Milton Mills Farmer William F. Cutts (1830-1910)

By Muriel Bristol | September 3, 2023

William Foxwell Cutts was born in North Berwick, ME, December 22, 1830, son of Thomas J. and Huldah (Chadbourne) Cutts.

Father Thomas J. Cutts [Sr.] died in Berwick, ME, September 9, 1844.

Huldah [(Chadbourne)] Cutts, aged forty-seven years (b. ME), headed a North Berwick, ME, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. Her household included Henry O. Cutts, a farmer, aged twenty-three years (b. ME), Julia A. Cutts, aged twenty-two years (b. ME), William F. Cutts, a farmer, aged nineteen years (b. ME), Levi C. Cutts, aged fourteen years (b. ME), Humphrey C. Cutts, aged thirteen years (b. ME), George W. Cutts, aged eleven years (b. ME), Thomas J. Cutts, aged eleven years (b. ME), Charles A. Cutts, aged six years (b. ME), and Betsey Linscott, aged twenty-five years (b. ME). Huldah Cutts had real estate valued at $1,500.

William F. Cutts married, circa 1854, Mary A. Sanborn. She was born in Acton, ME, September 28, 1835, daughter of Luther and Abigail (Berry) Sanborn.

(The known children of William F. and Mary A. (Sanborn) Cutts were May Cutts (1856-1856), Ora E. Cutts (1858-1944), Charles W. Cutts (1862-1958), and Fred H. Cutts (1864-1902).

Daughter May Cutts was born July 12, 1856. She died September 11, 1856.

Mother Huldah (Chadbourne) Cutts died in North Berwick, ME, September 1, 1857.

Daughter Ora Eva Cutts was born in Milton, in December 1858.

William F. Cutts, a farmer, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. [(Sanborn)] Cutts, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), O.E. Cutts, aged one year (b. NH), Charles A. Cutts, a farmer, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and James Burrows, a shoemaker, aged thirty-five years (b. NH). William F. Cutts had real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate valued at $600. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph Rines, aged seventy-six years (b. NH), and Saml Remick, a farmer, aged thirty years (b. NH).

Son Charles William Cutts was born in Milton Mills, October 30, 1862. Son Fred H. Cutts was born in Milton Mills, November 14, 1864.

A boarding teenager, who was son of a missionary minister, committed suicide in the Cutts barn in March 1866. (See also Milton in the News – 1866).

SUICIDE. – Our correspondent at Acton informs us that Frank Bacheler committed suicide Monday morning, by hanging himself by a rope attached to a ladder in the barn. He was living with Mr. William F. Cutts, at Milton Mills, N.H., and was a son of Rev. O.R. Bacheler, a Freewill Baptist Foreign Missionary in India. Young Bacheler was a fine lad, in his sixteenth year, and was well contented in the family of Mr. Cutts, as appears by letters which he wrote to his friends but the day before his death. There is no apparent cause for his committing such a deed (Portland Daily Press (Portland, ME), March 14, 1866).

William F. Cutts, a farmer, aged thirty-nine years, headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Mary A. [(Sanborn)] Cutts, keeping house, aged thirty-five years, Ora E. Cutts, at school, aged ten years, Charles W. Cutts, at school, aged ten years, aged seven years, Fred H. Cutts, at school, aged ten years, aged five years, and Julia A. Cutts, aged forty years. William F. Cutts had real estate valued at $3,500 and personal estate valued at $435. Julia A. Cutts had personal estate valued at $3,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Ann M. Rowe, keeping house, aged sixty-one years (b. ME), and George Grundy, works in woolen mill, aged thirty-five years (b. England).

Milton sent William F. Cutts to Concord, NH, as one of its two NH State Representatives for the 1877-78 biennium. (He served with Luther Hayes (1820-1895) in his first year and Luther B. Roberts (1845-1933) in his second year).

Daughter Ora E. Cutts married in Wakefield, NH, November 1, 1877, John Frank Farnham, both of Milton. He was a bookkeeper, aged seventeen years, and she was aged eighteen years. Rev. Nathaniel Barker performed the ceremony. Farnham was born in Milton, April 20, 1860, son of Ezra and Harriet A. (Hubbard) Farnham.

W.F. Cutts appeared in the Milton directories of 1880, 1881, 1882, 1884, and 1887, as a Milton Mills manufacturer of plows.

William F. Cutts, a farmer, aged forty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary A. [(Sanborn)] Cutts, keeping house, aged forty-four years (b. ME), his children, Charles W. Cutts, at house, aged seventeen years (b. NH), and Fred H. Cutts, at house, aged fifteen years (b. NH), and his sister, Julia A. Cutts, keeping house, aged fifty-two years (b. ME). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John E. Hayes, a butcher & farmer, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), and William Sanborn, a farmer, aged seventy-six years (b. ME).

