] By an order of the President of the United States August 4, 1862, the Governor of New Hampshire was required to furnish five thousand and fifty-three men to be drafted from the enrolled militia of the State for the erm of nine months' service. Immediately the Governor authorized the the selectmen of the towns to accept volunteers in lieu of drafted men; whereupon at a legal town meeting September 2, 1862 (Thomas Cogswell, moderator) a resolution [reflecting this] was adopted. [More resolutions in the history, not included here] Gilmanton raised for war puposes about seventy-five thousand dollars. She furnished for the army more than two hundred men. Died, from the effects of war and lying within the town, forty. GILMANTON ACADEMY Gilmanton Academy was incorporated by the Legislature in 1794. A building opened under the instruction of Peter L. Folsom, A.B., a graduate of Dartmouth College, who continued as school principal for the following 6 years....In 1808 the entire academy was destroyed by fire, on the night of 22d of January, through the careless deposit of ashes in a barrel. On the 24th of February, just four weeks and four days after the fire, the frame of the present building was erected. The town voted to contribute two hundred and fifty dollars toward completing the building, and the trustees granted the future right to hold in the halls its meeting for town business. At the time Gilmanton Academy was one of the three academies first founded in the State...the first curators, from the issuing of the charter in 1794 were as follows: Hon. Joseph Badger, Rev. Isaac Smith, A.M., Rev. Joseph Woodman A.M., Rev. Jedediah Tucker A.M., Rev. Simon Finley Williams A.M., Hon. Joseph Badger Jr., Samuel Greeley Esq., Hon. Ebenezer Smith, Hon. Thomas Cogswell, Joseph Parsons Esq., Stephen Moody Esq., Enoch Wood Esq., His Excellency William Badger, John Ham A.M., Thomas Burns Esq., Daniel Smith Esq., Peter L. Folsom A.M., Rev. Abraham Bodwell A.M., Rev. William Patrick A.M., Rev. Luke Ainsworth Spofford A.M., Rev. Enoch Corser A.M., Stephen Leavitt Greeley Esq., Francis Cogswell Esq A.M., Jeremiah Wilson Esq., Rev. Heman Rood A.M., Rev. Daniel Lancaster A.M., Andrew Mack A.M., Rev. Nathaniel Bouton D.D., Rev. Nathan Lord D.D., Stephen C. Lyford A.M., Rev. Jonathan Clement A.M., Hon. Thomas Cogswell D.D., Nahum White M.D., Hon. Ira A. Eastman A.M., Rev. John K. Young A.M., Hon. William C. Clarke, A.M., Asa McFarland A.M., Rev. Joseph Blake D.D. BIOGRAPHY/FAMILY HISTORIES JEREMIAH WILSON, ESQ. -- Thomas Wilson came to this country from Scotland in 1633. He was admitted a freeman in Massachusetts in 1634. He soon removed beyond the limits of Massachusetts, and was one of a party that left Boston on account of the Arminian controversy, and became a planation at Squamset Falls, which they called Exeter. In 1638 they combined into a separate body politic, which has been known as the "Wheelright Compact," so called from John Wheelwright, a preacher at Braintree (then a part of Boston)... They had a son, Humphrey Wilson, who had a son, Thomas Wilson born May 30, 1677, and married Mary Light October 16, 1698. He was one of the original proprietors of Gilmanton. They also had a son Humphrey, who was born December 9, 1699; married Mary Leavitt. He was an original proprietor. Captain Nathaniel Wilson was their son, born June 24, 1739; married Elizabeth Barber, March 15, 1762. He came to Gilmanton from Epping in March, 1796, and settled on what has since been well known as "Wilson Hill." He was one of the original five members organized into the "First Congregational Church," November 30, 1774, that worshiped so many years in the "Old Smith Meeting-House," under the pastor they settled, the Rev. Isaac Smith. He was one of the selectmen in 1770, and one of a "Committee of Safety" chosen by the town in 1777. He was commander of a company of thirty-five men called into military service from Gilmanton and vicinity. They joined Colonel Thomas Stickney's regiment of General John Stark's brigade, in defense of the western frontier from the ravages of Burgoyne's army. They fell in with the enemy August 15th at Bennington, and occupied the right wing in that well-fought battle, which turned the fortunes of the British commadner, and led the way to the speedy surrender of the whole army to the American forces. This service won great honor for the town. They were out two months and one day. Captain Wilson was a good farmer and mechanic, an energetic and industrious man, a very worthy citizen and an exemplary Christian. Jeremiah Wilson, son of Captain Nathaniel Wilson and Elizabeth Barber, was the youngest of nine sons. He was born October 14, 1781; married Abigail Prescott Sanborn, daughter of Deacon Abraham Sanborn, May 23, 1803. He succeeded his father in possession of the Wilson farm, which he much improved and enlarged by purchase. He obtained, mostly by his own exertions, a good common school education; engaged early in trade, which he pursued about thirty years, at the same time conducting agricultural operations rather extensively. In the latter years of his life he turned his attention to the mountain lands in the north part of Gilmanton and ajoining towns, of which he purchased several thousand acres, cleared up extensively from the original