HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD, HILLSBOROUGH 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: History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885, 878 pgs. LITCHFIELD, N.H. CHAPTER I p. 486 Litchfield, essentially an agricultural town, is situated upon the left bank of the Merrimack River. It is bounded on the north by Manchester, east by Londonderry and Hudson, south by Hudson and west and northwest by Merrimack. It is small in territory, containing about eight thousand five hundred acress. The surface is level; the soil of the arable land is strictly alluvial and rich, producing excellent crops of grain, vegetables and grass. In the eastern section of the town the soil is light, unsuitable for cultivation; but it yields heavy growths of wood and timber. A public road extends through the town a distance of nine miles, leading in one direction to Manchester, and in the opposite direction to Hudson and Nashua. This road was admirably located through the farming district, in close proximity to the river, as early as 1734, and aong it nearly all the people of the town reside. Three roads lead to Londonderry and two via Thornton's ferry and Reed's ferry to Merrimack and stations upon the Concord Railroad. In point of wealth, Litchfield ranks among the first farming towns in the State. In late years many of the farms have been seriously impaired by the inundation of banks during the annual rise of the Merrimack. Nearly one-half of the territory is well timbered, pine predominating, with oak, birch and maple in abundance. The timber trade is extensive. The greater portion cut during the winter is for the Lowell market; it is hauled to the river's bank during the winter and rafted in the spring. There are two steam saw-mills manufacturing for other markets. Logs valued at $21,000 were cut in 1884. The inventory of 1885 shows the following values: Real estate, $177,130; bank stock, $17,800; money at interest, $22,388; horses, $5915; cattle, $7848; stock in trade, $20,515; deposited in savings-banks, $94,000; total valuation, $261,365; total tax, at forty cents on a hundred dollars, $1359. The town is free from debt, and has a surplus of $567.32. CENSUS REPORTS IN 1767 and 1775 1767 Unmarried men from sixteen to seventy... 27 Married men from sixteen to sixty....... 20 Boys, sixteen years of age and under.... 47 Men, sixty years of age and over........ 13 Females, unmarried...................... 74 Females, married........................ 33 Male slaves............................. 3 Female slaves........................... 9 Widows.................................. 3 _______ TOTAL................. 229 1775 Males under sixteen years of age....... 62 Males between sixteen and fifty........ 44 Males over fifty years................. 19 Persons in the army.................... 13 Females................................ 136 Negroes and slaves for life............ 10 __________ TOTAL.................. 284 The population at various periods since 1800 have been as follows: 1800 - 372 1820 - 465 1840 - 481 1850 - 447 1860 - 352 1870 - 345 1880 - 291 1885 - 281 ****** THE BROOKS ****** All the streams in Litchfield are tributaries of the Merrimack River. There are three of considerable size, viz: Great Nesenkeag, commonly called Brickyard; Little Nesenkeag, also known as Chase's; and Reed's. The first-named originates in Londonderry, and flows across the central part of Litchfield; it has a rapid current, and a sufficient fall at several points for improvements. The water supply is good all the year. Upon this stream the early settlers located their corn and saw-mills. The grain-mill was rebuilt and operated until 1830, when it was removed. Mills for the manufacture of powder were built in 1820, but they were shortly after converted into carding-mills; there are no mills at present [1885]. Little Nesenkeag rises in Hudson, and is fed along the course through the southerly part of Litchfield by numerous ponds. Grain and lumber-mills have been in operation upon this stream for forty years past; it now furnished power for the only grist-mill in town. Reeds, in the north part of the town, also has good facilities for milling, which for a time were partially improved. There are several ponds in the eastern section; Darrah's and Half-Moon are the only ones of extensive area. ****** FERRIES ******* The first ferry was established by the town in 1740. The landing on the east side of the river was in the centre of the town, on the river line, and near the meeting-house. The ferry was leased by several parties until about 1790, when it was purchased by Hon. Matthew Thornton; it has been called successively Cummings, Lutwyche's and Thornton's At the annual town-meeting in 1779 it was voted "to join with the town of Merrimack in prosecuting in the civil law any person or persons who doth or may presume to carry over the river for pay any person or persons at the place where the said towns improve their ferry near Lutwyche's." Within fifty years a great change has taken place at this ferry and in the immediate vicinity. More than forty rods of the Litchfield shore have been washed away by freshets, and the sites of the old church and burial-ground are submerged. A broad alluvion of recent deposit on the Merrimack shore makes the change in the river's channel apparent. The chart for Reed's ferry, in the north part of the town was obtained in answer to the following petition: PETITION FOR A GRANT OF A FERRY "To his Excellency, John Wentworth, Esq., Captain-General, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Province of New Hampshire, In Council: "The humble petition of Lucy Read of Litchfield, in the County of Hillsborough and Province, aforesaid, Widow. "Sheweth that your petitioner's late husband, Capt. William Read, was in his lifetime seized and possess'd of a Considerable tracat of land on the Eastward side of the Merrimac River in Litchfield, aforesaid, and did (without any Grant from His Majest) improve a Ferry about three miles and half Above Colonel Lutwyches, called and known by the name of Read's Ferry, for about twenty-five years before his death, which happened about four years ago. "That the said William Read, in his lifetime, and the said Lucy, since his death, have been at a Considerable Expence in Boats and attendance to Expedite the same Ferry and make it commodious, agreeable to Law. "Notwithstanding which premises your Petitioner is advised That the sd title under the said William is precarious, and shod Any stranger obtain a Grant thereof it wod Embarrass and greatly hurt your Petitioner, who has also six children by said William, all now under age, to maintain. "She most humbly intreats your Excellency wise tender regard of the premises to Confirm until her the aforesaid improved and accustomed Ferry by Grant from His Majest. "And your Petitioner, as in Duty bound, will every pay, etc. "Lucy Read. "Litchfield, 18 May, 1772." ******* TRADE AND MANUFACTURES ******** Before the completion of the Concord Railroad, in 1842, Litchfield had a prosperous trade. Two stores of general merchandise supplied a large country around. A fleet of twenty canal-boats carried its productions to Lowell, and via the Middlesex Canal to Boston, returning with merchandise for all points along the river as far as Concord. These boats gave employment to a large number of men, who were famous for this jollity and liberality. Nearly every man in town was a "captain," by reason of having at some time been in command of a boat; sobriquets were common, and the river-man who failed to possess one had cause for congratulation. The selection of the west shore was a severe blow to the industries of Litchfield which might have been prevented; with the thrift of its people, together with its rich farming districts; timber and abundant water-power, the town lacks only access to the business world to make it eminently prosperous. The following comprises the traders for the last fifty years: George Griffin, 1834 to 1850; Leonard Moore, 1851 and 1852; Moore (Leonard) & Kennard (Samuel), 1853 and 1854; Chase (Samuel) & McQuesten (Isaac) 1855 to 1858, also dealers in lumber from 1840 to 1860, when the firm was dissolved and business continued by Isaac McQuesten till 1878; White (John) & Lydston (George) 1859 to 1862; John White, 1863 to 1865; George H. Lamprey, 1866 to 1868; George B. Griffin, 1868 to 1877; Norris G. Griffin, 1878 to 1885. The following are now (1885) engaged in business: Lumber merchants: McQuesten (F.H.) & Chase (John F.), Charles McQuesten, Read Brothers (William T. and George S.). Carpenters: Rufus Saunders, Nathan H. Bulloch, German Kendall. Blacksmith: Rufus Saunders. Grist-mill: Frederick L. Center. Brick was formerly manufactured in large quantities. The following is a partial list of the sons of Litchfield now engaged in business elsewhere: Samuel Kennard & Sons (Perley and Walter), shoe manufacturers; Jonathan A. Griffin, shoe manufacturer, Cleveland, Ohio; James Kennard, John Kennard, Diamond Kennard, Joseph F. Kennard, capitalists, Manchester; Charles H. Biby, John McQuesten, merchants, Lowell, Mass.; George McQuesten, lumber merchant, East Boston, Mass.; J.B. McQuesten, grocer, Nashua, NH; Simeon Bixby, boot and shoe merchant, New York City; Samuel J. Lund, restauranteur, Nashua