HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND, COOS 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). ****DO NOT LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS TEXT FILE, INSTEAD LINK TO THE FOLLOWING URL***: http://www.nh.searchroots.com/coos.html#Northumberland ======================================================== History of Coös County, New Hampshire by George Drew Merrill; Syracuse N.Y.: W.A. Fergusson & Co., 1888, 1018 pgs. page 539 NORTHUMBERLAND is, in England, land north of the Humber. "The Humber was a Cimbric river; and Northumberland was called of old, North Cumriland, where Cymri was driven from the plains before they settled in Wales." The township of NORTHUMBERLAND in the United States, was first granted, October 20, 1761, by the name of Stonington, to John Hogg, and others. Settlements were made in June 1767, by Thomas Burnside, and his wife, and three children, and Daniel Spaulding, with his wife and son Edward. It was regranted January 25, 1771, by its present name, and incorporated by the legislature November 16, 1779, with full town privileges. The land on the Connecticut in this town was originally covered with a growth of butternut wood. The soil is free from stone and gravel, and is easily cultivated. A large portion of the upland is good for pasturing and tillage. There are several good farms, producing excellent corn, oats and barley. The Connecticut river washes the western border, and it is watered by the Upper Ammonoosuc river, which passes through the town in a southwesterly direction. Near the center of the town is an abrupt and rugged elevation called Cape Horn, of an altitude of nearly 1,000 feet. The scenery around the mountain is wild and picturesque. Its north base is separated by the Upper Ammonoosuc. The spring freshets sometimes overflow the meadows at this point and give them the appearance of a large lake. Northumberland is bounded on the north by Stratford, east by Stark, south by Lancaster, and west by Vermont. At Groveton village on the Grand Trunk railway there is a vein of hematic iron ore. Although agriculture is the principal employment of the people, manufacturing is an important factor in the business interests of the town. In 1872 there were, at Northumberland Falls, starch, straw-board, and shoe-peg mills; at Groveton, there were manufactories producing leather, clapboard, shingles, timber, etc. The population in 1775 was fifty-seven; in 1790, 117; 1800, 205; 1810, 281; 1820, 205; 1880, 1063. In 1820 the town had one church, three school-houses, one saw-mill, two grist-mills, one cloth-mill. **NAMES OF ORIGINAL GRANTEES of STONINGTON** THe name of the original grantees and shown in a document of March 4, 1771 included: David Warner, Esqr., John Penhallow, James Burnside, Thomas Burnside, Samuel Burnside, Daniel Spaulding, Wm. Moulton, Benj. Sawyer, Edward Ayres, George Gains, Daniel Fowle, Joseph Peverly, John Noble, Jacob Treadwell, Joseph Shillabear, John Shillabear Jr., Mark Seavy, Nehemiah Wheeler, Daniel Lunt, Jacob Tilton, Jon'a Shillabear, Nath Treadwell, Ammi R. Cutter, Daniel R. Rodgers, Tho. Martin, Levertt Hubbard, Sam'l Lean, Will Stanwood, Isaac Williams, Will'm Brewster, Peter Porter, Mark Rogers, Daniel Brewster, Capt. John Parker, Daniel Davis, John Redin, Will'm Simpson, Richard Miles, Jacob Sheaffe Jun., Nathaniel Stanly Parker, Clement March of Portsmouth, Math'w Treadwell Jr., Moses Edmond Morse, Jeremiah Eames, Benj'n Kimball, John Cannadey, Reuben Harriman, Caleb Johnson, John Webster Esqr, Joseph Webster, Enoch Moulton, Joseph Moulton Jr. of Newburyport Mass, Caleb Tappen, Edmund Moulton, Joseph Moulton Jr. of Newburyport, Jesse Johnson, James Jewet, James Pease, James Flanders, Phineas Sargant, Jon'n Dustan, and James Paul. DIFFICULTY WITH WOODBURY--Woodbury was chartered June 26, 1762, and Stonington, now Northumberland, was chartered March 4, 1771, and by the change of boundaries (see Lancaster) covered some of the land granted to Woodbury. At the meeting of the proprietors of Northumberland holden at Jacob Tilton's inn, in Portsmouth, N.H., the following votes were passed:-- "That Messrs Jacob Treadwell, William Moulton, William Marshall & Joseph Peverly be a committee to enquire of Woodbury Proprietors, or any other persons, their design in attempting a Settlement in the township of Northumberland, & to warn them in due course of Law to depart...That Daniel Rogers, Esar, & Mr. A.R. Cutter be a committee to get extracts of the Stonington & Woodbury Charters with their special extensions, & to advise with some