Month: March 2022

By Muriel Bristol | March 27, 2022

Seventy-nine Milton inhabitants petitioned NH Governor Samuel Bell (1770-1850) and his Executive Council, April 3, 1820, seeking appointment of a Milton justice-of-the-peace. (Bell was a Democratic-Republican, i.e., a Democrat, as opposed to a Federalist-Republican).

The petitioners recommended James Roberts (1783-1839) of the village of Milton, i.e., Milton Three Ponds, for an appointment as their justice-of-the-peace. They described the businesses operating then at Three Ponds as being taverns, stores, and mechanic shops (all plural). And he was a trader, i.e., a storekeeper. (See Milton in 1817 and Milton in 1823).

Film tropes typically portray justices-of-the-peace as being awakened in the night to sleepily perform civil marriages for eloping couples. While they might be awakened for this purpose occasionally, a NH justice of this period might be compared more accurately to a modern district court judge (Bell, 1843).

Milton had no police force, not even temporary or auxiliary officers, nor would it have any for another seventy years. (See Milton Policemen – c1891-1914). Local justices-of-the-peace settled most issues. They were empowered to issue search, arrest and other types of warrants, which would be served, executed or enforced by a Strafford County sheriff’s deputy. (Elected county sheriffs appointed local deputy sheriffs for most of the towns within their jurisdictions). A local justice might adjudicate civil disputes and even lesser criminal offenses, but, for more serious matters, the matter or the suspects at hand would be “bound over” to a higher court.

The Three Ponds nominee, James Roberts, was born in Somersworth, NH, December 24, 1783, son of Timothy and Elizabeth (Hayes) Roberts. (Timothy Roberts (1759-1835) had been a 2nd Lieutenant in Col. Waldron’s Regiment during the Revolutionary War).

Timothy Roberts headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 26-44 years [Elizabeth (Hayes) Roberts], one male aged 16-25 years [James Roberts], two male aged 10-15 years [John Roberts and Wentworth Roberts], one male aged under ten years [Hezekiah Roberts], and one female aged under-10 years [Mary M. Roberts]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).

Father Timothy Roberts signed Rochester’s Northeast Parish division petition of May 28, 1802.

James Roberts married in Rochester, NH, July 2, 1804, Mercy Wentworth, both of Milton. Rev. Haven performed the ceremony (McDuffie, 1892). She was born in Milton, circa 1784, daughter of John and Rebecca (Horn) Wentworth.

Daughter Rebecca Horn Roberts was born in Milton, December 12, 1804. She was a namesake for her maternal grandmother, Rebecca (Horn) Wentworth.

James Roberts signed the August 1805 petition requesting appointment of Lt. Jotham Nute as a Milton justice-of-the-peace.

Daughter Susanna Roberts was born in Milton, December 4, 1806.

Twin sons John Watson Roberts and James Cutts Roberts were born in Milton, March 27, 1810.

James Roberts headed a Milton household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 16-25 years [Mercy (Wentworth) Roberts] two females aged under-10 years [Rebecca H. Roberts and Susanna Roberts], and two males aged under-10 years [John W. Roberts and James C. Roberts]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James Twombly and Jonathan Dore.

Son Owen Swain Roberts was born in Milton, April 4, 1813.

On 10 Mar. 1814 David [Farnham] sold lot #8, Middleton, NH, consisting of 100 acres, to William Palmer of Milton, NH, for $5 and five annual mortgage payments of $255; in which David Farnham (likely his father) and Daniel Palmer were witnesses. On 20 Jan. 1817 David repurchased this land for $200 from Caleb Wingate and Dodavah Palmer, of Milton, administrators [of] the estate of William Palmer, late of Milton, Esq. Witnesses were James Roberts and Levi Jones (Farnham, 1999).

Son Bard P. Roberts was born in Milton, June 26, 1815.

James Roberts was one of three Milton selectman in the years 1815-18. Selectmen Joseph Walker and James Roberts signed the Milton Road Weight petition of 1816. (For whatever reason, the third selectman, Josiah Witham, did not so sign).

The context of the April 1820 petition recommending James Roberts suggests that the petitioners hoped he would be a suitable successor to justice John Fish (c1760-1819[?]). Fish had been one of Milton’s original selectmen, then town clerk, and had received his appointment as a justice-of-the-peace, June 24, 1814. Both men were residents of Milton village, i.e., Milton Three Ponds, and Fish had recently been “removed by death.”

To His Excellency the Governor and the Honorable the Council in the State of New Hampshire.

Respectfully represent the undersigned inhabitants of the Town of Milton in the County of Strafford and State aforesaid ~

that John Fish, bg [being] late of said Milton, and one of the Justices of the peace in and for said County of Strafford, did while in full life reside in the village in said Milton where the principal part of the business – such as the business of Taverns, stores, mechanics shops has been and is usually done in said Town ~ that the said John Fish has recently been removed by death ~ that in consequence thereof there are now in Commission as Justices of the peace in said Town, no more than three persons, that those three persons reside in remote parts of the Town, so there is now no Justice of the peace in this State within four to five miles of the aforesaid village ~ that it would be conducive to the moral good of the Community and of great public utility in other points of view that some suitable person within said village, or in the immediate vicinity of same, should be appointed to conserve the public peace ~

That Mr James Roberts, who now resides and is a Trader in said village is an intelligent and moral man ~ that his fellow citizens in said Town have for many years past manifested their confidence in his Talents and integrity by frequently appointing him to some of the most arduous offices within their gift ~

We the undersigned, therefore, unhesitatingly beg leave to recommend the said James Roberts to your notice as a person, all things considered, the best qualified of any person of this village or vicinity, for the appointment to the important office of a Justice of the peace ~ and we further pray that the said James Roberts may be appointed to that office and as in duly bound &c ~ Milton, April 3, 1820.

Subscribers

[Column 1:]

Thos Leighton, William Sargent, Ichabod Bodge, Joseph Walker, Stephen Henderson, John Palmer, Ebenr Ricker, Benja V. Jenkins, Matthias Nutter, Stephen Jenkins, Jr, William Hatch, Richard Walker, James Varney, John Wentworth, Junr, Samuel Bragdon, Charles Ricker, Timothy Ricker, William W. Lord, David Wentworth, James H. Horn, Elijah Horn, Timothy Emery, David M. Corson, David Corson, John Lovel, Daniel Wentworth, Dodavah Dore, Phinias Wentworth, Daniel G. Dore,

[Column 2:] Wm Palmer, Aaron Twombly, John Wentworth, John Downs, James Bragdon, Thomas Ricker, John Ricker, Richard Horn, Joshua Jones, William Huntress, Ivory Bragdon, Timo Roberts, Nathl Pinkham, William Foss, John Foss, Jerediah Ricker, Isaac Wentworth, Robert Knight, John Fifield, Jonathan Dore

The petition bears the additional notation, in another hand, of “appointed 1821.” Court Rosters indicate that James Roberts, of Milton, received his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace on June 23, 1821.

James Roberts was one of eighty-eight men that signed a Milton militia division petition of November 10, 1820.

In the interval between the April 1820 petition recommending Roberts and his June 1821 appointment, the Milton Selectman petitioned November 29, 1820, to have Gilman Jewett (1777-1856) appointed as the justice of the peace. Whether they were impatient or simply preferred another candidate is not clear. (None of them had signed the petition proffering Roberts). Jewett had been Milton’s first town clerk (1802-06) and a member of the townhouse building committee. He was a son of Milton’s original justice-of-the-peace, Paul Jewett (1744-1835).

To His Excellency the Governor and Honourable Council of the State of New Hampshire.