John F. Farnham, an expressman, aged twenty years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ora E. [(Cutts)] Farnham, keeping house, aged twenty-one years (b. ME), and his son, Fred H. Farnham, at house, aged two years (b. ME). They shared a two-family residence with the household of [his father,] Ezra Farnham, an expressman, aged forty-eight years (b. ME).

Son Charles W. Cutts married (1st) in New Castle, NH, April 10, 1889, Grace Garvin, he of Milton Mills and she of New Castle, NH. He was a teacher, aged twenty-six years, and she was a housekeeper, aged twenty-four years. Rev. George B. Frost performed the ceremony. She was born in Acton, ME, August 27, 1862, daughter of John A. and Ann B. (White) Garvin.

Daughter-in-law Grace (Garvin) Cutts died of apoplexy in New Hampton, NH, January 27, 1890, aged twenty-five years, five months. Wm. Child signed the death certificate.

Mary A. (Sanborn) Cutts died of surgical shock in Portland, ME, October 13, 1893, aged fifty-eight years, and fifteen days. S.C. Gordon signed the death certificate.

Son Charles W. Cutts married (2nd) in Bristol, NH, November 17, 1894, Isadore M. Musgrave, he of Kerika College, NY, and she of Bristol, NH. He was a professor, aged thirty-four years, and she was a houseworker, aged twenty-five years. Rev. John D. LeGro performed the ceremony. She was born in Bristol, NH, December 24, 1870, daughter of Richard W. Musgrave.

Son Fred H. Cutts married in Milton, November 4, 1896, Edna M. Swayne, he of Somersworth, NH, and she of Ashland, NH. He was a merchant, aged thirty-two years, and she was a school teacher, aged twenty-two years. Rev. E.N. Fernald performed the ceremony. She was born in Newton, MA, April 12, 1875, daughter of George R. [or P.] and Annie E. (Ellis) Swayne.

F.H. Cutts appeared in the Milton directory of 1898, as a Milton justice-of-the-peace.

William F. Cutts, a farmer, aged sixty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his sister-in-law, Sarah E. Cook, a housekeeper, aged sixty-nine years (b. ME). William F. Cutts owned their farm, free-and-clear. Their household appeared just after that of Lincoln Goodwin, a day laborer, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME).

J. Frank Farnham, excelsior manufacturing, aged forty years (b. ME), headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-two years), Ora E. [(Cutts)] Farnham, aged forty-one years (b. ME), his children, Fred H. Farnham, a bookkeeper, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Hazel A. Farnham, aged two years (b. NH), and his aunt, Julia A. Cutts, aged seventy-two years (b. ME). J. Frank Farnham owned their house, free-and-clear. Ora E. Farnham was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John W. Prescott, postmaster, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), and Charles Rowell, a groceries salesman, aged fifty-one years (b. ME).

Charles W. Cutts, principal of academy, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Blue Hill, ME, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of three years), Isadore M. [(Musgrave)] Cutts, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and his daughters, Ethel B. Cutts, at school, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and Mary E. Cutts, aged two years (b. NH). Charles W. Cutts rented their house. Isadore M. Cutts was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.

Fred H. Cutts, a grocer, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), headed a Somersworth, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of four years), Edna S. [(Swayne)] Cutts, aged twenty-five years (b. MA). Fred H. Cutts rented their house on Pleasant Street.

Son Fred H. Cutts died of septicemia in Milton, March 30, 1902, aged thirty-seven years, four months, and twenty-six years. W.E. Pillsbury, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Acton. Fred Cutts of Milton Mills, who cut his foot a few weeks ago, died Sunday, the 30th, of blood poisoning (Sanford Tribune (Sanford, ME), April 4, 1902).

Daughter-in-law Isadore M. (Musgrave) Cutts died of appendicitis in Merrimac, MA, September 22, 1902, aged thirty-one years, eight months, and twenty-eight days.

W.F. Cutts appeared in the Milton directory of 1904, as a Milton Mills manufacturer of plows.

Daughter-in-law Edna S. (Swayne) Cutts married (2nd) in Ashland, NH, October 4, 1905, Lauriston M. Goddard, both of Ashland, NH. She was a teacher, aged thirty years, and he was a clerk, aged twenty-seven years. Rev. George A. Thompson performed the ceremony.

UNION. Hazel Farnham spent a few days last week with her grandfather, Foxwell Cutts (Farmington News, July 16, 1906).