NH; George B. Griffin, grocer, Merriack; Moses H. Chase, grocer, Boston, Mass.; Samuel C. Lund, grocer, Boston, Mass; Frank Kendall, grocer, Boston, Mass.; Freeling Tufts, civil engineer, Kansas City, Mo.; Benjamin McQuesten, trader, Pelham; Samuel Center, appraiser, San Francisco, Cal.; Samuel Kendall, mining, Oakland, Cal.; Stephen C. Richardson, Haverhill, Mass.; Alfred Campbell, Manchester, NH; Arthur S. Campbell, Manchester, NH; James Parker, Washington, D.C. ****** SCHOOLS ****** Prior to the Revolution money was voted annually for the support of a school for two or three months at the centre of the town, in which the children were taught to "read and write," as the law then required. From 1790 to 1825 the town raised about one hundred and seventy-five dollars annually for school purposes. During this time three school-houses were erected. In 1823 the selectmen, who had heretofore had the management of the schools, received the following petition: "To the selectmen of the Town of Litchfield: "We, your fellow-townsmen, fight a weighty embarrassment in transacting business relative to schools in the town of Litchfield on account of the town not being regularly established into districts. We therefore wish you to warn a meeting in said town to see if the town will alter, if need be, and define the limits of the districts, that every means right may be judiciously acted upon, as in duty bound we will ever pray. "Signed by "Abel G. Quigg., Josiah Richardson, Joseph Harvell, Nathaniel Giles, Simeon Harvell, Samuel Corning, William Read. "Litchfield, NH, Dec. 28, 1823" Pursuant to the foregoing, a warrant was issued for a meeting to be held January 22, 1824. A plan to divide the town into four districts was presented by the petitioners, but the town rejected it. Joseph Chase Jr., Thomas Bixby and Stephen Moore were chosen a committee to report at the next annual meeting upon the expediency of dividing the town into school districts with fixed boundaries. As a result of their labors, the committee submitted a report giving the boundaries of three districts. THe report closed as follows: "And your committee believes that the districts are as nearly equal in point of valuation as it is possible to make them without dividing farms; they have found it impossible to take the length of roads into view in connection with the valuation; hence some districts where the inhabitants live remote from each other have a greater length of road than should be wished." Subsequently the number of districts was increased to five by the sub-division of Nos. 1 and 3. At present [1885] there are only four schools. These are under the direction of a superintendent elected annually. The year appropriation for school purposes is about seven hundred dollars. The school property is valued at two thousand dollars. GRADUATES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE--Edward L. Parker, 1807; William Claggett, 1808; William McQuestion, 1821; Rufus Claggett, 1826; William Claggett 1826; David Quigg, 1855; John N. Griffin, 1869; Alfred H. Campbell, 1877; John N. Center, 1882. GRADUATES OF YALE COLLEGE--Simeon Chase, 1821; Benjamin Chase 1821. ****** CHURCH HISTORY ****** Through the generosity of the proprietors of Naticook lands, the inhabitants secured the benefits of the gospel at an early date. At a meeting held in Boston, December 5, 1773, Mr. Daniel Dwight was allowed forty-five pounds, ten shillings "for his preaching at Naticook from the twentieth of September to the twentieth of March next." August 19, 1734, the town voted to build a meeting-house forty-five feet in length, thirty-five feet in width and twenty-five feed stud, on the east side of the Merrimack River, near Cumming's ferry (now Thornton's ferry). The house was completed in 1736 under the direction of Captain Joseph Blanchard, Christopher Temple, Benjamin Blodgett, Robert Richardson and Samuel Moor as building committee. Mr. Josiah Brown and Mr. Isaac Merrill were successively called to settle in the ministry, and declined. In 1741 the town extended a call to Rev. Joshua Tufts, of Newbury, which was accepted, and he was ordained December 9th. Mr. Tuft's salary was fixed at one hundred and forty pounds (old tenor) per annum. He was dismissed in 1744. Following the dismissal of Mr. Tufts an unsuccessful attempt was made to establish a union church in Merrimack. The town of Litchfield voted to join with the town of Merrimack in settling a minister, provided Merrimack built a meeting-house within forty rods of the Merrimack River, between Thornton's ferry and the mouth of the Souhegan River. Annual appropriations were made for the support of the gospel; but no settlement was effected until 1764, when the Rev. Samuel Cotton, of Newton, received a unanimous call. He was ordained in January, 1765, and received eighty pounds sterling for settlement; his salary was forty pounds sterling. During his pastorate he was commissioned chaplain of the First New Hampshire Regiment, Revolutionary soldiers. Mr. Cotton, although of eccentric habits, was brave and generous, and known all over the country as the "jolly clergymen." He was dismissed in 1784, but retained his Litchfield residence for a number of years. His death occurred at Claremont in 1819. In August, 1800, the town voted to build a new meeting-house. At an adjourned meeting, in October, the vote was rescinded, and five hundred dollars were appropriated to repair the exterior of the old one. Captain Daniel Bixby, Colonel Samuel Chase and Lieutenant Simeon Kendall were appointed a committee to superintend repairs. The following month an appropriation of seven hundred and fifty dollars was made for the interior of the church. Major Francis Chase was awarded the contract for repairs. In November, 1801, the committee reported an expenditure of $178.33 in excess of appropriations. The town accepted the report, and voted to sell the pews by auction, the proceeds to be placed in the hands of the committee. The sum of one thousand and ninety-eight dollars was realized from the sale of the pews. Mr. John Davies supplied the pulpit in 1806. He was invited to settle, but declined. February 25, 1809, it was voted "to give Mr. Nathaniel Kennedy a call to settle in this town in the work of the gospel ministry, on a salary of five hundred dollars annually for four years, and four hundred dollars annually after the expiration of four years during the time of his ministry in said town." Mr. Kennedy was ordained by the Presbytery April 12, 1809, and continued his pastoral relations until April, 1812, when he was dismissed. Mr. Kennedy was succeeded by Rev. Enoch Pillsbury, who was ordained October, 1815. Mr. Pillsbury died in February, 1818, at the age of thirty years. Rev. John Shearer was pastor for a number of years subsequent to 1825. From 1833 to 1845 the church was without a pastor, but had stated supplies for the most of the time. A new meeting-house was built by the society in 1844; the old house was the property of the town. At the time of dedication the Londonderry Presbytery established a Presbyterian Church. In 1845 the church and society united in extending a unanimous call to Mr. William H. Porter to become their pastor. He was ordained and continued in charge three years, when he was dismissed. Rev. S.N. Howell supplied in 1852 and 1853. Rev. Ebenezer Newhall accepted a call made him in June, 1854; he was installed the September following. Mr. Newhall was advanced in years when he commenced his labors, yet his ministry was successful. He resigned in 1862, and removed to Cambridge, Mass., carrying the confidence and affection of his people. He was the last settled minister. Rev. Luther H. Angier supplied for two years, 1870 and 1871; Rev. L. Parsons in 1872; Rev. Wiliam Hart in 1873 and 1874; Rev. B.F. Emerson for three years, from 1875 to 1878; and Rev. Charles Scott from 1879 to 1882. Rev. Henry C. Robinson was engaged in September, 1884, to supply for one year. Among others who have labored in the service are these who terms of service cannot be definitely stated: Rev. Messrs. Wood, Miltemore, Fuller, Page, Blanchard and Tuttle. The following is a list of the deacons whose terms of service continued several years: Joseph Barnes, Thomas Bixby, Joseph Chase, Clifton Claggett, John Underwood, Matthew Parker, William Read, John Parker, Andrew Lydston and Moses Chase. The last-named is living [1885] at the advanced age of eighty-nine. The society owns a good parsonage and a circulating library. James Parker, a native and resident of Litchfield during his life, died November 11, 1860. He bequeathed nearly all his estates as follows: "For the support of the preaching of the Gospel in the town of Litchfield, according to the wishes and for the benefit of the Presbyterian society and church in said town; the increase, interest, gain or profit only is to be used for the purpose aforesaid, and the principal is to remain entire." This fund amounts to eighteen thousand and twenty-five dollars. Rev. Abel Fletcher, a minister of the Christian denomination, resided here many years, devoting his time to the educational, moral and spiritual welfare of this community. Rev. Edward L. Parker, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the neighboring town of Londonderry for nearly forty years, and Rev. Benjamin