Gazetteer of Grafton County, N. H.

PART FIRST.



GAZETTEER


— OF —

GRAFTON COUNTY, N. H.


1709==1886.


COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY


HAMILTON CHILD,


PERMANENT OFFICE, - - - SYRACUSE, N. Y.


ESTABLISHED 1866.
CANAAN lies in the southern part of the county, in lat. 43º 40’ and long. 72º 3’, bounded north by Dorchester, east by Orange, south by Enfield and west by Hanover. The surface of the land is very uneven, arranged in hills and valleys, much of the hill land being at the present time bare and almost barren, from the denuding of the forests and from unskilled agricultural labor. The earth is very full of stones, there being a very small portion of it which will not yield from each square rod stones enough to build a four-foot wall around it. The soil is good when nourished and cared for. Many of the farmers are poor men, whose necessities compel them to work so much from home that the farms are neglected, and thus their poor lands have grown up to bushes, brakes and hard-hacks. These disparaging remarks, however, do not apply to all the farm lands, as very skillful and thrifty farmers are located in communities, who are proud to show their well preserved buildings, clean fields and nice, growing crops.

The only stream of importance is the Mascoma river, which has its source in the northwestern part of Dorchester, and, after a serpentine course of some fifty miles, empties into the Connecticut, at Lebanon, first passing through Mascoma lake, in Enfield. Indian river, called by the early settlers North branch, has its source in the southeastern part of Dorchester, and, after a winding course of twelve or fifteen miles, unites with the Mascoma, in the meadows near Benjamin Norris’s. There are several brooks and ponds, the waters of which finally reach the Mascoma, and many of these brooks, after more than one hundred and fifty years’ labor by the patient fisherman, are still alive with speckled trout; but it requires very skillful handling of the rod to make the beauties rise to the hook. Heart pond, near the center of the town, is 1,150 feet above tide water, a beautiful sheet of clear water, with shallow edges and sandy bottom. It is 560 rods long by 320 in width. On its western shore is a level stretch of land which afforded so much attraction to the early settlers that they laid out, in 1788, a highway, eight rods wide and 288 rods long, extending by compass “north 12 east,” which they named “Canaan Broad Street,” and which name it has always since borne. That strip of highway became the business center of the town — a thriving village, with churches, schools, stores, and traders and artisans who died in the belief that their village was to flourish forever. Twelve years ago Heart pond was stocked with bass and land-locked salmon by the State Commissioners, and these, with the pickerel, afford legitimate and exciting sport. The air in this section is pure and healthful, and in recent years The Street has become a popular resort for city people. Goose pond, in the northwest corner of the town, four miles long, is well stocked with pickerel. Clark pond, in the northeast part, is stocked with perch and pickerel. Mud pond and Bear pond are famous for their turtles, snakes and lillies, and for the wavy, undulating motion of the shores all around them, indicating that a crust is forming over their minddy waters, which will some day be covered by a grassy plain.

The charter of Canaan bears the same date as twenty-two other townships, having been issued July 9, 1761. According to this charter the town was divided into sixty-eight shares, among sixty-two men and six societies. All of these proprietors, except twelve, were from Norwich or Colchester and vicinity, in Connecticut, and intended to become bona-fide settlers. The twelve exceptions were Gov. Benning Wentworth and his friends in the vicinity of Portsmouth. Their names were written in the charter through court favoritism, a system of rewards for political services well understood in courts and cabinets, and by which men of genius and wit got lands and property without work. Among these court favorites were Daniel Fowle, the printer, two cousins of the governor, and George and William King, merchants.

The charter is an interesting document, its tone being very grand and kingly. Attached to it are the names of the sixty-two original grantees, among them all it does not appear by the record that more than twelve ever visited their grant, Amos Walworth, Lewis Joslyn, Ebenezer Eames, George Harris, Daniel Harris, Samuel Meacham, Thomas Gates, Thomas Miner, James Jones, Samuel Dodge, and perhaps a few others, became residents. These gentlemen appear to have made explorations and to have performed various labors, leaving honorable names upon the records. There were also other men than those mentioned in the charter, to whom Canaan was indebted for opening up highways in the wilderness which enveloped all her hills and valleys.

But few authentic papers exist relative to the early settlement of the town. No diaries detailing the events of daily social life have ever been discovered. Very few letters are extant relating to the prospects or fate of those who came here, many of whom departed hence without leaving their address. The information to be obtained from the public records is meagre. These records give the appointment of committees and the election of officers, whose reports, after being “excepted” are not even placed on file. There are votes authorizing the raising of money for various purposes, but it does not appear how the money was expended. Not until 1793, thirty-two years from the date of the charter, is there a record of the taxpayers. The list for this year gives 124 names.

In 1880 Canaan had a population of 1,763 souls. In 1885 the town had twenty-one school districts, thirty-one common schools, and two graded schools. Its twenty school-houses were valued, including furniture, etc., at $2,050.00. There were 317 children attending school, eighteen of whom were pursuing the higher grades, taught during the year by two male and twenty-three female teachers, at an average monthly salary of $33.00 for males and $15.89 for females. The entire amount raised for school purposes during the year, was $1,470.92, while the expenditures were $1,534.03, with S. R. Swett, superintendent

EAST CANAAN is a post village located in the southeastern part of the town, it is a very thriving little community and a station on the Boston & Lowell Railroad.

CANAAN STREET is a post village located in the central part of the town, on an elevation commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. It has one church (Methodist Episcopal) and a general store.

FACTORY VILLAGE (Canaan p. o.) is a bright little manufacturing village located in the central part of the town.

WEST CANAAN is a small post village and station on the Boston & Lowell Railroad, located in the southern part of the town,

The Cardigan House, George W. Miller, proprietor, located near the R. R. station at East Canaan, is well kept, clean and wholesome, by a courteous and accommodating landlord. A stable is attached, whence travelers may be conveyed at their pleasure into the surrounding country.