forest, and valuable for grazing. He was for several years one of the selectmen; five sessions he was a member of the Legislature, and for many years the candidate for his party for councilor....In 1827 he was elected to the board of the trustees of Gilmanton Academy...He died suddenly and lone in his pasture at the mountains, supposed of apoplexy, August 15, 1846. His wife died June 12, 1854. They left no children. ----------- HON. THOMAS COGSWELL SR. --In the volume issued by Colonel John B. Clarke (Manchester, 1882) "Sketches of Successful New Hampshire Men," there is a finely drawn portrait of the subjectof this notice... Hon. Thomas Cogswell, who in the year 1820, at the age of twenty-one, moved here from Atkinson, N.H., where he was born December 7, 1798. He was one of a family of nine children of William and Judith (Badger) Cosgwell, eight of whom lived to years of maturity. He settled on the farm formerly occupied by his grandfather, the Hon. Joseph Badger, and commence a livelihood for himself and his young wife, Mary Noyes, whom he married just before moving here. He was moderator of the town, chosen one of the Board of selectmen, and represented the town in the Legislature, and while a member of that body introduced and supported a bill to repeat the law authorizing imprisonment for debt. For ten years he was deputy sheriff of the old county of Strafford. For years he was county treasurer. In 1841 he was appointed one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the new county of Belknap, and held that position until 1855. In 1856 he was elected a member of the Governor's COuncil from District Number Three. For over forty years he was a justice of the peace. He was an officer in the New Hampshire militia, and attained the rank of captain. He was of Revolutionary stock, his father and seven uncles having served in that war, and performed, in the aggregate, thirty-eight years of service. For seven years he taught the winter school of his district. The was a member of the board of trustees of Gilmanton Academy from 1840-68 [this academy was established by the efforts of his grandfather, General Joseph Badger, and his under Hon. Thos Cosgwell]. In early life he was a member of the Congregational Church at Gilmanton Iron-Works, and a deacon of same from March 1, 1839 through many years of service. In politics Thomas Cogswell was a Democrat. During the War of the Rebellion [Civil War] he was a strong supporter of the government... He was a fluent public speaker... He died August 8, 1868 and was buried in the old historic burying-ground in Gilmanton, near the dust of his illustrious ancestors. There are four surviving children--Mary C. Burgess, wife of the late Dr. Burgess, now living in Boston, Mass; Martha B. Batchelder, wife of the late Dr. Batchelder, also residing in Boston; James W. Cogswell, sheriff of Belknap County; and Thomas Cogswell, a lawyer, residing on the old homestead at Gilmanton ----------------------------- STEPHEN L. GREELEY, ESQ. was born in Gilmanton, and passed most of his life of nearly eighty-seven years in his native town. He was the son of Colonel Samuel Greeley, who came to Gilmanton from Brentwood, and commenced working on the land in 1771, and erected his buildings and a saw-mil when his nearest neighbor on the west was six miles distant, and when no road was laid out within two miles of his farm. He married June 12, 1773, Mary Leavitt, of Brentwood, then in her sixteenth year, and came immediately to Gilmanton. Colonel Greeley had early had a prominent part in the affairs of the town, and became a man of property and wide influence. He was a magistrate for many years; was on the Board of Selectmen at the age of thirty-two; was repeatedly representative; was from the beginning a trustee of the academy, and one of the original actors in securing the grant of its charter by the Legislature. He died June 14, 1824, in his seventy-seventh year. His wife died August 25, 1835, aged seventy-eight. They left nine children. Stephen Leavitt Greeley, the eighth of these children was born September 30, 1788; married Nancy Norton, May 17, 1810, who was born August 17, 1786. She died April 3, 1813, at the age of twenty-seven. She was the daughter of Dr. Bishop Norton, of Newburyport, a widely known and extensive druggist in the palmy days of the ancient town. It was in his former home on School Street that George Whitefield died. Mrs. Greeley left two children--Anna Maria, who married Hon. William C. Clarke, formerly Attorney-General of New Hampshire, and Stephen Sewall Norton. After the death of his wife, though a young man, with two children on his hands, Mr. Greeley did not marry a second time. Two head-stones in the cemetery he gave the village read rather singularly: "A husband-died at the age of 86 years and six months; the wife by his side, aged 23,--all those long years between, with their varied histories!" Mr. Greeley engaged early in mercantile pursuits, and was a merchant at Gilmanton Centre village, and almost on the same spot, for more than sixty years, and at his death was reported the oldest merchant in the State... He was a man of courtly and refined manners, scrupulously neat in dress, wearing black broad-cloth suit; with snowy white cravat. Four times a year he went, by the