Chase, who died in Natchez, Miss., some years ago, were natives of Litchfield. ******** PIONEER HISTORY ******** Litchfield and Merrimack represent the area known to the Indians as Naticook. It was the home of a tribe of that name, or Nacooks, one of the many divisions under the rule of the great chief Passaconaway. From the accounts of the early settlers, these Indians were comparatively industrious, and were engaged in hunting, fishing and the cultivation of corn, beans, melons, etc. The Naticook lands were especially favorable for agricultural pursuits. There are no evidences of their being otherwise than humane in their treatment of the first settlers. This peaceful disposition was probably due to the former sufferings of the Indians in the Merrimack Valley, through wars with the Mohawks, or "Man-Eaters of the West," famine and disease, all of which resulted in great loss in numbers and powers. One of the residences of Passaconaway, and his last in this section, was upon Reed's Island, which he called "my beautiful island of Natticook." His sale of land to Wheelwright, and the rapid settlement of the Merrimack Valley by Massachusetts parties who had extensive grants, obliged him to petition to the Legislature of Massachusetts for a grant of land for residence. In answer to his petition, the government allowed him and his associates a tract "a mile and a half on either side of the Merrimack." PETITION "To the honerd John Endecot, Esqr, together with the rest of the honerd General Court now Assembled in Boston, the petition of papisseconnewa in behalf of himself, as also of many other Indians who now for a longe time o'r selves o'r progenators seated upon a tract of land called Naticot, and is now in the possession of Mr. William Brenton, to him his heirs and assigns, according to the Laws of this Jurisdiction, by reason of which tracte of land beinge taken up as a foresaid and thereby yr pore petitionr, with many others, is in an onsettled condition and must be forced in a short time to remove to some other place. The Humble request of yr petitionr is that this honerd Courte woulde please to grant unto us a parcell of land for or comfortable cituation to be stated for or Injoyment, as also for the comfort of others after us, as also that this honerd Court wold pleas to take into yr serious and grave consideration the condition and also the requeste of yr pore Supliant and to a poynte two or three persons as a Committee to arrange with sum one or two Indians to vew and determine of some place and to lay out the same, not futher to trouble this honerd Assembly humbly cravinge an expected answer this present session I shall remain yr humble Servant, "Wherein yu shall commande, "Papisseconwa "Boston: 8:3 mo: 1662" The order of the court upon this petition is as follows, viz.: "In answer to the petition of Papisseconaway, this court judgeth it meete to grant to the said Papisseconaway and his men or associated about Naticot, above Mr. Brenton's lands, where it is free, a mile and half on either side Merrimack River in a breadth, three miles on either side in length; provided he nor they do not alienate any part of this grant without leave and license from this Court, first obtained." John Parker and Jonathan Danforth were appointed surveyors to lay out this township for Passaconaway and his associates. During the progress of King Philip's War the Indians departed from the Merrimack Valley. ***** CIVIL HISTORY ***** The beginning of the settlement and the names of the first settlers in Litchfield cannot be ascertained. In 1656, Massachusetts granted the greater part of Naticook to William Brenton, an explorer and fur-trader. It was known as "Brenton's Farm" until incorporated as a township. From 1659 to 1662 several Massachusetts parties procured grants of Naticook lands on the east side of the river; but it is not known that any of them became actual settlers. These grants were all included in the township of Dunstable, incorporated in 1673. In August, 1728, the owners of "Brenton's Farm" (then sixteen in number, and all non-residents) made application to one of His Majesty's justices for the county of Middlesex for a warrant to call a meeting to make a division of the property according to their several interests. This meeting was held in Charlestown [MA] on the 23d day of the same month, and organized by the choice of Francis Borland as moderator, and Jacob Holyoke clerk. A committee, consisting of Robert Richardson, Joseph Blanchard and Stephen Richardson, was appointed.. "To survey and take a Plat particularly of the enterval of the meadows & of the other lands lying & contained in the aforesaid tract of land or Farms with the quantity of each, & to notify & join with the Proprietors claiming the land joining to the aforesaid tract of common land or Farme in Running the Lines according to Law, and to make report thereon, with their opinions on the most Proper way and method for the Proceeding in the dividing the aforesaid land or Farme to & among the said Proprietors, at the next Proprietors' Meeting calld for that purpose." The next meeting, was held by virtue of a warrant from Jacob Holyoke, clerk, in Charlestown [MA], September 26th. The committee reported that Mr. Samuel Danforth, surveyor, whose services they had secured, had surveyed the lands and made a plan of them. The report of the committee was accepted, and it was voted: "That the aforesaid lands on each side of the Merrimack River be equally divided into sixteen parts, allowing Quanity for Quality, the situation of the lands to be duly considered." Benjamin Prescott, Esq., of Groton, Eleazer Tyng, Esq. of Dunstable, and Mr. Joseph Richardson, of Woburn, were selected to lay out and divide the lands. This committee was also instructed to lay out roads and highways, and to select a suitable location for a mill, reserving one hundred acres for that purpose. Captain William Richardson had already improved a tract of land, which was ordered to be contained in one division. January 23, 1729, bills of credit to the amount of one hundred and sixty pounds were ordered to defray charges upon the property. Jonas Clark and Joseph Blanchard were appointed assessors, and Captain Robert Richardson, collector. The following is a list of the proprietors and their assessments: "Jahleel Brenton, of Newport, Colony of R.I. -- 26L 0s Joseph Blanchard, of Dunstable -- 3L 10s William Lund, of Dunstable -- 3L 0s Thomas Chamberlain, of Dunstable -- 2L 0s Mary French, administratrix, of Dunstable -- 1L 10s Joseph Thomspon, of London -- 20L 0s John Smith, of Boston -- 10L 0s Jared Elliott, of Killingsworth, Conn -- 2L 10s John Stall, of Conn. -- 2L 10s Augustus Lucas, of Newport -- 1L 5s Barsheba Lucas, of Newport -- 1L 5s Joseph Woodbridge, of Conn -- 2L 10s Martha Church, of Newport -- 10L 0s Samuel Brown, of Salem -- 10L 0s Nathaniel Cotton, of Bristol -- 5L 0s Nathaniel Cotton, adm'r estate of Peleg Sanford -- 20L 0s Robert Richardson, of Chelmsford -- 11L 10s Francis Borland, of Boston -- 20L 0s Elizabeth Burton, of Marshfield -- 2L 10s Jonas Clark, of Chelmsford -- 5L 0s TOTAL: L160 0s The one hundred acre mill lot was located on the Great Nesenkeag stream. It was granted to Jonathan Richardson in 1729 upon condition that he erect corn and saw-mills, and contantly maintain the same in good repair. While it would be interesting to know the population of "Brenton's Farm" at this date (1729), there are no means of determining even the family names. Massachusetts was encouraging emigration to the Merrimack Vallye in order to strengthen her claim to the territory; the proprietors, that their property might be enhanced, were offering inducements to actual settlers; but the fertility of the Naticook lands was the principal incentive which swelling the numbers of the settlement ot quite a colony in four years' time. Most of the families came from Massachusetts and were of English origin. A few Irish emigrants became permanent settlers. The colony was embarrassed by land title controversies and held peaceable possession from the start,-- and experience unlike many of the settlements in Southern New Hampshire. The next step was to procure a charter for a township, and in this the settlers had the co-operation of the proprietors, for, March 20, 1733 they voted, ". . . to join with such other persons as many be inclined to make application to the Towns of Nottingham and Dunstable to give their consent for their being set off a distinct Township." The petition to the General Assembly of Massachusetts for incorporation, dated May, 1734, was signed by Acquila Underwood, in behalf of the petitioners. The Legislature passed the following order: "In the House of Representatives, July 3, 1734 "Ordered,--That Mr. Aquila Underwood, one of the principal Inhabitants of ye new Township at Naticook and lands adjoining, be and hereby is fully authorized and impowered to assemble the freeholders and other inhabitants of gd Township Lawfully qualified to choose Town officers to stand until the annual meeting in March next. "Sent up for concurrence. "J. Quincy, Spr. "In council, July 3, 1734, Read and concurred, "J. Willard, Sec'y "July 4, -- Consented to "J. Belcher "A true copy. Attested per "Thad. Mason, Dept. Sec'y" The first meeting was held pursuant to the following warrant: "Middlesex ss. July 20, 1734 "Pursuant to an act of ye Great and General Court or Assembly, July 4, 1734, I, ye subscriber, Do in his Majesty's Name Require all ye freeholders and other inhabitants of the Town of Litchfield lawfully qualified to vote in Town-Meeting, to meet and convene at ye house of Aquila Underwood, in Litchfield, on Monday ye twenty ninth Day of July, current at one of ye clock in ye afternoon, then and there to choose town officers, to stand until ye anniversary meeting in March next. "Per order of the General Court "Aquila Underwood" For a period of twelve yars Litchfield included the Naticook lands on both sides of the Merrimack River. The management of town affairs was under one organization until about the time the boundary question between the provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire was settled in 1741, when a division into districts (east and west) occurred. The town-meetings were usually held in the meeting-house on the east side. From 1741 to the date of the Merrimack charter, April 2, 1746, each district managed its local affairs. Although the records show that contentions frequently arose during this primitive government, the public interests did not suffer. Highways were laid out, and streams were bridged, a ferry was established, pounds, one on each side, were built, and a house of worship erected. To-day we are in the enjoyment of direct fruits which the labors of these hardy pioneers produced. Their prescience was marvelous; their roads and bridges have from time to time undergone repairs, the boats at the ferry been renewed and the church rebuilt, but the changes in location have been slight, and the inhabitants for a century and a half have reverenced the wisdom of the first settlers. The following is a LIST OF THE RESIDENT TAXPAYERS IN LITCHFIELD IN 1736: Edward Linkfield, Ebenezer Wright, John Barrett, James Moor, Samuel Moor, Jonathan Perram, Benjamin Blodgett, James Hutchins, Robert Richardson, William Adams, Ephraim Powers, Jonathan Powers, Aquila Woodward [?Underwood], Thomas Clark, John Harvell, Nathan Kendall, Jacob Hildreth, Jonas Proctor, Gideon Powers, Ebenezer Taylor, Nathaniel Hills, Enoch Hills, Joseph Pollard, Josiah Cummings, Nathaniel Curtis, James Perram, Josiah Richardson, Daniel Kendall, Benjamin Hasel, Christopher Temple, Jonathan Cummings, William Lund, John Hustone, James Nahor, Hugh Nahor, John Butterfield, Simeon Powers, Joseph Smith, Simon Cook. Only sixteen of the above were taxed for real estate. PETITION FOR A PARISH ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE RIVER "To his Excellency, Benning Wentworth, Esq., Capt. General and COmmander-in-Chief in and over the province of New Hampshire "March ye 28th, 1746 "The Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the district of Litchfield Humbly Sheweth that your Petitioners are about forty familys, being a part of Dunstable old grant, living on the North Easterly Corner of sd Grant; That the center of our town being about eleven miles from the Province Line, we had not the least apprehension of our being affected by the fixing of Towns near said Line, and that your petitioners have Paid above two-thirds toward the support of the Gospel for many years, and that we are not only forty families upon the Easterly side of the River, but that we have Land to accomodate a considerable Number more; that the Inhabitants of Litchfield, on the West side of the River, don't exceed thirteen or fourteen familys, who we are very willing should be disannexed from us. In regard to the great danger and Defficulty, which we know they are Exposed to In Crossing the River in order ot attend the Publick worship of God, Notwithstanding of all which Either, by our having been Inadvertantly over look'd or forgot when Instructions were given to the Committee of the Honourable Assembly for settleing the Districts in these parts, or by some other means unknown to us, we understand that it is Intended that we be annexed to that District upon the west side of the River, and that our Center and place of Publick worship be on the westerly side, which would oblige Above forty familys constantly to cross the River, to our great and unspeakable danger and difficulty, In order to meet with about thirteen or fourteen famelys. May it please your Excellency to take the difficult case of your Petitioners under your wise consideration, and so to fix things that we may not be obliged to Cross the River; for although we have Lost a number of famelys on the Westerly side of the River, we have accomodations on the East side that is now onsettled that is Likely in a few years to Regain the Number Lost on the other side, so that, Considering the Difficulty and Danger we must be at in case we were obliged to cross sd river to attend publick worship, we think that we can be much better acommodated to be Erected into a town on our side, and much greater satisfaction to the inhabitants. Thereofre, your petitioners Desire to be Incorporated with the Injoyment of the Land of all on the East side of sd River in sd District, and to be Invested with the Privilege and Immunities as other towns in sd Province are, and your Petitioners, as in Duty Bound, shall Ever pray. [Signed by] "Patrick Taggart, Parish Richardson, Hugh Nahor, John Butterfield, Jacob Hildreth, William Richardson, Nathan Kendall, Peter Rusel, Robeart [sic Robert] Darrah, Alexander Parker, Robeart McKeen, Robeart [sic Robert] McKeen Jr., Alexander Calwell, Thomas Karr, John McAllester, William Qesten, John Questen, James Nahor, John Taylor, John Orr, Amos Kendall, Robert Richardson, John Huchason, William Bouner, James Nichols, James Darrah, James McKnight, Garet Rowan, David Whittemore, Daniel Kendall." In answer to the foregoing and another petition for additional territory north of Brenton's Farm, dated May, 1746, a charter was issued by his Excellency, Governor Wentworth: "Province of New Hampshire "George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. "To all to whom these present shall come Greeting: Whereas sundry of our Loyal subjects, Inhabitants of a Tract of Land within the ancient Boundarys of a Town Called Old Dunstable, in our province of New Hampshire, on the Easterly side of the Merrimack River, hereinafter described, have humbly petitioned and Requested of us that they may be erected and incorporated into a Township, and enfranchized with the same powers, Authorities and privileges with Other Towns within our said province by Law have and enjoy; And it appearing to us condudive to the generla Good our our said province, as well as of the said inhabitants in particular, by maintaining good Order and encouraging the culture of the Land, that the same should be done; "Know ye, therefore, that we of our especial Grace, certain knowledge, and for the encourageing and promoteing the Good purposes and ends aforesaid, by and with the advice of our trusty and well-beloved Bening Wentworth, Esqr., our Governour and commander-in- chief, and of our council for said province, Have Erected, Incorporated and Ordained that the Inhabitants of the tract of land aforesaid, bounded as follows, viz: Beginning One Mile and Eighty rods North of the south corner of Londonderry Township, on the west side of said TOwn, and to run from thence North, on the West side of said Londonderry, give miles and seven furlongs and twelve rods and a half; then North twenty-one degrees West to Merrimack River; then down said river till it meets with a west line by the needle that comes from a place where it began, and that shall inhabit the same, be and by these presents are declared and ordained to be a Town Corporate, and are hereby erected and incorporated into a Body Politick and a Corporation to have Continuance forever by the name of Lytchfield, with all the powers and Authorities, privildges and Immunities and Franchizes, which other Towns within Said Province or any of them by Law have and enjoy. TO have and to Hold the said powers and AUthorities, Immunities and Franchizes to them, the said Inhabitants, and their successors forever, Reserving to us, Our Heirs and successors all white pine trees growing and being and that shall hereafter grow and be on sd Tract of Land, for the use of our Royal Navy, reserving also the power of Dividing the said Town to us, our Heirs and Successors when it shall appear necessary or convenient for the benefit of the Inhabitants thereof; And as the several Towns within our said Province are by Laws thereof enabled and authorized to assemble and by the majority of Votes to choose all Officers as are mentioned in the said laws,... We do by these presents nondnate and appoint John McMurphy, Esq., to call the first meeting of the said Inhabitants to be held within the said town at any time within thirty days from the date hereof, giving legal Notice of the time, place and design of holding such meeting. "In Testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our said province to be affixed hereunto. Witness, Benning Wentworth, Esqr., our Governour and Commander-in-chief of our said province, the fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and forty-nine, and in the twenty-second year of our reign. "B. Wentworth." The warrant issued by John McMurphy for the first town-meeting under the new charter was posted by John Harvell, June 15, 1749. The meeting was held on the 3d of July following, and chose Nathan Kendall, James Nahor and Jacob Hildreth, selectmen; Jacob Hildreth, town clerk; Jeremiah Cotton, constable; William McQuesten and Robert Darrah, tithingmen; Josiah Richardson, Peter Russell and Alexander Parker, surveyor of highways. Peter Russell, Joel Dix and Jacob Hildreth were constituted a committee to examine and adjust the accounts of the selectmen and constable under the old organization. The sum of forty pounds, old tenor, was appropriated to pay for the charter, for running town lines, and Mr. McMurphy for attending the meeting and administering the oath of office to the several town officers. At the first annual march meeting in 1750 the following town officers were elected: James Underwood, moderator; Jacob Hildreth, town clerk; Jacob Hildreth, John Cochran and John Parker, selectmen; Samuel Chase, constable; David Whittemore, treasurer; Nathan Howard and Arthur Darrah, door-keepers; John McQuesten and Amos Chase, surveyors of highways; William Read and Alexander Parker, field-drivers; William McQuesten and David Campbell, fence-viewers; David Whittemore, sealer of leather; Nathan Kendall, pound-keeper; Alexader Colwell and Samuel Gibson, tithingmen; John McQuesten and Joseph Chase, hog-reeves. It was voted to raise one hundred pounds, new tenor, to hire preaching. John McQuig, William Patterson and William Read were chosen a committee to procure a minister. DUTIES OF TOWN OFFICERS PREVIOUS TO THE REVOLUTION--The moderator then, as now, presided at the town-meetings. The duties of the selectmen were similiar to those in towns at present date, excepting that in colonial times they had charge of the schools. Constables levied and collected the taxes in addition to the duties at present performed by constables. Town clerks and treasurers were the same then as now. Field-drivers impounded all horses and cattle found running at large. Tithingmen preserved order in church and at public gatherings. Hog-reeves enforced the law which required hogs running at large to be yoked. Fence-viewers inspected fences, to see if they were sufficient in law. WARNING(S). In order to protect itself from pauperism, the town often took advantage of a law requiring new and doubtful subjects to leave within the time specified in the warrants. The following, served upon Caezar Porter, is one of the many recorded: "To Samuel Center, constable for the town of Litchfield for the year 1785 "You are hereby authorized and required to warn Caezar Porter, a negro man, and Phillisee, his wife, and family, Now residing in Litchfield aforesaid, but not being inhabitants thereof, that they do depart the said town within fourteen days, as they will answer the contrary in the manner that the Law directs, and make return thereof with your Doings thereon to us, the subscribers, within fourteen days. "Given under our hands and seal at Litchfield, this nineteenth Day of January, A.D. one thousand seven hundred and eighty six. "Daniel Bixby, David McQuig, Robert Parker "Selectmen of Litchfield "State of New Hampshire, Hillsborough ss "Litchfield, January 27, 1786 "Pursuant to the precept, I have warned Caezar Porter and Phillisee, his wife, and family, to depart this said town as I am commanded, which is the return of Samuel Center, Constable "per Daniel Bixby, Town Clerk. Caezar is said to have been a native of Boston, and in his youth was brought to Litchfield as a slave; he lived with Mr. Jonathan Parker, and on this account he took the name of Caezar Parker. He continued to reside in the town, and afterwards removed to Amherst, NH. In his old age he went to Rhode Island, where he died in the neighborhood of Newport, in 1858, at the advanced age of one hundred and five years. The growth of Litchfield from the date of its incorporation to the close of the eighteenth century was steady and propitious. Notwithstanding their many trials, the inhabitants were resolute and courageous; few of them had the benefit of an education, in the technical sense of the term; but their varied experiences developed physical and intellectual forces which were the foundation of their continued prosperity. Of the early families, the descendants of the Parkers, Bixbys, Tuftses, Chases, Barneses, Reeds and mcQuestens have continuously resided in the town, and the several generations have distinguished themselves in the various positions of trust and honor to which they have been called. The Moors, Hildreths, Underwood and Darrahs have, by removals and death become extinct. Since 1800 the only marked public improvement is the town hall which was built in 1850. This building has an elevated location in the centre of the town; it is two stores in height, with halls and ante-rooms in each for town purposes. Among those who have contributed to the business and financial success of the town for the past fifty years may be mentioned Moses Chase, Warren Goodspeed, Isaac McQuesten, Simeon D. Leach, Isaac N. Center, John Goodspeed, Phineas Reed, J.A. Marsh, Warren M. Barnes and John White. The first five of the foregoing have resided and paid taxes continuously for the last half-century. ****** TOWN CLERKS ****** 1734-35, Aquila Underwood 1736, Nathaniel Curtis 1737-38, Josiah Richardson 1739-40, Jacob Hildreth 1741, 1743 Samuel Cochran 1742, John Bradshaw 1744-48, Thomas Parker; 1749, Jacob Hildreth 1750, Thomas Parker 1751-53, Joel Dix 1754, William Parker 1755-59, Thomas Parker 1760-62, James Underwood 1763, Jacob Hildreth, 1764-69, James Underwood 1770-75, William McQuesten 1776-77, Timothy Kendall 1778-80, Jonathan Parker 1781, James Underwood 1782, Jonathan Parker 1783, James Underwood 1784-85, Daniel Bixby 1786, William McQuesten 1787-95 Samuel Chase Jr. 1796-08, James Parker 1799-1803, Samuel Chase Jr. 1804-6, Robert Parker 1807-11, Samuel Chase Jr. 1812-15 Simeon Kendall 1816 Thomas Bixby 1817-18 Samuel Chase Jr. 1812-15 Simeon Kendall 1816, Thomas Bixby 1817-18 Samuel Chase 1819-23 Joseph Chase Jr. 1824-25, Moses Chase 1826-27 Joseph Chase 1819-23 Joseph Chase Jr. 1824-25, Moses Chase 1826-27 Joseph Chase 1819-23 Joseph Chase Jr. 1824-25 Moses Chase 1826-27 Joseph Chase Jr. 1828-35 Joshua Marsh 1835-36 Abel G. Quigg 1837-38 Joshua Marsh 1839, George Griffin 1840, Moses Chase 1841-42 Isaac McQuesten 1843-47 Isaac N. Center 1848-49 Isaac McQuesten 1850-51 Samuel Chase 1852-53, Isaac N. Center 1854 Horace Center 1855-56 Moses Chase 1857-58 Jonathan A. Griffin 1859-61 Langdon C. Lydston 1862-64 Benjamin L. Pike 1865 Isaac N. Center 1806 William H. Moor 1867-69 George B. Griffin 1870 Isaac N. Center 1806 William H. Moor 1867-69 George B. Griffin 1870 Isaac N. Center 1871-72 Horace Center 1873 Frank Kendall 1874-78 Isaac N. center 1879-80 Norris C. Griffin 1881-83 Alphonso H. Powers 1884 Norris C. Griffin 1885 Alphonso H. Powers ********* SELECTMEN AND ASSESSORS ********* 1743- Aquila Underwood, Christopher Temple, Nathaniel Hills 1735- Aquila Underwood, Christopher Temple, Josiah Cummings 1736- Josiah Cummings, Benjamin Blodgett, Ebenezer Taylor 1737- Josiah Richardson, Josiah Cummings, Ebenezer Wright 1738- Josiah Cummings, Christopher Temple, Ebenezer Wright, Josiah Richardson, Jonathan Powers 1739- Josiah Cummings, Jacob Hildreth, Christopher Temple, Josiah Richardson, Jacob Kendall 1740- Jacob Hildreth, Josiah Cummings, Alexander Parker, Josiah Richardson, James Nahor 1741- Samuel Cochran, Joshua Converse, Jacob Hildreth, Christopher Temple, James Nahor 1742- John Bradshaw, Thomas Karr, John Usher 1743- Thomas Karr, John Usher, Jacob Hildreth 1744- Thomas Karr, Jonathan Cummings, John Robinson 1745-48-- Thomas Parker, John Usher, John Harvell 1749- Nathan Kendall, James Nahor, Jacob Hildreth 1750- Thomas Parker, Joel Dix, James Nahor 1751- Joel Dix, James Nahor, Andrew Cochran 1752- Thomas Parker, James Nahor, Joel Dix 1753- James Nahor, Joel Dix, John Harvell 1754- Josiah Richardson, William parker, James Nahor 1755-Thomas Parker, James Nahor, John Harvell 1756- Thomas Parker, Andrew Cochran, John Harvell 1757- Thomas Parker, John Harvell, James Nahor 1758-59-- Thomas Parker, Jacob Hildreth, James Nahor 1760- James Underwood, William McQuesten, Joseph Barnes 1761-62-- James Underwood, William McQuesten, William Reid 1763- Jacob Hildreth, John Parker, John Cochran 1764-67-- James Underwood, Robert Darrah, John Harvell 1768- William McQuesten, Samuel Chase, James Nahor Jr. 1769-James Underwood, Robert Darrah, Samuel Chase 1770-72-- William McQuesten, David Campbell, Daniel Kendall 1773-74-- William mcQuesten, John Harvell, Daniel Kendall 1775- Robert Darrah, John Parker, Samuel Chase 1776 & 1777-- James Underwood, Samuel Chase, Timothy Kendall 1778- John Harvell, Robert Darrah, Jonathan Parker 1779- John Parker Jr., Daniel Kendall, John Parker 1780- Jonathan Parker, John Parker Jr., James Nahor Jr. 1781- James Underwood, Joseph Barnes, Daniel Bixby 1782- Jonathan Parker, Robert Darrah, Timothy Kendall 1783- James Underwood, John Cochran, Samuel Chase 1784-85-- Daniel Bixby, David McQuig, Robert Parker 1786- William McQuesten, Timothy Kendall, Simon McQuesten 1787-90-- Samuel Chase, Daniel Bixby, Matthew Parker 1791-94-- Samuel Chase Jr., Robert Parker, David McQuesten 1795- Samuel Chase Jr., Robert Parker, Simeon Kendall 1796-98--Timothy Kendall, Hugh Nahor, Jacob Coburn 1799-1800-- Samuel Chase Jr., William Parker, Matthew Parker Jr. 1801-3-- Samuel Chase Jr. William Bixby, Matthew Parker Jr. 1804-6-- Robert Parker, Simeon Kendall, Hugh Nahor 1807-11-- Samuel Chase Jr., John Underwood, Thomas Bixby 1812-15-- Simeon Kendall, Simeon McQuesten Jr, Jonathan Abbott 1816- Thomas Bixby, John Rollins, John Goodspeed 1817-18-- Samuel Chase, William Bixby, Josiah Richardson 1819-20-- Joseph Chase Jr., Jonathan Abbott, James McQuesten 1821-23-- Joseph Chase Jr., James McQuesten, John White 1824-25-- Jonathan Abbott, John White, Moses Chase 1826-27-- Joseph Chase Jr., John Goodspeed, Abel G. Quigg 1828-31-- Joshua Marsh, John White, Simeon Harvell 1832- Joshua Marsh, Frederick Chase, Parker Bixby 1833-34-- Joshua Marsh, Parker Bixby, Samuel Center 1835-36-- Abel G. Quigg, John White, Warren Goodspeed 1837- Joshua Marsh, George Griffin, Jabez L. Manter 1838- Joshua Marsh, Daniel McQuesten, Samuel Center 1839- Daniel McQuesten, Samuel Center, George Griffin 1840- Moses Chase, George Griffin, David C. Bancroft 1841- Moses Chase, Horace Center, David C. Bancroft 1842- Moses Chase, Isaac McQuesten, Horace Center 1843- Isaac McQuester, Samuel Center, Samuel Chase 1844- Isaac N. Center, Samuel Chase, William Cross 1845- Isaac N. Center, Samuel Chase, Horace Center 1846-47-- Isaac N. Center, Horace Center, John White 1848-49-- Isaac McQuesten, Terrence Dodge, William E. Goodspeed 1850-51-- Samuel Chase, Simeon D. Leach, Charles McQuesten 1852-53-- Isaac N. Center, Isaac McQuesten, Parker Bixby 1854-- Horace Center, Henry McQuesten, John White Jr. 1855-56-- Moses Chase, Charles McQuesten, Jonathan A. Griffin 1857-58-- Jonathan A. Griffin, William Cross, William Reid 1859-60-- Jonathan A. Griffin, Andrew J. Pike, Zachariah Whittemore 1861- Andrew J. Pike, Zarachiah Whittemore, Phineas H. Reid 1862-64-- Isaac McQuesten, Herbert Chase, S.C. Richardson 1865- Isaac McQuesten, Issac N. Center, Zachariah Whittemore 1866-67-- Isaac McQuesten, Benjamin Dodge, Zachariah Whittemore 1868- Issac N. Center, Harrison Weston, George B. Griffin 1869- Isaac N. Center, David C. Bancroft, George B. Griffin 1870- Isaac N. Center, David C. Bancroft, Daniel Bradt 1871- Horace Center, John Goodspeed, Benjamin Dodge 1872- Horace Center, Issac McQuesten, John White 1873- Isaac McQuesten, Alexander Taggart, Leavitt L. Daniels 1874- Alexander Taggart, Leavitt L. Daniels, Elbridge Pike 1875- Samuel Chase, Elbridge Pike, Norris C. Griffin 1876- Samuel Chase, Norris C. Griffin, George M. Read 1877- Isaac McQuesten, John W. Goodspeed, John L. Center 1878- Isaac McQuesten, John W. Goodspeed, George H. Goodspeed 1879- Francis H. McQuesten, George H. Goodspeed, Samuel Center 1880- Francis H. McQuesten, Frederic L. Center, Elbridge Pike 1881- Frederic L. Center, Elbridge Pike, David S. Leach 1882- Alphonso H. Powers, David S. Leach, Frederick McQuesten 1883- Alphonso H. Powers, Frederick McQuesten, George C. Danforth 1884- John F. Chase, George C. Danforth, Alexander Taggart 1885- John F. Chase, Alexander Taggart, Orville D. Annis **** TOWN TREASURERS **** 1735, Samuel Moor 1736, Nathaniel Hills 1737, Benjamin Hasel 1738-40, John Usher 1741, Dexter Russell 1742, Christopher Temple 1743-45, Nathan Kendall 1746-48, Thomas Parker 1749, Nathan Kendall 1750-52, John Harvell 1753, James Nahor 1754, Josiah Richardson 1755-59, Thomas Parker 1760, James Underwood 1761-62, David Whittemore 1763-67, William McQuesten 1768-69, John Harvell 1770, Nathan Kendall 1771, John Harvell 1772-75, Jonathan Parker 1776-77, Samuel Cochrane [Cochran] 1778-80, Daniel Kendall 1781, John Harvell 1782-83, William McQuesten 1784, John Cochrane 1785, William McQuesten 1786, Jonathan parker 1787, Samuel Sprague 1788, Jonathan parker 1789-90, James Underwood 1791, William McQuesten 1792, Timothy Kendall 1793, William McQuesten 1794, Hugh Nahor 1795, Daniel Bixby 1796-97, Matthew Parker 1798, David Quigg 1799-1800, Joseph Barnes 1801-2, Clifton Claggett 1803, Simeon Kendall 1804-6 Samuel Chase Jr. 1807-8, Robert Parker 1809, Clifton Claggett 1810-11 Matthew Parker 1812-15, William Bixby 1826, Simeon Kendall 1817, John Parker 1818, Jonathan Abbott 1819, Samuel Chase 1820, Jonathan Abbott 1821-23 Joseph Chase Jr. 1824-25, Jonathan Abbott 1826-27, Joseph Chase Jr. 1824-25, Jonathan Abbott 1826-27, Joseph Chase Jr. 1828-34, Joshua Marsh 1835-36, Abel G. Quigg 1837-38, Joshua Marsh 1839, Daniel McQueston 1840-42, Moses Chase 1843, Isaac McQuesten 1844-47, Isaac N. Center 1848-49, Isaac McQuesten 1850-51 Samuel Chase 1852-53, Isaac N. Center 1848-49, Isaac McQuesten 1850-51, Samuel Chase 1852-53 Isaac N. Center 1854, Horace Center 1855-56 Moses Chase 1857-60 Jonathan A. Griffin 1851, Andrew J. Pike 1862-67 Isaac McQuesten 1868-70 Isaac N. Center 1871 Horace Center 1872 John White 1873-76, Isaac McQuesten 1877, Charles McQuesten 1878-79, Isaac McQuesten 1880-85, Norris C. Griffin From 1820 to 1872 the chairman of the Board of Selectman qualified as town treasurer. REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT FROM LITCHFIELD FROM 1775 TO 1885 [Note.-- Litchfield was classed with Nottingham West until 1780, then with Derryfield until 1816, when a special act of the Legislature gave the town a right to send a representative annually until otherwise ordered. The apportionment of 1881 authorizes the town to elect a representative such proportionate part of the time as its number of Inhabitants (census 1880) bears to six hundred.] March 1762, Captain Samuel Greeley 1768, James Underwood April 1775, Wiseman Claggett, Samuel Chase May 1775, John Parker December 1775, Wiseman Claggett 1775, James Underwood for Litchfield and Hudson 1776, Samuel Chase 1780 to 1793, no representatives were sent 1793, John Webster 1794, 1806, Robert Parker 1795, 1807, Isaac Huse 1800, 1802, Clifton Claggett 1804, Samuel Chase Jr. 1805, S.P. Kidder 1801, 1808, Simeon Kendall 1809, Joseph Moor 1811, 1813, 1815, Samuel Moor 1812, 1814, Thomas Bixby 1816, 1817, 1818, 1824, 1825, Joseph Chase Jr. 1819, 1820, Simon McQueston 1821-23, Jonathan Abbott 1826-27, 1832-33, 1843, Moses Chase 1828-31, Joseph Richardson 1835-36 Samuel Corning Jr. 1837-38 Abel G. Quigg 1842-42 Parker Bixby 1844-45, 1865-66 Isaac McQuesten 1846-47, 1870-71, Warren Goodspeed 1848-49 George Griffin 1850-51 Isaac N. Center 1852-53 Samuel Chase 1854, 1873-73, John Goodspeed 1855-56 Samuel Kennard 1857, Daniel McQuesten 1858-59 Simeon D. Leach 1860-61, Jonathan A. Griffin 1862-63, William Cross 1864, Andrew J. Pike 1867-68 John White 1869, John Griffin 1874-75, Horace Center 1876-77, Elbridge Pike 1878, Alexander Pike 1880-81, Norris C. Griffin 1883-84, Francis H. McQuesten DELEGATES TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION FROM LITCHFIELD Jonathan Parker, 1778 Daniel Bixby, 1788 Robert Parker, 1791-92 Isaac N. Center, 1850 Samuel Chase, 1877 ************* MILITARY HISTORY ************* In the different wars Litchfield has furnished her quota of troops for the service. During the French War one of the regiments (Colonel Goffe's) rendezvoused in this town. Timothy Barron, William Barron, Simon McQuesten and Samuel Chase enlisted for the campaign. The following list of Revolutionary soldiers is probably incomplete: David McQuig, Sergent Harry Glover, drummer, Edward Bicksby [sic Bixby] and James Gibson were members of Capt. John Moore's company in Gen. Stark's regiment, and were present at the battle of Bunker Hill. John Parker commanded a company in Colonel Timothy Bedel's regiment of rangers, Northern Division, Continental army, under General Montgomery in 1775. William Darrah, John Thompson, Joseph Harvell, Stephen Lowell and John Loring were privates in Captain Parker's company. They enlisted July 6, 1775 and were discharged December 31, 1775. In 1776, John Loring (second enlist- ment) and James Butterfield enlisted in Massachusetts for three years. William Darrah (second enlistment) and John Lare were attached to General Washington's Life-Guard. Hon. James Underwood was commissioned adjutant of Colonel Joshua Wingate's regiment, raised to re-enforce the Northern army in July, 1776. For the First New Hampshire Continental Regiment (Colonel Cilley), raised in 1776, Litchfield furnished the following-named officers and privates: Chaplain, Rev. Samuel Cotton; First Lieutenants, Nathaniel McCauly and Moody Dustin; Privates, James Simpson Thompson, Obed McLain, Samuel Smith, Joseph Haselton, John Stone, Thomas Coleburn [sic Colburn] and Joshua Blodgett. At a special town meeting of the legal voters held April, 1777, the town voted a bounty of fifty dollars each to those who had enlisted in the Continental Army. William Reed commanded a company in Colonel Nahum Baldwin's regiment, raised in September, 1776, to reinforce the army near New York City. Dr. Joseph Barnes was commissioned surgeon of Colonel David Gilman's regiment, which was raised in answer to a requisition from General Washington in December 1776, for service at Fort George and Fort Ticonderoga. In the "Great Return" of 1782, the following soldiers were credited with bounties: Robert Cunningham, Samuel Chase Jr., William Whittle, John Williams, Stephen R. Youngman, Thomas Coleburn [sic Colburn] and Obed McLain. It is not known where the first five of the foregoing list served, but from the amounts paid to them, they are supposed to have been in the service a considerable time. In June, 1777, a party of sixteen men, including Major Samuel Chase, Captain Samuel Cochran and Ensign Daniel McQuig, marched from Litchfield for Ticonderoga, upon news of General Burgoyne's advance upon the fort. On reaching Charlestown [NH] (No. 4) they received news of the evacuation, and returned to their homes. In 1779 the sum of one thousand dollars was appropriated for the purpose of raising men to fill the town's quota for the army. The Committee of Safety for 1775 and 1776 consisted of James Underwood, Robert Darrah, John Harvell, John Thompson and Daniel Kendall. WAR OF THE REBELLION [CIVIL WAR] During the War of the Rebellion the town paid seven thousand five hundred dollars for bounties to soldiers, besides liberally caring for their families during service. The following are the names of the soldiers in the War of the Rebellion from Litchfield: James Aiken (killed), David L. Annis, Calvin G. Blodgett, John G. Boise, E. Boynton, George Brown, John D. Buckham, Jonathan Burkank (died in service), Rufus Butterfield, Patrick Casgrove [Cosgrove], Jonathan Crane, Franklin Cross, Thomas Donahue, James Duffie, WIlliam Flanders, Thomas Ferguson, Elias Foot, John G. Graham, George H. Hazard, Frank Jones, Hiram Joyal, Joseph Lachance (killed), Charles Low, Langdon C. Lydston, George G. Lydston (navy), Charles H. Marsh, Joseph Manning, James F. McQuesten, Henry W. Moor, William H. Parker, Fernando Parker (killed), James F. Parker, Jefferson Page, William Patrick, Hiram Pierce, Stephen Rolfe, William E. Russell, Harrison Seavey, Edwin Seavey, John E. Seavey, Daniel Scott, Albert St. Cloud, Jeriah Tufts (died in service), Thomas Taylor, James Wilson, William Wallis. ******** BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES ******** CAPTAIN JAMES F. McQUESTEN was the third son of Henry McQuesten and Eliza (Chase) McQuesten, and was born in Litchfield, March 7, 1835. During his boyhood he attended the district school in his native town, and was afterwards a student at the academy in Derry, where he prepared himself for the United States Military School at West Point, entering that institution in May, 1861, as second lieutenant of the Second United States Cavalry, and immediately entered the service at the outset of the War of the Rebellion. He was soon promoted to first lieutenant, and in February, 1863, to a captaincy, and served on the staffs of General Buford, Fitz-John Porter and McClellan. At the time of his death he was assistant adjutant-general on General Merritt's staff. Captain McQuesten was present in more than thirty engagements, and was killed at the battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864. Such was the brief but brilliant career of one of the noblest souls and bravest officers that fell during the late Civil War. From youth he was fitted, both by nature and his own great energies, for a soldier. His physicial development was faultless; his height was something more than six feet; with full chest and ruddy complexion. His presence was commanding and his character unexceptionable. Captain McQuesten married Miss Marcia V. McQuesten, daughter of Edward and Harriet (Colby) McQuesten, September 23, 1863. The mortal remains of Captain McQuesten rest in the cemetery of his native town. His only legacy was his noble example of devotion and loyalty to his mother, his country and his friends. WYZEMAN [sic WISEMAN] CLAGGETT was born in Bristol, England, in August 1721. His father was a barrister-at-law, and educated his only son liberally for the same profession. Wyzeman, after graduating at the Inns of Court, was admitted a barrister in the Court of the King's Bench. He was subsequently appointed a notary public. In 1748, Mr. Clagett sailed for the West Indies, where he devoted ten years to the practice of his profession in the island of Antigua. He was secretary of the island for a number of years. An annuity of fifty pounds sterling was settled upon him during life by John Weeks, Esq., of Antigua, a gentleman of means, who highly esteemed the friendship of Mr. Clagett. This annuity was paid regularly, till his death, and was a source of consolation in his declining years, when his professional income was meagre. From Antigua he emigrated to Portsmouth, NH where he soon became the chief magistrate. In 1765 he was commissioned King's Attorney-General by Governor Benning Wentworth, and was re-appointed, in 1768, by Governor John Wentworth. In 1771, Mr. Clagett purchased a valuable farm in the centre of Litchfield, and removed there in 1772. He was a member of the Council in 1775 and 1776, and one of the members of the Committee of Safety for Hillsborough County during the Revolution, and solicitor general until the new form of State government was established in 1783. He was a member of the Legislature several years, representing Litchfield, Nottingham West, Derryfield, Merrimack, and Bedford; although a resident of Litchfield, the last two towns, classed, returned him to the Assembly, much to his delight and satisfaction. Mr. Clagett was married August 14, 1859, to Miss Lettice Mitchell, of Portsmouth. This lady afterwards became the wife of Samuel McQuesten. Mr. Clagett was very severe as a magistrate; the very name Clagett was a synonym for "prosecute." He was very eccentric and overbearing, and many anecdotes are told of his peculiarities. It is related of him that at one time, while he was a judge at Portsmouth, being too poor to buy a load of wood, he sent his servant out to insult a farmer who was passing with a load. The countryman swore at the servant, and Judge Clagett had him arrested and fined him just the load of wood. He died on the 4th of December 1784. One of his sons, Clifton Clagett, studied law with his father, and began the practice of his profession in Litchfield in 1787. He removed to Amherst in 1811. During his residence in Litchfield he represented the town in the General Court for several years. In 1810 he was appointed judge of Probate for Hillsborough County, and held the office until he resigned, in September, 1812, having been appointed one of the judges of the Superior Court; upon the reorganization of the court by the Federal party, he was removed from the Superior Court, and again became judge of Probate, holding the office until his death, January 26, 1829. JAMES U. PARKER, son of Deacon Matthew and Sally (Underwood) Parker, was born in Litchfield, July 28, 1797. He fitted for Dartmouth College, and was graduated from that institution in 1820. He read law with Hon. James Parker, of Bedford, Artemas Rogers, of Henniker, and Hon. Joseph Gilbert, of Hanover. After admission to the bar he began practice at Litchfield; thence he went to Merrimack, but returned to his native town in 1847. In connection with his brother Nathan, he established the Manchester Bank, and was its president while it continued a State bank. His brother, who still survives, succeeded him when it became a national bank. James U. was also the first president of the Lawrence Railroad. He represented Merrimack in the Legislature in 1844 and 1845, and was president of the New Hampshire Senate in 1846. In 1850 he moved to New York City, and from 1857 to 1859 he was a resident of New Jersey. In 1849 he returned to New Hampshire, settled at Manchester and resumed the practice of law. He married, first, Miss Mary Hawkins, of Hanover, NH, February 25, 1829. After her decease, he married in January 1835, Miss Rebecca J. Lund, the daughter of Deacon Augustus Lund, of Merrimack, by whom he had several children. He died in March 1871. His eldest son, James U., is a resident of Manchester; his youngest son, Charles A., resides in Lynn, Mass. DR. JONATHAN PARKER, a graduate of Harvard College, and a physician and surgeon of eminence, was a native of Litchfield. Dr. Parker had an extensive practice in his native town and also in the surrounding towns, being often summoned from a distance as a consulting physician. He died in September 1791, leaving a family of ten children in destitute circumstances. WILLIAM McQUESTEN emigrated to this country from the north of Ireland about 1735, and settled in Litchfield. He was a descedant of the McUisthons who emigrated from Argyleshire, Scotland, near the close of the seventeenth century. William married a Miss Arbuckle, by whom he had eight children,--three sons (William, John and Simon, all of whom settled in Litchfield) and five daughters. Besides holding other positions of responsibility, he was town clerk for many years, and the records bear witness of his faithfulness. He is mentioned by the early writers as a man of "sterling sense and integrity." Captain Isaac McQuesten, one of the oldest inhabitants of Litchfield, has led a useful and laborious life from his boyhood. He was the first child of Robert H. McQuesten and Lydia (Barrett) McQuestion, and was born October 18, 1811. His only opportunity for education was the district school for a term of eight or ten weeks yearly, until he attained the age of fourteen years, when he was hired out as a farm-hand; therefore, his success in life is due, in a great measure, to his own exertions. His parents were poor, and his great aim in early life was to preserve the homestead; this he secured at his majority, and he has since resided upon it. In 1840, Captain McQuesten and Captain Samuel Chase formed a coparternship which continued twenty years. They were extensively engaged in the lumber trade, and for several years were the proprietors of the store at the centre of the town. Owing to the removal of Captain Chase to Nashua, the firm was dissolved in 1860, and Captain McQuesten continued the business until 1878. Under the old State militia he held a commission as captain in the Fifth Regiment. In politics he has co-operated with the Democratic party; he has represented the town in the Legislature four years, and was elected road commissioner for Hillsborough County in 1849; from time to time he has held various offices of trust under the town government. From 1862 to 1868 he was first selectman and town treasurer, and discharged the duties of these offices (which were greatly increased on account of the Civil War) with fidelity. In 1868 and 1869 he was his party's candidate for State Senator. He has been a justice of the peace, county since 1845, quorum and State since 1870, the principal magistrate of the town, and often employed in writing deeds, wills and other instruments. Isaac McQuesten and Margaret A., daughter of Major Francis Chase and Dorothy (Bixby) Chase, were married December 29, 1842. They have three children,-- Eugene F., a pratitioner of medicine and surgery for eighteen years past in Nashua, NH; Francis H., lumber merchant, and Jennie F., wife of Frederick L. Center. Since 1851, Captain McQuesten has been clerk of the Presbyterian Society, and for the past ten years superintendent of the Sabbath-school. DR. JOSEPH BARNES, who died October 29, 1781, at the age of fifty-five years and ten months, came from Lincoln, England. For about twenty years he practiced medicine in Litchfield, and, as had already been stated, was surgeon in Colonel David Gilman's regiment during the Revolutionary War. He was elected delegate to the County Congress, which assembled at Amherst. Among his descendants is Royal D. Barnes, son of Warren M. Barnes, of Litchfield. Royal D. was born in Litchfield, June 18, 1854. After fitting for college he commenced the study of law, in the winter of 1874, at Nashua, NH. He was admitted to the Hillsborough County bar in January, 1878. Since his admission he has been located at Nashua [NH], and has been three times elected city solicitor. LAWYERS WHO HAVE PRACTICED IN LITCHFIELD: Wyzeman [sic Wiseman] Clagget, Clifton Clagget, James Underwood, James U. Parker. THE FOLLOWING PHYSICIANS HAVE PRACTICED IN LITCHFIELD: Jonathan Parker, Joseph Barnes, Nathan Kendall, David Campbell, Samuel Dodge. For many years the people have been dependant for medical aid upon the physicians located in Nashua, Manchester and Merrimack. Dr. Arthur G. Griffin, port physician of Boston, is a native of Litchfield. *********** BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH *********** GEORGE GRIFFIN George Griffin was the son of Ebenezer and Betsy (Carter) Griffin, and grandson of James and Phebe (Abbot) Griffin of Wilmington, Mass. The ancestry of Phebe Abbot may be traced to George Abbot, who came from Yorkshire, England, and settled in Andover, Mass., in 1643. In common with others who left their native isle and kindred for the enjoyment of religious freedom in the wildnerness of America, he realized that with enlarged liberties came increased responsibilities, which could be wisely met only by the exercise of cultured intellectual faculties. The trio of noted educational institutions at Andover, which have and will continue to bless a nation, is but one grand ultimatum of this idea, and with their history the name of Abbot is associated wither as a beneficent founder or distinguished educator. Ebenezer, the eldest son of James and Phebe (Abbot) Griffin, married Betsey Carter, of Leominster, Mass., August 11, 1792. She was the third of eighteen children born to Josiah Carter, Jr., each of two wives being the mother of an equal number of offspring. The family of which Betsey Carter was a member, descended from Rev. Thomas Carter, whose early home was in Hertfordshire, England. He sailed for the New World in 1635, and eight years later was pastor of a church in Woburn, Mass. The parents of the subject of this sketch resided in Leominster for a time, but previous to the birth of George, which occurred July 28, 1811, had removed to Chelmsford, Mass. He was the tenth of a family of twelve children. A few years later circumstances favored a residence in Litchfield, and here George spent his life. His early educational advantages were such as were afforded by the district school of that time in a small country town. These limited privileges were greatly abridged for George, when twelve years of age, by a serious illness occasioned by bathing in the Merrimack when heated, which resulted in a disfigured limb. Had this physical infirmity been tenfold more afflictive, it would not have modified his determination to make his way in the world. As a means to that end, he earned money boating wood to Lowell, which was then an incipient manufacturing place, to defray the expense of a term or two at Derry and one at Bradford Academy, the latter then under the principalship of Benjamin Greenleaf. This completed his school education, terminating in his eighteenth year, and he returned to his former occupation on the Merrimack. When funds were accumulated, Mr. Griffin engaged in the lumber business for a while, and then opened a general store in Litchfield. February 24, 1844, the store, dwelling-house and other buildings connected, of which Mr. Griffin was proprietor, were burned. Trade was continued near the old stand, until buildings were erected on the former site. But mercantile life had so told upon Mr. Griffin's health that he felt compelled to relinquish trade and engage in some occupation that necessitated the out-of-door life to some extent, and he accepted the office of deputy sheriff, entering upon its duties in 1848. This work proved disappointing in its recuperative effects, and he soon resigned the office and gave his attention to the lumber business and the supervision of his farm. The characteristics prominent in the business operations of Mr. Griffin were sagacity, energy, and fidelity,--the foundation stones of a successful career. Politically he affliated with the Democrats, and by the suffrages of his townsmen he held the office of town clerk in 1839, selectman in 1839 and 1840 and representative in 1848 and 1849. While in the Legislature he served on the judiciary committee. He received the appointment of justice of the peace July 7, 1849, and the same year and the following served in the position of superintending school committee. While George Griffin's generous nature gladly aided all movements that promised a public benefit, the cause of education enlisted his deepest sympathies and heartiest support. The exercise of keen powers of observation strengthened the opinion that the path to honorable success, especially to the boy or girl dependent upon the labor of hand or brain for advancement, was over the stepping-stones of knowledge, and better than all accumulation of riches for children was the discipline of good schools. The exemplification of that deep-seated conviction accomplished a good work. In private life Mr. Griffin was the genial, courteous gentleman; a kind husband, indulgent father, helpful son and brother and generous friend. Children delighted in his presence, and those now in middle life who met him in childhood, recall with pleasure that "George Griffin always shook hands with them." When twenty-six years of age he married Clarissa, the eldest daughter of John and Susannah (Dickey) White of Litchfield, who inherited from her English and Scotch-Irish parentage those strong traits of character that mark the efficient, self-sacrificing woman. Eight were the fruit of that union,--Josephine, Mary White, Susan Grace, George Byron, John White, Norris Clement, Orville Carter and Arthur George. Orville died in infancy, and John passed away at Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1878, aged thirty-two years. With a large family growing up which needed his protecting arm, a devoted wife in whom he found a helpmeet, prosperous in financial amtters, a popular citizen, there seemed much to make his life sweet, notwithstanding physical suffering; but the all-wise Father had better things beyond, and, December 13, 1853, the spirit left the feeble frame through which, it had bravely met life's trails for forty-two years. The aged Christian mother survived her dear son several months, but was an invalid after his decease. His father died five years previous, at the age of seventy-eight. The wishes of Mr. Griffin in regard to the education of his children were faithfully observed by his widow. Each child that reached the period of youth received academical advantages to a greater or less extent. Mary W. was graduated at the Salem, Mass. Normal School; John W. at Dartmouth College, and was a member of the Legislature his last college year. Arthur G., who was but six weeks old when left an orphan, was educated at New London Literary Institution, Brown University and Harvard Medical College, and is now port physician at Boston Harbor. The quiet, beautiful town of Litchfield is still the home of Mrs. Griffin. (end)