HISTORY OF BRISTOL, GRAFTON 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: Gazetteer of Grafton County, N.H., 1709-1886 by Hamilton Child, Syracuse, N.Y.: H. Child, June 1886 page 176+ HISTORY OF BRISTOL NH Bristol lies in the extreme southeastern part of the county, in lat. 43 degrees 35' and long. 71 degrees 45', bounded north by Bridgewater, east by New Hampton (in Belknap county, the Pemigewasset river being the boundary line), south by Hill, in Merrimack County, and west by Alexandria, the little town being very irregular in outline. To give an approximately correct idea of the conditions which brought the town into existence, once must turn back to the charters of other townships in its vicinity. First, then, a township by the name of New Chester, which name was subsequently changed to Hill, was granted by the Masonian proprietors to John Tolford, Matthew Thornton and forty-eight others, September 14, 1753. On Feburary 11, 1788, that part of New Chester north of Newfound river was set off to form a new town by the name of Bridgewater [the boundaries of which are found in the original document, but are not included here]. Finally, on the 24th of June, 1819 the legislature passed an act incorporating the southern part of Bridgewater and the northern part of New Chester into a new township. This latter was a small town containing only about nine thousand acres, which was given the name of Bristol. The surface of this little township is decidedly mountainous in its character, and presents a wealth of natural scenery that is picturesque and pleasing to a high degree, while its altitude is sufficiently great to warrant cool summers and a healthful climate. Bristol Peak, situated in the northeastern part of the town, is the highest elevation within its limits, being 1,785 feet above the level of the sea. Between Sugar Hill, just north of the village, and an elevation to the west of it flows Newfound river, with its unrivalled waterpower, the outlet of Newfound lake. About two-thirds of this fine body of water lies within the limits of Bristol. Its waters are clear and pure, and, lying in the midst of picturesque scenery, its shores vary from white sandy shingle to precipitous, rocky bluffs, forming in all not a small factor in the town's fine scenery. There are several other small streams, but they are of minor importance. The water-power afforded by Newfound river is, as we have intimated, one of the best and most reliable in the county. The stream, in its course of two miles from the lake to the Pemigewasset, makes a total fall of 241 feet and seven inches. The lake, which has a length of between six and seven miles, and is three miles in width at its broadest point, forms a superior reservoir, having an extensive water-shed. Its waters are held in reserve by a dam at its outlet, so that it may be drawn down, if necessary, during the dry season, to the extent of six feet. ALthough the surface of the town is rough, the soil is of more than average fertility, and good crops of hay and of nearly all of the cereal products are generally secured, while fruit is abundant. The manufacturing interest, however, is the chief source of prosperity, and upon it the town depends for future growth and prosperity, even as it has been the means of lifting the small territory to a position of no little importance in the county. The Bristol branch of the Northern railroad, extending from Bristol village to Franklin, was chartered as the Franklin & Bristol railroad, July 8, 1846, and was opened for traffic in 1848, having been built at a cost of $200,000.00. It was consolidated with the Northern road, January 1, 1869. DESCRIPTION OF BRISTOL NH in 1885 In 1880 Bristol had a population of 1,353 souls. In 1885 the town had nine school districts, seven common schools, four graded schools, and one high school. Its nine school-housees were valued, including furniture, etc. at $9,500.00. There were 248 children attending school, twenty-seven of whom were pursuing the higher grades taught during the year by twelve female teachers at an average monthly rate of $29.03. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year was $1,559.75, while the expenditures were $2,077.15 with Dr. J.M. Bishop, superintendent. VILLAGE BRISTOL, a bright post village, is the center of the manufacturing interests of the town, and is a thrifty and progressive business place, situated on both sides of the Newfound river, at its confluence with the Pemigewasset Numerous mills and shops are located along the course of Newfound river, the more extensive of which are the paper and straw-board mills, of Mason, Perkins & Co., the pulp and paper mills of Train, Smith & Co., the wood pulp mills of Mason & Berry, the lumber mills of E.D. Crosby & Co. (about a mile north of the village, and their shops in the village, for the manufacture of croquet sets and croquet boxes, ten pins, and chair stock,) the Shaker Flannel Mills of Dodge, Davis & Co., and the grain and flour mills of Taylor & Merrill, and W.C. Kelly's grist-mills. The village also has numerous and enterprising merchants, of whom Cyrus Taylor is the veteran dealer, five doctors, three lawyers, the Sleeper and Minot town library, three good church edifices (Methodist, Congregationalist and Free Will Baptist), of which the Methodist, recently built, is especially an elegant, large and convenient structure, a commodious and fine Union High School edifice, and the Bristol House, a comfortable and well kept hotel. Besides all these, its neat and well built cottages and residences furnish pleasant homes for its twelve hundred inhabitants. The village's elevation ensures its people a delicious coolness in summer, and immunity against malaria and miasma, so that seekers for rest, health and pleasure do well in making this a summer resort. The high surrounding hills furnish a varierty of extensive, picturesque and charming views, and the well kept highwyas afford enjoyable drives. These along the Pemigewasset and Newfound rivers are among the finest in the Old Granite State, and on any fine summer's day parties on arriving at the foot of Newfound lake, will find E.M. Drake, the courteous owner of the trim little steamer, "Lady Ellen," ready to make the circuit of this matchless sheet of water. THE BRISTOL SAVINGS BANK is a well-managed institution enjoying the merited confidence of the public, and a liberal patronage. It was chartered in 1868, and commenced business in 1872, with Samuel King Mason, president, and Samuel E. Holden, treasurer. The present officers are Lewis W. Fling, president, and George M. Cavis, treasurer. The bank received any amount on deposit, but pays interest on no sums of less than five dollars. It has deposited with it at the present time about $450,000.00. MANUFACTURES--As previous intimated, Bristol enjoys the distinction of possessing one of the finest water-powers in New England, and, though its facilities are not yet fully utilized, it has been the means of bringing the town into a prominence rarely attained by townships of its limited size and inland station. In justice to the prominence of the manufacturing interest, as compared with other items of the town's history, nearly all the space the scope of our work allows us to devote to the Bristol article should be given to its manufactures; but this, of course, even though at the expense of justice, cannot be. The first mills in this locality were erected by Maj. John Tolford, whom we have mentioned as one of the principal proprietors of New Chester. This gentleman received a grant of two lots of land from the proprietors "in consideration of his building and operating a saw and grist-mill on the Newfound river, and another of each kind on Smith's river, both being within the limits of the town of Bristol." In accordance with the conditions of the grant, the mills on Newfound river were built first, and appear to have been completed some time during the latter part of the year 1767, although there is no definite record and the precise location of the mills is not know. At all events, it appears from the proprietor's records that in March 1769, it was "Voted, That Maj. John Tolford shall be obliged to tend his grist-mill in New Chester every first Monday in each month for the eyar, and on no other day in said year; and it is known that the mill