The Parker House, at East Canaan, Freeman S. Parker, proprietor, is a nice resort for quiet people. It is pleasantly located about eighty rods from the Railroad station.

The Jerusalem Spring House, E. A. Hibbard proprietor, was built seven years ago, at an expense of $15,000.00. The great attraction is its spring of pure ærated water, which boils out from a fissue in the rocks. The elevation of the house is 1,100 feet above the water. All its appointments are neat and tasty.

The Sunset House, near Canaan Street, by Mrs. H. B. Tenney, is a new house for summer boarders. It has accommodations for about twenty guests, is situated 1,100 feet above tide water, and is easy of approach.

Crystal Lake Hotel is the name of the old tavern on Canaan Street, Mrs. M. S. A. Derby and daughter, proprietors. It was built in 1791, but has been enlarged and repaired so as to make a very desirable resort for summer boarders. It has an elevation of 1,200 feet and fronts on Heart pond

Several other farm houses have been fitted up for the accommodation of summer guests, and by the aid of the newspaper the town has been made the home of large numbers of strangers during the summer months.

Peaslee’s saw-mill and chair stock factory. — Stephen Peaslee carries on the manufacture of lumber on an extensive scale, at Factory Village, where he commenced business in 1875. He manufactures hard wood lumber, shingles, chair-stock, lath, and dimension lumber of all kinds. He gives employment to fifteen men and a number of teams. He has turned out a million and a half feet of lumber yearly. He has also a steam sawmill at East Canaan, of the capacity of 10,000 feet of lumber daily. He also has a grist-mill in the same village, which has two runs of stones, and does a custom and merchant milling business.

Fred J. Collins & Co., of Boston, carry on the manufacture of leather-board, at Factory Village, in the factory owned by Stephen Peaselee, and formerly used for the manufacture of straw-board. This business was established in February, 1885. They employ ten hands, turning out twenty-five hundred pounds daily.

Joseph F. Stockbridge carries on the business of a dealer in granite, and manufacturer of all kinds of cemetery work in granite, at East Canaan.

C. H Butman’s grist-mill, on road 45, a half mile from East Canaan, was built about 1870, is run by water-power, and has three runs of stones.

The story of the first settler in Canaan is partly legendary; but some authentic facts have been obtained concerning him, from his descendants now living in Canada. John Scofield left Connecticut in the spring of 1766, in search of a home. He had worked his way up the Connecticut river, from the vicinity of Norwich, with the intention of going on to Canada. In December, 1766, he was wandering about in the neighborhood of Lebanon and Hanover, and from passing hunters and woodsmen learned of the rich intervales, large trees and abundance of game to be found in the wilderness of this town, where as yet no man had stopped for a longer time than was needed to take up his traps. He started for the dew region, hauling his effects on a hand-sled, followed by his wife and three children—two young sons and a daughter—the distance being fourteen miles, marked by blazed trees. He reached the Mascoma river, and crossed it on the ice toward dark. He brought his axe, shovel and rifle, and locating on a convenient spot about a mile from the river, he built a great fire, cleared away the snow, and packed up brush to serve as a night’s shelter for his family, then ate a frugal supper, and slept. His first brush house was woven together in the valley, about twenty-five rods north from the school-house, in district No. 10, and, as soon after as possible, he built a log house, in the same place, which served for a comfortable shelter during his first winter here. It was at this place that he was startled by the report of the gun of Thomas Miner, on that eventful morning, in the following spring, which was a signal to him that he was no longer a lone settler in Canaan. Sometime after this event, and before the lands were taken up by the slowly arriving grantees, he built a house nearer the river, where he spent the remainder of his life. The field where his remains now lie was his property, deeded to him by Thomas Miner. He cleared it, and dedicated a portion of it as a burial place. Several young persons were buried here previous to his own death, which occurred July 5, 1784. Mrs. Sarah Scofield, his widow, survived him until 1796, and is supposed to have been the last person buried there. It does not appear that Mr. Scofield’s intention to set aside this ground as a burial place, was ever completed, no record being found of the fact, and when the farm was sold to Capt. Daniel Pattee, in 1803, no reservation was made in the deed as to these graves, and they became the property of the purchaser of the farm.

The family of Mr. Scofield consisted of Sarah, his wife, and three children, Eleazer, twelve, John, Jr., ten, and Miriam eight years old, at the time of their arrival. Miriam afterwards became the wife of Maj. Samuel Jones, one of the early settlers from Connecticut.

Mr. Scofield was a strong-minded, self-reliant man of fifty-one years at this time, and had been accustomed to the comforts of social life. That his labors and virtues were appreciated is evident from the fact that when the proprietors awarded sixty dollars to those pioneers who had contributed most towards the good of the colony, Mr. Scofield was mentioned first of four, his share being twenty-six dollars.

Thomas Miner was the second man who came on to colonize the town. He was a resident of Norwich, Conn., and at the date of the charter, in which he is mentioned as a grantee, he was eighteen years of age. He was a restless man, of great energy and activity all his life; not much of a scholar, a poor writer, and not always mindful of the courtesies of life. Several of his early years were passed upon the sea. In 1765, at the age of twenty-two, he married Eleanor Lamb, of Norwich, and their first child, Allen, was born in September, 1776. At this time he was out of business, and had consulted with several of the grantees upon the propriety of making a journey into New Hampshire to look after their township. Had he followed his own inclinations he would have been here in advance of Mr. Scofield. There were then no mails, no postmasters; all communications being passed by private hand. He could learn but few particulars concerning the locality. Emigrants to the Upper Coös had passed through it by the foot trail, but they could give no description of it except that it was covered with goodly trees, had plenty of stone for building purposes, and that the water abounded with fish and the woods with game, some of it dangerous.

Many of the proprietors, particularly the Harrises,—George, Gibson, and Daniel,—and Dr. Eames, James Jones, Amos Walworth, and Samuel Meacham were arranging to come. Joshua and Ezekiel Wells, Sam and Jehu Jones, Lewis Joslyn, and Samuel Benedict also intended to come, and did come afterwards, but were not quite ready then, and persuaded Miner to wait until the spring of 1767, when, they assured him, they would all go together and strengthen and support each other. When the spring opened they were still undecided, desiring to hear something, more definite of the territory. Miner told them they were too slow for him, that he should start about the first of April, and if any of them chose to go along, he would be pleased with their company. At his own appointed time he took his wife and child, and such implements as he could pack upon a horse, and with a compass in his pocket to guide him when he became uncertain of the way, he started for the new territory, driving a cow. His journey, was a quiet one, unmarked by any disturbing incidents. Arriving at their land of promise, they first camped upon a rise of land afterwards called the South Road.

Thomas took his axe and soon cleared away the brush and arranged the branches of the trees for a shelter. Then, with flint and steel, he struck a light, and while his wife mixed the corn bread he milked the cow, and they soon sat down to their first frugal meal in Canaan. On awaking the next morning, their ears were greeted with sounds as of chopping. Thomas discharged his rifle and awaited the result. This was soon answered by the report of another rifle. Working his way cautiously through the bushes, he soon found himself in the presence of our first settler and oldest inhabitant, John Scofield.

After the departure of young Miner, the scheme for emigration often came to the surface with those left behind, but the faith of many was so weak that it was several months before a conclusion was reached, and that was to send up a small company of explorers, who should view the land, observe all its beauties and deformities, and report upon the uses to which industrious men might put it. This party consisted of George Harris and his brother Daniel. Amos Walworth, Samuel Benedict, Samuel Jones, Lewis Joslyn, Asa Wilhams, Joseph Craw, and Daniel Crossman, several of whom had the courage to bring their families with them. This expedition arrived here late in the summer of 1767.

George Harris, a man of energy and superior intelligence, was recognized as the leader among them. He immediately organized parties for exploring, and in a few days they had visited the southern, northern and western portions of the town. These parties returned to Mr. Miner’s camp at the time appointed, bringing favorable reports of the lands they had examined. In their travels, each one had selected a spot on which to build his home. George Harris, Samuel Jones, David Crossman and Samuel Benedict selected lands on “South Road” so as to form a neighborhood. Asa Williams, Daniel Crossman and Joseph Craw selected lands south of the center of the town, and they, having their families along, in imitation of Scofield and Miner, went immediately to house-keeping under the brush.

Mr. Harris and Mr. Walworth returned to Colchester to convey the result of their observations to the waiting ones. These were not yet ready, however, and did not start for more than a year, except Mr. Harris, who with his wife and two sons, Joshua and Hubbard, accompanied by Samuel Dodge and Capt. Josiah Gates, returned to his new home and busied himself in assigning lands, laying out roads and other matters in the interest of the grantees. Before winter set in, each of these families had built log houses and were prepared with their slender means to meet the rigors of the season. Fortunately for their comfort, the snow was not abundant and the season was comparatively mild.

Their numbers increased slowly. In 1776, ten years after the arrival of Mr. Scofield, the total male population above twenty-one years of age was twenty-four, all of whom signed the “association test,” by which “we, the subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage and promise that we will, to the utmost of our power, at the risque of our lives and fortunes, with arms, oppose the hostile proceedings of the British fleets and armies against the united American colonies.”

There was much to discourage these new settlers—no roads to pass from house to house, no grist-mill, no saw-mill, no crops to be gathered. The mode of their coming not being favorable to the transportation of food or grain, their slender stock slowly diminished and they began to feel alarm for their future. At Lebanon a mill had been erected. Only a foot trail led there, obstructed by swamps and fallen trees; rafts of logs served for bridges; hither a man must walk, work a day to earn a bushel of “bread-corn” and have it ground, then pack it upon his back to his home. We can imagine how carefully that bushel of bread-corn was husbanded. During the winter and spring of 1768 there was but little variation in the labors of the settlers. Some progress had been made in laying out roads, several acres of trees had been felled and the land burned over preparatory to putting in seed. The first legal meeting of the proprietors was held this year. The following is a copy of the record of proceedings:—

"CANAAN, July 9, 1768.

“PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

“At a meeting legally warned of the proprietors of the township of Canaan, in said province, the following votes were passed, viz. :—

“Chose Mr. George Harris, moderator.
“Made choice of Joseph Craw, proprietors’ clerk.
“Made choice of George Harris, first committeeman; Capt. Josiah Gates, second committeeman; Samuel Benedict, third committee man; John Burdick, fourth committeeman, and Joseph Craw, fifth committeeman.
“For assessors, made choice of Samuel Benedict. John Burdick and Joseph Craw.
“Chose Samuel Dodge, collector, and John Scofield, treasurer.
“Voted, to raise three dollars upon each proprietor’s right, to defray the charges of making and mending roads.
“Voted, that the above mentioned tax of three dollars be worked out under the care and direction of the proprietors’ committee, to be done by the middle of November, next, and that said committee allow 4s. per day for said labor.
“Voted, to raise one dollar on each proprietor’s right, which the proprietors will give, with 100 acres of upland to be laid out in the undivided land with a stream, where it shall be judged best and must convenient to build mills, to any person who will appear and build a good corn-mill and saw-mill within sixteen months from this time, so as to have said mills well done and going for the benefit of said town.
“Voted, that the proprietors’ committee is hereby directed to lay out to those proprietors as are already settled in the township, ten acres of meadow and also one hundred acres of upland, where they have already made their pitch, to be allowed towards their right or share in said township; and also, the said committee are further directed to lay out ten acres of meadow and one hundred acres of upland as above said [to such persons] as shall appear to make a speedy settlement in said town; and furthermore, the proprietors’ clerk is hereby directed to put the returns of said 10-acre and 100-acre lots upon record as they shall be laid out and returned by the committee to each proprietor, as aforesaid.
“Voted, that the owners of more than one-sixteenth part of the shares or rights in the township shall make request to the proprietors’ clerk, setting forth the reasons for calling said meeting, and also the articles to be acted upon, and of the time and place of holding said meetings; that the clerk warn a meeting by setting up a notification, agreeable to said request, four days at least before the time of holding it, at the house of John Scofield, shall he a sufficient warning for the purpose.
“Voted, to raise 6s. on each proprietor’s right, in labor of proprietors, to be given the first settlers in said Canaan, as was proposed, to give them encouragement, to be proportioned among them as follows, viz.: to John Scofield, ye vallew of $26.00; Asa Williams, ye vallew of $18.00; Samuel Tones, ye vallew $8.00 ; and Daniel Crossman, ye vallew of $8.00.

“GEORGE HARRIS, Moderator,

“JOSEPH CRAW, Clerk.”

A young child of Joseph Craw died this year, 1768. and was buried in the ground now embraced in the Street burial-ground, the first death in the township.

In 1769 the charter of Canaan was declared forfeited, by reason of non-compliance with any of its provisions. The grantees sent their prayer to the governor for an extension, and he, considering their hardships, granted their prayer by reissuing their charter, in the terms of the old one. No town meeting had yet been held to organize the town. In June, 1770, application was made to Benjamin Giles, one of the king’s justices of the peace, at Orford, who issued a call, pursuant to which the people met at John Scofield’s house, July 3, and elected the following officers: John Scofield, moderator; Samuel Benedict, clerk; John Scofield, Joseph Craw and Samuel Benedict, assessors; Asa Williams, tithingman; and Ezekiel Wells, highway surveyor.

The proprietors found thernselves involved in the same difficulties as the town in reference to their organization; The charter; having been re-issued to them; they applied to Israel Morey, Esq., one of the king’s justices of the peace, at Orford, to call a legal meeting of the grantees, which he did, and appointed the 10th of May, 1770, at John Mann’s inn, in Orford, as the time and place of said meeting. The meeting was held agreeably to the call, and continued in session two days. They chose John Scofield, moderator, treasurer and assessor; Joseph Craw and Asa Kilburn, assessors; Jedediah Hibbard, proprietors’ clerk and collector, and then adjourned to meet at Canaan on June 12th, and it was continued by adjournments during three and one-half years, very many important votes being passed.

The absence of corn-mills and saw-mills had seriously embarrassed the settlers, and the proprietors had constantly increased the premiums for a bidder, until three 100-acre lots were offered, together with the privilege of the water-power selected. This premium was finally accepted by Dr. Ebeneezer Eames and Nathan Scofield, who built the first mill in the town, on the site of the old tannery at “The Corner,” upon the brook running from Heart pond. It was completed and opened for use December 1, 1771.

In 1774 it was voted that Thomas Miner have the liberty of pitching one hundred acres of the undivided upland, as encouragement for building a saw-mill in said town. This saw-mill is said to have been erected on Moose brook, south of the road. The land was deeded to Mr. Miner by Capt Caleb Clarke, Capt. Charles Walworth and John Scofield. This deed is very neatly written, in the fair hand of Thomas Baldwin, and by its terms the people of Canaan were “well accommodated.” It is dated “This 15th day of September, ——annoque domini, 1777,” with Thomas Baldwin and Asa Kilburn as witnesses.

After this period the people suffered no more inconvenience on account of the lack of mills. Jonathan Carlton came in from Amesbury and built mills at Factory Village; Robert Barber came from New Market and built the mills afterwards known as Welch’s; John Pearley came from Gilmanton and built a mill at Goose pond, and lumber became abundant and cheap.

In 1775 the selectmen sent a letter to the “committee of correspondence” at Exeter, by the hand of John Scofield, assuring them of the sympathy of the people in the movement for independance, other than which no message appears for this year. If Paul Revere’s message was heard in Canaan, we do not know it; if any of the young town’s laborers joined that band of patriots, we do not know it; the old yellow leaf where the record should appear is a blank ; the whole year went by, with all its momentous events, and nothing was recorded in Canaan.

In 1776 more new names appear. Thomas Baldwin was chosen constable, Jonathan Bingham, surveyor; Jehu Jones, tithingman; and Asa Williams pound-keeper. The pound was located near Samuel Chapman’s. Capt. Samuel Jones, Thomas Miner and Caleb Welch were appointed a committee to lay out a burial-place, and selected and laid out the grounds known as “The Cobble,” near Jehu Jones’s house, on South Road. This closes the record for that great year. That some of the Canaanites did engaged in the struggle for independence, however, is evident from the record of the following very liberal bounty, offered by the town to the soldiers:

’’Voted, that every person who has been in the Continental service, or may enlist the ensuing year, and rnay be gone through the usual season for business, shall not be liable to pay any highway taxes for that year he is gone."
Thomas Baldwin was elected clerk for the years 1777, ’78, ’79; beyond this fact, and for a period of six rears longer, until 1786, the town records are a failure, nothing appearing, save the notices of marriages, births and deaths, and even these are in an unknown hand. Thomas might have done much for our enlightment, for he was a young man of ability. He gained a great reputation in the Baptist church, but as a town clerk he was not a success.

The first settlers, as we have said, were from Connecticut, and came chiefly through the influence of George Harris, one of the grantees who was much interested in the new colony. William, Craw, Jones, Crossman, Benedict, the Wellses, Welch, Joslyn, Walworth, Gates, Lathrop, Earnes and others came with, or followed soon after Mr. Harris. These first comers located, most of them, upon the ridge of land called “South Road.” Their pitches and purchases extending from John Scofield’s, near Mascoma river, to the Grafton line, near which William Ayer had built a house. The South Road, then called the “Post Road,” was laid out by the county court, and was a continuation of the Post road from Boston to the Upper Coös country. It crossed the Mascoma river near Mr. Harris’s house, and passed up over Town hill and Sawyer hill, to Lyme, and beyond. The proprietors’ committee laid out roads to accommodate the houses of the settlers, and they thus passed over high hills and through deep valleys. There were no wheeled carriages, and as the peaple all went on horse-back or afoot, the roads were straight, with no reference to the inequalities of the ground.

Aiter 1780, when the soldiers were returning from the war, immigration received a fresh impulse, families from Haverhill, Amesbury, Plaistow, Hampstead. New Market, and other eastern towns, were induced to settle here, chiefly through the representations of the friends of the Governor, who had been made grantees, and were anxious to realize some profit from their grant. Among those who came at that time were Jonathan Dustin and his son David, whose descendants now occupy the lands of their ancestors, Parrot and Daniel Blaisdell, William Ayer, Nathaniel Bartlett, Robert Barber, Moses Sawyer, the six Richardson brothers, Joseph Flint, Henry Springer, William Longfellow, Matthew Greeley, Daniel Colby, John Worth, Richard Clark, Richard Otis, Warren Wilson and Joseph Wheat—thirty-eight in all, and thirty-two of whom lie buried here, many of them in unmarked graves.

Capt. Asa Pattee removed to Canaan from Warner, and settled on the farm known as the “Pattee place,” located on the South road. This place was first occupied by John Scofield, whose story we have told as the first white inhabitant of Canaan. Scofield remained on this forest home with his family till his death, and was buried on the place. The headstone that marked his grave has been removed to the State Historical Society’s room, at Concord, for safe keeping. The first stone chimney and cellar constructed in Canaan now plainly mark the spot where Mr. Scofield erected the first cabin. To this “lodge in the vast wilderness” Capt. Asa Pattee brought his family, and through all these intervening years it has remained a heritage of his descendants bearing the name of Pattee. He was succeeded by his son, Col. Daniel Pattee, who was a farmer, and father of four sons and six daughter. His sons were Barnard, Daniel, James and Moses B.

Barnard, the only surviving child of Daniel Pattee, now nearly ninety years of age resides in Canaan, and is a farmer. He married Betsey Howe, and they had born to them three sons and one daughter, only two now living, Daniel Pattee, Jr., second son of Daniel was born in Canaan in 1799, was a prominent farmer and also early in life took an active interest in military and political affairs. At the age of twenty-eight years he was commissioned by Governor Merrill captain of a company of Artillery in the 37th Regt., of N. H. He was selectman of his town several years. He married Judith Burley and they were blessed with six sons and three daughters. One of the sons died in infancy, another at the age of twelve years. The other four and two of the daughters are living. Mr. Pattee was a life-long resident of his native town and died in 1875, aged seventy-six years. Mrs. Pattee survived her husband until May, 1883, when she died aged eighty-three years. The surviving children of Daniel Pattee, Jr., are Gordon B., a prominent and extensive manufacturer of lumber of the firm of Perley & Pattee, in Ottawa, Canada. He married Miss Mary Read, and they are parents of five children, four now living.

Hon. Lewis C. Pattee, the only representative of this branch of the Pattee family now in Grafton county, resides in the pleasant village of Lebanon, and is one of the leading business men of his county. Like his brothers, he had a good academic education. He is now engaged in manufacturing lumber in his native town of Canaan, where he first engaged in business, and is also one of the firm of the Woodsville Lumber Company, and a member of the Pattee Plow Company of Monmouth, Illinois, which is an extensive manufacturing enterprise in agricultural implements. Mr. Pattee is not without civil honors. In politics he is a staunch Democrat, conservative, not ultra. He has held the position of county commissioner six years, and was elected to the office of sheriff two terms of two years each. In 1858 Mr. Pattee married Miss Rebecca Perley, of Enfield, and they are the parents of six children, four of whom are now living, a son and three daughters. James H., son of Daniel, Jr., in his early manhood emigrated to Monmouth, Illinois, where he now resides. He organized the Pattee Plow Co., of which he is now a member, and is the inventor of the New Departure Tongueless cultivator, which has been extensively adopted throughout the great West. He married Miss Mary E. Nye, of Monmouth. They had two sons, one of whom died at the age of three years. Henry H. son of Daniel, Jr., also removed to Monmouth, about twenty years ago, and is one of the firm of the Pattee Plow Co. He is also an inventor and patentee. He married Miss Lizzie R. Morgan, of Canaan, who was the mother of one daughter, who died in early childhood, and her mother died in early life. Mr. Pattee married second time Miss Anna Willets, of Monmouth, and they had born to them one son.

Louise M., daughter of Daniel Pattee, Jr., married Ithamar P. Pillsbury, and resides in Monmouth, Ill. Mr. Pillsbury is of the firm of the Pattee Plow Co. Mr. and Mrs. Pillsbury are parents of three daughters.

Eliza D., youngest daughter of Daniel Pattee, Jr., married John Q. Perley, of Enfield, and also resides in Monmouth. Mr. Perley is of the firm of Pattee & Perley, manufacturers of lumber in Canaan, and has an interest in the Pattee Plow Co. They are parents of one son and two daughters.

James, son of Daniel Pattee, Sr., succeeded to the homestead, and was also a farmer. He was twice married. His first wife was Rebecca Currier, who was the mother of four sons and one daughter, viz.: Wyman, who resides in Enfield, a sketch of whom appears in the historical chapter of that town. James F. Pattee was a prominent citizen, held the office of postmaster ten or twelve years. and was a general merchant in trade in Enfield about twenty years. He married Marion F. Blake, and they were the parents of two children who reside in San Francisco. Mr. Pattee died in 1871. His wife survives him and is living with her second husband, Mr. Flint, who holds a good position in the employ of the Central Pacific R. R. and is located at San Francisco. Ann R. Pattee married James Currier, and resides in Springfield, Mass. Burns W. Pattee in early years commenced labor as an employee of the Northern R. R., and by his merits alone attained the position of passenger conductor, which place he held until ill health compelled him to resign. He is now engaged in the general merchandise business in Enfield, is a Democrat and leader of his party in his town, and has held the position of representative in the legislature two terms. He married Miss Tryphena Leeds, of Canaan. The second wife of James Pattee, who was Miss Rosamond Jones. survives her husband and retains the old homestead, but resides in the village of Enfield. They had born to them one daughter who resides with her mother. Moses D., son of Daniel, was a farmer, married and reared four chilciren, all deceased except Jesse P. Pattee, who resides in Enfield.

Joshua Currier was born in South Hampton, and removed to this town in 1804. He married Mary Farrington, of Amesbury, previous to his coming. He settled on road 64, and resided near the same farm on which he first located, until his death, which occurred June 16, 1871, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. He was a prosperous farmer, and for many years was a deacon in the Baptist church. He had a family of eleven children, the eldest of whom is Eben F., born in 1805. He married Sophia Noyes, in 1832, and has always lived near, the place of his birth, on road 64. He had four children, of whom Moses E. married Arabella Hadley, and resides with his father. Amos N. lives at Iowa City, where he is professor of languages in the Iowa State University. Elizabeth R. and Mary A. both died many years ago. Moses Currier has one daughter (adopted). Eben F. Currier is now deacon of the Baptist church at East Canaan. Amos N. was a soldier in the late rebellion, leaving a professorship in college at the time of his enlistment. He served in an Iowa regiment three years.

William W. George was born in the town of Sunapee, formerly Wendall, in this State, in 1807. When a boy he went to Croydon as an apprentice to the trade of manufacturing woolen cloth. He removed to this town in 1832. Previous to this time he married Lucy B Whipple, of Croydon. He, in company with Nathaniel Currier, established the manufacture of woolens at Factory Village, which business they carried on successfully for many years. He afterwards carried on a lumber business a number of years. For fifteen years he was deputy sheriff, doing business in three counties. For a number of years he was first selectman of his town, a member of the State legislature at different times, and was at one time a candidate for State senator. He had a family of five children, one dying in infancy. Isabell married Dr. Asa Wheat, of this town. Harriet S. married James H. Kelly, a merchant for many years at Factory Village, now deceased. Mrs. Kelly resides with her daughter, at Lebanon. Frances K. married Charles Day, a very prominent man in all the affairs of this town. Mr. Day died in March, 1885. He was town treasurer at the time of his death. Allen H. married Jane E. Wheat, of this town. He has been in the railway postal service for seven years, between St. Albans and Boston. Previous to that service he had been in the mercantile business in this town. In the late war he served as lieutenant in Co. H, 11th N. H. Vols., and was on Gov. Walter Harriman’s staff, with the rank of colonel. William George was one of the foremost of Abolitionists when it cost something to maintain the principles of that party. During the Rebellion he furnished a soldier at his own expense, receiving a certificate for the same from Chester Pike, then provost marshall of the third district of New Hampshire. The maintenance of this volunteer cost Mr. George more than seven hundred dollars. He was always noted for his acts of benevolence in all the walks of life.

Elder Nathan Jones was born in Wilmot, September 1, 1818. In January, 1845, he removed to this town. Eastman, Balch & Kittridge had started the manufacture of steel hammers at Factory Village, and about 1855 he succeeded William Butterfield in the business. He carried it on for twenty-five years, manufacturing large quantities of nail, shoe, blacksmiths’ and farriers’ hammers. This business he continued until 188o. He married, first, Polly C. Bailey, of Newbury, with whom he lived nine years. His second wife was Mary A. Gile, of this town. He has two children living and has buried four. Mr. Jones has been a preacher of the Free Will Baptist denomination forty years. He has spent a busy life, as the record of one year’s work will testify. He forged with his own hands 610 dozen hammers, preached 114 sermons on Sabbath days, attended ninety-eight social religious meetings, spent eighteen days in protracted meetings, baptized seven converts, married eleven couples, and attended fifteen funerals. For the forty years of his ministry he has attended ten funerals per year. He is now preaching, but not over a settled charge, and is also a farmer.

Harry L. Follansbee was born in Enfield, where he lived until twenty-six years ago, when he removed to this town, settling on road 35, then known as Springer Hill. This name was derived from a man by the name of Springer, having been the first settler in this portion of the town, and who built the first house. It was of logs and on the farm now occupied by Mr. Follansbee. His grandson, Mr. Follansbee, married Susan Day, a native of Enfield. They had two children, Mary A. and Lewis. Lewis married Florette Peeler, a native of Vernon, Vt., and has two children, a son and a daughter. Mr. Follansbee has always occupied the same farm since his coming to this town, and has always lived within three miles of his birth-place.

Stephen Williams came to this town, from Enfield, about 1797, with his parents, and died here in 1853. He married Elizabeth Longfellow, of Byfield, Mass., and had born to him seven children, four of whom are now living, of whom Samuel was a lieutenant in Co. C, 7th N. H. Vols., during the Rebellion. He was obliged to resign on account of sickness, and of which he died in Enfield. Stephen was also a soldier during the war, in the 8th N. H. Vols. Lorenzo D. was lost at sea in January, 1838, while on a fishing excursion. William was a farmer in this town and died in 1882. Susan married James Eastman, and resides in Hanover. Mary married Leonard Hadley, and resides in this town. Abraham L. married Chastina Burnham, of Hanover, who died in 1861. He has been a farmer for many years on road 33, where he has built neat and comfortable farm buildings.

Stephen R. Swett was born in Salisbury, June 18, 1820. He removed to Andover with his parents in 1821, where he lived until 1836, when he removed to Wilmot. His education was acquired at Franklin academy. From 1840 to 1861 he was a manufacturer of shoes at Wilmot Flat and Andover Center, for the southern trade. In 1861 he entered the service of the United States as captain of Co. I, 1st R. I. Calvary, which company he raised in this State, which with three others from this State, joined eight companies from Rhode Island as the 1st Regt. R. I. Cavalry. In 1862 he was promoted major in the same regiment. On account of wounds received at the battle of Kelley’s Ford, he was honorably discharged in 1864. Since the war he has been deputy sheriff for seven years, has been a surveyor and land conveyancer, and has also been town superintendent of schools for seven years. His first wife was Sarah Cheney, of Sutton, who died in 1871. His second wife is Sarah Clough, of this town. He was chosen representative from Canaan for 1885.

Hazen F. Wooster, born at Maidstone, Vt., July 11, 1846, removed to Manchester with his parents in 1849, and from there to Bristol, and to this town when sixteen years of age. His father was an engineer for many years on the Northern railroad, and also had the contract for sawing the wood for the Northern railroad and Concord and Claremont and Bristol branch for seven years, sawing more than 25,000 cords yearly. He bought the hotel at East Canaan in 1868, then known as the Granite Hotel, which he kept for seven months, and died there in October of the same year. Hazen F. was then twenty-two years of age, and thrown upon his own resources, having worked for the railroad company since fourteen years old. When twenty-one he engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate, which he has followed since that date. He has become one of the most prominent men in that business in the State, and it is said has bought and sold more real estate than any man living in the State, of his age. His wife was Chestina H., daughter of Noah B. Hutchinson, one of the brothers of the famous Hutchinson family of singers, of Milford They have two sons living, one son, David H., having died August 17, 1883, aged two years.

Charles Davis was one of the nine children of Samuel Davis, born in Plainfield, in 1824. In 1846 he came to this town and settled on road 6, in the south part of the town. He lived there seventeen years. From there he removed to the farm he now occupies, on road 42. He married Caroline T., daughter of Elisha Miner, whose father, Thomas Miner, was the early settler of Canaan.

LAWYERS.

For a detailed account of the members of the legal profession in Canaan the reader is referred to the ‘Bench and Bar’ in the County Chapter.

DOCTORS.

From its first settlement the town has always been well supplied with physicians. Dr. Ebenezer Eames was the first. He came in 1769. Then came Dr. John Harris; Dr. Caleb Pierce, who built the hotel now known as the “Crystal Lake House,” and died of spotted fever in 1813; Dr. Amasa Howard who built the old house where Mr. Perry’s house now stands. He was a surveyor, also, and, after several years left town. Dr. Timothy Tilton came in 1813, and remained until his death in 1836. On his grave-stone he desired to have engraved, “The Slave’s Friend.” Dr. Cyrus B. Hamilton and Dr. Daniel Hovey practiced here each a year. Dr. Daniel Stark was too poor when he graduated to pay his matriculation fees. He practiced here many years without a diploma, and became a very skillful physician. Then came Dr. Jones, who married Miss Sophia Martin, re-married a few years, and sold out to Dr. Arnold Morgan, whose practice extended over a period of thirty years. Dr. Morgan died in 1878, and his place was taken by Dr. George E. Leet, who continues to ride in the old buggy of his predecessor. Dr. Ara Wheat, grandson of Elder Joseph Wheat, commenced practice here forty years ago, and still rides when called for. Dr. E. M. Tucker a graduate from the army hospitals, has been in practice here about twelve years. He has firm nerves and a cool head, and is reckoned among the skillful of his profession. Dr. John Rogers is a man over eighty years of age. These years are a bar to much active practice.

CLERGYMEN.

The clergymen in Canaan have not been so numerous, nor so well paid, as the gentlemen of the other professions. Elder Thomas Baldwin was the first ordained minister. The ceremony took place June 11, 1783, in Deacon Caleb Welch’s barn, on South road. Rev. Samuel Shepard, of Brentwood, preached the sermon, Rev Elisha Ranson, of Woodstock, Vt., gave the charge, and the Rev. Samuel Ambrose, of Sutton, gave the right hand of fellowship. His salary during the seven years of his pastorate here was thirty pounds per year. He had a wife and four children. After his departure in 1790 there was an interregnum of twenty-three years before the town agreed to settle another minister. There were so many “gifted” brethern among the people that they would never agree upon any of the numerous candidates who offered themselves, but elder Joseph Wheat finally captured the town, and preached here ninteen sears, or until his death. He never received $200 a year. Since that time the Baptists have had a great deal of preaching, but no settled minister. They built a nice little church at East Canaan about fifteen years ago, at a cost of about $7,000. In these years, however, its doors are seldom opened for public worship.

Aside from the respectable citizens already mentioned, there were several men in the past who deserve mention. John Currier, Esq., was prominent for forty years, dying in 1826, useful in all places, trusted and honored with many offices—surveyor, justice of the peace, selectman, representative, guardian and executor of many estates. His descendant of the same name ocupies the old homestead.

Hon. Daniel Blaisdell came here on his discharge from the Revolutionary army, in 1780, aged eighteen years. Intelligent, self reliant and willful, he worked his way up to fortune and honors, until in 1809 he was elected a representative to the XI. Congress, the only resident of Canaan who ever received that honor. His decendants, at about the time of his death, 1833, numbered nearly one nundred.

Nathaniel Currier came in 1816. He was a successful trader for many years, and was often elected to various town offices. He was very decided in his political opinions—an active Abolitionist from the organization of the party; but these opinions proved prejudicial to his business, in the days when public sentiment was strongly pro-slavery. He died in 1863, aged seventy three years, believing he had done something to keep the abolition ball rolling. His son Frank is now a trader in his father’s old store; Frank D., already mentioned as a lawyer, is a grandson of the old trader.

James Wallace came in 1817 a trader and active business man. He was a manufacturer of pot and pearl-ashes many years; was prominent in all town affairs, and was honored by election to many offices of trust. He died in 1831, aged forty-four years.

James B. Wallace and Horace S. Currier, sons of the foregoing, were successful traders up to 1853, when, the former died. Mr. Currier died in 1866.

The Wallace family consisted of eight children, two of whom are living, Mrs. Harriet O. Martin, of Oakland, Cal., and William A., who occupies the old homestead.

Caleb Blodgett, Sr., born in Hudson, N. H., in 1793, married Miss Charlotte Piper, and took up his residence in Canaan, in 1835. He was for many years sheriff of the county. a clear-headed man, filled with good common sense, a man whose advice was worth attention,—a genial, handy old gentleman. neighborly, social and reliable. Honors and trusts were heaped upon him, in all of which he acquitted himself with credit. In all his long life he never but once failed to vote the Democratic ticket. He died March 6, 1872. At the preceeding March election his infirmities were so great that he paired off with a Republican, who was suffering like himself.

Looking about the town, the traveler passes many old houses, of a size greatly out of proportion to the families of the present day. These old houses are chiefly two-stories high, and are not nearly finished, very few of them being painted. They were built when large families were the rule, and increase of offspring the desire—thus: Thomas and Ellen Miner had eight children; Capt. John and Lydia Scofield had nine children; Ezekiel and Phebe Wells had eighteen; Jacob and Phebe Dow had fourteen; Joseph and Mary Flint had fourteen; Job and Abigail and Annie Tyler had sixteen; Daniel and Sally Blaisdell had eleven; John M. and Sally Barber had eight; David Pollard was the father of twenty children, all of whom attained an adult age; Nathaniel and Rebecca Currier had eleven; Joshua and Miriam Harris had ten; and Jehu and Betty Jones had eighteen children.

ACADEMIES.

Noyes’ academy was established here more than fifty years ago. Its friends and patrons hoped some day to see it a great institution, sending its benign influence far out over the land. Its doors were opened to all races, and whites and blacks were invited to come and partake of its benefits on equal terms. But the public opinion of that day was not tolerant. The academy had not long been in operation before the people met in “legal town meeting” and voted that “niggers” could not be tolerated here. And they were not. On the 10th of August, 1835 five hundred men; embracing many of the substantial and respected citizens of Enfield, Dorchester and Canaan, assisted by a string of ninety-five yoke of cattle, hauled the devoted building from its foundation, and it was afterward set on fire and burned. The colored boys and girls, seventeen in all, fled from the town for fear of bodily harm, and were not allowed to return. When the noble deed had been accomplished, the selectmen of the town called a legal meeting, and passed a solemn vote of thanks to the “gentlemen” who had so gallantly assisted in abating the “nuisance,” as the academy was called, and guaranteed immunity to them from any prosecution that might arise in the premises. And thus this academy was destroyed, and a magnificent educational idea lost to the world. Nobody was prosecuted, and it was confidently asserted at the time that no jury in New Hampshire would return a verdict favorable to an abolitionist. All of which was true.

Canaan Union academy arose from the ashes of the one burned. For about twenty years, with able instructors and a friendly public sentiment, it offered good educational facilities to large numbers of pupils who gathered within its wails. But teachers and pupils are gone, to return no more, and the building, long abandoned, is slowly falling to ruins.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

Nearly all of the early settlers were strongly religious, either through their own prejudices or their convictions, and there always was, and still is, a strong antagonism towards apposite faiths. In 1780 the Baptist preponderated. Up to this time they had depended upon one another for religious instruction and entertainment. They now felt it a duty to organize a church, that they might have recognition by the sister churches which were growing up around them. Thus the Baptists formed the first church, but not being able to hire preaching, they still ministered to one another, holding their services in Deacon Welch’s barn. Richard Clark would lead off in prayer; Deacon John Worth would strike up a hymn, and then, oftentimes, Thomas Baldwin would read an interesting discourse. Their’s was a very simple religion, and those men and women never tired of discoursing of its saving virtues, or of their own experiences.

Thomas Baldwin. born in 1753, came to Canaan a lad of sixteen, his mother being the wife of Dr. Ebenezer Eames. He was a carpenter by trade, married Ruth Huntington, in Norwich, in 1775, and brought her to Canaan. He was intelligent and thoughtful. In one of the prayer-meetings held in Deacon Welch’s barn he resolved to change his mode of life. He began to study with the intention of entering the ministry. This Baptist church was always feeble, and is more feeble to-day than it was one hundred years ago. Mr. Baldwin contributed his services until 1783, when he was ordained as an evangelist, and put in charge over the church. He continued with them seven years, and this grateful people generously granted him “thirty pounds lawful money” per year for his services, payable in labor and produce. In 1790 the good man left Canaan, and took up his residence in Boston, where his fame grew and expanded until he became a shining light in his denomination. In 1793 the people built a meeting-house, the owners of pews being the proprietors. It was completed and accepted in 1796, being occupied by each denomination pro-rata; but there never was much satisfaction gotten out of it until 1814, when Elder Joseph Wheat, a Revolutionary soldier, was called and settled. He continued to occupy the pulpit until his death, in 1833.

In 1803 a Congregational church was organized as a branch of the church in Hanover. Dr. Eden Burroughs had charge of it. This, like the Baptist, was always a feeble, and partially a missionary church. In 1825 Rev. Amos Foster, of Salisbury, was ordained and installed its pastor. He labored here nine years, doing good and praying for blessings upon the people, but it was sterile soil, and needed more vigorous cultivation than it received. The Congregational house was built and dedicated in 1829, and has often been well attended, but there was a lack of heart and sympathy on the part of the worshippers, and year by year it fell away, until now the church is not represented in the doings of the association.

The Methodists organized a class here about 1800, and they had circuit-riders for many years, and extensive revivals occurred under their earnest leaders. In 1826 they built a small house on South road, in which they worshiped eighteen years. Then they sold it, and in October, 1844, dedicated the house on “The Street,” in which they now worship, under the ministration of Rev. I. Taggart. There is also a Methodist church at East Canaan, organized about twenty-five years ago; but it is not strong, either in numbers or wealth. Mr. Taggart is in charge, and his labors are divided between the two churches.

The Free Will Baptists have a church organization here also. In numbers they exceed all the other denominations. Having no house of worship, they usually assemble in school-houses. They have no stated preaching, but depend upon such preachers as may come along, and thereby they may “sometimes entertain angels unawares.”

A considerable number of Canadians, of French extraction, have migrated to the town, probably more than a hundred. These are all Roman Catholics. They have no place of worship, but a priest comes to them at intervals, administers the rites of the church, and receives their contributions in return.