old stage-coach, to make his purchases in Boston, taking two days to go and two to return... Gilmanton, in the long years of the stage coach, had four and five stores, and was alive with industries. He was three years town clerk, three years representative in the State Legislature, for many years a magistrate, three times a moderator in meetings of the town, and in 1824 elected trustee of Gilmanton Academy, and Nov 3, 1825 secretary of the board (which office he held for fifty years). He died in the home he occupied for seventy years, June 1, 1875. -------------- ANDREW MACK ESQ. -- He was born in Londonderry, N.H. January 19, 1786. His grandfather, John Mack, married Isabella Brown, daughter of the Lord of Londonderry, came to this country and settled in Londonderry N.H. THey had eight children. Of these, Andrew married Elizabeth Clark, daughter of Robert CLark of Londonderry, N.H., and they also had eight children, the seventh of whom was Andrew of Gilmanton. He fitted for college at the Pinkerton Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1808. He taught in Gilmanton Academy two years, was tutor at Dartmouth College one year, taught one year at Hampton Academy, and returning to Gilmanton, was preceptor of the academy nine years more. In the autumn of 1821 he removed to Haverhill, took charge of that academy, and in the autumn of 1831 returned to Gilmanton for a permanent home. He was soon made magistrate and treasurer of the town. In 1833 he was elected trustee of Gilmanton Academy, holding the office to June 1875 (42 years). August 19, 1834 he was elected treasurer of the board (held office for 36 years). On the 4th of January 1835, he united by profession with the Centre Congregational Church and December 16, 1836 was elected ot the office of deacon, which office he held until his death (nearly 39 yrs). He was a church officer. Deacon Mack was married, January 13, 1824 to Maria L. Burns, daughter of Thomas Burns, Esq. They had four children. One son, a promising and beloved young man, sicked and died while pursuing his studies at Dartmouth College. Two daughters were married and died young, leaving only one surviving son, Dr. William Mack, of Pittsfield. Deacon Mack died at his home in Gilmanton, June 16, 1875. ----------------------------- REV. DANIEL LANCASTER was born in Acworth, N.H., November 30, 1796; graduated from Dartmouth in 1821, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1824; licensed to preach in the latter year by the Haverill (Mass.) Congregational Association; and he was ordained pastor of the First Congregational Church in Gilmanton, N.H. in 1825. Seven years later he was called by the Centre Church in Gilmanton, with which he retained his connection in 1852, making a continuous ministry in the town of twenty-seven years. He was secretary of the New Hampshire Bible Society, and for nine years scribe of the Deerfield Congregational Association. For seven years he was secretary of the Strafford County Conference, and for six years its moderator. For many years he was trustee of the New Hampshire Missionary Society. In 1831 he was elected a trustee of Gilmanton Academy. In 1845 he published the "History of Gilmanton." After his dismission from his long-loved church in Gilmanton, Mr. Lancaster removed to Concord, where he served one session as chaplain of the Legislature, and was for three years chaplain of the New Hampshire Insane Asylum. He also preached 3 years at Fisherville, being at the same time principal of a school for young ladies in Concord, and the editor of a weekly temperance journal. In 1855 he accepted a call from the Congregational Church in Middletown, N.Y. where he remained for 5 years. In 1860 he, with his family, removed to New York City, which was his home until his death. In the autumn of 1863 he formed the idea of the formation of an Alumni Association, and the result was the speedy formation of the Dartmouth College Alumni Association--the pioneer of all the organizations of the kind in the city of New York. He was the last survivor of the Dartmouth Class of 1821. Mr. Lancaster was married twice--the first wife Anne E. Lemist, daughter of John Lemist of Dorchester, Mass.; he married August 29, 1827; she died August 27, 1829, aged twenty-eight years. He married, in Gilmanton, Eliza Gibbs Greeley, daughter of Daniel Greeley, Esq. of Foxcroft, Me., February 14, 1831. There were five children, two only of whom survive, and, with the mother, are highly esteemed and useful citizens of the great metropolis to-day. Rev. Mr. Lancaster died May 28, 1880. ---------------------------------------- HON. IRA ALLEN EASTMAN, son of Stephen and grandson of Lieutenant Ebenezer Eastman, was born in Gilmanton January 1, 1809; fitted for college principally at Gilmanton Academy, and graduated at Dartmouth in 1829. He read law in Troy and Albany, N.Y., and was admitted in the city of New York to the Supreme Court and Court of Chancery in May 1832. He commenced practice in Troy, and was married to Jane, daughter of John Q. Quackenbush, Esq. of Albany, Febuary 20, 1833. He returned to Gilmanton in the spring of 1834, and began his official career as clerk of the State Senate in 1835; he represented Gilmanton in the Legislature in 1836, 1837 and 1838, filling the Speaker's chair during the two latter years. He was register of Probate for Stafford County from 1836 to 1839, when (1839) he was elected to COngress for two years, and re-elected in March 1841 for two years more, and September 26, 1844 was appointed circuit judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the State of New Hampshire, which office he held until 1859. In 1863 he was the Democratic candidate for Governor, making a remarkable run and very narrowing escaping election. In 1851 he was elected a trustee of Gilmanton Academy, and from 1875 to 1879 was president of the board. In 1857 he was chosen a trustee of Darmouth College, a position he held to the time of his death. He died at his home in Manchester March 21, 1881. ------------------------------- REV. HEMAN ROOD, D.D. was born in Jericho, Vt., January 29, 1795. He was one of eleven children of Thomas D. and Sarah (Bradley) Rood. His grandfather came from Scotland and settled in Lanesborough, Mass., about the year 1730, where he lived until his removed to Jericho some five or six years before the Revolutionary War. He was the first Christian, and his the third family that settled in that town. Having received a through common school education, at the age of 15, Heman Rood commenced teaching. In the spring of 1814 he began fitting for college at Shoreham Academy. At twenty years of age he entered Middlebury College, graduating in 1819. Subsequently he was for two years the principal of Montpelier Academy, and then was apopinted for one year tutor at Middlebury. In 1822 he entered the Theological Seminary at Andover. Completing the three years course, he was licensed to preach by the Suffolk Association June 1825. While in the Seminar he received an invitation to preach at Gilmanton (N.H.) Centre village. Hitherto the people of that section has worshipped at "the Old Smith Meeting-House," three miles distant, and with the original "First Congregational Church" of the fathers. Mr. Rood commenced his labors at the Academy or Centre village, Sabbath, October 22, 1825. A church was soon formed and a house of worship erected. He was ordained and installed over this new church July 12, 1826. Dr. Justin Edwards preached the sermon... Receiving an unexpected call from New Milford, Conn., he was dismissed from his first pastorate March 3, 1830, and installed over the Congregational Church in New Milford April 21 1830. On July 28, 1835 he was dismissed from this pastorate, and on September 9th accepted the appointment of professor of Hebrew and Biblical Literature in a new Theologocial Seminary at Gilmanton, N.H. He held that position a little more than 8 years, when on account of money stringency and the decrease of students, he and Professor Aaron Warner tended their resignations, November 22, 1843. The three following years he was principal of a High School in Haverhill, N.H. and afterwards for five years acting pastor at Quebec, Vt., and for six years at Hartland, Vt. At the age of seventy he gave up his regular work in the ministry and removed to Hanover, N.H. and there engaged in a private study of the Bible. Mr. Rood married Susan Moody, daughter of Stephen Moody, Esq. of Gilmanton, November 29, 1827. A few years ago [before 1888] Middlebury College gave him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divnity. He spent his last few years with his children. He died at the home of a daughter in Westfield, N.Y. on June 8, 1882. His remains were brought to Hanover and interred beside his wife, who had preceeded him some seven years. ------------------------------------ NAHUM WIGHT, M.D. died at his home in Gilmanton NH on May 12, 1884. Born in Gilead, Me., November 20, 1807, the eldest of a family of fifteen children; acquired his education mainly by his own efforts; placed himself for medical instruction under the charge of Dr. John Grover, of Bethel, Me., father of the United States Senator Grover, of Oregon, the latter being for a time a pupil of Dr. Wight; graduated from medical school at Bowdoin College in the spring of 1832, and in November of the same year settled at the Academy village, in Gilmanton, succeeding Dr. William Prescott. His competitors, when he entered this field, were Dr. Dixie Crosby and Dr. John C. Page. After a few years Dr. Crosby was called to a professorship at the Dartmouth Medical College, and Dr. Page entered the ministry, leaving Dr. Wight the entire practice without competition... Dr. Wight began early to take charge of medical students, and did so till the close of his life. More than forty young men were under his direciton during the whole or a part of their course of professional study. For several years he maintained a dissecting-room from which some dry preparations [1888] are still preserved... Dr. Wight continued earnest in his extending practice and in teaching, studious and growing in knowledge and reputation, till, in 1846, he determine to go abroad for medical improvement. He was in Europe nearly twelve months, visiting the medical centres, studying, and observing....