Learned Gentlement in the Law how to conduct respecting any trespasses, or what steps should be taken properly to warn them off." A trespass suit was commenced against the proprietors of Woodbury, but while this was pending, on the 5th day of May 1773, at a proprietor's meeting holden at Jacob Tilton's in Portsmouth, N.H., it was "voted that Messrs. John Penhallow, A.R. Cutter, Thomas Martin, Jacob Treadwell and John Herd, or the major part of them, be a committee, to settle all disputes now pending between the Proprietors of Woodbury, and the Proprietors of Northumberland.... The aforesaid committee, with Agur Tomlinson, John Wendell, and Joseph Holbrook, committee of Woodbury, agreed to withdraw their actions from the courts of law and submit all disputes to the sole judgement and determination of John Wentworth, Esq., Governor. This submission was signed by both sides on 13 May 1773, and it was settled by Gov. Wentworth in a document signed 15 May 1773. page 543 **THE FIRST SETTLERS** [Abstracts] In June of 1767 Thomas Burnside and Daniel Spaulding made a rude camp in the area of what is now Northumberland, NH. Passing up the Connecticut [river] they reached the great bow below the "Falls" and made their "pitches" and settled. THOMAS BURNSIDE, an original grantee, "pitched on the bank of the Connecticut, on the farm now owned by W.W. Hendrick. The stones he brought from the higher ground for a fireplace in his rude cabin now mark the site of its location. This spot was so low that the first freshet covered the floor of the cabin, and tradition says that, as becomes a thrifty "Yankee," he "swapped" his "improvements" for an overcoat and a barrel of New England rum, and moving up the river, pitched on lot 35 and made his home there during his life of many years. (This lot constituted part of the farm lately owned by Charles H. Rich). His pitch was confirmed to him, March 5, 1771, at the first proprietor's meeting, held at Portsmouth; and, at the same meeting, he was exempted from paying his proportion of the tax of 90 pounds assessed upon the "propriety" for the purpose of paying for a new town charter and making a re-survey of the outlines of the town. Mr. Burnside came from Londonderry. His wife, Susan, was a daughter of Rev. James McGregor, the celebrated spiritual leader of the Londonderry [NH] colony. THey had a number of children. "His oldest son, James, settled on the farm next south of Spaulding's where he passed his life. Two other sons were educated, one Samuel, became a lawyer in Worchester, [sic Worcester], Mass; Alexander, after studying medicine, settled in Toronto, Canada, where he died unmarried, leaving a large fortune to the Church of England; a daughter married Chauncey Curtis, a member of Gen. Washington's body-guard." Mr. Burnside was no ordinary character, coming of the strong Scotch-Irish stock, he showed their characteristics plainly. He was one of Roger's famous "Rangers" in the French and Indian war, and was highly esteemed and trusted by his commander. He had little fear in his composition, and little veneration or respect for those in authority. One or two anecdotes concerning him will indicate the nature of the man. January 20, 1757, a fight occurred between the "Rangers" and Indians at the foot of Lake Champlain. Several "Rangers" were wounded so badly that they could not be carried off the field. The nearest point from which to botain succor was Crown Point, forty miles away. Burnside (himself wounded) and John Stark, started for aid. They travelled to Crown Point through the snow and on the ice in about twelve hours, and in less than twenty-four hours their disabled comrades were being conveyed by teams to a place of safety. Some years after the settlement of Northumberland, Mr. Burnside became desirous of official honors, and, taking as a present to Gov. Wentworth a firkin of butter and a roll of linen cloth, he journeyed to Portsmouth and waited upon the governor. After presenting his gifts to the governor that the people of his town could no longer live peacably without a magistrate, Gov. Wentworth enquired how many inhabitants there were in the town, and whom Mr. Burnside would recommend for the office. "My dear Governor," said Burnside, "there is but neighbor Spaulding and meself living in the town, and he is no more fit for a justice of the peace than a chestnut burr is for an eye-stone." "Then I think I shall have to appoint you," laughingly said the governor, and drew up a commission for him. "Esquire" Burnside was duly qualified; and, putting the commission in his pocket, he said, "Governor, when I get home to me folks, what shall I tell e'm that the governor gave me that was good to drink?" "Some brandy," answered the governor, bringing a decanter from a sideboard. 