referred to at this time was the one located on the Newfound river, and somewhere within the limits of Bristol village. MASON, PERKINS & CO's PAPER-MILL--This is one of the most important establishments in town. The company was organized in 1870, and built their presente brick mill, located about midway between the village, and the outlet of the lake, in 1871, though it has been greatly enlarged and improved since. The mill was put in operation the following year, containing the best improved machinery. Its water- power is one of the finest on the river, having a twenty-three-foot fall. The company, consisting of David Mason, B.F. Perkins and Nathan H. Weeks, employs from thirty-five to forty hands and turns out five tons of manufactured goods per day--news, book and colored poster paper. The same company own and operate a straw-board mill about half a mile from the village where they turn out a large amount of goods. DODGE, DAVIS & CO's FLANNEL-MILLS are located on Newfound river, on Lake street, about a mile below the outlet of Newfound river. They commenced business in the Holden mill with two sets of machinery. The building was a two-story structure. In 1884, a new mill in addition, 72x52 feet, three stories high, a store-house 28x50 feet, a dye and picker-house, were erected. They are manufacturing the celebrated Shaker flannels, employing forty operatives, run five sets of machinery, consume 200,000 pounds of woll, and are producing a superior quality of fine flannel. MASON & BERRY's PULP MILL, located near the confluence of Newfound river with the Pemigewasset, turns out about one and one half tons of pulp per day, principally from spruce timber, giving employment to eight hands. The company was formed in January, 1882. THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PULP and PAPER CO.'S MILLS passed, by mortgage foreclosure, into the hands of Messrs. Train, Smith & Co., of Boston, February 12, 1885, and have been operated by this firm since. They manufacture No. 1 Manila paper, turning out 5,000 pounds daily. About twenty-five hands are employed, under the direction of C.A. Lucas, the company's agent. EDWARD D. CROSBY & CO.'s LUMBER MILLS are located about a mile north of the village. They give employment to about fifteen hands and turn out from 500,000 to 1,000,000 feet of lumber per annum. They also have works for the manufacture of croquet sets, ten pins, and chair stock at the village. WILLIAM C. KELLY'S GRIST-MILLS, also located about a mile north of the village, have three runs of stones, and are capable of grinding 250 bushels of grain per day. They are operated by A.H. George, as agent. B.L. & A. WELL'S PLANING-MILLS, located at the village, manufacture house furnishings and so an extensive business in job planing of all kinds, while they also deal in sash, doors and blinds. ALBERT G. ROBIE'S IRON FOUNDRY, established about 1870, is located at the village. He manufactures all kinds of mill castings to order and does general job work. TAYLOR & GORDON, manufacturers of all kinds of wood for mills and house furnishings, are located at the village. EDWARD M. DRAKE'S MILLS, for the manufacture of lumber, lath, shingles, piano-stool stock, etc., are located at the village. He gives emploment to ten hands and turns out about 200,000 feet of lumber per annum. CALLEY & CURRIER have a crutch manufactory at the village, where they employ five or six hands and manufacture a large number of crutches which are sent to various parts of the world. Of the early settlement of Bristol little remains to be said, as its territory was settled long before it was erected into an independent township, and the notice of such settlements naturally belongs to the sketch of the town where-in they were respectivly made. We will simply say then, that the settlement of the territory was begun by Col. Peter Sleeper, Benjamin Emmons and others, about the year 1770, and that among the early settlers and prominent families have been the following:-- ********* EARLY SETTLERS & PROMINENT FAMILIES OF BRISTOL NH ********* JONATHAN MERRILL was born in Concord NH, married a Miss Farnum of that place, and remained there until his oldest son, who was born in 1768, was eight years of age, when he removed to the wilderness of Alexandria in 1776. He remained there two or three years, and finally located in Bristol, near the junction of Smith and Pemigewasset river, where he remained until the close of his life. His wife survived him several years. They were parents of five sons and four daughters. His oldest son, John, succeeded him on the homestead, where he lived from the time his father settled there about 1780, until his death in 1830, aged sixty-two. He married Betsey Darling, of Sanbornton, and was the father of six children, only oe of whom are living, John, aged eighty-four residing in Wisconsin, and Clark, who resides in the border of Hill, about a mile from the old home. Clark Merrill married Elizabeth Crowell, of Hill, and has nine children, viz: Hannah (Mrs. Benjamin Southmayd) of Campton; Moses, also of Campton; Elizabeth (Mrs. Merrill Greely) of Thornton; George S. who lives in Wisconsin; Rose (Mrs. Even Blodgett) who resides in the village of Bristol; Edwin C. of Alexandria; Albert L. of Rumney; Ruth A. (Mrs. William Kelly) of Hill, and Clarence N. a miller of the firm of Taylor & Merrill in Bristol Village. BENJAMIN LOCKE was born in Sandown NH April 10, 1770, came to Bristol when only fifteen years of age, performing the journey of sixty miles alone and on foot. In 1786 he bought a tract of one hundred acres in Bridgewater, where Horace Sanborn now lives. He cleared several acres, built a barn, but sold out in a few years. He married twice, first, Hannah Favor who became the mother of twelve children, and died November 15, 1825. He married for his second wife, Nancy Gurdy, in 1826, who bore him one daughter, and died April 15, 1866, aged seventy-eight years. He settled in the eastern part of this town where he lived until his death, April 9, 1858, aged eighty-eight years. Of his children, Favor was born August 21, 1797, married Sally Dolloff, and was a lifelong resident of Bristol; Roxy married Levi Dolloff, and both died in Bridgewater; Sherburn was born April 10, 1801, married Sally Hill, and died in the West; Levina married Henry Wells, and both died in Bristol; Joanna married Jacob Webster, is a widow, and resides in Minnesota; Philena married Timothy Wiggins, and resides in Bridgewater; Benjamin Jr. married Harriet Mason, both deceased; Hannah married Kiah Wells, and resides on Lake street, in Bristol; Sally married Winthrop R. Fellows and also resides on Lake street, in Bristol; Levi married twice, first Susan Gilman, and second, Mrs. Sarah Robinson, and resides in New Hampton; Dorothy married M.H. Page, and resides in Bridgewater; Harriet married Phillip S. Drake, is a widow, and resides in Bristol; and Susan D. married Milo Fellows, and resides on Summer street, in Bristol. SAMUEL SLEEPER, a native of Sandown NH, came to Bristol in 1793, and settled in the forest, on the place where his son Aaron now lives. He built a log cabin, in which he lived the first seven years, and in 1800 built the frame house in which Aaron now lives. He married Elizabeth Sanborn, of Chester, and had born to him nine children, only one of whom is now living, Aaron, aged eighty-four years, who resides on the homestead. Samuel T.W., son of Samuel, was born June 20, 1796, in the log cabin his father built. Although a scholarly man, he had only a common school education, and in his early years taught the schools in his own and adjoining towns for several years. He married Bethana Seavey, and settled in the wilderness, in the valley of Newfound lake, where his son Justin M. now lives. Here he made himself and family a fine home, which he continued to enjoy until his death, January 15, 1867, aged seventy-one years. His wife survived him nine years, and died at the age of eighty years. Mr. Sleeper had born to him thirteen children, six of whom are living. Although his time was largely given to his farming interests, he took an active interest in the welfare of his town, and had the confidence and support of his townsmen, who, by their partiality, called him to officiate as selectman and justice of the peace, which latter position he held for more than forty