[This foreign travel and study from the savings of a moderate income was quite a bold undertaking for a country doctor at this time]. Dr. Wight attained eminence in his profession. His faith in the use of drugs was reasonable, but limited. He was a good surgeon, often called by other physicians for consultations and operations.... Having been for many years a member of the Centre District Medical Society, in 1839 he was received a Fellow of the State organization. He took part in its discussion, read papers before it and in 1874 was elected its president. In the civil and educational affairs of the town, Dr. Wight was representative (1841, 1842, 1853). In 1851 he was elected a trustee of the academy, and held the office for 33 yrs until his death. November 10, 1870 he was elected treasurer, holding the office for nearly 14 years. Dr. Wight, though not a member, was a friend of the Congregational Church, and attended public worship there. Dr. Wight was married September 3, 1833, to Mary Ann Straw, daughter of Lieutenant Gideon Straw, a widely-known citizen of Newfield, Me. She was an excellent woman, wife and mother. Dr. Wight survived his wife and five of his eight children... His first born, a son who much resembled his father, and in whom his ambition and dearest hopes centred, with trunk packed for the journey to enter college, suddenly sickened and died. The father's grief at this loss was terrible. Its dark shadow rested on all his after life. He performed two surgical ooperations, of a severe and hazardous nature, upon his wife, by her requirement. An anaesthetic made the patient calm and comfortable--the surgeon suffered. The operation was well performed, and death was averted several years. Upon the fiftieth anniversary of his coming to Gilmanton a large number of his friends gathered at his home and commemorated the event in an impressive and happy manner. A few weeks after this occasion, he was warned suddenly by a mild apoplectic attack. From this he nearly recovered, till about two weeks before his death, when he was found in bed helpless, with signs of cerebral hemorrhage. Although he rallied for a little time, he gradually sank, and calmly passed away. At his funeral the church was filled by neighbors, patrons, phyisicians, clergymen and representatives of the bench and bar, many of whom came from a distance, all friends of the good old physician. The religious services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. S.S.N. Greeley... The remains were borne to the village cemetery, beautiful by nature. ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ GILMANTON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY--It was provided for by the terms of the original charter of Gilmanton Academy, and after many years a theological class was received. On August 15, 1835, at their annual meeting, the trustees of Gilmanton Academy called the Rev. Heman Rood, from New Milford, Conn., to open and conduct a department of theology. He accepted and was inaugurated professor of theology and biblical literature on the 9th of September 1835. The seminar commenced operations the following month, October 1835. The course of instruction began with 7 students. [additional notes on other instructors not included here]. On the 23d of April 1839, the ground was broken for the erection of a new building for the use of the seminary, of brick, eighty-eight feet long, fifty feet wide and three stories high above the basement. The plan of this building was drawn by Ami B. Young, Esq. architect of the custom-house in Boston... In November of 1839 the walls were up and covered by a roof. On August 18, 1841 the completed building was dedicated with public services, Professor Warner delivering the dedicatory address. Within three years from the first anniversary, twenty-two of its graduates were settled in the pastorate of churches, most of them in New Hampshire, and for the first seven years the number of graduates averaged yearly, ten. The great hall is the property of the academy, and is used for summer boarders in the long vacation, and by students of the academy in term-time. ================================ ================================ THE CHURCHES [lengthy in the original source, only brief excerpts included here] FIRST CHURCH at the "SMITH MEETING-HOUSE" (As of the writing of this document 1888) the old First Church at the "Smith Meeting-House" has become virtually extinct, and for several years has not been reported in the minutes of the General Association. Its first pastor, Rev. Isaac Smith, preached forty-three years, and, after a short illness, died among his people, March 25, 1817, in the seventy-third year of his age. He was succeed by Rev. Luke Ainsworth Spofford (who was ordained June 9, 1819) who was pastor for six years. Rev. Daniel Lancaster arrived in 1825. On 26 February 1826 letters of dismission and recommendation were voted to 25 members of the church to form a NEW church at the Centre Village (Academy), and on October 12, 1830, thirteen individuals were dismissed to form a church at GILMANTON IRON-WORKS. These two periods of emigration diminished the church by 38 members. Due to a change in the finances of this church, on July 25, 1832, Rev. Mr. Lancaster was dismissed for want of support. [he was pastor for six years]. After his removal, the church secured supplies until in 1834 Rev. Francis P. Smith, son of the first minister, was acting pastor. Rev. Josiah Carpenter followed him, then Mr. Horace Wood (a licensed graduate). Following occasionally neighboring