We the undersigned, your petitioners, beg leave respectfully to state that the inhabitants of the village at the three Ponds (so called) in Milton and its vicinity, complain of being very much aggrieved, since the death of John Fish Esquire, in consequence of not having a Justice of the Peace in the place ~ and it is very obvious that it is necessary to the convenience and interest of the inhabitants and would be conducive to the well-being of society to have one in that place ~

We would further state that we have for a long time been well acquainted with M. Gilman Jewett, and that he has ever conducted himself as a man of integrity & promoter of good order in society ~ his qualifications are such that should he have a Commission of the Peace, we have no reason to think we should ever blush for this recommendation, or our state be ashamed of the appointment.

Nov. 29, 1820. H. Hayes, Hopley Meserve, John Remick, Jr } Selectmen of Milton

Hanson Hayes (1792-1851) signified his assent with a flourish, while the signatures of Hopley Meserve (1789-1875) and John Remick, Jr. (1777-1840), were a bit more plainspoken. (Remick was himself already a justice-of-the-peace, having been first appointed June 18, 1813).

James Roberts was again one of three Milton selectman in the years 1821-22, and 1826.

The NH Register and Farmer’s Almanac of 1822 identified Milton’s Justice of the Peace and Quorum, which was the higher office, as being Levi Jones, and its Justices of the Peace as being Jotham Nute, D. Hayes, John Remick, Jr., and James Roberts.

Daughter Mary Ann Adams Roberts was born in Milton, March 4, 1822.

The NH Political Manual and Annual Register of 1824 identified Milton’s Justice of the Peace and Quorum as being Levi Jones, and its Justices of the Peace as being Jotham Nute, D. Hayes, John Remick, Jr., and J. Roberts. Jotham Nute was also identified as being Milton’s coroner (Farmer, 1824).

James Roberts was Milton town moderator for eight years from about 1824. He had been preceded in that office by John Nutter, and would be succeeded by Hanson Hayes (1792-1851) (Scales, 1914).

Daughter Rebecca H. Roberts died November 30, 1825.

The NH Annual Register and US Calendar of 1826 identified Milton’s Justice of the Peace and Quorum as being Levi Jones, and its Justices of the Peace as being Jotham Nute, D. Hayes, John Remick, Jr., and J. Roberts, Hanson Hayes, and Stephen M. Mathes (Farmer & Lyon, 1826).

Court Rosters indicate that James Roberts, of Milton, received a renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace on November 28, 1827.

Jas Roberts headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 40-49 years [Mercy (Wentworth) Roberts, one male aged 10-14 years [Beard P. Roberts], one female aged 10-14 years [Betsy H. Roberts], one female aged 5-9 years [Mary A.A. Roberts], and one male aged under-5 years [Hezekiah W. Roberts]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Wm W. Lord and Timo Roberts. (Ten years earlier, both of those neighbors had signed the 1820 petition asking for his appointment as justice).

Daughter Susanna Roberts died January 30, 1832.

Court Rosters indicate that James Roberts, of Milton, received a renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace on November 30, 1832.

Son John W. Roberts married in Milton, November 12, 1833, Margaret Nutter. She was born in Milton, April 7, 1816, daughter of Matthias and Sarah (Wentworth) Nutter.

Son James C. Roberts married, circa 1834, Lydia J. Scates. She was born in Milton, April 22, 1807, daughter of John and Mary Scates.

Justices of the Peace. Milton – Levi Jones, Daniel Hayes, John Remich, James Roberts, Hanson Hayes, Stephen M. Mathes, John Nutter, Theodore C. Lyman, Samuel S. Mason, Stephen Drew, Israel Nute, John L. Swinerton, Thomas Chapman (Hayward, 1834).

Father Timothy Roberts died in Milton, N.H., August 3, 1835, aged seventy-six years (Columbian Centinel, October 27, 1835).

Son Owen S. Roberts married, in 1838, Harriet L. Foss. She was born in Milton in 1814, daughter of William and Mary (Downs) Foss.

Court Rosters indicate that James Roberts, of Milton, received a renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace on August 8, 1838. On this occasion he was “advanced” also to be a justice “in quorum.”

James Roberts drowned in Milton, July 6, 1839, aged fifty-five years.

Mercy Roberts headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. Her household included one female [herself] aged 50-59 years, one female aged 20-29 years [Betsy H. Roberts], one female aged 15-19 years [Mary A.A. Roberts], and one male aged 10-14 years [Hezekiah W. Roberts]. One member of their household was engaged in Agriculture. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of William Jones and James C. Roberts on the one side, and John W. Roberts and Aaron Dore on the other side.

Daughter Mary A.A. Roberts married in Rochester, NH, November 28, 1841, Daniel W. Dame, both of Rochester. Rev. E. Mason performed the ceremony. Dame was born in Sandwich, NH, February 8, 1820, son of Richard and Abigail (Page) Roberts.

Daughter Betsy H. Roberts married in Rochester, NH, May 22, 1842, Daniel Wentworth, both of Rochester. Rev. E. Scott performed the ceremony.

Mercy (Wentworth) Roberts died in Milton, September 10, 1845.

Daughter Mary A.A. (Roberts) Dame died in Lanark, IL, September 4, 1847, aged twenty-five years.

Mother Elizabeth “Betsy” (Hayes) Roberts died in Milton in 1849.

Son Owen S. Roberts died in Somersworth, NH, January 6, 1853, aged thirty-nine years.

Son Bard P. Roberts married (2nd) in South Newmarket, NH, April 5, 1860, Mary E. (Leavitt) Furnald, he of South Newmarket, NH, and she of Exeter, NH. He was a widowed [railroad] station agent, aged forty-four years, and she was a widow [of John C. Fernald (1823-1852)], aged thirty-three years. Rev. Winthrop Fifield performed the ceremony. She was born in Limington, ME, January 10, 1826, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (McKenney) Leavitt. (Bard P. Roberts and Mary E. (Leavitt) Fernald would seem to have parted company, as she married (3rd) in Newburyport, MA, 1871, Stephen Wiggin, both of Hampton, NH).

Son Bard P. Roberts married (3rd) in Candia, NH, April 19, 1862, Sarah J. Emerson, he of South Newmarket, NH, and she of Candia. He was aged forty-six years and she was aged thirty-six years. Rev. E.W. Hidden performed the ceremony. She was born in Candia, NH, circa 1825, daughter of John and Clarissa (Fitts) Emerson.

Son James C. Roberts died of consumption in Milton, March 3, 1865, aged fifty-four years, eleven months. Daughter-in-law Lydia J. (Scates) Roberts died May 3, 1866.

Son Baird P. Roberts received an appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, July 12, 1871. He married (4th) in Portland, ME, July 21, 1871, Nettie M. Mark, he of Milton, and she of Portland. Rev. A.H. Wright performed the ceremony.

Son Bard P. Roberts died of chronic cystitis in Milton, November 26, 1890, aged seventy-five years, five months, and two days. He was a traveling agent. Charles D. Jones, M.D., signed the death certificate.

DIED. In Milton, Nov. 26, Bard P. Roberts, age 75 years, 5 months, 2 days. New Hampshire and Vermont papers please copy (Farmington News, December 5, 1890).

Daughter-in-law Harriet L. (Foss) Roberts died of natural causes in Malden, MA, August 20, 1895, aged eighty-one years, four months, and fifteen days.

Son-in-law Daniel W. Dame died in Lanark, IL, December 10, 1895, aged seventy-five years.

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References:

Bell, Samuel D. (1843). Justice and Sheriff: Practical Forms for the Use of Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Coroners and Constables; Containing Forms of Proceedings, and the Revised Statutes of New-Hampshire, Relating to the Duties of Those Officers. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=52JKAAAAYAAJ

Claremont Manufacturing Co. (1822), NH Register & Farmer’s Almanac. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=KgIXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA36

Classic Actress. (1936). Robert Taylor Marries Janet Gaynor in Small Town Girl. Retrieved from www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoSemS_HtfY

Farmer, John. (1824). NH Political Manual and Annual Register. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=FMEwAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA44

Farmer, John & Lyon, G. Parker. (1826). NH Register & US Calendar. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=L8EwAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA44

Farnham, Russell C. (1999). New England Descendants of the Immigrant Ralph Farnum of Rochester, Kent County, England, and Ipswich, Massachusetts. Portsmouth, NH: Peter Randall Publishing

Find a Grave. (2005, July 6). Mary Ann Adams Dame. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/11300686/mary_ann-adams-dame

Hayward, John. (1834). The New-England and New-York Law-Register, for the Year 1835. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=RXc8AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA86

McDuffie, Franklin. (1892). History of the Town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=RY0-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA615

NH Department of State. (n.d.). New Hampshire, Government Petitions, 1700-1826: Box 47: 1819-1820

Wikipedia. (2021, December 19). Samuel Bell (New Hampshire Politician). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Bell_(New_Hampshire_politician)

By Muriel Bristol | March 20, 2022

Forrest Linwood Marsh was born in Milton, September 14, 1872, son of Oscar F. and Georgiana (Reed) Marsh. (Her parents were Lewis D. and Annette W. (Randall) Reed).

Although not listed as running a livery stable, confectioner Forrest L. Marsh offered to board horses over the winter of 1893-94.

HORSES, CARRIAGES, ETC. WINTER BOARD for horses, best of care; terms reasonable. F.L. MARSH, Milton Mills, N.H. (Boston Globe, October 26, 1893).

Forrest Linwood Marsh married (1st) in Newfield, ME, December 19, 1899, Mildred J. Tebbetts, he of Milton Mills and she of Newfield, ME. He was an attorney, aged twenty-seven years, and she was a lady, aged twenty-two years. Rev. W.A. Nottage performed the ceremony. She was born in Newfield, ME, December 15, 1877, daughter of William N. and Mary J. (Wyatt) Tebbetts. (Her father was a carriage manufacturer).

Oscar F. Marsh, a blanket finisher, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-two years), Georgia Marsh, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), his son, Forrest L. Marsh, an attorney, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and his daughter-in-law, Mildred J. Marsh, aged twenty-two years (b. ME). Oscar F. Marsh rented their house. Georgia Marsh was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of George E. Simes, a carpenter, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), and Calvin S. Haines, a hostler, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH).

Forrest L. Marsh appeared in the Milton business directories of 1901, 1904, 1905-06, and 1909, as a Milton Mills lawyer, insurance agent, and notary public.

NEWS OF THE STATE. … Milton delegates for the several conventions are as follows: State convention Elbridge W. Fox, Freeman H. Lowd; Congressional, Charles H. Looney, Joseph H. Avery; Councilor, William F. Wallace, B.B. Plummer; Senatorial, F.L. Marsh, Charles D. Jones; County, Charles D. Fox, Charles A. Jones (Farmington News, September 7, 1900).

Daughter Doris L. Marsh was born in Milton, June 2, 1901. (Her father was a lawyer). Charles W. Gross, M.D., reported the birth.

MILTON. Town meeting passed off quietly, and the following officers were elected to serve the town for the ensuing year: Selectmen, Warren Jewett, Joseph H. Avery, and Charles A. Jones; town clerk, Harry L. Avery; constables, H.W. Downs and Hartley Nutter; school board, Frank G. Howe [Horne], Forrest L. Marsh, Dr. M.A.H. Hart (Farmington News, March 12, 1904).

MILTON. The delegates to the republican convention to be held at Concord, May 17, are, Forrest L. Marsh and William T. Wallace (Farmington News, May 13, 1904).

Acetylene Rays. At Milton Mills, N.H., the new store of W.S. Miller and that of N. Mucci as well as the home of Forrest L. Marsh and others, are having the benefit of a change from kerosene lamps. It is to acetylene (Acetylene Journal, 1907).

Son Ronald T. Marsh was born in Milton, December 11, 1909. (His father was a lawyer). Frank S. Weeks, M.D., reported the birth. (In later life, i.e., after 1920, he used the name Forrest Linwood Marsh, Jr. He would graduate as such from Rutgers University, with its Class of 1931).

LOCAL. Officers of the Woodbine lodge, No. 44, I.O.O.F., have been elected for the year 1910, as follows: Noble Grand, W.R. Parrock; vice grand, S.M. Tuttle; rec. secretary, A.R. Jones; fin. secretary, V.A. Libby; treasurer, Wilbur C. Jones. The installation will occur this Thursday night, Jan. 6, with Forest L. Marsh, D.D.G.M., of Milton Mills as the installing officer. After the work an oyster supper will be served. All come (Farmington News, January 7, 1910).

LOCAL. Woodbine Lodge, I.O.O.F., No, 41, installed officers last Thursday evening. Deputy Grand Master Forest L. Marsh of Milton Mills doing the work. Officers are Shirly M. Tuttle N.G.; Wilbur C. Jones, V.G.; Arthur R. Jones, rec. sec.; H.S. Davis, treas.; V.A. Libby, fin. sec.; Fred W. Browne, chap.; F.W. Thurston, warden; Herbert D. Browne, conductor. The financial condition of the lodge is very satisfactory. There are 240 members (Farmington News, July 10, 1910).

Forest L. Marsh, a general practice attorney, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of ten years), Mildred Marsh, aged thirty-two years (b. ME), and his children, Doris L. Marsh, aged eight years (b. NH), and Ronald T. Marsh, aged three months (b. NH). Forest L. Marsh owned their house, free-and-clear. Mildred Marsh was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of William Pinfold, a woolen mill napper, aged forty-six years (b. England), and John Hall, Jr., a woolen mill watchman, aged forty-eight years (b. Canada).

Forrest L. Marsh appeared in the Milton business directories of 1912, and 1917, as a Milton Mills lawyer, insurance agent, and notary public. Mrs. M.T. Marsh appeared as a merchant of ladies’ furnishings and dry and fancy goods.

Governor Rolland H. Spaulding appointed Forrest L. Marsh as Trial Justice of Milton, April 30, 1915 (NH General Court, 1915).

COMMISSIONER’S NOTICE. The undersigned, Commissioner to receive, examine, allow and adjust the claims against the estate of Charles W. Gross, late of Milton, County of Strafford, State of New Hampshire, deceased, will attend to the duties of his office at his office in Milton Mills, N.H, County of Strafford, on the third day of November, 1915, and on the second day of February, 1916, from 10 o’clock A.M. to four o’clock P.M., on each of said days. FORREST L. MARSH, Commissioner (Farmington News, August 27, 1915).

PERSONAL. Forest Marsh of Milton Mills was a visitor in town Tuesday (Farmington News, September 1, 1916).

LOCAL. There was a long session of police court Monday, in Rochester before Judge Samuel D. Felker. The parties concerned were from Middleton. Barney Layman was charged with threatening to kill Fred L. and Helen M. Leighton by shooting. In each case Layman was found guilty and fined $10 and costs, with a suspended sentence of 30 days. Leighton was arraigned on the charge of assaulting Layman and was found not guilty. Layman was represented by Judge L.V. McGill and Forrest L. Marsh of Milton Mills, and E.J. Smart for the state (Farmington News, May 4, 1917).

Fred Lewis Leighton of Union, Wakefield, NH, registered for the WW I military draft in Union, September 12, 1918. He was a carpenter for the B&M railroad, aged thirty-eight years (b. September 14, 1879). His nearest relative was his wife, Helen M. [(Cook)] Leighton. He was of a medium height, medium build, with blue eyes and brown hair.

Mother Georgia W. (Reed) Marsh died of an unknown chronic disease (and aortic insufficiency) in Milton Mills, December 29, 1918, aged seventy-three years, two months, and one day. She had been resident in Milton Mills for fifty-nine years, having come there from Somersworth, NH. Frank S. Weeks, M.D., signed the death certificate.

GREENVILLE. Dunster Hill lodge, I.O.O.F. was especially favored, at its meeting Monday night, by a visit from the Grand Master, Forrest L. Marsh of Milton Mills, district Deputy Grand Master, Mark D. Carroll of Hudson, also three other grand officers, Forrest A. Garland, Fred L. Reed, and George H. Woodbury of Nashua; For their Inspection, the Noble Grand was Degree Master, and his well trained staff, worked the third degree on a class of five candidates, in an instructive and impressive manner. Members and visiting brothers, to the number of 43, filled the lodge room. The collation committee served refreshments, and a social time was enjoyed till a late hour. (Fitchburg Sentinel (Fitchburg, MA), June 6, 1919).

Forrest L. Marsh, acting as attorney for Mary T. [(Titcomb)] Laskey of Acton, ME, administratrix of the estate of Charles H. Laskey, late of Acton, ME, filed her petition with the Strafford County Probate Court, July 29, 1919. She sought license to sell a Milton property at auction to raise sufficient funds to meet the demands upon his estate (Farmington News, September 5, 1919).

Oscar F. Marsh, a state road patrolman, aged seventy-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his son, Forrest L. Marsh, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), his daughter-in-law, Mildred T. Marsh, aged forty-two years (b. ME), and his grandchildren, Doris L. Marsh, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Ronald T. Marsh, aged ten years (b. NH). Oscar F. Marsh owned their house on Main Street, free-and-clear. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Frederick H. Simes, a woolen mill superintendent, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), and Eugene W. Emerson, a druggist (owner), aged sixty-three years (b. NH).

Mildred J. (Tebbetts) Marsh died of a goitre (and a contracted heart blockage) in Milton Mills, November 11, 1921, aged forty-three years, ten years, and twenty-six days. Frank S. Weeks, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Forrest L. Marsh appeared in the Milton business directory of 1922, as a Milton Mills lawyer, and fire insurance agent.

SANBORNVILLE. Forrest Marsh and daughter of Milton Mills recently were brief visitors m the village (Farmington News, August 15, 1924).

SANBORNVILLE. Forrest Marsh and son of Milton Mills were recent visitors in the village (Farmington News, February 6, 1925).

Forrest L. Marsh, acting as administrator of the estate of Charles E. Mills, late of Farmington, NH, filed his final account with the Strafford County Probate Court, November 1, 1926 (Farmington News, November 5, 1926). (Charles E. Mills had died of arterio-sclerosis in Farmington, NH, January 1, 1924, aged seventy-six years, nine months, and five days. He had resided in Farmington, NH, for forty-one years, having come there from Milton Mills).

Daughter Doris L. Marsh married in Chatham, MA, in 1927, Douglas L. Eaton.

Father Oscar F. Marsh died of a cerebral hemorrhage in the Hayes Hospital in Dover, NH. December 13, 1928, aged eighty-two years. (He had been there for six months). James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Forrest L. Marsh married (2nd), probably in New Jersey, circa 1928, Anna M. (Hopkins) Martin. She was born in Bergen, NJ, June 19, 1885, daughter of Andrew J. and Winifred (Casey) Hopkins. (She had married (1st), in 1905, James A. Martin, who had died in 1917).

Forrest L. Marsh, a general lawyer, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), headed an East Orange, NJ, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Anna M. Marsh, aged forty-three years (b. NJ), and his [step-] son, James A. Martin, [Jr.,] a schoolteacher, aged twenty-one years (b. NJ). Forrest L. Marsh rented their apartment (#1036) at 305 Park Avenue, for $55 per month. They had a radio set.

Forrest L. (Anna M.) Marsh appeared in the Newark, NJ, directory of 1938, as a buyer, with his house at 100 3d Avenue. Mrs. Anna M. Marsh appeared as providing furnished rooms at 100 3d Avenue, residing also at that address.

Forrest L. Marsh, a gas & electric co. agent, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Newark, NJ, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Anne M. Marsh, aged fifty-three years (b. Keyland, NJ), his [step-] son, [James A.] Martin Marsh, a real estate agent, aged thirty-one years (b. Arlington, NJ), his [step-] daughter-in-law, Vivian Marsh, a doctor’s nurse, aged twenty-eight years (b. Irvington, NJ), and his lodgers, Vera Bianco, a hotel restaurant waitress, aged twenty-eight years (b. NY), Francis Griffin, a restaurant waitress, aged [–] years (b. NY), Betty Lemacina, “out of town, no information.” Forrest L. Marsh rented their house at 258 Highland Avenue, for $75 per month.

Forrest L. Marsh died in Bloomfield, NJ, July 17, 1945, aged seventy-two years.

Deaths in Jersey. Bloomfield – Forrest L. Marsh, 65 [SIC], time study engineer at the Pollak Manufacturing Co., Kearny (Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), July 19, 1945).

Anne M. ((Hopkins) Martin) Marsh died in October 1976.

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References:

Acetylene Journal. (1907). Acetylene Journal: Devoted to Acetylene Lighting and Kindred Topics. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=2RhaAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA377

Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). Charles Herbert Laskey. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115421806/charles-herbert-laskey

Find a Grave. (2013, March 24). Fred Lewis Leighton. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/107236880/fred-lewis-leighton

Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). Forrest L. Marsh. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115493759/forrest-l-marsh

Find a Grave. (2013, August 14). Oscar F. Marsh. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115493700/oscar-f-marsh

Find a Grave. (2015, May 24). Charles E. Mills. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/146921697/charles-e.-mills

NH General Court. (1915). Reports, 1915. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=_EcbAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA116

Wilber Mercantile Agency. (1872). Directory of Associate Attorneys of the Wilber Mercantile Agency. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=4lQ7AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA364

By Muriel Bristol | March 13, 2022

Ten Milton men – the petition seemingly originated with them, – together with nine men from Farmington, six from Rochester, and four from Middleton, NH, petitioned the NH General Court for a weight-based road tax to be levied on two and four-wheeled carts, as well as regulations or requirements regarding the width of their wheel rims.

Details of this 1816 petition would seem to explain a bit more regarding the next link in the resource export chain sketched out by the Salmon Falls Sawmill petition of twenty years earlier. Milled lumber was then being floated down the Salmon Falls River and across Milton’s Three Ponds. (See Salmon Falls Sawmill Petition – 1797).

Here one may learn that locally milled lumber was loaded, as was local farm produce, onto two and four-wheeled carts or wagons carrying weights of between twelve hundred and thirty hundred pounds, and transported, judging by the habitations of the petitioners, from Farmington, Middleton, and Milton, then in through Rochester, and from there to points beyond. (Some of the sawmill petitioners of 1797 had been men from the more navigable Dover, NH, and the coastal ports of Portsmouth, NH, and even Boston, MA).

Thirty years earlier, in August 1785, petitioners Joshua Allen, Ichabod Hayes, William Jones, William Palmer, Joseph Plumer, and Joseph Walker had been among three hundred ten Rochester inhabitants that had petitioned the NH legislature for repeal of an act requiring milled boards to be square-edged and an inch thick (and other lumber in proportion). Those inhabitants described themselves then as being “largely Concerned in Lumber.” They sought also repeal of an act forbidding transport of lumber to the British West Indies (Hammond, 1884).

But the weight of those carts, exacerbated by too much weight on too-narrow wheels, was ruining the unpaved roads. The petitioners of 1816 proposed a schedule or system of weight-based taxes to supplement existing road taxes in maintaining roads. (The existing tax would seem to have been $1 for every $400-500 of value). Those with wider wheels would receive a remission or abatement of a part of their tax. They alluded to the already existing alternative of working off one’s taxes by performing town road work, at the rate of 75¢ per day. (Those would have been long, hard days).

To the Honorable the Senate and house of Representatives in General Court assembled ~

Respectfully shew,

The subscribers, citizens of Milton, Farmington & c., that living in a section of the country where much wheeling is done in transporting produce and lumber to market, they have witnessed the fatal effects of the narrow rimmed wheels to the roads over which they pass ~ that so fatal are those wheels to the roads, that notwithstanding the laws of the State are executed in assessing and collecting in some instances, the yearly tax of from four to five hundred dollars to each dollar of their proportion to the public taxes, for the repair of highways, those highways are for many months of the year nearly impassable, whereby the people are often much injured, besides being subject to prosecutions by way of information, indictments & c., which latter, from patriotic, or some other motives, often come upon us with no sparing hand ~ And that we are satisfied from long experience, that under existing laws, we never can have good and passable roads altho~ we are liable to exhaust our property in their repairs. Your petitioners therefore beg leave to call the attention of the Honorable Legislature to this subject, hoping that your wisdom will prescribe some salutary law that may effectually remedy an evil under which your petitioners, in common with thousands of others, have too long suffered ~

Your petitioners would beg leave to express their belief that a law expressing the principles hereinafter mentioned, with such others as may the Honorable Legislature may think expedient, would have the desired effect: To wit ~

That the owners of a two wheeled and cart used in transporting a weight, not exceeding thirty hundred, the rims of which shall be six inches wide on the face thereof, shall be have remitted out of his annual highway tax, the sum of two dollars ~ Those of eight inches, two dollars and one half ~ The owners of those carts having four wheels, for the purposes of transporting at one time thirty hundred weight, which wheels will be five inches on the face of them, shall have remitted two dollars ~ And those of six inches two dollars & fifty cents ~ That the owners of all carts having two wheels, whose rims are less than five inches on the face of them, used in transporting a weight at one time, not exceeding twelve hundred, at one time to be taxed two dollars yearly, which sum shall be laid out on the public highways at seventy-five cents for a day’s work ~ those having four wheels whose rims are less than four & three fourths of an inch on the face of the rims shall be taxed two dollars to be laid out as last aforesaid.

All of which is respectfully submitted ~

To the General Court of State of New Hampshire

[Column One:]

Of Farmington
Jeremiah Waldron, John Wingate Junr, Aaron Wingate, Joseph Jones Jr, Wm Barker, Nh Eastman, John Paine, James Davis, Benjamin Canney

Of Rochester
Joshua Allen, Jonathan Wingate, Jacob McDuffee, Leavitt Barker, Samuel Pray, Thomas McDuffee

[Column Two:]

[Of Milton]
Ichabod Hayes, Joseph Walker, James Roberts, Joseph Plumer, Isaac Scates, Levi Jones, Simon Chase, William Jones, Dodavah Palmer, Daniel Hayes

From Meddleton
Daniel Wingate, Joseph Goodwin, John Torr, Jona Buzzell

When such petitions were titled or summarized by legislative clerks, they would be characterized usually as the petition of this person, that person, and others. The persons signing at the top or, if there were multiple columns, at the top of the right-hand column, were often characterized as the “this person” and “that person” when titling. In this case, one might call this the petition of “Ichabod Hayes, Joseph Walker, and others.” It would seem that those initiating petitions usually signed in this position, and, in this case, the Milton signatures occupy that upper right-hand position. Additionally, the Milton signatures are the only ones not headed by a town label. One might suppose that they signed first. If so, the distinguishing location labels of Farmington, Rochester, and Middleton were needed only when the petition passed on to those other towns.

Milton petitioners Ichabod Hayes (1770-1830), Isaac Scates (b. 1785), and Levi Jones (1771-1847) were former selectmen. Petitioner Daniel Hayes [Jr.] (1759-1846) was the elder brother of petitioner Ichabod Hayes (1770-1830).

(Petitioners Aaron Wingate, Daniel Hayes [Jr.], and Jacob McDuffee, were subscribers at the Rochester Social Library Company (which had been established in 1792), as were Milton’s Levi Jones, Jotham Nute, Barnabas Palmer, Lt. William Palmer, Beard Plumer, and Joseph Walker (McDuffee, 1892). This private library remained active until about 1823, by which time it had acquired 400 volumes (McDuffee, 1892; NH State Librarian, 1892). (See also Milton Social Library – 1822)).

Petitioner Levi Jones was then Milton’s town clerk and its justice-of-the-peace in quorum. William Jones (1769-1845) was his elder brother. Joseph Plumer (1752-1821) was Levi Jones’s father-in-law and a brother-in-law of Farmington petitioner Aaron Wingate.

Petitioners Joseph Walker (1769-1850) and James Roberts (1783-1839) were two of Milton’s three then selectmen. (James Roberts would be appointed a Milton justice-of-the-peace in 1820).

Petitioner Dodavah Palmer (1794-1824), son of William Palmer, was a brother-in-law of Isaac Hayes (and a brother-in-law of Caleb Wingate).

On 10 March 1814 David [Farnham] sold lot #8, Middleton, NH, consisting of 100 acres, to William Palmer, for $5 and five annual mortgage payments of $255; in which David Farnham (likely his father) and Daniel Palmer were witnesses. On 20 Jan. 1817 David repurchased this land for $200 from Caleb Wingate and Dodavah Palmer of Milton, administrators [of] the estate of William Palmer, late of Milton, Esquire. Witnesses were James Roberts and Levi Jones (Farnham, 1999).

Petitioner Simon Chase (1786-1878) would move to Rochester in 1822. Simon Chase, Stephen Drew, and Joseph Walker would be among the thirteen men that in 1825 recommended Ebenezer D. Trickey (1799-1887) for appointment as a justice-of-the-peace for northwesterly Rochester, NH. (Trickey was so appointed July 1, 1826).

He [Simon Chase] removed to Rochester in 1822 and went into business, in company with Jonathan Torr. In 1825 he bought Torr’s interest in the business and built a new brick store. The same year he bought the house on Central Square which was his home until his death, which occurred January 31, 1878. His wife died June 14, 1870. Together with Charles Dennett and James C. Cole he was instrumental in building the first Methodist Church in Rochester, of which he was an active member (McDuffee, 1892).

Farmington petitioners Rev. Jeremiah Waldron, Esq. (1769-1851) and attorney Nehemiah Eastman (1782-1856) had been its NH state representatives in 1804-06 and 1813 respectively.

Squire Waldron, whose wife was Mary Scott, of Machias, Maine, lived in the northern part of the town where he built a handsome residence in 1812 (Mitchell-Cony, 1908) (Mitchell-Cony, 1908).

The titles “Squire” and “Esquire” indicate that Rev. Waldron was also a justice-of-the-peace. Petitioner Eastman would become a NH state senator (in 1821-25), a U.S. representative (in 1825-27), and president of the Strafford Agricultural Society (in 1829-30). His wife, Anstress (Woodbury) Eastman, gave a bible to a young Henry Wilson (1812-1875), who would eventually become Vice President of the United States (1873-75).

When he was eight years old Mrs. Eastman, wife of the Hon. Nehemiah Eastman and sister of the Hon. Levi Woodbury, gave him some clothes and promised to give him a Testament when he had read it through. Being anxious to have a book of his own, he read it through in seven days and passed a creditable examination. This little volume Mr. Wilson always kept, and asserted that the reading and the examination, with the encouragement given by the lady, constituted the starting-point of his intellectual life (Vermont Journal, November 27, 1875).

Petitioner Benjamin Canney (1772-1827) was married to Margaret Henderson, whose brother was married to a daughter of petitioner Thomas McDuffee (1784-1851).

… Benjamin Canney [(1772-1827)] was another early builder in the [Farmington] village (Mitchell-Cony, 1908). 

Petitioner Aaron Wingate (1744-1822) lived on the Chestnut Hill Road (Mitchell-Cony, 1908). He had been a Rochester selectman in 1783, an assessor in 1791, a NH state representative in 1792-95, Farmington’s first moderator in 1799 and was at this time a Strafford County Court of Common Pleas judge. (His wife, Elizabeth (Plumer) Wingate (1750-1841), was the elder sister of Milton petitioner Joseph Plumer (1752-1821)).

Petitioner Joseph Jones, Jr., Esq. (1779-1858) was a brother-in-law of petitioner Thomas McDuffee, having married in Rochester, NH, November 19, 1801, McDuffee’s older sister, Lydia McDuffee, he of Farmington, NH, and she of Rochester. He was a Farmington justice-of-the-peace. (She died in Farmington, NH, July 1, 1802).

Petitioner James Davis (1781-1861) was a farmer and stock raiser. He would be appointed a Farmington justice-of-the-peace, June 26, 1822. Petitioner John Wingate, Jr., would be appointed a Farmington justice-of-the-peace, June 13, 1818. When petitioner James Davis, Esq., moved to Somersworth, NH, John Wingate, Jr., recommended Job Varney in 1825 to cover the district of Farmington and Rochester at Chestnut Hill. (Nehemiah Eastman, Daniel Hayes, Hopley Meserve, and Jemmy Wingate recommended Varney also).

Rochester petitioner Dr. Samuel Pray (1769-1854) had practiced medicine in Rochester since 1792 and had been a founding member of the Strafford District Medical Society. (He had attended Milton militiaman Norton Scates when he was wounded in 1806).

Petitioner Col. Joshua Allen (1757-1817) had been a Rochester selectman, with Richard Dame and Beard Plumer, when they petitioned for incorporation of Rochester’s first parish in January 1799, and when they laid out the bounds of Rochester’s graveyard in August 1800. He commanded the NH Second Militia Regiment in 1812. He was a maternal uncle of petitioner Levi Jones (and brother-in-law of both Samuel Lord and Theodore C. Lyman).

Petitioners Jacob McDuffee (1770-1848) and Dr. Samuel Pray, together with Rev. Joseph Haven, John P. Hale, James Tebbetts, and Moses Roberts, Jr., had been Rochester’s first school committee in 1809. McDuffee would be on the executive committee of the Strafford Agricultural Society in 1825 (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), November 18, 1825). He took a prize for the best Merino buck in its annual cattle show in October 1829 (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), November 6, 1829).

Petitioner Thomas McDuffee (1784-1851), who was familiarly known in Rochester, NH, as “Selectman McDuffee,” was a cousin of petitioner Jacob McDuffee and a brother-in-law of petitioner Joseph Jones, Jr.

Petitioner Jonathan Wingate (1793-1882) was a carpenter, who resided in Rochester, NH, as late as 1829, but had removed to Somersworth, NH, by 1831.

Middleton petitioner Daniel Wingate (1755-1825) had been moderator of the Middleton-Brookfield election meeting in March 1779.

March 18. The voters of Brookfield and Middleton met according to act of the general court, and chose Daniel Wingate moderator; and William Chamberlin to represent said district of Brookfield and Middleton in the general court (Merrill, 1889).

Petitioner Jonathan Buzzell (1761-182[8]) had been a Revolutionary soldier in Col. Reed’s regiment. He was one of sixty-four Middleton inhabitants that petitioned, on February 10, 1790, to have Capt. Archelaus Woodman appointed as a Middleton justice-of-the-peace.

Petitioners Daniel Wingate and Jonathan Buzzell had signed also an earlier road-related petition, in 1796, asking that a 4¢-per-acre tax be levied in Middleton for maintenance of its roads.

Daniel Wingate had been appointed a Middleton justice-of-the-peace, June 16, 1802. He had been also Middleton and Brookfield’s NH state representative in 1806 and 1810.

Petitioners Daniel Wingate, Joseph Goodwin (1782-1868), and Jonathan Buzzell would also petition, on May 29, 1817, to have Lt. John Hill appointed as a Middleton justice-of-the-peace. Joseph Goodwin was among a lengthy list of inhabitants of Middleton, New Durham and Wakefield, NH, recommending appointment of Hill again, in 1820, for appointment to that post.

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See also Salmon Falls Sawmill Petition – 1797

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References:

Find a Grave. (2005, March 1). Col. Joshua Allen. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/10543195/joshua-allen

Find a Grave. (2021, March 13). Pvt. Jonathan Buzzell. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/224407295/jonathan-buzzell

Find a Grave. (2012, June 18). Simon Chase. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/92136668/simon-chase

Find a Grave. (2012, April 4). James Davis. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/88056178/james-davis

Find a Grave. (2005, December 12). Nehemiah Eastman. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/12713268/nehemiah-eastman

Find a Grave. (2016, September 13). Daniel Hayes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/169872705/daniel-hayes

Find a Grave. (2011, December 31). Ichabod Hayes. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/82754137/ichabod-hayes

Find a Grave. (2017, October 24). Levi Jones. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/184574201/levi-jones

Find a Grave. (2021, October 5). Joseph Jones, Jr. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/232735795/joseph-jones

Find a Grave. (2020, October 22). William Jones. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/217586882/william-jones

Find a Grave. (2015, April 6). Jacob McDuffee. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/144655656/jacob-mcduffee

Find a Grave. (2015, March 11). Thomas McDuffee. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/143599348/thomas-mcduffee

Find a Grave. (2021, November 4). Joseph Plumer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/233700428/joseph-plumer

Find a Grave. (2009, November 19). Dr. Samuel Pray. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/44559317/samuel-pray

Find a Grave. (2011, May 20). Rev. Jeremiah Waldron. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/70129409/jeremiah-waldron

Find a Grave. (2010, June 5). Joseph Walker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/53278620/joseph-walker

Find a Grave. (2017, March 13). Daniel Wingate. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/177320380/daniel-wingate

Find a Grave. (2019, May 13). Jonathan Wingate. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/199095333/jonathan-wingate

Hammond, Isaac W. (1884). Town Papers. Documents Relating to Towns in New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=-4dQAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA341

McDuffee, Franklin. (1892). History of the Town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=RY0-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA428-IA5

NH Department of State. (n.d.). New Hampshire, Government Petitions, 1700-1826: Box 44: 1816-Dec 1816. Concord, NH.

Wikipedia. (2022, February 16). Henry Wilson. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wilson

By Muriel Bristol | March 6, 2022

Nathaniel Gilman “Gilman” Pinkham was born in Milton, September 10, 1834, son of James and Sarah D. (Jewett) Pinkham. (His mother, Sarah D. (Jewett) Pinkham, was a daughter of Milton’s first town clerk, Gilman Jewett (1777-1856)).

NATHANIEL G. PINKHAM, Postmaster of Milton, Strafford County, N.H., was born in this town, September 10, 1834, son of James and Sally (Jewett) Pinkham. His grandfather was Nathaniel Pinkham of Dover Point, N.H. James Pinkham was a custom shoemaker, and followed that business in Milton, for the greater part of his active period. He lived to be seventy years old. In politics he was a Whig. His wife Sally (Jewett) Pinkham became the mother of eleven children, five of whom are now living (Biographical Review, 1897).

James Pinkham, a shoemaker, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Sarah Pinkham, aged fifty years (b. NH), Lucy Pinkham, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Hannah Pinkham, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Nathaniel G Pinkham, a shoemaker, aged fifteen years, and John P. Pinkham, aged thirteen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Hazen Duntley, a blacksmith, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and Thomas Nutter, a shoemaker, aged thirty-five years (b. NH).

Nathaniel G. Pinkham was educated in the public schools of this [Milton] town (Biographical Review, 1897).

Nathaniel G. Pinkham married in Milton, October 28, 1855, Emily C. Corliss, both of Milton. He was aged twenty years, and she was aged sixteen years. Rev. James Doldt performed the ceremony. She was born in Sandwich (elsewhere said to be Wolfeboro), NH, November 25, 1838, daughter of John C. and Louisa W. (Hubbard) Corliss.

Mr. Pinkham married Emily Collins [Corliss], a native of Wolfboro, and has two children – Hattie L. and James D. (Biographical Review, 1897).

Daughter Lilean E. Pinkham was born in Milton, January 20, 1857. She died in Milton, March 28, 1858, aged one year, two months.

Mother-in-law Louisa W. (Hubbard) Corliss died in Milton, April 13, 1857, aged forty-six years, two months. Daughter Lilean E. Pinkham died in Milton, March 28, 1858, aged one year, two months.

Daughter Hattie L. Pinkham was born in Milton, January 28, 1859.

James Pinkham, a shoemaker, aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Sarah D. Pinkham, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), James B. Pinkham, a shoemaker, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), Gilman Pinkham, a shoemaker, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Emily Pinkham, aged twenty years (b. NH), Clara [Hattie] Pinkham, aged two years (b. NH), and John D. Pinkham, a shoemaker, aged twenty-three years (b. NH). James Pinkham had real estate valued at $500 and personal estate valued at $200. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Dearborn Ellis, a shoemaker, aged forty years (b. NH), and Joseph Jenness, a landlord, aged thirty-six years.

Father James Pinkham died in Milton, February 4, 1861, aged seventy-one years.

Nathaniel G. Pinkham began working for the Great Falls Manufacturing Company at just about that time.

When a young man he entered the employ of the Great Falls Manufacturing Company, and for the past thirty-five years he has been in charge of the water-power of that concern (Biographical Review, 1897).

The [Great Falls Manufacturing Co.] orators are a corporation established at Great Falls, Salmon river, in Somersworth, and own five cotton mills with suitable machinery, and to enable them to use the mills, they need the water of Salmon river. For this purpose, they have kept up a dam for some years past, across the riyer, at the outlet of the Three Ponds, so called, partly in Milton in this county, and partly in Lebanon in the State of Maine, and thereby accumulated the water in rainy seasons and have it in seasons of drought (NH Superior Court of Judicature, 1854).

One supposes Pinkham managed their dam at Milton, and perhaps those in other places, including the water levels and releases. (Perhaps he succeeded his late father in that job).

An unnamed infant son was born and died, presumably both in Milton, on an unspecified date (but apparently during this 1860-65 period between the births of children Hattie L. and James D. Pinkham).

Son James D. Pinkham was born in Milton, August 20, 1866. (His father was a shoemaker).

Mother Sarah D. “Sally” Pinkham died of consumption in Milton in July 1869, aged sixty-nine years. She was a widowed housekeeper.

Nathaniel G. Pinkham, works in shoe factory, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Emily Pinkham, keeping house, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), Hattie L. Pinkham, at school, aged eleven years (b. NH), and James D. Pinkham, aged three years (b. NH). Nathaniel G. Pinkham had real estate valued at $500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ira L. Knox, works in shoe factory, aged forty years (b. ME), and Joseph Sayward, a retail grocer, aged fifty-two years (b. ME).

Father-in-law John C. Corliss died of palsy in Moultonborough, NH, March 31, 1875.

Nathaniel G. Pinkham, works on shoes, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Village of Milton 3 Ponds”) household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Emily Pinkham, aged forty-two years (b. NH), and his children, Hattie L. Pinkham, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), and James D. Pinkham, aged thirteen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Daniel R. Fall, a carpenter, aged forty-one years (b. ME), and John L. Wing, works on farm, aged fifty years (b. ME).

Nathaniel G. Pinkham became Milton’s postmaster, May 21, 1885. (He succeeded Charles H. Looney in that office). He received his appointment during the first term of President Grover Cleveland. As they assignments were at this time political plums, one might infer that Pinkham was also a Democrat.

In 1885 he was appointed Postmaster by President Cleveland, and served through that administration. He was again appointed in 1893, and his courtesy and efficiency as a public official are recognized and appreciated by all parties irrespective of politics (Biographical Review, 1897).

Washington Notes. Washington, May 22. The postmaster-general today appointed sixty-one fourth class postmasters. Among them were George W. Smith at Mattawamkeag, Penobscot county, Me., and Nathaniel G. Pinkham at Milton, Strafford county, N.H. (Boston Globe, May 23, 1885).

Son James D. Pinkham married in Milton, October 13, 1885, Sarah A. McDonigle, both of Milton. He was a shoeworker, aged nineteen years, and she was aged twenty-two years. Rev. Frank Haley performed the ceremony. She was born in Ireland, circa 1863.

The Great Falls Manufacturing Company have decided to rebuild the mill at Milton which was destroyed by lightning last August, and will begin work as soon as the frost is out of the ground (Farmington News, April 16, 1886).

N.G. Pinkham appeared in the Milton business directories of 1887, and 1889, as a Milton boot & shoe merchant, as well as being Milton postmaster. N.G. Pinkham appeared in a U.S. Postal Department report of July 1, 1887, as having received $568.17 in compensation (US Secretary of the Interior, 1887). (With the advent of Republican President Benjamin Harrison, Ralph M. Kimball replaced Pinkham as Milton postmaster, May 10, 1889).

Postmasters Appointed. WASHINGTON, May 10. Fourth class postmasters were today appointed as follows: G.A. Dickinson, Haddam, Conn.; H.C. Brewer, Freeport. Me.; J.H. Littlefield, Ogunquit, Me.; David Walker, South Symington, Me.; William P. Newman, West Falmouth. Me.; J.H. Leighton, West Pembroke, Me.; R.M. Kimball, Milton, N.H.; J.S. Adams, Union, N.H.; D.H. Bennett, Bridgeport, Vt.; Jerome T. Flint, Derby Line, Vt.: A.M. Ruble, East Berkshire, Vt.: Stephen Grout, East Dorset, Vt.; E.A. Beach, Essex Junction, Vt.; D.K. Simonds, Manchester, Vt.; M.M. Parker, Woolcott, Vt. (Boston Globe, May 11, 1889).

The construction of the A.O.U.W. hall in 1890, on land leased from the Great Falls Manufacturing Company land, changed the stretch of Main Street on which Nathaniel G. Pinkham’s shoe store stood. (It might be that his store stood also on Great Falls Manufacturing Company land, he being in their employ for dam management purposes).

MILTON. The Ancient Order of United workmen have leased a lot of land from the Great Falls Manufacturing company and commenced the foundation of a building, with a frontage of seventy-five feet, on Main street and thirty-five feet deep. This occupies the ground for several years taken up by Duntley’s blacksmith shop and two small buildings owned by John F. Hart, and will be devoted to business and lodge purposes. The plan provides for three stores and a grand entrance on the ground floor, a large hall for dramatics and other entertainments on the second floor, with Lodge room and necessary ante room on the upper floor. The small building used by F.A. Mark as a jeweler’s shop has been moved across the street and now stands on the hill just south of Kennett market. The blacksmith shop is on its journey and will stand partially in the rear of N.G. Pinkham’s shoe store (Farmington News, October 10, 1890).

N.G. Pinkham appeared in the Milton business directories of 1892, and 1894, as a Milton boot & shoe merchant.

Nathaniel G. Pinkham became again Milton’s postmaster, July 17, 1893. (He succeeded Ralph M. Kimball in that office). He received his appointment during the second term of President Grover Cleveland. (Democrat President Cleveland’s two terms were not contiguous: Republican President Benjamin Harrison’s single term was sandwiched between them). As with his first appointment, one might infer from this one that Pinkham was also a Democrat.

NEW POSTMASTERS APPOINTED. The Weeding-out Continues at Lively Pace – 119 More Yesterday. Washington, July 18. One hundred and nineteen fourth-class postmasters were appointed yesterday of whom seventy-nine were in place of postmasters removed. Among the appointments were the following: New Jersey – T.R. Boeman, Annandale; Anmon Wright, Cape May Point; J.A. Eick, Everittstown; S.S. Johnson, Hainesport; J.B. Coughle, Hamden; Stewart Opeyke, Little York; J.B. Neale, Rio Grande, W.R. Love, Three Bridges. Pennsylvania – J.A. McArthur, Freehold; H.M. Snyder, Hickory Corners; L.H. Johnson, Lottsville; C.E. Reed, New Sheffield; W.F. Devers, Parkwood; C.F. Gibson, Washingtonville. New Hampshire – F.E. Emerson, Andover; J.W. Foster, Bath; O.W. Carter, Boscawen; J.C. Webster, Danbury; Alvin Jackson, Durham; W.F. Time, East Haverhill; H.E. Eaton, East Weare; Harvey Brown, Georges Mills; O.N. Sumner, Goffstown; C.M. Batchelder, Hampton; C.H. Fox, Hill; Samuel Head, Hookset; N.G. Pinkham, Milton; Thaddeus Tarlton, Newcastle; I.M. Locke, North Barrington; Frank Tucker, North Weare; W.H. Hobbs, West Ossipee. Vermont L.S. French, Barnard; Patrick Halpin, New Haven Mills (Carlisle Sentinel (Carlisle, PA), July 18, 1893).

Burglars broke into several stores in April and May 1894. They struck next at the N.G. “Gilman” Pinkham and J.D. Willey stores at Milton Three Ponds during the night of June 14-15, 1894.

Burglars Visit Dover, N.H. Dover, N.H., June 15. The store of Gilman Pinkham at Milton, which is also the post office, was entered last night and some stamps and money taken. The store of Joseph D. Willey, at the same place, was also entered, and a sum of money stolen. The safes in both places were wrecked (Boston Evening Transcript, June 15, 1894).

LOCALS. June 14. Thieves broke into the store of Gilman Pinkham where the post office is at Milton, wrecking the safe by an explosion and getting a large amount of money and stamps. They also visited the store of J.D. Willey, where they got considerable money from the safe. No clew to the thieves (Farmington News, June 22, 1894).

Joseph D. Willey (1854-1931) kept a grocery and dry goods store at Milton Three Ponds, across the street from Pinkham. (See also Milton in the News – 1914 and Milton Versus the Yeggmen – 1923).

MILTON. Mrs. Gilman Pinkham, Miss Addie Duntley, and Miss Clara Drew were the guests of Farmington friends over the Sabbath (Farmington News, September 28, 1894).

MILTON. Mrs. Gilman Pinkham came home last week after a month’s visit to Boston (Farmington News, November 16, 1894).

Daughter Hattie L. Pinkham married in Milton, November 17, 1894, Harry L. Avery, both of Milton. He was a clerk, aged thirty-one years, and she was a clerk, aged thirty-five years. Rev. Frank Haley performed the ceremony.

Nathaniel G. Pinkham appeared in the Democrat slate for the Town office of Supervisor of the Checklist (NH Secretary of State, 1897).

CANDIDATES FOR TOWN OFFICES. The candidates nominated under the provisions of the new ballot law and printed in the official ballots for the several towns and wards in this state are here given complete. The politics of the candidates is indicated and those elected are distinguished by an asterisk. The vote for each candidate for representative is stated.
MILTON. Representative to General Court. Frank G. Horne, r – 267; Frank E. Norton, d – 82.
Supervisors of the Check List. George D. Canney, r*; Elbridge W. Fox, r*; Timothy Connolly, Jr., d; Nathaniel G. Pinkham, d; Ira A. Cook, d; William T. Wallace, r*.
Moderator. Leroy F. Corson, d; John U. Simes, r*.

If the strength of the Democrat vote might be judged by the numbers reported for the NH State Representative race, it would seem to have gone three-to-one against he and his associates on this occasion.

He is a member of the lodge of Odd Fellows at Milton Mills, and the family attend the Congregational church (Biographical Review, 1897). 

Joseph H. Avery replaced Nathaniel G. Pinkham as Milton postmaster, June 14, 1897. N.G. Pinkham appeared in the Milton business directories of 1898, as a Milton boot & shoe merchant only.

Nathaniel G. Pinkham, a shop keeper (shoes), aged sixty-six years (b. NH) headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of forty-five years), Emily C. Pinkham, aged sixty-one years (b. NH). Nathaniel G. Pinkham owned their house, free-and-clear. Emily C. Pinkham was the mother of three children, of whom two were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Harry L. Avery, a storekeeper, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), and Joseph P. Pinkham, a salesman (groceries), aged sixty-three years years (b. NH).

N.G. Pinkham appeared in the Milton business directories of 1901, 1904, and 1905-06, as a Milton boot & shoe merchant.

A Milton water system had been in the wind for over a decade at this point. A story had been told years earlier of a Milton store clerk named “Herb” that traded a new suit of clothes from his store for a horse and wagon “team.” He dreamt that night of the advantages that might accrue to him from his having acquired that team, thereby setting him on the path to becoming a rich man.

And to all appearances his dream is soon to be realized for he has since traded his team for an interest in the Milton Water Works, which is supposed to have millions in it as soon as Milton becomes a city (Farmington News, May 9, 1890).

The NH General Court authorized incorporation of the Milton Water Works Company, March 21, 1901, with initial board members Malcom A.H. Hart, Charles H. Looney, S. Lyman Hayes, Charles D. Jones, Fred B. Roberts, Harry Avery, George E. Wentworth, Joseph H. Avery, Ira W. Jones, Arthur W. Dudley, Everett F. Fox, Henry F. Townsend, Freeman H. Lowd, William T. Wallace, Frank G. Horne, Charles A. Jones, and Nathaniel G. Pinkham. It had established itself July 19, 1899, with Harry L. Avery as its treasurer (NH Secretary of State, 1901).

The offer of the gift of a town clock for Milton, by an out of town citizen, if the people will raise money for a bell, has stimulated an effort to this end, and an organization was effected at a meeting Saturday evening, Dr. M.A.H. Hart being president, Harry L. Avery, secretary, and N.G. Pinkham treasurer. It is proposed to place this clock and bell in the tower of the Congregational church as the most conspicuous place in the village (Farmington News, [Friday,] November 29, 1901).

Nathaniel G. Pinkham died of chronic nephritis in Milton, May 29, 1906, aged seventy-one years, eight months, and nineteen days. He was a merchant and a lifelong Milton resident. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Emily (Corliss) Pinkham died of Bright’s Disease in Milton, January 27, 1913, aged seventy-four years, two months, and two days. She had resided in Milton for fifty-eight years, i.e., since the time of her marriage, having come there from Sandwich, NH. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.

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References:

Biographical Review. (1897). Biographical Review: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Strafford and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=C2sjAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA371

Browne, George M. (1886). Essays and Addresses. Report on the Affairs of the Great Falls Manufacturing Co. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=fQAiAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA130

Find a Grave. (2020, August 18). Hattie L. Pinkham Avery. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/214557903/hattie-l-avery

Find a Grave. (2021, July 3). Infant Pinkham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/229119070/infant-pinkham

Find a Grave. (2020, September 8). James Pinkham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/215360156/james-pinkham

Find a Grave. (2015, June 10). James D. Pinkham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/147697510/james-d-pinkham

Find a Grave. (2020, September 8). Lilean E. Pinkham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/215366870/lilean-e-pinkham

Find a Grave. (2015, June 10). Nathaniel Gilman Pinkham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/147696986/nathaniel-gilman-pinkham

NH Secretary of State. (1897). Manual for the General Court, 1897. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=uzktAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA270

NH Superior Court of Judicature. (1854). Great Falls Manufacturing Company Vs. Worster. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=0LJLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA462

US Census Office. (1885). Statistics of Power and Machinery Employed in Manufactures: On the Water Power of the United States. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=jFhYAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA65

US Secretary of the Interior. (1887). Official Register of the United States. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=_6JLAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA581