HISTORY OF SULLIVAN, CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE
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TAKEN FROM TWO SOURCES:
1. History of Cheshire and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire 
Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1886, 1073 pgs.
2. Gazetteer of Cheshire County, N.H., 1736-1885 by Hamilton Child,
Syracuse, N.Y.: H. Child, 1885, 882 pgs.

page 340 & 396
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN NH
[EXCERPTS ONLY]

SULLIVAN, a little north of the geographic center of Cheshire county,
is bounded north by Gilsum and Stoddard, east by Stoddard and Nelson,
south by Roxbury and Keene, and west by Keene and Gilsum.  The
meridian of 4 degrees 5', would pass very nearly through the center of the town, north and south.  The parallel of 43 degrees passes
through Sullivan.  The houses once owned by Franklin Buckminister and
Daniel Adams Nims cannot be may rods from the parallel.

The surface of the town is very hilly, some of the hill attaining an
altitude of several hundred feet about the level of the sea. The
Seward hill, on F.A. Wilson's farm, and the Boynton hill, are
about 1,600 feet above the sea, and the Hubbard hill is not much
lower.  The scenery from many of the farm houses is unsurpassed in
beauty by any views that can be found in any country. Extravagant
praises are bestowed by travelers upon scenes which please their
eyes, but nothing can be finer than the landscape views of this
part of New Hampshire.

Nestled among the hills are two pretty little ponds, the Bolster
pond, in the northeastern part of the town, and the Chapman in the
north part. The Ellis reservoir, which flows a greater portion of
the Great Meadows, so-called, deserves to be mentioned in the same
connection.  The reservoir and Bolster pond are stocked with perch,
pickerel, pouts, eels, and other fish; while the Chapman pond furnishes
a good variety of trout.  The town contains much excellent land. Many
of the farms were formerly, and some are still, in a high state of
cultivation.  The surface is, for the most part, rocky and uneven,
and the modern agricultural appliances are used with difficulty, on
that account.  Nevertheless, the earth is of a good quality and,
where suitable tilled, yields good crops.  The territory was
formerly covered by a fine growth of timber, consisting of pine, 
spruce, hemlock, beech, birch, maple, ash and other species.  Some
portions of these forest primeval still remain, especially in the
northern parts of the town, but the hands of man have leveled nearly
all of them, and, on the same ground, good second growths are,
in many places, appearing.  A branch of the Ashuelot river waters the
southeast part of the town.  This stream is composed of the outlet
of Bolster pond, and that of the Center pond of Stoddard, augmented
by another stream which is composed of the brook which forms the
outlet of the Chapman pond increased by the waters of the Great brook,
so-called, a little above Goodnow's mill, the waters of the brook
which forms the outlet of Munsonville pond.  A few rods on the
northwestern boundary are along the main stream of the Ashuelot,
which here separates Sullivan from Gilsum.  Hubbard brook drains
the southern-central portion of the town, emptying into the north
branch of the Ashuelot, and the Ferr brook drains the western portion,
falling into Beaver brook, which joins the Ashuelot in Keene.

There have been saw-mills in town, of which one propelled by steam,
and four by water have disappeared or ceased operations.  There are
now three mills, as follows:--

AUSTIN A. ELLIS's SAW-MILL, on road 14, was built by Asa and Atwell C.
Ellis, in 1848, father and grandfather of the present proprietor,
who purchased the property in 1869.  Employes three men and
manufactures 200,000 feet of lumber and 150,000 bucket hoops per
annum.

GOODNOW BRO'S SAW AND GRIST-MILL, at East Sullivan, was built by
Caleb Goodnow, father of the present proprietors, in 1846, and was
purchased by them about twelve years ago.  They manufacture about
4,000 feet of lumber and 5,000 toy tables per annum, and do planing
and custom grinding.

HARRIS & HASTING'S SAW MILL on road 15, was built by Dauphin Spaulding
2d, in 1852, who sold it to George Kingsbury in 1865, and who in turn
sold it to the present proprietors in 1882.  They saw about 250,000
feet of lumber per annum.

The mechanics trades are represented by George Kingsbury, builder,
and Lyman Davis, blacksmith.  There were formerly in the town two
grist-mills, a flouring-mill, a wheelwright shop, two shoemakers'
shops, three or four blacksmith's shop, and at least three different
stores, all of which have now disappeared.  A tannery at East
Sullivan, long the chief business establishment of the town, is not
now in operation.  There has never been a hotel in town.

The chief occupation of the inhabitants is now, as it always has been,
farming.  The average amount of the crops produced may be set down
at about 1,250 bushels of corn, 1,800 bushels of oats and barley,
20 bushels of peas and beans, 20 bushels of wheat (often more),
usually no rye, 8,000 bushels of potatoes, 1,500 to 2,000 tons of
hay, 12,000 to 15,000 pounds of maple sugar, a few boxes of honey,
forest products to the value of twelve to fourteen thousand dollars,
and orchard products to the value of five or six hundred dollars.
The live stock will average about 70 horses, 300 cattle, 1,875 sheep
yielding eight to nine thousand pounds of wool, and about 40 to 50
swine.  The estimated value of farm stock is about $35,000 and of
slaughtered animals $3,655.  There are made annually about 12,000
pounds of butter and 550 pounds of cheese.  The value of all farm
products is about $55,000.

The population of the town in 1880 was 382, and the valuation
$259,946.  In 1884 it had five districts and four public schools.
Its five school buildings were valued, including sites, furniture,
etc. at $2,200.  There were seventy-six pupils attending these
schools, fifteen of whom were pursuing the higher branches.  The
town employs four female teachers, at an average monthly salary of
$24.77.  The entire revenue of the town for school purposes was
$997.35 while the entire expense of the schools was $881.05 with
Rosabell S. Rugg, superintendent.

VILLAGES
There are two small villages in the township.  The one known as
SULLIVAN CENTER, frequently called the Four Corners, or simply the
Corner, owes its existence to the same fact that caused a little
village to be started near the center of all of the old New England
towns, the location of a meeting-house, in a central locality, about
which were soon placed a shoemaker's shop, a blacksmith's shop, and
a store, and near which was selected a place for the burial of the
dead.  At present, the center village is a mere hamlet, containing
the First Congregational meeting-house, the Town Hall, and a few
dwellings.  The shops and the store have disappeared.  The other
village is at EAST SULLIVAN. It owes its existence to a small water
privilege on the branch of the Ashuelot.  Here Nathaniel Mason,
many years ago, built a saw and grist-mill; and here was located
a tannery and blacksmith-shop.  The tannery was long in charge of
Deacon A.E. Wilson, now residing in Nelson, who sold to John Symonds,
who was one of the most energetic and successful business men who
have ever lived in the town.  During his management of the tannery,
the village grew both in the number of inhabitants and the number of
houses.  A few years since, Mr. Symonds sold his interest in that
tannery and moved to Keene to engage in a similar business.  He 
recently died in that city, leaving a handsome legacy to endow the
Keene Public Library, and for other public uses.  He was an excellent,
public-spirited man, and deserves the thanks and gratitude of the
citizens of every town where he has lived, for his loyalty and
devotion to their interests.
  After Mr. Symonds left the tannery at East Sullivan it passed into
other hands, and has changed owners several times and has been
poorly managed, and several of the townsmen have lost considerable
sums of money which they have loaned to the different proprietors,
with the hop that it might courage the industry.