'Squire Burnside drank his health, and returned in official dignity to his home." The descendants of Mr. Burnside possessed the stern, unflinching natures of their forefathers, and several were noted for their acquisition of wealth. DANIEL SPAULDING, a descendant of Edward Spaulding, an early settlers of Chelmsford, Mass., came from Londonderry to Northumberland. He, like Burnside, was one of the grantees of the town. He settled on lot 66 and his "pitch" was confirmed at the same proprietor's meeting, and his taxes exempted (This farm is now owned by J.A. Smith). His log house was built on the first ridge back from the river, and the site is now shown by the cellar and stone chimney. He was a bold and resolute man, and his wife, Phebe, was even more energetic and fearless. Tradition has handed down differing versions of her almost solitary journey from her down-country home through a trackless wilderness, guided by "blazed" trees, bearing her baby, Edward, in her arms along the perilous way. This she accomplished, while brave men would have shrunk from the fearful task. But she came of brave ancestry, and carried the blood of the celebrated Hannah Dustan in her veins. Northumberland lay on the war trail of the Indians and frequently demonstrations of a hostile nature were made by them. Mrs. Spaulding was never in fear of them, and even when they were searching for her husband to kill him, she treated them as friends, and, after they had convinced themselves that he was not at home, they departed, leaving the family unmolested. Her strong character attracted their admiration, and aided much in the safety of the little colony. Their descendants are quite numerous in this county and town. Among those resident here is James B. Spaulding, who has held important town offices, etc. CAPTAIN JEREMIAH EAMES was one of the early settlers and an original grantee. He was of an impetuous mold, and a prompt and decided actor in all important matters. He "pitched" upon lot 53, which was confirmed to him at the first proprietor's meeting. He held numerous offices of civil and military trust, and the town meetings were often held at his house. Jeremiah Eames Jr. was a surveyor, and was employed to survey and make plans of several towns to be recorded in the office of the secretary of state. The homestead was transmitted to another son, Seth Eames, Esq. who held important offices--selectman, treasurer and clerk;--the town clerkship he held for thirty years. His son, John Eames, now owns and lives in the home of his ancestors. He has enjoyed largely the confidence of his townsmen as selectmen, and in other offices. His family is the only one in this town living upon the same homestead from the first settlement until the present time. The following anecdote is related of Thomas Eames: On one of Col. Carrigain's explorations and surveys he was belated, and night overtook him in the woods, where he discovered two apparently deserted tents. He took possession of one of them. Hearing voices not long after in the other, he listened and found the sounds proceeded from two persons, evidently a white man and an Indian, arguming very warmly the question as to the superiority of the Indians or of the whites in the matter of hunting, fishing, and trapping. The Indian adduced in support of his position, many admitted instances of adroitness and skill. The white man in this argument referred mainly to one individual--the well-known Thomas Eames, of Northumberland. He thought this would be a 'poser' for the Indian. It was, so far as any argument was concerned; but he at once got over his difficulty by the prompt reply: "Tom Eame! Tom Eame! why he Indian, and more too." The original grantees or proprietors nearly all lived in Portsmouth, where their 'propriety meetings' were held. But few of them ever made any improvement or settled upon their lands. The long distance (nearly 200 miles) over bad roads, in a wilderness beset with savage Indians, without mills to grind their grain, or anything to shelter them and their families from the storms and the winter's cold, save the logs and bark of the trees of the forest, deterred them from the undertaking. It is not surprising that so few of the the original owners came here to settle, but a wonder tha ANY should have courage to brave and bear the sufferings of the new settlement. At the first proprietor's meeting