years, and his decisions in hundreds of cases which he tried were never reversed in the superior courts. He represented his town in the State legislature four or five years, and was the candidate of his party for Congress. Justin M., is the only one of his sons now living in his native town, and resides on the homestead. He married Louisa Berry, of Moultonborough NH, and has one daughter, Eva L. (Mrs. Joseph H. Legallee) who resides in Sommerville, Mass. JOHN KIDDER, son of Benjamin, was born in Bristol January 7, 1793, on the old Kidder homestead, married Ruth Fellows, and located on the farm where his son Frederick now lives. Here he lived for a number of years, when he purchased the old home of his brother Joseph, which adjoins the farm where he first located, and removed there, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1848, aged fifty-five years. His widow survived him until 1880, when her death occurred at the age of eighty-five years. He had born to him four children, namely, Frederick, John W., Charles and Arianna. Frederick married Samantha S., daughter of Timothy and Lois Chandler, and lives on the place where he was born. He is a farmer and has had four children, three of whom are living, viz.: Ellen G., who resides with her parents; Cora A. (Mrs. O.J. Muzzey) who resides with her husband on the old Kidder homestead, and H. Dana, who also resides with his parents. John W. died, aged twenty-four years. Charles married Susan Johnson, has four children, all of whom live at home, and resides in the village of Bristol. Arianna married Richard Sawyer, and both are now deceased. STEPHEN T. BROWN, the second male child born in Plymouth, married Anna Davis of Goffstown, and immediately settled in Bristol, on the farm where D.Y. Emmons now lives. He located in the wilderness, and was obliged to endure the privations of a pioneer life. He reared a family of twelve children, eleven of whom lived to maturity. He and his wife died in Bristol, Mr. Brown at the age of seventy-two years, and Mrs. Brown at the age of eighty-five years. Of his twelve children, John married Sarah Ingalls of this town, first settled on the old farm, then went to Grand Isle, VT, but eventually died in Ionia county, Michigan, where he resided the last forty-seven years of his life, being one of the pioneers of that county. He was a member of the Methodist church nearly seventy-five years, and attained the great age of ninety-five years. Samuel married Susan Doloff, of Bristol, moved to Bridgewater, was a farmer and died at an advanced age. Joseph married Relief Ordway, located on a farm in Bristol, but later built and managed lumber mills. He moved to Campton, where he engaged in farming and the manufacture of lumber, and died at the age of eighty-eight years. Enos F. married Lovina Heath, located on a farm on both sides of the line of Bridgewater and Bristol, where he lived until his death, aged eighty-two years. Martha J. married Daniel Simonds, moved to Alexandria, where they lived thirty years, then removed to Bridgewater, where they resided until the death of Mr. Simonds in 1850. Since that time Mrs. Simonds has resided with her daughter, Mrs. Solon Doloff, in Bristol. She is now eighty-five years of age, is the mother of six children, forty grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Solon Doloff have a family of five children. Sarah married Jacob Colby of South Weare, where she died at the age of seventy-nine years. Hannah married William Colby, and died in Michigan in 1863, aged sixty years. Mary married J.B. Warner, of Boston, moved west, where she lived many years, is now a widow and resides in Connecticut with her only son, who is a lithographer, doing business in New York. Stephen died at the age of eighteen years. Asenath married Calvin Fuller and resides in New Boston with her son George, on the estate of her husband. JOHN FELLOWS came to Bristol, from Sandown, and settled in the woods in a log cabin on the place where his great-grandson, Horace M. Emmons, now lives. He cleared the land, built commodious buildings, and remained there until his death. His son Josiah married Jemima Quimby, and succeeded him on the homestead. He made frequent trips to Boston, in the employment of Mr. Lewis, the first merchant, with a team of four oxen, taking a load of farm produce down, and returning laden with West India goods and a large supply of New England rum. This distance of 100 miles required two weeks to make the round trip. The children of Josiah were as follows: Abner, born in 1781; Jeremiah, born in 1782; Josiah Jr. born in 1784; Jonathan, born in 1786; Elizabeth, born in 1788; Molly, born in 1790; Peter, born in 1791; Ruth born in 1795; Jemimah, born in 1796; and Benjamin born in 1799. The last mentioned married Miriam C., daughter of Samuel and Judith Hoyt, remained on the homestead several years, when he sold the place and removed to the farm now owned by E.K. Pray at the terminus of road 7. He had two children, Milo and Belinda (Mrs. Franklin Robinson). Mr. Fellows died at the residence of his son Milo, on Summer street, in 1880, aged eighty-one years. His wife died in April 1866, aged seventy years. Milo married Susan D., daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Gurdy) Lock, of Bristol, is now engaged in farming and stone-cutting, and resides on Summer street. His children were Albert R., Smith D., Oscar F., Milo A., Leslie H., Susie M. and Alice A. Josiah Jr. married Susan Sanborn, located in this town on the place where David Sleeper now lives, and remained there until his death in 1852, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. Fellows survived her husband until 1864, when she died, aged seventy-five years. They were parents of four children, viz: Louisa, Calvin P., Samuel S. and Rufus. Louisa married Jesse F. Kendall, is now a widow, and resides with her son in Thornton. Calvin P. was a farmer, married Mary J. Worthen, and moved to New Hampton to educate his children, where he died. Samuel S. married Mary S., daughter of Joseph Rollins, is a farmer, and has had born to him two children, Mary F., widow of J.D. Prescott, and Scott, proprietor of a hotel in Haverhill. Rufus married Elizabeth Nelson, is a physician, and resides in Sanbornton. BENJAMIN HALL, born in Candia NH, January 22, 1790, married Nancy Brown, who was born April 25, 1795. His married occurred April 9, 1810. He came to Bristol, and settled in the forest, in a log cabin, on the place where his son Oliver S., now lives. He cleared his farm, and built more commodious buildings, remaining there until his death, May 15, 1855, aged sixty-five years. His widow survived him until November 2, 1863, when she died, aged seventy-two years. Their children were Rufus, Lyman, Oliver S., and Albon, of whom Oliver S. is the only one now living. He resides on the homestead, is a farmer, and married Isabel Morrison of West Rumney. He has had four children, viz: Nancy J. who married Uriah H. Kidder, Adna who died in the United States hospital in 1863 of wounds received at the battle of Gettysburg, Oliver P. a farmer who resides in this town, and Carrie B. (Mrs. Otis S. Damon) who also resides in Bristol. ABRAHAM DOLLOFF came to Bristol near the date of his marriage, in 1793. The maiden name of his wife was Rachel Locke, a sister of Benjamin Locke who became a settler of the town nearly at the same time, and gave name to the Locke neighborhood, which name the locality still bears. Mr. Dolloff was a carpenter by trade, and built and occupied for this first home the house which later became the Locke homestead. This became the birth place of the oldest son, Levi Dolloff, who in due time married Roxy, the daughter of Benjamin Locke, who was born in the same house, and same room, and this latter couple died in the same room in their own house on Bridgewater Point. Abraham Dolloff, after selling this place, bought and built again on Bridgewater hill, near the meeting-house, which home became the birth place of seven of their children. The next and last removal was to the farm now owned by the Ferrin Brothers. Here he built again, and here the youngest of the family was born, making in all nine children. Mr. Dolloff died in 1855, at the age of eighty-six years, and his wife survived him four years, dying at the age of eighty-seven years. They both lived to