HISTORY OF HAVERHILL, 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 339+ HISTORY OF HAVERHILL NH HAVERHILL, one of the shire towns of the county, lies in the eastern part of the same, in latitude 44 degrees 5' and longitude 72 degrees 1', bounded by the west bank of the Connecticut River. It was originally granted by Governor Benning Wentworth to John Hazen and others, May 18, 1763, in eighty-one equal shares. These grantees were as follows: John Hazen, Jacob Bailey, Ephraim Bailey, James Philbrook, Gideon Gould, John Clark, John Swett, Thomas Emery, Benoni Coburn, Reuben Mills, John Hazen Jr., Edmund Coleby [sic Colby], David Hall, Lemuel Tucker, Edmund Moores, John White, Benjamin Moores, William Hazen, Robert Peaslee, Timothy Bedel, Jaseel Harriman, Jacob Kent, Ebnezer Hale, Samuel Hobart, John Haile, Maxi Hazeltine, Thomas Johnson, John Mills, John Trussell, Abraham Dow, Uriah Morse, Enoch Hall, Jacob Hall, Benoni Wright, JOhn Page, Josiah Little, John Taplin, Jonathan Foster, Joseph Blanchard, Richart Pettey, Moses Foster, John Spafford, Enoch Health, William Page, Joseph Thilley, Aaron Hofman, John Harriman, John Lampson, Stephen Knight, John Hall, David Hurlburt, Simon Stevens, John Moores, William Toborn, David Page, James White, Benjamin Merrill, Nathaniel Merrill, John Church, James Nevin, John Nelson, Theodore Atkinson Jr., Nathaniel Barret, William Symes, William Porter, John Hastings, George Marsh, Richard Emery, Nehemial Lovell, Henry Sherbon, John Wentworth, Samuel Wentworth, Byfield Lloyd, Francis Barnard and Benning Wentworth. Governor Wentworth's right was in the northwestern part of the town, including the present village of Woodsville. The township grant was bounded in the charter deed as follows:-- "Beginning at a tree, marked, standing on the bank of the eastern side of the Connecticut river and on the southerly or southwesterly side of the Ammonoosuck river, opposite to the southwesterly corner of Bath; from thence down Connecticut river, as it runs, to a marked tree standing on the bank of the river, about seven miles on a straight line from the north of Ammonoosuck river aforesaid; from thence south 53 degrees east five miles and three quarters to a stake and stones; thence north 25 degrees east about eight miles until it comes upon a line with the [lower] line of Bath; and thence north 55 degrees west, as Bath runs, to the tree by the river, the bounds began at. The locality was originally called Lower Cohos, which name was changed to Haverhill, at the time the charter was granted, for the reason that several of the proprietors were from Haverhill, Mass. By an act approved June 21, 1815 the town was divided into two parishes, north and south, Samuel Morey of Orford, Jonathan Merrill of Warren, and Samuel Hutchins of Bath, being appointed to run the divisional line. In common with most of the towns bordering on the Connecticut river, Haverhill is not only very productive, but very beautiful. Its surface is broken into a series of hills and valleys, though it is not sufficiently rough to retard cultivation of the soil. The elevations afford many exquisite views of the surrounding beautiful county, including the Connecticut for many miles north and south; and these facts, coupled with its salubrious climate, annually atracts many summer residents and tourists. Aside from the Connecticut, the principal streams of the town are Poole brook and Oliverian river. The former flows through the town from northeast to southwest, emptying into the Connecticut near the "Great Ox Bow" of Newbury, while the latter, having its source in Benton, flows a westerly course, through the southern part of the town, falling into the Connecticut. Both of these streams afford good mill-sites. Three small ponds, also, dimple the surface of the town. The first, French Pond, covering about forty acres lies in the northern part of the township. It received its name from Richardson French, a hunter, trapper and farmer who early occupied the hill to the west of it. The soil of Haverhill is adapted to all species of cultivation common to the latitude, while there is much interval land, composed of a deep rich loam, yielding large crops of grasses, etc. All in all, Haverhill is one of the most valuable farming towns in the state, the annual value of its agricultural products, it is said, not being exceeded by any other town on the Connecticut River. Of its total area of 34,340 acres, 24, 300 is improved land. The town has also good quarries of soapstone, limestone, granite and scythestone. DESCRIPTION OF HAVERHILL NH in 1884 In 1880 Haverhill had a population of 2,452 souls. In 1885 the town had eighteen school districts, fifteen common schools and four graded schools. Its nineteen school-houses were valued, including furniture etc at $15,350.00. There were 498 children attending school, fifty-four of whom were pursuing the higher grades, taught during the year by three males and twenty-five female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $33.25 for males, and $24 for females. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year was $4,114.29, while the expenditures were $4,196.60, with Samuel B. Page and Samuel T. Page, committee. VILLAGES HAVERHILL, or Haverhill Corner, as it is locally known, a post village and the county seat of Grafton County, is beautifully located upon a slightly inclined plateau from one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet above the Connecticut, and overlooking the valley, commanding a fine view north and south. Two principal streets in the form of the letter "T"--Main street, extending north and south and Court street leading eastward--constitute its thoroughfares. The county court-house, record building and jail, located upon the north side of Court street, Haverhill academy standing at the northeast corner of the park which lies at the intersection of Court and Main Streets, and two church buildings (Congregational and Methodist) comprise its public buildings. Several stores and shops, two printing offices, and a hotel constitute the business enterprises of the place. Many of the residences which border these principal streets and are grouped about the park are fine specimens of the large, square-built mansions which distinguish the New England architecture of 1800. WOODSVILLE is a small but rapidly growing post village located at the mouth of the Lower or Wild Ammonoosuc river, in the extreme northwestern part of the town. It has two churches (Episcopal and Methodist), two hotels, six or eight stores of various kinds, a steam saw-mill, and about 100 dwellings, while one lawyer and two physicians reside here, and the division offices of the B.& L. R.R. (formerly B.C. & M. R.R.), together with a branch repair shop, which was located here in 1884. Upon to 1853-54, when the B.C. & M. railroad reached this point, little indication of the present village was seen, and of the houses now standing, only a few, the "Brock" House and the "Little" House so called, being the oldest, were erected. The village derived its name from John L. Woods, familiarly known as "Jack" Woods, who, in 1829, purchased a saw-mill on the Ammonoosuc, near where the present bridge is located, and began the manufacture of lumber form the pine forest then covering the site of the village. This mill, we are told, was built by a Mr. Cotton in 1811, and was owned by others before Woods bought it. J. L. Woods was in a store at Wells River village in his early life, and subsequently kept a store in his house, where Mrs. C.B. Smith's house now stands, which was the first store established in Woodsville. Later he erected a building for that purpose, the present dwelling of E.J. Henry. He died March 15, 1855, aged nearly sixty-four years. The old "Brock" House, now a dismantled shell on Ammonoosuc street, was the scene of the first, and so far as we know, only murder ever committed here, that of Mrs. Frank Wright, by her husband. The first bridge across the Connecticut at this point was erected in 1804, the second in 1820, and the present when the railroad reached the place. The present Ammonoosuc bridge was erected by Luther Butler, in 1829, and was the first of its kind in Northern New Hampshire. NORTH HAVERHILL is a post village pleasantly located in the western part of the town, upon the southern verage of a level table-land about fifty or sixty feet above the Connecticut. To the north and east for more than a mile the land is nearly level. Poole, or Bacon's brook, which runs through these meadows, is formed into a pond by dams and furnishes water power for a saw and grist-mill, etc. Main Street, extending north and south, is lined with residences, as is Depot street, which forms a right angle with Main Street near the south end. Two church edificies are situated here (Baptist and Methodist) but only one, the Methodist, is regularly occupied for religious services. One well-kept hotel, three stores, and various shops are among the business establishments of the place. EAST HAVERHILL is a post village located in the southeastern part of the town, on Oliverian brook. It has about twenty dwellings, one church (Methodist), a store, school-house, railroad station and blacksmith shop. The meadows along the Oliverian for two miles above and below this point are quite broad and fertile, and the farms thereon have the appearance of thrift and prosperity. The postoffice was established here in 1844. PIKE STATION (p.o.) is a hamlet composed mostly of the buildings of the A.F. Pike Manufacturing Co., located at a convenient water-privilege on the Oliverian, where the B.& L. R.R. crosses road 46. OLIVERIAN VILLAGE is a hamlet on Oliverian brook, at the inter- section of roads 36 and 49, where are located a grist-mill, saw-mill, paper-mill, marble, blacksmith and carriage shops, and two or three stores. CENTER HAVERHILL is the name applied to a hamlet lying about at the junction of roads 24, 25, 27, and 27-1/2, where a Union meeting house has been built. LADD STREET designates a section of road 36, from Oliverian brook north about one mile, and here is the B.