in Portsmouth, March 5 1771, Jonathan Dustan engaged to build a saw and grist-mill. Before the mills were completed they were burned, and, at the proprietors' meeting, December 4, 1771, they voted to pay him 41 pounds 5 shillings lawful money for his mill (as per agreement) and confirm to him lots 60 and 61 in consideration of his loss by fire. The "first Division" of seventy-five acre lots lies upon the Connecticut river, and was surveyed by EDMOND MORSE, who was one of the original grantees and pitched upon lot 16. He returned a plan of the survey to the proprietors at their meeting in Portsmouth, December 4, 1771--"Fifty-eight lots, No. 16 to No. 73, inclusive." At one meeting of the proprietors, it was voted "to give fifty acres of land and twenty dollars as an encouragement to a good blacksmith to settle in town," and John Herd, Ami R. Cutter and Jacob Treadwell were chosen a committee to agree with the blacksmith. **FIRST BRIDGES** The first bridge across Mill brook was built in 1789, and the first bridge across the Ammonoosuc was built in 1790 and 1791, at the cost of 130 pounds "lawful money." Jeremiah Eames and Joseph Peverly, Esquires, and Mr. Thomas Peverly were chosen a committee to build the bridges. Two five hundred acre lots were surveyed by Edwards Bucknam, Esq., and returned at the proprietors' meeting at Portsmouth July 29, 1783. They were called "John Herd's Location." A plan of the second and third division of lots, surveyed by Jeremiah Eames Jr., was returned and accepted at a proprietors' meeting, held in Portsmouth, March 7, 1793. The last meeting of the proprietors' was held at the house of Joseph Peverly, Esq. in Northumberland, October 10, 1810. **ROADS** 1780. A petition was made to the General Court to create a road from "Upper Coos" to Wolfborough and Portsmouth, signed by Northumberland and other local residents: Thomas Burnside, Nathan Barlow, John Sawyer, John Holbrook, Archippus Bloggatt, Dill Sawyer, John Gamsby, Joseph Barlow, George Wheeler, James Blake, James Brown, Sam'll Nash, Joshua Lamkin, Benj'a Byron, David Hopkinson, James Curtiss, Ward Bailey, David Page, David Larned, Abner osgood, Moses Page, Elijah Blogget, Benj'a Sawyer, Jonas Wilder, Luther Richardson, and Tim'o Nash." June 22 1780. Enoch Bartlet petitioned the General Court to create a grist mill and saw mill. A petition for a Ferry across the Connecticut and "Amminoosuck" Rivers by Thomas Burnside Esq. (this privilege was granted to him in 1786). This document was signed Northumberland May 14, 1785 by: Thomas Peverly, Thomas Peverly Jr., Jer'h Eames, Daniel Spaldin, David Learned, James Learned, Abel Learned, Elijah Blogget, James Luther, Archippas Blogget, Josiah Blogget, James Brown, Newcomb Blogget, John Holbrook, James Curtiss, William Curtiss, Stephen Curtiss, John Smith, Hith Balden, Barnard Cole, James Blake, Joshua Lamkin, Oliver Lamkin, James Burnside, Phinehas Hodgdon, and Nathan Caswell. 1786. a petition by the selectmen of Northumberland and Guildhall Vt requesting authority to raise money by lottery, was signed 25 May 1791 by Benoni Cutter, Eben W. Judd, Joseph Peverly and Antipas Marshal. 1791. A petition to the General Court requesting to be separated from Grafton County and made a new county. Signed Nov 22, 1791 at Northumberland by Abel Bennet, Caleb Marshall, Abel Bennet Jr., Isaac Meriam, Eliphalet Day, Antipas Marshal, Abner Barlow, Jacob Shuff, Daniel Rowell, Thomas Burnside, Anthony CLifford, Thomas Peverly and Thomas Peverly. 1799. A petition by the inhabitants of Northumberland to rebuild a bridge over the Amonnoosock river destroyed by a freshet. Signed Northumberland, 7 Nov 1799 by Caleb Marshall, Abel Bennet, Daniel Spaulding Jr, Zadock Samson, Joseph Peverly, Jer'h Eames, Thomas Peverly, Daniel Spaulding, James Burnside, Jonathan Crawford, Wm Bothwell, John Moore, Hez'h Smith, David Burnside, Isaac Meriam, James Lewis, Antipas Marshal, Joseph Daniels, Eliphalet Day, Thomas Bickford, Benj'a Marshall and Joel Owen. **INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN, AND OFFICERS** The town of Northumberland was incorporated in November 1779. The act of incorporation was signed by John Langdon, speaker of the House of Representatives [of NH], and M. Weare, president of the Council. Joseph Peverly, Esq. was authorized to call the first meeting of the inhabitants..to choose... town officers.... 1780. annual town meeting was held at the dwelling house of Capt. Jeremiah Eames. Capt. Jeremiah Eames, Joseph Peverly and Thomas Burnside were chosen selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. 1781. Chose Thomas Burnside, Jeremiah Eames and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly Town Clerk. 1782. Jeremiah Eames, Capt. Marshall and Joseph Peverly, selectmen; Jeremiah Eames, town clerk. 1783. Chose Jeremiah Eames, Thomas Burnside and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. Voted, Thomas Burnside's log barn to be a pound. 1784. Chose James Blake, Daniel Spaulding and Jeremiah Eames selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk. 1785. Joseph Peverly, Thomas Burnside, and Jeremiah Eames selectmen; Joseph Peverly, town clerk 1786. Jeremiah Eames, Thomas Burnside and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly town clerk. 1787. Joseph Peverly, Thomas Burnside and Jeremiah Eames selectmen; Joseph Peverly town clerk. 1788. Thomas Burnside, Jeremiah Eames and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly town clerk. 1789. Jeremiah Eames, Thomas Burnside and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly town clerk. 1790. Joseph Peverly, Jeremiah Eames and Thomas Burnside selectmen; Joseph Peverly town clerk. 1791. William Cargill, Antipas Marshall and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly town clerk. 1792. Jeremiah Eames, Nath'l Herrick and Joseph Peverly selectmen; Joseph Peverly town clerk. 1793. Jeremiah Eames, Thomas Peverly Jr., Nath'l Herrick selectmen; Joseph Peverly town clerk. [more town officers from 1794-1887 included in the original document not included here]. **ECCLESIASTICAL (CHURCH)** At the meetings of the proprietors of Northumberland after the first settlement of the town, bushels of wheat and sums of money were raised by direct taxation for the ministrations of the gospel. A committee was chosen to hire a minister, and the money raised was expended for preaching, and services were held generall from two to three months in each year, and in 1799 a town meeting house was completed. After the proprietors ceased their efforts in this direction, there was occasional preaching by transient minister, but no church organization formed until June 1867, when the Methodist Episcopal church was established here, and the same year the society commenced the present church edifice which was finishedn in 1868, at a cost of $2,700. On the 21st day of August, 1868, this house was dedicated to the service of God. Warren Applebee was the first pastor, and remained until 1869. [additional information in the original document not included here.] The Episcopal Church has a mission here, monthly evening services being conducted by the rector of St. Paul's church, Lancaster, in the Methodist Church. The Catholics have held mission services here for a number of years. [Members of the M.E. Church, Nov 5, 1887 is in cluded in the original document but not included here]. *CLUBS AND SOCIETIES* AMMONOOSUC LODGE I.O.O.F. was organized on the 28th day of September 1877 with charter members, Irving A. Watson, Henry B. Gilkey, Fred Scott, Frank F. Richardson, James W. McKeen, Charles N. Martin, Alexander Williamson and Napoleon B. Perkins. [The Nov 5, 1887 list of all members in the original document is not included here]. The lodge has purchased a pleasantly-located and desirable lot on the corner of Main and Church streets, Groveton, upon which it is intended to erect an "Odd Fellows Hall" and provide better accomodations for the increasing membership THE LODGE OF GOOD TEMPLARS was organized Nov 16, 1882 with these officers and charter members... Officers: Edward F. Bucknam, W.G.T.; Julia M. Leavitt, W.V.T.; Rev. James Crowley, W.C.; Frank N. Piper, W.S.; Jennie M. Norcutt, W.A.S.; Solomon Leavitt, W.F.S.; John M. Wilson, W.T.; Austin Astelle, W.M.; Clara B. Dresser, W.D.M.; Edward A. Astelle, W.I.G.; Jesse Wilson, W.O.G.; Lucy Cole, W.R.H.S.; Alma McFarland, W.L.H.S.; Bell McFarland, P.W.G.T. Charter Members: Edward F. Bucknam, Frank N. Piper, Jennie M. Norcutt, Soloman Leavitt, John M. Wilson, James Crowley, Austin Astelle, Belle A. Piper, Edward A. Steele, Bell McFarland, James B. McFarland, Melvin J. Hayes, Frank Warren, Lucy Cole, Alma McFarland, Ella Harvey, Julia M. Leavitt, Clara B. Dresser, Ada M. Benton, Jesse Wilson, Amanda J. Frost, Mary E. Frost, Hannao O. McKeen. [Members of Nov 1887 and officers same year in original document, not included here.] page 556 **FORT WENTWORTH AND THE REVOLUTION** The old fort at the mouth of the Ammonoosuc stood on the south side of the river, at its junction with the Connecticut. It has long since gone to decay. The excavation and site are still visible on the high bank near the Connecticut, on the farm of Aaron and Charles Potter. It is called the "old fort" merely; but according to the attorney- general's report, it was erected by Capt. Robert Rogers in 1755, and named "Fort Wentworth," in honor of the royal Governor. It was evidently used by the very early settlers as a refuge from the Indians; and the next mention we have of it after its erection, is as a place of rendezvous for Roger's expedition after the destruction of St. Francis. During the Revolution the "old fort" was a lively place. After Col. Bendell's regiment was ordered to join the Continental army, in the winter of 1775 and 1776, several companies were kept on the western frontiers of the Upper Coos. Capt. Jeremiah Eames, to accomodate these quarters, built or repaired the garrison at Northumberland in the spring of 1776. It was in use until 1782. Col. Bedell was on duty here in 1777 and 1778. Lieut. Ladd and scouting party of eleven men were stationed here in 1782, as were another party of ten men under Sergt. James Blake* **SOLDIERS OF THE WAR OF 1812** -- Our sources for accurate information in regard to these are extremely meager. The adjutant-general's report gives only the names of the men, date of enlistment, length of service, and "remarks;" without specifying towns of which they were residents or from which they enlisted. We have ascertained, however, that George W. Lucas enlisted from Northumberland February 16, 1813, for eighteen months; William Merriam enlisted February 15, 1813, "during the war"' John Bickford enlisted February 13, 1813 for two years. **MEXICAN WAR** In the Mexican war we find that Michael G. Lawton enlisted April 13, 1847, as a drummer in Captain Daniel Batchelder's company. **BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES** FRANCIS WILLSON was a physician of considerable note and was of great value to the people of Northumberland and the surrounding towns. He was an early settler of Lancaster, locating upon the farm occupied by Moses Hibbard, but subsequently removed to the place now occupied by Edward Addin, in Northumberland. He was the first judge of probate for the county of Coos, was appointed in 1805 and held the office till about the time of his death, which occurred in 1811. JOHN M. TILLOTSON was an active business man and extensively known throughout Coos and Essex counties. He was selectman for some years, represented Northumberland, Stratford and Piercy in the legislature of 1809. He was the first registrar of probate for Coos County, and held the office for thirteen years. He died in 1822. **SCHOOLS** -- In 1800 a school-house was erected in district No. 5, which is still used. [more info about schools in original document but not included here]. **PHYSICIANS** Charles C.O. O'Brion, M.D. came from Maine and located at Groveton about 1881, purchasing the practice and residence of Irving A. Watson, M.D. who had been in practice here for ten years, and who went to Concord to take the position of secretary of the State Board of Health. Henry W. Sleeper, M.D. came to Groveton about 1883, and practiced here until his death, which occurred in December 1887. **MANUFACTURING** Manufacturing has been conducted at Northumberland Falls from early days. Edwards Bucknam constructed mills here; later, Enoch Bartlett shortly after the Revolution constructed both grist and saw-mills. The vast supplies of pine and spruce have made the water privileges on the Ammonoosuc at Groveton profitable investments for the manufactaure of lumber, and various firms from first to last have been engaged in this. In 1872 there were at Northumberland Falls, starch, straw-board, and shoe-peg mills; at Groveton, manufactories of leather, clapboards, shingles, etc. Hon. A. Denison, a merchant of Norway, Me., was largely engaged in supplying contractors on the line of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence R.R. and established stores in connection with Clark P. True, J.H. Danforth, and the Gilkeys at South Paris and Bethel, Me., and at Gorham, Northumberland, and Stratford. The largest of these was at Northumberland. Here, from 1850, for some years, the first transacted an annual business of nearly a hundred thousand dollars and contributed much to the prosperity of this section. BUSINESS INTERESTS 1887 -- Gilbert M. Soule, administrator of estate of Gilbert Soule, Groveton, manufacatures 4,500,000 feet of long and short lumber per annum. Wholesale and retail trade in 1886 was over $68,000. He employs from twenty to forty men, and operates a grist and saw-mill by waterpower. The latter contains a rotary board aw, clapboard, lath, shingle, matching, and planing machines. Fisk & Meyers (Payson Fisk, William Myers) Groveton, have a steam mill employing from ten to twelve men. They produce about 300,000 feet of lumber yearly. Their mill contains clapboard, shingle, and planing machines. Stoddard & Welch (P.T. Stoddard, C.C. Welch), Groveton, purchased the old Howley water-mill in 1866, and constructed a foundry and machine shop at a total cost of $30,000. The freshet of June 1887 undermined the mill, rendering it useless. They employ from six to ten men, and are doing a business of about $10,000 a year. Robert Chase, Northumberland, came from Pelham to GUildhall, Vt. in 1865, and at once erected a mill for the manufacture of straw-board, which is still conducted, the firm being Robert Chase & Company (Charles D. Chase). They also manufacture fine tissue paper. Mr. Chase erected, in Northumberland, in 1869, a peg-mill where he manufactures 40,000 bushels of shoe pegs annually, and gives employment to fifteen or twenty persons. They also keep a general store. GROVETON MERCHANTS--James W. McKeen, general store, retail trade about $15,000 yearly. Roswell C. Chessman, dry goods, coffins, caskets, and undertaker's goods does an annual business of $10,000. He is also postmaster of "Groveton" postoffice. Charles J. Salomon, dry goods and clothing, does the largest mercantile business in town, sells both at wholesale and retails, sends out many peddlers, and has a branch store at West Stewartstown. Charles H. Rich, successor to Dewer Rich, carries on a general store; does a business of about $10,000 yearly. **HOTELS** -- Melcher House, C.T. McNally and Edward Tibbetts, proprietors; Union House, Everett F. Bean, proprietor. **RAILROADS** -- The Boston, Concord & Montreal railroad forms a junction with the Grand Trunk at Groveton Junction. There are three stations in the town, which gives it a great advantage as a shipping point. Groveton station does a freight business of 1,000 tons a month and gives the Grand Trunk about 500 passengers in the same time. W.H. Fowler, station agent. Groveton Junction, Stephen M. Mathews, station agent, has a freight business of 6,000 tons per month, passengers about 2,000 in the same time. We can give no figures for Northumberland or Guildhall station. ****BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES**** CAPTAIN GILBERT SOULE The name Soule was formerly spelled Sole, Soal, Soul, and is an ancient English name. In 1591 the Soles of London were granted armorial bearings. The advent of the Soule family in New England dates back to the arrival of the "Mayflower" in 1620, when George Soule, one of the "Pilgrim Band," emigrated to America, and helped to plant the Plymouth Colony, and maintain the principles in defence of which those self-reliant pioneers left their native for an unknown land. George Soule was one of the forty-one signers of the first compact drawn up in the nature of a government. In 1624 he received one acre of land in Plymouth, between Sandwich street and the harbor. In 1633 his name appears on the first list of freemen of Plymouth. About 1638 he removed to Duxbury and settled there. He married Mary Becket, had many descendants, who served the town in its civil, military, and maritime service. Mr. Soule was of essential value to Duxbury, which he represented several years in the court of deputies, and held many other offices which showed him to be a man of integrity and probity. In 1645 he was one of the proprietors of Bridgewater, and, with Capt. Miles Standish, John Alden, and three others, was appointed to lay out and divide the land among the inhabitants. He died in 1680, "very aged;" willing his property to his son John, viz: "And for as much my eldest son, John Soule, and his family hath in my extreme old age and weakness bin tender and careful of mee and very healpfull to mee; and is likely to be while it shall please God to continew my life heer, therefore I give and bequeath until my said son John Soule all the remainder of my housings and land whatever." John Soule died in 1707, aged seventy-five. Joshua-3, son of John-2, married Joanna Studley. He died in 1767. His son, Ezekiel-4, born in 1711, married Hannah Delano. He was chosen deacon of the church in 1749, and was an important adviser in its affairs. He removed to Woolwich, Me. in 1766. John-5, born in 1735, was the father of Samuel-6, who was born January 18, 1769. David-7 married Elizabeth, widow of Cyrus Dole, and daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Holbrook) McMurchie. Their children were GILBERT, Hannah, Sarah (Mrs. James Bailey), Lewis, Augusta (Mrs. Alden P. Goudy), Lemul. David was a native of Woolwich. He followed the sea for many years, was captain, and at one time captured by the British. The latter part of his life passed on land. He died about 1862 at Woolwich, where he is buried. CAPTAIN GILBERT SOULE, son of David F. & Elizabeth (McMurchie) Soule, born in Woolwich, Me., December 6, 1820, was eighth in descent from the emigrant. He was educated at the local schools. When quite young he accompanied his father in his sea voyages, and for a number of years was a "seafarer." He then, in connection with his brother-in-law, James Bailey, conducted the ferry at Bath, Me. for several years. Afterwards he was at St. Anthony, Minnesota for some years. In 1852 he returned to his native state, and with a half- brother, Charles E. Dole, began lumbering on the Penobscot, and thereafter this was his principal business. He married, August 24, 1853, Eliza A., daughter of John and Mercy (Adams) Mills. (Mrs. Mills mother was Anne Hutchinson). Mrs. Soule was born in Detroit, Maine, March 6, 1829. They commenced housekeeping in Brewer, Me., and had a pleasant home there for seventeen years, and there their children were born: Gilbert Mills, Annie Laurie (married Augustus S. Thayer, M.D. of Portland), Edward Beecher, and James Bailey. In 1869 Captain Soule came to Groveton, and with Robert Holyoke, George Edward Holyoke, and John Eames, purchased the mill property now owned by the heirs of Gilbert Soule. This mill had a cutting capacity of 25,000 per day, and contained a rotary saw, edger, trimmer, clapboard, shingle, and lath machines, and a planer. The enterprise and energy of Capt. Soule gave a new impetus to the business in Groveton, and great enhanced its progress. In 1870 the "Nash Stream Improvement company" was incorporated to provide transportation for logs. This company expended $30,000 in blasting rocks, etc; four or five dams were also constructed. Capt. Soule was the first president; Gilbert M. Soule is the present one. In the fall of 1871, Capt. Soule moved his family to Groveton, and was acatively engaged in the lumber manufacturing until his death, January 20, 1884. In 1883 a new "four-foot" wheel was put into use the water going over the dam. One wheel of the original mill ran a grist-mill and clapboard planer, but in October 1845, a new grist-mill was completed. The main mill is one hundred and seventy feet in length by thirty-six in width, an addition of thirty feet being made in the spring of 1884, and a large "Wood's" planer added. The firm name at Northumberland was at first Gilbert Soule & Co., while at Portland it was Holyoke, Benson & Co. This continued until 1874, when it became Gilbert Soule in both places. Since Captain Soule's death the business has been carried on by the heirs as "Gilbert M. Soule." The production of the mill during 1887 was about 4,500,000 feet. At 418 Commerical street, Portland, they have a wharf office, and planing-mill. Capt. Soule was of vigorous physique, strong, influential and energetic, an industrious and valued citizen, a reader of sterling literature, and a man of independent thought and reflection. His height was five feet, eleven inches, and average weight about 230 pounds. His light blue eyes were accompanied by dark brown hair. He was of a pleasant social and genial nature, looking rather upon the bright rather than the dark side, and in all the relations of life he made sunshine by his cheery presence. Congregational in his religious belief, he gave yet liberally to all Christian work. Republican in his politics, ever an ardent partisan, yet he was not an aspirant for office. He was an early member of Ammonoosuc Lodge, I.O.O.F, Groveton, and an active worker for its interests. As an employer he was never dictatorial, but the considerate kindness which ever actuated him and was shown in his intercourse with his workmen gained for him their good will and esteem. He was much interested in historical and genealogical works, was a generous contributor to the Pilgrims' monument erected at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and was justly proud of being a descendant of the "Mayflower" band. He inherited their sterling qualities, and many traits of the Soule family have descended through him to his children. That kindly, filial spirit of John Soule which led him to honor, respect, and cherish his father in his old age, is also known in the veneration and love of the present generation for the memory of their father. (end)