see all their nine children become parents, and one or more grandchildren from each of the nine families, followed both to their graves. Their married life covered a period of sixty-one years, and all their children outlived them. In their family of nine, the first, fourth and ninth child were boys. The eldest son died at eighty-four years, the youngest daughter at fifty-one years. Their eldest daughter is living at this time at the head of five generations, all of which are in this town. Their success was the price of industry, their wealth an imperishable character, and their monument, less perishable than marble, is their memory enshrined in the harts of their children of five generations. ICHABOD COLBY BARTLETT, son of Levi, moved with his mother, after the death of his father, to Boscawen NH. He attempted to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, which proved too hard for his strength, and he then entered the store of Andrew Powers of Salisbury NH, remaining there until 1800, when he came to Bristol. He commenced business as a country merchant, at first on the New Chester side, and afterwards more extensively on the Bridgewater side, in a building standing on the common, which afterwards replaced by the "Old Brick Store," now owned and occupied, since 1842 by Cyrus Taylor. Mr. Bartlett, when twenty-two years of age, married Ann Sleeper, in 1801, who was then eighteen years of age. He died March 20, 1860, and his widow died October 8, 1869. Of his children, Mary born June 7, 1802 married William M. Lewis of Bristol, who moved to Gainesville Ala, where Mrs. Lewis died May 31, 1831. Jane, born July 19, 1804, died at the homestead, February 23, 1881. Levi, born June 8, 1807, was a man of business enterprise, and acquired a large estate in the same mercantile employment as his father. He eventually sold out to his brother Gustavus and Cyrus Taylor, devoting his last years to farming, as his father had done. He was an active member of the Congregational Church in Bristol, and for many years its most efficient supporter. He died November 12, 1868. Frederick was born September 5, 1808, and died June 11 1811. Gustavus was born October 22, 1810, engaged in business for some years, then became a farmer, removing to Lowell, Mass., and afterwards to Milford, NH, where he now resides. Anna, born December 14, 1812, married Jonas Minot of Bristol, moved to Brockport NY and died February 19, 1848. Frederick, born November 29, 1815, graduated at Dartmouth college in 1835, studied law with Judge Nesmith of Franklin, and after a few years of practice, changed his profession for agriculture. He was in the New Hampshire Constitutional Convention in 1850, and served as town representative in 1851 and 1860. The Bartlett family is purely of English descent, and one of the oldest and best families of New England. Their ancestor, Richard Barlett, wsa of those who settled in Newbury [MA] in 1635. For two centuries and a half his descendants have filled prominent positions as lawyers, politicians and soldiers. Not the least among these was the Governor of New Hampshire, whose name stands among the signers of the Declaration of Independence, an honor of which, those American families who can claim it, are justly proud. SAM FOLLANSBEE was born in Weare NH, moved to New Chester at an early date, and settled near Murray Hill, now included in the town of Hill. He located in the woods, cleared up his farm, and became an extensive breed of deep red cattle, having a herd of seventy, and all of them of that uniform deep color. He was the manufacturer of the wooden ploughs used in his day, and, on account of their superior excellence, he supplied this and the adjoining towns. One of his ploughs, a relic of the past age, may be seen at Bristol, in the possession of his grandson and namesake, Sam Follansbee, who resides on Beech street. Mr. Follansbee lived to the age of seventy years, dying on the place where he first settled. Of his three children, the youngest son, John H. settled on the homestead where he lived during his whole life, dying at the age of sixty-seven years. The latter was one of the most substantial of New England farmer and known as having the best flock of sheep in this county. He had born to him two sons and one daughter. One son died at the age of twenty-two, and the daughter, Abbie (Mrs. A.D. Caswell) resides in the southern part of New York. The surviving son, Sam, resides in the village of Bristol, and is giving his attention to farming and breeding of high-blooded horses and cattle. He has been an extensive traveler, and has visited all of the New England States, most of the Middle and Western States, Canada and New Brunswick. ISAAC SWETT was born in Thornton December 22, 1784, came to Bristol in his youth, and married Nancy, daughter of Stephen T. and Anna Brown, who was born May 28, 1791. Their marriage occurred in October, 1817, and in the spring of 1818, settled upon the place where their son-in-law, Thomas H. Wicom now lives. At the time they came here their house was without doors, windows or chimney. They constructed a fireplace of stones, formed a sort of flue or chimney of green boards, and Mrs. Swett passed the summer as contented and happy as any during her whole life. They abandoned their home about two or three months during the ensuing winter, but returned and lived there during the remainder of Mr. Swett's life. He died January 19, 1873, aged eighty-eight years. His widow still lives at the old home, aged ninety-four years. Of their five children, Benjamin married Sarah Todd, served in the late war, and resides in this town. Roswell D., was also a soldier in the Rebellion, and died at the Soldiers' Home in Boston, October 12, 1863, of a disease contracted in the army. Mary died in Haverhill. Sylvester married twice, first, Emma Jaquette, who died in 1863, while he was absent in the war, and second, Marcia A. Smith. He resides on a farm in Plymouth. Marinda L. (Mrs. Thomas H. Wicom) resides with her aged mother and her husband on the homestead. AMOS DICKINSON, 2d, son of Moses, who was one of the pioneer settlers of New Chester, was born in New Chester, in 1815, and was educated in the common schools of the town. He married Hulah, daughter of Daniel and Ruth Bartlet, and remained on the homestead where he lived from the time he was about a year old until his death in 1864, aged forty-nine years. He took an active interest in town affairs, officiating as justice of the peace and selectman for many years, and served as town representative two terms. He was often appointed a referee in the settlement of suits at law, which duties he discharged in a manner satisfactory to all concerned, and with credit and honor to himself. His widow survives him, is seventy-one years of age, and resides with her youngest child, Charles H., in the village of Bristol. Of their four children, Nellie F. married O.E. Eastman, a thrifty farmer and lumbermand, residing in the village of East Andover. Sarah E. married Roswell Blake, a real estate dealer, livig in the village of Bristol. Watson A. married Ella, daughter of B.F. Sargent of Lowell, Mass., where he now resides, is engaged in the manufacture of mill supplies, and has the most extensive manufactory of the kind in that city. He was formerly engaged as a commercial traveler for Whitton, Burdett & Young, of Boston, in the sale of clothing. Charles H. engaged in farming on the homestead, which occupation he followed for eight years, and then removed to the village of Bristol. He is now engaged in the general clothing business and in the manufacture of overalls. He is of the firm of Dickinson & Horner. He is also the agent and manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, which position he has held the last six years in this place. He married Ida May, daughter of John B. Gordon, in 1876, who died in a little over four years after their marriage, leaving two sons. JOSEPH ROLLINS was born in Sanbornton NH, April 18, 1789, married Mary Huckins, December 6, 1812, and located as a farmer in Bridgewater, where he continued to reside until about 1831, when he removed to Bristol, locating on Newfound river, about a mile and a half north of the village. Here he engaged in farming and lumbering. His saw-mills were on the location of the mills now owned by E.D. Crosby & Co., and