By Muriel Bristol | November 1, 2021
Milton’s village smithies for nearly eighty years were Hazen Duntley and his son, Ira W. Duntley.
Hazen Duntley
Hazen Duntley was born in Bow, NH, circa February 1805, son of Joseph and Jane W. (Eastman) Duntley.
Mr. Hazen Duntley married (1st) in New Durham, NH, October, 18, 1829, Miss Phebe Leighton, he of Sandwich, NH, and she of Farmington, NH. Rev. Nathaniel Berry performed the ceremony. She was born in Farmington, NH, in 1811.
Hazen Duntley headed a Thornton, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years (himself), one female aged 15-19 years (Phebe (Leighton) Duntley), and one female aged under-five years. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of the Widow Susan Wadson, and John Fish.
Son Jedediah L. Duntley was born in Farmington, NH, in 1834.
In 1838 Hazen Duntley built his blacksmith shop on almost the same site as that now owned by his son, Ira W., and followed the blacksmith trade, during all his active life, during the Civil war serving as a blacksmith for three years in the same regiments as his son. He was an expert workman and dependable, honest man. In politics he was a Democrat and religiously affiliated with the Free Baptist church (Scales, 1914).
Ms. Sarah Ricker’s Milton and the New Hampshire Farm Museum placed the son’s blacksmith shop – hereabove said to have been at “almost” his father’s original site – at the “center of town near where the police station used to be housed.” Photographs printed therein show its remains next to, and set back towards the river from, a large three-story building with a mansard roof, identified elsewhere as having been a ballroom (perhaps the three-story A.O.U.W. hall (built c1890)).
Hazen Duntley headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years (himself), one female aged 30-39 years (Phebe (Leighton) Duntley), one female aged 10-14 years, two males aged 5-9 years (Lorenzo D. Duntley and Jedediah L. Duntley), and one female aged under-5 years (Mary J. Duntley). One member of the household, i.e., Hazen Duntley, was engaged in Manufacture and Trade. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Daniel Wentworth, and Benjamin F. Wentworth.
Hazen Duntley, a blacksmith, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Phebe Duntley, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Lorenzo D. Duntley, a shoemaker, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Jedidiah L. Duntley, a shoemaker, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Mary J. Duntley, aged twelve years (b. NH), Ira W. Duntley, aged nine years (b. NH), Amos G. Duntley, aged seven years (b. NH), Lorania Duntley, aged four years (b. NH), Bethann Duntley, aged four years (b. NH), Nathan Jones, Jr., a blacksmith, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Hosea Knox, a shoemaker, aged eighteen years (b. NH). Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Stephen Drew, physician, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), and James Pinkham, shoemaker, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH).
Hazen Duntley, a blacksmith, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Phoebe Duntley, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), J.L. Duntley, a blacksmith, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Mary J. Duntley, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Ira W. Duntley, a blacksmith, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Amos G. Duntley, a blacksmith, aged sixteen years (b. NH), A. Duntley, aged fourteen years (b. NH), L. Duntley, aged fourteen years (b. NH), P.A. Duntley, aged eight years (b. NH), and Sally Leighton, aged seventy-two years (b. NH). Hazen Duntley had real estate valued at $1,500 and personal estate valued at $800. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Stephen Twombly, a shoemaker, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Charles A. Sawyer, a R.R. agent, aged thirty-five years (b. NH).
Son Jedediah L. Duntley married (1st) in Rochester, NH, November 28, 1860, Susan Dearborn.
Hazen Duntley of Milton, aged forty-four years (b. Bow, NH), enlisted as a farrier in Company K of the 1st NH Cavalry Regiment, on Monday, 7 October 1861, and swore allegiance that same day before Eli Wentworth, possibly in Milton. His son, Ira W. Duntley, had enlisted in the same company and regiment three days earlier. One might suppose that the elder Duntley enlisted in order to accompany the son after learning of his enlistment. They both mustered in at Concord, NH, October 24, 1861.
Duntley was detached to the Quartermaster Department, November 15, 1862, and returned to his unit, January 15, 1863. He was again detached to the Quartermaster Department, March 15, 1863, and extended there, in Dumfries, VA, April 13, 1863, returning May 15, 1863. He was assigned to a dismounted detachment at Potomac Creek, VA, the following day, May 16, 1863. He transferred, evidently to the 1st RI Cavalry, January 7, 1864. He mustered out at Concord, NH, October 24, 1864. (The son followed him on December 4, 1864).
Daughter Lorania Duntley married in Milton, March 30, 1867, John S. Corson.
Son Ira W. Duntley married in Somersworth, NH, April 18, 1867, Sarah A. Hodgman.
Hazen Duntley appeared in the Milton business directory of 1868, as Milton blacksmith.
Hazen Duntley, a blacksmith, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Phebe Duntley, keeping house, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), Mary J. Duntley, works in shoe factory, aged thirty years (b. NH), and Phebe A. Duntley, at home, aged eighteen years (b. NH). Presumably, Hazen Duntley rented, as he had no real estate. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of John S. Corson, works in shoe factory, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), and Ezra H. Twombly, postmaster, aged forty-one years (b. NH).
Phebe (Leighton) Duntley died in Milton, November 26, 1871, aged sixty years.
Hazen Duntley married (2nd) in Rochester, NH, September 2, 1872, Mary Murray, he of Milton and she of Rochester, NH. He was a blacksmith, aged sixty-seven years, and she was aged sixty-eight years. Rev. D.J. Smith performed the ceremony. She was born in New Durham, NH, circa 1806, daughter of John and Abigail Murray.
H. Duntley & Son appeared in the Milton business directories of 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, and 1880, as Milton blacksmiths.
Hazen Duntley, a blacksmith, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds Village”) household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his son, Ira W. Duntley, a blacksmith, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), his daughter-in-law, Sarah A. Duntley, keeping house, aged thirty-six years (b. MA), his grandchildren, Addie C. Duntley, at school, aged twelve years (b. NH), and Hattie M. Duntley, at school, aged ten years (b. NH), and his boarder, Herbert F. Pitcher, a physician, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH). Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Sarah Shapleigh, keeping house, aged seventy-three years (b. NH), and John P. Pinkham, works on shoes, aged forty-three years (b. NH).
H. Duntley & Son appeared in the Milton business directories of 1881, and 1882, as Milton blacksmiths.
Hazen Duntley died of heart paralysis in Milton, November 15, 1884, aged seventy-nine years, eight months, and twenty days. He was a widowed mechanic.
Ira W. Duntley
Ira W. Duntley was born in Milton, March 16, 1842, son of Hazen and Phebe (Leighton) Duntley. One might suppose that he was a namesake for Ira Worster, a West Milton abolitionist and uncle of Lewis W. Nute. (Hydraulic engineer Ira W. Jones was another so named).
IRA W. DUNTLEY, who is one of Milton’s best known citizens, holds a record for continuous work in one line, having been engaged in horseshoeing for fifty-four years in his own blacksmith shop, after three years’ similar service during the Civil war, as a member of Company K, First R.I. Cavalry, and of Company K, First N.H. Cavalry (Scales, 1914).
Ira W. Duntley attended the village school and learned his trade with his father. After serving three years in the army, as noted above, he was discharged December 4, 1864, in Virginia, and returned then to Milton, where he has carried on his work as horseshoer and blacksmith to the present time. He is a member of and at times has been an official of Eli Wentworth Post G.A.R., No. 89, at Milton and is greatly interested in Grand Army affairs. In politics he gives support to the Democratic party but does not call himself a politician. Mr. Duntley married Miss Sarah A. Hodgeman, who was born near Lowell, Mass., and they have two daughters: Ada C., who is the wife of Robert McIntosh, of Milton, and Hattie M., who resides with her parents. Mr. Duntley and family attend the Free Baptist church. For forty years he identified with the Milton lodge of Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of the Madokawando Tribe, No. 21, Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. Duntley is highly regarded as a neighbor and citizen, being a man of character and charitable impulses (Scales, 1914).
Ira W. Duntley, a blacksmith, aged eighteen years (b. NH), resided in the Milton household of his father, Hazen Duntley, also a blacksmith, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. (See Hazen Duntley above). Meanwhile, Sarah A. Hodgman, sewing, i.e., a seamstress, aged seventeen years (b. MA), resided with her siblings in the Wakefield (“Union”) household of their mother, Adeline A. Hodgman, a houseworker, aged fifty years (b. NH).
Ira W. Duntley of Milton, aged nineteen years (b. Milton, NH), enlisted as a farrier in Company K of the 1st NH Cavalry Regiment, on Friday, 4 October 1861. His father enlisted in the same company and regiment on the following Monday. One might suppose that the father enlisted in order to accompany the son after learning of his enlistment. They both mustered in at Concord, NH, October 24, 1861.
Duntley was detached to the Quartermaster Department, November 15, 1862, and returned to his unit, May 15, 1863. He was assigned to a dismounted detachment at Potomac Creek, VA, the following day, May 16, 1863. He transferred, evidently to the 1st RI Cavalry, January 7, 1864. He mustered out December 4, 1864 (two months after his father).
Ira W. Duntley married in Somersworth, NH, April 18, 1867, Sarah A. Hodgman, he of Milton and she of Union, [Wakefield,] NH. Rev. F.K. Stratton performed the ceremony. She was born in Walpole, MA, February 2, 1844, daughter of Samuel and Adaline A. Hodgman.
Ira W. Duntley, a blacksmith, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Sarah A. Duntley, keeping house, aged twenty-four years (b. MA), Addie C. Duntley, aged two years (b. NH), and Hattie M. Duntley, aged ten months (b. NH). Ira W. Duntley had personal estate valued at $600.
H. Duntley & Son appeared in the Milton business directories of 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, and 1880, as Milton blacksmiths.
Ira W. Duntley, a blacksmith, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), and his family lived in the Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds”) household of his father, Hazen Duntley, also a blacksmith, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. (See Hazen Duntley above).
H. Duntley & Son appeared in the Milton business directories of 1881, and 1882, as Milton blacksmiths. Thereafter, I.W. Duntley appeared in the Milton business directories of 1884, 1887, and 1889, as a Milton blacksmith.
Ira W. Duntley appeared in the Milton business directories of 1892, 1894, and 1898, as a Milton blacksmith.
Daughter Addie C. Duntley married in Milton, August 26, 1897, Robert A. McIntosh, both of Milton. She was a lady, aged twenty-nine years, and he was a laster, aged twenty-seven years. Rev. Myron P. Dickey performed the ceremony. McIntosh was born in Calais, ME, circa 1870, son of David and Margaret McIntosh.
Ira Duntley, aged fifty-eight years, headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included Sarah A. Duntley, aged fifty-six years, his daughter, Addie C. Mcintosh, aged thirty-one years, his son-in-law, Robert A. Mcintosh, aged twenty-eight years, his grandchildren, Robert D. Mcintosh, aged two years, and Irma Mcintosh, aged two months, and his daughter, Hattie Duntley, aged thirty years.
Ira W. Duntley appeared in the Milton business directories of 1901, 1904, 1905-06, and 1909, as a Milton blacksmith. In the latter two directories, he was also listed as a carriage repairer, horseshoer, and wheelwright.
Ira W Duntly, a blacksmith (general shop), aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton 3-Ponds”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. Hos household included his wife, Sarah A. Duntly, aged sixty-six years (b. MA), his children, Hattie M. Duntly, a shoe factory stitcher, aged forty years (b. NH), and Adda C. McIntosh, aged forty-two years (b. NH), his son-in-law, Robert A. McIntosh, a fancy goods merchant, aged thirty-eight years (b. ME), and his granddaughter, Erma McIntosh, aged ten years (b. NH). Ira W. Duntly owned their house, free-and-clear.
Ira W. Duntley appeared in the Milton business directories of 1912, as a Milton blacksmith. He was also listed as a carriage repairer, horseshoer, and wheelwright.
BUSINESS CHANCES. HORSESHOEING and blacksmith shop for sale; good tools, power drill, band saw and planer, run by gas engine; all work one can do; practically no competition. Address Box 246, Milton, N.H. SSu* (Boston Globe, September 27, 1913).
But it appears to have been “no sale.” The blacksmith shop, although not the tools, would be advertised again after his death.
Sarah A. (Hodgman) Duntley died of chronic interstitial nephritis in Milton, January 1914, aged sixty-nine years, eleven months.
Baptist Church Notes. Rev. J.T. Clow, pastor of the Free Baptist church, was called to Milton to speak at the funeral service of Mrs. Sarah Duntley, wife of Ira Duntley, on Saturday, January 3 (Farmington News, January 9, 1914).
Ira W. Duntley, blacksmith, died of chronic myocarditis in Milton, March 20, 1916, aged seventy-four years, and four days, still possessed of his blacksmith shop. James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Death of Ira W. Duntley. Ira W. Duntley, one of Milton’s prominent and respected citizens, and well known among Farmington people, passed away at his home in that village Monday evening after a short illness of senile debility, at the age of 74 years. Mr. Duntley, by trade, followed in the footsteps of his forefathers, having been a blacksmith, and did business in the same shop as his father and grandfather. It is also remarkable to learn that until the recent illness of the deceased the fire in the forge had not been allowed to go out for years. For over 40 years Mr. Duntley served as sexton of the Congregational church in his town and was one of four last surviving members of Eli Wentworth Post G.A.R. He left two brothers, a sister, two daughters and one granddaughter. Funeral was held from the home this Thursday at 1.30 p.m. (Farmington News, [Friday,] March 24, 1916).
BUSINESS CHANCES. BLACKSMITH SHOP for sale or to let in Milton, N.H., formerly owned by I.W. DUNTLEY, only shop in town, estab. 75 years. R.A. McINTOSH, Melton [SIC], N.H. dSu3t je24 (Boston Globe, June 24, 1916).
Robert A. McIntosh was daughter Addie C. (Duntley) McIntosh’s husband. (He sold Gents’ Furnishings at 28 Main street).
(Elijah P. Oakes was operating a blacksmith shop on Lake Side road, Lebanon side, near the bridge, Milton, in 1917).
References:
Find a Grave. (2020, August 18). Hazen Duntley. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/214561863/hazen-duntley
Find a Grave. (2011, January 3). Ira W. Duntley. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/63690764/ira-w.-duntley
Longfellow, Henry W. (1842). The Village Blacksmith. Retrieved from www.hwlongfellow.org/poems_poem.php?pid=38
Ricker, Sarah. (1999). Milton and the New Hampshire Farm Museum. Arcadia Publishing
Scales, John. (1914). History of Strafford County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=nGsjAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA578
Wikipedia. (2021, May 28). 1st New Hampshire Cavalry Regiment. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_New_Hampshire_Cavalry_Regiment
Wikipedia. (2021, May 28). 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Rhode_Island_Cavalry_Regiment
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