INCORPORATION
The town was incorporated September 27, 1787, and took its name from
His Excellency, John Sullivan, at that time the president (as the title
then was) of the state of New Hampshire.  It is a small township,
about four and a half miles in width, by five miles in length,
containing, according to later estimates, about 15,666 acres, of which
something like 7,514 acres have been improved.  The town was formed
from portions of Stoddard, Packersfield (now Nelson), Gilsum, and
Keene.  The political history of the town has been uneventful.
Its town meetings have been regularly held, at stated times, from the
first, without interruption, and have been characterized by harmony,
dignity and good sense.  The officers chosen have been generally
qualified for there positions, usually remarkably so.  The business
has been honestly and honorably performed from year to year....
  July 7, 1874, a few acres were severed from this town and annexed
to Gilsum. 
  The original document requesting incorporation, dated 1786, lists
the following requestors:
  Inhabitants of Keene: Roswell Hubbard, Joshua Osgood, Zadock Nims,
and Erastus Hubbard
  Inhabitants of Packersfield: Grindal Keith and Oliver Carter
  Inhabitants of Stoddard:  -- Burnham, Nathan Bolster, Saml Seward,
Josiah Seward, William Burnam, Samuel Wyman, Ezra Osgood, and
Elijah Carter.
  Inhabitants of Gilsom [sic Gilsum]: James Row, Timothy Dimmock,
James Pratt, Joseph Ellis, William Cory, Samuel Cory, John
Chapman, Benjamin Chapman, Benjamin Ellis, Simeon Ellis, Nathan Ellis,
John Chapman Jr., Timothy Dewey, Thos Morse, Jesse Wheeler,
Lockhart Willard, Jonathan Baker, John Dimock, Joshua Cory,
Jonathan Heaton, James Locke Jr., James Lock, Ebenezer Birdit,
and John Row.
  In 1787 two signers of a document requesting a change in the 
boundaries were Lemll Holmes and Absalom Kingsbery [sic].
  Dec 20, 1793 a petition regarding the boundary was signed by
selectmen of Keene, and these two selectmen from Sullivan:
Erastus Hubbard and Eliakim Nims. 
  On Nov 10, 1798, a petition for a township was signed by the
following: Roswell Hubbard, Elijah Carter, Wm Muzzy, Elijah Osgood,
Danl Wilson Jr., Josiah Seward Jr., Wm Munroe, Oliver Carter,
Erastus Hubbard, Joseph Ellis Jr., Roswell Hubbard Jr., Will Bridge,
Daniel Willson, John Willson, Gorge [sic George] Nims, James W.
Osgood, Charles Carter, James Willson, Calvin Nims, Olover [sic
Oliver] brown, Phelander Nims, Ezra Osgood, Elsworth Hubbard, 
George Hubbard, Thomas Morse, Thomas Powell Jr., David Powell,
Joseph Powell, Jonathan Powell, Samuel Seward Jr., Paul Farnsworth,
Theophilus Row, Joseph Seward, James Row, Daniel Farnsworth,
Thomas Seward, Ichobad Keith, Elijah Rugg, Josiah Seward,
James COmstick [sic Comstock], Peter Barker, Abijah Seward,
Nathan Bolster, Isiah [sic Isaiah] Willson, Samuel Willson,
Frederick Nims, Samuel Seward, Abel Carter, Samuel Clarke, and
Henry Carter.

The town was settled at a time when nothing was to be feared from
the indians, and only two tragedies have ever disturbed the smooth
and een current of social life.  Each may be very properly called an
accident.  Insanity, posibly aggrevated by intemperance, was
undoubtedly the cause of both misfortunes.  The first occured 
June 16, 1829.  Daniel H. Corey was an eccentric man who lived in the
north part of the town, on an out of the way road, near the Gilsum
line.  He had a fancy that there were mines of gold and silver on
his farm, and he dug a long time to find the precious ore, but in
vain.  He had a mortal terror of witches; sharing a very common 
belief that his black cat, like all black cats, was a witch. He
often charged old women with being witches.  On the day named he was
ungovernable, and his wife and children being alarmed, went to the
house of a Mr. Nash, on the Gilsum side of the boundary line.
Mrs. Matilda (Waters) Nash, an aged lady, thinking that she might be 
able to quiet him, started with a young granddaughter to go to his
house.  She took some flax in her hand, intending to ask permission
to hatchel it at Mr. Corey's house.  They found Corey lying down,
when they entered his house.  He immediately yelled, "Go along, you
old witch."  He then got up and seized his gun. They were frightened
and started for home.  The girl escaped, but Mr. Corey overtook the
old lady, whom he struck with such violence as to cause the barrel
of his gun to come out of the stock, and she was killed almost
instantly.  After his arrest, he said that he had "only killed an
old witch."  He was lodged in Keene jail, and tried at Keene, but
the jury disagreed.  While still at the jail, he received some outside
assistance, as is believed with the connivance of the authorities,
and made his escape and went to New York state where his family
afterwards joined him, and where he eventually died.

The other tragedy created the greater excitement, because the persons
connected with it were so well known.  Mr. Enoch Woods was one of the
best circumstanced and most prominent citizens of Sullivan. He was a
well informed man, of good sense, and judgement.  In the later years
of his life there can be no question that his mind became disordered.
It may have been aggrevated by intemperance, but was probably in part
constitutional.  He had at one time a tenant in his house, a Mr.
George Baker; Mr. Woods living in a part of the same house, near
the meeting-house.  Mr. Baker was supposed to be a particular
favorite of Mr. Woods; but when the mind has lots its balance,
friendships count for nothing.  One day in autumn, October 16, 1835,
the community was startled as never before nor since, by learning
on that day Mr. Baker had been stabbed and killed by Mr. Woods.
It appears that while laboring under a derangement, Mr. Woods had
made in his blacksmith shop, a strange, large dagger, with barbed
edges, of a most savage character as it would appear for this purpose.
He stationed himself near a door on the day mentioned, and as Mr.
Baker was about to enter the house, either purposefully or
accidentally, Mr. Woods wounded him fatally.  Mr. Woods was arrested
and had a preliminary examination in the old meeting-house, and was
held for trail and lodged in Keene jail.  While waiting for the court
to assemble, he hung himself in his cell with his handkerchief.
Formerly much blame was attached to Mr. Woods, but of late years
it seems to be an almost unanimous opinion that he was not mentally
nor morally responsible for the act, except so far as he might have
refrained from intemperate habits.

WARS
Several of the original proprietors of Sullivan had served in the
Revolution.  There were Sullivan men in the war of 1812, and
Sullivan "acted well her part" in the great war of the Rebellion
[Civil War.] She sent nearly twenty men into the service, not to
speak of the natives of the town who enlisted from other places.
Nine of them who deserve an honorable mention, died in the service.
Their names were: Silas Black, of the 2d NH Vols, died in the hospital,
December 20, 1861; Andrew J. Rugg of the same regiment, died in  
hospital, at Philadelphia, July 5, 1862; Edward T. Nims, of the 14th
Regt., died at Poolsville MD December 18, 1862; Henry McDonald of
the 6th Regt, was instantly killed in the second battle of Bull
Run, AUgust 28, 1862; Russell T. Holt, of the 14th Regt, died of
disease in Washington, June 21, 1863; Dauphin Spaulding of the 14th
Regt, died at Washington February 7, 1864; Henry D. Spaulding, his
brother, of the same regiment, died at Natchez, Miss. July 11, 1864;
Orlando K. Spaulding, who enlisted in an Illinois regiment, died at
New York City on his way to his home, March 12, 1865; and Charles C.
Wilson, of the 14th Regt, who was killed in the terrible battle of
Opequan, September 19, 1864. Wilson had attained the rank of
sergeant. He had been educated with his sister (Miss Abby M.)
at the Kimball Union academy at Meridan NH. He was a fine scholar,
and had he lived, would most likely have followed some learned
profession.  He was the only son of Charles Franklin Wilson, Esq.,
for many years the clerk of the town.  Black's body was buried at
East Sullivan; Rugg's, Nim's and Holt's at the new cemetery near the
church; O.K. Spaulding's at the old cemetery, and D. Spaulding at
the East Sullivan cemetery.  The body of McDonald was buried on
the battlefield.  The body of Wilson, with several others, was
buried on the Winchester or Opequan battlefield, in what is now
the national cemetery there, and the state of New Hampshire has
erected an enduring monument of her granite over the spot.  On the
day of the dedication, of the monument, a lady, unknown to all
present, at the close of the service, stepped up and placed a
beautiful wreath upon the monument and quickly disappeared, no one
knowing whence she came or whither she went.  The body of H.D.
Spaulding is buried in the national cemetery at Natchez, Miss.,
in grave No. 120.

July 4, 1867, the citizens of Sullivan dedicated their soldier's
monument, the first erected in the state.  It is one of the best
Italian marble, very beautiful in design and execution. It stands
near the meeting-house, on a spot prepared for with much care and
expense.  It stands on a mound which rises eight feet above the
common, and the monument rises fifteen feet above the mound.
At the dedication, nearly all the inhabitants of the town were
present.  The oration was delivered by Rev. John M. Stowe, at
that time the acting pastor of the First Congregational Church.

CEMETERIES
There are three cemeteries in Sullivan. The first death on the
soil which is now Sullivan was that of Mr. William Comstock in 
1773. There place where he was buried was selected as a site for
the first burial ground, and here, for many years, all the dead
were buried.  There was a single exception in the case of Mr.
Enoch Woods, whose body was buried in a lawn near his house. It was,
also, too common a custom to bury the bodies of very young, and
especially still-born infants in fields near the dwellings of
their parents.  This reprehensible custom has not probably been
observed for a long time.  In 1858, another cemetery was opened,
near and just north of the meeting-house, the first body buried in
it being that of Mrs. David Nims.  About the same time another
cemetery was laid out at East Sullivan.  The first body buried
there was that of Mrs. Lucius Nims, who was buried near the spot
before it was decided to use the field for that purpose.

FIRST BIRTHS, OLDEST PERSONS
THe first person born within the limits of the present township of
Sullivan was James Comstock, who was baptized in 1773.  The last
person born before the incorporation was probably Joseph Seward,
who was born June 30, 1787.  His first wife, Nancy (Heaton) Seward,
was the first person born after the incorporation of the town.
Her birth was December 9, 1787.  The second wife, and now the widow
of Joseph Seward, Mrs. Love (Holt) Seward, is probably the oldest
person in town.  Mrs. Lucy (Rugg) Ellis, who died in June 1885
in her ninetieth year, had enjoyed that honor for a long time.
The widow of James Comstock, who long lived in the same house with
Mrs. Ellis, had, for several years before her death, been the
oldest inhabitant.  The son of Mrs. Ellis, Mr. Atwell C. Ellis,
was for many years the town clerk, also a clerk and deacon of the
First Congregational Church.

LIBRARY
A new Library association was formed at East Sullivan June 30, 1885,
and Austin A. Ellis was made president, and T.A. Hastings, librarian.
They have raised about fifty dollars for the first purchase of
books.

BANDS
For several years there has been a good brass band at East Sullivan,
which has distinguished itself on many occasions.  The leader is
Mr. Lesie Goodnow, who is a good musician, and has taught singing
considerably. His father, Mr. Caleb Goodnow, an old and honored
resident, long the proprietor of the saw and flour-mill which his
sons nown, is also an excellent performer on the bass viol.
There were formerly considerable martial spirit in Sullivan, and
the appearance of the men at the old musters, and on training day,
was very creditable. 

POLITICS
The politics of the town have always been conservative. The settlers
were mostly of the federal school.  The Shigs, in their day, were in 
a great majority, and the Republican party has been greatly in
the ascendant.  Deacon Selim Frost, whose memory will always be
held in profound respect in the town, voted that ticket, at times
when he was the only person in town to do so. He lived to see the
day when its underlying principles and hopes were carried into effect.



As in most New England towns, the chief interest in Sullivan history
centers in its ecclesiastical annals.  The first settlers were
devout persons and at once made provision for the preaching of the
gospel.  According to the fashion of the times, the town took the
matter in charge and hired the preachers.  In 1790, they raised
five pounds for preaching.  In 1791, they built a little plain
meeting-house, of a very rude pattern, on the top of one of the
highest hills in town.  This year they raised six pounds, and in 1792
seventeen pounds, for preaching.  October 17, 1792, a church was
organized of twenty-two members. The last survivor of these
original covenanters was Mrs. Olive, widow of Capt. Samuel Seward,
who died, at a great age, about 1854.
  In 1787 Rev. William Muzzey was hired six Sundays on probation.
He eventually received a call and was ordained February 6, 1798.
Mr. Muzzey was born in Lexington, MA, May 25, 1771 and was descended
from some of the best of New England families. He graduated at
Harvard University in 1793, and studied theology with Rev. J. Clark.
He remained in the Sullivan church about 29 years and was dismissed
May 22, 1827. He then removed to his native town of Lexington, Mass
where he died April 16, 1835.  During his ministry, the second
meeting house was built, near the present town hall, and dedicated
December 29, 1808.   This meeting-house was a good building,
constructed in the fashion of the time, a nearly square structure,
with two porches, one at each end, with square pews and a high
pulpit. In front of the latter was the 'deacons' seat, and under the
pulpit was kept a large piece of lead which might be used for bullets
should the town require them for soldiers....
  The second pastor was REV. JOSIAH PEABODY. He was the son of
Moses and Hannah (Ward) Peabody, and was born in Henniker, August 12,
1798. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1825, and was ordained
at Sullivan, November 5, 1828, and was dismissed October 21, 1829.
Mr. Peabody afterward supplied a pulpit in Washington, Vt., in 1834,
and afterwards some other pulpits, and then retired to a farm in
Sllivan, where he spent his last days, and died April 15, 1870.
He served the town several terms isn the legislature...His last
official act was to marry a very aged couple whom he had known for
many years, upon the summit of Mount Monadnock.

The First Congregational society was formed June 6, 1827, shortly
after Mr. Muzzey's dismission... For a long time the society
worshipped in the house which was built by the town.  One of those
who supplied preaching from time to time was Rev. Job Cushman
(between 1830-1832). He was born in Kingston, Mass, January 17, 1797,
was a graduate of Brown university in 1819, and studied theology with
Rev. C. Park. 
  The third pastor was Rev. Joel Wright. He was the son of Benjamin
and Betsey (Adams) Wright, and was born in Milford, January 27, 1784.
He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1809, and taught at New Salem,
Mass from 1809 to 1812. He studied theology with Rev. Seth Payson DD
of Rindge, and was ordained at Leverett, Mass December 9, 1812
and dismissed January 26, 1820. He was then installed at Goshen, Mass
and remained seven years. He was next installed at Wilmington VT, 
and finally at Sullivan May 22, 1834 and dismissed April 22, 1840.
After leaving Sullivan Mr. Wright was a pastor at Bristol. He died
at South Hadley, Mass June 8, 1859.
  The fourth pastor was Rev. Alanson Alvord. He was born in Granby,
Mass June 29, 1803. He was ordained Nov 19, 1834 and preached in
various places, among others Westmoreland, and was installed at
Sullivan, February 24, 1842 and dismissed May 18, 1844.  After
leaving Sullivan, he resided in several places in Michigan and Ohio,
and died December 2, 1862, probably at York, Ohio, his last residence.
  The fifth pastor was Rev. Thomas Snell Norton, who was born in
New Braintree, Mass Nov. 25, 1813, and graduated at Amherst college
in 1840. He commenced to supply the Sullivan pulpit i September 1844,
and was ordained February 4, 1846.  He was dismissed March 10, 1859.
It was during his ministry that the third and present church edifice
was built, which was dedicated December 7, 1848. There were disputes
over the site of the new church.  An arrangement was made with the
town whereby the old meeting-house was released, which was afterward
sold to Dauphin Spaulding 2d, who built the town hall out of it
and took the rest for a mill and dwelling place.  The ornamental
window which once was behind the pulpit, may now be seen in its
ruined condition in the gable of the mill of Harris & Hastings,
built by Mr. Spaulding.  A bell, the first churchbell in town,
was hung in the belfry of the new church in 1860. Mr. Norton had a
very successful ministry [much in the original document, not included
here].  He removed from Sullivan to Dover, Mass, and still resides
in that state. 
  The next minister was Rev. George Washington Stinson. He was born
in Mount [sic Mont] Vernon [NH], April 3, 1823, and was ordained
April 19, 1856. He graduated at the Oberlin Theological school
in 1855. He came to Sullivan in the beginning of the summer of 1859,
and remained through the spring of 1861. He afterwards preached at
Dalton, and then went west, and died at Maysville, Ohio, December 17,
1865. 
  The next minister was Rev. Nelson Barbour, who was born in
Bridgeport Vt, October 5, 1805, graduated at Middlebury college 1831,
and at Andover Theological seminar in 1834. He was ordained December 
15, 1836.  In NH he had preached at Langdon and Wolfborough before
coming to Sullivan. He filled the pulpit of that town from the summer
of 1861 to that of 1863. He afterwards moved to Vermont, and died at
Georgia, in that state, July 31, 1867.
  The next minister was Rev. John Murdock Stowe, who was born in
Hubbardston, Mass, Sep 7, 1824, and graduated at the Bangor
Theological seminar in 1854. He was ordained at Walpole, January 31,
1855.  He supplied Sullivan pulpit for seven years 1863-1870.
He then went to his native town of Hubbardston to preach.  On May 9,
1877 he was thrown from his carriage and fatally injured, dying the
same day.
  He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Stillman Drake, who was born in
Canton, Mass, July 21, 1804 and graduated at the Bangor Theological
seminar in 1834. He was ordained at Blanchard, Maine October 15, 1834.
He then preached in various placed in Maine, and became the acting
pastor of the Sullivan church for five years, from the beginning of
June 1873 to the end of May 1878.  Between Mr. Stowe and Mr. Drake,
a Methodist minister, Rev. Joseph Fawcett, had supplied the desk
through one of their ecclesiastical years, from the spring of 1871
to the spring of 1872.  After leaving Sullivan, Mr. Drake only
preached a short time, and died at North Berwick, Me. Nov 12, 1883.
  Soon after Mr. Drake left, Rev. Henry Warren Lyman Thurston
supplied the desk, and continued to do so until September 11, 1881.
He was born in Hartford, Vt., November 20 1823 and ordained
August 20, 1875. He had no collegiate training. Before coming to
Sullivan he supplied a pulpit at Goshen.  He is now residing in
Goshen NH.
  Rev. T.S. Norton preached for a short time for this society,
from Nov 5, 1882 to April 1, 1883.
  Rev. George Warren Rogers, of Gilsum, supplied the desk through
the summer months of 1884, and is doing the same in 1885. He was born
in Lynn, Mass, January 12, 1881.  He was ordained April 8, 1850.
He had preached five years in Salem NH before going to Gilsum.

A SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY, known as the UNION ECCLESIASTIcAL
CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY was formed at East Sullivan, November 8, 1875,
together with a church of the same name.  They have never had a 
settled pastor.  Rev. Amos Holbrook was hired December 7, 1875
to preach a year, preaching and also residing in another town.
January 29, 1877, Rev. T. Whitney Darling was engaged, who continued
to supply for about two years in connection with another town.
Rev. Edwin H. Stickney preached through the summer of 1880, and 
Rev. Sam. W. Delzell in the following summer. Rev. T.S. Norton, during
his last brief engagement, also supplied the desk at East Sullivan
half of the time.  Since then they had no stated preaching until
1885.  During the summer months of this year, Rev. Mr. Chase, a
Methodist, of Marlboro, is supplying.