were the first to occupy that site. He remained here until 1869, when he removed to Bristol village, where he lived the remainder of his long life, dying in 1876, aged eighty-eight years. Mrs. Rollins died in 1867. Their children were as follows: Eliza, Samuel H., Sarah Jane, Mary S., Richard B., Joseph and Lyman. Eliza married Putnam Spalding and died in Wentworth. Samuel H. married twice, first, Irena Whipple, and second, Mrs. Huldah B. walker, in 1876. He was a partner with his father in the manufacture of lumber, until they sold in 1869. He built a saw-mill which has been converted into a paper-mill, now run by Train, Smith & Co., and also built the grist-mill which is now owned by William C. Kelley. He now resides in the village of Bristol. Sarah Jane (Mrs. John F. Tilton) resides in the northern part of Bristol. Mary S. (Mrs. Samuel Fellows) died in Bristol, in January 1884. Richard B. married Martha Gray, is a farmer a resides in North Bristol. Joseph married Amanda Ingalls, was a leading merchant and builder of the Rollins block in the village of Bristol, and died about 1870. His widow married George Dow, and she and his only son, Liston, resides in Morris, ILL. Lyman married Augusta Flanders of Concord. ELBRIDGE TILTON, son of Silas B. and Abigail Tilton, was born in Andover NH April 10, 1822, and came to Bristol with his parents in 1837. He married Alice Cummings, of Groton, March 25, 1847, located as a farmer in the northern part of Groton, where he remained thirteen years, but during that time visited the California gold regions, and engaged in gold mining in 1854 and 1855. In 1860 he moved to Canaan, and after living in that town, Gilford and Laconia, he returned to Bristol in December 1871, locating on the Burton farm, on the border of the village, where he now lives. He has one son and one daughter, Zerah and Della, who reside with their parents. LOWELL ROBIE moved to Bridgewater, from Candia NH, about 1800, where he lived about fifteen or sixteen years, when he moved to Alexandria, where he lived the remainder of his life, dying at the age of eighty-three years. He married Margaret Kenniston, and had eight children. His son John married Almira, daughter of Abraham and Rachel (Locke) Dolloff, lived for a time on a farm in Alexandria, but moved to this town, where they continued to live for the last fifty-two years. Of their children, Gustavus resides in the village of Bristol, Sarah (Mrs. A.J. Ferrin) resides on a farm near her parents, and Kathleen (Mrs. George H. Robinson) resides in New Hampton. JAMES M. BISHOP, M.D., son of John and Abigail (Parker) Bishop, was born in Hanover, May 14, 1821, where he resided until nineteen years of age. His parents both died when he was but seven years of age, and he was adopted by his mother's parents, who moved to Canaan about 1840. Having a desire for education, he obtained the means to support himself at the academies at Lebanon and Canaan, for a term or two each year, by working for the farmers a portion of the year, and teaching a district school during the winter. He thus obtained a good academic education. In the spring of 1846, he entered the office of Doctor Jones, an allopath physician, of Canaan, and with Dr. Wheat of the same place, about one year. The next two years he studied with Doctor Mead, of East Hanover, giving his attention to a school each winter. In the spring of 1849, after teaching a term in Maine, he went to Plymouth, and entered the office of Doctor Goodrich, as his assistant, with the intention of taking his practice, as Doctor Goodrich then intended to move South, but eventually decided to remain. He located in Bristol, November 11, 1849, and immediately commenced the practice of medicine. In 1854 and 1855 he attended the Eclectic medicine college of Worcester, Mass., where he received the degree of M.D. He remains in active and extensive practice of his profession, in Bristol, having gradually adopted the homeopathic course of treatment. He has taken an active part in town affairs, serving as town treasurer several years, has been superintendent of the schools for the town, a member of the board of education for the village, and a member of the board of health. HON. SAMUEL K. MASON was born in New Hampton NH, May 17, 1832, and graduated from the New Hampton Institute in 1854. He read law in Professor Fowler's law school, at Poughkeepsie NY, attended Hamilton College law school, graduating from there in July 1855, continued his law studies in the office of Hon. E.A. Hibbard, at Laconia, and commenced practice in Bristol, in 1856. He was successful in his profession, and also largely in public life. He was postmaster in Bristol from 1861 to 1868, town representative in 1868, 1869, and 1870, judge of probate for Grafton county from 1871 to 1873, and twice served as county commissioner, by appointment of court, once for three years, and again for a short term. He was the candidate of the Liberal Republican party for governor of New Hampshire in 1873. For some time before his death, he was physically prostrated and confined to his bed, but his mind remained clear and active, and he transacted business to a considerable extent, nearly up to the time of his decease. He died in June 1882. ENOS FERRIN was one of the pioneer settlers of Alexandria, and settled in the northern part of that town at a very early date. He cleared his farm, and reared a family of seven sons and several daughters. Later he moved to Hebron, where he died. His youngest son, Jonathan, married Harriet, daughter of Bailey Webster, and located in Bridgewater, on the farm now owned by Josiah Morrison, of Ashland, where he resided about fifteen years, then went to Alexandria, where he engaged in farming for the next twenty years, holding while there the position of selectmen two or three years. After residing in Ellsworth and in Campton, he finally died in Temple, while on a visit to his daughter Laura (Mrs. Rockwell) at the age of eighty-four years. His wife died in 1849, aged forty-six years. They were the parents of sixteen children, viz: Bailey W., Augustus J., Francis L., Vienna V., Morris T., Enos B., Melissa J., Benjamin F., Hiram W., Levi E., Harriet A., Mary E., Abigail D., Moses A., Laura J. and Ira K. Augustus J. married Sarah Robie, had had born to him five children, four of whom are living, is a farmer, and resides in the northeastern part of this town, on road 13. Enos B., who is not married, resides with his brother, Augustus J. Moses A. lives in Plymouth and is engaged in the manufacture of the celebrated Plymouth gloves. Mary E. (Mrs. Oren Rowe) resides in Campton and has one daughter. HON. CYRUS TAYLOR, son of Nicholas M. and Sally (Eastman) Taylor, was born in New Hampton, December 18, 1818, and was educated in the common schools and at the academies of the vicinity. When sixteen years of age, he entered the store of George W. Smith, of his native town, where he remained one year, when Mr. Smith failed. He then engaged as clerk with Isaac Shepard & Co. of Meredith, and continued in his employ about six months, when he came to Bristol to work for I.C. Barlett & Co. In 1838 this firm was changed to Bartlett & Sleeper. April 1, 1842, Mr. Taylor bought the interest of Mr. Sleeper, and the business was continued under the firm of Bartlett & Taylor, continuing until 1858. Since that time Mr. Taylor has practically continued the business alone, with his nephew, son of his former partner, and his own son, Henry A., associated with him at short intervals. He occupies the store where he first engaged a clerk, when he came to Bristol, and has been in trade a much longer time than any other dealer in town. He served as town representative in 1864-65, and was senator in 1869-70. He married Martha, daughter of James Minot, and has had born to him one son and one daughter, Henry A. and Abbie M. The latter, born in December 1851, married Ira A. Chase, a prominent lawyer of the firm of Fling & Chase, in 1882. Henry A., born in 1848, married Helen A. White, of Bristol. He was engaged in the mercantile business with his father a short time, when he went to Concord and entered the banking-house of Minot & Co., as a book-keeper and messenger. He continued there until his last illness, which terminated in his death, in September 1877. He was the father of one daughter, born seven months after his death. HON. BENJAMIN F. PERKINS was born at Center Harbor in 1831, resided there until seventeen years of age, and attended the public schools. He attended the high school at Ashland, which was taught by his cousin, Nancy Perkins, a daughter of Rev. Thomas Perkins, also private schools in Boston and Lowell, and in the latter place he took a full commercial course. He learned the bricklayer's trade, which he followed a few years, giving his attention to his education during the winter season. About 1855 he went to New Hampton to assist his invalid father, and remained there until 1865. While there he was selectman six years, was recruiting officer, and served as town representative in 1864-65. He came to this town in 1865, and engaged in the manufacture of straw-board, the firm consisting of B.F. Perkins and George Z. Collins, under the firm name of B.F. Perkins & Co. In 1867 Mr. Collins retired from the firm, and the business was continued by Perkins & Ames. In 1870 Mr. Perkins bought the interest of Mr. Ames, and a firm composed of David mason, B.F. Perkins, Nathan H. weeks of Plymouth, and James Flanders, was formed, under the firm name of Mason, Perkins & Co. They bought the straw-board mills of David Mason, and built the fine brick paper-mill, which the compan continues to operate. Mr. Perkins represented the Fourth Senatorial district, in the New Hampshire Senate, in 1883. DANIEL CUMMINGS, son of Henry, was born in Plymouth NH, May 18, 1796, and removed to Groton with his parents in 1800, where they settled on a farm in the northern part of the town, remaining there until the time of their death. His father died August 5, 1820, aged fifty-two years, and his mother died in May 1851, aged seventy-three years. Daniel succeeded his father on the homestead, where he lived the remainder of his life. He married Lois Kidder, of Groton, reared seven children, and died August 25, 1854, aged fifty-seven years. Of his children, Alice (Mrs. Elbridge Tilton) resides in Bristol, and is the mother of Zerah and Della Tilton. Lois A. married Alden Judkins, is a widow, the mother of one daughter, Emma F., and resides in Natick, Mass. Daniel K. is a farmer, has one son and two daughters, Orville D., Emma M. and Mary, and resides in Bridgewater. Henry is a cooper, and resides in Plymouth. Adaline C. (Mrs. Romanzo J. Hunkins) has one son, Willie H. and resides in Groton. Frank E. is a druggist, has two daughters, Etta Louise and Helen Augusta, and resides in Natick, Mass. James A. is a farmer, has one daughter, Mary Lois, and lives at West Plymouth. OLIVER BALLOU, a native of Rhode Island, came to Hanover over 100 years ago, and remained there about twenty or twenty-five years. He finally settled in Alexandria, where he lived the remainder of his life, and died in 1816, aged about sixty years. He married twice, first a Miss Tiffany, who bore him four children, and second, Mary Simons, who was the mother of twelve children. His son, Hosea, was an extensive cattle dealer, beginning the business when only eighteen yars of age, and was one of the largest dealers in Brighton market. He died in the west at an advanced age. One of his sons was the builder of the first railroad in Cuba, where he died of yellow fever. John, son of Oliver, was born at Hanover, in 1807, married Tirzah Evans, and located in Alexandria. Six of his seven children are now living. His oldest son, Hiram P., married Sarah Heath of New Hampton, is a manufacturer of hosiery and knit goods, and is an inventor and patentee of improved machinery for facilitating its manufacture. He resides in Bristol, and has two children, Arthur W., a druggist in Laconia, and Minnie E., who lives with her parents. REV. JOSIAH NORRIS was the youngest of a family of ten brothers and one sister, the latter of whom, the oldest of the family attained the great age of 103 years, while all of the brothers, except one, who died aged forty-seven, lived to be over eighty years, and most of them attained the age of ninety. Josiah was born in 1779, and married Mary Adams, of Moultonborough NH. At the age of thirty years he entered the ministry of the Free Will Baptist church, and was ordained as a revivalist. After traveling several years, he settled as pastor of a church in the northern part of Hanover, where he continued its pastor about thirty years, when the approach of old age and ill health compelled him to retire. He then had a home with his youngest son, Josiah, at Wentworth, where he died in 1862, five or six years after leaving Hanover, aged eighty-three years. His wife survived him until May 1875, when she died, aged eighty-eight years. Only two of their six children are now living, Josiah Jr., now residing at Lake Village, NH, and Huldah D. (Mrs. Samuel H. Rollins), residing in the village of Bristol. LEVI NELSON moved to Bridgewater in 1813, and settled on the western slope of Peaked hill. Four years previous to this time he had married Sarah Evans, of Salisbury, where they had buried their first two children, the present occupant of the old home farm being then an infant in his mother's arms. During the period of about fifty years that Mr. Nelson was a farmer, he bought two adjoining estates, built four houses, and settled, at different times, five of his sons in and about the old homestead. The family of children numbered fourteen, and both grand parents lived to see about forty grandchildren. In the Union army were two sons and five grandson, three of whom fell, and the G.A.R. Post of the town bears their name. The parents both lived to see eleven of their children settled in life, and nine still survive them. It is probable that few families in the State are as fine representatives of a sturdy yeomanry as is the family of Levi and Sarah Nelson. They were honest, industrious, frugal, and will enough to make a way where none appeared, with ingenuity enough to fashion what they could not buy, and with enough intellectual strength to give them positions far ahead of all posterity that does not toil. HON. SOLOMON S. SLEEPER, son of Rev. Walter Sleeper, was born in Bristol, March 15, 1815. He received a common school education, with two terms at New Hampton Institute. At the age of seventeen years, he entered the store of Ichabod C. Bartlett, in Bristol, as a clerk, and remained there until he was about twenty-seven, when he went to Boston and became a member of the firm of E. Raymond & Co., wholesale grocers. After a few years he bought Mr. Raymond's interest, and became the head of the firm of S.S. Sleeper & Co, and still continued the business. Mr. Sleeper's brother, Horace L. was one of this firm until after Mr. Raymond retired, and continued a member until a few years before he died, at his home in Winchester, Mass., November 23, 1884, aged sixty-four years. Mr. S.S. Sleeper may be classed among the successful men of the times, and though he has given close attention to his large business, he has found time to serve the public, and is now serving his fourth year as alderman of the city of Cambridge, and has represented his ward several years in the legislature of Massachusetts. In conjunction with Judge Minot, of Concord, he has generously remembered Bristol, their native town, by donating to it a fine and commodious library building, and furnishing $1,000.00 to purchase books. In honor of the generous donors this town institution is named "The Sleeper and Minot Library." DANIEL S. MASON was born in Bristol, April 2, 1809, on the Joseph Moore farm, near Moore's Mill, which was then a thriving village. His entire life was passed in his native town. He came from a hardy, robust race, and was early accustomed to hard labor. When a young man, in company of Nicholas Dolloff and Joseph Moore, he ran the first raft of lumber down the Pemigewasset. On this occasion the raft struck Worthen's rock, and Mr. Wason was washed off and carried far down the stream, but was rescued by his companions. When twenty-fix years old he purchased the saw-mill at Moore's Mills, and was for many years engaged in the manufacture of lumber. In 1858 he removed to the village of Bristol, and engaged in the manufacture of paper, and continued this business until 1863, when the mill was destroyed by fire. On December 1, 1835, he married Miss Angeline W. Webster, by whom he had four children, two of whom, John, a merchant at Plymouth, and Mrs. Albert Blake Jr., survive him. After a few years of wedded life, he buried the companion of his youth, and January 31, 1849, he married Miss Anna C. Taylor, who survives him. He was ten times or more elected to the office of selectman, and in his hands the material interests of his town were most faithfully guarded and promoted. He died at his residence, October 15, 1885, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. HON. LEWIS W. FLING, of Bristol, is a native of Windsor, VT, where he was born December 6, 1824. After receiving a common school education, he continued his studies in the New England Seminary, at Windsor, and at Claremont, Lebanon and Norwich university. He was engaged in teaching for a number of terms. While securing his education and pursuing the study of law, upon the study which profession he entered in the spring of 1847, at Canaan, in the office of Hon. J.E. Sargent, afterwards one of the judges of the Supreme Judicial court. When Judge Sargent removed to Wentworth, shortly after this time. Mr. Fling went with him and continued his studies in his office until he was admitted to the bar, in November 1851. After his admission he entered into partnership with Judge Sargent, and remained with him about a year and a half, when the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Fling removed to Bristol, where he opened an office, and has ever since continued in practice. Although Mr. Fling is a decided Democrat, he is not an active politician, and has engaged but little in political life. His election to the State Senate in his closely contested district in 1871 and 1872 was a high compliment to his integrity and ability, and in that year he received the degree of A.M. conferred by Dartmouth college. He is highly esteemed as a citizen by the people of Bristol, and has given essential aid in bringing the Bristol schools to their present high standard of excellence. SOLOMON CAVIS, born in 1800, came to Bristol from Bow NH, when about twenty-one years of age, and entered the store of Ichabod Bartlett as a clerk, where he remained only a few years. He then commenced his career as a merchant, on the corner of the square now occupied by the firm of Dickinson & Horner. He retired from business in 1858, and was succeeded by his son, who has been his partner about six years. He married Miss Almira Minot. His children are George M., treasurer of the savings bank, and Harriet M. (Mrs. Abbott). REV. WALTER SLEEPER, the pioneer of Methodism in Bristol, was born in New Chester (the portion now a part of Bristol) January 20, 1790, and died here May 1, 1875, aged eighty-five years. His wife was Nancy Plaisted, whom he married in 1814. In 1812, at the age of twenty-two years, he entered the itinerant ministry of the Methodist church, and was assigned to Tuftonboro circuit, NH. For this years' service he received $12.00, not one cent of which was cash. The next year he was the junior preacher on Bridgewater circuilt, New Hampshire district, and received, all told, the sum of $2.30. In 1814 he was received into the New England conference, then embracing all New England, and was appointed to Canaan circuit, New Hampshire district, all New Hampshire being then one district, with Solomon Silas, presiding elder. The year following he was appointed to Landaff circuit. At the conference, held in Bristol, RI in 1815, he was ordained as a deacon, Bishop Robert R. Roberts presiding. In 1817, on account of the feeble health of his parents, Mr. Sleeper located with them to look after their necessities. His certificate of location has the signature of Bishop Enoch George. During the long period of fifty-eight years he continued to preach in towns in the region of his home, and, with few exceptions, without fee or pecuniary reward. He twice represented Bristol in the State legislature, once in 1832, when Gen. Franklin Pierce was speaker, and was also selectman of Bristol several years. ASA HASTINGS, born December 28, 1752, married Molly Lowell, March 22, 1775, she being born December 30, 1752. They removed from Alexandria to Bristol in 1780, and settled where their grandson, Col. John Hastings now lives. This farm was then a wilderness. They were the parents of ten children. Their son, Jonas, born January 19, 1779, succeeded to the homestead in 1805, and died January 13, 1869. He married twice, first Polly Ordway, November 28, 1805, who died March 17, 1811, and second, Nancy Atwood, April 2, 1812, who died January 18, 1864. He was blessed with twelve children. Col. John, son of Jonas, bought the homestead in 1835. He was born December 9, 1806, married Dorothy Emmons, daughter of Benjamin Emmons Jr., April 18, 1833, and their eleven children are all living. Col. John Hastings was early interested in military affairs, and held the offices respectively of sergent, ensign, captain, lieutenant-colonel and colonel, when he commanded the 34th Regt., NH militia. He is still farming the old homestead at the age of seventy-nine years. DAVID MASON, son of David, was born in New Hampton and has resided in Bristol since he was twenty-two years old. He commenced active life as a lumberman. In 1852 he built his first paper-mill and commenced the manufacture of straw-board, in company with George W. Dow, and continued its manufacture up to 1885. In 1882 the firm of Mason, Perkins & Co. was formed, and built the fine brick mills which they now operate in the manufacture of colored poster-paper. In 1882 he also entered the present firm of Mason Berry, manufacturers of wood pulp. The last two named industries now receive his entire attention. The product of the wood pulp mill of Mason & Berry is all used in the manufacture of paper by the firm of Mason, Perkins & Co. Mr. Mason, by his constant industry and native good qualities, has led to his being classed among the most successful men of Bristol. His residence, built recently, is a model of elegance, taste, beauty, and substantial comfort. He is a member of the Methodist church and a liberal contributor to its material interests, and especially was a munificent donor for the erection of their present elegant church edifice. His townsmen have attested their appreciation of his abilities by sending him to the legislature in 1871, to the State legislature in 1872, and returned him again in 1875. HON. NATHANIEL BERRY, ex-governor of New Hampshire, and now one of the most venerable and respect of Bristol's citizens, was born in Bath, ME., September 1, 1796, a son of Abner, and grandson of John Berry, who served as captain of an infantry company in the Revolutionary war, where he lost his life. Mr. Berry's father died October 22, 1802, leaving his mother with four small children, so at the age of nine years, Nathaniel was obliged to go out to earn his own living, and began this new life as "chore-boy" at Joseph Lambert's tavern, in Bath. At the age of eleven years he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, where he remained about a year and a half, when, in March, 1809, he came to Libson with his mother, and step-father, Benjamin Morse. In the following November he went to Bath NH to live in the family of William Morrison, and in March 1812, was apprenticed to the tanner's trade with Edmund Carleton, with whom he remained until twenty-one years of age. In April 1818, he came to Bristol to work at his trade as a journeyman, beginning business for himself here two years later. He began active public life in 1828, when he was elected Bristol's representative in the legislature. He left Bristol in 1840, to reside in Hebron, and for many years was not a resident of the town. In 1861, he was elected governor of the State. He married Ruth Smith, of Bath NH, January 25, 1821, who died July 26, 1857, and in January 1859, married Louisa Farley. JAMES MUSGROVE was born in London, Eng. in 1796. When a mere boy he was left an orphan, and, homeless and friendless, with no one to advise as to his plans for life, at the age of twelve he enlisted in the British navy for life. During the next six years he visited many parts of the globe. His vessel took part in the war of 1812, and he was for some months a prisoner of war at Philadelphia. When about eighteen years of age, while his vessel was at St. Johns, N.B., he deserted from the British service, and bound himself for seven years to