HISTORY OF HEBRON, 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 384+ HISTORY OF HEBRON NH HEBRON lies in the southeastern part of the county, in lat. 43 degrees 42' and long. 72 degrees 49, bounded north by Grafton and Plymouth, east by Plymouth, south by Alexandria, Bristol and Bridgewater, and west by Alexandria and Groton. It is a small township, containing only 13,305 acres, and set off from Groton and Plymouth, and incorporated as a separate township, June 15, 1792. By an act approved June 26, 1845, a tract known as the Gore, and some other lots, were severed from Hebron and re-annexed to Groton. The following are the petitions from the residents of both Groton and Plymouth, setting forth their reasons for desiring a new township, and which we print for this reason, and for the reason that the petitioner's names are all given, probably including nearly all, if not all, the residents of the territory at that time:-- "His Excellency the President, the Hon. Senate 7 House of Representatives for The State of New Hampshire in Gen'l Court convened. "The petition of us the Subscribers humbly sheweth, that the Southeasterly part of the Town of Cockermouth (by its natural formation is so situated that a connection with the Southwesterly part of Plymouth (in all matters) would render it exceedingly advantageous to us inhabitants of said Cockermouth.--Wherefore we pray that a certain part of said Cockermouth (beginning at the Southwesterly corner of the lot Number sixteen in the first range & first division in said Cockermouth thence running North thirty degrees East to Rumney line which makes about a mile in width) may be set off from said Cockermouth, annexed to and incorporated with a part of said Plymouth now petitioned for as a New Township-- "And your petitioners as in duty bound shall every pray "Cockermouth, Dec th 1791-- [Signed by] John Haselton, Timothy Farley, Jaazariah Crosby, Samuel Haselton, Nath'll Ball, Abraham Parker, Wm Cummings, Sam'l Phelps, Ebenezer Wise "His Excellent the President, the Hon'ble Senate & House of Representatives for the State of New Hampshire in Gen'l Court convened "The petition of us the subscribers humbly sheweth, that by a late establishment of the boundaries of the Town of Plymouth (of which we are Inhabitants) our connection with said Town of Plymouth is rendered exceeding difficult, as the road at present is new and in a great measure unoccupied, and the length of way from the principal part of us nearly six miles to the now Centre of said Plymouth. And further that the greater part of us have been at a great expense in settling a Gospel Minister & supporting the Gospel among ourselves without any assistance of the Town of Plymouth aforesaid, & having previously obtained the approbation of the inhabitants of said Plymouth by a unanimous vote herewith inclosed and preferred to your Honors signifying that our desires may be fully gratified. "Wherefore we pray, that such a part of said Plymouth as is expressed by metes and bounds in said vote herewith preferred by the bearer William Cummings may be set off & incorporated into a Township and that we the Inhabitants of the same may be invested with Town privileges in such way as your Honours in wisdom may Judge fit and we your Honours petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray-- "Plymouth Dec. 7 1791 [Signed by] "William Cummings, Evan Bartlett, Jerrhmeel Bowers, Jonathan Morss, David Cheney, Josiah Hobart, Jonathan Bartlett, Eben'r [Ebenezer] Kendall, Ebenezer Kendall Jun'r, Uriah Pike, Simon Lovejoy, John W. Kendall, Jacob Kendall, James Colburn, Samuel Hasalton, Benjamin Haselton. "Feb 2d 1792, Serv'd the select men of Plymouth with a true Copy, per Wm. Cumings." "Feb 18th 1792 the Petitioners comply'd with ye within order of Court by serving us with an attested Copy "Wm Cumings, Selectmen of sd Cockermouth for 1791 "Edm Shattuck, Sam Goodhue Jr., Selectmen for sd Cockermouth for 1792 "March 1792." DESCRIPTION OF THE TOWN The surface of the little town is very rough and broken in most parts, and diversified by lake, mountain, valley and river, its wealth of beautiful scenery being surpassed by few tracts of its size. The principal elevations are Crosby mountain, in the northern part, and Bear hills, in the southern part, between which lies the deep, picturesque valley of Cockermouth river. The eastern part of the town lies principally in the basin of New Found lake. This lake lies about half in the town and covers nearly one fifth of the land. Another small body of water, Spectacle pond, lies on the western border of the township. Cockermouth river flows an easterly course through the center of the town, emptying into New Found lake. From the north it receives Hazelton brook, quite an important stream. From the south it receives another small stream, while Bog brook, flowing southerly from Crosby mountain, empties into the head of New Found lake. The township is thus well watered, and several mill privileges are afforded. The soil is in most parts naturally hard and rocky, though with proper cultivation good crops are produced, while grazing land is abundant. The timber is mostly of the hard-wood varieties, with many fine sugar groves. In 1880 Hebron had a population of 329 souls. In 1885 the town had four school districts and five common schools. Its five school-houses were valued, including furniture, etc. at $520.00. There were fifty-three children attending school, six of whom were pursuing the higher grades, taught during the year by five female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $20.20. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year was $417.68, while the expenditures were $297.60 with E.K. Follansbee, superintendent. VILLAGES HEBRON, a post village, located west of the center of the town, has one church (Union), one store, two blacksmith shops and about twenty dwellings. EAST HEBRON (p.o.) is at the head of New Found Lake, where is located Lake Side Cottage, a popular resort for summer boarders. EARLY SETTLERS The first settler in what is now Hebron was JAMES GOULD, who came on with his wife, from Hollis [NH] in 1771. His log cabin stood just north of the site now occupied by Enoch F. Pierce's house, at Hebron village. The first land cleared was a small patch on the flat just back of the house, between it and Jewel bridge. The first crop raised thereon was a crop of turnips. The first six months of their residence here Mrs. Gould saw no woman's face, or until she was paid a visit by one of her "near" neighbors, a Mrs. Snow, of Plymouth. This lady came through the forest to call on the new comer, a distance of six miles, on snow-shoes. Mrs. Gould had also another neighbor, a Mrs. Rice, of Dorchester. This lady would occasionaly make her an afternoon visit, returning home alone after sunset, a walk of seven miles. In due course of time a new settler came into the wilderness, an infant son of Mrs. Gould, the first child born within the present limits of the township. There was then no physician in the vicinity, so Mrs. Samuel Emerson was sent for, who made her way from Plymouth on snow-shoes to welcome the little stranger. His cradle was made from a hollow ash log, and was give feet ten inches long and two feet wide. Mr. Gould was soon after joined in the settlement by Jonas Hobart, Dea. Samuel Hazelton, Jacob Lovejoy, Thomas Nevins, Uria D. Pike, and others, among whom was William Cummings, Ebenezer Wise, Simeon Lovejoy, John Bartlett, Evan Bartlett, Josiah Bowers, Samuel Phelps, Jacob Perkins, Josiah Hobart, Ebenezer Kendall, J.W. Kendall, Ebenezer Kendall Jr., Asahel Fowler, Lieut. William Crawford, Dr. Abijah Wright, Jonathan Morse, Reuben Hobart, Ezra Murch, Timothy Farley, James Colburn, Benjamin Hazelton, Jacob Lovejoy, Lieut. Daniel Pike, James Moses, John Hazelton, Capt. Jaazaniah Crosby, David Cheeney, Nathaniel Ball, Abel Colburn, Stephen Ordway, Ephraim Goodhue and Louis Nevins. At the time the first census was taken, in 1800, the town had a population fo 281 souls, and ten years later this number had increased to 563. The FIRST TOWN MEETING was held at the house of Jonathan Bartlett, June 15, 1792 when the following officers were chosen: Ebenezer Kendall, moderator; William Cummings, clerk; Ebnezer Kendall, and Dea. Samuel Hazelton, selectmen; Evan Bartlett, constable; Reuben Hobart, treasurer; Jazaniah Crosby and Simeon Lovejoy, tythingmen; and J.W. Kendall, Daniel Pike and Jonathan Morse, surveyors of highways. The first representative to the General Court was William Powers. Upon being asked his name there, he replied: "Powers, Powers from above." He ever after retained this title. Upon his return home he was given, by one of his neighbours, the following edifying compliment: "Half of the General Court," said the misanthrope, "are rogues, the other half are fools; the people of the town were fools for sending you there, and you were a fool for going." Governor Wentworth and his council once passed through the town, remaining over night at the residence of Captain Pike. Tradition asserts that they passed a law relative to borrowed articles, as follows: "When the owner of a loaned article wishes it returned, he must go after it." Some cynical ones claim that this law has been carried out to the letter ever since." It was said by the early settlers that the pine trees stood so closely together upon what is now the Common that the sun could not shin through upon the ground, and at certain times people hardly dared to corss it for fear of bears and wolves, so plentiful were they in the neighborhood. Provisions at times were extremely scarce. One fortunate settler brought with him about three quarters of a barrel of pork, which was eagerly sought by his new neighbors as a great dainty. A settler on one occasion wishing for some potatoes to plant, started for Plymouth in the morning, worked for a half bushel of the coveted article, returned to his home and planted them. On the following morning he was obliged to dig up a portion of them for his breakfast--all the food he had. In subsequent and more prosperous years he used to facetiously remark, when relating the incident, that "the potatoes were large and of good quality-- for the time they had been planted." FIRSTS The crank for the first saw-mill, weighing 140 pounds, was brought by a man on horse-back, from Hollis. The first physician was Dr. Abijah Wright, who located upon the place where E.W. George now resides. The first minister was Rev. Samuel Perley, installed in June 1779. James George built a saw and grist-mill on Bog brook at an early date, where he did business about twenty-five years, when he was succeeded by Joseph Whipple, who in turn operated it many years. BIOGRAPHIES & GENEALOGIES OF EARLY SETTLERS AND PROMINENT CITIZENS JAMES GEORGE was born in Goffstown in 1773, came to Hebron about 1810, and located on the place where his grandson, Edmund W. now lives. He reared seven sons and four daughters. One of these, Samuel, born in 1803, was reared on a farm, married Ruth, daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Hazelton) Walker in 1822, and had born to him two sons, Edmond W. and Edwin W., twins, born April 13, 1834. The former married Rachel P. Clement in 1860, and has two sons, Lewis C. of Haverhill NH, and Charles E. who married Sadie L, daughter of Willard W. and Susan (Duston) Wise, January 1, 1885, and works on the farm with his father. Mr. George is an extensive fruit grower, and resides on the homestead. Edwin married M. Ellen, daughter of William and Abigail (French) McDermid, in 1882, is a farmer and resides on road 3. DANIEL HARDY, a native of Lebanon, came to Hebron and located on the place where D.P. Hardy now lives, in 1822. He had born to him six sons and four daughters. His son Ichabod, born in 1808, married Emeline M. Webster in 1836. His children were as follows: David P., born in 1838; Lucy E. (Mrs. George J. Cummings); Ellen S. and Emily, who were twins (Ellen S. married Rev. Henry Lampry of Acworth, and Emily died in 1844). David P. married Sarah, daughter of David P. and Sally (Powers) Fox, in 1859 and had born to him one son and five daughters, viz: Nettia A, a teacher at Munson, Mass; Edward D. who lives at home; Ellen E. a student at Munson; Mary Addie, and Lucy May and Lizzie W. twins. Mr. Hardy is a prosperous farmer and resides on the homestead on road 11. JAMES J. CROSBY, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Crosby, was born in 1823, married Emeline E., daughter of Asahel and Lois (Hardy) Buel, in 1848, and has one son and two daughters, namely, Lois, Abial F., a farmer, and Minnie E., all living at home. Mr Crosby's mother, Elizabeth, was the daughter of Evan Bartlett, who was the son of one of the first settlers. Mr. Crosby is a land surveyor, has held the office of justice of the peace twenty-four years, and owns a farm of 150 acres in the village, this being the place where he was born. CYRUS MOORE, son of Nathan and Sally (Crosby) Moore, was born at Canterbury NH March 22, 1823, and came to Hebron in 1828, and lived with William Crosby, where he remained until twenty-one years of age. He learned the shoemaker's trade, married Alzina, daughter of Ezekiel and Jane (Bartlett) Colburn in 1851, and lived on a farm in Groton until 1869. He then returned to Hebron and bought the Governor Berry place, in the village. He has had born to him two sons, Albert E., in 1862, and Willie E., born in 1867, died in 1870. The former is town clerk, and resides at home. JOHN SANBORN came to Hebron in 1832, located on the place where his son, Hon. J.W. Sanborn now resides, and reared five sons and four daughters. John W., son of John, was born in 1845, learned the blacksmith trade, and married Delia J. Rolins, of Hebron, in 1870. He has one son, and two daughters, Ada Grace, Norman W., and Katie. Mr. Sanborn was elected town representative for 1885-86, and resides on road 7, corner 10. WILLIAM C. ROSS, son of Elam, was born in Groton in 1834, came with his father to this town, in 1836, and married Mary A., daughter of Arthur and Mary Ann (Noyes) Nutting, in 1860. Mr. Ross is a farmer and resides on the west side of the lake on road 7. MOSES E. FOLLANSBEE, son of John, was born in Ware [sic WEARE] NH in 1819, was reared on a farm, worked on a railroad several years, and married Jane, daughter of Edward and Phebe (Burnham) Luflin, in 1842. He lived in Weare twelve years and came to Hebron in 1854 and located on the place where A.H. Worthley now lives, where he remained ten years. He resided in Salem five years, in Lawrence some time, and returned to Hebron in 1876. He has two sons, George E. born in 1843, and Eddie B., born in 1861 and died in 1864. EDMUND BARNARD, son of Reuben and Huldah (Eaton) Barnard, was born in Weare NH in 1813, married Sarah, daughter of Edward and Phebe (Burnham) Luflin, in 1842, and has an adopted daughter, Lucy M. He lived at Dunbarton sixteen years, came to Hebron in 1858, and located on the Reuben Kidder farm of 200 acres. He sold out and bought a farm of 175 acres, and is proprietor of Lake Side cottage, for summer boarding, on road 13. LOWELL R. ROBIE, son of Lowell and Margaret (Kenniston) Robie was born in 1825, came to Hebron in 1755 [one of these dates is incorrect...] and married Nancy S. Flanders. His children were as follows: Fidelia J., Margaret A., now deceased, Lurette K., Oscar S., Sadie E., and George D. Fidelia married John W. Sanborn. Mr. Robie resides in the village. MOSES WORTHLEY was born in Vermont in 1807, and when twenty-one years of age began a sea-faring life. He was a sailor many years, in the whaling and merchant service. He married Cynthia Marshall, and has had born to him two sons and one daughter, namely, Alonzo H., born in 1839, Hiram M. born in 1848, and Mary Ella, who married James Gill Patrick [or Gilpatrick], of Bristol. Hiram M. married Sarah G., daughter of GIllman Leavitt, and has one daughter, Lena Blanche, born July 4, 1879. Hiram M. resides on the farm with his father Moses, who came to this town in 1858. ALonzo H., son of Moses was at one time engaged in the shoemaking and machinist business. He served in the late war, enlisting in Co. C., 12th NH Vols, August 22, 1862, and was shot through the thigh at Chancellorsville, and was at the battles of Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, Drury's Bluff and others. He married Ruth, daughter of D.B. Perkins in 1865, and has one son, Alonzo H., born in 1867. Mr. Worthley owned a farm of 225 acres on road 16. [Transcriber's note. This Moses Worthley was the son of Jonathan & Polly (Favor) Worthley of Weare NH.] SAMUEL McCLURE moved to Groton, from Deerfield Mass, about 1785, and reared two sons and two daughters, viz: Robert, who died in Plymouth; David born in 1802; Annie (Mrs. Jewell); and Fannie, who died in Wisconsin. David served as town representative in 1844-45 and in 1850-51, and married Emeline, daughter of Jonathan and Susan (Hagar) Kidder. George W., son of David was born in 1832, came to Hebron with his father in 1837, and married Mary Ann, daughter of Uriah and Mary (Dickey) Merrill, in 1854. He has one son and one daughter. The daughter, Emma, married George S. Smith, and has one son, Roy M. Mr. McClure is postmaster, owns the Daniel Pike homestead, and was a member of the legislature in 1876-77. ALMON M. FAVOR, son of William and Betsey (Worthley) Favor, was born in Weare NH in 1832, and married Mary, daughter of Taylor and Irene (Smith) Bedee in 1860, and has had born to him three sons and two daughters, as follows: John A., born in 1862; Oreste G., born in 1864; Anson L. born in 1874; Lucy M. and Sylvia A. Mr. Favor came to Hebron in 1868, owns and occupies the Taylor Bedee [?Beede] farm on road 15. His wife died June 12, 1883. GEORGE W. LUFKIN, son of Edward, was born in 1835, married twice, first, Elmira Lowd, 1854, who died in 1864, and second, Louisa, daughter of J.B. Dow of Goffstown, in 1866. Mr. Lufkin owns and occupies the O.F. Swan farm on road 17. JEREMIAH MARSTON, moved to Bridgewater at an early day, located in the eastern part of the town and reared two sons and one daughter. His son Benjamin S. married Laura A., daughter of John and Mary (Melvin) Boardman. Charles H., son of Benjamin S., was born in 1848 and has been twice married. By his second marriage he has had born to him one son and one daughter, Frank F and Cora G. Mr. Marston is first selectman, and owns a farm of eighty acres, on road 17. JAMES JEWELL moved to Groton in 1829. He married Sally Hobart in 1802, and died at Hebron in 1866, aged eighty-five years. His wife died in 1863, aged seventy-eight years. His children were as follows: James M. of Hollis; Sally (Mrs. Gillman Wheeler) who died in 1877; William A. born in 1808, now of Groton; Andrew B. born in 1811, died in 1850; John E., born in 1815, now of Hebron; David, born in 1817, died in 1854; Noah L, born in 1819 now of Groton; Mark, born December 29, 1821; Dustin B., born in 1825, now of Natic, Mass; and Benjamin G. born in 1826, lives in Groton. Mark married twice, first, Mary A., daughter of Nathaniel and Mary (Gale) Woodbury, March 2, 1845, and who died September 6, 1848. His second wife was Johanna B., daughter of ELijah and Johanna (Bartlett) Noyes, April 30, 1850, and has had born to him one son and two daughters, namely Mary A., who lives at home; Celia A a teacher who also lives at home; and Edward M., born in 1871. Mr. Jewell owns and occupies the Elijah Noyes place, located half a mile north of the village. EDWARD A. PIKE, son of Senator Ausin F. and Caroline (White) Pike, was born in Franklin in 1853, married Ida T., daughter of Jeremiah and Ellen Smith of Franconia in 1879. He is a prosperous farmer, and occupies the Hazelton homestead located one mile northeast of the village, on road 9. CARLOS C. WADE, son of John and Hannah (Pingry) Wade, was born at Norwich VT in 1824, and removed with his parents to Waterbury VT, where he lived on a farm. He worked in Manchester several years, bought a farm in Stowe VT, where he resided twelve years, and in 1870 bought the Edward Barnard farm in this town, located on road 6, on Barnard hill. ****** CHURCHES ****** THE UNION CHURCH at Hebron village, was raised in 1800, though it was not completed under three years from that date. The master workman, Benjamin Woodman, was extended a vote of thanks, and presented with a bottle of brandy at the expense of the town "for his generous and manly behavior while a resident of the town." The building was re-modeled in 1847, and will now accomodate about 250 persons, and is valued, including grounds, at $2,000.00 Rev. J.B. Cook is the present pastor. (end)