HISTORY OF LYME, 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 517+ HISTORY OF LYME NH LYME was granted by charter July 8, 1761, to John Thompson and others. The townshipo lies in the western part of the county, upon the Connecticut river, in lat. 43 degrees 48' and long. 72 degrees 5', and is bounded north by Orford, east by Dorchester, south by Hanover, and west by Thetford VT. The surface is hilly and broken. Smart's mountain, lying party in the northeast corner of the town, in the principal elevation. Bear hill, Acorn hill, and Plott hill, are the distinctive names given to other peaks of considerable height. Post pond, the largest body of water, is a beautiful oval shaped lakelet, about one mile in diameter, situated two miles from the river and somewhat north from the center of the town. Trout and Pout ponds, in the northeast part are smaller. The principal streams are Grant's brook, rising near the eastern boundary, and Farfield brook, rising in the southeast part, both flowing westerly, and Clay or Pond brook, flowing northwest from Post pond, and all emptying into the Connecticut. An effort was made by other parties to secure a re-grant of the township, in 1768 under the plea that the terms of the charter had not been complied with; but upon petition of Thomas Sumner, a proprietor and resident, the time was extended. In his petition of September 8, 1768, he states that fifteen families "have settled and are settling," and October 25, that "twenty-one rights have been settled, under great discouragements, expense and hardship," being obliged to "carry and fetch provisions and corn from mills forty miles distant." The island opposite the southwest corner of Lyme was granted by Governor Wentworth to Benjamin Grant, and annexed to Lyme for purposes of taxation upon petition of the selectmen in 1788. During the Revolution, committees of safety were chosen--that of 1777 consisting of Dea. Joseph Skinner, Walter Fairfield, Thomas Porter and John Sloan. The first ferry was established by Nathan Mann, opposite North Thetford, about 1780, but was not chartered by the state until four years later, when a petition for a charter was signed by fifty men in Lyme and thirty-nine in Orford. According to a "True Inventory" taken by Walter Fairfield, Benjamin Grant, William Bell, Jonathan Child and Charles Nelson, selectmen of Lyme, April 26, 1773, the "Sum Total of the Whole List of the Township of Lime" was L63, 9s 8d, and the ratable polls as follows: William Bell, William Bell Jr., John Bell, Elkanah Billing, John Barron, Jonanthan Child [spelled as in document], John Chamberlain [of Thetford], Samuel Cary, Thomas Dunham, Benjamin Day Jr., James English, Ebenezer Green, Rubln Grant, Noah Grant, Titus Goodell, Nathaniel Hewes, Nathaniel Hewes Jr., Samuel Hunt, Edward Howard, Edward Howard Jr., Daniel Howard, James Hovey, Daniel Howard Jr., Isaac Preston, Thomas Porter, Elijah Porter, Calvin Porter, Luther Porter, Widow Thede Phelps, Peter Purkins, Jonanthan Rich, Seth Roe, Moses Stark, William Stark, John Stewart, Walter Fairfield, Walter Fairfield Jr., John Fairfield, Benjamin Grant, Benjamin Grant Jr. Peter Grant, Thomas Gilbert, Lemuel Peake, Isaiah Howard, Jonanthan Hatch, Richard Limes, Hezekiah May, Charles Nelson, William Nelson, Jacob Orcutt, John Sloan, David Sloan, Elexander Shield, Joseph Scinner, John Scott, Jesse Strong, Samuel Smith. DESCRIPTION OF LYME NH in 1880-1884 In 1880 Lyme had a population of 1,313 souls. In 1885 the town had eleven school districts, eleven common schools and two graded schools. Its twelve school houses were valued, including furniture, etc. at $4,900.00 There were 295 children attending school, thirty eight of whom were pursuing the higher branches, taught during the year by two male and eighteen female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $30.00 for males and $18.66 for females. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year was $1,802.82, while the expenditures were $1,824.46 with Fred B. Palmer, superintendent. VILLAGES LYME, a post village, generally called "Lyme Plain," is situated about one and a fourth miles from the Connecticut River, mideway in the town north and south. Around the borders of a smooth and nearly level common, about ten by sixty rods in extent, are built the stores and dwellings of the citizens, while upon the slightly rising grounds at the eastern end is the church edifice of the Congregational society. A store and tin store, two general stores, a millinery store, steam shingle-mill, carpenter and undertaker shop, and a hotel comprise the business places located about the common, while upon the streets radiating from it are saw and grist-mills, meat market, blacksmiths and repair shops, and all told, about seventy dwellings. Three physicians reside and practice in the place and surrounding country. LYME CENTER (p.o.) is located about two miles east of the Plain, and consists of one main street, along which stand the Baptist church edifice, one store, saw and grist-mill, carriage shop, blacksmith shop, and twenty- five or thirty dwellings. A large hotel and an academy once flourished here, but the hotel is now a private dwelling, adn the academy building is occupied by the district school. BUSINESS AND MANUFACTURES J.C. & W.G. PIPER'S BUSINESS, at Lyme Plaine, was established by J.C. Piper in 1864, since which time it has been constantly increasing. They now manufacture 1,500,000 shingles annually, erect buildings by contract, do custom plaining, jobbing carpenter work, and deal in coffins caskets and robes. Their machinery is operated by a forty horse-power engine and they employ six to nine men. GEORGE H. ROCKS GRIST and FLOURING MILL, at Lyme Plain, was purchased by him in 1884. It is operated by water-power, contains all necessary machinery for the manufacture of flour, meal and feed, doing both custom and merchant work. WILLIAM THOMAS & SON'S SAW-MILL AND WHEELWRIGHT SHOP, at Lyme Plain, has been operated by them since 1869. They have added improved machinery and now have facilities for sawing boards thirty inches wide, and for manufacturing shingles, chair-stock, etc., and they do custom planing, carriage repairing and carpenter work. B.T. WASHBURN'S CIDER-MILL, located about a half mile south of the Plain, has produced several hundred barrels of cider per annum for nearly a century. G.W. SANBORN & SON'S SAW, GRIST and CIDER-MILL, at Lyme Center, was erected by them in 1876, on the site of the "old steam mill." They manufacture about 200,000 feet of rough lumber, 50,000 shingles, grind 12,000 bushels of provender and average 500 barrels of cider per year, employing three men. G.E. FOGG'S CARRIAGE SHOP, Lyme Center, was built by him in 1884. He does general jobbing, builds sleighs, carriages, and heavy wagons to order. FELLOWS BROTHERS' MARBLE WORKS, on road 12, corner 13, was established by John Fellows. They manufacture all kinds of marble cemetery work to order. W.A. BINGHAM'S TANNERY, located on road 27, was established by W.S. Balch, in 1846, purchased by Mr. Bingham in 1866, destroyed by the flood of 1869, and rebuilt in 1870. He employes two or three men and turns out about 2,000 hides per annu, and does custom tanning. N.J. WILMOT'S HARNESS SHOP, is located at Lyme Plain. He manufactures light and heavy harness and deals in horse furnishing goods. L.P. LOVEJOY'S SAW AND PLANING-MILL, on road 28, was built by Charles Scotland, and has been owned by Mr. Lovejoy since 1867. It is operated by water-power. He manufactures rough and dressed lumber, clapboards, lath, shingles, bobbins and eaves-troughs. D.F. TALLMAN'S SAW-MILL on Clay brook, near road 3, on the site of the old Peter Post mill, is operated by water-power, and does custom work. M.M. LOVEJOY manufactures about 1,500 hand-made white birch trays per annum at Lyme Plain. F.B. PALMER'S SAWING AND TURNING SHOP, on road 27, was purchased by him in 1880. It is operated by water-power, fitted with machinery for tuning and light sawing. He does job work and manufactures chair legs and ladders. **** LIBRARY ASSOCIATION **** The SOCIAL LIBRARY IN LYME was chartered by the state legislature December 18, 1797, its charter members being William Conant, Walter Fairfield and their associates. Walter Fairfield and Jonathan Franklin were authorized to call the first meeting of the proprietors for organization. In the summer of 1853 David Turner Jr., presented the library with $100.00 and sixty-three volumes, and in 1854 made an additional donation of 212 volumes in consideration of which the name of 'TURNER SOCIAL LIBRARY,' was adopted. It is now in a flourishing condition and has nearly 2,000 volumes of well selected books, H.H. Holt librarian and F.W. Baker, chairman of trustees. **** PHYSICIANS **** At this day when we look back on the long lives and apparent physical vigor of our forefathers as among the, for us, unattainable blessings, we are prone to believe sickness and death were almost unknown to them. Still we find the fact that several deaths occurred in Lyme during the first decade following its settlement. In 1775 the population of the town had reached 252, and in 1790 grown to 816, and it is probably that during this time the first physician took up his residence here. DR. STILES is said to have been among the first, if not the first of his profession in town, his home being in the family of Dea. Joseph Skinner, in the south part of the township. Little is known of him save by the saying "as tall as Dr. Stiles," which was current in the first half of this century, and the vivid description of his height given in the statement that while attending to his professional duties on horseback, he used to rest the animal, which was a small one, by removing his feet from the stirrups and walking up the hills, and when the top was reached would replace his feet and ride on. SAMUEL CARY, a very early settler of Lyme, where he died 1784, was a physician and surgeon. He was born June 13, 1734, graduated from Yale college in 1755, married Deliverance Grant, of Bolton, Conn. He was the ancestor of Alice and Phebe Cary, whose poetry has been so widely read, and of General Samuel Cary prominent known as a temperance lecturer. DR. ANTHONY BURGOYNE, an Englishman by birth, resided in the north part near the Rood families, was somewhat advanced in years, and had a family of three daughters when he came. One of these became the wife of Serell Bixby. DR. AMHERST COULT lived in the south part of the town. Was on the board of selectmen, 1789-1790, with Jonathan Franklin and John Fairfield. He was here in 1808-11, but at what time he came or moved away we have not learned. His practice was large for the time, and he was a very extensive owner of landed property. His later life was spent with a son in Chester NH. Five daughters and four sons constituted the family, one of the daughters being the wife of Joel Converse. DR. CYRUS HAMILTON, born in Brookfield, Mass. in 1765, studied medicine with a brother-in-law in Sommers, Conn., came to Norwich VT, practiced a few years, and married Miss Lovina Bush, afterward located in Hanover [NH] where he erected a two-story house. About this time his wife died, and he removed to Lyme, where a large part of his practice was located. That he was here in 1798, we infer from charges found in an old account book of Libeus Washburn, August 25, 1798. He occupied a house standing on what is now Dr. Kingsbury's garden, acquired a large practice in Lyme and adjoining towns, which called him forth to long drives on horse-back in all weather, day or night. In these times when streams had to be forded for want of bridges, and the roads were foot paths, the hardships and dangers of a doctor's life were something appalling. Dr. Hamilton is said to have been a fine looking man, of medium size, and always wore the "queue" we now see only in the portraits of gentlemen of the last century. The year 1817 found him in the legislature of New Hampshire, as representative from Lyme. His death was occasioned by paralysis January 24, 1826. DR. DANIEL HOVEY succeeded Dr. Hamilton having studied his profession with him and been his assistant. He was born in Lyme, on the river road near Hanover line, March 25, 1792, son of Daniel and Beulah Hovey. Besides his study with Dr. Hamilton, he attended medical lectures at Dartmouth, and about 1814 located in practice in Guildhall VT. After about two years he removed to Canaan NH, where he remained until his removal to Lyme in 1826. In Canaan he was married in 1817 to Hannah H., daughter of Joshua Harris, Esq., one of the early settlers of that town. His residence and practice in Lyme continued until the fall of 1842, when he removed to Greenfield, Mass., where he lived and died, his death occuring May 6, 1874, at the good old age of eighty-two. DRS. BROWN AND ABBOTT practiced in Lyme for a season previous to 1845. Dr. Brown afterwards settled and died in Thetford VT, a physician of some note. DR. CYRUS B. HAMILTON, son of Dr. Cyrus Hamilton, was born in Hanover [NH] in 1789, studied with his father, attended lectures and graduated from Dartmouth. He began practice with his father, later removed to Canaan NH, and afterwards returned to Lyme, where he continued until his death, April 4, 1863. DR. WILLIAM WALLACE AMSDEN was born in Henniker NH August 31, 1796, came at the age of about seventeen to study medicine with Dr. Cyrus Hamilton, with whom he remained as pupil and assistant about ten years, when he located at "Cook City," now Lyme Centre, where he practiced until 1846. At this time, becoming unable to ride, he relinquished his practice and devoted his remaining life to affairs of his farm and home. He married, February 13, 1828, Miss Mary, daughter of Maj. James Cook of Lyme, who is still living with her son, G.P. Amsden, in Lyme. Dr. Amsden died of cancer October 11, 1872. Of their family of four sons and one daughter, George P. is the only survivor. In the spring of 1842 DR. ADONIRAM SMALLEY bought out and occupied the stand of Dr. Hovey, where he remained until the spring of 1861. He was born in Randolph VT, September 14, 1803, studied with Dr. Shaw at Waterford NY, attended lectures and received his diploma at Dartmouth. After graduating he married Rosamond Wood, of Lebanon [NH], and established a practice at Brookfield VT, where he met with marked success for seven years. He then removed to Corinth, where he spent five years, when he came to Lyme. From this place he removed in 1861 to Lebanon [NH] where he died May 14, 1876, at the age of seventy-two years. DR. ABRAM O. DICKEY located in Lyme about 1840, engaged in the practice of medicine and dentistry, removed to Massachusetts in 1869, but often revisited Lyme, and one one of these occasions met his death by drowning in Fairlee lake, with Dr. Marshall, September 3, 1882. His wife was the daughter of Governor John Page, of Haverhill [NH]. DR. CHARLES O. GORDON, from Maine, took up Dr. Dickey's practice in 1869, which he relinquished after about three years and removed to Brickburg, New Jersey. Succeeding him DR. JOHN C. MARSHALL settled in Lyme in 1872. He was born in Weare NH, studied and graudated at Dartmouth medical College, November 1871, located in Lyme in 1872, and was drowned at Fairlee lake September 2, 1882. He married Kate G. Perkins of Lyme, who survives him. He served this town as school superintendent several years, acquired a large practice, and but for his untimely death would have achieved a position second to none in this place. It is eminently proper to say of him, that no one applied in vain for his aid, and whether able to pay or not, received the best attention he could render. DR. CHARLES FRANKLIN KINGSBURY, the senior practitioner now in the professional field, was born in Gilsum NH, June 11, 1824, where his father still lives. His father, a practical farmer, brought up his sons with a thorough knowledge of his own independent avocation; so until twenty years of age Charles F. had only the advantages for instruction afforded by the district school. At this age, when the school life of most young men is ended, he determined to begin, depending upon his own resources, the pursuit of the higher course of study which was to fit him for the professional place he has so long and successfully filled. Working upon a farm, teaching school, or performing any labor which offered, he earned the money which carried him through the academy and enabled him to pursue his course at Norwich (VT) University, which he entered in 1848. While engaged in the study of medicine with Dr. J.G. Murphy of Brattletboro VT and Dr. L.J. Graves of Langdon NH, he defrayed his expenses in a similiar manner. The instruction received from them was supplemented by course of medical lectures at the Vermont Medical college, then located at Woodstock, and at Dartmouth Medical college, from which he graduated in 1855. Beginning his practice in his native town, he remained one year, when he removed to Stoddard [NH], where he remained four years. He came to Lyme in 1860, succeeding to the practice of Dr. Smalley. Since that time his career is well known in the neighborhood. He has continued here while others have come and gone, attended carefully to the duties of his calling, and the needs of his patients, built up a large and lucrative practice, which, while it calls for constant toil and great physican endurance, is a gratifying tribute to his skill as a practitioner, and proves the confidence which is reposed there in. Politically a strong Democrat, he has filled few local offices, but was, from 1883 to 1885, an efficient member of the board of county commissioners for Grafton county, and for seven years he did his duty as a member of the State Board of Agriculture. His amiable wife, with whom he was united in 1857, was formerly Sarah A. Pierce, of Cavendish VT. Their only child, Ella S., born October 29, 1858, is now the wife of Dr. J.W. Bean. DR. J. WALTER BEAN was born in Sutton NH June 7, 1855, pursued his academic studies at Colby academy, New London NH, and New Hampshire Conference seminary, Tilton [NH], studied medicine with Dr. M.W. Russell, of Concord [NH], attended lectures at New York university and medical department, University of Vermont at Burlington, where he graduated June 1882, and during the same year located at Lyme. Here he entered into the now existing partnership with Dr. Kingsbury. DR. W.R. BARNES, born in Chesea VT January 13, 1854, was graduated from the medical deepartment, University of Vermont, at Burlington, July 3, 1882, located at Lyme in the following September, and was married January 2, 1883 to Miss Olive E. Vance, of Albany VT. ******** SETTLEMENTS ******** Upon a broad marble slab near the southern entrance of the cemetery at Lyme Plain is the inscription: "JOHN SLOAN, died June, 1824, aged ninety-six. Esther (Spencer), wife of John Sloan, Died December, 1828, aged ninety-six." They were natives of Palmer, Mass., and were the first settlers of this town. According to Moore and Farmer's Gazetteer of New Hampshire of 1823, "Walter Fairfield, John and William Sloan, and others from Connecticut" made the first settlement in Lyme, May 20, 1764, and in the old burying ground we find stones erected in memory of William and David Sloan, brothers of John, both of whom probably died before 1790. The first habitation of Capt. John Sloan in Lyme was built of logs, and stood upon the high river meadow north of Fairfield brook, but this was accidentally burned after a few years, and he next located upon the present farm of B.T. Washburn where he spent his life. He and his wife were married over seventy years, and reared children as follows: Matthew, David, William, Spencer, Sarah, Betsey and Polly. WILLIAM SPENCER SLOAN, born August 26, 1770, was the first male child born in Lyme who lived to maturity, and Miss ELizabeth, daughter of Capt. John Sloan, "who died March ye 16, 1766," aged nine years, was the first person buried in the first cemetery, over whom a monumental slab now stands. William Spencer Sloan married Martha Palmer, of Orford [NH] who bore him seven children--William S., Hiram B., Naomi W., Martha P., Asenath B., Mary W. and Esther S. Martha P. became the wife of Jonas Rolfe, and removed to Colebrook [NH]. The second wife of William Spencer was Lydia (Felshaw), widow of Aaron Post, who reared three children,--Henry C., Harriet G. (wife of John Clark), and John L. of Corinth VT. John Clark was born in Orange VT, and located in Lyme in 1854. Probably the first settler in the extreme south part of the township was NATHANIEL HEWES, who in 1766 at the age of nineteen came from Brrokfield, Mass., made a clearing, and built a log house, where D.A. Warren now lives. He was unmarried and his sister kept his house. Not more than seven families were then in Lyme. In 1773 he met with a severe loss. He had accumulated a fund of seven silver dolalrs, which he left in the house while he with his sister went to meeting. When he returned he found his house in ashes, the most diligent search failed to reveal traces of the silver. They supposed three strangers who disappeared from the neighborhood about that time pillaged the house and set fire to it. From the inventory of polls in 1773 it appears that his father had come to the place, the names of Nathaniel Hewes and Nathaniel Hewes Jr. being given. In the spring of 1774 SARAH FREEMAN came to Hanover from Mansfield, Ct. to the home of her sister. She soon after married NATHANIEL HEWES, and bore him ten children, lived over seventy-five years on the same farm and died March 26, 1851, aged 101 years, four months, and ten days. Some years after his brother, REUBEN HEWES came and settled. His son Cyrus was born in Lyme, January 20, 1790, and died September 5, 1865. He was a carpenter, was twice married and reared eight chidlren by his first wife, Margaret Pelton. Sewell Hewes, son of Cyrus, a painter resides in Lyme. He married first, Mary E. Drake, and second, Sarah M. Webb, has one son, Fred L., and one daughter, Alice S. John Freeman Hewes, eldest son of Nathaniel, born March 15, 1784, cleared the farm his son John R. now owns, which was once an immense beaver meadow, and when it was bought by Mr. Hewes was covered with a dense growth of large hemlock trees. He built saw-mills thereon, and was also a drover. He died June 20, 1853. John R. married a daughter of Albert Stark and reared ten children. His daughter, Katie V. is the wife of John F. Elliott. Sylvanus, the seventh child of Nathaniel Hewes, born May 8, 1789, early engaged in trade at Lyme Plain, and was afterward a partner with Asa Shaw, Abel Kent and others. They had an establishment for boiling potash, a cloth mill, carding machine, and grist and saw-mill on Fairfield Brook, where they also kept a store. Sylvanus Hewes was state justice, state senator two years, and county treasurer two or three years. He died August 28, 1880, aged ninety-one. He married Miriam, daughter of Nathan Wright, and had three daughters and one son--Eunice M., widow of Joseph W. Gerrish of Lebanon[NH]; Sarah F. (Mrs. F.W. Baker), Caroline M. Hewes of Lebanon [NH], and Nathan Wright Hewes of Lyme. BENJAMIN GRANT came from Bolton Conn., between 1764 and 1770. He and his wife were among the founders of the Congregational Church in 1771. The first grist-mill in town was erected by him on the brook bearing his name, upon the present farm of his great-grandson, S.S. Grant, before 1777. Lieutenant Grant, his son, fought in the Revolution, going in the expedition to Canada, where he died while recovering from small pox, and it is supposed he was poisoned. He married Sarah, daughter of Capt. John Sloan, who bore him two sons--Abdon and Alanson. Abdon was accidentally killed in his grandfather's mill, July 25, 1777, when about four years old. Alanson became a respected citizen and reared several children, of whom Dea. Sidney S. alone remains in town. JUSTUS GRANT was another early settler in Lyme, but at what date or from what place he located we have been unable to learn. John H. Grant, the present proprietor of the hotel, is his grandson. EDWARD HOWARD was one of five brothers who came from Tolland, Conn., to Thetford VT. He with his family removed to Lyme about 1772. His grandson, Edward, born in Lyme, March 1, 1791, Went in Captain Edward Freeman's company and served five months and twelve days in the war of 1812, being stationed at Stewartstown [NH]. When the company disbanded he went to learn the carpenter and wheelwright's trade with Walker Perkins, and afterward established himself at Lyme Center, where he spent his life, doing a successful business despite the early loss of a leg. He lived to be known as the "oldest man in town" dying at the age of 90 years. The farm on which the Howards settled was sold in 1824 to Lieutenant CALEB BAILEY, who spent his after life there, and whose son, Dea. Amos Bailey, still occupies the homestead. Lieutenant Caleb was a son of Maj. Asa Bailey, born in Bath NH in 1777. He married Deborah Fitch and reared eight children, all of whom are living. He came to Lyme in 1821, and for two or three years tended the ferry, which then crossed the river south of the farm now owned by John L. Norris. Dea. Amos Bailey has filled the offices of selectman, representative, and deacon of the Congregational church since 1879. He married Mary Aiken, a native of Chesterfield NH, and has had eight children born to him, six of whom are living. Calvin F. Bailey, youngest son of Caleb, is a minister of the Methodist church, New Hampshire conference. Asa F., the second son, if a farmer in Claremont [NH]. Emily, widow of Edward Howard, and Ethelinda reside at Lyme Center. "The HONORABLE COLONEL SAMUEL GILBERT, ESQ." is the inscription upon the slate stone tablet standing at the foot of one grave in the old burying ground at the river. The "Turner Genealogy" has "Lydia Gilbert. Her grandfather, Col. Samuel Gilbert, was one of the first settlers of Lyme NH and one of the original proprietors of the town. His son, Col. Thomas Gilbert, with his wife Lydia Lathrop, and children, removed from Hebron, Conn., to Lyme in 1773. They had seven daughters and one son, Viz: Clarissa married Maj. James Cook; Anna, married James Pearson; Abigail, married John Dimick; Thomas Lathrop married Sally Dimick and widow Deborah Waite; Lydia, married Jeremiah Bingham; Sally, married Joseph Porter; Betsey, married Dea. Adolphus Dimick; and Polly, married Ezra Conant, all of whom reared families and died in Lyme, except Lydia and Polly, who removed to New York." The manual of the Congregational church of Lyme has "Samuel Gilbert"'s name the 9th on the list of members in the year 1771 and the first on the list of "deacons and Ruling Elders" 1774, making an apparent error in one of them regarding the date of immigration. From his descendants we have learned that he was born in Gilead, Conn., October 16, 1711, and came to Lyme from Hebron, Conn., with his son Thomas to assist him in clearing land and preparing a home for his family; purposing when this was accomplished to return to his remaining sons in Hebron. It has been generally supposed that his death occurred about one year after his first coming to Lyme, but from the dates above quoted, we can but believe that he lived at least three or four years after. His wife Abigail died in 1764, aged forty-nine. That he was a man of considerable distinction is proven by the titles he bore, which were earned in public service. He was also the possessor of wealth which enabled him to aid his sons generously in establishing themselves. The original dweling of the son, Col. THomas Gilbert, was upon the terrace about twenty rods back from the river, near the present house of B.F. Gilbert, out of reach of the annual inundations to which the lower land was subject, and commanding a fine view of the valley to the south. The present house was erected by Maj. Thomas Lathrop Gilbert, son of Thomas, in 1819, and with its high ceiling, deep, shuttered windows, large rooms and broad fire-places, is a good representative of the noble family mansions of that period. Major Thomas L. Gilbert was a man of commanding presence, being six feet tall, weighing 200 pounds, with a powerful voice, and possessing a hearty, hospitable nature. While his farming interests were large he devoted his attention chiefly to marketing cattle and sheep, making long excursions through New Hampshire and Vermont to buy and driving them on the highway to Brighton, Mass., to sell. He at one time took a flock of 1,600 sheep into that market, which was then the largest drove ever taken there. His wife was Sarah, daughter of Shubael Dimick. CHildren, three sons and three daughters. JAMES ENGLISH came from COnnecticut, and located near Thomas Porter's before 1773. HE spent his life in Lyme and reared a family. His eldest son was ANdrew, who married Mary, daughter of Dea. Jonathan Goodell, and had children--Asenath, Eunice, Lois, Mary, David, John, Andrew, Lewis and Rebekah. He lived to the age of eighty-four, spent most of his life in Lyme, but died in Lisbon [NH] where Lewis now lives. John was a Methodist clergyman and died in Newbury VT. David died in Newport. Andrew lives in Thetford VT. Asenath married Daniel French, second Benjamin Trussell. Eunice married Moses Emery and died in Lisbon [NH]. Lois married Isaac W. Hall and died in Haverhill, where their son Damon B. now lives. Mary married George Pierson and resides in Lisbon [NH]. Rebekah married James P. Webster and resides in Haverhill. DEA. JOSEPH SKINNER's name is included in the inventory of polls for April 26, 1773; but from what place he came we are not informed. He became a deacon and ruling elder in the Congregational church in 1784. In 1773 he, with Joseph Jr., Ephraim and Abel, probably his sons, signed a petition for a ferry. Captain Cyrus Skinner, son of Joseph became a drover, was widely known and is well remembered throughout this and adjoining counties. He was thrice married, and reared five children--Heman, Thirza, Mary E., Joshua G. and Cyrus B.--and arrived at the ripe age of ninety-one years, but death occuring in 1876. Joshua G. is the last of his children, but several grandchildren and great-grandchildren represent the family. Mary E., daughter of Captain Cyrus Skinner, married ROYAL STORRS, who came to Lyme to work on a farm in 1828, since when he has been a respected citizen, chosen to the board of selectmen and officiated as deacon of the Congregational church from 1850 to 1876. DAN STORRS, his brother, located in Lyme about 1830 and engaged in farming. He was married three times, first, to Mary Hurlbutt, second to Marcia, and third to Caroline H. Hasekll, sisters. Marcia bore him four children, two of whom are farmers in Iowa. Caroline H. had two sons, with one of whom, Homer H., she now lives in Lyme. Dan and Royal Storrs were son of Augustus, who was born in Mansfield, Conn., December 18, 1762, and became an early settler in Hanover [NH]. DEA. JONATHAN GOODELL came to Lyme in 1773, probably from Connecticut and made the first settlement on the farm now occupied by John S. Goodell. He joined the Congregational Church in Lyme during that year, and was chosen its deacon in 1777. Besides clearing and cultivating the farm, he was the neighborhood shoemaker. He reared a large family, all of whom settled near him, and lived to a good old age. John Goodell, his son, succeeded to homestead, was a lieutenant of the militia, justice of the peace, and selectman. He married Lucy, daughter of Augustus Storrs, of Hanover [NH] and raised a family of eleven children, of whom nine survive.-- Lora, resides in Bulkley IL; Persis married O.S. Flint and resides in Hanover [NH]; Mary married David Hurlburt, deceased; Emeline L. married Elihu Hurlburt and resides in Hanover [NH]; Nancy B. married John W. Bliss of Lyme; John S., who has been selectman etc in Lyme, married first, Maria H. Cowell, and second Anna L. Case, and has three sons; Maria, deceased; Marinda; Dolly P., married George W. Bliss of Lyme; Augusta, married John Stump of Kansas; Harriet N., married John McClave of Colorado. David Goodell, son of Dea. Jonathan was also a selectman and with his brother Luther built and operated a saw-mill on Fairfield brook, below road 43. Luther Goodell Sr. married Patty Waterman and had two sons and six daughters. He cleared up the farm where Alvin now lives. He was the father of Luther Goodell who died in 1885, the oldest man in Lyme. Alvin, Levi O. and Louisa are the chidlren of Luther Goodell Jr. Three daughter of Luther Sr. are living--Patty, widow of Nathaniel Kendrick, Fanny (Mrs. Samuel Flint), and Clarissa (Mrs. JOhn W. Flint) of Hanover [NH], and Dolly (MRs. E.W. Bradbury), died in January 1886. THOMAS PORTER, from Coventry, Conn., came to Lyme previous to 1773, locating about a mile north of the present toll-bridge from Lyme to North Thetford, upon the meadow near the river. His name is recorded as a member of the Congregational Church in 1773, and as deacon in 1774. William Porter, his nephew, enlisted from Connecticut and served nine months in the Revolutionary war, toward its close. His father, hearing he was sick in camp, went to seek him, and taking the small-pox himself, died before reaching home. After his discharge, William, being about twenty-one years of age, left his mother, brothers and sister in Coventry, and came to visit his uncle in Lyme. Finding excellent land near by, he decided to make his home here, and began a clearing, but soon after exchanged it for the land and house of his cousin, Elijah, the farm he received being the present homestead of Col. Francis Porter. William Porter was elected, in 1794, deacon of the Congregational church, with which he united in 1782. He also bore the military title of captain. He was three times married and had seven children, all by his first wife, Clarissa Kingsbury. His death occurred in March 1848. Three brothers of William Porter--Benjamin, Joseph, and Eleazer--came later to Lyme, but Benjamin and Eleazer moved away after a short sojurn. Capt. Oliver Kingsbury Porter, son of William, was born in Lyme, married Betsey Franklin, and had a family of ten children, six of whom married. Col. Francis and Isaac Newton Porter still occupy the farm on which Capt. William settled. Col. Francis Porter served as selectman in 1858, 1860, 1861 and 1869; was United States enrolling officer in 1862-63; representative two years and justice twenty-five years. SAMUEL BIXBY, born in Tolland, Conn. in 1754, came to Lyme about 1776 and took up land in the north part of the town. He had as a companion in the enterprise a young friend names William Davison, who came from the same vicinity. Both were unmarried, and while clearing lived in a log hut together, getting baked bread at Major Gilbert's, five miles distant, and going two or three times a week to get it. SAMUEL BIXBY went from Lyme to serve in the war of independence, and after its close married and brought his bride to Lyme. His first wife was Elizabeth Strong, who bore him four children; his second, Sarah Nelson, who bore him five children. Persis, widow of Capt. Thomas R. Ames, is a daughter of the third wife. Alfred, a son of Elizabeth, graduated at Union college, studied law and practiced in New York City. Lewis, a son of Sarah, graduated at Yale, became an Episcopal clergyman, and a teacher in New York. Samuel, his brother, studied medicine and practiced in Illinois. Zophar and Alpheus, sons of Martha, became teachers in New York, and Willard and William, were farmers in Lyme, where Salmon, son of Willard, is now the only one of the name. WILLIAM DAVISON, after making his clearing and building a house, returned to Connecticut, married Lura Cutting, of New London [CT] and brought her to her new home where they reared a family. Most of their descendants have emigrated to other places. Lucinda R., wife of G.S. Young, the youngest of seven children of Jedediah Davison and Anna Rood, his wife, is all the one now living in town. Frank W. Davison, now a successful merchant in Hanover [NH] was born in Lyme in 1850. His father was WIlliam Harris, son of William, born in Lyme, January 26, 1809, and married Almira Hurlburt of Hanover. He removed to Hanover in 1863 and died there in 1865. NATHANIEL MARTIN from Portsmouth [NH] became an early settler in Dorchester [NH] before 1793. He brought up two sons, Simeon and Nathaniel, and one daughter. Simeon had four sons and two daughters. Only two of the sons are now living--Rev. Nathaniel Martin of the Massachusetts M.E. Conference and Ezekiel Martin, of Lyme. JOHN SIMMONS was an early settler in Lyme, locating near the Hanover line. He reared a large family, some of whom are life-long residents of this town. ESQ. JONATHAN and DEA. ABEL FRANKLIN were here after 1776. The former was a blacksmith, farmer, surveyor and probably the largest land-holder of his time. He was also proprietor's clerk, justice, representative and member of the Governor's council. ZACHARIAH JENKS came from Rhode Island to Lyme about 1778 with his wife, Ruth (Jackson) and an infant son, Elias. His first wife died in 1785, and his second wife was Sarah Tyler, by both of whom twenty-one children were born to him. Erastus Jenks, his second son, married Lucy Cray, and reared Pringle, who became one of the wealthiest farmers in Lyme; Semantha, who became the wife of Erastus Grant, and Sophia C., who became the wife of David Thompson, a native of Sanbornton [NH] and died in 1885, leaving one daughter, Nellie (Mrs. W.H. Guy). DAVID PUSHEE was the paternal ancestor fo the Pushee family in Lyme, and is thought ot have come from Fitzwilliam NH about 1787 or 1788. He served in the Revolution. His homestead was in the east part of the town. His son David P. served as a drummer in the militia and used to be a deputy sheriff. He married AMy Carpenter and reared children--Sylvester, Lucy, David C., Miriam, Jesse C., Sidney A., Mary, David P Jr., Alfred W. and Albert J., twins. Jesse C. and Sidney A. were soldiers in the late war [Civil war]. Albert J. was a farmer and a justice of the peace several years. He died in 1878. Alfred W. married Edna, daughter of David Steele and has five children. From David Pushee have descended several gifted musicians, of whom Abram was widely known as a teacher of dancing. SOLOMON SMITH and SOLOMON SMITH JR. came from Lyme, Conn. to this town, took up land and made a clearing east of Lyme Center, where J.N. Holt now lives, about 1779, bringing with them a young elm tree which they set out near the site of their new house. This tree still waves its graceful boughs above the road near the house of Mr. Holt, which was erected by Solomon Smith Jr., about 1796. Solomon Smith Jr. was a soldier in the Revolution, a man of deep piety, and was elected a deacon of the Congregational church in 1794. His wife was Esther Porter, who bore him three sons, Lyman, Porter, and Joseph, and two daughters, Estner (Mrs. Thomas Hall) and Ebeta (Mrs. George Franklin). Mrs. J.N. Holt, formerly Adeline A. Hall, is a daughter of Esther. NATHAN STARK was one of the several brothers who were early settlers in the south part of Lyme. His grandson, Isaac D. born here in 1805, married Rhoda Fitts, of Hanover [NH], and reared four sons and one daughter. His sons all served in the late war [Civil War], and two of them, Alonzo and Irenus, died in their country's service. Isaac G. returned to Lyme, where he still lives. Alfred D. has been many years a resident of Manchester NH, having served as city marshal in 1881-82, and being now one of the representatives to the legislature. He married in 1853 Diadema Quint, of Lyme. His military service was a musician in Co. A., 16th NH Vols. ISAAC PERKINS, from Middleboro, Mass., came to Lyme about 1780, leaving his wife--formerly Olive Leonard--to come on after he had time to erect a log cabin and make a clearing. While doing this he boarded with the family of Lemuel Sturtevant, near the Goodell family. When his first wife came she rode on horseback, bringing in a pocket snuff-box some apple seeds to start an orchard. Some of the trees which grew from them still bear fruit. Mr. Perkins soon erected a frame house, which is the ell of that now occupied by Adna, his great-grandson. He reared four daughters and five sons. This farm has never been out of his family's possession, since they first settled upon it, in 1780. Walker Perkins was long the carpenter and cabinet maker of the neighborhood, and also engaged in trade. ARTHUR LATHAM, LIBEUS WASHBURN, RUFUS, DAVID AND SOLOMON CONANT, -- MITCHELL, DAVID WHITMAN and ZENAS STETSON, from Bridgewater, Mass., located here in 1780. ARTHUR LATHAM was a carpenter and brought some tools with which he began work at his trade. The settlements were then rapidly increasing, and he was very successful. In May 1782, he married Mary, daughter of Peter Post, and settled upon a farm in the east part of the town and built a house and carpenter shop RUFUS CONANT, who had been a peddlar in Massachusetts, included him to join in buying a stock of merchandise, which they placed in the carpenter shop for sale. This was the first store in Lyme east of the river road. About 1790 they removed to Lyme Plain, and, in what is now a part of D.C. Churchill's warehouse, established the first store here, under the title of Latham & Conant. In 1800 the firm dissolved, Conant retaining the stand, and Latham opening in a building near by. Conant afterwards built a store at the southeaster corner of the common, and Latham, in 1810, took the old meeting-house of the town, aggreeing to furnish a town hall, fitted the ground floor for a store, in which he continued to trade until 1828, when, being seventy years of age, he retired. He died in 1843, the wealthiest man in Lyme. He possessed a kind heart, sterling character, and was honored and trusted far and near. In 1824 Bezer Latham and Arthur Jr., his sons, had formed a partnership in trade, and when he retired they took the whole business, which they continued until 1847. Bezer then removed to Missouri, where he died in 1863. Arthur removed to White River Junction VT, erected shops and engaged in the manufacture of cars and locomotives for the Central Vermont and Passumpsic railroads, in which he continued until 1855. He then removed to Missouri, but in 1871 returned to White River Junction, where he still lives. He was a vicil magistrate, and representative five years in Lyme, and also in Missouri. He was born September 7, 1802, graduated at Middlebury college, married Caroline, daughter of Col. Oramel Hinckley, had ten children, three now living, all at White River Junction--Arthur, W.C., Caroline H wife of Noah B. Safford Esq., and Mary L. wife of James M. Wilson, ex-consul to Milan. The other children of Arthur Latham Sr. were Robert, born in 1783, who spent his life, except eight years, in Lyme, and died in 1871; William Harris, born in 1788, and died in 1868, was a farmer and merchant in Thetford VT, and reared seventeen children; Mary, born in 1790 and died in 1814, married Dr. Thomas Kendrick, had one daughter, who married Rev. Erdix Tenney, and their son, Allan Tenney, became secretary of state, of New Hampshire, now resides at Norwich, Conn.; Allen, born in 1792, died in 1871, graduated at Dartmouth College, and was a lawyer at Cincinnati, Ohio; Bela, born in 1794 and died in 1848, was a lawyer, bank commissioner and postmaster in Ohio, and one of his sons, Milton S., was governor of California, and a United States senator; and Nehemiah, born in 1796, died in 1818. LIBEUS WASHBURN was born in Massachusetts, and came from Bridgewater to Lyme in 1780, before two years of age, with Arthur Latham. He followed the trade of carpenter and joiner, and did considerable in making the simple furniture in common use at that day, an old account book of his which we have examined showing frequent charges for such articles. He served as selectman, and married Mary, daughter of Captain John Sloan, by whom he reared three daughters and ten sons. Salmon Washburn, their eldest son, was in Lyme Feburary 28, 1786 and died here January 4, 1847. Libeus Jr., married Anna Culver and had three children. Clarissa, the youngest, married Joseph H. Peters of Bradford VT, and for his second wife Mahitable Gannett, whose children were Allen G. of Lyme, Caroline A., Lucy L. (Mrs. W.F. Jewett of Haverhill) and Louisa M. (Mrs. W. Gardner of Bradford VT). He died June 23, 1864. Allen G. Washburn married Pauline D. Dimick, resides on the farm originally owned by Amasa Bugbee and has five daughters and one son. He was chosen deacon of the Congregational Church in 1886. John Washburn, the fourth son of Libeus Sr. while yet under age, served in the war of 1812. He afterwards spent a few years in Virginia, but returned of Lyme, married Sarah Tucker, and settled down upon the paternal homestead, where he reared two sons and a daughter, John Jr., Benjamin T. and Mary E., and died January 6, 1872. John Washburn Jr., is a trader in Decatur IL. Benjamin T. married K. Josephine Oakley. He has been for several years upon Lyme's board of selectmen and ever a successful farmer. Mary E. is Mrs. L.H. Richards, of Westfield, Mass. Besides the three above named the children of Libeus Washburn Sr., all moved from Lyme, and but one, William, the youngest son is living. JAMES COOK came to Lyme, from Connecticut, a young man, unmarried, purchased land upon Grant brook, about three miles from the river, and went to work to clear away the forest and improve his property. Selecting a good water privilege on the stream, he erected a saw-mill and a mill for the cleaning of cloverseed, of which many farmers then raised a supply for themselves, and some to sell. The settlement which grew up about these mills, was for years called "Cook City," afterwards "East Lyme," and now "Lyme Center." James Cook was born January 12, 1760, and married Clarrissa, daughter of COlonel Thomas Gilbert, February 13, 1783. They became parents of fourteen children, of whom three are living--Gilbert Cook of Palmyra NY; Mary, widow of Dr. W.W. Amdsen in Lyme, and Nancy (Mrs. Irwin) in Michigan. James Cook erected the first hotel in Lyme Center, which was kept by his son, James Jr. Lewis Cook, his fourth child, married Rhoda Conant, and went with a party of pioneers to Jay VT to make a home, where two children were born to them; but the settlers were driven southward by the fear of Indian outrages in the war of 1812, Lewis, with his family, returning to Lyme. Here he bought a portion of his father's land and the mills, and built the house now occupied by his son, John Adams Cook. Thomas Cook, James' tenth child, became a farmer, and spent his life in Lyme, married Betsey Flint, and had a family of eleven children. He was a member of the Baptist church from his youth. His children still living are Nancy E. (Mrs. William Thomas); Harriet F. Adams, Elizabeth M. (Mrs. A.P. Colby), Matilda P. (Mrs. E.G. Parker), and Hannah F. (Mrs. Sylvester Stockwell). JACOB TURNER, a descendant of Humphrey Turner, who came from England to Massachusetts in 1628, was born in Scituate, Mass in 1749, married Rachel Cushing in 1779, and came, soon after, to Lyme, where he died January 22, 1804. They reared seven sons and three daughters. David Turner, brother of Jacob, came to Lyme, and here married Rhoda Porter, in December 1781, and reared six sons and three daughters. Jacob Turner, son of Jacob, was a man of prominence in business and town affairs, a justice twenty years, selectman eight years, and representative two years. He moved from Lyme to Massachusetts in 1833. Colonel Philip Turner, son of David, was an active and useful citizen of Lyme, a town officer many years, and commander of a regiment of militia. In his early years a successful teacher, he was, fifteen years, superintendent of schools. David, son of David, and grandson of David above named, graduated from Dartmouth college, class of 1841, and for many years conducted a classical and English school in Richmond, VA. After the Rebellion he returned North and spent the last years of his life as principal of Thetford academy. Though many descendants of this family are still be found, the name is extinct in Lyme. DAN SHAW, in 1780, settled on the place where J.P. Westgate now lives. He was born in Bridgewater, Mass, November 15, 1758, and learned the trade of a tanner and currier. He married Joanna, daughter of Dea. Isaac Perkins, of Middleboro, Mass, in March 1780, and came at once to Lyme, where he established the first tannery or "bark-mill." He was a selectman, and held other offices. Taking a great interest in military affairs, he was successively promoted from the ranks to a colonelcy of militia. His religious views were of a liberal character. He joined the church when he settled in town, but dissenting from some of the tennets preached by Rev. William Conant, he published a pamplet advocating a more liberal doctrine. To his enterprise and persistence is due the laying out and building of the present "County road" from where he lived to Lyme Plain. He reared a family of whom one son and two daughters spent their lives in Lyme, but he, with the other children, moved soon after 1800 to Bradford VT, where he died November 14, 1814. His son Asa married Elizabeth T. Slade of Hanover [NH], and followed mercantile business at Lyme Plain in the firm of "Shaw, Hewes & Perkins," and "Shaw & Churchill." For more than forty years a member of the Congregational church, his life was that of an exemplary christian, and he was held high in the esteem of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was for many years a worthy member. For a period of thirty-seven years he faithfully performed the duties of town clerk, and for many years was postmaster. In 1832, 1833 he was sent to the legislature from this town. He died July 4, 1861, and his widow, at the age of eighty-four years now resides in Worcester, Mass, with her only surviving child, Thomas Asa Shaw, who is a merchant doing business in Hartford, Conn. Eliza T., her only daughter, died in Lyme in February 1884. SHUBAEL DIMOCK, from Tolland, Conn., settled in Lyme in 1783. A deed from Thomas Bissell to him dated January 9, 1781, speaks of him as living in Tolland, Conn., while another from Ebenezer Green, January 21, 1788, locates him in Lyme, and Shubael and Lydia Dimick were among the five persons admitted to the Congregational Church of Lyme in 1783. He was elected a deacon in 1784. His first wife was Lydia Stearns, who bore him eleven children, seven of whom came to Lyme and were the progenitors of the numerous family of this name, who have gone out from or still remain in the town. His second wife, Lydia Polk, had no issue. Five of the seven children of Shubael who came to Lyme were sons--Shubael Jr., John, "Capt" David, "Dea" Adolphus and Samuel. Shubael Jr. emigrated to Canada, John married Abigail Gilbert and reared a large family. Captain David was twice married, to Sally Perkins and Rachel Allen respectively. Deacon Adolphus, born in 1775, married Betsey Gilbert in 1800, built a house on the present homestead of William D. Dimick, joined the Congregational church in 1821, was chosen deacon in 1822, and had twelve children born to him, of whom nine grew up and six are still living. He gained an educating fitting him to teach common schools, which he did several terms, and also served the town in public trusts. His death occurred in 1846. Alfred Dimick, his son, was a captain of militia in his early life. He married Lydia H. Davison and reared three children--William Harris, who represented Lyme in the legislature of 1885; Lucinda D., wife of G.P. Amsden; and Maria E. Densmore of Lebanon [NH]. Shubael Dimick, son of John, carried on the grave-stone business many years near Post pond and at the Plain. He married a daughter of William Gardner. One daughter, Mrs. L.H. Horton, resides in Lyme. Daniel Dimick, son of John, carried on blacksmithing at the Plain, reared a large family of sons, who are active and prominent professional and business men in Massachusetts. James P. Dimick, son of John, was born in Lyme, November 20, 1804. Most of his life was spent as a farmer near Lyme Center. He lived to be nearly eighty years of age, highly esteemed as a citizen and a neighbor. His wife, Pamelia A. Blanchard, of Vershire VT, whom he married March 6, 1830, reared six children, fiz: Abbie A. now living in Lyme; Paulina D. (Mrs. A.G. Washburn); John G. of Providence RI; Mary E. who died in infancy; Charles H. of Lyme; and James A. deceased. John G. and Charles H. Dimick served in the late war [Civil War]. "Captain" JOHN NELSON gained his rank as a soldier in the Revolution. He came to Lyme from Norton, Mass., before marriage, bought land and cleared the farm now occupied by Mrs. J.N. Wells, his granddaughter. He is supposed to have come on with Esq. Jonathan Franklin, whose sister Rachel became his wife. They had five daughters and two sons. William C., the elder son, married Sarah, daughter of John Chapin, and brought up seven children, of whom five are living. George, the younger son, graduated from the classical and medical departments of Dartmouth college, became a physician, and located in Bellingham, Mass., about 1850. He died in 1875. John Nelson, son of William C., served in the late war [Civil War] and was wounded by a falling branch of a tree in the Appomattox swamp. Sarah, widow of William C. Nelson, is now (November 1885) the oldest person living in Lyme. Her father, John Chapin, came from Milford, Mass., about 1797, and located near the river in the northwest part of the town, but subsequently removed to New York, where he died. EZRA WARREN, by occupation a "cordwainer," came to Lyme about 1783, his deed of land bearing that date. From his descended a numerous family. Asa Warren, grandson of Ezra, married Mary A. Derby. Their children are Martha A. (Mrs. H.H. Holt), Leander D. and Lewis W., who constitute the firm of Warren Brothers, Arad J. of Melvin & Warren, Mrs. George Melvin, and Mrs. Charles Stetson. L.D. Warren has been town clerk and treasurer since 1878, and postmaster ten years. L.W. Warren became postmaster at Lyme, and Arad J. Warren at Lyme Center, in 1885. JOSHUA WARREN came from Bridgewater, Mass, about 1789, in which year he bought land on West street, Plott hill. His children numbered seven, of whom five remained in Lyme and brought up families. Frank G. Warren and Mrs. B.C. Newell are descendants of this family. THOMAS BAKER was the first of the name in Lyme. He had sons Daniel, David, Thomas, Edward C. and Samuel. He was a painter and glazier. His son David was born in Lyme in 1784, learned the clothier's trade of his brother, Edward C., who had a cloth factory where F.B. Palmer's shop now is. Before 1818 he moved to Vershire VT and engaged in the same business, but later removed to Thetford VT where he reared three sons and a daughter. Francis W. Baker, the youngest and only surviving son, married Sarah F., daughter of Sylvanus Hewes, and now lives near Lyme Center. When the CUTTING family came to Lyme is uncertain. It is said that four brothers, Colonel Zebedee, Billa, Isaac, and Lathrop, came about the same time. ZEBEDEE CUTTING's name appears in a list of fifty petitioners in Lyme for a ferry, October 8, 1784. He settled east of Post pond, on the road which extended north and south, about halfway up the hillside, and his brothers not far from him; from which fact the hill is still called "Cutting hill." The most definite information we possess points to Hebron, Conn., as their place of origin. Colonel Zebedee Cutting was a noted horseman in his day, always owning a stable-full of fine horses. His wife was Phebe Strong and they reared a large family of children. DUDLEY CUTTING, his son, born May 10, 1796, married Mary Bixby. HORACE CUTTING, another son, married Sophronia Dimick, and reared five sons and five daughters. Three of the daughters and one son died within a single year. The sons' names were Adolphus D., Ezra F., Henry P., Alfred and Clark T. Ezra F. now owns and occupies the farm bought by his father about 1840, on road 17. He married Fannie P. Mead, and his children were as follows: Henry P., Frank, Ada M., Annie B., and Edd M. CLARK T. CUTTING has for twenty-five years resided in Lowell, Mass., engaged in the dry goods trade. ISAAC CUTTING, one of the first mentioned brothers, was twice married and reared a large family. His son Isaac married Acksah Allen, and their eldest son, David, was born in Lyme in 1817. In 1818 they moved to Vermont, and later to Canada, where they brought up three sons and two daughters, and where Isaac died. Two sons, David and Hollis A., with their families and their sisters, Eliza Towsend and Rachel Dimick, widows, have since returned to Lyme. BENJAMIN MOREY, a native of Norton, Mass., who had spent several years in the struggle for American independence, came with his family to make a home in Lyme soon after the close of the Revolution, first locating where his grandson now lives, on the east shore of Post pond, but soon built a house on the hillside, upon the road farther east. Subsquently they returned to the first location, and it has now been the home of the family one hundred years. Benjamin Morey had one son, Gideon, and one daughter, Lucinda. She married James Dayton of Orford [NH]. Gideon was born in 1777 and was a child when they came to Lyme. He married Ada Cutting, by whom he reared seven children. Bethiah Clarke, oldest of the three living, aged sixty-six, resides at Lyme Plain, while Benjamin and Fanny (widow Carpenter) occupy the original homestead. JAMES BEAL was an only son, orphaned when three years old, by the accidental death of his father. He came from Woodstock, Conn., to Lyme, about 1784, when twenty-two years old. He was given a right of land in Lyme by his sister's husband, David Rawson. This lot, when drawn, comprised a part of the site of Lyme Plain, but he exchanged it for a lot at the east part of the town, and made his home there. He gave the town land for the burying-ground on road 30. The first persons buried there were a negro and his wife, slaves, who were the property of Mrs. Beal. This negro was over one hundred years of age, and according to his own reckoning 127, when he died. James Beal had fourteen children, of whom Colonel Selah is now the sole survivor. He had been active as a farmer, teacher, and business man, and as a public officer, holding nearly every office in the gift of the town, and the same in a military capacity. PETER POST, from whom Post pond derives its name, came from Hebron, Conn. in 1785, and settled upon its shores. He purchased of Samuel Gilbert 1,000 acres of land, with a saw and grist-mill upon the stream which forms the pond's outlet, paying for the property L800 sterling. It is related of him, that while upon his journey hither with considerable money in gold in his possession, three highwaymen attempted to rob him, and he only escaped by the fleetness of his horse. He was twice married and reared nine children, of whom four were sons. Winthrop F. Post, son of Aaron and grandson of Peter, alone represents the name in ths town. JOHN CULVER was born October 3, 1760, and married Dinah Post in 1782. He came to Lyme, probably, in 1786. In the struggle for American independence he did honorable service, after which he spent his life in Lyme, upon a farm near Post pond. He died in 1852, having had a family of ten children. His youngest son, David, born May 22, 1797, became a member of the local militia, and rose to the rank of general, by which title he was known, and is now remembered. He married Mary Miller, acquired a good property, and bequeathed a large sum for the purpose of assisting young men to acquire an education in the principles of agriculture, which led to the founding of the "New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts." The principal building of this institution bears the name of "Culver Hall." David Culver died June 14, 1865. JOEL CONVERSE, son of Thomas, born in Thompson, Conn., in 1750, came to Lyme with five children in March 1789, having been here the previous year, making a clearing and built a frame house. He married Demaris, his first wife, in Connecticut, and she died there, leaving him three children-- Lyman, Otis and Demaris. He afterwards married Betsey Bixby, about 1785, and reared Joel Jr., Theron, Marquis, Betsey, Amasa, Sally and JOhn K. From these large families have sprung, and whether residents of this or other places, have been reckoned among the substantial and respected citizens. Many of them have become teachers of much ability and extensive learning. The original farm has continued in direct descent in the family since its settlement, from Joel to Theron, and from him to his son, Benjamin P. His son, Sidney A., still occupies the place, and the original house forms a part of the present dwelling. Benjamin P. died March 2, 1886. LYMAN CONVERSE married Polly Kent and located where his son Erastus now lives, about 1800. He was the father of Asenath, Eliza, Erastus, Mary A., Demaris W. and Fanny L. Eratus, born in his present house June 16, 1809, a farmer, was selectman in 1870-71, married Rebecca Handley, of Acton, Mass., has three children, Henry E., George E. in Davenport Iowa, and Ella C. in Boston, Mass. Otis Converse married Clarrissa Porter and moved to northern New York. Demaris married Asa Taintor of Orford [NH]. Joel COnverse Jr. married Abigail Coult and lived in Lyme. One of his sons, William A.C. Converse graduated from Dartmouth college, gained a wide reputation as a teacher, was the poet at Lyme at the reunion, August 6, 1885, and is a successful farmer in Stewartstown NH. Theron Converse had his right hand shot away at a sham battle at Hanover [NH] about 1813. He married Mary Porter and had five children; Alpheus a farmer lived and died in Lyme; Mary P. married Moses WOod of Boston; Louisa never married; Benjamin P. married Miranda W. Walker and reared six children--Sarah, Louisa, Alma, Herbert, Sidney and Etta, five of whom have taught public school. Theron married for his second wife, Miriam Carpenter, who bore Theron B., who died age eighteen, Eleazer C. now a merchant at Newport NH, and Miriam E., wife of Frank J. Smith of Ypsilanti, Michigan. Marquis Converse, the first Converse born in Lyme, became a teacher and officiated as selectman. He married Electa White and reared a considerable family, of whom Peter M. and Alonzo T. now reside in Lyme. Peter M. Converse was captain of Lyme Light Infantry, and major in the muster field at Lebanon [NH]. He has held various town offices, including representative. His first wife was Ruth K. Eastman, and the second Sarah S. Clement. He had children--Charles H., Lucretia E., Frederick W., and Marquis M. Betsey Converse became the second wife of Asa Taintor. Amasa graduated from Dartmouth college and went to Virginia. Sally married Joshua Thornton of Lyman [NH]. John Kendrick Converse graduated from Princeton college and established a young ladies' seminary in Burlington VT. ZADOK GILBERT came to Lyme from Brookfield, Mass about 1790, with his wife Rhoda Allen and three children. He was killed shortly after by a falling tree, while clearing land near the plain. Ahimaaz, his son, raised nine children of whom the youngest, Phineas, served in the late war [Civil War] and died two weeks after his discharge. ABEL KENT came from Newburyport Mass to Lyme in 1792, with his wife, three sons, Abel, Stephen and Moses, and two daughters, Polly, who married Lyman Converse, and Sally, who married Isaac Porter. He bought of Esquire Mason, who had the two rights of land originally chartered to Governor Wentworth, and died here November 23, 1833. His son Moses was a cabinet maker by trade, married Mary, daughter of Phineas Stark, had seven children, and died in 1838. Stephen Kent was a furniture manufacturer on a large scale for his day. He was enrolled in the war of 1812, and was detailed to stock guns. Charles Kent, son of Stephen was born on his present farm, October 7, 1814, and has ever been a successful farmer. He has filled with credit most of the offices in the gift of the town, including representative, in 1874, 1875. He married first, Elvira Converse, in 1837, had one son, George C. who died October 28, 1860 at Kimball Union academy, and two daughters, Ellen M. (Mrs. J.K. Carr) of Orford [NH] and Julia L. (Mrs. J.T. Hosford) of North Thetford VT. His present wife was formerly Mary Pushee. Abel Kent Jr., was a member of the early cavalry, of which he became colonel and was a merchant. He married Joanna, daughter of Col. Dan Shaw, and had seven chidlren, of whom three are living. EBENEZER TINKHAM was born in 1755, and came to Lyme among the early settlers taking up land for a farm on road 37, which he cleared and occupied, and reared a family of three sons and three daughters. He died in 1825, aged seventy. Ruel, one of his sons, lived upon the paternal homestead, and Cyrus, the other, who remained in Lyme, married Betsey Kemp and established a home in the southeast part of the town, where six children were born to them. Mrs. Clarinda Davis, of Lyme, and Miss Betsey Tinkham, of Manchester, are the only members of the family now living. THOMAS HALL, with his family, came from Ellington, Conn., about 1792, and located at the corner of roads 6 and 14, where he cleared the farm now owned by David C. Hall, his grandson. At that time his son John was fourteen years of age, and drove an ox team from Connecticut with the household goods. John afterwards was captain of a cavalry company, and carried on blacksmithing where his son Thomas now owns a shop. He made scythes, axes and other tools for the farmers of Lyme and vicinity. Captain John Hall was the father of ten children, of whom six still survive-- Mary, widow of Alvah Jeffers in Lyme; Thomas, a blacksmith in Lyme, married Emily Breck, has one child, Jane B. (Mrs. W.P. Eastman); Annie, widow of William P. Morey, in Lyme; Sarah (Mrs. Robert Spear); Lucy F. (Mrs. Samuel Johnson) in New Haven, Conn; and David C. in Boston Mass. David C. and his brother Rudolph, the youngest son, evinced remarkable talent for music, and have devoted the energies of life to the art since early youth. In 1835 they organized Hall's Boston Band, with which they traveled throughout American and visited Europe, winning high praise from musical critics. As musical composers and instructors they acquired wide renown, as well as in the manufacture, selection and importation of musical instruments. David C. Hall, at the head of the famous band, furnished music at the reunion of 1885. Rudolph died in December 1878. JEREMIAH BINGHAM was an early settler in Lyme, coming from Bridgewater, Mass., unmarried, and chose Lydia, daughter of Col. Thomas Gilbert, for his wife. He joined the Congregational church in 1793. His habitation was upon the old highway from the Lambert house to the river. Some apple trees he planted still grow near the present highway. Nine sons and one daughter were born to them, and when the youngest was nearly grown he and his family started with an ox team for the then wilds of New York. Several of his sons "hired out" in places they passed through, and he with the others located in Greene, Chenango county NY. Asa Bingham, one of his sons, returned to Lyme afterward, married Lucy, daughter of Col. Zebedee Cutting, and spent his days here, dying at the age of eighty-five, in 1882. Two daughters and one son were born to them. The latter, Wallace A., still resides here. NATHANIEL WAITE, with four sons, Nathaniel, John, Reuben and Solomon, came to Lyme in 1795, bought a farm upon Fairfield brook, near its mouth, and built the house now occupied by Ira S. Wilmot. He was a millwright and soon built a mill near where George W. Camp now lives. Some years later he and his son Solomon built, near their house, a saw-mill and grist-mill, which were destroyed by the freshet of 1828. Nathaniel Waite Sr. served in the Revolution as "master artificer." He died in 1816. Solomon Waite, the only son who remained in Lyme, was a colonel of militia, and a man of force and prominence in town. He died in 1829, leaving five sons and three daughters. THOMAS TALLMAN came to Lyme about 1797, from New Bedford, Mass., coming via Vershire VT, where he lived a few years, and where two children were born to him. Hannah, the third child, was born in Lyme, November 5, 1798, on the homestead her father purchased of Esq. John Mason, on which she still lives, the only remaining one of these children. William Tallman, son of Thomas, married Phila Culver and settled in Orford [NH] where his descendants still live. Jared became a carpenter, married Sally Porter and removed to Pennsylvania. He served as a fifer in the war of 1812. David Tallman resided in Lyme. Sarah married Hugh Badger, a native of Lyndeboro, NH. Their son, Henry M. is now occupant of the old Tallman farm. CAPT. MOSES AND SAMUEL FLINT came to Lyme between 1795 and 1800, Moses coming a year or more before his brother. They purchased land near each other, on which some improvements had been made, Moses where W.W. Balch now lives, and Samuel on the present farm of Esq. Samuel, his son. Moses Flint's wife was Elizabeth Spaulding, of Fitzwilliam [NH], who bore him eight sons and four daughters. To George Flint, their sixth child, descended the paternal acres, which he spent his life in tilling. He joined the Baptist church in 1831, and was for many years one of its deacons. He died in 1878, aged seventy-three years. Oliver S. Flint, son of Capt. Moses, born in Lyme, December 8, 1808, married Persis, daughter of John Goodell, and removed to Bath [NH] where he lived thirty-four years and brought up one son, Harlan P. and two daughters, Julia M., wife of James Esden of Peacham VT and Lucy A. (Mrs. Alexander Warden) of Monroe [NH]. In 1870 Harlan P. Flint and his father removed to Hanover [NH] where the latter died April 23, 1878. Samuel Flint, the oldest son of Samuel, born in Lyme, November 21, 1801, was a school-teacher when a young man, and after his marriage to Fanny, daughter of Luther Goodell, settled down upon his father's farm. He has held various local offices, including that of town representative and was chairman of the State Board of Labor Statistics, under GOvernor J.A. Weston. An early and active member in the labor reform party, he was selected as its candidate for governor in 1872. Of his family of eight children, but two, Martha J. and Mary E. are living. John M. Flint, the third son, died while serving his country in the civil war. John W. Flint, son of Samuel Sr., born in Lyme, April 20, 1803, married Clarissa, daughter of Luther Goodell, and removed with his cousin, Oliver S. to Bath [NH] in 1837. He was on the board of selectmen of Bath. Two children were born to them--Frances L., wife of A.H. Warden of Hanover [NH] and John Perry Flint, who died July 2, 1878, aged thirty-eight years. John W. FLint moved to Hanover [NH] in 1870, where he still lives. ELIPHALET KIMBALL, born in Northfield [NH] was brought up among the Canterbury Shakers, his parents having joined them. He left the Shakers, married and settled in Lyme, where with his brother, Josiah, he engaged in the lumbering business, built a saw-mill, clover-seed mill and several farms east of Lyme Center. He served as deacon of the Baptist church, brought up eleven children, and died in Nashua [NH] in 1865, aged eighty-three. Ten of his children are now living, their ages aggregating over 690 years. PETER CLINE (or KLEIN) was born in Germany, left home when a boy, came to American and first located in Plymouth NH, where he married a widow Richardson. He settled in Lyme towards the close of the last century, buying the farm now owned by Sewell Hewes, and brought up two sons-- Benjamin and Winthrop. Winthrop died young. Benjamin married Caroline Farwell and spent his life in Lyme, bringing up five sons, three of whom served in the late war [civil war], and two of them gave their lives to their county. One son, Benjamin, and four daughters, Mrs. Bernice A. Cutting, Mrs. Charlotte Gordon, Mrs. Laura Perkins, and Mrs. Mary Webb, still reside in Lyme. ABEL MARSHALL, with a large family of children, came to Lyme before 1800k, from Chelsmford, Mass., to which place he returned after a few years. Micajah, a son of Abel, and two sisters married and remained in Lyme. He married, first, Charlotte P. Kimball in 1811, who bore him four children; second, Martha P., daughter of Nathaniel Southworth, December 25, 1817, who bore him twelve children, and third, Eliza RUss, who survives him. Half of his family of sixteen children died unmarried, and but two now remain, namely, Martha P. (Mrs. P.I. Morrison) and Mary F. (Mrs. S.C. Dimick). Micajah Marshall attained the advanced age of ninety-one years, ever holding a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. He died May 23, 1882. Anson Southard Marshall, one of his sons, graduated from Dartmouth college, and became eminent as a lawyer in Concord [NH], where he held several offices in the state and United States service. He was accidentally killed by a stray bullet from a company engaged in target practice, July 4, 1874. G. Clark Marshall spent his life as a drover and farmer in Lyme. Martha P. Marshall became the wife of Parker I. Morrison, who came to LYme from Fairlee VT in 1855, and was one of the lumber manufacturing firm of Morrison, Webster & Co. who for several years operated a large steam saw-mill at Lyme Center. Their children are Annaline F. (Mrs. Rev. J.D. Graham), Roland M. and Edson E. RUFUS CLAFLIN was the first of this family of whom we find any trace in Lyme. On November 14, 1800, he received a deed of land from Z. Waterman. He came from Attleboro, Bristol county, Mass., and was soon followed by his brother Allerton, and in 1806, another brother Preston, moved to the town and bought of Rufus seventy-five acres of land, taking a quit-claim deed. He soon found his possession disputed by the "Society for the Propogation of the Gospel," and after an expensive lawsuit paid for the land a second time, Allerton Claflin is shown by the records to have bought and sold land frequently and in large quantities. Preston Claflin hired a man to erect a house for him on his land, for which he cut the nails by hand and headed them with a machine, one at a time, before he moved to Lyme. He married Lydia R. Williams, of Attleboro, and had two children, Preston Williams and Eliza, born there, and Artemus, Julia, Lemuel, Jeduthan, John W., Celinda and Marinda, born in Lyme. He died September 1, 1863, aged ninety years and eight months. Preston Williams Claflin, born June 14, 1800, became totally blind from the effect of spotted fever, in 1821, but though thus deprived of one most essential sense, he became, with the aid of the noble hearted woman who became his wife, a self-supporting, self-reliant man, a devoted member of the Baptist church, and a respect citizen. He died May 21, 1870. His children are Preston Claflin, Julia A. Prescott of Manchester, and John N. of Bradford VT. Preston Claflin married first, Mary E., daughter of Rev. Marshall Southard, and reared three children; second, Martha H. Hoag (Bruce) of Ryegate VT, and third, Hattie I. Loomis, of COlebrook NH. Julia A. married Daniel R. Prescott of Manchester, and her son George W. is the present solicitor of that city. John N. married first, Ellen Houghton, second Melissa Skinner, and has three children. John W. Claflin remained until 1868 upon the original homestead, and was among the first to introduce pure Merino sheep into Grafton county, purchasing of Edwin Hammond, of Middlebury VT, in 1844. He made the breeding of sheep his principal business until 1868. He married Maria H., daughter of James CUlver, of Hanover [NH] and had one daughter, who died in childhood. Celdina Claflin became the wife of Andrew ENglish and reared two sons, D. Frye and Chester. DAVID STEELE was born in Tolland, Conn, in 1767, and married Phebe Edgerton in 1793, and came to Lyme about 1800, and reared twelve children, of whom David was a farmer and lived in Lyme; Daniel graduated from Dartmouth college; Phebe married Colonel Anson Southard; Ruth and Azel only are now living, Ruth in Elmira NY and Azel, in Melrose Mass. David Carlos Steele, his grandson, resides in Lyme. He represented the town in the legislature of 1878-1879. NATHANIEL SOUTHWORTH came to Lyme in 1800, at least the records of Grafton county deeds show, Vol 29, p 384 a deed from Dan Shaw to "Nathaniel Southworth, tanner, of Ward, County of Worcester, Commonwealth of Massachusetts," dated February 4, 1800, and this, probably marks the advent of this family in Lyme. This deed conveyed the land now comprised in the "Evans" or "Smith" farm, with more adjoining, and upon it he soon built a tannery, probably the second in town, and the present house. He was one of the founders of the Baptist church in Lyme, of which he was a deacon. He filled the office of justice of the peace many years, and was best known as "Squire Southard," the latter spelling of the name being adopted by his children. He had three wives--Patience, sister of Colonel Dan Shaw, who died in 1814; Abigail Robbins, who died in 1816, and widow Elizabeth Hobart, who outlived him. The first two bore him a family of nine children-- Marshall and Martha, born in Massachusetts; Anson, Harriet, Nathaniel Jr., Chestina, Zibeon, David and Benjamin. Nathaniel Southworth sold his tannery to Moses Smith, about 1826. He died October 1, 1840, aged seventy-one years. Marshall Southard, his eldest son, graduated from Dartmouth college in 1820, and studied Theology at Andover. He was ordained pastor of a Congregational church in Newbury, and preached there some years. He married Sarah, daughter of David Abbott of that place, and reared five daughters and one son--Lydia (Mrs. J.M. Woodward) of Hanover [NH]; Elizabeth S. Wright, of Sioux City, Iowa; Emily Buffington of Onawa City, Iowa; Mary E., the first wife of Preston Claflin; Nathaniel, who served three years in the late civil war, and resides in Manchester NH, and Abbie C., who died a teacher at Onawa City, Iowa. Martha Southard became the wife of Micajah Marshall, and reared a large family. Anson became a colonel of militia, married Phebe Steele, resided in Lyme and left no issue. Nathanie Jr. became a teacher and editor, resided in New York, but died in Lyme. Harriet married David Steele, and reared a large family, several of whom remain in Lyme. Zibeon became a merchant in Boston Mass, and David died while a student in college. LEMUEL HOLT came from Hampton, Conn. to Lyme about 1800, and for a few years resided near the Colonel Dan Shaw tannery, afterwards upon the hill near Charles H. Dimick's, and later in the valley, on road 35, before the turnpike was built. He opened a hotel here in 1811, when the "Grafton Turnpike" was the main thoroughfare from Concord through Canaan to Lyme, Orford, and the "Upper Coos." Succeding him, his son Harvey, and grandson, John N., kept the hotel until the Northern railroad having been completed to White River Junction, stages and teaming were diverted from this route, and John N. Holt removed to Lyme Center, where he purchased the hotel erected by James Cook, and kept it fifteen years. He then bought the farm which has since been his home. An active and judicious business man, he has filled several town trusts, including selectman eight years. Lester Holt, his father, was a substantial farmer, and reared eleven children. Isaac Parker and Freeman J. Holt, two other of Lester's sons reside in Lyme. WILLIAM H. DERBY was born in Lyons [sic Lyme] in 1802. His father, Jedediah, is said to have come from COnnecticut. William H. married Hannah Avery, of Orford VT, and with his father spent several years in northern Vermont, but returned to Lyme where he died in 1858. John H. Derby, his son, was born in Troy VT in 1832, married Ruhama E. GOrdon in 1866, and has three children. He served in the civil war, being a non-commissioned officer in Co. A, 16th NH Vols. Lewis S. Derby, son of W.H. was born in Lyme in 1836. His wife (now deceased) was Mariam S. (Pushee) widow of Prosper Miller. Leander Derby, son of Jedediah, married Amanda Strong. After his death, which occurred six years later, his widow married Horace Frary, of Hanover [NH] where she now lives for the second time a widow. PERES HASKELL was one of five sons of Elijah who settled in Weathersfield VT. Peres came to Lyme in 1816, with a family of ten children, and settled on the present farm of I.F. and Wesley H. Clark, where he died in 1851. Adaline and Caroline H., the latter widow of Dan Storrs, are all that remain of his children. REUBEN BLISS, from Rehoboth Mass, bought of Jabez Hill, the present farm of his son, George R. Bliss, about 1810. At that time a saw-mill and clover- mill were standing upon the farm, where the remains of a dam may now be seen. These mills were operated by Mr. Bliss many years. He married Nancy Williams in 1809, and brought up ten children, of whom four remain. George R. owns the home farm, and John W. an adjoining farm. They married sisters, Dolly P. and Nancy B., daughters of John Goodell. The former reared five children, and the latter one. Minnie M., the latter, died suddenly at the age of seventeen, June 29, 1880. DAVID C. CHURCHILL, born at Fairlee VT December 16, 1790, a carpenter by trade, came to Lyme in 1810, to assist in building the Congregational church. He worked at his trade until 1817, then joined Asa Shaw in trade, under the firm name of Shaw & Churchill, and continued until 1848. He was appointed deputy sheriff in 1817, and acted until 1834, when he received the appointment of county judge, which he held until the abolition of the office in 1846, after which he was elected county commissioner several years. While in office as judge it was said of him that he decided more cases than the county court, being chosen referee and auditor so often as to occupy most of his time. He administered on many estates, and was an earnest, active man until his health gave way in 1860. He married, in 1816, Patty Franklin, and became the father of eight children, of whom four are living--David C. Jr. who succeeded to the business of Shaw & Churchill in 1848, which he still continues, married Lydia A., daughter of Rev. Baxter Perry, and has three daughters living. He has ever been a leader in the Congregational church and a deacon many years. Charles H. is a lawyer of Oberlin, Ohio. Lewis F. is in North Carolina, and Jonathan F. in Missouri. MOSES SMITH was born in Canaan [NH] March 18, 1799, a descendant in the sixth generation from General Richard Smith, of Shropham, England. Richard Smith Jr., the immigrant to America, came to Ipswich, Mass., before 1673. Moses Smith became a tanner, purchased the tannery of Nathaniel SOuthworth in 1826, and spent his after life in Lyme. His first wife was Mehitable Ward, of Hanover [NH] who became the mother of nine children, of whom Baxter P. graduated from Dartmouth college in 1854, served in the 9th NH Vols in the Rebellion, wrote the "History of Dartmouth College," and other works, and died in Washington DC in 1884. H. Ellen is now the wife of C.B. Dowe of Hanover [NH], her third husband. Otis F. was an active business man in Lyme, married Sarah D. Waite, and died here October 2, 1878. Sarah H. married CHarles Townsend and resides in Athol, Mass. Abigail J.C. married L. RIchardson and died in Athol [MA]. Elizabeth resides in Athol [MA]. Rosella A. spent several years as a foreign missionary, and now resides in New York. Mehitable W. died unmarried. ELISHA CLOUGH, from Bow NH, came with his family to Lyme about 1832, and purchased a small farm near Smart's pond. His son, Abial W. resided for many years upon the present farm of A.J. Kemp. HIRAM MAYO came from Vershire VT to Lyme about 1834. He married Betsey, daughter of Joel Whipple, and spent his life in this town. His sons George S., Joel W. and Wesley N. reside in Lyme. Julia A. (Balch) in Thetford VT and H. Burt Mayo in Chesterfield, Iowa. LYMAN KEMP, born in Pomfret VT, located in the ast part of Lyme about 1833. His wife was Electa Brown, of Lyme, and his children, Harriet L., Minerva J., and Joseph A., born in Stockbridge VT, Alvah J., George V. and Melissa L, born in Lyme. Lyman Kemp at the age of eighty-two years, resides in Burr Oak, Kansas. WILLIAM KEMP, born in Pomfret VT, came to Lyme not long after his brother [Lyman], remained about two years, and removed to Dorchester [NH] where he died in 1868, aged sixty-six years. He reared three sons and four daughters. Two of his sons, Jasper H. and Wallace W. served in the civil war. The former died in Washington. HANNIBLE [HANNIBAL] CHASE, son of William Little Chase, was born in Bristol NH May 14, 1832. His father became a resident in Lyme in 1844, but returned to Bristol, where he died in 1875. William Little Chase served the town of Bristol in various official capacities before his removal to Lyme. ALVAH JEFFERS was born in Enfield NH and afterwards came to Lyme to learn the cabinet-maker's trade of STephen Kent, which he afterwards carried on at Lyme Center. His wife was Mary, daughter of Capt. John Hall, who survives him with four daughters--Mary, wife of H.C. Davison of Hartford, Conn., Ellen (Mrs. H.F. Carr), Marinda (Mrs. Hannibal Chase), and Sarah F.,widow of Albert J. Pushee. Mr. Jeffers died in November 1880. ELISHA P. BALL, a stone-cutter, moved with his family to Lyme in 1844. He died May 20, 1871, aged sixty-one years. Dea. Samuel F. Ball, his son, now owns the farm originally cleared by Ezra Franklin. He married, in 1863, Laura A., daughter of Cyrus Gordon. He has been deacon of the Congregational Church since 1879. JOHN FELLOWS was born in Orford [NH] and at the age of fourteen, was apprenticed to a stone cutter. He came to LYme about 1850, to work for Shubael Dimick, and from then until his death in 1884, was engaged in the manufacture of monumental stone work at this place. ASA THURSTON came to Lyme about 1850, and for many years carried on the mercantile business, succeeding the Lathams in the present store of Warren Brothers, and later doing business in the Rufus Conant building, at the southeast corner of the common. His son Charles is in business in Concord NH, and his daughter NEllie is the wife of L.D. Warren. JEDEDIAH HOLT moved from Pembroke NH to Dorchester [NH] about the beginning of this century. His son, Franklin, born in Dorchester in 1818, with his son Henry H. came to Lyme in 1855, locating where they now lived. Though reared a farmer, Henry H. Holt has done much business not necessarily connected with this pursuit, having been chosen for thirteen years one of the selectmen, most of that time being the chairman of the board, and overseer of the poor. He has also done a large business in fire insurance and the settlement of estates, and was selected in 1884 to do duty for two years on the board of county commissioners, assuming the functions of that office July 1, 1885. In December 1866, Martha A., daughter of Asa Warren, became his wife and has had born to her three children, the eldest of whom, Alice M., died September 5, 1885. FRED B. PALMER, son of Asa, born in Orford [NH] January 29, 1827, came to Lyme in 1859. He enlisted, in 1863, in Co. A., 16th NH Vols and served in the army. In various official positions and as public school teacher sixteen terms, he has done efficient service. Having been twice married, he has a family of six children, several of whom have become school teachers. OSCAR MELVIN, came from Weare NH in 1850, and did business as an auctioneer until his death in 1879. GEORGE H. GORDON, son of Jeremiah H. Gordon, and grandson of Peaslee Gordon, was born in Landaff [NH] and has resided in Lyme since 1864. His wife was Maria D. Pierce of Thetford VT. He has three sons and one daughter. CYRUS GORDON, son of David, was born in Henniker [NH] in 1810. Jonathan Gordon, his grandfather, was a Quaker, came from England and settled in Henniker NH. Cyrus located in Dorchester {NH] in 1832 and was married in 1836 to Olive Jesseman, a descedant of one of the early settlers there. Their children are Laura A. (Mrs. S.F. Ball), Ruhama E. (Mrs. J.H. Derby), Asa F. who died in the United States Army at Brazer City, LA during the war, and Sarah A., who died age nineteen. Cyrus Gordon has resided in Lyme since 1869. THOMAS SAWYER came from Hebron to Orford [NH] with two sons in 1765, and worked at clearing his land during the summer, returned to Hebron, spent the winter and in 1766 brought his wife and family of seven children to Orford. He died September 8, 1785, aged seventy-one years. Capt. Bela Sawyer, son of Jared, is a great-grandson of Thomas. He enlisted as a lieutenant and was detailed for service in the department of brigade quartermaster, with the rank of captain during the Rebellion [civil war] and has been captain of militia since the close of the war. He has served the town as clerk and selectman. He married Deborah P. Josselyn, and has one son, Arthur H. GEORGE W. RANDLETT, merchant and tinsmith, son of Jacob Randlett, was born in Bridgewater NH and first located in Lyme about twenty years ago. He subsequently resided in Orford, but returned to Lyme, where he has since resided, having been postmaster from 1876 to 1885. SAMUEL PHELPS was born in Hebron, Conn. July 6, 1842, married Lydia Morey in 1764, and they settled in Orford [NH] April 1771. Thirteen children were born to them--Samuel, born December 2, 1776, was thrice married, first to Patience Cook, second to Fanny Stevens, and third to Anna Bartholomew. They had eight children, of whom Abner became a lawyer in San Francisco, California. Anna married Oliver Mitchell, of Orford. Timothy B., born in December 1801, went to Massachusetts, came from Lowell to Lyme in 1864, and died in June 1878. He was twice married, first to Lydia B. Rood of Lyme in 1849, and second to Harriet N. Dickey of Windham NH, who, with one daughter, Nellie H., survives him. CYRUS CAMP of Hanover [NH] came to Lyme in 1869, purchased the farm where B.F. Barlett now lives, and spent his later years here. He was a schoolmaster in early life, and ever a man who influence was felt for good in the community. There are several farms in Lyme which still continue in the direct line of descent in the families who cleared them. Among them are that of John S. Goodell, settled by Dea. Jonathan Goodell before 1773; that of William H. Dimick, settled by Shubael Dimick in 1783; that of Col. Francis Porter, settled by Captain William Porter about 1783; that of John Adams Cook, which is a part of the land taken up by Major James Cook in 1783; that of Sidney A. Converse, settled by Joel Converse in March 1789; that of Dea. T.M. Franklin, which is a part of the land originally owned by Hon. Jonathan Franklin about 1776, and by him given to his son Lemuel, who cleared it previous to 1800. The Gilbert farm is one of as great historic importance as any in Lyme, because it is one of those which has passed in uninterrupted descent in the family since its settlement; it was a landing place of the boats which brought up goods, provisions, and sometimes passengers, to the early inhabitants; it was here that many of the young men who came without families, to clear farms back upon the hills, had their bread baked, and came once or twice a week to get provisions. It was near the site of the present house that a battle was fought, or rather a band of Indians is said to have been murdered by a scouting party who came up from "Charlestown, No. 4" to punish some savages who had stolen cattle, destroyed crops and burned buildings for the settlers in that section. Several Indian skeletons have been exhumed here, some of which were taken to the Darmouth college museum. ******* SOLDIERS IN THE REVOLUTION & WAR OF 1812 ******* The following is a partial list of the soldiers of the Revolution who died in Lyme, with the dates, so far as known, of their decease, and the same of those in the War of 1812 ** REVOLUTION ** Abel Kent Sr. - ? Capt. John Nelson - 1830 Nathaniel Waite - 1816 Moses Straw - 1840 Col. Ebenezer Green - 1786 Phineas Stark - 1832 John Culver - 1852 Ezra Warren - 1820 Lieut. Nathaniel Hewes - 1808 Peter Post - 1811 David Pushee - ? Solomon Smith Jr. - ? Samuel Bixby - ? William Porter - 1848 ** WAR OF 1812 ** Micarah [Micajah] Gilbert - 1854 John Washburn - 1872 Jonathan Conant - 1860 Calvin P. Fairfield - 1882 Edward Howard - 1881 Capt. David Turner - 1875 Billa Cuthing - 1856 Sylvester Jackson - 1874 Wallace W. Amsden - 1872 ********* WAR OF THE REBELLION - CIVIL WAR ********* The following list gives the names of the soldiers of the late war who have died in Lyme, while the names of those who still reside here may be found in the directory, and the roster of officers in the County Chapter:-- A.C. Waterman - 1881 Jasper H. Kempt - 1865 Anson Stark - 1876 Edward B. Allen - ? Freeman J. Converse - 1863 Orimel H. Hamilton - 1864 Eli S. Tyler - 1864 Benjamin F. Babbitt - 1885 Franklin Swan - 1864 Henry B. Swan - 1864 Arthur Cline - 1861 Albert Cline - 1862 Charles M. Lovejoy - 1863 John W. Gilbert - 1863 Turner S. Grant - 1863 Daniel W. Winslow - 1863 Phineas P. Gilbert - 1863 Charles L. Dike - 1865 Charles W. Marten - 1865 Frank B. Porter - 1863 Frank J. Derby - 1863 Joseph Moore - 1863 Orenius Stark - 1863 David S. Shattuck - 1864 Alfred Fales - 1884 William B. Piper - 1884 Charles J. Allen - 1863 ****** ECCLESIASTICAL ****** In 1768, five years after the arrival of the first settler, the people came together in town meeting, at the house of Thomas Sumner, and voted to unite with Thetford in securing preaching for one year, which arrangement was carried out. The following year a call was extended to Elisha Pearsons, who came and labored for a time, but made no permanent settlement. Subsequently, Thetford and Lyme again joined hands in supporting preaching, but the river and the hill were obstacles which rendered communication difficult and the arrangement unsatisfactory. In 1772 an effort was made to secure the services of Mr. Sumner and Mr. Ripley. During this year William Conant came to Lyme with his father and brothers. March 9, 1773, the town voted to call him to settle as their minister, and he was ordained December 22, 1773. At that time the matter of calling a pastor rested with the town, and was decided by ballot, like other town business. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, with twenty-one members, was formed in Lyme, May 21, 1771 [The statement that a Congregational church was organized by Rev. Peter Powers, in Lyme in August 1770, rests on the authority of a written statement by Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, first president of Dartmouth college; but the church records show no account of it]. There was no church building, and the people were accustomed to meet in a barn, the frame of which is still preserved. In this barn Rev. William Conant was ordained. He was voted a salary of forty-five pounds for three years, to be paid in grain at prices fixed by the committee chosen for the purpose, and sixty pounds toward a settlement, besides the right of land provided by charter for the first settled minister, his salary to increase with the invoice, until it reached seventy pounds. After much discussion as to location, a house of worship was erected by the town, in 1781, near the site of the present structure. Mr. Conant's pastorate extended over a period of thirty- six years. He was born in Bridgwater Mass in 1743, graduated from Yale college in 1770, and died March 8, 1810. He is said to have been a man of extreme plainness in person, dress and manners, and it was his custom to rebuke men in severe terms, publicly, on the Sabbath day. The successor of Mr. Conant was Rev. Nathaniel Lambert, who was spoken of as the antipodes of his predecessor. Neatness, precision, and correctness were marked in his person, conversation, business the construction and delivery of his sermons, and all his ministerial labors and duties. He was born at Rowley, Mass in 1765, graduated from Brown university in 1787, was licensed to preach in 1789, ordained at Newbury VT in 1790, installed pastor at Lyme in 1811, dismissed in 1820, and died in 1838. He represented Lyme in the legislature from 1821 to 1828, inclusive. Rev. Baxter Perry became the third resident pastor of the church, being ordained at Lyme, January 3, 1821. He was born in Worcester, Mass., April 16, 1792, prepared for college at Leicester academy, graduated from Harvard in 1817, and from Andover Theological seminary in 1820. "He entered into his pastoral work with great zeal, and a powerful revival almost immediately commenced, which added ninety-two members to the church in 1821." For nine years he ministered to this people, their example as well as the expounder of religious doctrines; but his career of usefulness was cut short and he was called to the Church Triumphant at the early age of thirty-eight years, January 18, 1830. During his pastroate the first Sabbath-school was organized in town, and in 1827 he became intensely interested in the temperance work, laboring publicly from house to house to obtain signatures to a pledge of total abstinence. It was under his influence and advice that Hon. Jonathan Kittredge, then one of his parishoners, delivered the temperance address which was printed and given a world-wide circulation by the American Tract Society. The successor of Mr. Perry was Rev. Erdix Tenney, who was born in Corinth VT June 11, 1801, graduated from Middlebury college in 1826, and Andover in 1829. He was installed over the church January 5, 1831, and his ministry continued thirty-seven years. During this term 660 were gathered into the church. His work tells of his faithfulness louder than words of praise. On September 20, 1868, Rev. Henry A. Hazen, a native of Hartford VT, and a graduate of Dartmouth and Andover, was called to the charge, in which he labored until October 31, 1870. On May 25, 1871, Rev. Erastus M. Kellogg was installed, and dismissed the following year. Since its organization, more than 1,100 persons have been received into the membership of this church. Of this number, some twenty-five have received collegiate education, fourteen entered the ministry, and a great number devoted themselves to God's service in other ways. The present pastor, Rev. Edward Page Butler, was born in Clintonville NY, February 14, 1848, graduated from the University of Vermont 1870, and Hartford Theological Seminary in 1873, began the ministry at Lyme June 9, 1873, and was ordained pastor October 20, 1874. During the twelve years he has been over this church 117 persons have been added to its membership and over $5,000 given for benevolent purposes. The present church edifice was erected in 1811, of wood, cost about $6,000.00 has a seating capacity of 600, and is valued at $3,600.00. THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN LYME was originally a part of the "Hanover and Lyme Baptist church," whose place of worship was in Hanover. In 1804 fifty-eight members of the church were credited to Lyme. December 16, 1807, the Lyme Baptist church was formed, with twenty-six members. Owing to misunderstandings, the church was disbanded in March 1810, but was reorganized September 12, with thirty-eight members, by a council of clergy and laymen from neighboring towns. Up to 1825 preachers from other towns supplied, some of whose names we have learned--Elder Bridgman of Hanover, Thomas Whippe, -- Colburn of Hanover, -- Gates, John Sanders, James Parker, -- Spaulding and -- Swazey. In 1825 Rev. S. Salden moved into the place and was the first resident pastor, and also the one one they had for seven years. On June 30, 1831, the church was once more disbanded, and a new one organized, consisting of sixteen members. Since Mr. ALden, the succession of pastors has been as follows: William Taylor, J. Peacock, M. Cheney, S. Coombs, P. Davison, A. Buck, G.W. Cutting eleven years, S. Ladd, Appleton Belknap seven years, Edmund H. Smith nine years, L.W. Wheeler three years, D.W. Palmer, S.S. White, E.P. Merrifield, and J.B. Read, the present pastor. REV. JOSEPH B. READ was born in Dighton, Mass., May 12, 1830, brought up on a farm and graduated from the Bridgewater normal school in 1850. He spent fourteen years of his life as a teacher, and served in the 58th Mass. Vols during the war, as chaplain. He commenced preaching at Brewster, Mass in 1861, and became pastor of this church in November 1883. REV. APPLETON BELKNAP was born in Framingham, Mass., graduated from Newton Theological seminar, and became pastor of this church in 1855. His death occured in Lyme, February 2, 1877. REV. EDMUND H. SMITH became the pastor in 1863. The first house of worship was erected of wood, soon after the church was organized, located about three quarters of a mile east of the present site. The present house was built in 1830, of wood, and will seat about 250 persons. A comfortable parsonage adjacent ot the church is owned by the society. The present church membership is sixty-nine and the Sabbath-school has an average attendance of about sixty scholars. (end)