pastors preach an afternoon or evening sermon, otherwise the house is closed. THE CENTRE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The 25 persons from the old First Church were organized into a new church by an invited council on the 8th of March, 1826. Rev. Heman Rood, the first pastor, was ordained July 12, 1826. A new house of worship was built at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars and dedicated September 30, 1827. In 1835 Rev. Daniel Lancaster, who had removed from the old First Church, was installed pastor. After 27 years, the Rev. Roger M. Sargent became pastor, followed by Rev. Joseph Blake, and then Rev. S.S.N. Greeley. IRON-WORKS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was constituted by an ecclesiastical council October 20, 1830. On the 12th of September the church extended a call to Mr. Charles G. Safford, a recent graduate from Andover, who was ordained pastor September 28, 1831. Early in the year 1838 a revival commenced under the labors of Rev. Jeremiah Blake, M.D. In 1839 Rev. Stephen S.N. Greeley was ordained pastor of the church. In 1844 the pastor was Rev. Rufus Childs. In 1856 the pulpit was occupied by Rev. Jairus Ordway. In 1870 Rev. N.S. Moore commenced as pastor. In 1875, Rev. George Rogers (from England) was ordained pastor [he died]. In 1877 Mr. Charles L. Tomblin succeeded him, followed by Mr. Cassander C. Sampson in 1878. In 1880 Rev. E.J. Roke (also from England) was pastor for a year. In 1882 Rev. Lyman White was pastor. THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH, GILMANTON IRON WORKS. The Free-Will Baptist Church at Gilmanton Iron-Works was organized between the years 1785 and 1790. This church had a few states supplies by such men as Elders Abel Glidden, THomas Flanders and Ezra Ham, until about 1835 when Elder Hezekiah Buzziel was settled as pastor of the church. Pastors then followed in this order, down to the present time: Rev. Samuel P. Fernald, from 1840-49; Benjamin McMurphy 1849-52; Ichabod R. Cook 1852-55; Thomas Keniston 1855-60; John M. Durgin 1860-62; Moses Quimby 1862-65; Gilman Sanborn 1866-68; John C. Osgood, 1868-73; John M. Durgin 1873-75; John B. Leighton 1875-77; Wallace W. Brown 1877-79; George W. Price 1879-81; Moses Qimby 1881-83; Orrin Pitts 1883-85; James C. Nelson 1885, present pastor. THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH, LOWER GILMANTON -- Rev. H.B. Huntoon, present [1888] pastor of the church provided the history. The Free-Will Baptist Church was organized in Lower Gilmanton January 8, 1860 and enrolls the following pastors with periods of labor: Moses Folsom, two years; John Malvern, one; J.C. Osgood, one; C.B. Griffin, two; J.G. Munsey, four; D.L. Edgerly, two; John M. Durgin, one; C.L. Plummer, two; John Chamberlain, one; L.E. Hall, two and a half; H.B. Huntoon present pastor. For many years the church at Lower Gilmanton was Calvinist Baptist. Lancaster's "History" (p. 199) states that it was organized November 16, 1773, and on the 14th of June 1786, settled as pastor Elder Walter Powers (for 20 years). He was succeeded by Elder Phinehas Richardson (who resigned after 18 years). At two different periods after this resignation, the church was supplied by Elder Hiram D. Dodge. There were several pastors or supplies after he left; but as time went on, emigration and death had reduced the church to the degree that they finally ceased to maintain a distinct organization, and the very few that are yet living unite in service with the Free-Will Baptists, who occupy the house of worship on the old location, but reconstructed from the old timber, neat, tasteful, a smaller house with a larger liberty. THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS -- Lancaster ("History" p. 204), in a brief paragraph, states that "A Society of Friends was organized in Gilmanton about the year 1780."... they are all dead, but the church or society still lives. A little group of the children of the early sires still keep up the organization, hold regular meetings, stir up one another's pure minds by way of remembrance, or devoutly "meditate.".... Some five years ago [from 1888] they took down the old house where their fathers worshiped, and on the old site in the Academy village erected as commodious, well planned, thoroughly finished and pleasant a Sabbath home as any people need desire, and while their children are, in numbers of instances, by marriage or removal, absorbed into other congregations, still they are determined that a remnant shall remain. THE METHODIST CHURCH--Two Methodist classes (1807-1818) were established here, connected with the Northfield Circuit, and had only occasional preaching. In 1826-7 a brick meeting-house was built, at a cost of about two thousand five hundred dollars, which was dedicated in 1827. Elder George Storrs preached the sermon. He was on the circuit two years (1828-29). He became famous in the early days of anti-slavery as a bold an convincing lecturer. He was the man who was arrested while on his knees in prayer in the Congregational pulpit in Pittsfield, where the pastor, Rev. Jonathan Curtis, had invited him to lecture. Lancaster's "History" records, through quite a series of years, the succession of ministers in the Methodist church, but at this date it is a