learn the tailor's trade. After having served here five years, he learned that the vessel from which he had deserted was coming into port. Making his case known to his fellow-workmen, he was assisted in taking passage on a vessel bound for Boston, but soon after reaching the coast of Maine the vessel was wrecked and from there he made his way to Boston on foot. Here he finished his trade, and then returned to London, and in 1827 he married Ann Donker, of that town. In 1832 he emigrated to Boston, lived a short time in that city, Charleston and Lynn, Mass., and in 1837 they removed to Bristol and resided here until their death. For more than thirty years he carried on the tailoring business here, and he and his wife were both active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died May 16, 1878, aged eighty-two years, and his wife followed him to the spirit land March 20, following. They had eleven children, five of whom were born in Bristol, six now survive, viz: Susan and Richard W., who reside in Bristol; William I. who is in trade in Cohoes, NY; John H., superintendent of the Berkshire knitting mills at Pittsfield, Mass; Charles M., an overseer in the same mills; and Sarah M.C., for several years a city missionary in Troy NY. One son, Abbott C., was a corporal in Co. H., 115th NY Vols, and was killed at the battle of Deep Bottom, VA., while carrying the regimental colors. RICHARD W. MUSGROVE was born in Bristol, November 21, 1840. In 1857 he entered the seminary at Tilton, intending to acquire a liberal education, and here his winters were passed until 1862, the rest of the year being devoted to hard work by which to acquire the means to attend school in winter, but the war changed the current of his life. August 12, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. D., 12th NH Vols, and was appointed a corporal. In March 1873, he was promoted to sergeant and about a year later made 1st sergeant. In May 1864, he was given a commission as 1st lieutenant in the 1st US Vols infantry, and placed in command of a company, and three months later promoted to captain, which position he held until June 1866, when he was mustered out after having served nearly four years. As an enlisted man he served in the Army of the Potomac, and was in every engagement in which his regiment participated during his connection with it; as a commissioned officer, most of his service was against the Indians on the frontier. On his muster out, he returned to Bristol and engaged in the wool business, but in December 1869, he opened a job printing office here, and in June 1878, started a small sixteen-column paper called the "Bristol Weekly Enterprise." The paper has been well managed, and has increased in size and circulation, until now it is a thirty-two-column folio, with a circulation of about 1,600. Mr. Musgrove has held the office of town clerk six years, and in November 1884, was elected a member of the legislature for two years, commencing in June 1885. DR. HADLEY B. FOWLER, son of Blake Fowler, who was captain of Co. C., 12th NH Vols, in 1861-65, grandson of David Fowler, a private in the war of 1812, and great-grandson of Abner Fowler, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, was born in Bridgewater NH in 1825. Educated in the high school of Bristol, and at Hebron academy, he read medicine with M.C. Sawyer M.D., of Bristol, and Prof. Dixi Crosby, of Dartmouth Medical college, where he graduated in 1850. He settled in Alexandria, removed to Bristol in 1854, when, in the summer of 1862, amid the national unpleasantness with the South, permission was given by Governor Berry, to a few energetic men of Belknap, and a portion of Grafton counties, to raise a regiment in ten days, with the privilege of electing their officers. The regiment was raised in four and a half days, and the Doctor elected surgeon--the 12th NH Vols. His father, captain in Co. C., and his son, George H. Fowler, then fourteen years old, as private orderly, and they left Concord for the seat of the war on September 27th. All three were captured by Stewart's cavalry, at Washington, Va., the first of November. They were parolled, exchanged, and the Doctor was back to the front in the middle of December; was in charge of the Third Division Third Corps hospital, at the battle of Chancellorsville, May 2, 3 and 4, 1863; operating surgeon for the Second Brigade, Second Division, Third Army Corps, at the battle of Gettysburg; July 2, 3, 4, etc., down to the close of the war in 1865, the last important position he held being that of surgeon in charge of Point of Rocks hospital at City Point, Va. In May 1865, he was appointed by the War Department to remain in the Freedman's Bureau, then under Governor Howard, but owing to impaired health and solicitations of comrades and friends, returned with the regiment, and was mustered out at Concord NH, in June 1865, the only full surgeon that left the State as such and remained the three years, or during the war. Since the war Dr. Fowler has been in active practice in Bristol. He has been twice president of the Center district, and has been president of the State Medical society. He is a member of the National Medical Association, an unsuccessful candidate for railroad commissioner, though running largely ahead of the ticket; chairman of the Board of Education, member of the G.A.R. and F.& A.M. I.O.O.F., and interested in all good works. DR. IRA S. CHASE was born in Gilmanton, November 21, 1816, the son of David Chase, who was the son of Stephen Chase, a direct descendant of Aquilla Chase. Mr. Chase was educated at Gilmanton academy, and studied medicine with Dr. Nahum Wright, of Gilmanton, and graduated at Hanover NH in the fall of 1841, attended a course of lectures in Boston the winter following, and at New York during the winter of 1849-50. He commenced practice at Alexandria, February 1, 1842, where he remained nine years, and where he married Cordelia P. Simonds. He came to Bristol, January 7, 1851, where he still resides, in the practice of his profession. WARREN WHITE was born in Dana, Mass., May 3, 1803. He carried on the manufacture of leather in Massachusetts and Vermont. While still a young man, he came to Bristol NH in 1836, and bought of N.S. Berry the tannery which he run until his death, a period of thirty-eight years. During this time he owned and operated another tannery at Bristol, and also one at Woodstock; was also engaged in the manufacture of sale shoes in Holderness, now Ashland, and carried on the manufacture of custom boots and shoes in Bristol at one time. He was an extensive farmer and dealer in cattle. He represented the town in the legislature two terms. No man in his time did so much for the material prosperity of this place as he, and he also accumulated a handsome property, and was at one time the largest tax-payer in town. He died May 12, 1884, aged seventy one years. ******** CHURCHES in BRISTOL NH ******** THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was organized by Asher Smith with seven members in 1801, Rev. John Broadhead being made the first pastor. The first church building, a wooden structure, was erected in 1813, and did service until 1839, when it was superseded by another, and which in turn gave place to the present building, erected in 1871. The latter is a fine wooden structure, capable of seating 600 persons, and cost $20,000.00. The Sabbath school has 131 members. Three of the most prominent of the early Methodist divines were pastors of this church during the first decade of its existence, viz: John Broadhead, Elijah (afterwards Bishop) Hedding, and Martin Ruter. The circuit of which this church jurisdiction was a part was originally called Bridgewater circuit, and subsequently Bristol circuit. It is now included in Claremont district of the New Hampshire conference. THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in BRISTOL, located in the village, was organized by Revs. Jonathan Ward, Andrew Rankins, and Samuel Arnold, with twelve members, November 15, 1826, Rev. Samuel Arnold being installed as its first pastor. The church building was erected in 1827, though it has been enlarged and repaired, so that is is now valued, including grounds, at $12,000.00. The society has 120 members, with Rev. H.G. Pillsbury, pastor. Its Sabbath school has sixty scholars. (end)