A BAPTIsT CHURCH was organized in Sullivan February 11, 1806. There
had been previously occasional preaching in the north part of the
town, principally by Elder Hidbee, of Alstead. Their meetings were
at first held either in private homes, or at the north school-house.
Afterwards, they obtained the use of a rude hall at Sullivan Center.
A church was organized in connection with this society, January 14,
1808.  Rev. Charles Cummings, who had been for some time residing in
the town, was ordained as the first pastor, October 24, 1810. He
appears to have officiated until the ordination of his successor,
November 2, 1836.  Rev. Charles Cummings, a son of Rev. Joseph and
Anne (Gove) Cummings, was born in Seabrook, NH, September 23, 1777.
At the age of two years his parents removed to Marlboro, where his
father was first pastor of the Congregational church, and where he
spent his boyhood.  He was married in 1798, and settled on a farm in
the north part of Sullivan. He had an earnest desire to preach the
gospel, and in 1805 was licensed by the Baptists to preach. His
labors in Sullivan cover a period of more than a quarter of a century.
In 1820 the Baptists put him at the head of the domestic missionary
work, and he was instrumental in organizing churches in Keene,
Swanzey, Marlboro, Peterboro, Hillsboro, Lyndboro, and Antrim, 
and preached extensively in Cheshire, Hillsboro, Sullivan and
Merrimack counties.  In the new Baptist church in Keene, an
inscription on a mural marble tablet was erected by his worthy
daughter, Mrs. Elijah Boyden, of Marlboro.  He devoted the last few
years of his life to a revival of the Baptist work in Pottersville,
and died at Roxbury December 27, 1849.
  Rev. Arnold Kingsbury was ordained to succeed Mr. Cummings at
Sullivan, November 2, 1836. He labored about 3 years, and was 
succeded by Rev. D.P. French, who was ordained September 4, 1839.
Following ministers included Rev. Sem pierce.
  About 1848 the meetings were discontinued in Sullivan and held
in the Methodist church in Gilsum. The society was always composed
in large part of Gilsum persons.  Later preachers included
Rev. Henry Archibald, Rev. John Peacock.  In 1855 shortly  before it
dissolved, the membership was fifty-four. [more about members of
this church, in the late 1800's in original document, not included
here].

PHYSICIANS: There have been, at least, three physicians who have
resided in the town.  Dr. Messer Cannon, who died February 3, 1829,
had practiced over thirty years in Sullivan, and was much respected.
Dr. Timothy Livngston Lane, who graduated at Dartmouth Medical School
in 1824, settled in Sullivan in 1825 and remained until 1832. He then
removed to Lunenburg, Vt. and remained two years, after which he
practiced four years in Gilsum, three in Daysville, IL, and about
8 years in Filmore, IL, where he died September 1, 1849.  
Dr. Edward Barton, who died recently at South Orange, Mass, was in town
for a short time, over fifty years ago.  He was a fine physician, and
had fine literary tastes.  He was a man of much distinction in that
part of Massachusetts and wrote the history of Orange.

COLLEGE GRADUATES
Sullivan is noted for the comparatively large number of college 
graduates and professional men who have gone fourth from the place,
in proportion to the population, which never exceeded 600, and seldom
attained to five hundred.  We will mention in alphabetical order those
whose names occur to us, and who, probably, compose the entire list.
  Marquis Delafayette Collestor, son of Thorley and Sarah M. (Nims) \
collester, graduated at Middlebury college in 1865. He was born in
Marlboro, January 26, 1839 but lived with his uncle, Dauphin M. Nims,
in Sullivan, from his earliest childhood, and was like a son to them.
After graduation, he taught for a time in Minnesota, at Fairbault,
and is now a very successful lawyer in that state.
  Samuel Newell Fifield pursued a course of study at Norwich university
in Vermont. He was born in Franklin, but his mother, the widow Judith
Fifield, married Samuel Locke, Esq. of Sullivan, when her son was a
young lad, and took him to that town to live. He was naturally one of
the most brilliant young men who ever left Sullivan. He was a natural
scholar, especially fond of mathematics and military science. He went
to Nebraska, while quite a young man, and was one of the first
settlers of that state. His wife, Mrs. Celeste (Keith) Fifield, was 
the first white woman who crossed the Missouri with the intention of
settlement. She was a romantic person, finely educated, and delighted
in adventure. They had many adventures with the Indians, and some
remarkable escapes from slaughter. Mr. Fifield died several years
since and his widow now lives in Washington Territory.
  Dr. Carlton Pennington Frost graduated at Dartmouth in 1852, and
received his degree of M.D. at that institution in 1857. He is the
son of Benjamin and Mary (Brant) Frost, and was born in Sullivan,
May 29, 1871, the professor of the science and practice of medicine,
in the Darmouth Medical school.
  Dr. Edwin Brant Frost was a brother of Prof. Frost. He was born in
Sullivan December 30, 1832, and graduated at Dartmouth college in
1858. He taught for a time at Pittsfield, also at Royalston, Mass.
He read law a few months, but finally read medicine with his
brother C.P. Frost, at St. Johnsbury.  When the war [Civil War]
broke out, his patriotism would not suffer him to remain at home
and he became a captain in the 10th Regt. Vermont Vols.  He was killed
at the battle of Cold Harbor, Va, while gallantly fighting for his
country, June 3, 1864.
  Rev. Henry Martyn Frost, was a brother of the two preceeding. He was
born at sullivan, May 26, 1835, and graduated at Dartmouth in 1857.
He taught for a time at Thetford academy, in Vermont, also at
Frankfort, KY. He studied divinity and was ordained a deacon in the
Protestant Episcopal church in April 1860. He afterwards became the
rector of St. Stephen's church at Middlebury, Vt.  He did not hold
the position long before he was compelled to resign in consequence of
ill health. He died at Thetford, Vt. February 20, 1866.
  George Wallace Keith, son of Bezaleel and Mary (Farwell) Keith,
has been for many years a clairvoyant physician. He was born in
Walden, Vt., July 1, 1835, but came to Sullivan as a mere child and
lived here until he was twenty-five or thirty years of age. He is a man
of large intellectual capacity and has been very successful in his
profession.
  The four Kemp brothers, sons of Benjamin Kemp, who married a daughter
of Enoch Woods, all chose to follow profesional lives. 
Dr. Alba Enoch Kemp, who died at East Douglass, Mass, October 29, 1883,
aged sixty-one years was an able physician.  Dr. Edwin Augustine Kemp
has practiced medicine with great success at Enfield, Mass, and at
Lonsdale, R.I. and is now at Danvers, Mass.  Dr. Frank Kemp is an
able dentist.  Rev. George Solon Kemp graduated at the Bangor
Theological seminar in 1851. He was born in Sullivan, August 8, 1816.
He has preached in Alstead, Dublin, and other places, and now resides
in East Douglass, Mass.
  Hon. David Haven Mason, son of John and Mary (Haven) Mason, was born
at Sullivan, March 17, 1818. He graduated at Dartmouth college in 1841,
and afterwards read law at Lancaster and Boston, and at the Harvard
Law school. He went into practice in Boston and resided in Newton. He
was the United States attorney for the district of Massachusetts.
He was an able and succesful lawyer. He died at Newton, Mass.,
May 20, 1873. Three of his sons graduated at Harvard University:
Edward Haven Mason in 1869, Harry White Mason in 1878, and 
Frank Atlee Mason in 1884.
  James Bracket Mason, son of Capt. John and Matilda (Wilson) Mason,
was born in Lancaster NH July 13, 1839. His parents were of Sullivan
families, and returned to East Sullivan when James was a small boy.
James served as a soldier in the war [Civil War] and lost an arm
by an accident. He graduated at Dartmouth college in 1871, and now
resides on a farm in Westmoreland. He was a nephew of Hon. D.H. Mason,
of whom we have just spoken.
  Dr. Rufus Osgood Mason, son of Captain Rufus and Prudence (Woods)
Mason, was born in Sullivan, January 22, 1830. His father was a cousin
to the father of Hon. D.H. Mason, and the grandfather of James B. 
Mason. He graduated at Dartmouth college in 1854. He, at first,
thought of studying for the ministry, and studied divinity at the
Union Theological Seminary in New York, from September 1854 to
Feburary 1856. After this he taught a year at Cleveland, Ohio. He there
read medicine with Dr. Williams. He afterwards studied with Dr.
LaFayette Ranney, Dr. F.S. Edwards and a Prof. John C. Dalton, all of
New York City, and received the degree of M.D. at the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, in New York, in 1859. He immediately began
practice in New York, October 21, 1861, he was appointed an assistant
surgeon in the United State navy, and served in that capacity through
the war.  He is now in practice in New York City.  Charles Mason, a 
prosperous farmer, formerly of Sullivan, and now of Marlboro, also 
Orlando Mason, a successful manufacturer and prominent citizen in 
Winchdon, Mass, are his brothers.  His father was a gentleman of the
olden school, who had a high appreciation of education, and all of
his four sons and two daughters, who lived to maturity, were well
educated, and most of them were successful school teachers.
  Dr. Edward Beecher Nims, son of Seth Nims, and a cousin on his 
mother's side, to the three Frosts who we have mentioned, is a native
of Sullivan. He was a studious youth, and graduated with credit at
Williams College, in 1862. He received the degree of A.M. from the
same institution, in 1882. He studied medicine in the medical
department of the University of vermont and recieved his degree of
M.D. there in 1864. He has been for many years one of the physicians
at the hospital for the insane at Northampton, Mass, and is greatly
honored and respected in his profession.
  George Lyman Nims, son of Daniel Adams and Hepzibah (Mason) Nims,
was born in Sullivan, October 3, 1838. He is distantly related to
Dr. E.R. Nims, just mentioned. Their grandfathers were cousins.
George Lyman graduated at Middlebury College in 1865. He studied
theology at Andover, and graduated from that seminar in 1870. He
preached in Roxbury, in 1872-1873 but was not ordained. His health
has not been firm, and he is not at present in active business.
  A son of Rev. T.S. Norton pursued a course of study at the
Worcester Free Institute. He was a native of Sullivan. Rev. Zephaniah
Osgood was one of the earliest men in town to enter the ministry.
He lived in the west part of the town. He took orders in the
Protestant Episcopal Church.
  Rev. Josiah Lafayette Seward, of Lowell, Mass., is a native of this
town. The Sewards of Sullivan are descended from Thomas Seward and
his wife Hannah, who came to this country, from England, in the middle
of the eighteenth century, and settled in Pepperell, Mass. Thomas died
at the early age of twenty-nine, leaving three young boys, Thomas,
Josiah and Samuel.  The latter two were with Colonel Prescott at the
battle of Bunker Hill, and served several years in the Revolution.
They afterwards purchased land in Cheshire county in what was 
afterwards Sullivan, and became two of the incorporators of that town.
Josiah was one of the first two deacons chosen for the First
Congregational church.  Samuel became a captain of the militia.
Josiah married Sarah Osgood, of Billerica, a daughter of John Osgood,
a descendant of Nathaniel Danforth, the founder of Billerica, and of
Christohper Osgood, who owned a mill where the Talbot mills now stand.
In Hazen's History of Billerica, she is reported to have married Joseph
Warren of Chelmsford, but this is wrong; the lady whom Mr. Warren
married was Sarah, widow of David Osgood.  Deacon Seward had two sons
and six daughters. One of the sons, Josiah Jr., married Polly, daughter
of Daniel and Abigail (Morse) Wilson of Sullivan. She was a lady of
marked intellectual power and strong individuality and possessed a fund
of wit.  She was own cousin of Hon. James Wilson, of Keene, father of
the late Gen. James Wilson. She was also a lineal descendant of
Samuel Morse, who came to this country in 1635 from England, and
settled in Dedham and died at Medford, Mass from whom many eminent
persons have descended, notably Hon. S.F.B. Morse, the acknowledged
inventor of the electric telegraph. Josiah Seward Jr., and Polly
were the parents of three sons, Josiah, Daniel and David.  Josiah, 
the third in line to take that name, was a studious youth and
remarkably cultivated for his time and opportunities. At the time of
his early death, August 8, 1831, he was undoubtedly the best educated
person in town. He had not studied the languages much, but in the
sciences was more than fitted for college, and in mathematics could
easily have entered the senior class of any college of that day in
the country.  He had acquired his knowledge very largely through his
own unaided efforts. His parents employed private tutors for him
occasionally, two of whom were Messrs. Willard and Harvey Bill of
Gilsum, the latter of whom was, for many years, editor of the
"Cheshire Republican," in Keene.  David, his youngest brother,
married Arvilla, daughter of James and Abigail (Keith) Matthews,
then of Nelson, formerly and afterwards of Hancock. They had tow
sons and a daughter.  The latter, Miss Emily Normanda Seward, who
died May 27, 1885, was a well educated lady of rare beauty of
character.  The younger son, Mr. James Byron Seward, was educated
at the Westbrook academy in maine, and the Kimball Union academy
at Meriden NH. After being employed in various places in Keene,
Boston and New York, he finally commenced business for himself,
and is now a commission merchant in New York City. Josiah Lafayette,
the elder son, born in Sullivan, April 17, 1845. His early education
was obtained in the school district where his father lived. In the
autumn of the years 1859 and 1860 and in the winter of 1860-1861,
he studied at Westmoreland, in a select school, taught by Rev. S.H.
McCollester, afterwards president of Buchtel college in Ohio. In
1861, Mr. Seward entered the Phillips Exeter academy and graduated
there in 1864, and was one of three, each of whom received the
highest rank.  He entered Harvard University in 1864, and graduated
in 1868, and received the degree of A.M. in 1871. In 1869, he taught
a public school in Frankford, West Virginia, being one of the first
teachers in that state after the public school system was introduced,
and was compelled to endure all of the odium and prejudice which
the southern peole, at that time, were accustomed to heap upon a
Yankee schoolmaster.  In 1870, he taught a private school in the
Selwyn's theatre building in Boston, preparing young men for
college.  In 1870-71 he became the first principal of the Conant
Free school in Jaffrey, which had been established through the
munificence of John Conant, Esq.  In the autumn of 1871, he
entered Harvard Divinity school, and received the degree of B.D.
from there in 1874. December 31, 1874 he was ordained over the
South Congregational (Unitarian) church and society in Lowell [MA]
and still labors in that parish, which is one of the largest and
most flourishing of the Unitarian churches in the country.
  Orlando Leslie Seward, son of Orland and Lydia Seward, a great-
grandson of Captain Samuel Seward, and whose early youth was passed
in Sullivan, received the degree of Bachelor of Science from
Dartmouth college in 1875. He is a civil engineer in Keene, and has
unusual skill i mathematical drawing, and is a respectable portrait
painter.
  Rev. Granville Wardwell, born in Nelson, December 7, 1819, lived
in Sullivan during most of his youth. He graduated at Dartmouth
college in 1848. He studied divinity at Lane seminary, Walnut Hill,
Ohio, one year, and also at the Andover Theological seminary, where
he graduated in 1853.  He was ordained an evangelist at Sullivan,
October 19, 1853, at the same time that Rev. E.C.A. Wood was
ordained, of whom we shall speak. He preached at Kalamazoo, Mich.,
from 1853 to 1855. He preached at Kennebunk, Me. in 1857-58,
and afterwards moved to Westminster West, Vt. where he died
June 24, 1858.  Rev. Ezra Wardwell, his brother, lived temporarily
in Sullivan, but was never considered a resident of the town.
  Edgar Vinton Wilson, Esq., son of Frederic Almon and Cadelia
(Mack) Wilson, of Sullivan, took the degree of Bachelor of Science
at Cornell university in 1872. He is a nephew of Rev. Prof. Dexter
Wilson, of that institution, and formerly a professor at
Hobart college.  Mr. E.V. Wilson is now a lawyer in Athol, Mass,
where he has built up a good practice.
  Rev. Enoch Charles Augustus Woods, son of Enoch and Elizabeth (Frost)
Woods, of Sullivan, was born in Newport NH September 11, 1824.
He graduated at Dartmouth colege in 1850. He studied theology at the
Andover Theological seminary, where he graudted in 1853. He was
ordained at Sullivan, where he had psent the most of his youth,
October 18, 1853, at the same time and place as the ordination
of Rev. Granville Wardwell, and as a missionary of the American Home
Missionary society.  He went immediately to Walpole, Iowa, where he
died November 4, 1854, excactly one year from the day of his
arrival, after a faithful ministry. He was a cousin of the three
Frost brothers, a sketch of whose lives we have given.
  Prof. J. Willston Wright of the College of Physicians and Surgeons
of New York City, is a grandson of the Rev. Joel Wright who once
preached in Sullivan, and is a native of that town.
  Rev. Artemus Bowers Muzzey, a graduate of Harvard in 1824, and
an honored preacher in the Unitarian denomination, should be
mentioned, as he lived for quite a time with his uncle, Rev. William
Muzzey, in Sullivan. Rev. Edwin Jerome Gerry, recently deceased,
another honored Unitarian preacher and home missionary, lived for a
time with his uncle, John Winch, in Sullivan.  Rev. Calvin Stoughton
Locke, a son of Amos Locke, who was born and died in Sullivan, is
another respected preacher of the Unitarian persuation, and a 
well-known school teacher in Dedham, Mass. He lived for several years
with his uncle, Charles P. Locke, in Sullivan.  His father's sister,
Cynthia Locke, married the Rev. Moses Gerould, of Alstead and
Stoddard, whose son, Rev. Samuel Lankton Gerould, graduted at
Dartmouth in 1858 and now preaches in Goffstown.

OTHER BIOGRAPHIES AND GENEALOGIES:

HON. CHARLES CARTER COMSTOCK, the subject of this sketch, was born
in this town March 5, 1818. His father was a farmer, and his son,
CHARLES was brought up in the customary manner of the New England
farmer's boys...learning at the district schools during the winter
months....In 1842 he built a saw-mill, and carried on the business
until 1853, when he removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan...Here Mr.
Comstock engaged in the lumbering business in 1853, and soon after
enlarged its scope to embrace the manufacture of sash, doors and
blinds.  In 1857 he purchased of Messrs. E.W. & S.A. Winchester
their furniture factory and business.  Then came the great financial
depression that year... He was compelled to assign for the benefit
of his creditors, but he continued to do business for three years
in the name of his assignees, they doing nothing.  In a few years
he paid his creditors.  In 1862 he inaugurated the first wholesale
furniture establishment in that city.  In 1863 he began the manufacture
of pails and tubs which he developed by the use of improved machinery.
To supply his saw-mills he purchased large tracts of pine timbered
land upon the tributaries of the Grand River, from which he annually
manufactures 10,000,000 feet of lumber.  His real estate in the city
of Grand River is extensive, and he has erected a fine four-story
brick block upon Canal street, in which he carries on the
grocery business.  He is president of, and owns the majority stock
in the Grand Rapids Chair Company. He is also a farmer, and owns
and carries on several large farms in the vicinity of the city.
He has also made large invesetments in pine lands in the state of
Louisiana; his purchases there aggregating 34,000 acres.... He is
the proprietor of Comstock's Addition to the city of Grand Rapids,
upon which numerous dwellings and the Grand Rapids Chair Factory
have already been erected.... His sympathies are with the Democratic
party. During the civil war he was what was then known as a war
Democrat. He was elected mayor of the city in 1863 and re-elected
in 1864.  In 1870 he was nominated for governor of the state by
the Democratic party...losing the election.  In 1873 he was nominated
as the people's candidate for congress, and was again defeated by
114 votes.  In 1878 he accepted the nomination to congress as the
candidate of the Greenback party, and wanted only 710 votes of an
election out of a vote of about 36,000.  Again in 1884 he was
the choice of the Democratic and Greenback conventions, who
united in presenting the name of Mr. Comstock as their candidate
for congress, and he was elected after a close, active campaign
over Hon. J.C. FitzGerald.
  Mr. Comstock was married January 9, 1840 to Mary M., daughter of
Samuel Winchester, of his native town. She died of consumption in
Decemer 1863, leaving three daughters and one son. She was a devoted
wife and a faithful christian mother. The eldest daughter, Alzina,
together with her husband, Mr. Albert A. Stone, and their child,
were lost with the steamer, "Brother Jonathan," off the coast of
California, July 30, 1863.  Tileston, the only son, died of
consumption September 16, 1870.  The other two daughters are married
and reside at Grand Rapids.  Mr. COmstock was married to his present
wife in 1865, and by whom he has two daughters, one married, the other
at school.  Mr. Comstock has now arrived at sixty-seven years of 
age...

ATWELL C. ELLIS, the eldest of two children of Asa and Lucy (Rugg)
Ellis, and grandson of Simeon Ellis, who settled in Sullivan from
Keene, was born in the east part of Sullivan, October 12, 1821.
He was educated at the public and select school in Sullivan and
Nelson. He has followed agricultural pursuits, and has manufactured
lumber over twenty years. Since 1838 he has been a member of the
Congegational Church of Sullivan, for eleven years was deacon of the
church, and for the last five years has been deacon of the church at
East Sullivan. For thirteen years he served his town as town clerk,
until 1881, when he was prostrated with rheumatism, and for more
than a year confined to his room.  Two terms in the state
legislature he acted for the people of Sullivan, 1867-68. As
selectman he officiated for five years, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1865 and
1866, and for thirty-three years was an officer in the Sabbath-school.
He was happily married, February 3, 1846, to Nancy Adams, daughter
of Jonas, and a native of Stoddard.  But one child, Ausin A. Ellis,
has been born to them.  He is now a manufacturer of lumber, and is
one of the selectmen of the town.

JOSEPH FOSTER, son of Benjamin and Mehitable Foster, of Lunenburg,
Mass., married Sarah Jones, January 17, 1760. He resided at
Lunenburg, Mass., Fitzwilliam and Marlboro NH and they both died at
Marlboro (on the "Houghton place," now in Roxbury) in 1804.
Their children, born in Lunenburg, were Rebecca, September 16, 1760;
Enoch, August 21, 1762; James, April 24, 1764; Stephen, December 11,
1768; Sarah, October 19, 1770.
  STEPHEN FOSTER married Lydia Nichols, removed with his father to
Fitzwilliam and thence to Marlboro, and in 1799 settled on the farm
in Sullivan where Henry Rawson now lives and died there December 10,
1855.  Their children were Stephen Jr., born September 20, 1798,
Lydia, born November 16, 1800, died October 4, 1816; Ephraim,
born November 16, 1802; Joseph, born February 27, 1805; Mary, born
March 28, 1807; Hosea, born August 12, 1809; Mehitable, born May 2,
1813; Elizabeth, born May 9, 1815, died July 21, 1831; Thomas,
born April 18, 1817, died in infancy.  STEPHEN JR. married Nancy
Briggs. To them were born M. Theresa and George West. He was a farmer
in Gilsum and died August 12, 1870. EPHRAIM married Sybil Mason.
To them were born Sarah N., Mary J., Ellen E., Mason, and Sumner C.
JOSEPH married Susan Stratton.  MARY married Cutler Knight. HOSEA
married Nancy Richardson.  MEHITABLE married Rev. D.P. French and
resides in Nashville, Illinois.
  JOSEPH FOSTER, in 1829, made, as is supposed, the first reed
organ in this country, and the same is now in existence in Keene.
He and his brother Ephraim were for many years engaged in the
manufacture of reed instruments in Keene. He died October 3, 1875.
HOSEA FOSTER has resided in Keene for thirty-seven years, and for
the last fourteen years he has been clerk in the register of deeds
office.  GEORGE W. FOSTER has resided in Keene for about twenty-five
years, a popular teacher of music and an extensive dealer in
musical instruments.

DANIEL GOODNOW, a native of Nelson, and a soldier of 1812, was the
son of Abraham Goodnow, born in Sudbury, Mass, and one of the
earliest settlers of Nelson.  The former had three children, only
two of whom are living, viz: Caleb Goodnow and Mrs. Mary R. Raymond,
of Westminster, Mass.  CALEB GOODNOW left home when he was 
twenty-one years of age, was a mill hand in Massachusetts, and also
in Marlboro and Keene. He came to East Sullivan in 1843, and bought
the mill on the site of which he built another in 1846. He represented
this town in 1859 and 1860, was councilman at Keene in 1880, and
has been postmaster here seventeen or eighteen years. He married
twice, first, Mary L. Burr of Marlboro NH, who bore him six
children, five of whom are living; and second, Mrs. Fannie B. Smith
of Harrisville.  His oldest son, CHARLES F. GOODNOW is married, and
is a butcher in Bellows Falls, Vt.  ELLA M. GOODNOW is married to
Marshall W. Nims, and resides in Winchendon, Mass.  FANNIE L. GOODNOW
is the wife of Minot L. Hubbard, and lives here, on road 19.
LESLIE H. GOODNOW one of the firm of GOodnow Bros., is town
treasurer, and is a leader and teacher of the Sullivan band.
D. WILMER GOODNOW is also of the firm of Goodnow Bros.

ROSWELL HUBBARD and his brother ERASTUS HUBBARD came to Sullivan,
originally from Connecticut, and located in the southern part of
the town, at an early day. He was a prominent man in town affairs,
and held most all of the offices.  HEZRO HUBBARD, son of Roswell,
was born here, married Nancy M. Mark of Gilsum, and moved to that
town, where he died.  He reared two children, ELIZBETH GOODNOW, who
died at the age of four years, and HEZRO W. GOODNOW, who lives in
Keene, and carries on the machine business. There are now some of
the descendants of this family living in the town of Sullivan.

NATHAN TAFT came from Winchester, Mass and located in the western
part of Nelson, on road 15, soon after 1790. His wife was
--- Bolton, from Gardner, Mass., and they married about 1797,
and reared six children.  HOLLIS TAFT of Keene, is the youngest,
and the only one now living.  NATHAN TAFT JR., born on the farm in
Nelson, 1799, lived there until seventy-one years old. He married
Sarah Barstow, of Nelson, and had three children.  His second wife
was Achsah Hardy, who reared four children. Elbridge H. Taft, of
East Sullivan, S. Hardy Taft of Keene, and Dr. Albert H. Taft, of
Winchester, are all that remain of this family.  EDWARD N. TAFT,
another son, was killed at the battle of Williamsburg, VA.
  ELBRIDGE A. TAFT, born July 27, 1830, was engaged in the lumber
business in Harrisville twenty-seven years, as overseer. He settled
in East Sullivan in 1874, represented Sullivan and Gilsum in the
legislature of 1881-82. He married, December 19, 1860 Mary L. Baker
of Nelson, and has had four children, two of whom are living.

SAMUEL WINCHESTER was born in Ashburnham, Mass., November 12, 1785,
and remained there until 1812, when he removed to Sullivan. His
first wife was Sally Foster, of Roxbury, who bore him one daughter,
Sally F. Winchester, now Mrs. Levi Barret of Gilsum. His second wife
was Chloe F. Boynton, of Sullivan, who bore him eight children, four
of whom are now living. His third wife was Eusebia Eames.  
ELLIOT C. WINCHESTER, son of Samuel, represented Sullivan in  1871-72,
held various minor offices, and took the census of Gilsum and Surry
in 1880.  He married Anna E. Rawson. He has been a successful farmer
and stock breeder, and a specialist in sugar making.

HARRISON RUGG, one of the five children of Elijah Rugg, came here
with his father, from his native town, Lancaster, Mass. in 1796.
He reared a family of six chidren--four sons and two daughters.
Horace K. Rugg, the oldest, now lives in Acworth NH.  Edward E. Rugg
lives in Keene, an engineer in the Symond's tannery.  Daniel W. Rugg
has lived in Sullivan most of his life, upon the farm where he was
born, and which he still owns, though his present residence is in
East Sullivan. He has been selectman four years, and was a delegate
to Concord, for the Republican party of the town.

JUDSON WHITE, a native of Uxbridge, Mass, came to this town with his
father, Josiah G. White, an early settler here. GEORGE WHITE, son of
Judson, was born on the place he now occupies, and has always been
employed in farming. He has been selectman seven years, and
represented the town in 1875 and in 1876. He has been chorister at
the Congregational church for over thirty years. He married Lovina L.,
daughter of Asa Ellis, and sister of Deacon Atwell C. Ellis, and has
had born to him two children, only one of whom, Samuel S. White is
living. The latter resides with his parents on the old farm.

(end)