lengthy roll [and is not included here]. ============================= ============================= THE VILLAGES GILMANTON IRON-WORKS. [It has been already mentioned about the settlement at Lower Gilmanton] Where the old Smith Meeting-House stood. In the early settlement of the place there were discovered here and there, especially in the neighboring Suncook or Lougee Pond, deposits of iron ore. Yankee contrivance lifted the ore from its bed twenty feet under water and established "works" and for a time prosecuted the making of iron for the market. But it was found ere long that obtaining the ore under difficulties and the limited supply, so far as then known, would forbid the continuance of the undertaking as a paying investment. But it gave name to "Avery town," as the first destination was, and from the early day it has been known as "Gilmanton Iron-Works." It has fine water-power, funishing opportunity for a large amount of machinery and manufactures. This power has long been utilized to considerable extent. Gilmanton Iron-WOrks within the past year [from 1888] has established a new industry in the erection of a large shoe-factory. Among other manufacturing is the sash and blind-shop of Reuben Giles, the grist and saw-mill of Danford Cook, the plowshop and rake-factory of the Marsh Brothers. On August 21 of 1885, a promient citizen, Moses P. Page died. He lived to within two months of ninety years, being eighty-nine years and ten months. He was born in Gilmanton October 30, 1795, and with the exception of a single year, passed his whole life in town. He was educated in the town school and Gilmanton Academy, and commenced mercantile life in Lower Gilmanton; then at Gilmanton Iron-works in 1818; opening a store, he continued a successful merchant fifty years. Mr. Page was one of the thirteen who formed the Congregation Church at Gilmanton Iron-Works....While living he made donations to many church organizations...by his will, he gave his dwelling house for a parsonage. His gifts amounted to about $25,000. ------------------- THE CENTRE VILLAGE -- The Centre village, Academy Village (or vulgarly, Gilmanton Corner)... there are no facilities for manufactures nor the convenience of railroad stations, but has some very pleasant residences... for instance the country-seat of Z.S. Kitchen Esq. of New York, built with all modern improvements but a few years ago [from 1888]; then, nearly opposite, the massive old homestead of Major Ebenezer Eastman, once the home of Mary Butler, now improved, owned and occupied in the summer months by Dr. J.M.W. Kitchen, of New York; then the lofty massion, purchased and improved a year ago by the celebrated lecturer, John L. Stoddard. From these points, also from the "Prospect House," the views are uncommonly fine. Another home, with a wonderful outlook, is that of Colonel Cyrus Gilman, on the southern outskirts of the village; also, the entire sweep of the horizon at Oakland Cottage, the residence of J. Horace Drew, Esq. The late Rev. Dr. Prime ("Irenaeus" of the New York Observer), while boarding there in a recent summer, sent a capital letter to his paper, [extracts of which are not included here]. There is a fine view from the vicinity of the recent home of Levi Grant, Esq. of the Tamworth and Sandwich Mountains... A lovely view is also had of distant mountain scenery, parts of Loudon, Canterbury, the Shaker village, part of Concord, etc. from the dwelling of Mr. Richard D. Varney, immediately in the village. Then, but a way off, stands.. the well-known Peaked Hill. There are other places of interest worth the visiting, as Porcupine Ledge, the Gulf, Lougee Pond with its fine fishing, and Loon Pond, the largest and most beautiful body of water in this region. Beside the pond the traveled road leading to Lower Gilmanton, Pittsfield, etc. rises into a long and quite tedious hill, but on reaching the "height of land," while the horse should stand and rest a little, the traveler if possessed of any "sense of the beautiful," will be very willing to have him. A lady artist from Boston said, in her enthusiasm, "I want to get me a tent and a cooking-stove, and just come here and stay." If one shall continue his tour some two miles beyond this hill, there will come in sight the beautiful and yet higher grounds and farm of Jeremiah Wilson, Esq., deceased, at present owned and cultivated by his nephew and heir, George W. Sanborn, Esq... The location of the old Wilson mansion is very commanding... The beautiful outlook in and around Centre Village of Gilmanton.. Summer guests have named it, very prettily, "Sunset Rock." It is but a few rods northwest from the Prospect House, on the summit of a gentle rise of land. [more information not included here]. Mr. Russell Philips, a centarian of Centre Village, was a native of Connecticut; passed his first seven years of life in Loudon, NH; moved into Gilmanton in 1824. He became a member of the Methodist Church. His wife was Mary Merrill. THey had seven children-- Clarissa, Hiram, Calvert, Mary, Josephine, Phylena and Dr. Butler of Suncook. On June 11, eleven years ago [from 1888] the oldest daughter became totally blind. Mr. Phillips died September 15, 1874, aged one hundred years and six months. ============================== ============================== BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES THOMAS DURRELL -- was born in Gilford, NH January 29, 1798. He was born and educated in Gilford...His grandfather was Eliphalet Durrell, an English emigrant who settled in Northwood, N.H. and was one of the pioneer farmers of the eighteenth century. JOSEPH, son of Eliphalet, married Olive Garmon, a descendant of Joseph Garmon, one of the early settlers of Northwood, and removed to Gilford, with his young wife, to make a home. Gilford was at that time very sparsely settled, the country a wilderness of rocks and woods, and every new-comer had to clear his land, fell the trees, and convert the forest into cultivated fields. The young couple remained in Gilford for a few years, working with patient and unremitting industry, and then removed to Gilmanton, where Mr. Durrell purchased a lot of land. Three children were born to Joseph and Olive (Garmon) Durrell--Nicholas, Thomas and Polly, who married Jerry Hutchinson. Joseph Durrell died in 1819, at the age of forty-six, and his land was inherited by his two sons. Nicholas was a man of energy and a colonel in the militia. His barn was struck by lightning in 1831, with a loss of about one thousand dollars, and he soon after sold his interested in Gilmanton to his brother, and emigrated to Thornton, N.H. and died there. Thomas Durrell married, April 19, 1819, Sarah, daughter of Levi and Esther (Melcher) Hutchinson. (Levi Hutchinson was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and one of the detachment sent the night before the battle of Bunker Hill to throw up entrenchments there). Thomas and Sarah (Hutchinson) Durrell had eight children--Joseph B., Ann M. (Mrs. John Wallace, of Sanbornton), Martha C. (died age fourteen years), Sarah A. (Mrs. George Folsom), Thomas F. (died in California), Eliza J. (Mrs. Hiram Richardson, of Concord), Lewis F., and Charles W. Mr. Durrell remained in Gilmanton, making additions to his farm until he woned about two thousand five hundred acres, in one body, and gave his name to Durrell's Mountain. An old citizen informs us that Mr. Durrell told him that he had made about forty miles of stone wall, and to the observer of the work today, it would seem as if this was rather under than over-estimated.... He was often called to office in the town, served as selectman, representative, etc., and was honored by an election as county treasurer. In 1825 he was appointed adjutant of the Tenth Regiment. Politically, Mr. Durrell was of the Jeffersonian school, and remained true to those ideas, always voted the straight Democratic ticket with one exception. In 1861, Mrs. Durrell died, and the following year, Mr. Durrell married Mrs. Francis A. Burns, and immediately purchased the James Bell estate, in Laconia, where he made his residence, attending to his numerous financial interests until his death, May 9, 1883, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. He was the owner of the Cerro Gordo Hotel, and after the destruction of that hotel by fire he erected several stores on his property. He was one of the incorporators of the Laconia National Bank, of which he was made a director. He was for many years a member of the Congregational Church at Gilmanton Iron-WOrks, and the North Church of Laconia. ---------------------------- THOMAS COGSWELL JR. - Thomas, youngest son of Hon. Thomas and Polly Noyes Cogswell was born in Gilmanton Academy and Dartmouth College, graduating in the class of 1863. In 1862, Mr. Cogswell enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth New Hampshire Volunteers, and was at once appointed first lieutenant, soon afterwards being promoted to Captain. He was stationed in the Department of the Gulf, under General Banks, and was with his regiment at the siege and surrender of Port Hudson. Upon the expiration of his term of service, in 1863, Mr. Cosgwell pursued the study of law with Messrs. Stevens & Vaughan, at Laconia, and at Harvard Law School, and was admitted as an attorney-at-law in the Supreme Court of New Hampshire in September 1866. He commenced the practice of law at Gilmanton Iron-Works in December 1866, where he has since remained. Mr. Cogswell is a Democrat (and although the town of Gilmantaon is generally Republican) has been elected to nearly every office in the gift of his townsmen. In 1868 he was superintending school committee; in 1871 and '72 representative in the State Legislature, and the last year candidate of his party for Speaker; in 1880, 1881, and 1882 was one of the selectmen, and for two years was chairman of the board; in 1878 was chosen State Senator from District No. 6. Mr. Cogswell was appointed colonel on Governor Weston's staff in 1871. In adddition to a busy professional life, Mr. Cogswell has carried on extensive farming operations, and he made great improvements on the large farm formerly occupied by his ancestors. Mr. Cosgwell is a member of Winnipesaukee Lodge of F. and A. Mason; also of Post 37, Grand Army of the Republic at Laconia, and Crystal Lake Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, Gilmanton Iron-Works. In 1873 Mr. Cosgwell married Florence, daughter of R.D. Mooers, of Manchester, and has three children--one daughter and two sons. --------------------------------------- ================================