Son Charles William Cutts married (3rd) in Franklin, NH, July 9, 1908, Nellie Woodworth Curtis, both of Merrimac, MA. He was a teacher, aged forty-five years, and she was a nurse, aged forty-three years. Rev. Lewis W. Phillips performed the ceremony. She was born in Bowdoin, ME, in 1866, daughter of David H. and Rachel A. (Merryman) Curtis.

William F. Cutts of Milton Mills died of heart syncope in Acton, ME, February 23, 1910, aged seventy-nine years, two months, and two days. H.D. Grant, M.D., signed the death certificate.

DEATHS. CUTTS – In Milton Mills, N.H., Feb. 23, William Foxwell Cutts, 78 yrs. Burial Sunday, Feb. 27 (Boston Globe, February 26, 1910).

UNION. Charles Cutts and family of Merrimac, Mass., have been spending a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Frank Farnham (Farmington News, April 1, 1910).

J. Frank Farnham, an excelsior manager, aged fifty years (b. ME), headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty years), Ora E. [(Cutts)] Farnham, aged fifty-one years (b. ME), his daughter, Hazel A. Farnham, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and his boarder, Sarah L. Farnham, aged seventy years (b. ME). J. Frank Farnham owned their house, free-and-clear. Ora E. Farnham was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.

Charles W. Cutts, a school teacher, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Merrimac, MA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal census. His household included his wife (of one year), Nellie W. [(Curtis)] Cutts, aged forty-four years (b. ME), and his daughters, Ethel B. Cutts, aged twenty years (b. NH), and Elizabeth M. Cutts, aged twelve years (b. NH). Charles W. Cutts rented their house at 194 Main Street.

UNION. Mrs. Charles Cutts of Derry returned with Mr. and Mrs. Farnham for a few days’ visit (Farmington News, May 26, 1916).

UNION. Charles Cutts and family of Derry and Fred Farnham and family of Winchester, Mass., are guests at the Farnham cottage at East lake (Farmington News, July 14, 1916).

UNION. Mrs. Charles Cutts of Derry is visiting at the home of Frank Farnham (Farmington News, September 15, 1916).

UNION. Miss Ethel Cutts of Derry is visiting her aunt, Mrs. J. Frank Farnham (Farmington News, July 6, 1917).

UNION. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cutts and daughters are visiting at Camp Hazelhurst, East lake (Farmington News, July 13, 1917).

Frank Farnham, an excelsior manager, aged fifty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ora E. [(Cutts)] Farnham, aged sixty-one years (b. ME), his daughter, Hazel Farnham, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), and his mother, Harriet Farnham, aged eighty-two years (b. ME). Frank Farnham owned their house, free-and-clear.

Charles W. Cutts, superintendent of schools, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Derry, NH, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Nellie C. [(Curtis)] Cutts, aged fifty-four years (b. ME), his daughter, M. Elizabeth Cutts, a music teacher, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), and his boarder, Beatrice E. Gove, aged fifteen years (b. ME). Charles W. Cutts owned their house on Marlborough Road, free-and-clear.

Charles W. Cutts, a Normal School teacher, aged sixty-six years (b. ME), headed a Keene, NH, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-one years), Nellie W. [(Curtis)] Cutts, aged sixty-five years (b. ME). Charles W. Cutts rented their house at 34 Bruder Street, for $55 per month. They had a radio set.

Son Charles W. (Nellie W.) Cutts appeared in the Keene, NH, directory of 1931, as a teacher at the State Normal school, with his house at 48 Appian Way.

Son-in-law John F. Farnham died of coronary thrombosis in Union village, Wakefield, NH, February 17, 1933, aged seventy-two years, nine months, and twenty-seven days. He was a retired excelsior manufacturer. He had lived in Wakefield, NH, for 45 years, i.e., since circa 1888, with his previous residence having been in Acton, ME. Fred L. Clow signed the death certificate.

Brother Thomas J. Cutts [Jr.] died in Milton, March 15, 1933, aged ninety-four years. (See Milton in the News – 1933).

John E. Kennett, a retail general store proprietor, aged forty-two years (b. NH), headed an Old Orchard Beach, ME, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Hazel F. [(Farnham)] Kennett, aged forty-two years (b. NH), his mother-in-law, Ora E. [(Cutts)] Farnum, aged eighty-one years (b. ME), and his servant, Rose Gonneville, a private family housekeeper, aged forty-four years (b. Canada). John E. Kennett owned their house on Union Avenue, which was valued at $3,000. John E. and Jazel F. Kennett had resided in the “same house” in 1935, while Ora E. Farnham had resided in Union, NH, and Rose Gonneville had resided in Biddeford, ME.