& L. R.R. station of "Haverhill." BRIER HILL includes the section of Haverhill reached by roads 6, 7, 16, 17 and 19 ACADEMY & LIBRARY HAVERHILL ACADEMY was incorporated by the legislature, February 11, 1794, with Hon. Charles Johnston, Rev. Ethan Smith, John Page, Samuel Brooks and Joseph Bliss, trustees, with full powers to elect other trustees, not to exceed ten in all, and to have all the rights, privileges and duties usually conferred upon such corporations. The first building was erected of wood, by Col. Charles Johnston and other, previous to the act of incorporation. The building was destroyed by fire about 1816 or 1817, after having been sold, and the present academy building, a two-story brick structure, was erected in 1816-17, the County academy trustees and school district No. 1, in Haverhill, sharing the expense. The session of the country courts were held in the upper story of the building for a time, or until the present courthouse was erected in 1840, when the county relinquished its claim, upon the furnishing of a site for a new court-house by the trustees of the academy. The Haverhill Academy has had many teachers of eminent ability, most of whom have been Dartmouth college graduates, and it has sent forth many of its pupils to careers of eminent usefulness. It ranks well among the academies of New England, and its history, while presenting few seasons of overflowing prosperity, has suffered less adversity than many others. The beauty of Haverhill village as the seat of such an institution cannot fail to be appreciated. The present principal is D.O. Bean, who has two lady assistants. By an arrangement with the academy trustees, the pupils of the public school districts 1 and 17 are now taught in the academy, where there are three deparments appropriately graded. The present trustees are G.W. Chapman, Esq., C.B. Griswold, Esq., Henry Merrill, P.W. Kimball, L.B. Ham, C.G. Smith, J.N. Morse, E.R. Weeks, A.F. Pike and W.H. Nelson. THE HAVERHILL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION opened its doors November 20, 1880, with ninety volumes, Mrs. L.C. Whitney being the prime mover in its organization. The members paid a fee of $1.00 for membership, which entitled each to take out one book per week, for one year, and thereafter annual dues of fifty cents per year, for the addition of new books. The present officers are J.Q. Bittinger, president; Mrs. G.D. Cummings, vice president; and Miss Nillie L. Kimball, librarian. The library has been kept in the Phenix block up to the present time, and all the officers have served gratuitously. Several donations of books have been made by individuals, and during the year 1885, through the munificence of several interested ones, former or present residents of the town, about $1,600.00 was subscribed to a fund for the erection of a library building, and a fire proof structure of suitable dimensions is to be erected in 1886. The library has 500 volumnes. BUSINESSES, HOTELS, MANUFACTURES, ETC EXCHANGE HOTEL.--The building now known as the Exchange Hotel, on Main Street, was built by Charles Swan for a dwelling, in 1831, and was thus occupied until 1833, when he added a third story and opened the hotel. In 1835 Chandler Metcalf became landlord, and in 1838 Eleazer Smith purchased the property and kept the hotel until 1857, when he sold to his son, Charles G., who kept the house until 1881, when he sold it to the present proprietor. During all this period, from 1838, it was known as Smith's Hotel. A.F. PIKE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.--The A.F. Pike Manufacturing Company was organized in 1883, just fifty years after Isaac Pike began the manufacture of Whetstones in Haverhill, and is the direct successor of A.F. Pike who continued the business of his father from 1860 to 1883. The company consists of A.F. Pike, E.B. Pike, Isaac Pike, Charles Pike and Charles G. Smith. A.F. Pike is president and general director; E.B. Pike is vice-president and has the active management of the business outside the office; Isaac Pike is treasurer and has the general oversigh tof the manufacturing at Pike Station; and Charles Pike is superintendent of the quarrying and cutting of the stone before they are taken to the mill to be ground. The capital of the company is $70,000.00. They manufacture all kinds of scythe-stones and whetstones for sharpening edge-tools. Their principal quarries are in Haverhill, Piermont and Lisbon, NH and their ledges contain a stone which is better adapted for sharpending scythes and edge-tools that anything else. The stone is of a sharp, gritty character, lying in ledges, and is broken out with the grain, so that the strength is not impaired, and makes a strong, durable sharpener, hard enough to cut any steel. These whetstones do not glaze. The layers are so thin that one after another wears off, and a new, fresh surface is all the time exposed. The various kinds of whetstones of the company are used in all parts of the United States and Canada, and many carloads are sent annually to Europe. The company also have quarries and mills in Vermont and New York, where they manufacture other grits of stone. Besides there they receive and handle stone in large quantities from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Arkansas, Nova Scotia, England, Germany, Belgium, Scotland, Turkey and from other parts of the world. They have their agencies in New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Baltimore. In their different quarries and mills they employ a large force of workmen, and are converting the stones of these barren ledges into articles of indispensable usefulness, which to them and to the town of Haverhill are a constant source of revenue. Their business is annually enlarging, and if capital, industry, energy and wise business plans are rewarded with Success, the A.F. Pike Mfg. Co." must stand at the front in their line of business. THE WOODSVILLE LUMBER COMPANY was organized in 1872, and mills were erected the same year. THey are located besdie the track of the B. & L.R. in the eastern part of Woodsville village, and have side tracks to the yard. The mills are operated by steam-power and manufacture rough and dressed lumber to the extent of about 1,500,000 feet per annum, besides lath and clapboards, employing an average force of ten or twelve men. The mills were burned in February 1879, and rebuilt immediately on the same ground. Messrs. Ira Witcher, of Woodsville, and L.C. Pattee, of Lebanon, constitute the firm. W.H. HILL & CO's MARBLE AND GRANITE WORKS, at Woodsville village, were established by Mr. Hill, at Wells River, Vt. in 1875, as a branch of his works at Plymouth NH. He removed wholly to Wells River in 1879, but was burned out in the following year and re-established at Woodsville, where he erected his present shop in the spring of 1884. Mr. Hill manufactures all kinds of cemetery work, from marble and granite, and also building trimmings, curbing, etc. The business gives employment to three or more men. J.M. GETCHELL & CO.'S CARRIAGE MANUFACTORY, at North Haverhill, was established by Willard Whitman, about fifty years ago, who conducted it about thirty-five years, when he sold to Langdon Bailey, who went from here to Woodsville. J.M. Getchell learned the trade with Willard Whitman, and went into business for himself about 1860. In 1881 the partnership between J.M. Getchell and T.E. BLiffin was established, and they purchased their present shop, on Depot Street, at that time. In 1884 they put out twenty-one carriages and wagons, and six sleighs, besides repairing and jobbing, furnishing employment for three men. H.S. SLEEPER & CO'S BOBBIN MANUFACTORY, located on Depot Street, at North Haverhill, was established January 1, 1884. It employs about six men, and does a business aggregating from $1,500 to $2,000 annually. GEORGE E. EASTMAN'S CARRIAGE SHOP, located on Depot Street, at North Haverhill, was established by him in 1875. He manufactures about sixteen to twenty carriage, wagons, and sleighs, annually, besides doing jobbing, etc. Mr. Eastman also deals in coffins and caskets. J.G. BLOOD'S SAW AND SHINGLE-MILL, located at North Haverhill, was purchased by him about 1865. It is the same spoken of elsewhere, as erected by Obadiah Swanzey. When Mr. Blood purchased the property it was an upright saw-mill. He has put in a circular-saw, shingle-mill, and planers, which he operates about four months in the year, employing six men and cutting 200,000 to 300,000 feet of lumber, besides shingles, mostly custom work. FAYETTE BACON'S CARRIAGE-STOCK AND WAGON SHOP, located on road 25, was erected by him about 1855, and was enlarged to its present size a few years later. The machinery was operated by horse-power until 1882, when he put in an eight horse-power engine. He manufactures heavy wagons and carts, and makes a specialty of manufacturing bent carriage stock of all kins, elm bubs, etc. WILLIAM H. LEWIS, manufacturer of the "Boss" wood pump, located on road 25, began business in Haverhill in 1874. He manufactures and sells pumps, made of cucumber wood, pine and fir, disposing of seventy-five to one hundred per annum, and also manufactures wooden aqueduct, and Share's patent colter harrow. ALBERT CHASE'S SAW-MILL, on raod 23, was built by Abial Deming, in 1840, and was purchased by Mr. Chase in 1863. It is operated by water-power, cuts from 75,000 to 100,000 feet of rough lumber, and 50,000 to 100,000 shingles per annum, only operating during the spring months. JOHN L. COOK'S SHINGLE, CIDER and THRESHING MILL, at Oliverian Village, was built by him in 1884. It is fitted with machinery for the manufacture of shingles and cider, and for threshing grain and polishing granite. It is operated by water-power, and does custom work. E.D. SPENCE'S GRIST and FLOURING-MILL, at North Haverhill, has three runs of stones, and is operated by both steam and water-power. Mr. SPence has owned the property since 1875, and has recently added steam-power, and does general custom grinding. MICHAEL CARLETON'S CARRIAGE SHOP, at Oliverian Village, was built by him in 1859, on the site occupied by J.S. Nichol's carriage shop, burned in 1858. He builds sleighs, sleds and heavy wagons, does carriage repairing, and general jobbing, the machinery being operated by water-power. HAVERHILL GRIST-MILL, located at Oliverian Village, was built at a very early date, having been the property of Major Isaac Pearson, and his father, previous to 1825. It was purchased by A.W. Lyman, in 1880, who does custom grinding, and deals in flour, graham, middlings, corn and feed, averaging about one car-load of corn per month, and sixty tons of feed per annum, besides custom grinding. The HAVERHILL PAPER COMPANY, with a mill located at Oliverian Village, succeeded E.C. Hutchins & Co., in 1865. The paper-mill is of brick, 36x60 feet, operated by water-power, and manufactures from 100 to 200 tons of paper per annum. The Company has also a saw-mill for custom work, sawing from 50,000 to 200,000 feet of lumber per year. THE HAVERHILL MARBLE WORKS, at Oliverian Village, have been operated under this name since March 1884, then succeeding the business of J.W. Quimby, who at that time took Fay I. Archibald, as partner. Mr. Quimby retired from the firm in October 1884,, since which time Mr. Archibald has continued the busiess alone. He manufactures marble and granite cemetery works of all kinds. S.& G.C. JEFFER'S SAW-MILL, located on road 41, was built by them in 1856. It is operated by water-power, and manufactures about 100,000 to 150,000 feet of rough lumber per annum. SETTLEMENT OF HAVERHILL NH The causes which led to the settlement of Haverhill, or "Lower Cohos," the visit by Captain Powers in 1754, the arrival of Captain Hazen to erect a saw and grist-mill in the spring of 1762, the evidences of Indian occupiaton the early settlers found, the newspaper and railroad history, and establishment of county courts and erection of county buildings, have all been detailed in the county chapter, to which we refer the reader, as to review them at this point would be a needless repetition. We will immediately turn, then, not only to the first actual settlement made in Haverhill, but the first in the whole county. URIAH MORSE, and Hannah, his wife, came on from Northfield, Mass. in June 1762, the first family to locate in Haverhill. They located on the bank of Poole brook, on the present main road, and just southeast of where James Merrill now lives. They boarded Hazen's men while they were building the mills, and other adventurers as they came into the settlement. AMong their boarders that autumn was Thomas Johnson, Timothy Bedel, Captain Hazen, and Jesse Harriman. The first child born in the settlement was in this family, in the spring of 1763, which lived only a few days. The first death of an adult, that of Polly Harriman, who died of consumption, at the gage of eighteen years, also occurred here. In the following year, 1763, the settlement of the town considerably advanced. Rev. Grant Powers speaks of it as follows: "This was a year of enlargement with Haverhill and Newbury. Benjamin Hall, from Massachusetts, came in and settled near the Porter place, where the Southards now live (1839). Jonathan Saunders and Sarah Rowell, both from Hampton NH, came and settled near the present house of Dr. Carlton, late deceased. Jacob Hall, from Northfield, Mass., came and settled on the Dow farm, so-called. Hon. James Woodward, of Hampstead NH, came and settled on his place at the age of twenty-two years. He purchased his farm at twenty cents per acre. Mr. John Page, father of the present governor of New Hampshire, came into Haverhill this year from Lunenburg, Mass. He was employed by his uncle, David Page, to assist in driving up his cattle to Lancaster, and this was the beginning of the settlment of that town--David Page's son having been up the preceding June of that year, and marked out a way for them from Haverhill. John Page returned form Lancaster, and bought his farm in Haverhill, but spent the subsequent winter in taking care of General Bailey's stock in Newbury, which arrived that season, and not in 1762, as many have supposed. This was Mr. Page's account, Captain Howard's and Col. Joshua Bailey's, who came with his father to Newbury in 1764, at eleven years of age. Pgae continued to labor for General Bailey until he was able to pay for his farm. He then came to Haverhill, married Abigail Saunders, daughter of the first settler south of him, and lived to the age of eighty-two, and departed this life in 1823. In this year, says Col. Joshua Bailey, John Foreman and several others of Pennsylvania, having enlisted into the British army near the commencement of the old French war, and having been retained in Canada after peace was restored, deserted and made through the woods until they came upon the head-waters of the Connecticut, and followed down the stream, they came into the north part of Haverhill. But here they found themselves famishing through lack of sustenance, and as they know not that there was an English settlement within a hundred miles of them, they were prepared to seize upon anything which could satisfy the demands of hunger. They unexpectedly came in sight of a horse upon the plain north of the North Parish meeting-house, and supposing it to be wild, or one that had gone far astray, they shot it, and fed themselves upon its flesh. Replenishing their packs with the residue of the meat, they proceeded south, but soon discovered smoke ascending from chimneys on the ox Bown and vicnity. They were alarmed at the idea of falling into hands of hostile Indians, especially since they had killed one of their horses. But after some consultation, they concluded that one of their number should cross the river, make what discoveries he could, and then return and report. He accordingly swam the river, and to his great joy, found these were English settlements. The news and a boat were soon carried back for their companions. They were brought on to the Ox Bow, where they found food, a shelter, and sympathizing friends. Colonel Bailey says this fact of their killing a horse on that plain gave the name "Horse Meadow" to that section of the town, and not the traditionary story of horses finding a rush grass there sooner in the spring than elsewhere." In 1764 the settlement was increased by the arrival of Dea. Jonathan Elkins and family, from Hampton NH, Col. Timothy Bedel and family, from New Salem, and Hon. Ezekiel Ladd. The latter married Ruth Hutchins, who died in 1817, the Colonel surviving her until the following year. Rev. Peter Powers came to preach to the people of Haverhill and Newbury this year, also, which event will be spoken of on a later page. In the autumn of this year, also, Judge Woodward married Hannah Clark, the first marriage service performed in Grafton County. From this time forward the growth of the town was steadily pro- gressive, the population in 1767 being 172 souls. "Colonel Johnston was the first captain in the town of Haverhill, was for many years a justice of the peace, a judge of probate, and a deacon in the church. Colonel Johnston's house was surrounded by a fort at Haverhill Corner during the Revolutionary war, as was Judge Ladd's a little north of the old meeting-house, on Ladd street; also, Capt. Timothy Barnes's who lived near the tavern, opposite the meeting-house, in the North parish." Of the early facilities for travel and commerce, Rev. Grant Powers speaks as follows: "I will here mention that roads direct from Haverhill to Boston were not opened until after the war of the Revolution--I mean such as would admit the passing of heavy teams--and until then the freight of goods from our seaports was very expensive. Heavy articles which were not brought up from Charlestown upon the ice, in winter, were brought on pack horses from Concord through the woods, and ten bushels of wheat have been exchanged for one of salt. The glass for Col. Thomas Johnston's house was brought across the woods in this manner. This being the state of things in respect to roads, we shall readily conceive that the means of communicating between this isolated settlement and the eastern part of the State were very limited, and were not an every day occurence. A passenger arriving in the settlement with packages direct from friends in the east created a more lively interest in the settler, than the arrival of the British Queen steamer does not in the great amporious of this nation." In looking over the town and proprietors' records many items of interest are found, a few of which we print. According to the charter, Capt. John Hazen was authorized to call the first meeting of the grantees, in accordance with which he assembled said meeting at the inn of John Hall, at Plaistow, NH June 13, 1763. At this meeting the following town officers were elected: Jesse Johnson, town clerk; Stephen Knight, constable; and Capt. John White, Jacob Bailey, Esq., and Maj. Edmund Moore, selectmen. John Hazen, John White, Jacob Bailey Esq., Robert Peaslee and Benjamin Moore were "chosen a committee to bound the town and lay it out in lots," and Capt. John Hazen was appointed to receive the money collected for defraying the expense thereof. Under the several dates were find the following items in the records:-- March 27, 1764, "voted to unite with the Newbury proprietors in building a road through Haverhill to meet a road to Portsmouth," and "also to lay and clear a road from the lower end of Haverhill to Upper Meadow this coming summer." September 10, 1764, at a meeting held at Hampstead, it was "Voted to assist the town of Newbury in hiring preaching for six months next coming." October 16, 1764, it was voted that 200 acres of land be set off as a parsonage. It was also voted that one full right of land be given to Glazier Wheeler, in consideration that he build and operate a blacksmith shop for ten years, and "be also obliged to work for the people of said town before any others." April 10, 1770, "voted to give Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, D.D., fifty acres of land if Dartmouth college is located in Haverhill." May 12, 1772, at a metting held at the house of Capt. John Hazen, John Hurd, Esq. was appointed an agent of the town to petition the General Assembly to establish the courts at Haverhill, and "voted to give him 1,000 acres of the undivided land in Haverhill, in compensation if he succeeded in securing the establishment of one-half of the inferior courts for Grafton county, and one superior court to be held in Haverhill. A bounty of six shillings per head, also, was voted on wolves. March 25, 1773, it was voted to "clear and level a piece of ground twenty rods square, and a road two rods wide, and 200 rods long, which shall be laid down on the plain in Haverhill opposite the Great Ox Bow to accomodate the court house and goal [sic gaol]." February 25, 1774, "voted in the negative on an article to see if the proprietors of the town would bear proportionately any part with Asa Porter, Esq., Capt. John Hazen, Dea. James Abbott and A.S. Crocker, of the thousand acres voted to John Hurd." March 1776, "voted to pay Rev. Peter Powers L35 salary for preaching; L37 5s provided he preach one-half the time in Haverhill, and to meet the first six months for worship in Mr. Page's lower barn, and the other six months the selectmen to provide as they think proper." Voted to "give Asa Bailey 10s. for warning and conveying out of town a child of Susannah Hadley." Voted to "allow Charles Johnston 15s for horse to fetch up ammunition for the town, and James Bailey 16s for his journey to get same." March 10, 1778, "chose James Woodward, James Abbott, James Corliss and Jonathan Hale, committee of safety." January 6, 1778, "Voted Thomas Simpson, Asa Bailey and John Page, a committee of safety," and also "voted supplies to the families of soldiers in the Continental service." January 18, 1778, 'chose Charles Bailey to meet the convention at Dresden, January 20th, to consult upon some united measures to be taken for the defense of the frontier." February 1780, "chose Colonel Bedel, John Rich and James Woodward a committee to prevent the transportion of grain from this town." March 3, 1781, "chose Col. Timothy Bedel and Maj. Joshua Hayward representatives to represent the town of Haverhill at the General Assembly at Windsor, the first Wednesday in April, and agree to the articles of union between the grants on both sides of the river." A committee was also chosen "to act with a like committee from Piermont in settling the boundary line between Haverhill and Piermont." December 8, 1783, "chose James Woodward to represent the town in the General Assembly at Concord." Voted to "exclude all Tories from the town, and to lay a road four rods wide from the court-house to Coventry line." February 8, 1784, Timothy Stevens, constable, was ordered to warn over twenty-five persons, men, women and children, out of town, they being Tories. **BIOGRAPHIES OF RESIDENTS** (see separate file on the same web site for this information. **** CHURCHES **** The FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF HAVERHILL at Haverhill Corner, was organized October 3, 1790, about thirty years after the town was settled. In 1763 the proprietors of Haverhill and Newbury voted to united in paying a preacher "for two or three months this fall and winter." The year following a church was organized at Newbury, composed of members from both sides of the river, which was the first church organized in the Connecticut valley north of Charlestown NH. The Rev. Peter Powers was its first pastor, and his pastorate continued until 1782. He preached on both sides of the river, in barns in the summer and in dwellings in the winter. After his dismissal from Newbury he preached at Haverhil for a year or more, and from this time until 1791 no stated supply was had. Rev. Eden Burroughs, D.D. of Hanover, Rev. Mr. Ward of Plymouth, and Dr. Asa Burton of Thetford VT, assisted in organizing the church in 1790. January 25, 1792, Ethan Smith, who had been preaching in town some time, was ordained as the first pastor of the church, by a council of pastors and delegates from the churches at Hanover, Thetford, Orford, New bury, Lyme and Vershire, which met at the house of Ezekiel Ladd. In April, Col. Charles Johnston and Dr. Martin Phelps were chosen the first deacons of the church. Rev. Ethan Smith was dismissed January 23, 1799, and the settled pastors since then have been Rev. John Smith, December 23, 1802, to January 4, 1807; Rev. Grant Powers, January 4, 1815 to April 28, 1829; Rev. Henry Wood, August 1831 to 1835; Rev. Joseph Gibbs, June 16, 1835 until his death in 1837; Rev. Archibald Fleming June 27, 1838 to September 23, 1841; Rev. Samuel Delano, Feb 16, 1842 to January 14, 1847; Rev. E.H. Greeley, November 1849 to January 6, 1858; Rev. John D. Emerson, October 1, 1858 to November 17, 1867; Rev. E.H. Greeley from 1868 for over five years, and J.Q. Bittinger to the present time. The first church building, erected about the beginning of the century, did service until the society purchased the brick structure erected by the Methodists, in 1830-31. It will seat 450 persons and is valued at about $7,000. The society now has 160 members and maintains a flourishing Sabbath school. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH of HAVERHILL CENTER--At just what time that type of Christianity represented by Methodism made its way into Haverhill Corner and crystalized with a church organization, we have not been able to determine with certainty and exactness. It appears quite evident, however, that Methodism was greatly strengthened, if at that time it was not really planted, by the labors of Rev. Mr. Bliss, about the year 1822. Among the early members prominent in the church were ex-Governor John Page, George Woodward, then a lawyer in the place, Jonathan St. Clair, Samuel Smith, William Ladd, Abba Swift and Charles B.M. Woodward. About the year 1828 the Methodist people built the brick church now occupied by the Congregationalists. He dedicatory stermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Morritt who made a strong plea for subscriptions to liquidate the debt then resting on the church. The present house of worship was built in 1836, and was dedicated in the latter part of January of the following year. It is constructed of wood and cost, aside from the land upon which it was placed, the gift of Governor Page, about $1,600.00. Since then it has undergone various changes and repairs, and now has a seating capacity of 275, and is valued at $2,000.00. Among the first preachers who labored on this charge were Rev. I. Ireson, Rev. Mr. Baker, Rev. Bryant Morse, Rev. Charles Lamb, and Rev. Reuben Dearborn. Rev. Silas Quimby was sent to this place the spring after the new church was dedicated. The present pastor is Rev. J.H. Trow. The society now has fifty-four members in regular standing, and a flourishing Sabbath-school with 100 scholars. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL church of EAST HAVERHILL was organized by Henry Noyes, Moses Mead, Caleb Morse and Roswell Elliot in 1833, Rev. Silas Quimby being the first pastor. A church building was erected the following year. It will seat 160 persons, and is valued, including parsonage, etc., at $2,800.00. The society now has ninety full members and sixteen probationers, with Rev. William Layne, pastor. The Sabbath-school has 160 scholars, with an average attendance of 110. ST. LUKE'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WOODSVILLE was organized by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Niles, of the Diocese of New Hampshire, in 1876, the first rector being Rev. W.B.T. Smith. Services were held for a long time in the school hall, but in July 1879, a subscription paper was started to raise funds for a church building, with the following result: C.B. Smith, building lot $700 Samuel B. Page and another $200 A.S. Farwell, $100 G.A. and E. Davison 100 C.R. Gibson 50 E.B. Mann 65 H.G. Bun 25 George P. $25 A Friend $25 Daniel Emory 5 A.G. Olney 15 H.E. Ranno 10 Albert Hood 3 Manus H. Perkins 15 William A. Pringle 10 G.E. Cummings 10 E.A.P, 50 Col. G.C. Dyer 25 W.H. Dodge 10 B.M. Alake 10 Friends 32 Benjamin Dow 25 A Friend 25 H.A. Coit 100 L.E. Collins 15 Edward Davison 15 Horace C. Carbee 15 George H. Tabor 10 M.V. P. Perkins 20 A Friend 100 Frank E. Dodge 5 Charles N. Davison 5 S.S. Carbee 10 William Cummings 25 A Friend 25 TOTAL.......$1,876.00 The building, as completed in 1881, is a handsome wood structure capable of seating 225 persons. The property is now valued, including parsonage, grounds, furniture, etc. at $7,000.00. The society now has thirty-five communicants, with Rev. H.A. Remick, rector. Its Sabbath-school has fifty-three scholars, and five teachers. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH of WOODSVILLE was organized by Revs. G.W. Norris and A. Twitchell, with seven members, May 31, 1885, Mr. Twitchell being appointed pastor. The society has in process of erection a church building capable of accomodating 300 persons, and which is expected to cost $2,500.00. Though the society has only eight full members, it has a Sabbath-school with eighty-seven scholars. THE FIRST METHODIST CHURCH, located at North Haverhill, was organized at an early date. Its first church building, erected in 1840, was destroyed by fire in 1865. The present building was erected during the following year. It is a neat wooden structure capable of seating 350 perons, and valued, including grounds and other property, at $5,200.00. The society now has fifty-five members, with Rev. Joseph H. Brown, pastor. Its Sabbath-school has 175 scholars. (end)