C.W. Cutts, a Keene Teachers College teacher, aged seventy-seven years (b. NH), headed a Keene, NH, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Nellie W. [(Curtis)] Cutts, aged seventy-three years (b. ME). C.W. Cutts owned their house at 48 Appian Way, which was valued $8,000. They had resided in the “same house” in 1935.

Daughter Ora E. (Cutts) Farnham died in Old Orchard Beach, ME, March 12, 1944, aged eighty-five years, three months.

DEATHS. Mrs. J.F. Farnham Dies At Home Of Her Daughter. Mrs. Ora E. Farnham, widow of J. Frank Farnham of Union N.H., who for the past 11 years had resided with her: daughter, Mrs. John E. Kennett, of Old Orchard Beach, died at the Kennett home, 143 Union avenue, Sunday, following a lengthy illness. Her age was 85 years and 3 months. Mrs. Farnham was born in No. Berwick, the daughter of William and Mary (Sanborn) Cutts. She attended the schools of her native community and resided there during a lengthy period of her younger life previous to going to Keene and Union, N.H., to make her home. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star chapter of Union and of the Baptist church of Milton Mills. Since coming to Old Orchard Beach she had made many new friends through her pleasing personality and friendly disposition. Her passing away will cause much sorrow for her intimate friends and surviving relatives. Besides her daughter, Mrs. J.E. Kennett, she leaves a son, Fred H. Farnham, of New York, two grandchildren, and a brother, Charles W. Cutter [Cutts] of Keene, N.H. Prayers will be conducted at the Kennett home, 143 Union avenue, Old Orchard Beach, Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock. The body will then be taken to Union, N.H., where funeral services will be held at the Congregational church in Union on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock (Biddeford-Saco Journal (Biddeford, ME), [Monday,] March 13, 1944).

Hanover News and Personals. … A reception was given Professor and Mrs. Charles W. Cutts in Keene last week at the parish house of the First Congregational church. Mr. and Mrs. Cutts are leaving Keene where he has been teaching for the past few years, for Haverhill, Mass., where they will now make their home. Mr. Cutts was for eight years superintendent of schools for this district previous to 1928 when he resigned to go to the Teachers college in Keene (The Landmark (White River Junction, VT), April 19, 1945).

Daughter-in-law Edna M. ((Swayne) Cutts) Goddard died of acute myocarditis in Ashland, NH, May 16, 1945, aged seventy years, one month, and four days. She was a teacher and librarian. Leon M. Orton, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Charles W. Cutts, unable to work, aged eighty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Haverhill, MA, household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal census. His household included his wife, Nellie W. [(Curtis)] Cutts, aged eighty-four years (b. ME). They resided at 22 Webster Street.

Daughter-in-law Nellie W. (Curtis) Cutts died, probably in Haverhill, MA, in 1955.

Son Charles W. Cutts died in the Hale Hospital Haverhill, MA, March 9, 1958, aged ninety-five years.

Charles W. Cutts. HANOVER. – Word has been received of the death of Charles Cutts, 95, of Haverhill, Mass., school superintendent here from about 1922-1928. Mr. Cutts died Sunday in Hale Hospital, Haverhill. Mr. Cutts was a retired Keene, N.H., Teachers College professor and was also a superintendent of schools at Derry, N.H., and a school principal at Merrimac High School. He was a member of the Rotary Clubs in Hanover and Keene. He was married to the late Mrs. Nellie (Curtis) Cutts. Services will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Dole and Child’s Funeral home, 148 Main St., Haverhill. Burial will be in Milton Mills, N.H. (Valley News (West Lebanon, N.H.), March 11, 1958).

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References:

Find a Grave. (2013, August 7). Charles W. Cutts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115051979/charles-w-cutts

Find a Grave. (2013, August 7). Fred H. Cutts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115052029/fred-h-cutts

Find a Grave. (2013, August 7). May Cutts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115051839/may-cutts

Find a Grave. (2013, July 29). Thomas Jefferson Cutts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114553563/thomas-jefferson-cutts

Find a Grave. (2013, August 7). William F. Cutts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115051803/william-f-cutts

Find a Grave. (2021, May 7). Ora E. (Cutts) Farnham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/226580653/ora-e-farnham

Jewell & Tuttle. (1878). Annual New England Official Directory and General Hand-Book. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=Qko9AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA354

NH General Court. (1877). Journals of the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=mOI3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA149

NH General Court. (1878). Journals of the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=tUYlAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA227